How Prabhupāda Trains His Disciples in the Art of Seeing Kṛṣṇa
Seeing the Supreme Lord is the ultimate goal of all spiritual endeavor. Clarifying this profound subject, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains to his disciples that spiritual vision is not achieved through mundane visual exercises or artificial meditation. True seeing requires a radical transformation of consciousness, moving from the platform of material sense gratification to pure, unalloyed devotion. By meticulously following the prescribed rules and purifying their senses, devotees gradually acquire the qualification to perceive the Lord everywhere.
Purifying the Senses to See God
The material eyes are defective and completely incapable of perceiving the transcendental form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Before a disciple can hope to see the Lord, they must undergo a rigorous process of purification by following the regulative principles and chanting the holy names. Explaining this scientific process, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures his followers that when the senses are fully cleansed through devotional service, the Lord voluntarily reveals Himself to the sincere practitioner.
- You cannot see God by your endeavor because your senses are all nonsense. You have to purify your senses and you have to wait for the time when God will be pleased to reveal Himself before you.
- If you want to see God just face to face, not fiction, then you must follow the rules and regulation, you must chant, you must purify yourself. You must wait. The time will come. When you are purified, you'll see God.
- When you are completely purified, you see God face to face, eye to eye, talk with Him, play with Him, just like cowherds boys, they are playing, the gopis are dancing. You get that position.
- When Krsna allows Himself to be seen by you, then you can see. So you have to become qualified to see Him, otherwise He is everywhere present. We can see Him. And without being qualified, if you want to see Him, that is not possible.
Seeing Kṛṣṇa Through the Deity
While the Supreme Lord is present everywhere, He kindly manifests in the arca-vigraha form so that conditioned souls can easily see and serve Him. Visiting the temple and gazing upon the gorgeously decorated Deity is the practical, authorized method for training the eyes to look past material allurements. By absorbing their vision in this beautiful transcendental form, Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that devotees are actually seeing the Lord face to face and realizing their true spiritual identity.
- Eyes should be engaged to see the Deity, very gorgeously, nicely dressed. Then our eyes will not ask, "Oh, let me see this beautiful woman." No. You will see the most beautiful woman, Radharani.
- The legs should be utilized for coming to this temple to see Krsna. Not to going to the cinema rascal. Then your life will be successful. You'll understand Krsna. Krsna is very kind.
- The first thing is enthusiasm, that "I must see Krsna." You are seeing Krsna. The Deity of Krsna and Krsna is not different. But even personally you can see.
- If we see the Deities in very pleasing mood, that will certify our service unto the Lord. So everywhere we shall see the Deities in such pleasing mood. As soon as we see the Deities in a different mood we must immediately understand our discrepancies.
- Apara bhakti means on the material platform. Generally, the Deity worship. This is the beginning, but as you go on worshiping the Deity you realize your spiritual identity. Then you do not see the Deity as made of stone or wood.
Recognizing Kṛṣṇa Everywhere
As a practitioner advances in bhakti-yoga, their spiritual vision expands beyond the walls of the temple to encompass the entire creation. A pure devotee trains their mind to perceive the Lord's presence in all aspects of life, recognizing His energy in the sunshine, the taste of water, and the beauty of nature. By maintaining this constant state of awareness, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that one can successfully see God twenty-four hours a day without interruption.
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita, we can remember Krishna when drinking water, when seeing the sunshine and moonshine, when smelling a flower, when hearing the transcendental sound vibration, when chanting Vedic mantras.
- If you are always remembering Him by your activities and seeing Krishna everywhere, even in the heart of the demonic persons.
- Members of this Society are trained to see in everything the display of Krsna's artistic sense. That is Krsna consciousness. In everything the devotee sees the artistic hand of Krsna.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is meant for qualifying you to see God twenty-four hours. This is sum and substance of Krsna consciousness. If you learn this art, then you will see God twenty-four hours, without any stop.
The Vision of Equality and Compassion
Material vision focuses on the external dress of the body, creating divisions based on race, nationality, and species. However, a person established in spiritual consciousness sees the eternal spirit soul within every living entity, viewing all beings equally as parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord. Cultivating this transcendental perspective, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a true devotee naturally feels deep compassion for others, seeing them as innocent victims of māyā who simply need spiritual enlightenment.
- Suppose you come in a dress. You are my friend. Do I see your dress or you? Panditah sama-darsinah. Vidya-vinaya-sampanne. You are reading Bhagavad-gita. You know all these things. When you are learned, you won't see the dress. You will see the soul.
- Who is in Krsna consciousness, he sees everyone on the same level. How it is, that? Has he become a madman, that a highly intellectual person and the dog, he sees on the equal level? Yes. Because he is not seeing on the material platform.
- We do not care for Moslem, Christian, this or that. We see everyone as part and parcel of Krsna, and as such they should re-establish their loving relationship with Krsna.
- The symptom of a devotee is they are unhappy by seeing others unhappy. That is the symptom of devotee.
- Because we understand that Krishna is our Protector under all circumstances, we have no more any anxiety, so we become very liberal and tolerant of all kinds of seeing others' sinful activities, and we see them innocent victims of maya.
Seeing Through Feelings of Separation
In the highest stages of devotion, the desire to see the Lord is accompanied by an intense feeling of separation. Following the mood of Lord Caitanya, a sincere disciple does not artificially demand to see God immediately, but rather cultivates a deep yearning to serve Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that this very feeling of separation is the perfection of spiritual vision, enriching the devotee's consciousness and ultimately qualifying them to meet the Lord.
- Feel separation of Krsna just like Radharani, as Lord Caitanya teaches us, and engage your tongue in the service of the Lord; then, one day, when you are mature, you'll see Krsna eye to eye.
- The more you feel separation from Krsna, you should understand that you are advancing. Don't try to see Krsna artificially. Be advanced in separation feeling, and then it will be perfect. That is the teachings of Lord Caitanya.
- This feeling of separation will make you enriched in Krsna consciousness. Feeling of separation. Not that "Krsna, I have seen you. Finished. All right. I have understood You."
- It is good to feel inadequate, and to try harder to please Krishna with better service. But one should never feel, oh, I have seen Krishna, and so I am reached perfection - this is not Krishna consciousness.
The Practical Vision of Leadership
Beyond philosophical realization, spiritual vision also translates into the practical duty of safeguarding the society's purity. Those entrusted with leadership roles must constantly "see" that all members are strictly adhering to the regulative principles, chanting their rounds, and maintaining the temple standards. By remaining highly vigilant in their administrative duties, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that his leaders protect the spiritual lives of the devotees and guarantee the success of the preaching mission.
- As GBC you should see the standard is perfectly maintained, and that deity worship is perfectly done. Then Krishna will give us all protection.
- The Governing Body Commission's duty is to see that every member is following the rules and regulations and chanting sixteen round regularly on the beads.
- Please see that all the devotees are following these principles; this program is the essential basis of our spiritual advancement.
- You are my elder disciple, you are one of the leaders of our Society; therefore, it is your duty to feel always this responsibility for seeing that the things go on properly.
- Just see that the standard of purity is strictly maintained and the standard of enthusiasm for spreading Lord Caitanya's Movement is increased.
Conclusion
The art of seeing in spiritual life bridges the gap between profound theological realization and practical, everyday devotion. Whether gazing upon the Deity, perceiving the soul within all beings, or vigilantly managing temple affairs, a disciple's vision is entirely guided by the instructions of the spiritual master. By learning to look at the world through this purified lens, Śrīla Prabhupāda promises his followers that they will safely navigate the illusions of the material world and ultimately see the Supreme Lord face to face.
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 Our Seeing (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.