# October 23 ## Spoken on October 23 *Lectures from this day: 7 recordings* --- **[1968: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.2–5](spoken/1968/681023sb.mon)** > Then the next question should be that "Why this is happening? We are, everyone, is struggling for existing, but existence, there is no... I will not exist. Nobody will exist." This question, unless there is in the human mind, then, *Bhāgavata* says, *parābhavas tāvat:* "His all activities are simply defeat." *Yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam* So *ātma-tattvam.* One should be inquisitive to understand, "What is my constitutional position?" Then it is perfect life. Otherwise it is crazy life. > So Śukadeva Gosvāmī says, concludes, that *icchatā abhayam. Abhayam* means fearful. If you actually want to be free from fear, then you should concentrate your mind discussing, hearing, remembering, either of the impersonal Brahman... *Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti*. Either you think of Brahman or Paramātmā or the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but your subject matter should be this: hearing, chanting, discussing, talking, knowing. Don't divert your attention to this flimsy, I mean to say, so-called subject matter, which will end. --- **[1972: The Nectar of Devotion](spoken/1972/721023nd.vrn)** > Mānadena.* We should be always ready to offer respect to all, not only devotees, but everyone. Everyone. Because every living entity is originally a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. But circumstantially, being covered by the coat of *māyā,* he's playing like demon. But his original nature is a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. *Jīvera svarūpa haya nitya kṛṣṇera dāsa*. Everyone is eternally servant of Kṛṣṇa. But being influenced by *māyā,* when he gets this body, given by *māyā... Prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ.* When he's conducted by the three *guṇas* of *māyā,* he thinks himself otherwise. He thinks himself independent of Kṛṣṇa. But actually, nobody is independent of Kṛṣṇa. > In the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ* : "Those who are *mahātmā,* they are under the protection of the spiritual energy.And those who are not *mahātmās, durātmās,* they are under the protection of the material energy." And the living entity is called marginal energy, because he has to remain under the control or under the supervision of one of these two energies, material energy and spiritual energy. And he can select whether to remain under the control of material energy or under the control of spiritual energy. Therefore he's called marginal. The living entity's position is marginal, in between the two energies. So he can select. So Kṛṣṇa therefore comes to canvass that "You are working under material energy..." --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.12](spoken/1972/721023sb.vrn)** > But what is happening? There is no knowledge of the value of life, and they are becoming more and more attached to this material world. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that so-called advancement of education means *māyayā apahṛta-jñāna.* The *māyā,* the illusory energy, is plundering the real purpose of knowledge. > Actually if one associates with a *sādhu,* with a pure devotee of Lord, then certainly it will be effective. Certainly. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness society is meant for giving opportunity to the people to make association with *bhaktas.* By association with *bhakta,* devotees, they'll become also *bhakta. Saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ*. If you associate with drunkards, then you gradually become a drunkard. But if you associate with devotees, gradually you become a devotee. This is natural sequence. So *ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgo 'tha bhajana-kriyā tato 'nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt* [*Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu *1.2.4]. --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 13.24](spoken/1973/731023bg.bom)** > So one has to learn. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *ya evaṁ vetti puruṣaṁ prakṛtim*. You must learn what is this living entity. That also we do not know. *Prakṛti.* This body is *prakṛti,* and the living force which is within the body, that is *puruṣa.* And there are two kinds of *puruṣas*—the living entity and the Supersoul, Paramātmā, *ātmā* and Paramātmā. The *ātmā* is creating his own field of activities; Paramātmā is observing only, "What you are doing?" These things we have already discussed. *Upadraṣṭā anumantā.* The *paramātma-puruṣa* is *upadraṣṭā,* overseeing your activities. You want to do something, but without His permission, you cannot do. *Upadraṣṭā anumantā ca bhartā.* He is the maintainer. > The such important life, human form of life, nobody is interested to know about the philosophy of life, value of life. They have become so frivolous. In this evening, everyone is engaged in childish activities, but nobody is interested in the real problem of life. The real problem of life is stated, *na bhūyaḥ abhijāyate.* And big, big leaders... Ask them what is the real problem of life. They do not know. *Andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ. Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇuṁ durāśayā ye bahir-artha-māninaḥ*. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.43](spoken/1974/741023sb.may)** > So we should not remain *mūḍha.* At least, we must come to the stage of *jñānī. Karmī, jñānī, yogī*, then *bhakta.* Step by step. So this *mūḍha* person... Kuntīdevī said, "Kindly help me in cutting this *mūḍha* relationship. And then give me attachment for You." *Tvayi ananya-manasaḥ. Tvayi me ananya-viṣayā matir bhava tu.* So this is *bhakti,* that we have to give up the illusory attachment. Here the attachment is illusory. It will not stay. We want to live in family—husband, wife, children, father, mother—but it is not possible to live here permanently. That is not possible. *Mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham*. Kṛṣṇa says that "You may think that you are very happy in family relationship, but I'll not allow you to stay here. I will take everything from you as death." *Mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś ca aham.* > Bhakti-latā-bīja,* that is not very easily available. But it is available—*guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya.* Because Kṛṣṇa is situated in everyone's heart, if you are actually eager to understand Kṛṣṇa, then Kṛṣṇa can understand that "This living entity is trying to understand." So He gives a *guru*. He gives... *Caitya...* He's *caitya-guru.* He is *guru* Himself within one's heart, and He gives intelligence. *Buddhi-yogaṁ dadāmi taṁ yena mām upayānti te*. To a sincere person, He gives the intelligence that "You accept this *guru*." --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.1](spoken/1976/761023sb.vrn)** > And Kṛṣṇa put this problem before us: *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam .* This is knowledge. They are making plans for so many things, but where is that plan to stop *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha*? That is not so easy. Therefore they have avoided it. They do not touch this point. They are making arrangement for temporary, so-called happiness. That attempt is done even by cats and dogs. That is not successful life. I have several times told you... This is Vedic civilization. When Viśvāmitra came to see Mahārāja Daśaratha... It is etiquette, suppose a friend comes, we ask, "How are you, my friend? How things are going on?" So similarly, when Daśaratha Mahārāja inquired Viśvāmitra, "How are you?" that "How are you" was not ordinary question. He inquired, *aihiṣṭaṁ yat punar janma jayāya* [*Rāmayana]*. The great great saintly persons, sages, they are engaged in devotional service. What is the purpose? The purpose is not for some material gain. The purpose is different. That was inquired by Dāsaratha Mahārāja: *aihiṣṭaṁ yat punar janma jayāya:* "You are undergoing *tapasya,* austerities, for conquering over rebirth." > Rebirth, that is very painful. But because we are *mūḍhās*, we have forgotten what is the painful condition is rebirth. We do not remember it. We do not remember. We had to pass through. We can simply imagine how it is painful to remain in the womb of the mother, packed up in an airtight bag, and hands and legs you cannot move even. So this is the tribulations of taking birth. And similarly, the tribulations of death. Sometimes one remains in coma for months and he suffers so much. Sometimes he cries. Actually tears come out. We cannot see, but within the body of the dying man is so much painful. This is called *janma-mṛtyu.* And old man's..., there are difficulties. And *vyādhi:* everyone is subjected to some kind of disease. So we do not take account. So here Ṛṣabhadeva is stressing on this point: "My dear boys, do not spoil your life living like cats and dogs." Do not. This is not meant for this life. This human form of life is meant for different purposes. *Durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma tad apy adhruvam arthadam *. --- ## Letters on October 23 *Letters from this day: 21* --- **[1967: Letter to Lilavati](letters/1967/671023_lilavati)** > I have purchased one Tambura for you costing Rs 106/- from Dwarkin & Sons. This Tambura is going to be booked by air cargo tomorrow by Ramanuja. --- **[1967: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1967/671023_mukunda)** > Now I feel certain that you will get my immigration visa, in the meantime as I have already informed you I've gotten a visitors visa immediately on presenting passport. --- **[1969: Letter to Damodara](letters/1969/691023_damodara)** > We are having a few public meetings every week at various halls and societies, and there is much interest and appreciation in our movement being shown by the English people. We are seeing more and more how the peoples in all different countries are gradually becoming dissatisfied with the present Godless civilization and are taking to our movement with great appreciation. --- **[1969: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1969/691023_kirtanananda)** > Now I am very much hopeful that New Vrindaban will develop very nicely under your good care. --- **[1970: Letter to Acyutananda Kirtanananda](letters/1970/701023_acyutananda_kirtanananda)** > I have not heard from either of you since my coming this side to Bombay, so I am very anxious to know how you are each making life members. --- **[1970: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1970/701023_karandhara)** > Since a very long time I have not received any word from you. I hope everything is going on well with you in our Los Angeles World Headquarters. --- **[1970: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1970/701023_madhudvisa)** > I am so much pleases that you are carrying on the Street Sankirtana Party as we have instituted in the Western countries even though you have sometimes only one companion. --- **[1970: Letter to Tamala Krsna Syamasundara](letters/1970/701023_tamala_krsna_syamasundara)** > I am very anxious to know your situation; whether you have removed to the Rama Temple or where you are stationed now? What was the result of my application to the Buildings Society Cooperative? --- **[1972: Letter to Narottamananda](letters/1972/721023_narottamananda)** > You are fixing up your new place very nicely, that will attract men to come there. --- **[1972: Letter to Purnaprajna Madhavananda](letters/1972/721023_purnaprajna_madhavananda)** > Do not worry, I have asked Bhavananda to return to Calcutta, and he should be returning there soon. --- **[1972: Letter to Saucarya](letters/1972/721023_saucarya)** > You are feeling some discomfort in your life in Krishna Consciousness, but I can assure you that this is only temporary condition of little importance, because main thing is that somehow or other you... --- **[1973: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1973/731023_bali-mardana)** > My program is to reach Los Angeles in the middle of December. I hope by that time your transaction of the New York temple will be finished. --- **[1973: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1973/731023_karandhara)** > So you may immediately send Nitai Das here to me in India and he may remain with me to do this work. --- **[1973: Letter to Purusottama](letters/1973/731023_purusottama)** > [text missing]...s, it is required that 16 rounds be chanted as an [text missing]...te necessity. Because we have got many duties, [text missing]...ve minimized the amount to 16 rounds, otherwise [text missing]...minimum is 64 rounds, but Western people cannot [text missing]...this. --- **[1974: Letter to Balabhadra](letters/1974/741023_balabhadra)** > I understand that all the others from Scotland have gone to Bhaktivedanta Manor, so why do you not go there also and get recommended by the temple President for Brahminical initiation. --- **[1974: Letter to Behari](letters/1974/741023_behari)** > Please accept my best wishes. --- **[1974: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1974/741023_tamala_krsna)** > Your letter was forwarded from Bombay, but the letter from Ramesvara was not enclosed. --- **[1976: Letter to Bala Krsna](letters/1976/761023_bala_krsna)** > Your report of book distribution is very encouraging. Please go on increasing more and more. Yes, you should become the topmost temple for distributing my books. --- **[1976: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1976/761023_gurudasa)** > I never said that you should go undercover for preaching in Eastern Europe. Everything should be done openly and very carefully. Krsna will protect your efforts. --- **[1976: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1976/761023_jayapataka)** > Regarding this co-operative point, who will manage all the expenditure? We will spend so much money, why should it be managed by a co-operative. The co-operative society proposal is absurd. --- **[1976: Letter to Rajni](letters/1976/761023_rajni)** > Yogesvara is supposed to come there very soon to check on the situation and then report back to me. You may please keep in correspondence with him. ---