# The three principles of Vedic knowledge
*All Vedic literature can be understood through three essential principles: sambandha (our eternal relationship with Krishna), abhidheya (the process of devotional service to revive that relationship), and prayojana (the ultimate goal of pure love of God).*
**Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught that all Vedic literature establishes three fundamental principles:**
![[cc/madhya/20/124]]
![[cc/madhya/20/125]]
## Sambandha — Our Relationship with Krishna
**The first principle establishes our eternal relationship:**
![[cc/madhya/20/139]]
## Abhidheya — The Process of Devotional Service
**The means to revive our relationship with Krishna:**
![[cc/adi/7/147]]
## Prayojana — The Ultimate Goal
**The perfection of life is pure love of God:**
![[cc/madhya/25/103]]
**These three principles encompass the entire Vedic philosophy:**
![[cc/adi/7/106#purport]]
## From the Index
- [[index/entries/abhidheya|Abhidheya]] — The process of devotional service
- [[index/entries/prayojana|Prayojana]] — The ultimate goal of life
- [[index/entries/caitanya-lord|Lord Caitanya]] — Who taught these three principles
- [[index/entries/vedic-knowledge|Vedic Knowledge]] — The three principles