Why Prabhupāda Wants His Disciples to Strictly Follow His Instructions
The entire process of spiritual realization depends on one's willingness to hear and apply the directions of the Supreme Lord and His pure representatives. To ensure the purity and longevity of his worldwide movement, Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly emphasized the absolute necessity of following instructions with staunch faith. Through letters and lectures, he trained his followers to become perfect receptors of Vedic knowledge and empowered them to pass those same unadulterated teachings down to others.
The Foundation of Vedic Instruction
The ultimate manual for human life is found within the pages of the Bhagavad-gītā and the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Recognizing that modern society is suffering from profound ignorance, Śrīla Prabhupāda directed his disciples to thoroughly study these foundational texts so they could instruct others perfectly. He warned that without following the supreme instructions given directly by the Lord, all mundane scholarship and worldly achievements are simply a waste of time.
- According to Bhagavad-gita, if you don't follow the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, you may be very learned scholar, whatever you write, it is lost. We follow that principle.
- Not like to dance like cats and dogs with a nice dress. That is not human life. This is the subject matter of Bhagavad-gita, our whole Vedic instruction.
- Take instruction from Bhagavad-gita in this way. Your handwriting is so nice, so by printing such booklets and learning Bhagavad-gita you can then instruct others and Krishna will bless you.
- Let us concentrate on training our devotees very thoroughly in the knowledge of Krishna Consciousness from our books, from tapes, by discussing always, and in so many ways instruct them in the right propositions.
The Role of the Internal and External Guide
A devotee is never alone on the spiritual path because the Supreme Lord resides within everyone's heart as the Supersoul, or caitya-guru. To navigate the complexities of material existence, Śrīla Prabhupāda explained that Kṛṣṇa provides guidance from within while simultaneously sending the external spiritual master to confirm those realizations. By maintaining staunch faith in both of these manifestations of divine mercy, the disciple is guaranteed to reach the ultimate perfection of life.
- Don't feel yourself to be alone because Krishna is always with you. Krishna is always with every living entity as Supersoul, and to His devotee especially He talks and gives instructions how to attain the perfectional stage of meeting Him.
- The principle is that whatever you are instructed by the Caitya Guru internally may be confirmed by the instructor or initiator externally. Then your progress will be complete.
- Your confidence to do whatever you are instructed by the Spiritual Master is very encouraging. Yes, this is the method of the Vedic injunction, staunch faith in Spiritual Master and Krsna makes one perfect in spiritual understanding.
- Our only business is to spread Krishna Consciousness to the best of our possibility, and Krishna has given us discrimination and judgment. So, Krishna is within you, you chant and ask Him, Krishna and He will give you proper instruction.
Strict Adherence to Regulative Principles
Spiritual advancement is not an artificial imposition but a natural awakening that occurs when one strictly follows the foundational rules of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. At the time of initiation, Śrīla Prabhupāda required his disciples to vow to avoid illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling, and intoxication. He frequently reminded them that casually breaking these vows destroys one's spiritual standing, whereas faithfully executing these simple instructions brings immense happiness and rapid elevation.
- If you kindly follow our instruction, our philosophy, and if you surrender yourself to Krsna, your life will be happy.
- If you have received initiation, then you have got the instruction no intoxication. So why do you ask this? That means that you have still addiction to these intoxicants. It was said, and you promised, no intoxication, so why do you think of this?
- Now both you and your wife simply carry out our instructions for keeping always engaged in Krsna activities according to strict following of the rules and regulations and chant Hare Krsna and be happy.
- Your picture shows you are a very nice boy, promising to become a good Vaisnava in the future. Krishna has sent you for being taken care of by us, so we shall do our best. You also kindly try to follow our instructions.
Empowering Senior Devotees to Instruct Others
As the movement rapidly expanded across the globe, it became necessary to distribute the responsibility of spiritual education among experienced members. To facilitate this, Śrīla Prabhupāda empowered his senior disciples, GBC representatives, and temple presidents to act as instructors for newer brahmacārīs and congregational members. He emphasized that anyone who seriously assimilates the philosophy can confidently instruct others, thereby assisting him in the massive task of delivering conditioned souls.
- Any senior devotee can be an instructor in spiritual subject matters.
- Now give all the new brahmacaris your best instruction for making spiritual advancement, you are one of my senior disciples, so that much, if you do, that will be the best service.
- I very much approve of your traveling widely throughout South Pacific, Australia, New Zealand zone, now you give all of the temple presidents your expert instructions and train them.
- It is the duty of the GBC to maintain the devotees, keep them in the highest standard of Krishna Consciousness, and give them all good instruction, and let them go out and preach for making more devotees.
Leading by Personal Example and Cooperative Management
The most powerful form of preaching is not merely speaking the philosophy, but demonstrating it through one's own immaculate behavior. For this reason, Śrīla Prabhupāda demanded that his disciples, especially sannyāsīs and managers, act with complete integrity and cooperate harmoniously with local temple authorities. He explained that setting a flawless example and adhering to proper managerial etiquette is the most effective way to instruct others and maintain the purity of the society.
- The best way to instruct the initiates is by your own good example.
- From outside if any one party comes they must work under the direct supervision and instruction of the local management, not that they shall remain separate competitor, no.
- The temple president is in charge and the sannyasi should not contradict the instructions. Although if he does see something wrong or if he sees a fault or defect he should bring it out directly to the temple president.
- Regarding our sankirtana party members dressing up as hippies in order to increase book distribution this is not a very good plan. I am instructing Bali Mardan Maharaja that this should be stopped, that we should not give anyone cause to call us hippies.
Conclusion
The transmission of absolute truth remains uncorrupted only when disciples strictly adhere to the guidance of the disciplic succession. By meticulously following both the philosophical and managerial directives given by Śrīla Prabhupāda, devotees ensure their own spiritual safety and the success of the preaching mission. This culture of faithful obedience allows the mercy of Kṛṣṇa to flow unobstructed, enlightening the entire world.
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 Instructions (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.