For Vyasa-puja: How a “damn rascal” became a great spiritual master

Krsna consciousness means to surrender to Krsna: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekamsaranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. So we are teaching these boys and girls to surrender to Krsna. I have no difficulty. I have not manufactured anything. The thing is already there. Krsna says, “Surrender unto Me.” I simply say, “Surrender to Krsna.”

Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!

Prabhupada: What is the difficulty? And [laughs] by simply doing this I have become a great spiritual master. [laughter] I am surprised why they worship me as spiritual master. I am a damn rascal, but I am… [loud laughter] But I know I have not adulterated the word of Krsna. That’s all.

Devotees: Haribol.

Prabhupada: I have not become a big yogi and commentator on Bhagavad-gita and doing something rascaldom. I am simply saying the words of Krsna. Krsna says, “Surrender unto Me.” He’s God; He’s Krsna. I am saying, “Please surrender to Krsna.”

Devotee: Haribol.

Prabhupada: So it is very simple to understand who is a rascal. Anyone who is not Krsna conscious, he is a rascal. Bring any scientist, any yogi, any 
jnani before me, I will prove that he is a rascal number one.

Devotees: Haribol! Jaya! [loud applause]

Srila Prabhupada, Janmastami Lecture, London, August 13, 1971