We are Especially Following Prabhupada

We are especially following Prabhupada.  Srila Prabhupada exposed material life as a defeat.  People think they will obtain happiness by sense gratification, but in the end, they are only frustrated.  Prabhupada taught this repeatedly because the struggle for happiness is so pervasive among the people of the world.  Although most people concentrate on money-making as their goal, Prabhupada instructs them, “No, that cannot make you happy.”  He also tells us not to seek liberation from material life.  One might ask, “Neither sense gratification nor renunciation – what’s left?”  Srila Prabhupada teaches that the goal of life is service to Krishna, bhakti yoga.  This is the message of the six Gosvamis, Lord Caitanya, and Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-gita.  Prabhupada preached it and we are following him.

Often, our appreciation of Prabhupada is based on appreciation of the Vedic truths.  One may say that Prabhupada’s teachings are just those of a typical Vaisnava sannyasi.  By glorifying Prabhupada, all we are doing is appreciating Lord Krishna in Bhagavad-gita.  Srila Prabhupada would  appreciate that estimation of himself.  In fact, that’s how he wanted us to appreciate him – as one who delivered Krishna’s message unchanged.

One may also say, “You claim that your spiritual master is special for teaching Krishna consciousness, but all he is doing is presenting the Vaisnava tradition.  Why do you focus on him so completely?  Don’t you think that is naive?” 

But we heard from Srila Prabhupada.  He is not just an ordinary speaker.  He was a vigorous preacher who created the Krishna consciousness  revolution around the world.  It is only natural that we repeat what we have learned and heard from him, and natural that we express our gratitude to him.  We note his preaching methods.  He knew how to preach to us; therefore, we are especially eager to listen to him.  Within the tradition of Vaisnava preachers, we are indebted to him.  The Vaisnava conclusion states that one cannot directly hear from Krishna; one has to hear from Krishna’s representative.  Prabhupada is that representative for us.