# November 8 ## Spoken on November 8 *Lectures from this day: 9 recordings* --- **[1968: Śrī Brahma-saṁhitā 5.29](spoken/1968/681108bs.la)** > These are described in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.* But the men are attracted, but there is so much attraction for *kṛṣṇa*-*kīrtana* that both men and women forget of anything of sex life. It is so nice, so attractive, that they have no more attraction for sex life. There is embracing, there is kissing—everything is there—but there is no sex life. Because they have got another thing, *paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate*. So sublime, so sweet, so transcendental, that they are simply absorbed in Kṛṣṇa thought. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. > Parasya puṁso* means the supreme transcendental personality. If you want to please that Supreme Personality of Godhead, then all these material qualification and assets cannot help you. Then what can help me? That is said, *bhaktyā*. That is devotion. So spiritual activity means devotional activity. *Bhaktyā,* devotion. If you want, that is also accepted in *Bhagavad-gītā*. Lord Kṛṣṇa says, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti*. *Bhaktyā*: "Simply by devotional service one can understand Me." --- **[1972: The Nectar of Devotion](spoken/1972/721108nd.vrn)** > Therefore we do not find anything here wrong. We try to dovetail everything in the service of Kṛṣṇa, because it is Kṛṣṇa's. Just like one's property must be enjoyed by the proprietor. Kṛṣṇa says that *bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram*. He's the proprietor of this world; therefore everything dovetailed in His service for His satisfaction, that is devotional service. That is the professional stage of serving Kṛṣṇa. So we don't take the world as *mithyā.* > There cannot be any defect. My statement may be defective, but Caitanya Mahāprabhu's statement cannot be defective, because He is in the transcendental platform. He is transcendence Himself. *Kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne. Kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmine*. He's Kṛṣṇa Himself, but He has appeared in the form of Kṛṣṇa Caitanya. Therefore, whatever He says, that is fact. *Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam.* The more we hear the vibration, the transcendental vibration, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, without any offense... Even with, mixed with offense... --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.28–29](spoken/1972/721108sb.vrn)** > The "Hindu" is a vague term. Real term is *varṇāśrama, varṇāśrama:* four *varṇas* and four *āśramas.* This is *dharma* and this is given by God Himself. Just like Kṛṣṇa says, *cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ*. It is given by God. You cannot manufacture *dharma,* religion. No. *Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam*: "*Dharma* means the codes, the regulation, given by God." That is *dharma.* That is *dharma.* Otherwise, it is not *dharma.* Therefore Kṛṣṇa said, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*. So-called knowledge, speculation, philosophical speculation, without understanding of Vāsudeva, means he has to continue such speculation for life after life. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye . Jñānam. Jñānam* means knowledge. So if you immediately take to Vāsudeva... *Bhakti-yogaḥ prayojitaḥ*. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 2.1.5](spoken/1973/731108sb.del)** > So Kṛṣṇa is describing Himself, *kṛṣṇa-kathā.* Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission is therefore *kṛṣṇa-kathā. Yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-kathā, kṛṣṇa-upadeśa*. *Kṛṣṇa-upadeśa.* This is the mission. What Kṛṣṇa says, you just preach; you become spiritual master. That is not very difficult. Everyone can become spiritual master. Kṛṣṇa's speaking is there in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* You simply repeat what Kṛṣṇa says, you become spiritual master. It is not very difficult. Kṛṣṇa says, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī mām;* you simply say that "You become devotee of Kṛṣṇa." Where is the difficulty? No difficulty. Kṛṣṇa says, *man-manā bhaktaḥ;* you say, "You become Kṛṣṇa's *bhakta.*" Actually we are doing that. We are not doing any miraculous thing. People say that "Swāmījī, you have done miracles." But what miracles I have done? I am simply repeating Kṛṣṇa's words. That's all. So everyone can do that. Everyone can take this matter very seriously—his life will be successful; he will make others successful. It is so nice thing. > Therefore these rascals have been described as *apaśyatām ātma-tattvam*. These rascal, they do not see what is the future. They do not believe in future. Big, big professors, big, big politicians, they do not believe even that there is life after death. And why there is no life after death? We are experiencing that life after life... Just like this child's activities at the present moment will not be the same when she will get another body as young woman. That will be different activity. So according to our change of body we have got different engagements. A child talks all foolish things; nobody cares for it. But the same child, when he gets another body, if he talks foolish, then he will be called, "Oh, you are so fool, you are talking like this." Because the body has changed. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.8](spoken/1974/741108sb.bom)** > So *sac-cakṣur,* to see oneself and to see God, it is not very easy. *Janmanām ante. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*. That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā. Jñānavān.* The so-called learned scholars, Vedāntists, so-called Vedāntists... One who is actual Vedānt..., knower of *Vedānta,* he understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. Because *veda* means knowledge, and *anta,* "the last phase." Knowledge, there are different types of knowledge. Ordinary knowledge, as we are now interested for economic benefit, that is not actual knowledge. That is art of livelihood. That is not knowledge. Suppose you are a very big engineer, and another man is ordinary electric *mistri.* The qualification is the same: earning livelihood by some art. If there is some wrong in the electric line, I cannot repair it; I call one *mistri.* He knows the art. He immediately revives the electric current. So this sort of knowledge is called *śilpa, śilpa-jñāna,* "artistic knowledge." That is not knowledge. Real knowledge is Vedic knowledge, *Vedānta* knowledge: to know oneself, "What I am, what is God, Bhagavān, what is my relation with Him, and what is my duty, and what is the ultimate goal of life." This is knowledge. *Etaj jñānaṁ tad ajñānam anyathāyathā*. Kṛṣṇa says, "This is *jñānam.*" *Kṣetra-kṣetra-jña-jñānam.* If one can understand oneself and the Supreme Self and what is this material world, why we have come here, what is my relation with God, what is my relation with this world, this is knowledge. They are called *jñānavān. Jñānavān,* they are searching after knowledge. *Ke āmi kene āmāya jāre tāpa-traya.* > There is another world, but what the scientists have got information? They have no information, sufficient information of this material world. But there is another world, another nature. This nature, we can..., although we cannot reach, there are millions and trillions of stars glittering in the evening. We can see simply. Simply we can see. We cannot go even to the moon star. Moon is also a star, nearest star. That's all. Similarly, all these stars, they are like moon. *Nakṣatrāṇām ahaṁ śaśī*. Kṛṣṇa says *nakṣatrāṇām.* They are *nakṣatra.* The *nakṣatra,* the modern science, they say they are all suns. No. They are like moon, glittering, if we have to believe our *śāstra. Nakṣatrāṇām ahaṁ śaśī.* So we cannot even go to the nearest planet, nearest star, and what to speak of going beyond? *Paras tasmāt tu bhāvaḥ anyaḥ*. The spiritual..., there is spiritual sky, *paravyoma.* That is called *paravyoma.* This is called material *vyoma,* and... The *vyoma* means *ākāśa.* --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751108mw.bom)** > bhagavati bhakti-yoga-prayojitaḥ, janayaty aśu vairāgyam*. That is the *vairāgya* way. You cannot practice *vairāgya* without Vāsudeva's shelter. > Dr. Patel: [aside:] [Transl.Yes. Just like when you make a mistake in the school the teacher makes you stand up.] Dvārakā, sir. You had a plan to go to Dvārakā. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.20](spoken/1976/761108sb.vrn)** > So this is the position, that without Kṛṣṇa consciousness everyone will try to enjoy sense gratification independently: either individually, collectively, socially, economically, politically, go on dividing, dividing, divide. There is no oneness; simply division. So Ṛṣabhadeva is advising His other sons—He had one hundred sons—that *bharataṁ bhajadhvam:* "You just be obedient to Bharata. Don't try to rule independently, because if you follow the principles of Bharata Mahārāja, that will satisfy the citizens, not ruling over independently." We have practical examples. At the present moment there are three dozen minister, four dozen secretaries and two dozen governors and so on, so on. But there is no peace. There is no peace because they are missing the central point, the central point, Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa says personally; He has come personally to inform us the real situation. He says, *sarva-loka maheśvaram*: "I am the proprietor of all planets." > And the next day also, Bhīṣmadeva fought so vigorously that Arjuna was going to be killed. His chariot broken, his everything was torn. Then Kṛṣṇa... You have seen the picture. Then Kṛṣṇa came with a broken wheel to kill Bhīṣmadeva, and Bhīṣmadeva immediately stopped: "Yes, my now promise is fulfilled. Yes, my dear Sir, You have broken Your promise. You promised not to fight, not to... Now, at the present moment, to give protection to Your friend, You have now broken. Yes." So Kṛṣṇa can do that. Kṛṣṇa, He can do everything to give protection to His friend and devotee. He can do, break His promise. Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* Kṛṣṇa says, *kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati*. He does not promise personally, because He might sometimes break His promise. He is asking Arjuna, "You promise so that your promise will be kept always. I shall see to that." This is the philosophy. --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/771108r1.vrn)** > **Tamāla Kṛṣṇa:** > One thing you can say. Prabhupāda was saying that there was a little... Prabhupāda, you said that there was a little trouble for passing urine today? --- **[1977: Room Conversation](spoken/1977/771108r2.vrn)** > Balarāma Miśra: [Transl.From Navadvīpa, there is a book on the life of the Vaiṣṇavas. In every part of that book this Deity is mentioned. The famous siddha Kṛṣṇadāsa Bābājī Mahārāja who lived in Rādhā-kuṇḍa brought that Deity and installed in Rādhā-kuṇḍa. The Deity looked like gold. The name of the Deity was Sonāra Gaurāṅga or Golden Gaurāṅga. After seeing that Deity, some dacoits tried to steal Him. They thought the golden Deity is so beautiful and they must take Him away. So as they packed the Deity and started leaving, by the wonderful arrangement of the Lord, suddenly they hit something with their legs and that created some sound. As a result, everyone woke up and saw the decoits. They chased them, but the decoits left the Deity and ran away. After that it was decided that the Deity should be brought to Vṛṇdāvana and worship there. That same ancient Deity is in Vṛṇdāvana now. The condition is such...the temple is almost ruined.] > Balarāma Miśra: [Transl.If something is not done, it will fall apart. Much of it has already fallen. Such an ancient....if not renovated it will be gone. It is a famous temple of Mahāprabhu from many generations. Mahārāja, if you can do something to protect this temple. This will be a great favor. I thought I will meet you and tell about the temple condition. If you can help renovate such a temple it will be a great benevolent work. To help renovate such a temple at this point will be very much beneficial to you. Moreover such an act will be very auspicious for you from all sides.] --- ## Letters on November 8 *Letters from this day: 14* --- **[1968: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1968/681108_hayagriva)** > I also understand that you do not want to get married now, but if you marry at all, you should marry now. Practically I am giving in charge of the different centers to the Grhasthas. --- **[1968: Letter to Yamuna Mukunda Syamasundara](letters/1968/681108_yamuna_mukunda_syamasundara)** > Regarding the challenge in the International Times, I am sorry to read the letter of a rascal advertising himself as Swami Gitananda, but from his letter it appears that he is neither a Swami nor has ever read Bhagavad-gita. He is so rascal that he describes the River Yamuna as metaphysical in lower consciousness, although the River Yamuna is flowing so happily all over the Northern India. --- **[1969: Letter to Gopala Krsna](letters/1969/691108_gopala_krsna)** > This shawl is very nice, and it will be used when I go to some meeting in my dress garments. --- **[1970: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1970/701108_hayagriva)** > I'm very pleased that you're opening a nice center in the important city of Pittsburgh. --- **[1970: Letter to Sri Birlaji](letters/1970/701108_sri_birlaji)** > I should very much like to see you, as this is one of the reasons I have returned here to Bombay. So when you are feeling fully rested, I hope you will arrange an appointment at your convenience. I hope you are feeling better. --- **[1972: Letter to Pusta Krsna](letters/1972/721108_pusta_krsna)** > Yes, such opening of temples, holding daily street sankirtana, distributing books, preaching in the schools and colleges, this is our standard programme for injecting Krishna Consciousness in the world. --- **[1973: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1973/731108_bhagavan)** > I beg to inform you that I have received a very nice report from Hansadutta of the Moscow activities, and I may request you in this regard to please immediately send Mandakini there for being married to Ananta Santi Das. --- **[1973: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1973/731108_hansadutta)** > It is Krsna's mercy that you were able to take in a copy of Bhagavad-gita to Moscow. --- **[1973: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1973/731108_jadurani)** > Salagrama sila is a black stone ball, round, with eyes and nose painted with gopicandana with a golden crown on and placed on one small srngasana. Regarding the arati ceremony of Svayambhuva Manu, better to have the men and women separate. --- **[1974: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1974/741108_jayapataka)** > This is to inform you that yesterday Giriraja has sent by T.T. 2,25,000/- to American Express Bank a/c No. --- **[1974: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1974/741108_rupanuga)** > Washington, DC Please accept my blessings. The first is the meat eating and chicken eating in the temple and even in the Deity kitchen where the prasadam for the Deities is prepared. The second is the complaint of abusing the devotees and exploiting their service for accumulating money and for aggrandizing himself and herself both. --- **[1974: Letter to Taittiriya](letters/1974/741108_taittiriya)** > With further reference to your letter dated September 11, 1974, I beg to inquire whether you have taken possession of the house at 5th Avenue, and if not please let me know why it is delayed. --- **[1976: Letter to Gaura Govinda](letters/1976/761108_gaura_govinda)** > Try to get the certified copy. Otherwise, what can be done? Do not be discouraged. Go on serving sincerely. Your success is your sincere desire to serve Krsna. --- **[1976: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1976/761108_rupanuga)** > Yes, we should take advantage of this opportunity to preach. I see it that somehow or other they are chanting Krsna. Either they criticize or chant. ---