Dr. Crossley: I think you know your father. You know who he is.
Prabhupāda: How I know?
Dr. Crossley: Because you see him, you talk to him, you touch him.
Prabhupāda: But what is the proof that he is my father? I see so many gentlemen. How I know who is my father?
Dr. Crossley: He tells you you're his son.
Prabhupāda: That means you accept anyone as God—he tells that, "I am God"?
Dr. Crossley: No, but I accept anyone as father who tells me that I am his son, because only one has ever told me that.
Prabhupāda: No, that is not the way. Everyone will say: "I am your father." You will accept? Everyone will say: "I am your father," will you accept everyone as your father? Then how do you accept the bona fide father? Hmm?
Dr. Wolfe: Foster fathers very often say that they are the real . . .
Prabhupāda: Huh?
Dr. Wolfe: Foster fathers very often tell their foster children that they are the real fathers.
Prabhupāda: No, no, we are not talking of foster; we are talking of real father. How do you know your real father?
Dr. Crossley: You've grown up with him. You've known him since you were a little child. It's part of your consciousness.
Prabhupāda: So if my consciousness is not right, then I may select a wrong father.
Dr. Crossley: Well, just because you know he's your father, there's still more to know about him. There's more and more to understand.
Prabhupāda: It is . . . very simple answer is: when the mother certifies, "He is your father," that's all. (laughter) You don't have to make research. That is futile. By research, you cannot understand who is your real father. You can understand your real father only by the certificate of your mother. That's all. Therefore our Vedic mantra says that religion and God cannot be manufactured by speculation. Acintyāḥ khalu ye bhāvā na tāṁs tarkena yojayet (Mahābhārata, Bhīṣma-parva 5.22).