# November 26 ## Spoken on November 26 *Lectures from this day: 5 recordings* --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 2.22](spoken/1972/721126bg.hyd)** > Therefore we are presenting *Bhagavad-gītā* as it is. Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. We say, we are preaching this cult: "Be Kṛṣṇa conscious. Just become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. Offer your respects..." You have to offer your respect to anyone. You are not supreme. You have to flatter somebody to get some service. That is an... Even if you get nice position, you have to flatter. Even if you get a president, become president of the country, you have to flatter your countrymen: "Please give me vote. Please... I shall give you so many facilities." > So our this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is only to request you... It is your country's literature. Try to understand *Bhagavad-gītā,* Kṛṣṇa. You'll be liberated. *Janma karma me divyaṁ yo jānāti tattvataḥ, tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti*. Simply by understanding Kṛṣṇa you get liberation. *Punar janma naiti.* The whole activities, human society's activities, should be targeted how to get rid of this repetition of birth and death. That is real civilization. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.6](spoken/1972/721126sb.hyd)** > So if we actually want peace... Everyone is hankering; that is..., that is our prerogative. Every living entity must hanker after happiness. *Ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt* [*Vedānta-sūtra* 1.1.12]. Because by nature we are happy. By nature we are happy. *Ānandamayo 'bhyāsāt*. So as spirit soul we are naturally happy, blissful. But because we have been covered by the eight material elements—earth, water, fire, air, ether, these are gross elements—and within the gross elements, mind, intelligence and ego. So somebody is satisfied with the comfort of the outward gross elements, this body. They are called materialist. Simply sense gratification. *Indriyāni parāṇy āhur indriyebhyaḥ paraṁ manaḥ*. > It is not fact that only on this planet there are living entities, and other planets there are no living entities. No, that is not a fact. Anyway, here the proposal is how to achieve perfect happiness of *ātma*. *Ātma*, I have already explained, *ātma* means the body, *ātma* means the mind and *ātma* means the soul. So unless you get happiness of the soul, simply trying to get happiness of the body and the mind, you'll never get happiness. That is the information in this verse. *Sa vai puṁsām paro dharmo*. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.26](spoken/1974/741126sb.bom)** > Nothing is different from Kṛṣṇa. Everything is Kṛṣṇa's energy. The Māyāvādī philosophers, they think that "Because everything is God, everything is Kṛṣṇa, then where is Kṛṣṇa? Kṛṣṇa is finished." But actually that is not. Kṛṣṇa is Kṛṣṇa; at the same time, He is everything. That is Kṛṣṇa. That we can understand by *bhakti.* Therefore it is said, *bhaktyā. Bhaktyā.* In *Bhagavad-gītā* also, Kṛṣṇa says, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti*. These things can be understood not by ordinary person without any devotion. One who is *bhakta,* he can understand that Kṛṣṇa is everything and everything is Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is everything—that is *dṛṣṭa.* When a *bhakta* sees a tree, he sees Kṛṣṇa. That is *bhakta's* vision. It is explained in the *Caitanya-caritāmṛta,* > Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyate svābhāvikī jñāna.* This is the Vedic instruction. Everything in every creation, there is hand of the Supreme Lord. *Īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam* [Īśo*mantra* 1]. But one who has got eyes to see, he can see Kṛṣṇa, *anucintayām,* by thinking, by thoughtful, not like rascal, "It has come automatically." Why? Nothing comes automatically. How it comes automatically? That is rascaldom. It has come through the intelligence of Kṛṣṇa. But His power is so fine and so accurate that *svābhāvikī jñāna-bala-kriyā ca.* If you paint one picture of flower, you will have to arrange for so many things; Still, it will not be perfect. And this flower has come so perfectly. Does it mean there was no brain behind it? You nonsense. There is brain. And Kṛṣṇa says that *mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram* : --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751126mw.del)** > If you know that one barber is honest, then you can make your neck like this and he is with a sharpened razor. But you have faith that "He will not cut my throat; he will shave me." This is faith. And if you do not know him, and if you put your neck like this and if he is a rogue, he will cut your throat. That's all. The same faith, if you put it to the right person, you become cleansed, shaved, and the same faith put in the wrong person—your throat is cut off. So you must know where to put the faith. So our Vedic injunction is: "Put your faith to the *brahma-niṣṭam,* one who is God-realized." *Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum evābhigacchet samit-pāniḥ śrotriyaṁ brahma-niṣṭam [Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad* 1.2.12]: "One who has full knowledge in the *Vedas* and firmly fixed up in Brahman, God, you put your faith there." Otherwise there will be disaster. Right faith. [break]...you call Prabhākāra? --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.6.4](spoken/1976/761126sb.vrn)** > There are many living entities. Out of them, some of them are *cala,* and some of them are *acala. Cala* means moving. Just like tree is not moving, but it is life. But a small insect, it is moving. *Sthāvara jaṅgama,* they are called in technical words. *Sthāvara* means standing in one place, and the vegetables, trees, plants, they are more condemned. They cannot move even. They'll have to stand up in a place for thousands of years. There is no possibility even to move. If there is storm, scorching heat, pinching cold, they cannot move. They'll have to suffer. So it is very condemned life to become tree and plant, *sthāvara.* Then *jaṅgama.* The *jaṅgama* means moving. So there are many varieties of moving animals: the insects, the birds, the beast, then human form. So how out of the human moving forms, the civilized form... Out of the civilized form, those who are in Vedic culture. Out of the Vedic culture, many are addicted to the fruitive activities, ritualistic ceremony, how to go to the heavenly planet, how to become members of rich family. They are working very hard, *karmī.* So out of many millions of *karmīs,* one *jñānī... Jñānī* means who understands, "What is the use of this *karma,* fruitive activities?" So out of many *jñānīs,* one is *mukta,* liberated. And out of many millions of *mukta—koṭiṣv api mahā-mune—*one is a *bhakta.* This is the gradual development.* So we should be very careful. We have got this opportunity of understanding Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We should not waste a single moment without Kṛṣṇa consciousness. *Avyartha-kālatvam. That is advised by Rūpa Gosvāmī. Every moment we shall count, "Whether I have wasted it or utilized it?" This is life. > So these things are there. The purpose is that our mind is like that, *puṁścalī,* unchaste wife. Not that everyone is unchaste. We have got many example, the character of woman. It is not that. It is not generalization. But there is chance. If they are not controlled, not properly educated, there is chance of becoming *puṁścalī,* and there have been many instances that woman, for being attracted by paramour, has killed even one's own son. There have been cases. So Bhīṣmadeva also advised that the shyness of woman, *lajjā,* is the control. If you break that shy..., what is called, shyness, then there will be disaster. That is the control valve naturally given. And woman's shyness is one beauty, beauty. We have got practical experience. And command also. We have practical experience in our life. You have seen that my friend came, Dinanath Mishra. They were our neighbor. So one day we were sitting on the corridor of the house. One sweeper woman, she wanted to come within, but very shyful, and with a covering of the head, although with broomstick and bucket, she was waiting because we were sitting both side. So she was feeling little shy not to enter the house. So we decided to move so that she may come. This example is given. She is a sweeper, not very respectable, maidservant or sweeper, but on account of her shyness we had to welcome, "Yes, we are moving. You come in." Just see. This is psychology. Therefore Bhīṣmadeva, at his dying stage, he advised that woman's shyness is the valve to control. If their shyness is broken, then it will create disaster. *Puṁścalī.* This is the psychology. So things are changing nowadays everywhere, not only in India, in other countries also. But this is the psychology. So all these examples are given. Why? Just to control the mind. In Hindi there is a proverb that "Money and wife, you should always keep in control." There are so many examples. --- ## Letters on November 26 *Letters from this day: 20* --- **[1966: Letter to Mr. Dharwadkar](letters/1966/661126_mr._dharwadkar)** > If you have not been able to sell all the books left with you for sale, you may kindly return the books to --- **[1968: Letter to Candravali](letters/1968/681126_candravali)** > Your plan of translating the three volumes of Srimad-Bhagavatam is a great encouragement to me. We require that men of all tongues may know of the great message of Krishna and your rendering our books in the Spanish language will be a tremendous service to our Krishna Conscious movement. It is most encouraging news that you have begun this activity and by all means continue with it. --- **[1968: Letter to Hrsikesa](letters/1968/681126_hrsikesa)** > Regarding the Christmas Day meal with your family, I do not think you should partake of the food prepared by non-devotees. Better you should prepare your own foodstuffs and offer to Krishna and then, if you like, you may offer these remnants to Lord Jesus. --- **[1968: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1968/681126_kirtanananda)** > Also I have seen the newsletter of November 20th regarding the progress of our centers in New Vrindaban and Columbus. --- **[1968: Letter to Upendra](letters/1968/681126_upendra)** > I think that the troubles you describe in your letter are due simply to misunderstanding. --- **[1969: Letter to Aniruddha](letters/1969/691126_aniruddha)** > I am glad that you have received my letter to to you, addressed to New York. Their primary business should be Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1969: Letter to Durga Prasadji Gupta](letters/1969/691126_durga_prasadji_gupta)** > Sri Jayadayal Dalmia has requested me to send you our edition of *Bhagavad-gita As It Is* because you are collecting all different editions of the *Gita. --- **[1969: Letter to Gopala Krsna](letters/1969/691126_gopala_krsna)** > Regarding your citizenship in Canada, I agree with this proposal because the service which you are now occupied in is very good service and your bosses have recognized your activities. --- **[1969: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1969/691126_jayapataka)** > Regarding the Prasadam restaurant, if you start this, you should do it only in the temple. --- **[1969: Letter to Upendra](letters/1969/691126_upendra)** > It is very nice to hear that Gajendra is now taking care in pushing on the Krishna Consciousness Movement. --- **[1970: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1970/701126_gurudasa)** > In the meantime, if there is no very important business in Delhi, you may accept the invitation from Indore and go there. --- **[1970: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1970/701126_jagadisa)** > So far as Canadian expansion is concerned, your suggestion to open centers in Ottawa, Hamilton, Quebec and Winipeg is very nice, so do it practically and Krishna will be pleased by your sincere efforts. Performing Kirtana and conducting classes at universities along with distribution in the libraries and the colleges of our literature is a very important program, so do it enthusiastically. --- **[1973: Letter to Umapati](letters/1973/731126_umapati)** > As far as your grhastha community committee, I have no objection as it has the approval of Karandhara prabhu and he is there for you all to take advice from. One thing is though that we should not take such meetings and committees too seriously, as in the ultimate capacity our chanting is the only thing that will save us. However, if sometimes devotees should like to come together and chant Hare Krsna and discuss, just as we instituted our Istagosthi program, then this of course I have no objection to. --- **[1974: Letter to Attorney Generals Department](letters/1974/741126_attorney_generals_department)** > This is to inform you that I, the undersigned, am the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON and the world leader for all of its branches. --- **[1974: Letter to Damodara](letters/1974/741126_damodara)** > Yes, it is all right that you retire from the president post to do preaching. We should not let maya enter into our activities, but keep all of our activities Krishna conscious. I have faith in you, so always try your best to serve Krishna and your spiritual master, and you will be all successful. --- **[1974: Letter to Saurabha](letters/1974/741126_saurabha)** > Bon Maharaja had to go several times to get the Governor, but with one letter he has accepted our invitation. So it is up to you Europeans and Americans to push it all over the world, and one day you will be the leaders of the world. --- **[1976: Letter to Harikesa](letters/1976/761126_harikesa)** > Yes, I approve of your helping to rectify the situation in Germany. --- **[1976: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1976/761126_jayapataka)** > I am advising you by this letter to advance Rs. 10,000 to Prabhusvarupa in Haridasapur. --- **[1976: Letter to Prabhusvarupa](letters/1976/761126_prabhusvarupa)** > I am advising Jayapataka to advance Rs. 10,000 to be added to your balance of Rs. --- **[1976: Letter to Ramesvara](letters/1976/761126_ramesvara)** > "If you pat your subordinates it will increase their faulty habits and if you chastise them, they will improve. Therefore it is advised that either your son or disciple, you should always chastise them, never give them leniency. ---