Knowledge is the ultimate perfection of spiritual realization, and spiritual realization, or the true understanding of the pure soul, allows one to be freed from all material attachments.

Knowledge leads to the ultimate perfection of existence and to the perception of the individual spiritual being, distinct from God, in all its truth.

In truth, we become truly better by realizing God, by renewing the bond and relationship that unites us with Him. But to achieve this, purity is required. Since God is pure, we can only approach Him if we ourselves become pure.

This is why the Lord asks us to observe the guiding principles of purity, which forbid eating meat, fish, and eggs, gambling, engaging in illicit sexual relations outside of marriage, and consuming drugs and intoxicants in all their forms, as well as coffee, tea, cigarettes, and alcohol.

These immoral activities protect us from perpetual impurity. It is therefore impossible to progress in Krishna consciousness without renouncing them.

By adopting Krishna consciousness, or God consciousness, we automatically become pure. On the one hand, we must observe the guiding principles of purity, and on the other hand, we must continually cultivate our inclination to serve Krishna with love and devotion. In truth, by surrendering oneself completely to Krishna and serving Him with love and devotion, one becomes pure.

Whoever does not do all this remains impure and will fail. It is absolutely essential to rise to the level of Krishna consciousness to become truly pure.

Krishna consciousness purifies the intellect, the mind, and the senses. Thus purified, there is little chance that they will be used anywhere but in God consciousness.

The Eternal Sovereign, Krishna, God, the Supreme Person, gives us this wise and wonderful advice: Be holy, as I Myself am holy.

Jesus also gives us the same sublime advice: Since He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.

Jesus adds: If you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even the pagans do the same? Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect.