# May 27 ## Spoken on May 27 *Lectures from this day: 12 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 3.17–20](spoken/1966/660527bg.ny.md)** > So there is no difficulty to understand Kṛṣṇa. And if you understand Kṛṣṇa, your life is perfectly, I mean to say, all right. Then you get your life, complete perfection of your life. That is the whole literature. So here the Lord says, *yas tu ātma-ratir eva syāt. Ātma-rati,* one whose focus of life is simply for self-understanding. *Ātma-ratiḥ, syād ātma-tṛptaś ca mānavaḥ.* He is simply satisfied with his self-understanding, that "I am pure consciousness. My relation with Kṛṣṇa is such and such. My relation with this world is temporary. My real relation with Kṛṣṇa, because Kṛṣṇa is permanent and I am permanent. I am His part and parcel," these simple things. > There are many instances like that. Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, about whom we pray daily, *vande rūpa-sanātanau raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau* [*Śrī Ṣaḍ Gosvāmy Aṣṭaka*], this Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, he was also a young man and very rich man's son. At that time, five hundred years before, his father's income was, I mean to say, ten millions of rupees. So there are many instances in India we have got. But this Jaḍa Bharata, he left his kingdom and family and everything, and went for spiritual realization, self-realization. Unfortunately, he was again in affection with a cub of deer, and he got next life... I think I have already narrated this story. While he died, he was thinking of that deer cub and he became a deer. *Yaṁ yaṁ vāpi smaran loke tyajaty ante kalevaram*. --- **[1972: Sannyāsa Initiation Lecture](spoken/1972/720527in.la)** > So..., but this foolish civilization, they do not know it. It is our duty on behalf of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa wants it. Lord Caitanya wants it. Therefore, success or no success, that doesn't matter; Kṛṣṇa will help us. But it is our duty to enlighten the whole human society with Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They are forgetful of Kṛṣṇa. They do not know what is God; therefore they say that God is dead, there is no God, God is impersonal. So many theories they have got. Actually, they have no idea what is God. > The world is suffering for ignorance. They may be very proud of their advancement of education. After all, they have no education, no improvement. Simply they are bold enough, just like the insect. The insects are bold enough to fall down on the fire. Similarly, this civilization, without any control of the senses, *adānta-gobhir viśatāṁ tamisraṁ punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām*, being unable to control the senses, exactly like the insect flies very boldly, falls on the fire, similarly, these uncontrolled senses [are] leading them to the darkest region of materialistic life. --- **[1972: Purport to Bhajahū Re Mana](spoken/1972/720527pu.la)** > And how it is possible to take complete shelter of Kṛṣṇa, which is fearlessness, no anxiety, *vaikuṇṭha*? *Durlabha manava-janama sat-saṅge*. This is possible if you associate with devotees. If you think that "Now I have become very much advanced. Now I shall live alone and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, imitating Haridāsa Ṭhākura,'' this is nonsense. It is... You cannot imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura. You have to associate with devotees. *Durlabha manava-janam sat sange*. *Sat-sange*. *Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvido*. If you remain with the devotees, then by their association, by talking with them, you'll get real understanding of God consciousness. > It is very practical to understand. Just like in material world there are many associations, societies. Businessmen, they have got their stock exchange association, those who are dealing in exchange. They have got an association. They go there, and their business facility is very good. Similarly, so many clubs. If you want to drink and enjoy sense, you go to so many clubs and associate with them, and you'll learn how to drink, how to mate very nicely. So association is very important. Therefore our Kṛṣṇa consciousness Society are giving chance people to associate with us, so that he'll be able to understand what is Kṛṣṇa, what is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. --- **[1972: Nṛsiṁha-caturdaśī Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.5.22–32](spoken/1972/720527sb.la)** > That is answered by Prahlāda Mahārāja, *na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum*. "These persons, those who are so much materially attached, they do not know the ultimate goal of life is Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu." That is actually the ultimate goal of life. We are here in this material world, forgetting Kṛṣṇa, to enjoy, to lord it over the material nature. Everyone is trying to become the lord, master of material... That is struggle. Nobody can become lord or master of this material world. But that struggle to become master, they are taking it happiness. They are taking it happiness. That is the nature of persons who are influenced by the modes of passion. They'll work hard, and that will..., they will take it is very good, pleasing. Because they do not know that the... *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ durāśayā ye bahir-artha-māninaḥ*. They are hoping against hope to become happy within this material world. > Therefore to become too much materially opulent is a disqualification for attaining Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is a disqualification. Because they don't care. Just like in our temple, not very rich men they are coming, because they say, "What is this nonsense, Kṛṣṇa consciousness? We have got everything. These boys, they haven't got to eat anything; therefore they are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa on the street. That's all." They think like that. "They're needy. All right, they are needy. Give them some money." That's all. They don't like to take anything from us, because the same business, *matir na kṛṣṇe parataḥ svato vā.* They'll never understand, because their aim is *gṛha-vratānām.* They want to [be] happy... Although they are seeing there is no happiness, they never can be happy, still... This is called *punaḥ punaś carvita-carvanānām*, chewing the chewed. One, the sugarcane, is chewed by somebody, it is thrown away, and if somebody else comes and chew it again, what juice he will have it? So *punaḥ punaś carvita... Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ*. --- **[1974: Morning Walk](spoken/1974/740527mw.rom)** > "As soon as you become Kṛṣṇa conscious, you become jubilant." So where is your enemy? *Samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu.* Then where is your enemy? Formerly, a man might have become enemy of another man. But this demonic civilization has created nation to nation, country to country, community to community, all enemies. And on account of this communistic enemy, so many innocent people are killed. I have seen in Calcutta during the partition days, so many innocent Hindus and Muslims were killed. Any [indistinct], very quickly this communistic feeling is aroused, and they fight like cats and dogs. "Oh, here is another dog! Here is another dog, coming from another neighborhood." So this is demonic civilization. If you want to go to some country, you have to take visa, permission, this, that, so many. Why? Vedic civilization is, "You are come to my country. Welcome. You are my guest." *Gṛhe śatrum api prāptaṁ viśvastam akuto-bhayam:* "Even one is enemy, when he comes to my house, he is my honorable guest." And here, they are so much afraid that you keep dogs. The dog is kept there. [loud truck noise] --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.3](spoken/1974/740527sb.rom)** > So Śukadeva Gosvāmī learned from his father, Vyāsadeva, *mahā-bhāgavata,* and he realized it. *Svānubhāvam.* What is this book? *Akhila-śruti-sāram ekam. Akhila* means "all, universal." There are many scriptures, many religious scriptures, especially the *Vedas. Śruti* means *Veda. Śruti* is learned by hearing, not by reading. You can understand Vedic principle even though you are illiterate, provided you hear them, aural reception. God has given you the ear, and if you try to hear submissively, to receive something, then it will be fruitful. Submissive. *Śruti-gatāṁ tanu-vāṅ-mano..., jñāne prayāsam.* This is the Brahmā's realization when he met Kṛṣṇa. So he said this verse, *jñāne prayāsam udapāsya namanta eva, namanta eva san-mukharitāṁ bhavadīya-vārtām*. > Material world means darkness, wherein you cannot understand what is God, what you are. That is material world. They are very busy in this material world, but they do not know where they are going. *Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ*. Actually, they are darkness. The material world is darkness. The so-called scholars and teachers, they are also in the darkness, and they are leading other people in the darkness. Because it is darkness, therefore we require sunshine, moonshine and this electricity. As soon as it is covered, the sun is covered, you can experience it is darkness. At night it is darkness. Actually, it is darkness. But by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, He has arranged the light. But there is another world, where there is no need of, *na tad bhāsayate sūryo na śaśāṅko na pāvakaḥ*. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760527mw.hon)** > God is not dead. He'll be dead, just wait God is coming to kick you and kill you. God is not dead. He'll come in due course of time and kill you. God is not dead; he'll be dead. That is explained in the *Bhagavad-gītā: mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham*. He's thinking God is dead... "Yes, yes, I'm coming. Whatever asset you've got, I'll take everything and make it killed. Then you'll understand what is God." These rascals say like that. Kṛṣṇa says, *mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham,* "I'll take everything. Just wait a few years more." When you'll not be able to say "God is dead," you are dead. Rascals. "God is dead!" > Śukadeva*:* I said our difficulty is that we don't actually believe that they're fools. Most people are thinking that the scientists do have knowledge. We don't fully believe that they are rascals. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.27](spoken/1976/760527sb.hon)** > So this is our misconception. We are thinking that this paraphernalia—my country, my community, my countrymen or my family, my wife, my children and so many things, mine, mine, mine—so I'm thinking that they will give me all protection. No. Therefore, in the *Bhāgavata* it is said, *dehāpatya-kalatrādiṣu asatsv api*. He knows that "They will be finished. They cannot give protection to themselves. What protection they'll give to me?" This is knowledge. This is knowledge. *Dehāpatya-kalatrādiṣu ātma-sainyeṣv asatsv api pramatta teṣāṁ nidhanam*. He knows that they will be finished, *paśyann api na paśyati.* He has practical experience, yet still he does not see. This is called *māyā. Māyā* means thing is one and he's thinking otherwise. His soldier, the so-called soldier, the protector, will be finished, but still he's depending on him. Suppose a bird is flying with his family in the sky. But if there is some danger, then no other bird can help him. You have to help yourself. Just like aeroplane. If dozens of aeroplane is flying, but if one aeroplane is in danger, no other plane can give him any help. It will fall down and crash. Finished. > So this material civilization, they're decorating this body. So the bodily concept of life is condemned in the very beginning of *Bhagavad-gītā.* This knowledge was given to Arjuna by Kṛṣṇa when he surrendered. When he was talking friendly, He did not say. When Kṛṣṇa..., Arjuna submitted that "Kṛṣṇa, I'm now perplexed. So how my intelligence can be revived, You know." Arjuna knew that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, so his perplexed position can be solved by Kṛṣṇa. That he knew. Therefore he said, *śiṣyas te 'haṁ śādhi māṁ prapannam : --- **[1977: Conversation Pieces](spoken/1977/770527r1.vrn)** > Let them engage in *kīrtana.* There will be more water for gardening, and it will be moist, and then produce fodder for the animals and food for you. And animal gives you milk. That is Vṛndāvana life. And they are absorbed in this so-called opulence. Kṛṣṇa has taken birth. They are bringing so many nice, pleasant foodstuff, coming very well-dressed and ornamented. These are description. In the morning we were reading. How they were happy, the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana with Kṛṣṇa and living and cows. That I want to introduce. At any cost do it and... Don't bother about big, big buildings. It is not required. Useless waste of time. Produce. Make the whole field green. See that. Then whole economic question solved. Then you eat sumptuous. Eat sumptuously. The animal is happy. The animal even does not give milk; let them eat and pass stool and urine. That is welcome. After all, eating, they will pass stool. So that is beneficial, not that simply milk is beneficial. Even the stool is beneficial. Therefore I am asking so much here and..., "Farm, farm, farm, farm." That is not *my* program—Kṛṣṇa's program. *Annād bhavanti bhūtāni*. Produce greenness everywhere, everywhere. Vṛndāvana. It is not this motorcar civilization. If it has taken in his brain, then it is to be understood that he can do it, this plan. He'll be able. Somebody said that he is eager to see me. Hmm? > Here Vyāsadeva says, *kāmaṁ vavarṣa parjanyaḥ.* These rascals, they do not know. They do not consult *śāstra,* therefore they manufacture. In Chandigarh so much land lying vacant. Thirty years already passed. And they are developing the cities. And another four hundred years will be required. The land is lying vacant, and they are making two governors, five commissioners, six ministers and drawing fat salary. This is government. Government means to draw fat salary at the expense of poor people. *Dasyu-dharmabhiḥ. Rājanya dasyu-dharmabhiḥ.* Just like the rogues and thieves, they by force take money from us, these rascal, under some law, they'll take, this government. They will live at any cost. Never mind forty rupees kilo ghee. They have got cheap money. Print note and give him forty rupees. What is that? "You want forty rupees? Eh, take forty rupees." This is artificial inflation. They have got power to print notes. "Pay gold forty rupees." "No, that is illegal. Take paper." Means a cheating business from the government. He's giving him piece of paper, and the rascal is thinking, "I am making one thousand rupees." Formerly, in our childhood, we have seen a currency. They will offer, "What you want—gold, silver, or currency?" These three things were offered. If you want gold coins, take gold coins. If you want silver coins, take silver. And if you want currency, you take. We have seen it. --- **[1977: Conversation Pieces](spoken/1977/770527r2.vrn)** > We have got ambition, but this is our ambition: that live with devotees and execute the mission of our predecessor. This is our aim. Without ambition nobody can live. Self-interest, ambition, is everywhere. But self-interest is to execute the Kṛṣṇa's desire. So that they do not know. *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum*. That they do not know. So you are Americans, and they are responding. You are responding means Americans responding. So do very carefully, and if one-fourth of America becomes Vaiṣṇava, the whole world will change. They are the leading nation. Kṛṣṇa has given them all facility—good land, good intelligence, good education, good facilities, good prestige. Is it not? They are fortunate. *Janmaiśvarya-śruta-śrī*. Everything is there. Take this opportunity. This is our ambition. I went to America with this ambition, that "If the American people will take this Kṛṣṇa consciousness..." That is coming to be fulfilled. Now the Indian residents of America, they are also taking. That you... Who said? --- **[1977: Śrīla Prabhupāda Vigil](spoken/1977/770527vg.vrn)** > Indian man (1): [Transl. There is one more point, ordinary people enjoy the fruits of their respective *karma* for which they are destined to. But on your head you have taken the karmic load of thousands of people.] So many people are committing crimes. They are doing sins. They have got their own fortunes. And you are affected by all that. Therefore you are...* [Transl. by your mercy all their sinful reactions will be eradicated. Who did you appoint as the director for this temple? For this holy place of Vṛṇdāvan?] > Doesn't create any... That is *bhakti* life. *Yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa*. Bās.* So where is the difficulty? The things are already there. I have to repeat it only. Why shall I create, make hodgepodge everything? But that they do not know. Bhaktivedanta has no difficulty. The things are already there. Simply you have to present them as it is. That's all. You become Vaiṣṇava. Where is the difficulty? And as soon as you change, become over-intelligent, spoiled, everything spoiled. That is the... --- ## Letters on May 27 *Letters from this day: 12* --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/680527_brahmananda)** > Now, so far American Immigration is concerned; you will try for it after my departure for Montreal. And if you come there sometimes after the first week of June or by the 9th of June, then Janardana, yourself and myself may consult and then take steps what to do in new chapter. --- **[1969: Letter to Gopala Krsna](letters/1969/690527_gopala_krsna)** > So you should go on with your chanting as you have been doing, and as your name is already Gopala Krishna, there is no need of changing your name. --- **[1969: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1969/690527_hansadutta)** > I have initiated the boy whom you have recommended named Steve* and his beads are sent herewith. --- **[1969: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1969/690527_mukunda)** > Regarding your selling of BTG, we have taken a great risk of printing 20,000 copies per month, and before taking this risk, we consulted four different centers, and you all agreed. Now you try your best and the result will depend on Krishna's desire. --- **[1969: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1969/690527_rayarama)** > Regarding the Composer machine, there will be no difficulty in transferring the money to the Iskcon Press account. --- **[1969: Letter to Sir](letters/1969/690527_sir)** > I do not know why you are so much worried about your son's accepting brahmanahood. --- **[1969: Letter to Yamuna](letters/1969/690527_yamuna)** > I am writing Mataji Syamadasi in Hindi, which letter may be delivered to her. She has invited me to go to London to take part in her temple, but if I go there, the passage money should come from there. --- **[1970: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1970/700527_tamala_krsna)** > Regarding the Sanskrit class, I think it was only a plea, but he wanted to teach us something other philosophy. Our Temple is meant for our men, and we may have our own discussions amongst ourselves, no outsider needed. It is definitely concluded that we have not got to learn anything from any outsider beyond the jurisdiction of Gaudiya Vaisnava philosophy. --- **[1971: Letter to Nandakisora Jahnava](letters/1971/710527_nandakisora_jahnava)** > Presently I am in Calcutta where we have just completed a huge "Hare Krishna Festival" in which 35,000 people gathered daily to hear discourses on Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita to see arati ceremony and to take prasadam also. Such festivals are proving very successful, and so we are thinking of extending such programs. --- **[1971: Letter to Niranjana](letters/1971/710527_niranjana)** > I have been so long in answering because just recently I went to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Sydney Australia also, and have just recently returned to Calcutta. --- **[1974: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1974/740527_nityananda)** > On your recommendation I have accepted Robbie Bernstein and James Steelman a my initiated disciples, and their spiritual names are as follows: --- **[1974: Letter to Trai](letters/1974/740527_trai)** > Upon your recommendation I have accepted Neal Buyers as my initiated disciple and his new spiritual name is Niranjana dasa. Keep him carefully now. Krsna Consciousness means to create ideal men, so you must set the example in following the rules and chanting Hare Krsna mantra and see that others are doing it also. ---