What Disturbs Prabhupāda's Mind
Śrīla Prabhupāda often shared his heart with his disciples, letting them know what caused him anxiety and pain. By understanding what disturbed our spiritual father, we can learn how to better serve him and protect the peace he needed to give us his transcendental books.
The Priority of Book Translation
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s main mission was to translate the Vedic scriptures. Anything that distracted him from this work, such as lost manuscripts or management complaints, caused him deep mental distress because he viewed his books as the most important contribution to the world.
- I am very much disturbed that I shall work so hard and the manuscripts are lost.
- Whenever I hear complaints or disturbances in our centers my mind becomes too much disturbed and I cannot properly translate my books.
- If my mind becomes disturbed in this way, then how can I concentrate on book writing. It is not possible. Better not to inform me anything, and let me sit in Vrindaban.
- So far your statement, "Our final success will be when you actually sit tight and translate books and let us manage successfully," yes, that is my desire, but if you can do it or not, that has again disturbed me very much.
Compassion for Disciples and Others
As a loving father, Śrīla Prabhupāda was sensitive to the struggles of his students. He felt their frustrations and was pained by their dissensions or illicit activities, always encouraging them to stay in the association of devotees to find peace.
- I am very much disturbed to hear from you that you have become disturbed in your mind. Do not be disturbed. There is no cause for anxiety. You are doing your best to serve Krishna, that is very much appreciated, do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration.
- I am very much disturbed to hear of Kanupriya's activities, and I advise you that so long he is engaged in these nonsense activities, you should not have any association with him. Best thing is that you remain in the association of devotees.
- I have been very much disturbed to learn of the difficulties in Africa. As the leader there you should not have allowed this dissension to take place.
- I (Prabhupada) am not displeased with any of my disciples. A father can not be displeased with his sons, but sometimes the sons create disturbances, and the father has to tolerate.
Disturbances During Sravaṇam and Kīrtana
Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted his students to be fully attentive. He frankly expressed that when students dozed or distracted him during his talks, it caused him "too much pain" and interrupted the spiritual atmosphere necessary for hearing and chanting.
- If somebody dozes, it gives me too much pain. And I asked you to go and sleep. It disturbs me, too much disturbs me. I tell you frankly. When I speak or when I speak if somebody dozes, better not to sit. Sleep twenty-four hours, but don't make show.
- Not during while I am talking. You don't take. That disturbs me. My attention goes to your photograph. It is very much disturbing.
- He's sleeping. Why? Don't sleep and you can sleep at the end. Don't in the front. It is disturbing.
- This is very much disturbing to me and has caused me much pain. Please therefore stop Kirtanananda from making his mental concoctions. Do not be misled by him. I have never advised him to act like that.
Management and Administrative Burdens
Śrīla Prabhupāda desired to retire from administrative affairs to focus on his spiritual writing. When management issues or legal threats like the draft board arose, he felt the disturbance but always reminded his disciples to take absolute shelter of Kṛṣṇa.
- I am trying to retire from the administrative affairs, but if the presidents and GBC men make such disturbances then how I can be peaceful?
- These management affairs sometimes disturb me. Kindly manage nicely. I want that the properties should not be jeopardized.
- I understand that the draft board is also disturbing you. It is also disturbing to me, but we have no other recourse than Krishna. Do your best to serve Krishna and he will give you required intelligence to cope with disturbing situations.
- I am so much disturbed by problems caused by sex life that I am not going to sanction any more marriages. Our devotees must do it at their own risk from now on and they must provide their own income for living together outside the temple.
Conclusion
The disturbances Śrīla Prabhupāda experienced were a direct result of his deep love for Kṛṣṇa and his disciples. He didn't want to be bothered by mundane management or the nonsense activities of his followers, not out of a desire for comfort, but because every moment lost to these things was a moment stolen from his sacred writing. When we see Śrīla Prabhupāda expressing his pain, we should feel motivated to cooperate with our Godbrothers and Godsisters, manage the society with integrity, and remain attentive during śravaṇam. By doing so, we relieve the burden on Śrīla Prabhupāda’s heart, allowing him to remain peaceful in his eternal service of bringing the entire world back to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category My Disturbances (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.