What Can Be Done? - Prabhupāda’s Compassionate Tolerance in the Mission
In the vast mission of spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Śrīla Prabhupāda encountered a myriad of obstacles, ranging from interpersonal conflicts to the deeply ingrained habits of a materialistic society. His response to these challenges was often summarized in the humble yet resilient phrase, "What can be done?" This was not an expression of defeat, but rather a profound manifestation of his compassionate tolerance and practical wisdom. Śrīla Prabhupāda recognized that every living entity possesses a small degree of independence, and if one chooses to ignore the path of liberation or remain under the sway of their conditioned nature, the devotee can only continue to offer the truth while tolerating the results. This mood allowed him to navigate the complexities of managing a global movement without losing his transcendental focus. He teaches his followers to do their best for Kṛṣṇa, but to remain detached from the inevitable difficulties that arise in this material world, especially during this age of Kali-yuga.
Tolerating Differences and Difficulties
In his dealings with his disciples and the public, Śrīla Prabhupāda displayed the quality of a sādhu who is titikṣavaḥ, or extremely tolerant. He understood that in the material world, and even within a society of devotees, differences of opinion and challenging behaviors are bound to occur.
- A difference between godbrothers is natural. That difference of opinion will continue, what can be done.
- A sadhu is advised, titiksavah, tolerate. Tolerate all this nonsense. What can be done? We have no other alternative to tolerate. Nobody's coming to help us, our business is so thankless task.
- Here in Bombay they also have the complaint that we are nuisance. What can be done?
- We must be tolerant like the tree and humble like the blade of grass. Such persons can chant the Hare Krishna mantra and preach. In Bombay we are undergoing so many tribulations. What can be done?
Dealing with the Desire to be Cheated
One of the greatest challenges Śrīla Prabhupāda faced was the tendency of people to prefer the guidance of bluffers and false gurus over the authentic message of the Bhagavad-gītā. He observed that if people are determined to be cheated, there is little one can do besides continuing to offer the genuine process.
- Actually, this liberation by chanting Hare Krsna is happening. But people want to be misguided. And there are so many bluffers to misguide them. What can be done.
- Because people want to be cheated, men such as you mention have become very popular. They are preaching all nonsense and the people are accepting them, but if someone wants to be cheated, what can be done?
- It is understood that Maharishi Mahesa says that one can drink, and at the same time make advancement in meditation, is clearly a cheating process. But what can be done, your countrymen also wants to be cheated like that.
- Krsna is offering all opportunities, and we, humble servant of Krsna, we are trying to preach it. But the rascals will not accept it. What can be done? That is the difficulty. They want to continue to remain as rascals.
Practical Adjustments for Preaching
Śrīla Prabhupāda was a master of yukta-vairāgya, or utilizing everything in the service of the Lord. He often had to adjust external formalities, such as dress or traditional etiquette, to ensure that the mission of preaching could continue in the Western world.
- Dress is not important. Practically, as sannyasi, brahmacari, we dress with saffron cloth. But sometimes you do not like, but we have to do business with you - therefore we change. What can be done? Necessity has no law.
- For preaching I have violated so many things. What can be done? As far as possible, I have kept pace.
- I did not go to your country taking Vrndavana with me. I had to stay in places where in the refrigerator there is meat. And I was cooking. When opened it I saw, "Here is meat. All right, what can be done? Hare Krsna." That's all.
- Of course it is a novel thing, that a sannyasi is taking part in marriage. But what can be done? I have to execute my mission.
Persistence Amidst Material Setbacks
Even when management failed, money was miscollected, or legal troubles arose, Śrīla Prabhupāda encouraged his disciples to remain steady. He emphasized that the sincere desire to serve Kṛṣṇa is the real measure of success, regardless of the material outcome.
- From reports I have received it appears that affairs at Bhaktivedanta Manor and Bury Place London have deteriorated to the critical stage, and therefore I am asking you to go there immediately and see what can be done.
- 70,000. or 80,000. dollars should have been collected, but Karandhara has only collected 24,000. dollars. So where is the rest of the money? This means that the money is not being collected properly. What can be done?
- Try to get the certified copy. Otherwise, what can be done? Do not be discouraged. Go on serving sincerely. Your success is your sincere desire to serve Krsna.
- So don't spoil the movement by manufacturing ideas. Don't do that. Go on in the standard way, keep yourself pure; then movement is sure to be successful. But if you want to spoil it by whimsical, then what can be done?
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s usage of "What can be done?" serves as a masterclass in the mood of a pure devotee navigating the material world. It represents a perfect balance of intense compassion for fallen souls and an absolute detachment from the results of one's labor. He teaches us that while we must be uncompromising in our principles and diligent in our service, we must also be humble enough to recognize that we are not the controllers. By tolerating difficulties, adapting to circumstances for the sake of preaching, and remaining fixed in duty despite the choices of others, we can remain peaceful in our service. This spirit of patient persistence is the key to maintaining one's spiritual health while attempting to bring light to a world often determined to stay in darkness.
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 What Can Be Done? (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.