Not everyone receives Lord’s mercy indiscriminately. If He gave mercy to both the qualified and unqualified, what would be the purpose of following the rules and regulations He ordains? Why would anyone adhere to them?
The Meaning of Ātma-Bhāvitaḥ
The answer lies in the phrase bhagavān ātma-bhāvitaḥ. Lord bestows mercy upon those who are ātma-bhāvitaḥ. This term has been interpreted by various commentators, and one common understanding is that ātmā refers to Bhagavān’s devotees. Lord considers His devotees as His very soul. He keeps His devotees close to His heart and grants mercy to those whose souls are filled with Lord’s (feelings) for Him.
Importance of Seva-Bhāvana
Jīva Gosvāmī and Vallabhācārya explain that one who is deeply attached to Lord and harbors genuine feelings for Him will receive His mercy. This cannot be achieved merely through studying and reciting the Vedas or performing bhakti as a ritual. The key element is the feeling of seva (service) or seva-bhāvana. This concept is the essence of kṛṣṇa bhāvanāmṛta saṅga. Lord’s mercy is not attainable through jñāna (knowledge), dhyāna (meditation), tapa (austerities), ritualistic svādhyāya (self-study), or dāna (charity). The path of bhakti or puṣṭi-mārga emphasizes the importance of having sincere feelings for Bhagavān. The more feelings one has for Lord, the more mercy one receives, reducing attachment to the material world.
Devotees and Their Influence
The second interpretation of ātma-bhāvitaḥ is that ātmā means bhakta (devotee), and bhāvitaḥ means influenced. Lord is moved by the devotion of His devotees, whom He considers His very soul, and thus grants them mercy.
Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that one should strive to impress Bhagavān to receive His mercy. It is beyond human understanding what Lord thinks and does. Sometimes, He deliberately places His advanced devotees in challenging situations. Lord may instill kāma (desire), krodha (anger), and lobha (greed) in their minds. In such times, a true devotee perceives that it is Lord, not māyā (illusion), behind these trials.
The Role of Śrīmatī Rādhārānī
The third meaning of ātma-bhāvitaḥ relates to Śrīmatī Rādhārānī, who is Bhagavān’s ātmā. When Kṛṣṇa is Rādhamayi (filled with thoughts of Rādhārānī), one receives His mercy. Kṛṣṇa’s mercy cannot be attained directly; it comes through Śrīmatī Rādhārānī. Therefore, we worship Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa together, acknowledging that both bestow mercy. When we remind Kṛṣṇa of Śrīmatī Rādhārānī, He grants mercy. This is why we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, invoking Rādhārānī’s name.
Gauḍiya Sampradāya Approach
In the Gauḍiya Sampradāya, prayers are offered in the name of Śrīmatī Rādhārānī. From the term ātma-bhāvitaḥ, we learn that one cannot receive Lord’s mercy directly; there must be a devotee who resides in Lord’s heart. Śrīmatī Rādhārānī resides in Kṛṣṇa’s heart, so we approach Kṛṣṇa through Her.
Conclusion
Lord’s mercy is selective and not bestowed upon everyone equally. The concept of ātma-bhāvitaḥ emphasizes the importance of devotion filled with genuine feelings for Bhagavān. Whether through the influence of dedicated devotees or through the grace of Śrīmatī Rādhārānī, Krishna’s mercy reaches those who are sincerely devoted and filled with bhāvanas for Him. This highlights the significance of following the path of bhakti with heartfelt devotion, ensuring that one’s practice aligns with the true principles of divine love and service.