Category:My Material Children (Prabhupada)
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda's reflections on his material family life reveal a profound narrative of spiritual dedication and ultimate gain. Although he was situated in traditional household life with a wife and children, the persistent call of his spiritual master, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, urged him toward a higher mission. Leaving behind his material children was not an act of mere abandonment, but a necessary sacrifice to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness worldwide. In return for offering his few biological children, Kṛṣṇa blessed Śrīla Prabhupāda with hundreds and thousands of devoted spiritual children who eagerly followed his instructions. This deeply personal sacrifice highlights the supreme value of spiritual attachment over material illusion, demonstrating that one who gives up everything for Kṛṣṇa is never a loser, but rather acquires the greatest transcendental wealth.
- The Call of the Spiritual Master: Even amidst the comforts of family life, Śrīla Prabhupāda felt the continuous pull of his spiritual master's order to preach, eventually leading him to renounce his household.
- The Necessity of Renunciation: To effectively execute the global missionary work of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, giving up immediate family attachments became an essential step.
- Gaining Spiritual Progeny: By leaving a few material children, Śrīla Prabhupāda was immensely rewarded by Kṛṣṇa with countless sincere and obedient spiritual children across the globe.
- Transcendental Attachment: The affectionate bond Śrīla Prabhupāda developed with his disciples superseded material bodily ties, as this new spiritual family was entirely centered around serving Kṛṣṇa.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Prabhupāda and His Material Children.
Pages in category "My Material Children (Prabhupada)"
The following 19 pages are in this category, out of 19 total.
2
I
- I had to leave my own family and children because I was unable to tolerate seeing them remain servants of their senses. All the American children who are staying with me have shaved their heads, have mala and tilaka and always follow my orders
- I have become profited, profitable, or I have acquired profit. I left my home, my children and everything. I came here as a pauper, with seven dollars. That is no money. But I have got now big properties, hundreds of children
- I have given up my wife and children for this purpose. If I am engaged in family life, then I cannot do this missionary work. I have taken absolute shelter to this work without any disturbance
- I remember in, long ago, about sometimes in 1936, my eldest son in Bombay - he was in school - he stood first. So his class friends became envious that "Here is a boy, he is coming from Bengal, and he has stood first." They wanted to fight with him
M
- My Guru Maharaja pulled me out from this material life. I have not lost anything. He was so kind upon me. I have gained. I left three children, I have got now three hundred children. So I am not loser
- My life is simple. I was householder. I have still my wife, my children, my grandsons. My Guru Maharaja ordered me "Go & preach this cult in the Western countries." So I left everything on the order of my Guru Maharaja, & I am trying to execute the order
- My only hope is Srila Bhaktisidhanta Sarasvati Thakura. I have no one else. In my house my wife and son did not help me, so I left my home. I thought the Godbrothers would help me, but even that I did not get
- My son wanted to touch the table fan
- My wife gave birth at the age of fourteen years. She is still living. She is ten years younger than me. So sixty-eight, sixty-nine she is. She gave birth child at the age of fourteen. In 1918 I was married, and 1921 she gave birth to child, my first son
W
- When I was householder, I was just taking care of one or two children, but after retiring from my household life Krsna has given me chance to raise so many nice children for raising them to Krsna Consciousness
- When there is something fearful the child, it is nature, closes the eyes. I have practical experience. When I was young man I went to the zoo with my little son and as soon as there was a tiger cage, oh, the child closed the eyes