Prabhupāda Warns His Disciples About the Result If They Do Not Chant
The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness requires active, daily engagement to maintain one's spiritual strength. Śrīla Prabhupāda established a comprehensive standard of devotional practices to protect his followers from the constant pull of material illusion. He emphatically warned his disciples that if they neglected these foundational duties—especially chanting, hearing, and following the regulative principles—their spiritual progress would immediately halt. By understanding the severe consequences of spiritual laziness, a sincere practitioner is motivated to remain steadily fixed in their daily vows.
The Necessity of Hearing and Reading
The foundation of all spiritual advancement begins with the reception of transcendental sound vibration. Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that if his disciples failed to regularly read his books and hear the philosophy, their minds would inevitably become restless and disturbed. He warned that without this continuous intake of spiritual knowledge, the practitioner would quickly lose their taste for devotional service and revert to ordinary sense gratification.
- First thing is sravanam. If we simply keep these Deities here, we may see. But if we don't hear about Him, then it will be hackneyed. Then it will be hackneyed. Just like in India it has become. Because they have given up the process of sravanam kirtanam.
- Sravanam kirtanam, this is our main business. Sravanam. If you don't hear, what you will do? You will do simply sense gratification. That's all.
- The most important item is sravanam, or hearing. If you do not do anything else, if you simply sincerely hear about God, then gradually you will be God conscious.
- Do you read? So if you don't read, then you will feel restless: "Oh, let me go from Japan to India, from India to Japan." You are restless because you don't read. I am laboring so hard for you, but you don't take advantage.
- My duty - I have given you so valuable things, day and night trying to convince you, each word to word. And if you don't take advantage of this, then what can I do for you?
The Danger of Neglecting the Regulative Principles
At the time of initiation, a devotee makes a solemn vow to strictly follow the four regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds daily. Śrīla Prabhupāda made it absolutely clear that if a disciple breaks these promises, there is no other alternative than an immediate spiritual falldown. He cautioned that without strictly adhering to these foundational rules, any attempt at Deity worship or advanced spiritual practice simply becomes an artificial burden.
- Unless everyone of us sticks to the regulative principles of chanting, there is no other alternative than fall-down. That is a fact. I repeatedly say this, so if people do not follow, what can I do?
- If you do not follow the rules and regulation, you go to hell. That's all.
- Suppose I have established this temple. Now under my direction, my disciples are worshiping vigraha. Vigraha means the form of the Lord, rupa. But if there is no following of the regulative principles, then after my death it will be galagraha, a burden.
- Today some of you are going to be initiated. This is the beginning of your spiritual life. But if you don't take care for further development, then that is up to you. You may fall down. Because maya is very strong.
- When the initiation takes place we promise so many things. But if we do not follow, if we do not keep our promise, that is a great fault.
The Obligation to Preach the Message
The true test of one's spiritual advancement is their desire to share the message of Godhead with the suffering humanity. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly warned that if his followers became complacent and refused to preach, their temples would eventually close and their enthusiasm would wither away. He stressed that simply performing inner rituals without the dynamic effort to deliver others keeps a practitioner stagnant in the lowest stage of devotion.
- Churches are being closed. Similarly, if you do not keep yourself fit to preach, then your temples will be all closed in due course of time. Without preaching, you'll not feel enthused to continue the temple worship.
- What is the use of starting temple if you do not do it properly? Why should you waste your energy? Better travel and preach.
- If one takes sannyasa and does not increase preaching, then there is no value. So you take this opportunity seriously, and preach and inspire others to also preach.
- When you become advanced in Krsna conscious, then your natural tendency will be how to preach. So long you do not develop this tendency for preaching, simply remain in kanistha-adhikari, you do not know how to deliver others.
- If you simply chant and do not speak then that would be all right, but there must be some speaking. Because if there is no speaking everyone will say that we are just like Devanand's film. So to be very respectable, we must speak our philosophy.
Slipping Back into Material Illusion
Material existence is compared to a chronic disease, and devotional service is the prescribed medicine required for a permanent cure. If a practitioner becomes lazy or stops taking their spiritual medicine, Śrīla Prabhupāda pointed out that a devastating relapse into māyā is absolutely inevitable. He cautioned his students that without constant practice and engagement, they would surely fail the final examination of life and be forced to accept lower bodily forms once again.
- At every moment we should be doing this or that service for Krishna's transcendental pleasure. If we do not remember this, then Maya is right there to grab us.
- If you do not become attracted by Krsna or Krsna consciousness, then simply you are wasting time.
- Relapse. If you do not relapse the disease, then you are nice. Similarly, to keep in Krsna consciousness means you are not diseased condition, but do not allow the disease to relapse.
- If you don't practice, then at the time of examination, certainly you'll fail. (chuckles) If you say, "All right. I shall see in the examination hall. I shall write everything nice," that is nonsense. You have to study nicely before the examination.
- If you don't improve yourself in Krsna consciousness, then you again become stool worms.
Obedience to the Spiritual Master
The entire foundation of spiritual life relies on the disciple's willingness to follow the direct instructions of the genuine guru. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently reminded his followers that offering superficial respect or bowing down means nothing if one refuses to practically execute his orders. He explained that a spiritual master cannot artificially force anyone to go back to Godhead; if the student chooses to be dishonest or disobedient, the guru is rendered helpless to save them.
- You may know it that I am eternally your guide, but if you don't accept me as your guide what can I do?
- If you don't accept the instruction, what is the meaning of surrender? Simply by offering obeisances, falling flat for the time being, that is not surrender.
- I say that you shall remain fixed up in this way, but if you do not accept it, then how can I help you? If I say that "Don’t dry your knife on your neck," and if you do it, so how can I save you?
- You must be honest, not dishonest. You accept before the spiritual master that "I shall do it," and if you do not do it, that's not good. You must do it.
- If you perform the spiritual duties rightly, then you are saved. Otherwise, even acarya gives you instruction, if you don't follow, so how he can save you?
Conclusion
The stark warnings provided in these instructions highlight the supreme importance of personal responsibility in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The spiritual master generously provides all the necessary tools, literature, and guidance, but the disciple must supply the constant effort to utilize them. By deeply understanding the severe consequences of negligence, Śrīla Prabhupāda ensured that his followers would never take their spiritual lives cheaply, inspiring them to push forward with unwavering determination until they achieve the ultimate goal.
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 If We Do Not (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.