Prabhupada: The Strength Within Us 

In order to stay in touch with Prabhupada, we can’t be dead.  We have to be active and reciprocate.  However, there are some things that Prabhupada instigates himself.  There is spiritual strength, a faithfulness that I feel, which I know is from Prabhupada – it is almost like a growth of some kind, and it has its own existence and its own strength.  According to sastra, this is the bhakti-lata, the devotional creeper.  It is Prabhupada being with us in an important way.

For example, when I hear skeptical talk against Krishna, there are certain responses of faithfulness that are within my power, in my consciousness and intellect, and so I reply with those.  Sometimes I may become overwhelmed by opposition or distractions, but nevertheless, there is this supply of strength that keeps coming from being a disciple of Prabhupada.  We speak of causeless mercy.  Krishna and Prabhupada have claimed us, and in a sense we can’t get away, because we have sincerely surrendered.  As the Bhagavatam says, “If you ever sincerely surrender to the lotus feet of the Lord, you can never go completely away even if you seem to.  The Lord will claim you back.”

Let me try to describe it again.  We say that we are staying in spiritual life by the blessings of the spiritual master.  Sometimes we can actually feel that blessing living within us, in addition to our own meagre resources, and in addition to what we are as persons.  It is part of you, but you know where it comes from: from Prabhupada.  One should use this strength courageously – and fight on the basis of knowing it is there.  Krishna says His devotee will not be vanquished: Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati.  So one should think, “I am a follower of Prabhupada, his sakti is in me, I can sense it.  I needn’t be afraid.  I can go anywhere and preach; he will protect me.” 

Maybe this is what the Vaisnavas are expressing in their poetry when they say, “By the blessings of the guru the blind man can see the stars in the sky, the lame man can cross mountains, and the dumb man can speak like a great orator.”  It is the sense of being empowered by the spiritual master.  Devotees can witness these connections and speak of them and glorify the fact that Prabhupada lives in us.