# October 31 ## Spoken on October 31 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 8.15–20](spoken/1966/661031bg.ny.md)** > The Vṛndāvana city from where I have come, this Vṛndāvana is called Bhauma Vṛndāvana. Bhauma Vṛndāvana means the same Vṛndāvana descended on this earth. Just like Kṛṣṇa descends on this earth out of His own internal potency, similarly, His *dhāma,* or His abode, also descends, the Vṛndāvana *dhāma.* Or, in other words, when Kṛṣṇa descends on this earth, He manifests Himself in that particular land. Therefore that land is so sacred, Vṛndāvana. But Kṛṣṇa has His own abode. And Kṛṣṇa says, "Anyone who comes to My abode," *mām upetya punar janma duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam,* "he does not get again rebirth in this material world, which is full of threefold miseries." *Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam nāpnuvanti.* > So Kṛṣṇa says that in the Brahmaloka, in the highest planet of this universe, even you enter there... *Ābrahma-bhuvanāl lokāḥ punar āvartino 'rjuna* : "My dear Arjuna, if you enter even to the highest planet, still, you will have to accept that repetition of birth and death. You cannot get rid of it." *Mām upetya.* Again He says. As in the former verse, He says *mām upetya:* "If you reach to My planet, then you haven't got to come back again this..., in this miserable material world," again He says, repeatedly, that "If you enter into the highest planet of this universe, still, your that repetition of birth and death will continue. But *mām upetya,* if you come to My planet," *mām upetya tu kaunteya punar janma na vidyate.* Oh, that same very thing is again confirmed here, *punar janma na vidyate:* "Oh, there is no more rebirth. No more. You get your eternal life." --- **[1972: The Nectar of Devotion](spoken/1972/721031nd.vrn)** > In the *Bhagavad-gītā* the living entities have been described as *prakṛti. Apareyam itas tu vidhi me prakṛtim parā*.* After describing the material energies—earth, water, air, fire, sky, mind, intelligence, ego—Kṛṣṇa says *apareyam:* all these energies, separated energies, material energies, they are *aparā,* inferior. But that is also Kṛṣṇa's energies. Inferior means not actually inferior, because they..., there cannot be anything inferior which is emanating from Kṛṣṇa. The inferior in this sense: by our absence of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. > So Kṛṣṇa's two energies... Inferior means where Kṛṣṇa consciousness is almost absent. That is inferior. When there is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that is no more inferior; that is superior. So Kṛṣṇa says, *apareyam itas tu vidhi me prakṛtiṁ parā*.* After all, any energy, *prakṛti...* So the Māyāvādī philosopher mistakes to elevate the living entities to the standard of *puruṣa,* the Supreme. But actually it is not so. It is *prakṛti. Prakṛti* means predominated and *puruṣa* means predominator. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.20](spoken/1972/721031sb.vrn)** > Therefore it is said, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu .* It is very difficult to give up these four bad habits. *Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye.* But this is the path of perfection. But they are not interested in perfection. They want to rot as hogs and dogs in this world. That is their purpose. And therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye.* Nobody is interested to become *brāhmaṇa.* They are interested to become dogs and hogs. That is their interest. > One has to make progress from the Brahman platform to Paramātmā platform, then to the Personality of Godhead understanding. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *yatatām api siddhānām .* Somebody is trying to come to the platform of *brahma-bhūta* stage. That is called *siddha* state. But *yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaścid vetti māṁ tattvataḥ.* So they also cannot understand Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa can be understood only by this process, *bhagavad-bhakti-yogataḥ.* --- **[1973: Bhagavad-gītā 7.3](spoken/1973/731031bg.vrn)** > So this is the actual *siddhi,* to understand that "I am eternally part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. I can enjoy eternally blissful life in knowledge with cooperation or in the association of Kṛṣṇa and His devotees." That is real life. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *yatatām api siddhānām .* Some of them are thinking that by merging into the existence of the Supreme, that is *siddhi.* That is not *siddhi.* That is partial *siddhi,* and it will not exist. That is explained in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ patanty adhaḥ anādṛta-yuṣmad-aṅghrayaḥ*. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye .* First of all, to get out of the entanglement, this bodily conception of life. The bodily conception of life is meant for the animals. Even if he is human being, but if he is under the bodily concept of life—"I am American," "I am Indian," "I am *brāhmaṇa,*" "I am *kṣatriya,*" "I am fat," "I am thin," "I am white," "I am black," "I am..."—if that is the identification, then he is not even a human being. *Ātma-tattva. Parābhavas tāvad abodha-jātaḥ Abodha-jāta.* Everyone is born that "I am this body," but if he continues to remain under the impression that "I am this body," then whatever he is doing under the bodily concept of life, he is *parābhava. Parābhavas tāvad abodha-jātaḥ.* Everything is defeat, because he is doing under the bodily concept of life. --- **[1973: Room Conversation](spoken/1973/731031r1.vrn)** > Now, the Kṛṣṇa says that *bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano, bhinnā me prakṛtir aṣṭadhā*. So it has emanated from Kṛṣṇa. *Yato vā imāni bhūtāni jāyante* [*Taittirīya Upaniṣad* 3.1]. This is the statement of the *Vedas* and... So how would you explain that a person can produce such huge quantity of material things, at least to make them understand how it is produced from the person? These are to be scientifically explained, wherefrom so much vast mass of water came. That you have to explain scientifically. Otherwise, how they will accept? Simply by saying, "It has come from Kṛṣṇa," they will not accept. > This is required. If you are a great scientist, you just glorify the qualities of *Uttama-śloka.* Then it is perfect. Simply you remain a scientist among some people, but you cannot describe about Kṛṣṇa, then your scientific knowledge... *Idaṁ hi puṁsas tapasaḥ śrutasya vā. Tapasaḥ śrutasya vā sūktasya sv-iṣṭasya ca buddhi-dattayoḥ. Nāmāny anantasya yaśo 'ṅki...*. *What is that? --- **[1975: Bhagavad-gītā 7.4](spoken/1975/751031bg.nai)** > So Vedic knowledge means the instruction given by Kṛṣṇa to the first living being, Lord Brahmā. *Janmādy asya yataḥ.* From Kṛṣṇa everything is born, everything is emanated. He says in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that *ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate*. Everything is coming from Him. So the first engineer of this universe, Lord Brahmā, he comes from Kṛṣṇa. Not directly Kṛṣṇa, but from Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu. There is *viṣṇu-tattva:* Kṛṣṇa, Balarāma, Saṅkarṣaṇa, *Catur-vyūha*: the quadruple forms, Nārāyaṇa. *Dvitīya-catur-vyūha*: again Saṅkarṣaṇa; from Saṅkarṣaṇa, Mahā-Viṣṇu; Mahā-Viṣṇu to Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu; Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, then Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu; in this way. So Kṛṣṇa is the origin. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ. Sarvasya* means even this Mahā-Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, Kṣīrodakaśāyī Viṣṇu, Nārāyaṇa, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Aniruddha, Pradyumna—everything. Then again the material world—Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśvara. Then from Brahmā so many demigods, in this way, this way. Therefore He is the *ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ.* This is the point. And the knowledge is also coming from Him. Knowledge is coming from Him. > Kṛṣṇa is explaining Himself. God is explaining what is God. That is real knowledge. If you speculate on God, it is not possible. God is unlimited. You cannot understand. The God, Kṛṣṇa, in the beginning said, *asaṁśayaṁ samagraṁ māṁ yathā jñāsyasi tac chṛṇu*. Samagram. Samagra* means whatever... Or *samagra* means complete. So whatever subject for study and knowledge there is, God is the sum total of everything, one. God is the sum total of everything. Therefore He begins to explain Himself that... --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761031r1.vrn)** > For example, no one can drag a person to a Baptist Church and brainwash him into taking God into his heart. He has to want to accept willingly. No one is ever held against their will by the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. I have never seen it, nor have my colleagues ever seen it. In examining the various members of this religion, I have not found one who appears to be brainwashed or dopey-like. In fact their mental health and normality astounds me. If you cannot accept Kṛṣṇa, God, they will sympathize with you and hope that you will eventually find Him and will wish you well as you go on your way. > These sacred texts and others have been translated and commented upon by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda and are being studied today in many major universities across the United States. The particular form of Vaisnavism of the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement dates from Śrī Kṛṣṇa Caitanya Mahāprabhu, one of India's saints born in 1486 A.D. in Nadia, India. His immediate followers organized this philosophy in a number of Sanskrit texts, and His religious practices, such as chanting and dancing, are most authentically represented in America by the Hare Kṛṣṇa devotees according to this tradition. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.9](spoken/1976/761031sb.vrn)** > Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, when He delivered Jagāi-Mādhāi... This Jagāi-Mādhāi was debauch—drinking, illicit sex, meat eating and these things, degradation. These four principles are the four pillars of degradation. Therefore we prohibit, that if you want to make progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you must give up these four principles. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu made this condition, that "If you promise that you will give up these four principles of sinful life, then I will accept you, never mind whatever you have done in the past." Every man is sinful, there is no doubt about it, more or less. That is not disqualification. If he agrees to give up that, then immediately he becomes liberated. That is Kṛṣṇa also says in the *Bhagavad..., ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi.* Liberation is not very difficult. It can be atained in one minute, provided you want to take it. Just like Kṛṣṇa says, > Mukti* is described here. It is not very difficult. Simply we have to decide that it is enough: no more. Then *muktaḥ paraṁ yāty atihāya hetum.* This is the *hetu.* We are *baddha,* conditioned. This is the *ato gṛha-kṣetra-sutāpta-vittair janasya moho 'yam*. So long we shall try... Because people are after this *gṛha,* apartment or home; *kṣetra,* land; *gṛha, kṣetra, suta,* children; *āpta,* friends; *vitta,* wealth, riches... The basic principle is that *maithunyam, agāram ajñaḥ vindati tāpān.* This is very important point. Therefore according to Vedic civilization, one is trained up how to give up this ideas, concoction. That is *brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha,* ultimately *sannyāsa.* No more. And ultimately, *sannyāsa* also is not the perfectional stage. *Sannyās*a* is also practice, how to come to the perfectional stage. The perfectional stage is to be engaged practically, not theoretically, engaged in the service of the Lord, according to his capacity. Not that everyone will be able to do everything; that is not required. Kṛṣṇa is not stereotyped, that He has to be served in this way only. No, Kṛṣṇa can accept service in so many ways. There are *dvādaśa-rasa, akhila-rasāmṛta-sindhu.* Just like Kṛṣṇa is enjoying when Bhīṣmadeva was piercing His body with the arrows. He was enjoying. This is also *rasa.* Bhīṣma, purposefully, he knows Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Lord, still, he is devotee, he was giving Him pleasure by throwing arrows on His body. So Kṛṣṇa takes pleasure in that. Kṛṣṇa does not take pleasure only when you throw rose flowers. He can take pleasure when you can pierce—if you are actually able to do that. So that is Kṛṣṇa. So *ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam*. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/771031r1.vrn)** > Ānanda Prabhu: [Transl. You spoke so much *Hari-kathā*, you gave advice to many people, you might have used harsh words, but you have done all that for the sake of Mahāprabhu. He has given the order. Mahāprabhu slapped Balabhadra Bhaṭṭacārya on the back and said—*mūrkhera vākye 'mūrkha' hailā paṇḍita hañā* [You are a learned scholar, but you have become a fool, being influenced by the statements of other fools, *Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya*18.100] He said like this Himself. It is His words. Even if you have used harsh words or offended anybody, you are not at fault. If you feel repentant by using strong language, it is not yours, it is His words. Gaurasundara's words, Nityānanda Prabhu's words. Once Śivānanda Sen was little late to attend Nityānanda. Nityānanda became displeased and so He stood up and kicked Śivānanda. He cursed him—let your sons die. Immediately Śivānanda's wife began to cry and his nephew left in an angry mood. Śivānanda simply said—"What can I say?" It's His wish and words. If He so desires, let my sons die. Vṛṇdāvana Dāsa Ṭhākura has also said—*eta parihāreo ye pāpī nindā kare / tabe lāthi māroṅ tāra śirera upare* [Therefore I kick the head of any sinful person who disregards the glories of Lord Nityānanda and dares to criticize Him.] If you have disregarded anybody, criticized anybody or called bad names to anybody, it is not your words. It is His words. You are not questionable by the people of the world. Spreading of the holy name is His mission.] > Ānanda Prabhu: [Transl. Yes. *'navadvīpa'-hena grāma tri-bhuvane nāi / yaṅhi avatīrṇa hailā caitanya-gosāñi* [There is no place in the three worlds like Navadvīpa, where Lord Śrī Caitanya appeared.][*Śrī Caitanya-bhāgavata Ādi*-khaṇḍa*2.55] *hethāya caitanya mile sethā rādhā-kṛṣṇa* [Only by your mercy, my desires of attaining the shelter of Lord Caitanya here, and attaining the shelter of Rādhā and Kṛṣṇa in the spiritual world, will be fulfilled.][*Prārthanā* Song 20, Narottama Dāsa Ṭhākura] By taking shelter of Mahāprabhu and Mahāprabhu's *dhāma* there is no problem at all.] --- **[1977: Room Conversation With Śrī Nārāyaṇa and Śrī Rāmakṛṣṇa Bājāj](spoken/1977/771031r2.vrn)** > Śrī Bajāj: [Transl. As we had a talk with you, we have come to your house. By tomorrow about 80, 90, or 100 people would arrive here. They are all members from different places.] > Śrī Nārāyaṇ [Transl. Everyone knows about it. People from all parts of the country are coming here. From Pondichery one member of Aurobindo society will come. Navajātjī.] --- ## Letters on October 31 *Letters from this day: 10* --- **[1969: Letter to Dinesh](letters/1969/691031_dinesh)** > Regarding your second question about Sanjaya, he was a student of Vyasadeva, and by the mercy of Vyasadeva he was able to receive the message of the conversation of Krishna-Arjuna. Thus Sanjaya was able to speak to Dhrtarastra about the conversation on the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. --- **[1969: Letter to Manager Of First National City Bank Of New Yorka](letters/1969/691031_manager_of_first_national_city_bank_of_new_yorka)** > I beg to request you to transfer my above account to your branch at 686 Broadway, near Great Jones Street, New York, NY 10012. --- **[1969: Letter to Manager Of First National City Bank Of New Yorkb](letters/1969/691031_manager_of_first_national_city_bank_of_new_yorkb)** > I beg to enclose herewith a copy of a letter sent to your Bowery and Grand Street Branch in New York. --- **[1969: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1969/691031_satsvarupa)** > Yesterday we had a very successful meeting at Oxford at the Town Hall. About 350 boys, girls, old men, ladies and gentlemen participated, and we made them all dance and chant with us, every one. --- **[1969: Letter to Sudama](letters/1969/691031_sudama)** > I understand that Tamala Krishna has sent you a pair of Deities, and when you get Them please decorate the dias just to the standard of Los Angeles—at least the throne of Radha-Krishna, with good dresses, ornaments, helmets, etc. --- **[1973: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1973/731031_karandhara)** > With regard to my letter dated 23/10/73, you may postpone sending Nitai Das here, because my program for Africa and Australia is not yet fixed up. --- **[1973: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1973/731031_tamala_krsna)** > This is to introduce you to Hari Goswami of the Radha Raman Mandir in Vrindaban. --- **[1974: Letter to Amogha](letters/1974/741031_amogha)** > Regarding Indonesia program and Gaura Mandala Bhumidas assisting and so far collecting money in Australia for the project, these things should be consulted with the GBC man. Please give me relief from all the managing so I can devote my brain to the literary work. --- **[1974: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1974/741031_gargamuni)** > Regarding the registration of ISKCON Calcutta center as a separate entity, it should be clearly understood by you that the registration cannot be applied for unless my express sanction is there. --- **[1974: Letter to Hrdayananda](letters/1974/741031_hrdayananda)** > I am very glad to note that you are seeing that the devotees are maintaining the devotional practices. ---