His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness
"Rājarṣi means those who are on the top of the government, he must be ṛṣi, saintly person. Just like this our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the head of the institution must be a saintly person. Otherwise how he can become a controller? Controller there must be. That what is the qualification of the controller? He must be a saintly person. He must know what is the principle of life, what is the value of life, why one should be controlled by somebody else. These things are required to become qualified."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Tokyo, January 30, 1974)
Prabhupada: Actually we are doing the best work, God consciousness. And actually it is a fact: simply for want of God consciousness they are suffering. That's all. There is no other reason. The only reason is this. Just like this morning I said that 'God is the proprietor. Why you are claiming proprietor? You may be manager, not proprietor.' Actually, that is our position. Just like I am head of this institution, but I am not dealing as proprietor. I am dealing as manager, head. Is it not?
Devotee: This is the only society where Kṛṣṇa is the owner of everything.
Prabhupada: And all my assistants, they are also working in that capacity. If I would have been proprietor, then they would not have been interested.
Devotee: Hmm.
Prabhupada: I would have collected the money and used for my sense gratification. Then nobody would help me.
(Srila Prabhupada Conversation, London, August 1, 1972)
"If Kṛṣṇa says, 'All right, I see you are a brāhmaṇa. Your duties are like this,' 'I see you are a kṣatriya. Your duties are like this,' 'I see you are a vaiśya. Your duties are like this...' But Kṛṣṇa says cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam (BG 4.13). I have divided, so Kṛṣṇa gives duty, that 'Your duty is this, your duty is this, and your duty is this.' And if he faithfully serves the duty, that means he is serving Kṛṣṇa. The duties may appear different, but because he is serving Kṛṣṇa, he is going to perfection. Just like in our institution, I am the head man, so I may say, 'You paint. You preach. You type. You do this.' So the duties may be different, but by discharging duty, you are serving me; therefore you are perfect. Similarly, duties are given by the Supreme."
(Srila Prabhupada Philosophy Discussion on Immanuel Kant)
Prabhupada: He (Kṛṣṇa) has nothing to do. Na tasya kāryaṁ karaṇaṁ ca vidyate (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.8). Just like I am head of the institution. I have nothing to do. I say, 'Karandhara, do it.' Immediately does it. I say you, 'Do it,' immediately... I say him. I have got so many secretaries. I will ask him. Similarly, why God will create?
Devotee: But there is a direction.
Prabhupada: Direction, yes. That is said, mayādhyakṣena prakṛtiḥ (BG 9.10): 'Under My direction.' So if it is possible for a common man like me, how much it is possible for God? That we have to understand. Now I want to go to India, London, now everything arrangement is made. I can go immediately. So similarly, if God wants to do something, why He has to do something? Everything, as soon as He desires, everything is there. He wants, 'Let there be material creation.' There is, immediately. This is God."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, May 11, 1973)
"I have no business to criticize you but as head of the institution or your spiritual master, it is my duty to find out your faults. Even Caitanya Mahaprabhu presented himself as faulty before his spiritual master. To remain faulty before the spiritual master is a good qualification so he is subjected to rectification. But if one thinks he is all perfect then there is no scope for rectification. Don't be sorry when I find fault. That is my primary duty. Canakya pandita says one must find fault with disciples and sons, it is good for them."
(Srila Prabhupada Letter, April 20, 1974)
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