Our Desires in the Service of Śrīla Prabhupāda's Mission
The International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness was built upon the transformed desires of its members. Under the expert guidance of Śrīla Prabhupāda, disciples learned that the perfection of life is not to kill their enthusiasm or ambition but to redirect it for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. This article explores the practical instructions given by Śrīla Prabhupāda regarding the management of personal and collective desires within the execution of the missionary activities.
Purifying the Vital Force
A living entity is active by nature, and where there is life, there is desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda taught that it is artificial to attempt to negate desire. Instead, the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is to purify the objective. When the "hope against hope" to enjoy matter is replaced by the hope to improve one's position as a devotee, life becomes successful.
- Desire you cannot stop. That is not possible. So long you are, your desires are there. Desire should be purified. When I desire to gratify my senses, that is material. When I desire to satisfy Krsna, that is spiritual.
- You cannot stop desires. That is not possible, but purify the desire. Purify the desire. Purify desire means that the same hopes, hope against hope, just to improve your position as devotee... That will help you to make your life successful.
- Even if we find some discrepancies in the life of a devotee... Just like these European, Americans. They're devotees. They are pure devotee of Krsna. How? They have no other desire. They simply want to satisfy their spiritual master and Krsna.
Spirit of Cooperation
In a global movement, individual desires can sometimes conflict. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the overriding instruction for his disciples is to maintain a unified desire for cooperation. The expansion of the mission depends on the devotees' willingness to work together, setting aside personal prestige for the higher goal of spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- I am glad that you are finding the work of the GBC to be very nice. That is required. Everything should be done in a spirit of cooperation and Krsna's work will go on unhampered. That is our only desire.
- Whatever a living entity desires, however insignificant he may be, is noted by the Lord, who gives him a chance to fulfill his desires. If the desires of the nondevotees are fulfilled, why not those of the devotee.
- It is our only prayer that we are always asking the Lord for further opportunities of service. We do not care to ask for anything else, so this is our only prayer. Our life is service to Krishna & how we may serve Him more & more that is our only desire.
Dovetailing Personal Propensities
Śrīla Prabhupāda was expert in engaging the natural inclinations of his disciples. If a disciple desired to travel, preach, distribute books, or even marry, he often approved these desires provided they were utilized in the service of the Lord. This method allows the devotee to remain enthusiastic while gradually becoming free from material attachment.
- Your desire for leading a sankirtana party, preaching and traveling is a very good one, and I suggest that you talk to your temple president or GBC and try to arrange such a program if it is possible.
- If someone has desired to distribute books all day he may do this, but he must always follow the principles of rising early, chanting 16 rounds, etc.
- Regarding Rukmini, I think that if she is desiring to marry Upendra then that idea is very nice and approved by me. If she will rather wait for awhile that is all right but in either case Upendra should be informed of her plans.
Sincerity Invokes Divine Mercy
The fulfillment of a spiritual desire does not depend on one's own strength but on the mercy of Kṛṣṇa. Śrīla Prabhupāda repeatedly assured his disciples that Kṛṣṇa is in the heart and notes the sincerity of the devotee. If one simply desires to serve sincerely, Kṛṣṇa removes the impediments and grants the necessary intelligence and facility.
- Try to get the certified copy. Otherwise, what can be done? Do not be discouraged. Go on serving sincerely. Your success is your sincere desire to serve Krsna.
- If you are actually sincere Krsna will reward all your desires to render Him pure devotional service.
- It does not take Krsna even a second to offer anything we desire provided such thing is engaged in the service of the Lord.
Conclusion
The path of discipleship is the surrendering of independence. By voluntarily giving up whimsical and demonic desires and accepting the desire of the spiritual master and Kṛṣṇa, the disciple becomes an instrument of the divine will. Whether one is situated in the temple or outside, whether one is married or renounced, the unifying principle is the intense desire to assist Śrīla Prabhupāda in his mission to reclaim the fallen souls.
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 Our Desires (Disciples of SP). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.