Prabhupada’s Dream, Part One
Lord Krishna in the 21st Century

 

“Let us try to make them Krishna conscious. That is our only interest. Because I love Krishna, I want to see all—everybody in the world to become Krishna conscious.” AC Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhuapda

From time to time I think about the first book I read by Shrila Prabhupada, Krishna, The Supreme Personality of Godhead. I remember reading about the various qualities of Lord Krishna, which taken together define and identify Him as God.

"In these Western countries, when someone sees the cover of a book like Krishna, he immediately asks, ‘Who is Krishna? Who is the girl with Krishna?’ etc.

'The immediate answer is that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. How is that? Because he conforms in exact detail to descriptions of the Supreme Being, the Godhead. In other words, Krishna is the Godhead because He is all-attractive. Outside the principle of all-attraction there is no meaning to the word Godhead. How is it one can be all-attractive? First of all, if one is very wealthy, if he has great riches, he becomes attractive to the people in general. Similarly, if someone is very powerful, he also becomes attractive, and if someone is very unattached to all kinds of possessions, he also becomes attractive. So from practical experience we can observe that one is attractive due to 1) wealth, 2) power, 3) fame, 4) beauty, 5) wisdom, and 6) renunciation. One who is in possession of all six of these opulances at the same time, who possesses them to an unlimited degree, is understood to be the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

This has always struck me as something quite wonderful and I’ve meditated on these words often. It even dawned on me that Lord Krishna is also the greatest hero. This is just a tremendous fact because everyone loves a hero.  Please keep this in mind.

Indeed, mankind the world over recognizes this quality and holds all heroes in greatest esteem. There is the often-repeated example of the man who saves a child from drowning, or someone enters a burning house to bring out an old man. Hardly anyone is more honored than a hero. Mankind is wired by God to love heroes. Even dogs are awarded medals - such as the Carnegie Medal of Honor - for acts of lifesaving valor. 

Besides these outstanding individual efforts, organizations such as The Salvation Army receive award after award for their unending commitment to help in times of great need.

I once worked with The Salvation Army during a dramatic fire at the Denver airport. Several large fuel tanks caught fire, which ended up burning for a week. Besides the extreme danger involved with the nature of this particular fire, the temperatures at night were well-below freezing.  Believe me, after five days and nights, 24 hours around the clock with countless meals fed to the firefighters, praise and admiration for The Salvation Army was broadcast all over the city. In the end, officials from Stapleton International Airport held a big ceremony in their honor and handed The Salvation Army a size-able check for "coming to the rescue." 

Shrila Prabhupada has pointed out that there is no greater hero than God. This fact simply fascinates me. However, we are failing to utilize this properly.  For more than two decades I've tossed this around in my head - especially within the context of what Shrila Prabhupada wanted to accomplish.  As the religious embodiment of Prabhupada’s life’s mission, devotees certainly have their work cut out for them. In my estimation this challenge can be achieved simply by presenting Lord Krishna - as He is. Lord Krishna is the greatest hero. Everyone loves a hero. Alright, there it is, point blank, handed to us on a silver platter: the ultimate formula for ultimate success. 

Everything I have to say is dedicated to the fulfillment of a very special dream. However, in all frankness, the dream has yet to come true. Prabhupada's "dream" not only defines him, it is his legacy. So again, please listen to these beautiful words of Shrila Prabhupada as he speaks of the "dream" he wants fulfilled:

Let us try to make them Krishna conscious. That is our only interest. Because I love Krishna, I want to see all—everybody in the world to become Krishna conscious.

In the global marketplace of religious ideas, devotees of Lord Krishna are also advertising. "Please stop and examine what we have." The most important thing is to get the public to stop and take favorable notice.  Why is this so important? In one word - appreciation - appreciation of Lord Krishna.  And if you think about it, the word "appreciation" has many meanings and they all apply: to prize, regard, cherish, relish, savor, acknowledge, thank, comprehend, realize, recognize and understand.

Once appreciation has been kindled within the heart, a monumental event takes place.  Shrila Prabhupada states:

1. August 19, 1972, Shrimad Bhagavatam 1.2.16—"This is the beginning of spiritual life—people are praising our activities—this appreciation is a lift for such persons. If he doesn’t hear, doesn’t come, simply says, ‘it is very nice.’ Yes!"

2. May 9, 1975, morning walk, Perth, Australia—"If they simply appreciate, (they say) ‘It is very nice,’ then in (their) next life, human life is guaranteed. In a very nice family. Simply if he appreciates."

"...the beginning of spiritual life."  This is the result when appreciation is awakened for Lord Krishna.  Appreciation is where love for Krishna begins.

Shrila Prabhupada loved Krishna with all his heart, and he simply wanted the whole world to love Him, too. This was Shrila Prabhupada’s heart’s desire—his "dream," if I may. And the fulfillment of our Guru Deva’s dream is our only mission: a mission that begins with presenting Lord Krishna as He is and ends with love of God, the world over.

Shrila Prabhupada wanted everybody in the world to love Lord Krishna. So we have to think BIG. If permitted by the Sampradaya Sun, I will be presenting an easy-to-understand and easy-to-execute formula to achieve this goal. We can do this. It’s a piece of cake. So I will be presenting the blueprints.  A foolproof design that can produce tremendous success within our lifetime. I am 100% certain of this fact. What could be more inspiring than this? 

 

Rohini-suta dasa (ACBSP)
Founder, HDR