Art of Divine Life - This is the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as a "great art of life, very easy and sublime." It is a transcendental process that addresses the root cause of human suffering—the forgetfulness of our relationship with God. Rather than a sectarian religion, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents this movement as a scientific and cultural education meant to awaken the dormant God consciousness within every living entity. By shifting our focus from personal sense gratification to the satisfaction of the Supreme, we achieve the highest perfection of our original constitutional position.
A Scientific Education for Modern Society
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently emphasized that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not a matter of "bluff sentiment" but a "great science." It is an educational mission designed to enlighten people from "gross ignorance" to the highest spiritual understanding. By studying the instructions of Kṛṣṇa as found in the Bhagavad-gītā, individuals can understand the material and spiritual natures and learn how to transfer themselves to the transcendental plane. This education is meant to produce "first-class, intelligent" human beings who are wise, honest, and truthful.
- That is Krsna consciousness movement. It is an educational movement to enlighten the people from gross ignorance to the highest enlightenment of spiritual understanding.
- Every one of you can become spiritually advanced provided you study the science. That is Krsna consciousness movement. It is not a bluff sentiment. It is a great science.
- Don't remain mudhah. This is Krsna consciousness movement. Krsna consciousness movement is to educate people not to remain mudhah. Be intelligent. It is a very nice cultural movement that it is trying to awaken people to their God consciousness.
- This is Krsna consciousness movement. God is personally giving you the information, what is the material nature, what is the spiritual nature, how you can transfer yourself to the spiritual nature, and then you come to your original position.
Shifting from Self to Kṛṣṇa
The core "art" taught by the movement is the transformation of consciousness from personal sense gratification to the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that perfection is not about changing one's profession, but about saturating one's existing activities with devotion. Whether one is a warrior like Arjuna or a temple cleanser, the goal remains the same: to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. This practice purifies the heart and allows one to understand God "without any doubt" (asamsayam) and "in fullness" (samagram).
- As our consciousness is now for my sense gratification, my society's sense gratification, my nation's sense gratification, similarly, if we change it to Krsna's sense gratification, then we become perfect. This is Krsna consciousness movement.
- He (Arjuna) became perfect by his own profession. How? Because he satisfied Krsna. So you can be situated in any position. That does not matter. But try to satisfy Krsna. That is Krsna consciousness movement: how to satisfy Krsna. It is not very difficult.
- Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura knew this art, how to turn our activities for the satisfaction of Krsna. This is Krsna consciousness movement.
- If you simply increase your attachment for Krsna, then asamsayam, without any doubt, samagram, and in fullness, you can understand what is God. This is Krsna consciousness movement.
Transcending All Material Designations
A defining feature of this movement is its ability to unite people from all backgrounds by focusing on the living being who has the dress rather than the dress itself. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Kṛṣṇa consciousness transcends the bodily concepts of race, nationality, and religion. By chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, individuals from America, Africa, and India are purified of material designations. The movement's primary objective is to "make the asuras as sura"—transforming godless people into devotees of the Lord.
- Our movement is not with the dress but with the living being who has the dress. This is our movement. This is a completely spiritual movement.
- We are conscious that, "I am not this body." This is Krsna consciousness movement. Otherwise, how we could accommodate Indians, Africans, Americans, others; they are chanting, they are dancing, they are eating.
- One who is devotee, he is devata. One who is not devotee, he's asura. That's all - in different names. So our this movement is making the asuras to become devata. This is our movement.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is purifying everyone. This bodily concept of life, "I am Indian," "I am American," "I am Hindu," "I am Muslim," they are forgetting. Just like in our society there are devotees from many religious sects, many countries.
The Best Welfare for Human Society
Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda characterizes the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as the highest form of welfare activity. While other organizations may address temporary bodily needs, this movement addresses the "entanglement of repetition of birth, death, old age and disease." By educating the world on how to go "back to home, back to Godhead," the movement saves the soul from the danger of sliding back into lower species. It offers a "life simplified" and a genuine chance for every human being to make their life successful.
- Awaken their Krsna consciousness. That is Krsna consciousness movement. It is the best welfare activities to the human society.
- Krsna consciousness movement is trying to save them from going back to become cats and dogs. Instead of going back there, they are trying to send him back to God. That is Krsna consciousness movement.
- If everyone has got the potency to go back to home, back to Godhead, it is the duty of the Vaisnava to educate the whole world how to go back to home, back to Godhead. This is Krsna consciousness movement.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given us this easy program. So don't deviate from this. Chant Hare Krsna and take prasadam. Make life simplified and be happy. That is Krsna consciousness movement.
Conclusion
"This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement"—a phrase Śrīla Prabhupāda used repeatedly to dismantle misconceptions and present the simple, yet profound reality of spiritual life. It is an all-inclusive mission that welcomes everyone to revive their eternal relationship with the Supreme Father. By adopting the "art of satisfaction," following the scriptural instructions without manufacture, and chanting the holy names, one achieves the highest enlightenment. The movement's success is found in the purified hearts of its practitioners who, having forgotten their bodily designations, work tirelessly to bring suffering humanity back to their original, blissful home. As Śrīla Prabhupāda often invited: "Try to understand the philosophy and cooperate." This is the key to a happy life and a successful human journey.
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 This is 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.