# July 13 ## Spoken on July 13 *Lectures from this day: 14 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 4.3–6](spoken/1966/660713bg.ny.md)** > Now, here is Kṛṣṇa, the direct, I mean to say, highest authority. *Mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat asti..., kiñcid asti dhanañjaya*. The Lord says that "There is no other superior personality than Me." And it has been accepted by great scholars. Otherwise, why Dr. Radhakrishnan would take so much trouble for commenting or reading *Bhagavad-gītā*? Why there are so many foreign scholars also in America, in England, in France, in Japan? All, they have... Why? Because it is an authority. So therefore we have to accept. > Similarly, Kṛṣṇa has got two nature: lower nature and higher nature. The higher nature is internal potency. That is His real life. So here Kṛṣṇa says that "I come." *Ajo 'pi sann avyayātmā bhūtānām īśvaro 'pi san:* "Because I need not come here. I need not come." *Bhūtānām īśvaro 'pi san.* Just like if He's the Supreme Lord, why does He come here? Yes, He does not need come here, but if He comes here, we cannot object. We cannot object. We cannot say that He cannot come here. He is free. He is *svayambhu;* He is fully independent. If He likes, He can come. Just like the example: if the head of the state goes to a prison house, it is not that he has been forced to come there just like other prisoners, but he comes to inspect, to see. It is his du..., it is his liking. --- **[1971: Initiation Lecture](spoken/1971/710713in.la)** > This holy name of God Kṛṣṇa, this name is absolute. Kṛṣṇa is the same as His name, His form, His pastimes, His paraphernalia and so therefore this holy name of God has the same potency as Kṛṣṇa Himself. And it says in the *Nārada Pañcarātra* that God is dancing on the tongue, if we just chant or sing this name Kṛṣṇa then Kṛṣṇa is dancing on the tongue. So one cannot interpret the holy name of God."Committing sin on the strength of chanting." This chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa wipes away the reaction of past sinful activities and destroys all of the effects of impious activities. So if one commits sin on the strength of such chanting, if one commits some impious activity and thinks, "Oh yes simply by chanting then the bad effects will be wiped away and this will be nullified," now this is not bona-fide. This is a great offense, simply we must commit no sin. We must chant and we become purified. The idea is to become purified and not to become contaminated and remain in a contaminated situation."Instructing the glories of the Lord's name to the unfaithful." One must try and discriminate between four classes of person. The Supreme Person, the devotees, the innocent and the demons. One does not instruct the glories of the Lord's name to the unfaithful, to the demons. The demons are praetorian, in another age the demons are for killing but in this age 99% of the population are demons, so it is not possible, if the..Prabhupāda: > If you kill them, then there will be no population. [laughter] There will be nobody to pay tax. Yes. > "Comparing the holy name with material piety." This holy name is the same as the Lord himself. Simply by vibration of this transcendental sound Kṛṣṇa this is elevating one to the platform of pure association of the Lord. So this is not to be confused with material piety. Simply because it may have some effect of wiping away the past sinful reactions.Prabhupā > Actual aim of spiritual life—to come to the stage of loving God. That is real spiritual life. If one wants to take to spiritual life for some other gain, that is not... That is offense, that "I will chant Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra.* So my income is now one thousand dollar; it will be three thousand dollar." [chuckles] Not like that. It may be reduced [laughter] sometime. [laughs] Just like our Dayānanda is. His income is now reduced by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, but he is not giving up. That is wanted. You see? --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 1.11–12](spoken/1973/730713bg.lon)** > Then, as it is stated, during the reign of Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, *kāmaṁ vavarṣa parjanyaḥ*. Then nature also will help. If you keep things all right, according to the direction, then nature also will help you. Nature will give you sufficient foodstuff. *Vavarṣa parjanyaḥ, kāmam.* Whatever the necessities of life, it will be supplied by nature simply by proper pouring of water, *vṛṣṭi.* Actually, now the whole world is suffering for drought. There is scarcity of rain. > And if the rain is stopped for one or two years more, there will be havoc. It is already there, havoc. In India there is famine, because they are more..., mostly agriculturist. So there is famine. In other countries they have got industries, but India is not so industrially advanced. So without water, nothing can be produced. Therefore during Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira's time, *kāmaṁ vavarṣa parjanyaḥ*. Yajñād bhavati parjanyaḥ*. --- **[1973: Room Conversation with Educationists](spoken/1973/730713r1.lon)** > The theory of *nirvāṇa—*also preliminary—corresponds with this principle. In the *Bhāgavatam* this is called *svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ*. The *Bhagavad-gītā* also confirms this situation in this verse. "After *nirvāṇa,* or material cessation, there is the manifestation of spiritual activities, or devotional service of the Lord, known as Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In the words of the *Bhāgavatam, svarūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ:* this is the real life of the living entity. *Māyā*, or illusion, is the condition of spiritual life contaminated by material infection. Liberation from this material infection does not mean destruction of the original eternal position of the living entity. Patañjali also accepts this by his words *kaivalyam svarūpa-pratiṣṭhā vā citi-śaktir iti.* This *citi-śakti,* or transcendental pleasure, is real life. This is confirmed in the *Vedānta-sūtras* as *ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt* [*Vedānta-sūtra* 1.1.12]. > "As long as the material body exists, one has to meet the demands of the body, namely eating, sleeping, defending and mating. But a person who is in pure *bhakti-yoga,* or in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, does not arouse the senses while meeting the demands of the body. Rather, he accepts the bare necessities of life, making the best use of a bad bargain, and enjoys transcendental happiness in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. He is callous toward incidental occurrences—such as accidents, disease, scarcity and even the death of a most dear relative—but he is always alert to execute his duties in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or *bhakti-yoga.* Accidents never deviate him from his duty. As stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, āgamāpāyino 'nityās tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata*. He endures all such incidental occurrences because he knows that they come and go and do not affect his duties. In this way he achieves the highest perfection in *yoga* practice." --- **[1974: Morning Walk at Marine del Rey](spoken/1974/740713mw.la)** > Or one thing do... *śaṭhe śāṭhyaṁ samācaret.* Therefore I wanted to start this politics. There say, "It is..., it is our custom. Unless the *ratha* is there, there is no ceremony. So you have asked to palanquin. We shall make the *ratha* here, standing. And after holding our ceremony we shall take the Deity in palanquin and go to the Trafalgar Square." And go to the Trafalgar Square and hold meeting there. But the *ratha* must be there. "It will not move. It will stand here. We shall take the Deities in palanquin and go to the Trafalgar Square." In this way, take police permission, and after going there, along with the ceremony, protest. >somebody protested that "Your Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement makes the people dull." And now, you have not seen the Vaiṣṇava. There was two fight in the Indian history. One is Rāma and Rāvaṇa, and one is Kurukṣetra. And the hero is Vaiṣṇava. We are going to produce such Vaiṣṇavas, not these dull rascals, sitting down. We don't want these Vaiṣṇavas, sitting-down rascals. We want Arjuna or we want no one. That is Vaiṣṇava. That is wanted. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.23](spoken/1974/740713sb.la)** > So *nirvāṇa.* Actually, there is no benefit. Even if I go to the highest planetary system, with very, very long duration of life and material comfort, that is not actual benefit. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *ābrahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ punar āvartino 'rjuna* : "My dear Arjuna, even if you are promoted to the Brahmaloka, the highest planetary system, still, it is not safe, because the death is there. And if you come to My place, no, there is no more..." That is called *nirvāṇa.* Our business is to finish this material existence and go back to home, back to... That is real business. > Kṛṣṇa says that those who are *yoga-bhraṣṭaḥ,* could not fulfill the whole program of devotional service, some way or other fallen down, so they are given chance, another chance. What is that chance? The chance is he is given a human form of life and born in a devotee's house, so that from the very beginning of life he will again be in connection with devotional service. So these children, they are not ordinary children. Formerly, they were also devotees, somehow or other, could not fulfill the whole program. Now Kṛṣṇa has given the chance to take birth in the womb of a devotee mother so that from the very beginning of life they're learning devotional service. So the mother, father also should be careful, that "They are Vaiṣṇavas, they have come under my care. So that he may not be spoiled, let him become a perfect Vaiṣṇava, and his life become perfect." This is... This is very nice program. --- **[1975: Conversation with Professor Hopkins](spoken/1975/750713r1.phi)** > "All cheating type of religious system is rejected." So this is rather revolting. Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva dharmān parityajya* : "Give up all kinds of religious system, just surrender to Me." And from that point *Bhāgavata* begins, "All cheating type of religious system is rejected." > It is meant for the *paramahaṁsa. Paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ.* Those who are envious, for them is not *Bhāgavata.* So any materialistic person, he is envious. So it is not meant for the materialistic person. Those who are spiritually advanced, one who has understood that "I am not this body, I am spirit soul. My direct connection is with God, therefore my only business is to serve God," one who has come to this conclusion, he is called *paramahaṁsa. Haṁsa* means swan. A swan, it has got a quality that if you give the swan to drink milk mixed with water, she will drink the milk and reject the water. She has got the capacity. [chuckles] So *paramahaṁsa* means one who has taken the essence of the existence, Absolute Truth, he is called *paramahaṁsa.* --- **[1975: Room Conversation with Reporters Sandy Nixon and Anne Jackson](spoken/1975/750713r2.phi)** > That we are teaching. That is the difference between others and our. We are presenting Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the science, how to know Him. The *Bhagavad-gītā* is there, *Bhāgavata* is there. Not bogus. Authorized. Therefore this is the only institution which can teach how to know God and how to love Him. Two business. There is no third business. It is not our business to ask God to give us our necessities. We know God gives necessities to everyone, even one who has no religion. Just like cats and dogs, they have no religion. They do not know what is religion. But still, the cats and dogs are supplied with necessities of life. So why we should bother Kṛṣṇa, asking Him, "Give us our daily bread"? He is supplying already. Our business is how to love Him. That is religion. *Dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavaḥ atra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ vāstavaṁ vastu vedyam atra*. > So *yogīs* also want this power. And *jñānīs* also want salvation from the unnecessary working like ass, the *karmī.* And *karmīs* want material profit. So they want, everyone. But the *bhaktas,* devotees, they don't want anything. They want to serve God out of love. Just like a mother loves her child. There is no question of profit. Out of affection, she loves. So when you come to that stage, to love God, that is perfection. So these different processes, *karmī, jñānī, yogī* and *bhakta,* out of these four processes, if you want to know God, then you have to accept this *bhakti.* That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, bhaktyā mām abhijānāti* : "Simply through the process of *bhakti* one can understand Me, God." He never says by other processes. No. Only through *bhakti.* So if you are interested to know God and love Him, then you have to accept this devotional process. No other process will help you. --- **[1975: Room Conversation with Bernard Manischewitz [father of Urmilā dāsī](spoken/1975/750713r3.phi)** > Yes, every intelligent man will understand this very simple thing, that so long as the body..., the soul is within the body, the body is changing. And as soon as this body... Just like you are old man, I am old man, the body is no more possible to be changed; somehow or other then I'll have to accept another body. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.28–29](spoken/1975/750713sb.phi)** > This Kṛṣṇa says. "One who has ended the process of sinful activities and engaged in pious activities, such person can become a firm devotee." So these four principle, as we have recommended, you must follow. There is no question of optional, "I may do it, I may not do." No, you must. Otherwise, the progress will be checked. Kṛṣṇa will not leave you. Just like the Ajāmila: the progress was checked, but because he did not do it willfully, therefore Kṛṣṇa was giving him opportunity. As soon as possible, again capture him. Because he did not do anything willfully. First of all, this is the condition, circumstantial. Therefore Kṛṣṇa was very kind. He gave him the son, "Call him. You have affection for your son? All right, chant 'Nārāyaṇa' by calling your son." This opportunity was given. > So the Ajāmila, young man, on account of association with a prostitute, he lost his good character and began to maintain the prostitute by stealing, by cheating, one after another. So by mistake or on account of the age, he became captivated by the prostitute. So Kṛṣṇa was watching. Therefore He gave him this chance that on account of his affection towards the child, he will at least repeat "Nārāyaṇa, Nārāyaṇa." "Nārāyaṇa come. Nārāyaṇa take your food. Nārāyaṇa sit down." So *bhāva-grāhi-janārdanaḥ* [*CB Ādi-khaṇḍa* 11.108]. Kṛṣṇa is so kind, He takes the purpose, or the essence. Because the holy name has its effect. So although this Ajāmila, by his foolishness, he was attached to the material body of the son, but because he was chanting "Nārāyaṇa," Kṛṣṇa was taking that essence, that's all, that "Some way or other, he is chanting." The importance of chanting is so nice. So do not give up chanting. Then Kṛṣṇa will protect you. This is the example. "Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa," you practice. Naturally, when you are in danger, you will say, "Hare Kṛṣṇa." This much do. If you are practiced to do something, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, then you are safe. --- **[1976: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.107](spoken/1976/760713cc.ny)** > So this dull brain has to be cured. All rascals, *mūḍha.* It is a fact. *Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ*. Duṣkṛtina* means simply unnecessary wasting time adjusting things materially. This is miscreants. They do not know that "For one type of advantage, I have to create hundred times disadvantage." This is the fact. We are coming from New Vrindavan. They are living very comfortably in open space. There is no such disturbance, twenty-four hours, *dung-dung-dung-dung-kah-kah-kah-kah-kah.* No. [laughter] No disturbance. But you have created some advantages to live in the skyscraper building; there are so many other disadvantages also. So therefore sometimes the Indians are accused that "Believe in destiny." But that is actual fact. You cannot improve a single inch than you are destined. That is not possible. That is not possible. If you want to increase your so-called happiness, then you simply waste your time. That is Prahlāda Mahārāja's instruction. *Na tat prayāsaṁ kartavyam.* "I am not in a good position economically. Let me try to improve it." That you cannot. Otherwise in New York City, so opulent, so materially advanced, why we see so many men in the Central Park lying on the bench? Why? They do not belong to the poor nation or poor city. Still, because he's destined, he must lie down there. Maybe he is rich man's son or born in rich nation, but because he's destined to suffer, he must lie down there. Because he's destined to suffer, he must become a hippie. > So you cannot stop it. You cannot stop it. That is not possible. Therefore those who are advanced in knowledge, they do not try for all these nonsense, improving material condition. It will not make happy; it will increase problems. The so-called happiness will increase problems, and you have to deal with that problem, then again another problem, another problem. *Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā*. Just like they are trying to control over the laws of material nature. That is impossible. It will never be possible. If you solve one question, then you will have to meet with thousands of other questions. It is not possible. So... Therefore Vedic literature says that "Do not waste your time in that way. Better you utilize your valuable time to understand Kṛṣṇa. Then your life is successful." *Yasmin vijñāte sarvam eva vijñātaṁ bhavanti* [*Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad* 1.3]. --- **[1976: Evening Darśana](spoken/1976/760713ed.ny)** > So this temporary world of birth and death, this is *asat.* Kṛṣṇa says, *duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam*. It's *asat:* it's a temporary place. We're taking it to be real just like in a dream we take that the dream is all in all. But by chanting this *mantra* we will awaken from this maddening materialistic way of life which is simply binding us up more and more to this false conception of attachment for this body. Practically we know that we have to give up this body, but still, because everyone in the material world, Prabhupāda explained this morning, is just like a madman. People are attached... Just like if you are attached to your clothes and you're thinking that if my clothes are finished, I am finished. So this is a mad proposition. You can always get another set of clothes. Similarly, we are different from this body. So to be overly attached with this body or even attached at all is a form of madness. That's a fact. We analyze this soberly. > The *karmīs...* Ṛṣabhadeva is warning that *nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma*: these rascals, being mad after sense gratification, they are doing everything and anything irresponsibly. *Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ. Pramattaḥ* means mad. *Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma*: things which you should not have done, but he's doing it. Why? *Yad indriya-prītaya:* simply for sense gratification. Therefore, He advises, *na sādhu ayam:* this is not good. So why it is not good? he has already got a body, material body for which he's suffering, and he's again creating the circumstance by which he'll again get a material body and will suffer. Therefore, one should act very responsibly. Not like madmen. *Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma*. Then Ṛṣabhadeva instructs, *nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛloke kaṣṭān kāmān arhate viḍ-bhujāṁ ye*. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760713mw.ny)** > Ghostly haunted. A person ghostly haunted, as he does, acts, similarly, anyone who is under the clutches of *māyā,* he acts like this. [break]...this church, I came. They purchased one set of books. And one lady, Mrs. McGuire I think, she arranged this meeting. Underneath there is subway. I was sitting there, and the subway sound was *cut-cut cut-cut cut-cut.* So I asked what is this, and they said subway. Within this building there is subway. I think they are repairing. What is this building? >are utilized. Progeny, that is not condemned. Why it should be condemned? Let there be pregnancy, but Kṛṣṇa conscious. That, our Pradyumna's son, these all children. --- ## Letters on July 13 *Letters from this day: 23* --- **[1947: Letter to: Raja Mohendra Pratap — July 13, 1947](letters/1947-1965/470713_raja_mohendra_pratap)** > In continuation of my last post card, I beg to inform you that I have finished the reading of your book *Religion of Love. --- **[1968: Letter to Christopher](letters/1968/680713_christopher)** > Previous to this I think I received one letter from you when I was either in San Francisco, or Los Angeles, and whenever I receive some letter, I reply it promptly, so it may be that my reply is missing due to your uncertain whereabouts. --- **[1968: Letter to Subala](letters/1968/680713_subala)** > How is it that you do not get any work? Woomapati knows some technical work. Is there only work in the restaurants, and there is no other work? --- **[1968: Letter to Umapati](letters/1968/680713_umapati)** > In this connection you can consult Hansadutta in New York, and Satsvarupa in Boston how they are successfully carrying on. Here also the Brahmacaris are chanting in the Expo, and the arrangement is they will get some lump sum of money, and they have already gotten $300.00. --- **[1969: Letter to Bhagavan Krsna Bhamini](letters/1969/690713_bhagavan_krsna_bhamini)** > You are both very sincere souls I know, and Krishna will help you in every way as you continue to work nicely. --- **[1969: Letter to Goursundar](letters/1969/690713_goursundar)** > I think it is Krishna's desire that you would vacate the former building and go to the hippy quarters. --- **[1969: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1969/690713_hansadutta)** > Rather then answering your points now, I think when we meet again in San Francisco Rathayatra Ceremony we shall discuss things. --- **[1971: Letter to Dinesh Candra](letters/1971/710713_dinesh_candra)** > So for the time being, you can stay in your apartment, have discourses and hold kirtana and whoever voluntarily may join, no one can object. There is no need of outside engagements if they are not possible to get. --- **[1971: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1971/710713_gurudasa)** > Yes, it is not a bad idea to have Sankirtana as you have described because Lord Nityananda Prabhu, he personally went to troubled area of Jagai and Madhai and he conquered them. So when Sankirtana is in a troubled area, do it very carefully. --- **[1971: Letter to Jayadvaita](letters/1971/710713_jayadvaita)** > One point is that I do not understand how it is that the synonyms for the last 18 chapters of the 3d canto and the first 7 chapters of 4th canto are missing? Anyway, I have begun this work and the first tape of synonyms, tape no. --- **[1971: Letter to S. C. Mukherjee](letters/1971/710713_s._c._mukherjee)** > So it is better if you are still interested in our Mayapur project to see the Mayapur committee and speak with them at our temple at 3, Albert Road; Calcutta-17. --- **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/710713_satsvarupa)** > One point though is that Jayadvaita writes that the synonyms for the last 18 chapters of 3d canto and the first seven chapters of fourth canto are not there. Arrangements are being made for us to leave for Detroit on the 16th morning. --- **[1971: Letter to Sri Govinda](letters/1971/710713_sri_govinda)** > I am so much encouraged to hear how nicely you are distributing BTG and distributing our books also. So continue this program whole-heartedly and Krishna will surely bless you. --- **[1972: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1972/720713_giriraja)** > Life Member means Life Member, there is no inheriting by the eldest son. The plan was that Calcutta or Tamala Krishna was to maintain Mayapur. --- **[1972: Letter to Puri Maharaj](letters/1972/720713_puri_maharaj)** > Now we are in London for holding our 4th annual Rathayatra Festival of Lord Jagannath. The procession will begin from Marble Arch and finish in Trafalgar Square, where I shall be speaking to more than 10,000 persons and holding fire yagna. --- **[1972: Letter to Shyamsundar Mallik](letters/1972/720713_shyamsundar_mallik)** > I hope you are making the Ratha-yatra Festival very successful, along with my disciples headed by Bhavananda and Acyutananda Swami. --- **[1972: Letter to Tilakainath Dhumrakesa Gokulacandra Pavamana](letters/1972/720713_tilakainath_dhumrakesa_gokulacandra_pavamana)** > Upon the recommendation of Giriraja I have gladly consented to accept all of you as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1972: Letter to Yadubara](letters/1972/720713_yadubara)** > Dai Nippon has upped their price for Hindi BTG considerably, so it is better to print in Bombay just as you have done with Gujarati BTG. --- **[1975: Letter to Dhananjaya](letters/1975/750713_dhananjaya)** > Your printing in Hindi in Mathura is a good idea. Do it in consultation with Gopala Krishna Prabhu. So you send me the translation and after seeing it, I shall approve. --- **[1975: Letter to Mahavir Prasad Jaipuriaji](letters/1975/750713_mahavir_prasad_jaipuriaji)** > Last time we opened our Vrindaban temple under the leadership of the Governor of U.P. Dr. Channa Reddi. I expected your presence also. Perhaps you could not attend due to prior engagement. --- **[1975: Letter to Narottamananda](letters/1975/750713_narottamananda)** > If you want to take a second wife, then you have to leave our Vrindaban temple. At least you cannot stay in our temple in Vrindaban. --- **[1975: Letter to Pannalal Bansilalji](letters/1975/750713_pannalal_bansilalji)** > I am advising my Bombay center with a copy of this letter to send you the latest amended copy of the Rules of the Society. --- **[1975: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1975/750713_tejiyas)** > It is nice that Mr. Agarwal wants to construct a temple for us in Meerut. It is a good, big city. ---