I Am Trying - Prabhupāda's Humble Determination to Spread Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
When evaluating the monumental achievements of Śrīla Prabhupāda—circling the globe fourteen times, translating dozens of volumes of ancient Vedic texts, and establishing over a hundred centers worldwide—one might expect the language of a conqueror. Instead, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently described his unparalleled efforts with three simple words: "I am trying." This phrase is a window into the pure heart of a Vaiṣṇava. He never claimed absolute doership; rather, he viewed his work as an earnest, humble attempt to satisfy the unfulfilled desires of his spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. Whether he was sitting alone in a New York park, struggling with ill health, or managing a massive international society, his internal meditation remained the same: let me try my best to serve Kṛṣṇa. By studying his statements of "trying," we learn the true secret of spiritual success. It does not depend on mundane qualifications, vast wealth, or youthful energy; it depends entirely on the honest, unalloyed determination to try and please the previous ācāryas.
Attempting the Impossible in Old Age
At an age when most people retire to a quiet life, Śrīla Prabhupāda accepted the greatest physical and mental hardships to travel to the West. He had no money, no institutional backing, and no guarantees. He was propelled solely by the faith that he should make an honest attempt to fulfill his Guru's order.
- At the last stage of my life, at the age of seventy years, I made an attempt that... Our predecessors, they wanted, and they wanted me also to do that. So my other Godbrothers they could not do very well. So let me try.
- This movement was started only for the satisfaction of my spiritual master. He wanted. So I thought, "Let me try in this old age."
- Only five years back I was sitting alone under a tree in your park thinking that perhaps no one will join me, but let me try. Now I have got so many wonderful sons and daughters, that we require huge arrangement for chanting in the park.
- Although I am physically unfit, I am trying to execute the orders of my Guru Mahārāja as far as possible. So to take risk for Kṛṣṇa is very good.
Repeating the Message Without Alteration
Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly stressed that his only real qualification was that he did not concoct anything new. His "trying" meant rigorously attempting to become a transparent via medium. He listened submissively to his spiritual master and then tried to repeat that exact same message—without cheating or compromise—to the rest of the world.
- 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 Mahārāja and scripture, I took it. There was no cheating.
- I tried to give aural reception to the words of my Spiritual Master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvata Gosvama Maharaja, and thus I tried to engage my tongue in repeating the same words without any change.
- Personally I have no credit for myself, but I am trying to act as faithful servant of my predecessors and just presenting without any adulteration the message which I have received from my Spiritual Master.
- It is not that I am very much qualified. The only qualification is that I have tried to execute the order of superior authority. That's all. This is the secret of success.
Publishing Transcendental Literature
Śrīla Prabhupāda considered the publication and distribution of transcendental literature to be the most vital aspect of his mission. Following the specific hint of his spiritual master to publish books, he constantly tried to translate and print the Vedic knowledge, viewing this immense effort as his primary service.
- I am continuously trying to publish books, as suggested by my spiritual master.
- I am praying to my spiritual master to give me strength to finish this work. I am neither a great scholar nor a great devotee; I am simply a humble servant of him, and to the best of my ability I am trying to please him by publishing these books.
- I was telling you that my Guru Maharaja hinted that "If you get some money, you publish book." So from the very beginning, I am trying that. So this is specific. Other, following rules and regulations, that is all right. But a specific.
- I am trying to finish the translation of Srimad-Bhagavatam as soon as possible, but before finishing it, I have given my readers the book Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so that if I die before finishing the whole task, they may enjoy this book.
Establishing a Global Brāhmaṇical Culture
Śrīla Prabhupāda was not merely trying to establish a new sect or religion; he was trying to resurrect the lost, sane foundation of human society. By introducing the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa and the regulative principles, he actively tried to transform people from all walks of life into first-class men of flawless character.
- Actually that is what I am trying to do in your country is to establish a brahmanical society.
- I said it long ago, that we are trying to make brahmanas from anywhere in the world.
- As far as we are concerned, we are trying to establish daiva-varnasrama, as it is instructed by the Gosvāmīs, by Hari-bhakti-vilāsa, by our spiritual master. May not be very perfect, but we are trying our best to introduce this daiva-varnasrama.
- One big man came. So I talked about first-class men, and he admitted. So he said at the last moment, "Now let me go and engage myself in fourth-class activities." So everyone is engaged in fourth-class activities, and we are trying to make first-class men.
Establishing Ideal Spiritual Communities
Beyond verbal preaching, Śrīla Prabhupāda tried to give practical shape to the Vedic social system. Through the creation of farming communities and spiritual townships like New Vrindaban and Mayapur, he tried to show the world that it is possible to live a simple, God-centered life even in the modern age.
- Here in New Vrindaban we are trying to establish an ideal life - plain living and advanced in Krsna consciousness. That is real business.
- We are trying to establish an ideal colony in New Vrindaban and other places.
- I am trying to develop a township in Mayapur spending crores of rupees to give protection against the occasional innundation (flood) and construct a tall planetarium estimated to be 300 feet high. So why they are obstructing this program?
- We are trying to construct a city (our Mayapur City in W. Bengal) where people from all over the world can come to visit and live according to the Vedic tenets of "simple living and high thinking."
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s declaration of "I am trying" is the ultimate testament to the dynamic nature of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is not a static philosophy of mere belief, but a life of active, persistent endeavor for the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. By presenting himself as a humble servant simply making an attempt, he stripped away the false prestige of material accomplishment and demonstrated that true greatness lies in the sincerity of one’s effort. His glorious success proves that when a devotee sincerely tries to serve the instructions of the spiritual master, Kṛṣṇa provides all the necessary intelligence, strength, and resources to make the impossible possible. Śrīla Prabhupāda has laid the groundwork and shown the way; now, his instruction to all subsequent generations is simply to pick up the torch and, with that same humble determination, continue to try.
Dive Deeper into 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 Trying (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.