Prabhupāda Advises His Disciples to Consult the Authorities for Guidance
To maintain the purity and unity of his rapidly expanding worldwide movement, Śrīla Prabhupāda established a robust system of consultation. He strictly warned his disciples against acting whimsically, manufacturing independent philosophies, or managing centers like autocrats. He taught that all doubts must be resolved by consulting the absolute authorities of sādhu, śāstra, and guru, while practical affairs must be executed through joint consultation with the GBC, senior devotees, and relevant professionals, thereby ensuring cooperation and expert management.
Consulting Sādhu, Śāstra, and Guru
The foundation of Vedic epistemology is that absolute knowledge cannot be acquired through independent speculation. A flawless system of verification was outlined by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who taught his disciples to confirm all spiritual truths by consulting the saintly persons (sādhu), the authorized scriptures (śāstra), and the bona fide spiritual master (guru). He assured his followers that he had provided everything they needed within his books, and that consulting these texts would dispel all philosophical confusion and defeat impersonalism.
- We have to make it confirmed in three ways. What we hear from the sadhus, we shall have to consult whether these things are spoken in the sastras. And whether the statements or sastras are confirmed by guru, by the direct spiritual master.
- I have given the example that this body, this material gross body, is produced out of the soul which is put into the womb of the mother by the semina of the father. These description are there in the Third Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, very nicely, you consult.
- Because I have now given you everything you are able to answer all such questions from what you know, and if there is any difficulty you may consult my books, or you may write me if necessary.
- If one thinks the Society's members are not pure devotees, one can keep direct company with the spiritual master, and if there is any doubt, one should consult the spiritual master.
- From the very beginning I was strongly against the impersonalists and all my books are stressed on this point. So my oral instruction as well as my books are all at your service. Now you GBC consult them and get clear and strong idea.
Consulting the GBC and Senior Devotees
A worldwide society cannot function properly if every member acts independently. To ensure expert management and adherence to the society's policies, Śrīla Prabhupāda established the Governing Body Commission (GBC). He instructed all his disciples, including temple presidents, to regularly consult these senior representatives regarding temple affairs, personal problems, and major administrative decisions, ensuring that significant changes were never executed whimsically.
- I am requesting my good disciples as much as possible to consult the senior disciples in matter of management, philosophy, and personal problems.
- It is a very important question, and I am glad that you have asked me, but I think from now on the GBC men may be consulted in all such matters of temple management and affairs.
- No GBC man can whimsically do anything without consulting Prabhupada, especially in the matter of opening a temple and closing an old one. Such activities must be absolutely regulated and cannot be done without consultation of Prabhupada and other GBC.
- I think in ordinary administration the presidents of different centers may consult amongst themselves and make certain general procedures by mutual agreement. But when there is some more important factor, that must be referred to me.
- When you have any questions you should immediately consult Gaurasundara or some other elder Godbrother or sister, or else you are always welcome to question me directly. It is my duty to guide you as far as possible.
Joint Consultation for Cooperation
The ultimate goal of ISKCON management is not merely to organize events, but to please Kṛṣṇa through unified devotional service. A continuous plea for cooperation was made by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who taught that operating through group consultation prevents friction, mitigates disagreements, and protects the society from scandalous situations. He assured his disciples that whatever they decided cooperatively to push forward the mission would naturally receive his full blessings.
- My standing request is this: Amongst yourselves there should not be any disagreement. Whatever you do, do it by joint consultation. Because our center of activities is Krsna, for His sake we can sacrifice our life, wealth, words, intelligence, everything.
- Gradually I am trying to hand over the management to the reliable hands of my disciples, and you should all work by joint consultation, without any friction.
- I don't think there is any discrepancy, but I do not know why in India cooperation is lacking. So you should do things nicely and in consultation with others and rectify the situation. I have also apprehended a scandalous situation.
- So far your question regarding women, I have always accepted the service of women without any discrimination, so I have no objection if Yamuna devi contributes her ideas on this construction project. Nothing should be done without group consultation.
- Whatever you do by combined consultation is approved by me.
Relieving the Spiritual Master
While the spiritual master is always available to guide his disciples, burdening him with minor administrative details impedes his primary mission. A practical reason for group consultation was frequently expressed by Śrīla Prabhupāda: the need for relief. By asking his advanced disciples to consult one another and solve localized problems cooperatively—such as marriage arrangements and minor temple disputes—he secured the necessary time and mental space to focus on writing and publishing his books.
- Hansadutta is here with me now and other GBC members, they are consulting all problems and trying to relieve me of management, so in future you may consult with the local GBC and work co-operatively, that will give me relief for printing my books.
- You should work cooperatively in such a way that we don't deviate from the policy, and conjointly, consulting together, so that I may be relieved from petty minor things. But if there is some difficulty, I am at your service.
- I am advising him to consult with you and I think, cooperatively along with Mohanananda and others, you, senior members, can manage everything there very nicely and relieve me of such questions.
- On the whole, all you experienced and advanced students have to manage things very nicely, and if you occasionally come to me here for consultation and necessary instruction that will be easier for me and I can devote my time in finishing the books.
- Let this couple first of all legally marry. After that we bless them by observing a fire ceremony. It is not necessary to burden me with these matters. Please consult with the local GBC.
Consulting Experts for Practical Execution
Devotional service is completely practical, and maintaining a massive institution requires interacting with the material world. A highly expert approach to mundane affairs was mandated by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who directed his disciples to consult relevant professionals when facing legal, technical, or immigration issues. He showed that utilizing lawyers to protect the society or consulting suppliers to fix broken equipment is a perfect use of practical intelligence in Kṛṣṇa's service.
- Now you can consult our lawyer friends that I want my foreign disciples to remain here to assist me in my activities of Sankirtana Movement.
- I do not know what I can do in these legal matters. You try your best in consultation with Tamala Krishna. I think that perennial watch-dog is playing some mischief.
- Our society is a registered, recognized religious society. So we can consult some lawyer whether such religious institution where we are teaching specifically how to become moral in character.
- You should consult your friend Mr. Kashore Mukherjee or his friend Mr. Shah and make the deed nicely and send me a copy for my approval.
- Please consult the Dictaphone supplier why the it stops sometime while working. It appears that it clogs either for the tape or for the machine. Please let me know what is to be done.
Conclusion
By embedding the principle of consultation deeply into the fabric of ISKCON, Śrīla Prabhupāda protected his society from the dangers of whimsical leadership and philosophical deviation. He ensured his disciples understood that spiritual advancement relies on submissive inquiry and cooperative action. Through his expert instruction to consult sādhu, śāstra, guru, and one another, he established a self-sustaining administrative and spiritual framework capable of pushing forward the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement long into the future.
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 Our Consulting (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.