Prabhupāda Instructs His Disciples to Set the Perfect Example Themselves
In the effort to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness worldwide, enthusiasm must be matched by profound personal integrity. Addressing the natural tendency to want to teach others before fixing one's own flaws, Śrīla Prabhupāda firmly instructed his disciples that they must first purify themselves. He taught that by becoming ideal devotees, remaining strictly above suspicion, and depending entirely on the Supreme Lord, they would naturally acquire the spiritual potency needed to transform the hearts of the suffering humanity.
The Foundation of Personal Purity
Before one can effectively distribute the message of Kṛṣṇa consciousness to others, they must undergo a rigorous process of self-purification. Recognizing the hypocrisy of preaching without practice, Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly demanded that his disciples first become ideal devotees themselves. When a preacher embodies perfect behavior and spotless character, their words carry an undeniable spiritual potency that effortlessly transforms the hearts of others.
- First behave yourself perfectly; then teach others to become perfect. That is preacher.
- The first preaching work is that yourself should become an ideal devotee. Lord Caitanya said that one should first make himself perfect and then attempt to instruct 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 have to prepare strong devotees, not import them. You yourself become strong devotees and teach others by your example. Importation is not a good plan; everyone should be strong by behavior and action.
- If you yourself remain always pure, then your preaching will have effect. As soon as there is little impurity, the whole thing will deteriorate and go to hell.
Leading by Ideal Example
Those who step into positions of leadership within the society carry a heavy spiritual burden to maintain the highest standards. In his letters to temple presidents and managers, Śrīla Prabhupāda reminded them that their authority is actually a divine force pushing them to advance further. By remaining completely above suspicion and demonstrating ideal conduct, leaders naturally inspire cooperation and respect from their peers without needing to exert artificial control.
- As President, now you will be forced to advance in Krishna consciousness because you must always set the highest example yourself, and I think that this is Krishna's special favoring you. Try to always see the highest purity is maintained in all respects.
- Now you are the leader of so many men, so you have got the blessings of Krishna's favoring you, because now He is forcing you to be responsible for becoming yourself perfectly example of Krishna conscious devotee.
- Best thing is to be above suspicion ourselves, then if we see discrepancies and make suggestion the others will automatically respect and take action to rectify the matters. That is cooperation.
- If you simply instruct them as I have taught also you, being yourself always the perfect example and above suspicion, that will act with great force. I am doing that.
- Those who are members of this society, they should be ideal. Simply by their association people will become good, very good responsibility. And if they become bad themselves, there is no possibility because we are giving instruction.
Self-Protection from Illusion
The material energy, known as māyā, is incredibly powerful and constantly seeks to exploit any weakness or vulnerability in a spiritual practitioner. To ensure the safety of his followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda insisted that they actively protect themselves by strictly adhering to the regulative principles and chanting the holy names. If devotees do not secure their own spiritual standing through these fundamental practices, they risk falling victim to illusion before they can ever hope to save anyone else.
- Before saving others we must first see that we ourselves are protected from the dangerous effects of maya.
- Maya is very strong. If we do not keep ourselves fit by chanting Hare Krsna, we may fall a victim at any moment.
- We simply have to maintain our strict principles, keeping ourselves pure. Otherwise, there are so many bogus institutions doing business in the name of God and simply cheating the people.
- The maya is so strong that as soon as I am sitting in a solitary place, then I'll think of money and women. Therefore we should live always in assembly and chant Hare Krsna and save ourself from the danger of material falldown.
- Always fix yourself in Krishna's service and you will be far away from Maya's touch.
Avoiding Internal Conflict
In any growing organization composed of individual personalities, minor disagreements and differences of opinion are bound to occur. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda severely warned his disciples against allowing petty conflicts and political infighting to disrupt the mission. He instructed them to rise above their personal interests and resolve disputes amicably among themselves, recognizing that internal fighting ultimately spoils the collective effort to serve the Supreme Lord.
- I do not know why our students who are supposed to be the leaders of this movement will fight amongst themselves for supremacy. Our whole process is of surrendering.
- The matter will have to be taken up by the GBC at their general meeting and whatever decision they make you will have to abide by. This business must stop. If you fight amongst yourselves what can I do? This fighting will spoil everything.
- To have some little disagreements amongst yourselves is not very unnatural because we are all individual beings. But as we are all working on behalf of Krishna we should always forget our personal interests and see to the prime cause.
- We have to be very sincere devotee of Krsna and He will supply everything. In that position, go on preaching. Don't be tottering. You have taken a great responsibility; go on executing it. Don't fight amongst yourselves for petty things.
- I think in ordinary administration the presidents of different centers may consult amongst themselves and make certain general procedures by mutual agreement. But when there is some more important factor, that must be referred to me.
Depending Completely on Kṛṣṇa
A fundamental shift in consciousness occurs when a devotee stops relying on their own limited abilities and instead places their full trust in the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Rejecting the materialistic mindset of self-preservation and technological salvation, Śrīla Prabhupāda taught his students to depend completely on Kṛṣṇa for their protection and success. When devotees surrender their independent endeavors and simply pray for the Lord's mercy, He personally guides them to the ultimate perfection.
- Because we cannot do it ourself, by our own endeavor, therefore we have to take shelter of Krsna. He will help.
- We do not believe. "Oh, God cannot give us protection. Let me try my own technology. I shall protect myself."
- Draupadi prayed, "Krsna, if You like, You can save." So this is the position. So long we try to save ourself, then that is not very good. If you simply depend on Krsna, "Krsna, if You save me, that is all right. Otherwise kill me, as You like."
- Regarding your feeling yourself as unqualified, whatever you can do, then do it, but you should try your best for Krishna. This is important. Ultimately everything is depending on Lord Krishna. You just have to always remember this.
- Don't feel yourself to be alone because Krishna is always with you. Krishna is always with every living entity as Supersoul, and to His devotee especially He talks and gives instructions how to attain the perfectional stage of meeting Him.
Unmotivated Dedication to Service
True devotional service is defined by the complete absence of personal motivation and the singular desire to bring joy to the Supreme Lord. Within his instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly emphasized that devotees must act as selfless instruments rather than independent enjoyers. By completely abandoning the pursuit of their own satisfaction and dedicating themselves entirely to Kṛṣṇa's will, disciples unlock boundless spiritual intelligence and profound transcendental happiness.
- Our service to Krsna is voluntary and we are interested only that He shall be pleased, not myself.
- We want to serve Krsna. We want to offer everything to Krsna. We do not want to enjoy anything ourself. That is Vaisnavism.
- Simply we have to desire to please Him (Krsna), and not desire anything for ourselves. Then we become simply instruments for His will. This is the important essence of Krsna consciousness.
- Our the whole instruction of Bhagavad-gita is that: You should not act for yourself; you should simply act for Krsna. So even fighting for Krsna, or even doing something still abominable for Krsna.
- Actually the more selfless dedication you apply yourself with, the more Krsna will be pleased and the more he will give you intelligence how to expand the preaching in His Name.
Conclusion
The success of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement depends heavily on the individual purity and integrity of its members. By demanding that his disciples rise above personal motives and internal disputes, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensured that the society would remain a pure vehicle for the Lord's grace. When devotees dedicate themselves fully to the instructions of the paramparā, protect themselves from illusion, and set the perfect standard of behavior, they become empowered instruments 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 Ourself (Disciple 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.