721100 - Message of Krishna Consciousness
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Ācārya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
This appeared in Dharmaprakash, a Madhva magazine published in Madras.
Sent in by His Holiness Bhakti Vikasa Swami
The basis for the Krishna consciousness cult is the message of the Gita, "Sarva dharman parityajya mamekam saranam vraja". This gives the clue for release from bondage. The devotees of Lord Sri Krishna in this cult are followers of Sri Rupa Gosvami, a disciple of Lord Sri Caitanya.
Most of the time, the path one has to follow is difficult to understand. The lives of great devotees are beacon lights in the path of the lives of the aspirant devotees. So the principle adopted in Krishna Consciousness movement is "Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah". The path followed by the great is the path to follow, for it is difficult to get to God through the Vedas. But it is easy to understand the presence of God, from the life of a true devotee of the Lord. The initiated aspirant devotee reaches the Lord, through the path shown to him by his Acarya. The devotees in the ISKCON movement follow the path shown by the great, led by Lord Sri Caitanya.
While we have to leave behind everything when the final call comes, the effort we have voluntarily put towards attaining Krishna Consciousness goes with us, wherever we go. We are started in next life from the point we have arrived at the end of this life. We are started in next life in favourable circumstances to pursue Krishna Consciousness. There is only gain in this path and there is no loss whatsoever. Even a little effort has its own bearing and usefulness, in our progress towards Godhead.
The true Vedic order is the Varnasrama dharma. "Caturvarnyam maya sristam gunakarmavibagasah". This division or classification according the basic qualities and functions was given by Lord Sri Krishna himself. It is the Krishna consciousness which makes one a true devotee.
"Harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam kalau nastyeva nastyeva nastyeva gatir anyata"
In this Kali age, the way to liberation is only one. This is the chanting of the name of the Lord. Only a pure devotee of the Lord is called a "Dhira", he alone is a gentleman. A devotee of Krishna is beyond malice. "Bhagavata dharma" is only those who are completely unenvious.
We in India are really fortunate to have so many "Saddharma pravartakas" who have shown by their life of pure devotion to Lord Sri Krishna, the way to cross the bondage of samsara. We have also the good fortune to follow them and liberate ourselves. Without religion human life is animal life. It is mere animal existence.
"Dharmairvihinah pasubhih samanah" The society bereft of religion is a jungle, with only jungle laws. We have also the greatest teacher mankind has ever seen or heard and that is Lord Sri Krishna. The people of this country had the good fortune to listen to him direct. But they have now forgotten. He is now being heard in other countries. It is time we to in this country return to Godhead. Lord Sri Krishna is the embodiment of dharma itself. In surrendering to him all dharma is fulfilled. If there is any definition of God, Lord Sri Krishna meets that definition fully and conclusively. Lord Sri Krishna is supreme God himself. " Krisnas tu bhagavan svayam".
Leaders of society have a great responsibility to discharge. The ordinary men take after them. "Yadyadacarati srestah tattadevetaro janah". So they have a duty to set right examples for ordinary people to follow. There cannot be a greater example than that of being a pure and true devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. May He bless all!.