I Ask - Prabhupāda's Loving Requests and Bold Challenges
When we hear Śrīla Prabhupāda use the words "I ask" or "I asked," we are given a direct window into the heart of a loving spiritual father and a fearless global preacher. He was not a distant figure demanding blind obedience from a throne; rather, he was a deeply personal guide who asked for our help, asked us to use our intelligence, and asked us to wake up from the dream of material life. Whether he was begging his disciples to cooperate to spread the mission of his Guru, or challenging the greatest scholars and scientists to explain the source of life, his questions and requests were always meant to elevate human consciousness. He felt genuine pain when he saw people sleeping in ignorance, and he tirelessly asked everyone he met to simply chant the holy names and be happy. By studying what Śrīla Prabhupāda asked of us and of the world, we can understand exactly what we must do to please him and achieve the ultimate success in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Prabhupāda Asking for Cooperation and Service
Śrīla Prabhupāda did not take credit for the immense success of his movement. He presented himself as a humble messenger of his Guru, and he frequently asked his disciples to cooperate, bury their differences, and help him push forward the publication and distribution of transcendental literature.
- 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.
- I want to hold this (Mayapur) function this year with my students and I ask kindly serve me by making this possible. It's a very important day and will be a great service to Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura and His son Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
- I have already asked you to think on the project how you can push on our books and literature. I cannot suggest any other alternatives, but if you can execute this will of mine, I shall remain ever-obliged to you.
- I am just doing the work of a bearer. There is nothing of my personal contribution and I ask all your mercy so that I may be able to distribute Krishna's message as it is without any deviation.
Prabhupāda Asking the Christians and Scientists
With sharp intellect and fearless compassion, Śrīla Prabhupāda directly challenged the hypocrisies of modern society. He repeatedly asked Christian leaders to explain their blatant disregard for the commandment "Thou shalt not kill," and he asked proud scientists to prove their claims by creating even a simple fly.
- The first commandment is violated. It is clearly said, "Thou shalt not kill." But when I ask any Christian, "Why you are killing?" He cannot give me any satisfactory answer.
- I've asked Swaroop Damodara to invite Ramananda Rao to come and join him to present this revolutionary theory to the learned advanced scientists.
- In the universities they say that "What is the wrong if I become an animal?" I asked them, "Do you like to be animal?" "Yes." "Then all right, next time you become animal. (laughter) This is your I give you this blessing. That's all."
- When I ask you, "Create another plane like a fly or mosquito," you are unable to do it. Then why do you take, "There is no God, science is everything." Why do you say like that?
Prabhupāda Asking for Pure Devotional Service
As a loving but strict father, Śrīla Prabhupāda required his students to maintain high spiritual standards. He asked everyone who wanted initiation to solemnly vow before the fire to give up all sinful activities and strictly chant the mahā-mantra every single day.
- In our movement we ask everybody, especially our serious students, to refrain from four kinds of sinful activities: illicit sex life, intoxication, gambling and meat-eating. These are the pillars of sinful life.
- I am also asking that they write a statement in all seriousness stating they have not broken promises of first initiation and they will go on steadfastly chanting the prescribed rounds. I am hoping to stop whimsical recommendations for second initiation.
- You must execute the duties. Just like we have asked our students to finish sixteen rounds chanting minimum. Sixteen rounds is nothing. In Vrndavana there are many devotees, they chant 120 rounds. Like that. So sixteen rounds is the minimum.
- We do not say anything that can be defied by anyone. That experience we have. Rather, we defy everyone: "Any questions?" Till now, Krsna has given us protection. In big, big meetings in big, big countries, after speaking I ask, - Any questions.
Prabhupāda Asking Us to Remain Awake in Spiritual Life
Śrīla Prabhupāda was deeply disturbed by the rampant ignorance in the world. He asked us to rise above the animalistic pursuits of eating, sleeping, and mating, urging his listeners to stay awake during spiritual discourses and deeply consider the true purpose of their existence.
- If somebody dozes, it gives me too much pain. And I asked you to go and sleep. It disturbs me, too much disturbs me. I tell you frankly. When I speak or when I speak if somebody dozes, better not to sit. Sleep twenty-four hours, but don't make show.
- Is that the cultural end, to sleep at night or sex indulgence and at night earn money and maintain the family? I am asking this question.
- Ask anybody that "What is the aim of your life?" Nobody... Nobody will be able to say.
- I am asking people to become God conscious; but if you refuse to become God conscious how can I help you?
Conclusion
The many requests and questions Śrīla Prabhupāda posed to his disciples and the world were never for his own sake; they were the compassionate calls of a soul fully surrendered to his Guru Mahārāja. By asking us to chant, to cooperate, and to challenge the false foundations of modern society, he was effectively asking us to claim our eternal inheritance in the spiritual world. Each time Śrīla Prabhupāda asked a student to do something, he was offering them a personal opportunity to break free from the shackles of māyā. Our response to his requests is the measure of our sincerity. If we can simply listen to what he asks of us and act with a heart full of gratitude, we will find that Śrīla Prabhupāda is not just a historical figure, but a living presence guiding us every step of the way back to Kṛṣṇa.
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 Ask (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.