# October 15 ## Spoken on October 15 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1972: Lecture [Intro by Dr. Kapoor](spoken/1972/721015le.vrn)** > This is really a rare moment in history, for, for the first time in the history of the world, for the first time at least in living memory, Vaiṣṇavism, the message of Vaiṣṇavism, the message of Mahāprabhu, the message of devotion and of pure devotion has been carried to the West and carried so successfully. I am sure that historians of the future will have a lot to say about Prabhupāda and his movement, and they will be even envious of us for living in a time when this movement was begun and for participating in it. > I have a secret realization that at this moment, while we are welcoming Prabhupāda, Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī, Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī, Śrī Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja, whose *samādhis* signify their eternal presence in the sacred precincts of this temple, are also joining us in welcoming Prabhupāda, and they are showering their choicest blessings upon him. I can hear them saying, "Long live Prabhupāda! Long live Prabhupāda!" I am sure as a result of their presence, Prabhupāda will live long for many, many more years to broadcast the message of Caitanya Mahāprabhu all the world over and to inspire us, to inspire us with a special zeal in our hearts. And I am sure as a result of their blessings he will rise always, from glory, glory. --- **[1972: Morning Walk](spoken/1972/721015mw.vrn)** > Yes. This temple was constructed by Śrīla Jīva Gosvāmī, one of the first disciples of Lord Caitanya, and this is Narottama *samādhi.* Here is Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī entombed, and here is Rūpa Gosvāmī entombed. Later on, several other devotees, they are not entombed like them. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 13.21](spoken/1973/731015bg.bom)** > And we are not very much serious about this thing, that "I am part and parcel of God, *sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ* [Bs. 5.1].* My, I am... *Na jāyate na mriyate.* "My position is that I never take my birth and never die." *Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. "I do not die even after the destruction of this body." These things are my privileges, but I do not wish to take care of them. This is called *māyā.* We are satisfied in this abominable condition of life by a body given by the nature. We suffer or enjoy... No enjoyment. > So now we have got higher consciousness, developed consciousness, we should try to understand the problems of life. Athāto brahma-jijñāsā. [loud noise of firecrackers] This human form of life is meant for inquiring about this Absolute Truth, the Supreme Soul. *Ātma-tattva-jijñāsā.* Therefore *Bhāgavata* says, *parābhavas tāvad abodha-jāto yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam Parābhavas tāvad abodha-jātaḥ.* Everyone is born rascal and fool. Unless one is rascal and fool, one does not take birth in this material body. One who is actually in knowledge, he becomes liberated, *jñāna-vairāgya-yuktāya*. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.35](spoken/1974/741015sb.may)** > So after finishing this body, then I am not finished; I am there. I am, this gross body, finished, but I am within this subtle body—mind, intelligence and ego. The subtle body carries me to another gross body. These so-called scientists, medical men, they cannot see the subtle body, although one has to accept. Just like I have got mind; you have got mind—but I cannot see your mind; you cannot see my mind. I have got intelligence; you have got intelligence. Everyone knows. But you cannot see my intelligence; I cannot see your intelligence. They are very subtle. So, and beyond that, the spirit soul is still subtle, so minute quantity. So what these material scientists will see? They cannot see the mind, intelligence, ego, and what to speak of the soul. Therefore they say, "This body is everything, and there is nothing more." But actually that is not the fact. The fact is that the spirit soul is very, very small. *Keśāgra-śata-bhāgasya śatadhā kalpitasya ca*. > Therefore *śāstra* says, *bahu-duḥkha-bhājaḥ.* After sex life, oh, there are so many troubles, *bahu-duḥkha-bhājaḥ,* simply trouble. Either legitimate or illegitimate, simply trouble. *Tṛpyanti neha kṛpaṇā.* But because he is a rascal, ignorant, he's not satisfied; again does the same thing. *Punaḥ punaś carvita-carvaṇānām*. Again. This is called *bhava-roga. Yan maithunādi-gṛhamedhi-sukhaṁ hi tuccham, kaṇḍūyanena karayor iva duḥkha-duḥkham*. Iva duḥkha-duḥkham.* Simply trouble. Therefore Vedic civilization is to train these small boys to remain *brahmacārī,* not to take trouble. But if one is unable, he's allowed. So on being trained up in the beginning as *brahmacārī,* he does not stay for many years in the family life. He retires very soon and becomes *vānaprastha,* then *sannyāsa.* That is the training. --- **[1975: Conversation](spoken/1975/751015r1.joh)** > Adjust. *Kleśada āsa dehaḥ*.* Material body means different ways of giving trouble. I have got one trouble. He has got one trouble. He has got another trouble. He has got another. But nobody is coming to the senses that it is troublesome. And troublesome, at the same time you'll not be allowed to continue. It has to be ended. Then another change of body, and what kind of body you are going to get, that you do not know. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.7.5–6](spoken/1975/751015sb.joh)** > So everything is explained there. We are preaching Kṛṣṇa consciousness not with empty"After many, many births. After many, many births, *jñānavān,* one who is actually in knowledge, wise..." Then what does he do? *Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate:* He surrenders to Kṛṣṇa. The same thing, as Kṛṣṇa says, "Surrender to Me." If we do not do it... We have to do that, but if you want to wait *bahūnāṁ janma,* after many, many births, you have to do the same business, why not do it now? This is intelligence. If after *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*, when I actually become wise, why not become wise immediately? Kṛṣṇa says; Kṛṣṇa is canvassing. Why not take it up? And if you take it up, you are successful. *Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ hareḥ*. Even by sentiment you take it, you will be successful, it is so nice. > Sva-dharma.* Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya.* So that means every one of us... *Dharma* means occupational duty. That is *dharma,* characteristic. So Kṛṣṇa orders, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. If we accept it, even by sentiment... That is confirmed in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Tyaktvā sva-dharmaṁ caraṇāmbujaṁ hareḥ patet tato yadi, bhajann apakvo 'tha.* Nārada Muni says that "If somebody, even by sentiment—'All right, Kṛṣṇa says *sarva-dharmān parityajya.* Let us stop any other business, become Kṛṣṇa conscious'—even one accepts by sentiment, not thoroughly understanding, he is also fortunate." He also fortunate because he accepts the real thing. Therefore Nārada Muni said that "Even one accepting by sentiment, and later on," *bhajann apakvo 'tha,* "his execution of devotional service not mature and he falls down, then," Nārada Muni says, *yatra kva vābhadram abhūd amuṣya kim,* "where is the loss for that person? And the other hand, the other person who has not accepted this—he is very regularly executing his respons..., material responsibility—what does he gain by that?" This is the opinion. "If Kṛṣṇa consciousness is accepted even by sentiment, and after that, even he falls down, there is no loss. And if we are very faithful to our material duties, then," Nārada Muni says, "what do we gain by that?" --- **[1976: Bhagavad-gītā 7.1 in Hindi [translated](spoken/1976/761015bg.cha)** > An exalted devotee never asks anything from the Supreme Lord. He is always prepared to give to the Lord. May the Supreme Lord take everything from me. *Prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā.* May the Supreme Lord take my life, my wealth, my words, and my intelligence. This is a pure devotee's consideration. Just like the *pāṇḍavas*, the Supreme Lord Kṛṣṇa, their friend, is present before them. They lost their kingdom, their wife was insulted, still, you will find in the *Mahābhārata* that they never prayed to the Lord for anything. That "O Supreme Lord, these things are happening to us. You are our friend." They never said. The Supreme Lord is personally with them but they never prayed to Him for any kind of help. This is the pure devotees' consideration. And those who have not yet attained that stage they are called pious. In future they too will become pure devotees. Therefore *śāstra* recommends that even if you have got some material desires you worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. > Somehow or other I have fallen into this *bhava-samudra*. This material world is called *bhava-samudra*. *Bhava*, *bhava* means to take birth. You die and again you take birth. Not one kind of birth but many different births. There are 8,400,000 species of life and one has go through them. Therefore it is called *bhava-samudra*. Who knows what kind of birth are you going to get? One should understand this. The human form of life is meant for... In this ocean of birth and death, there is *dehāntara prāptir*, one has to give up one body and take up another body. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/771015r2.vrn)** > Rama dāsa Śastri: [Transl. Maharajaji, whatever gives you relief I will do that. I will try my best to give you relief whether it is day or night. I don't care for any personal inconvenience. You become healthy that is my satisfaction. I will sleep here if needed. I don't care. Don't worry about that.] --- ## Letters on October 15 *Letters from this day: 21* --- **[1968: Letter to Cidananda](letters/1968/681015_cidananda)** > I also thank you for sending my passport along with the two certificates which I have duly received yesterday and I am utilizing it for my medical examination, and other activities in connection with my permanent visa in USA. --- **[1968: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1968/681015_mukunda)** > I hope this meets you in good health, along with Janaki, and Malati and Shyamsundar, and Miss Saraswati. --- **[1968: Letter to Nandarani](letters/1968/681015_nandarani)** > And for myself, I shall go to Vancouver for a few days by the 24th of October, and from there I shall go to Los Angeles; that is the present program. --- **[1968: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1968/681015_rayarama)** > I am very sorry I could not reply you earlier, because there are so many letters, and I have to reply them one after another. --- **[1968: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1968/681015_rupanuga)** > Fugate in Florida: I have read the letter, the copy of which you have sent to me, and I am forwarding it to Nandarani. Because she is also very much surprised at the behavior of Mr. --- **[1969: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1969/691015_brahmananda)** > Regarding your question about Mantra 12 of *Isopanisad,* the verse as it is, is correct. --- **[1969: Letter to Jayagovinda](letters/1969/691015_jayagovinda)** > When you came from India to Germany you told me that you felt complete satisfaction being in Germany, having a good engagement for serving Krishna. But at present you express that you may not be feeling that satisfaction intact. If you would explain to me why you are feeling like that, then I can help you. --- **[1969: Letter to Ranadhir](letters/1969/691015_ranadhir)** > Ascot, Berkshire, ENGLAND My Dear Ranadhir, Please accept my blessings. So more and more Krishna is giving us facilities to push on this Krishna Consciousness throughout the world. You are a sincere soul, so continue to chant Hare Krishna the prescribed number of rounds, depending on Krishna in all instances, and surely He will be pleased to bestow His blessings upon you. --- **[1969: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1969/691015_satsvarupa)** > I do not understand the technical language, but I can follow that there is a property in the name of the society. --- **[1973: Letter to Tusta Krsna Beharilal](letters/1973/731015_tusta_krsna_beharilal)** > News has come to me that you want to sell our temple to somebody else which I cannot believe. --- **[1974: Letter to Caitya-Guru](letters/1974/741015_caitya-guru)** > Brahmananda Swami reports that what invitations you have got in Batala it was very difficult to make Life Members there. Neither it is possible to give you any assistant immediately. --- **[1974: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1974/741015_hansadutta)** > Some time ago there was an agreement made regarding the grazing land on the Bhaktivedanta Manor property. I want the name of George's attorney and a copy of the agreement papers regarding the settlement. --- **[1974: Letter to Jagatikanda](letters/1974/741015_jagatikanda)** > I thank you very much for it. I am now using it for my chanting beads, so it is a welcome gift. --- **[1974: Letter to Subala](letters/1974/741015_subala)** > You are an old, experienced worker, and I have full confidence in you. Next time I return to USA by that way this coming April I may go to Fiji, so please arrange. --- **[1976: Letter to Cittahari](letters/1976/761015_cittahari)** > It is your money so you can do with it whatever you like. If you feel the money is needed there, then use it accordingly, I have no objection. --- **[1976: Letter to Dr. R.M. Dave](letters/1976/761015_dr._r.m._dave)** > I am returning to Vrindaban on 20th October and shall be there until end of November. --- **[1976: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1976/761015_kirtanananda)** > A film showing illegal techniques of distributing my books (Money shuffle) was never authorized by me. If it is actually a fact what you say, then stop it immediately. In all our dealings we should be above suspicion. --- **[1976: Letter to Mrs. Tania Perera](letters/1976/761015_mrs._tania_perera)** > Regarding your situation, the only alternative is to move into the temple and take complete shelter of the devotees and Krishna. Prahlada Maharaja was only 5 years old and because of his becoming a devotee of the Lord his father tried to kill him in so many ways. --- **[1976: Letter to Radhavallabha](letters/1976/761015_radhavallabha)** > Geetar-gan [Bengali] may be added in the front piece as you have suggested, spelling as above with Bengali in brackets. There is no need to print Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, His Life and Precepts, it is already there in other books. --- **[1976: Letter to S.B. Bartarya](letters/1976/761015_s.b._bartarya)** > I shall be returning to Vrindaban on the 20th October and shall be glad to see you any day thereafter at 4:30 PM. --- **[1976: Letter to Sacimata](letters/1976/761015_sacimata)** > There is nothing mystical about getting Gaura Nitai deities for worshiping. The Lord is all powerful and omnipresent, he knows the heart of the devotee and reciprocates with the devotee accordingly. ---