What Prabhupāda Said or Did Not Say
Śrīla Prabhupāda always desired for his disciples to feel secure in the truth of his instructions. In these personal exchanges, he reveals how much he values the integrity of his message, warning us that the greatest danger to our spiritual progress is the concoction of things he never actually said.
Avoiding the Trap of Concoction
Śrīla Prabhupāda speaks to us about the danger of inexperienced people who introduce their own ideas and then claim that he authorized them. He considers this more misleading than anything else because it creates false claims within our society and causes the loss of authority.
- Sometimes they say, "Prabhupada said it" - more misleading.
- Some inexperienced man, he introduces some concoction. Sometimes they say, "Prabhupada said it." More misleading.
- In our ISKCON there are so many false things: "Prabhupada said this, Prabhupada said that."
Relying on Written Instructions
With a heart concerned for our clarity, Śrīla Prabhupāda tells us not to be misled by rumors or verbal claims that lack proof. He specifically mentions that unless something is from him in writing, we should be careful, as people often misunderstand him or manufacture things to suit their own ends.
- I never said there should be no more marriage. By all means legally you can get married. How can I object? They misunderstand me. Unless it is there from me in writing, there are so many things that "Prabhupada said."
- Under the pretext that "Krsna said," "My spiritual master has said," "Prabhupada has said," we manufacture something. Don't do that. Unless you are directly ordered, you cannot do at least such things as to chastise a brahma-bandhu.
- When you change, then the authority is lost. Just like in our society, sometimes they do something nonsense and they say, "Prabhupada said."
Rejecting Bogus Rumors
Śrīla Prabhupāda often had to correct rascals who spread fear in his name. He shows his protective nature by debunking rumors—such as the idea that saṅkīrtana would stop due to police repression—calling such claims completely bogus and affirming that he never said such things.
- This rumor that within a few years there will be police repression and people will have no more money to buy books and sankirtana will stop is completely bogus. Whoever told you that is a rascal, saying it in my name. I never said that.
- You mention in your letter that you had heard that I said that you and Syamasundara were engaged in a conspiracy against me and that you felt very bad upon hearing this. Do not feel like that.
- I said from the very beginning that we should not move, but you proposed moving, so now you are proposing staying at Dallas. So it is all right, stay at Dallas and develop there.
The Purity of Repeating the Spiritual Master
Śrīla Prabhupāda shares the secret of his own success: he simply repeats what he learned from his Guru Mahārāja. He invites us to do the same, promising that if we follow his instructions carefully, our lives will be perfect, and we will never have to manufacture anything on our own.
- If you follow my instructions very carefully as you promise in your letter, then your life will be perfect. I am not saying anything which is not given by my Guru Maharaj. I am simply repeating what I have learned from him.
- When a pure devotee or spiritual master speaks, what he says should be accepted as having been directly spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the parampara system.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda's words are the life-force of his disciples, and he took great care to ensure they were not misrepresented. By warning against the tendency to manufacture instructions or spread rumors under his name, he encourages a culture of honesty and verification. Ultimately, he reminds us that the path to perfection is simple: remaining faithful to what he actually said and following the path he laid down without change.
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 Prabhupada Said (or Did Not Say). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.