(Kadamba Kanana Swami, Australia 2005)
Transcribed by Matsya das
We can see that throughout the years there were different needs for the sankirtana movement. Rupa and Sanatana wrote the first books which were the basis, Krishnadas Kaviraja Goswami wrote Sri Caitanya Caritamrita. So in this way we see that the different spiritual masters have contributed the whole line of disciplic succession at different points in time. When Srila Prabhupada came he brought it really to the world at large and to the people of this age. And now our main business is to connect with him. That is the main thing. For the time being it’s Prabhupada and all others in the line of disciplic succession are pointing at Prabhupada. That must be Krishna’s desire that Prabhupada stands out for some time as the most prominent spiritual master. Then in due course of time someone else may come who will stand out as the most prominent personality, but for now it’s Srila Prabhupada and his servants and followers. And that’s very nice.
Every devotee who’s not the direct disciple of Srila Prabhupada should nonetheless make the direct relationship with him. It’s not that non-Prabhupada’s disciple cannot make direct relationship with Prabhupada. One can. By following the instructions of Prabhupada one has direct relationship with him, by finding out more who Prabhupada was that relationship becomes deeper and deeper and of course very inspiring. Still, the present spiritual master may be there also, guiding how to even do it better, but the relationship with Prabhupada must be at the core of our spiritual life. Otherwise this movement cannot be successful. We would become a conglomeration of different sectarian groups. Sometimes we can see this. When one spiritual master visits the temple there is a whole different group of devotees and then when another spiritual master comes there is another ISKCON. Each time the face of ISKCON changes. We are one family and we can only be one family if we all look at Prabhupada.