Feb 17, 2016 — INDIA (SUN) —
In times when one faces disillusion and disappointment, a lecture delivered by Srila Prabhupada on 2nd August 1970, in Los Angeles, may serve as a source of inspiration. Here Srila Prabhupada gives six points on how his sincere follower should continue, in his physical absence.
It was given on the day when Srila Prabhupada announced to His disciples that he was travelling to India to recuperate from his illness. This lecture is very intimate and one can perceive a very tense and grave mood, even though it is an audio recording. I heard many of the listeners crying as Srila Prabhupada spoke.
As he himself realistically states therein, his return was not guaranteed. As a matter of fact Srila Prabhupada many times mentioned that he was an old man and can die at any time, but Krsna Consciousness must go on. Few in ISKCON at that time believed that could happen. Somehow we thought Srila Prabhupada would always stay with us regardless of his advanced age. His departure was simply not possible. When he left, the world was never the same.
In the times one feels the closeness of death one tends to be essential, in other words, to only speak the essence of one's message and direct and to the point. After all, time is short. Srila Prabhupada always spoke the essence of his message, not wasting time with many things he could have commented on, since he was experienced in so many fields of knowledge.
And so this lecture is indeed short and contains the essence of his message to them at that time. Srila Prabhupada intensely expressed his wish that His disciples don't fail to carry on his mission. He brings up a six point formula on how to stay enthusiastic. Certainly, each one of these points could serve as a theme for whole series of lectures due to their depth. They are:
1. One has to be patient and enthusiastic
2. One has to be firmly convinced
3. One has to follow the rules and regulations
4. One's dealings with others have to be very straightforward - no diplomacy, no politics, no duplicity (these items are specially emphasized by Srila Prabhupada)
5. No dishonest dealings; have legitimate ways to earn ones livelihood
6. One has to stay in the association of devotees
As known from the history of ISKCON, as soon as Srila Prabhupada left there was havoc in the form of Him being misrepresented by some of His prominent followers, though with good intentions one may say. From today's point of view their deviation was rather minor compared to today's most obnoxious mayavada inspired doctrines, which are boldly advertised as being a part of Krsna Consciousness.
Nevertheless, upon returning, Srila Prabhupada was furious and simultaneously very sad that he got so easily dismissed by those he trusted. And so those who dare today to make Srila Prabhupada into something that He was not, up to the point of even changing his teachings, can only be blessed by their own destruction. Hopefully they may be exposed by dint of the material energy soon so that the innocent may serve Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet undisturbed.
