Page 46 - Metaphysical questions of life

in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not controlled by the spell of the material
modes of nature. It has already been stated in the Seventh Chapter that
one who has surrendered to Kṛṣṇa is relieved from the ac vi es of ma-
terial nature. For one who is able to see things as they are, the
influence of material nature gradually ceases.”

Krishna Consciousness is the means to rise above the influence of the
material modes and become purified of all selfish material desires
which are the result of the material concep on of life. The change
from the material to spiritual concep on can only be a ained by fol-
lowing the example of Arjuna. He surrendered himself to Lord Krishna
and began to ask significant ques ons and listen faithfully to the Lord’s
answers. By submi ng himself to hearing with faith from Lord Krishna,
who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Arjuna was purified of the
desire to dominate and enjoy in the material world. And thereby trans-
cended the influence of the modes of nature. This is further elaborated
by Bhak vedanta Swami Prabhupada:

“In the beginning, Arjuna decided that he should not fight in the Ba le
of Kurukṣetra. This was his own decision. Arjuna told the Lord that it
was not possible for him to enjoy the kingdom a er killing his own kins-
men. This decision was based on the body because he was thinking that
the body was himself and that his bodily rela ons or expansions were
his brothers, nephews, brothers-in-law, grandfathers and so on. There-
fore he wanted to sa sfy his bodily demands. Bhagavad-gītā was spo-
ken by the Lord just to change this view, and at the end Arjuna decides
to fight under the direc ons of the Lord when he says, kariṣye vacanaṁ
tava: ‘I shall act according to Your word.’” (Bg, Introduc on)

The Ul mate Statement of Faith in Lord Krishna

The ul mate statement of faith in Lord Krishna is “I shall act according
to Your word.” A er hearing the en re Bhagavad-gita, Arjuna came to
this conclusion and decided to completely abide by Lord Krishna’s in-
struc ons. Bhak vedanta Swami Prabhupada gives a detailed explana-
on of this conclusive metaphysical decision:

46