The Path of the Mahājanas - Following the Devotees of God
The supreme science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not discovered through independent research or mental speculation; it is received by walking the path already paved by the great authorities. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only guaranteed method to cross the ocean of material existence is to strictly and humbly follow the instructions, behavior, and mood of the pure devotees of the Lord.
Formula of Sādhu, Śāstra, and Guru
The Vedic system provides a flawless system of checks and balances to ensure spiritual safety: sādhu (saintly persons), śāstra (scriptures), and guru (the spiritual master). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a true guru is simply one who strictly follows the sādhu and the śāstra. By aligning oneself with this chain of authorities, even a common person can easily navigate the complexities of spiritual life and return back to Godhead without fail.
- Everything is mentioned there in the sastras. Simply you have to follow the sastra and guru, and sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya. Sadhu, those who are devotees, we have to follow the devotees, the sastra and guru. Then everything successful.
- Sadhu means whatever he'll speak, immediately he'll give evidence from the sastra. Sadhu-sastra-guru. And guru means who is following sadhu and sastra. The guru does not follow sadhu and sastra, who does not follow Rupa Gosvami.
- A guru is mahajana because he knows what is religion and what is the law given by God. Therefore he's mahajana. How he has become mahajana? Because he is following the previous mahajana. That's all. It is not difficult. Evam parampara-praptam.
- If one is in contact with a pure devotee of the Lord, it should be understood, if he follows his instruction, then it is sure and certain that he is going to Krsna without any fail.
Following Instead of Imitating
A crucial distinction in spiritual life is the difference between following and imitating. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that while we must follow the instructions of great personalities—such as Lord Śiva, Lord Jesus Christ, or Prahlāda Mahārāja—we must never artificially attempt to imitate their extraordinary actions. Imitating superhuman feats out of false prestige leads only to spiritual ruin.
- Prahlada Maharaja is the symbolic representation of Vaisnava. So try to be not imitator, but follower. Don't try to imitate: "Oh, Prahlada Maharaja was thrown into boiling oil. Let me try, fall into the boiling oil." No. That is imitation.
- Lord Śiva once swallowed an ocean of poison, and thus his throat became blue. The imitation Śivas try to follow him by indulging in poisons, and thus they are ruined.
- The example is given that the sunshine is soaking urine. Can you imitate that, you drink urine? If Christ has done something, he is Lord Jesus Christ, he might have done it for some purpose, but we cannot follow that. We have to follow what he has ordered.
- Simply to give up the family life or big post and come to Vrndavana and live cheaply by begging some capati and become Rupa Gosvami, that is not ideal. You should follow Rupa Gosvami, their footprints. Tyaktva turnam-asesa-mandala.
Path to Spontaneous Love
For those who have advanced beyond basic regulative principles and desire spontaneous loving service (rāgānugā-bhakti), following a pure devotee takes on an even deeper dimension. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that to achieve the highest perfection of love of Godhead, one must specifically follow in the footsteps of a particular eternal resident of Vrajabhūmi (Vṛndāvana), constantly serving under their guidance within the mind.
- Actually the inhabitants of Vrndavana are very dear to Krsna. If one wants to engage in spontaneous loving service, he must follow the inhabitants of Vrndavana and constantly engage in devotional service within his mind.
- Whoever follows the principles of devotional service with attachment and follows a particular devotee of Vrajabhumi certainly attains the highest perfection of love of Godhead in that spirit.
- In devotional service with attachment, one has to follow a particular type of devotee of Vrajabhumi.
- As stated in Bhagavad-gita (Bhagavad-Gita 4.9), after giving up his body, a devotee does not again receive a material body, but goes back to Godhead and receives a spiritual body resembling those of the Lord's eternal associates whose activities he followed.
The Universal Power of the Mahājanas
The purifying power of the great devotees is so absolute that it transcends all material qualifications. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that regardless of one's background—whether one is a lowborn person, a fallen soul, or even an animal—simply following a pure devotee guarantees ultimate success. A famous historical example is the dog that followed the great householder devotee Śivānanda Sena; by receiving the mercy of a pure Vaiṣṇava, the dog achieved ultimate liberation.
- The sankirtana movement is important, for regardless of whether one is a sudra, vaisya, mleccha, yavana or whatever, if one associates with a pure devotee, follows his instructions and serves the pure devotee, his life is successful. This is bhakti.
- The process recommended in this verse (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.30) for crossing the ocean of nescience is easy not only for the devotee but also for common persons who follow the devotee (mahajano yena gatah sa panthah) - CC Madhya 17.186.
- A devotee even wishes to benefit cats and dogs by giving them prasada. Once, when devotees from Bengal were going to see Caitanya Mahaprabhu, a dog began to follow them, and the leader of the party, Sivananda Sena, was giving prasada to the dog.
- Srila Sivananda Sena, a great householder devotee of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, attracted a dog on the street while going to Jagannatha Puri. The dog began to follow him and ultimately went to see Caitanya Mahaprabhu and was liberated.
Conclusion
The supreme necessity in spiritual life is to abandon our false independence and humbly submit to the guidance of the great souls. By aligning our behavior, our chanting, and our desires with the pure devotees of the Lord, we are instantly connected to the eternal flow of Kṛṣṇa's mercy. As Śrīla Prabhupāda continually emphasizes, we do not need to invent a new way to reach God; we simply need to walk the well-lit path of the mahājanas.
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 Devotees of God. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.