By: Babhru Dāsa
Krpa or mercy, is certainly the undisputed energizing force of the sincere sadhaka’s spiritual advancement. It is a force that is completely outside of the jiva and enters one’s thoughts, deeds, emotions, and actions via its own sweet will. And not only is the krpa-shakti an independent energy, but it is an absolute necessity to receive her blessings. Simply put, a bhakta cannot live or go forward on the bhakti-marga without mercy.
Interestingly enough, many practitioners, especially novices, do not understand these things. Therefore, when it comes to the perception of the sadhaka, this truth is sometimes invisible, sometimes partially seen, and sometimes fully visible. Such perception depends on the advancement of consciousness on the yogi’s part.
Yet, if krpa is integral and central bhakti, then how is it that some perfected devotees are called sadhana-siddha, while some are referred to as krpa-siddha? Many are familiar with these terms, but before that is answered, lets first explain the difference between the two categories. In short, a sadhana-siddha is one who attains bhakti perfection due to intense and unwavering practice, and a krpa-siddha is one who attains perfection due to some extra-normal reception of pure mercy.
In other words, the krpa-siddha, has attained a mercy which has no real cause, or which far exceeds that which is justified. Of course, such things rarely occur these days, but, they do occur. However, in the time of Sriman Mahaprabhu and Sri Nityananda Raya, such an occurrence was not uncommon. For examples of such mercy cases, one can refer to Sri Caitanya Bhagavat and Sri Caitanya Charitamrta.
That being said, are we supposed to believe that sadhana-siddhas have reached prema-bhakti without mercy and just due to personal practice or endeavor alone? Of course not! It should be known very strongly in the heart that sadhana-siddhi still comes about by krpa. Factually, there cannot be any other cause for perfection. One cannot perform sadhana or even think of Sri Krsna in anyway without krpa. And what to speak of higher spiritual emotion as seen in a bhavuka-bhakta or premi-bhakta? Simply put, such things cannot occur without the blessings of Sri Krsna’s krpa-shakti.
To further understand the manifestation of krpa within the sincere devotee’s sadhana and life, it can be seen that there are at least two further subdivisions of krpa to explore.
The first type of krpa that the sadhaka finds within their spiritual life is that which appears throughout their ongoing daily practice. As mentioned above, sadhana is powered by mercy. Thus, sravanam, kirtanam, smaranam, sevanam, atma-nivedanam, all the limbs of bhakti truly have no functionality without mercy. In other words, mercy is the inner substance that enables the sadhaka to engage in these spiritual acts.
This type of mercy, if it has to be labeled with a quality, can be considered to be that of a “gentle” nature. It is similar to the constant waves of an ocean, and the atma is like a beach. Gradually, moment by moment, day by day, year by year, the waves of the krpa-shakti wash over the beach of the sadhaka’s heart, altering it, smoothing it, and infusing its presence within it. Even though, on the micro-cosmic level such change and infusion may be difficult to see, when zoomed out to the macro-cosmic level of time and space, the power and affect of the waves on the beach is much more apparent.
The second type of krpa that can, and should manifest in the sincere sadhaka’s life, is constituted of a quality which is much more “drastic, acute, apparent, and radical.” And perhaps most of all, impossible to predict. It tends to leave the practitioner with strong and oftentimes overwhelming impressions.
Some advanced devotees describe it as being likened to a powerful tidal wave, in contrast to the “gentle” krpa which is more like casual ocean waves. Qualitatively, a tidal wave is exactly the same as a normal ocean wave, but it’s quantity is much greater. In comparison to the normal wave, it has an innate ability to effect its environment in ways that are rather substantial.
When a tidal wave crashes down on a beach, there is every chance that the beach will never be the same afterwards. In mere moments, the beaches’ landscape can be drastically altered, and perhaps even parts of it will wholly cease to exist, never to return. In the same way, this type of “tidal” krpa also has the ability to alter the sadhaka’s consciousness in quick and severe ways.
Often times when this type of krpa manifests within a devotee, they have revelatory experiences. They commonly feel the power of the Lord, and feeling such power, a sense of awe manifests in their heart. But in such a situation, pride never comes to the sadhaka. On the contrary, seeing the greatness of krsna-krpa, it is easy to feel oneself to be very low, and thus their heart abounds with emotions of gratitude and genuine humility.
Furthermore, due to the condensed and liquefied spiritual energy surging over the atma, ecstasy is felt and causes one’s heart to dance. And most importantly, due to the ecstatic revelation that this great krpa instigates, one rapidly realizes a deeper and more authentic connection with the cause of all causes, Sri Krsna. All of this brings about a feeling of pure love and impels one to remember Him more and more.
With all that said, it should be noted that both types of krpa are absolutely essential and greatly desired by those with a pure heart. They fuel each other, and one can never be considered better than the other. In truth, the krpa of tidal-like nature pushes the sadhaka to be ever more grateful and conscious of the “gentle” aspects of krpa that are more active. And with such realization and perception, those “gentle” influences of the krpa-shakti become stronger through time and inevitably push one closer towards the lotus feet of Sri Krsna.