Overcoming Material Illusion by Submitting to Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Guide
The fundamental requirement for achieving spiritual emancipation is the voluntary surrender of the living entity to the Supreme Lord. By consistently highlighting the profound example of Arjuna on the battlefield, Śrīla Prabhupāda demonstrates that even the most intimate friends of the Lord must formally adopt a posture of submissive inquiry to receive pure transcendental knowledge. This act of complete submission to Kṛṣṇa instantly dissipates the darkness of material illusion and awakens the soul's eternal, blissful relationship with the Supreme.
The Formal Submission of Arjuna
When faced with overwhelming material perplexity, relying on mundane intelligence or casual friendship is entirely insufficient. Analyzing the divine conversation of the Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly points out how Arjuna deliberately abandoned his equal, friendly status to formally accept the Lord as his spiritual master. This transition from friend to submissive disciple is the essential first step for anyone seeking to acquire genuine spiritual instruction.
- Arjuna and Krsna was talking. That is another thing. But when Arjuna submitted and Krsna instructed him, that is serious.
- Arjuna and Krishna were friends but still Arjuna submitted himself formally as Krishna's disciple. This is essential. We should take example from these great Personalities.
- A friend can deny to accept the instruction of the other friend, but a disciple cannot deny. That will be guror avajna (Padma Purana). Therefore Arjuna submitted himself, that - Now I become Your (Krsna's) disciple. You guide me.
- When Arjuna submitted to Krsna, he said, - My dear Krsna, now I no longer care to talk to You as a friend because friendly talks will not benefit me now.
Escaping the Snare of Mental Speculation
The conditioned soul is deeply attached to the false prestige of independent thinking and empirical research. However, trying to understand the infinite Supreme Lord through limited, mundane scholarship is a futile endeavor. Addressing this flaw, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness requires the complete abandonment of speculative habits in favor of sincere, conscious submission. Only by humbly surrendering to the Supreme Person can one overcome the stubborn illusions of the material world.
- Bhagavad-gita is the science of Krsna, and if we study it scrutinizingly with all of our argument, sense and philosophical knowledge, we will come to know that science. It is not that we are to submit ourselves blindly.
- Everyone wants to take pleasure in his own knowledge, thinking, I know something. But in the presence of Krsna this conception cannot stand, for one cannot bring Krsna within the limitations of prakrti. One must submit. There is no alternative.
- Foolish mundane scholars explain that one need not submit to Krsna as a person, but to - the unborn within Krsna.
- If you want to exploit the resources of nature - that is materialism or material civilization. But if you give up all these propensities and just submit, surrender to Krsna and take an appointment from Krsna, then you'll be happy.
Crossing the Ocean of Material Nature
The stringent laws of material nature inflict continuous suffering upon the conditioned living entities. Despite exhaustive material efforts, one cannot free oneself from this tossing ocean of illusion by independent strength. The only definitive solution, as Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly explains, is to voluntarily take shelter at the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. By submitting one's difficulties and very existence to Him, the vast ocean of nescience becomes as insignificant as the water contained in a calf's hoofprint.
- The influence of material nature is very difficult to surpass, but as stated by Krsna in Bhagavad-gita (Bhagavad-gita 7.14), mam eva ye prapadyante, mayam etam taranti te: if one voluntarily submits to the lotus feet of Krsna, he can be saved very easily.
- To the sincere devotee, however, this ocean of maya is easily crossed by the cool breeze of Krishna's Grace. So this is our business, to submit to Krishna's desire to have us back with Him in the eternal sky of Krishna Loka.
- He (one who has submitted to Krsna) should say, "Krsna, I am suffering in this way. I have fallen in this tossing ocean of material illusion. Kindly pick me up."
- In addition to giving and receiving, in the execution of devotional service one has to submit to Krsna whatever distress or confidential problem he has.
The Universal Principle of Taking Shelter
Throughout the historical accounts of the Vedic scriptures, exalted personalities consistently demonstrate the absolute necessity of surrendering to the Supreme. Whether it is an intimate associate seeking spiritual perfection or a chastised adversary seeking forgiveness, the ultimate remedy is always the same. Presenting these profound examples, Śrīla Prabhupāda shows that the highest perfection of life is to recognize one's subordinate position and submit all prayers, distresses, and desires directly to the Lord.
- In this way, one can perfect his life by engaging in devotional service under the directions of the sastras and the spiritual master. Devahuti understands this and is thus submitting to her son just as Arjuna submitted to Sri Krsna on the battlefield.
- It is said there that those who are sober devotees can offer their submission to Krsna in three ways: 1) samprathanatmika, very feelingly offering prayers; 2) dainyavodhika, humbly submitting oneself; 3) lalasamayi, desiring some perfectional stage.
- Mucukunda continued, "Whether on the material plane or the spiritual plane, everyone must take shelter under Your lotus feet (Krsna's). I therefore submit unto You, my Lord."
- After the Nagapatnis submitted their prayers, Lord Krsna released Kaliya from his punishment. Kaliya was already unconscious from being struck by the Lord.
Conclusion
The profound science of bhakti is fundamentally rooted in the living entity's willingness to abandon false independence and accept the divine guidance of the Supreme Lord. As masterfully taught by Śrīla Prabhupāda, the act of submitting to Kṛṣṇa is not an erasure of individuality, but the ultimate expression of true spiritual intelligence. By following the footsteps of great authorities like Arjuna and offering our sincere devotion, we conquer the insurmountable material energy and attain our eternal, blissful home.
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 Submitting to Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.