# December 21 ## Spoken on December 21 *Lectures from this day: 9 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 9.29–32](spoken/1966/661221bg.ny.md)** > So here Kṛṣṇa says, *kaunteya pratijānīhi.* "You promise, so I shall protect your promise." And what is that? *Na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati:* "Anyone who has taken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he will be never destroyed. He will never be destroyed." *Na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati.* What is that destruction? The destruction is... Of course, a living entity is never destroyed so far his constitution is concerned. *Na hanyate hanyamāne*. The destruction of this body is not his destruction. The real destruction is that when we lose our spiritual consciousness, we lose our identity. That is destruction. > So now somebody may say that "If a devotee is engaged in the service of the Lord, that's all right, but if his behavior is not up to the standard, then what happens to him?" Of course, a devotee is naturally developed..., developing the twenty-six good qualities, but even if he does not develop those qualities... Of course, that very quality, that he is a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, that is sufficient. But still, if somebody is not up to the point, but he is unflinching, mean to say, not moving, he is perfect devotee of Kṛṣṇa, then Lord Kṛṣṇa says, *api cet su-durācāraḥ. Api cet su-durācāraḥ. Durācāraḥ* means his conduct is not good, and *su-durācāraḥ* means still further. --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.298–313](spoken/1966/661221cc.ny.md)** > Śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya*. Those transcendental qualities again revive themself by this process: *śravaṇādi-śuddha-citte.* As you purify your heart by this process of hearing transcendental messages from Godhead, as your heart becomes purified, those transcendental qualities automatically develop. And when fully developed, it is called *nirguṇa, nirguṇa,* without any material qualities. That *nirguṇa* stage can be obtained, can be achieved, in touch with the *nirguṇa,* Kṛṣṇa. Therefore it is stated, *sa sarva-dṛg upadraṣṭā taṁ bhajan. Bhajan. Bhajan* means by rendering devotional service to Him, that Supreme Lord, you get revived your transcendental qualities. And when you revive your transcendental qualities, that means you are liberated, you are happy, you are transferred to the spiritual world. > There are two classes of men in this world, the *deva* and the *asura. Deva* means those who are devotees, those who are conscious, Kṛṣṇa conscious, they are called *deva,* gods, demigods. And demigod does not mean that something extraordinary. They are also living entities like us, but they are completely Kṛṣṇa conscious, and therefore they have got unlimited power, and they are entrusted with some of the management of this material world. They are called *deva.* And the *asuras,* demons, atheists, they are not entrusted. They are simply meant for creating disturbances. --- **[1968: Purport to Nitāi-Pada-Kamala](spoken/1968/681221pu.la)** > Koṭi-candra-suśītala, je chāyāy jagata jurāy. Jagat,* this material world, which is progressing towards hell, and there is always a blazing fire, everyone is struggling hard, nobody finds peace. Therefore, if the world wants to have real peace, then it should take shelter under the lotus feet of Lord Nityānanda, which is supposed to be cooling like the shining moon, millions in number. > This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is for approaching Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, to be associated with the Supreme Lord in His sublime pleasure dance. That is the aim of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. So Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura's advice is that "If you actually want to enter into the dancing party of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa, then you must take shelter of the lotus feet of Nityānanda." --- **[1970: Lecture in Hindi](spoken/1970/701221l2.sur)** > Eating and sleeping: *āhāra-nidrā*, and being fearful, and sex, sense gratification. All these which are pertaining to the body are common to both human beings and animals. But the *dharma* is not for animals. *Dharma* is meant for human beings. And *dharma* means that which remains permanent. Temporary religion is not *dharma*. Just like water. Water. What is *dharma* of water? It is fluidity. But sometimes due to natural circumstances the fluidity becomes frozen, like ice. This ice is not the natural state of water. Its natural state is fluid. Similarly, since time immemorial there exists a relation between the living entities and God. This permanent relation, as described to you just now by Girirāja Brahmacārī and as Caitanya Mahāprabhu taught us: *jīvera 'svarūpa' haya-nitya kṛṣṇa dāsa*. The real svarūpa of living entity is-he is an eternal servant of God. And when he forgets that he is a servant of God, he comes to a frozen state like water being frozen to ice under natural circumstances. Similarly living entity in association with asat [temporary] becomes rival to God, he becomes an athiest. In this way, an athiest, whoever he may be..., this is not related to any caste. He may be an Indian, or American, or German, or English. Any caste, he may be a *brāhmaṇa*, *kṣatriya* or *śūdra*, whoever he may be. If he is without devotion then his caste, chanting [*japa*], austerity [*tapaḥ*], actions [*kriyāḥ*], his highly aristocratic caste, and his austerities etc., *ādi-dharma-sājā*. These are like a decoration of a dead body. The real purpose is..., *dharma* means our Vedas [scriptures]. Vedas are original. One can find the history of all religions but Vedas. From historical point of view, Buddha religion is the oldest. It has got 2,600 years past. Muslim religion is not older than just 1,000 plus years. And Christian religion is 2,000 years old. But if you see the sanātana-dharma from historical point of view, it is older than 5,000 years. Because Kṛṣṇa instructed *Bhagavad-gītā* to Arjuna before 5,000 years ago. From this calculation it can be known that the *sanātana-dharma* or Kṛṣṇa Consciousness, *kṛṣṇa-bhakti-rasa-bhāvitā matiḥ*, is the oldest amongst all. > For example, just like there is sandalwood in Malaya country. Though sandalwood can be grown anywhere, it grows specifically in Malaya country. Therefore the sandalwood is called Malaya sandalwood. Similarly God... in any dynasty. Sometimes God appears in *sūkara* [boar] dynasty, sometimes in horse dynasty, sometimes in tortoise dynasty. Similarly God appears in Yadu dynasty, in Raghu dynasty. Therefore He is called Yāduvendra, Rāghavendra. So He is fully independent. He can appear anywhere. It is His wish. Just because He appeared in India does not mean God is Indian. It is not like that. God is for everyone. This theory that Lord Kṛṣṇacandra is for everyone is very well understood nowadays in western countries. And to understand it, these books are kept before you. With the help of these books they [westerners] are grasping it from theoretical, scriptural and historical view points. It is not that they are dancing just out of sentiment. No. This is not ordinary sentiment. It is called *aprakṛti* [transcendental] sentiment. It is called: *bhagavad-bhakti bhāva*. This *bhāva* is not ordinary. But it can be attained by anyone. There is no difficulty. [indistinct] It is mentioned in scriptures, what is that? *Ādau śraddhā*. If one has faith in God then there opens the path for *bhāva*. Like you have come here with faith. To hear "What will we say? What kind of songs will we sing?" This is called *śraddhā* [faith]. *Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgo*. To increase this faith itself constitutes *bhagavad-bhakti* [devotional service]. What is the program to enhance this faith further? Saintly persons. To mingle with those who are devotees. Making friendship with them. To feed them, being fed by them, to reveal oneself to them and to hear from them. In this way increase friendship with devotees. This is called *sādhu-saṅgo* [associating with devotees]. *Sādhu-saṅgaḥ* does not mean to sit before a devotee by force. No. *Sādhu-saṅgaḥ* means: *dadāti pratigṛhṇāti*, offering him gifts in charity, accepting charitable gifts from him. --- **[1970: Lecture in Room](spoken/1970/701221le.sur)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. You do it—because you have to do it. Kṛṣṇa can force you to become Kṛṣṇa conscious. But He doesn't do that. He doesn't interfere with your independence. He says, "Do it." Therefore you have to try for it, not for other things. Other things, already there are. For the birds and beasts there is no problem for eating. Why your problem should be? > Even you are a prisoner, the government has supplied his eating. Similarly, God has supplied everyone, cats and dogs, for eating. Why not for you? You have created your own problem. Real problem is how to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness. *Tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatām upary adhaḥ*. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is that. --- **[1970: Room Conversation](spoken/1970/701221r1.sur)** > Nature's law is so subtle. *Uru-dāmni baddhāḥ. Bhāgavata* says, *uru-dāmni baddhāḥ*. Just like a man is tied up tightly, hands and legs, by the laws of nature we are tied up in that way. Every part of our body is being controlled by some controller. We cannot violate a very insignificant portion of nature's law. Kṛṣṇa is perfect. We think that, we rogues, "Kṛṣṇa cannot see." > There cannot be any excuse. Therefore we have to be very, very careful. And the best carefulness is chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. *Mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti te*. Simply we surrender... --- **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.39–40](spoken/1970/701221sb.sur)** > "*Dharma* means what is spoke by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, that is *dharma*." Therefore we take it for acceptance that Kṛṣṇa says... That is actually the fact. *Mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja.* To surrender unto Kṛṣṇa, that is *dharma. Sarva-dharmān parityajya*. > Just like when you speak, when you speak or hear *Bhagavad-gītā,* immediately we should know—at least this vision we take—that Kṛṣṇa is directly speaking. And if we interpret, then the whole thing is lost. That is not *Bhagavad-gītā,* and that is going on, malinterpretation of *Bhagavad-gītā*. Everyone is taking *Bhagavad-gītā,* and he is interpreting in his own way. So that is not *Bhagavad-gītā. Bhagavad-gītā* means as Kṛṣṇa says. Kṛṣṇa says, *man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru*. But a commentator, big commentator, says, "Oh, it is not to Kṛṣṇa, to the person." Just see. This kind of commentary is going on. --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/731221mw.la)** > Changing means material world. Anything material is susceptible to change. Just this material body—I am changing my body, but I am the spirit soul. I am not changing. That is the difference. So all these so-called theologicians, they have no idea what is spiritual knowledge. All rascals. They cannot understand what is God. That I have explained. Simply speculating. It will not help. [break] [some Indian people have joined the walk] [Hindi] >many devotees. Sixty, seventy devotees. And Viṣṇujana Mahārāja was there with Rādhā-Dāmodara. He is doing very nicely. And then I stopped in Atlanta to see Balavanta Prabhu, and he has got a big office now. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.9](spoken/1974/741221sb.bom)** > So this is poor fund of knowledge. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *nāhaṁ prakāśaḥ sarvasya yoga-māyā-samāvṛtaḥ*. He does not become manifest, or visible, to everyone. Then who..., unto whom He is visible? And that is also stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā: bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ*. So unless you take to this process of *bhakti-yoga,* you cannot understand what is God. Then you will be misguided. So if you take... *Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau* [*Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu* 1.2.234]. You cannot understand God. But if you take to the devotional service submissively, if you become submissive, surrendered, and you render service to the Lord, then, by His causeless mercy, He becomes revealed, "Here I am. See Me." He talks. > We should understand this relationship. The material nature has got relationship with both—God and the living entities—but the activities of the two living entities, namely the *aṇu* and *vibhu...* God is Vibhu, or Prabhu, and living entity is *aṇu,* or servant, and the via media is the material nature. So we cannot control material nature. That is not possible. We are controlled. We are being controlled. *Tribhir guṇamayair bhāvair mohitam nābhijānāti mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam*.* We are always being controlled. And... But the *prakṛti,* material nature, is being controlled by the Supreme Lord. This is the difference. Unfortunately, sometimes we claim that we can control over. Just like the scientists, they are trying to control over the material nature. That is not possible. You cannot control. Therefore, in the *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said, *daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā*. You cannot control. You shall be controlled, but you cannot control. The controller is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kṛṣṇa. *Mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa*. --- ## Letters on December 21 *Letters from this day: 18* --- **[1967: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1967/671221_brahmananda)** > Krishna was very kind to me when He sent you to me for cooperating. My hearty thanks for you when you write to say that "Krishna Consciousness is the full perfection of life". --- **[1967: Letter to Krsna Devi](letters/1967/671221_krsna_devi)** > Simply always chant Hare Krishna and with faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. I am very glad Krishna is helping you and He will help you more and more in the future. --- **[1967: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1967/671221_rayarama)** > I hope you have received all my letters and the purports of Gita which I sent you from Calcutta. The only thing we want, that sex life can be allowed only in married couples. --- **[1968: Letter to Alan Ginsberg](letters/1968/681221_alan_ginsberg)** > I was much aggrieved to hear the news of your accident and I was very anxious to learn that you are lying now in the hospital. --- **[1968: Letter to Harer Nama](letters/1968/681221_harer_nama)** > I was very happy to read how you are keeping nicely engaged in giving lectures at schools and preparing for a puppet show of Krishna Consciousness stories. --- **[1968: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1968/681221_jadurani)** > Regarding Rukmini, I think that if she is desiring to marry Upendra then that idea is very nice and approved by me. If she will rather wait for awhile that is all right but in either case Upendra should be informed of her plans. --- **[1968: Letter to Syamasundara](letters/1968/681221_syamasundara)** > George Harrison has a little sympathy for our movement and if Krishna is actually satisfied on him surely he will be able to join with us in pushing on the Sankirtana Movement throughout the world. Somehow or other the Beatles have become the cynosure of the neighboring European countries and America also. --- **[1972: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1972/721221_madhudvisa)** > If that is so, where are those tickets sent, with which airline, where to pick them up? --- **[1972: Letter to Meenakatan](letters/1972/721221_meenakatan)** > For the time being, you may assist Subala Maharaja by working there in Delhi for collecting and making Life Members for the Vrindaban project. --- **[1972: Letter to Yasodanandana Gurukrpa](letters/1972/721221_yasodanandana_gurukrpa)** > My Guru Maharaja was also inclined toward his bolder preachers. Therefore I am requesting that both of you, with your party, join me very soon at the Hare Krishna Festival in Bombay Cross Maidan, at least you should come by January 1st. --- **[1973: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1973/731221_tamala_krsna)** > I am standing by to hear from you whether or not we have obtained municipal sanction for our plans for our Juhu Beach scheme. --- **[1974: Letter to Gopijanavallabha](letters/1974/741221_gopijanavallabha)** > I think by this time all of your questions in your letter have been answered. Rupanuga has given photographs as well as floor plans in his most recent letter. --- **[1974: Letter to Hrdayananda](letters/1974/741221_hrdayananda)** > Regarding my coming to Mexico City and Caracas, yes I want to come there very much. Now we are in Bombay trying to get permission from the government to build our temple. --- **[1974: Letter to Ramesvara](letters/1974/741221_ramesvara)** > I am in due receipt of your telegram dated Dec. We must make a large propoganda program for Krsna Consciousness by distributing these books everywhere, all over the world. --- **[1976: Letter to Aksayananda](letters/1976/761221_aksayananda)** > State Ministry has booked eleven double rooms in our guesthouse. Kindly give them a good reception and food and deal very nicely with them in all respects. --- **[1976: Letter to Caru Das](letters/1976/761221_caru_das)** > J. R. D. Sharma dated Nov. 30, 1976, regarding his Deities. They should be returned. What is the use of keeping Sarasvati? We do not require to worship any other Deity besides Radha Krishna. --- **[1976: Letter to Prabhuswarupa](letters/1976/761221_prabhuswarupa)** > So you may contact him and the other local managers at Shree Mayapur regarding your effort. May this letter find you in good health. --- **[1976: Letter to Ramanuja](letters/1976/761221_ramanuja)** > The newsletters which you have sent are very nice. Thank you very much. ---