# DEVOTIONAL SERVICE ## General 67-09 "I'm so pleased for your writing such nice sentiment. I've especially noted that you could express yourself so beautifully. I know both you and your sister have inherited a good heart from your good mother. Your eagerness to get me back in the States will surely be a success because I am also eager to return. ==Tears for Krsna are as good as associating with Him personally. In the spiritual world separation is more valuable than meeting.== So your feelings and tears of Krsna consciousness will make you more enriched in spiritual advancement. Your husband Mukunda is a very, very good boy and you are fortunate enough to have such a nice devotee husband. A similar combination is there in your sister and Gurudasa. You will be angry if I say that your sister is better than you, but I think I'm right because Mukunda supports me. Rivalry between good hearts is very nice job, but I'm equally pleased with both your sister and yourself. Please convey my blessings to your sister and brother-in-law. I've received their good handwriting and they have actually done it in full Krsna consciousness. Swami Kīrtanānanda is returning to the States very soon. You are very much anxious to get him back home and your desire will be fulfilled very soon. Perhaps you know that Acyutananda is now with us and since he has come Swami Kīrtanānanda has retired from all sorts of activities and Acyutananda is helping me. Anyway he is leaving behind a good representative so I'll not be in trouble. Most probably Acyutananda will stay in India to take charge of an American house. I shall be glad to know if Upendra is coming. Upendra and Acyutananda will be a good combination, as both are silent workers without any protest. Please convey my blessings to all the boys and girls." (SPL to Janaki, September, 1967) *** 67-09 "Regarding your work in the temple by painting, ==wherever you remain, if you are fully absorbed in your transcendental work for Krsna consciousness that place is eternally Vrindvana—it is the consciousness that creates Vrndavana.== The Lord remains in the hearts of every living entity. He lives in the heart of a hog, and the hog lives in the filthy place. That does not mean that the Lord lives in a filthy place. The Lord lives always inconceivably in His transcendental abode. Similarly, a fully Krsna conscious person lives always in the pastimes of Lord Krsna by such consciousness only. The material atmosphere is no impediment for continuing our Krsna consciousness in any circumstance." (SPL to Jadurani, September, 1967) *** 68-01 =="Regarding love affairs in the material world, they are only shadows or reflections of the real love with Krsna.== If you love Krsna in any capacity, you shall never be frustrated because everything in Krsna is perfect, eternal, blissful and full of knowledge. So continue your present activities and chant on your beads. Whenever there is some difficulty consult Brahmananda or write to me. And Krsna will help you more and more on the path of perfection. Hope you are well." ([[letters/1968/680114_kancanbala|Kancanbala, 14 January, 1968]]) *** 68-02 "I am very pleased to hear your statement about the tape, and about *brahmacari* life. ==Yes, the anchor, as in the sketch story, 'The Grand Procession' is sex life and we are 50% liberated if we can make it nil.== There isn't any difference between chanting the holy name and at the same time washing the dishes of the temple. So do not be worried when you are attracted for doing other work in the temple. There is variegatedness in transcendental activities. Sometimes we like to chant, sometimes we like to wash dishes. There is no difference on the absolute plane. I am sure Krsna will give you all intelligence to work transcendentally. Hope you are well." ([[letters/1968/680215_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 15 February, 1968]]) *** 68-02 =="The faith increases in Krsna consciousness by our voluntary increase of serving Krsna. Serving Krsna is unlimited and He can accept our unlimited service, and award us unlimited transcendental pleasure in the unlimited service of the Lord. That is the meaning of unlimited."== ([[letters/1968/680220_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 20 February, 1968]]) *** 68-05 =="It is very good news that the girl Haridasa is dreaming about Krsna, and Krsna is playing with her, it is very much encouraging. It means she will come out a great and successful devotee of Krsna when she is grown up and young. May Krsna bless her, and her good parents, who are training her in that way. Please offer my thanks to Balarama and his good wife."== (SPL to Mukunda, May 6th, 1968) 68-06 "Your judgement that because you think that you cannot take part in the translation work, therefore, you have decided to contribute for its publication. This dictation from within your heart from Krsna is quite in order. For serving the Lord we require to sacrifice our life, our wealth, our intelligence and our words. One can serve the Lord with these four possessions. If not, with three, if not then with two or even one, and that is sufficient to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. I wish that you can utilize your best talents in business organization, and the result utilized for Krsnas satisfaction is on the absolute platform. To make the idea more clear, ==if I am translating Srimad-Bhagavatam, and if you are contributing for its publication and helping for its distribution, this means there is no difference between your service and my service.== On the absolute platform there is no such distinction. And service is always on the absolute platform. One has to make the best use of his talent for the service of Krsna. That is wanted. Best example is Arjuna, that he utilized his talents, military science, in the service of Krsna." ([[letters/1968/680607_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 7 June, 1968]]) *** 68-06 "I think your chanting Hare Krsna regularly is being responded to by Krsna and He is giving you good sense how to make preaching propaganda on behalf of His Lordship. It is confirmed in the *Srimad-Bhagavatam,* as you might have seen it, that one who hears about Krsna, for him, Krsna helps in various ways and the first thing is that He cleanses the mind of all dusty matter and by continuing such chanting and ==by reading regularly Srimad-Bhagavatam, one becomes gradually freed from the influence of passion and ignorance, and thus becomes situated in goodness.== In such platform one can engage oneself in serious devotional service, and thus one becomes illuminated with transcendental knowledge of Krsna. ==This stage is called liberated stage,== and at this time one becomes free from all doubts and material bondage, and thus his life becomes successful. Please try to follow this principle and I am sure you will be happy and successful in your execution of this Krsna consciousness movement." ([[letters/1968/680610_harivilasa|Hari Vilasa, 10 June, 1968]]) *** 68-06 "Maharaja Dasaratha, although he was a great devotee of the Lord, but because he was a ksatriya king, keeping one's promise is inevitable for him. He preferred to banish Ramacandra on the request of his wife on the principle of keeping his promise. In higher states of spiritual life, one can break even promises also, but they are devotees of comparative merit. In the case of Vasudeva, we find that he was spiritually more advanced than Maharaja Dasaratha. Vasudeva was also in agreement with Kamsa that he would deliver all his sons to his hand as soon as the child is born. But in the case of Krsna, he broke his promise. The point is that Krsna appeared as the full fledged Personality of Godhead. But Ramacandra appeared as an ideal king. Therefore, in the lila of Ramacandra, the principles of morality and ethics as they are to be followed by the ideal king and ruler were followed. In the same sense, He banished Sita in order to prove Himself as an ideal king who wanted to make His subjects always happy. The whole program was on the basis of an ideal king. But in the case of Lord Krsna, He played as the fully independent Supreme Personality of Godhead. Apparently, therefore He transgressed so many moral and ethical principles. These comparative studies on the life of Krsna and Ramacandra are very intricate, but the basic principle is that Ramacandra appeared as an ideal king and Krsna appeared as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although there is no difference between the two. A similar example is Lord Caitanya. He appeared as a devotee, and not as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, although He is Krsna Himself. So we should accept the Lords mood in particular appearances and we should worship Him in that mood. Sometimes Lord Caitanya, because He is Krsna Himself, somebody worships Him in the same manner as Krsna. But Krsna was in the role of enjoyer and Lord Caitanya is in the role of being enjoyed. So the party known as Gauranga Nagari, they are considered to be deviated from pure devotional service, on account of Lord Caitanya being given the same facility as Krsna, which He did not like. ==Our service mood should be compatible to the attitude of the Lord. Not that we should overlap the attitude of Krsna to Lord Caitanya, or Lord Caitanya to Krsna, or Krsna to Ramacandra, or Ramacandra to Krsna.== Therefore, in the *sastras,* specific injunctions are there, just like to worship Lord Caitanya is by the method of chanting Hare Krsna. Yes, it is true that Ramacandra banished Sita later on. Ayodhya is not bound up with any material worlds. Just like Vrndavana is not bound up by any material limitations, as much as Krsna is not bound up by any material limitations. So the kingdom of Ayodhya historically was a tract of land as we see at the present moment but at that time the king of Ayodhya was the Emperor of the world." ([[letters/1968/680616_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 16 June, 1968]]) *** 68-07 "Question 1: Answer: That is materialistic way of worshiping. Materialists are always careful for maintaining his material status quo first, and then please Visnu. Although they profess to be devotees of Visnu. Therefore, Krsna consciousness persons are greater than such materialistic worshippers. ==Materialistic persons perform all pious activities or devotional activities for some material gain, and as soon as there is any hindrance in the path of material gain, they at once become demons.== Therefore, *bhakti* means without any material desires. That is the sign of a pure devotee. He has not motive to satisfy his material desires by devotional service." ([[letters/1968/680703_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 3 July, 1968]]) *** 68-07 "Your vivid description of the pre-arrangement of Ratha-yatra ceremony was so nice and elaborate that it has moved my heart. I thank you very much for grasping the momentum of Krsna consciousness, by your advanced service attitude. I can only wish that Krsna may give you more and more strength in understanding His transcendental nature. ==The only process for perceiving Krsna and His name, qualities, form, is our sincere service attitude with our senses.== Beginning from the tongue, all our senses are practically led by the tongue sense, whose business is to vibrate and to taste. If we can change the materialistic nature of the tongue by changing of taste and vibration, then automatically the other senses become purified. And we can render service to Krsna with purified senses. As such we should try to chant and eat Krsna *prasada* as much as possible." ([[letters/1968/680704_upendra|Upendra, 4 July, 1968]]) *** 68-07 "Affection for Godbrothers is nice, it is a good sign. Affection for Godbrothers as well as for all other living entities, even they are not God-brothers, these signs are seen in the advanced devotees. ==There are three kinds of devotees:== the lower grade devotees, they have high regard for the Deity in the temple, but not very much regard for devotees or people in general. The second-grade devotee takes compassion with innocent non-devotees. In that stage, he has got four kinds of vision: one is that he always keeps Krsna as the most lovable object, second is that he makes intimate friendship with his devotee Godbrothers or any other devotees, third is that he takes compassion with innocent non-devotees, and tries to convince them about the importance of Krsna consciousness, and fourth is that he does not take any serious interest for the atheist class of men. The first-grade devotee, of course, sees everyone in relationship with Krsna and as such, he makes no distinction between a devotee or non devotee. His vision is high-grade, because he sees that everyone is engaged in Krsna s service directly or indirectly. This position of high grade devotee should never be imitated. It was possible only in Lord Caitanya or Lord Nityananda, or Haridasa Thakura. Thakura Haridasa was so powerful that he could convert even a harlot. But we should not try to imitate Haridasa Thakura or Lord Caitanya. Our position is in the second-grade platform. We should not be satisfied remaining in the third-grade platform. But we should try to elevate ourselves in the second-grade platform. So far the first-grade platform is concerned, it is not attained by our endeavor, but it is possible when we have full grace of Krsna. It completely depends on the causeless mercy of Krsna." (SPL to Madhusudana, July 29th, 1968) 68-10 "I am in due receipt of your letter, very nice letter. You have expressed very nice sentiments and this shows that you are positively advancing in Krsna consciousness. Your talk with the Indian ladies and gentlemen is very interesting. They inquire from you and they are astonished that you are very serious. That means they are not at all serious. They take Krsna consciousness as something fictitious. So they are not very hopeful combination, but try to make them interested as far as possible, it is our duty. We do not mind whether he is Englishman or Indian or any man; our duty is to impress Krsna consciousness as far as possible. Answering your puzzle, it may be said that a pure devotee is he who loves Krsna, without any material desire. People are generally engaged in *karma. Karma* means work and get the result and enjoy life. And *jnana, jnana* means speculating process to understand the Absolute Truth. So one who does not indulge in speculating habit, neither tries to gain something by his work, but simply engages himself in the service of the Lord, he is called a pure devotee. Such pure devotees are very rare. But by the grace of Krsna, practically ==all the devotees and disciples who have kindly joined me, they are, their symptoms are pure devotees. Even if they have got some ulterior desire, that will he removed very soon,== because they have taken to the pure process of Krsna consciousness. Hope this will meet both of you in good health and awaiting your good news by next mail. Thanking you once more for writing to me." (SPL to Janaki, October, 1968) *** 68-10 "Regarding Dr. Bagchee— ==we must always know that we are executing the topmost yoga system, Krsna consciousness, and we do not require any inferior quality yoga system.== You must have read in the *Bhagavad-gita* in the 6th Chapter, last verse that one who is constantly in Krsna consciousness, he is the topmost yogi. So the process which we have adopted cannot be compared even with any other *yoga* system. That is a fact." ([[letters/1968/681019_aniruddha|Aniruddha, 19 October, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "Regarding your question, Svayamrupa means the original form. Svayamprakasa means Balarama. And Tadekatmarupa is the *purusa* just like Mahavisnu. It is not necessary to remember or fully understand all these different forms, at the present, but it is like if you simply stick to the master faithfully that is very good, but if you know that my master is so great and so rich, and great in this way, and rich in this way, then your veneration for your master will increase. ==To know Krsna is great, how He is expanded into different forms, that enhances our attachment to Krsna more rigidly."== ([[letters/1968/681113_upendra|Upendra, 13 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "Your question, 'Is it to be understood that once the yogi sees the Narayana form, his desires for travel and material perfections cease? (As did the desires of Dhruva Maharaja). Or do the yogis still persist in desiring to do wonders even after seeing Narayana form? You say, in your essay, *Super Consciousness,* that the topmost is to see Narayana form and take dictation.' In short the question is, Is it true that the yogi who is travelling to planets and performing *siddhis* —has never seen Narayana?' The example of Dhruva Maharaja, he was a devotee. ==The yogis are not devotees. They are more or less after some material perfection. But generally one who sees Narayana, he becomes a devotee.== And sometimes such devotee before entering the Supreme Abode of Krsna or Narayana, they want to see some of the wonders of this material world. Just like I have come to your country, and I have no interest for sight seeing, but my main business is preaching Krsna consciousness, but still when I go to a new place, sometimes devotees take me to some important sight seeing place. Similarly, a yogi after becoming a devotee sometimes go to other planets also and Narayana fulfills such material desires, he is given the chance by the Lord but a pure devotee in higher status does not desire like that. They do not care for any *siddhis." ([[letters/1968/681113_patita_uddharana_was_patita_pavana|Satsvarupa, 13 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "Regarding your question about what determines our fortune, generally when we are in the material world, we try to be prosperous by material opulence. Just like a common man tries to have a good house, a good wife, a good property, good social prestige and in this way, go on increasing the bodily concept of life, and possess more and more in relationship to the body. This is unfortunate. All living entities beginning from Brahma down to an ant, everyone is trying to increase such materialistic way of happy life without knowing that any amount of material comforts of life cannot make the spiritual entities happy. Therefore, when a living entity becomes very serious to become really happy and gets into touch with Krsna consciousness by the grace of Krsna and the spiritual master, that is the beginning of his fortunate life. And the more one becomes advanced in that fortunate way of life, the more he becomes happier and happier. This is the difference between fortunate and unfortunate. The beginning of contact with Krsna consciousness is the beginning of good fortune. That some people may come and others may not, this is also due to association. Suppose a man accidentally comes in contact with our Society and gives some service willingly or unwillingly, that is the beginning of his fortunate life. We go from door to door canvassing people to join Krsna consciousness movement means that we are trying to make them fortunate. ==Anyone who gives some service to this Krsna consciousness movement is fortunate proportionately. At least the seed of his fortunate life is sown there. Whether he gives service of some sort, willingly, or unwillingly, the seed is sown,== and the fortune will come proportionately. Even if somebody looks shabby and unclean, if he simply says this Krsna consciousness is a very nice thing, even he is not able to take full advantage of it at the time, still he is far more fortunate than any other Rockefeller." ([[letters/1968/681113_patita_uddharana_was_patita_pavana|Tosana Krsna, 13 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "Your next question, 'Is a pure devotee eternally liberated and if so is he at any time a conditioned soul? We are eternally conditioned but as soon as we surrender to Krsna do we then become eternally liberated? When Lord Christ appeared he seemed to be conditioned in his growth. Was he a specific incarnation or a conditioned soul who became liberated?' You are not eternally conditioned but since we have become conditioned on account of our desire to enjoy the materialistic way of life, from time immemorial, therefore it appears that we are eternally conditioned. ==Because we cannot trace out the history or the date when we became conditioned, therefore it is technically called eternally conditioned.== Otherwise the living entity is not actually conditioned. A living entity is always pure. But he is prone to be attracted by material enjoyment and as soon as he agrees to place himself in material enjoyment he becomes conditioned, but that is not permanent. Therefore a living entity is called, in the marginal state, sometimes this side, sometimes that side. These are very intelligent questions. And I am very glad that you are putting such intelligent questions and trying to understand it. It is very good. But best thing is that one should know he is in conditioned life and try to cure it. When a man is in a diseased condition he should try to get out of diseased condition without harassing his brain about when the disease has begun. But it is to be understood that the disease is not our constant companion, it is temporary. So the best thing is to cure the disease, and not waste our time to find out the date when it began. Forgetfulness of Krsna is the disease, so let us keep ourselves always in Krsna consciousness and get out of the disease, that is healthy life. Yes, Lord Jesus was *jiva-tattva.* He is not Visnu-tattva. When *a jiva-tattva* becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called *saktyavesa-avatara.* Lord Buddha and Lord Jesus Christ were in this group of *saktyavesa-avataras.* But they were not in conditioned state when they appeared, they came to teach here. You should all read very carefully *Srimad-Bhagavatam* and *Bhagavad-gita,* and you should be able to answer all questions like this, and only in rare cases approach me. But it is important that our students must be able to answer all questions for becoming preachers." ([[letters/1968/681114_aniruddha|Aniruddha, 14 November, 1968]]) *** 68-12 =="Regarding my apartment, if it is possible to keep it with no strain on your financial condition it is all right. Otherwise, I am not very serious about retaining the apartment. Everything should be performed with no strain because too much financial strain will hamper our progress in Krsna consciousness."== ([[letters/1968/681219_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 19 December, 1968]]) *** 69-01 =="Tears come down from the eyes of a person who is already elevated in ecstatic love of Krsna. So these are very good signs. I am explaining all of these matters in my next book, The Nectar of Devotion== *." ([[letters/1969/690112_kirtanananda|Hamsaduta, 12 January, 1969]]) *** 69-01 "The absence of the idea of God is not very important, but the sense of loving God is the most important. The cowherd boys and all of the residents of Vmdavana were so much absorbed in love for Krsna that naturally there was absence of the idea of God. Yasoda was so much absorbed in love of Krsna that she did not care to know that He is God. ==Our whole philosophy is to increase our love for Krsna. Love with awe and veneration and love that is spontaneous is different, but still one has to learn about the greatness of Krsna.== To come to the stage of spontaneous love for Krsna is a very high stage, and it is not to be imitated. In our conditioned state of life, we should worship Krsna as God with respect and veneration. That is the system. The relationship of the spiritual master and the disciple is not the same as the relationship with Krsna in Vrndavana. The relationship with the spiritual master must always be continued with the greatest respect and veneration, without forgetting his exalted position, like father like son." ([[letters/1969/690116_rayarama|Hamsaduta, 16 January, 1969]]) *** 69-04 'Your statement that my visit to New York for only 8 days causes you sadness, causes me sadness also. When Rupanuga wanted me in Buffalo, I did not directly confirm it, but I asked him to consult with you. So after his consultation, you have agreed to his proposal and should not be sad at all. But I know the cause of your sadness, that you want me for a longer time there in New York and similarly, I also want to stay there for a long time because I like New York more than all the other cities. This is because my first attempt was begun there, so I have got some affection for your great city. I think if possible you should also accompany me to Buffalo and if possible Rayarama may also come with me so that we can stay together at least up to April 22nd. If you like you can also come with me to Boston. This would be a very nice idea but I do not think your occupations will allow you to come with me and stay for a long time. But the proposal for me to come back to New York from Columbus is nice. I think I shall arrange like that. So there is no cause of becoming sad. Our meeting and separation in the material world is like the flowing tide of the river. During the flowing tide of the river, so many different particles meet together and with the flowing they again become separated by the movement of the waves. That is the way of material life. But our separation, although it resembles exactly in the material way, it is completely different. ==In the spiritual world, separation is more relishable than meeting. In other words, in spiritual life, there is no separation. Separation is eternal, and meeting is also eternal. The separation is simply another feature of meeting."== ([[letters/1969/690403_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 3 April, 1969]]) *** 69-06 "Regarding Mataji, I have noted your remarks, and ==actually we do not want to create a group of prakrta sahajiya, or devotees who do not know the science of Krsna and do not know the science of devotion, but simply worship the Deity with no depth of knowledge.== That is called materialistic devotee, but it is also not rejected. It is a beginning, but a preacher must be above this. Anyway, keep friendship with her. She is trying to love Krsna and that is good." ([[letters/1969/690603_syamasundara|Syamasundara, 3 June, 1969]]) *** 69-07 "My first thanks are due to Sriman Oliver who has drawn this Visnu picture, and I like it very much. ==Our service to God is always transcendental. It does not depend on anything material. So there was no reason to accept this picture as a very good drawing by Sriman Oliver. Krsna accepts the spirit of the offering, and anyone who offers Him some service in good devotional service, that is immediately accepted by Krsna.== There are many instances in *Maha-bharata* wherein we find that Krsna declined to accept the invitation of Duryodhana, who was then the Emperor of the world, but He accepted the invitation of Vidura, who was famous as a poor man. It is said 'Vidura's particles of grain.' So our business is to offer our sincere service, and it is accepted by Krsna." ([[letters/1969/690728_mandali_bhadra|Krsna dasa, 28 July, 1969]]) *** 69-09 =="Regarding your question about faith in devotees, faith must be there. But we should always take instruction from devotees who are considered to be elevated.== A ==preacher's position is like this: He should have firm faith and love for Krsna. He should make friendship with devotees. He should be very much charitable and kind to the neophytes and he should avoid the company of non-devotees. This program suggests, of course, that a devotee who is not in the neophyte stage can discriminate what is Krsna, what is devotee, what is neophyte and what is non-devotee. Unless one is able to discriminate, he is to be considered to be in the neophyte stage. In the neophyte stage the position is that the neophyte devotee worships the Deity in the temple with great awe and reverence, but he cannot discriminate who is devotee, who is non-devotee and who is neophyte. I think you must be in the second stage and should try to discriminate as above. Any devotee wanting to see you should be welcome, but your treatment should be according to his position."== (SPL to Hamsaduta, September 28th, 1969) 69-12 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 3rd, 1969, and I am very glad to learn that you are feeling very strongly for Jesus Christ. You have already mentioned the exemplary character of Lord Jesus Christ that he sacrificed everything for God. This example should be taken. ==The process should be to follow the example, not to imitate the exact activities.== For example, Lord Jesus Christ wanted to preach amongst some persons who were practically against the principle of accepting God as the Supreme, and the result was that these people crucified him. At the present moment, the world situation is more dangerous than before. People have become actually Godless. So if you follow the footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ to preach God-consciousness against Godlessness and dedicate your life in that way, that will be the real purpose of following Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus Christ revealed that he was the son of God, and Krsna revealed that He is God Himself, the Supreme Father of all living entities. So if you dedicate your life to the service of Krsna, the Supreme Father, don't you think that Lord Jesus Christ will be pleased with this? At the present moment we have to preach in an enlightened society. So Krsna consciousness has got inexhaustible treasure-house of philosophy, logic and science to convince people about God-consciousness. So if you are actually serious about following the footsteps of Lord Jesus Christ, you should take advantage of the great philosophical background of this Krsna consciousness movement and make people God-conscious, by dedicating your life. One should try to make progress. One should not try to remain satisfied at a point which awaits further advancement. For example, the Commandment says Thou shalt not kill.' This means one should be nonviolent. This is a good principle, but in the actual field, for want of sufficient knowledge, even this Commandment is being misinterpreted and misused. In the *Bhagavad-gita* you will find there are twenty items for advancing in knowledge. Perhaps you have read in the 13th Chapter. Out of the twenty items, this nonviolence item is one. But devotional service is so potent, that if one is engaged in devotional service to Krsna, automatically all good qualifications are there. Thus, from the practical point of view you can see the distinction between our disciples and any other group of religious faith. We do not indulge in illicit sex-life, which includes not to covet with another's wife or daughter. We do not eat meat, and that means automatically we are nonviolence. We do not indulge in intoxication, and that means we are sane in considering things in their true perspective. You have asked to know what is the difference between Jesus Christ and Krsna. That we have several times explained in many meetings, that Krsna is God and Jesus Christ is the son of God. And as there is no difference between father and son, so there is no difference between Krsna and Lord Jesus Christ, but still the son is never equal to the father. So you have got the advantage of reading our many books for advancement of knowledge. The best thing will be for you to engage your time more in the *sankirtana* party and reading our Krsna consciousness literature." (SPL to Sucandra, December 8th, 1969) 70-01 =="Being in the disciplic succession of Prahlada Maharaja certainly we are not interested for our personal liberation as much as we want to work for the liberation of the conditioned souls because Krsna desires it. So you are an intelligent girl, I need not talk much, and be happy in Krsna consciousness business."== ([[letters/1970/700114_jadurani|Jadurani, 14 January, 1970]]) *** 70-01 =="According to authorized Vedic Scriptures liberation means to be fixed up in one's original position.== The original position is that each and every living entity is part and parcel of the Supreme Lord and as such it is the duty of every living entity to cooperate with the Supreme. This cooperation is devotional service. So you have taken some interest in this matter. Please try to propagate this philosophy amongst the educated circle in Calcutta, and that is the best humanitarian service." ([[letters/1970/700122_brahmananda|Barindra Babu, 22 January, 1970]]) *** 70-01 "In the *Bhagavad-gita* it is always stressed to Krsna by the words *aham* and *mam.* Similarly in the *Srimad-Bhagavatam* the same stress is given from the very beginning— *param satyam,* the Supreme Truth. If we divert our attention to worship other demigods, then our faith in Krsna will be flickering. We Gaudiya Vaisnavas, under the guidance of Lord Caitanya, want steady attention for Krsna, not flickering. Therefore, ==in our line of thoughts and action there is no scope for worshiping any other demigods."== ([[letters/1970/700129_ksirodakasayi|Ksirodakasayi, 29 January, 1970]]) *** 70-01 =="Regarding the third point: all kinds of mellow includes servitude. Therefore a mixture of servitude and parenthood is not incompatible. So Ugrasenas mellow is correctly written as mixed with servitude and parental affection and the statement in part IV should be corrected to state that a mixture of parenthood and servitude is a compatible one."== ([[letters/1970/700130_jayadvaita|Jayadvaita, 30 January, 1970]]) *** 70-02 =="Astanga-yoga is better than karma-yoga and jnana-yoga is on the level of astanga-yoga. But bhakti-yoga is the ultimate goal of all yogas.== In other words, *karma-yoga, jnana-yoga* and *astanga-yoga* by proper execution culminate in *bhakti-yoga.* So far yogis who meditate on the Paramatma" form of the Lord within their hearts, if they see Him in that way actually they become pure devotees, but if they do not perfect the process they may remain on the lower level of incomplete realization or Paramatma realization." ([[letters/1970/700227_jagadisa|Jagadisa, 27 February, 1970]]) *** 70-03 =="Regarding your dream, it is a great blessing to you that Krsna warned you. So you should never be negligent. Always be careful, then in due course you will feel the bhava."== ([[letters/1970/700320_rukmini|Rukmini, 20 March, 1970]]) *** 70-04 I beg to acknowledge your letter dated some time April, and I am so glad to learn that you are making advancement in Krsna consciousness as it is scheduled. ==It appears that you are on the attachment platform, this is very good. The next platform is ecstasy and then pure love of God. So stick to your duties== at the present moment, and when it is convenient you can go with the *sankirtana* party but never neglect the *arcana* regulation at any cost. If you have no time you are not required to go with the *sankirtana* party. Your first business is to take care of the Deities. Practically you see that everyone is appreciating your Deity worship and Srimati Radharani is smiling, so it is a great credit for you, so continue this engagement." ([[letters/1970/700426_himavati|Himavati, 26 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 =="Regarding your question about anna-maya, prana-maya, etc., yes they are different stages of consciousness. Different living beings are situated in different consciousness.== Some are satisfied in the matter of eating and sleeping, they are on the *anna-maya* stage. *Pranamaya* means those who can simply survive in the struggle for existence. *Manomaya* means philosophical speculation. *Jnana-maya* means self-realization, *vijnana-maya* means application of that stage in practical life and when there is the right perfection of life that is the *ananda-maya* stage or Krsna consciousness. So by the grace of Lord Caitanya, in this age our movement is giving directly the *ananda-maya* stage, and anyone can visit our temple and see how our students are in blissful life. Naturally they are in jolly mood by chanting, dancing, and taking *prasada.* Your regular chanting of *maha-mantra* and reading of books will keep you always fit for pushing on this movement. This formula should be rigidly followed by every one of us." ([[letters/1970/700501_kenneth|Tamala Krsna, 1 May, 1970]]) *** 70-06 "The transcendental ecstatic symptoms certainly become manifested in a devotee's body, but they should not be exhibited amongst common men. When Lord Caitanya met Ramananda Raya, both of them felt this ecstasy by embracing one another. But as soon as Lord Caitanya saw that Ramananda Raya was in the company of some outsider Brahmins, He checked Himself. This is already described in our *Teachings of Lord Caitanya.* ==The transcendental symptoms of ecstasy certainly are auspicious, but they are not for advertising to others. One should not advertise directly or indirectly== that one is feeling like this. They should be checked. Otherwise one will gradually become *sahajiya* or one who takes spiritual advancement as something materially manifest." (SPL to Makhanlal, June 3rd, 1970) 70-06 "In the *Srimad-Bhagavatam,* there is a question asked by Pariksit Maharaja to Sukadeva Goswami about the sinful activities of the human society. As a learned professor you will understand it very easily why a man is addicted to sinful activities. A person knows in two ways the after effects of sinful activities. Just like a criminal has heard from lawyers that a thief is punished for his criminal activities, and he has seen also that a thief is arrested by the police and put into jail. Generally our experience is gathered by hearing and by seeing personally. The question was why a sinful man commits sinful activities although he has full knowledge of the after result by knowing it from authority and by seeing it personally. A thief commits theft repeatedly and is imprisoned repeatedly, and he has full knowledge of it—then what is the cause of his putting himself into miserable condition of prison life? The cause is diagnosed by Vedic *acaryas* as the *papa-bija* or the seed of sinful activities. This *papa-bija* remains dormant within our hearts in three stages, dormant, seedling and fructified. ==This chain of different stages of our papa-bija is the cause of repeated birth and death, and transmigration in different species of life. Actually, this is the cause of the suffering== of the living entities. There are many processes for delivering the living entities from this life of entanglement. Generally it is summarized in the process of meditation, performances of great sacrifices and worshiping the Lord in the temple. But in this Age of Kali-yuga nobody can meditate perfectly, neither they have sufficient resources for performing great sacrifices, neither they have tendency to attend spiritual services in the temple, churches or mosques or any such sanctuaries. Therefore, in the *Brhad Naradiya Purana* it is stated that none of these three principles of spiritual upliftment is possible to perform in this Age of Kali. Therefore, the only possible means of spiritual realization is chanting the holy name of God or Krsna or Rama. Lord Caitanya propagated this formula of spiritual realization 500 years ago, and by His grace now it is introduced in the Western world, and practically we are experiencing that it is effective. The Krsna consciousness movement is being popularized here by three principles: by temple worship, by sending *sankirtana* party for chanting in the streets and by distribution of small booklets. Although we have got so many voluminous books like *Srimad-Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, The Nectar of Devotion, Krsna,* etc., they are selling less from our different centers. So immediately we cannot think of publishing your *Srimad-Bhagavatam* for two reasons: 1) that we are dealing with the general mass of people, and 2) we talk with high level scholars only occasionally. Recently we had correspondence with Dr. J.F. Staal, Professor of Philosophy and of South Asian Languages, University of California, Berkeley, and the small pamphlet is sent to you by separate air mail in this connection. So if you send me some of the specimens of the important portions of your writings for publication in our magazine *Back to Godhead,* that is possible for the present." ([[letters/1970/700607_dr._r._n._vyasa|Sriman Vyasaji, 7 June, 1970]]) *** 70-07 =="Regarding your feelings of burning impatience, these things are very explicitly explained in The Nectar of Devotion in the chapter on ecstasy. These are symptoms of ecstasy, that is not bad."== ([[letters/1970/700710_jayapataka|Jayapataka, 10 July, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "Regarding the activities of such great sages and devotees like Parvat Muni and Parasara Muni begetting children, such activities of these elevated souls are not be to questioned by us. They have a higher purpose which we cannot determine, therefore ==it is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that one should not try to imitate the actions of the isvaras or those who are very powerful, but one should follow their instructions."== ([[letters/1970/700725_ekayani|Ekayani, 25 July, 1970]]) *** 70-07 =="Vaidhi-marga and raga-marga are already explained in the Teachings Of Lord Caitanya. Neophyte devotees who are trained under rules and regulations are called vaidhi-marga. When by execution of vaidhi-marga one comes to spontaneous service of the Lord that is called raga-marga."== ([[letters/1970/700719_hayagriva|Tamala Krsna, 19 July, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "You are lying for some time in the hospital bed and still ==you are not wasting a moment of your time. This attitude is very good. This is Krsna consciousness—not to waste even a single moment without serving the Lord in some way or other.== So you have made these very, very nice dresses for Krsna and Radharani although you are so much inconvenienced by your injury. I am very, very glad that you have got this feeling to not waste even a single moment in the service of the body and mind but to utilize very carefully every moment of life in the loving service of the Lord." ([[letters/1970/700730_himavati|Himavati, 30 July, 1970]]) *** 71-04 "The *gopis'* position is always transcendental. They are above *karmis,* yogis and *jnanis.* They did not even try to understand Krsna whether He was God or not, but their love for Krsna was unparalleled. So one can love Krsna without any inquiry, that is the highest perfection. To know Krsna as God is not so exalted a position as to love Krsna without knowing. That is the highest perfection. Knowledge means discrimination. The *gopis* loved Krsna without discrimination. They loved Him spontaneously as He was very beautiful in the view of the *gopis.* The objective being transcendental, all of the *gopis'* activities were transcendental. ==There is no comparison of worshiping of Krsna as conceived by the gopis—that is only to love Krsna without any purpose."== ([[letters/1971/710424_rupanuga|Sri Shresthaji, 24 April, 1971]]) *** 71-11 "An example of summary punishment is this: If you are sentenced to be hanged but instead you are given a simple pin-prick, that is very nice. Krsna minimizes the devotees suffering to the lowest. ==So long as one is engaged in devotional service, he is immune to the reactions of his past sinful activities, but if he chooses to give up this devotional service, then he has to undergo all these reactions."== ([[letters/1971/711112_nityananda|Nityananda, 12 November, 1971]]) *** 71-11 "As far as your questions, Krsna is not in need of anything, He is *purnam,* the Complete Whole. And yet He appreciates our love for Him, just like everyone appreciates if someone exhibits love for them. So ==He kindly allows us to show that love, by considering that if I do not feed Him, Krsna will go hungry. If I do not give Him rest, He will be tired, like that.== He reciprocates by pretending to be dependent on me, my slave, just to give us the opportunity to find the real object of our loving propensity and to take pleasure by pleasing and serving Him. Everything we do, should be for the reason that it gives pleasure to Krsna. Because Krsna's intimate associates give Him the most pleasure, and because they are His favorites, it pleases Him to see that these associates and close friends are also offered all respect by the devotees." (SPL to Patty Dorgan, November 17th, 1971) 72-01 "Sometimes it so happens that we have to suffer for our past sinful activities. But because we have taken to Krsna consciousness and serving Krsna, we should know that any suffering we have to bear have been far reduced by the mercy of the Lord. ==Suffering must be there so long as we are conditioned in this material world, but for the devotees the suffering is minimized compared to that of the nondevotees. We have to tolerate any difficulties which come up, and somehow go on with our chanting, reading and routine work."== ([[letters/1972/720102_yajnesvara|Von Paul Reed, 2 January, 1972]]) *** 72-02 "I am answering your questions as follows: you have inquired, 'Why, if the devotee is struggling very hard to be free of the clutches of *maya,* then how can he not be interested in such liberation? That is a contradiction.' The devotee is not interested in liberation, but in serving. As such, the devotee is already liberated. So liberation is not very important business—it doesn't matter if he is liberated or non-liberated. The idea is that nobody should serve Krsna with motive, even up to liberation, he should serve for service sake. ==Liberation from maya means engaging himself in the service of the Lord. So one should strive to become a servant of the Supreme,== and in that position he is automatically liberated and free from the clutches of *maya,* so when it is said that one should strive to be free from the clutches of *maya,* it is simply another way of saying one should strive to be a servant of the Lord, not that being free from *maya* is the goal of striving, but that the serving is the goal of striving. Liberation is the constitutional position of the living entity, and that constitutional position is that the Lord is great and that the living entity is subordinate and servant of the Lord. So one should try to extricate himself from the clutches of *maya* in order to regain his healthy, normal condition as the servant of Krsna, not just to get himself liberated. But once in this service, he is liberated already. Try to understand." (SPL to Mohanananda, 27th, February, 1972) *** 72-02 'Your second question, isn't the fact that we say that one should give up the cultivation of knowledge in conflict with the first six chapters of *Gita* which deal with cultivation of knowledge? The first six chapters of *Bhagavad-gita,* this knowledge is to understand Krsna. Other so-called cultivation of knowledge, as practiced by the Mayavadis and *jnanis,* means how to become one with the Supreme. That kind of cultivation of knowledge is prohibited. ==Cultivation of knowledge to understand Krsna as He is, that is called bhakti.== Generally Mayavadis mean by 'knowledge' how to become one with the Lord. That is to be avoided." (SPL to Mohanananda, 27th, February, 1972) *** 72-06 "I don't know who has given you this idea of shaving your head and wearing white garments. In India only the widows are allowed to shave head. I have never suggested your husband to take to *sannyasa,* but we can discuss this matter further when we shall meet again in London for Ratha-yatra. You remain the beautiful maid-servant of Krsna. That is your business, and you should dress yourself always very nicely so that Krsna by seeing you will be pleased. Don't try to be ugly before Krsna. Krsna does not like ugly *gopis.* We are transcendental artists, musicians, writers, so everything should be beautiful for Krsna. After all we are members of Krsna's family, just like Krsna had 16,000 wives and each wife has thousands of servants and maid-servants and all of them are very beautiful for serving Krsna and His Queens. So the servants of the *gopis* and queens cannot be ugly, they are as beautiful as the queens. In the Vaikuntha world there is no need of serving anything because everything is already clean and beautiful. It is so clean that just like a mirror when the maid-servants would sweep the floor they could see the reflections of their bodies. So remain always compact in Vaikuntha *yajna,* simply by thinking of the glories of the Lord. ==Don't try to do anything artificially. That is sahajiya, which means a class of men that take everything very cheap. You want to perform sacrifice so continuously read our Vedic scriptures and perform the Vaikuntha yajna."== (SPL to Himavati, June 15th, 1972) 72-08 "Regarding your questions, yes, there is water in the house under the Bindusarovara lake. Of course it is not possible for us to live there, but if you know the art, it is a science, it is as good as this house filled with air. ==We are living in an ocean of air, we can live in an ocean of water, it is a question of art. By mystic power everything can be done."== ([[letters/1972/720806_jadurani|Jadurani, 6 August, 1972]]) *** 72-09 "I am so pleased to hear that you are living nicely with your parents and carrying on with your Krsna consciousness activities. That is a good proposal. Nevermind there maybe some inconvenience. Krsna always appreciates when his devotee makes some sacrifice on His behalf, so there is no real difficulty under any conditions so long as we remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just like Prahlada Maharaja, he never asked Krsna for anything, Oh! Krsna please save me from my demon father, no. But because he was always remembering Krsna under all circumstances, Krsna saved him anyway, and when He became finally angry He came Himself and killed the demon father. But ==even Krsna came Himself, still Prahlada did not ask Him for any favours, only to please kindly have mercy upon my father. That is pure devotee. Of course we cannot imitate, but we should always try to remember the example of our predecessors and follow their example always."== ([[letters/1972/720904_jadurani|Patty Dorgan, 4 September, 1972]]) *** 72-12 =="Regarding your other question, should we become detached from the results of our activities, or should we become simply attached to the lotus feet of Krsna, the answer is that both of these philosophies are right.== One should not be attached to his personal achievement. But, if one is attached in order to please his spiritual master, then it is all right. Unattached to my benefit, attached to Krsna's benefit. Krsna consciousness means attachment for Krsna and detachment for personal benefit, that's all. But in any case, if there is fight amongst yourselves over these things, book distribution, competition, you should not develop ill-feeling. That depends on the persons. If ill-feeling is there, then stop it and all together chant Hare Krsna. Those who are behind should eulogize those who are advanced. If you become envious, that is material. Attachment, detachment—these things are natural. If you become attached to something you become detached from other. So we can estimate our advancement in this way. This is the test. In the Krsna consciousness movement there is no question of enviousness, hatred, things like that. Material life means hatred for Krsna and desire for matter. So we have to convert ourselves. When one becomes Krsna conscious actually, he does not even hate material things because he becomes expert how to utilize everything for Krsna. Krsna consciousness is so nice. We do not hate anything material because we have learned from our disciplic succession how to utilize material things for Krsnas service. Actually, *bhakti* means realization of the Supreme, and this means increasing attachment for Him and reforming of detachment or hating of material name and fame." ([[letters/1972/721225_sri_govinda|Sri Govinda, 25 December, 1972]]) *** 73-01 "Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 7th January 1973, and have noted the contents with great care. Thank you very much for the information enclosed. There is no difference between *brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha,* and *sannyasi.* Simply *grhastha* means that he lives outside the temple with wife, that is the only difference. Otherwise, *grhastha* must follow the same regulative principles and remain fully engaged in the temple activities. There in London we have such big field for pushing on the preaching work, so I want that you should assist the other devotees there as much as possible and cooperate very closely for helping me in this way. These temples, they are just like oasis in the desert for the conditioned souls to quench the thirst of their desire for real happiness. So they must be organized as nicely as possible, and I know you have many talents which can be put to good use. So in cooperation with Dhananjaya and Syamasundara Prabhu, let us work together. You may assist me in this way and I shall be very much pleased upon you. Krsna says in the *Bhagavad-gita* that anyone who surrenders unto Me, whether a woman, *sudra, vaisya,* etc., ==they all attain the highest perfection of bhakti-yoga, not that now I am grhastha, I am doing karma-yoga, or now I am vanaprastha, I am doing sankhya-yoga, this is all nonsense.== So if you read my books this is explained in so many places, that by taking to the path of pure *bhakti,* all the other *yogas* are achieved automatically because *bhakti* is the culmination *of yoga* and the highest perfection of life. Yet at the same time it is very simple and sublime. So I do not see what is the difficulty. So I am your spiritual master, it is my obligation to answer any questions that you may have. So please send the tape and I shall reply." (SPL to Ksirodakasayi, January 29th, 1973) 73-11 =="As far as the results of one's good karma is concerned, good karma returns in that he is surrendering to Krsna. One comes to the point of surrender when one has actually amassed the result of multi pious activities.== This is stated in the *Caitanya-caritamrta* as quoted from the *Srimad-Bhagavatam* as follows: ittham satam brahma-sukhanubhutyadasyam gatanam para-daivatenamayasritanam nara-darakena*sakam vijahruh krta-punya-punjah (S.B. 10.12.11) This was the statement of Srila Sukadeva Goswami when he saw Krsna carrying the cowherds boys on His shoulders. To be in such a position could only be the result of the performance of many, many pious activities. They were putting their legs on the Supreme Personality of Godhead and were forgetting who He is, and Krsna is taking the feet of His devotee on Himself. Krsna is so nice. The Mayavadis can never understand this exchange of devotional activities." ([[letters/1973/731101_acyutananda|Acyutananda Maharaja, 1 November, 1973]]) *** 73-11 "Your complaint is that you have met two of my young disciples in California and they appeared to you as having 'a very negative outlook towards the people they meet.' Of course, I do not know the case, what are the circumstances, but kindly forgive my beloved disciples for any un-kindness or indiscretions on their part. After all, to give up one's life completely for serving the Lord is not so easy thing. And *maya,* or the illusory material energy, she tries especially hard to try to get back and entrap those who have left her service to become devotees. So ==sometimes in the neophyte stage of devotional service, in order to withstand the attack of maya and remain strong under all conditions of temptation, young or inexperienced devotees will adopt an attitude against those things or persons possibly harmful, threatening to their tender devotional creeper.== They may even over-indulge in such feelings just to protect themselves, and thus they will appear to some non-devotees, who are perhaps themselves still very enamoured by the material energy of *maya,* as being negative or pessimistic. But the actual fact is that this material world is a miserable, negative place, full of danger at every step; *duhkhalayam asasvatam,* a temporary abode of death, birth, disease and old-age, and a home of suffering and pain only. To come to that platform of understanding things as they are, that is not a very common thing, and therefore such persons who attain to it, they are described as 'great souls': mam upetya punar janmaduhkhalayam asasvatamnapnuvanti mahatmanahsamsiddhim paramam gatah This verse is spoken by Krsna, or God Himself, in *Bhagavad-gita (8.15) so who can be more final authority? That means that anyone who has understood that the material worlds are temporary places of misery, * duhkhalayam asasvatam, * they never return here again, and because they are * mahatmanah,* the great souls, Krsna keeps them with Him, having qualified themselves to escape this nasty place by becoming His pure devotees. So the point is that to make advancement in spiritual life, everything material, unless it is utilized to serve and please Krsna, must be viewed with a pessimistic eye. We are not very much hopeful for any lasting pleasure or satisfaction for our deepest cravings within this realm of gross matter. You refer to the word 'love' several times in your letter, but actual fact is there is no love in this material world. That is false propaganda. What they call 'love' here is lust only, desire for personal sense-gratification: kama esa krodha esarajo-guna-samudbhavahmahasano maha-papmaviddhy enam iha vairinam Krsna tells Arjuna, His disciple, that 'It is lust only...which is the all-devouring, sinful enemy of this world.' In the Vedic language, their word for materialistic 'love' as we call it at present day, is *'kama'* lust for material desire, not love. The word for love, actually love we find in the *Vedas* is *'prema,'* meaning one's love of God, only. Outside God, there is no possibility of loving. Rather it is lusty desire in the whole range of human activities, whatever and whenever, so long as it is within this atmosphere of matter, every activity of the human being—or any living entity—is based upon or given impetus, and thus polluted, by the attraction between male and female sex desire. For that sex life, the whole universe is spinning round and suffering! That is the harsh truth. So-called love, here, means 'you gratify my senses, I'll gratify your senses,' and as soon as that gratification stops, immediately there is divorce, separation, quarrel, hatred. So many things there are, going on under this false conception of love. Actual love means love of God, Krsna. Everyone wants to repose his loving tendency in some object which in his opinion is worthy. So it is a question of ignorance only, or poor fund of knowledge, where to find that Supreme loveable object Who is actually worthy to accept and reciprocate their love. People simply do not know, there is no proper information. Anything material, as soon as there is some attachment, it will kick you upon the face, deteriorate, disappoint you—it's bound to dissatisfy and frustrate you, that's a fact. So these young boys in your country, and all over the world, they are accepting 'Yes, that is fact,' and they are getting the right information from Krsna: *bahunam janmanam antejnanavan mam prapadyatevasudevah sarvam itisa mahatma su-durlabhah (BG. 7.19) 'After many births and deaths, he who is actually wise surrenders unto Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare.' Again Krsna uses the word *mahatma,* great soul. So these are not ordinary boys and girls, our devotees, that you have met, no. They are to be considered as actually wise, great souls, because they have experienced in so many births the miserable disease of material life and they have become disgusted. Therefore they are seeking higher knowledge, something better, and when they find Krsna and surrender unto Him, they become *mahatma,* actually in knowledge. This material world is just like a prison house, a punishing place to bring us to that point of becoming disgusted and surrendering at last to Krsna, going back to my original nature of eternal life of bliss and complete knowledge. So these devotees, that is their credit, they have done what is 'very rare' amongst all men in the human society, *su-durlabhah,* very rare. So after surrendering to Krsna, that will be the final receptacle for investing his love in God. If somehow or other anyone develops their dormant love of God—love of God is present there in everyone, just like fire is there in the unlit match, covered over—if Krsna becomes the supreme adorable object, the supreme friend, the supreme master, the supreme lover—then, oh!!, he shall never again become disappointed or unhappy: mac-citta mad-gata-pranabodhayantah parasparamkathayantas ca mam nityahtusyanti ca ramanti ca Rather, because his loving propensity is rightfully placed, the devotee, one whose life is surrendered to Krsna, is always enjoying 'great satisfaction and bliss' and he is constantly 'enlightened,' always positive, not negative as you say. The advanced devotee is the friend of everyone: *yoga-yukto visuddhatma,* a purified soul engaged in loving devotional service to Krsna, *sarva-bhutatma-bhutatma,* he is dear to everyone and everyone is dear to him. And in another place Krsna claims that: *yo mad-bhaktah sa me priyah,* that His devotee who is very dear to Him, *advesta sarva-bhutanam, maitrah karuna eva ca,* is not envious but is the kind friend to all living entities. The devotee is supposed to be, furthermore, equal to everyone: *panditah sama-darsinah;* never discriminating, this one good, this one bad, no. So these are the descriptions of the more advanced stages of Krsna conscious devotees, when he has got mature knowledge by development, and at present many of our students are young boys, they are learning gradually and the process is so effective, certain and authorized, so that it may not be judged on the false sentimental platform of ordinary mundane dealings. If they stick to it they will come to the right point, as you say, of loving. But that love is not material, that is our point, so it may not be judged on the mundane dealings. So to say they are not loving, that may be true from the materialists point of view—they have given up affection for family, friends, wife, country, race, like that, all based upon the bodily concept of life or flickering sense gratification—but they have become a little detached from *maya's* love, or lust, and they want Krsna's love, or endless, full rewarding love, but they have not yet developed to that point, that's all. And we cannot expect that all of a sudden, being addicted to so many bad habits, your countrymen, will give up eating flesh, taking intoxication, sex-life, and so many other nasty things, and become overnight great self-realized souls. That is not possible. That is Utopian. Just by becoming initiated as Krsna's devotee puts him in the topmost category of human society: *sa buddhiman manusyesu, sa yuktah krtsna-karma-krt,* 'He is intelligent among human society, he is in the transcendental position, although engaged in all sorts of activities.' And such a devotee, no matter if he has not advanced yet to the highest level of spiritual understanding, still he is to be considered the most exalted personality never mind he has got any temporary frailties: api cet su-duracarobhajate mam ananya-bhaksadhur eva sa mantavyahsamyag vyavasito hi sah 'Even if a devotee commits the most abominable actions, he is to be considered saintly because he is properly situated.' (BG. 9.30). As you will say, 'To err is human,' so in the neophyte stage we may always expect some discrepancies are there. Kindly see the things in this light and forgive their small mistakes. The big thing is they have given their life, everything to Krsna—that is never a mistake." ([[letters/1973/731127_jayadharma|Lynne Ludwig, 27 November, 1973]]) *** 74-04 "So far we are concerned we are trying to train first-class men. How much of a great responsibility we have to follow regulative principles, chant on the beads, live with good personal character, etc. Regulative principles means to especially execute devotional service in terms of the revealed scriptures under the direction of the spiritual master. By fulfilling the regulative principles you come to the platform of spontaneous love for Krsna. Spontaneous love for Krsna is there already but is covered by the influence of *maya.* The regulative principles are a device to overcome the influence of *maya* and come to the platform of spontaneous love of Krsna. If we want to exist as first-class men in society, ==all our students must be induced to following the regulative principles. One shouldn't think artificially he has come to the spontaneous platform. That is sahajiyaism."== ([[letters/1974/740428_balavanta|Rupanuga Maharaja, 28 April, 1974]]) *** 74-04 "The regulative principles are designed to take us gradually to the platform of spontaneous love of Krsna, which is the perfection of human life. ==Those who think they have already attained such perfection and give up the regulative principles are called sahajiya, or those who take things cheaply and simply imitate.== This early rising, holding classes, going out regularly for *sankirtana,* worshiping the Deity are the very substance of devotional life." ([[letters/1974/740429_bhurijana|Bhurijana, 29 April, 1974]]) *** 74-07 "I am very glad that you are so much inquisitive about the sense of the *sastras.* Yes, Krsna always gives shelter to the surrendered soul. Krsna never allows a *brahmana* to be killed. In the *Bhagavad-gita* it is stated as follows: *kaunteya pratijanihi, na me bhaktah pranasyati;* 'My dear son of Kunti, be assured and declare it to the whole world that My devotee is never vanquished.' Krsna is also worshipped as *namo brahmanya devaya.* His first business is to give protection to the cows and the *brahmanas.* Now this question may be raised why are so many cows being killed in the slaughterhouse. The answer is that ==those who are killing cows, according to the decision of karma-kanda, these killers of cows will in the next life be cows, and the cows who are killed will become men and kill the killers.== The word flesh is called *mansa* which means the animal in future will kill me and eat. This is called *karma-bandhanam,* bound up by the laws of *karma.* If you kill some living being, he will kill you in the next life. According to *Manu Samhita,* the Vedic lawbook, a murderer is hanged and thereby released from sinful activities so that in the next life he may not be killed. Life for life sentence is given to end the result of sinful activities in this life instead of waiting for the next life. Unfortunately people at the present moment do not know what is the next life, what is this life, what is *karma,* how one becomes entangled, how one becomes free. The modern education is void of all this enlightenment. They are kept in darkness without any knowledge of the values of life. Our Krsna consciousness movement is a great boon to the human society. We are trying to save the human society from all kinds of suffering, past, present, and future. If you read all our books, *Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam,* and others, you will get all the answers to your questions. Still I shall be very glad to answer besides that." ([[letters/1974/740716_siddha_svarupananda|Alfred Ford, 16 July, 1974]]) *** 74-12 "I was so much pleased with your interesting letter and I wish that you will understand more and more through your learning of mathematics and physics about the intricacies of Gods creation. ==It is the duty of a learned scholar to glorify the Supreme Personality of Godhead by his talent of knowledge, austerity, penance, etc.== Why one should become great mathematician? What is the perfectional stage? That stage is when he describes the glories of the Lord by utilization of his talent of education. So I request you to observe more and more the cosmic manifestation, how it is created by the energy of the Supreme Lord. Actually by the evolutionary process when a living entity comes to the status of human life it is his duty to solve all the problems of life. The chief problems of life are collectively birth, death, old age and disease. *Bhagavad-gita* gives information how to solve these four problems. It is the essence of all Vedic knowledge presented by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. I am so glad to learn that you have taken so much interest in my book, *Bhagavad-gita As It Is." ([[letters/1974/741223_kisora|Sri Raghava Charyulu, 23 December, 1974]]) *** 74-12 "Regarding Ganesa *puja,* I have received some letters from persons requesting to also perform it. I have explained to them that ultimately it is not required, but ==if you have some sentiment to get the blessings of Ganesa in order to get huge sums of money for service of Krsna, then it can be done, but privately. I have instructed them that if they want to do it, they must send me at least 100,000 dollars monthly—not less."== ([[letters/1974/741231_hansadutta|Gurukrpa Svami, 31 December, 1974]]) *** 75-01 "So, you are all advanced students. You should understand the importance of each and every item of devotional service. Do not make any misunderstanding by de-valuating any of the spiritual activities. You are one of the advanced students. ==One who distinguishes a particular type of service as inferior or superior, he does not know the value of devotional service. It is all transcendental.== Whatever item is suitable, that is accepted as very elevated. Just like Maharaja Pariksit. He simply listened to Sukadeva Goswami. That is *sravanam.* And Sukadeva Goswami simply narrated *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* This is *kirtanah,* Prahlada Maharaja simply contemplated— *smaranah.* Prthu Maharaja simply did Deity worship— *arcanah.* Arjuna only remained as friend of Krsna— *sakhyam.* Hanuman remained only engaged in carrying out the order of Lord Ramacandra— *dasyam.* And Bali Maharaja surrendered everything to Krsna— *atma-nivedanam.* So, any devotee executing any one of the nine is transcendentally glorious. One devotee may be proud that his process of service is the best. That is not inglorious. This is called transcendental competition. Everyone should feel proud of his particular type of devotional service, but that does not mean that other types of service are inferior. Everyone should feel proud of becoming sincere servant of Krsna, but the pure devotee never minimizes the importance of other devotees. Krsna is the enjoyer of varieties of service. He is not stuck up with any particular type of service. Krsna takes pleasure with devotees even by fighting service. When Grandfather Bhisma was trying to injure the body of Krsna by sharpened arrows, in full devotion in the mellow of chivalry, Krsna was feeling the piercing of the arrows as good as worshiping Him with soft rose flowers. The conclusion is that everyone should be very, very sincere. There is no more the question of inferior or superior." ([[letters/1975/750119_radhavallabha|Satsvarupa Maharaja, 19 January, 1975]]) *** 75-03 "To take shelter of the spiritual master means to follow his instructions. So, you should be very careful to not deviate even a little bit from the order of your *guru.* You should be very careful to chant sixteen rounds daily and read all of the books carefully. You should attend *mangala-arati* and classes. And you should follow the four regulative principles without deviation. ==If you do these simple things, you will make steady advancement in Krsna consciousness and there will be no fall down."== ([[letters/1975/750314_mr._dennany|Sivani devi dasi, 14 March, 1975]]) *** 76-01 "Yes, try to encourage book distribution as much as possible. Books are the basis of our movement. Whatever appreciation we are getting on account of our books, it is because we are following the path chalked out by exalted devotees. We are not writing something whimsical. So far devotees being hesitant to distribute books on account of pressure, ==sometimes pressure is required, especially when one is not so advanced. Of course it has to be applied properly, otherwise there may be some bad taste.== But spontaneous service can only be expected from advanced devotees. Just like a child by pressure goes to school and is made to read. Then after some time he wants to read, even without pressure. We have all got experience of this. It is *vaidhi-bhakti—vaidhi* means 'must.' Sometimes devotees are promised a plate of *maha-prasadam* for the biggest distributor. There is no harm. Actually one should try to serve Krsna to his or her full capacity without thought of reward—service is itself the reward. But this takes time to actually realize and until that platform is achieved some pressure or inducement is required." ([[letters/1976/760109_vishambhar|Tusta Krsna Maharaja, 9 January, 1976]]) *** 76-04 "Now you are placed in some awkward circumstances for rendering devotional service as you have mentioned in your letter to me. ==Devotional service is so powerful that it cannot be stopped in any circumstance. There are histories of many great devotees, like Prahlada Maharaja,== who was living in the house of his demon father, Hiranyakasipu. Hiranyakasipu did not even like to hear the name of Krsna, but Prahlada had perfect faith in chanting the holy names of the *maha-mantra:* Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and in this way Krsna saved Prahlada in the end. So please be patient and go on chanting Hare Krsna and try to visit the temple as much as possible. Krsna will offer you all protection and make all suitable arrangements for His devotees to engage in His service. Thank you for your keen interest." ([[letters/1976/760427_mrs._perera|Mrs. Perera, 27 April, 1976]]) *** 76-05 "Regarding your questions, we should not take any stock of rumors which may come, that is not our process to act upon rumors. We hear from the authorized sources, and then our hearing is perfect. So you are the leader of a big temple, you should know these things and avoid them, and instruct the other students there to stick to whatever is mentioned in our books and try to understand that subject matter from every angle of vision, without trying to adulterate by adding anything rumor. Our preaching must be based upon the subject matter from books and nothing outside of them. The actual fact is that worshiping the Deity and chanting the glories of the Lord are both within the nine processes of devotional service recommended by Rupa Goswami. Besides chanting and hearing and remembering there are six other recommended activities in devotional service. So if we are able to practice even only one of these activities perfectly, the result will be the same. Or we may execute more than one, we may execute several or even all nine activities in devotional service, but even if we execute one perfectly we shall be completely successful in devotional service. So there is no question that one activity is more important than another, or that Deity worship is more important than *sankirtana,* but one individual may be able to perform one activity more satisfactorily than another, so to him that activity will be more important. But ==in general we cannot say that any of the nine processes is more important than the others, except that if hearing, chanting and remembering are there, that is the most vital consideration for the general class of men in this age.== Service to the Deities, as you are asking me, begins whenever you remember Them and offer all your services by remembering at the same time. All activities, words, everything should be offered as service to the Deities, and this offering with remembering will gradually increase as you practice it." ([[letters/1976/760516_gopala_krsna|Prajapati dasa, 16 May, 1976]]) ## Surrender 67-09 "I am in due receipt of your letter of the 13th instant and also the press report dated 17th instant and I am so pleased to have them. You have nicely done some service to the Lord by opening this grand branch and certainly Krsna will bestow upon you His blessings. ==Krsna consciousness is a transcendental science which can be revealed to a sincere devotee who is prepared to render service to the Lord. Krsna consciousness is not achieved by dry arguments or by academic qualifications.== Our senses are all blunt in the matter of receiving transcendental subject matter, but they are purified in due course of time by constant engagement in the service of the Lord. So yours and Krsna devi's sincere effort to open a branch in Santa Fe is crowned with success by the grace of the Lord." ([[letters/1967/670929_subala|Subala, 29 September, 1967]]) *** 67-12 "I can understand your position in Krsna consciousness from your letter and I reply that it appears that Krsna consciousness is acting upon you. You very rightly say that we cannot really give anything to Krsna because everything belongs to Him already. Therefore, the energy which we have received from Krsna should be utilized for Krsna's service. ==Devotional service means to apply one's energy in the service of Krsna. That is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. You know that all our girl disciples are applying their energy in the service of Krsna.== Jadurani, Govinda dasi and other girls are very sincerely applying their energy in the service of Krsna and I wish that you also do the same. Yes, we cannot understand Krsna with our limited potency but if we engage ourselves in the service of the Lord, He will reveal Himself to the faithful servitor." ([[letters/1967/671217_indira_iris_mendoza_ekayani_esther_mendoza|Blanche Hochner, 17 December, 1967]]) *** 68-01 "Regarding the manuscript, it is very difficult for me to see it again but I inquired from Brahmananda whether the manuscript is already delivered to Macmillan Company or not. If it is not delivered then I shall try to see it again. Your fear that the entire Society will be in danger by Rayarama's editing of the *Gita* is not a very suitable remark. Rayarama may not be as qualified as you are, but ==his one qualification is that he is fully surrendered to Krsna and his spiritual master, which is the first-class recommendation for his editing any one of our literatures,== because editing of Vedic literatures does not depend on academic education. It is clearly stated in the *Upanisads* that one who has implicit faith in God as well as in the spiritual master, to him only the import of Vedic literatures is revealed. I think Rayarama is doing work in that spirit and his recent publication of several booklets and *Back to Godhead* and a calendar are all first-class proof of his sincerity of service. Anyway, when I started *Back to Godhead* it was my intention that your academic career and Rayarama's sincere service would be a good combination. Unfortunately, I do not know why you do not agree with one another. To me, English language is undoubtedly a foreign language and I thought your combination of editorship will help me a great deal. Anyway, what is done is done. I wish that the misunderstanding created at the present moment may be mitigated by mutual cooperation and we can start fresh with renewed energy for service of the Supreme Lord. I think you will agree with me." ([[letters/1968/680115_hayagriva|Hayagriva, 15 January, 1968]]) *** 68-02 "Krsna is so sublime and transcendental that He cannot be realized by mental speculation or by personal endeavor, education or material acquisition. He can only be approached and understood clearly by our service attitude, engaging all our senses in His service. The beginning of service is to engage our hearing organs and receive the transcendental message by aural reception. And ==whenever we are mature in receiving the transcendental message from books like Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, via media the transparent bona fide spiritual master then we are able to chant or engage our tongue in the service of the Lord,== being engaged in the service of the Lord. The material covering of our senses becomes inactive and actual spiritual form of activity becomes manifest. I very much appreciate your development of this spiritual perception and Krsna has given you a good chance in the matter of your proposed dealings with the U.N." ([[letters/1968/680202_purusottama|Purusottama, 2 February, 1968]]) *** 68-02 "I am very much hopeful of your future glories in the matter of propagating this transcendental movement. ==Your remark that we cannot make Krsna our order supplier is very appropriate. We should always try to supply everything to Krsna and we shall try to avoid any return by Krsna.== That is Vaisnava philosophy. The *gopis* and Radharani served Krsna without any expectation of material or spiritual profit. They never expected any return from Krsna and Krsna remained ever indebted to the *gopis.* Therefore, Caitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited the worship method of the *gopis,* and Krsna when He tries to understand the heart of the *gopis,* that is the transformation of Krsna into Lord Caitanya." ([[letters/1968/680208_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 8 February, 1968]]) *** 68-02 "I have received also one letter from Upendra today and I am so glad he is released within 10 days. That was my expectation when he came to see me, that he couldn't be incarcerated for more than a week. This instance of suffering by a devotee should be carefully noted. As Upendra was in the beginning incarcerated for 3 months, it was reduced to one week. Similarly, when a devotee is seen in trouble, it should be accepted as Gods mercy. Just like Upendra's suffering was destined for 3 months by the law, but by the mercy of God the suffering is reduced to one week only. So ==a devotee always accepts his distress as minimized by God's mercy, although he would have to suffer many more times the suffering.== Anyone who accepts this philosophy of God's mercy in suffering conditions, and still makes progress in Krsna consciousness, it is said that he is sure to go back to home, back to Godhead." ([[letters/1968/680213_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 13 February, 1968]]) *** 68-02 "I am glad that Krsna has sent $500 when you needed them very badly. It is all Krsna's grace. Please take care of the boy very nicely. I have received one letter from him and I am enclosing a personal thanks for the boy. ==Even if Krsna is prepared to give us more, we should not accept anything from Him for our sense gratification. If anything is offered by Him, we should accept gladly for His service only.== For our sense gratification or personal benefit we shall never ask any favor from Krsna, although He is always willing to deliver such favor to anyone amongst His devotees." ([[letters/1968/680220_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 20 February, 1968]]) *** 68-02 "I can see how you are advancing in Krsna consciousness by the feelings expressed therein, and I am so glad you are feeling such transcendental pleasure in serving the Lord. This transcendental pleasure is unlimited and increases as we increase our desire to give more and more voluntary service. ==To surrender to Krsna all at once is not generally possible, but as we serve Krsna more and more, we gradually become more and more surrendered at His lotus feet.== So you please continue to serve Krsna in these ways you have mentioned, and do not feel that your service is any less valuable than that of others. In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting or whatever, they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform. The important thing is that we are engaging our time and energy in the service of the Lord. After all, we are so tiny, what can we do? Krsna sees simply that this time is being spent in His service. Please continue to help Gargamuni in his efforts to spread Krsna consciousness, and chant and continue your duties and in this way you will be happy and successful in Krsna consciousness. I am happy to hear you are so much anxious in helping to start a new temple. Your enthusiasm is very encouraging to me. There is great need for spreading of Krsna consciousness and we need so many enthusiastic boys and girls for carrying on this great mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. My Guru Maharaja wanted that this Krsna consciousness be spread all over the Western countries especially, and now in my old age, I am leaving this great responsibility in the hands of all of you, my students." ([[letters/1968/680225_karunamayi|Karunamayi, 25 February, 1968]]) *** 68-03 "I am happy to hear that you continued to chant despite so many doubts and skepticism. That is the process. Even there may be doubts and skepticism, but if one continues the chanting process, the doubts will all disappear, and real knowledge will be revealed by the grace of Krsna. There is an example given of the jaundice patient. He is suffering from disease, and when given sugar candy, which is the cure, he finds it very bitter and distasteful. But that does not mean the sugar candy is not very sweet and delicious, it is simply due to his diseased condition that it seems bitter. In order to be cured from his disease, he must take the medicine of sugar candy, despite the apparently bitter taste, and as he will become cured, the real sweet taste of the candy is gradually revealed. Similarly, we are diseased, and only if we take to this chanting process may we be cured. ==Maya may put so many doubts and worthless arguments into our minds, but if we continue the chanting, the curing process will go on, never mind the doubts,== and gradually we will get a taste of that sweet nectar of Krsna *nama-sankirtana.* That is the process, and you may explain it to all your friends, so they may understand the nature of their doubts and skepticism and be benefited." ([[letters/1968/680322_balai|Terry and associates, 22 March, 1968]]) *** 68-03 "I am in due receipt of your letter and I thank you very much for it. Yes, by Krsna's grace all obstacles have been removed. We all prayed to Krsna that your inconveniences may be removed, and by the grace of Krsna, they have all been removed, so we feel very much thankful to the Lord. ==You just remain fixed up in devotional service, and all impediments that may come will be vanquished by the unlimited potency of the Lord. We should have faith in His power, His Grace and His Causeless mercy."== (SPL to Michael, March, 1968) *** 68-06 =="Our London program is gradually becoming a tangible fact. And I am receiving letters from California devotees which are very encouraging. I think I shall be starting for London in the month of August. Certainly, your conclusion is very nice. We should always depend on Krsna. But for service, we can make our plan, and Krsna will help us."== ([[letters/1968/680607_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 7 June, 1968]]) *** 68-07 "Regarding your pen friend in south India: I have not as yet received a letter from him, but as soon as I receive any news from him I shall be glad to give him necessary instructions. In the meantime, if you write to him you can convey this message to the gentleman. Any friend in any part of the world that you may contact, try to infuse him with this Krsna consciousness idea. ==Never waste your time in any other talks. I think our students have already developed this attitude and they are not interested in idle talks.== Ambarisa Maharaja, he set a very nice example by engaging his mind always on the lotus feet of Krsna, and talking always about Him. We should follow the same example." ([[letters/1968/680704_upendra|Upendra, 4 July, 1968]]) *** 68-08 "The more we struggle for advancing our Krsna consciousness movement, the more we become advanced on the path. Really, ==devotional service means that we have to employ our energies for the purpose of Krsna consciousness, and it does not matter what is the volume of such energy,== because different persons have got different types of energies, but the best means is that one has to apply his energy as far as possible, that is the secret of success in Krsna consciousness. It does not mean that one has to acquire the energy of an elephant or one has to become very learned or intelligent man, simply one has to become sincere and employ whatever energy he has in his possession in the service of the Lord. That is the secret of success in Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1968/680824_aniruddha|Aniruddha, 24 August, 1968]]) *** 68-10 "So far your Buffalo center is concerned, you are trying your best and Krsna will help you. Go on doing like that, and our business is to try our best. ==The result, we leave it for the consideration of Krsna, and we shall not be disappointed whether the result is favorable or unfavorable. Actually, there cannot be any unfavorable result, because we are serving Krsna.== One person may be or may not be inclined to accept Krsna consciousness, but that doesn't matter, but if we try our best to make one person Krsna conscious, then our duty is carried nicely. That is recognized by Krsna. In Sanskrit it is said: *yatne krite yadina side-hati kotra dosah. (sic) That means, in spite of our best efforts, if things do not come out successful, then there is no fault on our side. That should be the principle of our preaching, we shall try our best to convince others in Krsna consciousness and Krsna will be pleased, that is our gain." ([[letters/1968/681015_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 15 October, 1968]]) *** 68-10 "I have noted with great attention your statement that you are sitting at one desk in a tiny office room, which is ferociously hot in the summer and freezing cold in winter. So people might think you are mad if they heard of your crazy work. So spiritual activities are like that. Sometimes my contemporaries from India, they also write that in this age, the age of seventy-three, when people would naturally like to retire, and I am working here. So this is all possible by the grace of Krsna. Krsna can adjust opposing elements. In the material world, yes and no are two opposing elements, but by Krsnas inconceivable power yes can be no and no can be yes. That is the law of Krsna. And austerity in Krsna consciousness, there is some austerity. So we should not be afraid of any condition: *narayana-parah sarve, na kutascana bibhyati;* that means, ==those who are in Krsna consciousness, they are not afraid of anything. Either they are in hell or heaven, for them, they are all equal. They do not make any distinction== in the material world; this is good, or this is bad, this is hell or this is heaven." ([[letters/1968/681015_rayarama|Rayarama, 15 October, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "It takes a little time to understand the philosophy of Krsna consciousness but I am glad that now you are prepared to do anything for Krsna's sake, this is a great causeless mercy of Krsna upon you. Please continue your present attitude of serving Krsna and His cause, and certainly you will be successful in the matter of Krsna consciousness even in this life. You know that your intimate friend, Hayagriva, is devoting his whole energy and money now. Similarly, other students they are also doing that and the more we do so, it is better for us. Exactly if we supply nice nutritious foodstuff to the stomach, it is better for all the senses. Similarly, to serve Krsna more nicely is better for our own interests. ==Krsna is not in need of our service, but if we sacrifice everything for Krsna, that is for our good. You should always remember this maxim."== ([[letters/1968/681111_umapati|Umapati, 11 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "From it I can understand that you are advancing very nicely in Krsna consciousness. You are correct in your estimation that all activities, even so-called frustrations, become a great joy when one is working for Krsna. This is the clue to successful work which is revealed in *Bhagavad-gita,* that we should concern ourselves only with giving everything to Krsna and all the frustrations of sinful reactions will be there no more. The reason men are suffering and frustrated is because they are accepting the sinful reactions from their sinful activities, so in Krsna consciousness we are free from all such botheration because we have donated all of our fruits and reactions to the service of the Lord. ==When we keep our association with Krsna every activity is proper and liberating but if we should disassociate ourselves from the Lord's mercy then like a hand which is severed from the body we become ugly and useless.== Please continue your efforts to improve New Vrndavana along with your Godbrothers there and no doubt Krsna will help you to make further progress in perfecting your life in Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1968/681126_hrsikesa|Hrsikesa, 26 November, 1968]]) *** 68-12 "You are a very good worker I am fully aware, and I am always encouraged by your nice enthusiasm. You ==have written at length apologizing for your difficulty in English language but we are not concerned with language but with the heart.== But at the same time, our language must be elegant to deal with the public. Anyway, you are entrusted with the French edition of *Back to Godhead* and this has nothing to do with the English language. Your sincere devotional service will surely help you more and more in improving your fluency with English, you need have no doubt about this. But even if our language is broken we must speak of Krsna consciousness without caring for literary or grammatical style. English is a foreign language to me also, but I try to speak it, not to be a big scholar, but to be a servant of Krsna. So do not be disturbed if you feel that your language ability is not yet very expert. I very much appreciate your proposal to bind the yearly editions of your magazine into a permanent book. This will be very nice so that in the future these magazines will be preserved for people to take advantage of the valuable articles." ([[letters/1968/681229_satsvarupa|Dayala Nitai, 29 December, 1968]]) *** 69-01 "Regarding the land available, this is a very good suggestion and if it is engaged in Krsnas service that will be a great opportunity for you. We believe that every plot of land belongs to Krsna. The sooner it is engaged in the service of Krsna the better it is for the temporary owner. We come to this material world empty handed and go away empty handed. The things which we possess during our duration of life, are first achieved and then let out, along with all of our other temporary possessions. Therefore, the best use of possessions during our lifetime is to dedicate it to the service of the Lord. ==The success of human life is when one fully surrenders his life, his wealth, his intelligence and his words for the benefit of the Lord."== ([[letters/1969/690110_hansadutta|Mrs. Levine, 10 January, 1969]]) *** 69-01 "Regarding other *yoga* exercises, if you take Krsna *prasada* you shall keep your body automatically fit for working, so there is no need of extra exercises which are required by persons who may eat more than what is required. ==So for prosecuting Krsna consciousness one should not eat more than what is needed. One should not endeavor beyond his capacity. One should not talk unnecessarily.== One should not stick with some extra regulative principles, nor should one associate with persons who are not in Krsna consciousness. One should not be too much greedy. What one should do is chant the holy name of the Lord with faith, enthusiasm and firm conviction on the statement of Lord Caitanya that simply by chanting the *maha-mantra* one can be gradually elevated to the highest platform of spiritual perfection. Also what is important, is to follow the four regulative principles of avoiding all illicit sexual connections, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. I am sure that Rupanuga will ably guide you in these matters. Try to help in our Krsna consciousness activities, and whenever you feel the necessity of my help you are welcome to address me in a letter. Read *Bhagavad-gita As It Is* very carefully, and we are going to hold an examination next year in January upon this book. I hope that you will be expert enough in this Krsna consciousness science to pass the examination and be awarded with the title of *Bhakti-sastri,* one who knows the principles of devotional service. So think over these matters discussed herein very carefully, and Krsna will help you in all respects." ([[letters/1969/690115_kanupriya|Kanupriya, 15 January, 1969]]) *** 69-02 "I am very glad to read your letter of February 3rd, 1969 and I am also glad to learn of your very sincere desire to serve Krsna. Surely He will save you. Material entanglement is no problem. ==If Krsna was not so powerful, that He can easily undo our material entanglement, then there would be no need to follow the path of Krsna consciousness. Krsna has given His instruction in Bhagavad-gita that one should simply surrender unto Him,== and immediately He takes charge of solving all the problems of life. So if you decide to surrender unto Krsna and if you are sincere in purpose, there is no problem of your life. Material entanglement is not a new thing for you. Everyone who is in this material world has got material problems. Who hasn't got the problem of birth? Who hasn't got the problem of death? Who hasn't got the problem of old age? And, who hasn't got the problem of disease? Nobody can escape these problems, so everyone in this material world is entangled. The difference is only the varieties of types of entanglement." ([[letters/1969/690208_jagannatham_prabhu|Jim Doody, 8 February, 1969]]) *** 69-03 "In the first portion of your letter you have expressed your desire how to surrender. This surrendering process is unconditional. ==Surrendering does not mean that one should only surrender in favorable circumstances. That is not surrender. Surrender means is any condition the surrendering process must continue.== In the latter portion of your letter it appears that you have been disturbed on some trivial matters, and you wish to leave the place and go to London. That is not at all good. You must work conjointly. That is my desire, and if you fight amongst yourselves for some individual interests that is not surrender. Whatever the other two boys may do, that I shall see, but to you my request is that you must remain in Hamburg until I order you to leave the place." (Krsna dasa, 5 March, 1969) *** 69-03 "Your statement that you will try to organize the Hamburg center very nicely and have a smooth running energetic temple when I go there is also very encouraging. Please stick to this principle without any diversion. Take it from me that I am always praying to Lord Krsna for your success in the Krsna consciousness movement. You ==are a very sincere devotee and if you simply stick to the principles success is sure for your life. Krsna's mercy is always bestowed upon one who is sincerely serving Him.== You should not give attention to any outsider's advice because they are completely unfit to give you advice. Your situation is different. We do not care for any agriculturist or economist. Our only shelter is Krsna. Stick to this principle and success is assured for you." ([[letters/1969/690309_sivananda|Sivananda, 9 March, 1969]]) *** 69-05 =="I am very much pleased to receive your daily reports and you are one of the best students who follows the regulative principles rigidly for enhancing the devotional service.== Rupa Goswami has recommended that for enhancing this spirit of devotional service one should be very enthusiastic, one should be patient, one should be firmly convinced, one should follow the regulative principles rigidly, one s occupation should be very honest and straightforward and one should keep company with devotees. Anyone who follows these six principles of devotional life is sure to achieve success. Similarly, there are six principles which we should avoid. They are as follows: eating or accumulating money more than necessary, wasting energy for material gain, talking unnecessarily, following the regulative principles fanatically without any sense, not following the regulative principles, and to become too much greedy and associate with *persona non-grata.* So as you are serious in the matter of advancement in Krsna consciousness, you will remember the above instructions given by Rupa Goswami and you will feel more and more secure in your endeavor. I am keeping your daily report and they shall be a good example for the other students." ([[letters/1969/690523_harer_nama|Isana dasa, 23 May, 1969]]) *** 69-05 "I understand that you had some difficulty in reaching Hamburg, travelling for two weeks but do not mind this trouble, because you underwent it for Krsna's sake. I was on the sea for one month and ten days continually, and that was a horrible account. Perhaps you have read it in my diary which you collected in Vrndavana. So let us forget our past difficulties and in Krsna consciousness ==if anyone faces difficulties it is considered as blessings, because without tapasya or voluntarily accepting some inconveniences nobody can realize the Transcendence.== So when we are put into difficulties while discharging our Krsna conscious duties, it is to be understood that Krsna puts us in a field of austerities and penances which help us make progress towards realization of our goal of life." ([[letters/1969/690508_jayagovinda|Jaya Govinda, 8 May, 1969]]) *** 69-05 "I am writing to Ananda also, and you may kindly hand over to him the letter enclosed herewith. Ananda has good experience and you have also seen how we worship the Deities in the temple and offer *prasadam,* so you may kindly follow in the same way. But ==in everything we do, devotion and sincerity are the real things. There is a word in Sanskrit: bhava-grahi-janardana. This means the Lord accepts service in devotional emotion.== If we are sincere in offering something to the Lord in devotional love, He will accept it. The procedure may not be very right, but the desire being sincere, He accepts our offering. This is also confirmed in the *Bhagavad-gita* that He accepts foodstuffs from devotees because they are offered to Him in complete love and affection." ([[letters/1969/690525_vrndavanesvari|Mandali Bhadra, 25 May, 1969]]) *** 69-06 "Your final question is how can you become a pure devotee, and the answer to this is given in *Bhagavad-gita.* Krsna instructs Arjuna that the *mahatma,* the pure devotee, is he who has fully surrendered himself unto the spiritual nature. And ==how can we tell if one is completely surrendered unto the spiritual nature? He is always fully engaged in devotional service to Krsna.== So this is the process of becoming a pure devotee. We have to engage all of our words, thoughts, and activities in Krsna consciousness under the direction of the spiritual master. Therefore, at every moment you should be busy in some way in serving Krsna and His pure devotees, and automatically you will become purified in Krsna consciousness. Krsna is always willing to shower His mercy upon His devotees, so we have simply to become receptive to this mercy by devotional service, and then the path is very easy. I hope this will sufficientiy answer your questions." (SPL to Visala dasa, June 16th, 1969) 69-06 "So far as your duty is concerned, you are doing your best. That is your spiritual qualification. ==The best qualification for a Vaisnava is to act sincerely, and to his best capacity, for the service of Krsna. Otherwise, Krsna is so great, and we are so small, there is no question of our giving any service to Krsna.== But Krsna is so great, and He is so greatly merciful, that any small service we offer to Him in devotion and sincerity, He will accept. Krsna does not require anyone's help or service, but if we serve Him, even in a very small capacity, He will accept it. So that is our only hope. One who can show the whole cosmic manifestation within the hole of His mouth, what service can we render unto Him? So the best thing is to employ all of our talents and energies in His service. That will help us to progress. So now Seattle is in your charge for introducing Krsna consciousness and you are doing your best. Krsna will surely bless you." ([[letters/1969/690624_upendra|Upendra, 24 June, 1969]]) *** 69-06 =="The secret of success in Krsna consciousness is to render service to Krsna to the best of our capacity. There is no other alternative to this.== The more we render service therefore, the more we are able to advance. You have taken the work of indexing, so you may continue to do this. And if you want to remain, it doesn't matter, but your full energy should be engaged in the Lords service. That is the secret of success. I do not know if Hayagriva is doing the indexing work, but I have heard from Rayarama that you have advanced considerably in this connection, so do it nicely." ([[letters/1969/690627_pradyumna|Madan Mohan, 27 June, 1969]]) *** 69-06 =="So try your best and Krsna will help us, as He is already helping us. Krsna can help us immediately with all of His resources, but first of all He wants to see how much we can work seriously. So the more we become steady and serious, the more help we will have from Him, rest assured."== ([[letters/1969/690629_syamasundara|Syamasundara, 29 June, 1969]]) *** 69-08 =="So if you will come to our temple on Park Avenue and chant and speak with the devotees as far as possible, you will find that all lesser attachments and lesser enjoyments will fall very short of your attachment and attraction for the service of the Lord== in Krsna consciousness. That is a fact, and my special request to you is that you seriously read our literature, especially *Bhagavad-gita As It Is,* chant Hare Krsna always, then you will find your life becoming sublime." ([[letters/1969/690802_ann_clifford|Ann Clifford, 2 August, 1969]]) *** 69-08 " ==Wanting to become Krsna conscious is also as good as being in a state of Krsna consciousness. There is no actual difference, but the difference is only just like the difference between green mangoes and fully ripened mangoes.== The ripened mango is not a separate mango, but it is another condition of the green mango. So if the green mango is properly taken care of, it will surely come to the stage of the ripened mango. Therefore, as a mango, there is no difference between the two stages." (SPL to Robert Hendry, August 3rd, 1969) 69-08 "I very much appreciate the nice sentiments you have expressed, and Krsna is available only through service. ==We cannot demand from Krsna to know about Him. When you actually learn to serve Him, He reveals Himself. That is the process. And the success of life is simply by pleasing Him.== That is the version of all Vedic literature. Knowledge means to know Him, and success means to please Him. And how He is pleased, that can be known through the transparent medium of His confidential servant. This is the process of understanding Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1969/690816_damodara|Damodara, 16 August, 1969]]) *** 69-09 "Regarding your question, we must utilize our intelligence fully for serving Krsna. ==Serving Krsna does not mean that we sit idly and say that Krsna will take care of all our business. That is not depending on the Lord, rather it is laziness.== Depending on Krsna means to act always in Krsna consciousness. Realizing that Krsna is the Ultimate Controller of all results. I hope you understand this properly." ([[letters/1969/690922_sethji|Bhagavan dasa, 22 September, 1969]]) *** 69-10 "Of course, weakness in Krsna consciousness we should always feel. That is a good symptom. We should never think that we are strong enough. But the source of strength is Krsna and His manifested representative, the spiritual master. We get this instruction from *Caitanya-caritamrta* that we receive the seed of Krsna consciousness through the spiritual master and Krsna. Therefore, we should serve both simultaneously for continuous supply of spiritual vitality. So ==you are now serving Krsna under the instruction of your spiritual master, so there will be no scarcity of supply of strength unless there is some weakness on your part in the matter of absolute faith in these two shelters.== So if you have still some doubts in putting your faith in the service of your spiritual master and Krsna, then you can clear it up. I am always prepared to assist you." ([[letters/1969/691015_jayagovinda|Jaya Govinda, 15 October, 1969]]) *** 69-10 =="To follow in the footsteps of the mahatmas means to give submissive aural reception to the words and instructions of the bona fide spiritual master== in the line of disciplic succession from the Lord Himself. When the Lord appeared on this earth 5,000 years ago, He instructed *Bhagavad-gita* to Arjuna, and this purely transcendental message of Krsna has been passed down for the past 5,000 years by the media of sincere disciples giving submissive aural reception to the words of Krsna via the medium of the bona fide spiritual master. This acts like electricity, and if you touch a wire anywhere which is connected to this power-house, then you will be in contact with the electric current. But if the wire is broken or separated from the power-house, then there will be no electric current. Similarly, if we hear the unadulterated message of Lord Krsna from the authorized source, we will immediately be in contact with the transcendental atmosphere. But if we listen to someone who is presenting a broken, concocted version of *Bhagavad-gita,* that will be useless. So try to understand our philosophy very sincerely and carefully." ([[letters/1969/691021_yamunacarya|Yamunacarya, 21 October, 1969]]) *** 69-11 "In a new place sometimes one feels loneliness, but gradually this subsides. But this feeling is not very good for a Krsna conscious devotee. When she has got her husband for companionship what is the use of your wife desiring some female companionship? If this is available that is good. If not she should be satisfied with her natural companion and together execute Krsna consciousness. If Vrndavanesvari is unable to come there, then Visakha may go to see her. Besides that there is also Mandali Bhadras mother. Also, I understand that there is one very nice girl who is coming to the temple often, so she may try to help this girl become elevated to Krsna consciousness. ==These feelings of loneliness are simply temporary manifestations due to past conditioning and we should try to concentrate our attention to our eternal friendship with Krsna.== That will relieve us of all such botherations. So both of you depend on Krsna and try more and more to serve Him nicely by spreading Krsna consciousness. As you are both very sincere devotees, surely He will bestow His grace upon you for this." ([[letters/1969/691102_kulasekhara|Kulasekhara, 2 November, 1969]]) *** 69-11 "Regarding your final question, ==it is a fact that when one is in contact with Krsna, His Name, His Qualities, His Form, His Pastimes, immediately he becomes purified. But because we are conscious living entities, the proportion depends on our conscious acceptance.== It is stated in the *Bhagavad-gita* that Lord Krsna responds proportionately to the service of the devotee. Another example is that the sunlight is open for everyone and for every place, but to enjoy the sunlight or to take advantage of the sunlight depends on the proportionate arrangement by the receiver. Prosecution of devotional service means gradual purification and proportionate revelation of Krishna Consciousness." ([[letters/1969/691109_bhagavan|Bhagavan dasa, 9 November, 1969]]) *** 69-11 "Regarding the vows and chanting method you have adopted, it is very nice. But do not impose something which will be difficult to execute. ==There is no need of fasting once every week. Two days fasting per month on Ekadasi is sufficient. Besides that there are other special fasting days.== Spiritual realization depends on austerities and vows, but in this age, by the mercy of Krsna and Lord Caitanya, we need not undergo very severe penances, as we are unable to do it. The rules and regulations which we have already prescribed, that is sufficient for ordinary men. But as you have increased the chanting of beads to twenty-five rounds daily, that is very nice." (SPL to Rudra dasa, November 11th, 1969) 69-11 "Although you have been associating with us for a short time, I can understand that Krsna is giving you a good opportunity to serve Him nicely. It is very kind of you to be donating all of your earnings to our Seattle temple, and surely Krsna will bless you for your sincerity. It is this willingness to serve which Krsna wants to see in us. ==We have nothing to offer Krsna because He is the proprietor of everything that be. But when He sees that a living entity is trying to serve Him, that is appreciated.== In *Bhagavad-gita* you have seen that Krsna says to offer Him a leaf, a fruit, a flower or even some water. Actually, the Supreme Lord has no necessity to request us to offer Him these items or any other items, but He gives us the opportunity of serving Him so that we may become qualified to enter back to home, back to Godhead." ([[letters/1969/691114_pradyumna_arundhati|Carl Lange, 14 November, 1969]]) *** 69-11 "Krsna is giving you gradually more and more strength to serve Him. Just like a wrestler, ==simply by practicing wrestling among friends gradually he becomes stronger and the body is built up very nicely. Krsna consciousness is exactly like that. The more you serve Krsna, the more you get better strength to serve Him. Please remember this valuable advice== and you will find it very convenient for your progressive march. The *Back to Godhead* French edition is very nicely done. Even if our endeavor is not always successful, because it is done for Krsna, by nature it becomes nice. We have nothing to do with material considerations." ([[letters/1969/691116_hitsaranji|Gopala Krsna, 16 November, 1969]]) *** 69-12 "I was very much shocked to learn that you have again met with some motor accident on the way, and perhaps this is the 2nd time you have broken your leg. So I do not know why such things are happening. Anyway, ==whatever calamities happen we should take it as Krsna's blessings, as a token punishment for our past misdeeds. That is the observation of a devotee.== Whenever he is put into a dangerous position, he takes it as a blessing of Krsna, and the opportunity is used for remembering Him very strongly. So you are now in the hospital and you have good opportunity for chanting. Do it nicely. I understand you are eating *prasada* from the temple. That is all right. Don't be worried. By Krsna's grace everything will be all right. Chant Hare Krsna and when you come out from the hospital let me know. I hope this will meet you, by Krsna's grace, in improved condition." ([[letters/1969/691204_bhadra_bardhan|Sridhama, 4 December, 1969]]) *** 70-01 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 13th, 1970 and your question is very peculiar. You have admitted that it is something like the tricks of the mind. May I ask you if you are regularly chanting sixteen rounds of beads? The tricks of the mind or influence of *maya* will infiltrate if we do not follow the regulative principles and regularly chant the prescribed Names without any offense. Perhaps you know that there are ten kinds of offenses in chanting the holy name. The first offense is not to obey the order of the spiritual master and the second is to minimize the authoritative value of the scriptures. These things are infiltrating within you as I see from your writings that *Vedas* or *Srimad-Bhagavatam* or *Bhagavad-gita* seem not so universal. What is the reason of your thinking like that? What do you mean by universal? Do you think that there is any other scripture in the world which is more universal than the *Vedas,* the *Bhagavata,* etc? Is there any literature in the world which is more sublime in knowledge than the *Bhagavad-gita?* The word Krsna means all-attractive so where do you get the foreign element in Krsna? Does it mean that He is attractive for all except yourself? And if He is not attractive to you, why is it so? So you kindly answer all these questions from me. You say that you will do as I say and you also prayed to Madhusudana to slay the demon of your doubt but unless you act according to the direction of Madhusudana how can Madhusudana or Madhusudana's father help you. ==You are with us practically for the last four years and still if you think you cannot surrender to Krsna without any doubt then what kind of progress have you made by this time?== So this Krsna science can be understood through the process of sincere service, and so far any doubt which may sometimes arise in our minds there are the devotees, the scriptures and the spiritual master. Did you discuss all your doubts with your contemporary Godbrothers and devotees? So there are many questions like this about you. You say that within your heart you know that Krsna is the Original Personality of Godhead but when you think of Krsna or try to feel Him you think Krsna as foreign on account of Sanskrit language. Please therefore be careful that *maya* is peeping at you and if you do not take care timely it may prove fatal. Please therefore chant regularly without the offenses and be steady in your situation without any tottering of the mind. Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead without any question. He is accepted as such beginning from Arjuna through all the great *acaryas* —Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Sankaracarya, Lord Caitanya, Lord Brahma, the Vedic authorities like Vyasadeva and Narada—like that, down to ourselves. So this knowledge descends through the bona fide disciplic succession. You have accepted this chain of authorities, now you are feeling doubts means certainly you are being attacked by *maya.* So please take care and chant Hare Krsna regularly without any offense." ([[letters/1970/700116_madhusudana|Madhusudana, 16 January, 1970]]) *** 70-02 "I am asking Hayagriva to send you the manuscript for *Bhagavad-gita,* and you can also write to him directly to send a copy. Krsnas causeless mercy is always there. ==If we take up that causeless mercy a little seriously then further causeless mercies are bestowed one after another increasingly. Krsna is more anxious to bestow His benediction upon us than we are ready to take it.== If we therefore sincerely engage ourselves in Krsna consciousness activities, certainly we will advance more and more by the causeless mercy of the Lord. So by the grace of the Lord you have got a very nice engagement. Try to execute this with all attention and then certainly you will feel transcendental bliss and your life will be successful without waiting for the next." ([[letters/1970/700203_mandali_bhadra|Mandali Bhadra, 3 February, 1970]]) ==70-02 "It is most important that our activities be regular or, in other words, on a schedule.== Everyone should chant his beads sixteen rounds daily without fail and follow the regulative principles strictly. These basic Krsna conscious duties are essential to be performed regularly, and they will give you the necessary strength of spirit to keep always fixed up in devotional service. ==As soon as a devotee is regularly engaged in this way, always engaged in Krsna consciousness, Krsna will reveal the whole spiritual science from within the heart of such sincere devotee."== ([[letters/1970/700219_sucandra|Sucandra, 19 February, 1970]]) *** 70-03 "We are not impersonalists, under the circumstances we have got varieties of perception in the matter of discharging devotional service. In Rupa Goswamis *Siksamrta,* it is stated that advanced life in Krsna consciousness means one should always be very much anxious to calculate whether every moment of his life has not been utilized in devotional service. This is called feeling of being afraid for misusing time. One should be very careful to estimate how every moment of his life is being utilized in the service of the Lord. The Goswamis were very much advanced in this line of action and therefore about them it is said, *nidrahara-viharaka-di-vijito,* that means one who has conquered over eating, sleeping, and mating. The idea is to ==save more time from this materialistic business and utilize it for Krsna's service. When our anxieties are how to utilize life in that way, that stage is: avyartha kalatvam; utilizing life without spoiling it.== The next stage is: *nama-gane sada rucih;* attraction for chanting the holy name always. And: *pritis tad-vasati-sthale;* feeling of pleasure in living in the temple or in the place of pilgrimage. So I am very glad that you are gradually coming to that stage, continue it carefully. Try to realize it yourself and teach the method to all your younger brothers and sisters. Krsna consciousness means full cooperation with Krsna and Krsna means with all His entourage. We should always remember this. Just like when we speak of a tree, it includes the root, the trunk, the branches, the leaves, the flowers—everything. Therefore, to love Krsna means to love Him along with His name, His fame, His qualities, His entourage, His abode, His devotees, etc." ([[letters/1970/700302_yamuna|Yamuna, 2 March, 1970]]) *** 70-04 "I am very glad to learn that you are doing spiritual activities very nicely and you are always alert to see whether you are committing some offense. This is a very nice attitude. ==In rendering service to Lord Krsna and His representative, the spiritual master, we should always maintain this fearful attitude which means careful attention.== This attitude will advance you progressively in Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1970/700421_sudama|Gopala Krsna, 21 April, 1970]]) *** 70-04 "Regarding *sankirtana* parties in New York, Krsna will provide devotees, don't be worried. ==Krsna can provide anything and everything within a moment, but He waits to test a devotee. And when the devotee comes out successful from the test, He gives him all opportunity for devotional service.== So every one of you should go on with the *sankirtana* party and gradually Krsna will send you more and more devotees to join you." ([[letters/1970/700411_subala|Rsi Kumara, 11 April, 1970]]) *** 70-04 "I am so glad to hear of Hamsaduta's determination to become Krsna conscious. ==The determination is difficult, Krsna consciousness is not difficult. Krsna consciousness is natural. One knows how to love another, so instead of loving so many others, one can very easily take to the business of loving Krsna—this is determination.== That much is required, otherwise Krsna consciousness is not difficult." ([[letters/1970/700426_himavati|Himavati, 26 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 =="It is good news that Sriman Tirthapada has also engaged one carpenter to help rebuilding our London temple house. Ashe is giving service, gradually he will come to Krsna consciousness. His giving service is his qualification. As we accept valuable metal like gold from a filthy place, similarly we should allow any karmi to work for Krsna."== ([[letters/1970/700517_yamuna|Yamuna, 17 May, 1970]]) *** 70-05 "As I have already said many times that we have to maintain two lines parallel: namely the path of *Srimad-Bhagavatam* and the path of *pancaratriki. Srimad-Bhagavatam* is the path for the *paramahamsas,* and *pancaratra* path is for the neophytes. So ==the temple worship is necessary for the beginners so that by following the regulative principles such devotees become more and more purified and thus gradually come on the platform to understand Srimad-Bhagavatam.== So we shall always keep these principles in view and maintain our centers on this standard." ([[letters/1970/700528_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 28 May, 1970]]) *** 70-06 "Regarding your special worshiping of Lord Nityananda: Srila Narottama dasa Thakura has sung: *gauranga halite habe* etc; when will that time come when torrents of tears shall pour from my eyes simply by uttering the Name of Gauranga? It is not that one should worship one and neglect the others. So the symptoms of Lord Nityananda's mercy are exhibited according to the description of Srila Narottama dasa Thakura by the detachment from material sense enjoyment, because without being freed from the attachment of material sense enjoyment, nobody can enter into the transcendental pastimes of Radha and Krsna. Radha and Krsna *lila* or pastime is perfectly understood by following the instructions of the six Goswamis. So all these favors and mercy of the *acarya's* and incarnations go together. It is not that if I receive favor of one section I shall be reluctant to receive favor of other sections. It is a very good symptom to have received Lord Nityananda's favor, but if we are actually favored by Lord Nityananda, our business will be to please Lord Caitanya. And if Lord Caitanya is pleased, then we easily understand the truth of Radha-Krsna through the mercy of the Goswamis. So the above verse means that as soon as one will chant the name of Lord Caitanya he will feel a transcendental ecstasy. All of us should wait for this stage of life. Actual spiritual advancement means detachment from everything material. So our activities are nothing material. Detachment from material activities means attachment for spiritual activities, devotional service. After all, our energy has to be utilized, so when it is materially detached it means with greater enthusiasm our spiritual activities increase. So Lord Caitanya is the combined form of Radha-Krsna. If Caitanya is pleased Radha and Krsna become automatically pleased. Now our mission, Krsna consciousness mission, is to execute the will of Lord Caitanya. In this old age whatever I am trying to do, it is just to give a little service according to my capacity to Lord Caitanya's mission. I have not come here for some personal credit in this old age. I have also come here under the order of my spiritual master who is non-different from Lord Nityananda. You are all helping me in the execution of my mission so please do not try to do anything beyond the jurisdiction of my instructions. My will I have already disclosed to you all, that each and every one of you should chant the *maha-mantra* regularly sixteen rounds, follow the four regulative principles, chant Hare Krsna *mantra* on the streets, try to distribute our books and literature, and specifically in San Francisco you should observe the annual Ratha-yatra festival very gorgeously. I can assure you that ==if you follow my instruction as above mentioned there is no doubt about it that through me my spiritual master Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura will be pleased, and through his mercy Lord Nityananda will be pleased.== In this way Lord Caitanya and ultimately Radha-Krsna will be pleased and thus your life will be successful." ([[letters/1970/700603_makhanlal|Makhanlal, 3 June, 1970]]) *** 70-09 'Your program seems very nice. Your are now six strong devotees, so work together very diligently for the spreading of Krsna consciousness movement. Your report of present improvements in the temple and *sankirtana* party and preaching trips to the university campuses is very nice. You are a very intelligent devotee of Lord Krsna and ==if you turn over your intelligence to Him, He will bestow upon you more and more intelligence how to serve the spiritual master and Krsna in full Krsna consciousness.== That is the perfection of your life. So please use your good intelligence for serving Krsna only and do not be misled to divert your attention elsewhere." (SPL to Damodara, September 28th, 1970) 71-01 "I am glad to note that from your recent letter under reply you are feeling better than you previously expressed. So when you may feel morose, chant Hare Krsna *mantra* loudly and hear it. That will re-establish you on the platform of transcendental bliss. Sometimes it appears that the devotee is put into some difficulty unreasonably, but the devotee does not take even this adverse circumstance as other than a manifestation of the Lords supreme mercy. Anyway, ==such feelings come and go like seasonal changes and we should not deviate for that reason from our prescribed duty."== ([[letters/1971/710108_vrindaban_candra|Visnujana Maharaja, 8 January, 1971]]) *** 71-07 "Actually Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, or Krsna, doesn't need our service. He is completely self sufficient. What service we can do for Him? But if we are sincerely trying to render some service, it is to our benefit, and He becomes pleased with us also. Just like the father, when he receives some service from the son. What service he requires from such a very young boy? Yet, still because it is done out of natural affection, the father is so much appreciative. So that is our position. ==We should never think that, 'Oh! my service is so much valuable to Krsna. I am performing such nice service.' No. But we must take our service seriously because it will be to our benefit and Krsna will be pleased. That's all.== So go on as acting treasurer in Detroit center and see to it that the temple remains financially fit and in all cases depend on Krsna. Chant your sixteen rounds of beads without fail and always think of Krsna. Then surely you will be blessed by Krsna in all respects." (SPL to Kaliya Krsna dasa, July 8th, 1971) 71-11 "I am very much encouraged that despite so many difficulties and tricks of *maya* that you are still desiring Krsna so much. Thank you very much. In order to attain the topmost perfection of this human form of life one simply has to try for Krsna with enthusiasm and patience, and all obstacles will be overcome. ==If you are determined in this way to be his devotee, Krsna will provide some happy solution. But even if He puts us into extreme difficulty, we must always be prepared to consider everything as His special mercy,== that He is testing my sincerity, or that this trouble is nothing to what I deserve. Just see Prahlada Maharaja. His father tried to kill him many times! At least I don't think your father is trying to kill you. And after Krsna in the form of Lord Nrsimhadeva came and killed Hiranyakasipu, Prahlada prayed to Krsna to have mercy on his demon father. So we must take the instruction to respect our parents, and to be kind and very tolerant and patient with them, and very soon I promise you everything will be all right." (SPL to Patty Dorgan, November 17th, 1971) 71-12 "I have just noted that the Maharashtrian government is lifting the prohibition of liquor in this state, because they cannot prevent people from taking illegal liquor and sometimes killing themselves because it is bad quality, and also they lose so much tax money. So it is very clear that simply by prohibiting something will not mean the people will stop. If you tell a thief not to steal, despite all sorts of warnings, he will continue to steal. Therefore, ==the best way is not to prohibit by laws but to cleanse the heart. That is the real prevention of sinful activity."== (SPL to Jayapataka, 22nd, December, 1971) *** 72-01 "Your next question was about the free will, whether we have it or not? If one is not intelligent enough for making decisions, then all decisions shall be sanctioned by the spiritual master. ==Neophyte means no independent decisions, no free will, that means surrender. But when he is trained up then automatically he gets his freedom. Just like a small child can only eat such things which are sanctioned by his parents,== not by his own discretion. Free will is that when the controller says do this, you can use your free will to do it or not to do it. You have got the power to not do: *iti tejnanam akhyatam, guhyad guhyataram maya vimrsyaited asesena, yathecchasi tatha kuru (B.G. 18.63) 'Thus I have explained to you the most confidential of all knowledge. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do.' (B.G. 18.63) Krsna asks, 'Have you decided to fight?' 'Yes, I have decided to follow Your order.' This is free will." (SPL to Yajnesvara, January 2nd, 1972) 72-02 "Actually, the purpose of our life is to please Krsna. That is the business of the older children, to serve the father. So ==there is a test for knowing if I am pleasing Krsna: If He reveals Himself to me, if I see Krsna, then I know I am pleasing Krsna. And another test is if my spiritual master is pleased by my service== then I know that I am pleasing Krsna. It is very simple, because if I am following the prescribed regulative principles of my spiritual master, then without doubt I am pleasing Him. So in this way, if you think it over, you will understand the answers to all your questions. Hope this meets you in good health." (SPL to Kirtiraja, February 28th, 1972) 72-03 "We had got some indication from Karandhara Prabhu that there was some misunderstanding and things were not going too well between you both big leaders, that is why I was little concerned because such things should never be allowed to fructify within our Society, that will spoil everything. But I am glad to hear from you because there was some misinformation that we have got the wrong impression, and actually that everything is progressing in a spirit of mutual co-operation in all respects. This is Krsna consciousness. Working together to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Practically now it is in the hands of you big guns to manage everything so that there may never be internal difficulties amongst us, and so that we may always go on increasing more and more the influence of Lord Caitanyas philosophy of *sankirtana* process upon all the world. That will be your great achievement, and ==if you go on helping me in this way, you may know it for certain that very soon you will see Krsna face-to-face. In short words, I am very much fond of these booklets, now go on increasing."== (SPL to Bali Mardan, March 5th, 1972) 72-04 =="Actually, Krsna does not care for how much we give to Him, but He sees how much we are keeping back for ourselves. There is the story of Kholaveca Sridhara, a devotee of Lord Caitanya who, although he was a very poor man, gave half of his meagre income for worshiping Mother Ganges, and by so doing, he greatly pleased the Lord."== (SPL to Dharma, April 22nd, 1972) 72-09 "Regarding Siddhasvarupananda, these things which you have heard are simply rumor and there is no substance. Siddhasvarupa does not want to take disciples, neither he should have disciples while I am alive. That is the process. I have never said that Sidhasvarupa is a pure devotee. (But ==every one can become a pure devotee if he has no other desire than to serve Krsna and the spiritual master.) That is simply concoction. Now I am going to India in a few weeks and I shall stop at Hawaii and take Siddhasvarupananda to India for training him up properly." ([[letters/1972/720915_gurudasa|Sudevi dasi, 15 September, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "You have asked about 'chemical changes of consciousness' or drugs, and if these may ever be utilized in Krsna's service. To the change consciousness, therefore the spiritual master is there. Do not do anything whimsically, like taking these drugs, that will ruin everything. Because you are imperfect you require help from the perfect, and anything material like drugs is imperfect, so do not be distracted by contemplating in this way. ==This chemical is intoxicant, it will not help, it will send you to hell.== So if you have received initiation, then you have got the instruction no intoxication. So why do you ask this? That means that you have still addiction to these intoxicants. It was said, and you promised, no intoxication, so why do you think of this? ([[letters/1972/721214_visvambhara|Visvambhara, 14 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "Yes, the cooperative spirit of working together without any argument is especially prominent in Mayapur, more than other places in India. Therefore you are successful, and the work is going on quickly to completion. That is because all of you working there have become very much attached to the dust from Lord Caitanya's lotus feet, and because you have got such deep personal interest with that engagement of work, you want to see that it is done nicely without any hindrance of selfish motivation, never mind all kinds of conditions of the material nature. That idea has become prominent for all of you, it is bigger than *maya's* idea, therefore *maya* cannot interfere to make you quarrel or other things. But you especially are to take the credit. From the very beginning you wanted that place, and you got the land, got money from me, and now you have built the place by your concentration of energy. That is wanted. If there is some discrepancy anywhere, some non-cooperation, fighting, or if the work is slow or not to the standard, it is to be supposed that the person or persons in charge are not very much attached to Krsna. That means they will discriminate: my engagement is not good, other's engagement is good, like that. They do not know the secret of surrendering to Krsna. ==Such surrendered devotee sees that everything is part of Krsna's plan, that whatever is meant to be, I am doing that, so let me do it with my full attention to every detail, let me become absorbed in such service, never mind what it is,== but let all other considerations be forgotten and only my desire to do the thing best for Krsna's pleasure alone be my motive. That is advanced stage of understanding devotional service or Krsna consciousness. Thank you very much for your kindly coming to the point." ([[letters/1972/721219_jayapataka|Jayapataka, 19 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 =="By our expending energy for Krsna, that is appreciated, not the actual result of our energy. But if there is lack of energy being devoted for some purpose, then everything will be delayed and possibly stopped."== ([[letters/1972/721231_dhananjaya|Dhananjaya, 31 December, 1972]]) *** 73-01 =="So to become the friend and the devotee of Krsna, that is required. Just become the pet dog, that is surrender.== What is that friendship? At the end of 12th chapter of the *Gita* Krsna describes that 'The person who is very dear to Him, or His best friend, is one who is not envious but is a kind friend to all living entities, who does not think himself a proprietor, who is free from false ego and equal both in happiness and distress, who is always satisfied and engaged in devotional service with determination whose mind and intelligence are in agreement with Me. He for whom no one is put into difficulty and who is not disturbed by anxiety, who is steady in happiness and distress. A devotee who is not dependent on the ordinary course of activities, who is pure, expert, without cares, free from all pains, and who does not strive for some result. One who neither grasps pleasure or grief, who neither laments nor desires, and who renounces both auspicious and inauspicious things. One who is equal to friends and enemies, who is equipoised in honor and dishonor, heat and cold, happiness and distress, fame and infamy, who is always free from contamination, always silent and satisfied with anything who doesn't care for any residence, who is fixed in knowledge and engaged in devotional service.' Such a person is described by Krsna as Very dear to Me.' But even more dear than such devotee who is dear to Krsna, one who is Very, very dear to Me,' is 'He who follows this imperishable path of devotional service and who completely engages himself with faith, making Me the supreme goal,' and also 'one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees,' or 'one who is preaching the message of Krsna to the devotees everywhere—such a person is most highly regarded by Krsna as His best friend and devotee': na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah bhavita nacame tasmadanyah priyataro bhuvi (B.G. 18.69) There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.' So that will be the supreme perfection of our existence, to come to that point of being best friend, best devotee of Krsna. And how is that? If we become simply engaged in His preaching work, trying with whatever talent or education or experience or material advantages we have got, to spread Krsna consciousness message all over the world. That is best friend of Krsna, that is Krsna's pet dog." ([[letters/1973/730104_george|George, 4 January, 1973]]) *** 73-01 "Regarding that house in London, I have not heard from my disciples for some time in that connection, what is the progress. But I have written one letter to Dhananjaya that he should keep in contact with you for getting the place, because you had kindly volunteered to help, so why he has not done anything? My spiritual master used to say to me: Strike while the iron is hot, so if we delay the matter too long it may not remain a favorable proposition. ==Krsna will help, we do not rely on anything non-Krsna, but He will give facility when He sees we want it very, very seriously, working very hard and with great determination to get it, just to be able to serve Him better.== Then He will give everything and anything. He is the Supreme Proprietor, Enjoyer and Friend. These three things, if we always remember them, our life will be completely perfect." ([[letters/1973/730104_george|George, 4 January, 1973]]) *** 73-02 "If anyone strictly follows the regulative principles of Krsna consciousness then he will always remain enthusiastic and dynamic. So ==if there are any defects within our Society it is only the symptom that the instructions of the spiritual master are being neglected.== Follow my instructions strictly and always think for giving this gift of Krsna consciousness wherever you go and to whomever you meet, this is the advice of Lord Caitanya." ([[letters/1973/730210_karandhara|Karandhara, 10 February, 1973]]) *** 73-08 "Krsna is very kind upon you because He has given you so many responsible tasks. So always think of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna and you will find no difficulties in executing the tasks allotted to you by Krsna. ==Bhaktivinoda Thakura used to say all difficult tasks he had to execute for Krsna were considered as great pleasure for him."== ([[letters/1973/730828_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 28 August, 1973]]) *** 74-11 =="I am very glad to hear that you are engaged in the service of Tulasi devi. Tulasi leaves are very important for satisfying Lord Krsna. But Tulasi devi is not pleased by the nice tune of singing but by the nice devotion. So you continue to do your best, and you will automatically advance more and more in Krsna consciousness."== ([[letters/1974/741125_subala|Sarada devi dasi, 25 November, 1974]]) *** 76-07 =="The only way that we can overcome maya is by seriously and sincerely taking shelter of Krsna:== daivi hy esa guna-mayimama maya duratyayamam eva ye prapadyantemayam etam taranti te. (B.G. 7.14) So chant very sincerely and follow the four regulative principles strictly and very soon you will be able to find shelter from the miseries of material attachment." ([[letters/1976/760708_balavanta|Yasodalala dasa, 8 July, 1976]]) *** 76-11 =="Try to get the certified copy. Otherwise, what can be done? Do not be discouraged. Go on serving sincerely. Your success is your sincere desire to serve Krsna.''== ([[letters/1976/761108_gaura_govinda|Gaura Govinda Swami, 8 November, 1976]]) *** 76-11 "Devotional service does not depend on material assessment. It is said in *Srimad-Bhagavatam, 'ahaituki apratihata.'* Devotional service must be without any material ambition and there is no material impediment which can check advancement in devotional service. Srila Gaurakisora dasa Babaji was unable to sign his name, and yet he became the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, the most erudite learned scholar of His time. ==We should begin our devotional service in whichever position we are. It isn't that we have to learn something extra for advancing in devotional service:== sa vai pumsam paro dharmoyato bhaktir adhoksajeahaituky apratihatayayatma suprasidati vasudeve bhagavatibhakti-yogah prayojitahjanayaty asu vairagyamjnanam ca yad ahaitukam (SB 1.2.6 & 7) If one is materially well equipped it is welcome but devotional service does not depend on material qualifications." ([[letters/1976/761120_jitadusana|Jitadusana dasa, 20 November, 1976]]) ## Enthusiasm 67-04 "I can understand that you are a family man. You cannot expend the whole amount you earn, but as your wife has proposed that she can allow you to spare fifty percent. ==So either fifty percent or any percent you can easily spare for the Society, we shall welcome. Don't be overburdened. We don't want anyone to be overburdened.== Rather I shall ask Kīrtanānanda who is not a family man to take the whole responsibility. So don't be agitated. Prosecute Krsna consciousness in peacefulness. One thing I shall request you and your wife: to translate into French all our books. The Society will be obliged to you by your intellectual service more than by money, because you are a family man and you require money. I hope this will satisfy you." ([[letters/1967/670412_janardana|Janardana, 12 April, 1967]]) *** 68-02 "I can see how you are advancing in Krsna consciousness by the feelings expressed therein, and I am so glad you are feeling such transcendental pleasure in serving the Lord. This transcendental pleasure is unlimited and increases as we increase our desire to give more and more voluntary service. To surrender to Krsna all at once is not generally possible, but as we serve Krsna more and more, we gradually become more and more surrendered at His lotus feet. So you please continue to serve Krsna in these ways you have mentioned, and do not feel that your service is any less valuable than that of others. In the transcendental loving service of the Lord, it doesn't matter whether we are working, cooking, painting, writing, chanting or whatever, they are all the same. There are no such distinctions of higher and lower on the transcendental platform. The important thing is that we are engaging our time and energy in the service of the Lord. After all, we are so tiny, what can we do? Krsna sees simply that this time is being spent in His service. Please continue to help Gargamuni in his efforts to spread Krsna consciousness, and chant and continue your duties and in this way you will be happy and successful in Krsna consciousness. I am happy to hear you are so much anxious in helping to start a new temple. ==Your enthusiasm is very encouraging to me. There is a great need for spreading of Krsna consciousness and we need so many enthusiastic boys and girls for carrying on this great mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu.== My Guru Maharaja wanted that this Krsna consciousness be spread all over the Western countries especially, and now in my old age, I am leaving this great responsibility in the hands of all of you, my students." ([[letters/1968/680225_karunamayi|Karunamayi, 25 February, 1968]]) *** 68-10 =="I am very much pleased with your preaching enthusiasm, when you say, 'If people won't come to us, here, we will go to them.' And this is the process of preaching, and this is required.== I thank you very much for your this spirit. Just like I have come to your country, with the same spirit. Actually, still even in so much fallen condition of India, if one has to learn spiritual science, then he must consult some bona fide spiritual master, in India. That is the opinion of a great Chinese author. So people are not going there, neither government has any arrangement to educate this spiritual science. So therefore I have come to your country, and those who are eager to receive, they are coming to us. In this way, we have to forward our mission. We may not expect good behavior from people where we go to preach, still we have to do that. The best example is Lord Jesus Christ, he was crucified by the people who were not very much advanced. From their behavior it may be known that the people at that time or at least the place where Lord Jesus Christ preached, they are not very much advanced, otherwise they would not have dared to crucify such a nice saintly person. So preaching work is always like that. But one who is real preacher, he shall be undeterred, and go on keeping his objective to the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord." (SPL Nandarani, October 15th, 1968) 68-10 "Regarding Acyutananda and Jaya Govinda: ==I have already written them again, that do not be lethargic, be enthusiastic. And do something for the Society.== So you can also write to them that they have gone there on a mission to work for the Society so they should try their best to remain in India and work for the Society. Simply if they approach big business firms in Bombay, I think they can collect not less than Rs. 100-200/- daily. But they must be enthusiastic. If they become dead bodies, then it is not possible. I do not know why American boys should be so much lethargic. And I don't think Acyutananda can be engaged as leader in any group. He can only work as assistant. So you write them as far as possible. Otherwise, let them come back—what can be done? I have already written to them." ([[letters/1968/681016_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 16 October, 1968]]) *** 69-01 'The sentiments expressed in your letter are all due to my Guru Maharaja who has deputed me to pick up all good souls like you in this part of the world. ==Fortunately, we are now together and with great enthusiasm and patience let us erect this mission of Krsna consciousness.== I am so glad to read the portion of your letter in which you show your determination to preach this cult in all countries of the world. Please continue this determination and keep all your contemporary Godbrothers alive on this point. Surely we will bring in a new chapter in the history of the world." ([[letters/1969/690112_kirtanananda|Tamala Krsna, 12 January, 1969]]) *** 69-02 =="Regarding my apartment, if you are feeling botheration then you can vacate. Do not take unnecessary botherations. Try to become free from all this material anxiety. Of course, sometimes we have to accept anxiety for Krsna, but we should do everything comfortably."== ([[letters/1969/690227_brahmananda|Brahmananda, 27 February, 1969]]) *** 69-03 I am so glad to learn that everyone in Los Angeles is working very hard. And Krsna consciousness is so nice that you are aspiring for still more work. That is the sign of spiritual life. In the material world we want to minimize our activities and take rest more but ==in the spiritual world there is no rest and there is no limit of activities. Krsna is unlimited, His service is unlimited and the energy of His servants is unlimited.== Although we are in the midst of ignorance, still if we keep ourselves alert there is no place for ignorance." ([[letters/1969/690318_himavati|Tamala Krsna, 18 March, 1969]]) *** 69-03 "As you always desire to help me in my missionary ambition, so also I am praying always to Krsna that the boys and girls who have stretched their helping hand in this country in this connection may always be in good health and continue to assist me in my missionary activities. ==I am so glad to learn that you are prepared to work even harder, as a forward soldier, to fight the maya. May Krsna give you more and more strength."== ([[letters/1969/690318_himavati|Tamala Krsna, 18 March, 1969]]) *** 69-03 "I think by the will of Krsna you two good souls, Hayagriva and yourself, are combined now to fulfill my mission of publishing the whole of *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* ==Krsna is sufficiently powerful and able to give facilities to His devotees provided a devotee works very sincerely to please Him. We shall always keep this motto in our view== and it is very nice to hear that you are feeling separation from the most beautiful Syamasundara, but you are satisfied by chanting His holy name. Syamasundara is not different from His name. Krsna's name, qualities, form, fame, pastimes, abode and paraphernalia, all are identical with Krsna. So if we take advantage of associating with any one of them that makes us fixed up in our eternal relationship with Syamasundara." ([[letters/1969/690330_advaita|Syama dasi, 30 March, 1969]]) *** 69-03 'Your sympathetic expression about my magnitude of work with which I am pressed here is undoubtedly very much encouraging to me, and certainly I am pressed with heavy work. I am receiving letters about twelve daily, from different centers with different problems and then at the same time I am just trying to write my books, *Srimad-Bhagavatam, The Nectar of Devotion,* and *Krsna* book and lately *Vedanta-sutra.* So ==certainly this is a heavy task but by the grace of Krsna, it does not depress me. I feel encouraged to act so busily day and night. But the body sometimes does not allow me to do so. So I have to sleep about four or five hours.== But in comparison to our predecessors, the Goswamis, this engagement is insignificant. These Goswamis used to work almost twenty-four hours. They used to sleep not more than two hours and they produced immense literature. Of course, it is not possible to be on their level of activities, but as far as possible, we should, every one of us, try to work as hard as possible for Krsna's satisfaction. This material body can be adjusted with practice. If we adjust these bodily activities towards Krsna's side, then the labor is fruitful, but if we adjust towards *mayas* side, then the labor is useless. A little labor done for Krsna is never lost. But the greatest labor done for *maya* is simply a waste of time. So I think by the grace of Krsna you are feeling nice now. Please try to work hard for Krsna and your life will be glorious." ([[letters/1969/690330_jayagovinda|Jaya Govinda, 30 March, 1969]]) *** 69-05 "The Ratha-yatra festival program as suggested by you to invite many new people is very encouraging. Please do it very seriously, and make San Francisco a perfect New Jagannatha Puri. I think it will not be difficult because in San Francisco there are many nice devotees such as Dinadayala, Makhanlal as well as new devotees such as Ojasvi and Devaprastha. ==The devotee more or less depends on his transcendental patience, enthusiasm and firm conviction. Those things will surely help him to reach perfection.== Since I have come to New Vrndavana I have not received any new letter from you but your letter encourages me, so please send one weekly to me. Your proposal to open a center in Laguna Beach is also very nice. You have to open so many centers in the future, so I wish that Krsna may give you a long life to discharge this duty." ([[letters/1969/690523_harer_nama|Tamala Krsna, 23 May, 1969]]) ==69-06 "Your unhappiness in the absence of sufficient engagement is a good sign. This is called avyartha kalatvam. When a person is advanced in Krsna consciousness he should always think that my time may not go in vain without being engaged in Krsna's service"== ([[letters/1969/690608_ananda|Hamsaduta, 8 June, 1969]]) *** 69-06 "I am so pleased to note that you are chanting nicely and that Krsna is encouraging you in so many ways. This is the actual position that if we are sincerely chanting our rounds, following the prescribed regulative principles and avoiding the ten offenses then very quickly Krsna sees our efforts and He gives all encouragement to such a sincere soul. Then ==with this taste of Krsna consciousness, we become more and more attracted so more and more, Krsna gives encouragement, and then more and more we increase in our desire to serve Krsna== in pure Krsna consciousness. So in this way there is an unlimited ocean of nectar of devotional service which eternally increases on and on. When we begin this sublime chanting process, or even if we simply hear the sound Hare Krsna, then we have begun our journey back to the spiritual kingdom, back to Godhead. So please continue to be serious in your chanting, and then surely Krsna will save you and all the other sincere souls who are so fortunate to have taken to this movement." ([[letters/1969/690615_krsna_devi|Krsna devi, 15 June, 1969]]) *** 69-07 "I am so glad to know that you are arranging so nicely the temple paraphernalia as well as the Ratha-yatra festival. You have got two great responsibilities to function. Do it to your best capacity, and Krsna will give you all facilities without fail. Our principle should be to serve Krsna very diligently with love and faith, and all necessary supplies will come without any difficulties. ==As you are all sincere devotees, I am sure you are feeling the great assistance of Krsna through your activities, and the more you serve the more you will know how you are making progress== in Krsna consciousness. The same example has to be repeated how when a hungry man is given foodstuffs to eat, automatically he feels three kinds of symptoms: satisfaction of hunger, strength and pleasure. So this Krsna consciousness movement is based on sincere service to the Lord. We shall always remember this, and then success is assured." ([[letters/1969/690715_jadurani|Yamuna & Gurudasa, 15 July, 1969]]) *** 69-10 "When you came from India to Germany you told me you felt complete satisfaction being in Germany, having a good engagement for serving Krsna. But at present you express that you may not be feeling that satisfaction intact. If you would explain to me why you are feeling like that, then I can help you. We are trying to manage a great institution of Krsna consciousness movement, so there is possibility of adjusting so many circumstances. But in all circumstances we should have our staunch faith in Krsna and the spiritual master. Then we will never be shaken off. I hope this boy, Kulasekhara, will be much helpful in your department and you will feel more strength in pushing on this German edition of *Back to Godhead.* There is a proverb in Sanskrit literature that enthusiastic persons achieve the favor of the goddess of fortune. In the Western part of the world there is a tangible example of this slogan. People in this part of the world are very much enthusiastic in material advancement and they have got it. Similarly, according to the instructions of Srila Rupa Goswami, ==if we become enthusiastic in spiritual matters, then we also get success in that way.== Take for example, I came to your country in ripe old age, but I had one asset: enthusiasm and faith in my spiritual master. I think these assets only are giving me some lights of hope, whatever I have achieved so far with your cooperation. I hope this will meet you in good health." ([[letters/1969/691015_jayagovinda|Jaya Govinda, 15 October, 1969]]) *** 69-10 ==When pregnancy fails it is due to the weakness of the male partner generally. If we are full with Krsna vitality then wherever we go the audience will be impregnated with Krsna consciousness== ." ([[letters/1969/691031_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 31 October, 1969]]) *** 70-02 "I am very much pleased with your behavior in the matter of progressing our Krsna consciousness movement. You took up very seriously my desire for opening a center in Australia, and you volunteered to take up the responsibility. So all these things are very much encouraging. In ==our Krsna consciousness movement the first qualification required by the devotees is enthusiasm. Then work it out patiently and with conviction then it will be surely done.== But at the same time we must be very, very strict in following the regulative principles and completing the sixteen rounds chanting. Our dealings should be very clear with others and we must always keep company with devotees." ([[letters/1970/700222_pradyumna|Bali Mardan, 22 February, 1970]]) *** 70-04 "I have received your beads also and I am returning them to you duly chanted. Now ==please increase your enthusiasm for pushing on this Krsna consciousness movement and Krsna will inspire you with all intelligence for serving Him== as much as you engage yourself with sincerity and devotion. Therefore, to keep advancing in your spiritual power always be sure to chant at least the prescribed sixteen rounds of beads daily. This is the fundamental program for advancing more and more in Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1970/700407_giriraja|Giriraja, 7 April, 1970]]) *** 70-05 =="I am so happy to note your steady enthusiasm to work harder in Krsna's service. So this enthusiasm is a very good sign, and if you continue to become more and more enthusiastic to be always strictly engaged in devotional service while observing carefully the rules and regulations, Krsna will surely bestow upon you full success in Krsna consciousness and thus your life will be happy and successful."== ([[letters/1970/700503_ekayani|Ekayani, 3 May, 1970]]) *** 70-06 =="It is very good news that you are getting your branch of ISKCON incorporated in Japan. That is nice. So you write to say that things are taking shape very nicely. It is all Krsna's grace. You have gone with great hope and enthusiasm, so Krsna is giving you all opportunities. So try to serve Krsna with greater enthusiasm, then you will get greater facilities."== (SPL to Sudama, June 19th, 1970) 71-01 =="Do not be diminished in your enthusiasm. You should always think of yourself that you are sold to Krsna as slave and that is the only way to get relief of the slavery of maya. I hope you will understand me rightly and do the needful. May Krsna help you always."== ([[letters/1971/710101_sudama|Sudama, 1 January, 1971]]) *** 71-01 "So please do not ever become discouraged. That is one of the defects of conditioned life. Simply execute your duties in Krsna's service, chant sincerely, and follow the regulative principles faithfully. If you carry out this simple order of life, all your uncertainties will come to nothing by the grace of the Lord and the whole matter will become clear. The Lord is very kind and He awards right understanding of His transcendental Supreme Personality to His faithful devotee. And there is no such thing as material pangs for such a pure devotee of the Lord, because the Lord protects His devotees from the demoniac material allurements provided the devotee sincerely keeps himself pure by the above mentioned process of regulated life in Krsna consciousness. Therefore there should be no fear for you. ==Just know the danger lurking at every step in the material world and continue to execute your devotional service with great enthusiasm and determination."== ([[letters/1971/710104_stephen|Stephen, 4 January, 1971]]) *** 71-01 "I am so pleased to see you and your good wife in every picture in different poses of preaching work. That is real Krsna consciousness service to preach the message of the holy name to all persons. And they appear to be all responding very enthusiastically to your preaching, that is a very good sign. ==If you remain pure and enthusiastic, you will have the spiritual strength to enthuse others with the chanting of Hare Krsna maha-mantra and devotional service to the Lord."== ([[letters/1971/710127_sukadeva|Upendra, 27 January, 1971]]) ==71-12 "We should always be enthusiastic to try for shooting the rhinoceros. That way, if we fail, everybody will say, never mind nobody can shoot a rhinoceros anyway,== and if we succeed, then everyone will say, just see, what a wonderful thing they have done. So if you are determined in this way to expand the Atlanta temple, then you can try for it by begging for the protection of Krsna. Consult Satsvarupa your GBC man in this regard." ([[letters/1971/711222_balavanta|Balavanta, 22 December, 1971]]) *** 72-01 "In the meantime, your school at Turtlecreek Boulevard can continue functioning. I have been getting good reports that you are all serious to develop this program, so I am sure that Krsna will bless you with the desired building. Good things do not come so easily. You know the difficulties that I encountered in my first year in your country. Sometimes I did not even know where I was to live, neither when I came did I have any friends. But ==I was always determined that somehow I would do everything possible to fulfill the desire of my Guru Maharaja, and despite all difficulties I always remained enthusiastic.== So do not diminish your program in any way now. Continue the school project enthusiastically and expect Krsnas mercy at all times. Everything will come out all right." ([[letters/1972/720105_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 5 January, 1972]]) *** 72-01 "I have noted your unbounded enthusiasm to carry out this great mission of spreading the light of love of Godhead in this hellish material world. That is the only requirement for successfully completing the perfection of the living condition, that ==you should always be enthusiastic to perform services unto the lotus feet of the Lord despite all obstacles,== and then you can be assured that all of the other qualities or necessities for pure devotional service will be met, such as patience, determination, etc. and then without doubt you shall be delivered to the realm of unlimited bliss, freed from all anxieties." ([[letters/1972/720120_sri_govinda|Hamsaduta, 20 January, 1972]]) *** 72-04 "This Krsna consciousness is so nice, the more one works and renders service, the more he becomes enthusiastic. This is the secret of spiritual life. ==The test of spiritual life is when one can work all day long and not be tired. In the material world, we do a little work and become exhausted.== Twenty-four hours we should be engaged in some service to our capacity. That is real spiritual life." ([[letters/1972/720424_brahmananda|Hamsaduta, 24 April, 1972]]) *** 72-05 =="Actually Krsna does not require anything from us. He is complete in Himself but He is most pleased to see that we are very much enthusiastic to serve Him. That much He wants, that is bhakti, that enthusiasm for Krsna's service. So do not lack this enthusiasm, try to do it to the best capacity and that will be recognized by Krsna."== ([[letters/1972/720511_bhaktijana|Tamala Krsna, 11 May, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "I am very much disturbed to hear from you that you have become disturbed in your mind. Do not be disturbed. There is no cause for anxiety. You are doing your best to serve Krsna, that is very much appreciated, so do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration, that will spoil everything. ==Krsna consciousness means we should always be satisfied and happy, not that we must work something impossible, becoming overburdened, and then because we are unhappy by so much trouble we lose enthusiasm altogether and give up all hope.== No, if too much endeavor is there, that is to be avoided. By all means we must preserve our spiritual status, that is the point, not that we are mad after big buildings, many devotees, life members, this, that—no, these are only ways to engage the devotees so that they may apply the principles of devotional living to some kind of work for practical realization of these principles. It is not the result of the work we want. If only one person daily, if we sincerely preach to such one person in a day, that is sufficient, never mind big, big programs. So my request to you is that you do not be bothered by these things, and I have instructed Tamala Krsna and Syamasundara to send you men, so they will do it, rest assured. Krsna does not like to see His sincere devotee suffer or become frustrated or depressed. He will not stand idly by in any such case, so do not fear on that account. Krsna has got some plan for you, always think in that way, and very soon He will provide everything to your hearts desire." ([[letters/1972/721219_jayapataka|Tejyas, 19 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "I am so much encouraged by your report of the Hyderabad activities, and I think that that place will be most important preaching centre for India, because I have noted that you are all so much eager and enthusiastic to serve Krsna. ==That is the first qualification to attain the supreme perfection of your life: enthusiasm. If there is always keen enthusiasm for serving Krsna, and if there is also patience and determination, then everything will he successful.== So try to every day chant as much as possible Hare Krsna *mantra,* read our books regularly, and engage your energy for this business of building temple, making life members, like that, and then you will always remain enthusiastic, and gradually more and more you will feel yourself advance in Krsna consciousness. In this way, you may know it for certain that you will meet Krsna face-to-face very soon." ([[letters/1972/721223_atendriya_bahusira_jitamitra_maharha_omkara_vajasana|Hariprasadji, 23 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "If you yourself remain always pure, then your preaching will have effect. As soon as there is little impurity, the whole thing will deteriorate and go to hell. So we shall not like to take the credit in that case, therefore I am praying simply that all of you, my advanced disciples, GBC men, *sannyasis,* temple officers, like that, that all of you will become sober minded and feeling always very much responsible how the things will go on as I have given them. If you simply do as I am doing, not avoiding anything which may have to be done for pushing on Krsna's movement, remaining always stuck up very tightly to the footsteps of Rupa Goswami, then ==without any doubt you will remain always fresh and enthusiastic for working very energetically on Krsna's behalf, without any fall-down."== ([[letters/1972/721229_deva_mira|Pusta Krsna, 29 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "Therefore Rupa Goswami has introduced this system of regulative principles which I have taught to you also. These regulative principles, such as rising before 4 am for *mangala-arati,* chanting sixteen rounds minimum on beads daily, reading books, going for the street *sankirtana,* preaching to anyone and everyone, offering the *prasada,* like that, these principles of devotional service are there to safeguard us from *maya's* attack by keeping us always enthusiastic. ==If we strictly observe these principles, we shall remain always enthusiastic. These are the sources and the maintainers of our enthusiasm to serve Krsna.== As soon as someone is not following them regularly, it maybe certain that his enthusiasm will gradually disappear. Therefore, my request to you is that under any and all circumstances that you yourself shall without fail stick to these principles and make certain that all of the devotees in your charge are also following them strictly." ([[letters/1972/721231_dhananjaya|Dhananjaya, 31 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 =="I am especially glad to note that everyone is feeling so much enthusiasm to work very hard in this preaching mission. That enthusiasm must be maintained under all circumstance. That is our price for entering into Krsna's kingdom. And maya is always trying to take away our enthusiasm to serve Krsna, because without enthusiasm everything else is finished."== ([[letters/1972/721231_dhananjaya|Dhananjaya, 31 December, 1972]]) *** 73-01 =="Now make sure you chant the sixteen rounds everyday on the beads, attend the classes, and follow all the regulative principles very rigidly. This will make you more and more advanced. In addition everything must be executed with great enthusiasm. You must be very enthusiastic to serve Krsna."== ([[letters/1973/730128_palika|Thakura Haridasa, 28 January, 1973]]) *** 73-10 'The German devotees I have seen both in Paris and Stockholm have impressed me by their enthusiasm. It is very encouraging, so train them nicely. The Germans are very intelligent, and they will be the future preachers. So give them nice translations of my books and you will have tremendous success in Germany. ==Our success is our enthusiasm. So everything we do should be done with enthusiasm, the chanting, reading, and following the rules and regulations."== ([[letters/1973/731012_ramesvara|Hamsaduta, 12 October, 1973]]) *** 74-01 "Yes, I agree the construction of a temple in Calcutta should wait until we finish our present projects which we have undertaken. ==We should not accept projects which will strain us. Bombay was a great strain, but Krsna has now given it to us. Henceforth we should not accept too much strain.== It was a very bitter experience for me in Bombay. As Nair's party was determined not to let us have the land, I was more determined to take it at any cost. Krsna has helped us, but we should not strain Krsna by such action." ([[letters/1974/740111_nadia|Tamala Krsna Maharaja, 11 January, 1974]]) *** 74-01 =="Regarding taking snuff, I myself take it sometimes at night because I am working at night on my books, and sometimes I become dizzy. But it is not for you to take. You should not imitate this, neither you work like me at night."== ([[letters/1974/740109_sukadeva_1|Revatinandana Swami, 9 January, 1974]]) ## Prayers 68-10 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your long letter dated October 13th, 1968. I am so glad to read it that you are writing your letter from hospital, and I thank you very much that you are so much enthusiastic that even in hospital bed, you are thinking of serving Krsna in different ways. ==When I received the news sent to me by your husband to Jayananda that you are going to be operated I was little bit perturbed but immediately I submitted my prayer to Krsna, and I am so glad that Krsna is so merciful.== He has saved your life and your baby, it is very much pleasing to me. So I am so much grateful to Krsna, and you should also know that how much grateful we should all be to Krsna. Actually, your case was life and death, without Krsnas mercy you could not be saved. At least one life was at risk, either your baby's life or your life. But Krsna is so kind that He has saved both of you. Now feeling this obligation to Krsna, you should be more enthusiastic to serve Krsna and I am very pleased to learn that you have got a nice beautiful Krsna conscious child, so raise her to full Krsna consciousness, and engage yourself, your husband, then the family will be very beautiful happy family. You will enjoy in this world and in the next world. So it is all very nice by the grace of Krsna." ([[letters/1968/681018_dayananda|Krsna devi, 18 October, 1968]]) *** 68-11 =="Yes, you can pray to Krsna—Krsna may be prayed to, that I am unwilling to become Krsna conscious, so you can force me to become so. You put me under certain circumstances, so that I may be forced to accept Krsna consciousness. You can pray like that. It is Krsna's special favor and mercy that He sometimes forces a devotee to surrender fully to Him."== ([[letters/1968/681113_upendra|Upendra, 13 November, 1968]]) *** 68-11 "I am in due receipt of your letter of November 18th, and I have noted the contents with great satisfaction. It is very much encouraging to me. I can understand from your letter that you are working nicely for the spreading of Lord Caitanyas mission. Just keep this your attitude of sincere service and without a doubt Krsna will give you all intelligence to serve Him nicely. Krsna is not ungrateful but rather He sees all our efforts and appreciates our sincere service. Krsna is interested in how we engage our energies in His service. We are very small, very insignificant, so what can we do? Simply He wants to see that we are engaging our time and energy in His service. And you always remember to abide by the laws of Krsna as described by His bona fide representative, and the passage of going back to Godhead is assured. This is Krsnas mercy. But pure devotees do not even want to go to Krsnas abode. Simply our prayer should be—'My dear Krsna, please remind me to always chant Your holy name, please do not put me into forgetfulness. You are sitting within me as Supersoul, so You can put me into forgetfulness or into remembering You. So please do not put me into forgetfulness. ==Please always remind me to chanty== even You send me to hell, it doesn't matter, just so long as I can always chant Hare Krsna.' Lord Caitanya and Nityananda are singing one very nice song in which they are requesting everyone to please chant Hare Krsna, and come along with Them. So that is our request to everyone." ([[letters/1968/681123_devananda|Devananda, 23 November, 1968]]) *** 69-05 "I am writing to Ananda also, and you may kindly hand over to him the letter enclosed herewith. Ananda has good experience and you have also seen how we worship the Deities in the temple and offer *prasadam,* so you may kindly follow in the same way. But ==in everything we do, devotion and sincerity are the real things. There is a word in Sanskrit: bhava grahi janardana. This means the Lord accepts service in devotional emotion.== If we are sincere in offering something to the Lord in devotional love, He will accept it. The procedure may not be very right, but the desire being sincere, He accepts our offering. This is also confirmed in the *Bhagavad-gita* that He foodstuffs from devotees because they are offered to Him in complete love and affection." ([[letters/1969/690525_vrndavanesvari|Mandali Bhadra, 25 May, 1969]]) *** 69-07 =="You have inquired why Caitanya Mahaprabhu has not mentioned anything about accepting a spiritual master in His Siksastakam. But perhaps you have missed the point== that He says: *amanina manadena, kirtaniyah sada harih.* This means one has to chant the holy names of Krsna, becoming humbler than the straw, and more tolerant than the tree. So who can become humbler than the straw unless he accepts a spiritual master? The whole world is puffed up. Everyone wants to become Lord of everything. Ultimately, the Mayavadi philosopher wants to become one with the Supreme Lord. This means that when one fails to become Lord of everything, he wants to mix up with the Supreme Lord and tries in that way to automatically become Lord of everything. What he can't perform by his own capacity he wants to have done by being merged into the Supreme Lord. That is the mentality of the general people. But if anyone becomes humbler than the grass and more tolerant than the tree, it is understood he has accepted a spiritual master. Besides that, if we accept *Siksastakam* as authority given by Lord Caitanya, this means we accept Lord Caitanya as spiritual master. In the *Bhagavad-gita* it is openly mentioned that Arjuna accepted Krsna as the spiritual master. There is another point mentioned in the *Siksastakam,* Lord Caitanya says, 'I do not want any wealth of this world, I do not want any following, neither do I want a beautiful wife. Simply I want to become a servant of the Lord.' To become a servant of the Lord means to accept a spiritual master. Without accepting somebody as master how can one become an expert servant? It is not that in every literature you will find the words that everyone has to accept a spiritual master, but we have to study things scrutinizingly. In the *Caitanya-caritamrta* there is mentioned: *guru-krsna-prasade paya, bhakti-lata-bija.* By the mercy of the spiritual master and Krsna one can get the seeds of *bhakti-lata,* the plant of devotional service." ([[letters/1969/690704_jayagovinda|Jaya Govinda, 4 July, 1969]]) ==70-02 "In regard to praying to Lord Nityananda Prabhu I have written to you in my last letter that such prayer is quite appropriate. Our only prayer should be in the matter of desiring further development of devotional service and such sincere prayer should be submitted not directly to the Lord but through the via media of His bona fide servitor or representative."== ([[letters/1970/700214_madhudvisa|Madhudvisa, 14 February, 1970]]) ==70-04 "You must always ask the Lord's grace to make you in the right position. It is not for your sense gratification, it is for the Lord's service. For the Lord's service, we can ask for His grace and mercy a hundred times but for our sense gratification we cannot pray or ask anything—that is pure devotion."== ([[letters/1970/700429_pradyumna|Pradyumna, 29 April, 1970]]) *** 70-07 "I am in due receipt of your letter dated nil and I am very sorry to learn that you are injured in a motor accident. I have come to San Francisco on account of Ratha-yatra festival and shall be returning by next Tuesday. Do not be worried by lying down. Chant Hare Krsna *mantra* and Krsna will help you to be free from this confinement very soon. In my previous letter I informed you that you better stick to the *arcana vidhi* of the temple, and I confirm the same again that in future you will always remain in the temple. So ==we should always consider that this material world is a dangerous place and therefore we shall chant Lord Nrsimha's holy name in order to be protected by Him in all dangers."== ([[letters/1970/700704_himavati|Himavati, 4 July, 1970]]) *** 71-11 "Your prayer that you may be put always in difficulty is just like Queen Kunti devi. She prayed to Krsna in the same way, because whenever there was trouble Krsna felt the suffering of His devotees and stayed by them to help them. And as soon as the trouble ended, Krsna went away! ==So let us always pray that Krsna may put us into difficulty so that we may expect that He will also remain by us and not go away."== ([[letters/1971/711117_himavati|Himavati, 17 November, 1971]]) *** 73-07 "So by your diligent work and devotion, all permission is secured and all materials are on hand. ==Let us pray to Krsna for speedy progress on the construction of our Krsna-Balarama temple.== Now many of our American and European devotees are coming to our temple in Mayapur and on completion of the Vrndavana temple we shall be able to give facilities to our ISKCON devotees all over the world to visit these two most holy places in the world." ([[letters/1973/730704_gurudasa|Gurudasa, 4 July, 1973]]) ## Previous Births 67-05 "You will be pleased to learn that yesterday we had a nice meeting in the City College, 138th Street. There were about two hundred students attending and the program began at 12 noon and ended at 1.30. First of all we chanted and prayed for forty-five minutes, then I lectured for another thirty minutes and then there were questions and answers for twenty minutes, then again there was chanting and dancing and *kirtana* for fifteen minutes and at the end all the students danced and sang with me. They appreciated the meeting. If we can arrange such meetings in the schools and colleges it will be a very nice thing, because my purpose of coming here is to enthuse the younger generation and it is very pleasing to me that Krsna is sending me younger generation and sincere souls like you. I think some of you like yourself, Brahmananda, Satsvarupa, Mukunda and Gargamuni, Acyutananda and all of you had already cultivated this Krsna consciousness in your past lives. ==Now Lord Caitanya wants that this movement should be spread in the Western countries so most probably in your previous births you were all Indians and cultivated this Krsna consciousness.== Now Lord Caitanya has placed you in the Western part of the world so that you can now combine together and broadcast the holy message all over the world." ([[letters/1967/670505_gurudasa_yamuna|Kīrtanānanda, 5 May, 1967]]) *** 68-01 =="...because you are already acquainted with Krsna, I have no objection to accepting you as my disciple. Practically I do not have any disciples, I select so many masters to train them in the service of the Lord. Your natural attraction for Krsna makes it show that in your previous birth you have cultured this science of Krsna consciousness."== ([[letters/1968/680118_rayarama|Jaya Mazo, 18 January, 1968]]) *** 68-04 "Please accept my blessings and my message unto you is that this Krsna consciousness movement in your country is the greatest boon to you all. Please take full advantage of this movement and be successful within this life. Everyone of us had to pass through many millions of years in the chain of evolutionary process from aquatic to plant life, from plant to reptile life, then to the species of birds, beasts, uncivilized human beings and now this is the golden opportunity with these nice American bodies. You have high intelligence, opulences, birth in families of the rich nation. Use this opportunity for making life successful and go back to Krsna, back to Home. It is a very scientific movement authorized by the *Vedas* and accepted by all great *acaryas.* ==I think the boy Terry is God sent. In his past life he must have cultivated this science of Krsna consciousness and therefore he has automatically been attracted== with this movement and who knows if all the boys and girls joining me were not born by the supreme will of Krsna just to help me in this great task of distributing Krsna consciousness in the Western world specifically. I am always at your service and whenever you shall call me I shall come to your place and enjoy your good company. Please try to open a center there as soon as possible. I have instructed Terry about this. Please cooperate with him and chant Hare Krsna and open a center there." ([[letters/1968/680421_boys_and_girls|Boys and Girls, 21 April, 1968]]) *** 68-05 "I am sure that you must appreciate like that because I am always of opinion that both you and your elder brother are the result of a good mother. So I very much appreciate both yours and your brother's activities and ==it appears that both of you were in your previous birth advanced in this line of Krsna consciousness, and here is another chance to complete it.== So by the grace of Krsna you have got good intelligence, you are born of a great nation and good family, just utilize the opportunity to finish the business of Krsna consciousness, without waiting for a further incarnation. *Srimad-Bhagavatam* says that we should try for the highest achievement, and complete it before the next death comes." ([[letters/1968/680505_gargamuni|Gargamuni, 5 May, 1968]]) *** 68-08 =="I am so glad to learn that you are eager to serve Krsna in every way possible. This mentality is very rare, and I guess that you must have been engaged in Krsna's service in your previous life. To begin eager to serve Krsna is the greatest achievement after many, many durations of pious life. So I entrust you to begin this work immediately."== ([[letters/1968/680807_nathan_baruch|Nathan Baruch, 7 August, 1968]]) *** 69-08 "I thank you very much for your letter dates August 5th, 1969 and I am very much pleased with your nice handwriting and the purport of it. You have so quickly picked up the importance of the Hare Krsna movement and are so eager for propagating Krsna consciousness. That means you are already recognized by Krsna. ==In your previous life you must have cultivated Krsna consciousness. As we learn from Bhagavad-gita,== it is said there that a person who does not reach to the final goal of Krsna consciousness is again given the opportunity to fulfill the mission of achieving perfection." ([[letters/1969/690819_oliver|Oliver, 19 August, 1969]]) *** 69-09 =="I am so glad to learn that Candramukhi is getting Krsna consciousness from the very beginning of her life. This is the advantage of her previous life's advancement== in Krsna consciousness. Please take care of your children and make them perfectly Krsna conscious. That is a very great service. If by your endeavor one or two souls who come under your protection become liberated in this life, that is a great transcendental service to the Lord. So I am sure your children under the care of both you and Dayananda will surely have salvation in this life, along with their parents, and they will not have to come back in this miserable condition of material life. That is the injunction of *Srimad-Bhagavatam* to the Krsna consciousness parents. Please offer my blessings to Kartikeya and Silavati for their good service and also please hand over the enclosed note to Srimati Rekha. I hope this will meet you in good health." ([[letters/1969/690930_nandarani|Nandarani, 30 September, 1969]]) *** 74-08 "I am glad to learn that you are so much keenly interested in our books like *Bhagavad-gita As It Is.* It is stated in the *Bhagavad-gita* that out of many thousands of men only one is searching for perfection: *manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye.* So ==even in your young age you have taken to this process of Krsna consciousness. This means that in your previous life you were advanced in yoga but somehow or other you were not able to complete but now you have taken to it as if automatically.== This is also explained in the *Bhagavad-gita,* 6th chapter, regarding the *yoga-bhrastos;* those who have fallen from the process of *yoga* and who automatically take to the principles of God consciousness in their next life." ([[letters/1974/740819_sridhara|Mr. Lourenco, 19 August, 1974]]) *** 75-11 "I am very pleased that already you have held 50 festivals in the colleges— *pararh vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam.* And *pararh vijayate* American boys. Yes, you are doing very nicely. ==So many Vaisnavas have taken birth in America. Now America is going to be glorified. So many people are afraid of the American CIA. But now they will welcome Americans as American Vaisnavas."== ([[letters/1975/751113_gargamuni|Tamala Krsna dasa Goswami, 13 November, 1975]]) *** 76-01 " ==Naturally your daughter is chanting the transcendental name of the Lord. It must be so, because unless one is pious in previous life, one cannot take birth in a Vaisnava family. Give her a good chance to become Krsna conscious more and more, and offer my blessings to your good wife Jagatarini."== ([[letters/1976/760131_bhurijana|Bhurijana, 31 January, 1976]]) ## Protection 68-03 "So far Advaita is concerned, please do not be too much worried, because Krsna will save him. ==Krsna has promised to always give all protection to His devotees, so you may rest assured that Krsna will take very good care of him.== Please confer my blessings to Advaita, and tell him to keep his faith in Krsna, and not to fear the people imprisoning him. Fear personified cannot remain in the presence of Krsna and the authorities are simply like wooden dolls, or puppets in the hands of the dancing master, Krsna. So there is nothing to fear, simply it is to be considered a botheration, nothing more. Encourage him to chant continuously, and not to notice the activities of the prison wardens." ([[letters/1968/680322_balai|Balai, 22 March, 1968]]) *** 69-03 'Your statement that you will try to organize the Hamburg center very nicely and have a smooth running energetic temple when I go there is also very encouraging. Please stick to this principle without any diversion. Take it from me that I am always praying to Lord Krsna for your success in the Krsna consciousness movement. ==You are a very sincere devotee and if you simply stick to the principles success is sure for your life. Krsna's mercy is always bestowed upon one who is sincerely serving Him.== You should not give attention to any outsiders advice because they are completely unfit to give you advice. Your situation is different. We do not care for any agriculturist or economist. Our only shelter is Krsna. Stick to this principle and success is sure for you." ([[letters/1969/690309_sivananda|Sivananda, 9 March, 1969]]) *** 69-11 "Regarding the things that Krsna is giving you. Everything belongs to Krsna and He is giving everything, even to the non devotees, even to the animals who have no consciousness of Krsna, and what to speak of His devotees. Just like the father maintains all his children without any grudge, but the child who is very faithful to the orders of the father is given specific care by the father. Similarly, Krsna being the Father of all living entities, He is supplying the bare necessities of their life. But ==for His devotees He has got special attention. So depend on Krsna, chant regularly Hare Krsna and you will find that He is talking with you face to face, what to speak of supplying your necessities.== This is a great science, and please try to understand it nicely." ([[letters/1969/691113_jayasri|Jayasri, 13 November, 1969]]) *** 69-12 "I am pleased to learn that you are regularly attending all of our classes and you are serving nicely in the New York temple. Continue on in this way and try to understand our philosophy as far as possible. Krsna gives assurance in the *Bhagavad-gita* that ==if one is very serious to perfect his Krsna consciousness, then automatically, out of His causeless mercy, Lord Krsna gives such a sincere soul the intelligence by which he can enter again into the spiritual sky.== Actually, Krsna offers this intelligence freely to everyone but only the fortunate persons will take to it. Unfortunate persons will speculate upon the words of Krsna and concoct some meaning according to the their own sense gratification. But Krsna and His bona fide representatives are giving this knowledge freely to everyone. Now it is our duty to assimilate this knowledge and practice it. Just like the electric current is equal on all points of the electric system, but different light bulbs will take different amounts of energy. This depends on the capacity of the bulb to accept the electric current. Similarly, the Lord is not partial to anyone, but according to one's sincere desire to render unalloyed devotional service, so will He respond to enlighten such a devotee. So the way for you to increase the capacity of receiving Krsna's mercy is to chant Hare Krsna regularly, at least sixteen rounds per day, and to associate with devotees of Krsna, and to follow the rules and regulations. In this connection Brahmananda and the others will be able to give you good guidance. My request to you is that you stick with this process sincerely, and I am sure Lord Krsna will provide all facilities for your advancement." ([[letters/1969/691206_steven_hebel|Steven Rebel, 6 December, 1969]]) *** 70-02 =="It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that this devotional service is so powerful that even if a devotee occasionally falls down from the standard there is no loss for him.== If he is sincere, he will automatically rectify his error and Lord Krsna immediately purifies him from within. This is stated in the *Bhagavad-gita* also, that for the devotee Krsna gives all protection, and there is never any loss for him. But if one is not engaged in Krsna consciousness, there is no gain for him in any position of material life. So we must stick firmly to the chanting of the holy name and following the rules. This will keep us from being tricked by *maya.* But there is no question of disappointment for some temporary bewilderment. We are all new and weak in this Krsna consciousness. Just as everyone in the hospital is diseased, and although they are trying to become well there is a chance that anyone of them may relapse, but that does not mean that the hospital should be closed. It is now our business to struggle with *maya,* and when we win out by Krsnas grace that is to regain our natural healthy life of Krsna consciousness. So there is no case of disappointment." ([[letters/1970/700219_sucandra|Sucandra, 19 February, 1970]]) *** 70-06 "Since you met with the motor accident, although I am getting your news time to time, still I was very much anxious to write to you directly, but I did not know your address. This morning I have got the address. So it was Krsna s grace that He saved you from a dangerous position. ==This dangerous position is dangerous if it does not go away after its appearance for a while. But if it goes away, then it is friend. A devotee's angle of vision being that everything is emanating from the Supreme, danger is not danger== —that is the conclusion of *Srimad-Bhagavatam.* A devotee takes danger as also mercy of Krsna because in everything there is a purpose of Krsna and without His sanction nothing can take place. Anyway, do not be worried, Krsna has saved you, and very soon you will regain your strength. Your son, Sriman Ekendra is living with us comfortably and by this time He has now overcome the shock, and now he is pleasantly chanting and dancing. I hope your wife is also improving by this time. According to *Bhagavad-gita* we have simply to tolerate all these temporary appearances and disappearances, our main function being to make steady progress in Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1970/700615_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 15 June, 1970]]) ==74-01 "You write that things are in a crises in England, with oil shortage and IRA bombing. Therefore, we have to take shelter of Krsna. If Krsna wants to kill us that is not wrong, if it is His desire. Our business should just to be to follow the regulative schedule, Deity worship, distributing prasadam, chanting, book distribution and never mind the material danger.== Krsna consciousness means to be on the platform of deathlessness. Every *sloka* in *Bhagavad-gita* and *Srimad-Bhagavatam* is informing us of this. If you read these books carefully you will understand this platform of deathlessness as opposed to the material condition in which no one wants to die but no one can check death." ([[letters/1974/740107_malati|Malati, 7 January, 1974]]) *** 77-01 =="Our strength is in following the regulative principles and chanting sixteen rounds japa. Then Krsna will give you protection. We don't believe in material protection, like so-called family, friends, etc.:== *dehapatya-kalatradisv, atma-sainyesv asatsv api, tesam pramatto nidhanam, pasyann api na pasyati. (SB 2.1.4) 'Persons devoid of *atma-tattva* do not inquire into the problems of life, being too attached to the fallible soldiers like the body, children, wife, etc. Although sufficiently experienced, still they do not see their inevitable destruction.' We do strongly believe in Krsna's protection. Real, spiritual protection is firm faith in Krsna. So go on with your real life as Krsnas devotee." ([[letters/1977/770112_visvadharini|Visvadharini dasi, 12 January, 1977]])