Srila Prabhupada’s Instructions on Caring

for Devotees

Letter to: Sri Galim, Delhi, 20 November, 1971

One who teaches can be treated as Spiritual Master. It is not that after we become initiated we become perfect. No. It requires teaching. So if we take instruction from them, all senior godbrothers may be treated as guru, there is no harm. Actually, you have only one Spiritual Master, who initiates you, just as you have only one father. But every Vaisnava should be treated as prabhu, master, higher than me, and in this sense, if I learn from him, he may be regarded as guru.

Letter to: Karandhara, Delhi, 3 December, 1971

Now you must guide them very nicely in Krishna Consciousness, because you are a veteran devotee and practically speaking the future of our Krishna Conscious Society rests in the hands of my older disciples. Give them all facility to perfect their lives by protecting them and instructing them nicely, that is now the duty of my senior disciples.

Letter to: Satadari, Los Angeles, 7 July, 1974

A shiksa guru is anyone who can give spiritual advancement. You take instruction from my books, and if you are unable to understand any portion of the books, then you can get it explained by any senior devotee, whether Madhukanta or anyone else. Any senior devotee can be an instructor in spiritual subject matters.

Letter to: Mandakini, Los Angeles, 8 February, 1970

Please learn our Krishna Consciousness way of life from the good guidance of the older devotees there.

Letter to: Malati, Los Angeles, 6 March, 1970

I have asked them to take instruction from you, one of their elder Godsisters. Whatever you have learned-you are one of the old students-whatever you have gathered by experience, you must hand them over to the new students. This is called parampara.

Letter to: Goverdhan, 1975 So. La Cienega Blvd., Los Angeles, Cal. 90034, March 6, 1970

You should ask guidance in understanding Krishna Consciousness from your elder God-brothers.

Letter to: Kasturika, Los Angeles, 25 April, 1970

Now try to learn our philosophy very nicely with the help of your elder God brothers and sisters.

Letter to: Kenneth, Bombay, 17 November, 1970

When you have some difficult point you can ask advice from Sriman Hayagriva or your elder Godbrothers.

Letter to: Satsvarupa, Bombay, 25 November, 1970

You are right to say that the example and kindly guidance of our elder members in the Society is the most profound force for motivating our students both new and old towards advanced Krishna Consciousness. Neglect of following the regulative activities and so-called advancement on the basis of self-motivation are both offensive. One should sincerely try to bring himself to the stage of devotional service motivated by pure love of Krishna, and our personal example must set a guide for them.

Letter to: Tradhis, Nagapatni, Gorakhpur, 11 February, 1971

Please take encouragement and guidance from your elder Godbrothers and sisters and be happy in Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to: Sukhada, London, 4 August, 1971

If there are any questions, always refer them to your elder godbrothers and sisters.