Prabhupāda Reflects on His Opportunities
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently spoke of the immense gratitude he felt for the opportunities provided by Kṛṣṇa and his spiritual master. He viewed his early upbringing, his meetings with his spiritual master, and the facilities of the modern world as sacred gifts to be used entirely for the benefit of humanity through the spreading of bhāgavata-dharma.
Early Training and Family Background
Śrīla Prabhupāda often looked back at his childhood as a period of great spiritual fortune. Being raised by a pure Vaiṣṇava father, he was given the opportunity to develop an early love for Kṛṣṇa, which laid the foundation for his global mission later in life.
- Fortunately, we had the good opportunity of learning bhagavata-dharma from our very childhood. My father was a devotee, and he trained us.
- From my life I experience, when I was very little child six or seven years old, I was very much fond of Krsna. And I got the opportunity of this two things. Although my father was not very rich, but he was pure Vaisnava.
- Fortunately, both our spiritual master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, and our humble self, had the opportunity to take birth in such families (of the acarya or gosvami), by the grace of the Lord.
- Young children should be educated from the very beginning about God consciousness or the science of God. We had the opportunity in our childhood. My father taught.
The Order of His Spiritual Master
The relationship Śrīla Prabhupāda had with his spiritual master was centered on the instruction to preach. Even though their physical meetings were few, Śrīla Prabhupāda cherished every moment of association as a supreme opportunity to receive the blessings and the mission of his spiritual master.
- Once we had the opportunity to meet Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, and on first sight he requested this humble self to preach his message in the Western countries.
- For me, personally, I had the opportunity to talk with my spiritual master not more than ten times in my whole life, not more. It may be less than that. But I tried to follow his instruction, that's all, although I was a grhastha.
- We had the opportunity to meet an avowed brahmacari in the personality of our spiritual master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Gosvami Maharaja. Such a great soul is called a naisthika-brahmacari.
- We had the opportunity to receive a similar blessing from Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami when we presented an essay at his birthday ceremony.
Utilizing Modern Facilities for Service
In his preaching, Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa and should be used for His pleasure. He saw cars, airplanes, and printing presses as divine opportunities to spread the message of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam more effectively throughout the world.
- If we get opportunity, preaching facilities for going on car, on airplane, using typewriter, dictaphone, microphone, we must use it. Because this is Krsna's property, it must be used for Krsna. This is our philosophy.
- If I get opportunity to prepare some nice slides from Srimad-Bhagavatam and make tape records on the prayers offered to the Deity in the slide, as well as explain the whole slide in English, all tape recorded, this will be very nice idea.
- Our Bombay should be organized. Work is our life. There is no question of "How long?" As long as possible. Krsna giving us good opportunities. Now we should take it seriously. It is not joke. "Hare Krsna movement is bona fide religion."
- Regarding London temple, I can appreciate very much that your goodness is anxious to have an imposing temple in London, so in my next opportunity I shall take up this matter more seriously and I shall let you know in due course.
Dedicating Every Moment to Kṛṣṇa
For Śrīla Prabhupāda, there was no such thing as "free time." Whether he was dealing with health challenges or simply naming a disciple, he looked for the opportunity to remember Kṛṣṇa. He encouraged his disciples to see that while material opportunities are many, the opportunity to serve Kṛṣṇa is the rarest.
- So as far as possible I am taking care of my health, but Krishna's service must be executed, even at the risk of life. A living entity gets millions of opportunities to get a type of body, but hardly he gets opportunity to serve Krishna.
- Krishna consciousness is so valuable that it plays wonderful, and there are many instances within our society. Similarly I was a crow, and now they consider me a peacock. But, I was trying to be a peacock whenever there was the opportunity.
- Suppose . . . this boy is Gary. So I've given him the name of Gaurasundara. Gaurasundara is Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So at least he chants . . . at least, when I ask him, "Gaurasundara," then I get the opportunity of chanting Lord's name.
- As Krsna conscious devotees, we do not like to converse with Mayavadi philosophers simply to waste valuable time, but whenever there is an opportunity we impress our philosophy upon them with great vigor and success.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's life serves as a perfect example of how to identify and utilize every circumstance for spiritual progress. By reflecting on his own opportunities—from his childhood training to his service to his spiritual master—he invites us to view our own lives through the same lens. He shows that when one is dedicated to the mission of Kṛṣṇa, every facility, every meeting, and every moment becomes a precious opportunity to serve the Supreme Lord.
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 Opportunities (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.