Observing Prabhupāda's Activities
When we look at the life of Śrīla Prabhupāda, we see more than just a global leader; we see a loving guide who moved through the world with a singular purpose. His activities were a constant meditation on how to bring us closer to Kṛṣṇa, and he shared his journey with us so that we might find the same inspiration in our own service.
The Soul's Natural Inclination for Activity
Śrīla Prabhupāda often reminded us that we are active by nature because we are spirit. He didn't want us to seek a dry, empty peace; instead, he showed us how to be very active for Kṛṣṇa, proving that devotional service is the most vibrant and satisfying way to live.
- By nature I am active. By nature, because I am spirit, and by nature I am active. And my activities are exhibited even I am contaminated with this matter. And when you become purified from matter, do you think you shall be silent?
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu says: "Don't become zero, but be engaged always in chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra." That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's cult. We are not going to be zero. We want to be very active, active not for sense gratification but for Krsna's service.
- Building is not very important. Work is important. Activity is important. I started my movement not with buildings, but real activity. So building is opulence. You can do without opulence. You can start anything, even underneath a tree.
- Because God is sac-cid-ananda-vigraha (BS 5.1) - He's all-pleasure - therefore, without many, there is no pleasure. Just like here I sit down the whole day alone, but I become more active and more pleasing when you come.
The Secret of Transparency and Success
Whenever we marveled at the growth of the movement, Śrīla Prabhupāda would point to the purity of the message. He taught us that success comes from being a faithful servant of Śrīla Prabhupāda, and he shared that his secret was simply presenting the Bhagavad-gītā exactly as it is, without any personal adulteration.
- I say, the secret of my wonderful activities is that I have not tried to adulterate it.
- Personally I have no credit for myself, but I am trying to act as faithful servant of my predecessors and just presenting without any adulteration the message which I have received from my Spiritual Master.
- Many Swamis before me came in the Western countries, they say nobody could act so wonderfully as I am doing. Perhaps it is right. But I do not know how such things are happening. The only reason can be adduced is I am presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is.
- I think that His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura is always seeing my activities and guiding me within my heart by his words.
Engaging Disciples in the Mission
Śrīla Prabhupāda's heart was always with his disciples, and he looked to us to help carry the weight of the mission. He spoke of his desire for us to take the preaching into our own hands, showing his immense trust in our ability to represent Śrīla Prabhupāda and expand the saṅkīrtana movement.
- Now you can consult our lawyer friends that I want my foreign disciples to remain here to assist me in my activities of Sankirtana Movement.
- In the last stage of the spiritual master's life, the devotees of the spiritual master should take preaching activities into their own hands. In this way the spiritual master can sit down in a solitary place and render nirjana bhajana.
- I am very much pleased that a learned scholar like you is prepared to cooperate with our preaching activities. If you kindly come in Calcutta along with your papers, I shall be very glad to meet you and talk with you on the subject matter.
- He wants me travelling throughout the whole Western part of the world and therefore I think it is Krishna's desire that now I shall shift my activities at least for some time in the European countries.
The Sacred Focus on Publication and Writing
As the years passed, Śrīla Prabhupāda shared his need to focus on his main function—the writing of his books. He showed us that even when he was physically less active in management, he was working tirelessly through the night to give us the transcendental knowledge of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that would guide us forever.
- This publication work is my main function. So at any rate I cannot stop it. I can stop my foreign activities but I cannot stop my publication work.
- I am just trying to write my books, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, and Krishna, and lately Vedanta Sutra. So certainly this is heavy task but by the Grace of Krishna, it does not depress me. I feel encouraged to act so busily day and night.
- As I am getting old, I wish to retire from an active part. Of course, I shall be behind the scene, but I am thinking of writing a constitutional will on my return from Europe.
- So far as I am concerned, as I already told you, after this European tour I am going to retire from active work and retire for writing books.
Conclusion
Observing the activities of Śrīla Prabhupāda is like watching a perfect example of how to love Kṛṣṇa. Every travel, every letter, and every book was a gift to us from his heart. He didn't just give us a philosophy; he gave us a way to live where every action becomes a prayer. By following his example of transparency and dedication, we can find our own place in his mission, continuing the work he started with such love and purity. Śrīla Prabhupāda's greatest activity was showing us how to become active in our own relationship with the Supreme, ensuring that his vāṇī (in Vāṇī Temple) remains a living, breathing sanctuary for all souls.
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 Activities (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.