Utilizing the Talent of a Writer for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the talent of writing is completely wasted when applied to mundane fiction, sensuous poetry, or mental speculation. True perfection for a writer is achieved by following in the footsteps of great empowered personalities like Śrīla Vyāsadeva and Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura. By utilizing their literary skills to glorify Śrī Kṛṣṇa and broadcast the Absolute Truth through the disciplic succession, a writer experiences direct association with the Supreme Lord.
The Futility of Mundane Speculation
Śrīla Prabhupāda warns against wasting time reading or writing mundane literature. He explains that grāmya-kavis (mundane poets) and fiction writers deal only with temporary material subjects, and even the most celebrated philosophical thinkers produce useless rubbish if their writings are devoid of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- People have imperfect knowledge or no knowledge at all. Nonetheless, they pose as scientists, philosophers, writers, and great thinkers, although their ideas are all rubbish.
- There are also many thoughtful writers and creative philosophers, but despite all their learning, if they cannot approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they are simply useless mental speculators.
- Gramya-kavi refers to a poet or writer such as the authors of novels and other fiction who write only about the relationships between man and woman.
- Even the personal associates of the Lord do not know Him perfectly well, so what do the thesis writers or mental speculators know about the transcendental glories of the Lord.
The Original Authorized Writers
The foundation of genuine spiritual knowledge is found in the texts compiled by authorized transcendental writers. Śrīla Prabhupāda highlights Śrīla Vyāsadeva as the supreme original writer of Vedic literature, whose every word is perfect and completely free from ordinary human defects.
- Vyasadeva is the original writer of Vedic knowledge. He accepts Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Vyasadeva's guru, Narada. Narada's guru, Brahma, he accepts, isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah (Bs. 5.1).
- Valmiki was a great poet, and similarly Vyasadeva is a great writer, and both of them have absolutely engaged themselves in delineating the transcendental activities of the Lord and by doing so have become immortal.
- Muni means thoughtful or great thinker or great poet and Maha means still greater. So there is no comparison with Vyasadeva with any writer or thinker or philosopher.
- Vyasa is also the writer of the Bhagavad-gita. The Gita was spoken by Krsna and noted down by Vyasa, who put this Gita into the Mahabharata.
Empowered Authors in Disciplic Succession
Writing transcendental literature requires immense humility and submissiveness to the previous ācāryas. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that an authorized Vaiṣṇava writer, such as Vṛndāvana dāsa Ṭhākura or Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī, is directly empowered by the Lord and never ambitiously attempts to surpass their predecessors.
- The poet or writer dealing with transcendental subject matters is not an ordinary writer or translator. Because he is empowered by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, whatever he writes becomes very effective.
- Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that all writers after Vrndavana dasa Thakura who are pure devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and who have tried to describe the Lord's activities are to be considered like Vyasa.
- The acceptance of Sri Caitanya-bhagavata by Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami indicates his acceptance of the disciplic succession. A writer of transcendental literature never tries to surpass the previous acaryas.
- The words of Krsna and of the disciplic succession that carries the orders of Krsna are actually authoritative. To be empowered to write transcendental literature is a privilege in which a writer can take great pride.
Engaging Writing Talents for Kṛṣṇa
Śrīla Prabhupāda eagerly encouraged his disciples who possessed a natural aptitude for writing to utilize their skills for broadcasting the Absolute Truth. He emphasizes that if fiction writers and poets simply turn their descriptive abilities toward Kṛṣṇa, their work becomes purifying and spiritually elevating.
- I am very glad to know that your pen is inspired to create, because we are in need of many intelligent writers who can express our Krishna consciousness philosophy nicely.
- You are very descriptive writer and I enjoy very much your descriptions and use of words. Actually, if we are engaged in writing and speaking on behalf of Krishna, this is the best process for advancing in Krishna Consciousness.
- The fiction writers, poets and celebrated litterateurs are generally engaged in writing of sensuous subjects, but if they turn towards the service of the Lord they can describe the transcendental pastimes of the Lord.
- By writing about the pastimes of the Lord, one associates with the Lord directly. One should not ambitiously think, "I shall become a great author. I shall be celebrated as a writer." These are material desires.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda clearly defines the vast difference between a mundane writer and a transcendental author. Those who employ their literary skills to describe material romances, concocted philosophies, or worldly science are merely acting as mental speculators, producing useless literature that ultimately fails to solve the problems of life. True writing is eternal and is perfectly modeled by empowered personalities like Śrīla Vyāsadeva and the pure Vaiṣṇava ācāryas. By strictly following the disciplic succession without the false prestige of trying to surpass previous authorities, an empowered writer effectively transmits Vedic knowledge. Therefore, Śrīla Prabhupāda urges anyone with literary talent to abandon material subjects and dedicate their pen exclusively to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as writing about the Lord's transcendental pastimes is a perfect method for achieving direct, personal association with the Absolute Truth.
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 Writer. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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