Prabhupāda Explains to His Disciples the Spiritual Purpose of Their Coming Together
The physical act of gathering together holds immense power when directed toward a divine purpose. Rather than viewing his followers as ordinary individuals drawn by mundane interests, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that their coming together is orchestrated by the Supreme Lord. By stepping forward to hear the absolute truth and dedicate their lives to pure service, these sincere souls are actively transcending their worldly backgrounds. Ultimately, this united, global effort transforms their temporary coming and going into a permanent journey back home, back to Godhead.
The Foundation of Faith
Every great spiritual journey begins with a small but crucial step of genuine inquiry. When addressing his audiences, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that the simple act of coming to a meeting or a temple requires a foundational spark of faith, known as śraddhā. Because there is no mundane entertainment offered, the fact that individuals give their valuable time to hear the philosophy proves they possess a sincere desire to understand the absolute truth.
- Spiritual life begins, first of all, sraddha, some faith. Just like you are coming here, kindly, to hear me. You have got little faith. This is the beginning. Without faith, you could not spare your time here, because here there is no cinema playing.
- Sraddha means to accept that, "This is a nice movement." Just like you have come here with this sraddha, little faith that, "What these people are making in Krsna consciousness movement? Let us go and see." This is called sraddha. This is the first thing.
- All boys and girls, ladies and gentlemen who are in this meeting, they have got this faith, sraddha. It is understood. Otherwise, why you have come here? Unless you have got little faith, you would not have come to hear me.
- I am so glad to learn that you are an educated boy and coming to our Temple and trying to understand our Krishna Consciousness philosophy very seriously. It is very good sign. Try to continue this attitude.
The Global Preaching Mission
Once a devotee grasps the immense value of this spiritual science, their natural impulse is to share it with the rest of the suffering world. Uninterested in ordinary travel or sightseeing, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the global coming and going of his disciples is strictly meant for distributing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Whether they are entering new countries or setting up large festivals, their sole purpose is to boldly enlighten humanity and glorify the Supreme Lord.
- Any advanced student, if he wants to know about science practically, he can go to some country or . . . either to preach or to learn. So our coming and going throughout the whole world . . . we are interested to enlighten people about the science of God.
- We have come to distribute Krsna consciousness movement. We must tolerate and give this message to the people. Karunikah. Very merciful, in spite of all trouble.
- We have come here in this pandal, or in this Kumbha-mela, not for any other purpose than to glorify the Supreme Lord so that people may understand the importance of this movement.
- For coming to Australia, fifty years ago it would have taken six months. Now we come six hours. The process coming is there. By scientific method, the space and time has been shortened.
Uniting on the Spiritual Platform
Material society divides people based on nationality, race, and physical appearance, but pure devotional service erases all such mundane boundaries. Looking at his international followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda proudly points out that they are coming from completely different corners of the globe, yet they operate perfectly on the unified spiritual platform. By looking past the superficial dress of the material body, they establish true spiritual brotherhood and warmly invite everyone to join them without discrimination.
- Here these boys and girls, although coming from different parts of the world why they should follow an Indian? From political point of view? No. They are not on the material platform. Therefore they are taking my direction.
- They are coming from your community - they are not imported from India or I have bribed them to do like that. No. They have got an attachment.
- Suppose you come in a dress. You are my friend. Do I see your dress or you? Panditah sama-darsinah. Vidya-vinaya-sampanne. You are reading Bhagavad-gita. You know all these things. When you are learned, you will not see the dress. You will see the soul.
- Now we have come to establish some branches in India. We invite everyone. There is no discrimination that "You are such, you are such." Anyone can join us.
Challenging False Philosophies
A true preacher does not simply offer passive spiritual advice; they actively confront the illusions that keep humanity in bondage. Armed with absolute knowledge, Śrīla Prabhupāda states that his devotees are coming forward to confidently challenge mundane scientists, flawed philosophers, and hypocritical religious leaders. By vigorously defeating these opposing elements in argument, the disciples come out completely victorious and prove the undeniable supremacy of Vedic wisdom.
- I was very glad to learn how our devotees are coming out victorious in the preaching to the university professors and students.
- The whole program is to create some fools and rascals, that is all. Any philosopher, any scientist comes, I can say that, "You are simply creating fools and rascals, because you are also fools and rascals." I can challenge. Then let us come to argument.
- We come sometimes to the priestly order. I ask them that "Lord Jesus Christ says: 'Thou shalt not kill.' Why you are killing?" They cannot give us any satisfactory answer. Where is Christian? The first commandment is violated by the so-called Christians.
Personal Association and Supreme Success
The ultimate benefit of joining this great spiritual movement is securing the personal guidance required to perfect one's life. Constantly encouraging his students, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently invites them to come associate with him directly in major centers so they can become fully trained in the science of devotion. By accepting this invitation and following his principles perfectly, a sincere disciple guarantees that they will never have to come back to this miserable material world.
- If you are sincere to our line of action, please come here to Los Angeles and live with me for some time.
- As you have all come to help me, if you also follow the same principles then our combined effort to serve Lord Krishna will be surely successful.
- I am pleased that she has become my disciple, now let her very seriously take up this process and she can know it for certain that there will be no more coming back to this place of miseries.
Conclusion
The act of traveling, meeting, and gathering takes on its true, eternal meaning only when it is centered around the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By encouraging his disciples to unite globally, Śrīla Prabhupāda created an unstoppable spiritual force capable of delivering transcendental knowledge to every corner of the earth. Their willingness to come forward, challenge illusion, and assist his mission proves the incredible power of their sincere faith. Ultimately, this massive, coordinated effort of coming together in pure devotion completely severs the root of material existence, allowing these fortunate souls to return to their original home in the spiritual sky.
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 Coming (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.