Not Approved by Me - Prabhupāda Protecting the Purity of His Mission
Śrīla Prabhupāda carried the immense responsibility of establishing a worldwide spiritual society that would endure for ten thousand years. To achieve this, he had to be not only a loving father and compassionate teacher but also a strict and uncompromising leader. When he used the phrase "not approved by me," it was a definitive line drawn in the sand. His disapprovals were essential course corrections, aimed at saving his eager but conditioned Western disciples from introducing their own mental speculations, mundane business tactics, or unauthorized spiritual practices into the pure stream of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By carefully studying what Śrīla Prabhupāda rejected, we learn exactly how to protect the spiritual integrity of Lord Caitanya's movement.
Publishing and Literature Standards
Śrīla Prabhupāda's books are the foundation of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Consequently, he was hyper-vigilant regarding their production. He explicitly did not approve of unauthorized changes to synonyms, whimsical alterations to cover art (such as removing Arjuna from the Bhagavad-gītā cover), or any compromise on printing quality. He also rejected books by others that presented Kṛṣṇa consciousness as a mechanical achievement rather than a path of pure devotion.
- I will have to see personally what are the mistakes in the synonyms and also how you intend to correct them. I was not satisfied with the corrections that were made before. I saw some changes which I did no approve.
- No, the printing of the Gitar Gan cover this fashion is not at all approved by me. You have done most nonsensically. Why change the cover? When people look to see the Bhagavad-gita they expect to see Krishna and Arjuna, not the picture of Krishna with cow.
- We cannot change the quality of printing for the matter of a little change in the price. This printing is not approved by me. Repeatedly changing of printers is not at all good. We cannot approve any printing less than quality of printing of Dai Nippon.
- Krishna Consciousness process is not to be presented in this way as mechanical achievement, at least we find no evidence from previous scriptures to support such technique. So I do not approve of this book.
Management and Centralization
Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted his temples to be independently managed but cooperative. He strongly disapproved of bureaucratic centralization that stifled local preaching. He also rejected the defeatist mentality of closing temples, as well as the whimsical interference of traveling managers in local temple affairs, such as abruptly changing the services of dedicated pūjārīs.
- I have heard from Jayatirtha you want to make big plan for centralization of management, taxes, monies, corporate status, bookkeeping, credit, like that. I do not at all approve of such plan. Do not centralize anything.
- Our propaganda is opening temples, and you are closing them. We are not for closing but for increasing. I do not approve of this. If possible the Edinburgh temple must be re-opened again.
- The women are doing nicely, so why are they being changed from the pujari to the Sankirtana? These things should be done by the President. These are internal things, and you should not interfere. I do not approve of your changing the women.
- Yes, I did not approve of your starting you own magazine. You can write articles for Back to Godhead magazine. Why attempt separately?
Financial Prudence and Property
As an expert spiritual manager, Śrīla Prabhupāda was deeply conservative with Kṛṣṇa's money and properties. He firmly rejected mundane business schemes that risked the society's assets. He explicitly disapproved of mortgaging existing temples to buy new ones, selling off good properties like the Hawaii house, or temples getting involved in speculative ventures like purchasing jewels.
- To mortgage your present house is not at all good. There is a Bengali saying that one should not borrow money to purchase a gold earring. So I do not approve of this mortgaging transaction.
- You cannot sell the Hawaii house. It is a good house, and I do not approve selling it. If you want to expand, then you can purchase other houses for residences. I do not want any of our houses to be sold.
- A letter has just been received here from Syamasundara, about selling jewels. I do not approve of our Temples purchasing jewels.
- I received the plan of my house in Mayapur from Bombay address. I do not approve of this plan just yet. I liked one plan which I saw in London. Where is that original plan? Then I can make comparison.
Spiritual Practices and Purity
Śrīla Prabhupāda relentlessly protected the purity of the Vaiṣṇava philosophy. He did not approve of concocted ideas such as "secret mantras," which violate the open nature of the śāstra. He condemned "communal" or nationalistic forms of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and strictly forbade his disciples from associating with individuals who deviated from the authorized line of his Guru Mahārāja.
- A secret mantra we don't approve. It must be very open. There is no secret. The sastra never says that mantra can be secret.
- The "communal form of Krsna Consciousness" which you mention is not approved by me. It is all concoction. My Guru Maharaja condemned this practice. We must stay together and vigorously preach the Krsna Consciousness philosophy to the world.
- We do not approve this so-called nationalism. Therefore we have named "Internationalism," "International," no distinction between this nation or that nation, this religion or that religion.
- Now, one thing is I understand that in the past you were visiting Lalita Prasadji and that you may also be planning to continue to visit him when you return to India. This is not approved by me and I request you not to go to see him any more.
Conclusion
When Śrīla Prabhupāda declared a practice, plan, or action to be "not approved by me," he was bestowing his profound mercy upon his followers. Left to their own devices, conditioned souls are prone to four defects, including the tendency to make mistakes and the propensity to cheat. By establishing a rigorous standard of what is and is not authorized, Śrīla Prabhupāda provided a safe harbor. Adhering strictly to his approvals and disapprovals is the guaranteed method for keeping the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement pure, potent, and perfectly aligned with the supreme will of Lord Śrī 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 Not Approved By 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.