Remembering Srila Prabhupada - I am always praying - Blog - ISKCON Desire Tree

I am always praying

Prabhupada had often criticised the exploitative mentality that formed the basis of previous colonisation by different nations, especially the Europeans, as they spread into the "New World". The English, for instance, had come to America, taken the land from the indigenous people there, and claimed it as their property. Prabhupada likened their thinking to that of thieves who desired to "honestly" divide up stolen booty. And a similar thing had happened in Australia.

As Srila Prabhupada had taken pains to point out on many occasions, each country belonged to Krsna. Prabhupada, however, often compared the spread of Krsna consciousness throughout the world to the previous colonial days of the British Empire. He had written Bali-mardana in 1970:

Formerly, your forefathers, many European and American gentlemen, were courageous to go outside their country for colonisation; and Australia is a vivid example of such adventures. Now, by the grace of Krishna, yourself and Upendra, the descendants of your adventurous forefathers, have gone there with a great mission.

On another occasion, Prabhupada wrote to Bali-mardana:
As formerly the Europeans made colonisation in different parts of the world, it is the same thing, colonisation by sankirtana in Krishna consciousness.

Just as the Europeans had been very enterprising in their colonisation, Prabhupada explained, similarly his disciples should be very enthusiastic to open different branches of the Krsna consciousness movement in different parts of the world.

But Prabhupada made it clear that the devotees' motives were not selfish ones:

"Caitanya's mission is not that we colonise in other countries and exploit them, bring money, and become a lord. No. Our mission is to revive Krishna consciousness throughout the whole world. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has entrusted this missionary work to everyone."

Prabhupada saw the world enveloped in the darkness of ignorance, but he was convinced that Krsna consciousness could rectify the situation. By linking everything with Krsna through devotional service, people could enjoy the essence of spiritual existence even in this life. Krsna consciousness, Prabhupada had described, was "the one switch that will brighten everything, everywhere".

Prabhupada saw the spread of Krsna consciousness in Australia as auspicious. As he had pointed out in The Nectar of Devotion, real auspiciousness meant distributing spiritual knowledge everywhere.

Now branches of the Krsna consciousness movement had been established in four major capital cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide. Prabhupada continued to encourage his disciples to open branches throughout Australia. As he had written Upendra, who had planned to open a temple in Perth: "I am always praying that my disciples should gradually increase our war against maya on all fronts."

- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu

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