Prabhupāda's Instructions on Hearing the Message of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that the entire process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness begins with the ear. By submissively hearing the message of the spiritual master and the holy name, a devotee can transcend material limitations and become a pure instrument for the Lord's mission.
The Primary Qualification of a Disciple
Śrīla Prabhupāda often spoke of his own life as an example of the power of hearing. He explained that he did not possess any special material qualifications, but because he was simply eager to sit and hear his Guru Mahārāja, he was able to receive the mercy necessary to spread this movement all over the world.
- My Guru Maharaja accepted me as a disciple because he saw in the beginning I was very inquisitive to hear him.
- Actually, I did not follow him in the beginning. High philosophical speaking, and I was new boy. I could not follow him, but actually I was so much glad to hear him. That's all.
- That was my qualification, whatever you may say. I was simply asking, "When Guru Maharaja will speak? When?" and I will sit down and go on hearing, and I will understand or not understand-others will disperse-I will not disperse. That he marked.
- The eternal bond between disciple and spiritual master begins from the first day he hears. Just like my spiritual master. In 1922 he said in our first meeting, you are educated boys, why don't you preach this cult. That was the beginning, now it is coming to fact. Therefore the relationship began from that day.
Transcendental Pleasure from Mission Reports
As the founder of a global movement, Śrīla Prabhupāda derived his strength from hearing about the progress of his disciples. Reports of book distribution, the establishment of new temples in places like Rome or Melbourne, and the steady chanting of the devotees were described by him as being like nectar or a life-giving tonic.
- I am feeling overjoyed at hearing of your increased distribution program and I request that you increase more and more.
- The library party is doing very nicely. It is nectar to my ears to hear the list of schools which are taking our standing order.
- When I hear of your advancement of devotional service by book distribution, it invigorates me although I am an old man.
- The transcendental bliss I have derived from hearing the news of the establishment of an ISKCON Center in Rome, Italy is not measurable within the three dimensions.
Protecting the Mind from Disturbance
Śrīla Prabhupāda was deeply sensitive to the atmosphere within his centers. While positive news encouraged him, hearing of internal friction, complaints, or devotees leaving the movement caused him great mental distress, which directly interfered with his primary service of translating the Vedic literatures into English.
- Whenever I hear complaints or disturbances in our centers my mind becomes too much disturbed and I cannot properly translate my books.
- 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.
- It is most unfortunate to hear of the manner in which you have been mistreated by the doctors. But what can be done now about that?
Distributing the Message Without Change
The integrity of the disciplic succession depends on the student repeating exactly what they have heard. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that he never manufactured anything new; he simply shared what he heard from his Guru Maharaja, and he expected his disciples to follow this same principle of śravaṇam and kīrtana.
- I am speaking not my manufacture. I heard it from my Guru Maharaja. He told me that these are these, like that. Not unauthorized.
- I have always been so careful to give you only those things which I have heard from my Guru Maharaja.
- I hear from a perfect person, and I distribute the knowledge the same way, without any change. So Krsna gives us knowledge in the Bhagavad-gita. We are distributing the same knowledge.
- Whatever little success is in our movement, the cause is I have not tried to cheat. Honestly, what I knew, I heard it from Guru Maharaja and scripture, I took it. There was no cheating.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's relationship with hearing reveals the essence of the student-teacher dynamic in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. For him, hearing was not a passive activity but a dynamic source of spiritual life that fueled his mission and kept him connected to his predecessors. By following his example of being inquisitive and submissive in hearing the message of Godhead, his disciples and future generations can ensure that the purity of his vāṇī is preserved and that the movement continues to flourish by Kṛṣṇa's grace.
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 Hearing (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.