Keep Me Informed - Prabhupāda’s Living Link with His Mission
For Śrīla Prabhupāda, the flow of information from his disciples was the lifeblood of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. He did not view reporting as a mere administrative burden but as a spiritual necessity that allowed him to guide, protect, and inspire his followers from any distance. By requesting constant updates on everything from financial bank transfers to the specific names of newborn children, he maintained a personal and deeply involved presence in every corner of his global mission. This transparency ensured that the movement remained unified, legally secure, and spiritually potent. Ultimately, his insistence on being informed was an act of profound care, ensuring that no disciple felt isolated and no project deviated from the pure path of bhakti.
Direction and Spiritual Inspiration
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that regular reporting was the primary way for him to provide inspiration to his disciples. He requested weekly or fortnightly reports to ensure that he could offer the necessary direction to keep the preaching work vigorous and aligned with the desire of Lord Caitanya.
- Kindly keep me informed of your zone's activities at least once a week or once fortnightly. In this way I will be encouraged and can give you direction and inspiration.
- No one can stop this Krsna Consciousness Movement because Lord Caitanya wants that His Holy Names will be spread to every village and town. So go on with the preaching work and keep me informed of your progress.
- It was originally my Guru Maharaja's desire that there should be a center established in London, and by His Mercy, now you have successfully begun this mission; so please keep me informed how you are progressing there.
- Hrdayananda Maharaja has suggested that why don't you come to South America and assist him in responsible management. That is good idea. Please keep me informed of your activities.
Safeguarding Assets and Legal Integrity
To protect the society from mismanagement or unauthorized actions, Śrīla Prabhupāda demanded transparency in all legal and financial matters. He closely monitored land sales, temple registrations, and the status of large-scale construction funds to prevent any loss to Kṛṣṇa's property.
- I have been informed of unauthorized attempts to sell land there which is legally owned by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Unless transactions are authorized by my duly appointed representative, Mr. Brent Selden, they are illegal.
- What has happened to the registration of the society in Fiji. When I left it was settled up that you would remain there until the completion, but I have not heard from you and I am anxious to know what is the situation there. Please inform me.
- If you have received the money, which should be by this late date, then you must inform me. How can I arrange things if you do not acknowledge receipt of the transfers?.
- In your previous letter you informed me that you are not going to pay a farthing unless you are in possession of the house. So you must follow the determination. You should not sign the check if you are not satisfied yourself.
Accountability in Management and Book Production
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s primary focus was the publication and distribution of his books. He required detailed information on the progress of revised editions and the financial health of the temples to ensure that the press and the preaching work never stopped.
- I wish to know how far along things are progressing on Bhagavad Gita As It Is - revised and enlarged. Please inform me on this matter.
- Gargamuni informs me that the payments for Back To Godhead and book sales are not being sent. So the best thing will be to keep daily count of your stock and how many magazines and books sold.
- If my mind becomes disturbed in this way, then how can I concentrate on book writing. It is not possible. Better not to inform me anything, and let me sit in Vrindaban.
- Please inform me immediately how you stand in the matter of the $17,000 needed to print Bhagavad-gita As It Is. I want that it should be printed by the time I return to the States at the end of March.
Maintaining Standards for Initiations and Worship
For the spiritual health of the society, Śrīla Prabhupāda insisted on being informed about the qualifications of candidates for initiation and the movement of Deities. He wanted to ensure that no one was wrongly initiated due to faulty information and that Deity worship was never taken lightly.
- They were wrongly initiated. We want recommendation from the authority, whether one should be initiated, but they gave wrong information. That is the defect of the informer.
- You should always inform me before sending the Deities to the Temples. We cannot send them indiscriminately to anyone who has the whim of worshiping the Deities.
- Keep yourself always healthy because you have to work so much for Krishna, and whenever you feel some difficulty, you may immediately inform me.
- I have just yesterday received one letter from a boy in Seattle named Charles McCollogh, & he has desired to come here to Los Angeles and receive initiation from me. Please inform me of the situation with this boy so I may reply to his letter there after.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s insistence on being kept informed was a vital component of his success as an ācārya. By requiring regular reports, he bridged the gap between the transcendental vision of the movement and its practical, day-to-day execution. This reporting structure protected the society from legal risks, ensured the integrity of spiritual initiations, and allowed for the efficient production of his books. Most importantly, it maintained the personal connection between him and his disciples, providing them with a constant source of inspiration and guidance. Through this living link of communication, he ensured that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement would remain a solid and transparent vehicle for the delivery of the fallen souls.
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 Inform Me (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.