# January 21 ## Spoken on January 21 *Lectures from this day: 14 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 25.29](spoken/1967/670121cc.sf)** > So we are captivated, *tribhir guṇa-mayī*, as it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* We are captivated by the greatness of the three qualities of nature or the energies of God, and we do not approach God. That is our difficulty. We are simply amazed by seeing the wonderful activities of God's energy. That's all. But we do not approach God. Therefore we are less intelligent. One who does not approach God, simply is captivated by the display of His energy, they are called *śakta. Śakta* means appreciating the strength or the energy of God. That's all. > Supreme position means to come to the point of realization of Brahman. Impersonal realization of Brahman, that is not also a joke. It may be impersonal, but that position is very high. That is accepted. That Vaiṣṇavas, or the personalists, they also accept, "Oh, their position is very high." But the difficulty is that *Bhāgavata* says, *āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ*. --- **[1972: Lecture in Hindi](spoken/1972/720121le.jai)** > So, hearing, one should hear, it is not possible to understand the Supreme Lord by one's own intelligence. *Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido bhavanti hṛt-karṇa-rasāyanāḥ*, even the Lord says that in *sat sanga ine* the association of the saintly people one should [should one] hear about the topics of Him. Not to hear from just a professional. Just like one pays a person to speak, one should also pay for a person to read us the *Bhagavata*. One should hear from the lotus mouth of an experienced devotee of the Lord. *Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvidah*, and by proper hearing in this way one achieves the goal of life. Therefore, Sridhar Swami says *śravanādarādi lakṣaṇāh*, one should listen to discussion about the Supreme Lord with proper respect. > So, Śrīdhara Swami says that *eva aikāntika śreya*, *aitāntika śreya* which is the real auspicious thing and earlier also Suta Goswami has explained to the saintly persons that the questions related to Kṛṣṇa that you have asked, they are *bhavadbhir loka-maṅgalam*. Just by hearing these questions people's lives become auspicious. And further he will says *śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ*. Those who simply engage in hearing and chanting about the Supreme Lord he attain advancement regardless of whether he understands it or not. This chanting of the Hare Kṛṣṇa *maha mantra* that is going on. It makes everyone's life auspicious, gives piety to everyone. That is why it has been said *loka mangalam*. And *śreya*, the credit or spiritual credit received upon hearing the pastimes and discussions about Kṛṣṇa are the topmost *śreya*. Which for now will give no apparent credit but ultimately the practitioner will attain the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Because by executing in only pious activity all the sins become destroyed and then one is inspired within his heart to serve the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord. This is when the devotional service starts in its proper form. --- **[1974: Morning Walk [Partially Recorded]](spoken/1974/740121mw.hon)** > Yes. She was very friendly. Mrs. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.25–30](spoken/1974/740121sb.hon)** > That type of religion is first class which teaches you how to become a lover of God. If you become lover, then your life is successful. Then you'll do everything for God. Otherwise, you'll simply question, "Why shall I do that? Why shall I do that? Why shall I...?" That means there is no love. That is training. Just like a novice is being trained up, and he has no love, so he'll question that "Why shall I do it? Why shall I do it? Why shall I do? What benefit I shall get?" So many questions will be there. But when there is love, there is no question. So therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* after teaching so many things, *yoga, jñāna, karma* and so many other things, at last Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-guhyatamam:* "Now I am speaking to you the most confidential instruction." What is that? *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. This is the most confidential. > That occupational duty is assigned by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. *Tena tyaktena bhuñjīthāḥ* [Īśo*mantra* 1]. Actually, the *dharma* principle, as we learn from *Bhagavad-gītā...* Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. Don't create, manufacture, your principle of religion, concocted. That is the difficulty. *Dharmaṁ hi sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam.* We have several times explained this, that *dharma* means—*dharma,* as it is translated in English, "religion"—religion means to obey the laws of God. That is religion, not a sentimental system of religious system we manufacture. That kind of *dharma* will not help us. Therefore, in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* in the beginning it is said, *dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo 'tra* : --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.46](spoken/1975/750121sb.bom)** > So *yogīs*, the *jñānīs,* they have got their function, to realize the Absolute Truth. Similarly, *bhakta. Bhakta,* they want to worship the Personality of Godhead in a temple just like we are trying to do, to have a temple here nice. We have got already. Our function is going on. But we want to make a very gorgeous place for the Lord. That is the utility of this land: to construct temple for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We have got a tendency to construct house. *Ato gṛha-kṣetra-sutāpta-vittaiḥ.* This material world means first of all we have got desire of sex, mixing together, man and woman. *Puṁsam striyā mithunī-bhāvam etam*. Mithunī-bhāva. Mithunī-bhāva* means sex desires; impelled by sex. That is the central point of this material life. *Yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham*. The central point of material happiness is *maithunādi,* sex impulse—everyone. > Nirbandhaḥ kṛṣṇa-sambandhe yuktaṁ vairāgyam ucyate [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu* 1.2.255]. We do not give up anything; everything Kṛṣṇa's. *Prāpañcikatayā buddhyā hari-sambandhi-vastunaḥ* [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.255]. *Hari-sambandhi-vastunaḥ.* Hari means God, the Supreme Lord. So He has got *sambandha,* relationship, because everything is His energy. Therefore it has got some relationship. Earth, water, air, fire, sky—these are all different energies of Kṛṣṇa: *bhinnā prakṛtir me aṣṭadhā*. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760121mw.may)** > Think that you must be assured that it is going to be finished before the festival. Otherwise don't engage so many men uselessly. Take assurances that it will be finished. Then make so many people engaged. Otherwise there is no need. Only fifty men is sufficient. --- **[1977: Lecture](spoken/1977/770121le.bhu)** > Just like a student is admitted in the school for learning A-B-C-D, and if he follows the rules and regulations and continues his studies regularly, then one day he would be able to pass M.A. examination, so from the very beginning we have to execute these processes. Because our life is impure at the present moment, and we have to purify this life. --- **[1977: Morning Walk](spoken/1977/770121mw.bhu)** > So let us... [car door opens] [break] The people are becoming godless. How much degradation. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770121r1.bhu)** > Pandemonium, yes. This has to be reformed. You cannot avoid these four classes working under the superior instruction of brahminical culture. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770121r2.bhu)** > Kṛṣṇa is never dead. Just like sun. Sun is never out of the sky. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770121r3.bhu)** > No. Sex desire cannot be controlled by ordinary man. That's a fact. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770121r4.bhu)** > Now, this, this is fact, that when this body is no more working, the subtle body carries the soul to another gross body. That they cannot see, but it acts. This science they do not know. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770121r5.bhu)** > Oh, yes. Very nice building. We haven't got such building anywhere. On the waterside, big, big rooms, very nicely decorated, aristocratic, really aristocratic. Really aristocratic. How many devotees are living there? --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770121r6.bhu)** > Yes. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. *Īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam* [Īśo *mantra* 1*]: "Everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa." We are all children. The America is protecting for Americans. "No! No American. Let the Chinese. They are so well congested. The Indians, come on!" You came here. It is not your father's property. Why do you check others, rascal? You stolen this property from the Red Indian, and now you have become proprietor. --- ## Letters on January 21 **[1968: Letter to Advaita](letters/1968/680121_advaita)** > 17, 1968, and I quite approve your planning on becoming a householder, and at the same time serve the cause of our society. A Krishna Conscious member even though he is a householder may spend at least 50% of his income for the society. Srila Rupa Goswami used to distribute his money as follows: 50% for Krishna, 25% for relatives, and 25% for personal emergency expenditures. --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/680121_brahmananda)** > Actually the association of young boys and girls is very much disruptive for Brahmacari life, but in your country it is impossible to stop free mixing of young boys and girls. So voluntarily they have to check these sex desires until they are married. --- **[1968: Letter to Janardana](letters/1968/680121_janardana)** > Regarding your questions about Easy Journey: purusa is Krishna, and Visnu Tattva, Visnu expansions. In *Gita,* in 10th Chapter, it is accepted by Arjuna that Krishna is the Original purusa or predominating factor or the Supreme Enjoyer. --- **[1968: Letter to Rayarama Brahmananda Rupanuga](letters/1968/680121_rayarama_brahmananda_rupanuga)** > I must thank you all, especially since I have received a note from Advaita Brahmacari reading as follows, "Everything is going very well in New York. I am so fortunate to have such sincere God-brothers like Rayarama, Brahmananda, and Rupanuga to help guide me in Your absence." Please continue this spirit of Krishna Consciousness and you will be blessed by Krishna more and more. --- **[1968: Letter to Sivananda](letters/1968/680121_sivananda)** > I shall suggest your vibrator to Gaurasundara; and he will do the needful, because he takes care of my body. --- **[1969: Letter to Gurudasa Yamuna](letters/1969/690121_gurudasa_yamuna)** > I am so glad to understand that as soon as your finances are almost depleted, Krishna sees to everything. If we are sincere, Krishna will supply us with all necessities of life. --- **[1969: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1969/690121_hansadutta)** > Without any license you will have to stop kirtanas immediately if this should happen. In my apartment on the same street as the new house I had the experience that one day there was playing of the mrdanga and immediately there was objection. --- **[1969: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1969/690121_jadurani)** > Regarding Madhavi Lata, it is very difficult to get her to be fixed up into doing constructive work, so I gave her so many paintings to do to get her to utilize her talents in Krishna Consciousness. If you would like her to help you in the paintings for the new book, then it is all right, but you must deal with her very tactfully. --- **[1969: Letter to Kulasekhara](letters/1969/690121_kulasekhara)** > In this age no one is able to remain aloof from the general human society. Therefore one need not go into the forest in a secluded place to try to make spiritual advancement. Much better idea is that one associate with devotees in the Krishna Consciousness Centres; this will bring better spiritual results than living in the forest. --- **[1969: Letter to Mark Buchwald](letters/1969/690121_mark_buchwald)** > Because you have asked me to assign you to some duty, I think that your first duty is to regularly attend all of our classes. Chant Hare Krishna as long as possible, and try to help in the activities of the temple. --- **[1970: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1970/700121_bali-mardana)** > Now the MS of *Krishna* book as well as the pictures, it is not yet settled up where it is to be printed either in Japan or in our own press, but I have acknowledged the letter of Dai Nippon and the copy is enclosed. I understand that you are now preparing for going to Australia, and I am so much glad that you are so enthusiastic in preaching the transcendental cult of Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1970: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1970/700121_jayapataka)** > I am glad to learn that you are realizing about Krishna's providing us with more and more facilities and that you are appreciating for my following purely the instructions of my Spiritual Master. In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is said that one is successful in Krishna consciousness by the combined Mercy of the Spiritual Master and Krishna. --- **[1970: Letter to Madhava Maharaja](letters/1970/700121_madhava_maharaja)** > You will be pleased to know that very recently we are going to send some preachers to Australia. We have got already our center in Tokyo; and I am sending two devotees, one from Tokyo; and another from here, Los Angeles, to Sydney (Australia). --- **[1970: Letter to Unknown](letters/1970/700121_unknown)** > There are many Indians like Mr. B. K. Birla who can help in this connection, but neither I have got any acquaintance with them, nor I am getting any help from India's side in this great propaganda work of Krishna Consciousness Movement which is actually felt by the local people as a major spiritual revolutionary movement. --- **[1970: Letter to Yeager](letters/1970/700121_yeager)** > Upendra is now living with me and he has spoken very nicely about you so some way or other I understand you are interested in Krishna Consciousness and this is a good sign and opportunity. Please try to understand the philosophy with all your reason and faith; and as you have inquired from me I shall try my best to convince you in the subject. --- **[1971: Letter to Advaita](letters/1971/710121_advaita)** > "YOUR LETTER JANUARY EIGHTH APPROVED—A C BHAKTIVEDANTA SWAMI" I hope you have received it by this time and done the needful. I am so glad the press workers have become enlivened in their work. --- **[1971: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1971/710121_bhagavan)** > That you are receiving so much coverage on television is very encouraging, especially that in Cleveland your response was so good that they set up another interview. When there is repetition like that, it shows great appreciation. --- **[1971: Letter to Bhavananda](letters/1971/710121_bhavananda)** > So far as touching the Deity is concerned, that can be done only by the priest. Only on very special occasions are others allowed to touch the Deity. --- **[1971: Letter to Gopala Krsna](letters/1971/710121_gopala_krsna)** > Some improvements in the format of the magazine can be made though. For our English edition I have instructed Satsvarupa that there should only be one article by myself no more than four pages in length and that the remainder of the magazine should be made up of articles by our students. --- **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/710121_satsvarupa)** > I beg to thank you very much for the magazine interview. You have so rightly said, "It's a hellish life without Krsna." These words of yours have pleased me so much. --- **[1971: Letter to Sri Govinda](letters/1971/710121_sri_govinda)** > I am glad to see that incense distribution is increasing and your method of distribution, that is with our literature prasadam, etc. I am especially pleased at how you are distributing our books, particularly to the schools and universities. --- **[1972: Letter to Chaturbhuj](letters/1972/720121_chaturbhuj)** > Lord Caitanya met Moulana in Sara, U.P., not at Allahabad. His process was to take a quotation from the Koran and convince the Moulana that Krishna Consciousness or pure love of Godhead in mood of selfless devotional service is the ultimate goal of life. --- **[1972: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1972/720121_jayapataka)** > Regarding Mayapur festival, if we cannot do anything there, then because there is very good prospect in Africa I may remain there and not return to India. I especially wanted to stay in India for this Mayapur celebration, but if there is no scope, or if our men are not able to do anything, then I can return via Africa. --- **[1972: Letter to Sudama](letters/1972/720121_sudama)** > The tapes which you have sent have been duly received, but I think we shall require many more before leaving India, so if you can provide in the same way as before, please do it. You may send marked clearly "Gift Parcel, No Commercial Value" to Bombay address. --- **[1972: Letter to Upendra](letters/1972/720121_upendra)** > The Los Angeles temple is our ISKCON standard, so as far as possible you may build in that way. I have had many requests from many students for a list of holidays and festival days. --- **[1972: Letter to Vamanadeva](letters/1972/720121_vamanadeva)** > I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of 1-3-72, and I am pleased to note that you are happy to be engaged in working on the new ISKCON school in Dallas as maintenance man and carpenter, I have no objection if GBC men have approved your closing of Oklahoma City center and moving to Dallas. --- **[1975: Letter to Amsu](letters/1975/750121_amsu)** > No matter what the conditions, still a devotee will always try his best to please his spiritual master and Krishna. --- **[1975: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1975/750121_madhudvisa)** > If we can produce milk products and grain, there will be grand success. I was so much pleased with your book distribution there. --- **[1975: Letter to Niranjana](letters/1975/750121_niranjana)** > Thank you very much for translating my books. For the translation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you can say either Paramesvara or Bhagavan. Paramatma or Antaryami is good for localized Super-soul. --- **[1975: Letter to Radhavallabha](letters/1975/750121_radhavallabha)** > Regarding the book on Kapila's philosophy, you can call it "the Sankhya Philosophy of Kapila, (the Son of Devahuti)". --- **[1975: Letter to Vijaya](letters/1975/750121_vijaya)** > I hope that everything is going nicely there in Fiji. You are a devotee, so this is the process, yasya prasadad bhagavata prasadao. --- **[1976: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1976/760121_rupanuga)** > Madhudvisa Swami has come here from Australia and as he is free I am sending him to New York. I have discussed with him how I want my rooms to be. ---