Ranked: Teachings of Srila Prabhupada That Helped Me Overcome Maya the Most

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  1. “Chant Hare Krishna and be happy”
    This may sound basic, but when practiced with attention, it becomes the most powerful shield. When Maya confronted me with anxiety, lust, boredom or frustration – simply chanting sincerely transformed my consciousness.

“Maya is powerful, but the Holy Name is even more powerful.”

  1. “You are not this body.”

This is not just a philosophy – it is a spiritual shield. Whenever I got caught up in comparison, fear or ego, this truth would jolt me:

“I am not the body, not the mind, not my achievements or failures. I am Krishna’s eternal servant.”

Prabhupada said that if we understood this one teaching, 50% of our delusions would disappear. And he was right.

  1. “Avoid prajñālpā. Speak Káč›áčŁáč‡a-katha.”

Idle talk opens the door to Maya. Gossip, debate, criticism – all this weakens the mind. But whenever I was engaged in Krishna-katha, even informally, I noticed that my mind became calm and focused.

  1. “Keep the company of sincere devotees”
    Whenever I went astray, just being with true devotees brought me back. Their example, their words, even their presence had the spirit of Prabhupada in it.
  2. “Get up early in the morning and start the day with Krishna”
    When I ignored this, my whole day went in the rhythm of maya – distraction, delay and discontent. But on the days when I got up early in the morning and started with prayer, chanting or Bhagavatam, the day felt clear, Krishna-centered and light.
  3. “Read my books daily without fail”
    Srila Prabhupada’s obituaries are not mere commentaries – they are personal rescue letters. When I read for even 15 minutes, maya’s grip loosened.

Delusions that used to seem “normal” started to seem silly again.

He once said, “Every word in my books is for your salvation.”

  1. “Lust, anger and greed are the gates to hell.”

Sometimes maya doesn’t come with doubt – it comes with desire. This teaching reminded me:

“This pleasure is not free. It is a trap.”

Just remembering this helped me to stop – and avoid falling.

  1. “Serve Krishna, don’t try to enjoy like Krishna”

This teaching was especially effective when I became comfortable. When I started thinking that life should serve me, maya stepped in quickly.

But Prabhupada would bring me back:

“You are not an enjoyer. You are a servant.”

  1. “Even if you fall, get up and move on.”

Guilt is one of maya’s most ruthless tools. After falling, she whispers, “You are not fit for this path.”

But Prabhupada’s words were full of hope:

“Fall a hundred times—get up a hundred and one times.”

  1. “Maya is very powerful, but Krishna is even more powerful.”

When I felt very weak, this truth helped me surrender.

I did not have to overcome maya alone. I just had to run to Krishna.

“Sincerely take refuge in Krishna—then maya will not touch you.”

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