Prabhupāda Assures His Disciples That Kṛṣṇa Rewards Their Attempts
Spreading the transcendental teachings of the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam across the globe requires immense dedication, and offering continuous encouragement is the loving method Śrīla Prabhupāda uses to empower his followers. He constantly assures them that while their individual efforts may seem tiny or imperfect, the Supreme Lord perfectly reciprocates with their sincere desire to serve. By simply making an honest attempt to push forward the mission of bhakti-yoga, disciples can remain confident that ultimate success is already guaranteed by divine grace.
The Assurance of Divine Grace
Relying on one's own material strength is never the formula for spiritual victory. To instill deep faith in his followers, continuously emphasizing that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme proprietor is the approach Śrīla Prabhupāda takes in his teachings. He explains that if devotees simply make a humble attempt to execute their prescribed duties, the Lord will personally supply all the necessary intelligence, resources, and blessings to ensure the success of their preaching work.
- Everything belongs to Krsna. He'll give you supply. You have to attempt only. So chant Hare Krsna and distribute prasadam, your movement will be success.
- Go on with your preaching work, Krsna will bless you. A little attempt is required, then all other things will come from Krsna. This is my practical experience.
- In any case don't be disappointed. Keep your enthusiasm. Be patient, and Krishna will reward your attempts with success.
- Let us do our duty. Our attempt Krsna will see.
- You say that you may be a broken gong, but you will never be broken. You are standing solidly by the grace of Krsna. Have faith in guru and Krsna and your attempt will be successful.
Expanding the Preaching Mission
Opening new centers and expanding the reach of the movement requires great personal sacrifice. Recognizing the courage of his pioneer disciples is a prominent way Śrīla Prabhupāda expresses his heartfelt gratitude. He confirms that anyone who attempts to establish the principles of saṅkīrtana in unchartered territories is directly assisting his own spiritual master, ensuring that their noble endeavors are recorded as eternal spiritual assets.
- I very much appreciate this attempt.
- My Guru Maharaja wanted me to spread this Krishna consciousness movement in western world, and you are all helping in this great attempt.
- I am so much pleased to hear the wonderful news of your Samkirtan meetings in N.J. It is very good. This sort of enterprise is the most valuable spiritual attempt.
- I have heard with delight of your preaching attempts in Corsica. That is one of our businesses, to expose these rascals who are cheating and who have no spiritual asset.
- I am very much happy that you are now attempting for opening up some centers in South America. It has long time been my desire to have some of our branches there.
Facing Opposition in Kali-yuga
The material world is naturally hostile to the absolute truth, especially in the current degraded age. Preparing his students for inevitable pushback is a realistic strategy Śrīla Prabhupāda employs to keep them resilient. He reminds them that opposition from faithless persons and atheistic governments is actually a confirmation of their success, proving that their attempts to spread kṛṣṇa-kathā are effectively challenging the deep-rooted ignorance of modern society.
- A devotee is pleased when there is difficulty, for in these difficulties he is forced to remember Krsna. We cannot expect that the people of Kali-yuga will welcome our attempt to spread Krsna consciousness.
- The pasandis were against the Hare Krsna movement of Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and now we see practically that they also do not like our humble attempts to spread Krsna consciousness all over the world.
- We are trying to fulfill the Lord’s desire, and our attempt has become fairly successful, but the enemies of this movement unnecessarily try to find faults in it, exactly like the old rascal Ramacandra Khan, who opposed Haridasa Thakura.
- Regarding the German situation, it is an attempt to suppress our movement there. We have become very popular there and now the Christian church, as well as the police are very much feeling pressure that "now this movement is increasing."
- This dog civilization, is so spread all over the world that it is very, very difficult to cure it. We are making little attempt, but the ignorance is so deep, the disease is so acute, it is very, very difficult.
Educating a Misguided Civilization
Modern society is deeply entrenched in bodily consciousness, falsely attempting to find happiness without God. Counteracting this dangerous illusion is the primary reason Śrīla Prabhupāda established his worldwide society. He trains his disciples to view their preaching work as a massive educational attempt, meant to rescue conditioned souls from the cycle of birth and death and elevate them to the transcendental platform of pure devotional service.
- Krishna consciousness movement is actually an attempt to make all people happy generally and, becoming liberated in this life from material contamination, they'll be thus eligible to enter into the Kingdom of God after quitting this body.
- Once one is engaged in the spiritual activities of bhakti-yoga, one does not fall down. Our Krsna consciousness movement is therefore an attempt to engage everyone always in spiritual activity, by which one becomes transcendental to material actions.
- The Krsna consciousness movement is attempting to educate people how to utilize this human form of life properly. It will not stay, it will also die, just like cats die, the dogs die. We also die, but there is difference of this death. We can die knowing.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is just an attempt to educate the foolish human civilization without any sense of God.
- So this assembly, this Krsna consciousness movement, is an attempt to make people fortunate - from the unfortunate position, to become fortunate. Everyone is unfortunate, at least in this age.
Valuing Every Individual Service
In the execution of devotional service, no sincere effort is ever considered small or insignificant. Carefully nurturing the unique talents of his followers is a managerial quality Śrīla Prabhupāda perfectly demonstrates. Whether a disciple attempts to paint a picture, publish a book, build a temple, or simply drive a vehicle for preaching, he affectionately assures them that every single endeavor is fully recognized and appreciated by the Supreme Lord.
- While you were driving your car and I was sitting by you hearing your transcendental vibration, this very sincere attempt has enriched your consciousness and my only instruction is that you may constantly do this habit without fail.
- I am so glad to learn that you are also a good painter. Your first attempt has been almost successful, so I request you to continue to practice so that excellent paintings may be drawn by you.
- I very much appreciate your attempt for a photo book of the Sankirtana movement. I have cent percent support for your noble attempt.
- Your attempt to construct a temple from donation of life members is welcome. Also your plan to get large tax returns. Now do it cooperatively. You are intelligent and experienced - all work together there for the glory of Caitanya's sankirtana movement.
- Your attempt to serve the cause of the society and my mission is very much appreciated by me. Please go on serving the cause of Krsna consciousness as far as possible, and try to execute the routine work of chanting.
Conclusion
The journey of spiritual realization is made joyful when guided by a compassionate teacher. By assuring his followers that their honest endeavors are never lost, building unshakeable faith in the supreme controller is how Śrīla Prabhupāda perfectly leads his global mission. He reveals that Kṛṣṇa does not demand absolute perfection in the beginning, but rather rewards the sincere, loving attempt of the disciple, ultimately crowning their efforts with eternal success.
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 Our Attempts (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.