Srila Prabhupada's Quotes

Suppose you are a rich man's son and you have left your home, forgetting your father's property, home and happiness. And if somebody gives you information about your paternal property of immense value which you can inherit by your birthright claim, will you neglect that friend? I am sure you will not. I am able to give you such important information.

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Brother, (Jhansi, 00 November 1958)

Keep Engaged in Krishna Consciousness

Maya may try to pull us from Krishna's service, and try to engage us in her service, but we must simply persevere, and try to do as much as possible for Krishna each day, and gradually it will be easier and easier to keep engaged in Krishna Consciousness activities. And pray to Krishna to please keep us always engaged in the service of His Lotus Feet. Krishna is very kind, and He is never ungrateful, and will give you more and more opportunity to serve Him. That is His Mercy.
 

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Shyamasundara, (Los Angeles, November 12, 1968)

Nature of Spiritual Service

Service of Krishna is so nice that one becomes enthusiastic to serve more and more. That is the nature of spiritual service.It is your good fortune that you can serve Krishna in so many ways—to work, to write, to speak, to paint, to build— all of these talents must be employed in Krishna's service. That will make you perfect.We are so fortunate to be in this human form of life, and to have the opportunity and the capacity to serve Krishna, and as there is very little time, we must do as much each day as we possibly can to serve Krishna, and to become always engaged in thoughts and activities of Krishna. 

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Shyamasundara, (Los Angeles, November 12, 1968)

Krishna's Inconceivable

Krishna can adjust opposing elements. In the material world, yes and no are two opposing elements, but by Krishna's inconceivable power, yes can be no and no can be yes. That is the law of Krishna…. So we should not be afraid of any condition. Narayana para sarve na kutascana vivyati—that means, those who are in Krishna Consciousness, they are not afraid of anything. Either they are in hell, or heaven, for them, they are all equal. They do not make any distinction in the material world; this is good, or this is bad, this is hell, or this is heaven.

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Rayarama, Seattle, October 15, 1968

All Material things are Dependent on the Spiritual Soul

In the Vedas it is stated that simply by understanding Krishna, one understands everything. One who is highly elevated in material education, cannot understand about anything spiritual. But one who is elevated highly in his spiritual education can understand anything material. In other words, all material things are dependent on the spiritual soul.

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Shyama, (San Francisco, September 11, 1968)

To Serve Krishna

If we supply nice nutritious foodstuff to the stomach, it is better for all the senses. Similarly, to serve Krishna more nicely is better for our own interests. Krishna is not in need of our service but if we sacrifice everything for Krishna, that is for our good. You should always remember this maxim.

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Umapati, (Los Angeles, November 11, 1968)

Our Relationship is Eternal

Our relationship is eternal. But if somebody lags behind, so in spite of our eternal relationship one may not meet other at the destination. Just like a flock of birds—although very intimately related, every one of them has to fly in the sky by individual strength. If one is less strong, the others cannot keep him in the sky. That is the law of nature. So long as every one of us is strong in Krishna Consciousness, there is no doubt, you can fly in the spiritual sky and meet together without failure. Therefore, individual strength is most important. And that individual strength is achieved in the association of devotees also.

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Satsvarupa, (San Francisco, September 20, 1968)

Our Life Main Business

If you have got some time; the best thing would be to chant Hare Krishna more and more. Because our life is very short, we have to finish our Krishna Consciousness in this life very quickly. We do not know when we shall meet our next death, our next exit from this platform. But before going out of this platform, we may try to finish Krishna Consciousness. That is our main business.

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Jayapataka, Seattle, October 6, 1968

Your body is dedicated to Krishna

Your body is dedicated to Krishna; therefore you should not be neglectful about your body. You should always think that your body is no more your body, but it is Krishna's body. Therefore you should take care of it.

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Jayapataka, (Seattle, October 6, 1968)

Krishna Consciousness by the Grace of Krishna

Generally when we are in the material world, we try to be prosperous by material opulence. Just like a common man tries to have a good house, a good wife, a good property, good social prestige, and this way, go on increasing the bodily concept of life, and possess more and more in relationship to the body. This is unfortunate. All living entities beginning from Brahma down to an ant, everyone is trying to increase such materialistic way of happy life without knowing that any amount of material comforts of life cannot make the spiritual living entities happy. Therefore, when a living entity becomes very serious to become really happy and gets into touch with Krishna Consciousness by the Grace of Krishna and the Spiritual Master, that is the beginning of his fortunate life. And the more one becomes advanced in that fortunate way of life, the more he becomes happier and happier. This is the difference between fortunate and unfortunate. The beginning of contact with Krishna Consciousness is the beginning of good fortune. That some people may come and others may not, this is also due to association.Suppose a man accidentally comes in contact with our society and gives some service willingly or unwillingly, that is the beginning of his fortunate life.

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Toshana Krishna, (Los Angeles, November 13, 1968)

Material Civilization

When a person becomes Krishna Conscious, he can understand the falsity representation of this material civilization. One is satisfied with income which can simply maintain his body and soul together and he is no more interested to increase the bank balance unnecessarily for sense gratification. 

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Rayarama, (Seattle, October 17, 1968)

Curing the Disease of the Soul

The ordinary physician may cure the disease of the body, but if you become advanced in Krishna Consciousness, you will be able to cure the disease of the soul for many many persons. And that is more important than a doctor or medical practitioner for curing the disease of this body. However we may be expert for keeping this body fit, it is sure and certain that this will end. But if you can protect the soul from being fallen a victim of this material existence that is a greater service.

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to shana Krishna, (Seattle, October 7, 1968)

Hatha yoga received in the Bhagavad-gita

Hatha yoga received in the Bhagavad-gita is very difficult in this age. Yoga system is approved, but nobody can follow the rules and regulations strictly, neither there is suitable place for executing it, and everyone is always full of anxiety, so how they can concentrate? So the best thing is to chant Hare Krishna which is forced meditation. The topmost yogi is he who surrenders to Krishna, and worships Krishna with all thoughts, activities, and intelligence.

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Brahmananda, (Los Angeles, November 20, 1968)

Service to this Krishna Consciousness

Anyone who gives some service to this Krishna Consciousness movement is fortunate proportionately. At least the seed of his fortunate life is sown there. Whether he gives service of some sort, willingly or even unwillingly, the seed is sown, and the fortune will come proportionately. Even if somebody looks shabby and unclean, if he simply says this Krishna Consciousness is very nice thing, even he is not able to take full advantage of it at the time, still he is far more fortunate than any Rockefeller.

 

Srila Prabhupada's Letter to Toshana Krishna, (Los Angeles, November 13, 1968)