With the recent “Hands Off” demonstrations in cities across the USA, I was reminded of the massive demonstrations of the 1960s against the Vietnam War abroad and the social injustices in the USA. Usually, people, including a good number of counterculture hippies, who opposed such things were also inclined to embrace some sort of spirituality, including Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada noted this. And devotees often appealed directly to this intended audience. 

The hippies rejected the standards of their parents, their religion, and their government. Many who grew up in the comforts of suburban homes realized that their cushioned lifestyle would not bring them genuine happiness. They instead embraced free love, drugs, peace, and rock music. But soon, many discovered the counterculture was also not a viable solution to life’s problems. In their search for meaning, the early recruits to Krishna Consciousness were practically all hippies. 

And so, at peace demonstrations, devotees passed out flyers entitled “The Peace Formula.” In the hippie neighborhoods, they proclaimed, “Chant Hare Krishna and stay high forever. No more coming down.” In those early days of the Hare Krishna Movement, Prabhupada began the “Sunday Love Feast” – again, the title appealing to the hippies. Prabhupada jumpstarted the Krishna Movement in the West by being relevant, inclusive, and empowering. After meeting Srila Prabhupada in 1971, and being a hippie myself, I wrote a poem describing him as “the most sublime revolutionary” – a title which he happily accepted. 

As stated in the Sri Isopanishad (text 11), one should learn transcendental knowledge and the culture of nescience; simultaneously, learning about dharma and adharma (what is pious and what is impious) side by side. Prabhupada wrote, “Srimad Bhagavatam states that in the Age of Kali [the present degraded age of cheating, greed, and hypocrisy], thieves, rogues, and fourth-class people who have neither education nor culture capture the seats of governments to exploit the citizens. This is a symptom of Kali-yuga that has already appeared” (Caritanya Caritamrita, Adi 17.141).

Dharma means that which sustains us. It also has many nuanced meanings: spiritual principles,  justice, morality, one’s occupation and social responsibilities, and above all, engaging in loving service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. The guiding, universal principles of dharma are truthfulness, compassion, internal and external cleanliness, and self-sacrifice. People need to understand how dharma is relevant to the issues and concerns at hand, and to distinguish between what is to be done and what is not to be done. This understanding can help us begin to make sense of what’s going on in the world around us and move toward a real solution. 

In light of the current demonstrations and unrest, it is time for devotees to expand their horizons in order to transmit the message of Dharma. People are confused, frustrated, and in great anxiety. Many have come to an impasse. Just like Arjuna, who came to an impasse right before the great battle of Kuruksetra.  Such an impasse is a pivotal time for us to reexamine our priorities and goals. What do we really want out of life?  Possibly, a concerted move toward self-realization.

Our western culture, for the most part, is spiritually bereft. Prabhupada calls it a suicidal culture. The educational system is inadequate since we are taught to only satisfy our physical and emotional needs. There is no education on the universal principles of dharma. We are taught to work hard for companies and factories, and in our spare time, we amuse ourselves with frivolous video games.  To advocate a simple, thoughtful lifestyle, rather than a materialistic one, is indeed revolutionary. 

This is the very purpose of Vaishnava culture. Vaishnava means a devotee of God. Elsewhere, Prabhupada elaborated, “A Vaishnava is described as para-duḥkha-duḥkhī because although he is never distressed in any condition of life, he is distressed to see others in a distressed condition, and even though devotees are sometimes put into trouble, they push on the Krishna consciousness movement in all tolerance” (Srimad Bhagavatam, 4.6.47, purport).

In SB 4.14.41, Prabhupada writes that the devotees “are generally unaware of the happenings within the material world because they are always busy in their activities for spiritual advancement. Nonetheless, when there is a calamity in human society, they cannot remain impartial. If they do not do something to relieve the distressed condition of human society, it is said that due to such neglect their spiritual knowledge diminishes.”

Devotees must systematically present the universal principles of dharma for the welfare of people in general. Giving people an understanding of dharma and of the qualities of good leadership will be to their benefit and to the benefit of society in general. Prabhupada writes in Caitanya Caritamrita (Adi 17.141), “The Krishna consciousness movement is not a sentimental religious movement; it is a movement for the reformation of all the anomalies of human society. If people take to it seriously, discharging this duty scientifically, as ordered by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the world will see peace and prosperity instead of being confused and hopeless under useless governments.” 

Most people see the need to protect the unborn child. But should we not also protect Mother Earth for the unborn generations to come? That’s what a noble, civilized culture does.  The money-hungry must put a price tag on everything, reducing society to a heartless, survival-of-the-fittest economy.

People often look upon the party of their choice as the good guys and the other party as the bad guys.  But, the fact of the matter is that both parties have contributed to the predicament the United States is in today. According to dharmic principles, in times of difficulty, the leaders of society and those who have benefited the most must step forward to make the greatest sacrifices. But for decades, both parties have only kicked the can down the road.

Politicians endlessly bicker with one another and never come to any substantial decisions. They are content to appear to be leaders, and appear to provide solutions, and appear to have the interests of the citizens at the forefront.  All the while, the politicians manipulate and exploit the situation at hand. It’s a world of the cheaters and the cheated. Often enough, the confusion and frustration of the citizens turn into anger.  In turn, their anger and discontent are exploited by cunning politicians, and the anger itself turns into a downward spiral and away from any intelligent action. Now is the time to point to substantive changes society can make so we don’t return to the same materialistic mindset that got us into this mess in the first place. Of course, there will always be some who will refuse to depart from the suicidal path they’re on.

Given the circumstances at hand, the devotees have an opportunity not only to correct the situation but to help make it better than before. As the Beatles sang, “Take a sad song and make it better.” That is very much required:  to go deeper, to provide a  clearer understanding of the Supreme Lord within everyone’s heart, of our relationship with Him, with the environment, and with all of God’s creatures. Everyone has God-given rights – humans, animals, birds, and trees. All life is sacred.  

Devotees have been trained by Prabhupada to disseminate this knowledge.   If they do not take advantage of the situation Krishna is placing before them, they will be missing a monumental opportunity. Krishna has arranged the present situation. The Srimad Bhagavatam (3.21.55) states, “If you gave up all thought of the world’s situation, unrighteousness would flourish, for men who hanker only after money would be unopposed. Such miscreants would attack, and the world would perish.” 

Bhagavad-gita (16.9) tells us that demoniac persons are “engaged in unbeneficial, horrible works meant to destroy the world.” In his commentary to that verse, Prabhupada makes an interesting observation: that the more materialistic inventions, contraptions, and weapons people surround themselves with,  “the result is that people grow more and more violent and more and more cruel, cruel to animals and cruel to other human beings. They have no idea how to behave toward one another.”

The devotees can offer a great service to society by imparting knowledge of dharma and presenting a relevant Krishna-conscious perspective, tailored to the time, place, and circumstances.  People are looking for something real. Real leadership.  Real solutions.  Real dialogue and relationships.  Dharma is essential to maintain a peaceful and prosperous atmosphere, as well as for the preservation of the Constitution, for religious freedom in general, and the Hare Krishna sankirtana movement specifically.  This is a call for renewed action to all with compassion and empathy in their hearts. We have a great responsibility, wherever we are and whenever we can, to inject the principles of dharma into any given situation. 

Without a doubt, Sanatana Dharma is the oldest, most comprehensive, and sophisticated spiritual teachings available. These teachings, along with the noble examples of historic personalities in ancient literatures such as the Mahabharata, Ramayana, and Srimad Bhagavatam, can help guide us through the dilemmas we face today.

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Sobre el autor
Sankirtana Das, a disciple of Srila Prabhupada, is a longtime resident of the New Vrindaban Community and an award-winning author and storyteller. He is also a recipient of a WV Artist Fellowship Award & Grant. His most recent book, Hanuman’s Quest, is acclaimed by scholars and has received a Storytelling World Resource Honors. He also sits on the board of directors for the Vedic Friends Association. At New Vrindaban, Sankirtana offers sacred storytelling and scheduled in-depth tours. For more info about his work, visit mahabharata-project.com.