Trial

Expressions researched:
"trial" |"trials"

BG Chapters 1 - 6

BG 1.21-22, Translation:

Arjuna said: O infallible one, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see those present here, who desire to fight, and with whom I must contend in this great trial of arms.

SB Canto 1

SB 1.7.45, Purport:

The wife of Droṇācārya, Kṛpī, is the sister of Kṛpācārya. A devoted wife, who is according to revealed scripture the better half of her husband, is justified in embracing voluntary death along with her husband if she is without issue. But in the case of the wife of Droṇācārya, she did not undergo such a trial because she had her son, the representative of her husband. A widow is a widow only in name if there is a son of her husband existing. So in either case Aśvatthāmā was the representative of Droṇācārya, and therefore killing Aśvatthāmā would be like killing Droṇācārya. That was the argument of Draupadī against the killing of Aśvatthāmā.

SB Canto 8

SB 8.12.38, Purport:

A devotee should not be agitated under any circumstances, even in the worst reverses. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītā (BG 6.22), yasmin sthito na duḥkhena guruṇāpi vicālyate: because of his full faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, a devotee is never agitated, even in the greatest trials. This pridelessness is possible only for the first-class devotees, of whom Lord Śambhu is one.

CC Adi-lila

CC Adi 5.41, Purport:

We should always remember the differences between spiritual and material actions. The Supreme Lord, being all-spiritual, can perform any act without extraneous help. In the material world, if we want to manufacture an earthen pot, we need the ingredients, a machine and also a laborer. But we should not extend this idea to the actions of the Supreme Lord, for He can create anything in a moment without that which appears necessary in our own conception. When the Lord appears as an incarnation to fulfill a particular purpose, this does not indicate that He is unable to fulfill it without appearing. He can do anything simply by His will, but by His causeless mercy He appears to be dependent upon His devotees. He appears as the son of Yaśodāmātā not because He is dependent on her care but because He accepts such a role by His causeless mercy. When He appears for the protection of His devotees, He naturally accepts trials and tribulations on their behalf.

Nectar of Devotion

Nectar of Devotion 12:

Śukadeva Gosvāmī especially stresses that it has already been concluded that one who has come to the stage of chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra with determination and steadiness must be considered to have already passed the trials of fruitive activities, mental speculation and mystic yoga.

Easy Journey to Other Planets

Easy Journey to Other Planets 1:

He must not pose himself as a vastly learned man simply by quoting statements in books. He must have solid knowledge of the necessary books without superfluous knowledge in others.

15. A regular and successful practice of the above fourteen items will enable the candidate to maintain mental equilibrium even amidst great trials of material loss and gain.

16. In the next stage, the candidate does not become afflicted by lamentation and illusion.

17. He does not deride another's mode of religion or worship, nor does he deride the Personality of Godhead or His devotees.

18. He never tolerates blasphemy against the Lord or His devotees.

19. He should not indulge in the discussion of topics dealing with the relationship between man and woman; nor should he engage in useless topics concerning others' family affairs.

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Introduction to Bhagavad-gita As It Is -- Los Angeles, November 23, 1968 :

Then he gets full satisfaction. This is voluntary. This is called surrender, that "I have tried to satisfy my, the whims of my senses so many lives. I have become frustrated, confused. Let me try this life to satisfy the senses of Kṛṣṇa." That's all. At least let me give a trial one life, and let me see the result.

So our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means that we are requesting everyone that give a trial this life at least. You have satisfied your senses in so many forms of life, huh? The dogs also satisfied their senses, the cat also satisfied his senses, the tiger, and these civilized, uncivilized, these god, everyone. Now you don't try to satisfy your senses, you try to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. That's all. And Kṛṣṇa, being full, complete, if Kṛṣṇa is satisfied, your senses will be satisfied automatically. Therefore His name is Govinda. Govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi. Govinda means who satisfies the senses.

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Lecture on SB 1.7.40 -- Vrndavana, October 1, 1976:

Never. This is pure devotee. Kṛṣṇa is always with him. Kṛṣṇa could do anything, but still they never requested. Neither Kuntī nor Pāṇḍavas. This is pure devotion. A pure devotee will never try to take anything from Kṛṣṇa. He will try to give everything to Kṛṣṇa. So duye lagye hura huri. So here is a trial between the devotee and Lord Kṛṣṇa, and Arjuna has passed the examination. Therefore it is said, evaṁ parīkṣatā dharmaṁ pārthaḥ kṛṣṇena coditaḥ. He's being examined by kṛṣṇena, not ordinary person. But he passed the examination. Why? Naicchad dhantuṁ guru-sutam. In spite of Kṛṣṇa's, I mean to say, injection, that "Do it," he did not like to. Naicchad dhantuṁ guru-sutaṁ yadyapy ātma-hanaṁ mahān. Although he is the greatest criminal.

Lecture on SB 3.26.16 -- Bombay, December 25, 1974:

Bhayam is there, fearfulness is there, so long our existence is not purified. Then there is bhayam. And when existence is purified, then there is no bhayam, no fearfulness. Just like Prahlāda Mahārāja was put to so many trials or tribulation by his father, but he was never afraid of. This is the sign of spiritual advancement, because so long I identify myself with this matter, there will be bhayam, and when I am out of this conception of material existence, when I understand that "I am spirit soul," ahaṁ brahmāsmi, then there is no more bhayam, no fearfulness.

Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati (BG 18.54). This is the symptom of abhayam. Therefore Kṛṣṇa's lotus feet are described, abhaya-caraṇāravinda re. Bhajahuṅ re mana śrī-nanda-nandana-abhaya-caraṇāravinda re. If we take shelter of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, which is called abhaya-caraṇa, no more bhayam.

Lecture on SB 7.9.4 -- Mayapur, February 11, 1976:

So in the beginning he was mahā-bhāgavata, since he was in within the womb of his mother. And later on he is mahā-bhāgavata. This is called nitya-siddha, eternally mahā-bhāgavata. Eternally mahā-bhāgavata never forgets Kṛṣṇa, in any circumstance. That is the sign of mahā-bhāgavata, nitya-siddha. Prahlāda Mahārāja was put into so many trials when he was only a child, still he never forgot Kṛṣṇa. That is the sign of mahā-bhāgavata. In any circumstances.

It does not mean that because one is mahā-bhāgavata he should not be put into trials. He can be put into trials, because the material world is like that. The western country, they, Lord Jesus Christ, he was put into trials but he never forgot Kṛṣṇa. This is sign of mahā-bhāgavata, nitya-siddha.

gaurāṅgera saṅgi-gaṇe nitya-siddha kori 'māne

se jāy brajenda-nandana pāś

If one can understand nitya-siddha bhāgavata, then he immediately becomes eligible to go back to home, to back to godhead. This is the privilege of associating with mahā-bhāgavata.

Lecture on SB 7.9.10 -- Montreal, July 9, 1968:

Constantly, without any cessation. Is it very difficult? You can chant while you are walking in the street, "Hare Kṛṣṇa." Who checks you? There is no tax, there is no price, and if there is some gain, why don't you try it? If there is any gain by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, oh, it is better to give it a trial. We are not charging anything; the government is not taxing anything. You can chant: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Just see the result. At least for one week you chant. It is very nice thing. One does not require to be highly educated or very rich or very beautiful or very famous. No. Anyone. Anyone. Simply God has given us this tongue, we can vibrate nicely. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, just see the result. I think one of our students, Śrīman Hayagrīva brahmacārī, he will give you a nice experience, when he first came here in this class and chanted on the way, how did he feel. There are many instances. Yes.

Lecture on SB Lecture -- Melbourne, May 19, 1975:

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Engage this tongue for these two business. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam. He will forget dog-eating. (laughter) There is no exception. Everyone can become Kṛṣṇa conscious if he follows, beginning, these two rules: chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam. That's all. Test it. Make a trial. The temple is here. We are inviting. Come here. Do these two business. And our Madhudviṣa Mahārāja is ready to give you prasādam and chance for dancing and singing. That's all. Where is the difficulty? You haven't got to pay for it. No loss. If there is any gain, why don't you try it?

Madhudviṣa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, why is it necessary for someone to come here and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam?

Prabhupāda: Just to... Because here is the center. Everything is being done properly. You will learn. Just like you have to go to school or college to learn. So just similarly, if you have to take the education of spiritual life, they will come here and see how people are doing, ideal. And you should be ideal. If you are not ideal, then it will be useless to open center.

Festival Lectures

His Divine Grace Srila Sac-cid-ananda Bhaktivinoda Thakura's Appearance Day, Lecture -- London, September 3, 1971:

We have got now high fever." Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura replied, "Yes, let us all die, but this rascal must be punished." This is the view of pure devotee. So he was put into the custody. And there was a date fixed for his trial, and all these days Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura himself and his family especially, they were suffering from high fever. Maybe that yogi was planning to kill the whole family. But it was going on as fever. So on the trial day, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Kedāranātha Datta, when he came to the bench the man was presented, the so-called yogi, and he had big, big hairs. So Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura ordered that "Bring one barber and cut his hair." So no barber dared. The barbers thought, "Oh, he's a Lord Viṣṇu. If I offend, as he's suffering from fever, so I shall also die." So Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura ordered that "Give me the scissor. I'll cut." So he cut his hairs and ordered him to be put into jail for six months, and in the jail that Viṣṇu incarnation managed to take some poison, and he died.

General Lectures

Lecture -- Tokyo, May 1, 1972:

And that is not possible. You cannot lord it over. The Lord is Kṛṣṇa, but we are trying to be lord. And the endeavor, the labor which we are giving incessantly, that we are thinking happiness. The nature, the material nature, is putting stumbling block every time. That, to overcome the impediments offered by the material nature and our trial for overcoming that stumbling block, that is our endeavor. And we are thinking this is happiness. Just like you are making one high road and there is, material nature is offering a big hill, a big mountain before you. Now you have to make tunnel. You have to call for dynamite and try to penetrate through the hill. That struggle is known as advancement of material condition. That you cannot. In America and other materialistic countries we see—here also, in Japan—they are laying down one kind of road for plying their motorcars. After some years it becomes a problem—another flyway, another flyway. So this is going on. This is called struggle for existence.

Philosophy Discussions

Philosophy Discussion on Charles Darwin:

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Hayagrīva: So that's all, on Darwin. (break) This is an appendix to the Darwin. In 1925 the Tennessee legislature passed the Butler Act, forbidding the teaching of Darwinism, Darwinian evolution, in the public schools of that state. In May, John Thomas Scopes, a science teacher at Dayton High School, consented to be the defendant in a court test of the law. He was arrested and indicted by a Grand Jury and stood trial on July 1925.

Prabhupāda: Why he was arrested?

Hayagrīva: For teaching Darwinism. For teaching that man descended from the apes.

Prabhupāda: So he was teaching, and the government arrested him?

Hayagrīva: The government, the American government, arrested, yes. The Tennessee legislature arrested him. He was arrested and defended by Clarence Darrow, famous trial lawyer, and the prosecutor was William Jennings Bryan, who was a thrice defeated Presidential candidate. So they discussed evolution and religion and how they could co-exist, and Scopes, who was teaching Darwinian evolution, claimed, "All men have a natural and indefeasible right to worship almighty God according to the dictates of his own conscience. No human authority can in any case whatever control or interfere with the rights of conscience, and that no preference should ever be given by law to any religious establishment or mode of worship."

1972 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- April 20, 1972, Tokyo:

Prabhupāda: So this ten thousand was given from my account. So this has to be replaced. And then, whatever you have got for Māyāpur account, that is to be transferred. That was a trial business. So we took from bank ten thousand worth. So that is done. Now you transfer the ten thousand to my account, and balance you keep ready for transferring. That also I will advise you how to do. Besides that, out of the 33,000, you deposited eighteen thousand?

Karandhara: No. 18,600.

Prabhupāda: Six hundred.

Karandhara: I still owe fifteen thousand.

Prabhupāda: That money is not yet done.

1973 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation with Dr. Christian Hauser, Psychiatrist -- September 10, 1973, Stockholm:

Prabhupāda: Intelligence, maybe. But there must be means. You may be very intelligent, but if you have no means to erect another nice apartment, how it will?

Dr. Hauser: Trial and error.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Dr. Hauser: Trial and error.

Prabhupāda: Just like you have got the desire to purchase another dress, garment, nicer, but if you have no money, then how you can purchase? You have to purchase something inferior. So these different species of life is the evolution of the living soul according to his karma. That is Vedic instruction. Karmaṇā daiva-netreṇa (SB 3.31.1). So I am a living entity. If I want to go to better condition of life, then I'll have to pay for it. Better condition is there already. Not this inferior condition changes into that better condition. That is another thing. Just like the condition in moon planet is different from the condition of this earthly planet. That is already there.

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- January 22, 1974, Hawaii:

Satsvarūpa: When Darwin's theory was first being taught in America, there was opposition from the Christians, and there was a famous court trial called the Scopes case, and the Bible was used to, against this so-called scientific theory. But the Bible is so inadequate that they lost.

Prabhupāda: Yeah, Bible cannot be because it is itself unscientific.

Satsvarūpa: The lawyer proved that the Bible could not disprove the Darwin's theory.

Prabhupāda: Then why do they not reject Bible altogether?

Nitāi: Sentiment.

Prabhupāda: (laughs) Why do they not reject? Why still? Of course, it is sentiment. They do not accept Bible. The so-called Christians, they do not accept Bible.

Bali Mardana: What they say, they say that everything has, it has a hidden meaning. So the literal meaning is not true literally; it has a hidden meaning which is true.

Room Conversation with Professor Oliver La Combe Director of the Sorbonne University -- June 14, 1974, Paris:

Prabhupāda: Court says.

Devotee: The United States government. They had a big trial and everything. So they found tapes and everything, but there was some missing tapes. They could not directly pin him for the whole thing. He said, "I didn't know anything about it." He says, "My men were just doing it. I never told them to do it. They did it on their own, for me. They liked me so much, they were just doing it. I never paid them."

Yogeśvara: Isn't the kṣatriya qualities that he is to be trustworthy?

Prabhupāda: No. When there is political game, everyone does everything to gain his victory. In politics, these things are allowed. Just like killing, fighting, kṣatriya's fighting. That killing is allowed. But killing is not allowed generally. Kṛṣṇa has killed so many. If you take from moral point of view, He's sometimes immoral. He has killed His maternal uncle, Kaṁsa, and Śiśupāla, Śiśupāla, his cousin brother. And Balarāma killed Rukma. Once He saved him, and another time, that Aniruddha's marriage, or something like that... Balarāma killed Rukma, the brother of Rukmiṇī.

Room Conversation with Pater Emmanuel (A Benedictine Monk) -- June 22, 1974, Germany:

Prabhupāda: But if you miss one point, if you commit mistake in calculation in one point, the more you make calculation, add and subtract, it is all mistake. (German) Just like in the bank they daily make a trial balance, and if there is one mistake anywhere, the trial balance does not come.

Pater Emmanuel: I understand.

Prabhupāda: This is called ardha-kukkuṭī-nyāya (Cc. Ādi-līlā 5.176). If you... I will explain. Ardha-kukkuṭī-nyāya means there is a logic of accepting half of the chicken. The chicken or what is called, cock, that?

Haṁsadūta: Oh, the rooster, hens.

Prabhupāda: Hens, rooster, rooster. No, the female is called hen?

Haṁsadūta: Hen.

Prabhupāda: Hen. The hen is giving egg and, by the backside, by the rectum, and eating by the mouth. So one man is considering that "This mouthpiece is expensive because I have to give to eat. Better cut it." So if the mouth is cut, then there will be no egg because it's a dead body. So this is not good logic, (laughing) that the expensive portion may be cut and the profitable portion may be kept. This kind of interpretation will not be helpful. If you accept the whole, this side and that side, then business will go on.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

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

Prabhupāda: Everyone. Mother's affection is natural. Now the civilized mother is killing child. This is your civilization. This is your religion, this is your science, philosophy—everything. And for this, you have created so many big, big buildings to create some less than animals. Civilization is finished unless you take to Kṛṣṇa conscious. Now dictatorship is coming, politics. The dictator can arrest anyone without any trial and stop him. Even their own circle, the Communists... Nobody knows where is Kruschev. Indira Gandhi is doing.

Brahmānanda: Even they arrest you for sleeping now.

Prabhupāda: Yes. I have got enough place to sleep, and they will come, "You cannot sleep." What is this civilization?

Dharmādhyakṣa: Indira Gandhi, she is taking instruction from the Russians. They are encouraging her to do all of this.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Everything is finished. (break) ...principle, strīṣu duṣṭāsu varṇa-saṅkaraḥ abhibavāt.

Morning Walk -- November 7, 1975, Bombay:

Oh, yes. Why don't you arrange for that? You have to arrange. Yes. (break) ...king. Their constitution, first word is "the king can do no wrong." Yes, that is the Vedic system. Suppose a king beheads somebody by his own sword, as it was being done. Nobody can charge him that "Without any trial he has killed this man." No. Whatever is done... Just like we take Kṛṣṇa, apāpa viddham. Kṛṣṇa is never touched with any sinful activities. Apāpa-viddham. Tejiyasam na doṣaya (SB 10.33.29). Just as the sun, because it is very, very powerful, nothing can infect it. These are the dangers. (Hindi?) Of course, if you want to keep one in very exalted post, at the same time, if you want to find fault with him, then that is not good. That is not good. That is also stated, that arcye viṣṇau śilā-dhir guruṣu nara-matiḥ. If somebody thinks that the Deity is made of stone and he criticizes, that is not allowed. If one thinks spiritual master as ordinary human being, that is not allowed. Arcye viṣṇau śilā-dhir guruṣu nara-matiḥ.

Morning Walk -- December 7, 1975, Vrndavana:

Akṣayānanda: They think it's an invasion.

Alanath: Yes. We used to go there sometimes, and it was very good. People took many many books, but sometimes they caught us, so...

Prabhupāda: No, if they caught, go to the jail and when there is trial you should explain that "This is very important book. The government should allow to sell."

Alanath: If the policemen liked us, but the law is strict.

Prabhupāda: Therefore you have to take defense from the law. You present in the court the professors' opinion, how they are giving standing order. Why the state should restrain distributing knowledge? Do they want to keep their men in darkness? You have to preach like that. (break)...University is the most important university in Europe. They read our books. They order standing order. So why this loafer state prohibit?

Alanath: ...these explanations, they always argue, "If we allow you to sell your books, then we must allow everybody to sell on the street."

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Evening Darsana -- July 7, 1976, Washington, D.C.:

Bill Sauer: Well, I believe there is a matrix of creation, a spiritual... Technical people call it an electromagnetic world, where I'm sure a lot goes on that we are unaware of, but I believe the... It's like one product of the fourth kingdom is the automobile. And that has it's spiritual world. Automobiles, if you destroyed all the automobiles, there are still blueprints around, there are still things that can manufacture other automobiles. But the trial, the improvement, the development the automobile has to take place as an automobile... Likewise, I think the spiritual improvement, the improvement of...

Prabhupāda: Automobile, automatically the automobile does not develop. When a man, a person, develops the design, that is a question of development. But the automobile as it is, it does not develop. It is matter. When matter is handled by a spirit soul, then there is change. Otherwise there is no change.

Room Conversation -- July 10, 1976, New York:

Hari-śauri: We did that in Melbourne. But then gradually we let them see. Then they took us out for a trial run and everything. (break)

Prabhupāda: Note down in the account book. (break)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: ...presents us as a bona fide Vaiṣṇava, Caitanya Mahāprabhu, Vaiṣṇava cult. Says that the ISKCON center, the Māyāpur..., "ISKCON plans to build in Māyāpur a world center for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It will comprise an enormous..."

Prabhupāda: This news has been very much advertised.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: When will we begin?

Prabhupāda: As soon as we get the land.

Room Conversation -- July 18, 1976, New York:

Prabhupāda: Yes. That you do.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: This was only a trial.

Bali-mardana: We have to perfect it now. We have learned that many..., certain things did not go as perfectly as they could have, so now we are going to repair and make it perfect.

Prabhupāda: Now, by this, Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is advertised. Apart from all over the world, at least in New York it is, that "There is some movement."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Prominent movement. Fifth Avenue. We were in charge of Fifth Avenue for one day. Practically we were controlling the Fifth Avenue today.

Hari-śauri: Lord Jagannātha was.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes.

Prabhupāda: If that side we get some small house, so that after going, eight days Jagannātha can remain there and festival going on, and then in the next week return.

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- January 3, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: But they were grown up.

Setterji: My father took my..., that child who was one year old.

Prabhupāda: Oh, father, mother, everyone, whole family. Then how trial they had.

Setterji: Six miles from there, and then we got a...

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: A lot of these Punjabis had to go through this. During the Partition a lot of Punjabis had to face the fight and killing them off.

Prabhupāda: No, in Bengal also there was fight.

Setterji: Huh? First Bengal? Was in Punjab.(?)

Prabhupāda: Noakali there was great fight.

Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: The Bankim Babu, Bankim Chatterji, a famous novelist, he wrote a book, one comic book. Trial is going on, so the witness charged the... First of all the judge charged that "I see you are witness in every case." He was a professional. So, "You are speaking he is sixty years old for the last five years. You do not increase your age?" (laughing) "No, sir. A gentleman has one word. He does not change his word. And do not think me that I am either a lawyer or a prostitute or a newspaper editor."

Gargamuni: Oh. Because they're all liars. Yeah.

Prabhupāda: "My word is one. I do not change my word."

Gargamuni: So a newspaper editor, a lawyer...

Prabhupāda: And a prostitute. (laughs) He classified them in one category.

Gargamuni: Especially these newspapers. When you give an interview, they always print something else.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation Varnasrama System Must Be Introduced -- February 14, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: "It is not brainwash. It is science. You have to know the science." And actually that is the fact. The court case is going on.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. The next... The next date for the trial is on March the 2nd, but it may be postponed until about March the 10th. So Ādi-keśa Mahārāja wanted to take the opportunity to come and visit.

Prabhupāda: Very good. The more it is prolonged, it is good for us. Things will be discussed.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah. We are relishing the opportunity.

Prabhupāda: Yes. (laughs) And it will be published in the paper. It is a good opportunity.

Room Conversation -- February 17, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: You don't take it otherwise. Rather, prove yourself efficient in this subject matter. This is a trial examination for this knowledge.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Jaya. (devotees offer obeisances—break)

Prabhupāda: Ask question. I shall give answer. (break)

Brahmānanda: They say that we have no personal choice. Once we become..., join this movement, we have no longer any personal choice.

Prabhupāda: So we are all fools, we have joined?

Satsvarūpa: We're taken advantage of. They say that young boys, they don't know, and they're just taken advantage of.

Prabhupāda: That is...

Ādi-keśava: (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation with Adi-kesava Swami -- February 19, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Ādi-keśava: So I'm wondering what is the best way to influence them in our trial.

Prabhupāda: They will not. Because our all men are coming from middle class, so they are already against us because their sons have joined. How they can be in our favor?

Ādi-keśava: I don't see any way. (Prabhupāda chuckles) We go to the court and the judges always say...

Prabhupāda: But there are many fathers and mothers, they have... Mothers, they have appreciated our... So as far as possible, take... But because they are concerned, they have lost their children—they are against us. So you want that one... Tripurāri is sufficient?

Ādi-keśava: I think so. He is very good.

Prabhupāda: Or anyone else. You can suggest. You can take.

Ādi-keśava: If he is there, that's good.

Prabhupāda: That's nice.

Morning Conversation -- April 11, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: We have already seen the defect.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: (reading:) "Baboons imported for FP vaccine trials. Twenty-five baboons have been specifically imported from Africa for crucial experiments with the birth control vaccine developed three years ago at the All-India Institute of Medical Sciences. The five male and twenty female baboons which came two months ago are kept in the institute's animal house for use in trials before the vaccine could be cleared for use on women." About anti-pregnancy vaccine. "The baboons will be used in the experiments to find out if the sterility induced by the vaccine is reversible and whether the baby baboons, born after such reversal, are normal both mentally and physically."

Prabhupāda: Abnormal.

Room Conversation -- October 12, 1977, Vrndavana:

Jayapatākā: Even after the incident, when Gopāla Kṛṣṇa went and saw the chief secretary of West Bengal, he requested him that "Please do not be discouraged by these incidents. Do not shift your plan from West Bengal. These things will all be settled up, and I'll see that there will be an impartial investigation and trial." The chief minister wrote a letter that his party... (break)

Prabhupāda: He wants to sell it. What does he want?

Jayapatākā: Right now he's asking... Actually right now he's more eager than ever to sell his land. The sādhu next to us, Praphulla Brahmacari, both of us, we met together, and we made a verbal agreement that we wouldn't give him any hope for purchasing his land at a high price. And as the result, now because of this incident... Before he had some hope that some outside person would come and buy land. But now the outside people, they don't want to purchase land at Māyāpur. So now he has no other hope than to sell either to us or to that brahmacārī. So now he's still asking four thousand. He's come from six to four. But it's even appearing that within a short time he may come down to three thousand.

Room Conversation -- October 31, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Huh. No more, no more trial. Adri-dharaṇa?

Adri-dharaṇa: Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: What do you think?

Adri-dharaṇa: About this man?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Follow strictly.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Do you agree that we should follow strictly his advice?

Adri-dharaṇa: From my experience I think he's a very good man. He's a Vaiṣṇava.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We certainly have... We might as well try. We've tried everyone else.

Prabhupāda: Hm.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So let us try.

1967 Correspondence

Letter to Gargamuni -- New York 14 June, 1967:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated June 12 1967 and I am glad that you are being assisted by an accountant friend. I quite appreciate your endeavor, and I think the process suggested by your friend in keeping account will save much of your time. I'm glad that you are figuring trial balance every day. This is very nice. I shall be glad to see one of such trial balance—how you are doing.

So far my health is concerned, I am improving daily, but due to my weakness sometimes I feel dizziness. Your prayer and all other boys' prayers has saved me and I hope to render some service to you all for some more years. Please pray to Krishna and He will give us strength and energy in every respect. Thanking you once more. Hope you are well.

1968 Correspondence

Letter to Robert Pekala -- Los Angeles 13 February, 1968:

We have got many instances from the history of devotee's life as Prahlada Maharaja. He was a small school boy, his father and teachers were all against God Consciousness. Still he flourished and converted all his class fellows to be Krishna Conscious in spite of severe trials experimented on his personal body. So it is only the question of understanding the process how to execute Krishna Consciousness. If you can therefore spare some time to live with me, it will be better. You appear to be a very intelligent boy and I hope you will learn the art quickly.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Montreal 21 June, 1968:

As he is my friend's son, I have requested him to contribute 50% of the profit for delivering to our International Society Indian center, and he has agreed to this proposal.

Now you can consult with Mr. Kallman and send him some trial order on the above basis. His address is as follows:

Ranjit Mullick

7, Kalikrishna Tagore Street

Calcutta-7

INDIA

I am sending a copy of this letter for Ranjit Mullick, for information, and you can now open correspondence with him by asking quotation for the goods you may require presently. And in receipt of the quotation, you can send him the order if you approve the prices. I think you should give him a trial order, and if the transaction is successful, then you can increase the volume of the business.

Letter to Brahmananda -- Los Angeles 12 November, 1968:

I am in due receipt of your two letters dated Nov. 5, 1968, and previous to this I received your other letters along with Rayarama's, with enclosure of Parvat Maharaja's letter, and I think I have replied that. I have written also a separate letter to Acyutananda requesting him first of all to go to Bombay with Jaya Govinda, and if their trial in Bombay failed then he can stay in Vrindaban with determination. But I think if they go together to Bombay there will be good success. And as Jaya Govinda is going to Bombay, I think you should send him a letter of indemnity. When you write to Jaya Govinda please acknowledge receipt of 6 phials of medicine which I have this morning received intact, forwarded by you. This packing was very nice, and there was no loss of medicine. But remind him that 12 phials of medicine which he sent previously by surface mail to Montreal address is not yet received.

Letter to Aniruddha -- Los Angeles 5 December, 1968:

Then, when this is learned you may go on to Srimad-Bhagavatam. In this way we wish to train all of the boys of his age who come to our temples. If you can take charge of this teaching, we can immediately open a teaching department where such instructions can go on. Hayagriva has agreed to take charge of such a teaching department and when he comes to see me soon, I will talk with him in detail. We want such teaching department to teach and raise children to the standard of Krishna Consciousness. You can make trial with Girish and let me know how it is progressing.

Yesterday, we have contracted one nice temple site on La Cienega Boulevard. It is previously a chapel but now I wish to organize it to be one nice temple for Krishna Consciousness. Let us see how Krishna will help us. But there is good possibility to develop it into a nice temple. The rent is $500 each month but they have agreed to $400 for the first year.

1969 Correspondence

Letter to Gargamuni -- Hamburg 29 August, 1969:

I thank you very much for your letter dated August 23rd, 1969 with enclosures. I am sending herewith the copy of the letter addressed to Indo Crafter, giving them a trial order. You can immediately transfer 400 dollars to my savings bank account, The Bank of Baroda, Chandni Chowk, Delhi-6, and upon hearing from you I shall send necessary instructions to the bank.

You have ordered through Acyutananda for supply of wooden mrdangas. This is all right, and we shall see which quality is better. I have also asked Mr. Dhadial to send me samples of Hare Krishna chaddars and kurtas. On receipt of these samples I shall advise you further. I am enclosing herewith back the letters of Bina Musician Stores and Indo Crafter. Keep them carefully in your files.

Letter to Gopala Krsna -- Hamburg 3 September, 1969:

I am a sannyasi, but if some important work requires I dress myself just like a smart gentleman, I would immediately accept it. So it is not a problem. Acyutananda Prabhu is in correspondence with Gargamuni, and I have already sent one trial order to the Bina Musical Instrument Company in India, of which you have sent me a catalog. I don't think your Montreal center will require many musical instruments, so you may not send order separately.

Regarding Murtis, you will have to prepare a nice altar and throne. The LA temple has done it very nicely, and I am sending herewith the specific design in picture. So your next business will be to construct a throne and altar, and as soon as they are ready, the Deities will also be received, and maybe I shall go and install Them. But when the Deities are installed in the temple, you have to take personal care. Deity worship is very regulative.

1970 Correspondence

Letter to Bhagavan -- Los Angeles 2 March, 1970:

So persons who are cleansed of sinful life become eligible for spiritual life. From the instructions of Lord Jesus Christ we find that the stress is given to make men free from sinful life—such as "Thou shalt not kill" "Thou shalt not covet"—like that. Therefore the conclusion is that the devotees of Lord Jesus Christ are promoted to the heavenly planets which are within this material world.

Thank you for the copies of the newspaper clipping of the court trial, and I think these several copies are sufficient.

Letter to Harer Nama -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970:

So far chaunce is concerned, I think you have been wrongly advised to burn the cumin seeds and chilis until they are very black. The chili should be added to the hot ghee just after the cumin seed begins to darken in color, and both of them should become brown, but not black or burnt. I think this adjustment with a little trial will improve the dahl for offering to the Deities.

But I see that you have many such questions about our philosophy. Under the circumstances it would be very good if you come to Los Angeles for some time to learn these questions and answers in the daily classes here. This is a good opportunity to clear up any doubts or misunderstandings, and the best program is if you come here for study. I am personally lecturing here weekly especially for our devotees.

1971 Correspondence

Letter to Jayapataka -- Brooklyn 28 July, 1971:

So far account keeping is concerned, are you taking assistance of a professional accountant? At the end of one year you will have to make a balance sheet and trial balance. That takes good experience. Tamala is going to audit the accounts by somebody else, but how can they be audited in the absence of trial balance? So if you have actually made a trial balance and balance sheet please send me a copy before it is audited. On the whole our account should be kept very nicely because we are dealing with the public's money.

In Calcutta there is no International Society Book fund a/c. So all book fund money may be directly transferred by mail to Gowalia Tank Road Branch of Central Bank of India to account number 14876.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Brooklyn 28 July, 1971:

And another thing is, I do not know how you are going to audit the accounts without making the accounts perfect. The auditing of accounts is done when the business account is made perfect by drawing trial balance and balance sheet. Have you done these things? They must be made by an experienced accountant. I do not know how Jayapataka or Rsi Kumar can draw up this trial balance and balance sheet. Anyway somehow or other you have to prepare them, then talk of auditing. Send me a copy of what you have made. According to law our Society is registered within (less than) one year, so I don't think a one year trial balance sheet is necessary, therefore there is no question of auditing the account.

Letter to Giriraja -- London 12 August, 1971:

Too many cooks spoil the broth. I have therefore asked Tamala and Gurudasa to go to Delhi for organizing a center there. Jayapataka can take care of the accounts and you and Revatinandana Maharaja along with other assistants be engaged in collecting funds. That will be nice. Tamala wants our accounts audited but I have asked for the trial balance and balance sheet, but Tamala is silent on this point. How things will be audited unless accounts are kept systematically according to the scientific accounting system? Scientific keeping of accounts is tested by the trial balance and balance sheet.

GBC does not mean to control a center. GBC means to see that the activities of a center go on nicely. I do not know why Tamala is exercising his absolute authority. That is not the business of GBC. The president, treasurer and secretary are responsible for managing the center. GBC is to see that things are going nicely but not to exert absolute authority. That is not in the power of GBC. Tamala should not do like that.

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 14 August, 1971:

So it is not a relief for me, rather it is becoming a little troublesome. Anyway, by the grace of Krishna things will be settled up very soon.

I am very glad to know that your trial balance and balance sheet of accounts are being prepared, but I am simply surprised why the professional accountant did not take up this matter first before proposing audit of accounts, because after writing to you about this trial balance, you then said that it is now being prepared. This matter does not seem to be very expertly handled. Anyway do the needful. Prepare the trial balance and balance sheet and mail them to me.

Regarding Delhi, I was sending Ksirodakasayi Das to take charge because Subala Swami was not fixed up and I also requested both you and Gurudasa to go there.

Letter to Tamala Krsna, Gurudasa -- London 23 August, 1971:

While posting this letter, one letter came from Calcutta in which it is said "As for accounts, at least the trial balance sheet has shown great discrepancies. For example, I have collected Rs. 70,000/- from the Maidan advertisers, but only Rs. 55,000/- has been recorded, and after being informed I was able to account for a possible Rs. 5,600/- of the difference, but still Rs 9,400/- is unaccounted for. Also a profit of Rs. 15,000/- was supposed to have been made due to the Maidan program, and that profit was to have paid off a previous Calcutta debt to the building fund, but now that Rs 15,000/- has been spent for maintenance, and an additional Rs 8,000/- of membership money collected since the program has also been spent, so the Calcutta debit is now Rs 23,000/- and is increasing."

Letter to Jayapataka -- London 24 August, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letters dated 17th August, 1971 and have noted the contents carefully. There will be many discrepancies in the trial balance if books are not kept properly. Trial balance means to test how the accounts are kept scientifically. So if the accounts are not kept properly but haphazardly there will never be a correct trial balance. To present a correct trial balance means to correct the whole past accounting system. One letter has just come from Giriraja in which it is said "As for accounts, at least the trial balance sheet has shown great discrepancies. For example I have collected Rs 70,000/- from the Maidan advertisers, but only Rs. 55,000/- has been recorded, and after being informed I was able to account for a possible Rs 5600/- of the difference, but still Rs 9,400/- is unaccounted for. Also a profit of Rs. 15,000/- was supposed to have been made due to the maidan program, and that profit was to have paid off a previous Calcutta debt to the building fund, but now that Rs 15,000/- has been spent for maintenance, and an additional Rs 8000/- of membership money collected since the program has also been spent, so the Calcutta debit is now Rs. 23,000/- and is increasing".

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- London 1 September, 1971:

The accounts are not being kept very scientifically and if there is extravagant spending that should be changed. We should simply accept the bare necessities of life. The balance money and energy should be employed for pushing forward Krishna's mission.

I have seen the rough trial balance in which it is stated that about Rs 13,000/- was spent for travelling expenditure. Of course you are all sons of big rich Americans so it may not be very big amount for you but we poor Indians, to us it is a shocking amount. In our childhood with my father I used to walk 10 miles to save a ticket of 5 paise on the tram car. So we are trained up in that way. Of course it was a very pleasant morning walk. So I wish to know how this big amount was spent for travelling expenditure. You must be very careful in the future. If we have spent Rs 13,000/- for local travelling in Calcutta, then why not purchase a car? One can be gotten for Rs 20,000/- only.

Letter to Madhudvisa -- London 2 September, 1971:

We cannot pay anything under the table in India because we have to keep proper accounts. When I saw Mrs. Amersey, she said that her son is in London. So is it a fact? If so, why not her son sees me here?

Jayapataka Swami has made a trial balance and balance sheet of Calcutta branch. So whether you are also doing like that?

Why don't you take the opinion of our life members whether we should go outside Bombay like Chembur or Santa Cruz? In Santa Cruz there is a nice house for sale. Similarly we can get a place in Chembur for a nominal price only. But I do not think that outside Bombay city will be acceptable by you all. I also think in that way, that outside Bombay it will be not so gorgeous. The Nepeansy Road apartment is also good, so if possible why not send me a descriptive chart of the apartment.

Letter to Jayapataka -- London 2 September, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 25th August, 1971 along with trial balance and balance sheet but I do not follow the debit and credit side. Generally debit side means receiver's side and credit side means payer's side. Apart from that I could not follow what are the following accounts: Temple maintenance a/c (Does this include purchasing of flowers and incense?); Devotee maintenance account; Typewriter a/c; O.P.P.S a/c; B.D.D. Expenses a/c. So I will be glad to know if you will kindly explain what are these accounts. For purchasing the Mayapur land I issued one check from the building fund for Rs 18,000/- as well as one for Rs 3,000/- and also for the fencing I issued one check for Rs 5,000/-. I don't see any mention of that Rs 26,000/- in the trial balance. So what does it mean?

Letter to Karandhara -- Nairobi 9 October, 1971:

So you can use your discrimination and do the needful.

I am in due receipt of your statement of account and similarly every branch of our society should make a periodical trial balance and balance sheet. You can advise to all the branches that such accounts should be kept very nicely so that the public may know that we are very clear in our dealings.

Regarding printing our books and literatures, I may inform you in this connection that I saw one bulletin of "Indian Railways" in which it was specifically advised that every railway servant should see to it that the wheels of the carriages or vehicles must be moving always, which means that the railway is going nicely. Similarly all of us should see that our literatures are profusely distributed. That means that our missionary work is going on nicely. Otherwise we are simply sleeping and eating.

Letter to Bali-mardana -- Calcutta 1 November, 1971:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated 26th October, 1971 with enclosures. I am sorry that your dealing with the draft board has been mishandled and therefore you are in difficulty. Anyway if need be you can go back and face trial as advised by your father's lawyer. I am enclosing herewith a certificate as founder-acarya of ISKCON movement. That is already recognized all over the world. So when you stand for trial you can show them all our books, newspaper cuttings, my certificate and you can plea freely that you are no longer interested in material activities, but you are completely engaged in Krsna's service. Many of our students have been accepted as ordained ministers of religion and in NY the draft board has recognized our institution as a religious establishment. I hope if the things are presented rightly by your lawyer, everything will be all right by Krsna's grace. There was a similar case with Vamanadeva and he was given the right to remain as ordained minister.

Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 26 December, 1971:

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December 9, 1971, along with Trial Balance. Thank you very much. I am very pleased to hear that the African boys are becoming serious devotees. That is the proof of your preaching work, that it becomes touchstone and turns iron to gold. So go on very vigorously in this way, travelling, preaching, selling our books and magazines, distributing prasadam, like that. As long as we keep ourselves pure for preaching, then we shall have all good results—of that there is no doubt. One thing, make certain that your routine work is going on nicely—chanting 16 rounds, rising early, cleansing, street Sankirtana, etc.—then all other programs will be successful. If routine work becomes slack or neglected, then all other attempts will fail. We should always cling to the Lotus Feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead by following very strictly the routine work of devotional service, and then we shall qualify to associate with the Lord by becoming very pure, and that is our real happiness, know if for certain.

Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 26 December, 1971:

So if you can arrange in that way, and if you send me two tickets round-trip from Bombay, then I shall come when you call.

Your trial balance is very nice. I am pleased to see that you are making many Life Members also. I think that if you send a list of our Africa members to Tamala Krishna in Bombay, that will be impressive for making more Life Members here also. We are now trying to get one very suitable house here for our India headquarters. The cost is rupees 10 lakhs, and it is located in a very rich quarter of the city, with many aristocratic houses nearby. I have told my students here that if they simply make two Life Members in India daily, then I shall do all the rest so far other arrangements and plans. Similarly, if you go on like this making members regularly, as many as possible, then all good results are guaranteed in Africa also.

1972 Correspondence

Letter to Cyavana -- Bombay 18 January, 1972:

As you are so quickly managing the affairs of East African campaign, I am sure you have all blessings of Lord Krishna, so continue to work very hard for His pleasure and all of you will go back to Home, back to Godhead.

Your Trial Balance is very good, and it should be an example to all the other centers. I am sending a copy of it to all the other centers.

I shall be leaving here (Bombay) on 23rd instant, but we shall cable flight details later. If there is satisfactory program there, if you are getting that new place, then I may stay for some time in Africa as there is not much hope for Mayapur program here due to government ban on foreigners in Nadia District.

Letter to Hrdayananda -- New York 9 July, 1972:

You must become conversant in every feature wherever it is needed throughout the society. Out first business is to preach to the devotees and to maintain the highest standard of Vaisnava education. Management must be there as well, just as I am preaching daily from S. Bhagavatam, B.G., but I am also going to the bank, making investments, seeing the trial balance making letters, seeing how things are going on, like that. So you must become expert in all these matters, just as I am giving you example . . . Syamasundara has passed on your telephone message that you wish to open a Vedic college or school of higher Krishna Consciousness education there at Houston. That is not very much desirable. Actually, every center should be a college, and this is our training, singing dancing, working, temple worship, like that . . .

Try to understand the subject matter from different varieties or approaches. For example, we know from Bhagavad-gita that Krishna says He is the taste in water.

Letter to Gurudasa, Yamuna -- Bombay 31 December, 1972:

You may order the Balarama deity to be made also by this Murtiwalla. I think Malati has written you one letter in this connection. And if she gets time, then Yamuna may come also for few days to Bombay pandal, being on this side.

I have inspected the trial balance carefully. Of course I do not know what are the prices and so many other things, but I find one discrepancy which you may please make clear to me. The opening bank balance on December 2 is Rs. 7870.50 and for the month of December I find you have deposited twice, on twelfth instant, one sum of Rs. 2630.00 and Rs. 111.00. So the total come to Rs. 10611.50. So far expenditures are there, there is one check drawn on the 5th instant for Rs. 600, one check drawn on the 12th instant for electrical supplies for Rs. 45, one check drawn on the 14th instant for supplies of Rs. 4665.51, and on the 15th instant one check has been drawn for Rs. 3571.26. Subtracting the expenditures of Rs. 8881.77 from the total bank balance including deposits, or Rs. 10611.50, it comes to Rs. 1727.73 as final balance in bank. But you have declared that your figure for final balance in bank is Rs. 1643.79.

1974 Correspondence

Letter to Tamala Krsna -- Los Angeles 11 January, 1974:

Regarding the starting of a school in Vrindaban, yes engage Hari Goswami in a trial period there in Vrindaban. He should be engaged teaching Hindi and Sanskrit and if he does it nicely then he can transfer to Gurukula in Dallas. So for now he should also train up an assistant. Yes, we can start such classes in Bombay and Vrindaban for now. My wanting these subjects taught is a plea for getting the students visa. It is not for actually becoming great scholars. This was the impression I gave the Consulate General in N.Y. and he is helping. Dr. Kapoor has already refused to teach language. He is interested in teaching philosophy but we don't require it. We have everything required in the Bhagavatam. I want that the students can nicely recite the sanskrit verses and then they can read the full purport in English.

Letter to Jayapataka , Bhavananda -- Bombay 9 May, 1974:

Up to 5,000 to 10,000 rupees for purchasing land there is always available from the Mayapur-Vrindaban Trust fund. You write that you now have Rs. 9000/ so another 10,000/ will be made available to you for this purpose.

As for the hand-tiller from Japan that you are using on a trial basis, you should ask Bali Mardan to supply you this Japanese machine. He has good connections in Japan. He can provide you that same Japanese motor hand-tiller much cheaper or even free.

The news that you are able to keep up the prasadam program which is now up to 1500 persons on Sunday is very welcome and I hope you can continue this without stoppage. The success of Bhavananda Maharaja's English lessons of the Varnasrama College has given me great pleasure and I am sure many devotees will come from this program. It is a first class idea.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Bombay 8 December, 1974:

I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 2, 1974 with enclosed copy of Trial Balance from June '73 to June '74. and also your telegram reading as follows: ONE THOUSAND RUPEES BOOKS SOLD MAYAPUR RAS PURNIMA DAY THOUSAND VISITED CHANDRADOYA MANDIR PRASADAM DISTRIBUTED—

GARGAMUNI SWAMI.

So this is very nice. Why not reprint our Gitar Gan in Japan fifty thousand copies? Our temple is getting more and more famous. It is already famous as the sahib temple. And it will become even more famous when there is gate. __ walls, kitchen, prasadam pavilion, and lake. Then it will be very nice. So I am looking forward to seeing these things when I return to Mayapur.

Letter to Gargamuni -- Bombay 8 December, 1974:

And it will become even more famous when there is gate. __ walls, kitchen, prasadam pavilion, and lake. Then it will be very nice. So I am looking forward to seeing these things when I return to Mayapur. This next Sunday I am planning to start for Honolulu.

Please send the monthly trial balances.

1976 Correspondence

Letter to Jayapataka -- Vrindaban 23 October, 1976:

Make the management perfect in this way. Things should be developed in such a way, based on devotional service, that there may not be any racial feelings. This is Kali-yuga. Very easily racial feelings are awakened on the material platform, but on the spiritual platform there is no such thing. Yes, what you are describing is the banking system. Every day, until the trial balance is calculated, no employee can leave the bank. That was the old system in Indian business.

One elderly gentleman, who claims to be my Godbrother, named Jayanarayana das Babaji, from Burdwan district, will be coming there. You may give him a place.

1977 Correspondence

Letter to Harikesa -- Bombay 28 April, 1977:

Do not be worried. I have written one letter to Radhavallabha telling the Press to immediately print all pending German books lying with them in Los Angeles. I have got all my blessings upon you so organize everything very nicely and see that we come out successful in this trial.