Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples on Properly Training Someone in Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
The expansion of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement depends heavily on the proper cultivation of sincere individuals. Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that whenever a new candidate is integrated into the society, they are met with high spiritual standards and compassionate but firm guidance. He clarifies that initiation is not a cheap acquisition, but requires strict adherence to regulative principles, steady daily practice, and authorized recommendation. By properly training each soul and firmly dealing with disturbances or whimsical behavior, he protects the purity of the institution. Ultimately, this careful process of spiritual education guarantees that every dedicated practitioner becomes genuinely qualified to represent the Supreme Lord.
The Standards for Initiation and Training
Accepting a candidate for initiation is a serious responsibility that demands strict adherence to basic spiritual rules. Śrīla Prabhupāda mandates that a prospective disciple must demonstrate philosophical understanding, strictly follow the four regulative principles, and be properly recommended by the temple authorities. Additionally, candidates must not be prematurely elevated to advanced positions simply because of a temporary shortage of men.
- After some time of appreciating our program and trying to understand our philosophy, when someone is very interested and recommended by the Temple Commander, for becoming initiated, I accept him.
- My first condition is that if someone wants to become my student he has to follow these four regulative principles.
- Just because there are no men is not a good reason to make someone a brahmana.
- Mataji Haimavati can train your wife or someone how to worship the deities nicely, and you both stay there for the time being.
Steadiness in Leadership
For the movement to flourish, the individuals managing its centers must exhibit unwavering dedication. Śrīla Prabhupāda stresses that an ideal leader is one who sticks to their post tightly, refusing to abandon their duties whimsically when difficulties arise. If an appointed manager proves to be unsteady or repeatedly falls down, a more reliable replacement must be established to ensure the project's success.
- From now on if someone takes the leading post, he must agree to stick and not go away just because it is difficult from time to time. That is ideal leader.
- I am more impressed if someone has opened one centre and that he has stayed there tightly and developed nicely, not going away whimsically.
- He admits that the boy who is taking over, Devaprastha has been very unsteady in the past. So whether you want to send someone there who is more steady and will stay there and develop.
- Someone of the GBC will come there and Brahmananda will be transferred to somewhere else. Perhaps he can go to Europe. If Brahmananda also falls then of course there will be trouble there. What can be done?
Strict Adherence to Daily Vows
The foundation of all spiritual power lies in the uncompromising execution of the daily sādhana. Śrīla Prabhupāda commands that essential duties, such as rising at four in the morning and chanting sixteen rounds, must be strictly followed by everyone, including full-time book distributors. Even when individuals experience weakness or ecstasy, they must remain anchored to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa and follow authorized standards.
- If someone has desired to distribute books all day he may do this, but he must always follow the principles of rising early, chanting 16 rounds, etc.
- To get up at four in the morning is definite, there is no compromise on that. Someone gets up and someone doesn’t, No! You have to get up at four in the morning every day that is called dhrta-vrata and dhirah-vrata.
- That one has been found to be very weak in one place does not mean that he should stop fighting the crocodile of maya. One should take shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna, as we shall see Gajendra do, and at the same time one can be a grhastha.
- All of Lord Caitanya's followers used to dance with raised hands. If someone dances with ecstasy, that is all right, but it is better to dance with raised hands.
Dealing with Disturbances and Insincerity
While the society is eager to grant everyone a chance to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, purity and cooperation must be preserved. Śrīla Prabhupāda advises that while leaders should forgive occasional mistakes, anyone who repeatedly causes a disturbance or acts with insincerity must be asked to leave. Furthermore, whimsical demands to change established systems must be firmly rejected to protect the integrity of the movement.
- Of course we work very very hard just to get someone to come to the platform of devotee of Krsna, so we shall not be too much hasty to drive anyone out. Therefore we may forgive once, twice, but more than that we must take other steps.
- We are very eager to give everyone a chance to become Krishna Conscious, but if someone repeatedly causes a disturbance then he may be asked to leave.
- I am glad you are cooperating with Madhavananda. That I want. As long as we are sincere there is no question of split amongst us; the split only means someone is not sincere, otherwise there is no question of it.
- If every time someone feels something they call for changing everything, then all that I have done will very quickly be lost, so for the time being there shall be no such changes as you have arranged, until I study the matter thoroughly.
Practical Skills and Cooperation
Devotional service encompasses a vast array of practical tasks that require both individual training and communal cooperation. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that before an individual can teach specialized skills, such as making mṛdaṅgas or transcribing lectures, they must first successfully produce results themselves. By organizing these practical efforts cooperatively, devotees avoid unnecessary transgressions and efficiently serve the Lord's mission.
- First let him (Isana) produce something, then he can teach others. I have no objection. If somehow or other someone can learn how to make good mrdangas in America, it will be a great service.
- I want that someone learns how to make mrdangas in the Western countries. As far as I know Isana has not produced any mrdangas. So how will he teach your wife how to make them. First let him produce something, then he can teach others.
- Suppose on Monday you receive the tape number 17, let it be transcribed in two days by someone "A." Then in the next two days (days 3 and 4) someone "B" edits it. Then in the next two days (days 5 and 6) another "C" edits it for the second time.
- Sometimes we also have some parties in the temple. Someone wants to dress the Deity in a way, another wants to... Of course, they are not transgressing the rules and regulation, but still, everyone wants that "I shall serve the Lord in this particular way."
Preaching and True Education
The ultimate goal of training is to empower devotees to distribute transcendental knowledge globally. Śrīla Prabhupāda outlines that while anyone can be organized to distribute books, actual preaching and guiding others require special spiritual qualifications and thorough training. Ultimately, an individual who masters this transcendental science becomes the most perfectly educated person, far surpassing any mundane academic standard.
- As soon as someone is trained then go to preach very nicely in Poland. Try to make some literature in Polish and Russian. Anyone can be trained to execute orders in sending out the books but preaching requires special qualification.
- When you train up someone and produce sufficient literatures in the Italian language, then you go to the Spanish speaking countries. We have got a few books in Spanish language, and they are selling them in south America.
- If someone wants to work there are so many things. So eternally I want to remain your guide provided you want to accept me.
- Your parents desire that you become educated also, although they do now know that someone who is a devotee is best educated.
Conclusion
The meticulous process of guiding and training individuals forms the bedrock of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Through these precise instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that no one is artificially elevated or allowed to compromise the supreme standards of devotional service. By demanding strict adherence to daily vows, fostering steady leadership, and emphasizing genuine practical skills, he builds a resilient society of qualified preachers. Ultimately, a soul who successfully undergoes this transcendental training achieves the highest perfection of life, becoming fully equipped to deliver the entire 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 Someone (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.