# August 26 ## Spoken on August 26 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 5.7–13](spoken/1966/660826bg.ny.md)** > So, *paśyañ śṛṇvan spṛśañ jighrann aśnan gacchan svapan śvasan*. These are our activities. *Paśyan,* we act by seeing. We act by hearing. We act by touching. We act by smelling. We act by going. We act by dreaming. We act by breathing. So many our activities are... So in all these, going on. But a *tattva-vit,* one who is in the perfect knowledge and is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he, although he is doing all these things he knows, "I'm not doing." This is *tattva-vit.* Although he's doing all these things he knows that "I am not doing. Kṛṣṇa is doing. I am simply instrumental. I am simply instrument." That is the perfection. > Yoga-yukto munir brahma.* But one who is in dovetail, one who is dovetailed with the Supreme, *yoga-yukto munir brahma na cireṇādhigacchati. Brahma. Yoga-yuktaḥ.* If I am dovetailed with Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then *acireṇa. Acireṇa* means very soon I shall realize myself as Brahman. I am Brahman. It is simply question of realization. By misconception, by illusion, I am thinking that I am matter, but actually I am Brahman. The whole process is to realize that "I am Brahman. I am not this matter." So this conception, Brahman conception, or realization, self-realization, is possible, *yoga-yuktaḥ,* if I am always dovetailed with Kṛṣṇa consciousness. --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6](spoken/1971/710826sb.lon)** > Just like the mental speculators, they are making research, "What is God?" Speculating. You have got experience, they are writing volumes of books simply by speculation. So to them, this word is the answer. What is that? *Adhah-kṛtaṁ akṣajaṁ jñānam:* "You may go on speculating for many thousands of years; still you will be cut down. You will never be able to understand what is God." Therefore this particular word is used, *adhokṣaja. Adhah-kṛtaṁ akṣajaṁ jñānaṁ yatra tatram.* This is the Sanskrit definition of this word. > So God's another name is Adhokṣaja. Just like "Kṛṣṇa" is one name; "God" is general name. "God is great," and... We generally define like that: "God is great." But we do not know *how* great He is. That definition is given perfectly: "Kṛṣṇa." If you want a perfect definition of the word *God,* then it is *Kṛṣṇa.* Because *Kṛṣṇa* means all-attractive. All-attractive. Unless one is all-attractive, how one can be God, the great? The general definition is "the great." But this is a nicer definition: "Great" means all-attractive. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.23](spoken/1972/720826sb.la)** > Therefore, in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *ūrdhva-mūlam adhah-śākham*. You have... You know. Just like a tree, standing on the shore of a reservoir of water, you'll find the reflection of the tree downwards. Everything is topsy-turvied. The trunk, the root is on the up, and the foliage, which is on the up, that has come down. Similarly, this material world is described in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* Fifteenth Chapter: *ūrdhva-mūlam adhah-śākham.* Generally, we see tree downwards, root, but in the reflection you will find the roots upward. Therefore *ūrdhva-mūlam adhah-śākham* means these material varieties are simply an imitation of the original variety. > Śreyāṁsi,* if you want... *Śreyāṁsi* means if you want really ultimate benefit of your life, then *sattva-tanoḥ. Sattva-tanoḥ* means Viṣṇu. You have to take shelter of the form of the Lord who is representing *sattva-guṇa,* goodness. Not the *rajo-guṇa,* not the *tamo-guṇa.* If you take to *rajo-guṇa, tamo-guṇa,* then *tadā rajas-tamo-bhāvāḥ kāma-lobhādayaś ca ye*,* then you will be influenced by two qualities, namely greediness and lust. That's all. You'll never come to your senses. You'll be carried away by these two modes of material nature. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 2.21–22](spoken/1973/730826bg.lon)** > We are all rascals, we are manufacturing our different ways of life: "I think." So you are thinking. As soon as you are thinking... But we cannot fulfill our desires without sanction of God. That is not possible. But because we are persisting, that "I want to fulfill my desire in this way," Kṛṣṇa is sanctioning, "All right." Just like a child persists to possess something. The father gives, "All right, take it." So all these bodies we are getting, although by the sanction of the Supreme Lord, but He is sanctioning with reluctance, that "Why this rascal is wanting like this?" This is our position. Therefore, at last Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya* : "Give up this rascaldom, 'I want this body, I want that body, I want to enjoy life in this way'—give up all this nonsense." > So take it, this body or the country or the nation or the world or the universe, nothing belongs to you. The owner is Kṛṣṇa. The owner is *sarva-loka-maheśvaram*.* Kṛṣṇa says, "I am the owner." So mistake is that we do not know the owner, and we are, although we have occupied, improperly using our occupation. That is material condition. Improper. Otherwise, the direction is there, the director is sitting there. He's always helping you. But the disease is that we are claiming to be owner and want to act according to my whims, and that is material condition. My business is to work for the owner, not for me. Therefore, that is my position, constitu... --- **[1973: Lecture](spoken/1973/730826le.lon)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa advises that *mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ*. Our material understanding of pains and pleasure—on account of this body. When the body feels cold, we cover. When the body feels very warm, we uncover. The covering and uncovering is due to seasonal changes. Therefore this material world means changing always. It is called *jagat. Jagat* means always changing. On account of the material world's changing, we feel pains and pleasure on this material body. Kṛṣṇa advises, therefore, that *mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣṇa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ.* The material pains and pleasures, they are on account of this body. But we are not this body; we are spirit soul. Our main business is how to elevate the soul to its original position of eternity. That is our problem. > So *na kāṅkṣati.* But Kṛṣṇa sends for the facility of our business. Kṛṣṇa gives us all facilities, that's a fact. Although we did not endeavor for constructing this house or so many other houses, but Kṛṣṇa sends us money, Kṛṣṇa sends us the means how to have nice house, how to accommodate the devotees nicely, how to have nice cars also, nice food, everything. There is no scarcity. Don't think that Kṛṣṇa conscious people... We have no business. We are not professional men. Still, we are living better than any ordinary man. That is Kṛṣṇa's grace. Kṛṣṇa says, *teṣāṁ satata-yuktānāṁ, yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham*.* He knows, just like a father knows the innocent child's needs. A small child, innocent child, simply dependent on the father or mother. The father, mother knows what this child requires now for his comfort. So father, mother supplies. --- **[1973: Room Conversation with Guest](spoken/1973/730826r2.lon)** > But these rascals, they do not believe that there is a judge and there is judgment, there is life after death, there is... Therefore I say they are rascals. I don't say whimsically. Because they are misleading, therefore they are rascals. So many human being they are misleading by false knowledge. How much disservice they are doing they do not know, by giving false knowledge, misleading people. *Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānās*. A blind man is giving lead to thousands of blind men, what is the result? All of them will fall in a ditch. This is going on. > So what is the use of cultivating this knowledge? The real problem is there: birth, death, old age and disease. How to get out of this? They do not know. They are simply theorizing—this theory, that theory, that theory, that theory. What is the value of all these theories? You are compelled by nature [indistinct]. As soon as nature comes, "Please get out from this platform," you have no theory. Finished, all your knowledge. They are not thinking of that. They are not thinking of that, that "What is the value of my theories?" Real problems are there. And that is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā: janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam*. This is real knowledge, that we are theorizing in so many ways, but we must always put forward before us, "Here is birth, here is death, here is old age and disease." --- **[1975: Bhagavad-gītā 7.1 in Hindi](spoken/1975/750826bg.vrn)** > Only the devotees can understand the Lord. The mental speculators cannot, the mystic yogis cannot, the materialistic persons cannot. The Lord says, no. Those who engage in fruitive activities, "*karmaṇā mām abhijānāti*." No. "*Jñānena mām abhijānāti.*" No. "*yogena mām abhijānāti*" No. He can know partially only. The Lord is s*ac-cid-ānanda vigraha* [eternal, full of knowledge and bliss]. Fruitive activities cannot give any clue about the Supreme Lord. The *jñānīs* or dry mental speculators realize something, that is *sad-aṁśa*: the *sat*: eternity aspect of the absolute truth. The Lord is *oṁ tat sat*, that they realize. *Sad vastu*, eternal, the mental speculators know this much, not more. And the *yogīs* realize the Paramātmā feature of the Lord. The Lord is realized in three features, > Those who are impersonalists and who do not accept the form of the Supreme Lord, they are called *jñānī*. *Jñānī* means who has acquired complete knowledge of the Absolute Truth. '*Ahaṁ brahmāsmi*' "I am not this material body. I am Brahman." One who has this complete knowledge he is called a *brahma-jñānī* an impersonalist. And *brahma-bhūtaḥ, brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā*, * one whose soul becomes blissful. So in the Brahman realization, the Lord can be realized partially not completely. Complete knowledge will be achived only when, just like the Lord says, *asaṁśayaṁ samagraṁ. Samagraṁ* means complete, not partial. Partial knowledge is Brahman realization, if you advance further then Paramātmā realization and complete knowledge, --- ## Letters on August 26 *Letters from this day: 25* --- **[1958: Letter to Jugalkishore Birla](letters/1947-1965/580826_jugalkishore_birla)** > We know it also that you have spent much of you valuable energies for this purpose but so far it has not been to your satisfaction. The purpose of the Bhagavad-gita can be preached only when it is taken up by real devotees of Krishna the Personality of Godhead. --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/680826_brahmananda)** > Regarding the cover of the *Bhagavad-gita as it is*: I want to present before a Consulate General this cover when I may be called to visit him, but because you have wanted it back, so I am sending it to you. If you can secure advance order, that is more important business than showing it to a Consulate General. --- **[1968: Letter to Jayananda Kartikeya Syama Dorothy Visnujana Dan Tom Russell Michael Krsna Devi Others](letters/1968/680826_jayananda_kartikeya_syama_dorothy_visnujana_dan_tom_russell_michael_krsna_devi_others)** > I am so grateful to you for your invitation to come to San Francisco as soon as possible, and equally I am also anxious to go there, but for certain unavoidable reasons, I cannot immediately go to San Francisco. --- **[1970: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1970/700826_jayapataka)** > I feel very much obliged to you for your nice understanding about my mission. Your offer of service to the cause of our Lord is also welcomed. --- **[1971: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1971/710826_karandhara)** > At your recommendation I have consented to accept Philip Murphy and Freda Tepler as my duly initiated disciples and their letters and beads are enclosed herewith. --- **[1971: Letter to Nityananda Kanya Kumari](letters/1971/710826_nityananda_kanya_kumari)** > I am so glad to hear that your program is going on so nicely there in New Orleans and especially that Sankirtana and BTG distribution are so successful. --- **[1971: Letter to Smita Krishna](letters/1971/710826_smita_krishna)** > Your spiritual name is Smita Krishna Das Brahmachary. Smita Krishna means Krsna who is smiling. Your beads are also duly chanted on by me and they are enclosed herewith. --- **[1972: Letter to Devotees](letters/1972/720826_devotees)** > I am so much pleased with your kind and affectionate words on the occasion of my birthday anniversary on the Nandotsava day this year (1972). --- **[1972: Letter to Gaurasundara](letters/1972/720826_gaurasundara)** > Where have you got this idea to retire and simply translate books? My Spiritual Master has given me the instruction to spread this movement all over the world and you are my good disciples, are helping me do this. --- **[1972: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1972/720826_jayapataka)** > I am very glad to know that the work is going on carefully under your direction and that building will the first class building in all of Nadia Province. --- **[1972: Letter to Ksirodaksayee](letters/1972/720826_ksirodaksayee)** > My Dear Ksirodaksayee, Please accept my blessings. It is understood that you are not coming in the temple since I left London. --- **[1972: Letter to Madhavananda](letters/1972/720826_madhavananda)** > I have also looked at the article in Kothari Magazine and it is done very nicely. --- **[1975: Letter to Deoji Punja](letters/1975/750826_deoji_punja)** > Yes, I will come there to lay the foundation stone as you invite me. I am sending a copy of this letter to Madhudvisa Swami so he may be instructed to cooperate with you. --- **[1975: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1975/750826_giriraja)** > So this is very good news. Actually Krishna is doing everything. Only we are taking the credit. --- **[1975: Letter to Gurukrpa](letters/1975/750826_gurukrpa)** > Regarding Manasvi you immediately inform the police that he has misappropriated so much money. --- **[1975: Letter to Jagannatha-Suta](letters/1975/750826_jagannatha-suta)** > We can say all these big so-called philosophers are all simply mudhas. Our philosophy is perfect, and we cannot be defeated by anyone. --- **[1975: Letter to Radhavallabha](letters/1975/750826_radhavallabha)** > Regarding the English editing discrepancies, that how can I know? Let them point out which part and on which page so I can see. --- **[1975: Letter to Ramesvara](letters/1975/750826_ramesvara)** > Please see why he has not done it yet for this month. Now Bombay is requesting that more money be sent. --- **[1975: Letter to Sri Raj Kapoor](letters/1975/750826_sri_raj_kapoor)** > So after ten years of struggle, in 1965 I went to USA, and by the grace of Krishna it has become successful all over Europe, America, Canada, and Australia. As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita; *yad yad acarati sresthas, tad tad evetaro janah, sa yat paramanam kurute, lokas tad anuvartate* bg/3/21. --- **[1976: Letter to Bhakta Dasa](letters/1976/760826_bhakta_dasa)** > On your recommendation I am accepting the following boys and girls as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1976: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1976/760826_brahmananda)** > Generally in our centers they issue Janmastami invitations along with Vyasa Puja invitations. --- **[1976: Letter to Dinesh Candra Sarkar](letters/1976/760826_dinesh_candra_sarkar)** > I am now staying at Delhi at the above address. From here I shall go to Vrndavana. I am also not keeping good health. --- **[1976: Letter to Radhavallabha](letters/1976/760826_radhavallabha)** > You may title this book, *Teachings of Lord Kapila,* but it must be subtitled, "The Son of Devahuti". That will remain, do not try to change it. The Americans may like it or not like it, but we must make the distinction between *devahuti putra kapila,* and the atheistic Kapila. --- **[1976: Letter to Sri Kuwar Candra Prakash](letters/1976/760826_sri_kuwar_candra_prakash)** > Just now I am in New Delhi at the above address and am going to Vrndavana by the 2nd or 3rd of September. --- **[1976: Letter to Sri Tripathi](letters/1976/760826_sri_tripathi)** > I shall be in Vrndavana by the 2nd or 3rd of September. Please come and see me at that time. ---