I Have Heard - Prabhupāda's Faithful Hearing and Loving Connection
Whenever Śrīla Prabhupāda spoke or wrote the words, "I have heard," he opened a window into the most intimate aspects of his spiritual life and his loving relationships with us. He constantly reminded his disciples that the immense success of his global mission was simply due to his perfect retention and repetition of whatever he had heard from his Guru Mahārāja. Śrīla Prabhupāda was not an inventor of a new religion, but a faithful receiver and distributor of the absolute truth. Yet, as our spiritual father, he was also constantly listening for news of our progress. To hear that we were chanting our rounds, managing nicely, and distributing books gave him boundless transcendental pleasure. Conversely, when he had not heard from us, his heart became heavy with a father's protective anxiety. By meditating on what Śrīla Prabhupāda heard, we are inspired to carefully hear from him and to always give him the good news of our steady spiritual advancement.
Hearing from the Disciplic Succession
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s absolute purity stemmed from his perfect hearing. He never speculated or altered the philosophy to suit modern times. Instead, he presented the absolute truth exactly as he had heard it from his spiritual master. This strict adherence to the paramparā guarantees that anyone who hears from Śrīla Prabhupāda is directly receiving the instructions of the Supreme Lord.
- I have always been so careful to give you only those things which I have heard from my Guru Maharaja.
- We preach exactly as we have heard from our Spiritual Master, but there are changes due to the time, circumstances, and the trainees. The spirit of the disciplic succession may not be changed.
- I have no particular instructions, save and except the instruction which I have also heard from my Spiritual Master. So all instructions in the disciplic succession directly comes from the Supreme Person.
- We have explained this Bhagavad-gita in the parampara system as we have heard from authoritative sources. So it may be a new contribution to your country, because in every edition they have concocted some ideas about Bhagavad-gita.
The Joy of Hearing About Preaching Success
Nothing enlivened Śrīla Prabhupāda more than hearing that his disciples were vigorously distributing his books and preaching the message of Lord Caitanya. When he received these reports, he felt that his massive effort was bearing fruit. His letters of profound appreciation inspire us to constantly deliver him this "very good news" by pushing forward the saṅkīrtana movement.
- I (Prabhupada) am greatly pleased to hear from you that you have increased the selling books five times more in Chicago centre. That is very good news to me.
- I am very glad to hear that you are keeping yourself busy preaching. Don't become a dead man. Always preach.
- When I hear about the Sankirtana Buses that are moving all over the world then I think that we are becoming like a gigantic guerilla warfare movement fighting with maya.
- I have heard with great pleasure how in only one month's time you have distributed 50,000 Bhagavad gita As It Is in the Japanese language. I think there has never been a case in history when so many religious books were distributed in such a short time.
Hearing of Steady Spiritual Advancement
Śrīla Prabhupāda cared deeply about the internal spiritual lives of his followers. He was profoundly moved to hear that a disciple was strictly chanting their rounds, studying the scriptures, and maintaining a peaceful, regulated life. His warm encouragement serves as a loving reminder that our steady devotional practice is the greatest gift we can offer him.
- It is very much pleasing to me to hear that you are making such steady advancement in Krishna Consciousness.
- I am very glad to hear you are following my instructions by chanting 16 rounds daily.
- I am happy to hear you are steadily studying Sanskrit and reading Srimad-Bhagavatam - that is very good.
- You are very good girl, because I have heard you chanting while working. It is very good and may Krishna give you more and more enlightenment. I always pray that you may be happy by our Lord's Grace.
A Father's Anxiety When Not Hearing
The intense love Śrīla Prabhupāda held for his disciples is beautifully revealed when the letters stopped arriving. He did not view his followers simply as managers or workers, but as his own spiritual children. When he did not hear from them, his anxiety grew, prompting him to reach out and ensure they were safe, happy, and secure in their Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Please accept my blessings. Since a long time I have not heard from you. I hope you are well in Krishna Consciousness. Please let me know what you are doing. I am anxiously awaiting your reply.
- I have not heard from you since a long time. I hope you are doing well. You are a very sincere worker, and Krishna will bless you. I will be glad to hear from you.
- I have not heard from you for some time, so I had become worried what is your position. As GBC man you should become very responsible to see that the highest standards of Krishna Consciousness should be maintained all over the Society.
- I am hearing from the newspapers that in India there is some upheaval on the ground of political activities. I have also heard that you are observing "fast" and it has given me some concern.
Conclusion
Reflecting on what Śrīla Prabhupāda heard draws us closer to his lotus feet. By strictly repeating what he heard from his Guru Mahārāja, he forged an unbreakable link to the supreme spiritual reality, inviting us to step onto the exact same path. His immense joy at hearing of our preaching successes and our steady chanting reveals a heart overflowing with pure compassion. Simultaneously, his anxious inquiries when we fall silent remind us that we are never alone; we are always under his watchful, loving gaze. Our ultimate duty and greatest joy is to ensure that Śrīla Prabhupāda is constantly hearing the triumphant sounds of Kṛṣṇa consciousness expanding all over the world, knowing that this is what pleases him the most.
Dive Deeper into Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives eternally within his instructions. This article is a loving summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category I Have Heard (Prabhupada). We enthusiastically invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation, immerse yourself in his mercy, and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.