# January 17 ## Spoken on January 17 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.21](spoken/1970/700117sb.la)** > These things are very important. Now people sometimes ask me that "Swāmījī, why you are after marriage?" But that is necessity. Unless you get yourself married, then practically you will be living with a prostitute. And if you live with a prostitute, then all the regulative principles you will not be able to follow, one after another. You will not be... And if you cannot follow the regulative principles then you cannot advance yourself to the transcendental platform, one after another. Therefore we stress that a boy, a *brahmacārī*, who feels that he cannot keep himself, or he cannot pull on the life of celibacy, he can marry himself. But don't indulge in illicit sex life. That will spoil your life. This is very important point. > Dāna, pratigraha:* and a *brāhmaṇa* is not supposed to accumulate money. According to Indian language, there is a proverb: the *brāhmaṇa* is a beggar even if he gets one *lakh* of rupees or hundreds thousands of dollars. He remains a beggar. Because even if he gets 100,000 dollar in a day, he should spend it for Kṛṣṇa. He cannot keep it as his personal bank balance for utilizing it for sense gratification. No. Whatever he gets, he should spend for Kṛṣṇa. That is called *dāna.* And *pratigraha,* and because he is keeping himself always helpless, therefore he can accept any charity given to him by others. These are the four principles of living condition of a *brāhmaṇa*. --- **[1971: Lecture in Hindi](spoken/1971/710117le.all)** > So the words of Caitanya Mahāprabhu that: *janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra* [*Cc. Ādi* 9.41]. India has got the potency that everyone here can make one's life perfect. [coughs] Why? Just like *Bhagavad-gītā*. *Bhagavad-gītā* is the first book of the Monarchical realm. Just like we say [in hindi] "a", "aa", "e", "au", [in English] A, B, C, D, it is the first book from the time of Monarchy. Why is it the first book? What is the first lesson imparted in *Bhagavad-gītā*? It is that "you are not this body". *Dehātma-buddhi* [Bodily Consciousness]. What is going on in the world?—*dehātma-buddhi*. *Yasyātma-buddhi-kuṇape tri-dhātuke* "I identify myself with a bag of these three elements, mucus, bile and air". Just to eradicate this illusion of misidentifying body with the self, Lord Kṛṣṇa informed Arjuna from the very beginning that "though you are speaking with me like a highly learned man, you are a fool number one". > Only those whose sinful actions are completely eradicated can do *bhagavad-bhajana* with determination. Therefore kindly try for this. These four types of sinful activities—*striya-sūnā-pāna-dyūta yatra pāpāś catur-vidhā* —have to be given up. This is the subject of our preaching, and we preach this wherever we go. So you have your *kīrtana* party, you continue the *kīrtana*, and along with that you preach how to stop these sinful activities so that it works quickly and you can attain God in this life only. No expectations for the next life, because "to attain God" is not an ordinary thing. --- **[1971: Room Conversation](spoken/1971/710117r1.all)** > "In order to understand *tat* knowledge one must approach a spiritual master." *Gacchet.* If you don't accept these principles, then how you can make progress? *Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsur śreya uttamam*. If you don't accept this principle, there is no possibility. Then you can go on thinking in your own way. There is no question of going to anyone. You make yourself perfect by thinking, as many others are doing, speculating. That is possible. But never to the perfectional [indistinct]. > But people are being misled that he is thinking God himself, although he is under so many restrictions and stricture of the material nature. *Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāṇi guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ, ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā*. He is so foolish and rascal that he is thinking, "I am independent." *Ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā karta aham iti manyate.* He is strictly under the stringent laws of material nature, but still, he is thinking falsely that "I am supreme. I am independent." So therefore surrender required, that "I am not supreme." --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.2.12–14 at Māgha-melā](spoken/1971/710117sb.all)** > Amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ. Sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ.* In the *Bhagavad-gītā* Śrī Kṛṣṇa says, *sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ*. If you practice in your life chanting the holy name of Kṛṣṇa... I remember one of our teachers in our school life, he instructed that "If you always think that 'I shall pass my examination with distinction,' then you can pass in first division. If you think that 'I shall pass my examination in the first division,' then you may pass in the third division. And if you think that 'I shall some way pass my examination in the third division,' then you will fail." That means if you expect more than your capacity, then it may be possible that at the time of examination you get the right number and pass your exam. > Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum* Viṣṇu, God, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They do not know that the real interest is to go back home, go back to Godhead. *Durāśayā ye bahir-artha-māninaḥ.* They have accepted that "We shall be happy by adjusting this material world." Therefore they cannot make any progress. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.21](spoken/1974/740117sb.hon)** > So *śāstra* says that "Everyone, every living entity, has got a general tendency for these things: sex life, meat-eating and drinking." Then where is the need of *śāstric* injunction? That *śāstric* injunction is there not to encourage them, but to restrict them. In the human life, *pravṛttir eṣā bhūtānāṁ nivṛttis tu mahā-phalā* [*Manu Smṛti* 5.56]. You have got a tendency for sex life, take for example. This is your tendency. But if you can check it, that is your success. Not that because you have got tendency, you have to increase it. That is not human civilization. Human civilization means we have got so many animal propensities, and if we can control them, that is advancement of human civilization. Just try to understand. Not that "Because I have got this tendency, let me increase it without any restriction." That is not human civilization. Human civilization... That is the distinction between animal and human being. *Tapasā brahmacaryeṇa jñānena*. Therefore first beginning of human life... > The main problem is *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi*. That is main problem. So our cultivation of knowledge, advancement of civilization, should be on the basis of solving the main problems, *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi,* not the temporary problem. For the temporary problems, it is advised that the temporary problems, they come and go. Just like nowadays there is the petrol problem. Petrol is there, but because the Arabians are restricting supply, it has become a problem. So there are, as soon as there will be some peace agreement between the Arabians and others, this problem will be solved. Take for example. Best example is given in the *Bhagavad-gītā, śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ*. You can solve your petrol problem, but you can never solve the problem of winter and summer. That will come and go. So it is not that winter will remain for good, or the summer will remain for good. *Āgamāpāyino 'nityāḥ.* They will come and go away. So don't be bothered about them. If you feel botheration, just try to suffer or tolerate. That is not your real problem. Real problem is how to stop the birth, death, old age and disease, and that is Vedic civilization, and that is depending on the brahminical culture. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.42](spoken/1975/750117sb.bom)** > So we have to understand, as Kṛṣṇa says, *bījo 'haṁ sarva-bhūtānām:* "I am the seed." Such subtle things, how it is coming out? In the small seed what is the chemical composition? You put the seed, sow the seed, anywhere and put little water, that *tejo-vāri-mṛd-vinimayaḥ,* but the things are coming out differently. How the variety is possible? Therefore we cannot mix up. There is rose scent within the earth. Otherwise wherefrom the rose is getting its scent? There is. *Puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṁ ca*. > His energy is working in such subtle way, mysterious way. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is known as Yogeśvara. So the same earth, same water, but the seed different, so one tree is coming to produce chili, another tree is coming out to produce tomato, another tree is coming out to produce mango. Different taste. Mango is sweet, tomato is sour, chili is pungent. But these things are required, varieties. Although the source is one... Source is one—the earth—but the earth contains all other five elements. *Kṣitir āp tejo vāri mṛd vyoma.* Everything is there in the earth. Everything is there, and by the expert handling of the *prakṛti,* and behind the *prakṛti,* Kṛṣṇa, varieties of things are coming. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness: how things are coming by the handling, expert handling of Kṛṣṇa. *Mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram*. --- **[1976: Morning Walk Tour of Māyāpur Grounds](spoken/1976/760117mw.may)** > Prabhupāda: You cannot utilize it for different crops. Only one you can.Jayapatākā:> You can only use for, in the rainy season, for some type of rice, and then now wheat, two crops.Indian man (3):[Transl. *Boro [marsh rice has started now]. You can grow Boro rice.] Gur [juggery]? Jayapatākā: Winter rice, he is saying, boro rice.Prabhupāda: Oh. *[Transl.*What is the price you want?][Transl. *What price you want?][Transl.*I already told you that it will cost about three and half thousand rupees.] > Now, taking instruction from Mādhava Mahārāja, you should be careful about purchasing land. People are very cunning. [break] > Subhaga:* [Transl.Not everywhere is like this Prabhupāda. Only here it is like this. Later you will have problem whatever you may say.] [break]...filling up the road? No. You have taken earth from here. --- **[1976: Lecture](spoken/1976/760117r1.may)** > "I shall give you all protection. I shall supply whatever you want," Kṛṣṇa said. So I shall do such thing when Kṛṣṇa will be my protector and supplier and everything. He is all-powerful, so He will do that—if I require. I don't require anything. I... Simply I have to become a sincere, pure devotee. But if I require something, it will come from Kṛṣṇa. Why shall I try for it? A rich man's son, he doesn't do anything for earning money. He knows, "My father is rich, and as soon as I require money, he will give me. So why shall I become a big, big businessman and become a *karmī*?" *Tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatām upāry adhaḥ*. You try for that thing which you did not achieve so long, even if you have traveled from different species of life, different planets. For that thing you try, which you have not achieved. Simply you have become implicated. > No, we don't want. Then what do you want? *Mama janmani janmanīśvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaitukī.* Without any motive let me become a sincere devotee of Lord. I don't want. That is perfection. Disgusted. *Āra nāre bāpa*. [CB *Madhya-khaṇḍa* 13.225] No more. Everything useless. --- **[1976: Speech [Partially Recorded](spoken/1976/760117se.may)** > So you have come from all parts of the world and living together in this temple. So train these small boys. I am very glad, especially, to see that the small children from all other countries and Indian, Bengalis, all together, forgetting their bodily consciousness. That is the greatest achievement in this movement, that everyone forgets the bodily conception of life. Nobody thinks here as "European," "American," "Indian," "Hindu," "Muslim," "Christian." They forget all these designation, and simply they are ecstatic in chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra.*So kindly what you have begun, do not break it. Continue it very jubilantly. And Caitanya Mahāprabhu, the master of Māyāpur, He will be very much pleased upon you, and ultimately you will go back to home, back to Godhead. --- ## Letters on January 17 *Letters from this day: 13* --- **[1968: Letter to S.S.M. Dave](letters/1968/680117_s.s.m._dave)** > Nehru, Governor of Assam, who can give you a first hand knowledge in the matter of my movement of Krishna Consciousness in this country. --- **[1968: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1968/680117_satsvarupa)** > I thank you very much for your kind words, and you can pray to Krishna that I may be for some time with you. I have no objection to death, I am old man; still I wish to live because I want to see that the mission and missionaries I have started may be still more stronger before I leave. --- **[1970: Letter to Mr. Kugimoto](letters/1970/700117_mr._kugimoto)** > Please refer to your letter No. ODB-K5-Q/69-1037, dated 19 November, 1969 Re: Estimate / Krishna Picture Book. I duly received it through my disciple Mr. William Berke. --- **[1971: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1971/710117_karandhara)** > I am very pleased that you are regularly sending Dai Nippon for my "Bhaktivedanta Book Fund Deposit." Thank you very much for this good work. According to our account based upon Dai Nippon Credit Notes the total deposit up to and including the latest (No. --- **[1972: Letter to Abhirama](letters/1972/720117_abhirama)** > Upon your recommendation, I have accepted Jim and Michelle Conway as my duly initiated disciples, and their letter follows. --- **[1972: Letter to Annuttama Das Brahmachary](letters/1972/720117_annuttama_das_brahmachary)** > Upon the recommendation of Damodar I have gladly consented to accept you as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1972: Letter to Jayapataka Bhavananda](letters/1972/720117_jayapataka_bhavananda)** > So far Acyutananda's book is concerned, I have already written that you should try to collect at least 50% of the printing costs there, and all of the costs if you can, but the Book Fund, if absolutely necessary, will pay up to 50%. So far the other books in English which you mention, if you find a good printer you may order the plates to be sent here from Karandhara and they must be printed immediately. --- **[1972: Letter to Ranadhira](letters/1972/720117_ranadhira)** > By fixing your attention in this way, worrying how He will be pleased with me, you will naturally very soon reach the supreme highest perfection of life which is pure Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1974: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1974/740117_gurudasa)** > I was surprised that Tamala Krsna Goswami and you all are contemplating cancelling the Vrindaban touring of our devotees going to Mayapur. In my opinion it must be carried out. --- **[1975: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1975/750117_brahmananda)** > If Karandhara can continue to pay the 9,000 dollars monthly, then what is the necessity of change? Let him continue. --- **[1975: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1975/750117_hansadutta)** > All money that is collected on behalf of the Food Relief program should be sent to India. That money (700,000 dm) that has been blocked up in the bank account there, as soon as it is freed, you should send whatever portion of it was collected on behalf of food distribution program to India. --- **[1975: Letter to Prajapati](letters/1975/750117_prajapati)** > You can come to the Mayapur festival and stay until the Vrndavana festival if possible. Regarding your plane fare to India, it will be best if you can collect that money by selling some books on sankirtana. --- **[1975: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1975/750117_rupanuga)** > Why is it that money that has been collected on behalf of ISKCON Food Relief program has not been sent to India? ---