Kingdom of God

The Mayapur city, Prabhupada said, would be the fulfillment of the desires of the previous acaryas. The city would grow to a population of fifty thousand and would become the spiritual capital of the world. With its gigantic temple in the center and separate quarters for brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras, the city would be a model for all other cities. The day would come when the world’s cities would be ruined, and humanity would take refuge in cities modeled after Mayapur. The development of Mayapur would mark the beginning of a Krsna conscious world. Thus the influence of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu would increase, and His prediction would manifest: “In every town and village My name will be chanted.”

Prabhupada said that Mayapur should eventually become more easily accessible – by bridge from Navadwip, by motor launch up the Ganges from Calcutta, and from all parts by air. In Bengal millions were by birth followers of Lord Caitanya, and they would recognize and take up Krsna consciousness as the pure form of their own culture. There is a saying: What Bengal does, the rest of India follows. So if Bengal became reformed and purified byt the Krsna conscious example of American Vaisnavas, then all India would follow. And when all India becomes Krsna conscious, the whole world would follow. “I have given you the kingdom of God,” Prabhupada said to his Mayapur managers. “Now take it, develop it, and enjoy.”

– Prabhupada Lilamrita, Let there be a temple part II