Kṛṣṇa's Lotus Feet - The Cause of All Auspicious Things
The concept of auspiciousness is often sought through material arrangements, but Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that true "sumangalam" originates from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When the Lord appears or when His instructions are followed, the entire atmosphere is transformed into one of peace and prosperity. By taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet, the living entity moves beyond the dualities of material reactions and enters a state where every circumstance becomes a source of happiness and spiritual growth.
The Universal Shift at Kṛṣṇa's Birth
The appearance of the Supreme Lord brings an immediate and automatic transformation to the entire universe. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that at the time of Kṛṣṇa's birth, the planetary systems were adjusted so that everything became auspicious. In all directions—east, west, south, and north—there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity. This shift is not a coincidence but a manifestation of the Lord's potency as the creator of all auspicious things for the world. Even the daughter of the sun-god is requested to purify the world through such pious activities.
- At the time of Krsna's birth, the planetary systems were automatically adjusted so that everything became auspicious. At that time, in all directions, east, west, south, north, everywhere, there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity.
- At the time of Krsna’s birth, the planetary systems were automatically adjusted so that everything became auspicious. At that time, in all directions - east, west, south, north, everywhere - there was an atmosphere of peace and prosperity.
- You are the creator of all auspicious things for the world. O daughter of the sun-god, kindly purify us by your pious activities.
- When the sun rises, all auspicious things begin. Unfortunately, they have not begun for me. The sun-god is the Vedas personified, but I am bereft of all Vedic principles.
Transcendental Direction and Material Reactions
Auspiciousness in the material world is usually subject to the laws of karma, but activities performed for Kṛṣṇa are exempt. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that anything done under the direction of Kṛṣṇa is transcendental and cannot be contaminated by material reactions, whether those reactions are labeled as auspicious or inauspicious. A pure devotee is one who renounces both materially auspicious and inauspicious things, focusing instead on being devoted to the Lord. Such a person is very dear to Kṛṣṇa because they have transcended the dualities of the material world.
- Anything done under the direction of Krsna is transcendental. It cannot be contaminated by the material reactions, which may be auspicious or inauspicious.
- One who is free of all material jubilation, hatred, lamentation and desire, who renounces both materially auspicious and materially inauspicious things, and who is devoted to Me is very dear to Me.
- My dear Lord, Your lotus feet are the cause of all auspicious things and the destroyer of all the contamination of sin. I therefore beg Your Lordship to bless me by the association of Your devotees, who are completely purified by worshiping Your lotus feet.
- This narration of Lord Rsabhadeva's pastimes is the reservoir of all auspicious things. Whoever attentively hears or speaks of them, following in the footsteps of the acaryas, will certainly attain unalloyed devotional service at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The Meaning of Hari and the Gift of Auspiciousness
The Lord is known by the name Hari because of His unique merciful actions toward the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that on one side, the Lord takes away inauspicious things, and on the other side, He awards the most auspicious gift—love for Him. This is the meaning of the name Hari. While the personality of Kali is the source of inauspiciousness, King Pariksit knew that in the age of Kali, auspicious things produce immediate good effects. The process of surrendering to the Lord is itself "sumangalam", the source of everything auspicious and the perception of all happiness.
- Simply by hearing about Him, one develops love for Him. That is the gift of the Lord. On one side He takes away inauspicious things, and on the other side He awards the most auspicious things. That is the meaning of hari.
- He (Pariksit) knew perfectly well that in this age of Kali, auspicious things produce good effects immediately, whereas inauspicious acts must be actually performed (to render effects). So he was never envious of the personality of Kali.
- The end of all suffering means surrendering unto the Lord because the surrendering process itself is bhava-cchidam (liberation from all material miseries), svasty-ayanam (perception of all happiness), and sumangalam - the source of everything auspicious.
- Bible or Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavata, they are not meant for the atheistic persons. So whatever auspicious things are in the world, they are meant for the faithful, not for the atheistic persons.
The Internal Reality of Auspiciousness
True auspiciousness is ultimately found in the internal state of the devotee rather than external circumstances. Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the analogy of a person wearing suitable shoes; even on thorns, he is safe and everything is auspicious. Similarly, for one who is always self-satisfied and surrendered to Kṛṣṇa, there is no distress, and happiness is felt everywhere. Auspicious narrations, such as the pastimes of Rsabhadeva, act as a reservoir of all auspicious things, purifying the listener and leading them to unalloyed devotional service. By seeking the association of purified devotees, one becomes blessed by the lotus feet of the Lord, which are the primary cause of all auspicious things.
- For a person who has suitable shoes on his feet, there is no danger even when he walks on pebbles and thorns. For him, everything is auspicious. Similarly, for one who is always self-satisfied there is no distress; indeed, he feels happiness everywhere.
- This narration of Lord Rsabhadeva's pastimes is the reservoir of all auspicious things. Whoever attentively hears or speaks of them, following in the footsteps of the acaryas, will certainly attain unalloyed devotional service at the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The end of all suffering means surrendering unto the Lord because the surrendering process itself is bhava-cchidam (liberation from all material miseries), svasty-ayanam (perception of all happiness), and sumangalam - the source of everything auspicious.
Conclusion
Auspiciousness is a divine quality that flows directly from Kṛṣṇa to His faithful devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while the material world is a place of dualities, the presence of the Lord and the practice of His instructions create a "sumangalam" atmosphere that transcends material reactions. Whether manifest as the alignment of stars at the Lord's birth or as the simple presence of curd and sugarcane at a doorstep, auspiciousness is a sign of God-consciousness. The Lord, as Hari, performs the ultimate act of auspiciousness by removing the contamination of sin and awarding the nectar of devotional service. For the devotee who is self-satisfied and surrendered, the entire world becomes a place of happiness, and even the "thorns" of material life lose their power to cause distress. By hearing the narrations of the Lord's pastimes and worshiping His lotus feet, the conditioned soul is purified and granted the most auspicious gift: unalloyed love for Godhead. Ultimately, by following the direction of Kṛṣṇa, every activity becomes transcendental, ensuring that the living entity is always situated in an atmosphere of eternal peace and prosperity.
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 Auspicious Things. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.