This is a very nice compilation of quotes by Srila Prabhupada on the importance of reading his books.
The Importance of Prabhupada’s Books
Quotes compiled by Padmapani dasa
“Thank you for reading my books and appreciating them. Please continue to do so. That will help you advance nicely in spiritual life. By reading my books and chanting Hare Krishna, your life will become perfect.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 14, 1975)
“Sometimes I become surprised how I have written this. Although I am the writer, still sometimes I am surprised how these things have come. Such vivid description. Where is such literature throughout the whole world? It is all Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. Every line is perfect.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, June 28, 1977)
“Although I am practically on the path of death, still I cannot forget about my publications. I wish that if I live or die you should take very serious care for my publications.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, June 10, 1967)
“I am so much grateful that you have enjoyed studying my books. Many young intelligent persons such as yourself are studying these books in the colleges and universities all over the world. Actually, anyone who tries to understand these books will become a great realized devotee of Lord Krishna gradually. The original potency of the sastra remains in these books because I have not added or opinionated anything of my own. I have simply presented the scriptures such as Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam as they are. Therefore, just see the effect they have on the world. At present, we have about 100 centers worldwide and about 10,000 fully dedicated students in those centers.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 19, 1975)
“My Guru Mahārāja, when he was selecting articles to be published in The Harmonist, if he sees simply that there is, several times the writer has written ‘Kṛṣṇa,’ ‘Lord Caitanya,’ like that, he passes immediately: ‘All right. It’s all right. It is all right.’ That so many times he has uttered ‘Kṛṣṇa’ and ‘Caitanya,’ so it is all right. So similarly, even if we present our Back to Godhead or any other literature in broken languages, it does not matter because the glorification of the Lord is there. That is recommended by Nārada. Tad-vāg-visargo janatāgha-viplavaḥ. Janatā agha. Agha means sinful activities. If one reads one line of this literature, although it is presented in broken language, but if he simply hears there is Kṛṣṇa, then his sinful activities immediately vanquish.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, New Vrindaban, June 6, 1969)
“You cannot directly approach God. That is useless. You have no power to approach God directly. That is not possible. Guru kṛṣṇa kṛpayā (CC Madhya 19.151). Let them study this philosophy. We have got books, enough books. One cannot read all these books even throughout whole life.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, December 17, 1970)
“So hearing is not very difficult job. But you must hear from the realized soul. That is… Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvidaḥ. If you hear from a professional man, that will not be effective. Hearing must be from sādhu, from devotee, from the lips of the devotee. Just like Śukadeva Gosvāmī was speaking to Mahārāja Parīkṣit. So … Or even if you hear yourself, you read books, you will save your life. If you simply read Kṛṣṇa book or Bhagavad-gītā or Teachings of Lord Caitanya, then you know the… As long as you are reading, the sun is unable to take your life. It is not possible for the sun to take your life. So if you constantly read, then where is the opportunity of sun’s taking your life? That means you are becoming immortal.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, June 12, 1972)
“It is just like sugar doll. Anywhere touch—it is sweet. That’s all. When I read books, I open anywhere. Any book I take, and anywhere I open, and I read.” (Srila Prabhupada Conversation, Atlanta, March 2, 1975)
“Kṛṣṇa is very kind. As soon as he begins reading Kṛṣṇa book with a little faith and adherence, Kṛṣṇa will be very much pleased. Śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ (SB 1.2.17). As soon as Kṛṣṇa is within your heart so when you read Bhagavad-gītā or Kṛṣṇa book with little seriousness, then Kṛṣṇa understands, ‘Now he is serious to understand me.’ He’s with the…. You haven’t got to search out Kṛṣṇa, He’s already within you. Simply you have to become little serious. ‘Kṛṣṇa, kindly give me knowledge so that I can understand.'” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Bombay, March 29, 1974)
Indian Man: …like your company very much in Toronto and we feel like talk you so much, but we don’t have so much time to talk with you. You have so much mercy, so we have not… know so much about Kṛṣṇa from you.
Srila Prabhupada: So, in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books. That’s all.
Indian Man: Personally, we think more greater.
Srila Prabhupada: That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books. (Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Toronto, August 7, 1975)
“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. So, don’t feel alone. Always chant whenever possible, read our books, and there will be no great difficulty.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, April 3, 1969)
“So, these things, one after another, everything is very clearly explained in this Nectar of Devotion. So, each chapter you should read very carefully. And if you cannot understand, read it repeatedly. Don’t all of a sudden, reading one or two page, immediately question, ‘Prabhupada, what is this? What is this? What is this?’ Go on reading, and the answers will automatically come. So, this book is, this valuable book is now published. You should take full advantage.” (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, June 23, 1970)
“Regarding your Sankirtan, yes, if anyone chants, tries to follow the rules and regulations, and reads our books, he’ll be successful in his life.” (Srila Prabhpada Letter, October 16, 1973)
“With record distribution alone, the result is temporary. They will hear it for some time and throw away. Book distribution is solid. Even if they do not read, simply by touching they are benefited. It is so much powerful.” (Srila Prabhpada Letter, February 2, 1975)
“The book sales are very encouraging, increasing, increasing. It is very good news. Thank you, I want this. Record selling is temporary. Even George Harrison’s record sales do not continue for a long time. But, a book sold becomes a permanent matter for enjoyment. We read the scriptures again and again and it is still fresh. When there is time I go on reading my own books.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, October 1, 1974)
“Our literatures are unique in the world and we want to introduce our philosophy in learned circles, so your report of library distribution is good news for me. Keep trying to place my books in auspicious places such as libraries, universities, clubs, etc. and someday the world will realize and appreciate these transcendental literatures.” (Srila Prabhupada letter, December 18, 1970)
“Where ever you deliver your lectures to students try to introduce at least our small books. If the students purchase these cheaper, smaller books, they will get a permanent impression of Krishna Consciousness. Especially present them Easy Journey to Other Planets, Topmost Yoga, Beyond Birth and Death, Krishna Trilogy, and Nectar of Instruction—these are cheaper and they can purchase them and read them easily.
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, January 27, 1976)
“Along with the restaurants there can be ‘Bhaktivedanta Reading Room’ where all my books can be kept and people can come and sit comfortably and read. The people will like these restaurants and reading rooms. They will take them as non-sectarian.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 16, 1977)
Srila Prabhupada: In modern time, either Hindus, Muslim or Christian, because in these places there is no teaching of philosophy, therefore they are closing, either mosque or temple or church. They will close.
Devotee: They can show no good result for their activities.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. That is preaching. Therefore, we are writing so many books. Unless we take care of the books and preach and read ourself, understand the philosophy, this Hare Kṛṣṇa will be finished within few years. Because there will be no life. How long one can artificially go on, “Hare Kṛṣṇa! Haribol!” That will be artificial, no life. (Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Los Angeles, December 12, 1973)
“Here at Mayapur my guru maharaj was printing one paper. It was selling for only a few paise. Sometimes whenever one brahmacari would go to Navadvipa and sell even a few copies, I would see my guru maharaj become very much pleased. Even if the brahmacari was not a very important member, my guru maharaj would become very, very pleased with him. He personally instructed me that books are more important than big temples. At Radha Kunda he told me that since constructing the big marble temple at Bhag Bazar, there have been so many difficulties. Our men our envious over who will live in which room. I think it would be better to take off all the marbles and sell them and print books. He told me this personally. So, I am always emphasizing book distribution. It is the better kirtana. It is better than chanting. Of course, chanting should not stop, but book distribution is the best kirtana.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, October 24, 1974)
Source:https://theharekrishnamovement.org/2017/03/15/the-importance-of-srila-prabhupadas-books/
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