View source for Since I Have Come - Prabhupāda’s Tireless Mission

Śrīla Prabhupāda’s arrival in the West in 1965 marked the beginning of a tireless, deeply personal mission to fulfill the order of his spiritual master. He did not come as a distant scholar, but as a loving father who carried the immense weight of the ''paramparā'' on his shoulders. From the moment he stepped off the Jaladuta, his life was an uninterrupted offering of service. He traveled constantly, battled through physical illness, and worried endlessly whenever he did not hear from his young, newly initiated disciples. Through his letters and conversations, we get a profound glimpse into his heart—a heart that beat only for Kṛṣṇa and for the spiritual success of his followers. Reading his reflections on his journey "since I have come" inspires us to match even a fraction of his unparalleled dedication and to assist him in building this global spiritual family.

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=== Traveling and Depending on Krishna ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda's early days were marked by constant movement and complete reliance on the Supreme Lord. Whether he was walking in the peaceful English countryside or dealing with bodily aches in Boston, he accepted every situation as Kṛṣṇa's mercy, using his health entirely for the propagation of the mission.

* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come to America in September 1965, I have traveled many parts of the country specially Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Butler, Slippery Rock, Monroe, Boston and now I am situated in New York the biggest city in the world|Since I have come to America in September 1965, I have traveled many parts of the country specially Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Butler, Slippery Rock, Monroe, Boston and now I am situated in New York the biggest city in the world.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come here to Letchmore Heath, I am improved in my health more than in India. The place is very calm and quiet. It is sufficiently spacious also. I walk within the village daily in the morning along with devotees and it is very pleasant|Since I have come here to Letchmore Heath, I am improved in my health more than in India. The place is very calm and quiet. It is sufficiently spacious also. I walk within the village daily in the morning along with devotees and it is very pleasant.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:From yesterday, since I have come to Boston, I am feeling little backache. There is no unbearable pain, but when I stand up or walk, it is a little difficult. I think it will be cured within two or three days|From yesterday, since I have come to Boston, I am feeling little backache. There is no unbearable pain, but when I stand up or walk, it is a little difficult. I think it will be cured within two or three days.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Your thinking about my health; yes by the Grace of Lord Nrsimha, I am not in bad health. Rather I have improved since I have come from India back|Your thinking about my health; yes by the Grace of Lord Nrsimha, I am not in bad health. Rather I have improved since I have come from India back.]]

=== A Father's Anxiety for His Disciples ===

The relationship Śrīla Prabhupāda had with his followers was profoundly personal. He frequently expressed a deep, fatherly anxiety whenever communication lapsed, showing that he did not just see them as students, but as his own spiritual children whose well-being he constantly monitored.

* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come back to USA I have not heard anything from you. I hope everything is well with you. I am very much anxious to know about the litigations amongst yourselves. If you have no objections, you can let me know what the present position is|Since I have come back to USA I have not heard anything from you. I hope everything is well with you. I am very much anxious to know about the litigations amongst yourselves. If you have no objections, you can let me know what the present position is.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come here, I have not heard anything from you. Hope you are doing well along with all other devotees|Since I have come here, I have not heard anything from you. Hope you are doing well along with all other devotees.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I am surprised that since I have come back from Montreal I have not heard anything from you. Why you are silent? Please reply this letter immediately because I am very much anxious to hear from you|I am surprised that since I have come back from Montreal I have not heard anything from you. Why you are silent? Please reply this letter immediately because I am very much anxious to hear from you.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come to New Vrindaban I have not received any new letter from you, but your letter encourages me, so please send one weekly to me|Since I have come to New Vrindaban I have not received any new letter from you, but your letter encourages me, so please send one weekly to me.]]

=== The Absolute Urgency of Publishing ===

Publishing transcendental literature was the very core of his service. Śrīla Prabhupāda felt a profound sense of loss whenever printing was delayed, and he constantly pushed his disciples to organize, translate, and distribute the books that he knew would save the world from illusion.

* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come here, many manuscripts are prepared for printing, and I have published Bhagavad-gita As It Is, published by MacMillan and Teachings of Lord Caitanya, published by International Society for Krishna Consciousness|Since I have come here, many manuscripts are prepared for printing, and I have published Bhagavad-gita As It Is, published by MacMillan and Teachings of Lord Caitanya, published by International Society for Krishna Consciousness.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come I am unable to publish the 4th volume of Srimad-Bhagavatam, but with your help and assistance, since 1965 this one book only has been published, and I do not know what this Dai Nippon Company is doing|Since I have come I am unable to publish the 4th volume of Srimad-Bhagavatam, but with your help and assistance, since 1965 this one book only has been published, and I do not know what this Dai Nippon Company is doing.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come to this country, I might have sold this Easy Journey about one half million copies. My Krishna books are selling more than that|Since I have come to this country, I might have sold this Easy Journey about one half million copies. My Krishna books are selling more than that.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Regarding publication of my books, you know that since I have come here the work is stopped and that is great loss for me|Regarding publication of my books, you know that since I have come here the work is stopped and that is great loss for me.]]

=== Empowering the Western Followers ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda marveled at how Kṛṣṇa had sent him sincere souls from entirely different backgrounds. He fully entrusted his beloved Western boys and girls with the most important responsibilities, showing immense faith that they could carry forward the legacy of his spiritual master.

* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come to your country, I have entrusted the matter to my beloved American boys and girls, and I wish to see that this magazine is published and distributed in the American way|Since I have come to your country, I have entrusted the matter to my beloved American boys and girls, and I wish to see that this magazine is published and distributed in the American way.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, I have had so much work to do since I came to the West that although I was thinking of writing you a letter, up until now I could not write|By the mercy of Srila Prabhupada, I have had so much work to do since I came to the West that although I was thinking of writing you a letter, up until now I could not write.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Since I have come to the Western countries to preach this cult, my disciples have taken to this principle unhesitatingly although they belong to different faiths and cultures|Since I have come to the Western countries to preach this cult, my disciples have taken to this principle unhesitatingly although they belong to different faiths and cultures.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:I came to America in 1965, and since then I have many followers belonging to both Christian and Jewish faiths|I came to America in 1965, and since then I have many followers belonging to both Christian and Jewish faiths.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Reflecting on the years "since I have come," Śrīla Prabhupāda revealed a heart entirely surrendered to the will of his spiritual master. He did not claim personal credit for the miraculous expansion of the movement; rather, he constantly acknowledged the mercy of Kṛṣṇa and the sincere efforts of his disciples. Despite experiencing bodily inconveniences and the heavy burden of global management, his determination to print books and care for his spiritual children never wavered. His letters from this era are a testament to his deeply personal leadership style—a perfect blend of urgency for the mission and profound love for the individuals helping him execute it. By studying his mood, we are reminded that the foundation of this society was built not merely on management, but on the pure, affectionate exchanges between a pure devotee and those who dedicated their lives to assist him.

=== 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:Since I Have Come (Prabhupada)|Since I Have Come (Prabhupada)]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
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