# January 5 ## Spoken on January 5 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 21.49–61](spoken/1967/670105cc.ny)** > "Amongst the all kinds of cheating professions, I am gambling." Kṛṣṇa says that "Amongst all kinds of cheating business, I am gambling." Gambling... There is in gambling, it requires some expert brain, how to play gamble. So that expertness, that part of expert endeavor, is Kṛṣṇa. So we should not think, "Oh, because Kṛṣṇa is gambling also, so let us engage and devote in gambling." No. Kṛṣṇa is everything. Kṛṣṇa is everything, but we have to select favorably, not unfavorably. *Sarvam khalv idaṁ brahma* [*Chāndogya Upaniṣad* 3.14.1]. > The real thing is there in the spiritual world. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says if you return to that real, I mean to say, abode, then you will have..., you haven't got to come back again to take birth in this material body. *Yad dhāma gatva na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama. Na tad bhāsayate sūryo na candro na pāvakaḥ .* --- **[1971: Room Conversation with John Griesser later initiated as Yadubara Dāsa and Devotees at the Sea Palace Hotel in Collaba] > Ācārya* is always cautious that he may not be subject to criticism. But who criticizes *ācārya,* he becomes immediately offender. Because he is playing the part of *ācārya,* he plays as far as possible. But sometimes for preaching work, he might have to do something which is not consistent. But if he is criticized, then that man who criticizes, he becomes... Of course, he must be *ācārya,* not a bogus. Ordinary man cannot transgress the laws, but Kṛṣṇa and His representative, *ācārya,* might be sometimes seen that he has transgressed. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān*. > But in devotion, there is no *karma-bandha.* As Kṛṣṇa is free from all reaction, similarly Kṛṣṇa's devotee who wants to satisfy Kṛṣṇa only, he is also free from all reaction. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāvamanyeta karhicit*. "The *ācārya* is as good as I am," Kṛṣṇa says. *Nāvamanyeta karhicit,* "Never neglect him." *Na martya-buddhyāsūyeta,* "Never be envious of the *ācārya,* thinking him as anything of this material world." *Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān*. Therefore, *ācārya's* position is as good as Kṛṣṇa. *Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair.* --- **[1973: The Nectar of Devotion](spoken/1973/730105nd.bom)** > So *varṇāśramācāravatā puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān*. This is the beginning of actual human life. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately replied, *ihā bāhya āge kaha āra. Ihā bāhya. Bāhya* means this is external. This will not very much help at the present moment. And actually that is being done. Just like we are preaching in the Western countries. If we wanted to establish *varṇāśrama-dharma* in the beginning, that "You become *brāhmaṇa,* you become *gṛhastha,* you become *sannyāsī...*" No. Then everyone would have rejected: "Sir, we are not prepared for this purpose." But the process introduced by Caitanya Mahāprabhu... > It is not introduced by Caitanya Mahāprabhu; it is the sanction in the *śāstras: śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam. This is standard method. Because we gave them the chance of hearing, gradually they're coming. Not that immediately you become *brāhmaṇa.* Now they are becoming more than *brāhmaṇas.* Here, in India, the *brāhmaṇas,* they are doing everything. Still they are going in the name of *brāhmaṇa.* But here, these European *brāhmaṇas,* American *brāhmaṇas,* they're real *brāhmaṇas,* because they have given up all sinful activities. The *brāhmaṇa's* life is first of all truthful. Truthful. *Satya śama dama titikṣa.* Controlling the senses, controlling the mind, forbearance and simplicity, full knowledge, application of knowledge, belief in the *Vedas—*these are the symptoms of *brāhmaṇa. Satya śama dama titikṣa ārjavam āstikyaṁ jñānaṁ vijñānaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam*. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740105mw.la)** > But again pro..., doing the same thing. *Tṛpyanti neha kṛpaṇā bahu-duḥkha-bhājaḥ.* Therefore a sane person, *kaṇḍūtivan manasijaṁ viṣaheta dhīraḥ.* Therefore one who is *dhīra,* one who has become sober, he tolerates the sensation, itching sensation. It is after all itching sensation. So one who can tolerate the itching sensation, he saves so much trouble. But one who cannot, he's implicated, immediately. Either illicit or legitimate, it is trouble. *Yan maithunādi...* That is the only happiness in this material world. That is only happiness. *Yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham*. One who wants to remain in this material world, his only happiness is sex life. He has no other happiness. *Yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham.* And that is very abominable, *tuccham* happiness. What is this happiness? But they cannot understand. *Kaṇḍūyanena karayor iva duḥkha-duḥkham.* Itching, between the two hands. It produces so many bad results, but he's not satisfied. "All right, I've done once, that's all right. One children is all right, one or two." But no, then contraceptive, abortion, so many things. But the *māyā* is so strong, it will induce, "Yes, do this," and be implicated. *Kṛpaṇā bahu-duḥkha-bhājaḥ.* [break] Becoming master of the dog, he has become servant of the dog. >old, a living entity is offered change of the body. You see? When he becomes fatigued, "Oh, this life is so troublesome"—old men generally think like that—so he has to change another, another new body, child. Since born he is taken care, he thinks, "Now I have got so comfortable life," and again becomes old, disgusted. So he cannot live disgusting, therefore Kṛṣṇa is so kind: "All right, change body again." *Punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām*. Chewing the chewed. The business is the same, but changing body gives some relief. Just like these men, the business is they're wasting time by changing, wasting time at home, come to the golf club. That's all. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.8](spoken/1974/740105sb.la)** > Therefore *svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt.* If you have taken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, try to execute it very seriously, means to follow the rules and regulation and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. That's all. Five things: no illicit sex, no gambling, no meat-eating... We don't prohibit sex, but illicit sex is most sinful. Most sinful. Unfortunately, they are so rascals, one sex to another, another sex to another, another sex... That is *māyā's* illusion, influence. But if you stick to Kṛṣṇa... *Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te*. > Therefore it is advised, *aho nṛ-loke pīyeta hari-līlāmṛtaṁ vacaḥ:* "O the human society, you have got this body. Just go on drinking the nectarine of *kṛṣṇa-kathā.*" It is advised here. *Aho nṛ-loke.* Especially it has been advised in the *nṛ-loke,* the human society. It is not addressed to the dog-*loke* or cat-*loke*. They cannot. They have no capacity. Therefore it has been: *nṛ-loke. Nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛ-loke.* Another verse, in the Fifth Canto: *nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛ-loke kaṣṭān kāmān arhate viḍ-bhujāṁ ye*. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.28](spoken/1975/750105sb.bom)** > Here it is said, *yad hy aniruddhākhyaṁ hṛṣīkāṇām adhīśvaram. Hṛṣīka. Hṛṣīka* means senses, and another name of God, or Kṛṣṇa, or Aniruddha, is Hṛṣīkeśa. *Senayor ubhayor madhye...*. The Hṛṣīkeśa name is there in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* Hṛṣīkeśa means *hṛṣīkāṇām adhīśvaram.* So practically, the senses which you are using, the real proprietor is Aniruddha, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You can utilize the instrument... Just like you hire some instrument to use it for some purpose, but the instrument belongs to somebody else, similarly, our the instrument, the *karaṇa,* the means of working, or instrument, as you say—the proprietor is Hṛṣīkeśa, or Aniruddha. So we are now utilizing instruments without fulfilling the desire of Aniruddha, or the Hṛṣīkeśa. That means we are using it for sense gratification unlawfully. Therefore we are becoming implicated in sinful activities. [aside:] Who is talking this side? Stop them. So therefore *bhakti* means that when you don't use the *hṛṣīka,* or the senses, for any other purpose than to serve the Hṛṣīkeśa, that is called *bhakti. Hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate*. Hṛṣīkāṇām adhīśvaram.* Actually, the proprietor of the senses is Aniruddha, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no difference between Kṛṣṇa and His expansion. > So that is the test who is a devotee. Simply by advertising himself, advertisements will not do. How much you are freed from the *anarthas. Viraktir anyatra syāt. Bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra syāt*.* The example is given: just like if you are hungry, you are hankering after food, but when sufficient food is supplied to you, then the next stage will be, "No, no, I don't want any more. That's all right." "No, no, take more." "No, no, no, no. I am not..." He is satisfied, fully satisfied. Just like Prahlāda Mahārāja: he took advantage of *bhakti* for some material... Not Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja; I am sorry. So when actually saw Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu, who came to satisfy him, being pleased upon his austerities, little boy of five years, at that time, when he saw Kṛṣṇa he said, "No, no, I don't want anything." *Svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi varaṁ na yāce :* "*Svāmin,* my Lord, I am fully satisfied. I have no more demand." --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.6](spoken/1976/760105sb.nel)** > So just like in our ordinary life if we commit some sinful activity and if we plead in the court, "My dear judge, I did not know the law," so this kind of pleading will not help him. Ignorance is no excuse. Therefore human life is distinct from animal life. If we live in human life without caring for the supreme laws, then we are destined to suffer. Therefore in the human society there is a system of religion and scripture. It is the duty of the human being to understand the laws of the nature, the injunction in the *śāstras* and live very honestly according to their direction. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* Kṛṣṇa says, > So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is thoroughly wholesale process of cleansing the mind. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has given His own version: *ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ śreyaḥ-kairava-candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam*. The purport is—it is a long verse—that by chanting, *paraṁ vijayate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam,* if we perform this Kṛṣṇa *saṅkīrtana,* then immediately our core of heart, which is filled up with all dirty things, will be cleansed. For example, you can see practically all my disciples present here, they are coming from Western countries—Europe, America, or even in India, Parsis and other, Muhammadans, they are coming. But they are now pure, cleansed of all dirty things. In this movement throughout the whole world there are at least ten to twelve thousand devotees like that. And before this life they were addicted to all kinds of sinful life. We have summarized all sinful activities into four groups, namely, illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. So all these ten to twelve thousand men who are now attached with this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, they are not committing these four pillars of sinful life. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770105r1.bom)** > Then next moment they are talking. *Bahv-ārambhe laghu-kriyā*. These are taken very lightly, no seriously. Now they are going... Nowadays, in the court case, fifty percent of cases are divorce in India. > Otherwise, now there's a big push in Italy for divorce and everything, but even in the last ten years there's been no divorce. They don't allow it. And chastity of the woman was still very greatly appreciated too. 'Cause now in the last... --- **[1977: Conversation on Roof](spoken/1977/770105r2.bom)** > He became very angry, and he set fire in the Laṅkā. Unless one is very angry, he cannot do that. But that *krodha* was applied to the demon. '*Krodha' bhakta-dveṣi-jane.* So we can utilize *kāma, krodha, moha,* bewilderment. When we cannot find out a *bhakta,* then we should be bewildered. *Śūnyāyitaṁ jagat sarvam* [Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka 7]. So therefore *bha*kti* process means that everything has to be purified. *Krodha,* Hanumān's *krodha,* to set fire Laṅkā, it is purified *krodha.* But they cannot understand the *krodha,* how it is purified. But *krodha* can be purified. > So therefore he said that "The price is *laulyam,* greediness: How I shall become Kṛṣṇa conscious?" That is price: "How I shall?" "Oh, that I can very easily." No. *Na janma-koṭi-sukṛtair labhyate:* "If one has done pious activities for many, many births, he also cannot have this greediness." It is so rare. But if you have got that greediness, you get Kṛṣṇa. --- **[1977: Dictation of Letter to Russian](spoken/1977/770105r3.bom)** > And I'll not keep a single farthing. I shall spend all before I die. [chuckles] Invest in book, that's all. I am insisting on this. But I am simply afraid if we have got enough stock, it may not be stolen and misused. Otherwise I want to immediately invest in books all the money that I have got. --- ## Letters on January 5 *Letters from this day: 26* --- **[1972: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1972/720105_gargamuni)** > Regarding the Agra house, I thought it was nice and I therefore requested you to go and see it. But from your report that house appears useless. So we can stop the idea of purchasing a house in Agra. --- **[1972: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1972/720105_jagadisa)** > The reports of your activities are most encouraging. From all over the Society, I am getting similar reports. People are very eager for Krishna consciousness. --- **[1972: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1972/720105_jayapataka)** > I am very encouraged by your enthusiasm for preaching. Your proposal to go for preaching to Pakistan, Bangladesh, Ceylon, and China is very good. So immediately arrange for your Canadian citizenship, if it will give you more facility to preach widely. --- **[1972: Letter to Niranjana](letters/1972/720105_niranjana)** > The four sinful activities which one must avoid if there is to be any hope for spiritual advancement are the eating of meat, fish and eggs, the use of intoxicants, illicit connection with women, and gambling. --- **[1972: Letter to Ranadhira](letters/1972/720105_ranadhira)** > I can understand there is some disagreement with Hayagriva. From your letter the indication is like that. Under the circumstances, you may go with Kirtanananda Maharaja with his touring party. --- **[1972: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1972/720105_satsvarupa)** > As you say there are some serious delays in the negotiations for purchasing the large buildings, I think you must immediately return the $15,000 loan to Karandhara and the $8,000 loan from San Diego. I believe there was some agreement on your part that the money should be repaid within six months, so nearly four or five months have already passed. You first fix up the contract definitely and when everything is settled beyond any doubt, then you should think of again getting the money. --- **[1972: Letter to Sudama](letters/1972/720105_sudama)** > I have not yet received the first part to your letter so I am replying anyway so that you may not be too anxious. --- **[1973: Letter to Bhagavata Maharaja](letters/1973/730105_bhagavata_maharaja)** > These ISKCON publications are very attractive to the public, they are nicely brought out, printed on the very best presses of America and Japan, and they are translated with commentary just to our line. One of my disciples from my Calcutta ISKCON branch will be calling on you shortly in this connection, and if you are kind upon me in this way, he will give you all facility and stocks for whatever you require. --- **[1973: Letter to Bhutatma](letters/1973/730105_bhutatma)** > I am very happy to hear from you that everything is going nicely in the San Francisco temple. --- **[1973: Letter to Dvija Hari](letters/1973/730105_dvija_hari)** > So I have no objection if you want stay in India or anyplace, but for your work I think it is better anyway to go to Los Angeles. --- **[1973: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1973/730105_jagadisa)** > I am especially happy to hear from you about the huge distribution of books in the Canada Zone. --- **[1973: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1973/730105_kirtanananda)** > Now I am getting so many requests to take first initiation from temples in your country, and once before I had empowered you to chant the beads on my behalf, so henceforth, as long as I am away from... --- **[1973: Letter to Krsnakatha Anala Riddha Maharddhi Rohita Kala](letters/1973/730105_krsnakatha_anala_riddha_maharddhi_rohita_kala)** > Upon the recommendation of Bahudak I have gladly accepted all of you as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1973: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1973/730105_tejiyas)** > You are coming to Bombay very soon, so we will speak at more length when you see me. --- **[1974: Letter to Citsukhananda](letters/1974/740105_citsukhananda)** > I have duly chanted on the threads of the three men recommended by you for Second initiation, Viraha, Pramona, and Tamoha, and you may also distribute gayatri mantra to Vara devi dasi. Play the tape of gayatri mantra in their right ear and instruct them regarding Brahminical principles. --- **[1974: Letter to Dhananjaya](letters/1974/740105_dhananjaya)** > So it is very good news. Now recruit more Italian devotees. It is a very good chance to have a center there in that important city. --- **[1976: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1976/760105_jadurani)** > The sketches are all alright as they are. Please go ahead and make the paintings. --- **[1976: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1976/760105_jagadisa)** > She should hear the mantra from the tape recording through the right ear. Brahmin initiation means to keep very clean-inside by chanting the Lord's glories, and outside by regular bathing. --- **[1976: Letter to Locanananda](letters/1976/760105_locanananda)** > Your Deities shall be named Radha Gopinatha. Your report is very encouraging about book printing. The more we distribute books our mission becomes solidified. --- **[1976: Letter to Radhavallabha](letters/1976/760105_radhavallabha)** > Also, I wish to thank you and all the devotees serving at the BBT for helping to produce these new volumes. Thank you very much. --- **[1976: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1976/760105_satsvarupa)** > Now you and all of your men are experienced in distributing books to the libraries. --- **[1977: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1977/770105_aksayananda)** > Now the corner land of the parikrama road may be applied for acquisition. We shall use it for agricultural purposes. Sometime back they approached us for acquiring that land. --- **[1977: Letter to Embar Sampath Kumarachar](letters/1977/770105_embar_sampath_kumarachar)** > Whether you will be able to teach our boys Sanskrit in the standard way? That is the first question. Have you ever worked as a Sanskrit teacher anywhere? --- **[1977: Letter to Nandikesvara](letters/1977/770105_nandikesvara)** > Upon your recommendation I am pleased to accept these devotees: for first initiation: John—Jamahara-dasa, Don—Danapti-dasa, Andre—Aprakrtadasa, Cindy—Sindura-dasi, Sylvy—Siddhidasi, Clemence—Klesaghni-bhakti-dasi, and for second initiation: Jaya Govinda dasa, Sadapusta dasa, Paranagara dasa. Instruct the devotees to always chant a minimum of sixteen rounds and to follow the four regulative principles very strictly. One of the GBC or sannyasis may chant on the beads. --- **[1977: Letter to Parvati](letters/1977/770105_parvati)** > If Brahmananda also falls then of course there will be trouble there. What can be done? --- **[1977: Letter to Vegavan](letters/1977/770105_vegavan)** > This is very, very good. I'm very pleased. It is another epoch making event. ---