# August 15 ## Spoken on August 15 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1966: Lecture](spoken/1966/660815bg.ny.md)** > Now, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa says that "Just like if you have got a very good ship, you can very easily cross the Atlantic Ocean without any difficulty, similarly, we are in the midst of the ocean of ignorance." Our, this life, this conditioned life in the material world is just like the ocean of ignorance, ocean of ignorance. So Lord Caitanya, therefore, He prayed to Śrī Kṛṣṇa like this, *ayi nanda-tanuja patitaṁ kiṅkaraṁ māṁ viṣame bhavāmbudhau:* "My dear Lord Kṛṣṇa, I am just fallen in the ocean of ignorance." So we are in the ocean of ignorance. Now, in the ocean, if you get a very good boat or very good ship, as you can cross over, similarly, if we have the ship or the boat of perfect knowledge, then there is no fear. We can cross the ocean very easily. We can cross this ocean very easily. > Therefore here it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that *tad viddhi praṇipātena:* "If you are at all serious to understand that transcendental knowledge, then you must approach to a person who has experience of the Absolute Truth." Otherwise, it is not possible. If you think that "I shall realize by mental speculation the Absolute Truth, it is not possible." Because you are sub... I mean, you are fructified with only imperfections. Your senses cannot approach. Therefore Brahman is said, *avāṅ-mānasa-gocara*. Avāṅ-mānasa- > "It is beyond, beyond the mental speculation." And there is another name of the Supreme Lord, Adhokṣaja. Adhokṣaja. Adhokṣaja means *adhah-kṛtaḥ akṣajaṁ jñānaṁ yatra,* "where our material senses are defeated." Our material senses are defeated. We are defeated in every respect. So it is not possible to realize the Absolute Truth if we do not find a person who is realized soul, who is absolute, who has understood. It doesn't matter who is he. Lord Caitanya recommended... --- **[1968: Initiation of Rukmiṇī Dāsī](spoken/1968/680815in.mon)** > This is the power of devotee. He hasn't got to go to Jagannātha, but Jagannātha comes to see Him. Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu used to come daily to Haridāsa Ṭhākura. When He was going to take bath in the sea, so He would first of all enter Haridāsa's cottage: "Haridāsa, what you are doing?" "Yes, my Lord. Please come." So this is the position of devotee. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *mad-bhakta-pūjābhyadhikā*.* If somebody worships a devotee, that worshipment is more valuable than worshiping Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says like that. > Nānā-śāstra-vicāraṇaika-nipuṇau:* they were expert in scrutinizingly studying all the scriptures. *Nānā-śāstra-vicāraṇaika-nipuṇau. Nipuṇau* means expert. Why? *Sad-dharma-saṁsthāpakau:* to establish real religion in the world. Real religion. Just yesterday we have received one letter from Mr. Renovich, Vancouver. He says that the Canadians, they want real religion. That's very good, encouraging. Anyone, if he is anxious to have real religion, for him this is the best thing, this *kṛṣṇa-kīrtana-gāna-nartana.* So without religion, human society is nothing but animal society. It is simply polished animalism. --- **[1968: Conversation with Devotees](spoken/1968/680815r1.mon)** > Your child is very nice. It does not cry. [laughter] Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. So your starting is very nice. --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.1.2](spoken/1971/710815sb.lon)** > So we should remember this is the difference between other bodies and this body. Here, we become awakened that "Why I am conditioned?" Just like Sanātana Gosvāmī, when he approached Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu... He was minister, great man, very opulent. So the first question was put before Lord Caitanya, *'ke āmi', 'kene āmāya jāre tāpa-traya'* : "My dear master, I have come to You to ask the first question, that 'What I am? Why I am conditioned to suffer three kinds of miserable condition of life always?' " > So the ultimate goal being liberation, we have to adjust things, targeting to that point. That is real human civilization. The Vedic civilization is based on this view, that all the conditioned souls, they have... Why they have become conditioned? The reason is they revolted against Kṛṣṇa. They wanted to imitate Kṛṣṇa. That is the mentality everywhere. You know, everyone says, "Oh, I don't care for God. I don't care for anything. I am at liberty to do anything." Just the hippies, they say, "We don't care for anything, state laws or convention or police or anything." The idea is that everyone is wanting liberation, "Be high." Because that is our constitutional position. Liberation. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.12](spoken/1972/720815sb.la)** > So people, they sometimes say, "Can you show me God? Have you seen God?" These questions sometimes we meet. So the answer is here. Yes, you can see God. Everyone can see God. I am also seeing God. But there must be the qualification. Just like God is there... Suppose a motorcar is there, something is wrong there. Everyone is seeing. But one engineer or mechanic, he sees differently. Therefore we have to go there. "What is the wrong in this car? It is not running." He immediately touches some machine part; it runs. > So these rascal, they do not know that "How I can see God if I have not the qualification?" The machine has gone wrong, I am seeing the machine. And the engineer, the mechanic, he is also seeing the machine. But his seeing and my seeing is different. He's qualified to see. Therefore when the machine has gone wrong, immediately he touches some part, it runs. So if for a machine we require so much qualification, and we want to see God without any qualification? Just see the fun. Without any qualification. Rascal, they are so rascal, so fool, that they want to see God with their nuisance qualification. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 2.9](spoken/1973/730815bg.lon)** > So real success of life is that when you learned how to love God. Then your heart will be satisfied. *Yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ*. If you get Kṛṣṇa, or God... Kṛṣṇa means God. If you have got another name of God, that is also accepted. But God, the Supreme Lord, the Supreme Person, when you have got this... Because we are loving somebody. The loving propensity is there, in everyone. But it is misdirected. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, "Kick out all these loving objects. Try to love Me." *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam*. In this way your loving will never be able to satisfy you. *Yenātmā samprasīdati.* If you want real satisfaction, then you must love Kṛṣṇa, or God. That is the whole philosophy of..., Vedic philosophy. Or any philosophy you take. > We can make our standard of living very comfortable, but with the purpose of attaining perfection in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You live comfortably—that's all right—but don't live like animals, simply increasing sense gratification. The human effort is going on how to live comfortably, but they want to live comfortably for sense gratification. That is the mistake of the modern civilization. *Yuktāhāra-vihāraś ca yogo bhavati siddhiḥ*. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said *yuktāhāra.* Yes, you must eat, you must sleep, you must satisfy your senses, you must arrange for defense—as much as possible; not to divert attention too much. --- **[1974: Bhagavad-gītā 7.9](spoken/1974/740815bg.vrn)** > So *ācārya, guru,* representative, it is not difficult. Simply one has to become very, very sincere. One must undergo the simple *tapasyas* as prescribed in the *śāstra.* Caitanya Mahā... Yes. Haridāsa Ṭhākura. *Āpani ācari prabhu jīvere śikhāya.* He was preaching also the glorification of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa by personal example; therefore he is accepted as *guru.* All the Vaiṣṇavas, all the *ācāryas,* Gosvāmīs, they acted accordingly and preached. Therefore they are *ācāryas.* And Kṛṣṇa says, *ācāryaṁ māṁ vijānīyān nāva-manyeta karhicit*. These are the instructions. > So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is there. It is very simple. There is no difficulty. We have to always... *Man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ*. Now, for us, those who are materially attached, we cannot think twenty-four hours of Kṛṣṇa. It is very pleasing, but because we are materially attached, we cannot do that. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is prescribing that "You see the varieties of this material world and try to remember Me." These are the varieties: *puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṁ ca, tejaś cāsmi vibhāvasau.* "You study, nature study." Just like we study nature study, similarly, "You study nature and see these important points. And there I am." It is very scientific. You study nature and pick up some point, and Kṛṣṇa says that "This is I am." Where is the difficulty? This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You drink water—you remember Kṛṣṇa. You see the light—remember Kṛṣṇa. You see the flavor, aroma of very nice flower, *puṇya gandhaḥ—*immediately remember Kṛṣṇa. Practice this. It is not difficult. --- **[1976: Evening Darśana](spoken/1976/760815ed.bom)** > Prabhupāda:* [Transl. So, they must get beaten. Until they surrender they are beaten.] *Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ*. [Transl. So long they are criminals the police will beat them up. But as soon as they give up their mischief there will be no connection with police. *Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ* Otherwise go on being beaten by police.] > Prabhupāda:*[Transl. *That's the thing. He won't do, so māyā forces him to do it by beating with shoes repeatedly.] Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā*. [Transl. Having been beaten by shoes, he comes to his senses. That is his remedy.] Beating with shoes by *māyā,* that's all. [Transl. This is *māyā's* job. To trash nicely. In this way suffer miseries life after life. Life after life.]* [Lady enters] --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/760815mw.bom)** > This advantage is not available by everyone. They divided the property, this side five *lakhs* and the vacant side nine *lakhs.* Fourteen *lakhs.* So anyway, we took both the sides. Taking this side, five *lakhs,* now this one building is worth five *lakhs.* There are six buildings. Very high. And we have got six buildings. > Dr. Patel: I think you should stay here little time. It will produce good effect on your health. And on our health also. [laughs] Prabhupā > So let us go down. [end] --- ## Letters on August 15 *Letters from this day: 39* --- **[1967: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1967/670815_brahmananda)** > I am a little disturbed to learn about your financial position as serious. I think you don't have to pay anything to Boston, as every center should be independent, especially when Satsvarupa and Rayarama are there. --- **[1967: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1967/670815_hansadutta)** > I am also very happy to learn that Himavati is going to have a baby. A child is a rare gift given by Krishna, but at the same time a great responsibility; every parent has the responsibility to see that his child grows up K.C. --- **[1969: Letter to Krsna Dasa](letters/1969/690815_krsna_dasa)** > It is understood that the ticket you have sent to New York was redirected to me here in Los Angeles, but somehow or other it has never arrived here. --- **[1969: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1969/690815_madhudvisa)** > Jayananda and Chidananda are tested devotees as much as yourself and Tamala Krishna. --- **[1970: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1970/700815_karandhara)** > Under the circumstances I shall request you to send as much as possible every week to this Bhaktivedanta Book Fund Deposit so that I may not feel any difficulty to meet my obligation. Now you have in stock about 10,000 copies of *KRSNA,* face value of which is about $75,000, so kindly try to collect as much as possible and send your weekly collections to this deposit fund. --- **[1970: Letter to Vasudeva](letters/1970/700815_vasudeva)** > I am very glad to know that you are very fully engaged in the duties of chanting regularly 16 rounds, going out on Sankirtana, performing arcana for the Deities and painting. --- **[1971: Letter to Damodara Patita Pavana Michael Tom Emily Tosana Roset Mrganetri Gulab Patrick Others](letters/1971/710815_damodara_patita_pavana_michael_tom_emily_tosana_roset_mrganetri_gulab_patrick_others)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1971/710815_gurudasa)** > Yes, I received your Vyasa Puja offerings and the booklet was so nice. Thank you very much. --- **[1971: Letter to Indira](letters/1971/710815_indira)** > So if you are afraid of your husband's taking sannyasa, I shall not give him sannyasa order at any time. Your husband is already a householder sannyasi because he has no other business than to serve Krishna. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Amsterdam](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_amsterdam)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaj. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Boston Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_boston_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Boulder Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_boulder_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Calcutta Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_calcutta_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Cleveland Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_cleveland_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Detroit Sons And Daughters](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_detroit_sons_and_daughters)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Hamburg Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_hamburg_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon L.A. Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_l.a._devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Laguna Beach Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_laguna_beach_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Malaysia Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_malaysia_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon N.Y. Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_n.y._devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon New Orleans Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_new_orleans_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Ocean City Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_ocean_city_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Pittsburgh Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_pittsburgh_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Portland Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_portland_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Press Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_press_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon San Diego Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_san_diego_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon St. Louis Devotees](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_st._louis_devotees)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Trinidad Vaikunthanatha Saradia](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_trinidad_vaikunthanatha_saradia)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Iskcon Tucson Sons And Daughters](letters/1971/710815_iskcon_tucson_sons_and_daughters)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Mahamsa Ksudhi Rsi Kumara Nandakumara Tusta Krsna Krsna Tulasi Gurukrpa Madhudvisa Others](letters/1971/710815_mahamsa_ksudhi_rsi_kumara_nandakumara_tusta_krsna_krsna_tulasi_gurukrpa_madhudvisa_others)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu coming down by disciplic succession to my Guru Maharaja. --- **[1971: Letter to Sons And Daughters Iskcon Chicago](letters/1971/710815_sons_and_daughters_iskcon_chicago)** > You are all helping me in pushing forward this mission of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu coming down by disciplic succession to my guru Maharaj. --- **[1972: Letter to Bank Of America](letters/1972/720815_bank_of_america)** > Kindly transfer the above account with all balance to your Branch No. 366, 3849 Main Street, Culver City, which is nearer to my residence at the above address. --- **[1973: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1973/730815_jagadisa)** > The book fund debts should always be cleared very quickly, otherwise how books will come out, so always pay regularly as you collect. --- **[1973: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1973/730815_madhudvisa)** > Regarding the old lady blessing the king, although the part of a constable is not very big, but the blessing is big always. Just as Krishna wants from his devotee a little flower, a little leaf, a little water, or a little fruit, these things are not very big things, still if a faithful devotee offers to Lord Krishna with love and service, Krishna accepts them very gladly. So Krishna's gladness and the devotee's love and sincerity, they are taken into consideration. --- **[1973: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1973/730815_tamala_krsna)** > I am sending you the copy of a letter sent to Mahamsa that was sent to you in reply to your letter of 2nd August which should explain everything clearly. --- **[1973: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1973/730815_tejiyas)** > If you make some of the big Government officials interested in our movement then our strength will increase. Because we are in the material world sometimes we require that help. Another point is that if a government officer becomes our admirer or member then many others will follow, so try to make them sympathisers. --- **[1975: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1975/750815_tejiyas)** > Regarding the importation of printing paper, it will not be as gift, but it will be paid for from India in foreign exchange. --- **[1976: Letter to Ambarisa](letters/1976/760815_ambarisa)** > Your idea of opening up an account, depositing in it, and sending me the monthly statements is very nice. --- **[1976: Letter to Mr. Gupta](letters/1976/760815_mr._gupta)** > I am going to New Delhi by the end of the month. You can come there and take information. ---