# April 14 ## Spoken on April 14 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1972: Town Hall Lecture](spoken/1972/720414le.auc)** > Guru* means spiritual master. And who is spiritual master? Who abides by the disciplic succession. He does not change. He does not interpret. He presents things as they are. Just like we are doing. We are presenting Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Kṛṣṇa says that... For spiritual realization, He says, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru*. Kṛṣṇa says that "Always think of Me." *Man-manā. Man-manā* means "about Me." *Man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ:* "You just become My devotee." > So that is *man-manā,* thinking of Kṛṣṇa. *Man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ.* Kṛṣṇa says, "You become My devotee." *Man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ mad-yājī * : "You worship Me." *Māṁ namaskuru:* "Offer your obeisances unto Me." Now, all these item, there is no expenditure, and anyone can do. Even the child can do. What is the difficulty? Factually our children, Kṛṣṇa conscious children, do that. The father, mother offers obeisances, and the child imitates—he also offers obeisance, bows down. So this offering obeisances to Kṛṣṇa will not go in vain. It will have effect. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.22](spoken/1973/730414sb.la)** > So Kṛṣṇa is available any circumstance, if we want to catch Him. That's all. *Teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ bhajatāṁ prīti-pūrvakam*.* He's... If one is actually very serious to search out Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa is everywhere. *Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-sthaṁ govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi* [Bs. 5.35]. He is within this universe. Not only within the... He's within your heart. He's within the atom even. So it is not difficult to find Him out, but you must know the process how to find Him out. And this process is very simple. And the process we are distributing by the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu to everyone, without any charge. The process is, "Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." > So it is the question of love. If you actually love God, Kṛṣṇa, then you can remember Him at any time, always, always. There is no difficulty. Here Kuntīdevī describes *paṅkaja,* with reference to lotus flower. And Kṛṣṇa describes Himself in the *Bhagavad-gītā, raso 'ham apsu kaunteya* : "I am the taste of the liquid." So Kṛṣṇa can be remembered by tasting water. Even those who are drinking... If he thinks that "This taste of drinking is Kṛṣṇa," he will one day come out a great saintly person. Such a nice thing, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if you have cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if you follow the description given by the *śāstras...* --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.25](spoken/1974/740414bg.bom)** > Actually, Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa says *mayā,* "By Me," *adhyakṣeṇa,* "by My superintendence," *mayādhyakṣeṇa,* "everything is working." That is also confirmed in the *Brahma-saṁhitā, sṛṣṭi-sthiti-pralaya-sādhana-śaktir ekā chāyeva yasya bhuvanāni bibharti durgā* [Bs. 5.44]. This power, material nature, is called Durgā. So Durgā, the material nature... Durgā means the predominating deity of this fort. Durgā. *Durgā* means "fort." And *durgā* means "where it is very difficult to enter." The fort is fortified. Therefore it is called Durgā. *Ga* means going, and *duḥ* means difficult. Therefore fort is... The Sanskrit name of fort is called *durgā.* And the predominating deity, it is called Durgā. > So this is one type of *yajña,* understanding the supreme power. Just like I was talking a few minutes before, the power. But power is not ultimate. Ultimate is the conductor of power, or the powerful. Just like electricity. Electricity is power, but it is generated from the powerhouse. People generally understand that electricity is coming from the powerhouse. But the powerhouse is maintained by the resident engineer, a person. That is real understanding. Or just like this airplane is flying in the sky. A child may see what a wonderful machine is flying in the sky. He does not know the importance of the pilot. The big, gigantic airship can fly in the sky so long the powerful, or one who knows how to conduct the power, pushing the button. By pushing one button, the plane goes high, and pushing another button, it comes down. It is not automatically. Any machine you take. Nowadays wonderful machine, computer. That is also handled by an expert. Any machine you take, without an expert technologist, it cannot work. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740414mw.bom)** >yes, when I was alone in Baroda, I was making my customers for *Back to Godhead.* So I entered one gentleman's house, and from the porch he was, "Don't come! Don't come! Don't come!" [laughs] Immediately. --- **[1975: Life Member House Lecture](spoken/1975/750414l2.hyd)** > One is accepting immediately and one is experimenting with truth, and it will take many, many births. *Kleśa adhikataras teṣām avyaktāsakta cetasām*. Kṛṣṇa is presently instructing in person, and foolish people are thinking that He's imperson. Why imperson? Kṛṣṇa is always speaking: *mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te. Aham ādir hi devānām*. The first person is used everywhere. *Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate*. Aham.* Kṛṣṇa says *aham,* person. So why we should think of Kṛṣṇa being imperson? This is our misfortune. Therefore it takes many, many births. Even one is *jñānavān* it takes many, many births to surrender to Kṛṣṇa. *Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān*. Although he's *jñānavān,* superficially, still his *jñāna* has been taken away. *Māyayā apahṛta-jñānā.* Although he's proud of his knowledge, the *māyā* says, "No, no, no. Why you are accepting Kṛṣṇa as person? He's imperson." So *māyā* is dictating and taking away his knowledge. *Māyayā apahṛta-jñānā.* Kṛṣṇa says *aham,* "I, Me." These are first person, person, first person. And still these people are thinking of Kṛṣṇa as imperson. Why? This is called *māyayā apahṛta-jñānā.* They have studied the Vedic literature but could not understand what is Kṛṣṇa. > So intelligent person, instead of waiting many, many births to understand Kṛṣṇa, may take it immediately what Kṛṣṇa says, as it is. Then his life is successful. So that is possible to understand Kṛṣṇa as He is saying. But because on account of our sinful activities, we cannot understand. *Duṣkṛtina. Duṣkṛtina* means always engaged in sinful activities, very intelligent person, but engaged in sinful activities. Nowadays... All the people are nowadays educated, but all of them, mostly, ninety-nine per cent, they're engaged in sinful activities—illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, gambling. These are sinful activities and, in spite of advancement of education all over the world, these things are going on. Therefore they cannot understand Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is understood by a person who is no more engaged in sinful activities. --- **[1975: Lecture on Science of Kṛṣṇa](spoken/1975/750414le.hyd)** > And if we study philosophy intelligently, then we can understand that living being, *jīva,* how he can become one with the Supreme. Then why he has become *jīva*? *Jīva* is eternally. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is stated, *mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūtaḥ jīva-loka sanātana*. Sanātana. Sanātana* means eternally. He is fragmental parts of the Supreme. Not that by *māyā* he is thinking fragmental parts but actually he is one. That is Māyāvāda philosophy. But Kṛṣṇa does not say that. Kṛṣṇa says *sanātana.* He is fragmental parts *sanātana,* eternally. Besides that, it is clearly explained in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that the spirit cannot be cut into pieces, *acchedyo 'yam adāhyo 'yam*, so how it becomes a small fragment? *Acchedyo 'yam:* you cannot cut into pieces, spirit. And it is further explained that these fragmental parts eternally, from the very beginning. > Who? *Māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa bhakti-yogena sevate*. If you employ yourself immediately in loving service of Kṛṣṇa... Kṛṣṇa also says, *māyām etāṁ taranti te.* So all the devotees, they are not under *māyā.* They're already in liberated stage. Therefore a devotee does not want liberation because he's already liberated. Why he'll aspire about liberation? That is explained by Bilvamaṅgala Ṭhākura: *muktiḥ mukulitāñjali sevate asmān* [*Kṛṣṇa-karṇāmṛta* 107]: --- **[1975: Conversation with Devotees](spoken/1975/750414r1.hyd)** > Prabhupāda: Yes. Daughter of [indistinct] and grand-daughter of [indistinct]. All cheaters. Member in the United Nation, Legal advisor...Hamsaduta: Oxford Graduate. Prabhupāda: Cannot write good English.Tamāla Kṛṣṇ > She cannot speak Japanese. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760414mw.bom)** > You'll get. As you get miserable condition of life—you don't like it, but it comes—similarly, happy condition will also come according to your destiny. Why you are wasting time for this? This is the decision of the *śāstra.* You cannot change your destiny. If you have to be..., have to work like a coolie, even after becoming Ph.D., you'll have to work like a coolie. You cannot change it. [aside:] Hare Kṛṣṇa. > > tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido > > na labhyate yad bhramatām upary adhaḥ > > tal labhyate duḥkhavad anyataḥ sukhaṁ > > kālena sarvatra gabhīra > > [1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/760414r1.bom)** > And you become attached to Caitanya, Caitanya-candra. If you become really attached to Caitanya-candra, then you will become *guru* immediately. Caitanya-candra said, *āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra' ei deśa* : "Wherever you are, there is a country," Caitanya-candra says, "you become a *guru*." That is Caitanya-candra. He asks everyone, everyone of India, *bhārata-bhūmite manuṣya janma haila* [*Cc Ādi* 9.41]. Anyone who has taken birth as human being in India is given so much facility. *Janma sārthaka kari':* make your life successful and become a *guru.* You have got the capacity. > Śiṣyas te 'haṁśādhi māṁ tvāṁ prapannam *. Therefore a *guru* means one who speaks on behalf of Kṛṣṇa, *aiyee,* he is *guru*. This is the definition of *guru. Aiyee*. There is no difficulty to find out *guru.* Just like if you want to purchase gold, you can purchase, although there is chance of being cheated. But you do not say that there is nogold. That you cannot say. Gold is there, but if you are a rascal you will be cheated. That is..., depends on your knowledge. Gold is there; otherwise the world cannot go on. There are so many volumes of business in transactions of gold—going, coming, purchasing, selling. You cannot say there is no gold. But if you are a rascal, then you will be cheated. Somebody will give you iron and say, "It is gold. Take it." It depends upon you, a little intelligence. You cannot say because I have been cheated that there is no gold. Can you say like that? You do not know; you are a rascal. You do not know to find out where is gold, but you cannot say there is no gold. That is not possible. Real gold. Huh?* [Transl.Isn't it?] Because one has been cheated, he cannot say that there is no gold. Because you have been cheated by some counterfeit coins or notes, you cannot say there is no real note. It is your less intelligence you have been cheated. So *guru's* definition is given there in the *śāstra,* by the authorities. These are given, *guru's* symptoms. Just like we offer prayer to *guru:* --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.12.3](spoken/1976/760414sb.bom)** > So that is India's position now. They do not care for their original culture. They are after money. You teach them something to earn money. Therefore they are after technology. This is not experience in India. In US also, many Indian students question me. Long ago, when I was speaking in the Berkeley University, one Indian student came forward and he said, "Swāmījī, what this Hare Kṛṣṇa will do? We have to learn now technology." He said. So this is India's mentality at the present moment, that they are not very much interested in the spiritual advancement of life. It is very risky, very risky, because these foolish persons, they do not know how much risky it is to spoil the human life simply for eating, sleeping, mating and gambling. This is very risky life. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is very scientific movement. It is trying to save the human society from risky life. Risky life means that if we are not cultured, if we do not take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and properly trained up, there is every chance to become again cats and dogs next life. This is the understanding. *Tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ*, I repeatedly say this. Kṛṣṇa confirms. Kṛṣṇa says, and we are repeating Kṛṣṇa's word. *Dehāntara-prāptiḥ:* you have to change this body to another. And if you do not properly work like human beings, and if you keep yourself like cats and dogs, then *dehāntara-prāptiḥ* means you'll get the body of cats and dogs and pigs. So they do not know this science. Therefore they want to forget that there is life after death. They think after death everything is finished, but that is not the case. So, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to help everyone so that he may not fall again to the cycle of birth and death at the risk of becoming cats and dogs. > So for reading Vedic literatures it does not require any erudite scholarship. Simply one has to hear. Therefore the another name of Vedic literature is called *śruti. Śruti smṛti purāṇādi* [*Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu* 1.2.101]. This class means that everyone has to learn Sanskrit? No, that is not necessary. You may be a very good scholar or not, but Kṛṣṇa has given you the facility of seeing and hearing. You have got eyes; you have got ear. So in the *gurukula* the students, they first of all attend the *maṅgala-ārati, guru-vandanā,* hearing. Then hear this Vedic literature. Here is Vedic literature, *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* or *Bhagavad-gītā.* They are all Vedic literature. The *Mahābhārata* is *Pañcama-veda.* The four *Vedas* are there: *Sāma, Yajur, Ṛg, Atharva.* And *Mahābhārata* is *Pañcama-veda,* the fifth *Veda. Stri-śūdra-dvija-bandhūnāṁ trayī na śruti-gocarā*. --- ## Letters on April 14 *Letters from this day: 14* --- **[1967: Letter to Janardana](letters/1967/670414_janardana)** > I hope you will try for this and let me know what is the opinion of Mr. Jadurani also has drawn one design for the Montreal Prospectus enclosed herewith please find. --- **[1967: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1967/670414_kirtanananda)** > It is very pleasing to learn that you had very good Kirtana on the 11th instant night with many devotees. --- **[1970: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1970/700414_brahmananda)** > So as desired by you, I am enclosing herewith check No. 108/11 for $2409.00 in favor of ISKCON Press, so please do the needful. --- **[1970: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1970/700414_madhudvisa)** > Please try to serve the foretelling of Lord Caitanya in this way, and as you write to say that 5,000 people danced without being requested, this is the genuine proof about the authenticity of Krishna Consciousness movement. --- **[1970: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1970/700414_tamala_krsna)** > Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not give much importance to the Vedic system of varnasrama which is very important for mundane people because Krishna Consciousness is above everything. So any suitable position in the order of our life is good if it is utilized for Krsna's service. You thought that with a wife you will be more enthusiastic, so Krsna has given you a nice wife, now you move in the European countries and try to promote centers as many as possible. --- **[1971: Letter to Dr. G. G. Godson](letters/1971/710414_dr._g._g._godson)** > Yes, you are certainly welcome to come and live with us and try to understand our philosophy. --- **[1971: Letter to Mulchand Deomal](letters/1971/710414_mulchand_deomal)** > The back issues of Back to Godhead magazine are not available here but I shall try to get them from USA and shall send you them in due course. --- **[1971: Letter to Niranjana](letters/1971/710414_niranjana)** > Yes, if I go to Delhi, then on your request I shall go to visit your father without fail. --- **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/710414_satsvarupa)** > One of our life members here in India, and our good patron as well, has requested some back issues of BTG. --- **[1972: Letter to Bhavananda](letters/1972/720414_bhavananda)** > Now in Mayapur there are two much important programs, namely, first of all, a school must be started in English medium. --- **[1972: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1972/720414_jayapataka)** > I have received also your letter of April 4, 1972, and everything seems to be going very nicely there in Mayapur, and also at Calcutta Temple. Tamala Krishna can go also to my god-brother's math near Jessore, Bangladesh, as I have got a letter from him requesting our men to come there but they will not meet all expenses. --- **[1973: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1973/730414_giriraja)** > Regarding the purchasing of the apartment, if it is difficulty, then I request you to deposit the Rs. --- **[1976: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1976/760414_aksayananda)** > I beg to inform you that one of our life members, Kanailall Taparia, has generously consented that we may use his place in Vrindaban. --- **[1976: Letter to Hasyapriya](letters/1976/760414_hasyapriya)** > They are attempting to open a beautiful Hare Krishna Restaurant there and they say it is a good place. ---