Not Scholarship but Enthusiasm - How to Become an Empowered Preacher
In worldly institutions, a teacher or preacher is often judged by their academic degrees, their command of grammar, or their rhetorical flourishes. Śrīla Prabhupāda, however, established a completely different standard for the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. He declared that to become a preacher, one does not need to be a learned scholar; one needs to be alive with spiritual emotion. "A dead man cannot become a preacher," he asserted. The qualification is enthusiasm—the burning desire to speak about the glories of the Lord. This article explores the unique qualifications for becoming a preacher as defined by Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Myth of Scholarship
There is a misconception, often held by caste brāhmaṇas or mundane intellectuals, that one must be a Sanskrit expert to preach the Vedic message. Śrīla Prabhupāda rejected this. He explained that God gives us ears to hear, and simply by hearing from the right authority, one becomes qualified. If a student simply crams the Bhagavad-gītā and reproduces it, they become a preacher. It is the sincerity of the presentation, not the academic complexity, that touches the heart.
- A dead man cannot become a preacher. So you must be very enthusiastic that, "I shall preach the glories of the Lord to my best capacity." It is not that one has to become very learned scholar to become a preacher.
- God gives us the ears to hear, and simply by hearing we may become great preachers. We don't need Ph.D.'s or academic examinations. One may even remain in his position; no changes are necessary.
"Physician, Heal Thyself"
While scholarship is secondary, purity is mandatory. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently cited the proverb, "Physician, heal thyself." A preacher acts as a physician to cure the material disease of others. If the physician is infected with the same disease (lust, greed, intoxication, meat-eating), their treatment will have no effect. Therefore, one must practice what one preaches (āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya). Without strict adherence to the regulative principles, one is a cheater, not a preacher.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that "Before becoming preacher, before endeavoring yourself to do good to others, you just perfect yourself." "Physician, heal thyself." Physician, you are yourself diseased. How you can become a physician?
- We do not allow anyone become a preacher unless he is strictly following the Vaisnava principles of no eating meat, fish, or eggs; no sex outside of marriage; no gambling; and no taking any kind of intoxication whatsoever.
Simply Repeat the Message
The secret to becoming an authorized preacher is simplicity. One does not need to invent new concepts. One simply repeats what Kṛṣṇa has said and what the spiritual master has taught. Śrīla Prabhupāda assured his disciples that if they "don't add and subtract" but present the philosophy exactly as it is, they will be secure and perfect in their preaching.
- You will become perfect preacher. Preach only what you have heard from Krsna and guru, that's all. Don't add and subtract. Then you are secure.
- You have only to speak what Krsna has said. Then you become a preacher.
A Universal Call
Śrīla Prabhupāda wanted everyone to become a preacher. This role is not reserved for men or sannyāsīs. He explicitly stated that his female disciples who were trained to preach were "as good as their brothers." He cited the example of Arjuna, a gṛhastha (householder), to prove that anyone who knows the science of Kṛṣṇa can become a guru. The urgency of saving the "fallen humanity" requires that every devotee take up this task boldly.
- Since both the boys and the girls are being trained to become preachers, those girls are not ordinary girls but are as good as their brothers who are preaching Krsna consciousness.
- I want that you all my advanced disciples become very bold preachers and take up this task of saving the fallen humanity from its worst condition of sinfulness.
Conclusion
Becoming a preacher is the highest service one can render to humanity. It requires enthusiasm, purity, and faithfulness to the message. As Śrīla Prabhupāda encouraged, "If you want to preach that is best. Don't be worried, but go on with your preaching and you will be happy."
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 Becoming a Preacher. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.