I Do Not Like - Prabhupāda's Uncompromising Spiritual Standards
When we study the things Śrīla Prabhupāda specifically stated he "did not like," we are not merely looking at the personal preferences of an elderly gentleman; we are receiving a masterclass in spiritual discernment. Śrīla Prabhupāda's dislikes were never born of material aversion or mundane attachment. Instead, they were perfectly aligned with the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He strongly opposed anything that threatened the spiritual lives of his disciples, squandered Kṛṣṇa’s hard-earned money, or distorted his pure teachings. Furthermore, his aversion to modern industrialism (ugra-karma), animal slaughter, and frivolous philosophy highlights his deep compassion for a suffering world. By understanding what Śrīla Prabhupāda disliked, we learn exactly what we must avoid in our own lives to protect the delicate creeper of devotion and to remain steadfastly on the path back to Godhead.
Prabhupāda's Standards for Management
Śrīla Prabhupāda was a meticulous guardian of his society's assets and purity. He deeply disliked the careless spending of money collected by his sincere disciples, the unauthorized alteration of his books, and the unnecessary selling of established temple properties.
- I do not like that anyone should scrutinize our publications without my sanction.
- It is my habit to see that money is not being squandered. If money is spent unnecessarily, I feel very badly. You are collecting with great effort, and I do not like to see it spoiled.
- I have no objection to your moving the farm on the same island with the temple, but you can purchase a farm separate and keep the present house. What will be gained by selling the house? I do not like this idea.
- Your suggestion to get new buses is good. I always recommended that. I don't like old vehicles. I think one hundred buses are not sufficient for America.
Prabhupāda's Rejection of Industrialism
Observing the artificiality of modern life, Śrīla Prabhupāda expressed a strong distaste for industrial and mining environments. He warned against the dangers of ugra-karma and consistently encouraged his devotees to establish self-sufficient farming communities.
- I do not like to have New Vrindaban with industrial or mining areas. I have got experience of them in India, that the mining areas are simply next to dungeon.
- My idea is that all our centers should be self-supported. We do not like that idea that for your support you have to go 100 miles to get your bread. That is a very dangerous drawback. You produce your food locally and then support yourself.
- Very happy life it was, all over India. There was no question of poverty. People did not know what is poverty and now it is poverty. They do not get even sufficient food. Ugra-karma. I don't like industrialism.
- We do not condemn modern civilization but we don't like to get it at the cost of God Consciousness; that is suicide.
Prabhupāda's Personal Integrity
Śrīla Prabhupāda's spiritual life was defined by duty to his Guru Mahārāja, overriding personal preferences. He actively protected his mind from material impressions—such as avoiding movies on airplanes—and demonstrated how true devotion means executing the spiritual master's order at all costs.
- My Guru Maharaja gave me a task and always I was discouraged by my god-brothers, but I did not forget him even for a moment, and I was determined to follow my duty, even though sometimes I did not like to do it.
- While sometimes the movies that are demonstrated in the plane, I close my eyes. I do not like to see them because that impression carries. It is a very disturbing fact to me.
- Concerning the outhouses, if they are not approved then you can have a septic tank, or pass stool in the open field. I was doing that. I never liked to go to the nonsense toilet so I was going in the field.
- He is fanning me. Why? Because I am feeling unhappy due to warmth of this room. Then again, in winter season, I'll not like this fanning. This fanning will be uncomfortable. So a thing which is now comfortable, a few days after, it will be uncomfortable.
Prabhupāda's Compassion and Philosophy
Śrīla Prabhupāda's dislikes were firmly rooted in spiritual truth and universal love. He disliked wasting time with voidist philosophers, abhorred the cruelty of animal slaughter, and rejected the modern tendency to trivially break sacred vows of marriage.
- As Krsna conscious devotees, we do not like to converse with Mayavadi philosophers simply to waste valuable time, but whenever there is an opportunity we impress our philosophy upon them with great vigor and success.
- We don't like to see animal killing. That is also one of our propaganda: "No meat-eating." Why? To save the animals, because we love animals also. We love even the ant - because we love Krsna.
- That one marriage is sufficient. She must remain very faithful to her husband, chaste. That is wanted. Not that "I do not like this husband. I'll change." That is not wanted.
- I may inform you in this connection about my family life. Actually, I never liked my wife. I was going to marry another, but my father saved me from the danger and he told me that you do not like your wife, that is the grace of Krishna.
Conclusion
When we review what Śrīla Prabhupāda disliked, we see a perfect reflection of what he loved: the unadulterated service to Kṛṣṇa. He did not like the things that stood in the way of spiritual progress, whether it was the squandering of resources, the cruelty of animal killing, or the distractions of a hyper-industrialized society. Most importantly, Śrīla Prabhupāda showed us that personal likes and dislikes must be entirely subordinated to the order of the spiritual master. By adopting Śrīla Prabhupāda's spiritual vision, we can train our own minds to reject what is unfavorable for devotional service and to joyfully embrace whatever is necessary to please Kṛṣṇa, ensuring our steady advancement on the path of pure devotion.
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 Do Not Like... (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.