Prabhupāda Teaches His Disciples That Trying Their Best is True Success
Establishing a worldwide spiritual movement in a completely godless age requires incredible resilience, and teaching his followers how to measure true success is the compassionate approach Śrīla Prabhupāda utilizes to keep them inspired. He repeatedly assures his disciples that absolute perfection is not demanded immediately; rather, simply making a genuine, wholehearted attempt to execute the instructions of the spiritual master is the ultimate requirement. By maintaining their enthusiasm and trying their absolute best in every endeavor, devotees naturally attract the boundless mercy and protection of the Supreme Lord.
The Duty to Preach to the Sufferers
Spreading transcendental knowledge to a society deeply entrenched in ignorance is a formidable task. Equipping his followers with the correct preaching mindset is a priority that Śrīla Prabhupāda addresses by emphasizing duty over outcomes. He explains that whether one is approaching cultured individuals or fallen yavanas and mlecchas, the preacher's only responsibility is to try their absolute best to present the philosophy, knowing that Kṛṣṇa fully recognizes and rewards the sincere attempt.
- As living representative of Krsna, our duty is to save these fallen conditioned souls. That is our duty. One may agree to come or not come. It doesn't matter. You try your best to bring him to this Krsna consciousness position.
- Distribute perfect knowledge, Krsna consciousness, and that will make the whole world happy. So try to distribute this knowledge to your best capacity. Krsna will recognize you, that you are trying your best to work on His behalf.
- Everywhere it is difficult because people have become godless. Still, we have to try our best. The task is difficult, undoubtedly. It is very difficult task, to bring back people to God consciousness.
- We are trying to the best of our ability to introduce the Krsna consciousness movement directly into the countries of the yavanas and mlecchas. Such yavanas and mlecchas are coming to us and becoming purified Vaisnavas who follow in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Sincerity is the Highest Qualification
In the material world, expertise is often judged by polished skills and academic degrees, but in spiritual life, the standard is entirely different. Defining true expertise as genuine sincerity is the profound lesson Śrīla Prabhupāda imparts to his students. He reveals that the highest qualification for a Vaiṣṇava is simply to render service—whether it is preaching on a grand scale or humbly sweeping the temple floor—with absolute dedication and to the utmost of one's current capacity.
- So far as your duty is concerned, you are doing your best. That is your spiritual qualification. The best qualification for a Vaisnava is to act sincerely, and to his best capacity, for the service of Krishna.
- Expert means whatever he is doing, he must do it very nicely That's all. Suppose you are sweeping this room. You can do it very nicely, to your best knowledge. That is expert. The people will say, "Oh, you have very nicely done."
- Simply we, the workers, the servitors, must be very sincere. Then Caitanya Mahaprabhu will give us more and more facilities so that we can work very well. So keep this mission always in view and do your best. That is my only request.
- The secret of success in Krishna Consciousness is to render service to Krishna to the best of our capacity. There is no other alternative to this. The more we render service therefore, the more we are able to advance.
Depending on Kṛṣṇa for Results
The tendency to desire the fruits of one's hard work is deeply ingrained, yet remaining unattached to success or failure is the true transcendental position. Training his disciples to fight diligently while relinquishing the results is the strategic guidance Śrīla Prabhupāda continuously offers. He instructs that while devotees must never sit idle, they must vigorously use their intelligence to serve, fully understanding that all ultimate victories belong solely to the Supreme Lord.
- We must always sincerely try to do our best with great determination. This is the transcendental position. Success or failure, this is not our business. We leave that up to Krishna.
- We should try our best to our best capacity, and victory will come from Krishna. We should never sit idly and ask Krishna to do everything.
- We should fight to our best, but depend the result on Krsna. Don't try to take the credit for yourself. That is wanted.
- You'll know Krsna will give you protection. You try your best, you use your intelligence, but believe in Krsna. Varasa neha pitaro nrsimha. If Krsna neglects, no other remedy can protect.
Overcoming Difficulties and Disappointments
Pioneering a spiritual movement naturally invites numerous obstacles, from governmental interference to public apathy. To prevent his young followers from falling into depression, offering personal encouragement is the loving technique Śrīla Prabhupāda masters. He reassures his disciples that even he faced tremendous hardships when first arriving in the West, and insists that maintaining enthusiasm and doing one's best is the only required remedy to overcome all disturbing situations.
- I am very much disturbed to hear from you that you have become disturbed in your mind. Do not be disturbed. There is no cause for anxiety. You are doing your best to serve Krishna, that is very much appreciated, do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration.
- Similarly, I came in New York, in 1965, in the same position, and gradually many students like you have come to me. So don't be disappointed. Do and try your best and Krishna will give you all help.
- You should not be discouraged if people are not coming to your meetings. We are trying to please Krishna. That is all. We simply must go on with our business, to the best of our ability.
- I understand that the draft board is also disturbing you. It is also disturbing to me, but we have no other recourse than Krishna. Do your best to serve Krishna and he will give you required intelligence to cope with disturbing situations.
Perfection in Daily Spiritual Life
Adhering to strict daily vows like chanting sixteen rounds of japa can be challenging for those conditioned by modern lifestyles. Showing immense compassion for these struggles, clarifying that Kṛṣṇa accepts the honest endeavor over mechanical perfection is the gentle instruction Śrīla Prabhupāda provides. He emphasizes that as long as a devotee refrains from harboring a cheating propensity and persistently tries to rectify their flaws, the Lord will personally help them achieve the ultimate goal.
- Even we cannot complete sixteen rounds, we are so unfortunate. But that does not mean because we are unfortunate, we shall give it up. Try, try, try your best. Then life will become perfect.
- As a householder even there is some flaws in following the rules and regulations, it doesn't matter. You should try your best and with Krishna's help - Krishna will help you.
- Regarding your feeling yourself as unqualified, whatever you can do, then do it, but you should try your best for Krishna. This is important. Ultimately everything is depending on Lord Krishna. You just have to always remember this.
- We want to see good result. Even there is no good result, we don't mind. We must be sincere to Krsna that "We have done our best." That's all. Without cheating Krsna.
Conclusion
The path of pure devotional service is paved not with instantaneous perfection, but with unbreakable determination. By assuring his followers that their honest, tireless efforts are fully recognized by the Supreme Lord, fostering deep spiritual confidence is how Śrīla Prabhupāda guarantees the success of his mission. He reveals that Kṛṣṇa is not a harsh taskmaster demanding impossible feats, but a loving father who simply wishes to see His children try their absolute best to return back to Godhead.
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 Trying Our Best (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.