Science and Art for Purified Senses

We should not think that Srila Prabhupada was the leader of a sectarian religion. On the contrary, the principles taught by Srila Prabhupada were universal, far transcending the superficial, man-made boundaries between one religious sect and another, and even transcending religion itself. "Gold is natural," Srila Prabhupada taught. "We do not speak of 'Hindu gold' or 'Christian gold.' Gold is always gold. Similarly, when we speak of Krsna consciousness, we refer to the natural pure consciousness lying dormant within the heart of every living being." Srila Prabhupada didn't care about the temporary "isms" of this material world. Rather, he sought to awaken that dormant spiritual consciousness-unalloyed love of God. Let our senses be cleansed of all material, bodily designations, and let the purified senses be engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord. This was Srila Prabhupada's desire.

Thus, far from being a sectarian religious figure, Srila Prabhupada was the leader of a cultural movement for the respiritualization of all human society. Literature, music, dance, drama, painting, sculpture, film-all can serve to purify our senses and awaken and express our eternal love for Krsna. Srila Prabhupada was the spiritual master who taught how this can be done.

And why only the arts? The sciences also, Srila Prabhupada taught, should be directed towards the Absolute Truth. Srila Prabhupada boldly challenged scientific theories that make matter alone the basis of everything and fail to acknowledge a spiritual energy and supreme controller. Such theories, he said, were the notions of rascals and fools. Indeed, he so logically and convincingly presented the science of spiritual realization that even scientists stepped forward to become his disciples. Later, these disciples formed an educational society of Ph.D.'s-the Bhaktivedanta Institute-to introduce this Vedic understanding to their colleagues.