Perfection of Being Constantly in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
To be constantly in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the highest perfection of human life. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this state of continuous remembrance of the Supreme Lord purifies the living entity, removes all material fear, and guarantees a return to the spiritual world. It is the defining characteristic of a true saint and the secret to eternal happiness.
The Mark of a True Saint (Sādhu)
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the primary qualification of a sādhu, or saintly person, is constant engagement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This internal state is more important than external renunciation. A person who works and uses their resources for Kṛṣṇa is considered a devotee in all circumstances, whereas one who merely renounces without this consciousness may not be situated in the truth.
- A person who is constantly in Krsna consciousness, he is sadhu; he is saintly person. Sadhur eva sa mantavya.
- Any person whose constant occupation is Krishna Consciousness, he is not a karmi; he is a devotee in all circumstances. So you should accept the best source of monetary income and use it for Krishna. And that is better than sannyasa.
- A devotee of the Lord, constantly engaged in devotional service in Krsna consciousness, perfect in self-realization, very quickly attains liberation in the Supreme.
Transcendental Purity
One who remains constantly in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is situated on the transcendental platform, far beyond the contamination of the material modes. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that such a person becomes the "purest of the pure." By keeping the mind fixed on Kṛṣṇa, one naturally overcomes the lower urges of fear (bhaya) and anger (krodha), which plague the conditioned souls.
- If we constantly in Krsna consciousness, being transcendental to these stages of bhaya, fear, and attachment, and krodha, anger, if we put ourself, completely under Krsna consciousness, then it will be very easy to attain the superior nature of Krsna.
- Anyone who quits his body in Krsna consciousness is at once transferred to the transcendental nature of the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord is the purest of the pure. Therefore anyone who is constantly Krsna conscious is also the purest of the pure.
- If you can keep yourself always, constantly in Krsna consciousness, always thinking of Krsna, then you are pure.
Liberation and Destination
The ultimate benefit of being constantly Kṛṣṇa conscious is the assurance of liberation. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that for such a soul, transferring to Kṛṣṇaloka (Goloka Vṛndāvana) is a simple and guaranteed process. Even during the devastation of the universe, those who are absorbed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are safely transferred to the spiritual sky, unlike others who must endure the cycle of creation and destruction.
- We should also take care that before the next death comes, we must be fully prepared for being transferred to Krsnaloka. And it is very simple thing. If you keep yourself constantly in Krsna consciousness, that's the only thing.
- When there is devastation of this material universe, Brahma and his devotees, who are constantly engaged in Krsna consciousness, are all transferred to the spiritual universe and to specific spiritual planets according to their desires.
- One who is thus drawn to the Krsna consciousness movement and tries to keep himself in constant touch with such consciousness certainly gets the supreme salvation, going back to Krsna in Goloka Vrndavana.
Practical Engagement
How does one maintain this constant state? Śrīla Prabhupāda points to practical engagement in devotional service, such as reading transcendental literature like The Nectar of Devotion and the Kṛṣṇa book. He also highlights the prayer of the unborn child in the womb, who realizes that it is better to remain in a difficult condition with Kṛṣṇa consciousness than to be born into the world and forget the Lord.
- You have appreciated the subject matter of Nectar of Devotion and Krsna while working on it in the press, and actually these two books will keep us constantly in Krsna consciousness.
- The child prays that it is better to remain within the womb of darkness and be constantly absorbed in Krsna consciousness than to get out and again fall a victim to the illusory energy.
- For achieving perfection in Krsna consciousness, no qualification is required other than to be constantly engaged in the loving service of Krsna, the supreme nectar, the reservoir of all pleasure.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not an artificial imposition but the awakening of the soul's dormant nature. By constantly engaging in the service of the Lord and keeping oneself in touch with His instructions, one becomes free from all contamination and achieves the supreme success of going back home, back to 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 Constantly in Krsna Consciousness. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.