Prabhupāda's Work - The Labor of Love
Śrīla Prabhupāda's work was never a matter of personal ambition or material gain; it was an act of pure devotion to his spiritual master. He often described himself as a simple bearer, delivering the message of Kṛṣṇa without deviation. His tireless efforts in translating, preaching, and establishing a global society were fueled by a deep compassion for all conditioned souls and a desire to see the mission of Lord Caitanya spread to every town and village.
The Order of His Spiritual Master
Śrīla Prabhupāda began his work in the Western world at an advanced age, carrying only the instruction of his spiritual master as his capital. He often reflected on how he was pushed into this role by divine arrangement, accepting the responsibility of sannyāsa and missionary work as a manifestation of his Guru's kindness.
- As I have taken this work as my life and soul on the order of my Spiritual Master, similarly if you take my desires as life and soul, then the whole thing is immediately connected with Krsna. That is the meaning of Parampara system.
- I was ordered by my spiritual master to do this work, so on his order I came in 1965. That is the beginning of this. I came alone with no help, no money. Somehow or other (laughs) I started... My attraction is this chanting. That's all.
- I was not very much inclined to take sannyasa, but Guru Maharaja is so kind that he ultimately forced me to take sannyasa and do this work. So it is all his kindness. So this is the memory of his kindness.
- I am praying to my spiritual master to give me strength to finish this work. I am neither a great scholar nor a great devotee; I am simply a humble servant of him, and to the best of my ability I am trying to please him by publishing these books.
The Priority of Translation
Among all his activities, Śrīla Prabhupāda prioritized the translation of Vedic texts. He viewed these books as the foundation of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and frequently asked his disciples to relieve him of administrative duties so he could devote his remaining days to completing the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
- 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.
- 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.
- Please go on all working together in cooperative spirit and do the needful; then I may be spared taxing my brain over so many matters and I can go on my real work of translating.
- This publication work is my main function. So at any rate I cannot stop it. I can stop my foreign activities but I cannot stop my publication work.
Working with Divine Energy
Despite his advanced age and the physical toll of constant travel, Śrīla Prabhupāda demonstrated superhuman endurance. He explained that his ability to work through the night and manage a worldwide society was not due to material strength but to the grace of Kṛṣṇa and his focus on the spiritual platform.
- I am having always a buzzing sound in my brain. I cannot sleep soundly at night, but still I am working because I try to be in my position of spiritual platform.
- I am here, always working, something reading or writing, something reading or writing, twenty-four hours. Simply when I feel hungry, I take some food. And simply when I feel asleep, I go to bed.
- I am old man of eighty years; still, I am busy. I am traveling all over the world, writing book at night, talking with visitors, and so many things. You can see. So where we are escaping? We are the most responsible worker.
- So long as Krishna will keep me fit I will go on working. So you devotees should pray to Krishna that I can go on giving Him service up to the last point of my death.
Collaboration and the GBC
Śrīla Prabhupāda created the Governing Body Commission (GBC) specifically to handle the expansion and management of ISKCON. He urged his senior disciples to work together in a cooperative spirit, stressing that the success of the mission depended on their ability to carry out his work and maintain the standards he established.
- Now I am more and more wanting to work on my books and diminish all this travelling. So I am more and more depending upon you GBC. Of course you GBC are in training, but you are all the hope for the future of our movement.
- Take your (GBC) responsibility very, very seriously as being the representative of Chaitanya, Who is God Himself and always remember that you are one of the few men I have appointed to carry on my work throughout the world and your mission before you is huge.
- Now all my disciples must work combinedly and with cooperation to spread this Samkirtan Movement. If you cannot work together then my work is stopped up.
- I have appointed these GBC men to oversee and manage all the affairs of the society giving me relief to do my translation work fully.
Success Through Purity and Disciples
Śrīla Prabhupāda humbly attributed his success to his strict adherence to his spiritual master's instructions. He also expressed profound gratitude to his disciples, viewing them as the representatives sent by his Guru to assist him in a task that was materially impossible.
- I am successful in my teaching work because I have not deviated one inch from my Spiritual Master's instruction; this is my only qualification. So if you simply remain pure, your preaching will have effect.
- 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.
- Whatever translation work I have done is through the inspiration of my spiritual master, because personally I am most insignificant and incompetent to do this materially impossible work.
- If I could induce even one person to Krishna Consciousness through my publication, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, then I shall think my labor is successful.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's life was a testament to the power of divine service. His work was characterized by a total absence of personal desire and an absolute focus on the instructions of his spiritual master. By inviting his disciples to join him in this labor of love, he offered them the opportunity to connect with the paramparā and experience the same transcendental bliss that sustained him throughout his journey. Whether through writing books or managing the society, he taught that when work is performed for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa, it becomes the highest form of liberation.
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 Work (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.