# QUALITIES - DIVINE AND DEMONIAC ## Divine ==67-06 "Also inform Jayananda that I have received his letter and the difficulties of life may come as seasonal changes but we should not be disturbed by all those difficulties.== Our process is to chant and that process will gradually clear everything in due course. There is nothing to be disrupted—you should go on with your work with enthusiasm and everything will be solved. We are on the sound footing of Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1967/670606_mukunda|Mukunda, 6 June, 1967]]) ==67-10 "Everything in the temple should be kept nice and clean. Everyone should wash hands before touching anything of Krsna's. We should always remember that Krsna is the purest and similarly only the pure can associate with Him. Cleanliness is next to Godliness."== ([[letters/1967/671003_nandarani_krsna_devi_subala_uddhava|Nandarani, 3 October, 1967]]) *** 69-03 "I am glad to note your arguments with the yoga meeting people. Actually this so-called yoga system and meditation that is so much popular in your country is bogus. But ==if we speak the naked truth to the people, sometimes they may get angry. Because unpalatable truth is not tolerated.== If we call a black man, black he will be angry because it is unpalatable. ==So we have to present our case very carefully.== The best way of presentation will be like this: 1] Yoga system is recommended in the *Bhagavad-gita* , 2] it is an approved system, 3] but it is not suitable for ordinary man, especially in this Age of Kali, 4] The so-called yoga system practiced by the people of this age is not bona fide. They cannot follow all the rules and regulations of yoga practice, 5] Therefore it is conclusive that so-called yoga followers are simply cheated and they are wasting their time. I have already explained these points in *the Sankhya-yoga* chapter of the *Bhagavad-gita As It Is* , so you read them carefully and present it, point by point, in suitable occasions." ([[letters/1969/690319_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 19 March, 1969]]) *** 69-06 "I understand that you are feeling some inconvenience due to police interruption, but we have to make the best of a bad bargain. There is a Sanskrit proverb *: sathe sathyamacareta* ; and this means ==if somebody is cunning, we must also become cunning. To a cunning person we must not be a simpleton. Krsna consciousness devotees are expected to be very intelligent,== so we have to work very intelligently to prove our advancement in Krsna consciousness. I think you should keep a table by the *sankirtana* party, a table with a charity box and our books and literature for sale. You go on with your work as usual and when the police come you say you are not canvassing. You simply kept a table and whoever wishes to purchase may do so. This is called: *sathe sathyamacareta* ." ([[letters/1969/690608_ananda|Hamsaduta, 8 June, 1969]]) ==69-12 "So far as the difficulty with bathing, you can heat up some water in the morning and wash yourself over with a sponge or a cloth. That will be all right if there is no hot water for regular showers. In special cases you can simply wash your hands and feet and change your dress washed. That will purify you."== ([[letters/1969/691208_kulasekhara|Kulasekhara, 8 December, 1969]]) *** 70-04 "You have rightly pointed out that people are becoming more materialistic in this age on account of their forgetfulness of Krsna consciousness. Actually, there is nothing like materialism. Materialism means forgetfulness of Krsna or God. We are preaching therefore Krsna consciousness. In the *Srimad-Bhagavatam* it is said that the first-class religion is that which teaches love of Godhead. At the present moment, one professes a type of religion, but does not develop the real purpose of religion, namely love of Godhead—that is materialism. Materialism does not mean that one has to possess so many things, the actual fact is that ==one may be a perfect transcendentalist or spiritual man by possessing the whole world and one may be a gross materialist without possessing a farthing.== So this distinction can be made on the basis of consciousness. When one is Krsna conscious, possessing everything in the world, he is the perfect spiritualist, and one may have renounced everything in the world, but lacking in Krsna consciousness he is a gross materialist. In my recent publication of *Isopanisad* I have tried to explain this fact on Vedic authorities, and I am sending by separate air parcel one copy of *Isopanisad* , and I hope you will read this book conveniently with interest." ([[letters/1970/700423_sri_birlaji|Birlaji, 23 April, 1970]]) ==70-04 "Regarding how to act when there is a choice of either attending arati ceremony without bathing first or bathing and thus missing attendance at the arati ceremony, the answer is that the rules should be followed as far as possible. If it becomes necessary, simply wash your feet, and when possible also wash the face, head, hands and rinse mouth with water."== ([[letters/1970/700430_jayapataka|Jayapataka, 30 April, 1970]]) *** 70-11 Your attitude of determination to progress in your transcendental knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Krsna and perfect your devotional service to Him, is very praiseworthy. ==Ramananda Raya has explained that there is nothing so glorious or worth of fame in this world for a person who knows the true value of life other than to be famed as a devotee of Krsna.*" ([[letters/1970/701117_bhaktajana|Sriman Stan, 17 November, 1970]]) *** 72-01 "Regarding your questions, ==your first question was should the devotee always speak the truth to everyone in all circumstances? The answer is yes, one should always speak the truth,== but qualified devotee will be able to speak the truth always very palatable to everyone so that it will sound pleasing even to his enemy, that is the art of speaking the truth. It is certainly so that we must speak the truth to all people, but how you say it that is another thing: *satyam bruyat, priyam bruyat* . When you become yourself little more experienced in Krsna consciousness by preaching work and if you are sincere and serious to make progress in spiritual understanding, you need not have to worry yourself further because the truth will always be spoken by you in the proper manner. Krsna will give you that intelligence, you need not be concerned for it. Simply try to please Him always by your sincere service and chanting, that's all. Of course, for doing business with businessmen you have to lie business. Just like Krsna Himself, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, sometimes He also had to also fabricate something in emergency situations. Although He made promise not to interfere in the Battle of Kuruksetra, He was forced to break His promise just to save his pure devotee. So there is no prohibition, one shall never tell lie, because for business of carrying our propaganda work sometimes it maybe necessary. Krsna consciousness means practical living, not something utopian or idealistic and vague. We simply do the needful, whatever pleases Krsna most, that's all. Gradually you will understand what it means to please Krsna and what it means to displease Krsna. That you will learn by studying our books and by yourself engaging in practical devotional service. In the material dealings there is always there is always something undesirable, but even so you cannot give up your occupation. Just like fire is very pure, still there is some smoke. You cannot avoid it. All these things can be rectified when the result is offered to Krsna. Otherwise even though you may do very honest business it has no utility whatsoever." (SPL to Yajnesvara, January 2nd, 1972) 72-12 "Yes, if it is enhancing our distribution of books to wear warm clothes like coat-pants in winter, I have no objection, you may wear them. Of course ==we may take money for Krsna using any method of beg, borrow and steal, but more advanced understanding of Krsna consciousness process is that by telling the truth in a very palatable way== , that is the most successful system. Your mentioning Bangladesh feeding of refugees, of course we are feeding sometimes the local inhabitants, up to 1,000 persons on some occasions, but there is no organized program of feeding the refugees at Mayapur. In fact, so far I have seen, all the refugees from Nadia district have gone back to Bangladesh, there are no more refugee camps. So it will not be the truth to say to people like that, but I have no objection if they give more hearing such thing. Let them say, who will check us? We may tell any damn thing to induce people to give us money on Krsna's behalf, that is not the point. The point is that by saying lies, the less advanced neophyte devotees may become entangled or disturbed in their minds by it. Of course by their collecting more money and giving to Krsna, He will relieve them of all anxiety of telling lies. But not everyone is able to catch the big fish without themselves becoming wet. I am convinced that if you simply glorify Krsna and our books in the best descriptive manner, that anyone and everyone, no matter even atheist or otherwise, they can be convinced to purchase. Of course that is a great art and not everyone can do it, but gradually by practice of preaching in this way, striving to so much present a wonderful picture of our books to the people, gradually you will master the trick how to do it. Being the senior devotee there, you may give the younger students all good instruction and advice how to do this, but not for any reason shall we decrease the book sales and collection monthly over some small lying about Bangladesh or other things." ([[letters/1972/721231_bali-mardana|*SPL to Bali Mardan, 31 December, 1972]]) *** 73-10 "I am glad to hear that your Sunday program is successful. One thing is that you should keep everything very clean. That is the first business. Every room should be as clean as a mirror. The *prasadam* room should be immediately cleaned after taking *prasada* , otherwise you are inviting rats. Be careful." ([[letters/1973/731020_indira|Mukunda dasa, 20 October, 1973]]) *** 75-01 "Regarding the controversy about book distribution techniques, you are right. ==Our occupation must be honest. Everyone should adore our members as honest. *== * If we do something which is deteriorating to the popular sentiments of the public in favor of our movement, that is not good. Somehow or other we should not become unpopular in the public eye. ==These dishonest methods must be stopped. It is hampering our reputation all over the world.== Money collected for feeding people in India should be collected under the name ISKCON Food Relief. Not any other name. And every farthing of that money must be sent to India, or better yet, buy food grains there and ship them here and we will distribute. But every farthing collected for that purpose must be used for that purpose. I have already sent one letter to Ramesvara explaining these points." ([[letters/1975/750109_rupanuga|Rupanuga dasa, 9 January, 1975]]) ==75-01 "Regarding food-stamps and welfare, if we have to fabricate some lie, that is not good. It can be done only if it is completely honest."== ([[letters/1975/750112_mr._lepesqueux|Kirtiraja dasa, 12 January, 1975]]) *** 76-06 "Without God consciousness, nobody can be ethical. In the Vedic literatures, we find this verse: 'All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge, and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavor of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must engage in the service of the Lord's external energy. How can such a man possess any good qualities?'" ([[letters/1976/760604_sridhara|Mr Raja Sajid Husain, 4 June, 1976]]) ==77-01 "I have received your invitation to the opening of Prasadam Distributing International Inc., and I found it nicely presented. Krsna will give you intelligence how to engage in honest, brilliant, glorious work on His behalf. There is no need to engage in anything dishonest. Krsna has given enough money, now earn by honest means.== " (SPL to Prasadam Distributing International, Alex, Bob, Drdha-vrata, Gupta, Rsabhadeva and Stan, 24th January, 1977) ## Demoniac 68-01 "You may use the facilities available to you if there is no risk of making trouble == *.== But so far as stealing is concerned, one should not steal except in the rarest circumstances. Moral principle is recommended in all scriptures* as prerequisite for spiritual culture. If the conduct of the pure devotee crosses the lines of ordinary morality it is because he acts on the plane of 'absolute morality' which is not known to the conditioned soul and cannot therefore be imitated. So generally we should be careful to observe good moral conduct. Please clear any doubts you may have about what is to be done. You may begin the work of transliterating as soon as possible." ([[letters/1968/680122_pradyumna|Pradyumna, 22 January, 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 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 full 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." ([[letters/1968/680616_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 16 June, 1968]]) *** 68-10 "Next point, nobody can encroach upon the right of other living entities == *.== Everyone is supplied by the Lord, the food, shelter, by natural arrangement, so nobody should encroach upon the right of living of others.* As such, the human being considered to be the highest developed conscious animals, so if they utilize this consciousness in relationship with Krsna, that is called Krsna consciousness." (SPL to Rayarama, October 17th, 1968) 68-12 "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of December 24th, 1968 which was sent from the Halawa Jail. It is nice that you are doing preaching work there but ==you should know that such practices like stealing are against the principles of Krsna consciousness. I always want that my students should be very ideal in character and not discredit our Society.== Actually, one who is in Krsna consciousness automatically develops all of the good qualities which are possessed by the demigods. So we should always try to develop in this way by becoming fully surrendered to Lord Krsna. For Krsna we can execute any activity, but this is not free license to act whimsically. Arjuna was able to fight on the battlefield of Kuruksetra because this was Krsna's desire, not because it was simply his whims. So please try to remember this and Krsna will help you surety as you are sincere soul. I am pleased to know that even in such circumstances as the Halawa Jail you are taking opportunity to remember Krsna and to preach His divine message to your acquaintances there. Already you have sparked some interest in some of the women there, and my request to these ladies is that they chant the Hare Krsna *mantra* loudly or softly, as they are able, and if they like they may order our *Bhagavad-gita As It Is* which can be ordered from here in Los Angeles." ([[letters/1968/681228_madhavi_lata|Madhavi Lata, 28 December, 1968]]) ==69-02 "So far envy is concerned it can be used only upon the non-devotees. In the transcendental world a devotee is never envious of another devotee on account of his excellence== but on the contrary if a devotee finds some excellence in other devotees he eulogizes the devotee admitting his own subordinate position. Although in the spiritual world there is no such concept of subordination still devotees on account of being very humble and meek think that way. In the material world the same thing is expressed in a perverted form. But in the spiritual world to accept one's inferior position does not mean envious mentality upon the other. Unhappiness experienced by a devotee on account of feeling himself inferior is not unusual; rather such mentality is imperative to further development of devotional service." ([[letters/1969/690220_satsvarupa|Satsvarupa, 20 February, 1969]]) ==69-03 "Your 9th question, ’You once said that in case of a strong rush of sex desire to think of the Gopis, the dearmost to Lord Krsna. Is there another help in case of anger or harshness?' Yes, think of Krsna, how He was angry on Hiranyakasipu and nobody could pacify Him, even Brahma with beautiful hymns. In anger also we can think of Krsna."== ([[letters/1969/690314_rupanuga|Rupanuga, 14 March, 1969]]) *** 71-01 "Regarding your tendency to become angry in public, that is all right provided there is positive reaction. Otherwise ==we do not wish to create any unnecessary enemies and you should curb your anger by your advanced intelligence in Krsna consciousness *.== * We have to better correct the faulty habits of the conditioned souls by persuasive authoritative preaching and personal example without stop." (SPL to Upendra, January 4th, 1971) 71-11 "You ask if children may be taken to ordinary medical doctors. Why not? Of course we do not always trust that these doctors may be doing the right thing, but what can be done? The governing principle for our activity should be to do what is favorable for pleasing Krsna. So if your child requires medical attention to be fit for serving Krsna, then it is only practical she should get it. Same thing—if the government is giving you money, why not use it for Krsna? Only thing ==we must avoid cheating them or falsely claiming something to get money. Then we are risking our very high reputation as pious people== . But if they are willing to give us money and food, then of course we should accept it." (SPL to Lalita Kumara and Jambavati dasi, November 27th, 1971) ==72-05 *"== So far the meaning of the word 'cheating,' there are only three things to be known, that Krsna is the Supreme Enjoyer, the Supreme Proprietor of everything, and the Supreme Friend of everyone, and we say that honesty is acting upon the knowledge of these three facts.* *So if one is always acting under these three facts, knowing Krsna to be the Supreme Proprietor, Enjoyer, and Friend, then he is truly honest, and if one is not acting in this knowledge, then he is always cheating or being dishonest. So if you apply this to your techniques for selling literature to persons in the * sankirtana* party, then you will understand what is the meaning of the word "cheating"." (SPL to Bhakta dasa, May 2nd, 1972) ==72-08 "If you are always remembering Him by your activities and seeing Krsna everywhere, even in the heart of the demoniac persons, then anger will never overcome you, being purified of all false pride== . But occasionally if there is good reason, you may have to become angry just to chastise the evil-doers and blasphemers. We have seen that Lord Caitanya once nearly killed Jagai and Madhai for their offenses to His devotee, so, like that, if there is offensive behavior to the pure devotees you may become like Nrsimhadeva and punish them severely." ([[letters/1972/720829_niranjana|Niranjana, 29 August, 1972]]) *** 72-09 "If you think of me and work for me, then I am in your heart. If you love somebody he is in your heart. It is common thing, everyone understands it. If I hate somebody or if I love somebody he is also in my heart. ==Therefore simply by hating Krsna he gets salvation, like Kamsa. So if you want to hate, hate Krsna.*"== ([[letters/1972/720904_jadurani|Jadurani, 4 September, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "So far this making some false story for collecting money or selling book, of course we may do anything for Krsna, but that is supposed to be reserved for very advanced experts in Krsna consciousness—they know how to catch the big fish without themselves getting wet. So it is not very much advisable to make lies just to sell books. If we simply stick to describing how wonderful is Krsna, then whatever we may lie or exaggerate that will not be lie! But other things, lies, they will not help us to train ourselves in truthfulness. Lie to some, not to others, that is not a good philosophy. Rather the *brahmanas* are always truthful, even to their enemies == *.== There is sufficient merit in our books that if you simply describe them sincerely to anyone, they will buy. That art you must develop, not art of lying.* Convince them to give by your preaching the Absolute Truth, not by tricking, that is more mature stage of development of Krsna consciousness." ([[letters/1972/721225_sri_govinda|Sri Govinda, 25 December, 1972]]) *** 72-12 "Regarding your question whether some small lies may be said in order to sell our books, I have already replied to Bali Mardan on that point and a copy of his letter is enclosed herewith. But that kind of lie, as you have given example of the apartment manager, telling him that ’Yes, we have gotten permission to distribute here,' that kind of lie is not harmful. The highest development of Krsna consciousness understanding will be when you are able to give anyone the truth but in such a manner that they will respond in a positive way. If people like to contribute by hearing such things, there is no harm, that is just to induce him to purchase. Some of my Godbrothers, I can remember, when we used to go out for begging some contribution from some big man, they used to say that my Guru Maharaja had lived for 12 years in the forest in solitary place, living only on the Tulasi leaves. I could scarcely stop from laughing when I heard such story, but it was effective to get the money and give to our Guru Maharaja, and he was pleased by our gift. So the idea is not what you are saying, so much as how you say it. If you understand this properly, then you may be able to say the truth at all times in the most palatable way, according to the situation and the type of hearer. To perfect this art, that takes practice, so practice preaching from this understanding and gradually you will develop it more and more. But we should never steal anything like money, food, water, gasoline, just to enhance our service to Krsna. That is too much dangerous, and if we are caught then all of our work is finished. Just like in India recently, this Balyogi Guru Maharaji was detected by the customs authorities attempting to smuggle some small items into India. By this one tiny incident his entire effort for preaching, even he is rascal number one and his preaching is nonsense, even so the example is there, his work is now ruined and he is practically finished as the government will not grant him passport to leave India. So ==we shall always be careful to avoid any kind of jeopardizing our high standing in the society by some foolish and small act of illegal stealing.*" ([[letters/1972/721231_sankarsana|Sankarsana, 31 December, 1972]]) ==73-07 You ask how you can become free of envy. Simply by chanting Hare Krsna, Lord Caitanya has said the heart will become cleansed of all the dirty things accumulated in the heart.== **It is not that we have to endeavor separately to become rid of envy or any deficiency or impurity. In this age the chanting of Hare Krsna is recommended as the only possible method to associate with Krsna. By offenseless chanting, when we associate with Krsna through His holy name, then all inauspicious things are cleared from the heart. So wherever you are you should always go on chanting, and that in itself will bring all perfection." ([[letters/1973/730717_cintamani|Cintamani dasi, 17 July, 1973]]) ==74-08 "Regarding the illegal taking of the Japanese currency from the country, do not do these things. Also stop the pen stealing. This is not good, and should be stopped." ([[letters/1974/740830_bali-mardana|Bali Mardan dasa, 30 August, 1974]]) *** 75-01 "If we simply speak nicely to a person and try sincerely to get him to take the book he’ll take it == *.== Why should we adopt unfair means? We should not do anything which will create a bad impression or make us unpopular. People are after these books, they are hankering for them. We don’t need to take cheating method.* I never had to use any cheating method when I first began. I simply presented the real thing. Basically and practically speaking, everything that is done sincerely for Krsna's satisfaction is perfect. But we have to be very, very careful in our dealings with others so that they will not take the wrong view." (SPL to Ramesvara, January 1st, 1975) ==75-11 "What is this stealing and violence. This is not good....Stealing is not our business. Our business is to become Krsna conscious. Caesar's wife must be above suspicion. This is our program."== (SPL to Trivikrama Maharaja, 9th 'November, 1975)