Understanding the Supreme: The Science of Krishna

By Devamrita Swami - 12.11 2024

In the pursuit of spiritual knowledge, understanding the Supreme Truth is one of life’s greatest goals. For those on the path of Krishna consciousness, the Bhagavat Dharma, or the science of the Supreme, is a foundational teaching that transcends simple belief, requiring full comprehension of Krishna's potencies, opulences, and divine sweetness.
Krishna, as described in the Vedic scriptures, is not merely an abstract deity or philosophical concept. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, complete in every aspect, and the source from which everything emanates. In the Shrimad Bhagavatam, particularly in the first canto, it’s explained that the Absolute Truth is that from which all existence flows, revealing Krishna as the root cause of all causes. This understanding of Krishna’s all-encompassing nature gives us insight into how everything within human experience—and far beyond—is contained within him.
Without this scientific understanding of Krishna, we are bound to face bewilderment and frustration in our lives. Material success and temporary happiness, often mixed with distress and setbacks, come and go like the changing seasons. Just as we tolerate fluctuations in weather, someone who has deep spiritual understanding and practices Krishna Bhakti (devotion to Krishna) can withstand the inevitable ups and downs of material existence.
True strength in spiritual life goes beyond belief; it requires knowing that Krishna is the source of all opulence and sweetness, like the heat and light of the sun. In the Western world, there are four common conceptions of God: an authoritative, judgmental God; a benevolent, forgiving God; a remote, uninvolved God; and an undefined, abstract concept of God as “light” or “love.” However, the knowledge found in the Bhagavad-gita and the Shrimad Bhagavatam transcends these ideas, revealing Krishna not only as the Supreme but as a personal deity full of unmatched beauty, love, and transcendental qualities.
Modern society faces a crisis of loneliness, especially among young adults aged 18 to 30, who report the highest levels of anxiety and depression. The pursuit of material success leaves many feeling empty and unfulfilled. How can one find peace in chasing material pleasures when, in essence, we are spiritual beings? The social statistics on loneliness and mental health point to a larger issue of a spiritually impoverished culture, where understanding Krishna’s teachings could offer real solace and stability.
In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna presents himself to Arjuna, a family man and warrior, not a monk or renunciant, thus showing that spiritual understanding is accessible and relevant for everyone, regardless of their life circumstances. Arjuna is encouraged to perform his duties with devotion, illustrating that one can lead a materially engaged life while fully embracing spiritual knowledge. This example is particularly important today, as it demonstrates that spiritual growth does not require withdrawal from society.
When we understand Krishna’s attributes, his divine pastimes, his abode, and his loving relationships with his devotees, material desires lose their appeal. By knowing Krishna, one gains the motivation to rise above the illusions of material existence, recognizing that there is something far greater than temporary worldly gains. Krishna is the ultimate reservoir of pleasure and beauty, surpassing all material offerings.
One profound aspect of Krishna’s character is his quality of svarajya-lakshmi, which means he possesses unlimited desires and the unlimited ability to fulfill them. Unlike humans, who depend on external circumstances and others to meet even a few desires, Krishna is fully self-sufficient and independent in satisfying all of his desires.
The supreme spiritual realm, Vaikuntha, is an unimaginable place where each planet is vast beyond our comprehension. Yet, in the spiritual sky, the realm of Goloka Vrindavana, Krishna’s personal abode, is greater than all the universes and planets combined. Brahma, the creator deity, ultimately acknowledges that Krishna’s greatness cannot be comprehended by any material calculation.
The beauty of Krishna is described poetically as 24 and a half moons: his face, forehead, cheeks, and even his toenails and fingernails radiate beauty. This description is not merely poetic; it points to the unparalleled, transcendental attraction Krishna holds for his devotees.
For those who seek ultimate knowledge, mysteries such as the origin of life and the nature of consciousness remain unsolved puzzles. The Bhagavad-gita offers insight that these profound truths are beyond material understanding and point back to Krishna. The material world, with all its political, environmental, and social instability, is fundamentally lacking the wisdom of Krishna’s teachings, which promise lasting fulfillment beyond temporary satisfaction.
The Bhagavad-gita teaches that the ultimate success in life is to attain Krishna’s abode and be freed from the cycle of birth and death. Krishna, in his divine pastimes, displays opulence and sweetness, embodying everything people strive for in life. His appeal lies in his perfection and completeness, qualities that draw devotees to him and lead them beyond the limits of worldly aspirations.
Krishna spoke to Arjuna, a family man engaged in the world, showing that spiritual life does not demand renunciation but a life led by Krishna’s teachings. For Arjuna, this meant acting in the world with Krishna as his guide, engaged in battle yet spiritually grounded. Such guidance dispels fears that spirituality will impede worldly success or weaken one’s competitive edge in society. In fact, it brings stability, depth, and direction that make any life path richer and more meaningful.
The path of bhakti, or devotion, offers a compelling answer to modern life’s challenges by providing a direct connection to Krishna’s divine opulences and sweetness. Through knowledge and love of Krishna, one achieves not only personal fulfillment but a strength that withstands all material obstacles. This journey, described in the Bhagavad-gita, shows that life is meant for more than fleeting gains; it is an invitation to know the Supreme in all his completeness and beauty.