If You Want to Hear Kṛṣṇa, Then He Will Give You Instruction
This article explores the fundamental importance of the desire to hear, as explained in the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda. In the Vedic tradition, spiritual life begins the moment one submissively lends their ear to the right source. While the material world constantly bombards the living entity with mundane sound vibrations, true liberation is achieved when the conditioned soul redirects that innate eagerness to hear toward the transcendental pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The Principle of Receiving Knowledge Through Hearing
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that true knowledge cannot be acquired by the eyes or through independent empirical research. It must descend through the authorized disciplic succession and be received through the ear. This process is known as śruti. While everyone in the material world is constantly hearing something, foolish people waste this valuable propensity by listening to temporary, mundane topics that simply fuel their material sense gratification.
- Knowledge means not to see but to hear. Therefore it is called sruti, susruma. Knowledge has to be received through the ear, not by the eyes. Not by the eyes. This is not recommended. Nobody says, "I want to see knowledge," no: "I want to hear knowledge."
- Hearing is our main business. You are hearing. If you go out from this temple you will also hear. Or the sound is always going on. If we do not want to hear, the hearing is going on.
- They (foolish people) want to hear something about the name, form, etc., of everything temporary, and they do not know how to utilize this propensity of hearing for the ultimate good.
- People in general want to hear and read from the authorities something about the unknown, but their taste is exploited by unfortunate literatures which are full of subject matter for satisfaction of the material senses.
The Eagerness of Pure Devotees to Hear
The symptom of a pure devotee is an insatiable appetite to hear about Kṛṣṇa. When Mahārāja Parīkṣit was cursed to die in seven days, he did not waste a moment; he immediately sought out Śukadeva Gosvāmī because he wanted to hear the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Similarly, Vidura traveled to meet Maitreya specifically to hear topics related to the Lord. Such great souls know that hearing the pastimes and opulences of God is the highest transcendental pleasure.
- Death is inevitable; no one can surpass the force of death. Therefore Maharaja Pariksit, while fully alive, wanted to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam. He is consequently addressed here (in SB 8.5.24) as arindama.
- Maharaja Pariksit did not ask his spiritual master, Sukadeva Gosvami, to narrate Lord Krsna's pastimes in Vrndavana; he wanted to hear first about the creation of the Lord.
- Pariksit Maharaja, being naturally a devotee of Krsna, wanted to hear more about Lord Krsna.
- Vidura wanted to hear of everything from Maitreya, and so he inquired from him, but he desired that all the topics be in relationship with Krsna.
The Lord's Reciprocation When We Want to Hear
The Supreme Lord is the ultimate well-wisher of all living entities, and He actively desires that we hear His glories. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that if a conditioned soul develops a sincere desire to hear about Kṛṣṇa, the Lord will reciprocate perfectly. From within the heart as the Supersoul, and from without as the spiritual master, Kṛṣṇa will provide all the necessary instructions to relieve that soul from material bondage.
- If you want to hear Krsna, then He will give you such instruction as you will be relieved from this miserable condition of material life and go back to home, back to Godhead. He's ready.
- Hearing and chanting the glories of the Lord is itself an act of piety. The Lord wants everyone to hear and chant His glories because He is the well-wisher of all living entities.
- In discussing Krsna's opulences and His diverse energies, the pure devotees take transcendental pleasure. Therefore they want to hear and discuss them.
- The great devotees relished the taste of unceasing devotional service of the Lord, hearing, chanting, etc., and by developing the same taste (as the great sages), Narada wanted also to hear and chant the glories of the Lord.
Protecting the Purity of Hearing
Because hearing is the most critical process for spiritual advancement, one must be extremely cautious about what enters the ear. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns against the tendency to want to hear something new at the expense of our established guiding principles. Pure devotees like Svarūpa Dāmodara strictly forbade others from hearing Māyāvāda philosophy. Hearing impersonalism or blasphemy is deeply offensive, as it insults the Supreme Lord and destroys one's devotional creeper.
- Every precaution must be taken to preserve our basic guiding principles as they are and not change them because we want to hear something new.
- When his brother (Gopala Bhattacarya) came to Jagannatha Puri, Bhagavan Acarya wanted to hear from him about Mayavada philosophy, but Svarupa Damodara forbade him to do so, and there the matter stopped.
- In this way (saying that God has no eyes, no legs, no hands), they are indirectly insulting God. This is blasphemy. God does not want to hear such nonsense.
- When Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu was addressed as Krsna or Visnu He blocked His ears, not wanting to hear Himself addressed as the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that the simple act of wanting to hear Kṛṣṇa-kathā is the most powerful catalyst for spiritual liberation. By shutting our ears to mundane news and offensive philosophies, and instead opening them to the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and the Bhagavad-gītā, we invite the Supreme Lord directly into our hearts. For those who submissively hear the glories of the Lord and the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, Kṛṣṇa personally guarantees their safe return back home, back to Godhead.
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 Wanting to Hear. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.