Following Kṛṣṇa - The Supreme Leadership for Humanity
Every human being is a follower by nature. Whether it is a politician, a scientist, a philosopher, or a celebrity, society is constantly searching for someone to lead them to happiness. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out a tragic flaw in modern civilization: because people are ignorant of the Absolute Truth, they follow flawed, mundane leaders—whom he refers to as "silly jackals"—and are inevitably led to suffering. The ultimate solution to all the world's problems is to accept the supreme, flawless leadership of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa.
Rejecting the Silly Jackals
The leaders of the material world cannot solve the ultimate problems of birth, old age, disease, and death because they themselves are bound by the laws of material nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically states that we must stop following these unauthorized "rascals" and instead take shelter of the perfect instructions of Kṛṣṇa.
- We have to follow Krsna alone. Not all these rascals, silly jackals. Then our life is successful. Krsna can give you all guidance. In all respective necessities of life, there is everything complete. We haven't got to follow the silly jackals.
- First of all, you remain here (in New Mayapura) for some time. Be trained up. Because every one of us, we have followed the silly jackals. Now we have to follow Krsna.
- Every one of us, we have followed the silly jackals. Now we have to follow Krsna.
- They are following blindly, nonsense, the Radhakrishnan and company. Therefore our Dr. Svarupa Damodara has said: "Krsna, the greatest scientist." We are following the greatest scientist. They are rascals.
- People, they are naturally following leadership, but they do not want to follow the leadership of Sri Krsna, because they want immediate relief from the miseries of this world. They do not want a permanent solution of all miseries.
Following Krsna's Direct Orders
Following Kṛṣṇa does not require blind faith; it requires practical application of His direct orders. In the Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa clearly states His formula for peace and liberation: "Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me, and offer your homage unto Me." Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that simply by adhering to this final instruction, a conditioned soul instantly becomes liberated.
- Krsna's direct order - "Always think of Me and become My devotee" - should be taken as the final order of the Lord and should be followed.
- Our desires cannot be satisfied by illusory thoughts and plans; rather, we have to follow the instructions of Lord Krsna: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja (Bhagavad-Gita 18.66). Then we shall be happy.
- As soon as you surrender to Krsna immediately you are mukta. Immediately, instantly. It is in your hand. You follow Krsna's instruction, do the needful, you are mukta. Chant Hare Krsna.
- If you agree to follow the leadership of Krsna, proportionately as you follow, so you become perfect. If you follow one percent, then you become one percent perfect. If you follow twenty-five percent, then you become twenty-five percent perfect.
The Strict Rule: Follow, Do Not Imitate
While Kṛṣṇa acts as an ideal teacher for humanity, He is still the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śrīla Prabhupāda places immense emphasis on a crucial distinction: we must follow Kṛṣṇa's instructions, but we can never imitate His omnipotent actions. Attempting to imitate the Lord's intimate pastimes is a fast track to spiritual ruin.
- From the previous chapter it is clear that no one can act the way Lord Krsna does. We should clearly note this fact: the activities of the Lord should be followed, but they cannot be imitated.
- For example, Krsna's ideal life as a householder can be followed, but if one wants to imitate Krsna by expanding into many forms, that is not possible.
- We cannot imitate God. We have to simply follow His order. That is dharma. And if you imitate Krsna, that is adharma.
- People in general should follow the instructions of Lord Krsna as given in the Bhagavad-gita and should not even imagine imitating Lord Krsna in the rasa dance.
Becoming Krsna's Representative
How does one actually follow Kṛṣṇa today, since He is not physically present? We must follow His authorized representative, the bona fide spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda beautifully explains that becoming a spiritual master does not require magic or immense academic education. It simply requires acting like a faithful peon who delivers Kṛṣṇa's message without changing or adulterating it.
- If you simply speak what Krsna says, then you become His representative. Don't manufacture. Don't be over prudent, manufacturing. Simply to follow Krsna and His representatives, then you become mahajana. Otherwise you are a nonsense. Mudha.
- If you adulterate nonsensically like a rascal, then you cannot become a spiritual master. If you simply follow what Krsna has spoken, then you become spiritual master. Very simple thing. It doesn't require education.
- This is the biggest para-upakara movement. And it is very easy to take part in it. You don't require to be very expert. You . . . Everything is there. You simply carry the message like peon: "Krsna says this. Kindly follow," that's all.
- Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krsna as they are given in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land - CC Madhya 7.128 quotes in Srimad Bhagavatam 10.2.19.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s message is crystal clear: "Nobody is perfect except Kṛṣṇa. Or one who follows Kṛṣṇa, he is perfect." By abandoning our reliance on the flawed leaders of material society, strictly avoiding cheap imitation, and humbly accepting the instructions of Kṛṣṇa and His bona fide representatives, we guarantee the ultimate success of our human life.
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 Following Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.