Prabhupāda Urges His Disciples to Push Forward the Mission
The world is suffering from a profound lack of spiritual knowledge, and the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was specifically established to solve this crisis. Throughout his global preaching efforts, Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly urged his disciples to recognize the immense gravity and glory of their work. By boldly distributing transcendental literature, repeating the philosophy without alteration, and working together cooperatively, his followers push forward the ultimate rescue mission, bringing genuine peace and happiness to human society.
The Highest Welfare Work for Humanity
Material welfare activities—such as opening hospitals or feeding the poor—only provide temporary relief to the physical body. Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that the Kṛṣṇa consciousness mission is the highest welfare work because it strikes at the very root of all suffering: spiritual ignorance. By freely distributing the benediction of transcendental knowledge, the movement provides the only permanent solution for a misguided human society.
- Our mission is to give this benediction to all humanity. Let us cooperate together on this basis so that it will be a more effective United Nations. We shall be united on the basis of the prime need of human society, spiritual life.
- If the higher section says yes, it is a nice movement, it will progress very quickly. Our mission is undoubtedly the highest welfare activity to the human society.
- Our mission is very big. The best welfare work. Other welfare activities, they keep them as go-khara, and promises all sorts of big, big promises. No, we do not say.
- Our mission is to eradicate this ignorance. That, they are living in a wrong conception of life. That is the point.
Awakening Pure Love of God
The goal of the movement is completely universal. It is not an attempt to convert people to a new sectarian religion or to change their cultural habits. Śrīla Prabhupāda made it clear that the sole purpose of the mission is to awaken the dormant love of Godhead that already exists within everyone's heart. Whether one is a Hindu, Christian, vegetarian, or nonvegetarian, the invitation is simply to become Kṛṣṇa conscious.
- We are propagating, teaching people how to love God. That is our mission. We don't say that you become Christian or Hindu or Muslim . . . No. You become a lover of God. So comparatively, the process which we are recommending, that is the easiest process.
- Our mission is not to make a nonvegetarian a vegetarian. No. Our mission is that "Either you are vegetarian or nonvegetarian, it doesn't matter. You become Krsna conscious." That is our mission.
- It is not the purpose, that we are trying to convert American into Indian, or Indian into American, or Christian into Hindu. That is not our mission. We are just preaching the science of Krsna, or science of God, Krsna consciousness.
- We simply want everyone, to become God conscious. That is our mission. Our mission is not that to convert. What is the use of converting?
Distributing Transcendental Literature
To reach millions of conditioned souls across the globe, the movement relies on the mass printing and distribution of books. Śrīla Prabhupāda declared that literature is the very backbone of the preaching mission. Even when public response seems slow, the steady, enthusiastic distribution of these transcendental books guarantees that the message of Godhead is successfully penetrating the darkness of the material world.
- Distribution of books means propagation of our mission. If we can distribute KRSNA book in thousands upon thousands, automatically the Krsna Consciousness Movement will be spread up. You have rightly drawn the attention of the GBC on this point.
- Our only hope is books and literature. So we have to start press, and for that purpose, and publish varieties of books and literature for getting some financial help as well as propagating our mission.
- If you read our books, if you inquire, then we get opportunity to explain. And our distribution of books means that is indirectly propagating our mission.
- Back To Godhead is too much important that it must be distributed regularly, as it is the backbone of our mission. So, even it is not printed very expensively and highly, still, it must be distributed even in mimeograph copy.
- We are preaching all over the world, and there is little response. We are selling our books very nicely. So our main purpose is to spread Krsna consciousness. That is our mission.
Preaching the Message As It Is
The perfection of preaching lies in perfect repetition. A disciple's duty is not to invent new philosophies or display mundane scholarship. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly instructed his followers that to become an authorized guru and a successful representative of the mission, one must simply repeat the words of the Bhagavad-gītā exactly as they were spoken by Kṛṣṇa, without any addition or subtraction.
- Our mission is simply to propagate Krsna's instructions. This is Krsna consciousness movement. We don't manufacture anything.
- Simply repeat the words of Bhagavad-gita. That's all. You become guru. So our mission is to create real guru, not these jugglers. And real guru is he who speaks on behalf of Krsna.
- So if we say, people become angry. And we don't say anything. We simply repeat. That is our business. We are not learned scholars. But our mission is to repeat the words of Krsna.
- That is our mission. All of you who have come to Krsna consciousness movement, that is our request, that you, all of you, become guru but don't speak nonsense. That is request. Simply speak what Krsna has said.
Working Cooperatively Together
A global spiritual revolution cannot be executed by a fractured society. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that the rapid expansion of the mission is heavily dependent on the peaceful cooperation of its members. He urged his disciples to put aside personal disagreements, false ego, and petty quarrels, recognizing that their unified effort is the greatest service they can offer to the disciplic succession.
- I request all my disciples to work cooperatively and I am sure our mission will advance without any doubt.
- If you work conjointly, without quarreling amongst yourselves, a tremendous service can be done towards the expansion of our mission.
- You are all qualified American boys, now push on this glorious mission without letting it be hampered by personal differences.
- You write to say that it is my satisfaction that is important; my wish is that you all GBC members cooperate and advance the mission of this society. That will satisfy me.
Maintaining Unflinching Determination
Spiritual life is a declaration of war against the material energy, and absolute determination (utsāha) is required for victory. Even if the results of preaching are not immediately visible, devotees must not become fickle or easily discouraged. Śrīla Prabhupāda inspired his followers to remain totally steady in their service, patiently watering the seed of devotion and confidently carrying the mission forward for future generations.
- Utsaha, endeavor. "In this life I must fulfill my mission of Krsna consciousness." That is called utsaha. Dhairya. Don't be agitated because it is not giving result immediately. Just patiently go on working.
- We have got very serious mission. Don't be fickle. When you have come and sacrificed your life for the mission, don't be fickle. Be very steady and capture Krsna's lotus feet tightly. You'll never be attacked by maya.
- I am depending on you all to carry on this great mission in my absence; chant and hear, and Krishna will bless you.
- Now I am an old man, and am depending on you to carry on our mission more enthusiastically. The seed is already there. Now water it and let it grow and fruit will come out, fruit of love of Godhead, and you will all enjoy, even in this material world.
Conclusion
The mission of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the most urgent and essential undertaking in human history. By deeply impressing the importance of this work upon his followers, Śrīla Prabhupāda created a dynamic society of dedicated preachers. As long as his disciples remain strictly cooperative, faithfully distribute his literature, and fiercely maintain their spiritual enthusiasm, the mission will eternally push forward, successfully delivering the world from darkness.
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 Mission (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.