Prabhupāda Encourages His Disciples to Engage Their Natural Abilities for Kṛṣṇa
When conditioned souls come to the path of devotional service, they often bring with them a variety of occupational skills and talents. Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages his disciples to never suppress these natural abilities, but rather to dovetail them perfectly in the service of the Supreme Lord. By utilizing their artistic, intellectual, and practical talents for preaching, writing, and organizing the society, devotees effortlessly transform mundane labor into pure spiritual activity.
Dovetailing Existing Skills
The science of bhakti-yoga does not demand the artificial renunciation of one's practical nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises his followers that there is no need to waste valuable time learning entirely new material crafts just for the sake of it. Instead, whatever occupational duty or specific capability one already has should be utilized to the absolute best of their capacity for Kṛṣṇa's pleasure.
- Whatever material abilities one has when he comes to Krsna consciousness, let him learn to engage these in Krsna's service: that is sufficient. There is no need of learning new skills now. That will simply be a waste of time.
- Simply be determined to practice the process of Bhakti-yoga with whatever abilities you may have. If you are really sincere, then Krishna will give you help.
- Occupational duty means to stick with one type of occupation which is just suitable for me, considering that it is my duty, therefore I am throughout my life obligated to perform it to the best of my ability.
Artistic and Practical Contributions
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement requires a vast array of practical services to expand its global reach. Śrīla Prabhupāda greatly appreciates those who use their artistic abilities, such as painting beautiful illustrations for his books or expertly sewing garments for the Deities. He points out that engaging these specialized talents is a perfect way to revive one's dormant love for God while simultaneously inspiring others.
- We require so many paintings now as we are planning to print so many illustrated books and there are so many new temples that are opening of our Krishna Consciousness Movement. So as many nice paintings as you are able to do can be well-utilized.
- I am pleased to note that you are painting nicely, so go on improving your abilities because we will require so many paintings for our temples.
- Yesterday my deities were dressed with the clothing you made and it appears so nice. I do not know whether you have time to make similarly a few other sets. It will be very nice. I know that you are the most expert in making dresses than all others.
- Your example is very nice, using your artistic abilities to serve Krishna, and they may all follow in your footsteps.
Refining Preaching and Writing Capacity
The highest welfare work is transmitting transcendental knowledge to suffering humanity, which requires the sharpening of one's intellectual and communicative abilities. Śrīla Prabhupāda directs his intelligent disciples to focus their writing and speaking talents strictly on assimilating and presenting the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. He also clarifies that true preaching ability is not judged by mundane scholasticism, but by the sincere desire to serve Kṛṣṇa and the tangible result of making new devotees.
- Study Bhagavad-gita As It Is and Srimad-Bhagavatam and continue to help your god-brothers in developing Krishna Consciousness. So develop your preaching abilities in this way, and this will be the most successful and appreciated endeavor.
- Regarding your article in Back To Godhead about Ayurvedic Medicine, I do not think this is very worthwhile endeavor. You have shown nice ability for writing so it will be more appreciated if you continue to study Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita and express the same by your assimilation.
- The test of preaching ability is whether one is making some disciples or not. So it appears that your preaching is going on nicely. The standard of purity which I have introduced in the Krsna consciousness movement will give you the real spiritual strength needed to preach.
- English is a foreign language to me also, but I try to speak it, not to be a big scholar, but to be a servant of Krishna. So do not be disturbed if you feel that your language ability is not yet very expert.
Sincerity Attracts Kṛṣṇa's Empowerment
A devotee should never feel discouraged or inadequate when faced with a daunting spiritual task. Śrīla Prabhupāda promises that if a disciple strictly follows the regulative principles and works with conscientious determination, Kṛṣṇa will personally intervene to guarantee their success. The Supreme Lord supplies all the necessary strength, intelligence, and ability to those who simply endeavor to please Him to the best of their capacity.
- Keep yourself strong in all respects by following very carefully all of our rules and regulations without fail. If you try sincerely, Krishna will help you, He will supply all strength and ability.
- If we take the public's money, and then delay too long in filling the orders, this will give us a bad reputation. So be very conscientious and hard-working and Krishna will give you the ability to do everything nicely.
- I understand that you are anxious to go to New Vrindaban. I think that it is Krishna's will that you shall go there and try to develop that nice land because there is so much potential there which can utilize your abilities in being developed.
- You should not be discouraged if people are not coming to your meetings. We are trying to please Krishna. That is all. We simply must go on with our business, to the best of our ability.
Conclusion
By teaching his disciples to engage their natural abilities for Kṛṣṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda seamlessly bridges the gap between material occupation and spiritual perfection. He demonstrates that whether one is an artist, a writer, an organizer, or a preacher, every single talent can be purified when offered with a sincere heart. Ultimately, he assures his followers that perfection in bhakti does not depend on acquiring flawless mundane skills, but on the purity of one's determination. When a disciple endeavors to the very best of their ability to please the spiritual master and the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa Himself lovingly supplies all the power needed to succeed.
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 Abilities (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.