Category:Attention of a Devotee of God
Theme Analysis
The quality of a devotee's attention determines their spiritual advancement. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that a pure devotee does not divert their attention to anything outside of Kṛṣṇa, knowing Him to be the cause of all causes. This singular focus protects the devotee from the influence of death and material pangs. However, the quotes also warn of pitfalls: a neophyte may give too much attention to the Deity while neglecting other Vaiṣṇavas, which Jīva Gosvāmī condemns. Conversely, a slight diversion of attention, as in the case of Bharata Mahārāja and the deer, can lead to a fall from the human platform. Ultimately, the perfection of attention is found in the mahātmā who worships the Lord with undeviating determination.
- Singular Focus: A mahātmā does not divert his attention to anything other than Kṛṣṇa. He is not interested in elevation to higher planets or material liberation.
- The Neophyte's Defect: A kaniṣṭha-adhikārī (neophyte) often gives exclusive attention to the arcā-mūrti in the temple but fails to respect other devotees, a mentality that must be corrected.
- The Danger of Distraction: Bharata Mahārāja's fall illustrates that even a great devotee can suffer if their attention is diverted to a material object, even out of compassion.
- Attention in Danger: When facing difficulty, a devotee fixes their attention on the Lord's mercy (tat te 'nukampām), seeing the suffering as a minimized reaction to their past deeds.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Attention of a Devotee of God.
Subcategories
This category has the following 3 subcategories, out of 3 total.
N
Pages in category "Attention of a Devotee of God"
The following 23 pages are in this category, out of 23 total.
A
- Any neophyte devotee who simply gives his attention to the arca-murti, the form of the Supreme Lord in the temple, and does not respect other living entities is uselessly worshiping the form of the Lord in the temple. BG 1972 purports
- As for elevation to higher planets, a devotee considers this to be simply hallucinatory. A devotee's attention is concentrated only upon the eternal loving service of the Lord, and therefore the power of death has no influence over him
B
- Because he (Prahlada Maharaja) was engaged in service, he felt transcendentally situated, and naturally his mind and attention became saturated in transcendence. In that condition, he began to offer his prayers
- Bowing down with folded hands and concentrating his attention, he began to offer prayers to the child (Narayana), who illuminated His birthplace by His natural influence - SB 10.3.12
H
- He (Vasudeva) had special attention for Kunti because she became a widow at an early age. While inquiring about Vasudeva's welfare, Vidura remembered all about him and the family relationship
- His (God's) behavior with the devotees is so exalted that a devotee need not try to divert his attention to any other worship
M
- Maharaja Bharata was undoubtedly a great devotee, but because he turned his attention slightly toward a small deer, he had to suffer two more births, one as a deer and another as the brahmana Jada Bharata
- Maharaja Yudhisthira also turned his attention to the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita after hearing about the Lord's departure from the vision of earthly people. He began to deliberate on the Lord's way of appearance and departure
O
- O King (Pariksit), kindly hear me (Sukadeva Gosvami) with great attention. Although the activities of the Supreme Lord (Krsna) are very confidential, no ordinary man being able to understand them, I shall speak about them to you - SB 10.13.3
- Once, after the uprooting of the yamala-arjuna trees, Rohinidevi went to call Rama and Krsna, who had both gone to the riverside and were playing with the other boys with deep attention - SB 10.11.12
S
- Sanatana Gosvami comments that because the desires of devotees whose attention is fixed on Krsna have already been fulfilled, the Lord's sidelong glances create variegated desires in relation to Krsna and devotional service
- Struck with great wonder, Vasudeva now concentrated his attention on the Supreme Personality of Godhead
T
- Tat te'nukampam susamiksamanah. When a devotee is in great danger, he sees that danger to be the great mercy of the Lord because it is an opportunity to think of the Lord very sincerely and with undiverted attention
- The attention of a pure devotee is so much attracted to glorification of the pastimes, name, qualities, forms, etc., of the Lord that the devotee does not care for mukti
- The mahatma does not divert his attention to anything outside Krsna because he knows perfectly well that Krsna is the original Supreme Person, the cause of all causes. There is no doubt about it. BG 1972 purports
- The material pangs are inevitable as long as we exist within the material world, but a devotee does not divert his attention to such actions and reactions, which are the results of pious and impious activities
- The neophyte devotee gives more attention to the Deity in the temple than to other devotees, so Jiva Gosvami warns that this sort of mentality should be corrected. BG 1972 purports
- The Personality of Godhead, who appears in the mind of the devotee by attentive devotion and meditation and by chanting of the holy name, releases the devotee from the bondage of fruitive activities at the time of his quitting the material body
- These descriptions are in the Vedic literature. Whenever we find that a demigod occupies a position apparently more elevated than that of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is just to draw the devotee's attention to that particular demigod
- This pleasure was certainly material because she (Sati) gave up her body for another body that was also material, but by this example we can appreciate the devotee's pleasure in concentrating his mind and attention on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord