Prabhupāda Teaches His Disciples Why They Are Being Prepared as Future Spiritual Masters
The journey of spiritual development is not a casual endeavor, but rather a highly systematic apprenticeship meant to transform ordinary individuals into pure devotees. By establishing a rigorous standard of education, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that his followers are being carefully equipped to carry on the sacred mission of spreading transcendental knowledge. Instead of allowing them to act whimsically, he personally oversees their steady progression so they can be freed from material conditioning. Ultimately, this meticulous guidance guarantees that sincere students are being shaped into authorized representatives of the Supreme Lord who can effectively rescue suffering humanity.
Being Trained as Dedicated Apprentices
Success in spiritual life relies entirely on strict adherence to the scriptural injunctions and the guidance of a bona fide guru. In order to cultivate genuine realization, Śrīla Prabhupāda insists that every single individual in his movement is being thoroughly trained before receiving formal initiation. By undergoing this period of apprenticeship, students learn to simply repeat the exact same message found in the authoritative texts without unnecessary mental speculation.
- By the order of the sastra, by the guidance of the spiritual master, you are being trained up as apprentice. This is called abhidheya - practice.
- It is perhaps in our movement only that each and every individual is being trained up. Others they do not do that. "I have made a guru; then my business is finished. Now I can do whatever I like."
- Not that these boys and girls are being initiated all of a sudden. They are trained up for six months, one year, then they are offered hari-nama.
- The students are being trained. The students, they also speak the same thing. There is nothing new. I also speak from the Bhagavad-gita and the students also speak from the Bhagavad-gita. The Bhagavad-gita is the same in all the centers.
Being Prepared to Become Future Spiritual Masters
The ultimate purpose of taking spiritual shelter is not merely to save oneself, but to become fully empowered to deliver others. Following the exemplary footsteps of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that both men and women are being perfectly trained to act as active preachers. By strictly comprehending the Vedic conclusions, these sincere disciples are being actively prepared to assume the heavy responsibilities of future spiritual masters.
- Just like I have got many Godbrothers, they are all acting. Similarly, all these disciples which I am making, initiating, they are being trained to become future spiritual masters.
- Since both the boys and the girls are being trained to become preachers, those girls are not ordinary girls but are as good as their brothers who are preaching Krsna consciousness.
- So far we are concerned we are being trained up by following the footsteps of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- They are being really trained to understand Western Monotheism under authoritative Vedic system.
Being Freed from the Control of Material Nature
So long as the living entity desires independence from God, they are forced to suffer under the rigid laws of material nature. To counteract this dangerous illusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda continuously reminds his followers that they are currently being slapped by the three modes of nature and placed into various miserable conditions. However, by humbly accepting the training process and submitting to the divine regulations, devotees are systematically being rescued from the cruel grip of māyā.
- It is duratyaya for the living entities, not for Krsna, because Krsna is the controller and we are controlled. Therefore in the next verse it is said, Jiva, we living entities, we are being controlled by this maya, sammohita. Sammohita means illusion.
- Just be submissive. Don't be puffed up artificially. You are being slapped always by the laws of material nature. Don't think that you are independent.
- We are being put into different conditions, under different types of body. So liberation means that one shall not be under any condition.
- We are being troubled by the three modes of material nature, but if we stick to our devotional service . . . it is not very difficult to follow the four regulative principles.
Being Protected and Destined by Kṛṣṇa
Once a soul sincerely engages in the practice of unalloyed devotional service, their destiny is no longer dictated by past mundane activities. Even when temporary difficulties arise, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures his disciples that they are being personally protected by the Supreme Lord. By trusting in this divine arrangement, the practitioners can remain completely peaceful, knowing that their entire existence is being gradually elevated to the platform of pure goodness.
- Even in our distressed condition we must know that we are being protected by Krsna. We should not be disturbed. Because we create so-called distress and happiness.
- Those who are engaged in devotional service, they are not under karma. Their destiny is being prepared by Krsna.
- Krsna consciousness movement means everything is being gradually developed into goodness.
Being Welcomed and Respected Worldwide
The glorious result of undergoing such authentic and rigorous spiritual training becomes visibly manifest in how society receives the devotees. Because they are practically displaying ideal character and meaningful service, Śrīla Prabhupāda happily notes that his followers are being deeply appreciated by all communities. From the highest educational circles to the mainstream media, this genuine movement of pure devotion is being universally respected and welcomed.
- Our devotees and Sankirtana are being appreciated by all communities.
- Our movement is a genuine movement and we are being accepted as such by the higher educational circles all over the world.
- They (my disciples) are always engaged in meaningful work, serving God and their fellow man. They have become the flower of your country and all over the world they are being treated with the highest respect.
- We are being so favorably presented everywhere by the media. Just today two editors of Indian newspapers have informed me of their intention to print special issues devoted to our Movement as well as give daily one article on our philosophy.
Conclusion
The path of pure devotional service requires much more than mere sentiment; it demands absolute surrender to a transformative process. By carefully shaping his disciples into authorized spiritual teachers, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensures that the transcendental science will successfully survive for generations to come. As they tolerate the strict training and transcend the harsh laws of material nature, these sincere souls are being molded into perfect instruments of divine compassion. Ultimately, by submitting to this profound apprenticeship, the devotees secure the eternal protection of the Lord and earn the profound respect of the entire 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 We Are Being... (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.