Category:God's Authority
Theme Analysis
The philosophical essence of this category establishes that the fundamental principle of all bona fide religion is the unreserved acceptance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead's authority. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the living entities are divided into two distinct classes based entirely on this principle: the devas (demigods/devotees) who obediently accept the Lord's supremacy, and the asuras (demons/atheists) who purposely defy it. History is filled with powerful demons like Rāvaṇa and Hiraṇyakaśipu who performed severe penances to acquire material opulence, only to become puffed up and challenge God's authority. Ultimately, their defiance is futile, as the Lord inevitably appears before them as cruel death to vanquish their false pride. This exact principle applies to modern atheistic scientists and politicians who falsely believe they can manage the world independently. Furthermore, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one cannot understand the Supreme Lord through mental speculation. We must accept the authority of the Lord through the authorized disciplic succession, receiving knowledge from the servant authority (the spiritual master) and great ācāryas like Śrīla Vyāsadeva and Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.
- The True Method of Religion: Stripped of all sectarian designations (Hindu, Christian, Muslim), the primary and universal principle of all religion is simply to accept the supreme authority of God.
- Devas vs. Asuras: The dividing line in human and cosmic society is one's attitude toward God. Devotees accept and serve His authority, while demons are defined by their rebellious challenge to it.
- The Fate of Defiance: No matter how materially powerful an empire, a scientist, or a demon may become, anyone who defies the Supreme Lord will ultimately be crushed by Him in the form of inevitable death.
- The Servant Authority: We cannot approach the Supreme Lord directly. We must receive knowledge through the "servant authority"—the bona fide spiritual master and the authorized Vedic literatures like Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
- Futility of Speculation: The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be understood through mundane philosophical speculation. He must be understood by hearing submissively from recognized authorities.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: God's Authority - Surrendering to the Absolute Truth.
Subcategories
This category has the following 6 subcategories, out of 6 total.
A
C
G
K
Pages in category "God's Authority"
The following 33 pages are in this category, out of 33 total.
A
- Any nation, any empire, any man, as soon as one begins to defy the authority of the Supreme Lord, like Ravana, he'll be finished. Sooner or later, he's going to be finished
- Anyone can prepare himself for returning home, back to Godhead, by the simple method recognized by authorities such as Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who specifically advented Himself to deliver the fallen souls of this age
- Asadhu, or demon, means persons who deny the authority of God. They are called demons
- Atheists like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu had to undergo severe penances before they could flout the authority of the Lord, but ultimately they were so helpless that they could not save themselves when the Lord appeared before them as cruel death
- Atheists like Ravana or Hiranyakasipu had to undergo severe penances before they could flout the authority of the Lord. But ultimately, they were rendered helpless and could not save themselves
H
- He (Ravana) challenged the authority of Sri Rama, the Personality of Godhead, and kidnapped His wife, Sita. Of course Lord Rama came to chastise this atheist, answering the prayer and desire of the demigods
- He (the young brahmana) believed that the Supreme Personality of Godhead was the topmost authority, he accepted the words of Lord Krsna without hesitation, and he had firm faith in the Lord’s consistency
- Hiranyakasipu, challenged the authority of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the Lord met him in the form of Nrsimhadeva and killed him
I
- If anyone has listened from the authority about Krsna, he wants to speak again. That is preaching. Not that, "I have listened about Krsna, that's all right." No. Sravanam kirtanam. That is the test that he has advanced
- If one is very much proud and challenges the authority of the Supreme, that is asat; that is not sat
- If such scientists cannot even manufacture such brains, what to speak of foolish atheists who defy the authority of the Lord?
- In every country and in every sect of religion it appears that the women are more interested than the men. This simplicity of acceptance of the Lord's authority is more effective than showy insincere religious fervor
- It appears that the brahmana's house was near Krsna's residence and that Lord Krsna was enjoying everything that was taking place, apparently in defiance of His authority
M
- My Lord, from the great leaders of the universe, such as Lord Brahma and other demigods, down to the political leaders of this world, all are envious of Your authority
- My Lord, O Aniruddha, You are the authority by which the doors of the higher planetary systems and liberation are opened. You are always within the pure heart of the living entity. Therefore I offer my obeisances unto You
S
- Spiritual master is servant authority, and God is the master authority. Therefore sevya bhagavan, seva bhagavan
- Sri Vyasadeva is the authorized incarnation of Narayana, the Personality of Godhead. Therefore, there is no question as to his authority. He is the author of all other Vedic literatures, yet he recommends the study of Srimad-Bhagavatam above all others
T
- The conditioned life of a living being is caused by his revolting against the Lord. There are men called deva, or godly living beings, and there are men called asuras, or demons, who are against the authority of the Supreme Lord
- The devotees of the Supreme Lord are called devas because they also become like God, whereas those who defy the authority of the Supreme are called asuras or demons. These two classes are always found in human society
- The modern atheists who dare flout the authority of the Lord will be dealt the same awards as were given in the past to great atheists like Ravana and Hiranyakasipu
- There are two classes of men - the demons and the demigods. The demigods are fully aware of the Supreme Lord's position, and therefore they are obedient to Him, but even if demons know about the supremacy of the Lord they purposely defy His authority
- They do not admit, especially the so-called scientist rascals and atheist philosophers, politicians. They do not accept the authority of God. They think they will be able to manage things in their own way
- This KC movement means we are presenting the BG as it is. That's all. We have no difficulty because Krsna is accepted as authority, the SPG, by all the acaryas; not only formerly, like Vyasadeva, Narada, Asita, Devala, many, many big, big stalwart
- Those really learned leaders of society like Madhvacarya, Ramanujacarya, Sri Caitanya & many others-who are faithful philosophers, politicians, educators, scientists, etc.-surrender to the lotus feet of the God, the all-powerful authority. BG 1972 pur
- Those who worship the SG directly show all respect to the demigods, but they don't need to worship them because they know that the supreme authority behind the demigods is the SPG, & they are engaged in worshiping Him. In any case, respect is still there
U
- Ultimately they (Ravana and Hiranyakasipu) were so helpless that they could not save themselves when the Lord appeared before them as cruel death. This is also applicable to the modern atheists who dare flout the authority of the Lord
- Unless one is fully qualified in Vaisnava behavior and authorized by superior authority (the Supreme Personality of Godhead), one cannot write Vaisnava literatures or purports and commentaries on Srimad-Bhagavatam and the Bhagavad-gita
W
- We have to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead through authority, not by speculation. Speculation is no use
- We must depend upon the authority and control of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- What is the method of religion? To accept the authority of God. That is the primary principle of every religion, may be Christian religion or Hindu religion or Muhammadan religion. It doesn't matter