Category:Encouragement of a Devotee of God
Theme Analysis
The path of devotional service is sustained by a continuous flow of spiritual encouragement. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Kṛṣṇa, never leaves His pure devotees without support. When a devotee fully engages in the service of the Lord, Kṛṣṇa personally supplies the internal and external encouragement necessary to overcome any obstacle. This divine reciprocation was vividly demonstrated when the Lord appeared from the pillar to protect and encourage Prahlāda Mahārāja against his demoniac father, and when Kṛṣṇa encouraged Arjuna on the battlefield by assuring him that simply thinking of the Lord makes one the greatest yogī.
Encouragement is also a fundamental duty among Vaiṣṇavas. Advanced devotees possess the insight and compassion to uplift others. For instance, Nārada Muni expertly understood the anxieties of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira and immediately encouraged him by confirming his safe position as a pure devotee. Similarly, Rūpa Gosvāmī and Sanātana Gosvāmī warmly embraced and encouraged their brother Anupama for his fixed determination in devotional service. Even the demigods and Yogamāyā are dispatched by the Lord to encourage devotees like Devakī and the residents of Nanda-gokula with fearlessness.
Furthermore, the very act of discussing the Supreme Lord generates its own spiritual enthusiasm. Unlike mundane conversations that quickly lead to fatigue, spiritual talks (kṛṣṇa-kathā) invigorate both the speaker and the listener. When Parīkṣit Mahārāja eagerly asked for more details about Kṛṣṇa, it greatly encouraged Śukadeva Gosvāmī to speak at greater length. This principle of encouragement extends to the practical propagation of the movement. Devotees are instructed to encourage their children in Kṛṣṇa consciousness by celebrating joyful festivals like Ratha-yātrā, and preachers are assured that by maintaining their purity, they will receive all the encouragement needed to make their mission successful.
- The Lord's Direct Reciprocation: Lord Kṛṣṇa personally provides encouragement and fearlessness to His surrendered devotees, protecting them from all dangers.
- The Support of Vaiṣṇavas: Pure devotees actively encourage and uplift one another, recognizing and praising fixed determination in devotional service.
- The Energy of Spiritual Discourse: Hearing and speaking about Kṛṣṇa is inherently invigorating; eager listeners directly encourage the speaker to reveal more transcendental truths.
- Fostering the Future: Encouragement is essential for raising Kṛṣṇa conscious children and for ensuring the success of pure, uncompromising preaching.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Encouragement of a Devotee of God - The Divine Support System.
Pages in category "Encouragement of a Devotee of God"
The following 17 pages are in this category, out of 17 total.
A
- A symptom of spiritual talks is that no one feels tired. Thus upon hearing the questions of Vidura, the great sage Maitreya did not feel disgusted but rather felt encouraged to speak at greater length
- Arjuna is encouraged, because Arjuna was thinking in the terms of material calculation. Just like Gandhi introduced this nonviolence. That is material calculation
B
- Being so encouraged, the devotee can never forget, at any moment, the Personality of Godhead. He always feels obliged to Him for having achieved increased power in devotional service by His grace
- By appearing from the pillar, the Lord encouraged His devotee (Prahlada Maharaja), saying in effect, "Don't worry. I am present here."
I
- If one can beget children who will be devotees and be taught to turn aside from the path of birth and death (mrtyu-samsara-vartmani (BG 9.3)), there is no need of birth control. Rather, one should be encouraged to beget children
- If you remain pure, then your preaching will be successful and you'll get encouragement. That is the instruction of all Vaisnavas
N
- Nanda-gokula, the residence of King Nanda, was itself very beautiful, and when Yogamaya was ordered to go there and encourage the devotees with fearlessness, it became even more beautiful and safe
- Narada Muni could understand Maharaja Yudhisthira's mind, and therefore he immediately encouraged him
- Narada Muni encouraged Maharaja Yudhisthira by saying, "You are already on the safe side because you, along with your entire family, have become a pure devotee of Krsna"
T
- The demigods encouraged Devaki not to fear Kamsa, but to think of the Supreme Personality of Godhead (Krsna), who was already within her womb
- The more a devotee engages himself in the devotional service of the Lord, the more encouragement is supplied by the energy of the Lord
- The unworthy sons of the royal orders are called ksatra-bandhavas, as the unworthy sons of the brahmanas are called dvija-bandhus or brahma-bandhus. Maharaja Pariksit was greatly encouraged by the presence of Sukadeva Gosvami
- To encourage Arjuna, Krsna said that "Don't be discouraged because you cannot practice this yoga system. Here is the best process." What is that? Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantar-atmana (BG 6.47): If you simply think of Me, then you are the best yogi
- To encourage Sukadeva Gosvami to continue speaking about Krsna and give further details, he (Pariksit Maharaja) thanked Sukadeva Gosvami for having described the activities of Krsna in brief