Srila Prabhupada: Everything is there in my books
“After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything.” SPC (BBT 1991) Room Conversation 18/02/76
“There is no need by any of my disciples to read any books besides my books – in fact, such reading may be detrimental to their advancement in Krishna Consciousness. All reading of outside books, except in certain authorized cases such as for example to read some philosopher like Plato to make an essay comparing his philosophy with Krishna’s philosophy – but otherwise all such outside reading should be stopped immediately. It is simply another botheration. If my students cannot even read my own books thoroughly, why they should read others? I have given you TLC, what need is there to read Chaitanya Charitamrita translated by someone else. You are right to stop such reading.” SPL (VI 1987) Govinda das 20/01/70
“I have instructed everything in my books.”
SPL (VI 1987) Dina Dayala das 25/02/76
“Please continue reading my books seriously and everything will be revealed to you.”
SPL (VI 1987) Babhru and Satyaki 18/09/75
“Whatever is to be learned of the teachings of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura can be learned from our books. There is no need whatsoever for any outside instruction.”
SPL (VI 1987) Gurukripa Maharaja 25/12/75
“So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.”
SPL (VI 1987) Upendra 07/01/76
“If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place whereby one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect.”
SPL (VI 1987) Hugo Salemon 22/11/74
“Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice, in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.”
SPL (VI 1987) Randhira 24/01/70
“In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop. […] You may please me the most by reading the books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this life time.” SPL (VI 1987) Brahmarupa das 22/11/74
“Everyone can become a first class speaker. Simply cram the purports of my books. The references are there, the philosophy is there. Everything is there.” SPL (VI 1987) Gopijanavallabha das 19/09/74
Devotee: “Srila Prabhupada when you’re not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise…”
Srila Prabhupada: “Well the answers are there in my books.”
SPC (BBT 1991) Los Angeles 13/05/73
Srila Prabhupada: “Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee – all success!” Revitananda: “Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?”
Srila Prabhupada: “Yes”
Revitananda: “Even a little association with your books has the same effect?”
Srila Prabhupada: “Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it.”
SPC (BBT 1991) Room Conversation 13/12/70
Paramahamsa: “My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad-gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?”
Srila Prabhupada: “Yes. You can associate with Krishna by reading Bhagavad-gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?”SPC (BBT 1991) Paris 11/06/74
“There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavors. Whether I am present or not does not matter.” SPC (BBT 1991) Vrindavan 17/05/77
“If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way.” BTG (BBT 1977) December 1977
Srila Prabhupada: “So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in my books. That’s all.”
Indian Man (2): “Personally, we think more greater.”
Srila Prabhupada: “That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books.”
SPC (BBT 1991) Toronto 07/08/75
SPL – Srila Prabhupada Letters
SPC – Srila Prabhupada Conversations
The importance of reading Srila Prabhupada’s books
Compiled by Bhakta Corey (Texas, USA)
Is a physically present guru required for us to understand spiritual life? What should be the source of our instructions? Where should we learn about spiritual life, if the spiritual master is not physically present before us?
Devotee: Srila Prabhupada when you’re not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise…
Srila Prabhupada: Well the questions are answ…answers are there in my books. (Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, Los Angeles, May 13, 1973)
Srila Prabhupada says that we can get the answers to our questions through reading his books. He does not say that we “need a living guru so that we can personally receive instructions”.
“In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.”– Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Brahmarupa Dasa, November 22, 1974
The process of advancing in Krishna Consciousness is quite simple. We simply have to continuously hear from Srila Prabhupada through reading his transcendental books, and spiritual knowledge will be revealed to us. What is the difficulty in this?
Srila Prabhupada: Even a moment’s association with a pure devotee – all success!
Revatinanda: Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes
Revatinanda: Even a little association with your books has the same effect?
Srila Prabhupada: Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it.
– Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, December 13, 1972
This is very important. Association with the spiritual master or a pure devotee is not hampered by whether or not they are physically present or not. Srila Prabhupada says that reading the words of a pure devotee is no different from physically associating with him. The only qualification is that one must be very eager to hear from the spiritual master. Whether or not the spiritual master is physically present is not important. So by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, we are actually directly associating with Srila Prabhupada.
Paramahamsa: My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad Gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. You can associate with Krishna by reading Bhagavad Gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?
– Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Paris, June 11, 1974
Another very important quote. This devotee asks Srila Prabhupada if reading Krishna’s words is the same as directly associating with him, and Srila Prabhupada answers “yes”. Krishna is eternally existing, even though foolish rascals may think that he is no longer existing since He is no longer visible to their mundane eyes. And the great news is, we can associate directly with Krishna by reading His divine and transcendental words that have been left in the form of the Vedic scriptures.
“There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter. ”
– Arrival Conversation, Vrindavan, May 17, 1977
Srila Prabhupada has already given all instruction in his books, and it is our duty to take advantage of it. And, Srila Prabhupada says that reading his books and imbibing the transcendental knowledge contained therein is not dependent on whether he is physically present or not.
“If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way.”– Back To Godhead 13:1-2, December 1977
Srila Prabhupada’s books are the prime shelter for all living entities. Srila Prabhupada can preach to the entire world through his books. We can always remain connected with Srila Prabhupada through reading his books.
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die!
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!
Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilise.
– Srila Prabhupada Interview, Berkley, July 17, 1975
Srila Prabhupada has given us everything that we need to make spiritual advancement. He lives eternally in his books, and we can utilize his books, read them, and remain in direct association with Srila Prabhupada. What is the difficulty? Therefore, the reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books, especially of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, is of primary importance so that we can make spiritual advancement and remain in contact with Srila Prabhupada. The reading of Srila Prabhupada’s books is extremely vital. We can have a direct relationship with Srila Prabhupada simply by reading his books.
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