ISKCON and Hinduism

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ISKCON and Hinduism

The International Society for Krsna Consciousness (ISKCON), whose

followers are commonly referred to as "Hare Krsnas," has gained much

popularity in the Western World as well as in Bharat in the past few

decades. Founded by A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, it has

established numerous Krsna mandirs and published many books on the

Bhagavad Gita and other Vaisnava Hindu scriptures.

 

Many may be surprised to learn that Swami Prabhupada denied his

organisation had anything to do with modern Hinduism. According to

Swami's devotees, however, there is justification for His statements

such as "The modern followers of Sanatana Dharma are nothing but

dried up, useless branches of the Vedic religion." Indeed, many

people nowadays have strayed from the original teachings of Sanatana

Dharma. We worship and pray to God simply to have a successful

marriage or to gain money, not to realise the Supreme Goal of life

here.

 

This is, however, certainly far from encompassing all Hindus. And

many Sanatanis may feel at odds with some of the deeper philosophies

of the Hare Krsnas, since they take a very different interpretation

of Vedic scriptures than the rest of Sanatana Dharma. Being strictly

Dvaiti, they believe that all Devataas (Shiva, Durga, etc.) other

than Sri Krsna (and other forms of Visnu, which they believe are the

same as Him) are merely "demigods", eternally separate and

subserviant to Krsna.

 

Although we may have differences, it is important that all sects of

Sanatana Dharma and its branch religions be united. It is obvious

that the basic beliefs and cultural practices of ISKCON devotees are

shared by all Sanatanis. To realise the atma through japa, bhajan,

dhyanam, or karma to one's form of Bhagavan, along with the belief in

reincarnation, dharma, and ahimsa are characteristic of Sanatana

Dharma. ISKCON teaches that all we need is to chant the Lord's name

and surrender all our actions to Him, and then our lives will be

fulfilled. Like any other branch of Sanatana Dharma, it will take

its devotees to the feet of Bhagavan.

 

 

Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare