View source for I See - Prabhupāda's Spiritual Vision and Observation

When Śrīla Prabhupāda uses the phrase "I see" or "I saw," he invites us to look at the world through the eyes of a pure devotee. His vision is never clouded by material illusion. Where ordinary people see technological advancement and opulent cities, Śrīla Prabhupāda sees the underlying suffering, dissatisfaction, and exploitation of a society devoid of God consciousness. Conversely, where others might see ordinary paper or a statue, he sees the transcendental presence of Kṛṣṇa in his books and the Deity. These quotes reveal the vast spectrum of his spiritual sight—from his sharp sociological observations and administrative oversight of ISKCON to his immense joy at seeing his disciples advance, and ultimately, his profound theological explanations of the Supreme Lord's absolute senses.

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=== Observations of Material Suffering ===

Traveling the world extensively, Śrīla Prabhupāda saw past the superficial glitter of modern civilization. He consistently observed that despite material opulence, the human race was deeply dissatisfied, exploited, and suffering due to a lack of spiritual knowledge.

* [[Vaniquotes:As I am travelling all over the world, I see that people are not satisfied. The dissatisfaction of the whole human race is being manifested in different ways. As sometimes the root disease becomes manifest by different symptoms|As I am travelling all over the world, I see that people are not satisfied. The dissatisfaction of the whole human race is being manifested in different ways. As sometimes the root disease becomes manifest by different symptoms.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I saw one hotel man in Calcutta cutting the throat of a chicken; he was laughing and his son was crying|I saw one hotel man in Calcutta cutting the throat of a chicken; he was laughing and his son was crying.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I see in your country that the girls are being exploited. They are taught to be independent so they become the playthings for sex. So where is the freedom?|I see in your country that the girls are being exploited. They are taught to be independent so they become the playthings for sex. So where is the freedom?]]
* [[Vaniquotes:At the present moment there is no fixture even for the physical necessities. No hope. When I first came to America, when I saw in the Bowery Street, they're lying on the street, - And how is that?|At the present moment there is no fixture even for the physical necessities. No hope. When I first came to America, when I saw in the Bowery Street, they're lying on the street, - And how is that?]]

=== Prabhupāda's Vision for Book Publication ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda's greatest desire was to see transcendental literature disseminated globally. He stated that seeing new publications, increased distribution figures, and translations into languages like French and German gave him literal life and energy.

* [[Vaniquotes:I was very happy to receive the new edition of Bhagavad gita the make up is very nice. Every time I see a new publication of my books it gives me so much enthusiasm that my life is increased by 100 years. Thank you for helping me so much|I was very happy to receive the new edition of Bhagavad gita the make up is very nice. Every time I see a new publication of my books it gives me so much enthusiasm that my life is increased by 100 years. Thank you for helping me so much.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As soon as I see that there is such increased book distribution figures, I take that to mean that all other programs are successful as well|As soon as I see that there is such increased book distribution figures, I take that to mean that all other programs are successful as well.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am very anxious to see our "Back to Godhead" printed in French and German languages just like our English language edition|I am very anxious to see our Back to Godhead printed in French and German languages just like our English language edition.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I just want to see that these books be printed, whether it be on our own press or by Dai Nippon; that is my ambition. I have become slackened in my dictaphone work because the manuscripts already there are not being pushed ahead|I just want to see that these books be printed, whether it be on our own press or by Dai Nippon; that is my ambition. I have become slackened in my dictaphone work because the manuscripts already there are not being pushed ahead.]]

=== Temple Management and Society ===

As ISKCON expanded, Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted to see his leaders (the GBC) manage the movement perfectly so he could retire to write his books. He kept a vigilant eye on the practical development of his centers and farm communities.

* [[Vaniquotes:As soon as I see that you GBC members are managing everything very nicely I shall completely retire for writing my books only and I am thinking of staying in Mayapur for six months and in your camp, L.A., for six months|As soon as I see that you GBC members are managing everything very nicely I shall completely retire for writing my books only and I am thinking of staying in Mayapur for six months and in your camp, L.A., for six months.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I do not want to see that everything deteriorates by your management. If you cannot increase then you should at least maintain what I have established|I do not want to see that everything deteriorates by your management. If you cannot increase then you should at least maintain what I have established.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:As soon as New Vrindaban is connected with a link road as well as electricity, very soon it will develop into our idea. I shall personally go and stay there and see it is developed|As soon as New Vrindaban is connected with a link road as well as electricity, very soon it will develop into our idea. I shall personally go and stay there and see it is developed.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I wanted that you Americans use your talents in spreading this cult, and I can see that you are doing that|I wanted that you Americans use your talents in spreading this cult, and I can see that you are doing that.]]

=== Joy in Seeing Disciples Advance ===

Despite his strict standards, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s vision was full of compassion and appreciation. He felt profound joy whenever he saw his disciples sacrificing their material comforts, maintaining peaceful marriages, and advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

* [[Vaniquotes:I get great pleasure when I see my own disciples from America going to far off places leaving their rich nation with all facilities and their families, to preach. The secret of success in spiritual life is to satisfy one's spiritual master|I get great pleasure when I see my own disciples from America going to far off places leaving their rich nation with all facilities and their families, to preach. The secret of success in spiritual life is to satisfy one's spiritual master.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am seeing that these fair-skinned Americans and Europeans are like angels by coming to Krishna Consciousness increasingly more and more|I am seeing that these fair-skinned Americans and Europeans are like angels by coming to Krishna Consciousness increasingly more and more.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am so glad to see that one of my sincere disciples has sacrificed everything for spreading Krishna Consciousness, and I am so pleased upon you that you are showing the example of an ideal householder|I am so glad to see that one of my sincere disciples has sacrificed everything for spreading Krishna Consciousness, and I am so pleased upon you that you are showing the example of an ideal householder.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I feel happy when I see my spiritual boys and girls especially those who have been married by my personal presence are very happy in their conjugal relationship. Even if there is some misunderstanding you should always remain rigid in service of Krishna|I feel happy when I see my spiritual boys and girls especially those who have been married by my personal presence are very happy in their conjugal relationship. Even if there is some misunderstanding you should always remain rigid in service of Krishna.]]

=== Absolute Spiritual Vision ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that true vision requires philosophical understanding. We must learn to see beyond the material body to the spirit soul within, and we must understand that the Supreme Lord’s senses are absolute and unlimited.

* [[Vaniquotes:I do not see you - I see your body, you see my body. But within the body the proprietor is lying, or he is situated. That we do not see. But we can understand|I do not see you - I see your body, you see my body. But within the body the proprietor is lying, or he is situated. That we do not see. But we can understand.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:God's senses, Krsna's senses are as powerful as other senses. Just like I can see with my eyes, but Krsna can eat also with His eyes|God's senses, Krsna's senses are as powerful as other senses. Just like I can see with my eyes, but Krsna can eat also with His eyes.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If I close my eyes, I cannot see with my ears. But about the Supreme Personality of Godhead it is said that He can see with His ears, He can see with His hand, and He can hear with His hand. He can do anything from any part of His body. That is spiritual|If I close my eyes, I cannot see with my ears. But about the Supreme Personality of Godhead it is said that He can see with His ears, He can see with His hand, and He can hear with His hand. He can do anything from any part of His body. That is spiritual.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I can see; therefore I offer. But you cannot see. So I have to open your eyes. You come to me. That is our propaganda. You are blind. You are suffering with cataract. I shall operate and you'll see also|I can see; therefore I offer. But you cannot see. So I have to open your eyes. You come to me. That is our propaganda. You are blind. You are suffering with cataract. I shall operate and you'll see also.]]

=== Seeing the Deity and Festivals ===

Spiritual vision in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is highly practical and personal. Śrīla Prabhupāda stressed the importance of taking ''darśana'' of the Lord daily in the temple, decorating the Deity gorgeously, and organizing grand festivals for the public to see.

* [[Vaniquotes:Every morning I go to the temple and see the Deity and offer obeisances, so I expect each and every one of my disciples should also follow what I have given in this connection, arising early, taking bath, attending mangal arati|Every morning I go to the temple and see the Deity and offer obeisances, so I expect each and every one of my disciples should also follow what I have given in this connection, arising early, taking bath, attending mangal arati.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am so much satisfied with your successful performance of Rathayatra festival and I am awaiting to see similar festivals in all our other centers, including one in the prospective London center|I am so much satisfied with your successful performance of Rathayatra festival and I am awaiting to see similar festivals in all our other centers, including one in the prospective London center.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If somebody gives me a new dress, so I say: "Oh, it is a new dress. Very nice." So that is my enjoyment. Similarly if you satisfy Krsna daily a very gorgeous dress. Just like today I see it is very nice. This kind of dress should be supplied to Krsna|If somebody gives me a new dress, so I say: "Oh, it is a new dress. Very nice." So that is my enjoyment. Similarly if you satisfy Krsna daily a very gorgeous dress. Just like today I see it is very nice. This kind of dress should be supplied to Krsna.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I saw in Delhi one old man, just a few minutes before his death he asked his son to bring Radha-Krsna picture, and it was put before him and he died|I saw in Delhi one old man, just a few minutes before his death he asked his son to bring Radha-Krsna picture, and it was put before him and he died.]]

=== Conclusion ===

When we study what Śrīla Prabhupāda saw, we are essentially studying how to view the world through the lens of ''śāstra'' (scripture). He did not see the world whimsically; his vision was perfectly aligned with Kṛṣṇa's teachings in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. Whether he was diagnosing the miseries of modern society, directing the complex management of a global society, expressing his transcendental joy at the printing of a new book, or instructing us on the absolute nature of the Lord's senses, his statements of "I see" serve to correct our own blindness. By following his instructions and adopting his mood of service, we are cured of the cataract of material illusion and learn to see things exactly as they are—in relation to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

=== Dive Deeper into 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:I See (Prabhupada)|I See (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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