Contributed by Vidura Mahatma Das Hearing is living – the real touch “All Vedic knowledge is based on the principle that one must approach a bona fide spiritual master and hear from the authoritative statements of the Vedas. It is not necessary for one to be a highly polished literary man to receive knowledge; to receive perfect knowledge from a perfect person, one must be expert in hearing. This is called the descending process of deductive knowledge, or avaroha-pantha.”(Cc Adi 16.52 purport) “So knowledge means not to see but to hear. Therefore it is called śruti, śuśruma. Knowledge has to be received through the ear, not by the eyes. Not by the eyes. This is not recommended.
Nobody says, “I want to see knowledge,” no: “I want to hear knowledge.” Therefore it is called śruti, and knowledge is received through the ear, aural reception.” (Lecture: Srimad- Bhagavatam 6.1.40 — San Francisco, July 21, 1975) “My Guru Maharaja, my spiritual master, used to say that you have to select a spiritual master not by seeing but by your ear, but by hearing. And you don’t select a spiritual master who has got a very good hair or beard or some very beautiful feature, “Oh, he is a very good, nice looking.” No. You must hear. Tad viddhi pranipatena [Bg. 4.34]. Shruti. The whole process is shruti. The Vedas are called shruti. The ear has to aural reception.” (Bhagavad-gita 4.24-34 — New York, August 12) Hearing from the lips of a pure devotee “Hearing must be from sadhu, from devotee, from the lips of the devotee. Just like Shukadeva Gosvami was speaking to Maharaja Parikshit. Or even if you hear yourself, you read books, you will save your life. If you simply read Krishna book or Bhagavad-gita or Teachings of Lord Caitanya, then you know the… As long as you are reading, the sun is unable to take your life. It is not possible for the sun to take your life.” (Lecture — Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.17 — Los Angeles, June 12, 1972) “So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence
of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living.” (SB Lecture, 13/01/69, Los Angeles) “So we should give more stress on the sound vibration, either of Krishna or Spiritual Master.
Never think that I am absent from you, presence by message (or hearing) is the real touch.” (Letter to students, 2/8/67) Hearing from Srila Prabhupada through his books “These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing.” (Letter 19/10/74) “One should not only hear submissively from the spiritual master; but one must also get a clear understanding from him, in submission and service and inquiries.” (Bg 4.34 purport) “Thus it is the duty of the acharya to publish books that will help future candidates take up the method of service and become eligible to return home, back to Godhead, by the mercy of the Lord. In our Krishna consciousness movement, this same path is being prescribed and followed.
Thus the devotees have been advised to refrain from four sinful activities—illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling—and to chant sixteen rounds a day. These are bona fide instructions.” (SB 10.2.31 purport) “In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.” (Letter — 22/11/74)
Note: Srila Prabhupada directly states that reading his books acts as the process of transcendental knowledge being revealed and developing one’s spiritual life (making him ‘eligible’). This is what diksa is.
“There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself.” (C.c. Adi-lila 1.35, purport) “Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice, in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered.” (Letter — 24/01/70) “There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say, I have already said in my books. Now you must try to understand it and continue with your endeavours. Whether I am present or not does not matter. ” (Arrival Conversation, Vrindavan, 17/5/77) “If it is possible to go to the temple, then take advantage of the temple. A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service to the Supreme Lord Sri Krishna. In conjunction with this you should always read my books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Krishna Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect.” (Letter — 22/11/74) “After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything.” (Room conversation, 18/2/76) “Any way, whatever your position may be simply follow the rules carefully, chant 16 rounds and read my books and you will be saved from Maya.” (Letter — Bombay 18 March, 1975) Srila Prabhupada is guiding the movement through his books, all members and future candidates of the movement being his disciples. Furthermore, Srila Prabhupada remaining the
initiator guru is not based on a lack of qualified disciples to initiate within the movement. Srila Prabhupada has made his role in the movement very clear: “I am the Spiritual Master of this institution, and all the members of the Society, they’re supposed to be my disciples. They follow the rules and regulations which I ask them to follow, and they are initiated by me spiritually.” (Srila Prabhupada Radio Interview, 12 March 1968, San Francisco) Four months before Srila Prabhupada’s disappearance he issued a directive (July 9th letter) which only confirmed this role. One hundred letters were sent to temple presidents around the world informing them of Srila Prabhupada’s continued role as the initiator spiritual master of the movement. In other words, nothing changed – the status quo of Srila Prabhupada as the initiator was simply emphasized to continue.
A Matter Of Choice
Hanuman: One thing he’s saying, this gentleman, and I would like to know, is your successor named or your successor will…
Prabhupada: My success is always there. Yes. Just like the sun is there always. It may come before your vision or not. The sun is there. But if you are fortunate, you come before the sun. Otherwise you remain in darkness. Sun is open to everyone. Our Krishna consciousness movement—Krishna is open to everyone. But if you are fortunate, you come to the light. If you are unfortunate, do not. That is your choice. Krishna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam sharanam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. You do it. Now it is your choice. You surrender to Krishna or don’t surrender. That is your business. We are canvassing everyone, “Take to Krishna consciousness and you’ll be happy.” Now it is their business to take it or not to take it. But he can come. (Room Conversation — February 12, 1975, Mexico)
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die!
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!
Srila Prabhupada: I will live forever from my books and you will utilise. (Interview, Berkley, 17/7/75)