Brainwashing or Brain-giving
During the rapid expansion of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement in the 1970s, Srila Prabhupada faced a barrage of criticism from parents, media, and "deprogrammers" who claimed he was "brainwashing" the youth of America. Rather than shrinking from the accusation, Prabhupada met it with characteristic wit and philosophical depth. He acknowledged the term but redefined it entirely, arguing that if the brain is filled with dirty things, it must be washed. He posited that the movement was not taking anything away from people, but rather giving them something they lacked entirely: a brain capable of understanding the self and God.
The Necessity of Washing
Srila Prabhupada explained that the material world is a place of contamination. Over countless lifetimes, the living entity's consciousness becomes covered with material desires, much like a mirror covered in dust. In this state, people are unable to see their true identity. The chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa and the study of Vedic literature act as a cleansing agent. Just as one washes a dirty shirt or a dirty plate to make it useful again, one must wash the brain and heart to function as a civilized human being.
- Actually, it is brainwashing - but for good. Washing is not bad.
- It is not brainwashing; it is heart-washing. Our heart is stacked with so many dirty things, so we are trying to wash it.
- If you want to end this suffering, then you must wash your brain - or heart, the same thing.
A Clash of Civilizations
The accusation of brainwashing arose primarily because the transformation in the devotees was so radical. Young people were voluntarily rejecting the pillars of modern hedonism—illicit sex, intoxication, gambling, and meat-eating. To a materialistic society, this rejection of "enjoyment" seemed like insanity or hypnosis. Srila Prabhupada countered that a civilization based on the habits of cats and dogs—eating, sleeping, mating, and defending—is the actual "hoggish" civilization. He argued that those who criticize the movement are themselves "brainwashed" by the mode of ignorance.
- Foolish fourth-class men. So we are trying to bring them to become first-class men, and they are accusing of brainwash.
- Those who cannot understand Krsna or krsna-katha regard the Krsna conscious life as "brainwashing" and "mind control."
- Remain like hog, dog, camel, and asses... "Then you are right." And if you speak against this mode of civilization - "brainwash."
Brain-Giving: The Real Purpose
Ultimately, Srila Prabhupada framed the movement as an educational institution. He famously stated that the modern brain is full of "cow dung"—useless material conceptions that lead only to suffering. By introducing the science of God, he was replacing the "cow dung" with real intelligence. Thus, the movement is not destroying the mind, but awakening it. It is a process of "brain-giving"—endowing humanity with the intelligence to understand the distinction between the body and the soul.
- What do you think? "Brainwash or brain-giving?" This should be the heading.
- We are not brainwashing; we are clearing the brain. The rascal brain is full with cow dung.
- But actually the so-called scientists, philosophers and other leaders in the Western countries have no brains at all.
Conclusion
The term "brainwashing," intended as an insult, was turned by Srila Prabhupada into a badge of honor. He accepted that the material brain requires washing to be free of anxiety and ignorance. By "giving a brain" to society, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement offers the ultimate solution to the confusion of the modern world, proving that true freedom comes not from unrestricted sense gratification, but from a clear, spiritualized intelligence.
Dive Deeper into Srila Prabhupada's Vani
Srila Prabhupada lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Brainwash. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Srila Prabhupada's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.