CONTENTS:
- Why is it important to study Srila Prabhupada’s books?;
- Srila Prabhupada's Appreciation;
- Guru Maharaja’s Instructions.
1. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO STUDY SRILA PRABHUPADA’S BOOKS?
Srila Prabhupada’s book are giving the most scientific and most authentic understanding of the spiritual reality in the simplest way. There is another reality beyond this material nature, this is the world of matter and beyond that is a world of spirit. In this material world we see two things are existing simultaneously, side by side: matter and spirit. Matter by itself cannot function, it’s the presence of the soul that makes the matter manifest. We all are here and that is why this material world is manifest. When no one will be here then will this matter be manifest? No then it is a state of unmanifest.
So, this material nature becomes manifest when the living entities become projected into this material nature by Krishna’s glance. The spiritual beings are not a product of the material nature, they are coming from the spiritual reality but that reality is beyond our sense perception. Something that is beyond our sense perception how can get to know that? In order to get to know about that reality we need authentic informations about that reality imparted by the individuals who are aware of that reality.
To begin with the knowledge about that reality came from Krishna Himself, at the time of creation Krishna imparted the knowledge to Brahma and then through the line of disciplic succession this knowledge is flowing. The personalities who are aware of the spiritual reality and belong to that disciplic succession they are the only ones who came impart that knowledge, it cannot come from anyone else. Prabhupada is a personality who is carrying that knowledge and he has very mercifully given that knowledge. There are individuals who can retain the informations just be hearing but most of us are not able to do that, we need to go through it again and again and again to first even to conceive it and then retain it and understand it. That is why Prabhupada gave that in the form of the books, the knowledge that he gave he spoke extensively but he knew how smart we are, he knew that state of our memory so that is why Prabhupada made it a point to present those informations and knowledge in a very systematic way through his books and Bhaktivedanta purports and that is why Prabhupada’s books are so important. And that is why Srila Prabhupada so painstakingly presented his books and that is why Prabhupada’s loyal followers are so sincerely and earnestly distributing these books all over the world so that people can benefit. We are seeing how people are benefiting. Had we not have come across Srila Prabhupada’s books we would have not been here so that’s why Prabhupada’s books are so important. These books are meant to change the world, this world is going in a very very devastating course and it is Srila Prabhupada’s books that can actually prevent that destructive consequence.
To understand what Bhakti is Prabhupada decided that we must study those books as Bhagavad Gita is the very basic understanding of the spiritual reality not only very basic but the most scientific and authentic understanding of the spiritual reality. The Supreme Personality of Godhead Krishna is speaking about the spiritual reality so what can be more relevant and more important than this book? Similarly, Nectar of Instruction, Nectar of Devotion these are the books that Prabhupada wanted us to study that’s why he translated these books. He knew what he was doing and what he was giving and that is why Prabhupada designed it that way. These are the books for Bhakti Sastri then Bhakti Vaibhava then Bhaktivedanta. Step by step like as we go from school to college to university, similarly, these are the basic stages of development of understanding.
It’s difficult it’s not possible especially this subject, therefore you need a teacher, a spiritual master. To study this subject, you need a spiritual guide and like any other subject. Now this subject when the teacher teaches you a good teacher how does he do it? He just doesn’t tell you in the class, he gives you homework and then you prepare the studies and then at the end of the term or semester comes the exams and you sit for the exams and that determines how well you have studied and prepared. That is why this Bhakti Sastri curse has been designed by Srila Prabhupada and that is why it is so important.
First of all they are getting to study the subject matter systematically, if its left on my own then probably I won’t do it but when there is a compulsion that I have to present these results or outcome of my studies then I am compelled to become serious and that’s one advantage, the guidance of a qualified teacher is another advantage, the association of other students is another advantage, coming to an environment where everybody is geared up to achieve the same thing is another advantage. Then most of the times you come to the temple when a candidate stays at the temple, he gets the understanding of spiritual life through the association of devotees. Like one aspect of Bhakti Sastri course is to attend programs at the temple, so these are all the added benefits not only giving you the knowledge but giving you the practical experience and practical involvement in the culture. So, these are the benefits to name a few. You get to understand what Srila Prabhupada’s teachings are, you get to understand what Srila Prabhupada wants, so this is how you prepare yourself to become engaged in serving Srila Prabhupada which is actually the mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
The mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is to save the world, save the suffering conditioned souls. That is why Srila Prabhupada came, he came to alleviate the suffering condition of the world. When you get to know the state of one’s existence in the material nature and when you get to know beyond this material world is a spiritual reality. That spiritual reality is where you came from then not only you try to fix yourself on that course but by that time you develop compassion for others seeing their condition that you also want to bring them also on that path. That is the most effective way of helping Srila Prabhupada and serve Srila Prabhupada. By doing Bhakti Sastri you are becoming aware you are not just doing it because others are doing it, or because you are being told to do it by others, your authorities then you realize why it is necessary to do it, therefore your involvement in service to Srila Prabhupada becomes more real and earnest.
It’s not just the knowledge but how effectively we are acquiring the knowledge. For example, there is a possibility of learning something on my own now if I get an opportunity to go to a school and learn that subject won’t it be easier? Then if I have the opportunity to go to the best school, then what’s the difference? Why go to the best school or best institution to learn something? There are the best teachers, the best course material and best environment and the association of the best of the students. This is how we benefit. You are getting an opportunity to come to Mayapur, or go to Vrindavan or Radhadesh or go to any ISKCON temple where the course is available along with the opportunity to study you are getting a whole lot of other impetuses and opportunities to become and expert. And then by doing that association of teachers and students and being in the temple like it prepares you still in a better way to serve Srila Prabhupada. An example: You are from UK, someone can join the army, he may qualify from a university and after he completes his studies, he may join the army. At the same time there is another thing called Sandhurst it’s a military college for commission officers now when it comes to practical application then it may seem that the Sandhurst students shine forth better than others. They eventually become the generals, etc., why? Because they have been groomed up in a certain way for that purpose. Similarly, this Bhakti Sastri one is getting groomed up to serve Srila Prabhupada. This grooming up you won’t get studying somewhere else so that is the difference. Those who are serious about spiritual life, those who have the time, those who are generally inclined to studies, those who are intellectually inclined, those who seriously want to prepare themselves in becoming engaged in Srila Prabhupada’s mission, those who want to preach, in order to preach you have to know the subject. That’s why Prabhupada was so particular in his disciples reading the books. Prabhupada was very emphatic about that he used to make it very clear that he was writing books for the sake of devotees. I used to serve Srila Prabhupada and I saw personally how Srila Prabhupada painstakingly translated and gave his purports on these books. Sometimes he would go to bed at 9 o’ clock and get up at 11 o’ clock just 2 hours of sleep. We used to set up his table: books, Dictaphone and Prabhupada used to get up and straight away after washing his mouth straight away used to come to the table and translate. It’s not just once or twice but night after night, he was just doing that.
During the day Prabhupada was extremely busy hundreds of devotees wanted to meet him and hundreds of people wanted to have his darshan. During the day he was just preaching and throughout the night he was translating. Why did he do that? We used to be with Srila Prabhupada in shifts at night our shifts were: 10-12, 12-2 and 2-4. These were the 3 shifts and one of us used to be there, my shift was from 12-2 then after 2, I used to just go to bed but Prabhupada just carried on non-stop until 4 but we after 2 hours we crashed out but Srila Prabhupada continued. This is how amazing Srila Prabhupada was and why did he do that? Just so that we can benefit. These books are an inconceivable storehouse of transcendental knowledge. Anybody who wants to know about the spiritual reality can just come to Srila Prabhupada and realize that it is a reality, it is not just some concocted ideas, it is not fairy tales presented in the Vedic scriptures. Vedic scriptures are presenting the absolute truth giving us giving us informations about a reality beyond our sense perception. Those who are serious about that purpose, those who are serious about taking advantage of this human form of life must read Prabhupada’s books, MUST read Prabhupada’s books because then only he will understand what’s the mission and what’s goal of his life.
2. SRILA PRABHUPADA'S APPRECIATION
That’s why Prabhupada was so particular in his disciples reading the books. Prabhupada was very emphatic about that he used to make it very clear that he was writing books for the sake of devotees. I used to serve Srila Prabhupada and I saw personally how Srila Prabhupada painstakingly translated and gave his purports on these books. Sometimes he would go to bed at 9 o’ clock and get up at 11 o’ clock just 2 hours of sleep. We used to set up his table: books, Dictaphone and Prabhupada used to get up and straight away after washing his mouth straight away used to come to the table and translate. It’s not just once or twice but night after night, he was just doing that. During the day Prabhupada was extremely busy hundreds of devotees wanted to meet him and hundreds of people wanted to have his darshan. During the day he was just preaching and throughout the night he was translating. Why did he do that? We used to be with Srila Prabhupada in shifts at night our shifts were: 10-12, 12-2 and 2-4. These were the 3 shifts and one of us used to be there, my shift was from 12-2 then after 2, I used to just go to bed but Prabhupada just carried on non-stop until 4 but we after 2 hours we crashed out but Srila Prabhupada continued. This is how amazing Srila Prabhupada was and why did he do that? Just so that we can benefit. These books are an inconceivable storehouse of transcendental knowledge. Anybody who wants to know about the spiritual reality can just come to Srila Prabhupada and realize that it is a reality, it is not just some concocted ideas, it is not fairy tales presented in the Vedic scriptures. Vedic scriptures are presenting the absolute truth giving us giving us informations about a reality beyond our sense perception. Those who are serious about that purpose, those who are serious about taking advantage of this human form of life must read Prabhupada’s books, MUST read Prabhupada’s books because then only he will understand what’s the mission and what’s goal of his life.
3. GURU MAHARAJA’S INSTRUCTIONS
When you get to know the state of one’s existence in the material nature and when you get to know beyond this material world is a spiritual reality. That spiritual reality is where you came from then not only you try to fix yourself on that course but by that time you develop compassion for others seeing their condition that you also want to bring them also on that path. That is the most effective way of helping Srila Prabhupada and serve Srila Prabhupada;
Those who are serious about spiritual life, those who have the time, those who are generally inclined to studies, those who are intellectually inclined, those who seriously want to prepare themselves in becoming engaged in Srila Prabhupada’s mission, those who want to preach, in order to preach you have to know the subject. That’s why Prabhupada was so particular in his disciples reading the books. Prabhupada was very emphatic about that he used to make it very clear that he was writing books for the sake of devotees; and
Those who are serious about that purpose, those who are serious about taking advantage of this human form of life must read Prabhupada’s books, MUST read Prabhupada’s books because then only he will understand what’s the mission and what’s goal of his life.
(The content of this E-magazine is based on a lecture given by His Holiness Bhakti Charu Swami on 25th September 2019 to the Mayapur Institute)
(Compiled and Edited by Hemavati Radhika Dasi)