The purpose of the appearance of Lord Caitanya and Lord Nityananda is to dispel the darkness of the soul. Before Their appearance, all these superfluous activities of the living entities were covering Krishna consciousness, but after the appearance of these two brothers, people's hearts are becoming cleansed, and they are again becoming situated in the real position of Krishna consciousness.

The living entities are spiritual sparks, and their constitutional position is to render devotional service to the Supreme Lord in full Krishna consciousness. 

So-called pious activities and other ritualistic performances, pious or impious, as well as the desire to escape from material existence, are all considered to be coverings of these spiritual sparks. The living entities must get free from these superfluous coverings and fully engage in Krsna consciousness.