View source for Reviving Our Lost Connection with Kṛṣṇa

Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that the fundamental cause of all material suffering is our forgotten relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By studying his instructions, we can understand the true meaning of ''yoga'', how to see everything in relation to the Lord, and the practical methods for dovetailing our daily lives to revive our eternal connection with Kṛṣṇa.

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=== The True Meaning of Yoga ===

In modern society, ''yoga'' is often misunderstood as merely a system of physical exercises or mystical displays. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that the Sanskrit root of the word means "to link," emphasizing that the actual purpose of any bona fide ''yoga'' system is to restore our dormant, loving connection with the Supreme Lord.

* [[Vaniquotes:The word yoga means "link." Any system of yoga is an attempt to reconnect our broken relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead|The word yoga means "link." Any system of yoga is an attempt to reconnect our broken relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Our real purpose of life is to become yogi. Yogi means to reestablish our connection, our lost connection, with God. At the present moment, in our material condition, we have forgotten our relationship, our eternal relationship with Krsna|Our real purpose of life is to become yogi. Yogi means to reestablish our connection, our lost connection, with God. At the present moment, in our material condition, we have forgotten our relationship, our eternal relationship with Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Real yoga means to connect your relationship, your identity, with Krsna. That is called yoga|Real yoga means to connect your relationship, your identity, with Krsna. That is called yoga.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Krsna is already there within your heart. You are also there. If we simply connect or link with Krsna, that is called yoga. Yoga means connecting the link|Krsna is already there within your heart. You are also there. If we simply connect or link with Krsna, that is called yoga. Yoga means connecting the link.]]

=== The Forgetfulness of Conditioned Life ===

Every living entity is eternally related to Kṛṣṇa as His part and parcel. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that under the influence of ''māyā'' (illusion), the conditioned soul falsely thinks they are independent, causing immense suffering. Reawakening Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the cure for this deep-seated amnesia.

* [[Vaniquotes:There is no question of disbelieving; it is simply foolishness. The dormant relationship is there. You want to serve Krsna, but simply by the spell of illusion we think we have no connection with Krsna|There is no question of disbelieving; it is simply foolishness. The dormant relationship is there. You want to serve Krsna, but simply by the spell of illusion we think we have no connection with Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Originally, we are all connected with Krsna; but we have simply forgotten. This process of chanting is to evoke your remembrance of Krsna. It is not that we are inducting something artificially into you|Originally, we are all connected with Krsna; but we have simply forgotten. This process of chanting is to evoke your remembrance of Krsna. It is not that we are inducting something artificially into you.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because of forgetfulness of this object (the only lovable object for everyone), people are suffering in this material world, but if one fortunately revives his old consciousness of loving Krsna and connects with Visvatma, one becomes perfect|Because of forgetfulness of this object (the only lovable object for everyone), people are suffering in this material world, but if one fortunately revives his old consciousness of loving Krsna and connects with Visvatma, one becomes perfect.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The gopis are perfectly and thoroughly in cognition of this relationship with Krsna, whereas the living entities under the spell of maya, the illusory energy, are forgetful of Krsna and think themselves separate identities having no connection with Him|The gopis are perfectly and thoroughly in cognition of this relationship with Krsna, whereas the living entities under the spell of maya, the illusory energy, are forgetful of Krsna and think themselves separate identities having no connection with Him.]]

=== Seeing the Universal Connection ===

A common philosophical error is the rejection of the material world as entirely false or inherently evil. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that an advanced Vaiṣṇava sees everything in existence—including raw elements like wood and metal—as energies of the Lord, recognizing their divine connection to Kṛṣṇa.

* [[Vaniquotes:Hari-sambandhi-vastunah. Vastu means substance or thing which has connection with Hari. This stone, wood, air, fire, water - five gross elements - it has connection with Krsna. Krsna says in the BG, bhumir apo 'nalo - BG 7.4|Hari-sambandhi-vastunah. Vastu means substance or thing which has connection with Hari. This stone, wood, air, fire, water - five gross elements - it has connection with Krsna. Krsna says in the BG, bhumir apo 'nalo - BG 7.4.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:A Vaisnava will never say that metal has no connection with Krsna. It is a product of one of His energies, just as this material world is a product of the sun|A Vaisnava will never say that metal has no connection with Krsna. It is a product of one of His energies, just as this material world is a product of the sun.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because he (a first-class devotee) knows that Krsna consciousness is the basis of knowledge and action, he sees everything as being connected with Krsna. Such a person is able to chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly|Because he (a first-class devotee) knows that Krsna consciousness is the basis of knowledge and action, he sees everything as being connected with Krsna. Such a person is able to chant the holy name of Krsna perfectly.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The advanced devotee does not see anything as unconnected with Krsna. Unlike the Mayavadi philosophers, a devotee does not see the material world as false, because he knows that everything in the material world is connected to Krsna|The advanced devotee does not see anything as unconnected with Krsna. Unlike the Mayavadi philosophers, a devotee does not see the material world as false, because he knows that everything in the material world is connected to Krsna.]]

=== Dovetailing Daily Activities ===

Spiritual life does not require giving up one's occupation; rather, it requires a shift in consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that all daily activities, including business and industry, can be spiritualized if the results are offered to Kṛṣṇa. This principle of ''nirbandhaḥ kṛṣṇa-sambandhaḥ'' ensures no energy is wasted on material sense gratification.

* [[Vaniquotes:I am pleased to note your attitude regarding business. Our policy is nirbandhe krishna sambandha: We shall accept all kinds of civil activities, including business, trade, industry, only in connection with Krishna|I am pleased to note your attitude regarding business. Our policy is nirbandhe krishna sambandha: We shall accept all kinds of civil activities, including business, trade, industry, only in connection with Krishna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should always act in such a way that all his daily activities are in connection with Krsna. He should arrange his life in such a way that throughout the twenty-four hours he cannot but think of Krsna. BG 1972 purports|One should always act in such a way that all his daily activities are in connection with Krsna. He should arrange his life in such a way that throughout the twenty-four hours he cannot but think of Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As far as work is concerned, a Krsna conscious person does not do anything which is not connected with Krsna's interest, and thus his work is always regulated and is untainted by sense gratification. BG 1972 purports|As far as work is concerned, a Krsna conscious person does not do anything which is not connected with Krsna's interest, and thus his work is always regulated and is untainted by sense gratification.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One should learn how to dovetail everything in the service of the Lord, for everything is connected to Krsna. That is the real purpose of life and secret of success|One should learn how to dovetail everything in the service of the Lord, for everything is connected to Krsna. That is the real purpose of life and secret of success.]]

=== The Process of Immediate Reconnection ===

The Supreme Lord is absolutely non-different from His name, His forms, and His holy abodes. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights how we can easily establish direct contact with Kṛṣṇa in this dark age simply by vibrating the holy sound of the ''mahā-mantra'', residing in holy places, and submitting to the guidance of the spiritual master.

* [[Vaniquotes:If we vibrate sound Krsna, then I am immediately in contact with Krsna, and if Krsna is whole spirit, then immediately I become spiritualized|If we vibrate sound Krsna, then I am immediately in contact with Krsna, and if Krsna is whole spirit, then immediately I become spiritualized.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:So we have no connection with Krsna. But if we chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, immediately our first chance to contact Krsna begins|So we have no connection with Krsna. But if we chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, immediately our first chance to contact Krsna begins.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:From the date of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection between Krsna and a person cultivating Krsna consciousness is established|From the date of initiation by the spiritual master, the connection between Krsna and a person cultivating Krsna consciousness is established.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Lord has made it convenient for the conditioned soul to live in Mathura, Vrndavana & Navadvipa and thus be directly connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Simply by living in these places, one can immediately come in contact with the Lord|The Lord has made it convenient for the conditioned soul to live in Mathura, Vrndavana & Navadvipa and thus be directly connected with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Simply by living in these places, one can immediately come in contact with the Lord.]]

=== The Perfection of the Supreme Link ===

When the soul successfully reestablishes its constitutional relationship with Kṛṣṇa, the miseries of material existence permanently cease. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that a Vaiṣṇava intimately connected with the Lord through unalloyed devotional service achieves complete, fearless satisfaction and is guaranteed entrance into the spiritual kingdom.

* [[Vaniquotes:If one is connected with Krsna in any of these transcendental relationships (as a supreme master, supreme friend, supreme son and supreme conjugal lover) , the course of one's material life is understood to have already ended|If one is connected with Krsna in any of these transcendental relationships (as a supreme master, supreme friend, supreme son and supreme conjugal lover) , the course of one's material life is understood to have already ended.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Vaisnava himself is very happy because he is in direct connection with Krsna. He personally has no complaint, because a Vaisnava is satisfied simply by serving Krsna. That's all. He doesn't want anything|Vaisnava himself is very happy because he is in direct connection with Krsna. He personally has no complaint, because a Vaisnava is satisfied simply by serving Krsna. That's all. He doesn't want anything.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:His (a wise man's) attitude is - I have an eternal connection with Krsna, the Supreme Lord. Now let me establish that relationship firmly so that Krsna will take me back to His kingdom|His (a wise man's) attitude is - I have an eternal connection with Krsna, the Supreme Lord. Now let me establish that relationship firmly so that Krsna will take me back to His kingdom.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Anyone who wants to approach the Supreme of all the Personalities of Godhead, on the Krsnaloka planet in the spiritual sky, and be intimately connected with the SP, Krsna, must take this formula, as is stated by the Supreme Himself. BG 1972 purports|Anyone who wants to approach the Supreme of all the Personalities of Godhead, on the Krsnaloka planet in the spiritual sky, and be intimately connected with the SP, Krsna, must take this formula, as is stated by the Supreme Himself.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda perfectly synthesizes the absolute necessity of reviving our lost connection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Under the illusion of material nature, the conditioned soul attempts to manufacture happiness while severed from the true source of all joy. However, the path of ''bhakti-yoga'' offers an immediate and practical remedy. By developing the spiritual vision to see all elements of nature in relation to the Lord, and by dovetailing ordinary business and daily activities in His service, the practitioner bridges the gap created by forgetfulness. Through the potent processes of chanting the holy names, accepting the guidance of a spiritual master, and engaging in unalloyed devotional service, one sheds all material fears. A Vaiṣṇava thus reconnected with Kṛṣṇa completes their material journey and becomes perfectly situated in eternal, fearless bliss.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Connection_with_Krsna|Connection with Krsna]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])

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