Category:Footsteps of Great Devotees of God
Theme Analysis
The foundation of spiritual advancement in the Vedic tradition rests upon the principle of following in the footsteps of great devotees. Rather than relying on independent mental speculation or mundane intelligence, a sincere candidate must take shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and learn the science of devotional service through submissive inquiry. The scriptures, particularly the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, emphasize that the only safe and guaranteed way to cross the vast ocean of material nescience is to trace the path already walked by successful, liberated authorities.
The Vedic literature identifies twelve primary authorities, or mahājanas, including Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva, Nārada Muni, and the Kumāras. By following the instructions and repeating the authorized prayers of such exalted personalities, a practitioner can easily please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead of trying to invent new methods of worship or writing independent literature, a neophyte is advised to strictly adhere to the standards set by previous ācāryas. Whether engaging in the continuous preaching and kīrtana mission of Nārada and Prahlāda, or dedicating oneself to remembering the Lord at the end of life like Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, mimicking the activities of pure devotees guarantees spiritual success.
Ultimately, this process elevates the practitioner from regulative devotion to the platform of spontaneous love, known as rāgānugā-bhakti. To attain this highest stage, one must follow in the footsteps of the eternal associates of Kṛṣṇa who reside in Goloka Vṛndāvana. Even highly elevated devotees like Uddhava aspire to follow the footsteps of the gopīs to taste the supreme nectar of unalloyed love. Therefore, from the very beginning of spiritual life up to the highest perfectional stage of associating directly with Kṛṣṇa, the guiding motto remains the same: one must faithfully and humbly follow in the footsteps of the great devotees of God.
- The Essential Principle: Success in spiritual life requires abandoning mental speculation and taking submissive shelter of a bona fide spiritual master to learn the established path.
- Following the Mahājanas: By repeating the prayers and following the examples of great authorities like Lord Śiva, Brahmā, and Nārada Muni, one easily attains liberation.
- Practical Devotion: A devotee should not invent new methods but should practice standard devotional service and preaching as exemplified by the previous ācāryas.
- Spontaneous Love: The ultimate perfection is achieved by following the eternal associates of Vṛndāvana, such as the gopīs, to awaken spontaneous, unalloyed love for Kṛṣṇa.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Footsteps of Great Devotees of God - The Safest Path to Perfection.
Pages in category "Footsteps of Great Devotees of God"
The following 21 pages are in this category, out of 21 total.
A
- A pure devotee of the Lord follows in the footsteps of the great devotees like Narada and Prahlada and engages his whole time in glorifying the Lord by the process of kirtana. Such a preaching process is transcendental to all material qualities
- After taking to devotional service under the regulative principles, a person may come to the platform of spontaneous love of Godhead, following in the footsteps of great devotees like Narada and Sanaka and Sanatana
- All the great authorities in the devotional service of the Lord follow in the footsteps of Narada Muni in the order of the Narada-bhakti-sutra, and therefore all the devotees of the Lord are unhesitatingly qualified to enter into the kingdom of God
I
- If we follow in the footsteps of such great personalities (as Lord Siva and Lord Brahma) and become devotees of Lord Krsna, our lives will become successful. Unfortunately people do not know this secret
- In the beginning, you have to take shelter of guru. "Then you inquire from him about Krsna." - Then follow the footstep of big, big devotees
- Instead of writing ourself, if we, in the beginning, follow the footprints of the great devotees of Krsna and follow their principles, taken to heart, how they have spoken, that will be advantageous, because Krsna will be pleased
- It is the duty of the common man to take advantage of these temples and festivals observed in the holy places of pilgrimage by following in the footsteps of great devotees (anuvraja)
- It is understood from this verse that Maharaja Yudhisthira followed in the footsteps of his forefathers and the great devotees of the Lord
O
- One can offer prayers to the SPG directly, but if one repeats the prayers offered by great devotees like Lord Siva and Lord Brahma, or if one follows in the footsteps of great personalities, one can please the Supreme Personality of Godhead very easily
- One has to follow in the footsteps of great sages and devotees like Maitreya & Vidura, Pariksit & Sukadeva Gosvami, and engage in the transcendental devotional service of God if one would know His ultimate feature, which is above Brahman and Paramatma
- One should accept a bona fide spiritual master, and from the bona fide spiritual master inquire about one's transcendental occupational duties (sad-dharma-prccha) and follow in the footsteps of great saintly persons, devotees
T
- The candidate should always try to follow in the footsteps of the great sages who have practiced the method and obtained success. This should be taken as a motto in life
- The idea is that we should follow in the footsteps of great devotees. If we are unable to execute all the different items of devotional service, we must try to execute at least one of them, as exemplified by previous acaryas
- The Srimad-Bhagavatam affirms that one should follow in the footsteps of great devotees, and that is the way of progress on the path of spiritual realization. BG 1972 purports