Mine - Prabhupāda’s Sacred Sense of Responsibility and Relationship
Śrīla Prabhupāda, as a liberated soul, was free from the "I and mine" (ahaṁ mamatva) conception of the material world. However, in the context of his preaching mission, he employed these terms to define the boundaries of spiritual responsibility and the intimacy of the master-disciple relationship. He did not claim the knowledge he spoke as his own invention, but he did claim the books as his personal legacy and his disciples as his personal family. This sacred sense of "mine" provided the structure and the heart of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, giving his followers a sense of belonging and a clear source of authority. By understanding what Śrīla Prabhupāda called "mine," we understand what he valued most: the books that transform the heart and the souls he dedicated his life to saving.
The Sacred Legacy of Books and Will
Śrīla Prabhupāda often referred to his publications and instructions as "mine" to emphasize their importance and potency. He was most concerned that these books be printed and distributed because they contained the power to make people Kṛṣṇa conscious. By calling the mission to distribute books "this will of mine," he elevated a managerial task into a sacred, personal request that, if fulfilled, would make him feel ever-obliged.
- I am most concerned that these books of mine be printed profusely and distributed all over the world as each book has so much potency for making persons Krsna conscious.
- All our literatures are for guiding you in your successful prosecution of Krsna Consciousness, so follow these instructions of mine implicitly.
- I have already asked you to think on the project how you can push on our books and literature. I cannot suggest any other alternatives, but if you can execute this will of mine, I shall remain ever-obliged to you.
- I would always prefer to distribute our books ourselves and publish them ourselves in our own press. That is my ambition, so you try to fulfill this desire of mine.
The Bond of Fatherly Relationship
The relationship between Śrīla Prabhupāda and his followers was not merely institutional; it was deeply personal and familial. He explicitly called his disciples "spiritual children of mine," expressing the same unhappiness a father feels when a child breaks family connections. This sense of "mine" was an umbrella of protection, assuring the devotees that they belonged to a spiritual lineage and were personally cared for by their spiritual master.
- As the father becomes unhappy when one of his children wishes to break family connections I also become unhappy when there is difficulties within our ISKCON family. So please do not consider leaving as you are spiritual children of mine.
- Your sentiments expressed in this letter are transcendentally relished. Certainly you are mine and I am Krishna's, therefore you are also Krishna's. In the Krishna Consciousness activities that is the process.
- I am sure that my Guru Maharaja will be easily inclined to your prayers than that of mine. You will do good always by offering your prayers to His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Goswami Maharaja.
- Regarding moving our New Delhi center from its present location to a smaller place, I would advise you to first investigate the building which is now being rented by an old disciple of mine, who you have met, Acarya Prabhaker.
Ownership Transformed into Service
Even when Śrīla Prabhupāda asserted ownership over the movement's assets or results, it was to ensure they remained focused on Kṛṣṇa's service. He might say "the books are mine" or "the money is mine" to establish that these resources were not for the personal sense gratification of the managers, but were to be spent at his direction for preaching. Ultimately, he surrendered this "mine" back to the Supreme, clarifying that the knowledge and the people belong to Kṛṣṇa.
- The American boys have cooperated with me by printing, by distributing, and the money was received by selling the books. So the books are mine. I have given to the society.
- Their expenditure is at my direction. Not a single paisa they can spend in their own discretion. They are laboring hard to get this collection, but the money is mine. This is the arrangement.
- Of course it is Krishna's knowledge, not mine. But the effect is there. So for wider kirtana book distribution is better. Book distribution is also kirtana.
- We are making this preaching work of Krsna consciousness. If somebody comes he's Krsna's, he's not mine. These boys serving me, not for my sense gratification, for developing Krsna consciousness.
Personal Realizations and Identity
Śrīla Prabhupāda often used the first person to teach detachment and spiritual facts. He contrasted his authoritative knowledge with mundane dreams, and used the inevitable aging of his own body to illustrate the changing of the material frame. By referencing "friends of mine" or his own lectures, he grounded the high philosophy of the Vedas in the relatable reality of his own life and experiences.
- The childhood body is changed to the youthful body, and the childhood body is gone. Similarly, when the boyhood body is gone, you'll have to accept a body like mine, an old man's body.
- If you say that "Your dream is also wrong," yes, I do not dream. I take the facts from the authority. We do not dream. Dream is dream, either yours or mine. It doesn't matter.
- One medical practitioner friend of mine, when he was student in Lucknow, he stated that there is a palace building, Chatar Mandir? Chatar Mandir, in Lucknow. There is some government office. So there were several snakebite cases.
- The Tagore Society of New York Inc. Cordially Invites You to a lecture "GOD CONSCIOUSNESS" by A.C. BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI Date: Sunday, November 28,1965. Time: Lecture, 3:30 P.M. Tea, 4:30 P.M. Place: New India House, 3, East 64th Street.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s use of the word "mine" serves as a bridge between the absolute and the relative. In the absolute sense, everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa, but in the relative world of the preacher, "mine" defines the path of surrender. By accepting Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books as "mine" and ourselves as "his," we enter into a protected circle of transcendental relationship. His "mine" is a manifestation of his compassion—a way of claiming the fallen souls and the tools for their deliverance, and offering them all at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa.
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 Mine (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.