Prabhupāda Explains What His Disciples Must Know to Advance in Devotional Service
For a practitioner to move from sentimental attachment to steady spiritual realization, it is required that they deeply comprehend the philosophy. In his letters and lectures, Śrīla Prabhupāda makes it abundantly clear that advancement is directly proportional to a disciple's assimilated knowledge of the spiritual science. By knowing the scriptures, following the authority of the guru, and recognizing the illusory nature of the material energy, a devotee can successfully execute their duties.
Knowing the Science and Philosophy
To effectively practice and represent the movement, it is absolutely essential to study and internalize the foundational teachings. Without a solid grasp of the philosophy, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that preachers will easily be embarrassed or defeated by materialistic arguments. The goal of every student is to eventually become an ācārya, which requires knowing the śāstra perfectly and applying it practically in daily life.
- All devotees, especially preachers, must know the philosophy of Krsna consciousness so as not to be embarrassed and insulted when they preach.
- Grhastha or sannyasa it doesn't matter. First we have to know the science of Krsna consciousness.
- Every student is expected to become Acarya. Acarya means one who knows the scriptural injunctions and follows them practically in life, and teaches them to his disciples.
- Our process is to know things from the sastra. Sadhu-sastra-guru-vakya tinete kariya aikya. We take knowledge, just like this Srimad-Bhagavatam written by Vyasadeva under the instruction of his guru, spiritual master, Narada.
Knowing the Absolute Authority of the Spiritual Master
There is no independent progression in spiritual life; everything must be executed under the strict guidance of the bona fide teacher. Whenever disciples become confused, Śrīla Prabhupāda reminds them that they must know the ultimate authority rests with their spiritual master. Pleasing the guru is the secret to success, and one must accept this dynamic not as a formality, but as the very lifeline of devotional service.
- Authority is your spiritual master. You do not know who is authority? Why this question is there? If one is initiated, then he accepted the authority and if he does not follow the instruction of spiritual master, he is a rascal. He is defying the authority.
- Everything under the direction of the spiritual master. Why you are asking? You do not know these things? Why do you ask this question? It must be, according to the direction of the spiritual master.
- If the acarya, guru, is satisfied, then we must know certainly that Krsna is satisfied. So this is the principle, and the acaryas give us direction. It is not very difficult. Simply we have to become very serious and sincere. Then everything is all right.
- You should know that the value of accepting a bona fide spiritual master is more than we can calculate. It is not a mere formality.
Knowing the Art of Preaching and Publishing
A symptom of a developing devotee is the natural urge to share the message with others and defeat opposing, atheistic viewpoints. By writing articles and books, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a disciple provides tangible proof that they actually know the philosophy. Furthermore, preachers must know the risks involved in their work, understanding that presenting the absolute truth requires courage and a willingness to face opposition.
- Because it is truth, you will come triumphant. There is no doubt about it. It is truth. Now you have to know how to present the truth. That is your business.
- All our men should write. Otherwise how we shall know that he has understood the philosophy?
- When you become advanced in Krsna consciousness, then your natural tendency will be how to preach. So long you do not develop this tendency for preaching, simply remain in kanistha-adhikari, you do not know how to deliver others.
- So when you go to preach, you know the preachers are sometimes attacked. Just like Nityananda Prabhu was attacked by Jagai-Madhai. And when Lord Jesus Christ was crucified, killed... So a preacher has the risk.
Knowing the Dangers of the Material Energy
The material world is a place of misery and repeated birth and death, and a practitioner must navigate it with extreme caution. To avoid falling away from the path, Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses that his disciples must know the powerful influence of māyā and actively fight against it. By recognizing this existence as a condemned situation, a devotee remains vigilant and determined to finish their spiritual business before death arrives.
- You said that your job is maya, but you must know that maya is illusion. As soon as there is absence of Krsna consciousness—that is maya. But you are working just to help and push Krsna's interest; therefore, it is not maya.
- Those who have taken to Krsna consciousness preaching work, they should always know that things are not going to happen so easily. Maya is very, very strong. But still, we have to struggle against maya. It is a declaration of war with the maya.
- We have to be determined to go back to Godhead, to Krsna, where going nobody will come to this condemned place. One should know that this is a condemned place. Unless one is fully convinced that this is a place, condemned, one cannot make progress.
- We do not know when we shall meet our next death, our next exit from this platform. But before going out of this platform, we may try to finish Krsna consciousness. That is our main business.
Knowing Kṛṣṇa's Presence and Protection
True transcendental knowledge culminates in recognizing the Supreme Lord in every aspect of life and trusting Him implicitly. Whether chanting the holy names or worshiping the Deity, Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that sincere devotees know they are interacting directly with the Absolute Truth. Because of this unwavering realization, a pure devotee never demands relief from material hardships, fully confident that the Lord will provide ultimate protection.
- A devotee never prays to Krsna. They have to undergo so much trouble; still they never pray to Krsna. They know that "Krsna will give us ultimately protection. Let us do our duty."
- If we keep the Statue of Krishna in our room, we must know that Krishna is present, and as such we must be careful in our dealings, talkings and behavior, as we are present before Krishna directly.
- Always think like that, that as soon as you are chanting Hare Krsna, you must know that you are touching Krsna with your tongue.
- You should know that it is all due to your sincerity of heart; when we are sincere, Krishna will always help us, either in external direction by the Spiritual Master, or internally by His Paramatma expansion.
Conclusion
To be a successful student of this great science, one cannot remain ignorant of the philosophy, the power of illusion, or the spiritual master's position. By continually studying and practically applying these instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that his followers are fully equipped to cross over the ocean of material existence. Those who actually know these truths will naturally preach, remain undisturbed by tribulations, and steadily advance 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 Our Knowing (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.