# February 21 ## Spoken on February 21 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.3.28–29](spoken/1971/710221sb.gor)** > That here are the description of the *duṣṭān*, or the rogues. What is that? *Jihvā na vakti bhagavad-guṇa-nāmadheyaṁ.* The one class of *duṣṭān* or rogue is he whose tongue is never used in glorifying the qualities or the pastimes of the Lord. *Guṇa-nāmadheyaṁ. Guṇa* means, "Qualities." The so-called transcendentalists, they say that the Absolute Truth is *nirguṇa*. Where is how to describe *nirguṇa* and *nirākāra*. Now here it is said: *guṇa-nāmadheyaṁ*. *Nāma*, they say God can not have any name, but here it is distinctly said: *guṇa-nāmadheyaṁ*. "God has got His qualities, transcendental qualities, and He has got His name also." Otherwise where is the possibility of chanting the name of holy name of God or where is the possibility of discussing the glorious qualities of the Lord? Here it is distinction: *jihvā na vakti bhagavad, guṇa-nāmadheyaṁ*. Qualitative business, *bhagavad*, "Of the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Anyone who does not utter the holy name of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, any man who does not discuss the glories, the glorious pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, *jihvā*, and these things are done by the tongue. *Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau*. "God realization begins from the tongue." > The *pralaya* department is given to the Lord Śiva and the maintenance department is to Lord Viṣṇu and creation department to Lord Brahmā. So these are *viṣṇu-kṛtyān*, you are being maintained by Viṣṇu. If you do not execute, because the whole process is to satisfy Viṣṇu who is the maintainer. Just like government, government is maintaining the state. So a good citizens duty is to satisfy the government by his all means—he's a good citizen. One who abides by the laws of the government perfectly, he's a good citizen. I think in economics, "Good citizenship," what is good citizenship is taught. I remember. So the principle of good citizenship is to obey, to give service to the government and the government recognize it. Formerly in British government if anyone has given nice service to the government he was recognized by offering the title: Sir, CIE, Rāya-Madhu. Of course at the present moment the congress government has given up all this but in the Britishers still in England it is still recognized. If one has given a very nice service to the state, to the people, he was recognized. Still recognized in England with the title of Lord, Sir, CIE, so many things. So we should be recognized. Similarly Viṣṇu being maintainer of the whole cosmic manifestation our duty is to satisfy Lord Viṣṇu. The our duty, whole *varṇāśrama dharma*, the four kinds of caste system and the four kinds of *āśramas*, they are meant for satisfying Viṣṇu. They are meant, caste system, to become *brāhmaṇa*, to become *kṣatriya*, to become *vaiśya* and to become *śūdra*, to become *brāhmaṇa*, to become. I mean to say, become *sannyāsī*, to become *vānaprastha*, become *gṛhastha*, become *brahmacārī*. The whole system is to satisfy Viṣṇu. *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ*. --- **[1972: Lecture at Andhra College](spoken/1972/720221le.vis)** > Therefore the supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa when He comes to re-establish the religious principles, *dharma*-*saṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge*. He comes down, descends to re-establish the real religious principles. What is that real religious principles? What Kṛṣṇa says? Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. When we become free from so-called artificial *kaitava*-*dharma.* > *...mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te*. If anyone surrenders unto me then there is no more *māyā*, *māyām etāṁ taranti te*. How there can be *māyā*? The real process... If one accepts the real process that I am part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa I have got intimate relationship with Kṛṣṇa my only business is to serve Kṛṣṇa if one comes to this conclusion in life there is no more *māyā*. And in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* it is said *mukti*, the definition of *mukti* is—*hitvānyathā-rūpaṁ, svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ*. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/750221mw.car)** > That... There is natural, what is called, mattress, and there is a natural pillow, so why should you manufacture pillow and mattress? This is Sukadeva Gosvāmī. And there is natural food, fruits. So... And if you want still nice home, go to the cave. It is already made. Why should you waste your time? This is the *Bhāgavata* philosophy. But they are wasting time simply how to live in nice apartment, how to make a..., manufacture nice mattress, pillow. This is... So the whole philosophy is: save your time and make your life perfect within this short duration of life which you have obtained in this human form of life. *Durlabhaṁ manusaṁ janma*. It is very rarely you have got. Utilize it. And if you don't utilize, if you waste your time in these bodily comforts and next life you become a cat and dog, then what is the benefit? They do not understand this. [break] >...and we are thinking, "You are crazy. You are losing the opportunity of life." Therefore I wrote that *Who is Crazy?* They have got this opportunity, human form of life, to make a solution of all problems, but they do not care for it. They are simply allured, the temporary happiness of this body, and the body will finish within some years. That they do not take care. They think it is all in all, body. --- **[1975: Room Conversation with Metaphysics Society](spoken/1975/750221r1.car)** > So if you do not get this material body—you remain in your spiritual body—then there is no more pains and pleasure. So that means the origin of pains and pleasure is to our attachment to this material body. If we can somehow or other get out of this material body, then there is no more pains and pleasure, or it is simply pleasure. Therefore in the *Vedānta-sūtra* it is said, *ānandamāyaḥ abhyāsāt:* "By nature the spirit soul is joyful." In the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is also said, *brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā na śocati na kāṅkṣati* : "As soon as you become spiritually self-realized, then there is no more pains and pleasure." > Daśa-lakṣa* means one million, one million types of bird. And three million types of beasts. And 400,000 forms of human being. In this way the living entity is passing through different dresses. And the best dress is this human form, because in this dress you can understand what is God, what you are, what is your relation with God, and then you can act and go back to home, back to Godhead. Therefore if this dress, in this dress... I am living being; you are living being. So we are in this human form of dress. We have got developed consciousness. If we miss the opportunity to understand God, then again we are put into the cycle of this evolutionary process. We should not therefore misuse this form like other forms. We should utilize it properly to understand the unlimited God and our relationship with God and act accordingly. That is perfection of life. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.1 [with Spanish translator](spoken/1975/750221sb.car)** > So *teṣām,* those who are always, twenty-four hours, engaged in loving service of the Lord, to him only He gives instruction, "You do like this." And what is that instruction? *Yena mām upayānti te.* The instruction is meant for giving him facilities to come back to home, back to Godhead. Here in this material world we are struggling for existence, and therefore we are not happy here. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* : "You give up all these rascal engagement; you simply just surrender unto Me." And when we are surrendered, that surrender is *oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya.* That means "Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva, I accept Your proposal. I offer my respectful obeisances unto You." Then begin your loving service to render to Kṛṣṇa, and gradually you will get instruction from within, "You do like this, you do like this, you do like this." > So it is not difficult for anyone. It is very simple thing. And what is that simple thing? *Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru*, means "Always think of Me," *man-manāḥ.* "You just become My devotee." Unless one is devotee he cannot always think of Kṛṣṇa. That is not possible. On the other hand, who thinks of Kṛṣṇa twenty-four hours, he is devotee. Therefore we are spreading this news that "You chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." The chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa means thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says, *man-manā bhava:* "Just always think of Me." In other place He says, --- **[1976: Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhupāda's Appearance Day Lecture](spoken/1976/760221ba.may)** > This is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission, *para-upakāra. Para-upakāra* means to do good to others. Of course, in the human society there are many different branches of doing good to others—welfare societies—but more or less... Why more or less? Almost completely they think that this body is our self, and to do some good to the body is welfare activities. But actually that is not welfare activities, because in the *Bhagavad-gītā* we understand very clearly, *antavanta ime dehāḥ nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ *. > These welfare activities did not mean that welfare to this body. It was meant for the soul, the same thing as Kṛṣṇa wanted to impress upon Arjuna, that "You are not this body. You are soul." *Antavanta ime dehāḥ nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. So real welfare activity means to see to the interest of the soul. So what is the interest of the soul? The interest of the soul is that the soul is part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, God. Just like small spark of fire is part and parcel of the big fire, similarly, we living entities, we are very minute, small spark of the Supreme Brahman, Para-brahman, or Kṛṣṇa. So as the spark within the fire looks very beautiful—the fire also looks beautiful, and the spark also looks beautiful—but as soon as the sparks fall down from the fire, it becomes extinguished. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.14](spoken/1976/760221sb.may)** > So long, long ago, sometimes in the year 1933 in this Caitanya Maṭha, there was a big snake came out in my front. I was taking bath. So everyone was looking what to do. So Guru Mahārāja was on the upstair. He immediately ordered, "Kill him." So it was killed. So at that time, 1933, I was newcomer. So I thought, "How that Guru Mahārāja ordered this snake to be killed?" I was little surprised. But later on, when I saw this verse, I was very glad. *Modeta sādhur api vṛścika-sarpa-hatyā*. It remained a doubt, "How Guru Mahārāja ordered a snake to be killed?" But when I read this verse I was very much pleased, that these creatures, or creatures like the snake, they should not be shown any mercy. No. And Cāṇakya Paṇḍita said there are two kinds of cruel creatures. One kind is a *sarpaḥ krūraḥ.* The snake is very cruel. *Sarpaḥ krūraḥ, khalaḥ krūraḥ.* And *khala,* a person who has awakened the quality like snake*...* Then there is no fault. Why a snake is called so cruel? Because unnecessarily they bite. If somebody commits some offense unto you, if you bite me, that is reasonable. But I have no fault, but you are biting me. The *vṛścika,* scorpion, and snake, they do that, without any offense. A man is passing, an animal is passing—unnecessarily it bites, without offense. A man is sleeping—it bites. Therefore they are very dangerous. Similarly, there are men also like the snake—without any fault they bite. Without any fault. If I do something faulty, you can punish me, bite. But without any fault, if you bite me... So therefore Cāṇakya Paṇḍita says, *sarpaḥ krūraḥ-khalaḥ krūraḥ sarpāt krūrataraḥ khalaḥ.* Such person is called *khala,* envious, jealous. > So there are two living creatures. One is snake, and one is jealous or envious person. So Cāṇakya Paṇḍita said, *sarpāt krūrataraḥ khalaḥ:* "This man, envious man, is more dangerous than the snake." Than the snake. Why? He's a human being. Yes, because he's human being and he has got developed consciousness, and he has practiced to use the developed consciousness for becoming jealous, he's more dangerous than the snake. So therefore he concludes, *mantrauśadhi-vaśaḥ sarpaḥ khalaḥ kena nivāryate.* The snake, although by nature he is so..., still, he can be controlled by *mantra* and some herbs. In India they still do that. But this *khalaḥ,* the person jealous, he cannot be pacified any means. Therefore he's more dangerous than the snake. A person who has become jealous and envious, he cannot be controlled either by *mantra* or by bribe or this or that. No. *Sarpāt krūrataraḥ khalaḥ.* So Prahlāda Mahārāja said, "My Lord, nobody is unhappy, even the saintly person. Saintly person... We common man, we may be unhappy—'Oh, my father is killed'—or my mother may be unhappy that 'My husband is killed.' But be sure, my father was a *khalaḥ.* Unnecessarily he was envious of Your Lordship, so he was more dangerous than the snake and the scorpion. Therefore by killing him You have satisfied everyone, even one is saintly person. So there is no question of becoming angry still. By this action everyone is happy, so don't consider any other. You become now pacified." *Tad yaccha manyum asuraś ca hatas tvayādya modeta sādhur api vṛścika-sarpa-hatyā*. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770221r1.may)** >Kṛṣṇa, he's a demon. *Viṣṇu-bhakto bhaved daivaḥ. Daiva* means *devatā.* So there are two classes—*daiva asura eva ca:* one *devatā* and one *asura.* One who is devotee, he is *devatā.* One who is not devotee, he's *asura.* That's all—in different names. So our this movement is making the *asuras* to become *devatā.* This is our movement. This is, therefore, the most prominent welfare activities within the human society. We are trying to make demon to become *devatā.* And actually they are becoming. The demons are becoming *devatā.* Is it not? > Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, and from monkey you become a *devatā,* demigod. What do you want more? Therefore He's *mahā-vadānyāvatāra,* the most munificent incarnation, making monkey to *devatā* simply by chanting. See practically. Hmm? Anyone protesting against this? [devotees laugh] There is mother of our Jayapatākā Mahārāja. She is attracted how the situation is nice. Now she wants to take instruction from her son as mother Devahūti took instruction from her son, Kapiladeva. So... --- ## Letters on February 21 *Letters from this day: 29* --- **[1957: Letter to K.M. Munshi](letters/1947-1965/570221_k.m._munshi)** > In this connection, I wish to draw your attention to my paper "Back to Godhead" issue No. VI dated 20/5/56 in which an idea of a Gita Nagari (PP2) and how to preach the teachings of Bhagavad-gita are suggested. --- **[1967: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1967/670221_brahmananda)** > I am glad to know that the "Happiness On Second Avenue" film has come out very happy. --- **[1967: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1967/670221_gargamuni)** > You can send the sets of Bhagavatam keeping there two sets only. And the sets which you have already sold, proceeds may be deposited in my account. --- **[1967: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1967/670221_rayarama)** > I do not know why Back to Godhead is not printed timely. If it is printed send here the necessary copies. --- **[1968: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1968/680221_jadurani)** > 14, 1968, and I am happy to hear all the good news from our fine art department. --- **[1968: Letter to Mr. David J. Exley](letters/1968/680221_mr._david_j._exley)** > 16, 1968, I may inform you that this Krishna Consciousness movement is not a recent movement, started a few months or a few years ago, but this movement has been existing for a very long time, dating back to the Vedic Age. Without tracing the history of this movement, we can safely say that at least 5000 years ago, this movement was started from the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. --- **[1968: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1968/680221_satsvarupa)** > The reaction that the hunter would have suffered, had he not received the Mercy of Narada Muni, is hellish life. There are different kinds of hellish life for different kinds of sinful activities. --- **[1969: Letter to Arundhati](letters/1969/690221_arundhati)** > Your tears at kirtana are a good sign, and it shows that Krishna is pleased upon you. So remain in this status and chant nicely. You will see you will be more and more graced by His Lordship. --- **[1969: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1969/690221_hansadutta)** > Regarding your joining the Sankirtana Party, please wait for the time being and I shall call you at the right time. --- **[1969: Letter to Syama](letters/1969/690221_syama)** > Regarding the ailments with your finger, I am describing here a treatment for it. --- **[1970: Letter to Manmohini](letters/1970/700221_manmohini)** > I have immediately offered the flower garlands to Radha and Krsna and they are so nice looking. --- **[1970: Letter to Syamasundara](letters/1970/700221_syamasundara)** > I have heard it played on a record player and, although the machine was not very good, still I enjoyed the transcendental vibration very much. --- **[1971: Letter to Citsukhananda](letters/1971/710221_citsukhananda)** > I am also pleased to know that the program for distribution of our literature and "Back to Godhead" is expanding. Just keep yourselves to the standard by regular and attentive chanting, study, preaching, working, Sankirtana, and distribution of literatures and Prasadam. --- **[1972: Letter to Bhakta Dasa](letters/1972/720221_bhakta_dasa)** > I especially appreciate your attitude toward increasing more and more the sales of our books, that will sanctify all other activities of preaching because preaching means selling books. --- **[1972: Letter to Vaikunthanatha](letters/1972/720221_vaikunthanatha)** > As for your shortage of literature, that seems to be the general story throughout the Society, but just recently Karandhara as gone to Japan and ordered nearly $200,000 worth of our books to be... --- **[1973: Letter to Dr. Singhal Mr. Saraf Dr. Poddar Mr. Vasista Giriraja](letters/1973/730221_dr._singhal_mr._saraf_dr._poddar_mr._vasista_giriraja)** > When I left Bombay I formed a committee of you all to negotiate with Mr. Nair pays back all our invested money in the Juhu land do not vacate the land under any circumstances. --- **[1973: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1973/730221_karandhara)** > It is not very good policy to move the deities once they have been installed. First thing you should try to get the authorities to reverse their classification of us as a church. --- **[1973: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1973/730221_mukunda)** > Your program for working with the TV personalities seems to be very nice. Even though the results are not coming so quickly, please do not be discouraged. --- **[1976: Letter to Gabhira](letters/1976/760221_gabhira)** > Thank you very much. We have succeeded by Krishna's blessing. Now do it nicely. It is a great stride. We can start in other places, too. --- **[1976: Letter to Maeve Davies](letters/1976/760221_maeve_davies)** > Please do not be worried. Our movement is essentially for spreading this chanting of Hare Krishna world wide. And the main responsibility of my disciples is to follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds without fail. --- **[1976: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1976/760221_rupanuga)** > Regarding the examination, I never meant that the examination would be held this year. There are higher intelligent class of disciples, otherwise it is not compulsory. --- **[1976: Letter to Sudhir Kumar Dutta](letters/1976/760221_sudhir_kumar_dutta)** > You can come immediately and talk with me at Mayapur. You can inquire from our Calcutta temple, because often our men go here by jeep. --- **[1976: Letter to Sukirti](letters/1976/760221_sukirti)** > Thank you for serving steadily and taking responsibility in Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1976: Letter to Trivikrama](letters/1976/760221_trivikrama)** > Regarding having Parivrajakacarya go to Asia to preach, yes, I agree. It is all right. --- **[1976: Letter to Yamuna Dinatarine](letters/1976/760221_yamuna_dinatarine)** > The thing is cow protection is not possible for women. You can keep two or three cows, but on larger scale it is not possible. You should not try to take care of more. --- **[1977: Letter to Candra Lila Devi Dasi](letters/1977/770221_candra_lila_devi_dasi)** > A coloring book for children is not a serious presentation of *Bhagavad-gita*. You mention that you were applying your artistic abilities with the deities working with Govinda dasi in Hawaii. --- **[1977: Letter to Gupta Additional Chief Engineer](letters/1977/770221_gupta_additional_chief_engineer)** > Please go on chanting Hare Krishna, as ultimately the shelter of Krishna is our only solace in this material world. I thank you for your good wishes and continued interest in our Krishna Consciousness Movement. --- **[1977: Letter to Haimavati](letters/1977/770221_haimavati)** > You report that Bhagaji is tired of dealing with the politics of ISKCON. Of course as soon as there are a number of men dealing, there are politics, but we still have to execute our duty. --- **[1977: Letter to Rajendra Sahai](letters/1977/770221_rajendra_sahai)** > I am glad that you are thinking how the Beni Madhava Temple may be properly utilized by our Krishna Consciousness Movement, and I am hopeful of discussion with yourself and the Mahant on this subject. ---