# April 20 ## Spoken on April 20 *Lectures from this day: 15 recordings* --- **[1972: Lecture](spoken/1972/720420le.tok)** > Actually, when one becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious... Kṛṣṇa consciousness means one can see Kṛṣṇa every moment. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. *Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti* [Bs. 5.38]. Those who have developed Kṛṣṇa consciousness, love of Kṛṣṇa, they always see Kṛṣṇa. They do not see anything except Kṛṣṇa. That is described by Kṛṣṇa Himself in the *Bhagavad-gītā. Raso 'ham apsu kaunteya*. He is drinking water but seeing Kṛṣṇa: "Oh, this taste of water is Kṛṣṇa." He is eating *prasādam:* "Oh, Kṛṣṇa is so kind. He has given me so nice *prasādam.*" So actually Kṛṣṇa consciousness means that he always sees Kṛṣṇa in every activity. He has no other vision. > A devotee is seeing the tree, but he is not seeing the tree. He will see how Kṛṣṇa's energy is working, that "Here is a tree, and it is so nice." He sees everything, everything in relationship with Kṛṣṇa. *Nirbandhe kṛṣṇa-sambandha.* Everything. Therefore a Vaiṣṇava is eulogized that *vāñchā-kalpataru.* He... Because he can give Kṛṣṇa. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura said, *kṛṣṇa se tomāra kṛṣṇa dite pāro* [from *Śaraṇāgati*]. He is begging Vaiṣṇava, "Sir, Kṛṣṇa is yours. You can deliver Kṛṣṇa." "Therefore I am after you, because you can deliver Kṛṣṇa." And in the *Brahmā-saṁhitā* also it is said, *vedeṣu durlabham adurlabham ātma-bhaktau* [Bs. 5.33]. --- **[1972: Room Conversation](spoken/1972/720420r1.hk)** > So one thing is that we are simply interested for a temporary object, but we are eternal. *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. We do not die; we simply change bodies. Just like these children, they are changing bodies from babyhood to childhood, from childhood to youthhood, the changing bodies. The final change is called death. That means, final change means giving up this body, we accept again another babyhood body, again begin. This is going on. And this is called *māyār bośe, jāccho bhese. > So..., and "Familiarity breeds contempt." They say, "What is this Hare Kṛṣṇa movement? It is known to us since a long time. What effect it will have?" Many Indian students in foreign countries, they say, "Swāmījī, what will this Hare Kṛṣṇa movement will benefit us? We want technology." So that is the mentality of the Indians at the present moment. They have lost everything, and therefore they are beggars. They have lost their own culture, and therefore they are beggars. So I thought it wise that I shall go to a country where there is no poverty. They will learn. They have enough. For material enjoyment, they have got enough. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.1](spoken/1972/720420sb.hk)** > Like that. In every *śāstra* the injunction is if you want to understand the essence of *Veda,* then you must approach a realized, self-realized person. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* also the same thing is said. *Tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā*. So Prahlāda Mahārāja, although he was born of a father who was atheist number one, godless, by the grace of Nārada Muni he became a great devotee. So his father was very careful that nobody comes and instructs his son about Vedic way of life or God consciousness, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He was very careful not to allow anyone. He appointed teachers for his son, strictly prohibiting about... Just like nowadays it has become..., what is called? State? Secular state. "Don't talk of God." This is the present situation of the world, atheist class. "Don't talk of God." > So those who have no spiritual knowledge, they are on the mental platform. There are many platforms of our life. *Indriyānī parāṇy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ manasas tu parā buddhir*. So ordinarily we are bodily, we think, "I am this body." This is called... Body means my senses. So civilization based on this bodily concept of life are interested only sense gratification. That is their aim of life. *Indriya-tarṣaṇāt[?],* sense gratification. And those who are disgusted with sense gratification, they go little higher on the mental platform, mental speculation, just like philosophy, poetry, like that. Gross means they are working very hard day and night for sense gratification, just like hogs and dogs. --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/730420mw.la)** > *Mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram*: "Under My superintendence, the laws of nature is working." This is intelligence. We are teaching people this intelligence. That's all. We don't decry that "Your studying of the laws of nature is useless." We don't say that. We say, "Not so much. This is imperfect. Go forward still." And that is perfection. You are a science student. By your scientific knowledge, you prove that behind these laws there is Kṛṣṇa. Then your scientific knowledge is perfect. Either from the chemical department or physical department or electrical department, any department, it doesn't matter—through that department you go to the ultimate center. > Just like when you, in the aeroplane, there may be thousands of aeroplane, others, but when your aeroplane is in danger, nobody can save you. You have to save yourself. Otherwise, you go to hell. Similarly, we have to save ourself individually by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. What this material advancement will save me? Will the material advancement of knowledge can save anyone from death? Is it possible? Real problem, *duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam,* real problem is birth, death, old age and disease. So what this material advancement of science will help in this connection? They'll bluff, "Yes, in the future we shall do." That's all. Bluffing. Past, present, future, never they will be able to help. Still they're proud: "Yes, in the future we shall do it." --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.28](spoken/1973/730420sb.la)** > So these universes, they have also developed on account of Kṛṣṇa's presence. Therefore *Brahma-saṁhitā* says, *aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayānta...* They are studying now atoms. So many things are going on, electrons, protons. Why? Because the Kṛṣṇa is there. This is really science. So Kṛṣṇa has no past, present, future. He is eternal time. He has no beginning. He has no end. And He is equal to everyone. *Samaṁ carantam*. Simply we have to prepare ourself to see Kṛṣṇa, to understand Kṛṣṇa. That is the business of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. > Dhyānāvasthita-tad-gatena manasā paśyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ*. The *yogīs,* the real *yogīs,* they, by meditation, they see *viṣṇu-mūrti* within the heart. And those who are devotees, they meet the Supreme Person face to face, just like we are meeting face to face, talk face to face, serve directly. The Supreme Personality of Godhead orders that "You supply Me this," and he supplies. That is the difference. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 13.4](spoken/1974/740420bg.hyd)** > So Arjuna question is *prakṛtiṁ puruṣa,* "What are these *puruṣa?* What are the *prakṛti?*" *Kṣetra-kṣetra-jña.* "What is this body, *kṣetra?* And who is the owner of the body?" That we must know. That is the beginning of *Bhagavad-gītā.* The beginning of spiritual knowledge is to know what is this body and who is the owner of the body. That is the beginning of spiritual knowledge. When Kṛṣṇa began speaking *Bhagavad-gītā* and Arjuna accepted to become His disciple, *śiṣyas te 'haṁ śādhi māṁ prapannam...*, when he said... So Arjuna was bewildered whether he would fight in the battle or not. So the question was not solved by friendly discussion. Therefore Arjuna surrendered to Kṛṣṇa as a *śiṣya,* as disciple, not as friend. > Now Kṛṣṇa is explaining... First of all He has explained that we, the living entities, we are the proprietor of this body. But there is another proprietor. That is Kṛṣṇa. Just like of a house, rented house, one is the occupier and another is the proprietor, similarly, this body, I the soul, you the soul, we are simply occupier. The real proprietor is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa said, *kṣetra-jñaṁ cāpi māṁ viddhi sarva-kṣetreṣu bhārata*. Just like a landlord has got hundreds of house, and each house is occupied by one tenant, but the landlord is occupier of all the houses, similarly, in each body there are two living entities: one living entity is the soul, individual soul, and the other living entity is the Supreme Lord. *Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati*. He is situated..., both of them are situated within this heart. *Hṛd-deśe,* it is pointed out. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740420mw.hyd)** > And so far God is concerned, we learn from *śāstra* that God's two energies are working, that like heat and light. So energies are working, we can see. How these mangoes have come unless there is some energy? So therefore the energy is working. Therefore God is there. Just like as soon as light is there, although we are in the room we can understand that sunlight is there. As soon as the darkness is there, we understand that there is no more sun. So in the presence of energy... Just like in the motorcar, before starting you round the key, and it becomes "*gut, gut, gut, gut.*" Now your current is there. The energy is there. So there are symptoms. By symptoms we can understand there is God. Where is the difficulty? And Kṛṣṇa is explaining, "Here, just see the symptom. The taste in the water I am." Then why do you say that you have not seen God? You are liar. You create that taste Now take sea water and make that taste. Why do you take water from here and there? Sea water is there. Now you take it, and by chemical you create the taste. Why don't you? Therefore, unless God is there, you cannot do that, or God's sanction, you cannot do that. This is a reasonable understanding of God, apart from seeing God. And because the taste is there—Kṛṣṇa says—therefore God is there. According to your capacity, you have to see God like that. You cannot see immediately Kṛṣṇa, with *dvi-bhuja muralī,* playing on flute. That you have no capacity. You have to see God like that. So when the rubber stamp is going to be delivered? > If one follows bona fide *guru's* instruction, and he is engaged in devotional service, then it is possible. Then it is possible. Otherwise, if he does whimsically, then it will be a failure. He must carry out the instruction of the *guru,* bona fide *guru. Guru* means bona fide *guru,* not pseudo *guru.* And according... What *guru* will advise? To be engaged in Kṛṣṇa's service. These two things will help him. Otherwise it is not possible. *Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya:* "By the mercy of *guru* and by the mercy of Kṛṣṇa." So both of them should be served. That is the process. Not that "Now I have become advanced devotee, I don't require to serve *guru.*" Neither, "Oh, I am serving my *guru.* I don't care for Kṛṣṇa." No. Parallel line. Not that "One line I can walk." No. Parallel line. *Guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja*. Therefore in our temple, along with Deities, *guru* is also worshiped. *Guruṣu nara-matiḥ,* if one accepts *guru*—"*Guru* is *guru. Guru* is *guru*"—as ordinary human being, then that is offense, *nārakī buddhi.* --- **[1974: Room Conversation](spoken/1974/740420r1.hyd)** > will read Hindi? You do not... Who will read Hindi? You can read Hindi, that's all. But who will read outside Hindi? Therefore, Guru Mahārāja..." This should have been the reply. "If there is good customers for Hindi reading, then we can write Hindi books. But nobody will read Hindi." That should have been the reply. Therefore we write in English. "Why Jawaharlal Nehru write his books in English? Why Dr. Radhakrishnan writes his books in English? He has not written a single book in Hindi. Why? Why he was president? Why he was prime minister? Why did you not criticize him?" That should have been replied, that "As soon as a book is written in English, it is for world reading. And if it is written in Hindi, who is going to read except a few people like you? Why still, Indians, they are sending their children for education through English?" You know that? There are so many English-medium school. Is it not? Yes. Why? Why they are anxious? So much agitation was made for studying Hindi, but then why India still, even in family they are talking in English? In Bombay they talk in English amongst family members. And any gentleman meets another gentleman—he talks in English. Why it has not been stopped? So actually Hindi has no effect, and if we take international rule, what is the use of Hindi? Nobody will like to... And even here, even here in India, who is reading Hindi? Nobody is reading Hindi. It is compulsory in every province, Hindi? --- **[1975: Conversation with Governor](spoken/1975/750420r1.vrn)** > "This is the beginning of spiritual education, that every one of us is not this body. Unfortunately, the whole world is in darkness, and therefore every human is identifying with this body and thinking wrongly, 'I am Indian,' 'I'm American,' 'I am *brāhmaṇa,*' 'I am this,' 'I am that.' To drive away this misconception of life is actually *manava-dharma.* We must know that we are not this body but spirit soul, and as such, we are part and parcel of God and therefore qualitatively one with God, exactly like a small particle of gold is also gold as is the gold from the big gold mine. But quantitatively the particle of gold is not equal to the gold in the mine. This is very elaborately described in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* and if we accept these principles of *Bhagavad-gītā* as *manava-dharma,* then the whole world will appreciate. And this is being done by our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. > "As described before, the *śāstra-vidhim,* or the direction of the *śāstra,* is given to the different castes and orders of human society. Everyone is expected to follow these rules and regulations. If one does not follow them and acts whimsically according to his lust, greed and desire, then he never will be perfect in his life. In other words, a man may theoretically know all these things, but if he does not apply them in his own life, then he is to be known as the lowest of mankind. In the human form of life, a living entity is expected to be sane and to follow the regulations given for elevating his life to the highest platform, but if he does not follow them, then he degrades himself. But even if he follows the rules and regulations and moral principles and ultimately does not come to the stage of understanding the Supreme Lord, then all his knowledge becomes spoiled. --- **[1975: Speech, Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya 19.53](spoken/1975/750420sp.vrn)** > So this *kṛṣṇa-bhakti,* Kṛṣṇa personally came to teach *kṛṣṇa-bhakti.* He came here in this district Mathurā. And the Kṛṣṇa birthplace is still there. So Kṛṣṇa personally came to teach the science of *kṛṣṇa-bhakti.* And although He proposed that *dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya sambhavāmi yuge yuge*, but at the end He says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. And this is confirmed in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* that *dharma-projjhita kaitavo atra*. Except surrendering to the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, anything which is going on in the name of *dharma,* that is not *dharma.* Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya.* When Kṛṣṇa came, He did not come to reestablish Hindu religion or Christian religion or Muslim religion. No. Religion is religion. Gold is gold. You cannot say "Hindu gold," "Muslim gold," "Christian gold." That is not possible. That is not possible. That is called *kaitava-dharma,* cheating *dharma.* Gold is gold, pure gold. Therefore *Bhāgavata* says, *dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam*: > Udaya* means it is awakened. Everyone has got love for Kṛṣṇa within the heart. That is natural. But that love is distributed in different ways. How? *Yasyātmā-buddhiḥ kunape tri-ddhātuke sva-dhiḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma ijya-dhiḥ [*SB*10.84.13]. This love has been distributed familywise, communitywise, nationwise, countrywise, like that. So this love has to be concentrated, converted, to be love of Kṛṣṇa. That is required. Then everything is perfect. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's teaching, and He practically... *Kṛṣṇa-prema-prdāya.* To develop love for somebody, that requires very elaborate process. It is not... Because we are in the darkness. Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* --- **[1976: Bhagavad-gītā 9.2](spoken/1976/760420bg.mel)** > So if you have got perfect knowledge—that is described here that *jñānaṁ vijñāna-sahitam—*if you have got perfect knowledge, then the result will be *yaj jñātvā.* If you possess that perfect knowledge, then *mokṣyase aśubhāt.* These conditions we don't want. That is the real fact. We don't want any miserable condition due to my mind, due to my body, or due to other living entities or natural disturbances, birth, death, old age, disease. We don't want. These are inauspicities of life. But if you have got perfect knowledge, then Kṛṣṇa says that you become liberated from all these inauspicities. That is the subject matter of this chapter. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that this knowledge is *rāja-vidyā.* We have got different departments of knowledge, university and institutes. But nowhere this subject matter is discussed or there is any department. There are... Suppose medical department. What is the medical department? To give us relief from diseased condition. But there is no department which discusses how to become free from all diseases. There is no department. There is no such department. There is department how to give you relief from disease, there is department how to manufacture very effective medicines, but there is no department where knowledge is given that no more disease. Is there any department? Therefore this knowledge which is given by Kṛṣṇa, it is called *rāja-vidyā. Rāja-vidyā* means the king of knowledge. If you learn this knowledge, then you become completely freed from the conditioned stage of this material world. Therefore it is called *rāja. Rāja* means king, and *vidyā* means knowledge. *Rāja-vidyā rāja-guhyam.* And at the same time, it is the most confidential knowledge, *guhyam, guhyatamam,* very confidential. It is not disclosed to ordinary man. This knowledge is not meant for. Suppose we are discussing this knowledge, and when we say, "By understanding this knowledge there is no more birth, death, old age and disease," ordinary person with less brain substance, they will laugh. They will say, "Ha, how it is possible?" Therefore it is very confidential. It is not open to everyone. It is meant for selected person. If I say that "I shall give you relief from birth, death, old age and disease," you'll not believe it. Therefore it is *rāja-guhyam. Guhyam* means very, very confidential. --- **[1976: Room Conversation & TV Interview with Mike Barron and Carol Jarvis](spoken/1976/760420r1.mel)** > So our principle is: We have to act according to the desire of Kṛṣṇa; then it is good. Otherwise, bad. Kṛṣṇa says, *na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ*. So in spite of advancement of knowledge, because they are not Kṛṣṇa conscious, therefore they are all *duṣkṛtinaḥ,* all sinful men. That is the test. So it is very difficult to understand this philosophy, but this is the fact. We are not going to be followers of zero-*vādīs* or impersonal-*vādīs.* We remain completely in the varieties, but these varieties are usable only for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. That is spiritual. You cannot stop the varieties. You have to change the quality of the varieties. Just like we are eating. It is not possible to stop eating. Why shall I stop eating? But the quality is changed. It is *prasādam.* > Arjuna, he thought that not killing is better than killing, but Kṛṣṇa convinced him, "Yes, killing is better than not killing." Therefore he, after reading *Bhagavad-gītā,* he took it, "Yes, killing is better than not killing." Generally people understand not killing is better than killing. But Kṛṣṇa explained to Arjuna, "No, if there is My desire, then killing is better than not killing." And that is knowledge. Therefore we have to carry out simply Kṛṣṇa's order or His representative's order. Then it is all good. Either killing or not killing, it doesn't matter because it is coming directly from the Supreme. And that is spiritual. Otherwise why Kṛṣṇa induced Arjuna to kill? He was presenting as very good man, that "I shall not kill." And that's... Actually that is good. Even if your enemy excuse him, that is very good idea. But if it is not desired by Kṛṣṇa, then it is bad. --- **[1976: Recording of TV Interview [Partially Recorded](spoken/1976/760420r2.mel)** > Well, the scientists make research. One does wrong thing to do that. So our process is to carry out the order of the higher authorities. So my Guru Mahārāja, my spiritual master, asked me to do this. [inserted *kīrtana*] --- **[1977: Conversation with Patita-pāvana](spoken/1977/770420r1.bom)** > Our mission is to serve *bhakta-viśeṣa* and live with devotees. Not that you take the place of your *guru.* That is nonsense, very dangerous. Then everything will be spoiled. As soon as you become ambitious to take the place of *guru—guruṣu nara-matiḥ...* [Padma Purāṇa, 25.15–18] That is the material disease. The article clearly shows that it is everything "your city," "his city." That is clearly intimated that "You have dropped from the sky to give this city to the world." That is the sum and substance. Is it not? What is this nonsense? > sarvam*—all; *etat*—these; *ṛtam*—truth; *manye*—accept; *yat*—which; *mām*—unto me; *vadasi*—You tell; *keśava*—Kṛṣṇa. Translation: "O Kṛṣṇa, I totally accept as truth all that You have told me. Neither the gods nor demons, O Lord, know Thy personality." --- ## Letters on April 20 *Letters from this day: 11* --- **[1961: Letter to Mr. Nakano](letters/1947-1965/610420_mr._nakano)** > In continuation of my Reg. letter of the 18th instant I beg to inform you that on 20/4/61 I have received the reply from the government which reads as follows. --- **[1970: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1970/700420_brahmananda)** > *KRSNA, the Reservoir of Pleasure and Other Essays* is so much attractive I think this book will be sold like hotcakes. I am very much satisfied with this printing work. Although some of the pictures are not on the perfectional stage, on the whole it is done very nicely. --- **[1970: Letter to Kancanbala](letters/1970/700420_kancanbala)** > It is so much pleasing to me that you are so carefully reading Srimad-Bhagavatam. --- **[1970: Letter to Madhusudana](letters/1970/700420_madhusudana)** > I am very glad that you are appreciating the transcendental benefit out of Krishna Consciousness Movement. My Guru Maharaja used to say that there is no scarcity of anything within this world, the only scarcity is people are not aware of Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1970: Letter to Pradyumna](letters/1970/700420_pradyumna)** > I have just received the blueprint copy of *KRSNA, the Reservoir of Pleasure* and I have begun to read it through. --- **[1971: Letter to Unknown](letters/1971/710420_unknown)** > Let me introduce myself as the Founder-Acarya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1973: Letter to Atreya Rsi](letters/1973/730420_atreya_rsi)** > Yes, you are right, he is third class man, so we should not waste time with him further. --- **[1973: Letter to Govinda](letters/1973/730420_govinda)** > You are always seeing to my comforts and your service in this regard is much appreciated by me. --- **[1974: Letter to Bhavananda Jayapataka](letters/1974/740420_bhavananda_jayapataka)** > My point of view is this: whatever money you require I am already sending and will continue without hesitation to send, but I must be satisfied the money is properly spent. The first point is if I send you money for a certain purpose it must be spent for that purpose. Money for land must be spent for land purchase; if I send money for constructing of a kitchen it must be spent for that. --- **[1974: Letter to Hari Basara](letters/1974/740420_hari_basara)** > According to your letter you suggest I come and speak in the middle of August. But in order to insure good attendance at the event in order to sell the tickets and make profit you think it best if I appear with a popular music group. These arrangements make us too dependent on other parties. --- **[1977: Letter to Atreya Rsi](letters/1977/770420_atreya_rsi)** > The public is very nice but the politicians keep them in ignorance. The mass of people are very good but these rogues create by their personal aggrandizement so many difficulties. ---