Vedic scriptures provide profound guidance for elevating our existence and transforming our lives by awakening the Krishna consciousness that lies dormant within each of us.  

Consciousness is the most fundamental and remarkable characteristic that sets living beings apart from non-living objects. Unlike inert matter, we possess consciousness because we are individual spirit souls residing within our bodies; consciousness is a symptom of the soul. When a person is alive, their consciousness indicates the presence of the soul, whereas a dead body lacks consciousness due to the absence of the soul.

The State of Our Present Consciousness

Although we are originally pure spirit souls, our existence in this material world has contaminated our consciousness. An analogy can be drawn to rainwater, which is pure like distilled water when it falls from the clouds but becomes muddy and discoloured upon contact with the ground.

This polluted consciousness obscures our true spiritual nature, leading us to identify ourselves with our bodies without realising our actual existence as spirit souls. Our actions, based on this false assumption, generate good or bad karma. Consequently, we continue to take birth among different species of life, such as human beings, devatas, animals, birds, and plants, according to our karma, to enjoy or suffer the reactions. Thus, we are trapped in a cycle of birth and death. The path to liberation from these miseries lies in Krishna consciousness.

What is Krishna Consciousness?

The Bhagavad-gita (15.7) elucidates our special relationship with the Supreme Lord Krishna. The Lord declares that all living beings are His eternal parts, akin to sparks from a vast fire. In other words, every individual soul is a fragmental part of Lord Krishna, the Supreme Soul.

Krishna consciousness involves centring our consciousness on Lord Krishna and leading a life according to His teachings as mentioned in sacred texts such as the Bhagavad-gita. It is the original, pure consciousness of the soul, liberating us from karma.

Lord Krishna is the owner of the entire creation. He is the master, maintainer, protector, and well-wisher of all beings. As His eternal parts, we have an everlasting loving relationship with Him as His servants. Though, at present, we have forgotten this relationship, it can be revived by awakening our Krishna consciousness, which is the ultimate goal of life.

Awakening Our Dormant Krishna Consciousness

Krishna consciousness lies dormant within us. The various rules, regulations, and practices prescribed in different religious scriptures are designed to gradually awaken this consciousness.

Approximately 500 years ago, Lord Krishna descended on the earth as Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and initiated the practice of congregational chanting of the holy name of the Lord, known as Harinama Sankirtan. This is the easiest, most sublime, and universal method for reviving our Krishna consciousness. Through participation in Sankirtan or daily chanting of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra, one can feel one’s progress in Krishna consciousness.

In addition to chanting, reading sacred texts like the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, activities like worshipping the Lord, honouring Krishna prasadam, and associating with devotees of Krishna can expedite our spiritual advancement. Avoiding certain detrimental activities—namely, eating meat, intoxication, illicit relationships, and gambling—also aids in maintaining a pure consciousness.

The Bhagavad-gita assures that even a little progress in Krishna consciousness is a permanent asset, persisting through our lifetimes until we attain perfect Krishna consciousness, which is when we return to the spiritual abode of the Lord for an eternal, blissful existence in His association.

This Sri Krishna Janmashtami, we invite you to visit our temple, engage in the devotional festivities, and receive the blessings of Lord Krishna. May this festival foster your growth in Krishna consciousness.

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