Saving a Dangerous Civilization - How the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement Gives Enlightenment
To the untrained eye, modern civilization appears advanced, filled with technological marvels and economic development. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda saw it differently. He diagnosed modern society as a "dangerous" and "horrible" condition where humanity risks sliding into lower species of life due to a lack of spiritual knowledge. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was established as an emergency educational institution to save humanity from this risk. This article explores the movement's role in enlightening the darkened intelligence of modern man and offering a scientific solution to the problems of existence.
A Dangerous Civilization
Śrīla Prabhupāda did not mince words when describing the state of the world. He labeled a civilization devoid of God consciousness as "very dangerous" and "risky." Why? Because without understanding the soul's transmigration, people waste their valuable human life in animalistic propensities, only to be forced into another body—perhaps a non-human one—in the next life. The movement's primary purpose is to enlighten people about this imminent danger and the means to escape the clutches of māyā.
- It is a very dangerous type of civilization without any spiritual knowledge. Very dangerous position. Risky. So this Krsna consciousness movement on authoritative basis trying to enlighten people to release him from these clutches of maya and ignorance.
- Very horrible civilization at the present moment, and this Krsna consciousness movement is the only movement to enlighten them to come to your senses; don't be carried away by the laws of material nature.
Educating the Subtle Body
Real education goes beyond the gross body; it must reach the subtle body (mind, intelligence, and ego). Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that while the gross body changes at death, the subtle body carries the soul to the next destination. Therefore, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement focuses on enlightening the subtle body. By engaging the intelligence in the scientific philosophy of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā, the movement elevates a person from gross ignorance to the highest platform of spiritual understanding.
- The change of the gross body is not very important, but the change of the subtle body is important. The Krsna consciousness movement is educating people to enlighten the subtle body.
- That is Krsna consciousness movement. It is an educational movement to enlighten the people from gross ignorance to the highest enlightenment of spiritual understanding.
A Challenge to the Intelligent
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not a sectarian faith that demands blind conversion. It is an appeal to logic and intelligence. Śrīla Prabhupāda offered a rational challenge: one may follow any scripture, but if the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement offers more enlightenment and a deeper scientific understanding of God, then a serious person should accept it. It is an open invitation to compare and see where the actual light of knowledge exists.
- Any religious scripture you may follow, but if you get more enlightenment here in this Krsna consciousness movement, why should you not accept it if you are serious about God?
- Our Krsna consciousness movement is very scientific, authorized, so our business is to enlighten people as far as possible, and at the same time we must remain enlightened.
Conclusion
The ultimate welfare work is not merely feeding the hungry, but feeding the soul with knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda described the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as the highest form of para-upakāra (doing good to others) because it solves the fundamental problem of life—ignorance. By enlightening the world about their original relationship with Kṛṣṇa, the movement offers the only safety line in a drowning civilization.
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 Krsna Consciousness Movement Gives Enlightenment. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.