"I Accept" - Prabhupāda's Principles of Surrender and Service
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s teachings on the principle of acceptance reveal a profound balance of strict spiritual discipline and deep humility. Throughout his letters and lectures, he clarifies that true Kṛṣṇa consciousness requires accepting authority strictly through the paramparā system, rejecting mental speculation and popular opinion in favor of the words of the previous ācāryas. He vividly explains that he accepted the sannyāsa order not out of personal desire, but because he was forced by his spiritual master to take up the heavy duty of preaching. When accepting disciples, he was completely uncompromising, demanding strict adherence to the regulative principles because a spiritual master must personally take on the sinful reactions of those he accepts. Yet, amidst this strictness, there is profound love; he accepted his disciples as his own children and representatives of his guru. Furthermore, he makes it clear that whatever service, honor, or opulence he accepts from his followers is never for his personal enjoyment, but is received humbly on behalf of the Supreme Lord, acting simply as Kṛṣṇa's dedicated tax collector.
The Strict Conditions for Accepting Disciples
Śrīla Prabhupāda did not accept followers cheaply. He required a firm commitment to the regulative principles, fully aware that by officially accepting a disciple, the spiritual master takes on the heavy burden of their past sinful reactions. Once accepted, however, the relationship becomes an eternal bond of love.
- I don't accept any cheap student or cheap disciple. My first condition is that there is no illicit sex life, there is no intoxication, there is no gambling, and there is no meat-eating.
- As soon as one comes to me for becoming disciple, I place before him that "You have to give up all these habits." When he agrees, then I accept him. And therefore I have got some selected, trained-up men.
- The spiritual master accepts the sinful activities of his disciples from the first initiation.
- When I initiated you, I accepted you on that very moment as my daughter. So you are eternally my daughter and I am your father.
Forced to Accept the Sannyāsa Order
Taking the renounced order of life was never Śrīla Prabhupāda's personal ambition. He frequently shared that he tried to maintain his life as a householder, but eventually surrendered to the intense desire of his spiritual master, who insisted he accept sannyāsa to facilitate his worldwide preaching mission.
- I had no desire to accept the sannyasa order and preach, but my spiritual master wanted it. I am not very much inclined, but he forced me. That is also done. That is special favor.
- I never tried, never accepted that I shall become a sannyasi.
- I was a householder. I never dreamt. But circumstantially I was forced to accept the sannyasa dress just to become a preacher.
- Practically my spiritual master insisted me through him, that "You accept." Because without accepting the renounced order of life, nobody can become a preacher.
Accepting Authority Through the Paramparā System
In Kṛṣṇa consciousness, absolute truth is not derived from mental speculation, scientific theories, or the consensus of the masses. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that we must simply accept the Supreme Lord and the Vedic conclusions exactly as they have been accepted by the great ācāryas in the disciplic succession.
- I accept Caitanya Mahaprabhu because my Guru Maharaja accepted. He accepted Caitanya as Krsna; his Guru Maharaja accepted. When guru says that Caitanya is Krsna, he quotes sastra.
- Simple thing. Big, big acaryas, they accepted Krsna as He is. And why shall I not accept? This is parampara system. If others have accepted Krsna as He tells, and they have become big, big acaryas, so what objection can be there from my part? What I am?
- We take the words of the authority, that's all. Or we have no respite. This is our process. That is the way of parampara. Not only we accept, but our previous acaryas, all the big, big acaryas, they have accepted.
- Whatever Krsna says, we accept. This is Krsna consciousness.
Accepting Service on Behalf of Kṛṣṇa
Śrīla Prabhupāda received immense honor, opulent gifts, and dedicated service from his disciples all over the world. However, he remained completely detached, carefully explaining that he accepted these things not for his own sense gratification, but purely as an authorized representative offering them to Kṛṣṇa.
- I accept service from my disciples on behalf of Krishna. Just like a tax collector must collect for the treasury, not for himself.
- Your strong desire to serve me is very beautiful; your serving me means serving Krishna. I am also your servant so I cannot accept your service from you, or from any of my disciples. I accept service from my disciples on behalf of Krishna.
- On behalf of Krishna I am accepting your sincere service, but on the whole, I am servant of the servant of Krishna.
- If you give me a Rolls Royce to travel, why shall I refuse it? It is my favor upon you, I accept this.
Conclusion
Whether it was enforcing the strict rules of initiation, taking up the heavy responsibility of the sannyāsa order, upholding the pure teachings of the paramparā, or receiving the loving service of his disciples, Śrīla Prabhupāda's standard of acceptance was entirely spiritual. Every act of acceptance was a demonstration of his absolute surrender to the will of Kṛṣṇa and his spiritual master.
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 I Accept (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.