Category:Attitude toward Krsna

Theme Analysis

The success of spiritual life depends entirely on the living entity's internal attitude toward the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In the material world, conditioned souls possess an attitude of separation and independence from God, which results in repeated birth and death in gross and subtle bodies. To break this cycle, one must transfer their service attitude—which is currently wasted on mundane objects—directly to Kṛṣṇa. However, this attention must be strictly favorable. The Vedic literatures warn against mistakenly accepting the inimical attitude of demons like Śiśupāla or the fearful attitude of Kaṁsa as devotional service. True bhakti requires a favorable frame of mind.

The foundational attitude of a genuine devotee is profound submissiveness and humility. When a soul approaches the Lord with a sincere, unalloyed service spirit, the Lord becomes greatly obliged. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is uniquely attracted to the love and affection of His devotees, and He reciprocates perfectly with their specific devotional attitudes—whether as a servant, friend, parent, or lover.

The absolute pinnacle of this loving attitude is exhibited by the gopīs of Vṛndāvana. Although their affection resembles paramour love (parakīya-rasa) and appears lusty to mundane eyes, it is entirely transcendental. Their attitude is completely devoid of fruitive intent; it is an unmotivated desire to satisfy Kṛṣṇa's senses. Even when a gopī exhibits an attitude of anger or pride, Kṛṣṇa is extremely satisfied by her spontaneous love. For practitioners in the modern age, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught that the safest and highest method to approach this perfection is through the attitude of separation. By feeling intense separation from the Lord and constantly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, a conditioned soul can gradually cleanse their heart and develop a pure, transcendental loving attitude toward Kṛṣṇa.

• Favorable Devotion: Devotional service must be executed with a favorable, loving attitude; inimical or fearful concentration on God is not accepted as bhakti.
• Submissiveness: A humble, service-oriented attitude is the only means to attract the attention of the Lord and oblige Him.
• The Supreme Attitude of Vṛndāvana: The paramour love of the gopīs is the highest perfection of devotion, entirely transcendental to mundane lust or fruitive results.
• The Mood of Separation: Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught that adopting an attitude of deep separation and chanting the holy names is the practical way to awaken pure love.

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Attitude toward Kṛṣṇa - The Essence of Favorable Devotion.