# March 6 ## Spoken on March 6 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.8–9](spoken/1972/720306sb.cal)** > This *varṇāśrama-dharma—*four *varṇas*: *brāhmaṇa*, *kṣatriya*, *vaiśya*, *śūdra;* and four *āśramas*, namely *brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha* and *sannyāsa*—they are meant for this bodily concept of life. Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore said that "I am neither a *brāhmaṇa* nor a *kṣatriya* nor a *vaiśya* nor a *śūdra*. Neither I am *brahmacārī* nor *gṛhastha* nor *vānaprastha* nor *sannyāsī*." He kept Himself *nāhaṁ vipro na ca nara-patiḥ*, kept Himself aloof from this *varṇāśrama-dharma*. > Because the whole aim of life is to go back to home, back to Godhead, Viṣṇu. We have forgotten Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore, we are loitering in this material world under different species of life in different planetary system. *Brahmāṇḍa bhramite* : we are wandering. Why? Because we have forgotten Viṣṇu. Therefore, this human form of life is meant for realizing Viṣṇu. But we do not know. *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇu*. *Oṁ tad viṣṇoḥ paramaṁ padaṁ sadā paśyanti sūrayaḥ* [*Ṛg Veda* 1.22.20]. This is Vedic, *Ṛg Veda mantra,* that "Those who are *sūrayaḥ*, advanced, civilized Āryans, they are looking forward to the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu." That is the ultimate goal of life. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 10.1–3](spoken/1973/730306bg.cal)** > So the *māyā* has captured us. Why? Because we have defied the supremacy of Kṛṣṇa. So all of us, more or less. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says in the Tenth Chapter, *bhūya eva mahā-bāho*. Arjuna is great soldier; therefore he is addressed as *mahā-bāho. Bāho,* we have got *bāho.* We have got *bāho.* But Arjuna's *bāho* is different: he can fight with thousands of men alone. We cannot fight even with one man, although we have got this *bāho.* Therefore he is addressed as *mahā-bāho.* And another meaning is that unless one is very strong in determination, he cannot make any advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He must be a hero. He must be able to fight with the laws of material nature. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that *bhūya eva mahā..., śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ *. Everything what Kṛṣṇa says, that is *paramaṁ,* supreme truth. Kṛṣṇa cannot commit any mistake. The difference between Kṛṣṇa and ourself is that whatever we do, they are subjected to so many deficiencies, because we commit mistake, we are disillusioned, and our senses are imperfect and we cheat. Kṛṣṇa is not like that. Therefore whatever He says, that is supreme, that is transcendental. And still, because we are conditional, Kṛṣṇa is speaking to Arjuna in so many different ways just to convince him. This is the duty, because Kṛṣṇa has been accepted by Arjuna as the spiritual master. *Śiṣyas te 'haṁśādhi māṁ prapannam*. And Kṛṣṇa is teaching him. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740306mw.may)** > This is the Vedic injunction. You cannot do anything without abiding the orders of spiritual master. That is surrender. How nice water it is. [break] And there are many thousands, you'll find. And we are thinking, "Oh, if I go away, who will feed my son? Who will feed my daughter?" He'll never think that "If so many animals are fed by the Supreme," *eko yo bahūnāṁ vidadhāti kāmān* [Kaṭha Upaniṣad* 2.2.13], "He's supplying all the necessity. Why not for me or for my other children?" It is *māyā* that one thinks that "Without me..." Just like Gandhi was thinking. Unless he was killed... He was always thinking, "Without me, India will be spoiled. India will be spoiled." It was spoiled. Therefore you wanted *sva-rājya.* And after his death, it is also spoiled. So India's *karma* will have to suffer, either Gandhi's there or not there. *Prakṛteḥ kriya... Prakṛteḥ:* Everything is being done by the material nature, *prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ,* by, dictated by different modes of nature. *Ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā kartāham iti manyate* : > The life was meant for understanding Kṛṣṇa and worship Him, and he's asking, "Give me the burden on my head." Therefore *mūḍha,* rascal, fool. He's asking something which will never make him happy, even by merging into the effulgence, *Brahman* effulgence. It will never make him happy. But he does not know. Therefore he's *mūḍha,* rascal. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.27](spoken/1975/750306s2.ny)** > If we discuss *Bhagavad-gītā* amongst the societies of the devotee... That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, mad-bhakteṣu abhidhāsyati*. Bhagavad-gītā* should be discussed amongst the devotees. Sometimes we discuss *Bhagavad-gītā* amongst the non devotees. That is due to higher order, higher order—Guru Mahārāja asked that "You go and speak." So we are doing that. Actually, *Bhagavad-gītā* is to be discussed amongst the devotees. So our hard task is that first of all we have to make one devotee and then let him understand *Bhagavad-gītā.* Our double task. Because nobody wants to become devotee. So we are canvassing door to door, country to country, village to village, "Sir, please come in our temple. We shall give you nice *prasādam.* You simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and hear something about Kṛṣṇa." So still, people will not come. Still they will not come. We have to canvass. We have to do so many things. That is the influence of *māyā. Māyā* is so strong that unless one is very much determined, *māyā* will be very strong for him. > So *tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā*. Arjuna did that. Therefore Arjuna learned the *Bhagavad-gītā,* and it was always relief for him when he was perplexity. *Haranti smarataś cittam. Haranti.* What is that *haranti*? *Hṛt-tāpa. Hṛt-tāpa,* the blazing fire within the heart, within the core of the heart, immediately becomes minimized, *haranti. Smarataś cittam.* As soon as I remember, my consciousness, my heart, core of heart, becomes immediately relieved. How it is relieved? Why it is relieved? "Govinda instructed." Govinda means Kṛṣṇa. Govinda means Kṛṣṇa. *Govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi.* Govinda. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.2.6](spoken/1975/750306sb.ny)** > Kṛṣṇa says that the Supreme Lord—that means He—He is situated in everyone's heart. If we are sincere... "We" means these living entities. We are also living within this body. *Asmin dehe, dehino 'smi..., dehino 'smin dehe*. We are not this body. I am, you are, we are also situated within this body, and Kṛṣṇa is also situated within this body. *Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe*. It is not that He is situated in the heart of the Hindus and not of the others. No. Everyone. *Sarva-bhūtānāṁ*. He is situated even within the heart of cats and dogs and tigers and others. Everyone. That is *īśvaraḥ*. *Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe*. This verse we have repeatedly discussed—it is very, very important—that this body is just like a motorcar, *yantra*. *Māyayā... Bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni yantrā rūḍhāni māyayā*. *Māyayā*. Through the agency of *māyā*, material energy, this vehicle, machine, has been given to me. Why? Because I wanted to wander throughout the universe, just like they are going to the moon planet. So everyone has got this. This is called philosophical ideas. Everyone, every human being, if he is at all human being, he considers. That is philosophical mind. He considers, "Oh, there are so many stars. Whether..., what they are doing? How many men are there? Whether there is motorcar? Whether there is hill, ocean?" These questions automatically come to an intelligent man. That is the beginning of philosophy. Natural. > So far one is in the renounced order of life, so he should first of all renounce the sex life and the state of fearfulness. That is renounced. Just like here there are many *brahmacārīs, sannyāsīs*. They are supposed to be renounced order, especially the *sannyāsī*, and *vānaprastha, brahmacārī*. Renounced. First renunciation is to renounce sense gratification. Therefore the person in renounced order is called *svāmī*. *Svāmī* means master. Or *gosvāmī*. So *go* means "senses," and *svāmī* means "master." One who has become master of his senses, he is *gosvāmī* or *svāmī*. Otherwise, if one is servant of his senses, how he can be *svāmī* or *gosvāmī*? Every word has got meaning. So one has to renounce. This is material life. Material life means everyone is engaged for sense gratification, and that is taken as the advancement of civilization. The same sense gratification in different way, same intoxication, same meat-eating, same sex life; either go to club or naked club or this club. Therefore the practice is the same. *Punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām*, repetition of chewing the chewed. This is material life. --- **[1976: Meeting with Godbrothers in Bengali](spoken/1976/760306me.may)** > Prabhupāda:* [Transl. That's why it says *eko bahūnāṁ vidadhāti Kāmān*. He is feeding everyone. Over population? The animals also. They are also over populated? They are also eating. They give birth one dozen at a time. Are they over populated? He is feeding all. They simply talk nonsense. The real fact is, according to *Bhāgavata*, when people will become Godless and demons they will be destroyed by starvation. That's a fact.] > > jaya oṁ viṣṇu-pāda paramahaṁsa parivrājakācārya aṣṭottara-śata śrī śrīmad bhaktisiddhānta sarasvatī gosvāmī ṭhākur ki jaya. ananta-koṭi vaiṣṇava-vṛnda ki jaya. nāmācārya śrīla haridāsa ṭhākura kī jaya. premse kaho śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya-prabhu-nityānanda śrī-advaita gadādhara śrīvāsādi-gaura-bhakta-vṛnda kī jaya. śrī śrī rādhā-kṛṣṇa gopa-gopīnātha śyāma-kuṇḍa rādhā-kuṇḍa giri-govardhana kī jaya. vṛndāvana-dhāma kī jaya. navadvīpa-dhāma kī jaya. gaṅgāmayī kī jaya. yamunāmayī kī jaya. samavetā-bhakta-vṛndā kī jaya. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.28](spoken/1976/760306sb.may)** > So this is Vaiṣṇava *paddhati. Tava bhṛtya-sevām.* Vaiṣṇava does not approach Kṛṣṇa directly. That is not Vaiṣṇava. This is impudency. You cannot approach Kṛṣṇa. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has taught us, *gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ*. This is the process. You have to... As you have to receive the perfect knowledge by the *paramparā* system—*imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam*, similarly, you have to approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead through the *paramparā* system. > Why the spiritual master position is so great? Because he is very, very confidential servant of Kṛṣṇa; therefore his position is so great. So this is the process: *tava bhṛtya-sevā.* We have to... *Ādau gurvāśrayam.* [*Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu* 1.1.74] First beginning of Vaiṣṇava life is to accept *guru,* spiritual master, *ādau gurvāśrayam,* then other things. Because who will teach you? So we have to approach a pure Vaiṣṇava as spiritual master, follow his instruction. And what is his instruction? His instruction is as he was instructed by his spiritual master. He does not invent instruction. This is instruction. The pure Vaiṣṇava, he does not invent anything new. *Yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa upadeśa*. --- ## Letters on March 6 *Letters from this day: 18* --- **[1968: Letter to Andrea Temple](letters/1968/680306_andrea_temple)** > Your work in spreading Krishna Consciousness there is very much pleasing to me, and I am always glad to hear more from you. --- **[1968: Letter to Janardana](letters/1968/680306_janardana)** > So far the temple is concerned, do what is easier, without too much implicating yourself. --- **[1969: Letter to Purusottama](letters/1969/690306_purusottama)** > I am glad to inform you that we have reached Hawaii in due time on Monday afternoon and immediately we met the devotees who came to receive us and I have come directly to Govinda dasi's residence. --- **[1969: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1969/690306_rayarama)** > You wanted one assistant editor, and I can understand that you may feel inconvenience with Hayagriva, but would you like to have as your assistant editor, Gaurasundara? So he can help you in editing work even from such distant place. --- **[1970: Letter to Goverdhan](letters/1970/700306_goverdhan)** > I am very glad to welcome you as my initiated student. I have duly chanted your beads and they are returned herewith. Please carefully observe the four restrictive principles; namely no taking of intoxicants, no eating of meat, fish, or eggs, no illicit sex-life, and no gambling. --- **[1970: Letter to Malati](letters/1970/700306_malati)** > It is not surprising that you feel the competition of maya very keen because we are in the midst of an ocean of Maya. --- **[1970: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1970/700306_nityananda)** > I am glad to learn that you are already progressing nicely in Krsna Consciousness and actively engaged in leading Sankirtana Party at Buffalo Temple. --- **[1970: Letter to Vasudeva](letters/1970/700306_vasudeva)** > In the meantime, I have received also one painting of my Guru Maharaja Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. --- **[1973: Letter to Abhirama](letters/1973/730306_abhirama)** > and I beg to acknowledge receipt of your unsigned report dated the 18th of February. --- **[1973: Letter to Cyavana](letters/1973/730306_cyavana)** > Yes, I should not travel so extensively any more if I am to finish my work on the *Bhagavatam.* So I am turning over all the management to the GBC and the presidents. Your program for printing our literature is very encouraging to me because that is our major effort for pushing on this movement, so kindly distribute these literatures far and wide as possible. --- **[1973: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1973/730306_kirtanananda)** > Thank you very much, I have received your pamphlet inviting to participate in New Vrndavana activities. --- **[1974: Letter to Ananda Keshore Maharaja](letters/1974/740306_ananda_keshore_maharaja)** > Your letter dated February 28th, reached me very late, on the 5th of February. So I am sorry I couldn't join you. --- **[1974: Letter to Brian Fleming](letters/1974/740306_brian_fleming)** > You write that you are becoming very involved in Krsna Consciousness but your wife is not very interested and you want to know from me whether you should leave her. The important thing is that you yourself become Krsna Consciousness, she cannot check you one way or another, but you must yourself surrender to Krsna and be engaged in devotional service. --- **[1974: Letter to Cyavana](letters/1974/740306_cyavana)** > It is very encouraging for me that you are preaching in Santiago, Chile and you are getting good reception from the student class. This is just according to the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and so He must be very pleased upon you for assisting me in spreading Hare Krsna to every town and village. --- **[1974: Letter to Krpasindhu](letters/1974/740306_krpasindhu)** > I hope you are becoming more enthusiastic by your stay in Mayapur and when you return to Canada you will go on increasingly in your preaching work. --- **[1974: Letter to Ravji Ganatra](letters/1974/740306_ravji_ganatra)** > Since you have gone we have not gone an inch forward. They have gone and made application for the police commissioner to give sanction, but it is still lying there and they do not say yes or no. There is no sanction as yet. --- **[1975: Letter to Mrs. Mohini H. Singh](letters/1975/750306_mrs._mohini_h._singh)** > I thank you for your kind letter of invitation dated 21st of Feb., 1975. I am just on my way to London from here (New York), and from there I shall have to go to Tehran, Iran, and then back to India by the 15th of March, 1975 for arranging the birthday anniversary of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu at our Mayapur center, (District Nadia), West Bengal, India. --- **[1976: Letter to Subhash Cander Batra](letters/1976/760306_subhash_cander_batra)** > I am very happy to learn that the new Toronto centre has been acquired and I thank you for assisting our mission in this way. ---