A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Quotes & Sayings

When a pure devotee or spiritual master speak, what he says should be accepted as having been directly spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead in the Parampara System. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The holy name of Krishna has extraordinary spiritual potency because the name of God is nondifferent from God Himself. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Out of many millions of wandering living entities, one who is very fortunate gets an opportunity to associate with a bonafide spiritual master by the grace of Krishna. By the mercy of both Krishna and the spiritual masters, such a person receives the seed of the creeper of devotional service. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

In spiritual life, one must conduct one's whole life under the guidance of the guru. Only one who executes his spiritual life under the direction of the spiritual master can achieve the mercy of Krishna. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Our only business is to love God, not to ask God for our necessities. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Therefore a person fully absorbed in the bodily concept of life is surely killing himself by not making spiritual progress. Such a person is called pasu-ghna. Especially excluded from spiritual life are the animal hunters, who are not interested in hearing and chanting the holy name of the Lord. Such hunters are always unhappy, both in this life and in the next. It is therefore said that a hunter should neither die nor live because for such persons both living and dying are troublesome. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Indulgence in animal killing for the taste of the tongue is the grossest kind of ignorance — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

If a person hears about, glorifies, meditates upon, worships or simply offers great respect to the Supreme Lord, who is situated within the heart, the Lord will remove from his mind the contamination accumulated during many thousands of lifetimes. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Because materialists cannot understand Krsna spiritually, they are advised to concentrate the mind on physical things and try to see how Krsna is manifested by physical representations. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

When a Krishna Conscious person is elevated to a responsible position, he never becomes puffed up. Just like a tree when over-laden with fruits becomes humble and lower down. Similarly, a great soul in Krishna Consciousness becomes humbler than the grass and bowed down like the fruitful trees because a Krishna Conscious person acts as the agent of Krishna, therefore he discharges his duty with great responsibility. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

One should not be happy or distressed over desirables and undesirables, knowing that such feelings are just created by the mind. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The Srimad-Bhagavatam states that any bona fide preacher of God consciousness must have the qualities of titiksa (tolerance) and karuna (compassion). In the character of Lord Jesus Christ we find both these qualities. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

In the Bible it is said that he took all the sinful reactions of the people and sacrificed his life. But these Christian people have made it a law for Christ to suffer while they do all nonsense. Such great fools they are! They have let Jesus Christ make a contract for taking all their sinful reactions so they can go on with all nonsense. That is their religion. Christ — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Such deluded persons, symptomatically, dwell in dualities of dishonor and honor, misery and happiness, woman and man, good and bad, pleasure and pain, etc., thinking, "This is my wife; this is my house; I am the master of this house; I am the husband of this wife." These are the dualities of delusion. Those who are so deluded by dualities are completely foolish and therefore cannot understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krishna himself. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Beginning of all knowledge comes from humility. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

A disciple serves the spiritual master with the sole purpose of getting instructions from him. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

You should not be carried away by the dictation of the mind, but the mind should be carried by your dictation. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for liberation. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The perfection of yoga, therefore, does not terminate in voidness or impersonalism; on the contrary, the perfection of yoga is attained when one actually sees the Personality of Godhead in His eternal form. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The genuine Guru is God's representative and he speaks about God and nothing else. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

A grain of devotion is more valuable thank tons of faithlessness. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

A bona fide spiritual master, under the guidance of authorities, can turn anyone to the Vaisnava cult so that naturally he may come to the topmost position of a brahmana. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Religion means to know God and to love Him. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

A tree full of ripened fruits bows down naturally, because of the weight of the fruits and its willingness to make its fruits accessible to others. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

O son of Kunti, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

For man, mind is the cause of bondage and mind is the cause of liberation. Mind absorbed in sense objects is the cause of bondage, and mind detached from the sense objects is the cause of liberation. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Devotional service is more or less a declaration of war against the illusory energy. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

...only a fool would believe in miracles because - let us say you are a child and an adult lifts this table. That's a miracle. Or you're a chemist and you combine acid and base and you make smoke, an explosion or whatever. To somebody ignorant, that's a miracle. But for everything there is a process, and so when you see a miracle, it's just ignorance of the process. So that only a fool would believe in miracles... — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

A spiritual master who is one hundred percent Krishna conscious is the bona fide spiritual master. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

First birth is from your parents, but real birth, real life, begins when one accepts a bona fide spiritual master and renders service unto him. Then the path is open for going back to home, back to Godhead, to live eternally in full knowledge and full bliss and in association with the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself, Lord Krishna. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The four major vices of Kali-yuga are (1) illicit connection with women, (2) animal slaughter, (3) intoxication, (4) speculative gambling of all sorts. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

For sense gratification, a man in the mode of passion wants some honor in society, or in the nation, and he wants to have a happy family, with nice children, wife and house. These are the products of the mode of passion. As long as one is hankering after these things, he has to work very hard. Therefore it is clearly stated here that he becomes associated with the fruits of his activities and thus becomes bound by such activities. In order to please his wife, children and society and to keep up his prestige, one has to work. Therefore the whole material world is more or less in the mode of passion. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Jesus Christ's guidance is available, but nobody is caring for him. They have taken Jesus Christ as contractor to take up their sins. That is their philosophy. They commit all kinds of sins, and poor Jesus Christ will be responsible. That is their religion. Therefore they say, "We have a very good religion. For all our sinful activities, Jesus Christ will die." Is that good religion? They have no sympathy for Jesus Christ. If they did they would think, "He died for our sins. Why should we commit sins again? Such a great life has been sacrificed for our sins, so we should be guided by Jesus Christ." But they take it otherwise: "Ah, I shall go on committing all sins, and Jesus Christ has made a contract to nullify all my sins; I'll simply go to the church and confess and come back and again do all nonsense." Do you think that shows very good intelligence? Bob: No. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

One who loves Krishna will give Him whatever He wants, and he avoids offering anything which is undesirable or unasked for. Thus, meat, fish and eggs should not be offered to Krishna ... Vegetables, grains, fruits, milk and water are the proper foods for human beings and are prescribed by Lord Krishna Himself. Whatever else you eat, can not be offered to Him, since He will not accept it. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Religion without philosophy is sentiment, or sometimes fanaticism, while philosophy without religion is mental speculation. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Every living creature is the son of the supreme Lord, and He does not tolerate even ants being killed — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Clouds and dust are carried by the air, but less intelligent persons say that the sky is cloudy and the air is dirty. Similarly, they also implant material bodily conceptions on the spirit self. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The living being is in the state of forgetfulness of his relation with God due to his being overly attracted to material sense gratification from time immemorial. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

One has to ascertain the right path for his activities by following in the footsteps of great saintly persons and books of knowledge under the guidance of a spiritual master. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Out of many thousands among men, one may endeavor for perfection, and of those who have achieved perfection, hardly one knows Me in truth. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

One cannot reach the real point of factual knowledge without being helped by the right person who is already established in that knowledge. There — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

In the last stage of the spiritual master's life, the devotees of the spiritual master should take preaching activities into their own hands. In this way the spiritual master can sit down in a solitary place and render nirjana-bhajana. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Krishna was conceived in the womb of Devaki mysteriously as the sun setting in the West imparts his rays to the rising moon in the East. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

If you sell diamonds, you cannot expect to have many customers. But a diamond is a diamond even if there are no customers. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Spiritual master is representative of God. Similarly, king is also representative of God. The father is also representative of God. These are the statements of the sastras. Because they will guide. The king will guide. The spiritual master will guide. The father will guide. What is that guidance? That guidance is how one can become Krishna Conscious by education, by culture. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

A devotee should be fixed in the conclusion that, the spiritual master cannot be subject to criticism and should never be considered equal to a common man. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

This chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra is enacted from the spiritual platform and thus this sound vibration surpasses all lower strata of consciouness - namely sensual, mental and intellectual. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Humility means that one should not be anxious to have the satisfaction of being honored by others. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

If after accepting the spiritual master and being initiated one does not follow the rules and regulations of devotional service, then he is again fallen. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Concerning Concealment as a symptom of love for Krsna:
It has been stated, 'although Srimati Radharani developed a deep loving affection for Krsna, She hid Her attitude in the core of Her heart so that others could not detect Her actual condition. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Faith is unflinching trust in something divine. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Books are the basis; purity is the force; preaching is the essence; utility is the principle. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

To kill nothing, that is love. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

My dear Arjuna, only by undivided devotional service can I be understood as I am, standing before you, and can thus be seen directly. Only in this way can you enter into the mysteries of My understanding. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Just try to learn the truth by approaching a spiritual master. Inquire from him submissively and render service unto him. The self-realized soul can impart knowledge unto you because he has seen the truth. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Their idea is that marriage is for legalized prostitution. They think like that, — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The spiritual master and Krishna are two parallel lines. The train, on two tracks, moves forward. The spiritual Master and Krishna are like these two tracks. They must be served simultaneously. Krishna helps one to find bona fide Spiritual Master and bona fide Spiritual Master helps one to understand Krishna. If one does not get bona fide Spiritual Master, then how he can ever understand Krishna ? You cannot serve Krishna without Spiritual Master, or serve just Spiritual Master without serving Krishna. They must be served simultaneously. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

In fact he was the most elevated transcendental personality. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

One must execute devotional service under the guidance of a devotee or directly under the guidance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is not possible, however, to train oneself without guidance from the spiritual master. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

By the grace of the spiritual master the cloud of the mercy of the Personality of Godhead is brought in, and then only, when the rains of Krishna consciousness fall, can the fire of material existence be extinguished. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

It is said about Lord Buddha sadaya-hrdaya darsita-pasu-ghatam. He saw the whole human race going to hell by this animal killing. So he appeared to teach ahimsa, nonviolence, being compassionate on the animals and human beings. In the Christian religion also, it is clearly stated, 'Thou shall not kill'. So everywhere animal killing is restricted. In no religion the unnecessary killing of animals is allowed. But nobody is caring. The killing process is increasing, and so are the reactions. Every ten years you will find a war. These are the reactions. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Kshatriya, or the man who is qualified to protect the sufferers, is meant to rule the state. Untrained, lower class men or men without ambition to protect the sufferers cannot be placed on the seat as an administrator. Unfortunately in the age of Kali the lower class men without training occupy the post of a ruler by strength of popular votes and instead of protecting the sufferers, such men create a situation quite intolerable for everyone. Such rulers illegally gratify themselves at the cost of all comforts of the citizens, and thus the chaste mother earth cries to see the pitiable condition of her sons, both men and animals. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

To be nonviolent to human beings and to be a killer or enemy of the poor animals is Satan's philosophy. In this age there is always enmity against poor animals, and therefore the poor creatures are always anxious. The reaction of the poor animals is being forced on human society, and therefore there is always strain of cold or hot war between men, individually, collectively or nationally. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

One whose happiness is within, who is active within, who rejoices within and is illumined within, is actually the perfect mystic. He is liberated in the Supreme, and ultimately he attains the Supreme. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

when there is an increase in the mode of ignorance.
O son of Kuru, darkness,inertia, madness are manifested. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

First-class religion teaches one how to love God without any motive. If I serve God for some profit, that is business-not love. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The artist draws a picture of a rose very nicely with all attention and artistic sense, and yet it does not become as perfect as the real rose. If that is the real fact, how can we say that the real rose has taken its shape without Intelligence behind the beauty? — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Don't Feel Yourself To Be Alone Because GOD is always with you. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

When you desire to gratify your senses, that is material life. And when you desire to serve God, that is spiritual life. That is the difference between material life and spiritual life. Now — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Be very humble when you plan so that Krishna is happy with you. — A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada