The Illusion of Name, Fame, and Power: A Kṛṣṇa Conscious Perspective.
In today’s world, the chase for name, fame, and power dominates human ambition. From childhood, people are conditioned to believe that success lies in being praised, recognized, and influential. Yet, from the perspective of Krishna consciousness, such desires are considered illusory and dangerous, binding the soul to material existence and diverting it from its real goal: love of God.
The Nature of Material Prestige.
Srila Prabhupada frequently warned about the deception of material accomplishments. He explained that name, fame, and power are temporary, like bubbles on the surface of water, beautiful for a moment, then gone. They are based on the body, which is itself temporary, and thus any recognition attached to it is also doomed to vanish.
In a lecture, Srila Prabhupada remarked:
“People are after this name, fame, and material opulence. But a devotee is not interested in all these things.”
(Bhagavad-Gita Lecture, Melbourne, April 23, 7976)
This craving for worldly recognition stems from false ego, the belief that “I am the doer,” and “I must be seen and honored.” But in truth, everything we have, talent, success, position, comes from Krishna, not from our own power. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad-Gita (10.8):
“I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me.
The Trap of Illusion (Maya).
The desire for prestige is one of the clever traps of maya, or material illusion. It binds the soul in the cycle of birth and death, pulling it away from the spiritual path. People may acquire power, followers, and fame, but their hearts remain empty. The more one achieves, the more one craves, like pouring ghee into fire, desire only increases.
Srila Prabhupada wrote:
“Nobody is powerful; nobody is famous. But one can become powerful and famous by the mercy of Krishna”
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.37, Purport) Thus, any material power or fame is not truly ours, it is lent by the Lord and can be taken away at any moment.
Real Glory Lies in Devotion.
While the world glorifies actors, politicians, and billionaires, the Vedic scriptures glorify devotees of the Lord. Why? Because their fame is not based on selfish ambition but on selfless service. Haridasa Thakura, Prahlada Maharaj, Kanaka dasa, Meera bai and Srila Prabhupada himself are eternally famous, not because they desired recognition, but because they fully surrendered to the will of Krishna.
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu Himself prayed:
na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ
kavitāṁ vā jagad-īśa kāmaye
mama janmani janmanīśvare
bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi
“My dear Lord Krishna I do not want wealth, followers, or beautiful women. I only want Your causeless devotional service, birth after birth.”
This is the mood of a true devotee: free from all desire for worldly gain.
The way Out.
To escape the illusion of name, fame, and power, one must cultivate humility and surrender. Association with devotees, chanting the holy names of the Lord, and reading scriptures like the Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam purify the heart. The devotee’s true aspiration is to become the humble servant of the servant of Krishna.
Srila Prabhupada said:
“A devotee does not care for name and fame. But Krishna gives name and fame.
That is Krishna grace.” (Srimad-Bhagavatam Lecture, Bombay, November 27, 1974)
When we stop chasing fame and start chasing Krishna, we find true peace, satisfaction, and eternal recognition, because Krishna never forgets His devotee.
Conclusion
The hunger for name, fame, and power is a shadow of the soul’s original desire to serve the Supreme Lord with love. But when misdirected toward the material world, it becomes a cause of suffering. Srila Prabhupada teaches us to give up this illusion and instead seek the eternal shelter of Krishna’s lotus feet, where real glory, peace, and happiness reside.
