Kṛṣṇa - The Absolute Controller
In the material world, it is common for individuals to become intoxicated by their own tiny fraction of power, falsely identifying themselves as the masters of their environment. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly shatters this illusion by pointing out a simple, undeniable fact: every worldly controller is simultaneously controlled by something or someone else. True spiritual knowledge begins with recognizing our position as relative controllers and understanding that only Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the absolute controller of all that exists.
The Illusion of Independence
Conditioned souls often falsely think of themselves as independent masters of their destiny. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda challenges this misconception by asking us to deeply analyze our actual position. Before we can understand the Absolute Truth, we must first honestly ascertain whether we are absolutely in control or if we are being controlled. Upon careful observation, it becomes glaringly obvious that nobody is the absolute controller; rather, every conditioned soul is firmly controlled by the strict laws of material nature.
- First of all you have to ascertain whether you are absolutely controller or you are controlled. First of all you answer this question. Are you absolutely controller.
- Everyone is relative controller. He controls, and he becomes controlled. Nobody's absolute controller.
- Nobody is absolutely controller. He's controlled by the laws of nature.
- You are not absolutely controller. You are both controlled and controller. That everyone is. Just like you are controller in your family, but you are controlled in the office. Similarly, everyone is dualistic: he's controller and controlled.
Dual Nature of Relative Controllers
In the material world, every living entity exhibits a dualistic nature regarding control. Śrīla Prabhupāda perfectly illustrates this by pointing out everyday examples. A person might act as the controller in their family home, dictating to their spouse or children, but the moment they step into the office, they are controlled by their boss. Even a powerful president is controlled by the popular votes of the citizens. Therefore, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that we are only relative controllers, possessing a tiny fraction of controlling power.
- If the popular votes are against him (a president), he cannot control any more. So here, you just analyze anyone; he may be controller, but at the same time he is controlled. Not that absolute controller.
- You are controller in your home, of your wife, children, servants. But you are also controlled. You are not the absolute controller. Therefore Bhagavan means the absolute controller.
- I may control my disciples, but I am controlled by somebody else, by my spiritual master. So nobody can say that "I am the absolute controller."
- We are not supreme controller. We are controller of some entities, but we are controlled also by something superior. Therefore we are not absolute controller. We are relative controller.
Controlled by the Laws of Nature
Although we are tiny parts and parcels of God, we mistakenly claim absolute supremacy due to false ego. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because we are part of God, we naturally inherit a minute, relative capacity to control our immediate surroundings. However, this little power does not make us the absolute controller. We are severely limited and ultimately governed by superior forces, specifically the stringent modes of material nature, which heavily bewilder even the most advanced mundane scientists.
- Nobody is absolutely controller. He's controlled by the laws of nature.
- Part of God means you have got little power of controlling. But that you are not absolute controller.
- You are not absolutely controller. You are both controlled and controller. That everyone is. Just like you are controller in your family, but you are controlled in the office. Similarly, everyone is dualistic: he's controller and controlled.
- The Lord says mohitam nabhijanati mam ebhyah param avyayam: (BG 7.13) bewildered by such modes of material nature, they (scientists) cannot understand that beyond these manifestations is a Supreme Person who is the absolute controller of everything.
The Absolute Controller Must Be a Person
A common misconception is that the ultimate controlling force of the universe is an impersonal energy. Śrīla Prabhupāda logically dismantles this idea using practical examples. He points out that while a "government" is an impersonal concept, it is always directed by a person, such as a governor or president. Similarly, the supreme absolute controller of the entire cosmic manifestation cannot be impersonal; He is a Supreme Person, the original source of all relative controllers.
- The absolute controller cannot be impersonal. By our practical life we see - government. "Government" is an impersonal word, but at the end of the government, there is a governor or president, a person.
- The Lord says mohitam nabhijanati mam ebhyah param avyayam: (BG 7.13) bewildered by such modes of material nature, they (scientists) cannot understand that beyond these manifestations is a Supreme Person who is the absolute controller of everything.
- I am controller of my disciples within the Krsna conscious society, but I cannot control the whole world. You are controller in your home but you are also controlled. You are not the absolute controller. Therefore Bhagavan means the absolute controller.
- You (Lord Kamadeva) show Your real mercy to Your devotees, not to me (Laksmidevi). Of course, You are the supreme absolute controller, and no one can understand Your motives.
Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Absolute Truth
Since every controller in our experience is ultimately controlled by another, none of them can be the Absolute Truth. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that if we trace the hierarchy of control all the way to its source, we will find Kṛṣṇa. As stated in the scriptures, He is the supreme controller. He flawlessly controls everyone and everything, yet He is completely independent and is not controlled by anyone.
- Everyone is relative controller. But if you try to find out who is the absolute controller, then He's Krsna.
- In our experience we see that one controller is controlled by another controller. Nobody is absolute controller. Therefore nobody is Absolute Truth.
- We are not absolute controller. We are relative controller. But about Krsna it is said, isvarah paramah krsnah (Bs. 5.1). Paramah means supreme. He controls everyone or everything, but He is not controlled by anyone.
- The supreme controller is Krsna. Here the so-called controller is controlled by somebody else. I may control my disciples, but I am controlled by somebody else, by my spiritual master. So nobody can say that, "I am the absolute controller." No.
Conclusion
By understanding our position as relative controllers, we can abandon our false ego and surrender to the Supreme. As Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches, the very word Bhagavān designates the one who possesses supreme absolute control. Whether one is a family person, a global leader, or a spiritual master, everyone is subordinate to Kṛṣṇa. Recognizing Him as the supreme absolute controller is the fundamental key to genuine spiritual realization and liberation from the dualities of the material world.
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 Absolute Controller. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.