Nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa - Surrendering Life and Soul to the Supreme
The term nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa describes the exalted position of a fully surrendered soul who has dedicated their entire existence to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Such pure devotees, as Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, transcend all material fears and desires, resting securely in the shelter of the Lord and naturally manifesting the highest saintly qualities.
Dedication as Life and Soul
To be nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa or vāsudeva-parāyaṇa means to voluntarily accept the path of unalloyed devotional service as the primary focus of one's existence. It is not an artificial imposition, but, as Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes, a conscious, loving dedication of one's life to the Supreme Lord, recognizing Him as the ultimate goal.
- A devotee is narayana-parayana, or vasudeva-parayana, which means that the path of Vasudeva, or the devotional path, is his life and soul.
- Those who have taken the path of Narayana, devotional service, as their life and soul, they are called narayana-parayanah.
- What is the qualification of narayana-parayana? It does not require any qualification to become narayana-parayana, but if you become voluntarily narayana-parayana, means my life is now dedicated for Narayana. Narayana, Krsna, Visnu, they're the same.
The Fearlessness of a Pure Devotee
A fully surrendered soul is completely free from anxiety. Because Lord Nārāyaṇa is always with them, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that they do not discriminate between heavenly elevation or hellish degradation. They are satisfied in any condition of life, viewing heaven and hell with equal vision.
- A self-surrendered devotee of the Lord is called narayana-parayana. Such a person is never afraid of any place or person, not even of death. For him nothing is as important as the Supreme Lord, and thus he gives equal importance to heaven and hell.
- According to Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 6.17.28): narayana-parah sarve na kutascana bibhyati. Such a person (a narayana-parayana) is never afraid of anything. For him, heaven and hell are the same.
- Narayana-parah, they are not anxious either to go to Svargaloka or to refrain from it. They are satisfied: "Wherever Krsna keeps me, that is all right. Never mind whether it is heaven or hell." Because he has got Krsna within him.
- Anyone who is narayana-parayana, he does not fear whether he is going to hell or heaven, because wherever he goes he is with Narayana, he is safe. It doesn't matter whether it is hell or heaven.
Surpassing Liberation and Mysticism
The path of pure devotional service is superior to all other spiritual endeavors. A devotee who is nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa surpasses the desires for material enjoyment (bhukti), mystic perfections (siddhi), and even impersonal liberation (mukti), resting in complete spiritual satisfaction.
- He already possesses all the perfections of yoga. Unless one comes to the platform of narayana-parayana and passes over the platform of bhukti-mukti-siddhi, he cannot be fully satisfied. That is the pure devotional stage.
- If a Mayavadi becomes narayana-parayana, a devotee of Lord Narayana, he is better than a jivan-mukta, one who is liberated or perfect. This requires higher intelligence.
The Spontaneous Appearance of Good Qualities
Material qualifications are not required to begin the practice of devotional service. When one voluntarily dedicates their life to Lord Kṛṣṇa, all the exalted qualities of the demigods and saintly persons (sādhus) naturally manifest within them as a byproduct of their spiritual purity.
- If you become simply narayana-parayana, devotee of Narayana or Krsna, all good qualities will come to you automatically.
- Krsna says, "If you become surrendered unto Me and if you keep yourself under My instruction, then I'll give you protection." Therefore it is said, akuto-bhayam. You'll manifest your all good qualities simply by becoming narayana-parayana.
- Krsna consciousness movement is simply giving chance to people without any discrimination, "Please come. Become narayana-parayana, devotee, and automatically you'll become susila and sadhu." As soon as - that is the test - you become a devotee.
Conclusion
The stage of nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa is the ultimate perfection of human life. It represents a total and voluntary dedication of one's life and soul to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because such devotees have taken full shelter of the Lord, they are completely immune to the dualities of the material world, rendering them fearless in the face of both heavenly delights and hellish suffering. This unalloyed devotion surpasses the highest achievements of mystic yogīs and liberated Māyāvādīs. Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully points out that this exalted platform is open to everyone without discrimination; simply by surrendering to Kṛṣṇa, one automatically develops all perfect, saintly qualities and returns to their original, joyful spiritual consciousness.
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 Narayana-parayana. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.