Hare Krsna,

To set the context of the conversation between Lord Kapiladeva and Mother Devahuti so far, Mother Devahuti asked Kapiladeva about bhakti, jnana and yoga (in SB 3.25.28-29). Lord Kapiladeva explained about bhakti (SB 3.25.31-44). In this chapter, Lord Kapiladeva will discusss about Jnana – the second question asked by His mother.

In the first two verses, Lord Kapiladeva says that He will describe the different features of elements, knowing which one will be freed from the influence of material modes, attain perfection of self-realization, and cut the knot of attachment to material world. In the next two verses, He explains the characteristics of Purusa (the Lord) whose interaction with prakrti (material nature) in just a pastime by His will.

For a devotee engaged in bhakti-yoga, it is important to understand Krsna’s material energy also because to understand Kṛṣṇa means to understand Kṛṣṇa in His personal form with His internal energy, His external energy, His expansions and His incarnations (SB 3.16.1). For conditioned souls like us who are bounded by the three modes of material nature, it is important to understand this sankhya philosophy in order to become free from the modes of material nature.

Srimad Bhagavad-Gita talks about five key subject matters – (a) isvara (The Supreme Lord), (b) Jiva (living entity), (c) Prakrti (material world), (d) Kala (Time), and (e) Karma (Fruitive activity or result). Due to one’s conditioned nature, a not-yet-liberated living entity identifies more with his gross and subtle body than with his spirit self. Prakrti is material energy; jiva’s gross and subtle body is also material. Since both are grossly visible, a jiva makes the mistake of identifying with the material nature. He thinks his sambandha is with matter only, totally forgetting that he also has a spiritual side. Prakrti is meant to be enjoyed, and a jiva makes another mistake that he is the enjoyer of the material nature. This is basically illusion. The truth is that there is another superior energy. Jiva (the individual soul) is itself superior to prakrti (matter) and higher than the individual soul is the Supersoul (Paramatma). Thus if we remove the gross and subtle covering of the jiva, what remains is his spiritual form – the individual soul. This individual soul is eternally related to the Supreme Soul – constitutionally, qualitatively, and quantitatively. Constitutionally, every individual soul is eternally a servitor of Kṛṣṇa. Jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’: every individual soul is eternally a servitor. Qualitatively the individual soul is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord; qualitatively both are similar. And quantitatively, the individual soul is infinitesimal and the Supreme Lord is the greatest. This is why Lord Kapiladeva explains the characteristics of the Purusa in verse 3:

“The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the Supreme Soul, and He has no beginning. He is transcendental to the material modes of nature and beyond the existence of this material world. He is perceivable everywhere because He is self-effulgent, and by His self-effulgent luster the entire creation is maintained.” (SB 3.26.3)

This false identity with the material world is the knot in the heart that covers one’s true self-identity. Unless this knot is cut off, one cannot attains self-realization. This knot can be cut only by transcendental knowledge that explains the difference between matter and spirit. It is like treating a diseased person. Unless the diseased person is informed with proper knowledge the cause of his ailment and the means of getting out of it, he may become subject to the same disease again and again. As soon as we hear of any disease infecting us, we try to study more about it to get relief. We try to take proper precautions and cure to become free of it forever. Similarly a materially diseased person who has forgotten his true self and his relationship (sambandha) with the Supreme Lord needs to be enlightened with knowledge. Therefore, Lord Kapiladeva says that “Knowledge is the ultimate perfection of self-realization. I shall explain that knowledge unto you by which the knots of attachment to the material world are cut.” (SB 3.26.2)

A similar explanation is given in SB 1.2 where it is said that “once established in the mode of unalloyed goodness, the man whose mind has been enlivened by contact with devotional service to the Lord gains positive scientific knowledge of the Personality of Godhead in the stage of liberation from all material association. Thus, the knot in the heart is pierced, and all misgivings are cut to pieces. The chain of fruitive actions is terminated when one sees the self as master.” (SB 1.2.20-21)

Once the living entity comes to the realization that he is eternally related to his eternal master (the eternal Supreme Lord) and not related to the temporary material nature, what does he do? He engages in devotional service to the Lord (abhideya).

“Certainly, therefore, since time immemorial, all transcendentalists have been rendering devotional service to Lord Kṛṣṇa, the Personality of Godhead, with great delight, because such devotional service is enlivening to the self…Previously all the great sages rendered service unto the Personality of Godhead due to His existence above the three modes of material nature. They worshiped Him to become free from material conditions and thus derive the ultimate benefit. Whoever follows such great authorities is also eligible for liberation from the material world.” (SB 1.2.22 and 25).

Therefore, by proper understanding of the pure self, or by self-realization, one can be freed from material attachment. Knowledge leads one to attain the ultimate perfection of life and to see oneself as he is. When one is fixed in the understanding that he is part and parcel of the Supreme Soul and that his eternal position is to serve in association with the Supreme Lord, he becomes self-realized. This position of rightly understanding oneself cuts the knot of material attraction (hṛdaya-granthi-bhedanam). The soul is thus isolated from the entanglement of the twenty-four categories of material nature. Pursuit of the systematic philosophic process called Sankhya is called knowledge and self-revelation. (SB 3.26.2 Purport)

This is precisely why Lord Kapiladeva is explaining the various aspects of Sankhya philosophy to His mother (and to us) so that we understand the various aspects of jiva-prakrti-Purusa interactions and characteristics. This will help us contemplate on the Supersoul through devotion, detachment and knowledge gradually leading us to prayojana (pure love of God).

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Hare Krsna,

The essence of the verses of BG Chapter 12 and Lord Kapila’s verses is that one should fix one’s mind on the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This fixing of one’s mind should be one-pointed focus without distraction to anything else (such as desire for heavenly happiness, the five kinds of liberation, achieving Brahman liberation or seeking residence in higher planetary systems).

The Blessed Lord said: He whose mind is fixed on My personal form, always engaged in worshiping Me with great and transcendental faith, is considered by Me to be most perfect. (BG 12.2)

Therefore, persons whose minds are fixed on the Lord engage in the intensive practice of devotional service. That is the only means for attainment of the final perfection of life. (SB 3.25.44)

Therefore it is said, Mano mayy arpitaṁ sthiram which mean “the mind being fixed on Me.” By fixing the mind on the lotus feet of the Lord, one should perform ‘intense’ bhakti yoga. Tivrena bhakti-yoga. Even in the first verse of Lord Kapiladeva instructions (SB 3.25.32), He says that the mind is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and its natural duty is to serve. In BG 3.42, Lord Krsna says that the working senses are superior to dull matter; mind is higher than the senses; intelligence is still higher than the mind; and he [the soul] is even higher than the intelligence. The senses have the natural propensity of enjoy and the mind has the natural propensity to serve. Unfortunately, due to the influence of the three modes of material nature (especially modes of passion and ignorance), the mind becomes subservient to the senses and lets the senses engage in sense gratification. If, therefore, the mind is directly engaged in the service of the Lord constantly, then there is no chance that the senses will become engaged in other ways. The body may be silent and at rest, but the mind is always active. The mind has therefore to be engaged in something higher and better. The highest perfection is fixing the mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. If the mind is engaged in the transcendental service of the Lord, there is no chance of its being engaged in the lower propensities.

“Because the mind is the master of the senses, when the mind is engaged, all the senses become engaged. That is bhakti-yoga. Yoga means controlling the senses. The senses cannot be controlled in the proper sense of the term; they are always agitated. This is true also with a child — how long can he be forced to sit down silently? It is not possible. Even Arjuna said, cañcalaṁ hi manaḥ kṛṣṇa: “The mind is always agitated.” The best course is to fix the mind on the lotus feet of the Lord. Mano mayy arpitaṁ sthiram. If one seriously engages in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that is the highest perfectional stage. All Kṛṣṇa conscious activities are on the highest perfectional level of human life.” (SB 3.25.44)

The fixing of the mind on the Lord must also be accompanied by complete surrender unto the Lord. “If by intelligence one engages one’s mind in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, by complete surrender unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then, automatically, the mind becomes stronger, and even though the senses are very strong, like serpents, they will be no more effective than serpents with broken fangs.” (BG 3.42 Purport)

Key takeaways:

• Detach mind from matter.
• Attach mind to the Lord without any material motives.
• Surrender to the Lord completely.

What is the result of doing above?

• The subtle body is dissolved without separate endeavor (Verse 33)
• Such a devotee, who is unflinchingly engaged, always glorifies My pastimes and activities. (Verse 34)
• They rejoice in seeing the smiling face of the Lord (Verse 35)
• The senses are freed from all other engagements, and he becomes absorbed in devotional service. Thus in spite of his unwillingness, he attains liberation without separate endeavor. (Verse 36)
• The devotee enjoys, even in this life, all the offered benedictions. (Verse 37)
• The Lord takes him to the other side of birth and death. (Verse 39-40)
• Thus they become eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead without fear. (Verse 43)

In conclusion, devotees whose minds are fixed on the Lord and engage in the intensive practice of devotional service attain the final perfection of life.

As Krsna repeated twice in BG (9.34 and 18.65),

“Engage your mind always in thinking of Me, become My devotee, offer obeisances to Me and worship Me. Being completely absorbed in Me, surely you will come to Me.”

Concentration of the mind on the form of Kṛṣṇa constitutes the most confidential part of knowledge.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Hare Krsna,

SB 3.25.43: The yogīs, equipped with transcendental knowledge and renunciation and engaged in devotional service for their eternal benefit, take shelter of My lotus feet, and since I am the Lord, they are thus eligible to enter into the kingdom of Godhead without fear.

SB 1.2.7: By rendering devotional service unto the Personality of Godhead, Śrī Kṛṣṇa, one immediately acquires causeless knowledge and detachment from the world.

The principles of knowledge and renunciation (jnana and vairagya) are two important factors on the path of transcendental knowledge. Real knowledge about the Absolute Truth including our relationship with the Supreme Lord leads to true renunciation. On the other hand, renunciation without proper knowledge is incomplete and incorrect. Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu (2.255-256) cites two verses related to proper and improper renunciation.

“When one is not attached to anything, but at the same time accepts everything in relation to Kṛṣṇa, one is rightly situated above possessiveness. On the other hand, one who rejects everything without knowledge of its relationship to Kṛṣṇa is not as complete in his renunciation.”

Therefore, it is important that we develop right knowledge about Krsna. With perfect knowledge about matter and spirit, one can become detached from material affection and become attached to spiritual activities. I really liked what Srila Prabhupada said in his lecture, “One cannot be bhakti-yogī without jnāna and vairāgya. It is not a sentimental thing; it is based on pure knowledge. What is that pure knowledge? Pure knowledge means “I do not belong to this material world. I am spirit soul. Ahaṁ brahmāsmi. Therefore my business is to serve the Supreme Brahman, or Para-brahman.”

Only full knowledge about Krsna will lead to complete surrender unto Him. As knowledge about bhakti-yoga gradually increases, to that extent renunciation will also develop in our hearts. We will then be able to become more attached to Krsna and more detached from matter. We will have a burning desire to give up everything material and non-favorable, and earnestly desire to engage in bhakti-yoga.

In Mumbai, there is a big slum called Dharavi. It is considered to be one of Asia’s biggest slum. In contrast, Mumbai is also known to be the richest city in India. It is the financial capital of India (just like New York City). Skyscrapers and slums are located side by side. The domestic helps for people living in the affluent neighborhood come from the nearby slums. Let us assume that a domestic help living in the slum works in a rich home every day. Due to his upbringing in the slum, he identifies with his environment. He has to struggle for his daily existence. There is no proper education, healthcare, sanitation, etc. for him. On the other hand, the children of the rich family are very well-off. They are happy and live in material comfort. The slum person does not identify with the rich family because he has no connection with them. He just goes there for his livelihood. But imagine he gets to know one day that he was actually rich in some lifetime and used to live in affluent Mumbai but fell down to “slum live” due to his bad karma. As soon as he comes to this knowledge, he will understand that it is possible for him to regain his previous high status of life. It will give him a whole new perspective of life. He will eventually understand that he does not belong to the slums after all. He is meant to be a rich and happy resident of rich Mumbai. This means with proper knowledge, he will develop detachment from the poor slum life. With proper practice and knowledge, he will be able to regain his original life again.

Bhakti yoga gives us a similar knowledge about the spiritual world and detachment from the material world (the so-called ‘slums’ of Lord’s creation). As soon as we know who Krsna is, who we are, what is our relationship with the Lord, what is our duty towards the Lord, we naturally become detached from material activities. This is called vairagya. Our relationship with Krsna is eternal (Nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-bhakti sādhya kabhu naya). Since we are eternally related to Him, it makes sense that we surrender unto Him completely. Anything else would be a bad bargain. Bhakti yoga is the supermost occupation of the human being (sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo,  yato bhaktir adhokṣaje – SB 1.2.6)

“As soon as you engage yourself in devotional service of Vāsudeva under the direction of śāstra and spiritual master, then janayaty āśu vairāgyam. And you are practically experiencing that since you have come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement you have no more interest material activities. No more interest. That is vairāgya. You are simply meant for service of Kṛṣṇa. That is jnāna. In this way, if you want actually to be fearless and enter into the spiritual life, or spiritual kingdom, back to home, back to Godhead, then you have to accept this bhakti-yoga process, and it is very easy, and then you become fearless, and your life is successful.” (Srila Prabhupada lecture on SB 3.25.43)

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Hare Krsna,

The preceding verses leading to SB 3.25.42 repeatedly teach us unto whom and why we should surrender to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. In BG 18.66, Krsna declares that one must give up all so-called religions and just surrender unto Him. He will deliver us from everything and there is no cause for fear. In Bhagavad Gita, five subject matters are discussed. First of all, the science of God (ishvara or Bhagavan) is explained, and then the constitutional position of the living entities, jīvas. Prakṛti (material nature), time (the duration of existence of the whole universe or the manifestation of material nature) and karma (activity) are also discussed. Out of these five basic subject matters in Bhagavad-gita it is established that the Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme controller and everything else (jiva, time, material nature and karma) are controlled by Him. Lord Kṛṣṇa says, mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram: “This material nature is working under My direction.” (BG 9.10) Therefore Krsna’s final instruction to Arjuna is that everyone should wholeheartedly surrender unto Him.

Similarly in the verses (3.25.32-42), we see how surrendering to Krsna gradually frees conditioned living entities from gross and subtle bodies simply as an outcome of bhakti yoga. No separate endeavor such as karma and jnana are needed. Just as in BG 18.66, Krsna advises to give up all other types of religion, similarly in these verses Lord Kapiladeva is teaching us that one should give up all material desires such as elevation to heavenly planets, achieving the perfections obtained from mystic yoga, or trying to become happy in this world with wealth, children, cattle, home or anything in relationship with the body. Our desire should be to free ourselves from the repeated cycle of birth and death by engaging in pure devotional service. Only a freed person can free a chained person. A person who is in prison cannot free himself. People who are outside the prison (such as the lawyers, family members, government authorities, etc.) can free the inmate. Similarly, only the Supreme Lord is competent to deliver everything because He is eternal, transcendental, supreme controller, and one who never comes under the influence of material energy. Therefore, Lord Kapiladeva declares that the terrible fear of birth and death can never be forsaken by anyone who resorts to any shelter other than the Supreme Lord. The so-called external material cause is only a facade. Behind this cause is a greater cause and that is the Supreme Lord who is the cause of all causes (sarva karana Karanam).

“It is because of My supremacy that the wind blows, out of fear of Me; the sun shines out of fear of Me, and the lord of the clouds, Indra, sends forth showers out of fear of Me. Fire burns out of fear of Me, and death goes about taking its toll out of fear of Me.” (SB 3.25.42)

One should not think that he/she is equal to Kṛṣṇa, nor should he think that Kṛṣṇa is an ordinary personality or even a very great personality. Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Arjuna himself declares this in Bhagavad Gita 10.12-14:

“Arjuna said: You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth. You are the eternal, transcendental, original person, the unborn, the greatest. All the great sages such as Nārada, Asita, Devala and Vyāsa confirm this truth about You, and now You Yourself are declaring it to me. O Kṛṣṇa, I totally accept as truth all that You have told me. Neither the demigods nor the demons, O Lord, can understand Your personality.”

The purpose of Lord Krsna’s instructions in BG and Lord Kapiladeva’s instructions in this chapter is to deliver mankind from the nescience of material existence. Every man is in difficulty in so many ways, as Arjuna also was in difficulty in having to fight the Battle of Kurukṣetra. Not only Arjuna, but every one of us is full of anxieties because of this material existence. Our very existence is in the atmosphere of nonexistence. Actually, we are not meant to be threatened by nonexistence. Our existence is eternal. But somehow or other we are put into asat – something that is temporary, miserable and non-eternal.

In Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on all these verses, we see a sense of urgency. He wants us to understand that we are eternally related to Krsna and we are not meant to struggle in this world. Our real eternal friend is Krsna; our only engagement should be devotional service, and our goal should be to get out of this material world of suffering and go back to our eternal home to serve and live blissfully with Krsna. The so-called material comfort is this world is all an illusion.

“So we must have sense and take shelter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead to save ourself from this material condition of life, repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. And if you think, when Kṛṣṇa says that “You surrender unto Me. I will give you protection… Just surrender to Kṛṣṇa and execute Kṛṣṇa’s service, what Kṛṣṇa says. Do that; you will be saved. You will be saved from these clutches of māyā, repetition of birth and death. Even if you fall down, if you do not be able to execute devotional service fully, still, you will get next chance as a human being.” (Srila Prabhupada lecture on SB 3.25.42)

As quite a few of the devotees mentioned in the review lesson this morning, the process of surrender to Krsna is very simple. We just have to engage in sankirtana-yajna as this is the recommended sacrifice for the most intelligent (yajanti hi su-medhasa).

“So it is very easy, saṅkīrtana-yajña. You sit down familywise, all the family members. If you perform saṅkīrtana, Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, with the clapping of hands, that is saṅkīrtana-yajña, very easy to perform. But people will not do that. Instead of performing saṅkīrtana-yajña in the evening to become free from all fears of life, they will go to the restaurant, to the cinema and other places, talking unnecessarily in clubs, societies, waste their time. This is going on. This is modern education. This is modern civilization. They are not aware of the tīvraṁ bhayam, the most fierceful situation of birth, death, old age and disease. This is the opportunity, the human life, how to get out of it. The means are there.” (Srila Prabhupada lecture on SB 3.25.42)

We should have only one burning desire. That is, “I must go back to Godhead in this very lifetime. I do not want to come back to this material world again. It is now or never.” Every morning we should wake up with this meditation and every night we should sleep with this meditation.

Thank you, Srila Prabhupada, for opening our darkened eyes with the torch of knowledge.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Hare Krsna,

Due to our bodily consciousness spanning many lifetimes, there is a fear of impending death. Unless one is spiritually realized, it is hard to accept death of one’s own body and everything related to it – family, friends, relatives, worldly respect, fame, property, wealth, etc. It is hard to imagine that there is no after-life once this body is gone. This is the reason why people act under the illusion that this is the only life they have got and they have to make the most of it through sense gratification. Arjuna was also bewildered about the impending death of his family and friends in the Kuruksetra war. It is amazing Lord Krsna’s teachings in Bhagavad Gita started with the topic of life and death. This means the question of life and death has existed since time immemorial. In a few verses, Lord Krsna dispels the wrong notion of so-called birth and death. He said, “While speaking learned words, you are mourning for what is not worthy of grief. Those who are wise lament neither for the living nor for the dead. Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change…Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent [the material body] there is no endurance and of the eternal [the soul] there is no change. This they have concluded by studying the nature of both.” (BG Chapter 2 11-16)

It is interesting Lord Krsna did not immediately reveal to Arjuna that He is the shelter from birth and death. He declares only towards the end of His discourse to surrender unto Him and that He will deliver all from all sinful reactions. This also means deliverance from birth and death. In this lesson, Lord Kapiladeva explains that the terrible fear of birth and death cannot be forsaken by any other process than bhakti yoga.

“The terrible fear of birth and death can never be forsaken by anyone who resorts to any shelter other than Myself, for I am the almighty Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the original source of all creation, and also the Supreme Soul of all souls.” (SB 3.25.41)

This means without devotion to Krsna, there is no deliverance from birth and death. Without coming under His shelter, there is no possibility of stop the cycle of birth and death. nānyatra mad bhagavataḥ pradhāna-puruṣeśvarāt. “You cannot get it without taking shelter at My lotus feet. You cannot get out of this fear,” as Srila Prabhupada says in his lecture.

Why only the personal form of Krsna? Even His holy name is capable of delivering the chanter from the cycle of birth and death. That was the instruction of Yamaraja to the Yamadutas (SB 6.1)

“Although not having fully realized Kṛṣṇa, persons who have even once surrendered completely unto His lotus feet and who have become attracted to His name, form, qualities and pastimes are completely freed of all sinful reactions, for they have thus accepted the true method of atonement. Even in dreams, such surrendered souls do not see Yamarāja or his order carriers, who are equipped with ropes to bind the sinful.” (SB 6.1.19)

My dear servants, please do not approach such devotees, for they have fully surrendered to the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are equal to everyone, and their narrations are sung by the demigods and the inhabitants of Siddhaloka. Please do not even go near them. They are always protected by the club of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore Lord Brahmā and I and even the time factor are not competent to chastise them. (SB 6.3.27)

Ajamila was delivered from Yamadutas by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, even though he chanted to call out his own son, Narayana.

“While suffering at the time of death, Ajāmila chanted the holy name of the Lord, and although the chanting was directed toward his son, he nevertheless returned home, back to Godhead. Therefore if one faithfully and inoffensively chants the holy name of the Lord, where is the doubt that he will return to Godhead?” (SB 6.2.49)

This is the power of the Lord and His Holy Name. Just by chanting His Holy Name, we can be delivered from all sinful reactions and impending death.

As a conditioned soul, I often go through phases of fearfulness in my life. This fear used to insurmountable during my pre-bhakti days. But now after practicing bhakti yoga for few years, this fear is slowly going away. I often deliberately and sincerely pray to the Lord to remove all my fears. One of my favorite prayers is to Lord Nrsimhadeva:

“I offer my respectful obeisances unto Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, the source of all power. O my Lord who possess nails and teeth just like thunderbolts, kindly vanquish our demon-like desires for fruitive activity in this material world. Please appear in our hearts and drive away our ignorance so that by Your mercy we may become fearless in the struggle for existence in this material world.” (SB 5.18.8)

The conclusion is that one cannot surpass the cycle of birth and death unless one is favored by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. hariṁ vinā na mṛtiṁ taranti. The Lord is stated here to be Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, indicating that He is full of all opulences and is therefore perfectly competent to deliver one from the cycle of birth and death. He is also called pradhāna because He is the Supreme. He is equal to everyone, but to one who surrenders to Him He is especially favorable…By the grace of the Lord, simply by surrendering unto Him one can get out of this cycle of birth and death. (SB 3.25.41 Purport)

This is the mercy and love of Krsna for all of us. He is so kind that He is awaiting to relieve us from the cycle of birth and death. All we have to do is surrender unto His lotus feet wholeheartedly and engage in His devotional service beginning with the chanting of His sweet Holy Name.

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Hare Krsna,

In BG 18.66, Lord Krsna famously declares ‘Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.’

The deeper meaning of ‘Do not fear’ can be seen in these teachings of Lord Kapiladeva. Here the Supreme Lord is giving assurance to all His devotees not to worry about being promoted to the heavenly planets or to become happy in this world or to be delivered from the entanglement of this material world. Krsna is saying, “Do not worry. I will take you to the other side of birth and death. All you have to do is just engage in My devotional service unflinchingly.”

SB 3.25.39-40: Thus the devotee who worships Me, the all-pervading Lord of the universe, in unflinching devotional service, gives up all aspirations to be promoted to heavenly planets or to become happy in this world with wealth, children, cattle, home or anything in relationship with the body. I take him to the other side of birth and death.

It is not so easy to be worry-free in our dealings in this world – even in bhakti. The restless mind always gives us anxiety and fear. We tend to worry about the present and future. What will happen during the old age? What will happen if a financially-draining medical expense comes up? Devotees may worry what will happen to them if they think they have not performed bhakti well enough to be assured a promising next life or even liberation? I have seen seasoned brahmacaris in ISKCON leaving the institution after many years of service being overcome with the fear that they haven’t made any financial arrangements or savings for their old age. One of them confided in me once that he will be discarded by his family if he tries to return to them because he left home at a very young age and haven’t fulfilled his family responsibilities. And in old age, ISKCON will not take care of him because he cannot do any more service. With this fear, they leave ISKCON endeavoring to earn and save some ‘money’ for old age. I understand their sentiments. I have heard of many sincere Srila Prabhupada disciples who gave their life to the movement in their younger days (forsaking higher education and means of livelihood) but struggling to make ends meet in their old age. Thus, fear is natural for anyone with a material body. Therefore, I say that Lord Krsna’s assurance ‘Do not fear’ has deeper meaning.

We need to learn how to have deep and unshaking faith in Krsna. Srila Prabhupada explains beautifully in BG 18.66 purport:

“One should be confident that in all circumstances Kṛṣṇa will protect him from all difficulties. There is no need of thinking how one should keep the body and soul together. Kṛṣṇa will see to that. One should always think himself helpless and should consider Kṛṣṇa the only basis for his progress in life. As soon as one seriously engages himself in devotional service to the Lord in full Kṛṣṇa consciousness, at once he becomes freed from all contamination of material nature. There are different processes of religion and purificatory processes by cultivation of knowledge, meditation in the mystic yoga system, etc., but one who surrenders unto Kṛṣṇa does not have to execute so many methods. That simple surrender unto Kṛṣṇa will save him from unnecessarily wasting time. One can thus make all progress at once and be freed from all sinful reactions.”

Elsewhere Srila Prabhupada again explains the meaning of saranagati or surrender.

“Sometimes when we hear that great sages and devotees go to the forest and engage themselves in devotional service or meditation, we become surprised: how can one live in the forest and not be taken care of by anyone? But the answer, given by a great authority, Nārada Muni, is that such persons are well protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śaraṇāgati, or surrender, means acceptance or firm belief that wherever the surrendered soul lives he is always protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; he is never alone or unprotected.” (SB 4.8.68 Purport)

A pure devotee, therefore, never worries about anything. A pure devotee does not pray to the Lord for liberation from this material bondage. Actually, the pure devotee never thinks that he is fit for liberation. A pure devotee is not anxious to elevate himself in his next birth. Such a pure devotee does not care for what is going to happen in the next life or in this life; he does not care even for family, children, or society. He fully engages in the service of the Lord in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. (SB 3.25.39-40 Purport)

It is indeed a beautiful assurance by the Lord that without the knowledge of the devotee the Lord arranges for him to be immediately transferred to the Lord’s transcendental abode just after he leaves his body.

BG 12.6-7: For one who worships Me, giving up all his activities unto Me and being devoted to Me without deviation, engaged in devotional service and always meditating upon Me, who has fixed his mind upon Me, O son of Prtha, for him I am the swift deliverer from the ocean of birth and death.

We must continue the surrendering process to Krsna. Just as a child is completely cared for by his parents, a devotee is and will be cared for by Krsna if he is fully surrendered to Krsna and has faith in Krsna’s love and protection. If Krsna can take care of unlimited living entities all over His creation, how difficult would it be for Him to take care of us if we take His shelter. We just need to perform our bhakti unto Him with love and devotion and expecting nothing in return. Krsna knows what we need more than we do.

As Srila Prabhupada beautifully writes, “Let everyone take shelter of the supreme omnipotent Godhead Krsna. That is the highest perfection of life.” (BG 12.6-7 Purport)

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Links to Srila Prabhupada’s purport and lecture on BG 2.40 and SB 3.25.38:

https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/2/40/

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/3/25/38/

https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741207sbbom/

Hare Krsna,

BG 2.40: In this endeavor there is no loss or diminution, and a little advancement on this path can protect one from the most dangerous type of fear.

SB 3.25.38: The Lord continued: My dear mother, devotees who receive such transcendental opulences are never bereft of them; neither weapons nor the change of time can destroy such opulences. Because the devotees accept Me as their friend, their relative, their son, preceptor, benefactor and Supreme Deity, they cannot be deprived of their possessions at any time.

As a conditioned soul, I go through phases of fearfulness. There are days when I feel very hopeful and positive, and then there are days I am overcome with fear. There is fear of not seeing my loved ones again (I live alone in this country away from my parents and siblings); there is fear of missing good devotee association; there is fear of losing a good friendship (or any relationship); there is fear of falling down from the path of bhakti; there is fear of losing my job or relocating to a new place not conducive to bhakti; there is fear of being overcome by poor health or financial crisis; there is fear of being cheated. The list can go on and on. The cause of this fear is my attachment to bodily relationship and unavoidable material things (such as jobs, etc.). Whenever I go through such situations, I try to step back and try to differentiate between things that are temporary and permanent. When we accept the fact that there are some things that we would inevitable lose now (or at the time of death), we can make peace with it. In such situations, we can analyze what will stay with us permanently and we will never go through the anxiety of losing them. Thankfully transcendental knowledge helps us in dealing with such difficult situations in life.

It is good to remind myself on a regular basis that I am not a material body having a spirit soul; rather I am a spiritual being possessing a material body. As Lord Krsna said in BG that the soul is eternal. He told Arjuna that that which pervades the entire body is indestructible. No one is able to destroy that imperishable soul. (BG 2.17). The individual soul is eternal; the Supersoul is also eternal. Our relationship with Krsna, who resides as Supersoul in us, is also eternal. Therefore the process of devotional service (bhakti) between the devotee (bhakta) and the Lord (Bhagavan) is also eternal. This is something that we will never lose. Our relationship with Krsna is set in stone; no one can break it. Therefore, it is a matter of great relief when Krsna promises us that there is no loss or diminution of the path of bhakti. A little advancement on this path will protect us from the most dangerous type of fear (BG 2.40). This is a great everlasting solution to overcome fearfulness of any kind.  What a relief!!

What a disaster and disappointment would it have been if we had lost all the transcendental opulences, blessings, bliss and love for Krsna that we have cultivated all these years!! It is, therefore, very pleasing and encouraging to hear Lord Kapiladeva’s declaration to His mother, “My dear mother, devotees who receive such transcendental opulences are never bereft of them; neither weapons nor the change of time can destroy such opulences. Because the devotees accept Me as their friend, their relative, their son, preceptor, benefactor and Supreme Deity, they cannot be deprived of their possessions at any time.” (SB 3.25.38)  We can see that in the pastimes of great personalities such as Bharat Maharaja, Vrtrasura, etc. Even though they ‘seemed’ to have fallen down, they never lost their Krsna consciousness (and attachment for Krsna) that they possessed in their previous lives.

On the contrary, bhakti and our relationship with Krsna is like an ever-expanding ocean. Srila Prabhupada writes in his purport that once one is fixed in the devotional service of the Lord, his position of transcendental service cannot be destroyed, and the pleasure and service simply increase unlimitedly. In material world, time destroys everything. Even great civilizations, cultures, countries, cities have been destroyed by the force of time. I was driving by the city of Detroit a few years ago; it was so painful to see a city once termed the ‘automobile capital of the world’ lost its glorious past and has fallen into decay. This is the nature of time. It destroys everything – our bodies, relationships, wealth, fame, beauty, life, etc. In the Vaikuntha atmosphere, there is no influence of time or of the demigods.

Krsna is so loving and kind that He not only promises eternal bliss and life in Krsna consciousness. He is also willing to allow us to treat Him like His servant, friend, parent, and lover. He knows our innermost desire in our hearts, and He reciprocates accordingly. Srila Prabhupada says in his lecture that if we love Krsna, there is no destruction.

I found the following statement of Srila Prabhupada very heart-fulfilling,

“So if you accept Kṛṣṇa as your son, as your friend, as your lover, you will never be cheated. So try to accept Kṛṣṇa. Give up this false, illusory servant or son or father or lover. You’ll be cheated… The fact is that if you make the same relationship with Kṛṣṇa, it will never become zero; it will be enthusiastic more and more. Ānandāmbudhi-vardhanam.” (Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on SB 3.25.38)

It is therefore important for us to establish and solidify our relationship (sambandha) with Krsna. This relationship is eternal. Since we may not be able to see Krsna with our materially contaminated eyes, we can build that same relationship with Krsna’s Holy Name. The name of Krsna and Krsna are non- different since both are Absolute. I must therefore chant His holy name with that mood and prayer. That I want to surrender to Him as instructed by Him in BG 18.66 (sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇam vraja). Since Krsna is non-different from His name, this BG verse can also mean sarva-dharmān parityajya NAMA ekaṁ śaraṇam vraja. Our relationship with Krsna’s name is as eternal as our relationship with Krsna is. Everything else is temporary and subject to destruction by the influence of time.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Links to Srila Prabhupada’s purport and lecture on SB 3.25.36:

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/3/25/37/

https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741206sbbom/

Hare Krsna,

Since we are reviewing verses SB 3.25.32-37, it is important to revisit Mother Devahuti’s question to Lord Kapila that led him to cite these verses in response. Mother Devahuti asked, “What kind of devotional service is worth developing and practicing to help me easily and immediately attain the service of Your lotus feet?” (SB 3.25.28)

Note: I want to take the liberty of citing Lord Kapila’s responses in a simple question-and-answer discussion between Him and his mother.

Mother Devahuti: What kind of bhakti should I perform to easily attain Your lotus feet?

Lord Kapila: The senses are symbolic representations of the demigods, and their natural inclination is to work under the direction of the Vedic injunctions. As the senses are representatives of the demigods, so the mind is the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The mind’s natural duty is to serve. When that service spirit is engaged in devotional service to the Personality of Godhead, without any motive, that is far better even than salvation. (SB 3.25.32)

Mother Devahuti: You say bhakti is better than liberation. Does bhakti lead to liberation?

Lord Kapila: Bhakti, devotional service, dissolves the subtle body of the living entity without separate effort, just as fire in the stomach digests all that we eat. (SB 3.25.33)

Mother Devahuti: Who are those people who perform such bhakti? How do they perform such bhakti?

Lord Kapila: A pure devotee, who is attached to the activities of devotional service and who always engages in the service of My lotus feet, never desires to become one with Me. Such a devotee, who is unflinchingly engaged, always glorifies My pastimes and activities. (SB 3.25.34)

Mother Devahuti: What else do such devotees do?

Lord Kapila: O My mother, My devotees always see the smiling face of My form, with eyes like the rising morning sun. They like to see My various transcendental forms, which are all benevolent, and they also talk favorably with Me. (SB 3.25.35)

Mother Devahuti: What symptoms are manifest in them when they see Your charming forms?

Lord Kapila: Upon seeing the charming forms of the Lord, smiling and attractive, and hearing His very pleasing words, the pure devotee almost loses all other consciousness. His senses are freed from all other engagements, and he becomes absorbed in devotional service. Thus in spite of his unwillingness, he attains liberation without separate endeavor. (SB 3.25.36)

Mother Devahuti: Great. You said such devotees attain liberation without separate endeavor. Since liberation is not their goal, what do they actually desire?

Lord Kapila: Thus because he is completely absorbed in thought of Me, the devotee does not desire even the highest benediction obtainable in the upper planetary systems, including Satyaloka. He does not desire the eight material perfections obtained from mystic yoga, nor does he desire to be elevated to the kingdom of God. Yet even without desiring them, the devotee enjoys, even in this life, all the offered benedictions. (SB 3.25.37)

[The discussion between the mother and her illustrious Son ends here.]

My realizations:

My humble realization is that devotees who do not desire the pleasure of heavenly happiness nor the power of eight-fold mystic yoga, and not even the elevation to the kingdom of God must be situated on the level of ‘bhava’ or ‘prema’. It is not so easy to ignore the temptation of heavenly happiness or yogic powers. One must really be attached to Krsna in deep love to be able to say that he/she does not want anything except the opportunity to render devotional service to the Lord. Such attachment to Krsna is only possible in the stage of bhava and beyond.

Sometimes when I undergo challenging or traumatic situation in my life, my immediate thought is to attain liberation from this material world. It is more like an escape mechanism for me. I think this is natural; we all want to become free from the miseries of this world. It is difficult to perform unalloyed bhakti when we go through difficult situations. My immediate prayer is, ‘O Krsna, please help me come out of this difficult time.’ I do not pray to Him for devotional service at that time but realize my stupidity later on to ask Him for material benedictions. Therefore, I say that it must be a very special devotee who can look beyond the temptation of liberation or heavenly happiness or mystic powers and who can pray to the Lord only to be engaged in devotional service and nothing else. I can think of the Vraja gopis; I can think of Srila Prabhupada and the acaryas who are at the stage of pure love for the Lord.

I am reminded of the prayers of Vrtrasura whose beautiful four prayers to the Lord resemble the mood of the verses that Lord Kapila quoted above.

“O my Lord, O Supreme Personality of Godhead, will I again be able to serve Your eternal servants, who find shelter only at Your lotus feet? O Lord of my life, may I again become their servant so that my mind may always think of Your transcendental attributes, my words always glorify those attributes, and my body always engage in the loving service of Your Lordship.

O my Lord, source of all opportunities, I do not desire to enjoy in Dhruvaloka, the heavenly planets or the planet where Lord Brahmā resides, nor do I want to be the supreme ruler of all the earthly planets or the lower planetary systems. I do not desire to be master of the powers of mystic yoga, nor do I want liberation if I have to give up Your lotus feet.” (SB 6.11.24-25)

Therefore, the verses (34-37) are topics of deep realization which only pure and most exalted devotees can pray for. I definitely am not there yet. I am still sincerely trying to engage all my senses, mind, words, actions, and heart in devotional service to Krsna.

Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on SB 3.25.37 is so profound. He really tries to hammer into our head that we must desire nothing else but Krsna and His devotional service. Everything else is insignificant. Choosing Krsna is like placing ‘1’ in front of a bunch of zeros. Otherwise, the ‘zeroes’ by themselves have no value. It is a matter of deep love and attachment for Krsna to choose only Krsna and nothing else. Krsna or His illusory energy (maya) may tempt us with other alternatives. We must be convinced that we want only Krsna and nothing else that may change our minds. We should not be like Duryodhana who chose Krsna’s army and lost the battle. We should be like Arjuna who chose only Krsna and won the battle. We should be like Arjuna. If Krsna is there, everything is there.

As I share this reflection, I am getting a much better appreciation of the Hare Krsna maha mantra and how to chant it. My heart tells me that I must sincerely and cryingly chant with the mood that I want only the service of Sri Sri Radha Krsna and nothing else.

This is the conclusion and lesson I draw from verses 32-37 and the accompanying Srila Prabhupada’s lectures and mood.

All glories to Srila Prabhupada! All glories to our dear teachers who are leading us to that goal of pure devotional service! All glories to my classmates who are giving me company in this beautiful journey together!

Links to Srila Prabhupada’s purport and lecture on SB 3.25.36:

https://vedabase.io/en/library/sb/3/25/36/

https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741205sbbom/

Hare Krsna,

SB 3.25.36: Upon seeing the charming forms of the Lord, smiling and attractive, and hearing His very pleasing words, the pure devotee almost loses all other consciousness. His senses are freed from all other engagements, and he becomes absorbed in devotional service. Thus in spite of his unwillingness, he attains liberation without separate endeavor.

Srila Prabhupada’s purport and lecture point to a very relevant topic for this forum post – The Transcendental Art of Seeing Krsna.

I could draw several key principles from this lesson.

1.        No one is barred from seeing the beautiful form of the Supreme Lord: Srila Prabhupada says that even neophyte devotees (kanistha adhikaris) can advance in Krsna consciousness simply my appreciating the beautiful transcendental form of the Deity. This is how merciful the arca-vigraha form of the Lord is. Because we are materially conditioned, we cannot see the true transcendental form of the Lord. Therefore the Lord manifests as arca-vigraha so that conditioned souls can appreciate His form, beauty, attributes, and so on.

 “Even the third-class devotee — who is not advanced in knowledge of the Absolute Truth but simply offers obeisances with great devotion, thinks of the Lord, sees the Lord in the temple and brings forth flowers and fruits to offer to the Deity — becomes imperceptibly liberated.” (SB 3.25.36 Purport)

 2.       We can see the Lord through the eyes of faith: Srila Prabhupada explains that in order to truly appreciate the beautiful form of the Lord, we must cultivate sufficient faith in the Lord. Otherwise, we will mistake the Deity to be mere idols. Therefore, one should develop strong faith to see the Lord in the Deity. The Lord is not impersonal; He is as personal as you and I. All we need is the faith that the Lord is standing in front of us in His beautiful three-fold bending form. This faith can be developed by studying the scriptures such as Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam. We have studied in Sri Caitanya Caritamrta where the Deity form of the Lord acted a witness to a feud between two brahmanas. This is because these devotees had strong faith in the Deity form of the Lord.

“Faith means that faith is created after reading Bhagavad-gītā. If you read Bhagavad-gītā carefully and if you actually understand Bhagavad-gītā as it is, then the faith will be created. Without reading Bhagavad-gītā, there is no question of faith in Kṛṣṇa.”

“The faith is explained by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī. He says, ‘śraddhā‘-śabde—viśvāsa sudṛḍha niścaya [Cc. Madhya 22.62]. Faith means one who has got firm faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa. That is called faith.” (Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on SB 3.25.26)

Lord Krsna declares in Bhagavad Gita that He is never manifest to the foolish and unintelligent. For them He is covered by His internal potency, and therefore they do not know that He is unborn and infallible. (BG 7.25)

 3.       We need to follow both pāncarātriki-vidhi and bhāgavata-vidhi: Srila Prabhupada reiterates that both these processes are needed to see and worship the Deity in the proper manner. Bhagavad-vidhi means hearing about the name, form, qualities, pastimes, glories, abode, paraphernalia, associates, etc. of the Lord. This will give us proper understand about the Lord. Janma karma ca me divyam (BG 4.9). pāncarātriki-vidhi means the process of proper worship of the Supreme Lord.

“Two things must go on = the Deity must be worshiped—this is called pāncarātriki-vidhi—and to hear about the Supreme from Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Vedic literature—that is called bhāgavata-vidhi. So the pāñcarātriki-vidhi and bhāgavata-vidhi must go parallel.” (Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on SB 3.25.26)

I can give an example from my personal life to explain this better. I have consistently struggled with weight management issue. I tend to put on too much weight too soon if my lifestyle goes into disarray, especially in regard to my eating and workout routine. There were more than a couple of occasions in my life when I had to lose weight through proper plan and supervision. Usually, two processes are recommended for weight reduction – proper diet/nutrition and proper exercise (aerobic or anaerobic). If we simply follow one or the other, we will not achieve desired results. We need to follow both in parallel for maximum benefit.

Similarly, we need to follow both the pancaratriki-vidhi and bhagavad-vidhi to completely understand the Supreme Lord and achieve self-realization in the process. I have seen many temples in India where only the Deities are worshipped but there is no hearing and studying of scriptures. Srila Prabhupada correctly pointed out that such temples are not visited even by the devotees. Due to lack of devotees, such temples gradually fall apart and crumble due to lack of maintenance and worship. I hope ISKCON temples do not fall into this category. This is why it is important for us to engage in hearing and chanting the name, form, glories, etc. of the Lord while also engaging in Deity worship.

“So any devotee who is serious about this Deity worship, hearing about Kṛṣṇa, chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, following the Vedic principle, or rejecting the sinful activities of life… In this way we can come to the platform of spiritual life, and if we act accordingly, that is called bhakti-yoga, or the liberated stage.” (Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on SB 3.25.26)

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Link to Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on these verses:https://prabhupadavani.org/transcriptions/741204sbbom/

Hare Krsna,

SB 3.25.35: O My mother, My devotees always see the smiling face of My form, with eyes like the rising morning sun. They like to see My various transcendental forms, which are all benevolent, and they also talk favorably with Me.

My realization of this verse is the benefit a devotee obtains when he/she no longer desires oneness with the Supreme Lord but desires pure devotional service unto the Lord. In the previous two verses, we learned that bhakti is higher than liberation. Srila Prabhupada explained beautifully in those verses that a devotee is actually liberated when he/she acts in the service of Krsna with his/her body, mind, and words. Such a devotee is a liberated person even in this material world, although he/she may be engaged in many so-called material activities. īhā yasya harer dāsye. (Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu 1.2.187)

In this verse (SB 3.25.35) we see what the devotees obtains as a result of not desiring merging into Brahman and instead engaging in pure devotional service. The result is that they are able to see the smiling face of the Lord. Lord Krsna is so merciful and kind that He reciprocates according to how one approaches Him. If we desire pure devotional service, He will award us the same. ye yatha mam prapadyante. (BG 4.11)

Of course it is true that we cannot see the transcendental form of the Lord with our material eyes yet. Srila Prabhupada therefore lovingly and mercifully gives us the direction how we will be able to see the Lord in His pure transcendental form. He prescribes a set of Do’s and Don’ts. The first Do’s is that we must associate with pure devotees who relish discussing about Krsna. Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ [SB 3.25.25]. Without devotee association, we cannot understand Krsna. Mundane study of scriptures without devotee association will not make us qualified to see the Lord. It will be akin to licking the bottle of honey than actually tasting the honey. In essence, Srila Prabhupada is instructing us to develop love of Godhead through the process of hearing and chanting in the association of pure devotees. In order words, we must be a devotee to see Krsna. We should not be so-called non devotee, atheist, scholars, or politicians who do not accept the supremacy of Krsna nor accept His beautiful transcendental form. Krsna does not expose Himself to such people. Nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ [BG 7.25]

Srila Prabhupada advises us to become qualified to see Krsna. We must be sinless and become santah – pure brahmana. We must learn how to surrender to Krsna completely without any motives. He gives the example of Prahlada Maharaja who refused any kind of benediction from Lord Nrsimhadeva in exchange of tolerating the sufferings from his demoniac father. We should seek benediction from the Lord in the form of pure devotional service.

“O Lord of the universe, I do not desire material wealth, materialistic followers, a beautiful wife or fruitive activities described in flowery language. All I want, life after life, is unmotivated devotional service to You.” (CC Antya 20.29)

Srila Prabhupada also sweetly cautions us that in the process of purification, we may face challenges in the form of miserable conditions put upon us by the demons. Sometimes challenges may come as painful sufferings from the Lord. We must therefore learn to practice tolerance. titikṣavaḥ kāruṇikāḥ suhṛdaḥ sarva-dehinām [SB 3.25.21].

Lord Krsna is so kind that just as He accepts various incarnations, He takes on arca-vigraha form so that we are able to see His beautiful form with our material eyes.

“The devotees’ vision, however, is different; their vision is smeared with love of God. As soon as they see the Lord in His different forms, the devotees become saturated with love, for they do not find any difference between the Lord and His form in the temple, as do the atheists. The smiling face of the Deity in the temple is beheld by the devotees as transcendental and spiritual, and the decoration of the body of the Lord is very much appreciated by the devotees…These exchanges of feelings between the Deity and the devotee are not understandable by atheists, but actually the devotee enjoys them. Kapila Muni is explaining how the devotees see the decorated body and face of the Deity and how they speak with Him in devotional service.” (SB 3.25.35 Purport)

All glories to Srila Prabhupada!