Prabhupada Wrote His Books for Us 

Prabhupada loved to write because it was an effective way to spread Krishna consciousness.  He got good results from his writing.  He also communed deeply with the previous acaryas when he wrote.  He felt their power, even when his essays weren’t being read.  Writing seemed to be his dharma.  Even his spiritual master encouraged him to write.  So, Srila Prabhupada became occupied with writing books, and he saw temple construction as not important for him, especially in the years before he came to America.  He saw himself as following his guru’s example, and his order: “If you ever get money, print books.”  Prabhupada wrote that the first duty of a sannyasi is to write books. 

Prabhupada’s books teach us about the spiritual relationship between the disciple and the spiritual master.  Prabhupada’s books are like the map, but I still have to undertake the journey myself.  I study the symbols on the page; they refer to a situation like my own, describing what is required of me as a disciple in giving my whole life to Srila Prabhupada.  The map marks out hazard areas – don’t be whimsical, don’t disrespect the spiritual master, pray to him, inquire from him … But it remains general.  Each of us has to make our own journey guided by the map of the sastra.  The journey is meant to be long; one has to pass through all phases of life in this body while he traverses the path.  But still, the sastra gives us only general guidelines.

The Nectar of Devotion states that one should accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master, accept initiation from him, and receive instruction in Krishna consciousness while serving him in faith and confidence.  But even Rupa Gosvami admits that he is speaking only basic principles.  Prabhupada comments,

“For example, a basic principle is that one has to accept a spiritual master.  Exactly how one follows the instructions of his spiritual master is considered a detail.”  (Nectar of Devotion, Chapter 6, page 53)

In a sense, my relationship with my spiritual master is not mentioned in the scriptures.  It’s unchartered territory.  The details have been left up to Srila Prabhupada and me.  The outcome is still waiting for further development.  Will I surrender completely?  Will I receive more grace?  Without the authorized books I would not know how to conduct myself, but the books cannot cultivate my relationship with Prabhupada for me.  I have to make the attempt myself every day.  I have to choose good association, control my senses and mind, do the work which is fit for me as approved by Srila Prabhupada.  There is much work to do in my individual case.  This is true for every disciple.