When Prabhupāda Addresses Himself We See a Life of Humble Service
Śrīla Prabhupāda's life is a masterclass in humility and determination. He never sought to promote himself as a great scholar or a powerful leader; instead, he always pointed toward the grace of his spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. To understand Śrīla Prabhupāda is to understand a soul completely surrendered to the service of Kṛṣṇa, viewing every challenge as an opportunity to demonstrate the power of devotion.
Roots and Early Guidance
The foundation of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s spiritual journey was laid in his youth. He often spoke with gratitude about his father, who raised him to be a devotee, and the divine arrangement that led him to meet his spiritual master. This upbringing instilled in him a natural detachment from material life and a singular focus on the mission ahead.
- Fortunately, both our spiritual master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, and our humble self had the opportunity to take birth in the families of the transcendentalists.
- I accepted my father's advice, and by his blessings only, I was never attached to my wife or home, which resulted in my complete liberation from worldly attachment and my devoting myself fully in Krishna Consciousness.
- Once we had the opportunity to meet Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, and on first sight he requested this humble self to preach his message in the Western countries.
- Fortunately, both our spiritual master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, and our humble self, had the opportunity to take birth in such families (of the acarya or gosvami), by the grace of the Lord.
The Essence of Humility
One of the most striking features of Śrīla Prabhupāda’s character was his genuine humility. He often described himself as "the humble self" or "the lowest devotee," insisting that his only credit was that he did not change the message of the paramparā. This transparency allowed his disciples to see the purity of the message through the person.
- Actually I cannot claim any credit for myself, but I say if any credit is due, it is due to the fact that I have not deviated from the original instructions.
- I do not think myself a very learned scholar, but I have full faith in the service of my spiritual master, His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.
- Personally I have no credit for myself, but I am trying to act as faithful servant of my predecessors and just presenting without any adulteration the message which I have received from my Spiritual Master.
- I don't consider myself the best devotee. I am the lowest. You are the best devotee.
Pioneer Days in the West
When Śrīla Prabhupāda arrived in America in 1965, he was seventy years old and alone. He faced theft, cold winters, and long periods without a permanent shelter. Yet, his letters and conversations from this time show a person completely dependent on Kṛṣṇa, spending his nights translating the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam even while he struggled to maintain his physical existence.
- I had only forty rupees with me, and a return ticket in the Scindia Navigation Companies. So for two, three months, six months, there was no response. I was simply maintaining myself by selling my books.
- I started this movement in 1967 in New York, in a small scale. I went there in 1965, and for one year I had no shelter, neither any means to maintain myself. I had some books only, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and some way or other, I pulled on.
- I was maintaining myself by selling these books for one year. There was no friend, and I was living in apartment with great difficulty. Still, the whole, I mean to say, stock, and my typewriter, my tape recorder - everything was stolen.
- At the age of 70 I had the energy to go outside India and apart from other various duties, engage myself in writing books even at night without sleep. All these have been done in accordance with the direction of my Prabhupada Gurudeva.
The Visionary Founder-Ācārya
As the International Society for Krishna Consciousness began to flourish, Śrīla Prabhupāda took on the role of the authoritative Founder-ācārya. He managed the legal incorporation, guided the Back to Godhead magazine, and trained his disciples to be "aggressive" in their preaching just as he had been. Despite his position, he remained deeply affectionate, often reminiscing about cooking and distributing prasādam to his very first students.
- I (Prabhupada) authorize that the Society may incorporate under the Religious Societies Act of 1860 separately in West Bengal as the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Calcutta) with myself as Founder-Acarya.
- So far, up to date, actually I am the only superior controller, but as the boys are getting experienced I shall very soon transfer the administration to them, simply keeping myself as an overseer guide.
- Regarding the problem of how to be aggressive on Sankirtana and submissive in the temple, my request to you is that you should go on being aggressive on Sankirtana. I myself was aggressive in coming to your country.
- We are now converting BTG to exclusively contain articles by my disciples and myself, along with many pictures of our Sankirtana activities.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s life was his message. By looking at his "humble self," we see a soul who transcended the limitations of age, poverty, and isolation through the strength of his devotion. He did not ask his disciples to do anything he had not already done—whether it was cooking for others, selling books on the street, or working through the night to serve the mission. His example remains the ultimate shelter for all who seek to walk the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, reminding us that when we serve with purity and humility, the Supreme Lord provides everything we need.
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 Myself (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.