Reviving Our Original Consciousness - What the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement Means
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a scientific process of spiritual re-education designed to restore the living entity to its constitutional position. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this movement means much more than a religious affiliation; it is the practical application of Bhagavad-gītā to cure the material disease of the heart. By shifting the focus from sense gratification to the service of the Supreme Lord, the movement offers a path to permanent happiness and entry into the eternal family of Kṛṣṇa.
Rectifying Consciousness and Curing Material Disease
The primary meaning of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is the purification of the heart from the cloud of material desires. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that our current suffering is due to a polluted consciousness that seeks independent enjoyment. This movement means to cure the heart disease of lust and rectify the basic misconception of identifying with the material body. By changing our consciousness from proprietor to servant, we revive our original relationship with God and find relief from the "real suffering" of the struggle for existence in the material world.
- Krsna consciousness is real consciousness, but we color it with other consciousness. That is polluted. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to purify your consciousness.
- So the Krsna consciousness movement means to cure the heart disease full with lusty desires. This is Krsna consciousness.
- The Krsna consciousness movement means that we are trying to educate people to change the consciousness. We have got so many desires under different consciousness. So one desire, that "I am eternal servant of Krsna," this is called mukti.
- Krsna consciousness movement means to bring back everyone to his original consciousness, affection, love between the child and the father.
The Science of Kṛṣṇa and Vedic Culture
This movement means the presentation of kṛṣṇa-tattva, or the science of God, in a way that is accessible to the modern world. It is not a sentimental movement but a "vairāgya-vidyā" (science of detachment) based on the authorized teachings of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Accepting this movement means accepting Kṛṣṇa as the supreme leader and following the directions of a bona fide guru. It is a worldwide organization dedicated to reviving the original Vedic culture, where every activity is performed to please Kṛṣṇa rather than to satisfy the temporary senses.
- Krsna consciousness movement means krsna-tattva, the science of Krsna, or the science of God.
- Vedic culture means Krsna consciousness. So this Krsna consciousness movement means that we are trying to revive the old Vedic culture throughout the whole world. That is the original culture.
- The whole Krsna consciousness movement means vairagya-vidya, the education of vairagya, detachment. Vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yogam. Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna, and He wanted to teach the people this vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yogam.
- If Krsna is pleased He can change destiny. Karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti bhajam. Sacrifice means to please Krsna, yajna. Yajna means to please Krsna. Our Krsna consciousness movement means to please Krsna. That is the whole program.
Creating a Society of Brāhmaṇas and First-Class Men
Kṛṣṇa consciousness means training individuals to become first-class men or brāhmaṇas who can provide direction to human society. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the movement is not interested in creating technological experts but in creating brain and character. By training disciples in brahminical culture—such as truthfulness and sense control—the movement creates a society of "swans" who are qualified to understand the Absolute Truth. This systematic training is intended to bring order to a chaotic world and ensure that the purpose of human life is fulfilled.
- Krsna consciousness movement means we are creating some brain. We are not creating the technological expert, but we are creating brain to know the purpose of human life and work on it under a systematic way.
- The brahmana class means the first-class ideal men, so that by the seeing their character, their behavior, others will try to follow. Yad yad acarati sresthah (BG 3.21). Krsna consciousness movement means we are trying to create some first-class men.
- Krsna consciousness movement means they are creating a society of swans, not of crows.
- Krsna consciousness movement means we are creating brahmanas. So others, they should cooperate. Then their life will be also perfect.
Entering Kṛṣṇa's Family and Eternal Life
A profound aspect of the movement is the invitation to enter into Kṛṣṇa's eternal, spiritual family. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this means cutting off temporary material connections to find a permanent home with the Lord. This process is not a void or an impersonal state but a vibrant, active engagement in devotional service. By training the senses to satisfy Kṛṣṇa and keeping the mind attached to Him, a person prepares to remember the Lord at the time of death, thereby achieving a body that is free from birth, old age, and disease.
- Krsna consciousness movement means to cut off family connection and enter into Krsna's family, not void.
- This Krsna consciousness movement means we are leading person to make the mind absorbed in Krsna consciousness. Then there is chance of remembering Krsna at the time of death.
- In the human form of life, if we are actually intelligent, we shall try our best how to get that life or body where there is no more death, birth, old age and disease. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to educate people for that purpose.
- Krsna consciousness movement means to practice in this life how to enter Krsna's family.
Global Welfare and Compassion for All
Ultimately, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is the most important welfare activity because it aims to save all living entities from the severe punishments of materialistic life. To be a part of this movement means to become a friend of everyone and to feel for the suffering of humanity. By preaching the cult of the Bhāgavatam and distributing the holy names, devotees act as instruments of Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. The movement means a total dedication to pleasing the Lord, which naturally results in the benediction and happiness of the entire world society.
- Krsna consciousness movement means to become Vaisnava and feel for the suffering humanity.
- This movement means taking mercy from the ocean of mercy of Krsna and distribute it all over the world, so that again the merciful water goes down to the sea.
- Krsna consciousness movement means to save people from this dogs' and hogs' life and to come to the real platform of understanding the value of life.
- Krsna consciousness movement means it is an endeavor to bring the rascals and fools and atheists to the platform of Krsna consciousness, the most important welfare activities in the human society.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as a comprehensive system for spiritual success. It means changing one's consciousness from the temporary to the eternal, from selfishness to service, and from ignorance to enlightenment. By strictly following the teachings of Kṛṣṇa and the previous ācāryas, the movement provides the tools necessary for every person to solve the problems of life and regain their original constitutional position. It is a standing invitation for all of human society to take up this scientific method and experience the bliss of pure love for God.
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Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Krsna Consciousness Movement Means. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.