# February 24 ## Spoken on February 24 *Lectures from this day: 7 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.118–120 [Partial Recording](spoken/1967/670224cc.sf)** > Śaṅkarācārya said, "Yes, this is all right, but there is Brahman." But he did not describe the Brahman, whether He has..., He is person or He has got pastimes, He has got many planets and there are many devotees, because those fools were not able to understand. Therefore he took for the time being. Caitanya Mahāprabhu, while criticizing, I mean to say, Śaṅkarācārya, He is always taking care that "It was not the fault of Ācārya Śaṅkara, because he's Lord Śiva, and he cannot make any mistake, but he was ordered to do so for the time being. > Actually, Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, His body is spiritual. He is person. The difference is that He's *sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha* [Bs. 5.1].* And so far the living entities are concerned, they are His energies." Energies. So the distinction between energy and energetic we have discussed several times. So energy is almost the same qualitative as the energetic. The same example, that the sun planet is hot; therefore the energy of the sun planet, sunshine, it is also hot. Sunshine, the sun is illuminating; therefore the energy of the sun, sunshine, it is also illuminating. --- **[1972: Lecture](spoken/1972/720224le.cal)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that *janma karma me divyam jan..., yo jānāti tattvataḥ*. Kṛṣṇa also appears, just like Kṛṣṇa appears as the son of Devakī; a father, Vasudeva. But actually, as described in the *śāstras*, He did not come out from the womb of His mother. He first appeared before them in *catur-bhuja*, *nārāyaṇa mūrti*. > We cannot know Kṛṣṇa perfectly well, but as far as they are described in the *śāstras*. Kṛṣṇa is describing Himself here, that *bhūmir āpo analo vāyuḥ*, "They are My energy." Why don't you take it? How you can explain this *bhūmi*? Wherefrom this earth has come out? Wherefrom the water has come out? Wherefrom the air has come out? Huh? You will say that "chemical combination." --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 7.9–10](spoken/1974/740224bg.bom)** > Therefore real knowledge of everything can be had from the *Bhagavad-gītā.* If you study it nicely, it is very easier and perfect. *Bījaṁ māṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ viddhi pārtha sanātanam . Sanātanam. Sanātanam* means eternal. It is not that *bīja,* that which is produced and again it is vanquished. *Sanātanam.* In another place Kṛṣṇa says, *ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā.* The all living entities... > This is the Vedic version. *Sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam* [Bs. 5.1].* Father's father, his father, his father, you go on, go on, you come to Brahmā. Brahmā is considered as the forefather or grandfather, *pitāmaha.* But Kṛṣṇa is addressed in the *Bhagavad-gītā: prapitāmaha,* even the father of Brahmā. *Prapitāmaha.* You'll find in the Eleventh Chapter, *prapitāmaha. He's father of... *Tene brahma hṛdā ādi-kavaye.* You know, those who are conversant with the *śāstras,* that Brahmā's another name is Svayambhū. He's not born of any material father and mother. He's born on the lotus flower sprouted from the navel of Mahā-Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. Therefore his name is Svayambhū. Svayambhū is one of the authorities because he was first educated about the Vedic knowledge by Kṛṣṇa, or Viṣṇu. *Tene brahma hṛdā. Brahma* means Vedic knowledge. *Tene* means imparted. *Ādi-kavaye,* the *ādi-kavi,* the original person. *Tene brahma hṛdā ādi-kavaye muhyanti yat sūrayaḥ.* Even big, big personalities, they become bewildered to understand Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says... We have already discussed: --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.3 [with Spanish translator](spoken/1975/750224sb.car)** > These are the statement. Means, "Whenever there is mismanagement of the word *dharma,* or pure characteristic, at that time I appear." So Kṛṣṇa appeared for reestablishing the real principles of *dharma,* or religion. So He did not come or did not appear for establishing the so-called religion system—Hindu religion and Muslim religion or Christian religion or this religion, that... Not that type. Real religion. Therefore He says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya* : "Give up all these. Simply surrender unto Me." > Nobody—we are sitting in this hall—can say that "I am not serving anyone." If somebody is not serving anyone, then he must be serving his own senses. The whole material world is going on because the people are engaged in the service of the senses. For sense gratification one is doing very, very risky job. So nobody can say that "I am not serving." That is the characteristic of the living being, and that is called *dharma.* Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu said that *jīvera svarūpa haya nitya-kṛṣṇa-dāsa*, means we living entities, our real characteristic is to serve God. But we have given up the service of God; therefore we are now engaged in the service of the senses. And because we are constitutionally servant, therefore either we shall serve the Supreme Personality of Godhead, or the Absolute Truth, or, if we do not like to serve the Absolute Truth, then we must serve our senses. Therefore it is described, *dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavaḥ atra,* means "Cheating type of religion is completely rejected here in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.*" --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.17](spoken/1976/760224sb.may)** > Duḥkhauṣadhaṁ tad api duḥkham atad-dhiyāham. Atat. Atat* means untruth, flickering, not... *Atad-dhiyāham.* We do not know what is our identification. Misunderstanding. *Dehātma-buddhi. Asad-grahāt. *Atad, asat,* the same thing. We have accepted this body, identifying this body, on account of this. If you are on the spiritual platform, then there is no trouble, there is no misunderstanding. If we understand properly by education or knowledge that "You are also part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. I am also part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Our real position is to serve the Lord," so if we serve that, then there is no misunderstanding. If we be engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service, there cannot be any misunderstanding. Otherwise, if we work on the platform of this body, material body, there must be misunderstanding. *Atad-dhiyāham. Bhūman:* "My Lord, the great," *bhramāmi,* "in this way I am wandering life after life, changing the body, changing the situation, and in different situation, different mentality. But there is no peace; there is no happiness—simply changing the body." *Bhūman bhramāmi vada me tava dāsya-yogam:* "In this way I am wandering throughout the whole universe. Now please engage me in Your service." > So *yasmāt priyāpriya-viyoga-saṁyoga-janma. Viyoga-saṁyoga-janma.* As soon as one child is born, he is separated from the former life, and he is connected with another new life, new body, *viyoga-samyoga.* Maybe the former body was very pleasing, and this body is not very pleasing, degraded. That is possible. *Dehāntara-prāptiḥ*. It is not that you'll always get a body very pleasing. But the illusory energy is so strong, even one gets the body of a pig, he thinks, "It is very nice." This is called *prakṣepātmikā-śakti. Māyā* has got especially two energies: *āvaraṇātmikā* and *prakṣepātmikā.* [*Paramātmā-sandarbha* 54] Generally *māyā* keeps us covered with illusion, and if one is little enlightened, wants to get out of the clutches of *māyā,* there is another potency of *māyā,* who is that *prakṣepātmikā.* Suppose one thinks, "Now I shall become Kṛṣṇa conscious. This ordinary material consciousness is so disturbing. Let me become Kṛṣṇa conscious." So *māyā* will say, "What you will do with this? Better remain in material consciousness." This is called *prakṣepātmikā-śakti.* Therefore sometimes some man comes in our society; after staying for days, he goes away. This is *prakṣepatatmika,* thrown away. Unless he's very sincere, he cannot stay with us; he'll be thrown away. So Prahlāda Mahārāja said that these two positions—somebody is pleasing and somebody is not pleasing—it is going on perpetually. Not that "If I change my this body, this process will also stop." No. So long you have got this body in the material world, you'll have these two processes. Somebody will be your friend, and somebody will be your enemy. *Yoga-saṁyoga-janma.* --- **[1977: Evening Darśana](spoken/1977/770224ed.may)** > This time rainfall is very beneficial for crops. This is the way of living. You perform *yajña,* there will be rain. And as soon as the ground is moist, you can produce anything, whatever you want. *Sarva-kāma-dughā mahī*. From the field, you can get all your necessities of life. The first necessity is the food grain. So food grain you can eat, and the rejected grass portion, you give to the cows. So both the animal and the man get sufficient food. And the cows will give you nice milk, and from milk you can get butter, *ghee,* yogurt, so many nice sweetmeat. And there is *ghee,* and here is food grain, then you make *kacaurī, purī, samosā.* Then sufficient foodstuff, nice, palatable, nutritious. First necessity is *āhāra.* You get sufficient *āhāra,* then make little cottage for shelter. Just like there is rainfall; now you require little... [thunder sounds] *Āhāra, nidrā, bhaya* and sex. So marry. Then the whole problem is solved. And then, rest time you save and advance in Kṛṣṇa conscious... This is civilization. Why you create unnecessary necessities of life and become complicated and forget Kṛṣṇa? What is this civilization? Rascal civilization. Instead of giving protection to the cows, you are cutting the throat. Is that civilization? So this is a civilization of *duṣkṛtina,* means mischief-monger. Therefore they must suffer, and suffering. And *asuras* are being created. And Kṛṣṇa's business is to kill the *asuras. Paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām*. > "There are many different kinds of living entities—human beings, demigods, animals, etc.—and each and every one of them is under the influence of material nature, and all of them have forgotten the transcendent Personality of Godhead. Those who are in the modes of passion and ignorance, and even those who are in the mode of goodness, cannot go beyond the impersonal Brahman conception of the Absolute Truth. They are bewildered before the Supreme Lord in His personal feature, which possesses all beauty, opulence, knowledge, strength, fame and renunciation. When even those who are in goodness cannot understand, what hope is there for those in passion and ignorance? Kṛṣṇa consciousness is transcendental to all these three modes of material nature, and those who are truly established in Kṛṣṇa consciousness are actually liberated." --- ## Letters on February 24 *Letters from this day: 20* --- **[1967: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1967/670224_brahmananda)** > Gerard stressing on me the importance of your presence in N.Y. This is because so many people will be visiting the temple and wishing to see you. --- **[1967: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1967/670224_gargamuni)** > I have asked the Bank to forward $100.00 to Montreal from my account knowing that you may not have sufficient money in the society's account. I am very much anxious to know if the goods from India Mrdanga etc have been already received by you. --- **[1967: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1967/670224_rayarama)** > Have you taken delivery of the 1st chapter Bhagavad-gita from the publisher with whom you left it for examination? --- **[1967: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1967/670224_satsvarupa)** > To day I have sent you the first installment of "Narada Bhakti Sutras". --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/680224_brahmananda)** > Regarding the sketch cover of Bhagavad-gita, Govinda Dasi promises to send you by the next week. --- **[1968: Letter to Cidananda](letters/1968/680224_cidananda)** > I am so glad to receive your letter dated Feb. You can arrange to supply prasadam only to our devotees. At the present moment, we are not in a position to make charities but for the devotees we can sacrifice anything. --- **[1968: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1968/680224_gurudasa)** > Regarding your going to India the house is not yet settled, so unless I definitely hear from Acyutananda and others who are trying to have a nice house for our Indian branch you may not be very much anxious to go to India but I am sure we are going to have a nice house very soon which I shall let you know in due course. Otherwise, when I return, you, your wife, and some other brahmacaris shall go with me. --- **[1968: Letter to Jayananda](letters/1968/680224_jayananda)** > I shall be very glad to initiate girl friend if you recommend her actual mental condition. --- **[1968: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1968/680224_mukunda)** > Why not come here a few days earlier try to see some millionaires in connection with our Society's cause. --- **[1968: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1968/680224_rayarama)** > I am enclosing herewith one copy of the letter received from United Shipping Corp. of Calcutta in respect of our goods shipped via s.s. "Flying Enterprise". --- **[1970: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1970/700224_bhagavan)** > I have immediately chanted the beads and sent them enclosed herewith by Air Mail. Devananda will inform you of this matter by phone tonight after 9:00 p.m. So there will be no difficulty. --- **[1970: Letter to Hit Sharanji](letters/1970/700224_hit_sharanji)** > I beg to remind herewith of my letter dated February 2, 1970, in which everything was clearly described. --- **[1971: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1971/710224_gargamuni)** > If you at all seriously intend to go to East Pakistan, please contact this gentleman and open correspondence with him and if you think it is favorable you may go there with the blessings of Krsna. --- **[1971: Letter to Meenakatan](letters/1971/710224_meenakatan)** > I am so glad to hear that you are now at our Hamilton center and how much our movement is being appreciated there. --- **[1971: Letter to Tulsi](letters/1971/710224_tulsi)** > I am so glad to hear how your Sankirtana programs are expanding, so continue in this way. --- **[1972: Letter to Krsna Dasa](letters/1972/720224_krsna_dasa)** > So I am very glad that you are trying something there, I have heard Sweden is a very good field. --- **[1972: Letter to Mr. K. M. Diwanji](letters/1972/720224_mr._k._m._diwanji)** > Meanwhile, I shall be very grateful to you if you will have finished your clearing of the deeds and other matters, so that the conveyance deed will be ready to sign by both parties. Bhaktivedanta Swami, Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness." Again, you may assure the vendors that I shall transfer the balance sum of Rs. --- **[1975: Letter to Akbar Ali Khan](letters/1975/750224_akbar_ali_khan)** > Kindly accept the blessings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Since you kindly visited our temple in Vrindavana, last year when I was sick, I have not been able to write to you. --- **[1977: Letter to Bhagavat Ashraya](letters/1977/770224_bhagavat_ashraya)** > I am very glad to learn of the improvements you are making in our Delhi center. It is very good that local Indian residents are coming to the evening program. Regarding the man who wants initiation, your idea to recommend him is nice when he increases his chanting to sixteen rounds and regularly attends the morning and evening programs. --- **[1977: Letter to Dhruba Charan Pattanaik](letters/1977/770224_dhruba_charan_pattanaik)** > Vill: Tamandoo, P.O. Tamandoo, via Janla, Dist. Puri, Orissa. ---