Respiritualizing the Entire Human Society
The scope of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is global and all-encompassing. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that this movement is not meant for a specific nation or community but is a cultural presentation designed for the "respiritualization of the entire human society." In the current Age of Kali, humanity faces a crisis of leadership and values, resulting in widespread chaos. The teachings of the Vedas, specifically the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, offer the necessary clue to unite all people in peace, friendship, and prosperity by reviving their lost relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Current Chaotic Condition
Śrīla Prabhupāda offers a stark diagnosis of modern civilization. He observes that without spiritual guidance, the entire human society has become an "assembly of cheaters and cheated." Driven by the demoniac desire for money and women, society acts like a "stormy sea," constantly agitated and devoid of peace.
- At the present moment in this age of Kali-yuga, the entire human society has become an assembly of cheaters and cheated. For this reason the Vedic scriptures have given us the proper directions for sense gratification.
- For the sake of women and money the asuras exploit every source of economic development. As a result of this asuric civilization, the entire human society becomes like a stormy sea, with no trace of peace and prosperity.
- There are always rogues and thieves in human society, and as soon as a weak government is unable to execute its duties, these rogues and thieves come out to do their business. Thus the entire society becomes a hell unfit for gentlemen to live in.
Universal Remedy
To counter this degradation, Śrīla Prabhupāda presents the chanting of the holy names as the universal remedy. He asserts that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is distributing "sublime information" that can relieve the entire society from the miseries of material life, including natural disturbances like drought and famine.
- The Krsna consciousness movement is distributing sublime information to the entire human society to the effect that by simply chanting the Hare Krsna mantra one can become perfect in this life and go back home, back to Godhead.
- In these days of drought, people can gain relief from scarcity of rain and food by the simple method of the Hare Krsna yajna. Indeed, this can relieve all of human society.
- There is need of a clue as to how humanity can become one in peace, friendship and prosperity with a common cause. Srimad-Bhagavatam will fill this need, for it is a cultural presentation for the respiritualization of the entire human society.
Structural Perfection through Varṇāśrama
For society to function happily, it must be organized. Śrīla Prabhupāda advocates for the scientific division of society into four orders (brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra) based on quality and work. When these sections cooperate to satisfy the Supreme Lord, he explains that the entire society becomes perfect.
- If the people of the world, taking into account their respective material qualities, divide the whole society into four orders for material progress, the entire human society will undoubtedly be happy.
- The government - indeed, the entire society - should be structured in such a way that everyone can be trained to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- That (other sections are supposed to follow the direction of the brahmana Vaisnava) will make the entire society perfect in regard to the order of its social construction.
True Humanitarian Work
The highest welfare work is to revive God consciousness. Śrīla Prabhupāda states that the root cause of suffering is the forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa as the supreme proprietor and friend. Therefore, a Vaiṣṇava tolerates personal difficulties and works tirelessly to distribute this knowledge for the benefit of the entire human race.
- The sufferings of humanity are due to forgetfulness of Krsna as the supreme enjoyer, the supreme proprietor, and the supreme friend. Therefore, to act to revive this consciousness within the entire human society is the highest welfare work.
- A Vaisnava is personally tolerant for the benefit of others. When he does not show his prowess, this does not mean that he is lacking in strength; rather, it indicates that he is tolerant for the welfare of the entire human society.
- By our mutual combination I am certain that we can improve the entire humanity to the point of spiritual understanding and thus automatically eliminate the basis for so many problems that plague our so-called civilized societies.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda envisions a society where competition and diplomacy are replaced by a common goal: the satisfaction of the Supreme. By accepting the authority of the Vedas and following the instructions of the ācāryas, the entire human society can be elevated from chaos to the highest perfection of life.
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 Entire Human Society. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.