# December 29 ## Spoken on December 29 *Lectures from this day: 11 recordings* --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.358–359](spoken/1966/661229cc.ny.md)** > One should be interested, selfish. This is real selfishness, that I must know what I am, what is the goal of my life. But these people, they do not know what is the goal of life. They are trying to adjust things here, but things will never be adjusted, because the nature of this material world is like that. *Bhūtvā bhūtvā pralīyate*. Trisargo 'mṛṣām.* It is a false, or temporary, representation... So this sum and substance is that the Supreme Lord, God, or Kṛṣṇa, has got two..., that He has got many diverse energies; all these diverse energies are, I mean to say, summarized in three division: the spiritual energy, the material energy and the marginal energy. > We are the mar... We are living entities. We are marginal. We are sometimes captivated by the material energy and sometimes we are in spiritual energy. Now our attempt is, Kṛṣṇa consciousness means, we are trying to transfer ourself from this temporary energy to the permanent energy. Therefore in the *Bhagavad-gītā* you'll find, *mahātmānas tu mām, daivī prakṛtim āśritāḥ*. *Daivī prakṛti* means the superior energy, divine energy. This is also divine energy, but that is directly. This is indirectly. This is temporary. Nothing, without..., nothing can exist without being divine, because everything is coming out from divine. So *sarvaṁ khalv idaṁ brahma* [*Chāndogya Upaniṣad* 3.14.1]. --- **[1968: Song & Purport to Gaurāṅga Bolite Habe](spoken/1968/681229pu.la)** > He says, *gaurāṅga bolite habe pulaka-śarīra.* This is the perfection of chanting, that as soon as we chant or take the name of Lord Gaurāṅga, who initiated the *saṅkīrtana* movement, at once there will be a shivering in the body. So it is not to be imitated. But Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura is recommending when that opportune moment will come to us, that as soon as we shall chant Lord Gaurāṅga's name, there will shivering in the body. And, after the shivering, *hari hari bolite nayane ba'be nīr,* while chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa there will be tears in the eyes. > Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says that one who has actually received the causeless mercy of Nityānanda, he has no more any material desire. That is the symptom. *Āra kabe nitāicand karuṇā karibe saṁsāra-vāsanā mora kabe tuccha. Saṁsāra-vāsanā* means desire for material enjoyment, when it will become very insignificant. Of course, so long we have got this body we have to accept so many things, material. But not in the spirit of enjoyment, but to keep up the body and soul together. So... --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 13.1–2](spoken/1972/721229bg.bom)** > Therefore this should be first of all understood. As Kṛṣṇa says, *idaṁ śarīraṁ kaunteya kṣetram ity...*. It has been awarded to you for utilizing it for different purposes, as you like. You can utilize it like cats and dogs and hogs, and you can utilize it as *devatā,* as demigod. That is up to you. We have got little independence. We can utilize or misuse this independence. But the *śāstra* says that this body is not to be utilized as cats and dogs and hogs. *Śāstra* says. > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *yaḥ śāstra-vidhim utsṛjya vartate kāma-kārataḥ* : anyone who does not care for the instruction given in the *śāstras... Śāstra.* Just like anyone who doesn't care for the law of the state, what kind of man he is? He's a loafer, a outlaw. He's not a respectable citizen. Similarly, anyone who does not follow the *śāstric* in... *Śāstras* are meant for human being, not for the cats and dogs and hogs, as law is meant for the human being, not for the cats and dogs. Therefore we have to follow the *śāstric* injunction. --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/731229mw.la)** > And if required, if somebody inquires about "Now I am going to that place. What will happen? Just find out the auspicious moment," so they will give him. Still it is current. It may be wrongly done or rightly, but the system is still there, astrologer. The king should be always accompanied by a first-class astrologer. [break]...there is a whole street, both sides simply astrology. [break]...good astrologers. --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.1](spoken/1973/731229sb.la)** > Cow protection is very, very essential in human society because it gives the milk, the miracle food. You can prepare hundreds and thousands of preparation, all not only delicious, but brain-maintaining. You can get good brain. Therefore *go-rakṣya,* cow protection, is especially recommended, not that animal protection. If you want to eat meat, you can eat many other animals, there are. But don't eat the cows. This is Vedic civilization. *Kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam. Paricaryātmakaṁ kāryaṁ śūdra-karma svabhāva-jam*.* And those who are neither *brāhmaṇa—*they have no brain to become *brāhmaṇa* or to become *kṣatriya* or *vaiśya—*they are called *śūdras.* And *śūdra's* business is to serve the other upper three classes, laborer, worker classes, and satisfied with some service. > So these *abhijāta-kovidāḥ,* expert astrologers, whatever they predicted, everything was performed by Mahārāja Parīkṣit. *Samādiśan vipra mahad-guṇas tathā.* So all the high qualities... Mahārāja Parīkṣit was, in his childhood play, he was worshiping Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa Deity. Childhood play. Just like our children, some of them, they are worshiping Jagannātha. This is required from the very childhood. Our Prahlāda Mahārāja therefore says, *kaumāra ācaret prājño dharmān bhāgavatān iha, durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma*.* --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.20](spoken/1974/741229sb.bom)** > So this *uttiṣṭhata jāgrata* is... *Sva-tejasāpibat tīvram. Sva-tejasā:* we have got that potency to come to the light. Everyone, we have got that potency. Simply we must be willing. That independence is there. I may not like it. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja* : "You do it." Kṛṣṇa is all-powerful; He can force you to accept this principle. But that He will not do. He will not touch your independence. He will ask you to do it, but He will not force you to do it. If you do not take it, that is your choice. But this is the assurance. To become illuminated, to become awakened to spiritual consciousness, we can do it at any moment if we want to accept it. *Sva-tejasā,* we have got that potency. So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is for giving enlightenment to the people that "If you like, you can take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and then your life is successful." *Ārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kim.* That is the most welfare activities. > Sva-tejasā apibat tīvram ātma-prasvāpanaṁ tamaḥ. *So the darkness is there, and the light is also there. Simply we have to be awakened. Therefore *Vedas,* they instruct us that "Don't sleep! Get up!" *Uttiṣṭhata prāpya varān nibodhata jāgrata* [*Kaṭha Upaniṣad* 1.3.14]. Similarly, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura also sings, *kota nidrā jāo māyā-piśācīra kole. Jīv jāgo, jīv jāgo, gauracānda bole.* Gauracānda means Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He says, "O the living entities, you get up! Be awakened!" We may say, "Now we are awakened." This is not awakening. This is also slumber in darkness of ignorance. Real awakening is when we come to our spiritual consciousness. That is real awakened. *Yā niśā sarva-bhūtānāṁ tasyāṁ jāgarti saṁyamī*. --- **[1976: Morning Walk](spoken/1976/761229mw.bom)** > Willingdon was Viceroy. She said that "You Indian people..." Of course, it was friendly talk. "You come to our country, we give you some stamp, degree, and you earn your livelihood in India. What you have come here to teach?" This was the challenge. Actually, that was happening. We were sending our men to England to become bar-at-law, to become M.R., C.P., to become this and that, and they became here big men. So "Why you people come here to teach us?" This was the challenge. In those days a little favor of Englishman was considered a great boon. In Bengal there is a word, *sāheb śubha. Sāheb* means European, especially Englishman, and *śubha* means "auspicious." So if anyone can make friendship with a European, then his life is successful. And that was happening. The Englishmen were opening business houses. If somebody became connected, he gets good business. He becomes a rich man. There is a family in Calcutta, Shobhabazzar Raj family. So the head of that family, some Navinchandra Dev, he was a minor clerk of Lord Clive's. So when Lord Clive was in Delhi, he was young man, he was sitting on that peacock throne and slept. Young man. So Lord Clive saw, "Oh, what is this young man?" So the Englishman, then he came to Calcutta. So "You are fortunate. All right, I'll make you a king." Britishers, they were giving title, "king." So he was given the title Raj. So the whole family is Shobhabazzar Raj family still. This was the Raj. He was a clerk. > The human life is meant for purifying. They have lost this goal of life. Temporarily we are thinking if we make some comfortable arrangement for body, and that is sufficient. That is sufficient. Lost Vedic culture, ideal of life, goal of life.* [Transl. That has to be rectified.] At least in India it should. In foreign countries they are... Therefore this movement's against them. Because we are preaching this philosophy just opposite to their views, they are taking it "brainwashed." Is that all right in your country? --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761229r1.bom)** > So *Mahābhārata* is the history, and there was Battle of Kurukṣetra. And that Kurukṣetra is mentioned there in the *Bhagavad-gītā,* and it is *dharma-kṣetra* since Vedic age. So the word used, *dharma-kṣetre* and *kuru-kṣetre,* it is completely understood. Why should you interpret, unless you have got a motive? And why a sane man accepts that interpretation? If you have got a different philosophy, you can write your own book. Why should you cheat others, taking *Bhagavad-gītā* and interpreting in your own way? This has spoiled the whole thing. And Kṛṣṇa says that as soon as you deviate from the disciplic succession system, then it will be lost. So what is the use of reading something which is already lost? If I want to supply you something food, it must be fresh and palatable. Then you'll enjoy. But if it is rotten, decomposed, and if we supply you that foodstuff, what you will enjoy, and what you will get benefit out of it? > "Every one of you become a *guru* and deliver these persons, these fallen conditioned souls." That is your business. Now you can say, or I can say that "How can I become *guru*? I have no education, I have no talent. How can I become *guru*?" The answer is, *yāre dekha tāre kaha 'kṛṣṇa'-upadeśa*. You simply repeat what Kṛṣṇa has said, you become a *guru.* So we are doing like that. We haven't got to manufacture. We haven't got to take so much trouble or create it by our fertile brain. We are simply repeating what Kṛṣṇa has said. That's all. And see how it is effective. --- **[1976: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.6.11](spoken/1976/761229sb.bom)** > The only hope is if you go through the *śāstras,* Vedic literature; that is the way to understand. But at the present moment people are so engrossed with material affairs that they are not interested even to hear or to talk about Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is not a very good sign. It is the feverish condition of *durbhikṣa.* That is mentioned in the *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam,* that people in general, when they come to the point of suffering from natural law, then they will revive their *nitya-siddha kṛṣṇa-bhakti.* So therefore, as I was speaking in this morning, we have to elevate the human civilization from a platform which is on equal level with hog civilization. We should very carefully study and try to know whether the advancement of civilization which we have accepted is genuine. No. It is not genuine; it is misleading. Our aim of life is not to get a comfortable life for few years. Actually, there is no comfortable life. Still, we consider and forget our real business, self-realization. *Apaśyatām ātma-tattvaṁ gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām*. > Therefore they fall down. From our... Fall down means from our spiritual identification we fall down to material identification, *upādhi.* Material identification, *upādhi:* designation. I am now speaking, "I am Indian," but "Indian," that is my designation. I am neither Indian nor European. You are not Indian, European. We are giving more stress on the designation. That is the mistake of modern civilization. And in the *śāstra* such persons who designate himself with this body, they have been described as *go-kharaḥ, sa eva go-kharaḥ*. So we shall be very careful, take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. --- ## Letters on December 29 *Letters from this day: 28* --- **[1967: Letter to Balai](letters/1967/671229_balai)** > To answer you question regarding your names: Balai is the name of Baladeva., Krishna's elder brother. His wife is called Balai dasi, or His girlfriend is called Balai dasi. --- **[1967: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1967/671229_brahmananda)** > Regarding other books printed by, published by, or distributed by some European firm is very welcome. You have got also the full power of attorney in this connection. --- **[1967: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1967/671229_jadurani)** > Regarding your questions: This incidence is in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhismadeva, when he was lying on his arrow bed before passing away, Lord Krishna, accompanied with the Pandavas, came to see him. --- **[1968: Letter to Dayala Nitai](letters/1968/681229_dayala_nitai)** > I bet to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated December 21, 1968 and I thank you very much for this. --- **[1968: Letter to Nandakisora](letters/1968/681229_nandakisora)** > Regarding your thoughts of marriage, I think that for the present time you should take your mind away from such conceptions. Marriage is not so important. Your age is not so ripen that marriage is required. --- **[1968: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1968/681229_satsvarupa)** > I am always encouraged to learn how you are working hard and progressing more and more in Krishna Consciousness. --- **[1968: Letter to Upendra](letters/1968/681229_upendra)** > You will be glad to know that just yesterday, in the Los Angeles Times there was publication of my opinion about the moon planet excursion. --- **[1969: Letter to Syamasundara](letters/1969/691229_syamasundara)** > I reached Boston as scheduled on December 21st, and there was a good reception by the devotees for Krishna's servant. --- **[1970: Letter to Hladini](letters/1970/701229_hladini)** > I am glad to learn that the Deities are being cared for there in Chicago so nicely by your good self. --- **[1970: Letter to Jagadisa](letters/1970/701229_jagadisa)** > In the meantime I have received one other letter from you and I have replied the same just the other day. --- **[1971: Letter to Chaturbhus](letters/1971/711229_chaturbhus)** > I do not know where your father is staying now at present nor why he has kept silent. I received report that you are a nice devotee; continue in this way and Krishna will always help you. In regard to your question about the Bible, you should just answer, "You follow your Bible and I follow my Bhagavad-gita." There was no swastika on Arjuna's chariot. --- **[1972: Letter to Bhavananda](letters/1972/721229_bhavananda)** > Tamala Krishna has informed me that you are inviting me to come there to Calcutta immediately after the Bombay Cross Maidan Pandal program is finished, so I shall come there as you desire. --- **[1972: Letter to Cyavana](letters/1972/721229_cyavana)** > I am always so much pleased to hear such good news how the traveling preachers are spreading this Krsna Consciousness movement to every nook and corner of the world. --- **[1972: Letter to Deva Mira](letters/1972/721229_deva_mira)** > Bali Mardan is my trusted senior disciple, do you think I am a fool to choose him for running on My big New York temple. --- **[1972: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1972/721229_madhudvisa)** > I have heard from Siddha Svarupa that Tusta Krsna and his wife Krsna Tulasi are now fine and living in Krsna Consciousness on some farm in Australia. And he has assured me that things are going all right in New Zealand, and I have got one letter from the new president there at Auckland, and it appears that everything will go on nicely. --- **[1972: Letter to Pusta Krsna](letters/1972/721229_pusta_krsna)** > That is wanted, that all of you will take upon yourselves the responsibility of preaching widely everywhere the message of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. --- **[1972: Letter to Vaikunthanatha](letters/1972/721229_vaikunthanatha)** > Your letter of December 23, 1972, is in hand and I can very well understand your dilemma, it is apparently a common feeling amongst the devotees from your country who come to India for some time. --- **[1973: Letter to Yasomatinandana](letters/1973/731229_yasomatinandana)** > I am very glad to hear you are now about to leave New York for working at the great task of spreading Krsna Consciousness in India. --- **[1974: Letter to Mahamsa](letters/1974/741229_mahamsa)** > Upon Acyutananda Swamis recommendation I have accepted the following as my duly initiated disciples: Rangacari—Radhasaran dasa, Amarnath—Aradhana dasa, Chalapati—Chandrodaya dasa, Asoka—AmiyaVilasa dasa. --- **[1974: Letter to Mandakini](letters/1974/741229_mandakini)** > You mentioned in your letter that you are getting only a tourist visa for Moscow. But my original plan was that by marrying this man you would be able to get a permanent resident/permit there in Russia as his wife. But apparently this is very difficult. --- **[1974: Letter to Mr. Punja](letters/1974/741229_mr._punja)** > I think also that Vijayadhvaja das must not be very responsible if he has sold this van in his own name and appropriated that money to his own use. Therefore he should not be in charge there. Because you are eager to distribute my books and magazines and because you are chanting 16 rounds daily I think that you are trustworthy and qualified to be in charge there. --- **[1974: Letter to Sri Agrawal](letters/1974/741229_sri_agrawal)** > I thank you very much once again for your calendar and I hope to be seeing you in the near future. I hope this meets you in good health. --- **[1974: Letter to Vijayadvaja](letters/1974/741229_vijayadvaja)** > My feeling is that Mr. Punja and take charge of the preaching, kirtanas, prasadam and book distribution programs. Make sure to keep yourself and the boys with you in full Krsna Consciousness by following our regulative principles very strictly without fail; chanting 16 rounds, rising early, attending mangala arati, attending classes, eating only Krsna prasadam, etc. --- **[1976: Letter to Mahamsa](letters/1976/761229_mahamsa)** > Kindly make this farm project successful so that the majority of my time I can spend there. I like this place. You should work with full energy and endeavor to make this program successful. --- **[1976: Letter to Satish Kumar Varma](letters/1976/761229_satish_kumar_varma)** > Instead come and live with us the life of eternal bliss and knowledge. Just come and meet us in Kumbha Mela and we shall decide further. --- **[1976: Letter to Shaktimati](letters/1976/761229_shaktimati)** > You can open a center along with all the members of your family. In a couple of days I am going to Bhuvaneśvara, then probably to Kumbha Mela and then to Mayapur. --- **[1976: Letter to Subhavilasa](letters/1976/761229_subhavilasa)** > Yes, I will be happy to visit your home again next time I come to Toronto. In the meantime, please give whatever assistance you can to help manage the temple affairs there. --- **[1976: Letter to Sukadeva](letters/1976/761229_sukadeva)** > So far your question as to whether it is more important to organize the women's book distribution or to work on College preaching, the book distribution is more important. ---