Take prasadam (Conversations 1977)

Expressions researched:
"take Krsna prasadam" |"take Krsna's prasada" |"take Krsna-prasadam" |"take krsna prasada" |"take little prasadam" |"take nice prasada" |"take only prasada" |"take only prasadam" |"take prasada" |"take prasadam" |"take some prasadam" |"take the prasada" |"take the prasadam" |"take this prasadam" |"take together prasadam" |"take visnu-prasadam" |"take whatever prasada" |"take your prasada" |"takes prasada" |"takes prasadam" |"taking Krsna-prasadam" |"taking maha-prasadam" |"taking nice prasadam" |"taking nice prasadam" |"taking only prasadam" |"taking prasada" |"taking prasadam" |"taking the prasada" |"took prasada" |"took prasadam"

1977 Conversations and Morning Walks

Room Conversation -- January 4, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: That should be stressed. First business is the neighboring village people, they should come, chant and take prasāda. And gradually, when they become interested, then they come, live with us, work with us. In this way they should be induced, bare living and chanting.

Jagadīśa: As in Hyderabad.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Then our movement is success. Our only motive is how people become interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We have no other motive. No economic problem... Economic problem is... What is economic problem? We produce our own food and cloth, barely, and spiritual life... On the farm it is easier. And if they are dispatched to the city for livelihood, there are big, big roads and big, big cars and big, big anxieties. Then wine, meat, and so on, so on..., suicide, their spiritual life finished. These rascals are protesting. They have no ideas of spiritual life. They think this is life, to be merry, enjoy and drink. "Eat. Drink. Be merry." How they are committing suicide, they do not know. Nature's law is very stringent. They are foolish rascal.

Morning Walk -- January 6, 1976, Bombay:

Mahāṁsa: Now when I get back I'm going to work on it and see that at least...

Prabhupāda: They should come. Every evening they should come, as many as possible. Give them prasādam. Our mission is to induce them to chant and take prasādam. Then, next stage, if they want to work with us, it is welcome. If not, we shall go on giving prasādam and induce them to chant. This is our mission.

Mahāṁsa: The village people are very happy.

Prabhupāda: Yes, they should be. That I want. Sarve sukhino bhavantu. This is our mission.

Mahāṁsa: The stone-cutting has also started.

Prabhupāda: Ah, that's nice.

Morning Walk -- January 6, 1976, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Ah, that's nice.

Mahāṁsa: They're doing very well.

Prabhupāda: Here we're inviting everyone, "Come here. Live here. Take prasādam and chant. Don't drink tea. That's all." (chuckles) That is... Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Trivikrama: "No tea?"

Prabhupāda: No tea, no cigarette. That is their disease. No tea, no... Don't stop prasādam. Never. Increase. I shall beg and supply you money. Don't worry. But don't waste it. Simply you take money and utilize it for preaching. My only anxiety is that don't be extravagant. Otherwise you take money and spend it.

Mahāṁsa: Don't be extravagant.

Morning Walk -- January 6, 1976, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Actually you have seen in our Māyāpura there is no question Hindu, Muslim, everyone takes prasādam. There is no question.

Indian Lady: (continues reading)

Prabhupāda: (Hindi) It is great, fortunate that you are trying to understand. So if you try to understand this philosophy, you understand it is not the so-called religion, it is a culture for benefit of the whole human society, para-upakāra. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission, para-upakāra. Because people are in the darkness of knowledge, to enlighten them, to come to the light, that is Vedic injunction, tamasi mā jyotir gamaḥ. Do not remain in darkness, come to the light. So our attempt is to bring these people who are kept in different types of, or different standards of darkness, to bring them to light. This is our position. It is not sectarian. Not for the Hindus, not for the Indians, but it is meant for the whole human society. Kṛṣṇa never said that He's Hindu or He's Indian. He says, sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya sambhavanti mūrtayaḥ tāsāṁ mahad yonir brahma ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā (BG 14.4). He never says that "I am for the Hindu or for the Indians."

Room Conversation -- January 7, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: This should be completely stopped. And in our, this campus, actually those who are eager to advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they should live, nobody else. We give free food, free apartment, cloth and everything. "Come here. Live. As far as possible we shall provide." But this is specially meant for bhagavad-bhajana. Attend ārati, early rise in the morning, attend the functions, take prasādam... In this way everything will be reorganized, not loose things. Then what is the use of...? We have got such a... And so far the tenants are concerned, if it is possible, give them money; let them go. One, two, some have gone, and others... This whole campus should be for devotees. We don't want tenant. And it should be developed for that purpose, for developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Either here or outside India or anywhere, this principle should be followed. And this hodgepodge association, society, is not the... Let it be very pure. Ekaś candras tamo hanti na ca tārā. That one moon is sufficient. There is no need of millions of stars. Hm?

Room Conversation -- January 8, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Let them do whatever nonsense they are doing. Let them chant and take prasāda. We don't mind what they are doing. That is later on. When I was chanting in Tompkinson Park I never asked them that "Don't come here. You are drinking." Everyone was drinking. (laughs) I know that. Everyone had illicit sex. They were coming with their boyfriend, girlfriend. I didn't know that? Was I going to restrict them from? Let them come, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Caitanya Mahāprabhu stressed on this, mass kīrtana every night. He was not speaking philosophy. Philosophy with Sarvabhauma Bhaṭṭācārya, Prakāśānanda Sarasvatī, not with the mass of people. Mass of people—"Come on! Chant!" Give prasāda. This was Caitan... What they will understand, philosophy?

Room Conversation -- January 8, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Mass of people, let them chant and dance and take prasāda. So these centers are being opened for mass movement as well as class movement. In the village there is... Hardly you'll get good, educated men. So there is no question of philosophy. Given them chance of chanting and take prasāda. It is useless to talk before them our philosophy. They'll never understand. But they will understand prasādam. Prasādam is so nice. If there are few grains of prasāda, even the crows will come, the condemned bird. (laughs) He will also come. You do like this. So if this has been settled, do that.

Haṁsadūta: I think Mahāṁsa would rather manage the farm himself.

Room Conversation -- January 8, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Otherwise I'll not give to Govinda. Income tax officer will take: "Govindāya namaḥ." If you distribute prasādam of Govinda among the poor men... We have got already in Māyāpura. Increase that. There is... They are drum-beating, that "Anyone who is hungry, please come and take prasāda."

Girirāja: That they accept as charitable. They want charitable.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Girirāja: So what could be more charitable than feeding?

Prabhupāda: No, you keep always kitchen, and by drum beating, that, "Anyone hungry within this area, or anywhere, come here. Take capatis, roti," and distribute prasādam. That is in our program.

Room Conversation -- January 8, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes. I'll give money...

Mr. Asnani: I'll distribute your papers to the Muhammadans in their language, Marwati.(?)

Prabhupāda: Let them chant, dance, and take prasāda, go away. That's all. No philosophy. Everyone will come. Chant, dance, and take prasādam. And we shall work hard for this maintaining the establishment. We are recognized beggars. We can beg. Where is anxiety? If we go to a rich man, that "I want some money for this purpose," they will pay. Where is the question of scarcity of money? You cannot say there is no money. A sannyāsī can go anywhere: "Give me some money. I want to do this." They are meant for begging. And in India still... Why India? Everywhere. I am speaking of India. Still now, although India is so poverty-stricken and materialized, if a sannyāsī goes to beg something, nobody will refuse. Nobody will refuse, especially in the village. They'll never refuse. "Baba, (Hindi)." He'll give. Actually our āśramas are maintained by begging mūrti. Mūrti... You... Hundred houses, hundred mūrti. Then you can...

Room Conversation -- January 8, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Let them chant and take prasādam. They'll... Everyone will get. Then gradually, as a snake charming, by chanting, chanting, chanting, then they will be subdued. And that is guaranteed process. There is no doubt. Anyone, even a man is like a snake. In material world everyone is a snake, envious. Snake is very envious. You are passing by the side, "Oh! You are passing by my side?" This is snake. No offense. Because he is passing—he has got the poison-he'll utilize it. This is snake. Without offense. If somebody hurts him or tramples him—no. "Oh, you are so daring? You are passing? You do not know I am snake." Sarpaḥ kruraḥ khalaḥ kruraḥ sarpāt krurataraḥ khalaḥ. There are similarly men also. Unnecessarily they are envious, offensive, unnecessary. They cannot tolerate others' opulence. Just like our Godbrothers. They are envious. What I have done to them? I am doing my business, trying to serve my Guru Mahārāja. But they are envious because I am so opulent. I have got so much fame, so many influence, so much influence all over the world. Everyone is praising me about... That is ignorance.

Morning Walk -- January 9, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Kṛṣṇa gives freedom. Striyo śūdras tathā vaiśyās te 'pi yānti parām. "Never mind. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Come on." Māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa (BG 9.32). "Anyone. Come on. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Take prasāda." This is my propaganda.

Dr. Patel: My mind is haunted by those (indistinct). There will be somebody...

Prabhupāda: I know that I sincere to Kṛṣṇa, He'll do the rest.

Dr. Patel: That is right. You have extreme faith.

Prabhupāda: Faith means extreme faith. Not reserved. Faith does not mean any reservation. What is that? Bhajate mām ananya-bhāk. This is... Ananya-bhāk. No reservation. That is... Sādhur eva. He is sādhu. Whatever he does, it doesn't matter. Bhajate mām ananya-bhāk. Sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ (BG 9.30).

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

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes, cent percent devotees, by this process: ask them to chant and take prasāda.

Jagadīśa: People in general are very much inclined to accept whoever their leader is if they feel happy. So if we give them kīrtana and prasādam, if their economic needs are met, then how can they avoid? Economic needs are the main thing. That's why they...

Prabhupāda: If they can eat nicely and they have no complaint for living conditions, they will become.

Rāmeśvara: But they will not give up sex life.

Prabhupāda: No, no. I don't say that you give up sex life.

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

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Rāmeśvara: So if we ask just a little bit, then gradually we increase.

Prabhupāda: No, little bit we say, that "You come, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasāda."

Jagadīśa: "And read our books."

Prabhupāda: Suppose you are illiterate, you cannot. But you can do this—"Come here, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam."

Rāmeśvara: That is a big misunderstanding in America. People think that to be a Hare Kṛṣṇa you have to give up everything.

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

Prabhupāda: He'll give up.

Hari-śauri: (train starts to move again) First thing is to begin the positive process. Then the negative process will follow along.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes. If he understands it is very nice to chant, dance, and take prasādam, they'll give up.

Rāmeśvara: Many people think that if you become a Hare Kṛṣṇa you have to shave your head.

Prabhupāda: That is very good.

Rāmeśvara: But it scares them and it keeps them from joining us.

Prabhupāda: No, you save so much barbers' expenses. (laughter)

Hari-śauri: So much inconvenience for washing.

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

Prabhupāda: (aside:) Give them some seat. Is there any carpet? Bring something.

Hari-śauri: What time do you want to take prasādam, Śrīla Prabhupāda? It's 8:25 now.

Prabhupāda: Whenever... You take?

Hari-śauri: Well, we'll all take in that other carriage, and you can eat undisturbed. I'll remain here or whatever you want.

Prabhupāda: I may take little later.

Hari-śauri: Well, we can take later on.

Rāmeśvara: So I found out that people spend more money on records than on books in America. That means that if we sell our record in the store, it can bring us a lot of income. In general, people spend more money on records.

Prabhupāda: So you get more income. For using it, let them come and take prasādam. Don't accumulate money.

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

Prabhupāda: Yes. Spend it for distribution. They'll say, "Kṛṣṇa, give us prasāda!" And that is our triumph. They chant and "Kṛṣṇa." That's all right. "Take prasāda."

Rāmeśvara: So I'm encouraging them to make more records like the "Change of Heart."

Prabhupāda: We are not dry, simply talking philosophy. "Take prasāda. Eat sumptuously."

Rāmeśvara: In America, Śrīla Prabhupāda, if people become followers of a particular music group, then they take their message and their life-style very seriously. Just like when the people were following the Beatles, and then the Beatles became involved with meditation, so this made it very popular in America. If the group becomes... If the music group becomes popular, then whatever they do, everyone follows. So I am thinking that we can make this music group, Golden Avatar, very popular. Then everyone will find out that they believe in reincarnation and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, and everyone will follow.

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

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: So we can take money for food. That is also our program.

Rāmeśvara: Well, I'm going to try to develop this record business. I think we can make a million dollars a year, profit.

Prabhupāda: And send it for our farms, and we invite, "Come here. Take prasādam."

Rāmeśvara: Oh, the farm communities. Oh, not just food relief, but also developing the farm projects.

Hari-śauri: That's food relief.

Prabhupāda: Now, my project is that we shall actually give them food, shelter and...

Rāmeśvara: Cottages, little cottages.

Prabhupāda: And cloth, whatever primary necessities and simple living, and let them chant.

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

Prabhupāda: Yes. And we can increase. The same thing (indistinct) in the farm, in the village, "Come on, any number, I shall feed you. Come here, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, and take prasādam." And we shall increase the quality of the prasādam. They will be very much pleased to come and chant. That I want. I am interested in these rascals (indistinct). Fighting amongst them. What can we do? You can go for some time, see what is the reason you have come. (indistinct) ...elderly person, he will come. (indistinct) younger brothers (indistinct) but that he has no power to do. Misunderstanding there will be, after all it is the material world. You go and see why (indistinct). I used to think like that. In all our temples the prasāda distribution should be so random (?), that within ten miles nobody should remain hungry. There are many persons in India, they are half time hungry. So if you distribute prasādam, "Come over here. You are hungry, take prasādam. If I cannot supply daily, I'll supply at least two days, three days weekly." And they're coming. You have seen Māyāpura (indistinct).

Room Conversation -- January 20, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Guest (1): What time?

Prabhupāda: You come here early in the morning. You take prasādam here, and you'll be initiated. Where is your father's house?

Guest (1): Her father is dead.

Prabhupāda: Oh. What business you are doing?

Guest (1): I am a lawyer by profession.

Prabhupāda: Oh, advocate.

Guest (1): Yes. Dealing with all these, mostly the sinners.

Prabhupāda: (laughs) Yes.

Room Conversation -- January 21, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: So you should be very careful. Because you are giving free prasādam, similarly all lazy fellow may not come and take free prasāda. Therefore engagement must be there. Otherwise this lazy fellow will come, sleep and take prasāda.

Gargamuni: In Māyāpura we feed free on Saturday, Sunday. And during the week we feed those who work, those who work, them we feed, those who do service.

Prabhupāda: No, one day, two days, we give prasādam. But regularly we give prasāda and they'll remain lazy.

Rāmeśvara: So in Australia they kicked out the government, completely kicked them out.

Prabhupāda: Acchā?

Room Conversation -- January 22, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: In Purī many foreigners come. It is tourist city.

Nanda-kumāra: Everyone is taking prasāda. (break)

Prabhupāda: They have got respect for prasādam. So you are distributing prasādam?

Brahmānanda: Yes, twice a day, at noon and at evening. We've built a special pavilion on the side of the temple. See, we were making the mistake all along of trying to mix the Africans and the Asians together.

Prabhupāda: That is not good.

Brahmānanda: That was a bad policy. Now we have separate, the Asians on one side and the Africans on the other side, and both are happy.

Prabhupāda: That's nice.

Room Conversation with Film Producer about Krsna Lila -- January 22, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: That is also Kṛṣṇa-līlā.

Guest (1): For sure. So we have now produced three parts, and two more parts are there to be produced. (break)

Prabhupāda: Take prasāda. Generally... Of course, I do not know what you have done. Generally they present rasa-līlā. They describe rasa-līlā. These professional Bhāgavata means they immediately begin to recite rasa-līlā. Bhāgavata reading dissertation means rasa-līlā. And people take in a different way, that "Kṛṣṇa was woman-hunter. He married sixteen thousand wives, and He had three hundred thousand gopīs, and He was enjoying with woman. Just see." I saw one doctor. He was a debauch. He was Muhammadan. So his friend came. So... In Calcutta. So he was addressing, kibava Kṛṣṇa.(?) Just see. Kṛṣṇa means debauch.

Room Conversation -- January 24, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: All right, let him come.

Hari-śauri: When he came this evening you were taking prasāda, and then immediately after was the lecture. (break)

Guest (1) (Indian man): ...cultural affairs, Orissa government. Here there is a large stack of palm leaf manuscripts. Palm leaf manuscripts. We are editing the Sanskrit manuscripts, correcting them and publishing them.

Prabhupāda: Sanskrit?

Guest (1): Sanskrit.

Prabhupāda: It is published in Sanskrit?

Room Conversation -- January 24, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: No, what is your occupation now?

Guest (1): Occupation? Government service editor. Editor of research publications.

Prabhupāda: That's nice. So take little prasādam here. Pradyumna, give him little prasāda.

Pradyumna: Bring here?

Prabhupāda: All right, bring it

Guest (1): (Bengali or Oriya:) Sorry if Prabhupāda was taxed by that man. He did not understand...

Prabhupāda: No.

Room Conversation -- January 27, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Satsvarūpa: They should give something for taking prasādam. (break)

Prabhupāda: ...anna-sambhavaḥ.

Satsvarūpa: "Surrender to Me." Parjanyād anna-sambhavaḥ.

Prabhupāda: Then there is rainfall...

Satsvarūpa: Oh, yes.

Prabhupāda: Then there is foodgrain. We see this dry land... Because for the last few days, when changing his water he's pouring water here, we see grass growing. Water required. A vast tract of land here is lying. If there is sufficient rainfall you can very easily grow food. But so far rainfall is concerned, it is not in your hand. You rascal scientist, why don't you arrange for this? Everyone knows that from the sea, water is evaporated and is made cloud and thrown all over the land. So why don't you do that? There is enough water.

Room Conversation -- January 27, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Satsvarūpa: There's is regular distribution.

Prabhupāda: Go and take prasāda. Jaya. Go and...

Satsvarūpa: Yes, everyone is taking

Prabhupāda: Go and take prasāda. Prasāde sarva-duḥkhānāṁ hānir asyopajāyate. Our propaganda is "Please come here, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasāda." That's all. Is that very difficult task?

Guest (3) (Indian man): Whether the scriptures have real potency?

Prabhupāda: Yes. All scripture has got. And we are having our members' building and library, you can come and read. We are trying to give you all facility. You should take it and be perfect.

Room Conversation -- January 27, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: Jaya. Prasāda. Give them prasāda.

Satsvarūpa: Come and take prasāda, everyone.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Jaya.

Satsvarūpa: There is prasāda. Everyone can come.

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Guest (9) (Indian man): I was told by the...

Prabhupāda: Hm? Who?

Guest (10) (Indian man): No, this is program.

Guest (9): He wanted to just tomorrow.

Prabhupāda: So...

Room Conversation -- January 29, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: Kīrtana and prasādam distribution. This is our preaching mainly. And if they hear little philosophy, that is very good. Otherwise simply kīrtana and prasādam distribution is sufficient. Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to do that. He was not speaking philosophy to everyone. Kīrtana and prasāda distribution. So our men can perform very nice kīrtana, and if they come to take little prasādam, that is preaching. You have to maintain this standard, that kīrtana must go on and prasādam should be distributed.

Satsvarūpa: And take collection for that, to continue that.

Prabhupāda: Yes. By selling books, by contribution, somehow or other maintain. Everywhere.

Room Conversation -- January 30, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: Oh. Well then that is all right.

Pṛthu-putra: But when we start to explain the meaning, then they're a little bit suspicious because they don't tolerate other type of religion.

Prabhupāda: No, no, why...? Let them chant and take prasāda. This preaching, that's all. Later on, when they're a little advanced, then talk of philosophy. Otherwise there is no need of philosophy. If they are, some of them, educated, they can read the books voluntarily. But general process is anywhere, any part of the world, you simply give them chance of chanting and take prasāda. That will be peaceful.

Devotee (1): Prabhupāda? Is it possible to see the lot of films now? (?)

Prabhupāda: Hm.

Room Conversation -- January 30, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: That is good the first, beginning, let them come. Let them sit down, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, and take prasāda. In Iran we are doing that. Gradually it is becoming interesting. You had been in our Iran, Tehran?

Pṛthu-putra: I went there also some time, long time ago. But Iran is a different concept. They're not so strict about following the Koran. For example, these Arabic countries like Algeria, Libya, Egypt, and Tunisia, they don't recognize Iran like being part of them. Iran and Turkey and Afghanistan they think is another Muslim world. For example, in Iran there is much more Sufis, the different... But in these Arabic countries like Egypt, they're really conservative. They're very strict.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Conservative means fanatical.

Room Conversation -- January 30, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Pṛthu-putra: Oh, yes. But that will be very difficult for them to become devotee. Instead, they went to the Western countries and become devotees there. But otherwise, in their own country will be very difficult for them.

Prabhupāda: Let us invite them, whole family. Let them come, take prasāda, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Pṛthu-putra: Yes. That I did.

Prabhupāda: That's all.

Pṛthu-putra: I was living with one whole family. Sometimes I cooked prasāda for them, and they like it very much. They like us as a person.

Prabhupāda: Simply follow this. Give them prasādam and let them chant. That is preaching. And if they're educated, let them read books. Then gradually, he'll automatically come. (break)

Room Conversation -- January 30, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: No. You can say indirectly that "God is the father of all living entities. He's the supreme father. God does not like that the weaker living entities should be killed for the satisfaction of the stomach. But when there is no alternative, then the stronger animal can take. Because even one takes vegetables, that is also eating another animal, another living being. So therefore, human being must use discretion, that 'If I can live in this way, why shall I kill one important animal?' That is human intelligence." In this way you have to preach. And besides that, according to our Bhagavad-gītā, God says, "Give Me patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam (BG 9.26)." He never said, "Give Me meat. Give me egg." So we are devotee to Kṛṣṇa. So we give Him this vegetables, milk, and so many nice things, and take prasādam. In this way don't quarrel with them in the beginning.

Room Conversation with Svarupa Damodara -- January 30, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: No, then they can challenge like that, that "If our knowledge is imperfect, how your knowledge is perfect?" If they challenge like that, what you will answer? (break) ...child is imperfect, but when the child says, "This is spectacle," and if we ask the child, "How do you know?" "Father told me," then it is perfect. He received the knowledge from the father, that "This is spectacle," so although he is imperfect child, he speaks perfect. That is our method. That statement is not imperfect. We cannot be perfect. That's not possible. But if we receive knowledge from the perfect, then our knowledge is perfect. So all right. Take prasāda. It is now... (break)

Svarūpa Dāmodara: ...was giving us so much difficulty.

Prabhupāda: Ācchā?

Room Conversation -- February 2, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: So you teach them that before Gaura-Nitāi, let them chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam.

Yugadharma: Yes. I would like to do this in Laguna Beach on the highway.

Prabhupāda: And if you do this, it will be great service, great service. They can take Gaura-Nitāi at home. So let them offer vegetarian food to Gaura-Nitāi and then take it. If you can introduce home to home, it will be great service.

Yugadharma: Because it is a very arty community. They are very interested in art there and bogus impersonalism. There seems to be a lack of enthusiasm in the gṛhasthas in Laguna Beach.

Room Conversation -- February 2, 1977, Bhuvanesvara:

Prabhupāda: That is yajña. Yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi sumedhasaḥ (SB 11.5.32). This is the way of delivering them: Let them worship Gaura-Nitāi by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra or Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Prabhu Nityānanda, if not two, but one, Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, and let them take prasādam. These two things will make them advance very quickly, the spiritual life.

Yugadharma: Because they are very interested in these little figures.

Prabhupāda: Yes. So if you can do that, it will be very nice.

Yugadharma: How about Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa also?

Prabhupāda: Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa not now.

Yugadharma: Not now.

Room Conversation -- February 12, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Yes. So treat him nicely.

Jayapatākā: I offered that he should come at least once or twice a month. He can see the cows, and he can take prasāda, and we'll give him...

Prabhupāda: With family come. And he'll have good association of the devotees.

Jayapatākā: Yes.

Prabhupāda: Kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyam (BG 18.44). The other day you were asking me about the wages, labor.

Jayapatākā: Yes.

Prabhupāda: So our point is the devotees shall work. So there is no program to pay wages.

Room Conversation -- February 14, 1977, Mayapura:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, very nicely situated.

Satsvarūpa: You'll be taking prasādam.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I've brought some medicines for you from Bombay.

Prabhupāda: Hm. What is that medicine?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I can bring them. I don't know.

Brahmānanda: Were you expecting something.

Hari-śauri: We already got one big bag full.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh. There's so many more things now.

Hari-śauri: Did Kārttikeya give it to you?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I don't know who... Girirāja gave them to me.

Prabhupāda: So in Bombay everything is going...

Room Conversation -- February 18, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Oh. What does she say?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh, she's very nice. She wears sari. She's attending your lectures in the morning, taking prasādam. She's a very nice woman. He's such a nice son, and it's due... You can see... She's very nice. She could be a devotee easily, in my opinion. I never talked to her, but just from the way she carries herself, immediately putting on sari, quite happy to stay here for the time she's staying. He said he was going to bring..., bring her here one evening to meet you. Acyutānanda's mother came here.

Prabhupāda: Hm. He has returned?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. She was very surprised at how big he is.

Prabhupāda: Huh?

Room Conversation -- February 19, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: Oh. He's not in his...?

Hari-śauri: He's not in his room.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He may be taking prasāda now. He was... I had a talk with him today. He was a little... I was surprised that he was complaining that the prasādam is the same every day. In other words, his complaint is that although we are giving... Of course, he may be critical, overcritical. I think that is a fact. But still, we should listen a little bit. Now every day there's at least seven sabjis. I mean, that's a big variety. But his point is that every day it's the same seven sabjis.

Prabhupāda: That is not good.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: No.

Evening Darsana -- February 24, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda:

sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayor

vacāṁsi vaikuṇṭha-guṇānuvarṇane

karau harer mandira-mārjanādiṣu

śrutiṁ cakārācyuta-sat-kathodaye

(SB 9.4.18)

Very good. So everything is there. So let me take prasādam. Then we can talk some more.

Rāmeśvara: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Thank you very much.

Jayatīrtha: One more thing. This is the first British BTG.

Prabhupāda: Oh, very nice. I did not see this picture?

Rāmeśvara: It is a new painting for Bhāgavatam 1.2., First Canto, Part Two. Parīkṣit painted it.

Prabhupāda: It is an American printing?

Room Conversation With Artists and About BTG -- February 25, 1977, Mayapura:

Rāmeśvara: So in the past, in the magazine, we have only shown people chanting if they were initiated devotees, shaven-headed, living in temple. And recently they have adopted to show people who have jobs outside the movement, and they are not brahmacārī or sannyāsī. They're also chanting, to give the public the idea that...

Prabhupāda: So that we are giving, the facility to chant and take prasādam, but at the same time, gradually, if chanting is effective, then next we have to make it in the process.

Brahmānanda: We want to bring them to the process.

Prabhupāda: Yes, that is the ultimate.

Room Conversation -- February 25, 1977, Mayapura:

Bali-mardana: And then there were many articles written in the paper that the Hare Kṛṣṇas, they have supplied very nice food freely for everyone and they said, "Oh, they are very good."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The thing is when they take prasāda, then it's very easy to get them to chant.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They may not chant in the beginning, but as soon as their bellies are full of prasāda, then they chant.

Prabhupāda: (laughing) They chant. Very good. Do that.

Bali-mardana: We have a bus. They travel all over just for distributing prasāda.

Prabhupāda: Now, on this subject matter, you GBC decide how to do it and do it practically.

Room Conversation with Svarupa Damodara -- February 28, 1977, Mayapura:

Prabhupāda: That is example.

Rūpānuga: A good example is needed. A good example.

Prabhupāda: Either Manipur, anywhere. but we must have now a Kṛṣṇa conscious state. And we shall show how ideal state, wherever it is possible. I am not speaking particularly of Manipur, but Manipur, there is good chance. But we must have a Kṛṣṇa conscious state. So go. Take prasādam.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

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

Prabhupāda: Very good.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: What will it consist of?

Pañcadraviḍa: Gur, and... We calculated that we would need...

Prabhupāda: Ask everyone visiting, "Please take prasādam."

Pañcadraviḍa: Each person will get twenty grams of gur and peanuts, a preparation like nakaldana, something like nakaldana, in their hand.

Prabhupāda: Nakaldana? Not khicuṛi?

Pañcadraviḍa: Peanuts coated with gur. Gur is cooked, and the peanuts...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, what kind of prasādam would you...

Prabhupāda: Khicuṛi.

Morning Talk -- April 5, 1977, Bombay:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Sarvabhauma asked Him, "You have sat here hearing vedānta for seven, eight days, but You have not said anything. Are You not understanding?" Caitanya Mahāprabhu said, "I understand the vedānta, but I cannot understand your interpretation."

Indian man: (Hindi)

Prabhupāda: (Hindi)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: If you give me the key to the almirah, then I can fix the tacks (tax?).

Prabhupāda: Take.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I'll keep these here for now. First I'll do those.

Prabhupāda: (Hindi conversation) (takes prasādam) (end)

Room Conversation -- April 13, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Four.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Four is the nicest time for Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: I don't think the... Better arrange according to their convenience.

Girirāja: Well, I could try to arrange at four, but then they won't take prasādam.

Prabhupāda: No, no. No, give them prasādam. Make at noon sumptuous prasādam.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: At nighttime they would take?

Girirāja: Well, they take at 8:30 at night.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Girirāja: They never take before...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: So, I mean, you would see them in the evening?

Room Conversation with Ram Jethmalani (Parliament Member) -- April 16, 1977, Bombay:

Indian man: We are taking him to Andheri. There is a meeting. We have kept a huge vote.

Prabhupāda: No, no, how they will take prasādam?

Girirāja: Well, I think if they could wait one or two minutes.

Prabhupāda: No, it is not... Kindly wait.

Ram Jethmalani: Yes. But here?

Prabhupāda: Yes, why not?

Ram Jethmalani: We won't eat in your presence.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Ram Jethmalani: I will be very glad to see that you have taken. Bring immediately.

Room Conversation with Ram Jethmalani (Parliament Member) -- April 16, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes. (laughs)

Indian man: They eat last to digest.

Ram Jethmalani: The sugar produces energy to digest your food.

Girirāja: No, no, I will take. (taking prasādam)

Prabhupāda: So I am very glad that you have taken the prasādam. I am pleased. Therefore I wanted that you eat before me. It is a great pleasure.

Ram Jethmalani: We are also very fortunate to eat before you, sir.

Prabhupāda: Hare Kṛṣṇa. Jaya. (Hindi) You take. There is. No. There is sink? There is sink?

Devotee: Here, Śrīla Prabhupāda. Here.

Prabhupāda: All right.

Conversation with Yadubara (after seeing film) -- April 17, 1977, Bombay:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: It would be nice if it could be hung where you can see it easily.

Prabhupāda: Just by the side, it will be placed?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I don't think it would fit there. It could be hung, hung over here.

Upendra: When you take prasādam.

Prabhupāda: That's nice.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Very dancing form.

Prabhupāda: Śyāmasundara. Tribhaṅga-murāri.

Room Conversation Meeting with Dr. Sharma (from Russia) -- April 17, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Yes, a special treatment...

Guest (1): So the books which you have written for other people.

Prabhupāda: No. You don't require to read book. We simply say that "You come here, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam." This is treatment. These boys, foreigners, they have come to me not by reading my book. First of all I invited him, "Sit down, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and take prasādam." And then gradually. This is the general treatment.

Dr. Sharma: The Communism, doesn't believe in God, etcetera, etcetera. It is simply fabricated things of the populace. Even Karl Marx when he wrote, he didn't talk anything about God. It was Engels, who was a contemporary, a great philosopher, materialistic philosopher, he started infusing certain things about this. And later on, because of being dogmatic, being wrapped up in this scientific discovery, we're being misled, and they would take many things for granted.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation Meeting with Dr. Sharma (from Russia) -- April 17, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: This is special strategy, that as far as possible, give them those who are educated, read then, give them chance to read. And those who are not, let them come, and music and dance. Everyone likes to do this. And take prasādam, feast, lecture. Common sense.

Guest (2): Politic of other.

Prabhupāda: Apart from, we are not concerned with politics. We are concerned with the madman. So what is this nonsense politics conducted by some big...? Śva-viḍ-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ (SB 2.3.19). What is this politics, the democracy? Some animals voting another big animal, that's all. The leader is an animal, and the voters, they are animals. So what is the use of such politics? They remain animals. That is stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śva-viḍ-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ. That is going on. You have got it?

Room Conversation -- April 22, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: Money is not mleccha. But when we offer to eat something, we are mleccha.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: No one will take... A lot of the men, people, will not take prasādam at our temples for the same reason.

Prabhupāda: Now they are taking. And some of them are not.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Some swelling in the stomach?

Prabhupāda: Hm? No, I am feeling all right.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: It's getting to be time for your massage, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Hm. Yes.

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

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..."

Prabhupāda: There is some big, big temples and their proprietor... In every city there are so many Kṛṣṇa temples. Just like in Kanpur there is very important Dvārakādhīśa temple. Many such big cities they have got Kṛṣṇa's pastimes(?).

Conversation: Vairagya, Salaries, and Political Etiquette -- April 28, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: All right, apartment can be... But what is this? They are given high salary. Because his service is essential—"All right, you take apartment."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: But not...

Prabhupāda: You take prasādam. But why salary? Where is the question of salary? Where is vairāgya, renouncement? So in all circumstances the salary process should be stopped. One who wants salary, he can work outside.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Actually, even if you don't give a salary, if you give an apartment and you give food and you give all these other things for someone to maintain his household life...

Prabhupāda: Because his service is essential.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: But that has to be determined very strictly.

Morning Conversation -- April 29, 1977, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: It is luxurious. (break) ...the āṭā dough. So after it is cooked... They have got ghee. That ball soaked in ghee and the ḍāl, it is so nice when taken. That is called baṭī. Very quickly made. And after eating, with that ash the two or three utensils, mean the loṭā and the plate, they'll cleanse it very nice and walk away. And that food is sufficient for twenty-four hours. Within twenty-four hours he will not be hungry and feel very strong. The two things. And you can cook anywhere without any difficulty. In India, especially in village, you can get so many dried cow dung. So fuel is ready. The āṭā is packed up. And ghee in a pot. That's all. How simple life. Simply they'll sit down where there is water, and they'll take water. Then everything is arranged. No hotel. Or even there is no āṭā, they keep their own ghee, homemade, pure. Āṭā can be purchased anywhere in the village. There is no need of carrying āṭā. So this preparation for tourists... Tourists, Indian tourists, means going to some holy place. They have no other sightseeing, no program. All villagers, they are still... The pilgrimage in holy places, now no educated man goes. Very rarely. All these villagers by thousands... They... You see this Tirupati, Tirumala. All the contribution by the villagers. By their hard-earned money they keep something for going. You have seen Tirupati, Tirumal...? Standing for hours to contribute in a line. Hundreds of people. They'll come, contribute something. Then they'll shave their head, see the Deity, have some bath in the adjoining lake. Then they'll take prasādam.

Srila Prabhupada Vigil -- May 27, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Guest (1): (Bengali)

Prabhupāda: They are now taking prasādam? Give them prasādam.

Guest (1): (Bengali)

Prabhupāda: (Bengali) (Bengali conversation with scattered English and Sanskrit) Kṛṣṇa says... You understand English?

Guest (2): No.

Prabhupāda: "I am the owner of all planets." Sarva-loka-maheśvaram (BG 5.29).

Guest (2): (Bengali)

Prabhupāda: (Bengali) (Bengali conversation) Treatment? Ei. They are always reading Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Morning Conversation -- May 29, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Then you can do anything.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We have men we can put there. Right, Ādi-keśava?

Prabhupāda: Simply the drunken negroes, call them, "Take prasādam and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: We can put Bhaktijana there 'cause he's always very fond of preaching. You know, Bhaktijana. He's always wanted to go to Harlem. So...

Prabhupāda: Yes, then we can deliver them. They are, after all, simple. These negroes, they are, after all, simple. We have to claim them. You have got now experience in Detroit. They are very good-behaving negroes. They come to our temple. Nobody could drive there. Therefore we could acquire that house so cheap.

Talk with Svarupa Damodara -- June 20, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Yes. So there is money, there is intelligence and... That's all. I can give you one... (indistinct) You have taken your lunch now?

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Yes, we'll take prasādam.

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Svarūpa Dāmodara: You look better, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Acchā? (break) ...I want.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Neither would simply just begging some rice and dāl to feed ourselves.

Prabhupāda: Now Kṛṣṇa is (indistinct) (break) Do you think that the..., if the scientists attend meeting, they are interested? Or they feeling dry?

Conversation with Svarupa Damodara -- June 21, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Sometimes people say... There's couple people that even went to your place on 26 Second Avenue. They say, "So this movement has come a long way in ten years, from Second Avenue." They remember you sitting there. On Sundays in New York they have the Love Feast. So the average, they get about seven hundred people come. Six to eight hundred is an average crowd on a Sunday. And they serve the... They have simultaneously activities on the five different floors, four different floors. In the basement they have the restaurant. That is where the Life Members take prasāda. And very nicely dressed people, they go down there and they sit at the tables. And we have a group of devotees chanting bhajana, and they take prasādam and we serve them right at the table. Then, on the next floor, there is all the time kīrtana and ārati, throughout the Love Feast.

Room Conversation about Mayapura Attack Talk with Vrindavan De -- July 8, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Restrict, that instead of myself, he has to restrict: "Do this way."

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Including go to the court. This boy writes further. He says, "They claimed I was brainwashed by Śrīla Prabhupāda and the devotees, and they were here to get me to think for myself again. They kept me up for ten hours at a time for so-called deprogramming, just blaspheming Śrīla Prabhupāda and Kṛṣṇa and telling lie after lie. Finally they let me go to sleep, and in the morning it was time for more blaspheming and lies. But by Kṛṣṇa's mercy I was able to escape out the front door of the house," he says, "which was unguarded. I ran down my block barefoot and was able to get to my friend's house. I told him the story. He gave me enough money to get to a nearby temple. There I served Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa and had the association of my Godbrothers, who are most dear to me. There I spent the happiest time of my life as a devotee with the association of the Brajabāsīs. Being a devotee of Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa, there's nothing like it-singing, dancing, taking prasādam, being happy and free from anxiety all the time. It is just a blissful life. All Kṛṣṇa wants is for us to be happy with Him.

Room Conversation Arrival of Jayatirtha and Harikesa -- October 8, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Who assists him?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: About three other devotees. There's no hired people. They're all fired and gone. Only devotees are cooking, and very tasteful, and everybody, about a hundred and twenty devotees sit together and take prasādam. And the guests from the guesthouse, they also take there. Everyone takes together. No restaurant.

Prabhupāda: Guesthouse, they come.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. Guesthouse people come and eat also in the prasāda hall.

Prabhupāda: Yes, that I wanted.

Room Conversation Arrival of Jayatirtha and Harikesa -- October 8, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: You wanted that. They give a chit. They pay at the guesthouse. They pay at the guesthouse, and then they take prasādam in the hall with the devotees, same as everybody. I think they pay three rupees, and they get as much as they want to eat. We are an āśrama. We're not trying to run a big business here. Isn't that right, Śrīla Prabhupāda? I haven't heard anybody complain. And all the devotees take together. Very nice atmosphere.

Prabhupāda: Best system. So Jayatīrtha, you liked?

Jayatīrtha: The prasādam?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Jayatīrtha: Yes, I liked it actually. Yes.

Prabhupāda: Everyone liked?

Room Conversation -- October 11, 1977, Vrndavana:

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. Jaya. That building now is a restaurant. We have many people every night come and take prasādam. About seventy to a hundred people come.

Prabhupāda: What do you supply?

Hari-śauri: What do you supply?

Ātreya Ṛṣi: We give them one thāli-two vegetables, ḍāl, rice, salad...

Prabhupāda: One thāli?

Ātreya Ṛṣi: One full thāli.

Hari-śauri: Plate.

Prabhupāda: Oh.

Room Conversation -- October 11, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Persians, they are Aryans. When they were attacked by the Muhammadans they fled from Persia to India. (break)

Ātreya Ṛṣi: ...and they come regularly. Some of them come every night to take prasādam, respectful, very nice Parsis who have come back from India to Iran.

Prabhupāda: Oh. Some of them gone there.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes. They have come back because there are very good jobs, and government is encouraging them to come back. So they come back.

Prabhupāda: Very good.

Ātreya Ṛṣi: And actually Persians have very high philosophy, but they don't have no one who will engage them in devotional service. And the most intelligent ones see that you are actually engaging people in devotional service. And there is no one—no one in Iran-despite their high philosophies, who is engaging anybody in devotional service. So they see the results, and that's why they respect you.

Room Conversation -- October 13, 1977, Vrndavana:

Jayapatākā: Fifteen.

Dr. Kapoor: They will come in afternoon.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Twelve to fifteen. Okay. We'll arrange for their taking prasādam. So you'll bathe now, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: Who can read Hindi?

Hari-śauri: Who can read Hindi?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Can you read Hindi? (break)

Prabhupāda: From medical point of view, you cannot give life. The life is finished. Where is medical point? Hm? According to duration of life, that is finished. You cannot give a dead body life.

Room Conversation -- October 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I'll get the water ready. Okay. (kīrtana)

Prabhupāda: (Bengali) (break)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: ...arrangements have been made. First I saw where they are taking prasādam, first class, all long tables in a big room, long tables, tablecloths, and proper plates, knife, fork, spoon. Perfect for them. Nice fans, very gorgeous-looking curtains. Everything real...

Prabhupāda: So why...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: ...proper.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Room Conversation -- October 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: (Bengali with Bhakti-caru)

Bhakti-caru: Fruit juice now.

Bhavānanda: All the scientists are taking prasādam now, Prabhupāda-kacuris and fruit, sabji, hot jalebis.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I saw that yajña that was going on. I mean that hall is first-class looking. Even though this is not the final hall that we'll be building, still, it is one of the nicest decorated halls I have seen, with chandeliers. They rented chandeliers, Śrīla Prabhupāda. I mean it looks very elegant. Everyone is impressed. They never expected. These scientists probably think that Vṛndāvana is some forest. I mean, suddenly they came into a scientific conference. And naturally, after the conference, they are attracted to go into the temple, and then they get darśana. And they're taking prasādam. It's wonderful.

Room Conversation -- October 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: When the conference begins?

Bhavānanda: Well, it was supposed to begin at 10:30, but it's running a little late because men are still arriving and they're taking prasādam, so I think noontime. We want to let them take prasādam in a easy frame of mind, not rushed. Because they're right here and living with us, so...

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: The men who have come today, most of them will stay probably for the weekend.

Bhavānanda: Oh, they're all planning to stay for the weekend. There are more on the way.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: How do they like the guesthouse facilities?

Room Conversation -- October 14, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: So I am thinking now to lay down. (break) Meeting is going on here, and you have gone to Bhagatji?

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Well, I haven't gone yet. I was in the conference for a little while. The scientists took prasādam at about 11:30. The conference was supposed to start at ten, but it didn't start till about nearly noon. And at the same time, Bhagatji has apparently arranged a program of prasādam and kīrtana at his house, and it was to be the same time when ordinarily the conference would have halted for lunch. So as the conference began two hours late, now that has upset things a little. Not very much. I was in the conference for a while and all the guests are there, scientists are there. Svarūpa Dāmodara Prabhu is giving a lecture. There weren't very many GBC or sannyāsīs there, but I think it was on account of the fact that the conference started so late today. There is another conference this afternoon, as far as I know.

Room Conversation -- October 17, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: You can get local brāhmaṇa to assist us. Perform the yajña little gorgeously, that's all. If you can distribute to the local brāhmaṇas, important, some (indistinct) silk cloth, and grains, and..., they will come. And let them cook themselves and take prasādam and do that.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes.

Hari-śauri: I think the local brāhmaṇas will be very pleased to be connected with the opening of such a big temple.

Prabhupāda: Yes, yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That's better. Better to involve the local people. South Indian people will come, take money, and go back to South. No use.

Prabhupāda: Local brāhmaṇa will be... Where is Bhavānanda?

Room Conversation -- October 21, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: We restrict the tongue practicing. Anything can be done by practice. So if we take kṛṣṇa-prasādam, the tongue is restricted, locked to some limited... Then our all other senses become controlled. And spiritual life means sense control. We are not going to kill the senses. The yogis, they artificially want to stop the activities of the senses, but that is not possible. Senses are there. Life means senses. Aprākṛta, prākṛta. And when senses are engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service, that is aprākṛta, transcendental. That is described, sarvopādhi-vinirmuktam (CC Madhya 19.170). Our senses are now upādhi—"I am Indian," "I am American," "I am this," "I am that." Senses are there, everywhere, but it is designated. So we have to free the senses from this material designation. And when the designations are washed away, at..., with that senses, hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate (CC Madhya 19.170).

Room Conversation -- October 29, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: (Hindi)

Svarūpa Dāmodara: You want to take some prasādam?

Prabhupāda: Here... (?)

Bharadvāja: Nayanābhirāma.

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (break)

Prabhupāda: (Hindi)

Upendra: Oh, Śrīla Prabhupāda, none of us speak Hindi. There's no more Hindi-speaking disciples at your side just now. Bharadvāja, Nayanābhirāma and myself, Upendra dāsa, are here.

Room Conversation -- October 29, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: (Hindi) ...report...

Upendra: They have that article in the next room.

Nayanābhirāma: I just cut it out.

Upendra: And we'll show it to Rajiv. They've gone to take prasādam just now.

Prabhupāda: Oh. Just make it dark. (sound of curtains closing) (break)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: ...for getting a little more clear purposes of the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust we're developing at Gauḍa-maṇḍala-bhūmi. Would you like to hear what we have written?

Prabhupāda: Hm.

Room Conversation -- November 2, 1977, Vrndavana:

Akṣayānanda: Yes. They said, "You can speak what you like about ISKCON, but we know all about Gītā. Don't speak anything about Gītā. Tell us about the progress of ISKCON." So I read out how many books have been printed and distributed since Your Divine Grace started ISKCON, how many farms you've established, how many centers, how many devotees all over the world and like that. They're very dry. But nonetheless, the film was so nice that they were very much impressed by it. They took prasādam. They enjoyed it very much.

Prabhupāda: "Don't speak of Gītā"?

Room Conversation -- November 3, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Anyway, there is a beginning in Nepal. Try to implement.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda? When you took prasādam today did you find a little taste? Not yet. Did you have any avocado?

Prabhupāda: That was little tasteful.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Hm. You've been thinking about having that for a long time. You talked about it on and off before. Avocado is said to be very good, nutritious.

Prabhupāda: What is the rent of the house?

Room Conversation -- November 5, 1977, Vrndavana:

Jayādvaita: The president is Guṇa-grāhī Prabhu. He's been a devotee for a long time. The management is also very nicely going on. (break) You sent Bhavānanda there many years ago when they were in Brooklyn and ordered him to make the devotees happy. And ever since then, they've been peaceful... (indistinct) Even before that. I remember when I first came to New York, when the storefront was there. I came on Sunday, and there were so many different preparations. Haṁsadūta Mahārāja was cooking. And so many different preparations. And after taking that feast I decided that I would not leave—"This is too nice." So they're going on, still very opulent, sumptuous prasādam. And people are deciding that "Oh, this is very nice. Let us not leave. Let us go on taking prasādam." And in the restaurant very respectable people come. (pause)

Prabhupāda: You read some more.

Room Conversation -- November 8, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: My Guru Mahārāja also.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Oh. You, of course, have been so merciful that sometimes you would take prasāda cooked by so many different people.

Prabhupāda: That should be stopped. (pause)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Are you feeling any pain, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: No. (pause) Urine bottle.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Urine? You want to try for it? Okay. Should we again continue some kīrtana Śrīla Prabhupāda? Okay. (Haṁsadūta leads kīrtana)

Prabhupāda: Hm. Through.

Room Conversation -- November 10, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Daytime we expose in the sunshine, and camp underneath a tree at night. That has to be arranged. (Bengali with Bhakti-caru-Prabhupāda drinks something)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, should the devotees take prasādam now?

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: It's about 1:30 now. After taking prasādam we can meet and chalk out a program for parikrama and tīrtha-yātrā. Is that all right? Okay.

Prabhupāda: I thought you have taken.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: No, we were all surrounding you, listening very intently to all your instructions.

Room Conversation -- November 10, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: Four o'clock.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Hm? Yes. And then we'll begin tomorrow. Is that soon enough?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Hm.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Should we depart for taking prasādam now, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Okay.

Prabhupāda: Who is attending?

Bhavānanda: Upendra.

Prabhupāda: Upendra is very good attendant. (break)

Room Conversation -- November 10, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: He has got experience. Dig the ground and make our foodstuff. Very good picnic.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: Very good picnic.

Haṁsadūta: If we go to Govardhana, we would take the prasādam that was prepared here and bring it there, so that many people can take.

Prabhupāda: I have no objection.

Lokanātha: Or otherwise we can make real picnic. We could collect some grains there from door to door and cook some khicuṛi there.

Prabhupāda: That will be very nice.

Room Conversation -- November 11, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Kṛṣṇa dāsa Bābājī: (Bengali)

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes. They will take prasādam here, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Kṛṣṇa dāsa Bābājī: (Bengali )

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Śrīla Prabhupāda? They will take prasādam here? Bhakti-caru Mahārāja cooks very, very first class Bengali prasādam.

Bhavānanda: Very best.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They should take here.

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Kṛṣṇa dāsa Bābājī: (Bengali)

Room Conversation -- November 11, 1977, Vrndavana:

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Is that all right? Yes? And they will take prasādam here, Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Ācchā. So make it even a little later, say six-thirty.

Kṛṣṇa dāsa Bābājī: Six-thirty. Not six-thirty. Five-thirty.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Hm? Five-thirty's better. Okay. Ṭhike. Five-thirty.

Prabhupāda: (Bengali)

Kṛṣṇa dāsa Bābājī: (laughing) Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Hare Kṛṣṇa. Bhakti-caru Mahārāja, you have to make nice prasādam Sunday evening.

Kṛṣṇa dāsa Bābājī: (Bengali)

Room Conversation -- November 13, 1977, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: They'll give us description of the land, and before our going, they'll make a camp. Small, big, that doesn't matter. And in the morning, the former camp broken, and go to the next camp with kīrtana. In the meantime the other camp is ready to receive you. Then the next camp, after taking prasādam, they'll go to the next camp.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Do you follow this, Lokanātha? Do you have a question to ask?

Lokanātha: So there is a smaller group going in advance, and bigger group with you stays back.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Lokanātha: Yes, and they go, fix the place, and inform your party where they are and what kind of arrangement they have made. And when you are satisfied, you leave that place to join the first group, small group, advance party. Right?