Footsteps of a Pure Devotee of God - The Assured Path to Perfection
The vast ocean of Vedic knowledge can be bewildering for a conditioned soul to navigate independently. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the supreme secret to spiritual success is remarkably simple: one must faithfully follow in the footsteps of the pure devotees who have already traversed the path. By adopting the mood, instructions, and practices of the great ācāryas and eternal associates of the Lord, any sincere practitioner is guaranteed to achieve the ultimate perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Following the Great Authorities (Mahājanas)
The Vedic scriptures identify twelve primary authorities (mahājanas) who perfectly know the science of devotion. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that by aligning our lives with the examples set by personalities like Nārada, Brahmā, and Prahlāda Mahārāja, the path to liberation becomes effortless.
- The Srimad-Bhagavatam affirms that one should follow in the footsteps of great devotees, and that is the way of progress on the path of spiritual realization.
- All the great authorities in the devotional service of the Lord follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni in the order of the Narada-bhakti-sutra, and therefore all the devotees of the Lord are unhesitatingly qualified to enter into the kingdom of God.
- Anyone who follows in the footsteps of recognized devotees, such as Brahma, Siva, the Kumaras, Manu, Kapila, King Prahlada, King Janaka, Sukadeva Gosvami, Yamaraja and their followers in disciplic succession, very easily finds the door of liberation open.
- We have to follow in the footsteps of such devotees (as Siva, Yamaraja, Brahma, the Kumaras, Kapila, etc.), for by this one easy process one can cross the great ocean of nescience just as one might cross a small hole created by the hoof of a calf.
The Science of Rāgānugā-bhakti
When a devotee advances beyond the regulative stage, they develop a spontaneous desire to serve the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that to achieve this rāgānugā-bhakti, one must strictly follow the footsteps of Kṛṣṇa's eternal associates in Goloka Vṛndāvana, mimicking their specific mood of love.
- When a devotee follows in the footsteps of the devotees of Vrndavana, his devotional service is called raganuga bhakti.
- The devotee has to follow in the footsteps of the eternal associates of Krsna in Goloka Vrndavana.
- Persons desiring to follow in the footsteps of such eternal devotees of the Lord as the Vrsnis and Vrndavana denizens are called raganuga devotees, which means that they are trying to attain to the perfection of those devotees.
- Devotees who are attracted to Krsna as parents or as friends should follow in the footsteps of Nanda Maharaj or Subala, respectively.
Following the Gopīs and Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī
The highest and most confidential realm of spiritual life is conjugal love (mādhurya-rasa). Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly notes that this relationship can never be attained by mundane speculation; it is accessed exclusively by following the young cowherd girls of Vraja, taking ultimate shelter of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī.
- The vrndavana-vasis - mother Yasoda, Krsna's friends and Krsna's conjugal lovers, the younger gopis with whom He dances - have very intimate relationships with Krsna, and if one follows in the footsteps of these devotees, Krsna is available.
- A pure devotee follows in the footsteps of the gopis and worships the gopis as follows, "Let me offer my respectful obeisances to all the young cowherd girls, whose bodily features are so attractive."
- The conjugal love between Radha and Krsna, which is called yugala-piriti, is not understandable by mundane scholars, artists or poets. It is simply to be understood by devotees who strictly follow in the footsteps of the six Gosvamis.
- To perform devotional service means to follow in the footsteps of Radharani, and devotees in Vrndavana put themselves under the care of Radharani in order to achieve perfection in their devotional service.
Practical Application in the Modern Age
Following in the footsteps of the great souls is a highly practical endeavor. As Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs, we must take up the mission of preaching, distributing books, and serving without personal motivation, just as the previous ācāryas like Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Mādhavendra Purī did.
- The idea is that we should follow in the footsteps of great devotees. If we are unable to execute all the different items of devotional service, we must try to execute at least one of them, as exemplified by previous acaryas.
- A pure devotee of the Lord follows in the footsteps of the great devotees like Narada and Prahlada and engages his whole time in glorifying the Lord by the process of kirtana. Such a preaching process is transcendental to all material qualities.
- We always request members of ISKCON to publish as many books as possible and distribute them widely throughout the world. By thus following in the footsteps of Srila Rupa Gosvami, one can become a rupanuga devotee.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted to point out intense love of Krsna exhibited by Madhavendra Puri. All Caitanya Mahaprabhu's devotees later followed in the footsteps of Madhavendra Puri, serving the Lord without personal considerations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the supreme science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not established through mental gymnastics or independent academic research; it is realized exclusively by the principle of anuvratyā—faithfully following in the footsteps of the pure devotees. As Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully outlines, whether one is a neophyte seeking liberation by following the regulative instructions of the twelve mahājanas, or an advanced soul seeking spontaneous rāgānugā-bhakti by following the residents of Vṛndāvana, the methodology remains the same. The instructions of the pure devotees are simple, practical, and absolutely transcendental. By abandoning all personal motivation and dedicating one's life to executing the mission of previous ācāryas—such as the widespread distribution of transcendental literature—any sincere practitioner will unhesitatingly find the doors to the spiritual kingdom open to them.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Footsteps of a Pure Devotee of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.