I Suggest - Prabhupāda’s Guidance for Practical and Spiritual Success
Śrīla Prabhupāda was not a distant theorist; he was a highly practical teacher who provided minute details for the success of his mission. When he said, "I suggest," he was offering his disciples a roadmap for spiritual and organizational excellence. His suggestions covered the entire spectrum of human life—from how to paint a picture of Kṛṣṇa to how to manage global finances, establish farm communities, and structure society. Always humble, he often left the practical execution to his disciples' mutual decisions, yet his suggestions remained the foundational spark for the movement's most successful projects, including the gurukula, the traveling saṅkīrtana buses, and the world-famous Kṛṣṇa book.
Strategic Planning for Preaching and Expansion
Śrīla Prabhupāda was constantly thinking of how to attract the public to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. His suggestions were often innovative and bold, aimed at making the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement a household name through every available medium, whether that meant using buses or transforming vacant churches into temples.
- I am suggesting that Dayananda supply you with information of how you may purchase such buses in London and drive them all over the European continent; these "Hare Krishna Movement" buses will make us famous all over the world.
- By this I am suggesting, why don't you start an Indian restaurant here in New York?
- I suggested that there are many churches vacant. If they give us these churches we shall install Deity - Nitai-Gaura and Panca-tattva - and along with them we shall worship Lord Jesus Christ and Muhammad; there is no harm.
- My suggestion is that you take a first class temple site; never mind if the rent is a little higher.
Personal Guidance and Spiritual Practice
For the individual seeker, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s suggestions were aimed directly at the heart of spiritual life. He continually emphasized the chanting of the holy name as the supreme solution to all problems and provided specific directions on how to transition into more dedicated stages of devotional service.
- I have noted your problems. My suggestion is that you please chant Hare Krsna Hare Krsna. This maha-mantra cleanses the dust from the mirror of the mind and awakens us to a pure life of devotional service to the Lord, free from all anxieties.
- I would suggest that you now retire from family life and accept at least vanaprastha order of life.
- I suggest that you become serious about spiritual life and try to overlook the minor offenses of others.
- The best solution was suggested by me that both you and your wife may stay with me. After all, both of you are my disciples. It is my duty to guide you for spiritual advancement.
Artistic and Literary Production
As a master editor and producer of transcendental literature, Śrīla Prabhupāda provided detailed suggestions for the production of his books. He guided his artists on how paintings of Kṛṣṇa should be executed, advised his editors on formatting Sanskrit, and instructed his teams on revising existing volumes to maintain the highest standard.
- For the Krsna book we will require paintings, so we will not need any etching and woodcut. So you can send me some samples of your paintings and then I'll give you some suggestions.
- I am not much fond of the idea of changing things to accommodate the public. Better to change the public to accommodate us. Therefore I suggest wherever there is Sanskrit used, there should be English spelling in brackets.
- So far Srimad-Bhagavatam is concerned, now Pradyumna and yourself immediately revise the 3 volumes already published. My next attempt will be to get them in 1 volume, as I have already suggested.
- I suggest that you read my books more carefully and present things as I have presented them.
Practical Management and Social Care
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision included the total well-being of his society. He offered suggestions on how to fund the mission through honest trade, how to properly establish cow protection, and how to create a safe and spiritually vibrant environment for all members of the community, even advising on personal health.
- Cow protection means good food and good trade. So I can give you suggestions how to manage everything, but it is up to the GBC to practically execute all these points.
- I have already given you a business suggestion namely manufacturing incense locally. Once you are successful in this attempt you will get money more than your expectation and spend it for Krishna's service.
- If we can establish such a Krishna Conscious school, certainly it will be very much attractive; that was my first suggestion in Bombay.
- The best thing I can suggest that you try to keep your bowels cleared, and take more fruits and milk. That will keep you healthy.
Conclusion
Every suggestion made by Śrīla Prabhupāda was intended to bring the soul closer to Kṛṣṇa. Whether he was suggesting a new business venture, an artistic technique, or a simple dietary change, his underlying motive was always the pleasure of the Supreme Lord. By following these suggestions, his disciples found success not only in their practical endeavors but in their internal spiritual lives. We are encouraged to study these suggestions today to see how they can still be applied to solve the various problems of modern life through the lens of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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 Suggest (Prabhupāda). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.