Prabhupāda Reminds His Disciples What They Were Before Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
The journey from material degradation to spiritual perfection is filled with profound personal transformations. To help his followers appreciate the magnitude of this change, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently reminds them of exactly what they were before encountering Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By reflecting on their past habits, hidden spiritual histories, and early preaching struggles, his disciples develop immense gratitude and remain steadily fixed on the path back to Godhead.
Rescued from the Degraded Habits of the West
Prior to the arrival of the pure devotee in the West, the younger generation was deeply entrenched in the sinful activities of the modern age. When addressing his students, Śrīla Prabhupāda often points out that many of them were previously addicted to drugs, meat-eating, and other self-destructive behaviors that essentially amounted to spiritual suicide. By strictly following his merciful instructions, they successfully abandoned these deeply ingrained habits and embraced a life of absolute purity.
- Regarding the drug-addicted young boys and girls in your country, we can give them the best service as it is already evident from our practical movement. Most of my students were drug addicted formerly and now having taken to Krsna consciousness.
- Most of you were, in your former life, you were smoking or taking intoxication. But by some influence, if you sometimes take to it, yes, if you are conscious, "Oh, I have done wrong," but that is excused if you have done unconscious.
- I say that you cannot take meat, you cannot smoke. So all my students, they were accustomed to this habit, but by my order they have restrained.
- You were saved from a commitment of suicide. So you have seen the mantra in Isopanisad: ye ke catma-hano janah. So not only you, but almost all the conditioned souls within this material world, practically 99% of the whole population is committing suicide.
The Divine Purpose Behind Their Western Births
Although their immediate past was filled with material degradation, their actual spiritual history was far more profound. Revealing this divine secret, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that many of his Western disciples were actually advanced in yoga during their previous lifetimes. By the divine arrangement of the Lord, these souls specifically took birth in Europe and America so they could perfectly assist the spiritual master in spreading the movement across the globe.
- In Yadu-vamsa Krsna ordered all the devotee demigods to "Go and take birth there to help Me." Similarly, you were born in Europe, America, to help this. Otherwise you were devotees in your past lives. I have explained that in my recent writings.
- In your young age you have taken to this process of Krsna consciousness. This means that in your previous life you were advanced in yoga but somehow or other you were not able to complete, but now you have taken to it as if automatically.
- I very much appreciate both yours and your brother's activities and it appears that both of you were in your previous birth advanced in this line of Krsna consciousness, and here is another chance to complete it.
- Krsna has brought them here in Mayapur. Previously they were advanced. All of you. You are simply born because the mission was to be started.
Appreciating the Mercy and Early Struggles
Recognizing the stark difference between a life of illusion and a life of devotion is crucial for maintaining spiritual enthusiasm. To foster this appreciation, Śrīla Prabhupāda challenges his followers to honestly compare what they were previously to the elevated state they have now achieved. Whether recalling the severe congestion of their early temples or the intense opposition they faced from the public, remembering how they were saved by the mercy of the paramparā keeps devotees humble and continuously dependent on Kṛṣṇa.
- Compare what you were before to what you have become, now challenge any other mantra to produce such effect.
- We were saved by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Road. We shall always expect to be saved by His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaj Prabhupada. Always pray to His lotus feet.
- Just like in our Krsna consciousness you can get one example. Just like in 7 Bury Place we were congested. So we were feeling. Krsna immediately supplied you this, Bhaktivedanta Manor: "Take it." Huh? You cannot construct this house even in your own life.
- When we were in danger, there was so much obstruction for constructing the temple, and we prayed to Krsna that it should stopped. We prayed to Krsna, "Please give Your protection." That is for Visnu's purpose.
Nostalgic Memories of Early Service
The early days of establishing the worldwide movement were characterized by intimate association, intense struggles, and immense shared devotion. With deep affection, Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently looks back on these formative years, fondly recalling how enthusiastically his original students were serving him. Remembering the specific moments they were chanting in the temple or driving him to preaching engagements, he encourages them to maintain that same pure, blissful dedication throughout their entire lives.
- Please be engaged in the service of Lord Krishna very enthusiastically. You are my old disciple and I know how much enthusiastically you were working in the beginning.
- When you were chanting in L.A. temple in the evenings, or in the mornings, I enjoyed your chanting so nicely that I thought myself immediately carried to Vaikuntha.
- While you were driving your car and I was sitting by you hearing your transcendental vibration, this very sincere attempt has enriched your consciousness and my only instruction is that you may constantly do this habit without fail.
- I am very glad to hear from you that Berlin centre is progressing nicely under your expert supervision. You are one of my older disciples. I think you were the first devotee in European continent, so now you have got good experience how to do things well.
Conclusion
Reflecting on the past is not meant to induce lamentation, but rather to inspire profound spiritual gratitude. By constantly remembering what they were before receiving the mercy of the disciplic succession, the disciples of Śrīla Prabhupāda remain powerfully motivated to push the mission forward. This clear perspective ensures that they will never return to the dark well of material life, choosing instead to eternally serve the Supreme Lord with unyielding enthusiasm.
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 Were (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.