# September 12 ## Spoken on September 12 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1968: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.6–15](spoken/1968/680912sb.sf)** > So these two kinds of things are going on, parallel. But actually, everyone who is encaged in this material body, he's unhappy. That is the sum and substance of the whole material existence. In the *Caitanya-caritāmṛta* it is said, *dvaite bhadrābhadra sakale samān.* In the dual world, or in this material world, what we have manufactured that "This is very nice and this is not nice"—this "bad" or "good" conception—he says that it is simply mental concoction. Actually, there is nothing good here. One should be very much pessimistic. Otherwise, he'll have to remain in the darkness of ignorance of this material nature. > Therefore our process, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness, as it is said by Caitanya Mahāprabhu that *ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam*, one has to cleanse the dirty things from the heart. That is real atonement. If the dirty things are there as it is, simply... Just like one man is diseased. The dirty things are within his body, and he cleanses outwardly with soaps and water very nicely, that does not mean that he is freed from the diseased condition. The cause of the disease must be removed. Then he'll be healthy. Simply by superfluous washing the body, one does not become free from diseased condition. --- **[1969: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.1](spoken/1969/690912sb.lon)** > How it is? The practical example I have given several times, that in this body there are different parts of the body. The different parts of the body cannot enjoy senses or satisfy independent. The different parts of the body will depend on the whole body. You can catch up an nice cake, foodstuff, but the fingers, the parts of the body, cannot enjoy it. But if the fingers catch it and puts into the mouth, it goes to the stomach. Then there is some secretion from the stomach, and it goes to the heart, it turns into blood, it is transfused in different parts of the body, and immediately your finger becomes red. This is the process. *Tapo divyaṁ yena. Sense gratification is there, but through Kṛṣṇa. Then you feel complete sense gratification. Just like the *gopīs,* perfect. All devotees, but *gopīs* are the supreme. > You have read *Bhagavad-gītā.* In the Fifteenth Chapter, fifteenth verse, you'll find, *vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyam*. The whole Vedic system is designed, or planned, how to know Kṛṣṇa. So if you follow Vedic system, then the ultimate objective should be to know Kṛṣṇa. That is the Vedic version and corroborated by Lord Kṛṣṇa Himself. He is the original compiler of *Vedas;* therefore His version should be accepted, that the objective of studying *Vedas* means to know Kṛṣṇa. That's all. *Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ.* --- **[1971: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.7.30–31](spoken/1971/710912sb.mom)** > That *brahma ananta aśeṣa-bhūtam:* unlimited. *Yasya prabhā*. This *brahma-jyoti* is only effulgence of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore, we have to understand what is Kṛṣṇa. *Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate*, *Bhāgavata* says. The Absolute Truth is one—that is Kṛṣṇa, [indistinct]—but He is known in different features: *brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti*. One who is trying to understand the Supreme Absolute Truth by dint of his sensual knowledge, by, I mean to say, exercising different knowledge, *neti neti*, they can approach up to the impersonal Brahman. > Actually that is the philosophy, because we cannot be greater or greatest. *Mattaḥ parataram*. Nobody can be greater than God or equal to God. That is not possible, even if he is Brahmā, Lord Śiva, or any other. Therefore, *śāstra* says that anyone who thinks such demigods, *paratena. Yas tu nārāyaṇaṁ devam*. There is a verse like that: anyone who thinks Nārāyaṇa equal to Brahmā or Lord Śiva, then he..., that type of thinking is called *pāṣaṇḍī*, *sa pāsaṇḍī bhaved dhruvam*. *Pāṣaṇḍī* means atheist. --- **[1972: Teaching Children, Conversation](spoken/1972/720912r1.dal)** > This is the process. So you will have to fill up this and see it to the teacher, show it to the teacher whether it is perfect or not. This is the way, similarly ABCD, 1 2 3, everything should be written and you must know this is 1, this is 2, and at the end of the class they should chant. Just like two multiplied by two equal to four, chant it. > The next lesson, the next lesson, they should learn ABCD, and the Sanskrit, this *a, ā, i, ī, u, ū, ṛ, ṝ, ḷ, e, ai, o, au, ka, kha, ga, gha,* it is all there written. What is the difficulty? Is that all right? So use the Sanskrit, who is teaching you? Who is teaching English eh? Who is teaching English the same way. If somebody will teach mathematics, who will teach maths. Eh? That's all right. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.1](spoken/1972/720912sb.dal)** > Here it is said that, *ātmavit-sammataḥ puṁsām* and this question is very important therefore he says, *śrotavyādiṣu yaḥparaḥ*. To prepare..., we have got to hear so many things [indistinct] that is our life to question just like a child questions his mother, "What is this mother, what is this mother." That child is very intelligent if a child questions than it is to be understood he is going to be a very learned scholar in the future, these are the symptoms, inquisitive. Without inquisitiveness the last question should be, "What is God?" That is very nice if the persons do not enquire about God he's animal. The animals cannot enquire, "What is God?" A human being must enquire, "What is God?", and he must try to understand. > That means I want to live forever because that is my constitutional position. I'm being obliged, just like if I become diseased, that is not my position, I am healthy as soon as there is some disease I immediately go to doctor and take some medicine to cure. Why? That is my inclination, I do not wish to die, I do not wish to be subjected to disease, *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi*, I do not wish to become old man, these are my problems but the solution is there but we are so foolish that instead of making solution of this problems we are simply wasting our life like ordinary animals, eating, sleeping, mating and defending. They are simply wasting life the real problem is set aside, --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 2.39](spoken/1973/730912bg.lon)** > Just like you'll find in another verse Kṛṣṇa says, *patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati*. Yo me bhaktyā prayacchati:* "Anyone who offers Me in love and faith a little flower, a little water, a little fruit," *patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam... Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati.* This is the real point. Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Person who is giving all the necessities of all the living entities... He is actually the provider, maintainer of everyone. So why He is asking a little fruit, flower and water from you? Is He hungry? No. *Yo me bhaktyā prayacchati.* Just to induce you again to love Kṛṣṇa. That is the point. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*. He continues to be, become *karmī* and sometimes *jñānī,* sometimes *yogī*, to become happy, but he'll be confused. He'll be defeated. Nature is so strong. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante:* "After many, many births of this struggle"—sometimes *karmī,* sometimes *jñānī,* sometimes *yogī*, sometimes something else—"when one comes to be really wise," *jñānavān māṁ prapadyate,* "he surrenders unto Me." How he surrenders? Blindly? No. *Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti*. --- **[1973: Interview with Professor Gombrich and Reporters](spoken/1973/730912iv.lon)** > Then last night that gentleman was asking me... that... "Thou shalt not kill, whom?" Oh no, where there is no question of whom. If you ask whom, at least you should not kill your father and mother. So, cow is the mother, according to Vedic understanding, cow is the mother because we are drinking milk. Cow supplies us milk therefore she is mother. > This is going on, in the name of religion they are covered in sin. That is the, I mean to say, the cause of religious degradation; *veda viruddha kārya kare*, *veda mukhe mane*, Caitanya Mahāprabhu says. They act against the Vedic principle but advertised himself, "I am Vedic, I believe in the Vedas." These nonsense things are going on. Christian going against the Christian principle but he is proud of becoming a Christian, all like that really. --- **[1973: Address to Journalists at Dillon's Booksellers Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.5.11](spoken/1973/730912sb.lon)** > Because, after all, each and every human being is a spiritual being. He is not this body. That is the mistake of the present civilization. *Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke*. Ātma-buddhi,* "self." People, everyone thinks that this body, "I am this body." If I ask any gentleman, "What you are?" He'll say, "I am Mr. Such-and-such. I am born in this country." "I am American," "I am Englishman," "I am Indian." These are all bodily description. But basically I am not this body. This is called illusion. You have got practical experience. When one man's father or son or any relative dies, he cries, "Oh, my son has gone away," "My father has gone away." Then, "Your father is lying there on the bed. How do you say that 'My father has gone away'? " That means the actual father, he has never seen. He has seen the body only. And on this bodily conception of life, everything is being manipulated. This is called illusion. > "Therefore, there is a great need for disseminating the message of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* all over the world. It is the duty of every responsible Indian to broadcast the transcendental message of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* throughout the world to do all the supermost good, as well as to bring about the desired peace in the world. Because India has failed in her duty by neglecting this responsible work, there is so much quarrel and trouble all over the world. We are confident that if the transcendental message of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* is received only by the leading men of the world, certainly there will be a change of heart, and naturally the people in general will follow them. The mass of people in general are tools in the hands of the modern politicians and leaders of the people. If there is a change of heart of the leaders only, certainly there will be a radical change in the atmosphere of the world. --- **[1976: Room Conversation about Bullock Cart SKP](spoken/1976/760912r1.vrn)** > It begins from the *jihvā.* So people will be surprised, "How God consciousness begins with *jihvā?"* That they do not know. *Śāstra* says, *sevonmukhe hi jihvādau. Jihvā,* the tongue, is the beginning of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, God consciousness. People are surprised. They think the mind, speculative mind, is the beginning. No. *Śāstra* says tongue is the beginning. *Muni, ṛṣi, muni. Muni* means speculator. So they think speculative mind is the beginning of God consciousness. But *śāstra* says no, not the mind. *Manorathenāsati dhāvato bahiḥ*. If one is speculator, he will be on the material field. *Asata. Asato mā sad gamaya.* "Don't remain in the *asat.* Come to the reality." That reality begins from the tongue. *Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau. Jihvā ādi, ādau.* So give them chance to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, and give them chance to taste *prasādam.* They'll be... That's all. *Jihvādau.* Utilize the tongue, primarily. And gradually everything will be... > So try to present the real fact. It will be effective. If there is real reality, just like first-class pure *ghee*... If one tastes, he'll hanker after. Without any advertisement, by the taste of the *ghee,* it will go on. Is it not? If you put little pure *ghee* on the rice, it will be so tasteful that he'll want it again. But give the pure thing. Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Try to give Him to the people. And how to take it? Hare Kṛṣṇa. He hasn't got to pay anything. God has given him the tongue. Induce him, "Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." And that is the beginning. *Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau* [*Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu* 1.2.234]. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.13–14](spoken/1976/760912sb.vrn)** > So to become Vaiṣṇava is not so easy thing. One has to become *brāhmaṇa,* then when he surpasses the stages of becoming *brāhmaṇa,* then he becomes Vaiṣṇava. *Śuddha-sattva. Sattvaṁ viśuddhaṁ vasudeva-śabditam.* Then Kṛṣṇa is born. When one comes to the Vaiṣṇava stage, then he can understand what is Kṛṣṇa. Just like Kṛṣṇa was born of Vasudeva. Similarly, when one comes to the stage of Vasudeva... Vasudeva means perfect Vaiṣṇava. Do you think Kṛṣṇa accepts somebody as father, an ordinary man? No. He is perfect Vaiṣṇava. Kṛṣṇa accepts somebody as mother... Who is His mother, father? Nobody can be. He is the *ādi-puruṣam.* He's original person. Who can become His father, mother? But He accepts, when He descends to exhibit His *līlā... Yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata tadātmānam sṛjāmy aham . So He is everyone's father. How Vasudeva can be...? *Ajo'pi sann avyayātmā*. > So the Pāṇḍavas were pure devotees; therefore Kṛṣṇa took his side and they became victorious in the fight. And Kṛṣṇa is always ready to give protection to His devotees. *Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati*. His *sudarśana-cakra* always protects His devotees. That is the position of devotee. --- ## Letters on September 12 *Letters from this day: 9* --- **[1974: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1974/740912_hansadutta)** > I have just now received some letters from London from Madhavananda and others brought by Paramahamsa Swami who was there. --- **[1975: Letter to Jnana Lilavati](letters/1975/750912_jnana_lilavati)** > So I think that you are both very well suited for preaching in Africa. Do not neglect chanting Hare Krishna. --- **[1975: Letter to Thomas Mccarthy](letters/1975/750912_thomas_mccarthy)** > If you want to donate the profits of your store to the Book Trust, you can do by sending to the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, 3764 Watseka Ave., Los Angeles, Ca. Att: Sriman Ramesvara das. --- **[1976: Letter to Cittahari](letters/1976/760912_cittahari)** > On your recommendation I am accepting Usapati das for brahminical initiation and Kedara dasa shall be the spiritual name for Bhakta Kevin. Please hold a fire sacrifice and present the name at that time. Your local GBC man may chant on the beads. --- **[1976: Letter to Dr. Wolf](letters/1976/760912_dr._wolf)** > Always pray to Krsna humbly and He will surely help you, *tesam satata yuktanam bhajatam priti purvakam dadami buddhi yogam tam yena mam upayanti te* bg/10/10, to those who worship Me with love, I give them the intelligence by which they can come to Me. --- **[1976: Letter to Dvarakesa Prabhujaka](letters/1976/760912_dvarakesa_prabhujaka)** > Please continue your program of preaching in Eastern Europe for this program is very pleasing to me. --- **[1976: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1976/760912_gurudasa)** > As far as your danda goes if it is too troublesome to carry there is no need for it. --- **[1976: Letter to Satadhanya](letters/1976/760912_satadhanya)** > Please continue this program of preaching and distributing *Gita-gan* as far as possible for this is our real business. --- **[1976: Letter to Vikas](letters/1976/760912_vikas)** > Naturally I am very very sorry to learn the death news of your father, my beloved friend. So offer your mother my condolences for the bereavement, but there is nothing to be very sorry for. ---