Trying to Teach the Perfect Science of Loving God
The modern world is deeply entangled in complex material problems because it lacks direction regarding the ultimate goal of human life. Providing the only viable solution, Śrīla Prabhupāda established a global movement dedicated to distributing transcendental knowledge. The true welfare activity for society is not temporary philanthropy, but rather trying to teach every individual how to reawaken their eternal relationship with the Supreme Lord.
The Core Mission of Loving God
The fundamental problem of material existence is the conditioned soul's attempt to declare independence from the Supreme Controller. Defining the true purpose of his society, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is simply trying to teach people how to love God. This is the sum and substance of all Vedic philosophy. Once human society embraces this principle, it will naturally become peaceful and first-class.
- Krsna consciousness movement means that we are trying to teach people how to love God. This is the sum and substance.
- Due to my love to God I love others also, because I am trying to teach them to love God, the same philosophy. So if people take seriously this movement, how to love God, then human society will be first-rate.
- Krsna consciousness movement is trying to teach people that the ultimate goal of life is to satisfy Krsna, either you, Krsna or God. Krsna is the most explicit explanation of God.
- Saranagati, surrender to Krsna, is our only business. This Krsna consciousness movement is trying to teach people to, not to declare independence, which is not possible, nor to try to make this world happy without Krsna.
The Necessity of the Disciplic Succession
Spiritual truth cannot be grasped or transmitted by those who rely merely on mundane academic qualifications. Warning against unqualified teachers, Śrīla Prabhupāda insists that inexperienced persons should never try to teach the Bhagavad-gītā. Transcendental knowledge must be received strictly through the paramparā system. Genuine representatives do not manufacture their own philosophies; they simply repeat the unadulterated words of the Supreme Lord.
- Inexperienced persons, they should not try to teach Bhagavad-gita to others because he has no knowledge. This knowledge has to be received by parampara system. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh.
- They should not try to teach Bhagavad-gita to others, because he has no knowledge. This knowledge has to be received by parampara system. So simply by academic career, by knowledge of A-B-C-D, you cannot understand Bhagavad-gita.
- Since we ourselves do not possess perfect knowledge, we simply try to teach what Sri Bhagavan says. We do not manufacture our own teachings.
- Krsna is explaining Himself in the Bhagavad-gita, Krsna is sending His representative acarya to teach you, and Krsna is within yourself trying to teach you if you are actually serious. Then where is the difficulty?
Leading by Personal Example
To effectively distribute spiritual knowledge, the teacher must first internalize and live by the principles he preaches. Giving the formula for successful preaching, Śrīla Prabhupāda advises his followers to first make their own lives perfect through strict practice. One must become deeply convinced of the philosophy and carefully avoid offenses before trying to teach and convince others.
- You first of all be convinced. And then try to convince others. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction is that you can improve the welfare of others when your own life is a success. First make your life perfect. Then try to teach others.
- Kindly become conversant with these transcendental scientific principles try to teach them to others while practicing them yourself. When you chant, avoid very carefully the ten offenses to the Holy Name.
- We should not disturb the newcomers immediately with opposite proposals, but tactfully we shall try to teach him in our ways, and gradually he will come to understand this policy is very nice, and approved by me.
- I shall try to teach the local boys in the way of performing Sankirtana in a circle.
The Ultimate Welfare Work for Humanity
Most welfare activities aim at improving the temporary material conditions of life, completely ignoring the reality of the soul. In stark contrast, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that trying to teach the knowledge of Lord Vāsudeva is the highest philanthropic work. By educating society on how to transcend the miseries of birth, death, old age, and disease, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement offers the only permanent cure for material illusion.
- Vasudeva is the supreme cause of all causes. That is perfection of life. And our Krsna consciousness movement is trying to teach this knowledge to the world, the best welfare activities. They are all in illusion.
- Just like our Krsna consciousness movement. We are trying to teach this perfection of life - how to become free from these four kinds of miserable condition: birth, death, old age and disease.
- The Krsna consciousness movement is trying to teach them (atheists) that although for a few years one may act as a great protector or great watchman, with the appearance of kala, death, one must take another body by the laws of nature.
- This chapter, Lord Krsna will try to teach the principles of yoga system. So here He begins, that a transcendentalist should always try to concentrate his mind on the Supreme Self.
Conclusion
The most urgent need of modern society is proper spiritual education. As Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly demonstrates, simply trying to teach others about their eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa constitutes the highest perfection of life. By receiving this knowledge through the bona fide disciplic succession and applying it purely in our own lives, we can successfully guide suffering humanity out of 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 Trying to Teach. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.