Vaiṣṇava Foundation of Prabhupāda's Childhood
The extraordinary life of Śrīla Prabhupāda was rooted in a childhood defined by deep devotion and traditional Vaiṣṇava values. This spiritual foundation, nurtured by his father's vision, allowed him to engage in bhāgavata-dharma from the very beginning of his life, setting the stage for his future global mission.
A Father's Vision and Training
Śrīla Prabhupāda often spoke of his father, Gour Mohan De, as a pure Vaiṣṇava who meticulously trained him in devotional service. This early guidance was not forced but was a natural immersion into the life of a devotee, focusing on the ultimate goal of becoming a servant of Rādhārāṇī.
- My father was of this Vaisnava line, and he trained me from childhood.
- In my childhood, when I was five or six years old, I requested my father that "Father, give me this Deity. I shall worship." So father purchased for me little Krsna, Radha.
Reviving Childhood Play on a Global Scale
The activities that appeared to be childhood play, such as the performance of Ratha-yātrā, were actually profound spiritual impressions. Śrīla Prabhupāda noted that his later success in spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness was simply a continuation and expansion of the spontaneous devotion he practiced as a young boy.
- In my childhood I used to take my ratha with my little friends, about 60 years ago.
- What was my childhood play (Rathayatra) 65 years ago is now a worldwide event. The same Radha-Govindaji worship and Jagannatha worship is going on all over the world.
Memories of Cultural Purity
Growing up in a God-centered atmosphere provided Śrīla Prabhupāda with a clear benchmark for Vedic civilization. He recalled how even simple acts, such as showing respect to a grain of rice or welcoming guests, were integral parts of his training in the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- Actually what I am doing, it was all taught in our childhood by our parents, my family. We were taught, "There is a grain of rice on the ground, and if it is touched by your feet, you should pick up the grain and touch on your head." This was our training.
- Fortunately, we had the good opportunity of learning bhagavata-dharma from our very childhood. My father was a devotee, and he trained us.
Conclusion
The childhood of Śrīla Prabhupāda demonstrates that spiritual training received in the earliest years is an indestructible asset. By the arrangement of Kṛṣṇa, he was blessed with a Vaisnava father and a pure environment, ensuring that his entire life was dedicated to the mission of bhakti. These early memories remained his constant inspiration as he worked to rebuild a God-centered society for the benefit of all humanity.
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 Childhood (Prabhupada). We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.