# February 26 ## Spoken on February 26 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1972: Lecture in Bengali](spoken/1972/720226le.may)** > This is the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we follow this order, then we will become godly persons. It does not take much time to become a godly person. If we accept this order then we can become a godly person in one second. And that is our *dharma* or religious principle. Religion means nothing else. Religion means whatever the Supreme Lord says, we have to accept that—that is religion. And any religion made by Rama-Shyama* [Tom, Dick, Harry] is not a religion at all. Just like law, law means rules made by the king. That is law. If a common man, like me, makes a law, who will follow that? That is not the law. Therefore *Bhagavatam* says, *dharmah projjhita-kaitavao'tra*, all the cheating religions have been completely rejected. For example Lord Sri Krsna says, "*sarva dharman parityajya mama ekam saranam vraja*." Similarly *Srimad Bhagavatam* also says *dharmah projjhita-kailavo'tra*. > What is that actual value to be achieved? *Arthalabha*? Today the actual value of human life is not being taught anywhere in the world. People think that to earn 2 crore, 4 crore rupees is the actual value of human life. No. The real meaning of *arthalabha* or actual value of human life is to achieve the actual goal of human life. The real meaning is that, we are wandering through the 8.4 million kinds of life, within the material world. Each living being is doing the same thing. Thus *brahmanda bhramite kono bhagyavan*. We are not only wandering through different bodies, but also different planets. There are different types of planets; bhuloka, bhuvurloka. Janaloka. Mahaloka, tapoloka, tala, atala, vitala, patala, etc. We have to wander among these planets according to our pious and impous activities. Adhruvam gacchanti sattva-stha-those who are associating with the mode of goodness, *karanam guna-sanga sya sad-asad-yoni-janmanu*. Due to association with the material modes, we get good or evil amongst various species. Material nature has three modes, *satvaguna, rajaguna*, and *tamoguna*. Material nature is giving birth to us according to our association with the material modes. *Prakriteh kriyamanani sarvasah*. Like this we are transmigrating from one body to another body and also from one planet to another planet. This is going on. But this knowledge is not being given to anyone. I have traveled the whole world, not 1 or 2 but 5 or 6 times. Everewhere I went, I saw: that people are busy thinking only, "What we will eat? When will we sleep? Where will we live? Like this." There is no college, school, university that educates people about the actual value of human life. None at all. None at all anywhere. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 2.12 [Hindi](spoken/1973/730226bg.jkt)** --- **[1973: Room Conversation, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.5.31–33](spoken/1973/730226r1.jkt)** > Similarly... Puffed rice must be there, and fruits, like mango, banana, little molasses and cheese, mixed together. It is very nice palatable dish. This jackfruit... Puffed rice is the vehicle for eating all this. Or if these things are not available, then mix with *ghee,* little, and salt, pepper and, what is called? Cucumber. > It is cooked in sand bath, hot sand. All this *bhujiya, bhujiya,* grains, in India there is professional maker. You... They have got hot sand always ready. You take some grains, and then you put in the hot sand and *put, put, put, put, put, put,* then they mesh it, return it packed—two paisa, three paisa. --- **[1973: Room Conversation Hindi & English](spoken/1973/730226r2.jkt)** > So we have created a situation, godless situation; therefore we are not in peace. So therefore, if you want peace, you must accept God, first of all. *Suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati*. This is the way of *śānti.* You cannot create your *śānti* in your own way. That is not possible. Just like the citizens, if they create their own way of *śānti,* there cannot be peace. If they abide by the orders of the government, by the laws of the government, there will be peace. This is crude example. Similarly, if we do not accept God in the center as the Supreme Proprietor and the Supreme Enjoyer and the Supreme Friend, then there is no peace. This is the problem, I have given in the... What is that? Read it? > So that is not the aim of human life. The aim of human life—this opportunity's given by nature to have a human form of life—is to understand God. Nobody can deny, unless he is a crazy fellow, the existence of God. That is not possible. There must be. I may know it or not know it, it doesn't matter. Therefore religion means to understand God and to awaken your dormant love for God. This is religion. Now there may be difference of processes, according to country, time, people. Therefore, it is the duty of the government, it is the duty of the government... --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 15.1](spoken/1974/740226bg.cal)** > "This process of extrication should be understood. In the previous chapters it has been explained that there are many processes by which to get out of the material entanglement. And, up to the Thirteenth Chapter, we have seen that devotional service to the Supreme Lord is the best way. Now, the basic principle of devotional service is detachment from material activities and attachment to the transcendental service of the Lord. The process of breaking attachment to the material world is discussed in the beginning of this chapter. The root of this material existence grows upward. This means that it begins from the total material substance, from the topmost planet of the universe. From there, the whole universe is expanded, with so many branches, representing the various planetary systems. The fruits represent the results of the living entities' activities, namely, religion, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. > "Now, there is no ready experience in this world of a tree situated with its branches down and its roots up, but there is such a thing. That tree can be found beside a reservoir of water. We can see that the trees on the bank reflect upon the water with their branches down and their roots up. In other words, the tree of this material world is only a reflection of the real tree of the spiritual world. This reflection of the spiritual world is situated on desire, just as the tree's reflection is situated on water. Desire is the cause of things' being situated in this reflected material light. One who wants to get out of this material existence must know this tree thoroughly through analytical study. Then he can cut off his relationship with it. --- **[1975: Bhagavad-gītā 13.3](spoken/1975/750226bg.mia)** > So Kṛṣṇa therefore says in the next verse that *kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi sarva-kṣetreṣu bhārata*. Just like a big landlord, he has got fifty houses. So the tenant is occupier, but the proprietor of the fifty houses is the landlord. So here it is Kṛṣṇa saying, God saying, that the living entity who is occupying this body, he is *kṣetra-jñaṁ,* knower of the occupation. Everyone knows that I am occupying this; I have already explained. This is my body, this is my head, this is my leg; I am here. So this knower is also *kṣetra-jñaṁ,* one who knows. Another person also, that is Kṛṣṇa, God. Therefore He says, *kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi:* "I am also one of the occupier or the proprietor of this body." Therefore there are two persons—one person is the occupier, and the another person is the proprietor. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *māṁ ca viddhi:* "Also understand that I am also in this body." > Now, one can say that "All these people are *mūḍhās,* or rascals, who have passed this university education, B.A.C., D.A.C. and so many things? They are all *mūḍhās*?" Kṛṣṇa says, "Yes, they are *mūḍhās.*" Why? Now, *māyayāpahṛta-jñānā.* They have struggled for education, for so many things, but he does not know what is God. Therefore real knowledge is taken away. He is proud of his false knowledge. Real knowledge is, *kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi sarva-kṣetreṣu bhārata*. *Etaj jñānam.* This is knowledge. God is sitting within everyone's heart, but the so-called educated person, he does not know what is God. So what is the value of his knowledge? Therefore *māyayāpahṛta-jñānā. Māyā,* the illusory energy, has taken away his knowledge. He is a fool. So real knowledge is that... This technological knowledge, that is not knowledge. Kṛṣṇa says, "This is knowledge." What is that knowledge? That one should know that "I am not this body; I am the proprietor or occupier of the body." Similarly, God is also the supreme proprietor of this body. If you know these three things, then that is knowledge. Otherwise, all simply illusion, ignorance. This is the fact. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760226mw.may)** >our field or some other field, but food must be there. If you don't eat sufficiently, how you'll be able to work? *Yuktāhāra-vihārasya*. We are not after dry speculation. Practical. Eat sufficiently. Work sufficiently. Don't be lazy. But the danger is if you eat more than sufficient, then you'll sleep sufficient. Therefore *yuktāhāra,* as much as you require, take it. Don't take more; don't take less. This is the law of nature. Just like salt. You salt require. But if you take more, it is useless, and if you take less, it is useless. If in the vegetable the salt is more, then it is uneatable; if it is less, uneatable. Take as it is. It is not that "Because there is ocean of salt, let me eat three pounds' salt." That is going on. "Oh, it is available? Now let me eat." And then he becomes sick. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.19](spoken/1976/760226sb.may)** > Because we become diseased, we become subject to birth and death, we... This is all due to our sinful activities. Why you are repeatedly...? We are eternal. *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. This is our position, that we do not die even after the body's destruction. Then why should I be in this position, that repeatedly I have to die, I have to give up this body, again accept another body, again suffer? This is the problem. But *mūḍhā, duṣkṛtina,* they do not see to the real problem. That is their fault. Neither they have knowledge to see the real problem. Therefore they are *mūḍhā.* Is it not? He's understood that *na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. So this question does not come, that "I am eternal. I do not die after the annihilation of the body. Why I am subjected to this tribulation?" Nobody thinks; therefore *mūḍhā.* Just like animal. Animal, in the slaughterhouse, one animal is being killed, and the other animal is eating grass. He's thinking that "I am safe." He does not know that "Next moment I'll be killed." This is animal life. The human life means if somebody is being killed, so he should be immediately warned, taking warning, "Oh, my turn is coming. Let me go away." > That is the instruction in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt 'na mocayed yaḥ samupeta-mṛtyum *. Your duty is to give protection to children, father, mother. That's very good. But real protection is that "My children, this boy, this girl, has come in my belly. Now this is the last. I shall train them in such a way that next birth, he'll not have a material body." How it is? Yes, it is possible. How? *Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti kaunteya*. One can give up this material body... Everyone has to give it up. There is no doubt. But one is giving up this body and accepting another body, *tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ*. --- **[1977: Evening Darśana](spoken/1977/770226ed.may)** > Dhīra,* one has to become, has to become sober. Then he'll understand. And if he remains restless, on the bodily platform, as the animals are... They cannot understand. They cannot understand. If you bring some dog and instruct the dog, "My dear dog, you are not this body," it is not possible. But *dhīra,* if one is not dog—he is human being—he can teach. Therefore this word is used, *dhīra. Dhīras tatra na muhyati. Dehino 'smin yathā dehe*. So that is the beginning of spiritual life. > The *dhīras tatra na muhyati*. Imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ*. These words are there. Actually, to understand this Kṛṣṇa philosophy, it is not for ordinary person. --- **[1977: Interview](spoken/1977/770226iv.may)** > [Transl. He asserted, but people could not understand His favor. Therefore He again appeared as a devotee, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and taught how to learn devotional service to Kṛṣṇa. So we are trying to preach the teachings of Mahaprabhu. Actually we not manufacturing anything new. Whatever Lord Kṛṣṇa had personally tried to instruct when He descended in this world five thousand years ago, that same thing Caitanya Mahaprabhu tried to spread five hundred years ago. And actually He did it. > Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Maybe I should give them... These... This is the total number of books we have printed in various different languages, and they'll give you an indication of how our movement is being accepted around the world: In the English-speaking countries we've published a total of forty-three and a half million books. Forty-three and a half million. In Spanish-speaking countries—this is in copies of books—Spanish, three million; in German, two and a quarter million copies of books. In Japanese the same number, two and one quarter million; in French, one and three quarter million copies. --- **[1977: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.6](spoken/1977/770226sb.may)** > That *siddhaye* means to understand that superior energy. That is *siddhi.* And after that, one can understand Kṛṣṇa. So it is very difficult, especially in this age. *Mandāḥ sumanda-matayo*.* They are... *Mandāḥ* means they are not interested, or even they are little interested, they are very slow. They do not understand this is the prime knowledge. And first of all you must know it, athāto brahma-jijñāsā, that superior knowledge. That is required. But everyone is neglecting. There is no inquisitiveness even what is that thing which is moving this body. There is no inquiry. They think automatically, by combination of this matter... They are still persisting on this point, and when you challenge, "You take this chemical and prepare the living force," they'll say, "That I cannot do." And what is this? If you cannot do, then why you are speaking like nonsense, that "The combination of matter or chemicals gives the life"? You take the chemicals. Our Dr. Svarūpa Dāmodara in the California University... One big professor came to lecture on chemical evolution, and he challenged immediately, that "If I give you the chemicals, can you produce life?" He said, "That I cannot say." [chuckles] So this is their position. They cannot prove it. They cannot do it. Science means not only observation but experiment also. That is complete. Otherwise theory. It is not science. So they have got different theories. That anyone can put forward. That is not... But real fact is that Kṛṣṇa is spiritual and He's the Supreme. *Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām* [*Kaṭha Upaniṣad* 2.2.13]. > So this perfection, as Prahlāda Mahārāja had immediately by touching the Supreme Personality of..., we can also have. There is possibility, and very easily, because we are fallen, *mandāḥ—*very slow, very bad. *Mandāḥ* and *sumanda-matayo.* And because we are bad, everyone has manufactured a theory. *Sumanda. Mata. Mata* means "opinion." And what is that opinion? Not only *mandā* but *sumanda,* very, very bad. *Sumanda-matayo. Mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyāḥ*,* and all unfortunate, or misfortunate. Why? When there is knowledge, they'll not take. They will theorize. They're unfortunate. Ready knowledge, but they will theorize, "It is like this. It is like that. It is like that. Perhaps... Maybe..." This is going on. Therefore *manda-bhāgyāh.* Just like here is money. One will not take that money. He'll work hard like hogs and dogs to earn money. So that means unfortunate. So *mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyāḥ.* And because *manda-bhāgyāḥ,* there is *upadrutaḥ,* always disturbance—this war, that war, that war. Beginning, whole history, simply war. Why war? Why there is fight? There should not be any fight, because everything is complete, *pūrṇam idam* [Īśopaniṣad,* Invocation].* The world is full by the mercy of the Supreme Lord, because it is the kingdom... This is also kingdom of God. But we have made it hell by unnecessarily fighting. That's all. Otherwise it is... For a devotee—*pūrṇam. Viśvaṁ pūrṇaṁ sukhāyate.* [*Caitanya-candrāmṛta* 5] by Śrīla Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī.] Why there should be fight? God has supplied everything. You want water? Three-fourths of the earth is full of water. But that water is salt. God has process how to make it sweet. You cannot do this. Water you want. There is sufficient water. Why there should be scarcity? Now we heard in Europe they were contemplating importing water. [laughter] Was not that? Yes. In England they were thinking of importing. Is that possible? [laughter] But these rascal scientists think like that. They'll import. Why not? The England is surrounded by water. Why don't you take water? No. *Nīre kari bāsa na meṭila piyāsa*. [Śrī Gaura Mahimā by unknown Vaiṣṇava poet.] "I'm living in water, but I'm dying of thirst." [laughter] These rascals' philosophy... Or in... I think in our childhood we read one book, a Moral Class book, said there was a story that shipwrecked, and they took the shelter of one boat, but some of them died of thirst because they could not drink water. So in this water they were living, but they died of thirst. --- ## Letters on February 26 *Letters from this day: 11* --- **[1968: Letter to Andrea Temple](letters/1968/680226_andrea_temple)** > So far my coming to Bahamas, I am willing to come there and continue the work of my Guru Maharaja of spreading this Sankirtana movement all over the Western countries. Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted that this Hare Krishna Mantra be sung and chanted in every village and town of the globe, and I am simply trying to carry out the order of my Guru Maharaja to give this Divine Message to the people of the Western world. --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/680226_brahmananda)** > My health is ordinarily good, but that hissing sound sometimes is disturbing me. I consulted a physician here, and he has given me some medicine, but it is not improving. --- **[1969: Letter to Pradyumna](letters/1969/690226_pradyumna)** > The pictures which you have sent are also very nice. I am going to New York by the first of April or by the end of March. From there I shall go to your side, Columbus and New Vrindaban. --- **[1970: Letter to Dinadayadri](letters/1970/700226_dinadayadri)** > I am very glad to accept you as my initiated disciple, and I have already returned your beads duly chanted upon by me. Your spiritual name is Dinadayadri Dasi. Please be very careful to follow the four basic restrictive principles of no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no taking of any kind of intoxicants, no illicit sex-life, and no gambling or mental speculations. --- **[1970: Letter to Gaurasundara](letters/1970/700226_gaurasundara)** > So far Devananda is concerned, he must accompany me. Two Brahmacaris, Devananda and Nanda Kumar, are attending me 24 hours in so many ways, so if I go to Hawaii at least one of them must go with me. --- **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/710226_satsvarupa)** > I am so glad to hear that you have just returned from a successful touring of the temples in Southern U. --- **[1975: Letter to Jayatirtha Ramesvara](letters/1975/750226_jayatirtha_ramesvara)** > I have today advised the Bank of America, Los Angeles branch to transfer the whole amount of the two fixed deposits to their Bombay branch, account number 16026, in favor of the International Society... --- **[1976: Letter to Bhaja Hari Mukunda](letters/1976/760226_bhaja_hari_mukunda)** > Yes, Harikesa Maharaja can do nicely there. I do not know the program in Hungary, but London speaking is more important, going to the colleges and universities. I am confident that he can speak well. --- **[1976: Letter to Justice A.C. Sen](letters/1976/760226_justice_a.c._sen)** > I understand from our Life Member Sri Saral Kumar Das Gupta that you are interested in Krishna Consciousness Movement. --- **[1977: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1977/770226_aksayananda)** > So far my coming to Vrindaban, if I don't go to Manipur then I shall certainly come. --- **[1977: Letter to Jayananda](letters/1977/770226_jayananda)** > Trees also live for thousands of years but that does not mean a successful life. By the grace of Krishna from the very beginning you are a devotee and that is the real profit of your life. ---