I Have Started - Prabhupāda's Humble Beginnings of Worldwide Movement
When Śrīla Prabhupāda spoke the words, "I have started," he transported his disciples back to the earliest, most arduous days of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. He wanted us to understand that this global institution was not born of immense wealth or worldly influence, but of the pure, single-handed devotion of a seventy-year-old sannyāsī who arrived in America with nothing but forty rupees and the absolute order of his spiritual master. By recalling his struggles in a New York storefront, his solitary efforts to publish Back to Godhead, and his uncompromising reliance on Kṛṣṇa's grace, Śrīla Prabhupāda provided a masterclass in faith. He did not recount his history to boast, but to protect the movement. He wanted his followers to realize the staggering contrast between those humble beginnings and the opulence the society eventually achieved, begging us to cooperate, maintain strict spiritual standards, and never spoil the glorious mission he worked so hard to start.
Humble Origins and Absolute Faith
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently reminded his followers that the movement's monumental success was not a product of typical material calculation. It was the result of one pure devotee's absolute faith in the Holy Name and his complete dependence on the Supreme Lord, even amidst severe financial scarcity and physical hardship.
- I started this movement with forty rupees.
- If there was no Krsna's grace, how this institution would have come into existence? It was not possible, such a big institution, all by one man's endeavor, starting with forty rupees. Simply Krsna's grace. So don't spoil that.
- Of course, I'm not proud, but I am alone. I started this movement alone, without any help. But because I am giving them the perfect information, whole world is taking it.
- Even at the old age of 70, I started for America. There, for a full one year I had to experience great difficulties in my single handed mission on this account.
The New York Foundation
New York City held a very special, affectionate place in Śrīla Prabhupāda's heart, as it was the testing ground for his preaching in the West. He lovingly recalled the early days of lecturing in a humble storefront, chanting in the park, and practically demonstrating how to live a Kṛṣṇa conscious life.
- I like especially New York, because I started the movement here. And because there are so many branches, if I go they'll become enlivened.
- So I started in 1966, lecturing in a storefront and living in that apartment in 26 Second Avenue. Then gradually, these boys, American boys and girls, began to come. And then I started my kirtana in Tompkinson Square.
- When I started this movement, I was cooking myself and distributing prasadam. But we do not discriminate that "He is needy." Everyone is needy.
- I started this movement just in this way. It is not very difficult. The important thing is that you behave nicely, chant all your rounds and follow strictly the regulative principles. Example is better than precept.
The Order of His Spiritual Master
Śrīla Prabhupāda made it abundantly clear that his sole motivation for starting the movement, writing books, and incorporating the society was to fulfill the desires of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. He refused to compromise the purity of this mission, even when friends suggested making it more "popular."
- This movement was started only for the satisfaction of my spiritual master. He wanted. So I thought, "Let me try in this old age."
- Books will always remain. That was the view of my Guru Maharaja, and I also have taken it. Therefore I started my movement with my books.
- I started out with this kind of paper, only I was the only writer, the only editor, the only publisher, and the only distributer.
- While I started this movement in America, some friend suggested that "You are writing 'International Society for Krishna Consciousness.' Why not make it 'God consciousness.' It will be accepted by everyone." God is Krishna.
From Scarcity to Global Opulence
Having personally endured the immense hardship of starting the movement alone, Śrīla Prabhupāda pleaded with his disciples to recognize the miraculous growth of the society and to take responsibility for maintaining its prestigious position through cooperative, pure devotional service.
- The Krsna consciousness movement actually started with only forty rupees, but now it has more than forty crores worth of property, and all this opulence has been achieved within eight or ten years.
- We are in very good, prestigious position. That is sure. Don't spoil it. So much hard labor. I started with very humble condition. Now it has come to this, such exalted position. You don't spoil it. That is my request.
- Now it is practically in your hands to finish and push on what I have started. I am now getting all respect and honor, so now you must preserve that standard and not dishonor me.
- My touring is natural. I have started this movement. I want to see that it is going on nicely. So you kindly help me. Don't deviate. That is my only request. (starts to cry) Then you will remain solid.
Conclusion
The words "I have started" are a profound meditation on the genesis of the modern Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s journey from a solitary, elderly preacher with forty rupees to the revered founder-ācārya of a global spiritual empire is the ultimate testament to the power of unalloyed devotion. He started this movement out of pure compassion for the suffering souls and unshakeable loyalty to his spiritual master. Now, the responsibility lies with us. By meditating on his struggles, his solitary kīrtanas in New York, and his tearful requests for our cooperation, we find the strength to push on the mission he so gloriously started, ensuring that it continues to spread to every town and village.
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 Started (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.