Category:What is the Loss

Theme Analysis

The quotes in this category center around Śrīla Prabhupāda's highly pragmatic and encouraging rhetorical question: "What is the loss?" He uses this logic to demonstrate that taking to Kṛṣṇa consciousness is an absolute no-lose proposition. Whether one is simply experimenting by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra on the street or offering a little water to the Deity, there is zero material expenditure or loss of time. Furthermore, leaning heavily on the assurances of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that even if a devotee gives up their prescribed material duties out of sentiment and later falls down immaturely from the path of bhakti, they still suffer no loss! Their spiritual bank account remains completely intact, and they are guaranteed a high birth in their next life to continue their progress. Conversely, the only real loss is missing the rare opportunity of the human form of life.

• The Zero-Cost Experiment: Chanting the holy names and remembering Kṛṣṇa requires no financial expenditure or loss of occupational duty; it can be done anywhere, at any time.
• The Safety of Spiritual Credit: Unlike material achievements, any sincere service rendered to Kṛṣṇa is credited eternally. Even if a devotee falls down, there is no loss to their spiritual account.
• A Guaranteed Future: A devotee who does not perfect their practice is guaranteed a human birth in a pious brāhmaṇa or wealthy family to comfortably resume their spiritual journey.
• The Futility of Material Success: Even if one perfectly executes their material duties without God consciousness, there is zero eternal gain. Worldly leaders fight and die, and their efforts are ultimately lost to time.
• The True Loss: The only real tragedy in existence is misusing the human form of life and missing the unparalleled opportunity to serve the Supreme Lord.

• Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: What is the Loss in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness?