Engaging in Preaching - The Highest Welfare Work
Engaging in preaching is the life and soul of a devotee of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that while personal meditation may grant liberation to the individual, preaching benefits all of humanity. It is the most confidential service to the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, who explicitly states in the Bhagavad-gītā that no one is more dear to Him than one who spreads His glories.
The Highest Service to God
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the Lord is most pleased when His devotee engages in preaching. Unlike those who seek their own salvation in solitary places, the preacher goes out to meet the fallen souls. This activity is recognized by the Lord as the highest form of worship. Even if one is not a great scholar, simply by following the footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and inducing others to chant, one becomes quickly recognized by Kṛṣṇa.
- The Lord definitely says that no one is more dear to Him than one who is always engaged in the preaching work of the Lord's name and fame all over the world.
- Preaching is the best service to the Lord. The Lord will immediately be extremely satisfied with one who engages in this service of preaching Krsna consciousness. This is confirmed by the Lord Himself in Bhagavad-gita.
- Everyone should engage in preaching, following in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. In this way one will be very much appreciated by Lord Krsna and will quickly be recognized by Him.
- My dear King Yudhisthira, the brahmanas, especially those engaged in preaching the glories of the Lord throughout the entire world, are recognized and worshiped by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is the heart and soul of all creation.
Welfare for Humanity
The condition of the material world is suffering due to a lack of God consciousness. Therefore, the most philanthropic work is to distribute knowledge of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a devotee engaged in preaching is performing the highest welfare activity because they are giving the permanent solution to the problems of birth and death.
- The highest welfare activity for living entities is the preaching of Krsna Consciousness. It is stated herein that those who are specifically favored by the Lord can become absolutely Krsna conscious and be engaged in the work of preaching the Vaisnava philosophy.
- A devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu must engage in preaching in order to increase the followers of the Lord. By thus preaching actual Vedic knowledge all over the world, one will benefit all mankind.
- People are suffering for want of Krsna consciousness. Therefore each and every one of us should be engaged in the preaching work of Krsna consciousness for the benefit of the whole world.
- The highest perfectional project of philanthropic activities is to engage everyone in the act of preaching bhakti-yoga all over the world.
Protection and Benefits for the Preacher
One might fear that mixing with materialists while preaching will contaminate the devotee. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that a sincere preacher is protected by the Lord Himself. The influence of the material energy (viṣaya-taraṅga) cannot touch one who is actively engaged in the Lord's service. Furthermore, all the demigods are automatically pleased with such a devotee, and their salvation is guaranteed.
- A sincere devotee who engages in the service of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu by preaching His cult all over the world will never be affected by visaya-taranga, material influences.
- The conclusion should be that the salvation of those who are engaged in preaching Krsna consciousness in the world is guaranteed in all circumstances.
- A pure devotee, who engages in preaching the principles of devotional service, as prescribed in the Srimad Bhagavatam, does not need to separately worship the demigods; the demigods are automatically pleased with him and offer all the blessings within their capacity.
- The poor spiritual master is kind and merciful enough to accept a disciple and suffer for that disciple's sinful activities, but Krsna, being merciful to His servant, neutralizes the reactions of sinful deeds for the servant who engages in preaching.
Tolerance and Determination
Preaching is not always easy; it is a struggle against the illusory energy. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the examples of Lord Nityānanda and Jesus Christ to show that a preacher must be ready to face difficulties and criticism. The qualification for such a preacher is extreme humility and tolerance—"humbler than a blade of grass and more tolerant than a tree." Regardless of the results or financial collections, the activity itself is what pleases Kṛṣṇa.
- Those engaged in preaching the glories of the Lord should be humbler than grass and more tolerant than a tree; then they can preach the glories of the Lord without difficulty.
- In the Bhagavad-gita, Eighteenth Chapter, the Lord states that one who is engaged in preaching Krsna consciousness is very dear to Him. A preacher has to face many difficulties in his struggle to preach pure Krsna consciousness.
- Do not be discouraged if so far the collections have not been very great in terms of money. More important than the results is the activity. Krsna wants to see that you are fully engaged with all sincerity in preaching His glories.
- This (meeting difficulties while engaged in preaching) was exhibited by Lord Nityananda when He delivered the two fallen souls Jagai and Madhai, and similarly Lord Jesus Christ was crucified by the nonbelievers.
Conclusion
To engage in preaching is to act as a soldier for Kṛṣṇa. It requires dedication, intelligence, and a compassionate heart. Śrīla Prabhupāda urges all his followers to take up this mission seriously, for there is no better way to utilize one's life than in the service of the Lord's mission to reclaim the fallen 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 Engaging in Preaching. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.