Category:Perfectional Platform

Theme Analysis

The perfectional platform is presented by Śrīla Prabhupāda as the supreme destination of human life, accessible to every sincere soul through the practice of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and devotional service. From the neophyte stage of sādhaka gradually freeing himself from fruitive reaction to the summit of love of God where one becomes mad after Kṛṣṇa, the entire journey is a progressive ascent guided by devotional practice, proper association, and surrender to the lotus feet of the Lord. Against the background of speculative philosophy and mechanical yoga systems that fall short of this highest stage, Śrīla Prabhupāda declares Kṛṣṇa consciousness the only process truly capable of opening the doors of the perfectional platform to all of human society.

• The Perfectional Platform Defined - Love of God: The highest perfectional stage for a human being is the attainment of love of God, in which the devotee becomes completely absorbed in Kṛṣṇa and mad after Him. This surpasses even the Māyāvādī conception of liberation, or mukti, which Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies as merely the fourth perfectional platform, far below the summit of pure devotional love.
• The Progressive Path Toward Perfection: The journey to the perfectional platform is gradual and systematic. The neophyte sādhaka practices yoga, observes rules and regulations, and steadily advances through devotional service. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures his followers that daily devotional practice combined with active preaching is sufficient to bring one to the platform of perfection in a very short time.
• Association and Surrender as Indispensable Means: Mental speculation and so-called meditation alone cannot raise one to the perfectional platform. Only through association with those already situated in the highest stage of love of God and through complete surrender to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa can the living entity truly ascend. Devotional service, even in small measure, surpasses all speculative methods in its power to elevate the soul.
• Kṛṣṇa Consciousness - The Highest Gift to Human Society: Śrīla Prabhupāda describes the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement as a mission to offer the highest perfectional platform to all of humanity without distinction. The only condition is sincere adherence to the rules and regulations of the process. Even those already on the perfectional platform are encouraged to remain patient and steady, knowing that the remnants of māyā's influence will fade in due course.

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Open to All - Kṛṣṇa Consciousness as the Path to the Highest Perfectional Platform of Life.