# February 11 ## Spoken on February 11 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1969: Lecture [Partially Recorded](spoken/1969/690211le.la)** > You'll have no opportunity to talk nonsense or to eat nonsense. Then your life becomes advanced immediately fifty percent. If you can control the tongue, then you control all the senses. If you cannot control the tongue, then you cannot control other senses. Therefore it is said, *protkhāta-daṁṣṭrāyate,* the poison teeth is taken. > A serpent without poison teeth. Suppose we are sitting here. If you find a serpent here, you'll be all afraid, and the whole meeting will be disturbed: "There is a serpent." But if you know that serpent has no poison teeth, you'll not be disturbed. If his poison teeth is broken... Sometimes for medical purpose the serpent's poison teeth is taken away, to take that, what is called, anti-venom, anti-venom injection they prepare. So serpent is dangerous on account of these poison teeth. --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.3.18](spoken/1971/710211sb.gor)** > So enemies there will be. Because he has got enemy, therefore it is not that he is *kṛṣṇa-bhakta.* He is *kṛṣṇa-bhakta,* even having his enemies, just like Kṛṣṇa, despite having enemies, is Kṛṣṇa. But the difference is that Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa's *bhakta* will never be defeated by the enemies. That is the distinction. Enemies may have, but he will never be defeated. God or God's devotee cannot be defeated by the enemies. Otherwise, Kṛṣṇa's declaration will be false. He says, *kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati*. > Because the Ajāmila was practically the only case who was taken from the clutches of the Yamadūta. Otherwise, there is no need of their coming. But there are still devotees. Just like Kṛṣṇa says, *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti* : "After leaving this body they do not come again to take birth in this material world, but they come to Me." --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 3.36–37](spoken/1973/730211bg.mel)** > Generally, in the higher planetary system they are more intelligent than the human being. *Ūrdhvaṁ gacchanti sattva-sthāḥ*. Those who are on the platform of goodness, *ūrdhvaṁ gacchanti,* they are promoted to the higher planetary system. Above our planet there are so many other planets. This is called Bhūr-loka. Above this, Bhuvar-loka; there is Svargaloka, then Janaloka, then Tapoloka, then Maharloka, then Satyaloka, then there is spiritual sky. Then there is spiritual planet. There are so many things. > We have nothing to learn; it is already there. The *kāma*, the lust, is there. *Krodha* is there, *lobha* is there, greediness is there. Everything should be changed for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction. So you cannot manufacture, that "I am doing this for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction." It must be confirmed by Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa's representative. Then such kind of activities will lead you to the highest perfection of life. That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā*. What is that highest perfection of life? The highest perfection of life is *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti* : after giving up... --- **[1974: Appearance Day of Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura](spoken/1974/740211ba.vrn)** > But I should like to express the importance of this day in a different way which is more dear to me. I should like to say that on this day was born a great spiritual scientist, a great spiritual alchemist, who worked wonders with the science of spiritual alchemy. You know the science of alchemy changes baser metals into gold and silver. Now this spiritual alchemist had the wonderful power of changing baser men into superior men. Of changing sinners into saints, of changing nonbelievers into believers. Non-Vaisnava's into Vaisnavas and when I say this, I speak from my personal experience. Should I tell you, that I was a very different man some 45 years ago. I was a rank ah, rank ah, I shouldn't say non-believer, but I was a rank Māyāvādī. A firm believer in the doctrine of Advaita-ism. As a student of philosophy and as a favorite student of Dr Reddy the head of the philosophy Department of Allahabad University. I had come to believe that there was no philosophy on the face of earth higher than the philosophy of Advaita-ism. The philosophy of Māyāvād and there was no end superior to the end of the attainment of *nirvikul samādhi* in which one realises one's complete identity with Brahma. [break] > So by the grace of Caitanya Mahāprabhu and my Guru Mahārāja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, we have made a ground, at least. We have got now one hundred branches all over the world, and especially in Europe and America, Australia, and Japan—everywhere—from Scandinavia down to Melbourne, north and south, and all over the world. So these boys are now present here. They have learned how to chant, how to dance, how to offer *āratrik* to the Deity. We have got Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, Jagannātha Deity in all our temples, besides Guru-Gauranga. So it is..., it was the desire of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura. So although my kind Godbrothers like Dr. Kapoor, he said that I am doing wonderful, actually I do not know any magic art to do this wonderful, but just I am trying to follow the footsteps of my Guru Mahārāja. That's all. But in the *śāstras* we see that, --- **[1975: Arrival Lecture [with Spanish translator](spoken/1975/750211ar.mex)** > My dear devotees, ladies and gentlemen, I am very glad to see you again, I think after four years? Three years. I was trying to come here again—I like this place—but due to various engagements and due to my old age also, I could not come earlier. --- **[1975: Bhagavad-gītā 2.11 [with Spanish translator](spoken/1975/750211bg.mex)** > [01:30] [translated throughout into Spanish] > śrī bhagavān uvāca > aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ > prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase > gatāsūn agatāsūṁś ca > nānuśocanti paṇḍitāḥ > [[bg/2/11|[Bg. 2.11] ]] *Śrī bhagavān uvāca.* Bhagavān means the Supreme Being. In the English dictionary when you consult the word *God,* it is stated there, "the Supreme Being." What is that Supreme Being? --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.4](spoken/1976/760211sb.may)** > We should not become servant to make some material profit. He is not; he is not *śuddha-bhakta. Sa vai vaṇik,* Prahlāda Mahārāja. So anyone who serves Kṛṣṇa for some material benefit, *sa vai vaṇik.* Material benefit means, that *śāstra,* Kṛṣṇa says that *patraṁ puspaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati*. So many person comes in the temple for some material benefit. They surrender to the saintly person for some material benefit: "Give me *āśīrbād,* benediction." "What benediction?" "I have got ten thousand rupees. Make it one *lakh* by your benediction." So these kind of devotees have been described by Prahlāda Mahārāja as *vaṇik, vaṇīya,* mercantile. Therefore merchant people, they want to invest two rupees and make..., want to make profit ten rupees. So offering Kṛṣṇa little flower and fruit, they want to get some horses and elephants, you see, or very big estate. This is not devotion. *Anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam* [Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu1.1.11].* Our position is eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa's position is eternal master. *Bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram*. He is the enjoyer. He is the proprietor. That is eternally: He is master, and we are eternally servant. If you keep this position, that is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. > If one can understand *nitya-siddha bhāgavata,* then he immediately becomes eligible to go back to home, to back to Godhead. This is the privilege of associating with *mahā-bhāgavata.* So our system is... [child crying] [aside:] Try and maintain[?]. *Evaṁ paramparā,* to associate with the *mahā-bhāgavata* by words or by physical exposition. So *mahā-bhāgavata, arbhakaḥ.* One may argue, *arbhakaḥ* means foolish child who has no knowledge, he is called *arbhakaḥ.* How he becomes *mahā-bhāgavata, arbhakaḥ,* he has no knowledge? No. It is possible. *Ahaituky apratihatā. *Bhakti* does not depend on age or on advanced knowledge, or richness, or so many other things—*janmaiśvarya-śruta-śrī , to take birth in high family, aristocracy, and to become rich, to become beautiful, to become very learned scholar. These things are material assets, but spiritual life does not depend on these things. One can become spiritually very advanced even though he is poor, he is born in a low..., low-grade family. Just like Haridāsa Ṭhākura. He was born in Muhammadan family, but *mahā-bhāgavata.* There are so many examples. Not that because he was born in a Muhammadan family, therefore he cannot. This *Smārtaism* is like that, but actually it is not. *Ahaituky apratihatā. Bhakti* is so purifying that any condition, any circumstances, one can become devotee. --- ## Letters on February 11 *Letters from this day: 18* --- **[1967: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1967/670211_gargamuni)** > I am anxious to hear from you about the clogging of the tapes in dictaphone. Please ask the supplier why it is clogging at the end say from.25 to.30 situation. --- **[1967: Letter to Jadurani Rayarama](letters/1967/670211_jadurani_rayarama)** > If Kirtanananda goes to Montreal you can give him one Visnu Picture. I hope you have received the Visnu names sent by me. --- **[1967: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1967/670211_kirtanananda)** > I hope you have by this time received my former letter and the package of lectures for editing. --- **[1967: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1967/670211_rupanuga)** > Certainly this situation would have been a little troublesome for me because I am old man. --- **[1969: Letter to Angelo Cummings](letters/1969/690211_angelo_cummings)** > The construction of the houses is already under way because Nara Narayana has already submitted to me some plans along with an estimate of the needed finances. --- **[1969: Letter to Cidananda](letters/1969/690211_cidananda)** > It is understood that you and Mulgi ba have been collecting for the new temple, but I do not know who is keeping account of this money. --- **[1969: Letter to Upendra](letters/1969/690211_upendra)** > I thank you very much for the humble sentiments which you have expressed, and I am sure that Lord Nityananda is seeing your sincerity and will be pleased to bless you. --- **[1970: Letter to Balmukundji Parikh](letters/1970/700211_balmukundji_parikh)** > According to our Sastras, the brahmacaris, the vanaprasthas, and the sannyasis are allowed to collect alms and are considered as the children of the society, which is composed of householders. In other words, our Vedic civilization is the most perfect community project. Only the grhasthas are supposed to earn money, especially the ksatriyas and the vaisyas, and the money is distributed community-wide. --- **[1970: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1970/700211_gurudasa)** > Regarding Visnujana's call to London, he has already replied in Tamala & Mukunda's letter with statement of Visnujana himself. --- **[1970: Letter to Harer Nama](letters/1970/700211_harer_nama)** > Actually, Sankirtana is our life and soul, and if we execute this transcendental business in all earnestness, then there will be no difficulty in any way. We should not pray to Krishna anything except to ask to engage in His service. If we are engaged in His service then automatically everything will be revealed. --- **[1971: Letter to Danavir](letters/1971/710211_danavir)** > I am very glad to accept you as my initiated disciple and I have duly chanted your beads which are returned to you herewith. Danavir means "Hero of charities." Now be very firm in your determination to carry out your devotional duties the first of which is to chant sixteen rounds of the Hare Krsna Mahamantra daily, without committing the ten kinds of offenses to the Holy name and strictly regulating your life to the four principles of no meats, fish or eggs eating; no gambling; no illicit sex-life and no taking of intoxicants. --- **[1971: Letter to Tradhis Nagapatni](letters/1971/710211_tradhis_nagapatni)** > I am very glad to accept you both, husband and wife, as my initiated disciples. I have chanted your beads duly and they are returned to you herewith. --- **[1973: Letter to Guru-Gauranga](letters/1973/730211_guru-gauranga)** > I am very much encouraged to hear of your increased Sankirtana movement and your return to Geneva to open up still another chapter in Lord Caitanya's conquest of the world. --- **[1973: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1973/730211_nityananda)** > I can see from your account that everything is being conducted in a first class fashion and if you continue to spread Lord Caitanya's movement in this way your life will also become glorious. --- **[1973: Letter to Tosana](letters/1973/730211_tosana)** > Your dedication to Srimati Tulasi-devi is very laudable and I am sure that if you consult with Karandhara das he will give you all assistance to help make your dream come true. But whatever you do should be done with wholehearted enthusiasm and strict adherence to the principles of chanting 16 rounds, rising for *mangala arati,* following the four basic principles, always remaining clean etc. --- **[1976: Letter to Cyavana](letters/1976/760211_cyavana)** > I was informed about your coming to Calcutta, and I understood that you were coming to see me. --- **[1976: Letter to Madhavananda](letters/1976/760211_madhavananda)** > In India we haven't established a very strong distribution, but I want to organize sales here. Please consider this, and if you have any suggestions how to do it, please give them to me. --- **[1976: Letter to Svarupa Damodara](letters/1976/760211_svarupa_damodara)** > Regarding your initial points you may refer to my previous letter dated 29th January, 1976. ---