The Path Followed by Pure Devotees of God
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the journey back to Godhead is not a path of independent discovery or mental speculation. Rather, the supreme science of bhakti-yoga is perfectly realized by faithfully following in the footsteps of the mahājanas—the great ācāryas and pure devotees of the Lord. By adhering to their authorized instructions, examples, and regulative principles, any sincere soul can safely cross the ocean of material existence.
The Principle of Disciplic Succession
To achieve the ultimate goal of life, one must abandon the tendency to invent their own religious process and instead accept the path outlined by the Supreme Lord and His pure representatives. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that following this authorized system of disciplic succession is the only way to establish a genuine relationship with Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
- The ideal, original ideal of religion and philosophy is preached by Krsna. And all the acaryas followed that.
- The Lord lives in the spiritual world in His original personality, and a devotee who follows the instructions of the Lord approaches Him - mam eti.
- The devotee follows the best yoga system of God-realization, which is enunciated in the Bhagavad-gita. His activities are not selfishly motivated, aimed at realizing his own cherished dreams, but are directed toward fulfilling the will of God.
- Vaisnavas following the path of Sri Narada and his successors endeavor to establish a personal relationship with the Lord by receiving the grace of a bona fide spiritual master through initiation.
Following the Examples of the Ācāryas
The great authorities, or mahājanas, have practically demonstrated how to live as perfect Vaiṣṇavas. Whether it involves managing finances, observing the regulative principles, or dealing with material obstacles, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises us to look to the lives of exalted devotees like Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī and Prahlāda Mahārāja for our perfect standard of behavior.
- He (Rupa Gosvami) divided the money in a very exemplary manner, which should be followed by devotees in particular and by humanity in general.
- The words pasanera rekha are very significant. Raghunatha dasa Gosvami followed the regulative principles so strictly and rigidly that they were compared to the lines on a stone.
- In Srimad-Bhagavatam (SB 1.9.42), Bhisma, a great authority to be followed by devotees, says that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is situated in the core of everyone's heart, just as the sun may be on everyone's head.
- The devotees following in the footsteps of Prahlada Maharaja should not be disturbed by the demoniac activities of the nondevotees.
Strict Adherence to the Regulative Principles
Following the path of pure devotion requires discipline and a commitment to spiritual regulation. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that one cannot simply imitate advanced devotees or claim spiritual initiation while continuing to engage in material habits; one must strictly follow the prescribed rules of bhakti-yoga, keeping one's eating, sleeping, and daily activities properly regulated.
- If after accepting the spiritual master and being initiated one does not follow the rules and regulations of devotional service, then he is again fallen.
- Simply eating for living, and not living for eating, and sleeping only six to seven hours a day are principles to be followed by devotees.
- A devotee who follows the six principles of surrender always thinks, "O Lord, I am Yours in every respect; I am Your eternal servant." In this way a pure devotee becomes cleansed. There is a nice verse in this connection in the Srimad-Bhagavatam 11.29.34.
- Krsna says (to Arjuna) that - Don't try to imitate the business of a sannyasi or a Brahmin. You are ksatriya. You . . . your duty is to fight, so you should follow your own prescribed duty. Don't try to imitate others.
Overcoming Obstacles to Reach the Ultimate Goal
The material world is naturally fraught with difficulties, but those who take shelter of the authorized path are completely protected. Śrīla Prabhupāda promises that by following the footsteps of the pure devotees, one's consciousness is cleansed of all material desires, enabling the sincere soul to easily conquer illusion and attain eternal life in the spiritual world.
- Although the obstacles are many, the devotees of Lord Krsna can easily overcome them by rigidly following the path outlined by the transcendental devotees.
- This perfectional process (of worshiping the Lord, who is the source of all beings) is followed by great devotees like Bodhayana, Tanka, Dramida, Guhadeva, Kapardi & Bharuci. All these great personalities have followed this particular path of perfection.
- This (SB 6.1.17) is the summarization of our Krsna consciousness movement, that the path followed by pure devotees. Pure devotees means who has no material desire. That is pure devotee. Anyabhilasita-sunyam.
- As a spiritual person, such a devotee (who follows the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead) returns to the Personality of Godhead and plays and dances with Him. That is the ultimate goal of life.
Conclusion
In summary, the path of pure devotional service is not one of invention, but of faithful adherence. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by meticulously following the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the practical examples set by the great ācāryas, the conditioned soul is protected from the pitfalls of mental speculation and material illusion. Through strict adherence to the regulative principles and the guidance of the disciplic succession, any sincere practitioner can safely traverse the material ocean and arrive at the ultimate destination: eternal, loving service in 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 Followed By Devotees of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.