Prabhupāda Explains to His Disciples the Rare Chance of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
In the journey of the soul through millions of species, the opportunity to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness is an exceedingly rare gift. Śrīla Prabhupāda trains his disciples to view every aspect of their lives—from their daily chores to the grand scale of global preaching—as a precious chance to serve the Supreme Lord. By balancing a deep sense of gratitude for Kṛṣṇa's mercy with a vigilant awareness of the risks of material illusion, he ensures that his followers do not squander this opportunity, but instead utilize it to achieve the highest perfection of life.
The Highest Opportunity for Humanity
The primary motivation for the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is compassion. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that he traveled to the West specifically to give as many people as possible the chance to escape a godless and demoniac civilization. He trains his disciples to understand that preaching is not about making converts, but about offering every soul the chance to realize their eternal relationship with God.
- I came to the U.S.A. just to try to give a chance to as many people as possible to take to Krishna Consciousness, because it is the only hope for humanity in this increasingly demoniac, godless age.
- If simply this chance is given, anywhere, let us execute this Krsna consciousness movement by chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra and speaking something from this Bhagavad-gita.
- Let us get this chance. Simple method. So we'll go. Let us go everywhere, hell or heaven. It doesn't matter. Let us have this chance and speak something about God. That's all.
- I am very happy that you are taking a chance for Krishna, do everything very carefully and sincerely, Krishna will help you.
Redemption and Second Chances
One of the most encouraging aspects of Śrīla Prabhupāda's training is his emphasis on Kṛṣṇa's forgiving nature. He instructs his disciples not to dwell on past mistakes or falldowns, but to focus on the new chance they have been given in their current service. He teaches that even if one cannot finish the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in one lifetime, they are guaranteed another chance in a human body to continue from where they left off.
- Do not worry about past mistakes and falldowns. Krsna has given you a new chance in taking care of one of His ISKCON temples, so the future is very bright.
- A pure devotee is never lost. He gets another good chance to cultivate Krishna Consciousness, or if one is advanced he goes back to Home, back to Godhead.
- Judgment is for the criminals, the rascals who are not Krsna conscious. But if you become Krsna conscious, even if you cannot finish the job in this life, even if you fall, still, you will be given another chance of human body, to begin where you ended.
- I very much appreciate both yours and your brother's activities and it appears that both of you were in your previous birth advanced in this line of Krishna Consciousness, and here is another chance to complete it.
Vigilance Against the Risk of Falling
While the path of devotion is full of mercy, Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that it is also fraught with danger for those who are not careful. He instructs his disciples to be constantly vigilant against the influence of māyā (illusion). By breaking regulative principles or allowing illicit habits to enter their lives, devotees risk squandering their chance for spiritual advancement. He warns that waiting for a "next life" is a risky gamble that no intelligent person should take.
- Maya is very strong, there is a chance of our falling down at any moment, but if we are able to catch hold of Krishna's lotus feet by chanting the Hare Krishna mantra, then Krishna gives us all protection from the onslaught attack by Maya.
- So I am repeating my spiritual master's order, "Don't wait for another life." That is a very risky, another life. Maybe I am given the chance of taking my birth in a good brahmana family or a rich family, but there is chance of again being spoiled.
- We don't want to give any chance for Maya to enter in our business. That should be our motto, and we should be very much vigilant.
- You should stop this homosex immediately. It is illicit sex, otherwise, your chances of advancing in spiritual life are nil. Show Krishna you are serious, if you are.
The Chance for Personal Service
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that although the Supreme Lord is self-sufficient and does not need our help, He graciously gives us the chance to serve Him for our own benefit. Whether it is manufacturing a cart for the Ratha-yātrā or worshiping the spiritual body of Lord Jagannātha, these activities are golden opportunities to engage our energy in the Lord's service, which is the only way to conquer the unconquerable.
- God is so great, so big, how we can pack up in the ratha? But this is a chance, that you get Him sit on the ratha and prepare it, manufacture it. Because your energy is engaged for His service, that is accepted.
- Suppose He has created this big universe. What service we can give? By His will, He can create millions of universes. What service we can give Him? No. These are the chances of service, this Ratha-yatra.
- Regarding smearing on the Body of Lord Jagannatha: You should always know that the Body of Lord Jagannatha is spiritual. We are given the chance of serving the Spiritual Body.
- We should always ask: "Krsna, I don't want any facility of this material world. I am not worthy to serve You; still, I am begging. Give me this facility so that I can get the chance to serve You."
Fortunate Children and Future Leaders
A unique feature of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is the opportunity it provides for the next generation. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes children born into the movement as "Vaikuṇṭha children" who have the immense fortune of beginning their spiritual lives from birth. He also calls upon his young disciples to recognize their own chance to become future leaders and spiritual masters for the entire world.
- They are Vaikuntha children, and we are very fortunate we can give them chance to advance further in Krishna consciousness.
- These boys and girls who are married, they have got children. They are getting chance from the very beginning. The Syamasundara's daughter, Sarasvati, she is wonderful girl. She is a child, but she never goes outside the spiritual consciousness.
- 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.
- It is so much heart-engladdening that you have taken very seriously the preaching work, and Krishna is giving you chance for becoming a great preacher in the near future.
Conclusion
The opportunity to practice Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a mundane occurrence; it is a transcendental gift. Śrīla Prabhupāda's training ensures that his disciples treat this "chance" with the utmost seriousness, avoiding the risks of negligence and the allure of illusion. By gratefully accepting every opportunity for service and preaching, devotees ensure their own spiritual success and become the beacons of hope for a misguided world.
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 Chances (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.