# December 28 ## Spoken on December 28 *Lectures from this day: 13 recordings* --- **[1966: Bhagavad-gītā 10.1](spoken/1966/661228bg.ny.md)** > And in the Tenth Chapter the Lord says, *bhagavān uvāca,* the Supreme Lord says, *bhūya eva mahā-bāho śṛṇu me paramaṁ vacaḥ* : "Now I have already said what is the process of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Now you hear further more information." *Yat te 'haṁ prīyamāṇāya vakṣyāmi hita-kāmyayā.* Because Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna were, I mean to say, in relationship of friends; therefore He said that *yat te ahaṁ prīyamāṇāya:* "Because you are My, My..., you are My dear friend, therefore, *vakṣyāmi,* I am speaking to you." > And, thinking of Kṛṣṇa as enemy or as friend? Sometimes we think of enemy also. "Oh, the enemy might be coming," "Oh, he's..., my enemy is becoming very strong." So not that sort of thinking. *Bhakti* means... There is... Everything has got definition. That is called *śāstra.* What is that *bhakti*? Devotion. Devotion means *anuśīlanam,* cultivation of Kṛṣṇa knowledge favorably, not unfavorably. Sometimes to kill some enemy, we do many things to kill our enemies. In the laboratory you think of manufacturing atomic, nuclear bombs. That is also thinking. But that sort of thinking is not *bhakti.* Therefore *bhakti* means *ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam*. --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.354–358](spoken/1966/661228cc.ny.md)** > Why in human society there is religion? The purpose is to elevate himself to the transcendental position. That is religion. Where there is no such aim to raise one from the fallen condition to the liberated state, that is not religion; that is sentiment. Religion means that one should be raised from the fallen condition to the highest elevated condition. Therefore there are so many rules and regulation. In the *Bhagavad-gītā* the Lord says, *yad icchantam, yad icchantam brahmacaryaṁ caranti. Yad icchantam.* > Ākṛti, prakṛti.* The form and the activities, all uncommon. Just like Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa, He married sixteen thousand wives and He divided Himself into sixteen thousand Kṛṣṇa. This is called *ākṛti.* This is uncommon. God can expand Himself in any number of forms. We cannot do that. That is the symptom of God. *Ākṛti, prakṛti. Prakṛti* is His nature, supreme nature. As soon as He likes anything to do, He'll do it. There is no impediment. *Parāsya śaktir vividhaiva śrūyat...* And He does in such nice way that we cannot conceive how it is being done, nature's way. *Ākṛti prakṛti,* these are *taṭastha lakṣaṇa,* uh, *svarūpa lakṣaṇa,* personal symptoms of God. --- **[1968: Purport to Śrī Śrī Śikṣāṣṭaka [Partially Recorded](spoken/1968/681228pu.la)** > Second verse: "O my Lord, Your holy name alone can render all benediction upon the living beings, and therefore You have hundreds and millions of names, like Kṛṣṇa, Govinda, etc. In these transcendental names You have invested all Your transcendental energies, and there is no hard and fast rule for chanting these holy names. O my Lord, You have so kindly made approach to You easy by Your holy names, but unfortunate as I am, I have no attraction for them." > Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, a task which those who follow Him have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaboration and exposition on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are in fact the most voluminous, exacting and consistent, due to the unbreakable system of disciplic succession of any religious culture in the world. Yet Lord Caitanya, in His youth widely renowned as a scholar Himself, left us only eight verses, called *Śikṣāṣṭaka.* --- **[1972: The Nectar of Devotion](spoken/1972/721228nd.bom)** > That is stated in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* that *śucīnāṁ śrīmatāṁ gehe yogo bhraṣṭo sañjāyate*.* He'll get birth in a family, *śucīnām. Śucīnām* means pious *brāhmaṇa* family or devotee's family, he'll get birth. Or in rich family. The second class will get in rich family. But both these families will give them chance to begin where he ended his Kṛṣṇa consciousness in the last life. He'll begin from there. That is his opportunity. Therefore there is no loss. His next life as human being is guaranteed, even if he's fallen down. > So just to invoke or revive the dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness, therefore this *bhakti* process has to be... And Kṛṣṇa also says, *bhaktyā mām abhijānāti yāvān yaś cāsmi tattvataḥ*. If we... Because the simple process is: if you understand Kṛṣṇa *tattvataḥ, tattvataḥ,* in truth, then your life is successful. As soon as you understand Kṛṣṇa *tattvataḥ,* then *tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti*. You don't..., won't have again in this material world. Don't get any material body. You go back home, back to Godhead. --- **[1972: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.2.10](spoken/1972/721228sb.bom)** > This is perfect process. *Evaṁ paramparā-prāptam imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ*, Kṛṣṇa says in the *Bhagavad-gītā*. The perfect knowledge received from Kṛṣṇa. From Kṛṣṇa, the knowledge was received by Brahmā. From Brahmā the knowledge was received by Nārada. From Nārada the knowledge was received by Vyāsadeva. From Vyāsadeva the knowledge was received by Madhva Muni. In this way, *paramparā-sūtra,* the same knowledge was received by Mādhavendra Purī. From Mādhavendra Purī, Īśvara Purī received the knowledge. From Īśvara Purī, Lord Caitanya received the knowledge. From Lord Caitanya, the six Gosvāmīs. In this way there is a *paramparā* system, handing down the knowledge from disciplic..., from disciple to disciple, *evaṁ paramparā.* That is perfect knowledge. > Yasya prabhā [Bs. 5.40], you can..., we can say, "Oh, Kṛṣṇa is so powerful that He is providing *brahma-jyoti.*" Well, why not? If some creation of Kṛṣṇa, the sunlight and moonlight, is so powerful that it expands all over the universe, so how much powerful is Kṛṣṇa? *Brahmano 'ham pratiṣṭha.* Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, "I am the source of this *brahma-jyoti.*" *Brahmeti paramātmeti bhagavān iti śabdyate*. Now, how to understand the Absolute Truth? The next verse says, --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.15.51](spoken/1973/731228sb.la)** > Very simple thing: go and speak what Kṛṣṇa says. That's all. You have nothing to manufacture, Dr. Frog. [laughs] There is no need of manufacturing. We are very safe because we don't manufacture. We simply repeat, parrotlike, what Kṛṣṇa has said. That's all, finished. Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*: "Let aside everything. Just become My devotee, surrendered soul." So we are preaching that. We don't make any compromise. Therefore all people are against me, because "This man simply says, 'Kṛṣṇa.' " Yes. But I cannot say anything more. That's all. > Bhaktyā śruta-gṛhītayā.* You can realize. God realization is possible by a person who is faithful, *tac chraddadhānāḥ.* And what is that faith? That faith is explained in the *Caitanya-caritāmṛta: śraddhā-śabde viśvāsa sudṛḍha niścaya*. One who has been firmly convinced... What is that conviction? Kṛṣṇa says, --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.19](spoken/1974/741228sb.bom)** > So this position is going on, beginning from one date of creation, millennium, and goes up to the end, *kalpānta.* The asuric determination is *kalpānta.* Up to the end of the creation they have no sense that "Again I am going to..., in the oblivion. Again I am to remain for millions of years in darkness. Then again there will be creation. And again I shall get body." And in one millennium we are changing so many bodies. This is our problem. But there is no education; there is no knowledge. But we find this education, this knowledge, from Vedic literature. Therefore Kṛṣṇa comes Himself, He teaches Himself *Bhagavad-gītā* personally, and He asks, *mūḍha, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja*. But still we are so dull, we cannot take His words, take His instruction, and *bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate*,* and going on, one after another, birth and death. This is going on. > These varieties are for deriving pleasure, pleasure potency, *hlādinī-śakti.* The Rādhārāṇī is *hlādinī-śakti. Rādhā kṛṣṇa-praṇaya-vikṛtir hlādinī-śaktir asmāt.* This is the display of Kṛṣṇa's pleasure potency. So this pleasure potency is there. So how? Then pleasure potency, we can enjoy in cooperation with Kṛṣṇa, in conjunction with Kṛṣṇa. The same thing: just like this body, the finger. The finger is part of the body. The finger can enjoy pleasure so long attached with the body. If the finger is cut off from the body, there is no more pleasure. Similarly, we are also part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Because we are now detached from Kṛṣṇa, therefore our position is, *manaḥ ṣaṣṭhānīndriyāṇi prakṛti-sthāni karṣati*.* Detached from Kṛṣṇa, we are in this *prakṛti,* material nature, and our business is struggle for existence for the same pleasure, which is never obtainable in this material world. Therefore the intelligence is that we should again go back to home, go back to Kṛṣṇa, and dance with Him in His *rāsa* dance. That will be our pleasure. --- **[1975: Bhagavad-gītā 7.2 in Hindi](spoken/1975/751228bg.san)** > What is *siddhi*? The perfection is to understand oneself. What I am? This is perfection, knowledge of the Absolute Truth. So after acquiring this knowledge, especially nowadays who is interested in acquiring knowledge of the Absolute Truth. They acquire that much knowledge by which they can earn a few hundred or a thousand rupees and live merrily—to acquire this kind of knowledge the go to school and college. But who goes to acquire knowledge of the Absolute Truth? And who teaches it also? That is why the Lord says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu*, everyone goes to acquire such knowledge that can help them to earn a livelihood and who wants the knowledge of the Absolute Truth? That is why He says, *manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu*, everyone acquires knowledge to earn a livelihood like dogs and sheeps—such knowledge they want to acquire. That is why the scriptures forbid that to acquire this kind of knowledge, to work hard all day long—that is not human life. > For one who has knowledge of the Absolute Truth, *paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ,* then they do not discriminate.* They know that all of us are parts and parcels of the Lord, *mamaivāṁśo*, we are all spirit.* So spiritual knowledge, we are all spirit souls anyway. It is not that through austerities we became spirit. No! we are spirit anyways. We are covered over spirits. We need to reach the platform of brahma-*bhūta*, self-realization of Brahman, that I am not matter, I am spirit- I should have this knowledge\–this is knowledge. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761228r1.bom)** > I don't accept you. They don't accept *Caitanya-caritāmṛta* ; who accepts you? The whole world is accepting *Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Lord Caitanya *all over the world, not only in India. All over the world. Is it not? [indistinct—fragmentary for some time] --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.6.10](spoken/1976/761228sb.bom)** >but they do not know what is the importance of the *varṇāśrama-dharma.* They have broken it. They don't like. They want to say classless society. Classless society cannot be. Even in Russia, the Communist country, they wanted to break down the classless society, but they cannot manage. They have now created a manager class and the worker class. Why manager class? Make it classless. But that is not possible. Therefore in the society there must be managers and the workers. Without this you cannot work, you cannot make, keep any systematic... So the managers... The *varṇāśrama-dharma:* the managers, the *brāhmaṇas* and the *kṣatriyas;* and the workers, the *vaiśyas* and the *śūdras.* And less than that, less than the *śūdras,* the *caṇḍālas,* they have to be fully controlled, *kirata-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā*, because they do not know the regulative principles of life. They are called *caṇḍālas.* So they are described in the *śāstra.* So the *kṣatriyas,* they used to keep these *caṇḍālas* under full control. Otherwise the society would be lost. > So here it is stated that people who are lowest amongst men and bewildered by the illusory energy... This is bewilderment. What is that bewilderment? They are trying to be happy by material adjustment. Just this morning we were discussing of the air crash. It is very good to fly in the air, but at any moment the whole plane may be crashed and the all of them finished. So this kind of material adjustment will not help us. *Daivī hy eṣā guṇa-mayī mama māyā duratyayā*. This is illusory only, *māyā sukha.* Prahlāda Mahārāja regrets, *tato vimukha-cetasā māyā-sukhāya bharam udvahato vimūḍhān*. Any moment everything will be crushed. This is called *māyā-sukha.* And still they are wasting time that for *māyā-sukhāya,* illusion. They'll not be happy. Any moment everything can be crushed, and they are busy. --- ## Letters on December 28 *Letters from this day: 26* --- **[1968: Letter to Gaurasundara](letters/1968/681228_gaurasundara)** > I am so encouraged that your activities in Hawaii are going nicely and I will be looking forward to seeing you again when I am able to go there. You had been having problems with Madhavi Lata, and Krishna has solved the problem because she is now in the Halawa Jail and preaching very nicely. I received one letter from her yesterday and she describes that some of her acquaintances there are already considering initiation, so Krishna has arranged to release you of any burden you were feeling and also she is having the opportunity to do service. --- **[1968: Letter to Madhavi Lata](letters/1968/681228_madhavi_lata)** > It is nice that you are doing preaching work there, but you should know that such practices like stealing are against the principles of Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1970: Letter to Jayapataka](letters/1970/701228_jayapataka)** > I hope everything is going on with good prospect in Calcutta. I have decided to come there for the meeting with Mrs. Birla at the Birla Academy on the 6th January, 1971. --- **[1970: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1970/701228_satsvarupa)** > I am very glad that Advaita has come back to his position, but I am very much concerned that there is a Mayavadi Sannyasi among yourselves. --- **[1970: Letter to Tulsi](letters/1970/701228_tulsi)** > I was not able to reply sooner, but have been travelling and so much of my mail has been neglected. --- **[1970: Letter to Vamanadeva](letters/1970/701228_vamanadeva)** > I am very much willing to see your center at St. Louis, but for the time being the installation ceremony of Radha Krsna may be postponed until my further advice. --- **[1971: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1971/711228_bali-mardana)** > Your proposal to make a series of smaller books is approved by me. That will help in teaching the young children also. --- **[1971: Letter to Giriraja](letters/1971/711228_giriraja)** > So far our program for India, at present we are trying seriously for a nice house in the aristocratic section of Bombay, or also for a large plot of land of several acres near Bombay, to establish our India headquarters. Bombay is the richest city, the gateway to India, and in all respects the most important city. --- **[1971: Letter to Laksmimoni](letters/1971/711228_laksmimoni)** > I am very pleased to hear from you that everything is progressing nicely in Canada zone under the supervision of your good husband, Jagadisa. --- **[1971: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1971/711228_mukunda)** > I can understand that you are feeling some separation, as I am also feeling some separation from both you and your good wife, Janaki. --- **[1971: Letter to Niranjana](letters/1971/711228_niranjana)** > I will be staying here for at least three more weeks. So as soon as possible you can immediately come to Bombay. --- **[1971: Letter to Rsabhadeva](letters/1971/711228_rsabhadeva)** > Upon your recommendation, I have consented to accept all of them as my duly initiated disciples, and I am replying them below. --- **[1971: Letter to Saci Dulal Bilvamangala Avhinava Novina](letters/1971/711228_saci_dulal_bilvamangala_avhinava_novina)** > Upon the recommendation of Rsabhadeva I have gladly consented to accept all of you as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1971: Letter to Sivanivas](letters/1971/711228_sivanivas)** > Regarding your question, Lord Caitanya is simply making a comparison between the moon and Lord Krishna's Sankirtana movement, because both are radiating benediction on all the living entities. Krishna says in *Bhagavad-gita:* "I become the moon, and thereby supply the juice of life to all vegetables," and in another place "among the stars I am the moon." So, directly or indirectly, Krishna is supplying all benediction to everything and everyone, just like the moon gives life to vegetables, without which nothing can exist, and also that moon keeps the great oceans from overcoming the land and destroying everything. --- **[1971: Letter to Yogesvara](letters/1971/711228_yogesvara)** > I am very pleased to see that the foreign literature is being produced nicely under your enthusiastic supervision. --- **[1972: Letter to Brhatbanu Jagadadija](letters/1972/721228_brhatbanu_jagadadija)** > Upon the recommendation of Aksojananda I am very glad to consent to accept both of you as my duly initiated disciples. --- **[1972: Letter to Jaggadeva](letters/1972/721228_jaggadeva)** > With reference to a letter to me dated December 6, 1972, wherein Aksojananda Swami has recommended several students for initiation, I have since heard that he has left Amsterdam and he is supposed to... --- **[1972: Letter to Ksirodakasayi](letters/1972/721228_ksirodakasayi)** > Since long time I have not heard from you, neither you replied my letter to you from Vrindaban last. --- **[1974: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1974/741228_jagadisa)** > Regarding your first question, you have not committed such a serious offense. My request is that you atone for your actions by engaging in devotional service with great enthusiasm. --- **[1974: Letter to Jagadisa Pandita](letters/1974/741228_jagadisa_pandita)** > My opinion is that it is not necessary for us to utilize these different musical talents for spreading Krsna Consciousness. I would rather see people follow strictly the path of Lord Caitanya and His Sankirtana devotees. We are using mrdanga, karatala, that is enough. --- **[1974: Letter to Kurusrestha](letters/1974/741228_kurusrestha)** > But be sure to maintain your temple there in Denver. Also your idea of forming a trust between ISKCON and the leading men in the Indian community is approved by me. --- **[1974: Letter to Sons](letters/1974/741228_sons)** > Krsna says in the *Bhagavad-gita,* chapter 18; *sarva-dharman parityajya, mam ekam saranam vraja, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo, moksayisyami ma sucah* bg/18/66. The demigods are all different parts of the universal form of the Supreme Lord. --- **[1974: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1974/741228_sukadeva)** > A real Vaisnava, of course, will never say that he is superior to anyone. He will say that he is the lowest of the living entities. If he says that he is superior then actually he is not superior. --- **[1974: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1974/741228_tamala_krsna)** > I was extremely pleased to hear your report from your travelling buses. It sounds as if your program is very very wonderful and I am very encouraged to hear that such a program is coming along so nicely. I am glad that you have understood the importance of my books, therefore I am stressing it so much. --- **[1974: Letter to Uddhvareta](letters/1974/741228_uddhvareta)** > Regarding your proposal, I shall have to consult the GBC men first before making that decision. I have sent your proposal to Jayatirtha Prabhu and have asked him to make copies and send it to the GBC men and have them give opinions. Then send these opinions to myself. --- **[1976: Letter to Kurusrestha](letters/1976/761228_kurusrestha)** > I have seen the pictures of the Deity installation you have sent. It appears to be very nicely done. Stick to the principles. ---