Prabhupāda's Transcendental Feelings for His Disciples and Mission
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s expressions of how he is feeling open a beautiful, intimate window into his deeply personal relationship with his disciples and his spiritual master. While advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness means detaching oneself from material emotions, it simultaneously awakens a vast reservoir of transcendental feelings. Throughout his letters and conversations, HE did not hide his heart; he openly shared his profound affection, his parental pride, and his spiritual urgencies. He let his followers know just how much he missed them when they were apart, experiencing the very real spiritual dynamic of love in separation. At the same time, he candidly expressed the physical inconveniences of his aging body, juxtaposing these earthly pains with his boundless spiritual enthusiasm. By reading about what Śrīla Prabhupāda felt, any sincere follower can intimately connect with him, finding immense inspiration in his fatherly love and his unbreakable dedication to Kṛṣṇa's mission.
The Sweetness of Spiritual Separation
The relationship between Śrīla Prabhupāda and his disciples was never just an official arrangement; it was a deeply affectionate bond of eternal love. Whenever he traveled to expand the mission, he often wrote to his students to express that he was feeling the pains of separation just as acutely as they were.
- I am so glad to hear that you are all feeling separation for me and similarly I am also feeling.
- Just as you are all feeling separation grief for me, similarly I am feeling for you.
- I am always thinking of you, and I am feeling separation. I wish to return at the earliest opportunity. I cannot stop my western world activities.
- At New York I felt at Home on account of so many beloved students like you. As you are feeling my absence so I am feeling for you. But we are all happy on account of Krishna Consciousness either here or there.
The Urgency to Translate the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
As the movement expanded globally, managing its daily affairs became an enormous task. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently expressed a growing internal feeling and inclination to step away from these administrative burdens so he could focus entirely on his true life's work: translating the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
- Now I am feeling very much inclined for retiring behind the scenes to translate my Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- I am feeling the tendency more and more to retire behind the scenes for translating work.
- Now I am feeling more and more inclined for philosophy, so I want to sit down here in Los Angeles and translate my Srimad-Bhagavatam without much interruption.
- You should ask the president in charge how to answer these questions. I am feeling the inclination for retiring into the background and simply translating my Srimad-Bhagavatam, therefore I have delegated this GBC to manage everything and give me relief.
Paternal Pride in His Preachers
Śrīla Prabhupāda felt the greatest joy not in his own personal glorification, but in the success of his followers. With the heart of a loving father, he expressed immense pride and happiness whenever he saw his disciples—especially his householder students—taking up his instructions and preaching boldly.
- When a disciple becomes perfect in spiritual advancement, the spiritual master feels very, very happy, that "I am a nonsense, but this boy, he has followed my instruction and he has achieved the success. That is my success."
- I am feeling very much proud personally because my so many householder devotees are preaching Krishna Consciousness so nicely.
- When I feel that my householder disciples are preaching so nicely I actually feel very much proud.
- I feel happy that even after my departure, things will go on. I am happy that I have got so many sincere devotees who will carry on.
The Physical Body as a "Broken House"
Though his spiritual energy was boundless, Śrīla Prabhupāda honestly shared the feelings of his aging physical body. He beautifully demonstrated how a pure devotee handles bodily discomfort—recognizing it as the nature of a "broken house" while remaining internally youthful and deeply encouraged by the grace of Kṛṣṇa.
- I am feeling no more headaches nor any severe buzzing sound - but still some buzzing is going on. After all it is a broken house and I cannot expect all the comforts of a newly built house in an old broken residence.
- Regarding my health, I am keeping well, but after all, this body is old enough, although personally I do not feel old. I feel exactly like your little child, and I am taken care of by my so many fathers and mothers like you.
- I am an old man. My visits should remain independent. As far as possible I am travelling, but nowadays I am feeling a little inconvenience.
- I am just trying to write my books, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion, and Krishna, and lately Vedanta Sutra. So certainly this is heavy task but by the Grace of Krishna, it does not depress me. I feel encouraged to act so busily day and night.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's expressions of his feelings beautifully illustrate that true renunciation does not mean becoming a stone; it means purifying one's emotions and directing them toward Kṛṣṇa and His devotees. Whether he was feeling the deep pangs of separation from his spiritual children, the physical limitations of an aging body, or the profound urgency to translate his books, his heart was constantly overflowing with transcendental love. By meditating on these intimate feelings, we can draw ever closer to Śrīla Prabhupāda, finding the strength and inspiration to carry his mission forward with the same affection and determination.
Dive Deeper into Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category I Am Feeling (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.