That Is Sufficient - Simplicity in Material and Spiritual Life
Modern civilization is characterized by an insatiable hunger for accumulation—more money, more gadgets, more prestige. In contrast, Kṛṣṇa consciousness teaches the principle of santoṣa, or satisfaction. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently uses the phrase "that is sufficient" to illustrate that God has already provided everything necessary for a happy and successful life. Whether in economics, spiritual practice, or missionary work, the key is simplicity and sincerity, not extravagance.
Economic Sufficiency: Land and Cows
Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently advocated for a simple, agrarian lifestyle as the solution to the world's economic problems. He argued that complex industrial development is unnecessary. If a person has a small piece of land to grow grains and vegetables, and a cow to provide milk, their basic necessities are met. This simple setup frees up time for spiritual cultivation. He notes that God maintains even the birds and beasts; therefore, a devotee should be satisfied with whatever God provides without unnecessary endeavor to improve their economic condition.
- Gradually develop (New Mayapura), make little cottages, grow little vegetable, little barley or wheat and milk. That is sufficient. We don't require much. We don't want luxury.
- You can get your necessities of life very easily. By tilling the field, you get grains. And if there is cow, you get milk. That's all. That is sufficient.
- A brahmana is not supposed to improve his economic condition. He's not interested. He's simply satisfied: "By the grace of God, whatever I have got, that is sufficient." God is supplying everyone, even birds and beasts and cats and dogs.
Spiritual Sufficiency: One Line is Enough
In spiritual life, one does not need to be a great scholar or perform difficult austerities. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the process of bhakti-yoga is so potent that even a small amount of sincere practice is sufficient. Chanting the holy name, hearing about Kṛṣṇa, or carefully studying a single line of scripture can lead to perfection. It is not the quantity of knowledge but the quality of realization that matters.
- Study one line, that is sufficient. It does not mean to go like a storm and do not understand.
- If you simply give aural reception to this transcendental word, that is sufficient. It does not require any extraneous education, that you have to pass M.A. examination or D.A.C. or Ph.D. or something like that. No.
- A devotee can worship Krsna anywhere, underneath a tree, because Krsna is in everyone's heart, isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati (BG 18.61). So if underneath a tree you think of Krsna and chant Hare Krsna, that is sufficient.
Preaching: One Moon vs. Many Stars
When it comes to spreading the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, Śrīla Prabhupāda prioritized purity over popularity. He often cited the maxim that one moon is sufficient to illuminate the sky, whereas millions of stars cannot do so. Similarly, one sincere disciple who strictly follows the principles is sufficient to start a center or liberate a family. He even encouraged his disciples that if no one attends their lectures, they should preach to the four walls, and that would be sufficient to please the guru.
- What is the use of taking percentage of the stars in the presence of moon? Let there be one moon, that is sufficient. There is no question of percentage. One ideal man. Just like in Christian world, one ideal Lord Jesus Christ.
- If there is one sincere soul that is sufficient to start a new center. With this expectation I wanted to send Kirtanananda to London but he has proved himself unworthy.
- My Guru Maharaja used to say if somebody complained that "We go and chant, but nobody attends our meeting," so Guru Maharaja would reply that "Why? The four walls will hear you. That is sufficient. Don't be disappointed. Go on chanting".
Immediate Qualification
Many people feel they need to acquire new skills or qualifications to serve God. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda assures us that whatever abilities we currently possess are sufficient if we engage them in Kṛṣṇa's service. There is no need to learn a new trade or become something we are not. The only requirement is sincerity and the desire to please the Lord.
- Whatever material abilities one has when he comes to Krsna consciousness, let him learn to engage these in Krsna's service: that is sufficient. There is no need of learning new skills now. That will simply be a waste of time.
- This Krsna consciousness movement is like this, that whatever qualification you have got, that is sufficient. You begin with that qualification.
Conclusion
The philosophy of "that is sufficient" is a call to sanity. It asks us to stop running after the mirages of material happiness and complex solutions. By embracing a simple life of plain living and high thinking, and by trusting in the sufficiency of the holy name and the Lord's mercy, we can find the peace and satisfaction that otherwise elude us.
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 That Is Sufficient. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.