# September 6 ## Spoken on September 6 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.1–2](spoken/1973/730906s2.sto)** > So here it is said, *kaumāram ācaret prājño dharmān. Dharmān bhāgavata.* So *dharma,* which is generally translated into English, that is one for everyone. It is not that we are Hindus, somebody else Christians, somebody else Buddhists, "We have got different faith," "We have got different faith." What is depending on faith, that is not *dharma,* that is not religion. The quality which you cannot change, that is religion. Therefore the definition of *dharma* is given in the Vedic literature: *dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam*. *Dharma* means the codes or the law which is given by God. This is the simple definition of *dharma. Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam.* Just like law. > So Prahlāda Mahārāja says that *kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha : "My dear friends, from the beginning of your *kaumāra* age, as soon as you are on the age of ten years..." Of course, he was preaching when he was five years old. Actually, education begins, that is the Indian system, from five years. Up to five years, the children are not bothered with any kind of education. They play and become free. But as soon as he is five years old, he's sent to the school. And actual education begins from tenth year. So Prahlāda Mahārāja says, "My dear friends," that "you try to be educated in religion, especially in the *Bhāgavata* religion." *Bhāgavata* religion means the science of God, to understand what is God. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.1–8](spoken/1973/730906sb.sto)** > Therefore Ṛṣabhadeva says, *nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛloke,* to collect for eating, sleeping and mating, whole day and night working, this is not good. Then what is good? *Tapaḥ. Tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena sattvaṁ śuddhyed*. *Sattvam* means your existence has to be purified. Our existence, this existence is not purified; therefore we have got this material body. Now what is the decitement[?]. "Let us have this material..., we are enjoying very nicely. What is this bad?" But these rascals, they have no idea that we can avoid the, I mean to say, miserable condition of this body. We can avoid. > This, in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said that *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣānudar... ,* but they do not know that this is unhappiness, this is distaste. They are so callous, just like animal. They cannot think that there is possibility of not being slaughtered. When they are taken in the slaughterhouse, they agree to go because they know there is no other way: "We have been made..., meant for being slaughtered." Actually that is the position. The poor animals, they have no power to protest, neither combinedly they can give you fighting to the human being. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/750906mw.vrn)** > *Janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam*. Therefore the intelligent man will see that "Where is my enjoyment if I am going to die? I don't want to die, but I am going to die." That is sure, as sure as anything. And still the rascal will think that "I am happy." He will become old man, he will be attacked with disease, and still he is thinking that he is happy. Apart from this, there are so many other sufferings, but he thinks that he is happy. And that happiness is centered around sex. That's all. *Yan maithunadi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham*. Their only happiness is sex. Therefore in the Western countries they are simply trying to increase the sex enjoyment. That's all. Is it not? >*putrakā yena śuddhyet sattva.* Our existentional position should be purified. How? *Tapo.* By *tapasya. Tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena śuddhyet sattva*. "And we are enjoying life. Why we should undergo *tapasya?*" And you are enjoying, but you are not enjoying; you are suffering. Even if you think that you are enjoying, there are so many sufferings. That, the foolish people, they do not know. Just like a healthy man, he thinks, "I am enjoying," but he does not see that even he is now healthy, he will be an old man, he will be attacked with disease, he will die, and still he thinks, "I am happy." --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.2.2](spoken/1975/750906sb.vrn)** > So if we do not follow religious principle, then we are punishable. You cannot escape. Exactly if you do not follow the state laws, then you are punishable, criminal. Similarly, the original law or original controller, the original king, is Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu. *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum*. These rascals, those who manufacture religion, they do not know that religion can be given by Viṣṇu, and we have to satisfy Viṣṇu. Therefore there is *varṇāśrama-dharma:* four *varṇas* and four *āśramas.* The *brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra,* and *brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha* and *sannyāsa.* This is the conception of human civilization, Āryan civilization. There are Āryans and non-Āryans. *Āryan* means who follow the *varṇāśrama-dharma.* They are Āryans. In India they were following strictly this *varṇāśrama-dharma;* therefore they are Āryans. Not now; formerly they were. Why? By the *varṇāśrama-dharma* one can please the Supreme Lord, Viṣṇu. > So this man deviated from *bhāgavata-dharma.* Therefore he was to be arrested by the Yamadūta for purification. That was his external affair. But by chance, by the grace of the Lord, at the time of his death he chanted "Nārāyaṇa," not exactly meaning the Supreme Lord Nārāyaṇa, but his son's name was Nārāyaṇa. He was thinking that "I am being dragged by the Yamadūta. So my son will save me." Therefore he exclaimed, "Nārāyaṇa, please save me." So he meant his son, but Nārāyaṇa, actual Nārāyaṇa, heard it—"O Nārāyaṇa, please save me." This is the... Nārāyaṇa is so kind that although the name of Nārāyaṇa was called by Ajāmila, meaning his son, still, because he has chanted the name, holy name of Nārāyaṇa, it was immediately taken seriously by Lord Nārāyaṇa, and His order carriers, the Viṣṇudūtas, were sent to save this man. *Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt*. --- **[1976: Garden Conversation](spoken/1976/760906g1.vrn)** > Svayambhūr: Prabhupāda, you wrote in the *Caitanya-caritāmṛta* that the *Caitanya mahā-mantra, śrī-kṛṣṇa-caitanya prabhu nityānanda,* there is no offense to that. And so therefore in the *Kali-yuga* it is actually more beneficial... > [japa] So I have got all encouragement. Go and preach. Don't be afraid. Simply present *yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa*. Whatever you have learned from Kṛṣṇa, from your *guru,* just vomit it, that's all. There is no need of becoming very expert. Simply whatever you learned, that's all. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/760906r1.vrn)** > *Tapasyā* means, *tapasya* begins, now *brahmacārī.* That is *tapasya. Tapasyā* means *brahmacārī. Tapasā brahmacaryeṇa śamena damena, tyāgena, satya-śaucābhyāṁ yamena niyamena.* This is *tapasya.* It is very strong power, this... Therefore *Bhāgavata* said that this power, sex power, is there in the hogs. They have no discrimination between mother, sister, daughter. And simply busy. The example is given. This capacity is there in the hog. Are you hog? How example is given. Do you like to remain like a hog? One should be saintly. Yes. Then where is the difference, I'm a human being? I am treating like hog. Therefore this very example. *Nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛloke kaṣṭān kāmān arhate viḍ-bhujām*. > We are exerting so much energy to construct a temple, but as soon as we become implicated, "Now I have got this big building. Let me live very comfortably," then it is very dangerous. So long we work for Kṛṣṇa, it is Kṛṣṇa's; I am still nothing. And as soon as I take it, "Oh, now I have got very good, comfortable place. Make me again something," [laughs] take that as dangerous. Otherwise, there is no danger. Therefore we have to be engaged always in Kṛṣṇa's service. Not that "Because we have got this nice building and income also, let us now sit down and eat." Then you'll stop. You shall have to be engaged always. Because our brain is materialistic, as soon as there is little chance of utilizing for sense gratification, mind: "Yes, yes. Do it." Still, we have to do it. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.7](spoken/1976/760906sb.vrn)** > So this theory, modern scientists, that there was no human being or there was no man, they are all rascal speculation. It has no value. Here we get the knowledge that originally the Vedic knowledge was given to Lord Brahmā, and from Lord Brahmā, Nārada received the knowledge, and from Nārada Vyāsadeva received the knowledge. And from Vyāsadeva, by *paramparā* disciplic succession, we have received this knowledge. The knowledge is the same. There is no alteration. Because it is coming through the *paramparā* system there is no breakage. Just like from a very top height, if you give something, but if it is given hand to hand it does not break. But if you drop anything from very high place, it will be spoiled. Therefore it comes through the *paramparā.* Take for example one fruit, ripened fruit. This *Bhāgavatam* is accepted as the ripened fruit of the Vedic desire tree. *Nigama-kalpa-taror galitaṁ phalam idam*. It is the ripened fruit of all Vedic knowledge. Because Vedic knowledge means to understand God. That is Vedic knowledge. *Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ*. > That is Vedic knowledge. To understand the Supreme Lord, the original person, that is the end of Vedic knowledge. So that Vedic knowledge is presented in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* and therefore in the beginning of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* Vyāsadeva offers his respectful obeisances, *oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya.* Vāsudeva is the origin. *Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ*. One who has known that *vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti,* "Vāsudeva is everything," *sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ.* He's not only ordinary *mahātmā,* he is *su-durlabhaḥ. Durlabhaḥ* means "very rare," and when you add this word *su,* it is "very, very difficult." *Su-durlabhaḥ.* That kind of *mahātmā...* [aside:] You sit down properly. Who is that man? You sit down properly. So *vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā su-durlabhaḥ*. --- ## Letters on September 6 *Letters from this day: 19* --- **[1967: Letter to B.K. Nehru](letters/1967/670906_b.k._nehru)** > It is understood also that you are coming back to India very soon as Governor of Assam. As I told you on the plane, there was pending a bill in the Congress of the --- **[1969: Letter to Raktaka](letters/1969/690906_raktaka)** > Regarding the two books you have mentioned, *Sri Ramacharitamanasa* by Goswami Tulasi das is not very authorized, and *Ramayana* is authorized. One thing is though, you have got enough other books to study. --- **[1971: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1971/710906_bhagavan)** > So far your proposal is concerned, when the vote has been tallied and is presented to me at that time I shall give my approval. --- **[1971: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1971/710906_hansadutta)** > I am glad to learn that you have decided to not go to nightclubs but be engaged with Sankirtana party on the streets. --- **[1971: Letter to Ksirodakasayi Adhikari](letters/1971/710906_ksirodakasayi_adhikari)** > You are requested herewith to proceed to Delhi as soon as possible and be appointed there as Treasurer of the Delhi branch of our society registered in Bombay under the Societies Registration Act of 1860, Maharashtra State, Registration no. --- **[1971: Letter to Sri Govinda](letters/1971/710906_sri_govinda)** > I can see that you are always thinking how to improve the society and push on this movement. --- **[1971: Letter to Vaikunthanatha](letters/1971/710906_vaikunthanatha)** > I am sending herewith, please find, complete plans for a temple there in Trinidad, drawn by Rancor Prabhu here in London. So as soon as you receive the deed you should give these plans to the government, get them sanctioned and begin construction. --- **[1974: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1974/740906_jagadisa)** > This is your main responsibility, and then to see that all others are following strictly. That means there must be strict observance in following all the rules and regulations. --- **[1974: Letter to Jagajivana](letters/1974/740906_jagajivana)** > I am glad that you are enthusiastically taking up book distribution and have increased to 15,000 pieces per month. --- **[1974: Letter to Mr. Jiri Svoboda](letters/1974/740906_mr._jiri_svoboda)** > Actually not only the problem of nationalism, but every problem of the world is due to a lack of Krsna consciousness. So try to learn this philosophy nicely in association with other devotees and certainly you will be able to do great benefit to your fellow countrymen. --- **[1974: Letter to Nari](letters/1974/740906_nari)** > The problems you write of indicate that your spiritual foundation is very weak. To make advancement in Krsna consciousness one must decide whether he is going to be serious or not. If one is actually serious, then by chanting Hare Krsna 16 rounds daily, following the four regulative principles, and reading my books, certainly you will make advancement, and these such problems will fall to the side. --- **[1974: Letter to Swami Satpremananda Sarasvati](letters/1974/740906_swami_satpremananda_sarasvati)** > Nowadays there are so many so-called spiritual masters, it becomes bewildering to us as to who can actually give spiritual knowledge. Therefore I have written volumes of books, authorized Vedic literature, of which you can take advantage in association with the devotees who are practicing this knowledge. --- **[1976: Letter to Gaura Gopala](letters/1976/760906_gaura_gopala)** > Preaching actually done alone, that is the experience we get from the previous acaryas. --- **[1976: Letter to Manager Central Bank Of India](letters/1976/760906_manager_central_bank_of_india)** > With further reference to my letter dated July 10, 1976 I beg to request you to transfer the interest to Vrnda Book Company account until further notice. --- **[1976: Letter to Rasa Lila](letters/1976/760906_rasa_lila)** > Continue your practicing Krsna consciousness by strictly following the four rules and by always chanting at least sixteen rounds daily. --- **[1976: Letter to Sri Radha Krishna Dhawan](letters/1976/760906_sri_radha_krishna_dhawan)** > The Hyderabad temple has been completed on Janmastami August 18, and the temple is called the Sri Sri Radha Madana Mohana Mandir. You can come and see me here in Vrndavana if you like, or perhaps we will come to Chandigarh by the first week in October for programs there. --- **[1976: Letter to Sri Rathindranath Ganguly](letters/1976/760906_sri_rathindranath_ganguly)** > You may come and see me in Vrndavana* at the above address until about the first week in October, otherwise I am expecting to be in Calcutta sometime in December. It is very nice that you have written to me offering your services. This is the mission to all those who have taken their birth as human beings in the land of Bharata-varsa. --- **[1976: Letter to Vidyabadhu](letters/1976/760906_vidyabadhu)** > You and your son should come immediately to Vrndavana and stay under the direction of Gurukula. --- **[1977: Letter to Vasudeva](letters/1977/770906_vasudeva)** > Today I have received a report from Ramesvara Maharaja describing the Grand Opening ceremony of the Sri Krsna-Kaliya Temple at Fiji. ---