I Request - The Humble Plea of Prabhupāda
Although Śrīla Prabhupāda possessed the absolute authority of the paramparā system, he frequently delivered his instructions with profound humility, using phrases like "I request" or "our request." A pure devotee is not a dictator; he is the most compassionate friend to all living entities. By studying Śrīla Prabhupāda's requests, we hear the urgent, loving pleas of a spiritual father begging humanity to wake up from the nightmare of material existence. He requested his disciples to strictly follow the rules, cooperate to push on the mission, and distribute transcendental literature. He also respectfully requested world leaders, scientists, and the general public to apply their intelligence to the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, imploring everyone not to waste the rare opportunity of human life.
The Urgent Request to Distribute Books and Preach
The central focus of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s mission was the printing and distribution of transcendental literature. He constantly requested his disciples to help him fulfill this specific instruction given to him by his own spiritual master. Furthermore, he requested every disciple to take up the responsibility of preaching and becoming a guru by transparently repeating Kṛṣṇa's words.
- My Guru Maharaja told me personally that "If you get some money, print books." Therefore I am stressing on this point: "Where is book? Where is book? Where is book?" So kindly help me. This is my request. Print as many books in as many languages.
- I especially request my disciples who are cooperating with me that try to publish books as many as possible and distribute throughout the whole world. That will satisfy Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu as well as Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
- My general request is that you all distribute as many books as possible and at the same time be very careful in dealings with others so that they may not become irritated with us. Your book sale statistics are astounding. I am so much pleased.
- All of you who have come to Krsna consciousness movement, that is our request, that you, all of you, become guru but don't speak nonsense. That is request. Simply speak what Krsna has said. Then you become brahmana, you'll be guru, and everything.
The Plea for Strict Spiritual Discipline
Śrīla Prabhupāda knew that the strength of his movement relied entirely on the purity of his disciples. He did not merely demand compliance; he requested his followers to save themselves by strictly adhering to the regulative principles, chanting their sixteen rounds, and reading his books daily.
- I am requesting again and again that all of my disciples simply follow all of the rules and regulations very strictly. Rising early, chanting 16 rounds, attending mangala arati and class, etc. are all essential for spiritual development.
- I simply request you to chant 16 rounds daily without fail and follow all the regulative principles. Rise early, attend temple functions and study my books carefully.
- Now my request to you is that you go on faithfully chanting daily 16 rounds at least and follow all our principles, and Krsna will help you advance in Krsna consciousness.
- If you are actually serious about advancement of spiritual life, then you cannot encourage illicit connection, no. I request all my young students that "You get yourself married."
The Call for Cooperation and Relief from Management
As the International Society for Krishna Consciousness grew into a massive global institution, Śrīla Prabhupāda was bombarded with administrative problems. He passionately requested his leaders to work together in harmony and solve their own disputes so that he could dedicate his remaining time on earth to writing his Bhaktivedanta purports.
- If you the elder disciples cannot manage things, then what is the future of the society? My business now is to sit down and write my books, and I am requesting you all to please cooperate with me in this endeavor.
- I have been requesting my disciples for sometime to release me from the management aspects of ISKCON so I can be free to translate.
- I request all my disciples to work cooperatively and I am sure our mission will advance without any doubt.
- I am requesting you as my senior men not to tax my brain with so many details but simply come to a conclusion amongst yourselves and then present this final conclusion for my sanction.
Appealing to the Public and World Leaders
Śrīla Prabhupāda did not limit his preaching to his followers. He approached everyone—from scientists and politicians to the citizens of India—requesting them to elevate their consciousness. He challenged them to use their influence and intellect to glorify Kṛṣṇa and establish a God-conscious society.
- Our process of Krsna consciousness: everything engaged in glorifying the Supreme Lord. So you are learned scientists. Our request is that you also, by your scientific research, glorify the Supreme. That is perfection.
- Our countrymen also, those who are leaders, those who are thoughtful, philosophers, scientists, they should try to understand this Krsna philosophy. That is my request.
- Mahatma Gandhi was a great advocate of Bhagavad-gita, and when he was alive I requested him to preach but I did not receive any favorable reply from him, because he was too much politically contaminated.
- I have not come to teach you, but to request you that your Christian religion prohibit this killing of animals and child and encourage chanting of name of the Lord.
The Ultimate Request: Do Not Waste This Life
Observing the suffering of the conditioned souls, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s most frequent request was simply for people to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and stop wasting their valuable human lives. He presented Kṛṣṇa consciousness not as a sectarian religion, but as an urgent, practical necessity for spiritual survival.
- Everyone, I shall request you to chant Hare Krsna. We have enjoyed so many lives in the past, or suffered. Now, this life, at least one life may be devoted for chanting Hare Krsna and see the result. That is our request.
- Don't be members of the society of cheaters and cheated. Then the life will be spoiled. Our only request, this Krsna consciousness movement, is, Take to Krsna consciousness.
- If you live like cats and dog, then where is promotion, where is Krsna, and where is Goloka? Everything is spoiled. Our only request is don't spoil your time, valuable time.
- Our repeated request, don't waste this opportunity.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s "I request" statements carry the immense weight of his compassion. He never demanded respect or obedience for his own material aggrandizement; his every request was a lifeline thrown to drowning souls. He requested his followers to stay pure and distribute Kṛṣṇa's message through books, he requested leaders to protect society through spiritual wisdom, and he requested every living being to chant the holy names. By fulfilling these simple yet profound requests, we not only please Śrīla Prabhupāda, but we guarantee our own safe return back home, back to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category I Request (Prabhupāda). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.