Prabhupāda’s Heartfelt Requests to His Disciples
Śrīla Prabhupāda poured his heart out to his disciples, deeply desiring their success in spiritual life. His requests were never for his own comfort, but were urgent appeals for his followers to remain strictly situated in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and to push on the mission of his spiritual master. Reading his intimate instructions allows a sincere soul to feel his personal presence and be inspired to fulfill his desires.
Maintaining the Strict Standard
To ensure the spiritual safety of his followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda begged them to strictly adhere to the regulative principles and chanting. He knew that following this standard was the only way to remain strong against the illusions of material energy and properly manage the temples.
- My only request is that you see that our men strictly are carrying out my instructions regarding following the rules and regulations.
- My only request is that all the GBC members should be strictly to the standard of life, and see that others are also following them; then our centers will be well-managed.
- We are trying our best. So only request is, those who do not comply with our rules and regulation, at least they may chant Hare Krsna wherever they may remain.
- You must have to follow these rules and regulation (no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication) if you are serious. Then take initiation. Otherwise, don't make farce. That is my request. One has to be very determined.
Loving Cooperation Among Godbrothers
Nothing caused Śrīla Prabhupāda more pain than seeing his disciples fight amongst themselves. He fervently requested them to stop all internal quarrels, knowing that only through combined, loving cooperation could they successfully spread Lord Caitanya's movement.
- First of all, there must be a class of men, ideal men, brain; people will follow them. My request is therefore that you should become ideal men. If we fight . . . now there is fighting amongst ourself. That is very disappointment to me.
- I thank you very much, all of you, for appreciating my humble service which I am trying to render as a matter of duty ordered by my Guru Maharaj I request all my disciples to work cooperatively and I am sure our mission will advance without any doubt.
- 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.
- One thing is you must stop this fighting between brothers. Otherwise the whole program will be spoiled. Yourself, Tamala Krishna, Brahmananda, Satsvarupa - you should do everything combinedly. That is my request.
Pushing On the Preaching Mission
Śrīla Prabhupāda's life and soul was to distribute the message of Bhagavad-gītā to suffering humanity. He appealed to the intelligence of his disciples, asking them to deeply study the philosophy and actively preach, as this is the true secret to pleasing his spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa.
- My request to you all boys, that you try to understand and . . . you understand or not understand, it is a standard method. Try to induce people to chant Hare Krsna. They will be happy.
- It is stated by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura it is only by pleasing the Spiritual Master that one can be assured of pleasing Krishna. So my only request to my disciples all over the world on this day is to go on pushing on this movement.
- You are all intelligent boys and girls - therefore my request to you is that you study this science of Krishna Consciousness and solve all the problems of the world by systematic propaganda as far as you are able to do it.
- My only request to my disciples all over the world on this day is to go on pushing on this movement with determination and sincerity, rigidly following the principles I have given you.
Perfecting Life and Going Back to Godhead
The ultimate expression of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s love is his burning desire for his disciples to end their suffering in this material world. He urgently requested his followers to take the process seriously, finish their business with birth and death, and go back home, back to Godhead in this very lifetime.
- I request you to take full advantage and perfect yourself in Krishna Consciousness. This is my request to all of you. This will be great service not only to yourself, but also to all the living entities with whom we come into contact.
- Now you apply yourself to this task very seriously and become learned in all the aspects of our Krishna Consciousness philosophy and take this opportunity in this lifetime to go back to Home, back to Godhead. That is my request.
- You can go back to home, back to Godhead at the end of this life. So, my request is that you take it up very boldly and finish your business in this material world.
- If you, actually, you are serious that "I must stop these inconveniences of birth, death, and old age," then you must join this Krsna consciousness movement. That is my request.
Conclusion
The personal pleas of Śrīla Prabhupāda reveal the depth of his spiritual vision and his unwavering dedication to saving conditioned souls. By imploring his followers to strictly uphold the spiritual standard, work together without discord, and vigorously preach the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he laid out the exact formula for individual perfection and global spiritual upliftment. Embracing these requests is how one truly associates with Śrīla Prabhupāda and crosses the ocean of material existence to return 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 Only Request (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.