The Books are enough...

For the pleasure of the assembled devotees:

Devotee:
Srila Prabhupada when you're not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise...

Srila Prabhupada:
Well the questions are answ...answers are there in my books.

(Morning Walk, Los Angeles, 13/5/73)




So utilise whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered.

(Letter to Upendra, 7/1/76)



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 to Hugo Salemon, 22/11/74)



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 to Randhira, 24/01/70)



In my books the philosophy of Krsna 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 to Brahmarupa Dasa, 22/11/74)



Srila Prabhupada:
Even a moments association with a pure devotee - all success!

Revitananda:
Does that apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?

Srila Prabhupada:
Yes

Revitananda:
Even a little association with your books has the same effect?

Srila Prabhupada:
Effect. Of course it requires both things. One must be very eager to take it.

(Room Conversation, 13/12/70)




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)



Paramahamsa:
My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad Gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?

Srila Prabhupada:
Yes. You can associate with Krsna by reading Bhagavad-Gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?

(Morning Walk, Paris 11/6/74)




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.

(Vrindavan, 17/5/77)



If I depart there is no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and orders. I will always remain with you in that way.

(BTG 13:1-2, December 1977

[JK Hauraki]

Dear Rukmini Devi-dasa,

Please accept my obesiances, all glories to Srila Prabhupada!

Thanks for your time on writing quotes, lectures etc on His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada.
I was introduced to spiritual life through His books, they are so powerfully ornate, I dont know where I'd be without his mercy through them. My first encounter would have been when I came across The Science of Self Relization and next to that the Bhagavad-gita As it is' in a old corner bookstore, I remember the lady saying as I grabbed a reflexology book also. " Something for the Body something for the Soul". How right she was. Now five years on, I have just touched the surface of this great mystery of Krsna, I hang my head sometimes at the thought of my old life and activities and hope to always keep Srila Prabhupada's mercy in my life. And to always chant the Holy Names of the Lord'
I know for a fact that these books have brought me closer to God, Krsna. Everyone should definetly take advantage of these sacred works as they are sure to benefit even the most sinful like myself. The greatest gift I can bring to my children is this understanding of Krsna and his Great Devotees and create a better world of thought for the future bodies as no doubt I will be one of them, but I take refuge in Krsna, and this makes me smile. :D

Best regards
JK

Best regards to you, keep up the good work

[mathuranath das]

What are the scriptures? The realizations and conversations of the the Lord and His devotees. Scriptures are the realizations of the "tattva drshis" - the seers of the truth, the person Bhagavat. In Srila Prabhupads Gita, Lord Krsna advises 4.34

Tad viddhi pranipatena...try to understand the process of sacrifice by approaching a spiritual master

pariprasnena sevaya...by submissive inquiries, by the rendering of service

upadeksyanti te jnanam...they will initiate you into knowledge

jnaninas tattva darshinah......self realized truth seekers

Saints and scriptures are interdependent. To naively think that we no longer need the guidance of living devotees because "its all in the books"
is to foster a generation of retrograde neophytes. In the chaitanya charitamrita we hear sadhu sangha sadhu sangha sarva shastra koi, sadhu sangha sadhu sangha sarva siddhi hoi. All perfection is obtainable in the presence of a genuine vaisnava. Why is sadhu sangha so valuable? Dharmasya tattvam nihitam guhayam, because according to Srila Prabhupads books (Srimad Bhagavatam). Krsna is living in a more dynamic and potent way in the presence of a living vaisnava. Without living guides we will fall into error. The life of Raghunath das shows us the example. When his Guru, Swarup Damodar left his body. Raghunath das went and took shelter of Srila Rupa and Sanatan Goswami's. Living shelter, living grace. The Christians are also sometimes fond of a similar spiritual myopia. Its all in the Bible. Don't look anywhere else. Fortunately we are dealing with the infinite. and the infinite reaveals Himself through infinite mediums, but He especially likes to speak through His devotees.
Srila Prabhupad wanted to protect us in our imaturity from cheaters and bogus gurus. His affection is infinite and beautiful. But he would want us to grow up as well.

[JK Hauraki]

Hari,

The topic is really in appreciation for Srila Prabhpada's tireless efforts on all the books he presented before he departed.

Not everybody has the oppourtunity to associate with the Lords devotees first hand as a temple may not be close by. That is one of the reasons Prabhpada wrote so prolifically so that we could associate directly with the cheif spiritual master.

Nobody is saying not to accept a spiritual master or take shelter of his devotees, we were simply showing our gratitude for his Grace.

Hare Krishna