Prabhupāda's Business Is to Present Kṛṣṇa As He Is
The world often views business as a means of personal profit, but Śrīla Prabhupāda redefines this concept through the lens of pure devotional service. His true business, handed down by his spiritual master, is the distribution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness—a serious responsibility to repeat the words of the Supreme Authority exactly as they are.
Postal Peon of the Absolute
Śrīla Prabhupāda often described his role with great humility, comparing himself to a simple postal peon whose only credit is delivering a letter without changing its contents. Similarly, the business of the spiritual master is to deliver the message of Kṛṣṇa without any adulteration, allowing the recipient to receive the direct blessing of the Lord.
- I am very insignificant. I have no capacity. My business is only to convey the message of Krsna. Just like a postal peon; his business is to convey the letter.
- My only credit is that I am presenting Krsna as He is. That's all. I am not diluting Krsna. That is not my business.
Initiation Business
Initiation in Kṛṣṇa consciousness is frequently misunderstood as a point of completion, but Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that it actually marks the point where the actual business begins. It is a formal vow to work under the direction of the spiritual master, who guides the student toward the perfectional point of life.
- Don't think that after the official ceremony of initiation your business and my business is finished. No. The business begins. It is not the finishing; it is the beginning.
- An initiated devotee is given the chance for becoming free from the entanglement of karma wheel. Initiated means beginning, not perfection. The Spiritual Master's business is to guide him to the perfectional point.
Satisfaction of the Ācāryas
In contrast to mundane ventures, the transcendental business of preaching is aimed solely at satisfying the previous ācāryas. If the service is done in the proper way—following the footsteps of the great authorities—then the predecessors are pleased, and the business of the devotee is considered successful regardless of mundane public opinion.
- By your chanting some public is satisfied - no, we are not concerned with that. He may be satisfied or not satisfied. But if I chant in the proper way, then my predecessors, the acaryas, will be satisfied. That is my business, finished.
- Our business is to present the will of Krsna, not that of any mundane speculator like the politician, philosopher or scientist, for they have very little knowledge of Krsna, despite all their other knowledge.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s business was never about personal empire-building, but about fulfilling the order of his Guru Mahārāja. By acting as a transparent via media, he demonstrated that the only real business of a human being is to repeat the words of Kṛṣṇa. When a devotee remains fully dependent on Kṛṣṇa and sincere in this mission, the business of turning bewildered souls back to their original home can flourish with spiritual success.
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 My Business (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.