# November 30 ## Spoken on November 30 *Lectures from this day: 8 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 9.15](spoken/1966/661130bg.ny.md)** > So far Kṛṣṇa is concerned, He proved that He is God. How? In this *Bhagavad-gītā.* Now we are reading Ninth Chapter. In the Eleventh Chapter Arjuna requested, "O Kṛṣṇa, that will You kindly show me Your universal form?" So Kṛṣṇa showed him, "Yes." So that... This was Arjuna's teaching to world that in future so many fools will represent himself as God. So don't be befooled by them. Just ask him, "Show me your universal form." Then accept him as God. Don't very cheaply accept any fool as God. So this is the highest imperfection, that he is in the stringent laws of the material nature. If there is simply a toothache, he becomes overwhelmed, and he himself preaches as God. So this sort of thing can be accepted by similar foolish-natured people. God is supreme. Nobody can God. Nobody can be equal with God. God is called in the Vedic literature, *asamaurdhva. Asama* means nobody's equal to Him. And nobody is higher than Him. *Ūrdhva* means higher. Nobody can be higher than God, and nobody can be equal to God. Everyone is lower than God, however great he may be. And there is a nice verse, *śiva-viriñci-nutam*. Śiva-viriñci. Śiva* means the Lord Śiva, and *viriñci* means Lord Brahmā. They are considered to be the topmost demigods in this material world. So they also offer their respectful obeisances to Viṣṇu, or God. > "In this way, traditionally, from the spiritual master to the student, this knowledge was imparted." The Lord said that "I imparted this knowledge first of all to the sun-god, and the sun-god imparted this knowledge to his son, Manu, and Manu imparted this knowledge to his son, Ikṣvāku." Ikṣvāku was the king of this planet. So from Ikṣvāku, this knowledge is coming down from the master, or from the father to the son, or from the master to the disciple. It is coming on. And because that disciplic succession was broken, therefore Lord Kṛṣṇa said that "I am speaking again that old system of knowledge to you, Arjuna, because you are My devotee, you are My dear friend." We have already studied this fact. So this is the way. --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.100–118](spoken/1966/661130cc.ny.md)** > So, these living entities they are spread all over this material energy. *Saṁsāra-tāpān akhilān avāpnoty...* And they, being entangled by this material energy. They are suffering, *tapaḥ*— different kinds of miseries. Different kinds of miseries. Hm, but they have become so dull that they. They do not think that they are under miseries. They think that we are advanced in happiness. Although factually they are suffering this is called illusion. That there are so many sufferings, just as so many times we have discussed this point. Sufferings due to natural disturbance, suffering due to treatment with other entities, suffering due to this body. Suffering due to this mind, suffering of death, suffering of birth, suffering of old age, suffering of diseases. We are surrounded by all sufferings and still we are silent, that we are very happy. This is called illusion. > As it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā*the Lord says that above this material energy there is another superior energy. *Jīva-bhūtāṁ mahā-bāho*, there they are living entities, superior. *Yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat*, those who are carrying on the activities of the material world. Therefore they are superior beings. --- **[1969: Lecture on Saṅkīrtana](spoken/1969/691130le.lon)** > You see in the *Bhagavad-gītā: yajñārthe karmaṇaḥ anyatra karma-bandhanaḥ*. Simply you can act for *yajña,* or Viṣṇu. Otherwise you are criminal. That's all. Either you become *mahatma*, this *atma*, that *atma,* if you do not act for Viṣṇu, or *yajña,* you are criminal. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ*. > You cannot execute any other process of self-realization or perfection of life except this: *harer nāma harer nāma harer nāma eva kevalam*. The same thing: *śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ*. Viṣṇu and Hari, the same thing. *Śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ,* and *harer nāma eva kevalam.* You will find in Vedic literature all the symmetries. There is no difference of opinion. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 2.26](spoken/1972/721130bg.hyd)** > Therefore our *śāstra* says, *acintyāḥ khalu ye bhāvāḥ.* Beyond your perception, beyond your sense perception, don't try to understand it by argument and logic. Then how to know it? Know it from the person who knows it. That is knowledge. Just like we are trying to get knowledge about the soul, not by experiment, but we are trying to understand from the words of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is the authority. So He says, in the beginning, *dehino 'smin yathā dehe kaumāraṁ yauvanaṁ jarā*. We can... Kṛṣṇa says, and we can think over it and ponder over it. Then we come to conclusion. And the other process, Vedic process, is: > The last word is Bhagavān. From Bhagavān, the expansion is Paramātmā, localized aspect. *Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe arjuna tiṣṭhati*. That is expansion. *Ekāṁśena sthito jagat .* That is one of the plenary portions. *Viṣṭabhya aham.* He enters within this universe, and therefore the universe becomes manifest. Just like I am soul, *dehino 'smin yathā dehe*; I enter into this body. You enter into your body. Therefore the body expands. Similarly, the Supreme Personality of Godhead enters as Garbhodakaśāyī Viṣṇu within each and every universe. Then it becomes manifest. So there is no question of impersonal. The original source is person. Kṛṣṇa says, --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.20](spoken/1973/731130sb.la)** > Therefore if we want actually protection, we should take protection of the Supreme, Kṛṣṇa, or His devotee. Kṛṣṇa is *suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām.* Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā, bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram, suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām : "I am the friend of everyone." He can become friend. He is living within our heart as friend. But we refuse the guidance of such a nice friend. That is our misfortune. Kṛṣṇa is so kind, so friendly, that you are... Just like one bird is flying from one tree to another, and another bird is following him. So similarly, we are flying from one body to another. *Tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ*. > So *so 'haṁ nṛpendra rahitaḥ puruṣottamena.* We also require. Don't be proud, "Because I am man, I don't require protection." Here it is said, Kṛṣṇa said, er, Arjuna said, *puruṣottamena so 'haṁ rahitaḥ:* "Now I have no protection." Arjuna was so great hero. Still, he required protection. *Puruṣottamena. Puruṣa, puruṣa* means enjoyer. The supreme enjoyer is Kṛṣṇa. If He does not give protection, you cannot enjoy your life. That is not possible. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says... Kṛṣṇa is giving protection, but not as much as He wants to give you protection, because you deny to accept it. Because you deny to accept His protection, therefore He is giving protection to you as much as you want. And if you want full protection, then the condition is, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* : --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.30](spoken/1974/741130sb.bom)** > Kṛṣṇa says that "I give him intelligence from within." And without, externally, His representative the spiritual master is there. Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, *guru-kṛṣṇa-kṛpāya pāya bhakti-latā-bīja*. Combination of *guru* and Kṛṣṇa. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa, one gets a bona fide *guru,* and by the grace of the bona fide *guru,* one gets Kṛṣṇa. This is going on. So as we are fallen, similarly, *śāstra* has given us very easy method to appreciate our transcendental life, our blissful life. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. This we are teaching everywhere, that "You chant this Hare Kṛṣṇa *mahā-mantra,*" *śravaṇaṁ kīrtanaṁ viṣṇoḥ.* And when they are advanced, they are engaged in Deity worship, in preaching work and so many other. > Guru* is very confidential servant of Kṛṣṇa. Why confidential servant? Because he is canvassing door to door, "Please become Kṛṣṇa conscious. Please surrender to Kṛṣṇa." Kṛṣṇa says to Arjuna, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*, and *guru* takes that very mission, but does not say like Kṛṣṇa, that "You surrender to me." He says, "Surrender to Kṛṣṇa." One has to surrender to Kṛṣṇa through the via media of *guru,* not directly. This is the process. Therefore *guru* accepts respects from the disciple not for his personal self, but conveying the respect to Kṛṣṇa. This is the process. *Yasya prasādād bhagavat-prasādo yasyāprasādān na gatiḥ kuto 'pi.* If you cannot get the mercy of *guru,* then it is very difficult to approach Kṛṣṇa. We cannot approach Kṛṣṇa directly. *Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ*. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.6.8](spoken/1976/761130sb.vrn)** > And what is the confidential servant of Kṛṣṇa? Everything is explained. Kṛṣṇa says, *ya idaṁ paramaṁ guhyaṁ mad-bhakteṣv abhidhāsyati*. This *paramaṁ guhyam.* What is that *paramaṁ guhyam? Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. This is *paramaṁ guhyam,* Kṛṣṇa said. *Guhyād guhyatamam.* What is that verse? Who can say? Just before saying *sarva-dharmān parityajya,* Kṛṣṇa said that "You are My very dear friend. Therefore I am talking to you the most confidential part of knowledge." Is it not? What is that confidential part? *Sarva-dharmān parityajya:* "Give up everything. Simply surrender unto Me." This is confidential knowledge. *Jñāna, karma, yoga,* this will not help. It will take some time. You can waste your time in that way, you are at liberty, but real *dharma* is that "You fully surrender unto Me. Don't talk nonsense." Arjuna was talking so many nonsense things. So Kṛṣṇa ultimately said, "My dear Arjuna, you are My confidential friend. Therefore I am asking you. You do this. Don't waste your time. It will not help." It will help—*bahūnāṁ janmanām ante*. You can go on with your learning, with your study of *Vedas,* with your practice of *yoga* or ritualistic ceremonies, *karma-kāṇḍa, jñāna-kāṇḍa,* but unless you come to this point—*sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* —*there is no happiness. That is not possible. This is the confidential... > So if this confidential knowledge, one who preaches without any compromise, he is the confidential servant of Kṛṣṇa. There is no compromise. This is real religion. The Kṛṣṇa says, *na ca tasmān manuṣyeṣu kaścid me priya-kṛttamaḥ*. So this is the person who has received the authority to draw mercy water from the ocean of mercy of Kṛṣṇa. *Sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstraiḥ.* And what Kṛṣṇa said five thousand years ago, the same thing Caitanya Mahāprabhu said. Same thing. There was no change, as there was no change between the statement of Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura and Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura. *Sādhu śāstra.* As *śāstra,* there is no change. Not that "Modernize. The *śāstra* should be changed." No. That is nonsense. That is not *śāstra. Śāstra* cannot be changed. "Circumstantially, it will be changed, seasonal changes." No. That is not *śāstra. Śāstra* means it is perpetual. What Kṛṣṇa said five thousand years ago or Kṛṣṇa said some forty millions of years ago to the sun-god... *Imaṁ vivasvate yogaṁ proktavān aham avyayam*. --- ## Letters on November 30 *Letters from this day: 14* --- **[1968: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1968/681130_hansadutta)** > Just now I am going to send credit to Dai Nippon in Japan for $6,000 so I require some money for the book fund. --- **[1968: Letter to Hayagriva](letters/1968/681130_hayagriva)** > Regarding the press you are thinking to purchase, yes it appears to be a very good opportunity. It may be that in the future we shall also purchase one offset press, but in any case, this is a good opportunity for buying this sort of press, so I think you should purchase it. --- **[1968: Letter to Himavati](letters/1968/681130_himavati)** > Yesterday my deities were dressed with the clothing you made and it appears so nice. --- **[1968: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1968/681130_kirtanananda)** > So far your question whether you should stay at New Vrindaban, or help Hayagriva at Columbus, the best thing is to consult with Hayagriva, and work jointly. I think by Krishna's Grace everything is improving nicely with the New Vrindaban idea, and please continue to make your program in this way. --- **[1970: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1970/701130_bhagavan)** > Yes, I have received a copy of the GBC meeting held in Pittsburgh and I hope that all of you GBC members will continue your present course of action. --- **[1970: Letter to Karandhara](letters/1970/701130_karandhara)** > Your sentiments for me are very nice and I thank you very much for your sincere attitude which is so encouraging for me. --- **[1971: Letter to Bahulasva](letters/1971/711130_bahulasva)** > The example regarding the Swami's argument is that God is the ocean and the living entities are waves. So accepting this argument we may say that the waves are being formed perpetually and again, and they are mixing with the sea water. --- **[1971: Letter to Chairman Of Municipal Committee Of Vindavan](letters/1971/711130_chairman_of_municipal_committee_of_vindavan)** > 1) We are establishing various centres all over the world to propagate Krishna Consciousness, which means recognizing that Krishna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead; 2) Krishna's instructions in the Bhagavad-gita is the scriptural evidence of this fact;. --- **[1971: Letter to Krsna Dasa](letters/1971/711130_krsna_dasa)** > I am very pleased that you are determined to rectify whatever may have been done in the past, in order to push on in Krishna Consciousness to a very bright future. --- **[1971: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1971/711130_rupanuga)** > I am currently in Vrindaban with a party of 40 devotees, and we are having daily *parikrama* of the holy places. --- **[1975: Letter to Manasvi](letters/1975/751130_manasvi)** > Now you are living peacefully with your family, that is good. Visit the New York temple regularly with your family and try to help them as far as possible, I think you should not attempt to make life members at this time. Maintain your wife and children by working honestly, attend the temple programs as far as possible and in this way live peacefully as a grhastha following the four regulative principles of spiritual life and chant Hare Krishna on beads and at home with family. --- **[1975: Letter to Tikandas J. Batra](letters/1975/751130_tikandas_j._batra)** > Regarding your question about Brahma Samhita, it was found by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in a temple on his travels thru south India. There are supposed to be 100 chapters, but this is the only chapter which is known to date. --- **[1975: Letter to W.J. Carpenter](letters/1975/751130_w.j._carpenter)** > Material life means attachment for women, children, friends, countrymen, position, wealth, and good name. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam material existence is compare to a forest full of plunderers, dacoits, jackals, tigers and other ferocious animals. The jackals are compare to one's wife and children. --- **[1976: Letter to Gurukrpa](letters/1976/761130_gurukrpa)** > This letter is to inform you that I am sending Bali Mardan to Australia to act as GBC for Australia and New Zealand until the Mayapur festival next year. Now you may concentrate on Hawaii and Japan. ---