Relief through Cooperation - Prabhupāda's Decisions
The management of a worldwide society requires a constant stream of decisions, ranging from profound philosophical directions to minute administrative details. Śrīla Prabhupāda carried this burden with gravity, yet his ultimate goal was to establish a system where his disciples could cooperate and make decisions through the GBC, allowing him the relief necessary to focus on his transcendental writing.
Decision that Changed the World
At the age of seventy, Śrīla Prabhupāda made the monumental decision to leave the sacred atmosphere of Vrindāvana to execute the order of his Guru Mahārāja. This single decision in 1965 served as the catalyst for a global spiritual revolution, proving that a life dedicated to the service of a superior authority is guided by divine strength.
- In Vrndavana he (Srila Jiva Gosvami) established the Radha-Damodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America.
- When I was seventy years old I decided, Now I must do and execute the order of my Guru Maharaja. And thus this movement was started in 1965 from New York.
Seeking Relief through the GBC
As the movement expanded, Śrīla Prabhupāda established the Governing Body Commission (GBC) to oversee management. He repeatedly appealed to his leaders to resolve differences and handle complaints among themselves, explaining that the GBC was intended to provide him relief from the weight of administrative decisions.
- Differences may be there, but still you have to cooperate together, otherwise where is the question of my being relieved of so many problems and decisions?
- I do not wish to give any decision without the GBC's verdict. My only grievance is that I appointed GBC to give me relief from the management but, on the contrary, complaints and counter-complaints are coming to me.
- Make copies and present its proposal to the different GBC members. Ask them to send their opinions to you. Then please summarize these opinions and send them to me. Then I can decide on this matter.
Decisions for Institutional Longevity
Śrīla Prabhupāda's decisions often focused on the structural foundations of ISKCON, such as the printing of his books, the legal protection of properties, and the training of the next generation through Gurukula. He made it clear that the success of these projects depended on the followers' willingness to work smoothly and conjointly.
- The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON) has decided to introduce the gurukula system of education for the proper training of young boys in the traditional gurukula way laid down in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
- Regarding Bhagavat edition: I have already decided that we must have a press.
- Naturally, I want to see that all of my centres are going nicely, so is it not possible to mitigate the differences of opinion and work smoothly, conjointly. So best thing is that we wait for the Mayapur meeting and decide there combinedly what to do.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s life was a testament to the fact that spiritual leadership is a service, not a position of personal power. His decisions were always aimed at facilitating the distribution of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and ensuring that his followers became strong and independent in their devotion. By understanding and addressing these concerns, his followers can ensure that the sacred mission he established continues to stand strong for generations to come.
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 Decisions (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.