How Prabhupāda Trains His Disciples to Be Fixed Up in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
The spiritual path requires immense determination, and Śrīla Prabhupāda places the utmost importance on his disciples becoming firmly established, or "fixed up," in their daily practices. By rooting their lives in strict regulation and profound philosophical understanding, devotees develop the strength to transcend all material impediments.
The Foundation of Being Fixed Up
The mind is naturally restless, carrying the heavy momentum of countless lifetimes spent in material conditioning. To achieve true steadiness, Śrīla Prabhupāda insists that his disciples anchor themselves to the most essential daily practices of devotional service. By strictly following the four regulative principles and chanting a minimum of sixteen rounds of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra every day, a devotee builds an unbreakable foundation for their spiritual life. Without this basic discipline, higher advancement remains impossible.
- Make sure that they are well aware of the four rules and regulations and that they are fixed in chanting the prescribed number of 16 rounds daily on the beads. Without these two principles no one can make advancement on the path of regulated bhakti.
- We have recommended in our Krsna consciousness movement that a devotee chant sixteen rounds on beads daily and follow the regulative principles. That will help the devotee be fixed in his spiritual advancement in life.
- Please try very hard to remain fixed-up in devotional service to Lord Krishna, always chanting Hare Krsna (at least 16 rounds), following the four rules, and reading my books frequently.
Protection from Material Illusion
The material world is the kingdom of māyā, the illusory energy, which constantly attempts to lure the conditioned soul back into sensual enjoyment and forgetfulness of God. Because of this constant danger, Śrīla Prabhupāda continually advises his students to keep their minds fully occupied in positive spiritual activities. When the consciousness is securely fixed upon the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, the distracting memories of past sinful life lose their power, and the devotee remains completely safe from illusion.
- Always fix yourself in Krishna's service and you will be far away from maya's touch.
- Maya is always placing the memories of our past sinful activities before us, and encouraging us to come once again into her clutches, but by always chanting Hare Krsna and keeping our mind fixed on Krishna, He will give us the strength to resist her demands.
- Don't be disheartened at any circumstance. Depend on Krishna. After all this is the kingdom of maya. She is always peeping to take the opportunity of attacking us, but if we fix up our attention on the Lotus Feet of Krishna, maya cannot even touch us.
The Importance of Philosophical Understanding
Enthusiasm that relies merely upon emotion or sentiment is fragile and easily destroyed by external challenges or internal doubts. To prevent this instability, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes the absolute necessity of deeply studying his books and understanding the siddhānta, or authorized Vedic conclusions. When a devotee logically clears away their doubts through rigorous philosophical education, their faith transforms into conviction, making them resolute and immune to manufactured ideas.
- In order to remain steadily fixed in Krsna consciousness there must be a sound philosophical understanding. Otherwise it will become only sentiment.
- If you study according to the Vedic conclusion, don't manufacture ideas and whims and sentiments. If you go through siddhanta, then you'll be more and more firmly fixed up.
- You should read every day without fail and become fixed in our philosophy.
- It is best to get all such points cleared up so that our understanding may be firmly fixed up in our philosophy. The best process is to rigidly execute one's prescribed devotional duties regularly, and to study the books and literatures very carefully.
Unwavering Dedication to the Spiritual Master's Order
The secret to success in spiritual life lies in the disciple's absolute commitment to the instructions, or vāṇī, of the spiritual master. By cultivating vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ, a fixed-up, resolute determination to execute the guru's order without considering personal comfort or inconvenience, a devotee rapidly accelerates their progress. Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that anyone who fully surrenders to this principle will easily overcome all obstacles and attain perfection.
- If we become fixed up in this resolution, that "Whatever we have heard from my guru, the representative of Krsna, I must execute. I do not care for my personal convenience or inconvenience. This is my life and soul," then your life is perfect.
- If we keep to the vani to the words of spiritual master, then we remain very fixed up.
- There is no difference between the internal and external instructor. We should take advantage of this instruction. That is called vyavasayatmika buddhih, fixed-up resolution. Fixed-up resolution.
True Success is Steadiness, Not Just Expansion
It is natural to measure the success of a spiritual movement by its external growth, such as acquiring new properties or recruiting massive numbers of followers. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses that the real potency of the society depends entirely upon the internal spiritual quality of its members. Training the current devotees to be deeply knowledgeable and completely fixed up in their vows is far more important than superficial expansion, as pure devotees naturally attract others to the path.
- Unless all of my students become very much fixed up in their spiritual progress, what is the use of so many programs for expansion?
- Yes, that is the right idea, to strengthen whatever devotees we have got in spiritual life, fix them beyond any doubts. Then our potency will increase and we may recruit dozens of new devotees easily.
- We (the GBC) must fix up what devotees we have got in the knowledge of Krsna consciousness, then we will succeed. What good are many, many devotees if none of them are knowledgeable?
Conclusion
The process of remaining fixed up is the very core of spiritual success, shielding the practitioner from the relentless attacks of material illusion. Through these direct instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda provides the perfect formula for achieving unwavering steadiness: strictly chanting, deeply studying the philosophy, and resolutely serving the spiritual master's mission. By becoming firmly rooted in these principles, a devotee not only secures their own path back to Godhead but becomes an empowered instrument to deliver others.
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 Fixed Up (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.