By Srila Bhakti Vijnana Bharati Gosvami Maharaj
Śrīla Prabhupāda used to say, “Never in my life have I once accepted anything from anyone belonging to this material world. As a servant of śrī guru, Vaiṣṇavas and Bhagavān, I have openly distributed what belonged to me among all people.”
If we deliberate on the literal meaning of this statement, then Śrīla Prabhupāda’s words may appear to be untrue, because in order to execute various services—such as establishing sixty-four maṭhas, arranging for the maintenance of those maṭhas, sending preachers all over India and even to foreign countries, publishing a Vaiṣṇava calendar and other spiritual literatures, and organizing Śrī Navadvīpa-dhāma and Śrī Vraja-maṇḍala parikramās—he accepted the offerings of many people. Not only this, but in order to collect donations for such services, he, either himself or through his disciples, often requested donors to make contributions.
However, Śrīla Prabhupāda’s internal mood while accepting offerings for such services was similar to that of the hunter disciple of Śrī Nārada Muni. Śrī Nārada had assured his disciple that he (Śrī Nārada-jī) would arrange for whatever was required to maintain his life. The hunter, having faith in Śrī Nārada Muni’s words, destroyed his bow and arrows, which were his livelihood, and engaged himself in bhajana. While doing so, he received many offerings from people who were attracted to his devotion. He firmly believed, “All these things are being sent by śrī guru. These people are simply delivering them to me like postmen. Because śrī guru has supplied me with such things, it is my duty to use them in the service of Bhagavān as I see fit. If I compassionately distribute them among these postmen or other persons, it will be considered service to śrī guru and Bhagavān.”
When Śrī Nārada-jī and Śrī Parvata Muni visited the hunter after a year, Śrī Nārada Muni confirmed his disciple’s understanding. When the hunter said, “Gurudeva! You are sending more than I require for my maintenance. Please do not send so many things,” Śrī Nārada-jī did not reply by saying, “I never sent you anything. I am only now coming to see you after a whole year.” Instead, he said, “Use only what you need, and distribute the rest among others.”
Therefore, Śrīla Prabhupāda, who nurtured a deep faith in the words of the scriptures, demonstrated such principles through his own conduct. If we understand and sincerely follow the words of the hunter in our own life, we will not be subjected to material bondage. But if we become attracted to sense objects, and thereby become indebted to the people of this world, we will become bound by sense gratification.
Gaura Hari Haribol