Prabhupāda's Approval Is Loving Inspiration to Serve Kṛṣṇa
For a disciple, there is no greater joy than hearing Śrīla Prabhupāda say, "It is approved by me." This simple phrase carried the weight of the entire disciplic succession, transforming a devotee's humble idea into a transcendental reality. Śrīla Prabhupāda’s approval was the fuel that allowed his devotional family to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness to every town and village with fearless enthusiasm.
Empowering Disciples to Expand the Mission
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s approval was a call to action. He encouraged his disciples to go to new cities, open centers, and infiltrate colleges. His "yes" gave them the courage to preach strongly and creatively, knowing they had his full support.
- I am so glad to receive your letter dated October 28 in which you propose to go with your good wife, Indira dasi, to St. Louis for opening a Krsna consciousness center. The proposal is very nice so you try for it. I have all approval.
- I approve your ideas. Yes, London is a city where we can open many centers. If possible, do it.
- I am especially pleased that you are infiltrating the schools and colleges with improved programs, how to encourage the student class to participate in Krsna consciousness. I completely approve of this program.
- Your travelling saṅkīrtana party to various universities in the Southern cities is wholly approved by me. So do it nicely and in conjunction with Satsvarupa Prabhu. He is guiding you all.
Receiving My Sanction for Sincere Endeavors
Śrīla Prabhupāda would often respond to his disciples' proposals with such warmth and encouragement that they felt a surge of new life in their service. He viewed their sincere desires as a sign of Kṛṣṇa's internal dictation, and his approval was the confirmation they needed to move forward with confidence.
- As we sincerely try to improve our chanting for the pleasure of Krsnaa, Krsna reciprocates and we feel our greatest pleasure which is devotional service to the Lord. So, you may continue with this method, it is very nice and approved by me.
- Whatever you are doing at the present moment is approved by me and I think on account of your becoming a sincere soul, Krsna is dictating from within and you are doing things so nicely.
- Your entire program as you have outlined it is one hundred percent approved by me. I have got all faith that you can intelligently guide and develop this center very nicely.
- I am also glad to note that you are making practice of keeping in mind various important verses from our scriptures. This is the approved process.
Approving the Foundation of Our Homes and Families
Śrīla Prabhupāda acted as a loving father, approving marriages, naming children, and even deciding where they should be educated. He knew that for his disciples to be solidly situated, their domestic lives also needed to be aligned with his vision and the pleasure of the Lord.
- I am very glad you decided to marry and I quite approve of it. My married couple disciples are doing very nice service to Kṛṣṇa consciousness in Hawaii, Japan, London, Los Angeles, Boston, New York, etc.
- All of our children should go to Dallas when they are four and begin their training program there. In Dallas, they have full facility approved by me, I have personally seen that they are doing very nicely there.
- Regarding Rukmini, I think that if she is desiring to marry Upendra then that idea is very nice and approved by me. If she will rather wait for a while that is all right but in either case Upendra should be informed of her plans.
- Regarding the baby Acarya dasa, yes, the name is approved by me and it is a very nice thing that he was born with umbilical cord wrapped like sacred thread.
My Seal of Approval on Every Transcendental Detail
From the construction of majestic temples to the style of altars and the price of books, nothing was too small for Śrīla Prabhupāda's attention. He wanted every detail to be perfect, ensuring that everything presented to the public was authorized and pure.
- All the three altars should be of the same style. I am enclosing the copy of the style which I have approved for all three altars. This style is nice, the one which you had chosen for Lord Ramacandra's altar, so you can use this style for all three.
- The temple plan enclosed is approved by me, but we must have full control over the temple, otherwise we are not going to take charge. We cannot make any compromise on this point.
- I very much approve of the $4.95 price, or if you think it is better, $3.95 may also be charged. How many pictures will you include in the paperback edition? Hardback?
- The sample that you sent me of the new design for the BBT logo is approved by me. For the sake of consistency, you can also use it on the cover jacket.
Keeping the Mission Pure and Unified
While Śrīla Prabhupāda encouraged creativity, he also used his approval to maintain the integrity of the movement. He insisted that important decisions be cleared by the GBC and himself, ensuring that everyone worked cooperatively as a unified family.
- In order to start the proposed project in your letter you must have full sanction of the GBC. Then I will approve of it, if they approve it. Do not try to start any project independent of the GBC. I want that everyone will co-operate nicely with the GBC.
- Any new programs or proposals or discrepancies should be submitted before the Governing Board Commission and then their conclusion should be submitted to me for the final approval.
- I do not know why by talking on telephone you should decide such an important transaction. I hope either you or Tamala Krishna should not act anything in this connection without consulting our friends like Pannala Pittie and finally approved by me.
- Nitai may correct whatever mistakes are there, but the corrected material must be sent to me for final approval. So reprinting the volumes will have to wait until the mistakes are corrected and approved by me.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s approval was the ultimate shelter for his disciples. By seeking his sanction in all things, they remained safe from the mental concoctions of the material world. This loving guidance proved that he was not just a leader, but a fatherly guardian who was always with them as long as they remained faithful to his approved instructions.
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 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.