Understanding the Main Purpose of the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement
In a world filled with countless conflicting ideologies and distracted by temporary material goals, identifying the true objective of life is essential for success. Śrīla Prabhupāda founded a global spiritual institution to broadcast this singular objective to humanity. He taught that everything—from the creation of the cosmos to the descending incarnations of God and the study of the Vedas—is ultimately orchestrated for one main purpose: to help the forgetful living entities revive their original, loving relationship with Kṛṣṇa.
The Mission of the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement
Śrīla Prabhupāda did not travel to the West to acquire personal wealth or gather a large following for his own prestige. He officially incorporated his society with a profound, compassionate mission. The main purpose of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to systematically educate society at large, cutting through the darkness of modern ignorance to remind every living entity that they are an eternal, inseparable part and parcel of the Supreme Lord.
- The main purposes of this institution are as follows amongst others: 1) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life.
- The main purposes of this institution is to develop the idea, within the members and humanity at large that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead Krishna.
- To save human civilization from the darkness of ignorance, this movement was started. The main purpose of the Krsna consciousness movement is to enlighten the forgetful living entity and remind him of his original Krsna consciousness.
- Our main purpose for keeping a large temple, however, is for inviting the public. I came to the U.S.A. just to try to give a chance to as many people as possible to take to Krishna consciousness, because it is the only hope for humanity.
- The main purpose of the society is to understand the nature of God and our relationship with Him.
The True Goal of Human Existence
While animals act solely on the instincts of eating, sleeping, mating, and defending, a human being is responsible for achieving a higher destination. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that the main purpose of receiving a human body is to undergo spiritual purification. Instead of wasting time attempting to find permanent comfort in the material world—which is impossible—one must use this life to understand their eternal relationship with God and achieve ultimate liberation.
- The success of human form of life is to understand this thing: our relationship with God. And we should act in relationship with God. Then our success of life will be achieved. This is the main purpose of Krsna consciousness movement.
- One's main purpose in human life should be to purify his existence and achieve liberation.
- The main purpose of life is to follow the instructions of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is such instructions that constitute one's religion or occupational duty.
- One's main purpose should be to advance in Krsna consciousness. This will include dharma, artha and kama. However, because one's family members expect some profit, one should also satisfy them by giving them a portion of one's accumulated wealth.
- Going to the forest is not the main purpose of life. Because in the forest there are many animals. Does it mean they are advanced in spiritual life? That is called markata-vairagya. Markata-vairagya means "monkey renunciation."
The Reason for Cosmic Creation and Incarnations
If the material world is a place of suffering, one might wonder why the Supreme Lord created it at all. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the cosmic manifestation exists out of Kṛṣṇa's immense compassion, providing a regulated field for the rebellious souls to rectify themselves. Furthermore, when the Lord personally incarnates within this world, His supreme purpose is to reassure and protect His devoted servants while removing the oppressive influence of miscreants.
- The cosmic manifestation gives the conditioned souls a chance to go back home, back to Godhead, and that is its main purpose. The Lord is so kind that in the absence of such a manifestation He feels something wanting, and thus the creation takes place.
- When He (God) appears, His main purpose is to give solace to His devotees.
- The incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead all function differently, but their main purpose is to protect the devotees and annihilate the miscreants. Yet even though the duskrtis, or miscreants, are annihilated, this is ultimately good for them.
- This verse (SB 10.2.29) explains why the Supreme Personality of Godhead appears as an incarnation again and again. The incarnations of the Supreme Personality of Godhead all function differently, but their main purpose is paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam - BG 4.8.
The Ultimate End of Vedic Wisdom and Sacrifice
The Vedas contain vast amounts of knowledge regarding social organization, cosmic history, and material elevation. However, one who becomes lost in the rituals misses the point entirely. Śrīla Prabhupāda continually stressed that the primary objective of studying the Vedānta-sūtra, performing sacrifices, or reading the Bhagavad-gītā is simply to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa, and to learn how to surrender to Him completely.
- The main purpose of understanding the Vedas, performing Vedic sacrifices and speculating on the Vedanta-sutra is to understand Krsna.
- The main purpose of performing sacrifices is to satisfy the Supreme Personality Hari.
- How they are worshiping Krsna. So Bhagavad-gita, main purpose is that. Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja (BG 18.66). So who has preached this? Nobody spoke that, Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You worship Him.
- Try to get knowledge directly from the Supreme Lord, as Bhagavad-gita is being spoken by the Supreme Lord, or statements of the pure devotees, just like Brahma is speaking. This way. Hearing. The main purpose is hearing, hearing from the right source.
The Dedication of Pure Devotees and Preachers
A pure devotee aligns their personal will perfectly with the will of the Supreme Lord. Their activities may vary—ranging from solitary meditation and chanting to massive book distribution campaigns—but the underlying motive never changes. Śrīla Prabhupāda and the great Vaiṣṇavas in his line operate strictly with the intention of pleasing the Lord, remembering Him constantly, and spreading His glories to every corner of the world.
- Whatever we do and whatever our occupation, our main purpose should be to please the Supreme Lord.
- My main purpose is to propagate the teachings of Lord Caitanya or Krishna consciousness. I am not after recruiting some disciples; but for preaching work we want some assistants and if somebody offers voluntarily his service it is welcome.
- We are preaching all over the world, and there is little response. We are selling our books very nicely. So our main purpose is to spread Krsna consciousness. That is our mission.
- Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya was converted into one of the most important devotees of the Lord, and he had no other interest than to serve the Lord. He thought of Lord Caitanya constantly, and meditation and chanting became the main purpose of his life.
- Kardama Muni states here the main purpose of his leaving home: while traveling all over the world as a mendicant, he would always remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart and thereby be freed from all the anxieties of material existence.
The Destructive Purposes of Demons and Scholars
Those who are inimical to the Supreme Lord use their energy and intelligence for directly opposing purposes. Śrīla Prabhupāda exposed the dangerous motives of both powerful mythological demons and modern atheistic scholars. While an asura like Hiraṇyakaśipu plans to physically conquer the universe and disturb the demigods, mundane scholars write commentaries on the Bhagavad-gītā with the explicit intellectual purpose of removing Kṛṣṇa's supremacy from the text entirely.
- Everyone, they are preaching Bhagavad-gita with the purpose of killing Krsna. Everyone. The politicians, the scholars, the rascals and everyone. The main purpose is how to kill Krsna.
- Hiranyakasipu's main purpose was to disturb the demigods. He planned first to kill Lord Visnu so that with Lord Visnu's death the demigods would automatically weaken and die. Another of his plans was to disturb the residents of the planet earth.
- Having acquired such a wonderful airplane, Salva flew it to the city of Dvaraka, because his main purpose in obtaining the airplane was to attack the city of the Yadus, toward whom he maintained a constant feeling of animosity.
- Actually at heart she (Sati) maintained the idea that she would convince her father, Daksa, that it was useless to continue being envious of Lord Siva. That was her main purpose.
Conclusion
To succeed in human life, one must accurately identify and relentlessly pursue its supreme objective. Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it abundantly clear that the main purpose of everything—from the vast cosmic creation to our daily spiritual practices—is simply to revive our pure love for Kṛṣṇa. By aligning our personal intentions with the divine mission of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we can transcend all material obstacles and safely return back home, back to Godhead.
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 Main Purpose. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.