Dedicated to:
H.D.G. A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada, and
H.G. Gauranga Sundar Das Gurudevji
Why to read “Srila Prabhupada Books” daily?
Reading is one of the most important part of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. Like you need food to feed your stomach, making your body physically strong, in the same way, your intelligence also needs food to be sharp enough. So, reading Srila Prabhupada Books daily acts as the food to intelligence. Intelligence needs knowledge and Srila Prabhupada books has the the most perfect knowledge coming directly from Kṛṣṇa.
Srila Prabhupada books are enough for one to make the life perfect. They are complete in them, covering all the aspects of philosophy that is needed to make a sound understanding of philosophy.
Srila Prabhupada says,
By reading my books and chanting Hare Krishna, your life will become perfect.
SPL to Mr. Lourenco, March 14, 1975, Tehran
How just by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books, one becomes perfect? Prabhupāda answers this:
A temple is a place where by 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
So, Srila Prabhupada books acts as the firm basis of sound understanding of philosophy. At one place, Prabhupada says that:
“These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads-he is hearing.” (Letter, October 19, 1974)
There are two ways of association – by vani and by vapuh. Vani means words and vapuh means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not, but Vani continues to exist eternally. Therefore, one must take advantage of the Vani, not the physical presence.
(CC, Antya 5 Conclusion)
So, just by reading his books, you’re associating with Srila Prabhupada and eventually being purified, below is the conversation:
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.”
SPC (BBT 1991) Los Angeles 13/05/73
Srila Prabhupada: “Even a moments association with a pure devotee –
All success!”
Revitananda: “Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?”
Srila Prabhupada: “Yes”
SPC (BBT 1991) Room Conversation 13/12/70
Srila Prabhupada is forever alive through his books:
Reporter: “What will happen to the movement in the United States when you die?” Srila Prabhupada : “I will never die. I shall live from my books, and you will utilize.” (Interview, July 16,1975, Berkeley, California)
“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)
Unless you read the books, you will remain a sentimentalist and there’s a high chance of falling down on one stroke of maya or the illusionary energy of Kṛṣṇa. But if you wish to become stout and strong, you have to make your basis of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness strong and that is possible only by reading Srila Prabhupada’s books.
Srila Prabhupada:
Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation. BG 3.3. Purport
Prabhupada: “I write in the night. I get up at half past twelve. I go to bed at half past ten, and I get up at half past twelve. Then I finish my chanting, if there is any balance, and then I begin dictating. And the morning they take it and type it. So this dictaphone is always with me, wherever I go, so my writing book is not stopped. Maybe few pages, but something is there daily. Little drops of water wear the stone. So in that way we have translated so many books.” (Conversation, Toronto, June 18, 1976)
…you take full advantage of this Vedic culture. I am therefore so much laboring hard that we…, before my leaving this body, I may give you some books who you can enjoy after my death. So utilize it. Utilize it. Read every śloka nicely, try to understand the meaning, discuss amongst yourself. Nityaṁ bhagavata-sevayā. That is our mission. Naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhagavata-sevayā [SB 1.2.18]. Abhadra. We have got so many dirty things within our heart. So these dirty things can be cleansed simply by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There is no other method. ( Srila Prabhupada in the lecture of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.1, July 6, 1972, London)Srila Prabhupada at the age of 70, sacrificed his sleep and food, just to give us Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, but still if we don't utilize then how can we get perfect? How will we attain Kṛṣṇa?Srila Prabhupada himself has told the way to get his blessings:As far as my blessing is concerned it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krishna there and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krsna prasadam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya whose mission I am humbly trying to push on. ( June 30 1974 letter Balakrsna Melbourne)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 Once Srila Prabhupada said, By the mercy of the guru, even a dumb man can become the greatest orator, and even a lame man can cross mountains. SB 6.7.23, PurportHis Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada has mercifully simplify the philosophy in such a way that any dumb man can become the first-class preacher."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"In my books the philosophy of Krsna 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.SPL (VI 1987) Brahmarupa das 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 beanswered." SPL (VI 1987) Randhira 24/01/70Devotee child (1): How can I serve you better?Prabhupāda: Read Kṛṣṇa book daily. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.(Conversation New YORK - July 04, 1972)
Your Humble servant,
Radharani Devi Dasi