Krsna consciousness means understanding Krsna

Expressions researched:
"God" |"Krsna consciousness means" |"Krsna" |"understand" |"understanding" |"understands"

Notes from the compiler: Vedabase Query:"krsna consciousness means understand*"@5

CC Madhya-lila

CC Madhya 25.265, Translation:

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means understanding the truth of Kṛṣṇa, the truth of devotional service, the truth of love of Godhead, the truth of emotional ecstasy, the truth of transcendental mellows and the truth of the pastimes of the Lord.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

If you become perfect in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, means you understand Kṛṣṇa. Simply by understanding and acting accordingly, you can purify your existence, and next life means after giving up this body.

Lecture on BG 2.12 -- Hyderabad, December 12, 1976:

So we are spirit soul. This is the chance of rectifying or purifying our existence. If we like, we can purify our existence in this human form of life. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means to purify the existence, and after death, tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti (BG 4.9). If you become perfect in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, means you understand Kṛṣṇa... Janma karma ca me divyaṁ yo jānāti (BG 4.9). Simply by understanding and acting accordingly, you can purify your existence, and next life means after giving up this body... This body we have to give up. But those who are not purifying their existence, they will accept another material body. And those who have purified the existence, they will go back home, back to Godhead.

You have to understand your constitutional position. You have to understand what is God, what is law of God, how it is functioning.

Lecture on BG 4.7-10 -- Los Angeles, January 6, 1969:

Just like if you contaminate some disease germ, it may not be manifest immediately, but it will act someday. Similarly, if we contaminate sinful activities, it may not be immediately manifest, but you must wait for the reaction. So Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand these things. It is not a bogus propaganda that "You meditate fifteen minutes, and you become God," nonsense. This is not such a movement. You have to understand your constitutional position. You have to understand what is God, what is law of God, how it is functioning. These are there. These are meant for human study. They are not meant for animals.

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa. We are understanding so many subject matters scientifically, but we are neglecting one thing: how to understand Kṛṣṇa scientifically.

Lecture on BG 7.2 -- Hyderabad, April 28, 1974 :

Liberation means to be freed from the control of the material nature. It is a great science. Try to understand. Therefore it is said, jñānaṁ te 'haṁ sa-vijñānam. It is not sentiment. It is not religious sentiment. It is a science. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa. We are understanding so many subject matters scientifically, but we are neglecting one thing: how to understand Kṛṣṇa scientifically. That science is described here, jñānaṁ te 'haṁ sa-vijñānam. Jñānaṁ te 'haṁ sa-vijñānam ahaṁ vakṣyāmy aśeṣataḥ yaj jñātvā (BG 7.2). If you simply try to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa, then all other sciences will be automatically understood. Just like if you understand what is one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, zero, then you understand the whole mathematical science, because the mathematics means that one, two, three, four, five, six, this way, that way, this way, that way. The only, the figures are all, the digits are the one, two, three, four. So therefore one has to learn one, two, three, four, up to nine, and zero. Similarly, if you understand Kṛṣṇa, the, indirectly and directly, everything is Kṛṣṇa. That is the highest scientific understanding of everything.

They have lost their spiritual ideas, spiritual sense or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The highest principle of spiritual sense means Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to understand God. That is mahātmā, mahātmā.

Lecture on BG 16.9 -- Hawaii, February 5, 1975:

The basic principle of creation is that this material world is the field of activities of the rebellious living entity. "I don't want to serve Kṛṣṇa. I want to serve my senses." That is the whole world, going on. This Hawaiian city or any city, especially in your America, they're very, very busy. So ask them, "What is the aim of your life?" They'll say, "Sense gratification. I shall earn money, eat nicely, drink nicely, enjoy nicely. That is the aim of life." They do not know. Etāṁ dṛṣṭim avaṣṭabhya. Their vision is so polluted. Naṣṭātmānaḥ: they have lost their spiritual ideas, spiritual sense or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The highest principle of spiritual sense means Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to understand God. That is mahātmā, mahātmā.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

By Kṛṣṇa consciousness means you understand what is Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise, if we superficially try to understand Kṛṣṇa, we will understand Kṛṣṇa is an ordinary human being.

Lecture on SB 1.2.6 -- Delhi, November 12, 1973:

So that is very simple method. If you become Kṛṣṇa conscious, if you develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you understand... By Kṛṣṇa consciousness means you understands what is Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise, if we superficially try to understand Kṛṣṇa, we will understand Kṛṣṇa is an ordinary human being. That is stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śukadeva Gosvāmī is remarking. When Kṛṣṇa is playing with the cowherds boys, he is describing, itthaṁ brahma-sukhānu...

itthaṁ satāṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā

dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ para-daivatena

māyāśritānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa

sākaṁ vijahruḥ kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ

(SB 10.12.11)

"These boys who are playing with Kṛṣṇa, they are ordinary cowherd boys." Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ. Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ means they acquired volumes of the result of pious activities. Now they have been allowed to play with Kṛṣṇa. And who is this Kṛṣṇa? Itthaṁ satāṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā. This boy Kṛṣṇa, He is the target of the brahma-sukha, brahma-sukhānubhūtyā. He is the worshipable Lord of the devotees. Dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ para-daivatena. And māyāśritānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa. Those who are māyāśrita, within the clutches of māyā, they are thinking He's an ordinary boy. But He is not an ordinary boy.

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand Kṛṣṇa. That's all.If this much we can understand, that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is the cause of all causes, He is the source of everything, these three, four things if we can understand, if we can understand... If we can understand one thing, we understand everything.

Lecture on SB 1.8.45 -- Los Angeles, May 7, 1973:

Because Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand Kṛṣṇa. That's all. Kṛṣṇa is everything. Kṛṣṇa is the origin of everything. If this much we can understand, that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He is the cause of all causes, He is the source of everything, these three, four things if we can understand, if we can understand... If we can understand one thing, we understand everything. If you simply understand Kṛṣṇa. That is the Vedic injunction. Kasmin tu bhagavo vijñāte sarvam idaṁ vijñātaṁ bhavati. Simply by understanding Kṛṣṇa, everything becomes understood. The scientists, they are making research, so many things, but a Kṛṣṇa conscious person can understand very easily all the problems of the world.

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand God and then trust Him. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Lecture on SB 1.15.42 -- Los Angeles, December 20, 1973:

Now you are fighting against your president that he must resign because he is just like animal. The charge is. But he is animal undoubtedly. But who has selected the animal? Other animals. You are also animal. Otherwise how you can select one animal? Therefore in the Bhāgavata it is said, śva-viḍ-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ (SB 2.3.19). Paśu. Anyone who is not in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is he is praised, those who are praising, they are also animals. Not to become Kṛṣṇa conscious is animalism. That is animalism.

So anyone who has not developed his consciousness to understand God... Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand God and then trust Him. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Actually, your currency notes advertising our movement. But they do not know scientifically. Now this movement is scientifically started. The Americans should take advantage of it and try to understand the simple slogan, "In God We Trust."

What is God? We did not know. Now we understand that Kṛṣṇa. So if you engage yourself simply to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, simply by thinking of Kṛṣṇa, then your life is successful.

Lecture on SB 1.16.19 -- Los Angeles, July 9, 1974:

So one who is opulent in this life, they should be very much careful that "By the grace of God, I have got this opportunity. Now the opportunity should be utilized to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness," means to understand Kṛṣṇa. That is advancement. If anyone understands Kṛṣṇa, that "Kṛṣṇa, You are the greatest..." God is great, we have heard so many times from so many people. But what is God? We did not know. Now we understand that Kṛṣṇa. So if you engage yourself simply to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, simply by thinking of Kṛṣṇa, then your life is successful. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means complete understanding of Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture on SB 1.16.24 -- Hawaii, January 20, 1974:

Satsvarūpa: Was Lord Jesus in pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

Prabhupāda: Yes. He also taught about God. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means God consciousness. So why Jesus? Anyone speaks... But one must know. There are degrees. Just like a person... Somebody knows to some extent, other knows to some extent, other knows to some extent, other knows to some extent. Or somebody understands to some extent. So Kṛṣṇa consciousness means complete understanding of Kṛṣṇa. Just like there are steps; if you want to go to the 104th floor, there are so many steps. So everyone is going, aiming, to that 104th, but one has covered ten steps, one has covered twenty, another hundred, like that. The aim is the same, but you cannot say that one who has already covered one hundred steps, he is as good as one who has covered two steps. There is that difference. Here is a person who has covered only two steps; here is another person who has covered fifty steps; here is another person who has covered hundred steps. Suppose you have to fulfill five hundred steps. So proportionately, that is the position. But the steps are already there. So any religious system—it doesn't matter Hindu religion or Christian religion or Muhammadan religion—it is the question of how the followers are covering the steps. They are going on the same staircase, but it is the question of...

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand Kṛṣṇa, His name, His form, His pastimes, His paraphernalia, so many things.

Lecture on SB 6.1.50 -- Detroit, June 16, 1976:

Immediately it is not possible. But gradually, by sticking to the regulative principles and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, we shall be able to control the senses, and the first sense is the tongue. Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ. Ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ (CC Madhya 17.136). The senses are so strong, they'll not allow me to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. They'll not allow me. Ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand Kṛṣṇa, His name, His form, His pastimes, His paraphernalia, so many things. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord. How much we have to learn about Him, just imagine. So all these things cannot be understood by these blunt senses engaged in material sense enjoyment. That is not possible. Therefore we have to control the senses.

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand Kṛṣṇa, and as soon as you understand Kṛṣṇa, you understand everything.

Lecture on SB 7.7.22-26 -- San Francisco, March 10, 1967:

Guest (3): A feeling of oneness with the universe?

Prabhupāda: Well, when you feel Kṛṣṇa, that is, He is... Kṛṣṇa is the central point. If you know what is milk, then you know what is butter, what is cheese, what is yogurt, everything, because everything is milk product. So if you know Kṛṣṇa, everything is Kṛṣṇa product, so you know everything. That is universal knowledge. That is oneness. When you know what is milk, then, in spite of so many varieties of preparation of milk, you know it is milk. That is oneness. When you know, understand Kṛṣṇa, that "Whatever we are seeing, in our presence, experiencing, they're all different energies of Kṛṣṇa..." Just like you are sitting here, and if there is fire, you, you see the li..., by the light of the fire, it is illuminated. By the heat of the fire, you are feeling warm. So whatever there is, it is due to fire. Therefore Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand Kṛṣṇa, and as soon as you understand Kṛṣṇa, you understand everything. That is stated in the Vedic language, yasmin eva vijñāte sarvam eva vijñātaṁ bhavati: "One who understands that one Supreme, he understands everything immediately." There is no need of understanding separately or analyzing things separately. That will defeat. So Kṛṣṇa consciousness means real oneness.

Sri Isopanisad Lectures

So unless there is some living force, energy, behind any material manifestation, it cannot work. If we simply understand this fact, that everywhere there is control of the Supreme Lord, that is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand things as it is.

Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 1 -- Los Angeles, May 2, 1970:

Everything is being controlled by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And therefore, because He is the supreme controller, therefore He is the supreme proprietor. We can see in our practical experience, the man who controls the whole establishment, he is proprietor, or the president. Similarly, if it is being controlled by some superior person, then He is God. That is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gītā: mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram (BG 9.10). Kṛṣṇa says, "Under My superintendence, this material energy is working, and all these animate and inanimate objects are being produced."

mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ

sūyate sa-carācaram

hetunanena kaunteya

jagad viparivartate

(BG 9.10)

So unless there is some living force, energy, behind any material manifestation, it cannot work. If we simply understand this fact, that everywhere there is control of the Supreme Lord, that is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand things as it is. That's all.

General Lectures

Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand how he is related with Kṛṣṇa.

Lecture at International Student Society -- Boston, May 3, 1969:

So in the modern educational system, universities, there is no such information, we see. It is very lamentable, but these knowledges are there in the Vedic literature. The summary of all Vedic literature is Śrīmad-Bhagavad-gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. There are many other literatures-Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata, eighteen Purāṇas. They are meant for human society, not for these cats and dogs. So our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is just to awake people to their rightful position, which is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to understand how he is related with Kṛṣṇa. When we speak of Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa means God. The word Kṛṣṇa, Sanskrit word, means all-attractive. So without God, nobody can be all-attractive, all-powerful, all-opulent. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is directed to awake people to the rightful position of his spiritual existence, the, I mean to say, process.