# April 2 ## Spoken on April 2 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1968: Lecture](spoken/1968/680402le.sf)** > Arjuna was to fight with his brothers and relatives on the other side, to decide who shall be the emperor of the region. So in the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, when he actually came in front of his relatives, he decided so that "It is no good fighting with my relatives and taking the kingdom. Better I shall beg. I don't want this kingdom." That is a very nice proposal, nonviolence, not to fight. But on this point the *Bhagavad-gītā,* or the science of God, developed from the lips of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. > That we have to admit. We may say that the body is growing, but actually, the fact is, body is changing. It is medically admitted that we are changing our body every second. We are changing our blood corpuscles, and therefore a change of the body is taking place, and that is being manifested in a different shape only. Actually, we are changing every moment our body. So the ultimate change, when this body cannot be worked any more, just like a dress, when it is torn, when it is too old, you have to change it, similarly, when this body becomes useless, no more, it cannot be pulled on any more, you take another body. --- **[1972: Lecture [Partially Recorded](spoken/1972/720402le.syd)** > So unless one becomes devotee, one has to follow this *varṇāśrama-dharma.* This is the idea. Caitanya Mahāprabhu is speaking from the devotional platform. He did not say when He was actually acting as a *brāhmaṇa* in Navadvīpa. But when He realized... He is realized always, but as *ācārya,* He says that when one becomes Vaiṣṇava, *gopī-bhartuḥ...* What is the quali... *Gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ*. > So when one is realized in that way, that "I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa," he does not require to be a *brāhmaṇa* or *śūdra.* He transcends. He is postgraduate. So, so long he does not realize that, he has to follow the *varṇāśrama-dharma.* Otherwise, he is not civilized. They are *mleccha, yavanas.* The most abominable, *śvapacam,* most abominable. Is that clear? Yes. [end] --- **[1972: Room Conversation](spoken/1972/720402r1.syd)** > "These principles of *vaidhī-bhakti* are also described in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* Second Canto, First Chapter, verse 35*, where Śukadeva Gosvāmī instructs the dying Mahārāja Parīkṣit as to his course of action. Mahārāja Parīkṣit met Śukadeva Gosvāmī just a week before his death, and the king was perplexed as to what should be done before he was to pass on. Many other sages also arrived there, but no one could give him the proper direction. Śukadeva Gosvāmī, however, gave this direction to him as follows: 'My dear king, if you want to be fearless in meeting your death next week [for actually everyone is afraid at the point of death], then you must immediately begin the process of hearing and chanting and remembering God.' So if one can chant and hear Hare Kṛṣṇa and always remember Lord Kṛṣṇa, then he is sure to become fearless of death, which may come at any moment. > By your service, Kṛṣṇa will automatically reveal Himself. He wants service; therefore He said, "Surrender unto Me." "Surrender unto Me," not stop all activities. "Surrender unto Me." What He will say, you do. That is surrender. Just like Arjuna surrendered. So surrender means that he had to fight. That is surrender. Not that "I surrender, I do nothing." That is not surrender. That is only negation. Doing nothing of the material thing, that is negation. Take the positive view. That is doing always for Kṛṣṇa. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.13](spoken/1974/740402bg.bom)** > So *cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam*. Kṛṣṇa says, "These four *varṇas* are created by Me." So anything created by God, that is not monopoly for any class of men or for any country. Just like the sun is created by God. The sun is the thing which is enjoyed by all parts of the world. But there are countries, Western countries, where sun is not visible, covered by the cloud. Any country, any part of the world which is covered by cloud and the sun is not visible, according to *śāstra,* such country is condemned. Because, although the sunshine is there, but certain condition, they cannot enjoy the sunshine. Therefore from the Western countries, when people come to this country, especially in India, when they see from the Arabian Sea bright sunshine, they very much become astonished, "How nice sunshine is here." Sunshine is the property for everyone, but according to intelligence or according to fortune, they enjoy it. > So in this way we are defective. How we can guide the people? How we can become teacher? How we can become leader? *Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ, yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape*. Andha.* I am *andha,* blind, and I try to lead others, *andhas.* Therefore there must be chaos. This will not help us. We must see through the eyes of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We must study *Bhagavad-gītā* perfectly well. How to read? *Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam*, through the disciplic succession. As Kṛṣṇa said, you have to accept that teaching through the disciplic succession, not concocted meanings: "Oh, I am a very good scholar. I passed my D.H.C. or M.A.C. or M.A. I can comment on *Bhagavad-gītā* in my own way." That is rascaldom. That is not understanding of *Bhagavad-gītā. Bhagavad-gītā* means you must understand what Kṛṣṇa says. That is understanding. But generally it is done, "Kill Kṛṣṇa. There was no Kṛṣṇa. There was no battlefield. There was no *Mahābhārata.* I have my concoction about Kṛṣṇa." This kind of commentary and understanding of *Bhagavad-gītā* has spoiled the whole world. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740402mw.bom)** >movement is very scientific movement, based on the teachings of *Bhagavad-gītā.* Most scientific. [break] We may be proud. Because this is scientific, therefore it is so quickly progressing. [break]...take. Within one cult. [break]...so I was, that "I want to start this movement," I was talking. So he very much appreciated, and he promised in writing that "As soon as I retire I shall join with you." He wrote me. > > trai-vidyā māṁ soma-pāḥ pūta-pāpā > > yajñair iṣṭvā svar-gatiṁ prārthayante > > te puṇyam āsādya surendra-lokam > > aśnanti divyān divi deva-bhogān > > [1975: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.9](spoken/1975/750402cc.may)** > So this is wrong theory that matter automatically takes the explosion or something like that. Matter is handled by some superior living being. Then it explodes or whatever you call. It reacts. Otherwise, it is not possible. And because the living being takes the superior position for explosion of matter or reaction of matter, therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is admitted that the matter is handled by the living being; it is inferior energy. Both of them are energies of the Supreme Lord, but one is superior energy, another is inferior energy. That is the statement in the *Bhagavad-gītā. Bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ*, these material things—earth, water, air, fire—they are inferior energy. And Kṛṣṇa says, *apareyam:* "They are inferior. There is another, superior energy." *Apareyam itas tu viddhi me prakṛtiṁ parā:* "There is another, superior energy." And what is that superior energy? Now, *jīva-bhūtā,* "These living entities." *Jīva-bhūtā mahā-bāho.* The superior energy is not produced by the inferior energy. That is nonsense. The inferior energy is produced by the superior energy. This is perfect. We have got experience that the superior controls the inferior, not that inferior controls the superior. Where you get all this idea? Therefore it has been described as *aparā* and *parā prakṛti.* And what is that *parā prakṛti*? *Jīva-bhutāṁ mahā-bāho yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat*. The whole world is being manipulated by this superior energy. Just like we have got experience that a human being, an engineer, he is creating a skyscraper building, not that a skyscraper building is creating an engineer. Where is this theory? > Therefore His name is Mahā-Viṣṇu. From His pores of the body, the universes are coming. From His nostril, with the breathing, universes are coming. So just imagine how many universes are there. The whole body is full of potency to produce universes. And it is continually being produced. Brahmā, *brahmā bṛhatvād, bṛhannatvāt.* This is the creation. And how you can accept this theory that there was a chunk and explosion and the universes became manifested? And these things are being accepted. *Mūḍhā nābhijānāti mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam.* These rascals, *mūḍhas,* they do not know, and misleading... *Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ*. These rascals are blind, and they are leading some other blind men, and they are satisfied that "We have got all scientific knowledge." That's all. That is not the way of scientific knowledge. If you want scientific knowledge, then you should know from Kṛṣṇa. That is scientific knowledge. *Jñānaṁ me paramaṁ guhyaṁ yad vijñāna-samanvitam. Vijñāna-samanvitam*. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/750402mw.may)** > So the Māyāvādī's idea of spiritual life means negation of these material activities. But they have no idea that similar activities are there in spiritual life, but that is not material. That is their poor fund of knowledge. Therefore you are... You are not understanding *Caitanya-caritāmṛta,* the *rādhā-kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtīv hlādinī-śaktir asmāt.* That I am explaining for the last few days. That is not at all this material. So unless there is loving affair in the spiritual world, how here it is as perverted reflection? It is the obvert[?] reflection of the reality. The reality is there. That they cannot understand. That is also hinted in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* that "There is another feature, or another nature," *paras tasmāt tu bhāvo 'nyaḥ*, "which is *sanātana,* is eternal." Here the *rasas,* on account of being material, they are flickering. But there, real *rasa* is permanent. Here the loving affairs between two parties finish as soon as the bodies finish. But there, there is no question of finishing. Increasing. *Ānandambudhi-vardhanam*, this is the process of cleansing the mirror of the heart. Mirror, when it isincreasing. *Harer nāma...* >in reality, "What I am," that can be understood through devotional service, not by *karma, jñāna, yoga.* But... Give this example, I mean to say, authoritative statement of Kṛṣṇa, that *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti*. --- **[1976: Morning Walk in the Vṛndāvana Municipal Park [Partially Recorded](spoken/1976/760402mw.vrn)** > [aside:] *Jaya. Jaya. [*break] Ādi-keś ...the devotees are asking one question. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.47](spoken/1976/760402sb.vrn)** > So *yogena,* this word, is very important in this verse. There are... *Yogena* means "by the means of"; *upāyena,* "by the means of." So as it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* Kṛṣṇa says that *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ* : "Only by devotional service one can understand Me." So here the word *yogena* should not be understood otherwise. If one says that *jñāna-yogena, karma-yogena, haṭha-yogena, dhyāna-yogena...* There are many *yoga* system. One can understand. That is the usual proverb[?] nowadays, that "Any means, you can understand the Absolute Truth." *Yata mata tata patha.* "You can have your own process or *yoga,* and you can realize God." But that is not possible. Kṛṣṇa personally says, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti*. In another place, *bhaktyā ekayā:* "Only through devotional service."* And practically we see there are many *jñānīs* and *dhyāna-yogīs, karmīs;* they have no clear conception of the Absolute Truth. Vague idea. Even in many other religious system they have got some conception of God, not clear idea. But in *bhakti-yoga* you can understand directly the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. > So this *astra,* what is that? *Saṅkīrtana. Saṅkīrtanaiḥ. Yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtanaiḥ prāyair yajanti hi.* This Hare Kṛṣṇa movement is also *astra* of Kṛṣṇa for killing the demons, but it is not like a..., like a sword. It is not active. But it is *astra.* It is killing the demons, but in a different way. The demonic habits are being killed, demonic habits. Everyone, we can understand it how our demonic activities are being killed by this Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. This is *astra.* This is an *astra,* but it is being used in a different way, because in this age they are so fallen. So... *Mandāḥ, manda-bhāgyā.* This real *astra* weapon cannot be used upon them. It is already dead. So therefore another type of *astra* to awaken them to life, that is Hare Kṛṣṇa, *mahā-mantra astra.* Otherwise they are already dead. A dead horse... "Beating the dead horse." A horse is dead; what you will get by beating with whips? It is already dead. So there are big, big demons. Hiraṇyakaśipu, he was required to be killed by the nails of the Lord. He appeared as a ferocious lion. But here, the teeny demons, there is no need of nails or any sword. They are to be awakened simply by Kṛṣṇa consciousness, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. --- ## Letters on April 2 *Letters from this day: 31* --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/680402_brahmananda)** > I am glad to hear that the lawyer and psychiatrist are going to help with Advaita, and I am praying Krishna for his safety. --- **[1968: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1968/680402_rayarama)** > I am pleased to hear that you are devoting yourself to the work on Back To Godhead, and it is all right by me if you discontinue the articles on Haridasa Thakura by Professor Sannyal. --- **[1968: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1968/680402_satsvarupa)** > The astronomical calculation is that every 3 years, 1 month is added, so the year in which 1 month is added, that is always calculated as consisting of 13 months. --- **[1969: Letter to Gaurasundara Govinda Vamanadeva Balabhadra Sudama Kartikeya](letters/1969/690402_gaurasundara_govinda_vamanadeva_balabhadra_sudama_kartikeya)** > I beg to inform you that I have safely arrived as scheduled in San Francisco, and I am thinking fondly of you all. --- **[1969: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1969/690402_rayarama)** > I do not know whether people will take our advice, but we must go on presenting these ideas to the human society. If you are not going to print any more issues in the interval period between this issue and the Japan issue, then I think you can reprint another minimum 10,000 copies for continuing the sales propaganda. --- **[1970: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1970/700402_brahmananda)** > In the meantime, I have received your letter dated 30th March, 1970, along with the two checks for $1,592. --- **[1970: Letter to Vamanadeva](letters/1970/700402_vamanadeva)** > The newspaper portion is very encouraging. They have devoted so much space for describing ourselves. Although there are a few misquotations, never mind, it is a good publicity. --- **[1972: Letter to Gurudasa Yamuna](letters/1972/720402_gurudasa_yamuna)** > We are now in Australia and I am very glad to report to you that everything is going extremely well here, and I am much satisfied with the progress being made in western countries like Australia. --- **[1972: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1972/720402_hansadutta)** > Now we have finished our business in India for the time being, so I am stopping here in Australia for some time and then I shall return to Los Angeles for my translating work. --- **[1972: Letter to Ksirodakasayi](letters/1972/720402_ksirodakasayi)** > The first thing is that I am very much anxious for Hindi BTG composition. It must done immediately, otherwise how you can get it from Japan? --- **[1972: Letter to Mandali Bhadra](letters/1972/720402_mandali_bhadra)** > In the editorial section which you plan to have for the beginning, the point should be stressing on the position of the living entities, as it is stated in *Bhagavad-gita* that a learned man observes... --- **[1972: Letter to Revatinandana](letters/1972/720402_revatinandana)** > I am happy to hear that new centers are being opened by you and others in Europe. --- **[1972: Letter to Tamala Krsna Jayapataka](letters/1972/720402_tamala_krsna_jayapataka)** > I am very much encouraged by your progress in reporting the stockpiling of materials. --- **[1975: Letter to Caranaravinda](letters/1975/750402_caranaravinda)** > Thank you for the interesting Photographs that you sent. You must rise early (before 4:00 AM), attend the mangala arati, attend the classes, chant at least 16 good rounds daily, and observe the four basic principles. These things you must do without fail otherwise, there is no question of spiritual life. --- **[1975: Letter to Mr. Kimmel Mrs. Kimmel](letters/1975/750402_mr._kimmel_mrs._kimmel)** > Please accept my greetings. I have received your kind offering of guava jam through your daughter, Urvasi devi dasi. I wanted to thank you very much for becoming so much interested in our Krishna Consciousness movement. Actually, because Krishna Consciousness is the nature of the soul, it is not unusual that one becomes attracted to the method. We are trying very hard to give everyone in the world, in all walks of life, a chance to hear the message of Krishna and to take up the process which is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita for becoming freed from the cycle of birth and death, and thus go back to the kingdom of God to render eternal service to Him. I sincerely hope that you will continue the process as your good daughter has done and achieve the perfection of human life. --- **[1975: Letter to Mr. R.L. Bhatt](letters/1975/750402_mr._r.l._bhatt)** > Regarding your books, we are trying to organize our shipping of books in a better way, so you should be receiving them in the near future. --- **[1975: Letter to Patita Uddharana](letters/1975/750402_patita_uddharana)** > That means that we can present our philosophy in detail and they will read it. They have given us a good amount of space. --- **[1975: Letter to Siddhasvarupa](letters/1975/750402_siddhasvarupa)** > Thank you for your kind donation of 1,000 U.S. I am very glad that you have taken my request to heart and that you are now preaching in so many nice ways. You are executing the duty of a sannyasi very well by this preaching. --- **[1975: Letter to Visala Visalini](letters/1975/750402_visala_visalini)** > Thank you for your kind donation of 501 rs. My simple request to both of you is that you continue to endeavor sincerely in Krishna Consciousness, being very careful to follow all of our principles very seriously and try to co-operate fully with this Hare Krishna movement in spreading the message of Lord Caitanya all over the world. --- **[1976: Letter to Citsukhananda](letters/1976/760402_citsukhananda)** > Such projects as well as constructing temples, protecting cows, gathering milk, then making ghee, then opening Hare Krishna Restaurants are all good programs for grhasthas. --- **[1976: Letter to Deoji Upendra](letters/1976/760402_deoji_upendra)** > I am scheduled to leave Vrindaban for Bombay on the 12th April and then departing for Melbourne en route to Fiji from Bombay on the 18th April. --- **[1976: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1976/760402_hansadutta)** > Concerning your need for some competent Hindi speaking devotees to assist the village program, I am authorizing that Lokanatha Swami can go with the buses. --- **[1976: Letter to Manager Central Bank Of India](letters/1976/760402_manager_central_bank_of_india)** > Branch Manager, Central Bank of India, 10, Camac Street, Calcutta- 700017 Krishna Balaram Mandir, Chattikara Road, Raman Reti, Vrindaban, Dist. --- **[1976: Letter to Mr. Dhawan](letters/1976/760402_mr._dhawan)** > I am very glad to learn that you are endeavouring to understand the prime goal of life, without which the facility of human life becomes futile. --- **[1976: Letter to Mr. Prem J. Batra](letters/1976/760402_mr._prem_j._batra)** > Concerning your questions raised, the process is simply to hear from authority and accept it. --- **[1976: Letter to Niranjana](letters/1976/760402_niranjana)** > Concerning your translating into Hindi, you had translated some small books into Hindi, where are they? --- **[1976: Letter to V.G.K. Dipple](letters/1976/760402_v.g.k._dipple)** > I have forwarded your letter to one of my disciples who is presently in South India, and I have advised him that the two of you can conjointly work together to open a centre in Colombo. --- **[1976: Letter to Yasodanandana](letters/1976/760402_yasodanandana)** > Concerning the story of Prahlada (Varaha Nrsimha), if the story is mentioned in the Puranas then it is alright. --- **[1977: Letter to Amarendra](letters/1977/770402_amarendra)** > You may be knowing that we have formed one party of scientists under the leadership of Sriman Svarupa Damodara prabhu. --- **[1977: Letter to Dravida](letters/1977/770402_dravida)** > You may be knowing that we have formed one party of scientists under the leadership of Sriman Svarupa Damodara prabhu. --- **[1977: Letter to Ramesvara](letters/1977/770402_ramesvara)** > Now we are forming scientists party and we shall try with their help to establish Krishna consciousness as the genuine scientific movement of the world exposing the so-called scientists as nothing but speculators. ---