# November 4 ## Spoken on November 4 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 8.21–22](spoken/1966/661104bg.ny.md)** > But really if one has any spiritual sense, he'll at once cease from all this nonsense enjoyment. That is the symptom of any idea of spirituality. *Bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra syāt*.* The test is... If you have developed your Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if you have developed your devotional spirit, spiritual realization, the result will be that you'll be at once detached from these all kinds of material enjoyment. How it is? The example is given that just like a hungry man, if he's given nice foodstuff, and as soon as he eats and feels satisfaction, he says, "No, I don't want any more. I am satisfied." *Svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi varaṁ na yāce .* This is also stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* You'll find, > Now, this spiritual vision at the present moment, because we are covered by the material dress, or material senses, therefore the spiritual world or anything spiritual is not conceivable, due to our material senses. But we can feel that there is something spiritual. That is possible. Although we are fully in ignorance of the spiritual matter, still, we can feel. If you analyze yourself silently, "What I am? I am this finger? I am this body? I am this hair?" you will deny, "No, I am not this." So beyond this body, what is, that is spiritual. That we can feel. --- **[1970: Room Conversation](spoken/1970/701104r1.bom)** > To become *sādhu* and to become a Vaiṣṇava is not so easy thing. These idle questions, why they publish? I do not know. This is idle question. It never becomes. Lord Kṛṣṇa personally says that "You simply surrender unto Me." How many have surrendered till now? Lord Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that "You give up everything and surrender unto Me."* So how many have done that? > So this is a rascal question, "If everyone surrenders, then what will happen to the world?" But that will never happen. It is very difficult to surrender. That he does not know. [Hindi] It is not expected that everyone become *sādhu.* To become *sādhu* is not so easy thing, especially this nature of *sādhu,* pure. How many are there? We have given the prescription that "Give up this, give up this." How many have given up this? So that is not possible, but still, these nonsense questions are raised. --- **[1972: The Nectar of Devotion "Relief from Material Distress."](spoken/1972/721104nd.vrn)** > But actually, fact is, knowingly or unknowingly we are becoming implicated. But if we simply take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and if we engage ourself in His unalloyed devotional service, if we try to understand Kṛṣṇa, His activities, His form, His name, His quality, His paraphernalia, then the result will be, as Kṛṣṇa says, *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti*. > His devotee will never be vanquished. Just like Arjuna. Arjuna was considering how he could kill his kinsmen, his family men, his nephew, his brother, his grandfather, on the other side. Actually, this killing business is not very good. It is sinful. But the same thing he committed after understanding *Bhagavad-gītā.* He agreed, *kariṣye vacanaṁ tava* : "Yes, I shall fight." So does it mean...? In the beginning he was considering about the sinful effects of his activities. Why did he engage himself in the same business, although he knew this is sinful? No. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.24](spoken/1972/721104sb.vrn)** > So those who are actually advanced in civilization, those who are in the platform of goodness, their aim is how to go back to home, back to Godhead. That is their business. It is not that to take to religious life for some material gain. *Dharmasya hy āpavargyasya na arthaḥ arthāya upakalpate*. We have discussed these verses. To become religious means to become free from material entanglement. Not that to take to religious life means to, I mean to say, to develop economic condition. > So it is very clearly stated: *tamasas tu rajas tasmāt sattvaṁ yad brahma-darśanam*. One must come to the platform of *sattva-guṇa.* Therefore we have got so many restrictions, just to keep him fit in the *sattva-guṇa:* no meat-eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling. If one indulges in these affairs, he cannot come to the platform of *sattva-guṇa,* neither the things will be revealed to him. He'll remain in the darkness. Simply by academic scholarship it is impossible to understand what is *Vedas,* what is *Bhāgavata,* what is *Bhagavad-gītā*. --- **[1973: Room Conversation](spoken/1973/731104r1.del)** > *Tādera caraṇa-sevi-bhakta-sane vās. Bhakta-sane vās.* Therefore we have made this Society, Kṛṣṇa conscious Society. Anyone who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, let us live together. We are also living together in a house—we are eating, we are sleeping, doing this—but everything in a Society of devotees. Just like if you want to do some business, if you become a member of the association, stock sell exchange, you can do better business. > He becomes revealed. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ*. He is not revealed to everyone. It requires the qualification how to become a devotee, surrendered soul.* [Hindi to Indian lady:] Your daughter, as soon as there was *kīrtana*, how she was dancing. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.1](spoken/1973/731104sb.del)** > Therefore from the *Bhāgavata* we can understand that *dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo 'tra*: cheating type of religious system is kicked out from *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Projjhita,* swept off. We don't find that. *Paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ vāstavaṁ vastu vedyam atra.* This *Bhāgavata* system is meant for the *paramo nirmatsarāṇām. Matsaratā. Matsaratā.* It is explained by Śrīdhara Svāmī, *para-utkarṣa-asahanam.* When a man cannot tolerate his friend or other man is rising more than him, he becomes envious. This is the material world. Even my brother becomes greater than me, I becomes envious. Either in richness or any way—competition. > So the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is approved. It is not a manufactured thing, whimsical thing. It is approved. Just like Arjuna said to Kṛṣṇa that *paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān, puruṣaṁ śāśvataṁ ādyam...* : "Kṛṣṇa, You are the Para-brahman." Para-brahman. Not that Kṛṣṇa may say... Or anyone can say, "Oh, Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna are friends. Therefore Arjuna has eulogized his friend, 'Para-brahman.' " No. Kṛṣṇa..., Arjuna said that "It is not that simply because I am appreciating You. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.4](spoken/1974/741104sb.bom)** > So with our limited knowledge we cannot understand... Even Kṛṣṇa does not understand Himself, Kṛṣṇa is so great. Kṛṣṇa Himself, He does not know why He's so much attractive. Therefore, to understand this knowledge, why Kṛṣṇa is so attractive, He became Lord Caitanya, taking the ecstatic emotion of Śrīmatī Rādhārāṇī. *Rādhā-bhāva-dyuti*. That's a very great science. Kṛṣṇa is such that Kṛṣṇa... Of course, it is our calculation that Kṛṣṇa does not understand Himself. So to understand fully Kṛṣṇa, it is not possible. But as far as our limited knowledge is concerned, if we understand Kṛṣṇa so much, that is our perfection. That is our perfection. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *janma karma me divyaṁ yo jānāti tattvataḥ*. > This material world is Kṛṣṇa's. We cannot say *mama māyā.* No. We are under the control of this material nature. But Kṛṣṇa is the controller of the material nature. That is the difference. We are controlled by the material nature, but Kṛṣṇa is not controlled, but He's controller. *Mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram*. One who understands this, that this *prakṛti,* this material nature, is working under the direction of Kṛṣṇa, that is our real knowledge. How the things are going on? That is not possible to understand. But the summary, sum total, if we simply understand... *Janmādy asya yataḥ.* Everything is emanated from the Supreme Absolute Truth, Kṛṣṇa. That much knowledge is sufficient. Then you can increase—how they are working. How, by Kṛṣṇa's energies, the material energy is working by the direction of Kṛṣṇa, that is advanced knowledge. But on the whole, if we... As it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram.* That is perfect knowledge. If we think that this matter is working independently, as modern scientists, they think that chemical evolution... No. No chemical evolution. Life does not produce by chemical evolution. Life is from life. That... Just like Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* that *ahaṁ sarvatra..., ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo mattaḥ sarvaṁ pravartate*. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751104mw.bom)** > But actually he's not. *Ye 'nye 'ravindākṣa vimukta-māninaḥ*.* They are thinking like that, "Now I am liberated." He's not liberated. Why? *Tvayy aṣṭa-bhavat. Aṣṭa-bhavat:* "He has no still information of You." If he is actually *brahma-bhutaḥ,* then he knows the Supreme Brahman, Para-brahman, and then he engages himself in His service. And when he is engaged in that service there is no question of material, *tri-gunātmākam. Sa-guṇan samatityaitan brahma-bhuyaya...*. > *Bhāgavata* has analyzed, *yasyātma-buddhi kunape tri-dhātuke*. And this is the beginning of mistake, taking this body as everything and then bodily issues, bodily... *Sva-dhiḥ kalatrādiṣu.* And because I have got relation with some woman... There are thousands and millions of women, but because I have got bodily relation with some woman, I am so much attracted. That is due to the body. Actually I am not attracted to the woman. There are many millions of women, but that particular woman, wife, because I have got bodily relation with her, I think, "Oh, she is mine. She is mine." *Sva-dhiḥ kalatrādiṣu. Kalatrādiṣu,* beginning from *kalatra,* then go on—children, grandchildren, father-in-law, mother-in-law, this one, this one. The beginning is the *kalatra.* If there is no *kalatra,* there is no father-in-law, mother-in-law. So *sva-diḥ kalatrādiṣu.* --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761104r1.vrn)** > Everyone is to be.... Kṛṣṇa is so kind. There is no restriction. Everyone is open to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. *Jīvera 'svarūpa' haya-nitya kṛṣ*ṇa* dāsa*. This is open to all living entities. There is no restriction. And so long this body is there, material, there is distinction between this and that. Otherwise, when you come to the platform of spiritual understanding, *paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ*, then there is no restriction. Higher, lower, this, that, so many. *Gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānudāsaḥ*. So any newspaper propaganda against us? No. One complaint is standing, that with our Life Members and others, subscriber, they always complain they are not getting paper, they are not getting book. That is the general complaint. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.16](spoken/1976/761104sb.vrn)** > This is the description of the material world. *Anyonya-vairaḥ:* simply envious of one another. This is material world: I am envious of you; you are envious of me. You can extend this familywise, societywise, communitywise, nationalwise, but the basic principle is enviousness, nothing else. Therefore in the beginning of the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam* it is explained that who are fit for accepting this *Bhāgavata* principle. *Dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitava atra paramo nirmatsarāṇām*. This is meant for the persons who are no more envious. For them. Those who are envious, they have no entrance in the principles of *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Paramo nirmat...* Because the whole world is based on the principle of enviousness. *Anyonya-vairaḥ.* And what is the meaning of this enviousness? *Sukha-leśa-hetu:* temporary happiness. Temporary happiness. > So we should be very, very careful. We are implicating step by step. *Padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadām*.* They do not know. This material world means at every step we are creating another difficulty. *Padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadām. Samāśritā ye pada-pallava-plavaṁ mahat-padam.* [break]...Kṛṣṇa. *Bhavāmbudhir vatsa-padam.* For Him the great ocean of nescience becomes just like *vatsa-padam,* the water containing with the hoofprints of calves. That is called *vatsa-padam.* And this place, *padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadām,* this material world, where there is danger in every step, it is not for them. It is not for them. Therefore Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has warned that *niṣkiñcanasya bhagavad-bhajanonmukhasya*. Anyone who is desirous of rendering service, dedicates life for the service of Bhagavān, Kṛṣṇa... Kṛṣṇa demands that. *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam śaraṇ*aṁ vraja*. --- ## Letters on November 4 *Letters from this day: 23* --- **[1967: Letter to Janaki](letters/1967/671104_janaki)** > Every minute I think of you and and as you asked me to go to San Francisco while returning from India, I am trying to fulfill my promise. --- **[1967: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1967/671104_mukunda)** > If there is actually a brahmacarini asrama organized by San Francisco devotees, it will be very nice to keep there Jadurani as the leader of the brahmacarinis. I am very glad that two other devotees are waiting for me. --- **[1969: Letter to Nico Kuyt](letters/1969/691104_nico_kuyt)** > I am very much pleased to note your sincere attitude towards our Krishna Consciousness Movement, and this sincerity will lead you to the highest spiritual consciousness if you continue in this way. --- **[1969: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1969/691104_tamala_krsna)** > A two-way ticket is being sent to New York for you to come to London, so you may go to New York as soon as possible and do the needful. --- **[1970: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1970/701104_bali-mardana)** > It is for your daring and active nature that I have chosen you to represent me as GBC man for the southeast Asia zone, and I can see from your latest words that my choice has not been wrong. I think that Singapore and Hong Kong are English-speaking places so that you will not find much difficulty there. --- **[1970: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1970/701104_gargamuni)** > You have rightly appreciated my real mission, that whatever I have learned from Guru Maharaja I want to present to the English speaking public. --- **[1970: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1970/701104_jadurani)** > At least from 50 to 100 paintings should appear in each volume, and that will be the perfection of your service for Lord Krsna. --- **[1970: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1970/701104_jagadisa)** > Though I am now in India with a few of my men, and we are having some success here, still, my Guru Maharaja has instructed me to spread this Krsna Consciousness Movement in the western world, so this is our first business. Therefore I am much pleased to hear that there is progress in this respect in your zone of Canada. --- **[1970: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1970/701104_karandhara)** > You are one of my most determined students and for this reason I think that Krsna is giving you all facilities for serving Him. --- **[1970: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1970/701104_rupanuga)** > When I first came to your country I had no idea how much the American people would cooperate with my Krsna Consciousness mission. But now good boys like yourself and all my other spiritual sons and daughters all around the world have been giving me great hope that I may be able to successfully fulfill my Guru Maharaja's plan. I have formed this GBC for that purpose, to keep the devotional standards at the highest level and at the same time to manage a world-wide organization. --- **[1970: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1970/701104_satsvarupa)** > The sentiments which you have expressed are very much encouraging to me, that I have got such disciples as yourself who are more anxious to serve me than my own children. --- **[1970: Letter to Sudama](letters/1970/701104_sudama)** > I'm glad that you and Bali Mardan Prabhu have had a chance to be together and have planned jointly one center in Hong Kong. --- **[1971: Letter to A. S. Khanna](letters/1971/711104_a._s._khanna)** > I am so glad to learn that Gopala and Ekayani are coming to Bombay to see you. So I am pleased also that Gopala's mother will be able to see her beloved son and daughter-in-law. --- **[1971: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1971/711104_jadurani)** > So far whether to print posters, of course paintings are always nicer, but if posters can be printed I have no objection. --- **[1971: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1971/711104_karandhara)** > So far BGAII is concerned, if the price for Morocco binding is the same as that of hardcover, then we shall prefer hardback only along with the paper back. --- **[1971: Letter to R. V. Ramdas](letters/1971/711104_r._v._ramdas)** > Yes, I have all good wishes for your philanthropic activities. As we are preaching Hare Krishna Movement all over the world, we should request you also to spread this movement along with your other activities. --- **[1971: Letter to Visnujanaa](letters/1971/711104_visnujanaa)** > It is very encouraging for me to hear that my Sannyasis are traveling and preaching. Regarding keeping our temples clean, this is essential. Unless we can maintain the temples we presently have superexcellently clean, we should not open new centers. --- **[1971: Letter to Visnujanab](letters/1971/711104_visnujanab)** > I understand from Kirtanananda Maharaja that there is a nice scheme for travelling sankirtana party. --- **[1975: Letter to Deoji Punja](letters/1975/751104_deoji_punja)** > So far the plan is concerned, I shall consult with some of my experienced disciples in this matter and shall let you know. One thing is that the domes should be like the ones we have constructed on our Krishna Balarama Mandir in Vrindaban. --- **[1975: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1975/751104_gargamuni)** > Now after consideration it is my desire that you return to take over Calcutta affairs. --- **[1975: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1975/751104_madhudvisa)** > Now I am getting old, so if you can do things without me, that will be a great pleasure for me. --- **[1975: Letter to Mayapurusasa](letters/1975/751104_mayapurusasa)** > Regarding this matter with your child, I cannot say, but at least I would not have agreed that the doctors perform this operation. --- **[1975: Letter to Suci](letters/1975/751104_suci)** > You have rightly said that the best way to associate with the spiritual master is to follow his instructions. ---