Hare Kṛṣṇa Movement - The Universal Remedy for Kali-yuga
The Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is more than just a religious organization; it is a spiritual revolution designed to uplift the entire human society. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes it as the "only hope" for a world suffering under the weight of godlessness and materialism. Inaugurated by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu five hundred years ago, this movement offers a universal remedy for the ills of the current age, Kali-yuga. This article explores the movement's capacity to revive original consciousness, its open invitation to all, and its potential to transform the world.
Reviving Original Consciousness
The fundamental purpose of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is to awaken the dormant spiritual consciousness of the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that people are suffering because they have forgotten their true identity as spirit souls, falsely identifying with the material body. The movement acts as an educational institution to bring people back to their "original consciousness," which is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- The purpose of this Hare Krsna movement is to bring man back to his original consciousness, which is Krsna consciousness, clear consciousness.
- The living entity does not know that he is not at all a material product but is spiritual. His real identity thus being lost, he struggles very hard in the material world, and the Hare Krsna movement, or Krsna consciousness movement, is trying to revive his original consciousness.
- This Hare Krsna movement, this Krsna consciousness movement, is simply educating people so that at the time of death one can remember Krsna. That's all.
Only Hope for Kali-yuga
In the age of Kali, society is degraded, and people are misled by foolish leaders. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is the "only light" in this darkness. It is capable of invoking the atmosphere of Satya-yuga (the Golden Age) even within this iron age of quarrel. By chanting the holy names, the burden of the world is diminished, and humanity is saved from descending into total barbarism.
- The Hare Krsna movement, or Krsna consciousness movement, is meant for this purpose - to invoke the situation of Satya-yuga, even in this age of Kali.
- One asura defeats another asura, but the public continues to suffer. Therefore the entire world is in a precarious condition, and the only hope is this Hare Krsna movement.
- The Hare Krsna movement, or Krsna consciousness movement, is the only light for the foolish living entities who think either that there is no God or that if God exists He is formless and they themselves are also God.
Open to Everyone
One of the defining features of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is its universality. It is not restricted by caste, creed, nationality, or past sins. Anyone, anywhere, can take up the process. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that even those considered "lowest" in society can be delivered simply by hearing the holy name. The movement provides a practical method—chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa—that can be performed by anyone, in any condition of life.
- If one somehow or other comes in contact with the Hare Krsna movement, without consideration of his being a sudra, vaisya, Jagai, Madhai or even lower, he becomes advanced in spiritual consciousness and immediately develops love of Godhead.
- Anyone, anywhere, can easily take to this Hare Krsna movement; one need only chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, observe the rules and regulations, and stay free from the contamination of sinful life.
- Through the Krsna consciousness movement, the Hare Krsna movement, we are actually seeing that men who are considered to belong to the lowest class are being delivered from all sinful activities simply by hearing the holy name of the Lord.
Conclusion
The Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is the greatest gift to human society. It is a scientific, authorized, and practical path to perfection. Whether one understands the philosophy deeply or simply chants the mahā-mantra, the result is the same: purification of the heart and the attainment of happiness. As Śrīla Prabhupāda invites, "Just take up this movement, Hare Kṛṣṇa movement, with patience and with diligence and intelligence. It is very easy. You are already experienced. Do not stop it. Increase more and more. Your country will be happy, and the whole world will be happy."
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 Hare Krsna Movement. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.