# December 19 ## Spoken on December 19 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 9.27–29](spoken/1966/661219bg.ny.md)** > So here it is said, Lord Kṛṣṇa says, *śubhāśubha-phalair evaṁ mokṣyase:* "If you dovetail your activities in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then you become liberated from all reactions, either good or bad." Transcendental. Because in Kṛṣṇa consciousness you are not achieving any future reactionary resultant... Your place will be transcendental. You will be transferred to the spiritual world. Therefore you are free from all reactions. Just this *Bhagavad-gītā,* beginning, Arjuna was thinking of so many reactions for his fighting, but when he understood that "If I fight for Kṛṣṇa, there is no reaction," then he fought. So here it is also clearly stated that if you act for Kṛṣṇa. > So our duty is to become pure devotee by practice of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and this is not at all difficult. This chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, if you chant, you will realize how you are making progress, and gradually... Kṛṣṇa is within you; God is within you. He will give you intelligence that "You do this way. You do that way." Everything will be clear, and the result will be *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti : "After leaving this body you will come to Me." Then your human life is perfected. Follow this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.281–293](spoken/1966/661219cc.ny.md)** > Similarly, these distinction, these qualitative distinction, matter, spirit, and the different kinds of modes, they are distinction for us, not for Kṛṣṇa. He is Absolute. He is Absolute. To the Absolute, there is no such distinction. Therefore when Kṛṣṇa comes, when Kṛṣṇa comes in this material, He is not affected by this. Suppose the minister, the secretary of the president, goes to the criminal department to see the prison house. He is not affected by the prison rules. It is simple to understand. If the prisoner thinks, "Oh, he is also one of the prisoner, because he has come here," this is nonsense. He is not prisoner. Similarly, when Kṛṣṇa comes in this material world, if a foolish man thinks that He is also one of us, he is foolish number one. Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is stated, *avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritā* : > Just like to a carpenter you give wood and planks and materials and screw and other things, and the carpenter makes a very good cabinet, and you maintain that, similarly, this *brahmāṇḍa,* the secondary creation, is Brahmā, and Viṣṇu is the maintainer, and when it is to be destroyed, it is destroyed by Lord Śiva. These three *guṇāvatāra. Brahmā, viṣṇu, siva-tāṅra guṇa-avatāra.* They are incarnations of Kṛṣṇa's *guṇa.* So in other words, it is to be understood that these three *guṇas,* they are also coming from Kṛṣṇa, three *guṇas.* So therefore, for Kṛṣṇa, there is no such distinction. --- **[1968: Bhagavad-gītā 2.62–72](spoken/1968/681219bg.la)** > As it is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā, daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā*. The whole material energy is enchanting every one of us by this beauty, the womanly beauty. Actually, there is no beauty. It is illusion. Śaṅkarācārya says that "You are after this beauty, but have you analyzed this beauty, what is the beauty?" *Etad rakta-māṁsa-vikāram.* It is just like our student Govinda dāsī and Nara-nārāyaṇa molding plaster of Paris. At this time, there is no attraction. But this plaster of Paris, when it will be nicely painted, it will be so attractive. > So poison means this human form of life is the chance to get into Kṛṣṇa consciousness and go back to Godhead, but if we do not engage in this Kṛṣṇa consciousness, simply engage in this breaking and constructing, then we are simply drinking poison. That means next life I'll be thrown into the cycle of birth and death in the 8,400,000's species of life, and my life is spoiled. We do not know for how many millions of years I'll have to travel in that cycle of birth and death. Therefore it is poison. --- **[1968: Initiation Lecture](spoken/1968/681219in.la)** > Actually, unity... Diversity in unity. Monism means they do not accept the diversity. They simply take that oneness. Oneness is certainly—there is nothing but Kṛṣṇa. Just like Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* "I am everywhere spread." *Mayā tatam idaṁ sarvam.* "Everything, whatever you see, that is I am, but I am not there." *Nāhaṁ teṣu avasthitaḥ*. > You are not ashamed that "Every week I commit these sinful activities, and on the seventh day I confess"? This process should not be adopted, that because God's name, God's remembrance actually squares up all of our sinful activities... That's a fact. But how it is that we shall go on committing sinful activities and square it up by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa and by confessing? No. This is the particular point. One should carefully note. --- **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.34–39](spoken/1970/701219sb.sur)** > Therefore there is *dharma-viparya.* Real *dharma,* actual *dharma,* is to abide by the words of the Supreme Lord. That is *dharma.* Just like Kṛṣṇa says, *mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ*. That is *dharma,* simply to surrender unto Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise it is not *dharma.* Man-made *dharma* is no *dharma.* That is called *kaitava-dharma,* cheating *dharma.* You cannot manufacture religion. But nowadays it has become fashion. Everyone is manufacturing his own religion. Therefore there is *dharma-viparya.* > Therefore Caitanya Mahāprabhu said that *yei kṛṣṇa tattva-vettā sei guru haya* "If anyone is representing as *guru,* he must know Kṛṣṇa." He must know. Kṛṣṇa cannot be known, but at least... Just like Kṛṣṇa says, *yo jānāti tattvataḥ*,* that... --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 7.4](spoken/1972/721219bg.bom)** > So a devotee means who has attained to the stage of *bhāva. Budhā*. And that *bhāva* cannot be produced unless one is *budhā. Budhā* means perfect in knowledge. That is also stated in another way. Kṛṣṇa says, *bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate* : after many, many births of philosophical speculation, *jñānavān*, the *jñānavān*, those who are wise men, they do not accept all of a sudden anything; they want to apply their reasoning. > So these..., there are so many subtle laws of material nature, or God. We do not know it, therefore we are committing simply sinful life, and sinful life means godlessness. That is also described in the *Bhagavad-gītā*: *na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ*. *Duṣkṛtina,* because they are always engaged in sinful activities, and *mūḍhāḥ,* rascal, ignorant, without any knowledge of the laws of nature or the laws of God. *Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ. Narādhamāḥ.* In the human form of life, there is a chance of understanding or knowing all these laws of God and nature. It is not difficult. Everything is described in the literature, Vedic literature. --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/731219mw.la)** > This is the version of *Caitanya-caritāmṛta. Śraddhā* means firm faith. *Śraddhā-śabde viśvāsa sudṛḍha niścaya.* Firm faith. And firm faith is trust. "I trust you" means I have got firm faith in you. Is it not? So trust means firm faith. Firm faith means... Now that "So long God is my order supplier, I trust in Him, and as soon as He refuses to supply my order, I don't trust Him," that is not firm faith. "God is putting me in distress; still, I trust Him. Or God is putting me in happiness; still, I trust Him," that is called firm faith. In any circumstances, the faith is not withdrawn. That is firm faith. >is so powerful that as soon as there is sunrise, immediately darkness gone. Similarly, if the absolute light is there, if there is need of electricity, what kind of light it is? Even the relative light is so powerful that immediately darkness gone. So you are not as powerful as the relative light. So what kind of light you are? This should be the argument. You are cheating. You are not light; you are darkness. Our that slogan is, "Where there is God, there is no darkness." "Kṛṣṇa is like the sun, and nescience is like darkness. Where there is Kṛṣṇa, there is no darkness." Don't waste time with these rascals. Go on with your own business. You sold *Bhagavad-gītā.* [laughs] That is our profit. That's all. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.41](spoken/1973/731219sb.la)** > So they can go, the *yogīs,* as they desire. Either he can go directly to the spiritual world, or if he likes, he can transfer himself to the higher planetary system. This is *yoga* practice. Anywhere he likes, he can go. It appears that Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja knew perfectly well. Similarly, we see from many other kings' life. Or this *yoga* practice was done by any gentleman. Therefore they were so sober, steady and determined, everyone was a *yogī.* Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is described, *rājarṣi. Imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ*. > So Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, a great devotee, he controlled his mind, senses in this way. The first thing is to... *Sa vai manaḥ kṛṣṇa-padāravindayoḥ*. This *yoga* practice... *Bhakti-yoga* means this, not to try artificially to control the mind the senses. That will be failure. In most cases they are failure. In some cases they are perfect or successful, but in most cases they are failure, especially in this age, when people have no training, no..., simply extravagant, doing everything what he likes, no *brahmacārī* system. Nothing is taught. Formerly in the Vedic civilization, the boys should be sent to *gurukula* for practicing *brahmacarya.* There is no such question now. So the so-called practice of *yoga* is simply useless waste of time. They cannot do anything. It is not possible. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.7](spoken/1974/741219sb.bom)** > Therefore Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, he says, *saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka.* This *saṁsṛtiḥ,* this repetition of birth and death and different standard of material happiness... Everybody has got some material happiness. The man has got a standard of material happiness. The dog has got a standard of material happiness. The demigods, they have got a standard of material happiness. Everyone has got. So... But actually, it is not happiness. It is simply miserable condition. And because we do not appreciate this miserable condition, we still think that we are happy. That is called *māyā,* illusion. This is called *saṁsṛtiḥ.* Although we are in a miserable condition, continually, every moment, every second... This place is like that. Kṛṣṇa says, not that we are saying. Kṛṣṇa says *duḥkhālayam.* Continually you have to suffer. But we are..., we have become so much habituated in this suffering, we do not accept it as suffering. We take it as very pleasing, because we have no idea what is actually happiness. *Sukham ātyantikaṁ yat tad atīndriyaṁ grāhyam*. > So to come to the so-called conditional happiness we have to undergo so many difficulties, and when we come to that position... Suppose after working very, very hard I get one million dollars, so I will not be allowed to enjoy this one million dollar for all the days. *Aśāśvatam. Duḥkhālayam aśāśvatam*. Kṛṣṇa says that this place is full of miseries. To get that one million dollar you have to undergo so many miserable condition of life. And even if you get it... Perhaps you may not get it. Everyone is trying, but they cannot... Everyone is not getting. Who is destined to get, he is getting, not that everyone, because he..., one is trying very hard, it is guaranteed that he will get one million dollar. That is not possible. That one who is to get by destiny. This is the *śāstra.* Actually, this is the fact. --- **[1975: Morning Walk](spoken/1975/751219mw.bom)** > Dr. Patel: They are bringing... There is a method in *cikitsā*: treatment in Āyurveda. Svayambu. What is that called? So, Mr...., our, er, Mr. Desai. Morarji... > Here is a description of *paṇḍita:* first of all learn how to see other woman as your mother. There the culture begins. And they are, from the very beginning of the school college life, they are learning how to entice one girl. This is education. --- ## Letters on December 19 *Letters from this day: 17* --- **[1968: Letter to Aniruddha](letters/1968/681219_aniruddha)** > From this letter I can see that you are taking serious interest in the welfare of Girish and this is very nice. --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/681219_brahmananda)** > You have requested my suggestion for the neon signboard outside of our new temple and I think that the bigger sign may say "International Society for Krishna Consciousness" and the other may say the Hare Krishna Mantra if it is not too much expensive. Regarding the listing of the Bhagavad-gita in the religion catalog of MacMillan, they have spelled it Bhaga*vid* Gita and not *Bhagavad-gita As It Is.* I do not know why they should commit such mistake, I hope that this will not hamper the sales. --- **[1968: Letter to Gargamuni](letters/1968/681219_gargamuni)** > I have also heard from Purusottama who has spoken to Brahmananda on the telephone yesterday that your father has made it clear that he will not confide in you or trust you to make advancement very easily in his business. --- **[1968: Letter to Janardana](letters/1968/681219_janardana)** > I have already acknowledged receipt of the French Back To Godhead and I have sent my hearty thanks for you all. May Krishna bless you to advance this attempt far and wide. --- **[1968: Letter to Rukmini](letters/1968/681219_rukmini)** > Regarding marriage with Nandakisora, the situation is simply that he is desirous of marrying and I had asked Purusottama to see if you are agreeable to this proposal. In your letter you have written that you are desiring to remain as brahmacarini for a few years longer and this idea is alright. In India the marriage between a boy and girl is arranged by the parents but in this country such arrangement is not possible so we never request our students to marry if they are not desiring to do this. --- **[1968: Letter to Uddhava](letters/1968/681219_uddhava)** > From your letter it is clear that as of yet you have no idea of how much the price will be to print our books. --- **[1970: Letter to Advaita](letters/1970/701219_advaita)** > Anyway, I am so much relieved to hear from you, and I was sure that you could not actually be entrapped by Maya. I have always been confident of your steadiness in Krsna Consciousness because of your great determination in serving the mission of the Lord in such great measure these last few years by your working long hours and more with our ISKCON Press. --- **[1970: Letter to Mr. Ddd](letters/1970/701219_mr._ddd)** > I have read your version of the Bhagavad-gita, first chapter and it is very interesting to read how the armies were present on the battlefield of Kuruksetra and how Lord Krishna became the charioteer of His friend and devotee, Arjuna. Also I have read your excerpt from Teachings of Lord Caitanya and it was very relishable to read. So take instruction from Bhagavad-gita in this way. --- **[1970: Letter to Nara-Narayana Dinadayadri](letters/1970/701219_nara-narayana_dinadayadri)** > That you are working hard to build cottages there in New Vrindaban is very encouraging to me. I want very much to see this project grow, so you please continue to work in this respect. So far as what materials to be used to finish the cottages, I think whatever is easiest and least expensive is best. --- **[1970: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1970/701219_satsvarupa)** > Michael Kelly. I have read your reply to Mr. Kelly and I find it very nice. Such important persons shou be carefully instructed so they may aid us in spreading Krsna consciousness. --- **[1970: Letter to Sridama](letters/1970/701219_sridama)** > Now you and your good wife Manmohini are in Miami after having left Providence and that is very nice. Miami is a very good place to establish a firm center and if you can organize this center nicely, it will be a great credit to you. Just continue with your sincere efforts and Krishna will give you all assistance. --- **[1972: Letter to Gurudasa Yamuna](letters/1972/721219_gurudasa_yamuna)** > I am most pleased to learn from you that the work in Vrindaban is going on very nicely, and that you are both happy in Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1972: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1972/721219_jayapataka)** > Now I want to officially open the building on Lord Caitanya's Appearance Day. What is the use to buy more land like Damodara Maharaja's land? --- **[1972: Letter to Tejiyas](letters/1972/721219_tejiyas)** > Yes, I have seen Vaikunthanatha in Ahmedabad and he appeared very sickly. So he may have to go back, that's a fact, but I shall send you some other good men to assist you. --- **[1974: Letter to Bahudak](letters/1974/741219_bahudak)** > The pictures of your newly installed Deities are very very nice. *Sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana, srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau, yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato'pi, vande guroh sri-caranaravindam.* You should make sure that there is nice arati program; six arati daily at least. --- **[1974: Letter to Vipini](letters/1974/741219_vipini)** > Concerning your marriage ceremony that is to be sanctioned by the temple president or GBC. --- **[1975: Letter to Bhagavan](letters/1975/751219_bhagavan)** > The newly initiated brahmanas should hear the mantra from the tape recording through the right ear. Brahmin initiation means to be very clean, inside and outside. ---