What is the essence of Krishnaism?
The Krishnas consider themselves pure Hindus and preach the attainment of salvation through personal devotion to Krishna, who is considered to be a true god in their purest form. All other gods of Hinduism are considered Krishnas only as Krishna avatars or his creations. It is believed that Krishna appeared five thousand years ago before the beginning of the so-called Kali Yuga - the era of darkness, in order to revive the true religion in the world, to destroy demons and protect virtuous people. The Hare Krishnas honor all Hindu books, but especially the Bhagavata Purana and the gospel of Hindu Bhagavat Gita - the philosophical dialogue of Krishna himself and his cousin Arjuna on the Kurukshetra field. Krishna is described by a young man with a black body, but with Aryan features. He plays the flute, fights against demons and evil people. Krishaism is known throughout the world thanks to the activities of the Gaudiya Vaishnava guru of the Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, who arrived in the United States in the seventies and founded the Society for Krishna Consciousness there.
Srila Prabhubada crossed the ocean on the ship when he was already seventy years old, and suffered two heart attacks during the voyage. All his belongings were made up of two boxes of books.
The society has grown rapidly and has turned into an impressive international organization with millions of adepts around the world and a large budget. The attitude to the organization on the part of ordinary people and governments is ambiguous. So, in Russia, Krishnaism is classified as a totalitarian sect. And although the cult is not prohibited by law, the attitude towards it is cautious. Some social movements try to hinder the missionary activity of the Hare Krishnas and persecute them according to the law.
The main provisions of Krishna are written in the main sacred book of the Bhagavad Gita. It describes the philosophical dialogue of Krishna with his cousin Arjuna before the epic battle on the Kurukshetra field between the closely related clans of the Pandavas and the Kauravas.
A great role in the popularization of Krishnaism was played by the Beatles group, especially George Harrison, who became an adherent of this cult.
Arjuna doubted whether he should go against his brothers, but Krishna strengthened him in this and taught philosophical teaching. Krsna explained that the physical body is dying, but the soul is immortal and is born again in the material world, unless one manages to achieve salvation. Krishna calls the quick way of achieving liberation through the unceasing repetition of the Hare Krishna-Hare Rama mantra and personal devotion to him as the creator of everything.