Category:Becoming Fearless
Theme Analysis
This analysis addresses the psychological transformation required for spiritual liberation: becoming fearless (abhayam). Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that fear is a symptom of material absorption; as long as one identifies with the temporary body, one is subject to the fear of death. The process of becoming fearless begins with the realization of the self as distinct from matter (the brahma-bhūta stage). This state is further solidified by bhagavad-bhakti-yoga, specifically through chanting the holy names and taking shelter of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. The analysis also highlights the practical application of fearlessness in the life of a preacher, who must boldly speak the truth without compromise, and notes that for a pure devotee, even the approach of death is a cause for happiness rather than fear.
- The Root of Fear: Fear arises from the bodily concept of life. "I am this body" leads to the fear of annihilation.
- The First Qualification: In the Bhagavad-gītā, abhayam (fearlessness) is the first qualification of a person situated in the divine nature.
- The Protector: Devotees become fearless by taking shelter of Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva and chanting the holy name, which drives away the darkness of ignorance.
- The Fearless Preacher: A sannyāsī or preacher must be fearless in their duty, knowing that they are protected by Kṛṣṇa in the struggle for existence.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Conquering the Fear of Death – The Process of Becoming Fearless.
Pages in category "Becoming Fearless"
The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total.
A
- A devotee knows that after death he is going back home, back to Godhead; therefore he has no fear of death. Thus instead of depressing a devotee, advanced age helps him become fearless and thus happy
- Although the vegetables living on the slopes of Mount Kraunca were attacked and devastated by the weapons of Karttikeya, the mountain has become fearless because it is always bathed on all sides by the ocean of milk and protected by Varunadeva
- Any person who is trying to elevate himself in the spiritual line, he has to become fearless
- As long as one is absorbed in the thought that he is this material body, he is fearful, and as soon as one is freed from this material conception, he becomes brahma-bhuta (SB 4.30.20), or self-realized, and immediately becomes fearless
I
- If one can chant and hear Hare Krsna and always remember Lord Krsna, then he is sure to become fearless of death, which may come at any moment
- In Bhagavad-gita it is said that in order to make spiritual progress, one must become fearless. Abhayam sattva-samsuddhih (BG 16.1). Fearfulness is the result of material involvement
- In this material world, everyone is in fearful consciousness (sada samudvigna-dhiyam), and the only means to make everyone fearless is Krsna consciousness. When Lord Nrsimhadeva appeared, all the devotees became fearless
P
- People think that simply by executing the occupational duties of a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra or the duty of a brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha or sannyasi one becomes fearless or securely attains liberation
- Please (Lord Nrsimhadeva) 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
T
- The devotee's hope of becoming fearless is to chant the holy name of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Yato yato yami tato nrsimhah: wherever we go, we must always think of Lord Nrsimhadeva. Thus there will be no fear for the devotee of the Lord
- The recommendation of Rupa Gosvami for reviving our original Krsna consciousness is that somehow or other we should apply our minds to Krsna very seriously and thus also become fearless of death
- The test of advanced spiritual consciousness is that one becomes fearless. He envies no one, and he is always engaged in the Lord’s service
- This taking of sannyasa should not be a whimsical proposition, and should not be an excuse for becoming irresponsible, no responsibility of grhastha, brahmacari, etc. Sannyasis also have great responsibility to become fearless preachers
W
- When he (Vasudeva) understood that this was not an ordinary child but the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he became fearless. Regarding his son as the Supreme Lord, wonderful in everything, he began offering prayers appropriate for the Supreme Lord
- When one actually sees Krsna, he sees Madana-mohana, the charmer of Cupid. Then one is no longer pierced by Cupid's arrow. This means that one actually becomes fearless