Herein is a compilation of Srila Prabhupada quotes according to various topics of how Srila Prabhupada envisioned ISKCON to move forward. I am sure there are many other relevant quotes. The reader will see patterns emerge throughout these topics which unequivocally establish Prabhupada’s multifaceted vision for his Movement. The idea that his Movement must be either conservative or progressive is counterproductive. There is no need for devotees to argue that one position is right and another is wrong. To do so will only deflate Prabhupada’s vision.
Definition of a Guru
Here Srila Prabhupada offers a clear and simple understanding. All quotes are from an interview with Prabhupada in London, May 1, 1973. The interview appeared in BTG Vol 55, 1973 as “Test of a Genuine Guru.”
A guru’s business is to canvass everyone to become devotees of God. That is the sum and substance of a real guru’s business. Indeed, he has no other business.
Anyone, it doesn’t matter who he be—Hindu, Muslim or Christian—is a guru if he convinces people to become lovers of God. That is the test.
It doesn’t matter how one is dressed.
As Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ‘Whoever can impart knowledge about Krsna is a spiritual master.’
In the Mundakopanisad it is stated, srotriyam brahma-nistham. ‘The genuine guru is well versed in the scriptures and Vedic knowledge, and he is completely dependent on Brahman.’
The genuine guru is not interested in collecting money but in getting people to become devotees of Krsna, or God. He has no other business.
All we have to know is that the genuine guru is simply talking about God and trying to get people to become God’s devotees.
What Prabhupada Wanted of His Disciples
Anyone following the order of Lord Caitanya under the guidance of His bonafide representative, can become a spiritual master and I wish that in my absence all my disciples become the bonafide spiritual master to spread Krishna Consciousness throughout the whole world. I want it…
Letter to Madhusudana, Nov. 2, 1967Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that anyone who knows the science of Krishna, that person should be accepted as Spiritual Master, regardless of any material so-called qualifications; such as rich or poor, man or woman, or brahmana or sudra.
Letter, New Vrindavan, 14 June 1969Mohsin Hassan: After you, is it any decision has been made who will take over?
Prabhupada: Yes. All of them will take over. These students, who are initiated from me, all of them will act as I am doing. Just like I have got many Godbrothers, they are all acting. Similarly, all these disciples which I am making, initiating, they are being trained to become future spiritual masters.
Conversation in Detroit, July 18, 1971
But these women are not ordinary women. They are preachers. They are preachers. They are Vaisnava. By their association, one becomes a Vaisnava.
Morning Walk, March 27, 1974, Bombay
Why Should There Be Controversy?
Some may say that this idea of female gurus is “revisionist,” a “new” idea, the result of “modernity” and “westernization.” To make these accusations one must ignore the words of Srila Prabhupada himself. Prabhupada’s statements, however, reveal that he did not consider male vs female. Instead, he expected all of his disciples to become initiating gurus after he disappeared from the world.
Today, there are many of Prabhupada’s initiated disciples who have been steadily serving his mission over the years. It is now time to implement Prabhupada’s vision; to invigorate and expand the Movement by encouraging any of his disciples (now in their 60s, 70s, and 80s), both men and women, to become initiating gurus. Many may have already heard Caitanya’s and Prabhupada’s order to accept disciples of their own. But thus far they have submissively abided by the will of the GBC. But the time has arrived to implement Prabhupada’s vision for his disciples.
Some might ask, have these disciples been authorized by Prabhupada? But does asking such a question really serve any purpose? Many of Prabhupada’s god-brothers took on disciples, but Prabhupada never questioned them if they were authorized to do so. And where is Bhaktisiddhanta’s order to Prabhupada? Such an “order from the guru” is an intimate affair. (See Receiving the Guru’s Order – Q&A) Do those who accept the position of Gaudiya Vaisnava guru need to provide a letter of authorization? And as far as being a shiksha or diksa guru, Prabhupada explains that the shiksha guru usually becomes the diksa guru. This is a natural progression.
Receiving the Guru’s Order
Q&A
Indian man: When did you become the spiritual leader of Krishna consciousness?
Srila Prabhupada: What is that?
Brahmananda: He’s asking when did you become the spiritual leader of Krishna consciousness?
Srila Prabhupada: When my Guru Maharaja ordered me. This is the guru-parampara.
Indian: Did it…
Srila Prabhupada: Try to understand. Don’t go very speedily. A guru can become guru when he’s ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can become guru.
Indian woman: (Hindi)
Srila Prabhupada: (Hindi) Sadhi mam prapannam. “I am surrendered to You. Whatever You say, I shall carry out.” That’s all.
Indian man: When did he tell you to…?
Srila Prabhupada: What is the business, when did he tell me? And why shall I disclose to you? It is so very insignificant thing that I have to explain to you?
Indian man: No, I am just curious when…
Srila Prabhupada: You should be curious within your limit. You should know that one can become guru when he is ordered by his guru, this much.
BG 7.2, Nairobi, 28/10/1975
amara ajnaya guru hana tara’ ei desa
yare dekha, tare kaha ‘krsna’-upadesa
(CC Madhya 7.128)Lord Caitanya says that, ‘Every one of you become the spiritual master. Every one of you. Why one, two? Every one of you.’ ‘Oh, spiritual master is very difficult job.’ No. No difficult job. Caitanya Maha… Amara ajnaya: ‘Just try to carry out My order. That’s all. Then you become spiritual master.’ And if you interpolate, if you put something nonsense, rubbish, to show your so-called rascal’s education, then it is spoiled. Immediately spoiled. And if you present as it is, then it is pure.
Lecture, May 9, 1969You become a guru. Everyone. ‘How shall I become guru? I have no qualification.’ Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ‘You don’t require any qualification. You simply require one qualification, that you repeat the instruction of Bhagavad-gita. That’s all.
Lecture in India, March 16, 1976
Guru vs Scripture
Prabhupada often stated “Don’t change anything” and just as often said “Present according to time, place and circumstance.” What does he mean? And if there is contradiction, does scripture or guru take precedent? Let’s see what Srila Prabhupada has to say, but first a word from sastra.
The solid truth of religious principles is hidden in the heart of an unadulterated self-realized person… one should accept whatever progressive path the mahajanas advocate.
CC Madhya 17.186 (from Mahabharata, Vana-parva 313.117)
We do not want all these rituals. Chanting Hare Krsna is our only business. According to the Manu-samhita you are all mlecchas and yavanas…
Letter, May 19, 1977
Such expansions of transcendental service may appear to be material to the materialist, but factually they are expansions of the causeless mercy of the Lord towards the devotee.
SB 3.9.34, Purport
…If someone does go and preach, taking all risks… that is not at all faulty according to sastra.
SB 4.8.54, Purport
All the great acaryas… executed their mission by adjustment of religious principles in terms of time and place. SB 1.9.9, Purport
..By the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu… He proposed to invent a way to capture those who strayed from Krsna consciousness.
CC Adi 7.31–32, Purport
Unity in Diversity
In the material world there are varieties, but there is no agreement… Please try to maintain the philosophy of unity in diversity. That will make our movement successful.
Letter, Oct. 18, 1973
Implementing unity in diversity requires… a balance between conserving principles and encouraging innovation.
GBC Statement, Feb. 2017
ISKCON’s Mission
Caitanya Himself mandated that His Movement spread to every town and village. “Don’t consider who is fit or who is unfit.” Srila Prabhupada wanted devotees to dedicate their lives in loving service to Lord Krishna and spread the yuga-dharma.
When in England, France, Russia, Prussia, and America all fortunate persons… will raise the waves of sankirtana…
Bhaktivinoda Thakura
In India all the acaryas and their descendants later on acted only from the man’s side… But in Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also equally competent…
Letter, Dec. 20, 1969
So we want to spread Krishna consciousness… there will be no scarcity of acarya…
Mayapur lecture, April 6, 1975
Each sloka can be seen from many, many angles of vision…
Letter, June 16, 1972
I wish that it will be noted down in history that this Krishna Consciousness Movement is responsible for saving the world.
Letter, Jan. 1, 1972
In Conclusion
No one should be confused by Prabhupada’s seemingly contradictory statements. ISKCON is neither conservative nor progressive, and yet it is both. His instructions are meant to be adjusted according to place, time, and circumstance.
I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy.
Letter, Dec. 2, 1975
This is not a male vs female issue. No one should hinder the growth of Prabhupada’s Movement by discrediting his instructions. At this time, these various instructions can be applied accordingly by the senior devotees, Prabhupada’s direct disciples, to fulfil Prabhupada’s vision for ISKCON.
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva
nasty eva gatir anyatha