Expressions researched:
"Maharshi"
|"Mahesh Yogi"
|"Mahesha Yogi"
|"maharishi"
|"maharishi's"
|"maharishis"
Notes from the compiler:
Do not include quotes referring to "Maharshi Raman" or "Raman Maharshi" or "Maharshi Ashram"
Conversations and Morning Walks
1968 Conversations and Morning Walks
He's not guru. But he's advertised his name like that (laughs). A guru is different thing.
Radio Interview -- March 12, 1968, San Francisco: Interviewer: The whole world has heard of the Maharishi Mahesh. Is he part of your order?
Prabhupāda: No. I have heard so much in the paper.
Interviewer: He is the world's most famous guru at the present time.
Prabhupāda: He's not guru. But he's advertised his name like that (laughs). A guru is different thing. But people are, in your country, in the western part of the country, of the world, people are after some spiritual information. So anyone who comes professing as spiritualist, he is welcome, and if he flatters, then it is very convenient to get followers. So we don't follow exactly in that way. We follow exactly the principles of Vedic ways of life.
Meditation as this Maharshi or any other swami or..., are professing, that is not exactly the process of meditation. The standard meditation is described in Bhagavad-gītā.
Radio Interview -- March 12, 1968, San Francisco: Interviewer: So many of the people are going to him for meditation. Is meditation part of your philosophy?
Prabhupāda: Yes. But meditation as this Maharshi or any other swami or..., are professing, that is not exactly the process of meditation. The standard meditation is described in Bhagavad-gītā. That is very difficult job. You have to select a solitary place, you have to sit in a certain posture, you have to regulate your life, complete celibacy, eating, sleeping... There are so many rules and regulations that that sort of meditation is absolutely impossible for the present way of life. For the present generation, the chanting, vibration of holy name of God, is recommended in the scriptures. It is said that meditation was possible in the Satya-yuga, when people were cent percent pure. And they are... For the present, mostly, people are impure. So they cannot execute meditation as it is described in the standard scriptures.
From his behavior I can understand he's a rascal number one. I do not like to know about him, but what he did...
Press Interview -- December 30, 1968, Los Angeles: Journalist: The Maharishi for example...
Prabhupāda: He was rascal number one. I say publicly.
Journalist: Could you explain that, give me a little background on that and why, because our readers are...
Prabhupāda: I do not know, but from his behavior I can understand he's a rascal number one. I do not like to know about him, but what he did... But the wonderful thing is that people in western countries, they're supposed to be so advanced. How they are befooled by these rascals?
I immediately say that "You have to follow these four principles," and he goes away. And this Maharishi, he did not put any restriction, you see? Just like a physician, if he says that "You can do whatever you like. You simply take my medicine, you'll be cured." That physician will be very much liked.
Press Interview -- December 30, 1968, Los Angeles: Journalist: I guess I've really asked the main question. Not the main question, but the thing I want to know again was, again, why this, and about people like the Maharishi, which turned me off and so many people. My daughter was very involved in that kind of thing for awhile, and she's terribly disillusioned.
Prabhupāda: Yes. The psychology is that your people, all the western people, especially youngsters, they are hankering after something, you see? But the difficulty is... Just like me. If somebody comes, "Swamiji, initiate me." I immediately say that "You have to follow these four principles," and he goes away. And this Maharishi, he did not put any restriction, you see? Just like a physician, if he says that "You can do whatever you like. You simply take my medicine, you'll be cured." That physician will be very much liked. You see?
Journalist: Yes. He'll kill a lot of people, but he's very liked.
Prabhupāda: Yes. (laughs) And a physician which says, "Oh, you cannot do this, you cannot do this, you cannot eat this," it is a botheration. So they want something. That is a fact. But at the same time, they want it very cheap. Therefore the cheaters come and cheat them. They take the opportunity.
This Maharishi was, "Oh, you do whatever you like. You simply pay me thirty-five dollars and I'll give you some mantra." You see. So people wanted to be cheated, and so many cheaters come.
Press Interview -- December 30, 1968, Los Angeles: Journalist: Well, I think that people believe what they want to believe. They're looking for something, and he comes along...
Prabhupāda: Yes. But they want something very cheap. That is their fault.
Journalist: Yes.
Prabhupāda: Now for our disciples, we don't give anything cheap. Our first condition is character, moral character. You see? So unless one is accepting moral character, we don't initiate, don't allow him in this institution. And this Maharishi was, "Oh, you do whatever you like. You simply pay me thirty-five dollars and I'll give you some mantra." You see. So people wanted to be cheated, and so many cheaters come. They do not wish to undergo some disciplinary action, you see? Anything. They have got money. They think that "I shall pay," and immediately he'll get the money.
1969 Conversations and Morning Walks
We are not that Maharshi Mahesh, that "I give you something private, and give me some money." We are not that. We have got philosophy. We have got programs. We have got authorities.
Meeting with Devotees -- June 9, 1969, New Vrindaban: Prabhupāda: Nobody can challenge our sincerity and our purity in this world. Let anyone come, any so-called society, yoga society, this society, this, that. The best thing we are presenting. There is no doubt about it. Now people has to know it, how to make it known. We have to go to the newspaper man, magazine man, to the foundations. So one responsible... One? Why one? Two, three men must move amongst them. And whenever required, if some big meeting is arranged, then I also go. People should know about our activities. We are not bogus thing. We are not that Maharshi Mahesh, that "I give you something private, and give me some money." We are not that. We have got philosophy. We have got programs. We have got authorities. So we must let people know the importance of this movement.
His mantra is not public.
Room Conversation With John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and George Harrison -- September 11, 1969, London, At Tittenhurst: John Lennon: We heard it from Maharishi. A mantra each.
Prabhupāda: His mantra is not public.
George Harrison: Not out loud. No.
John Lennon: No. It's a secret. (laughs)
Prabhupāda: There is a version by Rāmānujācārya. Rāmānujācārya, he was a great ācārya of this Vaiṣṇava sampradāya. His spiritual master gave him mantra: "My dear boy, you chant this mantra silently. Nobody can hear. It is very..." So then he asked, "What is the effect of this mantra?" He said, "By chanting this mantra, by meditation, you'll get liberation." So he immediately went out and in a public, big meeting he said that "You chant this mantra. You'll be all liberated." (laughter) So he came back to his spiritual master, and his spiritual master was very angry that "I told you that you should chant silently." He said, "Yes, I have committed offense. So whatever punishment you like, you can give me. But because you told me that this mantra will liberate, I have given it publicly. Let everyone hear and be liberated. Let me go to hell. I don't mind. I have disobeyed your order. Let me go to hell. I am prepared. But by this chanting mantra, if anyone is liberated, let it be publicly distributed." His spiritual master embraced him: "You are greater than me." You see? So if a mantra has so power, why it should be secret? It should be distributed. People are suffering. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "Chant this Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. Anyone who will hear... Even the birds and beasts will hear and they will be liberated." That's all.
If mantra is coming down in that way, then it is potency; the potency is there.
Room Conversation With John Lennon, Yoko Ono, and George Harrison -- September 11, 1969, London, At Tittenhurst: Prabhupāda: It is not that any spiritual master. Sampradāya. Sampradāya means a particular line of disciplic succession.
John Lennon: But, you see, Maharishi said exactly the same thing about his mantra's coming from the Vedic, with seemingly as much authority as you, and he was probably right. So how... It's like having too many fruits on a plate, and you can't only eat two of them.
Prabhupāda: No. If mantra is coming down in that way, then it is potency; the potency is there.
John Lennon: But Hare Kṛṣṇa is the best one.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
1971 Conversations and Morning Walks
They are not prepared to undergo austerity. Suppose some cheaters come. They say, "Oh, no austerity. Whatever you like you do. You simply pay me and I'll give you some particular mantra, and you become God within six months." (Laughter) And that is going on. So you want to be, if people want to be cheated like that, the cheaters will come.
Temple Press Conference -- August 5, 1971, London: Woman Interviewer: What worries me slightly is that since the arrival in Britain some while ago of the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi, a lot of... He was the first guru that most people ever heard of, and since then there have been a lot of people and a lot of gurus that have suddenly appeared out of nowhere. And one gets the feeling that sometimes they're not all as genuine as they ought to be, and I wondered whether you feel that it's right that you could perhaps issue a warning to people who are seeking some new spiritual life that they should take care to make sure they have a genuine guru to teach them.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Woman Interviewer: Do you feel there's a danger?
Prabhupāda: Of course, to search out guru is very nice. But if you want a cheap guru or if you want to be cheated, then there will be many cheater gurus. But if you are sincere, then you'll have sincere guru. People want to be cheated because they want everything very cheap. But just like we are asking people no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication. So people think it is very difficult, it is botheration. And if somebody says, "No, you do. Whatever nonsense you like do. You simply take my mantra," they will like it. So the thing is that they want to be cheated; therefore cheaters come. They don't want to undergo some austerity. Human life is meant for austerity. But they are not prepared to undergo austerity. Suppose some cheaters come. They say, "Oh, no austerity. Whatever you like you do. You simply pay me and I'll give you some particular mantra, and you become God within six months." (Laughter) And that is going on. So you want to be, if people want to be cheated like that, the cheaters will come.
Woman Interviewer: So do you think people should beware?
Prabhupāda: They should be serious.
1972 Conversations and Morning Walks
Why shall I speak of others? Then people will be angry. Better not to touch this point.
Room Conversation -- April 18, 1972, Hong Kong: Guest (1): When you say, sir, you were advertised with the Beatles, do you have any connection with the Maharishi?
Prabhupāda: No.
Guest (1): No. What do you think of the Maharishi?
Prabhupāda: Why shall I speak of others? Then people will be angry. Better not to touch this point.
Why does he not come again? He has gone forever.
Morning Walks -- October 1-3, 1972, Los Angeles: Jayatīrtha: This Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. He was very big. He was in the newspapers and thousands of people came and paid thirty-five dollars, took initiation. But now you don't hear anything about him. So this man will come, make a big show, make some money, but in two years he'll just be a memory.
Prabhupāda: (indistinct) Why does he not come again? He has gone forever.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: You have said that whenever there is Kṛṣṇa there will be success everywhere, all the time.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Svarūpa Dāmodara: When there is Kṛṣṇa, there will be success everywhere.
Prabhupāda: That is the real success.
1973 Conversations and Morning Walks
Mahesh Yogi does not speak of God. Therefore he's bogus.
Room Conversation with German and Hamsaduta dasa -- August 9, 1973, Paris: Haṁsadūta: You want to know how can you tell...
Guest: (German)
Prabhupāda: The spiritual master is the representative of God.
Haṁsadūta: (translates)
Prabhupāda: So if he speaks what God speaks, then he's spiritual master, otherwise, he's a bogus.
Haṁsadūta: (German conversation) What God has spoken in the scripture.
Guest: (German)
Prabhupāda: So Mahesh Yogi does not speak of God. Therefore he's bogus.
So you make some propaganda, counter-propaganda. Although, practically, he'll be finished, there is no doubt. Two, three years. The Maharishi Mahesh yogi, also became very... Nobody cares for him now.
Discussion about Guru Maharaji -- August 13, 1973, Paris: Prabhupāda: No, whenever you are meeting, "this rascal is going on as God. This is mistaken. What profit...?" You have to speak there. What proof is there? So consult with Bhagavān dāsa and begin this propaganda. I have no time... Therefore, I say: "I do not know this man. That's all right." To avoid. But in a meeting, and you are going saṅkīrtana. People are coming, talking with you. So you make some propaganda, counter-propaganda. Although, practically, he'll be finished, there is no doubt. Two, three years. The Maharishi Mahesh yogi, also became very... Nobody cares for him now.
They are not standard. We are following Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, standard, and they have got their own manufactured way. So we don't recognize them.
Room Conversation with Sanskrit Professor -- August 13, 1973, Paris: Professor: And what about Maharishi Mahesh Yogi?
Prabhupāda: I don't take account of these because they are not standard.
Professor: Oh, I see.
Prabhupāda: They are not standard. We are following Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, standard, and they have got their own manufactured way. So we don't recognize them. Our process is evaṁ paramparā prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ (BG 4.2). Paramparā. What Kṛṣṇa said, the disciplic succession will say the same thing. But they are speaking differently. So therefore we don't take them as bona fide. They are not bona fide. And from external point of view, we have got so many literatures, so many branches, so many devotees, within six years. But they haven't got such thing. Even Ramakrishna Mission. They are working for the last eighty years. And I have worked only for six years. And my result is eighty times more than them. They also acknowledge.
They cannot find out who has actually seen. So many difficulties. Therefore they are cheated. They go to this man, that man. Maharishi, Dr. Mishra, this, that. Therefore they are cheated.
Morning Walk -- December 10, 1973, Los Angeles: Prabhupāda: You must approach a guru who has seen the truth. Then surrender unto him. Then serve him. And then make question. Everything will be revealed. These are the statement of Bhagavad-gītā. They'll not surrender. They'll not serve. They cannot find out who has actually seen. So many difficulties. Therefore they are cheated. They go to this man, that man. Maharishi, Dr. Mishra, this, that. Therefore they are cheated. They do not know. This is the position.
1974 Conversations and Morning Walks
He will be rejected after a few years. That's all. Just like Maharishi.
Morning Walk -- January 22, 1974, Hawaii: Bali Mardana: They'll bring Guru Maharaji. (laughter) Many people were disappointed in Houston because he did not display any miracles. They were expecting to see many things.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Bali Mardana: Many of his followers were disappointed 'cause they expected him to show some miracles.
Prabhupāda: Yes. He will be rejected after a few years. That's all. Just like Maharishi.
That rascal Mahesh Yogi, he also said that, "You take this special mantra; your material enjoyment will be easier." The same: the punaḥ punaś carvita.
Morning Walk -- May 30, 1974, Rome: Prabhupāda: All rascaldom, simply rascaldom. Let them read these books. This philosopher, that philosopher. What is that? Punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām (SB 7.5.30). The same philosophy, repeatedly for sense gratification, that's all. That rascal Mahesh Yogi, he also said that, "You take this special mantra; your material enjoyment will be easier." The same: the punaḥ punaś carvita. He has no other information. "It will be better." And they accepting. "Oh, my enjoyment will be better? All right, take $35. Give me that mantra." They like it because they are promising that "You will get this..." Politicians also, they are promising, "You take this ism. Your sense gratification will be easier." The same promise. This ism or that ism. This yogi, that yogi. But nobody knows what is actually happiness.
1975 Conversations and Morning Walks
He speaks something of material prosperity. So He has nothing to do with God.
Room Conversation with Sanskrit Professor, other Guests and Disciples -- February 12, 1975, Mexico: Guest (2): Maharshi Mahesh?
Prabhupāda: I think he doesn't speak anything about God.
Guest (3): No. He's teaching the transcendental meditation.
Prabhupāda: He speaks something of material prosperity. So He has nothing to do with God.
Devotee (1): It's just a kind of training of mind.
Prabhupāda: That's it. Just like gymnastic. You exercise; you become bodily strong. That's all.
Maharishi said like that?
Room Conversation with Tripurari -- March 2, 1975, Atlanta: Satsvarūpa: This boy is Bhakta Doug, and he was a personal secretary of Maharishi for two years.
Prabhupāda: Oh.
Satsvarūpa: He traveled all over with him. And one day... He was a very good student, and one day Maharishi said, "If you really want to know the highest truth, it's Kṛṣṇa consciousness." And then he left and he came and joined our tem... (laughter)
Prabhupāda: Maharishi said like that?
Doug: Yes, he did say that. It took me awhile to make the transition, but with Kṛṣṇa's mercy, I saw the way through to become Kṛṣṇa...
Devotee (5): Maharishi must have read one of your books, Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: He has read my books?
Devotee (5): He must have, if he said that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the highest truth. How else could he know but reading your books?
When you were with Maharishi? Come here.
Room Conversation with Tripurari -- March 2, 1975, Atlanta: Prabhupāda: When you were with Maharishi? Come here.
Doug: I joined the Maharishi in 1969, and at that time I was living in Washington, D.C. And his national director came, gave a lecture, and they said that they needed some help because they didn't have a center there. So I organized the movement out of my parents' house. I had the center, and I established lectures at all the colleges and started the movement there. And later on, they finally sent some full-time teachers, and they established a center there. And then I started to be with Maharishi and his different courses and doing extensive meditations for long periods of time. And then eventually he formed a committee. This was in 1971-72. He started to form a college called M.I.U., Maharishi International University. And he started to invite educators, and he wanted to... And he also had this...
Mahesha Yogi and... He, they might have some American followers, but they are not coming here, taking so active part.
Room Conversation -- April 4, 1975, Mayapur: Prabhupāda: They cannot believe that an Indian guru can control so many American young boys on religious prin... Because nobody could do that. Just like all other, Mahesha Yogi and... He, they might have some American followers, but they are not coming here, taking so active part.
Devotee (1): Most of them, if they come here...
Prabhupāda: But they haven't got any philosophy... Eh?
Devotee (1): Most of the followers of Maharishi Mahesh Yogi or these other gurus, if they come to India, it's just to go into the Himalayas and smoke some ganja...
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Bhagavān: They are not dramatic like our movement. Our movement is very dramatic and obvious.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Bhagavān: And we're an obvious cultural movement, whereas they are a hobby.
Prabhupāda: Hobby. That they can understand. So on account of this political situation, the government is not very favorable to our movement. But we have to counteract it by our behavior, by our propaganda.
Even he has recommended, Mahesh Yogi. Maharishi has got respect for me.
Morning Walk -- June 21, 1975, Los Angeles: Bahulāśva: Actually, they read our books, Śrīla Prabhupāda. We were speaking at this one yoga center, and they say that they go to their swami to learn exercises, but for knowledge they must read the books by Your Divine Grace.
Prabhupāda: Yes. Even he has recommended, Mahesh Yogi.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Really? To that boy.
Prabhupāda: Yes, you know? To his secretary. When he asked him that "I want real spiritual life," then he said, "Then go to Kṛṣṇa consciousness."
Bahulāśva: They have started a university also, and they are using your books at that university.
Prabhupāda: That's nice. (laughs)
Bahulāśva: Yeah, Maharishi, they are reading Bhagavad-gītā.
Prabhupāda: No, Maharishi has got respect for me.
University without books. (laughter) Very good university. Anyway, if they are taking our books, that is good.
Morning Walk -- June 28, 1975, Denver: Satsvarūpa: (break) Prabhupāda, yesterday one of the library parties visited this Maharishi University which is an estate nearby. And it's very impressive they said. It's a big university, many buildings. But in the library they had no books of Vedic literature, so they took our books. And they said they are very glad to get them. They had nothing. Buildings, but no books.
Prabhupāda: University without books. (laughter) Very good university. Anyway, if they are taking our books, that is good. What he will have? He is also another bogus man. But you people want to be cheated by this yoga, meditation. Therefore he has been able to get some facility. Only a selected group has come to me. Otherwise, they do not understand this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
Kuruśreṣṭha: Those people won't listen to any philosophy.
Prabhupāda: Therefore they have been cheated by this man.
And if there is good result, then government will... Just like they have thought Maharishi's movement is...
Room Conversation with the Mayor of Evanston -- July 4, 1975, Chicago: Prabhupāda: That is the idea. We are not going to stop for anything. We are going on with our movement.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: No. So the point is we need a larger scale...
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Brahmānanda: And we need help from the government.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, right.
Prabhupāda: And if there is good result, then government will... Just like they have thought Maharishi's movement is...
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah, they are supporting, the government is supporting that movement.
Prabhupāda: We are not being supported, why? We have not come to the notice of the government.
That Mahesh Yogi also says like that.
Morning Walk -- July 21, 1975, San Francisco: Devotee (1): One of Yogi Bhajan's devotees has said that Yogi Bhajan recently said if you really want spiritual knowledge to come to Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Devotee (2): That's intelligent.
Prabhupāda: That Mahesh Yogi also says like that. (chuckles) And that, what is called, Satchitananda? He also says that.
He says, "There is no restriction, or no philosophy, no faith."
Morning Walk -- August 27, 1975, Vrndavana: Brahmānanda: TM, Transcendental Meditation.
Prabhupāda: And what is the items they say?
Brahmānanda: No philosophy, no belief, no restrictions.
Prabhupāda: (laughs) Just see. He advertises. Mahesh Yogi.
Indian man: Mahesh Yogi, yes. Followers, they are taking everything.
Prabhupāda: He says, "There is no restriction, or no philosophy, no faith."
Maharishi? Oh. You got his mantra? How much you paid for that?
Morning Walk -- October 20, 1975, Johannesburg: Harikeśa: No, I was never with Meher Baba. (laughter) I just bring up all these points just so you can defeat them. I was with Maharishi.
Prabhupāda: Maharishi? Oh. You got his mantra? How much you paid for that?
Harikeśa: Thirty-five dollars. (laughter)
Prabhupāda: And what was the mantra?
Harikeśa: "Aing."
Prabhupāda: "Aing"? That's all?
Harikeśa: That's all. And they told me, "Never tell anybody else, 'cause if you tell somebody else the whole thing is ruined."
Prabhupāda: Oh, you are also ruined? No, he is also ruined? No?
Harikeśa: I don't know.
"There" means where? Hell. (laughter)
Morning Walk -- October 20, 1975, Johannesburg: Harikeśa: Not like in San Francisco, though, Los Angeles. Once they gave the Maharishi four big pills of LSD.
Prabhupāda: Who?
Harikeśa: His disciples gave him, Maharishi, four big pills of LSD.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Maharishi?
Harikeśa: Yes. And he just stood there and said nothing happened. So everybody said, "This is proof that he's already there."
Prabhupāda: Huh?
Harikeśa: Because he just stood there and said, "Nothing is happening to me," everybody has figured that he is already there.
Prabhupāda: "There" means where?
Harikeśa: At the ultimate.
Prabhupāda: Hell. (laughter)
No, he has no idea.
Room Conversation -- October 21, 1975, Johannesburg: Prabhupāda: Read Bhagavad-gītā As It Is.
Guest: I've got it. I am reading it. Each time I read it, I find I read it a little better.
Prabhupāda: Aurobindo has no clear knowledge. And which other swami you are reading?
Guest: We've read... Which one did you read?
Woman: Maharishi.
Prabhupāda: No, he has no idea.
Otherwise the so-called yogis, sādhus, swamis, they are making good luck business simply by promising that you'll get this material power. This Mahesh Yogi he says that, what is his philosophy?
Room Conversation -- December 14, 1975, New Delhi: Prabhupāda: But nobody is interested in advancement of spiritual life. Generally they take to religion, religiosity, for material happiness. Artho 'rhati. I am distressed, I have no money, or I am suffering from some disease; you'll find all these. So all of them go to the sādhus only for this purpose. Sir, I am suffering from some disease, so without going to the doctor, and saving so much money, let me pay hundred rupees to the sādhu and he'll give me his blessings. So I will save thousands of rupees, for curing the disease. For this purpose they go to sādhu. Nobody goes to sādhu for going back to home back to godhead. It is only (material) proposition. Otherwise the so-called yogis, sādhus, swamis, they are making good luck business simply by promising that you'll get this material power. This Mahesh Yogi he says that, what is his philosophy?
Harikesa: He says that if you renounce now, you can enjoy later. That if you take some austerity now, like meditation, abstaining from certain things, that later on you can enjoy sex life unlimitedly, have clear intelligence unlimtedly, and ultimately become the...
Prabhupāda: The Mahesh Yogi, TM. Transcendental meditation. But I don't think they say that if you undergo austerities you...
Harikesa: No, that was in the beginning they were saying...
Prabhupāda: Oh now he has changed!
Harikesa: Now he has changed, because it was too unpopular.
Prabhupāda: It is business.
Bhāgavata: Rajneesh is also like that.
1976 Conversations and Morning Walks
The whole thing, this transcendental meditation, that, what is that, Maharishi Yogi, they are doing all nonsense and advertising, "We are transcendental meditation."
Morning Walk -- February 3, 1976, Mayapura: Prabhupāda: Rascal. He is doing transcendental meditation. He got so much opportunity to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He did it in the beginning very nicely. A rascal, he became victim. These things are for ajitendriyāṇām. Those who are not able to control the senses, they make this business, transcendental meditation, and secretly doing all nonsense. The whole thing, this transcendental meditation, that, what is that, Maharishi Yogi, they are doing all nonsense and advertising, "We are transcendental meditation."
Hari-śauri: They openly advertise that "If you do transcendental meditation, then you can do your business better, you can have better sex life."
Prabhupāda: And that's all. So you can do your sense gratification process, yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi tuccham, what is condemned by Prahlāda Mahārāja, that "This kind of happiness is most abominable and insignificant."
Maharishi. He is giving assurance, "If you practice this yoga, then you'll be very able to do your business nicely. Your..." These things are.... And he is guru.
Morning Walk -- March 14, 1976, Mayapur: Prabhupāda: That is enjoined, ordered, "You should not become guru if you cannot save him. You should not become father if you cannot save him." This is sastric injunction. First word is gurur na sa syāt pitā na sa syāt. Why you are claiming? Just like.... We are not going to become guru like that.... What is that rascal? Yogi...?
Gurukṛpā: Guru Mahārāja.
Revatīnandana: Which one? There's many rascals.
Prabhupāda: That big rascal, transcendental meditation.
Madhudviṣa: Maharishi.
Prabhupāda: Maharishi. He is giving assurance, "If you practice this yoga, then you'll be very able to do your business nicely. Your..." These things are.... And he is guru.
Mahāṁśa: And he charges them a fabulous amount of money.
He said, this Mahesh Yogi. "My business is cheating because the rascals wanted to be cheated. So why shall I not cheat and get some money?"
Morning Walk -- March 14, 1976, Mayapur: Prabhupāda: No, no, they say to their friend that "These people want to be cheated. Why shall I not cheat?" He says. One of his secretaries came to him.... "If you want God, then go to Bhaktivedanta Swami."
Pañca-draviḍa: He said that.
Prabhupāda: He said, this Mahesh Yogi. "My business is cheating because the rascals wanted to be cheated. So why shall I not cheat and get some money?"
Gurukṛpā: But he doesn't give the money to you, though. He knows you are real.
Prabhupāda: No.... Not.... That is another thing, but he knows that "God consciousness you can get there."
Mahāṁśa: Yesterday you said that one cheater takes from the other cheater; so he is a cheater, he is taking from other cheaters.
Gurukṛpā: You mentioned in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that one cheater takes the money, another cheater takes it...
Prabhupāda: No, no, his business is cheating. His business is cheating. He said, "These rascals want to be cheated, so why not cheat?"
If you supply imitation thing, it may go for some time, but it will not endure.
Conversation with News Reporters -- March 25, 1976, Delhi: Prabhupāda: Yes, because we are supplying real gold. We are giving real gold. We are not supplying imitation gold. That is the credit. If you supply imitation thing, it may go for some time, but it will not endure. So many swamis and yogis go there, but just these.... Ask these American boys. They don't care for them.
Reporter (5): But even Mahesh Yogi has a considerable following in America and a lot of Western countries.
Prabhupāda: No solidified.
How many Mahesh Yogi has brought, disciples like this?
Conversation with News Reporters -- March 25, 1976, Delhi: Reporter (5): I didn't meant to compare Swamiji's teachings with that of Mahesh Yogi's, but I...
Prabhupāda: No, how many Mahesh Yogi has brought, disciples like this? Practical, come, come, practical point. Have you seen in India Mahesh Yogi's disciples like...?
Reporter (5): Well, whenever he comes to Delhi he brings two, three jumbo jets full of disciples.
Prabhupāda: This is my answer. Thousands of them are working here on my behalf. Just see their character and behavior.
One of his secretaries, he asked that "I want real knowledge of God." He said, "Then you go to ISKCON."
Conversation with News Reporters -- March 25, 1976, Delhi: Reporter (4): Swamiji, may I say something? A magician can create many charismas. But God also create charismas. Who will you compare? The magician charismas or the God's charisma? This is the difference. A magician can also sometimes impress upon people that he has godly powers, but are they the real godly powers as against real godly powers? This is the difference. I have been at least thirty times to America, talked to lot of people. They say if you want to go really for attainment of your soul, you go to ISKCON.
Prabhupāda: Even Mahesh Yogi says. Yes.
Reporter (4): And if you want to attain your bodily strength...
Prabhupāda: Yes, actually. One of his secretaries came to us. One of his secretaries, he asked that "I want real knowledge of God." He said, "Then you go to ISKCON."
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: That's true.
That Mahesh Yogi advertises in the paper, "TM: You don't require any religion, don't require to follow any principles," and so on, so on. But I have got so many strictures; still, they do not go to him. They come to me."
Conversation with News Reporters -- March 25, 1976, Delhi: Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: They say that you can chant some mantra and go on with your sinful life. But the practical result is that people's lives remain the same. They may simply divert themselves from their suffering temporarily. But in reality their condition of life is the same. They're still in a miserable condition of life, whereas Prabhupāda is actually lifting us out of the well of misery to the atmosphere of blissfulness.
Prabhupāda: That Mahesh Yogi advertises in the paper, "TM: You don't require any religion, don't require to follow any principles," and so on, so on. But I have got so many strictures; still, they do not go to him. They come to me. He has no stricture, but I have got so many stricture. And it is the report of the draft department that "Why the young men come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement? What is the facility?" So they studied. So they reported, "There is no facility, simply rigidity. Still they go there."
There are different groups. But I do not go in detail to understand them. We have got a crucial test. That anyone who does not know about Kṛṣṇa, he is put into four different types of categories as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā.
Room Conversation with Reporter -- June 4, 1976, Los Angeles: Reporter: I wonder if you might have any opinions on some of the leaders of cults and groups in the United States, such as the Divine Light Mission, or the T.M. and so forth. I'm wondering if you have any opinions on Guru Maharaj-ji or Maharishi Mahesh Yogi.
Prabhupāda: There are different groups. I know that. But I do not go in detail to understand them. But our..., we have got a crucial test. That anyone who is..., does not know about Kṛṣṇa, he is put into four different types of categories as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. One category is that he is sinful. Another category is that he is rascal. Another category is that he's lowest of the mankind. Another category is that his so-called knowledge is taken away by illusory energy. So this is our test.
Still, any Indian who comes to speak about some culture like this, you flock together. Why? Why you go to this Maharishi, this Bal Yogi, and this one. Why?
Morning Walk -- July 11, 1976, New York: Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They say that it is due to this culture that India has been kept down. Because the British taught them that, and now they themselves think like that.
Prabhupāda: Still, any Indian who comes to speak about some culture like this, you flock together. Why? Why you go to this Maharishi, this Bal Yogi, and this one. Why?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: They're from India.
Prabhupāda: Because you expect something from India. They are cheating, that is different thing, but you go there to get something from India. That's a fact.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi says that this is material. If you perform this meditation, transcendental meditation, you will be materially benefited.
Press Interview -- October 16, 1976, Chandigarh: Prabhupāda: Maharishi Mahesh Yogi says that this is material. If you perform this meditation, transcendental meditation, you will be materially benefited. That is not spiritual meditation.
They are preparing this big gun and not the mosquito and this Mahesh Yogi and this yogi. You see. They are mosquitoes. For them they don't require any gun.
Room Conversation on New York court case -- November 2, 1976, Vrindaban: Prabhupāda: Yes. So this gun is required not for killing a mosquito. (laughter) Big enemy. So they are preparing this big gun and not the mosquito and this Mahesh Yogi and this yogi. You see. They are mosquitoes. For them they don't require any gun. So for big enemy, big gun, you see. They are preparing big gun, that means Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is big enemy. It is not mosquito. So you remain a big enemy, you don't become a mosquito. That is wanted. Immediately arrange this meeting here. Call all the Vaiṣṇavas, all.
1977 Conversations and Morning Walks
Yes, that's a fact.
Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara: Rāmeśvara: Viṣṇu Devananda. And he is publishing pamphlets against Maharishi, that "This is completely bogus. In the name of meditation it is completely fraud, bluff, bogus." And he mails out these pamphlets all over America. He takes out ads in the newspapers trying to expose that "This is not according to any Indian scripture."
Prabhupāda: Yes, that's a fact.
And another rascal will come. (laughs)
Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara: Rāmeśvara: Seems as soon as these people die, like this Sai Baba, Maharishi, then their movement will be finished.
Prabhupāda: And another rascal will come. (laughs)
Because he has come to know that if we can capture, it will be dangerous. That Mahesh Yogi. Yes. He is also.
Morning Conversation -- April 23, 1977, Bombay: Prabhupāda: This is a unique in the history that an Indian sannyāsī has done so alone. That is unique. It is recorded in history. So therefore they are appreciating. They can... They have got common sense that "These rascal go and talk." Now this Bala Yogi has stopped his activities.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Completely.
Prabhupāda: Because he has come to know that if we can capture, it will be dangerous. And this... What is that? Transcendental Meditation?
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Who?
Prabhupāda: That Mahesh Yogi.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Mahesh, Maharishi.
Prabhupāda: Yes. He is also.
I think that Maharishi is therefore in Hrishikesh. He's afraid of being arrested or something like that.
Room Conversation With Son (Vrindavan De) -- July 5, 1977, Vrndavana: Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh, yes. It's being investigated by a Congressional subcommittee in America now, Transcendental Meditation. But there's no individual parents getting angry because it doesn't change anything.
Prabhupāda: No.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: It doesn't make you change any different. Actually no one even recognizes any difference after following it. They're fools to begin with, and they come out fools at the end. It says here, it quotes Dr. Stillson Judah. Unfortunately it doesn't quote Dr. Stillson Judah right about us. It seems that Stillson Judah has also written a book about Moon. So it's quoting, "Stillson Judah of the Graduate Theological Union shows a small core of membership, three thousand in the case of the Moonies." It says here that "But through persistent evangelic efforts these groups are winning new converts and attain fiscal stability."
Prabhupāda: I think that Maharishi is therefore in Hrishikesh. He's afraid of being arrested or something like that.
Śatadhanya: He's hiding.
