Prabhupāda Took It Seriously - The Difference Between Success and Failure
Why did Śrīla Prabhupāda succeed in spreading Kṛṣṇa Consciousness when so many others had failed? Was it resources? Education? Location? In his own words, it was none of these. The defining factor was the intensity with which he accepted the order of his Spiritual Master. He didn't just hear it; he took it seriously.
"I Took It Seriously"
Śrīla Prabhupāda pinpoints the specific instruction that changed his life: the order to print books.
He explains that "seriousness" is the trigger for divine mercy. Because he treated the order as his "life and soul," his Guru Mahārāja empowered him to do the impossible.
The Evolution of Seriousness
Honest as always, Śrīla Prabhupāda admits that this level of commitment wasn't immediate. As a young man with a wife and business, he struggled to fully embrace the mission.
It took time—and Kṛṣṇa’s intervention in removing his material attachments—for him to reach the stage of absolute seriousness.
Serious About the Mission
Once he committed, his seriousness pervaded every aspect of his work, especially book publication.
- I am now very much serious about printing my books... I do not mind for the profit concerned. But I want to see them published.
- I am serious about starting a press as soon as possible, and because there is no other alternative, we must have a good press.
Conclusion
The lesson for the disciple is clear: the Spiritual Master can give the instruction, but the disciple must provide the seriousness.
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 Seriousness (Prabhupada). We invite you to click this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.