# December 17 ## Spoken on December 17 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* *** **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.245–255](spoken/1966/661217cc.ny)** > And when the material world is created, the first *avatāra* is *puruṣa-avatāra.* The Mahā-Viṣṇu, Garbhodakaśāyī, They create. And then *līlāvatāra. Līlāvatāra,* under some particular circumstances, to save some particular devotee or to display some particular feature... Just like Lord Rāma, He incarnated. He is *līlāvatāra.* Then *guṇāvatāra.* For maintenance of this material world there are different kinds of modes of nature, and to control those modes of nature there are *avatāra:* Brahmā, Viṣṇu, Maheśvara. *Līlāvatāra.* Then *manvantarāvatāra.* The changes of millenniums, that *manvantarāvatāra.* And then *yugāvatāras, yugāvatāra,* in each and every *yuga.* Just like this Kali-yuga. This is called Kali-yuga. In the Kali-yuga the incarnation is Lord Caitanya. > And when Kṛṣṇa personally comes, His..., He can be seen in two features, *bālya, paugaṇḍa:* His childhood and boyhood, up to sixteenth year. That is the real feature of Kṛṣṇa, *kiśora.* And further features, that is expansion of Kṛṣṇa, Vāsudeva. *Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti* . *** **[1968: Interview](spoken/1968/681217iv.la)** > He can understand about God, but the animal cannot. Therefore if a man does not take to this understanding, he is no better than animal. A man who has no God consciousness, or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he is no better than animal, because he has no other business than the four principles of bodily demands. So that is also prevalent in animal kingdom. > Therefore this is a privilege for human being, to understand about God, and as such, in every human society there is some sort of religious principle. This religious principle means to understand God. Either you take it Christianity or Judaism or Hinduism, every religion is trying to understand God according to their capacity. So without this understanding, means Kṛṣṇa consciousness, a human life is as good as animal life. *** **[1970: Room Conversation](spoken/1970/701217r1.sur)** > [break] ...personal ambition. It is service to Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa wants. Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ* . So we are canvassing. > And because they have no guide, therefore their intelligence is not being purified. Simply there is a, I mean to say, a propensity for renunciation, *tyāga.* But *tyāga...* [Hindi] After renunciation, what is the next stage they do not know. That we are giving: "Yes, come here. Stand here." [laughs] Is it not? *** **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.32–33](spoken/1970/701217sb.sur)** > Bhagavad-gītā* therefore says curing the disease means *janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-doṣa..., kleśa-doṣānudarśanam* * .* Those who are actually advancing in spiritual life, they should always keep in front that "We may advance in so many things, but these four things—birth, death, old age and disease—cannot be solved by our so-called material advancement of science." And *Bhagavad-gītā* points out that you should always keep these four principles of misery in front. Then you'll be able to advance in spiritual path. > So that can be realized. The easiest process is this chanting Hare... *Ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpanam* * .* And next stage is that the blazing fire of this material existence will be extinguished immediately. Here in our disciples you will find Americans, Europeans, Japanese, Africans. They are all absorbed in Kṛṣṇa thoughts, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. They have lost all these misgivings, *upādhi,* designation, nonsense designation. The nonsense designation is the cause of their bondage. *** **[1973: Chanting Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Ādi-līlā 10th and 11th Chapter](spoken/1973/731217ch.la)** > The thirty-sixth branch, Buddhimanta Khān, was extremely dear to Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He was always prepared to carry out the Lord's orders, and therefore he was considered to be a chief servant of the Lord. > While he stayed with Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī, his engagement was to recite Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam for him to hear. As a result of this Bhāgavatam recitation, he attained perfectional love of Kṛṣṇa, by which he remained always maddened. *** **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/731217mw.la)** > That is the disease, material disease. "I want to satisfy my senses, and anyone who will help me in my sense gratification, I shall worship him. If he does not, then I shall not." Everywhere. This Nixon became president because he promised that "I shall satisfy your senses." Now he is not doing so, so "Get out." This is the whole formula, material world. "You satisfy my senses, you are my friend. And as soon as stop, then you are not my friend." That's it. [break] ...are considered the most authoritative because they give sense gratification. "You are sick. Now you are unable to gratify your senses. I give you some medicine so you become strong and go on with your sense gratification." Therefore doctor is very good man. > Otherwise, soul is unaffected. *Asaṅgo 'yaṁ puruṣaḥ:* "This *puruṣa,* the soul, is unaffected by any material condition." The same example as I give, that you have a good car. You are identifying yourself. But you are not the car. You are affected if the car is smashed, because you have got absorption in the car, that "This is my car." The other man is not affected. Similarly, due to our absorption, *ahaṁ mameti,* "It is my," "It is mine," we are suffering. *** **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.39](spoken/1973/731217sb.la)** > Na tasya kāryaṁ karaṇaṁ ca vidyate:* "He has nothing to do." Because He is great, why He should work? All the subordinates will work. We are all subordinate; therefore we shall work for God. But we have made our formula, that "God shall work for me." "God, give us our daily bread. We have nothing to do. Simply give us our bread." What is this? But the Vaiṣṇava idea is that "Without giving bread to God, God will die." Yaśodā-māyi is thinking, "If I do not give Kṛṣṇa to eat something nice, Kṛṣṇa will become lean and thin." That is love of Godhead, how to serve Kṛṣṇa, how to serve God. *Sevonmukhe.* That is real religion. When we are not to take service from God, but we are ready to give service to God, that is real religion. *Sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje* . Adhokṣaje.* God is beyond our senses; therefore He is Adhokṣaja. > Prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā etāvaj janma-sāphalyaṁ dehinām iha dehiṣu* . This human form of life can be perfected. How? How it can be perfected? *Prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā. Prāṇa* means life. *Artha* means riches. *Prāṇair arthair dhiyā. Dhiyā* means intelligence. And *vācā, vācā* means words. So we have got four things. We have got our life, and everybody has got some riches, either one pound or one million pound. Everybody has got something. That is called *artha. Prāṇa, artha,* and everyone has got intelligence, and everyone has got the power to speak. So we have to engage all these four things. Either four or three or two, at least one, we must engage. *Prāṇair arthair dhiyā, śreya-ācaraṇaṁ sadā.* This is the principle of religion, or perfection of life. *Etāvaj janma.* Then our life will be... There are many other *ślokas* in *Bhāgavatam.* *** **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.5](spoken/1974/741217sb.bom)** > Māyā...,* whose *māyā*? It is Kṛṣṇa's *māyā. Māyā* means something wonderful, mystic. Or *māyā* means illusion. So many, there are meaning. *Māyā* means affection also. So some way or other, this Durgā-devī, Māyā, is Kṛṣṇa's *māyā.* Just like prison house. Prison house is also government house, but it is not as good as the government house. It is government... The proprietor is the government. It is looked after by the government. You can call it government house, but government house is different, *rāja-bhavan.* Similarly, everything belongs to Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. *Īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam* [Īśo**mantra 1]. Everything belongs to Him. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *mama māyā. Mama māyā. Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā* . That is creation of Kṛṣṇa. It is necessary. Somebody... The question is asked, "Why Kṛṣṇa created this material energy, which is so miserable condition?" *Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam* . > And He is ready. Kṛṣṇa is ready. Therefore He comes personally to canvass, that "Why you are rotting in this material world?" *Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* . Just like fathers, sane father, request the bewildered son, "Why, my dear son, you are suffering in this way? Why don't you come back to home, and live peacefully and blissfully?" But no, we are determined. We are determined. Although Kṛṣṇa is canvassing, His devotees are canvassing, "No. No, sir. We shall enjoy here." What is enjoyment? Birth and death, disease and old age—is that enjoyment? But they have no brain to understand. Dull, *mūḍhāḥ, duṣkṛtina.* Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ* . Kṛṣṇa says, "Surrender unto Me. I give you protection." But they will not do. Why? Because *duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ narādhamāḥ.* That is the position. *** **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751217mw.bom)** > That is the qualification for chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa: humbler than the grass, tolerant than the tree, giving all respect to others, expecting no respect for oneself. These are the qualification to become perfect Kṛṣṇa conscious. *Amānitvam adambhitvam ahiṁsā kṣāntir ārjavam* . Amānitva.* Although he is very qualified, he says "No, no, no. I have no qualification." *Amānitvam.* This is *amānitvam.* > Dr. Patel: [Transl. I keep a gun and I have got people now.] I have got one rifle, one gun, one revolver and one pistol. I am keeping always with me now. [Transl. What can be done?] I can't give you. You must take out a license for it. [Transl. If someone attacks you, you kill him first and then both of you die. Both will go to God for justice.] These people, sir, have really ruined this, this batch of rulers. *** **[1976: Bhagavad-gītā 3.25](spoken/1976/761217bg.hyd)** > Avidvāṁsaḥ,* fools, men with poor fund of knowledge, they have discovered so many lines of activities, simply foolishness. So modern civilization, the so-called advancement of civilization, is, I mean to say, planned by the *avidvāṁsaḥ,* men with poor fund of knowledge. They are not advancement of civilization. Therefore they do not believe in the transmigration of the soul. They do not believe, avoid the major issue, and they are planning in this life they will live for fifty or sixty years, making big, big plans, *saktāḥ,* being materially attached, *saktāḥ karmaṇi,* and discovering new, new methods of engagement. *Avidvāṁsaḥ.* They do not know how to engage one brain and talent. That we have discussed the other day, that *pravṛttiṁ ca nivṛttiṁ ca na vidur āsurā janāḥ* . In which way we have to engage our brain and talent they do not know. That is the difference between a *devatā* and an *asura. Asura* does not know. *Asura* thinks that he will live forever, and let him prepare big, big plans for material comforts. This is asuric civilization. He'll not be allowed to stay here. *Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam* . It is the place for suffering so that we can understand our position. > Why? *Cikīrṣur loka-saṅgraham:* So that others may follow that "You... Why you are making big, big plan of big, big factories? You take to this process for your economic problem solved." Kṛṣṇa advises, *kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam* . This is the agriculture, cow protection, trade. No industry. Kṛṣṇa never says industry—trade. Trade means... Suppose here we are attempting to grow foodstuff. So after eating for ourselves, if there is excess, then we can take this food grains or anything which we have produced to a place where there is need. That is called trade. Trade in exchange also. There is exchange; that is also trade. So that is recommended by Kṛṣṇa, and because we are Kṛṣṇa conscious, we must abide by the order of Kṛṣṇa, *kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇi...* Not for all, but a class of men, they are in the third category. The first category is the *brāhmaṇa,* the man in knowledge. He knows what is the value of life, how life should be directed this way and that way. They know, themselves, and they give guidance to the other who have no such knowledge. Therefore *brāhmaṇa* is the *guru* of all other classes of men, *kṣatriyas, vaiśyas.* *** ## Letters on December 17 *Letters from this day: 28* *** **[1967: Letter to Blanche Hochner](letters/1967/671217_blanche_hochner)** > 21. *** **[1967: Letter to Indira Iris Mendoza Ekayani Esther Mendoza](letters/1967/671217_indira_iris_mendoza_ekayani_esther_mendoza)** > I can understand that you have considerably advanced in Krishna Consciousness because your heart is simple. *** **[1967: Letter to Lilasukha](letters/1967/671217_lilasukha)** > Your letter of Nov. *** **[1968: Letter to Ananda](letters/1968/681217_ananda)** > I am in due receipt of your letter dated December 13, 1968 along with the Hare Krishna Mantra card. *** **[1968: Letter to Gaurasundara](letters/1968/681217_gaurasundara)** > I am glad that you have also received my previously sent letters. I have also handed over your letter for Govinda Dasi. *** **[1968: Letter to Lilasukha](letters/1968/681217_lilasukha)** > With great pleasure I have read your letter of December 9, 1968. I thank you for your kind sentiments expressed and your nice attitude of humbleness and devotion. *** **[1968: Letter to Mr. Chagan Govinda](letters/1968/681217_mr._chagan_govinda)** > In the Bhagavad-gita, this omkar is mentioned as being the sound representation of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. *** **[1968: Letter to Sivananda](letters/1968/681217_sivananda)** > I have just received your letter dated December 14, 1968 and I have noted the contents with some surprise. *** **[1970: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1970/701217_jayapataka)** > and offer the same to Madhudvisa Maharaja, Sagar Maharaja and Acyutananda Maharaja as well as all the other Prabhus there. *** **[1971: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1971/711217_jagadisa)** > I am especially glad that you are having so many festivals in the colleges and schools. *** **[1971: Letter to Murti Mahati Adhideva](letters/1971/711217_murti_mahati_adhideva)** > Upon the recommendation of Sri Galim I have gladly consented to accept all of you as my duly initiated disciples. *** **[1971: Letter to Nityananda](letters/1971/711217_nityananda)** > You may call him Bhakta Vimal Das. So long as a devotee is not initiated he should have Bhakta before his name, if he is a male, Bhaktin if she is a girl. *** **[1971: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1971/711217_satsvarupa)** > I am especially pleased that your Gurukula project is going forward nicely. *** **[1971: Letter to Sri Galim](letters/1971/711217_sri_galim)** > I thank you all very much for your kind sentiments. *** **[1972: Letter to Danavir](letters/1972/721217_danavir)** > But if you have got wife, that will be difficult. *** **[1974: Letter to Badarinarayana](letters/1974/741217_badarinarayana)** > I am in due receipt of your letter dated 27/10/74 and have noted the contents carefully. *** **[1974: Letter to Jitaprana](letters/1974/741217_jitaprana)** > I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 10/10/74, and have noted the contents. *** **[1974: Letter to Mr. Quinn](letters/1974/741217_mr._quinn)** > 1, 1974, and have noted the contents. *** **[1974: Letter to Parvati](letters/1974/741217_parvati)** > I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated nil and have noted the contents. *** **[1974: Letter to Sri Mohan Mazumdar](letters/1974/741217_sri_mohan_mazumdar)** > Please accept my greetings. *** **[1975: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1975/751217_jayapataka)** > I beg to inform you that this time while coming from Delhi to Bombay I saw one Mr. *** **[1975: Letter to M. N. Chaudhuri](letters/1975/751217_m._n._chaudhuri)** > I am very pleased to meet you the other day at the airport of Delhi. I think it was ordained by Lord Krishna because I need your help in the service of Lord Krishna. *** **[1975: Letter to Mahamsa](letters/1975/751217_mahamsa)** > I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 9 December 1975. *** **[1975: Letter to Rocana](letters/1975/751217_rocana)** > First of all produce your own food grain, milk and vegetables, eat as much as absolutely necessary, don't eat more, and in this way keep your health. *** **[1975: Letter to Svarupa Damodara](letters/1975/751217_svarupa_damodara)** > Your book is selling very nicely in south India, people are appreciating it very much. *** **[1975: Letter to Yasomatinandana](letters/1975/751217_yasomatinandana)** > The program you have outlined is very nice, however I cannot go on long time procession because I am called by nature, I can go at most one hour. *** **[1976: Letter to Jayatirtha](letters/1976/761217_jayatirtha)** > I am in due reciept of your letter dated December 1st, 1976 from South Africa. *** **[1976: Letter to Vegavan](letters/1976/761217_vegavan)** > Regarding the question you have asked, you can give a very straight answer. ***