The Essence of Religion - Following the Orders of God
In a world fractured by sectarian conflicts and philosophical speculation, the true definition of religion is often lost. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that genuine spiritual life is not based on blind faith or sentimental belief, but on a precise, universal science. Simply put, true religion means to know the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and to follow them perfectly.
Absolute Definition of Religion
The Vedic literature completely rejects the idea that humans can manufacture their own spiritual paths. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently quotes the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam (6.3.19), which states dharmam tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam: real religious principles are enacted by the Supreme Lord alone. To be religious simply means to be a good citizen of the universe by strictly following the laws of God. Any so-called religion based on mental speculation is absurd and dishonest.
- There is actually only one religious principle: dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam (Srimad Bhagavatam 6.3.19). The only religious principle is to follow the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Action in accordance with the Vedic principles is called religion. Religion means following the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- The so-called follower is simply a mano-dharmi, a mental speculator. Mental speculation is not religion. Religion is the order of God, and one who follows that order - he is religious. That's all.
- Without knowing, following, that is absurd. You must know that this is the order of God. And if you follow that, then that is honesty.
Beyond Sectarian Designations
Because God is one and His ultimate instruction to surrender is universal, pure religion has no contradictions. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that bhāgavata-dharma—the path of devotional service—transcends the mundane designations of "Hindu," "Christian," or "Muslim." The ultimate test of any religious system is whether it trains the follower to perfectly obey and love the Supreme Lord.
- Dharma is one. God is one. And you have to follow that one principle, how to approach Krsna. That is bhakti. So dharma is to approach Krsna, and the process is bhakti. And Krsna is the Supreme God.
- Bhagavata-dharma has no contradictions. Conceptions of "your religion" and "my religion" are completely absent from bhagavata-dharma. Bhagavata-dharma means following the orders given by the Supreme Lord, Bhagavan.
- Be master of something. It doesn't differ. Either you follow Lord Jesus Christ or Lord Buddha or Krsna, it doesn't matter much. But do it perfectly. That is our request.
- Faith may be wrong, belief may be wrong. That perfect knowledge can be received from the perfect source. So God is perfect. God is perfect. And one who follows the path of God, he is also perfect.
Following versus Imitating
To follow God safely, one must understand their constitutional position as a subordinate servant. Śrīla Prabhupāda sternly warns against the foolish tendency to artificially imitate the Supreme Lord. We cannot imitate Kṛṣṇa's extraordinary pastimes, such as lifting Govardhana Hill or expanding into thousands of forms. Real devotion means following His direct instructions, such as those given in the Bhagavad-gītā, under the guidance of His pure representatives.
- We cannot imitate God. We have to simply follow His order. That is dharma. And if you imitate Krsna, that is adharma.
- Caksusmatandha iva niyamanah: one should follow the Lord the way a blind man follows a person who has eyes. If we follow the Supreme Personality of Godhead by following the directions He gives in the Vedas and Bhagavad-gita, our lives will be successful.
- If you want to know Krsna, then Krsna gives the formula. Or if you want to know God, then you follow God's formula. What is that? Mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah.
- If we follow the instruction of acarya, or spiritual master, then we are directly following the orders of Krsna, and thus I become a bhagavad-duta. No more I am the duta or the follower of the dictation of my senses.
Transcendental Immunity
When a person fully commits to following the orders of the Supreme Lord, their life becomes entirely spiritualized. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because God is completely pure and liberated, anyone who acts strictly under His order becomes immune to the contamination of the material modes of nature. Such a devotee is no longer affected by material dualities like heat and cold, or distress and happiness, and all other desirable benefits naturally follow them.
- Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated God, his actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the material nature. Lord Caitanya therefore says: "By My order you may become a spiritual master."
- Because this transcendental position (automatically following the Paramatma) is at once achieved by one who is in Krsna Consciousness, the devotee of God is unaffected by the dualities of material existence, namely distress and happiness, cold and heat, etc.
- A devotee sometimes appears to be in a very opulent position, but he accepts that position to follow the orders of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore a devotee is never affected by material influences.
- It is stated that as the personal attendants and maidservants of a queen follow the queen with all respect and obeisances, similarly the joys of religiousness, economic development, sense gratification, liberation follow the devotional service of the Lord.
Conclusion
The supreme necessity for every living entity is to reestablish their lost relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is not achieved by whimsically inventing a new philosophy, but by humbly accepting the position of a servant and strictly following the Lord's orders. By utilizing our independence to align our will with the Supreme Will, we immediately transcend the material world and achieve the ultimate, eternal peace.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
The instructions of the pure devotee are our eternal guide. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Following God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.