Progressing on the Path of Liberation
Srila Prabhupada explains that the ultimate goal of human life is to escape the cycle of birth and death by taking to the path of liberation. This journey requires sincere dedication to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the guidance of a bona fide spiritual master, and the renunciation of material sense gratification. By understanding these principles, one can safely navigate the obstacles of the material world and return back home, back to Godhead.
The True Meaning of Liberation
Srila Prabhupada clarifies that genuine liberation, or apavarga, does not mean merging into the impersonal Brahman effulgence. Instead, the true path of liberation culminates in reaching the spiritual planets to engage in the eternal, loving devotional service of the Supreme Lord. He points out that impersonalists often fall down from their position, whereas pure devotees remain eternally situated in transcendental bliss.
- According to Jiva Gosvami, apavargyam, or the path of liberation, does not refer to merging into the impersonal Brahman but to salokyadi-siddhi, which means attaining the very planet where the Supreme Personality of Godhead resides.
- Apavarga means that which can nullify all of these material conditions. Krsna is said to be the giver of apavarga, the path of liberation.
- Although Mayavadi philosophers are supposed to be very much advanced on the path of liberation, we see that after some time they descend to politics and philanthropic activities.
- One who is on the path of liberation by Krishna consciousness is very dear to every living being, and every living being is dear to him. This is due to his Krsna consciousness. Such a person cannot think of any living being as separate from Krsna.
The Power of Devotee Association
To successfully walk the path of liberation, Srila Prabhupada emphasizes the absolute necessity of associating with saintly persons and a bona fide spiritual master. He states that the doors of liberation are opened wide simply by hearing from and serving elevated mahātmās. Conversely, associating with materialistic people who are absorbed in sense gratification leads one directly toward the path of darkness and continued bondage.
- It is said, mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimukteh: (SB 5.5.2) if one wants to progress on the path of liberation, he should associate with mahatmas, or liberated devotees.
- If one associates with a saintly person, a devotee, one's path of liberation becomes clear. But if one associates with a woman or with a person who is too much addicted to a woman, his path of bondage becomes completely clear.
- If one is able to receive the transcendental sound from the bona fide spiritual master, his path of liberation is guaranteed.
- The path of liberation, as recommended by all authorities, is to serve the mahatma transcendentalists.
Overcoming Material Attachments
The conditioned soul is constantly distracted by the allure of material enjoyment, particularly wealth and illicit connections. Srila Prabhupada warns that these attachments act as severe stumbling blocks on the path of liberation. To make steady progress, a devotee must meticulously cleanse their heart of all desires for economic development and sense gratification that do not serve Kṛṣṇa's mission.
- Women and wealth are very difficult problems for the devotee making progress on the path back to Godhead. Many stalwarts in the devotional line fell victim to these allurements and thus retreated from the path of liberation.
- A person who does not take to the path of liberation yet carefully executes economic development and sense gratification loses everything.
- Dry philosophical speculation is a subtle sense enjoyment of the mind. Sense enjoyment leads one to the path of darkness. Those who are self-controlled can make progress on the path of liberation from the conditional life of material existence.
- Piety refers to the process of cleansing the heart. As recommended by Lord Caitanya, one has to cleanse the dust from the mirror of the mind, and then advancement on the path of liberation begins. Here (in SB 4.8.5) also the same process is recommended.
The Guarantee of Divine Protection
Despite the challenges of the material energy, those who fully depend on the Supreme Personality of Godhead are assured of their success. Srila Prabhupada promises that Kṛṣṇa actively guides sincere souls from within, helping them overcome obstacles and clearing their path of liberation. By maintaining constant engagement in devotional service, the devotee is protected from the miseries of repeated birth and death.
- Krsna is more interested in leading us down the path of liberation than we are in going. He has given us a very simple method: harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam (CC Adi 17.21). We need only chant Hare Krsna.
- Only in such a mood (don't commit any sin and constantly remember the Lord) will the Lord help the devotee make regular progress toward the path of liberation and thus attain the lotus feet of the Lord.
- Anyone, beginning from Brahmaji down to the human being, is at once put on the path of liberation simply by his attachment in great earnestness for the Supreme Lord, Sri Krsna, the primeval Lord. The Lord affirms this in the Bhagavad-gita.
- In this material world, every human being has a short span of life, but those who are engaged in devotional service go back home, back to Godhead, for they are actually on the path of liberation. For such persons, there is nothing which is not available.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Srila Prabhupada teaches that true progress on the path of liberation is synonymous with advancement in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By rejecting the paths of mundane piety and mental speculation, and instead choosing to associate with pure devotees and follow the instructions of the spiritual master, one easily overcomes the hurdles of material attachment. Ultimately, under the direct protection of the Supreme Lord, the sincere devotee completes their journey back to the spiritual 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 Path Of Liberation. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.