Prabhupāda Promises His Disciples That They Will Not Fail in Pure Devotion
To navigate the treacherous ocean of material existence, a sincere practitioner requires absolute faith in the protective power of the Supreme Lord. When guiding his followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda offers profound guarantees that those who strictly adhere to the principles of pure devotion will be entirely safeguarded from illusion. By internalizing these divine promises, devotees gain the courage to execute their spiritual duties without fear, fatigue, or anxiety.
The Failure of Māyā and Absolute Protection
The illusory energy is incredibly powerful, yet it cannot penetrate the shield of pure devotional service. Encouraging his students, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures them that if they remain steady in their practice and faithfully follow the instructions of the disciplic succession, māyā will completely fail to attract them. By dedicating their lives to this serious mission, practitioners ensure that they will never be successfully attacked or overcome by material allurement.
- If we stick to the principle of Krsna consciousness, maya will not be able to react upon us. Eventually maya will fail to attract you. She will fail. You will not fail.
- We are all conditioned souls so we are affected by Maya, but if we sincerely chant and serve, our attachment for Krishna will be revived and we will no more have to come under this Maya.
- If you remain pure by following the instructions of your Spiritual Master there is no chance for maya to enter into the program. So I do not think you will find any more these politics at our Boston center or elsewhere.
- We have got very serious mission. Don't be fickle. When you have come and sacrificed your life for the mission, don't be fickle. Be very steady and capture Krsna's lotus feet tightly. You'll never be attacked by maya.
Holding Tightly to Avoid Falldown
The path of spiritual realization demands deep commitment and a refusal to be swayed by temporary circumstances. Recognizing the vulnerability of neophyte practitioners, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the only sure way to avoid falling back into material entanglement is to tightly grasp the lotus feet of the Lord. Whether initiating new students or encouraging seasoned preachers, he promises that Kṛṣṇa will provide all necessary facilities to ensure His sincere servants will not fall down.
- If you catch up Krsna's lotus feet very tightly, then you will not fall down.
- Those who are going to be initiated, they should take it as a vow not to fall down again. Catch Krsna's lotus feet very tightly and you'll not fall down.
- If you chant always Hare Krishna, read my books, and preach this philosophy sincerely, then Krishna will provide you with all facility, and you will not fall down into material entanglement.
- If Kirtanananda has ever sincerely served Krishna, and his spiritual master, he will not fall down. The temporary systems will fall down without delay. We should all pray to Krishna for his steady recovery.
Boundless Energy Without Fatigue
In mundane endeavors, working continuously naturally leads to exhaustion, boredom, and a desire to stop. In stark contrast, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches from his own practical experience that engaging fully in transcendental service generates limitless enthusiasm and inexhaustible energy. When a devotee is genuinely situated on the spiritual platform, they will not feel fatigued or satiated, but instead will experience a blissful eagerness to serve more and more.
- As you are engaged actually in spiritual life, you won't feel fatigued. You'll be fearless, and your life will be always blissful. These are the symptoms.
- But spiritual purpose, if you work more than twenty-four hours... Unfortunately, you haven't got more than twenty-four hours at your disposal. Still, you won't feel fatigued. I tell you. This is my practical experience.
- In the material platform, if you serve somebody, you will find tired, satiated. You won't like. But if you engage yourself in the service of Krsna, you'll find yourself more energetic. You'll like to serve more and more. That is the test.
- The more you can reduce your sleep and eating, you keep good health, especially for spiritual purposes. But not artificially. But when you advance, naturally you'll not feel, just like Raghunatha dasa Gosvami.
Freedom from Anxiety and Maintenance Plans
A common fear for those dedicating their lives entirely to spiritual propagation is how their basic physical needs will be met. To completely remove this anxiety, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically declares that a pure devotee will never starve while engaged in God consciousness. Rather than making independent plans for their maintenance or petitioning the Lord for daily food, practitioners simply execute their duties with full faith that they will always be perfectly maintained.
- Don't think that you will starve in God consciousness. You will never starve. You go on with your duty, loving God and preaching love of God. You will always be opulent, be sure.
- Don't make any plan. Accept Krsna's plan. That will be simply giving trouble to Krsna. Therefore, a devotee does not pray even for his maintenance. That is pure devotee. He doesn't give trouble to Krsna even for his bare maintenance.
- If he has no maintenance, he'll suffer, fasting; still, he'll not ask Krsna, "Krsna, I am very hungry. Give me some food." Of course, Krsna is alert for His devotee, but a devotee's principle is not to place any plan to Krsna. Let Krsna do.
- In New Vrindaban we are keeping cows. That is an example. And the cows are giving milk, delivering milk, double than other farmers. Why? Because the cows know that "These people will not kill me." They are not in anxiety.
Returning to the Spiritual World
The ultimate reward for tolerating the rigors of spiritual discipline is permanent liberation from the cycle of birth and death. As the perfect well-wisher, Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees that anyone who seriously understands the transcendental nature of the Lord will not have to accept another physical body. By remaining steady and unagitated throughout this lifetime, the sincere disciple safely crosses beyond the jurisdiction of material punishment and will never return to this miserable world.
- If you simply understand Krsna, what is Krsna, then tyaktva deham, giving up this body, you'll not have to accept another material body. This is the statement of Bhagavad-gita.
- You are very fortunate to be taking part in the Krishna Consciousness movement. If you take it very seriously, then you will not have to take another birth in this miserable material world.
- What is the difference between the spiritual world and the material world? The difference is that if you go to the spiritual world, then you will not return again in this material world.
- We should be very careful to stick to Krsna consciousness without being agitated or deviated in any circumstances of life. Then we will not be liable to the punishment of Yamadata.
Conclusion
The profound assurances provided by the founder of the movement offer an unbreakable shield against the doubts and anxieties of material life. By internalizing these promises, the disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda gain the courage to execute their duties without fear, fatigue, or the desire for mundane security. Ultimately, relying on these divine guarantees ensures that a practitioner will successfully conquer illusion and eternally reside in the spiritual 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 We Will Not (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.