So Far As I Am Concerned - Prabhupāda's Strict Adherence to Paramparā
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s absolute dedication to his spiritual master and the previous ācāryas is the bedrock of his preaching mission. Whenever he used phrases like "so far as I am concerned" or "so far we are concerned," he was emphatically distinguishing the pure, uncompromising standard of Kṛṣṇa consciousness from the speculative habits of the material world. He took no personal credit for his monumental achievements, constantly reiterating that his only business was to strictly follow the paramparā system and execute the orders of his Guru Mahārāja. Through his fearless example, Śrīla Prabhupāda showed that a genuine spiritual leader does not invent new philosophies to please the public. Instead, he presents the ancient wisdom of the Bhagavad-gītā exactly as it is. This unwavering adherence to the truth is what gave his words the spiritual potency to transform the hearts of thousands all over the world.
Uncompromising Preaching of Vāṇī
Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently emphasized that his only qualification was his strict adherence to the disciplic succession. He refused to speak anything outside the authorized teachings of the Vedic literature, presenting himself simply as a humble servant repeating the message of the previous ācāryas. This purity of transmission ensures that the knowledge remains perfectly intact.
- And so far we are concerned, we don't talk anything, except what is mentioned in the books. That's all. We remain always foolish. And as foolish men, we do not talk. We simply talk what is mentioned by Vyasadeva, by Sukadeva Gosvami.
- So far I am concerned, I am a humble disciple of His Divine Grace, Om Visnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, who was the original pioneer of spreading this movement in the Western world.
- So far I am concerned, I belong to Lord Caitanya's disciplic succession, and my spiritual master, who was just ninth generation from Lord Caitanya, ordered me that "You try to spread this Krsna consciousness in the Western world."
- So far we are concerned in the Krishna consciousness movement, we are preaching the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita.
Following Regulative Principles and Prasādam
He established that the practical application of spiritual life requires a daily commitment to purity. Śrīla Prabhupāda made it clear that to properly advance, one must chant the holy names, strictly follow the regulative principles, and honor only kṛṣṇa-prasādam. These foundational practices give the devotee the spiritual strength required to conquer the dictates of the material senses.
- Because we have to eat some other living entity, it does not mean that I shall eat my sons and daughters. "Discrimination is the best part of valor." So far we are concerned, we are eating certainly vegetable, but not directly. We eat krsna-prasadam.
- So far we are concerned, we are not killing anybody for eating purposes. We are eating krsna-prasada, foodstuff which is offered to Krsna, and then we eat. The remnants of foodstuff we eat.
- So far we are concerned we are trying to train first class men. How much great responsibility we have to follow regulative principles, chant the beads, live with personal character etc.
- So far we are concerned, every one of us must chant the beads according to the vow and follow the regulative principles in all departments of our activities, and this will give us spiritual strength to convince the audience about our aims and object.
The Supreme Authority of Kṛṣṇa and Śāstra
In a world full of mental speculation and manufactured gods, Śrīla Prabhupāda drew a definitive line. He placed his complete reliance on the perfect knowledge descending from the Supreme Personality of Godhead through śāstra. By rejecting mundane theories, he guided his followers to accept the ultimate authority of Kṛṣṇa without any hesitation or compromise.
- Perfect knowledge, how it can come? The perfect knowledge can come from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the process of acquiring knowledge, so far we are concerned. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh.
- So far Krsna is concerned, there is no two opinions about His authority throughout the whole world. And so far we are concerned, Hindus, or the followers of the Vedic religion, there is no difference of opinion so far Krsna's authority is concerned.
- So far our knowledge is concerned, we have got a clear conception of God, what is meant by God. Therefore we do not accept the so-called dogs as God.
- So far we are concerned we are following the Bhagavad-gita As It Is and we see the knowledge given in the Bhagavad-gita is quite perfect in the matter of understanding God.
Total Surrender to the Mission
Taking immense personal risks without any desire for material gain, Śrīla Prabhupāda viewed the entire movement simply as the execution of his spiritual master's divine desire. He crossed the ocean at an advanced age, facing numerous hardships, purely out of loving surrender. His personal example remains the ultimate standard of how a disciple should dedicate their life to their guru.
- So far I am concerned I always take risk for Krishna. I came here in your country risking my life.
- So far I am concerned I am conducted by the order of a superior authority and liberated person. My spiritual master Om Visnupada Sri Sri Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja wanted it and just trying to serve Him without any personal whim.
- So far I am concerned, I have not come here to cheat you nor to gain. I've come to execute the order of my Guru Maharaja.
- The business which we have taken to work together is neither your business nor my business as far we are personally concerned, but it is the business of Lord Caitanya and His bona fide servants like my Guru Maharaja.
Conclusion
When Śrīla Prabhupāda stated "so far as I am concerned," it was a profound declaration of his surrender to the Supreme Lord and the disciplic succession. He showed that true spiritual leadership is not about personal charisma or creating new philosophies, but about becoming a flawless, transparent medium for the ancient vāṇī. By adhering strictly to the regulative principles, respecting the authority of śāstra, and dedicating his every breath to his guru's mission, Śrīla Prabhupāda laid down an eternal, safe path for all future generations to follow back home, back to Godhead.
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 So Far As I Am Concerned (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.