# April 13 ## Spoken on April 13 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 2.55–58](spoken/1966/660413bg.ny.md)** > So the Lord says that *kāmān sarvān pārtha mano-gatān.* The mental speculation, so long we are on the platform of mental speculation, we should understand that we are on the material plane. Because mind is material. Mind is not spiritual. So, *mano-gatān.* The special word is used here, *mano-gatān.* Whatever we create in our mind, that is material, all creations. Mind is the leader of the senses. So the activities of the mind—thinking, feeling and willing—are expressed through our senses. And these sensual activities are known as our living condition. Therefore the Lord says, "When one shall be free from mental speculation, then he's to be understood that he is in the perfect stage of spiritual consciousness." Mental speculation. > So by mental speculation we cannot understand what is our position. Generally, people, they indulge in mental speculation. Different philosophy of the world, they are established on the principle of mental speculation, especially in Europe—Aristotle, Schopenhauer, Kant. They're more or less... And, imitating the Western philosophers, in India also, recently, the persons who are very well known... Perhaps you know Śrī Aurobindo. He's, he's also speculated very nicely on the mental platform. Mental platform cannot give us the actual freedom or the happiness. Therefore Lord says, "One should give up all mental speculation and should be satisfied in the understanding that 'I am consciousness, and there is supreme consciousness, and I am subordinate to the supreme consciousness. Therefore let me dovetail my consciousness with the supreme consciousness.' " --- **[1969: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.3.21, Initiations](spoken/1969/690413sb.ny)** > Then what I am? At the present moment I am identifying with this body, with this dress. [child disturbing] That is illusion. *Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke* . Bhāgavata* says anyone who is identifying himself with this body, he's an ass. He's not even an human being. Actually it is so, because I am not this body. And the beginning of *Bhagavad-gītā* is with this proposition, that you are not this body. *Dehino 'smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā*. > Actually *eva, eva* means certainly. One must. And this verb *gacchet* is used where this sense is used, "must." *Gacchet,* "must go," "must approach." That is the injunction of the *Vedas.* Similarly, the injunction of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* is also *tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam*. --- **[1973: Arrival Lecture](spoken/1973/730413ar.la)** > Just like Jagāi-Mādhāi said, *āra nāre bapa.* No more [indistinct], ruination. That is *mukti.* Kṛṣṇa will give you all facility. He's giving facilities, whatever you want. *Ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy a...*. Therefore we see varieties of life. It is arranged by Kṛṣṇa through the agency of material potency. *Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ*. It is going on. But if we say, "Kṛṣṇa...," to Kṛṣṇa, "Now, from this day, I surrender unto You. My Lord, I don't want anything material," then you are *mukta,* liberated. And if you keep the standard, *māyā* will not touch you. Then after giving up this body, you go back to home, back to Godhead. It is very easy. > "Out of many millions of men, one tries to make his life successful." "Make his life" means to distinguish oneself from the animal life. Animal life is meant for sense gratification. So one who searches after real happiness—*ramante yogina anante—*unlimited happiness, he is intelligence. One who is satisfied with temporary happiness, he's not intelligent. *Antavat tu phalaṁ teṣāṁ tad bhavaty alpa-medhasām*.* --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.21](spoken/1973/730413sb.ny)** > So now that personality, although *alakṣyam,* invisible, now, by the grace of Kuntī, we can understand that although the Supreme Person is invisible, now He has appeared to be visible: Kṛṣṇa. Therefore she says, *kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya*. *Vāsudeva* conception. Sometimes the impersonalists, they have *vāsudeva* conception, means all-pervading. So Kuntīdevī is pointing out, "That Vāsudeva is Kṛṣṇa, all-pervading." Kṛṣṇa, by His Vāsudeva feature, He is all-pervading. *Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati*. > Just like Kuntīdevī is pointing out. First of all she said, *alakṣyaṁ sarva-bhūtānām antar bahir avasthi... . Although Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Person, is without and within, still, to the rascals and fools, He is invisible. Therefore she is pointing out, "Here is the Lord, *kṛṣṇāya vāsudevāya*.*" He is the all-pervading Supreme Personality of Godhead, but He's very much pleased to become the son of Devakī. *Devakī-nandanāya. Devakī-nandana* is mentioned in *Atharva-Veda* also. Kṛṣṇa comes as Devakī-nandana, and His foster father is Nanda-gopa, Nanda Mahārāja. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.24](spoken/1974/740413bg.bom)** > Those who have achieved the stage of *nirmatsarātaḥ,* without any jealousy because the material disease is jealousy. I am jealous of you, you are jealous of me. This is the business here. Here however I may be a very great personality but in the material affair there are many instances they become very, very jealous. That is material disease, material disease means we are all jealous therefore this *bhāgavata-dharma,* Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is meant for *paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ,* who is not jealous. For him it is meant for, *paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ, vāstavam vedyaṁ atra.* These are described there and actually our jealousy begins from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is asking, *sarva dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* but I am jealous, why shall I surrendered to Kṛṣṇa? Why? He is also as good as I am, maybe a little learned, *avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ...* because he is asking, demanding your surrender and I am thinking he is an ordinary man. So I am losing the chance, *avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā.* So our jealousy business has begun from Kṛṣṇa. Oh why shall I am accept Kṛṣṇa, as the supreme person although in the *śastra*'*s* Kṛṣṇa says personally, *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya* there is no more superior truth than me. But we don't believe it although we read *Bhagavad-gītā* but we don't accept Kṛṣṇa's person. This is our disease because jealous. Jealousy, why shall I except Kṛṣṇa as the supreme. This is jealous, therefore so long we are jealous we cannot understand Kṛṣṇa, *paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ, satāṁ,* and who is not jealous? *Satāṁ, satāṁ* those who are devotees. > How to realize, that is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is described in the *Bhagavad-gītā* very nicely. Just like Kṛṣṇa says, everything is Kṛṣṇa, how to realize? The Kṛṣṇa says those who are not very advanced they have been advised to understand Kṛṣṇa, how? *Raso 'ham apsu kaunteya,* my dear Arjuna, I am the taste of the water. Begin like that. *Raso 'ham apsu kaunteya, apsu,* in liquid, any liquid thing you have some taste, otherwise how you will drink the liquid things. You have got some, everything has got taste. The whole world is full of taste, unless there is taste no one can be inclined to enjoy something. Anything you take. Therefore sex life is called *ādi-rasa,* the original taste. So in the water, when we drink water, or milk, or even wine, any liquid thing, if you simply try to practice this, that this taste of water that I am enjoying that is Kṛṣṇa. That begins Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is not very difficult, everyone can do that. If you cannot chant, if you cannot hear about Kṛṣṇa, if you cannot understand about Kṛṣṇa because the devotional method is, *śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ smaraṇaṁ pāda-sevanam. *[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740413mw.bom)** > *...rājendra nṛnaṁ santi sahasrasaḥ apaśyatām ātma-tattvaṁ gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām*. This is the Sukadeva Gosvāmī says that *śrotavyādīni rājendra,* subject matter for hearing, *nrnam,* for the human being, *nṛnāṁ santi sahasraśaḥ,* thousands of... Just like in the newspaper in the morning, thousands of varieties of news they will attend, and ask them to attend the *maṅgala-ārati* for self-realization, "No, that is not... You are disturbing. Nonsense." >must have undergone severe austerities and penances and developed his spiritual consciousness. Then he can be priest. Not any man with a sacred thread and *ghaṇṭā,* belling, become a priest. [break]...priestly class, all rotten class. In Christian world also—drunkards, nonsense, woman-hunters, and they are priests. So also in India. Any man with a two-paisa-worth sacred thread, he becomes a *brāhmaṇa* and priest. How the people will be guided? The priest... The exact Sanskrit name is *puro-hita,* who can actually... --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.2](spoken/1975/750413sb.hyd)** > *Akāma. Akāma* means *bhakta. Praśāntā.* He doesn't want anything. They are called *akāma. Sarvakāma* means *karmī.* He wants everything. Bring these *dānaṁ dehi, rūpaṁ dehi, yaso*[?] *dehi, dehi, dehi, dehi.* That is *karmī.* And *akāmaḥ sarva-kāmo vā mokṣa-kāma. Mokṣa-kāma* means those who are desiring after liberation. So whatever you may be, never mind. There are three classes of men: *akāma, sarva-kāma, mokṣa-kāma.* So whatever you may be, Kṛṣṇa is competent. He says, therefore, that *tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena yajeta paramaṁ puruṣa.* The only method that Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya...*. If you, even if you want to be *karmī,* even you want the *karmī's* desire, that you want everything, to enjoy, that will also be fulfilled if you become devotee of Kṛṣṇa. *Tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena yajeta paramaṁ puruṣa.* You haven't got to work separately for fulfilling your desire of *karma* or *jñāna* or *yoga.* Everything will be there. Kṛṣṇa is so powerful. *Ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham*. If you want from Kṛṣṇa the result of your *karma,* good result, Kṛṣṇa will give you. Kṛṣṇa is not unable to award you this. > This is *mahātmā,* one who has fully surrendered to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa after mature experience and wisdom, *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante.* Many, many births we may go on philosophizing Brahman, *neti, neti.* But after many, many births, this is *jñānavān.* The *jñānis,* they are after Brahman realization. So Kṛṣṇa says, *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate* : "After many, many births of this Brahman realization or Paramātmā realization, one may come to the platform of realizing the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Who is that Supreme Per...? Vāsudeva, the son of Vasudeva, Kṛṣṇa. Vāsudeva. *Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ*. That is *mahātmā.* One who knows *vāsudevah sarvam iti,* that *mahātmā* is required. And if we can serve such *mahātmā,* then our path of liberation, *mukti,* will be open. That is stated here: *mahat-sevāṁ dvāram āhur vimukteḥ.* --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760413mw.bom)** > Indian man (2): Śrīla Prabhupāda? The temple in Bombay, what you are constructing, the gate only going to be like another Indian temples, only gates. They look like a bigger temple. > Dr. Patel: You mean those pitchers and flag? In south we have got those temples, gates. That is only common in southern India but not in anywhere else. Gopurams: ornamental gateway of a temple. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.12.2](spoken/1976/760413sb.bom)** > These people, especially modernized people, according to *śāstra* and scientifically... It is not the *śāstra* accuses *mūḍha.* Kṛṣṇa says. It is not that Kṛṣṇa is angry upon anyone. Actually, one who does not know the aim of life, he is *mūḍha,* rascal, that's all. He does not know. Simply they are working so hard like animals and eating, sleeping and mating, and they are thinking this is the end of life. Therefore they are *mūḍhās.* That is not life. The birds and beasts, they are also doing the same thing. In the morning they find out any tree, anywhere they stop, and small fruits they can eat. So the eating arrangement is already there, although they have no kitchen or hotel. The eating arrangement is there. And then sleeping: they have got a small nest. Or without nest, they sit down on the top of the tree and sleep. Eating, sleeping and mating, sex. There is always a pair—one male, one female. They are born like that. The sex is there, eating is there, sleeping is there, and being afraid of other animals, that is also there. As soon as they are little afraid, immediately the sparrow goes up to the... You cannot catch him. So these things are there even in the animal life, lower grade of life. But is that human life is also meant for that, the same thing? There is no other aim of life? No. That they do not know. Therefore *śāstra* says, *na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum*. They do not know what is the aim of life. The aim of life is how to become free from these clutches of *māyā,* repetition of birth and death. That is the aim of life. > This chance is there in the human form of life. If you want to be elevated to the higher planetary system, you can do that. *Yānti deva-vratā devān.* Why you are jumping with a jet plane to go to the moon planet? If you prepare yourself... There are methods; otherwise, why Kṛṣṇa says, *yānti deva-vratā:* "If you want to go to the higher planetary system, you prepare yourself in this life. You'll be next life..."? "You shall go there. Or if you want to remain, go to the planets of Pitṛloka, you can go there. And if you prepare yourself to come to Me, back to home, back to God, you can do that." So what should be our aim of life? We shall go to the higher planetary system or back to home, back to Godhead? "Back," we say, because we have come from God. Just like one man is put in the prison house. He has come from his free home. By his work he is criminal; therefore he is put into the prison house. Similarly, we are all part and parcel of God. Our real home is Vaikuṇṭha. But we have come here. How we have come, that is a very mysterious thing; but we are part and parcel. Somehow or other... Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has sung, *anādi karama phale, padi 'bhavārṇava-jale.* [*Gītāvalī, Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka*, 5.1] ["Due to my past fruitive activities I have fallen into the water of material existence, and I cannot find any way to get out of it."] --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/770413r1.bom)** > Dangerous civilization that *labdhvā su-durlabham idaṁ bahu-sambhavānte*. After many, many millions of years one gets the chance of becoming a human being, especially civilized and especially in India. They will bring the same. And Kṛṣṇa personally says that if this chance is missed and a person does not become God realized, then he again returns back to the..., to the... Today I am a prime minister; tomorrow, if I become a dog, what is this civilization? And they will have to become. Nature's law we cannot avoid. There, there is no question, "Why you are touching me? I am prime minister." Who cares for you? You have to take account of your activities, *karmaṇā daiva-netreṇa*. > Sometimes by *puṇya* they are in the higher planetary system, some powerful *lokas*[?]. Sometimes fish, sometimes demigod, sometimes dog and cat. This is going on. Kṛṣṇa says. *Nivartante mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani*. Mṛtyu-saṁsāra-vartmani,* botheration. Then there is... We have got this... Any intelligent person gets the *Bhagavad-gītā*. The rascals are reading *Bhagavad-gītā*, do not understand a line even. *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. They do not question even. And after the destruction, body, I am not annihilated. Then where I am going? What is my next life? he does not die. The body is changed. *Vāsāṁsi jīrṇāni yathā vihāya*. So everything clearly said. They do not inquire even that "After changing this body or change dress, what kind of body or dress I am going to have?" Answer is there. *Kāraṇaṁ guṇa-saṅgo 'sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu*. --- ## Letters on April 13 *Letters from this day: 20* --- **[1967: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1967/670413_kirtanananda)** > Krishna consciousness means to increase the number of persons in Krishna consciousness. Therefore it is the duty of a Brahmacari to go door to door as beggar and enlighten people in Krishna consciousness. --- **[1968: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1968/680413_jadurani)** > The idea is that there is a story, "that, I have lost my caste and still my belly is not fulfilled. --- **[1968: Letter to Yadunandana](letters/1968/680413_yadunandana)** > I am very glad to receive your letter, and I am very happy to learn that you are all coming to N. --- **[1969: Letter to Pradyumna](letters/1969/690413_pradyumna)** > I am instructing Tamala Krishna in Los Angeles to allow Jaya Gopala come to join you immediately, so I think this will be of great help to your work there. --- **[1969: Letter to Sivananda](letters/1969/690413_sivananda)** > You have inquired about my books, and the facts are that before I came here from India, I published three volumes of *Srimad-Bhagavatam,* each of about 400 pages. Since I have come here, many manuscripts are prepared for printing, and I have published *Bhagavad-gita As It Is,* published by MacMillan and *Teachings of Lord Caitanya,* published by International Society for Krishna Consciousness. We are selling our books nicely here, and if you can organize a means of selling our magazine and books in India, it will be a great help to our activities. --- **[1971: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1971/710413_bali-mardana)** > But your assistant in Sydney writes that he cannot spare the money for other passengers. --- **[1971: Letter to Dinesh Candra Krsna Devi](letters/1971/710413_dinesh_candra_krsna_devi)** > Last time I heard from you, you wanted to go to Jerusalem to start one center there and I agreed. --- **[1971: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1971/710413_karandhara)** > I have been invited by Australia and I am seriously considering visiting Moscow on my way to Europe, so my reaching at L.A. may take some more time, but I am always remembering about L.A. --- **[1971: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1971/710413_mukunda)** > It is very much encouraging to hear that the incense business is beginning to flourish and by that program you are paying off your debts. --- **[1971: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1971/710413_tamala_krsna)** > With reference to your telephone conversation yesterday morning, I am sending one check, no. --- **[1971: Letter to Tulsi Bhakta Dasa Pat Sandy Bill Geoffrey Terry](letters/1971/710413_tulsi_bhakta_dasa_pat_sandy_bill_geoffrey_terry)** > I don't know what kind of photos you used, but they are looking especially nice. --- **[1971: Letter to Vrindaban Candra](letters/1971/710413_vrindaban_candra)** > So you have got some talent for writing and producing dramas and now Krishna has given you the opportunity for dovetailing your talents in His service. When I go there I shall be very glad to see these dramas enacted. --- **[1974: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1974/740413_bali-mardana)** > I have also received a telegram from you today reading "Money traced to Central Bank of India Madurai 1 Tamil Nadu South PO Box 8 Second cable sent to transfer funds to Bombay Gowali Branch". --- **[1974: Letter to Bhakta Dasa](letters/1974/740413_bhakta_dasa)** > Now Madhudvisa Maharaja has written me that you have been posted as president of San Francisco, and that you are very enthusiastic to increase all programs there. --- **[1974: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1974/740413_gargamuni)** > I am glad to hear that the Calcutta temple is progressing nicely under your direction, that devotees are going out daily distributing books and collecting. As far as my meeting with the indutrialist G.D. Kothari and others to discuss building a Calcutta temple, my present schedule is that I am remaining in India until May 15, and then going to Pairs, France. --- **[1974: Letter to Vrindaban](letters/1974/740413_vrindaban)** > Still we are prepared to purchase the house on the above mentioned terms. The purchase money cannot be given to anyone else; we shall directly deal with the sellers and pay them directly. --- **[1976: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1976/760413_karandhara)** > Concerning your going to South America to assist there, if you like there is no need to go immediately. First you can complete the exhibit there in Los Angeles. There is no need to go immediately. --- **[1976: Letter to Madhava Sharnaji](letters/1976/760413_madhava_sharnaji)** > I am going to Australia shortly, and thereafter to New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, etc. It will take about 4 months to come back. --- **[1976: Letter to Smt. Sri Sadajiwatlal Chandulal Bahl](letters/1976/760413_smt._sri_sadajiwatlal_chandulal_bahl)** > I received your kind invitation to attend your daughter's wedding and I thank you. As you know we are constructing the Hare Krishna Land project in Juhu Beach and we trust that you and your family members will take advantage of the facilities for generations to come. --- **[1976: Letter to Vrindaban Chandra De](letters/1976/760413_vrindaban_chandra_de)** > With further reference to my letter dated 7/4/76, I beg to enclose herewith a "true copy" of the receipt by Punjab National Bank. You can go immediately to see the bank manager and do the needful. ---