The importance of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books
By: Compiled by Bhakta Corey (Texas, USA)
Is a physically present guru required for us to understand spiritual life? What should be the source of our instructions? Where should we learn about spiritual life, if the spiritual master is not physically present before us?
Devotee: Srila Prabhupada when you're not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise...
Srila Prabhupada: Well the questions are answ...answers are there in my books.
- Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, Los Angeles, May 13, 1973
Srila Prabhupada says that we can get the answers to our questions through reading his books. He does not say that we “need a living guru so that we can personally receive instructions”.
"In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop."
- Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Brahmarupa Dasa, November 22, 1974
The process of advancing in Krishna Consciousness is quite simple. We simply have to continuously hear from Srila Prabhupada through reading his transcendental books, and spiritual knowledge will be revealed to us. What is the difficulty in this?
Srila Prabhupada: Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee - all success!
Revatinanda: Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes
Revatinanda: Even a little association with your books has the same effect?
Srila Prabhupada: Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it.
- Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, December 13, 1972
This is very important. Association with the spiritual master or a pure devotee is not hampered by whether or not they are physically present or not. Srila Prabhupada says that reading the words of a pure devotee is no different from physically associating with him. The only qualification is that one must be very eager to hear from the spiritual master. Whether or not the spiritual master is physically present is not important. So by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, we are actually directly associating with Srila Prabhupada.
Paramahamsa: My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad Gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. You can associate with Krishna by reading Bhagavad Gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?
- Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Paris, June 11, 1974
Another very important quote. This devotee asks Srila Prabhupada if reading Krishna’s words is the same as directly associating with him, and Srila Prabhupada answers “yes”. Krishna is eternally existing, even though foolish rascals may think that he is no longer existing since He is no longer visible to their mundane eyes. And the great news is, we can associate directly with Krishna by reading His divine and transcendental words that have been left in the form of the Vedic scriptures.
"There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter. "
- Arrival Conversation, Vrindavan, May 17, 1977
Srila Prabhupada has already given all instruction in his books, and it is our duty to take advantage of it. And, Srila Prabhupada says that reading his books and imbibing the transcendental knowledge contained therein is not dependent on whether he is physically present or not.
"If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way."
- Back To Godhead 13:1-2, December 1977
Srila Prabhupada’s books are the prime shelter for all living entities. Srila Prabhupada can preach to the entire world through his books. We can always remain connected with Srila Prabhupada through reading his books.
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die!
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!
Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilise.
- Srila Prabhupada Interview, Berkley, July 17, 1975
Srila Prabhupada has given us everything that we need to make spiritual advancement. He lives eternally in his books, and we can utilize his books, read them, and remain in direct association with Srila Prabhupada. What is the difficulty? Therefore, the reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books, especially of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, is of primary importance so that we can make spiritual advancement and remain in contact with Srila Prabhupada. The reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books is extremely vital. We can have a direct relationship with Srila Prabhupada simply by reading his books.
http://www.iskcontimes.com/importance_of_reading
By: Compiled by Bhakta Corey (Texas, USA)
Is a physically present guru required for us to understand spiritual life? What should be the source of our instructions? Where should we learn about spiritual life, if the spiritual master is not physically present before us?
Devotee: Srila Prabhupada when you're not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise...
Srila Prabhupada: Well the questions are answ...answers are there in my books.
- Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, Los Angeles, May 13, 1973
Srila Prabhupada says that we can get the answers to our questions through reading his books. He does not say that we “need a living guru so that we can personally receive instructions”.
"In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop."
- Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Brahmarupa Dasa, November 22, 1974
The process of advancing in Krishna Consciousness is quite simple. We simply have to continuously hear from Srila Prabhupada through reading his transcendental books, and spiritual knowledge will be revealed to us. What is the difficulty in this?
Srila Prabhupada: Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee - all success!
Revatinanda: Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes
Revatinanda: Even a little association with your books has the same effect?
Srila Prabhupada: Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it.
- Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, December 13, 1972
This is very important. Association with the spiritual master or a pure devotee is not hampered by whether or not they are physically present or not. Srila Prabhupada says that reading the words of a pure devotee is no different from physically associating with him. The only qualification is that one must be very eager to hear from the spiritual master. Whether or not the spiritual master is physically present is not important. So by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, we are actually directly associating with Srila Prabhupada.
Paramahamsa: My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad Gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. You can associate with Krishna by reading Bhagavad Gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?
- Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Paris, June 11, 1974
Another very important quote. This devotee asks Srila Prabhupada if reading Krishna’s words is the same as directly associating with him, and Srila Prabhupada answers “yes”. Krishna is eternally existing, even though foolish rascals may think that he is no longer existing since He is no longer visible to their mundane eyes. And the great news is, we can associate directly with Krishna by reading His divine and transcendental words that have been left in the form of the Vedic scriptures.
"There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter. "
- Arrival Conversation, Vrindavan, May 17, 1977
Srila Prabhupada has already given all instruction in his books, and it is our duty to take advantage of it. And, Srila Prabhupada says that reading his books and imbibing the transcendental knowledge contained therein is not dependent on whether he is physically present or not.
"If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way."
- Back To Godhead 13:1-2, December 1977
Srila Prabhupada’s books are the prime shelter for all living entities. Srila Prabhupada can preach to the entire world through his books. We can always remain connected with Srila Prabhupada through reading his books.
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die!
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!
Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilise.
- Srila Prabhupada Interview, Berkley, July 17, 1975
Srila Prabhupada has given us everything that we need to make spiritual advancement. He lives eternally in his books, and we can utilize his books, read them, and remain in direct association with Srila Prabhupada. What is the difficulty? Therefore, the reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books, especially of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, is of primary importance so that we can make spiritual advancement and remain in contact with Srila Prabhupada. The reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books is extremely vital. We can have a direct relationship with Srila Prabhupada simply by reading his books.
http://www.iskcontimes.com/importance_of_reading
Comments
Now, Corey can be seen to be influenced by ideas from the Prabhupadanugas, ie that one needn't have a "living" guru, or that one may not need to take formal initiation. These understandings are not correct. Both Srila Prabhupada and Gour Govinda emphasized the importance of living association if it is available. For there to be a sadhu present, and neglect him thinking one can simply read on ones own, is hellish mentality. It is potentially disrespectful of the presence of Sri Guru. The emphasis on reading, and that it is adequate, when Guru is not present, is made clear, but that does not mean one should neglect living sadhus present when we are so Blessed to receive their darshana. The Prabhupadanugas take this out of context, make it some kind of fanaticism agenda to reject bonafide teachers, such as Goru Govinda Swami, out of hard-line politics.
I followed Srila Prabhupada from Rupa Gosvami's Samadhi back into the courtyard, and just before Srila Prab...See more
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Do Not Preach Like This
This video from the "Memories of Srila Prabhupada" series deals with the topic of pancaratrika vidhi and bhagavata vidhi, the rules and regulations of deity worship and Lord Caitanya's programme of chanting, dancing, feasting and philosophy. Srila Prabhupada explains that you can get along without the pancaratrica vidhi in this age if necessary but you cannot get along without the bhagavata vidhi. The sankirtan will be all you need. But do not preach like this because many are attached to the deities in a very sentimental way, which is helping them, and they may mistake it that you are criticising the deity worship as less important or unimportant. The rules and regulations are there because you have no self control.
Yes, as said, two rails... those who try to skip initiations are cheaters.