How I came to Krishna Consciousness - H.G. Shyamlal Das

H.G. Shyamalal Das

From Material Illusion to Spiritual Revolution: Surrendering at Śrīla Prabhupāda’s Lotus Feet

Born on the sacred banks of the river Gaṅgā in Bihar, I grew up surrounded by rituals, traditions, and reverence for the Supreme, yet without true understanding of life’s real purpose. Like many, I chased education, career, and material success, unaware that genuine fulfillment lies in awakening one’s dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It was Śrīla Prabhupāda’s unmatched purity—and his transcendental books—that ignited the divine spark within a spiritually lost and insignificant soul like me.

When I first read Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, the verse “As a person puts on new garments, giving up old ones…” (Bg. 2.22) struck me deeply. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words entered my heart—simple, clear, and yet profoundly transformative. They revealed that life’s true goal is to return to our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Years later, through the causeless mercy of my spiritual master, H.H. Bhakti Vikās Swami, I realized this awakening was not coincidental but the natural effect of associating with a pure devotee through his vani.

H.H. Bhakti Vikās Swami reminds us in Speaking Strongly in the Service of Śrīla Prabhupāda, “If we dilute Prabhupāda’s teachings, we betray him. To serve him means to represent him as he is.” In The Mood and Mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda, he writes, “Real compassion means to give Kṛṣṇa, not comfort.” And in Śrī Bhaktisiddhānta Vaibhava, he glorifies how one pure devotee can ignite a global spiritual revolution—Śrīla Prabhupāda is that miracle.

If an insignificant soul like me could be transformed by such mercy, imagine the divine potential within you.

Take up Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously—it is not merely a belief but the rediscovery of your eternal identity. Read Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books, chant sincerely, and awaken the bliss of serving Kṛṣṇa—the true perfection of life.

~ Syamalal Das – Disciple of H.H. Bhakti Vikās Swami Maharaj (ACBSP)