The Bhagavad-gita (8.5) emphasizes the significance of remembering Krishna at the time of death. By such remembrance, we can attain Him without any doubt. But what does it mean to “remember” Krishna?

When we strive to remember Krishna, this isn’t simply a factual recollection like remembering a historical event or a specific date. It’s not akin to remembering the capital of Somalia or the year of the Battle of Plassey. Instead, it’s a deeply personal remembrance, one that connects us emotionally to Krishna as a person — a remembrance of someone we love or aspire to love. Of course, facts are important in any relationship, and knowing certain details about Krishna is part of the process. However, personal remembrance goes beyond mere facts and enters the realm of emotional investment.

To illustrate this, consider the difference between a doctor and a mother. A doctor treating a child may remember precise medical details, such as test results and treatment plans. However, this factual knowledge doesn’t necessarily imply that the doctor loves the child. On the other hand, the mother might not remember all these medical details, but her thoughts are driven by love and concern. Her remembrance is centered on her personal bond with the child. The doctor knows about the child, while the mother knows the child.

Similarly, there’s a difference between knowing about Krishna through various details and facts, and knowing Krishna by developing a personal, emotional connection with Him. This relationship is nurtured through devotion, service, and love. We move from merely being aware of Krishna’s attributes — like His smile, kindness, or divine qualities — to forming a heartfelt connection with Him.

When we engage in mantra chanting, we aren’t just performing a mechanical task. The factual aspects of the mantra — its pronunciation and enunciation — are important but secondary. An AI system could theoretically be trained to chant a mantra perfectly, but it would lack devotion. In contrast, even if we don’t pronounce the mantra perfectly, if our chanting stems from a deep desire to seek Krishna’s shelter, guidance, and presence, then we are remembering Him in a way that nurtures a personal connection. This heartfelt remembrance draws us closer to Krishna, and He, in turn, becomes more manifest in our consciousness. Though Krishna is always present within us as the Supersoul, when we cultivate this personal remembrance, our awareness of Him intensifies, allowing us to perceive His divine presence more clearly.

Thus, remembrance of Krishna is not just about factual accuracy but about focusing on those details that inspire an emotional bond with Him. When this kind of personal remembrance is nurtured, it transforms our consciousness and elevates us spiritually.

Summary:

  • When the Bhagavad-gita urges us to remember Krishna, it’s not referring to a mere factual recollection but to a relational remembrance. Factual details about Krishna serve as a foundation, but the essence of this remembrance is emotional and personal.
  • We are called to remember Krishna as a mother remembers her child — with love and concern — not as a doctor remembers clinical details about a patient.
  • When we recall Krishna by focusing on factual details that deepen our emotional connection to Him, this remembrance becomes transformational, raising our consciousness to a transcendental level of love and devotion.

Think it over:

  • Explain how the remembrance of Krishna, as recommended in the Bhagavad-gita, is not merely factual.
  • Use a metaphor (like the doctor and mother analogy) to describe how we should and should not remember Krishna.
  • List three factual details about Krishna that can propel your consciousness toward a personal remembrance of Him.

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08.05: And whoever, at the end of his life, quits his body remembering Me alone at once attains My nature. Of this there is no doubt.

Personal Connection with Krishna