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In the vast ocean of Vedic knowledge and the busy activities of the material world, it is easy to lose sight of the goal. Śrīla Prabhupāda, as an expert spiritual guide, frequently pinpointed the "most important thing" in various contexts—whether philosophical, practical, or managerial—to help his followers maintain their focus. From the basic realization of the self to the advanced stage of non-envious service, this article explores the essential priorities that define a successful life in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

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=== Foundation: Soul and Guru ===

The journey begins with the correct understanding of the self. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the "most important thing" is to understand the spirit soul within the body. While the world stresses the body and economic development, he reminds us that these are temporary. To access this knowledge, one must approach a bona fide guide. Therefore, he identifies ''ācāryopāsanam''—worship of the spiritual master—as the singular most important factor; without it, all other efforts are useless.

* [[Vaniquotes:He (Krsna) is ordering completely that the subject matter of this body is not very important thing. The most important thing is to understand about the spirit soul which is within the body|He (Krsna) is ordering completely that the subject matter of this body is not very important thing. The most important thing is to understand about the spirit soul which is within the body.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One word, if you understand, your life will be successful. Don't go further. Acaryopasanam. This is the very important thing|One word, if you understand, your life will be successful. Don't go further. Acaryopasanam. This is the very important thing.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Unless one comes to the acarya, disciplic succession, whatever nonsense he speaks, it is all useless. This is the most important thing, acaryopasanam|Unless one comes to the acarya, disciplic succession, whatever nonsense he speaks, it is all useless. This is the most important thing, acaryopasanam.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We consider economic development to be the most important thing, forgetting how long we shall live here in this material world. Economic development or no economic development, at the end of sixty or a hundred years our life will be finished|We consider economic development to be the most important thing, forgetting how long we shall live here in this material world. Economic development or no economic development, at the end of sixty or a hundred years our life will be finished.]]

=== Practice: Hearing and Following ===

Once on the path, the devotee must engage in specific practices. Among the nine processes of devotion, Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights ''śravaṇam'' (hearing) as the "most important thing," for it is the only way to understand God. To maintain spiritual strength, he insists that strictly following the rules, chanting sixteen rounds, and reading his books are non-negotiable. These activities are the lifeline of the devotee, protecting them from the "most important dirty thing"—the modes of material nature.

* [[Vaniquotes:Of the nine different processes of bhakti-yoga, the most important thing is sravanam, hearing|Of the nine different processes of bhakti-yoga, the most important thing is sravanam, hearing.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Most important thing is to follow all of the rules carefully, chant 16 rounds, and read our books carefully. This will make you spiritually strong|Most important thing is to follow all of the rules carefully, chant 16 rounds, and read our books carefully. This will make you spiritually strong.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The most important things are that you follow very carefully all of the rules and regulations such as rising early, and having mangala arati and classes, etc. and that you chant at least 16 rounds daily without fail|The most important things are that you follow very carefully all of the rules and regulations such as rising early, and having mangala arati and classes, etc. and that you chant at least 16 rounds daily without fail.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:We hear, of course - that is most important thing. Just like every one of us heard that, "God is great." So analyzing all this sensual knowledge, this particular knowledge, by hearing, is the only way for understanding God|We hear, of course - that is most important thing. Just like every one of us heard that, "God is great." So analyzing all this sensual knowledge, this particular knowledge, by hearing, is the only way for understanding God.]]

=== Mission: Books and Ideal Character ===

For the propagation of the movement, Śrīla Prabhupāda places the highest value on book distribution. He explicitly states that he is more interested in selling books than incense, calling book distribution the "most important thing." However, this external success must be backed by internal purity. He teaches that the most important thing is for devotees to be "ideal Kṛṣṇa Conscious persons." By chanting, reading, and following principles, they become attractive to the public and effective in their preaching. 

* [[Vaniquotes:One thing that everyone should understand is that I am not so interested in selling incense as I am in selling books. Distribution of my books is the most important thing|One thing that everyone should understand is that I am not so interested in selling incense as I am in selling books. Distribution of my books is the most important thing.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The most important thing is that we must be ideal Krsna Conscious persons, and then we can attract others. This means chanting, reading my books, going on sankirtana, following the regulative principles and worshiping the deity|The most important thing is that we must be ideal Krsna Conscious persons, and then we can attract others. This means chanting, reading my books, going on sankirtana, following the regulative principles and worshiping the deity.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Regarding saligrama sila, forget it. There is no need of installing. Kirtana is most important thing and book distribution|Regarding saligrama sila, forget it. There is no need of installing. Kirtana is most important thing and book distribution.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Most important thing is people should come to his consciousness, real consciousness. That is Krsna consciousness|Most important thing is people should come to his consciousness, real consciousness. That is Krsna consciousness.]]

=== Goal: A Life Without Envy ===

Ultimately, all these practices lead to a state of consciousness found in the spiritual world. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that the "most important thing about the spiritual world" is the complete absence of envy among the devotees. To attain this, one must surmount the "weakness of the heart." By constantly remembering Kṛṣṇa in all activities—whether living in the temple or outside—one can transcend material pettiness and enter the realm of pure service.

* [[Vaniquotes:The most important thing about the spiritual world is that there is no envy among the devotees there. This is true even among the flowers, which are all conscious of the greatness of tulasi|The most important thing about the spiritual world is that there is no envy among the devotees there. This is true even among the flowers, which are all conscious of the greatness of tulasi.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The most important thing one has to surmount is weakness of the heart|The most important thing one has to surmount is weakness of the heart.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Actually there is no difference between devotees living inside the temple and devotees living outside the temple. You are right that the important thing is to remember Krsna, whatever is your activity. So try to remember Krsna always|Actually there is no difference between devotees living inside the temple and devotees living outside the temple. You are right that the important thing is to remember Krsna, whatever is your activity. So try to remember Krsna always.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is best to do the most ideal thing but whatever mode of living you chose the most important thing is to always remain one hundred percent in service of Radha-Krishna|It is best to do the most ideal thing but whatever mode of living you chose the most important thing is to always remain one hundred percent in service of Radha-Krishna.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda's instructions clarify that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a mere religious formula or spiritual recreation, but the "most important thing" to be imbibed in life. By prioritizing the worship of the ''ācārya'', the hearing of transcendental sound, and the distribution of this knowledge to others, a devotee aligns their life with the supreme will. This alignment brings about the ultimate success: a return to the spiritual world where envy does not exist.

=== 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 [[Vaniquotes:Category:Most_Important_Thing|Most Important Thing]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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