# February 9 ## Spoken on February 9 *Lectures from this day: 5 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.77–81](spoken/1967/670209cc.sf)** > So that is the representation of Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He says that "My Guru Mahārāja found Me..." It is better if you remain a fool always before your spiritual master. Then you'll make advance. And if you think yourself, even for a moment, that "I know something more than my spiritual master," you are fallen. This is called *vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru nandana*. That one vow, that "I have to follow the order of my spiritual...," that will make you advanced. > Caitanya Mahāprabhu is explaining His position, why He's chanting this transcendental vibration, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. The reason is that *Vedānta* philosophy, because the Māyāvādī *sannyāsīns...* The *Vedānta* philosophy actually belongs to the Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya, because it was compiled by Vyāsadeva, who is the original spiritual master of this Vaiṣṇava-sampradāya. Of course, the Māyāvādī philosophers, they also accept Vyāsadeva as their original spiritual master, but they have interpreted Vyāsadeva's views; therefore they are not considered to be bona fide disciples. --- **[1969: Lecture [Partially Recorded](spoken/1969/690209le.la)** > Therefore our first relief, guaranteed relief, is this shelter of Kṛṣṇa. If we take shelter of Kṛṣṇa, even there is some deficiencies in the matter of protecting us, Kṛṣṇa will save. Therefore we should depend on Kṛṣṇa. That is called *śaraṇāgati,* surrender, to believe that "Kṛṣṇa will give us protection." Without Kṛṣṇa's protection, no other protection is valid. There is no guarantee. So in every way we shall surrender to Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa also guarantees, *ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi*. Our sufferings are due to our sinful activities. So Kṛṣṇa gives guarantee that *ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi:* "I shall save you from all kinds of sinful reaction." > So Kṛṣṇa's part and parcel, also one with Kṛṣṇa. In the spiritual world there is no two. All one, one unit. This will take time to understand. Theoretically we can understand. And here, in this material world, we are all separated. Therefore, just like if electric bulbs are separated from the powerhouse practically it has no value, similarly, so long we are separated from Kṛṣṇa, we have no value. *Sthānād bhraṣṭāḥ patanty adhaḥ*. *Sthānād bhraṣṭāḥ patanty adhaḥ. Sthānāt* means from the right position one falls down. --- **[1974: Room Conversation](spoken/1974/740209r1.vrn)** > Guest (3):...stay at Rādhā-Rāmaṇa in Puruṣottama Gosvāmī's old house, in Rādhā-Rāmaṇa. Lately I'm staying at Bon Mahārāja's *āśrama.* [indistinct] [break] --- **[1975: Arrival Address & Hari Hari Biphale Janama](spoken/1975/750209ar.la)** > So intelligence means to find out Kṛṣṇa. In the *Īśopani..., Īśo,* it is stated that "My dear Lord, please wind up Your these dazzling rays so that I can actually see Your face." Within *brahma-jyoti* the Kṛṣṇa is there. So Kṛṣṇa can be seen only by service. You cannot challenge Kṛṣṇa, "Kṛṣṇa, come here. I shall see You." No. That is not possible. You have to submit. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. That is the way. You have to surrender. So long you don't surrender, that is up to you. Kṛṣṇa will not force you. He is almighty, He can force you, but He does not do that. He says, "You do this. If you do not do it, that is your business. But I say you do it." > After that, after being *brahma-bhūtaḥ-samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām—*then *bhakti* life begins. After being liberated, after being self-realized, then *bhakti* begins. And as soon as *bhakti* begins, then you understand Kṛṣṇa. *Bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ*. You cannot understand Kṛṣṇa by any other process—by *jñāna,* by *yoga,* by *tapasya,* by *karma,* by sacrifice, by charity. You cannot understand. Simply, Kṛṣṇa says, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti.* If you want to know Kṛṣṇa as He is, then you have to take to this process, very simple process, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru* : "Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me and offer your respectful obeisances unto Me." Four things. That is here. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. That will be thinking of Kṛṣṇa, *man-manā.* And unless you are devotee, you cannot engage your time in that way. Then if you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa *mahā-mantra,* automatically you become devotee. Then you worship Deity. Unless you are a devotee, you cannot worship Kṛṣṇa. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760209mw.may)** > Māyā* is very strong. Therefore there are gradual process. *Varṇāśrama-dharma, karma-tyāga,* this, that, so many things, pious activities, rituals. But this is the process, step by step, to cross over *māyā.* But Kṛṣṇa said, *mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te.* Anyone who surrenders to Kṛṣṇa sincerely, immediately he crosses over. As Kṛṣṇa says in another place, *ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi* : "I'll do immediately." So *māyā* means *pāpa.* Unless one is sinful, he cannot be in *māyā.* So if one surrenders, then he, means, immediately crosses over *māyā.* So these *smārta brāhmaṇas,* they consider this thing. They are thinking, "How a person born in other families, they can become *brāhmaṇa*?" > Now just like here is a gap. So you can go by the bridge, and if you can jump over, that is also going. That is also going. So to become Kṛṣṇa conscious means to jump over to the spiritual platform immediately. And this *varṇāśrama-dharma, sannyāsa, varṇa-tyāga, karma-tyāga,* these are different steps only. But if you become Kṛṣṇa conscious seriously, then you jump over all these steps; you go immediately. That lift and the staircase. By staircase you go step by step; by lift you can go immediately, faster. --- ## Letters on February 9 *Letters from this day: 12* --- **[1969: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1969/690209_hansadutta)** > I am pleased to note that you are seeing into obtaining a dictaphone for helping me in preparing so many Krishna Consciousness literatures. --- **[1969: Letter to Himavati](letters/1969/690209_himavati)** > I am glad to know that you are anxious to begin tending the Deities in grand style and fashion. --- **[1969: Letter to Mukunda Colin Jury](letters/1969/690209_mukunda_colin_jury)** > Pending your searching out a suitable temple-house, immediately rent a suitable apartment for me from the 1st of March, 1969, and on hearing from you, I shall start for London by the end of this month. --- **[1969: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1969/690209_rayarama)** > Regarding Back To Godhead, the advertisements which you are now getting, especially the hippie advertisements, are not very good. But so far as I understand, if we stop the advertisements immediately, the publication would be stopped altogether. --- **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/710209_satsvarupa)** > I hope that everything is going on well there with the production of Bhagavad-gita. In this regards please make the following addition to the text: --- **[1976: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1976/760209_brahmananda)** > It is good that you are paying your debt to the BBT. Please continue to do that. --- **[1976: Letter to David Alan Ladner](letters/1976/760209_david_alan_ladner)** > It is very nice that you chant and take prasadam with our devotees in Berkeley. Please continue to chant Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare and your life will most certainly become perfect. Actually real peace is to spread this chanting everywhere. --- **[1976: Letter to Members Of The Family Of Hirjibhai Gelabhai Baba](letters/1976/760209_members_of_the_family_of_hirjibhai_gelabhai_baba)** > I am very sorry to learn that His Holiness Hirji Baba has recently disappeared from this material world. --- **[1976: Letter to Morris Lapidus](letters/1976/760209_morris_lapidus)** > Since we have already moved to our new location and everything is going on according to our standard program, we cannot possibly think of moving again or purchasing another building. Actually it is out of the question altogether. --- **[1976: Letter to Vakresvara](letters/1976/760209_vakresvara)** > Thank you for the sentiments you have expressed. As far as serving me is concerned, you should chant 16 rounds of the Hare Krishna maha-mantra and obey the four restrictions—no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication, and no illicit sex life. Also as much as possible go to our temple in Mexico City, nearby you, and associate with the devotees there. --- **[1977: Letter to Mr. Sarkar](letters/1977/770209_mr._sarkar)** > Regarding your proposed Hare Nama Sankirtana, please accept my well wishes for your sincere endeavor. --- **[1977: Letter to Sajjanasraya](letters/1977/770209_sajjanasraya)** > I think it is best that you come to Mayapur for the Gour Purnima Festival and we can talk in detail about the temple and preaching in Fiji and your part in it. You have asked a number of questions and they can be answered then. ---