Prabhupāda Expresses Pleasure When His Disciples Are Doing Things Very Nicely
When serving the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the quality of one's endeavor is paramount. In his letters and instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly emphasizes that true expertise in bhakti-yoga simply means executing every assigned duty with the utmost care and attention. By performing their various services very nicely, his disciples demonstrate their sincere love for Kṛṣṇa and ensure the continued expansion of the spiritual movement.
The Standard of Expert Service
In the absolute realm, there is no qualitative difference between scrubbing a floor and giving a grand lecture, provided both are done for the Lord's satisfaction. Recognizing this, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches his followers that to be expert means to avoid haphazard work and instead utilize one's full capacity for Kṛṣṇa. A true practitioner does not perform their duties mechanically; they voluntarily apply their intelligence and love to complete every task perfectly.
- Any work you do, do it very nicely. That is expert. Don't do it haphazardly. To your best talent, to your best capacity, try to finish it very nicely, whatever it may be. You are entrusted with some work. Do it nicely. That is expert.
- Do your business nicely. That is expert. And when it is dovetailed in Krsna, there is no gradation that this business is better and that business is lower because everything is for Krsna. So that business becomes Krsna. Do it nicely and Krsna is satisfied.
- This is Krsna consciousness. You must voluntarily agree—not hackneyed, mechanical: "Spiritual master says like this. All right, let me do it." No. You have to understand very nicely. Tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam. Priti, with love.
- You are very dutiful. Do your duty nicely, but see by executing your duty whether you are developing your love for Krsna. That is the criterion.
Maintaining the Temple Routine
The spiritual strength of any center relies entirely on the strict adherence to daily devotional practices. To keep the devotees peaceful and protected from māyā, Śrīla Prabhupāda insists that temple managers must organize the routine programs flawlessly. When activities like āratī, classes, and Deity worship are executed regularly and nicely, the community naturally becomes happy and firmly situated in transcendence.
- Just do all our routine work nicely. This routine program is the backbone of our movement, and we stand solid on such program such as chanting, speaking, arati, reading scriptures, prasadam, like that. These things are sufficient for us.
- I am glad to hear that in your temple no one misses mangala arati and everyone is becoming steady and peaceful in their service. It sounds as if you are taking care of your men very nicely. This is first class management.
- I can see that you are very nicely taking care of the Deities, and this is much appreciated by me.
- Both husband and wife combined together please see that the temple service is being executed regularly and nicely, and thus make your lives happy and successful.
Distributing Books and Magazines
Because transcendental literature provides the most profound spiritual education, its publication and distribution must be handled with the highest priority. Whenever disciples arranged for the printing of books or successfully placed standing orders in schools, Śrīla Prabhupāda expressed immense satisfaction. He views the organization of the book department as one of the most vital services, urging his followers to push it forward expertly.
- I cannot stress this point enough that we must handle this publication of Back to Godhead very nicely for it is one of the most important aspects of our society. So you will please do the needful in this regard.
- Try to organize our book selling department very nicely. That will be great service to the society and to the people in general.
- The library party is doing very nicely. It is nectar to my ears to hear the list of schools which are taking our standing order.
- From your letter it appears that you are doing nicely distributing books and if you say that with help you could make at least one life member daily, then why not continue on in Madras for a month as you suggest or until there is no more field.
Preaching and Expanding the Mission
A pure devotee naturally wants to share the absolute truth with others, and this requires both philosophical understanding and practical presentation. By nicely organizing saṅkīrtana parties, public festivals, and philosophical debates, disciples prove their dedication to the mission. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that when gṛhastha families and preachers cooperate to present the philosophy expertly, opposing elements are easily defeated.
- To chant Hare Krishna, very nicely, with musical instruments and mrdanga, speak the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, and sell our literatures like books and magazines. That process will make our mission successful.
- Try to understand the philosophy very nicely, because you are going to preach. So many opposing elements will come. So you have to defend yourself.
- I am pleased that you are ideal householder. And you are doing very nicely combined together husband and wife. Please do it as you are doing and gradually Krishna will give you all facility.
Developing Communities and Varṇāśrama
To demonstrate the practical application of spiritual life, the society established expansive farm communities based on simple living and high thinking. Śrīla Prabhupāda envisioned these projects as ideal examples of the varṇāśrama system, where cow protection and agriculture are managed perfectly. By developing these lands nicely, devotees create sanctuaries that resemble the spiritual world, far removed from the miseries of modern civilization.
- I want to have a small Vaisnava state—varnasrama, ideal. Ideal Vaisnava state. Brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, they are doing very nicely, and people will be surprised, "Oh." There is no question of hatred. It is division for proper discharge of duty.
- This is cow protection. We must tend the cows very nicely so that they give us sufficient milk. And with that milk we shall live.
- This (New Mayapura) is a first-class place. You can develop it into a Vaikuntha. It is already Vaikuntha, Krsna is there. But develop it very nicely, peacefully live. Hundreds of miles away from the hellish cities.
- Yes, we want to develop our land there and Bhaktivedanta Manor very nicely with cows and gardens.
Cooperation and Pleasing the Spiritual Master
The ultimate goal of every disciple is to satisfy the desires of their guru. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that this satisfaction is achieved when followers work together harmoniously, avoiding internal quarrels while aggressively pushing forward the preaching work. When devotees cooperate to open new centers and victoriously defend the philosophy, they bring immense joy and renewed vigor to their spiritual master.
- It will please me very much if you all can work together nicely.
- You'll praise your Guru Maharaja. That is not very difficult. But be victorious to the opposing elements. Then you will praise your Guru Maharaja nicely. At home, you can praise your Guru Maharaja.
- As soon as I remember that you are trying to fulfill my desire of trying to open ten centers, it gives me renewed vigor and life. Please do it nicely.
Conclusion
By insisting that everything be done nicely, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that his followers remain focused, expert, and continually absorbed in devotion. Whenever a disciple executes their duty with care and love—whether through temple management, book distribution, or cooperative preaching—they advance on the path back to Godhead. It is this high standard of practical service that guarantees the ongoing success and purity of the entire spiritual institution.
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 Doing It Very Nicely (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.