# September 4 ## Spoken on September 4 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1968: Lecture [Partially Recorded](spoken/1968/680904le.ny)** > On the subject—absolute truth and the *yoga* system. In continuation of the same subject matter. And just time to see, why Arjuna the great hero of *Mahābhārata* declined to accept this system. And Therefore today's subject matter is: *Arjuna declines*. > Now, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa while instructing on the *yoga* system to Arjuna. And he had only [indistinct] to the last point of realization. It is called *samādhi.* And the symptoms of such *samādhi* is explained in this way: --- **[1968: Kīrtana and Room Conversation](spoken/1968/680904r1.ny)** > Anyone who knows carpentry work he can do that.... If it has to be cut in corners and then with some nails, no? This frame is very nice.... Hare Kṛṣṇa. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 2.36–37](spoken/1973/730904bg.lon)** > So Kṛṣṇa says in two ways that "If you don't fight, then your enemies will blaspheme you." *Avācya-vādāṁś ca vadiṣyanti bahūn.* "They'll concoct, manufacture some blasphemy against you. You are becoming very much sorry to fight with your kinsmen. Undoubtedly you are very sorry. But if you are blasphemed, defamed by your enemies, better, before getting that, you better die in the fight. And dying, by dying, you are not loser. Because *hato vā prāpsyasi svargam.* Even if you die, don't think that you are loser, because immediately you are promoted to the heavenly planet. Because you are fighting for the right cause, it becomes *puṇyavān,*" *puṇyavān,* righteous. The heavenly planet is meant for righteous persons. "So by dying, by your death in this righteous fighting, you'll be promoted to the heavenly planet. So both ways you will be profited." *Hato vā prāpsyasi svargam* and *jitvā vā bhokṣyase mahīm.* "And if you become victorious, then you enjoy the kingdom. So both ways you are profited. There is no loss on your part." *Tasmāt,* "Therefore," *uttiṣṭha kaunteya yuddhāya kṛta niścayaḥ, kṛta niścayaḥ,* "definitely decide it that 'I must fight. Fighting must be there,' " *yuddhāya,* for matter of fighting. *Uttiṣṭha,* "Get up. Why are you sitting like coward?" Encouraging. > So this is not the fact. The fact is that there must be in the society four classes of men. Because sometimes violence is required. Just like why government is maintaining the police force, the military force? It is required for keeping law and order. So violence is bad, that's all right; but sometimes it is required. Just like poison. Poison is bad, but sometimes it is required for administering medicine. Even poison is administered. When one's heart is... According to Āyur-vedic system, when the man's heart is almost to fail, at that time, poison is given, so the heart becomes again agitated. In the medical science also. So poison is poison, but sometimes it requires as medicine administration. Similarly violence, killing, is bad. But there is circumstances where violence is righteous, religious. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *dharmyāddhi-yuddha.* --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/750904mw.vrn)** > Who does not deviate from the instruction of the Lord, he is Āryan. All others, non-Āryan. The Āryans will take the words of God as it is, without any deviation. That is Āryan. An Āryan means advanced, advanced in knowledge, and one who is advanced in knowledge, he is advanced civilized. Rascal fools, how they can be civilized? Everyone is claiming "Āryan," but he does not know what is the business of Āryans. Simply by some bodily feature... The same ignorance—"I am this body." So by the bodily features they settle up: "This is from Āryan family; this is from non-Āryan family." That is good. That is external. Real Āryan means one who is advanced in knowledge and goes by the order of Kṛṣṇa, or God. [aside:] *Jaya.* --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.68](spoken/1975/750904sb.vrn)** > So if you violate the laws of God, the principles of *dharma,* then you will be punished. What is that principle of *dharma*? This Kṛṣṇa consciousness. *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. We have manufactured so many different types of religious faith, but they are man-manufactured. They are not laws. And now it is being supported by many so-called *svāmīs* that "You can manufacture your own religion. It doesn't matter. Whatever nonsense type of religion you follow, you get the same result." This is going on. But that is not the fact. *Dharma* is that only one. *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja.* To surrender unto Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is real *dharma.* And what of others? They are cheating. That is stated in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam: dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo 'tra*. > So laws of God is very simple thing. It is not very difficult. God personally says, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru* : "Just always think of Me." So it is not at all difficult. Kṛṣṇa is here. You see the Deity of Kṛṣṇa, have impression in your heart how Kṛṣṇa and Balarāma is standing, how Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa is standing, how Gaura-Nitai is standing. So you can think always. *Man-manā.* Or you can think of Him by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Where is the difficulty, *man-manā*? You become devotee, come here in the temple, offer your respect. So to become Kṛṣṇa conscious is not at all difficult. But people will not take to it; therefore they must suffer. This is the law. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/760904r1.vrn)** > "What is the difference between an enemy and a friend? It is a difference in behavior. A *sādhu* behaves with all conditioned souls for their ultimate relief from the material entanglement. Therefore, no one can be more friendly than a *sādhu* in relieving a conditioned soul. A *sādhu* is calm, and he quietly and peacefully follows the principles of scripture. A *sādhu* means one who follows the principles of scripture and at the same time is a devotee of the Lord. One who actually follows the principles of scripture must be a devotee of God because all the *śāstras* instruct us to obey the orders of the Personality of Godhead. *Sādhu,* therefore, means a follower of the scriptural injunctions and a devotee of the Lord. All these characteristics are prominent in a devotee. A devotee develops all the good qualities of the demigods, whereas a nondevotee, even though academically qualified, has no actual good qualifications or good characteristics..." > Because the animal cannot derive spiritual happiness. They do not know. The man can know. Just like this boy, he's coming from very high family in America, but he's now happy in this way, by taking *sannyāsa,* giving up everything, living very plainly. He has got money, he has got beautiful wife, he has got beautiful home, everything. But he has given up. Not his example... In our country there were many many big, big kings, *rājarṣis.* Just like Bharata Mahārāja. He was emperor of the whole world. He gave up everything at the age of twenty-four years—young wife, young children. There are many examples. So actually, we have lost our Vedic culture, the objective, and therefore we are suffering. Simply by holding meetings and... Of course, these things will go on. Government has no other remedy by tax. Whether people are happy or they are unhappy, it doesn't matter. They have got the power, tax. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.5](spoken/1976/760904sb.vrn)** > So that is the position of *guru. Guru* is respected as good as God. Why? Only for this qualification, that he does not speak anything nonsense. He speaks only what he has heard from the *ācārya. Ācāryavān puruṣo veda. Ācāryopāsanam.* In the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said *ācāryopāsanam.* So Vyāsadeva is our *ācārya;* therefore we offer *vyāsa-pūjā.* On the birthday of *guru* we offer *vyāsa-pūjā.* Actually, it is not directly Vyāsa, but because the bona fide *guru* represents Vyāsadeva, his *pūjā* is also *vyāsa-pūjā. Mad-bhakta-pūjā abhyadhikā.* To worship Vyāsadeva, worship the bona fide spiritual master and worship the Lord, they are the same. Rather, Kṛṣṇa says that if you worship His bona fide representative, that worship is better than directly worshiping. Directly it is not possible to worship the Supreme Lord. One has to go through the *ācārya.* Therefore Vyāsadeva is the original *ācārya. Lokasyājānato vidvāṁś cakre sātvata... *. He's *vidvān.* So we have explained many times how to become *vidvān. Vidvān* does not mean one has to become a big grammarian, logician. No. *Vidvān* means one who follows the previous *ācārya* who is representative of Kṛṣṇa. He is *vidvān.* > People do not know it, how to become transcendental to this material conception of life and how to contact the supreme controller, Adhokṣaja. That is the only way. It is recommended... Not recommended; it is the fact. *Bhakti-yogam:* only by *bhakti-yoga.* There is no other way. So in the *Bhagavad-gītā* also it is stated, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ*. If you want to know Adhokṣaja, that is the real purpose of religion. Religion is not a type of ritualistic ceremonies. That is external. Real fact is how to contact the *adhokṣaja,* who is beyond our material conception. But *bhakti-yoga...* If you take to *bhakti-yoga,* then it is possible. *Anarthopaśamam.* Then *anartha* will be cleansed—things which are not wanted. --- ## Letters on September 4 *Letters from this day: 17* --- **[1968: Letter to Anapurna Ananda](letters/1968/680904_anapurna_ananda)** > I shall go to San Francisco on the 8th instant, and I shall see what is the situation there, then I shall proceed to Seattle, and from Seattle, I may go to Vancouver. --- **[1969: Letter to Satsvarupa Brahmananda](letters/1969/690904_satsvarupa_brahmananda)** > By the telegram, I understand that by Krishna's Grace it appears to be settled up, and you can continue your proceeding, chanting always Hare Krishna. --- **[1972: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1972/720904_jadurani)** > I am especially glad to hear that you have distributed 32 Bhagavad-gita As It Is in one day in New York. --- **[1972: Letter to Patty Dorgan](letters/1972/720904_patty_dorgan)** > I am so pleased to hear that you are living nicely with your parents and carrying on with your Krishna Consciousness activities. --- **[1973: Letter to Sudama](letters/1973/730904_sudama)** > My sanction for the deities in the touring van is still there. But I have heard that sometimes the deity falls down, so these things are objectionable. --- **[1973: Letter to Trai](letters/1973/730904_trai)** > The two boys are gladly accepted by me on your recommendation, their names are as follows. Ronald- Kamalasana Das and Peter - Prthusrava Das. Please give them good instructions regarding our Krishna consciousness philosophy and hold a fire ceremony and distribute nice Prasadm to all the devotees. --- **[1974: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1974/740904_rupanuga)** > As you are appreciating my books, so if all educated people in your country also appreciate, that will expand our missionary activities. --- **[1974: Letter to Temple President](letters/1974/740904_temple_president)** > I was not able to attend due to being here in India for the opening of our temple here in Vrindaban. --- **[1975: Letter to Bhurijana](letters/1975/750904_bhurijana)** > I thank you very much. --- **[1975: Letter to Cyavana](letters/1975/750904_cyavana)** > It is very good that the Government is cooperating by giving land. Try to convince the African leaders that we have nothing to do with politics. --- **[1975: Letter to Deoji Punja](letters/1975/750904_deoji_punja)** > The pujari room on the first floor behind the temple is not meant as living quarters for the Pujari. --- **[1975: Letter to Gatravan](letters/1975/750904_gatravan)** > I do not know why you are bringing this matter to my attention. I cannot understand what has gone on but I simply request you to return to the temple and take part in the activities. In addition you should chant Hare Krishna and read my books and cooperate with the authorities. --- **[1975: Letter to Ksirodakasayi](letters/1975/750904_ksirodakasayi)** > I hope everything is going nicely in your preaching. Simply read my books and repeat what I have written then your preaching will be perfect. --- **[1975: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1975/750904_madhudvisa)** > So far the name is concerned you can call him Bhaktivardhana das. All my blessings are there for the child so that he may become a pure Vaisnava. I hope this meets you in good health. --- **[1975: Letter to Paramahamsa](letters/1975/750904_paramahamsa)** > Regarding Manasvi, you should immediately prosecute. The charge should be Breach of Trust and Misappropriation of Funds. I have received today the Oath of Allegiance duly signed by him and notarized. --- **[1975: Letter to Sharon Suzuki](letters/1975/750904_sharon_suzuki)** > So my advice to you is to somehow or other fix your mind on Krsna then you will experience peace of mind and your mind will be your best friend. --- **[1975: Letter to Sudhindra Kisora Roy](letters/1975/750904_sudhindra_kisora_roy)** > It is very nice that you are chanting Hare Krishna and are very enthusiastic to read our literatures. ---