Srila Prabhupada said in Lecture — New York, April 12, 1969:
“It is not our proposition that you are Christian, you become Hindu, or you are Muhammadan, you become Christian, increase our numerical strength. We don’t want. We don’t want any numerical strength. We want one sincere person who has learned to love God, Krishna. That’s all. I have come to your country with this mission, and if I find one or two boys or girls sincerely have learned how to love God, Krishna, then my mission is successful. I’m not after any number of… Because if I can turn one soul to this Krishna consciousness, he’ll do tremendous work, because he’ll be fire. You, see? He can do tremendous work. …. One moon is complete to drive away the darkness of night, not millions of stars required. What these millions of stars can do? One moon is sufficient. So our propaganda is to create one moon. You, see? But fortunately, by Krishna’s grace, many moonlike boys and girls have come to me. You, see? Many moons. (chuckles) I was thinking of having only one moon, but Krishna… I am hopeful that there are many moons, and in future they’ll be doing very nice. This is para-upakara. To spread this Krishna consciousness movement is the best service to the humanity. Please try to understand this. It is not a bluffing thing.
… My Spiritual Master, Om Visnupada Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja Prabhupada, sometimes used to say that if after selling all of my property, I can convert one person to Krishna Consciousness factually, then I shall think my mission is successful. Similarly, I am also thinking like that if I could induce even one person to Krishna Consciousness through my publication, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, then I shall think my labor is successful. “
Please try to understand this Krishna Consciousness movement as very, very great. The people are missing the point—love of Krishna, and if somehow or other they can revive their lost consciousness and be fixed up in Krishna Consciousness, all questions and problems of the world will be solved very easily.”
So, I am personally, would again request you to take up the preaching work of this great movement. It does not matter whether you accept Sannyasa order of life or not. You can preach this Krishna Consciousness movement even if you are a Bramachari, Grhastha, or Vanaprastha. If you take up this work in right earnest, I am sure Srila Prabhupada will feel transcendental bliss.
Morning Walk — December 12, 1973, Los Angeles:
Candanacarya:
“One time, Srila Prabhupada, you said, “I will go to hell,” but none of your disciples accepted that.”
Prajapati:
“Actually, coming to this country, this is hell.”
Prabhupada:
“No, I am not in hell. I am with the devotees, so how can I say I am in hell? Naratama dasa Thakura says, tandera carana sevi bhakta-sane vas:
‘My duty is to serve my guru and live with the devotees.’
That is Krishna’s grace. ‘My mission is’ to serve my guru, but live with the devotees. ‘This is my desire life after life.’
A guru or bhakta does not aspire that he is going to Vaikuntha, Krishna. ‘Never mind.’ But their only desire, his only desire, is that to serve the predecessor acarya and live with devotees. That’s all. This is the only ambition. The place where the devotees are glorifying the Lord, Krishna is there. So, if Krishna is there with the devotees, then wherever devotees are there, that is Vaikuntha. That is Vaikuntha. Just like our temple. It is Vaikuntha. Because the devotees are chanting the glories of the Lord, so that is Vaikuntha. Vaikuntha is not limited. Vaikuntha, as Krishna can expand Himself, similarly, Vaikuntha can also be expanded, Vrindavana can expand. So, wherever there is Krishna, that is Vaikuntha. And where is not Krishna? And that is to be appreciated. Then if anyone appreciates that Krishna is everywhere, then he is living in the Vaikuntha. He is not living in hell or Los Angeles.”