Hare Krishna Prabhus and Matajis,
Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
During a discussion this morning, a devotee asked a wonderful question: At what stage of bhakti does Krishna come under the control of His devotee? Is it in the stage of Prema Bhakti?
My answer, based on the teachings of our acharyas, is that Krishna, as Bhakta Vatsala (the affectionate protector of His devotees), becomes controlled by their devotion. While this quality manifests most prominently in the stage of Prema Bhakti (pure love for Krishna), His affection and reciprocation can be realized even in the earlier stages of devotion.
In the Nectar of Devotion, Srila Rupa Goswami describes six qualities of pure devotional service, with the final one being krsnakarsini— the power to attract Krishna completely. This quality manifests fully in Prema Bhakti stage, where the Lord willingly comes under the control of His devotees’ pure and selfless love.
However, we can see examples from scriptures that Krishna is drawn even to devotees in the Sadhana Bhakti stage (practicing devotional service), even when their devotion is mixed with personal desires. For Example:
• Gajendra, the elephant, prayed to the Lord for deliverance from a crocodile’s attack. Although his devotion was mixed, the Lord personally appeared and saved him.
• Dhruva Maharaja worshipped Vishnu desiring a kingdom. Yet, the Lord appeared before him and blessed him with more than he desired.This shows that Krishna’s affectionate nature moves Him to respond to His devotees, regardless of their stage of bhakti, but His control by love reaches its peak in Prema Bhakti.
In Vrindavan, where the Prema Bhakti of His devotees is most intense, Krishna is especially controlled the most. Among the five primary rasas—shanta (neutral), dasya (servitude), sakhya (friendship), vatsalya (parental), and madhurya (conjugal)—Madhurya Rasa is considered the highest. Devotees like the gopis and, above all, Srimati Radharani, embody the pinnacle of pure love and devotion, completely controls Krishna.
Therefore, while Krishna’s affection and control by His devotees can be seen at all stages of bhakti, it becomes most intense in Prema Bhakti, and reaches its highest expression in the loving exchanges of devotees of Vrindavan.
Your servant,
Satya Sara das
November 21, 2024