What Can I Do? - Prabhupāda's Compassionate Appeal
In the intimate exchanges between Śrīla Prabhupāda and his disciples, the question "What can I do?" emerges as a poignant reflection of his compassionate heart and his respect for the minute independence of the living entity. Śrīla Prabhupāda poured his entire life into building a house in which the whole world could live, providing every spiritual facility from meticulous bhakti-yoga instructions to translated śāstra. However, when disciples neglected their vows or engaged in internal conflict, he expressed a transcendental helplessness, not due to a lack of power, but because love and surrender cannot be coerced. These quotes offer a window into the burden of the guru, who prays fervently for his followers while reminding them that the final choice to advance belongs to them alone.
The Necessity of Voluntary Cooperation
Śrīla Prabhupāda often reminded his followers that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a voluntary process. He provided the framework of the sādhana, such as chanting sixteen rounds and following the four regulative principles, but he noted that if a disciple chooses to break these promises or neglect the opportunity, the spiritual master's hands are tied by the disciple's own lack of desire.
- I have given all of my disciples instructions to follow for making spiritual advancement, but if they do not have the desire to follow, then what can I do?
- Just like I say: "Chant sixteen rounds." If you do not do it, what can I do? That is your fault.
- The opportunity is always there, just as we are offering so many ways to become Krsna Conscious, but if you don't take the opportunity what can I do. That is purposeful negligence of duty.
- They are breaking their promise. Before accepting them, I make him promise. They promise it. If they break, what can I do?
Managing the Society from a Distance
As the International Society for Krishna Consciousness expanded, Śrīla Prabhupāda often found himself thousands of miles away from local temple issues. He expressed frustration when leaders acted whimsically, changed rules without consultation, or engaged in "fighting spirits" that threatened to spoil the mission, noting that his ability to rectify such situations was limited if his instructions were ignored.
- If you all, my right-hand men, are doing things without consulting me and making such big big changes within our society without getting my opinion and the opinion of all the GBC members then what can I do?
- The matter will have to be taken up by the GBC at their general meeting and whatever decision they make you will have to abide by. This business must stop. If you fight amongst yourselves what can I do? This fighting will spoil everything.
- I made the GBC to give me relief, but if you do like this, then where is the relief. It is anxiety for me. This is the difficulty, that as soon as one gets power, he becomes whimsical and spoils everything. What can I do?
- What can I do from such distant place?
The Heavy Burden of Heartache and Prayer
Beyond management, Śrīla Prabhupāda felt a deep personal pain when his "boys and girls" faced difficulties or fell from the path due to māyā. In such moments, his recourse was to turn to Kṛṣṇa and his own spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, praying for the protection and advancement of those who had sought his shelter.
- I am depending on you leaders for the future of our Society, yet there is all this interest in illicit sex life. This is causing me heartache worrying how things will go on. What can I do?
- His only business is to acquire money. He is collecting money like anything and is not contributing to the society. So what can I do? I did not say anything to him. I am simply praying to Krishna for his welfare.
- When they chant and dance, I simply remember Bhaktivinoda Thakura. That's all. I pray to Bhaktivinoda Thakura, "Now they have come to your shelter. Give them protection." That's all. What can I do more? I cannot do anything more.
- I always pray to Krishna for your advancement, and what I can do more than this.
The Gift of Vāṇī is the Final Recourse
Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently pointed to the vāṇī—his recorded instructions and books—as the ultimate source of guidance. He day and night tried to convince his disciples of the value of this science. He clarifies that if one does not take advantage of the Vedas or the literature provided, there is no further way for him to assist.
- I have given you such valuable things, day and night trying to convince you, each word to word; if you don't take advantage of this, then what can I do for you?
- Concerning the Vedic statements, if you do not know, what can I do? You have to know it otherwise why do you speak something about what you do not know.
- We are giving them all important Vedic literature, translated into English and other. This is the greatest boon to make human life successful. But if the people want to remain in darkness, then what can we do.
- I came to give you. Some of you have taken, and some have not taken, so what can I do? I came to give you Krsna consciousness. That is my duty.
Conclusion
The recurring sentiment "What can I do?" serves as a powerful reminder of the reciprocal nature of the relationship between Śrīla Prabhupāda and his disciples. Śrīla Prabhupāda fulfills his duty by providing the perfect philosophy, the holy name, and his own life’s example. However, the ultimate success of the individual and the harmony of the society depend on the disciples' willingness to accept these gifts, follow the regulative principles, and cooperate with one another. His words do not signal an end to his mercy, but rather a call to action for every follower to take their spiritual life seriously and relieve the anxiety of their spiritual father.
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 I Do? (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.