Prabhupāda Expresses Gratitude for the Kindness of His Disciples
The expansion of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness was driven by the dynamic synergy of Śrīla Prabhupāda's pure devotion and the enthusiastic cooperation of his youthful followers. In his correspondence, he consistently displayed a profound, touching humility, frequently thanking his disciples for kindly assisting him in executing the orders of his own spiritual master. Whether expressing gratitude for a simple birthday cake, pleading for relief from administrative duties, or instructing his managers to treat struggling devotees with compassion, his words reveal the deep well of kindness that forms the very heart of the Vaiṣṇava tradition.
Expressing Gratitude for Cooperation
Śrīla Prabhupāda never claimed sole credit for the miraculous spread of the movement. Instead, he repeatedly expressed heartfelt gratitude to the young men and women who surrendered their lives to help him. He humbly noted that without their willing cooperation, his massive vision for a global spiritual awakening could never have materialized. By thanking them for kindly joining his mission, he fostered a deep, loving bond that inspired them to push on with even greater enthusiasm.
- Go on spreading the sankirtana movement more and more. I am only one person, but because all of you have kindly cooperated with me, this movement has now become a success all over the world.
- I beg to thank you for your kindly improving our mission in Western world by the hard work of all my students there, and for keeping my apartments and gardens nicely.
- Practically all the devotees and disciples who have kindly joined me, their symptoms are pure devotees. Even if they have got some ulterior desire, that will be removed very soon, because they have taken to the pure process of Krishna Consciousness.
- Nobody is cooperating. Simply these boys, they have kindly come to me and cooperating. So my movement is progressing, but very slowly. But if the leaders of the American people, they come and they try to understand and they try to introduce this system.
- Without your help I could not do anything. So you are very much kind. Kindly continue your cooperation.
Appreciating Personal Service and Gifts
The relationship on the spiritual platform is fully reciprocal. Whenever a disciple went out of their way to offer personal service, send a thoughtful gift, or ensure his physical comfort, Śrīla Prabhupāda responded with immense warmth and appreciation. He cherished the innocent, loving exchanges with his students, viewing their small acts of kindness—such as sending warm clothes, fruits, or a birthday cake—as genuine expressions of their developing love for Kṛṣṇa.
- I always remember you for your kind personal attention upon me, and most probably, if you are not engaged otherwise, I shall call you when I return back to the States.
- I always remember you for your kind personal service and walking with me on the street.
- Just today I have received your nice gift package of sweater, scarf, socks and incense. They are all very nice and I much appreciate your kind thoughts of me in this connection.
- It was so kind of you that you have sent me a Birthday cake.
- You so kindly have sent your car and drive to our place filled-up with fruits and flowers to offer to Radha and Krishna on the Disappearance day of my Guru Maharaj, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur. I am so much pleased.
Requesting Relief from Administration
As the society rapidly expanded into an international institution, the administrative demands upon Śrīla Prabhupāda became overwhelming. Recognizing that his most lasting contribution would be his books, he fervently requested his senior disciples and GBC members to kindly step forward and manage the practical affairs. He expressed that the greatest relief they could offer him was to expertly handle the daily problems, allowing him to dedicate his remaining energy entirely to translating the Vedic literatures.
- Although there is no GBC man for Far East for addressing your questions, still, as I am now old man and inclined for philosophy and translating, I am asking my disciples to kindly give me some relief from so much administrative work and asking questions.
- Practically my health does not permit me to take up any active management or administration. I should now retire and GBC should kindly give me relief in this connection. Now our organization is expanding. We must have good GBC management.
- If the GBC which I have appointed for this task will kindly now assist me in this way, by handling very expertly and with all good consideration all matters of managing, I shall devote my full time to giving you further nice books.
- Kindly inform the others that I may be relieved to give you so many more nice books - that is my real desire.
- So I have given you my all senior disciples and leaders everything so if you will kindly take this matter very seriously and do my work for me I shall be very much thankful to you always.
Exhibiting Kindness Toward Others
The philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness naturally softens the heart, transforming a practitioner into a true gentleman under all conditions. Śrīla Prabhupāda instructed his leaders that they must deal with the public, their Godbrothers, and struggling neophytes with immense patience and mercy. He taught that rather than harshly rejecting someone for their mistakes, a true leader uses great skill, tact, and kind words to carefully reform them and keep them within the protective atmosphere of the society.
- Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life.
- Our principle is that we are kind, merciful, to everyone. But we have to eat, so we eat Krsna prasadam. Because after all, Krsna is the Supreme Lord. So if He eats something, the responsibility is His. But we are not advocate of vegetarianism or nonvegetarianism.
- It is better to correct him to the standard point by friendly gestures. We can reject anyone, that is very easy, but to reform him that requires great skill and tact and if you can reform him there by kind words and dealings, that is best.
- There is not question of a devotee becoming ostracized because he has become ill, nor do I think this is being widely practiced. One of the symptoms of a devotee is that he is kind, so if our Godbrother becomes ill it is our duty to help him.
- We should avoid any quarrel with our godbrothers, and always be very nice and kind to them, and cooperate with them.
Kindly Following the Instructions
Ultimately, the most profound way a disciple can reciprocate the kindness of the spiritual master is by strictly executing his orders. Using the word "kindly" as a gentle but firm directive, Śrīla Prabhupāda urged his students to save themselves from the attacks of māyā by rigorously chanting their sixteen rounds, following the four regulative principles, and pushing on the preaching work. He promised that if they would simply be kind enough to adhere to this authorized path, their safe return to Godhead was guaranteed.
- Actually I am dependent on your mercy. If you kindly follow my instructions and continue to push on Krsna consciousness, that will make me very happy. You must very strictly observe the regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds a day.
- If you kindly continue to advance on these lines as I have already chalked out for you your perfection of life in Krsna's service is guaranteed.
- Kindly execute the missionary activities very carefully with enthusiasm, patience, conviction, follow the regulative principles, chanting regularly 16 rounds, dealing without any duplicity, and above all keeping oneself in the society of pure devotees.
- Maya will always try to defeat us or even kill us but we can always be saved by clinging unto the Lotus Feet of Krishna. Kindly remember this secret of our success and try to convince all your God-brothers on this point.
- New devotees must all be trained nicely how to render devotional service by chanting 16 offenseless rounds daily and following the 4 regulative principles. Kindly set a nice example yourself for everyone and in this way make your lives perfect in full Krsna consciousness.
Conclusion
The foundation of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is built upon the reciprocal exchange of selfless love and profound kindness. Śrīla Prabhupāda expertly demonstrated how a true leader operates—not through harsh dictation, but through humble gratitude, deep appreciation for service, and an unending stream of mercy. By internalizing these teachings, the disciples learn that true spiritual advancement is inevitably accompanied by a softened heart, equipping them to expertly guide and uplift the suffering souls of this world with genuine Vaiṣṇava kindness.
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 Kindness (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.