# February 27 ## Spoken on February 27 *Lectures from this day: 13 recordings* --- **[1972: First Talk with Bob Cohen [Brahmatīrtha dāsa](spoken/1972/720227ta.may)** > And if somebody gives in charity, he does not know what he's going to do, just like the Bowery man, that is ignorance. So our Vedic principle is, Kṛṣṇa says that *yat karoṣi yad juhoṣi dadāsi yat kuruṣva mad-arpaṇam*, that "Give Me." There is no question of knowing what is going to happen. If Kṛṣṇa takes, that is the perfection of charity. Or anyone who is representative of Kṛṣṇa, he takes, that is perfection. > And when Kṛṣṇa became his spiritual master He chastised him in the beginning, *aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase*, that "You are talking like learned man, but you are a fool number one because you are talking on the bodily concept of life." So this sex life increases the bodily concept of life. Therefore the whole process is to reduce it to nil. --- **[1973: Room Conversation with Indonesian Scholar](spoken/1973/730227r1.jkt)** > So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a educational movement to give enlightenment to the people at large to understand the values of life. Not to live like animals—eating, sleeping, sex life and dying. This is animal life. So this is the best humanitarian welfare activities: to make people understand scientifically what he is, what is God, what is our relationship with God. So the *Bhagavad-gītā* is the preliminary study of this science. So this should be presented very scientifically, one who knows perfectly well about this *Bhagavad-gītā.* These are the crucial point, that one... Kṛṣṇa says, *imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam*. There's so many very touch point. If they are not very..., explained nicely, people will remain in darkness. > So you have to push this scientific movement throughout the whole world. That is our program. It is not a so-called Hindu cult or a Indian cult. No. It is a science to be accepted by everyone if he at all wants to, I mean to say, purify or make his life perfect. Otherwise, he's in darkness. He does not know what he's going to accept another body. He has to accept another body. *Tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ*. It does not say that this kind of body. *Dehāntaram,* another body. Not it is up to you to select what kind of body I am going to accept. I am going to become a cat or dog or a demigod or a big man or a... They do not know yet. --- **[1973: Room Conversation](spoken/1973/730227r2.jkt)** > So anyone who does not follow the *śāstra...* The essence of *śāstra* is *Bhagavad-gītā.* So anyone who studies *Bhagavad-gītā* minutely will become perfect. These European, American boys, because they're strictly following the instruction of *Bhagavad-gītā,* therefore [indistinct]. Only thing is they're following the footsteps, according to *śāstra. Śāstra, everyone, in reality *[indistinct]... injunction without any malinterpretation. Otherwise, waste of time. *Śrama eva hi kevalam*. That is stated in the *Bhāgavata.* Simply wasting time. [indistinct] > Now the church authority, desiring that somebody... He's imagining. He wanted to purchase that church. He's imagining that "This is such a nice church, so our... Government has sent somebody to take this church." He's thinking Americans may take... No. Why Americans will be interested to take the church as it is? But he's thinking like that. That means he wants to dismantle the church. But church now will not allow. But he's finding out some customer who will take the church some other place. So that, that quarter land is very valuable. So if the land is vacated, then you may have a little church, and other land he can utilize for himself. That is his proposition. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.23](spoken/1973/730227sb.jkt)** > And what is that religious principle? The religious principle is not man-made. Just like we have manufactured so many religious principles: "This is Hindu *dharma,*" "This is Muslim *dharma,*" "This is Christian *dharma,*" and this is this, this is that. So many. Kṛṣṇa does not come to reestablish the principles of this man-made religion. No. He has nothing to do. Because they are manufactured, concocted by imperfect men, they are not religious principles. The religious system means, *dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam*. > When Arjuna accepted Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Lord, *paraṁ brahma, paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān*, it is not that because he was Kṛṣṇa's friend, therefore, out of his sentiments he accepted Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He accepted on the authority of the *Vedas.* That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* So according to Vedic system, all the sages, all the great saintly persons, all the great kings, everyone accepts Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There are many instances. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6](spoken/1974/740227sb.cal)** > This is the Vedic information, that as we are all *nityas,* eternal, we are also living being, but there is another supreme *nitya,* eternal, and supreme *cetana,* or living being, and that is God. That is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā, mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya* : "There is no more superior living being than Me." That is Kṛṣṇa. So here it is said, *sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmaḥ. Dharma...* You have to execute your occupational duty, but, as Kṛṣṇa said, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. > So unless people take to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness and understand and learn how to obey Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they cannot..., there cannot be any peace. There cannot be any happiness. And there is no condition... Here it is said, *ahaituky apratihatā.* That obedience should be without any motive. Just like see here the Europeans and American boys, they are obeying Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa's representative without any condition. They have not come here to obey my order for earning livelihood or for some material purpose. They have not come for that. They have got enough money. They have got enough money. They can purchase hundred times India. But why? This is real *paro dharmaḥ.* This is the supreme religion, to obey the Supreme Personality of Godhead or His representative. Because we have to learn through the representative of Kṛṣṇa. *Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāvamanyeta karhicit, na martya-buddhyāsūyeta*. So this is the injunction of the *śāstra. Ācārya,* the spiritual master, the representative of Kṛṣṇa... *Ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyāt,* Kṛṣṇa says. "The *ācārya* is Myself." *Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādaḥ:* "By pleasing the *ācārya,* one can please the Supreme Lord." This is the... *Ācāryavān puruṣo veda:* "One who has got *ācārya* to guide him, he knows things." These are the Vedic injunctions. --- **[1975: Bhagavad-gītā Lecture](spoken/1975/750227bg.mia)** > So our process of understanding, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement—we do not hear from any bogus person. We hear from Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says for us, those who are Kṛṣṇa conscious, *tat samāsena me śṛṇu:* "From Me, because I am the supreme authority, Kṛṣṇa." Kṛṣṇa says that *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya* : "There is no more superior authority than Me." So we get knowledge from superior authority. That is the process of acquiring knowledge. We go to school, colleges, teachers. So why? To receive knowledge. So teacher or school, college, they are in higher authority. Similarly, you go on, higher authorities, higher authorities, higher authorities, you reach to Brahmā, because he is the original creature, and he described the Vedic knowledge. So he is also not higher authority. He also received knowledge from God. *Tene brahma hṛdā ādi-kavaye.* That is stated in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavata. Ādi-kavaye,* the original person. > Kṛṣṇa says—I think in the Fourteenth Chapter it is there—that "I am the seed-giving father of all these forms of life. All these forms of life. They are not automatic, come from anywhere. I am the original father." Therefore those who are fully Kṛṣṇa conscious or fully advanced in spiritual consciousness, they do not make any difference between an insect and a elephant, because he knows very well that the same spirit soul is there within the elephant and within insect, within the microbe. Because the dimension of the spirit soul is very small. You cannot imagine. It is one ten-thousandth part of the tip of the hair. *Keśāgra-śata-bhāgasya śatadhā kalpita*. Everything is there. So such minute particle is so powerful that it is managing the body of the elephant and it is managing the body of the ant. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.20](spoken/1976/760227sb.may)** > This *durgā* energy. *Durgā* energy means this material energy. *Durga. Durga* means fort. We are packed up within this fort. You see the round sky—it is just like a football—and within, we are packed up. Just like the soldiers, they are within the fort, or there are other persons also, similarly, this is a *durga. Durga. Duḥ* means "difficult," and *ga* means "going." *Dur-ga.* So because the nature is feminine, therefore it is called *durga.* So just like in the fort, in the jail, if you are put, it is *dur-ga,* very difficult to come out; very, very difficult. *Duḥ* means it is not so easy. Therefore it is called *dur-ga.* You cannot enter in the fort or in the jail. Big, big walls, you cannot enter there without permission, and you cannot come out without permission. That is called *durga.* So this Durga, or *durgā-śakti,* material energy, very, very powerful. You cannot come out from this fort of material existence without superior permission. That is Kṛṣṇa's permission. *Mayādhyakṣeṇa* : "Under My vigilence, under My superintendence." So Durgā-devī is keeping you captivated. When Kṛṣṇa says, "Let him go," immediately. Immediately you are released. And when Kṛṣṇa says, "Keep him under your control," so you have to remain. > So this is very nice philosophy. We have to understand very clearly this position, the grammatical difference... What is called? The nominative? [aside:] What is called in Sanskrit? *Kāraka* [case]? *Kartā kāraka*: nominative case, *karma kāraka* [objective case], like that? Yes. Different things are being done under different situation. They are called *kāraka*. Somebody was working as the person; another is objective; another is causative; another is dative; another is relative. In this way it is explained here, *yathā yena yasmai yasmāt.* So these are the *karaka,* different position of activities. But all these different positions can be adjusted into one. That is Kṛṣṇa, Brahman. *Eko brahma dvitiya nāsti.* Only Kṛṣṇa is there; nothing except Kṛṣṇa. That understanding, that there is something other than Kṛṣṇa, that conception, "other than Kṛṣṇa," is called *māyā.* Actually there is nothing except Kṛṣṇa, but due to our imperfect knowledge we think there is something other than Kṛṣṇa. There is nothing other than Kṛṣṇa. Everything is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says, *mayā tatam idam...* In other place also it is that *eka-deśa-sthitasyāgneḥ.* --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770227r2.may)** > Utilize it very nicely. Kṛṣṇa will be very, very pleased. This is our real business. Every..., every work is nice. Still, one should work... That is to be designated by the spiritual... "This man..." Knows how to engage this man. --- **[1977: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.7](spoken/1977/770227sb.may)** > So this is the process. This process you cannot expect immediately, but if you practice general process, very easily done, as it is recommended in the *Bhagavad-gītā, man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru*. You cannot get the position of Prahlāda Mahārāja immediately. That is not possible. The process is, first of all, *sādhana-bhakti.* [regulative devotional service] This Prahlāda Mahārāja's position is different. He is *mahā-bhāgavata.* In many places we have seen already, he is *nitya-siddha.* There are two kinds of devotees..., three: *nitya-siddha, sādhana-siddha, kṛpa-siddha.* These things are described in *The Nectar of Devotion. Nitya-siddha* means they are eternally associate of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They are called *nitya-siddha.* And *sādhana-siddha* means one is fallen in this material world, but by practice of devotional service according to the rules and regulation, injunction of the *śāstra,* direction of *guru,* in this way, one can reach also the same position as the *nitya-siddha.* This is *sādhana-siddha.* And there is another. That is *kṛpa-siddha. Kṛpa-siddha* means... Just like Nityānanda Prabhu, He wanted that these Jagāi-Mādhāi must be delivered. There was no *sādhana.* They never followed any rules and regulation. They were thieves and rogues, very fallen condition. But Nityānanda Prabhu wanted to show an example that "I shall deliver these two brothers. Never mind they are so fallen." That is called *kṛpa-siddha.* So we should always remember there are three categories: *nitya-siddha, sādhana-siddha* and *kṛpa-siddha.* But when they become *siddha,* perfect, by any process, they are on the same level. There is no distinction. > So Prahlāda Mahārāja's position is *nitya-siddha. Gaurāṅgera saṅgi gane nitya-siddha boli māne.* [Śrīla Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura. *Prārthanā*. Song 38.] Caitanya Mahāprabhu, when He came... Not only He, but others also. Just like with Kṛṣṇa so many devotees, they descended, just like Arjuna. Arjuna is *nitya-siddha, nitya-siddha* friend. When Kṛṣṇa said that "I spoke this philosophy of *Bhagavad-gītā* to the sun-god," *imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam*, that is so many millions of years ago. To clear the matter, Arjuna inquired that "Kṛṣṇa, You are of my age. How I can believe that You spoke this philosophy so many millions of years ago?" So what Kṛṣṇa replied, you know, that "My dear Arjuna, both you and Me, we appeared many, many times. The difference is that you have forgotten. That means you were also present at that time, because you are My *nitya-siddha* friend. Whenever I appear, you also appear. But you have forgotten; I have not forgotten." That is the difference between *jīva* and *śiva,* or Lord, that we are minute part and particle of the Supreme; therefore we may forget. But Kṛṣṇa does not forget. That is the difference. So *nitya-siddha.* Prahlāda Mahārāja is to be understood as *nitya, mahā-bhāgavata, nitya-siddha.* They appear to complete the *līlā* of Kṛṣṇa. --- ## Letters on February 27 *Letters from this day: 11* --- **[1969: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1969/690227_brahmananda)** > You have written to say that you are my disobedient son, but I think I am your disturbing father. --- **[1969: Letter to Uddhava](letters/1969/690227_uddhava)** > Regarding the pictures in *Back To Godhead* which you are learning to photograph, they will be of all kinds. --- **[1970: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1970/700227_jagadisa)** > I am glad to learn that after deliberation between Jayapataka and Raktaka, you have been asked to become the president of Toronto temple. The idea is that whoever is competent to manage affairs will accept the post of president by mutual consent. Our main business is to be fixed up in Krsna Consciousness by keeping steady in the prescribed duties of devotional service. --- **[1972: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1972/720227_bali-mardana)** > So far the other books you are printing, I am very much impressed by your quick progress in making ISKCON Press an efficient and worthwhile contributor to pushing on this Krishna Consciousness Movement, and on the whole it is a good report. By good cooperation amongst us, we are sure to increase the preaching of Krishna Consciousness through all these literatures. --- **[1972: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1972/720227_jadurani)** > (3) He is sitting directly upon the soft center of the lotus. (4) There are many authorized, standard versions of paintings of Garbhodakasayi Visnu reclining, so you may see these, exactly how it is done. --- **[1972: Letter to Mohanananda](letters/1972/720227_mohanananda)** > The devotee is not interested in liberation, but in serving; as such, the devotee is already liberated. --- **[1972: Letter to Nandarani](letters/1972/720227_nandarani)** > I think you know the story how these deities practically miraculously appeared in our London center. --- **[1975: Letter to Mr. T.S. Orr](letters/1975/750227_mr._t.s._orr)** > Re: Time fixed deposits for 257,356.09 dollars and 110,000.00 dollars respectively, due to be matured by the first week of March with interest. --- **[1976: Letter to Mahamsa](letters/1976/760227_mahamsa)** > You must stop circulation of this paper immediately. It is not being properly managed. --- **[1977: Letter to Amogha](letters/1977/770227_amogha)** > It is better to consult Bali Mardan how to manage your personal affairs. You are an intelligent boy, so do not misuse your intelligence. --- **[1977: Letter to Turyadas](letters/1977/770227_turyadas)** > Please continue to increase the deity worship and teach others to become a very good pujari like you. When I see my disciples doing deity worship nicely that engladdens me. ---