(Click photo to see a larger image of Srila Prabhupada and the maha-mantra.)
"Guru means one who has seen the Absolute Truth. That is guru. Tattva-darsinah, tattva means the Absolute Truth, and darsinah, one who has seen. So this movement, our Krishna consciousness movement, is for this purpose, to see the Absolute Truth, to understand the Absolute Truth, to know the problems of life and how to make a solution. These things are our subject matter. Our subject matter is not material things, that somehow or other you get a car and a good apartment and a good wife, then all your problems solved. No. That is not solution of problems. The real problem is how to stop your death. That is the real problem. But because it is very difficult subject matter, nobody touches it. 'Oh, death -- we shall peacefully die.' But nobody peacefully dies. If I take a dagger and I say, 'Now die peacefully,' the whole peaceful condition finished immediately. He will cry. So these are nonsense, if somebody says, 'I will die peacefully.' Nobody dies peacefully, that is not possible. Therefore death is a problem. Birth is also a problem. Nobody is peaceful while within the womb of the mother. It is packed-up, airtight condition, and nowadays there is risk of being killed also. So there is no question of peacefulness, birth and death. And then old age. Just like I am old man, so many troubles I have got. So old age. And disease, everyone has got experience, even headache is sufficient to give you trouble. The real problem is this: birth, death, old age and disease. That is the statement given by Krishna, that janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi duhkha-dosanudarsanam (BG 13.9). If you are intelligent, you should take up these four problems of life as very dangerous.
So they have no knowledge; therefore they avoid these questions. But we take up these questions very seriously. That is the difference between other movement and Krishna consciousness movement. Our movement is how to solve these problems."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Baltimore, July 7, 1976)
"This is our mission. We have to simply speak about Krishna all over the world. Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-katha, krsna-upadesa. So if one is not interested in krsna-katha, in the topics of Krishna, then sastra says, srama eva hi kevalam. Whatever rightfully or sincerely he's doing on the material bodily concept of life, it is srama eva hi kevalam. Simply he's wasting time. Now it is very difficult to understand this philosophy. If we go to a very nice businessman or politician or scientist, if we say, 'Sir, have you got any interest in Krishna consciousness?' 'No, why shall I do it? I don't want.' Then if I say, 'You are wasting your time, sir,' will he accept? But this is the position, actually. He's simply wasting his time. Srama eva hi kevalam (SB 1.2.8)."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, London, September 13, 1973)
"In the Western countries, where the Hare Krishna movement is spreading, learned scholars and other thoughtful men are realizing its effectiveness. For example, Dr. J. Stillson Judah, a learned scholar, has been very much attracted to this movement because he has actually seen that it is turning hippies addicted to drugs into pure Vaisnavas who voluntarily become servants of Krishna and humanity. Even a few years ago, such hippies did not know the Hare Krishna mantra, but now they are chanting it and becoming pure Vaisnavas. Thus they are becoming free from all sinful activities, such as illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling. This is practical proof of the effectiveness of the Hare Krishna movement, which is supported in this verse. One may or may not know the value of chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, but if one somehow or other chants it, he will immediately be purified, just as one who takes a potent medicine will feel its effects, regardless of whether he takes it knowingly or unknowingly."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.19, Purport)
"This is the benefit of Lord Caitanya’s movement. If one somehow or other comes in contact with the Hare Krishna movement, without consideration of his being a sudra, vaisya, Jagai, Madhai or even lower, he becomes advanced in spiritual consciousness and immediately develops love of Godhead. We now have actual experience that throughout the entire world this movement is making many such persons lovers of God simply by the chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. Actually, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has appeared as the spiritual master of the entire world. He does not discriminate between offenders and the innocent. Krsna-prema-pradaya te: (CC Madhya 19.53) He liberally gives love of Godhead to anyone and everyone."
(Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 821, Purport)
"Somehow or other, if one is attracted to Krishna, whatever he does in devotional service is a permanent asset. Even if one falls down due to immaturity or bad association, his devotional assets are never lost. There are many examples of this -- Ajamila, Maharaja Bharata, and many others. This Krishna consciousness movement is giving everyone a chance to engage in devotional service for at least some time. A little service will give one an impetus to advance and thus make one's life successful."
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.14.43, Purport)
"Krishna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru (BG 18.65). No, you come here. Here is Krishna. You always think of Krishna, man-mana. You become devotee of Krishna. Whatever you can, offer to Krishna. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji: you worship Krishna. If you don't come here, you can do it in, at your home. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru (BG 18.65). Somehow or other, you become Krishna conscious. There is no difficulty. 'No, I have no money. I cannot worship Krishna in this way, so gorgeously.' No. That Krishna does not say. Krishna says, patram puspam phalam: 'If you are poor man, all right, you give Me little fruit, little flower, little water, I'll eat it.' Then what do you want more? Or if you cannot do anything, chant Hare Krishna. So Krishna consciousness movement is so easy. Everyone can take it and make his life successful."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Calcutta, February 23, 1972)
"So this Krishna consciousness movement is trying to induce people how to become attached to Krishna. That is bhakti-yoga. Yena tena prakarena manah krsna nivesayet. Then? Vidhi-nisedhah. There are so many rules and regulations for bhakti-yoga. Yes, there are. And Rupa Gosvami says, sarve vidhi-nisedhah syur etayor eva kinkarah (Padma Purana, Brhat-sahasra-nama-stotra). Some way or other, if you become attached to Krishna, then all the vidhis and regulative principles and rules and regulations, they will act as your servant."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Vrindavan, October 8, 1968)
"If people are simply induced to chant Hare Krishna mantra... Just see. Even a child, he is taking part. It is natural. There is no distinction between black and white, no question of language, nothing. You see practically. There is white child, black child. They do not know how to speak, but they are dancing and chanting. So this movement is so important. Somehow or other if you can engage them in chanting and dancing, the whole world will be united. What the United Nations has failed, this movement can do- if it is not checked by the rascals. But the rascals are ready to check this movement. That is the difficulty. Otherwise, God, Krishna, is always ready to help us."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, December 27, 1974)
"Yes, actually there is now a skyscraper framework. Now you have to decorate and cover it nicely. To construct the form is the difficult portion of the adventure, but when it is there, it is not difficult to finish it -- simply it requires a little taste. I am always thankful to Krishna that I have somehow got so many wonderful boys like yourself to assist me in this way. Now it is practically in your hands to finish and push on what I have started. I am now getting all respect and honor, so now you must preserve that standard and not dishonor me."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, December 10, 1971)
"So there is no need of making very gorgeous propaganda for the moment. Do everything humbly and in small scale and when Krishna desires it will increase. Don't be agitated in unfavorable circumstances. Chant gravely and peacefully."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, August 24, 1971)
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