# December 31 ## Spoken on December 31 *Lectures from this day: 10 recordings* --- **[1966: Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Madhya-līlā 20.367–384](spoken/1966/661231cc.ny.md)** > Sanakādye 'jñāna'-śakti.* Now we have analyzed that the Supreme Lord has the opulence of knowledge, full knowledge. So these four Kumāras—*kumāras* means unmarried *brahmacārīs*—they were sons of Brahmā. Because in the beginning Brahmā begot so many sons, and each of them were asked to increase the population. Sanaka..., Sanaka, Sanātana, they were also requested by their father to increase population, but they refused. They said, "No, we are not going to be entangled in these material affairs. We shall remain *kumāras, brahmacārī,* and preach the glories of God," by which Brahmā was angry. And while he was angry, from his anger Rudra, Śiva, was produced, and Lord Śiva is therefore supposed to be son of Brahmā. > Now, although he was Muhammadan and he was *brāhmaṇa,* but, so far the respect of a king is concerned, Sanātana Gosvāmī rightly told him that "You are Nawab. You are king. You are not ordinary man. Therefore you are empowered by the Supreme Lord. So anything you punish..." Because king's punishment has to be accepted. And in the *Manu-saṁhitā* it is said that when king punishes a citizen, he is reduced in his sinful action, so that he may not be subjected in his next birth for that sinful reaction if he undergoes the punishment of a king. These are things stated there. --- **[1968: Spelling of Ārati Song](spoken/1968/681231pu.la)** > Like that. I asked you not to sit down before Deity like that. You should always sit very respectfully. This is to be practiced. So these words can be mixed in a different way to make the sound palatable. That's all. Just repeat. The Hare Kṛṣṇa is there, but in a different way. That's all. [end] --- **[1970: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.1.45–50](spoken/1970/701231sb.sur)** > Sarvataḥ pāṇi-pādas tat, sarvataḥ cakṣuṣā* [?], He has got His eyes everywhere. So His eyes, His form, His hands, His legs, they are of different quality or different nature. Therefore He is sometimes called *nirākāra*. This appears contradictory, *paśyaty acakṣuḥ:* He sees, but He has no eyes, because His eyes are not like our eyes. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *vedāhaṁ samatītāni vartamānāni* In the [indistinct]: "I know the present, past, future—everything." So He reminds Arjuna that "Both you and Me, we took birth many, many times. You have forgotten; I've not." That is His verdict. > Upadrutāḥ. Manda-bhāgyāḥ.* This Age of Kali is *mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ*. These are the symptoms of the persons in this age. First of all they are *mandāḥ*, they are very, very slow. Just like in this human form of life we have got so many responsibilities, self-realization, but they don't care for it. Just like animals, simply they are serious about eating, sleeping, mating and defending, that's all. They have no other responsibilities, they think. These are..., the symptoms are there in the *Bhāgavatam*, *dākṣyaṁ kuṭumba-bharaṇaṁ*. If one man can maintain his family, his wife and two, three children, he is understood to be a very great man. --- **[1972: Bhagavad-gītā 13.2–4](spoken/1972/721231bg.bom)** > Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, *ahaṁ vaiśvānaro bhūtvā, pacāmy annaṁ catur-vidham*. Kṛṣṇa is also helping you in digesting your food. That is also stated. Suppose your digestive power is not working. That means there is something defect. But it can be put into order by Kṛṣṇa. If a man is dying, he can be saved by Kṛṣṇa—not the physician, not the medicine. Because Kṛṣṇa knows everything. > People are... People are very much proud of their knowledge. But Kṛṣṇa says that knowledge means *kṣetra-kṣetrajñayor jñānaṁ*. Knowledge means to know the field and the actual proprietor of the field. *Kṣetra-kṣetrajñayor jñānaṁ yat taj jñānaṁ*. That knowledge is real knowledge. *Mataṁ mama*: Kṛṣṇa is giving His opinion. Now clearly, if we identify the *kṣetra* and the *kṣetrajñayor* are two, mixed up, that is ignorance. That is not knowledge. But just try to understand, people are under the impression that "I am this body." This is not knowledge; this is ignorance. --- **[1973: Morning Walk](spoken/1973/731231mw.la)** > They have been taught how to cheat. Everyone has got a cheating propensity. That is conditioned life. Four defects: to commit mistake, to become illusioned, to cheat and imperfectness of the senses. So cheating propensity everyone has got. So that cheating propensity is being encouraged more and more. Instead of minimizing it or stop it, it is being encouraged. > Then everything, solution will be... There will be no inflation. Because I know that paying you a piece of paper, I can cheat you, therefore I am printing notes to cheat so many people. Therefore inflation. But when there will be no possibility to cheat you, then there will be no inflation. Here I have got the opportunity, because I know that pushing forward a piece of paper, I can cheat so many people. So there must be inflation. Is it not? This is not psychological? If I know that I can cheat you by this instrument, so why shall I not increase that? That is inflation. What do you think, Karandhara? --- **[1973: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.16.3](spoken/1973/731231sb.la)** > So God or demigod, everyone can be *akṣi-gocarāḥ,* within the purview of your vision, provided you are qualified. This is the process. These rascals say, "Can you show me God?" But what power you have got to see? First of all gain that qualification. Then you will see. God is everywhere. *Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayān...* Even He is within the atom. Therefore one who is not competent to see God, he is advised to see God in different way in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* Just like Kṛṣṇa says, *raso 'ham apsu kaunteya prabhāsmi śaśi-sūryayoḥ* : "My dear Kaunteya, Arjuna, I am the taste of the water." So you try to see God there in the taste of water. > Such person, Kṛṣṇa conscious person, who knows Kṛṣṇa... If you think of Kṛṣṇa, naturally you know of Kṛṣṇa. You know of Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is within your heart. So if you think of Kṛṣṇa, then gradually you become Kṛṣṇa-ized. Just like you put the iron rod in the fire. Gradually it becomes fire—warm, warmer, warmer, then red-hot. When it is red-hot it is fire. Whenever you touch, it will burn immediately. Similarly, if you think of Kṛṣṇa, the same example, touching fire. So Kṛṣṇa will purify you. *Śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ*. Just like you are being purified by hearing about Kṛṣṇa daily. Otherwise, why you are coming here? We have no money to bribe you to come here. You are feeling, becoming Kṛṣṇa-ized; therefore you are coming. --- **[1974: Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 3.26.22](spoken/1974/741231sb.bom)** > "This place is meant for miseries." Do not try to become happy here. That is foolishness, *mūḍha. Nābhijānāti mām ebhyaḥ param avyayam.* "The *mūḍhas,* these rascals, they do not know that here he cannot be..., one cannot be happy, because real happiness is when he comes back to Me." *Mām ebhyaḥ param... Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti*. That is real happiness. *Sukham ātyantikaṁ yat tad atīndriya-grāhyam*. Everything is explained in the *Bhagavad-gītā.* So everyone is very..., working very hard, struggling for existence, but they do not know how they can actually become happy. *Na te viduḥ svārtha-gatiṁ hi viṣṇum*. That they do not know. So it is our humble attempt only, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. At least, we inform people that "This is the way of happiness." *Sukham ātyantikaṁ yat tat.* "Don't be carried away by temporary, so-called happiness. That is not happiness. This is called *māyā.*" *Māyā-sukhāya bharam udvahato vimūḍhān.* Kṛṣṇa says *mūḍha,* and Prahlāda Mahārāja says *vimūḍhān—*not only *mūḍha,* but again added with word *vi, viśiṣṭa. Viśiṣṭa-prakāreṇa mūḍha. Vi,* therefore *vimūḍha.* > Just like sex impulse. It doesn't require to..., how to awaken sex impulse. Natural. Similarly, *kṛṣṇa-bhakti* is our natural inheritance because we are part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa, or sons of Kṛṣṇa. *Ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā*. It is the same example, that as the mother and the child has got natural affection, similarly, with Bhagavān we have got natural affection. Bhagavān has got natural affection for us, and we have got also natural affection for Bhagavān. And the external covering which checks this natural affection, this is called *māyā.* Just like touch... What is called, magnetic stone? Magnetic stone naturally attracts the iron, and iron is naturally attracted by the magnetic stone. Similarly, *kṛṣṇa-bhakti* is not something which is unnaturally taught or unnaturally gained, artificial. --- **[1976: Press Interview](spoken/1976/761231iv.bom)** > We are follower of Kṛṣṇa. "This is a place of suffering. And if you come to Me, then your suffering ends." So this world is condemned either by Śaṅkarācārya or others, everyone. But the modern rascals, they have taken this world as everything. Therefore they are in ignorance. Do you follow? They have taken this world, this life of fifty years or sixty years, at most hundred years, as reality. These rascals have no knowledge that we have life after annihilation of this body. *Tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ*, who knows it? Bring big, big men, big, big politician. > They do not know. Life's mission is how to achieve the platform where I can talk with Kṛṣṇa, I can talk with Lord. Where is that? Nobody knows that. They do not believe there is Kṛṣṇa, there is Lord, there is God and you can see Him, you can talk with Him. They do not believe. Mostly impersonalists. And impersonalists, they're all mostly atheists. So what they'll do by jugglery and this magic? This magic will be finished within twenty or fifty years. That will be finished. Show this magic, that "No! No more death." That is real magic. What is this magic? In a moment you'll be slapped and go. Then *tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ*. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761231r1.bom)** > Therefore in spite of so many *Gītā* commentators, big, big leaders, scholars, not a single person is converted into a devotee. Not a single person amongst their followers. It's useless talking. Therefore it is forbidden. *Avaiṣṇava-mukhodgīrṇaṁ pūtam...* [Padma Purāṇa]. Because they are not Vaiṣṇava, politicians and..., reject them immediately. Immediately reject them. That is the injunction. I wrote Mahatma Gandhi that "You are so respectful. People have got... Now you have got your *svarāja.* Please take *Bhagavad-gītā* seriously and let us preach." >for some purpose. Therefore they are called *karmīs.* Actually, it is for satisfying Viṣṇu. Without Viṣṇu's satisfaction nothing can be done. So those who are desiring some material grants, they used to perform this ritualistic ceremonies. It is not for the devotee. --- **[1976: Room Conversation](spoken/1976/761231r2.bom)** > I take it seriously still now. That is my life and soul. I never tried in India to construct big temples, or even in your country we didn't. I never tried. But I was selling personally books. That is the history. Sometimes they are criticizing, "What kind of *sannyāsī?* He is doing book business." [laughs] The other day that..., what is his name? Bachu Bhai came. Bachu Bhai Dresswalla. > So I became his guest for fifteen days. He wanted to stay. I stayed for fifteen days. I first..., my requisition was that "You must give me exclusive typewriter for writing my books." So he gave me. And if I would have asked for typewriter, he would have given. But I was working with my broken typewriter. I went to our Tīrtha Mahārāja in Māyāpur, that "You give me a room [Śrīla Prabhupāda taps on table] and a typewriter, [tap] and print my books. [tap] Give me some *sannyāsa* [tap]. I join you." --- ## Letters on December 31 *Letters from this day: 25* --- **[1967: Letter to Rayarama](letters/1967/671231_rayarama)** > Here, all the students, especially Gaurasundara and Govinda dasi are taking my personal care. Upendra and Uddhava they are personally cooking for me, and Mukunda is personally looking after my permanent visa. --- **[1968: Letter to Brahmananda](letters/1968/681231_brahmananda)** > I have seen with very much pleasure the floor plan to our new temple. You have done nicely in arranging the placement of the various items in the temple. Having the guests enter through the store area is all right and will be good advertisement. --- **[1968: Letter to Satsvarupa](letters/1968/681231_satsvarupa)** > I am so pleased to see this wonderful portrait and please convey my hearty thanks to Jadurani for her fine endeavors. --- **[1968: Letter to Sivananda](letters/1968/681231_sivananda)** > First of all, I must inform you that Vamanadeva's advice that first you should make a move and then consult your spiritual master is most unauthorized. --- **[1970: Letter to Mukunda](letters/1970/701231_mukunda)** > The idea of having our temple in Regents Park was with the understanding that the government would give us a suitable plot to build on. --- **[1970: Letter to Murari](letters/1970/701231_murari)** > I am very glad to hear that you are working cooperatively with Mukunda in managing London temple affairs. Mukunda is a very intelligent boy and I am pleased to learn that he has again taken an active part in such affairs. --- **[1971: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1971/711231_bali-mardana)** > We purchased the press in the first place with the purpose of printing our books and magazine. But this has never really been done successfully. So I like very much your proposal to manage ISKCON PRESS. --- **[1971: Letter to Jadurani](letters/1971/711231_jadurani)** > In reply to your question whether TLC or the original cover of Srimad-Bhagavatam gives the authoritative picture of the hand symbols, what is written in TLC is correct. On page 69 of TLC first there is a description of the symbols for Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. Then follows a description of the representations of Narayana. --- **[1972: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1972/721231_bali-mardana)** > I am most pleased to note from that income statement that since June your monthly income has doubled and that for six months you have collected $245,000. --- **[1972: Letter to Dhananjaya](letters/1972/721231_dhananjaya)** > I have heard also from Revatinandana Svami how the things are going there, and his report is also very much encouraging to me. --- **[1972: Letter to Gurudasa Yamuna](letters/1972/721231_gurudasa_yamuna)** > Your letters of December 23, 1972, are in hand, along with the very nice photos of the Vrndaban work, as well as the balance sheet and account of materials and supplies. --- **[1972: Letter to Revatinandana](letters/1972/721231_revatinandana)** > ACBS/sda n.b. Regarding your question about sufferings of master, you can simply ponder over Lord Christ's crucification. --- **[1972: Letter to Sankarsana](letters/1972/721231_sankarsana)** > Regarding your question whether some small lies may be said in order to sell our books, I have already replied to Bai Mardan on that point and a copy of his letter is enclosed herewith. --- **[1973: Letter to Tamala Krsna](letters/1973/731231_tamala_krsna)** > I have recently received one letter from Sridhara das Brahmacari who has left Bombay and gone to Vrindaban. --- **[1974: Letter to Bali-Mardana](letters/1974/741231_bali-mardana)** > So, I wanted to go to Hawaii immediately, but the Bombay business has obliged me to stay here a few days more. After this, I have a program to go to Mexico, so I was thinking of going via Hawaii and to meet you all to study personally what can be done for all the misunderstandings that have taken place. --- **[1974: Letter to Gopala Krsna](letters/1974/741231_gopala_krsna)** > The only thing I am thinking is that you are getting good money to be used for Krishna. --- **[1974: Letter to Gurudasa](letters/1974/741231_gurudasa)** > You also organize a party like Tamala Krishna's and preach like that. I like that-more of preaching. Better take sannyasa like Tamala Krishna Gosvami. --- **[1974: Letter to Gurukrpa](letters/1974/741231_gurukrpa)** > If there is any US bank (I think there is one Liberty Bank), you can remit through their Hawaii branch. You can open an account, HONOLULU TEMPLE CONSTRUCTION account.*. --- **[1974: Letter to Hansadutta](letters/1974/741231_hansadutta)** > Now, considering the European situation in a meeting between Myself, yourself and Bhagavan das, I think Madhavananda should become president of London and Prabhavisnu should become president of Amsterdam and you can arrange this. --- **[1974: Letter to Nara-Narayana](letters/1974/741231_nara-narayana)** > For the time being, continue doing what you are doing consulting Hansadutta and others. Whatever income you are getting, give to the temple. Go regularly to the temple and raise your child. --- **[1974: Letter to Pancadravida](letters/1974/741231_pancadravida)** > Sachdeva, instead of writing him, because I am unknown to him, I am thinking of going to talk with him directly. If it is very difficult to pull on there, then there is good field in Fiji. --- **[1975: Letter to Kirtiraja](letters/1975/751231_kirtiraja)** > We have got so many big big books now, so any sane man will appreciate them, you simply have to present them, that's all. It is being done all over the world and professors and scholars are appreciating them by writing reviews and introducing them as standard text books in their university courses. --- **[1975: Letter to Madhudvisa](letters/1975/751231_madhudvisa)** > Thousands of Caitanya Mahaprabhu temples may be established all over Australia so that I may receive one invitation card at least every month. --- **[1975: Letter to Mahavisnu](letters/1975/751231_mahavisnu)** > It is very unfortunate that Savitri devi dasi met with such a bad accident. Even a great devotee like Bhisma met his end by being pierced with hundreds of arrows, but he was so powerful that he waited in that condition to see Lord Krishna before he passed away. --- **[1975: Letter to Yuvraj Thakura Sahib](letters/1975/751231_yuvraj_thakura_sahib)** > I am prepared to organize Gujarat by traveling village to village. You said that you could help me in this respect and also supply a car. So as soon as it is ready I shall accept, please let me know. ---