# March 18 ## Spoken on March 18 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.149–171](spoken/1967/670318cc.sf)** > So chiefly the impersonalist and the void philosophers, they are called Māyāvādī, because they have no other information. They want to simply negate, nullify, but they have no positive information, they are called Māyāvādī. So the Śaṅkarites... Śaṅkarites, of course, they give positive information: *brahma satya jagan mithyā.* They say that this world is false and Brahman is reality. > But because we want reality in variety, therefore impersonal philosophy, although we take it as a matter of sectarian philosophy, it does not appeal to the heart, because by nature we want enjoyment. And whenever there is question of enjoyment, there must be variety. Variety is the mother of enjoyment. --- **[1968: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 12.2.1](spoken/1968/680318sb.sf)** > So that knowledge... *Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam*. As it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* this knowledge is received by this disciplic succession. That is perfect knowledge. No adulteration. Just like if you see water directly from the sky, it is pure water. And as soon as you take water either from sea or river, it is adulterated. Similarly, we have to receive knowledge direct from Kṛṣṇa. So it is a great opportunity that *Bhagavad-gītā* is directly imparted by Kṛṣṇa. And if we take, accept, *Bhagavad-gītā* as it is, we are full of knowledge. > Therefore this knowledge is perfect. *Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam*, by disciplic succession from authority. That knowledge is perfect. Our knowledge, most imperfect. Just like we are studying the moon. So many scientists are engaged to study the moon. Every day we read something about moon. And in *Bhāgavata* you see that the moon is very cold planet, and there people drink *soma-rasa.* And the other day I was reading in the paper, the temperature is 200 degrees less than zero. Just you can imagine how cold it is. --- **[1971: Room Conversation [Partially Recorded](spoken/1971/710318r1.bom)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa is not *abhijña. Svarāṭ. Janmādy asya yato 'nvayād itarataś cārtheśv abhijñaḥ svarāṭ.* This example is nice. A grain of potassium cyanide is sufficient. There is no taste. The chemical characteristic of potassium cyanide, they have not mentioned the taste, because as soon as there is taste—finished. They cannot... [laughter] He cannot say whether it is pungent or sweet. [laughter] Finished. So there is no taste. [end] > Similarly, the biggest spiritual identity, Kṛṣṇa, He can become all-pervading. We are particle spiritual, spark. We have got limited power. [indistinct] *Yena sarvam idaṁ tatam*, "I become immediately expanded throughout My body." And He is unlimitedly big. So how much His consciousness is distributed all over the world? *Sarva-jña.* --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.7.19–20](spoken/1971/710318sb.bom)** > So further explanation. This is subject matter little difficult, but it is very important. Prahlāda Mahārāja is explaining to his demonic class friends. Five-years-old boy, how he's explaining this Sāṅkhya philosophy? Because he's a devotee and he has heard the whole philosophy from authorities, Nārada Muni. *Mūkaṁ karoti vācālaṁ paṅguṁ laṅghayate girim*. Therefore the spiritual master's mercy is described, *mūkhaṁ karoti vācālam*. *Mūkham* means dumb, one who cannot speak. He becomes a great lecturer or speaker. Although he is dumb, but he can become a great lecturer, *mūkhaṁ karoti vācālam*. > The material scientists, they have no information of *ātmā*. Therefore they think that in the moon planet there is no life, in the sun planet there is no life. Simply... This is *kūpa-maṇḍūka-nyāya*. Dr. Frog Ph.D., he's thinking in his own way. Dr. Frog thinks that this three-feet dimension of the well is all in all; there cannot be anything. These rascal philosopher and rascal scientist, they think in that way, Dr. Frog. There cannot be Atlantic Ocean. That three-feet dimension well water is sufficient. Therefore we have to receive knowledge from authorities. We cannot speculate. Speculation will not help us in approaching the real destination. --- **[1972: Pandal Lecture](spoken/1972/720318le.bom)** > Therefore *Bhagavad-gītā* says, *sukham ātyantikaṁ yat tad atīndriyam grāhyam*. If you want happiness, even sense gratification, that is not possible when your senses are covered by these material elements. We have got our senses, that is a fact. We have got our desires, we have got our mind, we have got our other senses, but this is now covered by the material elements. This is called dress. Just like if you are simply dressed, and if you want to enjoy sense gratification, it is not possible. You have to undress yourself, you have to become naked yourself. Similarly, if you want to sense gratify, then you have to purify your this material existence. *Sarvopādhi vinirmuktaṁ tat-paratvena nirmalam*. > Kṛṣṇa therefore says in the *Bhagavad-gītā*, *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya . Absolute Truth means the Supreme. In the *Brahmā-sūtra* it is indicated that the human form of life is meant for understanding the Absolute Truth. Athāto brahma-jijñāsā. We have to enquire about the Absolute Truth. That is human form of life, not to waste our time simply going to the market and enquire, "What is the rate of rice and what is the rate of *dāl*?'' That should go on, but along with it, there should be inquiry what is the Absolute Truth, what is Kṛṣṇa, what is God. That is beginning of human form of life. --- **[1973: Lecture](spoken/1973/730318le.cal)** > ...he is speaking about knowledge, perfect knowledge. Knowledge received from common man or any person within this material world, infected with four kinds of defects, cannot be perfect. The so-called scientists, philosophers, mental speculators or dramatists or writers, as we experience, their talkings all are nonsense—this is our challenge—because the basic principle of their knowledge is ignorance, *ajñāna.* Big, big scientists, they simply theorize, and they try to support their theories with the words, "it may be," "perhaps." That is not perfect knowledge. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.3](spoken/1974/740318sb.vrn)** > So the activities of people who are envious, they are simply trying to enjoy. *Nidrayā*: sleeping. *Hriyate naktaṁ vyavāyena ca vā vayaḥ*. Also, they are having sex life at night. Or during the daytime, *divā cārthehayā rājan,* they are also trying to accumulate wealth in order to maintain their family members. This also important, because in the material world, actually no one is maintaining anyone else, but actually it is Kṛṣṇa; He is maintaining everybody. *Janma jyasta tāhā*[?]. He is maintaining everyone and everything. But because we are envious that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme proprietor, *sarva-loka-maheśvaram*, that He is the owner of everything, they also, they try to become owners. > So this is also a position of an envious householder, an envious person—not necessarily householders, but... The real peace formula as described in *Bhagavad-gītā*, as Śrīla Prabhupādahas so many times said, that *bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasām* : Kṛṣṇa is the supreme object of sacrifice, He is the supreme enjoyer of all sacrifices. *Sarva-loka-maheśvaram:* and He is the owner of everything. *Suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ:* and He alone is the supreme friend of everyone. And this is the real platform of *jñāna, jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati*. This is the real platform of knowledge. So to act in this consciousness is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and when we forget that Kṛṣṇa is the supreme enjoyer, and He is the supreme benefactor and proprietor of everything, and that He is the supreme friend of everyone, then we make the mistake of becoming the supreme enjoyer, benefactor and friend ourselves, and hence we simply engage in all nonsensical activities, which do no good for anyone. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.40](spoken/1976/760318sb.may)** > It is a very good example. In the previous verse Prahlāda Mahārāja explained, *naitan manas tava kathāsu vikuṇṭha-nātha samprīyate durita-duṣṭam asādhu tīvram*. So *kṛṣṇa-kathā* is not palatable. This is *māyā*'s influence. So we cannot engage our senses for Kṛṣṇa. This is the disturbing condition of material world. Senses are there, I am there, and how the senses should be utilized, the subject matter is also there, but it is misled. This is called *māyā.* Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, *jīvera svarūpa haya nitya kṛṣṇa dāsa* : we are eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. So what is the business of the servant? The business of the servant is to carry out the order of the master. So the senses are... I am the body—taking for the time being—and my senses—hands, legs, eyes, ears, tongue, genital, so many, ten senses—they are working senses and knowledge-gathering senses. There are so many senses. So if I am servant of Kṛṣṇa, then my senses should be always ready to serve Kṛṣṇa. This is real position. But we are not doing that. We shall wait, that "If I serve Kṛṣṇa, then where is the opportunity for my living condition?" No. There is good opportunity. Just like we want to eat; therefore that is the first problem. So if we say, "Don't eat this," so that does not mean you don't eat. The eating is not prohibited, but eating independently, whimsically, that is prohibited. Just like to keep your health in good order, sometimes it is said, "You don't eat it." That does not mean eating is prohibited; the some particular thing is prohibited. But we are accustomed to satisfy our senses. Therefore we are misled. > In the *śāstra* it is said that *ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ*. These present *indriyas,* senses, they're misled. They are misled in different way. Although I am serving, but I am serving my senses. My position is not master but servant. I am trying to become master, but I have already become servant of my senses. So instead of becoming servant of Kṛṣṇa, I have become the servant of my senses. So my position as servant is there. Is it not? I am maintaining because I cannot change it. Suppose... Just like a woman. If a woman dresses like a man, does it mean that he has become a man? No. Woman is woman; man is man. Simply by changing dress we cannot do that. Similarly, our constitutional position is to serve. And to serve whom? Kṛṣṇa. That is our constitutional position. But falsely we are trying to become master. Therefore, instead of becoming master, I have become the servant of my senses. This is our position. So the master is sense. The *jihvā* is my master. He is asking, "Why don't you come to this restaurant?" "No, no, my belly is already filled up." "No, you must come." [laughter] You'll see. A man is coming from home after sumptuously eating, and as soon as he comes to the street, immediately he enters a restaurant and drinks a cup of tea and few biscuit or cake. Why? What is the necessity? You are already filled up in your belly, and still, again, immediately you are... "No, it is very palatable." So you are servant of your tongue. "Because it is palatable, although my belly is already filled up, so I must satisfy my tongue." So I am master... I'm not master; I'm servant of the tongue. --- ## Letters on March 18 *Letters from this day: 24* --- **[1966: Letter to Sir Padampat Singhania](letters/1966/660318_sir_padampat_singhania)** > Now as referred to my last letter of January 20 1966, I am very glad to inform you that by the Grace of Lord Dvarakadhisa there is now some definite arrangement for dollar exchange in India. --- **[1967: Letter to Nripen Babu](letters/1967/670318_nripen_babu)** > Any way please try to save temple of Jiva Goswami because in very near future many people all parts of the world will come to see the Temple and Samadhi of Jiva Goswami and Rupa Goswami. If you get court permission to sell the land there will be no objection for purchasing * so far I know that your maternal uncle and cousin brother are also *_ in the temple. --- **[1968: Letter to Devananda](letters/1968/680318_devananda)** > Your sincerity and desire for doing some service for Krishna is very much encouraging to me. --- **[1968: Letter to Michael](letters/1968/680318_michael)** > Yes, by Krishna's Grace all obstacles have been removed. We all prayed to Krishna that your inconveniences may be removed, and by Grace of Krishna, they have all been removed, so we feel very much thankful to the Lord. --- **[1969: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1969/690318_hayagriva)** > Regarding Srimad-Bhagavatam: No it is not possible to delete so much of the books. We do not find any special facility being published by MacMillan, so we shall publish on our own press. --- **[1969: Letter to Himavati](letters/1969/690318_himavati)** > It has come to me late on account of changing places so quickly and the statement given by you in the matter of worshiping the Deity is super excellent. --- **[1969: Letter to Hrsikesa](letters/1969/690318_hrsikesa)** > And you are in the right place for doing this, in New Vrindaban, and I shall be happy to meet with you again when I arrive there in May. --- **[1969: Letter to Nandakisora](letters/1969/690318_nandakisora)** > The devotees here also have very much appreciated it, and I may encourage to do more writing of poetry and even articles for our BTG magazine. --- **[1969: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1969/690318_tamala_krsna)** > is working very hard. And Krishna Consciousness is so nice that you are aspiring for still more work. That is the sign of spiritual life. --- **[1970: Letter to Manager Of Bank Of Baroda M. M. De](letters/1970/700318_manager_of_bank_of_baroda_m._m._de)** > Manager Bank of Baroda (Calcutta Branch) India Exchange Calcutta-1, India Re: My S/B Account No. --- **[1971: Letter to Advaita](letters/1971/710318_advaita)** > Also I have received all our new publications and I am very much pleased with them. --- **[1971: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1971/710318_karandhara)** > I am encouraged by your new membership drive. This membership program is so important that we get money, sympathizers and push on our mission of distributing books, all simultaneously. Anyone reading our Krsna book, Nectar of Devotion, Teachings of Lord Caitanya and Bhagavad-gita will certainly become a Krsna conscious person. --- **[1974: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1974/740318_madhudvisa)** > I have accepted the two Melbourne devotees for initiation as recommended by you and their names are given as follows: --- **[1974: Letter to Uttamasloka](letters/1974/740318_uttamasloka)** > I have accepted for first initiation the devotees recommended by you, and their spiritual names are as follows: --- **[1975: Letter to Gandharva](letters/1975/750318_gandharva)** > We are very eager to give everyone a chance to become Krishna Conscious, but if someone repeatedly causes a disturbance then he may be asked to leave. That is the Krishna Conscious system. Any way, whatever your position may be simply follow the rules carefully, chant 16 rounds and read my books and you will be saved from Maya. --- **[1975: Letter to Hanuman](letters/1975/750318_hanuman)** > If you are unable to work under the direction of Hrdayananda Gosvami, then you must work under my direction, but you are not independent. --- **[1975: Letter to Lalana](letters/1975/750318_lalana)** > It is very nice that you are learning to weave. I have no objection to your coming to India as long as your temple president and GBC do not object. --- **[1975: Letter to Narayana](letters/1975/750318_narayana)** > If Hanuman wants to preach there as long as he does not create any disturbance, he can preach there. --- **[1975: Letter to Naveen Khurana Margaret Khurana](letters/1975/750318_naveen_khurana_margaret_khurana)** > Naveen and Margaret Khurana 2FY Lake Village Dr. Please continue to chant 16 rounds and to follow the four regulative principles as you have promised in your letter and your life will be perfect. --- **[1975: Letter to Supriya](letters/1975/750318_supriya)** > Thank you very much for your kind sentiments and the $100 daksina. Upon the recommendation of your temple president Govardhana dasa, I am accepting you as my initiated disciple. I am hoping that you will fulfill your promise to chant at least 16 good rounds a day and to follow all of the four regulative principles. --- **[1976: Letter to Sri S.R. Acarya](letters/1976/760318_sri_s.r._acarya)** > If you kindly come in Calcutta* on the 22nd or 23rd March, 1976, at any time between 10-12 in the morning, or 5-7 in the evening along with your papers, I shall be very glad to meet you and talk with you on the subject matter. --- **[1976: Letter to Sri Triloki Natha Acarya](letters/1976/760318_sri_triloki_natha_acarya)** > It was addressed to Calcutta temple but on account of not mentioning the zonal number, it was delivered very late in Calcutta, then it was redirected here in our above temple. --- **[1977: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1977/770318_gurudasa)** > The Krishna conscious Katha contest and the workshops appear to be very nice. This is our only business—to endeavor to serve Krishna at every moment. --- **[1977: Letter to Hari-Sauri](letters/1977/770318_hari-sauri)** > Your letter is very nice. You have expressed transcendental sentiments. ---