# March 25 ## Spoken on March 25 *Lectures from this day: 13 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 2.44–45](spoken/1966/660325bg.ny.md)** > So Lord Kṛṣṇa says that *bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānām*, those who are too much attached with bodily pleasure, bodily enjoyment, and *tayāpahṛta-cetasām... Apahṛta-cetasām* means those who are illusioned. Because bodily pleasure is not my pleasure. My pleasure is different because I am not this body. Just like a man in a feverish condition or in feverish delirium speaking something, that is not his normal speaking; that is due to the delirious condition. So to bring him to the normal condition, the physician treats him to get out of that delirious condition. So similarly, our position is, because we have got..., some way or other, we have been entangled with this material body, therefore our conception of happiness is just like a man in the delirious condition. > Therefore Lord Kṛṣṇa says, *bhogaiśvarya-prasaktānāṁ tayā apahṛta-cetasām*. Apahṛta-cetasām,* one whose mind and intelligence has been misled by this false enjoyment—false enjoyment—for him, the working on the pure consciousness platform, *vyavasāyātmikā buddhiḥ,* that "I am not this body"... We are talking of this, that "I am not this body. I am pure consciousness. I am pure soul." So we have to work in such a way that our bodily conception of life is completely rejected and we are situated in the engagement, occupation, of pure consciousness. We are talking on this subject matter. --- **[1968: Room Conversation](spoken/1968/680325r1.sf)** > Reality, temporary reality, flickering reality. Otherwise, it is reality. And, in that respect, the whole thing is a dream. Anything material that is dream *svapna-draṣṭur ivāñjasā* it is just like dream*. It is stated in the *Bhagavad*. After all, we should remember that a dream is pertaining to this body. So far I am concerned, spirit soul I am reality I'm not dreaming at any stage. > So he, with great joy, he went out and he tried that actually, touching the stone, iron is becoming gold. But he thought that "Lord Śiva directed that Sanātana Gosvāmī has the greatest benediction. I do not think this stone is greatest benediction, because it was placed with garbage." So he came back and appealed to Sanātana Gosvāmī that "Lord Śiva told me you have got something most valuable. I don't think this stone is most valuable. Otherwise, why would you keep it with the garbage? You must have something more valuable. So you must give me that, because Lord Śiva directed me to receive from you." --- **[1969: Initiation](spoken/1969/690325in.haw)** > We are not after such thing. But if somebody has got money, he wants to construct temple, it is welcome. We can give nice plan how to do it. In India there are Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa temples, just like one temple is as good as a big fort. They spend so much. You see? But here also, in your country, there are many big churches. > They do not wish to engage their money in nonproductive thing because they have become economic. But that is a wrong theory. You see? That economic means forgetting God. And that means, I mean to say, animal life. If by becoming a human being he becomes an animal, if he thinks that he has become economical, that is not very sane conclusion. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā Lecture](spoken/1972/720325bg.bom)** > So everything is going on by combination of these two energies. And because these two energies are emanating from Kṛṣṇa, therefore Kṛṣṇa is the origin of creation. This is the conclusion. Kṛṣṇa is the original cause. Kṛṣṇa says also, *ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo* : "I am the origin of everything." The *Vedānta-sūtra* says that Absolute Truth, Supreme Personality of Godhead, is He from who everything generates: *janmādy asya yataḥ*. These are the statements of the Vedic literature, and the conclusion is that Kṛṣṇa is the origin of everything, *sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam*, the cause of all causes. > Here Kṛṣṇa says, *ahaṁ kṛtsnasya jagataḥ prabhavaḥ pralayas tathā.* Kṛṣṇa says, *prabhavaḥ pralayas tathā.* Here in this material world, we experience that things are generated, or born, and again they are finished, vanquished. So the cause of generation is also Kṛṣṇa, and the cause of vanquishing is also Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā*, *aham sarva-haraś ca... Aham sarva-*mṛ* > "At last I am... As death I take away everything from the living entity." *Aham sarva-haraś ca* mṛtyu*, mṛtyu aham, sarva-haraś*. So at the time of death we lose everything, whatever we have gained. So who takes away? Therefore Kṛṣṇa's another name is Hari. Hari means "taking away," *hara, harati dipati*[?], He takes away. So for the devotee He takes away all the material miseries, and for the nondevotee He takes away everything what he has created. Therefore He is called Hari. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Lecture](spoken/1972/720325sb.bom)** > We do not know how much powerful, omnipotent is Kṛṣṇa. Without knowing His power, we treat Him as ordinary person—maybe very big person or great person. No. That is our poor fund of knowledge. *Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā, paraṁ bhāvam ajānanto*. Such persons, such *mūḍhās*, they do not know what is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye*. *Siddha* means one who is factually in knowledge of everything. He is called *siddha.* And *yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaścin:* there are many *jñānīs*, *yogīs,* they are called *siddhas*, but out of many millions of such *siddhas,* one may or may not understand Kṛṣṇa. Therefore He says, *avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā..., paraṁ bhāvam ajā.* > So Kṛṣṇa directly says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. This surrender unto Kṛṣṇa is *dharma*. Other things, which does not teach how to surrender to Kṛṣṇa, that kind of *dharma* is called *kaitava-dharma,* cheating *dharma*. Therefore *Bhagavata* says, *dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitava atra:* all cheating type of religious principles are completely rejected. Cheating type*, kaitavo,* this very word. And Śrīdhara Svāmī comments on this that liberation, *mokṣa-vāñchā*, to become one with the Supreme, that is also another type of cheating. Why it is cheating, that is explained. We have discussed all these points. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.5](spoken/1974/740325bg.bom)** > So this is going on. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, *ei rūpe brahmāṇḍa bhramite kona bhāgyavān jīva*. In this way, we are wandering all over the universe as some body—sometimes human being, sometimes demigods, sometimes cats, sometimes dogs, sometimes tree, sometimes plant, sometimes insect, sometimes Brahmā, sometimes ant, sometimes pig. Anything. There are 8,400,000 species of life. So this is our circulation. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that *tava cārjuna.* "As Paramātmā, I am with you always. And you are changing so many bodies." Of course, Arjuna did not change, because he's devotee. He is accompanying Kṛṣṇa always. *Sakhā ceti. Bhakto 'si sakhā ceti.* So he's friend. He takes his birth as human being whenever Kṛṣṇa wants. Kṛṣṇa has His associates. When He comes on this planet in this universe, He comes with His associates. So the Pāṇḍavas, they are Kṛṣṇa's eternal associates. Although associate, still, Arjuna forgets about his previous birth because he's human being, whereas Kṛṣṇa remembers. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa said that "I also take My birth, and you also take your birth, but the difference is..." *Tāny ahaṁ veda:* "I know how many times I took birth, but you... You also took, many times, but you have forgotten." That is the difference. *Tāny ahaṁ veda sarvāṇi na tvaṁ vettha paran-tapa*. "You cannot remember." Actually, we do not remember. What I was in my last birth, I do not know. Death means forgetfulness. Death means to forget everything. Just like daytime and nighttime. Nighttime also, when we sleep, we forget all our business in daytime. We have got every day experience: We are different person at night. We are dreaming something, dreamland, somewhere I have gone, and forget that I have got a body which is lying on the bed; I am the father of such and such sons, I am the husband of such and such... No, you forget everything. And again, in the daytime, you forget everything what you dreamed. This is our practical experience. --- **[1975: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.1](spoken/1975/750325cc.may)** > So it is the business of the *guru* to clear up these designations, dirty things. Therefore, *vande gurūn īśam.Guru,* first offering, because he is the agent of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa said that "You give up all these designative *dharma;* take to real *dharma.*" *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam*. "That is your real business." But even Kṛṣṇa... Kṛṣṇa does not fail, but Kṛṣṇa does not force. So even upon the request of Kṛṣṇa we do not give up our designation. This is the difficulty. Kṛṣṇa said, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja,* and nobody, practically, except the Pāṇḍavas and few other devotees, nobody took it seriously. And what to speak of now. They are talking of *Bhagavad-gītā,* scholars of *Bhagavad-gītā,* but without Kṛṣṇa. That is their business. These demons, they are preaching *Bhagavad-gītā* without Kṛṣṇa. Nobody preaches about Kṛṣṇa. Nobody says what Kṛṣṇa wants. *Sarva-dharmān parityajya.* Kṛṣṇa wants this, but they are misinterpreting in different way and diverting the attention of the people most foolishly, that... In the *Bhagavad-gītā* Kṛṣṇa is the center. So this is going on. You know; you are coming all from foreign countries. *Bhagavad-gītā* is popular in your country, at least amongst the scholars and theosophists and theologists, going on, for the last two hundred years at least. But nobody understood Kṛṣṇa. That is the difference. Now for the last, say, five or ten years, because we are presenting Kṛṣṇa as it is, it has become very easy for you to accept it. Unadulterated Kṛṣṇa. > So Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya is the same Kṛṣṇa, *purāṇa-puruṣaḥ. Ādyaṁ purāṇa-puruṣaḥ. Purāṇa-puruṣa* means Kṛṣṇa, the original Personality of Godhead, very old. *Purāṇa* means very old. So, *vairāgya-vidyā-śikṣārtham.* Because we are suffering here on account of so many designations, so Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu came to purify us from all these nonsense designations. That is called *vairāgya-vidyā. Rāga* means attachment. So... And *virāga.* This false attachment we have to give up. That is practically being manifested by practical life, how to love Kṛṣṇa, how to approach Him. That is the characteristic of Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu. And therefore He is described in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* Eleventh Canto, *kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇam*. --- **[1975: Morning Walk [Partially Recorded](spoken/1975/750325mw.may)** > ...you take away money for serving *daridra-nārāyaṇa.* When you go to India, we see all *daridra-nārāyaṇas* are lying down on the footpath. What do you do with this money? Swami Nikhilānanda personally told me that they now enquire. --- **[1976: Bhagavad-gītā 2.11 Rotary Club Address at Hotel Imperial](spoken/1976/760325bg.del)** > So here Kṛṣṇa says that "My dear Arjuna, you are talking like a very learned man." That is our disease. Everyone will talk as if... We manufacture, but that is useless. *Ke āmi kene more jāpe...*. You cannot make any solution. Therefore the whole world is in chaotic condition. We speak of our own country, India. Not only India, everywhere the chaotic condition is, because they have no real knowledge. They are simply claiming to be very learned man, which is chastised here by Kṛṣṇa. *Aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādān : "You are presenting yourself as very learned man, but the subject matter which you have taken, this body, this body is nothing but dead lump of matter." That is said here, that *aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ gatāsūn agatāsūṁś ca.* This body, when it is living condition... Living condition means so long the soul is there, it looks like very bright, beautiful, moving here and there. And when the soul leaves this body, then what it is? It has no value, a lump of matter. Just like a motorcar. So long it is moving, it is worth one *lakh,* and so long it does not move, it is simply lump of iron and copper and something. Who cares for it? It is thrown away. Same thing. The body has no value. It has value so long the soul is there. Otherwise, suppose a big man... They are lamenting, "Such a great man has passed away." But what is that such great man? He is lying on the floor, on the bed, the same man. So why you are seeing that he has gone? Then who has gone? You have never seen him who has gone. This is knowledge. So our human life is meant for understanding what has gone from the body which makes the body a lump of matter... [break] > At the time of death whatever I am thinking, a similar body will be offered to me by the laws of nature. Subtle body. The mind, intelligence and ego, they are subtle body. And the gross body is made of earth, water, air, fire, ether. So when we give up this subtle...gross body, the subtle body carries me to another gross body. This is the way of transmigration of the soul. The prakṛti, nature, nature's law is very, very strict and stringent. The nature will immediately offer you a body according to the thinking at the time of your death. *Tathā dehāntara-prāptir* Therefore this human form of body is meant for going back to home, back to Godhead. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760325mw.del)** > They are seeing actually; still, they do not see. Blind. In India the Muhammadans came. They ruled over. Where is the Moghul? The Englishmen came. Where they are? Everything gone. *Paśyann api na paśyati.* This is called *vimūḍhātmā.* That is going on. The material civilization means *ahaṅkāra-vimūḍhātmā.* By false egotism they are bewildered and rascals. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has translated this, that *jaḍa-vidyā saba, māyāra vaibhava:* "All this material advancement of civilization is the paraphernalia of *māyā.*" Because you cannot enjoy it, but you are thinking, "I possess so much. I possess so much." You'll not be allowed to enjoy, but still... Therefore all these material possessions are the paraphernalia of *māyā.* So what is the wrong there? Now, wrong is this: *jaḍa-vidyā saba, māyāra vaibhava, tomāra bhajane bādhā.* They are hindrances for advancement of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the aim of human life. That, you forget that. So *tomāra bhajane bādhā, anitya saṁsāre, moha janamiyā.* The result is that he becomes more attached to this temporary world and remains the rascal. Because without being rascal, nobody comes in this material world to enjoy. As soon as anyone has come to this material world, he's a rascal. *Kṛṣṇa-bahirmukha hañā bhoga vāñchā kare, nikaṭa-stha māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare* [*Prema-vivarta 6.2].* --- **[1976: Conversation with Newspaper Reporters](spoken/1976/760325r1.del)** > If you want to be God conscious, then you must be free from all sinful activities. God is pure. If you want to approach God, then you must be pure. If you remain impure, you cannot understand God. --- **[1977: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.1–2](spoken/1977/770325sb.bom)** > So Dr. Justice gave stress on *bhakti.* That is very good idea. So simply by becoming *bhakta... Kevalayā... Kecid kevalayā bhaktyā vāsudeva-parayaṇaḥ . *Kevalayā bhakta.* Simply if you take to the process of *bhakti...* That is recommended in the *Bhagavad-gītā* also: *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti*. If you want to know God, if you want to know the relationship with God, if you know what is your business after understanding God, then *bhakti.* Kṛṣṇa says. Kṛṣṇa, no... Although there are different ways of self-realization—*karma, jñāna, yoga, bhakti*—these are the principles. But Kṛṣṇa recommends that "If you want to know Me actually, then *bhaktyā.*" Kṛṣṇa teaches Arjuna *Bhagavad-gītā* because Arjuna was a devotee. *Bhakto 'si me priyo 'si* : "Because you are My dear friend and *bhakta,* therefore I am teaching you." > I hear from *Bhagavad-gītā* that I am eternal: *na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. Na jāyate na mriyate vā.* Then why I am dying? This is intelligence. Why I am dying? This "why." *Kena Upaniṣad.* But this is not being educated. We are carried away by the temporary problems and missing the chance of human life. This is not very good, and Ṛṣabhadeva especially instructs that *mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimuktes.* If you actually want liberation from these clutches of *māyā—vimukti, vimukti... Vimukti* means liberation. What is liberation? *Muktir hitvā anyathā rūpaṁ svarūpeṇa avasthitiḥ*. We are living in a different way. This is not *mukti.* This is conditioned. I am living as Indian condition, I am living as European condition—this is not *mukti.* You must live in your original form. That is called *mukti. Muktir hitvā anyathā rūpam.* Now we are living *anyathā rūpam.* Somebody is living as Indian, somebody is living as European, somebody as cat, somebody as dog, somebody... This is *anyathā rūpam.* You must realize yourself, --- ## Letters on March 25 *Letters from this day: 13* --- **[1967: Letter to Sri Krishnaji](letters/1967/670325_sri_krishnaji)** > Regarding publication of my books, you know that since I have come here the work is stopped and that is great loss for me. My primary duty is to publish the Srimad-Bhagavatam and finish it in my life. But preaching in the western countries is also my duty as it was ordered by my Spiritual Master. --- **[1970: Letter to Manager Of Bank Of Baroda](letters/1970/700325_manager_of_bank_of_baroda)** > (The duration of my stay outside India in my Passport is up to 9th June, 1971.) You have received my letter dated 3rd March, 1970, but you have not mentioned anything about my letter dated 28th February, 1970. --- **[1970: Letter to Revatinandana](letters/1970/700325_revatinandana)** > From the description of your letter it is to be understood that things are going very nicely in your center. Our line of action is very simple, and if you stick to the principles, then success is sure. --- **[1971: Letter to Citsukhananda](letters/1971/710325_citsukhananda)** > I am also glad to note that you have begun working on BTG Spanish edition. Actually we want that BTG be printed in every major language and distributed all over the world so that there is no language barrier in taking to our movement. --- **[1971: Letter to Department Of Visa And Foreign Registration](letters/1971/710325_department_of_visa_and_foreign_registration)** > I hereby certify that my initiated disciple, Sriman Upendra Das Adhikari (Wayne Phillip Gunderson), having successfully completed his course of divinity studies in the International Society for... --- **[1971: Letter to Rsabhadeva](letters/1971/710325_rsabhadeva)** > I am so glad to note how nicely your Sankirtana activities are going on there in Laguna Beach center. --- **[1971: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1971/710325_sukadeva)** > It is very encouraging to note that you have been distributing 150 BTGs daily there in our newly established Tucson center. Actually we want that every American have a copy of BTG in his hand. --- **[1971: Letter to Vamanadeva](letters/1971/710325_vamanadeva)** > Louis Please accept my blessings. Without Krishna Consciousness, all their book learning amounts to zero. Simply if they will add Krishna Consciousness to their curriculum all their endeavors will know perfection. --- **[1972: Letter to Bhavananda](letters/1972/720325_bhavananda)** > Kindly send the reports at least twice in a month to whatever center I may be staying. We have gotten an invitation from Bangladesh from my Godbrother, His Holiness Bhakti Sambandha Turya Swami Maharaja, Sri Gaudiya Math, P.O. --- **[1972: Letter to Patita Uddharana](letters/1972/720325_patita_uddharana)** > Kumaran Hemmige and I have appreciated it very much, but I think there is already a forward. --- **[1974: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1974/740325_hayagriva)** > Since a long time I did not hear from you, but I am very anxious to see you. --- **[1977: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1977/770325_aksayananda)** > It is alright that the road is called "Bhaktivedanta Swami Marg", there is no harm. But in your letter you have mentioned that in the letterhead it will be called "Bhaktivedanta Marg". --- **[1977: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1977/770325_gurudasa)** > Thank you, yes, I am feeling a little stronger now. On the 28th instant I shall be moving into my new quarters and then we have to organize Bombay as our world headquarters from every point of view, culturally, scientifically, philosophically, etc. ---