Prabhupāda Teaches His Disciples That Preaching is the Best Way of Pleasing Kṛṣṇa
Overcoming the deeply rooted desire for material sense gratification requires a complete shift in consciousness. To guide his followers toward this pure state, establishing that the only valid goal of human life is to please the Supreme Lord is the exact standard Śrīla Prabhupāda demands. He clearly explains that pleasing Kṛṣṇa is not a vague or sentimental idea, but a practical reality achieved by strictly following the regulative principles, worshiping the Deities, and enthusiastically dedicating one's life to preaching the message of the Bhagavad-gītā.
The Principle of Pleasing Kṛṣṇa First
In the conditioned state, every living entity labors intensely to satisfy their own senses. Reversing this unnatural mentality is the primary spiritual surgery Śrīla Prabhupāda performs on his disciples. He philosophically explains that true liberation simply means transforming the goal of one's daily work, ensuring that every thought, action, and endeavor is completely devoid of personal motivation and executed strictly for the pleasure of Kṛṣṇa.
- Any activity which will please Krishna should be accepted favorably; this is our guiding principle.
- In our conditioned life we are trying to satisfy our senses, and in our Krsna consciousness life we are satisfying to please Krsna. That is the difference. So my work is not stopped, but the goal of life is changed. That is liberation.
- 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.
- The purpose of our life is to please Krishna; that is the business of the older children, to serve the father.
- Yes, we are doing everything for Krsna, but whether by that thing Krsna is pleased, that is to be seen. That is bhakti. Otherwise, you cannot do without Krsna. That's a fact.
Preaching and Book Distribution
Of all the various forms of devotional service, disseminating transcendental knowledge is considered the most magnanimous. To inspire his followers to take up this tremendous task, continuously reminding them how much Kṛṣṇa loves a preacher is the method Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly uses. He assures his disciples that printing and selling Vedic literature is not a mundane commercial business, but the absolute best way to capture the Lord's attention and receive His boundless blessings.
- Always remember that we are selling books not for making business but for pleasing Krsna, and by preaching we should sell books, not by cheating.
- Go on with your organization for distribution of my books through press and other modern media and Krishna will certainly be pleased upon you.
- Krsna becomes more and more pleased by seeing the increment of book distribution. Devotional service is absolute but one who preaches His message becomes very dear to Lord Krsna.
- Please distribute as many of our books as possible and Krsna will be very pleased.
- That is the sign of the first-class devotee, that he is always willing to sacrifice everything to please Krishna by preaching His glories, even under all sorts of difficult conditions. I am very encouraged by your attitude of sincere Krsna consciousness.
The Saṅkīrtana Movement
Taking the holy names out into the streets requires immense courage and spiritual conviction. By validating their public efforts, confirming that organizing traveling chanting parties perfectly fulfills the desires of the previous ācāryas is how Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages his young students. He guarantees that when Kṛṣṇa sees His devotees boldly pushing the saṅkīrtana movement forward regardless of the surrounding environment, He becomes extremely pleased and supplies all necessary facilities.
- According to place, time, and surroundings, try to push on this Sankirtana cult as far as possible and Krishna will be very very much pleased upon you.
- I am so much pleased to learn that you are taking Sankirtana as your life and soul. There is no doubt about Krsna's being pleased very much upon those who are engaged in such Sankirtana Movement, that is admitted by Lord Krsna.
- If all the members keep their faith in Krishna and try to please Him, certainly everyone will be pleased by hearing our Kirtana. It is sure and certain.
- Hare Krishna Mantra is the greatest common factor for self-realization. Please preach this philosophy whole-heartedly and Krishna will be very much pleased upon you.
- This traveling sankirtana party is really Lord Caitanya's movement, and when Krsna sees His men preaching in this way, He becomes very pleased. So you shall not lack for any facilities or inspiration to guide you at all times.
Pleasing Through Strict Devotional Practice
While preaching is paramount, it must be supported by immense internal purity. Establishing that the foundation for pleasing Kṛṣṇa lies in one's personal spiritual discipline is a strict standard Śrīla Prabhupāda enforces. He clarifies that diligently rising early, maintaining vows, and continually improving the quality of one's chanting are not just mechanical rules, but the very practices that draw the Lord's mercy and elevate the devotee to the transcendental platform.
- As we sincerely try to improve our chanting for the pleasure of Krishna, Krishna reciprocates and we feel our greatest pleasure which is devotional service to the Lord. So, you may continue with this method, it is very nice and approved by me.
- I have begun chanting. Maybe there are offenses, but if I continue, Krsna will be pleased to place me on the transcendental platform when I shall relish what is this chanting Hare Krsna.
- Simply because we rise early, take bath, chant sixteen rounds and strive with every activity to please Krsna - this is what impresses others.
- Revive rigidly the devotional practices and be repentant. Then Krsna may be pleased to excuse you. You must be repentant.
- You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krsna conscious in this life time.
Pleasing the Spiritual Master and Deities
Attempting to bypass the authorized representatives of the Lord is a severe spiritual mistake. To protect his followers from this illusion, confirming that Kṛṣṇa can only be approached through the disciplic succession is the theological truth Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly teaches. He ensures his disciples understand that perfectly executing the orders of the spiritual master and rendering immaculate, clean service to the Deities are the only guaranteed ways to satisfy the Supreme Lord.
- The conclusion is this: Without pleasing the spiritual master he cannot please Krishna. If anyone tries to please Krishna directly, he's fool number one.
- Our business is to satisfy the acaryas and Krsna. If they are pleased then we know our work is successful.
- As you have pleased me, you should take it that you have pleased Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is for this I have given you sannyāsa, to be prepared to go anywhere on my order and preach sincerely and purely without any other consideration.
- Proper Deity worship, with all attention to cleanliness, is of the utmost importance. If you can please the Deity by your sincere service, then your temple will flourish.
- More you please the Deities there with your service, the more they shall reciprocate by bestowing upon you love for Sri Sri Radha Krsna.
Unwavering Dedication and Practical Action
Spiritual life is not meant to be a vague, utopian dream disconnected from reality. Grounding his followers in practical action, demonstrating that pleasing Kṛṣṇa requires utilizing plain common sense is the mature guidance Śrīla Prabhupāda offers. He advises his disciples to remain unfazed by economic hardships or difficult conditions, emphasizing that a devotee must simply do whatever is practical and necessary in their immediate circumstances to favorably serve the Lord.
- 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.
- I have given this idea all along - why you big leaders do not understand it? You should take it to heart as a guiding principle that somehow or other we always please Krishna by doing what is practical and necessary, according to time and place.
- Krishna Consciousness means practical living, not something utopian or idealistic and vague. We simply do the needful, whatever pleases Krishna most, that's all.
- The governing principle for our activity should be to do what is favorable for pleasing Krishna. So if your child requires medical attention to be fit for serving Krishna, then it is only practical she should get it.
- This is Krishna Consciousness. No matter what the conditions, still a devotee will always try his best to please his spiritual master and Krishna.
Conclusion
The complexity of spiritual elevation is completely simplified by the concept of unmotivated service. By assuring his followers that their efforts are never lost, deeply embedding the desire to please the Lord is how Śrīla Prabhupāda perfectly trains his worldwide society. He guarantees that when a disciple stops working for their own satisfaction and sincerely strives to execute the orders of the disciplic succession, Kṛṣṇa personally clears their path and grants them eternal association.
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 Pleasing Krsna (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.