# April 7 ## Spoken on April 7 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1971: Bhagavad-gītā 7.16](spoken/1971/710407bg.bom)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ sukṛtino 'rjuna*. *Sukṛti. Sukṛti* means those who are living pious life, and these are the basic principles of living pious life: no illicit sex life... Sex life is required, but there is already in the *śāstra* a license: "You can have sex life with your religiously married wife. Not otherwise." Actually, married sex life is not required, but it is just like license. The same thing, that there is no necessity of drinking wine, but those who are habituated, those who want to drink, for them, government opens, under so many restrictions, a liquor shop. The *śāstra* also gives us this license. > So we have to take faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa and pitch[?] our complete faith and devotion at the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. That will make us happy and make progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness in order to achieve the highest goal of life, back to Godhead, back to home. *Yad gatvā na nivartante tad dhāma paramaṁ mama .*So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement purely based on the teachings of *Bhagavad-gītā.* It is not a manufactured thing. As you are hearing for so many days, our basic principle is the *Bhagavad-gītā.* It is not that we have manufactured something, as there are so many manufactured processes. So if we actually take Kṛṣṇa consciousness seriously, as it is assured in the *Bhagavad-gītā* by the Supreme Lord, Kṛṣṇa, we are sure to achieve the result, without any doubt. Kṛṣṇa assures, *mā śucaḥ:* "Don't be doubtful. Simply surrender unto Me. I shall take care of you." --- **[1971: Paṇḍāl Lecture](spoken/1971/710407le.bom)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says *duṣkṛtina.* They will produce volumes of books. *Na yad vacaś citra-padaṁ harer yaśaḥ*. Bhāgavata* says that "You can produce volumes of books with nice literary, metaphorical arrangements." *Na yad vacaś citra-padaṁ harer yaśaḥ na pragṛṇīta karhicit.* The *Bhāgavata* says that "You can produce a nice book by mental concoction and speculation with nice grammatical and metaphorical arrangement, but if there is no glorification of Kṛṣṇa, then it is..." What is, like that? *Tad vāyasaṁ tīrtham:* "This is a place enjoyable by the crows." > But these people are popular because certain class of men, *āsuri-bhāva,* they also want to be cheated like that. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ* : "Those who are miscreants, those who are rascals, *mūḍha, narādhamā,* lowest of the mankind, *māyayāpahṛta-jñānā,* and stolen of his knowledge by *māyā,* such persons, because they are *asuras,* demons, they do not surrender unto Me." So we have to take it from the statement of Kṛṣṇa that anyone who does not understand Kṛṣṇa, who does not surrender unto Kṛṣṇa, they are to be understood under these classification. --- **[1972: Room Conversation with Maharishi Impersonalists](spoken/1972/720407r1.mel)** > So Lord Buddha appeared, just being compassionate to the poor animals. *Sadaya-hṛdaya-darśita-paśu-ghātam. Sadaya.* He became very compassionate, that "All these poor animals are being killed unnecessarily." So he promulgamated a new type of religion—*ahiṁsā paramo dharmaḥ.* "Don't commit violence. If I pinch your body, you feel pain. You should not pinch others." That is his religion. So, but he... Because others, they will argue, "Oh, in the *Vedas...*" As I told you, that *Vedas* is the evidence, so "Here is... Animal killing is ordered. How you are stopping it?" Therefore he said, "I don't care for your *Vedas.*" And because he did not care for the *Vedas,* therefore in India, later on, nobody accepted Buddha philosophy. > But our interest is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we are one. Try to understand what is merging into one. You are all individual. Nobody can be... It is not something material. We are all spirit soul, so we are all individual. But if our interest becomes one, then we merge into one. This is oneness. Try to understand this oneness. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.14.43](spoken/1973/730407sb.ny)** > Our real business is how to get out of this material body. That is, *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam .* This is real knowledge. One should keep in his thought that "My real distress of life are these four things, *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi—*to take birth, to die, to become old and to become diseased. This is my problem." But they do not know this. They are now busy with the petroleum problem. Yes. Yes. They have created this petroleum problem, this horseless tin carriage. [laughter] Yes. They are thinking, "Better than horse. Now I have got this tin carriage." As soon as it is old, it has no value; you throw it in the street, especially in your country. Nobody takes care of it. And..., but one must have this carriage. And it must run on petrol, and take labor, so hard labor, goes within the desert, drill it, and then take out the oil, then bring it in tanks. And it is called *ugra-karma*. > They do not know. *Kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ—go-rakṣya, vāṇijyam—vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam.* This is the duty of the mercantile class of men: to improve agriculture, to give protection to the cows, *kṛṣi-go-rakṣya*. And *vāṇijyam*. And if you have got excess food, you can trade, *vāṇijyam*. This is the business. The *brāhmaṇa* is meant for doing the brain work. He will give advice. Just like we, Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we, we are not meant for the *ksatriya's* business or *vaisya's* business, the devotees, but if required they can take. Real business is, *brāhmaṇa's* business is to know the *Vedas,* the Brahman, the Supreme Brahman, the Absolute Truth. He, he must know, and he must distribute the knowledge. This is *brāhmaṇa*. *Kīrtayanto*. *Satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ*. This is *brāhmaṇa's* business. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.18](spoken/1974/740407bg.bom)** > They cannot see what is *ātma-tattva,* self-realization. *Apaśyatām ātma-tattvaṁ gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām.* So we are working very hard to become very happy, but that is not possible. That is not possible. We are making deliberation, "This is pious activities; this is impious." That is also good. Doing things blindly, that is another thing. But if one has this deliberation, "This is sinful activity and this is sinful activity," he is better than that. But there is another position, which is beyond this sinful activity and pious activities. That is called *akarma. Akarma. Akarma* means there is no result, either sinful or pious. That is called *akarma.* And *karma* means there is result, either pious result or impious result. That is called *karma.* So we have already discussed in the Second Chapter that Kṛṣṇa says how *karma* should be done in summarizing. *Yajñārthāt karmaṇo 'nyatra loko 'yaṁ karma-bandhanaḥ*. > So the ultimate goal of life is to understand Viṣṇu. *Na te viduḥ*. Not... Nowadays, even in... Formerly there were persons, they did not know what is the goal of life. Because it is the material world. In the material world the sense gratification program is very prominent. But we do not know that by the program, *karma,* of sense gratification, we become entangled. Therefore that sense gratification process is regulated. In the *Vedas* that is regulated. Just like our sense gratification program is *loke vyavāya āmiṣa madya-sevāḥ*. These are the very prominent program for sense gratification. What is that? *Vyavāya. Vyavāya* means sex life. *Āmiṣa. Āmiṣa* means eating fish and meat. *Āmiṣa.* And *madya-sevā,* intoxication. This is the general tendency of anyone who is in the material world. And in the Western world it is very prominent. In our country it was not prominent, but now the program is, "Make it prominent. Eat more meat, drink wine and work very hard." This is the program, going on. The leaders are recommending. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740407mw.bom)** >good example. Unnecessarily he thinks that "I belong to this country. I belong to this society." That means he creates another body. And if he knows perfectly well that "I do not belong to any of these bodies," that is *brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā*. That teaching required, that every being is unattached to this body. Therefore *yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape...* Anyone who is maintaining himself under bodily concept of life, he is no better than the animals. > The demonic person does not accept any good lesson. *Mūrkhāyopadeṣo hi prakopāya na śāntaye* [Hitopadeśa 3.4]. Because he is foolish, if you give him good advice, he will be angry. Still, we have to do that. --- **[1975: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 1.14](spoken/1975/750407cc.may)** > So to get a material body is not at all pleasure. It is always miserable condition—from the very beginning and up to the point of death, simply miserable condition. This is intelligence, that the miserable condition means we accept this material body. Therefore, to be out of miserable condition means not to accept again this materi... That should be the aim and objective of life—not to accept. That we have repeatedly said. That can be achieved very easily, *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti*. After giving up this body, we do not accept anymore material body, provided we become fully Kṛṣṇa conscious. At the time of death, if we simply remember Kṛṣṇa, *yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran bhāvaṁ tyajaty ante kalevaram... . That is the highest perfection of life, simply to remember Kṛṣṇa. > That is also the statement in the... If we can consciously remember Kṛṣṇa: "Whatever was possible for me, I have tried to execute. Now this is the last stage. You do whatever You like. That's all." But Kṛṣṇa is very kind. He will at once take you back to home, back to Godhead. *Ante nārāyaṇa smṛti.* This is the highest perfection of life. Therefore we have to practice Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Hare, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. By practicing *sadā tad-bhāva-bhāvitaḥ*, this is required. Always think, *man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ.* Kṛṣṇa advises, "Always think of Me." Where is the difficulty? We have to think of something. We cannot keep our mind vacant. That is not possible. So make it a point that think of Kṛṣṇa, that's all. Think of Kṛṣṇa, and if you chant, if you engage your tongue, "Hare Kṛṣṇa," and if you hear, then everything is compact in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/750407mw.may)** > This is *anyathā rūpam,* a living being, being spiritual, his business is spiritual, but he has accepted material as the platform of his happiness. That is his fault. So material thing, either this side or that side, it is material. *Bhoga-tyāga.* So therefore he is not happy. And we are trying to give him spiritual platform for happiness. That is real happiness. But he is so much attached to the material happiness that he cannot believe that there can be any happiness beyond this range. That is his ignorance, *mūḍhā.* Therefore we call them *mūḍhā,* rascals. *Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā*. > Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra* wherever possible, and whoever will hear, he will gradually become cleansed. *Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam*. This is the process of cleansing the mirror of the heart. Mirror, when it isAnd then *bhava-mahā-dāvāgni...* Then his material pangs will be over. This is the only medicine. Therefore chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Some way or other, let them have the chance of hearing, and then it will act as medicine. Even he does not will, you chant, you let him hear by force, and he will be cured. --- **[1976: Lecture to Devotees](spoken/1976/760407le.vrn)** > So people say that I have done miracle. Maybe. At least it is the first time in the history that Vedic culture in its true form is being distributed all over the world. We have got many, many appreciation by the learned scholar circle, big, big professors all over the world. They are accepting that this is the first time that India's traditional spiritual culture is being spread. One professor in France, he has plainly said that even Aurobindo or Dr. Radhakrishnan, they presented this Vedic culture in a modernized way, not in its original, traditional form. That is a fact. We don't make any compromise. Therefore we have especially meant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means to follow what Kṛṣṇa says. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said, *āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa*. Ei deśa.* Wherever you are, it doesn't matter. Either you are in India or in America or France or anywhere, any *deśa,* or any country, wherever you are, just try to deliver them. Because *guru's *business is to deliver the fallen souls. > So Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord, Absolute Truth, that's all. What difficulty you have? Kṛṣṇa says, *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat*. And He says, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru*. Four things: "Always think of Me..." So I am teaching them, "Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. You'll think of Him." So *man-manā.* And who can chant Hare Kṛṣṇa unless he is a devotee? Ordinary man cannot chant. He has no taste. But these boys, they are taking my words very seriously. I have asked them to refrain from four kinds of sinful activities: illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling. They are seriously following. They have no illicit sex. Caitanya Mahāprabhu was questioned by a *gṛhastha* devotee, "How we can understand a Vaiṣṇava?" So He summarily replied that "Vaiṣṇava, to become Vaiṣṇava perfectly, *asat-saṅga-tyāga ei vaiṣṇava-ācāra*.*" This is the first principle. Don't associate with *asat. Asato mā sad gama.* So next line He described who is *asat. Asat eka strī-saṅgī, kṛṣṇa-abhakta āra—*finished. In two lines we can understand who is a Vaiṣṇava. So I have asked them. These people, European and American, they are ordinarily very much accustomed to these habit: illicit sex, gambling, meat-eating. But upon my word they have given up everything. *Asat-saṅga-tyāga ei vaiṣṇava ācāra.* --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.52](spoken/1976/760407sb.vrn)** > So unless one becomes a perfect devotee, he cannot become a *bhadra,* gentleman. That is not possible. *Narādhamāḥ,* Kṛṣṇa says. *Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ*. Unless one is devotee, he is a *duskrtina,* most sinful man, *narādhamāḥ,* and the lowest of the human being. These are the qualification. So one has to become devotee. If you want to become *bhadra,* gentleman, you must take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Otherwise it is not possible. Otherwise it is not possible. You are not Kṛṣṇa conscious, at the same time gentleman—that is a false thing, pretender. A *bhadra...* Here it is said, *bhadra. Prahlāda bhadra bhadram te*. *Bhadram te.* And when you become *bhadra,* gentle, perfect, qualified gentleman, then everything is auspicious for you. There is no inauspicity. *Bhadram,* everything. The *bhadram...* Here Vīrarāghavācārya, he explains this word, *bhadram aniṣṭa-nivṛttiḥ:* "no more anything inauspicious." *Bhadram. Aniṣṭaṁ nivṛttiḥ iṣṭaṁ prāptis ca.* Two things, that is *bhadram.* Very nice, Vīrarāghavācārya's explanation. *Bhadram aniṣṭa-nivṛttir iṣṭaṁ prāptiḥ. Iṣṭam* means "whatever you desire," because a *bhadra,* a gentleman, cannot desire anything which is bad. A gentleman will not pray to Kṛṣṇa, "Please give me facility for eating meat." He'll..., mean, devotee never prays like that. Therefore *abhadra-nivṛttiḥ.* He never prays to Kṛṣṇa, "Please give me facility of drinking." No. Because he's *bhadram.* But *abhadra* will pray, will go to the goddess Kālī, "Mother, give me your *prasādam* meat." *Abhadra.* Why should we eat meat? *Abhadra.* Therefore this explanation is very nice, *bhadram aniṣṭa-nivṛttiḥ. Aniṣṭa...* If you eat meat, that means you become implicated in sinful activities. You have to be killed by your enemy, and he will eat you, or enemy..., or you become a goat or a hog or a cow, and your other person will kill you. Just like nowadays this contraceptive, abortion, killing the child is going on, so the same man, again he is killed by the so-called father and mother. It will act. *Karmaṇo 'anya... Yajñārthe karmaṇo 'nyātra karma-bandhana*. > So we should not think independent. We must become *bhadra.* Then all auspicity will come. These two words, if you can understand... *Prahlāda bhadra bhadraṁ te*. If you are not *bhadra,* then you will remain always *abhadra—rākṣasa* or *asura.* And here it is said, *'prīto haṁ te asurottamam:* "You are the best of the *asura* family." Because Prahlāda was born of a father, Hiraṇyakaśipu, and the most ferocious *asura,* so he cannot escape the relationship with his father, with reference to his father. "How can I say that I am not son of a...?" There is that *asura,* mean, facility or disadvantage. But he is *uttama.* He is surpassed that platform. How it is possible? Now, because Kṛṣṇa is pleased upon him. *Prīto 'ham.* Although he is born in an *asura* family, low-grade family, but because Kṛṣṇa is pleased upon him, he becomes immediately *bhadra.* This is the facility. So those who speak that the..., these Europeans and Americans cannot become Vaiṣṇava, they are mistaken. If Kṛṣṇa is pleased upon them, immediately they become the best of the *brāhmaṇas.* Here it is said, *prīto 'ham:* "Never mind you are born in the family of *asura,* but because I am pleased, you are all-purified. You don't be disappointed." It is only we require to please Kṛṣṇa. Then everything is all right. *Māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ.* Kṛṣṇa says in *Bhagavad-gītā,* "Never mind he is born in the *pāpa-yoni.* It doesn't matter. But," *te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatim,* "because he has taken shelter of My lotus feet..." --- ## Letters on April 7 *Letters from this day: 12* --- **[1967: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1967/670407_kirtanananda)** > Hayagriva informed me that you have become sorry for not receiving my letters and for this I must beg your pardon. --- **[1970: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1970/700407_giriraja)** > I have duly initiated him and his beads chanted by me are returned herewith. His initiated name is Madhavananda Das. --- **[1970: Letter to Govinda](letters/1970/700407_govinda)** > But you should always remember that whatever we are doing, it is in the parampara system beginning from Lord Krsna, down to us. --- **[1970: Letter to Sri Dhruva](letters/1970/700407_sri_dhruva)** > I am so glad to learn that Sri Birlaji feels that there is a need for an imposing Hindu temple in London. --- **[1971: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1971/710407_tamala_krsna)** > I shall be glad to hear from you on this point as soon as possible. I am also writing in this connection to Ramananda and Durdaivanasan Prabhus in Gorakhpur and Ksirodakasayi in Delhi. --- **[1973: Letter to Govinda](letters/1973/730407_govinda)** > The report of book distribution going on in Chicago is very pleasing to me. As you know, our Chicago center is one of the most important. Please continue to use your intelligence to find out how to distribute my books more and more. --- **[1974: Letter to Ajita](letters/1974/740407_ajita)** > Of course I cannot read Swedish, but looking through this book has given me unlimited bliss. --- **[1974: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1974/740407_hansadutta)** > From reports I have received it appears that affairs at Bhaktivedanta Manor and Bury Place London have deteriorated to the critical stage, and therefore I am asking you to go there immediately and see what can be done. --- **[1974: Letter to Puranjana](letters/1974/740407_puranjana)** > Because of the critical condition of affairs at Bhaktivedanta Manor and Bury Place London, and the inability of present managers to work out a solution together, I have asked Hansadutta to go there immediately and take charge of the situation. It is not good that things have deteriorated to such a stage as you describe in your letter, but let us try to rectify and save the situation. I myself will be traveling to Paris in the second week of May, for a tour of European cities, and I will meet with Hansadutta then as well as other leaders, and we will make a decision for the permanent leadership of the centers. --- **[1974: Letter to Raghunatha](letters/1974/740407_raghunatha)** > You have analyzed that you are distressed because you are not given an engagement in Krsna Consciousness. This observation is correct, unless we are engaged with all our senses and intelligence in serving Krsna where is the question of Krsna Consciousness? --- **[1974: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1974/740407_tejiyas)** > Under the circumstances I am just issuing another check number PHF 431995 for Rs 19,005 (nineteen thousand and five rupees only) in favor of Punjab National Bank itself. So Gurudasa is returning to Delhi and both of you see in the bank if the former check PHF 431993 is positively stopped for payment. --- **[1976: Letter to Vrindaban Chandra De](letters/1976/760407_vrindaban_chandra_de)** > I am sure that the Fixed Deposit Receipt itself is there with the Punjab National Bank because I have their letter of acknowledgement which is lying in Bombay. ---