View source for Kingdom of God and the pure devotee

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{{terms|"pure devotees"|"pure devotee"|"kingdom of god"|"entrance into His abode"}}

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{{compiler|Syamananda| Visnu Murti}}

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[[Category:Kingdom of God|2]]
[[Category:Pure Devotees of God|2]]
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<div class="section" id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is"><h2>Bhagavad-gita As It Is</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="BG_Chapters_7_-_12" text="BG Chapters 7 - 12"><h3>BG Chapters 7 - 12</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="BG" link="BG 12.9" link_text="BG 12.9, Purport">
<div class="heading">One should constantly hear Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from pure devotees</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:BG 12.9 (1972)|BG 12.9, Purport]]:''' There are various rules and regulations which one should follow. And one should constantly hear Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam from pure devotees. This practice can help anyone rise to the level of love of God, and then he is sure of his progress into the spiritual kingdom of God. This practice of bhakti-yoga, under the rules and regulations, with the direction of a spiritual master, will surely bring one to the stage of love of God.</div>
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<div class="section" id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_1" text="SB Canto 1"><h3>SB Canto 1</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 1.3.38" link_text="SB 1.3.38, Purport">
<div class="heading">The Lord Himself guides the pure devotees toward the path of realization due to their constant engagement in the loving service of the Lord in spontaneous affection. That is the secret of entering into the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 1.3.38|SB 1.3.38, Purport]]:''' But those who are rendering service unto Him directly under the direction of His beloved agent are rendering service unto Him favorably. Such favorable servitors are devotees of the Lord, and by the grace of the Lord they can enter into the mysterious region of transcendence by the mercy of the Lord. But the mental speculators remain in darkness all the time. As stated in Bhagavad-gītā, the Lord Himself guides the pure devotees toward the path of realization due to their constant engagement in the loving service of the Lord in spontaneous affection. That is the secret of entering into the kingdom of God. Fruitive activities and speculation are no qualifications for entering.</div>
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<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 1.5.31" link_text="SB 1.5.31, Purport">
<div class="heading">This can be understood only by the pure devotees, and only such devotees enter the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 1.5.31|SB 1.5.31, Purport]]:'''  The Lord desires, as He has directly said in the Bhagavad-gītā, that all conditioned souls, rotting in the kingdom of material energy, come back to Him by giving up all engagements in the material world. This is the most confidential part of knowledge. But this can be understood only by the pure devotees, and only such devotees enter the kingdom of God to see Him personally and serve Him personally. The concrete example is Nārada Himself, who attained this stage of eternal knowledge and eternal bliss. And the ways and means are open to all, provided one agrees to follow in the footsteps of Śrī Nārada Muni.</div>
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<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 1.6.27" link_text="SB 1.6.27, Purport">
<div class="heading">A devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is guaranteed to pass on to the kingdom of God, where life is eternal, fully cognizant and blissful, naturally has no hankerings for petty material things</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 1.6.27|SB 1.6.27, Purport]]:''' o be fully absorbed in the thought of Kṛṣṇa means clearance of material dirts or hankerings. As a very rich man has no hankerings for small petty things, so also a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, who is guaranteed to pass on to the kingdom of God, where life is eternal, fully cognizant and blissful, naturally has no hankerings for petty material things, which are like dolls or shadows of the reality and are without permanent value. That is the sign of spiritually enriched persons. And in due course of time, when a pure devotee is completely prepared, all of a sudden the change of body occurs which is commonly called death.</div>
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<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 1.6.36" link_text="SB 1.6.36, Purport">
<div class="heading">No one but a pure devotee is eligible to enter into the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 1.6.36|SB 1.6.36, Purport]]:''' The spiritual body is alone able to enter into the spiritual realm of the Lord, and no one but a pure devotee is eligible to enter into the kingdom of God. All the mysteries of transcendental realization are duly experienced by Nārada Muni himself, and therefore by hearing such an authority one can have some idea of the results of devotional life, which are hardly delineated even in the original texts of the Vedas.</div>
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<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 1.9.24" link_text="SB 1.9.24, Purport">
<div class="heading">A Vaiṣṇava is not puffed up, although the Lord guarantees His pure devotee entrance into His abode</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 1.9.24|SB 1.9.24, Purport]]:''' A Vaiṣṇava is not puffed up, although the Lord guarantees His pure devotee entrance into His abode. Here Bhīṣmadeva says, "as long as I do not quit this body." This means that the great General would quit the body by his own will; he was not being forced by the laws of nature. He was so powerful that he could stay in his body as long as he desired. He got this benediction from his father. He desired that the Lord stay before him in His four-handed Nārāyaṇa feature so that he might concentrate upon Him and thus be in trance in that meditation. Then his mind might be sanctified with thinking of the Lord. Thus he did not mind wherever he might go. A pure devotee is never very anxious to go back to the kingdom of God. He entirely depends on the good will of the Lord.</div>
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<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_2" text="SB Canto 2"><h3>SB Canto 2</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 2.9.35" link_text="SB 2.9.35, Purport">
<div class="heading">The spiritually developed person is able to have the television of the kingdom of God always reflected within his heart</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 2.9.35|SB 2.9.35, Purport]]:''' The man with a poor fund of knowledge cannot understand, although by material science one can see things far away by means of television. Factually, the spiritually developed person is able to have the television of the kingdom of God always reflected within his heart. That is the mystery of knowledge of the Personality of Godhead.</div>
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<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 2.10.35" link_text="SB 2.10.35, Purport">
<div class="heading">The pure devotees of the Lord are interested in His forms as eternally exhibited in the abode of the Lord, known as the tripād-vibhūti or kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 2.10.35|SB 2.10.35, Purport]]:''' Undoubtedly the Lord has the supreme potency to exhibit Himself in multifarious forms, but the pure devotees of the Lord are interested in His forms as eternally exhibited in the abode of the Lord, known as the tripād-vibhūti or kingdom of God. The Lord in the tripād-vibhūti abode exhibits Himself in two forms, either with four hands or with two hands. The viśva-rūpa exhibited in the material manifestation has unlimited hands and unlimited dimensions with everything unlimited.</div>
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<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 2.10.44" link_text="SB 2.10.44, Purport">
<div class="heading">The pure devotees of the Lord thus undergo a practice of devotional service to qualifying themselves to enter into the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 2.10.44|SB 2.10.44, Purport]]:''' The Lord in His abode called the Vaikuṇṭha planets, which are eternal manifestations, always remains with His associates and enjoys transcendental loving services by His pure devotees in different transcendental humors. The pure devotees of the Lord thus undergo a practice of that devotional service to the Lord during the manifestation of the creation and take full advantage of the manifestation by qualifying themselves to enter into the kingdom of God.</div>
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<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_3" text="SB Canto 3"><h3>SB Canto 3</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 4.28.29" link_text="SB 4.28.29, Purport">
<div class="heading">The mahātmās are the pure devotees who are on the path to Vaikuṇṭha, the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 4.28.29|SB 4.28.29, Purport]]:''' The pure devotees of the Lord thus undergo a practice of that devotional service to the Lord during the manifestation of the creation and take full advantage of the manifestation by qualifying themselves to enter into the kingdom of God</div>
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<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_4" text="SB Canto 4"><h3>SB Canto 4</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 4.28.29" link_text="SB 4.28.29, Purport">
<div class="heading">A pure devotee, who is strong in devotional service and who has conquered all nondevotional conceptions, can also conquer the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 4.28.29|SB 4.28.29, Purport]]:''' The word pāṇḍya comes from the word paṇḍā, meaning "knowledge." Unless one is highly learned, he cannot conquer nondevotional conceptions. The word para means "transcendental," and pura means "city." The para-pura is Vaikuṇṭha, the kingdom of God, and the word jaya refers to one who can conquer. This means that a pure devotee, who is strong in devotional service and who has conquered all nondevotional conceptions, can also conquer the kingdom of God. In other words, one can conquer the kingdom of God, Vaikuṇṭha, only by rendering devotional service. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is called ajita, meaning that no one can conquer Him, but a devotee, by strong devotional service and sincere attachment to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, can easily conquer Him.</div>
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<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_5" text="SB Canto 5"><h3>SB Canto 5</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 5.13.21" link_text="SB 5.13.21, Purport">
<div class="heading">Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore advised those who are actually serious about returning back to Godhead to give up money and women in order to be fit to enter the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 5.13.21|SB 5.13.21, Purport]]:''' An intelligent person actually interested in getting freed from the material clutches must associate with pure devotees. By such association, one can gradually become detached from the material attraction of money and women. Money and women are the basic principles of material attachment. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore advised those who are actually serious about returning back to Godhead to give up money and women in order to be fit to enter the kingdom of God. Money and women can be fully utilized in the service of the Lord, and one who can utilize them in this way can become freed from material bondage.</div>
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<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Canto_8" text="SB Canto 8"><h3>SB Canto 8</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 8.3 Summary" link_text="SB 8.3 Summary, Purport">
<div class="heading">The Lord's appearance, disappearance and other pastimes are not at all material. One who knows this secret can enter the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 8.3 Summary|SB 8.3 Summary, Purport]]:''' Although the transcendental Supreme Personality of Godhead is perceivable by everyone, only the pure devotees perceive His presence and activities. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is completely free from material birth, death, old age and disease. Indeed, if anyone in this material world takes shelter of Him, he also becomes situated in that transcendental position. For the satisfaction of the devotee (paritrāṇāya sādhūnām [Bg. 4.8]), the Lord appears and exhibits His activities. His appearance, disappearance and other pastimes are not at all material. One who knows this secret can enter the kingdom of God. In the Lord, all opposing elements are adjusted.</div>
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<div class="sub_section" id="SB_Cantos_10.14_to_12_(Translations_Only)" text="SB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)"><h3>SB Cantos 10.14 to 12 (Translations Only)</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="SB" link="SB 12.8.46" link_text="SB 12.8.46, Translation">
<div class="heading">O Lord, fearlessness, spiritual happiness and the kingdom of God are all achieved through the mode of pure goodness</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:SB 12.8.46|SB 12.8.46, Translation]]: O Lord, because fearlessness, spiritual happiness and the kingdom of God are all achieved through the mode of pure goodness, Your devotees consider this mode, but never passion and ignorance, to be a direct manifestation of You, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Intelligent persons thus worship Your beloved transcendental form, composed of pure goodness, along with the spiritual forms of Your pure devotees.'''</div>
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<div class="section" id="Other_Books_by_Srila_Prabhupada" text="Other Books by Srila Prabhupada"><h2>Other Books by Srila Prabhupada</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="Nectar_of_Devotion" text="Nectar of Devotion"><h3>Nectar of Devotion</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="OB" link="Lecture on The Nectar of Devotion -- Los Angeles, July 2, 1971" link_text="Lecture on The Nectar of Devotion -- Los Angeles, July 2, 1971">
<div class="heading">A pure devotee who is prepared to undergo all kinds of tribulations in executing Kṛṣṇa conscious duties becomes lawfully qualified to enter into the transcendental abode</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:Lecture on The Nectar of Devotion -- Los Angeles, July 2, 1971|Lecture on The Nectar of Devotion -- Los Angeles, July 2, 1971]]Lectures on Nectar of Devotion, Los Angeles, July 2, 1971]]:''' Therefore, as soon as one becomes perfect in Kṛṣṇa conscious activities, he is not going to take birth again in this material world. A devotee who is not perfectly freed from the resultant actions should therefore continue to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously, even though there may be so many impediments. When such impediments arise he should simply think of Kṛṣṇa and expect His mercy. That is the only solace. If the devotee passes his days in that spirit, it is certain that he is going to be promoted to the abode of the Lord. By such activities, he earns his claim to enter into the kingdom of God. The exact word used in this verse is dāya-bhāk. Dāya-bhāk refers to a son's becoming the lawful inheritor of the property of the father. In a similar way, a pure devotee who is prepared to undergo all kinds of tribulations in executing Kṛṣṇa conscious duties becomes lawfully qualified to enter into the transcendental abode.</div>
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<div class="sub_section" id="Krsna,_The_Supreme_Personality_of_Godhead" text="Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead"><h3>Krsna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="OB" link="KB 87" link_text="Krsna Book, Chapter 87">
<div class="heading">Not only does a pure devotee purify his own personal existence, but whoever becomes his disciple also becomes purified and is ultimately able to enter the kingdom of God without difficulty</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:KB 87|Krsna Book, Chapter 87]]:'''  The Bhagavad-gītā affirms, therefore, that a devotee is never vanquished. A devotee’s path to the spiritual kingdom, back home, back to Godhead, is guaranteed. Even though a devotee slips in one birth, the continuation of his Kṛṣṇa consciousness elevates him further and further, until he goes back to Godhead. Not only does a pure devotee purify his own personal existence, but whoever becomes his disciple also becomes purified and is ultimately able to enter the kingdom of God without difficulty. In other words, not only can a pure devotee easily surpass death, but by his grace his followers can also do so without difficulty. The power of devotional service is so great that a pure devotee can electrify another person by his transcendental instruction on crossing over the ocean of nescience.</div>
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<div class="section" id="Lectures" text="Lectures"><h2>Lectures</h2></div>

<div class="sub_section" id="Initiation_Lectures" text="Initiation Lectures"><h3>Initiation Lectures</h3></div>

<div class="quote" book="Lec" link="IL Los Angeles, July 2, 1971" link_text="Initiations, Los Angeles, July 2, 1971">
<div class="heading">Unless one is pure devotee, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God</div>

<div class="text">'''[[Vanisource:IL Los Angeles, July 2, 1971|Initiations, Los Angeles, July 2, 1971]]:''' So the karmīs are trying to be happier to increase their sense gratification. So one man has got hundred dollars income. He is trying to be happy, more happy, by increasing the income to a thousand dollars, because his sense gratification is not sufficient in one hundred dollars. He wants thousand dollars. So if one takes to devotional service, but, "My income is hundred dollars. Kṛṣṇa, give me thousand dollars," so this is not pure devotion. Kṛṣṇa can give. Why thousand? Millions of dollars He can give. But anyone who asks from Kṛṣṇa for this material benefit, he is not a pure devotee. And unless one is pure devotee, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. By devotional service, if you want material prosperity, Kṛṣṇa can give you. Kṛṣṇa can... Whatever you want, Kṛṣṇa can give you. But that is not pure devotion.</div>
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