# May 23 ## Spoken on May 23 *Lectures from this day: 6 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 3.13–16](spoken/1966/660523bg.ny.md)** > So for making that mission fulfilled, we have got developed consciousness than the animals. That developed consciousness should not be misused only for the animal propensities of life. That is the whole thing. And therefore, Lord Kṛṣṇa says that in order to reach to that stage of perfection, you should work. Your work should not be stopped. We have already discussed this point, that *niyataṁ kuru karma tvaṁ karma jyāyo hy akarmaṇaḥ*, that "Your prescribed duty should be prosecuted nicely. Go on. Don't stop it, but work for the life of *karma-yoga. Karma-yoga.* Ordinary work is called *karma.* Ordinary work is *karma.* And when it is added with *yoga,* that means spiritualized work. *Yoga. Yoga* means spiritual perfection, or linking up with the Supreme. > So is there no direction for your spiritual realization of life? Yes, there is. We have to abide by that. Therefore Lord says, *evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakram:* "This is a circle, circle, that in Vedic literature, Vedic scripture, they give you direction how to work." And by working you perform *yajña.* By performing *yajña,* you have got regular rainfalls. By regular rainfalls, you get production of grains. And by production of grains, you eat and live happily. So this is a circle. This is a circle. So Lord says, Lord Kṛṣṇa says, *evaṁ pravartitaṁ cakram. Cakram* means circle. This is a circle. --- **[1972: Initiations](spoken/1972/720523in.la)** > > oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā > > sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā > > yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ > > sa bahyābhyantara-śuciḥ > > > > śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu. > > [Garuḍa Purāṇa] > > vande 'haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś ca > > śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṇa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa-jīvam > > sādvaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṇa-caitanya-devaṁ > > śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-pādān saha-gaṇa-lalitā-śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś ca > > [Praṇāma Prayers] --- **[1974: Room Conversation with Irish Poet Desmond O'Grady](spoken/1974/740523r1.rom)** > "This is already explained in the Seventh Chapter. One who surrenders unto Kṛṣṇa at once surmounts the influence of the modes of material nature. To be in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or in devotional service, means to acquire the equality of Kṛṣṇa. The Lord says that His nature is eternal, blissful and full of knowledge, and the living entities are part and parcel of the Supreme, as gold particles are part of a gold mine. Thus the living entity's spiritual position is as good as gold, as good as Kṛṣṇa in quality. The difference of individuality continues; otherwise there is no question of *bhakti-yoga. Bhakti-yoga* means that the Lord is there, the devotee is there and the activity of exchange of love between the Lord and the devotee is there. Therefore the individuality of two persons is present in the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the individual person, otherwise there is no meaning to *bhakti-yoga.* If one is not situated in the same transcendental position with the Lord, one cannot serve the Supreme Lord. To be a personal assistant to a king, one must acquire the qualifications. Thus the qualification is to become Brahman, or freed from all material contamination. It is said in the Vedic literature, *brahmaiva san brahmāpyeti.* One can attain the Supreme Brahman by becoming Brahman. This means that one must qualitatively become one with Brahman. By attainment of Brahman, one does not lose his eternal Brahman identity as the individual soul." > And this purification you can take very easily by chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa *mahā-mantra.* Hare Kṛṣṇa *mahā-mantra,* Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa—that means immediately associate with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa's name and Kṛṣṇa, nondifferent. So as, if we associate with fire it becomes warm, the quality of the fire comes; as it is materially possible, spiritually it is possible in perfect order. Process is the same. You associate with Kṛṣṇa, and you become Kṛṣṇaite, as pure as Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is therefore advising, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru*. So Kirpal Singh also studies *Bhagavad-gītā?* I am asking this. Kirpal Singh, he teaches on the *Bhagavad-gītā?* --- **[1975: Morning Walk in the Botanical Gardens](spoken/1975/750523mw.mel)** > If one does not understand what is God, his education is useless; it has no meaning. What is that education? Will that education save him from death? Then what is the value of this education? Your real problem is birth, death, old age and disease. Can this material education stop it? Is the scientist able to stop one's old age? And does anyone, man, any man, wants to become old? No, nobody wants. Everyone wants to keep himself youthful. But can the science stop this, that he will not become old? He must become old. Then where is the education value? You cannot solve your problem, so what is the meaning of education? Education, knowledge, means you have solved your problems. They are trying to do that, temporary problem. But ultimate problem they cannot solve. Therefore the value of this education is useless. *Śrama eva hi kevalam*. It is simply laboring after something, that's all. > [pause] [break]...so many motor accidents. And there will be war, then wholesale punishment. Then killing, being killed within the womb of the mother. They are being punished. Nowadays these things have been introduced. Now this child which is being killed by the mother, they are all these sinful men. They cannot come out even, out of the womb of the mother. There they are killed. Nature's law is very strict. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.23](spoken/1976/760523sb.hon)** > Those who are determined that "In this life we shall finish this material way of life, or material..." That is real struggle for existence. Actually, everyone is trying. Material life means it is full of distress, *duḥkhālayam.* Kṛṣṇa says. So, so long you'll prolong this material way of life, that is called struggle for existence. The "struggle for existence" and "survival of the fittest," this word is very common, but nobody knows what is that struggle for existence and what is the platform of becoming fittest. Nobody knows. It is we are preaching that "If you remain in this material world, then struggle for existence will continue." And fittest means one who has come to the spiritual platform, he is fittest to survive. What is survival? Who is going to survive? Do you mean to say by cultivating health culture, very strong, you'll survive? Nobody will survive. So who will survive? Only Kṛṣṇa conscious. If he is strictly Kṛṣṇa conscious, then he will survive. *Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti*. The Kṛṣṇa conscious person who has studied Kṛṣṇa only, nothing more, perfectly, then he is fit. This body also, this body is not permanent. That's a fact. But *tyaktvā deham,* after giving up this body, no more material body; spiritual body, *sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ* [Bs. 5.1].* > So there are four *āśramas* for your spiritual cultivation: *brahmacārī, gṛhastha... Gṛhastha* is also *āśrama,* family. That is also *āśrama.* If the *gṛhastha* life is meant for cultivating Kṛṣṇa consciousness, it is all right. This is *āśrama. Gṛhastha āśrama,* then retired life, *vānaprastha.* Although *gṛhastha āśrama* is allowed, but not for all the time, that up to the death. No. That is not allowed. After fiftieth year... Twenty-five years to fiftieth year the young man's spirit is there, the sex power is strong, so the *gṛhastha-āśrama* is a concession for satisfying sex, that's all. But not more than fifty years. Then you must give up. That is the *Vedic* civilization. You accept *gṛhastha āśrama.* Up to twenty-fifth year you remain a *brahmacārī,* learn from *guru* how to become *brahmacārī, gurukula. Brahmacārī gurukule vasan dānta,* how to practice self-control, sense control.* A *brahmacārī* is forbidden to see even young girl. Even the spiritual master's wife is young... Sometimes spiritual master is considered as mother. *Ādau mātā guru-patnī.* There are seven mothers. So real mother, *ādau mātā. Guru-patnī,* the spiritual master's wife, she is also mother. *Ādau mātā guru-patnī brāhmaṇī.* [*Nīti Śāstra*] The wife of a *brāhmaṇa* is mother. Actually every woman is mother. That is moral instruction. *Mātṛvat para-dāreṣu.* Anyone, any woman who is not your wife... Except your wife, every woman is to be considered as mother. This is education. --- ## Letters on May 23 *Letters from this day: 25* --- **[1964: Letter to Mathura Prasad](letters/1947-1965/640523_mathura_prasad)** > I shall try to see the Hathras gentleman of whom you have given me the name and the address. --- **[1968: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1968/680523_gurudasa)** > A few days ago I received one letter from you in which you desired to send me one manuscript for Nimai Sannyas drama, written by some Mr. --- **[1968: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1968/680523_kirtanananda)** > I was so glad to receive your letter dated May 13, 1968, and my gladness knew no bounds, exactly like that when one gets back his lost child. --- **[1968: Letter to Krsna Dasa](letters/1968/680523_krsna_dasa)** > I am receiving your twigs for washing my teeth very regularly and I thank you very much. --- **[1968: Letter to Yamuna](letters/1968/680523_yamuna)** > I received your letter a few days ago and I am very glad to learn that you are training the 2 boys in Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1969: Letter to Gaudiya Mission](letters/1969/690523_gaudiya_mission)** > I beg to enclose herewith a copy of a letter received from my Godbrother, Dr. Taking the concluding portion of his letter inviting me to cooperate with the Gaudiya Mission in the matter of my activities of spreading the objective of Srila Prabhupada Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, I am prepared to cooperate with the Gaudiya Mission in all respects, but I do not know under what condition you wish to cooperate with me. --- **[1969: Letter to Harer Nama](letters/1969/690523_harer_nama)** > Live peacefully, husband and wife, and now you will be happy in the management of the temple. --- **[1969: Letter to Isana](letters/1969/690523_isana)** > I am very much pleased to receive your daily reports, and you are one of the best students who follows the regulative principles rigidly for enhancing the devotional service. Rupa Goswami has recommended that for enhancing this spirit of devotional service one should be very enthusiastic, one should be patient, one should be firmly convinced, one should follow the regulative principles rigidly, one's occupation should be very honest and straightforward, and one should keep company with devotees. Anyone who follows these six principles of devotional life is sure to achieve success. --- **[1969: Letter to Nandarani](letters/1969/690523_nandarani)** > When I receive a letter either from you or from your husband, I become so much encouraged. --- **[1969: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1969/690523_tamala_krsna)** > Krishna is gradually giving you power to serve Him and more nicely, and thus you are one of the future strong pillars of the society. --- **[1970: Letter to Hanuman Prasad Poddar](letters/1970/700523_hanuman_prasad_poddar)** > I am very glad to learn that some article has been published in your esteemed paper "Kalyana" regarding my activities, and I thank you very much for this. --- **[1970: Letter to Sri Govinda Bob Lindberg](letters/1970/700523_sri_govinda_bob_lindberg)** > I beg to thank you for your very nice letter dated 21st May, 1970, along with a set of beads. --- **[1971: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1971/710523_hayagriva)** > That New Vrindaban is developing so nicely is very much encouraging to me, so increase it more and more. It is sounding so much attractive and making me want to return to U.S.A. even sooner. --- **[1971: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1971/710523_mukunda)** > So far as the Deities are concerned, they should be repaired nicely and replaced on the altar. While being repaired, where is the question of offering? The picture on the altar is all right for the present. --- **[1972: Letter to Cyavana](letters/1972/720523_cyavana)** > So far the construction work during monsoon season you may take several quotations for different contractors and accept the best one. --- **[1972: Letter to Friends](letters/1972/720523_friends)** > Actually outside of our bona fide Krishna Consciousness centers, there is no possibility of finding out what Krishna does or does not want. --- **[1972: Letter to Mr. B. D. Joshi](letters/1972/720523_mr._b._d._joshi)** > Your letter is very nice and you have praised me very highly so again I thank you you very much. --- **[1972: Letter to Sudama](letters/1972/720523_sudama)** > Please accept by blessings. In this way if we always concentrate on reading our literature then there will be no difficulty to preach. By reading these books regularly we become more and more convinced in Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1976: Letter to Gopala Krsna](letters/1976/760523_gopala_krsna)** > In that telegram you mentioned that the "mantra books" arrived. What "mantra books" are those that the Russians have ordered? --- **[1976: Letter to Jayatirtha](letters/1976/760523_jayatirtha)** > Concerning the new temple, that you are going to purchase in London, when Madhavananda and Hansadutta were there, they were collecting funds to construct a temple there at Bhaktivedanta Manor. --- **[1976: Letter to Nandevara](letters/1976/760523_nandevara)** > You can hold a fire sacrifice and you can have Taraksa's beads chanted on by one of the sannyasis. For the second initiates, after the fire sacrifice, you can give the men their brahmana threads and play the tape of gayatri mantra into the right ear. --- **[1976: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1976/760523_nityananda)** > If the Varnasramadharma can be instituted it is welcome, but it is a little difficult today to do. If it can be done we want that. Training is required. --- **[1976: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1976/760523_satsvarupa)** > The public libraries can order many sets, 50 to 100 at a time, for all their branches. Your tactics sound very good. The Indian professors reviews can be used to stimulate American orders, and the American professors' reviews can be used to stimulate orders in India. --- **[1976: Letter to Syama](letters/1976/760523_syama)** > I understand from Hayagriva that now you are living in San Francisco along with your youngest son. --- **[1976: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1976/760523_tejiyas)** > The house that you have rented in New Delhi appears very nice. However is there any garden?* ---