108 Glories
1st Set
Meditations on the Infinite Qualities and Pastimes
of
Om Visnu-pada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya
Astottara Sata Sri Srimad
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
by Paratrikananda dasa
___________________
9. Srila Prabhupada is my advocate. Among countless condemned souls, he agreed to represent me. At the time of judgement he will plead my case.
Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He delivered Jagai-Madhai. They were all this: addicted to illicit sex, meat-eating, drinking and intoxication, gambling. That was their business. So Nityananda Prabhu went to deliver them, that "First of all, these rascals should be delivered." Therefore He went there. They were very angry. They hurt Him by throwing one stone on His forehead, and blood came out. Still, Nityananda Prabhu said, "All right, I don't mind. Please chant Hare Krsna." This is preaching, Nityananda. But when Lord Caitanya heard it, He became very angry. He wanted to kill them immediately. So Nityananda Prabhu requested that "In this incarnation You have promised not to accept any weapons. Please become, I mean to say, "kind upon them." This is the person... This is the business of guru. Guru introduces with God and prays to God, "Please excuse him." This is guru's business. And by the request of guru, God agrees to excuse him. This is the process.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.15
Vrndavana, October 26, 1972
10. Srila Prabhupada is my benefactor. He always tries to bring me back to the land of song and dance. He wants me to be happy.
Similarly, we are all part and parcel of God, Krsna. Naturally, we must be happy. Anandamayo 'bhyasat. This is our position, that we must be always anandamaya, jubilant. This is our position. Just like Krsna is dancing -- you have seen -- similarly, our position is simply dancing with Krsna and be happy.
Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.9
Hyderabad, April 23, 1974
11. Srila Prabhupada is my guarantor. He accepts my debt as his own. He is the definition of nobility.
The spiritual master accepts the sinful activities of his disciples from the first initiation. I may give initiation very easily, but what can I do? I am prepared to go to hell for service of Lord Caitanya.
Srila Prabhupada letter
New Vrindaban, September 4, 1972
12. Srila Prabhupada is my stern disciplinarian. He scolds without malice to keep me on course. He is a beneficent chastiser.
So far my chastising you at Mayapur for your questions it is simply out of love that I chastise any of my students. It is a father's duty to raise his son to be a strong, useful citizen, and sometimes he must reprimand him for some mistake in order to teach him. But this harshness is only for his son's benefit. Similarly, you are all my spiritual children, and my only concern is to see that you all become strong in your devotion to Lord Krishna, so sometimes scolding may be there, but you should always remember that it is done with love and it is only for your benefit. You are an intelligent boy, and I want to train you very nicely so that you will be able to preach this great Krishna Conscious philosophy with conviction, and help to deliver all the spiritually-starving souls in this age. Therefore, you should take this chastisement as an opportunity to advance in Krishna Consciousness and not in any other way.
Srila Prabhupada letter
Sydney, April 12, 1972
13. Srila Prabhupada is my destination. He awaits my arrival in the kingdom of God. If I fail, he will come for me.
So far as I am concerned, in relationship with my disciples who are so kindly cooperating with me in the matter of my rendering service to my Spiritual Master, for them I am always ready to come back from Goloka Vrindaban, if they are not delivered along with me. So don't be worried about the clutches of Maya. Be fixed up in your determination and go on serving the Supreme Lord, Krishna, with determination as you are already doing.
Srila Prabhupada letter
London, November 15, 1969
Devotee: Prabhupada, I heard it said that the spiritual master will always come back until his devotees, his disciples, have achieved God realization. Can you explain that?
Prabhupada: Yes. But don't try to take advantage of it. (laughter) Don't try to give trouble to your spiritual master like that. Finish your business in this life. That is especially meant for those who are slack. His devotee, his disciple should be serious in serving spiritual master. If he is intelligent he should know that "Why should I act in such a way that my spiritual master has to take the trouble to reclaim me again? Let my business be finished in this life." That should be the right way of thinking. Not that, "Oh I am sure my spiritual master will come, let me do all nonsense." No. So if you have got any, I mean to say, affection for the spiritual master, then you should finish your business in this life so that he may not come again to reclaim you. Is that all right? Don't take advantage of this business. Rather, be serious to finish your business. That is a fact.
Bhagavad-gita 6.46-47
Los Angeles, February 21, 1969
14. Srila Prabhupada is my standard of aristocratic perfection. He is the embodiment of grace and refinement. He implores me to become a gentle man.
15. Srila Prabhupada is my saving grace. Without his kindness I would remain a damned creature. He cares enough to help me.
Now, some of these Mayavadi sannyasis accuse me that "Bhaktivedanta Swami is spoiling our Hindu religion." Means dvesta. They do not like Christians. They do not like Mohammedans. But I am accepting Mohammedans, Christian, any damn rascal: "Come on. Chant Hare Krsna."
Morning Walk
Bombay, February 19, 1974
16. Srila Prabhupada is my captain. He gives me courage when I fall in battle. He asks nothing from me that he would not do himself.
In the beginning of your letter your comparison of the soldier and commander is very appropriate. We are on the battlefield of Kuruksetra -- one side Maya, the other side Krsna. So the regulative principles of a battlefield, namely to abide by the order of the commander, must be followed. Otherwise it is impossible to direct the fighting capacity of the soldiers and thus defeat the opposing elements. Kindly therefore take courage. You are capable in so many ways. Let things be rightly done so that our mission may be correctly pushed forward to come out victorious.
Srila Prabhupada letter
Los Angeles, July 31, 1970
(Cont'd on next page.)
