# March 23 ## Spoken on March 23 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1968: Morning Walk at Stowe Lake](spoken/1968/680323mw.sf)** > So we should be very much careful in discharging the duty. The devotee should be so much careful that he'll always see, "Whether this moment is spoiled or utilized?" *Avyartha-kālatvam*. *Avyartha-kālatvam,* that "My time may not be wasted." He should be so careful, "Whether my time is being wasted?" And time wasted, the time we engage for our bodily necessities, that is wasted. Generally, conditioned souls, they are simply wasting their time. Only the period which we are engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that is utilized. So we should be very much careful whether time is being wasted or being utilized. >determination. And this determination is increased by celibacy. *Brahmacārya* is recommended to keep oneself determined. A *brahmacārī,* if he determines something, he executes. He has got that strength of mind. Those who are too much addicted to sex life, they cannot be determined. They cannot be fixed-up. They are flexible, changing. People are, in modern day, they cannot sit down in a place for a long time. Therefore so much traveling. The traveling business is very prosperous. Everyone wants to travel. They cannot fix, fix up. --- **[1969: Lecture, Questions and Answers](spoken/1969/690323le.haw)** > So our proposition is not that vegetarian/nonvegetarian. Vegetarian or nonvegetarian, it is not very important thing. Everyone is eating some living entity. Vegetable has got also life. It does not mean that one man is eating meat; therefore he is killing. But even vegetarians, they are also killing. But our process is... We... Killing is not very important or nonimportant for us. If Kṛṣṇa says, "Kill," we can kill. If Kṛṣṇa says, "Don't kill," we don't kill. > But if we become Kṛṣṇa conscious, if we take teachings of *Bhagavad-gītā,* Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya sambhavanti mūrtayo yāḥ* "In all species of life, in all forms of life, as many creatures are there, they are all My sons." So how can you treat others as not your brother? They are also your brother. Even the ant is also your brother. He is in a different class of imprisonment, that's all. A different body. The ant has got also the same punishment—birth, death, old age and disease—as you have got. You are also criminal; he is also criminal. But he is also son of God; you are also son of God. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.3](spoken/1974/740323bg.bom)** > But people do not know... They are not educated what is God, what is God's place, where to go back, what is my position, what is my relation. Nothing of these things are educated or given lessons in any university anywhere. But it is there, the *Bhagavad-gītā.* Kṛṣṇa is personally giving him instruction. Kṛṣṇa is giving instruction to Arjuna. "Arjuna" does not mean that Arjuna is to take that lesson. Every one of us. And it is very old. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, "Don't manufacture new type of religion." What you'll do that? It is simply waste of time. You cannot manufacture anything. But they are after modernized religion. What is this nonsense modernized religions? You are living entity. You are part and parcel of God. It is old relationship, *purāṇa.* It is said *purāṇa. Purāṇa* means very old. *Na jāyate na mriyate vā kadācit, nityaṁ śāśvato 'yaṁ purāṇaḥ.* We have to accept that *purāṇa.* We are *purāṇa,* eternal. *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. We are not destroyed simply by destruction of this body. We remain. We accept another body. *Tathā dehāntara-prāptir dhīras tatra na muhyati*. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa has said... This is old. It is not new type of religion. It is the..., it is the oldest. *Bhagavad-bhakti.* Bhagavān is there, and the living entities are there. Their relationship is there. Now, by forgetting God, forgetting Kṛṣṇa, we are busy with the temporary problems, but we are forgetting the real problem. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that *bhakto 'si.* One has to become *bhakta.* So *bhakta* means... Bhagavān, if there is Bhagavān, then there is *bhakta,* and there is *bhakti.* But these people are denying the existence of *bhakta...,* Bhagavān. "There is no God." Now, how he can become *bhakta*? Or how there will be execution of *bhakti*? *Bhakta,* Bhagavān, *bhakti,* the same thing. *Bhakta* is in relationship with Bhagavān, and the transaction between Bhagavān and *bhakta* is called *bhakti. Bhakti* means *ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam*. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740323mw.bom)** > This is *śraddhā. Śraddhā-śabde viśvāsa.* Firm faith. "Yes, Kṛṣṇa has said that *mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja.* I will accept it. I will accept it. Even I do not understand, I will accept it." That is called *viśvāsa sudṛḍha niścaya.* And faith means *kṛṣṇe bhakti:* "If I surrender to Kṛṣṇa, then my all perfection is there." This is called *śraddhā.* --- **[1975: Arrival Talk in Room](spoken/1975/750323ar.may)** > One who is sincerely engaged in the service of the Lord, He gives him intelligence, "Now do this, do this." Simply we have to become sincere servant; then all dictation will come from within. Kṛṣṇa is there is everyone's heart. So work sincerely and everything will make progress. Who has painted this picture? > "Those who are envious and mischievous, who are the lowest among men, are cast by Me into the ocean of material existence, into various demoniac species of life." --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.8](spoken/1975/750323sb.cal)** > So every individual has his own duty, just like I explained earlier, so in a real human society there should be four divisions *Caturvarnyam maya sristam gunakarmavibagasah,* this must be there Brahman, *kshatriya, vaishya, sudra.* Who is a Brahman, who has good intelligence and he has practiced austerities *satyam śaucam śama dama titikṣāārjavam jñānaṁ vijñānam āstikyaṁ brahma-karma svabhāva-jam* this should be taught, one class of men there must be *brahmans,* otherwise who will guide the society, everyone has become *sudra,* so who will guide, in kali *yuga* this is the difficulty *kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ* there is no Brahman, who will teach, there is no brain, *sudra* means legs, Brahman means head, and ksatriya means arms, and viashya means stomach, just like in a body there are four division, similarly society should be divided into four divisions, And there should be cooperation between these divisions, then it is a perfect society. Just like you and I have, brain, hands, legs, stomach, if they work in cooperation then body is healthy every work will be done properly. > We are parts of his body, so as God wants, he takes different kinds of service from different demigods, similarly he takes different services from different living entities also. So that is called devotional service *ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-śīlanaṁ bhaktir uttamā*. Devotional service means every living entity has a specific duty towards God, God wants everyone to do a particular duty for him, that is service, just like God instructed Arjuna to fight, so to fight was Arjuna's duty, that is devotional service *ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu-śīlanaṁ*, in a friendly manner, not in animosity. Whatever Krsna has said you do that, that is what God also wants, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* whatever I am saying you listen to that, surrender on to my feet, this is called religion, that is why God says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya* all the other things that are going on as religion that are going on they are all cheating, the real religion is this *ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānu- śīlanaṁ*, this is the real religion. As God says do that, God says *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru *[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.43](spoken/1976/760323sb.cal)** > Para-duḥkha-duḥkhī.* Vaiṣṇava... That is Vaiṣṇava's duty, because they practically see that these rascals are engaged only in false activities which will not help him. They are planning this "ism," that "ism," that "ism," that "ism," simply wasting time, because he knows. He knows, everyone knows, but Vaiṣṇava understands; the non-Vaiṣṇava does not understand. He is a fool. He's a fool, does not understand. When in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said clearly, *prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ*, "Everyone is under the control of the modes of material nature, *sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa, tamo-guṇa,*" and still, this rascal is thinking that he is independent. *Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ.* And the so-called *yogīs* and *svāmīs* encouraging them, that "Yes, you can go on doing all nonsense. Pay me thirty-five dollars, I will give you *mantra,* and you'll be perfect." This is going on. > So Prahlāda Mahārāja is lamenting for these rascals, the ordinary common man and their so-called rascal guiders, because they cannot guide. They are misguided, because they do not believe in God. They themselves put themselves as God, although he is kicked by the laws of material nature. Even there is pain on the tooth, he immediately goes to the doctor, and he is God. This is going on. And Prahlāda Mahārāja is lamenting for these rascals, *vimūḍhān. Vimūḍha* means... *Vi* means *viśeṣa pūrvaka,* "particularly," and *mūḍha* means "rascal." Not only rascal—"particularly rascal." That is the problem for the Vaiṣṇava. Therefore, following the footprints of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, and before that, Prahlāda Mahārāja, Nārada Muni, many, many *ācāryas...* So Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He is Kṛṣṇa Himself. He also, He is thinking of these fallen souls. He has come again. First of all He came as Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa said, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* : "You rascal, you are creating so many plans. It will not help you. You just surrender unto Me." He said, but still, we are so rascals, we could not take up the proposal of Kṛṣṇa: "Oh, why shall I surrender? Kṛṣṇa is also as good as I am. I am also a man; He is also man." *Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritāḥ*. --- **[1977: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.3.18–19](spoken/1977/770323sb.bom)** > It is not possible, of course, to realize Brahman by everyone. That is not possible. But there must be an ideal institution. Unfortunately, at the present moment it is very difficult to find out where is that ideal *brāhmaṇa,* but there must be. Kṛṣṇa says. Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement includes this, that *cātur-varṇyaṁ māyā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ*. There must be division. There may be only a few number of *brāhmaṇas,* but there must be ideal *brāhmaṇa* so that people may learn that "Here is the first-class *brāhmaṇa.* Here is the first-class man. Let us take instruction from him, not from so-called politicians." This is Indian civilization. Don't think... Formerly, even Lord Rāmacandra, who was the king... He is God Himself. Still, He used to consult learned *brāhmaṇas,* sages, saintly persons, for governmental duties. The division must be there. > Purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Śrīla Prabhupāda: "Devotional service of the Lord is rendered by all limbs or parts of the body. It is the transcendental dynamic force of the spirit soul; therefore a devotee is engaged one hundred percent in the service of the Lord. One can engage in devotional service when the senses of the body are purified in relation with the Lord, and one can render service to the Lord with the help of all senses. As such, the senses and the action of the senses are to be considered as impure or materialistic as long as they are employed in sense gratification only. The purified senses are engaged not in sense gratification but in the service of the Lord *in toto*. The Lord is the Supreme with all senses, and the servitor who is part and parcel of the Lord also has the same senses. Service of the Lord is the completely purified use of the senses, as it is described in the *Bhagavad*-*gītā*. The Lord imparted instructions with full senses, and Arjuna received them with full senses, and thus there was a perfect exchange of sensible and logical understanding between the master and the disciple. Spiritual understanding is nothing like an electrical charge from the master to the disciple, as it is foolishly claimed by some propaganda-mongers. Everything is full of sense and logic, and the exchange of views between the master and disciple is possible when the reception is submissive and real only. In the *Caitanya-caritāmṛta* it is said that one should receive the teaching of Lord Caitanya with intellect and full senses so that one can logically understand the great mission. --- ## Letters on March 23 *Letters from this day: 27* --- **[1968: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1968/680323_hansadutta)** > Please confer my blessings upon your very good wife, Himavati, and I am so pleased that she can sew nicely, and make the costumes for the Sankirtana party. --- **[1968: Letter to Pradyumna](letters/1968/680323_pradyumna)** > So long we have got this material body, the miseries will be coming and going, simply we have to tolerate them and try to make advancement in Krishna Consciousness as best we can. --- **[1968: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1968/680323_rayarama)** > I am happy to hear you have finished Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and it is all turning out very encouraging. --- **[1968: Letter to United Shipping Corporation](letters/1968/680323_united_shipping_corporation)** > F-38/I-138, dated March 18, 1968, addressed to my New York office, I beg to send you herewith four copies of invoices, as requested by you, with certificate of statement that previously I did not import any books against Rs 33,705/86. Please let me know exactly what is the procedure for exporting books from India, because I have to do it periodically. --- **[1969: Letter to Brahmanandaa](letters/1969/690323_brahmanandaa)** > Regarding the United Shipping Corporation, I have sent them the necessary 4 copies of invoice and certificate, and asked them to send one statement of account for our $500. --- **[1969: Letter to Brahmanandab](letters/1969/690323_brahmanandab)** > So far BTG advertisement is concerned, we can accept advertisement in this way—that only two lines shall be mentioned of the name and address of the advertiser, as follows: This space donated by such and such. That means we can add their name and address only, and the nature of their business. --- **[1969: Letter to Dayala Nitai](letters/1969/690323_dayala_nitai)** > Yes, you must fix up in your mind to spread this message to the French population with our BTG and other books, that is my request. --- **[1969: Letter to Dayananda](letters/1969/690323_dayananda)** > Regarding your letter asking me permission for taking prasadam comprising fruits, nuts, milk product and green leaf vegetables,—if the __ to your health for rendering service to Krishna with more... --- **[1969: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1969/690323_hansadutta)** > I am duly in receipt of your letter of March 18, 1969, and I thank you very much for it. --- **[1969: Letter to Himavati](letters/1969/690323_himavati)** > Your feelings of appreciation are too much kind, and I can see you are making good advancement with your humble attitude of service to the Lord and His devotees. --- **[1969: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1969/690323_satsvarupa)** > I am very much pleased to note the list of engagements you have submitted, and I can see you have been working very hard to secure so many opportunities for spreading K. --- **[1971: Letter to Candanacarya](letters/1971/710323_candanacarya)** > Please forgive this late reply but due to my travelling, much of my mail has been delayed. --- **[1971: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1971/710323_hayagriva)** > Simply follow my instructions and do the needful according to the prescribed duties and everything will be all right. Otherwise there is no need of my being physically present. --- **[1971: Letter to Jananivasa](letters/1971/710323_jananivasa)** > I am so glad to note how things are steadily improving there in Columbus center, with new devotees coming, and that you are about to acquire a new temple in the busiest quarter of town. --- **[1972: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1972/720323_giriraja)** > I am very much glad that you are doing so nicely in Calcutta by making many Life Members daily, so now I think you should join me in Bombay immediately as you are free, after training up a competent replacement there. --- **[1973: Letter to Niranjana](letters/1973/730323_niranjana)** > I think because I am travelling so much there is some problem in your letters reaching me. --- **[1973: Letter to Pusta Krsna](letters/1973/730323_pusta_krsna)** > and I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 13th of March, with enclosures. --- **[1973: Letter to Satyabhama](letters/1973/730323_satyabhama)** > I am here for a few days only, then to Bombay and on the 1st to London for a few days before going on to L.A. via New York. --- **[1973: Letter to Sudama](letters/1973/730323_sudama)** > and I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated the 12th March 1973 and I carefully examined the contents. --- **[1974: Letter to Batu Gopala](letters/1974/740323_batu_gopala)** > I have accepted the devotees recommended by you for first initiations, and their spiritual names are as follows. --- **[1974: Letter to Bhakti](letters/1974/740323_bhakti)** > I have received from you the name of one devotee recommended for second initiation, Santipani devi dasi. Have her hear the mantra through the right ear, of me chanting gayatri. I have already cautioned you that the second initiation should be given out only when you are certain that the devotee is really following all our principles, so now instruct her further on the seriousness of following the regulative principles of Krsna Consciousness. --- **[1974: Letter to Damodara](letters/1974/740323_damodara)** > I have accepted the devotee recommended by you for first initiation and his spiritual name is as follows: --- **[1974: Letter to Govinda](letters/1974/740323_govinda)** > I have accepted the devotees recommended by you for first initiation, and their spiritual names are as follows. --- **[1974: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1974/740323_kirtanananda)** > Have him hear the tape of me chanting the mantra through his right ear. Give him all good instruction and incorporate him into the New Vrindaban scheme according to his best service propensities. --- **[1974: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1974/740323_mukunda)** > Enclosed please find a recent letter which was mailed and addressed to me, by Sarva Suhrit. --- **[1974: Letter to Murti](letters/1974/740323_murti)** > After consulting with the authorities there, we all agree it would be a very good idea. --- **[1976: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1976/760323_kirtanananda)** > Your request to take out a loan in books can be arranged so it is good idea. ---