Prabhupāda Expresses His Affection for the Boys Who Became His Disciples
The extraordinary expansion of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement across the globe was spearheaded by the sincere young individuals who dedicated their lives to the absolute truth. Reflecting on this unprecedented phenomenon, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently expressed deep affection and profound amazement at the transformation of the Western boys who became his followers. By giving up their material habits and taking up strict spiritual vows, these young men formed the dynamic core of the society and became the primary agents for spreading spiritual knowledge worldwide.
The Transformation of Western Youth
Many of the young men who joined the movement came from backgrounds heavily immersed in materialistic culture and destructive habits. Yet, by coming into contact with transcendental sound, they underwent a miraculous transformation that astonished observers. Śrīla Prabhupāda noted how these boys seamlessly abandoned intoxication, illicit activities, and gambling to adopt the pure lifestyle of a Vaiṣṇava, proving the absolute potency of the holy name.
- Although I am condemning the western mode of life, still, so many western young boys, they have come. I never came to speak to flatter you, that "Your western civilization is very nice." I never said that.
- American boys are very beautifully chanting Hare Krsna. They are chanting loudly. They are eagerly hearing Gita and Bhagavata siddhanta. They are also practicing sadacara, leaving all bad habits. Also, they are taking Mahaprabhu's mahaprasada.
- By chanting Hare Krsna mantra they will be God-realized. Just like these boys. Four years ago they did not know what is meant by Krsna. So now they are so perfect.
- Here is a boy who was about to commit suicide, but he came to Krishna instead and now he is perfecting his life. That is most encouraging news.
- These boys, they were not educated in Vedic literature, never. But how they have taken to this Krsna consciousness? This is the magic of Krsna consciousness.
Genuine Spiritual Motivation
Observers often wondered why young people from affluent nations would voluntarily accept a life of austerity and discipline. In response to this, Śrīla Prabhupāda highlighted that these boys were genuinely searching for a higher reality beyond mundane sense gratification. They engaged tirelessly in collecting donations and distributing literature, yet they never kept a single farthing for their personal enjoyment, demonstrating unalloyed devotion and complete detachment from material rewards.
- These European and American boys who are with me, there are hundreds and thousands of them sacrificed their life. They are not coming of foolish parents or foolish nation. Unless there is some profit, how they are doing? There must be some profit.
- Obedience should be without any motive. Just like see here the Europeans and American boys, they are obeying Krsna or Krsna's representative without any condition. They have not come here to obey my order for earning livelihood or for some material purpose.
- These boys are after God. It is not that I have shown him God, but they are realizing, understanding. Otherwise they are not so fool they'll waste time. But it is not a subject matter to be seen like this.
- Everything can be turned. Hari-sambandhi-vastunah: without any attachment. Just like these boys, they are collecting money, but not a single farthing they are spending for themselves. Not a single farthing.
- You see the Americans and European boys. They are no more interested with material activities. You bribe them that "Again come to material activities." They will refuse, because param drstva nivartate. They are actually liberated.
Training the Future Leaders
To ensure the long-term stability and purity of the society, systematic education from an early age is absolutely essential. By establishing the gurukula system, Śrīla Prabhupāda created a protective and spiritually nourishing environment where young boys could be trained as pure brāhmaṇas and brahmacārīs. He instructed his senior followers to take meticulous care of these children, understanding that they represented the future hope of the global preaching mission.
- Any boy who comes there, please take special care of them. As it generally said, the child is the father of the man. So if we can train little boys to Krishna Consciousness, it will be a great help to our future activities.
- In our movement, the guru-kula plays an extremely important part in our activities because right from childhood the boys at the guru-kula are instructed about Krsna consciousness. Thus they become steady within the cores of their hearts.
- The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has decided to introduce the gurukula system of education for the proper training of young boys in the traditional gurukula way laid down in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- We are training our boys to become brahmanas, to refrain from four kinds of sinful activities, to take bath, to take this, take that. And above all, chanting Hare Krsna. Ceto-darpana-marjanam (Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 20.12), cleansing of all sinful activities.
- Please take care of Birbhadra, Girish and Dwarkadish, and make them nice brahmacharies. Treat them like your own children. These boys are future hope for our preaching Krishna Consciousness, so help them grow in that spirit.
The Need for Care and Patience
Navigating the spiritual path is not without its difficulties, especially for those newly transitioning from a lifetime of conditioning. Recognizing that the material energy, or māyā, is incredibly powerful, Śrīla Prabhupāda urged his temple managers to be exceptionally patient and forgiving with the younger devotees. While strict discipline is necessary for spiritual growth, it must always be applied with deep affection and a genuine desire to reform rather than reject.
- He is young boy, so we should not take his actions too seriously, better to forget the past and try to reform him.
- Certainly this boy is very good soul to be in contact with Krishna Consciousness even at such an early age so be patient with him and I think that he will continue to progress very nicely.
- These new boys should be taken care of very nicely. We should always remember that we are in the kingdom of Maya and her influence is very strong.
- My dear boy, please remember that Maya is very strong. Any one of us can be arrested by her at any moment if we are not strongly attached to Krishna Consciousness.
- The boy is very intelligent, but you should not only be kind upon him, that is understood because we should always be kind, but at the same time you should be very strict on disciplinary method.
Entrusting the Mission
As the society grew into a vast international organization, the administrative burden naturally needed to be distributed. Preparing for the future, Śrīla Prabhupāda deliberately trained his young disciples to take on the heaviest responsibilities of management and global preaching. He expressed supreme confidence that these empowered boys would successfully carry the movement forward, pushing the mission into every town and village even after his physical departure.
- I am old man, 73 years old; I may die at any moment. But I am now assured my movement will go on. These boys will carry it. My mission is in that way successful.
- When these young boys are fully ready, vast preaching will take place in these Western countries through them. I remind them that I am old. "At any time I may have to say namaskara to Yamaraja, so you all try to understand this Krsna consciousness philosophy properly."
- So far, up to date, actually I am the only superior controller, but as the boys are getting experienced I shall very soon transfer the administration to them, simply keeping myself as an overseer guide.
- Those boys who are helping me are opening branches very quickly and preaching this cult of Krishna Consciousness very sincerely.
- You are all qualified American boys, now push on this glorious mission without letting it be hampered by personal differences.
Paternal Affection and Reciprocation
The relationship between the spiritual master and his followers is built on profound spiritual love and mutual gratitude. Throughout his letters and conversations, Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly thanked his disciples for their sacrifices, referring to them affectionately as his spiritual sons. He declared that his greatest happiness and ultimate success were realized when he saw these sincere boys maturing in their spiritual lives and perfectly executing the orders of the paramparā.
- All my disciples they are good boys, intelligent, and hard working.
- When I first came to your country I had no idea how much the American people would cooperate with my Krsna Consciousness. But now good boys like yourself and all my other spiritual sons and daughters all around the world have been giving me great hope.
- When a disciple becomes perfect in spiritual advancement, the spiritual master feels very, very happy, that "I am a nonsense, but this boy, he has followed my instruction and he has achieved the success. That is my success."
- My future hope is you all good spiritual sons. Still I am taking as much care as possible. My only desire is that you all good boys may take up the matter very seriously.
- Your prayer and all other boys' prayers has saved me and I hope to render some service to you all for some more years. Please pray to Krishna and He will give us strength and energy in every respect.
Conclusion
The immense success of the worldwide preaching mission is intrinsically linked to the sincere dedication of the youth who surrendered to the absolute truth. Through his expert guidance and boundless compassion, Śrīla Prabhupāda shaped inexperienced and conditioned individuals into powerful spiritual leaders. His heartfelt affection for these boys serves as an eternal testament to the transformative power of pure devotional service and the unbreakable bond between the spiritual master and his disciples.
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 Boys (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.