Category:God Is Friendly

Theme Analysis

The Supreme Personality of Godhead is the most intimate and eternal friend of every living entity. According to Śrīla Prabhupāda and the Vedic literatures, the Lord is so friendly that He accompanies the wandering soul through countless lifetimes. The Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad and Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad compare the individual soul and the Supersoul (Paramātmā) to two friendly birds sitting on the same tree of the material body. While the conditioned soul is busy tasting the bitter and sweet fruits of material existence, the friendly Supersoul patiently waits, observing and gently guiding the soul to turn back to Him.

Although the Lord acts as everyone's friend, it is a material imposition to think He suffers from mundane favoritism. Because God is situated equally in the core of everyone's heart, He is never envious of anyone, nor is He partially friendly in a material sense. He provides for both demons and demigods impartially. However, Lord Kṛṣṇa explains in the Bhagavad-gītā that while He is equal to all, He is especially friendly and inclined to the surrendered soul who actively engages in loving devotional service.

This supreme friendliness is expressed through the Lord's causeless mercy. Although Lord Viṣṇu is completely self-sufficient and requires absolutely nothing from the cosmic manifestation, He mercifully accepts the offerings of yajña (sacrifice) simply out of His friendly attitude toward all living entities. His friendly demeanor is so captivating that even demons are pacified by the sweet words of His Mohinī-mūrti incarnation. For suffering humanity, He is the ultimate friend who comes down from Vaikuṇṭha to deliver transcendental knowledge.

The ultimate goal of human life is to reestablish this dormant friendship. By taking shelter of Kṛṣṇa and engaging in the process of śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam (hearing and chanting), a devotee can easily contact the Lord within the heart. Developing this friendly relationship, known as sakhya-rati, frees the soul from material attachment and elevates them to the highest platform of yoga, knowing the Supreme Lord as their ultimate, most loving friend.

• The Constant Companion: The Supersoul (Paramātmā) acts as the ultimate friend, accompanying the living entity through every birth and patiently waiting for them to turn to Him.
• The Impartial Well-Wisher: Although the Lord is equal to all and free from mundane favoritism, He naturally reciprocates special friendliness toward His surrendered devotees.
• Merciful Reciprocation: Out of His friendly attitude, the completely self-sufficient Lord accepts the offerings of His devotees and descends to deliver suffering humanity.
• The Perfection of Yoga: Reestablishing a friendly relationship with the Lord (sakhya-rati) frees the soul from material attachment and fulfills the ultimate purpose of life.

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: God Is Friendly - The Eternal Companion of the Living Entity.