In Our Society We Want to Establish Divine Society
This article explores the driving mission behind the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as presented in the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda. The desire to establish genuine spiritual culture is not a mundane ambition but a divine mandate descending through the disciplic succession. By establishing authentic Vedic principles, pure philosophy, and physical sanctuaries in the form of temples, the pure devotees aim to counteract the degrading influence of Kali-yuga and offer humanity a practical path back to Godhead.
Reestablishing the Divine Social Order
Modern civilization is largely organized around animalistic propensities—eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. Śrīla Prabhupāda, echoing the desires of his spiritual master, wanted to reestablish daiva-varṇāśrama, the divine social order. In this system, society is scientifically divided into classes and spiritual orders to ensure peaceful cooperation and the gradual spiritual elevation of all citizens. Without establishing this Vedic conception, a truly divine society remains impossible.
- My Guru Maharaja wanted to reestablish daiva-varnasrama.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura wanted to reestablish daiva-varnasrama.
- If we want to establish Vedic civilization, then we must follow strictly the principles of Vedas as it is described in the Bhagavad-gita. And if it is practiced, then daiva-varnasrama-dharma. That is required.
- In our society we want to establish divine society. Therefore there is need of all classes of men and all classes of social orders. Our Vedic conception is varnasrama-dharma.
Establishing the Supreme Personality of Godhead
The central philosophical goal of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to firmly establish the supreme position of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that many people mistake Kṛṣṇa for an ordinary historical figure, a powerful man, or a demigod. Like Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, the pure devotees want to present the verdict of Vedic wisdom to the world: there is only one God, one scripture (the Bhagavad-gītā), one mantra (the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra), and one essential duty.
- My mission is to establish that Krishna Stu Bhagavan Swayam. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness wants to establish that one God, one scripture, one mantra, and one service.
- We want to establish that one God, Krishna; one scripture, Bhagavad-gita; one mantra Hare Krishna; and one work, service to the Supreme Lord. And people are responding. So please try to cooperate with me.
- It is very clear to understand the science of God. Why you should neglect and by, mislead ourself by understanding some misleading interpretation? That is my mission. I want to establish throughout the world that krsnas tu bhagavan svayam.
- Yudhisthira said, "The verdict of the Vedic wisdom is that You are the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I want to establish this fact, and I also want to show the world the difference between accepting You as the Supreme Personality of Godhead and accepting You as an ordinary powerful historical person."
Establishing Temples and Centers Worldwide
To make the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness practically accessible, Śrīla Prabhupāda held a deep ambition to establish physical centers across the globe. He worked tirelessly to open at least 108 temples before his departure. These temples were not meant merely as places of architectural beauty, but as dynamic training grounds to create pure devotees who could carry the mission forward into every town and village.
- I want to establish many Radha Krishna Temples in all important towns and countries of the Western World. I am not only establishing Temples, but I am creating the devotees of the Temples.
- It is my ambition that I want to establish at least 108 centers; beginning from Hamburg, crossing over the Atlantic to your country, USA, then the Pacific, covering Hawaii and reaching to Tokyo, Japan.
- Now I want that there should be established 108 temples before my death, so you think how to do it. Make some program, train up devotees.
- Our progress is slow but sure, when walking down the street, we first place one foot down and when it is firm we take another step. We want to firmly establish centers in South America.
Defeating False Philosophies
When establishing the truth, one must inevitably confront falsehood. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently warns against Māyāvādī (impersonalist) and voidist philosophers. Because they want to establish their own imaginative doctrines—often driven by the desire to be worshiped as God themselves—they deliberately distort the meanings of sacred texts like the Vedānta-sūtra. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seeks to dismantle these misleading interpretations and establish the absolute personal nature of the Supreme Lord.
- Monist philosophers like Sankaracarya and his followers want to establish that God and the living entity are one, and instead of worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead they present themselves as God. They want to be worshiped as God by others.
- The impersonalist Mayavadi philosophers want to establish the Absolute Truth as impersonal, but this is in contradiction to Vedic literature.
- The voidist philosophers want to establish that ultimately everything is senseless, and the impersonalists want to establish that in the next world there is simply knowledge devoid of activity.
- Because Sankaracarya wanted to establish the doctrine of monism, he had no alternative but to interpret the Vedanta-sutra in a different way.
Establishing Authentic Religion
Ultimately, any attempt to establish a spiritual principle must be supported by the authority of the Vedas. Śrīla Prabhupāda points to the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, who scrutinized the scriptures to firmly establish sad-dharma, or real religion. Whether it is Lord Kṛṣṇa lifting Govardhana Hill to establish exclusive devotional service, or modern devotees citing śruti and smṛti, true religion cannot be established by mere sentiment or logic; it must be grounded in the authorized conclusions of the ācāryas.
- They (the Six Gosvamis) were very, very expert in studying sastra very scrutinizingly. Why they studied so much? Because they wanted to establish sad-dharma, real type of religion, bhakti. They are quoting, therefore, from so many, nana-sastra.
- We Gaudiya Vaisnava, we are known as rupanuga. Rupanuga means the followers of Rupa Gosvami. So why we should become followers of Rupa Gosvami? Because sri-caitanya-mano 'bhistam sthapitam yena bhu-tale: he wanted to establish the mission of Sri Caitanya.
- Evidence from the sruti, from the Vedas, that is perfect. Therefore, according to Vedic civilization, if you want to establish something you have to quote the section or the injunction from the Vedas, Then it is perfect.
- In order to stop all such activities (of worshiping the demigods) by His devotees, Krsna wanted to firmly establish exclusive devotional service during His presence in Vrndavana.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that wanting to establish Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the greatest welfare work for human society. By establishing the daiva-varṇāśrama system, defeating the illusions of impersonalism, and building centers of pure devotion across the world, the pure devotees execute the will of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Anyone who actively assists in this mission by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra and distributing this transcendental knowledge becomes a confidential servant of the Lord, ensuring their own deliverance while saving others from the darkness of material existence.
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 Wanting to Establish. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.