Contribution of Śrīla Prabhupāda

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s contribution to intellectual and cultural life may be less obvious than his more visible achievements in preaching, establishing temples, and publishing books. However, the effect of a philosopher on the way people think is the ultimate test of his influence. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s entire mission was to overcome the atheistic worldview presently dominating the world, and to establish Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Absolute Truth.

Śrīla Prabhupāda was undoubtedly the most prominent spiritual leader in the modern age. He was also the most advanced scholar, philosopher, social critic, psychologist, scientist, artist, and writer. By bringing Kṛṣṇa consciousness to the Western world, he gave the spark of life that renders perfect all fields of study, and all arts and science. Although the effect of his contribution is yet to be properly recognized, the seeds which he planted will surely fructify in due course of time.

Śrīla Prabhupāda gave the proper subject for study—Kṛṣṇa consciousness—which not only satisfies the intellect but illumines the heart. All branches of education can make tremendous progress by taking direction from Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books. Mundane scholars who waste their intelligence in minutely analyzing the permutations and combinations of gross and subtle matter, have yet to discover this higher dimension of learning.

Therefore Śrīla Prabhupāda laid much stress on convincing what he called the “scholarly class.” He liked preaching to university professors and other intellectuals, and said that his books were especially meant for the intelligent class of men. The BBT Library Party was started at Śrīla Prabhupāda’s behest to distribute sets of his books to university and college libraries. The Bhaktivedanta Institute was established by Śrīla Prabhupāda for preaching to scientists, scholars, and intellectuals. And in his commentary on the verse idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā, Śrīla Prabhupāda gave the idea as to how mundane scholarship could be dovetailed into devotional service. (SB 1.5.22) Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted to capture the attention of these intellectuals because great minds influence lesser minds. If the intelligentsia were to accept Kṛṣṇa consciousness, others would follow—for ideas, not weapons, rule the world.

SOURCE: Jaya Srila Prabhupada, Book written by H.H. Bhakti Vikasa Swami