Prabhupāda Writing His Books
The literary contribution of Śrīla Prabhupāda serves as the eternal foundation for the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Driven by the sacred order of his spiritual master, he dedicated his final years to a herculean task of translation and commentary, often working through the quiet hours of the night to provide a treasure house of scientific spiritual information for the world.
Fulfilling the Command of His Spiritual Master
Śrīla Prabhupāda viewed his writing as a direct fulfillment of the desire of his spiritual master, Om Viṣṇupāda Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda. He prioritized this task as a permanent service that would benefit humanity long after his physical departure, choosing the labor of translation over the personal comforts of retirement.
- After taking sannyasa I was more engaged in writing my books without any attempt to construct temples or to make disciples like my Godbrothers. I was not very much interested in these matters because my Guru Maharaja liked very much publication of books.
- At the age of 70 I had the energy to go outside India and apart from other various duties, engage myself in writing books even at night without sleep. All these have been done in accordance with the direction of my Prabhupada Gurudeva.
- Even when I was a householder I was publishing Back To Godhead since 1947. But then my Spiritual Master dictated that I should take to writing books which will be a permanent affair.
- First of all let us offer our respectful obeisances unto our spiritual master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, by whose order I am engaged in this herculean task of writing commentary on the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
The Nightly Labors of a Pure Devotee
The intense schedule of managing a global society required Śrīla Prabhupāda to utilize the late night and early morning hours for his writing. Despite his advanced age and the heavy burden of travel, he remained focused on his dictation, often sleeping for only a few hours to ensure the steady production of his purports for the benefit of his followers.
- I am here, always working, something reading or writing, something reading or writing, twenty-four hours. Simply when I feel hungry, I take some food. And simply when I feel asleep, I go to bed.
- I cannot sleep more than 3 hours at night, and 1 hour in day. So if it continues like that, and if I keep fit, I think I shall have ample time to work writing books.
- I worked very hard. Two times lectures, cooking, and meeting and twenty-four-hours writing book, typing. Not a single moment, and still I am not wasting single moment.
- I'm writing books. I'm not being forced by anyone. Everyone can do that. Why one doesn't do it? Why I get up at night - 1 AM, and do this job? Because I cannot do without it. How one will do it artificially? This is quality. Therefore they like my purports.
Presenting the Absolute Truth Without Speculation
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized that his books were not products of mental speculation but were authorized presentations of Vedic truth. He often felt himself to be an instrument of Kṛṣṇa, noting that the depth and clarity of the purports were sometimes a surprise even to himself, confirming their divine origin and the help he received from his spiritual master.
- Although it is my writing, but I know it is not my writing. It is Krsna's writing. So we should read Bhagavatam always.
- Everything is spoken by Krsna. I am simply putting them for modern man's understanding. That's all.
- The secret in a devotee's writing is that when he writes about the pastimes of the Lord, the Lord helps him; he does not write alone.
- Sometimes I become surprised how I have written this. Although I am the writer, still sometimes I am surprised how these things have come. Such vivid description. Where is such literature throughout the whole world?
Assisting Śrīla Prabhupāda in His Essential Service
As the movement expanded, Śrīla Prabhupāda expressed an increasing desire to be relieved from administrative duties to concentrate solely on finishing his translations, particularly the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. He requested his elder disciples and GBC members to manage the society's affairs expertly so he could devote his remaining days to his literary legacy.
- As soon as I see that you GBC members are managing everything very nicely I shall completely retire for writing my books only and I am thinking of staying in Mayapur for six months and in your camp, L.A., for six months.
- I have appointed this GBC body to relieve me from the burden of administration, so I may concentrate on my writing and translation of books.
- I want now that all of my GBC secretaries do my work. Let me sit tight in Los Angeles and write my books.
- If the GBC which I have appointed for this task will kindly now assist me in this way, by handling very expertly and with all good consideration all matters of managing, I shall devote my full time to giving you further nice books.
Conclusion
The literary work of Śrīla Prabhupāda is a testament to his profound love for his spiritual master and his compassion for humanity. By rising in the dead of night and laboring over every word, he transformed ancient Sanskrit wisdom into a modern, accessible format. These books are not merely academic texts but are the heart of his mission. For a disciple, the highest honor is to read these works carefully and to cooperate in the management of the society, thereby allowing Śrīla Prabhupāda the peace and focus required to complete his sacred task of translation.
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 Writing My Books (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.