# March 27 ## Spoken on March 27 *Lectures from this day: 14 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.14–16](spoken/1967/670327sb.sf)** > This suffering, the four kinds of sufferings, are everywhere. Not only India and America, they are in this planet, but even if you go to the moon planet or if you go to the sun planet, *ābrahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ,* even the highest planet... The modern scientist says that if we want to go to the highest planet it will take forty thousands of years... No. Four hundred thousands of years. Something like that they say. By sputnik. So anywhere you go... Lord Kṛṣṇa says, *ābrahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ punar āvartino 'rjuna* : > So *śuśrūṣoḥ śraddadhānasya vāsudeva-kathā-ruciḥ syān mahat-sevayā*. Mahat-sevā* means if you, by chance, you get in contact of a great personality, great soul who knows Kṛṣṇa science, you just try to please him. Therefore we, every day in the morning, we sing *yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādaḥ.* --- **[1968: Morning Walk at Stowe Lake](spoken/1968/680327mw.sf)** > Similarly, Kṛṣṇa consciousness may not be practical for all, but that does not mean it should not be preached. The customer will take. Just like this tape recorder: one has got money, you have purchased, taking advantage. Similarly, there are many pious persons who can take Kṛṣṇa consciousness, just like you have taken. You are not ordinary, common man. There must have been some pious activities in your past lives. Therefore you have taken to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously. *Bhagavad-gītā* says, *yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ*. A sinful person cannot understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is said, *yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ.* One who has completely vanquished all sorts of sinful reactions. > So at that time what could he say? He said, "You know, my dear sir, that they are princesses after all. They may not like such ugly husband." Oh, he at once became very youthful and beautiful. Then he married. So we shall find that a perfect *yogī* can expand himself. So similarly, Kardama Muni also expanded into nine. He married Devahūti on condition that unless his wife has got sufficient children, he'll not leave her, and he must leave her. So he expanded himself nine and begotten nine daughters. --- **[1969: Śrī Rāma-Navamī, Lord Rāmacandra's Appearance Day](spoken/1969/690327rn.haw)** > So gradually this became a caste system. *Brāhmaṇa's* son became *brāhmaṇa.* Because formerly, the training was there. But when it is deviated, although a person born in the family of a *brāhmaṇa,* he is doing the work of a *śūdra.* So according to Vedic scripture, one is classified according to his work and quality, not by birth. That is the classification of *śāstra.* Just like in the *Bhagavad-gītā* the Lord says, *cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ* [*Bg* 4.13]. Guṇa* means quality, and *karma* means work. One must be qualified for the work, and he must actually work. Then he is counted classified into that, I mean to say, category. > This is a verse from *Brahma-saṁhitā* in which the incarnation of Lord Rāmacandra is described. *Rāmādi.* Not only Rāma, but there are many other, innumerable incarnations. They are compared with the waves of a river. As the waves of the river or the waves of the ocean cannot be counted, similarly, how many incarnations are there of the Supreme Lord it is not possible to count. But out of them, the principal names are mentioned in the *śāstras.* Therefore it is said *rāmādi. Rāmādi* means Rāma and also other..., many incarnations. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 7.10](spoken/1972/720327bg.bom)** > So there are two kinds of intelligence going on: to the demons a certain type of intelligence, and to the devotee a certain type of intelligence. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *buddhir buddhimatām asmi*. You don't take it as stereotype, that He is giving intelligence equally to everyone. No. He is giving... > Now Kṛṣṇa says, *bījaṁ māṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ. Bījaṁ* means seed*. Yathā-bījaṁ yathā-yoni*. For generating, there are two parts: the male part and female part. So the male part is Kṛṣṇa, *bījaṁ,* and the female part is the material nature. *Ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pita*, in another place it is stated. *Sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya sambhavanti mūrtayaḥ yāḥ*. *Sarva-yoniṣu. Yoni* means the source of birth, mother; and *bījaṁ* means father. So this material world, anything which is visible or not visible, they are born of these two parts: --- **[1972: Lecture [Partially Recorded](spoken/1972/720327le.bom)** > He could understand. When he first met Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu at Prayāg he said, "Sir, You are *mahā-vadānyāya*. You are so magnanimous." Why? *Kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te*: "You are distributing *kṛṣṇa-prema*, love for Kṛṣṇa, which is very, very difficult." Kṛṣṇa says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati*. Nobody can understand Kṛṣṇa, and what to speak of *kṛṣṇa-prema*. It is very, very difficult. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu distributed this *kṛṣṇa-prema* just like anything: "Take *kṛṣṇa-prema*." Factually you see. Because this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being pushed on in the line of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu, how easily and quickly these European and American boys are taking it, because through the mercy of Caitanya Mahāprabhu it has become possible. *Kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te*: by simply chanting His name: > He says sophist. But actually that is not the fact. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He has the right to ask like that: *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. That He is asking. Just like father can ask, can oblige, can ask very strongly his son, "You must do it." But it is up to the son to do it or not to do it. That choice is always there. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa says that "You have created so many religions, but real religion, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja."* --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.7](spoken/1974/740327bg.bom)** > So long we are in the bodily concept of life, with *upādhi,* designation, so long we are in ignorance. That is *dharmasya glāniḥ.* In ignorance whatever you do, that has no benefit, either for you or for anyone. So whole thing, whole world is going on under this bodily concept of life, designation: "I am Indian," "I am American," "I am this," "I am that." So that kind of *dharma* is not *dharma.* Therefore Kṛṣṇa says at the end of *Bhagavad-gītā, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*, that the *Bhagavad-gītā* religion is not Hindu religion or Christian religion or Muhammadan religion. It is the real religion, between the soul and God. The reciprocation, the exchange of dealings between the Supreme and the subordinate, that is called *bhakti. Sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ tat-paratvena nirmalam.* Purified. When you become purified, *tat-paratvena,* simply by engaging yourself in the devotional service of the Lord... *Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam*. > That is the whole subject matter of *Bhagavad-gītā,* because Arjuna denied to serve Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa wanted that "This battlefield... This Kurukṣetra war is arranged by Me. You are simply an instrument." *Nimitta-mātraṁ bhava savyasācin*. "Even if you do not fight, all these bodies who have assembled here, they are not going back living. They will be killed. Now if you like, you have to fight. But the conclusion is already there." Because *paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām*. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740327mw.bom)** > This is... One who has captured Kṛṣṇa, he has got *siddhi. Saṁsiddhiṁ paramām.* The highest perfection he has attained. That is wanted. *Harāv abhaktasya kuto...*. If... One may be reluctant to sex life for a few days. Then again he'll do that. Because he has no shelter. *Āruhya kṛcchreṇa param...* Even they go to the Brahmaloka, they come down. *Āruhya kṛcchreṇa param. Kṛcchra,* very severe austerities. They rise up to the *brāhmaṇaḥ padavī[?]*, and again fall down. Because they have no shelter. So all these *siddhis* are simply temporary. It has no meaning. It has no value. *Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate*. So these *siddhas* will take many, many births to come to the point of surrendering to Kṛṣṇa. You see? *Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante.* >real things are not... And, and the next verse says, *śaśvad bhavati dharmātmā*. Because he has taken to this principle, other good qualities will soon come there. Don't bother. But first thing is that he has taken that "Kṛṣṇa is my life." *Ananya-bhāk.* Then everything will come. *Yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā sarvair guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ . This is wanted. That is *siddhi. Saṁsiddhiṁ paramāṁ gatāḥ.* --- **[1974: Lecture](spoken/1974/740327rf.bom)** > But unfortunately I am thinking this is American pains and pleasure, this is Indian pains and pleasure. Pains and pleasure is the same. It is neither American nor African. Pains and pleasure is the same. So as soon as this consciousness, that I am feeling American pains, American pleasure, as soon as this is over, then we come to the original consciousness. Because consciousness cannot be American or African. If I pinch you, the pain felt by you is the same when I pinch the African. So therefore the consciousness is the same. Artificially we are thinking that American consciousness, African consciousness. Actually that is not the position. Simply this misunderstanding has to be cleared out. That is called *ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam*. Is it not a fact? --- **[1975: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.3](spoken/1975/750327cc.may)** > The *Vedas,* they begin with the *Upaniṣad. Vedānta-sūtra, Upaniṣad,* they are all Vedic literature. *Purāṇas, Rāmāyaṇa, Mahābhārata,* they are all Vedic literatures. Four *Vedas—Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg, Atharva—*then the *Upaniṣad,* then the *Vedānta-sūtra,* then *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* and *Vedānta-sūtra* is the same thing. It is explanation. Therefore at the end of each chapter of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* it is stated by Vyāsadeva, *brahma-sūtrasya bhāṣya. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* means comment on the *Brahma-sūtra. Brahma-sūtra* is the gist code of all Vedic literature. And then it is explained, *athāto brahma-jijñāsā.* That is explained in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Jīvasya tattva-jijñāsā* : "*Jīvasya,* for living being, the only business is to enquire about the Absolute Truth." That is the only business. > So we should learn from Kṛṣṇa. We should learn from Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is Kṛṣṇa Himself. Therefore the author says that "You accept this authority." *Na caitanyāt kṛṣṇāt para-tattvaṁ param iha.* If you want knowledge, then... You have missed already, because when Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared five hundred years ago people already became fools and rascals. They did not care for the teachings of *Bhagavad-gītā.* Therefore He again came as devotee of Kṛṣṇa to teach us how to serve Kṛṣṇa, how to love Kṛṣṇa. This is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's cult, the same thing. When Kṛṣṇa appeared He said, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* : "Give up everything, so-called rascaldom. Just surrender to Me." And Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He said the same thing as a devotee: *yāre dekha, tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa*. He did not say anything new. --- **[1975: Conversation with the GBC](spoken/1975/750327r1.may)** > > ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ > > śreyaḥ-kairava candrikā-vitaraṇaṁ vidyā-vadhū-jīvanam > > ānandāmbudhi-vardhanaṁ prati-padaṁ pūrṇāmṛtasvādanaṁ > > paraṁ vijāyate śrī-kṛṣṇa-saṅkīrtanam > > > This is the process of cleansing the mirror of the heart. Mirror, when it isThis is His recommendation. We haven't got to invent something. It is there already. You do it. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770327r1.bom)** > Read yourself, let them read. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. There is no question of cheating or getting some material profit out of this movement. We have no such thing. Material profit will automatically... My Guru Mahārāja used to say, "You are thinking of material profits? This will come and fall down at your feet, 'Why you are worrying? You go and speak the real truth..' " *ṭākā-kaḍira janya cintā karcha? pāye ese luṭe luṭe paḍbe.*" 'Go and speak the truth.' " No compromise. So I never felt scarcity of money. He is from the very beginning. > The father was astonished that "After so much chastising, still the boy is speaking the same way. He has not changed?" *Hitvātma-pātaṁ gṛham andha-kūpaṁ vanaṁ gato yad dharim āśrayeta.* "Incorrigible. Kill him." "All right, kill me. I don't care." We have got so exalted character like Prahlāda Mahārāja, Dhruva Mahārāja, all great personalities. Apart from big, big *devatās... Svayambhūr nāradaḥ śambhuḥ*. We have got small boys also as good as Brahmā, more than Brahmā. *Svayambhūr nāradaḥ śambhuḥ prahlādaḥ kapilo manu, prahlāda.* Immediately comes Prahlāda also. Amongst *svayambhūr nāradaḥ śambhuḥ..., janako bhīṣmo balir vaiyāsakiḥ.* Read *Bhāgavatam, amalaṁ purāṇam. *[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770327r2.bom)** > "He quickly becomes righteous and attains lasting peace. O son of Kuntī, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes." Purport. "This should not be misunderstood. In the Seventh Chapter the Lord says that one who is engaged in mischievous activities cannot become a devotee of the Lord. One who is not a devotee of the Lord has no good qualifications whatsoever. The question remains, then, How can a person engaged in abominable activities either by accident or intention, be a pure devotee? This question may justly be raised. The miscreants, as stated in the Seventh Chapter, who never come to the devotional service of the Lord, have no good qualifications, as is stated in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.* Generally, a devotee who is engaged in nine kinds of devotional activities is engaged in the process of cleansing all material contamination from the heart. He puts the Supreme Personality of Godhead within his heart, and all sinful contaminations are naturally washed away. Continuous thinking of the Supreme Lord makes him pure by nature. According to the *Veda,* there is a certain regulation that if one falls down from his exalted position, he has to undergo certain ritualistic processes to purify himself. But here there is no such condition, because the purifying process is already in the heart of the devotee due to his remembering the Supreme Personality of Godhead constantly. Therefore the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare should be continued without stoppage. This will protect a devotee from all accidental falldowns. He will thus remain perpetually free from all material contaminations." > "'If someone gives up self-gratificatory pursuits and works in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and then falls down on account of not completing his work, what loss is there on his part? And what can one gain if one performs his material activities perfectly?' Or, as the Christians say, 'What profiteth a man if he gains the whole world yet suffers the loss of his eternal soul?' Material activities and their results end with the body, but work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness carries the person again to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, even after the loss of the body. At least one is sure to have a chance in the next life of being born again as a human being, either in the family of a great cultured *brāhmaṇa* or in a rich aristocratic family that will give one a further chance for elevation. That is the unique quality of work done in Kṛṣṇa consciousness." --- **[1977: Room Conversation with Ratansinh Rajda [Member of Parliament](spoken/1977/770327r3.bom)** > Why no one took it, this God consciousness? Do it seriously. Then everything will be all right. They are defying the existence of God and reading *Bhagavad-gītā.* This is the position. And if I go to the details, it may not be very palatable. But big, big leaders say like that. We have got everything in India, and to become God conscious, to establish the Lord's kingdom, not at all difficult. But we manufacture our own ideas. But we want that *rāma-rājya,* but without Rāma. How *rāma-rājya* will be there? So those who are leaders of the society, if they take seriously, India can be an ideal state. And you can make an..., set example to the whole world. The whole world will be happy. But we must be very serious about it. That is our this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. We are trying, but we have no support from the government, from the leaders. We are alone. Now, after twelve years, they have recognized in the United States they have recognised that it is a genuine religion. Otherwise I was, twelve years before, I was not [indistinct], loitering in the streets of New York. Who was caring for me? Now these boys, they have joined; they are doing something, they are fighting. > Bahir-artha.* The external features, these material features, they are concerned with that. Earth, water, air, fire, mind, intelligence. But they do not know that beyond this, there is another element. Unless you come to that knowledge, there is no question of welfare activities. That knowledge is available in India. India should understand. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission. *Bhārata-bhūmite manuṣya janma haila yāra* [*Cc* Ādi 9.41]. --- ## Letters on March 27 *Letters from this day: 11* --- **[1968: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1968/680327_satsvarupa)** > Regarding your letter dated 17th March, it was within the tape received and I have just opened it. --- **[1969: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1969/690327_brahmananda)** > I shall be looking forward to seeing you all on the 9th of April, and hope you are all well and happy. --- **[1969: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1969/690327_hayagriva)** > Yes, you can begin negotiations and as soon as I shall go there, we shall see and if possible we shall purchase the property. --- **[1969: Letter to Jayagovinda](letters/1969/690327_jayagovinda)** > I have received one letter from Atma Ram and Sons that they have already dispatched the books to Calcutta and handed over the R. --- **[1971: Letter to Bank Of Baroda](letters/1971/710327_bank_of_baroda)** > I shall thank you to close my above Savings Bank Account with you and transfer the entire balance with interest to your Reclamation Branch for the credit of my Savings Bank Account No. --- **[1972: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1972/720327_jagadisa)** > I am so glad to hear how you are expanding the book distribution program so rapidly. --- **[1972: Letter to Koumadaki](letters/1972/720327_koumadaki)** > Because we are not pure, these thoughts of sense gratification are bound to come into our mind, but if we do not act on them and keep ourselves always engaged in Krishna conscious activities, they will have no effect. Maya is always placing the memories of our past sinful activities before us, and encouraging us to come once again into her clutches, but by always chanting Hare Krishna and keeping our mind fixed on Krishna, he will give us the strength to resist her demands, and gradually they will diminish. --- **[1974: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1974/740327_mukunda)** > That the standard of Krsna Consciousness deteriorated while you were away two weeks, and three brahmacaris have left Bhaktivedanta Manor is not good. But neither do I think your proposals are very good for organizing a strong center by stopping Revatinandana Swami's travelling party and having the president of the London temple Prabhu Visnu and others stay with you at the center. It seems you are always asking others to come for some time to work with you and organize, then after they leave you turn to some one else to come and help. --- **[1976: Letter to Cittahari](letters/1976/760327_cittahari)** > Now the new devotees must all be trained very nicely how to render devotional service by chanting 16 offenseless ds daily, and following the 4 regulative principles. Kindly set a nice example yourself for everyone and in this way make your lives perfect in full Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1976: Letter to Pranada](letters/1976/760327_pranada)** > Concerning your questions about tantric sastras; the Vaisnava tantras are bona fide literatures, just like Narada-pancaratra, but not the atheistic tantra which have nothing to do with the Vedic literatures. --- **[1976: Letter to The 14 Cooperative Societies](letters/1976/760327_the_14_cooperative_societies)** > As you may know, our Hare Krishna Land is very popular with the residents of Bombay, in particular the local residents and devotees of Juhu Beach and surroundings. ---