God's Companions - The Eternal Associates of the Supreme Lord
In the material world, companionship is often based on temporary bodily designations, economic needs, or fleeting mutual interests. Because these relationships are rooted in illusion, they inevitably end in separation and grief. However, the Vedic literatures reveal a completely different reality in the spiritual sky. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is never alone or isolated; He is perpetually surrounded by His eternal, loving companions. Śrīla Prabhupāda meticulously explains the absolute nature of these divine associates, ranging from the goddess of fortune to the pure devotees who descend alongside the Lord. By understanding the nature of God's companions, the conditioned soul can learn how to qualify for the ultimate perfection of eternal spiritual association.
The Eternal Consort of the Lord
The most intimate and constant companion of the Supreme Lord is Lakṣmī-devī, the goddess of fortune. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because she is the Lord's internal spiritual potency, she is completely inseparable from Him.
- O best of the brahmanas, Laksmiji is the constant companion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, and therefore she is called anapayini. She is the mother of all creation.
- The power and the powerful are identical. Therefore mother Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, is the constant companion of Lord Visnu; they remain together constantly.
- Money is Laksmi, or the goddess of fortune, the companion of Narayana. Laksmiji must always remain with Narayana, and then there need be no fear of degradation.
- Whenever a devotee sees the Lord, he sees Him in a most beautifully decorated form, accompanied by His constant companion the goddess of fortune, who is eternally beautiful.
The Inner Companion
The companionship of the Absolute Truth is not restricted to the liberated souls in the spiritual world. Out of His boundless compassion, the Supreme Lord acts as the eternal companion of every conditioned soul by residing within their heart as the Paramātmā (Supersoul).
- The Lord is the constant companion of the living entity as Paramatma, or the Supersoul, and therefore He can understand the desires of the individual soul, as one can smell the flavor of a flower by being near it.
- Even a living being destined to reside in the Kumbhipaka hell is accompanied by his eternal companion, the Lord.
- For the pure devotees He is the constant companion, as in the case of His becoming one of the family members of the Yadu dynasty, or His becoming the friend of Arjuna.
- A living entity who always remembers the Lord and is thus His constant companion is as transcendentally situated as the Lord Himself.
The Descending Associates
When the Supreme Lord descends to the material world to execute His pastimes and reestablish religious principles, He brings His transcendental entourage with Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that these associates are never ordinary human beings; they are fully liberated, pure companions.
- Devotees like Arjuna are constant companions of the Lord, and whenever the Lord incarnates, the associate devotees also incarnate in order to serve the Lord in different capacities. Arjuna is one of these devotees.
- Anyone who is a constant companion of the Lord is certainly a liberated person, but he cannot be equal to the Lord.
- Saints of your caliber are themselves places of pilgrimage. Because of their purity, they are constant companions of the Lord, and therefore they can purify even the places of pilgrimage.
- He is accompanied by His associates, servants, weapons and confidential companions.
The Supreme Perfection of Association
The ultimate goal of spiritual life is to enter into the eternal association of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that becoming a companion of the Lord is a specific form of liberation, and associating with such narrations is the key to spiritual success.
- There are five kinds of liberation, namely to become one with the Lord, to live with the Supreme Lord on the same planet, to have the same features as the Lord, to enjoy the same opulences as the Lord, and to live as a companion of the Lord.
- The narration of the Personality of Godhead and His devotees is absolute in itself, and thus to hear it with a devotional attitude is to associate with the Lord and constant companions of the Lord.
- What to speak of Lord Brahma and Lord Siva, the goddess of fortune, Laksmi, is the Lord's constant companion in service, since she always associates with His body. But even she could not get such mercy - as mother Yasoda.
- Although the Lord is one in His various forms, still His form as the young enjoyer of the gopis and companion of the cowherd boys is the most perfect form.
Conclusion
A comprehensive study of the Vedic literatures thoroughly defeats the impersonalist conception that the Absolute Truth exists in lonely isolation. As Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly explains, the Supreme Personality of Godhead is perpetually accompanied by His loving devotees. The ultimate example is the goddess of fortune, Lakṣmī-devī, who is known as anapāyinī because she never leaves the Lord's side. Yet, the Lord's companionship is not restricted to His internal potencies. In a profound display of boundless mercy, the Lord expands Himself as the Paramātmā, remaining the constant companion of every conditioned soul, patiently guiding them even as they wander through hellish material conditions. When the Lord chooses to display His pastimes on earth, His liberated companions, such as Arjuna, faithfully descend with Him to assist in His divine mission. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that anyone who attains the purity of becoming a constant companion of the Lord becomes a living place of pilgrimage, although they never become equal to God Himself. Ultimately, to live as a companion of the Lord is one of the five highest forms of liberation. For the conditioned soul striving for this perfection, Śrīla Prabhupāda provides the easiest and most sublime method: because the narrations of the Lord and His pure devotees are absolute, simply hearing these pastimes with a submissive heart allows one to instantly associate with the Supreme Lord and His eternal, transcendental companions.
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 Companions. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.