Teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda on Krishna Prema

[Bhava dasa (ACBSP)]

Teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda on Krishna Prema

Śrīla A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, the founder-ācārya of ISKCON, emphasized that Krishna Prema (pure love for Krishna) is the highest goal of human life. He taught that every living being has a dormant love for Krishna, which can be awakened through the process of bhakti-yoga, especially by chanting the Holy Name. Below are some key teachings from Śrīla Prabhupāda on Krishna Prema:

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1. Krishna Prema is the Highest Perfection of Life

Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently quoted the verse from Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Ādi 1.90):

“prema pum-artho mahān” – “Love for Krishna is the highest goal of life.”

• He taught that Krishna Prema is the ultimate purpose of existence, higher than material success, religiosity (dharma), economic development (artha), or even liberation (mokṣa).
• He explained that liberation (mokṣa) is insignificant compared to Krishna Prema because a devotee wants to serve Krishna eternally rather than just escape suffering.

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2. Krishna Prema is Attained by Chanting the Holy Name

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized Nāma-saṅkīrtana (chanting the Holy Name of Krishna) as the easiest and most effective way to attain Krishna Prema in this age (Kali-yuga).
He often quoted:

“harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam
kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā” (Bṛhan-nāradīya Purāṇa 38.126)
“In this age of Kali, there is no other way, no other way, no other way to attain spiritual perfection than chanting the holy name of the Lord.”

• Prabhupāda introduced the Hare Krishna Mahā-mantra worldwide:
Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare
• He explained that the Holy Name is not different from Krishna Himself, so by chanting sincerely, one develops love for Krishna.
• He often said, “Chant and be happy!”, because the ultimate result of chanting is Krishna Prema, which brings eternal happiness and bliss.

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3. Krishna Prema is Already in Our Hearts – It Needs to Be Awakened

Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that every soul is eternally a devotee of Krishna, but due to material conditioning, this love is covered.
• In Caitanya-caritāmṛta (Madhya 22.107), Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu explains:
“nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-prema ‘sādhya’ kabhu naya
śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya”
“Krishna Prema is eternally within the heart of the living being. It is not something to be artificially gained. By hearing and chanting about Krishna, it is awakened.”
• Prabhupāda compared this to a sleeping person:
• The love for Krishna is already there, like a dream waiting to be awakened.
• Bhakti-yoga, especially hearing and chanting about Krishna, is the process of waking up.

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4. Krishna Prema is Beyond Material Love

Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that Krishna Prema is completely different from material love.
• Material love is based on selfish desires and temporary pleasure.
• Krishna Prema is selfless and eternal—devotees only want Krishna’s happiness.

He often quoted Bhagavad-gītā 9.22, where Krishna promises:

“For those who are always devoted to Me with love and faith, I personally maintain them and give them what they lack.”

This shows that when one develops true love for Krishna, Krishna personally takes care of everything.

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5. The Best Example of Krishna Prema – The Residents of Vṛndāvana

Prabhupāda always glorified the Vrajavāsīs (residents of Vṛndāvana), especially the gopīs, as the highest examples of pure, selfless love for Krishna.
• The gopīs were ready to sacrifice everything for Krishna, even their spiritual liberation, just to see Him happy.
• Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī, Krishna’s topmost devotee, represents the highest stage of Krishna Prema.

Prabhupāda encouraged devotees to follow in the footsteps of the Vrajavāsīs, but not to imitate them. Instead, he emphasized that we should start with basic devotional service (sādhana-bhakti) and gradually develop pure love for Krishna.

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6. Krishna Prema Means Serving Krishna Eternally

Prabhupāda often explained that real love is expressed through service.
• In Bhagavad-gītā 18.66, Krishna says:
“sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja”
“Abandon all varieties of religion and surrender unto Me alone.”
• This surrender is not forced—it is done out of pure love.
• In the highest stage, devotees no longer ask Krishna for anything—they simply want to serve Him forever.

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7. Krishna Prema Leads to Goloka Vṛndāvana
• Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that one who attains Krishna Prema does not take another material birth.
• Instead, they return to the spiritual world, Goloka Vṛndāvana, where they eternally associate with Krishna.
• He often said:
“Chant Hare Krishna and go back home, back to Godhead.”
• Krishna Prema is not just about the future—it is also experienced in this life by fully engaging in devotional service and feeling Krishna’s presence.

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Conclusion: Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Key Teachings on Krishna Prema
1. Krishna Prema is the highest goal of life.
2. It is attained by chanting the Holy Name of Krishna.
3. Love for Krishna is already within our hearts—it just needs to be awakened.
4. Krishna Prema is selfless and eternal, unlike material love.
5. The residents of Vṛndāvana, especially the gopīs, show the highest form of Krishna Prema.
6. True love means surrender and service to Krishna.
7. Krishna Prema leads one back to Goloka Vṛndāvana, Krishna’s eternal abode.