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Monday Morning Greetings 2025 #36 – Dearer to Me than Even My Brother Balarama!

September 1st, 2025

Yes, Krishna says say that. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.14.15) Who is dearer than his eternal associates, and even His brother? He is talking about His helpless devotees in this world who are completely dependent on His mercy and surrender to Him!

 

That same concept came up in my recent studies of Bṛhad-bhāgavatāmṛta.

 

When Lord Śiva is approached by Śrī Nārada and glorified by him as the topmost devotee, Śiva deflects his praise by glorifying the residents of Vaikuṇṭha, and for good reason. They have given up everything material as if it was useless straw and have renounced all egoistic self-conceptions. Śiva then tells him that there is a destination even better than going to Vaikuṇṭha. He can visit Dvārakā on Earth where the Lord is presently residing with such eternal associates. Śrī Nārada is so enthused that he begins to leave immediately, but surprisingly the Lord stops him. He calls him close to whisper something into his ear and recommends something else!

 

“There is a greater recipient of Krisha’s mercy than your father, me, and other servants like Garuḍa, and even than the goddess of fortune. His name is Prahlāda. He is famous throughout the world as the dearmost devotee of Krishna.” Bb 1.3.75

 

But better than Brahmā, Śiva, and even the goddess of fortune?

 

A commentary in the chapter offers an explanation.

 

“One reason why the Supreme Lord speaks like this is that although His eternal associates — Saṅkarṣaṇa, Mahā-lakṣmī, and so on — are ever established in unswerving devotion, they underwent no tribulations to gain it, whereas His ‘new’ devotees in the material world have sacrificed all comforts and security to gain pure devotional service. For the trouble such devotees have taken, Lord Krishna is especially grateful.” Bb 1.3.84, commentary.

 

It’s still hard to believe. How can those in this world coming to Krishna consciousness attract the Lord’s mercy more than His eternal associates who are ever established in unswerving devotion?

 

Śrīla Mādhavācārya explains:

 

“The only way to obtain the Lord’s mercy is through His causeless love, and the Lord is most lovingly inclined toward those devotees who are most dependent on Him, just as ordinary mothers and fathers worry more about their helpless children than about those who are self-sufficient.” SB 11.14.15, purport

 

Ultimately, such comparison, that one kind of devotee is better than another, doesn’t matter much. Such devotees are all on the highest level of devotion. What really matters is how much these descriptions encourage us to make the same sacrifice to attain pure devotion to the Lord.

 

It also provides us with a powerful meditation:

 

How grateful Śrī Krishna must be for the trouble Śrīla Prabhupāda endured to give Śrī Krishna to the world, and how much we should revere those who have followed him!

 

A beautiful concept to fill our thoughts and hearts:

 

Dearer to Me than even My brother Balarama!

 

 

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