Always Remember Kṛṣṇa - The Essence of Spiritual Life
The ultimate goal of all spiritual rules, regulations, and practices is to bring the mind to a state of constant absorption in the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the instruction to "always remember Kṛṣṇa" is not just a suggestion but the vital essence of bhakti-yoga. By cultivating this habit of remembrance, or smaraṇam, a devotee transcends the material atmosphere and lives within the internal energy of the Lord.
The Two Essential Principles
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cites the scriptural injunction that all rules and prohibitions in the Vedas are servants to two primary principles: one must always remember Kṛṣṇa and never forget Him. He explains that every activity in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is designed to facilitate this constant remembrance.
- For, when there is an order from a superior about doing something, there is simultaneously a prohibition. When the order is that one should always remember Krsna, the prohibition is that one should never forget Him.
- These regulative principles should act as servants of the basic principle - that is, one should always remember Krsna and never forget Him. This is possible when one chants the Hare Krsna mantra.
- One must act in such a way that he will always remember Krsna, and one must refrain from doing things that make him forget Krsna. These two principles form the basic background of Krsna consciousness.
The Method: Chanting and Service
Constant remembrance is not achieved by artificial suppression of the mind but by active engagement. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the easiest way to remember Kṛṣṇa is to chant His holy names. Furthermore, dedicating one's work and intelligence to Kṛṣṇa ensures that memory of Him remains uninterrupted, regardless of one's external situation.
- If we always chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, we will always remember Krsna, and immediately the form of Krsna will be awakened within our hearts. The process of always thinking of Krsna is the process of Krsna consciousness.
- 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.
- Karandhara and you are sincere workers, so Krishna will give you intelligence. So go on with your program nicely. In every case always remember Krishna so intelligence will come from within.
Protection from Illusion
The power of māyā, the illusory energy, is insurmountable for the conditioned soul. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that māyā cannot touch one who always remembers Kṛṣṇa. Such a person is spiritually situated, living in Vaikuṇṭha even while maintaining a physical body.
- Always remember Krsna. Then maya will not be able to touch you. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etan taranti (BG 7.14). Maya cannot touch.
- Anyone who remembers Krsna always, twenty-four hours, he is living in Vaikuntha. He is not in the kingdom of maya.
- If one can chant and hear Hare Krsna and always remember Lord Krsna, then he is sure to become fearless of death, which may come at any moment.
The Highest Yoga
While many seek perfection through gymnastics or silent meditation, Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the highest yogi as the devotee who always thinks of Kṛṣṇa within the heart. This stage, attained through hearing and chanting, is the culmination of all yogic processes.
- The first-class yogi is he who always thinks of Me. - One should always remember that Krsna is within his heart and think of Him. This is the proper system of meditation.
- The next process (after hearing and chanting) is smaranam - always remembering Krsna. When one is perfect in chanting and hearing, he will always remember Krsna. In this third stage, he becomes the greatest yogi.
- There are many varieties of yogis. And Krsna concludes, - Of all the yogis, big, big yogis, the person who is always remembering Krsna and chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra is first class.
Conclusion
Remembering Kṛṣṇa is the secret to a successful life and a perfect death. Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages us that by practice—specifically the practice of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra—we can mold our lives in such a way that we never forget our dearmost friend, the Supreme Personality of 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 Always Remember Kṛṣṇa. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience his teachings in their direct, verbatim form.