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Jaya Srila Prabhupada

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Lecture on BG 4.13 -- Johannesburg, October 19, 1975:

Prabhupāda: We have published about hundreds of books. If you simply read these books regularly, then you will understand everything very clearly. And first of all you try to read Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. Then the life's problem will be solved.

Thank you very much. Any question?

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: If you have any questions, please just come forward and ask.

Prabhupāda: Water.

Guest (1): Could you ask Prabhupāda to explain... Prabhupāda, could you explain why... I didn't quite understand why it was necessary that we have religion. You said that so that we can be different to cats and dogs.

Prabhupāda: Why it is necessary that you should know the laws of the state?

Lecture on BG 7.1 -- Bombay, December 20, 1975:

Prabhupāda: If you are preparing to go to some other, better planet, that is the chance in the human being. But if you live like cats and dog, then where is promotion, where is Kṛṣṇa, and where is Goloka? Everything is spoiled. Our only request is don't spoil your time, valuable time. Be prepared for being transferred to Kṛṣṇa. And the method is described in the Bhagavad-gītā. Take to it and be benefited.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Haribol. Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on BG 7.1-3 -- London, August 4, 1971:

Devotee: If you must have a spiritual body in order to go back home, she asks, is it only with this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra and by taking prasāda that we achieve that body?

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Devotees: Haribol! Jaya! Haribol!

Prabhupāda: You chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and eat nice kṛṣṇa-prasādam, you go back to home. Rest assured.

Devotees: Jaya, Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: That's all right. It is so nice. And don't you feel how you are becoming nicer and nicer? Practically. The news reporter... One lady in Philadelphia, she saw our students and she was surprised. She inquired, "Are you Americans?" So we are creating such devotees that people are becoming surprised how this is possible. Yes, it is possible by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is simple method. Simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take Kṛṣṇa prasāda. That's all. Don't require any education, philosophical theorizing. Simply do these two business, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take kṛṣṇa-prasāda. And our temple is open for that. Everyone. No fee. No charge. So why do you lose this opportunity? Yes?

Lecture on BG 9.1 -- Melbourne, April 19, 1976:

Prabhupāda: Knowledge is here, that "I am eternal. Why I am put into this condition of temporary body, not only one kind of body, but there are 8,400,000 different forms of body, and I have to accept one of them, tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ (BG 2.13), according to my karma. This is my position. How to get out of it, to inquire about it? If there is any science to accept it?" That is knowledge.

Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, jñānaṁ sa-vijñānam, vijñāna-sahitaṁ yaj jñātvā: "If you are fortunate enough to understand this knowledge, then mokṣyase. You become liberated from this inauspicious condition of repeated birth, death, ignorance and suffering, so many things." So we shall try to explain one after another. This is the beginning. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (break)

Guest (1) (young man): Śrīla Prabhupāda, I was inquiring about how the minad (?), or spiritual self, of an animal, or beast, how that enters into a human being.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: How does the spirit soul of a beast enter into the form of a human being?

Prabhupāda: Just like a thief in the prison house. How he becomes liberated? When his term of suffering in the prison house is finished, then he is again free man. And again if he is criminal, he is put into jail. So human form of life is meant for understanding, as I am explaining, what is the problem of my life. I do not wish to die; I am put to death. I do not wish to become old man; I am obliged to become old man.

Lecture on BG 9.3 -- Toronto, June 20, 1976:

Prabhupāda: Yes, eternally means that this creation, the material creation, it takes place at a certain date and it continues for certain millions and trillions of years, and again it becomes annihilated, dissolved. There is no creation for... Bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate (BG 8.19). And again millions of years passes, and again there is creation. So one who does not take advantage of this creation, manifestation, especially in the human form of life, as I was discussing, mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani, then he remains in the path of birth and death in this creation, and because he does not deliver himself, then next creation and next creation. So unless he takes to it, it is eternally going on. If he does not take advantage of this opportunity, then he remains in the cycle of birth and, mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani. And the mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani continues in this creation, next creation and before that it is going on.

Devotee: Another question?

Prabhupāda: That's all right. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya! Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on BG 9.4 -- Melbourne, April 22, 1976:

Guest (5): Why are people cruel? Why do they persecute other human beings and torture them? How is it they are able to do this?

Prabhupāda: Because he is not in his normal condition, under the dictation of māyā, he is thinking, "This is my enemy; this is my friend," and he's acting like that. But when he becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, then he becomes learned. There is no more enemy. Everyone is friend. Samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām (BG 18.54). That is the highest stage of life. All right. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda. (end)

Lecture on BG 9.34 -- August 3, 1976, New Mayapur (French farm):

Devotee: So we can bring the mind under control of Kṛṣṇa?

Prabhupāda: Yes. One who is under the control of Kṛṣṇa, he's no more under control of the mind. Sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ (SB 9.4.18). Mind is being controlled. So mind cannot dictate. Those who are not under control of Kṛṣṇa, the mind dictates to him. He's under the control of the mind, or senses, that's all. So, point is, that be fixed up in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Don't disturb yourself by the material environment, or enchantment. Be fixed up, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, always fixed up, your mind at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. So far the necessities of life concerned, that will come automatically, you'll never be in trouble. Go on with this business. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on BG 15.15 -- August 5, 1976, New Mayapur (French farm):

Devotee: If we don't finish our Kṛṣṇa consciousness in this life, how we come in contact with the guru in next life?

Prabhupāda: Yes, that arrangement will be done, you go on with your business. We are singing this song daily. Why do you forget? Cakhu-dān dilo jei janme janme prabhu sei. One who has opened the eyes, he'll remain my master life after life.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda!

Translator: The question was that Kṛṣṇa had said that He would not take part in the Battle of Kurukṣetra, but later on He did. So He had actually changed His word. So does the devotee also sometimes do that, say one thing but later on change his mind.

Prabhupāda: You are not Kṛṣṇa. You are servant of Kṛṣṇa. Don't try to imitate the master. That is folly. You are servant, you remain always servant. Don't try to imitate the master. Kṛṣṇa has lifted the hill. Can you do that by imitation? Don't try to imitate. Follow His instruction. That is wanted. Kṛṣṇa can do anything, He is God.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.5.22 -- Vrndavana, August 3, 1974:

Prabhupāda: Because the fact is fact. Either... Suppose somebody says, "Don't touch fire. It will burn your hand." If you accept it, your father's advice or your teacher's advice, "Don't touch fire," it is as good. And if you want to make research, "No, why shall I believe my father, my teacher. Let me experiment, touch," the result will be the same. Result will be the same. But if you want to make experiment, do it. But come to this conclusion, that Kṛṣṇa is the original cause of everything. Then your life is perfect.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (break)

Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa(?): ...translation... (break) ...Bhagavad-gītā... (break)

Dayānanda: ...Prabhupāda...

Prabhupāda: Hm.

Lecture on SB 1.15.35 -- Los Angeles, December 13, 1973:

Prabhupāda: Although by mentality they are all rogues and rascals and demons, but in material condition they are very very poor. That is stated. Mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ (SB 1.1.10). People are so unfortunate that even the bird and beast, they can get their two meals, eating, sleeping, mating; they have got their arrangement. At the present moment a human being has no arrangement what he is going to eat in the morning or in the evening, whether he has got any chance of sex life. These things are preliminary requirement, but nobody is guarantee of these things, they are so unfortunate. They are not getting the preliminary necessities of life, what to speak of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They are so unfortunate. So why should come Kṛṣṇa to kill them? They are already killed by the laws of nature. They are already killed, half-killed. Therefore Kṛṣṇa has come in the form of His name. Please chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda. (end)

Lecture on SB 1.16.8 -- Los Angeles, January 5, 1974:

Prabhupāda: So mṛtyu, death, is stopped as soon as you take Kṛṣṇa consciousness very seriously, immediately, from that moment, as soon as you are initiated. You promise before the spiritual master, "Yes, I am initiated, I shall act like this," and if you follow, then your death is stopped from that point. No more death. No more death. Simply an official business, just like you sleep and again you awake, similarly, a devotee's death is like that. It is like sleeping, and next moment in the spiritual kingdom, immediately. Immediately. When he will rise, he will see that "I am with Kṛṣṇa."

Devotees: Jaya! Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: This is the fact. So don't fall down. Don't be childish, that "Yes, I have promised before spiritual master, before Kṛṣṇa, before fire. All right, that's all right. Let me break." No, don't do that. Don't do that. Don't lose this opportunity. You are now on the point of deathlessness, but if you again commit... Bhajann apakvo 'tha patet tato yadi. There is chance. If your execution of devotional service is not going perfectly, so there is chance of falldown.

Lecture on SB 2.2.5 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1968:

Prabhupāda: So we have no place. So we don't mind. We can sit down underneath a tree and preach this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Some gentleman has offered this garage. That's all right. So people are afraid to give us place, you see, because we are pushing God consciousness. That is our fault. You see? This is the position. So never mind. We can sit down anywhere and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. And I'll request you to come and join us, and you'll be happy.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (obeisances)

Prabhupāda: Any question? We invite questions. If you have got any doubts about this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, you can ask. We shall try to reply. So there is no question? Yes?

Lecture on SB 2.3.18-19 -- Bombay, March 23, 1977, At Cross Maidan Pandal:

Prabhupāda: Dharma-kṣetra everyone knows. Kurukṣetra is still dharma-kṣetra. Everyone goes there for religious performances. Where is the difficulty? Why you make it difficult? In candra-grahaṇa, in sūrya-grahaṇa, hundreds, thousands of people still go there. This is dharma-kṣetra. In the Vedic injunction it is said kurukṣetre dharmaṁ yajet: "When you want to perform religious ritualistic ceremonies, go to Kurukṣetra." So Kurukṣetra is still there, the place is there, the station is there, and it is mentioned in the Vedas, it is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gītā. Where is the difficulty? Why you create difficulty? It is your fault that creates difficulty. Otherwise Kurukṣetra is dharma-kṣetra since time immemorial. That's all. Now chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Lokanātha: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (break)

Bhavānanda: So we are continuing our reading from the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Second Canto, Third Chapter, "Pure Devotional Service: The Change in Heart." (reads texts 20 and 21 and purports)

Prabhupāda: Girirāja, you speak.

Bhavānanda: Girirāja, you speak.

Prabhupāda: Try to explain all this. (end)

Lecture on SB 2.3.20 -- Bombay, March 24, 1977, At Cross Maidan Pandal:

Girirāja: Next? Please come forward with your questions. Asking questions is a sign of intelligence. Athāto brahma jijñāsā.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I think you scared them away.

Indian man (2): How could I know the unknown within the known?

Prabhupāda: This is already explained. How could you know your great-grandfather? From the paramparā system. Your father says, "Yes, I had my grandfather." So from the authority of your father you can understand. This is easy process. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ (BG 4.2). You have to hear. Therefore Veda is called śruti. Śruti means you have to hear from the right source. Then you know. That is knowledge. You don't hear from a cheater. You hear from the right source. Then the knowledge is perfect.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Indian man (3): If a man is highly religious, it is very difficult for him to move in the material world. What is the subject? How should he move, the people who are materialistically-minded?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Therefore you have to understand your spiritual identification. Because you are fools and rascals, you are thinking, "I am this body," and Kṛṣṇa gives instruction in the beginning that you are not this body. Dehino 'smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā (BG 2.13). Asmin dehe: you are within this body, not this body you are. So Kṛṣṇa is authority. You have to take it. Kṛṣṇa is not only simply speaking authoritatively but He is giving practical example. Dehino 'smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā (BG 2.13). Because the soul is within the body it is changing. Tathā dehāntara-prāptir dhīras tatra na muhyati (BG 2.13). You have to become a dhīra, not adhīra. There are two classes of men: dhīra and adhīra. So in order to become a dhīra, you have to go... Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet (MU 1.2.12). You have to be trained up. Then you'll understand, not so quickly, without being dhīra. Dhīras tatra na muhyati.

Lecture on SB 2.3.20 -- Bombay, March 24, 1977, At Cross Maidan Pandal:

Indian man (7): Idol worship, impersonal, considered as a stepping stone. Is it fact?

Prabhupāda: I don't follow. What is that?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: "Is worshiping the idol a stepping stone?"

Indian man (7): Idol worship, mūrti-pūjā, is considered as a stepping stone only. When you attain something, then you need not do.

Prabhupāda: So unless you step one by one, how you can go to the topmost? You have to.

Indian man (7): After attaining that.

Prabhupāda: Yes. First of all you have to step on the first step, then second step, then... Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate (SB 1.2.11). So everything requires training and knowledge.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. That's all.

Devotees: Jaya. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Kīrtana. (break)

Indian man (8): Can you please explain that it is our only way out for salvation?

Prabhupāda: Yes. People are so fallen that they cannot take the life of tapasya. Athāto brahma jijñāsā. This is the life of tapasya. Tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena śuddhyet sattvam (SB 5.5.1). So, tapasā brahmacaryeṇa yamena niyamena vā (SB 6.1.13). So, there is process of tapasya, but in this age, Kali-yuga, people are so fallen that they cannot undergo all the items of tapasya. It is very difficult. Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu... Caitanya Mahāprabhu has not manufactured. It is mentioned in the śāstra that only by this process.

Lecture on SB 3.28.21 -- Nairobi, November 1, 1975:

Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa says, sarva dharmān parityajya mām ekam śaraṇaṁ vraja (BG 18.66). Parityajya means giving up completely, cent percent, no reservation. In this way, surrendered, that is the qualification. Everything is there. No reservation. And Kṛṣṇa will give you chance: "All right, if you have got still desire for material enjoyment, do it." "I want to become a king." "All right, become a king." Then "I want to become a dog." "All right, become a dog." He gives you both opportunity. And we are doing that. We're doing that. We are rotating throughout the whole universe in different types of bodies just to fulfill our damned desires, that's all. Therefore your first qualification is no desire. Simply desire to worship Kṛṣṇa. That is qualification. Then everything will be revealed. Buddhi yogaṁ dadāmi tam. Then everything will come from Him. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on SB 5.5.1-2 -- Bombay, March 25, 1977:

Prabhupāda: So bhakti-mārga is not very difficult. Very easy. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru (BG 18.65). Any child can do it. Any child, if he sees the form of Lord Kṛṣṇa in the temple, he remembers, and he continues to think of Kṛṣṇa. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto. And if you think of Kṛṣṇa always, automatically you become devotee. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto. And then mad-yājī, little offering. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati (BG 9.26). Where is the difficulty? Little flower, little fruit, little water. Kṛṣṇa is not poor person, (that) He wants something from you. But yo me bhaktyā prayacchati. He wants to revive your original Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore He comes. Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata (BG 4.7). So in India we have got this opportunity. Why should we miss this opportunity? It is a suicidal policy. Don't do it. Take to it very seriously.

Thank you very much.

Devotee: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Tamāla-kṛṣṇa: If anyone has any questions, this is the time. The process of receiving knowledge is to place inquiry at the perfect person, the spiritual master. So if any of you have any questions, there will be a microphone up front, and you can come up and place your questions to Śrīla Prabhupāda. (no one responds)

Prabhupāda: All right. Don't try to agitate them. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Oh, they are coming?

Guest (1): If God is everywhere, why His presence not felt by everybody?

Prabhupāda: Everybody is not intelligent. Mostly they are rascals.

Lecture on SB 5.5.3 -- Hyderabad, April 15, 1975:

Devotee: He wants to know if he should leave his family and become a devotee, because...

Prabhupāda: No, we never said that. Just now we explained. ye vā mayīśe kṛta-sauhṛdārthā, you keep your intimate relationship with Kṛṣṇa. It doesn't matter whether you are in family or without family. It doesn't matter. Just like I have given already example. Arjuna, he is a family man, he is not a sannyāsī. Not only family man, a military man, and politician, but he was prepared to sacrifice everything for Kṛṣṇa. That is wanted. If you do not become a family man, so what is the gain there? Or if you remain a sannyāsī, if you have no Kṛṣṇa consciousness, just like you said, "So many swamis they want to become Kṛṣṇa instead of becoming devotee of Kṛṣṇa." So this kind of sannyāsī is also useless. Similarly, gṛhastha, if he's simply attached to family, that is also useless. Any condition of life, if you remain fixed-up with Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that is your perfection of life. Yei kṛṣṇa-tattva-vettā, sei 'guru' haya (CC Madhya 8.128). Anyone who is fully Kṛṣṇa conscious and fixed-up in devotional service, knowing fully well what is Kṛṣṇa, he is guru. It doesn't matter whether he is a sannyāsī, or gṛhastha or brāhmaṇa, and śūdra. It doesn't matter. Is that all right? Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on SB 5.5.7 -- Vrndavana, October 29, 1976:

Prabhupāda: We see people are working so hard, day and night. They go to business, or go to office, from morning 5:00 up to ten o'clock at night, they work. You will see in big, big cities, how they are going by the daily, passengers how they are hanging in the buses, going. Why? Why they are working so hard? It is not very simple thing. Why they are working so hard? The answer is maithuna, sex indulgence, that's all. They have no other happiness except that sex intercourse at night, he will enjoy. Therefore he is working so hard. Otherwise there is no other happiness. Everything is zero. The only positive happiness, he's thinking like that. Yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tucchaṁ kaṇḍūyanena karayor iva duḥkha-duḥkham (SB 7.9.45). That is the only happiness, there is no secrecy. The people are working so hard, simply maithunyam agāram. It is a prison house, agāram. Agāram means packed up, shackled with iron chains, and the only happiness is maithunyam agāram. And this is only abominable, tuccham. Yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham. So how he has accepted this lowest class of happiness as the aim of life? Ajñaḥ, rascal. The conclusion is ajñaḥ. So don't become ajñaḥ, be intelligent. And kṛṣṇa yei bhaje, sei baḍa catura. Don't be rascal, don't remain as... Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Lecture on SB 5.6.3 -- Vrndavana, November 25, 1976:

Prabhupāda: The description is there in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. But as soon as the Mohinī-mūrti demonstrated the features of the breast, immediately Lord Śiva became so mad that he forcibly went there and embraced, and there was discharge. Lord Śiva. And what to speak of us? What we are? (laughter) Therefore it is... Lord Śiva is all right, but by their example they are teaching us that "A personality like me become victimized by this māyā's influence. What you are?" Why you should trust and make friendship with your mind, that "I am now complete," artificially? Don't do that. Therefore it is warned, na kuryāt. Na kuryāt karhicit. Never trust your mind, always try to control. And the easiest method recomended in the śāstra and confirmed by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu—harer nāma harer nāma harer nāma iva kevalam, kalau nāsty eva nāsty... (CC Adi 17.21).

Devotees: ...eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā.

Prabhupāda: Thank you very much. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on SB 6.1.2 -- Honolulu, May 6, 1976:

Prabhupāda: What Kṛṣṇa is speaking in the Bhagavad-gītā, if we take it, "Let Kṛṣṇa speak. I am not going to accept anything..." Aśraddadhānāḥ: there is no faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa. Aśraddadhānāḥ puruṣa dharmasyāsya: "The religious system which I am speaking." What is that? Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ (BG 18.66), this religion. So if one is neglectful, does not like this proposal, then what is the result? Aprāpya mām: "He'll never get Me." Aprāpya mām nivartante mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani. Then he will have to continue this process, mṛtyu-saṁsāra vartmani. He'll take birth, again die, again take birth, again die. That will continue. Mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani. So,

pravṛtti-lakṣaṇaś caiva
traiguṇya-viṣayo mune
yo 'sāv alīna-prakṛter
guṇa-sargaḥ punaḥ punaḥ

So we have to give up this habit that "I am master. I can enjoy, and I can do. I am independent." You have to give up this habit. Then you will be eligible for going back to home, back to Godhead.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Lecture on SB 6.1.7 -- Honolulu, May 8, 1976:

Prabhupāda: These rascals thought that "It is too much. Why I shall surrender to Kṛṣṇa? I am also as good as Kṛṣṇa. Why shall I surrender?" That is our mentality. If somebody says, good man, that "You surrender. I shall give you good instruction," "Oh, why shall I surrender to you?" That is material life. But our, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement begins when you are ready to surrender. That is beginning. Tad viddhi praṇipātena (BG 4.34). Praṇipāt means surrender. Prakṛṣṭa-rūpeṇa nipāta. "Yes, I surrender to you." That is the beginning. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate (BG 7.19). To learn the surrender, it will take many, many births. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante. But those who are intelligent, they will surrender immediately. "Kṛṣṇa says, 'Surrender,' and why not? Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord. Let me surrender." Then his life is successful immediately. Within a second his life is successful. But we are not prepared to surrender. That is our material disease. So if we do not surrender to Kṛṣṇa and take His instruction and make our life, that is our choice. But if you like, you can make your life successful within a moment simply by surrendering to Kṛṣṇa.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on SB 6.1.22 -- Honolulu, May 22, 1976:

Prabhupāda: So we should be very serious. We should not fall down from the standard of Vedic culture. If you are actually serious about stopping this, manaḥ ṣaṣṭhāni indriyāṇi prakṛti-sthāni karṣati. This is struggle for existence. In this material world everyone is struggling to survive. But who is surviving? That way, materialistic way of life will not help you to survive. That is prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni (BG 3.27). Nature is so strong that you must die. "I am very strong." You may be very strong, that's all right. There is a, I mean to say, joking story that one man thought how to avoid death—Hiraṇyakaśipu. So he thought that the Yamarāja is the superintendent of death, he comes to take. So I shall make such policy that he may not come to me. What is that policy? "Bring some stool. I shall smear over my body, and out of bad smell he will not come." So he began to smear stool on his body at the time of death. So this is going on. They are making body very stout and strong so they will survive. Nobody will survive, sir, unless he is Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Please bring the children forward. (kīrtana) (end)

Lecture on SB 6.1.23 -- Chicago, July 7, 1975:

Prabhupāda: Actually, there is no need of this material world. Just like somebody says that "If all the prisoners become free, how the prisonhouse will go on?" And is it a very good proposal? The prisonhouse, as soon as it is stopped, as soon as it is closed, that is good for the society. Why there should be prisonhouse at all? But they want to maintain the prisonhouse and very anxious, "If people all are set free, then who will fill up this prisonhouse?" They question that, that "If all people go to back to home, back to Godhead, then how this world will go on?" (laughter) That is their anxiety. But we say the sooner you close this business and all of you go back to home, back to Godhead, then everything is very nice.

Devotees: Jaya! Jaya, Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: So kāla, as it is said. Kālaḥ atyagāt mahān. Mahān means very powerful, great. You may be a very big scientist and very powerful politician, you don't care for anything, but you cannot conquer over the mahān, the great powerful time. Oh, that is not possible. You are independent. You don't care for God. But God will come. You will see. Kālo 'smi. When Kṛṣṇa showed the gigantic form, virāḍ-mūrti, Arjuna enquired, "Who are You, Sir?" Because he was dealing with Kṛṣṇa as friend, but after seeing the virāḍ-rūpa, the gigantic universal form, so he enquired, "Who are You, Sir?" He replied, kālo 'smi: "I am kāla, kāla. I have appeared to take away all these sinful demons." So Kṛṣṇa appears still in form of war, big gigantic war, and takes away so many millions of people by one stroke. This is going on. So we should have sense that "We hear from the śāstras that we are eternal.

Lecture on SB 6.1.49 -- New Orleans Farm, August 1, 1975:

Prabhupāda: So take these words of Kṛṣṇa, guru-Kṛṣṇa. The guru will also..., the same thing, what Kṛṣṇa has said. And follow the principles. Your life is successful. Now, this place I see, although I have not seen all, is a nice place. And the gṛhasthas may come here, have some small cottage, and grow your own food grains, vegetables, and have your cow's milk. Get nice foodstuff, save time. Why should you go in the city, hundred miles in car and again hundred miles come back and take unnecessary trouble? Stick to this spot and grow your own food, your own cloth, and live peacefully, save time, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Very nice program. This is actual life. What is this nonsense life, big, big cities and always people busy? If he wants to see one friend, he has to go thirty miles. If he has to see a physician, he has to go fifty miles. If he has to go to work, another hundred miles. So what is this life? This is not life. Be satisfied. The devotee's life should be yāvad artha-prayojanam. We require material necessities as much as it is required, no artificial life. That is spiritual life. Simply increasing artificial life, even for shaving, a big machine is required. What is this? Simply wasting time. Devil's workshop. Make life very simple. And simple living, high thinking, and always conscious to go back to home, back to Kṛṣṇa. That is life. Not this life, that simply machine, machine, machine, machine. So if you show practical example that how you are living simple life and how you are advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then people will learn from you. You American people, if you show example, people will try to follow you, and they will be happy. So I am very glad to see this farm. Develop it nicely, live peacefully, and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Lecture on SB 6.1.50 -- Detroit, August 3, 1975:

Prabhupāda: So kindly... I am very pleased that you are doing nicely. But don't be proud. Always remain humble, meek, that "I am nothing. I cannot..." That will be nice. And if you think, "Now I have become liberated. I can chant and dance," no, don't think like that. Just like even Caitanya-caritāmṛta author, he says, purīṣera kīṭa haite muñi se laghiṣṭha: (CC Adi 5.205) "I am lower than the worm in the stool." Jagāi mādhāi haite muñi se pāpiṣṭha: "I am more sinner than Jagāi-Mādhāi." In this way... That is not artificial. A Vaiṣṇava must think like that, that "I am rotten. I have no value." Don't be proud. Then the things will go on nicely. And as soon as you become proud, then māyā—"Yes, you are God. Come on. I will kick you on your face. Come on." (laughter) These rascals becomes God, and the māyā kicks on the face, and they think that they have become God. Don't become like that. Always remain humble servant and you will be happy.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture on SB 6.2.13 -- Vrndavana, September 15, 1975:

Prabhupāda: So we should keep ourself... Kṛṣṇa is also very kind. If you chant seriously, without offense, even the mental condition at the time of death is disordered, Kṛṣṇa will help you how to chant without any offense. So we must... The only qualification is that we must be very sincere. Even by symbolic chanting, by joking, if one can get the benefit, why not do it carefully? Why not do it carefully? What is the wrong there? Be serious and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa very carefully in order to get success of life at the time of death.

Thank you very much. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda. (end)

Lecture on SB 7.6.10 -- Vrndavana, December 12, 1975:

Prabhupāda: So the whole idea is that our desires, ko nv artha-tṛṣṇām... Artha-tṛṣṇām meens desiring for getting money, visṛjet. That is not possible. So long you are in this material world, one cannot give up these desires. Therefore I was saying these Europeans, American boys, they prefer to become hippies. That is another process of desirelessness—don't want. They are coming from rich man's house, but they don't want. That is a desireless, but it is not properly utilized. Now they have got this opportunity: how to serve Kṛṣṇa. Therefore they are advancing so quickly. So desirelessness is not possible. Desire there will be. When we change our consciousness, desire is transferred for Kṛṣṇa's service, that is perfect life.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Lecture on SB 7.9.23 -- Mayapur, March 1, 1976:

Prabhupāda: So Prahlāda Mahārāja is realizing that anything, material possession, it has no value. It may have some value, temporary, but there is risk also. For some temporary enjoyment, there is so many risk. The enjoyment... The highest enjoyment in the material world is sex. So for some temporary happiness we may enjoy sex, but there are many, what is called, after results. That is not very happy. Yan-maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham (SB 7.9.45). After result is very bad. Either illicit sex or legal sex, the after result is not good. There are so many aftereffects. Even if you live... Of course, that is the Vedic training, that dharmāviruddha-kāmaḥ, sex life not against Vedic injunction. Vedic injunction is that "Do not waste your semina unnecessarily. Only you have sex life for begetting nice children, good population," that much order. So even it is done according to the Vedic principle, still, there are so many sufferings—you have to take care of the children; you have to educate them; you have to see that they are well raised. So many. So that is also botheration. But if you can remain brahmacārī, oh, you avoid this botheration.

Devotees: Jaya! Jaya Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: So tṛpyanti neha kṛpaṇā bahu-duḥkha-bhājaḥ (SB 7.9.45). Either illicit sex or legal sex, there are many, many sufferings. But those who are kṛpaṇa, miser... Miser means one who cannot use the benefit he has got, this human form of life. They know there are so many aftereffects. Na tṛpyanti. They are not satisfied. Tṛpyanti neha kṛpaṇā bahu-duḥkha-bhājaḥ kaṇḍūtivan manasijaṁ viṣaheta-dhīraḥ.

Lecture on SB 7.9.48 -- Vrndavana, April 3, 1976:

Prabhupāda: Even if you think that the sky is very, very great, that is also Kṛṣṇa. And if you think the atom is very, very small, that is also Kṛṣṇa. There is no, nothing greater than Kṛṣṇa, nothing smaller than Kṛṣṇa. These are two contradictory things. So simply if... "Kṛṣṇa is simply as big as the sky"—the Māyāvādī philosophy—"He cannot be small like the Deity." That is their mistake. He is as big as the sky and as small as the atom. In the intermediate stage, He is everything. Why He cannot be smaller like the Deity, small Deity, so that I may have the facility to serve Him? I cannot serve Kṛṣṇa when He's as big as the sky. That is not possible. I cannot decorate Him when He shows His virāṭ-rūpa. I think the whole world's, all the mills, they cannot supply cloth. (laughter) But Kṛṣṇa agrees to become very small. With little cloth I can dress Him. And Kṛṣṇa accepts. Yo me bhaktyā prayacchati. Even little small piece of cloth the devotee is covering Kṛṣṇa and thinking that "I am dressing nicely." Kṛṣṇa accepts that. That is Kṛṣṇa. Yes.

So aṇor aṇīyān mahato mahīyān. Kṛṣṇa is so kind, He is ready to accept your service. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati (BG 9.26). Simply you require to become a devotee. That is the qualification.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Lectures

Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.98-102 -- April 27, 1976, Auckland, New Zealand:

Prabhupāda: Just like Arjuna had problems, whether to fight or not to fight. So he approached Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, śiṣyas te 'haṁ śādhi māṁ prapannam: (BG 2.7) "Kṛṣṇa, I know that the problems, You can make solution." Arjuna knew that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. "Although He's acting as my friend..." But he knew what Kṛṣṇa is, and therefore he asked. So we are in face of so many problems. Why not approach Kṛṣṇa? What is wrong there? And take Kṛṣṇa's instruction and be happy. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We are opening centers everywhere. Take advantage of this movement and be happy.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Gurukṛpā: Questions, Śrīla Prabhupāda? Anybody who would like to address some question to His Divine Grace, please raise your hand and stand up, any questions. (pause)

Prabhupāda: Everything is solved? (laughter)

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: You had a question?

Guest: Is it possible to see Kṛṣṇa right now?

Prabhupāda: Why don't you see Him in your back?

Guest: But can't I just see Him?

Prabhupāda: Well, you have no eyes to see.

Guest: Can I see Him within?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Lecture on CC Madhya-lila 20.98-102 -- April 27, 1976, Auckland, New Zealand:

Prabhupāda: So we are trying our bit to understand Kṛṣṇa and to make others to understand Kṛṣṇa. And therefore we have published about eighty-two books, big books and small books. So we request that you either accept Kṛṣṇa without any hesitation, or try to understand Kṛṣṇa by reading all these literatures. And they are being well received all over the world by big, big professors and other exalted persons. So you can take advantage. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Many people have brought dakṣiṇā and things like that. Should they bring now?

Prabhupāda: When they want to do?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: I was thinking that maybe they could do... It was a little bit too crowded for everyone to come up earlier. Perhaps we could have a kīrtana and I could ask those devotees who brought some offering to bring them.

Prabhupāda: As you say. (end)

Festival Lectures

Sri Vyasa-puja -- New Vrindaban, September 2, 1972:

Prabhupāda: So all Vedic process of knowledge is taking from the authority. And it comes down through disciplic succession. Just like I have already explained, Kṛṣṇa gives the knowledge, perfect knowledge, to Brahmā, and Brahmā gives the knowledge to Nārada. Nārada gives the knowledge to Vyāsa. Vyāsa gives the knowledge to Madhvācārya. Madhvācārya gives the knowledge to his disciplic succession, later on, to Mādhavendra Purī. Mādhavendra Purī gives that knowledge to Īśvara Purī. Īśvara Purī gives that knowledge to Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Lord Caitanya. He delivers that knowledge to His immediate disciples, six Gosvāmīs. The six Gosvāmīs delivers the knowledge to Śrīnivāsa Ācārya, Jīva Gosvāmī. Then Kavirāja Gosvāmī, then Viśvanātha Cakravartī, then Jagannātha dāsa Bābājī, then Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, then Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja, then my spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī. Then we are distributing the same knowledge.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! Haribol!

Prabhupāda: We don't manufacture knowledge, because how we can manufacture? Perfect knowledge means I must be perfect. But I am not perfect. Every one of us, when I was speaking, because... We are not perfect because in our conditional life we have got four defects. The first defect is that we commit mistake. Any one of us who are sitting here, nobody can vouchsafe that he has not committed any mistake in life. No, that is natural. "To err is human." In our country, even a personality like Mahātmā Gandhi, he committed so many mistakes. So to commit mistake is not unusual. It is usual for any man. Then again, one is illusioned.

His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada's Disappearance Day, Lecture -- Bombay, December 22, 1975:

Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa is so kind, He leaves book, He leaves representative, and He comes Himself. In so many ways He is trying to give us the benefit. Asura: we do not take the advantage, and continually suffer, mūḍhā janmani janmani (BG 16.20), birth after birth we suffer. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is so beneficial that He wants to benefit the whole human society how to stop this process of repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. So my Guru Mahārāja also came for this purpose, and we are also trying to follow his footsteps, and we are teaching our disciple to do the same thing. Evaṁ paramparā prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo vidhuḥ (BG 4.2). So this is not a new movement, or some invented "ism". It is old, at least four, five thousand years. What Kṛṣṇa spoke, the other followers also spoke the same thing, and we are also speaking the same thing. It is up to you to take advantage of it or not.

Thank you very much.

Devotee: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Jaya. (end)

Varaha-dvadasi, Lord Varaha's Appearance Day Lecture -- Bhuvanesvara, January 31, 1977:

Prabhupāda: Just like you cannot count the waves of the river, it is going on continually. Similarly, the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa is going on eternally, so many. If you take the opportunity of hearing-śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ visnoḥ (SB 7.5.23)—about Viṣṇu's līlā activities... And if you simply stick to the nirakāra Brahman, what we shall hear? Therefore they fall down, these Māyāvādīs who simply take seriously the impersonal feature of Kṛṣṇa, because there is no līlā. "Brahman brahman ahaṁ brahman brahman," then how long it will go on? It will be hackneyed. But when we take to Kṛṣṇa's personal activities, then are newer, newer, newer, and multi and many... Then we get the opportunity of hearing Kṛṣṇa. Then you stick. Otherwise, if I simply become understood about the Brahman feature, it will be hackneyed, we want seek ānanda, pleasure. So in the impersonal feature there is no pleasure. Just like in the sky, even if you take a very nice airplane, and simply fly in the sky, you'll be very much displeased. That is our practical experience. If you go in the sea and for months together remain in the sea, you'll be very much sick. We want pleasure. We want pleasure, varieties. That is Kṛṣṇa's desire. He also discover..., varieties of pleasure, and if we join with Him, we also enjoy the varieties of pleasure eternally in the spiritual world. That is success of life.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda (end)

Lord Nityananda Prabhu's Avirbhava Appearance Day Lecture -- Bhuvanesvara, February 2, 1977:

Prabhupāda: Nitāi caraṇa satya, tāhāra sevaka..., nitāi-pada sadā koro āśā. Therefore we should always expect to be under the shelter of nitāi-pada-kamala. Narottama boro duḥkhī. Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, he's ācārya. He is presenting himself... That is ācārya. Means he is not duḥkhī, but he's presenting himself as duḥkhī. That is ācārya. Ācāryas, they are never duḥkhī. But taking the common man's position, he says, narottama boro duḥkhī. Or, in other words, Narottama... Narottama means the best of the human being. So here in this material world one may be the best of the human being, very exalted position, but everyone is duḥkī, unhappy. Narottama boro duḥkī, nitāi more koro sukhī: "Only Nityānanda can make me happy. Otherwise not possible." Rakho raṅga-caraṇera pāśa. So today is Nityānanda Prabhu's appearance day. We shall always pray Nityānanda Prabhu, "Kindly keep me under your shelter so that... I am very duḥkī; I am very unhappy. Under the shelter of Your lotus feet I shall be happy." And that is real happiness. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end) (this lecture followed by Bengali speech of Nityānanda Kanurgo, former chief minister of Gujarat)

His Divine Grace Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada's Appearance Day, Lecture -- Mayapur, February 21, 1976:

Prabhupāda: So from this place Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu started this movement, Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, throughout whole India, and He desired that pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma: "So as many towns and villages are there, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should be spread." So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is now in your hand. Of course, in 1922 Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, he wanted me to do something in this connection. He wanted from his, all his disciples. Especially he stressed many times that "You do this. Whatever you have learned, you try to expand in English language." And in 1933, when he was in Rādhā-kunḍa, I was at that time Bombay in connection with my business life. So I came to see him, and one friend wanted to give some land in Bombay for starting Bombay Gauḍīya Maṭha. He's my friend. So that's a long story, but I wish to narrate this, the Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī's mission. So at that time one of my Godbrother was also present. He reminded me about my friend's donation, and Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda immediately took up the land. He continued that "There is no need of establishing many temples. Better we publish some books." He said like that. He said that "We started our, this Gauḍīya Maṭha in Ultadanga. The rent was very small, and if we could gather 2 to 250 rupees, it was very nice, going on. But since this J.V. Datta(?) has given us this stone, marble stone Ṭhākurabari, our competition between the disciples have increased, so I don't like anymore. Rather, I would prefer to take out the marble stone and sell it and publish some books." So I took that point, and he also especially advised me that "If you get money, you try to publish books." So by his blessing it has become very successful by your cooperation. Now our books are being sold all over the world, and it is very satisfactory sale. So on this particular day of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura's advent, try to remember his words, that he wanted that many books should be published about our philosophy and it should be given to the English-knowing public especially, because English language is now world language. We are touring all over the world. So anywhere we speak English, it is understood, except in some places. So on this day, particular on the advent of Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, I'd especially request my disciples who are cooperating with me that try to publish books as many as possible and distribute throughout the whole world. That will satisfy Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu as well as Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Arrival Addresses and Talks

Arrival Address -- Los Angeles, February 9, 1975:

Prabhupāda: You can play hari hari biphale janama. I shall... I'll sing before you.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: (sings with harmonium, drum and karatālas) (break) ...movement is enlightening people because they're simply wasting their time without worshiping Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa. The purport of this song made by Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, that anyone who is not coming to Kṛṣṇa consciousness is simply wasting his valuable human life... (sounds of children) (aside:) Take care of the children. This life is meant for reviving our lost Kṛṣṇa consciousness. There is Kṛṣṇa consciousness... (babies crying) Otherwise how it is happening that this place was a church and nobody was coming, so much so that they had to sell it to others? We purchased it. When I first came here to see this church, there was nobody. The place is the same. The people is the same. I have not brought men from India. Why it is crowded now? This is the proof that in everyone's heart Kṛṣṇa consciousness is there. Nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-bhakti sādhya kabhu naya. It is not artificial way of taking something sentimentally. Otherwise how in my absence all these boys and girls are maintaining the status quo very nicely? I am very glad. That is required. This is the proof that in everyone's heart there is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Arrival Lecture -- Melbourne, April 19, 1976:

Prabhupāda: This is the secret. Whatever you do, it doesn't matter, but try to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. Then your life is successful. And for this purpose you have to satisfy your spiritual master, because he'll give direction. He knows. So yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo **. The things are very easy. Simply we have to adopt. Everything is mentioned there in the śāstras. Simply you have to follow the śāstra and guru and sādhu-śāstra-guru-vākya. Sādhu, those who are devotees, we have to follow the devotees, the śāstra and guru. Then everything successful.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

Arrival Address -- New York, July 9, 1976:

Prabhupāda: So this guru-pūjā which we are doing, it is not self aggrandizement; it is real teaching. You sing daily, what is that? Guru-mukha-padma-vākya āra nā kariyā aikya **. Bas, this is translation. I tell you frankly, whatever little success is there in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, I simply believed what was spoken by my Guru Mahārāja. You also continue that. Then every success will come.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

Initiation Lectures

Initiation Ceremony -- Los Angeles, December 25, 1973:

Prabhupāda: Varā dāsī. Vara means excellent.

Karandhara: Audrey.

Prabhupāda: Dhattreyī. Dhattreyī dāsī. That's all.

Karandhara: That's all, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda. (end)

Sannyasa Initiation -- Bombay, November 18, 1975:

Prabhupāda: So with Caitanya Mahāprabhu's blessing and spiritual strength and with the good wishes of Vaiṣṇavas, just proceed and preach and always think of Kṛṣṇa. He will help. Buddhi-yogaṁ dadāmi tam. If you sincerely work... Kṛṣṇa is within yourself. He will give you strength, instruction. Simply you have to become... But we should always remember that sannyāsa means material activities finished. This is sannyāsa: no more material activities. Only for the service of Kṛṣṇa to live, that's all. (aside:) Give the daṇḍa. So this daṇḍa, there are four daṇḍas. Daṇḍas mean rods. One rod is body, one rod is mind, and one rod is speaking. Kaya mana vākya. And the fourth rod is the self. So you should always remember that taking this daṇḍa means that "My mind, my body, and my words—everything is dedicated to Kṛṣṇa. It will be used only for Kṛṣṇa and for no other purpose." This is called tridaṇḍa-sannyāsa. Come on.

Devotees: Jaya. Haribol. Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. (japa) (end)

Excerpt from Sannyasa Initiation of Viraha Prakasa Swami -- Mayapur, February 5, 1976:

Prabhupāda: Why you are subjected to birth, death, old age, and disease? Because we are impure. Now if we purify our existence, then there will be no such thing as birth, death, old age, and disease. That is the version of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Kṛṣṇa Himself. Simply by understanding Kṛṣṇa, you become purified and you escape the contamination of birth, death, old age and disease. So try to convince the people in general, the philosophers, the religionists. We have no such thing, sectarian view. Anyone can join this movement and become purified himself. Janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra. So I am very much pleased. You have given already service to the society. Now you take up sannyāsa and preach all over the world so that people may be benefited.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: The daṇḍa. Take this and offer obeisances. So add to your name "Swami," that's all. What is his name?

Devotee: Viraha.

Prabhupāda: Viraha Prakāśa Swami. Bow down. Viraha Prakāśa. Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the symbolic of viraha prakāśa. Govinda-viraheṇa me. He says, śūnyāyitaṁ jagat sarvaṁ govinda-viraheṇa me. That is viraha-prakāśa, that "Everything is vacant for me without Govinda." That is called viraha. So we should be mad after Govinda. That is govinda-viraheṇa me. Śūnyāyitaṁ jagat sarvaṁ govinda-viraheṇa me. Thank you very much. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Initiations -- Detroit, June 15, 1976:

Glenn: One must not engage in meat-eating, illicit sex, gambling or mental speculation, or intoxication.

Prabhupāda: Thank you.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Gaura dāsa.

Prabhupāda: Gaura dāsa. (japa)

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Jim from Chicago. Ann Arbor, Miles from Ann Arbor.

Dhṛṣṭadyumna: He's working, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: So, what are the rules and regulations.

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

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Mitravān dāsa.

Prabhupāda: Mitravan dāsa. Come on.

Mitravān: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Linda from Ann Arbor.

Prabhupāda: (japa) What are the rules and regulations?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Amara prabhu.

Prabhupāda: Amara is male name. Amarā. Make it Amarā. Amarā. Amarā dāsī. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Come on.

Initiation Lecture -- Toronto, June 17, 1976:

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

Prabhupāda: Gurubhāvanā dāsa.

Hari-śauri: Bhakta Allen?

Prabhupāda: What are the rules and regulations?

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

Prabhupāda: So after performance of the sacrifice, those who are to be doubly initiated, how many? Eight. They may come upstairs, one by one. So one thing I request that these promises—no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication, no gambling—these promises are made by you before Kṛṣṇa, before the fire, before the Vaiṣṇavas and before your spiritual master. Don't break it. It will be great sin. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda. (end)

Delhi Initiations -- Delhi, August 31, 1976:

Devotee: Namaḥ oṁ should be uttered, should be a vibration. Otherwise, Nectar of Devotion says it's offense.

Satyānanda: (Hindi) ...chaya, coffee, cigarettes, bidi, gañja.

Pradyumna: Siddhārtha dāsa.

Prabhupāda: Siddhārtha dāsa.

Pradyumna: Dharma?

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

Prabhupāda: No shaving?

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

Prabhupāda: That's all right, but give him initiation. (Hindi)

Lokanātha: (indistinct) initiation, do it first?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Lokanātha: I'll ask him.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: 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: Tejas.

Prabhupāda: Tejas 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: That is all, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

General Lectures

Lecture -- London, August 11, 1971:

Prabhupāda: So chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa means you are associating with Kṛṣṇa. That means you are directly in touch with the root of everything. So by advancing in love for Kṛṣṇa, you can love your society, your country, your community, your family, your husband, your wife, your children, your friend—everything, complete, pūrṇam. Pūrṇam adaḥ pūrṇam idaṁ pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate, pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya (Iso Invocation). And that love will never be ended. Pūrṇa. Love of Kṛṣṇa is so complete that you go on distributing this love; it will never be expended. It will remain the same stock. So I am very glad to see you in this temple. Please try to understand our philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We have got books, and at the same time we have got the simple method, chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, in which even a small child can take part. The small... Most erudite scholar also can take part, and an innocent child who has no education, no literary sense, he can also take part equally. And equally, both of them take the same advantage. A small child who comes before the Deity and dances and claps, he is getting the result. Don't think that it is in vain. He is also getting the same... Just like fire. Either a child touches or an adult touches, fire's action will be there, equal. Similarly, anyone who is coming in this temple, offering obeisances, taking little prasāda, joining with the chanting, hearing some talks, everyone will be benefited spiritually. That is our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.

Thank you very much.

Devotee: Jaya, Prabhupāda. (end)

Speech -- New Vrindaban, August 31, 1972:

Prabhupāda: Nanda Mahārāja was the king of Vraja, vrajendra, and his nandana, his son, that means Kṛṣṇa. Vrajendra-nandana yei śacī-suta haila sei. "That Kṛṣṇa has appeared in this age as the son of mother Śacī." Lord Caitanya's mother's name was Śacī-devī. Balarāma haila nitāi. "Balarāma, the same Balarāma who appeared as Kṛṣṇa's elder brother, he has appeared as Nityānanda, Gaura-Nitāi." So what is Their business? Pāpī-tāpī yāta chila harināme uddhārila. Their business is... There are two kinds of people within this material world. Another one is committing sin and the other is suffering the sinful reaction. Pāpī-tāpī. That is our business. In this life, I am suffering the resultant action of my past impious activities, and I'm creating another set of impious activities so that I shall suffer next life. This is our position. Pāpī-tāpī yāta chila. Therefore there are two kinds of activities. Pāpī-tāpī yāta chila, harināme uddhārila. But all these people can be delivered simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Lecture Engagement at Birla House -- Bombay, December 17, 1975:

Prabhupāda: That is successful. If one can understand Kṛṣṇa, about His activities, why He comes, He explains, yadā yadā hi dharmasya (BG 4.7), (break) ...change this body. But we do not know what kind of body I am going to get. These information are there. But any kind of body you get, even in the higher planetary system as demigod, ā-brahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ punar āvartino 'rjuna (BG 8.16), that is not good. The best thing is you get a body, a spiritual body, like Kṛṣṇa, sat-cit-ānanda-vigraha. Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti... (BG 4.9). Then you haven't got to accept any more this material body. Then what happens to me? Mām eti, you come to Kṛṣṇa and enjoy with Him. That is success of life.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: Any questions?

Girirāja: Any questions? (long silence)

Prabhupāda: Boliya mātājī. Prāśna boliya? There should be question. (another long silence)

Girirāja: The process of hearing and then asking questions is the way to clarify our understanding, just like Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna. So actually we must have some questions in our minds; otherwise we would all immediately surrender to Kṛṣṇa.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Either you surrender to Kṛṣṇa or clear it by question. (end)

Subha Vilasa Home Engagement -- Toronto, June 19, 1976:

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: We can appreciate the temples that Śrīla Prabhupāda has established all over the world when we compare the material life, as going on today, with the life we live in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Presently in this world, the Kali-yuga is so much manifest. We can see that year by year things are becoming more and more degraded, not in arithmetic proportion but even in geometric proportions. So rapidly everywhere society is decaying and people are becoming more and more just like animals, exactly like animals—simply interested in eating, simply interested in sex life, simply interested in trying somehow or another to find some object to gratify the senses. But in the temple we can practically experience a different quality of life altogether. So Śrīla Prabhupāda is establishing the internal potency of the Lord within this material world in the form of his temples. Kṛṣṇa says, mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ (BG 9.13), that persons who are always glorifying Kṛṣṇa, they live in the internal potency of the Lord. And practically in our temples, glorification of Kṛṣṇa, by the order of our spiritual master, is going on. We can understand practically that to live in the temple is to live in the internal potency—is very rare opportunity. We can see practically that there are so many billions and billions of people in the world suffering without any opportunity even of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

So just like Prahlāda Mahārāja, Śrīla Prabhupāda, even at this advanced age, in spite of so many difficulties... Just like I'm somehow or another Śrīla Prabhupāda's secretary, and I'm always trying to arrange for his physical comforts. But he's always saying, "To preach means to accept discomfort," that for an older person to travel on airplanes and to always move about and to go here and there for the service of the Lord is naturally more difficult than for a very young person. But Prabhupāda is accepting this uncomfortable situation simply to establish Kṛṣṇa consciousness throughout the world, at least to give people the opportunity that "Choose, if you like, between the internal potency and the external potency." The external potency means you're forced. We have no choice. We're forced to undergo repetition of birth and death. Janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi (BG 13.9). Nobody likes to grow old, but this youthful age, soon it will become old age. And nobody likes to die. So present-day civilization is blindly going on. Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānās: (SB 7.5.31) the blind leading the blind. People are thinking that "My parents did it. Their parents did it. Generations have done it. So also we engage blindly in materialistic way of life and everything will be okay." But the result is that everyone is simply suffering, and after this lifetime they also have to suffer the consequences of this present life's activities blindly, not knowing that they're responsible for their activities.

So we have a choice now whether to follow a representative of God, Kṛṣṇa, who can bring us to the internal potency of the Lord. This internal potency is not dry. It is the origin of bliss, sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha (Bs. 5.1). It is not impersonal, void, lifeless, without any happiness. It is what everyone is actually looking for, simply pervertedly within this material world. So this opportunity is here. Before Prabhupāda came to the Western countries, actually there was no hope. There was no hope at all. There was no such knowledge, there was no such opportunity to choose between material life and something else. There was no reality other than this body, and for everyone it was simply a very hopeless, distressful situation. But Prabhupāda personally, even at advanced age, he's coming simply to give this opportunity to the Westerners and to everyone throughout the world, that besides this material life, there is another, eternal life, and if you utilize your independence very carefully to transfer your attachment to this internal potency of devotional service and service to the Vaiṣṇavas and to Kṛṣṇa, then you can become free forever from the encumbrance of repeated birth and death and go back to home, back to Godhead. This is the great fortune that has come upon us in the form of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, in the form of association with the pure devotee, Śrīla Prabhupāda, and in the form of chanting the holy name. In so many ways we are being benedicted, and if we can simply remain fixed in the pure knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness and we don't become illusioned by this material energy, thinking just like the animal that there's some happiness there... The animal is running after the mirage, but there's no water there. Similarly the foolish human beings, as Prabhupāda aptly mentioned the other day to these professors who came to visit him, the dog is running with four legs, here and there, very, very busy, and the human being also he's running, but he's running in an automobile with four wheels. But he's thinking that his running is superior to the dog's running. Why? He's very busy running here and there for the same activities, and the dog is running with four legs. The activities are the same. So without culture the running in the car and the running of the dog is the same. So this Kṛṣṇa culture is now being spread all throughout the world. It's giving people to see how actually human life should be lived. And the temple is a place where practically we can set an ideal example of human life for the whole of human society. Therefore we're greatly indebted to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: Jagadīśa, you can.

Lecture Excerpt -- August 2, 1976, New Mayapur (French farm):

Prabhupāda: We can live, we can sit down underneath a tree and chant. There is no limit. We can go on. So we have to adjust things in such a way that without any condition, without any check, we can go on with our devotional service. Just like we can sit down here or anywhere. Here is the opportunity. This land is very good. You can sit down anywhere and chant this Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra. There is no need of chair or cushion or nothing else. Ahaituky apratihatā. Any condition. And yenātmā samprasīdati, that will please your everything—your heart, your mind, your body, your soul, everything. Yenātmā samprasīdati. This is the easiest method for achieving the highest perfection of life. So go on with this process without any check and be happy.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Evening Lecture -- Bhuvanesvara, January 23, 1977:

Guest (Indian man): Where is this consciousness of surrender come in human life? At what stage it can come?

Prabhupāda: At any moment. You must be prepared. Kṛṣṇa said, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja (BG 18.66). So if you have got intelligence, you can do it immediately. Where is the difficulty? But you'll not do it. They have done it, these young boys. They have no other business. And Kṛṣṇa assures, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi mā śucaḥ: Don't hesitate. But we are hesitating. So there is no surrender. So all right, you remain under the clutches of māyā and suffer. Daivī hy eṣā guṇamayī mama māyā duratyayā (BG 7.14). Māyā is very strong. Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti As soon as you surrender to Kṛṣṇa immediately you are mukta. Immediately, instantly. It is in your hand. You follow Kṛṣṇa's instruction, do the needful, you are mukta. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

Conversations and Morning Walks

1972 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- June 14, 1972, Los Angeles:

rabhupāda: I'll show you how to do it. Like this. (loud playing of karatālas) One, two, three-one, two, three. (showing how to play karatālas) It is not difficult. You are musician. Just play on meter: one, two, three-one, two, three.

John Fahey: Thank you.

Prabhupāda: For everything you have to learn from a guru. (laughter) Even for how to play. (more laughing) Yes: one, two, three. (more playing of karatālas)

John Fahey: Hey, those are nice bells, I mean cymbals. Oh, boy.

Prabhupāda: So sit down together whenever you find time, one, two, three play, and Hare Kṛṣṇa chant.

John Fahey: Okay. (plays more)

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Jaya Prabhupāda!

John Fahey: Thank you.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Thank you. (offers obeisances)

Prabhupāda: What is your name?

John Fahey: John Fahey.

Prabhupāda: John.

Devotee: John.

Prabhupāda: Your name?

Marilyn: Marilyn.

Room Conversation -- July 4, 1972, New York:

Ātreya Ṛṣi: He is asking, "When you drink like that, it is sutri?"

Children: Śuci.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Śuci.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Śuci.

Prabhupāda: That's right, don't touch the mouth. That's all. (children pay obeisances and leave)

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Jaya. Śrīla Prabhupāda, it will be possible for us to have a few minutes' conversation, for them to..., for as an interview, so that they can film?

Prabhupāda: What interview?

Ātreya Ṛṣi: I will ask some questions about how..., when you came to this country.

Prabhupāda: That you know. You can say. These are ordinary things.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: But they would like it, they would like to see...

Prabhupāda: They make like, but why should we waste our time?

Devotee: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. Well, could we..., could we...(indistinct)?

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Well, I can ask, I can...

Prabhupāda: That you can ask. These are simply ordinary question anyone can answer. If there is serious question, that understanding, then he may come.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes. They would like to let us..., we could ask you questions, serious questions, for the benefit of the audience.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Room Conversation -- July 4, 1972, New York:

Prabhupāda: If they go on questioning, they'll never do it, never accept it.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes.

Prabhupāda: That will not be effective. Simply a waste of time.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes.

Prabhupāda: Here is the formula, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They actually see how we are changing the character.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: So, the leaders of the society, if it is serious, will adopt this, in the educational system, in their private life. In that way they shall ask some question, then it will benefit. Otherwise it will be simply a show.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Jaya, Prabhupāda. I understand.

Prabhupāda: So, you are carrying(?) the whole Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu?

Devotee (4): Me?

Prabhupāda: Bhakti-rasa..., no?

Devotee (4): Hari-bhakti-vilāsa.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Hari-bhakti-vilāsa.

Devotee (4): No, I had it here.

Prabhupāda: Oh, here.

Room Conversation -- July 4, 1972, New York:

Devotee (4): I left it here. I just had a xerox. I left my Bhagavad-gītā here, and some other books. I didn't take 'em to India. That Hari-..., hari-nāmāmṛta.

Prabhupāda: (indistinct)

Devotee (4): Yeah. A few other books I left here. Śrīla Prabhupāda? Well, like, there's an old friend of mine that I had, I called up to come and see you today. He's very nice. At five o'clock. He's going for his Ph.D. in theology at Columbia, and he's also an expert Russian scholar.

Prabhupāda: Oh.

Devotee (4): He's been to Russia several times, and uh, it would be very nice...

Prabhupāda: This, this kind of question and interview is very interesting.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Good.

Prabhupāda: So ordinary men, why these people are..., why you are making this statement when you came, what is the benefit of such a thing?

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Jaya Prabhupāda, jaya!

Prabhupāda: They do not know...

Devotee: So...

Prabhupāda: Now, the Russian scholar, he will, theologian, he can describe about God, what is the nature of God.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: So maybe we can ask him to come at five o'clock...

Prabhupāda: Yes, that would be nice.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Devotee (4): And also some of our men, like Prajāpati is an M.A. in theology, and Ravindra-svarūpa M.A. in philosophy.

Prabhupāda: Ah.

Devotee (4): And they will be here too, and it will be nice to hear discussion.

Prabhupāda: That's right. That discussion only. Students of philosophy, theology, what is their idea of God, what they are thinking, what is their defect, we can talk. Ordinary men you can (indistinct) try to avoid. If they want some question, you can ask.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes. Jaya.

Room Conversation -- July 4, 1972, New York:

Ātreya Ṛṣi: She is serving, but she is not sure if that would be the best thing. She's attached, maybe...

Prabhupāda: So you convince her that ordinary schools, going, there are so many ordinary schools and students, where the students are coming out useless hippies. Do you like to have your son to become hip..., which are hippies? Ask on this point.

Devotee (5): Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Because we practically see, all the college students are hippies. Irresponsible vagabonds. If she wants her son to become like that, that is different thing. Irresponsible vagabonds, that is the present status of this country. The majority of the students, they are becoming irresponsible vagabonds. Is it not?

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes, correct. We all have experience in that.

Prabhupāda: Yes, if she, if she wants son to become irresponsible, irresponsible vagabond, in the association... Of course, our Dallas also we should take very much care so that we may not also produce irresponsible vagabond. So don't cause irresponsible vagabonds.

Room Conversation -- July 4, 1972, New York:

Prabhupāda: Just like the tulasī plant is here, somebody will think that it is decoration. We put it here, devotion, but those who are not interested to speak them about Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we offense. One of the ten offenses.

Devotee (4): Yeah. I was wondering about that. I didn't know whether to do it or not.

Prabhupāda: They should be asked ordinary question: What is the life? What is the aim of life?

Devotee (4): Hm.

Prabhupāda: What is consciousness? Philosophy, which is understandable by everyone (indistinct).

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Would you like something Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Yes, I want to (indistinct) my head.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Where is Śyāmasundara.

Devotee (4): He's in his office I think. He was there just a minute ago. I'll just write him the chant or something.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Devotee (4): I'll just write him the chant maybe.

Prabhupāda: No, chant also is not correct.

Devotee (4): Oh.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: He's coming, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

1973 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversations with Sannyasis -- March 15, 1974, Vrndavana:

Acyutānanda: ...because so many people have come and gone. We had a cleaning group and it left for other parties.

Śyāmasundara: No, but I am just saying, there are many men there who could have cleaned, but they refused to do it because they are following your examples.

Acyutānanda: I'm cleaning my room, I'm cleaning outside also. Don't, you haven't seen it.

Śyāmasundara: I'm not criticizing, I'm just...

Prabhupāda: Anyway, whatever is done is done, you should be followed like that, that āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya. This should be the principle. One should teach others by behaving himself correctly. Then it will be... Everyone should remain cleansed, everyone should rise early in the morning, begin to work, comes to, everyone routine work. So then you can ask them, "Why you are not trying? Why you are not..." Then he will accept. (indistinct) This principle should be followed, āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya. Is it not?

Acyutānanda: Yes. Well, for myself in particular, I don't think that many people take my words very heavily. There is so much bad talking about me. First they say the songs are māyā, then the tunes are māyā. They have, behind my back I hear all kinds of things they are saying. So nobody takes my words seriously. Even though I may quote from any scripture right, they don't respect me.

Prabhupāda: What is that māyā? Songs are māyā?

Acyutānanda: As soon as I left Calcutta, then all the bhajanas, they are all, "Oh that's Gauḍīya Maṭha poison." Then, "Ok, the songs are all right, but the tunes are poison." Now how can I overcome that?

Pañcadraviḍa: I heard something in reference to that. You wrote one of the devotees in Calcutta. You wrote... He came to Bombay, Bhavānanda, and he said, and he had signed a letter something like, "I pray that I may be engaged in the service of my Guru Mahārāja." And you wrote back: "We are personalists to the letter, so that when we say Guru Mahārāja we always say name, A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, or Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī. We don't just leave it in, as vague Guru Mahārāja. So we were singing, jaya prabhupāda jaya gurudeva, and he was saying, "Well that is impersonalist."

Acyutānanda: Also he says "Nitāi-gaura haribol! That is also, that's māyā." So, what is that?

Pañcadraviḍa: And so he was saying that all these bhajanas, they are, they are not bonafide, because they are, have...

Prabhupāda: He said: "Gaura haribol! is not bona fide?" He said, bona fide?

Devotee: Oh, not that, he was saying jaya gurudeva, jaya prabhupāda, that is not good.

Prabhupāda: Huh?

Devotee: I said, was saying, that is not good, jaya gurudeva, because it does not say who, it just says gurudeva. It could be any gurudeva. So he was criticizing that.

Prabhupāda: Who was criticizing?

Pañcadraviḍa: Bhavānanda. Because of the letter you wrote to him saying that we are personalist to the letter.

Acyutānanda: So it means I am a Māyāvādī, that's what it means.

Śyāmasundara: It's a matter of overall conduct, not just individual specific things.

Acyutānanda: That overall I'm a Māyāvādī.

Devotee: I find an overall bad atmosphere in India. Resentment against many of the devotees. Party politics and different things like that are going on. It's not limited, it's going on all over India.

Devotees: That's so. Very heavy.

Śyāmasundara: Just like with, just like with Tamāla Kṛṣṇa. He has the respect of everyone because he is doing such a good job of managing, and he's just, he's doing, he's performing nicely his devotional work, and he's getting some results. That's respect. Then you'll get respect. Bali Mardana Mahārāja, he's built up ISKCON Press till it's just like (snaps finger) that, and everyone touches his feet when they see him. You don't find anyone disrespecting him, because he's performing his duties. You automatically get respect if you perform something nicely. Not just say, "Oh, the atmosphere's bad..."

Prabhupāda: Well, we have got many faults. He can find out. But generally, if I direct nicely, others will follow. That is the principle. I may have some fault, you may have some, that you are not liberated from. We are all trying to preach. So generally we should behave very nicely according to the rules and regulations, chanting sixteen rounds, rising early in the morning. Particularly maybe there is some (indistinct). So generally with our, general rules are (indistinct). First of all rising early in the morning, he cleans and (indistinct) performances. So these things are followed, chants sixteen rounds, then everything is there.

Morning Walk -- December 5, 1973, Los Angeles:

Yaśomatīnandana: Prabhupāda, do you think that the ISKCON will, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness will become a major religion in any country?

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Yaśomatīnandana: Kṛṣṇa consciousness will become a major religion in any country?

Prabhupāda: So far the statement goes, manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu (BG 7.3), one can understand. But even one person understands, it is beneficial for many. Yes.

Yaśomatīnandana: Just like you understood your Guru Mahārāja's message, and the whole world is benefited.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Yaśomatīnandana: Not everybody can be that potent. (break)

Prabhupāda: ...just like the sunshine is open to everyone, but if you do not take advantage of it, that is your fault. Sunshine is not meant for, specifically for any person. It is open to everyone. But if you purposefully close your door, and do not see the sunshine, that is your fault.

Yaśomatīnandana: Yes, Prabhupāda, but there's only one earthly planet, and you have conquered it already.

Umāpati: Is not a true Vaiṣṇava also a sannyāsī? Would you explain the difference between them?

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Umāpati: Is not a, one who is truly a Vaiṣṇava, is he not also a sannyāsī by his...?

Prabhupāda: Sannyāsī, sannyāsī is in the material platform, and Vaiṣṇava is in the spiritual platform.

Morning Walk -- December 5, 1973, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: That's all right, but if you do not know, how you'll make them happy? You'll create havoc.

Yaśomatīnandana: Janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi (BG 13.9).

Prabhupāda: Yes, you do not know how to make them happy. First of all learn how to make them happy. You cannot manufacture your program to make them happy. That everyone is doing. But the more they are acting, the world becoming in chaotic condition. You know what is the standard of happiness, how to make them happy; then you can work. If a medical man, he has never seen a medical college and if he wants to treat patient, what is this?

Hṛdayānanda: A criminal.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Quack. He must know how to make them happy. That is first business.

Yaśomatīnandana: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Karandhara: Thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Jaya.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya. All glories to Prabhupāda. (Prabhupāda gets in the car)

Morning Walk -- December 7, 1973, Los Angeles:

Karandhara: They say when we offer prasādam, it's just a faith that a God accepts it because you cannot see God eating.

Prabhupāda: No, no, you cannot see, I see. I am not a fool like you. (laughter) I can see; therefore I offer. But you cannot see. So I have to open your eyes. You come to me. That is our propaganda. You are blind. You are suffering with cataract. I shall operate and you'll see also.

Yaśomatīnandana: Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: You don't see, that does not mean I don't see. Why do you accept like that? You may be fool rascal.

Karandhara: They want their team of scientists to see it.

Prabhupāda: Scientist means another rascal. Big rascal. You are a rascal, and your bigger scientist, he's a big rascal. He's a big rascal. Saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ. That is explained in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śva-viḍ-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ (SB 2.3.19). You know this verse? Explain.

Hṛdayānanda: People who are like hogs, dogs, camels and asses glorify nondevotees.

Prabhupāda: Yes, the, anyone nondevotee, he's a big camel, or big dog or big swine, like that. So these people who are praising them, they are also cats and dogs and swines, and the leader is also big swine. That's all. That is the difference. The so-called scientist, philosopher, is a big animal. That's all. But he is animal.

Morning Walk -- December 7, 1973, Los Angeles:

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Still, they don't want to come to their senses.

Prabhupāda: Therefore they are rascals. Rascal means that however kick him on his face, still, he'll insist. That is rascal. Rascal means that. They'll never take good lesson. That is rascal. And sensible means he takes good lesson. Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ (BG 7.15). And why they remain rascal? Because they are duṣkṛtinaḥ, very, very sinful. Very, very sinful. Don't you see? They are maintaining slaughterhouse. They are maintaining brothel. They are ruining everyone's life by sense gratification. These are all sinful activities. Therefore they remain rascal forever. They cannot improve. Because they are so sinful, they have to suffer, go to the darkest region. They'll have to become worms of the stool. That is awaiting them. But they do not know how things are going on. They are thinking, "We are now safe. We are safe." That is foolishness. That is rascaldom. So you are now feeling all right?

Paramahaṁsa: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. Thank you very much.

Prabhupāda: Thank you very much. Hare Kṛṣṇa. Rascal means that... You know the story, that Kālidāsa, a great poet, he was a great rascal. So... It is a long story. So he was sitting on the branch of a tree and cutting. So some gentleman: "Why you are cutting? You'll fall down." "No, no, I'll not fall down." But when he fell down, then he went to that gentleman, "How did you know, sir, that I shall fall down?" Then they concluded, "Here is a rascal number one." (laughter) "Here is a rascal number one." They do not know that they are going to hell. That is rascaldom. By their so-called scientific advancement, philosophy, education, they are going to hell. That they do not know. Therefore they are rascals. Therefore they are rascals. This is the definition of rascaldom: one who does not know where he is going. If somebody goes in this way straight, and you say "Don't go!" "No! Why shall I not go?" He's rascal. (laughter) He's rascal. And the another rascal, "Yes, yes, you can go, it is all right." Yata mata tata patha. "As many ways you manufacture, it is all right. You can go this way." He's another rascal. This is going on.

Morning Walk -- December 8, 1973, Los Angeles:

Passerby: ...arthritic pain and I was bad in my leg today and I thought better not to go.

Prabhupāda: That's all right.

Dr. Wolfe: Thank you.

Yaśomatīnandana: It's so nice to be with you in the morning. The whole day is very nice.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (break)

Prabhupāda: ...daiva-varṇāśrama. My Guru Mahārāja wanted this that there be regular varṇāśrama, qualified. It is not the monopoly of India that brāhmaṇas are born there. No. No, you are all brāhmaṇas. Otherwise how can I allow you to worship Deity? Hmm. What is that?

Satsvarūpa: If I go to some city and hold a program and advertise but only, say, four or five people come and yet they're interested, very interested-should that be considered successful or unsuccessful?

Prabhupāda: It is successful. If one man comes to hear, that is successful. But we have to see that, after spending so much money...

Devotee: Yes.

Morning Walk -- December 11, 1973, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: That is preaching. What do you expect that every man will immediately go and he'll agree with you? Why do you expect like that? That is foolishness.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya!

Prabhupāda: You must know that everybody will disagree with you, and it is your preaching work that you will make him agree with you. That is your preaching work.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya, Prabhupāda! As your example.

Prabhupāda: Yes. We do not expect that everyone will agree. Everybody will disagree. Just like our book. Say, four, five years ago, nobody knew these books. So there was no market. But we have created our market. That is preaching. We have created our market. Nobody was dying for want of these books. So that is preaching. Preaching does not mean everyone is ready to accept your theories. You must expect that everyone will not accept it. Now it is your power to convince him, "Yes, you must accept." That is preaching.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: They must know what is God, how to trust Him, why we shall trust God, what is the benefit. These things should be known, properly educated.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: And we have got the science. We are not speaking blindly or, what is called, sentimentally. (japa) (break)

Prajāpati: ...movement for the church today, Śrīla Prabhupāda, is called the ecumenical movement. Ecumenical movement means all the different divergent groups are trying to get together to understand..., you know, make a common ground. Now we have the perfect platform...

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Morning Walk -- December 11, 1973, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: That's all right, three hundred miles, let them claim. But not the oil. (devotees chuckle) If I say "Now the sandy beach, two miles mine," you can say, but what is that talk? (laughs) But it belongs to the government. You can say... A child may come, "Oh, this is my area, you cannot come." (laughter) That is going on. But is that sanity? The father will laugh: "All right, let him, demarcation, this area." So this foolishness is going on. Our philosophy... Īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam (ISO 1). Everything belongs to God. This is philosophy.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: But these rascals, they won't accept it, although it is fact. Although it is fact. But they will not accept it. Therefore preaching is required, education required, to bring him into sense. This is fact. This portion of the ocean does not belong to any nation or any person; it belongs to God. This moon belongs to God, the sky belongs to God. But they're thinking, "It is mine." And therefore there is trouble. Just like government. The Senate is there, so they sit down together, and if there is any problem they discuss together to find out the solution. Similarly, they have got this United Nation. Why do they not consider, "First of all let us settle to whom this planet belongs"?

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya.

Morning Walk -- December 11, 1973, Los Angeles:

Yaśomatīnandana: Yes. In other words, to tell the public that "You should elect God-conscious leaders to have a better society."

Prabhupāda: Yes, yes. That is our propaganda, that "This is the standard of leadership. So if you elect first-class leader, then your government will be first-class. But if you elect some rogues and thieves, drunkards, then how you can expect good government?" This is natural. After all, democracy means the public elect. The public does not know how to distinguish the rogues and thieves. Therefore the rogues and thieves take the advantage of it and, somehow or other, and take vote and sit on the presidential chair. That is difficulty. Just like our propaganda is... We are not making any propaganda in the beginning, that "Stop this cow slaughter." We are educating people, "Don't eat meat." If people become educated, automatically the slaughterhouse will be closed. This is our propaganda. "Don't drink." So if people give up drinking, automatically the drinking business will be closed.

Prajāpati: You have given us this instruction, Śrīla Prabhupāda, to confront these leaders. We understand that this is your very much wish and we shall do everything we can to try to fulfill your desire.

Prabhupāda: Yes, do it. Do it.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (Prabhupāda gets in the car)

Prabhupāda: If you can educate the people. "Don't vote for the rascals. Just try to understand who is the real man, who is the real leader."

Hṛdayānanda: So political program is very important.

Prabhupāda: Yes. If public is educated to select right type of leader, then automatically... And it is very easy thing that "Leader must be faithful. A leader must know what is God and how to trust in Him. And he must be free from all sinful activities. The pillars of sinful activities are these." This is our propaganda. (end)

Morning Walk -- December 13, 1973, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: Material existence means just this. The dog is material existence. It is a standard of suffering. But he does not know. Under illusion he is thinking that "I am very happy." So everyone is thinking that "I am very happy," but he's in condemned condition. The pig. He is eating stool, living in a filthy place, but he is getting fat because he is thinking he is very happy. This is called illusion. You are thinking, "Oh, what a nasty condition. This animal is eating stool and living in a filthy place." But he is thinking that he is very happy. Unless he thinks like that, he cannot live in that condition. That is called illusion. He does not know what is the actual high standard of happiness.

Prajāpati: Highest standard of happiness, Śrīla Prabhupāda, is simply to be in your association.

Prabhupāda: Back to home, back to Godhead, that's all. This is highest standard of happiness. We are trying to take everyone to that place. Yad gatvā na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama (BG 15.6).

Devotees: Thank you. Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Jaya. (in the car) They are, the so-called scientists, they are taking the effects as cause. That is illusion. Actually the soul has nothing to do with this, anything, material world, but according to the environment he is creating certain material condition. (break) I don't require liquor, but if I want to be intoxicated, then liquor is present.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Since I am conditioned in this material body...

Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes, as soon as I condition, I create an environment which is material. Therefore these so-called scientists, they have no eyes to see the spirit. They take this material condition as the cause of the spirit. And then again, when they find that in spite of presence of these chemicals, the life is not there, they are bewildered. They say, "Yes, we are trying to improve." Therefore they do not find the cells in the dead body.

Morning Walk -- December 15, 1973, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: We are trying to understand the Supreme, so therefore, as soon as you come to the Supreme, you are successful. (break) ...uttama-śloka-guṇānuvarṇanam. This is success. With your talent, you simply come to the conclusion that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme. That's all. So our business is, because we are neither scientist nor musician, nothing of the sort, layman, we have simply said, "Kṛṣṇa Supreme." That's all. Never mind what I am. (break) ...janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate. This is understanding

of Supreme. "After many, many births, one who is wise, he will accept Kṛṣṇa and surrender."

bahūnāṁ janmanām ante
jñānavān māṁ prapadyate
vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti
sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ
(BG 7.19)

He is mahātmā, great soul, who is accepting like that, that Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa, is everything."

Prajāpati: You are the supermost mahātmā, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Prajāpati: Thank you so much.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Jaya Prabhupāda. All glories to Prabhupāda. Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- January 3, 1974, Los Angeles:

Prajāpati: ...getting worse over these five thousand years, but by a reintroduction, reintroducing Kṛṣṇa consciousness, the tide can be turned in age of Kali?

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. That is the only remedy. That is the only remedy. Anyone who takes to this chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, he'll be cleansed of all sinful activities and then everything will come out nice. And it is practical. It is not story. Just see, all our disciples in Europe, America, they were habituated to so many bad habits, and because they are chanting, they are now cleansed. So it is small-scale. If you propagate it large-scale, everyone will be cleansed. (break) ...disciples who were trained up from very beginning of their life: meat-eating. They are giving meat-eating. Here in your country, small children, they are fed with meat-powder. Intoxication is also a daily affair. How they are giving up all intoxication? (break) Is there arrangement for... Where is Karandhara?

Karandhara: Jaya, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: That placard, poster?

Karandhara: Prajāpati and I discussed it yesterday and we're trying to find an artist to do it.

Prajāpati: Nara-nārāyaṇa Prabhu's good wife is expert artist.

Prabhupāda: Ah.

Morning Walk -- February 20, 1974, Bombay:

Bhava-bhūti: Just like they import gañjā, they import Māyāvādī philosophy also.

Prabhupāda: In America.

Bhava-bhūti: Yeah. And all these books.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. Actually the Māyāvādī philosophy was started with Vivekananda. Because I don't find in the Christian faith that they are Māyāvādīs. Their belief is service to God. Of course, they are somewhat Māyāvādīs. But this real strong Māyāvādī was brought from East with Buddhism and Vivekananda's philosophy.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: When I was studying, you know, books...

Prabhupāda: Nirviśeṣa-śūnyavādī.

Yaśomatīnandana: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda! (Prabhupāda chuckles)

Prabhupāda: All śūnyavādīs, Māyāvādīs, yes. Impersonalists.

Bhava-bhūti: That's why this Kṛṣṇa consciousness philosophy is so unique. (break) (end)

Morning Walk -- March 12, 1974, Vrndavana:

Ātreya-ṛṣi: Unemployment.

Prabhupāda: Not employment. They'll not work. That means mismanagement. Why they should remain down? Why they should remain without any employment? But the government is not doing that.

Devotee: They do not feel inspired.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Devotee: They do not feel inspired. No one has desire.

Prabhupāda: That, that means mismanagement. You had no desire to take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but you have been taken to it by some, some way or other. That is management.

Hṛdayānanda: Jaya, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: That is management.

Hṛdayānanda: You are expert manager.

Prabhupāda: A child does not want to go to school, but it is the duty of the parent to send him to the school by some way or other. So that is government's duty, that a man should be employed according to his capacity. There should be no unemployment. That is very dangerous position of the society. Now this unemployment question is very strong all over the world. They'll plan that "This government is not good. That system is not good. He's not good." And he'll do nothing. He'll personally do nothing. Just like the hippies, they criticize everyone, but he'll not do anything. It is all... These descriptions are there in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. We are going too far? Employed... (break) ...from the government to utilize this land. You see? So much. Everywhere you'll find. Everywhere you'll find. Who was with me in London?

Press Conference -- April 18, 1974, Hyderabad:

Guest (8): What is the plan of the Hyderabad project?

Prabhupāda: Hyderabad project. That he knows, Mahāṁśa.

Guest (9): What your goal, to plan Northern India? Your goal to plan Northern India? How long you will be staying and...?

Prabhupāda: No, I am going to see Bālajī. That's all. Bālajī.

Guest (9): And then go back to the States?

Prabhupāda: No. I will go to Europe and... I'll go to London, then to Paris, then Germany, then Sweden, then Switzerland. I have got temples there. In Germany we have got four temples. In Sweden we have got. In Switzerland we have got. France we have got. In England we have got four, five.

Guest (9): No government is placing obstacles?

Prabhupāda: No, they receive it very nicely. They understand that "Swamiji is doing something nice." Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

Morning Walk -- April 29, 1974, Hyderabad:

Prabhupāda: Because the supply is cheap.

Gargamuni: Well, it's in Hindi also. We have to print in Hindi.

Prabhupāda: Well, first of all supply the English then, we... (break) ...tried to sell her place for fifty lakhs of rupees. She thinks that I am so rich man.

Mahāṁsa: Which press?

Devotee: Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan?

Prabhupāda: Associated Press, something like that. Bombay's first-class press. (break) ...They are not coming to us.

Satsvarūpa: (break) ...but they would rather be non-devotees than work all day. They can say they are free.

Prabhupāda: Yes. I offered that, that "What is this two thousand, 2,500 per month? Oh we can earn at any moment two thousand. So you become devotee; I excuse you of rent." They are not agreeing. (break) ...like an ass simply for sense gratification. Therefore it is warned in the Bhāgavatam, nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛloke kāṣṭān kāmān arhati (SB 5.5.1). (break) ...to respect the Vaiṣṇava, to water tulasī, and this aśvattha tree. These are bhakti items.

Nitāi: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Morning Walk -- July 9, 1974, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: Yes. I cannot allow anyone he's waste his valuable time of human life.

Guru-kṛpa: You said before that the more hospitals they open that means the more people have to become sick.

Prabhupāda: That, more... Yes.

Guru-kṛpa: To get in the hospital.

Prabhupāda: They are very much proud, "We have opened fifty hospitals." That means fifty thousand people have become sick. "We have increased so many beds." That means so many people have more increased their disease. But they're proud of doing this. Our poor-feeding and their poor-feeding is different. We give prasādam—by eating he'll become Kṛṣṇaized. He'll become a devotee. And ordinary eating means he will eat and go to hell. Hare Kṛṣṇa (japa) Kṛṣṇotkīrtana-gāna-nartana-parau...

Kṛṣṇa-kānti: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Jayatīrtha: Jāyate. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Morning Walk at Marina del Rey -- July 12, 1974, Los Angeles:

Svarūpa Dāmodara: That in two thousand years they are going to make...

Prabhupāda: Yes, so that he'll not live for two thousand years. Then the bluff cannot be shown. Violation is not possible, sir. That is not possible. Therefore Bhagavad-gītā says, janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam (BG 13.9). You are trying to violate, but here are the four principles. It is not possible. You cannot violate. There is death; you cannot violate this. As soon as the time will come, you must die. Finished, all your scientific research. Four millions, trillions, and you can say, at that time there was no civilized man. At that time man was dying and animal was dying. And at this time man is dying and animal is dying. So what improvement you have made? There is no improvement.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: This is also called tampering.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Tampering with the machinery of God. They try to manipulate in a different way so that they can get some deviation from the normal.

Prabhupāda: There is no deviation. (Śrīla Prabhupāda apparently gets into car.)

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Morning Walk at Marine del Rey -- July 13, 1974, Los Angeles:

Bali Mardana: Police state.

Prabhupāda: Police state? And why they are declaring Commonwealth and, British Commonwealth. So if it is governed by the police, how it is Commonwealth? There should be very strong agitation. And all the Hindus will join. So who will organize it? Don't make it childish. It is very serious. (pause) Police should have taken task when the rules were broken by Mahādeva. Why they did not take action in that time? They did not say anything. Police, if there is discrepancy, violation of the rules, they should have taken immediate action. Why they did not take? Now they have manufactured by conspiracy that "This movement should be stopped. Now take this plea." This is going on.

Bali Mardana: They could even have been paid off.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Bali Mardana: Perhaps they were also paid off to stop it.

Prabhupāda: Paid off or not paid off, it doesn't matter. But actually it is stopped. And if we simply cede, then there is no future hope of this movement. Better, in spite of their "No" order, we shall take the...

Bali Mardana: Take the ratha there.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Bahulāśva: Take it anyway?

Prabhupāda: Yes. And let them be arrested. That is the real thing.

Bali Mardana: That is better.

Prabhupāda: So you go all there, and perform this.

Bahulāśva: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Yes. (pause) Make the ratha as it is and keep it on the Hyde Park. Don't move it, and hold meeting. Don't go the Trafalgar Square, but organize huge meeting there. Don't move it. "Under protest, we are not moving, but this is discrimination." Organize like that. Have the ratha standing there. Unless the order is given. And go on holding meeting. That will be the right answer.

Bali Mardana: They can bring the ratha in on a big truck.

Prabhupāda: Ratha, we start from the Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. So the ratha must be there. We'll not move. And simply hold meeting, unless the order is given. This is the right course.

Brahmānanda: They should have a meeting until the order is given.

Prabhupāda: Yes. "Until the order is given, we shall hold meeting here. Daily." And tell them that "It is, it is police government. Then we should, we should give up British connection." Agitate government that "It has become a police government." Best course will be like that, that "As usual, we shall keep the ratha there. We are not moving." And hold on, go on protest meeting, doing. And keep them there. Let them arrest and go to jail. That is the real effort. (pause) Or one thing do... Satī sārthaṁ samācaret. Therefore I wanted to start this politics.

Morning Walk at Marine del Rey -- July 13, 1974, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: Yes. "Ratha will stand, will not move, unless you sanction. But it is the, one of the part of the ceremony. There must be ratha. How you can stop it?" And from the ratha the palanquin will go to the Trafalgar Square. As usual, we hold our ceremonies and come back. So what is the objection? And if they say, "No, you cannot even keep the ratha," that means there is conspiracy.

Satsvarūpa: Yes.

Prabhupāda: That means there is conspiracy. So we should be politicians also (break) ...somebody protested that "Your Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement makes the people dull." And now, you have not seen the Vaiṣṇava. There was two fight in the Indian history. One is Rāma and Rāvaṇa, and one is Kurukṣetra. And the hero is Vaiṣṇava. We are going to produce such Vaiṣṇavas, not these dull rascals, sitting down. We don't want these Vaiṣṇavas, sitting down rascals. We want Arjuna or we want no one. That is Vaiṣṇava. That is wanted.

Jayatīrtha: It's time to go back. (break)

Prabhupāda: ...that if we remain rascals, then that Gaurasundara's example will be followed. One day you'll again become crazy and close up everything and smoke. That's all. My Guru Mahārāja used to say, prāṇa arthe yaṅra sei hetu pracāra. "One who has got life, he can preach." The dead man cannot preach. So you become with life, not like dead man. Without life... Just like all my godbrothers. They are dead men. And therefore they are envious of my activities. They have no life. If you want to make easy-going life, showing the Deity and then sleep, then it is a failure movement.

Bahulāśva: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Now, I have given the solution. The ratha must be there. It may not move. That is another thing. It will stand. The Deity will move on palanquin accordingly. Take this sanction. And then, coming back, hold big meeting, protest meeting. Ratha must be there. It will not move. The movement will be by palanquin. I think... I don't think there is any difficulty. How there can be any objection? Reasonably? There cannot be any objection. Let the ratha stand there, and the Deity moves according to your sanction... What objection can be there?

Jayatīrtha: Unless there's a conspiracy, there should be no objection.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes. That will disclose their conspiracy. "We abide by your order that without your order our ratha will not move, go to the Trafalgar... That's all right. You have allowed palanquin. That's accepted." Do like that, tactfully. First of all, take the sanction. In America, in... They have appreciated. That Reverend Powell. No, there is no objection anywhere. Why this rascal, falling-down nation, British, they're objecting?

Morning Walk at Marine del Rey -- July 13, 1974, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: Yes. Vaiṣṇavas. Just like, dress like Rūpa Gosvāmī, loincloth, and, but three dozen women behind him.

Bali Mardana: Yes, gopīs.

Prabhupāda: So Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura: "Here is a disciple of Kali. He has tilaka and he has kunti and he's doing this nonsense." Eita kalir chela. (pause)

Bahulāśva: So the purport is that one must strictly follow the principles?

Prabhupāda: You do not understand that?

Bahulāśva: Yes.

Prabhupāda: You are asking after twelve thousand years? I am speaking always that. And still you are questioning?

Bali Mardana: Should I call immediately or wait till after class?

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Bali Mardana: Should I call Haṁsadūta immediately or wait until after class?

Prabhupāda: That is, you use your discrimination. What I can say?

Kṛṣṇa-kānti: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! (end)

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- February 3, 1975, Hawaii:

Devotee (1): We can understand all of your instructions simply by reading your books.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Anyway, follow the instruction. That is required. Follow the instruction. Wherever you remain, it doesn't matter. You are secure. Follow the instruction. Then you are secure anywhere. It doesn't matter. Just like I told you that I saw my Guru Mahārāja not more than ten days in my life, but I followed his instruction. I was a gṛhastha, I never lived with the Maṭha, in the temple. It is practical. So many Godbrothers recommended that "He should be in charge in this Bombay temple, this, that, that..." Guru Mahārāja said, "Yes, better he lives outside. That is good, and he will do what is needed in due course of time."

Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!

Prabhupāda: He said like that. I could not understand at that time what does he expect. Of course, I knew that he wanted me to preach.

Yaśodānandana: I think you have done this in grand style.

Devotees: Jaya, Prabhupāda! Haribol!

Prabhupāda: Yes, done grand style because I strictly follow the instruction of my Guru Mahārāja, that's all. Otherwise I have no strength. I have not played any magic. Did I? Any gold manufacturing? (laughter) Still, I have got better disciples than the gold-manufacturing guru.

Yaśodānandana: Before you came, many gurus came, but they did not make any pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa.

Prabhupāda: How they can? He is not pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa. How he can do? Kṛṣṇa-śakti vinā nāhe nāma pracāra: "Without being empowered by Kṛṣṇa nobody can turn a person to become devotee of Kṛṣṇa." It is not... Artificially, you cannot make. He may make show of gold manufacturing, but he cannot make a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. That is not possible.

Room Conversation -- March 2, 1975, Atlanta:

Prabhupāda: No, that cannot be suppressed, that cannot be suppressed.

Guest (2): ...cannot be subdued, even if this prime minister or Mahatma Gandhi, (indistinct) of Lord Kṛṣṇa and this and that. That is foolishness (indistinct).

Balavanta: This is Dr. Fenton, Prabhupāda, he's a professor of religion at Emory University.

Prabhupāda: Oh! Very good. Hm. (aside) What is the time now?

Devotee: Its twenty of two.

Prabhupāda: Time.

Guest (1): Can we touch your feet, Swamiji?

Prabhupāda: Yes, that's all right.

Guest (1): Can we please?

Prabhupāda: Come... You can offer your obeisances. Hm, so that is the father's duty to see the child is grown completely spiritual, so that he may not have to come again in the mother's womb. Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti (BG 4.9). So...

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Thank you very much. (Indian guests leave and devotees offer obeisances.) I talk with the professor of religion sometimes, "What is the meaning of religion?"

Devotee: (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. What is that college you are employed?

Professor Fenton: Emory University. Its about three miles from here.

Prabhupāda: So, what definition you give to religion?

Professor Fenton: It has to do with saving, something that binds societies together, it has to do with the supernatural of (indistinct) God. And hm... Sometimes...

Prabhupāda: That there is relationship with God. Is it not? Religion has got relationship with God.

Professor Fenton: Yes, but sometimes it's simply something that holds a society together. Both are religion. Sometimes religion is shameful, sometimes its man's highest glory.

Prabhupāda: Hm... (aside) You come here, I could not follow him.

Morning Walk -- March 11, 1975, London:

Brahmānanda: ...Calcutta, on the Maidan, there's that big building, that big memorial. Is that...

Prabhupāda: Oh, Victoria Memorial.

Brahmānanda: That was built for, the king when he was coming?

Prabhupāda: No, that was built in memory of Victoria. It was done, imitating the Taj Mahal. It took twenty years. Sir Rajendranath Mukherjee of Martin Company, he took the contract. And after finishing, he got this title, "Sir." And when it was being constructed, I went to the top by crossing the scaffolding.

Brahmānanda: So you must have been very brave.

Prabhupāda: Yes, I am still brave. (laughter) Otherwise how could I come alone to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness? I am still brave.

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: Some astrologer told that "This boy, for executing his purpose, he will enter into the fire." Yes. (break) ...recently, in our Bombay affair, it was fight with the fire. Is it not?

Brahmānanda: Yes. Oh, yes.

Prabhupāda: And we have come out victorious.

Brahmānanda: Yes. All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: So much obstacle, still going on. Now the governor is cornered.

Room Conversation with Yoga Student -- March 14, 1975, Iran:

Guest: Is it also good to chant the name of a person who is holy, who is one with God, not the name of God.

Prabhupāda: That you have to find out, but here it is already there. Why should do trouble to find out a holy man, another holy man? The holy man says, Muhammad never said that "You chant my name." Then how one can be holy man if he says like that? We have to test whether he is holy man or not. Here is the perfect holy man. He never said that "You chant my name." He said "Chant Allah's name." That is holy man. That is test of holy man. He does not become God, he serves God. That is holy man.

Devotee: (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: All right. Take, give prasādam. All right.

Devotee: We have a feast.

Prabhupāda: All right.

Devotee: Thank you Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Thank you very much. (devotees pay obeisances, and some guests leave) Jaya, Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jaya. (break)

Devotee: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: We accept Muhammad's authority. That's a fact. He's authority.

Devotee: Yes.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Atreya Ṛṣi: Yes, this girl is a follower of Guru Maharaji.

Prabhupāda: Oh.

Devotee: (indistinct) this way.

Atreya Ṛṣi: So she thinks she has experience.

Prabhupāda: Very nonsense.

Atreya Ṛṣi: She speaks sweetly to attract other people's mind, and when people are not really sincere, they think, "Ah, she has..."

Prabhupāda: Some realization.

Conversation with the GBC -- March 27, 1975, Mayapur:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Six months to one year. And for brāhmaṇa initiation?

Rūpānuga: One year, you said, after that.

Prabhupāda: No, within one year. That's all. If one, within one year, one does not become to the standard, then he's unfit.

Atreya Ṛṣi: The recommendation here, Śrīla Prabhupāda, is that...

Prabhupāda: Generally by the president.

Atreya Ṛṣi: Yes, that the president's recommendation is overseeing, is scrutinized, by GBC, so that when Your Divine Grace gets a recommendation, it's been, by someone else, it's been checked. Do you think it's unnecessary?

Prabhupāda: It is.

Atreya Ṛṣi: Unnecessary. Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: If one is not personally sincere, however he is checked...

Atreya Ṛṣi: Yes, so this is unnecessary.

Prabhupāda: ...then he's useless. Useless.

Atreya Ṛṣi: In other words, an addition, "directly," directly... You know we just have to put down what Prabhupāda... Directly president can...

Prabhupāda: Generally, it is one year after. (?)

Atreya Ṛṣi: Put it down.

Jayatirtha: Right, right.

Conversation with Indian Guests -- April 12, 1975, Hyderabad:

Prabhupāda: (Hindi) You are more than Kṛṣṇa? You are so, you have got the audacity to speak more than Kṛṣṇa?

Guest: (Hindi)

Prabhupāda: Interpretation... (Hindi)

Guest: (Hindi)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We have to go.

Prabhupāda: We are discussing the same thing, we go or not go. (laughter)

Guest: People are waiting.

Prabhupāda: (Hindi) You are a young man therefore I am requesting you: don't be misled by these blind leaders. Take Bhagavad-gītā as it is, and you'll be happy.

Guest: (Hindi)

Prabhupāda: The meaning is clear, very clear. There is no question of interpretation.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

Morning Walk -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne:

Devotee 9: Is second initiation necessary, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Second or first only.

Devotee 9: Śrīla Prabhupāda, what are you saying? You said before there's no necessary for a spiritual master and now you...

Devotee 1: He said in the spiritual world there is no necessity.

Devotee 9: Oh, in the spiritual world.

Devotee 1: Everyone is in full knowledge. In the material world everyone is in darkness.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda! Hari bol! Hari bol! (break)

Devotee 1: Śrīla Prabhupāda, it appears that there is a group of persons here in Australia who think, judging from the different questions that are being asked, they are thinking that it is not required to formally accept...

Prabhupāda: There are so many rascal swamis come. They say like that, "There is no need of guru."

Devotee 1: Yeah, right. They think that Kṛṣṇa is in the heart and you can accept initiation by that way.

Prabhupāda: You do not know where to find out Kṛṣṇa in the heart. (end)

Morning Walk -- June 21, 1975, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: The question does not arise that "I do not wish to die. Why there is death?" They are so dull-headed, this question does not... They are trying to solve so many question, but this question does not arise in their mind, that "I don't wish to die. Why death is forced upon me?" Inquire. Come on, all philosophers and scientists, come and make an inquiry commission, that "I don't want to die. The death is forced upon me. I don't want to become old man, and it is forced upon me. What is the reason?" Therefore they are rascals. The prime problem, they have set aside. Big, big scientists... That Professor Einstein and other, other, they are big, big scientists. They do not consider this question, that "I am a big scientist. So I am also going to die. So why it is?" That question, they have set aside. And they manufacture atom bomb to make dead very easy, not to stop death, but death-making very easily available. This is scientific. Hmm? Is that scientific?

Bahulāśva: No.

Prabhupāda: (chuckles) Everyone is dying, and they accelerate death. And that is taken as scientific.

Satsvarūpa: They are also making research how to stop death.

Prabhupāda: Huh?

Satsvarūpa: They're making... But it's useless.

Prabhupāda: So that is in our hands; that is not in their hands.

Devotees: Jaya, Prabhupāda!

Revatīnandana: Some time back I was reading an article on an airplane, one of those airline news magazines, about the science of gerontology, the science of putting off death or stopping death. They say, "Within twenty-thirty years we will have stopped it. We will even reverse the process of old age. We'll become younger." That was their claim.

Prabhupāda: They can do it—that is credit. But what is this credit, that people are dying and you discover atom bomb to accelerate death very quickly? If they are thinking like that, then sanity is coming. At least, they are thinking like that, that "Why death should not be stopped?" That will be credit if they can do so, but at least this question, it comes. Then they become human being, not dogs. And so long this question does not come, they are cats and dogs. This is athāto brahma jijñāsā. This is the inquiry.

Morning Walk -- July 1, 1975, Denver:

Prabhupāda: All right. Then write two registered letters, one to Jaya Prakash Narayana... (break) ...astrologer, who was telling me?

Brahmānanda: Oh, Bhāvānanda Mahārāja, he knows. The astrologer in Māyāpur?

Bhāvānanda: Oh, Mr... In Svarūp Gañj there's one big astrologer. So he saw your photograph, and he said, "This is the face of the most powerful spiritual personality on the planet."

Prabhupāda: (laughs) Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Brahmānanda: Then what else?

Bhāvānanda: Then he said that "I can tell from his face that he can make a house in which the whole world can live peacefully."

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: At least I desire so. (break) Where your preaching was going on?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We were preaching in Berkeley, California. Our other parties are spread out all over the country. One party is in Massachusetts, another party is in the South, southern United States.

Prabhupāda: Where in Massachusetts?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Amherst area. Then another party is in Michigan, another party in Illinois, another party is in Washington, in the state of Washington. There's a couple of others.

Prabhupāda: So his parties are working more. And book selling is going on?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh, yeah. This past month we sold nearly five thousand big books.

Prabhupāda: Oh?

Morning Walk -- July 17, 1975, San Francisco:

Bahulāśva: Out here on the campus, Śrīla Prabhupāda, different people come with little carts and they sell food things.

Prabhupāda: Food?

Bahulāśva: Food. They get a permit. We were thinking to have a little car and sell Bengali sweets.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Bengali sweet selling is not our business. We should not waste in that way. Our business is how to make him Kṛṣṇa conscious. If we find such opportunity by selling Bengali sweets, then we can sell. Otherwise it is useless. You should always remember this. We are not for selling Bengali sweets or any such thing unless it is connected with preaching our Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You should remember it.

Citsukhānanda: Bengali sweets means Caitanya-caritāmṛta, different books of Caitanya-caritāmṛta.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes. Our, what is his name?

Jayatīrtha: Citsukhānanda.

Prabhupāda: No, no. The boy who has taken sannyāsa, bookseller?

Devotees: Tripurāri Mahārāja.

Prabhupāda: Tripurāri. He does so. (chuckles) He will sell Bengali sweet, and he will say, "You will find the formula here," so that his main business is to sell the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: All glories to Śrīla Prabhupāda! Hari hari bol! Jaya Prabhupāda! (end)

Morning Walk -- July 19, 1975, San Francisco:

Paramahaṁsa: Originally when I came to the movement I asked you this, remember? And you gave lectures on the subject, and I asked you about it. And you asked me for what purpose I wanted it.

Prabhupāda: No, no, I don't wonder you. But the gold has got such infection that if one... That is the whole world, that as soon as one has gold, he is no more interested with God. That is the infection. "Ah!" He will say, "This is meant for the poor class of men who has no gold. I have gold. I am God." You know that Kali-yuga. He was punished, that "You get out." Then he said that "Where shall I go? Everywhere is your kingdom." Then Parīkṣit Mahārāja said that "You go here, in the brothel, in the..., these four things." Striyaḥ śūna-pānā dyutāḥ yatra pāpāś catur-vidhāḥ: "Illicit sex, and slaughterhouse, and liquor shop, and gambling." Then he requested that "Instead of going so many places, you give me some place where one place will be sufficient." Then he said, "You go where there is gold. Then you get everything." Striyaḥ śūna-pānā dyutāḥ yatra pāpāś catur-vidhāḥ. Formerly, especially in Bengal, the gold merchants are taken as—that is artificial, of course—the low class because they are rich, and they indulge in these four kinds of prohibition. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Devotees: Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Morning Walk -- August 25, 1975, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: So parikrama path, this way?

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: This way. Śrīla Prabhupāda, it's this way, the parikrama. (break) ...the best land for our purposes because the children can just run back and forth.

Child: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: Jaya.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: ...completed in one month. There's a sign over here.

Prabhupāda: Oh. That's nice. Jaya. This is also lying vacant? So we are... (aside:) Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jaya. Haribol. Jaya.

Dhanañjaya: This is lying vacant also.

Prabhupāda: Whose land it is?

Dhanañjaya: This is a part of the Christian land.

Jayapatāka: Śrīla Prabhupāda, walk on the right.

Dhanañjaya: So the Christians... (break)

Prabhupāda: So what they are doing?

Dhanañjaya: Well, Praṇava, he was investigating.

Prabhupāda: Investigating for life. Whole life, simply investigating.

Morning Walk -- August 28, 1975, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Hm. (Hindi) They are going to take water from Yamunā or some from well?

Dhanañjaya: From a well. There's just a well around the corner.

Prabhupāda: Oh. They are all going to Yamunā. (break)

Dhanañjaya: That lady was from Manipur.

Harikeśa: Viśvambhara lives here. (break)

Prabhupāda: ...can... Very nice blackboard.

Brahmānanda: Hut! Hut!

Prabhupāda: No, just... Why it is thrown away?

Viśāla: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

Room Conversation -- October 5, 1975, Mauritius:

Prabhupāda: Because they will hear Hare Kṛṣṇa. Not only trees and plants. The insects and everyone, they will have the opportunity of hearing Hare Kṛṣṇa. That will benefit.

Guest (1): If we have got this act, Swamijī, here itself we can organize it. For example, we are getting holidays in November, school holidays, twenty-first November. So we can put it in the newspaper that "Those who are interested, young people from fifteen or twenty to thirty or forty, these people can send their letters and they would come. So we can answer them through newspaper, also radio, through TV, so that they would come...

Prabhupāda: Yes. If you do organize, then I shall stay. It is very good program. Let us give it some shape with your good cooperation. So Kṛṣṇa is giving you intelligence. He is giving so nice program. So do it practically.

Guest (1): And we can conquer out there.

Prabhupāda: (laughs) Yes. Paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam. Śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtana is so powerful that it will conquer. It will be victorious. So I am very glad to meet you. And do this program. And if you like, I shall come back after a week and do. Utilize me in this way, I shall be very glad. That's all right.

Devotee: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

Morning Walk -- October 9, 1975, Durban:

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Above the sun.

Indian man: Above the sun.

Prabhupāda: And how they will go?

Indian man: And the sun is 96,000,000 miles away.

Prabhupāda: Yes. That they cannot go there.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: 93,000,000.

Indian man: Ninety-three.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Jaya. (break) (in car:) ...ments are there in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam since the last five thousand years, and these people have become civilized for the last three hundred years, and we have to accept their statement or the statement which is made five thousand years at least? At least they discussed or they had some knowledge. You cannot deny that. They're giving description of all the planets, where it is situated. At least they had discussion. So they were uncivilized?

Morning Walk -- October 26, 1975, Mauritius:

Prabhupāda: Mūḍha, narādhama māyayāpahṛta-jñānāḥ (BG 7.15). They have no knowledge. "Why no knowledge? Degrees." No, this is māyā. "What is the cause?" Aśuri-bhavam aśritaḥ: Godless rascal. Therefore he's a mūḍha.

Harikeśa: So it's not that we're so much concerned about science but rather the aśuravāda.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Brahmānanda: We don't have to research because our conclusion is already there.

Prabhupāda: Already there. And it is acting, practical. How from the stone this has come? Stone and sand, but they are life; it is green. (Break) ...this?

Brahmānanda: This is a type of tree. There's many of them like this.

Prabhupāda: What is this? Fuel? (?) Now... Just see how fresh it is. You can take some foodstuff and eat very nicely.

Cyavana: Oh, yes.

Prabhupāda: And then throw it. That's all. What is the use of keeping on the veranda for three years? (laughter) I am seeing every day so carefully.

Devotee: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

Morning Walk -- November 1, 1975, Nairobi:

Prabhupāda: You are always with God, even your rebellious condition, you are with God. Just like a prisoner. A prisoner is always with the government, (laughter) but in one department he is kicked, and in one department he is patted. That's all. So if you prefer to be kicked, you remain in māyā. But you are always in connection with God.

Indian man (11): Lord Kṛṣṇa says, "I am in everything."

Prabhupāda: Yes. Your, this punishment condition is also God's creation, external energy. You cannot live for a second without God. But one who knows, he is blessed, and who does not know, he is condemned. But you know or not know, you are always with God. That is your position.

Devotee (12): Śrīla Prabhupāda, how best can we present the teachings of...

Prabhupāda: Just abide by the orders of God and His representative. Then you be happy. Otherwise not.

Harikeśa: This side, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Sarva dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja (BG 18.66). That is the verse.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. Thank you.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. (end)

Morning Walk -- November 8, 1975, Bombay:

Devotee: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Devotee (1): Are the animals complacent with their hellish condition of life?

Prabhupāda: Animal?

Devotee (1): Yes. Like the dog. Is he happy to be a dog?

Prahupada: Yes. Everyone is happy.

Dr. Patel: There is one story in regard to this, sir... (break)

Prabhupāda: The answer? You have got the answer?

Devotee (1): Excuse me?

Dr. Patel: No. He was not. He was not attentive. I answered on his behalf with that story.

Bhāgavata: Once that happened to Indra, isn't it, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Anyone, in any condition of life, he thinks that he is happy. That is māyā.

Morning Walk -- November 13, 1975, Bombay:

Yaśomatīnandana: And they put out books on Mahābhārata or Rāmacandra, "Indian mythology."

Prabhupāda: But who cares for them?

Yaśomatīnandana: Ninety-nine per cent of the people are completely misled.

Prabhupāda: No, no, not ninety-nine per cent. Maybe nine percent. (break)

Dr. Patel: As a matter of fact, science is not revealing itself now. Science is also realizing that it is not the way to realize God. Science is, when you were a student at college was much different than what it is today, sir, to tell the truth. The scientists have realized that they are nothing before, before all that they observe and the director of all that action, themselves and everything.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jaya.

Passerby: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: (break) Svarūpa Dāmodara is real scientist. He is admitting. That is stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. What is that? Yad-uttama-śloka-guṇanuvarṇanam (SB 1.5.22).

idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā
sviṣṭasya sūktasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ
avicyuto 'rthaḥ kavibhir nirūpito
yad uttamaśloka-guṇānuvarṇanam
(SB 1.5.22)

Puṁsa, "of the human society," sviṣṭasya, "education..." Idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya, sviṣṭasya, ca buddhi-dattayoḥ. Whatever big, big activities are there—education, charity, tapasya... Why these things are required? What is the meaning of becoming advanced in such things? Avicyuto 'rthaḥ: "Without any doubt, the artha, the conclusion, is that they should describe the wonderful activities of the Supreme Person." Then it is perfect education. And these rascals, they are saying, "Now we don't require God."

Morning Walk -- November 14, 1975, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Thank you very much. Unless one understands Kṛṣṇa... Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ (BG 15.15). Veda means knowledge. So all kinds of knowledge, they are aiming at the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So if one does not understand what is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then māyayāpahṛta-jñānā—he has no knowledge. Knowledge means ultimately he must know what is God. That is knowledge. Ye kṛṣṇa tattva vetta sei guru haya. Anyone who knows Kṛṣṇa, he becomes guru. Otherwise not. The first test is you may be scientist, philosopher, educationist, whatever you may be, but ask him, "Do you know Kṛṣṇa?" If he says, "No," then he is a fool. That's all. This is the test. (chuckles) Hare Kṛṣṇa. So Ambarisa Mahārāja, do you agree?

Ambarīṣa: Yes. It's a good test.

Prabhupāda: Yes. (break) Goldsmith, they take a stone, black stone. Do you know? And they rub the gold on the stone, and they can immediately say whether it is gold or not. So our, that stone, is Kṛṣṇa. If anyone knows Kṛṣṇa, then it is gold. (laughter)

Devotee (3): Haribol! Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Otherwise it is bogus.

Indian man (5): It is very good.

Prabhupāda: Ah, yes. Formerly these goldsmith boys, their father simply taught how to test gold. And as soon as he learns, he opens a shop and he earns thousands and thousands of rupees. No education. Simply by...

Yaśomatīnandana: Yes. Even today the jewelers' sons, they are expert in knowing diamonds and they make millions of rupees.

Indian man (6): (Hindi)

Prabhupāda: This is Indian old fashion. They simply know how to test jewels and gold. That's all. One knowledge makes him rich.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- January 20, 1976, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes, everything. Daṇḍa-rājā puṇya-deśa.

Jayapatākā: (Bengali)

Prabhupāda: (break) "...whether you have got such buildings, whether you have got such books, whether you have got such disciples, whether you have traveled so..."? Then what they will, will be reply? Hm?

Jayapatākā: But they've got the āśīrbād.

Prabhupāda: Huh? Oh. They say that due to their āśīrbād?

Jayapatākā: No, he is saying that he is the counterpart, that he's got the āśīrbād.

Prabhupāda: No, āśīrbād, but what you have done for the āśīrbād. You are licking up the āśīrbād.

Child: Jaya Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hm. Jaya. He is also. (break) Vedic conception is that the birds and beasts, they should not be driven away. Let them eat as much as it like. They must eat also.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So we shouldn't do that in our field?

Prabhupāda: Yes. That is the Vedic.

Jayapatākā: Then we won't have anything to eat.

Prabhupāda: No, you produce more.

Morning Walk -- January 21, 1976, Mayapura:

Bhavānanda: They are filled with anxiety.

Prabhupāda: Yes. That is the way of presentation. You have to present in such a way that he will accept that "What you are saying, you are right." That is preaching. (break) ...cepting our books because they are seeing, "Yes, here is practical explanation," not that because it is Bhāgavata. What do they care for Bhāgavata?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They never heard of Bhāgavata.

Prabhupāda: No. And why they should accept Bhāgavata? We are not accepting Bible, so why they should accept Bhāgavata? That is no argument. You must present the Vedic knowledge in such a way that they will be obliged to accept: "Yes, it is right." (break) ...something, Mr. Agarwal, that "Nobody complains about eating," you will do a great service, I tell you. Everyone will come and say, "Oh, such a nice food." They will come here for eating, if not for anything. (break) You were proposing about our Vṛndāvana. So if this thing is done, that the eatables are very nice, then visitors will come. Otherwise this manager, that manager, this manager will not help you. Phalena paricīyate. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Jayapatākā: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Harikeśa: There are a lot of restaurants in America which are very far away from the general mass of people, and because they have very high reputations, people come from miles around there.

Prabhupāda: Yes. This tongue is very, what is called? Susceptible? No?

Harikeśa: Voracious.

Prabhupāda: Not voracious. They want very palatable things, the tongue. Tā'ra madhye jihwā ati, lobhamoy sudurmati, very greedy. So if you supply them kṛṣṇa-prasādam at the same time to satisfy their greediness, then you conquer. This is the secret.

Morning Walk -- February 5, 1976, Mayapura:

Hari-śauri: A person already has the position where he doesn't have to experience birth, death, old age, like that. So if they argue like that, "Why doesn't God give us that position where we can enjoy without God consciousness...?"

Prabhupāda: God has given, giving you the position that "You obey Me, and you get the position," but because you are rascal—you are not obeying—you are suffering.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Just like a hog takes stool instead of sweetmeat. The hoggish mentality.

Prabhupāda: That is God's mercy that he wants to eat stool, and God has given you, "All right, you eat stool. Take this body."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Not that God is not offering him sweetmeats, but the rascal won't eat them.

Prabhupāda: Yes. He has got such a body that he does not relish sweetmeat.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda! Haribol!

Kāśirāma: Śrīla Prabhupāda, why do we have this rascal propensity?

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Kāśirāma: Why do we have this rascal propensity?

Prabhupāda: Because you are rascal. That is the only reason. Because you are rascal.

Gurukula boys: Prabhupāda! Prabhupāda! (end)

Morning Walk -- March 7, 1976, Mayapur:

Prabhupāda: When one is jealous of God, then gradually jealous of everyone.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Jealousy.

Prabhupāda: Jealousy, yes.

Siddha-svarūpananda: So then, if I'm jealous of others, it's really just a reflection of my jealousy of Kṛṣṇa.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Siddha-svarūpananda: And if I am angry at others, it's because I'm angry at Kṛṣṇa also.

Prabhupāda: Everything begins from Kṛṣṇa. Mattaḥ sarvam pravartate. Where is your other friend? Oh, here he is!

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śiva-jvara.

Prabhupāda: All right. (break) "Jaya Prabhupāda. Haribol." (laughs) They'll not touch unless I give, and they are satisfied, even one grain. That is... They don't want more, that "Give me more." No. But constantly. (break) Make folded hand. Yes. Sometimes he'll press like that, eh, to show me that I am dying. They make quick friends with old men. (break) ...a few katias(?), that is very easy. You assort the katias. You go and place, daytime. And nightime, take a katia and spread anywhere, and you can see. Indian system.

Jayapatāka: Cots.

Prabhupāda: Cot. Mass of cot.

Jayapatāka: With rope.

Prabhupāda: With rope. That's all. Small. You can keep fifty, sixty. So keep it in one place. And at night take one, and anywhere you can sleep. Very easy. (aside:) Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Children: Jaya Prabhupāda!

Prabhupāda: Jaya. (break) ...ṣata-doltena malenatvaṁ na muñcyati.(?) If you take a coal and wash it, one who has... Still black.

Jayapatāka: And he does not allow himself to be washed. He never comes to the temple.

Prabhupāda: No. If he... A coal, however you go on with soap and other things, go on washing, it will never become clean. Aṅgarasya śata-doltena malenatvaṁ na muyati.(?) What is the defect? Why the...? The window is becoming black.

Jayapatāka: The lids are... We purchased some new lids yesterday. The lids have been damaged. Therefore the smoke is leaking.

Prabhupāda: So why damage cannot be repaired?

Jayapatāka: No, we purchased yesterday. They're going to install today. (break)

Hariśauri: ...has painted for your books. So he must be fairly good.

Prabhupāda: If he has painted for my books, then he should be first class.

Page Title:Jaya Srila Prabhupada
Compiler:Visnu Murti
Created:05 of Jul, 2012
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=52, Con=51, Let=0
No. of Quotes:103