# May 3 ## Spoken on May 3 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1969: Lecture at Arlington Street Church](spoken/1969/690503le.bos)** > So this is called ignorance, ignorance, sleeping state. Therefore the *Veda* is crying, *uttiṣṭham jāgrata prāpya varān nibodhatam, kṣurasya dhārā niśitā duratyayā* [*Kaṭha Upaniṣad* 1.3.14] "You have got now this human form of life, a great boon, not like animals. Please do not therefore waste your time sleeping like animals simply in the matters of eating, sleeping, mating and defending." That is the verdict of *Vedas. Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ*. > So Vedic literature informs us that the meditation process was possible to be successful in the age which is called Satya-yuga, when people used to live for one hundred thousands of years. The next age, Tretā-yuga, the self-realization process is offering sacrifices. And the next age, Dvāpara-yuga, when people used to live for one thousand years, the recommendation is temple worship or church worship, like that. But in this age the recommendation is *kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt. *[1970: Śrī Īśopaniṣad, Mantra 1](spoken/1970/700503ip.la)** > Therefore in this Age of Kali, Caitanya Mahāprabhu has forbidden any kind of *yajña,* because there is no, I mean to say, expert *brāhmaṇa* who can chant the *mantras* and make experiment of the Vedic *mantras,* that "Here is coming out." That is... Before performing *yajña,* how the *mantra* is potent, that was tested by sacrificing animal and again giving new life. Then it is to be understood that the priests who were chanting that *mantra,* that is right. That was a test. Not for animal killing. > These are mental concoction. Religion is going on like that. Therefore... Therefore fighting: "I am Hindu," "I am Muslim," "I am Christian." Nobody knows religion. You see? They have given up religion, these rascals. There is no religion. The real religion is this, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, which teaches how to love God. That's all. That is religion. Any religion, it doesn't matter whether Hindu religion, Muslim religion, Christian religion, if you are developing love of God, then you are perfect in your religion. Otherwise you are rascal; your religion is nonsense. That is the test. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.9.13](spoken/1972/720503sb.tok)** > Just like we have got distinction—I am a spirit soul; I am covered by this matter—Kṛṣṇa is not like that. If He is covered by matter, then how He can remember some forty millions of years ago He spoke *Bhagavad-gītā* to the sun-god? How He can remember? He does not die. He has no material body. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā:* "Those who are rascals, they deride upon Me as a ordinary human being." *Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam paraṁ bhāvam avajānanto* : "They do not know what is the essence of My position. Therefore they conclude like that." > This is the lack of knowledge. *Mūḍha. Mūḍha.* The pains and pleasure... One man in the prison life, he is simply suffering, I mean, so many pains and pleasure. There is no pleasure; simply pain. So he is trying to commit suicide. So sometimes people do that, suicide. They think that "If I kill, if I commit suicide, then all these pains and pleasures will be finished," because he has no information that a body is an instrumental to feel pains and pleasure. Actually, I, as the spirit soul, I am unattached to it. *Ātma-māyām ṛte rājan*. Ātma-māyā.* It is a creation of, temporary creation. So if I get out of this temporary creation and be situated in my own position, then there is no more pains and pleasure. It is simply pleasure. --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/730503mw.la)** > So that proprietor is one ten-thousandth part of the tip of the hair—very, very small, atomic. On account of that atomic spiritual energy, there is working. This is bare fact. That small atomic spiritual energy is within this body, and therefore the body is working, and therefore the plane is working. Where is the difficulty to understand? Now, this man thinks himself very stout and strong, but why he is stout and strong? On account of that small spiritual spark is there. As soon as the small spiritual spark is gone, stout and strong has no meaning. Immediately all the birds will come. Vultures will come and eat him, eat the body. Immediately. > That is stated in the *Bhāgavata. Śva-viḍ-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ.* They are animals. These animals, they do not know the actual fact, and they are passing on as leaders, professors, scientists. Why they should be allowed? There must be some protest against these men. They have no real knowledge. They say, "I do not know," and still, they are passing as poet, er, scientist laureate. Why this should be allowed? Think over this matter seriously. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.41](spoken/1973/730503sb.la)** > So *bhakti* means detachment. *Vairāgya-vidyā-nija-bhakti-yogam*. Bhakti-yogam* means detachment. Our suffering is due to our attachment. Because we are materially attached, I am desiring so many things materially. Therefore, Kṛṣṇa is giving me opportunity to enjoy that material facility. Whatever I want, whatever I desire... Of course, I must deserve. "First deserve, then desire." Suppose if I want to become king. So I must have pious activities behind me so that I can become king. But Kṛṣṇa can fulfill. > So by... Here, Kuntī's addressing Kṛṣṇa: *viśveśa. Viśva* means the universe. *Īśa, īśa* means the Lord, the controller. So *viśveśa,* He is controlling. He's controlling. So nicely the universal affairs are going on. The sun is rising just in due time. Everything is going on nicely. There is no mismanagement. Everyone can understand. The seasons are changing; the seasonal fruits and flowers, they are coming out. Everything is going nicely. But how things are going nicely if there is no controller? But they have no common sense. If we see any establishment very nicely going on, we immediately understand the manager or the director or the controller of this institution is very nice. Similarly, if we see things of these universal affairs are going on very nicely, then we must know that there is a good controller. Who is that controller? That controller is Kṛṣṇa. That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā: mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram*. Therefore He is addressed, "*Viśveśa,* O the controller of the universe." --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740503mw.bom)** >necessity of *tapasya,* if one worships Kṛṣṇa? *Ārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kim* [Nārada Pañcarātra*]. And after austerities, if he does not know Kṛṣṇa, then what is the value of his *tapasya?* --- **[1976: Arrival](spoken/1976/760503ar.hon)** > So I am very glad to see that you are all very enthusiastic, and you follow the other principles. Then be sure that you are advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And that will save you from the dangerous civilization which do not understand the future of life. As the cats and dogs, they do not understand what is the future of life, similarly, if human beings, getting this opportunity of very intelligent, developed consciousness, if a human being does not understand what is the goal of life, what is the future of life, then he remains a cat and dog. *Sa eva go-kharaḥ. > You have seen this verse in the *Nectar of Instruction. Utsāha:* enthusiasm. *Dhairya* means patience. *Utsāhān dhairyāt niścayāt,* means conviction. And *tat-tat-karma-pr*avartanāt*,* and following the regulative principles. *Sato vṛtteḥ,* to become sincere and honest. And *sādhu-saṅge,* and in the association of devotees. *Ṣaḍbhir bhaktir prasidhyati.* The *bhakti,* Kṛṣṇa consciousness, will advance. These are the six principles we should always remember: enthusiasm, patience, conviction, following the regulative principles, becoming honest, and in the association of devotees. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760503mw.fij)** > This is Vedic, *Ṛg-mantra.* Or Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya*. If one abides by this, then he's innocent, or really religious. If he does not obey, then where is the religion? There is no religion. The instruction is here. One has to understand the philosophy from *Bhagavad-gītā* rightly and appreciate himself and preach. This is wanted. >becoming a thief, if you have got some desire, you ask, "Kṛṣṇa, I am very poor. Please give me some money." That you can do. That is mentioned in the *Bhagavad-gītā. Ārto jijñāsur arthārthī jñānī ca bharatarṣabha*. Ārtaḥ,* one who is distressed, he's praying. That is beginning. But when he's advanced... Just like Dhruva Mahārāja. He'll say, *svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi varam...,* "Now I'm satisfied. I don't want anything." That is perfect stage. But even one goes to God and prays for something, he's called pious, because he has approached God. And because he has approached God and he's asking God, there is some transaction, in this way, by association of God, he'll be purified. One day he will say, *svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi varaṁ na yāce* : "Now, I am fully satisfied. I don't want anything. I don't trouble You. Let me serve You." --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/760503r1.fij)** > The human life is meant for deciding his future. If we do not care for the future, and if I want to become modernized from primitive life, is that very good inteligence? Real business forgotten, but I am busy with modernized life. That example I give sometimes, [Bengali proverb. *Sājte sājte dola phurāla*], that one has to go to see a fair on account of *dola-yātrā*: Holi festival. So women, they generally dress themself very nicely. So the woman said to his friend that "Let me dress." So dressing, dressing, dressing. In the meantime, the fair finished. So the modern civilization is like that. [*Sājte sājte dola phurāla*] > I have to go to see the fair, but I became so much attentive in dressing that in the meantime news came, "The fair is finished." That is our civilization. A human life is meant for preparing for the next life. That is sensible. But I am so much busy in manufacturing things for modernized life—RC, TC, PC and so on, so on. In future, at the time of death, I begin to bark and I think, "Oh..." And nature will say, "All right, come on." "No, no, I'm not going to..." No, why not? You have become modernized, barking like dog. So you bark. Who will check that? *Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā...*. --- **[1976: Room Conversation with Siddha-svarūpa Follower](spoken/1976/760503r1.hon)** > So we are instructing: no intoxication. So those who are flourishing by selling cigarettes and wine and liquor, they do not... "Immediately kill him." Oh, yes, in this way. "If they, the movement goes and becomes very strong, then our business will be lost. Kill him." So naturally they will be enemies. The same thing, the Kaṁsa saw that "This my sister, now she is married. So although it will take some long time, but here is the cause." So they are thinking like that. No meat-eating—then all slaughterhouses will be closed: "They're enemy." Although there is no such symptom that slaughterhouse is going to be closed, but they'll think like that. They'll think like that, the same way. There is no eighth pregnancy, first, second, third, then eighth, [laughs] and the child will go, take birth and... They are thinking like that. So the modern civilization, we are everyone saying. Because you have forbidden: no illicit sex, no intoxication, no meat-eating, no gambling. The whole Western world living on these four pillars. Just see our position. And the same conscious way, everyone is thinking, "If this movement goes on, then how all these nightclubs will go on? How all breweries will go on? How all slaughterhouse will go on, cigarette factories will go on?" This is all foolish. So you cannot expect that we will get more..., many friends. That is not possible, because the world is full of Kaṁsas, demons. So we have to struggle and... In the face of so many obstacles we have come to this standard that there is one Hare Kṛṣṇa movement; it is very dangerous to the modern way of life. That much is great advance. They're feeling the pulse. Now when they are meeting, state obstacles. Everywhere we are meeting obstacles. In Singapore. > So if we keep our movement pure, then we are as strong as Kṛṣṇa. And as soon as we deviate from it, immediately ordinary. This is the secret. Now it is up to us how to keep it pure. Then no enemy can kill us. Nobody can kill. So that purity is wanted, then it will be successsful. So what is their difficulty? Their purity to kill them?[?] Follow the rules and regulations, worship the Deity and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra,* as we have given, then you will remain as strong as Kṛṣṇa. And if we manufacture some ideas, then it is gone. Kṛṣṇa cannot be manufactured; Kṛṣṇa is Kṛṣṇa. You cannot manufacture another competitor of Kṛṣṇa. That is not the way. Then failure. Just like the, one competitor came to, even in the lifetime of Kṛṣṇa, Pauṇḍraka. --- ## Letters on May 3 *Letters from this day: 20* --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/680503_brahmananda)** > On the day of our departure I was expecting you in the airport, but I think as you are young man, you were tired on the last night, on the 30th April, on account of late arriving from the Long Island... --- **[1968: Letter to Uddhava](letters/1968/680503_uddhava)** > I am just in receipt of your letter forwarded from New York. So we should all work together for satisfying Lord Krishna and in that way the feelings of separation will transform into transcendental bliss. --- **[1968: Letter to Upendra](letters/1968/680503_upendra)** > So far the date of the Rathayatra festival, it is to be on the 28th of June, and will continue for 8 days. Yes, if it is necessary then you can make a nice bed for Lord Jagannatha and Lord Balarama, and keep them nicely until I return. --- **[1969: Letter to Hayagriva Pradyumna](letters/1969/690503_hayagriva_pradyumna)** > I will be reaching there in Columbus on United Airlines at 10:47, so in the evening if there is an engagement, we can accept. On the 9th, 10th, 11th, if you want you can make some programs. --- **[1970: Letter to Ekayani](letters/1970/700503_ekayani)** > So this enthusiasm is very good sign, and if you continue to become more and more enthusiastic to be always strictly engaged in devotional service while observing carefully the rules and regulations,... --- **[1970: Letter to Lilavati](letters/1970/700503_lilavati)** > I think each couple of our students may try to open a branch in England. Our first branch of London Yatra was opened by Mukunda, Gurudasa, and Syamasundara and their wives. They tried very hard, and now our London Temple is nicely situated. --- **[1971: Letter to The Manager Punjab National Bank](letters/1971/710503_the_manager_punjab_national_bank)** > I request you that the interest accrued on the fixed deposit be credited to my savings fund A/c No. For this purpose, I am leaving the above-said fixed deposit with you. --- **[1972: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1972/720503_bhagavan)** > I am anxious to know what has happened to Aravinda since he left me in India. I think his parents live there in Detroit, his other name is Arthur Friedman, so kindly search them out and ask them where he is. --- **[1972: Letter to Citsukhananda](letters/1972/720503_citsukhananda)** > As many Spanish-speaking devotees can go there as possible and help you, and you can expand into South America from there. The Mexican public is very sympathetic, so produce voluminously Spanish language literature. --- **[1972: Letter to Patita Uddharana](letters/1972/720503_patita_uddharana)** > It is very nice, I have enjoyed it very much, but there are some direct criticisms and that we are not going to do. --- **[1972: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1972/720503_rupanuga)** > If a man knows swimming he can stay up. So if this much power has a man, what to speak of God. So we see that Ramacandra has the art how to make stones float. --- **[1973: Letter to Babhru Das](letters/1973/730503_babhru_das)** > Now that you have become Brahmin you should know that this means increased responsibility on Krsna's behalf. Factually this is the important initiation so you please maintain a very high standard of Krsna Consciousness and be very serious to execute the instructions of the spiritual master and Krsna. --- **[1974: Letter to Bhurijana](letters/1974/740503_bhurijana)** > It comes as a shock to me that you have stepped down from your duties as president of our Hong Kong center. If you are persistent about your desire to leave you are free to act on your own. --- **[1974: Letter to Trista Hubbarth](letters/1974/740503_trista_hubbarth)** > You have very thoughtfully asked me what do I think of the Self Realization yoga and meditation. We are not concerned with other religions or yogas in terms of competition or sectarian spirit. Actual spiritual knowledge is to take the authoritative statements from the scriptures and from the great acaryas, spiritual masters in disciplic succession. --- **[1976: Letter to Adi-Kesava](letters/1976/760503_adi-kesava)** > Your plan to have the Rathayatra on July 18th, down 5th Avenue, is approved by me and I shall try to be there definitely. --- **[1976: Letter to Mr. George Twohie](letters/1976/760503_mr._george_twohie)** > I have been informed through one of my disciples that one application for negotiating a house owned by the U. --- **[1976: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1976/760503_tejiyas)** > Why he should not have been issued with a receipt for his contribution at least? --- **[1977: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1977/770503_aksayananda)** > "CANNOT ATTEND BY MEDICAL ORDER PROGRAM MAY GO ON BY VRNDAVAN PARTY LETTER FOLLOWS ALSO SENDING MY ZONAL SECRETARY My health being not very good, the doctors have advised against making the long train journey as well as the vigorous preaching involved. --- **[1977: Letter to Gurukrpa](letters/1977/770503_gurukrpa)** > Yesterday, Gopala Krsna spoke with Ramesvara Maharaja, and it is understood that you are waiting for a letter from me before sending the second amount of $100,000. --- **[1977: Letter to Prabhakar Mishra](letters/1977/770503_prabhakar_mishra)** > I understand from Gopal Krsna that you met him and you have offered your obeisances which I gladly accept. ---