The Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa, although the master, the controller, and the fully independent Lord, is dependent on His devotees.
He Himself declares His dependence to Durvāsā:
śrī-bhagavān uvāca
ahaṁ bhakta-parādhīno
hy asvatantra iva dvija
sādhubhir grasta-hṛdayo
bhaktair bhakta-jana-priyaḥ
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said to the brāhmaṇa: I am completely under the control of My devotees. Indeed, I am not at all independent. Because My devotees are completely devoid of material desires, I sit only within the cores of their hearts. What to speak of My devotee, even those who are devotees of My devotee are very dear to Me. (SB 9.4.63)
This is one of the most endearing and glorious attributes of the Supreme Lord. Though Bhagavān is svatantra (fully independent), He chooses to be bound by the love of His devotees.
The Extent of Krishna’s Dependence
The extent of Kṛṣṇa’s dependence is beautifully expressed in His words to the gopīs of Vṛndāvana, wherein He says:
“I am not able to repay My debt for your spotless service, even within a lifetime of Brahmā. Your connection with Me is beyond reproach. You have worshiped Me, cutting off all domestic ties, which are difficult to break. Therefore please let your own glorious deeds be your compensation.” (SB 10.32.22)
Even though Kṛṣṇa is Svayam Bhagavān, He openly confesses that He cannot repay His debt to the gopīs.
Devotee’s Dependence
Just as Kṛṣṇa is dependent on His devotees, His devotees are dependent on Kṛṣṇa.
Rūpa Gosvāmī describes the ideal consciousness of a devotee:
viracaya mayi daṇḍaṁ dīna-bandho dayāṁ vā
gatir iha na bhavattaḥ kācid anyā mamāsti
nipatatu śata-koṭir nirmalaṁ vā navāmbhas
tad api kila payodaḥ stūyate cātakena
O Lord of the poor, do what You like with me, give me either mercy or punishment, but in this world I have none to look to except Your Lordship. The cātaka bird always prays for the cloud, regardless of whether it showers rains or throws a thunderbolt.
The Exclusive Dependence
The devotees not only depend fully on Kṛṣṇa, but they also depend on other devotees. Krishna is incomplete without His devotees.
There was a notorious dacoit named Chandarai who was reformed by the mercy of Śrī Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura. Later, he was once imprisoned by a powerful dacoit king inside a dungeon. His father sent a tantric to help him escape by invoking goddess Durgā’s mantras.
But Chandarai refused. He was fully dependent on his guru and Kṛṣṇa. He was willing to remain in the dungeon forever rather than compromise his ananya-bhakti. He could not even think of chanting the mantras of any devatās which were not given by his guru.
Mysteriously, his guru and Kṛṣṇa arranged for his release. His complete dependence was rewarded with divine grace.
Make “Bhakta-Parādhīna” the Mantra of Our Lives
Just as Kṛṣṇa is dependent on His devotees, His devotees are also dependent on other devotees.
The phrase — ahaṁ bhakta-parādhīnaḥ — is not only for Kṛṣṇa, but is also equally applicable to His devotees.
In any activity, a devotee’s tagline must be : ahaṁ bhakta-parādhīnaḥ. Every aspect of a devotee’s life – what we eat, speak, or do, should align with the desires of the Guru, Vaiṣṇavas, and the Paramparā. Dependence on Kṛṣṇa and His devotees is not a detail; it is an essential principle of bhakti.
A HARD Lesson on Dependence
Lord Śiva expresses in the Fourth Canto:
darśanaṁ no didṛkṣūṇāṁ
dehi bhāgavatārcitam
rūpaṁ priyatamaṁ svānāṁ
sarvendriya-guṇānjanam
O Lord, please show us that form which is worshipped by the devotees, the form that is most dear to them. (SB 4.24.44)
Here, Lord Śiva wishes to see the Lord in the same form as His devotees see. He once had a desire to see a form of the Lord independently. And he was thoroughly bewildered by Mohinī Mūrti. Now, Lord Śiva is extremely clear in his prayer. He wants his darśana to be in line with Kṛṣṇa’s devotees.
Similarly, Arjuna requested to see the Viśvarūpa and Kāla-rūpa, but upon witnessing them, he was disturbed and begged Kṛṣṇa to return to His sweet, personal form. Arjuna’s desire was also met with bewilderment when it wasn’t in accordance with the Lord’s devotees.
How much a moment of independence cost Sita? One year of separation from Lord Rama.
How much an independent desire cost Dhruva? A life of lamentation and regret.
Dependence is easy and simple. Independence leads to frustration and unfulfillment.
All New Endeavors Must Be Under Devotees’ Blessings
Therefore, any new service or endeavor in devotional life must be undertaken under the blessings and guidance of devotees.
Śrīla Prabhupāda wrote Bhagavad-gītā As It Is by faithfully following the commentary of the previous ācāryas. Because of this, his work carries the blessings of the entire guru-paramparā and has changed millions of lives.
Even if one is doing a service not previously done by anyone else, it must follow the principle of bhakta-parādhīna. When Prabhupāda traveled to the West, some may say no one had done it before. But he did so on the order of his guru. He wasn’t “independent.” He was simply following the bhakta-parādhīna principle. His worldwide preaching was not for personal fame. It was an offering to his guru and Kṛṣṇa.
The ONLY WAY
Before any endeavor, we must ask:
Is this blessed by the Guru-Paramparā?
Am I working under guidance, or independently?
Kṛṣṇa is not pleased with independent efforts. Many so-called scholars and spiritualists have tried to reach God through their own paths, but the Lord did not reveal Himself to them.
In the Padma Purāṇa it is said: sampradāya-vihīnā ye mantrās te niṣphalā matāḥ – If one does not follow the four recognized disciplic successions, his mantra or initiation is useless.
The blessings and mercy of Kṛṣṇa flow through the Guru-paramparā. Without it, even chanting mantras will not be fruitful. And even other so-called endeavors without the blessings of Vaiṣṇavas won’t lead to any substantial result. Result may come externally in the form of followers, fame, wealth, etc., but Kṛṣṇa won’t be pleased. And it won’t help one in advancing in one’s love for Kṛṣṇa.
Every Devotee is Surrounded by Devotees
If we examine the lives of great devotees described in the Bhāgavatam and Caitanya-caritāmṛta, we’ll find that each one is following other devotees. They are never independent.
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura says:
yogyatā-vicāre, kichu nāhi pāi,
tomāra karuṇā-sāra
When I examine myself for worthiness, I find nothing of value. Therefore your mercy is the essence of life.
This is the identity of a true devotee — bhakta-parādhīna — a servant under the guidance of other servants. He never desires to serve Kṛṣṇa in a way outside the adherence of His pure devotees.
The Lord chooses to be controlled by His devotees. And His devotees choose to live fully under His shelter and the guidance of His other devotees.
In this mood lies the essence of bhakti.
