Kṛṣṇa as the Only Real Master of the Living Entities
Every living being harbors an innate desire to serve, yet in the material condition, this service is misdirected toward temporary and unfulfilling objects. Clarifying the ultimate constitutional position of the soul, Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, is the only genuine object of our service. Acknowledging this profound truth frees the living entity from the exhaustive struggle to dominate the material world, paving the way to eternal liberation and bliss.
The Original Supreme Master
The fundamental truth of spiritual science is that God is the supreme controller and proprietor of everything that exists. When living entities forget their subordinate position, they often turn to the worship of various demigods or powerful figures in hopes of fulfilling their material desires. However, to guide humanity out of this ignorance, Śrīla Prabhupāda meticulously explains that demigods themselves are subordinate servants, and Kṛṣṇa alone holds the ultimate position of sovereignty. Recognizing this absolute authority is the crucial first step on the path of pure devotion.
- Real master is Krsna. So in this way, if we establish our relationship with Krsna as, either as husband or lover or master or friend or son or father, it is perfect. It is perfect. We have to go to that stage.
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (7.20), kamais tais tair hrta jnanah prapadyante 'nya-devatah. "Those whose minds are distorted by material desires surrender unto demigods." A demigod cannot become master, for the real master is the Supreme Personality of God.
- When one comes to the senses that he cannot be master at any stage of his life, then he surrenders to Krsna. Sa mahatma sudurlabhah. Vasudevah sarvam iti (Bhagavad-gita 7.19) - Oh, Vasudeva is the real master. And my nature is to serve Him.
The Illusion of Material Domination
Under the spell of the Lord's illusory energy, the conditioned soul rebels against spiritual servitude and attempts to conquer nature. This rebellious attitude is the very root of material suffering, creating a scenario where everyone competes for dominance and superiority. In exposing this flaw, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that this struggle goes on life after life, yet the soul remains perpetually bound by the stringent laws of nature. The material world is merely a perverted reflection where neither the master nor the servant experiences genuine satisfaction or love.
- In the material world, because we have forgotten the real master, every one of us is trying to become master. This is material disease. Not only in one life, but life after life.
- Just like we have got our relationship with master and servant. So this relationship is a perverted reflection of the real master and servant. Here it is perverted, because the master also does not love the servant.
- One who has materialistic motivations cannot become a servant, and one who unnecessarily bestows benedictions upon his servant to keep his own prestigious position is not a real master.
- The master should not cater to the desires of the servant. If he does, he is not the real master.
Enslavement to the Senses
When the soul rejects the loving service of the Supreme Lord, it does not actually attain independence. Instead, it falls under the cruel dictation of its own unbridled physical senses and the modes of material nature. Through stark reality, Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates how individuals waste their valuable human lives serving temporary illusions, wealth, and bodily demands. Only by acknowledging this false servitude can a person awaken to the necessity of finding the true shelter of God.
- Because we have forgotten our real master, real master, the Supreme Lord, by illusory energy we have been put to be servant of the senses. Instead of becoming servant of the Supreme, we have become the servant of the senses.
- At the present moment, the real master is material nature.
- Ignorant of their real master, the foolish workers waste their valuable time serving mammon. Unfortunately, they never surrender to the supreme master of all masters, nor do they take time to hear of Him from the proper sources.
- We are also trying to be dog, but not of another dog, but real master. That is our philosophy.
Liberation Through Devotional Service
The ultimate cure for the disease of material existence is to reengage the senses in the service of the Lord of the senses. This direct, loving engagement is the precise definition of bhakti, which effortlessly cleanses the heart of all false designations. Delivering this profound philosophy, Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that true happiness is found the moment the subordinate living entity perfectly obeys the loving commands of the Supreme. It is in this divine obedience that the soul achieves absolute freedom and enlightenment.
- Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate: when by our senses (hrsikena) we serve Hrsikesa, the real master of the senses, that service is called bhakti. This is a very simple definition of bhakti.
- What is my own constitutional position? I am eternal servant of God, Krsna. This is my position. So when we give up all these designation service and engage myself in the real service of the real master, that is called mukti, liberation.
- That is discussed in the Vedanta-sutra philosophy. Athato brahma jijnasa: "Now inquire about your real master, Brahman, or the Supreme, the great, the Absolute Truth." That is required.
- The real master commands, "You must do this," and the real servant immediately obeys the order. Unless this relationship between the Supreme Lord and the subordinate living entity is established, there can be no real happiness.
Conclusion
Our attempts to control and enjoy the material world independent of God are destined for failure because they contradict our fundamental spiritual nature. By expertly diagnosing the root cause of our frustration, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that accepting Kṛṣṇa as our real master is not a loss of independence, but the perfection of it. When the soul joyfuly resumes its eternal position of servitude, the illusions of material life are completely vanquished, and pure, unending spiritual happiness is immediately realized.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Real Master. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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