Prabhupāda Establishing His Global Mission
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s journey to the West was not merely a physical relocation, but the blossoming of a divine seed planted in his heart since childhood. When we read his personal reflections, we can feel the deep yearning of a pure devotee who dreamt of offering the whole world the same sweet association with Kṛṣṇa he experienced at the Rādhā-Govinda temple as a young boy. Supported by the prophetic words in his horoscope and the empowering instructions of his spiritual master, he carried an immense, compassionate ambition to establish at least 108 centers and ideal Vedic communities across the globe. His heart poured into the creation of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, specifically designed to give suffering souls the shelter of pure devotee association. Yet, intertwined with his glorious achievements is a loving, urgent plea to his followers: please do not let this hard work be ruined by personal ambition, but simply maintain and protect the pure standard that has been established.
A Vision Written in the Stars
Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals that his worldwide mission was not a spontaneous idea but a divine arrangement foreseen long before his departure to the West. From his innocent childhood desires to worship the Deity to the astrological predictions of his horoscope, we see how Kṛṣṇa had perfectly orchestrated his path to establish a global spiritual family.
- As a child when I was going to the neighboring Mallik temple, I was thinking then when will I have such a nice Deity to worship and now Krsna is so kind that I am establishing so many nice temples all over the world.
- I told you that in my horoscope it was declared that after seventieth year, I shall go to foreign countries and I shall establish many temples. In my horoscope that is. Now I see it is coming practically.
- I first came in New York. Then I went to Pittsburgh, and for one year I was traveling, and I established this society in July 1, 1966.
- It is my ambition that I want to establish at least 108 centers; beginning from Hamburg, crossing over the Atlantic to your country, USA, then the Pacific, covering Hawaii and reaching to Tokyo, Japan.
The Gift of Divine Association
He clearly understood that without the loving company of fellow devotees, advancing in spiritual life is nearly impossible for conditioned souls. Therefore, his primary motivation in establishing the International Society for Krishna Consciousness was to create safe havens where people could associate with truth, develop their faith, and feel the warmth of Kṛṣṇa's love.
- Without the association of devotees, one cannot advance in Krsna consciousness. Therefore, we have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
- Transcendental devotional service cannot be complete and cannot be relishable without the association of devotees. We have therefore established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.
- We have established this International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Society is required. Sadhu-sanga. Just to give opportunity to persons who have got little faith to develop that faith into Krsna consciousness.
- Why we are establishing so many centers? Just to give the people in general the chance of association. It is very important thing, association.
Building an Ideal Vedic Society
Beyond just erecting buildings, Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted to re-establish the complete social and spiritual fabric of the Vedic civilization, known as daiva-varṇāśrama. He envisioned ideal communities and farms where people could practice plain living and high thinking, creating a practical example of peace and spiritual prosperity for the rest of the world.
- Before I came to your country, I was thinking to establish an ideal Vedic community.
- Here in New Vrndavana we are trying to establish an ideal life - plain living and advanced in Krsna consciousness. That is real business.
- As far as we are concerned, we are trying to establish daiva-varnasrama, as it is instructed by the Gosvāmīs, by Hari-bhakti-vilasa, by our spiritual master. May not be very perfect, but we are trying our best to introduce this daiva-varnasrama.
- We are trying to establish this brahmanical culture, go-brahmana-hitaya ca. You will be very much pleased that in a country where go-hatya is so prominent, now we have established so many farms in Europe and America.
Protecting the Pure Standard
With the profound love of a spiritual father, he expresses his deepest concern: the preservation of the purity he worked so tirelessly to establish. He pleads with his followers to avoid inventing new things or falling back into old habits, reminding them that the entire institution can be ruined if it is managed for personal benefit rather than for Kṛṣṇa's pleasure.
- We have worked very hard and established a great institution, but if we think for our personal benefit then it will become ruined. This is my only concern.
- I want that what I have established may go on nicely, but I see that some of the devotees are reviving their old "good" qualities. That is the difficulty. If the old habits come back, then everything is finished.
- Nothing new should be added. New things means their brain is not clear. Carefully manage things what I have established.
- I do not want to see that everything deteriorates by your management. If you cannot increase then you should at least maintain what I have established.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's life is a testament to the miraculous achievements of a pure devotee surrendered to the will of Kṛṣṇa and his spiritual master. By establishing temples, farm communities, and the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, he created global sanctuaries of divine association for conditioned souls. His words leave us with a profound responsibility: to cherish, maintain, and protect this sacred institution with the same purity, sincerity, and selfless devotion with which it was founded.
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 I Am Establishing (Prabhupāda). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.