# The Preacher Must Be Pure *To be effective in preaching, the preacher must be pure and follow the regulative principles of devotional service.* ← Back to [[wiki/compile/preaching-is-the-essence|Preaching Is the Essence]] --- ## Purity Is the Force ### Success formula for book distributors: Follow the rules and regulations ![[cc/madhya/7/82#purport|We hope that these devotees who are preaching the message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will very seriously follow strictly in His footsteps. If they follow the rules and regulations and chant sixteen rounds daily, their endeavor to preach the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will certainly be successful]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/7/82|Madhya 7.82]] Purport --- ### For a preacher to have potency, he must be pure ![[cc/madhya/24/98#purport|Only a pure devotee can convert others to pure devotional service. It is therefore important for all the preachers in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement to first become pure devotees and follow the regulative principles, refraining from illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling and intoxication. They should regularly chant the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra on their beads, follow the devotional process, rise early in the morning, attend maṅgala-ārati and recite Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and Bhagavad-gītā regularly...If a preacher behaves properly in devotional service, he will be able to convert others. Otherwise, his preaching will have no effect]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/24/98|Madhya 24.98]] Purport --- ### Spiritual strength to preach is derived from following the orders of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu ![[cc/adi/17/126#purport|That order [of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu] is still existing, and anywhere and everywhere, in all parts of the world, one can execute it. That order is to become a spiritual master under the direction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu by following the regulative principles, chanting daily at least sixteen rounds of the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, and preaching the cult of Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world. If we adhere to the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we shall get spiritual strength without a doubt, and we shall be free to preach this cult of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement]] —Cc. [[cc/adi/17/126|Ādi 17.126]] Purport --- ### Our preachers should follow the four principles and become pure Vaiṣṇavas ![[cc/madhya/24/252#purport|Our preachers who are preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness all over the world should follow in the footsteps of Nārada Muni and become purified by following the four principles and chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. This will make them fit to become Vaiṣṇavas. Then when they speak to sinful people about the teachings of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, people will be affected and take the instructions]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/24/252|Madhya 24.252]] Purport --- ## Following the Regulative Principles ### ISKCON preaching success formula: Stick to the regulative principles ![[cc/adi/7/171#purport|The members of this Society must always remember that if they stick to the regulative principles and preach sincerely according to the instructions of the ācāryas, surely they will have the profound blessings of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and their preaching work will be successful everywhere throughout the world]] —Cc. [[cc/adi/7/171|Ādi 7.171]] Purport --- ### The devotee is fully protected by following Lord Caitanya's orders ![[cc/madhya/7/129#purport|If one simply follows the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, under the guidance of His representative, and chants the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, teaching everyone as far as possible the same principle, the contamination of the materialistic way of life will not even touch him...If a devotee follows the instructions of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he lives in the company of the Lord. Wherever he lives, he converts that place into Vṛndāvana and Navadvīpa]] —Cc. [[cc/madhya/7/129|Madhya 7.129]] Purport --- ### Preaching ability is based on detachment and wisdom ![[sb/3/7/3#purport|To disseminate transcendental knowledge one must retire from mundane activities on the strength of enlightenment in knowledge in terms of Vedic wisdom]] —SB [[sb/3/7/3|3.7.3]] Purport --- ### To push on the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the regulative principles must be followed ![[sb/5/14/35#purport|Unless one is firmly fixed in the regulative principles, one may perform mischievous acts, even if one is a member of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We therefore advise our disciples to strictly follow the regulative principles; otherwise the most important movement for the upliftment of humanity will be hampered due to dissension among its members]] —SB [[sb/5/14/35|5.14.35]] Purport --- ### If we follow the rules and regulations, we can elevate others ![[sb/5/8/9#purport|If one is actually sympathetic to fallen, suffering humanity, he should try to elevate people from material consciousness to spiritual consciousness...By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, we may raise a person to spiritual consciousness if we ourselves follow the rules and regulations. If we give up our own spiritual activities and simply become concerned with the bodily comforts of others, we will fall into a dangerous position]] —SB [[sb/5/8/9|5.8.9]] Purport --- ## Qualifications for Effective Preaching ### Qualifications for effective preaching ![[sb/7/8/1#purport|If a devotee is qualified, sincere and serious about Kṛṣṇa consciousness and if he follows the instructions of a bona fide spiritual master, as Prahlāda Mahārāja did when preaching the instructions he had received from Nārada Muni, his preaching is effective]] —SB [[sb/7/8/1|7.8.1]] Purport --- ### One who chants sixteen rounds and preaches is fit to become a spiritual master for the entire world ![[cc/antya/4/102#purport|Sanātana Gosvāmī clearly defines herein the bona fide spiritual master of the world. The qualifications expressed in this connection are that one must act according to the scriptural injunctions and at the same time preach...The members of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement chant a minimum of sixteen rounds a day, which can be done without difficulty, and at the same time they must preach the cult of Caitanya Mahāprabhu according to the gospel of Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. One who does so is quite fit to become a spiritual master for the entire world]] —Cc. [[cc/antya/4/102|Antya 4.102-103]] Purport