Restoring the Soul's Natural Ability - Talking with Kṛṣṇa
The ultimate goal of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to bring the living entity back to their original, blissful state of personal association with the Supreme Lord. While the material world keeps the soul in a state of forgetfulness, the process of bhakti-yoga acts as a science to restore the lost connection, allowing the devotee to eventually talk with Kṛṣṇa as a friend, a master, or a beloved.
Qualifying to Converse with the Supreme
To talk with the Supreme Lord, one must undergo a process of purification that removes the stone-like quality of the heart. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that Kṛṣṇa is always present, but our ability to perceive and speak with Him depends entirely on our spiritual qualifications and the cessation of sinful activities.
- A sinful man cannot understand God. One side we should practice the regulative principles and the devotional process, another side we should avoid sinful activities. Then Krsna is present, and you can talk with Krsna, we can be with Krsna.
- If one is stone-hearted, then Krsna will stand as stone forever. But if one is soften-hearted by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, then he'll talk with Krsna. That is the difference.
- Krsna is ready to talk to us, and for this purpose He has descended in the arca-murti, the Deity, in order to be seen. We simply have to qualify ourselves to talk with Him.
- The more a devotee sincerely loves Krsna, the more Krsna reciprocates, so much so that a highly advanced devotee can talk with Krsna face to face. Krsna confirms this in the Bhagavad-gita - BG 10.10.
From Friendly Talks to Absolute Instruction
The exchange between Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra serves as the primary example of how the soul interacts with God. Initially, their conversation was based on friendship, but the real benefit began when Arjuna surrendered and requested serious instruction from his spiritual master.
- Arjuna knew that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So he said, sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam prapannam (BG 2.7): "Krsna, no more friendly talks. We are wasting time. Now I become Your disciple." Sisya means disciple. "You kindly advise me. I'm surrendering unto You.
- It appears that the talk between the master and the disciple (Krsna and Arjuna) was openly exchanged in the presence of both armies so that all were benefitted.
- Some people argue that Arjuna was talking with Krsna because Krsna was present before him, whereas in my case, Krsna is not present. So how can I get directions? But that is not a fact. Krsna is present by His words - the Bhagavad-gita.
- In the Second Chapter, Arjuna surrenders: "So far we have been talking as friends, but now I accept You as my spiritual master." Anyone following the principle in this line accepts the guru as Krsna, and the student must represent Arjuna.
Personal Reciprocation in the Spiritual World
The highest stage of devotional life involves returning to the spiritual world, where the devotee interaction with the Lord becomes fully manifest. In this state, the soul is no longer restricted by material senses and can participate in various pastimes, such as joking, dancing, and eating alongside Kṛṣṇa.
- Devotees who are always engaged in Krsna consciousness and are fully absorbed in thoughts of Krsna certainly return home, back to Godhead. They then see Krsna directly, face to face, talk with Him and enjoy His company.
- It is up to you to decide whether you are going to get a body which will be able to dance with Krsna, to talk with Krsna, to play with Krsna. You can get it. And if you want a body how to eat stool, urine, you will get it.
- When Krsna consciousness will be perfect, you'll be transferred from this planet, or from this material world, to the spiritual world, and you'll talk with Krsna just (as) you are talking with me.
- Our nature is blissfulness. Unless we reach Krsna, talk with Him, dance with Him, eat with Him, enjoy life, our perfection is imperfect, not complete.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the idea of talking with God is not a far-fetched imagination but a fundamental principle of the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By purifying our existence through chanting and following the instructions of the ācāryas, we can move beyond a theoretical understanding of God to a direct, personal, and conversational relationship with Him that begins here and continues eternally in the spiritual sky.
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 Talking with Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.