# December 12 ## Spoken on December 12 *Lectures from this day: 12 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 9.23–24](spoken/1966/661212bg.ny.md)** > Similarly the, the, any kind of worship, any kind of sacrifice, any kind of charity, any kind of penance, any kind of austerity, any kind of philosophical discussion, any kind of meditation... There are so many things recommended for self-realization or the Supreme Absolute Truth realization. So Lord Kṛṣṇa says, "Of all those processes, the ultimate beneficiary is I am, Myself, Lord Kṛṣṇa." *Ahaṁ hi sarva-yajñānāṁ bhoktā prabhur eva ca.* "Master." *Prabhu* means master. "People do not know Me," *na tu mām abhijānanti,* "that 'Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Enjoyer, the Absolute Enjoyer.' " > So everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa, or the Supreme Lord, and we do not know it and therefore we are encroaching upon the property of Kṛṣṇa, and law is..., the law of nature is punishing us. This is going on. Then if you want to stop this, then you have to surrender to the Lord. *Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te*. Anyone who surrenders unto the Supreme, he becomes away from the stringent laws of nature. He becomes peaceful. He becomes happy. --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.154–157](spoken/1966/661212cc.ny.md)** > So religion, you cannot manufacture, I cannot manufacture. Just like there are so many religions now, manufactured by laymen. Oh, they are not religion. *Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam* : "*Dharma* means, religion means, which is made by God." Or His representative. Not by anyone. Not that you make a club or association, you manufacture some idea and it becomes religion. No. *Dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bha...*Therefore God incarnates. > In that place there are innumerable universes as we are seeing one. And one of these universes, there are millions and billions of planets, of which this earth is only a insignificant fragment. And in that earth, the land of America, United States, is still insignificant. And in that state, New York is still insignificant. And in that New York City, this 26 Second Avenue insignificant. And we are sitting here. So just see how much insignificant we are. And we are claiming "God." Do not know... *Ṣaḍ-aiśvarya-pūrṇa.* This is called ignorance. We do not know how much insignificant we are in the creation of God, and we are claiming "God." This is called poor fund of knowledge. Poor fund of knowledge. --- **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.21 & Room Conversation](spoken/1970/701212sb.ind)** > That means one who has not understood *Bhagavad-gītā...,* Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, he has not found the *yoga* properly. And why? That is *mad-āśrayaḥ:* he does not follow the disciplic succession. *Mad āśrayaḥ.* And in the beginning, in Fourth Chapter it is said, *evaṁ paramparā-prāptam*. So these foolish persons, they do not follow all these principles; therefore they cannot understand *Bhagavad-gītā.* Anyone. We say... It may appear to be very strong word, but that's a fact.* [Hindi] That's a strong word, that's all right, but he's a *chor.* [Hindi] Strong language used here. [Hindi] > I can escape the king's law by doing something which is abominable but I cannot escape God's law. That is not possible. Therefore, although he is thinking that "Now I am cheating this person," or "I am stealing and getting some profit," that is not good for him. Just like a man is killing some man, another man. So that is not good for him, because as soon as he will be arrested he'll be hanged. So they think that "I am cheating the state, I am cheating God, and I can go on gratifying my senses by all these activities," but that is stated in the *śāstra* as *garhitā. Garhitā* means "it is not beneficial for you." --- **[1971: Room Conversation](spoken/1971/711212r1.del)** > So religion is presented simply on formulas and stereotyped ideas, but actual religion is this surrender. *Yato bhaktir adhokṣaje*. *Bhakti* means serving. *Bhaja sevayā*. *Sevayā* means serving. So religion means to serve the Supreme Lord. That is religion. Anything which has no such idea, that is not religion. Then again [you] have different types of religion, how far they are making progress with..., on that ultimate goal, serving Kṛṣṇa? The more we advance, the more you become perfect, our real religious life becomes manifested. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. > We say this is real religion. So what others have to say on this point? We say this is real religion. *Bhāgavata* says..., *Bhāgavata* say, *dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo 'tra*, "All cheating type of religion is thrown away." The cheating type of religion means which does not teach people how to serve the Lord. That is cheating. They take advantage of the religious feeling. They say, "I am God" or "I am everything. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 6.47](spoken/1972/721212bg.ahm)** > This is the *śraddhā. Śraddhā* means firm faith. As Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. So unless one has got faith. Why one should consider himself that "I must be completely surrendered to Kṛṣṇa," unless one has got faith? Therefore faith is the beginning. And to create faith, Kṛṣṇa has explained about Himself in the whole *Bhagavad-gītā.* So one who is fortunate, after reading *Bhagavad-gītā* thoroughly, he'll have a strong faith in Kṛṣṇa. If you have failed to achieve this status of faith, then there is no question of progress. > That is explained by Kṛṣṇadāsa Kavirāja Gosvāmī: *śraddhā-śabde viśvāsa kahe sudṛḍha niścaya*. Śraddhā* means firm faith, with conviction, "Yes, if I surrender to Kṛṣṇa, then all my business will be perfect, all my spiritual life will be perfect." Therefore Kṛṣṇa says *śraddhāvān bhajate;* with *śraddhā,* with full faith. *Ādau śraddhā.* Beginning is *śraddhā.* --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/731212mw.la)** > Then you become *madhyama-adhikārī, madhyama-adhikārī,* advanced devotee. Just like these people, either in India or here, they remain simply Churchianity, going to the church without any understanding. Therefore it is failing. It is now... Churches are being closed. Similarly, if you do not keep yourself fit to preach, then your temples will all be closed in due course of time. Without preaching, you'll not feel enthused to continue the temple worship. And without temple worship, you cannot keep yourself pure and clean. The two things must go on, parallel. Then there is success. In modern time, either Hindus, Muslim or Christian, because in these places there is no teaching of philosophy, therefore they are closing, either mosque or temple or church. They will close. > So if you say, "How it is possible for the conditioned soul?" "Yes, it is possible if you follow the perfect." Just like we are doing. We are following Kṛṣṇa. He does not commit mistake, He is not illusioned, His senses are not imperfect and He does not cheat. We are following. Therefore, although we are imperfect, because we are following the perfect, our proposition is perfect. A child may be illiterate, but when he's taught, "Write *A* like this," and he follows that, he becomes literate. This is the policy. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.34](spoken/1973/731212sb.la)** > But nature is dull. Nature, material nature is dull. We do not find anything, material nature... Just like this is a material thing, but it is being manipulated by a living being. This has... This iron or other metallic preparation, they have been turned into microphone by a living entity, not that the matter has come automatically and combined together and it has become microphone. Where is that instance? Nature, material nature, does not combine together. Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *jīva-bhūtāṁ mahā-bāho yayedaṁ dhāryate jagat*. He is defining very nice. You read book. Kṛṣṇa says, "There are two kinds of nature: inferior nature and spiritual nature. The inferior nature is matter, *bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ*, and superior nature is the living entity." So why superior, living entity? Because the living entity can manipulate the material nature. > So women, by nature they should remain subordinate. It does not mean, "Because somebody is my subordinate, therefore I shall cut his throat or her throat." No. Just like sometimes the Christian philosophers say, "The animals are given under the control of man. Therefore they should be slaughtered." This is their philosophy. Control of man does not mean they should be slau... They should be taken care of. That is the law. That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā: kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam*. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.25.44](spoken/1974/741212sb.bom)** > Dharma* means function, characteristic. So we are planning, one after another, various plans to be very happy in this material world. But they will not make us happy—that's a fact—because this place is certified by the Supreme Personality of Godhead as *duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam* : "This is a place for misery." This material world is a place for misery. This body is meant for suffering miseries, and the land is meant for suffering miseries. That we do not understand. But we are placed in a miserable condition all round. That is material life. *Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam.* But we have got attachment for this material happiness—even it is *duḥkhālayam,* it is very much painful, miserable—and we are making plans how to become happy here. This is called struggle for existence. It is going on perpetually. We are making some plan to be happy, and it is dismantled by the laws of nature. You study the whole history of the world: it is simply struggling. We are making some plan to be out of miserable condition, but it is causing another miserable condition. Therefore it is called *daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā*. This is *māyā.* We are simply planning to overcome some problem, some difficulties, but it is becoming more difficult. This is the fact. > Tīvreṇa* means very seriously, not superficially. *Tīvreṇa bhakti-yogena.* Kṛṣṇa wants to see that "Whether he has finished his all material desires." Then He is very much pleased. He says, *sarva-dharmān paritya...*. *Sarva-dharmān* means we have created so many *dharmas.* That is not *dharma;* that is... *Dharma,* we generally become so-called religious for *artha,* for money. *Dharma-artha. Artha,* money, is required. Why? For sense gratification, *kāma.* And when we are dissatisfied, then we want *mokṣa.* Therefore, we are actually busy with four kinds of activities: *dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa* [SB 4.8.41, Cc. Ādi 1.90]. And above these, when we go above these, then *bhakti* begins. That is the beginning of *bhakti.* That wanted. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751212mw.vrn)** > Therefore it is said, *anyābhilāṣitā-śūnyam* [Brs. 1.1.11]. *Abhilāṣ* means desire. --- **[1975: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.10](spoken/1975/751212sb.vrn)** > In this way we are going on, life after life. We are creating different types of body. This is called seasonal changes. Just like there is tree, and every season there are fruits. The fruits, they are undergoing six kinds of transformation. First of all it is just like a small bud, or flower, then grows into a green fruit, then it is ripened fruit, then there is seed, then it is completely ripened, then falls down and finished. The fruit is going on, these six kinds of transformation, but the tree is standing. Similarly, as living entity we are permanent, and according to our *karma,* fruitive result of our *karma,* we are getting different body. So I am steady, as spirit soul. My bodies are changing, seasonal changes. But Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā, na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre*. Because the fruit is grown, stays for some time, then dwindles, then vanishes, that does not mean the tree is finished. This is a crude example. So this change of body is there on account of presence of the Supersoul. He is noting down. He doesn't require to note down, but He notes that "This living entity wants this kind of facility." So each and every body means a kind of facility for fulfilling our desires. So that desire is fulfilled by Kṛṣṇa. He is within our heart. He is giving..., He has given full independence: "Desire... Whatever you desire, I will give you." *Ye yathā mām prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham*. > In this way it is going on, *vāsanā.* Therefore we have to become *vāsanā-*less—without any *vāsanā,* means without any material desires. *Vāsanā* cannot... It is therefore not actually to make it null and void, but to make it purified. That is the aim of human life: to purify our desires. That purification is possible by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. *Sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ tat-paratvena nirmalam*. If you simply desire how to serve Kṛṣṇa, then that is really desirelessness. Desirelessness means not to become without desire. You desire to serve Kṛṣṇa, then these material desires will automatically finish. *Sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayor*. --- **[1976: Bhagavad-gītā 2.12](spoken/1976/761212bg.hyd)** > So this individuality is never lost. Kṛṣṇa says that "At present we are individuals, and in the past we are individuals." Then one may say, "In the future we may become one, amalgamated," as the Māyāvādī philosopher says that as soon as we become liberated, we become one with the Absolute. No, that is not fact. Here it is said, *na ca eva na bhaviṣyāmaḥ:* "It is not that in future we shall not remain individual. We shall remain individual." *Na bhaviṣyāmaḥ na.* Two negatives makes one positive. That means "In the future also we shall exist as individual." *Na caiva na bhaviṣyāmaḥ, sarve,* "all of us." "All" means, Kṛṣṇa says, "I, you and all the other peoples, kings and soldiers, we shall remain as individual." Then where is oneness? This Māyāvādī theory that after liberation we shall all become one with God, that is not mentioned here. This is bogus theory. Real: that we remain individual. So long we are not in a position to act means so long... Just like ghost. Ghost is also individual. But because the ghost does not get this material body they are invisible. They create disturbance for want of this body. Those who have got experience of ghost in some house, the ghost is there, he is individual soul, but because he hasn't got this material covering, that is a punishment. For the most sinful person, that is a punishment, that he does not get this body although he wants this body, because for enjoyment we want this body. Body is the combination of senses, instrument. If I want to touch you I require hand, and through hand I'll feel the pleasure of touching you. So the ghost wants to touch, but he hasn't got the instrument. That is ghost. But there are ghost. It is not fictitious. It is a fact. Ghost means without this material body. > We are in this material world according to our association with different modes of nature. We are making one type of mentality, and at the time of death, that mental position is responsible for carrying me in a different type of body. In this way we are changing body one after another. So we are spirit soul. This is the chance of rectifying or purifying our existence. If we like, we can purify our existence in this human form of life. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means to purify the existence, and after death, *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti*. If you become perfect in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, means you understand Kṛṣṇa. *Janma karma ca me divyaṁ yo jānāti.* Simply by understanding and acting accordingly, you can purify your existence, and next life means after giving up this body... This body we have to give up. But those who are not purifying their existence, they will accept another material body. And those who have purified the existence, they will go back home, back to Godhead. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761212r1.hyd)** > Tathāsakti.* Then they will be attached here. Spiritually if you enlighten them, then they'll be attached. They'll voluntarily say that they shall live here. The chanting, chanting, then... This is the beginning, that "You chant and take *prasādam.*" Then *ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam*. Gradually the heart will be cleansed, and gradually they will be elevated to the platform of *āsakti.* Then they will not want money, they will not want... Then they will live here, work, just you are doing. That stage, that requires little advancement. Therefore I say this *kīrtana* program must be continued. Then *ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam.* As you make the heart cleansed, they become more and more advanced. And then this stage of *āsakti,* that "This is... We shall live here." Just like we have given up our hearth and home and wife and children. We have given up that attachment. This attachment, practical. That is... You cannot expect immediately. That is not possible. *Paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate*. When one gets better attachment, then they can give up this nasty attachment. Therefore we have to continue this *saṅkīrtana.* This is the psychology. But there is very great prospect to develop this place, and you have got experience. If you can develop, it will be very nice example. Once successful here, we can introduce this program. And India will be easier because they are by nature inclined to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It will be easier. The *kīrtana* must be there. Otherwise, why we have to take so much responsibility? > > ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu- > > saṅgo 'tha bhajana-kriyā > > tato 'nartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt > > tato niṣṭhā rucis tataḥ > > ## Letters on December 12 *Letters from this day: 24* --- **[1950: Letter to: Father Ramakrishna — December 12, 1950](letters/1947-1965/501212_father_ramakrishna)** > My departure for Allahabad was postponed due to the failure of my proposed tenants' payment of Rs 500/-. --- **[1967: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1967/671212_brahmananda)** > 2, 1967 with great pleasure. It is all Krishna's mercy. I am so glad to learn that Satyavrata and yourself are trying to get the teachings of Lord Caitanya published. --- **[1967: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1967/671212_jadurani)** > You have described in your letter that my presence again before you will be wonderful. Your sincere prayer to Lord Nrsimhadeva is helping me to recuperate my health., and you will be glad to know that I am arriving at San Francisco on 14 Dec. You have rightly remarked whether they are devotees. --- **[1968: Letter to Ananda](letters/1968/681212_ananda)** > I have heard from Upendra that you have had some success in arranging for a temple in Vancouver. --- **[1968: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1968/681212_hansadutta)** > This is a great joy to me to see such publication being printed so nicely and my heartfelt thanks are due to Janardana, Dayala Nitai, Vaikunthanatha, yourself and your wife, along with all the others... --- **[1968: Letter to Himavati](letters/1968/681212_himavati)** > Just as you are thinking of me so often, similarly, you should know that I am often thinking of you also. --- **[1968: Letter to Joy Fulcher](letters/1968/681212_joy_fulcher)** > I have received your letter dated December 6, 1968 and have considered the contents. --- **[1968: Letter to Saradia](letters/1968/681212_saradia)** > Your kind thoughts which you expressed are very nice and encouraging to me. Also you have asked some intelligent questions and I am answering them here. --- **[1971: Letter to Atreya Rsi](letters/1971/711212_atreya_rsi)** > I have not received as yet any recommendation from Rupanuga for initiation of your wife, but as soon as I do I shall be glad to accept her. --- **[1971: Letter to Danavir](letters/1971/711212_danavir)** > I am very glad that you will holding the 1st Annual Abhisheka Yatra Parade and Festival in Portland city. The difference is that we have got absolute authority from the Source of Knowledge, Krishna, while your western mundane philosophers are simply speculating on the mental platform, which is always changing. So now you defeat all sorts of philosophies, become very convinced yourself and learn our Krishna philosophy perfectly. --- **[1971: Letter to Kirtanananda](letters/1971/711212_kirtanananda)** > I am especially pleased that your travelling Sankirtana Party is being organized nicely under your supervision, and that it is meeting with good success. --- **[1971: Letter to Sivananda](letters/1971/711212_sivananda)** > You have from the very beginning been a very determined and nice servant of Krishna, and just now as I am taking my daily massage, I remember that you also used to massage me. --- **[1971: Letter to Uddhava](letters/1971/711212_uddhava)** > I am very much satisfied with all of my disciples who have worked so hard on these paintings for Srimad-Bhagavatam. --- **[1974: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1974/741212_gargamuni)** > I am in due receipt of the photos of Vrindaban as well as your telegram reading as follows: WORK STOPPED ON KITCHEN DOLLARS EIGHT THOUSAND NEVER RECEIVED PLEASE ADVISE --- **[1974: Letter to Gopijanavallabha](letters/1974/741212_gopijanavallabha)** > I never said that what Taitiriya was doing should be overlooked because of getting the buildings. --- **[1974: Letter to Patita Uddharana](letters/1974/741212_patita_uddharana)** > So in your letter you are not finding fault with anyone. A devotee is always ideal in behavior. --- **[1974: Letter to Satadhanya](letters/1974/741212_satadhanya)** > I am simply surprised how many people visited the temple on Ras Purnima and that so many Gitar Gans were distributed. I do not think so many people visited the other maths there in Mayapur. --- **[1974: Letter to Saurabha](letters/1974/741212_saurabha)** > Thank you for supplying the account for the money which has been sent to you. I am encouraged that you expect to have the everything completed on time. This I want. --- **[1975: Letter to Jayasacinandana](letters/1975/751212_jayasacinandana)** > you have made some discovery. Here in Krishna Balarama Temple we are hearing the same recording every morning, so if it is good here why not there? --- **[1975: Letter to Vishvambar Dayala](letters/1975/751212_vishvambar_dayala)** > The stone bearing your mother's name in both Hindi and English will be laid down at the proper place just after the registration of the land. --- **[1976: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1976/761212_aksayananda)** > You have sent me the balances recorded in the passbook, but I want the balance according to the bank. --- **[1976: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1976/761212_giriraja)** > Sriman Sri Krishna Badruka, son of Hariprasada Badruka, who is staying in our temple there, may stay for one month more. --- **[1976: Letter to Rajiva](letters/1976/761212_rajiva)** > Regarding your working on the translation of the second canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam, we shall see later on, for now just try to finish what you have begun. --- **[1976: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1976/761212_sukadeva)** > So, Gurukrpa says one thing and you say something else. What can I say? Now you should consult with Ramesvara and Hrdayananda Maharajas about your engagement. ---