# July 20 ## Spoken on July 20 *Lectures from this day: 16 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 4.9–11](spoken/1966/660720bg.ny.md)** > So here the Lord says that *janma karma me divyam* : "My appearance and disappearance." Mark this word, "appearance and disappearance." "Birth and death" is not applicable to Lord. "Birth and death" is applicable to this material body. The material body has its birth, and the material body has its death, dissolution. But the spiritual body is eternal. It has neither death nor birth. Therefore the spiritual body—the exact language to be used, "appearance and disappearance." > Lord says that "There are persons who are *duṣkṛtina, duṣkṛtina,* or miscreants; *mūḍha,* foolish; *duṣkṛtina, mūḍha* and *narādhamā—*and the lowest of the humankind—and *māyayāpahṛta-jñānā—*and they have been plundered of their real knowledge by the stringent laws of material nature. Such people do not come unto Me." --- **[1968: Bhagavad-gītāLecture [Partially Recorded](spoken/1968/680720bg.mon)** > Therefore the soul is important. One who does not know the soul, his all activities are defeat. *Parābhavas tāvad abodha-jato yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam* Anyone who has not inquired about the soul... Because he is born ignorant, born in darkness, he does not know what is soul, what is this body, what is this world. Therefore born in darkness. So if in that darkness and ignorance he is acting so many things, what is the profit? It is simply defeat. So a person who does not inquire into the existence of soul, his real identity, all his so-called improvement is simply waste of time. *Śrama eva hi kevalam*. Simply laboring, that's all. > Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is clearly said that *yoginām api sarveṣāṁ* : "Of all the *yogīs,* the one who is thinking of Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu..." Because that is the ultimate goal. One has to come to the point. That point, of course, one has to come ultimately, as it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*, after many, many births. --- **[1970: Sannyāsa Initiation](spoken/1970/700720in.la)** > "This *mantra* was first chanted by a learned *brāhmaṇa* of Avantīpura, after being very much disgusted in this materialistic way of life. This happened long, long years ago, because it is mentioned in the *Bhāgavatam,* which was composed by Vyāsadeva at least five thousand years ago. So it is to be concluded therefore that this *tridaṇḍi sannyāsī* order is coming down since a long time..., since a time long, long years ago, and within five hundred years of time, Lord Caitanya adopted this order of life. In the latest years, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda adopted it personally and made many of his disciples *tridaṇḍi sannyāsīs.* We are also following his footsteps. > "In the sect of Lord Caitanya, the most venerable learned scholar, known as Gadādhara Paṇḍita Gosvāmī, accepted this *tridaṇḍi sannyāsa* order, and he offered this facility to his disciple known as Śrī Madhva-upādhyāya. This Madhvācārya is the origin of the Vallabhācārya sect. One of the six Gosvāmīs, Gopāla Bhaṭṭa Gosvāmī, who is the authority of Vaiṣṇava regulations, was initiated by another *tridaṇḍi sannyāsī,* known as Prabodhānanda Sarasvatī. Therefore this *sannyāsī* order is completely in pursuance of Vaiṣṇava authority." --- **[1971: Lecture](spoken/1971/710720le.ny)** > So our process of knowledge is very easy and perfect. The scientists, they are searching out what is the ultimate cause or ultimate control of this material nature, and they are putting, theorizing different proposition. But our means of knowledge, very easy and perfect, because we are hearing from the perfect person, Kṛṣṇa. And He says, *mayādhyakṣeṇa*. So immediately we know that all this cosmic machine, which is working so nicely and wonderfully, behind this machine the driver is Kṛṣṇa. Exactly behind a machine here, there is a machine driver, similarly, behind this big machine of material nature, there is Kṛṣṇa. > So we get information from the perfect person, Kṛṣṇa. Therefore whatever we speak, that is perfect, because we don't speak anything which is not spoken by Kṛṣṇa or authorities who have accepted Kṛṣṇa. That is called disciplic succession. So our process is, process of acquiring knowledge, is very easy and perfect. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We cannot say anything which is not accepted by the authorities coming from Kṛṣṇa. And in the *Bhagavad-gītā* Kṛṣṇa recommends this process of knowledge—*evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ* : "This knowledge, formerly, all the great saintly kings..." --- **[1971: Jaya Rādhā-Mādhava & Purport](spoken/1971/710720pu.ny)** > Yamunā-tīra-vana-cārī.* Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is wandering on the banks of Yamunā to please the *gopīs,* the cowherds boys, the birds, beasts, calves. They are not ordinary birds, beasts, calves or men. They are on the top of self-realization. *Kṛta-puṇya-puñjāḥ*. After many, many lives they got that position, to play with Kṛṣṇa. > So all activities of Kṛṣṇa is with His devotees. He is... Therefore, to become associate of Kṛṣṇa, to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness... *Yaśodā-nandana vraja-jana-vallabha..., vraja-jana-rañjana.* His only business is how to satisfy... As *braja-jana's* business is how to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, similarly, Kṛṣṇa's business is how to satisfy *braja-jana.* This is reciprocation of love. --- **[1971: Room Conversation](spoken/1971/710720r1.ny)** > Devotee (4): I used to think, Śrīla Prabhupāda, "I wonder when the day is going to come when we're going to be able to use computers in Kṛṣṇa consciousness?" and now maybe it's come. Composing can be eliminated, done automatically, and the layout can be done automatically, because the pages will come out perfect. When they're typed out, they will come out perfect. Therefore, there's no need of layout. You simply photograph those pages. > I have a job as a computer programmer, so I have to go there for a while, but I'll be back in New York. But I'm going to show Gadādhara and Candanācārya how to use it so they can use it, and then you can use it during the daytime. It's a really good machine. --- **[1972: Arrival Lecture](spoken/1972/720720ar.par)** > Of course, this spiritual knowledge, Vedic knowledge, is not for any particular society or country. It is meant for all. People sometimes ask me "Eastern," "Western." Actually there is no Eastern and Western in spiritual platform. Spiritual platform is one. You are spirit soul; I am spirit soul. So on the spiritual platform if we see, as it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ*...* Those who are actually learned, they are *sama-darśī*. They have no distinction. > So our material platform, we distinguish, "I am Indian," "You are Frenchman," "He's Englishman," "He's American," "He's cat," "He's dog." This is the vision of the material platform. In the spiritual platform we can see that every living entity is part and parcel of God, as it is confirmed in the *Bhagavad-gītā: mām evāṁśa jīva-bhūta.* Every living entity. It doesn't matter what he is. There are 8,400,000 species of forms, but all of them, they're covered only by different dresses. Just like you Frenchmen, you may be differently dressed, an Englishman may be differently dressed, an Indian may be differently dressed. But dress is not very important. The man within the dress, he's important. Similarly, this body is not very important thing. *Antavanta ime dehā nityasyoktāḥ śarīriṇaḥ . This body is perishable. But the soul within the body, he's not perishable. Therefore this human form of life is meant for cultivating the knowledge of the nonperishable. --- **[1972: Interview](spoken/1972/720720i2.par)** > Either they're not being followed or they're not properly understood, because in London I saw hundreds of churches are vacant. That means it shows practical that people have no more interest in Christianity, or the Christian people could not convince them about the spiritual necessity of life. Many churches are for sale. That's not a good sign. That means people have lost interest in spiritual life. But fortunately, the younger generation, they are taking this spiritual movement. > Then, after retired life, giving the responsibility of household life to grown-up children, he should take lessons from saintly person, furthermore, and at the end he should take *sannyāsa.* Whatever knowledge he has gathered he must distribute by traveling from one place to another. This is Vedic civilization. Everyone should come out. Not that they should remain at home and drink and sleep for the whole life. This is Vedic civilization. --- **[1972: Interview](spoken/1972/720720iv.par)** > Haṁsadūta: Yes. I think this gentleman would like to have some interview with Śrīla Prabhupāda. [to other devotee:] You're going to translate, [indistinct]? --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.10](spoken/1972/720720sb.lon)** > You can think that the whole Midland Bank belongs to you. You can think like that, but that is not position of value. Real version means what it is within your control, within your hand. Otherwise, if you think that "So many people have promised me millions of dollars, so I am proprietor of millions of...," that is bogus. Similarly, education, knowledge, I have got knowledge, but I can speak to you when I open the book. That is not knowledge. Knowledge you must assimilate. Or possession, you must actually possess the wealth; then it is in control. But in this age without knowledge, without possessing wealth they are proud and they will fight, quarrelsome. > So life after life I worked hard for comfort of this body, which I am not. Now I am understanding that "I am not this body; I am spirit soul," so what is my activity? Actually our life, span of life, should be utilized by spiritual activities, *tapo divyaṁ*. Spiritual activities mean you have to stand on the spiritual platform by austerity. If you give away your life by the waves of this material life—eating, sleeping, mating and defending—and do not take care of your spirit soul, then the *sastras* says, *vipala tan na jati*[?]: then you are wasting your life. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 1.24–25](spoken/1973/730720bg.lon)** > These are..., we have to take information of Kṛṣṇa from the *śāstra. Śāstram eva cakṣusā[?]. Vedānta-sūtra.* Your eyes should be *śāstra,* not your so-called imagination. *Śāstra-cakṣusā. Yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya vartate kāma...*. If you give up the direction of the *śāstra* and manufacture your own way, *yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya vartate kāma-kārataḥ,* as you like, then *na sa siddhim avāpnoti:* you will never get *siddhi,* perfection. Never get. *Na sa siddhim avāp..., na sukham,* neither happiness. > Not only one Brahmā. Many millions of Brahmās, many millions of Śiva, many millions of Viṣṇu, many millions of sun. Many... Because there are many millions of universes. Now, just imagine. This is material creation. And that material creation, Kṛṣṇa says, *ekāṁśena sthito jagat .* Taking all the material universes, it is only one-fourth creation of the Lord. And the three-fourth creation is the spiritual world. Just imagine what is spiritual world. And in that spiritual, the topmost planet is Goloka. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.39](spoken/1975/750720sb.sf)** > Kṛṣṇa says, "Vedic principle means to know Me, Kṛṣṇa." *Vedaiś ca sarvaiḥ. Veda-praṇihito dharmaḥ.* And what is *Veda*? *Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ.* So... "But there is *Vedānta*?" Yes. *Vedānta-kṛd vedānta-vid aham:* "I am the compiler of *Vedānta,* and I know what is *Vedānta*." So whatever Kṛṣṇa says, that is *Vedānta.* And other so-called Vedāntists, they are nonsense. They do not know what is *Vedānta.* Here is. Kṛṣṇa says, *vedānta-vit:* "I know what is *Vedānta.*" "Why You know?" *Vedānta-kṛt:* "I have compiled *Vedānta*." In the incarnation of Vyāsadeva, Vyāsadeva incarnation, Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana Vyāsa... *Mahā-muni-kṛte. Mahā-muni,* the great sage, Vyāsadeva, is incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. So he has compiled *Vedānta-sūtra.* Therefore he knows what is *Vedānta*. And because *Vedānta* is being misinterpreted by rascals, therefore Vyāsadeva personally has commented on *Vedānta-sūtra* by writing *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.* Therefore he begins *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* with the first aphorism of *Vedānta, janmādy asya yataḥ anvayād itarataś ca artheṣu abhijñaḥ sva-rāṭ.* > So the Yamadūta, they are also servant of very exalted personality, one of the authority. So they are not lacking in knowledge, by the grace of their master. So the first thing they said, *veda-praṇihito dharmo hy adharmas tad-viparyayaḥ*. Dharma* and *adharma,* religious principle and not religious principle, nonreligious principle—how to discern. The book is there, *Veda.* We have to consult the *Vedas.* There are so many Vedic literatures: four *Vedas,* then *Upaniṣad,* 108 *Upaniṣad,* then philosophy, *Vedānta-sūtra,* all summarized. Then explanation of *Vedānta-sūtra,* or *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Bhāṣyaṁ brahma-sūtrāṇā*m*.* [From *Garuḍa Purāṇa* quoted in *Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya* 25.143]. Then there is *Rāmāyaṇa,* there is *Mahābhārata,* immense literature, full of Vedic literature. So one should try to understand this literature. They are meant for the human being. *Veda-praṇihito dharmaḥ.* If one wants to be religious... Religious means that is the beginning of human life. If one is not religious, then he is animal. *Dharmeṇa hīnāḥ paśubhiḥ samānāḥ* [*Hitopadeśa* 25]. So in order to make a person perfectly religious, there are so many Vedic literatures. So who is taking care of it? Nobody is taking care of. Therefore, at the present moment, *kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ. Śūdra* means equal to the animal. Tulasī dāsa has classified, *dhola, gāonyāra, śūdra, paśu, nārī, yeh sab śāsan ke adhikārī.* [Dumb, foolish person, fourth class man, animal, woman these are subjected for punishment.] So women will be sorry, but he has classified in that way. Anyway... So nobody is taking care of the Vedic literature. Therefore they do not know what is right, what is wrong. *Dharma, adharma* means right and wrong. --- **[1976: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.112](spoken/1976/760720cc.ny)** > It is not different from Kṛṣṇa. *Ahaṁ sarvasya.* All these colored manifestation, it is coming from Kṛṣṇa. *Mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate:* "Everything is coming from Me." So this understanding is real Kṛṣṇa consciousness, when you understand that there is one only. *Eka brahma dvitīya nāsty.* And Kṛṣṇa is above Brahman. We have got a slight idea of Brahman, generally, but Kṛṣṇa is Paraṁbrahman. There are many millions of Brahmans, and above them, the Supreme Brahman is Kṛṣṇa. *Paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān*. Arjuna admitted. > So He hasn't got to endeavor for it. That is the difference between Kṛṣṇa's activities and our activity, although we have got the tendency at least. Because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, we have got the same quality. *Kṣetrajñākhyā tathā parā*. *Kṣetrajña* means living entities. They are also of the same potency. So then what is the difference? The difference is that the *kṣetrajña,* the living entities, are prone to become under illusion. That is the difference. We are small, very small; therefore we are prone to be extinguished. Just like the fire and the fire spark. The spark, when it is out of the fire, it is extinguished—no more fiery quality. But so long it is playing with the fire, you'll find the nice brilliant sparks coming, now dancing. The quality is the same. Fire can burn, and the small spark, it falls down, it will burn your cloth. It is very small, but it will... It starts to become off, illusion. This is *avidyā.* The same spark, when he's out of Kṛṣṇa's touch, it is extinguished, *avidyā.* Immediately he is covered by darkness, extinguished, his spiritual quality. Not finished—at least stopped for the time. Spiritual quality cannot be finished, because it is spiritual. *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. The spiritual quality cannot be finished. It goes on. And on account of *avidyā,* ignorance, it goes through another body, another body, transmigration of the soul. And unless he is again revived to his original consciousness, he has to go through that. He has to struggle for existence. He's trying to get his original position like Kṛṣṇa's brilliant position, like the fire. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760720mw.ny)** > Cigarette is, I think, advertised, "Nobody is lower than me." That means no other cigarette is lower in poisonous effect. In a different way it is advertised. "Nobody is lower than me." Humble. >I ask, natural answer you gave, "Because it is disconnected with the mother." That is natural answer. Then how you can say the life has come from matter? Immediately I captured. Can you say like that, that life has come without life? And they are making us believe like that. --- ## Letters on July 20 *Letters from this day: 18* --- **[1969: Letter to Gajendra](letters/1969/690720_gajendra)** > The sentiments you have expressed are very nice, and they are just suiting for spiritual advancement. --- **[1971: Letter to Eugene L. Baum](letters/1971/710720_eugene_l._baum)** > Louis center under the expert guidance of Sriman Vamanadeva Prabhu and have been chanting 16 rounds of beads daily. Continue to do so faithfully and follow all the regulative principles of devotional life. --- **[1971: Letter to Krpasindhu](letters/1971/710720_krpasindhu)** > Your beads have been duly chanted by me and are being returned personally by Jagadisa Prabhu, who is here now in N. --- **[1973: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1973/730720_bali-mardana)** > Regarding the purchase of the building, I wish that unless the Columbia Club sells the building that you do not move from the present building. You proposed to move to another building but I do not appreciate this idea. Go directly to the Columbia Club building. --- **[1973: Letter to Govinda](letters/1973/730720_govinda)** > I am concerned that you write describing that you are bewildered by the dictates of your material mind. --- **[1973: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1973/730720_nityananda)** > It is very encouraging for me to see the activities of the New Orleans temple. I can see you have a nice house which you have purchased in the Society's name and that you are taking care to worship Lord Jagannatha with opulence. The picture of tulasi is especially indicative, because if tulasi grows luxuriantly that proves the sincere devotional service of the place. --- **[1973: Letter to Tamala Krsnab](letters/1973/730720_tamala_krsnab)** > Now you have taken a loan of Rs 1,50,000 from the BBT, so with these excellent collections you are now taking I request you to fill up that debt and then collect further, and the balance I shall arrange. I have read how you have dispersed your recent collections to repay BBT, and Vrindaban construction and it is all right. Please deal cautiously and do not spend unnecessarily. --- **[1973: Letter to Yasomatinandan](letters/1973/730720_yasomatinandan)** > I heard you were transferring to our Los Angeles center but I do not know if you have left our Chicago center yet, so I am sending copies of this letter to both places. --- **[1974: Letter to Caruhasa](letters/1974/740720_caruhasa)** > You should know it that Krsna is not a plaything. These things should strictly not be done.* If you do this, then Krsna will become a fairy tale. Please drop this matter. --- **[1974: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1974/740720_giriraja)** > I am very pleased to know that things are going on according to routine. This morning we held a meeting of GBC members, and I have sent a telegram addressed to Karandhara as follows: --- **[1974: Letter to Madhavananda](letters/1974/740720_madhavananda)** > I have written to Saurabha Prabhu to send you the same pattern plans for your temple construction. You should build in the same pattern, not different. More when we meet soon. --- **[1974: Letter to Ramesvara](letters/1974/740720_ramesvara)** > has written recently one book *Scientific Basis of Krsna Consciousness* and there was no contract or agreement. --- **[1974: Letter to Sahadeva](letters/1974/740720_sahadeva)** > I have also seen the photos. Regarding the Life Members, you cannot impose rules on the guests. They can remain two or three days as guests, so there should be no difficulty. --- **[1974: Letter to Satyabhama Paramananda](letters/1974/740720_satyabhama_paramananda)** > If Kirtanananda Maharaja speaks what I speak, then he can be taken a siksa guru. --- **[1974: Letter to Suchitra](letters/1974/740720_suchitra)** > I understand that you are the mother of the little boy Purnima das. So you must take care of him nicely and raise him in Krishna consciousness. --- **[1975: Letter to Bunke Behari](letters/1975/750720_bunke_behari)** > I wish to thank you very much for ivory carving gift which you have kindly presented to me. --- **[1975: Letter to G.L. Nanda](letters/1975/750720_g.l._nanda)** > Nanda 5, Tughlak Road New Delhi-11 2334 Stuart St., Berkeley, Ca. --- **[1975: Letter to Radhavallabha](letters/1975/750720_radhavallabha)** > In the next issue of "Back to Godhead" you should put one note of thanks to Mr. Alexander Kulik of Laguna Beach California. This boy has kindly paid BBT Dollars 25,000.00 for publication of books. ---