# November 20 ## Spoken on November 20 *Lectures from this day: 5 recordings* --- **[1971: Paṇḍāl Lecture](spoken/1971/711120le.del)** > Just like Kṛṣṇa says, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti*. You cannot understand Kṛṣṇa simply by speculation. That is not possible. You cannot understand Kṛṣṇa simply by meditation. That is also not possible. If you actually seriously want to understand Kṛṣṇa, then you have to take the process of *bhakti*. *Jñāna-vairāgya yuktayā*. *Bhaktyā śruta-gṛhītayā*. There is a statement, the Absolute Truth can be understood by *bhakti,* and that *bhakti* received through the aural reception of your ear. My Guru Mahārāja used to say that if you want to know a saintly person, you try to understand him by your ear, not by the eyes. You cannot understand a saintly person by staring your eyes, "Let me see what kind of..." No. > In the *pāñcarātrikī-vidhi* it is said that you have to be free from the designation. Designation. You have to forget yourself that you are Hindu, you are Mussalman, you are Sikh or you are Christian. These are all designations. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya*. You have to purify. Don't be contaminated by any type of religion which is made by man. Real religion is made by God. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.20](spoken/1974/741120sb.bom)** > But the *Bhagavad-gītā,* Bhagavān, personally says that "Your real miserable condition of life are the four things: *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi*." But who is taking seriously? There are so many advancements of education, scientific and... Who is making research work how to stop death? No. Nobody is there. No scientist's brain is working. But it is possible. Therefore Kṛṣṇa comes, *yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati bhārata*. These rascals, when they forget that death is not our business, it is artificially imposed upon us, so we must become deathless again... That is the human life perfection. But nobody is caring. We have become so dull. One can avoid birth, death, old age... Because Kṛṣṇa says the soul, the spirit soul, *ātmā, na jāyate na mriyate vā kadācit:* "It does not die, it does not take birth." And actually, we are experiencing birth and death, old age and disease. Still, we are not alert. No intelligence. For this reason, Sanātana Gosvāmī, when he approached Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he, the first question was, "My dear Lord, some way or other, You have dragged me to Your lotus feet, but I am inquiring from You that *ke āmi kene āmāya jāre tāpa-traya,* 'What is my actual position? Why I am forced to suffer these three kinds of miserable life of material condition?' " Nobody's inquire, inquiring. > They may think themselves as very advanced in knowledge, but they are rascal number one because their so-called knowledge, the effect of knowledge, is taken away by *māyā.* They are called Māyāvādīs. They are very much proud of their knowledge. But Kṛṣṇa says, "These rascals, these atheist class demons, their actual knowledge is taken away." Just like Hiraṇyakaśipu. He devised means that "Indirectly I shall be immortal. I shall not die in daytime. I shall not die in night. I shall not die in water. I shall not die in land. I shall not die in the sky. No animal can kill me. No demigod can kill me. No weapon can kill me." So on, so many... Brahmā says, "All right." But he never agreed to give him immortality. But he wanted to cheat Brahmā, that "Indirectly, by the negative way, I have taken everything. So I am immortal." This is called *mūḍha. Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ*. He does not know that Kṛṣṇa's intelligence is always, at least, one inch greater than him, anyone. [laughs] --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751120mw.bom)** > Indian man (2): Really.* [Transl. Yesterday, there is a *brāhmaṇa*, he is a nice man and I invited him to perform some ritualistic ceremonies at 7:30 A.M. But he didn't show up till 10 o clock. I rang him three times and he kept on saying 'coming, coming'. Then finally I rang him at 10 o clock and he said, on the way I got sick. How? Oh, I had some problem in my leg. He didn't come. It is the *brāhmaṇa's* duty. This happened just yesterday.] > Harikeśa*:* They couldn't chant those *mantras,* though, could they? If they tried... Even if they tried, they wouldn't be able to chant the *mantras.* --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761120r1.vrn)** > So their theory is not without background. There is a background philosophy. And for Western countries, this is a completely new idea. Therefore they are charging "brainwash." They are not to be blamed, because they are, I mean to say, raised in that ideas. Hmm? Is it not? Yes. "So this is simply brainwash movement. It has no factual standing." Even our country, what to speak of Western countries. Where the spiritual civilization has a strong background, they are also not believing. Nobody believes Kṛṣṇa is God, even big, big leaders, what to speak of ordinary men. Especially the so-called educated men. "Bring money anyhow and enjoy life." *Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma*. > And for money they are doing everything: black money, white money, yellow money, this money. [laughs] "Bring money and enjoy. *Bās.* This is life. Why this nonsense Kṛṣṇa consciousness? No this, no this, no this. Ninety-nine per cent 'no' and one percent 'yes.' What is the value of this movement?" Is it not? Our life is ninety-nine per cent "no." No air even. [laughs] [laughter] So what to speak of other thing. It is very difficult. Therefore in the beginning I was hopeless, that "Who will hear this movement? Simply 'no.' " And especially in this country, in Europe. So dull brain. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.33](spoken/1976/761120sb.vrn)** > You cannot compare Kṛṣṇa's body with our body. If you do that, then you must be a *mūḍha,* rascal. Don't do that. Kṛṣṇa is always transcendental, *divyam. Janma karma ca me divyam*. This *divya* you should understand. *Yo jānāti tattvataḥ.* He is liberated person. Anyone who knows what is Kṛṣṇa, immediately he becomes liberated. *Janma karma ca me divyaṁ yo jānāti tattvataḥ*. It is not so easy to understand Kṛṣṇa in truth. It requires time. He... Not all of a sudden you can understand. But if you stick to devotional service, *sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ* [*Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu* 1.2.234], then He reveals. When you engage your tongue... It is also wonderful. To understand Kṛṣṇa, you require your tongue. Generally we understand by seeing or by hearing. Hearing is there, but here it is recommended tongue, especially. Why tongue is used? Because if you simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa by your tongue and taste *kṛṣṇa-prasādam,* you will understand Kṛṣṇa. *Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ.* If you make it a promise, that "I shall not talk anything except Kṛṣṇa's message," and if you promise that "I shall not take anything which is not offered to Kṛṣṇa," these two things, this *prasādam* and chanting, will make you perfect to understand Kṛṣṇa. > So Durvāsā Muni, he was a great *yogī,* and he became very much envious, that "Here is a person who is a *gṛhastha* and a *kṣatriya,* he is not even a *brāhmaṇa,* and he does not practice anything. He is always engaged in his royal activities, and this man is so famous as a great person, great devotee. So I'll chastise him. I'll show." So he wanted to pick up some quarrel with Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, and on *dvādaśī* day he approached there with sixty thousand disciples, and he said, "Mahārāja, arrange for our *prasādam.* We..." "Yes, welcome." But his purpose was different. So he went to take bath in the Ganges and Yamunā, and then he came late. In the meantime he had to observe *dvādaśī-pāraṇa.* With the advice of the *brāhmaṇas* he took little water. The *brāhmaṇas* advised, "Mahārāja, water is food and no food. It has no actually food value. So your guest has not returned as yet. You can take little water and observe the completion of *dvādaśī.*" So he did it, and Durvāsā came very angry, that "I am your guest, and you have taken food?" That is not food; little water. So he wanted to chastise him. He created a big giant to kill the Mahārāja. So immediately Kṛṣṇa's promise... *Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati*. --- ## Letters on November 20 *Letters from this day: 24* --- **[1968: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1968/681120_bali-mardana)** > I am in due receipt of your nice letter and I have the noted the contents with great care. In the meantime you can serve your father working at his business and live like an aristocratic American gentleman, use his car, chant Hare Krishna, and live with the devotees at the temple. Anyway, your temple attendance *must* continue. --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/681120_brahmananda)** > Regarding Uddhava, I am very glad that he is going to marry Lilasukha. She is a very nice girl. I approve. --- **[1968: Letter to Madhusudana](letters/1968/681120_madhusudana)** > Regarding your questions, "I read in a book sent from India that Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura was sent directly by Lord Sri Caitanya from the spiritual sky. Someone, a God-brother brought up that he heard that Srila Bhaktivinode was at one time an impersonalist. --- **[1968: Letter to Patita Uddharana](letters/1968/681120_patita_uddharana)** > Please keep me informed of your journey, and when you arrive at the New York temple, write to me and let me know how you are doing there nicely. You can arrange for staying there with Brahmananda and he will take care of you. --- **[1969: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1969/691120_gargamuni)** > Tamala Krishna has gone now to Germany with the Sankirtana Party to install Radha-Krishna Deities there. --- **[1969: Letter to Gaurasundara](letters/1969/691120_gaurasundara)** > Regarding the house, I think there is indication of Krishna that we shall have our own house in Hawaii. --- **[1969: Letter to Vasudeva](letters/1969/691120_vasudeva)** > Immediately upon receipt of this picture, I have hung it on the wall directly above my Deities, and it is appearing very nice there. --- **[1970: Letter to Gaura Hari](letters/1970/701120_gaura_hari)** > It is my great pleasure that so many fine young boys have joined this Krsna Consciousness Movement and they are finding that their lives have been saved by this simple process. --- **[1971: Letter to Bhakta Dasa](letters/1971/711120_bhakta_dasa)** > Due to our always moving about I have not had opportunity to answer until now. Please forgive me. --- **[1971: Letter to Danavir](letters/1971/711120_danavir)** > I am very pleased that you are making arrangements for the 1st ANNUAL PUSPABHISHEKA YATRA PARADE AND FESTIVAL, 1971, and if he is free to come, Visnujana Swami may come to lead the kirtana and preaching. Krishna was just a toy in the hands of the Gopis, so one day the Gopis decided that we shall decorate Him. --- **[1971: Letter to Govinda](letters/1971/711120_govinda)** > The Deity of Lord Caitanya is very nicely done so there is no need to change the color. He was an elder gentleman in the town of Navadvipa, elder of the brahmana community. --- **[1971: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1971/711120_hansadutta)** > I have not received any letters from Peter Kaufmann and Jan Plantoner for initiation, but as soon as I do I shall be glad to accept them as my disciples, on your recommendation.* I shall send under separate cover sacred threads for Bidhan Candra and Jaya Gaura das Prabhus, duly chanted on, as well as two copies of Gayatri mantra. Yogesvara had a tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra, so you can get this from him. --- **[1971: Letter to Krsna Devi](letters/1971/711120_krsna_devi)** > This kind of service is especially appreciated by Krishna, that some devotees should take risk for His preaching work. --- **[1971: Letter to Sri Galim](letters/1971/711120_sri_galim)** > I have seen the photo-slides sent by Hayden Larson and William Walsh and they are first-class. --- **[1971: Letter to Sudama](letters/1971/711120_sudama)** > Now you plot out a program with them how best to spread Krishna Consciousness in Japan. --- **[1974: Letter to Professor Stillson Judah](letters/1974/741120_professor_stillson_judah)** > I beg to thank you very much for your letter dated November 1, 1974. I understand you have sent your book to my Los Angeles address. --- **[1974: Letter to Sadajeewatlalji](letters/1974/741120_sadajeewatlalji)** > Last night we had some talks on your new attempt to elevate the *girivanavasi* people. --- **[1975: Letter to Gaura Govinda](letters/1975/751120_gaura_govinda)** > So if you think your presence is required in Bhuvaneśvara, then you can go there for necessary action. I am going to Vrndavana, so you can come and meet me at Vrndavana and from there you can go to Bhuvaneśvara. --- **[1975: Letter to Ghanasyama](letters/1975/751120_ghanasyama)** > On the whole it is very encouraging that the professors like our books. This is our success. This quotation is very important: "One professor went on to explain that the other books were mostly dealing with speculations in contrast to our books which presented religion as a way of life based on authentic writings." This is a very good quote. This should be publicized and it should be published in the new book that is being presented of all the quotations, *The Hare Krishna Movement is Authorized.* --- **[1975: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1975/751120_jagadisa)** > If you start trading business, then so many problems will be there. You should produce just enough for our own use. Trading leads to envy and jealousy and cheating, then everything is lost. I am seeing now that the business activities in our society, they are increasing. Originally I allowed that Gargamuni could start the incense business. I thought that the Ramakrishna Mission, they are doing and the incense we are using, so if we make some and sell it, then what is the harm. But now I see that Spiritual Sky, they have so many products. And now there is jewelry business going on. So why should the business increase? --- **[1975: Letter to Jayatirtha](letters/1975/751120_jayatirtha)** > I note that starting December 15th there will be a monthly deposit in the amount of $1,900 in the Mayapur-Vrndavana fund account. --- **[1975: Letter to Ramesvara](letters/1975/751120_ramesvara)** > Regarding the proposal for a new warehouse, what is the rent that you are presently paying for your warehouse? But my Guru Maharaja, he prefered rented house rather than one's own house. --- **[1975: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1975/751120_satsvarupa)** > As soon as you become karmis after business, then spiritual life becomes damaged. Visaya chadiya kabe suddha ha'be mana/ kabe hama herabo sri-vrndavana. --- **[1976: Letter to Jitadusana](letters/1976/761120_jitadusana)** > Devotional service must be without any material ambition and there is no material impediment which can check advancement in devotional service. Srila Gaura Kisora das Babaji was unable to sign his name, and yet he became the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the most erudite learned scholar of His time. ---