# November 17 ## Spoken on November 17 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1971: Wedding Lecture [Partially Recorded](spoken/1971/711117we.del)** > And without marriage, that is not civilized life. Because in the animal society there is no marriage, but in any form of civilized society there is marriage. Everyone has got sex appetite. Therefore, marriage is allowed by the Vedic system. And Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā* that *dharmāviruddho kāmo 'smi:* "*Kāma*, lust, which is not against religious principles, that is I am." > So for spiritual progress of life, it is necessary that all kinds of sinful activities must be stopped. Without being freed from contamination of sinful life, nobody can make progress in spiritual life. Therefore, who is strictly observe these four principles to avoid, I mean to..., sinful life. One of them is *avaida stri saṅga*. Therefore marriage is necessary. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 2.12](spoken/1972/721117bg.hyd)** > Actually when one becomes advanced in knowledge, as it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*. In due course of time, after many, many births, when he actually comes to the platform of knowledge, he can understand that "Vāsudeva is great and I am small, I am insignificant." Therefore he surrenders. *Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ*. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate.* This is the sign of knowledge. When one surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is to be understood that he has actually attained knowledge. Otherwise it is ignorance. To think of Kṛṣṇa and ordinary person as equal is not knowledge; it is illusion. > Because *āsuraṁ bhāvam āśritāḥ*. The Māyāvādī philosophers, they do not accept the supremacy of the Personality of Godhead. They think God is as good as they are. Therefore they introduce themselves as Nārāyaṇa. But according to Vaiṣṇava philosophy, Nārāyaṇa cannot be equal to any one of us. What speak of us, Nārāyaṇa cannot be equally estimated even with great demigods like Lord Brahmā, Lord Śiva. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.17](spoken/1974/741117sb.bom)** > So this is self-realization, when one understands that "I am not this body. I am minute particle of the Supreme." Kṛṣṇa says... Everything is said there. We have to realize it. Kṛṣṇa says *mamaivāṁśa.* Although *aṁśa... Aṁśa* and *aṁśī,* the whole and the part. Part is never equal to the whole—that is axiomatic truth—but it is equal in quality. Just like little particle of gold is also gold. It is nothing but else. Similarly, although we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, very minute, infinitesimal, *aṇimānam,* perpetually, eternally, still, we are not as big as Kṛṣṇa. Just like small particle of this seawater. The chemically composition is the same; you'll find the same taste. And if you analyze, you'll find all the same ingredients, chemicals, within the small particle. But the small particle is never equal to the sea, small particle of the water. This is said... If I think, "Because I am qualitatively one with God, therefore I have become God," that is mistake. That is *aviśuddha-buddhayaḥ*.* > Therefore here it is said, *akhaṇḍitam. Akhaṇḍitam* means not that the sky within the pot is fragmented from the whole sky. That cannot be. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* also it is said, *acchedyo 'yam*. Acchedyaḥ,* it cannot be cut into pieces. *Akhaṇḍita.* That means it is minute perpetually, eternally. *Mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūto jīva-loke sanātanaḥ*. Sanātanaḥ* means eternally we are small. *Aṇu, aṇimānam.* And God, or Kṛṣṇa, is *vibhu*. "God is great" means He, nobody is equal to Him, nobody is greater than Him. That is greatness. God is great. But we say, "God is great," but we do not know how great He is. He is so great that millions of universes are coming from the holes of His body. --- **[1975: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.110-111](spoken/1975/751117cc.bom)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that *tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata:* "Bhārata, O the son of Bharata dynasty, Bhārata..." So in the material world the suffering is there. But what is that suffering? *Mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya śītoṣṇa sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ*. On account of this body... Now, in this season, we are feeling heat. Therefore the fan is there. But another season the body is the same, but season has changed. Therefore I will have to cover with hot coat and pant. So this feeling of heat and cold is due to this body. And what is this body, this material body? Therefore all our feelings of happiness and distress, it is due to this body. That we do not know. So therefore the best solution of miserable condition of life is to stop this material body. Then you become spiritually situated, and there is no more contradiction. > He is situated in His planet, Goloka Vṛndāvana; still His energies are going on. The material energy is working, this material world. Kṛṣṇa says, *mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram*. Under His vigilance all the laws of material nature is going on. Exactly in time the sun is rising, the moon is rising. Everything is going on minutely, very nicely. *Parāsya śaktiḥ. Svābhāvikī jñāna-bala-kriyā ca.* It is going so nicely that Kṛṣṇa hasn't got to learn how to do it. The machine is so perfect, it is going on perfectly. The flower is coming by His energy. *Puṇyo gandhaḥ pṛthivyāṁ ca*. The special seed you sow on the ground, and a particular type of plant will come out, then rose will come out, a particular flavor will come out. *Svābhāvikī jñāna-bala-kriyā ca.* --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751117mw.bom)** > Indian man (3):* [Transl. One time Śrīla Prabhupāda, what the students did in Rangoon was they deceitfully took the teacher for picnic. They took him on a boat riding in a lake and...] > Indian man (3): [Transl....No, he didn't know how to swim. Still he jumped into the water. The students warned him "Will you pass us in the exam or not? Otherwise we will forcibly drown you here."] [laughs] --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/761117mw.vrn)** > Mahākṣa*:* I did not know. I thought it would be a good opportunity. They promised me they would give us a good program and good accommodation. When we got there, they did not like that we were very popular. [tape breaks up throughout] Then Mr. Bishop [indistinct] brother, T.C. [break]...tour, he is a good man. He came with... [break] He is one of the most respected men in Bareilly. He forced them to put the program back again. So we did again the same evening. The people there love our program. They are all supposed... They have pictures of Caitanya Mahāprabhu on the stage and they're supposed to be following Him, but they sing all these *sahajiyā* sort of songs, and they sit down and it's all *gṛhasthas.* There's no... There's no real... > Mahākṣa*:*...at Meerut by Mr. Brijmohan Garg. He has come. He's in our guesthouse now. Actually he just came here this morning. We stayed in his house. That was also a good... That is a good town also. Altogether we made fifteen Life Members in about two weeks. [break] --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.30](spoken/1976/761117sb.vrn)** > Here is the example by Ṛṣabhadeva. There are many. In the yogic process, *aṇimā-siddhi... Yogīs,* those who have attained some perfection in the *yoga* process, you can put him into locked room but he'll come out. That is called *aṇimā-siddhi.* Very small, the spirit soul, he'll come out. *Aṇimā, laghimā, prāpti, siddhi,* there are eight kinds of... He can do that. There was one *sannyāsī,* Trailiṅga Swami in Benares. He was sitting on the road naked. The police objected. So several times he was taken and put into the police custody, but he came out. Again he was sitting. This is *yoga-siddhi.* Then he was allowed—"Hopeless." They cannot be locked up. That is *yoga-siddhi,* not merely showing some gymnastic process. No. One must be... That *yoga-siddhi,* it is not possible in this age because people are not expert to practice this *yoga* system. Therefore Arjuna denied, "No, no, no. Kṛṣṇa, it is not possible for me to practice this *yoga* system. It is impossible for me." So five thousand years ago he said, "Impossible," but we are daring to make it possible. That is not very good. Better, as Kṛṣṇa says... To encourage Arjuna, Kṛṣṇa said that "Don't be discouraged because you cannot practice this *yoga* system. Here is the best process." What is that? *Yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā* : "If you simply think of Me, then you are the best *yogī.*" > So what is that thing? It is definition by negation. We cannot understand in our present state what is that spirit soul, although we can perceive that there is something—in the absence of that something, this body is nothing but a lump of matter. That we get experience every day. But we cannot see what is that. Therefore atheist class or the persons with poor fund of knowledge, they deny the existence. They cannot see. But they cannot answer that "Why the body is no more working? What is that thing which is absent?" They have tried to explain in so many ways how that something... But they could not practically explain. We have to understand it by the *śruti* process, Vedic knowledge. That is real understanding. And understanding from the right person, Kṛṣṇa or His representative. And it has to be understood simply by hearing. There is no other process. You cannot see; it is so small particle. *Keśāgra-śata-bhāgasya śatadhā kalpitasya ca*. So in these material eyes we cannot see even the spiritual spark within the body. How you can see the Supreme Spirit? It is not possible. *Ataḥ śrī-kṛṣṇa-nāmādi na bhaved grāhyam indriyaiḥ*. These blunt senses cannot see. But we can perceive. This much concession is there, and one can become completely free from bodily conception of life. That is... --- ## Letters on November 17 *Letters from this day: 19* --- **[1968: Letter to Rayarama Brahmananda](letters/1968/681117_rayarama_brahmananda)** > Another important point is that you can enlist the following name for sending complimentary copies of Back To Godhead. --- **[1970: Letter to Bhaktajana](letters/1970/701117_bhaktajana)** > Regarding the ointment which you are finding so useful, the formula is as follows: Melt the two paraffins and the crushed resin in a small pot, stir constantly. --- **[1970: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1970/701117_jagadisa)** > I beg to thank you for your letter dated October 25th, 1970, and noted the contents. The devotees know this and there one of their qualities is that they are grave and not inclined to frivolity. A Krsna Conscious person is only interested in serving the Lord faithfully and he has got no other extraneous thought. --- **[1970: Letter to Kenneth](letters/1970/701117_kenneth)** > I beg to thank you for your letter Dated 23rd August, 1970, expressing your humble realizations concerning Krsna Consciousness process. --- **[1970: Letter to Murari](letters/1970/701117_murari)** > Now that you are in London please try to eliminate this L4000 debt, the balance of which is unpaid Back to Godhead bills. The magazines and books are in great shortage of funds simply because the temples spend their income from literatures for temple maintenance and neglect the primary work of this Society, which is to print and distribute an increasing number of books. --- **[1970: Letter to Stan](letters/1970/701117_stan)** > I am very pleased that you are in New Vrndavana for some time now and you are feeling the benefits of the transcendental atmosphere there. --- **[1971: Letter to Brhaspati](letters/1971/711117_brhaspati)** > Louis so much work beneficial for spreading Krishna Consciousness has been done by you. --- **[1971: Letter to Himavati](letters/1971/711117_himavati)** > If one simply deposits all of his or her loving propensity onto the Deity of Krishna, immediately they are relieved of anxiety due to material sense agitation. Your prayer that you may be put always in difficulty is just like Queen Kunti Devi. --- **[1971: Letter to Patty Dorgan](letters/1971/711117_patty_dorgan)** > I have received your very nice letter of October 4, 1971, and I have appreciated the contents. --- **[1971: Letter to Sivananda](letters/1971/711117_sivananda)** > It is very good news to hear that the German government has granted you a 5 year visa and that your Sankirtana activities are expanding. --- **[1971: Letter to Sridama](letters/1971/711117_sridama)** > I think it is a good plan that you have bought that house, with negotiations going to buy the church behind. --- **[1971: Letter to Srutasrava](letters/1971/711117_srutasrava)** > I have instructed Sridama, that if he is willing then the match may take place. Be happy in your family life by working cooperatively to please Krishna, and she should be your assistant. We must always feel the grave responsibility of serving Krishna. --- **[1974: Letter to Agent Central Bank Of India](letters/1974/741117_agent_central_bank_of_india)** > Please credit the interest derived from my Fixed Deposit Receipts directly to my above Savings account every month or when it is due. --- **[1974: Letter to Dr. Ghosh](letters/1974/741117_dr._ghosh)** > Since you left Bombay, I had been to many places in Europe such as Rome, Frankfurt, Paris, Sydney, Fiji, Honolulu, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Dallas, New Vrindaban, New York, London, and then here to India. I was thinking of you, but was missing your address. --- **[1974: Letter to Jayapataka Bhavananda](letters/1974/741117_jayapataka_bhavananda)** > Regarding not building the second story on the Prasdam Pavilion, whatever you think is best is all right. Whatever you all three consult and agree is all right. --- **[1974: Letter to Ramesvar](letters/1974/741117_ramesvar)** > @to: Ramesvar @place: Bombay @date: November 17 @yearL 1974 @listdate: 74-11-17 Please accept my humble obeisances. --- **[1975: Letter to Dinanatha](letters/1975/751117_dinanatha)** > I met a very major car accident in Mauritius, and still there is some little sore on my knees. So by the middle of December I shall go back to Vrindaban via Delhi. From there I shall go to South India to Nellore, and then I shall go to Calcutta by the beginning of February, 1976. --- **[1976: Letter to Gaura Govinda](letters/1976/761117_gaura_govinda)** > I want to begin work immediately on constructing a temple exactly like Jagannatha's temple in Puri. --- **[1976: Letter to S.N. Sharma](letters/1976/761117_s.n._sharma)** > I am here at least for another fortnight, so if you can come immediately it will be very kind of you. ---