# April 1 ## Spoken on April 1 *Lectures from this day: 12 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 2.48–49](spoken/1966/660401bg.ny.md)** > Now, if we work even in that arrangement, *yoga-sthaḥ,* being situated in my spiritual plane, then that will reach to the spiritual sky by enlargement of the circle. Enlargement of the circle. I can do work here. You will find in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that the Lord says that *patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati : "Anyone who offers in devotion *patraṁ puṣpam,* a little flower, a little...., a small leaf, a little water, I accept them. Because it is offered to Me in devotion, therefore I accept them. I take them in My hand." > But here it is enjoined that *buddhau śaraṇam anviccha kṛpaṇāḥ phala-hetavaḥ* :* "Only those who are *kṛpaṇa,* those who are not self-realized, they are hankering after sense gratification. They want to enjoy the fruits of their labor. But you don't be. Arjuna, you don't be. If you want to be spiritually situated, if you want to work from the spiritual platform, then you don't do it. You work on the spiritual platform and don't do anything which you cannot do in God consciousness." This is clearly stated here. --- **[1969: Conversation including, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.2–34 Recitation & Purport](spoken/1969/690401r1.sf)** > So *Bhāgavata* says, *dharmasya hy āpavargyasya nārtho 'rthāyopakalpate* : don't execute religious principles for making your economic problem solved. Then? "We require some money." Yes. "What for?" *Nārthasya dharmaikāntasya kāmo lābhāya hi smṛtaḥ.* And even if you get money, that is not for your sense gratification. *Nārthasya dharmaikāntasya.* If you are religious, really, actually a man of religiosity, then your money is not for sense gratification, as we are teaching our boys. They are working hard, they are getting money, and they are spending for Kṛṣṇa. You see? Because they have understood that "My energy spent for Kṛṣṇa's cause is really utilized. And if I utilize my energy for sense gratification, then I am cats and dogs." > So here it is stated that *vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ*. All these religious principle can be achieved immediately if you place your love unto Kṛṣṇa. *Vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ. Bhakti-yogaḥ* means devotional... If you try to serve, in devotional service, Kṛṣṇa, then all these principles of religions will automatically come. You will know that "I am not this body; I am a spirit soul. I have... The material attachment is useless for me. My real business is spiritual advancement of life." Everything will be clear if you simply execute devotional service of Kṛṣṇa. *Vāsudeve bhagavati.* --- **[1971: Bhagavad-gītā 7.7](spoken/1971/710401bg.bom)** > So here Kṛṣṇa says that "There is nobody greater than Me." That is the verdict of all ancient Vedic literature. In the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* also, the same thing is confirmed, that *kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam*. There is a list of different incarnations of God. In that list Lord Buddha's name is also there. Lord Buddha's name is described: *kīkaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati. Buddho nāmnāñjana-sutaḥ kīkaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati*. In *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* the Lord Buddha's name is mentioned as future incarnation. *Bhaviṣyati,* "will appear"; *kīkaṭeṣu,* "in the province of Gayā." > Similarly, Kṛṣṇa says, *prabhāsmi śaśi-sūryayoḥ* : "I am the sunshine, moonshine." So who has not seen the sunshine? If you have seen sunshine and if you follow this prescription given by Kṛṣṇa, then in early in the morning you'll see Kṛṣṇa. Why do you say that "I have not seen Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is not present before Me"? But you follow Kṛṣṇa's instruction, and He will be present. He is present; simply we have to purify our eyes and senses to understand Him. That is required. *Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu* [Bs. 5.38]. --- **[1972: Conversation with Author](spoken/1972/720401r1.syd)** > I don't know how to persuade you that my motivations are good ones, and so therefore I am in a corner, in a *cul de sac.* Now, the material that I must have in this book is sufficient to be able to persuade people that they are reading about something which is true. That means, for example, that I... > From economic point of view I have studied that America, for want of sufficient workers, they are importing goods from Japan. This is not very good sign. Why such a big country, American country, why they should import? But they are obliged to import. They have no workers. Japan's 75% business is done in America. We are not impractical. Because there are so many workers, but they refuse. In Central Park, it is full of rubbish things always. You go; it is a garbage. Why? There is no worker. And on the other side we see so many young men, they are not working, simply idling time. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.12 Appearance Day of Lord Rāmacandra](spoken/1974/740401bg.bom)** > That should be our business. Therefore we should not be *karma-ja,* not *karmī.* Neither we should become *jñānīs.* We should become *yogī*. And what kind of *yogī*? *Bhakti-yogī.* Because there are different types of *yoga* practices. Out of that, *bhakti-yoga* is the topmost. Because Kṛṣṇa says, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ*. > Antavanta ime dehāḥ. Anta* means this body. *Antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ : "But within the body, the proprietor of the body is *nitya.*" So *nityo nityānām.* If I am *nitya,* eternal, then I should be interested in eternal happiness. But the eternal happiness is not possible to enjoy by this body. Therefore it is said, *ramante yoginaḥ anante.* So *ananta-ramaṇa,* that is the description of Rāma. Rāma means *ananta-ānanda,* unlimited happiness. *Iti rāma-padenāsau paraṁ brahmābhidhīyate*. --- **[1974: Śrī Rāma-navamī, Lord Rāmacandra's Appearance Day Cornerstone Laying](spoken/1974/740401cs.bom)** > Govinda, Kṛṣṇa, is the *ādi-puruṣa,* original Personality of Godhead. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* Kṛṣṇa says, *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat*. *Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ*. In other *śāstras* also, like *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* it is said, *kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam.* There are many expansions of Kṛṣṇa, but the original person, *kṛṣṇas tu..., ete cāṁśa-kalāḥ puṁsaḥ kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam*. So He is existing with His expansions. Lord Rāmacandra is also one of the expansions. *Rāmādi-mūrtiṣu kalā-niyamena tiṣṭhan [*Bs* 5.39]. > All these expansions are existing eternally. There is no inferiority or superiority. All the expansions are of the same potency, same power. The example is given like this candle. One candle is now burned, and you can get another candle burned, you can get third candle burned, ignite. But all the candles are of the same power. The difference is that one you can call the original candle, and the others you can call the second candle, the third candle, the fourth candle. But so far the candle power is concerned, there is no difference. *Pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate* [Iso*Invocation]. *Kṛṣṇa, or the Supreme Lord, can expand Himself, *eko bahu syāma,* in millions and trillions of forms, but all of them are of the same potency. But the potencies are sometimes exhibited according to the time and circumstance. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740401mw.bom)** > Devarṣi-bhūtāpta-nṛnam,* ordinary human being. *Pitṛṇām:* and the *pitṛs.* So we are debted to so many. If you want to clear up the debts, it will take millions of births. [laughter] So *devarṣi-bhūtāpta-nṛnam-pitṛṇāṁ nayaṁ kiṅkara na ṛni ca rājan*. This man is neither servant nor indebted. Who? *Sarvātmanā yaḥ śaraṇaṁ mukundam:* one who has taken... That Kṛṣṇa says, that "You just surrender to Me. I will protect you." So if he does not do anything else... One may think that he is being entangled in sinful activities because he does not do other duties. But Kṛṣṇa says, *ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi*. > The leader, he says, "No, this aim of life is to drink and enjoy. That's all." This is going on. After diplomacy, politics, when they are tired, they go to the hotel or club and enjoy and drink. That's all. This is their aim of life. [break]...there are even shops they indulge all these things, topless, bottomless, like that. Because that is the only solace to this materialistic life. There is no other. *Yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham*. That is their... They have no other pleasure except that sex life. They have no information that there is another pleasure. That, they..., they are not educated. So they must come to the sex life only. --- **[1975: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.8](spoken/1975/750401cc.may)** > There is another world. That is also informed in the *Bhagavad-gītā. Paraḥ tasmād tu bhāva anyaḥ 'vyaktāvyaktāt sanātanaḥ*. There is another *bhāva. Bhāva* means nature. Just like this is nature. We have got experience, the *māyā. Māyā* nature means here our main aim is to find out happiness. That is... Because we are spirit soul, part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, *sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1] Kṛṣṇa, so we are also minute *sac-cid-ānanda.* Our existence is like that. But because we are very small, therefore that, I mean to say, quality, *sat,* becomes sometimes extinguished. The example is just like the spark of the fire, it is fire. A spark from the fire falls on your body. As soon as it falls it will burn that small pointlike place. So it has got the same quality, but as soon as it comes out of the fire, it becomes extinguished—no more fire. It is carbon. Again take it and put it in the fire, then again it is fire. So our position is like that. We are factually of the same quality, *sac-cid-ānanda.* So our falling down in this material world from Kṛṣṇa means we lose our identity of eternity. It becomes covered. Just like the same small spark, it is fire, but it is now extinguished, cinder, just like coal, cinder. So long it is with the original fire, it is also burning, but if you take it and keep it aside, then it becomes ashes. So this is our position. And we are struggling here. We have lost the fiery quality, and still, we are trying to be fire. This is called *māyā* existence. > Now, the question was who is to be elected in the..., or accepted as the ideal king. Our Pañcadraviḍa Mahārāja was asking this question. That is very simple thing. The *kṣatriyas...* There are two *kṣatriya* families, and still they claim, one from the sun-god and one from the moon-god. *Candra-vaṁśa, sūrya-vaṁśa.* In this material world there are two *kṣatriya* families. *Kṣatriyas* are meant for ruling over. So everything is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* So you have to select ruler from these two dynasties, actually. *Imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ*. You have seen the picture drawn by our artists, that Kṛṣṇa is instructing the sun-god. *Imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam*. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/750401mw.may)** >means they are trying to possess, and the *jñānīs* are trying to leave—both of them rascals. Where is the question of possessing? He's stealing. You... I want to possess, but that thing does not belong to me. Therefore it is stealing. And the *jñānīs* are trying to give up living. That is also not truth. But you haven't got anything, so what you are going to leave? So both are in ignorance, the *karmīs* and *jñānīs,* the *yogīs*. Simply Kṛṣṇa conscious persons, they are in knowledge. Before your birth the land was there, the world was there, everything is there. Now you came. Then how do you possess? Before your birth, things were there. How do you possess unless you steal and cheat? Hmm? What is the answer? > And *evaṁ paramparā-prāptam—*who? *Rājarṣayoḥ.* They are king, but just like saintly persons. That is king, not a loafer class is elevated to the royal post. *Rājarṣayoḥ.* Although they're holding the post of a king for administration, they're just like *ṛṣi.* That is king. --- **[1975: Conversation with Devotees on Theology](spoken/1975/750401r1.may)** > Anyone who is keeping Kṛṣṇa within his heart, he becomes cleansed of all dirty things. And because the dirty things are there, that means he is not keeping. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.46](spoken/1976/760401sb.vrn)** > So in order to... *Dharmasya. Dharma, artha, kāma, mokṣa. Kāma* is also required for whom? *Ajitendriyāṇām,* one who cannot control. But one who can control... If one is trained up properly, he can control. He doesn't require anything. Because any activities of this material world, they may be utilized for systematic proper peace, peaceful condition of the social, political. But after all, they are material. Material means unwanted. Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja has said, *dvaite bhadrābhadra sakali samāna.* In this material word we sometimes say, "This is very good, and this is very bad." Kavirāja Gosvāmī says, "This 'bad' or 'good,' it has no meaning. They are simply mental concoction." Because in the material world everything is bad. The so-called good is bad, and bad is bad. Therefore we have to search out how to get out, *apavarga.* This is there, how to make these material activities null and void. They are useless. That is the recommendation of Prahlāda Mahārāja, and that can be done directly simply by becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious. It is not Prahlāda Mahārāja's own word, but Kṛṣṇa says. > So therefore *dharma* means the rules and regulation of the law given by Kṛṣṇa if you want release from this bondage of material suffering, *apavargasya. Dharmasya hi apavargasya na arthāya artho upakalpate*. Generally we go to the temple for *arthāya,* some material gain: "O God, give us our daily bread." This is material gain, either bread or rice or something. It is also good, because *ārto arthārthī. Catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ janāḥ sukṛtinaḥ*. *Sukṛtinaḥ.* Anyone who goes to the temple or church for begging bread, they are also good because they are coming to the temple. In that respect they are good. But one who thinks that "What is the use of going to the temple? God is everywhere. Even in the wine shop there is God. Let me go there instead of coming to the temple..." That is their philosophy. God is everywhere. He goes to the wine shop for realization of God, but to come to the temple is forbidden. This is their philosophy. --- **[1977: Lecture](spoken/1977/770401le.bom)** > Very risky life if we do not awaken our *divya-jñāna.* We should always remember this. Very risky life—once again thrown into the waves of birth and death, we do not know where I am going. Very serious. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness is *divya-jñāna.* It is not ordinary knowledge. Everyone should try to understand this *divya-jñāna. Daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritam.* Therefore one who is interested in this *divya-jñāna,* he is called *daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritam.* From *daivī, divya* comes, the Sanskrit word. Sanskrit word, from *daivī, divya,* adjective. So *mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ*. One who has taken to this *divya-jñāna* process, he is *mahātmā. Mahātmā* is not made by stamping for receiving knowledge how to eat, how to sleep, how to have sex. That is not the definition in the *śāstra. Sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ.* > That is *parā prakṛti,* superior. If there is the superior identity... And for understanding that superior identity we require superior knowledge, not ordinary knowledge. *Divya-jñāna hṛde prakāśito.* So this is the duty of the *guru,* to awaken that *divya-jñāna. Divya-jñāna.* And because *guru* enlightens that *divya-jñāna,* he is worshiped. That is required. The modern... Modern or always; this is *māyā.* That *divya-jñāna* is never, I mean to say, manifested. They are kept in the darkness of *adivya-jñāna. Adivya-jñāna* means "I am this body." "I am Indian," "I am American," "I am Hindu," "I am Muslim," this is *adivya-jñāna. Dehātma-buddhiḥ. Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri*. I am not this body. --- ## Letters on April 1 *Letters from this day: 17* --- **[1961: Letter to Mr. Toshihiro Nakano](letters/1947-1965/610401_mr._toshihiro_nakano)** > I beg to inform you that while I was on tour a letter from you was received in the office and it was sent to me on my tour. --- **[1969: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1969/690401_brahmananda)** > Regarding the letter to the draft board, I would like that you boys may decide among yourselves what is to be done. --- **[1970: Letter to Arundhati](letters/1970/700401_arundhati)** > If you have got extra time, I encourage you to learn Sanskrit along with your husband. --- **[1970: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1970/700401_gurudasa)** > I understand that the Lord Caitanya's Birthday procession was very, very nice and similarly in San Francisco also they took out a procession in the street, and it is understood that 4000 to 5000 people participated. --- **[1970: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1970/700401_hansadutta)** > I have duly received your $300 transferred from Germany and I understand that you are transferring another $1,500 to my account. --- **[1970: Letter to Himavati](letters/1970/700401_himavati)** > I am very, very glad that you are taking care of the Deities with great attention and enthusiasm. Regarding your questions: the Deities should be polished before Their morning bath. --- **[1970: Letter to Lilavati](letters/1970/700401_lilavati)** > So I am glad to learn that your daughter and Syamasundara's daughter are learning Krsna Consciousness very nicely. --- **[1970: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1970/700401_mukunda)** > Yes, I am going to the newly purchased church Temple and when I go there by Sunday next, I shall try to teach the local boys in the way of performing Sankirtana in a circle. --- **[1970: Letter to Pradyumna](letters/1970/700401_pradyumna)** > I have just received one check of contribution from Brahmananda and I understand that you have contributed $500, so I thank you very much for this. --- **[1971: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1971/710401_jadurani)** > The philosophy should be illustrated, but everything must be done with clear intelligence according to the Parampara revealation of the Absolute Truth and Krsna will give you good understanding for the purpose. The picture of the upside down tree drawn by Bharadraja as a sample is good. The roots of the trees are like pillars growing large and making the tree strong. --- **[1971: Letter to Kanya Kumari](letters/1971/710401_kanya_kumari)** > Your husband, Nityananda Das, is now president of our newly formed New Orleans center and as his wife, it is your duty to help him in every way possible. So work cooperatively, husband and wife, and make our New Orleans branch a grand success. --- **[1971: Letter to Krsna Dasa](letters/1971/710401_krsna_dasa)** > You have taken the matter very intelligently and now we have got invitation from one Professor G. --- **[1971: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1971/710401_nityananda)** > I am so much appreciative to you American boys and girls for helping me fulfill the order of my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Rameswar Dayalaji Birla](letters/1971/710401_rameswar_dayalaji_birla)** > Sri Rameswar Dayalaji Birla Birla House Mt. I beg to inform you that the two pairs of Radha Krishna Deities have arrived in Bombay from Jaipur. So out of the four Deities, two of Krishna and two of Radharani, one Deity of Radharani is broken by the hand. --- **[1974: Letter to Bhavatarini](letters/1974/740401_bhavatarini)** > I can understand that due to material circumstances you are feeling distressed, and this large sum of money which you are about to receive is also causing you distress because you don't know what is the best thing to do with it. I very much appreciate that although you are filled with doubts and suspiscions and although you have many of your own plans for what to do and how to live, you have, nevertheless put the matter before your spiritual master and asked him to direct you. This is a great qualification, and this attitude made Arjuna eligible in the Bhagavad-gita, to receive the full mercy of Krsna's instruction. --- **[1974: Letter to Syamasundara](letters/1974/740401_syamasundara)** > All signs favorable for good success kindly inform c/o Brooklyn Temple how and where you wish funds repaid. --- **[1975: Letter to Manasvi](letters/1975/750401_manasvi)** > Continue all your programs there nicely, giving special stress to strictly following all of the rules and regulations especially the four regulative principles and chanting 16 rounds daily then everything will be very nice. I will most likely be coming there in the fall for some time after my European and American tour. ---