How to follow His teachings

Srila Prabhupada knew perfectly well how to attract the conditioned soul towards Krsna Consciousness by dint of His purity, and how to regulate and gradually purify it´s impudence towards the Supreme Lord Sri Krsna.

Everybody is more or less living with some false concept of himself in this world of names and designations. This doesn’t stop instantly at the point one decides to accept the instructions of the spiritual master, even then the tendency to “see things my way” can become prominent.

The presence of such a powerful acharya like Srila Prabhupada can regulate life of anybody who is inclined to listen to His words. And so Srila Prabhupada commanding the faith of many, sometimes in humorous way, sometimes in form of a firm instruction, guided His disciples through the illusions their false egos created towards the happy state of “being truly oneself”.

Here are some examples, as those who were present at that particular time do remember:

Here Srila Prabhupada warns His disciples not to follow blindly, but consciously:

Badrinarayan Prabhu remembers:
Karandhar told me that once Srila Prabhupada was walking in Cheviot Hills, Los Angeles, when they went past a big house. Srila Prabhupada said: “Some day we will have a big house like this for Krsna.” The devotees said: “Jaya, Prabhupada!” Prabhupada walked a little further, and there was a big circular driveway with a big stretch limo. Prabhupada said: “Someday we will have a big car like this for Krsna.” The devotees said: “Jaya, Prabhupada!” They walked past another house, and out of nowhere a dog came running down the driveway . Prabhupada said: “Someday we will have a big dog like this for Krsna.” The devotees said: “Jaya, Prabhupada!" Prabhupada said: “You fools, what do you want a big dog for?”

Here Srila Prabhupada warns us not to assume falsely and prematurely positions which are wonderful to strive for, but considering our conditioned state can be reached GRADUALLY.

Yogesvara Prabhu remembers:
I said to Srila Prabhupada, ”I must have fallen in maya. Srila Prabhupada said, “You are always in maya, but sometimes you fall into Krsna”.

Similarly Ganesh Prabhu remembers:
On another morning walk we were discussing devotees falling down from Krsna Consciousness, because one of our godbrothers had left the movement. I asked Prabhupada: “If devotees are transcendental, then-” Again Prabhupada cut me off in midsentence. He said: “Not transcendental; trying to be transcendental.” That was another eye-opener. We are not immediately on the transcendental platform. We still have to struggle and prove ourselves in Krsna’s eyes.
 

Even Srila Prabhupada urged us to read His books, He also issued following warning while defeating the first official sahajiya group rising amongst His followers.

Suresvar Prabhu remembers:
The devotees asked him: “But Prabhupada, you say that everything is in your books, and the pastimes of the gopis are there too.” He said: “Yes, my books are like a drug store, but when you walk into drug store you can’t just buy any medicine. You have to get medicine that’s appropriate for you. First Kuruksetra lila, then rasa lila.” Another answer Prabhupada gave to their challenges was: “First deserve, then desire.” So Srila Prabhupada was so sweet and so heavy. He was as hard as a thunderbolt and as soft as a rose.

These are just few samples of Srila Prabhupada’s care and His concern for our spiritual protection. Texts illustrating how He protected His disciples in this way could fill many volumes of books. His love for us knew no boundaries.