Prabhupāda Explains to His Disciples Why They Have to Preach Despite All Risks
In an age dominated by material illusion, possessing spiritual knowledge carries a heavy responsibility. Throughout his teachings, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically explains to his followers that they cannot keep the absolute truth to themselves or retreat to secluded places for their own salvation. Because the world is desperately suffering from a lack of God consciousness, devotees must step forward to preach the message of the Supreme Lord, regardless of the challenges they may face.
Preaching in an Epidemic of Illusion
The material world, especially in the current age of Kali-yuga, is heavily infected by ignorance and animalistic propensities. When disciples wonder why they face so much reluctance from the public, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that this general unwillingness is exactly why the preaching mission is so vital. If everyone were already eager to accept spiritual life, there would be no need for the intense labor required to spread the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
- The whole atmosphere is epidemic, whole atmosphere, this Kali-yuga. And still, by the superior orders we have to preach this Krsna consciousness movement.
- These things are everywhere: eating, sleeping, mating and defending. There is no scarcity. Only scarcity is Krsna consciousness. That we have to preach.
- If they want to take, then where is the question of preaching? Because they do not want to take, you have to preach. Otherwise, where is the necessity of preaching?
- One who is not a Krsna conscious person, he's not a good man. But our duty is preach. Because the world is full of no-good men, therefore we have to preach. Otherwise what is the use of preaching? Therefore we should not be envious.
Enduring Opposition and Personal Risk
Challenging the deeply ingrained bodily conceptions of materialistic society inevitably incites resistance. Acknowledging this harsh reality, Śrīla Prabhupāda trains his disciples to expect anger, atheistic arguments, and even physical harm as they distribute their message. By understanding that these risks are simply the occupational hazards of true compassion, devotees can boldly confront the world's mūḍhas without ever changing or diluting the philosophy.
- These rascals will be angry, will sometimes do harm to you, and still, you have to do it. That is preaching. Are you understanding what is preaching? Yes. You have to prepare like that. At all risk you have to preach.
- We have to preach Krishna Consciousness even at the risk of personal violence. Just like the children sometimes become violent, but the father knows he can defend himself at any time, and so he tries to teach them correctly by reprimanding them.
- Try to understand the whole philosophy, because you have to preach and you have to confront so many atheist rascals.
- We have to meet rascals and we have to preach. The world is full of rascals, mudha. What can be done? But we cannot change our preaching because the rascals are many. That is not . . . we cannot make that.
Finding the Innocent and Being Patient
Despite the overwhelming presence of foolish and envious people, the primary objective of the preacher is to find and rescue the innocent. When dealing with those who are sincerely eager to learn, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs his followers to freely distribute the kṛpā, or mercy, of transcendental knowledge. He emphasizes that this supreme welfare work requires immense patience, as the results of pure preaching may not always be immediately visible.
- To the innocent, we have to preach, krpa: "Oh, here is an innocent person. He does not know; he's eager to learn." There teaching is required. Teaching, you cannot teach God or you cannot teach God's devotee. But you can teach only the innocent.
- Because he has got this human form of life, he must be Krsna conscious. Then his problem is solved. So you have to preach like this, that we are giving the best human welfare activities to utilize this human form of life.
- We have to take little patience. That is preaching work. Don't be impatient. Let us do our duty on behalf of Krsna. Even the result is not very appreciable, still we have to do it.
- We explain two, three lines from Bhagavatam - how much people appreciated. So we have to preach like that, the substance. Not the sentiment. But if we cannot, the sankirtana is sufficient.
Utilizing Logic and Modern Facilities
To effectively convince the modern mind, the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness must be presented with solid logic and reason. Rather than relying on blind faith, Śrīla Prabhupāda demonstrates how to use human intelligence to defeat atheistic arguments regarding the soul and the supreme controller. Furthermore, he teaches that practical preaching means accepting whatever facilities are available—including modern airplanes—to broadcast the message globally, rather than adhering to artificial rules of renunciation.
- Just try to understand, you have to preach immortality of the soul, transmigration of the soul. What is the difficulty? Simple logic.
- "Human being must use discretion, that 'If I can live in this way, why shall I kill one important animal?' That is human intelligence." In this way you have to preach.
- Our process is that if we have to preach, so we have to go to United States. So if there is aeroplane, why shall I waste my time? Let us accept this thing. So we don't deprecate the material advancement.
- We are preaching Krsna consciousness. Suppose I have to preach Krsna consciousness in Europe or America. So because a sannyasi has to walk, therefore I shall walk throughout the whole life to go to America? This is foolishness.
Fulfilling the Supreme Order Everywhere
The ultimate driving force behind the entire mission is strict obedience to the paramparā. Under the direct command of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, sitting idly in a secluded place to execute private worship is forbidden for those capable of saving others. Śrīla Prabhupāda inspires his disciples to carry this divine order into every single town and village on the planet, declaring that sincere preachers are fully prepared to spread the glories of Kṛṣṇa in both heaven and hell.
- You cannot sit idly to show your gorgeousness in a secluded place, imitating Haridasa Thakura: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna. No. You have to preach. That is the order of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa.
- We should have to preach this Krsna consciousness movement in every village, in every town of this planet. Therefore you have come to your country. You are kindly cooperating. You also spread. I am old man. I may not live very long.
- Never mind if you do not get the visa for India. We can preach anywhere. We have to preach both in heaven and hell.
- You rascal, give up all these things, material engagement. Come to Me (Krsna), back to home, back to Godhead -This is Krsna's desire, So we have to preach that. We haven't got to manufacture anything.
Conclusion
The path of true devotion is not found in silent withdrawal, but in the active, courageous distribution of transcendental knowledge. By embracing the risks and challenges of a contaminated world, Śrīla Prabhupāda demonstrates the ultimate standard of compassion. When his disciples understand that they must preach in all circumstances—using logic, patience, and absolute determination—they ensure that the lifesaving mission of Kṛṣṇa consciousness successfully reaches 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 We Have to Preach (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.