Developing Kṛṣṇa Consciousness - The Supreme Purpose of Human Life
The modern world evaluates success based on economic development and technological advancement. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the true, singular purpose of the rare human form of life is to awaken our dormant, eternal relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by systematically developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
The Sole Purpose of Human Life
According to Vedic literature, human life is a highly specialized vehicle. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that if a person executes their worldly duties flawlessly but fails to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness, their entire life is considered a tragic waste of time and energy.
- Human life is simply meant for developing Krsna consciousness.
- The Srimad-Bhagavatam says that after many, many births we have attained the human form of body. Now we should not misuse it. Please utilize this human life to develop Krsna consciousness and be happy.
- If he is executing his duties very nicely, but has not developed Krsna consciousness, then it is to be understood that he has lost everything. This is the verdict of sastra.
- As such, the Supreme Lord is the supreme existence, the cause of all causes. Therefore the conclusion is that without development of Krsna consciousness one's life is simply a waste of time.
The Necessity of Pure Association
Spiritual development cannot be achieved in isolation or in the company of materialists. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness is naturally and easily awakened only when one seeks the shelter and guidance of pure, advanced devotees.
- Without the association of devotees, one cannot advance in Krsna consciousness. Therefore, we have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Factually, whoever lives in this society automatically develops Krsna consciousness.
- These boys and girls who have taken to Krsna consciousness movement seriously, they are all first-class yogis because they are always thinking of Krsna. So if you want to develop Krsna consciousness, then you kindly associate with these devotees.
- You cannot develop Krsna consciousness by associating with drunkards and others. No. That is not possible. You have to associate with krsna-bhakta. I've already described the sadhu.
- It is often said that a man is known by his company, and if an ordinary man associates with devotees, he will certainly develop his dormant Krsna consciousness.
The Simple and Natural Process
The method for achieving spiritual perfection is surprisingly simple. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that by taking prasādam and constantly engaging in hearing and chanting (śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam), the heart is naturally cleansed, allowing the innate love for Kṛṣṇa to spontaneously manifest.
- If after receiving this chance (of becoming Krsna Conscious) and this gift of human life we do not utilize them to develop Krsna Consciousness, we shall be missing this rare opportunity. The process for cultivation is very simple: sravanam kirtanam (SB 7.5.23) - hearing and chanting.
- For the neophytes, by taking prasadam, by thinking the taste of water, Krsna, he will gradually develop his Krsna consciousness. That is dormant. It is not artificial. Simply by certain process it has to be awakened.
- You chant Hare Krsna mantra with your tongue. Take prasadam of Krsna. You will gradually develop your Krsna consciousness, and you will understand what is God. That is the process.
- Anartha-nivrttih is possible by sraddha, sadhu-sangah, bhajana-kriya, then anartha-nivrttih, then nistha, ruci, asakti, bhava. In this way, we develop our Krsna consciousness, love of Godhead.
Acquiring Divine Qualities
True morality and good character cannot be legislated; they are the natural by-products of spiritual advancement. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that when a person successfully develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness, all the exalted qualities of the demigods automatically manifest within their character.
- Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna mano-rathenasati dhavato bahih. One who has developed Krsna consciousness will manifest all the good qualities of the demigods.
- If anyone develops God consciousness, then all the good qualities will develop automatically. And you give him all kinds of education, but if he is godless, it is all useless. - That is compared with decorating the dead body.
- Our process of test is how far he is advanced in God consciousness. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-gunah. It is said, yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana. If one has developed God consciousness, all good qualities must develop in them.
- If you develop Krsna consciousness, if you develop love for Krsna, then automatically the qualities of the suras, or the demigods, will develop. You haven't got to endeavor separately for becoming qualified in good qualities.
The Vision of Universal Brotherhood
Materialistic society constantly divides people by race, nationality, and species. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a highly developed Kṛṣṇa conscious person sees beyond these temporary, artificial bodily designations, recognizing every living entity as a beloved child of the Supreme Lord.
- A learned person sees everyone equally on a spiritual basis, and a learned person, a devotee, wants to see everyone developed in Krsna consciousness.
- We do not know that Krsna is our original father and that we are all His sons. The American is my brother, the Indian is my brother, the Chinese is my brother. Therefore, we have to develop Krsna consciousness.
- If you love only your brother or sister, that is not universal love. Universal love means you love everyone. That universal love can be developed by Krsna consciousness, not by otherwise.
- Being freed from differentiations like man, animal, big, low, etc., one becomes beautified in his consciousness and able to develop Krsna consciousness in his spiritual identity.
The Ultimate Solution to Birth and Death
The final reward for taking this process seriously is permanent freedom from the miseries of the material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that anyone who successfully develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness will be transferred to the eternal spiritual sky at the time of death, never to return.
- If a human being is taught to change his subtle body by developing a consciousness of Krsna, or if he is still more perfect, he will immediately get a spiritual body and thus return home, back to Godhead. This is the process of the transmigration.
- One who is intelligent, by the grace of the Lord, and develops Krsna consciousness, is successful in his life because simply by keeping himself in Krsna consciousness, he will be saved from the repetition of birth and death.
- If the living entities take advantage of the Lord's instructions as given in the Bhagavad-gita and develop Krsna consciousness, then their lives become sublime, and they can go back to Godhead.
- You live happily, save time for developing Krsna consciousness so that next life you are no more in this material world; you are transferred to the spiritual world. This is the purpose of human life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it unequivocally clear that the sole, urgent purpose of the human form of life is the development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Any society or individual that neglects this spiritual cultivation in favor of endless economic development or mundane religious rituals is committing a grievous error, effectively wasting the most valuable opportunity in material existence. The process for awakening this dormant love for God is neither artificial nor overly complex. It requires the sincere practitioner to seek the shelter of pure devotees, as isolation in the material world ensures failure. By strictly following the authorized, joyful process of śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam—hearing, chanting, and honoring Kṛṣṇa's prasādam—the neophyte is gradually cleansed of the heavy contamination of material lust. As this Kṛṣṇa consciousness blossoms, the devotee naturally acquires all the divine qualities of the demigods, viewing every living entity with genuine, spiritual equality and universal love. Ultimately, the successful development of this divine consciousness fundamentally alters the subtle body, ensuring that at the moment of death, the soul is permanently rescued from the miserable cycle of repeated birth and death and joyfully transferred to its eternal home in the spiritual sky.
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 Developing Krsna Consciousness. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.