Levels of Prabhupada Consciousness

There are different levels of Prabhupada consciousness.  Devotees have even spoken of “an illusory Prabhupada”, meaning a Prabhupada whom they imagine.  When one is deviating, one can rationalize that Prabhupada won’t mind — an illusory Prabhupada.  There is an official Prabhupada and a superficially worshiped Prabhupada, and so on.  There’s a Prabhupada of the nectarean anecdotes whom the Western theologians would refer to as “the historical Prabhupada”.  And there’s the all-pervading Prabhupada.  As Rupa Gosvami said about Sukadeva: “I offer my obeisances to my spiritual master, who enters into the heart of everyone.”  Similarly, Vyasadeva praised his spiritual master, Narada: “Like the sun, your goodness can travel everywhere in the three worlds, and like the air you can penetrate the internal region of everyone.  As such, you are as good as the all-pervading Supersoul.”  (Bhag. 1.5.7).

Unfortunately, one may live many years in contact with one of the lesser versions of Prabhupada.  Also, one can bully others by a heavy-handed use of quotes from Prabhupada’s letters, and one can misuse Prabhupada’s authority in various ways.  Therefore, it’s important to discover and remain aware of the most basic understanding one has of His Divine Grace. Remember that you promised him you would chant sixteen rounds every day and follow the four rules.  Remember the day that you took the beads from him and made that vow in his presence?  Feel the weight of it.