The following statement was given by Dhristadyumna das, relating his remembrances of Srila Prahbupada. The circumstances at the time Srila Prabhupada made this statement were in 1976, when Madhudvisa had disappeared and given up sannyasa. Srila Prabhupada said:

"Actually I have not given any of you sannyasa. But I am in a war with Maya, the material energy, and I need leaders." He said, "It is called in wartime 'battlefield commission.' There are no qualified leaders, but someone has to lead the charge. So you take every fifth man, 'You are now lieutenant of the squad.' He is really a private, but we make him lieutenant for the day and he leads the charge." Then Prabhupada said, "It is to be understood that you are not sufficiently equipped for this fight and most of you will go down."