Giving Up for Kṛṣṇa - The Ultimate Surrender
The process of spiritual realization requires a fundamental shift in consciousness: moving from the desire to acquire for oneself to the desire to sacrifice for the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the essence of all Vedic teachings is summarized in the instruction to give up everything for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction. By abandoning false material attachments and surrendering the fruits of one's labor to the Lord, the living entity achieves true freedom and eternal protection.
The Supreme Instruction of Bhagavad-gītā
The culmination of transcendental knowledge is found at the end of the Bhagavad-gītā. Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa's final, most confidential instruction is for the living entity to abandon all other religious formularies and simply surrender unto Him.
- In Bhagavad-gita Krsna's last instructions were that everyone should give up all other engagements and render devotional service unto Him.
- In the Bhagavad-gita (Bhagavad-Gita 18.66) Lord Krsna says, "Give up all your nonsense and surrender to Me. I will protect you" - CC Intro.
- In the Bhagavad-gita also the Lord says, "Give up all your occupations and just become surrendered unto Me. I give you assurance that I shall give you protection from all sinful reactions."
- Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya: (Bhagavad-Gita 18.66) "In the ultimate issue, My instruction is to give up all religious formularies" - including even Vedic formularies - and simply surrender to Me.
- The real religious principle is devotional service, or bhakti. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, where Lord Krsna says, "Give up all other religious principles and simply surrender unto Me."
Practical Renunciation
Surrendering to Kṛṣṇa does not mean artificially abandoning one's daily duties or living an impractical life. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that true renunciation (sannyāsa) means working diligently in one's occupation but voluntarily giving up the results of that labor for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.
- A man working in Krsna consciousness in a factory does not associate himself with the work of the factory, nor with the workers of the factory. He simply works for Krsna. And when he gives up the result for Krsna, he is acting transcendentally.
- Tyaga means to give up the result to Krsna. That is sannyasa. Sat-nyasa. Sat means the Supreme. And anyone who renounces everything for Krsna, the Supreme, he is sannyasi.
- Krsna does not advise Arjuna simply to remember Him and give up his occupation. No, the Lord never suggests anything impractical.
- The next steps are as follows: (6) One should be prepared to give up everything for Krsna's satisfaction, and one should also accept everything for Krsna's satisfaction. (7) One must live in a place where Krsna is present.
- Rupa gosvami mentions, Being prepared to give up anything material for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna.
Giving Up Attachments and False Pride
The material world binds the soul through false prestige and bodily attachments. Śrīla Prabhupāda provides historical examples of great personalities who completely gave up their pride, speculative philosophies, and mundane relationships the moment they tasted the superior nectar of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- By the grace of Krsna, Devayani gave up her imaginary position in the material world. Completely fixing her mind upon Krsna, she achieved liberation from the gross and subtle bodies.
- Lord Brahma hastily got down from his swan carrier and let his body fall to the earth. Usually, the demigods never touch the ground, but Lord Brahma, voluntarily giving up his prestige as a demigod, bowed down on the ground before Krsna.
- Put forth your explanation of Srimad-Bhagavatam following in the footsteps of Sridhara Svami. Giving up your false pride, worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu told Sanatana Gosvami, "Give up all your nonsensical desires, for they are unfavorable for getting shelter at the lotus feet of Krsna."
- Bilvamangala Thakur simply heard about Krsna and then immediately gave up his beautiful girl friend and started out for Mathura and Vrndavana, where he became a perfect Vaisnava.
The Supreme Example of the Gopīs
The highest standard of surrender in the entire spiritual sky is exhibited by the cowherd girls of Vṛndāvana. Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully describes how the gopīs fearlessly gave up their families, their societal honor, and all pious religious duties simply to please Kṛṣṇa.
- If one gives up everything for Krsna's sake, maya can have no effect. The most excellent example of this is the gopis. They gave up everything - family, prestige and honor - just to follow Krsna.
- The first-class example is the gopis. They gave up everything. Their family, their relatives, their husband, their sons, their father, their prestige, their honor - everything sacrificed, simply for Krsna. That is the highest perfection.
- Gopis said, "Even in great distress one cannot give up the connection of family members, but although it might be impossible for others, we gave up our fathers, mothers, sisters and relatives (for Krsna's friendship)."
- These gopis came to Krsna, giving up their all engagements. They were engaged in, I mean to say, loving children, some of them were engaged in serving their husband, or unmarried girls, they were engaged to serving her father, brother.
- Saintly persons and great devotees like the gopis cannot give up Krsna in any circumstances. Lord Caitanya therefore prayed, "Krsna, You are free and independent in all respects."
The Guarantee of Kṛṣṇa's Protection
Giving up everything for the Lord is not a perilous risk; it is the ultimate security. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights Kṛṣṇa's absolute promise: when a devotee sacrifices their material safety and desires to serve Him, the Supreme Lord personally takes charge of them, ensuring they are protected from all sinful reactions.
- After giving up all kinds of religious and occupational duties, if you come to Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and take shelter, I shall give you protection from all of life's sinful reactions. Do not worry.
- In the last verses of Bhagavad-gita Krsna says to Arjuna:Just give up everything and surrender unto Me. I will take care of you and protect you from all the reactions to sinful activities. (Bhagavad-Gita 18.66).
- Since pure devotees give up their homes, wives, children, relatives, riches and even their lives simply to serve Me, without any desire for material improvement in this life or in the next, how can I (Krsna) give up such devotees at any time.
- Yudhisthira said, "You (Krsna) openly declare that one should surrender unto You, giving up all other engagements, and that You will take charge of him, giving him relief from the reactions of all sins."
- Krsna replied, "My dear kings, your decision to give up all conceptions of material enjoyment and turn instead toward My devotional service is factually the symptom of your good fortune. Henceforward you will always be blessed with blissful life."
Conclusion
In conclusion, giving up for Kṛṣṇa is the definitive requirement for attaining the supreme perfection of life. The living entity is naturally inclined to hold onto false prestige, bodily relations, and the fruits of material labor, falsely believing these provide security. However, as Śrīla Prabhupāda masterfully extracts from the Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa's final and most confidential instruction is to abandon all these flawed, temporary arrangements and fully surrender unto Him. This surrender does not mean becoming inactive; rather, it means actively dedicating the results of all endeavors exclusively to the Lord. By following the supreme example of the gopīs, who fearlessly gave up everything—family, societal honor, and all other religious duties—for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction, a devotee completely transcends the influence of māyā. In return for this unalloyed surrender, the Supreme Lord promises absolute protection and eternal, blissful life, proving that what is given up for Kṛṣṇa is never lost, but eternally gained.
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 Giving Up for Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.