# November 25 ## Spoken on November 25 *Lectures from this day: 9 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 9.13 [Partially Recorded]](spoken/1966/661125bg.ny.md)** > Nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛloke.* In the human society this form of body is not meant for simply toiling hard only for gaining these four principles of life. Because these necessities are supplied even to the hog, the stool-eater. The stool-eater is considered to be the lowest of the animals, the hog. Still, he has got mating facility, he has got eating facility, he has got sleeping facility and he has got defending facility. Therefore Ṛṣabhadeva says that "This form of life, this human form of life, don't waste in that way." *Viṣayaḥ khalu sarvataḥ...* You will have it. Even if you don't try for it, you will have it. > So that*—*who enquires about this, athāto brahma-jijñāsā? Those who are actually developed in consciousness, they enquire, *athātaḥ,* "What is the source of myself? I am living entity, this world, this natures, this so many things we see, and what is the cause of, the cause of all causes? What is that?" That should be enquiry. *Jijñāsuḥ,* inquisitive. Inquisitive. And the answer is given here in the *Vedānta-sūtra,* next. Athāto brahma-jijñāsā: "Now this life is meant for inquiring about the Supreme Brahman." And what is that Brahman? That Brahman means that *janmādy asya yataḥ:* "Brahman means that source, that Supreme Absolute Truth from whom or from which everything emanates, the cause of all causes." That is Brahman. --- **[1968: Bhagavad-gītā 2.1–10 and Talk](spoken/1968/681125bg.la)** > Just like you are going to sell our magazines. So this magazine selling or taking some contribution is not our business. Our business is that we are spreading Kṛṣṇa consciousness, people are hearing about something about Kṛṣṇa. And because we are helping, we are also hearing. We are also benefiting. When you speak somebody about Kṛṣṇa, then I hear also Kṛṣṇa. *Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanam*.* The first preliminary steps, hearing and chanting, is going on. So in this way we shall take all opportunities so that twenty-four hours, whether awakened or sleeping, we shall always think of Kṛṣṇa. That is perfection. > "Even a devotee is sometimes found not acting properly, but because he has got that unflinching faith and devotion upon Me," Kṛṣṇa says, "therefore he is saint." Only for that one qualification—he does not know except Kṛṣṇa. --- **[1971: Room Conversation with Dr. Karan Singh, Former Cabinet Minister in the Indian Government and Member of the Royal Family of Kashmir](spoken/1971/711125r1.del)** > Therefore *Bhagavad-gītā* says that *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam .* Intelligent person will see that "However comfortable I may be, I have to meet death." And in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham*, "I am death." Death means to take away. Whatever you create, it will be taken away. > When you come to that understanding, *śivo 'ham* understanding, *brahmāsmi* understanding, or eternal servant of God understanding, then your duty begins. That is *bhakti.* So therefore *bhakti* is not on the material platform. *Bhakti* is on the spiritual platform. *Sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate*. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 2.20](spoken/1972/721125bg.hyd)** > Therefore we make some plan in this life, and my this material body, this gross body, is finished; that is dead. But my idea, in the subtle body, in the mind, it remains. And because it remains in my mind, therefore to fulfill my desire I have to accept another body. This is the law of transmigration of the soul. The soul is, thus, with his plan, he is transferred into another gross body. And along with the soul, there is Supersoul, Supreme Personality of Godhead. *Sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ*. > So *āruhya kṛcchreṇa paraṁ padaṁ tataḥ patanty adhaḥ*. So for this pleasure only we are making so many plans. According to our own brain, teeny brain, we are making plans. Just the..., in the state also, they're making plans. Personally, individually and commercially, everyone is making plan. The plan-making means becoming entangled. And he has to..., they have to take birth again to fulfill the plan. *Vāsanā.* This is called *vāsanā.* So we have to purify the *vāsanā,* desire. That is required. If we don't purify, then we have to take birth, birth and death, repetition of birth and death. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.10.4](spoken/1973/731125sb.lon)** > So we have created a society for killing cows and eating the meat and maintaining slaughterhouse, in the name of religion. This is going on. So how we can be happy? There cannot be happiness. It is not a sentiment. Therefore this is most sinful activity, meat-eating, cow killing. Most sinful activity. And you have to suffer for that. Unfortunately, these rascals, they do not know that what is the result of these sinful activities. They think the life will go on, and there is no more life. "After finishing of this body, everything will be finished." Atheistic theory. *Bhasmī-bhūtasya dehasya kutaḥ punar āgamano bhavet* [Cārvāka Muni]*. Kutaḥ.* "Oh, who is coming?" But that they do not know, rascals. We get information from Kṛṣṇa, *tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ* : "Oh, you have to accept another body after this finishing this body." But they are not responsible. They are so irresponsible, they do not care for the next life, the result of pious and sinful activities. > We are trying to give as much possible happiness to our students. Otherwise unless he is..., one feels happy, how... It is little difficult. Unless one is very advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one cannot adjust things. Therefore our policy is that... What is called? *Yogo bhavati siddhi. Yuktāhāra-vihārasya. Yuktāhāra-vihārasya yogo bhavati siddhi*. We are *yogīs,* but we are not that kind of *yogī,* unnecessarily giving trouble to the body. No. *Yuktāhāra.* You eat. You require to eat; you eat. Don't starve. Don't unnecessarily fast. But don't eat voraciously. That is bad. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.25](spoken/1974/741125sb.bom)** > Tattva-darśī* means who has actually seen the truth, *oṁ tat sat.* One who has seen the Supreme Truth. That Supreme Truth is Kṛṣṇa. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says that "You are searching after the truth. You are studying the Vedic literature, *Vedānta-darśana.* That is very good. But what is the goal of *Vedānta-darśana*?" *Veda* means knowledge, and *anta* means the end, *Vedānta,* the ultimate knowledge. What is that? *Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ*. Kṛṣṇa says that "If you are actually studying *Vedānta,* then ultimately you have to understand Me." *Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyo vedānta-kṛd vedānta-vid cāham:* "I am the compiler of *Vedānta,* and I understand..., I am the knower of *Vedānta.*" So if you hear from Kṛṣṇa what is Kṛṣṇa, that is actually understanding *Vedānta.* If you do not understand Kṛṣṇa and if you simply advertise yourself *vedāntī,* or *vedantī,* that will not help you. > So if we discriminate like this, then we shall be advancing. *Apavarga-vartmani. Taj-joṣaṇād āśu apavarga-vartmani śraddhā bhaktir anukramiṣyati.* Just like if we are diseased, there is infectious disease, epidemic, so we should be careful not to be infected by the infectious disease. Śrī Sanātana Gosvāmī said in *Bhakti...,* I mean to say, *Hari-bhakti-vilāsa...* He has written one book, "The Behavior of the Vaiṣṇava," *Hari-bhakti-vilāsa.* So in that book he has recommended, *avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ pūtaṁ hari-kathāmṛtam, śravaṇaṁ naiva kartavyam* [*Padma Purāṇa].* He has said that "One who is not Vaiṣṇava by his behavior, by his action, by his mode of life, if he speaks something from *śāstra,* especially *hari-kathā...*" *Hari-kathā* means *Bhagavad-gītā,* the *Purāṇas,* out of which the *Bhāgavata, Mahāpurāṇa.* So we should not hear from a professional reader, or *avaiṣṇava,* or Māyāvādī. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has warned, *māyāvādi-bhāṣya śunile haya sarva-nāśa*. If we hear *Bhagavad-gītā—*that is *kṛṣṇa-kathā, hari-kathā—*we should not hear from the Māyāvādīs or *avaiṣṇava.* Then it will not be effective. --- **[1975: Room Conversation](spoken/1975/751125r1.del)** > Puṁsaḥ striyā mithunī-bhāvam etam*. This whole world is going on by the sex attraction, and when they come together, the both of them become spoiled. Therefore it has to be dealt with very, very carefully, so many rules, regulation. > That is also another defect, that we have got young boys and young girls open for lovemaking. And *brahmacārī* means strictly prohibited to see the face of woman. But we cannot stop it. That is also another difficulty. Fire is good and butter is good, but when they come together everything become bad. Is it not? Fire is good, just like heat. And butter is good, healthy. But when they come together the butter melts and the fire extinguished. This is *māyā's* arrangement. Hmm? --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.6.3](spoken/1976/761125sb.vrn)** > Guru* means *tattva-darśī. Tattva-darśī.* Otherwise he's useless, waste of time. One has seen the *tattva. Vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvaṁ yaj jñānam advayam, brahmeti paramātmeti*. *Guru* means one who knows what is Brahman, what is Paramātmā, what is Bhagavān—not partial knowledge. The *jñānīs,* the so-called *jñānīs,* they reach up to the *brahma-jyoti,* that's all. But that is not complete knowledge. The *yogīs*, they reach, utmost, Paramātmā. That is also not complete. Better than the *jñānīs,* but it is not complete. *Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti.* When he comes to the platform to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then that is *bhakti.* That is *bhakti.* Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, > As soon as he forgets his position—he wants to imitate—that is the beginning of *māyā,* falldown. You should be very careful. Therefore the *brahmacārī...* We have to teach the *brahmacārī. Brahmācāri guru-kule vasan dānto guror hitam *. This is *brahmacārī:* not for his personal benefit, but *guror hitam.* Then he is *brahmacārī.* Not that a *brahmacārī* has to become a very learned scholar in grammar and studious*...* These are secondary things. First thing, he has to learn how to control the senses, *dānta;* how to control the mind. *Śamo damaḥ.* This is the beginning of brahminical life. If you cannot control your mind, if you cannot control your senses, there is no question of becoming *brahmacārī. Brahmacārī, brahme cārati iti brahmacārī.* And *brāhmaṇa* means *brahma jānāti iti brāhmaṇaḥ.* So these are the beginning, *brahmacārī. Brahmacari* means who is always in Brahman activities. That is *brahmacārī.* Or *brāhmaṇa* means one who knows the Supreme, Supreme Brahman, Paraṁbrahman. So if you understand Kṛṣṇa, then immediately you are liberated. *Paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān*. --- ## Letters on November 25 *Letters from this day: 20* --- **[1968: Letter to Krsna Dasa](letters/1968/681125_krsna_dasa)** > I am so much pleased to note the address of our new ISKCON RADHA KRISHNA TEMPLE in Hamburg, Germany. Krishna is giving you all facilities for spreading Krishna Consciousness there—good storefront, and good job, and plenty of financial support—so it is very much encouraging to me! --- **[1969: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1969/691125_brahmananda)** > Regarding press management, I have already informed Advaita that you should immediately form a press committee composed of yourself, Satsvarupa, Advaita, etc. When we have got our press, we must properly use it, always praying for Krishna's Grace. --- **[1969: Letter to Manager Of First National City Bank](letters/1969/691125_manager_of_first_national_city_bank)** > 2) Six pieces of paper duly signed by me on the cross spots as marked by you. Please return the Passbook duly made up registered mail, and send me a few pieces of deposit slips for savings bank a/c. --- **[1969: Letter to Manager The Bank Of Baroda](letters/1969/691125_manager_the_bank_of_baroda)** > FEX.21/-3203, dated November 11, 1969, I beg to inform you that there were two instructions of payments. One instruction was on the 7th September, 1969 for payment to BINA MUSICAL STORES, and another instruction was on the 30th September, 1969 for payment to INDO CRAFTER. --- **[1970: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1970/701125_gurudasa)** > Please let me know how many life members you are making, if any and what is the situation concerning the negotiation for the Vrindaban house. --- **[1970: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1970/701125_mukunda)** > After a long time I have receive your letter dated November 19th, 1970, as well as your telegram dated the 24th November, 1970. I thank you very much that you have sent the memorandums etc. --- **[1970: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1970/701125_satsvarupa)** > I am very glad that you are trying with all the other GBC members to maintain all the various functions of our very large organization up to the standard as I have set for you. I know that there has been a great disturbance amongst the devotees caused recently, but now things are being rectified. --- **[1971: Letter to Ratnesvari Lokanatha Vrajasundari Yogescandra Varahadeva Nalinikanta](letters/1971/711125_ratnesvari_lokanatha_vrajasundari_yogescandra_varahadeva_nalinikanta)** > Upon the recommendation of Locana I have gladly consented to accept all of you as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/711125_satsvarupa)** > As for the extra room, that may be utilized in future as classrooms as our school program expands. But for the time being why not open a hostel for the hippies? --- **[1972: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1972/721125_nityananda)** > I am forwarding the copy of your letter, along with my reply, to Satsvarupa in Dallas. --- **[1972: Letter to Ravanantakara Makhana Taskara Rasalubhda Sudarsani Madhuryalilananda](letters/1972/721125_ravanantakara_makhana_taskara_rasalubhda_sudarsani_madhuryalilananda)** > Upon the recommendation of Kurusrestha I have gladly consented to accept you as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1972: Letter to Sudama](letters/1972/721125_sudama)** > Yes, we shall base our preaching work on Lord Caitanya's formula: sankirtana. If we simply stick to this programme as I have done it since the beginning, namely, kirtana, preaching, kirtana, distribution of prasadam—if you do like this only that will be sufficient. Of course, you may make the kirtana as nice as possible, with dancing, many kholes, karatalas, conches, and if you preach sincerely, anyone will listen and become convinced. --- **[1973: Letter to Cidananda](letters/1973/731125_cidananda)** > I should be returning to Los Angeles the last week of November and I should be more than happy to see you there. --- **[1973: Letter to Damodara](letters/1973/731125_damodara)** > I am always very much encouraged when senior devotees like yourself and Rupanuga Maharaja are tending to their Lordships. Thank you very much for this, I am sure that Krishna will give you all intelligence in how you can improve your service to Krishna. --- **[1974: Letter to Annada](letters/1974/741125_annada)** > When I was in Delhi I was sorry to learn that you were ill, so I immediately informed your husband that you must be cared for. --- **[1974: Letter to Mahamsa](letters/1974/741125_mahamsa)** > So immediately you reply to the Editor of Bhavan's Journal, Dr. Munshi Marg, Bombay—400 007, enclosing the letter of Swami Cinmayananda's letter about the approval of learned panditas and sannyasis about the Hare Krishna movement members entering into Hindu temples. --- **[1974: Letter to Ramesvara](letters/1974/741125_ramesvara)** > No, we cannot loan BBT money for any other purpose than what is mentioned in the BBT Agreement. --- **[1974: Letter to Sarada](letters/1974/741125_sarada)** > I am very glad to hear that you are engaged in the service of tulsi devi. Tulsi leaves are very important for satisfying Lord Krishna. So you continue to your best, and you will automatically advance more and more in Krishna consciousness. --- **[1974: Letter to Subala](letters/1974/741125_subala)** > Regarding your registration, it should be clearly stated that no property can be sold or mortgaged without my express sanction. --- **[1976: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1976/761125_giriraja)** > We consider ourselves the most obedient servants of Vallabhacarya. The exchange between Lord Caitanya and Vallabhacarya was on friendly terms. ---