Swamiji’s Core Principle: Always Think of Krishna

Remember that Krishna is in control.  That’s why things don’t happen as man proposes—because God disposes.  That’s the essence of Krishna consciousness.  Smartavyah satatam visnur, vismartavyo na jatucit: just remember Krishna.  All other rules and regulations serve that one.

One time in the storefront I heard Swamiji talking about this and explaining his preaching in America.  He was saying that he is just trying to attract people to Krishna.  He wanted them to chant Hare Krishna and to engage in other acceptable activities.  He said that in India there are devotees or transcendentalists who follow so many rules and regulations, but he didn’t introduce that here.  He said, “I’ve introduced only one percent.  Somebody says of me in America, ‘Oh, Swamiji is so conservative.  He has so many rules.  You can’t do this, you can’t do that.’  But I have only introduced one percent.  I am not so interested in rules and regulations, but I am trying to follow Rupa Gosvami’s policy: yena tena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet sarva vidhi-nisedhasyur etayor eva kinkarah.  Just somehow attract people to Krishna so they can think of Krishna.  Rules and regulations can come later.”

“Always remember Krishna” is the grand principle of Krishna consciousness—to see that everything is controlled by Krishna.  Samadhi is not in a person’s control.  Samadhi is a sign that Krishna is controlling the devotee.  Therefore the principle always remember Krishna is both for the beginner and the accomplished devotee.  Just somehow do something Krishna conscious.  Don’t bother about the rules and what you are not able to do right now.  Just chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare.  Anyone can start with that.  That’s the first step, and it is also the goal.  It’s the core principle that Swamiji drilled into us.  It’s what’s so wonderful about Krishna consciousness.