Page 26 - THE FOURTH DIMENSION

“The supreme occupation (dharma) for all humanity is that by which men can attain to loving devotional service
unto the transcendent Lord. Such devotional service must be unmotivated and uninterrupted to completely
satisfy the self.” (SB 1.2.6) This is the perfection of human intelligence, knowledge and destiny.

5-Anandambudhi-vardanam – the ocean of transcendental bliss increases. The chanting of the Hare Krishna
Mahamantra connects one to the eternally blissful spiritual world and elevates one to pure love of Lord Krishna.
By getting the higher taste of love and ever-increasing bliss, the devotee becomes fixed in his vow to eternally
serve the Lord. A description of the devotee who has reached this stage of love is given in the next two verses:

evaṁ-vrataḥ sva-priya-nāma-kīrtyā / jātānurāgo druta-citta uccaiḥ
hasaty atho roditi rauti gāyaty / unmāda-van nṛtyati loka-bāhyaḥ

By chanting the holy name of the Supreme Lord, one comes to the stage of love of Godhead. Then the devotee is
fixed in his vow as an eternal servant of the Lord, and he gradually becomes very much attached to a particular
name and form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As his heart melts with ecstatic love, he laughs very
loudly or cries or shouts. Sometimes he sings and dances like a madman, for he is indifferent to public opinion.
(SB 11.2.40)

The result of regular chanting without committing any offenses is the awakening of love for Krishna, tasting
transcendental bliss and attaining the association of Krishna’s associates who engage the devotee in constant
service. Eventually, the devotee serves the Lotus Feet of the Lord and immerses himself in a great ocean of love.
(CC Antya 20.14)

The devotee is carried away by ecstasy when he chants and hears the holy names of Krishna. He becomes almost
like a madman not caring for any outward social conventions. His heart melts with love for the Lord. At times
he laughs, weeps, cries, sings, dances and forgets himself. These are indications that the devotee is intoxicated
in devotional service. Another name for this state of consciousness is called atmarama wherein the devotee is
liberated from all material contamination, completely satisfied by dint of devotional service and is enamoured
by the pastimes of Lord Krishna. The Lord bestows His mercy on the devotee in recognition of his advanced
devotional service. This state is the zenith of perfection due to the devotee being immersed in pure love for the
Lord.

6-Purnamrtasvadanam – he tastes the nectar of Krishna consciousness at every step – his life becomes totally
blissful.

The vision of a pure devotee evolves so that he never loses sight of Lord Krishna and reciprocally the Lord never
disappears from the sight of the devotee. The devotee sees everything in existence as related to Lord Krishna.
This is spiritual vision when one knows theoretically and practically through spiritual knowledge that nothing
exists without a relationship to Lord Krishna. Everything is made of matter and spirit (soul) and Krishna is present
as the Supersoul in every atom of the universe and also in the heart of every living being. This universal vision
of the Lord’s presence develops naturally in the sincere devotee. It is confirmed by Lord Krishna:

yo māṁ paśyati sarvatra / sarvaṁ ca mayi paśyati
tasyāhaṁ na praṇaśyāmi / sa ca me na praṇaśyati

“For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.” (Bg.
6.30)
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