The Path of Success - Following Śrī Caitanya's Instructions
The highest spiritual perfection is not achieved through complex mystic yoga or extreme austerities; it is attained simply by obedience. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that anyone who strictly follows the liberal and practical instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu can easily overcome the influence of the material world and achieve the ultimate success of pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Following in the Footsteps of the Gosvāmīs
To follow the instructions of the Lord, one must follow the authorized representatives of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement are known as rūpānugas, meaning they strictly follow the path laid down by Rūpa Gosvāmī and the other Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana. By dedicating their lives to executing the Lord's order to excavate holy places and write transcendental literature, the Gosvāmīs set the absolute standard for progress in devotional service.
- We are asking, following the footsteps of predecessor, Rupa Gosvami, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction to Rupa Gosvami. Rupanuga. Therefore we are called rupanuga. Anuga. Anuga means following. Going, following the footsteps of Rupa.
- All six Gosvamis strictly followed the instructions of Sri Caitanya. This is the principle for progress in devotional service. After receiving an order from the spiritual master, one must strictly try to execute the order. That is the way of success.
- Accepting very humble lives as mendicants, wearing no more than loincloths and torn quilts (kaupina-kantha), the six Gosvamis lived in Vrndavana and followed Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's order to excavate Vrndavana's lost glories.
- He very carefully followed the principles enunciated by the Lord, and he was a competent person to explain properly the pastimes of Krsna. Caitanya expanded His mercy to Rupa Gosvami just so he could render service by writing transcendental literatures.
The Instruction to Preach
The most prominent order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is to distribute Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that the Lord simplified the process of becoming a spiritual master: one does not need immense material scholarship, but must simply repeat the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā exactly as they are. By accepting this duty and preaching sincerely, one performs the highest welfare activity for human society.
- Following the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His disciplic succession, one can become a spiritual master, for the process is very easy. One can go everywhere and anywhere to preach the instructions of Krsna.
- First of all guru must be bona fide, not a bogus guru. The guru, as specified by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that is not very difficult, who is guru? Caitanya Mahaprabhu said - He is guru. One who is strictly following the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- You must be ready to become a guru simply by repeating the instruction of Krsna, Bhagavad-gita. Therefore we have taken Bhagavad-gita as it is, and following the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
- Our duty is to follow the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and preach the Krsna consciousness movement all over the world very sincerely. This is the best welfare activity for the peace and prosperity of human society.
Perfection Without Artificial Renunciation
A unique feature of Lord Caitanya's teachings is that one does not need to abandon their daily duties to achieve spiritual perfection. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that instead of becoming a false renunciant, one can remain a doctor, engineer, or householder. By learning humility at home and instructing one's family in the science of the Bhagavad-gītā, one converts their very home into the spiritual world.
- One may remain a householder, a medical practitioner, an engineer or whatever. It doesn’t matter. One only has to follow the instruction of Sri Caitanya, chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and instruct relatives and friends in the teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita & Srimad Bhagavatam.
- Instead of becoming a so-called renunciant, Raghunatha dasa, following the instructions of the Lord, returned home and played exactly like a pounds-and-shillings man.
- One has to learn humility and meekness at home, following the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and in that way one’s life will be spiritually successful.
- If a devotee follows the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he lives in the company of the Lord. Wherever he lives, he converts that place into Vrndavana and Navadvipa. This means that materialism cannot touch him.
The Shield of the Holy Name
The foundational instruction for this age is the chanting of the holy names. Śrīla Prabhupāda confirms that by following Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's order to chant the mahā-mantra offenselessly, the heart is completely cleansed of all impurities and mental diseases. This strict adherence creates a transcendental shield around the devotee, ensuring that the contamination of the material world can no longer affect them.
- The only way to cure this mental disease is to wholeheartedly follow Lord Caitanya's instruction to chant the holy names of Krsna. This will cleanse the heart of all impurities.
- Whoever follows Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instructions will certainly be purified, and one who sincerely chants the holy name offenselessly is already more than a brahmana.
- If one is purified by following Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's orders - that is, by chanting the holy name of Krsna - one must certainly be eager to render service to the Lord. This is the test.
- If one simply follows the instructions of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, under the guidance of His representative, & chants the Hare Krsna mantra, teaching everyone as far as possible, the contamination of the materialistic way of life will not even touch him.
Conclusion
The supreme success of human life is remarkably accessible. By abandoning our own speculative plans and simply accepting the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we immediately enter the safe shelter of the disciplic succession. Whether we are traveling the world to preach or quietly maintaining a family, our strict obedience to the order of the spiritual master and our dedication to the holy name will guarantee our return home, back to Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
The instructions of the pure devotee are our eternal guide. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Following Caitanya's Instructions. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.