Question : What does Back to Godhead mean?
Answer by Romapada Swami:
The Magazine of the Hare Krishna Movement is named “Back to Godhead”, above the logo of the magazine these words are written: Godhead is light. Nescience is darkness. Where there is Godhead there is no nescience. Back to Godhead means back to the the light, back to the Supreme, back to The Absolute Truth where there is no darkness.
This phrase is taken from Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.5.25 where it is stated: “tamasi ma jyotir gama”. “Don’t stay in darkness. Go to the light.” That is the Vedic injunction.
Similarly, in the Sri Isopanisad (Discovering The Original Person) which was spoken by the Personified Vedas it is stated:
“Only one who can learn the process of nescience and that of transcendental knowledge side by side can transcend the influence of repeated birth and death and enjoy the full blessings of immortality.”
The student or disciple with the aid of sadhu, sastra and guru must make a conscious effort to move towards the light and leave behind the darkness or ignorance.
Q. 2. Where did we come from?
Please study very carefully chapter 14 & chapter 16 of the Bhagavad-Gita. Originally we were with Krishna. That is our original and constitutional position. In order to experience the privilege to love, Krishna has given us free will. To love is a choice. Free will gives us that choice. We can either love Krishna or misuse that free will and turn away from Krishna. Envy of Krishna was a feeling that somehow or other arose in our hearts; that envious feeling has brought us to the material world where we have become entangled, consumed and implicated in so many misconceptions and illusions – the consequence of which is that we have forgotten Krishna. While wandering in the maze of material existence we have created many attachments; these attachments, in ignorance of Krishna, are the cause of our suffering.
Q. 3. What is my relationship with Krishna? How can I develop my relationship with Krishna?
We all are Krishna’s servants. That is our constitutional position. Happiness is found in accepting and trying to realize the full meaning of what it means to be Krishna’s servant. When we chant we are asking Krishna to engage us in His service. When we chant we are associating with Krishna. Krishna and His Name are non different. Every morning we have a date with Krishna. Every morning with sincerity and eagerness we should keep OUR date with KRISHNA. Imagine! You are associating with KRISHNA for 2 hours every day!
What follows is a letter from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura: “The True Nature of the Holy Name”
“I am overjoyed to hear that your enthusiasm for chanting is increasing. All our contaminations are removed by chanting, the Lord’s form, qualities and pastimes will be revealed to us in the holy name. There is no point in making a separate effort to artificially remember the Lord’s form, qualities and pastimes. The Lord and His name are one and the same. This will be understood clearly when the coverings in your heart are removed. By chanting without offenses you will personally realize that all perfections come from the holy name. Through chanting, the distinction that exists between the self, and the gross subtle bodies, is gradually effaced and one realizes one’s own spiritual form. Once aware of the spiritual body as one continues to chant, one sees the transcendental nature of the Lord’s form. Only the holy name reveals the spiritual form of the living being and then causes him to be attracted to Krishna’s form. Only the holy name reveals the spiritual qualities of the living being and then causes him to be attracted to Krishna’s qualities. Only the holy name reveals the spiritual activities of the living being and then causes him to be attracted to Krishna’s pastimes. By service to the holy name we do not mean only the chanting of the holy name; it also includes the other duties of the chanter. If we serve the holy name with the body, mind, and soul, then the direction of that service spontaneously manifests like the sun in the clear sky of the chanter’s heart. What is the nature of the holy name? Eventually all these understandings spontaneously appear in the heart of one who chants the holy name. The true nature of hari-nama is revealed by listening to, reading, and studying the scriptures. It is unnecessary to write anything further on this subject. All these things will be revealed to you through chanting.”
Srila Prabhupadera Patravali, Volume 1, pp 4-5
