Do As I Am Doing - Prabhupāda's Perfect Example
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s profound humility and unyielding dedication are beautifully revealed when he speaks about his own activities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Although he single-handedly brought the bhakti movement to the Western world, translated dozens of volumes of Vedic literature, and managed a rapidly expanding global society, he never claimed personal credit. Instead, he consistently emphasized that he was simply acting as a faithful instrument, carrying out the divine orders of his spiritual master, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. By sharing his personal standard of relentless preaching, writing, and managing, Śrīla Prabhupāda lovingly invites his followers to adopt the very same mood. He encourages his disciples to avoid unnecessary anxiety by simply doing as he is doing, ensuring that the mission remains pure and potent. Through his perfect example, he proves that anyone who dedicates their life to pushing forward this movement will receive the immense spiritual strength needed to be successful.
Carrying Out the Guru's Order
Śrīla Prabhupāda viewed all of his monumental achievements as the direct result of his spiritual master's mercy. He frequently reminded his followers that his primary business was simply to execute the desires of his guru without deviation.
- By the mercy of His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja Prabhupada I am doing both by the co-operation of my American disciples. I am constructing so many marble temples and I am distributing so many books on Krsna consciousness.
- Whatever is being done, it is due to His Divine Grace only. So my business is just to carry out His order. That is the way of disciplic succession.
- Thank you so much for your eagerness to see me. I am doing the work of my Guru Maharaja and similarly you also help me and we will be all benefited in Krishna Consciousness.
- Bhagavad-gita should be discussed amongst the devotees. Sometimes we discuss Bhagavad-gita amongst the non-devotees. That is due to higher order, higher order - Guru Maharaja asked that "You go and speak." So we are doing that.
The Need for Sincere Cooperation
While Śrīla Prabhupāda was empowered to spread the holy name globally, he openly acknowledged the vital necessity of his disciples' help. He saw their cooperative efforts as the practical means by which his vast preaching vision could be successfully manifested.
- I may inform you in this connection that what I am doing to push on this great movement in the world is all with your cooperation. It is not possible for me alone to execute this great responsibility.
- It is because you are helping me that all this has become possible otherwise how can I do anything alone, ekaki amara nahi paya bol, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that I cannot do anything, alone I am helpless.
- Do it very cautiously, because after all, we are beggar. That you should consider. But if somebody comes forward, that is our business - to induce others, moneyed man. Let his money be spent. That we are doing actually.
- I have established so many centers. So I have to go from one center to another just to encourage them. Otherwise I am old enough. I am eighty years. So traveling is not very good job for me, but still I do it just to encourage them.
Setting the Perfect Example
As a loving spiritual father, Śrīla Prabhupāda did not just give theoretical instructions; he practically demonstrated how to live a life of pure devotion. He actively engaged in chanting, writing, and preaching, asking his followers to simply emulate his own standard.
- As soon as you get time, read. I do that. Reading, writing, or chanting. But when there is no other way, you sleep little. Not to enjoy sleep, but because it is not possible to continue, all right, sleep 1, 2, 3, 4, or five hours. Not more than that.
- I am the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This I want.
- Do not be paramahamsa that now I haven't got to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. Don't be a better paramahamsa than your Guru Maharaja. I go and sit and I enjoy the lectures and how they are performing kirtana. So as I am doing, you must also do.
- All of them will take over. These students, who are initiated from me, all of them will act as I am doing.
The Path to Spiritual Victory
Following Śrīla Prabhupāda's example is the guaranteed path to spiritual success. He assured his disciples that if they remained tightly connected to his instructions and pushed forward the movement just as he did, they would remain spiritually vibrant and triumphant.
- If you simply do as I am doing, not avoiding anything which may have to be done for pushing on Krsna's movement, remaining always stuck up very tightly to the footsteps of Rupa Gosvami, then without any doubt you will remain always fresh and enthusiastic.
- Srila Prabhupada reiterates that all GBC must strictly follow the rules and regulations and do what Srila Prabhupada does. We must be the strict prototypes of Srila Prabhupada. We must be pure by preaching and chanting.
- It is not the question of the place, but it is the person who chants which is important. A sincere soul like you, so much devoted to Spiritual Master and Krsna is sure to be successful anywhere. So you adopt the same principle as we are doing here.
- You will come out triumphant of all others. Actually that is happening. What we are doing? We are not playing any magic. How this Krsna consciousness movement is increasing?
Conclusion
By meditating on what Śrīla Prabhupāda accomplished and the humble mood in which he executed his phenomenal activities, devotees are given a perfect blueprint for their own spiritual lives. He never demanded artificial renunciation or impossible feats; rather, he asked his followers to assist him by simply replicating his sincere daily efforts in chanting, hearing, writing, and preaching. His profound example proves that true spiritual empowerment comes solely through uncompromising obedience to the spiritual master. When we take his loving instruction to heart and earnestly try to act as he acted, we become completely sheltered under his divine guidance. By embracing his practical standard, the current and future generations of devotees can ensure that this great movement continues to expand and bring the highest benefit to the entire world.
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 Am Doing (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.