View source for Aligning Our Lives with Prabhupāda's Opinion

Śrīla Prabhupāda acted as a compassionate father, often sharing his personal opinion to guide his disciples through the complexities of material life and service. While he remained humble, he made it clear that a disciple's success depends entirely on setting aside personal mental concoctions and accepting the authorized direction of his spiritual master.

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=== The Authority of His Spiritual Master's View ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that his opinions were not the result of personal speculation but were direct reflections of the teachings of Kṛṣṇa. He cautioned his followers that relying on one's own imperfect intellect is dangerous, whereas following the authorized view of his spiritual master leads to the highest benefit.

* [[Vaniquotes:Any opinion different from the opinion of the spiritual master is useless|Any opinion different from the opinion of the spiritual master is useless.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I have never said anything which is not spoken by Krsna. I never said, "In my opinion." I never said. You are so many students. I never said that to you. What is my opinion? One should know, "What is the value of my opinion? I am imperfect being"|I have never said anything which is not spoken by Krsna. I never said, "In my opinion." I never said. You are so many students. I never said that to you. What is my opinion? One should know, "What is the value of my opinion? I am imperfect being."]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The original potency of the sastra remains in these books because I have not added or opinionated anything of my own|The original potency of the sastra remains in these books because I have not added or opinionated anything of my own.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If you try to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is, it will be very nice, beneficial to everyone. That is my, not opinion; that is the fact. Things should be taken as it is. Call a spade a spade. Now, interpretation is required when things are not clear|If you try to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is, it will be very nice, beneficial to everyone. That is my, not opinion; that is the fact. Things should be taken as it is. Call a spade a spade. Now, interpretation is required when things are not clear.]]

=== Guidance on Personal Conduct and Service ===

In his intimate exchanges, Śrīla Prabhupāda provided specific directions on how a disciple should spend their time. He frequently expressed his opinion that preaching and traveling for ''saṅkīrtana'' are far more valuable than pursuing business or independent travel, which he often viewed as a waste of time.

* [[Vaniquotes:By misuse of one's independence one at once becomes a victim of Maya and thus he loses all importance in Krishna Consciousness. So it is my definite opinion that his lecture anywhere now will bear no spiritual sequence. He must rectify his mistake|By misuse of one's independence one at once becomes a victim of Maya and thus he loses all importance in Krishna Consciousness. So it is my definite opinion that his lecture anywhere now will bear no spiritual sequence. He must rectify his mistake.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If you want to travel I recommend you travel with the Sankirtana party, and chant Hare Krishna with them wherever you go. And you will profit by this sort of travel, whereas the other is a waste of time practically. So that is my opinion|If you want to travel I recommend you travel with the Sankirtana party, and chant Hare Krishna with them wherever you go. And you will profit by this sort of travel, whereas the other is a waste of time practically. So that is my opinion.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In my opinion, it is better to travel and preach than open business. I had a nice business, one of the best in India, and Krishna took it all away, and now I am very much thankful|In my opinion, it is better to travel and preach than open business. I had a nice business, one of the best in India, and Krishna took it all away, and now I am very much thankful.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I (Prabhupada) have read your letter, and it is my opinion that you should return to Santa Cruz. But where ever you stay you must chant 16 rounds daily and strictly adhere to the regulative principles as well as try to study my books|I have read your letter, and it is my opinion that you should return to Santa Cruz. But where ever you stay you must chant 16 rounds daily and strictly adhere to the regulative principles as well as try to study my books.]]

=== Managing the Mission and Preaching ===

The growth of the movement required careful oversight, and Śrīla Prabhupāda shared his insights on how to maintain the purity and effectiveness of the temples. He believed that even a single sincere soul could sustain a center and that the appearance of the devotees should reflect the angelic nature of the spiritual world.

* [[Vaniquotes:In my opinion temples are centres for educating the public in spiritual values and I have a mission to organize all temples for that spiritual education|In my opinion temples are centres for educating the public in spiritual values and I have a mission to organize all temples for that spiritual education.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I have read your statements regarding opening centers. I am not in agreement with Mr. Altman that we are expanding very thinly. In my opinion, a single sincere soul can maintain a center|I have read your statements regarding opening centers. I am not in agreement with Mr. Altman that we are expanding very thinly. In my opinion, a single sincere soul can maintain a center.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The majority vote and my opinion should be taken. When the majority opinion is present, my opinion will be yes or no. In most cases it will be yes unless it is grievously against our principles|The majority vote and my opinion should be taken. When the majority opinion is present, my opinion will be yes or no. In most cases it will be yes unless it is grievously against our principles.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:He has gone directly to N.Y. & is now causing these disturbances without consulting me. I have not sanctioned these methods. In my opinion, Clean shaved Brahmacharies & Grhasthas in saffron robes look like angels from Baikunta|He has gone directly to N.Y. and is now causing these disturbances without consulting me. I have not sanctioned these methods. In my opinion, Clean shaved Brahmacharies and Grhasthas in saffron robes look like angels from Baikunta.]]

=== Navigating Family and Social Life ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s fatherly concern was most evident in his opinions regarding the family lives of his disciples and the education of their children. He consistently advocated for stability in marriage and provided clear standards for the Gurukula to ensure the next generation was properly trained in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

* [[Vaniquotes:In my opinion all Gurukula students should be educated free of charge, but outside students may be charged|In my opinion all Gurukula students should be educated free of charge, but outside students may be charged.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If your wife keeps herself peaceful living separately from you, I think you can arrange for the time being like that, but in my opinion, this business of separation may not be developed into a case of divorce|If your wife keeps herself peaceful living separately from you, I think you can arrange for the time being like that, but in my opinion, this business of separation may not be developed into a case of divorce.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In my opinion, because you wanted permission of your parents, you should wait at least for such time when your parents will permit you. But if you are strongly desirous, then you can disregard your father's desire and make advancement in KC|In my opinion, because you wanted permission of your parents, you should wait at least for such time when your parents will permit you. But if you are strongly desirous, then you can disregard your father's desire and make advancement in Krsna Consciousness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:It is my opinion that considering all points, we will do best to move Gurukula to India|It is my opinion that considering all points, we will do best to move Gurukula to India.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s personal opinions were never arbitrary; they were compassionate applications of absolute truth to the practical lives of his followers. By listening to his guidance on everything from high-level management to personal family dynamics, disciples can navigate the dangers of ''māyā'' with confidence. Ultimately, his "opinion" serves as a bridge, allowing his disciples to align their own limited perspectives with the infinite wisdom of his spiritual master and the Kṛṣṇa conscious tradition.

=== 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:My Opinion (Prabhupada)|My Opinion (Prabhupada)]]. 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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