(Click to enlarge photo of Srila Prabhupada in Mauritius, October, 1975)
"So the life, they're missing the aim of life. Mandāḥ sumanda-matayaḥ. Why? Manda-bhāgyāḥ: they are unfortunate. So you take it for granted. We are trying, even our Kṛṣṇa consciousness mission, we are trying to awaken. Still, they are so unfortunate they cannot give up sense gratification. So unfortunate. Condemned, unfortunate. Repeatedly we are spending our gallons of blood, 'Don't do this'; still they are doing. Cannot give up even sleeping. So condemned, Kali-yuga. Mandāḥ sumanda-matayaḥ.
So it is very difficult with these rascals. Very, very difficult. Therefore my Guru Mahārāja's Guru Mahārāja, Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja, they were not preaching. They were disgusted, that 'I have no power to reform these rascals. Better don't bother. Let them go to hell. At least... Let them.' But still, my Guru Mahārāja preached. He was so kind. And he asked us also to do the same thing. But it is very, very difficult job. People are so rascal, so condemned, so sinful, it is very, very difficult to raise them. Very difficult."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, London, August 23, 1973)
"We are making them bhāgyavān (fortunate). We are giving them service, how to become bhāgyavān. We are spending our blood, gallons of blood, to make them bhāgyavān. This is the sacrifice of the devotees. Just like you are poor. Somebody, rich man, comes, 'All right, take one million dollar from me.' You get immediately rich. So it is the devotees' sacrifice that they're becoming... Just like Vāsudeva Datta. He requested Caitanya Mahāprabhu, 'My Lord, You have come. Take away all these people, unfortunate people, back to home, back to Godhead. If You think they are so inglorious they cannot be taken, then give me all their sins to me. I shall suffer. You take them.' And that is Vaiṣṇava. They are sacrificing everything for these unfortunate rascals. Therefore they are becoming very, very dear to Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says, na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu (BG 18.69). Those who are sacrificing everything for giving..., making fortunate these rascals, they become immediately very, very dear to Kṛṣṇa.
Just like if a rich man gives his money for public welfare, immediately he's recognized by the government, 'Yes.' He's given some title. Why? Because he has given his possession for the benefit of the public. Similarly, the devotees, they are distributing their possession to these unfortunate people. Therefore he's immediately recognized. That is the process. But devotee does not want any recognition, but he knows that 'My Lord wants this rascal to go back to home, back to Godhead. So let me try my best.' He knows the mind of the master; otherwise, why the master comes and canvasses, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja (BG 18.66)? He has no business, but He wants that 'These rascals are suffering in this material condition. They are My part and parcel, My sons. Let Me try.' And devotee understands that 'My Lord wants it. So let me do it on His behalf.' Therefore devotee is so dear."
(Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Hawaii, January 18, 1974)
"It is extremely difficult to convert a mleccha, or meat-eater, into a devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa. Therefore anyone who can do so is situated on the highest level of Vaiṣṇavism."
(Caitanya-caritāmṛta Antya 7.19, Purport)
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