Category:Becoming Ideal

Theme Analysis

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the chaos in modern society is primarily due to a lack of ideal leaders. The Vedic principle is yad yad ācarati śreṣṭhas: whatever a great man does, common people follow. Therefore, the most urgent need is for a class of Ideal Men who can act as the "brain" of society. The analysis of these quotes emphasizes that teaching is not done merely by words, but by personal behavior (āpani ācari). Whether one is a sannyāsī or a householder, the requirement is to become "faultless" in character. This is achieved through the simple process of chanting, reading the scriptures, and strictly following the regulative principles. If the devotees become ideal, the world will naturally be impressed and follow.

• The Law of Leadership: If the leader is ideal, the followers become ideal. If the leader is corrupt, the society becomes corrupt.
• The Mission: The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant to train a few men of ideal character to guide the rest of the population.
• Teaching by Example: One must practice what one preaches. "We have to teach by our personal behavior."
• The Process: Becoming ideal is not difficult; it simply requires strictly following the standard spiritual process given by the spiritual master.

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: We Must All Become Ideal in Our Character.