Converting to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness - The Global Mission of Pure Devotion
To change a person's heart from material exploitation to pure spiritual service is the most difficult welfare work in the universe. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that converting someone to Kṛṣṇa consciousness requires an immense expenditure of spiritual energy, or "gallons of blood." Yet, through the potent authorized methods of chanting the holy names and distributing Vedic literatures, this movement has achieved unprecedented historical success, transforming thousands of lives across the globe.
The Monumental Challenge and Success
Before the genuine saṅkīrtana movement arrived in the West, many compromised teachers attempted to spread Vedic knowledge but failed entirely. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that actual conversion requires pure devotion, a fact proven by the astonishing transformation of thousands of Westerners into strict Vaiṣṇavas.
- You have to spend or waste gallons of blood before you can convert a person to Krsna consciousness. It is so difficult task.
- Before me, many swamis went to the Western countries. They also talked about Bhagavad-gita and other Vedic literature. But not a single person could be converted to Krsna consciousness, not a single person throughout the whole history.
- They're admitting that before me, many hundreds of svamis went there, but they could not convert to Krsna consciousness a single person. They are admiring that.
- People are often astonished to see many thousands of Westerners converted to Vaisnavism.
The Universal Scope of the Mission
The mercy of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu knows no geographical boundaries. As Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his disciples, the mission is to systematically bring the supreme happiness of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every corner of the world, from the youth of the West to the nations of Asia and Africa.
- The people of the West are seeing their students becoming hippies, despite gorgeous arrangements for university education. The Krsna consciousness movement, however, is trying to convert misguided, drug-addicted students to the service of Krsna.
- I hope in the future you will take a leading part in converting the Japanese and Chinese people towards Krsna Consciousness so that all of them may become happy like you. That is my only desire.
- Let us answer this atrocity by converting all Africans to Krsna Consciousness. Please keep in the front of your attention my desire that you convert the Africans.
- Please keep in the front of your attention my desire that you convert the Africans. I know you have some of them already now train them up, so that even if you are forced to leave, they will be able to carry on Krsna Consciousness on their own.
The Value of One Pure Devotee
Despite the global vision, the essence of the movement remains intimately focused on pure quality rather than superficial quantity. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that following the mood of his own spiritual master, the entire preaching mission is deemed successful if even one single person is factually converted.
- Material life means hatred for Krishna and desire for matter. So we have to convert ourselves. When one becomes Krishna conscious actually, he does not even hate material things because he becomes expert how to utilize everything for Krishna.
- My Spiritual Master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, sometimes used to say that if after selling all of my property I can convert one person to Krishna Consciousness factually, then I shall think my mission is successful.
- If even one such high-class man becomes preacher on our behalf, if he actually becomes converted to Krishna Consciousness preaching work, then that is the best contribution of your preaching also.
- We don't bother whether one is converted or not in Krsna consciousness. Our duty is to flatter, That's all. "My dear sir, please come here, see Krsna's Deity, offer namaskara, take prasada, and go home."
The Authorized Methods of Conversion
To achieve these miraculous transformations, the movement relies entirely on the potent tools provided by the previous ācāryas. As Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines, chanting the holy names, opening temples, and—most importantly—distributing transcendental literature are the true catalysts for changing global consciousness.
- Lord Krsna states in Bhagavad-gita, vyapasritya: one should accept a spiritual master. By this process the entire world can be converted to Krsna consciousness.
- We are not powerful enough to enchant the lower animals such as tigers, snakes, cats and dogs or entice them to dance, but by chanting the holy names of the Lord we can actually convert many people throughout the world to Krsna consciousness.
- Wealthy people can also be attracted to take part in these activities (construction of the temple, contribute food for prasadam). In this way everyone will become spiritually inclined, and the entire society will be converted to Krsna consciousness.
- Whenever there is a possibility to worship the Deity, we may establish many centers, but generally we should give more stress to the distribution of transcendental literature, for this will be more effective in converting people to Krsna consciousness.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the true measure of spiritual potency is the ability to change a conditioned soul's deeply ingrained hatred for God into unalloyed, loving devotional service. The historical failure of mundane scholars and yogīs in the West perfectly highlights the unique, unprecedented success of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Driven by an urgent, universal compassion, the pure devotees tirelessly execute their duty by widely distributing the holy names, establishing Deity worship, and disseminating transcendental literature. However, despite this massive global endeavor, the preacher remains humbly detached from the numerical results. Knowing the immense difficulty of the task, the bona fide servant of the Lord finds complete and absolute success in the factual, qualitative conversion of even one single soul, thereby fulfilling the highest missionary desire of the disciplic succession.
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 Converting to Krsna Consciousness. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.