Category:Our Difficulties (Disciples of SP)
Theme Analysis
The path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in Kali-yuga is not an easy-going endeavor; it is inherently fraught with material and interpersonal difficulties. Śrīla Prabhupāda taught his disciples that preaching to the conditioned souls requires immense sacrifice, often demanding that a devotee "waste gallons of blood" to convert even one person. However, instead of becoming frustrated, a sincere devotee views these inevitable hardships as the special mercy of Kṛṣṇa, given to purify them through tapasya (austerity). When interpersonal differences arise within the society, disciples must practice kṣamā (forgiveness) and remain humbler than a blade of grass. By strictly following the four regulative principles and constantly chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, a devotee develops the spiritual strength to tolerate all obstacles, maintain their enthusiasm, and remain a fearless leader in the preaching mission.
- The Struggle of Preaching: Spreading spiritual knowledge in a demoniac society is a difficult, dangerous task. Great ācāryas of the past faced violent opposition, and modern preachers must also expect resistance and tolerate all hardships to deliver the conditioned souls.
- Difficulties as Kṛṣṇa's Mercy: Instead of lamenting, a true devotee welcomes material difficulties as a form of tapasya arranged by the Supreme Lord. These trials force the devotee to remember Kṛṣṇa and accelerate their spiritual purification.
- Tolerating Interpersonal Conflicts: Friction is inevitable when living with others. Śrīla Prabhupāda strictly advised his disciples never to leave the association of devotees over petty disagreements, but to cultivate forgiveness and understand that taking offense is a sign of one's own lack of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
- The Supreme Solution: All difficulties, whether administrative or personal, ultimately stem from forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa. Strict adherence to chanting sixteen rounds and following the regulative principles effortlessly clears away these illusions and solves all management problems.
- The Mark of True Leadership: A genuine leader in the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement does not abandon their post when times get tough. They remain patient, enthusiastic, and determined to execute the spiritual master's order under any circumstances.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Prabhupāda Guides His Disciples Through the Difficulties of Spiritual Life.
Pages in category "Our Difficulties (Disciples of SP)"
The following 114 pages are in this category, out of 114 total.
A
- A devotee is pleased when there is difficulty, for in these difficulties he is forced to remember Krsna. We cannot expect that the people of Kali-yuga will welcome our attempt to spread Krsna consciousness
- Any student who comes here (Vrndavana) for studying further in K.C. will have no difficulty for room, board, and tuition. It is a good opportunity for our students, and I shall be very glad to learn how many of you desire to come
- As the father becomes unhappy when one of his children wishes to break family connections I also become unhappy when there is difficulties within our ISKCON family. So please do not consider leaving as you are spiritual children of mine
B
- Because I have now given you everything you are able to answer all such questions from what you know, and if there is any difficulty you may consult my books, or you may write me if necessary
- By the grace of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, you are trying to understand this Krsna consciousness philosophy, and there is no difficulty; everything is there in our Bhagavad-gita
D
- Devotion does not depend on the body, and in spite of all difficulties we can chant, so long we have got the tongue - and even we have got no tongue we can chant in our mind. So where is the question of not serving with devotion?
- Do not let yourself fall out of this association. Even if it is very difficult and there may be many problems or disagreements still simply by remaining in the association of devotees and follow our regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds, rising early
- Don't be captivated by the material opulence, even you are put into great difficulties. Because you are not this material body. You are spirit soul. So your progress should be steady on the spiritual platform
- Don't feel alone. Always chant whenever possible, read our books, and there will be no great difficulty
E
- Enthusiasm and patience, these things required. If under changing conditions, I lose my enthusiasm, if I cannot endure the difficulties of my duty, therefore I go away. Then how I can be leader?
- Even if there may be some problems, always try to remain in Krishna Consciousness. Do not give up chanting the Hare Krishna mantra simply due to some external difficulties
- Everyone can see God. To see God is not very difficult job. There are so many points described in the Bhagavad-gita. For the devotees, those who are serious about seeing God, they can see God. God is present everywhere
F
- For a preacher there is no difficulty anywhere, irrespective of climate and conditions
- For the devotees of the Lord there always many difficulties for propagating Krsna Consciousness among the nondevotee demons. But we must learn to tolerate all the difficulties and push on regardless of whatever obstacles we may be presented with
- From now on if someone takes the leading post, he must agree to stick and not go away just because it is difficult from time to time. That is ideal leader
H
- Hare Krishna Mantra will clear away all of the difficulties that you have mentioned. Actually, as pure spirit soul, there is no difficulty; the cause of all problems is that we are forgetful of the fact that we are part and parcel of Krishna
- He has caused a great difficulty in the management of our Honolulu temple. Of course Gurukrpa has got to handle the situation nicely, but what can I do from here
I
- I (Prabhupada) am sure if he sees me it will not be difficult to convince him about this Krsna Consciousness philosophy because after all he is your son. I do not know his present address, otherwise I would have called him here directly
- I (Prabhupada) am very glad to hear that there is an increase in classes and that the mantra class is beng held daily twice. In this way if we always concentrate on reading our literature then there will be no difficulty to preach
- I am happy that Krsna is center. That's all. This is the beauty of this movement. Although we are put into some difficulty, but center is Krsna
- I am pleased that, despite some difficulties, you are progressing steadily in pushing this Krishna Consciousness Movement in the Austin city
- I am sorry that your dealing with the draft board has been mishandled and therefore you are in difficulty. Anyway if need be you can go back and face trial as advised by your father's lawyer
- I am sure if you simply follow the instructions I have already given there will be no difficulty
- I believe all my students they are very serious devotees, maybe sometimes influenced by maya, but they can be corrected and the whole thing will go on as usual without any difficulty
- I cannot close my eyes when there are big management difficulties, so when I see things going wrong, money mispent, things not used properly, then I have to take part
- I have been very much disturbed to learn of the difficulties in Africa. As the leader there you should not have allowed this dissension to take place
- I have read your account of the incidents of fighting with the hoodlums with great concern. After all, this world is full of darkness and controlled by the demons, so difficulties are there certainly
- I have seen your German devotees, they are very enthusiastic and steady workers. So if you get some good souls to join, then there will be no difficulty for selling the books
- I know in the Western countries it is difficult job to finish sixty-four rounds or 120 rounds, like that. Minimum sixteen rounds. That must be finished. Tat-tat-karma-pravartanat. This is the direction. Observing the regulative principles
- I know you are always experiencing difficulties in living with devotees, but we must be tolerant and endure the personal differences, being humbler than a blade of grass, and stick to our duties to the spiritual master
- I request you not to go to U.S.A., even if it is a little difficult to preach in that quarter. I have written to Gurudasa and Sucandra to join you - combine together and preach. In U.S.A. there are many preachers, but here no preachers
- I shall be glad if the Brahmacarinis can have nice husbands, and live as Grhasthas. But if they cannot find out good husbands, it is better to remain a Brahmacarini all the life, even though it is little difficult
- If everyone is strictly chanting at least 16 rounds daily and reading the books and observing the regulative principles then management will be at our finger's end, and there will be no difficulty in maintaining Krsna Consciousness
- If Sacisuta is finding difficulty to cope with his God-brothers in the temple, he can travel with the Sankirtana party. That will be very nice. Anyway, both of you may not leave us. Each and everyone of you is very important assistant for me
- If somebody comes to attack, there must be men to defend. And eating and sleeping. Where is your difficulty? Manage locally, as far as possible
- If we keep ourself on the material platform, then for thousand years we may chant, it will be difficult. That is called namaparadha. Of course, holy name is so powerful that even by chanting with offense, gradually he becomes pure
- If we open so many centers and then later there is difficulty to maintain them because insufficient men, or if we have to close them, then what is the use. We are not after so many centers, but we want to make devotees, pure devotees of Krishna
- If you are determined in this way to be His devotee, Krishna will provide some happy solution. But even if He puts us into extreme difficulty, we must always be prepared to consider everything as His special Mercy
- If you go on collecting in this way, where is the difficulty? Of course if there is great need, I can give you, but if you think that you can manage something independently, then try for that, that will be better
- In India the Brahmacaris collect alms and subscription but here it is not possible to do like that: therefore all Brahmacaris may work at least part time so that our financial difficulty may be minimized
- In our dealings, there are so many faulty dealings between ourselves. So if we take everything very seriously, then it is very difficult to live. So ksama means forgiveness - will reduce
- In pushing on our sankirtana movement of Krsna consciousness, we might have to face difficult days, but we should always follow in the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and do the needful according to the time and circumstances
- It appears that the working on the committee will be too much difficult for you, so it will be better if you can serve Krishna by translating into Hindi language
- It is difficult to send things through the mail, so better if you go to our New York temple for getting prasadam. Krishna is absolute so prasadam offered in our temple in New York is as good and the same as the prasadam from here
- It is in the hands of you big guns to manage everything so that there may never be internal difficulties amongst us, so that we may always go on increasing more & more the influence of Lord Caitanya's philosophy of Sankirtana process upon all the world
- It is my confidential advice to you that if he feels any difficulties for money, you may discriminatingly help him, and he should continue as the managing editor
- It is very difficult to push on this movement, but still we have to do it. This is the highest yoga. If you push on this movement of Krsna consciousness, then you'll be performing the highest type of yoga. Don't be misled by so-called yogas. This is yoga
- It is very difficult to push on this movement. Still, we are going. That is Krsna's grace
- It will be difficult to open three pandals simultaneously because there are no sufficient men. Otherwise there is no difficulty
K
- Keep yourself always healthy because you have to work so much for Krishna, and whenever you feel some difficulty, you may immediately inform me
- Krishna always appreciates when his devotee makes some sacrifice on His behalf, so there is no real difficulty under any conditions so long as we remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Krishna is giving you intelligence and bestowing His Mercy upon you; continue this attitude, whenever you feel some difficulty, chant Hare Krishna. Pray to Krishna to help you, and there will be no difficulty. Be rest assured
- Krishna is very kind upon you because he has given you so many responsible tasks. So always think of the Lotus Feet of Sri Krishna and you will find no difficulties in executing the tasks allotted to you by Krishna
- Krsna consciousness can be developed with devotees. Alone it is difficult
L
- Let him be practiced to chant Hare Krsna, then everything will go on. This is Krsna consciousness. Where is the difficulty? Unless we make it difficult. Otherwise there is no difficulty
- Let us forget our past difficulties and in Krishna Consciousness, if anyone faces difficulties, it is considered as blessings, because without tapasya, or voluntarily accepting some inconveniences, nobody can realize the Transcendence
O
- One mistake of judgment often made by the neophyte devotees is that any time there is some disturbance or difficulty they are considering that the conditions or the external circumstances under which the difficulty took place are the cause
- One moon is sufficient. So this KC movement, it is not required that everyone will be follower. That is not possible, because it is very difficult. But still, if one follower, sincere follower is there, it will go on. It will go on. Nobody can stop it
- Our money is collected with great difficulty. I want that not a single farthing may be at stake
- Our principle should be to serve Krishna very diligently with love and faith, and all necessary supplies will come without any difficulties
- Our real interest is in the western countries. The trouble in India is we cannot preach. There are language difficulties and the people think they already know everything
P
- Please know it always that I think of you and your wife as very sincere devotees and whenever you think, you can ask me everything about your difficulties
- Practically we see that even chanting sixteen rounds becomes difficult. So don't try to imitate, but do it properly, what is advised by your spiritual master, without any offense. That mantra will save you from the dangers of maya
R
- Regarding distribution of Spiritual Sky Incense profits to aleviate financial difficulties, you GBC members decide amongst yourselves as to the proper course of action and whatever you decide amongst yourselves, I have no objection
- Regarding your difficulty in rendering Caitanya Bhagavata, yes you are right that you are overstepping your position. Better to stop it
- Regarding your enemy, Mr. Lust: I have noted the difficulties, but we should always remember that Krishna is stronger than any demon, and Mr. Lust, or his father or his grandfather, nobody can do anything provided we take shelter of Krishna very tightly
S
- Sending devotees there is one thing, but why not create devotees? To send devotees from here or anywhere else is more difficult than to create devotees locally
- Simply by changing my status of occupation or my status of life, that will not help anything. Because the real fact is that if there is any difficulty with others, that is my lack of Krsna consciousness, not theirs. Is this clear?
- So far as possible, remain separate and talk almost nil. Brahmacari is advised not to go near a young woman anywhere. A brahmacari should always address every woman as mother. In your country it is a little difficult, but the principle is to avoid
- So far as Savitri getting her 2nd initiation you have written to say that she had difficulty now to even chant a few mantras. So you must observe first whether she will be able to keep the Brahminical vows
- So far our society is concerned, we are maintaining first class literature produced but if there is difficulty what can I say?
- So remain fixed up in the service, at the same time try to train others because we shall have to open so many centers. Unless we have got very trained up pujaris it will be difficult for us to install Deities
- Sometimes Krsna may put us into some difficulty just to purify us and force us to advance in Krsna consciousness
- Sometimes members of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness - especially in the Western countries - find it difficult to approach people to distribute books because people are unfamiliar with the traditional saffron robes of the devotees
- Standard should be that, never mind there is some difficulty, my spiritual master has ordered me to do like this, now let me do it, that's all
T
- That is the sign of the first-class devotee, that he is always willing to sacrifice everything to please Krishna by preaching His glories, even under all sorts of difficult conditions. I am very encouraged by your attitude of sincere Krishna Consciousness
- The best thing for your wife is to try and tolerate the pains and to execute her devotional service to the best of her capacity. If this is difficult, then she should try to get the proper treatment for her problem
- The difficulty is that our GBC men are falling victim to maya. Today I trust this GBC and tomorrow he will fall down
- The difficulty is that we cannot come to the pure stage of chanting Hare Krsna mantra. Due to our past habits our mind is disturbed. We cannot concentrate. Therefore we have fixed up the minimum
- The difficulty will be the Mohammadans will not agree to shave their heads and beards. Our principle is anyone can live with us provided he becomes clean shaved, dresses like us, follows the regulative principles and chants the beads regularly
- The practical difficulty is to find a husband for each and every girl
- The preaching work is not easy-going. There are so many difficulties. All the big, big preachers... Sri Ramanujacarya. His life was attempted to be killed. Why Ramanujacarya? My Guru Maharaja was attempted to be killed
- The real business is that you produce enough food grains, as much as possible, and you eat and distribute. That's all. This is business. He does not require any so high technical education. Anyone can till the ground and grow food. Is it difficult?
- The real thing is that you are feeling alone, and because you are so to say, child, you have become nervous. Otherwise for a preacher there is no difficulty anywhere, irrespective of climate and conditions
- This cycle of birth and death is going on. Guru's business is how to stop this cycle of birth and death. And it is not very difficult. Teach him to understand Krsna, and Krsna is assuring
- This KC movement means we are presenting the BG as it is. That's all. We have no difficulty because Krsna is accepted as authority, the SPG, by all the acaryas; not only formerly, like Vyasadeva, Narada, Asita, Devala, many, many big, big stalwart
- Today I have sent you the first installment of "Narada Bhakti Sutras". Please let me know how do you like it or if there is any difficulty to understand it. On hearing from you I shall take up the next installment
U
W
- We are standing against the stubborn, doggish mentality. We have got no difficulty, at the same time, very, very difficult task. No difficulty - if you accept Bhagavad-gita as it is, no difficulty
- We do not approach God. That is our difficulty. We are simply amazed by seeing the wonderful activities of God's energy. That's all. But we do not approach God. Therefore we are less intelligent
- We have to work sincerely, and because Krishna is in everyone's heart, there will be no difficulty to have the necessary facilities
- We must elevate ourself to the second class devotee position. To become first-class devotee, that is very difficult job. We can expect after executing devotional service as a madhyama-adhikari. Then we can be promoted
- We recruit devotees with great difficulty. So they must be well-treated. New men may not always behave so nicely but we must be tolerant
- What is the wrong if I say, "Please chant Hare Krsna"? If you don't chant, that is your choice. There is no difficulty
- Whatever property we have now made, Krsna has given us. But now, to maintain this, to save this prestigious position, that is difficult. Little mismanagement, there may be so many difficulties
- When we are put into difficulties while discharging Krishna Conscious duties, it is to be understood that Krishna puts us in a field of austerities and penances which help us making progress towards realization of our goal of life
- Whenever you feel any difficulty to understand our philosophy you may inquire from Sudama, and if there is still difficulty you are welcome to send your inquiries to me and I shall be very much pleased to satisfy you
- Why Krsna is recognizing so nicely a preacher? Because He knows that he has to face so many difficulties. It is not easy going. Armchair politician, no. He has to face so many difficulties
- With great difficulty we get a man. We have to reform them. Our business is to become sympathetic to fallen souls. So in future do not do it all. Everything should be done amicably
- With our present senses, materially covered, it is very difficult to understand Krsna, His transcendental Name, Fame, Form, Pastimes, etc. But if we begin rendering service unto Krsna, then being pleased with our service He will reveal Himself from within
- Without tapasya, nobody can approach Krishna. So preachers who boldly face all kinds of difficulties are considered to be under tapasya, and Krishna takes note of such tapasya of the devotee, and the devotee is recognized by Him
- Work very nicely to encourage Abhirama and the others to very enthusiastically carry on our program there in Miami, even though there may be so many difficulties
Y
- You and Srimati Krishna devi are sincere workers for Krishna Consciousness and as such Krishna will never put you in difficulty, rest assured. Don't be discouraged
- You are practically experiencing that there is no difficulty in household life if people are in Krsna Consciousness.
- You can try to arrange programs in Panama, Trinidad, and Guyana, so I can get down there on my way to Brazil. But, if there is any difficulty in getting the visa for these countries, then we may suspend the program
- You cannot expect many disciples, but still, there are two thousand. Because I have got so many conditions and the fact is so difficult to understand, Krsna consciousness
- You cannot expect that your audience should be all highly brain. No. Preaching is required because they have no brain. Therefore your duty is to tolerate all difficulties and bring them to the sense of brain
- You complain that as a householder it is very difficult. Especially you want to preach. There are examples of great preachers who were householders, such as Bhaktivinode thakur, although we cannot hope to imitate him
- You go ahead and arrange the meeting with Birlas and Bangurs and there will certainly be no difficulty for raising the required funds for our Calcutta project
- You have to spend or waste gallons of blood before you can convert a person to Krsna consciousness. It is so difficult task
- You must follow the principles that I have given at all times, under all circumstances. Without these four principles, there is no spiritual life. Even it may be very difficult you must follow