On Fulfilling Srila Prabhupada's Desires
"Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life."
This dictum (noted in the purport to Bhagavad-gita As It Is 4.34) formed the basis of Srila Prabhupada's approach to Krsna consciousness and his attitude towards his guru. He communicated this vital essence to us also: "We have to do something to please Srila Prabhupada."
Once a sannyasi asked a group of devotees, "Are you ready for death?" He let them think about it for a few moments, then asked them all one by one. A few said, "Maybe," but most of the large group were clear: "No!" After going around everyone, the sannyasi stated his own case: "I'm not ready to die. I have to do something for Srila Prabhupada first."
Everyone should ask themselves, "What am I doing for Srila Prabhupada? Is it enough? Could I do more? What should I be doing that I'm not?"
What does Srila Prabhupada want? Prabhupada had many Krsna conscious desires that he wanted his followers to fulfill. He wanted his disciples to become pure devotees and preach the message of Krsna to others. Both by example and precept, he emphasized preaching.
Let us do something which will bring a peaceful revolution to the whole human society. Letter, 1st April, 1974
Let the whole United States become Vaisnavas, then everyone else in the whole world will follow. That is my real ambition. Letter, 28th December, 1974
Prabhupada said that his one problem was that he could not think small, he could only think big. His ambitions for spreading Krsna consciousness are enormous, mind-boggling. What can we do to fulfill them? How much capability do we have? Our own strength is very little. Sometimes we find it difficult just to keep up the minimum standard Prabhupada gave us, what to speak of expanding the preaching. Nevertheless, if a devotee sincerely tries to execute the order of the spiritual master, strength will come, and amazing things will happen. Despite all our weaknesses, somehow or other Srila Prabhupada has chosen us, the members of the International Society for Krsna Consciousness, to fulfill his desires in the mission of Lord Caitanya. It is a great blessing to be an instrument in the hands of Srila Prabhupada for changing the world by sankirtana. We all want to please Srila Prabhupada, and the sure way to do it is to all work together to make his ISKCON a great success.
- From the "My Memories of Srila Prabhupada" by HH Bhakti Vikas Swami
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