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Srila Prabhupada Books

Why Reading Srila Prabhupada's Books is Essential for Spiritual Life

Welcome, dear reader, on a journey to explore the profound wisdom contained within the books of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, the founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON).

In an age where information is abundant but often superficial, Srila Prabhupada's books offer a deep and authentic understanding of life, spirituality, and our eternal connection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Krishna. This blog aims to illuminate the significance of engaging with these transcendental literatures and how they can revolutionize your life.

Who is Srila Prabhupada?

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada is the Founder-Acharya of ISKCON and the worldwide Hare Krishna Movement. On September 17, 1965, at the age of 69, he arrived in New York City with the mission of introducing India's ancient Vedic wisdom to the Western world. By the time he ended his earthly pastimes on November 14, 1977, his movement had spread across the globe, transforming the lives of millions.

At the heart of Srila Prabhupada’s mission was the printing and distribution of transcendental books, an instruction he received from his spiritual master, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur, which he embraced as his life and soul. Despite countless challenges, he tirelessly worked in the early morning hours, meticulously translating and writing these books for the upliftment of humanity.

Srila Prabhupada is widely regarded as one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century. His books are revered for carrying the original potency of the śāstra, as he presented scriptures such as Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam exactly as they are, without personal interpretation. Only one who is fully liberated and situated on the highest spiritual platform can guide others back home, back to Kṛṣṇa.

Summing up his divine mission, Srila Prabhupada once revealed,

 “Every morning, when I sit here to write my books, Kṛṣṇa comes personally and dictates to me what to write.”
Thus, his books are not ordinary writings but direct spiritual revelations, guiding sincere seekers on the path of Krishna consciousness.

Why Read Srila Prabhupada's Books?

Srila Prabhupada personally requested all of his students to read his books very seriously every day without fail. He stated, "You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein." Reading these books is a direct way to associate with a pure devotee of Krishna.

Srila Prabhupada explained that:

"In my books, the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully, so if there is anything which 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."

He further advised:

"Be sure and read my books very carefully, Bhagavad-gita, then Srimad-Bhagavatam, and then Caitanya Caritamrta. You should read every day without fail and become fixed in our philosophy."

By reading his books and chanting Hare Krishna, one can become successful in life.

The Indispensable Importance of Reading

The reliable sources emphatically state that reading Srila Prabhupada's books is essential for staying in Krishna Consciousness. Srila Prabhupada warned:

"All the devotees connected with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement must read all the books that have been translated (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā and others); otherwise, after some time, they will simply eat, sleep, and fall down from their position."

Madhudvisa dasa also supports this, saying:

"If we don’t read Prabhupada’s books, we will not be firmly fixed in the philosophy of Krishna consciousness and will fall down ultimately."

Srila Prabhupada considered book distribution to be the best kirtana, even superior to chanting in its impact. He said:

"Book distribution is solid. Even if they do not read, simply by touching, they are benefited. It is so much powerful."

For those in leadership roles, Srila Prabhupada stressed:

"As a Sannyasi and GBC, your first duty is to read my books. Otherwise, how will you preach? In order to remain steadily fixed in Krishna consciousness, there must be a sound philosophical understanding. Otherwise, it will become only sentiment. Whenever you find time, please read my books."

He instructed that new members:

"Must study my books at least three hours a day (including classes)."

A Suggested Sequence for Reading

CATEGORY I

  1. On The Way to Krishna
  2. Elevation to Krishna Consciousness
  3. Krishna Consciousness – The Matchless Gift
  4. Krishna the Reservoir of Pleasure
  5. Perfection of Yoga
  6. Krishna Consciousness – The Topmost Yoga System
  7. Beyond Birth and Death
  8. Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers
  9. Easy Journey to Other Planets
  10. Raja Vidya: The King of Knowledge
  11. Transcendental Teachings of Prahlada Maharaja
  12. Coming Back: The Science of Reincarnation
  13. Message of Godhead *
  14. Civilization and Transcendence *
  15. The Hare Krishna Challenge *
  16. The Scientific Basis of Krishna Consciousness *
  17. Sword of Knowledge *
  18. The Nectar of Instruction
  19. The Path of Perfection
  20. Issues of Back to Godhead Magazine
  21. Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita #

CATEGORY II

(These books are to be read after completing all books in Category I.)

  1. Introduction to Bhagavad Gita As It Is
  2. The Science of Self-Realization
  3. Journey of Self Discovery
  4. Life Comes from Life
  5. The Nectar of Devotion (Only Part One)
  6. Teachings of Queen Kunti
  7. Teachings of Lord Kapila
  8. Teachings of Lord Chaitanya
  9. Sri Isopanisad
  10. Few Shlokas of Bhagavad Gita Every Day
  11. Krishna Book #
  12. Srimad Bhagavatam (1st Canto) #
  13. A Second Chance #

CATEGORY III

(These books are to be read after completing all books in Categories I and II.)

  1. Bhagavad Gita As It Is
  2. Srimad Bhagavatam (Canto by Canto)
  3. The Nectar of Devotion (Part II and Part III)
  4. Chaitanya Charitamrita

Note:

  • Books marked with (*) are optional.
  • Books marked with (#) can be read simultaneously with other books.
  • This sequence is designed for a structured and gradual understanding of Krishna Consciousness, starting from foundational books to in-depth scriptures.

Quotes and Incidents Highlighting the Importance

  • "Because Bhagavad Gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one need not read any other Vedic literature. One need only attentively and regularly hear and read Bhagavad Gita." (Bhagavad Gita Introduction, Srila Prabhupada)
     
  • "I am requesting all of my students to read my books very seriously every day without fail. In this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two hours daily…" (Srila Prabhupada letter to Bhargava, June 1972)
     
  • “You may please me the most by reading my books and following the instructions therein and by becoming fully Krishna Conscious in this lifetime.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 14, 1975)
     
  • “I am very much stressing at this point that all of my students shall be very much conversant with the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness, and that they should read our books very diligently at least one or two hours daily and try to understand the subject matter from varieties of angles.” (Srila Prabhupada Letter, June 16, 1972, Los Angeles)
     
  • “Be sure and read my books very carefully—Bhagavad-gita, then Srimad-Bhagavatam, and then Caitanya Caritamrta.”
     
  • "In my books, the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully. So if there is anything which 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."
     
  • “Always read them, especially Krsna book. Every time you have a spare moment, you should read. This will help you to advance in Krishna consciousness, and will give you the ability to convince others also.” (Srila Prabhupada)
     
  • "I am very pleased that you are studying the books. This will make you happy and successful." (Srila Prabhupada)
     
  • "If you want to stay in Krsna Consciousness you will have to develop firm faith in Guru and Sastra. Therefore, you must study my books very scrutinizingly..." (Srila Prabhupada)
     
  • "Although I am practically on the path of death, still I cannot forget about my publications. I wish that if I live or die, you should take very serious care for my publications." (Srila Prabhupada Letter, June 10, 1967)
     
  • "Actually, anyone who tries to understand these books will become a great realized devotee of Lord Krishna gradually. The original potency of the sastra remains in these books because I have not added or opinionated anything of my own. I have simply presented the scriptures such as Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam as they are." (Srila Prabhupada Letter, March 19, 1975)
     
  • "If one reads one line of this literature, although it is presented in broken language, but if he simply hears there is Kṛṣṇa, then his sinful activities immediately vanish." (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, New Vrindaban, June 6, 1969)
     
  • "Even if you hear yourself, you read books, you will save your life. If you simply read Kṛṣṇa book or Bhagavad-gītā or Teachings of Lord Caitanya, then you know... As long as you are reading, the sun is unable to take your life. It is not possible for the sun to take your life. So if you constantly read, then where is the opportunity of the sun taking your life? That means you are becoming immortal." (Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, June 12, 1972)
     
  • "What I talk, I have written in the books. That's all. ... But still, you can associate with me by reading my books." (Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, Toronto, August 7, 1975)
     
  • "Book distribution is solid. Even if they do not read, simply by touching, they are benefited. It is so much powerful." (Srila Prabhupada Letter, February 2, 1975)
     
  • "Here at Mayapur, my guru maharaj was printing one paper... He personally instructed me that books are more important than big temples... Book distribution is the better kirtana. It is better than chanting. Of course, chanting should not stop, but book distribution is the best kirtana." (Srila Prabhupada Letter, October 24, 1974)
     
  • "All the devotees connected with the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement must read all the books that have been translated (the Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā, and others); otherwise, after some time, they will simply eat, sleep and fall down from their position." (Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.278)
     
  • “Every day you have to read, study, and learn my books just like a lawyer learns the law books. You must know everything, chapter and verse. If you do not know, how will you preach? Unless you know my books, how will you teach these men? Do you know that every day even I read my own books? Do you know why I read my books? ... I read my books every day because even I learn something new when I read my books. These are not my books. I do not write these books. Every morning, when I sit here to write my books, Krishna comes personally and dictates to me what to write. I simply take dictation from Krishna to write these books. Therefore, when I read them, even I learn something.” (Srila Prabhupada)
     
  • “I will never die. I will live forever in my books;” and “If you want to know me, read my books.” (Srila Prabhupada)
     
  • "These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtana. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing." (Letter to Rupanuga Dasa, October 19, 1974)
     
  • “Every night before going to sleep, read Krishna book, hear Krishna katha... One day when you are going to sleep remembering all these things, maybe in a dream, Krishna can come. This is perfection." (Srila Prabhupada)
     
  • So far as your engagement is concerned, I am most satisfied to see that my books are being distributed profusely. Please always follow the four regulative principles and chant minimum sixteen rounds per day. Study my books very carefully and prepare yourself fully for going back to home, back to Godhead. (From Srila Prabhupada's letter to Arjuna - Dallas 20 May, 1973)

Embark on Your Reading Journey Today

The wisdom and guidance contained within Srila Prabhupada's books are an unparalleled resource for anyone seeking genuine spiritual understanding and lasting happiness. By making a determined effort to engage with these transcendental literatures daily, you will undoubtedly experience profound transformation, deepen your connection with Krishna, and fulfill the desire of His Divine Grace.

Don't delay – begin your journey into the ocean of Srila Prabhupada's wisdom today!