# January 3 ## Spoken on January 3 *Lectures from this day: 14 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 21.1–10](spoken/1967/670103cc.ny)** > So he becomes *prasannātmā. Prasannātmā* means joyful, spiritually enlivened. So this is the first stage of Brahman realization. And Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that this Brahman realization, people take so much, I mean to say, undertaking of austerity, penance and... But by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, He says, *ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam. Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam*. > Their description is given in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* Second Chapter, First Canto, that people are short-living—their duration of life is very short—and they are very slow in the matter of spiritual realization. The human form of life is specially meant for spiritual realization, but they have forgotten that aim of life. They are very much serious about maintaining about the necessities of this body, which he is not. And if somebody's interested to have some taste of spiritual realization, they are misdirected. --- **[1969: Bhagavad-gītā 4.1–6](spoken/1969/690103bg.la)** > And gradually it will decrease so much that—these are all statement of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam—*that if a man lives for twenty to thirty years, he will be considered a grand old man. You see? That time also will come very soon. So we are not improving actually. We are not improving. We are decreasing in every respect, and we are proud of advancement of civilization. > "Factually, His appearance and disappearance are like the sun rising, moving before us and then disappearing from our eyesight. When the sun is out of sight, we think that the sun is set. And when the sun is before our eyes, we think that the sun is on the horizon. Actually, the sun is always there, but owing to our defective, insufficient eyesight we must calculate the appearance and disappearance of the sun in the sky. --- **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.6](spoken/1970/700103sb.la)** > He is addressing Śukadeva Gosvāmī. He has accepted Śukadeva Gosvāmī as his spiritual master. Therefore he says, *mahā-bhāga,* "the most fortunate man." You have to select a spiritual master, the most fortunate man. And who is most fortunate man? One who has understood Kṛṣṇa, he is most fortunate man. Not that one who has got dozens of motorcars, he is most fortunate man. You do not know where he is going after this body. You see? He may be enjoying very nicely in this life, but he is not preparing for the next life. This life is preparation for the next life. > There is very nice adjustment. One should know it. He is the only one son means one who can sacrifice his life for God, he is real son. And one who is simply taking from father, "O God, give us our daily bread," and He is supplying, and eating and enjoying sense enjoyment, he is not real son. The real son is he who sacrifices his life for glorifying his father. --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.56–62 at Adubhai Patel's House](spoken/1971/710103sb.sur)** > In *Bhāgavata, bhajatām, sa-pāda-mūlaṁ bhajatām.* There is a verse like that. That is excused. Otherwise, how Kṛṣṇa says, *api cet sudurācāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk, sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ*? Unwillingly, by his practice, he has committed. That is excused. Not that "Because I have become a Vaiṣṇava, because I am chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, therefore I can do any kind of offense. It will be counteracted." This is the greatest offense. > No material desire, *anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyaṁ jñāna-karmādy-anāvṛtam*, without any coverage of fruitive activities and speculative knowledge. Because the real purpose of successful life is to invoke your dormant love for Kṛṣṇa. That is the perfection of life. Caitanya Mahāprabhu... *Premā pum-artho mahān* [*Caitanya-mañjusā*]. That is the highest perfection. *Sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje*. That is first-class religion, pursuing which one can develop his dormant love for God. That is first-class religion. --- **[1973: Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā Lecture](spoken/1973/730103bs.bom)** > Therefore there are so many persons, they are trying to interpret *Bhagavad-gītā* by their so-called scholarship, but nobody cares for them. They cannot turn even one person a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. This is a challenge. In your Bombay there are so many persons, they are explaining *Bhagavad-gītā* for so many years, but they could not turn even a single person a pure devotee of Kṛṣṇa. This is our challenge. But this *Bhagavad-gītā,* now it is being explained as it is, and thousands and thousands of Europeans and Americans, whose forefathers or family never knew the name of Kṛṣṇa, they are becoming devotees. This is the secret of success. But these foolish people, they do not know. They think that by interpreting *Bhagavad-gītā* by their so-called rascaldom knowledge, they can reveal *Bhagavad-gītā.* That is not possible. *Nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ yogamāyā-samāvṛtaḥ.* Kṛṣṇa is not exposed to these foolish and rascals. Kṛṣṇa is never exposed. *Nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya*. He's not so cheap thing that He'll be understood by these fools and rascals. It is not possible. Kṛṣṇa says, *nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yogamāyā-samā...*. > Kṛṣṇa also says, *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti, asti dhanañjaya*. There is no more *parā-tattva,* superior source, except Kṛṣṇa. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is therefore..., we are trying to place before the civilized human society that the *ādi-puruṣa,* the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are searching after God. There are so many societies—theological society, theosophical society—they are searching after God. But here is God. Why don't you take reference from the Vedic literature? God's reference is there in the Vedic literatures, and God Himself appeared, and He explained Himself in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* And God is accepted... --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740103mw.la)** > These are the two defects of modern civilization. They..., on the top of government there are *śūdras,* not *kṣatriyas.* Neither they are guided by intelligent class, *brāhmaṇas.* Parīkṣit Mahārāja's first beginning is *dvija-varya-śikṣayā. > The guidance was first-class *brāhmaṇas,* and he was a *kṣatriya,* first class. And there was no animal slaughterhouse. They are also suffering. They are bringing every day some problem: "What is the solution of this problem, what is this solution...?" But why the problems are coming? Because the defect is there that the..., on the head of the government there are *śūdras* and they are busy in cow-killing, maintaining slaughterhouse. This is the defect. And they are not guided by the first-class, intelligent class of men. [break] --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.6](spoken/1974/740103sb.la)** > So there are two things: *pravṛtti* and *nivṛtti.* But *asuras,* demons, they do not know "In which way I shall guide my *pravṛtti* and which way I shall guide my *nivṛtti.*" This is the *paśu.* "In which way I will..." *Pravṛtti* and *nivṛtti,* these two things are there, but the difference between a demon and demigod is that a demon does not know how to direct these two propensities, *pravṛtti* and *nivṛtti.* And a demigod knows how to guide these two things, *pravṛtti* and *nivṛtti.* These two... One who does not know... *Pravṛttir eṣā bhūtānāṁ nivṛttis tu mahā-phalā* [*Manu-saṁhitā*]*. Śāstra* says that these things... Just like, *loke vyavāyāmiṣa-madya-sevā nityā hi jantu na hi tatra codanā*. This eating, sleeping, mating and defending, every animal, every small animal, knows it very well, how to eat, how to sleep, how to have sex intercourse and how to defend. These four things, everyone knows by nature. So this is called *pravṛtti. Pravṛtti.* But it has to be made *nivṛtti,* stop. They do not know what is the perfection. The perfection is... The *pravṛtti,* propensity is eating, sleeping, mating, defending. And when you make it just the opposite—no more eating, no more sleeping, no more mating, no more defending—oh, that is perfection of life. > So this negative process will not help us, *śūnyavādi. Śūnyavādi. Nirviśeṣavādi.* It will not be helpful. Therefore in the *śāstra* it is said that *āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ patanty adhaḥ anādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ*. The same example I have given several times, that these rascals, they are going to the moon planet and sun planet, but they do not get any shelter, and they come down again. Their advancement means go to some extent and again come back again, earthly planet. When the Russian aeronauts was flying, he was seeing, "Where is my Moscow? Where is my Moscow?" The anchor is there. The attraction is there in the national, in the country, in the city, in the home, in the wife, in the cats, in the dogs. And he is trying to go up. So that is not possible. Just like a vulture: he goes three miles up or more than that, but his aim of life is to find out a dead body. That's all. He is finding. He has gone so up. You can say that advancement of going up, but the business is to see where is a dead body so that he can eat. --- **[1975: Room Conversation](spoken/1975/750103r1.bom)** > I feel confident that between the two of them the management of this temple will go on well. I know from Bhagavān that Your Divine Grace has suggested that perhaps Guru-kṛpā Swami could come here. My personal feeling is that it might be valuable for him to come here for some time and preach, but that they would probably not want to stay on permanently to maintain the center. Also, *saṅkīrtana* could never be as lucrative as Tokyo, and this important source of revenue for the Māyāpur-Vṛndāvana Trust would be stopped. Of course, if Your Divine Grace decides that they should definitely come, I will work with them very happily. I personally have great respect for them, and I feel them to be very well qualified." > "1. The history: I have been aware for some time that Sudāmā was having spiritual difficulties, since in September he had flown to Los Angeles to see me. At that time he was on the verge of blooping due to an illicit homosexual affair with his servant that had been going on for some months. I preached to him and tried to encourage him as much as possible. A few days later..." --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.26](spoken/1975/750103sb.bom)** > In the Kali-yuga there is no *yajña.* Therefore there is *anāvṛṣṭi, anāvṛṣṭi.* The Kali-yuga people will forget performing *yajña.* They will be busy in *ghora-rūpa* activities, horrible and fierceful activities, not *yajña.* They will neglect *yajña.* So then how your these bolts and nuts and rubber tires will help you? Therefore there is scarcity of *anna.* That will increase more and more. It will so increase that now you are getting *anna* by paying high price, but time will come when even if you are prepared to pay price, there will be no more *anna.* That time is coming. Naturally, what people will eat? They will eat *māṁsa* and roots and seeds. No milk. No sugar. No wheat. These things will be stopped. As we are becoming entangled in *ghora-rūpa* activities or *mūḍhā* activities, then the more we shall be entangled with sufferings of material existence. They do not know what is the actually interest. *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum*. So therefore this planning, real planning, is this *varṇāśrama-dharma. Varṇāśrama* means a regulative, regulative life. So we have come to this world. There will be no difficulty for our maintenance. Peacefully let us live and save time for spiritual consciousness, for advancement of. *Tapo divyaṁ yena śuddhyet sattvam*. > Everything is there. This is the aim of life. But not... We are under this false ego, "I am this body." And some of us in the modes of goodness... That is also another kind of bondage: "I am *brāhmaṇa.* I am very learned scholar." But... That's all right, but still you have to go further, above the brahminical stage, not simply become proud of having nice birth, full of knowledge and learning. That is not sufficient. The learning should be perfect. What is that perfect learning? That *vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ*. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/760103r1.nel)** > *Bhagavad-gita* clearly says, *ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate* : "These rascals, out of false ego, and *vidmūḍha,* foolishly declaring that 'I am the doer of everything. I can do everything independently.' " *Kartāham iti manyate. Manyate* means "falsely think." Actually, he is nothing but a small particle. This egotism is the root cause of suffering. Discuss all these things amongst yourselves and preach, and inform these rascals, so-called civilized scientists and philosopher. That is preaching. We have to present the truth in such a way that they will be convinced, "Yes." Within fifteen minutes the plane in Arabia, fifty-three men fell. Within fifteen... It takes fifteen minutes to die. That's all. Where is your independence? You have invented so many nice machine, but when there is order from superior, "You nonsense, your machine... You die immediately," what you can do? So why don't you accept there is superior? Hmm? Why do they not accept? What is the reason? You cannot say? --- **[1977: Room Conversation with C.I.D. Chief](spoken/1977/770103r1.bom)** > Apaṇḍita,* ignorance. And such people are going on as learned scholars, politicians and leaders and so on. So how there can be peace? If you bring different types of dogs—greyhound and bulldog and Indian dog—and bring them, the "United Dog Association," [laughter] so will there be peace? That is the position. I declared in Melbourne in a public meeting that this United Nation is the unity of barking dog. I told. It was published in the paper. They also criticized me, "The Swami has come to hound." [laughter] But that is actually the fact. If you become impartial judge, not on behalf of CID or anyone, then you see the actual. > The world situation is that you can speak truth if it is palatable. And if it is unpalatable, don't speak. But this thing cannot be maintained when you are preaching spiritual life. There we cannot cheat. Spiritual life must be declared very frankly. Not that we have to declare; it is already declared. Kṛṣṇa says, *dehino 'smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanam, tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ* : The spirit soul is within this body. The body is different from the spirit soul, and as it is changing—the body is changing—similarly, after death, so-called death... Because spirit has no death, no birth. *Na jāyate na mriyate vā*. So this knowledge is the beginning of spiritual life. And if you are preaching, they are opposing us. India also opposing. This is our position. They take *Bhagavad-gītā* and they mislead them. And we are presenting *Bhagavad-gītā* as it is. That is our fault. So what we can do? Can you suggest? --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770103r2.bom)** > It is very easy. Just like a child: if he takes your direction, he's liberated, and if he acts according to his childish nature, then he's conditioned. If you take Kṛṣṇa's instruction, then you are liberated. If you manufacture your own idea, then you are conditioned. Two things. Child is not actually liberated; he is child. But because he takes blindly the direction of the father, he's liberated. That is *mām eva ye prapadyante*.Anyone who has surrendered to Kṛṣṇa and strictly follows what Kṛṣṇa says, then he is liberated. Otherwise not. If he manufactures idea, then he's conditioned. > You have got your hands and legs. You till the ground, throw some seed, and it will come. One kilo seeds, you'll get one hundred *mounds*. Then, when the product is excess, you trade. Everything is there. If you produce food grain, you'll eat nicely and you'll be strong. You'll be able to work more. Our point is take Kṛṣṇa's instruction. Everything will be perfect. Not that Kṛṣṇa is advising immediately *sarva-dharmān parityajya*. For that stage you are not prepared. That I know. But in your present stage what you'll do, that is perfect. --- ## Letters on January 3 *Letters from this day: 17* --- **[1972: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1972/720103_giriraja)** > The fact is that I am the only one in India who is openly criticizing, not only demigod worship and impersonalism, but everything that falls short of complete surrender to Krishna. My Guru Maharaja never compromised in His preaching, nor will I nor should any of my students. We are firmly convinced that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and all other are His part and parcel servants. This we must declare boldly to the whole world, that they should not foolishly dream of world peace unless they are prepared to surrender fully to Krishna as Supreme Lord. --- **[1972: Letter to Ksirodakasayi](letters/1972/720103_ksirodakasayi)** > We have got a great mission to fulfill, and these books and magazines are the torchbearers of Truth which can save the world. With full faith in Krishna and Spiritual Master, push on this work with full force. --- **[1972: Letter to Visvanatha Babu](letters/1972/720103_visvanatha_babu)** > You will be glad to know that I am introducing Rathayatra and other important Vaisnava festivals in Europe and America and probably it is known to you that in San Francisco, California and in London we are having the festivals in grand scale for the last five years continually. Every year the local people are taking more and more interest. --- **[1973: Letter to Bhavananda](letters/1973/730103_bhavananda)** > Our main business in this country shall be to distribute our books profusely. Our emphasis for preaching work will be on these books. Just as I introduced this life membership program based entirely on books, so you and other leaders here in India meet together or correspond frequently to devise more and more methods for introducing our literatures to the Indian public. That is the most important business. --- **[1973: Letter to Prabhavisnu](letters/1973/730103_prabhavisnu)** > Because you are rightly understanding through your personal realization this philosophy of Krishna Consciousness, therefore in such a short time you have surpassed all the stages of yoga processes to come to the highest point of surrendering to Krishna. Let any man see our devotees working so hard for Krishna, then let anyone say that they are not better than any millions of so-called yogis and transcendentalists, that is my challenge! --- **[1974: Letter to Ajita](letters/1974/740103_ajita)** > Our presentation all over the world of the scientific principles of God-consciousness is the greatest benefit to them. Therefore, those who are sincere will be very grateful for our presentation. So go on presenting it as you are doing it and be always sure to keep strong by following the spiritual principles; otherwise, everything will automatically degrade. --- **[1975: Letter to Alfred Ford](letters/1975/750103_alfred_ford)** > He has violated our rules and regulations and thus fallen down from the spiritual platform. I am writing this letter to inform you that Sudama Swami has left our camp. --- **[1975: Letter to Patita Uddharana](letters/1975/750103_patita_uddharana)** > Now, work more enthusiastically in Krishna's service and do not deviate from my teachings and everything will be a success. --- **[1976: Letter to Ramesvara Prabhu](letters/1976/760103_ramesvara_prabhu)** > Regarding the suggestion for book selling, the point is that the Temples must pay the cost of printing. Then they may sell for whatever price they like. --- **[1976: Letter to Sri Subrahmanyan](letters/1976/760103_sri_subrahmanyan)** > Regarding your request for some books, the best thing will be if you ask some able person to buy them for you. Or you may ask for the fare to come to Madras and live with the devotees of our Movement. The address in Madras is 50, Aspiran Gardens, 2nd Street, Kilpauk, Madras-10. --- **[1976: Letter to Trivikrama](letters/1976/760103_trivikrama)** > Unless we get local devotees it is very difficult to maintain. So try to maintain the center with local devotees, that is my urgent desire. --- **[1977: Letter to Amarendra](letters/1977/770103_amarendra)** > Yes, civil disobedience will be the only method in this circumstance. But if it is a state policy to cut down this Movement, then civil disobedience. --- **[1977: Letter to Balavanta](letters/1977/770103_balavanta)** > That the Miami newspapers are appreciating our temple grounds is very good. So, take more land and engage them in agriculture, plowing by the bulls instead of tractor. --- **[1977: Letter to Bhakta Wayne](letters/1977/770103_bhakta_wayne)** > Temple life means following strictly the regulative principles and chanting a minimum of 16 rounds, or more if possible. The temple must always be kept neat and clean. As far as music is concerned, we have got our standard of music, the Hare Krishna Maha Mantra. We do not require to introduce anything new. --- **[1977: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1977/770103_madhudvisa)** > Srimati Govinda dasi is here and I have heard everything from her about yourself. --- **[1977: Letter to Sri Guptaji](letters/1977/770103_sri_guptaji)** > Krishna Consciousness movement is trying to save the people in general, religionists and philosophers, to save them from the downfall. Opening our center means to educate people in this great science. Krishna Consciousness is not a ism or simply blind following. --- **[1977: Letter to Tikandas Batra](letters/1977/770103_tikandas_batra)** > In answer to your questions, sastra says that only for progeny there should be sex, otherwise no sex, "dharmaviruddho bhutesu kamo 'smi." No "indriyartha," for sense gratification there should be no sex. But, this sterilization is for sense gratification. That is most sinful. ---