# August 25 ## Spoken on August 25 *Lectures from this day: 6 recordings* --- **[1968: Prabhupāda Comments on Prahlāda Mahārāja Slides](spoken/1968/680825cm.mon)** > Just like in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* The *Bhagavad-gītā* is spoken in the battlefield, and Arjuna was denying to fight, but Kṛṣṇa was asking him to fight. So the fighting was good, because it was the will of the Absolute Personality of Godhead. Therefore at the end of understanding *Bhagavad-gītā,* Arjuna agreed, "Yes, I shall fight." > Similarly, the fighting spirit is there. Sometimes that is exhibited by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And He wanted to exhibit such fighting spirit, so who will fight with Him? Ordinary living being cannot fight with the Supreme Lord. Therefore some of His devotees, some of His associates, must fight with Him. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.22](spoken/1972/720825sb.la)** > That is *saṁśaya.* But actually, if you are advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you must be free from all doubts. You must know perfectly well what is Kṛṣṇa. So that is also possible by devotional service. Just like Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā, bhaktyā mām abhijānāti* : > So here it is said: *ato vai kavayo nityaṁ bhaktiṁ paramayā mudā vāsudeve bhagavati*. Therefore those who are actually in the knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, science of God, they firmly fixed up in the devotional service of Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva. *Vāsudeve bhagavati.* Then what about the third class? The third class also, if he stick to the devotional service according to the rules and regulation, *vāsudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogaḥ nayojitaḥ...*. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 2.19–20](spoken/1973/730825bg.lon)** > So nobody kills anybody, neither anybody is killed by other. This is one thing. Again, in a different way, Kṛṣṇa says, *na jāyate:* the living entity never takes birth. The birth is of the body or the death is of the body. Living entity, the spiritual spark, then that being Kṛṣṇa's part and parcel, as Kṛṣṇa does not take birth, does not die... *Ajo 'pi sann avyayātmā*, you'll find in the Fourth Chapter. *Ajo 'pi.* Kṛṣṇa is *aja. Aja* means who never takes birth. Similarly, we being part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, we also never take birth. The birth and death is of this body, and we are so absorbed in the bodily concept of life that when there is birth or death of the body we feel the pains and pleasure. There is no pleasure, of course. Birth and death, it is very painful. Because... That is already explained. The consciousness of the soul is spread all over the body. Therefore the pains and pleasure felt on account of this body. > So Kṛṣṇa has already advised that such kinds of pains and pleasure, *mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya*, touching the skin only, one should not be very much bothered. *Tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata.* In this way if we think about our position, self-realization, how we are different from the body... Actually, this is meditation. If we think very seriously about ourselves and about the body, that is self-realization. Self-realization means I am not this body; I am *ahaṁ brahmāsmi,* I am spirit soul. That is self-realization. --- **[1976: Bhagavad-gītā 1.1 in Hindi](spoken/1976/760825bg.hyd)** > [Transl. Did he write so that people can interpret it? He wrote it to understand. It is very simple. Interpretation is required only when the meaning is incomprehensible. When it is clearly understood that there is a place called Kurukṣetra, and according to the *śāstra* it is a place of pilgrimage. Even today, if there is any quarrel in the village they go to temple to settle it. Why? Because still today it is a practice that nobody tells lie in the temple. The matter is settled. Similarly, the battle took place in a place of pilgrimage so that the dispute may be settled.* [Transl. Therefore Dhṛtarāṣṭra is asking what did they do? They went to fight, so it is assumed that they must have fought. Then why is he asking that having assembled there what did they do? He meant that after going to a place of pilgrimage did he change his mind or not? This means not to tell a lie. Previously people were afraid to speak lie before the Supreme Lord. They would speak the truth. In the same way, Dhṛtarāṣṭra knew very well that the kingdom belongs to the Pāṇḍavas. It is their father's kingdom. > [Transl. By conspiracy we have put them into so many troubles and now the battle is about to start. So after going to a place of pilgrimage they might not settle it up. Because he didn't want a settlement. He wanted a battle, because the Kauravas are hundred brothers whereas the Pāṇḍavas are only five brothers. He thought our power is more, our soldiers are more in numbers. So if there is fight the five brothers will definitely be killed. And my sons will enjoy the kingdom without any hindrance. This is what he wanted. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/760825r1.hyd)** > Unless you are completely free from all sinful reaction, there is no *upāsana.* That is practice. That is practice. Just like neophyte, one is practicing. Just like one student is practicing. That is *sa bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ.* This is material. But when you are *pakkā,* practiced, then you go to the *nitya-dhāma.* And your business is the same. Here it is practice and there it is permanent. That's all. *Nitya-yuktā upāsate.* The *upāsanā* continues. --- ## Letters on August 25 *Letters from this day: 9* --- **[1967: Letter to Pradyumna](letters/1967/670825_pradyumna)** > I am so much pleased that everything is going on so nicely in Montreal, and that you are ever more actively engaged for Krishna, even in the absence of myself and Kirtanananda, It is a great credit to you, and I thank you for it. You should know that it is all due to your sincerity of heart; when we are sincere, Krishna will always help us, either in external direction by the Spiritual Master, or internally by His Paramatma expansion. The program you have decided on for the Lord's Advent Day is nice. --- **[1970: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1970/700825_bali-mardana)** > Srila Vyasadeva is the original Spiritual Master for anyone who is following the Vedic way of spiritual realization. --- **[1970: Letter to Jaya Gopala](letters/1970/700825_jaya_gopala)** > Regarding your marriage, I have no objection, but if you accept a girl for marriage she should be younger than you. At least she should not exceed your age. I know you are a very sincere devotee and I wish everyone of my devotees may purify himself from all material contamination and thus be eligible for entering into the association of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. --- **[1971: Letter to Amogha Hanuman](letters/1971/710825_amogha_hanuman)** > I am so glad to hear now nicely your travelling and preaching program is going on so you continue with it as far as possible in that area. --- **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/710825_satsvarupa)** > Also I have received your tape recording and have listened to the marriage institution very nicely. So far your questions: --- **[1971: Letter to Sivananda](letters/1971/710825_sivananda)** > About taking jobs I have already sent one letter to Hansadutta in this connection. --- **[1971: Letter to Sri Sharmaji](letters/1971/710825_sri_sharmaji)** > And we can defy any opposing elements, not to mention the arya samaj. The arya samaj movement started in India but now it is dead and gone. A few people are there only. --- **[1972: Letter to Vasudevaya Others](letters/1972/720825_vasudevaya_others)** > As long as you are following our Krishna Conscious principles I have no objection if you remain separate from the other devotees in the Cleveland Center. --- **[1973: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1973/730825_karandhara)** > Please deposit this check in my investment account at the Bank of America, Culver City branch. Enclosed please find one check for 18.38 dollars U.S. ---