Prabhupāda Teaches His Disciples the Standard for One Who is a Devotee
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not a mundane organization; it is an educational institution meant to create ideal human beings. To establish clear expectations for his followers, defining the exact qualifications of a devotee is the leadership Śrīla Prabhupāda provides. By repeatedly using the phrases "one who" and "those who," he carefully outlines the specific duties, mindset, and behavior required of anyone who claims to be a disciple. He teaches that one who strictly follows the rules, preaches enthusiastically, and works without material motive will undoubtedly conquer the illusions of the material world.
The Qualifications of a Leader and Guru
True spiritual authority is not attained through political maneuvering or material designations. Clarifying the standard for leadership within the society, teaching his disciples how one becomes an empowering guide is the foundational instruction Śrīla Prabhupāda delivers. He explains that one who perfectly understands the science of Kṛṣṇa, rigidly follows the disciplic succession, and acts as a first-class disciple automatically becomes qualified to lead and initiate others.
- Actually one who has attained the perfection, she can become guru. But man or woman, unless one has attained the perfection.... Yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya. The qualification of guru is that he must be fully cognizant of the science of Krsna.
- Every student is expected to become Acarya. Acarya means one who knows the scriptural injunctions and follows them practically in life, and teaches them to his disciples.
- Leader means one who has become first-class disciple. He is leader. Evam parampara-prapta... One who is perfectly following.
- Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. That is my program.
- Whichever position one can find himself suitable, he can accept that. But the main business is krsna-tattva-vetta, and preach the cult all over the world, sei guru haya. Guru means preacher, to enlighten. One who can enlighten, he is guru.
Equality in Devotional Service
In the material world, labor is divided by prestige and hierarchy, but in the spiritual realm, all service to the Supreme is absolute. Destroying the false ego of his followers, emphasizing the complete equality of all devotional tasks is the philosophical boundary Śrīla Prabhupāda enforces. He instructs that one who washes the temple floor is in no way inferior to one who dresses the Deities, because both are working purely for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction.
- Every one of us, one who is offering arati, he is also working for Krsna, and one who is building this construction, temple, he is also working for Krsna. So as worker for Krsna there is no distinction. Variety. Variety of service.
- It is not that one who is worshiping the Deity, decorating the Deity, offering arotik, he's in better position than the person who is cleansing the temple. Both of them equal.
- One who is a householder, he has to work because he has to maintain a wife and children at home. But for a brahmacari, why should he take the botheration of working simply for the matter of satisfying the belly?
- Those who are in devotional service, they have got two things: they can see what is maya and what is Krsna.
- Whether I am present or not present, it doesn't matter. As Krsna is living eternally, similarly, living being also lives eternally. But kirtir yasya sa jivati: "One who has done service to the Lord lives forever."
Standards for Those Who Preach
To effectively deliver conditioned souls, a preacher must perfectly represent the paramparā system without alteration. Outlining the specific qualities required of missionaries, demanding that those who preach take serious risks is the empowering mandate Śrīla Prabhupāda issues. He explains that one who correctly reproduces the exact vibration heard from the spiritual master becomes a brilliant moon, capable of dissipating the darkness of the entire world.
- Every one of us, those who have come to this Krsna consciousness movement, expected to preach in the future and to become a spiritual master also in the future. But first of all you must spiritualize yourself; otherwise it is useless.
- Kirtana means whatever we hear from the Spiritual Master we repeat it again nicely. One who can reproduce the sound vibration heard from the Spiritual Master, he will be a good preacher.
- Nityananda-vamsa means one who takes the risk of preaching work, he can claim Nityananda-vamsa. Not that easy-going.
- Those who engage in the missionary activities of the Krsna consciousness movement are under the guidance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. They are not actually beggars; their real business is to deliver fallen souls. Therefore they may go from door to door.
- What is the value of the millions of stars? But one moon, oh, dissipate the whole darkness of night. Similarly, at least those who have taken to Krsna consciousness, you become, each of you become a moon and enlighten the world.
The Importance of Study and Initiation
The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a systematic educational process, not a blind faith. Emphasizing the absolute necessity of formal initiation and thorough philosophical study, defining the difference between casual followers and serious disciples is the clarity Śrīla Prabhupāda provides. He teaches that one who becomes initiated is officially authorized in the disciplic succession, and that deep study of the scriptures is mandatory for developing unflinching faith.
- Brahmanas should study carefully, especially Gita, Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion and Nectar of Instruction as well as all the small paperbacks. Soon we will have yearly examinations for brahmanas based on these books and those who pass will be awarded Bhakti-sastri titles.
- One who becomes initiated is channelized to the authorities in the disciplic succession. One who isn't initiated may chant Hare Krishna and should certainly be encouraged to do so and serve in his own way. Gradually by doing so he may want to be initiated.
- One who is fortunate, after reading Bhagavad-gita thoroughly, he'll have a strong faith in Krsna. If you have failed to achieve this status of faith, then there is no question of progress.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is the topmost education, culture. Those who have come to Krsna consciousness movement, they should seriously take it and try to understand Krsna. Their life will be successful.
- Yes, there is definitely a vast difference between initiated and non-initiated. One who is initiated is authorized, and one who is not initiated is not authorized.
Strict Adherence to Temple Procedures
Living within the temple āśrama is a rare privilege meant strictly for pure, focused cultivation. Enforcing high standards for his resident devotees, delineating the clear rules for those who live in the society is the strict management Śrīla Prabhupāda executes. He dictates that one who cannot rise early for the morning program is not spiritually serious, and that those who still maintain desires for sense gratification must live outside the temple as gṛhasthas.
- Because it is Vrindaban, those who come should be exemplary so that all the people of Vrindaban, even those who would be prone to criticize, will see that we are actually following the six Goswamis headed by Rupa Goswami.
- One who cannot rise early in the morning, he is not spiritually serious. That is test. Brahma-muhurta, this hour, one hour before sunrise, is very auspicious moment.
- One who is worshiping the Deity must be always attentive and mindful of his occupation at all times. He must never for one moment forget his duty of serving the Deity at every moment and strive always to please the Lord.
- So far Dayananda, I have no objection if the grhasthas live outside and earn money, but I do not want them to leave. The strict temple procedure is only for those who live in the temple.
- Temple is meant for rendering service to the Lord. So if anyone is rendering service to the Lord, he can live. But not for sense gratification. Those grhasthas who still have desire for sense gratification, they may live outside.
Overcoming Māyā and Materialism
The material energy is incredibly powerful and constantly attempts to reclaim anyone who steps toward the light. Warning his disciples about the struggles ahead, assuring them that ultimate protection is available is the profound comfort Śrīla Prabhupāda offers. He teaches that those who declare war on māyā and fully surrender their talents to the Supreme Lord are personally protected from all material distresses and sinful reactions.
- Actually it is a fact and one who has become so disgusted with material life is actually advanced in Krsna Consciousness. This is first class propaganda and it will be a hammer-blow to the proponents of materialism and atheism.
- I wish that all of you who have come to join this Krsna consciousness movement live very carefully so that maya may not snatch you from the hand of Krsna.
- Simply offer all your talents and energies in this service of the Lord and know that Krsna promises that for one who surrenders fully unto Him, He fully protects such devotee from all kinds of material distresses and sinful reactions.
- Those who have deserted this movement are not the example. So why are you citing them as example?
- Those who have taken to Krsna consciousness preaching work, they should always know that things are not going to happen so easily. Maya is very, very strong. But still, we have to struggle against maya. It is a declaration of war with the maya.
Conclusion
By distinctly defining the behavior of one who is a genuine devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda removes all ambiguity from spiritual life. He proves that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not a cheap claim, but a verifiable state of character demonstrated by strict adherence to the rules, enthusiastic preaching, and pure, motive-free service. For those who carefully follow his instructions, the dangerous influence of māyā is entirely vanquished, securing their permanent place in 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 We Who (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.