Transcendental Qualities and Vision of Surrendered Devotees of God
The path of pure devotion requires the complete relinquishment of false proprietorship and a full dedication to the Supreme Person. Exploring this exalted state, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that fully surrendered devotees attain a fearless vision, remaining undisturbed in all conditions while receiving direct protection and profound affection from the Lord. By understanding their psychology and spiritual strength, one can appreciate the absolute freedom found in surrender.
Relinquishing False Proprietorship
The fundamental characteristic of an advanced spiritualist is the complete absence of mundane possessiveness. When an individual clearly understands the supreme proprietorship of the Lord, as Śrīla Prabhupāda explains, they immediately give up all claims to personal wealth and property. By utilizing everything in the service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the devotee becomes a perfect instrument for the divine will.
- A devotee of the Lord never thinks of his household paraphernalia as his own, but surrenders everything for the service of the Lord.
- A devotee, when he understands thoroughly that "Here is one Supreme Person, who is the leader, who is the controller, who is the maintainer of everything," then he surrenders unto Him and becomes His devotee.
The Fearless Vision of a Surrendered Soul
Material existence is characterized by constant anxiety, but those who take full shelter of the Supreme Lord transcend all worldly fears. A self-surrendered devotee, often referred to as nārāyaṇa-parāyaṇa, possesses the unique ability to look upon both heaven and hell with absolute equality. Elaborating on this point, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that because the devotee sees God's hand in all situations, even the most dangerous circumstances are welcomed as expressions of divine mercy.
- A self-surrendered devotee of the Lord is called narayana-parayana. Such a person is never afraid of any place or person, not even of death. For him nothing is as important as the Supreme Lord, and thus he gives equal importance to heaven and hell.
- He (the self-surrendered devotee of the Lord) knows well that both heaven and hell are creations of the Lord, and similarly life and death are different conditions of existence created by the Lord.
- God is never dangerous to the devotee, and the devotee is never afraid of dangers, because he is confident that the danger is but another feature of God. "Why should I be afraid?" the devotee thinks. - I am surrendered to Him.
The Glories of Constant Remembrance
The true measure of surrender is evaluated by one's internal absorption in the Supreme Person. For a genuine devotee, the mind is so saturated with loving devotion that forgetting the Lord, even for a fraction of a second, becomes entirely impossible. Through the continuous chanting of the holy names, Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that such elevated souls maintain unbreakable contact with the absolute reality, earning the admiration of all higher authorities.
- In all conditions and in all circumstances, remembrance of Narayana is essential. The narayana-parayana (the self-surrendered devotee of the Lord) practices this constantly.
- The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be forgotten even for a moment by His surrendered devotees.
- The actions of devotees who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord and who constantly chant the holy name of the Lord are praised by the demigods and the residents of Siddhaloka.
Supreme Protection and Affection
The relationship between the Supreme Lord and His dedicated servants is one of profound, reciprocal love. While ordinary individuals struggle against the harsh laws of material nature, the Lord personally assumes responsibility for those who completely depend upon Him. Bringing light to this beautiful dynamic, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the Absolute Truth actively fulfills the spiritual desires of His devotees and shields them from all harm with His own hand.
- We must accept the verdict of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which says, The absolute Personality of Godhead, who is known as Vasudeva and who is very affectionate toward His surrendered devotees, expands Himself in quadruple forms who are subordinate to Him and identical with Him.
- In the Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita it is clearly said that one who constantly engages in Krsna consciousness is the topmost yogi. The Personality of Godhead, Hari, also fulfills the desires of His surrendered devotee.
- Those devotees (who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord) are so respectable and exalted that Lord Visnu personally protects them with the club in His hand.
The Potency of Surrendered Association
Ignorance binds the conditioned soul to the cycle of repeated birth and death, making liberation seemingly impossible to attain on one's own. However, simply coming into contact with a fully surrendered spiritual master can immediately dispel this thick illusion. Pointing to this transformative power, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the words and actions of such a sādhu carry immense spiritual potency, capable of delivering anyone who submissively hears from them.
- Tasmad gurum prapadyeta. One must surrender to such a guru, who can give right information about Krsna. Herein (Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.1.16), Maharaja Pariksit has surrendered to the right personality, Sukadeva Gosvami, for enlightenment in vasudeva-katha.
- Because a Vaisnava is surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, his talks are spiritually potent.
- When one is face to face with the sun, there is no longer darkness for one's eyes. Similarly, when one is face to face with a sadhu, who is fully determined and surrendered to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one will no longer be subject to material bondage - Srimad-Bhagavatam 10.10.41.
- Being very much pleased with Citraketu, who was a self-controlled devotee and surrendered soul, Narada, the most powerful sage, spoke to him the following transcendental instructions.
Conclusion
The material world is naturally a place of danger, but the fully surrendered soul moves through it with absolute confidence and spiritual potency. As Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly clarifies, true peace and liberation are found not in independent struggle, but in trusting the supreme controller entirely. By associating with such fearless devotees and following their example, anyone can escape the darkness of material bondage and enter into an eternal, loving relationship with God.
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 Surrendered 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.