Krishna consciousness or bhakti-yoga is the spiritual science of linking oneself to the Supreme Person (God) by selfless service with love and devotion. The knowledge and culture are coming from the Vedic literatures which cover various subjects of life; however, the most important aspect of the Vedic knowledge is the knowledge of the self and the Supreme Self (God). In addition, the knowledge and process, to solve all the problems of life namely birth, death, old age and disease, are given.

The foundational point in the Krishna consciousness philosophy is we are not our bodies, but spirit souls. The soul is an eternally blissful being full of knowledge or consciousness. The soul is an eternal part the Supreme Soul (Krishna), and our natural state of existence is to serve Him and be in a loving relationship with Him. Currently, we are in an unnatural state of existence, thinking we are this body and mind bringing us so much trouble and anxiety. The Vedic literatures teach human life is meant for self-realization, and sankirtana is the most effective method for achieving direct perception or experience of one’s original spiritual nature. Sankirtana is the team effort of glorifying God in various strategies.

The practitioners of Krishna consciousness follow the way of life taught by the previous spiritual experts from an unbroken lineage (disciplic succession “parampara”). By experiencing and reconnecting with our loving relationship with God, we will be free from all anxiety and will experience unlimited happiness and satisfaction.

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HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

Krishna consciousness follows the descending process of acquiring knowledge. So, in order to receive perfect knowledge from the Perfect Source, it must be passed down from self-realized persons with selfless intentions. Historically, Rupanuga Vedic College (RVC) is in the line of the Brahma-Madhva-Gaudiya-Sampradaya (disciplic succession) which originated with Lord Krishna and continues to A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder of ISKCON, and his disciples.

 

Lineage of Self Realized Teachers:

Sri Krsna, Brahma, Narada, Vyasa, Madhva. Padmanabha, Nrhari, Madhava, Aksobhya, Jaya Tirtha, Jnanasindhu, Dayanidhi, Vidyanidhi, Rajendra, Jayadharma, Purusottama, Brahmanya Tirtha, Vyasa Tirtha, Laksmipati, Madhavendra Puri, Isvara Puri, (Nityananda, Advaita), Lord Caitanya, Rupa, (Svarupa, Sanatana), Raghunatha, Jiva, Krsnadasa, Narottama, Visvanatha, (Baladeva) Jagannatha, Bhaktivinoda, Gaurakisora, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada’s Disciples.

 

Sankirtana:

The Vedic knowledge and the last incarnation of Krishna, Lord Caitanya, affirms the most effective method for self-realization is sankirtana or congregational chanting the Hare Krishna mantra. Sankirtana or spreading this science of Krishna consciousness is performed in various ways i.e. publicly singing the Hare Krishna mantra, distributing Krishna conscious literature, distributing spiritualized karma-free food (prasadam), etc.