# December 13 ## Spoken on December 13 *Lectures from this day: 12 recordings* --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.156–162 [Partial Recording](spoken/1966/661213cc.ny.md)** > Lord Caitanya says that "The conception of Brahman is that it is the rays of the body of Kṛṣṇa. Just like the sunshine is the rays of the body of the sun disc, similarly," *brahma-aṅga-kānti tāṅra nirviśeṣa prakāśe.* And in that *brahma-jyoti,* or rays, there is no variegatedness. Just like if you all of a sudden see to the sun, you don't find any variegatedness in the sky. It appears just like only dazzling effulgence. But when the sunlight is not there, we can see millions and millions of stars in the firmament. So in the *Upaniṣad* also, it is prayed that "My Lord, You kindly move this curtain of glaring effulgence so then I can actually see You." > So one who is dazzled by this glaring effulgence of the rays of Kṛṣṇa, they can realize the Supreme Lord, or the Supreme Absolute Truth, as impersonal. *Sūrya yena carma-cakṣe jyotirmaya bhāse. Carma-cakṣe,* with our present eyes, defective... All our senses are defective. We are very much proud of our eyes. I want to see personally. But we do not know that with these eyes or any sense, they are all defective. They are not perfect. Just like in the glare of the sunshine, oh, we see nothing. We see sometimes darkness. So we cannot believe these eyes or senses. We have to take information of perfect knowledge from the authorities. That is the Vedic way. --- **[1968: Bhagavad-gītā 2.40–45](spoken/1968/681213bg.la)** > So this *Mahābhārata* was especially made for the less intelligent class of men. *Strī-śūdra-dvija-bandhūnāṁ trayi na śruti-gocara*. Strī* means woman, and *śūdra* means ordinary labor class of men. *Strī, śūdra* and *dvija-bandhu. Dvija-bandhu* means..., *dvija* means higher class, twice-born. *Śūdra* means once-born and *dvija* means twice-born. That means first birth by the father and mother, and the second birth by the Vedic knowledge mother and spiritual master father. This is called second birth, according to Vedic reformatory procedures. > The people, they do not know it. They are thinking that "Whatever I am acquiring in this body, that will go with me," or "I shall be happy with these acquisitions." That is called illusion, *māyā.* Because they have no knowledge that "I am spirit soul. I am changing this position of different bodies." *Vāsāṁsi jīrnāṇi yathā vihāya*. Just like we change our body..., our dresses. This knowledge is lacking in the present civilization. They want to make permanent settlement here but forget that "Any moment, I shall be kicked out of this situation. I shall have to accept another situation." That is the lack of education in the modern civilization. They are accepting something temporary as permanent settlement. This is called illusion. --- **[1970: Room Conversation [Partially Recorded](spoken/1970/701213r1.ind)** > They are still servant of smoking and tea, and they have become God. Just see the fun! "Nārāyaṇa." They address one another, "Nārāyaṇa." [laughter] "You are Nārāyaṇa. I am Nārāyaṇa. There is no trouble because you are Nārāyaṇa." So begin. --- **[1970: Room Conversation](spoken/1970/701213r2.ind)** > Very nice that you are cultivating this knowledge. It is very nice. *Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye*. This cultivation of spiritual knowledge means perfection of life. But people do not try for it. Therefore *Gītā* says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu:* "Out of many thousands of men, one may try to cultivate knowledge for spiritual advancement." And *yatatām api siddhānāṁ "Out of many such persons who are cultivating spiritual knowledge, hardly one can understand what is Kṛṣṇa." > So these atheistic theories, that "Everyone is God," "I am God," "You are God," "God is dead," "There is no God," "God is not person"—we are fighting against these principles. We say, "God is Kṛṣṇa. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is Kṛṣṇa. He is a person, and He is not dead." This is our preaching. Therefore it is a fight. --- **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.22–25](spoken/1970/701213sb.ind)** > But Kṛṣṇa says that *janma karma me divyam* "When I come, I do not accept a material body." *Divyam, janma divyam.* It is completely spiritual. And *yo jānāti tattvataḥ:* "Anyone who knows it, he becomes liberated." But these Māyāvādī philosophers, they do not know Him; therefore they are not liberated. Do you follow? Yes. They are not liberated. > Kṛṣṇa says, "One who knows perfectly well about Me, he becomes liberated." But they do not know. They accept Kṛṣṇa as ordinary man. *Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhāḥ .* Because they are rascals, they accept Kṛṣṇa as ordinary human being. God can display Himself, manifest Himself, just exactly like ordinary human. Just like when He was displaying Himself as a child, a perfect child, to Mother Yaśodā, He would break everything if Mother Yaśodā would not supply *mākhana,* you see, as if He is in need of *mākhana.* --- **[1971: Lecture](spoken/1971/711213le.del)** > Therefore you must approach a spiritual master in order to understand that science. *Samit-pāniḥ śrotriyaṁ brahma-niṣṭham [Muṇḍaka Upaniṣad* 1.2.12]. This is the injunction. These things, how you can calculate by argument? Therefore they are called *nāstika*. Atheist means one who does not believe in the verdict of the *Vedas*. That is called atheist. Atheist. Just like Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, *veda nā māniyā bauddha haya ta' nāstika*. > But they have insufficient knowledge, therefore they think that all the souls, after death, they lie down for perpetually. It is not that. Actually the judgment is there immediately, and he gets another birth, either hell or heaven. Not that he has to wait for the day of judgment. Immediately the day of judgment is... It is does not linger, it is not ordinary court, that you have to wait for your judgment for three years or... No, immediately. Immediately it is settled up, and the soul is transferred to the father and the... That is material process, how the body will grow. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 7.1](spoken/1972/721213bg.ahm)** > That is needed, especially for the *gṛhasthas.* For the householders... Still in India, there are many respectable families, they are maintaining a small temple. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo sanjāyate*. Yoga-bhraṣṭa,* this *yogaṁ yuñjan mad-āśrayaḥ,* this *bhakti-yoga,* one who could not finish the cent per cent *bhakti-yoga* in one life, at least he's guaranteed to have next life as a human being. Because Kṛṣṇa says, *śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yoga-bhraṣṭo sanjāyate. Śucīnām. Śucīnām* means first-class *brāhmaṇa,* Vaiṣṇava. They are called *śuci.* The *śuci,* the, just the opposite word is *muci. Muci* means most nasty habit, and *śuci* means most cleansed habit. > As soon as we try to forget Kṛṣṇa, immediately *māyā* is there. Therefore the reversing process, reversing process, if we want to go back again to Kṛṣṇa, then *daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā*. You cannot go back to home, back to Godhead, by your own speculation. That is not possible. *Ciraṁ vicinvan.* You can go on speculating to become one with God. That is another thing. But if you actually want to know God and see God, then as Kṛṣṇa says, *mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te* : simply surrender to Kṛṣṇa and *māyā* will give you no more trouble. You can see Kṛṣṇa. This is the process. --- **[1973: Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Disappearance Day Lecture](spoken/1973/731213db.la)** > So in this way, gradually, I became attached to these Gauḍīya Maṭha activities, and by the grace of Kṛṣṇa, my business also was not going very well. [laughter] [laughs] Yes. Kṛṣṇa says, *yasyāham anughṛṇāmi hariṣye tad-dhanaṁ śanaiḥ*, means if somebody wants to be actually devotee of Kṛṣṇa, at the same time keeps his material attachment, then Kṛṣṇa's business is He takes away everything material, so that cent per cent he becomes, I mean to say, dependent on Kṛṣṇa. So that actually happened to my life. I was obliged to come to this movement to take up this very seriously. And I was dreaming that "Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura is calling me, 'Please come out with me!' " > The Indian, especially in India, they have got the privilege to take advantage of the Vedic literature. In other countries there is no such advantage. So if anyone wants to make his life perfect, then he has to take advantage of the vast treasure house of Indian spiritual knowledge. Even one Chinese gentleman, he has written one book about religion. That is a course in New York University. So he has said that "If you want to know something of religion, then you have to go to India." That's a fact. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu said the every Indian... There is need of broadcasting this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement all over the world. So it is the duty of every Indian to first of all make his life perfect. He must know... Perfection means he must know what is his position and what he has to do. That is perfection. --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/731213mw.la)** > A dog does not know what is the aim of life. But even if I say that "This is the aim of life," it will not understand, because the body is different. But a human being can understand. Therefore there are so many books of knowledge. So if they do not get proper knowledge, that means they are missing the point. [break] *...tāvad abodha-jāto yāvan na jijñāsata ātma-tattvam* : "So long one does not come to the point of understanding the spirit soul, whatever he is doing he is being defeated, because the main point is missing." Like cats and dogs he is accepting this material body as self, and he is working on that platform. Therefore his life is being spoiled. [break] Our mission is to save human being from being spoiled like animals. That is our mission. The greatest humanitarian work. [break] > So our philosophy is not that. There is no zero, and there is no varieties. We don't say. There is, but it's purified varieties. *Tat-paratvena nirmalam*. Nirmalam* means purified. So our process is to purify everything. We don't want to stop. That is not our proposition. They cannot find out any solution. Therefore they want to make stop: "Stop this business." Suppose a business is not going very nicely; it is going at loss. Somebody says, "Close it." But one experienced man comes: "Why should you close? All right, I shall do it properly. You'll get profit." So who is better? One, by disappointment, he says, "Close this business. There is no profit." And another man says, "No, don't close it. We shall make you profit. We shall show you profit. Just manage it properly." This is our proposition. We don't say that "Stop all these material activities." No. Just do it properly, so that you get real profit and real benefit. That is our program. We don't want to make it zero. No. Why shall I make it zero? --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.35](spoken/1973/731213sb.la)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā, yadā yadā hi dharmasya glānir bhavati*. Dharmasya glānir bhavati. Dharma* means not a sentiment. *Dharma* does not mean. *Dharma* generally is translated as "religion." So everyone can say, "I have got my own religion, you have got your own religion. Why you trouble to convert me or convert...?" They say like that. But actually *dharma* does not mean that, that you make your own sentiment, I make my own sentiment. No. That is not *dharma.* Your sentiment, your creation of *dharma...* Just like the, our Gandhi in India. He was preaching nonviolence. Nonviolence. So some Hindus approached him, "Sir, you are preaching nonviolence. These Muhammadans, they are killing cows, so why don't you ask them to stop—nonviolence?" So he replied, "Oh, this is their religious. How can I stop?" What is this nonsense? If you believe in philosophy of nonviolence, one may say that "This is my religion," that you cannot indulge in that? If somebody says, just like state is neutral to religion, if somebody says, "My religion is to cut throat," the state will allow, that "Go on with your religion. Yes, it is your religion"? Will the state allow? No. > Similarly, we cannot create religion. We cannot create religion, "This is my religion." Then everyone will escape in the name of religion. Because you have created so many rascaldom as religion, therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya* : "You rascal, you give up all these religion. Real religion is surrender to Me." This is religion. Otherwise why Kṛṣṇa says, "Give up all religion"? *Sarva-dharmān parityajya.* He says in the beginning. *Dharma-saṁsthāpanārthāya:* "I come, I descend, just to reestablish the principle of religion." Does it mean that He came to support Hindu religion, Muslim religion, Christian religion? No. He came to reestablish religion. But people do not know what is that religion. They have created their own religion. And some rascal *svāmī* is supporting, *yata mata tata patha.* How you can create? Religion is personal? "You can create your own religion and be satisfied." This is going on. In the name of religion, every rascal is creating his own religion, and he is satisfied. He is satisfied, "I have got my own religion." --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.1](spoken/1974/741213sb.bom)** > The Govinda is within the atom, Paramātmā. So that is another feature, all-pervading. And another feature is impersonal *jyoti.* And the original feature is Bhagavān. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat*. Finished. When you have come to this platform to understand Bhagavān, then your knowledge is perfect. *Vedaiś ca sarvair aham eva vedyaḥ*. That is perfect knowledge. If you do not understand what is Bhagavān, then your knowledge is imperfect. You have to learn again for many, many births. Then you'll come to the point of understanding what is Kṛṣṇa. > So don't go to rascal. If you want real knowledge, take it from Bhagavān. *Bhagavān uvāca.* Then your knowledge is perfect. That is our process. We, we have taken *Bhagavad-gītā* as it is, and we are preaching. We don't preach anything else which Bhagavān does not say. Bhagavān says, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī mām...*. We are canvassing, "My dear sir, you just become a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. You always think of Kṛṣṇa." Kṛṣṇa says, *man-manā bhava mad-bhaktaḥ.* We say, "You just think of Kṛṣṇa." The same thing. There is no change. We do not interpret any way, "This *man-manāḥ* means this, and *mad-bhaktaḥ* means that." No. We don't do that. We present as it is. Therefore if Kṛṣṇa sees that "One is presenting My message as I have given," then He is pleased. Therefore it is said, *kintu prabhor yaḥ priya eva tasya.* He has become very dear because he do not nonsensically..., he does not nonsensically change the meaning, that "This meaning's that, this meaning's that." Why? When Kṛṣṇa has said, that is everything perfect. Why should I change it? That is *guru-priya.* --- **[1976: Bhagavad-gītā 16.6](spoken/1976/761213bg.hyd)** > These are the qualification, *daiva-sampada. Abhayam:* one should be fearless. Who can become fearless? The one of the qualification of conditioned soul is fearfulness. Only a person who is advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he can become fearless. And *sattva-saṁśuddhi. Sattva-saṁśuddhi.* Our this *sattvā,* existentional position, is impure, diseased. Therefore we die, again take birth. *Aśuddhi*. So *sattva-saṁśuddhi:* one should try to purify his existence. For that purpose there is necessity of *tapasya. Tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena śuddhyet sattvam*. Tapasyā* means austerity. If you want to cure your disease, then you must follow some austerities, rules and regulation. One man is suffering from diarrhea. If he is allowed to eat whatever he likes, then he will never be cured. He must observe fasting for few days; then it will be cured. So this is *sattva-saṁśuddhi.* > On the whole, in the Vedic civilization everyone should be in order. That was the set-up. Nobody can act independently, killing the human civilization. That was not possible. Mahārāja Pṛthu was personally checking whether people are following the *varṇāśrama-dharma.* A *brāhmaṇa* must follow the brahminical rules and regulation. Otherwise he would not be allowed to call himself a *brāhmaṇa.* Similarly, *kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, śūdras.* This is called secular state. Secular state does not mean everyone is irresponsible. You must be responsible for your particular type of duty, and the government has to see it that everyone is doing that. That is secular state. Lord Rāmacandra, when He returned from the forest... In His absence Bharata was ruling, and when Bharata requested Lord Rāmacandra to take charge of the kingdom, Lord Rāmacandra was ready, but He first of all examined whether the citizens were following the *varṇāśrama-dharma.* When He was satisfied that the citizens were following the *varṇāśrama-dharma,* then He took charge of the kingdom and began to maintain them just like father. --- ## Letters on December 13 *Letters from this day: 25* --- **[1955: Letter to R.N. Aggarwal M.A](letters/1947-1965/551213_r.n._aggarwal_m.a)** > Re: your secretary's letter No. D.O. 807/P.T. the League of Devotees: D/22/11/55 --- **[1967: Letter to Nripendranath Banerjee](letters/1967/671213_nripendranath_banerjee)** > I hope this will find you in good health and I shall be glad to hear from you to my San Francisco address as follows: C/o ISKCON 518 Frederick Street San Francisco, California 94117, U.S.A. --- **[1968: Letter to Girish](letters/1968/681213_girish)** > So far as your question about the Krishna stories, you will be glad to know that soon we will begin working on a book called, "KRISHNA" which will have stories and illustrations of all of Krishna's Pastimes. You have also written that you wish to obtain some pictures of Krishna in his childhood and such pictures can be obtained by writing to Brahmananda in New York about prices and which pictures he has available. --- **[1968: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1968/681213_jadurani)** > Regarding the material for canvas protection I think that there is a tar which is made from coals* which may be used. Or else if this is not available or cannot be used then you may use any material which will do the job nicely. --- **[1968: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1968/681213_jagadisa)** > Enclosed please find your prayer beads which I have chanted one round upon and initiated you with. --- **[1968: Letter to Paramananda](letters/1968/681213_paramananda)** > Such attitude of humbleness which you have so nicely expressed along with your very good service attitude is very beautiful and will take you far to advance more and more. I am happy that you and your very good wife, Satyabhama, are finding such satisfaction in executing your Krishna Consciousness activities and such pleasure will only increase more and more as you continue to advance further. So my one request to you is that you keep yourself always engaged in Krishna's service sincerely and that you help your wife in this matter also. --- **[1969: Letter to Nandakisora](letters/1969/691213_nandakisora)** > You are gradually developing to be a nice Vaisnava, and please continue in this way. --- **[1969: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1969/691213_satsvarupa)** > I was very much pleased to see one of your articles which you picked up from Daksa yajna. We want to make our *BTG* an authorized, first class magazine, and the writers and students should be equally responsible. --- **[1970: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1970/701213_jayapataka)** > You write to say, "We notice that even the communist protestors can't help smiling and answering back 'Hari Bol!' " So there is sufficient hope to reform them by Caitanya Mahaprabhu's grace of chanting the Hare Krsna Mantra. Kali Yuga is the fallen age undoubtedly, and there are different varieties of fallen souls. In Calcutta the so-called disturbance-makers are also some of them. --- **[1970: Letter to Tamala Krsna Syamasundara](letters/1970/701213_tamala_krsna_syamasundara)** > CCP granted also official letter clearing books waiving demurrage sent to all ports trying Indian 18th—Gurudasa So I am very anxious to know what you have been able to do in the matter of receiving the books. --- **[1972: Letter to Balavanta](letters/1972/721213_balavanta)** > I have had a good laugh and enjoyed your tricking the opponent candidates in election race, especially in front of the college students. --- **[1972: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1972/721213_bhagavan)** > I have accepted all of them as my duly initiated students, and their letter along with beads are enclosed herewith. --- **[1972: Letter to Candravali](letters/1972/721213_candravali)** > I am very much pleased upon him for his doing such prominent work in spreading this Krishna consciousness movement to that part. --- **[1972: Letter to Jayadharma](letters/1972/721213_jayadharma)** > So far your question, how far should the orders of my duly appointed officers like GBC, etc., be obeyed and followed, the answer is that they must always be followed exactly as he says. This question-begging is going on, even some of the important men are doing like that, that I know. --- **[1972: Letter to Rasada Dvijavara Annada](letters/1972/721213_rasada_dvijavara_annada)** > I have chanted on your beads and they are enclosed herewith. I have given you the spiritual names as follows: --- **[1972: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1972/721213_sukadeva)** > I like this idea of distributing books and preaching, that is Lord Caitanya's plan, and because you are doing it so nicely you are already making the greatest contribution, so what need there is for some special instruction from me? --- **[1972: Letter to Upendra 3](letters/1972/721213_upendra_3)** > I do not know if Madhudvisa has made any arrangement for me to come there, I have not heard from him in that connection, but he has invited me to come there, so if I get the opportunity I shall be glad to visit you at Brisbane as well. --- **[1973: Letter to All Centers](letters/1973/731213_all_centers)** > First of all, Srila Prabhupada never sanctioned or encouraged this program of buying or selling jewels. Furthermore, Srila Prabhupada does not want us to purchase jewels and gems for decorating the Deities in our own Temples. --- **[1973: Letter to Amogha](letters/1973/731213_amogha)** > Take care of the devotees under your charge by maintaining our standards and always setting the proper example. Please offer my grateful blessings to all the devotees there. --- **[1973: Letter to Balabhadra](letters/1973/731213_balabhadra)** > I understand from Sudama Goswami that Gaurasundara has handed over to you some portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Temple there. --- **[1973: Letter to Beharilal](letters/1973/731213_beharilal)** > I have not received any reply from Tusta Krsna Swami to my letters. In Hawaii a great wrong doing has been done by Gaurasundara and Siddha-svarupa. --- **[1973: Letter to Govinda](letters/1973/731213_govinda)** > Sudama Goswami has relayed to me the news of his conversation with you recently. --- **[1973: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1973/731213_mukunda)** > A letter has just been received here from Syamasundara about selling jewels. I have instructed Karandhara to issue a newsletter to all our Centers to this effect. --- **[1973: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1973/731213_tamala_krsna)** > Regarding our Bombay project: I am sending Yasomatinandana das there. Shah do the needful—we don't require to hire any outside engineers. --- **[1974: Letter to Dr. Channa Reddy](letters/1974/741213_dr._channa_reddy)** > Your acceptance of the authority of the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad Bhagavatam through the blessing of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu has given me so much transcendental bliss that my ecstasy knows no bounds. ---