# April 16 ## Spoken on April 16 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1967: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Ādi-līlā 7.109–114](spoken/1967/670416cc.ny)** > So ego has to be purified. Ego has not to be killed. And that cannot be killed, *na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*, because it is eternal. How can you kill ego? It is not possible. So you have to purify your ego. The difference between..., is between false ego and real ego. Just like *ahaṁ brahmāsmi, aham*... "I am Brahman." Oh, this is also ego. This is, this Vedic version that "I am Brahman. I am not this matter," so this ego is purified ego, that "I am this." So that "I" is always there. Either in illusion or delusion or dream or in healthy stage, the "I" is always there. > Now, who can be unlimitedly expansive unless He's unlimitedly powerful? Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that... According to *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* also, the same meaning is there: *brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate*. So Brahman-Paramātmā ultimately means the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Without coming to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the conception of Brahman-Paramātmā is imperfect. Why? Caitanya Mahāprabhu says that *cid-aiśvarya-paripūrṇa, anūrdhva-samāna.* --- **[1969: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam Lecture, Bīrabhadra Initiation](spoken/1969/690416sb.ny)** > So this is a fact, that every man is engaged in thousands of topics of hearing and chanting in different ways. *Apaśyatām ātma-tattvam*. But they are blind about their own self. They are spending so much time in different topics, but they are blind about their self-realization. *Apaśyatām ātma-tattvaṁ gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām. Gṛha-medhinām,* because they have made their life only to engage in these four things: eating, sleeping, mating and defending. In another place also, Prahlāda Mahārāja says, > So Śukadeva Gosvāmī is advising, "My dear King, you are not this type of man, because as soon as you have heard..., you are sure that you are going to die, immediately you have come out from your home and all attachment of your kingdom, wife and children. So your business is," he advises, *tasmād bhārata sarvātmā bhagavān īśvaro hariḥ*. "Therefore you have asked me what is your duty. Now I give you to understand that this is your duty." --- **[1972: Lecture at Art Gallery](spoken/1972/720416le.auc)** > And actually that is so. *Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate*. Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that "Whatever you see, everything is emanation from Me." *Ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate.* "Everything comes out of My energy." *Mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate.* Everything. one who understands this fact that Kṛṣṇa is the origin of everything, *sarva-kāraṇa-kāraṇam...* > Of course, we approach everyone to preach this science of God consciousness, but it is very difficult. Those who have taken to this atheistic view, *āsuri-bhāvam āśritāḥ... Āsuri...* Just like we have got examples in our Vedic science, Vedic knowledge. There were many atheistic person like Kaṁsa, Rāvaṇa, Hiraṇyakaśipu, Dantavakra, they never accepted existence of God. But they had to accept the existence of God at the time of death. Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś ca aham, that "Death, which takes away everything from everyone, that is... That death I am." --- **[1973: Initiations](spoken/1973/730416in.la)** > So Kuvera became very much pleased that although he could kill all the descendants of Kuvera, he stopped it. So he came forward to give him some benediction. So Kuvera is the richest treasurer. So he wanted to give some benediction. If Dhruva Mahārāja wanted, he could ask him that "Give me all the money of the universe." He could give. But what did he ask? He said, "Sir, give me benediction that I may remain attached to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa." --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.24](spoken/1973/730416sb.la)** > So Dhṛtarāṣṭra constructed a house of lac. Lac means as soon as you touch one matchstick, immediately takes fire. So he asked his nephews and sister-in-law, Kuntī, that "For some times you go. I have constructed a very nice house. You can go and live there." Vidura informed that "This is the policy: Dhṛtarāṣṭra wants you to burn into ashes by going that house." Duryodhana could understand that Vidura had already informed. Therefore he was very angry. These are politics. So although they knew that "This is the plan of my uncle to send into that house and set fire," but they agreed, "Yes." Not disobedient to the order of the superior. In this way the house was set into fire, but they digged a subway within that house, and they escaped. > So in that assembly of Draupadī's *svayaṁvara* there was Karṇa also. Draupadī knew... Draupadī's real purpose was to accept Arjuna as her husband. But she knew that "Karṇa is there. If Karṇa competes, then Arjuna will not be able to succeed." Therefore she said that "In this competition, except the *kṣatriyas,* nobody can compete." That means Karṇa at that time was not known that he was a *kṣatriya.* He was the son of Kuntī before her marriage. So people did not know. It was secret. So Karṇa was maintained by a carpenter. Therefore he was known as a *śūdra.* So Draupadī took advantage of this and said that "I do not wish that any carpenter shall come here and compete. I don't want that." So Karṇa was not allowed. So Karṇa took it as great insult. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 4.27](spoken/1974/740416bg.bom)** > Actually, my business is to satisfy the senses of Kṛṣṇa, but I am thinking that I shall be happy by satisfying my senses, my family's senses, my country's senses, my nation's senses, and so on, so on, so on. This will never make me happy. This is the secret. So therefore Kṛṣṇa says that "You have manufactured so many businesses of sense gratification. That's all right. Give up this all rascal business. Simply surrender unto Me." *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. Then you will be satisfied. Otherwise, there is no question of satisfaction. You go on increasing the area of sense gratification. That will not make you happy. > Actually, it is very difficult to control the mind. So artificially, by controlling the breathing system, there is the process, but still, it is difficult. As I explained yesterday, even a great *yogī* like Viśvāmitra, he also failed. There are many instances. There was another, Saubhari Muni. He was practicing *yoga* system within the water. And as soon as he was little agitated by the fish, he wanted to come out and marry, and one king's daughter... He wanted to marry all the eight daughters. So there are many instances like that. It is very difficult to control the mind. But our process, as it is stated here, that *ātma-saṁyama-yogāgnau. Ātma-saṁyama. Saṁyama,* control. The mind is the principal sense. *Indriyāṇi parāṇy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ*. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740416mw.bom)** >in life there are so many varieties, temperature and focus of light, but actually, the heat and light is coming from the fire. So in spite of all varieties of degrees of heat and light, it is one because it is the energy of Kṛṣṇa. > This is the statement of the "Those who are less pious, they cannot believe in Kṛṣṇa and *mahā-prasāda* and the holy name." *Yeṣāṁ anta-gataṁ pāpam*. So you have given some medicine. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760416mw.bom)** > He is speaking Himself. Let us accept it. Every knowledge is there. I am not scientist, but all the scientists come. Our Svarūpa Dāmodara, Doctor, Ph.D., he was defeated three times, four times daily, and then he is now writing book, *Scientific Basis of Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.* You see? And I was not a scientist. He was Ph.D., but I talked on the basis of Kṛṣṇa's assertion. That's all. That is my knowledge. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.12.5](spoken/1976/760416sb.bom)** > So this is discipline and hardship, voluntary hardship. The *brahmacārī* may come from the royal house... Just like our Kṛṣṇa is actually son of Vasudeva, and He was *brahmacārī.* And when Sudāmā Vipra... Kṛṣṇa was supposed to be *kṣatriya* and Sudāmā Vipra was *brāhmaṇa,* so *brāhmaṇas* and *kṣatriyas* are especially meant for going to the *gurukula* and live very strictly according to the principle of *gurukula.* So Kṛṣṇa and Sudāmā Vipra went to collect dry fuel from the woods. When Sudāmā Vipra came to Kṛṣṇa's house, He reminded, "My dear Sudāmā, do you remember that day that both of us, we went to the forest and there was cyclone and rain, we could not come out?" So that means so much painstaking for the matter of *guru*. One cannot refuse, that "I am coming from very rich family. Why should you ask me to go to collect some... I can purchase it. I have money." No. If you have to... Here it is said that *brahmacārī gurukule vasan dānto guror hitam, ācaran dāsavan nīcaḥ.* Even if you are coming from the royal family, even if you are coming from the very respectable *brāhmaṇa* family, when you are under the control of *guru* you should act like servant. And what kind of servant? Menial servant, *nīca.* Not that "I am very rich man's son. You are asking me to do this? No, I cannot do it." No. This is called *tapasya. Tapasā brahmacaryeṇa*. > So *durbhikṣa* means these *brahmacārīs, sannyāsīs,* they should go to every householder's house and take some alms. When this is refused, that means we are calling *durbhikṣa,* scarcity of food grain. It should be given. That is... A small collection, it is going to the temple for offering *prasādam* to the Lord and the *prasādam* to the Vaiṣṇavas, *brāhmaṇas.* Therefore something must be given. If we open this *gurukula* as we are contemplating, the students should be trained up to go house to house and take little alms. It doesn't matter one has to give one kilogram. No. Whatever you can, you must give. This is the system all over India still. So here it is said that *sāyaṁ prātaś cared bhaikṣyam.* Twice in a day the *brahmacārīs* should be trained up to collect alms: in the morning, in the evening. And *bhaikṣyam,* and *gurave tan nivedayet:* and whatever collection is there, it should be offered to the *guru*. Not that something kept for my own purpose. No. Everything should be offered, whatever you collect. You cannot keep, because everything in the *gurukula* or in the temple, it is for the interest of the *guru*. In the beginning it was said, *vasan dānto guror hitam*. Everything, all collection, either in cash or kind, that is for the benefit of *guru*, not the personal benefit. No. Therefore only the *gṛha...,* I mean to say, *sannyāsīs* and the *brahmacārīs,* they can beg. They can collect, not others. That is prohibited. *Sāyaṁ prātaś cared bhaikṣyam gurave tan nivedayet.* --- **[1977: Room Conversation with Ram Jethmalani [Parliament Member](spoken/1977/770416r1.bom)** > Go* means cow; *khara* means ass. So, so long we shall continue this bodily concept of life—"I am Hindu," "I am Muslim," "I am Indian," "I am American," "I am Pakistani," "I am...," so on, so on, that is animal concept of life. So one has to raise himself from this impure designated position to the transcendental position. Then he can realize. And that is our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. And *Bhagavad-gītā* teaches from the very beginning, "Don't identify with this body." *Aśocyān anvaśocas tvaṁ prajñā-vādāṁś ca bhāṣase*. "You are talking like a very learned man, but you are identifying with this body." *Gatāsūn agatāsūṁś ca nānuśocanti paṇḍitāḥ.* "This body is a lump of matter, and you are considering upon this and talking like a *paṇḍita.*" This is the beginning. So who understands *Bhagavad-gītā*? Where *Bhagavad-gītā* begins? *Tathā dehāntara-prāptir dhīras tatra na muhyati*. They do not understand even the first line of *Bhagavad-gītā,* what to speak of this statement. *Bhagavad-gītā* is purely meant for the *dehī,* the owner of the body, not of the body. That is the beginning of *Bhagavad-gītā* teaching. Who understands it? Nobody understands it. And they are scholars, and they are so on, so on. > It doesn't matter. *Pāpa-yoni...* According to our Vedic system, low-class, those who are born in low-grade family, they are called *pāpa-yoni. Brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra,* lower than that—*śūdrādham. Kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ*. They are called *pāpa-yoni,* untouchables. Of course, nowadays these things cannot go on. But these are there. So Kṛṣṇa says, *ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ.* Anyone born in anywhere, *te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatim. Mām eva vyapāśritya.* Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so nice, everyone can be elevated. So what is this *harijana*? We can do. --- ## Letters on April 16 *Letters from this day: 18* --- **[1969: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1969/690416_kirtanananda)** > I have also seen the letter from Angelo, and I am sending it back to you because the handwriting is not clear for me to understand, and I think you can answer the questions anyway. --- **[1969: Letter to Prabhavati](letters/1969/690416_prabhavati)** > I am enclosing a copy of the list of offenses that should be avoided by a Vaisnava. --- **[1969: Letter to Syamasundara](letters/1969/690416_syamasundara)** > Enclosed is one draft scheme circular letter so please read it and do the needful. --- **[1969: Letter to Yamuna](letters/1969/690416_yamuna)** > Regarding your questions about Deity worship, please refer these to Himavati in Montreal or else Harsarani in Los Angeles. Yes, on the certificates you may correct it as *Srimatee.* I hope this will meet you in very nice health and cheerful mood. --- **[1970: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1970/700416_gurudasa)** > Please therefore try to distribute BTG as many as it is possible. 300 to 400 at the time ($300 to 400 in your exchange), and I was distributing this magazine without any consideration how much I was getting in return. --- **[1970: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1970/700416_satsvarupa)** > Regarding permission to marry Manmohini and Sridama, I have sent you one letter dated 11th April which I hope you have received by now. --- **[1970: Letter to Yamuna Gurudasa](letters/1970/700416_yamuna_gurudasa)** > You were very much anxious to worship Radha Krsna Deity and you took one pair from Mataji. At that time I advised you to wait. Now when the pair of Deities were taken by Mataji again and you were little bit sorry, but Krsna is so kind upon you that He has come to you again in a better position and now you can engage yourself in His service heart and soul. --- **[1971: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1971/710416_bali-mardana)** > Now I shall find a notary public and sign it by tomorrow or the day after duly sealed and send it back by registered post. --- **[1971: Letter to Manager Of Central Bank Of India](letters/1971/710416_manager_of_central_bank_of_india)** > Regarding my book fund account no. *14538,* kindly transfer the amount of Rs. 34,628/17 to my account no. *14876.* Thank you. --- **[1973: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1973/730416_jayapataka)** > Please report how far the construction is completed. With regard to the Mayapur house I may suggest that you make one roof garden. --- **[1974: Letter to Gopijanavallabha](letters/1974/740416_gopijanavallabha)** > The names submitted by you for initiation of devotees in our New York temple are duly accepted by me. The spiritual names of my new disciples are as follows: --- **[1974: Letter to Manager Of Punjab National Bank](letters/1974/740416_manager_of_punjab_national_bank)** > Enclosed herewith find one copy of the letter dated 8 April, 1974 addressed to your Vrindaban branch. --- **[1974: Letter to Tripurari](letters/1974/740416_tripurari)** > I thank you very much for your letter of April 7, 1974 with the astounding figures of book distribution in one day at the Chicago Airport. --- **[1976: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1976/760416_aksayananda)** > There is some function there from the 6th May to the 13rd May, 1976, and we have been invited for preaching. --- **[1976: Letter to Punjabi Premanand](letters/1976/760416_punjabi_premanand)** > Concerning your questions: Yes, it will help to read Bhagavad-gita but to have to hear from the realized person. --- **[1977: Letter to Kim Korstad](letters/1977/770416_kim_korstad)** > I am very glad to know that you are chanting 'Hare Krishna' and reading my books. This is our principle, whatever talent we have we shall engage it in Krishna's service. --- **[1977: Letter to V.V. Mirashi](letters/1977/770416_v.v._mirashi)** > I have especially designed my books in such a way that they will be appreciated by scholarly persons like yourself and therefore it gives me great satisfaction to know that you have appreciated our humble effort. --- **[1977: Letter to Vasudeva](letters/1977/770416_vasudeva)** > Enclosed please find a "message" which you can use when you print your souvenir issue commemorating the opening of the temple. Also enclosed is an article entitled "Who is Harijan?" written by Tamala Krishna Goswami which can be included in the issue. I shall try to send you a special article by separate post in the absence of which you can print any of my shorter essays like "On Chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra" which you can take from by book or our Back To Godhead magazines. ---