18 - Śrīla Prabhupāda

# June 18 ## Spoken on June 18 *Lectures from this day: 15 recordings* --- **[1972: Garden Conversation Kṛṣṇa, 'Delivery of the Message of Kṛṣṇa to the Gopīs'](spoken/1972/720618gc.la)** > "He said, 'My dear *gopīs*, your mission of human life is now successful. You are all wonderful devotees of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore you are eligible to be worshiped by all kinds of people. You are worshipable throughout the three worlds, because your minds are wonderfully absorbed in the thought of Vāsudeva, Kṛṣṇa. He is the goal of all kinds of pious activities and ritualistic performances, such as giving in charity, rigidly following the austerity of vows, undergoing severe penances and igniting the fire of sacrifice. > But "In spite Kṛṣṇa's all cruelty, I cannot withdraw," this is real love. That is only possible with Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu accepted that there is no better conception of worshiping Kṛṣṇa than it was contemplated by the *gopīs*. That is the topmost worship of Kṛṣṇa. There is no comparison. There are different grades of devotees, but nobody can be compared with *gopīs*, the topmost love for Kṛṣṇa. --- **[1972: Room Conversation](spoken/1972/720618r1.la)** > Devotee (1): Śrīla Prabhupāda, that boy Pravīṇa-candra has got those two books that you asked for. You want I should get them, the books on Indian philosophy? Should I get them? [pause] He also got one additional one. These are the two you asked for. Here is the additional one that he found. [pause] [end] > Śyāmasundara: Mr. Sarda has some relatives in London, and he was... The relatives were trying to force the girls to go to Nairobi, and they still, they did not want to go. So they ran away to Bombay. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.3.21](spoken/1972/720618sb.la)** > So this disease can be cured only by surrender. That is the only medicine. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. Here also the same thing: *bhāraḥ paraṁ paṭṭa-kirīṭa-juṣṭam.* A princely order, a king, he has been given the chance of ruling over, over a kingdom, but if he forgets his position—he actually becomes the proprietor—then this kingdom will be burden. Just like it became so in the case of Rāvaṇa, and he was finished. > So the modern material scientist, so-called scientist, actually, they are fools and rascals. As it is mentioned in the *Bhāgavatam, sa eva go-kharaḥ.* Why big scientist and philosophers have been described in the *Bhāgavatam* as fools and rascals? Because, *yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke*. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.10.3](spoken/1973/730618sb.may)** > Kṛṣṇa says, "All the living entities, they are My part and parcel." So when the living entity understands that "I am part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is Para-brahman. So I am not Para-brahman. I am of the Supreme Brahman..." The Māyāvāda philosophy, they mistake this: "Because I am Brahman, therefore I am Supreme Brahman." No. Supreme Brahman is Kṛṣṇa. I am Brahman, because I am part and parcel of the Supreme Brahman. Just like in your country, in America, you are American and the president Nixon is also American. Because you are American, therefore you are not President Nixon. That is rascaldom. President Nixon is different. Similarly, because you are Brahman, that does not mean you are Para-brahman. Para-brahman is Kṛṣṇa. There must be distinction between the Para-brahman and the individual Brahman. This is *dvaita-vāda* philosophy. > So Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira... Not that "Here I am getting the opportunity of becoming a prime minister or president. Let me jump over," like monkey. Not like that. Not like that. He... He was convinced by the instruction of Bhīṣmadeva, by the instruction of Acyuta, when he saw that "If I sit down on the throne to rule over the world, I will be right in my position." And that is Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira. Not only Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira; all the kings who was emperor of the world, they were of the same nature. Same nature. Therefore they were called *rājarṣi. Imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ. Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam, rājarṣayaḥ*. The *Bhagavad-gītā* is meant for the *rājarṣis*—king, but they are saintly person. Therefore they are called *rājarṣi. Rāja* and *ṛṣi,* both, combined together, *rājarṣi.* So all the kings in those days, they were all *rājarṣis.* Not this rascal president. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 2.13](spoken/1974/740618bg.ger)** > So therefore you prepare very, very nice foodstuff and offer to Kṛṣṇa and take it. Then your desire for eating nice foodstuff will be automatically fulfilled. And at the same time become devotee of Kṛṣṇa. Why don't you do this? Anyone can do, either in this temple or at home. But they will not worship Kṛṣṇa. They will worship a dog. Instead of God, keeping dog and taking all care. This is the mentality. Then next life he becomes a dog. Because he has got good faith and love for dog, therefore he becomes dog. And if you have got good faith and love for Kṛṣṇa, you become a body like Kṛṣṇa. Unless you have got the same type of body, how you can play with Kṛṣṇa, dance with Kṛṣṇa? Therefore when Kṛṣṇa says, *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti...*. If you become a perfect devotee of Kṛṣṇa, then after giving up this body, you get a body like Kṛṣṇa, *sac-cid-ānanda-vigraha* [Bs. 5.1],* and live eternally, blissful life of knowledge. > According to your *karma,* or work, you get a body, either as a king's son or a cobbler's son or a dog's son or a cat's son or a tree's son or a plant's son. This is the nature. This is to be understood. Kṛṣṇa said in the last verse that "Don't think we did not exist in the past. We are existing at present, and we shall continue to exist in the future." Exactly like that, that we live in one apartment, then if I am able to pay more rent, I transfer to another apartment. Or if I cannot pay the present rent, then I'll have to move to another, less rented apartment. This is called, "I existed in one apartment, now I am existing in one apartment, and I shall exist in another apartment." So I am eternal; I am simply changing my apartment or dress. This simple thing. *Asmin dehe yathā.* As *kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā,* in this life I am experiencing that I changed so many apartments—I was a child; that apartment I changed into boyhood; then again I changed that apartment into youthhood; then I am old man—so when this apartment will be vacated, I'll have to accept another apartment. Where is the difficulty to understand? I must possess one apartment or body. The body is the apartment. *Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke*. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/750618mw.hon)** > The son goes out. The daughter goes out. So everyone is prone to some attraction. So if you keep them in the material attraction, then you can change the name; the disease will continue. That is the difficulty. You can change the name from this "ism" to that "ism," but every "ism" is material. *Mūḍhā nābhijānāti.* That is also... "The *mūḍhā,* these rascal, they do not know *mām,* Me, Kṛṣṇa," *param avyayam,* "inexhaustible pleasure." Kṛṣṇa is the reservoir of all pleasure. In the Vṛndāvana there is sporting. There is association with young girls, father, mother. Everything is exactly like this. And in any circumstance they are happy. It is not that in Vṛndāvana Kṛṣṇa is a *sannyāsī;* He cannot see the face of woman. It is not like that. [chuckles] But because it is spiritual, it is all-attractive. There are also the trees, animals, the river, the fruits, the flowers, the father, the mother, the beloved girls, beloved boys, sporting among the cowherd boys, going to the forest, the cows and calves—everything. So that attraction is required. > The Māyāvādī philosophers, they are thinking, "Again attraction like this? So make it zero, no attraction. Become zero." So their philosophy is zero philosophy. That is also no information of the spiritual world. Buddha philosophy and Māyāvāda philosophy, *śūnyavādī, nirviśeṣa,* without varieties, or zero. Without varieties means zero. So two philosophers. But therefore they invent, "Anything is all right." They invent. After all, they want zeroism. [break] --- **[1975: Room Conversation](spoken/1975/750618r1.hon)** > Then you begin another chapter, again struggling—either human being or cat, dog or tree or like that. That is nature's law; you cannot avoid it. You are very intelligent, you have made your position very nice—that is all good. [aside:] Come on. But... [aside:] Hare Kṛṣṇa....if at the time of death everything is taken away, then where is your intelligence? Huh? Whatever you have got, you are possessing now, in this body, is very good; therefore you have so much bank balance, you have got so much defenses, so many things according to your desire, you have got it very good. But at any moment death will come and take away everything you have got. Then what is your intelligence? [aside:] Thank you. Where is your intelligence? Whatever you have got you could not keep them; that you have to leave them and go away. Just like if you are giving me all these things, and if I know as soon as I go out of this door I cannot take this, [laughs] then what is the use? I cannot keep it. > So take..., make some asset which you'll take with you. That is intelligence. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Whatever degree of Kṛṣṇa consciousness you have acquired in this life, that will go with you, and all other things you will have to leave behind. Yes. People are trying for these material things which they will have to leave behind. They are not doing anything which they can take with them. Therefore there is a verse... Find out this verse: *tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ harer.* I think it is in the First Canto. --- **[1976: Interview with Professors O'Connell, Motilal and Shivaram](spoken/1976/760618i2.tor)** > So Kṛṣṇa comes Himself to teach what is God and what is the relationship with God. And people still mistakes. Therefore He comes as devotee, how to teach people how to approach Kṛṣṇa. These things are there. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, to understand Kṛṣṇa through Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Otherwise, it is very difficult. *Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye*. And Caitanya Mahāprabhu especially appeared to give Kṛṣṇa. Therefore if we go through Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we understand Kṛṣṇa very quickly. And as soon as we understand Kṛṣṇa, we become liberated. *Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma*, the whole solution of all problems. > They are thinking, "Hah, Kṛṣṇa is also human being like me. Why shall I surrender to Him?" They are *mūḍha. Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhāḥ.* Then remain a rascal. What can be done? We have got little independence, because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is fully independent. But because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, we have got little independence, so we can refuse. Although Kṛṣṇa canvassing, *sarva-dharmān parityajya*, we can refuse: "Why shall I surrender to You?" That is our misfortune. But if you agree, you get immediate result. And therefore this Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra,* to agree—*ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam*. --- **[1976: Initiation Lecture](spoken/1976/760618in.tor)** > So human life is meant for *tapasya. Tapo-divyaṁ putrakā yena śuddhyed sattvam*. Don't be carried away by the general, menial, abominable tendencies. Therefore *tapasya* required. *Tapa,* we prescribe for *tapasya* no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication and no gambling. This is *tapasya.* This is *tapasya.* We have to accept if we want superior position of life. *Tapo divyam. Tapasyā,* the aim of *tapasya* is to be situated on the transcendental platform of knowledge, *tapo divyam.* So this life, this human form of life, is meant for *tapasya* and transcendental knowledge. This is the purport. Not to waste this life, this human form of life, *ayaṁ deha.* The cats and dogs also have *deha,* body. The... Analyze the body of a dog and analyze your body, what is the difference? No difference. There is blood, there is flesh, there is vein, there is so many things, all common things. Then what is the difference between the cat's body and dog's body and your body? The advancement of knowledge and consciousness. So for that *divyam,* knowledge, one has to be initiated. *Divyam. Dīkṣā* means beginning of transcendental knowledge. > My existential identity will be purified. At the present moment it is not purified. Because it is not purified, therefore we are repeatedly dying. But there is no knowledge how to stop death. They think death is natural. It is not natural. It is unnatural. They do not know it. But in the *Bhagavad-gītā* you'll get the information, *na jāyate na mriyate vā kadācit:* "The soul is never born, never dies." *Na jāyate na mriyate vā kadācit.* "I see he's died, he is dead." No, he's not dying, his body is being annihi... *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. By seeing the body is destroyed, don't think he's destroyed. He'll get another body. *Tathā dehāntara-prāptir dhīras tatra na muhyati*. So this is our position. We have accepted one body, and we live in that body for some days, and then again we give up this body, *tathā dehāntara-prāptir.* So this is disease. So in order to get out of this disease there is necessity of *tapasya,* how to stop this disease. --- **[1976: Interview with Kathy Kerr Reporter from The Star](spoken/1976/760618iv.tor)** > So without this understanding they have opened United Nation, keeping them cats and dogs. And they are simply barking, that's all. This is going on. For the last forty years simply they are barking. What achievement is there? In your country... Who is the president gave the black man same liberty? --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760618mw.tor)** >*kāmād bhayāt, krodhāt.* Either... Anyone who comes to Kṛṣṇa... Just like *gopīs,* they were captivated. They were village girls. They did not know what is God, what is Brahman, nothing. But they were captivated: "Kṛṣṇa is very beautiful boy." That's all. Even they forgot their own husbands. Everyone. > Śubhavilāsa*:*...high commissioners, so for the passport. They're so demoniac, they're not working at all, they're.... [break]...politics, and they sit there and people... [break] --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/760618r1.tor)** > Prabhupāda:*Bahvārambhe.* The Sanskrit is *bahvārambhe laghu kriyā.* The *ārambha, ārambha* means endeavor, very gorgeous. The result is sand and rocks. Going to the moon planet, the *ārambha* was so much expensive. And the result is to bring some sand and rocks. This is hoax. And another: *parvatān muṣika bha*vaḥ.* Hoax. [indistinct] like that. There was a great advertisement that the Himalayan mountain is going to deliver a child. So people gathered on, to see, "Oh, such a big mountain. The child must be a very big child." So they went to see there, and they saw one rat is coming from the hole of... A rat is coming. They expected another Himalayan mountain, and they saw from the holes, one rat is coming. This is going on. And they are satisfied: "Now the Himalaya has delivered the child." One rat. [laughs] This attempt is like Himalayas begetting a child. If some elephant would have come, it would have saved the... Not even elephant; one rat. And in English, another is, "Much ado about nothing." --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.2](spoken/1976/760618sb.tor)** > The *śāstra* says who is *guru. Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta.* One has to surrender to *guru.* That is, *tad vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet* [Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad* 1.2.12].* One must approach *guru.* This is *vidhiliṅ.* Not that it is optional, I may accept the *guru* or not accept *guru.* No. Must. *Gacchet. Gacchet* means he must. It is *vidhiliṅ.* This verb is used where the purport is "one must." Otherwise, it is not possible. *Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta.* And who will go to *guru*? It is not a fashion, that we make some *guru* and we are engaged in our own business, and I can say in the society, "Oh, I have got a big *guru* who can show magic." No. *Guru* is necessary for him who is inquisitive of transcendental subject matter. He requires a *guru.* Not ordinary man. Just like somebody keeps some cats and dogs as fashion. *Guru* is not like that. *Guru* means one... First of all, who requires a *guru*? *Tasmād guruṁ prapadyeta jijñāsuḥ śreya uttamam* : one who is inquisitive to know about the spiritual world. *Uttamam. Uttamam* means *ud-gata tamam:* transcendental to this darkness. This material world is called darkness, ignorance. Actually it is dark. Because it is dark, material world, therefore we require the sun. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, we have got the sun. *Yac-cakṣur eṣa savitā sakala-grahāṇāṁ* [Bs. 5.52]. > So we must be interested in *śreya,* not *preya. Preya* is sense gratification. The material life, sense gratification is only required. This is material world. *Yan maithunādi gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham*. This *śreya,* or this *preya,* very dear things; ultimately, sex life, *maithunādi...* [break]...married, the same sex life. Then he gets some children. Then he again, grandsons. They go on. *Yan maithunādi.* Here, the happiness is centered round that sex life. *Kaṇḍūyanena karayor iva duḥkha-duḥkham*. And as soon as he enters into sex life, *iva duḥkha-duḥkham,* one after another, one after another, one after another. So this is *preya.* But *śreya* is how to approach the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu. Therefore here it is said, *yathā hi puruṣasyeha viṣṇoḥ padopasarpaṇam:* how to be engaged in the worship of the lotus feet of Lord Viṣṇu. That is possible. This *ṣreya* means sense gratification, culminating in sex life. That is available. That will be explained in the next verse. --- ## Letters on June 18 *Letters from this day: 16* --- **[1968: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1968/680618_gargamuni)** > Regarding the press, recently I have received one letter from Rayarama which I am enclosing herewith for your perusal. You can open correspondence with him about the press, and give him the details of the press materials. --- **[1970: Letter to Advaita](letters/1970/700618_advaita)** > Yes, it is made very excellent. At least I can safely say that there is 80% perfection. This means we can hope very soon books printed from your press will be cent per cent successful as we are expecting to get from Dai Nippon. --- **[1970: Letter to Uddhava](letters/1970/700618_uddhava)** > I think this style is very nice following the tradition of my other Bhagavatam publications. So please continue this process, chapter after chapter, and it will give me complete satisfaction. Thank you very much. --- **[1973: Letter to Mr. Suresh Candra](letters/1973/730618_mr._suresh_candra)** > I am pleased to note that as of January 1st you have given up eating of meat, fish or eggs, as well as intoxicants and gambling. You have asked what is meant by illicit sex.. --- **[1974: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1974/740618_jagadisa)** > From your report it appears that the transfer of the older Gurukula boys above ten years old has proven successful. I am glad to hear they are housed in a clean building with electricity and hot and cold water and that their teacher from Dallas is with them instructing them just as before. --- **[1974: Letter to Jayatirtha](letters/1974/740618_jayatirtha)** > I appreciate that you say you have very carefully considered the names and the candidates have had several interviews and written statements before you would consider them, both for first and second initiation. I am especially concerned that the second initiation not be taken cheaply and devotees who do not even rise early be recommended for brahmana. Therefore I have accepted the devotees recommended by you and their new spiritual names are as follows: --- **[1975: Letter to Dhananjaya Aksayananda](letters/1975/750618_dhananjaya_aksayananda)** > Regarding Tulasi devi in the courtyard: For the time being, put one stone pot in each corner and when I come there I shall see if any other thing is to be done in that connection. Brahmananda Reddi, has promised me that 50 of our members will be allowed to stay as permanent residents. --- **[1975: Letter to Dr. W.H. Wolf-Rottkay](letters/1975/750618_dr._w.h._wolf-rottkay)** > In this connection Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gita, *purusah prakrti-stho hi bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan karanam guna sango'sya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu* bg/13/22. He is subjected to be infected by the modes of material nature. --- **[1975: Letter to Durgesh Patel](letters/1975/750618_durgesh_patel)** > Please keep yourself saved by chanting 16 rounds daily and following the regulative principles, and reading books. --- **[1975: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1975/750618_karandhara)** > If you can get money to help expand our preaching activities, that is preaching. The Mayavadi philosophers do not touch laksmi, but we accept for the service of Krishna. --- **[1976: Letter to Gbc Secretaries](letters/1976/760618_gbc_secretaries)** > Already I have given about 5 lacs of Rupees, and I believe that Hansadutta Maharaja hs also given a sum of money towards Hyderabad construction. --- **[1976: Letter to Palika](letters/1976/760618_palika)** > There is no question of bathing Caitanya deity. Of course He is bathed many times daily by Hare Krishna Mantra, but for bathing of such deities requires Salagrama Sila, and I have not introduced yet, but I shall do so later. You may dress Him in the same manner as Lord Krishna. --- **[1976: Letter to Saucarya](letters/1976/760618_saucarya)** > Simply chant Hare Krishna and follow the four regulative principles and Lord Krishna will surely give you all protection. --- **[1976: Letter to Saurabha](letters/1976/760618_saurabha)** > I do not think that it will be a good idea to construct my residence over the Gurukula as it will be very noisy with the children there so close. You can begin the "kutir" as you mentioned by the side of the present tank, but it may require some trees and flowers and plants, then it will be alright. It is alright to have the guest rooms as shown in the plan of 3-6-76. --- **[1976: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1976/760618_tejiyas)** > If you can arrange with Gopala Krishna then I have no objection to you increasing your preaching activities there. If Gopala Krishna wants to be interim president, then if that is your "mutual" arrangement, then you can do more preaching work, especially to the government officers. I was very pleased to see how you are getting top-ranking men to read my books. --- **[1976: Letter to Tusta Krsna](letters/1976/760618_tusta_krsna)** > Concerning your questions: First of all, no, you should not have the four symbols of Visnu on the four corners of the temple. Make the temple in our Vrindaban style. Three domes are there, over the Deities, and then you can have 2 domes or either side in the front. ---