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690512 - Lecture with Allen Ginsberg at Ohio State University - Columbus

2026-07-16T18:54:37Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1969 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1969 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1969 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1969-05 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Columbus]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
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[[Category:Audio Files 30.01 to 45.00 Minutes]]
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<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:690512 Lecture - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Columbus|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">690512LE-COLUMBUS - May 12, 1969 - 37:00 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1969/690512LE-COLUMBUS.mp3</mp3player>

'''Allen Ginsberg:''' The amazing thing was that everybody was able to shake their own ass and get up and dance after . . . a long time, and not knowing what to do. When ancient rhythms were floating through, everybody thought and certainly everybody desired to dance and sing rather than be frozen.

But such is the nature of our conditioning, in this, which is called the Kali-yuga, according to Hindu fairytale, Hindu mythology, Hindu religion, Hindu belief, Hindu metaphysics, Hindu cosmography, probably corresponding to what in our Western tradition we know as the gnostic tradition, through . . . (indistinct) . . . and William Blake.

This is a Orient version of what may be the same tradition, suppressed in the West when the CIA took over religion in 313 A.D. (laughter and applause), when Constantine, Caesar, made a deal with the Church to suppress all alien thoughts and heresies and to formulate a square Western version of heaven and hell. (laughter)

The Kali-yuga concept is one that you can now, in a sense, interpret ecologically. If you've been following the scientifical pronouncements of doom possibility coming over television, radio and slick magazines, as well as from the underground press, you will notice that there's increasing attention to the fact that our own fecal material, the waste products of our robots, have now so polluted Lake Erie that it's a great lake of green goo slime, biologically dead;.

That our atmosphere, the planetary atmosphere, is increasingly polluted with carbon wastes, and that we are so sunk in our attachment to automobile exhaust fumes, to sulfur wastes from great steel factories producing metals that can be sent flying to explode on the other side of the planet with the collaboration of the science faculties in such universities as this, (applause) so that we find ourselves increasingly sunk into what is called a materialistic habit, like a junky stuck on his junk.

People are hooked on matter, and on their own identity in matter, taking their own identity from their faces, nose, bodies, and immediate physical city-complex around them, and not realizing another sweeter, deeper but wilder, or "transcendental," identity than the identity of the one-dimensional man that Marcuse has talked out. So what we are proposing here is a modern-minded view, or some indications of a modern Western, i.e., gnostic, Marcuse view of Kali-yuga, as applying to our own situation, rather than being an Oriental fairytale.

As it stands, I read in the paper today, the prognosis for our . . . according to U Thant in today's paper, according to the head of the U.N., mankind has only ten years to reverse the political, social, moral, emotional, ''bhakti'' course of the planet, and alter our technology, alter our consciousness radically enough to preserve human existence on the planet. (applause) So this is not only the official U.N. pronouncement; it's also the pronouncement of most of the ecologists, biologists and ecosystemic students of the planet that are presently considering the ecological disruption that we have caused through our greed and destructiveness.

The Oriental tale, or analysis, has it, however, that we have a good deal more time. The Kali-yuga, or age of heavy metal entanglement, iron age, lasts 432,000 years, and we're only 5,000 years into it. So there is 428 . . . 427,000 years to go.

In a conversation with Swami Bhaktivedanta today, I was inquiring more about the details of the mythology, which are found in a book called the ''Bhāgavata Purāṇa''. He explained that according to Hindu analysis we are five thousand years into the descent from a lighter age, the age of brass, the disappearance of Lord Kṛṣṇa, an aspect of the Hindu Deity Viṣṇu, preserver, or perhaps the supreme form of the preserver aspect of the universe, of ourselves, or of Viṣṇu.

This appearance of Kṛṣṇa, mythologically or historically, is five thousand years ago. We're five thousand years into the age of iron, and we have ten thousand years in which to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, which is to say, repeating the name of the aspect of preservation, hope, that particular vibration of dancing joy, transcending our cosmopolitical words. We have ten thousand years for that play before there is a total descent into one-foot-tall monsters who eat each other up for meat because all the vegetables have disappeared, because DDT has completely cleared out any biological life form except mammals who go around eating each other at that point.

For . . . I've known Swami Bhaktivedanta for about three years, since he settled in the Lower East Side in New York, which was my territory and my neighborhood . . . (applause) It seemed to me like a stroke of great intelligence of him to come not as an uptown swami (laughter), but as a real down-home street swami, and make it on the street in the Lower East Side, as in . . . as also opening a branch on Frederick Street in San Francisco, right in the center of Haight-Ashbury neighborhood, so that people who were tripping in Haight-Ashbury several years ago, coming down, wanting some, quote, "permanent—eternal reassurance," formula, ritual, magic, hope, feel, one truth, if you wish, okay, zeroed in on the Frederick Street rug'd, perfumed, incensed, ''āśrama'', where chanting would be heard at dawn as they were coming down off a trip all night.

A great many people who were hung on acid or other varieties of chemical psychedelics found it much more stable to practice a prolonged ritual, or ''sādhana'', following the instructions of Swami Bhaktivedanta, which are old, classical, Indian-style instructions for both ritual, daily living, diet, sexuality, thought consciousness, apparel, hand gestures—in other words, a very complicated ritualized ''yoga'', a very ancient one also.

I thought Swami Bhaktivedanta made a great move in coming to the Lower East Side and to Haight-Ashbury. And then, naturally, because people dig chanting, centers formed in other parts of the United States, so that there are small street-level houses or storefront centers in Vancouver or in L.A., in Montreal, up in Buffalo, down in . . . there's some Buffalo chanters here. And "chant" comes from the word ''enchant'', by the way, which means to make oneself into . . . to make a magical spell about oneself. So there are Santa Fe centers also.

In other words, the indigenous . . . the importation of a very strange Oriental form, almost a hard-shelled Baptist Oriental form, in the sense of its traditionality and its fundamentalism, its reliance on ancient texts and interpretation of ancient texts by a long tradition of teachers—it's strange, it's so far-out and ritualized an Indian form should take root in the United States a little more naturally than the more Protestant Vedānta Society or the extremely rigorous Zen groups that have taken root.

I think partly it's due to the magnanimity or generosity or the old-age charm, wisdom, cheerfulness of Swami Bhaktivedanta, his openness of heart, his willingness to come down onto the street, and his sense of his own divinity and the divinity of others around him that it's been possible for the ''bhakti-yoga'' cult of India to be planted very firmly here in America, so that now there are communes, or ''āśramas'', functioning on the basis of the Kṛṣṇa rituals, which are, in some respect, a model for all those anarchists and political people who are interested in establishing indigenous American communes.

The regulations on food, on sexual relations, which generally cause much confusion in mutual-living health pads—the regulations on sleep and thinking process are, like, an interesting model to study for those who are interested in forming affinity groups or large family communes.

I will have my turn at language tomorrow, because I'm giving a poetry reading at the Student Union somewhere—I'm not sure where—which is my regular thing, which is why I was invited here by the Student Activities Committee. So I will cut myself off now and be brief and leave the rest of the evening to Swami Bhaktivedanta, who will give a language explanation, or whatever he wants to say, of the cultural or metaphysical or religious roots in . . . pardon me?

'''Student:''' What time?

'''Allen Ginsberg:''' I don't know. Any time now. The time now . . .

'''Hayagrīva:''' Mention we'll have more chanting.

'''Allen Ginsberg:''' No I don't know. Pardon me? Yes, I will. So the rest of this evening will be . . . Swami Bhaktivedanta will explain his divine self. Then we will continue chanting. Swāmījī. (applause)

'''Prabhupāda:'''

:''oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya''
:''jñānāñjana-śalākayā''
:''cakṣur-unmīlitaṁ yena''
:''tasmai śrī-gurave namaḥ''
:(Gautamīya-tantra)

My dear boys and girls, I thank you very much for your coming here and participating with this ''saṅkīrtana'' function. The ''saṅkīrtana'' function, or . . . it is called ''saṅkīrtana-yajña'', sacrifice. There is a statement in ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' that ''saṅkīrtanair yajñaiḥ prayair yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ'' ([[SB 11.5.32]]).

In this age . . . as poet Ginsberg has explained to you, this is called Kali-yuga, or very degraded age. From the spiritual point of view, from material point of view also, people are reducing their duration of life and their merciful tendency, their strength, their stature.

If you study scrutinizingly, you will see that your stature is reducing, your memory is reducing, your duration of life is also reducing in this Kali-yuga. There are many symptoms. So ''Bhāgavata'' recommends, "For self-realization in this age, simply by performing this sacrifice of ''saṅkīrtana''."

The ''saṅkīrtana-yajña'' is so nice that at once you get transcendental ecstasy, and from spiritual consciousness, you try to join. Even a child desires like that. This is the effect of the ''saṅkīrtana-yajña''. And Lord Caitanya, the inaugurator of this movement five hundred years ago.

He says that if you chant this ''mantra'', Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, then the first installment of your gain will be that all the dirty things in your heart will be cleansed. ''Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam'' ([[CC Antya 20.12|CC Antya 20.12, Śikṣāṣṭaka 1]]).

And when we are in clean heart, then the next stage will be ''bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇam'': "The problems of material existence will be solved." And when you are spiritually steady on the platform of ''saṅkīrtana-yajña'', then your original consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and its concomitant joyfulness begins.

This thing also is explained in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'':

:''brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā''
:''na śocati na kāṅkṣati''
:''samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu''
:''mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām''
:([[BG 18.54 (1972)|BG 18.54]])

It is said there that "When one comes on the platform of spiritual consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, at that time he becomes completely joyful." ''Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā''. ''Prasanna'' means joyful; ''ātmā'' means soul. And the symptom is ''na śocati na kāṅkṣati''.

He does not lament, neither hanker. In the material existence we have got two diseases: hankering for things which we do not possess and lamenting for things which we have lost. But actually we don't possess anything; everything belongs to God.

That is the Vedic injunction. ''Īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam'' ([[ISO 1|Īśo mantra 1]]) Whatever we see, that is the property of the Supreme Lord. And this claiming that "This is my property," "This is my body," "This is my country," "This is my home," "This is my . . ." "This is my . . ." this is called illusion.

Actually we do not possess anything. So when you actually come on the spiritual consciousness, you understand that nothing belongs to you. ''Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati'' ([[BG 18.54 (1972)|BG 18.54]]). ''Kāṅkṣati'' means hankering, and ''socati'' means lament.

Then the next stage is ''samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu''. Then you can see everything, or every living entity, on the equal status. People are trying to come to that platform of oneness, but that is only possible when you come to the spiritual platform, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In the material platform it is not possible.

Practically we see the United Nations, they are trying to come to oneness of all nations, but they have failed. Simply the flags are increasing. Instead of being united, we are increasing our flags. So if you want actually oneness, then you have (to) come to that platform of ''brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā'' ([[BG 18.54 (1972)|BG 18.54]])—''prasannātmā'', joyfulness.

Everyone is hankering after joyfulness. How that joyfulness can be attained? That is explained in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. The ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' says:

:''sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo''
:''yato bhaktir adhokṣaje''
:''ahaituky apratihatā''
:''yayātmā suprasīdati''
:([[SB 1.2.6]])

''Ātmā'' means soul, your self. We are, every one of us, hankering after that peace and tranquillity. How it is possible? ''Bhāgavata'' says ''yayātmā suprasīdati''. ''Suprasīdati'' means completely become satisfied. How it is possible? Now, ''sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmaḥ'': "That is the first-class occupational duty by which you develop your love of God." That is first class.

The test of religion . . . every religion has got some conception of God. That's all right. But if by following the principles of that religion, if you see that you are developing your love for God, then that is first class. Otherwise, ''Bhāgavata'' says, it is simply wasting time laboring.

:''dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puṁsāṁ''
:''viṣvaksena-kathāsu yaḥ''
:''notpādayed ratiṁ yadi''
:''śrama eva hi kevalam''
:([[SB 1.2.8]])

The ''Bhāgavata'' says that, "You are very nice man. You are very honest to your occupational duty. That is all right. But if by discharging your occupational duty you do not develop your eagerness to understand what is God and what is love of God," then, ''Bhāgavata'' says: "it is simply laboring and wasting time." That is the test.

And why we should try to increase our love of God? That is also explained, ''ahaituky apratihatā yayātmā suprasīdati'' ([[SB 1.2.6]]). ''Ahaitukī'', without any cause. We should love God without any cause. Just like we go to temple, church, with a motive. We go there, "O God, give us our daily bread. I have come to You for my bread." That is not love of God. That is love of bread. (applause)

So Caitanya Mahāprabhu has given nice sample of love. He is playing the part of Rādhārāṇī. Rādhārāṇī is the conjugal consort of Kṛṣṇa. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness is not dry. You'll see the picture, Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is a boy, sixteen years old, and Rādhārāṇī, a young girl, a little younger than Kṛṣṇa. They are enjoying, Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. ''Rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī śaktir asmāt'' ([[CC Adi 1.5]]).

There are different potencies of God. ''Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate'' (Śvetāśvatara Upaniṣad 6.8, [[CC Madhya 13.65|CC Madhya 13.65, purport]]). In the Vedic literature you'll find, ''Vedas'', "God has many energies." ''Parāsya śaktiḥ''. ''Śakti'' means energy, power; ''vividhaiva'', multi, various. ''Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate svabhāva'' . . . ''parāsya śaktir vividhaiva'', ''na tasya samaś cābhyadhikaś ca dṛśyate''.

This is the injunction of ''Vedas''. "You cannot find anyone equal or greater than God. Nobody can be equal with God; nobody can be greater than God." Then he is not God. ''Na tasya samaś cābhyadhikaś ca''. ''Sama'' means equal, ''adhika'' means greater. ''Na tat-samaś cābhyadhikaś ca dṛśyate''.

They have analyzed who is God. The great sages, the liberated sages, they are not fools, rascals, that they will accept anyone God. No. They will test. This is the test. If you find somebody that he is neither lower than anyone, neither equal to anyone, then he is God. There are other, many definitions of God. ''Aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ'' (Viṣṇu Purāṇa 6.5.47). Analytical study. Try to understand God. This is the only business of human form of life, not that simply eating, sleeping and mating and, I mean to say, defending. These are animal business. The animal knows how to eat, how to sleep, how to mate, and how to defend in its own way. So that is common formula for human being or animal.

But there is one speciality in human society or human being—he can understand God, what is God. If I explain to a human being, however illiterate, uneducated he may be, if he has simply these two ears, he will understand what is God.

Therefore the Vedic information is called ''śruti''. Just try to hear. You haven't got to be educated or literate. God has given you these two ears, and you can learn. Simply you have to learn from the authorized sources. Then you will understand God. And when you understand God, then you develop love of God.

And when you develop love of God without any motive and without any impediment, then you find, "Oh," ''svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi varaṁ na yāce'' ([[CC Madhya 22.42]]) "I have no more any demand. I am completely satisfied." Try to come to this platform, transcendental stage. You cannot be happy simply by material advancement. That is not possible.

That is explained in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'': ''parābhavas tāvad abodha-jātaḥ'' ([[SB 5.5.5]]). Every one of us are rascals, born ignorant. But we have got the capacity to take the message of God from authorized information. That we have got.

So ''Bhāgavata'' says, ''parābhavas tāvad abodha-jātaḥ'': "All living entities who are born ignorant, whatever they are doing for advancement of society, culture, education, civilization, all such activities are defeat only if he does not inquire what he is."

''Parābhavas tāvad abodha-jāto yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam''. ''Ātma-tattvam''. So long one does not inquire, "What I am? What is God? What is this material nature? What are these activities? What are our relationships?"—if these inquiries are not there, then all our activities are simply defeat. ''Parābhavas tāvad abodha-jāto yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam''. ''Yāvan na prītir mayī vāsudeve'' ([[SB 5.5.6]]) "So long one does not develop his dormant love of God," ''na mucyate deha-yogena tāvat'', "so long he will not be able to get out of this repeated birth and death and transmigration of the soul."

This transmigration of soul, repeated birth and death, is a diseased condition of the spirit soul. That we do not know. Neither in our education system there is any department of knowledge teaching what is the soul, what is after death, what was before birth. There is no science. It is very lamentable. Education in the name of simply eating, sleeping and mating, this is not education. If my bodily conception continues . . . the ''Bhāgavata'' says, ''yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke'' ([[SB 10.84.13]]) "Anyone who is thinking that this body of flesh and bone is self, he is an ass." (laughter) ''Sa eva go-kharaḥ''. ''Go-kharaḥ''. ''Khara'' means ass. (laughter)

''Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhīḥ''. And by his conceiving this body as self . . . they have no even common reason that, "This bag of flesh, bone, urine, stool and secretion—can it be soul? Can it be self?" But they are finding out by exercising this body to find out the soul.

The soul is there, but you cannot see by material instrument. It is very fine. It is one ten-thousandth part of the tip of your hair. These are explained in the Vedic literature. So how you can find with your material eyes? You cannot see it. And because you cannot see it, you are concluding there is no soul. That is the ignorance.

There is. There is soul, and this body has developed on the platform of that soul, and that soul is migrating from one body to another. That is called evolution. And that evolutional process is going on, 8,400,000's of species of life—aquatics, birds, beasts, plants and so many species of life. And we have got now this developed consciousness, human form of life.

We should properly utilize it. That is our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We simply educating people, "Don't waste your valuable life, the human form of life. If you are missing this chance, you are committing suicide." That is our propaganda. Don't commit suicide. Take to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

And the process is very simple. You haven't got to take difficult processes like ''yoga'' system or philosophical, speculative system. That is not possible in this age. That is . . . I am not speaking from my own experience, but I am taking the experience of big ''ācāryas'' and big stalwart sages. They say that ''kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā''.

If you want to realize yourself, if you want to know what is your next life, if you want to know what is God, if you want to know what is your relationship with God, all these things will be revealed to you—this is real knowledge—by simply chanting this ''mantra'', Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

It is practical. We are not charging anything. We are not bluffing you that, "I shall give you some something, secret ''mantra'', and charge you fifty dollars." No. It is open for everyone. Please take it. That is our request. We are begging you, "Don't spoil your life. Please take this ''mantra''. Chant wherever you like."

It has no hard-and-fast rules you have to follow. Whenever you like, wherever you like, any condition of life . . . just like we chanted half an hour before. Any condition, you felt ecstasy.

Similarly, you can continue this. Chant this Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra''. It is given to you free. But if you want to know what is this Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'' through philosophy, through knowledge, through logic, we have got volumes of books. Don't think that we are simply sentimentally dancing. No, we have got background.

So try to understand this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. I have especially come to your country to deliver you this good message, because if you accept this, if you can understand this science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, other part of the world will also follow, and the face of the world will be changed. That is a fact.

So therefore I request you that you take this chanting, Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'', with you, and wherever you live, in whatever condition you are, you don't require to change. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has recommended that:

:''sthāne sthitāḥ śruti-gatāṁ tanu-vāṅ-manobhiḥ''
:''prāyaśa ajita jito 'py asi tais tri-lokyām''
:([[SB 10.14.3]])

Caitanya Mahāprabhu discussed about spiritual realization with one of His great devotees called Rāmānanda Rāya. And Rāmaṇanda Rāya placed before Him many theories expounded in the Vedic literature. And at last, when Rāmānanda Rāya placed this verse from ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', that ''jñāne prayāsam udapāsya namanta eva'' . . . foolishly try to speculate to understand the unlimited. It is not possible.

By your tiny senses understand the unlimited. It is not possible. Therefore the first recommendation is that ''jñāne prayāsam udapāsya'': don't try to be a dry speculator to understand the ultimate truth. ''Namanta'': just become meek and humble. ''Namanta eva san-mukharitāṁ bhavadīya-vārtām''. And try to receive the message from authorized sources.

Then ''sthane sthitaḥ śruti-gatam tanu-van-manobhiḥ'': in whatever condition you are, you don't require to change. You simply hear. Then a day will come when you will be able to conquer the Supreme Lord, who is unconquerable. God is great, nobody can conquer, but if you simply follow this process, then—in whatever condition you are, simply try to hear about God from authorized sources—then one day you will be able to conquer God within your hand.

This is also confirmed in the ''Brahma-saṁhitā'':

:''advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam''
:''ādyaṁ purāṇa-puruṣaṁ nava-yauvanaṁ ca''
:''vedeṣu durlabham adurlabham ātma-bhaktau''
:(Bs. 5.33)

You cannot find out, simply you find out searching in the Vedas or scripture where is God. You have to conquer Him by your love. He will reveal to yourself. That is also explained in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'':

:''teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ''
:''bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam''
:''buddhi-yogaṁ dadāmi taṁ''
:''yena mām upayānti te''
:([[BG 10.10 (1972)|BG 10.10]])

Everything is clearly explained there. Please try to read this ''Bhagavad-gītā As It Is''. It is science of God. You will understand. You will realize. And chant this Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra''. This Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'' will cleanse your heart. And after cleansing your heart, if you read one chapter of ''Bhagavad-gītā'', you will understand gradually what is God, what you are, what is your relationship with God. And when you understand all these things and you develop your love of God, you'll become perfectly happy.

So we want to see you all happy. That is our program. ''Sarve sukhino bhavantu''. Every one of you become happy. But you must take the path how you can be happy. This is the path, Kṛṣṇa consciousness: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

Thank you very much. (applause) (break) (end)

740726 - Letter to Adi-kesava written from Bombay

2026-07-03T17:31:08Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1974 - Letters]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1974-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Adi Kesava - Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Giving the Names of New Initiates]]
[[Category:1974 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1974 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Unsigned, 1974]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1974 - Letters|1974]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|740726_-_Letter_to_Adi_Kesava.JPG|Letter to Adi Kesava das}}

Gandhi Gram Road<br />
Juhu, Bombay-54<br />
26/7/74

Adi Kesava das Brahmacari<br />
ISKCON<br />
40 N. Beacon St.<br />
Boston, Mass. 02134<br />
My Dear Adi Kesava das:<br />
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 19/7/74. Regarding the boys for initiation, I have initiated them a follows:<br />
Andrew Lerra--Agrani (the foremost)<br />
James Newcomb - Naksatranemi (surrounded by stars—Lord Visnu)<br />
Richard Corbeil--Satangati

So you can have their beads chanted upon by Kirtanananda Swami. My only request is that you see that our men strictly are carrying out my instructions regarding following the rules and regulations.<br />
I thank you for your invitation for your new temple opening. I am now in India and I shall write to you about my future itinerary.<br />
I hope this meets you in good health.<br />

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/bs

760624 - Letter to Yasodanandana and Acyutananda written from New Vrindaban, USA

2026-06-27T21:52:10Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1976 - Letters]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1976-06 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, New Vrindaban]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, New Vrindaban]]
[[Category:Letters to Groups of Devotees]]
[[Category:Yasodanandana - Letters]]
[[Category:Acyutananda - Letters]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1976]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1976 - Letters|1976]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|760624_-_Letter_to_Yasodanandan_and_Acyutananda_1.JPG|Letter to Yasodanandan Maharaj and Acyutananda Maharaj (Page 1 of 2)}}
{{LetterScan|760624_-_Letter_to_Yasodanandan_and_Acyutananda_2.JPG|Letter to Yasodanandan Maharaj and Acyutananda Maharaj (Page 2 of 2 (text missing)}}

New Vrindaban,<br />
return address: New York<br />

June 24, 1976

His Holiness<br />
Yasodanandan Swami,<br />
Acyutanandan Swami,<br />
Hare Krishna Land,<br />
Nampally Station Road,<br />
Hyderabad, A.P., 500-001<br />
India

My dear Yasodanandan Maharaj and Acyutananda Maharaj,<br />
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 10, 1976 with enclosed photographs; especially the one taken in Bangalore of the Bar Association members taking my books was best of all.

The people of Bangalore have again shown nice response to our coming, so keep the relationship very friendly, and deal carefully. I am very pleased to read the letter of commendation from the other sannyasis in South India. Now you can make copies of all these letters and send them to both the Jagannath Temple in Puri, and the Ranganath Temple in Vrindaban and get their official reply.

Our movement is for everyone. It is not sectarian. When we speak of no intoxication, it is meant for everyone. You should always remember the statement of Caitanya Mahaprabhu:

yei bhaje sei bada abhakta-hina, chara

"Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a nondevotee is always condemned and abominable. Therefore in the discharge of devotional service of the Lord,there is no consideration of the status of one's family." [[CC Antya 4.67]].

The devotee is great and the nondevotee is downtrodden. And in the matter of devotional service of Krishna, there is no concern of caste and creed. Krsna also says, mam hi partha vyapasritya ye'pi syuh pata-yonayayah ([[BG 9.32 (1972)|BG 9.32]]). Even the papa-yonayayah, if he takes to devotional service, he also goes back to Home, Back-to-Godhead. This conception of caste on the basis of birthright has killed the Vedic culture. Also in the Srimad Bhagavatam it is said:

yasya yallaksanam proktam<br />
puso varnabhivyanjakam,<br />
yadanyatrapi drsyeta<br />
tat tenaiva vinirdiset<br />
([[SB 7.11.35]])

So despite all these things, these people are still insisting that one can only be Vaishnava if born in a brahmin family. That is not a very learned position.

As yet I have not received a confirmation from

[TEXT MISSING]

which I had sent to him c/o Hyderabad temple. Also, the BBT Bombay says that you owe Rs. 83,000 to them. So why haven't you paid yet? You are such a big preacher, why you shall remain in debt?

I hope that this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,<br>
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br>
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br>

ACBS/pks

750617 - Letter to Batu Gopala written from Honolulu

2026-06-11T00:17:20Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1975 - Letters]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1975-06 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Hawaii]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Hawaii]]
[[Category:Batu Gopala - Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Giving the Names of New Initiates]]
[[Category:1975 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1975 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1975]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1975 - Letters|1975]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|750617 - Letter to Batu Gopala.jpg|Letter to Batu Gopala}}

51 Coelho Way, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA <br />

June 17th, 75<br />
Batu Gopala dasa adhikari<br />
15720 Euclid Ave.<br />
East Cleveland, Ohio 44112

My dear Batu Gopala,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 8th, 1975 and have noted the contents. I accept the persons you have recommended for initiation (first). Their names are as follows, Bill--Bhama dasa, Brenda--Brahma-vadini devi dasi, Michael--Mahana dasa. Their beads may be chanted by Kirtanananda Swami. Also, I have accepted Divyanga dasa for 2nd initiation. His thread and mantra sheet are enclosed herein. Let him hear the tape of myself chanting gayatri mantra through his right ear.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
''[signed]''<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/ps<br />
Enc: 1 thread, 1 mantra sheet.

750617 - Letter to Batu Gopala written from Honolulu

2026-06-11T00:14:08Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1975 - Letters]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1975-06 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Hawaii]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Hawaii]]
[[Category:Batu Gopala - Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Giving the Names of New Initiates]]
[[Category:1975 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1975 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1975]]
[[Category:[[Letters - SIC]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1975 - Letters|1975]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|750617 - Letter to Batu Gopala.jpg|Letter to Batu Gopala}}

51 Coelho Way, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA <br />

June 17th, 75<br />
Batu Gopala dasa adhikari<br />
15720 Euclid Ave.<br />
East Cleveland, Ohio 44112

My dear Batu Gopala,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 8th, 1975 and have noted the contents. I accept the persons you have recommended for initiation (first). Their names are as follows, Bill--Bhama dasa, Brenda--Brahma-vadini devi dasi, Michael--Mahana dasa. Their beads may be chanted by Kirtanananda Swami. Also, I have accepted Divyanga dasa for 2nd initiation. His thread and mantra sheet are enclosed herein. Let him hear the tape of myself chanting gayatri mantra through his right ear.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
''[signed]''<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/ps<br />
Enc: 1 thread, 1 mantra sheet.

770528 - Conversation A - Vrndavana

2026-05-26T14:13:31Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1977 - Conversations]]
[[Category:1977 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1977 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1977-05 - Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Conversations - India]]
[[Category:Conversations - India, Vrndavana]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Vrndavana]]
[[Category:Audio Files 00.01 to 05.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1977 - New Audio - Released in July 2012]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Conversations - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Conversations - by Date|Conversations by Date]], [[:Category:1977 - Conversations|1977]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">770528R1-VRNDAVAN - May 28, 1977 - 1:33 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1977/770528R1-VRNDAVAN.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh! (break) ''Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati ''([[BG 9.31 (1972)|BG 9.31]]). Anyone who has given sincere service to Kṛṣṇa for any one day, he cannot go away. He has Kṛṣṇa's protection. This life, that life. What is that verse you were reading? ''Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer patet tato yadi bhajann apakvaḥ ''([[SB 1.5.17|SB 1.5.17]]).

'''Indian devotee (1):''' ''Kva vā abhadram abhūd amuṣya kim''.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ah. ''Kva vā abhadram abhūd amuṣya kim''. One day, little service to Kṛṣṇa, immediately permanent account. It will never go in vain. But we should not for that reason neglect. That is not good. ''Tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatām ''([[SB 1.5.18|SB 1.5.18]]). Hare Kṛṣṇa. Such a nice thing.

'''Tamāla Kṛṣṇa:''' Śrīla Prabhupāda? The devotees want to know if . . . (end)

770528 - Conversation A - Vrndavana

2026-05-26T14:12:27Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1977 - Conversations]]
[[Category:1977 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1977 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1977-05 - Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Conversations - India]]
[[Category:Conversations - India, Vrndavana]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Vrndavana]]
[[Category:Audio Files 00.01 to 5.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1977 - New Audio - Released in July 2012]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Conversations - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Conversations - by Date|Conversations by Date]], [[:Category:1977 - Conversations|1977]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">770528R1-VRNDAVAN - May 28, 1977 - 1:33 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1977/770528R1-VRNDAVAN.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh! (break) ''Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati ''([[BG 9.31 (1972)|BG 9.31]]). Anyone who has given sincere service to Kṛṣṇa for any one day, he cannot go away. He has Kṛṣṇa's protection. This life, that life. What is that verse you were reading? ''Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer patet tato yadi bhajann apakvaḥ ''([[SB 1.5.17|SB 1.5.17]]).

'''Indian devotee (1):''' ''Kva vā abhadram abhūd amuṣya kim''.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ah. ''Kva vā abhadram abhūd amuṣya kim''. One day, little service to Kṛṣṇa, immediately permanent account. It will never go in vain. But we should not for that reason neglect. That is not good. ''Tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatām ''([[SB 1.5.18|SB 1.5.18]]). Hare Kṛṣṇa. Such a nice thing.

'''Tamāla Kṛṣṇa:''' Śrīla Prabhupāda? The devotees want to know if . . . (end)

760410 - Letter to Sri Viswesha Tirtha Swami written from Vrndavana

2026-04-27T18:47:29Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1976 - Letters]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1976-04 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Vrndavana]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Vrndavana]]
[[Category:Letters to Miscellaneous]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Unsigned, 1976]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1976 - Letters|1976]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|760410_-_Letter_to_Viswesha_Teertha_Swami.JPG|Letter to Viswesha Teertha Swami}}

''[unclear]''<br/>
Pejavur Mutt, Car Street<br/>
Udupi South Kanara<br/>
Karnataka

10 April      1976

Dear Sri Viswesha Teertha Swami ji<br/>
Please accept my greetings.<br/>
I have received your letter from Guntur inviting me to Udupi through my disciple Yasodanandana Swami. I am very eager to come however due to prior comitments my program has already been scheduled. I am building one Kaliya-Mardana temple in the Island of Fiji and I will go there via Australia, where we have 4 centres, then New Zealand, where we have a center in Auckland, then on to Fiji. Afterwards I will visit my centre in Hawaii, Los Angeles (California) and New York.

In spite of my preaching program overseas, the scheduled program in Udupi on the 11th 12th 13rd may may go on and my sanayasi disciples Yasodanandana Swami and Achyutananda Swami will carry on the program there. Please help them to make this program a success.

Yasodanandana Swami has written an article on Madhvacarya and Udupi and it has been submitted to my monthly journal Back To Godhead, which has a circulation of 10 lakhs copies monthly.

This Sanatana Dharma pracara is the real path followed by all pure acaryas such as Madhva, Ramanuja, Sri Caitanya and others. Kindly help us to spread this Krishna Consciousness movement all over the land of Bharata Bhumi.

I hope this meets you in good health.

''[unsigned]''

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

740429 - Letter to Bhurijana written from Bombay

2026-04-11T20:43:36Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1974 - Letters]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1974-04 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Bhurijana - Letters]]
[[Category:1974 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1974 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Unsigned, 1974]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1974 - Letters|1974]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|740429_-_Letter_to_Bhurijan.JPG|Letter to Bhurijan}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br /></big>
Founder-Acharya:<br />
International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>

DATE April 29, 1974<br />
CENTER   Hare Krishna Land,<br />
               Gandhi Gram Road,<br>
               Juhu, Bombay 54, INDIA

Dear Bhurijan,<br />
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of April 21st and I thank you very much.<br />
It is very good news for me that you are stressing regulative temple life in your new quarters in Hong Kong. The regulative principles are designed to take us gradually to the platform of spontaneous love of Krsna, which is the perfection of human life. Those who think they have already attained such perfection and give up the regulative principles are called sahajia, or those who take things cheaply and simply imitate. This early rising, holding classes, going out regularly for sankirtana, worshiping the deity are the very substance of devotional life. You will certainly by your sincere devotional example attract more and more sincere Chinese boys and girls to Krsna Consciousness. Even if, due to family ties, they cannot move in the temple, try to engage them as much as possible in translating work, sankirtana, reading, and at least coming to the temple to take prasadam.<br />
I understand you have a new address but you have not described the actual situation. Try to send pictures if you can. How much is the rent? What kind of temple construction are you referring to?<br />
Please give my thanks to your good wife Jagatarini for working with the childrens' classes. I am very very proud of you both as you have given up everything and gone to a far away part of the world just on my order to carry out the will of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, that the chanting of the Holy Name be heard in every town and village.<br />
Of course I will be very eager to see the new Chinese publication. Please go on with it, and send me something as soon as it is published.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/sdg<br />
''[unclear]'' Road 4th floor. Kowloon, HONG KONG

750126 - Conversation with Children - Hong Kong

2026-04-08T17:13:23Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1975 - Conversations]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1975-01 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Conversations - Asia]]
[[Category:Conversations - Asia, Japan - Tokyo]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Asia]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Asia, Japan - Tokyo]]
[[Category:Audio Files 10.01 to 20.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1975 - New Audio - Released in May 2014]]
[[Category:1975 - New Transcriptions - Released in May 2014]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Conversations - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Conversations - by Date|Conversations by Date]], [[:Category:1975 - Conversations|1975]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}


<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:750126 Conversation - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Hong Kong|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">750126CD-HONG KONG - January 26, 1975 - 18:12 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1975/750126CD-HONG_KONG.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' Try to answer, children? Do you know what is Kṛṣṇa? Who can say? You say something about Kṛṣṇa?

'''Girl:''' The Supreme Personality of Godhead.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. So, what does He do? Tell something about Kṛṣṇa. You have read Kṛṣṇa book? Huh?

'''Boy:''' He was given many names.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's all right. Many names everyone has got. But what is the difference between your many names and Kṛṣṇa's many names? Just like your father calls you by some name and mother calls you by some name; friends calls you. So you have got also many names. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa has also many names. But what is the between . . . what is the difference between your name and Kṛṣṇa's name? Can anyone say?

'''Girl:''' Each of Kṛṣṇa's names has a meaning behind it.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Eh?

'''Girl:''' Each of Kṛṣṇa's names has a meaning behind it.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Every name has got some meaning. That is not . . . the difference is that Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa's name, the same thing. Just like if you want water, if you simply say, "water, water, water," that substance, water, is not there. Try to understand this. The water, liquid substance, that is different from the name water. Anything you take. Just like here is rose. So if you simply chant, "rose, rose, rose," there is no rose. Rose is different from the name rose. Similarly, in the material world anything you take, the name is different from the substance, whereas in case of Kṛṣṇa, the name Kṛṣṇa and the person Kṛṣṇa, the same thing. Just like we are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, the holy name of Kṛṣṇa—that means immediately Kṛṣṇa is on your tongue. He is dancing on your tongue. This is the difference.

Therefore, immediately we chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa means immediately we get in contact with Kṛṣṇa or in association. Just like we are sitting together. Similarly, as soon as you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, immediately Kṛṣṇa is with you. Immediately. Kṛṣṇa is with you always. Still, particularly, ''tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ'' (Padma Purāna). And that is a fact. If you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'', that means you directly associate with Kṛṣṇa. And Kṛṣṇa being the Supreme Spirit, ''para-brahma'', then, although we have got this material body, still, by association with Kṛṣṇa we become spiritualized. Just like you take one iron rod and put into the fire, the rod becomes warm. At last the rod becomes red hot. So when the iron is red hot, you put in touch with anything else, it will burn. It is no more iron rod. Although it is iron rod, but because it was in touch with fire, now it has attained the quality of fire. Similarly, if you always remain in touch with Kṛṣṇa by chanting His holy name, then you become spiritualized.

Therefore, chanting of His holy name is very important. ''Kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ'' (Śikṣāṣṭaka 3). Caitanya Mahāprabhu advises that you should chant Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mahā''-''mantra'' always, twenty-four hours; then you will remain in touch with Kṛṣṇa, just like the iron rod in touch with the fire. And gradually, as the iron rod turns to be fire, similarly, constantly in touch with Kṛṣṇa means you become Kṛṣṇa-ized, the same quality. That is wanted. We are now covered by material things. Inside we are there. ''Dehino 'smin yathā dehe'' ([[BG 2.13 (1972)|BG 2.13]]). Inside we are spirit soul. Outside . . . just like inside your coat you are there, but the coat is outside. When the coat and shirt is taken away, then you are clothed in your original body. Similarly, as soon as these material coverings are taken away, then we are spirit soul.

We have to attain to that stage. That is perfection of human life: to get out of this material covering. To get out of this material covering means you get your original spiritual body and you become eternal, blissful, ''ānanda-mayo 'bhyāsāt'' (Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12). We are seeking after ''ānanda'', everyone. We are dressing, we are talking, we are going here and there. The real purpose is how to become happy. That happiness, ''ānanda'', is being hampered on account of this material covering. That we do not understand in this stage. In this stage also . . . there are three stages: goodness, passion and ignorance. In the ignorance stage, it is almost like dull matter or animals. In the passion stage, there is both propensity for enjoyment. And in the goodness stage, we can get some glimpse of light of our spiritual existence. Therefore, we have to come to the platform of goodness to understand the spiritual values of our life.

This platform of goodness is described in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. That is qualified brahminical stage. Not a ''brāhmaṇa'' born in the family and doing all nonsense. No, not like that. A quality ''brāhmaṇa''. Quality ''brāhmaṇa'' means one who is truthful, one who is self-controlled, one who has controlled his mind and senses, one who is very tolerant, one who is very simple, no duplicity, one who is very, very advanced in knowledge. And not only simply one knows, but the things are practically behaved. Just like I may know, you may know, a ''brāhmaṇa'' means truthful. It is not simply to know truthful but actually to become truthful. That is called ''vijñānaṁ''. As some of you who are studying science, the scientific knowledge means you should know theoretically what is water—a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. But you must know how to prepare, mixing the two chemicals, hydrogen, oxygen. That is called ''vijñāna. Jñāna'' means simply theoretical knowledge, and ''vijñāna'' means practically to know, experimental knowledge.

So these are the qualification of ''brāhmaṇa'': ''jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam'' ([[BG 18.42 (1972)|BG 18.42]]). So when you are on this platform, pure light, full of knowledge, then you will be able to understand what is God, what is Brahman. And this will be very easily done if you simply hear the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. ''Śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ'' ([[SB 1.2.17|SB 1.2.17]]). You become purified. In this way, as soon as you become purified—even not fully purified, say fifty percent purified—then you are immediately situated on the modes of goodness. That purification can be possible, ''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā'', by associating with devotees and understanding the subject matter stated in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. We are having so many centers all over the world just to give chance to the people to understand the subject matter of the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. So in this way one becomes purified and happy. ''Evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ'' ([[SB 1.2.20|SB 1.2.20]]). This ''bhagavad-bhakti''-''yoga'', by practicing ''bhagavad-bhakti''-''yoga'', one becomes ''prasanna-mana'', very happy mood. Then he will be able to understand, ''bhagavat-tattva-vijñānaṁ mukta-saṅgasya jāyate'' ([[SB 1.2.20|SB 1.2.20]]).

So from the very beginning of your life, as Prahlāda Mahārāja did, ''kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha'' ([[SB 7.6.1|SB 7.6.1]]). He was five years old, and from the beginning of his life he was Kṛṣṇa conscious, and he used to teach Kṛṣṇa consciousness among his class friends. Prahlāda Mahārāja, in the school, he would preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness amongst the small children. So try to follow, ''mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ'' ([[CC Madhya 17.186|CC Madhya 17.186]]). Follow the footprints of great personalities like Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja. They were child; still they become topmost devotees. There are many others. The Kumāras, they were very topmost devotees. So of course it requires little endeavor. Prahlāda Mahārāja's father was a demon, number-one atheist. Still, Prahlāda Mahārāja had the chance to hear Nārada Muni while he was within the womb of his mother. Nārada Muni was instructing his mother, but Prahlāda Mahārāja within the womb of his mother heard everything from Nārada Muni. So before coming out of the womb of mother he understood the ''Bhāgavata'' philosophy. So from the very beginning of his life he was ''bhāgavata. Bhāgavata'' means devotee.

So we can follow Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja. Of course, it requires the help of the parents. Otherwise, if we practice ''bhāgavata''-''dharma'' or ''bhakti-yogam'' from the very beginning of our life, it is successful life. Fortunately, we had the good opportunity of learning ''bhāgavata''-''dharma'' from our very childhood. My father was a devotee, and he trained us. So it is the duty of all parents to train the children in the ''bhāgavata''-''dharma''. Then life is successful. Otherwise life is not successful. There is every chance of falling down. Falling down means life is meant for elevation to the platform of spiritual life. And if we do not do that, then we fall down to the animal life. There are many species of life. You have seen in your front. One may become cats and dogs also. There is a great science, but people have no knowledge, neither in the school, colleges these things are taught. Neither do they know, the so-called teachers and educated persons. They do not know.

So as far as possible, try to understand this Kṛṣṇa philosophy and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mahā''-''mantra'' whenever you have got time. I think you have got enough time. That is my request. That we are preaching all over the world.

Thank you very much.

'''Devotee:''' ''Jaya'' Prabhupāda. (end)

750126 - Conversation with Children - Hong Kong

2026-04-08T17:11:21Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1975 - Conversations]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1975-01 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Conversations - Asia]]
[[Category:Conversations - Asia, Japan - Tokyo]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Asia]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Asia, Japan - Tokyo]]
[[Category:Audio Files 10.01 to 20.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1975 - New Audio - Released in May 2014]]
[[Category:1975 - New Transcriptions - Released in May 2014]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Conversations - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Conversations - by Date|Conversations by Date]], [[:Category:1975 - Conversations|1975]]'''</div>
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<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:750126 Conversation with Children - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Bombay|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">750126CD-HONG KONG - January 26, 1975 - 18:12 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1975/750126CD-HONG_KONG.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' Try to answer, children? Do you know what is Kṛṣṇa? Who can say? You say something about Kṛṣṇa?

'''Girl:''' The Supreme Personality of Godhead.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. So, what does He do? Tell something about Kṛṣṇa. You have read Kṛṣṇa book? Huh?

'''Boy:''' He was given many names.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's all right. Many names everyone has got. But what is the difference between your many names and Kṛṣṇa's many names? Just like your father calls you by some name and mother calls you by some name; friends calls you. So you have got also many names. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa has also many names. But what is the between . . . what is the difference between your name and Kṛṣṇa's name? Can anyone say?

'''Girl:''' Each of Kṛṣṇa's names has a meaning behind it.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Eh?

'''Girl:''' Each of Kṛṣṇa's names has a meaning behind it.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Every name has got some meaning. That is not . . . the difference is that Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa's name, the same thing. Just like if you want water, if you simply say, "water, water, water," that substance, water, is not there. Try to understand this. The water, liquid substance, that is different from the name water. Anything you take. Just like here is rose. So if you simply chant, "rose, rose, rose," there is no rose. Rose is different from the name rose. Similarly, in the material world anything you take, the name is different from the substance, whereas in case of Kṛṣṇa, the name Kṛṣṇa and the person Kṛṣṇa, the same thing. Just like we are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, the holy name of Kṛṣṇa—that means immediately Kṛṣṇa is on your tongue. He is dancing on your tongue. This is the difference.

Therefore, immediately we chant the holy name of Kṛṣṇa means immediately we get in contact with Kṛṣṇa or in association. Just like we are sitting together. Similarly, as soon as you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, immediately Kṛṣṇa is with you. Immediately. Kṛṣṇa is with you always. Still, particularly, ''tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ'' (Padma Purāna). And that is a fact. If you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'', that means you directly associate with Kṛṣṇa. And Kṛṣṇa being the Supreme Spirit, ''para-brahma'', then, although we have got this material body, still, by association with Kṛṣṇa we become spiritualized. Just like you take one iron rod and put into the fire, the rod becomes warm. At last the rod becomes red hot. So when the iron is red hot, you put in touch with anything else, it will burn. It is no more iron rod. Although it is iron rod, but because it was in touch with fire, now it has attained the quality of fire. Similarly, if you always remain in touch with Kṛṣṇa by chanting His holy name, then you become spiritualized.

Therefore, chanting of His holy name is very important. ''Kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ'' (Śikṣāṣṭaka 3). Caitanya Mahāprabhu advises that you should chant Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mahā''-''mantra'' always, twenty-four hours; then you will remain in touch with Kṛṣṇa, just like the iron rod in touch with the fire. And gradually, as the iron rod turns to be fire, similarly, constantly in touch with Kṛṣṇa means you become Kṛṣṇa-ized, the same quality. That is wanted. We are now covered by material things. Inside we are there. ''Dehino 'smin yathā dehe'' ([[BG 2.13 (1972)|BG 2.13]]). Inside we are spirit soul. Outside . . . just like inside your coat you are there, but the coat is outside. When the coat and shirt is taken away, then you are clothed in your original body. Similarly, as soon as these material coverings are taken away, then we are spirit soul.

We have to attain to that stage. That is perfection of human life: to get out of this material covering. To get out of this material covering means you get your original spiritual body and you become eternal, blissful, ''ānanda-mayo 'bhyāsāt'' (Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12). We are seeking after ''ānanda'', everyone. We are dressing, we are talking, we are going here and there. The real purpose is how to become happy. That happiness, ''ānanda'', is being hampered on account of this material covering. That we do not understand in this stage. In this stage also . . . there are three stages: goodness, passion and ignorance. In the ignorance stage, it is almost like dull matter or animals. In the passion stage, there is both propensity for enjoyment. And in the goodness stage, we can get some glimpse of light of our spiritual existence. Therefore, we have to come to the platform of goodness to understand the spiritual values of our life.

This platform of goodness is described in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. That is qualified brahminical stage. Not a ''brāhmaṇa'' born in the family and doing all nonsense. No, not like that. A quality ''brāhmaṇa''. Quality ''brāhmaṇa'' means one who is truthful, one who is self-controlled, one who has controlled his mind and senses, one who is very tolerant, one who is very simple, no duplicity, one who is very, very advanced in knowledge. And not only simply one knows, but the things are practically behaved. Just like I may know, you may know, a ''brāhmaṇa'' means truthful. It is not simply to know truthful but actually to become truthful. That is called ''vijñānaṁ''. As some of you who are studying science, the scientific knowledge means you should know theoretically what is water—a mixture of hydrogen and oxygen. But you must know how to prepare, mixing the two chemicals, hydrogen, oxygen. That is called ''vijñāna. Jñāna'' means simply theoretical knowledge, and ''vijñāna'' means practically to know, experimental knowledge.

So these are the qualification of ''brāhmaṇa'': ''jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam'' ([[BG 18.42 (1972)|BG 18.42]]). So when you are on this platform, pure light, full of knowledge, then you will be able to understand what is God, what is Brahman. And this will be very easily done if you simply hear the holy name of Kṛṣṇa. ''Śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ'' ([[SB 1.2.17|SB 1.2.17]]). You become purified. In this way, as soon as you become purified—even not fully purified, say fifty percent purified—then you are immediately situated on the modes of goodness. That purification can be possible, ''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā'', by associating with devotees and understanding the subject matter stated in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. We are having so many centers all over the world just to give chance to the people to understand the subject matter of the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. So in this way one becomes purified and happy. ''Evaṁ prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ'' ([[SB 1.2.20|SB 1.2.20]]). This ''bhagavad-bhakti''-''yoga'', by practicing ''bhagavad-bhakti''-''yoga'', one becomes ''prasanna-mana'', very happy mood. Then he will be able to understand, ''bhagavat-tattva-vijñānaṁ mukta-saṅgasya jāyate'' ([[SB 1.2.20|SB 1.2.20]]).

So from the very beginning of your life, as Prahlāda Mahārāja did, ''kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha'' ([[SB 7.6.1|SB 7.6.1]]). He was five years old, and from the beginning of his life he was Kṛṣṇa conscious, and he used to teach Kṛṣṇa consciousness among his class friends. Prahlāda Mahārāja, in the school, he would preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness amongst the small children. So try to follow, ''mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ'' ([[CC Madhya 17.186|CC Madhya 17.186]]). Follow the footprints of great personalities like Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja. They were child; still they become topmost devotees. There are many others. The Kumāras, they were very topmost devotees. So of course it requires little endeavor. Prahlāda Mahārāja's father was a demon, number-one atheist. Still, Prahlāda Mahārāja had the chance to hear Nārada Muni while he was within the womb of his mother. Nārada Muni was instructing his mother, but Prahlāda Mahārāja within the womb of his mother heard everything from Nārada Muni. So before coming out of the womb of mother he understood the ''Bhāgavata'' philosophy. So from the very beginning of his life he was ''bhāgavata. Bhāgavata'' means devotee.

So we can follow Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja. Of course, it requires the help of the parents. Otherwise, if we practice ''bhāgavata''-''dharma'' or ''bhakti-yogam'' from the very beginning of our life, it is successful life. Fortunately, we had the good opportunity of learning ''bhāgavata''-''dharma'' from our very childhood. My father was a devotee, and he trained us. So it is the duty of all parents to train the children in the ''bhāgavata''-''dharma''. Then life is successful. Otherwise life is not successful. There is every chance of falling down. Falling down means life is meant for elevation to the platform of spiritual life. And if we do not do that, then we fall down to the animal life. There are many species of life. You have seen in your front. One may become cats and dogs also. There is a great science, but people have no knowledge, neither in the school, colleges these things are taught. Neither do they know, the so-called teachers and educated persons. They do not know.

So as far as possible, try to understand this Kṛṣṇa philosophy and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mahā''-''mantra'' whenever you have got time. I think you have got enough time. That is my request. That we are preaching all over the world.

Thank you very much.

'''Devotee:''' ''Jaya'' Prabhupāda. (end)

700429 - Lecture ISO and Initiations - Los Angeles

2026-04-08T14:38:52Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1970 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1970-04 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures - Isopanisad]]
[[Category:Lectures - Initiations]]
[[Category:Audio Files 30.01 to 45.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1970 - New Audio - Released in January 2017]]
[[Category:1970 - New Transcriptions - Released in January 2017]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1970 - Lectures|1970]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}


<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:700429 Lecture - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Los Angeles|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">700429IP-LOS ANGELES - April 29, 1970 - 33:07 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1970/700429IP-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

:''oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ''
:''pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate''
:''pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya''
:''pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate''
:([[ISO Invocation]])

:''īśāvāsyam idam sarvaṁ''
:''yat kiñca jagatyāṁ jagat''
:''tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā''
:''mā gṛdhaḥ kasya svid dhanam''
:([[ISO 1|ISO 1]])

:''kurvann eveha karmāṇi''
:''jijīviṣec chataṁ samāḥ''
:''evaṁ tvayi nānyatheto 'sti''
:''na karma lipyate nare''
:([[ISO 2|ISO 2]])

:''asuryā nāma te lokā''
:''andhena tamasāvṛtāḥ''
:''tāṁs te pretyābhigacchanti''
:''ye ke cātma-hano janāḥ''
:([[ISO 3|ISO 3]])

:''anejad ekaṁ manaso javīyo''
:''nainad devā āpnuvan pūrvam arṣat''
:''tad dhāvato 'nyān atyeti tiṣṭhat''
:''tasminn apo mātariśvā dadhāti''
:([[ISO 4|ISO 4]])

:''tad ejati tan naijati''
:''tad dūre tad v antike''
:''tad antar asya sarvasya''
:''tad u sarvasyāsya bāhyataḥ''
:([[ISO 5|ISO 5]])

:''yas tu sarvāṇi bhūtāny''
:''ātmany evānupaśyati''
:''sarva-bhūteṣu cātmānaṁ''
:''tato na vijugupsate''
:([[ISO 6|ISO 6]])

:''yasmin sarvāṇi bhūtāny''
:''ātmaivābhūd vijānataḥ''
:''tatra ko mohaḥ kaḥ śoka''
:''ekatvam anupaśyataḥ''
:([[ISO 7|ISO 7]])

:''sa paryagāc chukram akāyam avraṇam''
:''asnāviram śuddham apāpa-viddham''
:''kavir manīṣī paribhūḥ svayambhūr''
:''yāthātathyato 'rthān vyadadhāc chāśvatībhyaḥ samābhyaḥ''
:([[ISO 8|ISO 8]])

:''andhaṁ tamaḥ praviśanti''
:''ye 'vidyām upāsate''
:''tato bhūya iva te tamo''
:''ya u vidyāyām ratāḥ''
:([[ISO 9|ISO 9]])

:''anyad evāhur vidyayā-''
:''nyad āhur avidyayā''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

:''vidyāṁ cāvidyāṁ ca yas''
:''tad vedobhayaṁ saha''
:''avidyayā mṛtyuṁ tīrtvā''
:''vidyayāmṛtam aśnute''
:([[ISO 11|ISO 11]])

:''andhaṁ tamaḥ praviśanti''
:''ye 'sambhūtim upāsate''
:''tato bhūya iva te tamo''
:''ya u sambhūtyām ratāḥ''
:([[ISO 12|ISO 12]])

:''anyad evāhuḥ sambhavād''
:''anyad āhur asambhavāt''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

:''anyad evāhuḥ sambhavād''
:''anyad āhur asambhavāt''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

Repeat it again.

:''anyad evāhuḥ sambhavād''
:''anyad āhur asambhavāt''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

All right. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Congregation:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So you can read?

'''Gargamuni:''' So we are on page 16, the last sentence of the second paragraph. It says: "Therefore in order to save themselves, both must follow the instruction of ''Śrī Īśopaniṣad'' and thus bring peace to the world."

Next paragraph: "Human beings are not meant for quarreling like cats and dogs. They must be intelligent enough to realize the importance of human life and to realize the aims of human life. The Vedic literature is meant for humanity and not for the cats and dogs. Cats and dogs can kill other animals for food, and for that there is no question of sin on their part, but if a man kills an animal for the satisfaction of his uncontrolled taste buds, he is responsible for breaking the laws of nature, and therefore he must be punished."

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, this is the responsibility of human life. The responsibility of human life, ordinarily you can understand. Several times I have explained also that even the state laws, they are meant for the human citizens. If a cat or a dog transgresses the law, there is no punishment or no arrest. Just like on the road, the direction is that when there is red light, you must stop your car. But if your dog passes in spite of the red light, he is not punishable, because it is animal.

Therefore human life has got a very great responsibility. So if you do not execute that responsibility, then by the laws of nature again you are put into the cycle of cats and dogs. You cannot say that, "No, sir, I am not going to be cat again." No. The law is very strict.

:''daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī''
:''mama māyā duratyayā''
:([[BG 7.14 (1972)|BG 7.14]])

You cannot surpass the laws of material nature; Kṛṣṇa says in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. You cannot transgress any law. You know that even for your personal, if you little . . . eat more, little, then immediately you are diseased; you will be sick. You cannot transgress. Very nice thing, if you want to eat more, then next day you will have to starve; you will be sick. So you have to accept exactly the same thing as it is allotted to you by the Lord. You cannot transgress. Therefore you have got very great . . .

The only responsibility is that this human form of life is offered to us, to a living entity, for understanding self-realization. ''Athāto brahma jijñāsā''—this is the ''Vedānta-sūtra''—"Now this is the time for self-realization." ''Brahma'', ''brahma'' is the Supreme Spirit, or the part-and-parcel spirit. ''Brahma'' . . . God is called also ''brahma'', but He is Parabrahma. The Māyāvādī philosopher, they cannot distinguish that why this word is there, Parabrahma. Parabrahma means the supreme ''brahma'', and ''brahma'', spirit. So we are also ''brahma''. Kṛṣṇa is also ''brahma'', but He is Parabrahma. ''Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām'' (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13).

He is the chief ''brahma''. Just like in our ordinary life, everywhere we have got some chief man, a leader, just like you have accepted me as your leader. Similarly, the leaders of the leader, leaders of the leader, go on, go on, go on searching out; when you come to Kṛṣṇa, He is the leader of everyone. That is Kṛṣṇa. That's all. ''Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ'' (Bs. 5.1). Everyone is ''brahma'', god, whatever you say, ''īśvaraḥ''—but nobody is ''paramaḥ''. ''Paramaḥ'' means "supreme." I can be controller of this institution; the president can be controller of this country, but nobody can claim that, "I am the supreme controller." That is not possible. That is only for Kṛṣṇa. That post is for Kṛṣṇa.

:''īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ''
:''sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ''
:(Bs. 5.1)

So He is controlling everything. It is stated in the ''śāstra'', just like the bull or the horse is controlled by the ropes. It is bound up in the mouth or in the nose. The driver, pushing little this way, immediately he has to turn this way. He is so powerful, he is so stronger than the driver, but in spite of the strength, he is managed to be kept in such a way as soon as the driver pushes like this, immediately he has to go. He cannot say, the animal cannot say: "No, I shall go this way." No: immediately.

Similarly, Kṛṣṇa, by the reins of the laws of nature, He is keeping everyone under the control. The laws of nature, as soon as push this way, you have to go this way—this way, you have to go this way. You cannot say: "I cannot go." This is the understanding of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Foolish people, rascal people, who are claiming to be independent—nobody is independent. Nobody can be independent. His constitutional position is to be dependent, but if he keeps himself dependent under Kṛṣṇa, then he is happy.

Otherwise he will have to be dependent on ''māyā'' and suffer.

All right, thank you.

He is responsible for breaking the laws of nature, and therefore he must be punished. That's all. Thank you. (devotees offer obeisances)

Begin. Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. I think, er, today we shall . . . ''kīrtana'' will be performed at the end of the func . . . yes. Now there is time, you can begin your . . . Hare Kṛṣṇa. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

(''japa'')

'''Dayānanda:''' (indistinct) . . . (chants verse word-by-word with devotees in response)

:''oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā''
:''yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bahyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ''
:''śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu''

(break) . . . deliverance. We are attempting a deliverance from this mental concept of life—mundane consciousness of life and the mental concoctions. So this . . . the purport of this ''mantra'', the ''mantra'' enjoins, "Whether contaminated or uncontaminated, in any condition of life, if one simply remembers the lotus eyed one, Śrī Viṣṇu, one becomes purified, ''śuciḥ''." ''Śuciḥ'' means to become purified.

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness process is a purification process. Simply by remembering the Lord, simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, one becomes purified. So this is all understood by us initially. Upon taking up this Kṛṣṇa consciousness process, by becoming in the association of the devotees, we accept, "Yes, I am impure. Therefore I will give up meat-eating, intoxication, gambling, and, ah . . ."

'''Prabhupāda:''' Illicit sex.

'''Dayānanda:''' ". . . illicit sexual connections. Therefore I will give these things up, these impure activities, and I will engage myself in a purifying process, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness process." So this association of the devotees is a very important element. As soon as I come into the association of devotees, it becomes clear: "Here are some young people . . . here are some people engaged in purification activities. I am so impure."

This modern society is developing a lower class of individual, a fifth-class man, and this Kṛṣṇa consciousness society is developing first-class men. So simply by engaging in this purificatory process, simply by associating with the devotees, simply by remembering the lotus-eyed one, simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and giving up these impure activities, one becomes purified.

So initiation means to begin this purification process. It is a gradual process, not that one becomes immediately purified. Of course, this is the chanting, or the amount of surrender. If one can surrender 100%, then immediately one is Kṛṣṇa conscious. So this is generally a gradual process, that gradually one surrenders to the lotus-eyed one, Viṣṇu. One surrenders one's words, by money, by life, by intelligence—everything one surrenders to the Lord. So as much as possible, everyone should try to surrender. But initiation, at this point we are surrendering our lives . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' (aside) Let it finish.

'''Dayānanda:''' So this initiation is very important. It means that . . . that you are agreeing to serve faithfully the spiritual master, carry out the orders of the spiritual master, to worship the spiritual master—not only to worship by bowing down but to worship in service, that we are dedicating our lives to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness process, spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness throughout the world, building up so many centers to improve this (indistinct) Kṛṣṇa consciousness organization . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ah, every one of you, just, ah, Dayānanda said that we are producing first-class men. So are you all, I mean to say, agreeing to this? Do you think that we are producing first-class men?

'''Devotee:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Do you agree to this proposal?

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Or if anyone has got any objection, that this is dogmatic? (laughter) Is there anyone who . . . anyone who protests against this, that we are producing first-class men? People may say that we . . . you are dogmatic, but practically one can see. Eh? These boys and these girls, previously what was their life? And what is their life now? The practical proof, eh?

Most of you coming from Christian group, so before this, you were not even going to church. And since you are in contact with this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, you are twenty-four hours engaged in this temple. You are all young men; you have got so many propensities. You don't go to cinema, you don't go to restaurant, you don’t go to club—you don't go to any nonsense place. And let anyone come and compare whether we are not producing first-class men.

Everyone will give his history of life. So this is not dogmatic. This is a fact that we are producing first-class men, our boys and girls. That is the way of making . . . if you produce cats and dogs, how you can expect peace in the world? You must produce first-class men, first-class woman. Then you can expect peace. Peace is not so cheap thing. If you want peace in the jungle, same of the societies of the animals, cats and dogs—oh, that cannot be.

However you may train a dog nicely, as soon as he will see another dog, oh, immediately he’ll attack. That is the animal propensity. So unless there is first-class men, there cannot be. So there is necessity of producing number of first-class men at the present moment. Therefore Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is very important movement. You should all know it, certainly.

(aside) So this ''arāti''. Let it finish; who'll take care? Yes.

(congregational ''japa'')

(''kīrtana'') (end)

700429 - Lecture ISO and Initiations - Los Angeles

2026-04-08T14:37:46Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1970 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1970-04 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures - Isopanisad]]
[[Category:Lectures - Initiations]]
[[Category:Audio Files 30.01 to 45.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1970 - New Audio - Released in January 2017]]
[[Category:1970 - New Transcriptions - Released in January 2017]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1970 - Lectures|1970]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}


<div class="center">[[ES/700429 - Clase ISO e Iniciaciones - Los Angeles|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Escuche 'Una gota de néctar' elaborada a partir de esta conferencia
'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">700429IP-LOS ANGELES - April 29, 1970 - 33:07 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1970/700429IP-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

:''oṁ pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ''
:''pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate''
:''pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya''
:''pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate''
:([[ISO Invocation]])

:''īśāvāsyam idam sarvaṁ''
:''yat kiñca jagatyāṁ jagat''
:''tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā''
:''mā gṛdhaḥ kasya svid dhanam''
:([[ISO 1|ISO 1]])

:''kurvann eveha karmāṇi''
:''jijīviṣec chataṁ samāḥ''
:''evaṁ tvayi nānyatheto 'sti''
:''na karma lipyate nare''
:([[ISO 2|ISO 2]])

:''asuryā nāma te lokā''
:''andhena tamasāvṛtāḥ''
:''tāṁs te pretyābhigacchanti''
:''ye ke cātma-hano janāḥ''
:([[ISO 3|ISO 3]])

:''anejad ekaṁ manaso javīyo''
:''nainad devā āpnuvan pūrvam arṣat''
:''tad dhāvato 'nyān atyeti tiṣṭhat''
:''tasminn apo mātariśvā dadhāti''
:([[ISO 4|ISO 4]])

:''tad ejati tan naijati''
:''tad dūre tad v antike''
:''tad antar asya sarvasya''
:''tad u sarvasyāsya bāhyataḥ''
:([[ISO 5|ISO 5]])

:''yas tu sarvāṇi bhūtāny''
:''ātmany evānupaśyati''
:''sarva-bhūteṣu cātmānaṁ''
:''tato na vijugupsate''
:([[ISO 6|ISO 6]])

:''yasmin sarvāṇi bhūtāny''
:''ātmaivābhūd vijānataḥ''
:''tatra ko mohaḥ kaḥ śoka''
:''ekatvam anupaśyataḥ''
:([[ISO 7|ISO 7]])

:''sa paryagāc chukram akāyam avraṇam''
:''asnāviram śuddham apāpa-viddham''
:''kavir manīṣī paribhūḥ svayambhūr''
:''yāthātathyato 'rthān vyadadhāc chāśvatībhyaḥ samābhyaḥ''
:([[ISO 8|ISO 8]])

:''andhaṁ tamaḥ praviśanti''
:''ye 'vidyām upāsate''
:''tato bhūya iva te tamo''
:''ya u vidyāyām ratāḥ''
:([[ISO 9|ISO 9]])

:''anyad evāhur vidyayā-''
:''nyad āhur avidyayā''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

:''vidyāṁ cāvidyāṁ ca yas''
:''tad vedobhayaṁ saha''
:''avidyayā mṛtyuṁ tīrtvā''
:''vidyayāmṛtam aśnute''
:([[ISO 11|ISO 11]])

:''andhaṁ tamaḥ praviśanti''
:''ye 'sambhūtim upāsate''
:''tato bhūya iva te tamo''
:''ya u sambhūtyām ratāḥ''
:([[ISO 12|ISO 12]])

:''anyad evāhuḥ sambhavād''
:''anyad āhur asambhavāt''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

:''anyad evāhuḥ sambhavād''
:''anyad āhur asambhavāt''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

Repeat it again.

:''anyad evāhuḥ sambhavād''
:''anyad āhur asambhavāt''
:''iti śuśruma dhīrāṇāṁ''
:''ye nas tad vicacakṣire''
:([[ISO 10|ISO 10]])

All right. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Congregation:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So you can read?

'''Gargamuni:''' So we are on page 16, the last sentence of the second paragraph. It says: "Therefore in order to save themselves, both must follow the instruction of ''Śrī Īśopaniṣad'' and thus bring peace to the world."

Next paragraph: "Human beings are not meant for quarreling like cats and dogs. They must be intelligent enough to realize the importance of human life and to realize the aims of human life. The Vedic literature is meant for humanity and not for the cats and dogs. Cats and dogs can kill other animals for food, and for that there is no question of sin on their part, but if a man kills an animal for the satisfaction of his uncontrolled taste buds, he is responsible for breaking the laws of nature, and therefore he must be punished."

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, this is the responsibility of human life. The responsibility of human life, ordinarily you can understand. Several times I have explained also that even the state laws, they are meant for the human citizens. If a cat or a dog transgresses the law, there is no punishment or no arrest. Just like on the road, the direction is that when there is red light, you must stop your car. But if your dog passes in spite of the red light, he is not punishable, because it is animal.

Therefore human life has got a very great responsibility. So if you do not execute that responsibility, then by the laws of nature again you are put into the cycle of cats and dogs. You cannot say that, "No, sir, I am not going to be cat again." No. The law is very strict.

:''daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī''
:''mama māyā duratyayā''
:([[BG 7.14 (1972)|BG 7.14]])

You cannot surpass the laws of material nature; Kṛṣṇa says in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. You cannot transgress any law. You know that even for your personal, if you little . . . eat more, little, then immediately you are diseased; you will be sick. You cannot transgress. Very nice thing, if you want to eat more, then next day you will have to starve; you will be sick. So you have to accept exactly the same thing as it is allotted to you by the Lord. You cannot transgress. Therefore you have got very great . . .

The only responsibility is that this human form of life is offered to us, to a living entity, for understanding self-realization. ''Athāto brahma jijñāsā''—this is the ''Vedānta-sūtra''—"Now this is the time for self-realization." ''Brahma'', ''brahma'' is the Supreme Spirit, or the part-and-parcel spirit. ''Brahma'' . . . God is called also ''brahma'', but He is Parabrahma. The Māyāvādī philosopher, they cannot distinguish that why this word is there, Parabrahma. Parabrahma means the supreme ''brahma'', and ''brahma'', spirit. So we are also ''brahma''. Kṛṣṇa is also ''brahma'', but He is Parabrahma. ''Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām'' (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13).

He is the chief ''brahma''. Just like in our ordinary life, everywhere we have got some chief man, a leader, just like you have accepted me as your leader. Similarly, the leaders of the leader, leaders of the leader, go on, go on, go on searching out; when you come to Kṛṣṇa, He is the leader of everyone. That is Kṛṣṇa. That's all. ''Īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ'' (Bs. 5.1). Everyone is ''brahma'', god, whatever you say, ''īśvaraḥ''—but nobody is ''paramaḥ''. ''Paramaḥ'' means "supreme." I can be controller of this institution; the president can be controller of this country, but nobody can claim that, "I am the supreme controller." That is not possible. That is only for Kṛṣṇa. That post is for Kṛṣṇa.

:''īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ''
:''sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ''
:(Bs. 5.1)

So He is controlling everything. It is stated in the ''śāstra'', just like the bull or the horse is controlled by the ropes. It is bound up in the mouth or in the nose. The driver, pushing little this way, immediately he has to turn this way. He is so powerful, he is so stronger than the driver, but in spite of the strength, he is managed to be kept in such a way as soon as the driver pushes like this, immediately he has to go. He cannot say, the animal cannot say: "No, I shall go this way." No: immediately.

Similarly, Kṛṣṇa, by the reins of the laws of nature, He is keeping everyone under the control. The laws of nature, as soon as push this way, you have to go this way—this way, you have to go this way. You cannot say: "I cannot go." This is the understanding of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Foolish people, rascal people, who are claiming to be independent—nobody is independent. Nobody can be independent. His constitutional position is to be dependent, but if he keeps himself dependent under Kṛṣṇa, then he is happy.

Otherwise he will have to be dependent on ''māyā'' and suffer.

All right, thank you.

He is responsible for breaking the laws of nature, and therefore he must be punished. That's all. Thank you. (devotees offer obeisances)

Begin. Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Hare, Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. I think, er, today we shall . . . ''kīrtana'' will be performed at the end of the func . . . yes. Now there is time, you can begin your . . . Hare Kṛṣṇa. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

(''japa'')

'''Dayānanda:''' (indistinct) . . . (chants verse word-by-word with devotees in response)

:''oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā''
:''yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bahyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ''
:''śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu''

(break) . . . deliverance. We are attempting a deliverance from this mental concept of life—mundane consciousness of life and the mental concoctions. So this . . . the purport of this ''mantra'', the ''mantra'' enjoins, "Whether contaminated or uncontaminated, in any condition of life, if one simply remembers the lotus eyed one, Śrī Viṣṇu, one becomes purified, ''śuciḥ''." ''Śuciḥ'' means to become purified.

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness process is a purification process. Simply by remembering the Lord, simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, one becomes purified. So this is all understood by us initially. Upon taking up this Kṛṣṇa consciousness process, by becoming in the association of the devotees, we accept, "Yes, I am impure. Therefore I will give up meat-eating, intoxication, gambling, and, ah . . ."

'''Prabhupāda:''' Illicit sex.

'''Dayānanda:''' ". . . illicit sexual connections. Therefore I will give these things up, these impure activities, and I will engage myself in a purifying process, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness process." So this association of the devotees is a very important element. As soon as I come into the association of devotees, it becomes clear: "Here are some young people . . . here are some people engaged in purification activities. I am so impure."

This modern society is developing a lower class of individual, a fifth-class man, and this Kṛṣṇa consciousness society is developing first-class men. So simply by engaging in this purificatory process, simply by associating with the devotees, simply by remembering the lotus-eyed one, simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and giving up these impure activities, one becomes purified.

So initiation means to begin this purification process. It is a gradual process, not that one becomes immediately purified. Of course, this is the chanting, or the amount of surrender. If one can surrender 100%, then immediately one is Kṛṣṇa conscious. So this is generally a gradual process, that gradually one surrenders to the lotus-eyed one, Viṣṇu. One surrenders one's words, by money, by life, by intelligence—everything one surrenders to the Lord. So as much as possible, everyone should try to surrender. But initiation, at this point we are surrendering our lives . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' (aside) Let it finish.

'''Dayānanda:''' So this initiation is very important. It means that . . . that you are agreeing to serve faithfully the spiritual master, carry out the orders of the spiritual master, to worship the spiritual master—not only to worship by bowing down but to worship in service, that we are dedicating our lives to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness process, spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness throughout the world, building up so many centers to improve this (indistinct) Kṛṣṇa consciousness organization . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ah, every one of you, just, ah, Dayānanda said that we are producing first-class men. So are you all, I mean to say, agreeing to this? Do you think that we are producing first-class men?

'''Devotee:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Do you agree to this proposal?

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Or if anyone has got any objection, that this is dogmatic? (laughter) Is there anyone who . . . anyone who protests against this, that we are producing first-class men? People may say that we . . . you are dogmatic, but practically one can see. Eh? These boys and these girls, previously what was their life? And what is their life now? The practical proof, eh?

Most of you coming from Christian group, so before this, you were not even going to church. And since you are in contact with this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, you are twenty-four hours engaged in this temple. You are all young men; you have got so many propensities. You don't go to cinema, you don't go to restaurant, you don’t go to club—you don't go to any nonsense place. And let anyone come and compare whether we are not producing first-class men.

Everyone will give his history of life. So this is not dogmatic. This is a fact that we are producing first-class men, our boys and girls. That is the way of making . . . if you produce cats and dogs, how you can expect peace in the world? You must produce first-class men, first-class woman. Then you can expect peace. Peace is not so cheap thing. If you want peace in the jungle, same of the societies of the animals, cats and dogs—oh, that cannot be.

However you may train a dog nicely, as soon as he will see another dog, oh, immediately he’ll attack. That is the animal propensity. So unless there is first-class men, there cannot be. So there is necessity of producing number of first-class men at the present moment. Therefore Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is very important movement. You should all know it, certainly.

(aside) So this ''arāti''. Let it finish; who'll take care? Yes.

(congregational ''japa'')

(''kīrtana'') (end)

750226 - Lecture BG 13.03 - Miami

2026-04-01T17:30:59Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1975 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1975-02 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Miami]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Miami]]
[[Category:Lectures - Bhagavad-gita As It Is]]
[[Category:BG Lectures - Chapter 13|1303]]
[[Category:Audio Files 30.01 to 45.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1975 - New Audio - Released in May 2014]]
[[Category:1975 - New Transcriptions - Released in May 2014]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1975 - Lectures|1975]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}


<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:750226 Lecture - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Miami|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">750226BG-MIAMI - February 26, 1975 - 41:18 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1975/750226BG-MIAMI.mp3</mp3player>

'''Nitāi:''' "O scion of Bharata, you should understand that I am also the knower in all bodies, and to understand this body and its owner is called knowledge. That is My opinion."

'''Prabhupāda:'''

:''kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi''
:''sarva-kṣetreṣu bhārata''
:''kṣetra-kṣetrajñayor jñānaṁ''
:''yat taj jñānaṁ mataṁ mama''
:([[BG 13.3 (1972)|BG 13.3]])

So last night we discussed about the questions by Arjuna to Lord Kṛṣṇa. He had six questions. One question is: What is this nature, material nature, ''prakṛti''? And another question is ''puruṣaṁ'', the living being, or the human being. The human being, or the living being. Actually living being, but especially the humankind, they are trying to exploit this material nature. So what is this material nature, and what are these living beings who are trying to exploit? Two questions. The third: ''kṣetram'', the field of activities. Take it as body or as your country or as your property. Whatever you . . . that is called ''kṣetra''. And ''kṣetra-jña'' means the proprietor or the knower. Four questions. And the ''jñānam'' and ''jñeyam'': knowledge and the subject matter of knowledge, what is the subject matter of knowledge? These six questions are put before Kṛṣṇa, the spiritual master of Arjuna.

The first answer was there, that Kṛṣṇa said, ''idaṁ śarīraṁ kaunteya kṣetram ity abhidhīyate'' ([[BG 13.1-2 (1972)|BG 13.2]]). This body. It is very simple question and simple answer. One has to ponder over it, then things will be very clear. He said that ''kṣetra'' means "field of activities." ''Kṣetra''. . . it is called ''kṣetra''. Just like a plowman, it is called the . . . what is called, plowman? The ''kṛśan''? The agriculturalist who works in the field?

'''Devotee:''' Farmer?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Farmer, yes. The farmer and the field. The farmer knows that "I am working on this farm, and there will be some production, and I will enjoy it." So the farmer and the farm, two different things. The farmer never thinks that "I am the farm." He never mistakes this. We also do not commit mistake. Just like if I see this finger, I say, "It is my finger." Nobody says "I finger." Nobody says. Even you ask a child, ask him, "My dear child, what is this?" he'll reply immediately, "My finger." So the knower, that "I am not this body. I am the proprietor or the owner or the occupier of the body," it is simple knowledge. Who says that "I am this body"? Everyone says "my body," "my head," "my hand," "my leg." And still he is confusing, that "I am this body." Just see, simple thing. Who says that "I body"? Everyone says "my body." And still he identifies himself with this body. This is called illusion, ''māyā''.

So the whole world is going on on this misconception of life, that "I body." Nobody . . . he knows "my body," but still he says "I body." "I am Indian," "I am American," "I am white," "I am black," "I am this," "I am that." No. You are neither Indian nor American nor white nor black nor fat nor thin. It is your body which is black, white, fatty, thin or something. This is knowledge. This is knowledge. But the whole world is lacking this knowledge. Therefore there is confusion. Everyone, although he knows that he is not this body, everyone knows. When the father dies, the children cry, "My father has gone." Where is your father gone? Your father is lying on the bed. Why do you say father gone? But he knows actually that father is gone; this is father's body. But during the lifetime he never thought that "My father is different from this body." This is ignorance.

So one who understands this fact, that "My father is different from the body of my father," or "I am different from my body . . ." Therefore Kṛṣṇa, ''kṣetra-kṣetrajñayor jñānaṁ yat taj jñānaṁ mataṁ mama'' ([[BG 13.3 (1972)|BG 13.3]]). That is real knowledge. Unless one comes to this point, that he is not this body, he is the occupier of the body or the owner of the body . . . not owner; occupier. Owner is God. Just like in the house—I have explained already—there are two persons. One occupier, the tenant; and the owner, the landlord. Similarly, this body I have been given by God to use it. Just like the farmer takes some land from the government and he tills over it and produces his foodstuff, grain. But he knows that "Although I am occupier of this field, the real owner is the landlord." Similarly, if we understand this fact, that God has given me this body to work according to my desire, but the body is not my property; it is the property of God, Kṛṣṇa—this is knowledge. So if the property is Kṛṣṇa's, then it should be utilized for Kṛṣṇa's benefit, not my benefit. I can take some profit out of it as Kṛṣṇa's ''prasādam'', whatever Kṛṣṇa gives me, kindly. Just like the landlord gives the house, so the house is utilized for the landlord because I pay rent. I pay rent. The rent is not mine; it is for the benefit of the landlord. Or I occupy some land from the government. So I work on it, but the profit goes to the government; I take little profit out of it. Simple thing. So if we understand that "I am not the proprietor of this body; I am simply occupier, tenant. The rent must be paid to the landlord for his benefit," similarly, either you take this body or this whole world—nobody's property. It is God's property. Actually it is the fact. You European, Columbus came to America, but it was not his property, neither his father's property. It was God's property. So you have come here. You have occupied it. That's all right. But you cannot claim that it is your property. No land anywhere, either America, anywhere. But unfortunately, we are claiming, "This is my property," "This is our property. Why you should come here?" How it is your property?

So this is Kṛṣṇa consciousness: if we understand factually that anything which you are using in this world, everything belongs to God. ''Īśāvāsyam idaṁ'' . . . This is the Vedic philosophy. ''Īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam'' ([[ISO 1|ISO 1]]). ''Sarvam'', everything. Everything belongs to God. This is real philosophy. Unfortunately, every one of us, we are claiming, "This is my property," "This is our property," "This is my nation's property," "This is my community's property." But that is not the fact. The fact is everything is God's property. The real proprietor is God. I am simply given lease or tenancy to use it properly and pay taxes or rent to the landlord. That is my duty.

Therefore, according to Vedic principle one has to offer sacrifices. ''Yajñārthāt karmaṇo 'nyatra loko 'yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ'' ([[BG 3.9 (1972)|BG 3.9]]). ''Yajña'' means sacrifice, offering sacrifice to the Lord. In every religion there is a process of sacrifice according to their ritualistic ceremony. Sacrifice means to satisfy the real proprietor or government. That is called sacrifice. I earn something; some percentage of my income I sacrifice for the benefit of the government or the landlord. So why not for God, who is the actual proprietor? What is the reason that you deny to satisfy God, the supreme proprietor? What is the reason? This is called ignorance. Actually, everything belongs to God. I have not manufactured this land, neither this water in the sea, nor the air, nor the sky. So everything is made of these five elements, whatever you should think. Just like this microphone. What is this microphone? It is a product mixing this earth, water, air, fire, sky, that's all. The metal, metal is earth, and you have melted it in fire. The fire belongs to God; the material belongs to God. And because you have manufactured, it becomes to yours? No. Suppose a carpenter manufactures some furniture. The person, he gives him wood, he gives him salary, laboring charges. So when it is manufactured, whose property it will be? It will belong to the carpenter or to the proprietor who has given him facilities? These are very simple things.

So therefore Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to make people understand that everything belongs to God, Kṛṣṇa. Nothing to you. You can simply work on His behalf. But the result of your work must go to God. ''Karmaṇy evādhikāras tu mā phaleṣu kadācana'' ([[BG 2.47 (1972)|BG 2.47]]). That is . . . you can work honestly for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. ''Sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya saṁsiddhir labhyate naraḥ'' ([[BG 18.46 (1972)|BG 18.46]]). If you want perfection of your life, then you work, and the result must go to God, or God must be satisfied by your work. That is the perfection of your life.

:''ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā''
:''varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ''
:''svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya''
:''saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam''
:([[SB 1.2.13|SB 1.2.13]])

Everyone is working according to his capacity, that's a fact. But nobody is trying to see that "Whether I am getting perfection by working like this?" That is wanted. And how this perfection can be understood? ''Saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam''. If you can satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead by your working, that is your perfection. That is your perfection. Just like ordinarily we work: I want to see that master is satisfied. Similarly, the supreme master, Supreme Lord, is God, Kṛṣṇa. So if you can satisfy by your work, then your labor is successful. Otherwise, ''śrama eva hi kevalam'' ([[SB 1.2.8|SB 1.2.8]])—simply wasting time and energy. This is the philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and this is the fact.

So Kṛṣṇa therefore says in the next verse that ''kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi sarva-kṣetreṣu bhārata'' ([[BG 13.3 (1972)|BG 13.3]]). Just like a big landlord, he has got fifty houses. So the tenant is occupier, but the proprietor of the fifty houses is the landlord. So here it is Kṛṣṇa saying, God saying, that the living entity who is occupying this body, he is ''kṣetra-jñaṁ'', knower of the occupation. Everyone knows that I am occupying this; I have already explained. This is my body, this is my head, this is my leg; I am here. So this knower is also ''kṣetra-jñaṁ'', one who knows. Another person also, that is Kṛṣṇa, God. Therefore He says, ''kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi'': "I am also one of the occupier or the proprietor of this body." Therefore there are two persons—one person is the occupier, and the another person is the proprietor. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, ''māṁ ca viddhi'': "Also understand that I am also in this body."

There is Supersoul within this body, everyone's body. So I am individual person, you are individual person. You know about your body. You do not know, I do not know—but so far we know that it is my body. I do not know what is going on within this body. We are eating foodstuff. How it is transformed into blood and then from blood to muscle and bone and so many things, big factory is going on, we do not know. But Kṛṣṇa knows, God knows, because He has given this body. He knows everything. Therefore He said, ''kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi. Janmādy asya yataḥ'' ([[SB 1.1.1|SB 1.1.1]]). This body is manufactured by the agent, the material nature. We do not manufacture. The father, mother, they gives us, they give us this body, but he does not know; neither the father knows, neither the mother knows how this body is manufactured. That is known to God, Kṛṣṇa. He has set up the machine. So therefore He says, ''kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi'': "You are also knower of this body. Also, I am also knower of this body," ''sarva-kṣetreṣu''. "But you are simply knower of your body; he knows about his body. But I know about your body, his body, others' body, others' body, that . . ." That is called God: omniscient, omnipotent. My pains and pleasure, I understand; your pains and pleasure, you understand. But I do not understand your pains and pleasure, and you do not understand what is my pains and pleasure. But God knows your pains and pleasure, my pains and pleasure; therefore He is all-pervading. Otherwise, why do we go to God for offering our prayers and submit, "My Lord, this is my pains and pleasure. Kindly give me relief"? He knows. He can give relief. He is all-powerful. He can give you relief. Otherwise why there is process: go to the church or go to the temple or go to the mosque, offer your prayers? That is religion. In every human society there is some kind of religion to offer prayer to the Lord—everyone knows, anyone who is religious—because He knows everything, and He can mitigate.

So that God comes to inform us how we shall be happy. He comes personally or He sends His son or His devotee. This is going on. We are misled by the illusory energy. We wanted to forget Kṛṣṇa, or God, to live independently. And Kṛṣṇa gives us immense opportunity, that "You live independently, as you like you can do. I shall give you all facilities." That facility is given, because He is within. ''Sarva-kṣetreṣu bhārata''. He is sitting in everyone's heart. So I want, I pray to God, "My Lord, give me this facility. I shall enjoy." God does not say that you will be happy by your proposal. He says, "No, this is not good proposal. You do not ask Me anything manufactured by you. You act as I say; then you will be happy." Just like a child. If a child says, "Father, I shall touch this fire," the father will never say, "My dear child, yes, you touch." Father will say, "No, no. Don't touch fire. You'll suffer." But if he persists, then He gives sanction, "All right, you touch your finger with fire, and at your risk." This is going on. We pray to God for our sense gratification the same way: "Father, let me touch this fire." But he does not know. The father does not say. So similarly, this whole material world is going on, this foolish child asking from father, "Give me this facility." Father says, "No, this will not make you happy. You just become obedient to Me." ''Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja'' ([[BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). That is His desire. But I'll not do that. So then father says, "All right, you want this; you do it at your risk. What can I do?"

So when we act according to our whims, according to our sense gratificatory process, that is our material bondage. It is called conditional life. We are given the facility under certain condition. We have got this body; we have got these senses. They can work under certain condition, because we are not independent. I have got the eyes—God has given me the eyes—but I can see when there is light, condition. When there is darkness, it is not possible to see. Similarly, in every activity we are conditioned. Just like people are now trying to go to the moon planet. So many conditions they could not fulfill; therefore they are not successful. Why you should go to the moon planet? It is not meant for you. But they will go by force. They are thinking that "We have become independent now by so-called scientific knowledge." So they have not been successful. Every planet is meant for every other, different kinds of living entities. How you can go there by force? Just like any man outside America, he cannot come here by force. He must take the permission of the American government, visa; then he can come. So how you can go to the moon planet without taking the visa? Simply by your bodily strength? That will not be allowed.

Everything is made for a different . . . it is said in the Vedic literature,

:''yasya prabhā prabhavato jagad-aṇḍa-koṭi-''
:''koṭiṣv aśeṣa-vasudhādi vibhūti-bhinnam''
:''tad brahma niṣkalam anantam aśeṣa-bhūtaṁ''
:(Bs. 5.40)

Just like if you go . . . if you want to go to the sun planet, the sun planet is there; but you cannot go, because you are not fit to enter into the sun planet. Similarly, you are not also fit to enter in the moon planet or any other planet. Your body is made differently. Why sun planet, moon planet? If you want to live within the water, can do you that? These are the conditions. The fish, they cannot live on the land. You cannot live in the water. You have to abide by the condition. The fish can live very freely in the water, and you can live very freely on the land. But if you by force want to enter the water, you will die. Similarly, if the fish want to live by force on the land, he will die. Everything, we are conditioned.

:''prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni''
:''guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ''
:''ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā''
:''kartāham iti manyate''
:([[BG 3.27 (1972)|BG 3.27]])

The foolish persons, they are all conditioned. But they want to live independently. How it is possible? That is not possible.

So for want of knowledge, for want of understanding our relationship with God, with this world, we are suffering. Nobody can say that "I am not suffering." Everyone, we are suffering. That is our conditional life. Nobody can say that "I am not suffering." How you are not suffering? You are suffering from your bodily condition, by your mental condition, by some obstruction offered by other living entities, by obstruction offered by nature. Where you are free? But still, everyone is thinking, "I am independent. I am free. I can do whatever you like." This called material life of ignorance. ''Mūḍhā''. That has been described in the ''Bhagavad-gītā, na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ'' ([[BG 7.15 (1972)|BG 7.15]]). ''Narādhamāḥ''. ''Narādhamāḥ'' . . . ''nara'' means the human being, and ''adhama'' means the lowest. The ''narādhamāḥ'', the lowest of the human kind, he does not accept the authority of God. Why? Miscreants. ''Na māṁ duṣkṛtino''. Because we are engaged only in sinful activities, we cannot understand God. Neither we, I mean, surrender to God. These are the formulas. And ''mūḍhā''. ''Mūḍhā ''means rascal, fool. He is in every step dependent, and still he is thinking independent. Every moment he is dependent, and he is thinking, "Ah, I am independent. What is God? I don't care for Him." Therefore ''mūḍhā'', one rascal. He is beaten with shoes every moment by the material nature, the agent of God, and he is, still he is thinking that he is free.

Therefore in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' it is said, ''na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ'' ([[BG 7.15 (1972)|BG 7.15]]). ''Narādhamāḥ'' means the lowest of the mankind. Why lowest of the mankind? Because this human form of body is meant for understanding God. The cats and dogs, they cannot understand God. That is not possible. They have no intelligence. But a human being, if he likes, he can understand what is God, what I am, what is my relationship with God, how I shall act. Therefore one who does not do this, although nature has given you the opportunity to understand all these things, and if you do not do this, you simply act like cats and dogs—eating, sleeping, mating and defending—then we become ''mūḍhā'', ''duṣkṛtina''.

Now, one can say that "All these people are ''mūḍhās'', or rascals, who have passed this university education, B.Sc., D.Sc. and so many things? They are all ''mūḍhās''?" Kṛṣṇa says, "Yes, they are ''mūḍhās''." Why? Now, ''māyayāpahṛta-jñānā''. They have struggled for education, for so many things, but he does not know what is God. Therefore real knowledge is taken away. He is proud of his false knowledge. Real knowledge is, ''kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi sarva-kṣetreṣu bhārata'' ([[BG 13.3 (1972)|BG 13.3]]). ''Etaj jñānam''. This is knowledge. God is sitting within everyone's heart, but the so-called educated person, he does not know what is God. So what is the value of his knowledge? Therefore ''māyayāpahṛta-jñānā''. ''Māyā'', the illusory energy, has taken away his knowledge. He is a fool. So real knowledge is that . . . this technological knowledge, that is not knowledge. Kṛṣṇa says, "This is knowledge." What is that knowledge? That one should know that "I am not this body; I am the proprietor or occupier of the body." Similarly, God is also the supreme proprietor of this body. If you know these three things, then that is knowledge. Otherwise, all simply illusion, ignorance. This is the fact.

So our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to give this knowledge to the whole world. We have no such discrimination that "This knowledge should be denied to this man or that man." No. Everyone is son of God. Kṛṣṇa says, ''mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūtaḥ'' ([[BG 15.7 (1972)|BG 15.7]]). "Everyone, all living entities, they are My part and parcel, but they are differently dressed." Just like we are sitting here differently dressed. Similarly, any living being—it doesn't matter whether he is man or beast or bird or demigod, higher or lower—everyone is living entity, the spiritual spark of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, part and parcel. But according to their desire, according to their motive, they have got this different dress, body. And this body is subjected to the nature's law—birth, death, old age and disease. And we are not happy. Nobody wants to die, either he is a cat or dog or human being or demigod or minister or anyone. Nobody wants to die, but nature forces him: "You must die." This is conditional.

So if we want to become unconditional, then we must surrender to God. That is the demand of Kṛṣṇa: ''sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ''([[BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). And if we take His instruction . . . it doesn't matter whether you take from ''Bhagavad-gītā'' or from Bible or from Koran, but take His instruction and abide by it. Then your life will be successful. Otherwise, if you cannot satisfy God, then whatever you are doing, endeavoring to do, it is simply waste of time and waste of energy. It will not be successful. Therefore people are suffering. They have become godless. They do not surrender to God. They have become so-called independent, and simply they are becoming entangled in the laws of nature. ''Yajñārthāt karmaṇo 'nyatra loko 'yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ'' ([[BG 3.9 (1972)|BG 3.9]]). If you do not act for the satisfaction of God, then you will be entangled. You will be entangled life after life. That is not very good thing.

So we are trying to preach this philosophy all over the world. I request all ladies and gentlemen present here to take advantage of this philosophy and try to understand. We have got many books. Simply we are describing about this philosophy. We have got about fifty books like this—big, big books. Either you accept immediately, or if you want to understand through philosophy, science, we have got these books. You can understand. But the fact is this: that unless we surrender to God, unless we act according to His desire, all our activity is simply baffled and waste of energy.

Thank you very much.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya'' Śrīla Prabhupāda!

'''Prabhupāda:''' Any question? (break) . . . just like this body to another body. That body may not be human body. There are 8,400,000's of different kinds of body. So at the time of death your mentality at the moment will give you a similar type of body. It may be higher than human being or lower than human being or the same body. That depends on your mental situation at the time of death.

'''Devotee (1):''' Prabhupāda? How long will it take for the soul to transfer from one body to the next body?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Within a second. Because the soul is transferred through mind, intelligence and ego. So suppose . . . you can study your mind. You are sitting here. Within a second you can go ten thousand miles away. That is the law of nature. Similarly, according to your mentality you will be immediately transferred to the soul—the small particle—into the semina of the father, and sex is going on. So you are transferred to the suitable father, and he injects to the womb of the mother, and new body immediately begins to develop. And when it is finally developed, you come out and work out.

'''Devotee (2):''' Śrīla Prabhupāda, in one of the verses it states that taking birth means accepting this body as oneself.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm?

'''Devotee (2):''' And does this mean that liberation means simply one understands he is not this body? Does that means he dies and . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' That is the beginning of knowledge, ''jñānam''. Then you have to develop this knowledge. Then if you act that you are not this body, you are spirit soul, and you act as spirit soul, then you are liberated. That is liberation. The definition is given, ''muktir hitvānyathā rūpaṁ sva-rūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ'' ([[SB 2.10.6|SB 2.10.6]]) ''Mukti'', liberation, means we are now engaged in the bodily concept of life. This is called bondage. And if we give up working on the bodily concept of life, if we actually work on the transcendental platform as spirit soul, that is liberation.

'''Indian man:''' Prabhupāda, if we chant . . . when we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, we gain happiness, peace of mind, here on earth. Should we then desire to live here on earth a long time?

'''Prabhupāda:''' That is not in your hands, long time or short time. That you are dependent on nature. As soon as nature will call you, "Get out," you have to go out. It will not depend on your whim. Long time, short time—that is not . . . but you have to leave this place, that's a fact. Either today or tomorrow or hundred years after, you have to leave. So before leaving this body, we must be fully Kṛṣṇa conscious. That is successful life. Therefore because we do not know how long I shall live in this body, therefore we should begin this business immediately. That is intelligence. Because I do not know how long. It is not under me; it is under the control of the nature. So just like some train is coming. You do not know when it is coming, then you have to finish your business to get the train so that you may not miss the train. Similarly our this human form of life is given to us by God to face the spiritual understanding of life, so that before the death comes I am completely prepared for my spiritual transfer. That is success of life. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. That is the real business.

You cannot find out the history, but the answer is that as soon as you desire to live independently, then you have begun your journey in this material world. When you have begun . . . just like if a man is diseased and he goes to the physician, there is no such question, "When you began that disease?" You might have begun one week ago, infected some disease. That is not very important question. You have got disease: you treat it and be cured. When we have begun . . . you might have begun three hundred years ago or three days before; it doesn't matter. But you are infected with the disease. Just get treatment and be cured.

'''Young child:''' How can I be Kṛṣṇa consciousness?

'''Prabhupāda:''' (laughs) He also questions? What . . . (break) (end)

740423 - Lecture SB 01.02.09 - Hyderabad

2026-03-31T15:03:19Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1974 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1974-04 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - India]]
[[Category:Lectures - India, Hyderabad]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Hyderabad]]
[[Category:Lectures - Srimad-Bhagavatam]]
[[Category:SB Lectures - Canto 01|10209]]
[[Category:Audio Files 30.01 to 45.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1974 - Lectures|1974]]'''</div>
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<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:740423 Lecture - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Hyderabad|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">740423SB-HYDERABAD - April 23, 1974 - 44:06 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1974/740423SB-HYDERABAD.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' (chants ''jaya rādhā-mādhava'') (break)

'''Pradyumna:''' ''Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya''. (Prabhupāda and devotees repeat) (leads chanting of verse)

:''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya''
:''nārtho 'rthāyopakalpate''
:''nārthasya dharmaikāntasya''
:''kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ''
:([[SB 1.2.9|SB 1.2.9]])

(break) (05:40)

Translation: "All occupational engagements, or ''dharmas'', are certainly meant for ultimate liberation. They should never be performed for material gain. Furthermore, one who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service, or ''dharma'', should never use material gain to cultivate sense gratification."

'''Prabhupāda:'''

:''dharmasya ca apavargyasya''
:''na artha arthāyopakalpate''
:''na arthasya dharmaikāntasya''
:''kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ''
:([[SB 1.2.9|SB 1.2.9]])

We have begun this discussion about ''dharma''. We have several times described ''dharma'', the constitutional characteristic. That is called ''dharma''. So people have taken ''dharma'' for sense gratification. Just like generally people go to the church or temple for asking some material gain. That is beginning, beginning of God consciousness.

:''catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ''
:''sukṛtino 'rjuna''
:''ārto arthārthī jijñāsur''
:''jñānī ca bharatarṣabha''
:([[BG 7.16 (1972)|BG 7.16]])

Four classes of men, means those conditioned soul . . . (referring to fan) Why is stopped? Hmm. People who are pious, not ordinary men, those who are pious . . . therefore in the Vedic principle everyone has been directed to become pious, ''puṇya-karma. Tyaja durjana-saṁsargaṁ bhaja sādhu-samāgamam'' (Cāṇakya Paṇḍita). This is moral instruction that, "Don't keep company with ''durjana''." ''Durjana'' means those who are very much attached to material enjoyment. They are called ''durjana''. Actually, human life is meant for ''tapasya'', not to become like cats and dogs and hogs, simply eating and sense gratification. That is not human life. This is Vedic civilization. Because human life is meant for making solution of all problem.

Here it is said, ''dharmasya ca āpavargyasya. Apavarga''. A means negation, and ''pavarga . . . pavarga—pa, pha, ba, bha, ma''. Just like, those who are acquainted with Sanskrit grammar, there are five ''vargas'': ''ka varga, ca varga, ta varga'', similarly, p''a varga. Pa, pha, ba, bha, ma.'' So ''pavarga'' means they have taken the material life in different aspect. First of all, material life is ''pariśrama'', hard labor. This is called ''pa, pariśrama.'' And then, ''pha'': the labor is so hard, sometime foam comes. We have seen from the mouth of the horse, cows and bulls, dogs. We sometimes, we have also, our tongue becomes dry after working very hard; there are foams. This is ''pha. Pa, pha''. And ''ba'' means ''vyarthatā'': in spite of so much labor, our sense gratification is not fulfilled. That is called ''vyarthatā. Pa, pha, ba, vyarthatā''. And then ''bha. Bha'' means ''bhaya'', always fearful. ''Āhāra-nidrā-bhaya-maithunaṁ ca'' (Hitopadeśa 25). Every conditioned soul is subjected to fearfulness, "What will happen next?" Big, big politician . . . just like in USA, President Nixon, he is also under fear: "How these people will drive me away?" So this ''bhaya'' must be there. Hard labor for election, then rejection, then ''bhaya'', fearfulness, "Whether my this position will remain or not?" Nobody is free. Even Brahmā, big, big demigods, they are also fearful. ''Bhayaṁ dvitīya abhiniveśataḥ syāt. Śāstra'' says when one is attached to the other thing except God, ''dvitīya'' . . . because God is one. ''Eka brahma''. When one is not Brahman-realized—the other realized means illusion-realized—then there is ''bhaya''. So ''apavarga'': ''pa, pha, ba, bha'', in this way ''ma'' means ''mṛtyu'', death.

So this has been summarized. These are called ''pavarga''. And ''apa'' . . . a means to nullify. So ''dharma'', practice of ''dharma'', means to nullify these conditions, these miserable conditions of material existence. That is the purpose of ''dharma''. ''Dharmasya hy āpavargyasya. Āpavargyasya'', to cease this labor. ''Tri-tāpa-yantraṇā'', three types of miserable condition: ''adhyātmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika''. That is animal life, bodily concept of life. Therefore ''dharma'' should be practiced for nullifying. Because we do not want to work very hard, every one of us, but we have to, especially at the present moment. That is stated in the ''Bhāgavata''. In the Kali-yuga the situation will be so much deteriorated that simply for a piece of bread, one has to work just like an ass. Very hard labor. It has come to become so. Gradually, it will deteriorate more and more. These are stated in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. Now rice and wheat is selling at a high price, three rupees' kilo. But time will come when if you pay 300,000 rupees, still, it will not be available. Especially rice, wheat, sugar and milk and fruits. That means ''sāttvikāhāra''. These things will be finished. Therefore they are learning how to eat beef. This is the beginning. Just like a child learns to eat, little, little. Otherwise there will be no more food. Therefore ''dharma'' is required to stop this miserable condition of life. That is real ''dharma''.

Therefore to come to the real point of ''dharma'', transcendental position, in the material conditional life, the ''dharma'', ''varṇāśrama-dharma . . . cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ'' ([[BG 4.13 (1972)|BG 4.13]]). ''Viprādayo guṇaḥ pṛthak cātur-varṇyam. Ya eṣaṁ puruṣaṁ sākṣād ātma-prabhāvam īśvaram, na bhajanti avajānanti'' . . . ([[SB 11.5.3|SB 11.5.3]]). ''Puruṣasya āśramaiḥ saha'' ([[SB 11.5.2|SB 11.5.2]]). ''Tyakta jagṛhe varṇa iprādayo guṇaḥ pṛthak.'' These are the statements of ''śāstra'', that the human society, just to make it real human society, not cats' and dogs' society, there must be ''varṇāśrama''. That is ''dharma''. In the material stage, when we have to take care of this body, there must be this ''varṇāśrama''. That is systematic human society. If there is no ''varṇāśrama-dharma'', then it is cats' and dogs' society. In the cats' and dogs' society there is no ''varṇāśrama-dharma''. That . . . they do not require it; neither they can understand it. So if the human society becomes ''varṇāśrama''-less, without ''varṇāśrama-dharma'', then it is cats' and dogs' society. Then subjected to the so many miserable condition of material nature. That is inevitable.

So ''dharma'', first of all this ''dharma''. ''Cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma'' . . . this is ''dharma'': ''brāhmaṇa-dharma'', ''kṣatriya-dharma'', ''vaiśya-dharma'' and ''śūdra-dharma'', ''brahmacārī-dharma'', ''gṛhastha-dharma'' . . . we call ''gṛhastha-dharma''. Otherwise, wife and children . . . the cats and dogs, they have also wife and children. Then why? This is called ''dharma''. ''Dharmāviruddhaḥ kāmo 'smi.'' Kṛṣṇa says, in the ''Bhagavad'' . . . ''dharma'' ''aviruddhaḥ kāmo 'smi'': "Sex life, sense gratification, which is not against ''dharma'', that is I." So there must be ''dharma'', characteristic. This is the characteristics of ''brāhmaṇa''. This is the characteristics of ''kṣatriya''. This is the characteristic of ''vaiśya''. This is character of ''śūdra, brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, sannyāsa''. This must be systematically organized. That is called ''dharma''. Because the real purpose is, ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya'': just to nullify this miserable condition of material life, not . . . ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya na arthaḥ arthāya upakalpate''.

Now it has been taken as "I am ''brāhmaṇa''. So how to earn more money by giving somebody blessings," or "Give me some money," or "I shall make some ''pūjā''; he will get some material benefit, this ''pūjā'', that ''pūjā''," especially demigods. You worship Kālī-pūjā so you will be able to eat meat. Then Caṇḍī-pūjā. Then he will be able to drink wine, and so many others. They are also in the scriptures. Because people want . . . there are varieties of men. So they have been given. These are regulative principles. Just like Kālī-pūjā, ''pūjā'' of the goddess Kālī. The real purpose is to eat meat. Because in any other demigod worship there is no animal sacrifice. But there are some demigods, the purpose is, instead of purchasing from the slaughterhouse, if they are restricted that, "You eat meat after worshiping this demigod," there will be some restriction. That is the purpose, to come in, to bring him under restriction. Otherwise it is not required at all. And you will find in the ''Pañcāṅga'' that, "Today meat-eating is prohibited." Actually, it is prohibited. But those who are meat-eaters, they cannot give up. Therefore one day restriction, this restriction, that restriction—everything to bring him under regulative principle. Because real purpose is to make him detached from this material attraction and make him promoted ''āpavargyasya'', how to get out of this material miserable condition of life. This is called ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya'', not that, "We have got this ceremony today, Kālī-pūjā ceremony. Let us sacrifice thousands of goats and eat and drink and enjoy." That is not the purpose. ''Na arthāya upakalpate''. Some men . . . ''artha'' means material. ''Paramārtha'' means spiritual.

So execution of ''dharma'', religion—never mind Hindu religion or Christian religion—the purpose is not for any material gain. ''Na upakalpate. Dharmasya hy āpavargyasya na arthāya upakalpate.'' Then what about our sense gratification? We must have. We have got this body. We must have some facility. So that is also described here, ''na arthasya dharma ekāntasya. Arthasya'', one who is actually a student of ''dharma'', ''ekāntasya. Na arthasya dharma ekāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ.'' Not for sense gratification. You require some money. So by your profession, either as a ''brāhmaṇa'' or as ''kṣatriya'' or as a ''vaiśya'' or as a ''śūdra . . . a brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha,'' that is for spiritual advancement. And for material—this ''brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra''. So you require some money, because without money, without source of income, how you can live? But that is not meant for sense gratification. Therefore it is said, ''na arthasya dharmaikāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ''.

Just like everyone is earning money simply for sense gratification. And there are so many advertisement for sense gratification. If you go to the city, you will find all the shops, cinema, hotel and wine shop and this shop or that shop. What are these, big, big, nice ''sārī'', displayed, demonstrated? Everything is for sense gratification. So this is not meant for . . . you require money. People are hankering after money, "How I shall get money to purchase this nice ''sārī'' for my wife or for my beloved, for my . . .?" Then "How I shall purchase wine? How I shall purchase this car, this?" Everything is that. Everything is meant for ''kāma'', for sense gratification. Naturally, one should be inclined to earn money, more money, more money, and more sense gratification. That means he is becoming implicated. That he does not know. ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). ''Pramattaḥ''. Because they have become mad after sense gratification, they are doing everything which should not be done, ''vikarma. Karma, vikarma, akarma.'' So people are generally doing ''vikarma. Vikarma'' means forbidden, sinful activities. They are called ''vikarma. Karma'' is not sinful. Karma means according to the direction of the ''Vedas''. That is called ''karma-kāṇḍa''. But ''vikarma'' means against the principle of ''dharma''. That is called ''vikarma''.

So this has been observed. Therefore Mahārāja Ṛṣabhadeva says:

:''nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma''
:''yad indriya-prītaya āpṛṇoti''
:''na sādhu manye yata ātmano 'yam''
:''asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ''
:([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]])

"My dear boys, people are so mad after sense gratification that they are simply doing . . ." (break) 20.33 . . . increasing. So why they are increasing? ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma yad indriya-prītaye'', simply for sense gratification, no other business. If they go to the cinema or to the wine shop or to so many other things—there are varieties—simply sense gratification. There is no other profit. But the ''śāstra'' says, ''na sādhu . . . na sādhu manye yata ātmano 'yam asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). The people do not understand that this material body means suffering. They do not understand. They think very nice body. The cats and dogs may think like that. Just like hog. Hog is thinking, "I am very happy," and he is getting fatty. You will find. They think, "I am very happy." What is that happiness? "Now, I am eating stool." "Oh, that's very good. Then where you are living?" "Now, in the most insanitary condition." But he is also thinking that "I am happy."

So this is called ''māyā''. This is called illusion. Everyone is thinking that, "I am very happy," although his body, this material body, means suffering. Who is a person here who is not . . . why you are getting this fan? Because the body is suffering on account of excessive heat. This is called ''adhidaivika'', the heat, excessive heat, excessive cold. These are also sufferings. This is called ''adhidaivika''. But we are thinking, "We are very comfortable." We never think that "I do not want this heat. Why it is being forced upon me?" That he never considers. "If there is any remedy? I do not want it." But this body, as soon as you accept this material body made of these five elements, earth, water, air, fire, sky, mind, intelligence . . . this is material body.

So Ṛṣabhadeva says, ''nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma yad indriya-prītaye'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). Simply we have got this . . . this bodily concept of life means the senses. ''Indriyāṇi parā'' . . . the senses are very prominent. So simply for sense gratification we are acting so much sinfully that we are becoming implicated. ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma yad indriya-prītaya āpṛṇoti na sādhu manye'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]): "This is not good." Why? "Now, ''yata ātmanaḥ'', the soul," ''ayam, ātmano 'yam asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ'', "the ''ātmā'', the soul, has accepted this body on account of this ''vikarma'', on account of this ''vikarma''." Therefore people should be instructed to be expert in ''sukarma, sukṛti. Sukṛti''. That ''sukṛti'' is this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. ''Sukṛti''. They should be instructed. ''Sukṛtivān. Catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ sukṛtinaḥ arjuna''. Unless one is sukṛtivān, he cannot take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore everyone should be instructed to become ''sukṛtivān, puṇyavān. Yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām.'' Unless one is free from all sinful activities, simply by acting piously . . . ''janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām, te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ'' ([[BG 7.28 (1972)|BG 7.28]]). They can understand what is Kṛṣṇa and what is Kṛṣṇa worship. Others cannot do.

Therefore this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to make people free from all sinful activities. Then they will be happy. Because in the soul proper, it is pure. Just like you contaminate some disease, so you suffer. You have got fever, you have got some pain, so you have to go to the physician. He will give you some medicine to counteract the contamination. Then you become happy. Similarly, we are all part and parcel of God, Kṛṣṇa. Naturally we must be happy. ''Ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt'' (Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12). This is our position, that we must be always ''ānandamaya'', jubilant. This is our position. Just like Kṛṣṇa is dancing—you have seen—similarly, our position is simply dancing with Kṛṣṇa and be happy. That is our position. But we have come to this material world to enjoy independently of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we have been captured by the illusory energy.

:''kṛṣṇa-bhuliyā-jiva bhoga vāñchā kare''
:''pasate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare''
:(Prema-vivarta)

As soon as we forget or defy to enjoy with Kṛṣṇa . . . just like a big man, a rich man. So the rich man is enjoying along with the servants are also enjoying. The servants are not poor in a rich man's house. He is eating of the same thing. He is also riding on the same car with the master. Rather, the driver is in the front, and the master is in the back. So in this way we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Just like in a family, why you take the risk of family? For enjoyment. I am alone. I can remain happy. Now, why you take the wife? I know if I marry then there will be children, there will be so many responsibilities. But why you accept? For happiness. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa is the supreme happy person. So we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, to remain with Kṛṣṇa always. And He becomes happy, we are happy. This is our position.

So that we have forgotten. We wanted to be happy. Just like there are many examples: A very rich man's son, he wants to become happy without his father. He becomes independent, comes out of home and goes here and there, but he does not become happy. There are many instances. Again he comes back home. Similarly, our position in this material world is like that. Our position is very jubilant and happy, ''ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt'' (Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12), ''sac-cid-ānanda. Sat-cit-ānan'' . . . we have got our eternal life, ''sat''; ''cit'', and full of knowledge; and blissful, as Kṛṣṇa has got. Therefore because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, ''mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūta'' ([[BG 15.7 (1972)|BG 15.7]]), so Kṛṣṇa, if Kṛṣṇa is good, so I am also good. If Kṛṣṇa is happy, then I must be happy. If Kṛṣṇa is jubilant, then I must be jubilant. Wherefrom we get this idea of happiness? Because we are part of Kṛṣṇa. Just like Kṛṣṇa dances with the gopīs, we also want to dance with young girls here, in this material world. Why? Wherefrom this idea we have got? The idea is already there, and we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we have got this propensity. So ''ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt''.

But this thing can be purely enjoyed not alone in this material world, but you have to go back to home, go back to Kṛṣṇa, and there is your real life. Kṛṣṇa comes therefore. He displays His ''rāsa'' dance in Vṛndāvana to attract these fallen souls, that "If you want enjoyment, why not come back to Me? Here is the enjoyment. Here is the enjoyment, eternal enjoyment. Why you are rotting in this material world and becoming implicated, sometimes as Brahmā and sometime as the worm in the stool? Enjoyment, varieties of enjoyment. Why? Why you are so become fool?" Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, He comes here, ''sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja'' ([[BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]): "You come to Me. Why you are bothering in this way and suffering?" But people will not hear. That is the difficulty. That is the difficulty. Kṛṣṇa displays what is the standard of happiness with Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana. ''Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ''.

:''itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā''
:''dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ para-daivatena''
:''māyāśritānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa''
:''sākaṁ vijahruḥ kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ''
:([[SB 10.12.7-11|SB 10.12.11]])

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is remarking . . . when he saw . . . means he come to the position of describing Kṛṣṇa's playing with the cowherds boys. So the cowherd boys are playing. Sometimes Kṛṣṇa is defeated. He has to take one cowherd boy on His shoulder. So Śukadeva Gosvāmī is studying that, "Who are these cowherd boys? They're playing with Kṛṣṇa. They are not ordinary cowherd . . ." ''Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ'': "After many, many births' accumulation of pious activities, now they have come to play with Kṛṣṇa."

So this is the position. ''Itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā''. Here is Kṛṣṇa. Who is that? The Supreme Brahman, Para-brahman. The ''jñānīs'', they want to appreciate the Supreme Brahman. ''Satām. Brahma-sukha, brahma-sukha.'' They are after ''brahma-sukha''. Here is the source of ''brahma-sukha. Brahmaṇo 'haṁ pratiṣṭhā.'' So here is the . . . just like the light, illumination—there is a source of light, the sunshine, illumination. The source is the sun globe. Similarly, the ''brahma-jyotir'', what is the source? Kṛṣṇa says, ''brahmaṇaḥ ahaṁ pratiṣṭhā'': "I am the source. From Me it is coming." Therefore the same thing is . . . ''itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā'': "the source of ''brahma-sukha''." ''Itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa . . . para daivatena.'' And ''dāsyaṁ gatānām'': "Those who have accepted the principle of to become the servant of God," means the devotees. The devotees, they never want to become one with Brahman effulgence, ''sāyujya-mukti''. They will never accept this. They want to keep their individuality and enjoy with Kṛṣṇa. That is Vaiṣṇava philosophy. ''Itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ para-daivatena. Para-daivata'': "the Supreme Lord." And ''māyā'śritānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa'': "And those who are under the influence of ''māyā'', they are thinking Kṛṣṇa as ordinary human child," ''nara-dārakeṇa''. But after all, these boys who are playing, ''sākaṁ vijahruḥ kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ'' ([[SB 10.12.7-11|SB 10.12.11]]): "After accumulating many lives' pious activities, now they are promoted here at Vṛndāvana to play with Kṛṣṇa."

So to play with Kṛṣṇa, to become associate of Kṛṣṇa, to dance with Kṛṣṇa, it is not ordinary thing. We want to do that. We want to do that here. We have got many sporting club, dancing club, because we want to do that. But we want to do in this material world. That is our defect. The same thing, you can do with Kṛṣṇa. Just become Kṛṣṇa conscious and you get the opportunity. Why you are suffering here for sporting and dancing? That is called ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya''. Stop this, I mean to say, always painful condition of material life. ''Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti'' ([[BG 4.9 (1972)|BG 4.9]]). Because we have got this material body. This material body means reservoir of all sufferings. By artificial method, so-called scientific advancement, we are trying to patch up, but that is not real happiness. You can go on continuing patching up. This is called ''māyā''. ''Bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate'' ([[BG 8.19 (1972)|BG 8.19]]). You cannot . . . the real purpose is that everyone wants to live and enjoy, but the ''māyā'' will not allow. You can have very nice skyscraper building, but have you made any insurance that you will be allowed to enjoy this house? "No, sir, there is no such insurance." At any moment the nature will call, "Please get out, immediately." "No, I have got to do some business." "No more, sir. Please get out immediately." Can you stop that? Then why you are making plan? Your real plan is not there. Whether you will be allowed to stay here? There is no insurance. And why you are taking so much trouble? Therefore, ''nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]), the whole day, night, they are working like ass, but there is no assurance whether the happiness for which he is laboring so hard will be allowed to be enjoyed. There is no certainty.

So this is not . . . ''na sādhu manye yata ātmano 'yam.'' Therefore Ṛṣabhadeva says: "This is not good business, My dear boys, because you have got this body on account of this hard labor and planning in your last life." ''Yata ātmano 'yam asann api kleśada'': "Again you want to have another body to suffer in? What is this intelligence? You are already suffering. You have got all one type of body which means suffering, by your past activities. Again you are doing the same, to get another body to suffer? Is that very intelligence? No, that is not intelligence." ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma, pramattaḥ'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). These are madman's business. Real business is how I shall become permanently happy. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa says:

:''janma karma me divyaṁ''
:''yo jānāti tattvataḥ''
:''tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma''
:''naiti mām eti kaunteya''
:([[BG 4.9 (1972)|BG 4.9]])

That is perfection.

:''mām upetya kaunteya''
:''duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam''
:''nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ''
:''saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ''
:([[BG 8.15 (1972)|BG 8.15]])

So this is the real life. Take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and execute it. We are opening centers all over the world to give this chance. It is not a whimsical concoction. It is strictly according to the ''śāstra'', without any mistake, authorized. If you take to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, you will be happy perpetually.

Thank you very much. Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

740423 - Lecture SB 01.02.09 - Hyderabad

2026-03-31T15:02:19Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1974 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
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[[Category:Lectures - India]]
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[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Hyderabad]]
[[Category:Lectures - Srimad-Bhagavatam]]
[[Category:SB Lectures - Canto 01|10209]]
[[Category:Audio Files 30.01 to 45.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1974 - Lectures|1974]]'''</div>
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<div class="center">[[ES/740423 Conferencia - Srila Prabhupada Habla Una Gota de Nectar en Hyderabad|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">740423SB-HYDERABAD - April 23, 1974 - 44:06 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1974/740423SB-HYDERABAD.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' (chants ''jaya rādhā-mādhava'') (break)

'''Pradyumna:''' ''Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya''. (Prabhupāda and devotees repeat) (leads chanting of verse)

:''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya''
:''nārtho 'rthāyopakalpate''
:''nārthasya dharmaikāntasya''
:''kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ''
:([[SB 1.2.9|SB 1.2.9]])

(break) (05:40)

Translation: "All occupational engagements, or ''dharmas'', are certainly meant for ultimate liberation. They should never be performed for material gain. Furthermore, one who is engaged in the ultimate occupational service, or ''dharma'', should never use material gain to cultivate sense gratification."

'''Prabhupāda:'''

:''dharmasya ca apavargyasya''
:''na artha arthāyopakalpate''
:''na arthasya dharmaikāntasya''
:''kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ''
:([[SB 1.2.9|SB 1.2.9]])

We have begun this discussion about ''dharma''. We have several times described ''dharma'', the constitutional characteristic. That is called ''dharma''. So people have taken ''dharma'' for sense gratification. Just like generally people go to the church or temple for asking some material gain. That is beginning, beginning of God consciousness.

:''catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ''
:''sukṛtino 'rjuna''
:''ārto arthārthī jijñāsur''
:''jñānī ca bharatarṣabha''
:([[BG 7.16 (1972)|BG 7.16]])

Four classes of men, means those conditioned soul . . . (referring to fan) Why is stopped? Hmm. People who are pious, not ordinary men, those who are pious . . . therefore in the Vedic principle everyone has been directed to become pious, ''puṇya-karma. Tyaja durjana-saṁsargaṁ bhaja sādhu-samāgamam'' (Cāṇakya Paṇḍita). This is moral instruction that, "Don't keep company with ''durjana''." ''Durjana'' means those who are very much attached to material enjoyment. They are called ''durjana''. Actually, human life is meant for ''tapasya'', not to become like cats and dogs and hogs, simply eating and sense gratification. That is not human life. This is Vedic civilization. Because human life is meant for making solution of all problem.

Here it is said, ''dharmasya ca āpavargyasya. Apavarga''. A means negation, and ''pavarga . . . pavarga—pa, pha, ba, bha, ma''. Just like, those who are acquainted with Sanskrit grammar, there are five ''vargas'': ''ka varga, ca varga, ta varga'', similarly, p''a varga. Pa, pha, ba, bha, ma.'' So ''pavarga'' means they have taken the material life in different aspect. First of all, material life is ''pariśrama'', hard labor. This is called ''pa, pariśrama.'' And then, ''pha'': the labor is so hard, sometime foam comes. We have seen from the mouth of the horse, cows and bulls, dogs. We sometimes, we have also, our tongue becomes dry after working very hard; there are foams. This is ''pha. Pa, pha''. And ''ba'' means ''vyarthatā'': in spite of so much labor, our sense gratification is not fulfilled. That is called ''vyarthatā. Pa, pha, ba, vyarthatā''. And then ''bha. Bha'' means ''bhaya'', always fearful. ''Āhāra-nidrā-bhaya-maithunaṁ ca'' (Hitopadeśa 25). Every conditioned soul is subjected to fearfulness, "What will happen next?" Big, big politician . . . just like in USA, President Nixon, he is also under fear: "How these people will drive me away?" So this ''bhaya'' must be there. Hard labor for election, then rejection, then ''bhaya'', fearfulness, "Whether my this position will remain or not?" Nobody is free. Even Brahmā, big, big demigods, they are also fearful. ''Bhayaṁ dvitīya abhiniveśataḥ syāt. Śāstra'' says when one is attached to the other thing except God, ''dvitīya'' . . . because God is one. ''Eka brahma''. When one is not Brahman-realized—the other realized means illusion-realized—then there is ''bhaya''. So ''apavarga'': ''pa, pha, ba, bha'', in this way ''ma'' means ''mṛtyu'', death.

So this has been summarized. These are called ''pavarga''. And ''apa'' . . . a means to nullify. So ''dharma'', practice of ''dharma'', means to nullify these conditions, these miserable conditions of material existence. That is the purpose of ''dharma''. ''Dharmasya hy āpavargyasya. Āpavargyasya'', to cease this labor. ''Tri-tāpa-yantraṇā'', three types of miserable condition: ''adhyātmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika''. That is animal life, bodily concept of life. Therefore ''dharma'' should be practiced for nullifying. Because we do not want to work very hard, every one of us, but we have to, especially at the present moment. That is stated in the ''Bhāgavata''. In the Kali-yuga the situation will be so much deteriorated that simply for a piece of bread, one has to work just like an ass. Very hard labor. It has come to become so. Gradually, it will deteriorate more and more. These are stated in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. Now rice and wheat is selling at a high price, three rupees' kilo. But time will come when if you pay 300,000 rupees, still, it will not be available. Especially rice, wheat, sugar and milk and fruits. That means ''sāttvikāhāra''. These things will be finished. Therefore they are learning how to eat beef. This is the beginning. Just like a child learns to eat, little, little. Otherwise there will be no more food. Therefore ''dharma'' is required to stop this miserable condition of life. That is real ''dharma''.

Therefore to come to the real point of ''dharma'', transcendental position, in the material conditional life, the ''dharma'', ''varṇāśrama-dharma . . . cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ'' ([[BG 4.13 (1972)|BG 4.13]]). ''Viprādayo guṇaḥ pṛthak cātur-varṇyam. Ya eṣaṁ puruṣaṁ sākṣād ātma-prabhāvam īśvaram, na bhajanti avajānanti'' . . . ([[SB 11.5.3|SB 11.5.3]]). ''Puruṣasya āśramaiḥ saha'' ([[SB 11.5.2|SB 11.5.2]]). ''Tyakta jagṛhe varṇa iprādayo guṇaḥ pṛthak.'' These are the statements of ''śāstra'', that the human society, just to make it real human society, not cats' and dogs' society, there must be ''varṇāśrama''. That is ''dharma''. In the material stage, when we have to take care of this body, there must be this ''varṇāśrama''. That is systematic human society. If there is no ''varṇāśrama-dharma'', then it is cats' and dogs' society. In the cats' and dogs' society there is no ''varṇāśrama-dharma''. That . . . they do not require it; neither they can understand it. So if the human society becomes ''varṇāśrama''-less, without ''varṇāśrama-dharma'', then it is cats' and dogs' society. Then subjected to the so many miserable condition of material nature. That is inevitable.

So ''dharma'', first of all this ''dharma''. ''Cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma'' . . . this is ''dharma'': ''brāhmaṇa-dharma'', ''kṣatriya-dharma'', ''vaiśya-dharma'' and ''śūdra-dharma'', ''brahmacārī-dharma'', ''gṛhastha-dharma'' . . . we call ''gṛhastha-dharma''. Otherwise, wife and children . . . the cats and dogs, they have also wife and children. Then why? This is called ''dharma''. ''Dharmāviruddhaḥ kāmo 'smi.'' Kṛṣṇa says, in the ''Bhagavad'' . . . ''dharma'' ''aviruddhaḥ kāmo 'smi'': "Sex life, sense gratification, which is not against ''dharma'', that is I." So there must be ''dharma'', characteristic. This is the characteristics of ''brāhmaṇa''. This is the characteristics of ''kṣatriya''. This is the characteristic of ''vaiśya''. This is character of ''śūdra, brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, sannyāsa''. This must be systematically organized. That is called ''dharma''. Because the real purpose is, ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya'': just to nullify this miserable condition of material life, not . . . ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya na arthaḥ arthāya upakalpate''.

Now it has been taken as "I am ''brāhmaṇa''. So how to earn more money by giving somebody blessings," or "Give me some money," or "I shall make some ''pūjā''; he will get some material benefit, this ''pūjā'', that ''pūjā''," especially demigods. You worship Kālī-pūjā so you will be able to eat meat. Then Caṇḍī-pūjā. Then he will be able to drink wine, and so many others. They are also in the scriptures. Because people want . . . there are varieties of men. So they have been given. These are regulative principles. Just like Kālī-pūjā, ''pūjā'' of the goddess Kālī. The real purpose is to eat meat. Because in any other demigod worship there is no animal sacrifice. But there are some demigods, the purpose is, instead of purchasing from the slaughterhouse, if they are restricted that, "You eat meat after worshiping this demigod," there will be some restriction. That is the purpose, to come in, to bring him under restriction. Otherwise it is not required at all. And you will find in the ''Pañcāṅga'' that, "Today meat-eating is prohibited." Actually, it is prohibited. But those who are meat-eaters, they cannot give up. Therefore one day restriction, this restriction, that restriction—everything to bring him under regulative principle. Because real purpose is to make him detached from this material attraction and make him promoted ''āpavargyasya'', how to get out of this material miserable condition of life. This is called ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya'', not that, "We have got this ceremony today, Kālī-pūjā ceremony. Let us sacrifice thousands of goats and eat and drink and enjoy." That is not the purpose. ''Na arthāya upakalpate''. Some men . . . ''artha'' means material. ''Paramārtha'' means spiritual.

So execution of ''dharma'', religion—never mind Hindu religion or Christian religion—the purpose is not for any material gain. ''Na upakalpate. Dharmasya hy āpavargyasya na arthāya upakalpate.'' Then what about our sense gratification? We must have. We have got this body. We must have some facility. So that is also described here, ''na arthasya dharma ekāntasya. Arthasya'', one who is actually a student of ''dharma'', ''ekāntasya. Na arthasya dharma ekāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ.'' Not for sense gratification. You require some money. So by your profession, either as a ''brāhmaṇa'' or as ''kṣatriya'' or as a ''vaiśya'' or as a ''śūdra . . . a brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha,'' that is for spiritual advancement. And for material—this ''brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra''. So you require some money, because without money, without source of income, how you can live? But that is not meant for sense gratification. Therefore it is said, ''na arthasya dharmaikāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ''.

Just like everyone is earning money simply for sense gratification. And there are so many advertisement for sense gratification. If you go to the city, you will find all the shops, cinema, hotel and wine shop and this shop or that shop. What are these, big, big, nice ''sārī'', displayed, demonstrated? Everything is for sense gratification. So this is not meant for . . . you require money. People are hankering after money, "How I shall get money to purchase this nice ''sārī'' for my wife or for my beloved, for my . . .?" Then "How I shall purchase wine? How I shall purchase this car, this?" Everything is that. Everything is meant for ''kāma'', for sense gratification. Naturally, one should be inclined to earn money, more money, more money, and more sense gratification. That means he is becoming implicated. That he does not know. ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). ''Pramattaḥ''. Because they have become mad after sense gratification, they are doing everything which should not be done, ''vikarma. Karma, vikarma, akarma.'' So people are generally doing ''vikarma. Vikarma'' means forbidden, sinful activities. They are called ''vikarma. Karma'' is not sinful. Karma means according to the direction of the ''Vedas''. That is called ''karma-kāṇḍa''. But ''vikarma'' means against the principle of ''dharma''. That is called ''vikarma''.

So this has been observed. Therefore Mahārāja Ṛṣabhadeva says:

:''nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma''
:''yad indriya-prītaya āpṛṇoti''
:''na sādhu manye yata ātmano 'yam''
:''asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ''
:([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]])

"My dear boys, people are so mad after sense gratification that they are simply doing . . ." (break) 20.33 . . . increasing. So why they are increasing? ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma yad indriya-prītaye'', simply for sense gratification, no other business. If they go to the cinema or to the wine shop or to so many other things—there are varieties—simply sense gratification. There is no other profit. But the ''śāstra'' says, ''na sādhu . . . na sādhu manye yata ātmano 'yam asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). The people do not understand that this material body means suffering. They do not understand. They think very nice body. The cats and dogs may think like that. Just like hog. Hog is thinking, "I am very happy," and he is getting fatty. You will find. They think, "I am very happy." What is that happiness? "Now, I am eating stool." "Oh, that's very good. Then where you are living?" "Now, in the most insanitary condition." But he is also thinking that "I am happy."

So this is called ''māyā''. This is called illusion. Everyone is thinking that, "I am very happy," although his body, this material body, means suffering. Who is a person here who is not . . . why you are getting this fan? Because the body is suffering on account of excessive heat. This is called ''adhidaivika'', the heat, excessive heat, excessive cold. These are also sufferings. This is called ''adhidaivika''. But we are thinking, "We are very comfortable." We never think that "I do not want this heat. Why it is being forced upon me?" That he never considers. "If there is any remedy? I do not want it." But this body, as soon as you accept this material body made of these five elements, earth, water, air, fire, sky, mind, intelligence . . . this is material body.

So Ṛṣabhadeva says, ''nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma yad indriya-prītaye'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). Simply we have got this . . . this bodily concept of life means the senses. ''Indriyāṇi parā'' . . . the senses are very prominent. So simply for sense gratification we are acting so much sinfully that we are becoming implicated. ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma yad indriya-prītaya āpṛṇoti na sādhu manye'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]): "This is not good." Why? "Now, ''yata ātmanaḥ'', the soul," ''ayam, ātmano 'yam asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ'', "the ''ātmā'', the soul, has accepted this body on account of this ''vikarma'', on account of this ''vikarma''." Therefore people should be instructed to be expert in ''sukarma, sukṛti. Sukṛti''. That ''sukṛti'' is this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. ''Sukṛti''. They should be instructed. ''Sukṛtivān. Catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ sukṛtinaḥ arjuna''. Unless one is sukṛtivān, he cannot take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore everyone should be instructed to become ''sukṛtivān, puṇyavān. Yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām.'' Unless one is free from all sinful activities, simply by acting piously . . . ''janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām, te dvandva-moha-nirmuktā bhajante māṁ dṛḍha-vratāḥ'' ([[BG 7.28 (1972)|BG 7.28]]). They can understand what is Kṛṣṇa and what is Kṛṣṇa worship. Others cannot do.

Therefore this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to make people free from all sinful activities. Then they will be happy. Because in the soul proper, it is pure. Just like you contaminate some disease, so you suffer. You have got fever, you have got some pain, so you have to go to the physician. He will give you some medicine to counteract the contamination. Then you become happy. Similarly, we are all part and parcel of God, Kṛṣṇa. Naturally we must be happy. ''Ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt'' (Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12). This is our position, that we must be always ''ānandamaya'', jubilant. This is our position. Just like Kṛṣṇa is dancing—you have seen—similarly, our position is simply dancing with Kṛṣṇa and be happy. That is our position. But we have come to this material world to enjoy independently of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we have been captured by the illusory energy.

:''kṛṣṇa-bhuliyā-jiva bhoga vāñchā kare''
:''pasate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare''
:(Prema-vivarta)

As soon as we forget or defy to enjoy with Kṛṣṇa . . . just like a big man, a rich man. So the rich man is enjoying along with the servants are also enjoying. The servants are not poor in a rich man's house. He is eating of the same thing. He is also riding on the same car with the master. Rather, the driver is in the front, and the master is in the back. So in this way we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Just like in a family, why you take the risk of family? For enjoyment. I am alone. I can remain happy. Now, why you take the wife? I know if I marry then there will be children, there will be so many responsibilities. But why you accept? For happiness. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa is the supreme happy person. So we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, to remain with Kṛṣṇa always. And He becomes happy, we are happy. This is our position.

So that we have forgotten. We wanted to be happy. Just like there are many examples: A very rich man's son, he wants to become happy without his father. He becomes independent, comes out of home and goes here and there, but he does not become happy. There are many instances. Again he comes back home. Similarly, our position in this material world is like that. Our position is very jubilant and happy, ''ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt'' (Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12), ''sac-cid-ānanda. Sat-cit-ānan'' . . . we have got our eternal life, ''sat''; ''cit'', and full of knowledge; and blissful, as Kṛṣṇa has got. Therefore because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, ''mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūta'' ([[BG 15.7 (1972)|BG 15.7]]), so Kṛṣṇa, if Kṛṣṇa is good, so I am also good. If Kṛṣṇa is happy, then I must be happy. If Kṛṣṇa is jubilant, then I must be jubilant. Wherefrom we get this idea of happiness? Because we are part of Kṛṣṇa. Just like Kṛṣṇa dances with the gopīs, we also want to dance with young girls here, in this material world. Why? Wherefrom this idea we have got? The idea is already there, and we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we have got this propensity. So ''ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt''.

But this thing can be purely enjoyed not alone in this material world, but you have to go back to home, go back to Kṛṣṇa, and there is your real life. Kṛṣṇa comes therefore. He displays His ''rāsa'' dance in Vṛndāvana to attract these fallen souls, that "If you want enjoyment, why not come back to Me? Here is the enjoyment. Here is the enjoyment, eternal enjoyment. Why you are rotting in this material world and becoming implicated, sometimes as Brahmā and sometime as the worm in the stool? Enjoyment, varieties of enjoyment. Why? Why you are so become fool?" Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, He comes here, ''sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja'' ([[BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]): "You come to Me. Why you are bothering in this way and suffering?" But people will not hear. That is the difficulty. That is the difficulty. Kṛṣṇa displays what is the standard of happiness with Kṛṣṇa in Vṛndāvana. ''Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ''.

:''itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā''
:''dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ para-daivatena''
:''māyāśritānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa''
:''sākaṁ vijahruḥ kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ''
:([[SB 10.12.7-11|SB 10.12.11]])

Śukadeva Gosvāmī is remarking . . . when he saw . . . means he come to the position of describing Kṛṣṇa's playing with the cowherds boys. So the cowherd boys are playing. Sometimes Kṛṣṇa is defeated. He has to take one cowherd boy on His shoulder. So Śukadeva Gosvāmī is studying that, "Who are these cowherd boys? They're playing with Kṛṣṇa. They are not ordinary cowherd . . ." ''Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ'': "After many, many births' accumulation of pious activities, now they have come to play with Kṛṣṇa."

So this is the position. ''Itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā''. Here is Kṛṣṇa. Who is that? The Supreme Brahman, Para-brahman. The ''jñānīs'', they want to appreciate the Supreme Brahman. ''Satām. Brahma-sukha, brahma-sukha.'' They are after ''brahma-sukha''. Here is the source of ''brahma-sukha. Brahmaṇo 'haṁ pratiṣṭhā.'' So here is the . . . just like the light, illumination—there is a source of light, the sunshine, illumination. The source is the sun globe. Similarly, the ''brahma-jyotir'', what is the source? Kṛṣṇa says, ''brahmaṇaḥ ahaṁ pratiṣṭhā'': "I am the source. From Me it is coming." Therefore the same thing is . . . ''itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā'': "the source of ''brahma-sukha''." ''Itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa . . . para daivatena.'' And ''dāsyaṁ gatānām'': "Those who have accepted the principle of to become the servant of God," means the devotees. The devotees, they never want to become one with Brahman effulgence, ''sāyujya-mukti''. They will never accept this. They want to keep their individuality and enjoy with Kṛṣṇa. That is Vaiṣṇava philosophy. ''Itthaṁ brahma-sukhānubhūtyā dāsyaṁ gatānāṁ para-daivatena. Para-daivata'': "the Supreme Lord." And ''māyā'śritānāṁ nara-dārakeṇa'': "And those who are under the influence of ''māyā'', they are thinking Kṛṣṇa as ordinary human child," ''nara-dārakeṇa''. But after all, these boys who are playing, ''sākaṁ vijahruḥ kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ'' ([[SB 10.12.7-11|SB 10.12.11]]): "After accumulating many lives' pious activities, now they are promoted here at Vṛndāvana to play with Kṛṣṇa."

So to play with Kṛṣṇa, to become associate of Kṛṣṇa, to dance with Kṛṣṇa, it is not ordinary thing. We want to do that. We want to do that here. We have got many sporting club, dancing club, because we want to do that. But we want to do in this material world. That is our defect. The same thing, you can do with Kṛṣṇa. Just become Kṛṣṇa conscious and you get the opportunity. Why you are suffering here for sporting and dancing? That is called ''dharmasya hy āpavargyasya''. Stop this, I mean to say, always painful condition of material life. ''Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti'' ([[BG 4.9 (1972)|BG 4.9]]). Because we have got this material body. This material body means reservoir of all sufferings. By artificial method, so-called scientific advancement, we are trying to patch up, but that is not real happiness. You can go on continuing patching up. This is called ''māyā''. ''Bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate'' ([[BG 8.19 (1972)|BG 8.19]]). You cannot . . . the real purpose is that everyone wants to live and enjoy, but the ''māyā'' will not allow. You can have very nice skyscraper building, but have you made any insurance that you will be allowed to enjoy this house? "No, sir, there is no such insurance." At any moment the nature will call, "Please get out, immediately." "No, I have got to do some business." "No more, sir. Please get out immediately." Can you stop that? Then why you are making plan? Your real plan is not there. Whether you will be allowed to stay here? There is no insurance. And why you are taking so much trouble? Therefore, ''nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]), the whole day, night, they are working like ass, but there is no assurance whether the happiness for which he is laboring so hard will be allowed to be enjoyed. There is no certainty.

So this is not . . . ''na sādhu manye yata ātmano 'yam.'' Therefore Ṛṣabhadeva says: "This is not good business, My dear boys, because you have got this body on account of this hard labor and planning in your last life." ''Yata ātmano 'yam asann api kleśada'': "Again you want to have another body to suffer in? What is this intelligence? You are already suffering. You have got all one type of body which means suffering, by your past activities. Again you are doing the same, to get another body to suffer? Is that very intelligence? No, that is not intelligence." ''Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma, pramattaḥ'' ([[SB 5.5.4|SB 5.5.4]]). These are madman's business. Real business is how I shall become permanently happy. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa says:

:''janma karma me divyaṁ''
:''yo jānāti tattvataḥ''
:''tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma''
:''naiti mām eti kaunteya''
:([[BG 4.9 (1972)|BG 4.9]])

That is perfection.

:''mām upetya kaunteya''
:''duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam''
:''nāpnuvanti mahātmānaḥ''
:''saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ''
:([[BG 8.15 (1972)|BG 8.15]])

So this is the real life. Take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and execute it. We are opening centers all over the world to give this chance. It is not a whimsical concoction. It is strictly according to the ''śāstra'', without any mistake, authorized. If you take to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, you will be happy perpetually.

Thank you very much. Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

690210 - Lecture Excerpt - Los Angeles

2026-03-23T16:41:54Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1969 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1969 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1969 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1969-02 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
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[[Category:Audio Files 05.01 to 10.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1969 - Lectures|1969]]'''</div>
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<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:690210 Lecture - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Los Angeles|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">690210LE-LOS ANGELES - February 10, 1969 - 09:00 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1969/690210LE-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' After each and every verse we chant, ''govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi'' . Similarly, we repeat "Kṛṣṇa"—Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Why we repeat? The more we repeat means we learn to love. That is required.

Anything which you do not love, you cannot repeat. It will be disgusting. Anything, any other word you take, if you simply repeat, you'll feel disgusted. Sometimes those who are not in the Kṛṣṇa conscious life, they also feel this repetition as disgusting, hackneyed, because they have not developed love.

Rūpa Gosvāmī says that, "What shall I chant with one tongue, and what shall I hear with two ears? If millions of tongue I would have possessed, then I could chant little." And they're tasting . . . because they have got love for Kṛṣṇa, they are tasting the nectarean of chanting. They cannot give up. In the material world also there are many slogans. We repeat because we love.

So real thing is to develop love for Kṛṣṇa. That is the Vṛndāvana standard. In Vṛndāvana, Nanda Mahārāja and Yaśodā-mayī, Rādhārāṇī, gopīs, the cowherds men, boys, cows, calves, trees, they do not know that Kṛṣṇa is God. You have read in ''Kṛṣṇa'' book, sometimes when Kṛṣṇa does something wonderful, they take Him as a wonderful child, boy, that's all, or child. They do not know that Kṛṣṇa is God.

But they love Kṛṣṇa more than anything. They do not know except Kṛṣṇa. That is wanted. Not very much philosophy. Whether Kṛṣṇa is God or not, whether the symptoms of God are there or not, the Vṛndāvana-''vāsī'', inhabitants, they do not care for it. Kṛṣṇa may be God or a man, but they love Him. That's all. That is wanted.

We have to increase our love for Kṛṣṇa; therefore this worship, temple worship. If you always be engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service, naturally you develop love for Kṛṣṇa. That is wanted. ''Premā pumartho mahān. premā pumartho mahān'' (Caitanya-manjusa)

Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that ''prema'', love for Kṛṣṇa, love for God, that is the highest achievement in human life. ''Premā pumartho mahān''. It is not religiosity. Religiosity is different thing. Everyone goes to church or temple with some material purpose generally, to get . . . just like church they go: "God, give us our daily bread." That is material purpose. Not only church, everywhere, that is the system. ''Ārto arthārthī''.

Of course, that is good. Four classes of men whose background is pious life, they go to God, church or temple, when they're distressed. Others, those whose background is not piety, simply mischief, they cannot go. Therefore even one goes to God for praying something material, they're better than those who does not go to God. Just like in Communist country, they do not believe in God, "Why we shall go to God? We shall create things. We shall create bread."

In the Communist country the propaganda was that these Communists would go to villages, ask the villagers to come to the church and pray to God, "Give us our daily bread," and they would ask, "Whether you have got bread?" Of course, in the church where is the bread? They will say: "No, we haven't got bread." "All right, you ask us." And they ask the Communist leader, "Give us our daily bread," and they give sumptuously. "Why should you go to church?"

They preached godlessness in this way that, "You are not getting bread from the church; you are getting bread from us. Why not worship Lenin and his followers? He gave sufficient bread." In this way they tried to make people godless that, "Don't go to church." Still their propaganda.

But our relationship with God is so permanent that artificially we may try to banish God some way or other—it cannot be. To become atheist, not to believe in God, they're simply artificial. These godless persons, when they're actually in danger, they think of God. I have seen it. Automatically they think of God. So this godlessness is not our natural life. To love God, that is our natural life. (end)

760228 - Letter to Srinath Khanna written from Mayapur

2026-03-21T21:03:54Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1976 - Letters]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1976-02 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Mayapur]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Mayapur]]
[[Category:Letters to Acquaintances]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1976 - Letters|1976]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|760228_-_Letter_to_Srinath_Das_Khanna.JPG|Letter to Srinath Das Khanna}}
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1976]]

Mayapur Candradoya Mandir<br />
P.O. Sridham Mayapur<br />
Dist. Nadia, West Bengal<br />

28 February     76<br />

My dear Srinath Das Khanna,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 15th January, 1976.<br />

It is too bad that you are suffering too much. However this may be taken as the mercy of the Lord. If the Lord gives us some inconvenience then we may take it that He has reduced our actual punishment and just given us a token punishment. So you remain fixed up at the Lotus Feet of the Supreme Personality Sri Krishna and by always thinking of Him and trying to render some little service to Him, everything will come out all right.<br />

It is nice that you are chanting the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and reading the <u> Bhagavad-gita As It Is</u>. Continue that and Krishna will surely give you protection as He states: kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhakta pranasyati (B.G.9.31).<br />

I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Srinath Das Khanna, Sahitra Ratna<br />
c/o Shiya Shandar Rohar<br />
P.O. Maunath Bhaujan,<br />
Dist. Azamgarh U.P.<br />

ACBS/dda

731208 - Letter to Kadamba written from Los Angeles

2026-03-02T19:21:26Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1973 - Letters]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1973-12 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Kadamba dasi - Letters]]
[[Category:1973 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1973 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1973]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1973 - Letters|1973]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|731208_-_Letter_to_Kadamba.JPG|Letter to Kadamba dasi}}

'''Tridandi Goswami'''<br />
<big>'''A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami'''<br /></big>
'''Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness'''

CAMP:LOS ANGELES

DATED .............December....8.......19...73
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My Dear Kadamba dasi,

Please accept my blessings. I am in receipt of your note and gift of one ring. Just now I am wearing it. Because you have sincerely offered, I must accept on behalf of my Guru Maharaj although I am not worthy.

I have met your son. His lovely features are very nice and he appears to be a first class brahmacary. Always be an example to him by being steadfast in Krsna Consciousness and your motherhood will be perfected.

Hare Krsna. I hope this meets you well.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
<br />
<br />
<br />
ACBS:Kda

731031 - Letter to Tamala Krishna written from Vrndavana

2026-02-21T20:41:09Z

Caitanyadeva:

731016 - Letter to Dayananda written from Bombay

2026-02-20T22:25:18Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1973 - Letters]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1973-10 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Dayananda - Letters]]
[[Category:1973 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1973 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category: Letters - Signed, 1973]]
[[Category: Letters - With Added Handwriting]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1973 - Letters|1973]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|731016_-_Letter_to_Dayananda.JPG|Letter to Dayananda}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br /></big>
Founder-Acharya:<br />
International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>

DATE 16/10/73<br />
CENTER Gandhi Gram Rd. Juhu, Bombay-54<br />
ISYAVASYA+GURUKULA<br />
5430 Gurley Street<br />
Dallas, Texas 75223<br />
My Dear Dayananda Das:<br />
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 8, 1973 and have noted the contents. Regarding the older boys, they can do gardening engagement and other brahmachari engagements, study and manual work. And, as soon as they can read Sanskrit and English, they should read our books, such as Bhagavad Gita As It Is. By cleansing the temple and growing flowers their ''[handwriten]'' attention in this way be always in Krsna consciousness. That will save them from the clutches of maya.<br />
kaumara acaret prajno dharman bhagavatan iha<br />
durlabham manusam janma tad apy adhruvam arthadam   ([[SB 7.6.1]])<br />
"From the very beginning of childhood one should learn how to behave and practice Krsna consciousness, because this human form of life is very rare. Although it is also perishable, it can give us the greatest boon; therefore we shall utilize this body from the very beginning of life."<br />
Regarding your separating from Nandarani, nothing should be done artificially. Nandarani is not different from you. She also seeks Krsna consciousness. Your household life is not repugnant; it is favorable. Do not separate artificially. When everyone is engaged in Krsna's service, there is no question of maya. I have got good estimation about Nandarani.<br />
I hope this meets you in good health.<br />
Your ever well wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br />
ACBS/bs

760207 - Letter to Sri Sudhir Kumar Dutta written from Mayapur

2026-02-13T23:43:27Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1976 - Letters]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1976-02 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Mayapur]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Mayapur]]
[[Category:Letters to Miscellaneous]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1976 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1976]]
[[Category:Letters - With Added Handwriting]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1976 - Letters|1976]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|760207_-_Letter_to_Sudhi_Kumar_Dutta.JPG|Letter to Sudhir Kumar Dutta}}

:Mayapur Candrodaya Mandir
:P.0. Sri Dhama Mayapur
:Dist. Nadia, West Bengal

February 7        76

:Shri Sudhir Kumar Dutta
:C/o Srimati Bhavatarini devi
:76 Doctor Durga Charan Rd.
:Calcutta 14

My dear Sudhir ''[handwritten]'',

Please accept my blessings. When I met with you last in Calcutta I wanted to know whether or not you could organize the sales of our books. If you are interested in this connection, I can help you up to the extent of Rs. 500 per month. Please let me know your decision if you are able to do this business.

Your ever well wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/dda

750204 - Letter to Dr. Channa Reddy written from Honolulu

2026-02-11T23:18:59Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1975 - Letters]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1975-02 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Hawaii]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Hawaii]]
[[Category:Letters to Public Officials]]
[[Category:Letters to Acquaintances]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1975 - Letters|1975]]'''</div>
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[[Category:1975 - Letters Needing Scans]]

February 03, 1975

Governor of Uttar Pradesh<br />
Raj Bhavan, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh<br />
INDIA

51 Coelho Way, Honolulu, Hawaii

Personal.

My dear Dr. Channa Reddy,

Please accept the blessings of Lord Krishna. The copy of your letter dated Jan. 23rd, 1975 is forwarded to me by my secretaries in Bombay and I thank you very much for your kind letter. I left Bombay on Jan. 26th, 1975 and on my way to U.S.A. I visited Hong Kong, and Tokyo. Now I am staying at the above address, Hawaii. I shall leave this place on the 9th and go to Los Angeles. From there, I shall go to South America, Mexico, Caracas, etc. Then, Puerto Rico, New York and I shall reach London by the end of this month. From there, I shall go directly to Bombay.

From the letter of the Governor of Maharashtra to you dated 20th of January, 1975, it is understood that the Governor himself is examining the case, personally. I do not know if my secretaries in Bombay have seen the Chief Minister as directed by you, but I think that when the Governor is personally examining the case, it may not be necessary to see the Chief Minister. I am also enquiring from Bombay whether they have seen the Chief Minister.

I am very much thankful to your Excellency for taking so much trouble for this noble case. Krishna will bless you with good opportunity to serve him more and more in the near future. Thank you once more.

I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/ps

730808 - Letter to Mahamsa written from Bhaktivedanta Manor, UK

2026-01-24T17:40:11Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1973 - Letters]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1973-08 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - Europe]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - Europe, England - London]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Europe]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Europe, England - London]]
[[Category:Mahamsa - Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Missing Pages or Text]]
[[Category:1973 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1973 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Unsigned, 1973]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1973 - Letters|1973]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|730808_-_Letter_to_Mahamsa.JPG|Letter to Mahamsa - text missing}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br /></big>
Founder-Acharya:<br />
International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>
CENTER:Bhaktivedanta Manor,<br />
             (formerly Piggots Manor)<br />
             Letchmore Heath<br />
             Near Radlett, Herts.<br />
DATE ......8th.August,..................1973..
<br />
<br />
<br />
My Dear Mahamsa,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 2nd August, 1973 with enclosures and noted the contents carefully.

Sriman Pannalal Pittie and Sriman Seshu are quite right when they say that the clause number five in the deed must be omitted. Tamala Krishna is not right. He says that we can always prove in the courts that what ever we do is in accordance with the rules and regulations of our society. But that clause number five will remain a pin-prick in the whole arrangement. The Hyderabad caste brahmins came to fight with me on the issue that brahmins are made by Birth, but we do not follow this principal,''[unclear]'' therefore now if we accept this defective donation and later on this question is raised that we are getting the Deity Worship maintained by Europeans and Americans who are not born in brahmin families there will be great litigation on this issue and it may be judgement is against us, then what we will do? We have to invest lakhs of Rupees on this temple construction and if later on this is cancelled as you write distinctly "The deed of trust shall stand as cancelled and the property hereby conveyed in trust shall revert back to the author of the trust." So you think we are going to take such risk? Suppose it is going to be reverted to the author of the trust which means he gets the property worth lakhs of Rupees invested by us. Tamal Krishna has no sense that he wants to settle up the things in court as he has done in our Bombay affairs. Un-necessarily he has cancelled our sales agreement with Mrs. Nair and we are suffering so much in litigation. So, he has not gained any experience what is the meaning of going to court. Therefore I can not agree with him that we shall prove in court that we are doing alright. We do not want to keep any clause in the deed of gift which will generate a sort of litigation with the ''[unclear]'' in the future. The trust gift must be unconditional. So Sri Pannala Pittie is right and I agree with him. When I was in India Tamal Krishna said that the draft deed would be first accepted by Pannala Pittie and then he would get it confirmed by our lawyer in Bombay. But I do not know why by talking on telephone. you should decide such an important transaction. I hope either you or Tamala Krishna should not act anything in this connection without consulting our friends like Pannala Pittie and finally approved by me. So one lakh of Rupees which I promised to pay first in the beginning of this construction, that promise stands good and I shall immediately pay one lakh of Rupees for construction as soon as the deed is finally executed.

I hope this meets you in good health.

760831 - Lecture Initiation - Delhi

2025-12-13T19:47:02Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1976 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1976-08 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - India]]
[[Category:Lectures - India, Delhi]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Delhi]]
[[Category:Lectures - Initiations]]
[[Category:Conversations and Lectures with Hindi Snippets]]
[[Category:1976 - New Audio - Released in November 2013]]
[[Category:Audio Files 10.01 to 20.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1976 - Lectures|1976]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">760831IN-DELHI - August 31, 1976 - 13.55 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1976/760831IN-DELHI_mono.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' They have got neckbeads?

'''Pradyumna:''' Everyone has their neckbeads? Yes. Bhakta Adira?

'''Devotee (1):''' Kṛṣṇa dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' His family? (indistinct discussion)

'''Kṛṣṇa dāsa (child):''' ''Jaya'' Śrīla Prabhupāda.

'''Pradyumna:''' His name is Abhayāśraya.

'''Prabhupāda:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">To kya niyam hai?</span> <span style="color:#128807">(So what is the principle?)</span>

'''Adira:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Char niyam hai. pehla hai maas, pyaaz-lehsun nahi, aur doosra hai chai, beedi, coffee nahi, aur teesra hai para stri aur chautha hai kisi prakar ka jua nahi.</span> <span style="color:#128807">(The four principles are no meat eating, no onion or garlic. Second is no tea or coffee or smoking. Third is no illicit sex, and fourth is no form of gambling.)</span>

'''Prabhupāda:''' Abhayāśraya.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''. (applause)

'''Pradyumna:''' Bhakta Allen?

'''Devotee (1):''' He's not present.

'''Pradyumna:''' Atmananda? Ātma-tattva dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Kya niyama hai?</span> <span style="color:#128807">(What are the principles?)</span>

'''Atmananda:''' No meat-eating, no intoxication, no illicit sex, no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Daant saaf nahi hai, acchi tarah se dhota nahi?</span> <span style="color:#128807">(Your teeth are not clean, don't you wash them properly?)</span> . . . (indistinct) . . . Ātmānanda dāsa.

'''Pradyumna:''' Ātma-tattva dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ātma-tattva dāsa.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Pradyumna:''' Lakshmana? Bhakta Lakshmana?

'''Devotee (1):''' Pay full obeisances.

'''Hari-śauri:''' ''Daṇḍavats''.

'''Devotee (1):''' Fall flat.

'''Prabhupāda:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Kya niyama hai?</span> <span style="color:#128807">(What are the principles?)</span>

'''Lakshmana:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Maas, pyaaz-lehsun nahi, aur doosra hai chai, beedi, coffee nahi, aur teesra hai para stri aur chautha hai kisi prakar ka jua nahi.</span> <span style="color:#128807">(No meat, onion or garlic, and second is no tea, cigarettes, coffee, and third is no illicit sex and fourth is no form of gambling.)</span>

'''Prabhupāda:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Theek bol raha hai?</span> <span style="color:#128807">(Are you stating alright?)</span>

'''Lakshmana:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Ji.</span> <span style="color:#128807">(Yes.)</span>

'''Pradyumna:''' Lakṣmīśa dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Lakṣmīśa dāsa.

'''Devotee:''' Laksmīśvara.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''.

'''Pradyumna:''' Robin?

'''Prabhupāda:''' While coming they should be careful not to touch feet anything. These people, they do not know. Especially . . .

'''Lokanātha:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Aap jab yahan ate hain to koi cheez ko sparsh nahi hone chahiye, patta hai, kela hai.</span> <span style="color:#128807">(Do not touch any of these things with your feet, there are leaves, banana.)</span>

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the rules and regulations?

'''Robin:''' No egg or fish, no meat-eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication and no gambling.

'''Pradyumna:''' Atīndra dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Atīndra dāsa.

'''Devotee:''' Atīndra dāsa.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''.

'''Pradyumna:''' Roger?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Walk very carefully. You should come very carefully to get beads.

'''Lokanātha:''' Excuse me, ''prabhus''. I'll repeat one more time, do not touch any of these things. Be careful.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Not touch nor cross.

'''Lokanātha:''' Not even go over it. It is offensive. Please make a way.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the rules?

'''Roger:''' No intoxication, no meat-eating, no gambling, no illicit sex. Chant sixteen rounds daily.

'''Pradyumna:''' Revatī-kumāra.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Revatī-kumāra dāsa.

'''Devotee:''' Revatī-kumāra dāsa.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''.

'''Pradyumna:''' Satyananda?

'''Lokanātha:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Jor se kahiye namah om, jor se bolna chahiye,</span> <span style="color:#128807">(''Namaḥ oṁ'' should be uttered loudly, you should say it loudly,)</span> should be a vibration. Otherwise, ''Nectar of Devotion'' says it's offense.

'''Satyananda:'''<span style="color:#ec710e">Char niyam hain. maas, machli, anda se nishedh, doosra koi nasha nahi, chāya, coffee, cigarettes, bīḍī, gañja, teesra para stri sangh, chauth kisi prakar ka jua nahi.</span> <span style="color:#128807">(There are four principles. Prohibition from meat, fish, eggs. Second is no intoxication like tea, coffee, cigarettes, drugs. Third is no illicit sex. Fourth is no gambling in any form.)</span>

'''Pradyumna:''' Siddhārtha dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Siddhārtha dāsa.

'''Devotee:''' Siddhārtha dāsa.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''.

'''Pradyumna:''' Dharma?

'''Lokanātha:''' Prabhupāda? These are his beads you were chanting on before.

'''Prabhupāda:''' No shaving?

'''Lokanātha:''' He's Tejiyas's man. I don't know. He is just a visitor, householder. He's in business.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's all right. Give him initiation . . . (indistinct Hindi)

'''Lokanātha:''' (indistinct) . . . initiation, he should do it first?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Lokanātha:''' I'll ask him.

'''Devotee:''' ''Jaya'', Śrīla Prabhupāda.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Nobody said to him? You did not know? Let him shave up. Then we shall . . . you should. You are introducing, you did not know? Then who has introduced?

'''Lokanātha:''' Tejiyas.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Tejiyas is not saying, and you also not detect? You should be very careful. If you remain ignorant, all ignorant, then where is progress? Everything ignorant I have to find out. So many big, big monkeys, nobody could find out. Big, big monkey, big, big belly. You also did not. That's all . . . who is next?

'''Pradyumna:''' Anyone else? That is all, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So?

'''Pradyumna:''' <span style="color:#ec710e">Baithiye.</span> <span style="color:#128807">(Sit down.)</span> <span style="color:#ec710e">(To vaishnavo ko ye janana chahiye ki . . .</span> <span style="color:#128807">(So the Vaisnavas should know . . .)</span> (break)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Because some of them, they could not follow Hindi.

'''Pradyumna:''' I'll just do it fast.

First ''nāma-aparādha'' is:

:''satāṁ ninda-namnaḥ param aparādham vitanute''
:''yataḥ khyātiṁ yātaṁ katham u sahate tad vigarhām''
:(Padma Purana)

The saints, the saintly persons who are spreading the glories of the holy name, if we abuse them, if we make offense at the people who are spreading the glories of the holy name, then the holy name will never tolerate that. How can the holy name tolerate the abuse of those who are spreading the glories of the holy name? So we must understand that a saintly person, a ''sādhu'', ''satām'', spreading the glories of Kṛṣṇa, talking about Kṛṣṇa, must never be offended. Must always be very careful. ''Sādhu-saṅga'' ([[CC Madhya 22.83|CC Madhya 22.83]]). You must know how to associate with the ''sādhus'', to always honor them and worship them and not to make offense. The second offense is that we should not put the . . . understand that the names of Śrī Kṛṣṇa or ''Viṣṇu-tattva'' personalities, which are completely spiritual, are the same as the material designations of ''jīvas'' like ourselves. There's ''Viṣṇu-tattva'', there is ''jīva''. ''Viṣṇu-tattva'' is God; ''jīva'' is this ordinary living entity. The name of the Supreme is the same as the Supreme. The name of the ''jīva'' is different from the ''jīva''. So we should not confuse these. We should understand the name of Viṣṇu is the same as Viṣṇu. The name of ''jīva'' is not the same. So the names of demigods—the demigods are also ''jīvas''—their names are not spiritual. If we call names of some demigods, it will not do us the same spiritual . . . it will not give us this spiritual result as calling the name of Kṛṣṇa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Therefore during the time of initiation we change the name. A spiritual name is given. Go on.

'''Pradyumna:''' Because that spiritual name has . . . because the name of Kṛṣṇa, a name of Hari, has the spiritual potency; therefore we use the name of Hari as much as possible. Hari dāsa . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Dāsa. Not that name, but the name's servant. Dāsa. When one is named Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa dāsa, he is servant of Kṛṣṇa. Not that Kṛṣṇa. If he thinks, "I have become Kṛṣṇa," that is Māyāvāda. Kṛṣṇa dāsa. Go on.

'''Pradyumna:''' The next offense is ''guror avajñā'', to neglect or disrespect the orders of the spiritual master. Because the spiritual master is the external representation of the internal Kṛṣṇa, whatever the spiritual master says is to be taken as exactly what Kṛṣṇa's desire is. Kṛṣṇa is within all of us as Paramātmā, but because we cannot see Him, because He is ''adhokṣaja'', or above our senses, therefore that same Kṛṣṇa within appears without as the spiritual master, and he gives us instructions, and these are taken to be the same as Kṛṣṇa's instructions. So to disrespect the orders of the ''guru'' is not to make any progress on the spiritual path. ''Na gatiḥ kuto 'pi''. There can be no ''gatiḥ'', there can be no spiritual achievement without following the orders of the spiritual master, because the order of the spiritual master is the same as Kṛṣṇa's order. ''Śruti-śāstra-nindanam''. One should not make blasphemy the ''śruti'', which are the ''Vedas'', and ''śāstra'', the ''śāstras'' which follow the ''Vedas''. This is ''Mahābhārata'', the ''Purāṇas'', the ''itihāsa'', the ''smṛti''. ''Śruti-smṛti''. These are the two eyes. It is said the ''brāhmaṇa'' has two eyes: one is ''śruti'', one is ''smṛti''. So by these ''śāstras'' we can understand, because the ''śāstras'' are made by God, because they are emanating from God—therefore they are perfect. As Kṛṣṇa . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Not different. Not different from God.

'''Pradyumna:''' Because God is perfect, because Kṛṣṇa is perfect, therefore His words and His ideas are also perfect. So these ''śāstras'' are the words of God. So they are also perfect. So the ''śruti-śāstra-nindanam'' means to think that there may be something wrong in the scripture or to take one verse out of ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and reject another verse. Because it is all coming from Kṛṣṇa and is all-perfect, therefore everything is perfect within it. We must accept everything. We must accept it without any . . . as being without any fault. So ''śruti-śāstra-nindanam''. We should not think that it has any imperfection, that "This may be wrong." ''Śruti-śāstra-nindanam hari-nāmni kalpanam''. We should not think that the . . . should not speculate on the nature of the holy name.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Go on, next. ''Nāmnād balād pāpa-buddhiḥ''.

'''Pradyumna:''' ''Nāmnād balād pāpa-buddhir na tasya śuddhiḥ'', ''na tasya vidyate śuddhir yamaiḥ''. Of one who makes . . . the next offense is that . . . if by chanting the holy name one becomes relieved from all his past sinful reactions, so if one thinks that, "I will perform sinful activities. I'll have illicit sex, I'll eat meat, fish . . ." (break) (end)

731205 - Lecture Initiation - Los Angeles

2025-12-11T17:10:33Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1973 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1973-12 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures - Initiations]]
[[Category:1973 - New Audio - Released in May 2015]]
[[Category:1973 - New Transcriptions - Released in May 2015]]
[[Category:Audio Files 10.01 to 20.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1973 - Lectures|1973]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">731205IN-LOS ANGELES - December 05, 1973 - 11:13 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1973/731205IN-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' (leads responsive chanting of prayers)

:''. . . gato 'pi vā''
:''yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ''
:''sa bahyābhyantaraṁśuciḥ''
:(Garuḍa Purāṇa)

:''śrī viṣṇu'' . . .

'''Pradyumna:''' (continues leading of chanting)

:''śrī viṣṇu''

:''śrī viṣṇu''

:''śrī viṣṇu''

''Om'' . . . (break) . . . everyone who is going to be initiated.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the prohibited rules? (break) Yes. And how many rounds you'll chant, minimum?

'''Devotee:''' . . . (indistinct)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you. So your name is Praśasya dāsa. Praśasya means one who observes the rules and regulation.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Karandhara:''' Costas? Citraka.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm? Citraka. (''japa'') You should offer obeisances. Yes. That is the etiquette. So what are the rules and Costas . . . (indistinct) . . . yes. Your name is Citraka. Citraka is one of the personal servant of Kṛṣṇa.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' (aside) You can hang it there.

'''Karandhara:''' Lee? Lee? That's all right. Let them stop. Come here. Is Prabhu dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So, you know the rules?

'''Lee:''' No meat-eating . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Lee:''' . . . no illicit sex, no gambling and no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Including smoking, yes. (laughter) So your name is Prabhu dāsa. Prabhu means the Lord, and his servant.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Karandhara:''' Paul? Pūjana.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the rules and regulation?

'''Paul:''' No illicit sex, no gambling, no meat-eating and no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your name is Pūjana dāsa. Pūjana, "The embodiment of worship."

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Karandhara:''' Dave? Name is Pārtha.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Eh?

'''Karandhara:''' Pārtha.

'''Karandhara:''' Dave Mustour. Which Dave is this? Are you Dave Mustour?

'''Prabhupāda:''' So what are the rules?

'''Dave:''' No meat-eating, no intoxication, no illicit sex, no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your name is Pārtha dāsa. Pārtha is another name of Arjuna.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

'''Karandhara:''' Dave Wright. This one is Nātha.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm?

'''Karandhara:''' Nātha.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Nātha. So, what are the . . .

'''Dave (2):''' No meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no illicit sex, no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your name is Nātha dāsa. Nātha is the name of the master, Kṛṣṇa, ''sa-nātha jīvita. Sa-nātha''. Just like if one lives under some able master he is always satisfied, similarly, if we remain servant of Kṛṣṇa we'll feel satisfaction always. Come on.

'''Karandhara:''' Jennifer. Name is Niścintya.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Niścintya. (''japa'') . . . ''harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam'' ([[CC Adi 17.21|CC Adi 17.21]]). So what are the rules and regulation?

'''Jennifer:''' No gambling, no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your name is Niścintya dāsī. ''Cintya'' means anxiety, and ''niścintya'' means no anxiety.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' So, no anxiety is Kṛṣṇa. And one who is under Kṛṣṇa, he is also, he has no anxiety. Otherwise always anxious. Material existence means anxiety. Anyone who is in the material existence, he is always in anxiety. ''Sadā samudvigna-dhiyām asad-grahāt'' ([[SB 7.5.5|SB 7.5.5]]). ''Niścintya'' means no anxiety. So you are the maidservant of ''niścintya''. Come on. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Karandhara:''' Marilyn? Uttama dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. Hare Kṛṣṇa. (laughs) (''japa'') What are the rules and regulation?

'''Marilyn:''' No meat-eating, no illicit sex, no gambling and no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your name is Uttama dāsī. Uttama. ''Uttama'' means beyond this material world. Kṛṣṇa is ''uttama''. Uttama, Puruṣottama. Uttama. Kṛṣṇa's another name is Puruṣa-uttama. So you are servant of, maidservant of Uttama, Kṛṣṇa.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Karandhara:''' Shelley.

'''Prabhupāda:''' (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' Svarūpa dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Svarūpa. (''japa'') So, what are the rules and regulation?

'''Shelley:''' No . . . (indistinct)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Loudly. Yes, so that others can hear that you are promising before Deity. (laughter) Yes.

'''Shelley:''' No meat-eating, no illicit sex . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Shelley:''' . . . no intoxication, no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' If you promise like that, then the all the butcher's shop will be closed. (laughter) Naturally the slaughterhouse will be closed.

'''Devotee:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' And people will be closed to sinful activities. Yes? So?

'''Karandhara:''' Svarūpa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Svarūpa dāsī. Svarūpa dāsī means . . . ''svarūpa'' means spiritual identity. Our spiritual identity is ever-eternal servant. Svarūpa dāsī means you remain eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. Don't forget.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Karandhara:''' Joanne?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Karandhara:''' Joanne?

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is the name?

'''Karandhara:''' It is Jayabhadra.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Eh?

'''Karandhara:''' Jayabhadra.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Jayabhadra. So, what are the rules and regulation? Loudly, please.

'''Joanne:''' No taking of intoxication, no meat-eating, no gambling, no illicit sex.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you. So, Jayabhadra dāsī. Now, Bhadra is Kṛṣṇa, the most gentle, and you are servant, maidservant of Kṛṣṇa, Jayabhadra.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's all right?

'''Karandhara:''' Go now and have ''kīrtana''?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. ''Kīrtana''. Have ''kīrtana'' little Yes. (end)

731210 - Lecture Initiation - Los Angeles

2025-12-10T22:54:36Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1973 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1973-12 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures - Initiations]]
[[Category:1973 - New Audio - Released in May 2015]]
[[Category:1973 - New Transcriptions - Released in May 2015]]
[[Category:Audio Files 10.01 to 20.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1973 - Lectures|1973]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">731210IN-LOS ANGELES - December 10, 1973 - 12:52 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1973/731210IN-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

(devotees chanting ''japa'' in background)

'''Prabhupāda:''' You have got? All right. Come on. He is showing his father. (''japa'') (break)

'''Karandhara:''' (to Prabhupāda) Ameyātmā.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ameyātmā. (''japa'') You know the rules and regulation? Rules and regulation?

'''Devotee:''' Four regulative principles.

'''Ameyātmā:''' No illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling and no meat-eating.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Mm-hm. And how many rounds you will chant?

'''Ameyātmā:''' Sixteen.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Minimum. Yes. So your spiritual name is . . .

'''Karandhara:''' Ameyātmā.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh. Ameya-ātmā, or Ameyātmā, the ''ātmā'', which cannot be measured. Come on.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Karandhara:''' George? (''japa'') Satāṁ-gatī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Satāṁ-gatī. (''japa'') What are the rules?

'''George:''' No meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no gambling, no . . . (indistinct)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Your spiritual name, Satāṁ-gatī. Satāṁ-gatī means the path of devotees.

:''satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido''
:''bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ''
:([[SB 3.25.25|SB 3.25.25]])

When about Kṛṣṇa anything is discussed amongst the devotees, ''satāṁ prasaṅgān'', at that time it becomes very pleasing to the ear and to the heart.

:''satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido''
:''bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ kathāḥ''
:([[SB 3.25.25|SB 3.25.25]])

That message becomes very pleasing to the ear and the heart. ''Taj-joṣaṇād āśv apavarga-vartmani''. And if one practically applies in his life, then ''śraddhā bhaktir ratir anukramiṣyati'', then he makes progress in spiritual life.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' Dharma-dakṣa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Dharma-dakṣa. (''japa'') Where is Girirāja? He does not come?

'''Karandhara:''' He was here earlier.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ah. So, what are the rules and regulation?

'''Dharma-dakṣa:''' No meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxicants, no illicit sex life.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Very dangerous, these things. You know that? (laughter) Yes. So, your spiritual name is Dharma-dakṣa, "In charge of religious principle. Dharma-dakṣa. Huh? Take it.

'''Karandhara:''' Willie?

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is ''dharma''? You are going to be in charge of religious principle, and what is religion?

'''Hṛdayānanda:''' (to devotee) What is religion?

'''Dharma-dakṣa:''' Oh. Remembering Kṛṣṇa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Thank you.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (laughter) (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' (to Prabhupāda) His name is Mahāvīrya dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So, what are the . . . (break)

'''Willie:''' . . . no illicit sex, no intoxicants . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. So your name is Mahāvīrya. Means "Very great, powerful."

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Karandhara:''' Pat. (to Prabhupāda) Surānanda. Surānanda. Surānanda.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Surānanda. So, what are the rules and regulation?

'''Pat:''' No meat-eating, no intoxication, no illicit sex and no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your spiritual name is Surānanda. ''Surā'', this word, it, it becomes, ''surā'' means "liquor," and ''sura'' means "The demigods or the devotees." ''Sura-asura. Asura'' means demons. So your name is Surānanda. That don’t be . . . ''ananda'' means pleasure, so it can bear two meanings. (laughs) (laughter) Don’t take pleasure in liquor. No. (laughter) Surānanda means to be associate with the devotees. That is Surānanda.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' Luis. (to Prabhupāda) His name is Loka-dakṣa. Loka-dakṣa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. So why you have kept Kṛṣṇa back side, picture?

'''Luis:''' Why . . . (indistinct)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. Now you know the rules and regulation?

'''Luis:''' No illicit sex, no intoxication, no gamble, no eat meat, including fish or egg.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. (aside) What is the . . .? Loka-dakṣa. Loka-dakṣa. Loka-dakṣa means Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the proprietor, ''sarva-loka-maheśvaram.'' Nobody is proprietor of anything. This planet belongs to Kṛṣṇa. Not only this planet, other planets also. So Loka-dakṣa means Kṛṣṇa. Loka-dakṣa dāsa. All right.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' Randy? (to Prabhupāda) His name is Mahā-buddhi. Mahā-buddhi.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Mahā-buddhi. So, what are the rules and regulation?

'''Randy:''' No illicit sex, no gambling, no meat-eating and no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's nice. Thank you. So your spiritual name is Mahā-buddhi. ''Maha'' means "great, unlimited," and ''buddhi'' means "intelligence." So Kṛṣṇa is unlimitedly intelligent. Therefore you become Mahā-buddhi dāsa, Kṛṣṇa's ''dāsa''. Come on. ''Dāsa'' means servant.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' Gail? (to Prabhupāda) Her name is Rasāṅgī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Rasāṅgī.

'''Karandhara:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So, what are the rules and regulation?

'''Gail:''' No eating of meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no gambling and no illicit sex.

'''Prabhupāda:''' First class. Your name is Rasāṅgī. ''Rasa, rasa'' means ānanda. ''Ānanda'' means "pleasure," "transcendental bliss." So, ''aṅga'' means "part and parcel." Rasāṅgīni dāsī. Come on.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' (to Prabhupāda) Her name is Rūpacandra.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Rūpacandra.

'''Karandhara:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So, what are the rules and regulation?

'''Rūpacandra:''' No intoxication, no illicit sex, no gambling and no meat-eating.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Now, repetition of these four principles means you . . . everyone should remember that you are promising before Kṛṣṇa. Just like there is affidavit in . . . before the magistrate. If you break that, then you will be criminal. Similarly, whatever promise you are making before Kṛṣṇa, if you violate, it is a great sin, and you will be punished for that. So remember always. What is it?

'''Karandhara:''' Rūpacandra.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh, so your name is Rūpacandra, "As beautiful as moon."

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (''japa'')

'''Karandhara:''' Her name is Madana-sundarī

'''Prabhupāda:''' So, what are the rules and regulation?

'''Madana-sundarī:''' No eating meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no gambling, no illicit sex.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your spiritual name is Madana-sundarī. Madana-sundarī, whereas so beautiful that one can captivate Kṛṣṇa, that is Rādhārāṇī, so Madana-sundarī dāsī means "Maidservant of Rādhārāṇī."

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' (''japa'')

'''Hṛdayānanda:''' All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! ''Haribol!''

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' All glories to Prabhupāda! ''Haribol'' Prabhupāda! (end)

730416 - Lecture Initiation - Los Angeles

2025-12-09T20:00:28Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1973 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1973 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1973-04 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures - Initiations]]
[[Category:Audio Files 10.01 to 20.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1973 - Lectures|1973]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">730416IN-LOS ANGELES - April 16, 1973 - 15:30 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1973/730416IN-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

(devotees chanting ''japa'' throughout)

'''Prabhupāda:''' So, name? Come on, one after another.

'''Karandhara:''' The beads. Sudhāmā Mahārāja?

'''Brahmānanda:''' Arlene?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Arlene. So you know the rules and regulation?

'''Arlene:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are these?

'''Arlene:''' No meat-eating, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no illicit sex.

'''Prabhupāda:''' How many rounds you will chant?

'''Arlene:''' Sixteen at least.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is the . . .

'''Brahmānanda:''' Kīrtidā-kanyakā dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your name is Kīrtidā dāsī.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''. Hare Kṛṣṇa. ''Haribol''.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Theresa? Theresa?

'''Karandhara:''' She's here.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is the name? Come on.

'''Karandhara:''' Come forward.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Come here. So? What are the rules and regulations?

'''Theresa:''' No illicit sex, no intoxication, no meat-eating, no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' And how many rounds?

'''Theresa:''' Sixteen.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That is the minimum. Yes, come on.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Taraṇī dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Tariṇī dāsī. You can deliver everyone. Come on. Next.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Cindy.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the rules and regulation?

'''Cindy:''' No meat-eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' And how many rounds will you chant?

'''Cindy:''' Sixteen at least.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. That's nice.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Bhagavat-citta-rathinī dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Big, big name. (laughter) So your name is Bhagavat-citta dāsī. Bhagavat-citta. ''Citta'' means consciousness. Come on. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Harold?

'''Karandhara:''' Come forward.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is the name?

'''Brahmānanda:''' Hasta-yajña.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hāsya-yajña?

(pause)

So? Make it Hāsyānanda. Now get up. (laughter) So you know what is the rules and regulation?

'''Hasyānanda:''' No illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling and no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' All right. Your name is Hāsyānanda, "Who laughs in ecstasy, ecstasy, chanting."

Hāsyānanda: Thank you very much.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa. Next, come on.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Larry? Lakṣmaṇa dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So you know the rules and regulation? What are the rules?

'''Larry:''' No meat-eating, gambling, sex or intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Illicit sex. So, Śrī Lakṣmaṇa dāsa. You know Lakṣmaṇa dāsa? He is the younger brother of Rāmacandra. Lakṣmaṇa dāsa.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Stuart?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Why you are laughing? So everyone should have neckbeads immediately.

'''Karandhara:''' Yes, Prabhupāda.

'''Prabhupāda:''' You know the rules and regulation? What is that?

Stuart: No meat-eating, no illicit sex life, no intoxication and no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you. Sutrajit.

'''Sutrajit:''' ''Jaya''. Thank you, Prabhupāda.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa. Come on.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Sandy?

'''Karandhara:''' Arlene, Cindy, put on neckbeads. Come on. Arlene.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the rules and regulations?

(child crying)

'''Girl:''' No meat-eating, no illicit sex, no gambling, no intoxication.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Suśarmā dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Suśarmā dāsī. She is your child? So you are married?

'''Suśarmā:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's nice. (laughter)

'''Brahmānanda:''' Why is the child crying? Roy?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Come on. What are the rules and regulation?

'''Roy:''' No meat-eating, no intoxication, no illicit sex and no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' And how many rounds you will chant?

'''Roy:''' At least sixteen.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Rāmalāla dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Rāmalāla dāsa. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Come on, next.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Cheryl Nixon.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the regulations?

'''Cheryl:''' No meat-eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication and no gambling or speculation.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's nice.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Śaraṇāgata dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Śaraṇāgata? Śaraṇāgatā, it should be. Śaraṇāgatā, long 'a.' Śaraṇāgatā dāsī. "One who has surrendered to Kṛṣṇa."

'''Brahmānanda:''' Dave?

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the regulative principles?

'''Dave:''' No meat, fish or eggs. No intoxication. No illicit sex . . . (indistinct)

'''Prabhupāda:''' How many rounds will chant?

'''Dave:''' At least Sixteen.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Bālika dāsa. Bālika.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Bālika? It should be Bālaka, not Bālika. Bālaka. Your name is Bālaka dāsa. Bālaka, cowherd boy.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Brahmānanda:''' Michael Nixon?

'''Prabhupāda:''' (''japa'') What are the rules and regulation?

'''Michael:''' No eating meat, fish or eggs, no intoxication, no illicit sex, no mental speculating.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Mahājana dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Mahājana dāsa. ''Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ'' ([[CC Madhya 17.186|CC Madhya 17.186]]). ''Mahājana'' means great authority. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Jim?

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the rules?

'''Jim:''' No meat-eating, no gambling, no illicit sex and no intoxication.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Kuvera dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Kuvera dāsa. (laughter) Kuvera is the treasurer of the demigods. You have to bring money more. (laughter) We require money. Come on. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Rhonda

'''Prabhupāda:''' When Kuvera wanted to give benediction to Dhruva Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja was very angry and was killing the descendants of Kuvera. And their offended the descendants of Kuvera killed Dhruva Mahārāja's brother; therefore he was retaliating. At that time somebody requested— Brahmā, I think—requested that, "Now you just pacify yourself. You have done." So he immediately stopped killing.

So Kuvera became very much pleased that although he could kill all the descendants of Kuvera, he stopped it. So he came forward to give him some benediction. So Kuvera is the richest treasurer. So he wanted to give some benediction. If Dhruva Mahārāja wanted, he could ask him that, "Give me all the money of the universe." He could give. But what did he ask? He said, "Sir, give me benediction that I may remain attached to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa."

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' It is a great example. He could ask him for money, but no. "Give me benediction. You are offering me benediction, so give me this benediction, that my mind may always remain attached to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa." Come on. So what are the rules and regulation?

'''Rhonda:''' No meat-eating, no illicit sex life, no intoxication and no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's nice.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Revatī dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Revatī dāsī. (''japa'')

'''Brahmānanda:''' Bob

'''Prabhupāda:''' Regulative principles?

'''Bob:''' No meat-eating, or fish or eggs, no illicit sex life, no intoxicants and no gambling.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So everyone is giving up meat-eating, the slaughterhouse will be closed. (laughter) And the butchers are not very much pleased with us. (laughter) Never mind. We have to do this. Come on. What is the name?

'''Brahmānanda:''' Bṛhadbhānu dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Vratabhānu. Vratabhānu dāsa. That's nice. So everyone is unpleased, except the devotees, for our movement.

'''Brahmānanda:''' Nancy?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa. You know the rules and regulation?

'''Nancy:''' No meat, fish or eggs, no gambling, no intoxication and no illicit sex.

'''Prabhupāda:''' All right, come on. What is the . . .?

'''Brahmānanda:''' Rāsaparagni dāsī.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Rāsa . . .?

'''Brahmānanda:''' Rāsaparagni.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Rāsapara . . . rāsa-parāyaṇī. Rāsa-parāyaṇī. Correct it. One of the gopīs. Rāsa-parāyaṇī dāsī, "one who wants to dance with Kṛṣṇa in ''rāsa'' dance." No ball dance. Finished? All right. Now who shall explain the ten kinds of offenses and the meaning of the ''oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā'' and then perform ''yajña''?

'''Karandhara:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So I can go?

'''Karandhara:''' Yes, Prabhupāda.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya!'' All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda!

(obeisances) (end)

Test for 680313 - Conversation and Brahma-samhita Prayers - San Francisco

2025-09-13T23:04:49Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1968 - Conversations]]
[[Category:1968 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1968 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1968-03 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Conversations - USA]]
[[Category:Conversations - USA, San Francisco]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, San Francisco]]
[[Category:Audio Files 20.01 to 30.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1968 - New Audio - Released in December 2017]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Conversations - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Conversations - by Date|Conversations by Date]], [[:Category:1968 - Conversations|1968]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="lec_code">680313TA-SAN FRANCISCO - March 13, 1968 - 22:46 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1968/680313TA-SAN_FRANCISCO.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is this maker, the trademark?

'''Gargamuni:''' Concord.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Concord, yes. Concord is famous tape record company.

It is all right?

'''Yamunā:''' Oh, yes, Swāmījī. It can also . . . it can be an amplification system.

'''Gargamuni:''' See, if you talk . . .

'''Yamunā:''' The thing is, they're too close to one another so there's a feedback. You have to be twelve feet away. Then it will amplify. That's what we were using in all of our speaking engagements.

'''Gargamuni:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa. It's like . . . it's an amplifier.

'''Devotee:''' Oh!

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh, it acts as amplifier also? So I'll have to speak from here?

'''Gargamuni:''' No.

'''Yamunā:''' You don't have to . . . if all . . . the two microphones weren't so close, then it would be . . . we wouldn't have this noise, and you could speak as you like to speak.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So Gargamuni wants that prayer? Solo? Solo?

'''Gargamuni:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' You also like that?

'''Yamunā:''' Oh. If it isn't too much energy, Swāmījī, that would be very beautiful.

'''Prabhupāda:''' All right.

'''Gargamuni:''' Also, when you used to sing in New York, ''Vande 'Haṁ'', you would add on ''Cintāmaṇi''. ''Govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ''.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, sometimes. You shall, I shall . . .? I shall pray that?

'''Gargamuni:''' Oh, yes. That's nice, that one.

'''Yamunā:''' What does that mean, Swāmījī, that new prayer?

'''Prabhupāda:''' ''Cintāmaṇi'' . . . that is description of Kṛṣṇaloka.

'''Yamunā:''' From the ''Brahma-saṁhitā''?

'''Gargamuni:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' You have?

'''Yamunā:''' Yes, I have a copy of it.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Sit down? Why do you keep there?

'''Gargamuni:''' Well, because . . . so it's not too loud.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh.

:''cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-''
:''lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam''
:''lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.29)

:''veṇuṁ kvaṇantam aravinda-dalāyatākṣam-''
:''barhāvataṁsam asitāmbuda-sundarāṅgam''
:''kandarpa-koṭi-kamanīya-viśeṣa-śobhaṁ''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.30)

:''ālola-candraka-lasad-vanamālya-vaṁśī-''
:''ratnāṅgadaṁ praṇaya-keli-kalā-vilāsam''
:''śyāmaṁ tri-bhaṅga-lalitaṁ niyata-prakāśaṁ''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.31)

:''cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-''
:''lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam''
:''lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.29)

:''advaitam acyutam anAdim ananta-rūpam''
:''ādyaṁ purāṇa-puruṣaṁ nava-yauvanaṁ ca''
:''vedeṣu durlabham adurlabham ātma-bhaktau''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.33)

:''cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-''
:''lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam''
:''lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.29)

:''panthās tu koṭi-śata-vatsara-sampragamyo''
:''vāyor athāpi manaso muni-puṅgavānām''
:''so 'py asti yat-prapada-sīmny avicintya-tattve''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.34)

:''cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-''
:''lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam''
:(Bs. 5.29)

:''eko 'py asau racayituṁ jagad-aṇḍa-koṭiṁ''
:''yac-chaktir asti jagad-aṇḍa-cayā yad-antaḥ''
:''aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham-''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.35)

:''cintāmaṇi-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vṛkṣa-''
:''lakṣāvṛteṣu surabhīr abhipālayantam''
:''lakṣmī-sahasra-śata-sambhrama-sevyamānaṁ''
:''govindam Adi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.29)

(end)

740701 - Lecture Initiation - Melbourne

2025-09-11T19:23:41Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1974 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1974-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - Australasia]]
[[Category:Lectures - Australasia, Melbourne]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Australasia]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Australasia, Melbourne]]
[[Category:Lectures - Initiations]]
[[Category:Audio Files 10.01 to 20.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1974 - New Audio - Released in October 2014]]
[[Category:Pages with Live Video]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1974 - Lectures|1974]]'''</div>
{{youtube_right|aEZjoD9q5Io|Lecture Initiations, Melbourne, July 1, 1974<br/>(please note, video is cut and partially recorded)}}

<div class="code">740701IN-MELBOURNE - July 01, 1974 - 14:08 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1974/740701IN-MELBOURNE.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' . . . ''puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ sa bahyābhyantaraḥ śuciḥ'' (Garuḍa Purāṇa):

"I offer my respectful obeisances whose name, holy name, by remembering, by chanting, one becomes purified in either condition, purified or impurified," ''apavitraḥ, pavitraḥ; sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā'', "in all circumstances."

So, so long we are in this material encagement we are supposed to be impurified. Because we are not purified, therefore we have to accept birth, death, old age and disease. Just like diseased condition is impurified. It requires to be purified by medical treatment so get out of the disease. So we living entities, we are part and parcel of God. Our original position is purified, but at the present moment we are contaminated. So by chanting the holy name of the Lord we become purified. The holy name of the Lord and the Lord, identical. By association with the Supreme Lord directly, by chanting the holy name, we become purified. ''Oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā, yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣam'' (Garuḍa Purāṇa). Kṛṣṇa, His name is Puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ. ''Puṇḍarīka'' means lotus flower; ''akṣam ''means eyes—whose eyes are just like the lotus flower. Lord Visnu, or Kṛṣṇa, is identified with lotus flower in so many places. His navel is like lotus flower, His eyes are like lotus flower, His feet, lotus feet. So lotus is the comparison of the beauty of different limbs or parts of the body, transcendental body of Kṛṣṇa.

So those who are going to be initiated, they should understand that chanting of the holy name means directly associating with the Supreme Lord. So as I have given several times the example of the iron rod and the fire—if you touch the iron rod with the fire, it becomes warmer, warmer and then red hot—similarly, when you chant offenselessly the holy name of the Lord, gradually you become purified, and when we chant holy name without any offense, then we immediately live at the shelter of Lord Kṛṣṇa. When we are almost free from contamination, then we become liberated, and when we chant purely the holy name, we are situated on the lotus feet of the Lord. And the more we go on chanting, we enjoy loving exchange affair between the Lord and ourself.

So we'll explain the ten kinds of offenses, and the initiated members should avoid the ten kinds of offenses. (aside) You have got the ten kinds of offenses? So first offense is to blaspheme great personalities who are engaged in glorifying the Lord within this material world. And, ''śruti-śāstra-nindanam'', and to decry the Vedic literature. And third, to interpret the holy name in different way according to our own whims. This is also offense. And the most dangerous offense is ''namnaḥ balād yasya hi pāpa-buddhir'' (Padma Purāṇa, Brahma Khaṇḍa 25.15-18). Anyone who thinks that, "I am chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'', so I am becoming free from contamination of sinful life; therefore let me commit sinful life and counteract it by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa," this is the greatest offense. We should not commit offenses on the strength of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. And then considering the different names of the demigods, they're independent—no. The Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa's name, Viṣṇu's name, is supreme; it cannot be equalized with other names. And, in spite of chanting the holy name, if one is attached to material enjoyment, that is also offense. And to instruct about the glories of the name to a person who is out of the jurisdiction of devotional service . . . of course, sometimes we have to do this, but that is for preaching sake. But generally we should not do that. I think these ten kinds of offenses are there. Anything more?

'''Satsvarūpa:''' To take the chanting as auspicious material ritual.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. ''Śubha-karma''. Just like to . . . there are many auspicious activities to counteract inauspicious activities. So this chanting of holy name should not be taken as that. It is just for the matter of pleasing the Absolute Personality of Godhead. So, you chant mantra. Hmm.

'''Madhudviṣa:''' Bhakta Johnny, your name now is Rāmāi dāsa.

'''Prabhupāda:''' You know what are the prohibitive rules? Prohibitive rules?

'''Rāmāi dāsa:''' . . . (indistinct)

'''Madhudviṣa:''' The four rules.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Huh?

'''Rāmāi dāsa:''' . . . (indistinct)

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is that?

'''Rāmāi dāsa:''' No illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So your spiritual name . . . how many rounds do you chant?

'''Rāmāi dāsa:''' Sixteen rounds.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''! ''Haribol!'' (break)

'''Prabhupāda:''' It is not properly done. It should be stuck up. So, what are the prohibitive rules?

'''Bhakta:''' No meat-eating, no illicit sex, no gambling, no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Mmm, and you will chant?

'''Bhakta:''' Sixteen rounds.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. So what is his name?

'''Madhudviṣa:''' His spiritual name is Pūrṇacandra dāsa.

'''Devotees:''' ''Haribol!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' The neck beads must be tight.

'''Madhudviṣa:''' Next, next initiate is Bhakta Kenny . . . Bhaktin Penny. (break)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm?

'''Devotee:''' Big books.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm?

'''Devotee:''' Distributes big books.

'''Prabhupāda:''' ''Ācchā''. So you are serving very nice. I am very glad. So what are the prohibitive rules?

'''Bhaktin Penny:''' No illicit sex, no gambling, no meat-eating, no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you very much. How many rounds you will chant?

'''Bhaktin Penny:''' Sixteen rounds a day.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Very good. What is her name?

'''Madhudviṣa:''' Bhaktin Penny's name is Śubha-lakṣmī dāsī.

'''Devotees:''' ''Haribol!'' (laughter)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Bring money more. (laughter) ''Lakṣmī'' means money, (laughter) and ''śubha'' means auspicious. So long you bring money, you are auspicious. (laughter)

'''Madhudviṣa:''' The next initiate is Bhaktin Carol. (break)

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's nice. So your name is Rāja-lakṣmī.

'''Madhudviṣa:''' Rāja-lakṣmī. (laughter)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Royal. ''Rāja'' means royal. So what are the rules and regulation?

'''Rāja-lakṣmī:''' No illicit sex. No meat-eating or eating anything that's not ''prasādam''. No intoxication. No gambling or speculation.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you. How many rounds will you chant?

'''Rāja-lakṣmī:''' Sixteen.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Huh?

'''Rāja-lakṣmī:''' Sixteen.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you. Minimum. (laughter)

'''Devotees:''' ''Haribol!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm.

'''Madhudviṣa:''' The next initiate is Bhaktin Eleanor. (break)

'''Bhaktin Eleanor:''' No intoxication, no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling or speculation.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you. What is the name?

'''Madhudviṣa:''' Bhaktin Eleanor's name is Mohinī-śakti dāsī.

'''Devotees:''' ''Haribol!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' Very nice name. It is Kṛṣṇa's incarnation. She allured the demons. Kṛṣṇa in the form of a beautiful woman allured the demons. The demons become allured by Kṛṣṇa's ''mohinī-śakti''. And devotees, they are inclined to serve Kṛṣṇa being blessed by Rādhārāṇī. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Come on.

'''Devotees:''' ''Haribol!''

'''Madhudviṣa:''' The next initiate is Bhaktin . . . Bhaktin Sue.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What are the rules?

'''Bhaktin Sue:''' No illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling and no intoxication.

'''Prabhupāda:''' How many rounds you will chant?

'''Bhaktin Sue:''' Minimum sixteen.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you. What is her name?

'''Madhudviṣa:''' Bhaktin Sue's name is Guṇavati dāsī.

'''Devotees:''' ''Haribol!''

'''Prabhupāda:''' "Full of good qualities." ''Yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā sarvair guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ'' ([[SB 5.18.12|SB 5.18.12]]). Anyone who is pure devotee of the Lord, all good qualities . . . (break) (end)

760706 - Lecture Tenth Anniversary - Washington D.C.

2025-07-18T01:20:02Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1976 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1976 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1976-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Washington D.C.]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Washington D.C.]]
[[Category:Lectures - General]]
[[Category:Audio Files 45.01 to 60.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1976 - Lectures|1976]]'''</div>
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<div class="center">
[[Vanipedia:760706f - Lecture - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Washington DC|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">760706AD-WASHINGTON DC - July 06, 1976 - 56.17 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1976/760706AD-WASHINGTON_DC_mono.mp3</mp3player>

'''Rūpānuga:''' In July 1966, Śrīla Prabhupāda in New York City formed the International Society for Krishna Consciousness - incorporated it. And as Śrīla Prabhupāda mentioned this morning he was asked to call it the "International Society for God Consciousness," but he did not take that advice. He stuck to the principles of his Guru Mahārāja and called our Society an International Society for Krishna Consciousness. At that time His Divine Grace outlined the purposes for the Society. We want to read them tonight to show that actually they have all come true. And on this tenth anniversary, all the purposes of our Society actually are being fulfilled or already have been.

The first one was to systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large, to educate all people in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life, and to achieve real unity and peace in the world.

Second, to propagate a consciousness of Kṛṣṇa as it is revealed in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''.

The third, to bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Kṛṣṇa, the prime entity, and thus to develop the idea within the members and humanity at large that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa.

Fourth, to teach and encourage the ''saṅkīrtana ''movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God, and to reveal the teachings of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Fifth, to erect for the members and for the Society at large a holy place of transcendental pastimes dedicated to the Personality of Godhead.

The sixth, to bring the members closer together for the purpose of teaching a simpler and more natural way of life.

Last, with a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.

So we can see that actually Śrīla Prabhupāda has now almost a hundred centers and ''āśramas ''throughout the world. This has been established in less than ten years. One gentleman recently, a respectable gentleman was saying, "I do not see how this Society is understood all over the world." He was doubtful. And I explained to him what we have done already was done in ten years . . . (indistinct) . . . he was thinking it had been done in twenty, thirty, or forty years, like that. He was so surprised to see that actually in ten years only all this has been accomplished.

And about revealing Kṛṣṇa's, consciousness of Kṛṣṇa as revealed in the ''Bhagavad-gītā ''and ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', Śrīla Prabhupāda's books are now printed in almost fifteen languages around the world and distributed in millions every year. The United States and Europe and South America and in Africa, the Mediterranean, every country in the world is now benedicted by Śrīla Prabhupāda's translations. So that purpose he has kept.

"To bring the members of the Society closer together" - he has always taught us that our whole society is based on love and trust. It was sometimes hindered by our past bad activities and bad habits. We have actually come more and more to that conclusion ourselves as we have banded together to help Śrīla Prabhupāda push this movement. We've had to base our relationships with each other on love and trust; otherwise this would never happen. I've seen personally that so many people gathered together under one roof who would never speak to each other in the material world, who would never even see each other, who would never cross each others path. But in Kṛṣṇa consciousness all these things are forgotten because there's a common denominator, Kṛṣṇa, and everyone's banded together in love and trust.

"To teach and encourage ''saṅkīrtana''." There's hardly a person who travels anywhere who hasn't seen ''saṅkīrtana ''in every major city in the Western world. And now they're in India, now in Africa. People see us everywhere. One time a boy said to me . . . I asked him, "How many devotees do you think, full-time devotees, do you think we have in this movement?" This was Washington several years ago. And the boy said, "Well I don't know." "Come on take a guess." "All right. Two million?" (laughter) I didn’t want to tell him there was barely a few thousand at that time, who had initiated the progress, but because of their energy, because Śrīla Prabhupāda's energy is pushing all of his disciples, it appears that there are millions. Because people see us all over the world. Actually we are simply distributing Śrīla Prabhupāda's books. So he has kept that promise, that purpose has been kept.

And to the rest of the members of the society in general, holy places of pilgrimage, that has been accomplished. We are seeing tremendous structures of temples growing up in India almost overnight in Vrindavana, the land of Kṛṣṇa, in Mayapur, the land of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and now so many projects including farm projects. This is his promise. This purpose has been kept. It reminds of so many so called ''gurus ''who come and they make promises, they take money and then they are gone - in a few years they are gone. They are found to be smuggling things in their suitcase or they are found to be telling lies, to their promises and their purposes. We find that Srila Prabhupada has kept his promises and purposes in the ten years . . . (indistinct)

“To bring the members closer together to teach them a simpler, more natural way of life” has also been accomplished, because Srila Prabhupada has now established a number of farm projects throughout the world . . . (indistinct) . . . 1500 acres, ''āśrama'', with over 150 members has been flourishing for six to seven years already. So that, that purpose has been accomplished.

And “with a view towards achieving the aforementioned purposes, to publish and distribute periodicals, magazines, books and other writings.” Srila Prabhupada has published so many things from "''Easy Journey to Other planets''" . . . (indistinct) . . . Prabhupada, so many of his books are continually being published after ten years, ever fresh, ever new. They are being passed out now in small towns and villages, every year . . . (indistinct)

So every one of these purposes that Srila Prabhupada . . . when he pro . . . When he made the statement in . . . (indistinct) . . . manifesto to the government, that “this is the purpose I have come to your country, so this high ideal, with this great ideal, and this is my promise.” So Srila Prabhupada has made a promise to the American people, and actually he has kept his promise. And now it is upon our shoulders to somehow or another, somehow or another try to repay this tremendous debt. Actually it can never be paid - the obligation to the spiritual master can never be paid. Most . . . the majority of people don’t know the obligation that they have to Srila Prabhupada. But those of us who think, who have some understanding, we must somehow or another repay Srila Prabhupada for what he has done. So that is now our promise. We promise that we will carry out his desires for the rest of our lives. We promise that these purposes that he . . . (indistinct) . . . International Society of Krishna Consciousness, he . . . (indistinct) . . . almost single handedly. He was telling us how when he first arrived in the boat. Before even Srila Prabhupada got off the boat he distributed his first ''Bhagavatam'', to the boat captain.

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya''! ''Haribol''.

'''Rūpānuga:''' Srila Prabhupada was saying that . . . He was thinking "I have these forty rupees. I cannot . . . (indistinct) . . . with rupees in this country, so I must sell some books and get some American money. So he asked the ship's captain for sixteen dollars, for these books, first set of ''Bhagavatam''. And the captain gave him twenty."

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya ''Srila Prabhupada!

'''Rūpānuga:''' That way Srila Prabhupada set an example . . . to follow the example . . . (indistinct)

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya ''Srila Prabhupada!

(Devotees offer obeisances to Srila Prabhupada)

'''Prabhupāda:''' (8:45) Anyone else speaking? Anybody else?

'''Devotee:''' . . . (indistinct) . . . Srila Viswanath Cakravarti Thakura . . . (indistinct) . . . that the spiritual master is not elected by popularity vote. There are so many . . . (indistinct) . . . in the world . . . (indistinct) . . . so by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa . . . (indistinct)

:''brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva''
:''guru-kṛṣṇa-prasāde pāya bhakti-latā-bīja''
:(CC ''Madhya'' 19.151)

Throughout 8400000 different species of life the living entity is forced to transmigrate, in all these abominable conditions of life - and finally by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa, one comes in contact with a bona fide ''guru'', bona fide representative of God - and then there is opportunity. By the mercy of Kṛṣṇa one gets ''guru ''and by the mercy of ''guru ''one can get the seed of devotional service. So this opportunity is now present before the whole world. Prabhupada has planned not for himself but for our benefit. Practically we can see it that Srila Prabhupada, his movement is simply to benefit us, how we can go back to Godhead, back to Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we should sacrifice everything for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. This is the highest perfection of life.

:''dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puṁsāṁ''
:''viṣvaksena-kathāsu yaḥ''
:''notpādayed yadi ratiṁ''
:''śrama eva hi kevalam''
:(SB 1.2.8)

:''ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā''
:''varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ''
:''svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya''
:''saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam''
:(SB 1.2.13)

The highest perfection of life is not to become ''sannyasi'', is not to become renounced, is not to be come king, is not to become anything of this material world. All of these different conditions, they are just like bubbles, they are bound to pop at any moment . . . (indistinct) . . . bubbles, at any moment they pop. The highest perfection of life is ''saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam'', to please Kṛṣṇa. And Kṛṣṇa says in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' in the eighteenth chapter that "there is no one more dear to Me in this world than someone who is teaching the devotees how to surrender unto Me." So obviously there is no one more dear in the entire world, in the entire universe, to Kṛṣṇa than Srila Prabhupada. And speaking from my own experience I know factually, although I may not be qualified as a disciple, or very elevated in spiritual life, but this much I can know from the association with Srila Prabhupada - that Srila Prabhupada is indeed directly the representative of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore if you take his instruction as our life and soul, it is non different from Kṛṣṇa’s instructions.

Therefore it is stated, ''yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo ''(Gurvastaka 8), that if you can get the mercy of the spiritual master . . . ''yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto ’pi''—without the mercy of the spiritual master you make no progress. Just like if you disregard Kṛṣṇa instructions so how can you associate with Him. Similarly if you disregard the instructions of Srila Prabhupada it is impossible to associate with him, his instructions are non different. But Prabhupada is so kind, he is teaching us repeatedly, day after day, driving into our very dull brain because of so much sinful activities. But nonetheless Prabhupada like a loving father he is guiding us gently, always encouraging us that "Come on!" Just like this morning . . . (indistinct) . . . "Come on, everyone, come on, come back to Godhead, take up this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is your eternal life. By doing this you will be happy, and everyone will be happy." . . . (indistinct) . . . so . . . (indistinct) . . . on behalf of everybody also, thank Srila Prabhupada for this, very golden opportunity . . . (indistinct) . . . we pray that, by your mercy and by the mercy of Lord Nityananda, we will be able to strongly remain attached to the lotus feet . . . (indistinct)

'''Devotees:''' ''Jaya ''Srila Prabhupada! All glories to the ten years of the movement. (''kīrtan'') (break)

'''Prabhupāda:''' (14:50)

:''oṁ ajñāna-timirāndhasya''
:''jñānāñjana-śalākayā''
:''cakṣur unmīlitaṁ yena''
:''tasmai śrī gurave namaḥ''

:''śrī-caitanya-mano-'bhīṣṭaṁ''
:''sthāpitaṁ yena bhū-tale''
:''svayaṁ rūpaḥ kadā mahyaṁ''
:''dadāti sva-padāntikam''

This movement is ''śrī-caitanya-mano-'bhīṣṭam''. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He appeared on this earth five hundred years ago in Bengal, Navadvīpa, to spread this Kṛṣṇa consciousness, although this movement is not new. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was started by Kṛṣṇa Himself. Apparently, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement was started by Kṛṣṇa Himself in the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra five thousand years ago, and He says that "This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement I spoke to the sun-god long, long years ago." ''Imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam'' ([[BG 4.1 (1972)|BG 4.1]]). This is ''avyaya''. ''Avyaya'' means which is never diminished or destroyed. ''Vyaya'' means which is destroyed, and Kṛṣṇa says this ''yoga ''system . . . this is ''yoga ''system: ''bhakti-yoga''. ''Yoga ''means to connect, to add, ''yoga''. So at the present moment we are almost disconnected. Not exactly disconnected; forgotten our relationship with Kṛṣṇa, or God.

God means Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa means God. So in the human society there are many different types of ''yoga ''system just to reconnect our relationship with Kṛṣṇa. In the ''Bhagavad-gītā ''they are explained differently: ''karma-yoga'', ''jñāna-yoga'', ''haṭha-yoga'', ''dhyāna-yoga'', ''bhakti-yoga''. All of them are ''yogas'', but there are different stages. ''Yoga'' means to connect, or to link up, with the Supreme Absolute Truth. Now suppose he is in the topmost platform. So everyone is trying to go there. ''Mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ ''([[BG 3.23 (1972)|BG 3.23]]). Kṛṣṇa says, "Everyone is trying to come to Me, but . . ." Just like the person who's on the top floor. So the staircase is one. Somebody has crossed ten steps; somebody has taken, crossed twenty steps; somebody has crossed hundred steps; but one has to go, to fulfill, say, one thousand steps. So there are different ''yoga ''systems. Everyone is trying to go to the topmost platform, ''mama vartmānuvartante manuṣyāḥ pārtha sarvaśaḥ''. This is a fact.

So in the Kali-yuga especially, to come to the highest platform of ''yoga'' perfection step by step, it is little difficult. Actually, to practice ''yoga'', one has to undergo so many austerities, penances, rules, regulations. That is all described in the Sixth Chapter of ''Bhagavad-gītā'', how ''yoga ''should be practiced. It is recommended that ''yogīs ''should sit down in a secluded place, sacred place. So in India, still, those who are actually ''yogīs'', at least those who are trying to follow the ''yoga ''system . . . real ''yoga ''system means ''dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ ''([[SB 12.13.1|SB 12.13.1]]). ''Yoginaḥ'', those who are ''yogīs'', they sit down in a secluded place, alone. This ''yoga'' practice is not possible in a fashionable city. That is not possible. It is to be executed alone. Still you'll find in India, many places—Haridwar—there are many ''yogīs'', they are sitting alone. They have nothing to do with this material world, and ''dhyānāvasthita'', and not only for one, two, three years, but for many hundred years. Still many ''yogīs ''come during Kumbha-melā. Their age is three hundred years, four hundred years, five hundred years old. It is possible. It is possible by exercising the breathing, one can prolong his life. That is called ''samādhi''. If you can stop your breathing, then you enhance your duration of life. That is possible. Therefore you'll find the picture of the ''yogīs'', they are controlling the breathing. Because everyone has got a destined breathing period by superior arrangement, so if you don't spend your breathing, then you'll prolong your life. This is the system. If you can remain in ''samādhi'', don't breathe, then . . . just like if you have got a bank balance, one thousand dollars. If you don't spend it, then the one thousand dollar is there. Or out of one thousand dollars, you spend one; still you have nine hundred ninety-nine. So the ''yoga ''practice is to control the breathing period. And this breathing can be controlled if you can control your sense pleasure. Otherwise it will not be possible. Especially sex. Everyone has got experience. While sex life one enjoys, the breathing is very heavy. Very, very heavy. So he loses the balance of his breathing period. Therefore the first practice of ''yoga ''is ''yoga indriya saṁyamaḥ'', to control the senses. That is all described in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', Sixth Chapter.

So this ''yoga ''system was possible in the Satya-yuga, I mean to say, possible for the mass of people. If one or two person practices ''yoga'', the practice is there, the system is there, but it is not possible for the general public. It is not possible. So in the ''śāstra'' we find, ''kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuḥ ''([[SB 12.3.52|SB 12.3.52]]). Real ''yoga ''system, I've already explained, that ''yoga indriya saṁyamaḥ'', or by meditation to see the Supreme Lord always within the heart. ''Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ ''([[SB 12.13.1|SB 12.13.1]]). In trance, you'll find ''yogī ''picture, their trance, they are in meditation, completely silent, stop breathing and seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, within the heart. This is actual ''yoga ''system. But it was possible to be executed in the Satya-yuga. Satya-yuga means when people used to live for one hundred thousands of years. That was possible. Just like Vālmīki Muni. He executed ''yoga ''system for sixty thousand years. Because he was to live for one hundred thousands of years, so it was not very difficult to engage oneself in sixty thousands of years. But that is not possible in this age. Therefore ''śāstra ''says,

:''kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ''
:''tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ''
:''dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ''
:''kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt''
:([[SB 12.3.52|SB 12.3.52]])

''Kalau'', in this Kali-yuga, when people are very, very fallen . . . ''mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ ''([[SB 1.1.10|SB 1.1.10]]). They are very unfortunate also, and ''manda-bhāgyā'', and although unfortunate, they are disturbed by so many external factors. So it is very difficult to execute ''yoga ''system or ''yajña ''system, sacrifice. It is very costly affair. Or even ''arcana'', temple worship, it is also very difficult, because people are not very much interested even, worshiping the Deity in the temple. In India there are thousands and thousands of temples, temple or mosque or church, at the same time, for offering prayers, obeisances to the Lord. People are losing interest in that ''arcana-mārga''. There are many temples I have seen, there is no caretaker. People are losing interest. Many temples. They are open; a dog is living within the temple and passing stool. I have seen it.

So people are gradually losing interest in temple worship even, what to speak of ''yoga ''or offering sacrifices. Everything is now finished. Therefore ''kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt''. This is recommended in the ''śāstra''. That system was introduced by Caitanya Mahāprabhu, because other system will not be successful in this age. May be successful in one or two cases, but not for the general mass of people. Therefore ''śāstra ''recommends . . . there are different incarnation of God, but one incarnation is there, it is mentioned in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ''and other places also, in ''Upaniṣad ''and ''Mahābhārata''. These are approved Vedic scriptures. So the Vedic knowledge is summarized in the ''Vedānta ''system, ''Brahma-sūtra'', everything done by Vyāsadeva. And in order to protect the sanctity of ''Vedānta ''. . . because there are so many foolish persons, they are distorting the purpose of ''Vedānta-sūtra''; therefore Vyāsadeva, under the instruction of his spiritual master Nārada, he personally wrote a commentary on the ''Vedānta-sūtra''. This is ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. So Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu introduced these two things—''saṅkīrtana ''and ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. And ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ''means the expansion of ''Bhagavad-gītā''. Just like in the ''Bhagavad-gītā ''you'll find, at the last stage, Kṛṣṇa says, ''sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ''([[BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). And ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ''also begins from that point. ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ''gives introduction, ''dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo 'tra ''([[SB 1.1.2|SB 1.1.2]]). All cheating type of religious system kicked out, ''projjhita''. ''Projjhita ''means just like you sweep over the floor, and all the dust, you throw it away. That is called ''projjhita''. ''Prakṛṣṭa-rūpeṇa ujjhita''.

So this two system . . . one system, to accept the real principles of religion. That is, Kṛṣṇa also explained. It is explained by Kṛṣṇa that Kṛṣṇa came, appeared. Why? What is the purpose of Kṛṣṇa's appearing? Sometimes they argue, atheist class of men, that God cannot come. So why God cannot come? God is your father's servant, that He cannot come? You are ordering? If He cannot come, how He is God? God can do everything. Why you say that God cannot come? He is not under your rules and regulations. Then He is not God. God can come. God says, "Yes, I come!"

:''yadā yadā hi dharmasya''
:''glānir bhavati bhārata''
:''abhyutthānam adharmasya''
:''tadātmānaṁ sṛjāmy aham''
:([[BG 4.7 (1972)|BG 4.7]])

:''paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ''
:''vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām''
:''dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya''
:''yuge yuge sambhavāmi''
:([[BG 4.8 (1972)|BG 4.8]])

So why God cannot come? So when God says, "Yes, I come for this purpose. This is My mission . . ." ''yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati'', what is that ''glānir''? ''Glānir ''means discrepancies. Not . . . the principles of religious . . . when it is not executed properly, that is called ''glānir''. So what is ''dharma''? A simple definition is given: ''dharmaṁ tu sākṣāt-bhagavat-praṇītam'' ([[SB 6.3.19|SB 6.3.19]]). ''Dharma'' means the law given by God, that's all—three words: God and His words. So if we do not know who is God, if we do not know what is His order, then we are lost. If we do not know God and if we . . . just like if we do not know what is the government and if we do not know what is the order of government, then where is our position? We'll commit every step some mistake, and we shall suffer. So we must know what is ''dharma ''and . . . a cat, dog cannot understand ''dharma'', but a human being is supposed to understand ''dharma''. Lawbooks are made for the human being, not for the cats and dogs. "Keep to the left" or "Keep to the right," the signboard is there in the street. Or the red light is there, blue light is there—for whom? For the human beings, not for the cats and dogs. The cats and dogs may disobey; there is no criminality on their part because they are cats and dogs. So there is law of God; there is God. If human being does not know what is God and what is the law of God, then he's no better than the cats and dogs. He must know. ''Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam''.

So that law is being instructed by the God Himself. That is ''Bhagavad-gītā''. ''Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja'' ([[BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). ''Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati ''([[BG 4.7 (1972)|BG 4.7]]). ''Dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya''. So Kṛṣṇa did not come to establish some sectarian religious system. That is not God's system. God is for everyone. God is not for the Hindus, for the Muslims, for the Christians or anyone. God is for everyone. He is for animals, trees, plants, aquatics, insects—everyone. Because He claims, Kṛṣṇa says in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'',

:''sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya''
:''sambhavanti mūrtayaḥ yāḥ''
:''tāsāṁ mahad yonir brahma''
:''ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā''
:([[BG 14.4 (1972)|BG 14.4]])

Kṛṣṇa is claiming. Actually, that is the fact. If you study only this verse, ''sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya sambhavanti mūrtayaḥ yāḥ ''. . . there are so many forms of life, beginning from grass. That is also life. The grass is coming from the earth, the trees are coming from the earth, the animals, four-legged animals, they are eating grass, they are forming semina, they are discharging the semina, and the animal species of life are coming. We are eating, either eating the animal or the vegetable. We are also begetting children. The origin is from the earth. ''Tāsāṁ mahad yonir brahma''. ''Mahat-tattva''. So we can see practically that these things are there, so many different varieties of life. ''Jalajā nava-lakṣāṇi sthāvarā lakṣa-viṁśati kṛmayo rudra-saṅkhyakāḥ ''(Padma Purāṇa). They are all living entities. Aquatics, nine hundred thousand forms of life within the water, ''jalajā nava-lakṣāṇi''. Everything accurate. ''Sthāvarā lakṣa-viṁśati'': the trees, plants, they are standing, ''sthavara''. That is very great punishment. Those who are very, very sinful, they have to take birth as trees and plants and stand up for thousands of years, material nature's punishment. A small ant, it can move, but a big tree cannot move. That is punishment. Just like in our childhood we were being punished by the teachers, "Stand up on the bench." So it is like that.

So in this way Kṛṣṇa, or God . . . if you simply study this line, that so many living entities are coming out of the earth, either water or land or air or anything. They are coming out. So they are offspring, and material nature is the mother. Kṛṣṇa says that ''sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya sambhavanti mūrtayaḥ yāḥ'', ''tāsāṁ mahad yonir ''([[BG 14.4 (1972)|BG 14.4]])—''mahat-tattva''. ''Yoni'', mother. So where is the father? The children are there, the mother is there, the next inquiry should be, "Where is the father?" That is natural. Without father, the mother is sitting with the child, nobody can say the child has no father. If somebody says that "I do not see the father. How I can believe?" that is foolishness. You believe or not believe, you see or not see, there must be father. This is the conclusion. This is theory, that this world is going on, everything is coming out of the mother earth, then there must be father. And that father is present, ''ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā'' ([[BG 14.4 (1972)|BG 14.4]]): "I am the father."

So it is our misfortune that we do not recognize the father. So it may be, "How can I recognize my father?" Ask you mother. ''Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ'' ([[BG 15.15 (1972)|BG 15.15]]). All Vedic literature will say, "Here is father." ''Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam'' ([[SB 1.3.28|SB 1.3.28]]).

:''īśvaraḥ paramaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ''
:''sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ''
:''anādir ādir govindaḥ''
:''sarva-kāraṇa kāraṇam''
:(BS 5.1)

So we'll find in every Vedic literature, Kṛṣṇa is the supreme father. When Arjuna understood ''Bhagavad-gītā'', he addressed Kṛṣṇa, in the Tenth Chapter you will find, ''paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān puruṣaṁ śāśvatam ādyam'' ([[BG 10.12-13 (1972)|BG 10.12]]). And he also confirmed that "I am accepting You like this, ''paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma''. So people may be in doubt because I am Your friend. So they may say, 'Out of friendship, regard or affection, out of sentiment, he is speaking like that, that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme person, ''paraṁ brahma''.' " But Arjuna immediately rectifies this impression, that "Not only myself, but great authorities like Vyāsadeva, Nārada, Asita, they are also affirming." Vyāsadeva is authority. Veda-vyāsa, he is the giver of Vedic knowledge. So he is accepting. In the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam ''he is writing, ''ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam ''([[SB 1.3.28|SB 1.3.28]]). He has given description of the incarnation of God, then he concludes that "All these incarnations, they are part and parcel or plenary expansion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but the name which I have mentioned as Kṛṣṇa, that Godhead, ''kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam'', He is the Supreme Original Personality of Godhead." That is Vyāsadeva's . . . so we have to accept. And Arjuna also says, ''svayaṁ ca bravīṣi me'', "You are also personally speaking that ''mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya'' ([[BG 7.7 (1972)|BG 7.7]]), 'There is no more superior authority than Me.' " So this is confirmed.

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means to find out the supreme father. Supreme father. That is the sum and substance of this movement. If we do not know who is our father, that is not a very good position. At least, in India, it is a custom, if somebody cannot say his father's name, he is not very respectable. And it is the system in the court that you write your name, you must write your father's name. That is Indian, Vedic system, and the name, his own name, his father's name and his village name, these three combined together. I think this system may be prevalent in other countries, but India, this is the system. The first name his own name, the second name his father's name, and the third name is the village or the country where he is born. This is system. So father's . . . we must know the father. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. If we remain forgetful of our father, that is not a very good position. And what kind of father? ''Paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma'' ([[BG 10.12-13 (1972)|BG 10.12]]). The richest. Not the poor father who cannot feed his children. It is not that father. ''Eko yo bahūnāṁ vidadhāti kāmān ''(Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). That father is so rich that He alone is feeding billions and millions and trillions of living entities. In Africa there are hundreds and millions of elephants. He is feeding them. And within the room there is a hole, there may be millions of ants, He is also feeding them. ''Eko yo bahūnāṁ vidadhāti kāmān''. ''Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām ''(Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13). These are the Vedic information.

So human life, this is meant for understanding who is father, what is His law, who is God, what is our relationship with Him. This is ''Vedānta''. ''Vedānta ''does not mean talk some nonsense and no relationship with the father. ''Śrama eva hi kevalam''. If you do not know who is your father . . .

:''dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puṁsāṁ''
:''viṣvaksena-kathāsu yaḥ''
:''notpādayed ratiṁ yadi''
:''śrama eva hi kevalam''
:([[SB 1.2.8|SB 1.2.8]])

This is not wanted. And Kṛṣṇa says, ''vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ'' ([[BG 15.15 (1972)|BG 15.15]]). So you become Vedāntist, that's very nice. In the beginning of ''Vedānta ''it is said that the Absolute Truth is that from whom everything comes, ''athāto brahma jijñāsā ''(Vedanta-sutra 1.1.1). This is beginning. Now the human life is meant for understanding the Absolute Truth, ''jijñāsā''. One should inquire what is the Absolute. That is human life, to find out the Absolute Truth. So the next ''sūtra ''immediately says the Absolute Truth is that who is the source of everything. And what is that everything? Two things we find: animate and inanimate. Practical experience. Some of them are animate and some of them are inanimate. Two things. Now we can expand the varieties. That is another thing. But two things are there. So these two things . . . we see there is a controller above these two things, the animate and inanimate. So we have to inquire now whether the source of two things, animate and inanimate, what is the position.

The position is explained in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', ''janmādy asya yato 'nvayād itarataś cārtheṣv abhijñaḥ ''([[SB 1.1.1|SB 1.1.1]]). This is explained. The original source of everything is ''abhijñaḥ''. How? ''Anvayād itarataś cārtheṣu''. If I have created something, I know everything, all details, ''anvayād'', directly or indirectly, I know. If I manufacture something . . . suppose if I know some special cooking, then I know all the details how to do it. That is the origin. So that origin is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says, ''vedāhaṁ samatītāni ''([[BG 7.26 (1972)|BG 7.26]]): "I know everything—past, present and future." ''Mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate''. ''Aham ādir hi devānām ''([[BG 10.2 (1972)|BG 10.2]]). According to creation theory . . . not theory; fact. ''Brahmā viṣṇu maheśvara''. So these are the principle ''devatās''. So Viṣṇu is the original: ''aham ādir hi devānām''. The creation, first Mahā-Viṣṇu; then from Mahā-Viṣṇu there is Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. From Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu there is Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, expansion of Viṣṇu, and from Him, Brahmā comes. Brahmā is born out of Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu on the lotus flower, then he gives birth to Rudra. This is the explanation of creation. So Kṛṣṇa says, ''aham ādir hi devānām''. He's also origin of Viṣṇu because, from the ''śāstra'' He says, ''kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam'' ([[SB 1.3.28|SB 1.3.28]]), the original Personality of Godhead is Kṛṣṇa. And the first expansion of Kṛṣṇa is Baladeva. Then from Him this, I mean, Catur-vyūha, Vāsudeva, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Aniruddha, like that. Then Nārāyaṇa. From Nārāyaṇa, the second Catur-vyūha, and from the second Catur-vyūha, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Mahā-Viṣṇu. In this way you have to learn the ''śāstras''. You'll find that actually, as it is said in the ''śāstra'', ''kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam''. And Kṛṣṇa says, ''aham ādir hi devānām ''([[BG 10.2 (1972)|BG 10.2]]). ''Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate ''([[BG 10.8 (1972)|BG 10.8]]). And Arjuna accepts, ''paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān ''([[BG 10.12-13 (1972)|BG 10.12]]). So we have to accept ''śāstra''. ''Śāstra-cakṣuṣāt'': you have to see through the ''śāstra''. And if you learn ''śāstra'', then you'll find ''kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam''.

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means to present to the human society the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. So we started this movement in 1966, registering it. Our Rūpānuga Prabhu has already explained. So take this movement very seriously. The same: Kṛṣṇa started within the historical, five thousand years ago. And He started this movement with Arjuna as His disciple. Then Caitanya Mahāprabhu, five hundred years ago, He revived again the same movement. He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. And that is going on. Don't think that this is a manufactured movement. No. It is the authorized movement and confirmed by the authorities. ''Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ ''([[CC Madhya 17.186|CC Madhya 17.186]]). There are ''mahājanas ''mentioned in the ''śāstra''. So be fixed up in Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement and try to understand Kṛṣṇa. We have got so many literatures, authorized literatures. And make your life success.

Muchas gracias.

'''Devotos:''' ''Jaya ''Śrīla Prabhupāda. (fin)

700718 - Letter to Vrndavana Candra written from Los Angeles

2025-06-20T19:25:09Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1970 - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1970-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Vrndavana Candra - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1970]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1970 - Letters|1970]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_1.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 1 of 2)}}
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_2.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 2 of 2)}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br /></big>
Founder-Acharya:<br />
International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>
CENTER:     3764 Watseka Avenue<br />
                Los Angeles, Cal. 90034

DATE .......July.18...........19.70
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My dear Vrndavan Candra,<br />
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter informing me that you have lost your original set of beads and requesting me to chant upon the new set sent also enclosed by you. You are intelligent boy and now you are in very responsible position as president of our Baltimore branch, so you should be more careful. Anyway, I have chanted duly the beads and they are herewith returned to you.
I hope that you and your good wife are doing well in Baltimore. I have very favorable reports from our East coast centers. Please offer my blessings to all the boys and girls there.
Hope this will meet you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:db

Sriman Vrndavan Candra Das Adhikary<br />
ISKCON Temple<br />
1300 Morth Calvert<br />
Baltimore, MD

700718 - Letter to Vrndavana Candra written from Los Angeles

2025-06-20T19:24:16Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1970 - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1970-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Vrndavana Candra - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Unsigned, 1970]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1970 - Letters|1970]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_1.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 1 of 2)}}
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_2.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 2 of 2)}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br /></big>
Founder-Acharya:<br />
International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>
CENTER:     3764 Watseka Avenue<br />
                Los Angeles, Cal. 90034

DATE .......July.18...........19.70
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My dear Vrndavan Candra,<br />
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter informing me that you have lost your original set of beads and requesting me to chant upon the new set sent also enclosed by you. You are intelligent boy and now you are in very responsible position as president of our Baltimore branch, so you should be more careful. Anyway, I have chanted duly the beads and they are herewith returned to you.
I hope that you and your good wife are doing well in Baltimore. I have very favorable reports from our East coast centers. Please offer my blessings to all the boys and girls there.
Hope this will meet you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS:db

Sriman Vrndavan Candra Das Adhikary<br />
ISKCON Temple<br />
1300 Morth Calvert<br />
Baltimore, MD

700718 - Letter to Vrndavana Candra written from Los Angeles

2025-06-20T19:22:31Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1970 - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1970-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Vrndavana Candra - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Unsigned, 1970]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1970 - Letters|1970]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_1.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 1 of 2)}}
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_2.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 2 of 2)}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br /></big>
Founder-Acharya:<br />
International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>
CENTER:     3764 Watseka Avenue<br />
                Los Angeles, Cal. 90034

DATE .......July.18...........19.70
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
My dear Vrndavan Candra,<br />
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter informing me that you have lost your original set of beads and requesting me to chant upon the new set sent also enclosed by you. You are intelligent boy and now you are in very responsible position as president of our Baltimore branch, so you should be more careful. Anyway, I have chanted duly the beads and they are herewith returned to you.
I hope that you and your good wife are doing well in Baltimore. I have very favorable reports from our East coast centers. Please offer my blessings to all the boys and girls there.
Hope this will meet you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS:db

700718 - Letter to Vrndavana Candra written from Los Angeles

2025-06-20T19:20:02Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1970 - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1970-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Vrndavana Candra - Letters]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Unsigned, 1970]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1970 - Letters|1970]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_1.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 1 of 2)}}
{{LetterScan|700719_-_Letter_to_Vrndavan_Candra_2.JPG|Letter to Vrndavan Candra (Page 2 of 2)}}

Letter to: Vrndavana Candra
—
Los Angeles
18 July, 1970
70-07-18
Baltimore
My Dear Vrndavana Candra,
Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter informing me that you have lost your original set of beads and requesting me to chant upon the new set sent also enclosed by you. You are intelligent boy and now you are in very responsible position as president of our Baltimore branch, so you should be more careful. Anyway, I have chanted duly the beads and they are herewith returned to you.
I hope that you and your good wife are doing well in Baltimore. I have very favorable reports from our East coast centers. Please offer my blessings to all the boys and girls there.
Hope this will meet you in good health.
Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
ACBS:db

700718 - Letter to Vrndavana Candra written from Los Angeles

2025-06-20T19:17:00Z

Caitanyadeva: Created page with "Category:1970 - Letters Category:1970 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters Category:1970-07 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters Category:Letters Written from - USA Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles Category:Vrndavana Candra - Letters Category:1970 - Letters with Scans of the Originals Category:1970 - Le..."

720601 - Letter to Bhavananda written from Los Angeles

2025-05-17T22:51:18Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1972 - Letters]]
[[Category:1972 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1972-06 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Bhavananda - Letters]]
[[Category:1972 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1972 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1972]]
[[Category:Letters - With Added Handwriting]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1972 - Letters|1972]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|720601_-_Letter_to_Bhavananda_and_Subal_1.JPG|Letter to Bhavananda (Page 1 of 2)}}
{{LetterScan|720601_-_Letter_to_Bhavananda_and_Subal_2.JPG|Letter to Bhavananda (Page 2 of 2)}}

Tridandi Goswami A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

June 1, 1972

Los Angeles ISKCON

My dear Bhavananda,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated May 23, 1972 and I have noted the contents with great encouragement. I am glad to see that everything is going very nicely there in Calcutta and Mayapur, and that you are gradually paying back the book fund debt more and more. Regarding Mayapur building work, try to finish as quickly as possible and our living accommodation problem will be solved and I shall be very happy to stay there if it is completed when I return there in the autumn. I have received the drawing of the completed building, and it is very nice. So if you all think, Jaya Pataka, Tamal Krishna, and the others, my approval is there. Whatever you all decide in future in these matters, that's all right, but the structure appears to be nice. So you do not have to bother yourself by sending too many details of your progressive Mayapur construction work, simply give me simple report from time to time how the things are going on, and how ever you do it, that is to be decided among yourselves.<br />
Go on buying the necessary land. But I think it is better to buy the land of Rohin Shaik without crop for Rs. 1500/- a bigha. ''[handwritten]''<br />
Hoping this will find you in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Bhavananda dasa Adhikari c/o ISKCON Calcutta

ACBS ''[handwritten]''/sda

Tridandi Goswami<br />
A C Bhaktivedanta Swami<br />
3764 Watseka Ave.<br />
<u>los Angeles</u>, Calif<br />
USA 90034 ''[handwritten]''

Bhavananda Das Adhikary<br />
c/o ISKCON<br />
3, ALBERT Road<br />
CALCUTTA - 17 INDIA ''[handwritten]''

710201 - Lecture Hindi - Allahabad

2025-05-15T19:11:38Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1971 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1971 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1971 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1971-02 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - India]]
[[Category:Lectures - India, Allahabad]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Allahabad]]
[[Category:Lectures - General]]
[[Category:Lectures and Conversations - Hindi]]
[[Category:Lectures and Conversations - Hindi to be Translated]]
[[Category:Audio Files 20.01 to 30.00 Minutes]]
[[Category:1971 - New Audio - Released in June 2016]]
[[Category:1971 - New Transcriptions - Released in June 2016]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1971 - Lectures|1971]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">710201L4-ALLAHABAD - February 1, 1971 - 23:42 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1971/710201L4-ALLAHABAD-Hindi.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' ''Samaveta bhakta-vrnda'', ''matr-vrnda''. ''Hari-saṅkīrtana''. Caitanya Mahāprabhu's statement is:

:''pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi-grāma''
:''sarvatra pracāra haibe mora nāma''
:(CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126)

Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said, that in all the villages and towns of the world the ''Hari-kīrtana pracāra'' should be done and it is the duty of the residents of this Bhārata-varṣa to do this ''Hari-kīrtana'', responsiblity. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says:

:''bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra''
:''janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra''
:([[CC Adi 9.41|CC Adi 9.41]])

This ''para-upakāra'' . . . this ''saṅkīrtana'' movement that we are trying to give the world is the greatest ''para-upakāra''. No ''para-upakāra'' is greater than this.
Everyone thinks that the poor should be given food to eat . . . hospitals should be opened for the diseased, schools and colleges for the ignorant.

Actually many such programs are there, but these programs are all . . . (indistinct) . . . The real sorrow of a living entity needs to be understood . . . In simple Bengali, a Vaiṣṇava poet says, ''Kṛṣṇa bhūliyā jīva bhoga vāñchā kare pāśate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare'' (Prema-vivarta 6.2), when the living entity forgets ''bhagavān'' Kṛṣṇa . . . because God and his part ''amsar aṁśī and aṁśaḥ'', ''mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke'' ([[BG 15.7 (1972)|BG 15.7]]). The living entity is ''aṁśaḥ svarūpa'' and when this ''aṁśaḥ'' forgets God and therefore by being separated from the ''aṁśī'' his sorrows begin.

Take for example as is mentioned in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'',

:''mukha-bāhūru-pādebhyaḥ''
:''puruṣasyāśramaiḥ saha''
:''catvāro jajñire varṇā''
:''guṇair viprādayaḥ pṛthak''
:([[SB 11.5.2|SB 11.5.2]])

In God's huge body . . . understand it as, the ''brāhmaṇa'' is his lotus face, the ''kṣatriyas'' are his arms, the ''vaiśyas'' are his stomach and the ''śūdras'' are his feet. So it's not that the feet have more value . . . less value and the lotus mouth has more value. If the calculations are even done as per your estimation, wherein the hands, feet and the lotus face are there and then if the hands and feet are cut off the person somehow still is able to live. But if the face is cut off then the person will die.

In today's world the living entities are there, but most are ''śūdra'', ''kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ''. The ''kṣatriyas'' and the ''brāhmaṇa'' are less, according to the qualities . . .

''cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ'' ([[BG 4.13 (1972)|BG 4.13]]), that is why in the world some ''brāhmaṇas'' are required, then there will be peace. Like if the head is cut off from the body and thrown away, then what use is the body? It has no value. It's dead. Also in the ''śāstras'' it's said:

:''bhagavad-bhakti-hīnasya''
:''jātiḥ śāstraṁ japas tapaḥ''
:''aprāṇasyeva dehasya''
:''maṇḍanaṁ loka-rañjanam''
:([[CC Madhya 19.75|CC Madhya 19.75]])

If the human society is there, then it should have four divisions. The way God has said, ''cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ'', ''brāhmaṇa'', ''kṣatriyas'', ''vaiśyas'' . . . then everything will function properly. But if ''brāhmaṇas'' are not there, the ''kṣatriyas'' are not there and only ''śūdra'' and ''vaiśyas'' are there, then how will it function.

In this world everyone wants peace and happiness but they don't know the method to get it. The method to get peace and happiness is the way how God tells us,

:''bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ''
:''sarva-loka-maheśvaram''
:''suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ''
:''jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati''
:([[BG 5.29 (1972)|BG 5.29]])

So the people have to explain that if they want peace, then these three things should be accepted and what are they? That God is the proprietor of everything, God is the only enjoyer and God is the only one who gives happiness to all. If these three things are understood by anyone then he can be peaceful, else not. There is no need to even mention peace otherwise.

Caitanya Mahāprabhu says:

:''kṛṣṇa-bhakta — niṣkāma, ataeva 'śānta'''
:''bhukti-mukti-siddhi-kāmī — sakali 'aśānta'''
:([[CC Madhya 19.149|CC Madhya 19.149]])

''Bhukti'' means enjoyment, which is our disease in this world . . . only wanting to do sense gratification . . . everyone. ''Kṛṣṇa bhuliya jīva bhoga vāñchā kare pāśate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare'', the ''karmīs'', ''bhuktis'' only want to do sense gratification. They work throughout the day and they don't have any time. They don't even know why so much hard-work is being done. Which is why God says ''mūḍha'', a donkey. ''na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ'' ([[BG 7.15 (1972)|BG 9.15]]). Human life is for attaining God, to establish a relationship with God.

Only doing hard work all day . . . money, money, money, money, get money, get money, get money, money . . . is called ''mūḍha''. ''Mūḍha'' means like a donkey; a donkey carries a lot of clothes of the washer-man and none of which are his. He works hard all day-long carrying all these clothes and in the evening he is given some grass, that's all. Even Ṛṣabhadeva gave these instructions to his son that ''nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛloke kaṣṭān kāmān arhate viḍ-bhujāṁ ye'' ([[SB 5.5.1|SB 5.5.1]]) the hogs and dogs also work hard all throughout the day ''kaṣṭān kāmān arhate'' and after a lot of trouble some ''kāmān'' . . . after doing hard work, they do some sense gratification . . . human life shouldn't be like this.

After travelling across the whole world I've noticed that nowadays people across human society are troubled and they don't want to work so hard. They see that by doing hard work . . . what are the benefits that I will get? Lot of my disciples are there whose fathers are big men, but they see that though their father has earned a lot of money, for sleeping he needs a sleeping pill. Else he can't get any sleep.

So this material civilization which is there, is simply working hard just like dogs, hogs and asses . . . this is not the actual way of living. Actual life is ''tapo divyaṁ putrakā'' ([[SB 5.5.1|SB 5.5.1]]), do ''tapasya'' to get God . . . that is human life. The qualification to do ''tapasya'' is not there in Kali-yuga, ''mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ'' ([[SB 1.1.10|SB 1.1.10]]). Who will do ''tapasya''? That is why Caitanya Mahāprabhu who is ''patita-pāvana'' came in the Kali-yuga as an ''avatāra'' and gave a very simple procedure and that is ''Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare''.

Caitanya Mahāprabhu says ''ihā haite sarva-siddhi haibe tomāra kali-kāle nāma vinu gati nāhi āra'' (Caitanya-bhāgavata Madhya 23.78) the proof of the ''māhātmya'' of the name is showing in the foreign countries very nicely. Just see these young people. The devotees sitting in front of you were . . . present here, just about four years back, because from birth they are taught to drink, have illicit relationships with women and meat eating being their daily business.

There it is understood that if a child is not given meat in the form of pieces or powder then he will die. Like mother Yaśodā used to think if Kṛṣṇa is not given butter he will die. They think that if powdered meat is not given from the beginning . . . meaning, from the beginning they are fed meat, then slowly after 10 or 12 years they start taking cigarettes and other intoxicants. Later on these days they are consuming marijuana and everything.

They are very confused and they say, we don't want all this, as you all know many people became hippies, this is the result. In Bangladesh as you all know, they have left God, teachings of ''Gita'' and narrating stories of God. This is a secular state, everything was stopped in the schools . . . so what will they do? They are listening to the stories of Mao and becoming Naxalites.

That is why the injunctions of the ''śastra'' is, ''harāv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guṇā mano-rathenāsati dhāvato'' ([[SB 5.18.12|SB 5.18.12]]). One who doesn't have ''Bhagavad-bhakti'' is of no value, he is useless and his life is useless . . . He is of no value. This is the principle, because as was previously told to you ''amsa amsi'' . . . like ''brāhmaṇa'', ''kṣatriyas'', ''vaiśyas'' are the lotus face, hands-legs and stomach. So all these parts of our bodies . . . as you can see, I am talking and my hands are also working. This is the healthy state of the hands, when it moves according to my desire, this is the duty of the ''aṁśī''. The way I'm desiring, then spontaneously at that moment the hand is moving by going up and down. This is a healthy state ''sasthasu'' . . . and if I desire that my finger moves upwards, but it is not able to come upwards because of some pain . . . (indistinct) . . . that is not its healthy state. Similarly the living entity is the part and parcel of God and when it does not serve God, then it is to be understood as diseased, It is called ''māyā''. Until it is fixed in serving God, till then it is to be understood that it is in ''māyā's'' plane.

The principle of ''Bhagavad'' is that, ''mukti'' means ''muktir hitvānyathā rūpaṁ sva-rūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ'' ([[SB 2.10.6|SB 2.10.6]]). This is called ''mukti'' and for ''mukti'' no special effort has to be made, because for the devotees the ''mukti'' stands with folded hands wanting to serve. ''muktiḥ svayaṁ mukulitāñjali sevate 'smān'' (Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta 107), thus for a devotee liberation is not a big thing. Like Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, ''mama janmani janmanīśvare bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi'' ([[CC Antya 20.29|CC Antya 20.29]]), if birth is there then it is understood that liberation did not occur. But what is the requirement of being ''mukta''? One who is dedicated to serving God has been liberated 3000 years back itself. God himself says:

:''māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa''
:''bhakti-yogena sevate''
:''sa guṇān samatītyaitān''
:''brahma-bhūyāya kalpate''
:([[BG 14.26 (1972)|BG 14.26]])

He gets ''Brahmanubhuti'' at that moment itself. For him ''brāhmaṇatā'' . . . ''brahma jānāti iti brāhmaṇaḥ'', a devotee of the lord has got ''brāhmaṇatā'' a long time back. One who is a Vaiṣṇava, he has already gained ''brāhmaṇatā'' . . . ''brahma jānāti iti brāhmaṇaḥ''. God says ''brahma-bhuyaya kalpate'' ([[BG 14.26 (1972)|BG 14.26]]) . . . (indistinct) . . . ''Brahma-jñāna'', ''Ahaṁ brahmāsmi''. He receives all the knowledge. Which is why, if there is any solution to actually give happiness to a human . . . if you want to obtain peace . . . then like Caitanya Mahāprabhu says ''kṛṣṇa-bhakta'' — ''niṣkāma'', ''ataeva'' ''śānta'', he has no desires. Why will there be any desire? Who has established a relationship with God, what is the need for them for any desire? Like a small boy who stays under the shelter of his father, then where is the need of asking anything? The father knows everything, when he should be given food, when the clothes should be given; everything . . . ''yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham'' ([[BG 9.22 (1972)|BG 9.22]]), God takes his charge.

That is why the ''śāstras'' say ''asyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatām upary adhaḥ'' ([[SB 1.5.18|SB 1.5.18]]). In life one should try for that thing which is not available by going to Svargaloka or Brahmaloka or Narakaloka and what is that thing? ''bhagavad-bhakti''. Put effort for that, if you want to be happy.

It is foolishness If someone says that I will leave everything for ''bhagavad-bhakti'', there is no question of leaving everything. Arjun before understanding the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' wanted to fight and after listening the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' was also fighting, where is the question of leaving? Only his consciousness changed, his earlier thought process was that if I will kill all these brothers, grandfather and get the kingdom then what is its use? That is why Kṛṣṇa, I will not fight and he sat down. Then Kṛṣṇa explained to him the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and after understanding the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', Arjun was asked what is your thought process now? Do you want to fight or run away? Arjun says ''kariṣye vacanaṁ tava'' . . . ''naṣṭo mohaḥ smṛtir labdhā'' ([[BG 18.73 (1972)|BG 18.73]]). So this is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. All that thinking we have done and have kept aside; all these thoughts should be thrown away. Because only those thoughts which are there to give Kṛṣṇa satisfaction can only give us any pleasure. Like the ''gopīs'', who had no other consideration, their only thought was how to satisfy Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa. This thought process.This is also the thought process of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, to only do ''bhagavad-bhakti'', ''na dhanaṁ na janaṁ na sundarīṁ kavitāṁ vā jagad-īśa kāmaye'' ([[CC Antya 20.29|CC Antya 20.29]]) all this is not wanted ''mama janmani janmanīśvare bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukī tvayi'', the ''ahaitukī bhakti'', not with the purpose of gaining anything from God, not that to make God stand to get some money . . . to maintain oneself. No, that is not ''pure bhakti'' . . . that is also . . . as God says, ''su-kṛtino 'rjuna'' ([[BG 7.16 (1972)|BG 7.16]]), they are called pious, but who is a pure devotee, he is like,

:''anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ''
:''jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam''
:''ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-''
:''śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā''
:([[CC Madhya 19.167|CC Madhya 19.167]]).

This is ''uttamā-bhakti''. Only to do God's ''ānuśīlan''. The meaning of ''ānuśīlan'' has been told by Rūpa Gosvāmī as to do hard-work for what God wants. One should think like this and what God wants, has been openly given in scriptures, God say ''sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja'' ([[BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). So those who do this work, who explain it to others and say do ''Kṛṣṇa bhajana'', are God's representative. They only speak what God wants and no other talk from here and there is done by them. Kṛṣṇa says do my ''bhajana'' and a devotee also says do ''Kṛṣṇa bhajana''. That is why the devotees are very dear to God, ''na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścin me priya-kṛttamaḥ'' ([[BG 18.69 (1972)|BG 18.69]]) no one is dearer than him to me who makes efforts to explain my words to others. Caitanya Mahāprabhu also says the same thing ''āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra' ei deśa'' . . . ''yāre dekha'', ''tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa'' ([[CC Madhya 7.128|CC Madhya 7.128]]) this is the duty of the residents of Bhārata-varṣa. Why have we left everything and are sitting? This is not good. That is why for this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement we have started, you all should ''prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā'' ([[SB 10.22.35|SB 10.22.35]]) cooperate in it if you want the wellbeing of this world. But if Kṛṣṇa ''bhajana'' and things from here and there are mixed together then there is no benefit. Those people who say take Kṛṣṇa's name, Kālī's name, Durgā's name and they are the same . . . No. ''harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam'' ([[CC Adi 17.21]]) this is the injunction of the ''śāstra'', ''Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ'' no one else's,

:''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ''
:''smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam''
:''arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ''
:''sakhyam ātma-nivedanam''
:([[SB 7.5.23|SB 7.5.23]])

These are the nine processes of devotional service. God himself says ''kāmais tais tair hṛta-jñānāḥ prapadyante 'nya-devatāḥ'' ([[BG 7.20 (1972)|BG 7.20]]) . . . ''antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām'' ([[BG 7.23 (1972)|BG 7.23]]). Only Kṛṣṇa, ''mām ekaṁ''. This is the movement. All of you should cooperate in it, your ''maṅgala'' will be there and the world's ''maṅgala'' will be there.

Thank you very much.

Devotees in background: . . . (indistinct) . . . by Goswami. There was a lecture and . . . (indistinct) . . . and another lecture at the musical organisation, Prayag Sangeet Samiti.
(end)

701229 - Lecture Hindi - Surat

2025-04-26T17:09:20Z

Caitanyadeva:

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[[Category:1970 - New Audio - Released in January 2017]]
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<div class="code">701229LE-SURAT - December 29, 1970 - 25:55 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1970/701229LE-SURAT-Hindi.mp3</mp3player>

'''Prabhupāda:''' (recites prayers and delivers talk) (Hindi)

761022 - Lecture SB 05.05.01 - Vrndavana

2025-04-14T20:21:51Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1976 - Lectures]]
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<div class="code">761022SB-VRNDAVAN - October 22, 1976 - 18.43 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1976/761022SB-VRNDAVAN_mono.mp3</mp3player>

'''Pradyumna:''' Translation: "Lord Ṛṣabhadeva told His sons: My dear boys, of all the living entities who have accepted material bodies in this world, one who has been awarded this human form should not work hard day and night simply for sense gratification, which is available even for dogs and hogs that eat stool. One should engage in penance and austerity to attain the divine position of devotional service. By such activity, one's heart is purified, and when one attains this position, he attains eternal, blissful life, which is transcendental to material happiness and which continues forever." (break) ([[SB 5.5.1|SB 5.5.1]])

'''Prabhupāda:''' The fifty percent of Western . . . in Western cities, there will be ground subways. In subways, train is going on at fifty miles speed, and working . . . but what is the aim? The aim is, "I shall get some money, then I shall drink, I shall eat meat, and then I shall have sex." This is going on . . . (indistinct) . . . nobody will say that, "I am making money for spiritual salvation, or for worshiping Deity in temple, or give it in charity to the Vaiṣṇava." Nobody will say. They will say, "I am working so hard for eating all nasty things." No discrimination—"Anything you bring, I will eat: meat, eggs, rum . . ." I cannot say—I have not been in their home—but I have seen in the aeroplane they are eating the intestines of the hog. Yes.

''Nānā yoni brāhmaṇa kare kadārya bhakṣaṇa kari'.'' That is stated by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, that these two schools,

:''karma-kāṇḍa, jñāna-kāṇḍa''
:''kevala viṣera bhāṇḍa''
:''amṛta baliyā yebā khāy''
:''nānā yoni sadā phire''
:''kadarya bhakṣaṇa kare''
:''tāra janma adhaḥ-pāte yāya''
:(Prema-bhakti-candrikā)

Very simple language. He says that there are three ways: ''karma-kāṇḍa'', ''jñāna-kāṇḍa ''and ''upāsanā-kāṇḍa''. ''Upāsanā-kāṇḍa ''means ''bhakti''. The best of the ''upāsanā-kāṇḍa ''is ''bhakti''. ''Ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param ''(Padma Purāṇa). There are ''upāsanā'', worshiping various different types of demigods. That is commentated in ''śāstra'', that if you want this profit, then you worship this demigod, this demigod, this demigod. Generally they are summarized into five, ''pañcopāsanā'': the Surya, Gaṇeśa, Lord Śiva, Lord, er, Mother Durgā and Lord Viṣṇu. These are called ''pañcopāsanā''. They are recommended, summarized. Otherwise, there are thirty-three crores of'' devas''. So these ''devas ''are worshiped according to the version of Kṛṣṇa: ''kāmais tais tair hṛta-jñānāḥ yajante anya-devatāḥ ''([[BG 7.20 (1972)|BG 7.20]]). They are not accepted, those who are after ''pañcopāsanā''.

Anyway, the business is . . . ''pūjā'' means I call you and offer you some respectable . . . (indistinct) . . . some foodstuff, and then very much seated very comfortably. Naturally I may ask, "What do you want?" Then I’ll explain, "Give me this. Give me that. Give me that." That is going on. That is called ''pūjā''. But those who are worshiping the Supreme Personality of Godhead, that is not called ''pūjā''; that is called ''sevā'', ''kṛṣṇa-sevā''. We never say ''kṛṣṇa-pūjā''. Nobody . . . never says like that.'' Sevā''. ''Sevā ''means it is my duty. I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. ''Sevā ''is my duty. So there is difference between ''pūjā ''and ''sevā''. ''Pūjā ''means I flatter you to satisfy you, and after being satisfied, you may offer me something, or I’ll ask you something and you offer me. That is called ''pūjā''. That is ''devatā-pūjā''. But, so when you come to Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu, that is not ''pūjā''; that is ''sevā''. ''Sevā''. So as Kṛṣṇa is offered ''sevā'', service, similarly His representative, he is also offered ''sevā''. So ''upāsanā'', ''upāsanā-kāṇḍa''.

So Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says there are three different processes: ''karma-kāṇḍa'', ''jñāna-kāṇḍa ''and ''upāsanā-kāṇḍa''. Therefore the ''Vedas ''are called ''trayī'', three types of processes, or injunction. So this ''upāsanā-kāṇḍa'', the best ''upāsanā-kāṇḍa ''is ''bhakti''. ''Sevā'', ''kṛṣṇa-sevā'', this is ''upāsanā''. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says that if one does not accept this ''sevā-kāṇḍa ''among the ''upāsanā ''process, this ''sevā ''process, then you will have to accept the other, lower processes, which is called ''karma ''and ''jñāna''. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura rejects these two lower processes. He says, therefore, ''karma-kāṇḍa jñāna-kāṇḍa sakale viṣera bandha''. ''Viṣera bandha ''means the poison pot. ''Amṛta baliyā yebā khāya''. Anyone can mistake the thinking that this pot of poison is form of nectarean. Then what is the result?

:''karma-kāṇḍa, jñāna-kāṇḍa''
:''sakale viṣera bandha''
:''amṛta baliyā yebā khāya''
:''nānā yoni sadā phire''
:(Prema-bhakti-candrikā)

It is . . . (indistinct) . . . here it is called ''deva-gaṇa''. One has to accept many varieties of body. One of the bodies is ''viḍ-bhujāṁ'', the stool-eater, stool-eater. And there is another, as I told you I saw in the aeroplane, that the pig . . . they are eating stool and having the bodily construction, and there are human beings eating this stool . . . (indistinct) . . . I think some of you know what is this product. What is that?

'''Devotees:''' Sausages. (laughter)

'''Prabhupāda:''' (indistinct) . . . yes. So, ''nānā yoni brāhmaṇa kare''. So by the wandering in many, many thousands of different forms of life, whether you are born in Europe and America, then we have to take it, "Thank you, you are so kind. Oh." So,'' nānā yoni brāhmaṇa kare sakale viṣera'', this is . . . (indistinct) . . . this is the result of ''karma-kāṇḍa'', ''jñāna-kāṇḍa''. Why Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says ''jñāna-kāṇḍa''? ''Jñāna-kāṇḍa ''means that is not harmful to you. ''Karma-kāṇḍa ''is not wrong . . . (indistinct) . . . you work hard, you get the result. But even you get disgusted, you come to the ''jñāna-kāṇḍa ''platform, knowledge, still it is not safe. Why it is not safe? That is stated in the ''śāstra'': ''āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥpatanty adho 'nādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ ''([[SB 10.2.32|SB 10.2.32]]).

These ''jñānīs'', they are performing severe austerities. The ''jñānī-sampradāya'', they observe very strictly—not nowadays; that they have lost—very strictly, all austerities. Śaṅkarācārya, he recommended this process where he has to accept very serious austerities, sitting down under the tree, taking bath three times, and so on. Very difficult. Therefore ''kṛcchreṇa'', very severe austerities.

So the ''jñānīs'', after working very hard and undertaking austerities, they come to the position of ''paraṁ padaṁ''. ''Āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ''. ''Paraṁ padaṁ ''means impersonal Brahman realization. But because it is not perfection, it is only this eternal portion of our lives. As there is no knowledge of ''ānanda'', partial realization of our identity will not allow you to stay eternally. You cannot. Variety. You want variety. ''Ānanda-mayo 'bhyāsāt ''(Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12). We are the part and parcel of the ''sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ''. We want ''ānanda''. ''Ānanda ''means we want variety. Variety is the mother of enjoyment.

So in the Brahman feature, impersonal Brahman feature, there is no variety. Just like if you stay in the sky, there is no variety—simply sunshine in the sky. But if you come to the planet, then there is variety. So similarly, these ''jñānīs'', without being allowed entrance into the varieties of the spiritual world—''ānanda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhāvitābhiḥ ''(BS 5.37)—they come down again into this material variety. Therefore many ''sannyasis'', they take to this material activities, philanthropic activities, opening hospitals, shelter for the poor, because they could not get any ''ānanda ''in that impersonal Brahman state. ''Ānanda-mayo 'bhyāsāt ''(Vedānta-sūtra 1.1.12). By nature you want ''ānanda'', but there was no ''ānanda''.

The same example I have given many times, that if you fly very, very high in the sky, and after few hours you become restless in sky, you must be . . . come back. Because in the impersonal sky there is no ''ānanda''. ''Āruhya kṛcchreṇa ''([[SB 10.2.32|SB 10.2.32]]). To go very high by aeroplane or sputnik it requires money, it requires talent, mechanical arrangement, so many things. So that is austerity. But still you cannot stay there. You have to come down, again. There are many . . . the Russian aeronautics, when they are going in sputnik, they are looking after, "Where is Moscow? Where is Moscow?" because Moscow is variety, and in the sky there is no variety. Therefore this example is very nice, that in the impersonal Brahman existence you cannot exist. That's all. Because they have no information of the spiritual variety. That spiritual variety is available in the Vaikuṇṭha planet . . . (indistinct) . . . you have no . . . (indistinct) . . . because . . . (indistinct) . . . so ''paraṁ padaṁ''. Although you . . . (indistinct) . . . in the impersonal Brahman, ''patanty adhaḥ''. Why? ''Anādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ ''([[SB 10.2.32|SB 10.2.32]]). Without any devotional service to the lotus feet of the Lord.

So therefore here it is said that "My dear boys, don’t spoil your life for sense gratification. That is the business of cats and dogs. That is not the human form." Now . . . (indistinct) . . . they are thinking, "Simply work very hard." This they are advertising, work hard. Man is working by pulling the . . . (indistinct) . . . but still the government wants, "Work hard, you work hard." "Oh! I am now working and you cannot . . . (indistinct) . . . still what I have to do?" So we know how working hard in your country, the sky-scraper buildings . . . (indistinct) . . . go to join this army draft, with risk of life. So many things. This is not civilization. According to the . . . (indistinct) . . . this is not civilization. Simply by working . . .

(break) . . . ''tapa'', ''tapasya''. ''Tapasya ''means deny this sense gratification, that is ''tapasya''. ''Tapasya ''means . . . you should understand what is ''tapasya''. ''Tapasya ''means to deny, ''nidrāhāra-vihārakādi-vijitau ''(Śrī Ṣaḍ Gosvāmy Aṣṭaka). This is ''tapasya''. ''Tapasya'', you should understand ''tapasya''. Why ''tapasya''? ''Tapasya'', just to purify your existence. Just like if you get fever, the doctor says, "Don’t eat anything. Don’t take anything. Don’t touch this." Why? That is also ''tapasya''. If you have got fever, if you have got dysentery, and if you still go on eating as you like, then it will increase. It will increase. There is a common word in India that ''jwar'', ''jwar ''means fever and var means somebody else who is not your family member, unwanted guest. So if you want to drive them away, don’t eat. Don’t give them anything. If you have any guest who is unwanted, if you don’t supply food, then they will go away.

Similarly, when you have got fever or any disease, you stop eating whatever it is, sense desire . . . (indistinct Hindi) . . . don’t even . . . (indistinct) . . . so similarly, for sense gratification, if we indulge in sense gratification, then you will never be able to stop this existence. Whatever . . . (indistinct) . . . it is, then bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate ([[BG 8.19 (1972)|BG 8.19]]). We are accepting different bodies and again die. This will be the condemnation of material existence.

So, I hope that you will . . . (indistinct) . . . of material life and we shall return back to Godhead . . . (break) (end)

720404 - Letter to Rupanuga written from Sydney

2025-04-08T23:35:31Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1972 - Letters]]
[[Category:1972 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1972-04 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - Australasia]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - Australasia, Sydney]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Australasia]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Australasia, Sydney]]
[[Category:Rupanuga - Letters]]
[[Category:1972 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1972 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1972]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1972 - Letters|1972]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|720404_-_Letter_to_Rupanuga.JPG|Letter to Rupanuga}}

April 4,     72

My Dear Rupanuga,

Please accept my blessings. I am in due reciept of your letter dated March 30, 1972 and the contents have greatly surprised me.<br />
I had no intimation that you all GBC members have met and decided such big big issues without consulting me. So I have issued one letter in this regard to all of you and you may take note that I consider that both the meeting and the resolution is irregular and immediately there should be no change. Again, I am so much burdened by this administrative work that I feel great difficulty. I was very anxious to return to my Los Angeles home to sit down for translating work. But if you all, my right-hand men, are doing things without consulting me and making such big big changes within our society without getting my opinion and the opinion of all the GBC members then what can I do? I am so much perplexed why you all had done this. I have appointed originally 12 GBC members and I have given them 12 zones for their administration and management, but simply by agreement you have changed everything, so what is this, I don't know. You mentioned that you are taking great help from Atreya Rsi, but Atreya Rsi is not a member of GBC nor has he any position in my scheme to manage the whole society. And I am wondering what is Hansadutta's idea to leave Germany and take larger position of power in the United States? I have just sent him one letter wherein I have told him to remain permanently in Germany and the German language countries. This is his best field, and I do not think that we shall change any of our managers throughout the world except as I shall direct.<br />
Regarding MacMillan agreement, whatever is done with MacMillan company is done, so that can remain. The introduction by Mr. Dimock is nice and it will appeal to the scholarly class.<br />
I am considering to fill up the two GBC posts which are now, vacant, one by the resignation of Krishna Dasa, and one by Tamal Krishna Goswami taking Sannyas. I am considering several persons, among them Kesava and Giriraj. I shall let you know when I have decided on these points. Meanwhile, you may inform the other GBC members that for the time being there shall be no change within the society and that they shall manage as before.<br />
Hoping this meets you in good health. Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
ACBS/ktdd
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Who called for this meeting? ''[handwritten]''<br />
     [[File:SP Initial.png|130px]]

681230 - Interview - Los Angeles

2024-09-17T01:45:30Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1968 - Conversations]]
[[Category:1968 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1968 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1968-12 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Conversations - USA]]
[[Category:Conversations - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Conversations with Media]]
[[Category:Audio Files 60.01 to 90.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1968 - Lectures|1968]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}


<div class="center">[[Vanipedia:681230 Conversation - Srila Prabhupada Speaks a Nectar Drop in Los Angeles|''' <span style="display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center"><b class="fa fa-solid fa-volume-up" style="font-size: 330%"> </b><big>Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture'''</big></span>]]</div>


<div class="code">681230IV-LOS ANGELES - December 30, 1968 - 77:36 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1968/681230IV-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

'''Journalist:''' . . . and I spoke to him, and then he said we could have an interview, and . . .

(break) . . . cosmos. It was formerly The New Cosmic Star . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' I see.

'''Journalist:''' . . . and we just changed the name for January, the first issue. The first issue just, well, it's out, coming off the printer today.

'''Prabhupāda:''' It is published every monthly?

'''Journalist:''' Monthly, that's correct. That's correct. And we cover Eastern religions. We did a feature article this month on Bishop James Pike, UFOs, astrology. We have . . . you know Dr. Bode, Framroze Bode from the theol . . . he's with Manly Hall. Are you familiar with Manly Hall?

'''Prabhupāda:''' No.

'''Journalist:''' You don't know Framroze Bode?

'''Prabhupāda:''' No.

'''Journalist:''' He's from India. Parsee.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Parsee.

'''Journalist:''' Yes. He does an article for us next month.

(break) But I spoke to Dan, and I told him that one of the things I would like to ask you, and I think that an awful lot of our readers, and an awful lot of people in the United States, are terribly confused with the many people who claim to be ''avatāras'' and who come from India to this country, one after the other, after the other, and they say . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' I can declare, they are all nonsense.

'''Journalist:''' That's what . . . I wanted to . . . if you could elaborate on that a little more.

'''Prabhupāda:''' And I can say furthermore, they're all rascals.

'''Journalist:''' The Maharishi, for example.

'''Prabhupāda:''' He was rascal number one. I say publicly.

'''Journalist:''' Could you explain that, give me a little background on that and why, because our readers are . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' I do not know, but from his behavior I can understand he's rascal number one. I do not like to know about him, but what he did . . . but the wonderful thing is that people in Western countries, they're supposed to be so advanced. How they are befooled by these rascals?

'''Journalist:''' Well, I think that people believe what they want to believe. They're looking for something, and he comes along . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. But they want something very cheap. That is their fault.

'''Journalist:''' Yes.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Now for our disciples, we don't give anything cheap. Our first condition is character, moral character. You see? So unless one is accepting moral character, we don't initiate, don't allow him in this institution. And this Maharishi was, "Oh, you do whatever you like. You simply pay me thirty-five dollars and I'll give you some mantra."

You see? So people wanted to be cheated, and so many cheaters come. They do not wish to undergo some disciplinary action. You see? Anything. They have got money. They think that, "I shall pay," and immediately he'll get the money.

'''Journalist:''' Instant heaven.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. That is their position. Just like people are trying to go to the moon planet. I have given my opinion. You have seen in the Los Angeles Times? This chance is very remote.

'''Journalist:''' Oh?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Why not? Suppose in your country you have got some quota for immigration. Within this planet, if somebody comes, without your Immigration Department's order, nobody can enter. How do you expect in that planet where the people are more advanced—they are called demigods, they are living for ten thousand years—how you expect that you go and you are immediately enter into the moon planet? And they are selling tickets, reservation. Everything, they make a fun of it. You see?

'''Journalist:''' Let me understand this if I may. Are you saying that there are people on the moon?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' There are. And they are demigods?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' They are demigods. How do you know that?

'''Prabhupāda:''' From our scripture, from Vedic literature.

'''Journalist:''' From what literature?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Vedic literature.

'''Journalist:''' How do you spell that?

'''Prabhupāda:''' V-e-d-i-c.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, Vedic. I beg your pardon.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' You'll forgive me if I . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's all right, that doesn't . . .

'''Journalist:''' I don't mean to offend you.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Sometimes I do not follow your accent. That is difference of country. That doesn't matter. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' And from that literature, Vedic literature, it is stated in that, that there are people on the moon.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh, yes.

'''Journalist:''' But they're demigods.

'''Prabhupāda:''' The demigods means they are highly advanced than these human beings. They are also living entities like us, but their duration of life, their standard of life, their civilization, spiritual knowledge, so advanced that they are called demigods. Almost God. They are so advanced. Demigods means almost God. They have got all godly qualities, and they are controller of the atmospheric affairs. Some of them are controlling rainy season; some of them controlling heat; some . . .

As you have got controller here, some departmental director of this department, director of that department, similarly, why don't you think that this cosmic manifestation, there is a great brain behind it and there are different directors and there is management? People do not accept it. "Nature." What do you mean by nature? Such nice things, such wonderful things are going on automatically, without any control? You see?

'''Journalist:''' Well, I know that's a question that, of course, one asks oneself all the time, I guess. It's part of man's quest to find himself and . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' But they should have common sense, that you are trying to float one sputnik, so many scientific brains are working, and millions of wonderful sputniks which are called planets, they are floating in the air—there is no brain behind it. What is this? Is that very good reasoning?

'''Journalist:''' Well I don't know. I must ponder that.

'''Prabhupāda:''' We should know it. How it can be? There must be a very big brain behind this. They are working.

'''Journalist:''' Now, do you say that the moon is, so to speak—what should I say—headquarters, where these demigods live?

'''Prabhupāda:''' No, there are many planets on the same level. There are many planets. Moon is one of them. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' Have any of these demigod creatures visited the earth or . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Formerly they used to, because at that time people were worth to see them. You see?

'''Journalist:''' When you say formerly, you mean thousands of years ago or . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' No. At least five thousand years ago.

'''Journalist:''' At least five thousand years ago, the last time that any, that we would . . . are they in human form?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. So far we get information, sometimes great sacrifices were performed, and demigods from other planets, they were invited, and they used to come.

'''Journalist:''' Where . . .? Where . . .? And this is . . . your authority for this statement is based in the Vedic literature?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' I see. I see.

'''Prabhupāda:''' It is not manufactured by me.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, I know! No! I'm not implying that. No, no. But I just want to know where the . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' My authority is Vedic literature. Yes. You'll find ''Bhagavad-gītā'' . . . you have seen our book ''Bhagavad-gītā''?

'''Journalist:''' Yes. We have it at the office. I've seen it.

'''Prabhupāda:''' There are descriptions. There are description of these things. There is description of another nature, which is called spiritual nature. This is material nature. The sky, as far as you can see, this is one universe. Similarly, there are millions of universes. And all these together, that is material sky. Beyond that, there is spiritual sky, which is far, far greater than this. And there are spiritual planets.

So this information we have got from ''Bhagavad-gītā'', what to speak of other Vedic literature. ''Bhagavad-gītā'', it is daily read by practically all over the world, but they do not understand it. Simply they become student of ''Bhagavad-gītā'', or simply just to think falsely that "I am God." That's all. They don't take any particular information. There is a verse in the Eighth Chapter, ''paras tasmāt tu bhāvo 'nyo 'vyakto 'vyaktāt sanātanaḥ'' ([[BG 8.20 (1972)|BG 8.20]]): There is another nature, beyond this material nature, which is eternal. This nature is coming into existence, again dissolution, dissolution. But that nature is eternal. These things are there.

Similarly, there, planets are also eternal. There, living entities, they are also eternal. That is called ''sanātana. Sanātana'' means eternal: without any end, without any beginning. But this nature, as we have . . . this body has got a beginning and it has end, similarly anything, this cosmic nature, has a beginning and it has an end. So our this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is how to transfer ourself to that nature, eternal nature.

'''Journalist:''' That's man's quest.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. That is the quest. Everyone is trying to be happy because that is every living entity's prerogative. He is by nature to become happy, but he does not know where to become happy. He's trying to become happy where four things are, miserable conditions are there, namely birth, death, disease and old age. So many scientist, they are trying to become happy, to make people happy, but which scientist has tried to stop death, to stop old age, to stop disease? Has any scientist tried?

'''Journalist:''' I don't know.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Then what is this? Why do they not take consideration that "We are making so much improvement. What improvement we have done about these four things?" They have no . . . and still they're very much proud, advanced in education, science. But the four primary miserable conditions, they remain as they are. You see? There may be advancement in medical science, but there is no medicine which can claim, "No more disease, come on." Is there any medicine? So what is that advancement? Rather, disease are increasing in different forms.

They have invented nuclear weapon. What is that? To kill. But have you invented something so that no more men will die? That is credit. Man is dying every moment, so you have invented something to accelerate that death. That's all. Is that very, very good credit? So there is no solution of death. There is no . . . they are trying to stop the, I mean to say, overpopulation. But where is the solution? Every minute, there are three persons increasing. That is the statistics.

So there is no solution for birth, there is no solution for death, there is no solution for disease and there is no solution for old age. There was a great scientist, Professor Einstein, he also died in old age. Why did he not stop to check old age? Everyone is trying to remain youthful. Where is that process? So they do not care how to solve this, because this is beyond their means. They are giving something bluff, that's all. They do not care what is the real problem, how to solve it. They do not care for it.

But here is a movement, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There is the real solution of all problems, if people take it seriously. Yes. And the whole thing is described in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. Let them try to understand it. At least, make an experiment. Why they are so much callous and going in their own way?

'''Journalist:''' Let me ask you . . . I have my opinion, but I want to ask you. Why do you feel that the younger people today are turning more and more toward the Eastern-oriented religions?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Because you have failed to give them satisfaction.

'''Journalist:''' You what?

'''Prabhupāda:''' You have failed to give them satisfaction. Your this materialistic way of life will no more satisfy them. There is a stage, in the beginning, when one is poverty-stricken, he may think that, "Money and woman and good apartment, good car, can give me satisfaction." They are after this. But after enjoyment, they see, "Oh, there is no satisfaction." Because matter cannot satisfy you.

So your stage is, in America especially, you have got enough for enjoyment. You have got enough food, you have got enough woman, you have got enough wine, you have got enough house. Everything enough. This shows that material advancement cannot give one satisfaction. The confusion and dissatisfaction is more in your country than in India, which is said to be poverty-stricken.

You see? But you'll find in India still, although they are poverty-stricken, because they are continuing that old culture, they are not disturbed. Yes. They are dying inch by inch, but still they are satisfied: "All right." You see? Why? Because they have got little tinge of spiritual platform.

So it is necessary now that people should take spiritual life. That will make them happy. There is no hope. All these people, they're in darkness. They do not know where they are going. They have no aim. But when you are spiritually situated, you know what you are doing, where you are going, what is your future. Everything is clear. You see?

'''Journalist:''' So I'll just follow up on this very briefly. In other words, you feel that the Western-oriented church, whether it be the synagogue or a church, has failed to present . . . would you say that it's message is not relevant, or that they have failed to present their message properly?

'''Prabhupāda:''' No. The thing is, these Western churches, just like Christianity, these gospels were spoken long, long ago to the primitive men. You see? Jerusalem. These people were living in desert, and they were not so much advanced. So at that time . . . of course, in Bible or in the Old Testament, the idea of God is there. That is all nice. But they . . . just like the statement, "God created this world."

That is a fact. Now those people who are not advanced in those . . . now, at the present moment, people are advanced scientifically. They want to know how the creation has taken place. You see? That explanation is not there, neither the church can give them. You see. Therefore they are not satisfied. Simply officially going to the church and offering prayer, that does not appeal to them.

Besides that, practically, they do not follow religious principles. Just like in the Old Testament there is, I mean to say, Ten Commandments, and there is commandment that, "Thou shall not kill." But killing affair is very prominent in the Christian world. They are maintaining slaughterhouse very regularly, and they have manufactured a theory that animals have no soul, they do not feel—because they have to kill.

"Give the dog a bad name and hang it." Why animal cannot feel? Why you are committing these sinful activities? So the priestly class, they will not also say, they will not discuss; everyone is silent. That means deliberately, I mean to say, disobeying Ten Commandments.

So where is religious principle? If you don't obey the commandments of your scripture, does it mean that you are following religion nicely? How you can kill which you cannot create? And it is plainly stated that, "Thou shall not kill." What is the answer? Why they are killing? What is the answer? How do you answer it?

'''Journalist:''' Are you asking me?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' Well, it's, obviously, "Thou shalt not kill" is an ethic, and it's timeless and it's valid. But man is not really interested in . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' They are not interested in religion. It is simply a make-show, show bottle. Then how they can be happy? If you do not follow the regulative principles, then where is your religion?

'''Journalist:''' I'm not arguing with you. I couldn't agree with you more. I'm in total agreement. It doesn't make any sense. "Thou shalt not kill," "Thou shalt worship no other Gods before Me," "Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor's ass," "Thy shall honor thy father and thy mother," those are beautiful ethics, but they're not obeyed.

'''Prabhupāda:''' "Thou shall not kidnap your neighbor's wife."

'''Journalist:''' Wife, covet.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So who is following this?

'''Journalist:''' No one. Very few.

'''Prabhupāda:''' You see? So how you can expect they're religious. And without religion, human society is animal society.

'''Journalist:''' All right, but let me ask you this: Along this line . . . now I'm not asking you . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Take it. Take it.

'''Journalist:''' Thank you. I'm not asking you any of these questions facetiously. Please understand. What does your interpretation . . . or how does it differ in principle from the basic Jewish-Christian ethic of the Ten Commandments? How does it differ?

'''Prabhupāda:''' There is no difference.

'''Journalist:''' All right. Then if that's the case, what have you to offer . . . when I say "you," I mean it impersonally.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, yes.

'''Journalist:''' Basically, what have you to offer that is different than the Christian ethos or the Jewish ethos?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Because, as I told you, that none of them are strictly following God's commandment. I simply come that "You follow God's commandment." That is my message.

'''Journalist:''' In other words, "You obey those principles."

'''Prabhupāda:''' I don't say that, "You Christian, you become Hindu" or "You come to me." I simply say: "You obey this commandment." That is my order. I make you better Christian. That is my mission. I don't say that, "God is not there, God is here" . . . but I simply say that, "You obey God."

That is my mission. I don't say that you have to come to this platform and accept Kṛṣṇa as God and no other. No. I don't say. I say: "Please obey God. Please try to love God." That is my mission. And I give the way how to love God very easily. How to love, provided you agree.

'''Journalist:''' Well, see, again we get back to this . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' So practically you follow that I have no difference.

'''Journalist:''' Yes, I understand. I appreciate.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. You believe in God, I believe in God. I simply say, "You try to love God."

'''Journalist:''' Well, I . . . I'm still . . . it's not that I'm confused. I understand what you're saying . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' You are confused still?

'''Journalist:''' No. No. I understand what you are saying. What confuses me, or makes it . . . when I say "me," and so many of our readers, is why is it . . .? Let me ask the question again. Let me ask it maybe to become clear in my mind. I don't want to put words in your mouth, but let me say it this way.

Are you saying that if your mission and the mission of the Jewish, Christian, Western ethic is the same, again let me ask the same question: why is it that the younger people, or people in general, are disenchanted, are trying to go toward the Eastern-oriented religions if their aim or premise is the same as the Western. Why are they going toward the Eastern if the premise is the same?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Because these Christian people, they are not teaching them practically. I am teaching them practically.

'''Journalist:''' In other words, you're teaching them what you feel is a practical, everyday, daily method of obtaining this fulfillment of man's spirit.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. How to . . . the love of Godhead is being taught by Bible or Old Testament and ''Gītā'', that is all right. But you are not teaching them how to love God. I am teaching them how to love God. That is the difference. Therefore young people are attracted.

'''Journalist:''' All right. So the end is the same. It's the method of getting there.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Not method. You are not at all following, even the method is there. Just as I say, the method is there, "Don't kill," and you are killing.

'''Journalist:''' I see, but your . . . the end is the same. Your end . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' End is the same.

'''Journalist:''' . . . is the same, but it's the way . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Method is also same, but they are not teaching people to follow the method. I am teaching them practically how to follow and how to do it.

'''Journalist:''' Let me ask you something that we've run into a great deal just recently. We've just started a youth supplement for kids. And one of the most . . . what should I say? That particular thing which provides perhaps the biggest schism between man's, or at least American man's and woman's, love of God or the following of the Ten Commandments is the problem, how shall I put it, well, the sexual problem.

We here in this country are taught, and we have the Puritan background, that sex is a bad thing. And hopefully, we're coming out of it. But when young people, a person reaches the age of puberty—here in this country; I don't know from other countries—he begins to have a terrible . . . obviously a terrible problem. Now I'm stating something that's obvious. We've all gone through this.

But it seems that is has been impossible for the Western churches to give to the young people something to hold on to so that they can understand, number one, that what they're feeling is a normal, beautiful thing, and number two, how to cope with it. And there is nothing in Western culture that teaches or helps a young person to cope with this thing that is a very, very difficult problem. And I went through it. We all have. Now, do you, in your message, give the young people something to hold . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' . . . to hang onto, and if so, what?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Yes, I give.

'''Journalist:''' What?

'''Prabhupāda:''' I ask all my disciples to get married. I don't allow these boys living with boyfriend, girlfriend. No. You must get yourself married, live like gentlemen, treat your wife as assistant, treat your husband as your provider. In this way, I am teaching them.

This boy was married just four days before. He is professor. So I have got so many of my disciples married, and they are living very happily. This girl is married. Formerly, they were living with girlfriend, boyfriend. I don't allow that. I don't allow that.

'''Journalist:''' Well, let's . . . let me get a little more basic. How about when someone is fourteen, fifteen, sixteen years old?

'''Prabhupāda:''' The same thing. Of course, another thing is that we teach our boys to become ''brahmacārī. Brahmacārī. Brahmacārī'' means how to live the life of celibacy.

'''Journalist:''' Hmm?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Just Howard explain ''brahmacārī'' life.

'''Journalist:''' Yes, I understand.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Well, it's control of the senses, and he teaches us how to control the senses. Generally, marriage doesn't take place until a boy is about twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-five.

'''Journalist:''' You mean in his culture.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. We select girl, say, about sixteen, seventeen years old, and boys not more than twenty-four years old. I get them married. You see? And because their attention is diverted to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they have very little interest simply for sex life. You see? They have got better engagement. ''Paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate'' ([[BG 2.59 (1972)|BG 2.59]]). You see? We give substitute. We simply don't say that, "You don't do it," but we give something better. You see? Then automatically the "don't" automatically comes. You see?

'''Journalist:''' At the right time.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Immediately. We give something better engagement.

'''Journalist:''' What is this?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Just like our boys and girls, they are all engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness business—in temple work, in painting, in typing, in recording, so many things. And they are happy. They are not going to cinema, they are not going to club, they are not drinking, they are not smoking.

So practically I am training them how to control. And there is possibility, because these boys and girls, they are all Americans. They are not imported from India. Why they have taken to this? The system is so nice that they have liked it. So if you spread this system, everything will be solved.

'''Journalist:''' So, well, then it . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' We don't prohibit that you don't mix with woman or you stop sex life. We don't say that. But we make everything regulated under Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Their aim is higher. These are all secondary platform. So in this way, everything is nice.

'''Journalist:''' Is this what Gandhi did?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Huh? What Gandhi knew? He was a politician. He did not know anything about this culture.

'''Journalist:''' Well, I read that when he was thirty-six years old he became a celibate, and that was it.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That is . . . of course, he had some Hindu cultural ideas. That is nice. He began celibacy. That's all right. But Gandhi had no very advanced spiritual ideas. You see? He was more or less politician, statesman. Yes. That's all.

'''Journalist:''' Yes. A very courageous man. Well, the answer seems very pat, so to speak, and if it's that . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Now, if you cooperate, then I can change the whole thing in your country. They will be very happy. Their everything will be very nice. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is so nice—provided you cooperate. Nobody is cooperating.

Simply these boys, they have kindly come to me and cooperating. So my movement is progressing, but very slowly. But if the leaders of the American people, they come and they try to understand and they try to introduce this system, oh, your country will be the nicest country in the world.

'''Journalist:''' (to Hayagrīva) You . . . how long have you been involved with this?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Two and a half years.

'''Journalist:''' Two and a half years? How old are you, if I may ask?

'''Hayagrīva:''' I'm twenty-eight.

'''Journalist:''' You're twenty-eight. Now, has this sort of turned you around?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Ah, considerably. (laughs)

'''Journalist:''' From a practical standpoint, how is this sexual thing that the Svāmī was talking about, how has this affected you? Have you found that there is efficacy in that which has been . . . we were just talking about? 'Cause to me it's a very paramount problem in terms of young people.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Well, there are desires, and we have so many desires. And the sexual desire is perhaps one of our strongest desires. So . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, yes.

'''Hayagrīva:''' So these desires are channeled, so to speak. They are redirected, and they are directed toward Kṛṣṇa.

'''Journalist:''' Well, I understand that, but I'm saying is it efficacious? Does it work?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Yes, it works. It works. But you have to stick with it. It can be very difficult, especially at first, but it works. You have to resolve to make it work. You have to want it to work.

'''Journalist:''' I want to understand this thoroughly. In other words, it's nothing that you feel that you're giving up.

'''Hayagrīva:''' No. It's that when you see something better . . .

'''Journalist:''' That's what I'm . . . that's what I mean. That's . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. You are accepting something better.

'''Journalist:''' Better. That's, yes. Not by just biting your tongue or your lip, saying, "I won't touch it, I won't touch it." There is a substitute.

'''Hayagrīva:''' It's not . . . you're not . . . you have a capacity for enjoyment, and you're not going to give up something . . . it's very human not to give up something unless you have something better. So the case is that you have to get something better than what you want to give up.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' How long have you been here, sir?

'''Prabhupāda:''' I came here in September 1965. And then I was little indisposed in May 1967, I think. Then I went back to India. Then again I came back in December 1967, just one year past.

'''Journalist:''' Yes, I see. Why did you come here?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Because I want to give this culture to the world, and my idea is that America is advanced country; if they accept it, then it will be possible to broadcast the idea throughout the whole world. That is my idea. But I am hopeful now, because these educated young Americans, they are taking serious interest to this movement. And we are publishing papers, books, and they are writing very nicely.

So I am old man—I may die—but I have implanted the idea. It will go on. It will go on, and they will be accepted. That experiment is done. If it is nicely propagated, then it will be accepted without any fail. And these boys who have come to me, they have taken seriously. So I am hopeful.

'''Journalist:''' I saw your magazine. It's a beautiful magazine.

'''Prabhupāda:''' ''Back to Godhead''?

'''Journalist:''' Oh, yes. A beautiful magazine.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thank you very much. Thank you.

'''Journalist:''' Beautiful thing. Where is that done?

'''Prabhupāda:''' It is published in New York.

'''Journalist:''' In New York. I saw the latest issue. Beautiful. Ah, how many people are in the movement, if I may ask? Approximately?

'''Prabhupāda:''' I have got about a little more than one hundred disciples who are strictly following my regulative principles.

'''Journalist:''' One hundred.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. In different branches. I have got about thirteen branches. Some of the disciples are working in London.

'''Journalist:''' In London.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. They are doing very nice. They are all married couples. I got them married. Yes. I got them married. They're young boys, all within thirty. My oldest disciple, he is twenty-eight. Otherwise, twenty-five, twenty-four. Utmost thirty.

And similarly, girls; you have seen this girl. You see. So I get them, make them happy in married life. Their mentality is . . . they are not after so-called puffed-up life. They can live very simply, with the least demand of bodily necessities, but thinking very high of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

So I am very hopeful that even I die . . . because I am old man, seventy-three years old. I may die at any moment. But I am now assured my movement will go on. These boys will carry it. That, my mission, is in that way successful. I came here with this idea, that this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should be started from America.

Because anything accepted by America, people follow, because America is considered to be the . . . actually, America is not a poverty-stricken country. So they can very easily understand; they can take it. And there are many confused youths. So with all these consideration, I came here, and I think I'm successful. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' Doesn't seem like very many converts in that amount of time. How many followers other . . . (sneezes) Pardon me, please.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's all right.

'''Journalist:''' How many followers are there, then, within . . .? Just a hundred?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Little more than hundred.

'''Hayagrīva:''' These are initiates, who are strictly following. Of course, there are more and more people come to the temples. More people join us.

'''Journalist:''' How many temples are there?

'''Prabhupāda:''' We have got thirteen temples.

'''Journalist:''' How many?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Thirteen. One in this Los Angeles, one San Francisco, one New York, one Santa Fe, one Buffalo, one Boston, one Montreal, one Vancouver, and . . .

'''Hayagrīva:''' Seattle.

'''Prabhupāda:''' . . . Seattle . . .

'''Hayagrīva:''' Columbus.

'''Prabhupāda:''' . . . Columbus, and then London, Hamburg. In this way there are . . . Hawaii.

'''Journalist:''' Well, there's got to be more than a hundred people in thirteen temples. More than a hundred?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Yes, more than a hundred. Yes. About a . . .

'''Hayagrīva:''' I don't know.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, I have got list. There are more than hundred.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Must be at least, because that would only be an average of ten per temple.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Here we have got about twenty heads in this temple.

'''Journalist:''' About twenty here. Where does the money come from to print Godhead?

'''Prabhupāda:''' God sends. (laughs)

'''Journalist:''' Well, yes, I was pretty sure of that, but God doesn't write checks and stuff like that. I'm just sort of curious. And I must say that one of . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' God dictates you, and you pay. That's all.

'''Journalist:''' I must say that that answer to that question is a very ambivalent answer.

'''Prabhupāda:''' (chuckling) Yes. I came here . . . you will be surprised. I came here with seven dollars only, and the whole establishment expenditure is not less than, I think, five thousand dollars monthly. At least.

'''Journalist:''' That's sixty thousand a year. What I mean, is it donated?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Five thousand is very minimal. I think it is more than that.

'''Hayagrīva:''' I have no idea.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Because we are paying . . . this temple, we are paying four hundred, simply rent. Similarly, each and every place we are paying three hundred, four hundred, rent.

'''Journalist:''' Well, do people come to the services who are not disciples and devotees?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. No, we allow everyone, "Come on, chant. Take ''prasādam''." We offer this ''prasādam''. "Chant, dance, hear ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and take ''prasādam'', and go home."

'''Journalist:''' In other words, if they want to donate something, they donate.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. We ask donation, that "We are simply depending on donation. If you like, you can pay." People pay. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' Yes. Is that how the magazine is published?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Magazine also, we take to the market and put it for sale. People purchase. So actually we have no steady fund.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, you don't.

'''Prabhupāda:''' No. We simply depending on Kṛṣṇa. But by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, our movement is increasing. It is not decreasing.

'''Journalist:''' That's good. That's fine. I am just, you know, I am curious about this, because it's a beautiful magazine.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So try to help us.

'''Journalist:''' Pardon?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Try to help this movement. Your America, there are so many rich men. If somebody comes and helps this movement, one or two, we can make very steady progress. We have no money. We are struggling very hard. You see? This boy is a professor in the Ohio University. So whatever he's earning, he's spending for this.

Similarly, all the boys, whatever they earn, they spend. But that is not sufficient, you see? We require to make propaganda. We cannot sufficiently publish this magazine. We want to publish it at least fifty thousand per month, but there is no money. You see? We are publishing utmost five thousand. (conchshell blowing)

'''Journalist:''' Who's blowing the shofar?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Conchshell.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Conchshell.

'''Journalist:''' I thought it was a shofar.

'''Prabhupāda:''' What is that?

'''Journalist:''' Shofar.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Chauffeur? No?

'''Journalist:''' The Jewish ram's horn.

'''Prabhupāda:''' This conchshell sounding is considered auspicious. Yes. Actually it is conchshell sounding. Yes. So after offering prayer to the Lord, we bugle this conchshell.

'''Journalist:''' I guess I've really asked the main question. Not the main question, but the thing I want to know was, again, was why this . . . and about people like the Maharishi, which turned me off and so many people. My daughter was very involved in that kind of thing for awhile, and she's terribly disillusioned.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. The psychology is that your people, all the Western people, especially youngsters, they are hankering after something. You see? But the difficulty is . . . just like me. If somebody comes, "Swāmījī, initiate me," I immediately say that, "You have to follow these four principles," oh, he goes away. And this Maharishi, he did not put any restriction. You see? Just like a physician, if he says that, "You can do whatever you like. You simply take my medicine, you'll be cured," that physician will be very much liked. You see?

'''Journalist:''' Yes. He'll kill a lot of people, but he's very liked.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. (laughs) And a physician which says, "Oh, you cannot do this, you cannot do this, you cannot eat this," it is a botheration. So they want something. That is a fact. But at the same time, they want it very cheap. Therefore the cheaters come and cheat them. They take the opportunity, "These people want to be cheated. Oh, let us take the advantage." You see?

Otherwise, they are advising that, "You are God. Everyone is God. You just realize yourself. You have forgotten. You take this mantra, and you become God, and you become powerful. Whatever you like, you can control." And there is no control of senses: "You can drink, you can have unrestricted sex life and whatever you like."

People like this. "Oh, simply by fifteen minutes' meditation, I shall become God, and I have to pay only thirty-five dollars." So, many millions of people will be ready, "Oh, let me." I need, thirty-five dollars in your country is not . . . but that much, thirty-five multiplied by million, it becomes thirty-five million dollars. (laughs)

And we are crying here, because we cannot bluff. We say that if you actually want, you have to follow these restriction. We cannot allow you that the commandment is "You shall not kill," and I shall say, "Yes, you can kill. The animal has no feeling. The animal has no soul." We cannot bluff in this way. You see?

'''Journalist:''' Well that's just about it, that I wanted to know. It's a shame that this kind of thing, as I say, has turned off an awful lot of kids, a lot of very disenchanted young people, because . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' So please try to help us. This movement is very nice. It will help the humanity. It will help your country, the whole human society. It is a genuine movement. There is nothing bluff, nothing cheating. It is authorized. So I'll request you, because . . .

'''Journalist:''' Authorized by whom?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Authorized from Kṛṣṇa.

'''Journalist:''' Is there in India a licensing body by the state for people to preach or to . . . how in the heck would you say it here?

'''Prabhupāda:''' It was not there, because in India there are so many churches, and they're supposed to be very saintly person. So simply to become a disciple of a saintly person is sufficient certificate. Just like in your country, marriage requires certificate.

In India, still, there is no certificate. The boys and girls, they are seated, and before the relatives and priest and elderly person, they are offered. I am doing that. There is no certificate. But still their connection is lifelong. What certificate will do?

That ceremony is so nice, the wife takes "My husband for life" and the husband takes wife, "She is my companion for life." They cannot separate. There is no history in India that there was a certificate issued. No. But still, their connection is so nice, that lifelong. Now, they are being Westernized, especially I am very sorry to say that lately our so-called Westernized leaders, they are introducing this Hindu code bill, this marriage certificate, this and that. But formerly they weren't existing.

'''Journalist:''' Is there much divorce in India?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. The modern, so-called advanced boys and girls, they are now after divorce.

'''Journalist:''' But before that . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' But before that, even there was misunderstanding between husband and wife, quarrel, there was no question of divorce. Take for my life, practical. I was a householder. Now I have given up. So practically I did not agree with my wife, but there was no dream of divorcing. You see? Neither she dreamt, neither I dreamt. This was unknown. Now they are being introduced.

'''Journalist:''' Yeah. Western culture.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ah, yes.

'''Journalist:''' Do you have much of a following in India it'self?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Not my personal, but my other Godbrothers, this cult is very good.

'''Journalist:''' How many . . . how many . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh, millions. We have got, this Vaiṣṇava philosophy, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness, millions and millions. Almost all. Eighty percent. You ask any Indian, and he'll talk so many things about Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He may not be my disciple, but there are many saintly person like me, they are doing this business.

'''Journalist:''' Did you get formal training with a . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, I was initiated by my Guru Mahārāja. His . . . here is that, my spiritual master's photo.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, I see.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. So when your country wanted a certificate for making me permanent resident, so I got a certificate from my Godbrothers that I am initiated. That's all. But otherwise, in our country, there is no necessity of certificate.

'''Journalist:''' In other words, there's nothing like going to a seminary in India, where you go to a seminary or a monastery and take a course for four years . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' No, this is monastery. Yes, there is a monastery. We have got institution, Gauḍīya Math Institution. They have got hundreds of branches. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' You go for a prescribed course of study?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, prescribed course of study, these two, three books, that's all. Anyone can read—''Bhagavad-gītā'' and ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' or ''Caitanya-caritāmṛta''. You'll learn everything. You haven't got to learn so many huge volumes of books.

Because ''Bhagavad-gītā'' is such nice book, if you can understand one line, you advance hundred years. You see? So, I mean to say, meaningful and so solid. Therefore we have published this ''Bhagavad-gītā'' ''As It Is''. Let your people read it, let them question, and try to understand what is this movement.

'''Journalist:''' Macmillan is publishing this one.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Macmillan is publishing.

'''Journalist:''' Now, when you . . . do you go to this institute for a certain period of time?

'''Prabhupāda:''' There is no fixed period. No. But, say, for me, I was trained . . . my father was of this line . . .

'''Journalist:''' Oh, your father . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh, yes. My father trained me from childhood. Yes. And then I met my spiritual master in 1922, and I was initiated in 19 . . . on the whole there was a background, because as I told you, eighty, ninety percent people are Kṛṣṇa conscious by family-wise. You see?

So we were trained up from the beginning of our life. Officially, of course, I accepted my spiritual master in 1933. Since then, I had some background, and since I met, I developed this idea. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' I see, I see. So you have been, in a sense, spreading this word since 1933 on your own.

'''Prabhupāda:''' No. I'm spreading as missionary since nineteen hundred . . . practically since '59.

'''Journalist:''' Fifty-nine. I see. What did you do from the time . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' I was a householder. I was doing business in medicine. Formerly, I was manager in a big chemical firm. But I was cultivating this knowledge although I was householder. I was publishing this ''Back to Godhead'' . . .

'''Journalist:''' So you were publishing that . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' In India.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, I see.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, yes. I started in 1947, under the order of my spiritual master. So whatever I was earning, I was spending. Yes. I was not getting any return, but I was distributing. So I was doing this business since a long time. But actually, after giving up all connection with my family, I'm doing this work since 1959.

'''Journalist:''' Do you have children?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh, yes. I have got grown-up boys.

'''Journalist:''' You just left them?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. I have got my wife, my grandchildren, everyone, but I have no connection with them. They are doing their own way. My wife is entrusted to the elderly boys. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' Well, is that a . . .? I mean, I find that sort of difficult to assimilate, to give up your family and just sort of say: "See you later."

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Yes, that is the Vedic regulation. Everyone should give up family connection at a certain age, after the age of fifty. One should not remain in family life. That is Vedic culture. Not that up to death one is in family-wise. No. That is not good.

'''Journalist:''' Can you explain that?

'''Prabhupāda:''' First of all, a boy is trained as ''brahmacārī'', spiritual life. Then he is advised not to enter family life. But if he is unable to control his sex life, he is allowed, "All right. You get yourself married." Then he remains in family life. So he marries at the age of twenty-four or twenty-five. Twenty-five years, let him enjoy sex life. In the meantime, he gets some elderly children.

So at the age of fifty, the husband and wife goes away from the home and they travel in all places of pilgrimage, just to detach them from family affection. In this way, when the man is little more advanced, he asks his wife that, "You go and take care of the family, and your sons, grown-up, they'll take care of you. Let me take sannyāsa." So he becomes alone and preaches the knowledge which he has acquired.

This is Vedic civilization. Not that a man should remain in family life from birth to death. No. In Buddhism also there is compulsory regulative principle that a Buddhist must become a ''sannyāsī'' at least for ten years.

'''Journalist:''' Hmm. I didn't know that.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. Because the whole idea is how to attain spiritual perfection. So if one remains in his family life, encumbered, he cannot make any spiritual advancement. But if the family also, whole family, is Kṛṣṇa conscious, then it is helpful. But that is very rare. Because the husband may be Kṛṣṇa conscious, the wife may not be. But the culture was so nice that everyone remained Kṛṣṇa conscious.

'''Journalist:''' Do you think that, really, from a very practical standpoint, do you think that your movement has a chance to make it here in America?

'''Prabhupāda:''' So far I've seen it has great chance. What do you think?

'''Journalist:''' (to Hayagrīva) From a very pragmatic standpoint, what do you think? Really?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Yes, it has possibilities. I don't know about on a wide scale, but it definitely has possibilities. Especially in, I think in these areas, in the cities.

'''Journalist:''' Cosmopolitan areas.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Of course, we're also starting a community in West Virginia.

'''Journalist:''' You are? Why West Virginia?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Well, this is where we're starting. I've just started it with others' help.

'''Journalist:''' You're starting it?

'''Prabhupāda:''' He has secured a land, about 138 acres.

'''Journalist:''' May I ask you why you picked West Virginia? (break)

'''Hayagrīva:''' Well, it's mountainous and it's very economical living there.

'''Journalist:''' Yes, it is mountainous. Well, I mean there's mountains here, too. I'm not being facetious. Again, I'm just curious.

'''Hayagrīva:''' No, it's very economical living there, and it's also nicely located because we have temples in New York and in other areas in the east. So it's sort of, like, between the east and the west, so it's sort of centrally . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' And one thing is that main supporter is he. He is working in Ohio University. He's nearer.

'''Journalist:''' Where are you?

'''Hayagrīva:''' In the Ohio . . . Ohio State University.

'''Journalist:''' That's where you teach? How come you're not teaching now?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Well, I'm . . . this is Christmas vacation.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, you're on vacation. You have tickets to the ball game?

'''Hayagrīva:''' No.

'''Journalist:''' Oh. What the heck. I come all the way down here, and you can't get me a ticket to the ball game.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Ohio State. Yes, they're playing the game here.

'''Journalist:''' Do you think?

'''Hayagrīva:''' I know. That Rose Bowl game.

'''Journalist:''' Yeah, I would feel that you had not attained that level of being out of it yet that you wouldn't know that. I really think I've asked most of the questions that I want to ask. I really sort of knew the answers—the ultimate of the answer, that is. I can't really think of much else to say or to ask.

Have you anything that you'd like to say that may be of some kind of revelation to me or to our readers, or something that . . . you know, what you're really saying, there's no easy way out. (laughs) If man is to attain any goal in his quest for fulfillment, he's got to work at it, is really what it amounts to. So your message is really no different from that of Moses or Christ or any of the other great religious leaders. If people will follow the ethic of the Ten Commandments, and follow it, that's where it is.

'''Prabhupāda:''' We ask people . . . that. We don't say that, "You give up your this religion. You come to us." But at least you follow your own principles. And . . . just like a student. Sometimes in India it happens that they, although they have passed M.A. examination in Indian university, they come to foreign university to study more. So why does he come? To get more enlightenment.

Similarly, any religious scripture you may follow, but if you get more enlightenment here in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, why should you not accept it if you are serious about God? Why should you say: "Oh, I am Christian," "I am Jew. I cannot attend your meeting"? Why should you say: "Oh, I cannot allow you to speak in my church"? If I am speaking about God, what objection you have got?

'''Journalist:''' Well, I couldn't agree with you more. I'm sure you know, and I'm certainly aware, that it's only recently that, for example, a Catholic couldn't even come in here because of some other church. That's changed.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Now I have written one letter to Pope. You have seen that? (aside) Where is that paper?

'''Hayagrīva:''' It's in here.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, a letter to the Pope. Did he answer it?

'''Prabhupāda:''' I have not received any answer. (aside) Is it in this paper? No, not in this paper. Where is the latest? Who is there? Ask to bring one latest. Bring one latest.

'''Devotee:''' One's coming.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. So we just (sent) that letter, but unfortunately, I have received no reply. How is that?

'''Journalist:''' I guess he doesn't figure that you're of sufficient importance for him to design a reply, I guess. That's about the way I figure it. They don't . . . are inclined not to give credence to too much that isn't of his own doing or making or something.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Do you think that is very nice? Just . . . will you read or . . . read this. Read it. (pause)

'''Journalist:''' What is the "Renounced order"?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Renounced, this is renounced. I have no family connection.

'''Journalist:''' Oh, oh. (reads letter)

'''Prabhupāda:''' I used to cooperate with everyone, but they are declining. What can I do? I am prepared to talk with any God conscious man. Let us chalk out a program so that people may be benefited. But they want to go in their own stereotyped way. The Pope himself is harassed by the contraceptive proposal. People want sanction from him to use unrestricted contraceptive method.

(break) If we see that following a particular type of religious principle one is developing his love of Godhead, that is first-class religion. But if one is developing his love for demon or mammon, then where is the religion?

'''Journalist:''' True. Eh, no.

'''Prabhupāda:''' (laughs) You see. That is our test. If you have developed . . . we don't say that you follow Christianism or Muhammadanism or Jewism or Hinduism—we don't say. Whether you are developing your love of Godhead. But they deny, "Oh, I am God. Who is God? I am God." You see? Everyone is taught nowadays that everyone is God. Just see how fun. Everyone is God. Do you think like that?

'''Journalist:''' You know from Meher Baba?

'''Prabhupāda:''' He is also another rascal. He is preaching this, that everyone is God.

'''Journalist:''' He says he's God.

'''Prabhupāda:''' He's God. Just see. This is going on.

'''Journalist:''' Do you know him? Have you ever seen him?

'''Prabhupāda:''' I have heard his name. I don't care to know these people. He's making some propaganda he's God.

'''Journalist:''' He says he hasn't spoken in forty years, forty-five years.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That means people do not know what is God. Suppose if I come to you, if I say I am President Johnson, will you accept me?

'''Journalist:''' No, (laughing) I don't think I would.

'''Prabhupāda:''' But these people, rascals, will accept him as God because they do not know what is God. That is the defect. We know what is God; therefore we cannot accept any rascal declaring that he's God. That is the difference.

'''Journalist:''' Well it's just absolutely absurd that somebody comes out and tells you he's God.

'''Prabhupāda:''' But how much rascal he is who accepts him as God. He's rascal number one. He is a cheater, and the man who is cheated, he is also another rascal. He does not know what is God. Anybody comes as God, as God has become so cheap it can be available in the market, everywhere.

'''Journalist:''' Well, of course, the Western concept that man is created in the image of God, consequently God must look like man, kind of thing, therefore any man can be God or . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' That's all right. You have got so many scientists. Just find out what is the image of God, whether his form is not . . . where is that department? You have no such department. You have got so many department, technology department, this department. Where is that department what is God to know? Is there any department of knowledge?

'''Journalist:''' I don't know if . . . there's no God department working tonight, I'll tell you that right now.

'''Prabhupāda:''' That is the difficulty. And here is. Here is. The Kṛṣṇa conscious movement is the department of knowledge how to know God. Then he will not accept any rascal as God; he will accept only God as God.

'''Journalist:''' I don't suppose it comes under the Department of Defence.

'''Prabhupāda:''' I am simply surprised that how people accept any man, who comes and proposes that I am God you are God. They have know conception. In this paper also there is interview with that boy. What is that boy? He said everyone is God. If everyone is God then what is the meaning of God?

'''Journalist:''' Well as I say I couldn't agree with you more, but ah, sure it's amazing to me—see that's why I came to ask you. You know what, what is all this thing about. We get . . . in our paper, we must have. I couldn't tell you how many letters. If we have a disciples of—of guys you never—you know every week there is another guy that's coming down the pike you know. Here comes God he's got this to say and this ones got this to say and this ones got this to say. Meher Baba so they are running out your ears. You know they are all over the place.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Meher Baba is here?

'''Journalist:''' No, no he's not here. But, I mean I'm talking about we have readers who are constantly making us aware of this Avatar and that Avatar, Avatar, Avatar, Avatar you know you get tired of it after awhile. Oh my God!

'''Prabhupāda:''' So at least this is a place where you want get such ideas. We don't say like that.

'''Journalist:''' It's terrible and it's an indication to me . . . of course, that doesn't make me any genius and dunce can figure this out. But, it's an indication of a terrible situation in terms of confusion. People are searching very, very much and they don't want to record our office in a state of panic.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So what do you think of us? What do you think of us? What is your . . .

'''Journalist:''' What is my opinion?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes.

'''Journalist:''' Well I think you have got. You know what you are saying is nice and it's meaningful. But I don't think it’s any more than what perhaps the Code of Hammurabi or what Moses got from God on Sinai or what Jesus Christ said, it’s . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes, every God conscious person will say the same thing. Every God conscious person will say that God is worshipable. He does not pose himself as God, you see. Actually one is—one who is actually God conscious he will never say that I am God. He will say just love God or worship God, that is the difference.

'''Journalist:''' Yeah, well that's you know. My particular religious beliefs are. I've always been considered a black sheep anyway. I'm sort of considered an odd duck, I don't care everybody's can have his own thing thats his own bag. Fine, of course, it's difficult for me make any kind of a judgment about your particular kind of a thing. It would hardly be worthy of me to sit here and make a judgment. But, based on what you told me your message is love. That's all you are preaching is love is that right.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. That's all, love of God. Yes.

'''Journalist:''' Love of God. And through God in the manifestation the purest thing that man can be. This what God is and I'm all for that. I think that's great. It beats the hell out of Vietnam I'll tell you that right now. I like it, it's great.

'''Prabhupāda:''' So please try to help us, this movement.

'''Journalist:''' Well I certainly shall. I'll certainly put this in the paper and if it helps through that particular medium why I, I you know that would please me. You have certainly been very kind and I appreciate talking to you and I'd be most anxious to see what becomes of the movement say in six months Do you intend to stay here in Los Angeles or are you traveling?

'''Prabhupāda:''' I am traveling but I am still here. At least for one or two months.

'''Journalist:''' I see. But, you will go from Temple to Temple?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes I am preparing to go to Hawaii, then I may come back again here and from here I may go to New Vrindavan and then there, from there I may go to London because I have got so many branches. So I have to travel.

'''Journalist:''' I see. Now when you . . . so who is heading up the various, the other twelve.

'''Prabhupāda:''' All my students just like yes. I train my students and give in charge and he conducts.

'''Journalist:''' I see. Is there a formalized service?

'''Prabhupāda:''' Oh yes.

'''Journalist:''' Conducted daily or . . .

'''Prabhupāda:''' Daily twice.

'''Journalist:''' Oh twice a day.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Not twice rather four, five times, yes.

'''Journalist:''' I see. I see. Very interesting.

'''Prabhupāda:''' We are living in God. Simply not . . .

'''Journalist:''' You are doing a daily thing.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes. We are eating Gods ''prasādam''. We are talking of God, singing of God.

'''Hayagrīva:''' I will say this. It's a little different. The scriptures are somewhat different. Scriptures are more complete and I think more intellectually satisfying to modern man than say the other scriptures which tend to be somewhat historical.

'''Journalist:''' You mean you are talking about the Testaments. This is apposed to the Western Testaments you mean.

'''Hayagrīva:''' There more scientific than the ones . . .

'''Journalist:''' You talking about a la the Adam and Eve story kind of thing you mean.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Yes as opposed to that kind of a story. These are more timeless in one sense. In other words, it's as timely now.

'''Journalist:''' It's as meaningful right now.

'''Hayagrīva:''' You don't have to have any historical background at all. So in that sense, it's more complete it tells you more about what your relationship is within the universes. What God's relationship is to the universe, in this way.

'''Journalist:''' Does it assume is it all premised upon a belief in God?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Oh yes. All this is belief but it's actual—actually tells you going to experience this.

'''Journalist:''' In others words, if one does not believe in God and he picked this up he could, he could experience this to prove then for himself that there was one.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Whether he believes it or not it tells him how in other words whether he believes it's New York City or not it tells him how to get there by following this such and such . . . there are so many ways about four or five ways in ''Bhagavad-gītā'' how you can get to Kṛṣṇa.

And there are different ways for people with different types of human nature. So if one way doesn't work for one man another way will work for another. A way of action and there is a way of meditation. And there is way of wordings so many ways to approach Kṛṣṇa.

'''Journalist:''' And how long have you been involved in this thing?

'''Hayagrīva:''' Almost two, two and a half years.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Since I've craft. He is my first student.

'''Journalist:''' Oh really!

'''Prabhupāda:''' Yes (laughing). Yes.

'''Journalist:''' That's terrific. And have you—you have demonstrated for yourself then that this has efficacy and meaning.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Oh yes. Beyond a shadow of a doubt. The further you travel the road the closer you get. There is no doubt to that.

'''Journalist:''' That's marvelous that really is.

'''Hayagrīva:''' But there is know easy, there is know easy way and I know that a lot of the young people now are taking LSD to get there easy. A five dollar trip they can get to God. This hasn't proved it'self to be really the case. So a lot of it is just a five dollar trip to insane asylum for many.

'''Journalist:''' Yeah I know. I did a motion picture on the hippies I was very close to . . . I thought that the acid thing was sort of past though.

'''Hayagrīva:''' There is know easy way out. There is know easy way out. You have to travel the road.

'''Prabhupāda:''' But you take it seriously it is very easy, yes. It is easier the same time.

'''Hayagrīva:''' Yeah. It's just joyful, just joyful. It maybe like Kṛṣṇa in ''Bhagavad-gītā'' says it's like poison in the beginning. Maybe like poison in the beginning but nectar at the end. Because to other forms of happiness are like nectar in the beginning but their poison at the end.

So LSD is like nectar, in the beginning, poison at the end, you know. This is like maybe like poison at the beginning and nectar at the end. Poison at the beginning because we have to withdraw from so many sense objects.

'''Journalist:''' Right, so many what?

'''Hayagrīva:''' All sense gratification. You know, activities we are . . .

'''Journalist:''' Yes, yes, yes. Well I, ok I . . . (break) (end)

720821 - Lecture SB 01.02.18 - Los Angeles

2024-07-02T17:21:52Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1972 - Lectures]]
[[Category:1972 - Lectures and Conversations]]
[[Category:1972 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1972-08 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures - Srimad-Bhagavatam]]
[[Category:SB Lectures - Canto 01|10218]]
[[Category:Audio Files 45.01 to 60.00 Minutes]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Lectures - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Lectures - by Date|Lectures by Date]], [[:Category:1972 - Lectures|1972]]'''</div>
{{RandomImage}}

<div class="code">720821SB-LOS ANGELES - August 21, 1972 - 56:44 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1972/720821SB-LOS_ANGELES.mp3</mp3player>

(''Govindam'' prayers playing) (Prabhupāda sings along)

'''Prabhupāda:''' (sings ''Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava'') . . . (indistinct) . . . ''Mṛdaṅga''. (''prema-dhvani'') Thank you very much.

'''Devotees:''' All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to Śrī Guru and Gauranga. (devotees offer obeisances)

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm?

'''Pradyumna:''' ''Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya''. Text number 18.

(leads chanting of verse) (Prabhupāda and devotees repeat)

:''naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu''
:''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā''
:''bhagavaty uttama-śloke''
:''bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī''
:([[SB 1.2.18|SB 1.2.18]])

'''Prabhupāda:''' Ladies. Ladies. (Līlāvatī chants) Very good. (more ladies chant) That's all. Word meaning?

'''Pradyumna:'''

''naṣṭa''—destroyed; ''prāyeṣu''—almost to nil; ''abhadreṣu''—all that is inauspicious; ''nityam''—regularly; ''bhāgavata—Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', or the pure devotee; ''sevayā''—by serving; ''bhagavati''—unto the Personality of Godhead; ''uttama''—transcendental; ''śloke''—prayers; ''bhaktiḥ''—loving service; ''bhavati''—comes into being; ''naiṣṭhikī''—irrevocable.

Translation: "By regularly hearing the ''Bhāgavatam'' and rendering service unto the pure devotee, all that is troublesome to the heart is practically destroyed, and loving service unto the glorious Lord, who is praised with transcendental songs, is established as an irrevocable fact."

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. So here it is said ''bhāgavata-sevayā'', not ''bhagavān-sevayā''. Bhagavān is Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and ''bhāgavata'' means in relation with Bhagavān, who has got relationship with Bhagavān. So here it is recommended ''bhāgavata-sevayā'', not ''bhagavān-sevayā.'' The idea is that you cannot approach Bhagavān, God, directly. That is not possible. First of all, you have to serve ''bhāgavata'', the devotee ''bhāgavata''.

There are two kinds of ''bhāgavata'': book ''Bhāgavata'' and devotee ''bhāgavata''. So in the ''Śiva Purāṇa'', there was a question by Pārvatī to Lord Śiva. Lord Śiva and Pārvatī, husband and wife. Pārvatī means the material nature. ''Sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā chāyeva yasya bhuvanāni bibharti durgā'' (Bs. 5.44). Durgā-devī.

Durgā-devī is in charge of this material world. It is called ''durga'', ''durga'', just like fort. And the superintendent of this fort is Durgā. You cannot go out of this fort, you are imprisoned. Such Durgā-devī, who is so powerful energy—she can create, annihilate, maintain, ''sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana''—she is always sitting by the side of her husband, Lord Śiva, and questioning about spiritual enquiries. Just see. Such powerful deity is also ignorant about spiritual life. So the husband, Lord Śiva, is Vaiṣṇava, and she's always asking, and sitting down underneath a bael tree. She can create so many universes, but for her, no building; only underneath a tree.

So the question was, "Which worship is best?" So Lord Śiva replied, ''ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param'' (Padma Purāṇa): "My dear Pārvatī, of all methods of worship, Viṣṇu worship is the topmost." There are many demigods' worship, even Lord Śiva's worship, but Lord Śiva says: "Viṣṇu worship is the best." Then he says again, ''tasmāt parataraṁ devi'': "My dear Devi, better than that Viṣṇu worship is ''tadīyānāṁ aradhanam''." ''Tadīya''.

''Tadīya'' means those who are in relationship with Viṣṇu, ''tadīya''. Just like His devotee, ''tadīya''. ''Tulasī-vṛkṣa''. Tulasī is ''tadīya''. Or temple ''tadīya'', preaching ''tadīya''. ''Tadīyānāṁ aradhanam.'' This is ''bhāgavata''. So Lord Śiva recommends that "Of all methods of worship, Viṣṇu worship is the best, and better than Viṣṇu worship is to worship His devotee or things in relationship with Him." ''Tadīyānām'', that is ''bhāgavata''.

Here it is also said, ''tadīyānām'', ''bhāgavata-sevayā''. This book ''bhāgavata'', spoken by the devotee ''bhāgavata'', this should be taken very seriously daily. Otherwise you . . . we do not understand what is Bhagavān. Therefore it is recommended here, ''nityam'', daily, or constantly, twenty-four hours. We have to mold our life in such a way that twenty-four hours, not a single moment leaving aside, we should be engaged in ''bhāgavata-sevayā'', in the service of Lord's relationship.

The ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', ''Bhagavad-gītā'', the spiritual master, ''tulasī-devī'', the temple, the preaching, the books—these are all ''bhāgavata''. So ''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā. Naṣṭa-prāyeṣu''. If we engage ourself in this ''bhāgavata-sevayā'' . . . just like we are doing daily, trying to read one verse of ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', discussing amongst ourself, this is ''bhāgavata-sevayā. Nityam'', daily, regularly. By this process, when the dirty things within the heart, ''naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu'' . . .

''Abhadra'' means dirty things, inauspicious things. What is that inauspicious thing? Inauspicious things means the heart disease for sense enjoyment; this is inauspicious. Different varieties, ''abhadreṣu''. There are three modes of material nature. And multiply it three, mix it again, it becomes nine, and again multiplied, nine by nine, it becomes eighty-one. So these, this . . . originally the three . . .

Just like three color, yellow, red and blue. These three colors, you mix . . . those who are artists, those who know the color display, simply you mix three colors in different way, and it becomes varieties of color. So our heart disease, dirty thing, varieties of sense enjoyment. Varieties. So heart is full with varieties of sense enjoyment. Therefore by ''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā'', by daily, regular worshiping ''Bhāgavatam'', we become free from the dirty things.

In the previous verse we have read that ''śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ, hṛdy antaḥ stho abhadrāṇi'' ([[SB 1.2.17|SB 1.2.17]]). We have got ''abhadrāṇi'', so many inauspicious things, within our heart. This can be cleansed simply by hearing the message of Kṛṣṇa from ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', from ''Bhagavad-gītā'', from the lips of devotees. In this way, when almost the dirty things are cleared off . . . not all. As soon as all dirty things are cleared off, then we are liberated soul. Immediately love of God, the original consciousness. You become mad, just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu:

:''yugāyitaṁ nimiṣeṇa''
:''cakṣuṣā prāvṛṣāyitam''
:''śūnyāyitaṁ jagat sarvaṁ''
:''govinda-viraheṇa me''
:([[CC Antya 20.39|CC Antya 20.39, Śikṣāṣṭaka 7]])

"Feeling separation of Govinda." How? "One moment is equal to twelve years," ''yugāyitam''. One ''yuga'' means twelve years, one moment appearing. Sometimes we have got experience, if we want to see something, it is called expectant psychology. I am expecting something, somebody, that my friend or my lover is coming. So on the door, if there is "''koot''," "Oh, you have come? No, no. He has not come." The one moment is twelve years. Such kind of separation, when we feel for Kṛṣṇa, that means all dirty things are over.

And something for Kṛṣṇa, something for sense enjoyment, that means still the dirty things are there. But the more we engage our time, ''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā'', the dirty things becomes cleansed, gradually. Just like when you are hungry, you are given foodstuff, you eat. The more you eat, your hunger is satisfied. You'll feel strength, you feel satisfaction.

Similarly, the more you advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you feel comfortable, released from the material discomforts. In this way, ''naṣṭa-prāyeṣu'', gradual process. So ''naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā'' ([[SB 1.2.18|SB 1.2.18]]). Not all cleansed, but ''prāya'', say, seventy-five cleansed. At that time, you become fixed-up in devotional service, ''naiṣṭhikī''.

There are different stages of devotional service. That I have explained several times. First of all, ''śraddhā'', ''sādhu-saṅga'', ''bhajana-kriyā'', ''anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt''. When ''anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt'', all unwanted things are finished, at that time, ''niṣṭhā'', firm faith. So ''bhagavaty uttama-śloke bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī''. So, so long there are dirty things, our faith and devotion in Kṛṣṇa is not very fixed up, sometimes we deviate, we go away. But then ''naṣṭa-prāyeṣu'', when seventy-five percent of the dirty thing are cleansed, then our faith in God becomes fixed up. ''Bhagavaty uttama-śloke.''

''Uttama'', ''uttama'' means ''udgata-tama''. This material world is ''tama'', ignorance, darkness. And Kṛṣṇa is beyond this material world; therefore He is called ''para''. ''Para'' means transcendental. So ''uttama-śloka.'' So when we offer our prayers to Kṛṣṇa, they are not ordinary words. Therefore those who are not liberated soul, they cannot offer prayers actually. We have to repeat the prayers offered by liberated soul, not by ordinary man, because he is not yet ''uttama'', he is not yet in the transcendental platform.

Therefore we don't allow songs which are not sung by liberated soul like Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura. They are liberated soul. We don't allow any literature which is not given by liberated soul. Literatures, they are always following Vedic principles. ''Vedas'', the original transcendental literature, and any literature which is produced under the guidance of Vedic literature, that is also nice. That is perfect.

Therefore whenever we write something, we give immediately Vedic evidence. We give some Sanskrit verse. This means that we are not manufacturing ourself. What we have heard from the ''paramparā'' system, from higher authorities, we are presenting simply in our own language, and the evidence is this Vedic verse. This is perfect literature.

So whimsically, we cannot write any poetry for Kṛṣṇa. That is not possible. That will create havoc. Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says:

:''śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi-''
:''pāñcarātrikī-vidhiṁ vinā''
:''aikāntikī harer bhaktir''
:''utpātāyaiva kalpate''
:(Brs. 1.2.101)

Any devotional sentiment which is not supported by ''Vedas'', ''śruti'' . . . ''śruti'' means ''Veda'', and ''smṛti'' means corollary to the ''Veda'', or things which are written in corroboration with the Vedic ideas. That is called ''smṛti''. Just like ''Bhagavad-gītā'' is ''smṛti''. ''Bhagavad-gītā'', the purpose of ''Bhagavad-gītā'' is the same as the ''Vedas'', but it is not directly ''Veda''; therefore it is called ''smṛti''. ''Śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi''. The ''Purāṇas'', there are eighteen ''Purāṇas''. ''Purāṇādi'' means ''Rāmāyaṇa'', ''Mahābhārata'' also. ''Śruti-smṛti-purāṇādi-pañcarātra-vidhiṁ vinā''.

''Pañcarātra-vidhi'', given by Nārada Muni for worshiping the Deity. We are worshiping the Deity under the ''pañcarātra-vidhi''. So Rūpa Gosvāmī says that "Any devotional service which has no reference with ''śruti'', ''smṛti'', ''purāṇa'', ''pañcarātra'', that is simply a disturbance. Simply disturbance, creating disturbance." We cannot manufacture. Sometimes we are questioned, "Can we do this? Can we do that?" Of course, it is good. But there is no need of manufacturing some idea. Whatever idea is already there, follow strictly.

So ''bhagavaty uttama-śloke bhaktir bhavati naiṣṭhikī.'' That fixed-up ''bhakti'' is required, not oscillating: sometimes this side, sometimes that side. So this can be possible, fixed up devotional service, by ''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā'', regularly worshiping the ''bhāgavata-grantha'' and the devotee ''bhāgavata''. Because without hearing about God authentically, how we can fix up?

So we should hear, ''śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ. Sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ'' ([[SB 1.2.17|SB 1.2.17]]). Kṛṣṇa's word is given by Kṛṣṇa. Just like ''Bhagavad-gītā''. ''Sva-kathāḥ'' means "His own words." So this is ''bhāgavata''. And ''sva-kathāḥ'', ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' is also ''sva-kathāḥ''. The ''Purāṇas'' also, ''sva-kathāḥ.'' Because all these books are given by Vyāsadeva.

Vyāsadeva is incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. So that is also ''sva-kathāḥ''. So we have to hear about Kṛṣṇa which is given by Kṛṣṇa. ''Bhagavad-gītā'' is given by Kṛṣṇa, and ''Bhāgavata'' and other ''Purāṇas'' and Vedic literature given by Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa. And the method is taught by Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Prabhu. So therefore, everything is Kṛṣṇa's: Kṛṣṇa directly, Kṛṣṇa as Vyāsadeva, Kṛṣṇa as Caitanya Mahāprabhu, devotee. So we have to follow this.

:''śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda''
:''śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda''

Kṛṣṇa is teaching how to approach Kṛṣṇa. That is bona fide. We cannot take any other method. This is the authorized method. The, the person concerned, He is teaching how to worship Kṛṣṇa, how to become devotee. ''Kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne''. Rūpa Gosvāmī said: "Lord Caitanya, You are Kṛṣṇa, but You have appeared as Kṛṣṇa Caitanya."

''Kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne. Namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te'' ([[CC Madhya 19.53|CC Madhya 19.53]]). "You are distributing love of Kṛṣṇa." How it is possible for ordinary man? "But Kṛṣṇa . . . because You are Kṛṣṇa, simply You are in the name of Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. So therefore You can distribute. Your thing, You can distribute." So:

:''śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ''
:''puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ''
:''hṛdy antaḥ stho abhadrāṇi''
:''vidhunoti suhṛt satām''
:([[SB 1.2.17|SB 1.2.17]])

''Naṣṭa-prāyeṣv abhadreṣu''. A little, maybe; not all. There may be some habitual. But still, even there are some flaws in the beginning, if we fix up our devotion to Kṛṣṇa . . . that is also confirmed in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'':

:''api cet su-durācāro''
:''bhajate mām ananya-bhāk''
:''sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ''
:''samyag vyavasito hi saḥ''
:([[BG 9.30 (1972)|BG 9.30]])

:''kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā''
:''śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati''
:''kaunteya pratijānīhi''
:''na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati''
:([[BG 9.31 (1972)|BG 9.31]])

So in the beginning we must be sincere, very sincere, to follow the rules and regulation. But due to our past habits, if there is some flaw, that is excused. Not intentionally. Because I am habituated to something, and I am, although engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, my past habits sometimes becomes manifest. So Kṛṣṇa says: "All right, you try your best. It will be rectified." ''Kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā. Kṣipram'' means "Very soon you'll be ''dharmātmā'', perfect, religious." ''Kṣipraṁ bhavati dharmātmā śaśvac-chāntiṁ nigacchati'': "And you'll be elevated to the eternal platform of peace and tranquillity."

''Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati'' ([[BG 9.31 (1972)|BG 9.31]]): "If one is sincere devotee, he'll be not lost. He'll make progress." But if there is any ulterior motive, then he'll be lost. ''Māyā'' is there. The ''māyā'', just like shadow and light, they're side by side. A little crossing the marginal line between shadow and light, you are in the darkness. Similarly, a little crossing of the marginal line from the darkness to light, you are in light.

So Kṛṣṇa and ''māyā'' are side by side. As soon as you forget Kṛṣṇa, or as soon as you want to utilize Kṛṣṇa for your sense gratification, it is immediately ''māyā'', darkness. And as soon as you want to serve Kṛṣṇa, immediately it is light. So if we keep ourself on this side, light side, always serving Kṛṣṇa, then there is no possibility of our being in contact with ''māyā''.

:''daivī hy eṣā guṇamayī''
:''mama māyā duratyayā''
:''mām eva ye prapadyante''
:''māyām etāṁ taranti te''
:([[BG 7.14 (1972)|BG 7.14]])

This ''māyā'' is very strong. The same example yesterday we are giving: the sun, little deviation, the whole world, universe, becomes frozen, and little deviation, the whole universe becomes ablaze. This is the position, very . . . therefore our position is marginal. We are called marginal energy. We may be dark side or in the light side.

So Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to keep always in the light side. If we always think of Kṛṣṇa, by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra'', then we shall keep ourself on the light side. And as soon as we think of sense gratification, immediately we are on the dark side. So our . . . we should be very cautious that we may not fall down on the dark side. We can keep ourself in the light side by ''nityaṁ bhāgavata-sevayā'', simply studying ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', ''Bhagavad-gītā'', try to understand, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa ''mantra''. Twenty-four hours be engaged in this way, you'll be on the light side.

Read the purport.

'''Pradyumna:''' "Here is the remedy for eliminating all inauspicious things within the heart which are considered to be obstacles in the path of self-realization. The remedy is the association of the ''bhāgavatas''. There are two types of ''bhāgavatas'', namely the book ''Bhāgavata'' and the devotee ''bhāgavata''. Both the ''bhāgavatas'' are competent remedies, and both of them or either of them can be good enough to eliminate the obstacles."

“A devotee ''bhāgavata'' is as good as the book ''Bhāgavata'' because the devotee ''bhāgavata'' leads his life in terms of the book ''Bhāgavata'', and the book ''Bhāgavata'' is full of information about the Personality of Godhead and His pure devotees, who are also ''bhāgavatas''. ''Bhāgavata'' book and person are identical.”

"The devotee ''bhāgavata'' is a direct representative of Bhagavān, the Personality of Godhead, so by pleasing the devotee ''bhāgavata'' one can receive the benefit of the book ''Bhāgavata''. Human reason fails to understand how by serving the devotee ''bhāgavata'' or the book ''Bhāgavata'' one gets gradual promotion on the path of devotion. But actually these are the facts explained by Śrīla Nāradadeva, who happened to be a maidservant's son in his previous life. The maidservant . . ."

'''Prabhupāda:''' There is another Vedic evidence:

:''yasya deve parā bhaktir''
:''yathā deve tathā gurau''
:''tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ''
:''prakāśante mahātmanaḥ''
:(ŚU 6.23)

To . . . Vedic literature, the meaning becomes revealed to a person who has got unflinching faith in God and the spiritual master. Just like Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja, he was illiterate, but he became the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī. So the purport of the Vedic literature becomes revealed to a person who has got unflinching faith in God and spiritual master. Go on.

'''Pradyumna:''' "The maidservant was engaged in the menial service of the sages, and thus he also came into contact with them. And simply by associating with them and accepting the remnants of foodstuff left by the sages, the son of the maidservant got the chance to become the great devotee and personality Śrīla Nāradadeva. These are the miraculous effects of the association of ''bhāgavatas''. And to understand these effects practically, it should be noted that by such sincere association of the ''bhāgavatas'' one is sure to receive transcendental knowledge very easily."

'''Prabhupāda:''' So our principle should be not to disassociate ourself from the devotees. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura therefore sings, ''tāṅdera caraṇa-sebi-bhakta-sane bās'', ''janame janame mor ei abhilāṣ'' (Nāma-saṅkīrtana 7): "I desire birth after birth to serve the ''ācāryas'' and to live with devotees."

So our this association, Society's, is giving these two opportunity: you serve the purpose or the orders of the ''ācāryas'' and live with devotees. Then you will be secure in devotional service. ''Tāṅdera caraṇa-sebi-bhakta-sane bās. Bhakta-sane bās'' is very important thing. Even there is little inconvenience, still we should stick to live with the devotees. Then we shall be profited.

Go on.

'''Pradyumna:''' "The result is that he becomes fixed in the devotional service of the Lord. The more progress is made in devotional service under the guidance of the ''bhāgavatas'', the more one becomes fixed in the transcendental loving service of the Lord."

“The messages of the book ''Bhāgavata'', therefore, have to be received from the devotee ''bhāgavata'', and the combination of these two ''bhāgavatas'' will help the neophyte devotee to make progress on and on."

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hmm. Chant now Hare Kṛṣṇa. (break)

(''kīrtana'') (Prabhupāda plays gong)

'''Prabhupāda:''' (''prema-dvani'') Thank you very much.

'''Devotees:''' All glories to Śrī Guru and Gauranga. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

'''Prabhupāda:''' Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

680303 - Letter to Hansadutta and Himavati written from Los Angeles

2023-10-17T16:11:35Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1968 - Letters]]
[[Category:1968 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1968-03 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Hansadutta - Letters]]
[[Category:Himavati dasi - Letters]]
[[Category:Letters to Married Couples]]
[[Category:1968 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1968 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1968]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by
Date]], [[:Category:1968 - Letters|1968]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|680303_-_Letter_to_Hansadutta_and_Himavati.JPG|Letter to Hansadutta and Himavati devi}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>'''A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami'''<br /></big>
Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness</big>

CAMP:   ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple<br />
            5364 W. Pico Blvd.<br />
            Los Angeles, Cal. 90019

DATED ....March..3,................1968..

My Dear Hansadutta and Himavati devi,

Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your nice letters, one dated the 23rd of Feb. and the other undated. I have noted the contents, and your attitude of service is so nice. I am pleased to hear that you have begun practicing for the Kirtana party; please keep me informed how you are progressing. Yes, if you like, you can also arrange for costumes and wig; one boy may be dressed as Lord Caitanya, another as Nityananda, as well as Gadadhara, Advaita with white beard and Srivasa with shaven head. Responsive chanting is very nice; one good singer may lead, and the others may join in. That is the system in India. It is very good for two reasons especially: One, the chanter gets to rest, so he does not become tired, and two, you get to chant and hear, that is the process. You may also have melodious accompaniment instruments, and amplifiers. Blowing of the conch shell and horns is very nice.

Yes, to be determined that the child will have his last birth into ignorance is very good. It is true that one should become a parent only if he can deliver his ward from the clutches of death. And that is possible only with Krishna Consciousness. This is a very great service for Krishna, to give all opportunity for the child to be trained up in devotional service, and it is very good that you are thinking very seriously on this.

The more one feels imperfect in Krishna's service, the more he is advancing in Krishna Consciousness. Even the topmost devotees feel they are inadequate in their service to the Lord. So it is good to feel inadequate, and to try harder to please Krishna with better service. But one should never feel, oh, I have seen Krishna, and so I am reached perfection—this is not Krishna Consciousness.

Please continue your very good service, and do not feel any feeling of uselessness. It is true that Krishna has given some the opportunity to serve Him by nice writing, some by good business ability, some by nice cooking, and so on, but these various services are all accepted equally by Krishna. On the transcendental plane, one service is as good as another. There is no question of higher or lower. We are very tiny, and so we cannot really do very much. Simply we can engage our time and energy, and that is all Krishna sees. He sees this boy or girl is spending his time in My Service, and He is pleased. I hope you are both well.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]

P.S. I am going to San Francisco on 8th March 1968 ''[handwritten]''<br />
     [[File:SP Initial.png|130px]]

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

680303 - Letter to Hansadutta and Himavati written from Los Angeles

2023-10-17T16:10:29Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1968 - Letters]]
[[Category:1968 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1968-03 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Hansadutta - Letters]]
[[Category:Himavati dasi - Letters]]
[[Category:Letters to Married Couples]]
[[Category:1968 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1968 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1968]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by
Date]], [[:Category:1968 - Letters|1968]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|680303_-_Letter_to_Hansadutta_and_Himavati.JPG|Letter to Hansadutta and Himavati devi}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>'''A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami'''<br /></big>
Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness</big>

CAMP:   ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple<br />
            5364 W. Pico Blvd.<br />
            Los Angeles, Cal. 90019

DATED ....March..3,................1968..

My Dear Hansadutta and Himavati devi,

Please accept my blessings. I thank you very much for your nice letters, one dated the 23rd of Feb. and the other undated. I have noted the contents, and your attitude of service is so nice. I am pleased to hear that you have begun practicing for the Kirtana party; please keep me informed how you are progressing. Yes, if you like, you can also arrange for costumes and wig; one boy may be dressed as Lord Caitanya, another as Nityananda, as well as Gadadhara, Advaita with white beard and Srivasa with shaven head. Responsive chanting is very nice; one good singer may lead, and the others may join in. That is the system in India. It is very good for two reasons especially: One, the chanter gets to rest, so he does not become tired, and two, you get to chant and hear, that is the process. You may also have melodious accompaniment instruments, and amplifiers. Blowing of the conch shell and horns is very nice.

Yes, to be determined that the child will have his last birth into ignorance is very good. It is true that one should become a parent only if he can deliver his ward from the clutches of death. And that is possible only with Krishna Consciousness. This is a very great service for Krishna, to give all opportunity for the child to be trained up in devotional service, and it is very good that you are thinking very seriously on this.

The more one feels imperfect in Krishna's service, the more he is advancing in Krishna Consciousness. Even the topmost devotees feel they are inadequate in their service to the Lord. So it is good to feel inadequate, and to try harder to please Krishna with better service. But one should never feel, oh, I have seen Krishna, and so I am reached perfection—this is not Krishna Consciousness.

Please continue your very good service, and do not feel any feeling of uselessness. It is true that Krishna has given some the opportunity to serve Him by nice writing, some by good business ability, some by nice cooking, and so on, but these various services are all accepted equally by Krishna. On the transcendental plane, one service is as good as another. There is no question of higher or lower. We are very tiny, and so we cannot really do very much. Simply we can engage our time and energy, and that is all Krishna sees. He sees this boy or girl is spending his time in My Service, and He is pleased. I hope you are both well.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]

P.S. I am going to San Francisco on 8th March 1968 ''[handwriten]''<br />
     [[File:SP Initial.png|130px]]

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

680303 - Letter to Hansadutta and Himavati written from Los Angeles

2023-10-17T16:06:45Z

Caitanyadeva: Created page with "Category:1968 - Letters Category:1968 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters Category:1968-03 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters Category:Letters Written from - USA Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles Category:Hansadutta - Letters Category:Himavati dasi - Letters Category:Letters to Married Couples Cat..."

[[Category:1968 - Letters]]
[[Category:1968 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1968-03 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Los Angeles]]
[[Category:Hansadutta - Letters]]
[[Category:Himavati dasi - Letters]]
[[Category:Letters to Married Couples]]
[[Category:1968 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1968 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1968]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by
Date]], [[:Category:1968 - Letters|1968]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|680303_-_Letter_to_Hansadutta_and_Himavati.JPG|Letter to Hansadutta and Himavati devi}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>'''A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami'''<br /></big>
Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness</big>

CAMPO:   ISKCON Radha Krishna Temple<br />
            5364 W. Pico Blvd.<br />
            Los Ángeles, Cal. 90019

FECHADA ....Marzo..3,................1968..

Mis queridos Hansadutta e Himavati devi,

Por favor, acepten mis bendiciones. Les agradezco mucho sus amables cartas, una fechada el 23 de febrero y la otra sin fecha. He tomado nota de su contenido, y su actitud de servicio es muy buena. Me complace saber que haz comenzado a practicar para el grupo de Kirtan; por favor, mantenme informado de cómo va progresando. Sí, si lo deseas, también puedes encargarte de los disfraces y la peluca; un muchacho puede ir vestido como el Señor Chaitanya, otro como Nityananda, así como Gadadhar, Adwaita con barba blanca y Srivas con la cabeza afeitada. El canto responsivo es muy bueno; un buen cantante puede dirigir y los demás pueden unirse. Este es el sistema en la India. Es muy bueno sobre todo por dos razones: Una, el cantor descansa, así que no se cansa, y dos, tú cantas y escuchas, ese es el proceso. También puedes tener instrumentos de acompañamiento melodiosos, y amplificadores. Soplar la caracola y los cuernos es muy bueno.

Sí, estar decidido a que el niño tenga su último nacimiento en la ignorancia es muy bueno. Es cierto que uno debe convertirse en padre sólo si puede liberar a su pupilo de las garras de la muerte. Y eso es posible sólo con la Conciencia de Krishna. Este es un gran servicio para Krishna, dar todas las oportunidades para que el niño sea entrenado en el servicio devocional, y es muy bueno que estés pensando muy seriamente en esto.

Cuanto más imperfecto se siente uno en el servicio a Krishna, más avanza en la Conciencia de Krishna. Incluso los devotos más elevados sienten que son inadecuados en su servicio al Señor. Así que es bueno sentirse inadecuado, y esforzarse más para complacer a Krishna con un mejor servicio. Pero uno nunca debes sentir, oh, he visto a Krishna, y entonces he alcanzado la perfección - eso no es Conciencia de Krishna.

Por favor continúen con su muy buen servicio, y no se sientan inútiles. Es cierto que Krishna ha dado a algunos la oportunidad de servirle escribiendo bien, a otros con buena habilidad para los negocios, a otros cocinando bien, etc., pero todos estos servicios son aceptados igualmente por Krishna. En el plano trascendental, un servicio es tan bueno como otro. No hay cuestión de superior o inferior. Somos muy pequeños, y por eso no podemos hacer mucho. Simplemente podemos dedicar nuestro tiempo y energía, y eso es todo lo que Krishna ve. Él ve que este muchacho o muchacha está empleando su tiempo en Mi Servicio, y Él está complacido. Espero que ambos estén bien.

Su eterno bienqueriente,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]

P.D. Voy a San Francisco el 8 de marzo de 1968 ''[escrito a mano]''<br />
     [[File:SP Initial.png|130px]]

750807 - Letter to Candradevi written from Toronto

2023-02-11T00:59:24Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1975 - Letters]]
[[Category:1975 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1975-08 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - USA, Detroit]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - USA, Detroit]]
[[Category:Candradevi dasi - Letters]]
[[Category:1975 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1975 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1975]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1975 - Letters|1975]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|750807_-_Letter_to_Candradevi.JPG|Letter to Candradevi dasi}}

137 Gerrard St. E., Toronto,<br />
Canada

August 7,                     75

Srimati Candradevi dasi<br />
ISKCON<br />
2936 Esplanade Ave.<br />
New Orleans, La.

My Dear Candradevi dasi:<br />
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated and have noted the contents. It is a very good idea that you have to be more attached to the Deities above marriage. But, it is not good to live at home because there is where meat is eaten. That will be offensive, so how can you worship the Deity under such circumstances. If your whole family become devotees, then that is another thing.<br />
Actually I think that you can move from the Lord Jagannath Deities to the Gaura Nitai Deities if that is your desire. That will be best.<br />
I hope this meets you in good health.
<br />
<br />
<br />
Your ever well wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/bs

721102 - Letter to Bhutatma and Kesava written from Vrndavana

2023-02-07T18:37:30Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1972 - Letters]]
[[Category:1972 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1972-11 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Vrndavana]]
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{{LetterScan|721102 - Letter to Bhutatma and Kesava.jpg|Letter to Bhutatma and Kesava}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>'''A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami'''<br /></big>
Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>

CAMP:       ISKCON Vrindaban

DATED       November 2, 1972
<br />
<br />
<br />
My dear Bhutatma and Kesava,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 3, 1972, and enclosed please find the copy of letter to the new initiates. Their beads are sent under separate post. You may hold fire yagna and give gayatri mantra to Lokenatha, and Gostavihari. Teach them to count on the finger divisions, and play the tape of me reciting gayatri mantra into their right ear. The yagna should be held in the company of the devotees only. Hold the fire yagna for all five devotees.<br />
Regarding our travelling parties, I have got some complaint from London and other places, so I have given Dhananjaya this policy, that from outside if any one party comes they must work under the direct supervision and instruction of the local management, not that they shall remain separate competitor, no. I want to sell as many books as possible, that is the main thing. By selling books, that is the best preaching work. But so there may not be any complaint, your travelling parties must cooperate with their local temple officers, and that means they shall operate wherever they are allocated, that they shall only sell books, no collecting without selling books, and that, above the wholesale price of the book, any profit there is must be given at least 50% to the local temple. Ultimately, it shall be up to the local temple president if the presence of your party is favourable or not, everything considered, and if he agrees you may stay, otherwise if he judges it is unfavorable at the time, he may order you to go out. But just to avoid these things, better to arrange in advance with the GBC men concerned. Ours is a cooperative movement, with Krishna and the advancement of Krishna's movement at the centre, and we must continue to sell as many books as possible, but discuss everything amongst yourselves and do it nicely without irritating anyone, that is the art.<br />
Hoping this meets you both in good health.

Your ever well-wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami<br />
encl: 4 ''[handwritten]''<br />
Kesava, Bhutatma ,<br />
ISKCON San Francisco.

P.S. Just received your letter of 9/28 protesting the 50%, ''[unclear]'' the above. They must give 50% or get out! ''[handwritten]''

720905 - Lecture SB 01.02.07 - New Vrindaban, USA

2022-12-30T21:25:27Z

Caitanyadeva:

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{{youtube_right|EhAy-rdszac|Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.7 - <br />New Vrindaban, September 5, 1972}}

<div class="code">720905SB-NEW VRINDAVAN - September 5, 1972 - 52:31 Minutes</div>

<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1972/720905SB-NEW_VRINDAVAN.mp3</mp3player>

(Video - 06:31)

Pradyumna: ''Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya''.

''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'' Canto One, Chapter 2, text 7. (leads chanting of verse) (Prabhupāda and devotees repeat)

:''vāsudeve bhagavati''
:''bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ''
:''janayaty āśu vairāgyaṁ''
:''jñānaṁ ca yad ahaitukam''
:([[SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7]])

Prabhupāda: Anyone else? Any ladies?

(02:51)

So, yesterday we were discussing the..., what is the first-class religious system. ''Sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmaḥ yato bhaktir adhokṣaje'' ([[SB 1.2.6|SB 1.2.6]]). The test is, people are very much enthusiastic to fight, "My religion is better." "I am Hindu. Our religion is very good." Somebody says, "No, we are Christian, we are. . ., our religion is very good." Somebody Muhammadan. This fighting is going on. In European history there was fight, crusade, between religious group. In our country, in India, there was fight between Hindus and Muslims. What is the meaning of this fight? Actually when one is God conscious, he knows God, that where is the chance of fighting?

''Yasya deve parā''. . . Because one should be. . . If actually one is God conscious, ''yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā'' ([[SB 5.18.12|SB 5.18.12]]). The Vedic literature gives us information that actually if one is a devotee of God... God is one. God cannot be two. It is not that Hindus have got one God and Christians have got another God. No. God cannot be two. Then there cannot be any competition of Gods - "I am God." Just like nowadays it has become a fashion, so many gods, rascals, are coming, "I am God." He says, "I am God," "I am God," "I am God." Now how many Gods are there?

No, God is one, ''eko brahma dvitīya nāsti'', that is the Vedic injunction. Just like the sun. Sun is one, from our practical example. You cannot say that "This is American sun" and "This is Indian sun," or "It is African sun." Sun is one. See, if a creation of God is one, and it is so powerful. . . Sun is one of the creation of God. There are millions of suns. We can see one only. So if one sun created by God can do so much work, can distribute so much heat and light, just imagine how much powerful is the creator of the sun. This is common sense.

So we get information from ''Bhagavad-gītā''. . .

(aside:) Rūpānuga, you can come here.

:''ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ''
:''mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate''
:''iti matvā bhajante māṁ''
:''budhā bhāva-samanvitāḥ''
:([[BG 10.8|BG 10.8]])

''Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ''. Whatever we see, whatever there is, they are all emanation from God. That is the verdict of ''Vedānta-sūtra'' also. Simple. If you want to know what is God, the ''Vedānta-sūtra'' informs us very, in two words, very simple, "God, or the Absolute Truth, is that who is the source of everything." ''Janmādy asya yataḥ'' ([[SB 1.1.1|SB 1.1.1]]). The original source from whom everything is coming, He is God. Very simple definition. Anyone can understand. If you find out. . . That is our enqu... Philosophy means to enquire, ''athāto brahma jijñāsā'', to enquire.

Now this life, this human form of life is especially meant for enquiring about the Absolute Truth. In animal life we cannot do. There are big, big animals, tigers and lions and elephants, and big, big trees also, they are also living entities. Big, big whale fish within the ocean, very gigantic. Big, big mountains... Mountains, they have got also life, but they cannot enquire about God. That is not possible. You can enquire about God in this human form of life. That's all.

Therefore in any civilized society, there is an enquiry of God; that is called religion. One may be..., or in degrees there may be different. Just like in India, they are also making enquiry. Not now, not at the present moment. They have given up. But hundreds and thousands of years ago... Not thousand; even two hundred years ago, India was so inquisitive about enquiring about God.

Even one Chinese gentleman, he has written one book, philosophical, that is recommended—I forgot the name, title of the book—that is studied in New York University in the religion class. In that book he has written that if you want to know about God, if you want to know about religion, then you must go to India. Yes. That's a fact. Because in no other country the great sages and saintly person engaged themselves so seriously about understanding God. Therefore the ''Vedānta-sūtra'' is there.

So we should know that God is one. God is not different. There cannot be any competition of God. ''Mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya'' ([[BG 7.7 (1972)|BG 7.7]]). There cannot be any superior truth than God. Therefore God is called the great. God is called the Absolute. So religion means, first-class religion means, how the followers have developed the understanding of God. That is first-class religion. Not that how many animals we can sacrifice or how many times we can... So many rituals and so many other things are there in every religion. But the..., we have to test by the result, ''phalena paricīyate''.

Everything... Just like we have studied so much, a scientific man, but there is examination. If one passes the examination, then it is understood that he has studied nicely. That is our common sense. In school, colleges, everywhere. If I cannot pass the examination, and if I advertise myself, "Oh, I have studied this, I have studied that," then what is the value of that? Suppose a man is doing business.

So if we see that by doing business he has acquired some money, he has become rich, then we can understand that he is successful businessman. But if he, he is a poor man, and he says, "I have done this, I have done that, I have done that," you can say so, but we want to know by the result. ''Phalena paricīyate''. That is a Sanskrit version. But we have to understand by the result, phalena, what result you have got, what the value of your examination paper you have, how much mark you have received.

Similarly, we can declare ourself very religionist, great religionist, follower of great religion, but what is this? What is...? How much you have developed your sense of God consciousness, how much you have learned to love God. Just like in your Western countries, Lord Jesus Christ sacrificed his life for God's. . . Can. . . He was charged that he was preaching something blasphemous. But he was a devotee of God. He, he preached to the people that "There is kingdom of God. You love God, and go to the kingdom of God." Simple truth. That is the actual business of human life. This human life is meant for understanding God, because we are part and parcel of God and we have forgotten.

Just like the same thing, I have given several times example, a person, he belongs to a rich father, but somehow or other he has left home and he is loitering. In your country this example is very applicable. So many boys, they have left their rich father, rich family, and lying down on the street. I have seen. Why? Maybe some reason, but he is not expected to lie down on the street, because he has got rich father, at least rich nation, your American nation.

Similarly, when we become puzzled and confused and want to live independently of God, the richest father... Who can be richer than God? God means the richest. No one can be richer than Him. That is another definition of God.

:''aiśvaryasya samagrasya''
:''vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ''
:''jñāna-vairāgyayoś caiva''
:''ṣaṇṇāṁ itī bhaga ganā''
:(''Viṣṇu Purāṇa'' 6.5.47)

''Bhāga'', ''bhāga'' means fortune, one who is opulent with six kinds of fortunes. We can understand it very well. Just like in our, in this material world, if one man is very rich, he's attractive. Everybody speaks about him. Even he is a nonsense number one, if he has got money, everyone will speak about him. At least in this age it is going on. Nobody considers of anything, but if somehow or other one becomes very rich, he becomes a popular figure.

So God must be richest. Here, within this material world, we can claim, "I am richer than that," but somebody is richer than me. I cannot claim that "Nobody is richer than me." That is not possible. We shall find out less rich than me and we can find out more rich than ourselves. Two things we can. But when you come to God, you will find nobody is richer than Him. Therefore God is called great, "God is great."

Similarly, not only in riches, ''aiśvarya'', ''sa samagrasya'', ''vīryasya'', in power also. ''Aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ'', in reputation also, in fame. Just like everyone, it may be you belong to some religion, I belong to..., but everyone knows that God is great. That is reputation. ''Aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ'', and ''śrī'', ''śrī'' means beauty. God is the most beautiful. Just like, see Kṛṣṇa here, you have got Kṛṣṇa's figure here, how beautiful He is. God must be.

He is young, always. An old man cannot become beautiful. That is stated in the ''Brahmā-saṁhitā'', ''advaitam acyutam anādim ananta-rūpam ādyaṁ purāṇa-puruṣaṁ nava-yauvanaṁ ca'' (Bs. 5.33). That is the description of... ''Ādyaṁ purāṇa'', He is the original person, the oldest of all, but He is ''nava-yauvanam'', just like a beautiful boy, say sixteen or twenty years old.

So that is beautiful, the most beautiful. And the most wise, ''jñāna''. Nobody can be wiser than God. These are the description given by Parasara Muni, father of Vyāsadeva. ''Aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ'', ''jñāna-vairāgya'' (''Viṣṇu Purāṇa'' 6.5.47), and at the same time renounced. Now God has created this universe, God has created the cosmic manifestation, innumerable universes, but He is not interested in it. He is interested because He has created. He has given us facility to live here, but He is not coming here to enjoy this. He has got better... Or He doesn't care for all these opulences. That is another qualification of God.

So this human form of life is meant for understanding God, and scientifically, with full knowledge. That is described in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. Therefore we are preaching this ''Bhāgavata'' discourse. In the beginning of ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', what is the nature of God? That has been described, ''janmādy asya yataḥ anvayād itarataś ca artheṣu abhijñaḥ svarāṭ'' ([[SB 1.1.1|SB 1.1.1]]). God, God is cognizant.

He knows everything. He is a senscient being. Not that a dead stone. If God is not senscient being, if God is not a person, how so many powerful persons, senscient persons, coming from Him? If the father is not intelligent, how the sons and daughters can become intelligent? A dog cannot give birth to an intelligent person. A person who is intelligent, he can give birth to intelligent children. This our practical experience.

Therefore this description of God, ''aiśvaryasya samagrasya vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ'', we should try to understand what is God. If you can find out a person who is superior in everything, in wealth—in strength, in beauty, in fame, in knowledge, in renouncement, He is God. Don't capture any fourth-class God. If you are intelligent, try to understand what is the meaning of God and try to understand.

So here in the ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam'', it is said that that is first-class religion—what is that?—which gives opportunity to the followers how to love God. Why should we not? If God is great, if our father is so great, why should we not love? We flatter somebody here, having a, say, a few millions of dollars, we flatter, and who is the richest of all, we should not love Him? Why? What is the reason?

And actually He is supplying everything, ''eko bahūnāṁ vidadhāti kāmān'' (''Kaṭha Upaniṣad'' 2.2.13). He is supplying all necessities of life to all living entities, beginning from the ant to the elephant. So why not to us? We have dedicated our whole life for the service of God, so God is giving food to the ant, to the elephant, why not to us?
So don't think that you will starve in God consciousness. You will never starve. You go on with your duty, loving God and preaching love of God, you will always be opulent, be sure. A ordinary man, if you work for him, he gives you salary, good salary. And we are working for God, we don't all get salary? How is that? (laughter) We must get. If you are really lover of God, worker for God, don't think of your economic condition. It will be supported.

In the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' it is said, ''yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham'' ([[BG 9.22 (1972)|BG 9.22]]). He personally supplies whatever necessities are there. Just like a father, small child who is completely dependent on the parents, the parents look after the comfort. The child does not ask the parent, because he cannot speak also. So he is simply depending on God, simply depending on parent. Simply, if you simply depend on God, there is no question of your economic problem. Be sure. This is common sense.

So there is scarcity of devotees of God at the present moment. People have rejected God. Somebody is saying, "God is dead." Somebody is accepting a rascal as God. Somebody is declaring himself as God. No. Try to understand God scientifically and become a devotee, a lover of God, your life will be successful. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. It is not that "my God," "your God," "this religion," "that religion." God is one and religion is one. What is that religion? Love of God. That's all. There is no other, second religion. This is the religion.

Therefore God comes and says, ''sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja'' ([[BG 18.66|BG 18.66]]). This is religion. Don't be after so-called religion. You become a lover of God, you are first-class religionist. That's all. That is taught by God, ''sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ''... This is religion. And if you don't love God, if you simply love dog, and how you can be religious?

So that is taught, ''sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmaḥ yato bhaktir adhokṣaje. Adhokṣaje'', this very word is used because God cannot be seen at the present moment with our material eyes. God cannot be touched with our material hand. Therefore His name is ''Adhokṣaja. Adhaḥ kṛta akṣaja jñānaṁ yatra'': with our material eyes, material hands, material senses, we cannot understand what is God. ''Ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ'' ([[CC Madhya 17.136|CC Madhya 17.136]]).

(aside:) Don't make sound.

''Ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi'', God's name, God's form, God's quality, God's pastime, God's paraphernalia and so many things, ''na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ. Indriya'' means senses.

Our present senses are blunt, imperfect. They are defective with so many faults. Everyone can understand that I am very much proud of my eyes. I want to see God, but I cannot see my eyelid. When I block my eyes, I cannot see what is this little fragment of the skin, and still I am proud, I want to see God. Just see. You have to qualify yourself, then you can see God. Just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu, when entered the Jagannātha Temple, He immediately fainted, "Oh, here is My Lord." And other person says, "What is this nonsense? A wooden, not even very beautiful form, and He is..." So because he hasn't got eyes.

One who has got eyes to see God, he does not see anything except God. ''Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti'' (Bs. 5.38). You have to anoint your eyes with love of God, then you will see that God is present everywhere. God is present in the tree, God is present in the animal, God is present in you, God is re..., present in your family, in your... You cannot say. Actually that is the fact.

So religion means how to get that eyes, how to get that hand, how to get that leg so that I can appreciate God. That should be the process of human civilization. Not that how I can compete with tiger, how I can compete with cats and dogs. That is not religion. Religion means how you have developed your love of God, how we are seeing God in every state, everywhere. God is everywhere, that's a fact. ''Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu cayāntara-stham'', God is within atom also. These are the description in the Vedic literature.

:''eko py asau racayituṁ jagad-aṇḍa-koṭiṁ''
:''yac-chaktir asti jagad-aṇḍa-cayā yad-antaḥ''
:''aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu cayāntara-sthaṁ''
:''govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi''
:(Bs. 5.35)

So the scientist, they are finding out so many miracles within the atom, but here Vedic information is that within the atom there is God. Find out God. Without God, without the spirit, nothing material can develop. Just like we have got experience, just like father and mother, they unite, there is secretion in the womb. But if there is the spiritual spark, then the woman becomes pregnant; the body is formed. If the spiritual spark is not there, you can have sex life hundreds and thousands of, but...

Therefore the theory—the fact, not theory—that unless a spiritual spark enters into the matter, the matter cannot develop. At least we can experience that as soon as the spiritual spark is out of the lump of matter, big elephant, it is dead, finished. Therefore the Vedic injunction, that ''aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu cayāntara-stham'' (Bs. 5.35), this big universe is developed because the Karanaśaya..., the Garbhodakaśayī Viṣṇu has entered within this vision(?). ''Viṣṭabhyāham idaṁ kṛtsnam ekāṁśena sthito jagat'' ([[BG 10.42 (1972)|BG 10.42]]).

So God is the supreme spirit. If you individually study this individual spirit, as you are, I am... We must know, because we are sparks, God is the original fire. We are sparks. Qualitatively the spark and the fire the same thing. The spark is very minute, small, and the big fire is very great. But this... You can study by studying yourself, that because I am spirit soul, I have entered into this lump of matter, therefore this body has developed, this body is moving, the body is working, it is so important, Mr. Such-and-such professor's body or scientist's body. But as soon as that spiritual spark is over, it is nothing but a lump of matter; you can kick it out.

So God is everywhere; simply we have to make our these blunt eyes... Just like education. I am seeing a motorcar, but a advanced motor engineer, he sees also the car, the difference of seeing. If there is some defect in the car, I cannot do it. But one engineer, one who knows, a mechanic, he knows, immediately touches and the car runs. Similarly, we should know that by education, by culture, by knowledge we can understand God, not by fictitious, by concoction, "Oh, I accept this God. I accept that God."

So that education can be very quickly done. Otherwise it is very difficult to understand God. There are so many philosophers in the world, so many scientists, they are declining. Because they could not find what is God, they are denying. Just like my inefficiency of my eyes, I see that beyond this wall I cannot see. I say, "Oh, there is nothing beyond this wall." But I (indistinct). That is my lack of education. Not that there is nothing beyond this wall. My imperfect eyes cannot see, my imperfect senses cannot realize. But you can make your senses perfect to see God by a process. What is that? ''Bhakti-yoga''.

That is explained by Kṛṣṇa in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', ''bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ'' ([[BG 18.55 (1972)|BG 18.55]]). In one place Kṛṣṇa has said, ''manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye'' ([[BG 7.3 (1972)|BG 7.3]]) = "Out of many millions of persons, one is very much anxious to make his life perfect." Everyone is not. They are simply working like cats and dogs. That's all. Nobody is interested how to make life perfect.

''Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu'', out of millions of person, one becomes interested how to make this life perfect. ''Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye'', ''yatatām api siddhānām'' ([[BG 7.3 (1972)|BG 7.3]]), and out of many such perfect person who has made his life perfect, out of many such person, ''kaścid jana''..., ''kaścit vetti māṁ tattvataḥ'', knows God.

So God-knowing is not very easy job, but it can be made easy by a process, which is called ''bhakti-yoga''. That is explained here:

:''vāsudeve bhagavati''
:''bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ''
:''janayaty āśu vairāgyaṁ''
:''jñānaṁ ca yad ahaitukam''
:([[SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7]])

If we apply our vāsu..., ''bhakti-yoga'' unto Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa—Vāsudeva means Kṛṣṇa. ''Vāsudeve bhagavati''. So Vāsudeva is not ordinary person; He is Bhagavān, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. To show us mercy, He descends. That is His mercy.

So ''vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ'' ([[SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7]]), if you take to devotional service... What is that devotional service? It is also very easy. It is not very difficult thing. ''Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru'' ([[BG 18.65 (1972)|BG 18.65]]). If anyone comes in this temple, simply...

(aside:) Sit down.

Simply offers a little obeisances, just bow down, ''māṁ namaskuru''. And if you think of these Deities, ''man-manā bhava mad-bhakto'', in this way, those who have become devotees, ''man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī'', you worship. These four principles, if you adopt, that is ''bhakti-yoga''. That is ''bhakti-yoga''.

But the ''bhakti-yoga'' can be kept active by ''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam''. Just like you are hearing, I am speaking. This is ''kīrtanam''. And you are hearing, both we are benefiting.

:''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam viṣṇoḥ''
:''smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam''
:''arcanaṁ vandanaṁ dāsyaṁ''
:''sakhyam ātma-nive...''
:([[SB 7.5.23|SB 7.5.23]])

These are the nine different procedures of bhakti-yoga. The first thing is ''śravaṇam''. If we simply keep these Deities here, we may see. But if we don't hear about Him, then it will be happening(?). Then it will be happening. Just like in India it has become. Because they have given up the process of ''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam'', therefore they are feeling now...

Everywhere, not only India, everywhere, because they have given up bona fide ''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam'', hearing and chanting about God, it has become a burden, and they are trying to sell the temples and churches. So don't stop. If you stop this ''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam'', then you have to..., gradually you will diminish in your devotional service. That is called ''bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga'' begins from śravaṇam, from hearing. ''Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam viṣṇoḥ''.

So Kṛṣṇa also says in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' that if we want to know Kṛṣṇa, God, then it has to be known through ''bhakti-yoga'', ''bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ'' ([[BG 18.55 (1972)|BG 18.55]]). Not by other means. Then Kṛṣṇa would have declared that you can understand God by ''haṭha-yoga'' or ''jñāna-yoga'' or ''dhyāna-yoga'' or ''karma-yoga''. There are so many yogic principles. But Kṛṣṇa summarizes all the ''yoga'' system in the Sixth Chapter of the ''Bhagavad-gītā'':

:''yoginām api sarveṣāṁ''
:''mad-gatenāntarātmanā''
:''śraddhāvān bhajate yo māṁ''
:''sa me yuktatamo...''
:([[BG 6.47 (1972)|BG 6.47]])

The first-class ''yogī'' is he who is constantly, twenty-four hours, thinking of Kṛṣṇa. And Kṛṣṇa also says, ''man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ'': "Think of Me always."

So our process, the ''bhakti-yoga'' process, is very simple, we chant this mantra, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare (devotees join in chanting). So as soon as we chant Kṛṣṇa, this name, this holy name, and as soon as we hear about Him, Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, immediately we remember what is Kṛṣṇa, ''śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam'', ''smaraṇam. Smaraṇam'' means remembering. In this way, if we continue always thinking of Kṛṣṇa, remembering about His name, fame, quality, pastimes, then your life is perfect.

That is described here, ''vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ'' ([[SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7]]). ''Bhakti-yoga''. This is ''bhakti-yoga'': hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, offering obeisances, to become friend, to become servant, and dedicate everything to Kṛṣṇa. These are the different process of. You accept all, or one, two, three, as you can. And even if we accept one only, then your life will be perfect. If you simply come here and hear, your life will be perfect. If you do not worship, if you simply come—therefore we are opening centers all over the world—if you simply come here and kindly hear what we are speaking about God, your life will be successful. Simply by ''śravaṇam''.

Just like example is Mahārāja Parīkṣit. Mahārāja Parīkṣit, he had only seven days time of his life—that is the beginning of ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. He simply heard. He listened carefully about Kṛṣṇa, and he became perfect. He simply listened; he had no other business. Similarly Śukadeva Gosvāmī, he simply described, chanted about Kṛṣṇa—he became perfect.

Prahlāda Mahārāja, he was being punished and chastised by his father in so many ways, but he was simply remembering Kṛṣṇa—he became perfect. Hanumān, he was not even a man, he was animal, but his only business was to serve Lord Rāmacandra at any risk. He jumped over the ocean. He did not know any ''Vedānta'' philosophy; he was an animal. But he dedicated his life to serve Lord Rāmacandra. He took the risk of jumping over the sea.

So in this way there are nine different process of ''bhakti-yoga''. You can utilize all of them or you can utilize some of them, but if you stick to one only even, then your life will be successful. How life will be successful? That is also stated here, ''janayaty āśu vairāgyaṁ jñānaṁ ca yad ahaitukam'' ([[SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7]]). By ''bhakti-yoga'' process, your original knowledge will be revived.

What is that original knowledge? Original knowledge is that God is the supreme father, I am His eternal son, or eternal servant, as you... Son is always servant, because son, real son is obedient and servant is also obedient. And as we have got distinction here, servant and son, in the absolute world there is no such distinction. A son is as good as the servant and servant is as good as the son. That is absolute world. Don't think, "Why shall I become a servant?" No, whatever you like, you can become, but in relationship with God everything is one. There is no such distinction.

So ''janayaty āś''..., this is ''jñāna'', this is knowledge, that God is great, I am very insignificant, small. My business is to serve. This is ''jñāna'', this is knowledge. This is knowledge. If simply we can understand this little philosophy, that God is great, I am very small... We have got experience here. Just like the government is great and we are small, so whatever the order is government, the government wants somebody, "Come and join this Draft department," you have to join, do it, because you are small.

So we can see in our practical life, the great puts the little into his service. ''Nūnaṁ mahatāṁ tatra''. Just like we are powerful human being, we are killing so many animals because they are weak. Otherwise it is not possible that you can live at the expense of poor animals. Because they are weak. So similarly, in God's relationship, there is no such thing that if you remain subservient to God, He will kill you. No. He will protect you. He is protecting everyone, but if you become obedient devotee of God, there is special protection.

''Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati'' ([[BG 9.31 (1972)|BG 9.31]]). Kṛṣṇa declares in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', "My devotee will be never be vanquished." He'll give protection. He is giving protection everyone, but a protection general, and protection special, for the devotee special protection. Just like a very nice gentleman, he loves everyone, but he gives special protection to his own children.

So in this way try to understand the philosophy of God. That is ''bhāgavata. Bhāgavata'' discourse means to understand the philosophy of God. So this process. The religion means..., first-class religion means one who has learned to love God. That is first-class religion. And how to love God, how to practice that love? That is ''bhakti-yoga. Vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ'', ''janayaty āśu vairāgyam'' ([[SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7]]).

''Vairāgyam'', the word, two things required in human life = knowledge and renunciation. Renunciation—try to understand what is renunciation—just like we, the members of the Kṛṣṇa Society, we have renounced all material activities. That's all. That is renouncement. Our activities are surrounding only about Kṛṣṇa. We do not do anything except Kṛṣṇa business. We are publishing magazine—that is Kṛṣṇa. We are publishing books—that is Kṛṣṇa.

We are going to the press—that is for Kṛṣṇa. We are going to the market—that is for Kṛṣṇa. We are cooking—that is for Kṛṣṇa. We are living—only for Kṛṣṇa. We are dancing for Kṛṣṇa. We are chanting for Kṛṣṇa. So we have renounced... The same things are there in the material life—publishing book or going to the press, typing or microphone or dancing, chanting—these are... But they are not for Kṛṣṇa; that is for sense gratification.

So ''vairāgya'' means no more working for sense gratification. That is ''vairāgya''. That is renouncement. Only for working Kṛṣṇa, for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, that is called ''vairāgya''. And to attain this ''vairāgya'', renouncement, one requires sufficient knowledge. That is called ''jñāna''. So this knowledge and renouncement, two things required in human life. Just like in your country, some of the younger generation, they have renounced. That's a good qualification, but they have no knowledge. Renouncement and knowledge must be combined. Then your life is successful. Simply renouncement, you cannot stay. You renounce, again accept, again accept.

So these two things can be achieved very easily. That formula is given here, ''vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ'', ''janayaty āśu'' ([[SB 1.2.7|SB 1.2.7]]). ''Āśu'' means very quick. Just like these American, European boys, especially I have mentioned, four years ago they had no knowledge of God. Now they have got knowledge of God and they have renounced all nonsense. They have no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, no meat-eating. This is renouncement.

So this renouncement and knowledge can be acquired simply this method of ''bhakti-yoga''. What is that? Thinking of Kṛṣṇa, ''man-manā'', to become His devotee, to worship Him, and to offer Him obeisances. Only four things. That is called ''bhakti-yoga''. If you adopt it gradually you will understand God, and your life will be successful.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. (devotees offer obeisances) (end)

741206 - Letter to Sri Govinda written from Bombay

2022-10-09T15:31:30Z

Caitanyadeva:

[[Category:1974 - Letters]]
[[Category:1974 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:1974-12 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India]]
[[Category:Letters Written from - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India]]
[[Category:Lectures, Conversations and Letters - India, Bombay]]
[[Category:Sri Govinda - Letters]]
[[Category:1974 - Letters with Scans of the Originals]]
[[Category:1974 - Letters with Scans of the Originals - checked]]
[[Category:Letters - SIC]]
[[Category:Letters - Signed, 1974]]
<div style="float:left">[[File:Go-previous.png|link=Category:Letters - by Date]]'''[[:Category:Letters - by Date|Letters by Date]], [[:Category:1974 - Letters|1974]]'''</div>
{{LetterScan|741206 - Letter to Sri Govinda page1.jpg|Letter to Sri Govinda das (Page 1 of 2)}}
{{LetterScan|741206 - Letter to Sri Govinda page2.jpg|Letter to Sri Govinda das (Page 2 of 2)}}

<big>Tridandi Goswami<br />
<big>A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami<br /></big>
Founder-Acharya:<br />
International Society for Krishna Consciousness<br /></big>
CENTER:<br />
Hare Krishna Land, Gandhi Gram Road

Juhu, Bombay 400 054     India<br />
DATE ........................6/12 1974

Sri Govinda das Adhikary<br />
ISKCON<br />
1014 Emerson St.<br />
Evanston, ILL.   60201

My Dear Sri Govinda das:<br />
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter undated together with clippings and photos, and thank you very much. I think the article about the book distribution at the airport is indirectly an advertisement. People will come to know about our books and our movement. Here in Bombay they also have the complaint that we are nuisance. What can be done? The writer of the article calls us Hare Krishnas. He calls us this over and over again. He does not know that by doing this he is chanting the holy name and will be benefited. Just like during Lord Caitanya's time, the Muhammedans used to joke how the devotees were chanting Hare Krishna. One of the officers said to his subordinate that it was all right that they were chanting, but why was he chanting. And the man had to admit that yes he was also chanting and that he did not know why he was doing it. So by writing this article, this man is chanting.<br />
They say that you are all my disciples. So the guru is not on the scene. He has fled away and nobody knows where he is, but the Krishna consciousness program is going on. That was also going on during the time of Lord Caitanya. In South India He used to travel, and in a village He would meet some man and induce him to chant, and the man would become a devotee, and Lord Caitanya would go away, but still the man would continue to chant. So, I am not personally present, but still things are going on, and it is increasing. So the books are selling and we are expanding. This book distribution is the <u>brihat</u> <u>mridangam</u>. It is the greater preaching. Anyway, you have replied properly to the article that this may be some isolated incident.<br />
Yes, as you have said in your reply they must see what kind of life our men are living. Our books are better than the nonsense books. You have written them to the point. And, even if there is some complaint, they are getting the real thing from our books. They are forgetting the aim of life. Somehow or other, we have to give them the real thing. Why this one man should be envious? In the history of the world, especially the Western countries, there is no record of selling religious books so many daily. It is unique in the history. Our men are doing good, that they do not see. They are so blind. But, the end justifies the means. We have to give them even if they do not want it. That is our duty.<br />
Actually what is our aim? Our aim is to create men of ideal character. And, if our men are distributing books on this account, they are doing the best service to the society. Because someone has said something in the airport, that is not very important. What we are doing that they must see. See their sacrifice, what is behind their life, how they are living; how they have sacrificed everything for the welfare of society. In our society there is no distinction between black or white, Hindu or Muslim. Every living being is welcome to take to this cult, and make his life a successful affair.

Regarding your question, actually it is a fact that ultimately everyone should preach and distribute books if they want to please me in the best way. Book distribution must be given stress always. He has spoken the right thing. If you do this sincerely, it is a fact that Krishna will supply everything else required. So you say that your men are like the four Kumaras disobeying Lord Brahma. Does it mean you are Brahma? But, it is a fact. Here in India we are now arranging for publishing Hindi books and other languages for profuse distribution in India. That is my immediate program. I blindly follow my guru maharaj. I do not know what is the result. So I am stressing on this point of book distribution. He told me this personally.<br />
Book distribution is bhagwat marg and temple worship is pancaratriki viddhi. Both are important for cultivating Vaisnavism but comparatively speaking bhagwat marg is more important than pancaratriki viddhi. As far as possible both should go on in parallel lines but still bhagwat marg is more important than the other.<br />
So you are all intelligent boys, so you should judge the desire of my guru maharaj and help me in that way. Regarding the temple management, one man can be left behind, while the others go out, to take care of the Deity. And, you can come home at night and take prasadam sumptuously. Once eating sumptuously is enough to maintain body and soul together. In the daytime you may not take, and at night you can take. As a matter of fact, a devotee may take only once in a day either in the day or night, and whenever you eat, you must first offer. But I do not mean you should neglect temple life. Do not misunderstand this. But, one man can remain, and so far the other devotees are concerned, they can eat once in the day or night, after having kirtan, then six hours of sound sleep, and this will maintain their health properly.<br />
So on the above statements you must make some compromise. Both Tripurari and yourself are intelligent. Sometimes we may differ, but Krishna is the center. Just like in Vrindaban there is Radharani's party and there is Chandravali's party. So Krishna is the center of both the parties. So even there is competition between the parties, but they coincide in Krishna.<br />
Regarding the seminar, that is very good. April or May will be good, but May will be very good. I can come at that time.<br />
I hope this meets you in good health.

Your ever well wisher,<br />
[[File:SP Signature.png|300px]]<br />
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

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