# September 24 ## Spoken on September 24 *Lectures from this day: 9 recordings* --- **[1968: Recorded Interview](spoken/1968/680924iv.sea)** > So not only India, in other countries also they are trying to imitate the economic situation or economic development of other countries, specially of America, but they do not find that in America, although the boys and girls, the younger generation, they are born of rich family, rich nation, they are still confused, and they are also hankering after something better. So the policy followed by India now—that is, to imitate the Western way of life—is not very happy mood. This means they have lost their original culture. > So without person there cannot be any question of love. Therefore the section who believes in person... Not believing; they know actually what He is, and there is method how to love that person. The example is given: just like the sun and the sunshine and the predominating Deity in the sun globe, similarly, one who comes to the light, he first of all sees the sunshine. That is impersonal. Then, if he goes further, if he is able to go to the sun planet, that is localized. And if he can enter into the sun planet and see the predominating deity there, then he is a person. --- **[1968: Room Conversation about Marriage](spoken/1968/680924r1.sea)** > So these challenge were made amongst the *kṣatriyas.* Otherwise, generally, the parents would select. We are married. Whatever our parents selected, we accepted. I did not like my wife, [laughs] but gradually, I was accustomed. I was obliged to like. That's all. [laughs] That is the Indian system. You like or not like, you have to accept it. That's all. The psychology is that the girls, generally, before attaining puberty if she loves one boy, she cannot forget him. That is her psychology. And a boy also, when he is grown up, the first girl he makes choice, he also cannot forget. Therefore, by some way or other they are mixed up. > Svamin krtartho 'smi* : "My dear Lord, I am now fully satisfied." That is the preaching we are making, that everyone is trying to love something: either personally his body, senses, or then expanded: wife, children; then family, community, society and country, humanity, extending. But there is no, I mean to say, satisfaction. Because the real lovable object is Kṛṣṇa. And when he goes to Kṛṣṇa, then, oh, *svamin krtartho 'smi.* --- **[1969: Room Conversation](spoken/1969/690924r1.lon)** > So out of many fruitive workers like this, one becomes wise: "Why I am doing this?" This is wisdom. That is the platform of knowledge, to inquire that "What is my position? What I am? What is my aim of life?" That is the position of the *jṇānī*, persons who are wise. And one, when one is fully wise, then *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*, after many, many births, when one becomes fully wise, *bahunam janmanam ante jñānavān,* when he's actually wise, *jñānavān,* then *māṁ prapadyate,* Kṛṣṇa says, "He comes and surrenders unto Me." Why? *Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti*, he understands that Kṛṣṇa is everything. > That is *mahātmā. Mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha*. Kṛṣṇa says, *māṁ. Bhajanty ananya-manasaḥ.* Their only business is how to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. That is the highest perfection of life. If one is engaged in the business of satisfying Kṛṣṇa instead of satisfying himself... Most people, they are engaged in satisfying themselves. Everyone in this material world. The so-called politicians, they promise that "I shall give you so many things." But actually, he is trying to occupy the post for his satisfaction. These are all false promises. Why politicians? Even in our family life we maintain wife, children. Why? For my satisfaction. --- **[1971: Room Conversation with African Intelligentsia](spoken/1971/710924r1.nai)** > How to realize Kṛṣṇa? In the every step of life you can realize God, provided you practice it. That is called *bhakti-yoga;* that is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Just like Kṛṣṇa says that *raso 'ham apsu kaunteya*, "I am the taste of the water." So everyone drinks water and feels satisfaction. When he is thirsty and he drinks water, he becomes satisfied with the taste of the water. So Kṛṣṇa says, "I am the taste." So how one can say that "I do not know God. I have not seen God. I have no experience of God"? God says, "Here is, I am." > But all these lives are temporary—for a few years. That is our material condition. Everyone likes to have a permanent settlement; that is inner dictation. But nature will not allow. That is nature's law. Therefore the solution of problems means how to get out of the clutches of the material laws and come to the spiritual platform. *Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti*. So we are giving people the clue to understand the value of this life and prepare oneself in this life, so that next life we can get permanent life. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. --- **[1972: Nitāi Guṇa Mani Āmāra and Purport](spoken/1972/720924mu.la)** > So *ābaddha karuṇā-sindhu*, it was just like a big ocean blocked all sides. Ocean of love of Godhead is a big ocean, but it was not inundated. So Nityānanda Prabhu cut a canal from the ocean, and He brought the canal in every door. *Ghare ghare bule prema-amiyāra bān*. The flood of the nectar of love of Godhead was thus distributed in each and every home in Bengal. Actually still Bengal is overwhelmed when there is talk of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu and Nityānanda Prabhu. > Guṇa-maṇi* means the jewel of all qualities. So *nitāi guṇa-maṇi āmār nitāi guṇa-maṇi*. He is repeatedly uttering that Lord Nityānanda is the reservoir of all good qualities. *Āniyā premera vanyā bhāsāilo avanī*. And on account of His spiritual qualities, he inundated the whole world by the flood of love of God. It is by His kindness people can feel what is love of God. *Premer vanyā loiyā nitāi āilā gauḍa-deśe*. When Caitanya Mahāprabhu left home and took *sannyas*, He made His headquarter at Jagannātha Purī. So after His accepting the *sannyas* order, when He left His home and country Lord Nityānanda Prabhu also accompanied Him up to Jagannātha Purī. --- **[1972: Morning Walk](spoken/1972/720924mw.la)** > So this food should be offered according to the scriptural injunction, as in the *Bhagavad-gītā*: *patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ*. That is the duty of human being. Therefore those who are meat-eaters, they are also given the facility of offering to goddess Kali. Not without. > Why you are trying to become happy in this nonpermanent situation of material life? Go home and enjoy permanent life, blissful life. Dance with Kṛṣṇa. No. Even by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, a little restraining, they will go back to home back to Godhead, and all problems solved—they will not accept. They will make a scientific research to find out petroleum in the midst of the ocean. Therefore they are called rascals, fools, trying to be happy eh? --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.3.19](spoken/1972/720924sb.la)** > So religious principles cannot be manufactured, neither it can be made by speculation. So actually, there cannot be many religion. The rascal theory that "There are as many religious system as I can believe. You believe something, that's all right. I believe something, that's all right. He believes something, that's all right," no. It is not like that. Then everyone will believe like any nonsense thing, that becomes religion? No. Religion means *dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam*. Religion means the codes, the laws, given by God. That is religion. > So He went to Bali Mahārāja by a trick. Because Bali Mahārāja... Kṛṣṇa knows that Bali Mahārāja was the grandson of Prahlāda Mahārāja, and he was a great devotee at heart. He knew that. *Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati*. Lord is situated in everyone's heart. He knows everyone. So therefore, in order to return back the kingdoms taken from the demigods, He made a trick. He went there. Bali Mahārāja was performing a great sacrifice, *Bali-dhare.*[?] So He went there and asked Bali Mahārāja, "Bali Mahārāja, you are performing such a great sacrifice. I am at your door. I am *brāhmaṇa.* Will you kindly give Me some donation?" "Yes, why not? That is my... I will give you. Whatever You want, I will give You." --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 13.1–2](spoken/1973/730924bg.bom)** > So people, they want to enjoy life within this material world, but actually there is no enjoyment in the material world. Because, Kṛṣṇa says, there is birth, there is death, there is old age and there is disease. So where is your happiness? After all, you have to die. Suppose I make very good arrangement, very nice house, very nice bank balance, very nice wife, children, everything, but death can come at any moment. Then where is your perfection? If after so much hard labor everything is ready for enjoyment, but I am called by Yamarāja... *Mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham*. Death takes away everything. Therefore you cannot say the arrangement you made for happy life is perfect. That is not perfect. > So Arjuna is asking this question, *prakṛtiṁ puruṣaṁ caiva:* "Kindly give me instruction about this *prakṛti* and *puruṣa.*" *Kṣetra. Kṣetra* means the field of activity, and *kṣetrajña. Kṣetrajña* means one who knows, "This is my field." Just like the cultivator, he cultivates the land. From government there is demarcation of the land. The cultivator knows, "This is my portion of land." Similarly, every one of us, we are cultivating and we are given a field. This is the body. The spirit soul is the owner of the body, or the occupier of the body. Actually, he's not the owner. That will be explained by Kṛṣṇa. *Idaṁ śarīraṁ kaunteya kṣetram ity abhidhīyate* : "This body, My dear Arjuna, is called *kṣetra.*" *Kṣetra* means the field of activities. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.27](spoken/1976/760924sb.vrn)** > This is *śraddhā.* According to our Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇavas, this is *śraddhā.* What is that? Kṛṣṇa is asking, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. He's asking, demanding. So when we have faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa: "Yes, Kṛṣṇa says *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam.* Yes, I shall do," then *śraddhā* begins. Otherwise, there is no *śraddhā.* That is the beginning of *śraddhā. Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgaḥ.* If you have got faith in these words of Kṛṣṇa, that "Yes, whatever Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇam...,* accept it," then *śraddhā* begins. Otherwise there is no *śraddhā.* Ordinary *śraddhā* is..., they are going this temple or another, Kālī's temple or Durgā's temple. They say that "Everyone is all right." "Whatever you like." That is not *śraddhā;* that is whims. And *śraddhā* means when you firmly believe on the words of Kṛṣṇa, that Kṛṣṇa said, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. Therefore Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī said, *śraddhā-śabde viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya*. Kṛṣṇa said that "Give up everything, I shall give you..." "Yes, it is fact. Why shall I bother with...?" That is *śraddhā. Viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya. Sudṛḍha* means very firm faith. Not flickering faith. > So not only the churches in the Western countries; here also. As soon as you will lose the spirit of service, this temple will become a big godown, that's all. No more temple. So we have to maintain that service spirit. Therefore we are so much particular—"Why fresh flower is not there?" If you think, "Here is a stone statue. What is the meaning of fresh flower or old flower? We have to give some flower. That's all." But no feeling, that "Here is Kṛṣṇa. We must give fresh flower." Just like I'm a living man, if you give me a fresh flower, and if you bring some garbage and if you give me, shall I be pleased? Do you think? So this feeling is losing even in the beginning, that "We shall satisfy this statue with some rubbish, garbage flower. He's not going to protest." Yes, He'll not protest. But your life will be finished. The protest will come like that. As soon as you lost the feeling, *bhāva, budhā bhāva-samanvitāḥ*... --- ## Letters on September 24 *Letters from this day: 14* --- **[1970: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1970/700924_bali-mardana)** > Regarding a branch in the Fiji Islands, if you can open immediately a center in the very near future I will be able to send some Hindi knowing Indians to assist the preaching work there. I know in Fiji Islands there are many Hindus and one of them asked me to open a center there. --- **[1971: Letter to Gaura Hari](letters/1971/710924_gaura_hari)** > The idea is that Sankirtana must be pushed on, even there are some difficulties. So tactfully, according to place, time, and surroundings, try to push on this Sankirtana cult as far as possible and Krishna will be very very much pleased upon you. --- **[1971: Letter to Makhanlal Tilaka](letters/1971/710924_makhanlal_tilaka)** > I am so glad to hear that Von Prabhu is executing such valuable service to Krishna. So he is giving such nice service; that is his qualification. --- **[1971: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1971/710924_sukadeva)** > Just recently I have received one letter from Pavanadeva Prabhu requesting second initiation at the recommendation of both yourself and Karandhara. --- **[1973: Letter to Govardhan 3](letters/1973/730924_govardhan_3)** > The sacred trread for the second initiation of Indrabarta dasa is also enclosed. --- **[1974: Letter to Adi-Kesava](letters/1974/740924_adi-kesava)** > Upon your recommendation I am accepting the following as my initiated disciples. --- **[1974: Letter to Devotees](letters/1974/740924_devotees)** > By your prayers and by your chanting Hare Krishna, and by the grace of Lord Nrsimhadeva I am recovered from the serious illness. --- **[1976: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1976/760924_gurudasa)** > Harikesa has gone there to Poland to preach as you are doing, so take him with you. I have given him $1,000.00 for immediate expenditure and he has to return this as soon as possible. --- **[1976: Letter to Jayatirtha](letters/1976/760924_jayatirtha)** > Harikesa was doing nice preaching work and recently he has received one letter from Sucandra. --- **[1976: Letter to Lokanatha](letters/1976/760924_lokanatha)** > If possible you can collect something for our Gurukula and Temple also, and if some high-class men want to offer their children to Gurukula we can accept. --- **[1976: Letter to Manager Central Bank Of India](letters/1976/760924_manager_central_bank_of_india)** > Ref: Your letter No. FDR:ASB:9-15/76 dated 16th Sept. '76 FDR in the name Bhaktivedanta Book Trust No. 8/27 --- **[1976: Letter to Prabhanu](letters/1976/760924_prabhanu)** > With reference to your letter to Harikesa Swami dated 15th inst., Sriman Srineketan das Brahmacari may take second initiation at the next Mayapur festival. --- **[1976: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1976/760924_sukadeva)** > Gurukrpa Swami is coming there, and whatever he may advise may be done, regarding the deities. --- **[1976: Letter to Yasomatinandana](letters/1976/760924_yasomatinandana)** > Regarding against propoganda, it is going on practically everywhere, especially Bengal. So we have to work very sincerely and Krishna will give us protection. ---