Preaching to relative

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Some excerpts from Srila Prabhupada's lectures on preaching to relatives:

 

1. So there are two kinds of mahatma. One is renounced order. They are

preaching all over the world for the benefit of the society. And the

grhastha, he may not be preaching... He can preach. Amongst his relatives,

member, children, he can also preach, friends. So preaching cannot be

stopped. You do small scale or big scale-the benefit will be sravanam

kirtanam. Just we like are preaching. You are hearing also, and you are

chanting also. So this chanting and hearing process should be increased. One

should try to become sinless and try to make friendship with God. Then our

life will be successful.SB 5.5.2, Johannesburg, 22/10/75.

 

2. Ramesvara: And also Dr. Harvey Cox of Harvard, he quoted one section of

the Bible where Jesus was preaching and his mother did not like it, and his

father, and they came to get him away. They thought he was gone crazy, that

he was preaching so much about God. So they came to his place where he had

gathered many people. They wanted to deprogram him. And Jesus said, "You're

not my mother. You're not my father. My real father is in heaven, and my

real relatives are those who believe in God." Conversation on train by

disciple with Srila Prabhupada, 11/01/77, India.

 

3. If you cannot go to others outside your hearth & home, you can do the

preaching work amongst your family members only and in this meeting your

other friends, neighbors & relatives also can join. Letter to Brother,

unknown place, September 1955.

 

4. Even the sage Narada was condemned for his devotional activities: Daksa

cursed him because he taught renunciation to Daksa's sons. Närada remained

tolerant, however, and continued traveling and preaching. The aim of Narada

and the devotees who follow his example is not to disrupt people's lives,

but if their work is misunderstood, they must not abandon their duty but

must continue their mission on behalf of the Lord. Srila Prabhupada writes,

"Because Närada Muni and the members of his disciplic succession disrupt

friendships and family life, they are sometimes accused of being

sauhrda-ghna, creators of enmity between relatives. Actually such devotees

are friends of every living entity (suhrda - sarva-bhutanam), but they are

misunderstood to be enemies. Preaching can be a difficult, thankless task,

but a preacher must follow the orders of the Supreme Lord and be unafraid of

materialistic persons" (Bhag. 6.5.39, purport). Conclusion: A devotee should

remain happy executing his duty and not develop a "persecution complex."

Mukunda Mala Stotra 39, Purport.