Go to Vanipedia | Go to Vanisource | Go to Vanimedia


Vaniquotes - the compiled essence of Vedic knowledge


Preach our philosophy

Lectures

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

For the last at least hundred years, or more than that, many Indians went to the Western countries to preach our philosophy, and they referred to Bhagavad-gītā and so on, but unfortunately not a single person became a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, not a single person.
Lecture on SB 1.8.44 -- Mayapura, October 24, 1974: There are about six hundred commentaries on Bhagavad-gītā, all misleading. Therefore we have presented Bhagavad-gītā As It Is, without any misinterpretation. And it is acting. These six hundred editions of Bhagavad-gītā was being advertised in the Western countries, and so many scholars and swamis went there—not a single person became a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, not a single for the last two hundred, three hundred years. Before that, there was no such attempt, but for the last at least hundred years, or more than that, many Indians went to the Western countries to preach our philosophy, and they referred to Bhagavad-gītā and so on, but unfortunately not a single person became a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, not a single person. But as we presented Bhagavad-gītā as it is, within five years, thousands and thousands have become devotee of Kṛṣṇa.

Conversations and Morning Walks

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

Not necessarily that we have to establish a temple. We want to preach our philosophy. That is most important.
Room Conversation -- August 8, 1976, Tehran:

Prabhupāda: That's very good opportunity. Bring more Americans and start this movement nicely. Not necessarily that we have to establish a temple. We want to preach our philosophy. That is most important. Bhāgavata-mārga. There are two ways, bhāgavata-mārga and pāñcarātriki. The bhāgavata-mārga is more important than pāñcarātriki. Pāñcarātriki is Deity worship. So do you meet many intelligent men here? No. Not very.

Dayānanda: Some intelligent. People are working very hard for money, and they're very materialistic.

Prabhupāda: That is everywhere in the eastern part of the world. They are after money.

Dayānanda: And the foreigners who come here also, they are materialistic also.

Prabhupāda: Everywhere materialistic. Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. Spiritualistic means siddhi, perfection. Who cares for perfection? Bring money and enjoy. That's all. Who cares for perfection? They do not know what is perfection. They think that you get money, you live comfortably as far as possible, and after death, everything's finished. Is it not? This is the philosophy. Who cares to know that there is life after death and better life, better planet, better world? This is not at all good, it is full of miseries. They are driving all day, car, but they do not think it is tiresome. They think it is pleasure. To have a car and drive whole day, they do not feel that is tiresome. They think "I have got a car, I'm driving, people are seeing. It is pleasure."

Correspondence

1968 Correspondence

From this one line you should know and understand how much potency is there for preaching our philosophy of Krishna Consciousness to the western people.
Letter to Harivilasa -- Montreal 25 July, 1968: In the concluding part of your letter, you write to say, "All of the westerners here in Hrsikesa show keen interest in Krishna Consciousness and some even attended large Kirtana at Gita Bhawan with us." From this one line you should know and understand how much potency is there for preaching our philosophy of Krishna Consciousness to the western people. The western boys and girls, actually they are frustrated in their material opulence. They are searching after something spiritual. That is a fact. And you personally already know better than I can explain. So if you can consolidate all these western youngsters in search after some spiritual enlightenment, this will be a great service to your country, to your community, and to the world at large in the transcendental loving service of Krishna. Try to organize this movement in India. Attract the western youngsters to this Krishna Consciousness; have at least 3 centers, one in Hrsikesa, one in Vrindaban, one in Bombay. I am stressing on Bombay center for the fact that in Bombay, you will find a better atmosphere of English speaking people. In Bombay, 99% both men and women of all denominations, they speak English. So there you will have better chance for mixing with the Indian people. And in Hrsikesa, the westerners are attracted for finding out some recluse, for practicing so-called yoga. So if you can attract all the westerners in India in that way, it will be a great service, and I am repeatedly requesting you to take up this matter seriously and combine together.

1969 Correspondence

I am glad to learn of your policy of occupants in your building. If that house can develop into a students home, preaching our philosophy to the residents, it will be a great service.
Letter to Isanadas -- Allston, Mass 30 April, 1969: I am glad to learn of your policy of occupants in your building. If that house can develop into a students home, preaching our philosophy to the residents, it will be a great service. Make it a point that at a certain period of time there should be lecture about Krishna consciousness and some kirtana. This time should be fixed up for all residents. So if they take part in kirtana and have opportunity to hear our philosophy, certainly they will take it up. Side by side, if our prasadam program is also introduced, that will also be great impetus.

1971 Correspondence

If there is no prohibition, then go on preaching our philosophy. That will be all effective.
Letter to Bali-mardana -- Bombay April 19, 1971: Registration of our society is very essential and you should see to it immediately. Here in Bombay we are registered as the International Society for Krsna Consciousness. We are not converting Moslems. We do not convert. Is there any prohibition to preach Krsna philosophy to Moslems? If anyone understands our philosophy, he will make his own conversion and find a way to do it. So if there is no prohibition, then go on preaching our philosophy. That will be all effective.
You study our books very carefully under the guidance of Amarendra Prabhu and preach our philosophy from Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam in your scientific language.
Letter to Bhakta Don -- Los Angeles 1 December, 1973: Yes, you should use your scientific credentials to present this Krsna Conscious philosophy. Everything may be used in Krsna's service. It may not be possible to convince the rascal scientists of this Krsna Consciousness philosophy because after all, Krsna gives everyone free will and if it is their determination to remain atheistic how shall it be checked? Our principle aim is to challenge their nonsense proposition so that the layman and common people may be saved from this rascaldom. You study our books very carefully under the guidance of Amarendra Prabhu and preach our philosophy from Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam in your scientific language.
Regarding your engagement, I strongly recommend and encourage you to travel extensively and preach our philosophy everywhere you go.
Letter to Hanuman -- Mexico City 12 February, 1975: Regarding your engagement, I strongly recommend and encourage you to travel extensively and preach our philosophy everywhere you go. You have my authorization to open centers as you see fit after considering twice and thrice. Do not whimsically open or establish any center and then close it down later on. Please report to me directly as to your whereabouts and your programs for preaching work. You must be very strict to follow all of the rules and regulations that I have given without even the slightest deviation. By a perfect example from your own conduct, others will be nicely trained up to be perfect Vaisnavas.

1975 Correspondence

Do your best to preach our philosophy to the younger generation that they can be inclined to join with us in spreading Lord Chaitanaya’s Samkirtan.
Letter to Jayapataka -- 1975 So. La Cienega Blvd. Los Angeles, Cal. 90034 February 13, 1970: I am glad to learn that Toronto center has got such good prospect for success. If we are simply a little sincere in the matter of spreading this movement, Lord Krishna has already guaranteed our success. It is good that there is a large population of young people in Toronto as it is the younger generation which is most appreciative of our Krsna Consciousness movement. So do your best to preach our philosophy to them that they can be inclined to join with us in spreading Lord Chaitanaya’s Samkirtan.
Our mission is a continued effort and we need not give up the association of devotees simply because there is a difference of opinion how to preach our philosophy.
Letter to Revatinandana -- Durban 6 October, 1975: I am in due receipt of your letter dated Sept. 19, 1975 and I have noted the contents carefully. It is best that you travel with Visnujana Maharaja and Tamala Krsna Goswami. Our mission is a continued effort and we need not give up the association of devotees simply because there is a difference of opinion how to preach our philosophy. If your conviction is strong and evidential, then try to convince them of your ideas for spreading Krsna Consciousness. Our principle is to simply repeat what we have in our books. But, it is very dangerous to live outside the association of devotees. If you must live a more solitary life for some time, then you can go to our temple in Mayapur or Vrindaban, and they can give one small room there and you can chant and read. I can advise the temple authorities there to permit you to do so without disturbance. In either case you can take boiled vegetables, boiled rice, a little milk, once a day, and this is very easily digestible. I am also taking like this. Living outside the association of devotees is dangerous and unnecessary. You must, however, give up the association of Jamadagni and Kanupriya. Their company will not be beneficial to your Krsna consciousness.
Page Title:Preach our philosophy
Compiler:Kanupriya, Visnu Murti
Created:28 of Dec, 2008
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=1, Con=1, Let=7
No. of Quotes:9