Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples to Develop Firm Faith in Guru and Kṛṣṇa
The spiritual path begins and ends with faith, known in Sanskrit as śraddhā. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly reminded his disciples that faith in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is never blind or sentimental. It is a profound, philosophical conviction that by dedicating one's life to the Supreme Lord, every aspect of existence becomes perfect. To achieve the highest success, a disciple must carefully cultivate this faith through strict adherence to the regulative principles and unflinching devotion to both Kṛṣṇa and the spiritual master.
Faith Based on Philosophy and Logic
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement completely rejects blind faith. Instead, disciples are trained to accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead through rigorous logic, philosophy, and the authorized testing methods provided in the śāstra (Vedic scriptures). By scrutinizingly studying texts like the Bhagavad-gītā, a sincere practitioner develops a mature, unshakeable conviction.
- We want to understand God through philosophy. "Through philosophy" means logic. Blind faith is not our business.
- We are accepting Krsna as God not blindly, but by testing. By testing. His character is mentioned in the books. Therefore, we accept God, not by blind faith, but by testing. Although we cannot test, but sastra gives us the chance of testing.
- Although we cannot test, but sastra gives us the chance of testing. We accept spiritual master by testing, not by blind faith. No. According to the Vedic instruction, tad-vijnanartham.
- To be convinced firmly with all reasons and argument, firmly conviction, this is called faith. Faith is not flickering. One must be firmly convinced. So then you immediately become joyful.
The Definition and Progression of Śraddhā
According to Vedic philosophy, śraddhā is defined as the firm conviction that simply by executing devotional service to Kṛṣṇa, all other duties are automatically fulfilled. This faith begins as a small spark that draws a person to hear from pure devotees. Through the association of these devotees (sādhu-saṅga), this initial faith gradually develops into niṣṭhā, a stage of steady, unflinching determination.
- Faith means firm conviction that "If I become transcendentally engaged in the service of the Lord, then my life becomes successful." This is called faith. And that conviction must be firm, not tottering faith.
- 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.
- If we prosecute our devotional activities and keep our association with the devotees, then we can be free from sinful activities. And when you are completely free from sinful activities, then we get nistha. Yes, it is full faith. Nistha means full faith.
- Apavarga-vartmani - on the path of liberation we shall increase our faith, sraddha, our devotion, bhakti, anukramisyati. It will come gradually, and our life will be successful and we shall be able to go back to home, back to Godhead.
The Secret of Success: Guru and Kṛṣṇa
The absolute secret to unlocking transcendental knowledge is maintaining equal, implicit faith in both the Supreme Lord and His pure representative. Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that one cannot jump over the spiritual master to reach God. By becoming a faithful servant of the ācārya and executing his orders without hesitation, the disciple is guaranteed all spiritual strength and ultimate liberation.
- That is the sublime philosophy of Krishna Consciousness understanding; implicit faith in Krishna and Spiritual Master. This will make your steady progress towards the Ultimate Goal of back to Home, back to Godhead.
- One should have unflinching faith in God and spiritual master. Don't jump over God, crossing the spiritual master. Then it will be failure. You must go through. We are observing Vyasa-puja ceremony, the birth anniversary of our Guru Maharaja.
- Krishna is always with you provided you are sincere in His service and faithful to your Spiritual Master, that is the secret success.
- Simply by studying, becoming bookworm, you cannot advance. The real secret is... That is stated in the Vedas. Unflinching faith in God and spiritual master. Then things will be revealed from within. How much strength we have got to study all these books?
Protection Through Faithful Execution of Vows
The material world is deeply conditioned by the illusory energy, māyā, which constantly attempts to inject doubts into the mind of the practitioner. The only way to remain immune to this epidemic is by faithfully executing the vows taken at initiation. By strictly following the four regulative principles and chanting the holy names, the disciple's faith remains completely protected.
- If we deviate from the strict following of the regulative principles Maya is always ready to inject doubts to shake our faith in Krishna.
- If you stick to the principles of rules and regulations and chanting, keeping faith in Krishna and Spiritual Master, then Maya cannot touch you.
- I have always stressed this point; that if we simply follow the regulative principles, chant regularly daily 16 rounds, and maintain firm faith equally in Krishna and Spiritual Master, that your life will become sublime.
- The initiates as above mentioned are all taking vow before the Deity, the Supersoul within, the devotees, the spiritual master, the fire, and so they are vowing before so many witnesses to keep faithfully these regulative principles.
Faith in the Preaching Mission
A devotee's faith is not meant to be kept inactive; it is practically demonstrated through dynamic preaching and service. Śrīla Prabhupāda assured his disciples that if they push forward the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement with firm faith, Kṛṣṇa will personally provide all the necessary intelligence, resources, and protection required to deliver the suffering world.
- If we work sincerely keeping faith in Krsna and Spiritual Master there will be no difficulty at all in our preaching work.
- Faith means that you are meant for giving some service to Krsna. You should stick to that service, that path, in spite of all impediments. That is the passing of test.
- The only thing wanted is that we should work very sincerely, with full faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then all help will come automatically.
- The preaching work of Krishna Consciousness Movement is specifically meant for delivering the demons. Therefore, if you remain faithful to the Lord, you shall be able to deliver many such demons.
Conclusion
Unflinching faith is the lifeblood of devotional service. By firmly rooting their faith in the logical conclusions of the śāstra, avoiding blind sentiment, and dedicating their lives to the orders of the spiritual master, Śrīla Prabhupāda's disciples attained the ultimate spiritual shelter. It is this pure, unshakeable faith that empowers a devotee to cross over the ocean of material illusion and return back to Godhead.
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 Faith (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.