Although I began my devotional service in 1970, my appreciation of hearing our beloved spiritual master Srila Prabhupada began in 1979. At that time I was confined to stay in a room on the 13^th floor of Sri Sri Radha-Govinda Mandir, New York City, for one week, due to jaundice disease.

Hearing Srila Prabhupada lecture all through the day and night gave me a glimpse of how great he is, and how much benefit I was receiving from his penetrating transcendental words.

Continuing hearing Srila Prabhupada lecture by his tapes since 1979, has given me the strength and conviction to keep pushing on his mission and striving for Krishna consciousness.

By his words only Srila Prabhupada has convinced us that “Krishna is God” “You are not this body”, “There is another world”, “Krishna is very kind.”

By Srila Prabhupada’s words alone he has convinced us to wear dhotis and saris, sikha, tilaka, neck beads, shave our heads, and go out on the streets to chant Hare Krishna for the benefit of suffering humanity.

The unity and enthusiasm of the devotees was remarkable in the late 60’s and 70’s because of our attachment to Srila Prabhupada.

That unity can be attained today by attaching ourselves to hearing Srila Prabhupada lectures. This is exemplified by the presence of the Prabhupada Sankirtana Society where devotees are uniting in serving Srila Prabhupada, by the common practice of everyone hearing Srila Prabupada lecture Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita daily.

Never think that I am absent from you. Physical presence is not essential; therefore presence by message (or hearing) is real touch. Lord Krishna is present by his message which was delivered 5,000 years ago. We feel always the presence of our past acaryas simply by their innumerable instructions.         

(Letter to Students, August 2, 1967)

In a New York lecture in 1973 Srila Prabhupada said he was non-different from the sound of his lectures on the tape recorder.

So Srila Prabhupada is here. He is still personally present. He is still reciprocating with us. He is still inspiring us. And we can experience his bliss, simply by hearing him lecture daily, attentively and patiently, and discussing his lectures in the association of devotees. The result- Unity!

The Prabhupada Sankirtana Society is kept together by hearing from Srila Prabhupada. So there is definite hope of reviving the great Hare Krishna Movement as long as we gather around the lotus feet of Srila Prabhupada and hear him speak Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita lectures in our centers.

 You can remain in your position, but try to hear the message from realized soul. Then gradually you will be enlightened and you will be free from this knot, this material bondage.

(Lecture August 18 1972)

Persons are called Buddha, or really learned who fasten themselves only to the worship of Sri Krishna. This conviction can be established when one hears the transcendental message from the undisturbed acarya, with faith and love.

(Sri Isopanisad mantra thirteen)

By hearing from Srila Prabhupada daily we gain enlightenment and conviction

At Prabhupada Sankirtana Society centers world wide, Srila Prabhupada speaks after we read the sanskrit verse, word for word meaning, translation and purport. Hearing Srila Prabhupada lectures for 30 minutes gives us more purport from his lotus mouth (And who wouldn’t want to hear more of the mercy of Srila Prabhupada?) Next a senior disciple leads a discussion on what Srila Prabhupada wrote and said.

Because some enlightenment and conviction had developed by hearing Srila Prabupada speak, new disciples of Srila Prabhupada have arisen and taken up the risk of opening temples and preaching centers in: Oldham, England; Munich, Germany; 29 Palms, California; and Boston, Mass; other centers pending.

These devotees have only known Srila Prabhupada by reading his books and by listening to his lectures on tape.

At Prabhupada Sankirtan Society, Oldham, England; Mukunda prabhu after hearing regularly from Srila Prabhupada has compiled this essential book, “ALL OF US SHOULD HEAR  PRABHUPADA”

Realizing the value of hearing Srila Prabhupada lectures tapes, Mukunda prabhu took up the task of collecting evidences from Srila Prabhupada's books and tapes, authorizing the hearing of Srila Prabhupada lectures for our Srimad Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita classes.

Our heart felt thanks to Mukunda prabhu for this most valuable service for all the devotees.

I encourage the reader to carefully read this important book of Srila Prabhupada quotes, substantiating that he give the lecture for our daily classes.    

So much benefit is derived by hearing from the self-realized soul, the pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada and because any competant devotee can lead a discussion afterwards keeping within the bounds of the purport and lecture Srila Prabhupada gives; let us take advantage of the nectar flowing from his lotus mouth and return home, back to Godhead.

Ah,Mrtyu. You conquer over this repetiion of birth and death simply by this process of hearing, Scruti- parayanah. Sruti-parayanah. If you simply hear Bhagavad-gita from realized souls regularly, by hearing only, you will be able to conquer over birth, death, old age and disease. This is the result.

(Bhagavad-gita lecture September 22, 1974)    

Kapindra Swami

Prabhupada Sankirtan Society (New York )

22^nd July 1999.