What Prabhupāda Wants - Heartfelt Instructions for His Followers
Śrīla Prabhupāda's desires were never for his own comfort or prestige, but were always rooted in the deep compassion he felt for all conditioned souls. He spoke with the intimacy of a father to his children, revealing his vision for a world transformed by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By following these heartfelt instructions, disciples enter into a personal relationship with Śrīla Prabhupāda, helping him fulfill the order of his spiritual master and the paramparā. Every "I want" is a window into his soul, showing his eagerness to see his followers become ideal, his books distributed, and his temples established as sanctuaries of spiritual life. To serve these desires is the highest perfection of life for any follower of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, for by pleasing Śrīla Prabhupāda, one pleases the Supreme Lord. When we set aside our own concoctions and simply supply what he wants, we find the true meaning of anukūla, or favorable devotional service.
The Priority of Printing and Distributing Books
Śrīla Prabhupāda often shared that his greatest happiness came from seeing his books distributed. He wanted his disciples to realize that these transcendental literatures, such as Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, are the real philosophical substance of the mission. He desired that these books be printed nicely and spread profusely to every corner of the earth to give people the right information. This service was his heart and soul, and he pleaded with his students to make it their priority as well.
- From Back To Godhead I don't want anything for my book fund; I simply want my books to be nicely distributed.
- I want especially that my books and literature should be distributed profusely. This is our substance, real philosophical information, not some weak sentiments.
- The book sales are very encouraging, increasing, increasing. It is very good news. Thank you, I want this.
- I have got many thousands of disciples. These disciples want to pay me something as a matter of etiquette and I want to utilize this money for printing different kinds of books on this Krishna Consciousness Movement.
Cultivating Sincere and Ideal Disciples
Beyond mere numbers, Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted quality and sincerity in his followers. He frequently mentioned that he would consider his mission a success if he could produce even one truly sincere Vaiṣṇava who learned to love God. He pleaded with his elder disciples to set a nice example for others to follow, emphasizing that becoming an ideal follower is the best way to preach. He did not want "sitting down rascals" but active preachers who were convinced of the philosophy and free from all doubt.
- I am depending on you as one of my elder disciples to set a nice example for the others to follow. This is very much wanted. You must become ideal in all respects.
- It is useless to expect a large number of followers. We want only one good follower. If I can get one man to become Krsna conscious, I will consider my mission fulfilled.
- We don't want any numerical strength. We want one sincere person who has learned to love God, Krsna. That's all.
- I want you leaders especially to become very much absorbed in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and become yourselves completely convinced and free from all doubt.
Building Temples and Self-Sufficient Farms
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision for spiritual culture involved establishing magnificent temples and self-sufficient farm projects like New Vrindaban. He wanted these places to be centers where people could experience prasādam, chanting, and dancing while living naturally. He desired to show the world that life can be lived peacefully through land, cows, and the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa. These communities were meant to be practical examples of how to solve the economic questions of the world through God consciousness and simple living.
- Give the people nice prasadam. This is what is temple - life. Chanting, dancing, prasadam, this is what I want.
- I want the world to see by our example that life can be lived naturally, peacefully if one is self sufficient with land, some cows and chanting Hare Krishna. That is the idea of purchasing land.
- I want that New Vrindaban should be completely self-sufficient for this ghee production, not that the Society should have to subsidize New Vrindaban for nothing. No, you make only pure ghee, as much as possible, and ship to all our centers.
- I want to develop a replica of Old Vrindaban. I have got ambition to construct there 7 temples as follows: 1. Radha Madan Mohan, 2. Radha Govinda, 3. Radha Gopinatha, 4. Radha Damodara, 5. Radha Raman, 6. Radha Gokulananda, 7. Radha Syamasundara.
Mature Management and Loving Cooperation
To ensure the movement's longevity, Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted his disciples to take full responsibility for management. He especially encouraged householders to manage the temples and the GBC to oversee the society's affairs with maturity. He wanted a spirit of frank and cooperative work, free from plotting and scheming, which would allow him to sit tight and focus on his essential service of writing his books. This cooperation was his final request and the true test of his disciples' love for him.
- I (Prabhupada) want that householders shall manage in the temples, because they have got propensity to manage things and they want to take responsibility and they will not go away.
- Now I want all of you to work cooperatively and very frankly, that is our process, not that we shall always plot and scheme and write letters.
- I want now that all of my GBC secretaries do my work. Let me sit tight in Los Angeles and write my books.
- I simply want things to be developed which we have got, not to make so many big big plans and changing all the time, that is not very practical.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s desires provide a perfect roadmap for any soul wishing to advance in spiritual life and serve the mission of Lord Caitanya. His "I want" statements were not personal whims, but the manifestation of his deep love for Kṛṣṇa and his intense compassion for humanity. By printing his books, building his temples, and becoming ideal, sincere devotees, followers can directly participate in Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision. When we cooperate together to fulfill what he wants, we not only ensure the success of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement but also find the ultimate satisfaction of the soul through loving service. Serving his desires is the surest way to please his spiritual master and the entire disciplic succession.
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 I Want (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.