Let’s immediately realize the importance of massive works left for all of usby Srila Prabhupada and use them to broadcastthe Krsna consciousness movement in every house
May 31, 2024 in Articles by Vijaya Pandita dasa
Hare Krishna
All Glories to His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada
It has been 47 years since the Krsna Consciousness movement has turned topsy-turvy, as its control has been given to the people addicted by sense gratification and still under the bodily conception of life.
“Sankirtana means chanting of the holy name of the Lord. The Hare Krsna movement is not a new movement as people sometimes mistakenly think. The Hare Krsna movement is present in every millennium of Lord Brahma’s life, and the holy name is chanted in all the higher planetary systems…. The sankirtana movement that was started in this world five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is therefore not a new movement. Sometimes, because of our bad luck, this movement is stopped, but Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His servants again start the movement for the benefit of the entire word or, indeed, the entire universe.”
Srimad-Bhagavatam 7:15:71 Purport
The movement was started with an aim to reestablish our eternal relationship with Krsna and enjoy unlimited transcendental bliss eternally, but the entire crux of this has been forgotten by most of us, which makes us disobey the orders of Srila Prabhupada who is our eternal spiritual master.
Therefore, this article is presented with an intention to make the devotees aware of the immense works left by Srila Prabhupada for all of us to make advancement and thus spread the glories of Krsna everywhere across the world. One must be completely serious to realize the importance in this regard and immediately start making the best use of these resources, so that one can easily associate with Krsna and Srila Prabhupada to receive eternal spiritual happiness.
The best remedy to completely eradicate the demonic influence of those who have tried to purge the movement by self-ambition is to chant the holy name always without committing any offense and to keep oneself engaged in studying and spreading Srila Prabhupada’s original works.
It is seen that there are so many fed up with this demonic influence, but to counteract this, they have started to keep criticizing the sahajiya movement entire day, without themselves really making a good progress on the path.
This is observed on social media and other sites etc, where those who have left the movement are always engaged in making memes or trolling others in every possible way. While this might simply make others aware of what’s happening inside iskcon, it will never spread the transcendental effect of Krsna consciousness, because this is simply a rejection of the bad and lack of knowledge of how one must advance further to achieve the real good.
The readers must note that in no way does the above paragraph condemn the criticism of all nonsense happening, but it intends to put a check on its continuity with a lack of real devotional service to the Lord, as this is not what Srila Prabhupada wants. He wants all of us to go back home and enjoy our relationship with Krsna and his innumerable topmost devotees without any tinge of material hallucinative attractions.
“Satisfaction of the self-realized spiritual master is the secret of advancement in spiritual life” (BG 4.34 Purport, Original Macmillan Edition)
So now, we shall see what all interesting works have been given to us by Srila Prabhupada and how to utilize them in the right way.
1. 80+ Original Books(with most of them being over 400 pages): Srila Prabhupada has written so many transcendental literatures, in which even a page can elevate one from the clutches of birth and death.
“This mission has been established simply on the publishing and distribution of my books. So get them translated and published as soon as possible”.
(Srila Prabhupada Letter , 26/7/75)
“Yes, if they read. Even if they touch. That is the difference between this book and ordinary book.”
Room Conversation with Mr. & Mrs. Wax, Writer and Editing Manager of Playboy Magazine — July 5, 1975, Chicago
“What I talk, I have written in the books…you can associate with me by reading my books.”
Morning Walk: August 7, 1975, Toronto2.
4100+ Audio tapes: These tapes consist of lectures, morning walks, conversations,addresses, etc. Many of these tapes have a length of over 50 minutes to 1 hour(some tapes exceed even 3 hours). Even if a person decides to complete 2 tapes a day, it will take about 5-6 years just to finish one round of completion of these tapes. Anyone seriously interested in studying each and every of these tapes will undoubtedly make quick progress.
Earlier, these tapes were available in DVDs or in temple libraries, which were also costly and somewhat difficult to access. Now with the advent of technology, they are all available in just “a few clicks” for free of cost. All one needs to do is open the tape link and just play it for an hour or so.
Previously, people had to travel to hear Srila Prabhupada, but now we can hear him easily. Noting this, shouldn’t one hear the transcendental words making the best use of this excellent opportunity?
“Therefore, I recommend you to read books more and more and try to understand the subject matter from different angles of vision and be always discussing it with your god-brothers even while you are working at the press, and when you are working and you cannot read, then listen to the tapes of my lectures and hear in that way”.[Letter to Bhargava written from Los Angeles, June 13, 1972]
3. 7000+ letters: These letters are called as Siksamrta, they contain direct instructions to so many devotees and non devotees. So many questions posed by people have been answered here as well. One can find so much nectar present in his letters which remove doubt and illusion from one’s mind.
We can spend a minimum 15 minutes a day to complete at least 3-4 letters. To study all of them fully may take years, but it will still guarantee one the best spiritual knowledge.
4. 11,000+ Questions and answers in his books, letters, tapes etc: It is interesting to note that over 11,000 QAs have been addressed in his works. One can clear all doubts by studying these QAs asked from various angles of vision and on so many topics by interviewers, devotees, non-devotees,etc.
If one becomes proficient in studying these, one can very easily open the eyes of those still in material hankering, as the answers given by Srila Prabhupada have the effect of brightening up the spiritual dormancy being in presence for a very long time.
“Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth.” (BG 4.34 Translation, Original Macmillan Edition)
5. The Back to Godhead Magazine: The BTG Magazine was started in 1944 to enlighten the general public in the matters of spirituality. It has 100s of articles written by Srila Prabhupada on different issues and describes methods to elevate oneself to the real consciousness that is uncontaminated from the modes of material nature.
“We have to defeat tyranny in the realm of thought and create a will for world peace.“
Instruments for training the mind and educating human nature should be used to develop a proper social outlook without which institutional machinery was of little use.”These psychological movements of the leaders of all countries-combined with the orders of my Divine Master
Sri Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Prabhupada has led me to venture to start a paper under the above name and style “BACK TO GODHEAD” which implies all the words that we may intend to say in this connection.[BACK TO GODHEAD, BTG MAGAZINE,1944]
6. 250+ Kirtans, bhajans, book dictation tapes, etc: These kritans, bhajans and their purports, help one to enjoy the kirtan with Srila Prabhupada. One can learn how to play mridanga or simply play a kirtan tape and follow the style in home or workplace.
We can also associate personally with Srila Prabhupada here by playing any kirtan in a big room, where there’s a good congregation, where this will make one recognize that Srila Prabhupada himself is leading the kirtan, and we all are ecstatically chanting and dancing by following the style.
7. Other works such as essays, journals, articles, diaries,etc: Srila Prabhupada has also written essays,journals,articles and diaries in his lifetime.
For example, the essay “Who is crazy?” tries to make one aware of what he’s supposed to do and give up the crazy mindedness by being in touch with the temporary material nature.
These works are also a must read for all, for one can find so much nectar in every line of Srila Prabhupada’s words as it relishes one’s joy more and more.
“All these books should be regularly read. That will give you guidance. You haven’t got to ask repeatedly to me; everything is there.”
Room Conversation — April 2, 1972, Sydney
To summarize, Srila Prabhupada has written 80+ books, 4100+ tapes, 7000+ letters, 11,000+ Questions and answers, 250+ music and purports, BTG magazine, essays, diaries,articles, journals, etc.
We need to convince all just to constantly study and follow all the above mentioned works without deviation from the principles.
If we ourselves become equipped with this knowledge, we can fulfill Srila Prabhupada’s desires to spread the movement in every house throughout the world.
This is exactly the prediction given by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is therefore hoped that this article will be of the utmost benefit to everyone because it will make everyone realise the importance of the great literature given for us to make the best use of.
We request all disciples to make everyone aware of these works and engage everyone in studying each and every line of this excellent nectar for at least 1-2 hours a day. Once these original “as it is” works are presented even to the general public, they shall receive a good reception. Slowly, these works when presented to the general public, will get spread in every house thus fulfilling the prediction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Caitanya Caritamrta– 1975 EDITION ADI LILA CHAPTER 9,TEXT 40
jagat vyāpiyā mora habe puṇya khyātisukhī ha-iyā loka mora gāhibeka kīrti
SYNONYMS
jagat vyāpiyā—spreading all over the world; mora—My; habe—there will be; puṇya—pious; khyāti—reputation; sukhī—happy; ha-iyā—becoming; loka—all the people; mora—My; gāhibeka—glorify; kīrti—reputation.
TRANSLATION
“If the fruits are distributed all over the world, My reputation as a pious man will be known everywhere, and thus all people will glorify My name with great pleasure.
PURPORT
This prediction of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s is now actually coming to pass. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being distributed all over the world through the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, and people who were leading confused, chaotic lives are now feeling transcendental happiness. They are finding peace in saṅkīrtana, and therefore they are acknowledging the supreme benefit of this movement. This is the blessing of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. His prediction is now factually being fulfilled, and those who are sober and conscientious are appreciating the value of this great movement.
Jai Srila Prabhupada. Haribol.