How Prabhupāda Trains His Disciples to Serve and Live Together
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a dynamic, cooperative society designed to deliver the entire world from illusion. Śrīla Prabhupāda understood that to accomplish this revolutionary task, his followers needed precise training on how to serve and live together. He established clear guidelines for everything from administrative consultation and āśrama etiquette to the peaceful execution of married life. He constantly reminded his disciples that burying their personal grudges and working combinedly was the only way to satisfy the previous ācāryas and successfully return to the spiritual world.
The Power of Combined Preaching
The mission of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu cannot be executed by fractured, independent efforts. A profound vision of spiritual unity was revealed by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who explained that his disciples had been specifically orchestrated by the divine will of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura to meet and preach. He taught that by combining their energy, enthusiasm, and patience, the devotees could enact a revolutionary change across the globe that no individual could achieve alone.
- By the Divine Will of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura we are now combined together, although originally we are born in different parts of the world, unknown to one another.
- We have got a very heavy task before us. Together we have to push on this Krishna Consciousness movement for a revolutionary change all over the world.
- We must stay together and vigorously preach the Krsna Consciousness philosophy to the world. That is the real spirit of Lord Caitanya's Movement.
- Fortunately, we are now together and with great enthusiasm and patience let us erect this mission of Krishna Consciousness.
- I am sure if you all my beloved disciples combined together try to preach Krishna Consciousness in this spirit, Krishna will give the necessary strength.
Overcoming Disagreements and Quarreling
Because devotees retain their individuality, minor differences of opinion are inevitable. A strict warning against holding grudges was issued by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who stated that fighting over petty issues would completely doom the society. He demanded that his disciples bury the hatchet, adjust their differences, and focus entirely on following the footsteps of the ācāryas. By living together peacefully, they guarantee the protection of the paramparā.
- Bhakta-sane vasa. Tandera carane. We should live together as devotee and follow the footprints of the acaryas. Don't manufacture concoction. Then it will be spoiled. Simply try to follow. They'll protect. They'll give protection.
- The main thing is we must not carry grudges or continue to quarrel amongst one another. Bury occasional the hatchet and join together to push on this movement cooperatively.
- I am asking you personally, along with Tamala Krsna Goswami to whom I am sending a copy of this letter, to bury the hatchet and join together to push on this movement cooperatively.
- No, I don't wish to agitate your mind. I want that if there is any difference, that should be adjusted, and we must preach combinedly. That is my point.
- We must exist on cooperation, otherwise the whole thing is doomed if we simply go on fighting over some small thing. So try to organize things and preach together in this spirit, and that will please me very, very much.
Husband and Wife Serving Together
Vedic marriage is not an arrangement for unrestricted sense gratification, but an āśrama designed for spiritual cultivation. A beautiful standard for gṛhastha life was established by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who taught that the ultimate purpose of marriage is for a man and woman to peacefully combine their energies for Kṛṣṇa. By having a Deity at home, chanting together, and supporting one another in devotional service, the husband and wife ensure they will both return to the spiritual world.
- That is the real purpose of married life; to live together peacefully, execute Krishna Consciousness, bring up children in Krishna Consciousness, so they will not again have to enter into this world of birth and death.
- Let the man and woman combine together, live peacefully. The woman takes charge of the household affairs, the man may take charge of bringing money, and they meet together, have Deity at home, together chant Hare Krsna. Where is the difficulty? That is unity.
- I am so glad that you are now together, husband and wife, engaged in serving Krsna as an ideal Krsna Conscious householder couple.
- The best policy is to chant Hare Krishna all together husband, wife, and son at least a half hour daily. If your wife joins with you in chanting, then the whole problem will be solved.
- You are fortunate. Go on in this present attitude, serve you husband always and in this way your life will be perfect, and together husband and wife go back home, Back to Godhead.
Guidelines for Living in the Āśrama
To maintain the spiritual potency of the society, strict boundaries regarding association must be upheld. A highly regulated environment was constructed by Śrīla Prabhupāda for temple living. He mandated the strict separation of unmarried boys and girls to prevent illicit sex, and he directed married couples to live outside the temple buildings. By establishing these rules, he ensured that the brahmacārī atmosphere remained undisturbed and all devotees could progress safely.
- Grhasthas live outside the temple, for in the temple we do not allow even husband and wife to live together. The results of this are wonderful.
- It is better if the grhasthas have a separate asrama, just like in Los Angeles the married disciples rent rooms together in one apartment house near the temple and live there separately, and in this way no one is disturbed.
- To live with wife, together as a grhastha, and enjoy grhastha life, at the same time to live in temple, this should be discouraged.
- We very strictly prohibit illicit sex. Boys and girls who are not married are not allowed to sleep together or live together, and there are separate arrangements for boys and girls in every temple.
- Now there should be one rule that unless they are husband-wife, man and woman should not worship together.
Consulting Together for Management
An international movement cannot function properly if its leaders operate as independent autocrats. A mandatory system of consultation was put in place by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who instructed his Governing Body Commission (GBC) members to execute all administrative duties cooperatively. He taught that by keeping in close touch, discussing financial plans together, and making joint decisions, the leaders would avoid deviating from his policies and provide him with the necessary relief to translate his books.
- Now I want that all administration may be done by all of you 12 GBC members all over the world. Always keep in touch and consult matters all together for practical execution.
- You should work cooperatively in such a way that we don't deviate from the policy, and conjointly, consulting together, so that I may be relieved from petty minor things. But if there is some difficulty, I am at your service.
- This matter must be decided by the GBC. Let them consult together and decide. Whatever they decide is approved by me.
- I want that such a "floating ISKCON" be organized, but for financial questions you should consult with my GBC men and together you can chalk out your plan.
- I hope you shall altogether consult and do the needful. Not a single moment should be wasted - that is very important thing. We shall not act anything which has no connection directly with Krishna Consciousness business.
Conclusion
By perfectly defining how devotees must interact, live, and manage, Śrīla Prabhupāda created a spiritual sanctuary within the chaotic material world. He ensured his disciples understood that true spiritual advancement is not a solitary endeavor, but a highly cooperative family effort. Through his strict yet deeply compassionate guidance, he proved that when devotees cast aside their individual differences, respect the rules of the āśrama, and work together for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa, the success of the saṅkīrtana movement is absolutely guaranteed.
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 Together (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.