"Of course, it is not pride, but take from example of my life. I was retired in Vṛndāvana, and at seventy years old I thought that it was to be done: 'Nobody did it. Let me try.' So I came to your country. Today is the tenth anniversary. (devotees cheer) So at least from material calculation, if I would not have taken that risk... When I was coming, my friends and others said, 'This man is going to die.' 'Never mind,' I thought. 'Death will come. Let me try.' So this activity must be there. That is the begging of Sanātana Gosvāmī, that he said, āpana-kṛpāte kaha 'kartavya' āmāra: 'What shall I do?' Doesn't matter what is your age, young man or old man. You must execute the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, paramparā, Caitanya Mahāprabhu and your guru. That is real life of devotional service, to take some responsibility for working and execute it to your best capacity.
In this connection, Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura has explained in connection with the verse,
vyavasāyātmikā buddhir
ekeha kuru-nandana
bahu-śākhā hy anantāś ca
buddhayo 'vyavasāyinām
(BG 2.41)
(Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one. O beloved child of the Kurus, the intelligence of those who are irresolute is many-branched.)
So in this connection, Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura said that 'My only duty is to execute the order of my spiritual master. I do not mind whether I am going to hell or going back to home. No. My only life and soul is to execute the order of my spiritual master.' He has explained like that. So devotional service is great responsibility, to execute the order of the superior. Then our life is successful."
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Washington DC, July 6, 1976)
Compiled by Padmapani das