People Appreciate Prabhupāda Doesn't Change the Message
When we look at the incredible success of his movement, Śrīla Prabhupāda points us toward a very simple and moving secret. He explains that people appreciate him not because of any personal invention, but because he has remained a faithful servant, delivering the timeless message of the disciplic succession without changing a single word.
Staying True to the Instructions of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Master
Śrīla Prabhupāda often shared how his own Guru Mahārāja appreciated him for his simple, direct understanding of spiritual principles. He teaches us that the real secret of success in life is to follow the instructions of the spiritual master with a pure and sincere heart.
- I am glad to learn that you are realizing about Krishna's providing us with more and more facilities and that you are appreciating for my following purely the instructions of my Spiritual Master. Yes, that is the secret of success.
- My Guru Maharaja used to say that anything material, if it is used in the service of Krishna, it is a mistake to give it up. Because I have understood this principle, he used to appreciate me in front of my godbrothers.
- I thank you very much, all of you, for appreciating my humble service which I am trying to render as a matter of duty ordered by my Guru Maharaj I request all my disciples to work cooperatively and I am sure our mission will advance without any doubt.
- I was at that time new man - not exactly new man, but not recognized disciple. I did not go. So he (My Guru Maharaja) saw that I am sitting, I did not go to parikrama. He very much appreciated. I preferred to hear him than go to parikrama.
Why Scholars and the Public Love Prabhupāda's Books
There is a special power in Śrīla Prabhupāda's books because they are designed to present the truth without speculation. Whether it is a student of Sanskrit or a college professor, they can feel the authenticity of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā when the message is left untouched.
- I have especially designed my books in such a way that they will be appreciated by scholarly persons like yourself and therefore it gives me great satisfaction to know that you have appreciated our humble effort. Thank you very much for your kind words.
- The other professor has remarked that my books will be appreciated by students of consciousness. That is very good.
- Continue placing my books in libraries, colleges, bookstores, etc. and gradually the public will learn to appreciate this stock of transcendental literature.
- I published second part (of Srimad-Bhagavatam) also. There was sale. Then there was no necessity of money. I was getting money by selling Srimad-Bhagavatam. Everyone appreciated.
A Pure Message with No Personal Manufacturing
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that his mission is unique because he is not presenting anything he created. He credits the entire success of the movement to the potency of Lord Caitanya and the disciplic succession, reminding us that being a "transparent via-medium" is the highest achievement.
- I am so glad to learn that you appreciate my mission in the United States as without any rival. Actually this is a fact, because I am presenting nothing manufactured by me.
- Thank you for appreciating my humble efforts on behalf of my spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta and Lord Caitanya. Whatever I have done it is due to their potency in Krishna Consciousness. My only achievement is that I have not changed what they have taught.
- You are a sanskrit student so you can appreciate the Bhagavad-gita As It Is in all its scholarly aspects. Dr. Radhakrishnan, however is only speculation, and does not actually understand.
- Let the movement go forward more and more. Now you have got nice places, filled with devotees. Don't be anxious for me. That, Kṛṣṇa will take. And even if I go, where is the harm? Old man. I have given my ideas and direction in my books. People appreciate. I think from my side I have done everything. Is it not? Do you think or not?
How Śrīla Prabhupāda's Sincerity Saved a Generation
The younger generation, often feeling lost or disappointed, found a father and a guide in Śrīla Prabhupāda. They appreciated him because he offered them a genuine path out of the material world, and his humble service to Kṛṣṇa gave them a reason to believe in something higher.
- Almost fifty percent of my devotees are, they are collected from these disappointed persons, young men. They are going astray. So they appreciate that I have saved them. Therefore they are after me, this younger generation.
- I saw that they (the hippies) were taking up the chanting of Hare Krsna maha mantra very feelingly even without the presence of any devotee to lead them. They appreciated my lecture and I appreciated their attitude. They joined in Rathayatra very enthusiastically.
- Your appreciation of my adventure at this part of my life has encouraged me, and I think that by the prayers of good souls like you I may be able to work for sometime more in the interest of this great movement.
- My cultural mission as I have tried to explain in my books Srimad-Bhagavatam has been highly appreciated by all responsible quarters in India including the Late Prime Minister Lal Bhadur Shastri.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s life shows us that when we offer our service with humility and stay true to the instructions of the disciplic succession, the whole world can be transformed. He did not ask for appreciation for himself, but by simply delivering the message unchanged, he became the most appreciated soul in the lives of his disciples and the entire world.
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 Appreciating 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.