Prabhupāda Explains to His Disciples Why They Open Centers and Preach
In the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, spiritual life is not based on blind faith or mindless repetition; it is rooted in profound philosophical understanding. Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly trained his disciples to understand the "why" behind their actions. By explaining the absolute necessity of preaching, opening centers, and distributing books, he provided a clear, transcendental purpose. Simultaneously, he used piercing questions to challenge their material conditioning, demanding to know why they were restless, why they neglected their duties, or why they attempted to alter authorized systems.
The True Purpose of Preaching and Centers
The expansion of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement requires immense endeavor, and disciples must clearly understand the motivation behind this hard work. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that preaching is not a business for profit or prestige; its sole necessity is to make the suffering humanity happy. Furthermore, he clarifies that the society opens so many centers strictly to provide the essential facility of pure spiritual association, without which spiritual progress is impossible.
- Why we are preaching? What is the necessity of preaching? The necessity is to make them happy. If we follow the Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction, then our life will be successful and we will be happy.
- Association is required. Otherwise why we are opening so many centers? Just to give them the facility of association.
- Why you are coming? I never came to flatter you, neither I never came to say, "Yes, there is no God." I am speaking just opposite, everything opposite. "You are drunkard; no drink. You are illicit sex hunters; no illicit sex."
- You American boys and girls can make very large profit, but why you have taken to Krsna consciousness? You are not meant for profit making but for advancing in spiritual life. We should not take to the restaurant for profit making at the cost of slackening spiritual life.
The Philosophy of Book Distribution
Sometimes, devotees wondered why the society placed such a massive emphasis on printing and distributing literature alongside the traditional chanting of the holy names. Śrīla Prabhupāda famously obliterated this distinction by explaining that his books are simply recorded kīrtana. Because the books contain the absolute message of Kṛṣṇa, distributing them and encouraging others to write convincing articles is a direct and potent form of chanting.
- Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting.
- I am always wondering, why others do not write, so many big big preachers we have got, but none of them write, so if you can inspire them to write in more convincing way, that is great service, do it.
- Ruci means taste. Why you are hearing about Krsna daily, the same thing? We are speaking nothing new. "Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and you have to surrender." This is our daily business.
Rejecting Mental Concoctions
The restless mind often seeks to change established systems for the sake of novelty. Śrīla Prabhupāda sharply reprimanded his leaders when they attempted to independently alter authorized management or Deity worship standards. By asking "why do you want to change the wheels?", he forced his disciples to abandon their mental concoctions and recognize that success lies in strictly following the proven system without unnecessary interference.
- Why do you want to change the wheels? This is unnecessary. Don’t do this. Keep the old system strong and if necessary, repair it.
- This should be stopped, immediately. Why they are doing that without..., concocting?... So, immediately stop it.
- The women are doing nicely, so why are they being changed from the pujari to the Sankirtana? These things should be done by the President. These are internal things, and you should not interfere. I do not approve of your changing the women.
- Since you have returned to N.Y. you have falsely dictated that I do not want the robes or flags. Why are you disturbing the whole situation in my absence?
Responsible Management and Duties
Spiritual life requires profound responsibility in whatever āśrama or service one accepts. Śrīla Prabhupāda used piercing questions to correct disciples who acted irresponsibly—whether a householder neglecting his wife, a manager failing to execute his duties, or leaders wasting the society's hard-earned money on excessive international phone calls. He demanded practical, mature action from his followers.
- If you have taken a wife for grhastha life, why are you neglecting? That is not Vaisnava. Vaisnava means he is very much responsible, and if he is householder, then he must be responsible.
- I am not going to manage Spiritual Sky. This is ridiculous. Why they are dragging me into the management. Now the acharya is meant for handling business? Jayatirtha should handle this. He is the manager. Jayatirtha and Karandhara are the chief men.
- Another thing, why are you always calling on the telephone? Are you such important men that you have to call all over the world? We are poor men sons, what can I do? But, why are you always calling on the telephone?
- After marrying they see it is very great responsibility. "Now let me take sannyasa." That's all. Why you marry? Because he finds that after marriage there are so many difficulties. So irresponsible man.
Staying Focused and Undisturbed
To make steady progress, a devotee must be resolute and undisturbed by external circumstances or physical laziness. Śrīla Prabhupāda challenged his disciples when they allowed themselves to become restless, sleepy during class, or unnecessarily anxious about the criticisms of outsiders. He reminded them that because the absolute message is pure, they have no reason to be disturbed; their only business is to sit, hear, and serve with determination.
- About the "guru" living next door, as well as other so-called sadhus in Fiji, why be disturbed by them? Simply go on with your preaching work with determination. Sincere people will be attracted by the purity of your message.
- Read my books and do some menial service, but why you have left Mayapur? You are restless, so what can be done.
- Why you are sitting like that? Sleeping? If you feel sleepy don't sit like that.
- You write that you have desire to avail of my association again, but why do you forget that you are always in association with me?
Conclusion
By constantly asking "why," Śrīla Prabhupāda cultivated an intelligent, deeply responsible society of devotees. He ensured that his disciples never lost sight of the movement's primary goals—preaching, opening centers, and distributing books to alleviate the suffering of the world. Simultaneously, his sharp questioning cut through the illusions of mental concoction, laziness, and irresponsibility, guaranteeing that his followers remained strictly anchored to the absolute standard of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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 Why Are We (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.