View source for Actually Following Vedic Principles and Disciplic Succession

In the science of self-realization, the concept of "actually following" is the demarcating line between theoretical religion and realized spiritual life. Śrīla Prabhupāda constantly stresses that a devotee must not only profess to be a follower but must demonstrate this through practical behavior, strict adherence to rules, and submissive service to the spiritual master. The process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is scientific; it relies on the faithful execution of instructions handed down through the disciplic succession. When one aligns their life with these instructions—avoiding sin, chanting the holy names, and observing the etiquette of the ''ācāryas''—they traverse the path safely. Conversely, a lack of strict adherence, despite external appearances, leads to stagnation or deviation.

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=== Necessity of Following Disciplic Succession ===

The foundation of Vedic knowledge rests upon the ''paramparā'' system, where truth is received without change from the spiritual authority. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that one cannot manufacture their own process; one must follow the previous ''ācāryas'', such as Nārada Muni, Vyāsadeva, and the six Gosvāmīs, to access the genuine conclusion of the scriptures.

* [[Vaniquotes:Don't follow these naradhamas. Be faithful. Try to understand, those who are actually followers of God. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. So you take to this line of disciplic succession from Krsna|Don't follow these naradhamas. Be faithful. Try to understand, those who are actually followers of God. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. So you take to this line of disciplic succession from Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Sanatana Gosvami was actually following the disciplic principles. He wanted to please Lord Caitanya submissively. To please the spiritual master means to approach him submissively, not in a challenging mood|Sanatana Gosvami was actually following the disciplic principles. He wanted to please Lord Caitanya submissively. To please the spiritual master means to approach him submissively, not in a challenging mood.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because it is Vrindaban, those who come should be exemplary so that all the people of Vrindaban, even those who would be prone to criticize, will see that we are actually following the six Goswamis headed by Rupa Goswami|Because it is Vrindaban, those who come should be exemplary so that all the people of Vrindaban, even those who would be prone to criticize, will see that we are actually following the six Goswamis headed by Rupa Goswami.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Vyasadeva actually followed Narada and did this (recording the instructions of Srimad-Bhagavatam). Srimad-Bhagavatam is the supreme instruction of the Vedas. Galitam phalam: the ripened fruit of the Vedas is Srimad-Bhagavatam|Vyasadeva actually followed Narada and did this (recording the instructions of Srimad-Bhagavatam). Srimad-Bhagavatam is the supreme instruction of the Vedas. Galitam phalam: the ripened fruit of the Vedas is Srimad-Bhagavatam.]]

=== Strict Adherence to Regulative Principles ===

Spiritual advancement is not sentimental; it requires the discipline of ''sādhana-bhakti''. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that actually following means adhering to the four regulative principles, chanting the prescribed sixteen rounds, and maintaining spiritual hygiene, which distinguishes a sincere practitioner from one who is negligent.

* [[Vaniquotes:If you actually follow all of the regulative principles and chant 16 rounds avoiding the offenses, and attend the mangala arati and classes, then Krishna will see that you are sincerely trying to follow the real process of Krishna Consciousness|If you actually follow all of the regulative principles and chant 16 rounds avoiding the offenses, and attend the mangala arati and classes, then Krishna will see that you are sincerely trying to follow the real process of Krishna Consciousness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami’s opinion that to follow the Hari-bhakti-vilasa strictly is to actually follow the Vaisnava rituals in perfect order|It is Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami’s opinion that to follow the Hari-bhakti-vilasa strictly is to actually follow the Vaisnava rituals in perfect order.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who does not actually follow the hygienic principles prescribed in the Vedic rules and regulations will be subjected to many contagious diseases|One who does not actually follow the hygienic principles prescribed in the Vedic rules and regulations will be subjected to many contagious diseases.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If you actually follow strictly the rules and regulations and chant sixteen rounds, why they'll not follow? They'll follow. If you are not attending class and mangala arati, if you are not finishing sixteen rounds, then that is bad example|If you actually follow strictly the rules and regulations and chant sixteen rounds, why they'll not follow? They'll follow. If you are not attending class and mangala arati, if you are not finishing sixteen rounds, then that is bad example.]]

=== Universal Application of Religious Orders ===

The principle of obedience to the Supreme Lord is universal, applying to all authentic religious traditions. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that if people were to actually follow the commandments of their respective scriptures, such as the teachings of Lord Jesus Christ or the Vedic injunctions against violence, the world would be transformed and free from sinful reactions.

* [[Vaniquotes:If they actually follow the commandments given by Lord Jesus Christ, the world will change, immediately|If they actually follow the commandments given by Lord Jesus Christ, the world will change, immediately.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One who actually follows the principles of scripture must be a devotee of God because all the sastras instruct us to obey the orders of the Personality of Godhead|One who actually follows the principles of scripture must be a devotee of God because all the sastras instruct us to obey the orders of the Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:People do not believe even in the next life, and what to speak of atonement and punishment. They are kept in darkness. Otherwise if they would have followed actually the injunction of the sastras one should not be killing anyone|People do not believe even in the next life, and what to speak of atonement and punishment. They are kept in darkness. Otherwise if they would have followed actually the injunction of the sastras one should not be killing anyone.]]

=== Result of Sincere Following ===

The ultimate success of spiritual life is guaranteed for those who do not deviate from the instructions of the Lord and His pure devotees. Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that by actually following the path of devotion, one pleases the Supreme Lord, achieves liberation from the material energy, and returns to the spiritual world.

* [[Vaniquotes:By actually following the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga as recommended by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, one can very quickly come to the transcendental platform of liberation, as explained in this verse (SB 4.21.40) - atyanta-samam|By actually following the regulative principles of bhakti-yoga as recommended by Srila Narottama dasa Thakura, one can very quickly come to the transcendental platform of liberation, as explained in this verse (Srimad-Bhagavatam 4.21.40) - atyanta-samam.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If one actually follows Rsabhadeva, he will certainly be delivered from the clutches of maya and return home, back to Godhead|If one actually follows Rsabhadeva, he will certainly be delivered from the clutches of maya and return home, back to Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One can spiritually advance if one actually follows the instructions of Narada Muni. If one pleases Narada Muni, then the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hrsikesa, is also pleased|One can spiritually advance if one actually follows the instructions of Narada Muni. If one pleases Narada Muni, then the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Hrsikesa, is also pleased.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Rukmini continued, "Actually, I followed all these great souls. I followed the path of these great beggars and decided to surrender my life unto Your (Krsna's) lotus feet"|Rukmini continued, "Actually, I followed all these great souls. I followed the path of these great beggars and decided to surrender my life unto Your (Krsna's) lotus feet."]]

=== Conclusion ===

To actually follow the Vedic principles and the disciplic succession is the essence of a successful human life. It is not enough to simply identify with a religious group or theoretically accept a philosophy; one must practically implement the instructions of the spiritual master and the scriptures in daily life. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that this sincere adherence—manifested through strict ''sādhana'', submissive inquiry, and consistent behavior—is the only way to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By doing so, the devotee transcends the influence of ''māyā'' and becomes a true candidate for returning back home, back to Godhead.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Actually Following|Actually Following]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

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