Prayers

SRI GURU PRANAMA

OM AJNANA-TIMIRANDHASYA JNANANJANA-SALAKAYA
CAKSHUR UNMILITAM YENA TASMAI SRI-GURAVE NAMAH

NAMA OM VISHNU-PADAYA KRISHNA-PRESHTHAYA BHU-TALE

SRI-KRISHNA-CAITANYA PRABHU NITYANANDA

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna

In this present age quarrels take place even over trifles, and therefore the shastras have
recommended for this age a common platform for realization, namely chanting the holy
names of the Lord. People can hold meetings to glorify the Lord in their respective languages
and with melodious songs, and if such performances are executed in an offense less manner,
it is certain that the participants will gradually attain spiritual perfection without having to
undergo more rigorous methods.

At such meetings everyone, the learned and the foolish, the rich and the poor, the Hindus
and the Muslims, the Englishmen and the Indians, and the chandalas and the brahmanas,
can all hear the transcendental sounds and thus cleanse the dust of material association from
the mirror of the heart. To confirm the Lord’s mission, all the people of the world will accept
the holy name of the Lord as the common platform for the universal religion of mankind.

Srimad Bhagvatam Canto1, Intro.

Krishna consciousness is meant to save human society from spiritual death. At present human
society is being misled by leaders who are blind, for they do not know the aim and objective
of human life, which is self-realization and the re-establishment of our lost relationship with
the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the missing point. Krishna consciousness can
enlighten human society in this important matter.

According to Vedic civilization, the perfection of life is to realize one’s relationship with
Krishna or God. In the Bhagavad-gita, which is accepted by all authorities in transcendental
science as the basis of all Vedic knowledge, we understand that not only human beings but
also all living entities are parts and parcels of God. The parts are meant for serving the whole,
just as the legs, hands, fingers, and ears are meant for serving the total body. We living
entities, being parts and parcels of God, are duty-bound to serve Him.

Actually our position is that we are always rendering service to someone, either to our family,
country, or society. If we have no one to serve, sometimes we keep a pet cat or dog and
render service to it. All these factors prove that we are constitutionally meant to render
service, yet in spite of serving to the best of our ability, we are not satisfied. Nor is the person
to whom we are rendering that service satisfied. On the material platform, everyone is
frustrated. The reason for this is that the service being rendered is not properly directed. For
example, if we want to render service to a tree, we must water the root. If we pour water on
the leaves, branches, and twigs, there is little benefit. If the Supreme Personality of Godhead
is served, all other parts and parcels will be automatically satisfied. Consequently all welfare
activities as well as service to society, family, and nation are realized by serving the Supreme
Personality of Godhead.
It is the duty of every human being to understand his constitutional position with God and
to act accordingly. If this is possible, then our lives become successful. Sometimes, however,
we feel challenging and say, “There is no God,” or “I am God,” or even, “I don’t care for
God.” But in actuality this challenging spirit will not save us. God is there, and we can see
Him at every moment. If we refuse to see God in our life, then He will be present before us as
cruel death. If we do not choose to see Him in one feature, we will see Him in another. There
are different features of the Supreme Personality of Godhead because He is the original root
of the entire cosmic manifestation. In one sense, it is not possible for us to escape Him.
Krishna Consciousness is not blind religious fanaticism, but an authorized, scientific approach
to the matter of our eternal necessity in relation with the Absolute Personality of Godhead,
the Supreme Enjoyer. Krishna Consciousness simply deals with our eternal relationship with
Him and the process of discharging our relative duties to Him. Thus, Krishna Consciousness
enables us to achieve the highest perfection of life attainable in the present human form of
existence.
Srila Prabhupada, The Science of Self Realization
Discovery
1. What really is the aim of life?
2. How does Krsna consciousness help us achieve this goal?

Understanding
1. What is wrong with our materialistic society?
2. What does the Vedic civilization say about the perfection of life?
3. How can we perfectly serve and satisfy everyone in this world? Why is it not possible to do so
in any other way? Illustrate with an example/s.
4. Why is it necessary to learn about God?

Application
1. Share about what you are looking for in life.
Preaching is the Essence

Krishna Consciousness is the highest gift to human society

Srila Rupa Goswami has given a definition of auspiciousness. He says that actual
auspiciousness means welfare activities for all the people of the world. At the present moment
groups of people are engaged in welfare activities in terms of society, community, or nation.
There is even an attempt in the form of the United Nations for world-help activities. But due
to the shortcomings of limited national activities, such a general mass welfare program for
the whole world is not practically possible.

Krishna Consciousness, however, is so nice that it can render the highest benefit to the
entire human race. This movement can attract everyone, and everyone can feel the result.
Therefore, Rupa Goswami and other learned scholars agree that a broad propaganda
program of devotional service all over the world is the highest humanitarian welfare activity.

Nectar of Devotion