Consciousness is the knowledge of existence. This is the primary dharma of the soul. Just like being sweet is the dharma of sugar. Soul exists eternally so it is eternally conscious. When the soul enters the body it powers the material body to function. Think of it like fuel to run a car. Modern generation also have this knowledge that they exist, but they think it is due to this material body and once the body perishes, the consciousness perishes too. But this is not true.
Once the soul and its inherent consciousness leaves the body, the body no longer functions. But the soul will transmigrate to accept new body based on the past karmas and desires of the soul. I hope that helps understand consciousness.
Now, what is Krsna consciousness?
Being conscious that we EXIST is one thing but WHY do we exist is another thing. The soul has the knowledge of its existence but it doesnt understand why it exists. For example, when Brahma was born of the navel of Lord Vishnu, he knew that he exists but was not aware of why he exists. Lord himself had to give this knowledge to Brahma.
To answer this, in Caitanya Caritamrita, there is a verse who outlines the soul's ACTUAL position.
jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’
It is the living entity’s constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa because he is the marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa
So, like Radha DD explained, in simple terms, being conscious that we are eternal servant of Krsna and to constantly think of Krsna and act on His instructions is Krsna Consciousness.
I want to explain in simple terms as u say u are newbie.
Tell me one thing. What is that thing which you really own in this life?
generally speaking normal newbies like you will say I own my house, car.. my .....some my my.. right?
But to a KC person if u put the same question he would say I own nothing.
Everything is given to me by HIM.
Even this --body, mind, intellect, senses and sense objects nature all is given by HIM.
When You own nothing. Everything is made by God then U lose the pride of doership right?
You no longer are the doer that is clear.
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रय: | मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् || 56||
sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśhrayaḥ mat-prasādād avāpnoti śhāśhvataṁ padam avyayam
Though engaged in all kinds of activities, My devotee, under My protection, reaches the eternal and imperishable abode by My grace. ( BG chapter 18.56).
Once when we become Krishna Conscious we lose this pride of doer. Though we may be doing works.. Now we fully understand nothing is owned by me everything is HIS.
All living beings are part and parcel of Supreme personality all is HIs property ...In that case every activities which you do become KC activities only? Yes or no?
Till the time you didn't become KC you were thinking This is my car, this is my house, This is mine I earned it, its all my hard work ....you were having pride of ownership==> FALSE EGO. Thinking that this body is you.
Just think .. Lord gave you body, mind and intellect to work and also provides air water and food ( plants, fruits and vegetables to eat) which provide energy also. what have you done????? Practically NOTHING!
You don't own anything.
Though engaged in all kinds of activities, My devotee, under My protection, reaches the eternal and imperishable abode by My grace.( Bg)
We maybe engaged in various activities now like playing , singing dancing, writing, speaking, working doing any karma for that matter now you don't have doership and ownership now all you karma becomes KC activities.
Krishna consciousness means leaving the pride of doer and doing all works dedicated to Lord. Having awareness that Lord is the owner, enjoyer you are nothing but his part n parcel of Supreme lord.
Just as leaves on a tree serve the tree right? Leaves belong to Big tree. But do they feel separate? NO all are parts of the tree and they serve the tree.
Until we know this our works were all dedicated to selfish pleasure. We did work to please ourselves our senses..
Now we do work to please the LORD.
This is Krishna consciousness.
ALL WORKS DONE FOR THE PLEASURE OF LORD is Krishna Consciousness. Seeing Lord in everything finding HE is only the real enjoyer and owner and we are just serving him to please HIm.
Replies
Sri Krishna Bhava' naamrita
(Amrita/nectar of devotion to Krishna)
is Krishna Consciousness.
It has nothing to do with what consciousness means.
Unfortunately, it is hard to translate Sanskrit into English and still express full meaning
Hare krsna,
Consciousness is the knowledge of existence. This is the primary dharma of the soul. Just like being sweet is the dharma of sugar. Soul exists eternally so it is eternally conscious. When the soul enters the body it powers the material body to function. Think of it like fuel to run a car. Modern generation also have this knowledge that they exist, but they think it is due to this material body and once the body perishes, the consciousness perishes too. But this is not true.
Once the soul and its inherent consciousness leaves the body, the body no longer functions. But the soul will transmigrate to accept new body based on the past karmas and desires of the soul. I hope that helps understand consciousness.
Now, what is Krsna consciousness?
Being conscious that we EXIST is one thing but WHY do we exist is another thing. The soul has the knowledge of its existence but it doesnt understand why it exists. For example, when Brahma was born of the navel of Lord Vishnu, he knew that he exists but was not aware of why he exists. Lord himself had to give this knowledge to Brahma.
To answer this, in Caitanya Caritamrita, there is a verse who outlines the soul's ACTUAL position.
jīvera ‘svarūpa’ haya — kṛṣṇera ‘nitya-dāsa’
It is the living entity’s constitutional position to be an eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa because he is the marginal energy of Kṛṣṇa
So, like Radha DD explained, in simple terms, being conscious that we are eternal servant of Krsna and to constantly think of Krsna and act on His instructions is Krsna Consciousness.
All glories to Srila Prabhupad!!!
Hare krsna.
Hare Krsna Prabhuji,
PAMHO.
Being conscious of Krsna is called Krsna Consciousness. It means always remember Krsna and never forget Krsna. This is the short definition.
Haribol,
Your servant,
Radha Rasamayi DD
Hare Krishna.
I want to explain in simple terms as u say u are newbie.
Tell me one thing. What is that thing which you really own in this life?
generally speaking normal newbies like you will say I own my house, car.. my .....some my my.. right?
But to a KC person if u put the same question he would say I own nothing.
Everything is given to me by HIM.
Even this --body, mind, intellect, senses and sense objects nature all is given by HIM.
When You own nothing. Everything is made by God then U lose the pride of doership right?
You no longer are the doer that is clear.
सर्वकर्माण्यपि सदा कुर्वाणो मद्व्यपाश्रय: |
मत्प्रसादादवाप्नोति शाश्वतं पदमव्ययम् || 56||
sarva-karmāṇy api sadā kurvāṇo mad-vyapāśhrayaḥ
mat-prasādād avāpnoti śhāśhvataṁ padam avyayam
Though engaged in all kinds of activities, My devotee, under My protection, reaches the eternal and imperishable abode by My grace. ( BG chapter 18.56).
Once when we become Krishna Conscious we lose this pride of doer. Though we may be doing works.. Now we fully understand nothing is owned by me everything is HIS.
All living beings are part and parcel of Supreme personality all is HIs property ...In that case every activities which you do become KC activities only? Yes or no?
Till the time you didn't become KC you were thinking This is my car, this is my house, This is mine I earned it, its all my hard work ....you were having pride of ownership==> FALSE EGO. Thinking that this body is you.
Just think .. Lord gave you body, mind and intellect to work and also provides air water and food ( plants, fruits and vegetables to eat) which provide energy also.
what have you done????? Practically NOTHING!
You don't own anything.
Though engaged in all kinds of activities, My devotee, under My protection, reaches the eternal and imperishable abode by My grace.( Bg)
We maybe engaged in various activities now like playing , singing dancing, writing, speaking, working doing any karma for that matter now you don't have doership and ownership now all you karma becomes KC activities.
Krishna consciousness means leaving the pride of doer and doing all works dedicated to Lord. Having awareness that Lord is the owner, enjoyer you are nothing but his part n parcel of Supreme lord.
Just as leaves on a tree serve the tree right? Leaves belong to Big tree. But do they feel separate? NO all are parts of the tree and they serve the tree.
Until we know this our works were all dedicated to selfish pleasure. We did work to please ourselves our senses..
Now we do work to please the LORD.
This is Krishna consciousness.
ALL WORKS DONE FOR THE PLEASURE OF LORD is Krishna Consciousness. Seeing Lord in everything finding HE is only the real enjoyer and owner and we are just serving him to please HIm.
This is KC.
Hare Krishna.
Jai Srila Prabhupada ji ki.