The wisdom of bhakti
Ancient, practical and joyful. Explore the essential teachings of Krishna consciousness, one clear step at a time.
Krishna consciousness
Krishna consciousness is the practice of reawakening our natural, loving relationship with God. It teaches that every living being is an eternal spiritual soul, distinct from the temporary material body, and that our deepest happiness lies in reconnecting with the Supreme through devotion.
The method is bhakti-yoga — yoga of the heart — practised through hearing, chanting, and serving. It requires no special qualification and is open to people of every background and faith.
This is the living tradition of Gaudiya Vaishnavism, taught five centuries ago by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who spread the congregational chanting of God's names — sankirtana — as the recommended path of self-realisation for our age. Through an unbroken line of teachers it was carried to the West by Srila Prabhupada, and to Copenhagen in 1979. Its goal is the highest perfection of all: pure love of Krishna, krishna-prema.
Who is Krishna?
"Krishna" means "the all-attractive person" — the original Supreme Person and the source of everything that exists. The scriptures describe Him not as an abstract force or distant power, but as the most attractive personality of all: in His original, eternal form, a flute-playing youth whose beauty draws every heart.
Though He is the oldest and most grave being in all of existence, His innermost nature is playful — a cowherd boy at eternal play with His dear friends in the spiritual world. Krishna consciousness is simply the art of reawakening our love for Him, and through Him, our love for every living being.
Who are we? The soul
A central teaching of Krishna consciousness is that you are not your body. The real self is the atma — an eternal spiritual soul, full of consciousness, that is never born and never dies. The body grows from childhood to old age and is finally left behind, but the soul carries on, unchanging and eternally part of Krishna.
Realising this — "I am spirit, not matter" — is the beginning of real spiritual life. It quietly dissolves the fear and anxiety that come from identifying only with a temporary body, and reawakens our search for a happiness that lasts.
What is Bhakti Yoga?
Bhakti-yoga is the path of loving devotional service. Where other yogas emphasise the body or the mind, bhakti engages the heart directly. Simple daily practices — chanting the holy names, hearing scripture, offering food, and serving others — gradually awaken pure love of God, the natural condition of the soul.
Bhagavad-gita
The Bhagavad-gita is the most prominent of the Vedic scriptures and the essence of their wisdom. Spoken by Krishna to His friend Arjuna on a battlefield more than 5,000 years ago, it addresses the deepest questions of life: who we are, why we suffer, and how to act with clarity and peace.
Every evening (except Sunday) from 6pm we hold a lecture on the Bhagavad-gita, exploring spirituality, reincarnation, karma and related topics. All are welcome.
Srimad Bhagavatam
The Srimad Bhagavatam is the ripened fruit of Vedic literature, describing the science of God and the path of pure devotion in beautiful depth. Each morning from 7:45 to 8:45 we study it together, entering into the mysterious and joyful world of bhakti-yoga.
The Vedas & Srila Prabhupada's books
The teachings of Krishna consciousness come from the Vedas — the vast body of spiritual literature from ancient India — of which the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam are the essence. They are not sectarian texts but a complete science of the soul, God, and the purpose of life.
Srila Prabhupada translated these works into English with word-for-word clarity and practical commentary, so that anyone could read and apply them. His books — Bhagavad-gita As It Is, the multi-volume Srimad-Bhagavatam and Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, and many more — are read and studied here in Copenhagen every day, and are available at the temple.
Chanting Hare Krishna
At the centre of our practice is the Hare Krishna maha-mantra:
हरे कृष्ण हरे कृष्ण कृष्ण कृष्ण हरे हरे
हरे राम हरे राम राम राम हरे हरे
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare / Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
These are names of God, and chanting them — softly on beads (japa) or joyfully together with music (kirtan) — is a simple, powerful meditation that cleanses the heart and awakens love. You can learn it in a single visit.
The mantra is a prayer, not a demand. "Hare" calls on the Lord's tender, devotional energy; "Krishna" means the all-attractive Lord; "Rama" means the reservoir of all joy. Together they form one humble appeal — please engage me in Your loving service.
Vegetarianism & Karma
A vegetarian diet reflects compassion for all living beings and a lighter footprint on the world. In bhakti, food is first offered to Krishna with love and then honoured as prasadam — "mercy." Prepared and offered this way, eating itself becomes a spiritual act that frees us from karmic reaction. Our feasts are always vegetarian, and everyone is welcome to taste.
Reincarnation
The Bhagavad-gita explains that the soul is eternal — it neither is born nor dies. As we pass from childhood to youth to old age within one body, so at death the soul passes on to a new body. Understanding reincarnation reframes life's purpose: to cultivate consciousness and love that carry beyond a single lifetime.
The Four Regulative Principles
Those who wish to take up the practice seriously follow four gentle vows that keep the mind clear and the heart peaceful:
1 · No meat, fish or eggs
Living with compassion and eating only food that can be offered to Krishna.
2 · No intoxication
Keeping the mind clear and the consciousness free — including from coffee, tobacco and alcohol.
3 · No gambling
Cultivating honesty, simplicity and freedom from anxiety.
4 · No illicit sex
Honouring relationships with responsibility and self-control.
How to practise Krishna consciousness
Bhakti has many limbs, but Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu taught that in our age hearing and chanting about Krishna are the simplest and most powerful. You can begin exactly where you are — no vows, no prior knowledge, no cost. Here is how a practice usually takes root, and how our temple in Vanløse supports each step:
🎵 Chant the holy names
Chant Hare Krishna daily — softly on beads (japa) or joyfully in kirtan. Many devotees aim for sixteen rounds a day, but even a few minutes is a beginning. We'll teach you at any Sunday Feast.
📖 Hear from the Gita & Bhagavatam
Read Srila Prabhupada's Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and hear it explained. Join our morning Srimad-Bhagavatam class, the evening Bhagavad-gita talk, or the Monday Gita course.
🍛 Honour Krishna-prasadam
Eat food first offered to Krishna with love. Sanctified vegetarian prasadam nourishes body and soul alike — and it's served free at every Sunday Feast.
🤝 Keep devotee association
Bhakti grows in good company. Come to the temple, take part in kirtan and festivals, ask questions, and make Krishna conscious friends who walk the same path.
Alongside these, many practitioners take up the four regulative principles as a foundation. The heart of it all is simple: to remember Krishna, and to help others do the same.