With Me - The Benefits of Associating with Prabhupāda
The concept of associating with a pure devotee is central to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. For the followers of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, being with Śrīla Prabhupāda was the perfection of their spiritual lives. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda had to teach his rapidly growing movement how to properly associate with him. As he traveled the globe, he kept a small entourage of assistants with him to facilitate his constant book translation and management. He sat with thousands of guests, from famous musicians like George Harrison to argumentative scholars, demonstrating how to preach boldly. Yet, his most profound teachings on the subject revealed that true association is not bound by physical proximity. By following his instructions and reading his books, anyone, anywhere, could be with him eternally—just as he constantly felt the presence of his own spiritual master.
The Eternal Association of Instruction
Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly reassured his disciples who were geographically distant that they were never separated from him. He emphasized the principle of vāṇī (words or instructions) over vapu (the physical body), teaching that absolute spiritual connection is maintained through sincere service and the studying of his books.
- Please remember always the humble teachings that you have received from me, and that will make you always associated with me, and with your other God-brothers.
- You can associate with me by reading my books.
- You should know that you are always with me; because you are sincere servitor of Krishna and following my direction sincerely, so you are always with me.
- By service, you are not only in touch with me, but my Predecessors, the Acaryas, up to Krishna.
Traveling and Translating Assistants
Despite his rigorous global preaching schedule, Śrīla Prabhupāda never paused his translation of the Vedic scriptures. To accomplish this, he required a dedicated team of personal assistants, Sanskrit editors, and secretaries to travel with him, ensuring that his literary work continued seamlessly, even on trains, buses, or in distant hotel rooms.
- At the present moment I take with me three assistants, so my books writing is going on, so that is not stopped by my travelling. So now I can go on touring and my writing will go on. So if we have got our own bus that will be very nice.
- I am very much glad that Pradyumna is now with me for teaching him correctly this sanskrit editing work. After he has become well-trained that will be a great relief to me.
- On Vyasa Puja day we had a very nice ceremony in the temple where the Vyasa Puja booklet was read aloud by Hayagriva, who is travelling with me during this European tour.
- Tamal Krsna and Shyamasundar are here with me as my liaison officers and the rest of the GBC members are spread all over the world. So please work closely together and do everything in cooperation.
Defeating Misconceptions in Personal Debate
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s physical association was a fiery forge where material illusions were destroyed. He regularly invited scholars, clergymen, impersonalist philosophers, and political activists to sit and debate with him. Through these interactions, he established the supremacy of the personal nature of God and the scientific validity of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- When I was in Calcutta, many Naxalite and Communist youths used to see me. They were arguing with me, but I defeated them smilingly. They left after offering me their respects.
- One gentleman was arguing with me... He was supporting Rama-Krishna Mission. He said, "Even stool I consider God. It is God."
- Somebody was discussing with me saguna and nirguna. Saguna means, according to their version, or a standard version, saguna means the material quality. They worship saguna-rupa. Saguna means forms of this material world.
- Mr. George Harrison appears to be very intelligent boy, and he is by the Grace of Krishna fortunate also. On the first day, he came to see me along with John Lennon, and we had talks about 2 hours. He wanted to talk with me more.
Direct Training and Compassionate Care
When disciples experienced intense difficulties, philosophical doubts, or the overwhelming pressures of management, Śrīla Prabhupāda extended the ultimate shelter. He frequently invited struggling devotees to leave their posts and come live directly with him, offering them the chance to be rejuvenated by his personal care and training.
- I am not very much pleased to note that you are leaving our ISKCON Society forever... So you can come here and live with me immediately.
- I can understand from your letters that you want to retire from business. It is very good proposal, but instead of devoting yourself to solitude, why not come with me and travel in foreign countries for some time?
- I shall call so many people, "Come and live with me and be trained up." I am just writing one advertisement. We shall have to publish it.
- If you like, you can come to India and live with me for some time. During Sri Caitanya's appearance day festival, if you like you can come and live with me. Then everything will be alright.
My Guru Mahārāja is With Me
To understand how Śrīla Prabhupāda empowered his disciples to feel his presence, one only needs to look at his own relationship with Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. Even when he arrived in America without financial support or institutional backing, he possessed supreme confidence because he knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that his spiritual master was right there with him.
- Practically, just like a vagabond I came. But I had full faith that "My Guru Maharaja is with me." I never lost this faith, and that is fact.
- Fifty years ago I was a young man, but that time has been taken and cannot be returned. The spiritual knowledge I received from my spiritual master, however, cannot be taken away, but will go with me.
- We have to save the world from the misconception of voidism and impersonalism. "The absolute is sentient Thou hast proved all impersonal calamity Thou hast moved." These lines were presented by me to my spiritual master and He was highly pleased with me.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda radically redefined the experience of spiritual association for the modern world. Whether he was sitting in a room debating with renowned intellectuals, traveling on a bus with his Sanskrit editors, or writing letters to distant disciples, his primary mission was to connect souls with Kṛṣṇa. He proved that physical distance is no barrier to spiritual intimacy. By living with complete faith in the protective presence of his own Guru Mahārāja, Śrīla Prabhupāda established a perfect template for his followers. Today, the opportunity to be with him remains wide open to anyone who sincerely takes shelter of his books, follows his instructions, and participates in his divine mission.
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 With Me (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.