What Prabhupāda Teaches His Disciples About Taking Every Opportunity to Preach
The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is dynamic, requiring practitioners who are constantly looking for new avenues to spread the absolute truth. In his extensive instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda trains his followers to become spiritual opportunists. By utilizing the rare gift of human life, modern technology, and personal talents, a sincere disciple takes every available opportunity to preach and push forward the saṅkīrtana mission.
The Rare Opportunity of Human Life
According to the Vedic scriptures, the human form of body is achieved only after millions of lower births, and it comes with a specific purpose. Śrīla Prabhupāda continually reminds his disciples that human life is a golden opportunity meant exclusively for developing God consciousness. Wasting this chance on temporary sense gratification means remaining trapped in the cycle of birth and death. A serious devotee utilizes every moment and faculty, such as the tongue and intelligence, to achieve ultimate liberation.
- By the Grace of Krishna you have got good intelligence, you are born of a great nation, and good family; just utilize the opportunity to finish the business of Krishna Consciousness, without waiting for further incarnation.
- Do not waste even a moment of this rare opportunity of human form of life. Chant Hare Krsna, be always finding out some engagement in the service of the Lord, and be happy.
- This is an opportunity, this human form of life, this particular type of tongue which you can use. In other type of tongues you can chew, you can taste the blood and the flesh, and so many things. But you cannot chant Hare Krsna.
- You have now got the golden opportunity of this human form of life, and it is not by accident that you have met your spiritual master.
- Krsna is more important than the parents. So do not miss the opportunity of your present human form of body. Try to understand Krsna, and make your life successful.
Utilizing Modern Facilities for Preaching
Rather than retreating to a forest to perform silent meditation, the modern preacher uses the tools of contemporary society. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa and should be enthusiastically accepted if it helps spread the philosophy. By utilizing printing presses, airplanes, and microphones, devotees act as transcendental opportunists, powerfully amplifying their ability to reach the conditioned souls.
- If we get opportunity, preaching facilities for going on car, on airplane, using typewriter, dictaphone, microphone, we must use it. Because this is Krsna's property, it must be used for Krsna. This is our philosophy.
- We shall take every opportunity. We are the best opportunists. Anukulyena krsnanu... This is anukula. This is favorable for spreading Krsna consciousness. We shall immediately accept. It doesn't matter what it is.
- Regarding the press you are thinking to purchase, yes it appears to be a very good opportunity. It may be that in the future we shall also purchase one offset press, but in any case, this is a good opportunity for buying this sort of press.
- The new procedures you are instituting on Sankirtana Party are very encouraging to me. The opportunities for expanding the Sankirtana Movement are unlimited.
- We have established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness to give people an opportunity to associate with those who have not forgotten Krsna. This spiritual association offered by our ISKCON movement is increasing day by day.
The Power of Distributing Literature
The most effective way to establish a lasting spiritual impression on society is through the written word. Consequently, Śrīla Prabhupāda places immense importance on utilizing every chance to translate, print, and distribute his books. If a devotee has the chance to approach the public, place an advertisement, or arrange a translation, they must take it immediately. Book distribution is the greatest opportunity to preach to the masses.
- If we give the job to others for distributing all our books, then where is the opportunity for our students to canvass all the citizens to purchase our books to give them good training how to preach?
- If you publish some book in Oriyan language, that book will give you good support. So now you have an opportunity, you are there and Krishna will help. Gradually we will help. Krishna is so kind, He is always ready to help.
- If you read our books, if you inquire, then we get opportunity to explain. And our distribution of books means that is indirectly propagating our mission.
- It appears that you neglected to advertise my books. It was a very good opportunity but why was it overlooked?
- You plan to have travelling parties go out village to village preaching and distributing my books in Telegu language is very important. Do it nicely.
Reaching Students and the Public
Because the modern education system provides zero training regarding the eternal soul, the youth are deeply misguided. To counteract this, Śrīla Prabhupāda excitedly encouraged any invitations to speak at colleges or universities. Furthermore, he guided his disciples to use public events, concerts, and even trending social topics as platforms to introduce the philosophy of Bhagavad-gītā, turning mundane situations into potent preaching opportunities.
- Our program at these colleges is so important, because we are giving all these young people an opportunity to develop real knowledge and make their lives successful.
- It is very good news that you are holding kirtanas at universities; I very much appreciate your endeavors for holding Kirtana. Krishna has given you good opportunity for serving and you are doing it sincerely.
- We have got an invitation from one professor at the University of Moscow to speak there, so it is a good opportunity for spreading Krishna Consciousness.
- We may also appear and perform kirtana at the opening of the concert, and we will sell our books there, and if there is some opportunity to give also short lecture, that will be nice.
- We shall take this opportunity to preach. "Crime, Why and What to Do?" We shall give all solution. We can arrange big, big meetings on this point, "Crime, Why and What to Do?" A very suitable heading it is.
Engaging Wealth and Talents
Spiritual life does not demand the abandonment of one's practical skills or income, provided they are properly utilized. Śrīla Prabhupāda often approved of his disciples maintaining jobs or business ventures, so long as the wealth was heavily contributed to the society's preaching efforts. Likewise, those with specific talents, such as public speaking or language translation, are urged to seize the opportunity to use their gifts entirely for the Lord's mission.
- It is a good opportunity both ways: to keep good relations with your father and to make money and serve Krishna with the money profusely. Your plan for supplying the temples with nice ornaments for their Deities is also very good.
- The service proposal is very nice and I approve of your acceptance this job. Not only your income will be a great help to the society but also it will be a great opportunity for learning how to organize our magazine Back to Godhead.
- With your speaking talents there is so much valuable preaching work that you will have opportunity to do to relieve the burden of the suffering humanity.
- This is a great opportunity that you have got a good translator. Give her sufficient work for translating, and certainly she will turn to be Krishna Consciousness.
- If you want to do business, you must take the first opportunity, the greatest opportunity, do your business. That is intelligence. And if we think, "All right, I shall do slowly. In seven hundred lives I shall become perfect," that is another thing.
Conclusion
Through these powerful instructions, Śrīla Prabhupāda establishes that a true devotee must be bold, observant, and proactive. The material energy is constantly trying to drag the conditioned soul down, but by remaining alert and taking every opportunity to preach, a disciple turns the material world into a spiritual battlefield. Those who enthusiastically use their intelligence, resources, and time for Kṛṣṇa are guaranteed to achieve the ultimate victory of returning to Godhead.
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 Our Opportunities (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.