Prabhupāda's Books are the Foundation of His Movement
Śrīla Prabhupāda poured his heart and soul into his writing, often working through the quiet hours of the night to ensure his disciples had the necessary knowledge to stay strong in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He viewed these books as his most important contribution, promising that he would never truly leave his followers as long as they had his books.
The Solid Ground of the Mission
Śrīla Prabhupāda often told his disciples that the movement was resting on the "foundation stone" of his books. He wanted everyone to understand that his mission was not based on his own concocted ideas, but on the recorded, authoritative truth of the disciplic succession.
- Actually these books are the foundation stone of our movement. Whatever we are is resting on these books, so far reading them and distributing them. This should be our only motto.
- Books mean solid ground. What we want to preach, it is recorded, not any concocted ideas.
- Books will always remain. That was the view of my Guru Maharaja, and I also have taken it. Therefore I started my movement with my books.
- I have given my ideas and direction in my books, and people appreciate; I think from my side I have done everything.
Eternal Association Through Vāṇī
Even when Śrīla Prabhupāda could not be physically with every student, he assured them that he was present in his words. He taught that the spiritual master lives forever through his instructions, and that by studying his books, a disciple is never separated from him.
- I will never die, I shall live for my books, and you will utilize.
- I have written in the first publications of Srimad-Bhagavatam, "The spiritual master lives forever by His divine instruction and the disciple lives with him.", because I have always served my Guru Maharaja and followed His teachings I am now even never separated from Him.
- If death takes place, let it take here. So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor.
- A man is known when he speaks. "A fool is so long beautiful as long as he does not speak." When he speaks, then you can understand what he is. So my speaking are there in the books, and if you are intelligent, you can understand. You haven't got to ask.
Flooding the World with Knowledge
To Śrīla Prabhupāda, distributing books was the highest form of welfare work. He compared the books to bombs that would destroy the ignorance of the material world, and he encouraged his disciples to place them in every home and university library.
- Fight with maya means to drop thousand and millions of books into the lap of the conditioned souls. Just like during war time the Bombs are raining from the sky like anything.
- Every house should have our books, every gentleman, in any language. It doesn't matter. That is our propaganda. Now you are getting all languages, so we can capture the whole world.
- 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.
- I wish to know how many of my books are being distributed in Canada. Especially we should inject this philosophy into the universities and high schools with our books, so please try for this and send me the report.
The Duty to Study and Understand
It was not enough to simply sell the books; Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted his students to become experts in the philosophy. He asked his disciples to read every page and discuss the purports together, so they could explain the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to anyone.
- Don't think that our books are simply meant for selling; they are meant for reading also.
- I am laboring so hard that before I leave this body, I may give you some books who you can enjoy after my death. So utilize it. Read every sloka nicely, try to understand the meaning, discuss amongst yourselves.
- As much as possible all of my students should become very well versed in all the philosophy presented in our books.
- I have already answered all questions in my books such as Bhagavad-gita, so kindly read them and chant Hare Krishna Mantra.
Universal Recognition of the Truth
Śrīla Prabhupāda was very happy when scholars and university professors appreciated his books. He felt that this academic recognition was proof that the message of Kṛṣṇa was truly the highest knowledge, capable of enlightening even the most intellectual sections of society.
- By Krishna's grace, the higher learned section is appreciating our books. That is the only hope for pushing on. But, I am very much depressed by the recent incidences in Germany.
- 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.
- Our books are recognized by the academic section of universities.
- They are not my books, since I have simply translated; but my purports for each and every verse from the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam do very much appeal to the people in general as well as learned circles.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s books are much more than ink and paper; they are the living manifestation of his love and guidance for his followers. By establishing the movement on this solid ground, he ensured that the message of Lord Caitanya would remain pure for thousands of years. He invites every sincere soul to take shelter of these literatures, promising that within their pages, one will find the answers to all questions and the path back home, back to Godhead.
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 My Books (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.