The Society of Devotees

Some of Srila Prabhupada's earliest disciples recall that in 1966, when Srila Prabhupada, newly arrived in New York City, first began holding classes in an old loft in the Bowery, he had a small, handwritten sign downstairs near the mailbox: "International Society for Krishna Consciousness." In those days, the Society was not very extensive. Practically speaking, there was only Srila Prabhupada himself. But where others may have seen only an elderly Indian svami and a few young men coming to hear him, Srila Prabhupada, with his usual transcendental vision, saw the hope for an international society of devotees that could spread all over the world.

A devotee poet has sung, tahdera carana sevi bhakta-sane vasa: "Let me serve at the feet of the gosvamis-the predecessor spiritual masters-and let me always associate with devotees." This is the essence of Krsna consciousness. Alone, one may find it very difficult to make spiritual advancement, but in the company of devotees, all sharing the same objective, advancement becomes swift and easy. Moreover, a society of devotees, all cooperating for the service of Krsna, can act wonderfully to spread Krsna consciousness for the benefit of others. A pure devotee knows that Krsna is the supreme enjoyer, Krsna is the supreme proprietor of everything, and Krsna is the supreme friend of every living being. Therefore, although a pure devotee is himself completely God-realized, for the benefit of others he desires: "Let there be a society of devotees. Let the people of the world serve Krsna together and be happy." This was Srila Prabhupada's desire. He confidently began his tiny society, carefully nurtured and expanded it, and trained his disciples to expand it further and maintain its purity. Thus by Srila Prabhupada's grace, we now have a strong, healthy spiritual society of devotees, devotees from all walks of life and all nations of the world-a United Nations, in which everyone can unite on the spiritual platform, in service of Krsna.

Once, years ago, an astrologer took count of Srila Prabhupada's horoscope and remarked, "This person can build a house big enough for the whole world to live in." We are grateful to be able to live in that house-the society of devotees that Srila Prabhupada began-and share the warmth and joy of Krsna consciousness with others under its roof.