# December 1 ## Spoken on December 1 *Lectures from this day: 5 recordings* --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.118–119](spoken/1966/661201cc.ny.md)** > If I work in some ordinary man's service, he gives me protection. Don't you think if you work for Kṛṣṇa, He'll not give you protection? Because you have no faith, therefore we are seeking protection from elsewhere. Kṛṣṇa is able. He says, *ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi* : "I shall give you protection from all sinful reactions." But we have no faith. We are thinking, "Oh, it is written in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* That's all right, but I must have my protection in a different way." > So *dvitīyābhiniveśataḥ.* Because he thinks there is anything superior than Kṛṣṇa, therefore he is fearful. Why a conditioned soul is fearful, that is explained in the *Bhāgavata. Bhayam dvitīyābhiniveśataḥ syāt.* So this *māyā,* the illusion, when we take shelter of this illusion, then we are afraid. And when we understand that "Illusion, this energy, is under the control of Kṛṣṇa, because illusion, this material energy, is also Kṛṣṇa's energy, inferior energy. So even if I, I am within this material energy, when I am forgetful of Kṛṣṇa, this material energy is fearful for me, and when I am in Kṛṣṇa consciousness fully, there is no question of fearfulness from material nature." --- **[1968: Talk, Initiation Lecture](spoken/1968/681201in.la)** > Therefore *Bhagavad-gītā* instructs that "You surrender." *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. So without surrender, there is no question of making any spiritual progress. Just like a person who has rebelled against the government—the first condition is to surrender; otherwise there is no question of mercy from the government. Similarly anyone, the living entity, any one of us who has rebelled against the supremacy of the Lord, the beginning of spiritual life is surrender. > So this *mantra,* initiation, *namaḥ. Namaḥ* means surrender. And who can surrender? Surrender... One who has understood the Lord, he can surrender, as it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate* : *A*fter many, many births of cultivation of knowledge, when one is perfectly wise, at that time he surrenders. Perfection of acquiring knowledge, or wisdom, is to surrender. So, *namaḥ. Namaḥ* means "I surrender." And what is your condition? Never mind what is that condition. *Apavitraḥ pavitro vā. Apavitraḥ* means contaminated, and *pavitra* means liberated. --- **[1969: Lecture](spoken/1969/691201le.lon)** > But unfortunately, the influence of this fallen age is so strong that you are very slow, very slow to understand this simple truth. *Mandāḥ sumanda-matayo*. And if somebody becomes interested, "All right, I shall realize myself," and somebody will say, "Oh, what you will realize by chanting? What is this? Just try to press your nose, then you will be happy." *Sumanda-matayo*. Some nonsense things shall be imitated which will never be perfect, which will never be accepted, nor it is recommended. Therefore *sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā,* unfortunate. *Hy upadrutāḥ. Manda-bhāgyā*... In this age people are always fortunate. Even the ordinary means of life, namely eating, sleeping, mating and defending, nobody has provision. > There are, on the ordinary course, there are four kinds of means: *karma, jñāna, yoga* and *bhakti*. So *karma*, *jñāna*, yoga is impossible in this age; therefore you have to take this process of *bhakti-yoga*, the simple method, chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa. And if you chant, then the result will be immediately, *ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam* Your heart will be cleansed by simply this process of chanting and dancing. You will see transcendentally, and if you continue, everything else will be practiced regularly. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.21](spoken/1973/731201sb.la)** > So God will appear. Don't forget that you will be godless. You will see God—death—and at that time, after seeing, you will be finished, no more understanding. That is... Kṛṣṇa says, *mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraḥ...* When you will be taken away, everything, all your possession, all your scientific knowledge, bank balance, skyscraper, everything will be taken away, then you will understand what is God, like Hiraṇyakaśipu. So why don't you try to understand before that moment comes? Live so very nicely, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and see Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity, and eat nicely, live nicely. "No, that is not possible. We shall see at the time of death, when everything will be finished. All intelligence, all good food, everything will be finished." So therefore in the *Caitanya-caritāmṛta* it is said, *kṛṣṇa yei bhaje se baḍa catura.* Unless one is first-class intelligent, he cannot take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The last-class fools and rogues, they cannot take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. > So these are actually knowledge. People are after something false. That is called *māyā. Māyā* means which is not actually fact, but we are after that. Similarly, this so-called advancement of civilization is *māyā.* It will be finished at any second, but they do not know. They do not know. It will be finished at any second. Even though we accept it, "All right," Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā, mṛtyuḥ sarva-haraś cāham* : --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.31](spoken/1974/741201sb.bom)** > So our this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to present the Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or the conclusion given by Kṛṣṇa, or the conclusion in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* in this *āmnāya* Sāṅkhya philosophy, disciple after disciple. Not that "I know little more A-B-C-D. I am, therefore, a big scholar. I can interpret *Bhagavad-gītā* in my own way." This is useless. This is useless. You cannot make your own comment. But... That is not also good. So many commentaries which have been made without this *āmnāya,* Sāṅkhya process, they are useless. There is no effect. This is very essential. Therefore Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa says in the Fourth Chapter, *evaṁ paramparā prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ*. > So that..., this *yoga* system we have to practice, this *yoga* system. This is called *sāṅkhya-yoga.* That is explained here, *provāca vai bhakti-vitāna-yogam.* The more you think of Kṛṣṇa... *Satataṁ cintayanto mām, satataṁ kīrtayanto mām*. These are advised in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* If you always chant Hare Kṛṣṇa *mantra,* then you remember Kṛṣṇa. Immediately the form of Kṛṣṇa is awakened within your heart. And Kṛṣṇa says, *yoginām api sarveṣāṁ mad-gatenāntar-ātmanā:* "Always within the heart..." That is the *sāṅkhya-yoga* system, or perfect *yoga* system, *bhakti-yoga-vitānam.* And Kṛṣṇa says personally, --- ## Letters on December 1 *Letters from this day: 12* --- **[1968: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1968/681201_gurudasa)** > Your idea of arranging meeting with all of the influential people who are interested in your activities is excellent suggestion and may prove very good results. So certainly Krishna is guiding you in your thoughts and activities. --- **[1968: Letter to Harer Nama](letters/1968/681201_harer_nama)** > It is very nice that you are preparing these puppet stories of Srimad-Bhagavatam. --- **[1968: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1968/681201_jayapataka)** > With much satisfaction I have read your letter of November 24, 1968 and I thank you very much for this. --- **[1970: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1970/701201_madhudvisa)** > So far as shipment of the three sets of Murtis is concerned, you may ship as soon as possible one set to Boston and the other two sets may go to L.A. So far as the marble Deities are concerned, one set may be sent to San Francisco and the other to Baltimore. --- **[1970: Letter to Nayanabhirama](letters/1970/701201_nayanabhirama)** > So far as moving the temple to a new location, that is very good news. When I return to your country, I must visit your temple, either from New York or from New Vrindaban. Formerly, when I first came to the U.S. --- **[1970: Letter to Rupanuga](letters/1970/701201_rupanuga)** > That the sannyasis have gone is all right. Also Gargamuni Maharaja is trying for Florida. That is good. --- **[1973: Letter to Abhirama](letters/1973/731201_abhirama)** > So you take instruction from Rupanuga Maharaja on how to properly perform the yajna after he has chanted on their beads. Each disciple should go for collecting guru-daksine after the ceremony and the proceeds may be sent here c/o Karandhara. --- **[1973: Letter to Bhakta Don](letters/1973/731201_bhakta_don)** > Yes, you should use your scientific credentials to present this Krsna Conscious philosophy. It may not be possible to convince the rascal scientists of this Krsna Consciousness philosophy because after all, Krsna gives everyone free will and if it is their determination to remain atheistic how shall it be checked? --- **[1973: Letter to Jayananda](letters/1973/731201_jayananda)** > That you are engaged in street Sankirtana in San Francisco is fully approved by me. That you are feeling more and more enthusiasm by doing this is quite natural as Sankirtana is our life and soul. --- **[1973: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1973/731201_tamala_krsna)** > After stopping in London and New York, we have now safely arrived in Los Angeles. --- **[1973: Letter to Yasodanandana Gurukrpa](letters/1973/731201_yasodanandana_gurukrpa)** > I have two days ago arrived at our Los Angeles Center after going through London and New York. --- **[1974: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1974/741201_hansadutta)** > Regarding introducing the records in USA, yes, why not, but do not minimize the book selling. ---