Everything Available in Full Abundance
The concept of abundance is often misunderstood as the result of human industrial effort, but Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that real plenty is a gift from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When the world is managed according to divine laws, material nature produces everything in full abundance, satisfying both the physical and spiritual needs of all living entities. By recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the source of all supply, humanity can move from artificial scarcity to a state of natural prosperity.
All Flourishing Due to Your Glance
The prosperity of any land is directly linked to the glance of the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that cities and villages flourish in all respects when herbs and grains are in abundance, the trees are full of fruits, and the hills are full of minerals. These natural gifts are supplied by the order of the Supreme, and as He desires, material nature produces them in abundance or restricts them at times. Kuntidevi notes that when these natural elements are present, there is no need for the "nonsense" of industry and slaughterhouses, which only create problems.
- All these cities and villages are flourishing in all respects because the herbs and grains are in abundance, the trees are full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the hills are full of minerals and the oceans full of wealth. And this is all due to Your glance.
- The natural gifts such as grains and vegetables, fruits, rivers, the hills of jewels and minerals, and the seas full of pearls are supplied by the order of the Supreme, and as He desires, material nature produces them in abundance or restricts them at times.
- Kuntidevi mentions that the grains are abundant, the trees full of fruits, and the oceans full of wealth, but she never mentions that industry and slaughterhouses are flourishing, for such things are nonsense that men have developed to create problems.
- Kuntidevi says, ime jana-padah svrddhah supakvausadhi-virudhah: (SB 1.8.40) "The grains are abundant, the trees full of fruits, the rivers flowing, the hills full of minerals, and the ocean full of wealth." What more should one want.
Afraid of a Competitive Price Due to Abundant Production
The capitalistic system often finds natural abundance to be a threat to its interests. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that when food grains are produced abundantly, the farmers become financially stronger, and thus the capitalists become morose because they are unable to exploit them. Capitalists are afraid of a competitive price that results from abundant production. In contrast, a good ruler ensures that material nature produces necessities abundantly. When there is a population increase, it is the business of the Supreme Lord to feed the people, but atheists often oppose abundant production if it hampers their business.
- The farmer then becomes very happy to see his field full of grain, but the capitalists—who are always unaware of the activities of a supernatural power—become unhappy because they are afraid of a competitive price due to abundant production.
- When food grains are produced abundantly the farmers become financially stronger, and thus the capitalist becomes morose at being unable to exploit them.
- When there is a good ruler, that source produces the necessities of life abundantly. However, when there is not such a good ruler, there will be scarcity. This is the significance of the word kamadhuk.
- When there is a population increase, it is the business of the Supreme Lord to feed the people. But atheists or miscreants do not like abundant production of food grains, especially if their business might be hampered.
Abundance of Wonderful Associates and Sweetness
Spiritual abundance is manifest in the person and pastimes of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that above Narayana, Kṛṣṇa possesses an abundance of wonderful associates, such as the gopīs, and an abundance of sweetness that bewilders even His own mind. This transcendental abundance is also found in the holy forest of Saugandhika, which is full of the fragrance of abundant lotus flowers. Even the Lord's physical form, such as the abundance of hair on the head of Lord Rsabhadeva or the baby Kṛṣṇa, reflects this divine opulence. Such abundance causes wonder to all and serves to increase the ecstasy of the devotees.
- Above Narayana, Krsna has four specific transcendental qualities - His wonderful pastimes, an abundance of wonderful associates who are very dear to Him (like the gopis), His wonderful beauty and the wonderful vibration of His flute.
- Who manifests an abundance of sweetness greater than Mine, which has never been experienced before and which causes wonder to all? Alas, I Myself, My mind bewildered upon seeing this beauty, impetuously desire to enjoy it like Srimati Radharani.
- Thus the demigods saw the wonderfully beautiful region known as Alaka in the forest known as Saugandhika, which means "full of fragrance." The forest is known as Saugandhika because of its abundance of lotus flowers.
- Vasudeva saw that wonderful child born as a baby wearing bracelets, earrings and similar other ornaments all over His body, and beautified by an abundance of hair on His head.
Frustrated and Confused Due to No Balance
The modern condition is characterized by a paradox of material plenty and spiritual poverty. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that although everything is available in full abundance, there is a section of people who are frustrated and confused, like the hippies, because there is no spiritual balance. People in the West have an overabundance of the "zeros" of materialistic life, but by adding Kṛṣṇa, their life becomes sublimely valuable. In Kali-yuga, there is an abundance of strife, ignorance, and vice. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement offers an abundance of spiritual activities, turning this material frustration into the benefit of liberation and personal glory.
- Everything is available in full abundance. Then why is there still a section of people who are frustrated and confused, like the hippies? They are not satisfied. Why? Because there is no balance.
- Finally in Kali-yuga (the yuga we have now been experiencing over the past 5,000 years) there is an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligion and vice, true virtue being practically nonexistent, and this yuga lasts 432,000 years.
- The Krsna consciousness movement therefore offers a great opportunity to the people of the West. They have an overabundance of the zeros of materialistic life, and if they simply add Krsna their life will become sublimely valuable.
- Boston is one of our major centers for the large missionary work of Krsna consciousness movement, so there is always an abundance of Krsna conscious activities going on.
Conclusion
Abundance is the natural state of a world that recognizes the supremacy of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that material nature is not a source of scarcity, but a provider of unlimited gifts when society follows the order of the Supreme. The current strife and frustration found in modern civilization are not due to a lack of resources, but a lack of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Whether it is the profuse quantities of milk from protected cows or the infinite sweetness found in the Lord's pastimes, abundance is a sign of spiritual health. By shifting from the industrial "nonsense" that creates problems to a lifestyle centered on cow protection and devotional service, humanity can reclaim its right to natural prosperity. Ultimately, the overabundance of material achievements in the West is only made valuable when Kṛṣṇa is placed at the center. By embracing the abundant opportunities for service provided by the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the soul can move beyond the "zeros" of material life and achieve the eternal, abundant bliss of the spiritual world.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Abundant. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.