Authorized Writing about Kṛṣṇa
Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that writing about Śrī Kṛṣṇa is a sacred spiritual science. It is not an avenue for mundane speculation, but a divine service that must be performed under the strict authorization of the disciplic succession. When executed properly, utilizing one's literary talents to glorify the Lord purifies the heart and creates invaluable transcendental literature for the benefit of all humanity.
The Necessity of Authorization
Writing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead is not an independent or whimsical activity. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that before one attempts to compose literature about Śrī Kṛṣṇa, they must deeply study the science of devotional service and receive direct permission from the spiritual master.
- Anyone who attempts to write about Krsna must first take permission from the spiritual master and Krsna.
- Before writing about Krsna, I request you to learn the science very well. If you live with us and study Krsna in the process then your writing will be very effective and Krsna will bless you.
Relying on the Authorized Ācāryas
The foundation of our spiritual knowledge rests entirely on the texts provided by self-realized souls. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that from the ancient compilations of Śrīla Vyāsadeva down to the extensive volumes written by the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, authorized ācāryas have perfectly recorded the transcendental pastimes of the Lord.
- If you like past history, then go back a long, long time to Vyasadeva. He is known to have written the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other literature on Krsna. Srimad-Bhagavatam is nothing but a description of Krsna.
- After Him (Caitanya Mahaprabhu), His six disciples, the gosvamis, have left us an immensely valuable literature - especially Jiva Gosvami. They have written volumes on Krsna. So, under disciplic succession, we have come to this point.
- Vyasadeva has written (about Krsna) and the acaryas have accepted. Then I have become such a great scholar that I say it is fictitious. And we have to believe these rascals. So don't go to rascal. If you want real knowledge, take it from Bhagavan.
- If any Vaisnava is writing song about Krishna, he should have realized himself what is Krishna, just like our great saints and acaryas like Madhvacarya, Ramanujacarya, Rupa Goswami, six Gosvamis, Bilvamangala, Bhaktivinode Thakura, like that.
Rejecting Mundane Speculation
When ordinary individuals attempt to write about the Lord, the result is spiritually disastrous. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly forbids reading literature composed by mundane scholars or fiction writers, as their unpurified consciousness inevitably introduces fictitious interpretations and material nonsense into the pure līlā of Kṛṣṇa.
- If some ordinary person has written something about Krsna's lila, you should not touch even. It must be in the sampradaya, must be authorized person. Otherwise it is useless.
- There are many descriptions of Krsna’s Bhagavad-gita written by persons whose consciousness is mundane and who are not qualified by pure devotion.
- Some distinguished fiction writer in Bengal concluded that the Krsna of Vrndavana, that of Mathura and that of Dvaraka were different personalities. Historically there is no truth in this conclusion.
- No one should write songs of Krishna unless he is self-realized soul.
Purification Through Dedicated Service
For practicing devotees, writing is a powerful tool for spiritual advancement. Śrīla Prabhupāda continuously encouraged his disciples to write articles and books supporting the movement, explaining that the intense concentration required to glorify the Lord's activities thoroughly purifies the mind and heart.
- If you sit down and write some article on Krsna, that means you have to concentrate on Krsna's activities, & that very process will purify your heart. Therefore we always recommend to our students that you write articles, read our magazine, read our book.
- It is your good fortune that you can serve Krishna in so many ways - to work, to write, to speak, to paint, to build - all of these talents must be employed in Krishna's service. That will make you perfect.
- Kindly write one book, at least small book, supporting this (Krsna Consciousness) movement. That will be great service. Actually this should be supported by all sane men, it is so nice.
- So many paraphernalia how to engage your mind. Hearing and chanting about Krsna, thinking of Krsna, worshiping Krsna, talking about Krsna, writing about Krsna, selling the books about Krsna, eating Krsna prasadam. In this way you become Krsna-ized.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly defines writing about Śrī Kṛṣṇa as an exalted devotional practice that must be protected from mundane contamination. Because the absolute truth can only be understood through the sampradāya, any literature produced by ordinary fiction writers or unpurified scholars is considered fictitious and useless for spiritual advancement. True spiritual knowledge is accessed by studying the flawless works of authorized ācāryas, such as Śrīla Vyāsadeva and the Six Gosvāmīs, who wrote from a platform of complete self-realization. By following their footsteps, receiving proper permission, and applying one's literary talents to broadcast the glories of the Supreme Lord, a devotee engages their mind fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, ensuring the rapid purification of their own heart.
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 Writing about Krsna. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.