Prabhupāda Instructs His Disciples to Respect Their Godbrothers as Prabhu
Creating a worldwide spiritual society from diverse backgrounds requires a powerful unifying force, and embedding a culture of profound mutual respect is the exact method Śrīla Prabhupāda utilizes. He trains his followers to abandon the competitive, envious mentality of the material world and instead view every Godbrother and Godsister as their superior master, or prabhu. By fostering genuine affection, encouraging collaborative study, and demanding strict cooperation, he ensures that his disciples remain peaceful and perfectly united in their mission to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Addressing Godbrothers as Prabhu
In the material world, everyone desires to be the master, leading to constant friction and exploitation. Reversing this conditioned habit, establishing the etiquette of addressing peers as prabhu is the brilliant psychological and spiritual tool Śrīla Prabhupāda implements. He explains that prabhu literally translates to "master" or "boss," meaning that a devotee must genuinely cultivate the humble mindset of being the servant of all their fellow workers, completely eliminating the desire for false prestige.
- Everyone should treat his Godbrothers as Prabhu. But nobody should try to claim any extra honor on account of an official position.
- Everyone thinks that my contemporary devotees are doing better than me. We are trained to address Godbrothers as Prabhu, which means Master. This means we shall try to find out always the serving side of our Godbrothers.
- I have asked you all to address your Godbrothers as prabhu. This prabhu means boss. If everyone of us thinks of his fellow worker as boss there is no question of misunderstanding.
- In Krsna consciousness we address our contemporaries as "prabhu." Prabhu means master. And the real idea is that "You are my master, I am your servant."
- We are trained up to say my brother, that "prabhu," "such and such prabhu." Prabhu means master. Nobody think himself that he is master. He should always think that everyone is his master because he's serving the master. This is our philosophy.
Overcoming Envy and Disputes
Whenever individuals work closely together, differences of opinion are bound to arise. While acknowledging that minor family disagreements are natural, strictly forbidding bitter quarrels and envious behavior is the firm boundary Śrīla Prabhupāda sets for his temples. He warns his disciples that attempting to suppress a successful Godbrother or allowing arguments to fester are gross material contaminations that will ultimately spoil the entire spiritual program.
- A difference between godbrothers is natural. That difference of opinion will continue, what can be done.
- In our Krsna consciousness movement, if we become envious, "Oh, my Godbrother, oh, he has become so popular. He is making so much progress. So put some impediments towards his progressive path," this is also material.
- It is a natural thing for the brothers to fight, as long as they all stay obedient to the father.
- The quarrel amongst yourselves, the Godbrothers is not very much palatable.
- You must stop this fighting between brothers. Otherwise the whole program will be spoiled.
Genuine Affection and Compassion
An institution cannot survive purely on rules and regulations; it requires the lifeblood of loving relationships. Demanding that his followers develop deep, genuine affection for one another is a core standard Śrīla Prabhupāda expects from advanced devotees. He instructs the men to view all women in the society as mothers and sisters, and insists that any Godbrother who falls ill must be treated with the utmost care and compassion rather than being ostracized.
- Affection for God-brothers is nice, it is a good sign. Affection for God-brothers as well as for all other living entities, even they are not God-brothers, these signs are seen in the advanced devotees.
- Any god-brother's wife or any unmarried girl in our society should be always treated as mother and sister. Any married woman should be treated as mother.
- Relationship between Godbrothers must be very genuine and pleasing, otherwise the future of our institution will not be very hopeful. After all, very soon you have to manage.
- There is no question of ill treating of our own Godbrothers simply because they are sick, nor should you allow such neglect to go on.
- There is not question of a devotee becoming ostracized because he has become ill, nor do I think this is being widely practiced. One of the symptoms of a devotee is that he is kind, so if our Godbrother becomes ill it is our duty to help him.
Collaborative Study of Śāstra
The vast philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is difficult to master in isolation. To accelerate their understanding, encouraging his disciples to read the Vedic literatures together is the practical study method Śrīla Prabhupāda recommends. He advises younger devotees to frequently consult their elder, more experienced Godbrothers, engaging in philosophical discussions that illuminate the subject matter from different angles of vision.
- I hope you will read our books attentively and you should ask guidance in understanding Krsna consciousness from your elder God-brothers.
- I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your godbrothers.
- Study Bhagavad-gita As It Is and Srimad-Bhagavatam and continue to help your god-brothers in developing Krishna consciousness. So develop your preaching abilities in this way, and this will be the most successful and appreciated endeavor.
- Study our literatures attentively and try to understand the philosophy nicely with the help of your God-brothers. Always work cooperatively to spread Krsna consciousness movement and chant Hare Krsna and your life will be sublime.
- Try to learn our philosophy very nicely with the help of your elder God brothers and sisters, go on Samkirtan, and always be engaged in some kind of Krishna work, then Krishna will bless you to advance more and more in Krishna consciousness.
Appreciating and Serving Other Devotees
Because the spiritual master is eternally accompanied by his followers, pleasing him requires pleasing his disciples. By emphasizing the supreme value of Vaiṣṇava association, training his students to sincerely appreciate the talents and services of others is how Śrīla Prabhupāda crushes narrow, crippling sectarianism. He explains that viewing a Godbrother's success as an inspiration rather than a threat is the hallmark of a truly advanced devotee.
- I find in you some good qualities. You think yourself as very humble but you appreciate the services of your God-brothers and I am very much pleased on your such behavior.
- If the central point is Krsna, so there is no dissension. It is a competition, that "My Godbrother, my Godsister, is serving such a way. She is so well versed in this art. Why not try myself to do something?" This is variety.
- Regarding serving your godbrothers, this is a very good practice. The Spiritual Master is never without His followers, so to serve the Spiritual Master also means to be the servant of His disciples.
- We do not think in terms of that simply my brother is good, I am good. And all bad. This kind of narrow, crippled consciousness we hate, we kick out.
- Your appreciation for the service of your God-brothers is very much laudable. This is actually a devotee's business that everyone should appreciate the value of other devotees.
Unifying for the Preaching Mission
The global expansion of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement depends entirely on the combined efforts of its members. Begging his followers to cooperate, revealing that their unified work is the only way he can successfully translate his books is the profound plea Śrīla Prabhupāda makes to his society. He stresses that even if difficulties arise or Godbrothers fail to perfectly cooperate, a sincere disciple must tolerate the hardships and remain steadfast in executing the preaching mission.
- Even there is some difficulty or hardship, or even my godbrothers may not cooperate or there may be fighting, still, I must perform my duty to my spiritual master and not become discouraged and go away, that is my weakness.
- I am glad that you are going to New Vrndavana and with the help of your other Godbrothers make a nice program for our future activities. It is my ideology that this Krsna consciousness movement can solve all the problems of conditioned life.
- It would not be possible for me to preach all over the world except for your cooperation, you and your Godbrothers and sisters who are maintaining centers all over the world.
- Please always keep the association of your good Godbrothers and sisters and work very cooperatively with them for pushing on this movement.
- Whenever I hear complaints or disturbances in our centers my mind becomes too much disturbed and I cannot properly translate my books. So please spare me from such disturbance by cooperating all together Godbrothers and Godsisters.
Conclusion
The purity and longevity of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are guaranteed as long as its members remain united in love and service. By training his disciples to treat their Godbrothers and Godsisters as their prabhu, removing the poison of envy and competition is the immense legacy Śrīla Prabhupāda leaves behind. He proves that when devotees deeply appreciate one another, study together, and cooperate through all difficulties, they become an unstoppable spiritual force capable of delivering 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 Our Godbrothers (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.