The Highest Enlightenment – Awakened to Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
In the modern age, civilization is often considered advanced due to technological progress, yet Śrīla Prabhupāda describes it as a "dangerous type of civilization" lacking spiritual knowledge. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement serves as a scientific and educational protest to this condition, aiming to enlighten all people. By transitioning from the illusory happiness of māyā to the factual enlightenment of devotional service, the living entity is released from the clutches of ignorance. This article explores the duty of parents and devotees to spread this knowledge, the medicinal effect of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and the supreme results of attaining this highest enlightenment.
The Duty to Enlighten: Parents and Missionaries
The responsibility to enlighten others begins within the family and extends to the whole of society. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that real parents are those who can enlighten their offspring in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, thus saving them from the cycle of birth and death. Similarly, the duty of a sannyāsī or a devotee is to be "always moving," going from door to door to introduce books and instructions that awaken people's spiritual intelligence. This missionary spirit is the highest form of mercy, as it elevates conditioned souls to their successful, transcendental life.
- A highly enlightened parent can train a child in Krsna consciousness so that the child will not have to come back again to this miserable world. Parents should see to it that the child born of them does not enter the womb of a mother again.
- Any parents who cannot enlighten their offspring in Krsna consciousness cannot be accepted as a real father and mother.
- A mendicant sannyasi should not live anywhere for more than three days. He must be always moving because his duty is to move from door to door and enlighten people about Krsna consciousness.
- We have to be karunikah - that is, we have to take compassion upon fallen souls by going from town to town to enlighten others in Krsna consciousness. This is a sadhu's duty.
The Medicine of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Enlightenment is not just a mental state; it is a clinical process that cures the "material disease." Śrīla Prabhupāda compares Kṛṣṇa consciousness to a medicine that, when mixed with our daily activities, prevents entanglement and increases spiritual understanding. This "highest enlightenment" is also compared to a blazing forest fire that kills the "snakes of desire" within the heart. By following the instructions of an unalloyed devotee and the spiritual master, the conditioned soul is reformed and awakened to their "normal condition," free from the influence of the three modes of material nature.
- Pure devotional service in Krsna consciousness is the highest enlightenment, and when such enlightenment is there, it is just like a blazing forest fire, killing all the inauspicious snakes of desire.
- Because it is mixed up with that medicine of Krsna consciousness it will cure your material disease. That is the process. Because it is mixed up with some medicine which is called Krsna consciousness, it will not entangle you. It will give more and more enlightenment.
- It is the purpose of this Society for Krsna consciousness to enlighten all people who have been maddened by the influence of the three modes of material nature. In other words, our aim is to awaken mankind to its normal condition.
- A conditioned soul falsely thinks himself happy in the material world, but if he is favored by the instructions of an unalloyed devotee, he gives up his desire for material enjoyment and becomes enlightened in Krsna consciousness.
A Universal and Scientific Education
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is an educational movement intended for all of human society. Regardless of whether one is a brāhmaṇa or a caṇḍāla (the lowest of men), everyone in the Age of Kali needs this enlightenment. It is described as a scientific process based on the authority of śāstra. To become enlightened, one must approach a spiritual master (guru) to understand the real problems of life. Through the benedictions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and the direct hearing of the Bhagavad-gītā, one attains a level of enlightenment that provides a constant "thrill" at every moment.
- That is Krsna consciousness movement. It is an educational movement to enlighten the people from gross ignorance to the highest enlightenment of spiritual understanding.
- Sastra, says tad-vijnanartham: "If you want to know the real problem of your life and if you want to be enlightened how to become Krsna conscious, how to become eternal, go back to home, back to Godhead, then you must approach the guru."
- The word candala actually refers to a dog-eater, who is considered the lowest of men. Even candalas can be enlightened in Krsna consciousness due to Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's benedictions.
- One who hears the Gita from the right source, directly from Krsna, attains full Krsna consciousness. The result of Krsna consciousness is that one becomes increasingly enlightened, and he enjoys life with a thrill, not only for some time, but at every moment.
Mercy to the Poor and the Maddened
True mercy to the living entities is to enlighten them in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as Prahlāda Mahārāja did. While feeding the poor is important, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement provides a deeper solution by teaching them how to avoid sinful activities such as intoxication and meat-eating. By reforming character and enlightening the intelligence, the Society for Kṛṣṇa consciousness aims to release mankind from the "dangerous position" of godless civilization. Even Godbrothers who are more advanced should be respected as mirrors of the spiritual master, facilitating further enlightenment.
- If you want to show any mercy at all to the living entities, then enlighten them in Krsna consciousness, as Prahlada Maharaja did. Otherwise, it is materially beyond your power to show mercy.
- The best solution is that of the Krsna consciousness movement. This movement is always kind to the poor, not only because it feeds them but also because it gives them enlightenment by teaching them how to become Krsna conscious.
- To enlighten them (the poor, we are opening centers) in Krsna consciousness and reform their character by teaching them how to avoid illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling, which are the most sinful activities and which cause people to suffer, life after life.
- If a Godbrother is more enlightened and advanced in Krsna consciousness, one should accept him as almost equal to the spiritual master, and one should be happy to see such Godbrothers advance in Krsna consciousness.
Conclusion
Enlightenment in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the ultimate objective of human life. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s instructions clarify that this state is not a temporary mental adjustment, but a profound spiritual awakening that cures the soul of material suffering. By following the scientific and authorized path of devotional service, every individual—from child to elder, and from saint to seeker—can be released from gross ignorance. This highest enlightenment brings about a character reform that eradicates sinful desires and restores the living entity to their original, eternal home. It is the great responsibility of this missionary movement to bring this blazing fire of knowledge to all corners of the world, enlightening humanity for the ultimate success 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 Enlightened with 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.