Greatest Contribution - Giving Kṛṣṇa Consciousness to Human Society
Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently identifies the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as the ultimate welfare activity for human society. He explains that real suffering arises from ignorance of one's spiritual identity; therefore, the greatest contribution one can make is to disseminate the scientific knowledge of God found in the Vedic literatures. By purifying the populace's consciousness through authorized philosophy and the chanting of the Holy Names, this movement offers a permanent solution to the problems of material existence.
Knowledge Overcoming Ignorance
Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses that the root cause of all suffering is ignorance, which leads to sinful actions and subsequent reactions. He posits that actual humanitarian work involves enlightening society with spiritual knowledge, specifically through the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, which he describes as the ripened fruit of all Vedic literature.
- People suffer on account of sinful reaction, ignorance. Out of ignorance, they commit sinful action, and sinful action reacts. Therefore the greatest contribution to the human society is knowledge.
- The greatest contribution to the human society is knowledge. To keep them in ignorance, in darkness, that is not human society, that is cats' and dogs'.
- Srimad-Bhagavatam is the greatest contribution of Vedic literature. In the Vedic literature we find a desire tree. Whatever knowledge you want to derive, there is in the Vedic literature, and Srimad-Bhagavatam is described as nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalam.
Science of Devotional Service
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not based on sentiment but is a rigorous science of the soul as delineated by the great ācāryas. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights that the works of Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, particularly Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu, provide the scientific methodology for purifying the senses and re-establishing one's eternal relationship with the Supreme.
- This is the greatest contribution of Srila Rupa Gosvami, how to become a devotee. It is not sentiment; it is science. This Krsna consciousness movement is a great science.
- Srila Rupa Gosvami has given us so many books, especially Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, to understand the science of devotional service. This is the greatest contribution of Rupa Gosvami: how to become a devotee.
- The Lord Caitanya's philosophy - that is the greatest contribution to the world - that these living entities who are hankering after happiness by different process - but that happiness is available when your senses or consciousness are pure.
Universal Process of Chanting
While the philosophy is deep and scientific, the practical application is sublimely simple. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that the spontaneous response to the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa—manifesting as dancing and singing—is the easiest and most perfect yoga system, accessible even to children.
- Children very easily adopt it. So this is the perfect yoga system. No artificial education. Spontaneous response: dancing, Hare Krsna. That's all. This is the easiest method. So the greatest contribution to the human society. Do it.
- Spontaneous response: dancing, Hare Krsna. That's all. This is the easiest method. So the greatest contribution to the human society. Do it.
A Global Mission for Human Welfare
Śrīla Prabhupāda expresses his vision that if the leading nations of the world, particularly America, seriously adopt this movement, it will serve as the greatest contribution to global civilization. He acknowledges that the distribution of these authoritative books and the preaching mission initiated by Lord Caitanya are the most effective means of glorifying India's spiritual heritage and saving humanity.
- With this (Krsna consciousness) mission, I have come to your country with the hope that if the American people take it very seriously, then it will be the greatest contribution to the world.
- I like this idea of distributing books and preaching, that is Lord Chaitanya's plan, and because you are doing it so nicely you are already making the greatest contribution, so what need there is for some special instruction from me.
- The Western learned circle, they are admitting that the greatest contribution of Hare Krsna movement is these authentic translation of Vedic literature.
Conclusion
In summary, Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the greatest contribution to human society is the gift of spiritual vision. By dispelling the darkness of ignorance with the torchlight of Vedic knowledge and the simple practice of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, this movement offers a tangible solution to the sufferings of the material world. Whether through scholarly books or spontaneous kīrtana, the aim remains the same: to awaken the dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness within every living being.
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 Greatest Contribution. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.