Krsna Consciousness, the Topmost Yoga System

by A.C. Bhaktivedanta

Again the topmost yogi of the modern age, Srila Prabhupada, expounds on the supreme yoga, Krsna consciousness. A sample: "Chanting the Hare Krsna mantra is not merely the process of putting an end to the false conception of the self, but it goes beyond that, to the point where the pure spirit soul engages in his eternal, blissful, all-knowing activities in the loving service of God. This is the height of conscious development."

Genres: Hinduism, Spirituality, Philosophy, Nonfiction

71 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1972

About the author

His Divine Grace Abhay Charanaravinda Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada (अभय चरणारविन्द भक्तिवेदान्त स्वामी प्रभुपाद)was born as Abhay Charan De on 1 September 1896 in Calcutta, India.

He first met his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami, in Calcutta in 1922. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, a prominent devotional scholar and the founder of sixty-four branches of Gaudiya Mathas (Vedic institutes), liked this educated young man and convinced him to dedicate his life to teaching Vedic knowledge in the Western world. Srila Prabhupada became his student, and eleven years later (1933) at Allahabad, he became his formally initiated disciple.

At their first meeting, in 1922, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura requested Srila Prabhupada to broadcast Vedic knowledge through the English language. In the years that followed, Srila Prabhupada wrote a commentary on the Bhagavad-gita and in 1944, without assistance, started an English fortnightly magazine.

In the last ten years of his life, in spite of his advanced age, Srila Prabhupada circled the globe twelve times on lecture tours that have took him to six continents. In spite of such a vigorous schedule, Srila Prabhupada continued to write prolifically. His writings constitute a veritable library of Vedic philosophy, religion, literature and culture.

Reviews

[Lingui5t · Rating 2 out of 5]

I fear I will progress through every single publication of this group without the concepts even once being explained properly, thoroughly, and most importantly, CLEARLY.

It gets very repetitive, with the same uninventive analogies used by Prabhupada over and over. And yet somehow basic ideas that Westerners (Lennon, Harrison) and Easterners alike (Ono) in prior installments asked about are NEVER adequately addressed or even confronted head on.

[Nielian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was thinking it would be a better opera or a play. Because the story was quite predictable and pretty much the same outcome was repeated many times... Still it was nice. I got to know some things about indian culture at least :)

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very repetitive for concepts clearly explained.

Slight negative notions and attitude towards those who do not practice. Although attempting to get others to practice.

I’m also curious as to if this was translated, there’s nothing that says it was or wasn’t. The wording seems awkward for someone of high status in their community. Although it’s possible they are trying to make it funny or quirky..?

Interesting read though, a good insight into someone else’s perspective and culture.

Yoga = Krsna in the Hindu community!

[Rey Félix · Rating 3 out of 5]

Texto sumamente amigable para los interesados curiosos. Aun si no es seguidor, todos deberían leerlo porque, en suma, da algunas sencillos pasos sobre cómo debería ser la convivencia humana -más allá de credos u orientaciones-. Uno no es su cuerpo ni su orgullo. Uno no son sus problemas o sus talentos.

[pemondelo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swami Prabhupada nos trae perlas de sabiduría con sus libritos accesibles y amenos. Con las verdades de oriente explicadas para que se entiendan en occidente. En este librito se explica cómo la meditación es capaz de hacernos abrir la conciencia para ser capaces de ver más allá de nuestro propio ego.

[Rakshita Roat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just loved the book. The topmost yoga is bhakti yoga and srila prabhupada has nicely explained it with the example of a plant which grows until it gets krishna :)...

[Esteban Contreras · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good but too referent to krsna and not to the universal holyness

[Niladri Nayak · Rating 5 out of 5]

Must read for everyone who wants to know what is the real meaning of yoga.

[Darrell Kinney · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of his best pamphlets.

[Zhenghu Maolong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Conciso y directo. Resume muchas de las propuestas de la meditación acorde a los textos de los vedas.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not always the easiest read, and in some claims should be taken "with a pinch of salt", or read with an open mind... but there are some good and genuine message in there, if you are interested in this kind of literature. In my opinion, best read at intervals, one chapter at a time, putting it down inbetween reads.

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction into the basic principles and tenants of the Hare Krishna practices.

[Photomancia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess is to advance for myself in this point of my life.

[Juane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Esperaba más por el título del libro, no encontré lo que esperaba, habló más de la doctrina en si, que de la meditación.

[Elena Prieto · Rating 4 out of 5]

No está mal, pero no es muy específico. Se hace entretenido, pero no es de los mejores libros del autor. Me gustó más "Preguntas perfectas, respuestas perfectas".

[Garrett Carrier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing and very concise reading on self-realization and the spiritual path of bhakti-yoga.