Prabhupāda Acknowledges the Preaching Success Achieved By His Disciples
As the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement expanded rapidly across the globe, Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently refused to take personal credit for its monumental achievements. Instead, he constantly praised his followers, acknowledging that the worldwide establishment of temples, the mass distribution of literature, and even his own physical health were sustained entirely by their sincere transcendental endeavors.
Pleasing the Predecessors Through Sincere Endeavor
The ultimate measure of success in spiritual life is not mundane popularity, but the satisfaction of the disciplic succession. When evaluating the preaching work of his followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that their serious efforts and unalloyed service were directly pleasing to the previous ācāryas. He frequently expressed his immense gratitude, noting that by their dedicated transcendental endeavor, they were actively fulfilling the historic prophecies of the great saints who came before them.
- By your transcendental endeavor it is being fulfilled, otherwise who expected that in this remote village of France, Hare Krsna maha-mantra would be chanted?
- I am very much pleased by your renewed and serious efforts to help me in my service to my Guru Maharaja. Please continue in this attitude and Krishna will save you, you need have no doubt.
- By your chanting some public is satisfied - no, we are not concerned with that. He may be satisfied or not satisfied. But if I chant in the proper way, then my predecessors, the acaryas, will be satisfied. That is my business, finished.
- Thakura Bhaktivinode, in the year of my birth, first attempted to introduce these missionary activities in McGill University and the same attempt is being renovated by your combined efforts.
Expanding the Mission Through Profuse Distribution
The primary business of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to broadcast the absolute truth to every corner of the world. Recognizing the zeal of his followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda highly praised their innovative proposals to flood the media and aggressively distribute transcendental literature. He confirmed that by their intellectual service and unwavering commitment to widely distributing the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, they were achieving the highest success of the missionary activities.
- I am especially encouraged by your increasing the distribution of books. That is our primary business, to sell these transcendental literatures profusely all over the world.
- By our Krsna consciousness movement, we are trying to distribute Srimad-Bhagavatam so that anyone in any part of the world can be absorbed in the Krsna consciousness movement by chanting and hearing about the activities of Krsna and be free from all material tribulations.
- I am very, very encouraged by your proposal to flood the medias of your country with our Krishna consciousness program.
- The Society will be obliged to you by your intellectual service more than by money; because you are a family man and you require money.
Leading and Instructing by Personal Example
While philosophical knowledge is essential for defeating opposing elements, the most potent preaching is demonstrated through impeccable personal behavior. To establish a strong foundation for new members, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his senior disciples to teach the newcomers by their own quiet, humble, and brahminical example. He explained that by practically living the philosophy, his followers could effortlessly dissolve the puffed-up attitudes of the public and inspire them to seek spiritual advice.
- The best way to instruct the initiates is by your own good example.
- By your good example teach him how to be brahminical.
- Take care of all of these good souls that Krsna is sending you. By your own exemplary behavior, train them all as ideal Vaisnavas. This will greatly please me.
- And by your quiet and humble attitude, you shall set the example of Vaisnava so that all may learn from you, and very soon their puffed-up attitude will disappear and they will come to you and seek your advice in matters.
The Potency of Sincere Prayers
The relationship between the spiritual master and his disciples is bound by intense spiritual affection and mutual care. When facing severe health challenges, Śrīla Prabhupāda humbly attributed his miraculous recoveries to the intense love and devotion of his followers. He openly acknowledged that by their continuous chanting and sincere prayers to Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva, the Supreme Lord had personally intervened to protect his life so he could continue pushing forward the movement.
- By your prayers and by your chanting Hare Krishna, and by the grace of Lord Nrsimhadeva I am recovered from the serious illness.
- Thank you very much for taking so much care of my health for praying to Nrsimhadeva. He is very kind. By all your prayers He will surely take care of me.
Conquering Kṛṣṇa Through Humility
The Supreme Personality of Godhead cannot be understood or controlled by any amount of mundane mental speculation or physical effort. Revealing the supreme secret of devotional service, Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that while Kṛṣṇa is completely unconquerable, He willingly allows Himself to be conquered by the pure love of His devotees. By abandoning all independent endeavors and adopting a deeply humble, receptive attitude, his disciples could easily realize the Absolute Truth.
- Krsna is unconquered, but simply by your humble receptive process, you will conquer over Krsna.
- You cannot see God by your endeavor because your senses are all nonsense. You have to purify your senses and you have to wait for the time when God will be pleased to reveal Himself before you.
- I am very much encouraged by your progress in Krsna consciousness. Now go on in this way always striving to please Krsna and you will fell yourself becoming more and more happy. That I want.
Conclusion
By constantly highlighting the positive results achieved by his followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda empowered them to take full responsibility for the preaching mission. He demonstrated that true spiritual leadership involves recognizing and celebrating the transcendental endeavors of others. Through his loving encouragement, his disciples were inspired to continually refine their personal examples, distribute books profusely, and rely entirely on the mercy of the Lord, ensuring the unstoppable success of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
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 By Our (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.