Love Means to Follow
I want one student who follows my instruction. I don't want millions. Ekas candras tamo hanti na ca tarah-sahasrasah. If there is one moon in the sky, that is sufficient for illumination. There is no need of millions of stars. So my position is that I want to see that at least one disciple has become pure devotee. Of course, I have got many sincere and pure devotees. That is my good luck. But I would have been satisfied if I could find out one only. Lecture, San Francisco, July 15, 1975
Our ISKCON "dedicated followers of fashion" are always coming up with new fads, that last for some time then get forgotten as a new craze comes in. Some devotees are always running here and there, anxious to do this, try that, read another book, hear something different, check out a fresh experience, introduce something new, without realizing what a valuable treasure they have -- the instructions of Srila Prabhupada. Better just stick to the essence, that is, what Srila Prabhupada has given us. As followers of Srila Prabhupada and Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the essence of our spiritual life is preaching. Our central activities are chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra daily, the morning sadhana program, dressing as devotees, taking only Krsna prasada, and being loyal to the ISKCON institution. No need for any speculative innovations. Let's stick to the basics: "Chant Hare Krsna and be happy."
You must see that they strictly follow the regulative principles, the four prohibitions, as well as the devotional practices of arising early, taking morning bath, putting on tilak, attending mangal aratik, chanting japa sixteen rounds, and attending Srimad Bhagavatam class. This is the duty of all my initiated disciples, whether they are big or they are small. Letter, 19th Sept., 1974
Everyone must rise early, take bath, attend mangala arati, chant at least sixteen good rounds, attend class, and follow the four regulative principles. If these things are lax, then there is no question of spiritual life. Anyone who does not accept these things staunchly will have to fall down. You must teach them by your own personal example, otherwise how will they learn? Letter, 16th Jan., 1975
I am requesting again and again that all of my disciples simply follow all of the rules and regulations very strictly. Rising early, chanting sixteen rounds, attending mangala-arati and class etc. are all essential for spiritual development. Letter, 1st Feb., 1975
As Srila Prabhupada wrote about his own guru (Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja): He lives forever by his divine instructions and the follower lives with him. (Srimad-Bhagavatam, Dedication)
- From the "My Memories of Srila Prabhupada" by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
Comments