Prabhupāda's Request for Help
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s letters and conversations reveal a heart filled with profound humility and an intense desire to fulfill the orders of his spiritual master. He often addressed his disciples not merely as students but as dear friends and assistants sent by Kṛṣṇa to help him in his advanced age. In this personal appeal, Śrīla Prabhupāda expresses how he feels alone in his struggle and how much he depends on the sincere help of his spiritual sons and daughters. By asking for their cooperation, he invites them into the intimate service of the paramparā, showing that the success of the movement belongs to those who work together to please his spiritual master. This request is an open invitation for every devotee to become a significant part of the divine ambition to reclaim all fallen souls for the pleasure of the previous ācāryas. This cooperation is the very life force of the missionary activities he established for the benefit of the entire world, and he promises that those who stretch out a helping hand will be blessed a million times over.
Accepting Disciples as Representatives of His Guru
Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently expressed that he viewed his disciples as gifts from his own spiritual master, sent to assist him in his advanced age. He felt that without their youthful energy and dedication, the vast task of establishing a worldwide movement would have been impossible.
- I consider you all as representative of my Gurumaharaj to help me in this helpless condition.
- I accept you all as assistants or representatives of my Guru Maharaja Who is still helping me because I am so feeble and unworthy.
- My Spiritual Master knew it that alone I could not do this great work. Therefore He has very kindly sent you all to help me in this task. I accept you therefore as representatives of my Guru Maharaja playing as my affectionate disciples.
- You have come forward to help me. I shall request you all that I shall go away, but you shall live. Don't give up pushing on this movement, and you'll be blessed by Lord Caitanya and His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Prabhupada.
Expanding the Mission through Bombay and Global Centers
The establishment of centers like the one in Bombay was a major priority for Śrīla Prabhupāda. He called upon his followers to assist in these ambitious projects, recognizing that such centers are essential for the global spread of bhakti-yoga.
- I am very much anxious to see the progress at Bombay Center, and I want that it shall become the first class preaching center in the world; please help me in this ambition.
- I beg to inform you that one gentleman has allowed me to sit down in his office for propaganda work in Bombay city and I am seeking your help in this matter.
- I had some discussion with her that she will go to India and help in constructing our temple there. So now we are getting our land there and if she is able to help in this connection, then her going to India will be a great service to Krsna.
- From my childhood I was very much fond of Radha-Krsna, and now my good disciples are helping me to open so many Radha-Krsna temples all over the world. It gives me so much pleasure.
Urgency in Translating and Distributing Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
The heart of Śrīla Prabhupāda's mission was the publication and distribution of Vedic literatures. He pleaded with his followers to help him finish his translation work and to ensure these books reached every corner of the earth to enlighten suffering humanity.
- All my senior disciples are requesting me to revive my translating work and I would like to do so for the remaining days of my life. So you have to help me to get Srimad-Bhagavatam and the other translating work done as quickly as possible.
- Bhagavatam must be finished before my mortal body stops to work and your help in this connection will be very much helpful.
- I have got an ambition to finish the Srimad-Bhagavatam in the same way I have already done, so try to help me as far as possible to finish this high project.
- Gaurasundara will be helping me prepare this Brahma Samhita. After you finish transliteration of Brahma Samhita then we shall see for Srimad-Bhagavatam.
Relieving the Administrative Burden of an Old Man
To free himself for the vital work of translating, Śrīla Prabhupāda requested his senior disciples to take up the burdens of administration. He expressed that by managing the society's affairs, they were directly helping him to provide more Vaiṣṇava literature for future generations.
- I am an old man now, and my interests are turning to philosophy and translation. If you help me by relieving me from this administrative work, that will free me to give you so many more fine books from Vedic literature and from our own devotional line.
- If I cannot rely on you to assist me in the GBC position, who can I rely on? So I beg you to reassure me that you will continue to help me in this way, and do not become withdrawn from your active role. Kindly relieve me of this great anxiety.
- My blessings are there that you may always have the strength to act according to my orders. Yes, I am feeling a little better. You are welcome to come in January. Thank you for your wanting to help relieve me from the management burdens.
- If you take this responsibility, it will be a great help. If you so desire, Brahmananda can also go there for some time to train you how to do this press management.
The Power of Cooperative Effort and Parāmparā Blessings
Success in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement depends on the spirit of cooperation among the devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda encouraged his spiritual sons and daughters to work together harmoniously, noting that such unified effort is the key to satisfying the previous ācāryas.
- By these activities I am just trying to satisfy my spiritual master and you are all trying to help me, so I am very much obliged to you. This is real co-operation on the platform of love.
- My request to you all is that you maintain that spirit of cooperation always and help me to deliver Lord Caitanya's message all over the globe.
- And you are all helping me to fulfill the order which Guru Maharaja gave me. So I am so much grateful to you, and I am sure Krishna will bless you a million times over, for doing this work.
- You are all helping me by abiding the orders of my Spiritual Master, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami maharaj and He'll be pleased upon you who are His grand spiritual children.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's plea for help was never for personal gain but was a selfless cry for the benefit of the whole world. He taught that by helping him, one is directly helping his spiritual master and Lord Caitanya. This divine partnership between the spiritual master and the disciples remains the foundation of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement today.
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 Help 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.