# July 23 ## Spoken on July 23 *Lectures from this day: 9 recordings* --- **[1973: Presentation Excerpt](spoken/1973/730723ap.lon)** > Guild member:...here are made of a very inferior metal, in fact in lead. But we couldn't think anything better than having this badge made for you in solid gold, twenty-four carat. And hereby we present it on behalf of the members of the Guild to you, our most beloved leader. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 1.30](spoken/1973/730723bg.lon)** > Therefore one who is intelligent, he thinks that "If I have to work so hard for so-called happiness, and here is Kṛṣṇa is canvassing, asking me that 'You work for Me,' so why not work for Kṛṣṇa? Here I see *viparītāni,* everything is opposite. There is no happiness." So that is intelligence. "I have to work hard. Kṛṣṇa says, 'Just surrender unto Me.' " *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. So Kṛṣṇa is asking to work for Him, giving up everything. That is clear, everyone knows. "Here also I am working very hard, but here I am working hard to be happy, but the *viparītāni,* I am becoming unhappy. So why not work for Kṛṣṇa?" This is intelligence. > Therefore it requires time, little time to understand. That is *Bhagavad-gītā.* The same Arjuna, he is now finding, *nimittāni ca viparītāni.* When he will understand *Bhagavad-gītā,* he will say, "Yes, Kṛṣṇa, what You are saying, it is right. It is right." Because after instructing Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa will ask him, "Now what you want to do?" Because Kṛṣṇa does not force. Kṛṣṇa says that "You surrender unto Me." He does not force, that "You must surrender. I am God. You are My part and parcel." No, He'll never say that. Because He has given you little independence, He will not touch it. Otherwise what is the difference between a stone and a living entity? A living entity must have independence, although it is very little, minute. That Kṛṣṇa does not touch. He'll never touch. You'll have to agree, "Yes, Kṛṣṇa, I shall surrender unto You. Yes. That is for my benefit." --- **[1973: Room Conversation With Lord Fenner Brockway](spoken/1973/730723r1.lon)** > Lord Kṛṣṇa says that there are different species of life, *yoni.* According to *Padma Purāṇa* there are 8,400,000 species of different forms of life. So Kṛṣṇa claims that "All these living entities in different forms of life, I am the seed-giving father of all of them, and the material nature is the mother." Just like father impregnates with the seed, and the mother gives the body, similarly, God impregnates material nature with all kinds of living entities—not in different forms, but the original seed. And according to one's *karma,* he comes out in different types of bodies. The body is given by material nature, and the life is given by God. This is the sum and substance. And therefore God is one, and He's the father of everyone. > As such, without the center point, God consciousness, we cannot substantiate the ideas of universal brotherhood. Because if the center is missing, then how we can think of universal brotherhood? If we accept God is the center point, father, then I can understand you are my brother, because you are also son of God; I am also son of God. But I am missing the father, then we miss also our mutual relationship. Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ*. One who is learned, he does not make any distinction between a tree or a man or animal or a *brāhmaṇa* or a *caṇḍāla,* because he sees that within the body there is the soul, and the soul is spirit, part and parcel of God. That is his vision. --- **[1973: Room Conversation with Rubeigh and Hetty Minney [at Bhaktivedanta Manor](spoken/1973/730723r2.lon)** > So here is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa also says, in the *Bhagavad-gītā*, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ...*. As you... There are so many faiths, but Kṛṣṇa says that "Real religion is to surrender unto Me; therefore you give up all these pseudoreligion." *Sarva-dharmān parityajya,* giving up; *mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*: "Just surrender unto Me, I shall give you protection from all sinful reaction." > They do not know, even the so-called teachers and philosophers, they do not know what is the goal of life, and they are giving misdirection to these people. *Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānā*. Just like a blind man, he is trying to lead other blind men. How he can help? He does not know himself what is the goal of life. There is a defect. Some blind men, they are trying to lead other blind men. Therefore you find in Russia sometimes revolution; again they are coming to their original position. [chuckles] This is going on. *Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānā*. A blind man, "Come on this side, come on this side," and when they come, it is altered: "No, no, no, it is not. Come this side, come this side." [laughter] This is going on. But they do not know what is the goal of life. And this is goal of life. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6](spoken/1973/730723sb.lon)** > Ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ*. We cannot understand God, Kṛṣṇa, by our present senses. Therefore His name is Adhokṣaja. Here, this is the verse, it is said, *yato bhaktir adhokṣaje. Adhokṣaja. Adhokṣaja.* Kṛṣṇa's another name is Adhokṣaja. *Akṣaja* means direct perception. Just like somebody says, "I want to see." This is called *akṣaja. Akṣa* means eyes or senses. So He is not perceived by these blunt material senses. Therefore He is known as Adhokṣaja, *adhah-kṛta akṣaja-jñānaṁ yatra,* where this direct experimental knowledge is defeated. You cannot understand God by your this blunt material experience. No. That is not possible. Therefore we have to submit. We have to surrender. > Tad viddhi praṇipātena paripraśnena sevayā*. If you want to know, then first of all is *praṇipāta. Praṇipāta* means *prakṛṣṭa-rūpeṇa nipāta.* Just like we have got the system, the disciples they fall flat, straight, and offer respect to Deity or to the spiritual master. This is called *praṇipāta. Praṇi... Prakṛṣṭa-rūpeṇa nipāta.* The first thing is *praṇipāta.* You have to find out somebody where you can surrender fully. That is the beginning of spiritual life. *Tad viddhi praṇipātena*. First condition is *praṇipāta. Praṇipātena paripraśnena.* You can inquire. You can ask questions, after you have fully surrendered, not before that. Don't waste your time. It will not act. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.42](spoken/1975/750723sb.la)** > That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You cannot see anywhere where there is no Kṛṣṇa. This is for the devotee. For the ordinary person these are the description, that the *sūrya,* the sun, is also Kṛṣṇa, the fire is also Kṛṣṇa, the sky is also Kṛṣṇa, the air is also Kṛṣṇa, the moon is also Kṛṣṇa, the evening is Kṛṣṇa, daytime is Kṛṣṇa. Then how you can avoid Kṛṣṇa? Kṛṣṇa says that "I am..." *Mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ ca*. Kṛṣṇa is everywhere. You cannot avoid Kṛṣṇa. Simply on account of your foolishness, *māyā* is covering your eyes to see Kṛṣṇa. So *mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te*. > We have to study like that, how *prakṛti* is working. The *prakṛti* is not under your control. That *prakṛti* is working under the supervision of Kṛṣṇa. *Mayādhaykṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram. *As soon as Kṛṣṇa says, "Now make all the trees leafless," immediately leafless. He says, "Make the all the trees with all leafs," immediately with leaves. That is God; that is *prakṛti.* Try to understand like that. Why you compare your silly intelligence with God's intelligence? "I cannot do it; therefore God cannot do it." "I cannot see God; therefore God cannot see me." These rascaldom is going on. Because I am an insignificant creature, *kṣudrād api. Kṣudra. Kṣuḍra* means very, very insignificant—I am comparing myself with the intelligence of God. This is our mistake. --- **[1976: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.113](spoken/1976/760723cc.lon)** > What is the use of studying *Vedas*? To understand Kṛṣṇa. So if you simply understand Kṛṣṇa, then you understand everything. Try to understand Kṛṣṇa thoroughly. And if you understand Kṛṣṇa thoroughly... Of course, it is not possible thoroughly, but it is possible also. Just like Kṛṣṇa is the source of everything. So if you believe it, it is understanding thoroughly. If you believe that what Kṛṣṇa says is fact, then it is understanding thoroughly. If you don't believe, then it is not thoroughly. Because if you make research that "Kṛṣṇa says, 'I am the origin of everything.' Let me make research," that will not be possible. Inconceivable. But if you believe in the words of Kṛṣṇa, then you've studied thoroughly. Where is the difficulty? To study thoroughly does not require much education; simply you believe Him. And if you believe Him... Actually, that is the fact. There must be... Just like the same example: there must be a father of all this creation. Mother nature is mother, and we are all creation, born of material nature. Then there must be father. And when the father says, *ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā*, "I am father," then if we believe this version, then thorough knowledge. Father, mother, children. That is family, creation. > So if we bring everything to our conception, that becomes *cintya,* conceivable. But that is not the fact. Therefore here it is stated, *acintya-jñāna-gocarāḥ.* We have to receive this knowledge from sources which can inform us about all these things inconceivable by us. It is not possible to bring the inconceivable within our conceivable limit. That is not possible. That is foolishness. *Mūḍha. Mūḍha* will not believe. We are finding out, try to... This is knowledge. Athāto brahma-jijñāsā, *janmādy asya yataḥ*, to find out the source of everything, the Absolute Truth. And when the Absolute Truth comes down to inform us, Kṛṣṇa, *ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate*, we don't believe it. First of all we cannot understand it, and if the Supreme Personality of Godhead comes personally to speak about Himself, we do not believe it. This is our position. First of all we shall challenge, "Can you show me God?" And if God comes Himself we don't believe, then what is our position? You want to see God. All right, God has come here. See, here is God. "No, this is idol worship." In the Bengali there is a word, *eguleo nirvaṁśera beṭā pechuleo bheror bhero*. [To be between Scylla and Charybdis.] So this is our position. This position will not help us. We must admit our position that in the God's creation everything is inconceivable by us. We cannot calculate within our limitation. That is not possible. --- ## Letters on July 23 *Letters from this day: 19* --- **[1969: Letter to Madana Mohana](letters/1969/690723_madana_mohana)** > When your health has improved we shall talk of work for you. Please convey my blessings to the others. --- **[1969: Letter to Manager Of The Punjab National Bank](letters/1969/690723_manager_of_the_punjab_national_bank)** > I beg to inform you that I wish to send you at least 1,000 American dollars for the purpose of purchasing Indian goods; such as Musical instruments, books, utensils, incense, etc. --- **[1969: Letter to Vamanadeva](letters/1969/690723_vamanadeva)** > This is very nice, and I don't think there is any need of worrying about her mother's request that she continues to go to school. --- **[1971: Letter to Babhru](letters/1971/710723_babhru)** > Your beads have been duly chanted on by me and they are enclosed herewith. Your spiritual name is Babhru Das Brahmachary. Babhru was a great personality in the Yadu dynasty. --- **[1971: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1971/710723_madhudvisa)** > So far the Vakil Little Gibbs House is concerned, the offer mentioned by you is all right, but one point is that Mr. --- **[1971: Letter to Vrndavana Candra](letters/1971/710723_vrndavana_candra)** > So far these plays are concerned, they are not meant for ordinary people and if they laugh, then that is a great offense. Just like in your play "Putana Killed" there was so much laughing. --- **[1972: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1972/720723_hayagriva)** > Yes, I shall do as you have requested by informing Karandhar that henceforward he should send you $125 monthly, beginning 1st August, 1972, but if you again ask me for increase in expense then I shall have to ask you to take sannyas! --- **[1972: Letter to Jayadeva](letters/1972/720723_jayadeva)** > Krishna's plan becomes very easy for us when we follow Krishna's orders, otherwise, we are following Maya's plan and become frustrated at every step. --- **[1972: Letter to Sankarsana](letters/1972/720723_sankarsana)** > It is very good that you want to become very learned in Krishna Consciousness, but what good is so much knowledge without practice? --- **[1973: Letter to Damodara](letters/1973/730723_damodara)** > Yes, I have recently received a full report from Rupanuga Maharaja on the activities of the Washington D.C. and especially how you are most enthusiastic about book distribution and that you are fixing to purchase the house. --- **[1973: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1973/730723_jagadisa)** > There is no objection to going in western clothes in order to distribute my books. It is not necessary that we always wear the robes, but we should always keep sikha and teelock. However, a wig or hat may be worn as you describe. --- **[1973: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1973/730723_karandhara)** > Enclosed please find three checks. Please deposit them in my Bank of America Account no 366/8-80613, and send me duplicate receipt. --- **[1973: Letter to Kurusrestha](letters/1973/730723_kurusrestha)** > Regarding book distribution, everyone, including book distributers, must follow the standard regulations. Book distribution is preaching, it should not be thought of as done for money. It is executed as a preaching purpose. --- **[1973: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1973/730723_sukadeva)** > Regarding the starting of a society newsletter, I think there is no need for it. Do not unnecessarily increase your responsibilities. What responsibilities you have make perfect. --- **[1975: Letter to Abhinanda Gopesvara](letters/1975/750723_abhinanda_gopesvara)** > Regarding a book agent, we have got our agent, India Book House in Calcutta. Also Gopala Krishna is arranging with our printer in Delhi who can also import books. --- **[1975: Letter to Bank Of America](letters/1975/750723_bank_of_america)** > 553, San Francisco to your bank in favor of INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS A/c. 16026 for the amount of Dollars 24,846.39 (twenty four thousand eight hundred forty six and thirty nine cents). --- **[1975: Letter to Cyavana](letters/1975/750723_cyavana)** > I am glad to see that you are working enthusiastically there in Africa to spread Lord Caitanya's movement. --- **[1975: Letter to Dhananjaya](letters/1975/750723_dhananjaya)** > Enclosed please find a copy of my letter dated July 23, 1975 to Syndicate Bank, Vrindaban. --- **[1975: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1975/750723_giriraja)** > Enclosed find a copy of my letter to Bank of America, Bombay. Please take this copy to the Manager and see whether they have made the Fixed Deposit in the name of Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. ---