64
THE SCIENCE OF SELF-REALIZATION
these four sinful activities, you could not be initiated.
Reporter:  How many followers do you have throughout the world?
Śrīla Prabhupāda:  For anything genuine, the followers may be very few. For something rubbish, the followers may be many. Still, we have about five thousand initiated disciples.
Reporter:  Is the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement growing all the time?
Śrīla Prabhupāda:  Yes, it is growing—but slowly. This is because we have so many restrictions. People do not like restrictions.
Reporter:  Where is your following the greatest?
Śrīla Prabhupāda:  In the United States, Europe, South America, and Australia. And, of course, in India there are millions who practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Reporter:  Could you tell me what the goal of your movement is?
Śrīla Prabhupāda:  The purpose of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to awaken man's original consciousness. At the present moment our consciousness is designated. Someone is thinking, "I am an Englishman," and another is thinking, "I am an American." Actually, we do not belong to any of these designations. We are all part and parcel of God; that is our real identity. If everyone simply comes to that consciousness, all the problems of the world will be solved. Then we shall come to know that we are one—the same quality of spirit soul. The same quality of spirit soul is within everyone, although it may be in a different dress. This is the explanation given in the  Bhagavad-gītā .
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is actually a purificatory process ( sarvopādhi-vinirmuktam ). Its purpose is to make people free from all designations ( tat-paratvena nirmalam ). When our consciousness becomes purified of all designations, the activities we carry out with our purified senses make us perfect. Eventually, we reach the ideal perfection of human life. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is also a very simple process. It is not necessary to become a great philosopher, scientist, or whatever. We need only chant the holy name of the Lord, understanding that His personality, His name, and His qualities are all absolute.
Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a great science. Unfortunately, in the universities there is no department for this science. Therefore we invite all serious men who are interested in the welfare of human society to understand this great movement and, if possible, take part in it and cooperate with us. The problems of the world will be solved. This is also the verdict of the  Bhagavad-gītā , the most important and authoritative book of spiritual knowledge. Many of you have heard of the  Bhagavad-gītā . Our movement is based on it. Our movement is approved by all great  ācāryas