I Mean to Say - Prabhupāda Clarifying the Truth
Śrīla Prabhupāda was the master of clarity. In his lectures and conversations, the phrase "I mean to say" functioned as a sharp scalpel, cutting through the layers of mental speculation and mundane misconception that often cloud spiritual topics. He used this expression to bring the lofty heights of Vedānta down to a level of practical, irrefutable logic. Whether he was exposing the flaws of modern "rascal" scientists, defining the true meaning of civilization, or explaining the intricate workings of the paramparā system, his aim was always to ensure the listener grasped the essence of the message. Through this phrase, we see Prabhupāda as the ultimate teacher—patiently translating the "Absolute" into the "Understandable."
Defining Spiritual Identity and Real Knowledge
Śrīla Prabhupāda often used "I mean to say" to shift the focus from bodily designations to spiritual reality. He taught that real knowledge (jñāna) is not an academic achievement but a practical state of being where one is situated in happiness and focused entirely on the soul's eternal nature.
- A man is to be understood in knowledge when he is giving, I mean to say, importance to the spiritual side. He is called jnani. Otherwise they are fools.
- A person in knowledge should be in, I mean to say, happiness. That is a sign of knowledge. So one who is in knowledge, he is not disturbed.
- For getting that supreme knowledge (I am not this body, but I am spirit soul) so many, I mean to say, transcendentalists, they were trying life after life, just to get detached. But the easiest process is that if one is engaged in the devotional service.
- Every living entity is eternal. He's interested with eternal happiness. He's not interested, I mean to say, temporary happiness.
Exposing the Illusions of Material Civilization
With uncompromising boldness, Śrīla Prabhupāda used this phrase to dismantle the false prestige of modern society. He characterized advancement as nothing more than increased sense gratification and warned that a civilization without Kṛṣṇa is essentially an animal life or a "butcher shop."
- Advancement of civilization means advancement of sense gratification. That's all. So bhakti means just the opposite. So, so long we are, I mean to say, very much interested in sense gratification, there is no question of bhakti.
- Actually, everyone is butcher. Actually, so-called gentlemen who are, I mean to say, supporting these butchers, they are also butchers.
- Don't think that Krsna consciousness is a joke, is a jugglery. It is the only remedy if you want to save yourself. Otherwise, you are doomed. Don't take it, I mean to say, as a joke. It is a fact.
- If the leaders, the priests and the executive heads are all rascal rogues, thieves, and within suspicion, then how there can be, I mean to say, peace in the world?
Clarifying the Science of Devotion and Paramparā
To Śrīla Prabhupāda, spiritual life was a precise science that required following the authorized disciplic succession. He used "I mean to say" to explain that one cannot interpret scriptures with a "fertile brain" but must hear the truth as it is from a bona fide spiritual master.
- Don't misinterpret according to your own, I (Prabhupada) mean to say, fertile brain. No. Just hear Krsna, what Krsna says, as it is. Krsna... Don't try to interpret, mal-interpretation.
- Even if you read some books, you cannot understand unless you understand it from me. This is called parampara system. You cannot jump over to the superior guru, I mean to say, neglecting the next acarya, immediate next acarya.
- Everywhere authority is there. You have to accept authority. Without authority there is no, I mean to say, advancement. That is impossible.
- Study of Bhagavad-gita means if you follow the footprints of Arjuna, then you are also as good as Arjuna. Not as good; I mean to say that your knowledge is perfect.
Practical Solutions for Human Society
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision was never just other-worldly. He used "I mean to say" to describe how simple living—centered on cows, grains, and God-conscious leadership—would solve the dangerous pattern of modern living and provide a self-dependent economic model.
- I mean to say from cow you get milk. From milk you get butter and so many milk products. And from the field you get sufficient grains and fruits. So your economic question is solved immediately.
- Any society you conceive, unless there are these four divisions, there will be chaos. It will be . . . not be properly, I mean to say, going on, smoothly going on. There will be some disturbance.
- Gradually, we are coming to very dangerous, I mean to say, pattern of living condition with the age, with the advancement of this age of Kali. And it is said that for earning our bread we have to work like an ass in this Kali-yuga.
- As soon as the cows are happy, you not only get sufficient milk, but the pasturing ground, I mean to say, ground, becomes moist with milk. So much milk supplied.
The Absolute Nature of Kṛṣṇa and His Service
The ultimate point of every clarification was to reveal Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that "I mean to say" Kṛṣṇa’s name is not different from His person, and that the only business of human life is to become attached to Him, regardless of how broken our language might be.
- Krsna is complete spirit and He's absolute, therefore His name is also spirit; His name, His form, His quality, His, I mean to say, opulence, His paraphernalia - everything is spiritual.
- Some way or other, we should be attached to Krsna. That is our only business, how we can be it doesn't matter, in broken language. There are many Sanskrit, I mean to say, not properly pronounced. But the Krsna name is there. Therefore it is sufficient.
- In reality, "What I am," that can be understood through devotional service, not by karma, jnana, yoga. Give this example, I mean to say, authoritative statement of Krsna, that bhaktya mam abhijanati.
- God is purusa. Purusa means man, I mean to say, male. Not female. Male. Without becoming male one cannot be enjoyer. In another place it is stated that Krsna is the supreme enjoyer.
Safeguarding the Next Generation and Society
Śrīla Prabhupāda carried a grave concern for the future. He used this phrase to instruct parents and guardians on their responsibility to synchronize children's activities, warning that failing to make them Kṛṣṇa conscious was a great fault.
- If your children do not become Vaisnava in the future, then it is a great, I meant to say, fault on your part. So you should be very cautious, careful, that children are not going astray, they are becoming actually Krsna conscious.
- Just like child, he wastes time in so many ways. It is the duty of the parents, guardians, to cr . . . I mean to say, synchronize his activities so that he may not waste his time. It is the duty of the guardians.
- I am training some, I mean to say, advanced students so that they may be very easily take up the charge. I have made them GBC. They are under my direct training, and I think they will be able to conduct this movement.
- Any country you go, if you are strictly adherent to the rules and regulation of chanting sixteen rounds, that is your spiritual strength, and following the, I mean to say, prohibitive rules, then you will be honored everywhere.
Conclusion
The recurring use of the phrase "I mean to say" reveals Śrīla Prabhupāda’s extraordinary commitment to being understood. He did not speak in vague riddles or academic abstractions; he spoke to save souls from the doomed trajectory of material life. By constantly refining his definitions—explaining that civilization means God-consciousness, that knowledge means spiritual happiness, and that enjoyment belongs only to Kṛṣṇa—he provided a roadmap that is as logically sound as it is spiritually profound. His meanings were not his own inventions but were the timeless truths of the Vedas, delivered with the urgency and precision of a true spiritual physician. For the sincere seeker, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s clarifications act as a definitive shield against the mal-interpretations of the world, leading one back to the pure, original consciousness of the soul.
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 Mean to Say (Prabhupāda). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.