Q. This question was asked to Srila Prabhupada, but I did not understand his answer. Does one function better in a society as a result of Krishna consciousness or does it have to do with the individual’s desires or perception about life as a whole?
Answer by Romapada Swami: When one is actually practicing Krsna consciousness with proper understanding and maturity, it most certainly results in better functioning of that individual in a society. There are many reasons for it but the foremost reason is because the devotee does everything for pleasure of Guru and Krsna and therefore naturally he does everything with greater sincerity. I personally know of a number of individuals who have reported to me how they have become more efficient in their occupational duty, how they are performing better in their studies, how their family and friends are so impressed by their transformation of character and qualities, how they have become better parents and better children and how their relationship with spouse has improved etc. The list can go on.
Through the process of devotional service our focus improves greatly because our intelligence becomes one-pointed. When one is on a material platform, our intelligence is multi-branched (BG 2.41) and therefore one is so easily distracted by so many things. Also as we get purified and experience the bliss of transcendental happiness, the material anxieties and worries that plague us so much and drain so much of our vital energy disappear.
A devotee has no other desire other than to please Krsna through all his activities and therefore he does not act with a selfish or exploitative or egotistical mentality. So naturally all his relationships improve and become very beautiful.
