God's Agreeing - Conquered by Pure Devotional Service
A widespread misconception in the material world is the idea that God exists to fulfill human demands. People often approach the Supreme with lists of desires, expecting Him to agree to their plans. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically explains that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate master; He does not agree to serve the mundane orders of anyone. Yet, there is one force that completely conquers the absolute independence of the Lord: pure devotional service. By studying what the Supreme Lord actually agrees to do—such as becoming a son, a messenger, or allowing Himself to be bound by love—a sincere soul discovers the profound sweetness and power of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Conquered by Pure Devotion
The Supreme Lord cannot be bribed by wealth, intelligence, or severe mechanical austerities. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the Lord only agrees to accept offerings and reveal Himself when approached with unalloyed bhakti-yoga.
- The purport to this verse is that the Lord easily offers liberation, but He rarely agrees to offer a soul devotional service because by devotional service the Lord Himself becomes purchased by the devotee.
- Without the basic principle of bhakti, nothing can induce the Lord to agree to accept anything from anyone.
- Although He does not appear before those who practice yoga in a secluded place even for many, many births, He agrees to appear in a householder's home where devotees engage in devotional service without material yoga practice.
- God is not meant for supplying your orders because He takes service. He does not serve anybody. So if we want to bring God for our service, we may be disappointed because God does not agree to serve anybody.
Agreeing to Human Roles
To exchange intimate spiritual mellows with His devotees, the Lord voluntarily steps down from His position of awe and reverence. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how the Supreme Creator agrees to play the role of an ordinary human being, even accepting devotees as His parents.
- Devotees always want to see the Lord victorious in varied activities, and therefore, to please Himself and them, the Lord sometimes agrees to act as a human being and perform wonderful, uncommon pastimes for the satisfaction of the devotees.
- To glorify Maharaja Nabhi, the sages composed two verses. One of them is this: Who can attain the perfection of Maharaja Nabhi? Who can attain his activities? Because of his devotional service, the Supreme Personality of God agreed to become his son.
- The Personality of Godhead appeared as the son of Vasudeva and Devaki because for a very long time they performed severe austerities to have the Supreme Lord as their son. Satisfied by their penance and determination, the Lord agreed to become their son.
- Sincerely, seriously, they offered their hearts to Krsna's lotus feet with unalloyed devotional attitude. As the Supersoul in everyone's heart, Krsna could understand their uncontaminated desire, He agreed to accept them as His wives.
The Supreme Controller Agrees to be Controlled
Perhaps the most astonishing aspect of the Lord's character is His willingness to subordinate Himself to the love of His pure devotees. Although He is the supreme dictator of the cosmos, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Lord happily agrees to be controlled, defeated, and ordered by His loving servants.
- By His one plenary portion as Paramatma, the Lord controls innumerable universes, with all their demigods; yet He agrees to be controlled by a devotee.
- They gave up the idea of binding Him. But in competition between Krsna and His devotee, Krsna sometimes agrees to be defeated.
- When mother Yasoda and her friends gave up the idea of binding Krsna then His internal energy, yogamaya, was brought to work, and Krsna agreed to be bound by mother Yasoda.
- On account of the Pandavas' faithful devotion to the Lord, He agreed to become their charioteer, their advisor, their friend, their messenger and sometimes their bodyguard. Such is an example of the result of devotional service towards Visnu.
The Intercession of the Guru
The Supreme Lord does not agree to the speculative demands of atheists or impersonalists. However, He is deeply obliged to His pure representatives. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the Lord will agree to forgive a fallen soul if the bona fide guru intercedes on their behalf.
- Guru introduces us with God and prays to God, "Please excuse him." This is guru's business. And by the request of guru, God agrees to excuse him. This is the process.
- Krsna is pleased when a Vaisnava is rendered service. Because the younger brahmana served the older one, Lord Gopala agreed to become a witness of the marriage negotiation in order to maintain the prestige of both devotees.
- He is what He is and does not agree to be a subject of their speculations, which perpetually lead them to conclude that His impersonal feature is supreme.
- When Lord Visnu agrees to come to a sacrificial arena, all the demigods naturally follow their master, and their shares are offered in such sacrifices. The conclusion is that the sacrifices performed are meant for Lord Visnu, not for the demigods.
Conclusion
The supreme independence of the Personality of Godhead is an unchallengeable Vedic fact. Śrīla Prabhupāda systematically establishes that the Lord can never be coerced by mechanical yoga, mundane intellectual speculation, or the arrogant demands of materialists. He is the master of all, and He does not agree to become anyone's order-supplier. However, the beauty of spiritual science is revealed in the Lord's vulnerability to pure love. When a soul gives up all material motives and engages in unalloyed bhakti, the Supreme Lord is conquered. Out of profound affection, He agrees to descend as a human being, agrees to accept the discipline of His parents like Vasudeva and Mother Yaśodā, and even agrees to act as a humble charioteer for the Pāṇḍavas. Furthermore, to honor the compassion of His pure devotees, the Lord agrees to forgive sinful souls when petitioned by a bona fide guru. By understanding what the Supreme Lord agrees to do, the conditioned soul realizes that the highest perfection of life is not to merge into an impersonal void, but to awaken that pure devotion which effortlessly captures the heart of God.
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 God's Agreeing. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.