Mood, Mission and Motivation of Srila Prabhupada

The mood, mission and motivation of Srila Prabhupada was to spread unadulterated teachings of Lord Krishna AS IT IS all over the world. According to Srila Prabhupada, the purpose of the human form of life is to establish our relationship with Krishna and return back to the abode of Krishna. This is the panacea for all material sufferings. And this is the ultimate perfection of life. The mood and mission of Srila Prabhupada is best reflected in the preface of Bhagavad Gita as it is. There are three aspects to it. Let us try to understand:

Three aspects

1. To present the message of Krishna to the world without any impurity.

Srila Prabhupada called his Bhagavad Gita commentary as “Bhagavad Gita as it is.” The word “as it is” means that his book presents the message of Krishna without any adulteration.

Srila Prabhupada explains, “Our business is to present the will of Krishna, not that of any mundane speculator like the politician, philosopher or scientist, for they have very little knowledge of Krishna, despite all their other knowledge.”

There is no personal interpretation. Whatever Krishna spoke to Arjuna, the same conversation is presented. Most importantly Prabhupada’s commentary is as per the knowledge which is coming down through the chain of disciplic succession (paramparā). So, it authentic. Also what Arjuna realised from the Bhagvad Gita, should be our realisation as well, if there is a difference then that is not the right path.

2. To establish Krishna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead

In Bhagavad Gita Krishna says that he is the Supreme God. Few examples are:

• “I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.” Bhagavad Gita 10.8

• “O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.” Bhagavad Gita 7.7

“Krishna is absolute, and there is no difference between Krishna's name, Krishna's form, Krishna's qualities, Krishna's pastimes, etc.” In his Bhagavad Gita commentary, Prabhupada again and again underlines that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He gives reference from Bhagavad Gita and also from other Vedic literatures to confirm Krishna’s Supreme position.

3. To educate people that real happiness is in serving Krishna and not in serving one’s senses

Prabhupada has made one thing very clear that no matter how hard you and I try but we cannot attain complete bliss as long as we have material consciousness. The more we try to fulfil our material desires, more miserable we become. We are souls and Krishna is the Supersoul and we are parts and parcel of Krishna. Krishna is the source of all happiness.

So, to attain eternal happiness, we should connect ourselves to Krishna by regularly chanting his name. We should endeavour to develop relationship with Krishna. And how to develop relationship with Krishna has been explained in detail in Bhagavad Gita and other books of Srila Prabhupada.

And instead of satisfying our material senses, we should always try to satisfy Krishna’s senses. This will bring peace and happiness.

Whatever activities we do in this world, we should keep Krishna in the centre. Whatever results we achieve we should offer it to Krishna.

Krishna in Bhagavad Gita 9.27 says,