Someone was asking that when they do service at the temple can they get paid for it. They said that they were told that it was going on in many of the temples with some people getting big, big salaries. I don’t know offhand the statistics on this, or how bad the problem is, but when I joined no one would have ever asked a question like that. We were serving Krsna gladly and wanting to help Srila Prabhupada spread his mission. We were so sincere that we would do anything for them and would never dream of asking for compensation.
I instinctively thought I knew how to answer this devotee’s question, but I wanted to do some research and see what Srila Prabhupada actually thought of this idea. He can surprise you sometimes and say the opposite of what you might think. So in a few seconds I found a few quotes. I don’t want to use his words to knock over anyone’s head, but we want the simple truth to be known. If we are taking money for service then we might want some more of the facts to make the right decisions in our devotional life. Sincere devotees always want to conform their lives around their spiritual master’s instructions.
Prabhupada: “But why salary? Where is the question of salary? Where is vairagya, renouncement? So in all circumstances the salary process should be stopped. One who wants salary, he can work outside”.
Prabhupada: “In Los Angeles it is very freely going on. In the name of Vaisnavism they are drawing salary, living comfortably, having sense enjoyment. This is not good, not at all.”
Govinda dasi writes “THE LETTER THAT SADDENED SRILA PRABHUPADA,” as it was called.
“One day while in Kaaawa, I walked into Srila Prabhupada’s room, and he looked quite troubled. His mail had arrived, and he was holding a letter in his hand, shaking his head. Feeling concerned, I asked, ‘Srila Prabhupada, what’s the matter? Is there some distressing news? What has upset you?’ ”
Srila Prabhupada shook his head slowly, and very sadly said, ‘This letter is from our Janardan. He has been working to translate my Bhagavad Gita As It Is into French. Now, he is asking me, so how much money for me, how much money for my wife, for doing this translation work.” Srila Prabhupada almost tearfully said, “His wife has now spoiled him. This is not devotional service, this has become a business. To take money from the Guru is not good.”
Govinda dasi continues “(Srila Prabhupada) then explained to me that if one takes money for devotional service, that is all he will get–the money. But not Krishna bhakti. He said it is better to do some business and make money separately than to serve Krishna and Guru and expect to be paid. That will not give the desired result of Krishna bhakti; one will get only the money. And, moreover, to take money from the Guru is considered to be a very bad thing. One should give to one’s guru, not take. There is a saying in India, “The Guru’s money is Bad money.” This saying says a lot. In India, there is an age-old understanding that to take from one’s guru ultimately brings great misfortune. Instead, out of gratitude for the loving instructions and grace coming from the Satguru, this great and illumined personality Srila Prabhupada, one should offer one’s mind and heart, as well as one’s wealth and time.