Prabhupāda Assures His Disciples That He Is Always With Them
A sincere devotee is never truly alone on the spiritual path. Throughout his global preaching mission, Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently reassured his followers that the presence of the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord is always available to those who diligently serve the mission. By cooperating together, chanting the holy names, and inviting others to join their association, the devotees realize the profound safety and shelter of this eternal connection.
The Spiritual Master's Eternal Presence
Physical proximity is not the primary way to associate with a pure devotee. Through his letters and personal instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly emphasized that he remains eternally present with his followers as long as they strictly execute his orders. The profound realization of spiritual life is that the spiritual master acts through his divine instructions, providing constant guidance and blessings to those who sincerely push forward the preaching work.
- Either I go with you or not, the program which you are doing is completely approved by me. Go on steadily with your program. As long as we are following the regulative principles of devotional service I am always with you.
- I am always anxious to be with you for the remaining days of my life, preaching Krishna Consciousness in the Western World.
- Just follow his order. Spiritual master is along with you by his words. Just like my spiritual master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.
- You must keep your claim intact. As you are going to restore order in the temple I am always with you because Srila Jiva Goswami's temple is my heart and soul.
- Whenever there is new branch of our society for Krishna Consciousness I become very very happy, and my blessings in heart and soul are with you.
The Constant Protection of the Supreme Lord
The material world can often feel like a lonely and dangerous place for a practicing spiritualist. However, dedicated preachers who are spreading the mission of Śrīla Prabhupāda are never without the highest protection. Kṛṣṇa remains within the heart of every living entity as the Supersoul, but He takes a special, active role as a guiding friend for those who faithfully serve His pure devotees.
- Don't feel yourself to be alone because Krishna is always with you. Krishna is always with every living entity as Supersoul, and to His devotee especially He talks and gives instructions how to attain the perfectional stage of meeting Him.
- If we are sincerely in Krsna consciousness, that Krsna is always with us, He gives us protection, His mercy is there. Everything is there. With this conviction, we should continue Krsna consciousness.
- Krishna is always with you provided you are sincere in His service and faithful to your Spiritual Master, that is the secret success.
- Our business is to chant and glorify the Holy Name of Krishna and wherever we may remain, Krishna is with us, Krishna is within your heart, Krishna is within my heart.
- Please don't feel lonely. Krishna is always with you and I shall pray for you and to Krishna also that you may make progress more and more in this faithful discharge of duties in Krishna Consciousness.
The Universal Invitation to Chant and Dance
The sublime method of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not based on dry philosophical debate or strict sectarian conversions. To spread this joyous culture, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his followers to simply invite the public to chant, dance, and feast on prasādam. By extending this open, warm invitation, the devotees effortlessly attract innocent people to experience the practical bliss of spiritual association.
- A person, simply by joining us, chanting with us, dancing with us and taking prasadam with us, will gradually also come to say that this (Krsna consciousness) movement is very good.
- We are inviting persons to come, sit down, chant with us Hare Krsna mantra and take prasadam and go home. That's all. This is our program.
- We don't want any political independence, social reformation, or humanitarian benefit, nothing; we simply request people, "Please chant Hare Krsna and come with us," that's all.
- We invite everyone, "Please come here, chant Hare Krsna mantra, dance with us, and when you are hungry, take some food. We are prepared to give you." So our program is very easy.
- Our program is very nice. Any gentleman come and discuss with us. We shall prove this is the nicest program at the present moment.
The Power of Cooperative Preaching
A unified society of devotees is essential for successfully broadcasting the message of Godhead across the globe. Internal conflicts and disagreements diminish the spiritual potency of the preaching work, which is why Śrīla Prabhupāda continually pleaded with his leaders to work together harmoniously. When devotees cooperate to push forward the mission, they not only satisfy their founder but also demonstrate the practical reality of a society built on pure spiritual love.
- If you all leaders cannot work together, then how can you expect the others to cooperate with you?
- Study our literatures attentively and try to understand the philosophy nicely with the help of your God-brothers. Always work cooperatively to spread Krsna consciousness movement and chant Hare Krsna and your life will be sublime.
- If Mr. George Harrison cooperates with us, certainly we shall be able to deliver something sublime to the world by joint endeavor.
- I shall try to do some work in India regarding the Krsna Consciousness Movement although my physical strength is diminishing. But still now if all you cooperate with me with your full young energy I am still competent to work with you with greater energy.
- Please always keep the association of your good Godbrothers and sisters and work very cooperatively with them for pushing on this movement.
Training and Remaining in Spiritual Association
Merely visiting a temple once is rarely enough to solidify a person's spiritual conviction. In order to properly learn the science of devotion, guests must be encouraged to remain in the association of practicing Vaiṣṇavas for a significant amount of time. Under the careful guidance of Śrīla Prabhupāda, sincere individuals who stay with the devotees gradually purify their desires and naturally elevate themselves to the stage of initiation.
- If you are serious about serving Krishna, then remain with us for sometime to learn the transcendental art.
- Different desire means different types of association. We are therefore recommending that you associate with us. Then there will be one desire: how to understand God, that's all. That is wanted.
- When a man, a gentleman or lady, comes to our association, he associates with us for three months, six months, then automatically he desires to be initiated.
- Sometimes some man comes in our society; after staying for days, he goes away. This is praksepata, thrown away. Unless he's very sincere, he cannot stay with us.
- Along with our temple, we shall have to construct some residential quarters for the students. And the students will remain with us. There will be no charge for their fooding or lodging. They will remain as brahmacari and go to their schools, colleges.
Conclusion
The eternal presence of Kṛṣṇa and the guru is guaranteed to any person who takes up the process of devotional service with a sincere heart. Śrīla Prabhupāda established a movement where anyone, regardless of their background, can find immediate spiritual shelter simply by associating with the devotees. By working cooperatively and constantly inviting the world to chant and dance, his disciples ensure that his merciful presence is felt in every corner of the globe.
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 With Us (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.