Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples to Set the Ideal Example for Others
In the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, philosophical knowledge must be accompanied by practical realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly reminded his disciples that preaching is only effective when backed by immaculate personal behavior. By instructing his leaders, sannyāsīs, and senior students to strictly follow the regulative principles and treat one another with profound respect, he ensured that the movement would continually expand through the pure, attractive example set for others.
The Principle of Leading by Example
The Vedic tradition is fundamentally based on the principle of ācaraṇa, or teaching by personal behavior. Śrīla Prabhupāda stressed that one cannot successfully lead or uplift others if they are themselves entangled in the lower modes of nature. A preacher must first conquer the demands of their own senses by rigidly adhering to the spiritual master's orders before presuming to instruct the public.
- Lord Caitanya personally used to practice Himself the injunctions and then He used to teach others. That is our principle: Unless one is perfectly behaved person, he cannot teach others.
- Our business is to raise ourselves to the highest status of life as preachers of Krsna's message, and one should behave himself rigidly, then he should instruct others. Two things: Be himself exemplary, then teach others to be exemplary.
- You are progressing so nicely in Krishna Consciousness by teaching others. That is the system. Learn yourself and teach others, then this Movement will grow progressively.
The Responsibility of Senior Devotees
As the society grew, Śrīla Prabhupāda appointed temple presidents, Governing Body Commissioners, and sannyāsīs to manage affairs and guide the newer members. He placed an immense burden of responsibility upon these leaders, warning them that any deviation on their part would have catastrophic consequences. If a leader becomes a victim of illicit habits, the innocent devotees following them will be dragged down into material ruination.
- You are one of the important leaders, so if you are feeble and you are still victim of such habits, then the other members who are following your example will be led to ruination by you only.
- Continue executing your Krsna Conscious activities, chanting 16 rounds, studying our books, going on sankirtana, worshiping the deity, and in this way you will become advanced. As you are senior devotee you must set a nice example for the others to follow.
- That is your duty as sannyasa, to keep yourself always above suspicion in Krishna Consciousness programme, and to teach others to become like you, that's all. That is our perfect programme.
- Neglecting the principles means neglecting Krishna's order. So you are one of the chief men of this Institution, kindly maintain your behavior to the standard so that others will follow and the whole thing may go on nicely.
Cultivating Respect and Tolerance
Setting an ideal example is not limited to following external rules; it requires the internal cultivation of a Vaiṣṇava heart. Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that a true devotee does not find fault with others or become agitated by their mistakes. Instead, they remain profoundly humble, constantly aware of their own shortcomings, and treat every fellow devotee as their superior master (prabhu).
- Amongst ourselves one should respect others as Prabhu, master, one another.
- We are taught to address others as Prabhu. Prabhu means master; and the leader of the masters is called Prabhupada.
- One quality of a devotee is that he is always very much tolerant of other people, so I request you simply to tolerate the faults of others and always think that I am myself the most faulty. In this way your humble attitude will qualify you to advance.
- Devotee means he is able to tolerate all kinds of discomfort and whims of the material nature, and because he is so much absorbed in serving Krishna, he takes no time to become angry or take offense with others or find out some fault, no.
Cooperation in Training Others
The spiritual master invests his time and energy into his disciples with the expectation that they will eventually turn and train others. However, this training cannot take place in a fractured environment. Śrīla Prabhupāda heavily criticized the material tendency to envy another's progress, emphasizing that leaders must cooperate peacefully in order to effectively inspire the rest of the society.
- We should utilize our talents without being envious of others. You should do your best, but you should not be envious of others. In material life there is simply envy of others progress, but in spiritual life one encourages another.
- If you all leaders cannot work together, then how can you expect the others to cooperate with you?
- You are an old experienced devotee and I have personally trained you in so many things, so now it is your responsibility to train others otherwise what is the meaning of my training you?
Living Simply and Dependently
A crucial aspect of setting an example is maintaining a strict standard of simplicity. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarified the boundaries of material comforts within the different spiritual orders (āśramas). While householders (gṛhasthas) who earn their own income are allowed a certain degree of comfort to maintain their families, all others must live very simply. Taking advantage of the society's funds for personal luxury is strictly prohibited.
- A brahmacari cannot be luxurious. A sannyasi cannot be luxurious. A vanaprastha cannot be luxurious. Luxury is allowed only to the householder because they are earning their own money. Others are dependent.
- All should offer due respect to a Sannyasi. His position is always superior to all other inmates of the temple. He must always maintain that superior position by action and behavior.
- One cannot be luxurious at the expense of others. That is not allowed.
- The tendency you report of the householders living at the expense of others in our Society, is not good. One way to earn money is by selling books, they can be given a salary or commission.
Conclusion
A spiritual society cannot survive on theory alone; it requires living examples of the philosophy it preaches. By instructing his senior disciples to ruthlessly abandon material envy, tolerate offenses, and strictly adhere to their spiritual vows, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensured that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was guided by men and women of genuine character. It is this pure, cooperative example that ultimately gives power to the preaching and attracts 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 Others (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.