Reading or hearing from the realized person there is no difference, but hearing the sound vibration from the realized soul is still more effective, better.

Hearing from the Realized Soul

Various parties now assert that it is enough to read Srila Prabhupada's books, that anyone who reads from his books is already initiated. Consider that Srila Prabhupada's published works number some 160. Hansadutta has pointed out that reading at the rate of one book per week, it would take some 3 years to complete. One book per month, it would take 13 years. One book every two months comes to more than 25 years of reading, about twice the time it took Srila Prabhupada to write them. In the meantime, what about service and submission, that is to say, practical engagement in devotional service? Some argue there is no need for intermediaries, that no one comes between Srila Prabhupada and the disciple, but even while Srila Prabhupada was physically present the new devotees and younger disciples took guidance from and served under the older disciples, who in turn served under the authorities placed in charge. Thus, except for a handful of the earliest disciples, all those persons who came into contact with the movement, either peripherally or fully immersed, were initially introduced to Srila Prabhupada via his disciples, and for that matter, a great many devotees who took initiation never even met Srila Prabhupada in person. They were trained up in devotional practices under the instruction of older disciples, and in this way they understood their connection to Srila Prabhupada through service and surrender and hearing from Srila Prabhupada's representatives. So the books are there, and Srila Prabhupada wrote them to be read, yet upon reading even a few pages, at once a devotee concludes, "Okay, I'm convinced, now tell me what to do? How can I participate?" — Bhima das

Bombay
16 April, 1976
76-04-16

My dear Punjabi Premanand,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 13 April, 1976, and I have noted the contents with care. Concerning your questions: Yes, it will help to read Bhagavad-gita but to have to hear from the realized person. Without the help of guru, if you read independently, you may be misguided. Therefore, so many politicians, scholars, etc., not being guided by the parampara system, have simply misled the public. The Bhagavad-gita is the standard book of knowledge in India, and many eminent persons like Gandhi, Aurobindo, Dr. RadhaKrishnan, etc. they tried to understand the Bhagavad-gita but could not do it. They were themselves misled, and on account of their big position they misled so many followers. Our system, the Vedic system, is to approach the right person and hear from him exactly as Arjuna listened from Krishna. Mental speculation will not help. Hearing is the main point. In the Bhagavad-gita it is written, dharmakshetre kurukshetre.... When you hear from a realized soul, a person who knows things, he'll explain that Kurukshetra is a place where religious ritualistic ceremonies are performed from time immemorial, from the time before the battle of Kurukshetra. But if you read the books of some cunning politician, he'll mislead you, and you'll learn that Kurukshetra means this body, which is not actually the fact. That is the difference, hearing from devotees, the sound vibration coming from the realized person. Reading the book is the same thing... tattva-darshana—hearing from one who has seen the truth. Reading or hearing from the realized person there is no difference, but hearing the sound vibration from the realized soul is still more effective, better. ...

Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami