Prabhupada’s Uniqueness

As we hear from Prabhupada, we also begin to recognize other preachers and ways of presenting the парампары, although no one knows as much about Krishna as Prabhupada, or teaches Vaisnava philosophy in exactly the same way.  There are other Vaisnavas and other ways that present the same conclusion, but this does not diminish our desire to hear directly from Prabhupada.  Our equating Krishna consciousness with His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is not accidental; we deliberately cultivate this loyalty on the advice of the sastras.  Unless we please our spiritual master, Krishna will not be pleased with us. 

The personal presence of the spiritual master is necessary to enforce some of the more difficult injunctions of Vaisnava tradition.  For example, Prabhupada came to America and taught that sex life should be restricted.  He told us right from the beginning that our Western emphasis on sex would be very detrimental to our spiritual lives.  One should restrict it.  If possible, one should give it up entirely.  Some devotees mentioned to Prabhupada that these restrictions would be difficult for Americans to accept.  Prabhupada replied, “I cannot change the philosophy to suit the Americans.”

His teaching, of course, goes completely against the Hedonists’ claims that unless we enjoy sex, we will be frustrated and repressed.  How could the devotees in Krishna consciousness adopt such a “mad attempt” unless Srila Prabhupada was personally behind us?

Without compromise, Prabhupada continues to guide us.  He speaks plainly in his books and lectures: “If you want Krishna, you have to give up illicit sex desire.”  Sex is a natural drive that can be used in Krishna’s service.  Sex is not easy to give up in any asrama, but if we want to follow Prabhupada, we have to do what he says. 

As we struggle to surrender, we certainly need to focus on the personal inspiration given to us by our spiritual master.  We know he teaches from the sastra, but we also know that he follows the sastra himself.  Because we are personally indebted to him, we want to please him by following the Vedic truths.  Allowing the spiritual master to exert such control in our lives, even to the point of controlling our sex pleasure, will make us submissive to him.  We come to identify ourselves as his followers.  This will bring us the actual confirmation and reciprocation from him that we are seeking.