Foundation of Prabhupāda's Success - Following His Guru Mahārāja
Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly clarifies that his success is not due to any personal mystic power or scholarly pride. He reveals that his only qualification is his absolute determination to execute the orders given to him by his spiritual master, which serves as a roadmap for all sincere disciples.
Faith in the Order of the Spiritual Master
The primary engine behind the global expansion of ISKCON was Śrīla Prabhupāda's total surrender to the words of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. He explains that by making the guru's desire his own, success becomes inevitable through divine grace.
- I am giving so much stress and I am working so hard on this. Because this is my life and soul according to the order of my Guru Maharaja. And by his grace it is to some extent successful. And I took it seriously. I take it seriously still now.
- I am successful in my teaching work because I have not deviated one inch from my Spiritual Master's instruction; this is my only qualification. So if you simply remain pure, your preaching will have effect.
- I tell you frankly, whatever little success is there in this Krsna consciousness movement, I simply believed what was spoken by my Guru Maharaja. You also continue that. Then every success will come.
- Cittete koriya aikya, ar na koriho mane asa. So it is not my pride, but I can say, for your instruction, I did it. Therefore whatever little success you see than all my Godbrothers, it is due to this.
Presenting the Message Without Adulteration
Another cornerstone of Śrīla Prabhupāda's success was his commitment to paramparā, or the disciplic succession. He emphasizes that he did not manufacture any new ideas or "jugglery of words," but simply presented the ancient wisdom as he heard it.
- I am not a magician. My only credit is I have not spoiled the Bhagavad-gita. I have presented as it is. Therefore it is successful.
- Whatever little success I have got, it is due to this process, that I do not present anything which is created by me. That is the secret of success.
- Whatever little success is in our movement, the cause is I have not tried to cheat. Honestly, what I knew, I heard it from Guru Maharaja and scripture, I took it. There was no cheating.
- We haven't got to manufacture. And as soon as you manufacture, fall down. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayah... This manufacturing idea is very, very dangerous in spiritual life. Whatever little success is there for me, I did not manufacture any idea.
Measuring Success Through Sincerity
Śrīla Prabhupāda did not measure success by material standards or the number of followers. Instead, he felt successful when he saw his students reforming their character, living peacefully, and genuinely understanding the science of Kṛṣṇa.
- If there is one moon, that is sufficient. What is the use of millions of stars twinkling. So that is our propaganda. If one man can understand what is Krsna philosophy, then my preaching is successful, that's all.
- Take prasada and chant Hare Krsna, that's all. And we have now nice buildings. Live there peacefully, chant Hare Krsna. This is my success. If I see that you are living very nicely, chanting very nicely, then all my labor is successful.
- We are not after many millions of disciples. I want to see that one disciple has understood Krsna's philosophy. That is success. That's all.
- If I could induce even one person to Krishna Consciousness through my publication, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, then I shall think my labor is successful.
The Role of Sincere Assistants
Humbly, Śrīla Prabhupāda attributes his ability to fulfill his mission to the help of his disciples. He views their cooperation as a sign of Kṛṣṇa's mercy and the ultimate validation of his teaching work.
- Because by Krishna's Grace I have got good assistants like yourself, therefore I am successful. Now I have built the skyscraper framework, you fill it in nicely.
- My dear boys and girls, about six years ago I came to your country single-handed, with this pair of cymbals. Now you are so many chanting Hare Krsna. That is my success.
- I request all my spiritual sons and daughters to help me in this great adventure, and if you all help me, I am sure I shall be successful.
- I am trying my best to do my duty, and if you cooperate with me, fully, certainly both yourself and myself will be successful in our missionary work.
Conclusion
The success of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a testament to the power of the guru-paramparā when accessed through a transparent and sincere servant. Śrīla Prabhupāda demonstrates that the secret to achievement in spiritual life is not personal brilliance, but the simple, honest, and firm execution of the instructions of the spiritual master. By refusing to compromise or manufacture his own path, he provided a solid foundation for thousands to return to their original spiritual consciousness.
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 My Success (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.