Srila Bhaktisiddhanta’s Final Instructions

On December 23rd, 1936, His Divine Grace

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakur Jagad Guru Prabhupada gave his final instructions to the assembled devotees:

“Perhaps many people have considered me their enemy because I was compelled to tell the unadulterated truth. I asked them to serve the Lord with all sincerity. I have given much anxiety to many people only because I wanted to inspire them to serve Krishna sincerely without material desire and duplicity. One day they will understand this.”

1. “Remember that this world is temporary and lasts only a day or two. Give up your family attachment and transcend this world of illusion.”

2. “Maintain your worldly obligations in whatever way you can, but make the eternal principle, devotion to Krishna, the true purpose of your voyage through life.”

3. “Let hundreds of dangers, insults or persecutions come, but in spite of them, do not give up your worship of Krishna.”

4. “When you see that most people are indifferent to Sri Krishna and show no interest in selfless service to Krishna and in talks about Him, don’t be discouraged. First of all, never give up your bhajan, your life and soul.”

5. “Why would you accept the poverty of a life without hearing and chanting about Krishna, your sole wealth?”

6. “Please always chant the name of the Lord, being humbler than a blade of grass and more tolerant than a tree. Give all respect to others and demand none for yourself. Make the worship of the holy name the most important aspect of your devotional life.”

7. “We do not seek to become heroes performing great works or religious deeds. We will become distressed if we take up the paths of knowledge, works or austerities.”

8. “While living in this world, we encounter many difficulties; but there is no need for us ever to be bewildered by these difficulties.”

9. “We need make no effort to remove any of these obstacles. What is necessary for us, while we are still here, is to learn what is beyond – what will be the nature of our eternal life.”

10. “There are so many things that attract and repel us. There is no end to the things that we want and don’t want.”

11. “If you wish to triumph over attraction and repulsion, then you should remember that by becoming attracted to the transcendental holy name, you will be delivered from them.”

12. “As you continue cultivating your consciousness of Krishna, your thirst for material sense-objects will decrease.”

13. “The philosophy of Krishna consciousness is very perplexing. At first it seems startling and full of complex details.”

14. “The holy name is more compassionate than the Lord of the name Himself. If one takes shelter of the name, then it unravels all these philosophical complexities.

15. “In this world, no one is the special object of my affection, nor do I have the slightest hostility towards anyone.”

16. “Whatever arrangements we make in this world are temporary. There is no need to waste time thinking about gain or loss here.”

17. “Preach the message of Sri Rupa and Raghunatha fearlessly and with great enthusiasm. Through this preaching, you will attain all perfection.”