Prabhupāda Teaches His Disciples How to Attain Perfection
The quest for perfection is a natural driving force within every living entity, but outside of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, this search ends in frustration. Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly taught his disciples that true perfection is not achieved by attempting to become God or by mastering complex material skills. Rather, the ultimate perfection of life is attained simply by surrendering to the Supreme Lord, faithfully chanting His holy names, and acting as a humble instrument under the direction of the disciplic succession.
The True Meaning of Perfection
The material conception of perfection is based on temporary success and independent control. In contrast, spiritual perfection is defined by complete dependence on the Supreme Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that whenever the living entity is conditioned by māyā, they suffer, but the moment they willingly become conditioned by God, they achieve perfection. By dedicating all thoughts, words, and actions to the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa's senses, a devotee immediately transcends all material distress.
- Our only business: how to love Krsna, how to serve Krsna. That's all. That is perfection.
- Take to this Krsna consciousness service by hearing, by speaking, by remembering, by giving actually service, by worshiping, by making friendship, and after all, everything for Krsna. That is perfection.
- When our senses will be engaged to satisfy the senses of Krishna, at that time we will have perfect sense gratification, and be free of all distressed condition.
- We are not perfect, none of us, but if you perfectly follow the orders of the perfect, then you are perfect. You should not think that "I have become perfect."
- If you become conditioned by God, that is your perfection. And if you become conditioned by maya, that is your trouble. You must be conditioned. That is your position. You cannot be independent.
Following the Instructions of the Ācāryas
The tiny, limited brain of the conditioned soul is utterly incapable of discovering the absolute truth independently. Therefore, Śrīla Prabhupāda assured his followers that they did not need to invent new methods or rely on their own flawed intelligence. By simply placing staunch faith in the bona fide spiritual master and meticulously carrying out his instructions, a neophyte disciple automatically shares in the perfection of the paramparā.
- If you have got a bona fide spiritual master and if you simply follow the instruction, the perfection is guaranteed. Just like a perfect engineer and a neophyte working under his instruction, however foolish he may be, all his work is perfect.
- Nobody can become perfect without serving the bona fide spiritual master. That is the motto.
- To become acarya is not very difficult. First of all, to become very faithful servant of your acarya, follow strictly what he says. Try to please him and spread Krsna consciousness. That's all. It is not at all difficult.
- Your confidence to do whatever you are instructed by the Spiritual Master is very encouraging. Yes, this is the method of the Vedic injunction, staunch faith in Spiritual Master and Krsna makes one perfect in spiritual understanding.
The Power of the Holy Name
In the age of Kali, humanity is heavily burdened by contamination, making difficult yogic processes impossible to execute. Yet, Śrīla Caitanya Mahāprabhu freely distributed the highest platform of spiritual realization through the chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. Devotees are instructed to never doubt the efficacy of this process; by faithfully and persistently chanting the holy names, absolute perfection is practically guaranteed.
- What one should do is chant the Holy Name of the Lord with faith, enthusiasm, and firm conviction on the statement of Lord Caitanya that simply by chanting the Maha Mantra one can be gradually elevated to the highest platform of spiritual perfection.
- Don't think that this chanting and dancing will not lead you to the desired goal. It will because there is assurance of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that you will get all perfection by this process.
- If for fifty years one chants simply Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, he is sure to become perfect. There is no doubt about it.
- Wherever you are you should always go on chanting, and that in itself will bring all perfection.
- Of course, we cannot be perfect anyway, but they are far, far better than any krsna-bhakta in the world. Even Indians, they say: "Oh, they are better than us." And what is the process? Simply they are chanting Hare Krsna. This is practical.
Dedicating Talents and Work to Kṛṣṇa
Perfection does not require a person to artificially abandon their natural inclinations or professional skills. The true principle of renunciation (yukta-vairāgya) is to utilize one's God-given abilities for the service of the Lord. Whether a disciple is an artist, a writer, a businessperson, or a carpenter, Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that they achieve the ultimate perfection of their occupation by simply offering the results of their labor to Kṛṣṇa.
- Krsna says, svakarmana: "Whatever talent you have got, you can serve Me and be perfect." That is the program. They're preparing cloth for the devotees, not for business. Therefore he's serving Krsna. To serve devotee and to serve Krsna, there's no difference.
- It is your good fortune that you can serve Krishna in so many ways - to work, to write, to speak, to paint, to build - all of these talents must be employed in Krishna's service. That will make you perfect.
- An artist can attain perfection simply by performing artistic work under the direction of the spiritual master.
- By your education you just describe the quality, the greatness of the Lord, yad-uttamasloka-gunanuvarnanam and that is the perfection of your education.
- If you are, you are fit for becoming a carpenter, why should you imitate a brahmana? Better be expert carpenter and serve Krsna with the result of carpentry work. Then there is perfection.
Avoiding False Pride and Complacency
A serious danger on the spiritual path is the mental concoction that one has already reached the finish line. As soon as a devotee feels self-satisfied and thinks they no longer require the strict discipline of the regulative principles, they immediately fall down. Śrīla Prabhupāda strongly advised his followers to perpetually cultivate a mood of inadequacy, recognizing that their service is never truly complete and always remaining eager to be corrected.
- The more you think as imperfect, the more you make actual progress in Krishna Consciousness. This hankering after perfection is seen in even the most perfect devotees. So we should never think of being perfect at any stage.
- Disciple should be always ready to be chastised. He should not think that he has become perfect. That is perfection.
- Never think that service is perfect. That will keep you in the perfect stage. Yes. We should always think that our service is not complete.
- We should not believe our mind, that we have become perfect. By mental dictation we should not be guided. That is a very bad practice, to think of, that "I have now become liberated, I don't require to follow the regulative principles."
- I am very sorry that Subala das has assumed such air of importance. We should always remember that we are on the path of perfection, but we are not perfect.
Perfecting the Preaching Mission
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement exists to rescue conditioned souls from the suffering of material existence. To accomplish this immense task, the preachers of the society must become perfect examples of character. By behaving flawlessly, rigorously practicing the art of devotion, and repeating the philosophy of the ācāryas without any adulteration, his disciples become genuine heroes capable of saving the entire world.
- First behave yourself perfectly; then teach others to become perfect. That is preacher.
- The process is that you should memorize the purports of my books and then speak them in your own words. Do not adulterate or change anything. Then you will be the perfect preacher.
- We must become so responsible for seriously practicing this art of Krsna consciousness, because this world is so full of degrading elements of life for dragging everyone down and down, and if just a few men can perfect the art, they can save the rest of all the people.
- Hero means someone who others want to follow as example of the best type of person. So you all become like that, perfect examples of Krishna Consciousness heroes and heroines, and preach the message exactly as I have taught it to you.
Conclusion
Perfection in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is remarkably sublime because it relies entirely on the mercy of the Lord and the spiritual master. By teaching his disciples to humbly submit to the instructions of the disciplic succession, strictly avoid false pride, and dedicate their daily occupational duties to Kṛṣṇa, Śrīla Prabhupāda provided a foolproof method for spiritual success. Those who sincerely execute these simple instructions quickly realize that their perfection is already eternally guaranteed.
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 Perfection (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.