Category:Footsteps of Great Personalities
Theme Analysis
The Absolute Truth is beyond the reach of human logic, argument, and mental speculation. Because mundane philosophers often hold conflicting opinions, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only reliable way to realize the perfection of life is to follow the footprints of great personalities, known as mahajanas. This method, described as mahajano yena gatah sa panthah, requires a person to abandon the attempt to manufacture their own religious path and instead submissively follow the examples of authorized figures such as Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, and Prahlada Maharaja. A crucial distinction is made between anukarana, or blind imitation of a great soul's power, and anusarana, which means following their instructions and lifestyle. By repeating the prayers of these authorities and adhering to the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita, a devotee can please the Supreme Personality of Godhead very easily. Ultimately, walking in the footsteps of such great personalities ensures a safe and successful journey back home, back to Godhead.
- The Futility of Argument and Logic Realizing the path to perfection is extremely difficult through independent research. Since every philosopher differs from another, the only authorized method is to accept the guidance of those who have already attained success.
- The Authority of the Twelve Mahajanas Certain great personalities are recognized by the scriptures as primary authorities in spiritual knowledge. Following figures like Prahlada Maharaja, Narada Muni, and Bhismadeva provides a submissive practitioner with a guaranteed and authoritative direction.
- Following Versus Imitation There is a significant difference between following the instructions of a great soul and trying to imitate their extraordinary feats. True advancement comes from molding one's life according to the spiritual examples of authorities rather than attempting to mimic their unique positions.
- The Easy Path to Liberation By accepting the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord and following the previous acaryas, the path to liberation becomes easy. This process eliminates the danger of spiritual frustration and ensures that the human form of life is perfected through Krsna consciousness.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Rejecting Mental Manufacture to Follow the Footsteps of Great Personalities.
Pages in category "Footsteps of Great Personalities"
The following 22 pages are in this category, out of 22 total.
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
- If you accept this Bhagavad-gita, if you believe in this Bhagavad-gita, if you follow the footprints of great personalities who have followed this Bhagavad-gita, then your life is perfect. There is no doubt about it
- If you follow the footsteps of great personalities, great acaryas, then that is the way. You don't manufacture your own way. Then you will be frustrated
- It is very difficult to find out the real path how to realize perfection of life, but it is advised that if you simply follow the footsteps of the great personalities, authorities, or their representatives, then you will be led to the perfectional stage
K
- Krsna Himself is on the battlefield and He is trying to induce Arjuna. Arjuna is declining, and He is inducing, "No, you must fight." Yad yad acarati sresthah (BG 3.21). So we have to follow the footprints of great personalities
- Krsna, or Visnu, has got many thousands of names. Any name will be profitable. That doesn't matter. But because we have to follow the footsteps of great personalities, great devotees, therefore, as we are following the footsteps of Lord Caitanya
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 must follow in the footsteps of such great personalities as Lord Brahma, Narada, Lord Siva, Kapila, Manu, the Kumaras, Prahlada Maharaja, Bhisma, Janaka, Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Gosvami and Yamaraja
- One who follows in the footsteps of such great personalities surely walks very easily on the path of liberation and ultimately goes back home, back to Godhead. That is the way of perfecting this human form of life
T
- The Vedic literatures indicate that you have to follow the footprints of great personalities, devotees. Tarko apratisthah. If you want to understand the Absolute Truth by your argument and logic, oh, it is not possible
- This is very easy (to accept the boat of the lotus feet of the Lord), but we must follow in the footsteps of great personalities, and then success will be possible
W
- We have to follow the footsteps of great personalities. That is our method. We don't manufacture our own way of living. We simply follow the great personalities
- When Prahlada Maharaja says manye, "I think," it has to be taken as authoritative statement. We have to follow. If we follow the footprints of great personalities, then there is no danger