I Get - Prabhupāda's Reception of Kṛṣṇa's Mercy and Facilities
When we examine the statements where Śrīla Prabhupāda says "I get," we witness the internal and external dynamics of a pure devotee empowered by the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda did not get things through mundane endeavor or for personal exploitation. Instead, he got the boundless mercy of his spiritual master, the special favor of Lord Kṛṣṇa, and the immense transcendental pleasure of seeing a worldwide movement blossom. Whether he was getting older in his physical body, getting millions of dollars for book printing, or getting reports from his sincere disciples, his consciousness remained perfectly fixed in gratitude and service. By studying what Śrīla Prabhupāda received and how he utilized it, we learn the profound secret of spiritual success: when we genuinely desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa ensures we get everything we need.
Getting the Order and Mercy of His Guru
The foundation of Śrīla Prabhupāda's monumental achievements was the instruction and spiritual empowerment he received from his spiritual master. He recognized that his success in publishing was the direct result of taking his guru's order seriously and constantly getting his divine guidance through vāṇī (instruction).
- It is due to the blessing of my Guru Maharaja. He directly told me that "If you get some money, publish some books." I took it seriously, so he's helping me. All our Godbrothers, they didn't take it.
- In my last meeting with Prabhupada in Radha Kunda he advised me to print some books if I get money. I took it very seriously and by His grace we have now published my translations of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc.
- I shall remain your personal guidance, physically present or not physically, as I am getting personal guidance from my Guru Maharaja.
- My Guru Maharaja passed in 1936, and I started this movement in 1965, thirty years after. Then? I am getting the mercy of guru. This is vani.
Getting Pleasure from Sincere Disciples and Preaching
Śrīla Prabhupāda's greatest joy was not in personal comfort, but in the spiritual advancement of his followers. He got tremendous encouragement and solace whenever he received reports that his books were being distributed and that his disciples were preaching vigorously around the world.
- Personally I become very much encouraged when I get the report of my books being distributed.
- I get great pleasure when I see my own disciples from America going to far off places leaving their rich nation with all facilities and their families, to preach. The secret of success in spiritual life is to satisfy one's spiritual master.
- Please send me a letter at least once in a week, that will give me a great pleasure. Naturally I am anxious to know how different centers are working, and when I get good reports from them it gives me great solace.
- You are saying that you are a fool, and I shall be glad to get a number of fools like you. I want such transcendental fools and not material intellectuals. May Krishna bless you.
Getting Old While Expanding the Mission
Despite the natural physical challenges of getting older, Śrīla Prabhupāda's spiritual determination never waned. He viewed his advancing age not as a reason to retire, but as an urgent impetus to translate more books, dictate more tapes, and establish more temples for the future of humanity.
- I am getting older day by day, so if I can see in my lifetime that all of you have opened at least 108 branches of ISKCON institution that will be a great pleasure for me.
- I am getting to be an old man. I have given you the formula how to preach; you are young boys and girls, our future hope. Now you follow the principles, apply your intelligence, and everything will come out successful by the Grace of our Lord Krishna.
- So far I am concerned, although I am getting old, I guarantee I shall give you two tapes daily provided you guarantee to finish printing two tapes daily. That will encourage me more and more.
- All my senior disciples are requesting me to revive my translating work and I would like to do so for the remaining days of my life. So you have to help me to get Srimad-Bhagavatam and the other translating work done as quickly as possible.
Getting Special Mercy and Divine Facilities
Śrīla Prabhupāda understood that the vast resources flowing into his movement were not the result of mundane business tactics or random chance. He saw every dollar, every piece of technology, and every opportunity he got as the special mercy of Kṛṣṇa, meant to be engaged fully in His service.
- God is omnipotent. As soon as He understands that I want this, He gives me some facility so that I get it. So it is not chance.
- Yes, it is Bhagavan's special mercy upon me that I am getting such immense wealth. You will be pleased to know that my books are selling to the extent of one million of dollars per month.
- If we get opportunity, preaching facilities for going on car, on airplane, using typewriter, dictaphone, microphone, we must use it. Because this is Krsna's property, it must be used for Krsna. This is our philosophy.
- As far as our Krsna consciousness movement is concerned, we are getting money naturally, by the grace of God, by selling our literature.
Conclusion
Everything Śrīla Prabhupāda got in his life—from the initial instruction of his spiritual master to the global success of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement—was the manifestation of pure devotional service. He proved that by remaining a humble servant, one naturally gets all the facilities, protection, and encouragement required to execute the Lord's will. Even while getting older, his spiritual energy only expanded, driven by the profound pleasure he got from seeing others take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By meditating on what Śrīla Prabhupāda received and how perfectly he engaged it in service, we are reminded that true wealth is not what we acquire for ourselves, but the divine mercy and opportunities we get to serve the Supreme Lord and His devotees.
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 Get (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.