Prabhupāda Explains Why Māyā Influences Some of Them Among His Disciples
Within the challenging endeavor of establishing a worldwide spiritual movement, profound realism was constantly exhibited by Śrīla Prabhupāda regarding the struggles of his neophyte followers. Knowing the formidable strength of the material energy, he prepared his disciples for the fact that some of their peers would succumb to the influences of māyā. Yet, through his unwavering faith in the paramparā, he assured them that the sincere souls who remained steady would eventually become the future gurus capable of saving the entire world.
Casualties in the War Against Māyā
Spreading the pure teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā in a deeply materialistic world is equivalent to declaring war on the illusory energy. A stark warning was repeatedly given by Śrīla Prabhupāda that in any genuine fight, there will always be casualties. He urged his dedicated followers not to become disheartened when they saw some of their peers falling back or becoming entangled in internal politics, as this is simply the action of māyā. Instead, the remaining devotees must accept these losses gracefully and continue to push the movement forward without stopping.
- Regarding Damodara's plight, we are very sorry but we must always expect that some of the weak soldiers may fall down in a fight waged against the great Maya external energy of Krsna.
- When there is fight, my Guru Maharaja used to say, "Some of our soldiers will die. It doesn't matter." You don't expect that not a single soldier of your party will not die. No, some of them will die. Still fight must go on. Fight cannot be stopped.
- At the present moment in our ISKCON campus politics and diplomacy has entered. Some of my beloved students on whom I counted very, very much have been involved in this matter influenced by Maya.
- We are pushing on this Krsna consciousness movement, and some of the students are falling back. That is not the defect of the institution. That is some other power.
The Danger of Reviving Old Habits
To accommodate the varying natures of his students, extensive facilities like marriage and ashrama assignments were provided by Śrīla Prabhupāda to keep them safely engaged in devotional service. Unfortunately, he observed that some disciples misused these facilities by acting irresponsibly or abandoning their prescribed duties when the work did not satisfy their senses. He pointed out that if a devotee allows their old, conditioned habits to resurface, their spiritual progress is completely halted. True advancement requires strict discipline rather than whimsically changing one's position or seeking mundane comforts.
- I want that what I have established may go on nicely, but I see that some of the devotees are reviving their old "good" qualities. That is the difficulty. If the old habits come back, then everything is finished.
- I did not ask my students to marry to become a lost child. I wanted to give them some facility, because you cannot do without wife. But now I am seeing that some of them are slipping away.
- Just like some of our students, immediately married and again, "Give me sannyasa." What is this? Irresponsible, that's all. Irresponsibility. So these things are not required at all.
- Some new boys come, and as soon as they are given some work, not very good for sense gratification, they go away. That means they are not prepared. It is better they may go away.
The Unbreakable Tie of Devotional Service
Even when disciples succumbed to weakness and left the society, a deep, loving concern for their spiritual welfare was always maintained by Śrīla Prabhupāda. He possessed an unshakable conviction that once a soul begins the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that divine connection can never be permanently broken. He knew that many of his followers had already cultivated devotion in their past lives, and he trusted that the internal potency of the holy name would eventually draw them back. However, he consistently reminded the active members to remain highly vigilant, as formal initiation is only the beginning of a lifelong journey against the forces of illusion.
- I felt too much aggrieved when some of you left me, but I was confident that all of your would come again, because Krsna consciousness is not a material thing, and cannot be broken.
- I think in the same parampara system that the poison administered to our Society will not act if some of our students are as good as Prahlada Maharaja. I have therefore given the administrative power to the Governing Body Commission.
- I think some of you like yourself, Satsvarupa, Brahmananda and Mukunda and Gargamuni, Acyutananda and all of you had already cultivated this Krsna consciousness in your past lives.
- Today some of you are going to be initiated. This is the beginning of your spiritual life. But if you don't take care for further development, then that is up to you. You may fall down. Because maya is very strong.
Training the Future Spiritual Masters
Despite the inevitable losses in the preaching field, the ultimate focus was always placed by Śrīla Prabhupāda on empowering those who remained strong and dedicated. Before his physical departure, he expressed a fervent desire to see a core group of his followers become deeply realized in the science of devotion. He fully intended for his sincere students to become bona fide gurus who would carry the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to the next generation. By carefully training them to form the Governing Body Commission, he ensured the management and expansion of the society would safely continue long into the future.
- I am old man. If some of you at least understand this science and take up this science, you become future hope of this country or the world. That is my request to you, that you should take this chance and become a spiritual master for all the people.
- One can understand the order of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he can become guru. Or one who understands his guru's order, the same parampara, he can become guru. And therefore I shall select some of you.
- I am old man, and there has already been warning, but before I leave this body, I wish to see some of you very strong in Krsna consciousness understanding.
- My desire is that some of our experienced members who have proved their sincerity of service may form the GBC Board so that the management of the whole institution may go on smoothly, and I may be relieved of affairs of management.
Conclusion
By openly discussing the realities of spiritual falldown, a mature and resilient perspective was ingrained by Śrīla Prabhupāda within his society. He taught his followers that while the influence of māyā may pull some away, the mission of the paramparā will never be stopped by such temporary setbacks. Ultimately, his immense compassion and practical guidance ensured that those who held tightly to his instructions would successfully cross over the material ocean and lead others to do the same.
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 Some of 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.