Awakening Spiritual Life in the Western World through the Hare Kṛṣṇa Movement
Armed with the absolute order of his spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda journeyed to foreign lands to distribute the highest spiritual knowledge. He observed that despite immense technological and economic advancement, the populace was suffering from severe spiritual malnutrition.
The Divine Order to Preach in the West
The rapid spread of Kṛṣṇa consciousness across the globe was not a mundane phenomenon, but the direct fulfillment of a divine mandate. Recalling the inception of his mission, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that he was explicitly instructed by his Guru Mahārāja to preach the message of Lord Caitanya in the English language. This powerful order carried the necessary spiritual potency to transform the hearts of those living in foreign lands.
- I am deputed by my Guru Maharaja to spread this Krsna consciousness movement in the Western world. That is his grace. He wanted that Western people, who are intelligent, they should learn what is Krsna consciousness.
- My Guru Maharaja ordered me that "You go and preach this philosophy to the Western world." So under his order I came, and I presented Bhagavad-gita As It Is, as you have read.
- Lord Caitanya consequently wanted this Krsna consciousness movement to be preached on the western side of the world so that people addicted to sense gratification might be benefited by His teachings.
- So far I am concerned, I am a humble disciple of His Divine Grace, Om Visnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, who was the original pioneer of spreading this movement in the Western world.
- I am always anxious to be with you for the remaining days of my life, preaching Krishna Consciousness in the Western World.
The Dark Condition of Modern Materialistic Society
Despite vast wealth and technological innovation, modern civilization has failed to bring true happiness to the soul. Analyzing this spiritual vacuum, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that Western society is largely driven by unrestricted sense gratification, intoxication, and illicit sex. Because they are ignorant of the science of the soul, the younger generation has become deeply frustrated and misguided by temporary material goals.
- Karmis work very hard simply to enjoy sex. Modern human society has improved the materialistic way of life simply by inducing unrestricted sex life in many different ways. This is most prominently visible in the Western world.
- The drug habit is killing the soul of the younger generation in the Western world. So if you live with the devotees, you will get strength to give up this bad habit.
- In the Western world they are thinking that "We are enjoying life." Of course, enjoying life in his consideration. But how long, sir, you will enjoy this life?
- If there is gold, there is certainly illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. Because people in the Western world have a great deal of gold, they are victims of these four sins.
- Your country and the western world is mostly under the grip of Maya and the modes of nature in passion and ignorance, and my declaration of war against the maya is certainly a great battle.
Establishing the Pure Process of Devotional Service
Before the arrival of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement, various watered-down yoga systems and impersonal philosophies had been introduced to the West, offering no real spiritual benefit. Correcting these misconceptions, Śrīla Prabhupāda presented the absolute truth exactly as it is without compromise. He introduced the authentic, bona fide method of Deity worship, book distribution, and the chanting of the holy names.
- In our Krishna Book we are showing the Western World for the first time what is God.
- There have been many yoga systems popularized in the Western World, especially in this century, but none of them have actually taught the perfection of yoga.
- Our Krsna consciousness movement is introducing this bona fide method of worship (of Panca-tattva by the method of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and, if possible, distributing prasadam) in the Western world.
- The whole Western world are filled up with these sunyavadi and impersonalists. India is also nowadays, but still there are devotees in the acarya-sampradaya. They are fighting against sunyavada and nirvisesa.
- We have immense literatures, especially in the Gaudiya Sampradaya of the Vaisnava sect which is enriched by the contribution of the Gosvamis. These should all be presented to the western world.
The Transformative Impact of the Movement
The introduction of pure bhakti caused a miraculous transformation in the hearts of thousands of young men and women. Reflecting on this unprecedented success, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that his sincere presentation of Kṛṣṇa consciousness was enthusiastically embraced by those searching for real spiritual life. By chanting the holy names, they were immediately delivered from the darkest regions of material existence.
- My feeling, I am very satisfied that Krsna is accepted by presenting as He is. I must be very satisfied, because before me, who did not present Krsna as He is, there was not a single Krsna conscious person in the Western world. Now I have got thousands.
- I am seeing our Samkirtan is being accepted more and more in the Western World, and there is very good future for its spreading by the help of my very sincere disciples.
- The Hare Krsna movement is now delivering the people of the Western world wherever devotees are chanting the holy names. This is all being done by the Lord’s mercy.
- If we are given chance, I am sure we will enact a new chapter in the history of the Western world. Please therefore always pray to Krsna to give you strength and protection, and go on with your duty straight forward.
- This Hare Krsna movement has spread all over the world, with the assistance of European and American boys and girls. We therefore pray for all the blessings of Caitanya Mahaprabhu upon all the devotees in the Western world who are spreading this movement.
Training the Younger Generation as Preachers
To ensure the continuation of his monumental mission, it was essential to empower his newly initiated disciples. Knowing his advanced age, Śrīla Prabhupāda vigorously trained his Western followers to become robust preachers and leaders of the society. He firmly believed that if the younger generation took up this process seriously, they could reshape the entire public atmosphere of the world.
- I am now considerably old; I will be 72 years next September. But the work which I have begun in the western world is not yet finished, and I require to train some of the American boys to preach this cult all over the western world.
- I am confident that in the future all my student boys and girls will preach this Krishna Consciousness in the western world more successfully.
- There is ample possibilities for preaching Krishna Consciousness movement all over western world now, because the people are wanting something real spiritual life.
- The younger section of this country should take it very seriously, that they should take to Krishna Consciousness, and the next generation will be a different public, in the western world, who are materially and spiritually advanced and they will be happy.
- Think seriously of Krishna Consciousness, be sincere, and Krishna will give you all necessary instruction. I have every hope that in the future you can be a good preacher for Krishna Consciousness in the Western World.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda accomplished what no other person had ever done by successfully planting the seed of pure devotional service in the Western world. By presenting the absolute truth exactly as it is, he rescued countless souls from the degradation of modern materialistic society. Through his untiring efforts, the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra continues to echo globally, securing the spiritual well-being of the entire human race.
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 Western World. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.