Prabhupāda's Relationships with his Godbrothers

In the following article, Śrīla Prabhupāda shares the personal and often challenging history of his interactions with his godbrothers. He emphasizes that the true test of a disciple is the willingness to execute the vāṇī of the spiritual master, even when faced with isolation or lack of support from one's peers.

The Priority of Preaching Over Institutional Titles

Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the title of a devotee or their position in an institution is secondary to their actual spirit of sacrifice for the mission. He notes that while some were satisfied with residence in a temple, the real mission of his Guru Mahārāja was the dynamic distribution of books and the message of Lord Caitanya.

• I do not wish to discuss about activities of my Godbrothers but it is a fact they have no life for preaching work. All are satisfied with a place for residence in the name of a temple.
• After taking sannyasa I was more engaged in writing my books without any attempt to construct temples or to make disciples like my Godbrothers. I was not very much interested in these matters because my Guru Maharaja liked very much publication of books.
• As all our Godbrothers are doing. They have got a little temple, and a few devotees go and beg rice and cook it, and eat and sleep, that's all. No fighting spirit.
• There are many disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura, but to judge who is actually his disciple, to divide the useful from the useless, one must measure the activities of such disciples in executing the will of the spiritual master.

Steadfastness Amidst Discouragement and Envy

Throughout his journey to the West, Śrīla Prabhupāda was often discouraged by his godbrothers, who doubted his ability to succeed as a householder or in his old age. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that his success was solely due to his firm belief in the words of his guru, rather than any help received from his contemporaries.

• All along I have been discouraged in every way by my Godbrothers, but still I have stuck to my duty, keeping my Spiritual Master always in front.
• My Godbrothers are envious because they could not do even half of Guru Maharaja's work, and I am doing ten times. So therefore they are envious.
• Do not be depressed. All along my godbrothers gave me only depression, repression, compression. But I continued strong in my duty.
• My only hope is Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I have no one else. In my house my wife and son did not help me, so I left my home. I thought the Godbrothers would help me, but even that I did not get.

Lessons from the Disruption of the Gauḍīya Maṭha

Śrīla Prabhupāda provides a cautionary look at how the great mission of his spiritual master was disrupted by internal quarrels and the manufacture of unauthorized positions. He highlights that the failure to cooperate and the desire to supersede the guru's order led to a loss of preaching potency.

• I have got this personal experience in my Guru Maharaja's institution. Different Godbrothers took the words of Guru Maharaja in different interpretations for sense gratification and the whole mission disrupted.
• Our Gaudiya Matha people, those who were leaders, they wanted to supersede the order of Guru Maharaja. Therefore it was failure.
• Why this Gaudiya Matha failed? Because they tried to become more than guru. He, before passing away, he gave all direction and never said that "This man should be the next acarya."
• So far as my starting a separate organization known as International Society for Krishna Consciousness, it was inevitable because none of our godbrothers are cooperating with one another.

Proper Etiquette and Dealing with Seniors

While Śrīla Prabhupāda was candid about the philosophical failures of some peers, he consistently instructed his disciples on the proper etiquette of dealing with Vaiṣṇavas. He especially highlighted certain godbrothers who showed appreciation for his work and instructed his students to treat them with honor.

• B.R. Sridhara Maharaja has spared one entire nice house for my stay. He has also agreed to cooperate with our society.
• He is my old friend and Godbrother, and so you should offer him all due respects whenever he comes, but do not try to engage him in some work in his old age.
• I am very glad to know that Ananda Prabhu is staying with you. Please offer my dandabats. He is my old god brother. Sincere Vaisnava. Please treat him like your father.
• Perhaps you are my only Godbrother who has appreciated my humble service to the cause of Guru Gauranga.

The Spirit of Cooperation vs. Isolation

Śrīla Prabhupāda always maintained that combined effort would have been better for the mission. He expressed a desire for all of his godbrothers to spread Lord Caitanya's message globally, yet he moved forward alone when that cooperation was not forthcoming, relying on his young disciples.

• Do not think for a moment that my interest is different from that of your Guru Maharaja. We are executing the will of Srila Prabhupada according to our own capacity. But combined effort would have been by far more better.
• I think we shall all forget now the past fratricidal war and now come forward for a good cause. If they are not agreeable then do it yourself and I am at your service.
• If the Gaudiya Mission decides to send their representatives in all other parts of the world, I can help them in this matter. Similarly, I would also expect cooperation from all our Godbrothers in the matters where I require their help.
• There is immense potency of preaching the philosophy of Krsna consciousness under the guidance of Lord Caitanya, and I wish that all my Godbrothers should go to different parts of the world and preach this sublime message everywhere, because that is His desire.

Following the Instructions of the Spiritual Master as the Ultimate Success

In these concluding reflections, Śrīla Prabhupāda attributes every success of ISKCON to his strict adherence to his Guru Mahārāja's instructions. He contrasts this with the actions of those who prioritized litigation or politics, showing that the only way to be effective in spiritual life is to fulfill the specific desire of the ācārya.

• Therefore whatever little success you see than all my Godbrothers, it is due to this.
• It is due to the blessing of my Guru Maharaja. He directly told me that "If you get some money, publish some books." I took it seriously, so he's helping me. All our Godbrothers, they didn't take it.
• I have got many other Godbrothers, but I was particularly ordered to do this from the very beginning. So I am trying to please my spiritual master. That's all.
• My other godbrothers they are concerned with litigations, politics, and diplomacy, so what is the pracara? As far as I am concerned I have the blessings of my guru maharaj. I do not need anything else.

Conclusion

The history of Śrīla Prabhupāda's relationships with his godbrothers serves as a foundational teaching on the nature of discipleship. It illustrates that spiritual life is not a matter of social standing within a religious institution, but a matter of deep, personal commitment to the orders of the spiritual master. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s life shows that even if one is alone and discouraged by his peers, the internal strength gained from following the vāṇī of the guru is sufficient to overcome all obstacles and create a world-wide revolution in consciousness. His example encourages all his followers to prioritize the preaching mission above all personal or political concerns.

Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category My Godbrothers (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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