Prabhupāda's Program of Building a Kṛṣṇa Conscious World
Śrīla Prabhupāda's program was a comprehensive plan for the spiritualization of human society. He did not ask everyone to become a sannyāsī, but he invited everyone to participate in a cultural program that builds character and awakens God consciousness. Whether through the massive Mayapur planetarium project, the distribution of millions of books, or the simple act of eating prasādam, his program was designed to cover every aspect of life. He often told his disciples that if they simply followed the program he had already established, the movement would continue to expand even in his physical absence, as it was based on the eternal desire of Kṛṣṇa.
The Core Spiritual Program
Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that success in Kṛṣṇa consciousness comes from following the program established by the spiritual master and the authorities in the paramparā. He simplified this spiritual path into the joyful activities of chanting and dancing, while strictly adhering to the words of the scriptures.
- Always follow the prescribed program of Krsna consciousness as already established by the Spiritual Master, and thus executing your prescribed duties in the loving service of the Lord He will reveal Himself to you in proportion to your sincere efforts to satisfy Him only.
- Everyone thinks that he is right and everyone is wrong. We do not think like that. We take the words of the authority, that's all. Or we have no respect. This is our program. That is the way of parampara.
- We are simply Sankirtana men; our program is chanting, dancing, distributing prasadam, and speaking high philosophy, that's all.
- You write to say that with prasadam and the Maha Mantra we shall conquer over the world. That was the beginning of my program in your country. I thought like that.
Traveling and Global Preaching
Despite his advancing age, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s program included a relentless traveling schedule to ensure his mission reached every corner of the world. He viewed his tours not as personal travel, but as a vital way to train his disciples for the preaching work and to oversee the growth of the many branches he had opened.
- I travel all over United States. Then I will go to Europe. Then I will go to Africa. I have got my touring program for 4 months.
- I am getting gradually older, therefore even if I remain in your country, I shall restrain my moving and my main business will be henceforward to train you all my disciples for preaching work. I think you will approve of my program.
- I do not know what is Krishna's desire, but I have chalked out my program like this. Pray to Krishna that He may give me strength to render some service to you and to the humanity at large.
- I have got a very ambitious program to organize a nice Sankirtana Party both in Oriental and Occidental style, so that we can thus attract all classes of people in the world to Krishna Consciousness.
Literature and Outreach
For Śrīla Prabhupāda, the distribution of his books and the Back to Godhead magazine was the real program. He also introduced the Life Membership program to involve influential members of society, viewing these activities as a cultural presentation rather than a mere religious institution.
- Sankirtana Party and distribution of our magazines and books is our real program. Other things are secondary.
- From the beginning it was my program not to sell books but to make life members.
- Regarding the book distribution to the Indians, yes that was my program. Hold a meeting and sell books. These books are not fiction or imagination. If the Indians like the authority of the books, take advantage and distribute profusely.
- We have introduced a Life Membership program there in India, for the purpose of giving the intelligent men in the society an opportunity to help push on this great movement of pure Vedic culture.
A Vision for Social Structure
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s program extended to the very structure of human life. He spoke of his "dream" to establish varṇāśrama and emphasized the importance of farm communities to escape the "motorcar civilization." He aimed to organize these programs so that he could eventually retire to his translating work, leaving the management to his trained disciples.
- I am asking so much here "Farm, farm, farm, farm." That is not my program - Krsna's program. Annad bhavanti bhutani (BG 3.14). Produce greenness everywhere, Vrndavana. It is not this motorcar civilization.
- There is a program, Manipur. I want to start in that small state varnasrama idea. That is my dream.
- It is my plan that in my old age I am handing over all matters of temple management to you and you may simply carry on and expand the programs which I have introduced, and in this way I will be free to translate.
- I am trying to develop a township in Mayapur spending crores of rupees to give protection against the occasional innundation (flood) and construct a tall planetarium estimated to be 300 feet high. So why they are obstructing this program?
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s program was a divine gift to the world, offering a practical way for every soul to return to its original spiritual nature. He did not seek to impose a sectarian religion but to introduce a cultural movement that brings real character and peace to humanity. By distributing his books, maintaining his temples, and developing his farm projects, his disciples can participate in a program that is perfectly aligned with the desires of the previous ācāryas. As we follow these instructions, we fulfill the vision of Śrīla Prabhupāda and ensure that the light of Kṛṣṇa consciousness continues to shine brightly across the globe.
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 Program (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.