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Gandhi may not know the purpose of Bhagavad-gita, but as he chanted "ha rama," that has been effective

Expressions researched:
"Gandhi may not know the purpose of Bhagavad-gita, but as he chanted" |"ha rama" |"that has been effective"

Conversations and Morning Walks

1973 Conversations and Morning Walks

Gandhi may not know the purpose of Bhagavad-gītā, but as he chanted "hā rāma," that has been effective. In spite of his misfortune, because he was practiced to chant the name of Rāma, he was pious. If he would have understood that Rāma is a fact, Kṛṣṇa is a fact, then he would have preached the glories of Rāma, glories of Kṛṣṇa.
Room Conversation -- September 2, 1973, London:

Guest (1): (Bengali) Gandhiji, he was politician, he was actually not devotee, and he could not understand Bhagavad-gītā. But how the name of Rāma has come when he died? The name of Rāma, Hare Rāma, has come from his last word. How it has come. It is, it is...

Prabhupāda: Practice, practice. Raghupati rāghava rājā rāma.

Guest (1): So that came at the last word.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Guest (1): It is due to his pious or practice.

Prabhupāda: Practice. That will act, that will act, that will act.

Guest (1): So this was my question about how, he was not acting, but...,

Prabhupāda: No. He did not know. But because he was chanting raghupati rāghava rājā rāma, that has given him this effect, yes. On account of chanting. But he really did not understand. Just like the same example, the Mohammedan. He said "hā rāma." He wanted to speak "hārāma," but it become "hā rāma." That is the... He did not know anything about Rāma, but the name Rāma is so powerful that although he said, "hārāma," it effected. Yes. But Gandhi may not know the purpose of Bhagavad-gītā, but as he chanted "hā rāma," that has been effective.

Pearl: I wondered what "Rāma" meant when we say the mantra, Hare Rāma, you see.

Prabhupāda: Rāma means...

Guest (3): So it was not due to his pious activities, but only he was practicing.

Prabhupāda: No, that is pious activity, that is pious activity.

Guest (1): That is why at the time of death he spoke Rāma, raghupati rāghava rājā rāma.

Prabhupāda: He was a pious man.

Guest (1): He was pious man.

Prabhupāda: Undoubtedly.

Guest (1): So he chanted "Rāma" in practice.

Prabhupāda: Daily he was chanting raghupati rāghava rājā rāma. So...,

Guest (3): (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Yes. Where this chanting effect will go? Yes. The chanting... Hare Kṛṣṇa. But I mean to say that he could not teach what Rāma.

Guest (1): (laughs) No.

Prabhupāda: That is his misfortune. But in spite of his misfortune, because he was practiced to chant the name of Rāma, he was pious. Although he was ignorant. He was absorbed in thought of politics. He should have, if he would have understood that Rāma is a fact, Kṛṣṇa is a fact... That he did not understand. Then he would have preached the glories of Rāma, glories of Kṛṣṇa. He took the chanting of Rāma for his political purposes. He utilized for political purpose. Just like... That is nāma-aparādha. Samaḥ śubha-kriyā mati pramāṇaḥ (?). He was trying to get some material profit by chanting the holy name of Rāma. That he got, material profit. He was the most famous politician, all over the world.

Page Title:Gandhi may not know the purpose of Bhagavad-gita, but as he chanted "ha rama," that has been effective
Compiler:Labangalatika
Created:16 of Oct, 2010
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=0, Con=1, Let=0
No. of Quotes:1