- Pure Love of God (Krishna-prema) – The Ultimate Goal
“The highest perfection of human life is to attain the love of God.” – Srila Prabhupada
The highest goal of Krishna consciousness is to awaken our dormant love for Krishna, a love that is eternal, unconditional and blissful. All practices of devotion are meant to lead to Krishna-love, which is beyond liberation or even heavenly pleasures.
🥈 2. Chanting the Holy Names – Always, Everywhere
The Hare Krishna maha-mantra is the devotee’s lifeline. Srila Prabhupada emphasized:
16 rounds daily as the minimum standard
Japa and shravaana as the primary sadhana (practice)
The goal is ultimately to chant continuously with full absorption.
🥉 3. Freedom from Material Desires (Anartha-Nivritti) Spiritual life means cleansing the mirror of the heart. Srila Prabhupada repeatedly emphasized: Renunciation of lust, greed, anger, pride, and jealousy Living a regular, sattvic lifestyle Rejecting sinful activities: meat-eating, intoxication, illicit sex, and gambling This sets the stage for true spiritual growth. 4. Serve Krishna with devotion (bhakti-yoga) Whether you are cleaning a temple floor or managing a center, Srila Prabhupada taught that every action should be a service to Krishna when done in the right consciousness. “Put everything in the service of Krishna – that is perfection.” He wanted every devotee to become a servant of Krishna and His devotees, not just a scholar or meditator. 5. Understand and follow the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam
Srila Prabhupada urged reading scriptures daily. He called his books “method books for the next 10,000 years.”
The goals include:
To know the science of the soul
To understand Krishna’s instructions on karma, jnana, and bhakti
To develop firm faith (shraddha) in the process of devotional service
- Associate with devotees (sadhu-sanga)
The spiritual life is not a solitary journey. Srila Prabhupada emphasized:
To live in community or be closely associated with other devotees
To participate in temple programs, festivals, and kirtans
- Preach Krishna consciousness
It was Srila Prabhupada’s heart’s desire to spread Krishna consciousness. He said that anyone who has received Krishna’s grace should:
Share it with others through books, kirtan, prasad and service
Preach by example, not just by words
Become a guru in your own capacity by speaking sincerely about Krishna
- Develop humility and tolerance
“With humility of mind one should chant the holy name of the Lord…” – Sikshashtakam
Srila Prabhupada quoted this verse again and again, calling it the key to success in spiritual life. Humility is not weakness – it is the natural state of the soul connected to God.
- Live a simple life and depend on Krishna
“Simple living, high thinking” was Srila Prabhupada’s motto. He encouraged devotees to:
Avoid unnecessary material entanglements
Develop detachment and dependence on Krishna’s mercy
Reduce desires, increase Krishna katha and service
- Go back home, back to God’s abode (Goloka Vrindavana)
Ultimately, Srila Prabhupada wanted every soul to:
Become free from the cycle of birth and death
Attain the eternal, blissful realm of Krishna’s pastimes