More than another sectarian faith, Krishna consciousness is a technical science of spiritual values that is fully described in ancient India’s Vedic literature. The aim of the Krishna consciousness movement is to acquaint all people of the world with the universal principles of God realization so that they may derive the highest benefits of spiritual understanding, unity, and peace.

The Vedas recommend that in this age the most effective means for achieving self-realization is to always hear about, glorify, and remember the all-good Supreme Lord, who is known by many names. One of these names is Krishna, which means “the all-attractive one,” another is Rama, which means “the reservoir of all pleasure,” and Hare indicates the Lord’s inconceivable energy.

Following the Vedic recommendation, the members of ISKCON are always seen chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This sublime chanting puts us directly in touch with the Supreme Lord through the sound vibration of His holy names and gradually awakens us to our original relationship with God.

ISKCON’s primary mission is thus to encourage all members of human society to devote at least some portion of their time and energies to this process of hearing and chanting about God. In this way they will gradually come to realize that all living beings are spirit souls, eternally related to the Supreme Lord in service and in love.