Divine Purpose of the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement
The divine purpose of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to initiate a total transformation of human society. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that modern civilization is currently in a "risky" state, driven by the modes of material nature and a lack of true spiritual knowledge. This movement was started to provide the only effective remedy: the awakening of the dormant love of God within the heart of every living entity. By providing a scientific process for spiritual realization, the movement aims to save people from the catastrophe of repeated birth and death and return them to their original, blissful state.
A Rescue Mission for a Risky Civilization
Śrīla Prabhupāda often emphasized that the primary purpose of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to save human society from the danger of animalism. Without God consciousness, human life is considered spoiled and no different from the lives of cats and dogs. The movement serves as an educational propaganda to enlighten those who are "maddened" by material influence, reminding them of their eternal existential life. By shifting the focus from material consumption to spiritual realization, the movement seeks to overhaul the very face of the kingdom.
- Human society should be saved from such a risky civilization and the danger of animalism by awakening to God consciousness, Krsna consciousness. The Krsna consciousness movement has been started for this purpose.
- To save human civilization from the darkness of ignorance, this movement was started. The main purpose of the Krsna consciousness movement is to enlighten the forgetful living entity and remind him of his original Krsna consciousness.
- This is the purpose of Krsna consciousness movement: wholesale, thorough, overhauling of the human society. We have not manufactured anything, concocted things. It is very scientific.
- Actually if the monarch becomes Krsna conscious, actually becomes representative of Krsna, then the whole face of the kingdom will change. That is required. Our Krsna consciousness movement is for that purpose.
Educational Training of the Ideal Man
The movement is essentially a training ground for character and spiritual behavior. Śrīla Prabhupāda stated that the purpose of ISKCON is to create "ideal men" through character, religion, behavior, and education. This is achieved by raising everyone to the platform of God consciousness, which is the only way to make the human form of life successful. Even those who are considered the "dirtiest class of men" can be transformed into topmost Vaiṣṇavas through this scientific process of purification.
- Just like we are training them as ideal man - by character, by religion, by behavior, by education. That is the purpose of this Krsna consciousness movement. And you can see practically what was their previous life and what they are now.
- Anyone can be purified by following the principles of devotional service in Krsna consciousness, for Krsna consciousness is so powerful that it can purify even the dirtiest class of men and transform them into the topmost Vaisnavas. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's movement aims at this purpose.
- Humanity must be trained to engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. That is the purpose of the Krsna consciousness movement.
- There is necessity of creating brahmanas and Vaisnava. This movement is meant for that purpose. So be careful. Don't be turned again to sudra and mlecchas. Go on making progress to become pure Vaisnava.
Providing Authorized Shelters for Worship
A core purpose of the movement is the establishment of authorized centers where people can find shelter from material influence. These centers are meant to facilitate the constant hearing and chanting of the glories of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda established these centers so that devotees could live in the association of one another, disassociating themselves from material mental concoctions and catching the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa through an intimate connection with the spiritual master.
- I have established ISKCON centers for the purpose of catching up the Lotus Feet of Krishna by intimate connection with the spiritual master; these are my authorized centers for that purpose.
- One should always engage oneself in hearing about, remembering, and worshiping Krsna. All the centers of the Krsna consciousness movement are opened only for this purpose - to facilitate chanting, dancing, and worshiping so that we shall not forget Krsna.
- One cannot live outside the society of devotees; one must live in the association of devotees, where there is constant chanting and hearing of the glories of the Lord. The Krsna consciousness movement is started for this purpose.
- Krsna consciousness movement is started for this purpose, so that 100's of ISKCON centers may give people a chance to hear and chant, accept the spiritual master and disassociate themselves from persons who are materially interested, for in this way one can make solid advancement in going back home, back to Godhead.
Ending the Cycle of Birth and Death
Ultimately, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is for the purpose of ending the soul's entanglement in the material world. It educates people on how to avoid the "catastrophe of ignorance" and the necessity of changing bodies (dehāntara-prāpti). By teaching the science of breaking one's servitorship to māyā and re-establishing a relationship with Kṛṣṇa, the movement provides the "freedom life"—returning the living entity back home, back to Godhead, where there is no more birth, death, old age, or disease.
- The main purpose of the Krsna consciousness movement is to enlighten the forgetful living entity and remind him of his original Krsna consciousness. In this way the living entity can be saved from the catastrophe of ignorance as well as bodily transmigration.
- To save us from death... That is the first business of humankind. We are teaching this Krsna consciousness movement for this purpose only.
- In the human form of life, if we are actually intelligent, we shall try our best how to get that life or body where there is no more death, birth, old age and disease. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to educate people for that purpose.
- The purpose of our society for Krishna Consciousness is to train people in the science of breaking their servitorship to maya and re-establishing their relationship with Krishna as His loving servitor.
Conclusion
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement stands as a unique, non-sectarian society dedicated to the highest well-being of the human race. Its divine purpose is to lift humanity out of a "risky" and animalistic state of existence and restore every soul to its natural, blissful position. By following the authorized process of chanting, hearing, and associating with pure devotees, anyone can undergo a complete internal overhaul, replacing lust and greed with love for God. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission is to offer this freedom life to everyone, ensuring that human society can finally achieve true peace and prosperity by reconnecting with its original creator, maintainer, and source of all joy—Kṛṣṇa.
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 Purpose of the Krsna Consciousness Movement. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.