Prabhupāda Reveals the Cause of His Disciples Problems
The material world is inherently full of anxieties and complex entanglements. Whenever his followers encountered difficulties, profound perspective was consistently offered by Śrīla Prabhupāda, teaching them that every challenge ultimately stems from a forgetfulness of God. He assured his disciples that by strictly following the regulative principles and chanting the holy names, they would realize that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the supreme, practical solution to all economic, managerial, and personal problems.
The Root Cause of All Difficulties
Mundane society constantly tries to improve its condition through political or technological adjustments, but these efforts only create further complications. A profound spiritual diagnosis was provided by Śrīla Prabhupāda, explaining that every single problem in the world—from global nationalism to personal anxiety—is simply due to a lack of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He taught that the ultimate problem is not how to acquire a comfortable living situation, but how to stop the cycle of repeated birth and death.
- Hare Krishna Mantra will clear away all of the difficulties that you have mentioned. Actually, as pure spirit soul, there is no difficulty; the cause of all problems is that we are forgetful of the fact that we are part and parcel of Krishna.
- Our subject matter is not material things, that somehow or other you get a car and a good apartment and a good wife, then all your problems solved. No. That is not solution of problems. The real problem is how to stop your death.
- You are thinking that by adjustment of this external energy, you will be able to live very happily. Is it possible? You are trying, problem after problem.
Solving the Economic Problem
The struggle for financial security consumes the majority of human energy, yet true devotees are completely free from this burden. Absolute confidence in the Lord's protection was instilled by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who assured his followers that there is never any real economic problem for a surrendered soul. By engaging vigorously in book distribution, preaching, and establishing self-sufficient farm communities, the society can easily produce all its basic necessities while saving valuable time for spiritual advancement.
- Our only motive is how to interest people in Krsna consciousness. That's all. There is no economic problem. We can produce our own food and clothes, gradually, and save time for spiritual life.
- Krishna has solved all your problems. Print books and sell and get rich; that's all. We have got asset, our books, so where is the question of poverty? So don't be disheartened at any circumstance. Depend on Krishna.
- For plain living we must have sufficient land for raising crops and pasturing grounds for the cows. If there is sufficient grains and production of milk, then the whole economic problem is solved.
- You are correct in thinking that simply by this full-time preaching activity all other problems will be solved very easily in the matter of financial and other problems. What is that financial security?
Resolving Managerial Complexities
As the worldwide mission rapidly expanded, various administrative and organizational difficulties naturally arose. To prevent these issues from hindering the preaching work, a highly practical administrative structure was established by Śrīla Prabhupāda. He urged his disciples to resolve their local differences cooperatively and to consult the Governing Body Commission rather than burdening him with daily affairs. Ultimately, he noted that management problems disappear when the members focus deeply on increasing the spiritual content of their own lives.
- Go on with your work, and other instructions will follow. Simply become more concerned with increasing the spiritual content of our lives, and in this way all other problems like management will be easily solved.
- Hansadutta is here with me now and other GBC members, they are consulting all problems and trying to relieve me of management, so in future you may consult with the local GBC and work co-operatively, that will give me relief for printing my books.
- I cannot deal with so many managerial problems. The GBC is there to relieve me from so many problems such as this one.
- Differences may be there, but still you have to cooperate together, otherwise where is the question of my being relieved of so many problems and decisions?
The Ultimate Solution Is Chanting
No amount of material adjustment can perfectly shield a person from the miseries of the conditioned state. Therefore, the absolute necessity of strict spiritual practice was repeatedly emphasized by Śrīla Prabhupāda. He guaranteed that if his disciples simply adhered to the regulative principles, maintained the association of pure devotees, and chanted their sixteen rounds daily without fail, all of their external difficulties would vanish. The mahā-mantra itself is the most powerful tool for solving the problems of existence.
- I assure you that if you follow the regulative principles of chanting 16 rounds, observing strictly the prohibitive injunctions, keep association with pure devotees, plus taking care of the Deities in the Temple, surely all your problems will be solved.
- Chant Hare Krsna and you become purified, more, more. And day will come when you find that you are completely pure from all material contamination and you become eligible to enter into the kingdom of God, and that makes a solution of all problems.
- Even if there may be some problems, always try to remain in Krishna Consciousness. Do not give up chanting the Hare Krishna mantra simply due to some external difficulties.
- Do not let yourself fall out of this association. Even if it is very difficult and there may be many problems or disagreements still simply by remaining in the association of devotees and follow our regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds, rising early.
Transcending Personal and Social Issues
Living within the material body inevitably brings physical pain, interpersonal friction, and social struggles. A very strict standard regarding personal grievances was maintained by Śrīla Prabhupāda, who clearly stated that the spiritual master is not meant to be a counselor for mundane marriage disputes. He instructed his followers to learn tolerance, accept the frailties of the physical body, and realize that true relief from personal suffering is found exclusively in executing the orders of the guru with an enthusiastic heart.
- Thank you for serving steadily and taking responsibility in Krishna Consciousness. The spiritual master cannot be approached for solving marriage problems. That is not the business of the guru.
- I am so much disturbed by problems caused by sex life that I am not going to sanction any more marriages. Our devotees must do it at their own risk from now on and they must provide their own income for living together outside the temple.
- Regarding your problem, first thing is that the philosophy of the Bhagavad-gita is that one must learn to tolerate the sufferings due to the frailties of the material body.
- Your enthusiastic response to my instructions is very encouraging. Actually the disciple is supposed to find relief from all his problems just by carrying out the orders of the spiritual master.
Conclusion
By consistently redirecting his disciples away from temporary material adjustments, a universal remedy for the struggles of life was provided by Śrīla Prabhupāda. He ensured that his followers understood that no amount of economic development or managerial restructuring could permanently remove their anxieties. Through his deeply practical and transcendent instructions, he proved that simply executing the orders of the spiritual master with a sincere heart naturally solves all problems and leads the soul back to 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 Our Problems (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.