# October 7 ## Spoken on October 7 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 7.15–18](spoken/1966/661007bg.ny.md)** > Priyo hi jñānino 'tyartham ahaṁ sa ca mama priyaḥ*. The... "For a person who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, at the same time philosophically trying to understand what is the nature of God, so he is very dear to Me," Kṛṣṇa says. "He is very dear to Me because he has no other business than to understand what is God." Others, just like a distressed man, he is in distress, but because he's pious, therefore he believes in God, he goes to the churches or to the temple or to the mosque and prays, "My dear Lord, I am very much distressed. Kindly help me." > Then, therefore, Kṛṣṇa says, *teṣāṁ jñānī nitya-yuktaḥ. Jñānī* is *nitya-yukta. Jñānī* is not a... He is not a *jñānī,* or man in knowledge, who is not eternally engaged in the service of Kṛṣṇa. There are... There is a class of *jñānī,* impersonalist. They say that "Because to worship impersonal is very difficult for us, so imagine some form of God." They are not *jñānī;* they are fools. Oh, you cannot imagine the form of God. God is so great. That may be your imagination, but that is not the form of God. That is concoction. They are called iconographer. Iconographer. --- **[1968: Lecture](spoken/1968/681007le.sea)** > So we should know our constitutional position, that in all circumstances we are dependent. Therefore the best method of my perfection of life is to become dependent on God, Kṛṣṇa. That is the solution of all problems. And Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is that. Try to understand your constitutional position and be surrendered to God, to Kṛṣṇa. Then you'll be happy. Very simple thing. The moment you surrender unto God, immediately you become happy. *Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te*. > The sunshine is impersonal. Similarly, there is a transcendental rays from the planet where Kṛṣṇa, or God, is there. Just a few minutes before, I recited one verse from *Bhagavad-gītā* that *na tad bhāsayate sūryo*. That means it is illuminating. There is no need of sunshine. Just like this planet is not illuminating; therefore we want light from the sun, from the moon, from electricity. But *Bhagavad-gītā* says that the planet of the Lord, there is no... Why planet? The sky. --- **[1972: Morning Walk](spoken/1972/721007mw.ber)** > Because it is not based on scientific knowledge, actually *vijñānam, yad vijñāna-samanvitam*, *jñānaṁ* means—*parama-guhyaṁ me yad vijñāna-samanvitam*. Therefore they say, "we believe," and belief can be changed, so change also. Even the common men abides with the change. We don't give any orders to believe we want substantial scientific truth. > He told us that they were afraid of asking questions to Śrīla Prabhupāda [laughs] he started asking about the *avatāra* of the 13 year. [laughs] So he said that. He didn't put it rightly you know [laughs] he was afraid of. Actually they didn't ask too many questions just ah... --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 13.14](spoken/1973/731007bg.bom)** > Just like Kṛṣṇa said that *patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati*.* Now Kṛṣṇa says that "Either a little flower, a little fruit or little leaf..." Anyone can collect these things. Even if he is the poorest of the poor, then he can also collect a little flower, a little fruit, little water and offer Kṛṣṇa, "My dear Kṛṣṇa, I wanted to offer You something, but I am so poor, I have nothing to offer. I have collected these three things as You have prescribed in the *Bhagavad-gītā, patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ yo me bhaktyā prayacchati.*" The real thing is *bhakti.* Kṛṣṇa, He has appeared here in His form to accept your offerings, not that He is poor. > So both the bodily platform and mental platform, they are material. Because the body is also matter and mind is also matter. That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā: bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca, apareyam, prakṛtir me bhinnā aṣṭadhā*. This body is made of five elements: earth, water, fire, air, sky; and mind is there, subtle body, mind, intelligence and egotism. So both platform are material platform. Therefore it is said, *harāv abhaktasya.* Those who are devotees of the Lord, they are not acting on the mental or the gross material platform. They are not working on that platform. They are working on the spiritual platform. --- **[1975: City Hall Lecture](spoken/1975/751007le.dur)** > So our request is that you are so many Indians living in this foreign country for generation. So take this instruction of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Because you are coming from India, therefore it is special request to you that "By the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, every one of you become a *guru*." And what shall you have to do? *Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā tāra ei deśa*. Ei deśa.* This South Africa, you are staying here. So you preach as a *guru.* And what shall you preach? Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, *yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa upadeśa.* You haven't got to do anything. The instruction of Kṛṣṇa is there in the *Bhagavad-gītā*. Don't distort it, but put it as it is. That's your duty. If you do simply this thing... Because in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is clearly said that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Kṛṣṇa says Himself that *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat kiñcid asti dhanañjaya*.* > So if we calculate the age of Manu, it comes to the point of forty millions of years. So Kṛṣṇa said that forty millions of years ago at least, He spoke this philosophy of *Bhagavad-gītā* to the sun-god, Vivasvān. The name of the predominating deity in the sun planet is Vivasvān. His son, Manu, Vaivasvata Manu; His son, Ikṣvāku, the original person in the dynasty Sūrya-vaṁśa, in which Lord Rāmacandra appeared, Ikṣvāku. So in this way this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is coming since a very, very long time. But Kṛṣṇa said, *evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ* : "Formerly the *rājarṣis,* they used to receive this instruction through the chain of disciplic succession." That was the way of understanding *Bhagavad-gītā*. But Kṛṣṇa said, *sa kāleneha yogo naṣṭo paran-tapa.* Now Kṛṣṇa, five thousand years ago, when Kṛṣṇa was talking with Arjuna in the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, he was perplexed whether to fight or not to fight, and just to enthuse him in the fighting, He spoke this *Bhagavad-gītā* five thousand years ago to Arjuna. And He said there that "The *paramparā* system, disciplic succession, is now broken; therefore I am speaking to you again so that people may learn from you what is the purport of this philosophy, Kṛṣṇa consciousness." --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751007mw.dur)** > That is your right, but you are now diseased. Why don't you see to this? You are dying, therefore. You are becoming old, therefore. This is your disease. That they will not admit. In the diseased condition they want to enjoy. And then tuberculosis. If a tuberculosis person, suffering from tuberculosis, he wants to enjoy sex, that means he will die very soon. His life is finished, but he wants that, that "I shall suffer from tuberculosis, at the same time enjoy." Then all right, go to hell. What can be done? Enjoyment is the life, but when you are diseased, you must first of all "Heal thyself," then enjoy. That enjoyment will be nice. This is the instruction of *śāstra,* that you are working so hard day and night like hogs and dogs, but where is your enjoyment? First of all cure your disease. Then you will be happy. Simply working hard like hogs and dogs, you are thinking that you will enjoy. That is not possible. Hogs and dogs, they simply work hard, but there is no enjoyment. Is there any enjoyment in the life of dogs and hogs? They simply work hard, that's all. So human life is also meant for that purpose, that you will blindly work like hogs and dogs and no enjoyment? Still you are hankering after enjoyment. You should know what is enjoyment, how to do it. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. > The Indians are also coming to that point. The beginning is the rascal Vivekananda. He says, "Where you are searching God? Don't you see so many gods are loitering in the street, poor? Better you serve them. Why do you go to the temple?" This is their propaganda. That means no conception of God. The *Ārya-samājīs* also, they say, "There is no God in the temple." So in India the Jains, they also say, "There is no God." The Buddhists, they also say, "There is no God." The Christians, they have got very vague idea. So where is God? No God. It is only we are crying, "Here is God." Otherwise, whole world, they are trying to banish God, the Kaṁsa's policy, "Kill God," whole world. The Communists, total. This is our position. [pause] Is it wet? --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.49–50](spoken/1976/761007sb.vrn)** > In the Kali-yuga people are very much polluted. They cannot transgress. This is not transgression; this is powerful. Just like you are prohibited to go to the filthy place. Prohibited. But the sunshine goes. Sunshine goes. Sunshine is not prohibited, that "Here is a filthy place, lavatory. Sunshine, you do not come here." No, sunshine doesn't require your permission. It can go anywhere. But it is not polluted. *Tejīyasāṁ na doṣāya*. One who is *tejī...* Don't try to imitate *tejī.* You must become *tejī.* Then... Just like for Bhagavān everything is perfect. *Apāpa-viddham.* [*Īśopaniṣad* 8] Bhagavān is never affected by any so-called sin. For Him there is no sinful activities. *Apāpa-viddham.* You'll find in the *Īśopaniṣad,* there is the *mantra,* Vedic *mantra.* And if you think, consider, that "Kṛṣṇa is doing so many things, this is sinful." No. Therefore God is always good. "God is good." There is a common word. Even if you see that He is doing something wrong, that is not wrong; that is right. *Tejīyasāṁ na doṣāya*. He's so powerful, for Him there is no wrong. He's never wrongdoer. > So, *bhagavān devakī-suta.* Bhagavān. People may inquire, "What kind of Bhagavān He is? He has taken birth as the Devakī-suta. Any ordinary man, he takes birth as the son of such and such gentleman or such and such mother. So what kind of Bhagavān He is?" Therefore we have to understand how Kṛṣṇa... Kṛṣṇa is Bhagavān. *Kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam*. --- ## Letters on October 7 *Letters from this day: 19* --- **[1967: Letter to Janaki](letters/1967/671007_janaki)** > I have not heard for a long time from you. Please do remain in Krishna consciousness fully and you will always be happy. --- **[1967: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1967/671007_mukunda)** > I think I have several times asked you for arranging my Permanent Visa or immigration Visa. This will settle myself in your country and I can move freely. While I was in the States you told that my certificates are sufficient to give me permanent Visa on the basis of being the Minister of the Society. --- **[1968: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1968/681007_hayagriva)** > I have received one letter from Pradyumna as well as Kirtanananda Maharaja, from New Vrindaban, and I am enclosing herewith the replies of Pradyumna's letter; I hope he has be this time come to you. --- **[1968: Letter to Tosana Krsna](letters/1968/681007_tosana_krsna)** > Regarding your question about this planet and Krishna's coming here, you may note that Krishna comes within this universe once in one day of Brahma. Duration of Brahma's day is very very long, it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita—432 crores of years forms the duration of 12 hours of Brahma's day. --- **[1970: Letter to Advaita](letters/1970/701007_advaita)** > If there is any disagreement with your Godbrothers, you may live separately. If there is any severe misunderstanding, I request you to come to India and live with me and start a press here. --- **[1971: Letter to Carol](letters/1971/711007_carol)** > I beg to thank you very much for your letter and I have received your presentation and the prasadam I have distributed to all the devotees. It is nicely written, correctly spelled, which shows that you are a very intelligent girl and you can use your talent and intelligence for serving the Lord. Young boys and girls are sometimes agitated in mind but if we follow the regulative principles and chant Hare Krishna mantra regularly the onslaught of material nature can be checked. --- **[1972: Letter to Andrew Parco](letters/1972/721007_andrew_parco)** > So far we are concerned we are following the *Bhagavad-gita As It Is* and we see the knowledge given in the *Bhagavad-gita* is quite perfect in the matter of understanding God. If we compare the truth mentioned in the *Bhagavad-gita* with other books, sometimes there may not be equal standard of understanding. --- **[1972: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1972/721007_kirtanananda)** > Actually there is no problem, even in the material condition of life. Krsna has provided everything sufficiently and there is no question of scarcity or poverty. Only the demons and blind leaders are misguiding the whole population in the name of politicians, leaders, swamis, yogis, philanthropists, and making the whole world entangled more and more in problems. --- **[1972: Letter to Puri Maharaj](letters/1972/721007_puri_maharaj)** > ISKCON San Francisco Kindly accept my humble dandabats. I am coming to India by the 15th of October and will stay during Urja-vrata at the Radha-Damodara temple in Vrndavan. In my last letter to you I also requested you to take permanent permission from Visvanath Das, the chief minister, for permission of admission for my devotees in the Jagannath temple. --- **[1974: Letter to Gargamuni Swami](letters/1974/741007_gargamuni_swami)** > The three month tourist visas of Sruti Kirti, Nitai, and myself expire within three weeks time. Could you please send down the necessary forms that we can fill out along with other requirements such as how many photographs are required for an extention of the tourist visa. --- **[1974: Letter to Giriraj Prabhu](letters/1974/741007_giriraj_prabhu)** > If you harm it even slightly it will not grow again. Regarding your letter dated September 27, 1974 Srila Prabhupad requests the following to be included in the article for "Holymen of India." It should be very nicely written that so far cultural contribution/is world concerned, Srila Prabhupad stands first above all other Indian holymen. --- **[1974: Letter to Shaktimati](letters/1974/741007_shaktimati)** > I thank you for your concern for my well being. But, by your prayers Krishna has kindly made me recover. Because you have prayed to Krishna therefore I have recovered. --- **[1974: Letter to Tulsi](letters/1974/741007_tulsi)** > I am glad to learn that all the programs are going on nicely. Especially the college programs. If they are helping with funds, then there is much scope. --- **[1974: Letter to Vajresvari](letters/1974/741007_vajresvari)** > How to think of Krishna that I have given, following the devotional practices and chanting 16 rounds minimum. We have also established worship of the Deity in our temple so that all day long one will automatically think of Krishna, He is so kind. So now Kirtanananda Maharaja has recommended you for twice born initiation. --- **[1974: Letter to Visala](letters/1974/741007_visala)** > I think you can let me know how you are doing there in Delhi for collecting for our Vrindaban temple. --- **[1975: Letter to Dina Bandhu](letters/1975/751007_dina_bandhu)** > Upon your recommendation I am accepting both boys for my disciples. Their names are Girijarata dasa—Marty, and Amoghavirya dasa—Michael. --- **[1975: Letter to Mokika Kardama Muni Vaisnavananda](letters/1975/751007_mokika_kardama_muni_vaisnavananda)** > Please see the full letter for details. --- **[1976: Letter to Gaura Govinda](letters/1976/761007_gaura_govinda)** > Nityananda Kanungo, the father of Bijayananda, can give you information about that land. He is a very famous man, and he lives in Cuttack. --- **[1976: Letter to Hrdayananda](letters/1976/761007_hrdayananda)** > Thank you very much for your very good printing and preaching work. May Lord Caitanya bless you. ---