Good idea (Conversations)

Expressions researched:
"good idea" |"good ideas"

1968 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- October 27, 1968, Montreal, With First Devotees Going to London On Evening of Their Departure:

Prabhupāda: So why don't you do it? He is a very nice cooker.

Janārdana: If he stays here to cook, that's a very good idea.

Prabhupāda: Yes, he'll stay. And I have told him already. And I have asked all the students in America chased by this draft board may come here.

Yamunā: You're going to have to get a bigger building.

Devotee (2): There won't be anybody left in America.

Prabhupāda: No. In our connection, our students, let him come here. So these two boys, Jayapatāka and Vaikuṇṭha, in the same process receive. And therefore I was thinking that let us start press and restaurant and engage all these boys. So you can... (break) ...center.

1969 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation with Allen Ginsberg -- May 11, 1969, Columbus, Ohio:

Kīrtanānanda: Everyone here. More from Buffalo.

Allen Ginsberg: What I think might be a good idea is, would it be possible to have the devotees start on the stage, and then if it looks like the audience is not singing vivaciously enough, have the devotees go out and sing... Walk up and down singing?

Prabhupāda: When the audience joins, that will be very nice.

Allen Ginsberg: Yes. Do you have a picture of the words written out for the audience? 'Cause if they've got that...

Hayagrīva: Yes, we have that.

Room Conversation with Allen Ginsberg -- May 11, 1969, Columbus, Ohio:

Kīrtanānanda: Why don't you lead?

Prabhupāda: Huh? I can lead.

Allen Ginsberg: That's a good idea.

Prabhupāda: I can lead.

Allen Ginsberg: That's a groovy idea.

Hayagrīva: I think what we'll do is you lead the first chant, and then...

Prabhupāda: Others will respond.

Hayagrīva: And then Mr. Ginsberg can talk a little of his experiences, and then you talk. And then Mr. Ginsberg lead the second.

Prabhupāda: That's all right.

Meeting with Devotees -- June 9, 1969, New Vrindaban:

Prabhupāda: (chuckles) This is not a good proposal. Then where you want to stay?

Hayagrīva: I'd like to go to India. Well, maybe I could travel with you. That would be nice.

Prabhupāda: No. That is not good idea. You have started this New Vrindaban. You must finish it. So you must be in charge of this place. We have to do so many things. So...

Hayagrīva: What about... Why can't two people be in charge? Why can't we both...?

Prabhupāda: No. Then he will work as vice president? Or what do you want? Temple command?

Hayagrīva: I don't know. The title doesn't make any difference. The title doesn't matter. It's just that we agree on basic issues which I think that we should agree on, not that an issue comes up, and I have one idea about, and he says, "No. I want it this way," and I can't do anything about it. For instance, say I don't want to cut down the tree there, and he says the tree must be cut down. That doesn't leave me anywhere. See? That leaves me to say, well... He can pull rank on me, which is something... I mean I'd just as soon not be involved.

1970 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- December 13, 1970, Indore:

Prabhupāda: Yes, tell them.

Haṁsadūta: I think that's a good idea.

Prabhupāda: You can say now, "If anyone wants to see us, please come at five o'clock, early in the morning." Then I shall see how much serious he is. Now I have decided to go to Delhi. Even Gurudāsa suggests rightly. All of us, we should go to Delhi.

Yamunā: It might be difficult to make arrangements, Guru Mahārāja. The place where Gurudāsa is presently staying is not equipped for ten people at present. We'll have to arrange.

Prabhupāda: No, we can arrange in the Birla's house. He has a nice dharmaśāla. You know Birla's house?

Yamunā: Yes. We were invited to stay there for ten days.

Prabhupāda: So that's all right. So, who invited?

1971 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- December 12, 1971, Delhi:

Prabhupāda: If you please him, then he is responsible. Yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi. If you displease him then you are nowhere. So, if you take it in this way, that my spiritual master has taken responsibility so whatever nonsense I do, it doesn't matter. The Christians are thinking like that. Jesus Christ has taken contract for all our sinful activities, so we can do anything, whatever we like. But that is not the fact. If one takes responsibility for you, you must abide by his order. Otherwise how is that, that he simply takes responsibility and you don't abide by his order? It is reciprocal. But the Christians are thinking, "Because we have taken to Christian religion, now we are safe. We can do anything we like and Lord Jesus Christ will compensate. He'll be every time crucified and we can go on doing all nonsense." Is it not? Then? That's not a very good idea. This is, as Viśvanātha Cakravartī said, yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo **. If you please your spiritual master, then God will be pleased. If you don't please him, then you are nowhere. So first of all you please Jesus Christ, that is reasonable, then he takes the responsibility. If you disobey Jesus Christ in every step, what is his responsibility? That is a misconception.

1972 Conversations and Morning Walks

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

Prabhupāda: Yes. So that is the way of learning what is God. The main business is that one must know God. It is not that because I approach some person and he did not know, he could give me the right knowledge of God, then I give up this idea of knowing God. No. That will not..., that is not good for human life. Then you remain animal. I might have been cheated or I might not have approached the proper person, but that does not mean that I can stop that idea. That is not... In another place it is said, tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam (SB 11.3.21). One who is actually inquisitive to understand the highest benefit of life, he must approach a guru. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ. Jijñāsu means inquisitive. Śreya—the highest benefit of life. Uttamam-highest. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam. Ṣābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ. What is the qualification of such a person? Ṣābde pare ca niṣṇātaṁ. He is completely well versed in the transcendental science. And what is the symptom that he is well versed? Brahmaṇy upaśamāśrayam. He has taken shelter of Brahma or Kṛṣṇa or God. Upāsanā-finishing all desires. These two things: he is a devotee and he has no more material desires. He must be well versed in the science, he must be a devotee, and he has no attraction for material things. These three things, if you can find, then he's perfect guru. Everything is there in the śāstra; therefore books should be consulted. If you have no books, those who are discussing books, you should approach them, you should hear them. Just like we are holding class, morning, evening. People can come here, take advantage what we are speaking, then gradually they can understand. But we cannot avoid that. That is not good idea. If I say that "I went to church. I'm not very much enlightened; therefore I give up this attempt," oh, that is not good.

1973 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- February 26, 1973, Jakarta:

Prabhupāda: Very good idea. This is very nice.

Guest (2): So because we have so many in the prosecuting of their religions, there might be, the people between many religions (indistinct). So the government have to lead the people how (indistinct), to supply also, in the (indistinct) of their materials for readings, and facilities for their, prosecuting their religions. This is the actual (indistinct) department.

Prabhupāda: So this is the idea which I was explaining that...

Guest (2): (Indonesian) As a matter of fact, also that we are looking from the Hindu and Buddhist religions' point of view, how to get (indistinct) this department, especially because we are feeling of lacking of materials because no of our books actually here, written in ancient Indonesian language, which are translated from Sanskrit (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Ancient English...?

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

Śyāmasundara: That's a good idea.

Prabhupāda: That's good. So you make like that.

Śyāmasundara: That's what, didn't Śaṅkarācārya do that, divide up four parts?

Devotee: Yes.

Prabhupāda: But we are... Śaṅkarācārya was concerned in India. But we are preaching all over the world. Therefore we have divided four, twelve. Twelve zones. My idea is like that, Śaṅkarācārya.

Śyāmasundara: But India itself could be divided even a few parts for preaching purposes.

Prabhupāda: That is already divided. Calcutta, Bombay, Māyāpur, Vṛndāvana.

Pañcadraviḍa: So the men in charge they could say which men they wanted to keep and the rest they could send somewhere else. That way you would have men who were willing to work on the project, and if they were not willing to work, they could also be sent somewhere else.

Room Conversation with David Wynne, Sculptor -- July 9, 1973, London:

Prabhupāda: Yes.

David Wynne: You should write and ask for prints. They'll send you proper prints of that in the paper, you know.

Śyāmasundara: Oh. That's a good idea. We'll try to get the photograph of that, original photograph from the paper.

Prabhupāda: Hm. That will be very nice.

Śyāmasundara: We can use it in our magazine. Cover photo.

Prabhupāda: Hm? Yes.

Śyāmasundara: Make it a cover photo for a magazine.

Prabhupāda: "Rival of Nelson."

Room Conversation -- July 19, 1973, London:

Prabhupāda: What are there?

Jānakī: Milk, hot.

Prabhupāda: That's all right.

Jānakī: I think that other thing was not a good idea.

Prabhupāda: No, it was too cold.

Jānakī: Yes, it reduces heat. I will bring some hot pepper.

Prabhupāda: (break) ...is taking place. The rascal Darwin says that it is coming from monkey. Why the monkey does not produce a human being? All rascals. Harāv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guṇāḥ. Simply rascals. His name is Neiman?

Pradyumna: Couldn't get his last, Ruby something.

Prabhupāda: Ruby, that...

Room Conversation with Officer Harry Edwards, the Village Policeman -- August 30, 1973, Bhaktivedanta Manor, London:

Guest: Yes.

Harry: This, now this trust, the Village Trust, the Village Trust, right? This is a good idea. Because you got a couple of dissenters are on the board there. You see. And so when they got the chairman, it's discussed properly, they will spread out...

Śyāmasundara: Yeah.

Harry: They will all say, "What you've said is a load of old hooey." You see. And this will be that.

Śyāmasundara: The policy will be decided by them, more or less, won't it? Like how everyone should regard us, or...?

Harry: Well, no...

Guest: What he's saying...

Harry: No, no, no. You're getting the wrong idea. You're getting the wrong idea. No, you're getting the wrong idea. No you're getting, you're gonna get the wrong idea. First of all, you've got your principles, you've got your independence. Same as I've got mine. Right? It is your place. This is your home. If I don't like the way you live, that's... I don't have to... I can either shut my eyes to it, but I don't have to turn away from you. Same as you may not like the way I live.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- January 22, 1974, Hawaii:

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Sudāmā: Many of them have such boards.

Bali Mardana: Instead of book distribution, they go in the ocean. (break) Is it a good idea for them to go to Māyāpur and chant?

Prabhupāda: Where is that difficulty?

Bali Mardana: Well, like, someone like Karandhara. He suggested for him to go there.

Prabhupāda: Yes. But if he does not chant, that will be bad example. If he does not agree, then it is fallen down. Now he's denying to chant. He's denying to chant; he's indulging in sex. What does it mean? He'll be a bad example wherever he goes.

Bali Mardana: Is that an example of free will, that someone can choose Kṛṣṇa and then turn away? That example of free will?

Morning Walk -- March 15, 1974, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Devotee: A sickle, and then a tilaka.

Prabhupāda: Yes, that is good idea. Guptajī? Come here. (Hindi)

Gupta: (Hindi for few sentences)

Prabhupāda: Rascal civilization, rascal government. And people are transferred into rascals. (Hindi) Annād bhavanti bhūtāni (BG 3.14). Without anna, how they can live? There is no arrangement for anna. They're simply passing resolution, legislative laws. And no anna. Just see what kind of wretched government it is. Everywhere. There is no anna. Annād bhavanti bhūtāni. The first duty of government is to see that everyone is happy, without any anxiety. These preliminary necessities of life, āhāra-nidra-bhaya-maithunam, there must be sufficient arrangement for these preliminary necessities of life. One must eat sumptuously. Not over-eating, indulgence. No. But he must have sufficient food to keep up the health. Similarly, he must have place to sleep. We, we are prepared to offer everything. And be Kṛṣṇa conscious. This is our mission. Not by eating and sleeping, become rogues and thieves and rascals. That we will not allow. That is varṇāśrama-dharma. (Hindi conversation for a few sentences) Why unemployment? There is no scarcity (of) water. Just have a big well. Electricity pump water. Oh, immediately, it will be all green. Immediately. (Hindi for a while) Jayo! Hare Kṛṣṇa! (break) ...all round, for the benefit of the human society. You'll be honored everywhere. Everywhere, any part of the world. And automatically these bogus avatāra, incarnations, God, and yogis and swamis will be all doomed. You see? These rascal society, avatāra, "Bhagavān," incarnations, yogis, these rascals will be doomed.

Room Conversation with Catholic Cardinal and Secretary to the Pope -- May 24, 1974, Rome:

Prabhupāda: Seva means service. So service is offered to the superior. And to the inferior or subordinate, we offer our compassion. So similarly, as we are eager to give service, similarly, we should be eager to be compassionate. So it is not very good idea. Just like in India they say, daridra-nārāyaṇa. Some nation, that to give service to the human being, and cut the throat of the animals. This philosophy is not good.

Monsignor Verrozano: Yes. I have something in the Bhagavad-gītā. If I am not wrong, in the Chapter Eighteen of Bhagavad-gītā, verse sixty-four, there is the affirmation that God loves man, "You are beloved for Me." And in some cases, we consider this affirmation as the very core of Indian religiosity, and we appreciate very much this affirmation of love of God for man.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Morning Walk -- May 27, 1974, Rome:

Prabhupāda: Missing... The point is God. He was atheist. He did not believe in Kṛṣṇa.

Yogeśvara: But from the level of application of his programs, is there some value?

Prabhupāda: Yes, that is good program, to produce your own necessities of life. That is good idea. But he could not turn the people, because they are godless. Godless man cannot have any good qualification. I requested him to become God conscious and preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He thought it ludicrous. Yes. He was such a godless man.

Yogeśvara: All Indians worship Gandhi.

Prabhupāda: Then how he was killed? That is the proof. Otherwise, how was he killed?

Yogeśvara: Every place we go, we see Indian's homes, pictures of Gandhi on their tables.

Prabhupāda: You, you have not visited everyone's house here. The three, four house you have visited. That's all.

Room Conversation -- June 5, 1974, Geneva:

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā sarvair guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ (SB 5.18.12). As soon as you become a unalloyed devotee of God, all the good qualities will manifest in you. If the good qualities does not manifest in you, that means you are not yet perfect in God consciousness. Just like you European boys, American boys, why you have given... (break) ...one of the item is that good quality that "Why shall I give trouble, pain, to other animals?" This is within the God consciousness. Just like poor-feeding. This program we also follow. In our temple, especially in India, any man can come and take his food. Yes. We have got arrangement. In the U.S.A also, Los Angeles, New York, we invite anyone, "Come and take food." We don't want to see that anyone is hungry. We don't want to see. So God consciousness means all the good ideas we are manufacturing, they will be manifested in God consciousness automatically. Therefore our duty should be, if we want to make all human being well-behaved, then we must try to make every one of them God conscious.

Room Conversation -- June 5, 1974, Geneva:

Prabhupāda: Very good idea. Therefore I said Jesus Christ is son of God, so what he says and what Kṛṣṇa says, there is no difference. This has become a hackneyed slogan, "poor feeding." To do to the humanity—and cut the throat of the animal. What is this philosophy, nonsense philosophy? They have no conception of God. If he has got conception of God, then everyone—paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ (BG 5.18). Oh, why for the benefit of the human being, other animals' throat should be cut? Even they have no common sense. National. National means one who is born in that land. That is national. So why the animals born in that land, they are not national?

Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: You used a very nice example, that the children, they are ignorant but that does not mean you kill them.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Is there any meaning, "Oh, these are foolish children creating trouble, so I will kill them"? What is this?

Room Conversation with Mr. Tran-van-Kha, and President & Members of the Society of Buddhists in France -- June 15, 1974, Paris:

Yogeśvara: He says there is an example that a flower grows, and when it dies it gives its perfume to God.

Prabhupāda: Yes, very good idea. Therefore, everyone can dedicate his energy to God. And that is called bhakti.

Guest (4): (French)

Yogeśvara: Is the sun to be considered a representation of God?

Prabhupāda: Yes, every..., everyone is representation of God. Sun is more powerful representation. You are also representation of God. The God is also a living being. That is said in the dictionary, Oxford Dictionary. God means, "Supreme Being." So we are all beings, and God is the Supreme Being. We are limited by our power. God is unlimited by His power.

Lady (3): (French)

Yogeśvara: When we say Kṛṣṇa, are we speaking about God or an incarnation of God? How to define it?

Prabhupāda: No, God Himself.

Room Conversation with Reverend Gordon Powell, Head of Scots Church -- June 28, 1974, Melbourne:

Prabhupāda: But that is imperfect idea. Our philosophy is everything belongs to God. So unless they come to this conclusion, they'll remain imperfect. The equal distribution of wealth, everything belongs to God—that is very good idea. But if it is limited within certain area... Just like the communistic state. Besides that, this is imperfect in the sense, they have no idea who are nationals. Not only they, even the capitalists. National means those who are born in that particular land. So there are animals also. They are also national. But because they are imperfect, either the communists or capitalists, they do not accept the animals as nationals. They are sent to the slaughterhouse. These things are happening because they are imperfect. They have no God conscious views. They have crippled views. They are imperfect.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Morning Walk -- February 3, 1975, Hawaii:

Prabhupāda: Therefore it is recommended that you live with devotees. But if you cannot agree with the devotees, you have got your own opinion, then you cannot make a new opinion so far the process is concerned. That must be followed. This is not good idea, that "Whatever I do, it is my independence, and I will chant." So that is good in sense that some day he will come to senses. Otherwise, for the time being, the chant is not very powerful. The fire in wet wood is not powerful. It will create some smoke. Although the fire is there. But if you put dry wood, immediately it will be blazing, and your business will be quickly done. This is intelligence. There are many examples. A patient suffering from disease, a doctor said, "You should do; you should not do." So if we follow "You should not do," then it becomes quickly recovered. But if he becomes under the treatment of the doctor at the same time he does all nonsense, then how it can be successful? It will take time. That is stated in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Pāpi jane aparādha āchāya pracūra. Pāpi jane aparādha āchāya... Offenseless chanting is the ultimate goal. In the beginning we are not offenseless, but by chanting, chanting, by practice, we gradually become offenseless. But this is necessary, that you should be offenseless.

Room Conversation with Director of Research of the Dept. of Social Welfare -- May 21, 1975, Melbourne:

Prabhupāda: His ideal is all right. His ideal, Communist idea that everyone should be happy, that is good idea. But they do not know how make ev... Just like they are taking care of the human being in the state, but they are sending poor animals to the slaughterhouse. Because they are godless, they do not know the animal is also a living being and the human being also living being. So for the satisfaction of the tongue of the human being the animal should be cut throat. That is the defect. Paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ (BG 5.18). One who is learned, he is equal to everyone. That is learned. "I take care of my brother and I kill you," that is not right. That is going on. Everywhere. Nationalism. Nation... National means one who has taken birth in that land. But the animal, poor animal, because they cannot make any protest, send them to the slaughterhouse. And if there were ideal men, they would have protested, "Oh, why you are doing this? Let them live also. You live also.

Room Conversation with Two Lawyers and Guest -- May 22, 1975, Melbourne:

Prabhupāda: No. That is a very good idea, but the leg is also required. If you simply keep the head and there is no leg, then it is incomplete. Everything is required. To keep the body fit you require head, you require arms, you require belly, you require leg. That is the system of varṇāśrama-dharma. In India you have heard that there is a class, brāhmaṇa. Now it is now broken. But this is the Vedic civilization, that one class of men should be the brāhmaṇas, first class. One class of man should be kṣatriya, the administrators, politicians. One class of man should be food producer, vaiśya. And one class of man should be laborer, who has no brain but he can assist the other three.

Guest 2: The ideal in western societies is all people should be equal.

Prabhupāda: No, that is not ideal and neither it is possible. Not that everyone is going to be lawyer. Even though everyone has got the ambition to become a first-class lawyer and earn like anything, but that is not possible. So therefore it requires selection, who will become a lawyer, who will become a scientist, who will become a medical man...

Room Conversation with Yogi Bhajan -- June 7, 1975, Honolulu:

Yogi Bhajan: All right. Then that guy, that guy has the love for his conviction. Where mutual convictions can meet and still create a harmony... My honest opinion is that it is the time. World has become small. Kṛṣṇa consciousness has spread. Message of Guru Nanak has spread. Message of Lord Rāma has spread. Message of Jesus has spread. Message of Moses has spread. All right. Now the spread is going to interact. And in that, somebody with this style can come in and can represent right. You will be my personal guest and you will be in a position... We will do whatever personally we can do for that whole situation. But it will be a good idea to talk to all these people, to make them understand, and from when your mouth the person will understand why Hare Kṛṣṇa person goes on the street and chant... They have got fundamental things to say. They do not know. They have different versions to hear, they have versions to talk.

Prabhupāda: No, it is... We are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. That, find out the... Satataṁ kīrtayanto mām (BG 9.14).

Room Conversation with Yogi Bhajan -- June 7, 1975, Honolulu:

Prabhupāda: Hm. It is a good idea.

Yogi Bhajan: And in spite of the fact nothing may happen...

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Yogi Bhajan: Something will happen.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Yogi Bhajan: At least, people will know you, people will have met you, people who have never met you, that way. So whosoever come will come with God will, and whosoever will do something will do something with God will. And we will enjoy the experience to be the host, and that I think is our karma. We must pay that.

Prabhupāda: No, the thing is that is if we want to do something substantial, we must come on a common platform. That common platform is already there. Every line of Bhagavad-gītā is so nice...

Room Conversation with Yogi Bhajan -- June 7, 1975, Honolulu:

Yogi Bhajan: Yeah, that's right. (laughter) So what I told him was that "It is a good idea." So we are carrying that good idea now, and Muni Sushila Kumar is coming from India, then Swami Chittananda is leading that tour. And they have sent a list of sixteen other religious people who are coming. They are going to U.N.O., where the peace presentation this year is happening. I think we should participate in that. Then there is a vegetarian congress. There the participation is happening. And all this has been done just to lay the platform and honor the idea of that man Kirpal Singh Sant. Just he wanted that way. So we thought it is a better idea to be in the West and with the arrangements that everybody can come, participate, talk to each other. I would like you to be in New Mexico in one of the presentable cabin, and not let anybody of these devotee of you be around but to ask other people to come and talk to you, learn from you, share with you, share your wisdom, share your conviction, share your experience...

Prabhupāda: That's a good idea, very good.

Morning Walk -- June 16, 1975, Honolulu:

Bali-mardana: Yeah, they like brick house, many brick houses, spread out.

Prabhupāda: Small, one storied. They are aristocratic. They do not go to the skyscraper, common man.

Bali-mardana: They like the idea of one house.

Prabhupāda: That is good idea. That is Indian idea. (break)

Devotee (2): ...front of the hedges, all those hedges in the front? They produce this flower.

Prabhupāda: Very nice. Very good. Puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṁ ca. As soon as such fragrance, one should remember Kṛṣṇa: "This is Kṛṣṇa." Puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṁ ca. (break) Where is that scientist? Just like from the earth we are getting so many varieties of flavor and taste. The fruits are different taste, the flowers different fragrance, but wherefrom it is coming? From the earth. So why the scientists do not take all these things from the earth?

Bali-mardana: All they do is create smog. Kṛṣṇa creates fragrant flowers.

Morning Walk -- June 25, 1975, Los Angeles:

Brahmānanda: Yes. To breach the gap, yoga. (laughter)

Dr. Judah: It might help some reconciliations in some cases.

Jayatīrtha: That's a good idea for devotees to give to their parents. (break)

Dr. Judah: ...it has many imperfections of which I am well aware. Mistakes that I hope in another edition can be corrected.

Prabhupāda: But many parents are very happy because their...

Dr. Judah: Yes.

Prabhupāda: They are very happy. Some of them come to me to give me thanks.

Dr. Judah: Yes, I'm sure that is the case.

Brahmānanda: We've had recently just some of our devotees... There was one boy, senior man, he left the movement for awhile, and his mother told him to go back.

Dr. Judah: She did?

Brahmānanda: Yes. Now he is back, and he is very thankful to his mother.

Dr. Judah: That's interesting.

Morning Walk -- July 14, 1975, Philadelphia:

Prabhupāda: Yes. That is good idea. Yes.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: So similarly, we were discussing with the Balavanta Prabhu one day about the... He was giving a nice example that in a kingdom where the king stays... Just like Śrīla Prabhupāda's example: living in an apartment. Śrīla Prabhupāda and disciples and many other living entities stay in the same apartment, but a person, an individual, who knows his position, is to serve the order of the head of the apartment. But somebody doesn't follow. He just goes away from the apartment. So Balavanta was asking what is the use of that? So similarly, when the cells... We can take out from one part of the body and can culture it, but what is the use? It produces, but actually it's not really behaving as it should. It has no value.

Prabhupāda: Yes. They are just like machine parts. Parts and parcels, they are helping the whole machine work.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: About Guru dāsa prabhu's point, when the heart transplant, the soul stays in the subtle body. Is that sound?

Morning Walk -- July 20, 1975, San Francisco:

Prabhupāda: Yes. Very good idea. (break) ...also very nice.

Bahulāśva: The lake?

Prabhupāda: Hm. Due to that lake. (break)

Bahulāśva: ...but no one can swim.

Prabhupāda: Ācchā?

Bahulāśva: That big lake in Chicago? No one can swim because of the pollution.

Prabhupāda: How they polluted, such a big lake?

Bahulāśva: By factories. Many factories are there.

Dharmādhyakṣa: They empty all their waste directly into the lake. All the fish are dying.

Prabhupāda: Here some fishy smell. (break)

Room Conversations -- July 26, 1975, Laguna Beach:

Prabhupāda: And who is going to decrease the population of the mosquito? It is increasing. This means real business they are forgetting.

Devotee (4): So in every school they have so many organizations. Is this a good idea, that we can have debating programs like this along with selling books.

Prabhupāda: Yes, let them study another line of education. Just like there is religious section. It has nothing to do with the engineering, but there is section. Similarly, in religious section or in another section these things should you study, Bhāgavata. That is good. Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā, Bhāgavata.

Jayatīrtha: Shall we take your leave now, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Rāmeśvara: Jaya, thank you, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)

Morning Walk -- August 12, 1975, Paris:

Prabhupāda: There are so many men. Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa. (break) It is closed?

Bhagavān: They don't like traffic in here so...

Prabhupāda: Oh. That's nice. Good idea. (break)

Bhagavān: They are getting cheated from all sides. The scientists are cheating them...

Prabhupāda: No, they want to be cheated. What can be done? Ye yathā māṁ prapadyante (BG 4.11). Just like the advertisement, "No faith, no philosophy, no restriction." You want all these things; therefore he has come to cheat you: "Yes. No regulation. You can do whatever you like." And then he will praised, "Oh, he is good, good swamiji. He has no restriction. And here is a most conservative swamiji. 'Don't do this. Don't do this. Don't do this.' " They want to be cheated. As soon as you speak the truth they will not accept. They will argue. What is the wrong in illicit sex? Why he's restricting? This is the... They go to guru to teach the guru, not to take lesson from the guru. What is that?

Room Conversation -- October 5, 1975, Mauritius:

Prabhupāda: Yes. I have already suggested that you take land and be an ideal community.

Guest (1): No, if we don't get land, Swamijī. I would suggest if, for example, one week, four or three, Swamijī... (Hindi) What he wants to say...

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Very good idea, very good idea.

Guest (1): That would be mercy to make the people conscious. And then again and again have here a same thing and then they would be influenced.

Prabhupāda: Good idea. It is very good idea.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: The idea was in Hindi. It was in Hindi. We don't understand.

Prabhupāda: In the village... I shall speak in Hindi?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: In English so we can understand.

Morning Walk -- October 20, 1975, Johannesburg:

Prabhupāda: Redwood trees. One redwood, already seven thousand years old, they told me. So what is the benefit, seven thousand years standing in one place, very long? Hm? What is the benefit? You are trying to prolong life. Very good idea. But what is the use of prolonging life while suffering? One side, you are trying to prolong life; the other side, for acute suffering, one is committing suicide. So why this contradictory proposal?

Harikeśa: Well, only some people commit suicide. As far as I'm concerned, I'm very happy. I have my car, my air conditioner...

Prabhupāda: That means you are fool number one. That means you are fool number one. As soon as you say, "I am happy," it is immediately proved that you are a rascal, fool number one.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: But everyone is afraid of death. They don't like the idea of dying. Put if off.

Prabhupāda: Yes. So therefore, you cure that first of all; then prolong life that there will be no death. Then you prolong life is... Make some understand. Can go this side?

Morning Walk -- October 28, 1975, Nairobi:

Prabhupāda: Yes. Good idea. But whether you will be able to live? Better go from the city to the interior, come back.

Cyavana: To remain there for long is difficult.

Jñāna: It's difficult.

Cyavana: Yes. We've had experience.

Prabhupāda: You go, just in Europe, America, they are going in buses in interior, and they're preaching then coming back.

Jñāna: So this should be our program.

Prabhupāda: (softly)

Morning Walk -- November 7, 1975, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes.

Dr. Patel: In Sanskrit and English because Sanskrit contains Bengali and Gujarati and all.

Prabhupāda: Yes. That's a good idea, good idea.

Dr. Patel: I go, sir.

Prabhupāda: Hm? Time is up? Hare Kṛṣṇa. (break) ...many things to be displayed by these models, and we can utilize that.

Bhāgavata: Like the pictures we have in the Bhāgavatam and the Gītā, then we can make them into doll displays, some of those pictures.

Prabhupāda: But the idea was that in our big temple I wanted to display.

Bhāgavata: Oh. You didn't want a separate building.

Morning Walk -- November 20, 1975, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: (break) You are going to canvass for books? No.

Devotee: I think it's a good idea but we don't have permission yet from the government to do that. We can't do that as yet. (break)

Prabhupāda: Now we have to get permission for selling. We have got to.

Dr. Patel: What?

Prabhupāda: These books.

Dr. Patel: I don't think there is any need of permission.

Prabhupāda: No, we gave our promise... (end)

Conversation on Roof -- December 26, 1975, Sanand:

Prabhupāda: They have accepted dialectic. They.... Marx says that this should be the conclusion of materialism: ultimately the worker shall enjoy.

Harikeśa: Fruitive, it's very fruitive.

Prabhupāda: That is good idea. But who is the worker, he does not know. Write small pamphlet. Just like our Svarūpa Dāmodara has written small pamphlet. People, general people, they're also rascals, andhā. They can accept these rascals. But why we shall accept?

Harikeśa: This is experimental philosophy.

Prabhupāda: But that.... Experimental philosophy means rascaldom. You do not know actually what is the fact. Then you make experiment. That means you are rascal.

Harikeśa: I meant that this thesis, antithesis...

Prabhupāda: Just like Kṛṣṇa does not say, "Make an experiment." He says the fact: asmin dehe dehinaḥ. "The proprietor of the body is within this body." There is no question of experimenting.

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- January 3, 1976, Nellore:

Prabhupāda: That is very good.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Not only that, but he's not going to sleep in anyone's home either. They want to camp out by the riversides.

Prabhupāda: Very good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He says that he finds it very.... From reading your books it is very clear that Caitanya Mahāprabhu was very careful and strict to only eat prasādam cooked by proper persons.

Prabhupāda: No, purchase from Jagannātha temple. People would come to offer Him prasādam, so what is the cost of the prasādam, that was taken, and He purchased. Formerly, the system was, there was no hotel, but there were temples. You go and you can purchase very cheap price. I went with my father in my childhood in a place. My father would never take food at anyone's house or in the hotel. He will find out some temple and pay them and take prasādam. Still there are many temples. So I was about ten years old at that time, say, seventy years ago. So he paid two annas to the pūjārī and he gave us so much. It can be eaten by five, six men. Kicheri, vegetables, varieties. So much. Two annas.

Morning Walk -- January 6, 1976, Nellore:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That's a good day to ask him for a donation.

Prabhupāda: (break) What is the use of becoming silent? What is the utility?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: For people who are rascals it is a very good idea. Then they won't talk nonsense.

Prabhupāda: Yes. For them it is all right.

Mahāmṣa: It is good for them.

Prabhupāda: Because they cannot speak anything good, better remain silent. (break) ...chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, yan-nāma śruti-mātrena pumān bhavati nirmalaḥ. Simply by hearing he'll become purified. So why we shall become silent? Let them hear.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Right. Satataṁ kīrtayanto mām (BG 9.14).

Morning Walk -- January 17, 1976, Mayapur:

Prabhupāda: Not. Vṛndāvana is very cold December-January.

Harikeṣa: At night. At night.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They are accustomed to it. They can tolerate it. The hot part is more intolerable for Americans. It's really a good idea.

Harikeṣa: It's colder than sixty degrees.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The college preaching in the month of April is the very best. (break) Do you think something could be written on this wall?

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes, advertisement.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: This prasādam pavilion wall...

Prabhupāda: (break) ...used for fuel. This crust, this, that can be used for burning. Yes.

Jayapatāka: They are the fuel for the...

Morning Walk -- March 21, 1976, Mayapura:

Jayapatākā: They were going to give outright one piece of land. They just requested that.... Their idea was that they hoped there would be a, some place for studying Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura's books, one type of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura institute or library where people could.... All of his books would be collected, and his works...

Prabhupāda: Oh, that is a good idea. That we can do.

Jayapatākā: And some place for studying also.

Prabhupāda: Hm. Five bighās. That we can do. If they agree, then let them give us. We shall do.

Jayapatākā: Lalitā Prasāda Ṭhākura was saying that.... He was feeling that one more interview with you was necessary. However, I'm reluctant to say to go today because I haven't seen him for a month or two, and I don't want a two-three hour trip to just go. Maybe nothing may come of it. That's why I'm thinking on the way to Calcutta there would be more..., wouldn't be much expenditure of time, I mean, as far as traveling goes. And let's say, if something comes of it, then it's all right. If something doesn't come, it's not such a great loss.

Prabhupāda: All right, we can do that. Then we shall go by the nice...

Morning Walk -- March 25, 1976, Delhi:

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: He wants to become famous, so I said, "Everybody will know that you built a temple there."

Prabhupāda: So it is good idea.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, the location is very good. It's right in the center. And they have Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deities there, plus they have Rāma, Sītā, Lakṣmaṇa, Hanumān, which we can also worship.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Only problem is they have Durgā.

Prabhupāda: Durgā, so we can worship, giving Durgā the prasādam of Rāma or Kṛṣṇa. That's it.

Morning Walk -- April 10, 1976, Vrndavana:

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Yes. I think it's a good idea because there is no suitable place to store it here.

Prabhupāda: No, we can make a suitable place. What is that?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: It may take some time. I don't.... Actually I haven't been to Bombay myself. I haven't seen the land at Juhu. Is there a suitable place for...?

Prabhupāda: There is many suitable place.

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: The reason was that because whenever you come back to India, you always come back to Bombay first of all, so as soon as you come back to India, you'll have facility to use your car. Otherwise we should make arrangements for another car for Bombay also?

Prabhupāda: No. Another Mercedes?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: (laughter) Yes.

Hari-śauri: A Rolls Royce next time.

Room Conversation -- April 20, 1976, Melbourne:

Prabhupāda: Yes, it is the activity which concerns. In the university there is only activity of education, learning. And here, all the criminals are violating the laws, they are put together. But superficially they look the same room, same food, same office, same typewriter. So it is the question of understanding why it is called criminal department and why it is called university. So as soon as it is university department, that is good. The same building, the same dictaphone, the same typewriter, same table, same chair, when they are used for Kṛṣṇa, it is spiritual. The same money, everything, it looks like that. Therefore they cannot understand. The nirviśeṣavādī and the śūnyavādī, they: "Spiritual means these things should be zero." They say it should be zero. "No table, no chair, no house, no, no, no, no..." But that is (laughs) ignorance. Prāpañcikatayā buddhyā hari-sambandhi-vastunaḥ. The things which are usable by Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, if we give up them, prapañcikā, as material, that is foolishness. That they do not know. They have yet to learn. It is Rūpa Gosvāmī's injunction. Prāpañcikatayā buddhyā hari-sambandhi-vastunaḥ, mumukṣubhiḥ parityāgaḥ. Parityāga means giving up: "Oh, it is material." So we are not such fools, śūnyavādī and nirviśeṣavādī. We are not such fools. Arjuna, he thought that not killing is better than killing, but Kṛṣṇa convinced him, "Yes, killing is better than not killing." Therefore he, after reading Bhagavad-gītā, he took it, "Yes, killing is better than not killing." Generally people understand not killing is better than killing. But Kṛṣṇa explained to Arjuna, "No, if there is My desire, then killing is better than not killing." And that is knowledge. Therefore we have to carry out simply Kṛṣṇa's order or His representative's order. Then it is all good. Either killing or not killing, it doesn't matter because it is coming directly from the Supreme. And that is spiritual. Otherwise why Kṛṣṇa induced Arjuna to kill? He was presenting as very good man, that "I shall not kill." And that's.... Actually that is good. Even if you enemy excuse him, that is very good idea.

Morning Walk -- May 3, 1976, Fiji:

Prabhupāda: Very good idea.... (break) ...Kṛṣṇa, and everything will be all right. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has blessed: ihā haite sarva-siddhi haibe tomāra. "Every perfection you'll get by chanting." That is His blessing.

Indian: (Hindi) (break)

Prabhupāda: That's nice. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Indian: (indistinct) ...he works in town council.

Prabhupāda: Oh, he's South Indian.

Indian: South Indian. (end)

Morning Walk -- June 5, 1976, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: Just like in Vṛndāvana there is bhajanāśrama, they're only women.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śyāmabhajis?

Prabhupāda: Not śyāmabhajis, but bhajanāśrama.

Rāmeśvara: So that's a good idea.

Prabhupāda: With man is dangerous for both. I, I have given that: man is good, woman is good, when they come together-bad. Both of them bad.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Bad. We see that.

Rāmeśvara: They say that that farmland in Oregon is too small, very small.

Prabhupāda: Let them organize that.

Room Conversation with Mother and Sons -- June 13, 1976, Detroit:

Prabhupāda: And if you purchase that land, it will be very beautiful.

Mādhavānanda: Oh, yes.

Prabhupāda: I have advised them to advertise books on the riverside. People will see.

Hari-śauri: Hmm. That's a very good idea.

Prabhupāda: Therefore, on the first day of seeing, I closed the transaction. "Now agreed, I will give you cash, three hundred thousand." He immediately agreed. Verbally, your transaction was finished on my first meeting. Then it was done. It was kept for us by Kṛṣṇa; otherwise, you could not touch this property, it is so valuable property.

Hari-śauri: Seems Kṛṣṇa arranges things very nicely sometimes.

Prabhupāda: Everything is done just like it is temple. The Deity hall.

Hari-śauri: It's a perfect place. Couldn't be better. (end)

Room Conversation with Ambarisa and Catholic Priest -- June 14, 1976, Detroit:

Prabhupāda: Very good idea, yes. Paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate (BG 2.59). The nature is if we get better engagement, we give up inferior engagement. Paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate. So this will be an example. You are a Roman priest. You are educated, learned scholar also. So when you come to this movement, you do not come here by sentiment or by whims. You consider, then you have come.

Stansky: This is what I wanted to say, that I'm not here because of sentiment. I'm here for very, very sound reasons, and I want to explain the reasons.

Prabhupāda: Therefore we are presenting these books, that we are not a so-called sect of whimsical faith. It is based on science and authorities. Recently we have got report that our books have been taken in Hamburg University. You know Hamburg University?

Stansky: Yes.

Conversation with Clergymen -- June 15, 1976, Detroit:

Scheverman: Bureaucracy. We have lots of that. You may get a reply, and then again you may not. You'll get a reply, but it would be very general I presume, originally. It's a good idea.

Prabhupāda: No, I think that for the welfare of the whole human society.... America is opulent. They can start, that here is a college for training first-class men. Here is a college for training second-class men, and here is a college for third-class men, and balance fourth class. Fourth-class man doesn't require any training. They are simply to help the first class, second class, third class.

Kern: That would be difficult. (laughs)

Scheverman: That is one of the difficulties we have in this country. Everybody wants to be first class.

Prabhupāda: What is difficulty? You do not like to train first-class men?

Scheverman: Everybody wants to be first class.

Morning Walk -- June 18, 1976, Toronto:

Prabhupāda: That is fact. These rascals come here for women and money, that's all. They do not know what is spiritual life. If I say like that, you think it is right or wrong?

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: You're right.

Devotee: Good idea. You didn't compromise.

Prabhupāda: Why compromise? (break)

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: I think the nondevotees would like to be classified in one of those four categories.

Prabhupāda: But they are. They may not, they may like or not like, it doesn't matter, but they are. (break)

Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: ...that even persons who come to Kṛṣṇa with material desires, although...

Prabhupāda: They are pious.

Garden Discussion on Bhagavad-gita Sixteenth Chapter -- June 26, 1976, New Vrindaban:

Dhṛṣṭadyumna: We were finding, Śrīla Prabhupāda, that they could not defeat varṇāśrama dharma. They had no society like varṇāśrama. In the colleges, they could not understand this body, but we showed them how the society could be arranged harmoniously, and they had no alternative. Their ideas on how to structure society for everyone's happiness, they have no good ideas. So that preaching platform they could understand, varṇāśrama.

Prabhupāda: They'll understand. I'm just pointing out the difficulties of your preaching. You'll have to face all these difficulties. They're like cats and dogs. They are not even human beings. Therefore the business is little hard job. You have to deal with cats and dogs. But still there is hope, because they have got this human form of life. There is hope. It is not hopeless. Don't be disappointed, but this is the job. You have to meet with cats and dogs. That is my point. When you go to preach you must know that "I've come to preach among cats and dogs, and I have to deal with them carefully; otherwise, they will bark." (laughter) Therefore I wrote that poetry in disappointment before entering in your country, that "What they will understand, this philosophy?" Hmm, go on.

Answers to a Questionnaire from Bhavan's Journal -- June 28, 1976, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: First of all, who will take it? Kṛṣṇa has given already according to the time, He has summarized the whole Vedic scripture in the Bhagavad-gītā, but who is taking it? And Caitanya Mahāprabhu and all the ācāryas, they have explained how to accept Kṛṣṇa consciousness or Kṛṣṇa's instruction. So first thing you must be ready to take the presentation according to the time and circumstances. Then everything will be all right. If you manufacture your own way of life, if you do not take it from the authority, then it will be failure. Just like this harijana. Harijana is very good idea, make everyone harijana. But harijana is being picked up from the lowest class of men, the bhangis and camaras. That is recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā, papa-yoni. But how this pāpa-yoni can be purified? Māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya. By accepting Kṛṣṇa as everything, that means full surrender. Then he can be, even if he's pāpa-yoni, he can be rectified. But if there is no question of surrendering to Kṛṣṇa and if you rubberstamp a low class man that he has become harijana, how it will be effective? The condition is there, māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya. Find out this verse.

Room Conversation -- July 2, 1976, New Vrindaban:

Prabhupāda: This is religion. Personal conception of God.

Hari-śauri: And then "5. action that one is bound to do."

Prabhupāda: Yes. Everything is there. Any one of them you take. That's good idea, but special conception of personal God, huh? What is that?

Hari-śauri: "Human recognition of superhuman controlling power and especially of a personal God entitled to obedience."

Prabhupāda: That's all, clear. What are the other items?

Hari-śauri: Then, "the effect of such recognition on conduct and mental attitude." And then "action that one is bound to do."

Arrival Comments in Car to Temple -- July 9, 1976, New York:

Prabhupāda: Yes, yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Jayānanda, maybe you should park on the right side. We can walk across the street rather than getting out.

Rāmeśvara: Yes, good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Pull over if you can on the right side, then Prabhupāda can see the building from across the street. (break) Yes, at least for the next five or ten years.

Prabhupāda: (laughs) Then you'll have to change again.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Then we want the Empire State Building. (laughter) We have a nice banner which flies in front of the building also. I think you should park on the right side, Jayānanda, unless... All right, park on the left. See the banner?

Prabhupāda: Yes. (end)

Morning Walk -- July 12, 1976, New York:

Rāmeśvara: They say that God orders every man to get married.

Hari-śauri: They are very strong on the principle of family life.

Prabhupāda: That is a good idea.

Devotee (1): They also have a policy that anyone who is born in their family has to go on a missionary work for two years, then he's fulfilled his obligation. So the young men go overseas for two years.

Prabhupāda: That is also good.

Devotee (1): Yes.

Hari-śauri: Like those two young men that you met in Melbourne? Those American boys? They were Mormons.

Morning Walk -- July 18, 1976, New York:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The spire? No, it's made of foam, that, styrofoam. It couldn't weigh more than five, ten pounds.

Rāmeśvara: But it looks very,

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: It looks very heavy though. That's a good idea, because it won't weigh the canopies down.

Rāmeśvara: That's a very good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Carve it out of styrofoam. It's a big festival. The first year three chariots.

Rāmeśvara: Whew! They're going to simply be astonished when the public sees this. The newspapers, they will just be..., they've never seen anything like it. They cannot imagine it.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: How big are those wheels, Rāmeśvara?

Rāmeśvara: Oh, they must be at least eight feet.

Ādi-keśava: Seven and a half.

Rāmeśvara: Seven and a half feet.

Prabhupāda: Jaya. Jaya.

Room Conversation -- July 19, 1976, New York:

Bali-mardana: That's the big, the most popular section. This side.

Prabhupāda: "Fifth Avenue, Where East Meets West." Very good idea. Very good idea. Very nice.

Bali-mardana: The other pictures, I think some are from the Olympics.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Very prominent. The center section is, next to the front page, the center section is very..., the most popular page in the paper, because it has interesting pictures.

Prabhupāda: You can send one, this cutting, to Mr. Bhajaj, "Fifth Avenue, Where East Meets West." Very good.

Hari-śauri: Send one to Māyāpur as well?

Room Conversation -- July 26, 1976, London:

Jayatīrtha: Actually all of us agreed yesterday when we were discussing it that as far as health purposes is concerned, we do not think it is a good idea for you to go to India immediately.

Hari-śauri: We argued for a half hour against going to India, but in the end, you decided that you wanted to go to Bombay immediately.

Bhagavān: But I mean, if you have to risk that eight-hour plane ride, that's much more difficult than going to the farm. The farm is only three hours in a comfortable car.

Hari-śauri: It's not just that. It's the problem that you have to fly from France to somewhere else and then from somewhere else back to India. I said the main problem is that if you do go to France, then it means a great deal more traveling than would be involved in simply flying to India, because you'd have to travel back and forth to the Paris farm. Then you would also have to stay in Tehran, up and down like that in the plane, and then again fly to Bombay.

Bhagavān: But he doesn't have to stay in the farm for just nine days. He can stay there for long time.

Prabhupāda: If the health suits, I can stay there. If the health improves, I can stay.

Pṛthu-putra: Air India is direct from Geneva.

Prabhupāda: I shall not stay...

Room Conversation -- August 8, 1976, Tehran:

Prabhupāda: That's very good, very good idea. When we want God, to understand, we must try to understand what is God. What do you mean by God? The God definition is given in the dictionary, what is that? "Supreme being, supreme controller." So how do you understand that supreme controller? What do you mean by supreme controller? In this way we should try to understand what is the idea carried by the word God. We have got, in our Vedic language, we have got definition of God, that

aiśvaryasya samagrasya

vīryasya yaśasaḥ śriyaḥ

jñāna-vairāgyayaiś caiva

ṣaṇṇāṁ bhaga itīṅganāḥ

(Viṣṇu Purāṇa 6.5.47)

"God" means He must possess all the wealth. Just like in Persia you have got so many wealthy persons, but nobody can claim, even the Shah cannot claim, that he possesses all the wealth. That is not possible. Persia. Do you follow what I say? So this is one of the items, that God is the richest, or He possesses all the wealth. Similarly, He possesses all the strength, He possesses all the beauty, He possesses all knowledge, and He is the renouncer also, the most exalted renouncer.

Room Conversation -- August 12, 1976, Tehran:

Prabhupāda: We are. Our society, it is not that we are simply sannyāsīs. We have got brahmacārīs, we have got gṛhasthas. So gṛhasthas should be provided with some profession, business, so that they can earn very nicely. That is good idea.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: He has so much propensity to become engaged in these things, I have the propensity, all the devotees have the propensity. We can...

Prabhupāda: So you make your formula, I mean to say, plan and scheme. So far how to do it, that instruction I give.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Now in this house you will see, this house, the plan is that the house, the first floor will be kitchen, restaurant and a store. A little section for store. Store will have Your Divine Grace's books, records, tapes, japa-mālā and some sweets, prasādam that is made to go, to sell.

Prabhupāda: Who made sandeśa? It was very nice.

Arrival Conversation -- August 13, 1976, Bombay:

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Otherwise I was thinking, we have a vacant old flat of Menon on the ground floor. I discussed it with Girirāja, and I just wanted to, I was waiting for you. If you like that, Śrīla Prabhupāda, we can convert. That is construction office. We can move the construction office somewhere else, and we can give you that whole flat on the ground floor. Girirāja and I both thought it was a good idea, but I just wanted your approval. We can do that in half a day. It is right on the ground floor.

Hari-śauri: That would be very nice.

Prabhupāda: Small.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, but it is on the ground floor. That's the only advantage. In Vṛndāvana the guesthouse is all completely renovated. S. K. Samani came from Bombay, I showed him around Vṛndāvana, and he booked thirty rooms for ten days in September and October. Oh, it's first class.

Evening Darsana -- August 14, 1976, Bombay:

Guest (1): For the students it is good idea.

Yaśomatīnandana: For everyone. I mean...

Prabhupāda: Those who cannot read the book, they are still better. Those who can read the book, they are still more dangerous.

Guest (1): They will misinterpret the whole thing. They will misrepresent, the danger is still more there. It is rather more with the educated people that the danger is there than the uneducated. But to reach the uneducated we have, I was thinking this is a better media. This is one of the medias perhaps, I wouldn't say better. Perhaps one of the medias by which we can reach them in a larger crowd.

Guest (2): But not in the way that the films are made.

Guest (1): No, that is not say. I don't want. I could produce...

Prabhupāda: That Kṛṣṇa consciousness is developed when one practices according to the prescribed method,

Room Conversation -- August 21, 1976, Hyderabad:

Prabhupāda: He has good idea about...

Gargamuni: Oh, yes.

Jayapatākā: He has translated Caitanya-caritāmṛta in Hindi, they say.

Prabhupāda: He presented me one.

Jayapatākā: Many people ask that if the Gītār Gān could be put in Hindi.

Gargamuni: This Gītā Press, they have these little books selling for one rupee, and they've sold lakhs. If we can put Gītār Gān into many languages, it will be bigger than this Gītā Press.

Prabhupāda: So you can... It is poetry.

Jayapatākā: That's the difference, that Prabhupāda put it in poetry. Who has got that inspiration?

Prabhupāda: It is gān, gītā, song. One can chant it singing.

Room Conversation -- September 5, 1976, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Restless, that's all. Mind not fixed up. Restless. Now what he'll do with that four thousand rupees? It is very good program. If I get some thousands of rupees and sit down in Rādhā-kuṇḍa and eat, that is very good idea.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: I think we can find him. We know where he is.

Prabhupāda: You can find him, that is not difficult, but what is his mentality. Why he has gone to Rādhā-kuṇḍa if he was teaching here? You cannot rely upon him. When he'll go (indistinct). Rādhā-kuṇḍa, Rādhārāṇī's place, if anyone thinks that it is very easy to remain in Rādhā-kuṇḍa, the topmost place. Rūpa Gosvāmī has spoken—he must speak about Rādhā-kuṇḍa. But what he has spoken about other things?

Room Conversation -- September 6, 1976, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: In Bombay also they have manufactured idea. One hole, one lift. There is no need, and you have manufactured some idea. Very expert in manufacturing nonsense ideas.

Hari-śauri: The thing is how to distinguish between what's a good idea...

Prabhupāda: You have to take ideas from your guru.

Akṣayānanda: From intelligence.

Prabhupāda: Therefore gurum evābhigacchet. Why do you manufacture yourself? Consult the authority. Then do it. That is intelligence. Why do you think that you are very intelligent? That is materialism. The more you remain that "I am a fool," that is good. And as soon as you become over-intelligent, then, that's finished. So Europeans, Americans, they are over-intelligent. They have intelligence, over-intelligence. Unnecessarily. They manufacture a machine for shaving. Gnowgnowgnow gnowgnow (makes machine sound). (Laughter) And they have wasted so much time. So much time. But people like it.

Room Conversation -- November 13, 1976, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Good idea.

Surabhi: It has lost its popularity now.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Surabhi: It is not very popular now.

Prabhupāda: Why?

Surabhi: In fact, in India they have ordered to leave practically.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Surabhi: They say they had some connection with the CIA.

Prabhupāda: That is politics.

Surabhi: Yes, but...

Room Conversation -- November 15, 1976, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: No, this time anyone comes, ask them to bring one record player. Japanese record player is very cheap.

Devotee: Yeah, I think that's a good idea to have because all these albums are coming out now.

Hari-śauri: But you can get them all on cassette...

Prabhupāda: Between fifteen dollars, sixteen dollars.

Hari-śauri: We can't carry it all. We've got so much baggage we couldn't possibly carry all...

Devotee: Actually cassette is more practical.

Morning Walk and Room Conversation -- December 7, 1976, Hyderabad:

Prabhupāda: Later on. First of all grow vegetable. Let us eat first of all. Immediately grow vegetables sufficient. And this is good idea, we shall do that, but first of all let us organize the vegetables, fruits. What are these trees?

Mahāṁśa: These are nimbu (lemon) trees which Badrukas have planted and were neglected. They have become very stunted. We dug them out, and we put some cow dung just last, two, three months back. We're going to bring them up, but they will not be very good now. They've already been stunted.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Mahāṁśa: They have been neglected in the beginning, so they have become stunted. So it will help a little by manuring, and some places it has to be grafted and cut off. Some of the trees are good. We get... How many nimbus did we get this year?

Prabhupāda: Make nimbu-ācāra (lemon pickle).

Room Conversation -- December 12, 1976, Hyderabad:

Tejas: I think that Ānandamaya, he is...

Prabhupāda: So this is good idea. In the evening you sit together, make program and execute it.

Tejas: In the morning.

Prabhupāda: That's all.

Haṁsadūta: There's one more point that Tejas made. That's about the outside workers, he was saying, from Kerala.

Tejas: We should also be careful because, about enmity also. Because I've lived in the villagers' houses for two years and I've seen in different cases where if an outsider is there, these Kerala people, they are also considered outsiders, these villagers, they regard them as being different. So they are actually even getting more requisites than the local people. We should try and encourage the local people in working. They may not in the beginning work so hard, but we should encourage them that this is their project.

Room Conversation -- December 26, 1976, Bombay:

Indian man: Prabhupāda, how about opening one temple in Ahmedabad?

Prabhupāda: Why not? We are opening everywhere, why not in Ahmedabad? Good idea. I want to open centers in every village, in every town.

Indian man: That is very good, but to begin with, if such centers... I was discussing with Girirāja...

Prabhupāda: Is there any chance of opening?

Indian man: Yes. In Ahmedabad? Why not? There is no obstruction. The Christians have now opened up two centers. Arya-samaj has opened one. So there is no restriction. And these areas, like Ahmedabad or in some of the African countries where people have still no inclination or no knowledge of one particular kind of religion or particular thing, they are open to anything which is given to them.

Prabhupāda: There must be preacher, good preacher.

Room Conversation -- December 27, 1976, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes, that's good idea. That's good idea. First chanting, second chanting.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: First chant half an hour...

Prabhupāda: Then lesson, take lesson. And then chant another...

Hari-śauri: Then, after that, some kīrtana.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Hari-śauri: Japa first, then class and then kīrtana.

Prabhupāda: At last kīrtana.

Hari-śauri: That would be like half an hour, an hour.

Prabhupāda: And the class will be changed-first seven verses explain. Next verse, next seven... In this way, today this room, next day that room, next day that room, next day that room. Room. That will be class, not in the same. Because if somebody is hearing the first seven ślokas, then how the who are on the second seven ślokas...

Room Conversation -- December 27, 1976, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes, long robe.

Hari-śauri: Rajneesh people wear them.

Prabhupāda: These Hare Kṛṣṇa nāmāvali robe.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh, very good idea. We can make Hare Kṛṣṇa...

Hari-śauri: Out of a nāmāvali, yeah. Nāma cādara. Hari-nāma cādara.

Prabhupāda: You can have some robe...

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah, we can have...

Prabhupāda: ...some covering.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, this will be very good. This will really make us look different from others. We're giving kuśa grass, linen, and robe, beads...

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- January 2, 1977, Bombay:

Hari-śauri: I think he's rather keen on working in Southeast Asia still.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: He spoke to me this morning. He has to go back for some time to Southeast Asia, but he's willing to stay in India and travel between centers. He's a very nice sannyāsī, and I think it would be a very good idea.

Prabhupāda: Call him.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: He is giving a class right now, but he cannot go... He told me that he has to go to Southeast Asia first because he has books and everything.

Hari-śauri: He has two men there still. There's two men there still, and they have about two and a half thousand books still to distribute. He said one of the reasons he wanted to come was cause there's no center... (end)

Room Conversation -- January 3, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: So you can do it immediately. But go on, purchase. It is lying vacant.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Okay, that's a very good idea. But we'll still have to put a pipe underground coming out.

Prabhupāda: That is not much, a few you, few yards only. And then introduce it and distribute that water, the whole land, and you will get good agricultural produce, very good. You can have very good business.

Hari-śauri: That can be used for agriculture?

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Oh, yes. This water is very valuable for agricultural purpose. Nature has made in such a way. Aiye. All rejected water, you can utilize for agriculture.

Room Conversation -- January 4, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes, with a stick. (chuckles) They are so submissive. The cow is going this side, "Raa-raa!"—immediately. (Jagadīśa laughs) When in Bible they say, "The animal is given to the care of man," like that... There is. This is care of, not that "Because we care of, we shall kill them." What is this interpretation? How demonic this Western civilization. "Because Jesus Christ, the God, has given the animals to our care, therefore we shall kill and eat." Anyway, try to introduce a renovation of civilization. Therefore they are trying to oppose us. Now they are conscious about the movement, that "If it is allowed to increase, then our program will be finished. And young men are taking. They are not rejecting." That is their concern. They are concerned about their business and industry. If these young men are held up in plain living, then where their industry...? Industry means to exploit the work of others and give them one dollar and make profit ten dollars. This is industry, at the cost of others some capitalist gaining huge profit. This is industry. "And let them live in a hellish condition, go to hell. Never mind. You work in the factory, and we make profit." The Communist is trying to take over the industry and get the whole profit. (laughs) That's all. The condition remains the same—hellish. But... What is called...? Complacent, he's satisfied that "I am getting the profit." All foolish. The Iran is also imitating European method of exploiting. They're bringing men from village. In India also, British period, they used to, that, but Indian people are little clever. They would come from the village to the city alone, not with family. They earn money and send to the family. And whenever they like, they go away. They're not dependent. And if you bring family, you have to work. That system is still going on. The village men, they come but they do not bring their family. Family remains in the village. He earns, he lives some way or other and sends money there, and the wife who is intelligent. He (she) accumulates the money and when there is enough money he (she) purchases land, investment. So... In after few years, when they have got enough land, they do not come back. They produce their own necessities. Very nice. Hare Kṛṣṇa. As soon as they are self-sufficient from the land they no more work. That's a good idea. Remain in the village with family.

Letter to Russian -- January 5, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: I have heard that. That's good idea.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: That's good idea? So Hṛdayānanda Swami and Kīrtanānanda Swami are going to Africa. And on the 9th they told me to send a telegram signed by you saying you are sick and you want Brahmānanda to come immediately. So then Kīrtanānanda Swami will personally bring Brahmānanda Swami to India. But they want him to become your permanent secretary again.

Prabhupāda: I have no objection.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: You have no objection. Okay. And Hṛdayānanda Swami is ready to manage Africa till the festival.

Prabhupāda: He was experienced, Brahmānanda, in Africa. Where is that Cyavana? He is gone?

Room Conversation -- January 8, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes. (laughter) That there is possibility because these young men, they are taking. So everywhere revolution takes place by young men. So if it is actually spreading like epidemic, and young men, they are taking part, so within ten years it is not impossible.

Guest (1): It's a very good idea, then, to follow it. I'm quite serious.

Prabhupāda: And they are democratic. It can pull down even a President like Nixon. So if they like, if the majority becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, they can make Kṛṣṇa conscious government. There is no, I mean to say, wonder in it. So anyway, because these youngsters in the Western countries, both in Europe and America, are taking... And the recent telegram we have received... Just see how many books we have sold. (aside:) Make it little less.

Discussion on Deprogrammers -- January 9, 1977, Bombay:

Hari-śauri: He never liked India.

Rāmeśvara: But this is a good idea.

Prabhupāda: Then engage them.

Rāmeśvara: If he's willing, he could give speaking engagements. I tell you, America is just wide open.

Prabhupāda: No, no. Why not take this... Suppose he is attracted by some woman. Let him dress like a gentleman and keep with the woman as husband and wife and preach. What is the wrong there? Whatever is done, you close up that chapter. Now you become a householder. There is no harm. And live as a gentleman householder and preach. But don't play duplicity in the dress of sannyāsī to keep private relations. That is not good. That is duplicity. Better openly become a respectable householder and serve Kṛṣṇa. Our service is main thing, either in this dress or that dress. So if you cannot keep yourself sincerely as a sannyāsī, then get yourself married. But you cannot keep the girl as friend. That is also not good.

Room Conversation -- January 10, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: The borrowing loan is not less than 16%.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: 15%... Yes. He'll offer 25%.

Rāmeśvara: I think this is a good idea because the printer will be indebted to us.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: And now we also need his help to make... I went all over India looking for printers.

Prabhupāda: So do it immediately.

Rāmeśvara: This is a good opportunity for us to have a very solid relationship with the printer.

Prabhupāda: Hm. That's nice.

Conversation on Train to Allahabad -- January 11, 1977, India:

Rāmeśvara: That'll be great, if we can use the money... Do you think I should set up a separate account for the records, so that all the profit is used for food distribution?

Prabhupāda: Why not? Very good idea.

Rāmeśvara: So that will be a special means of raising money for prasāda.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Rāmeśvara: This idea will be very popular with the devotees.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. So now you can distribute...

Hari-śauri: Take prasāda... (indistinct) (break) (train stops)

Rāmeśvara: That's the British propaganda, that they came to India and made India more civilized.

Prabhupāda: This is civilization, that running, congested, hanging on. These rascals...

Rāmeśvara: Their famous phrase was "The white man's burden."

Conversation and Instruction On New Movie -- January 13, 1977, Allahabad:

Prabhupāda: How they are contributing their hard-earned money, how it is, the are collecting money, huge amount.

Rāmeśvara: Yes, they'll interview very wealthy people also. Good idea.

Prabhupāda: They're not all wealthy. Wealthies are giving more, and poor men also give.

Rāmeśvara: But in America, if they see that a wealthy man is also worshiping Kṛṣṇa...

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Rāmeśvara: ...then they'll have respect for it.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Rāmeśvara: If they think just poor people...

Room Conversation -- January 23, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: What did he gain? Became a rākṣasa and was killed.

Gurukṛpa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, I went to Jagannātha Purī today, and I looked at this land that Gargamuni was looking at, and I don't think it's a very good idea because it's too central. It is right with all the hotels, and therefore the atmosphere there is not a very serenic atmosphere. But just maybe one mile down the beach I saw, which is still on the main road... It is within ten minute rickshaw. The atmosphere reminds one of Lord Caitanya, and the water there is much cleaner because it is away from the sewerage of the main city, similar to our Vṛndāvana, not far off, but five or ten minutes. It is the best place in Purī.

Prabhupāda: So put this matter in the GBC meeting.

Room Conversation -- January 29, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: Yes. I have no objection, English. But if they wanted that national language, why not take Sanskrit? I am international. I don't believe in this national or statewise. I never believed. This is very good idea, īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam (ISO 1). God is the proprietor. He is the original father. Ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā (BG 14.4). Why do they not take this philosophy? They have attempted this United Nation organization. And where is the philosophy how to make one state? That is cheating them. Why not make one state?

Hari-śauri: They actually don't desire that.

Prabhupāda: No.

Hari-śauri: They can speak, "United Nations," but...

Room Conversation -- February 18, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: That is...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: More vigorously.

Prabhupāda: (laughs) That's it. And the Hyderabad report, that English education, they are inclined. There are so many here. That's not very good idea. As soon as they get English education...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They'll leave. So we should not encourage that at all. I think it's different than here.

Prabhupāda: No, their attention should be in chanting. And produce their own food, agriculture. And as soon as they get English education, then... Not "as soon as," but not all of them are fit for being educated. It is not possible. They are śūdra class of men. What he will be educated? Śūdra, vaiśya, they should learn how to plow, how to produce food. They are thinking otherwise, that "Plowing is great labor. If we educate our boys in English, they can go to the city. Immediately they get some..."

Room Conversations -- February 20, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: That's good idea. Yes. So now organize things. My presence or no presence, we have got now a position. We have to push on this movement very cautiously.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Svarūpa Dāmodara Prabhu was mentioning that he met Upendra.

Prabhupāda: Oh. Where?

Svarūpa Dāmodara: In the airport, Calcutta airport. He arrived last night, but somehow his luggage was left in Bombay airport. So the luggage is coming tonight at seven o'clock for Bombay-Calcutta flight, and he told me that he's coming after, a taxi. So he'll be arriving about nine o'clock tonight.

Prabhupāda: Oh. He has received that telegram.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: In Hawaii.

Prabhupāda: He is coming from Hawaii?

Evening Darsana -- February 25, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Huh?

Rāmeśvara: He's enjoying a little bit the senses.

Prabhupāda: So that is not very good idea.

Rāmeśvara: He's got one son. He has his boy.

Prabhupāda: Oh.

Rāmeśvara: He has got the older boy. His wife has got the younger boy.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I was in New Vrindaban. That boy was staying with Kīrtanānanda Mahārāja.

Trivikrama: Sāmba.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Sāmba.

Room Conversation 'GBC Resolutions' -- March 1, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: No, that is a good, good idea.

Brahmānanda: Also, Bhagavān would go to America and spend one month to see how things are being managed there, because he has not been there for four years.

Prabhupāda: That's nice.

Kīrtanānanda: I'd like to say, Śrīla Prabhupāda, that we discussed it for some time today, discussing this. And initially at least, it was the feeling of the GBC that he should change zones.

Prabhupāda: So, he has agreed?

Kīrtanānanda: That he should go to the Midwest of the US where we could have used him very much.

Prabhupāda: So this is...

Room Conversation 'GBC Resolutions' -- March 1, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: That's nice.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: If there is cooperation between Jayatīrtha Prabhu and Bhagavān.

Prabhupāda: So that's a good idea. No, Jayatīrtha will be sent there.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes.

Prabhupāda: So he'll be assistant secretary?

Satsvarūpa: No. What we resolved is that Bhagavān dāsa would stay in his present zone: France and Italy and Sweden and Amsterdam; but that as far as Jayatīrtha, he would visit Paris and New Māyāpur to assist with the financial problems there, and after some time...

Prabhupāda: Jayatīrtha and Ātreya Ṛṣi, both.

Room Conversation with GBC members -- March 2-3, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Bhavauṣadhāc chrotra-mano-'bhirāmāt. This is the real remedy for any disease. Very good idea. So, finished?

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Jaya.

Jayapatākā: Śrīla Prabhupāda? My mother left this morning, and she wrote a letter to you. I'd like you... If I could read it... "Śrīla Prabhupāda: I am sorry to hear of your illness. Jayapatākā tells me swift changes in temperature cause many illnesses in Māyāpur. A place so beautiful must have its thorns. May your recovery be soon. It was auspicious for me to have met you. Not having seen my son for so long, finding him in the midst of God's blessings at ISKCON with a spiritual master of such great repute was humbling in its magnitude. Perhaps in some small measure I can help parents understand what their children are into and weaken their weapons. This visit will be shared with others. It was propitiously enjoyable. As far as fund-raising, there is a seminar on new methods I am trying to get to, but Kṛṣṇa seems to be pulling me back.

Room Conversation with Ratan Singh Rajda (Member of Parliament) -- March 27, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes. I can give him... (break)

Girirāja: So I told him I would meet him at the rally. They are hawing a rally at Shivaji Park. And he invited me to sit on the dais, but I don't know if this is a good idea for us.

Prabhupāda: Why not? He is honoring you.

Girirāja: Yes. So he said that he would ask the organizer that he should speak early in the program so that he can be free and come here as early as possible. So he is very serious. I don't think there will be any delay.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What is his name?

Girirāja: Ratan Singh Rajda.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What is his exact position?

Room Conversation -- April 2, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Then what is the use of his preaching? They will continue sinful activities, and Jesus Christ will take contract for saving them. How nonsense idea this is! Bhavānanda, do you think it is good idea?

Bhavānanda: Not a good idea, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Nonsense rascals. These people should be immediately hanged. "Our religion is very good." What is that? "We cannot stop acting sinfully, and Christ has taken contract. He will save us."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Rascals.

Prabhupāda: How rascaldom it is! Nāmno balād pāpa-buddhiḥ. Nāma-aparādha. "I am chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, so no sinful action will be." It is like that. That means "I will continue my sinful activities and become a Christian, become a Vaiṣṇava, become a chanter."

Room Conversation -- April 5, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: If he wants, he can go.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: That's a good idea. I can meet them in Delhi. I know those people.

Prabhupāda: Then do that.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah. I met that swami who wanted to give...

Prabhupāda: Yes. He does not speak.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, he writes.

Prabhupāda: So let us occupy that place.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: And now that Trivikrama Swami is operating in Punjab with his party, it is good, because he can go there sometimes also.

Prabhupāda: So take that place.

Room Conversation -- April 5, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: So take that place.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, now we will take it. It's a very good idea. So it is okay if we send him back. I want to get the First Canto, Part Two...

Prabhupāda: And as soon as we go to Srinagar I shall call. From Delhi to Srinagar...

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: It's not far. This evening Girirāja and myself saw Jaya Prakash Narayan in his hospital. I gave him your Hindi Bhāgavatam and Kṛṣṇa Conscious Movement and your Gītā Girirāja gave. He liked it very much. He inquired how much Bhāgavatam you have translated. He inquired where our temple is. We said Juhu. He said he would come here. Of course, he is very, very sick. And I asked him for an appointment that we could come and show him our movie. And he has agreed to even see our movie. So in one or two days we will show him the movie in the morning. And in the evening there were hundreds of people, so we only saw him for three or four minutes. He has agreed to see us again. And he wants to meet you, he said. So when he is okay he will come to see you.

Prabhupāda: Girirāja said that the Prime Minister also.

Room Conversation -- April 5, 1977, Bombay:

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Yeah. I cut that advertisement. I was very attracted when I saw it. Do you think it is a good idea?

Prabhupāda: Hm. Go to...

Devotees: Jaya, Śrīla Prabhupāda. (break)

Guest (1): Slowly about the program is that. I am trying to liquidate my assets in Allahabad because all this my dead father, dead mother, brother, all the properties are gone now. So when that is free, I'll take up this property here.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Guest (1): That I am doing at home.

Prabhupāda: No, I mean to say that we are inviting, people may come, live peacefully, and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. This is an attempt. Otherwise, we could have built some apartment house... (break)...the J.P.?

Conversation with Patita-pavana -- April 20, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: That "We have kept your request."

Girirāja: Yeah, we obliged him by making him the tenant.

Prabhupāda: "So, if you kindly go up there, as we have been a little convenient..."

Girirāja: That's a very good idea.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Downstairs will be utilized in a solid way.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: You wanted that Mr. Acarya to move to your...?

Prabhupāda: No, no.

Girirāja: No, the same building...

Prabhupāda: Same building.

Conversation with Tamala Krsna about Yadubara -- April 22, 1977, Bombay:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. This is exactly what his purpose is. He wants to show there is Kurukṣetra. It's not in someone's mind. "And perhaps even including Lord Buddha's explaining his real identity and role in bringing people to a higher platform."

Prabhupāda: These are good ideas.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: "And then to include Lord Caitanya, the six Gosvāmīs, and other great ācāryas in our line, up to Your Divine Grace, the foremost preacher of the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the world today."

Prabhupāda: Very good. This is all right.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: "Then we would show how Lord Kṛṣṇa's teachings are still manifest in India today by the nine devotional processes and the predominant role Kṛṣṇa plays in the culture and religious life of the people in temple worship, painting, dance, music and lifestyle, including offering and taking prasādam, varṇāśrama-dharma, etc... Then testimonials could be given by prominent supporters of our movement and perhaps a short statement by Your Divine Grace..."

Conversation with Tamala Krsna about Yadubara -- April 22, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Oh, it is good idea. Good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: You like that idea.

Prabhupāda: Hm, hm.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He says, "Also these films could be shown on television. 'The Age of Kali' play is especially dramatic and would appeal to a mass audience for television." He says, "In this way we could introduce our philosophy to many millions of people. The players are very expert, and I feel the people in general will appreciate their efforts."

Prabhupāda: He can do.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He says he's also eager to help Svarūpa Dāmodara in whatever way he can because his project is so much stressed by you.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Short Dissertations -- May 24-25, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: It is down.

Bhavānanda: Yes. And shaded.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That was a good idea, not to fill in that basement area. It was a good idea to utilize that bottom thing. Ātreya Ṛṣi has come. He'll come in the afternoon for the kīrtana and Bhāgavatam.

Bhavānanda: People are always saying "Work is worship." Actually they're almost right. Work for Kṛṣṇa is worship. I know that's why they're attracted to Māyāpur temple. Because there's so much work going on, people are attracted: "Why these people are so happy while they're working?" Especially the gurukula boys, sweeping the road hard as anything, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa while they're sweeping.

Prabhupāda: What about my house?

Morning Conversation -- May 29, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Gargamuni: Some pūjā. If we had a deity of yourself within the rooms and we...

Prabhupāda: No, first of all go on with the picture. Let us settle that. Then...

Gargamuni: Well, we had talked with the lawyer also, and he said this was a very good idea. He said it was a good idea because if there's a deity there, then they can never take those rooms because it has some sentimental religious value.

Prabhupāda: So then do it.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: But then a deity would... That worship has to be maintained properly.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That is one thing that Prabhupāda's concerned with.

Gargamuni: Oh, yes. Yes, that we have to talk about.

Morning Conversation -- May 29, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: No.

Gargamuni: ...that so many books are there I have not distributed yet. I will print more and...

Prabhupāda: No, no. This will come out. Very good idea. Sell.

Gargamuni: Sell first; then print. I should first sell...

Prabhupāda: No, at least you must have three, four, varieties.

Gargamuni: Right now we have two varieties.

Prabhupāda: So make it four varieties. That will be first class. Don't print twenty thousand. Print five thousand.

Conversations -- May 31, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: That will be very nice. Good idea.

Devotee (2): What time do you recommend they come?

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Yes, we can invite some scholars. I saw two students from Delhi today. They are students. So I will start a program of the Institute here if they are interested.

Prabhupāda: Keep always busy. Make execution. Something must go on. We have got our guesthouse to provide respectable gentleman with quarter.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: I think it will also be good for the gurukula, to tie together, 'cause we have this Institute and gurukula together. That way, it will be more attractive for program.

Prabhupāda: Hm. So did you talk with Bhakti-prema Swami?

Discussions with Devotees and Conversation with Dr. Ghosh -- June 1, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Write.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: For the Bhaktivedanta Institute.

Prabhupāda: Write. That's a very good idea. (Bengali) This is real life. You are all qualified to do this. Idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā (SB 1.5.22). (Bengali)

Yaśodānandana: Śrīla Prabhupāda, this morning, as soon as the children heard that this name was going to be changed and it was going to be that, many of them became eager: "How I can be trained also to know these things?" The children are very eager to understand all these...

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Yaśodānandana: ...the scientific approach.

Room Conversation -- June 18, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Ha, ha, ha.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So there was one piece of land he had. There's a little temple there. And it goes all the way from the road right up to the Gaṅgā. So we could have a little ghāṭa there, and the boat would dock. Yeah, that's a very good idea because if it goes from where the other boats go, then the boat wallas will cause trouble. But now they... They could not protest if we make our own place.

Prabhupāda: Arrange like that. You have understood?

Śatadhanya: Yes, Prabhupāda.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: (whispering to Śatadhanya)

Prabhupāda: Next get the two boats like that.

Room Conversation -- October 3, 1977, Vrndavana:

Haṁsadūta: I once heard that when some devotees wanted to buy a church in America you suggested that they should keep the altar and next put Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa and give simultaneous lecture from Bible and from Bhagavad-gītā. I was thinking that in Shree Lanka, if it would be all right to have a deity of Lord Buddha and speak simultaneously on the Dharmapatha(?) and also Bhagavad-gītā, showing how Bhagavad-gītā is beyond the stage of nirvāṇa. Is that a good idea, Prabhupāda, or not?

Prabhupāda: Good idea, provided you can present properly.

Haṁsadūta: Because Buddhists come and they ask, "If Lord Buddha was an incarnation of Viṣṇu, then why he did not teach about God? Why did he not teach about the soul?" So I always explain to them it's like teachings ABC's and teaching advanced literature. He was teaching ABC. That was required. He did not go into higher subject matter.

Prabhupāda: First of all the Buddha wanted to make them sinless, "Don't kill." And you are not following that even. His business was to stop sinful life. In sinful life one cannot understand God as He is.

Room Conversation -- October 6, 1977, Vrndavana:

Sac-cid-ānanda: He has medical store.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I don't advise it, Śrīla Prabhupāda. I don't think it's a good idea to do. Because I don't see why we don't consult all twenty thousand doctors. I mean, why is he... Sac-cid-ānanda just happened to be... He goes to the shop and he sees the man's shop. Why not wait for Dr. Ghosh or call Dr. Ghosh here? I mean, what I'm trying to say is that if I go to Mathurā, I'll also pass many medical shops, so I could consult any one of those men, probably, just as well.

Sac-cid-ānanda: That's a fact.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That's a fact, huh.

Prabhupāda: They have got good practice.

Room Conversation -- October 10, 1977, Vrndavana:

Bhavānanda: Busloads of people, all respectable. Everyone at Māyāpur is expecting you to come for the winter season. The sweet sunshine in Māyāpur in the winter is the nicest, and the prasādam is the nicest. Everything is...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Actually, Śrīla Prabhupāda, if it gets very cold here it might be a good idea to go there.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Bhavānanda: That sweet sun.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Then, January 1st, we can go to Bombay for opening the temple. Then, if the temple is open, there should be not much work left, hopefully.

Bhavānanda: The women at Māyāpur at busy making nimbu ācār.

Subhaga: (Bengali with Prabhupāda)

Bhavānanda: One older Bengali lady, Mrs. Shaha, widow, very respectable lady, has come to stay. Very respectable, nice.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What does she do?

Visit From Allopathic Doctor -- October 10, 1977, Vrndavana:

Abhirāma: But do you think it's a good idea? Do you recommend it?

Doctor: Yes, it is a replacement. Tapit.(?) Food is not being assimilated and digested by the not taking any food, so this will be supplementary tapi(?), with this and other things. So this can be given, one teaspoonful three times a day.

Dr. Kapoor: It is a harmless thing. Only vitamins. Nothing else.

Doctor: It will supplementary tapit.(?) Just to have... The body requires. That should be given in the form of food or in the form of medicine. (Bengali) (break)

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Doctor: Neurovion syrup. Three times a day.

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Room Conversation -- October 11, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: On the whole, the nature of the conference, how do you like?

Brahmānanda: How do you like, on the whole, the nature of the conference?

Dr. Kapoor: It's a good idea. It should be... The conference should be interesting at least. (laughs)

Brahmānanda: You're coming?

Dr. Kapoor: I'll try to come. My wife has been ailing, so I'll try to find time and come.

Brahmānanda: Begins on Friday in the morning.

Dr. Kapoor: Friday in the morning. No, three days perhaps.

Brahmānanda: Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Room Conversation -- October 12, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: He wanted to retire and start a clinic here.

Kīrtanānanda: So he can come now.

Prabhupāda: So we can help.

Kīrtanānanda: Yes. It's a very good idea.

Prabhupāda: So, what is the report, Jayapatākā?

Jayapatākā: Since I left you in Bombay, then I returned and presented the Show Cause to the additional district magistrate. And he just looked at it and postponed it till November 18th. He postponed, so as far as that goes, there's nothing until November 18th. Then, I think, Bhavānanda Mahārāja gave the report about the court. They released... They reduced the bail restriction on the devotees. I went on a tour of Orissa to the two temples there, Bhuvaneśvara and Bhadrak. In Bhuvaneśvara they have nice garden (Prabhupāda coughing up mucus) and about six or seven devotees. They had a nice Vyāsa-pūjā and Janmāṣṭamī festival.

Prabhupāda: Magistrate wants my presence?

Room Conversation -- October 13, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: For distribution.

Rāmeśvara: And in the future there are so many other lectures that may be preserved in this way too, if you desire. Other books can be printed in the future.

Prabhupāda: Very good idea.

Jayapatākā: Then there is unlimited material.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: You've not only written more than anybody, but you've spoken more about Kṛṣṇa than anyone, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Room Conversation -- October 18, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Sweets. There are many nice sweet supplier in Bombay. Order them... (break) How do you like this idea?

Girirāja: It's very good idea, except that we feel that you should personally be present.

Prabhupāda: That is Kṛṣṇa's desire. You are trying. I am also trying. Now it is Kṛṣṇa-Balarāma's desire.

Bhagavān: You are the jewel that will make it all gorgeous, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: So I am giving the idea. Ha. HAAA!

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The Complan is here, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: So what shall I do?

Room Conversation -- October 18, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Svarūpa Dāmodara says, Śrīla Prabhupāda, that even if the hall is not simply for the Bhaktivedanta Institute, that the Gurukula here requires to have at least one big auditorium with seats. And also if you remember, the upstairs was going to be living quarters for women. Right now the women are living on the inside part of the guesthouse, and they're very noisy with all the children there. So perhaps it's a good idea to go ahead with that building anyway. He says that the Bhaktivedanta Gurukula could use that hall in any case.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: It can be a multipurpose hall. It doesn't have to be just for Gurukula or Bhaktivedanta Institute. It can also be cultural...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Cultural or wedding... We could rent it for wedding ceremonies, things like that also.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Yes. It's already a cultural center. Just like the Gītā Conference is coming next month, I was told? They would like to hold here. Something like that, we can always get some engagements. Also we can get some...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What do you think, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: No, whatever you think is approved.

Room Conversation -- October 20, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Sometimes Kṛṣṇa comes to Bengal. (laughter)

Bhagatji: But in a devotee form.

Prabhupāda: Just like government has got a house. So when the governor comes, he comes in that house. Similarly India is the bhūmi, and whenever incarnation of God or God Himself comes... (break) ...discussion.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: We didn't discuss last night, but it was agreed that it was a good idea. In about three weeks it's cooler here. In Māyāpur there is nice weather.

Room Conversation -- October 22, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Brahmānanda, what does he...?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Brahmānanda, what do you think?

Brahmānanda: I think it's a very good idea, Śrīla Prabhupāda, very good program.

Prabhupāda: Gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi... Eh? What is that song?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi... One minute and we'll find it.

Prabhupāda: Tāra hoy braja-bhūmi bās.

Pradyumna: Jebā jāne cintāmaṇi?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi, jebā jāne cintāmaṇi, tāra hoy braja-bhūmi bās. And we have got such a nice place, open place, palatial building, such finer...

Room Conversation -- October 22, 1977, Vrndavana:

Bhavānanda: By looking at all the devotees assembled here, Śrīla Prabhupāda, the looks on their faces indicate that everyone likes this idea.

Prabhupāda: So do it. Do it.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: It's a good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So shall we perform some kīrtana, Śrīla Prabhupāda? Haṁsadūta Swami is here.

Prabhupāda: Jaya.

Bhavānanda: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (break)

Guest: (Bengali)

Prabhupāda: (Bengali) (end)

Room Conversation -- October 25, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Either in palanquin or make a stretcher, but have parikrama.

Haṁsadūta: Yes, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Do you like this idea?

Haṁsadūta: Yes, I think it's a good idea.

Prabhupāda: So arrange like that with leading men. Let me have parikrama. If I live, that's all right; if I die, that's all right. Both ways.

Hari-śauri: Done, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: No, Bharadvāja?

Bharadvāja: Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: You have heard what I've have said?

Room Conversation -- October 26, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Very good idea. If I die then, it will be a great luck.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: And if you live it will be also great luck.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Jīvo vā māro vā.

Trivikrama: For us it will be greater luck if you live.

Prabhupāda: Yes, I want also. What is that?

Bhavānanda: He was trying... The... (break)

Prabhupāda: ...parikrama was liven to them. Eh?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Trivikrama: This parikrama is very enthusiastic.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. (break)

Prabhupāda: ...krama you can increase.

Room Conversation -- October 26, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Very good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: And ecstatic kīrtana.

Bhavānanda: Perhaps it might be a good idea to begin at Rādhā-Dāmodara.

Prabhupāda: Hm? Begin?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He's saying we should also go to Rādhā-Dāmodara. Bhavānanda was saying we should start from there. As you started from there, so the parikrama start from there. First we will do parikrama of the Vṛndāvana area, local area. One day we can go... We can parikrama. It will take about three hours, the whole Vṛndāvana, you know, the local Vṛndāvana area?

Prabhupāda: Hm.

Room Conversation -- October 27, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I agree with your suggestion, Śrīla Prabhupāda. I think it's a good idea to stop the medicine for a day and to consult the kavirāja, and also to try to drink something else besides only fruit juice. I think the medicine should be stopped for a day. Haṁsadūta... I was talking with him. He said that he sometimes would do these fruit juice diets. In America this is something that's done a lot of times. He said when he would take this fruit juice diet, he said there's no question of passing stool. He said when you take fruit juice diets you don't pass stool because there's nothing... He says eventually you just pass urine. So the fact that Prabhupāda is passing stool is very unnatural, at least for taking fruit juice. He's not eating anything, so how can he pass stool four times? What is the stool coming from if he's not eating?

Prabhupāda: Whatever little blood is there.

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Whatever little blood is there.

Bhavānanda: I think it's a mistake, Śrīla Prabhupāda, to take this strong medicine without having the kavirāja actually come and diagnose himself and...

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation -- October 28, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, everyone says the śṛṅgāra is the best. But for flowers we have not yet the best. So we have to make that. Bhavānanda Mahārāja was suggesting a program, Śrīla Prabhupāda. He was suggesting that in that open land on the side of the Gurukula, that we could build a prasādam pavilion, and we could serve the public every day free prasādam at noon time. That might become very popular in Vṛndāvana. Ḍāl and cāpāṭis. All the sādhus would come. I don't know if it's a good idea, but he was suggesting.

Prabhupāda: Good idea. Very good idea.

Nayanābhirāma: We used to serve them khicuṛi in the morning. Then they discontinued.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I mean so many pilgrims come, and there are already so many sādhus living in Vṛndāvana. This would make our temple very, very popular additionally, even more popular than now. So many pilgrims come. I see them. And they're farmers and things, you know. And if we gave that, probably they would be inclined, even some of the farmers would bring a little of their..., you know, thinking to offer something also to the Deities, because they would see that we're giving things.

Prabhupāda: If you distribute prasādam, there will be no scarcity of participants. Bhāta ei kāke āra.(?)

Room Conversation -- October 30, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: No, they make contact. For twelve rupees they'll get twelve copies.

Bhavānanda: When they contact.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Bhavānanda: That's good idea.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: You mean they have to come and collect.

Bhavānanda: Yes. They come to the temple few times a year, once a year. They'll get their copies and go.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Then you have to keep them set aside with the person's name on it? That's not so hard. Just stick the person's name on it.

Room Conversation -- November 2, 1977, Vrndavana:

Svarūpa Dāmodara: I think that's a good idea. Don't you, Mahārāja?

Bhakti-caru: Śrīla Prabhupāda is saying that... Śrīla Prabhupāda wants to stay here, but we want him to take...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He wants to stay here, that's a fact.

Kavirāja: (Hindi)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What is that?

Bhakti-caru: Water intake, liquid.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: How much urine has he passed since six o'clock this morning? Six o'clock this morning?

Prabhupāda: Brahmānanda.

Brahmānanda: Yes, Prabhupāda?

Bhakti-caru: Two hundred and twenty.

Room Conversation -- November 5, 1977, Vrndavana:

Svarūpa Dāmodara: I think it's a good idea to call kavirāja from Calcutta.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Bhavānanda: We're all in agreement that the kavirāja should be called from Calcutta.

Prabhupāda: What he'll do?

Bhavānanda: Well, that's up to him, to decide what to do. We don't know what he will do, but he has medicines which can give you strength. He wanted to wait some time before administering. But now what would be the loss if he administered them to you now? If they're going to work five days from now, they'll work now. Let us try. There's no loss. And if you get strength, then all gain. The kavirāja said that the one great quality that you have in this sickness is your incredible willpower. If you lose your willpower, desire to remain here, then nothing will work. But he said that if you continue with this strong desire to remain, then it will be easy.

Prabhupāda: That strong desire has now disappeared.

Room Conversation -- November 7, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Do like that. That is very good idea. And different name, you can purchase.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust?

Jayapatākā: Each of the..., like gośāla, handloom, these can be separately formed into societies, which would be easier for bookkeeping and management anyway, and each of those societies can purchase the land on which their handloom or gośāla, whatever is, they can purchase that land in that name.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Kṛṣi-go-rakṣya bhūmi Trust.

Jayapatākā: Mr. Chowdury tried, but now he's been transferred from the development commissioner. Now he's the transport commissioner. So now all he can do is give us a free... He gives us, tax free, vehicles. But he can't give us the land anymore.

Prabhupāda: Tax free?

Room Conversation -- November 7, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: And that bridge is a good idea. Pontoon bridge.

Jayapatākā: Because so many tourists are coming. The local M.L.A., he told me now there's thousands and thousands people coming. This last weekend there was... At any time you could see hundreds of people walking on the road to take darśana So now the local man, he wants to build some guesthouse on his own, the government, where they're going to serve meat and other things. That's why our temple, we want to... We're getting our guesthouse all straightened up. If we have a restaurant, then we'll be able to take all the tourist traffic.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So why don't you have a restaurant?

Jayapatākā: That was supposed to be done this year, but then Bombay took all the funds. Prabhupāda sanctioned it already last year. It was a good idea. But Māyāpur has become very popular. This is all due to your effort, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Simply due to your efforts Māyāpur and Navadvīpa is becoming so much more famous and popular. We want to make the Māyāpur temple so beautiful and make the city so nice that not only the Queen of England and the President of United States, but even the Russian and Chinese leaders, they'll all have to come to see this. They can't avoid. Will that please Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura? If all the leaders, all these presidents and kings would come and visit the temple at Māyāpur, that would please Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura?

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Room Conversation -- November 8, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: No, yes and no.

Bhavānanda: I think it's good idea, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Ha.

Bhavānanda: Only factor at this point is not to take any unnecessary risk.

Prabhupāda: No. As I think free, so I remain. Mm. Then when I am sane man, I shall come back again either Māyāpur or Vṛndāvana or Bombay, any other.

Jayapatāka: You would travel by a minibus.

Prabhupāda: Mm?

Room Conversation -- November 8, 1977, Vrndavana:

Jayapatāka: I'll be back to say that you defy all medical laws. Sometimes you become very weak and sometimes you become immediately strong. (pause)

Girirāja: I think this is a good idea.

Prabhupāda: Who is this?

Devotee: Girirāja.

Prabhupāda: Oh.

Girirāja: Because, I mean, I don't have any faith in the doctors or their treatments because they're never working and ultimately it depends on Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa is everywhere. He can exercise His will in any condition and you know, as you say, that if you go out and if you recover then it's very good. And even otherwise, I mean if that is the decision of Lord Kṛṣṇa, then this is a very glorious way. (pause)

Prabhupāda: All seriously consider this submission and let me go.