The Simple Process of Becoming a Devotee of God
The ultimate goal of all Vedic knowledge, austerities, and religious principles is to awaken our dormant love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Kṛṣṇa makes this path incredibly accessible, offering a direct and simple process: to always think of Him, become His devotee, worship Him, and offer obeisances.
The Supreme Order of Lord Kṛṣṇa
The essence of the entire Bhagavad-gītā is found in Lord Kṛṣṇa's final and most confidential instruction. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that rather than bewildering humanity with complex rituals, the Supreme Lord clearly asks every living entity to simply surrender and become His loving devotee.
- Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (9.34) man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru - Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me.
- Krsna's direct order - "Always think of Me and become My devotee" - should be taken as the final order of the Lord and should be followed.
- What is the direction of God? Just become His devotee, just think of Himself, always about Him, just offer Him obeisances. This is the process. It is not very difficult.
The Power of Pure Association
Spiritual advancement is not achieved in isolation but is sparked by the association of saintly persons. Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates that just as one adopts the habits of their company, mixing with genuine Vaiṣṇavas naturally transforms the heart, allowing even the most degraded persons to become exalted devotees.
- If I mix with smokers' association, then gradually I learn how to smoke. Similarly, if I mix with devotees' association, then I become gradually devotee.
- The concrete example is the spiritual master Narada Muni. In his previous life he was simply a boy of a maidservant, but through association with great devotees he became a devotee of God of his own standard, unique in the history of devotional service.
Eradicating Sinful Reactions
The heavy burden of past karma cannot be removed by mere moral adjustments or temporary penances. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only way to become completely free from all sinful reactions is to take absolute shelter of the Lord and become His unalloyed devotee.
- One becomes a devotee when he is completely freed from all reactions to sinful life.
- Those who are sinful persons, they cannot become so much purified by observing austerity, penances, celibacy, as one can become completely freed from sinful reaction by becoming devotee.
- The subtle laws exist for the karmis; if one becomes a devotee, he has no more obligations to the laws of karma.
Manifesting Divine Qualities
True character development is a natural byproduct of spiritual awakening. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that when a person becomes a pure devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, all the sublime qualities of the demigods automatically manifest in their behavior, without the need for separate endeavor.
- If one becomes an unalloyed devotee of the Supreme Lord, he automatically manifests all good qualities. Such a devotee is above the instructions of the Vedas. He is a paramahamsa.
- It has been analyzed by great personalities that when a conditioned soul is liberated and becomes a devotee, about 79% of all the good qualities of God develop in his person. Therefore in Vaikuntha there is no question of enmity between God and the residents.
- If you become simply narayana-parayana, devotee of Narayana or Krsna, all good qualities will come to you automatically.
Surpassing Karma, Jñana, and Yoga
Many philosophers and mystics attempt to reach the Absolute Truth through their own strenuous efforts. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that the ultimate perfection of karma, jñāna, and yoga is only achieved when the practitioner finally surrenders and becomes a devotee of Kṛṣṇa.
- Both karmis and jnanis are unfit for receiving the mercy of the Lord and becoming devotees.
- The yogis, all kinds of yogis, they are guaranteed next life. And all these yogis, after many, many such births, bahunam janmanam ante (BG 7.19), he becomes a devotee.
Ultimate Protection and Liberation
The material world is a place of continuous danger and anxiety. Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that by becoming a sincere devotee of the Lord, one is completely rescued from the cycle of birth and death and placed under the personal, infallible protection of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- When one becomes the Lord's devotee, he is rescued from this dangerous ocean of birth and death.
- As soon as one becomes a devotee of the Lord, he is convinced that he is protected by the Lord. Fear itself is afraid of the Lord; therefore, what has he to do with fearfulness.
Transforming the Material Senses
Devotional service is highly practical because it engages the very senses that currently bind us. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by utilizing our tongue to chant the holy names and taste kṛṣṇa-prasādam, the process of becoming a devotee begins naturally and joyfully.
- Devotional service means purifying the senses. In the conditioned state our senses are covered by material sense gratification, and as long as one is not trained in purifying the senses, one cannot become a devotee.
- Krsna-bhakti begins with the tongue, for we can utilize the tongue to chant, and to taste krsna-prasada. In this way we can become a Krsna bhakta.
A Simple Process for Everyone
The beauty of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is its universal applicability. Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly reassured his audience that becoming a devotee does not require immense wealth, high education, or extreme austerities; it simply requires a sincere heart and a willingness to accept Kṛṣṇa's instruction.
- I am trying to convince you about the easy process of bhakti-yoga. Anyone, everyone, at any place, any condition of life, he can become a bhakta.
- Don't be disappointed that "Because I am poor, I cannot become devotee." Everyone can become devotee.
- If you want to become a devotee of Krsna, there is no impediment throughout the three worlds within the universe. You can become a devotee, it is so easy.
Conclusion
The instruction to become a devotee of the Lord is the ultimate and most confidential message of all Vedic literature. Lord Kṛṣṇa does not demand impossible feats of physical yoga or mental speculation; He simply asks for our loving attention and service. By utilizing the practical tools provided by Śrīla Prabhupāda—associating with devotees, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, honoring prasādam, and dedicating our daily actions to the Lord—anyone can completely transform their life. The simple process of becoming a devotee is the guaranteed path to eradicating all sinful reactions, developing flawless character, and ultimately returning home, back to Godhead.
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 Becoming a Devotee 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.