Srila Prabhupada Glossary and info.

SRILA PRABHUPADA GLOSSARY AND INFORMATION, A VAST STOREHOUSE OF TRANSCENDENTAL INFORMATION. August 2020

(Srila Prabhupada uses the word “glossary” himself in SB 4.28.65)

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ABHADRA, asura, raksasa 760407sb.vrn

means bad 751211sb.vrn

Abhadra means abominable 690611SB.NV

ABHIDEYA: The living entity’s understanding of this relationship (with Krishna) and his acting accordingly is called abhidheya. CCM20.124

Devotional service, or sense activity for the satisfaction of the Lord, is called abhidheya because it can develop one’s original love of Godhead, which is the goal of life. CCM20.125

“The conclusion is that devotional service is the only means for approaching the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This system is therefore called abhidheya. This is the verdict of all revealed scriptures.” CCM 20.139

When by learning from the self-realized spiritual master one actually engages himself in the service of Lord Vishnu, functional devotional service begins. The procedures of this devotional service are known as abhidheya, or actions one is dutybound to perform. CC Adi 1.47 p.

ABHIJNAH Now the Absolute Truth, if he is the supreme cause of all emanation, then what are the symptoms? The Bhägavata said that he must be cognizant. He’s not dead. He must be cognizant. And what kind of cognizance? Anvayäd itarataç cärtheñu. Just like I am cognizant, you are also cognizant. But I do not know myself, how many hairs are there in my body. I’m claiming this is my head. But If ask anybody, “Do you know how many hairs you have got in your body?” That kind of knowledge is not knowledge. But the Supreme, Bhägavata says that He knows everything directly and indirectly. I know I am eating, but I do not know how my eating process is helping my circulation of blood, how it is being transformed, how it is working, how it going through the veins. I do not know anything. But God must be He who knows everything, every corner of His creation what is going on He must know. Therefore the Bhägavata explains, that Supreme Truth, from whom everything is emanated, He must be supremely cognizant. Abhijïaù. Abhijïaù means cognizant. 690216BG.NY

ABHINIVESA Actually, we living entities, we are within the body. The bodily pains and pleasure are not the pains and pleasure of the soul within. It is simply abhiniveśa. It is called abhiniveśa, absorption or misidentify. The example I have given many times, just like you are sitting in a nice motorcar; another man is sitting on a rickshaw. I have seen in India. 730820BG.Lon

ABSOLUTE / RELATIVE Just like in the relative world… This is relative world. Material world means the relative world. Relative world means the son. As soon as I say “the son,” there must be a father. As soon as I say “friend,” there must be another man, friend. As soon as I say “water,” there must be something as water. But in the Absolute world, the name water and the water is the same. This is called Absolute, no different separation. So in the kingdom of God, the God is God and His son is also God. There the everything—there is no difference between the name and the substance. Here in this material world the name and the substance, different. Just like if I am thirsty, I want water. So the water must come to me. If I simply chant, “Water, water, water,” that will not be effective, because it is relative world. But in the transcendental world, Kṛṣṇa is the name of God and it is God also. So by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, you are directly in contact with God. This is the meaning of Hare Kṛṣṇa. Directly in contact. 740627BG.Mel

Academic knowledge Academic knowledge, scholarship, high position, etc., are all useless in solving the problems of life; help can be given only by a spiritual master like Krishna. BGAII 2.8 p.

ACARA & VICARA So na çaucaà näpi cäcäraù. Äcära. Äcära and vicära, there are two things. Vicära means consideration. That is vicära. Just like vicära-pati The high-court judge is called vicära-pati. Two opposite party presenting their grievances, and he will consider and give his judgment. So vicära-paëòita. Unless one is very learned, he cannot consider things. But äcära. Äcära everyone can do. Äcära means just like to rise early in the morning, to take bath, chant Hare Kåñëa, have tilaka, observe maìgala-ärati. This is called äcära. Then there is hygienic. And vicära means consideration. So in the asuras, both things are lacking. Neither there is äcära nor vicära. Therefore it is said, na çaucaà näpi ca äcäraù. Äcärya…, you have heard the name äcärya. Äcärya means he teaches by personal behavior. Just like I teach you, “No intoxication.” So if I am addicted to intoxication and if I say that “You don’t take any intoxication,” then who will care for me? This is therefore äcära. Äcärati. Practically you have to behave; then you can preach. Otherwise you cannot become äcärya. Äcärya means one who practices the äcära and then teaches. He is äcärya. So äcära. 761215BG.Hyd

ACARYA

Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura explains that unless one is directly empowered by the causeless mercy of Krishna, one cannot become the spiritual master of the entire world (jagad-guru). One cannot become an äcärya simply by mental speculation. The true äcärya presents Krishna to everyone by preaching the holy name of the Lord throughout the world. Thus the conditioned souls, purified by chanting the holy name, are liberated from the blazing fire of material existence. In this way, spiritual benefit grows increasingly full, like the waxing moon in the sky. The true äcärya, the spiritual master of the entire world, must be considered an incarnation of Kåñëa’s mercy. Indeed, he is personally embracing Kåñëa. He is therefore the spiritual master of all the varëas (brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya and çüdra) and all the äçramas (brahmacarya, gåhastha, vänaprastha and sannyäsa). Since he is understood to be the most advanced devotee, he is called paramahaàsa-öhäkura. Öhäkura is a title of honor offered to the paramahaàsa. Therefore one who acts as an äcärya, directly presenting Lord Kåñëa by spreading His name and fame, is also to be called paramahaàsa-öhäkura. CC Antya 7.12 p.

The spiritual master is also called äcärya, or a transcendental professor of spiritual science. ……………..In the Väyu Puräëa an äcärya is defined as one who knows the import of all Vedic literatures, abides by their rules and regulations, and teaches his disciples to act in the same way. ……………….Therefore in the dealings of an äcärya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called äçraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter……………….

If one poses himself as an äcärya but does not have an attitude of servitorship to the Lord, he must be considered an offender, and this offensive attitude disqualifies him from being an äcärya. Adi 1.46 p

Vaiṣṇavism is like that. Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. Mahājano yena gataḥ sa panthāḥ. Vaiṣṇava should follow his previous mahājana, authority. That is Vaiṣṇavism. We don’t manufacture ideas. We don’t commit such rascaldom. We simply accept the behavior or the activities of previous ācārya. There is no difficulty. There is no difficulty.

So in the fighting principle, Arjuna is fighting for Kṛṣṇa. He is following the previous fighting ācārya, Hanumānji. Therefore he has depicted his flag with Hanumān, that “Hanumānji, Vajrāṅgajī, kindly help me.” This is Vaiṣṇavism. “I have come here to fight for Lord Kṛṣṇa. You fought also for the Lord. Kindly help me.” This is the idea. Kapi-dhvajaḥ. So any activities of the Vaiṣṇava, they should always pray to the previous ācārya, “Kindly help me. Kindly…” This is…, Vaiṣṇava is always thinking himself helpless. Helpless. And begging help from the previous ācārya.

Just like in Caitanya-caritāmṛta you will find, the author, at the end of every chapter:

śrī rūpa-raghunātha-pade yāra āśa
caitanya-caritāmṛta kahe kṛṣṇadāsa
[Cc. Adi 1.110]

His every line, he is thinking of Rūpa-Raghunātha, previous ācāryas. “So let me surrender to the gosvāmīs, and they will help me how to write.” You cannot write. That is not possible. ………. So this is Vaiṣṇavism, to follow the previous ācārya. This is Vaiṣṇavism. 730717BG.LON

It is the duty of the äcärya, the spiritual master, to find the ways and means for his disciple to fix his mind on Kåñëa. That is the beginning of sädhana-bhakti. NOD p.21

When a person actually revives his consciousness with thoughts of Krishna by the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he revives his spiritual life and becomes addicted to the service of the Lord. Only then can he act as an acarya. CCM 7.152 P

I am the principal Acarya or Chief Minister of the organization. 680611let.JA Hamilton

But those who are actually äcäryas, those who can guide us, like Shankaräcärya, Rämänujäcärya, Madhväcärya, big, big…, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, they do not say like this, that “It is mythology. It is imaginary.” They accept as it is. So we have to follow these mahäjana. Mahäjano yena gataù sa panthäù dharmasya tattvaà nihito guhäyäm [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. We have to follow great personalities, äcäryas. äcäryavän puruño veda. One who has got, one who has taken shelter of äcärya, bona fide spiritual master, he knows. Äcäryavän puruño veda. Because he is receiving the right knowledge from the right source, äcärya… Evaà paramparä-präptam imaà räjarñayo viduù [Bg. 4.2]. Äcärya means by disciplic succession. As Krishna says, disciplic succession, all the äcäryas will say the same thing. They will not change, they will not interpret. They can explain. But the original fact is not distorted. That is äcärya. Äcärya will never say that “Krishna is material. Krishna… There was no such thing as Krishna. There was no such battle, Battle of Kurukñetra. These are all imaginary.” So if we don’t want to be cheated, then we should take Krishna as He is presenting Himself and as it is confirmed by the äcäryas. Then our knowledge is perfect. 730714BG.Lon

So one must give an interpretation on the Vedänta philosophy; then he’ll be accepted as äcärya. Three things: Vedänta philosophy, Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. One must be able to explain these three books. Then he’ll be accepted äcärya. These are the principles.661226CC.NY

In this way, Vedänta-sütra means, gives you the whole purpose of Vedas, knowledge, in small code words. So to understand these code words, one must have very big brain, or very highly standard educational qualification. Then… All the äcäryas, those who are controlling Vedic civilization, like Çaìkaräcärya, Madhväcärya, Rämänujäcärya, they have all written their commentaries on the Vedänta-sütra. Because unless one explains Vedänta-sütra, he’ll not be accepted as an authorized äcärya. He’s not… Not that anyone can become äcärya. He must give explanation of the Vedänta-sütra, prasthäna-traya. There is system. 720521le.La

means one who knows the intricacies of Vedic knowledge and he personally behaves in terms of that knowledge and teaches his disciple in terms of that knowledge. Äcärya means the person whose behavior is to be followed. Not that as we follow somebody according to our taste. Not like that. That äcärya comes in the standard disciplic succession.690409sb.ny

the teacher or spiritual master who instructs Vedic knowledge by his personal behavior wfw SB 6.7.29-30

The spiritual master is also called äcärya, or a transcendental professor of spiritual science. The Manu-saàhitä (2.140) explains the duties of an äcärya, describing that a bona fide spiritual master accepts charge of disciples, teaches them the Vedic knowledge with all its intricacies, and gives them their second birth. The ceremony performed to initiate a disciple into the study of spiritual science is called upanéti, or the function that brings one nearer to the spiritual master. One who cannot be brought nearer to a spiritual master cannot have a sacred thread, and thus he is indicated to be a çüdra. The sacred thread on the body of a brähmaëa, kñatriya or vaiçya is a symbol of initiation by the spiritual master; it is worth nothing if worn merely to boast of high parentage. The duty of the spiritual master is to initiate a disciple with the sacred thread ceremony, and after this saàskära, or purificatory process, the spiritual master actually begins to teach the disciple about the Vedas. A person born a çüdra is not barred from such spiritual initiation, provided he is approved by the spiritual master, who is duly authorized to award a disciple the right to be a brähmaëa if he finds him perfectly qualified. In the Väyu Puräëa an äcärya is defined as one who knows the import of all Vedic literatures, abides by their rules and regulations, and teaches his disciples to act in the same way.

Only out of His immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master. Therefore in the dealings of an äcärya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called äçraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter. CC Adi 1.46

This sort of serious interest in the welfare of the public makes one a bona fide äcärya. An äcärya does not exploit his followers. Since the äcärya is a confidential servitor of the Lord, his heart is always full of compassion for humanity in its suffering. He knows that all suffering is due to the absence of devotional service to the Lord, and therefore he always tries to find ways to change people’s activities, making them favorable for the attainment of devotion. That is the qualification of an äcärya. ……… The function of the äcärya, however, is to change the activities of both the first-class and third class prisoners for their real benefit. This endeavor makes him a very dear devotee of the Lord, who says clearly in the Bhagavad-gétä that no one in human society is dearer to Him than a devotee who constantly engages in His service by finding ways to preach the message of Godhead for the real benefit of the world. The so-called äcäryas of the Age of Kali are more concerned with exploiting the resources of their followers than mitigating their miseries; but Çré Advaita Prabhu, as an ideal äcärya, was concerned with improving the condition of the world situation. Adi 3.98

Every student is expected to become Acarya. Acarya means one who knows the scriptural injunctions and follows them practically in life, and teaches them to his disciples. I have given you sannyasa with the great hope that in my absence you will preach the cult thruout the world and thus become recognized by Krishna as the most sincere servant of the Lord. So I’m very pleased that you have not deviated from the principles I have taught, and thus with power of attorney go on preaching Krishna consciousness, that will make me very happy as it is confirmed in the Guru vastakam yasya prasadat bhagavata prasadah just by satisfying your Spiritual Master who is accepted as the bona fide representative of the Lord you satisfy Krishna immediately without any doubt. 751202let.TustaKrishnaSwami

These Mahatmas are always anxious to preach the universal message of peace mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita and it does not matter in whatsoever Ashram he belongs to. Arjuna was a householder Ksatriya and was fighting for the interest of the Lord and as such he was the first Acarya in the parampara line. 580826let.birla

I hope you will not misunderstand the position of the Acarya who is so important a figure in the matter of learning the transcendental science. The Acarya is the direct representative of the Personality of Godhead. And no body can claim to become a bona fide Acarya if he has not strictly followed the footprints of the previous Acaryas authorized in the matter. The whole thing has been disturbed in the set of Sanatana Dharma only by violating this principle of following the Acarya. So far the Bhagavad-gita is concerned every one, let him be a very great scholar in the mundane sense, must be in confirmed position along with the mode of understanding of Sri Arjuna. That is the crucial point of testing an Acarya false or real Sri Arjuna is the first man to understand Geeta and the mode of his understanding is clearly defined in the Bhagavad-gita. So there is no difficulty in testing an Acarya whether he is false or bona fide. …. Such devotees of Krishna are actually Mahatma. Such Mahatmas are very rare. They are seen always engaged in the transcendental service of the Lord especially in the preaching work of the Lord’s glories in His different energies namely the material as well as the spiritual which are described in the Bhagavad-gita as the Para and the Apara Prakrtis. These Mahatmas are always anxious to preach the universal message of peace mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita and it does not matter in whatsoever Ashram he belongs to. Arjuna was a householder Ksatriya and was fighting for the interest of the Lord and as such he was the first Acarya in the parampara line. 580826let.JBirla

ACCOUNTING

There are two things in accounting; one thing is I am receiving some amount, and the other thing is I am paying some amount. The paying or receiving will come under certain account. Whatever I receive is put under debtor column. Debtor means receiver, and the particular begins with the word “to.” Whatever I am paying is entered into the creditor column. Creditor means payer. In this way, after the whole day’s transactions, you make a total of the debtor column and creditor column, and if there is any balance, it is adjusted by the words “balance carried forward.” This balance is entered in the creditor column. So we have to see that the amount in the debtor column and the amount in the creditor column is equal. This is called a correct account. Next day you begin with “To Balance B.F.” That means whatever balance you had the day before you put in the debtor column with particulars To Balance B.F.. Then begin your transactions as in the previous day. This is the system of keeping an account in general. For the time being, keep your account in that way, and later on, as you inquire, I will let you know more about how to keep books. 690508let.KrishnaDas

Do the account under Mr. Vyasa’ instruction. They must not remain loose. Accounting is simple, receipts and expenditures. Why complicated? From all centres receipts and expenditures should be taken and everything properly adjusted in the Bombay centre. Do it nicely. 751022let.Giriraja

I have received the weekly cash reports. It is very good that you have the same treasury system and reporting system in all your temples. This is wanted. Please keep the accounts very correctly so that we may remain always above suspicion.

751114let.Bhagavan

ACTION Your fifth question, “Is this understanding of verse 18, chap. 4, correct; that the sage sees material activities as zero (inaction in action) and sees the devotee seated chanting as eternally active (action in inaction)?” Yes, action in inaction—action means to do something of which the result is enjoyed by the doer; that is action. But when things are done for Krishna, the result is enjoyed by Krishna. When we put ourselves in the position of enjoying good or bad reaction, then we suffer or enjoy. But action in Krishna Consciousness has nothing to do with such material suffering or enjoying. Therefore action in Krishna Consciousness is inaction, whereas a person doing nothing materially may appear to be inaction to others, but actually he is doing something for Krishna. In other words, the materialist thinks of the devotees as inactive. Similarly, the devotees think of the karmis as inactive—simply spoiling time, building sandcastles. 690314let.Rupanuga

ACYUTA Cyuta means fallen, and acyuta means not fallen. 730718bg.lon

ACYUTA BHAVA Acyuta-bhäva. Acyuta-bhäva means bhakti, acyuta-bhäva. Just like here, in this temple, there is Acyuta-bhäva. Acyuta-bhäva means Kåñëa consciousness. 690611SB.NV

ADHAH: Upari adhaù. Adhaù means down. 730719bg.lon

ADHIBAUTIKA miseries brought about by other living entities SB 4.29.23-25 troubles offered by other living entities 760628sb.nv

ADHIBHAUTIKA means “You are envious of me, I am envious of you.” So there is always cold war, struggle 730710bg.lon

ADHIDAIVIKA, troubles offered by nature or the demigods.760628sb.nv

ADHIKARI

Adhikäré, which means ’one who is empowered to worship the Lord.’ Adi 11.24p.

An adhikäré is one who knows the transcendental science of Kåñëa and is engaged in His service; therefore all gåhastha devotees are designated as däsa adhikäré. CCM 7.63 P

the authority wfw CCM4.41

ADHYÄTMIKA Pertaining to the body, we feel so many troubles due to the body, due to the mind. 760628sb.nv

ADMINISTRATION

Our administration may be not very perfect, but that fact is that as soon as one is in contact with Krishna he will be happy. 690815let.Madhudvisa

So there is ample opportunity of cooperation in good will, and if we continue like that, in the near future it may be possible that we completely amalgamate both our institutions. I hope you will give your due consideration to my proposals and shall be glad to hear from you at your earliest convenience. Also please let me know if personally I can become a member of your society under Clause 3 on page 19 of the Memorandum. 690821let.BSBhagavatMaharaja

ADVANCEMENT (MATERIAL -)

You should always think that “What advancement we have made? Have we stopped dying? Have you stopped birth?” There are so many contraceptive method, but the population is increasing, the birth is going on. Similarly we have discovered so many nice medicines, but people are dying. You cannot stop this, birth, death. They are trying to remain as young men, as young women, but they are getting older.

So intelligent men should always keep in front that what advancement we have made—simply struggling. A struggle, a heavy struggle, a hard struggle. That struggle. And we are thinking, “This is advancement.” You struggling just like ass. So the whole day and night you are working.

Actually I am working very hard, but I am thinking that I am advancing. Janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi. We are trying to find out so many medicine, so many humanitarian work. What is that? There is famine, there is struggle. Why don’t you do something so that people will not be anymore in famine, any more in distress; there will be no more scarcity of water. That is required.

So these are the problems, and so however we may solve all these problem, the problem of material existence, birth, death, old age and disease, that cannot be stopped, either you become Brahmā or something like that. That is not possible. That is possible only by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gītā: 721212BG.Ahm

Jaḍa-bidyā yata, māyāra vaibhava, tomāra bhajane bādhā. If, by advancement of civilization, we forget God and forget the mission of our life, that is nothing but to become like an ass. Unnecessary working. The ass… The example is given, the ass, because ass has no sense. He works very hard. The… You have got experience, the washerman’s ass = it is loaded with three tons of cloth and takes it to the ghāṭa and again brings it. And what is the result? He gets little grass. That’s all.

But he has no sense that “This grass, I can get anywhere. Why I am so working hard for this washerman?” Therefore it is ass. I’ll take four cāpāṭis, but I am working so hard that there is no limit of my working. And one day Kṛṣṇa comes = “Please get out.” Finished. So we are all asses. [chuckles] Therefore Kavirāja Gosvāmī says = kṛṣṇa yei bhaje se baḍa catura.Only intelligent man is he who is Kṛṣṇa conscious. Otherwise all asses. 721212BG.Ahm

The more materially you become advanced, the more suffering. Daivé hy eñä guëamayé mama mäyä [Bg. 7.14]. 760918SB.VRN

Actually there is no material advancement in the USA. Material advancement means there is amply opportunity for eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. Superficially, it appears that in the USA there is sufficient provision of eating, sleeping, mating and defending, but actually nobody is safe even in his good apartment. I have got practical experience in New York. Several times my typewriter and tape recorders were stolen and the police could not take any action. There are many persons in the Bowery street, they have no shelter to live. So if a certain fraction of the people are supposed to be very materially happy at the cost of others, that is not material advancement. Had it been so, then why there are so many persons confused and frustrated? So actually there is no material advancement here. Here, I am seeing practically that Gaurasundara, such a nice intelligent and qualified boy, he has to work hard 12 hours simply for his subsistence. I think there are many instances like that, so this is not material advancement. You can call it capitalist advancement, and the reaction for such advancement is communism. Such movement is simply suppressed in your country, but actually the reaction is this. So the Western type of civilization, industrialism and capitalism, is no material advancement. It is material exploitation. When one gets the bare necessities of life, namely peaceful home, sumptuous eating, necessary sex life, and feeling of security, then it is called material advancement. In the absence of such four preliminary necessities of life, it is not at all material advancement—just try to understand. According to Vedic civilization, a man is supposed to be rich when he has got sufficient grains and cows. Here we have neither sufficient grains or cows, but you have got sufficient quantity of papers only—falsely thinking that it is money. When there is some catastrophe, this bunch of papers will neither supply milk or grain. They will be seen only and the man will starve. 690314let.Rupanuga

Professor Einstein or any other big, big scientist, they could not manufacture any scientific instrument and keep it in the custody of his student, that “As soon as I die, you just apply this machine. I shall come alive again.” Where is that freedom? So this so-called scientific improvement, advancement in civilization, it is just like jumping like the dog. That’s all. It has no value. Real value is to understand ätma-tattvam, “What I am? Why death is imposed upon me? I do not wish to die. Why old age is imposed upon me? I do not wish to become old man or old woman. I wish to remain a beautiful young…” “No, sir, that is not possible.” Then where is your freedom? What for you are jumping so much? As soon as the master will call “Yes, sir. Bind me…”

So you are completely under the nature’s control. 740611sb.Paris

ADVANCEMENT (SPIRITUAL –) No Vaisnava says that he is advanced. 741124let.Sukadeva

Advancement in Krishna Consciousness is not the result of material conditions. I shall not expect to find some perfect circumstances of occupational duty which will cause me to be automatically Krishna conscious, no. So why shall I think that by changing this, going here or there, doing something else—why shall I expect that I will become happy by adjusting material conditions in this way? They have not understood. Real attitude of devotional service is, whether I am here or there, whether I am doing this or that, it doesn’t matter, just give me little prasada, little service, or if you make me big leader, that’s all right—that is devotee, satisfied to serve Krishna in any circumstances of life. So try to impress this fact, we should kill this restless spirit. Enthusiasm and patience, these things required. If under changing conditions, I lose my enthusiasm, if I cannot endure the difficulties of my duty, therefore I go away—then how I can be leader? These things must be understood. Otherwise the whole thing will fall. 721105let.Satsvarupa

you should know by now that if you break one of the four regulative principles then you cannot advance. Advancement is possible only by sincere chanting of the Holy Name. So what can I say, you chant and be determined not to engage in this sinful activity again. But there is no use in writing to me that you are doing something sinful and then you continue to do it on some plea. Stop sinful life and be Krishna Conscious, that’s all.

730819let.Meenaketan

So anyone who accepts this body as self, he is animal, he is not human being. That is the beginning of knowledge. People are accepting knowledge from a school, college, university, but at the present moment at least, how many people know that he is not body? Unless we understand this first principle of knowledge, there is no question of spiritual advancement of life. So the beginning of Bhagavad-gétä is to give lesson that we are not this body. 750211bg.mex

ADVERTISING Yes, it is the mercy of Krishna that we have got such an important building in Toronto. It is a top-most triumph. If you can fix up a neon sign always moving with the maha-mantra Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, that will be a great achievement. The sign can be on from evening to mid-night, that will be the proper utilization of such an ideal building and location. 760110let.Visvakarma

ADVICE

the instruction given by one gentleman Mr. Somanatha to go to India as agriculturalists is absurd. Don’t be carried away by all this nonsense advice. So far Indian authority is concerned for preaching work, I am prepared to go to your center for preaching at any time you call me. Your statement that you will try to organize the Hamburg center very nicely and have a smooth running energetic temple when I go there is also very encouraging. Please stick to this principle without any diversion. Take it from me that I am always praying to Lord Krishna for your success in Krishna Consciousness movement. You’re very sincere devotee and if you simply stick to the principles, success is sure for your life. Krishna’s Mercy is always bestowed upon one who is sincerely serving Him. You should not give attention to any outsider’s advice because they are completely unfit to give you advice. Your situation is different. We do not care for any agriculturist or economist. Our only shelter is Krishna. Stick to this principle and success is sure for you. 690309let.Sivananda

AFFECTION for the spiritual master and following the instructions of the Spiritual Master is the same.74.8.20let.RadhaKanta

AFRICA I am awaiting your report on Africa. You see what is the situation in Africa, it appears to be a little mess. 761004let.TamalKrishna

I have just informed Tamala Krishna also, that Africans should not be allowed to live in the temple unless they are danger-proof. Of course you must preach but if you allow them to live you must be little careful—better not to allow. Chant and distribute prasada and let them come, take prasada and become practiced for Krishna consciousness. In suitable cases they can be 1st initiated but no 2nd for the time being. 761005let.Brahmananda

AGASTYA indicates that the senses do not act independently SB 4.28.32

ÄGRAHA means not to accept 760427ar.nz

AHAM BRAMASMI Ahaà brahmäsmi means so ‘ham. These words, Vedic words, are there to indicate that “Qualitatively, I am as good as God. He is spirit soul; I am also spirit soul. He has got creative power; I have got creative power. He has got senses; I have got senses.” Everything just similar, facsimile. In the Bible it is said, “Man is made after God.” Is it not said like that? That means God has exactly the same form. And therefore man is made also, the same form. So in this way both God and the living entities, they are anädi. Anädi, there is no beginning. 741215let.bom

AHAÌGRAHOPÄSANÄ, self-worship, Madhya 1.43

AHANKARA hen the living being thinks himself to be the enjoyer, that is called false ego. His constitutional position is to serve Krishna. So this false egotism degrades him to pollute the intelligence and the mind.

So mind and intelligence are already there in the soul, but in the conditional stage the same mind and intelligence become polluted as false egotism or enjoyer. The bhakti process is to purify everything. The mind is not the soul but is a venue for expressing the soul’s desire. So if the mind is purified, then things go on nicely in its original position. If he does not go on rightly he falls down in conditional life. The whole yogic system is to convert the mind from matter to spirit. You can utilize the mind in both ways. When the mind is spiritually trained up it is the best friend of the soul, and when the mind is materially polluted, it is the worst enemy. 750928let.PremBatra

AHAÌKÄRA

those who were entrapped by the modes of material nature, ahaìkära-vimüòhätmä [Bg 3.27], the material conception of life, false ego… Ahaìkära this is called… Ahaìkära there is. But when we are in a false ahaìkära, that is our cause of all trouble, miseries. Ahaìkära, ahaì… If we become entrapped in false ahaìkära, then we are vimüòhätmä, entrapped by nature. That is the difficulty.

So what is that false ahaìkära? The false ahaìkära is that “I am this body.” This is false ahaìkära: “I am this body.” “I am Indian,” “I am American,” “I am brähmaëa,” “I am kñatriya,” “I am sannyäsé,” “I am brahmacäré,” and so on, so on, so on, so on. All designation of this body. This is false ahaìkära. Therefore Caitanya Mahäprabhu has taught us how to become free from the false ahaìkära. He said that nähaà vipro na yatir vä [Cc. Madhya 13.80, Padyävalé 63]: “I am not a brähmaëa. I am not a sannyäsé. I am not a gåhastha. I am not a vänaprastha. I am not this. I am not that.” All material designations He refused, Caitanya Mahäprabhu. “I am not this, I am not this, I am not this.”761002SB.Vrn

means ego, ego, false conception, that “I am this matter. 661228CC.NY

AHANTA “I am this body” SB 4.26 1-3

AHARA means eating and collection 760427ar.nz

AHLADINI SAKTI pleasure potency 730726bg.lon

AIRPLANE The airplanes in Vaikuntha isn’t exactly like the airplanes here, but it is something like the swan while flying, in shape, with a throne on the back, bedecked all over with golden filigree works, and looking very brilliant. It isn’t a bird flying, but the shape of the plane is like the swan bird flying. 680215let.Jadurany

AJAGARA-VRITTI indicates one who is compared to a python, the big snake that makes no effort to acquire food but rather allows food to come automatically within its mouth. CC M 4.123 P

AKARA means form 680818sb.mon

akar or form of material existence is temporary. 680121let.Janardana

AKASA-PUSPA Äkäça-puñpa means something imaginary, something imaginary. A flower in the sky. A flower should be in the garden, but if somebody imagines the flower in the sky, it is something imaginary. So for a devotee, this heavenly promotion to the heavenly planet is just like a flower in the sky. 730804BG.Lon

AKRURA Shriimatii Kuntii said, ”My dear Krishna, I remember the day when You sent my brother Akruura to gather information about us.

ALL OVER THE WORLD

For the general populace, He performed saìkértana very vigorously. We must also follow these principles in preaching Kåñëa consciousness all over the world. Madhya 8.56

A sober person who can tolerate the urge to speak, the mind’s demands, the actions of anger and the urges of the tongue, belly and genitals is qualified to make disciples all over the world NOI Text 1

ALONE

BHAGAVAD-GITA AS IT IS

1.14 P …the goddess of fortune never lives alone without her husband.

6.10 A transcendentalist should always engage his body, mind and self in relationship with the Supreme; he should live alone in a secluded place and should always carefully control his mind. He should be free from desires and feelings of possessiveness.

6.10 end of purport: He is always aloof from the material platform because he is always transcendental and he is always alone, having nothing to do with persons not in Krsna consciousness. Therefore a person in Krsna consciousness is the perfect yogi.

6.11-12 to practice yoga one should go to a secluded place

12.12 attain peace of mind

13.8-12 Aspiring to live in a solitary place; detachment from the general mass of people vivikta-desa-sevitvam aratir jana-samsadi

That is knowledge.

P. One may test himself by seeing how far he is inclined to live in a solitary place without unwanted association.

18.51-53 Verse:….one who lives in a secluded place

Repeated in the Purport: Such a detached person naturally prefers to live in a secluded place

SRIMAD BHAGAVATAM

It is the duty of a mendicant (parivräjakäcärya) to experience all varieties of God’s creation by traveling alone through all forests, hills, towns, villages, etc., to gain faith in God and strength of mind as well as to enlighten the inhabitants with the message of God. SB 1.6.13

A sannyaasii should always live alone, without company, and he must be fearless. He should never be afraid of living alone, although he is never alone. The Lord is residing in everyone’s heart, and unless one is purified by the prescribed process, one will feel that he is alone. But a man in the renounced order of life must be purified by the process; thus he will feel the presence of the Lord everywhere and will have nothing to fear (such as being without any company).SB 2.2.5 P.

SB 4.27.16-17 The living entity struggles alone against 720 strong warriors and ultimately has to submit to death.

In other words, when disciples are grown up and are able to preach, the spiritual master should retire and sit down in a solitary place to write and execute nirjana-bhajana. This means sitting silently in a solitary place and executing devotional service. This nirjana-bhajana, which is the silent worship of the Supreme Lord, is not possible for a neophyte devotee. SB 4.28.33

SB 7.15.Intro p.196 Thus a grhastha must become a vanaprastha or sannyasi, live in a secluded place

When Caitanya Mahäprabhu was questioned by Prakäçänanda Sarasvaté at Benares, follower of Çaìkara philosophy, that… There was meeting between Caitanya Mahäprabhu… Caitanya Mahäprabhu did not like to meet the Mäyävädé sannyäsés. He used to live alone. But sometimes these Mäyävädé sannyäsés, they were criticizing Him that “This Bengali sannyäsé comes from Bengal, and He does not indulge in reading Brahma-sutra or Vedänta-sütra. He dances and chants with some ecstatic people. What kind of sannyäsé He is?

SB 6.2.15 Vrnd 750918 at 16.30

SB 11.9.10 When many people live together in one place there will undoubtedly be quarreling. And even if only two people live together there will be frivolous conversation and disagreement. Therefore, to avoid conflict, one should live alone, as we learn from the example of the bracelet of the young girl.

SB 11.9.14 A saintly person should remain alone and constantly travel without any fixed residence. Being alert, he should remain secluded and should act in such a way that he is not recognized or noticed by others. Moving without companions, he should not speak more than required.

CAITANYA CARITAMRITA

Caitanya Mahäprabhu continued, “Çré Mädhavendra Puré used to remain alone. He was completely renounced and always very silent. He was uninterested in everything material, and for fear of talking about mundane things, he always lived without a companion.

Madhya 4.179

Because Caitanya Mahaprabhu was angry with devotees for having broken His danda He arrived in Jagannatha Puri alone just before He fainted and Sarvabhauma Battacarya took Him to his house.CCM end of chapter 5, beginning chapter 6

“When a sannyäsé lives in a beautiful, solitary place in the forest and is freed from all material desires, he is called Vana. CCM 6.73

“I shall go to search out Viçvarüpa. Please forgive Me, but I want to go alone; I do not wish to take anyone with Me.

Madhya 7.11

From M7.16 we understand the security reason is first on the list of reasons why one should not travel alone.

M 17.64 The Lord was always very happy to eat these forest vegetables, and He was even happier when He had an opportunity to stay in a solitary place.

Madhya 17.64

M 18.70,71

Seeing a great crowd assemble at Mathurä, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu left and went to Akrüra-tértha. He remained there in a solitary place.

The next day, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu went to Våndävana and took His bath at Käléya Lake and Praskandana.

M 18.80

Therefore Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu would go to Våndävana and sit in a solitary place, where He would chant the holy name until noon.

ISO

P 71 item 17

Letters

I understand that Karatieya has left for San Francisco, and there is no grudge. I hope in the association of the devotees there, he will feel jolly, and his moroseness will be cleared off. So far as you are concerned, I do not think living alone in Honolulu will be very good. If there is possibility of your living in the temple along with the other devotees, then live there. Otherwise you may also return, either in Los Angeles or San Francisco. You can work anywhere because you have got abilities, and from anywhere you can start for Tokyo. So for going to Tokyo it is not very much necessary that you have to remain in Honolulu alone. I do not advise any of my disciples to live alone; that is not good. If Vamanadeva would have lived with you, that would also have been better. So live in the temple, or with Vamanadeva, or else go to Los Angeles or San Francisco. When the time is mature, Krishna will help you to go to Tokyo with some other devotees. We shall see later on.690520let.Sudama

The whole episode was generated by personal grudge. This personal grudge is not inhuman and as I have told many times, that individualism is the cause of personal misunderstanding. When such individualism is employed in the center of Krishna there is no harm even if there is personal misunderstanding. Personal misunderstanding exists even in the higher levels. There is competition of loving Krishna even in the party of Srimati Radharani. It is a kind of rasa to compete in loving affection centering around Krishna. We shall, therefore, try to bring back Hayagriva and Kirtanananda to their senses. 671118let.Brahmananda

This spot life is merely a platform for us to make progress toward going back to home, back to Godhead, therefore we should not be too much concerned with family matters. We are never alone in Krsna consciousness; you have got so many wonderful brothers and sisters who are really your family, and besides that the spiritual master is always in his instructions, and Krsna is there within your heart, so you need not feel you are ever alone. Make Krsna your husband and always think of Him, raise your child up very nicely, chant without fail sixteen rounds of Hare Krsna mantra daily, read Srimad-Bhagavatam at least one hour daily, and in this way without any doubt you will very soon become very happy, and your life will be sublime. 720811let.Gangadevi

Yes there are example of Krsna Conscious persons whose worship was solitary life, and the greatest example is Haridasa Thakura. Haridasa Thakura used to live only in a cave sometimes and would spend his whole time chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra. Similarly Gaura Keshore das Babaji the spiritual master of my guru maharaj would chant alone in a solitary place so as not to be bothered by anyone in his meditation on Krsna. But these great personalities are not to be imitated. If we artificially imitate, out of some negative feeling or out of desire for adoration as a saintly person, it will not be very beneficial. On the authority of Lord Caitanya and my spiritual master, I am requesting my disciples to always stay in the association of devotees and to propagate the sankirtana movement all over the world, so that others may get a chance also to become liberated from the material condition. Prahlada Maharaja prayed I am not satisfied to go back to the kingdom of God alone, but I must bring back with me all these poor fools who have no alternative ultimately than to surrender to You. This form of worship called gostananandi is more superior than the gostananandi or the holy man who lives alone in meditation of the Lord within the heart. This is the estimation of the scripture. 740625let.Jadunandan

Brahmananda Swami seemed to think that you need more men there. His telegram reads, “Trivikrama alone, more men required urgently.” I do not understand what he means by alone. What is this alone? Vaisnava is never alone. When I first came to the United States I was seemingly alone for one year. But I never felt alone. I always felt the presence of my Guru Maharaja. Myself, I was cooking, I was printing books, I was selling books, everything seemingly alone. But I did not lose my determination. Actually you should know this, you are never alone. So local men are coming daily. By good association, good preaching, nice prasadam etc., they can all become devotees. This is Lord Caitanya’s mission to go to every town and village and create Vaisnava spirit in the local men. 741227let.Trivikram

I understand from Satsvarupa that he has gone to Dallas to manage things there because Stoka Krishna has left to Los Angeles. Are you travelling now alone, or what shall be your programme now? This constantly changing managers is not good. We shall develop more progressively by sticking in one place and working, not that one week we have three presidents, that is not good. Our managers should be very responsible for developing their centre to the topmost standard, why this restlessness? It is just like one man is holding government post by getting votes, so today or tomorrow or next day, but he will have to go out, then another man comes, then another, another—in this way, democratic system, no one becomes responsible for the welfare of the citizens, only they want to take for themselves as much as they can before they have to get out, so they do not take real interest in their duty. It is a little like that. My idea is that the leaders must agree to stick at one place, even they may have to remain their life-long, that is the ideal leader, one who is conscious of his duty.

721105let.Hridayananda

They promised before me to follow the principles. If they are not, then they are not allowed to initiate, but if they are actually following, then they are allowed. These things should be raised in our next meeting in Mayapur and decided.

My point is that even if somebody does not go in one line with the rest of the godbrothers, he can remain separately, but it does not mean that he may disobey the principles that I have laid down. So long as one follows the principles, he continues to be my disciple. 751107let.Madhudvisa

You can preach independently as you have suggested, but do not deviate from our principles. You can start out small and then increase it if is successful. I want our men to go town to town village to village to preach Krishna consciousness. 751107let.Revatinandana

Preaching actually (is) done alone, that is the experience we get from the previous acaryas. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was travelling alone and with great difficulty His associates induced Him to accept an assistant. 760906let.GauraGopala

A person desiring liberation from material bondage must give up the association of persons interested in sex life and should not employ his senses externally [in seeing, hearing, talking, walking and so on]. One should always stay in a secluded place, completely fixing his mind at the lotus feet of the unlimited Personality of Godhead, and if one wants any association at all, he should associate with persons similarly engaged. SB 9.6.51

In this way you will follow my example as I did in the beginning at 26 2nd Ave. That is preaching, cooking, writing, talking, chanting everything one man’s show. I never thought about the audience. I was prepared to chant if there were no man to hear me. The principle of chanting is to glorify the Lord and not to attract a crowd. If Krishna hears nicely then he will ask some sincere devotee to gather in such place. Therefore, be advised that thousands of centers may be started if we find out a sincere soul for each and every center. We do not require more men to start. If there is one sincere soul that is sufficient to start a new center.

671111let.Brahmananda

LECTURES

So they, such yogis, as it is recommended here, yogé yuïjéta satatam ätmänam. One who is actually ascendent on the yogic principles, his first function is that he remains alone. He has no society. He cannot remain in society. Yogé yuïjéta satataà rahasi sthitaù, ekäké. Ekäké means alone. Or more clearly it is stated. Ekäké yata-cittätmä niräçér aparigrahaù. Niräçéù, there is no expectation that “By functioning yoga, I shall achieve this power.” And aparigraha, and he does not take anything from anybody. Who is going to give him? He is ekäké, he is alone in a secluded place, in, sometimes in jungle, in forest, in mountain. And who is going to give him anything? He doesn’t expect because he is firmly convinced that “For whom I have become yogi…I am not alone. My Paramätmä is always with me.” He’s a yogi of… Unless…, what kind of yogi he is? He is… Although he remains superficially alone, but he knows that “Wherever I go, my Paramätmä friend, who is sitting with me on my heart, He is with me. So I have nothing to fear. So I have nothing to fear.” Yata-cittätmä. Ekäké yata-cittätmä niräçér aparigrahaù. He does not accept anything for anyone. 660904BG.NY

I am very happy to learn that you are rendering a nice service to Krishna by cooking for him and distributing prasadam to others. The association of devotees is the only solace for our existence. New York might have been a little busier than Boston, but so long it is under the guidance of an experienced devotee, the affairs in both the cases are all right. The tendency for solitude is a kind of reaction on our past material activities, but solitude is not very good for a neophyte. Maya is always trying to attack us, and as soon as she finds some opportunity she tries to inflict her poisonous effects. The best thing is therefore not to seek solitude in the beginning but to remain in the midst of pure devotees so that even there is attack of Maya, their association will protect us. If you are, however, always busy in the matter of preaching work that is very nice. But to remain alone in a solitary place for a new man is not advisable.

Vrindaban is of course, very impressive for devotional service, but that also is not advisable to remain alone. I am trying to get a nice place at Vrindaban and when the place is there, I shall personally be present with some devotees, and appreciate the atmosphere of Vrindaban. So long we are engaged in devotional service with proper guidance certainly we are always in transcendental position, and transcendental position is unlimited, it doesn’t matter whether you are in Vrindaban or U.S.A. But still, for everyone, Vrindaban’s atmosphere is very sweet. But so long we have not completely freed our material attachment, even Vrindaban residence becomes uncongenial. Just like in the case of Kirtanananda, it was so happened. This seeking for solitude is simply a reaction on our past nonsense activities, or it is negation, voidism. Our sound position is always being engaged in service of Krishna, that is the positive standing. 680326let.Yadunandan

ALLAH O AKBAR means Param Brahma 750320Arr.Cal

AMALAM

So Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is amalaṁ purāṇam. Amalam. Mala means dirty things, and amalam means without any dirty things. What is that dirty things? The dirty things means the material modes of nature—sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa, tamo-guṇa.Because it is material it is called mala, dirty. And Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam = amalam, without any material contamination, because simply narration of Bhagavān and Bhagavān’s devotee. Bhāgavata, bhakta. 760910SB.VRN

means free from the modes of passion and ignorance BG 14.14 P

AMALGAMATION Regarding Gaudiya Mission, I am enclosing herewith a copy of the letter addressed to the Secretary Official. You will understand the whole situation. I am prepared to cooperate with the Gaudiya Mission wholeheartedly. I am prepared also to be amalgamated, and they have invited me to go to India to talk frankly, face to face. But unless we have come to some definite understanding, how I can risk the journey which will involve more or less Rs. 25,000? But I am sure if Gaudiya Mission and I combine together, it will be very nice thing to preach the cult of Lord Caitanya all over the world. I can reorganize all the branches of the Gaudiya Math in India, and if there is any financial question, it will be not difficult for our society to help in that way also. So if you can negotiate about our amalgamation on a cooperative basis, it will be great service to Srila Prabhupada. I have not as yet received any reply to the enclosed letter. 690905let.Dr.ShyamSundaraDas

AMERICA (USA)

But this is a scientific process. You Western people, you should try to understand that. And our boys and girls, who have joined, they’re trying to understand, and execute the principles. So if you take up this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, which is meant for the brāhmaṇas, if you become brāhmaṇa by quality, then your…, the Western nations will be…

Especially in America, they’ll be first-class nation. They’ll be first-class nation. You have got intelligence. You have got resources. You are also inquisitive. You catch up good things. So you have got good qualities. You take up this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement seriously and you’ll become the first-class nation of the world. That is my request. 730408BG.NY

So because you are preacher—you are being trained up to become preacher, especially in the Western countries—so it is your duty. I have several times requested you that “You American people, you are fortunate. Janmaiśvarya-śruta-śrīḥ [SB 1.8.26]. You have got the four things. Now, because these people are misusing these four material gains simply for sense gratification, māyā-sukhāya…” Māyā-sukhāya means sense gratification. Māyā… “They should be delivered from these clutches of māyā, and they should take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness.” That is preaching. Preaching is required. That is the mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

741009SB.May

My point is that this Kåñëa consciousness movement has come to your country by the will of Kåñëa. So there is favorable situation because the will of Kåñëa is there, that “Now the Westerners, especially the Americans, they should become Kåñëa conscious.” That is His will. So you take the opportunity, cooperate with Kåñëa, and you will be successful. 760610SB.LA

So actually, if you offer kåñëa-prasäda, fulfilling the whole hall, as many times, fifty-six times… Fifty-six times means you have got only twenty-four hours. How many times in an hour? Without sleeping, without doing anything. Kåñëa will accept. Kåñëa will accept. And I want it. You American people, you have got so much money, you engage your money in that way. Don’t spoil your life by this way and that way. So you can do that. You have got enough, sufficient means to offer Kåñëa fifty-six times. You see? Just see the result. That is utilization. That is karma-yoga. One has the capacity to earn like anything and to spend for Kåñëa like anything. That is karma-yoga.

681220BG.LA

On my arrival in San Francisco amongst my sincere spiritual sons, daughters and practically in my spiritual home in U.S.A., I was so glad to receive your encouraging letter of December 23, 1967 671214let.Rayarama

Your work in America with the God We Trust Party is very inspiring to me. If anywhere they will take seriously the principles of Bhagavad gita As It Is, that will be America. 74.4.28let.Balavanta

…you can assure all your men that I have great hope for Krishna Consciousness in America, more than any other place. And there is no question of repression provided we go on sincerely.74.5.9let.Ramesvara

The American people are very intelligent, therefore I concentrate on the Americans for spreading this movement.74.9.8let.Satsvarupa

I am especially interested to see the Americans spread this movement. America is already blessed by Krishna, and if they become Krishna conscious, they will become more glorious.741116let.Nilambara

America is favored country. Little misguided about spiritual affairs, but if you introduce this Kåñëa consciousness movement in right way, keeping yourself to the standard, then people will accept it gradually. 730413ar.La

It is a fact that the American people are the most fortunate in the world, and that this Krsna consciousness movement is the final touch of fortune. 731016let.Kurushrestha

The US has got immense potentiality for accepting Krishna Consciousness. So, do service to your country-men, as well as Krishna simultaneously. Your country has been glorified on account of her children like you. Krishna has has own plan for using your country-men for this movement. So, accept Krishna’s mercy and do the needful. It is not just my desire, it is the desire of Lord Caitanya, then my Guru Maharaja, then it is my desire, and that desire should be executed by you all; then it will be accepted. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu accepted the Bharata-bhumi, but at least one person from Bharata-bhumi has accepted this cult and handed it over to you so, see that this desire takes practical shape.

750131let.TamalKrishna

If you give the right protection to the cows, then they will give so much milk, that the ground of New Vrndavana will be muddy with milk. European and American civilization will be finished on account of this sinful activity of killing the cows. 750531let.Kirtanananda

Your country is very much liked by me, and I am sure that if your country takes this Krishna consciousness movement than nobody will be able to vanquish America at any time. With this aim in view try to convert your great country to become Krishna conscious. There is a good chance for it, so if you try, you can do it. That is my opinion. I like America very much. So many good boys have come to me from America. Unless your country is good, how could good boys and girls come? You are not poverty sticken. That is a great qualification. You have all good qualities. You are open-minded people. So please go on breaking every month the records of how money you send to BBT. The more you go on in this way, the more your country will go on everlastingly. I see in your country that the girls are being exploited. They are taught to be independent so they become the playthings for sex. So where is the freedom? I want that they live, man and wife together, chant Hare Krishna and be happy. 750926let.Kurushretha

You keep your enlivened position. I was just talking to Hamsaduta about the good fortune of America, that Krishna consciousness is there and if you can cover the whole America with Krishna consciousness that will be good for the whole world. 751209let.Ramesvara

I went to your country with a mission & you all good souls were sent by Krishna to me. So let us cooperatively work together to vigorously spread Krishna Consciousness, to the suffering humanity at large. Your country is great & you are all good sons of America. Spread this knowledge so that America will be still greater in the eyes of the world. Keep this point of view in front of you & all your God-brothers combine together may execute this mission. 671022let.Umapati

ĀMIṢA, meat, egg, fish; 760907SB.VRN

AMRITATVA eternal life CCM 8.89 P

AMSA part is called amsa.we are also very fragmental amsa..(1.3.28) 680818sb.mon

ANA means without SB 4.30.43

ANALOGY

A good analogy utilizes as many similarities between two objects as possible. CC Intro p4

Concerning our use of analogy. We do not bring in imperfect analogy, but we follow the instructions of the Sastras strictly. Our authority is on the basis of Sastra, not analogy. So, Vyasadeva while giving the history of creation says “Janmadyasya . . . adhikavaye” . . . so He impregnated the heart of Brahma with all the designs of creation. So what is wrong there? If I instruct someone you do like this, and he does it, then what is the difficulty? This is the system. Our authority is sastra. We give analogy for the general mass of people who have no faith in sastra. Analogy is not proof; sastra is proof. Foolish people cannot understand or accept, so we use analogy. The conclusion is not drawn from the analogy but from the sastra. We don’t use a combination of logic and authority, we use authority. Logic we use to convince someone who doesn’t accept the authority. The basic principle is authority. Vedas say that cowdung is pure and we accept it. There is no logic, but when we practically use it we see that it is correct. The logic of using analogy is called in the sastra “sakha candra nyaya.” It is easier to focus on the moon through the branches of a tree. The moon is great distance away, and you say that it is just through the branches. So you can focus more easily on the moon because 2 points joined make a straight line. So focusing on the nearby object helps us to focus on the far-away object. This is the use of analogy. 751021let.Satsvarupa

ANGANÄ means woman. To live under the protection of wife. Anganäçraya. So shästra recommends that you give up this anganäçrayam to go to the paramahaàsa-äçrayam. 721121BG.Hyd

ANGER “ISKCON members speak knowingly of happiness. Don’t followers of Kåñëa consciousness ever get angry?” Yes. They can get angry. Why not? They’re very much angry to the nondevotees: “You rascal! Why you have not, are not surrendering yourself to God? You rascal.” Yes. We are angry. This anger is service of Kåñëa. How can I give up anger? But we use anger in a different way, not for our sense gratification: “Why you have not paid me such and such money?” No, we don’t say like that. “Why you are not Kåñëa conscious?” That is our anger. So the anger can be utilized in Kåñëa consciousness. Everything can be utilized in Kåñëa consciousness. Why should I give up anger? Kåñëa is also angry, and I am son of Kåñëa. So anger is in me because I have got the qualities of my father. So how can I give up anger? But I use anger only for Kåñëa. So we do not leave anything, but we utilize everything for Kåñëa. That is our Kåñëa consciousness philosophy. So (reading:) “Don’t followers of Kåñëa consciousness ever get angry?” Yes, we get angry. Why not? We are not artificial. Human nature is to become anger, sometimes satisfied, sometimes… So we utilize this. We are angry when one is not Kåñëa conscious, when he’s against God. 690323le.Haw

If you are always remembering Him by your activities and seeing Krishna everywhere, even in the heart of the demonic persons, then anger will never overcome you, being purified of all false pride. But occasionally if there is good reason, you may have to become angry just to chastise the evil-doers and blasphemers. We have seen that Lord Caitanya once nearly killed Jagai and Madhai for their offenses to His devotee, so, like that, if there is offensive behavior to the pure devotees you may become like Nrsimhadeva and punish them severely. 720829let.Niranjana

ANASAKTI A pure devotee, whose mind is always engaged in the service of the Lord, can certainly appreciate the impermanence of this material world. Although such a devotee may be engaged in executing material activities, this stage is called anäsakti. As explained by Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé, anäsaktasya viñayän yathärham upayuïjataù. A devotee is always unattached to material activities because in the liberated stage his mind is always fixed on the lotus feet of the Lord.SB 4.30.23

ANAVRISTHYA drought SB 12.2.09 also anavristi: scarcity of or no rainfall 760416sb.bom

ANAYARADHITA meaning “by her the Lord is worshiped” CCM8.100 P orig. SB10.30.28

ANDA means it is egg-shaped, round, egg-shaped. Therefore it is called aëòa, brahmäëòa. Bhü-gola. Gola means round. …. anda means egg.. 730730bg.lon

ANNA

Annäd bhavanti bhütäni. If you want to exist, if you want to maintain your body and soul together, then you have to take anna. Anna means foodstuff, or anna means grains, natural food. Generally, anna means foodstuff, and another technical meaning of anna—anna means grains, which is produced from the land for eating of the human being. For human being, so many things are produced from the land: the grains, the fruits, the vegetables, so many things. They are meant for human being. The grains are not meant for the tigers. The grains are meant for the human being. The fruits are meant for the dogs. The fruits are meant for the human being. The milk. The milk is produced by the cow, but it is not meant for the cow. It is meant for the human being. If you offer the milk, 30 pounds of milk, after milking the cow, and if you offer to the cow, it will refuse. It will refuse, “I don’t want it.” Give it dry grass? Oh, it will be very glad. It will be very glad. So everything is organized by the nature.

660523BG.NY

means foodstuff 680818sb.mon

means food grains CCM 4.93

ANTI MATERIAL definitely Srila Pabhupada equates anti-material with spiritual

According to the Visnu Puranam the material energy is called Avidya or nescience which is exhibited in the fruitive activities of sense enjoyment. But the living being belongs to the group of anti-material energy or spiritual energy while he has the tendency of being illusioned and trapped by the material energy for sense enjoyment. 600328let.Naik

ANTI-MATTER This praiidrabya is explained in Gita as paraprakrti or internal energy which is exhibited in the transcendental world. What interpretation I have replied Dr. Naik later. We have one difference of opinion of the scientific statement of antimatter. I have interpreted antimatter as spiritual where there is opposite matter or eternal. Matter is temporary manifestation and I interpreted antimatter as eternal manifestation or paraprakrti. 680121let.Janardana

ANUBHAVA CCM 23.18-19 V1=V2

When the seed of ecstatic emotion for Kåñëa fructifies, the following nine symptoms manifest in one’s behavior: forgiveness, concern that time should not be wasted, detachment, absence of false prestige, hope, eagerness, a taste for chanting the holy name of the Lord, attachment to descriptions of the transcendental qualities of the Lord, and affection for those places where the Lord resides—that is, a temple or a holy place like Våndävana. These are all called anubhäva, subordinate signs of ecstatic emotion. They are visible in a person in whose heart the seed of love of God has begun to fructify.’

ANUKARA means “imitating,” and anusara means “trying to follow in the footsteps.” We should not try to imitate the activities of a mahä-bhägavata or Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Our best efforts should be exerted in trying to follow them according to our ability. Madhya 17.31 also 690501na.Boston

ANUSARA means “trying to follow in the footsteps.” We should not try to imitate the activities of a mahä-bhägavata or Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Our best efforts should be exerted in trying to follow them according to our ability. Madhya 17.31 also 690501na.Boston

ANXIETY So these rascals they do not come to sense that “I am permanent. Why I am after nonpermanent.” If I am always busy for comforts of this body, but I know that this body, today or tomorrow or a hundred years after will be finished and so far I am concerned, I am spirit soul, I have no birth, I have no death. Then what is my function? It is the bodily function, so, far I am doing, these material activities. Therefore Prahläda Mahäräja said asad-grahät. Just see how nice. They are anxious, they are full of anxiety because they have captured something nonpermanent. Their whole activities are targetted to capture something nonpermanent. Therefore they are always full of anxieties. 690216BG.LA

ANYABHILASA “desires other than those directed toward serving Lord Krishna” Renunciation Through Wisdom. 2.

APA means perverted 730710rc.lon

APABHRAMSA: perverted spelling (kristo is —–of Krishna) 730710rc.lon

APATYA means children. 730721bg.lon

APAVARGA liberation SB 4.30.30

Material life is called pavarga because here we are subject to five different states of suffering, represented by the letters pa, pha, ba, bha and ma. Pa means pariçrama, very hard labor. Pha means phena, or foam from the mouth. For example, sometimes we see a horse foaming at the mouth with heavy labor. Ba means byarthatä, disappointment. In spite of so much hard labor, at the end we find disappointment. Bha means bhaya, or fear. In material life, one is always in the blazing fire of fear, since no one knows what will happen next. Finally, ma means måtyu, or death. When one attempts to nullify these five different statuses of life—pa, pha, ba, bha and ma—one achieves apavarga, or liberation from the punishment of material existence. SB7.13.25 P

APRAKRITA: the antimaterial world CCM 8.139 P

APRAKRITA-MADANA: the Spiritual Cupid CCM 8.139 P

Aprakrita navina madana Krishna, the spiritual ever-fresh Cupid CCM 8.138

AQUARIAN GOSPEL OF LORD JESUS THE CHRIST Regarding Aquarian Gospel of Lord Jesus The Christ, I have taken some stray extracts just to support our views, but we don’t give any importance to that book. The best thing is that we accept Lord Jesus Christ as a great devotee of the Lord and the son of God. It is better not to discuss in any detail about the Christian religion or any other religion. 690914let.TamalKrishna

ARADHYA Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s preaching was based on this principle: premä pumartho mahän. What is the objective of human life? He said that “Objective of human life is to attain love of God.” That’s all. That makes him perfect, nothing more. He…, His mission has been described by one of the äcäryas, Viçvanätha Cakravarté. He has studied. He said that the mission of Lord Caitanya is ärädhyo bhagavän vrajeça-tanaya: “Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is ärädhya.” Ärädhya means He is worshipable. He’s the only worshipable personality. Ärädhyo bhagavän vrajeça-tanaya tad-dhämaà våndävanam: “And as Lord Kåñëa is worshipable, similarly His place of pastimes, Våndävana-dhäma, is also worshipable.” Ärädhyo bhagavän vrajeça-tanaya tad-dhämaà våndävanam. And what is the best kind of worship for Kåñëa? Now, ramyä käcid upäsanä vraja-vadhü-vargeëa yä-kalpitä: “The highest kind of worship is as demonstrated by the damsels of Våndävana, the girlfriends of Kåñëa.” Yes. They had no adulteration. Simply they were always thinking of Kåñëa. 661126cc.ny

ARCANA-PADDHATI What are those Bengali dramas that Nitai is working on? He should work on arcana-paddhati, not divert his attention here and there. He should make Hari-bhakti-Vilasa into short cut, not more than twenty pages. He can consult Nrsimha Vallabha Goswami for help in this matter. This should be his first consideration now. 760113let.Akshayananda

Now beginning from this year’s Mayapur festival the devotees will begin preparing for Bhakti-sastri examination. Therefore we require a guidebook for Deity worship, arcana-paddhati, based on Hari-bhakti-Vilasa. All brahmanas will be responsible to learn this book. I would like to have the manuscript ready as soon as possible, preferably by Gaura Purnima. So please work diligently for this. Pradyumna began this, but I do not know what he has done with his work. 760109let.Nitai

ARCA-VIGRAHA = arcavatara SB 4.30.27

ARDHA-KUKKUTI-NYAYA If you have faith in one but disrespect the other, your logic is like the logic of accepting half a hen. ADI 5.176

ARJAVAM The present environment is undoubtedly different from the old. And if we compare the present with the old—we can very easily discover that:

1) People in the present age are generally short-living, the average duration of life being thirty years or so.

2) They are generally not very simple. Almost every man is designing and crooked.

520120let.JawaharlalNehru

ARJUNA Arjuna, Yudhisthira Maharaja, and Draupadi were not killed in the battle. They are always personal associates of Krishna. Wherever Krishna goes, they go. The Bhagavad-gita says: bahuni me vyatitani janmani tava carjuna. “Both you and I have passed many lives; I remember, but you do not.” 760216let.Gadi

ARMY In Dallas there is one former army base which is now vacant that has a number of buildings and enough land. It is located about 70 miles from the city of Dallas. So you should immediately correspond with Jagadisa. It is very big and nice. I think we should take it for the Bhaktivedanta Institute. The climate there is also nice. 751112let.SwarupaDamodara

So far my name being inserted just on the left hand of the Lord, is also very much appreciated. It is not exactly on the Head, but it is on the left Arm, so we are Arms of the Lord, because we are fighting against the influence of Maya, or the non-devotees. Actually we the Krishna Conscious people are soldiers of the Lord, or Arms of the Lord, and because we are energy at the same time, because all living entities are energy of the Lord, so energy is always kept on the left side. As you have seen, Radharani is also on the left side of the Lord, and similarly, Laksmiji is also kept on the left side of the Lord, so we are also marginal energy, not exactly like Radharani or Laksmiji, but we are superior energy than matter, or material energy, so we should keep ourself always on the left side of the Lord, and let us act as His Arms, or army.

680822let.Brahmananda

AROPITA: imposition SB 7.1.6

ARPANA

Everything should be offered to the spiritual master as a matter of duty, but the offering should be made to the spiritual master with heart and soul, not artificially to gain material prestige. This offering is called arpana. Moreover one should live among devotees, saintly persons, to learn the etiquette and proper behavior of devotional service. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur remarks in this connection that whatever is offered to the spiritual master, should be offered with love and affection, not for material adoration. Srimad Bhagavatam 7.7.30-31, purport

ARTHA 1) means economic development 751202sb.vrn 2) means money 680315sb.sf

ARTHA 2)means factual profit 680623sb.mon

ARYA wfw advanced in devotional service Madhya 17.165

Arya Hindu Dharma 580826let.JBirla

ARYAN

The word Äryan is applicable to persons who know the value of life and have a civilization based on spiritual realization. BG 2.2 p

means advanced. Formerly those who claimed to be Aryans had to be devotees of the Lord SB 4.30.39-40

One who is advanced in knowledge, in civilization, they are called ärya, Aryan civilization. So in the Aryan civilization there are four divisions to maintain the society in the correct balance.…..Aryan civilization means following the principles of Bhagavad-gétä. 751017bg.joh

The Western people, they are Aryans and ksatriyas in their origin, but due to bad association with the aborigines, they have taken all bad habits and become degenerated. Now we have to revive this Aryan civilization and rectify things. If we do it nicely, then all the Western people will be happy and they will glorify Lord Caitanya. This is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s prediction, “When they will take this Vedic culture, they will applaud Me.” So our mission should be how to have Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu applauded all over the world. His statement is param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. That statement will be fulfilled. That we want to see. 751114let.Bhagavan

ASANKHYA means countless 661222ccny

ASAT means untruth or temporary, which will not exist. 741215sb.bomSat means “effect,” asat means “cause,” and param refers to the ultimate truth, which is transcendental to cause and effect. The cause of the creation is called the mahat-tattva, or total material energy, and its effect is the creation itself. CC Adi 1.53

ASAT SABHAYAH 741004SB.May

ASAYA That is duräçayä. Everything has been discussed. It will never be possible, sir. If you don’t take to Kåñëa consciousness… This is your wrong idea, that you will be able… Duräçayä. Therefore this very word is used, duräçayä. Äçäya. Äçäya means hope. So this is a wrong hope. You cannot. The exact, the same example: If the combined together, all the senses, they pass resolution, “Not to give any food to the stomach, and we shall be easier, not to work so hard”—but that is duräçayä. That is not possible. You are hoping wrongly. That is not possible. 741016SB.May

ASHRAYA (10) Äçraya: the Transcendence, the summum bonum, from whom everything emanates, upon whom everything rests, and in whom everything merges after annihilation. He is the source and support of all. The äçraya is also called the Supreme Brahman, as in the Vedänta-sütra (athäto brahma jijïäsä, janmädy asya yataù [SB 1.1.1]). Çrémad-Bhägavatam especially describes this Supreme Brahman as the äçraya. Çré Kåñëa is this äçraya, and therefore the greatest necessity of life is to study the science of Kåñëa.

Çrémad-Bhägavatam accepts Çré Kåñëa as the shelter of all manifestations because Lord Kåñëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is the ultimate source of everything, the supreme goal of all.

Two different principles are to be considered herein—namely äçraya, the object providing shelter, and äçrita, the dependents requiring shelter. The äçrita exist under the original principle, the äçraya. CCAdi2.91-92

Also mentioned in Adi 2.95 wfw ashrita / ashraya

ASHRAYA VIGRAHA Only out of His immense compassion does the Personality of Godhead reveal Himself as the spiritual master. Therefore in the dealings of an äcärya there are no activities but those of transcendental loving service to the Lord. He is the Supreme Personality of Servitor Godhead. It is worthwhile to take shelter of such a steady devotee, who is called äçraya-vigraha, or the manifestation or form of the Lord of whom one must take shelter. CC Adi 1.46 p.

AS IT IS It is my duty to help you always in the matter of understanding Krishna Consciousness and whatever I am trying to bestow upon you all is the gift of Lord Krishna directly—I am just doing the work of a bearer. There is nothing of my personal contribution and I ask all your mercy so that I may be able to distribute Krishna’s message as it is without any deviation. That will make Krishna, myself, and all others eternally happy. It is so nice, sublime and easy to perform. 680614let.Himavati

One can understand Me as I am … BGAII 18.55

ASS
Jaḍa-bidyā yata, māyāra vaibhava, tomāra bhajane bādhā. If, by advancement of civilization, we forget God and forget the mission of our life, that is nothing but to become like an ass. Unnecessary working. The ass… The example is given, the ass, because ass has no sense. He works very hard. The… You have got experience, the washerman’s ass = it is loaded with three tons of cloth and takes it to the ghāṭa and again brings it. And what is the result? He gets little grass. That’s all.

ASSOCIATION You write that you have desire to avail of my association again, but why do you forget that you are always in association with me? When you are helping my missionary activities I am always thinking of you and you are always thinking of me. That is real association. Just like I always think of my Guru Maharaja every moment, although He is not physically present, and because I am trying to serve Him to my best capacity, I am sure He is helping me by His spiritual blessings. So there are two kinds of association: physical and preceptorial. Physical association is not so important as preceptorial association. ……. The only thing wanted is that we should work very sincerely, with full faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then all help will come automatically. 690817let.GovindaDasi

ASTA-SATTVIKA-VIKARA. it is also stated that one who commits offenses in chanting the Hare Krishna mantra does not achieve love of Godhead, even after chanting for many years. In this connection, Srila Bhaktivinoda Thäkura warns against artificial displays of the bodily symptoms called asta-sättvika-vikära. [Cc. Antya 14.99] That is also an offense. ADI 8 intro

ASTIKIAM

Āstikyam means completely convinced of God and his relationship with God. That is called āstikyam. Or full faith in the statement of the Vedas. Whatever Veda says, that’s right. Yes. No argument. That is called āstikyam. No argument.730902BG.Lon

ASTRAL BODY or subtle body 730729bg.lon

ASTROLOGY Regarding astrology, you should not listen to any of these so-called astrologers—strictly avoid. Don’t even see them. What is the use of seeing them? Astrology is meant for the materialist, but a spiritualist does not care for the future. Everything is dependent upon Krishna. So where is the necessity of astrology? The devotees’ principle is, let there happen anything as Krishna desires. Let me remain sincere devotee, that’s all. Pure devotee is never interested in this astrology. 750109let.DevamayaDD

No, you should not bother with all this nonsense. Astrology will not save you at the time of death. My Guru Maharaja was a great astrologer and astronomer, but he gave it all up. It is meant for the karmis. We have no interest in such things. 750610let.Sanatan

ASTRONOMY According to our sastra, sun is first, then moon, then Venus, Mercury, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn, like that. 751024let.Swarupadamodara

For more information regarding vedic astronomy you can consult any learned astronomer, there are many in Calcutta, my Guru Maharaja was also very learned in this field. 751217let.SwarupaDamodara

ASU: very soon 751211sb.vrn

ATHARVA VEDA first there was only one Veda, Atharva Veda. 661126cc.ny

ATHEISM The desire to merge into the impersonal Brahman is the subtlest type of atheism. As soon as such atheism, disguised in the dress of liberation, is encouraged, one becomes completely unable to traverse the path of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Adi 1.92

ATHEISTS Concerning the distinction between the innocent and the atheists, those who give time to listen to us are innocent. Those who naturally oppose us and have no time are atheists, because we are the only ones talking about God. We don’t talk anything about politics, etc. 760708let.Balavanta

ATI-RATHA MAHÄ-RATHA means alone he could fight with many other charioteers. They are called ati-ratha, mahä-ratha. 730711bg.lon

ATMA Ätmä means mind, ätmä means body, and ätmä means soul. …. So so far nirukta or dictionary is concerned, body, mind, and the spirit soul, everything is called self. 660904bg.ny

ATMA NIVEDANAM Atma-nivedanam means fully surrendered. So there are examples of devotees who, sarvatma-nivedanam. Just like Bali Maharaja. He gave everything to Krishna, even his body, everything, whatever, his kingdom, money, everything. 720527SB.LA

ATOM BOMB The foolish scientist do not know that the atom bomb is actually the scheme of Mother Nature, who is sure to kill the demoniac population when it increases disproportionately. “In search of the Ultimate goal of life.”

ATTRACTION The sum and substance of material life is attraction for the opposite sex. The sum and substance of spiritual life is attraction to Krishna.

So to develop attraction for Krishna is not difficult, you simply have to hear about Krishna, his activities, his name, his form and his teaching in Bhagavad-gita. Naturally you will develop love for Krishna, because we are all part and parcel of Krishna. The beginning process is to Chant Hare Krishna, follow the four regulative principles and associate with devotees, and take Prasadam of Krishna. I think you are now living in the temple of Krishna, so these things will be very easy for you to practice. 751218let.StevenKnapp

ATYÄHÄRAÙ PRAYÄSAÇ CA (NOI 2 and NOI 3)

Rupa Goswami has recommended that for enhancing this spirit of devotional service one should be very enthusiastic, one should be patient, one should be firmly convinced, one should follow the regulative principles rigidly, one’s occupation should be very honest and straightforward, and one should keep company with devotees. Anyone who follows these six principles of devotional life is sure to achieve success. Similarly there are six principles which we should avoid. They are as follows: eating or accumulating money more than necessary, wasting energy for material gain, talking unnecessarily, following the regulative principles fanatically without any sense, not following the regulative principles, and to become too much greedy and associate with persona non-grata. 690523let.IshanDas

The devotee more or less depends on his transcendental enthusiasm, patience and firm conviction. These things will surely help him to reach perfection. 690523let.Tamal

AUSTRALIA I like Australia very much because of your book distribution. 74.9.18let.Madhudvisa

Your book selling report is very encouraging to me, so much so that I want to go there immediately. Anyway as soon as I get opportunity I shall go to Australia to visit all the nice places you have started and stay there for at least two months. Krishna has given you great opportunity to preach the Krishna Caitanya cult in that remote part of the world. The time was there some years ago when Australia would not allow any colored men to enter, but now you have allowed Caitanya Mahaprabhu to enter Australia and inundated the whole country with Hari Nama Sankirtana. Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s another name is Pita Baranara Gaura, so by your combined effort I hope that one day Pita Baranara Gaura will rule over Australia. I think that Australia is a great field for these activities as it is evident from the book sales statistics gradually increasing. I am very much encouraged in this respect. 730903let.Madhudvisa

Bombay

31 December, 1975

My Dear Madhudvisa Maharaja,

Please accept my blessings. Thank you for your nice invitation card. Thousands of Caitanya Mahaprabhu temples may be established all over Australia so that I may receive one invitation card at least every month. Physical health does not allow me to move very much, but my mind is absorbed in thinking of you with blessings of Krishna.

I hope this letter finds you well.

Your ever well-wisher,

AUTHORITY Regarding, Bon Maharaja, I am actually authority accepted by authority. In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is said, krsna sakti vina nahe nama pracar. So, now the Hare Krishna movement is world known, and learned scholars, etc. give plaudits to me as Professor Judah has. So, then why I am not authority? Nobody says Bon Swami has done it, or Vivekananda, or any other swami. There are so many yogis and swamis coming, but nobody is giving credit to them, they are giving the credit to me. So, why I am not an authority? If Krishna accepts me as authority, then who can deny it? Besides that, in 1933, Bon was given the first chance to preach Lord Caitanya’s movement in London. He remained there about four years and not a single person could be converted to become a Vaisnava and he was receiving regularly 700rs. per month for his expenditure, being supported by the whole Gaudiya Math institution, and still, as he could not do anything appreciable, he was called back by Guru Maharaja. Then where is his authority? Our authority comes from Parampara system. If the Guru was not satisfied with him and called him back, and since then, he gave up connection with Gaudiya Math and started his own institution, then how he becomes authority? And in spite of all these things, if he is still authority by his own imagination, then people should ask him what he has been doing for the last 40 years, about the objective of Gaudiya Vaisnavism. Even if he thinks that he has done, certainly he has not done better than me. Under the circumstances, accepting him as an authority, I am greater and better authority than him. So, all Vaisnavas are authorities to preach Krishna Consciousness, but still, there are degrees of authorities. On the whole, if his motive is to suppress me and that is why he has come here, how we can receive him? He has already given one Professor a wrong impression. He may be treated as a guest, if he comes to our center, give him prasadam, honor him as an elder Vaisnava, but he cannot speak or lecture. If he wants to lecture, you can tell him that there is already another speaker scheduled. That’s all. 750604let.Satsvarupa

You should have immediately utilized Mr. Nehru to give me a certificate. Lord Caitanya’s movement is genuine and I am the bona fide representative in your country for this movement. Now if Mr. Nehru certifies this, then where is the difficulty to obtain the permanent Visa either from there or from here. 671011let.Brahmananda

AUTOMATICALLY (use of the word)

It is all Krishna’s grace. Bon Maharaja had to go several times to get the Governor, but with one letter he has accepted our invitation. Our movement is being accepted. They are saying that Swamiji is doing nice things. So it is up to you Europeans and Americans to push it all over the world, and one day you will be the leaders of the world. It is not difficult. You just have to work sincerely and intelligently. Krishna will do everything. 741112let.Saurabha (automatic is implied, but word is not mentioned)

Shri Caitanya Mahäprabhu says that one should not imitate this, but a devotee should long for the day to come when such symptoms of trance will automatically appear in his body.

Ädi 9.521

The fruit of love of Godhead distributed by Caitanya Mahäprabhu is such a great intoxicant that anyone who eats it, filling his belly, immediately becomes maddened by it, and automatically he chants, dances, laughs and enjoys. Ädi 9.49

Since every living entity is a part of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all fifty of these good qualities of Shri Krishna are originally minutely present in every living being. Due to the conditioned soul’s contact with material nature, these qualities are not visible in him, but when one becomes a purified devotee, they all automatically manifest themselves. Adi 8.57 p.

When he is actually purified, automatically he will experience ecstasy in chanting the Hare Krishna mahä-mantra. ADI 8 Intro.

The highest perfection of Krishna consciousness is renunciation of the material conception of life. This state is automatically achieved by progressive Krishna consciousness. …..As by watering the root of a tree one automatically distributes water to the leaves and branches, so by acting in Krishna consciousness one can render the highest service to everyone—namely self, family, society, country, humanity, etc. If Krishna is satisfied by one’s actions, then everyone will be satisfied.BGAII 2.41 p.

One should therefore understand that buddhi-yoga means to work in Krishna consciousness, in the full bliss and knowledge of devotional service. One who works for the satisfaction of the Lord only, however difficult such work may be, is working under the principles of buddhi-yoga and finds himself always in transcendental bliss. By such transcendental engagement, one achieves all transcendental understanding automatically, by the grace of the Lord, and thus his liberation is complete in itself, without his making extraneous endeavors to acquire knowledge. There is much difference between work in Krishna consciousness and work for fruitive results, especially in the matter of sense gratification for achieving results in terms of family or material happiness. Buddhi-yoga is therefore the transcendental quality of the work that we perform.

Bg 2.39 P

In the bhakti school, a householder brahmacary is allowed because the cult of bhakti yoga is so powerful that one automatically loses any sexual attraction, being engaged in the superior service of the Lord. BG 6.13-14 P

The effect of controlling the mind is that one automatically follows the dictation of the Paramätmä, or Supersoul. BGAII 6.7

If you put something for sale in the market which is very pure, automatically you’ll get many customers—automatic—because the thing is pure. If you sell pure milk, just from the farm, there will be many hundreds of customers immediately, and if you sell adulterated, homogenized, water-mixed milk, the milk will be sold, but not very many customers ordinarily. 710729Ar.Gain

This picture is before you so that gradually, when you feel ecstasy, you will also dance like Him. And when you automatically dance, then you will know that the thing is already realized. Not artificially, but when you feel, “Oh, let me dance. It is so much ecstatic. Let me dance.” Nothing should be done artificially. Let everything come automatically. And only we have to follow. 660908Le.NY

If one becomes a guru, he is automatically a brähmana. CCM8.128P

That, you may question, “Then if He is so powerful, wise and cognizant, He must have learned it from similar…” No. We say that if he learns knowledge from somebody else, then he is not God. Svaräj. Automatically. He’s self-independent. This is jïäna-yoga. 690216BG.LA

The only thing wanted is that we should work very sincerely, with full faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then all help will come automatically. 690817let.GovindaDasi

Vaisnava is automatically a bona fide brahmana. 690724let.Brahmananda

Now I can’t tax my brain how to get this money for developing the buildings there. If automatically it grows, that is very nice, otherwise let all remain as it is, and in the course of time when Krishna desires it shall be developed. 690712let.Hayagriva

The sum and substance of Bhagavad-gita is that we should surrender ourselves wholly and completely upon the Lotus Feet of Krishna. When one is not Krishna Consciousness, then he is Maya conscious, or in illusion. Just like when one is not in light, he is sure to be in darkness. Because absence of light means darkness. Similarly, to be forgetful of Krishna means one is in Maya, the darkness of ignorance. Just like when you turn away from the sun, you see the darkness of your shadow; but when you turn your face to the sun, then there is no question of a shadow. The whole principle of spiritual life is to turn our attention back to Krishna, and thus immediately be freed from all entanglements of Maya. There is no necessity to practice the various yogic postures, pressing the nose, and there is no need of becoming a great learned scholar to advance in spiritual life. Simply we have to turn our attention back to the Lotus Feet of Krishna, and then all spiritual perfection is automatically there. 690616let.BhSteve

Actually, if one true Vaisnava goes any place in the world, then the spiritual instincts of the more advanced souls he comes into contact with will be awakened, and they will automatically be attracted. In the Bhagavad-gita, Krishna informs Arjuna that if in previous lifetimes one has begun the path of spiritual perfection but was unable to complete it for one reason or another, then in future lifetimes he will automatically become attracted again to spiritual life, and he will begin his progress from the point where he had previously left off. So throughout the material universes there are many such spiritually inclined souls, and our mission is to present to everyone right knowledge of spiritual life. In this way, those who are already interested may finish up there Krishna Consciousness business in this life, and similarly, those who are not so interested may advance themselves and make perfection of their life, simply by hearing our Sankirtana Party, attending our temple activities with association with devotees, and eating Krishna prasadam. 690615let.Shivananda

You are a sincere soul, and that is the only means to get out of our ignorance and poor planning. If we simply become sincere to our Spiritual Master and Krishna, then everything will automatically come to help us to proceed further and further in our Krishna Consciousness. 690522let.Jayagovinda

I think it was Krishna’s desire that this New Vrindaban scheme should be taken up by us, and now He has given us a great opportunity to serve Him in this scheme. So let us do it sincerely and all other help will come automatically. 680823let.Kirtanananda&Hayagriva

Such obligations are automatically fulfilled by performance of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. BG 1.41 P.

The whole cosmic order is under Me. Under My will it is automatically manifested again and again, and under My will it is annihilated at the end. BG 9.8 (added by JYDSwami)

Read Srimad-Bhagavatam and chant Hare Krishna and all other things will be adjusted automatically. 680528let.Subal

One thing is, our process of Krishna Consciousness, if it is followed with determination and enthusiasm, automatically it has the effect of fixing us, body, mind and soul, to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna, so that all sorts of fluctuations of the material nature, all sorts of difficulties and discrepancies of life are easily withstood. But first you have to agree to understand the process and follow it scrupulously. That is wanting. If I only think I know something, that is mental platform of accept/reject, and any knowledge gathered from the mental platform is like that, tottering and precarious, and it can be immediately rejected at any time. 720708let.bhagavatananda

Regarding general state of affairs at Amsterdam temple, I can understand there is some disturbance among you, but that is not to be taken very seriously. Real business is preaching work, and if there is full attention on this matter only, all other businesses will be automatically successful. ……We should not criticize each other, as Vaisnavas, because there is fault in everyone and we may be ourselves subject to criticism. Best thing is to be above suspicion ourselves, then if we see discrepancies and make suggestion the others will automatically respect and take action to rectify the matters. That is cooperation. And we must exist on such cooperation, otherwise the whole thing is doomed if we simply go on fighting over some small thing. 721118let.Madhumangala

If this standard of devotional practices is maintained at the highest level, everything else you do will become automatically successful. And that will please me very much. 721123let.Kurushrestha

Friends meet friends and if the friend is with his dog the gentleman pats his dog first, is it not? So the man becomes automatically pleased, his dog being patted. I have seen it in your country. The conclusion is this: Without pleasing the spiritual master he cannot please Krishna. If anyone tries to please Krishna directly, he’s fool number one. 721214let.TustaKrishna

Make the worship of Radha and Krsna most opulent, profusely decorate with flowers, celebrate all the festivals and in this way automatically large crowds of people will be attracted to your temple. 730127let.Turya

You will find that the more you involve yourself, the more you will understand our philosophy and then automatically you will be able to preach it nicely. Please continue to associate with devotees, read my books, follow all of the rules and regulations as well as chant at least 16 rounds daily and then everything else will follow automatically. 750408let.MrRao

Thank you for boldly infiltrating into the intellectual circles there. By attracting intelligent men to our movement, automatically, others will also be attracted to come. By preaching in this way, one becomes firmly convinced of the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness himself, and gradually it becomes easier and easier for him to convince others also. Most important thing is to follow all of the rules carefully, chant 16 rounds, and read our books carefully. This will make you spiritually strong. 750519let.DulalChandra

Loving service of Krishna is so exalted, that it automatically turns loving service to humanity. Krishna is just like the root of the tree and if you pour water on the root, it automatically reaches other parts of the tree. It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna manorathenasati dhavato bahih [SB 5.18.12]. If a person has unflinching devotion at the lotus feet of Hari (God), then all the good qualities of great personalities like the demigods, automatically becomes manifest in the person of a devotee. 750611let.ProfSJudah

when you engage your tongue in the service of Kåñëa, then Kåñëa reveals Himself.” So the tongue’s business is twofold. One is with tongue we speak—it vibrates sound—and another business is with tongue we taste nice foodstuff. So if you engage this tongue in the matter of Kåñëa’s service by vibrating Hare Kåñëa mantra, and if you don’t allow your tongue to touch anything which is not offered to Kåñëa, then you become immediately Kåñëa-realized soul. So when the tongue is controlled, all other senses are automatically controlled. This is the process. Now again engage your tongue, chanting Hare Kåñëa. 750211bg.mex

Religion is described in the English dictionary as a kind of faith. Of course when we accept Krishna’s instructions perfectly we become automatically perfectly religious person. Therefore Krishna consciousness movement is not a sentimental fanaticism of so-called religion. But, it is the perfect culture for peace and happiness of the whole human society. 750915let.Giriraja

“Only unto those great souls who have implicit faith in both the Lord and the spiritual master are all the imports of Vedic knowledge automatically revealed.” [ÇU 6.23

BG 6.47

What is the street address of the new building in New York? The consent letter has been sent from Vrindaban. You should minimize the expenditure and increase the income, otherwise how will you liquidate the debts? I understand that you are saving on the milk bill by supplying your own milk from the farm. This is wanted. If these farm projects are successful, then all this industry will be closed. We do not have to make propaganda, but automatically people will not want. The people are innocent. The rascal leaders say it is primitive to remain on the farm, but to do business in the city and become rogue and rascal, that is advanced. They have dog race, horse race, gambling, coca cola, pepsi cola—all unnecessary. There is no use for it but the business is going on. They take to cigarette and T.V. because they have no good engagement. They are chewing the already chewed. 750929let.Rupanuga

Here Caitanya Mahäprabhu says avatära does not canvass that “I am…” Guru does not canvass. Sädhu does not canvass. He automatically, by his qualities, he becomes accepted. Yes. 661226cc.ny

Your home to home preaching is very good. The important thing is to make arrangements that they hear and chant. That will make your preaching successful. Once they begin chanting then automatically they will want to follow the rules and regulations, attend Arati, take Prasadam, etc. 760109let.TustaKrishna

Spiritual life means to become pure, and chanting Hare Krishna will automatically make you pure. But just as when a physician prescribes a certain medicine, he also describes the conditions under which the medicine will be most effective. Similarly, the chanting will have the most effect if you can abide by the principles of purified living: First, no eating of meat, fish, or eggs. Second, no gambling. Third, no taking of any kinds of intoxicants such as drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, coffee or tea. And fourth, no illicit sex life, which means sex life only within marriage and then only for the purpose of procreating Krishna Conscious children. If you can follow these principles and chant Hare Krishna, you will make great spiritual advancement. The best thing is for you to associate with the devotees at the Dallas Temple, then it will be much easier. 760201let.Elaine

I am very much pleased for the nice sentiments you have expressed therein. But you should always remember that whatever we are doing, it is in the parampara system beginning from Lord Krsna, down to us. Therefore, our loving spirit should be more upon the message than the physical representation. When we love the message and serve Him, automatically our devotional love for the physique is done. 700407let.GovindaDasi

But if one is engaged in Krishna consciousness, then, automatically, sense desires subside without extraneous efforts. BG 2.55

By the modes of nature different persons are imbued with different qualities and the scientific way of division of human society, from the qualitative aspect, by the caste system is quite natural. But the basic principle of such caste system is to serve the plan of Godhead and by doing so the four orders of caste system make a headway by the co-operative method. When such spiritual progress is definitely made, the materialistic progress is automatically effected as a matter of course. That makes a real classless society. 490228let.SardarPatel

The Spirit Soul is certainly eternal and changeless; and the fall is superficial, just like the relation between father and son cannot be broken ever. Now we are simply in a phase of forgetfulness, and this forgetfulness is called Maya. There is a nice example in the waning of the moon. To us the moon appears to be changing, but in fact the moon is always the same. So as eternal servitors of Krishna—our constitutional position—we fall down when we try to become the enjoyer, imitating Krishna. That is our downfall. Krishna is the Supreme Enjoyer, and we are constitutionally to be enjoyed by Him, and when we revive this constitutional position where is no more Maya. K.C. gives us the opportunity of rendering service to Krishna, and this service attitude only can replace us on our original position. Please therefore, continue to chant faithfully, and Krishna will reveal Himself, by His Causeless Mercy, and you will know everything automatically. I shall, of course always be ready and anxious to answer any question you have. 670827let.Jananivas

You write that you have desire to avail of my association again, but why do you forget that you are always in association with me? When you are helping my missionary activities I am always thinking of you and you are always thinking of me. That is real association. Just like I always think of my Guru Maharaja every moment, although He is not physically present, and because I am trying to serve Him to my best capacity, I am sure He is helping me by His spiritual blessings. So there are two kinds of association: physical and preceptorial. Physical association is not so important as preceptorial association. So try to preach this Krishna Consciousness Movement amongst the hippies there, and simply induce them to chant Hare Krishna. If they kindly join in chanting Hare Krishna, that will make our movement successful. Then gradually make them more and more advanced by participating in Love Feasts and ceremonies, like Janmastami and Rathayatra. Then everything will go smoothly. The only thing wanted is that we should work very sincerely, with full faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then all help will come automatically. 690818let.GovindaDasi

AVADHUTA a mendicant who does not care for his body SB 4.26.18;

means most free SB4.29.11; equated with paramahamsa, which is the supermost stage, one may appear to be viñayé, on the platform of sense gratification, but in actuality he has nothing to do with sense gratification.CCM3.85 P;

refers to one above all rules and regulations CCM 3.96

The word avadhüta means “rambling, agitating, moving, absorbed, defeated.

Madhya 21.18

AVAROHA Even Lord Krishna, Lord Caitanya, and what to speak of other acaryas, all of them accepted a Spiritual Master, even if some of them were incarnations of God. The Vedic way of receiving knowledge is called avaroha, against aroha. Aroha means to try to understand God by one’s own effort, and avaroha means to understand God by disciplic succession. Therefore we find in Vedic instruction that one must approach a bona fide Spiritual Master to learn that transcendental subject. 690903let.GopalKrishna

AVASADA: One hankers to revive his original condition and inquires how to do so. There are also deep thought, heavy breathing, crying and lamentation, as well as a changing of the bodily color and drying up of the tongue.” CCM 2.35 P

AVATARA Now, some of you members have asked me to explain the meaning of this chanting, Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. Now, this sound is transcendental sound, transcendental sound, incarnation, sound incarnation of the Absolute Truth. Just try to understand what is incarnation. Incarnation means… The Sanskrit word is avatära, and that is translated into English as “incarnation.” Of course, the root meaning of incarnation I cannot exactly explain to you, but the root meaning of the… [aside:] Somebody stop. Yes. The root meaning of avatära is “which comes from the transcendental sky, the spiritual sky, to the material sky.” That is called avatära. Avataraëa. Avataraëa. Just like… Avataraëa means “coming from up to down.” That is called avatärana. And avatära is understood that when God or His bona fide representative comes from that sky to this material plane, that is called avatära. 660908Le.NY

AVESA

Äveça means that empowered. There is always difference between the individual soul and the Supreme Absolute Soul. When the individual soul is specially empowered by the Supreme Soul, that is called äveça. He can act almost like God. We accept, according to this äveça, äveça-avatära incarnation, authorized incarnation, we accept, my Guru Mahäräja accepted Lord Jesus Christ and Hazrat Muhammad, this äveça incarnation, almost the same power.

661213CC.NY

AVIRBHAVA appearance CCANT2.32 (# TIROBHAVA)

AYACITA-VRITTI: means being accustomed to refrain from begging CCM 4.123 P

AYUR means duration of life 760622sb.nv

BABAJI Concerning your request for babaji initiation, when I come to Nairobi we can discuss it further. I gave babaji initiation to one other devotee but now he is off somewhere restless. 760321let.Mahavirya

BACK TO GODHEAD

I have seen the pictures of your kirtana sent by Sacisuta, and they are all marvelous. Please print them in BTG. All Sankirtana photographs should be collected, and one after another they should be printed in BTG. So far as printing part of the Krishna book in BTG, that is also very nice. 690919let.Brahmananda

Regarding your proposal of writing a book about childbearing, I do not think this is required with all the other writings that we have to do. And besides that, you are not the master of this subject, so who will read such a book? I have seen in your article on Mr. Lennon that you have a very nice gift for writing, so better you should utilize this God-given talent for writing articles for our Back To Godhead. There is immediate necessity for this, and for this writing you are qualified because you are a sincere devotee of this Krishna Consciousness Movement. So why not write nice articles of this philosophy as you have assimilated it? This will be a very great service because we are now converting BTG to exclusively contain articles by my disciples and myself, along with many pictures of our Sankirtana activities. So if you can write some words about Krishna consciousness and send them to Brahmananda in New York, that will be very nice engagement for you. 690715let.Vibhavati

Your article is very nice and gradually you shall improve. Go on writing. It is my policy to publish as many as possible of articles by my disciples. BTG should contain news of our temples, articles, pictures of our activities, etc. The bunch of pictures you have sent have been forwarded to Brahmananda for publication. 690713let.Goursundara

Regarding articles for BTG, I have already issued instructions to all centers requesting my disciples to send articles every month, and I am going to repeat it again for the second time. 690712let.Hayagriva

Now our policy should be as follows: 1. the layout should be done by us, 2. there should be no advertisements, 3. under different headings we shall publish articles from Bhagavad-gita As It Is, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Brahma Samhita, Nectar of Devotion, Vedanta Philosophy, Upanisads, etc. as well as comic pictures when possible. Besides that, if some of our students write as they have assimilated the philosophy, that also should be welcome. You say that Rohini Kumar is an artist, so he can do comic work. There are other girls there such as Indira who can also do this. So we shall fill up the pages simply with Vedic ideas. Now the policy should be straight that this Back to Godhead is completely different from all other magazines. As there are different magazines for different subject matters, this magazine will be simply devoted for Vaisnava philosophy, or Krishna Consciousness movement. That should be our policy. So immediately you can arrange for two months layout. How are you going to select the articles? I would like to know. We should lay out the subject matter as nicely as possible to our intelligence and capacity, and without any ambition that it must attract customers. They may attract or not attract, it doesn’t matter. We are selling Back To Godhead through the personal approach, through the Sankirtana Party, so I expect each center to sell 50 copies daily on the average as we have practical experience here. In this way, if four centers sell on an average 200 copies daily, then we come to the point of selling 6,000 copies directly which will cover the expense of printing and other charges. The balance 14,000 copies can be sold by the temples simply on profit. If they are not sold, then we distribute free to different societies, libraries, public institutions, respectable gentlemen, schools, etc. In this way we shall make propaganda. The idea is like that of a Bible society in India which distributes millions of dollars in the shape of biblical literature without any consideration of return. Similarly, we have to sacrifice each $750 on this principle. If there is return, that is alright, but still we have to do it on a missionary spirit. That is my idea. So try to think on this program and do the needful.690222let.Rayarama

Regarding Back To Godhead, the advertisements which you are now getting, especially the hippie advertisements, are not very good. Therefore, I am thinking of avoiding these advertisements. But so far as I understand, if we stop the advertisements immediately, the publication would be stopped altogether. So I do not wish to take such drastic way. I will be glad to know if you will submit to me an account of what is the actual expenditures and income for our Back To Godhead publication. Then we shall try to find out the money by some other means and then stop the advertisements. Eventually we wish to publish only purely Krishna Consciousness articles up to 48 pages per month. So please inform me of the actual expenditures, income, and also exactly how many hands are engaged in putting together an issue. Please list the names of your helpers and what is their specific duty. 690209let.Rayarama

Regarding advertisements in Back To Godhead, I am not at all in favor of it. I was obliged to suggest you take advertisements because the magazine was not coming regularly due to lack of funds, but practically I see the magazine is not improving by accepting these advertisements. So in the future, say after the next issue, we shall stop taking advertisements because it is not satisfactory. If we print, however, 20,000 copies, we can accept one page of advertisements, fixing up our rate at not less than $100 per page. And this advertisement also must be to our scrutinization. We cannot accept advertisement from anyone and everyone, rather it will be our motto to avoid advertisements. So far as I know, in India, the Kalyana Kalpataru paper edited by Hanuman Prasad Poddar, does not accept any advertisements.690205let.Brahmananda

You are very sincere boy trying your best to serve Krishna and by His Grace you are quite fit for this business, and considering all these points, I have entrusted Back To Godhead in your hand. Because this paper is the beginning of my spiritual life. During the time of my Guru Maharaja’s passing away, His last instruction was to me that “You try to preach whatever you have learned from me in English, and that will do good to you and the people who will hear you.” This instruction was given to me in 1936, and I started this paper in 1944. So during my householder life I was printing this paper and almost distributing free, and some of them were paying me subscription, and some of them not. But I was trying my best at my cost. You have seen the old articles about my tendency in this regard, and please try to follow this principle and improve the condition of this paper as you think best. You have got full liberty to make it acceptable to the general public, keeping pace with our principles of Krishna Consciousness. And as I have told you several times that I am awaiting for the day when this paper will take the shape of Life magazine or similar other magazines, in the matter of its popularity. From India this paper has been brought to America, with this hope that American young boys like you will take interest in spreading this sublime gospel of Krishna Consciousness. 680612let.Rayarama

You should take BTG as your life and soul. Your work for BTG is first and foremost above all. If you do not find any time for other things, there is no objection, but I want to see that you make BTG a successful magazine like Life magazine or Illustrated Weekly of India. I am very much ambitious of the progress of the paper, and you can use your discretion how to do it. You are at liberty to do it with full power of attorney. So far discussions of political affairs in BTG, it is not a very good suggestion……. Anyway, BTG must be improved to the fullest extent, because it is the backbone of our society. 680323let.Rayrama

Why should we endeavor separately to produce another magazine. Whatever articles are written by our students may be published in BTG by submitting them to the chief editor Satsvarupa Goswami Maharaja. BTG is especially meant to give some facility to our students, to train them to write articles on the philosophy of Krishna consciousness. Our energy should be concentrated on one thing at a time, not that everyone will start their own magazine wasting time money and manpower. Our BTG Is there and it is being distributed without financial risk, so submit articles and increase the pages of BTG and increase the distribution also. The temples have now enough literature, and besides that if you simply ask for a little contribution, no one will send.

730731let.Parasara

the nice Vyasa Puja offering you have sent. I have sent it to Satsvarupa Goswami for printing in the BTG. 730823let.Giriraja

BTG is not meant for advertising ISKCON Food Relief. 750202let.Rupanuga

I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 15, 1975 with the enclosed copies of the latest issue of BTG No. 10. I can say that each issue you produce is an improvement on the previous one. This is very good. You are doing it enthusiastically. For the article of my touring they have selected the photos very nicely. We can talk with anyone. Marx. Darwin, all professors and politicians, we can challenge and defeat them. Our philosophy is so perfect. So go on exposing them, that is the purpose of Back to Godhead paper, to expose their materialistic ideas as all nonsense and present the real philosophy that Lord Krsna gives. This is the real knowledge.

750926let.JagannathSuta

Enclosed please find one book written by Harikesa Prabhu called, Spiritual Dialectism. Please first of all print it in Back to Godhead magazine and if the response is good it maybe made into a book along the lines of Svarupa Damodaras book, The Scientific Basis of Krishna Consciousness. 760110let.Ramesvara

I am in due receipt of your letter and article entitled “Matter Comes from Life”.

It is very nice and why not publish in BTG? It must be published in BTG. And you must also publish in other journals. That is our business. Let them protest or accept. If they protest, we will reply them again. If they accept, then that is victory. It must be recognized that we are not just a religious sect. People are being kept in darkness, so we are trying our best to give this to the world; we must work in that spirit and become qualified. 760217let.Madhava

Further context for above last quote: He (Madhava das) is giving a class at MIT, that is very good. I challenged them where is the technology to understand the distinction between a dead man and a live man. 760221let.Rupanuga

Regarding the editorial policy of BTG, if the editorial board is not expert enough they should be changed. Dr. O.B.L. Kapoor also had put a similar complaint. Yes, scientific articles must be published when sent by our men. I cannot see every article, but some of you should examine why nice articles are rejected. See if the board can be changed. If experienced editors are not there it will be unpopular magazine. These things are to be seen to immediately by the GBC. The board should be judged immediately and be changed if required. 760923let.Rupanuga

I am glad to hear you are enlivened at becoming editor of Back to Godhead magazine. This magazine must be edited very carefully. Nothing irresponsible should be printed, because in the future the articles in Back to Godhead will be taken as Vedic evidence. I am asking the GBC members to also concern themselves with the content of the magazine to assure that it meets the standards I am describing.

770201let.SriGovinda

The letter which you have sent from the student, Charles, is wonderful. I have asked that it be published in our English Back To Godhead as well as in all of the Indian language Back to Godheads here in India. Charles’ letter shows that he is very intelligent and has begun to understand our philosophy. It is very encouraging. Take care of all of these good souls that Krsna is sending you. By your own exemplary behavior, train them all as ideal Vaisnavas. This will greatly please me, and if it is possible for me to come to Kenya, I shall be very glad to meet all of them. 770429let.Brahmananda

Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you for your letter dated 4th April, 1977 along with the enclosed essay entitled “Back.”

The essay is very good and I thank you for it. You have very nicely understood and described the meaning of “Back to Godhead.” I am sending your article to the editor of our Back to Godhead Magazine in Los Angeles, Sri Satsvarupa Goswami, for publication. 770408let.RadheyBaba

Jayananda’s death is glorious. It is very good that he had stated, what is the use of such a useless body, better to give it up. He has left his body very wonderfully, and he has been transferred to Vaikuntha. I have already sent a condolence letter for publication in Back To Godhead. Everyone should follow the example of Jayananda. 770511let.Ramesvara

Please therefore save them from the great falldown. Believe me or not, I have got the clue of going “Back to Godhead” just after leaving my present material body and in order to take along with me all my contemporary men and women of the world, I have started my paper “Back to Godhead” as one of the means to the way.

Please do not think of me as an wonderful or a mad man when I say that I shall go “Back to Godhead” after leaving my present material body! It is quite possible for everyone and all of us.561121let.RajendraPrasad

This Back to Godhead will always remain the backbone of the society because more the magazine is popular the more society becomes popular. So your ambition should always be how to improve the quality of the paper so that it may be read by all respectable persons. 670130let.Rayarama

Please give your primary attention for improving BTG, the backbone of our movement. 670822let.Rayarama

Regarding BTG, it is understood that Rayarama is in some difficulty financially. The recent editions of BTG is very much encouraging to me. The standard should be maintained and improved so that one day it may come on the level of such magazines as Life, Time etc. 671118let.Brahmananda

BACK TO GODHEAD

So we are ātmā, and Kṛṣṇa is also ātmā, but He is Paramātmā. We are īśvara; Kṛṣṇa is also īśvara, but He’s Parameśvara. Therefore we have named “Godhead” purposefully, not “God.” We don’t say “Back to God.” We say, “Back to Godhead.” “Head” means the chief. Everyone can claim that “I am God,” because everyone has got some power, little power. But not the supreme power. That is Kṛṣṇa. 74.0810SB.Vrn

The real aim of life is to go back to Home, back to Godhead. 760402let.MrDhawan

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 22nd Sept. 1976 and have noted the contents. Regarding details of the universe, be satisfied by reading only Bhagavatam. What is the use of reading other books—you are not going there. Some portion of the earth is flat. When you stand in any place you see flat, so for us to some extent it appears flat, but it is round.

Simply keep faith that whatever we describe, that is a fact. After all, we are an insignificant creature in the universe, so whether you take the modern scientists or Sukadeva Goswami, it is inconceivable. It is best to keep faith in Sukadeva Goswami, because actually our only business is to go back to home, back to Godhead. So whether Sukadeva Goswami or the modern scientists are right or wrong, it is nothing interesting to us. We want to go back to home, back to Godhead—yanti mad-yajino’pi mam. 761003let.Madhava

BAHA’I 680121let.Janardana

BAULIYAS or BAULAS The bäuliyäs, or bäulas, are one of thirteen unauthorized sects that pass as followers of Caitanya Mahäprabhu ADI 12.36

BBT The BBT collection should be spent 50% for publishing and 50% for construction of temples. At the present moment the Mayapur-Vrindaban projects are going on, so as soon as there is an excess of money it should be utilized here. Not a single farthing should be invested in any business enterprise. Formally it was so done without any sanction.74.9.7let.Hansadutta

BBT payment policy (in context) Regarding distributing the books to all centers, they must pay for whatever they order, even if they order less. If they do not pay cash, then do not fill the order. Regarding their old debts, let them pay whatever they can. But, for what they order, they must pay for. You can ship them whatever way, transporter or whatnot, but it must be COD.741022let.Giriraja

And definitely, the BBT cannot pay any salary to anybody. Our philosophy is “simple living and high thinking”—not sense gratification. 750112let.Kirtiraja

I approve for you to get books from BBT-L.A. at reduced prices, at the cost price, the same as India is getting. You can inform Ramesvara that I give my sanction. 750904let.Cyavana (Nairobi)

BEGGARS Regarding your request for money, we ourselves are beggars and if we do get some money, we immediately use it to spread the chanting of the holy name of Krishna. 760209let.DALadner

BHADRA means a perfect gentleman, bhadraloka. 760407sb.vrn

means good 751211sb.vrn

BHAGA means opulences 690409sb.ny; means fortunes 720831sp.nv

Bhaga means opulence. So there are six kinds of opulences. One opulence is to become very rich, another opulence is to become very powerful, another opulence is to become very strong, another opulence is to become very famous, another opulence is to become very wise, and another opulence is to become very much renounced. So these six kinds of opulences, when present in the superlative degree, that is Bhagavän. 750211bg.mex

BHAGAVAD-GITA

So Bhagavad-gītā is accepted as preliminary study for understanding God. What is your opinion? Room conversation with Professor Lewcock and other guest London 730805

So the whole Vedic literature, in a gist form, is described in the Bhagavad-gītā. 760620BG.Tor

Everything is there in the Bhagavad-gītā, therefore I request you to study Bhagavad-gītā thoroughly as it is. Then you become perfectly powerful, spiritual. 730707SB.LON

Krishna explains Himself in the Bhagavad-gétä, the most authentic scripture in the world. CCAdi 3.87

We have no information in this age, at the present time, what is that spiritual world, but they are all stated in the Bhagavad-gétä: paras tasmät tu bhävo ‘nyo ‘vyakto ‘vyaktät sanätanaù [Bg. 8.20]. Everything is there in the Bhagavad-gétä. Bhagavad-gétä is the preliminary study of spiritual life, A-B-C-D of spiritual life. The people cannot understand even the A-B-C-D of Bhagavad-gétä, and Çrémad-Bhägavatam is the graduate study. So everything is there. Unfortunately it was not distributed. So our Kåñëa consciousness movement has started to distribute this literature, especially Çrémad-Bhägavatam. We have already translated about twenty books. They are present before you, and our aim is to present to the human society sixty books. Still translation is going on. So our request to the publishers and booksellers, that “Let this literature be distributed properly. People will be benefited.” 730912SB.Lon

And Bhagavad-gétä is the essence of Vedic knowledge. Bhagavän says in the Bhagavad-gétä, vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù [Bg. 15.15]. What is the purpose of Vedic knowledge? The purpose of Vedic knowledge: to understand Kåñëa. Vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù. Bhagavad-gétä is also the process to know Kåñëa. Therefore it is the essence of Vedic knowledge. Because if it is a fact that by studying Vedas one has to understand Kåñëa, vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù [Bg. 15.15], so Kåñëa is explaining Himself, what He is. So therefore it is essence of Vedic knowledge. This essence of Vedic knowledge is there. It is very simple. Anyone can understand. There is no difficulty. 760817BG.Hyd

Now you have your beads, so please chant at least 16 rounds daily, and read from Bhagavad-gita As It Is at least one chapter daily 690605let.Turya

Be sure to chant your sixteen rounds daily and read one chapter of Bhagavad-gita As It Is, one chapter daily. 690126let.Arundhati

Anyone who can understand how God is great, automatically he can understand that God is great. You can mention some parallels from Christian literature while explaining Bhagavad-gita, but you cannot find in any other scripture in the world the full information as given in the Bhagavad-gita. We should not forget that we are preaching science of God from Bhagavad-gita, which contains all spiritual instructions contained in other scriptures. But if the public is unruly, simply to chant and not speak anything philosophy is the best. At that time there is no use wasting time talking with them on philosophy. Better for both you and the audience to chant and hear Hare Krishna. 680413let.Jadunandan

I am glad to note that you have got the highest estimation for Gita. I am just trying to present the conclusion of Gita to the world as it is and without any imperfect compromise with speculative interpretations. We have to learn the lessons of Gita from the authorized disciplic succession as it is advised there in the book (4th Ch.). Unfortunately every one not in that line tries to explain Gita in his own way and this process is misguided the people. We have to counteract this disruptive tendency and put them at right. 600328let.Naik

So if we simply understand one verse. There are seven thousand verse? No. Seven hundred, yes. Seven hundred verses. If we simply understand one verse only, as we have explained, then immediately we become brahma-bhütaù, liberated. And that is the perfection of human form of life. A dog cannot understand. If I say to the dog that “You are not this body, you are spirit soul, you are eternal,” he has no power to understand. And a human being can understand. He has got the capacity. So we are trying to educate all people, all nations of the world to understand this one verse, that’s all. Na jäyate vä mriyate vä kadäcit. If he simply understands this one verse, he immediately becomes liberated. And actually, human life is meant for understanding this philosophy or this truth. Then his life is successful. And as soon as we understand that we are eternal, we are not mortal, then naturally our inquiry will be, “Where we can live eternally?” That will be the inquiry. In the material world as you are forced to take birth and death, so similarly in the spiritual world, the first advantage is there is no birth and death, just the opposite. So our process is to train people how to go back to home, back to Godhead. That is the only education required in this human life. 750811Ar.Par

The society for Krishna Consciousness is meant for preaching this philosophy throughout the world and I was very happy to receive your cooperation and I am still hopeful that the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita as Science of God can be preached by you and all your God-brothers. 680115let.Hayagriva

Here is the real thing, Bhagavad-gétä, the Supreme Personality of Godhead speaking personally about Himself. Why should we interpret? Does it mean that the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme authority, left something unexplained to be interpreted later on by some rascals? No. But the rascals dare; they interpret. That is cheating. That is another fault. There are 640-45 editions of Bhagavad-gétä. Simply cheating. Amongst them, there are big, big scholars. Not scholars. All rascals, but they cheat. They pose themselves as scholars and people want to be cheated, so they take their words. So they cannot understand Kåñëa. Cheated. They take the shelter of the cheaters. Therefore they are cheated. 730714BG.Lon

-BGAII 18.66 Kåñëa says, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëam: [Bg. 18.66] “Only take to Kåñëa consciousness.” Sarva-dharmän. Because any dharma which is not approved by the Supreme Lord Kåñëa, that is not dharma. Dharmaà tu säkñäd bhagavat-praëétam [SB 6.3.19]. A human being or a demigod or very exalted person cannot manufacture dharma. That is not possible. Real dharma is given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kåñëa, and that real dharma is stated in the Bhagavad-gétä: sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja [Bg. 18.66]. “Just surrender unto me.” This is real dharma. Surrender to Kåñëa and follow His instruction; your life will be perfect. Because you follow the perfect instruction, therefore you are also perfect. Simple process. To become perfect, we have to follow the perfect instruction. 730714BG.Lon

So even that Dr. Radhakrishnan, he is also studying this Bhagavad-gétä very, I mean to say, profoundly. You know your Professor Einstein. Oh, he was a profound, I mean to say, student of this Bhagavad-gétä. Hitler was a great student of Bhagavad-gétä. So many, in all the countries. There are so many Muhammadans in India, oh, they are devout student of Bhagavad-gétä. I know one Dr. Inrai[?] of Allahabad University. Oh, he is so devoted to Lord Kåñëa that on the birthday of Lord Kåñëa he must write one nice article and publish in the paper 660908Le.NY

Bhagavad-gita is the preliminary study of Srimad-Bhagavatam 690803let.RobertHendry

Regarding Vedanta and Bhagavad-gita. There is no doubt about it that Bhagavad-gita is real Vedanta philosophy. Lord Krishna says in the 15th chapter that He is the Compiler of Vedanta philosophy, and He is the Knower of Vedanta Philosophy. Lord Krishna says this, and who can be a better Knower of Vedanta philosophy than Krishna? In another place of the 13rd chapter, Lord Krishna had accepted the authority of Brahma Sutra, which is also Vedanta philosophy. So the question is only how one explains Vedanta philosophy or Bhagavad-gita. We are trying to explain Bhagavad-gita as it is, without any interpretation. And you will be glad to know that we are publishing one English edition of Bhagavad-gita, about 400 pages, through Messrs. MacMillan and Company. 680303let.SethHarikishandasji

was spoken in utmost half hour 730729bg.lon

As essence of Vedic literature CCM20.125 P

We think that Bhagavad-gita As It Is without a wrong interpretation can solve all the problems of human society, namely social, political, religious, economic, philosophical, cultural, or from any angle of vision, because it is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is above all deficiency, namely mistake, illusion, cheating, and the imperfection of the senses.let11.6.73indiragandhi

As quintessence of Vedic literature 74.4.28let.Rupanuga

Actually because the Gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead it is sruti. But people take it as smrti because it is part of the Mahabharata. We take it as sruti as far as we are concerned. The purport of sruti is to make one advanced in understanding the Absolute Truth. Here the Absolute Truth is explaining personally, therefore the Gita should be taken as sruti. But they take it as smrti because it is part of the Smriti (Mahabharata). In one sense it is both sruti and smrti.740614let.Achyutananda

So far we are concerned in the Krishna consciousness movement, we are preaching the teachings of the Bhagavad-gita. Krishna is the Supreme Person even before all demigods including Lord Visnu even, and of course Lord Siva. Our fundamental principle is the teaching of the Bhagavad-gita. 741103let.Satsvarupa

The chief problems of life are collectively birth, death, old age and disease. Bhagavad-gita gives information how to solve these four problems. It is the essence of all Vedic knowledge presented by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. 741223let.DrGosh

BG in my own way as opposed to BG AS It Is 721119bg.hyd

BG , the standard text book for civilized administration along with SB

730727let.Karandhar

Bhagavad-Gita, the most authentic scripture in the world. Adi 3.87 P

If we take, if we read Bhagavad-gétä in the spirit of understanding like Arjuna, the perfect disciple, and if we accept the advice and the instruction of Kåñëa, the perfect teacher, then we should know that we have understood Bhagavad-gétä. By my mental speculation, by rascal interpretation, by showing one’s scholarship, you cannot understand Bhagavad-gétä. That is not possible. Submissive. Therefore in the Bhagavad-gétä it is said, tad viddhi praëipätena paripraçnena sevayä [Bg. 4.34]. So we have to surrender as Arjuna, he surrendered. Çiñyas te ‘haà çädhi mäà prapannam: [Bg. 2.7] “I surrender unto You. I become Your disciple.” To become disciple means to surrender, voluntarily accepting the instruction, the advice, the order of the spiritual master. So Arjuna has already accepted that. Although he is speaking that na yotsye, “Kåñëa, I shall not fight.” But master, when He explains everything, he will fight. Master’s order. Not to fight, that is his own sense gratification. And to fight in spite of he had no desire to fight, that is the satisfaction of the master. This is the sum and substance of Bhagavad-gétä. 730816bg.lon

In the Bhagavad-gita itself there are different processes of yoga systems, karma yoga, jnana yoga, dhayana yoga, hatha yoga, bhakti yoga and so many patterns of yoga. Others may practice different patterns of yoga, and we can understand that everyone is trying to pass on the path of yoga, but bhakti yoga is the ultimate goal, and if anyone is actually interested to understand God as he is, he has to come to the platform of bhakti yoga. 751208let.KrishnaCBatra

How a rascal can become a professor? That is the defect of modern day education. It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam: Na te vidhuh svartha gatim hi visnu. Philosophy means to find out the actual source of everything. Our Vedanta philosophy begins athäto brahma jijïäsä, to enquire about Brahma, that is real philosophy. And the Supreme Brahma is described as the original source of everything: Janmady asya yato [SB 1.1.1], etc. Srimad-Bhagavatam is the real philosophy because it describes the original source of everything—Janmady asya yatah. The first chapter of Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with this verse. Accept this, all other philosophies are simply jugglery of words to mislead the less intelligent class of men. You are benedicted by Lord Krishna that you are doubting the philosophical speculation of the mudhas. Please try to read real philosophy—Vedanta Sutra and its right commentary by Vyasadeva, Srimad-Bhagavatam. And the preliminary study, Bhagavad-gita. If you 760126let.Batraji

You have to meet many opposing elements in the matter of preaching work therefore you should always be careful to follow the principles of Bhagavad-gita as it is. You will be glad to know that our arrangements with MacMillan for publishing Bhagavad-gita As It Is is already completed, and the manuscript is handed over to them. We should preach clearly that our Krsna Consciousness movement is surely on the basis of Bhagavad-gita as it is. Any other movement which does not tally with the principles of Bhagavad-gita as it is, is considered by us as unauthorized. All these so-called yogic or other spiritualist movements in this country imported from India are all against the principles of Bhagavad-gita. It is our movement only which strictly follows the principles of the Bhagavad-gita, under the guidance of the authorities or acaryas in disciplic succession from Lord Caitanya who practically demonstrated in life and practice the principles of Bhagavad-gita. The last word in the Bhagavad-gita is to surrender unto Krsna and Lord Caitanya taught us to surrender unto Krsna. His transcendental movement of chanting the Holy name of Krsna and Rama is the sublime movement, not only at the present age, but for all the time past, present and future. 680225let.Satsvarupa

We are presenting a scientific program of God consciousness on the basis of the highest authority, Bhagavad-gita. 680228let.GuruDas

The answer is there in the Vedanta in the aphorism, “Janma Adyasya Yatah.” The answer is to search the Absolute Truth, Who is the Source of all emanation. This Absolute Source of emanation is explained preliminarily in the Bhagavad-gita, and explicitly in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The Srimad-Bhagavatam explains the very beginning of its starting that the Absolute Truth is Sentient, and Person, and Independent. The Absolute Supreme Personality of Godhead is distinct from all other living entities, in His being the Absolute Independent. Therefore, in the Vedas He is described as the Supreme Leader of all living entities.

So if we are very serious to understand sequence of spiritual truth, then we must take advantage of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam completely. Lord Caitanya preached these two as essence of the Vedas. His very life and teachings are embodiment of the principles of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. 680225let.MarioWindisch

BHAGAVAD-GITA 7.15 variant

We know also the Ashuras who are divided into four classes namely the Duskrtinas, the Mudhas, the Naradhamas and the Foolish scholars. 580826let.Birla

BHAGAVAN

Çréla Jéva Gosvämé has explained the word bhagavän in his Bhagavat-sandarbha. The Personality of Godhead, being full of all conceivable and inconceivable potencies, is the absolute Supreme Whole. Impersonal Brahman is a partial manifestation of the Absolute Truth realized in the absence of such complete potencies. The first syllable of the word bhagavän is bha, which means “sustainer” and “protector.” The next letter, ga, means “leader,” “pusher” and “creator.” Va means “dwelling” (all living beings dwell in the Supreme Lord, and the Supreme Lord dwells within the heart of every living being). Combining all these concepts, the word bhagavän carries the import of inconceivable potency in knowledge, energy, strength, opulence, power and influence, devoid of all varieties of inferiority. Without such inconceivable potencies, one cannot fully sustain or protect. CCAdi 2.10 P

Now in the previous verse, çré bhagavän uväca. Vyäsadeva could have said kåñëa uväca, “Kåñëa said.” No. He has purposefully said bhagavän. Kåñëa, you may not like, but He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavän, with six opulences. 730811BG.Par

SEVAKA BHAGAVAN. The example of Lord Kåñëa’s being the Supreme Personality of Godhead is appropriate in regard to understanding the spiritual master. The spiritual master is called sevaka-bhagavän, the servitor Personality of Godhead, and Kåñëa is called sevya-bhagavän, the Supreme Personality of Godhead who is to be worshiped. The spiritual master is the worshiper God, whereas the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa, is the worshipable God. This is the difference between the spiritual master and the Supreme Personality of Godhead. SB 7.15.27P

means one who possesses all opulences SB 4.31.8

or the supreme fortunate. 720831sp.nv

For the translation of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you can say either Paramesvara or Bhagavan 750121let.niranjana

So anyone who is above all these four imperfectness—who never commits mistake, who is never illusioned, who never cheats others, and who has got perfect senses—He is God. That is also another definition of God. 660304bg.ny

The first syllable of the word bhagavän is bha, which means “sustainer” and “protector.” The next letter, ga, means “leader,” “pusher” and “creator.” Va means “dwelling” (all living beings dwell in the Supreme Lord, and the Supreme Lord dwells within the heart of every living being). Combining all these concepts, the word bhagavän carries the import of inconceivable potency in knowledge, energy, strength, opulence, power and influence, devoid of all varieties of inferiority. Without such inconceivable potencies, one cannot fully sustain or protect. Adi 2.10 P.

BHAGAVAT is real form of the word (out of bhagavata, bhagavan etc..) One who possess all the opulences, He’s called bhagavat. 690409sb.ny

BHÄGAVATA means pertaining to Bhagavän. Bhägavata means pertaining to God and His devotees., Just like this book is called Bhägavata because it deals only with the subject matter of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, nothing more. bhägavata is the adjective form of the noun word Bhagavän 690409sb.ny

BHAGAVAT DASAHA (there is also saptaha) “Bhagavat Dasaha” which means ten days of transcendental discourses on the science of Bhagavan reading from Bhagavad-gita As It Is as well as that from Srimad-Bhagavatam. 720711let.Gurudas / Subal

BHÄGAVAT-DHARMA or the occupational duty in relationship with God.751203sb.vrn

means Krishna consciousness 760628sb.nv

or Krishna consciousness 720714let.Rishabdeva

BHAGAVAT SANDARBHA The Bhägavata-sandarbha is also known as the Ñaö-sandarbha…. The second Sandarbha, called Bhagavat-sandarbha, draws a distinction between impersonal Brahman and localized Paramätmä and describes the spiritual world and the domination of the mode of goodness devoid of contamination by the other two material modes. Madhya 1.43 p.

BHAGAVAT-SAPTAHA 730623SB.LA, 720803Let.GurudasYamuna

BHAGYAVAN jiva Bhägyavän jéva means fortunate. 730413Ar.LA

BHAJATE renders transcendental loving service wfw BG 6.47

In Purport BG 6.47 “ service with love and faith”

sva-päda-mülaà bhajataù priyasya [SB 11.5.42]. Sva-päda-mülaà bhajataù priyasya: “If one is engaged at the lotus feet of Kåñëa, he becomes very, very dear.” Sva-päda-mülaà bhajataù priyasya. Bhajataù, one who is simply engaged for rendering service to the lotus feet of Kåñëa—he has no other business—he becomes priya. And as soon as you become priya, or dear to Kåñëa, then your all problems solved.

7410122SB.May

BHAKTA-VATSALA compassionate upon His devotees SB 4.30.28

He….. is bhakta-vatsala, very favorable to the devotees, He certainly eats whatever they offer Him with love and devotion. This quality should not be misjudged to be childish. The highest quality of the Supreme Lord is that He is bhakta-vatsala; in other words, He is always extremely pleased with His devotees.SB 7.2.7-8 P

BHAKTI / BHAKTI-YOGA

So bhakti is activity in relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Therefore it is not material. 73.0714BG.LON

Bhakti-yoga actually begins with the chanting of the holy name, as confirmed by Madhväcärya in his commentary on the Muëòaka Upaniñad. CCAdi 3.40 P

sometimes called sanatana-dharma, the process by which one can return home BTG

You should understand though that we are not very much concerned with the principles of Hatha-yoga. We practice Bhakti-yoga strictly and since Bhakti includes all other results obtained from practicing other yogas as it is declared in the Bhagavad-gita to be the culmination of all yogas it becomes unnecessary for us to apply any other techniques besides simply chanting and hearing about the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna who is called Yogesvara or the master of all yoga. Of course, it is certain that if one sits with straight spine it may be of some help in his ability to concentrate, but it cannot be considered as essential by any means. That thing which is really essential in Bhakti is to develop one’s eternal dormant love for Krishna. 750202Let.MrKing

Bhakti-yoga actually begins with the chanting of the holy name, as confirmed by Madhväcärya in his commentary on the Muëòaka Upaniñad. Adi 3.40 P

Hṛṣīkeśa-sevanam. Not hṛṣīka-sevanam. Hṛṣīka means senses. So when senses are used for sense gratification, that is māyā. And when senses are used for the gratification of the master of the senses, that is called bhakti. Very simple definition. Anyone can understand. …………………………. Therefore bhakti means sarvopādhi-vinirmuktam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. When your senses will be uncontaminated with all these designation, that is the beginning of bhakti. If I think, “I am American. Why shall I take Kṛṣṇa consciousness? It is Hindu God,” that is foolishness. If I think, “I am Muhammadan,” “I am Christian,” then you are gone. But if we purify the senses, that “I am spirit soul. The Supreme Spirit Soul is Kṛṣṇa. I am part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa; therefore it is my duty to serve Kṛṣṇa,” then you become free immediately. Immediately. You are no more American, Indian or African or this or that. You are Kṛṣṇized, Kṛṣṇa conscious. That is wanted. 730415SB.LA

If you want the definition of bhakti, the bhakti means to use the things for the proprietor. That is right use. If somebody use for another purpose, that is misuse. So bhakti means, when things are used properly, that is called bhakti. Now we are thinking that this machine, this body, “I am born in India, so it is Indian machine. It should be utilized for India’s profit.” Another person is thinking, “This machine, it is gotten from America, so it should be used for America.” That is going on in the name of nationality or communism, or society or friendship and this and so on. We have invented so many “isms,” but they are all misuse because actually the machine does not belong to the American or the Indian or the African. The machine belongs to Kåñëa. So this is misuse. So when we understand that we are misusing this machine improperly, that is called pure machine. That is called pure understanding, or Kåñëa consciousness….. Therefore the definition of bhakti means håñékeëa håñékeça-sevanaà bhaktir ucyate [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. This is bhakti. 751017BG.Joh

Yes, if we simply train them properly they will come out just to the highest standard of Vaisnava devotee. And what is that training? Simply they should be engaged in such a way that they are somehow or other remembering Krishna at every moment, that’s all. It is not something mechanical process, if we force in such a way they will come out like this, no. We are persons, and Krishna is a Person, and our relationship with Krishna He leaves open as a voluntary agreement always, and that voluntary attitude—Yes, Krishna, I shall gladly co-operate whatever you say—that ready willingness to obey is only possible if there is love. Forcing will not make me agree. But if there is love, oh, I shall gladly do it. That is bhakti, that is Krishna Consciousness. So similarly, if we train children by developing and encouraging their propensity to love Krishna, then we shall be successful in educating them to the topmost standard. Then they shall always very happily agree to do whatever you ask them. 721118let.Rupavilas

If you understand Kåñëa through this process, bhakti process, anyäbhiläñitä-çünyam [Brs. 1.1.11], without any motive of material gain, that is called… That is beginning of bhakti. Bhakti means without any motive of material gain. That is bhakti. Anyäbhiläñitä-çünyam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. Çünyam means zero. All material desires becoming zero, then bhakti begins. Then bhakti begins. Before that, there is no question of bhakti.

So bhakti science is very subtle science, 730707ar.Lon

bhakti, devotional service, means to undergo a, a disciplinary system of our life so that automatically we can revive our lost relationship with Lord, God, and we become happy. This is called bhakti. Abhidheya-näma ‘bhakti’, ‘prema’-prayojana. And why? What is the use? Suppose we don’t revive our relationship? Then you’ll be disturbed. You are after peace and prosperity. 661126cc.ny

Bhakti is based on the principle of the renunciation of material desires beginning from the earliest age; kaumaram acaret prajna dharman bhagavatan iha [SB 7.6.1] 760120let.Jayatirtha

BHAKTI-LATÄ—of the creeper of devotional service CCM19.151 wfw

BHAKTI-LATÄ-BIJA means “the seed of devotional service.”…. The methods, rules and regulations by which one is perfectly trained in devotional service constitute the bhakti-latä-bija, or seed of devotional service. This bhakti-latä-bija is received from the spiritual master by the grace of Krishna CCM 19.152 P,

BHAKTIN 760604le.NarayanaDas

BHAKTI SHAKTI In his Amrita-praväha-bhäñya, Srila Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura explains that this spiritual potency is the essence of the pleasure potency and the knowledge potency. By these two potencies, one is empowered with devotional service. CCM 7.99 P

Note V1 says ananda and sat

BHAKTISHASTRI EXAMINATION

Bhakti-sastri is actually recognition, accepting a person that he knows the principles of devotional service. 690724let.Rupanuga

The Nectar of Instruction has come out very nice. It is very important and must be immediately read by all devotees. In the near future we shall introduce the Bhakti-sastri examination for second initiation and this shall be one of the required books of study. Anyone who reads it will immediately understand what Krishna Consciousness is. Some minister in Bombay recently asked me how to create morality amongst the students, because the students are all vagabounds. If this book is introduced for study in the schools and colleges it will give a clear idea of what morality actually is. It is a most important book. 760105let.Radhaballabha

BHAKTISIDDHANTA MAHARAJA

When my Guru Maharaja was present even big, big scholars were afraid to talk with His beginning students. My Guru Maharaja was called “Living Encyclopedia”, he could talk with anyone on any subject. He was so learned—so we should be like that as far as possible. No compromise—Ramakrishna, avataras, yogis, everyone was enemy to Guru Maharaja—he never compromised. Some God-brothers complained that this preaching was chopping technique and it would not be successful. But we have seen that those who criticized, they fell down. For my part I have taken up the policy of my Guru Maharaja—no compromise. All these so called scholars, scientists, philosophers who do not accept Krsna are nothing more than rascals, fools lowest of mankind etc.730727let.Karandhar

A manv-antara is the period controlled by one Manu. The reign of fourteen Manus equals the length of one day (twelve hours) in the life of Brahmä, and the night of Brahmä is of the same duration. These calculations are given in the authentic astronomy book known as the Sürya-siddhänta. An annotated Bengali translation of this book was compiled by the great professor of astronomy and mathematics Bimal Prasäd Datta, later known as Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé, who was our merciful spiritual master. He was honored with the title Siddhänta Sarasvaté for translating the Sürya-siddhänta, and the title Gosvämé Mahäräja was added when he accepted sannyäsa, the renounced order of life.

Ädi 3.8

I cannot read the news clipping you have sent. But as you say Lord Krishna’s name appears four times, then it is very nice. My Guru Maharaja always saw if Krishna’s name or Lord Caitanya’s name appeared in someone’s writing and would appreciate the writing for this alone. 760106let.Dinadayal

BHAKTIVEDANTA A first examination will be held sometimes next January on Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and those passing will have the degree of Bhakti-sastri. Next year we will hold an examination on Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the person who passes will have the title Bhakti-vaibhava. And the next year we shall hold an examination on Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion and Vedanta Sutra, and those who will successfully pass will be awarded with the title of Bhaktivedanta. By 1975, all of those who have passed all of the above examinations will be specifically empowered to initiate and increase the number of the Krishna Consciousness population. 690112let.Kirtanananda

BHAKTIVEDANTA READING ROOM As far as possible try to adjust to a natural way of life free from dependence on machines. But our principle should be that we are against nothing and for nothing. Only for Krishna. We want whatever is favorable for Krishna. From the farms we should get sufficient foodstuffs and these can be sent to be used at our restaurants. Along with the restaurants there can be “Bhaktivedanta Reading Room” where all my books can be kept and people can come and sit comfortably and read. The people will like these restaurants and reading rooms. They will take them as non-sectarian. 770316let.Subhavilas

BHAKTIVINODA THAKUR

Thakura Bhaktivinode was not official Spiritual Master of Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja. Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja was already renounced order, Paramahamsa, but Thakura Bhaktivinode, while He was even playing the part of a householder, was treated by Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja as Preceptor, on account of His highly elevated spiritual understanding, and thus He was always treating Him as His Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master is divided into two parts; namely, siksa guru and diksa guru. So officially Bhaktivinode Thakura was like siksa guru of Gaura Kisora das Babaji Maharaja. 690501let.Dayananda

Srila Bhaktivinode Thakura never took formal sannyasa. He was babaji, living in seclusion away from wife and family as Paramahamsa. One can have as many children as Bhaktivinode Thakura as long a one is as good as Bhaktivinode Thakura. 721213let.Chandravali

BHÄRATA means the whole planet. 770204ar.cal (In context of CC Adi 9.41)

BHAVA OR SVABHAVA refers to nature CCM 8.139 P

BHAVAH– emotion CCM23.5 synonyms

CCM 23.5 V2 “When devotional service is executed on the transcendental platform of pure goodness, it is like a sun-ray of love for Kåñëa. At such a time, devotional service causes the heart to be softened by various tastes, and one is then situated in bhäva [emotion].”

CCM23.5 V1 “‘When devotional service is situated on the transcendental platform of pure goodness, it is like a ray of the sunlight of love for Kåñëa. At such a time, devotional service causes the heart to be softened by various tastes, and it is called bhava[emotion].’

BHAVA GRAHI JANARDANA There is a word in Sanskrit; bhava grahi janardana: This means the Lord accepts service in devotional emotion. If we are sincere in offering something to the Lord in devotional love, He will accept it. The procedure may not be very right, but the desire being sincere, He accepts our offering. This is also confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita that He accepts foodstuffs from devotees because they are offered to Him in complete love and affection. That is required. 690525let.MandaliBhadra

BHAVANTI means you flourish. You become healthy. Your mind becomes sound. Your brain becomes sound. If you eat properly, naturally… Just like the stomach must be satisfied. If the stomach is satisfied, you get the energy immediately. Different energy is produced, different secretion is produced, and one secretion is sent to the heart, one secretion… That is medical science. And then it is turned into blood, and there are different veins, they are distributed all over the… This big machine is going on, big factory; simply you have to give the raw materials to the factory, and things will come out. 741016SB.May

BHAVA-ROGA ….but people have no plan for making an ultimate solution to their real problems, namely birth, disease, old age and death. These four material miseries are called bhava-roga, or material diseases. They can be cured only by Kåñëa consciousness. Therefore Kåñëa consciousness is the greatest benediction for human society.

CCAdi 3.97 P

BHEDA bheda means different, and abheda means nondifferent 750325CC.MAY

BHETNAMA OR BHETNAM Yes, your plan for people paying for a guest room at Vrindaban is very nice. The idea is they pay the price of the room and they may come there for their lifetime duration. This practice is called bhetnama, where a room is reserved for a donor for a lifetime. 730720let.Tamal Krishna

Rooms can be sold on bhetnam basis, but only to an individual and for his lifetime. A person who purchases a room can stay there as long as he likes for his lifetime and the room cannot be transferred to his sons, heirs, or assignees. His individual name will be put on a plaque on the room. Trust or Companies can nominate one man in whose name the room can be sold. 750911let.Giriraja

The idea of the Bhetnama system is that the man pays the cost of the room and we make a plate with his name on it saying, “the cost was payed by such and such person.” Whenever he may come, he can use the room. And when he is gone we will use the room for other guests, but if he may come the room will immediately be made available. After his death, his heirs cannot make any claim on the room. While staying with us, they must follow the principles and there should be a certain limit to how long they can stay. For the details, I think Giriraja can find out how it is done at Tirupati and other temples in India and let you know. I will ask him to do so and inform you. 750610let.Chaityaguru

I have the copy of your letter addressed to K.T. Charitable Trust dated July 29, 1975 regarding the sale of one guest room. But, what you have agreed to is not satisfactory. We cannot make such agreements with Trusts because it will go on perpetually. It can only be in one person’s name and for his lifetime.

The following scheme should be followed hence forth. We have Guest Rooms and Devotee Rooms. The Guest Rooms can be used by anyone who pays the fees, in advance. Any Life Patron Member can live in a Guest room for a period not exceeding three days free of charge. If he wants to stay with us longer for any reason, then he may move to the Devotee Rooms, where he must live as we do, following all devotional practices as we do.

No Guest Rooms can be given to anyone free of charge. Everyone must pay for the accommodation, except Life Patron Members for three days. When a Guest comes he signs in the book how many days he will stay, and then pays in advance. Small kitchens can be provided for the use of Guests for preparing their own tea. Smoking is strictly prohibited. All men who live in the Devotee rooms must attend mangal arati or starve.

The price for rooms on bhetnam basis in Vrindaban are Rs. 60,000/- for a double room and Rs. 50,000/- for a single room. 750911let.Giriraja

Concerning the Bhetnama, you can follow the plan of Tirupathi, that guests cannot stay more than 2 months, 60 days, like that. But, there must be space left vacant for receiving foreign guests. Guests must register like dharmasala, where they come and can spend 3 days, otherwise they create trouble. So for ordinary guests, they can stay for 3 days, the ordinary life members. And for those who have paid for constructing one room, they can stay for up to 2 months per year. In Bombay, apartments are very expensive, 2 lakhs, so everyone would purchase an apartment for Rs. 50,000/ if they knew that they could remain permanently. So we cannot have them as permanent residents, only 2 months per year. Precaution must be taken that people don’t take advantage like Mr. Badruka who is occupying 3 rooms, it has caused us so much inconvenience. Be careful. Make it clearly understood when they give the donations towards the rooms that they cannot stay more than 2 months per year, otherwise they may cause trouble. 760606let.Giriraja

BHINNA means separated energy. The energy is working. Although it is Kåñëa’s nature, still, it is separated nature. Just like I am speaking, it is being recorded. When it will be replayed, you will hear the same sound, but still, it is separated from me. Similarly, this material nature is also Kåñëa’s nature. 740802BG.Vrn

BHISMA

In Srimad-Bhagavatam, chap. 9, text 1, ‘Suta Goswami said, thus being afraid of the act of killing the subjects in the battlefield of Kuruksetra, Maharaja Yudhisthira went to that place of massacre where Bhismadeva was lying on a bed of arrows for passing away. Bhismadeva was endowed with the power of leaving his material body at his will and his lying down on a bed of arrows was his own choice.’ Did Bhismadeva get wounded by arrows at the battle of Kuruksetra, or did he simply chose to leave his mortal body and thus lay down for passing on a bed of arrows”) Bhismadeva was surely wounded by the arrows of Arjuna. But wounding is not always the cause of death. In our own practical experience we know that many soldiers become wounded in battlefield, sometimes very severely, but still one is not dead—he recovers in the hospital. So Bhismadeva was certainly such severely wounded, but that was not the cause of his death. He preferred to lie down on the bed of arrows and all Pandavas and Krishna arrived there to see his passing away. So his passing away was just on his own will—that was the benediction given by his father. In the battlefield Bhismadeva also wounded very severely Krishna. He was a great devotee of Krishna. And Lord Krishna accepted those arrows piercing His body as if somebody is worshiping with soft rose flowers. That is Krishna’s transcendental body. But those who are materialists, they are cheated by Krishna that He is wounded. The materialists will think that Krishna was wounded, but one who knows what is Krishna, knows also that He is worshiped by the arrows. So in the battlefield, neither Krishna was wounded, neither Bhismadeva died due to the injuries out of the wounds. He decided to pass away at that time, therefore he died. These things will be more and more clear when you understand Krishna by revelation. I think if you make progress in your present attitude, you shall soon know all these intricacies of spiritual and material living conditions. 680617let.Sacisuta

Bhéñma means very solid, firmly fixed. 730816bg.lon

Bhéñma means “very serious.” 730508SB.LA

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. Ordinarily, Bhismadeva was worshipper of Lord Visnu, but he knew also that Krishna is the same Lord Visnu. When Krishna came to see Bhismadeva on his death bed, Bhismadeva remembered Krishna in His fighting feature at the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Bhismadeva wanted to see Krishna angry, he knew that Krishna was very kind upon him, but to make a front he displayed a chivalrous mood, pretending to kill Arjuna, although he knew it very well that no power in the world could kill Arjuna while he was shielded by Krishna Himself as his charioteer. Yet he tried to agitate the mind of Krishna, but Arjuna he almost killed. Actually, Krishna thought it that Bhismadeva was to see Him in His angry mood and supposed to be broken in His promise, to fulfill the desire of Bhismadeva. He got down from the chariot and took a wheel of the chariot, going forward as if to kill Bhismadeva. Bhismadeva, as soon as found Krishna in that angry mood, he gave up his fighting weapons and prepared himself for being killed by Krishna. This attitude of Krishna pleased Bhismadeva very much, and at the time of his death he recalled back the angry feature of Krishna. He was a military man so he was pleased to see Krishna in military spirit, as much as the Gopis wanted to see Krishna as the most beautiful lover. There is no difference between the attitude of the gopis and Bhismadeva in the matter of exchanging transcendental mellows between God and His devotee. Krishna can be loved in any feature and because he is absolute there is no difference to love Krishna as a military man or as a simple Gopi.

During the day the two sides would battle, and at night they would visit one another’s camps, just like friends, talking and eating together. Bhisma was accused of not trying hard enough to kill the Pandavas, due to affection for them. So, he said, tomorrow I will kill all five brothers, and these five special arrows I shall kill them with. For safekeeping Bhismadeva gave the five arrows to Duryodhana, who had accused Bhisma of too much affection for the Pandavas. Formerly, Duryodhana had made promise to Arjuna that he could someday ask for some favor, so Krishna, knowing all these things, sent Arjuna to Duryodhana for asking favor of giving the arrows to Arjuna. So as the promise was made, Duryodhana gave Arjuna the arrows, that night. Next day, Bhisma knew it was Krishna who arranged all this, and so he told Duryodhana, today it will be either Arjuna or I, but one of us will die. And so he fought very hard to kill Arjuna, but with Krishna as Protector, no one in world could kill Arjuna. Krishna’s body was pierced, here and there, all over as you like. As military man, Bhisma had no right to shoot the chariot driver, but he knew Krishna’s body is not material, and will not be harmed, so he took pleasure in piercing the body of the Lord. Bhismadeva became so pierced with arrows that he laid down and with the arrows all standing on end, all over stuck through his body. Yes, Lord Brahma and Lord Siva came and were there in the sky with many demigods, and throwing flowers. You can consult Srimad-Bhagavatam second part. 671229let.Jadurani

BHOGAVATI name of Ganges in lower planetary system (Lord Krishna’s daily activities.)

BHOGÉ means those who are trying to enjoy this material world 760628sb.nv

BRAHMASTRA So here Kṛṣṇa ordered that this is brahmāstra. He could not understand that intolerable temperature, heat, and Arjuna inquired, “Wherefrom the heat is coming?” So Kṛṣṇa informed him that “This is due to brahmāstra released by Aśvatthāmā. This rascal does not know how to counteract it.” Naivāsau veda saṁhāram. “He does not know.” Formerly, in the military science, you have released one kind of arrow, if I am expert, then I can release another arrow which will counteract your arrow. Naivāsau veda saṁhāram. It is called saṁhāram. So Aśvatthāmā released that brahmāstra. Now Kṛṣṇa advised Arjuna that “You release this saṁhārāstra,” how to counteract. Unnaddham astra-jñaḥ. Unnaddham: “You know better than him how to counteract.” Hi astra-tejasā: “By another…” [break] …different astras are released by different expert military men. So that science is not yet discovered. By mantra. Just like here it is said that he took water, apaḥ. Spṛṣṭvāpas taṁ parikramya. Apaḥ. Just like we take, oṁ apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāsvasthāṁ gato ‘pi vā. Similarly, mantra and water can be utilized for very, very important purpose. Simply mantra and water. So this is the science. This is called subtle science, not gross. They have discovered this atomic weapon—they require so many chemicals. But when you come to the higher stage, subtle, then mantra and water will do. Nothing more. No more chemicals. Simply mantra and water. That is yet you have to learn. …….. But these things are there in the Vedas. If you are a serious student of Veda you can also learn, you can also fight like Arjuna. There is no difficulty. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says astra-jñaḥ. Unnaddham astra-jñaḥ. You can also become learned in the higher science of military art. You can also utilize. But that requires brain, good brain. That is not possible now, because the culture is lost.

760925SB.VRN

BHRASTA AVADHUTA: reject paramahamsa CCM 3.85 wfw

BHUR: This is bhür-loka. Above this, bhuvar-loka, and above that, svar-loka, heavenly planets. 730725bg.lon

BIGHA There is an allotment of about forty-three bighäs (fourteen acres) of land to continue the worship in a temple there. The Mahäräja of Dinäjapura donated twenty bighäs of land (about six and a half acres) in this connection.

BIGOTRY Religious bigotry is one of the strong material symptoms, therefore, in the beginning of Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said dharma projhita. This means that the idea of religiosity, economic development, sense-gratification, and endeavors for merging into the impersonal absolute are the different activities for the materialist person. Leaving aside the too grossly materialistic persons, who are without any moral principles or social conventions, if we take the right type of civilized man, then we find that he is engaged in some type of religious principle. It doesn’t matter if he is Christian, Moslem or Jew, the symptom of a civilized man is that he must have the recognition of religious principles; that is required for civilized man. But generally men take to religious principles for economic development. Just like in the Christian religiosity the prayers for solving the economic problem or bread problem. Similarly, in the Vedic rituals also different methods of sacrifices are recommended for pleasing the demigods so that they will supply quantity of rain and there will be enough grain for eating. In this way, religious principles are generally practiced by men for some economic development. 690302let.Janardan

BIJA Everything has an original cause, or seed. For any idea, program, plan or device, there is first of all the contemplation of the plan, and that is called the béja, or seed CCM 19.152 P

BIRTHDAY I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 15, 1975 and also the copies of the Vyasa Puja book. It is done nicely, but why it is mentioned my 79th birthday. It is my 80th birthday. That is correct. You do not know this? One of the GBC articles says 79th birthday. Big GBC man, so many editors, and it is not detected? You are all mudhas, what can I do? Anyway it is better to remain a mudha before your spiritual master. Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He said that My spiritual master saw Me as mudha. 750821let.Radhaballabha

I have seen your letter dated August 31, 1975 regarding the calculation of my birthday. The system for calculating is as follows: the first day of birth is the first birthday. The next year that day is the second birthday; i.e. the second birthday means that one year has been completed. So it is my 80th birthday, and I have completed 79 years.

According to the Hindu system, on the first birthday there is jata karma ceremony and all big, big astrologers assemble and give the horoscope. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam the birthday of Maharaja Pariksit is there. 750911let.Radhaballabha

BLISS It is not unusual that a little child is often very jolly, but in the material situation this jolliness passes very quickly. But in Krishna Consciousness, because the spirit soul is by nature very jolly and blissful, this jolliness only increases more and more as the bliss of serving Krishna increases more and more. So now your daughter has a very good opportunity to make final solution to her births in the material world, so keep her very nicely. Krishna will be kind upon you for this. 690731let.Lilavati

BLITZ Janardana is well acquainted with French, Hayagriva & you with English & Mr. Phil is well acquainted with German. So combinedly you can perform great blitz for bombarding the Western World with Krishna philosophy. This I wanted & Krishna is sending my good lieutenants. 671004let.Janardana

BLOCK HEADED The more we make advancement in the temporary materialistic comforts, the more we become implicated in unnecessary things and they are all impediments for making progress in spiritual life. That is his opinion. And that’s a fact. We have seen in Western countries, they are still more materially advanced, but spiritually, they are dull, block-headed, spiritually. Very difficult to convince them spiritually. So sädhu-saìga [Cc. Madhya 22.83], by association of sädhus one can achieve advancement in spiritual life. And in all çästras it is recommended that associate. 721212Bgaii.Ahm

BLUE.

The hand and body is created all at a time. It is not that the body is created first and then the hand is created. Our relation with Krishna is like the hand and the body. Therefore, Krishna and we both are eternal, and there is no history of eternity. It has no beginning and no end. Krishna is blue because He is all attractive. The sky is blue because it reflects Krishna’s blue color in the spiritual sky as much as the sunlight is reflected through skylight glasses. 680204let.WilliamOdell

BOAR Yes, there are two Boar Incarnations; one is reddish, and the other whitish. Varaha is the first, He is reddish just like a boar. 680316let.Jadurany

BODY

This body is called the temple of diseases.690527let.Mukunda

So this material civilization is just like decorating the dead body. This body is dead. That is a fact. So long the soul is there, it is working, it is moving. Just like your coat. It is dead. But so long it is on your body, it appears the coat is moving. The coat is moving. But if somebody is very much astonished, “Oh, how nice the coat is moving!” (laughter) He does not know the coat cannot move. The coat is dead. But because the man is there who is putting on the coat, therefore the coat is moving, the pant is moving, the shoe is moving, the hat is moving. Similarly, this body is dead. It is numbered: this dead body will remain for such and such time. That is called duration of life. But people are interested with this dead body exactly like the cobbler class or these decorating men. So decoration of the dead body. Apräëasyeva… Apräëasya means dead. Apräëasyeva maëòanaà loka-raïjanam. Loka-raïjanam: “It is very pleasing to the relatives.” That’s all. Similarly, to get liberation, niraïjanam-niraïjanam means to get out of this so-called decoration of the dead body—one requires to acquire knowledge. 690611SB.NV

Actually, the Vaisnava who knows that he is not this body, he does not therefore neglect his body, but he takes very nice care so that he may utilize his body in the service of Krishna. Just like a man may know that he is not his car, so he does not therefore neglect his car, but he will take care of it so it will be able to render service to him. So we must take sufficient care to provide our bodies with its demands, but when disease or other necessary inconveniences arrive, we do not become disturbed because such troubles are simply temporary manifestations. 690512let.Balabhadra

This body belongs to Krishna and therefore we must always keep it in healthy condition to the best of our ability, but if due to some past sinful activities, we are suffering some bodily miseries we should not become discouraged. Devotional service must continue under all circumstances. This material body is actually a bad bargain because it is prone to suffer, but we must make the best use of this bad bargain. That means to always be engaged in the service of Krishna without fail.750419let.Viruha

The body is undoubtedly a material vehicle but when it acts for Krishna Consciousness it becomes spiritualized. By the grace of Krishna material energy can be transformed to spiritual energy & spiritual energy is never deteriorated. To be in Krishna Consciousness means to be in Spiritual energy. 671013let.Hansadutsa

BODILY CONCEPT OF LIFE.

may inform you that the horrible scene in the hospital is certainly ghastly. But we should at the same time know that this ghastly scene is in the matter of bodily concept of life. This is Maya’s illusion, and although the spirit soul has nothing to do with this horrible affairs, but due to absorption of one’s consciousness in the body, one has to suffer the consequences of bodily identification. So far we are concerned, we shall neither be sympathetic or apathetic in the matter of such bodily concept of life. Of course, it is quite natural to become sympathetic when one’s body is put into such horrible condition, but if you are firmly convinced that this body is separate from the soul, then we may not be distracted. That is not possible of course in the preliminary stage, but when we shall be in a transcendental position not to be disturbed ever by such a horrible scene, then our position is secure. The suffering of the man and the sympathy of the other man, both are centered on the body. But this we have to understand by knowledge. Then such horrible condition of body won’t be disturbing to us. That is the position of liberation. It doesn’t mean that we shall not be sympathetic with one who is suffering, but we should always remember that such sufferings are due to the bodily concept of life. As you stated, that you simply want to leave the material world and be with Krishna, that is the best solution, rather than taking account of how things happened that you came here. Like that our best occupation is to get out of the scene by constantly chanting Hare Krishna, and be engaged in the transcendental service of Lord Krishna. 680326let.Yadunandana

BOMB We should demand at least equal time from the press to explain the entire situation clearly, and when necessary we should file suit against such newspapers in order that things are not distorted. It is not in our aims anywhere to build bombs for any purpose. The same mentality is involved in trying to blow-up a slaughterhouse as is there in meat-eating. Such things will not stop people from unnecessary animal slaughter. It is only by educating people in the science of Krishna Consciousness that they will automatically develop all good qualities. Yasyatma bhaktir bhagavati akincana, sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. And the nondevotee will not have any good qualities even they may be vegetarians. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad guna manorathenasati dhavato bahih [SB 5.18.12]. So we should clearly establish our aims in such situations and SOMETHING MISSING HERE DOUBLE CHECK THIS??? sit by idly. We must preach very boldly whenever the situation is favorable. 760526let.Yasomatinandana

BOMBAY I am here in Bombay and I am supervising the construction of our temple here. It is a very large project. The temple is larger than our Vrndavana temple. We are trying to get it done as quickly as possible. 751113let.Gargamuni

BOMBS Prabhupäda went on to describe how during World War II there was a bombing of Calcutta—during a time when Prabhupäda was just about to honor prasädam. Friends had come running to the house giving warning: “Abhay Charan, come quickly! The air-raid siren is going off! The bombs are coming!” Prabhupäda had responded by saying that he could not go because his wife had just prepared some kacauris. He told his friends, “You go to the shelter. I will stay here.” And so he offered the kacaurés, ate them, and chanted Hare Krishna.

SPN 1 chapter 1 Satsvarupa Das Gosvami

BONAFIDE It doesn’t matter, let us grow slowly but surely. Let us try our best to spread this Krishna Consciousness movement with sincerity. And Krishna will give us all facilities. After all, it is Krishna’s business. We are simply servitors. Our sincere desire is to serve Him and this is our bona fide position. Krishna says that we should give up all engagements and be seriously in Krishna Consciousness and surrender unto Him. We believe in this philosophy and we try to follow the principles and we instruct others also to follow the same path. That is our bona fide position. We are representative of Krishna because we present Krishna’s order as it is. And therefore we are bona fide representative. If somebody inquires whether we are as good as Krishna, the reply is that it does not matter. We may not be as good as Krishna, and that is also not possible anyway. Krishna is great and we are minute particles. So how we can become as good as Krishna. This is false theory of the Mayavada philosophers. But we sincerely serve Krishna, we are sincere servants of His Lordship, and we present things as presented by Krishna, and that is the test of our bona fide position and our bona fide presentation.681115let.Mukunda

BOOK

“In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there. Lord Caitanya warned about reading too many books, although I see in America this is very popular to get volumes and volumes of books and not understand one.” 680217Let.Pradyumna

Just read Srimad-Bhagavatam, our three volumes, regularly and repeatedly. It is no use reading many books, it is better to assimilate one book and that is sufficient. 680610Let.Harivilasa

I am glad to know that you are working hard to expand the Krishna Consciousness propaganda in Boston. I may say that this practical devotion is the secret to understanding the Sastras. My Guru Maharaja used to say that for one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar. One who thinks the books is the thing is content in this way. But we should learn the secret to open the jar and taste the honey. In this way, if we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, the perfection is there. Lord Caitanya warned about reading too many books, although I see in America this is very popular to get volumes and volumes of books and not understand one. Anyway by sincerely working by carefully executing the instructions of the Spiritual Master, you will be all successful by Krishna’s Grace. I am always praying to Krishna for your advancement in Krishna Consciousness, all of you, sincere souls. Hope you are all well. 680217let.Pradyumna

BOOK FUND will maintain 720913let.atreyarsi

BORDER I am so glad to learn that you had no difficulty on the border. These man made borders of land are disturbances in the Law of the Lord. All lands belong to Krishna and as servant of Krishna we have every right to enter any land but artificial man made civilization has created so many nonsense and these are the conditions of material existence. Sometimes we have to place ourselves under such conditions to make the best use of a bad bargain, but rest assured in the discharge of Krishna conscious duties Krishna will always give us His protection and we may discharge our duties unhesitatingly. I have seen in you that Krishna has special mercy upon you and utilize this mercy fully so that in this very life you can be elected as the associate of Krishna in His supreme abode Goloka Vrindaban. As you are all good souls Krishna will help you always in your business of Krishna Consciousness.670427let.Pradyumna

BRHAD BALA very powerful SB 4.29.6

BRAHMA

Then come to Brahmä. Brahmä is ädi-kavi. In this material world, in this universe, ädi-kavi. Tene brahma hådä ädi-kavaye [SB 1.1.1]. So he’s the ädi, original, first created being. Then who is his ädi? Wherefrom Brahmä is coming? That is Kåñëa. Tene brahma hådä ädi-kavaye. So in this way, when you come to Kåñëa… Brahmä is coming from Viñëu, Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu. Svayambhü. He’s born of the lotus flower. That Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu is coming from Käraëodakaçäyé Viñëu. And Käraëodakaçäyé Viñëu is coming from Saìkarñaëa. Saìkarñaëa is coming from Aniruddha; Aniruddha from Pradyumna, like that. Ultimately-Kåñëa. Therefore Kåñëa is ädyam. 760921SB.Vrnd

there are millions of Brahmas, and he is one of the smallest. (our brahma)

721027let.Aksayananda

Now, what is the constitution of Brahmä? Brahmä… Just there are so many innumerable living entities. If some of them, they are devotee, but they want to enjoy this material world… They want to enjoy. So they are devotee for taking some favor for God and want to enjoy this material world. He is called Brahmä. Brahmä’s constitutional position is that. 661220ny.cc

BRAHMACARI

You say that much of your time will be engaged in earning money, but that does not mean you have to cease your service to Krishna. You are praying for Krishna’s blessings in order to serve me better, but when Krishna speaks through me, you hesitate to accept the words. I do not know why you should work at all if you want to remain brahmacari. Here is an ideal brahmacari with me. He works day and night with me. Why don’t you become a brahmacari like him and come here? One who is a householder, he has to work because he has to maintain a wife and children at home. But for a brahmacari, why should he take the botheration of working simply for the matter of satisfying the belly? So far as belly satisfaction is concerned, that is already arranged by Krishna. Krishna is supplying food to the birds and beasts, so why should He not supply a brahmacari? Food is not a problem.

So my advice to you is that either you become a regular householder, giving 50% of your earnings to Krishna, 25% for family, and 25% for savings, or else you strictly follow the principles of brahmacari life. A brahmacari has nothing to do except serve his Spiritual Master. That is the injunction of the Bhagavata. A brahmacari is supposed to work as a menial servant of the Spiritual Master, and whatever collection he gets, it becomes the Spiritual Master’s property, not the brahmacari’s. That is real brahmacari life. If a brahmacari earns money for his sense gratification, that is not brahmacari life. Better one should become householder and live peacefully. 690629let.Rayarama

In India the Brahmacaris collect alms and subscription But here it is not possible to do like that: therefore all Brahmacaris may work at least part time so that our financial difficulty may be minimized. 680326let.Satsvarupa

I request you to also remain there, work nicely with Mr. Punja and take charge of the preaching, kirtanas, prasadam and book distribution programs. This is actually the work for a brahmacari. If you absorb yourself in this work you will feel very blissful. 741229let.Vijayadhvaja

Those young boys are living as true brahmacaris. Brahmacari’s business is to study and then go to make some collection on behalf of the guru. This is very good engagement for them. 750104let.Hiranyagarbha

BRAHMAJYOTI Regarding your question, “what is the difference between the spirit souls comprising the Brahmajyoti and the spirit souls here in Maya?”, in the Brahmajyoti the spirit souls on account of their impersonal views are devoid of a body, exactly like here in Maya there are ghosts who are devoid of any gross bodies. The ghost being devoid of a body, he suffers terribly because he is unable to satisfy his senses. The spirit souls in the Brahmajyoti, although they have no desire for sense gratification, still they feel inconvenience like the ghost, and they fall down again in the Maya’s atmosphere and develop a material body. In the Bhagavat therefore it is said that persons who are impersonalists and do not develop the dormant devotional attitude, their intelligence is not pure, because for want of a spiritual body, they come down again to the material world. In the Bhagavad-gita it is clearly said by the Lord that the only way of not coming back to the material world is to be promoted to the spiritual planets. For the impersonalists there is no such assurance of not falling down in the whole Vedic literature. The conclusion is that without developing the spiritual body and without being situated on one of the spiritual planets, the so-called liberation is also illusion, or it is not complete. A spirit soul who falls down from the Brahmajyoti to the Kingdom of Maya may have a chance of associating with a pure devotee, and then he may be elevated to the spiritual planets of Vaikuntha or to Goloka Vrindaban. From the Brahmajyoti there is no direct promotion to the spiritual planets, and it is clearly stated in the Bhagavatam that such souls fall down: patanty adha. 690724let.Rupanuga

BRAHMAN

BG 13.31 When a sensible man ceases to see different identities due to different material bodies and he sees how beings are expanded everywhere, he attains to the Brahman conception.

BRAHMANA

A brāhmaṇa will never speak lie, at any cost. It is stated that even if his enemy inquires something confidential from him, he’ll say, “Yes, this is my position.” This is truthfulness. He’ll not even, I mean to say, guile against his enemy. He should be truthful. Even kṣatriyas, they are also truthful men. Truthfulness is so valuable. That makes one powerful brāhmaṇa. Satyam.

…………………So according to Vedic principle, without becoming a brāhmaṇa he cannot be accepted as disciple. Without becoming brāhmaṇa. In our Society also, we do not accept a disciple unless he’s brahminically qualified = no meat-eating, no illicit sex, no gambling, no intoxication. These are brahminical. Unless one is free from the sinful activities, how he can become a brāhmaṇa? Brāhmaṇa means śuci. And the others, they are called kṛpaṇa, or muci. Śuci means always cleansed. Internally… Bāhyābhyantara-śuciḥ: inside and outside. Outside by taking bath, washing with soda, soap, or if soda, soap is not available, with earth or oil. That is external cleanliness. Similarly, internal cleanliness, one must rise early in the morning, evacuate, then after taking bath must chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, see the maṅgala-ārātrika. In this way one has to purify himself internally and externally. God consciousness is not so cheap thing.

730902BG.Lon

It may be argued why Droëäcärya, a rigid brähmaëa, should be a teacher in military science. But the reply is that a brähmaëa should become a teacher, regardless of what his department of knowledge is. A learned brähmaëa should become a teacher, a priest and a recipient of charity. A bona fide brähmaëa is authorized to accept such professions.761004SB.VRN

Therefore another name of God is Brahman, Para-brahman. So brähmaëa, brähmaëa means one who knows Brahman. That is called brähmaëa. A brähmaëa is not a class which is to be found in India only. No. Anyone who knows God, who knows the Para-brahman, he is brähmaëa. Brahma jänätéti brähmaëaù. So Vedic knowledge means ultimately to become a brähmaëa. That means to know God. That is Vedic knowledge. 730907BG.Stock

A brahmana is one who is expert in the knowledge of the Supreme. KB Ch. 8

BRAHMANDA When we speak of brahmäëòa, we refer to the whole universe, or to the cluster of many millions of universes. CCM 19.151 P

BRAHMA-SAMHITA

Saàhitä means part of the Vedic literature. 730103BS.Bom

is pure Vaisnava literature. 730509let.caturbhuja

Regarding your question about Brahma Samhita, it was found by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in a temple on his travels thru south India. There are supposed to be 100 chapters, but this is the only chapter which is known to date. 751130let.TikamdasBatra

Brahma Samhita is the gist of the Srimad-Bhagavatam. In the Bhagavad gita as well as in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Krishna is accepted as Supreme Lord & everything about him is nicely described there, similarly in the Brahma-Samhita everything about Krishna is perfectly described. In the very beginning of the book, Krishna is accepted as the Supreme Lord existing eternally in his transcendental form and is the cause of all causes. One who reads Brahma Samhita very carefully & scrutinizingly can understand everything of Krishna without any fault. I recommend, therefore that all my students read Brahma Samhita very carefully—especially because it was translated personally by my spiritual master Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja. 671017let.Pradyumna

I shall take one copy of Brahma Samhita and I shall try to print it. 671102let.Rayarama

I have received the transliteration of Brahma Samhita and also your letter of February 14, 1968. I am very much pleased with the nice job you have done. 680217let.Pradyumna

BRAHMIN Yes, train up the brahmanas very carefully. Many Indians and foreigners criticize us how we can create brahmanas. They are under the impression that brahmanas are born like horses and asses are born. According to Bhagavad-gita brahmanas are according to guna and karma. So the training of brahmanas should be so nice that people will be forced to accept them as brahmanas by guna, quality, and karma, action. 741121let.TamalKrishnas

BRAHMINICAL CULTURE. Brahminical culture means the social position in which everyone is assisted to elevate himself to the highest position of understanding the position and the constitution of the soul. That should be the aim of human society. 660328BG.NY

BRAIN The Westerners have good brains, but they do not have any good leader. Now the Krsna consciousness movement will provide them with good leader if they take it seriously. 751114let.Bhagavan

BRHAD-BHAGAVATAMRTA You may begin translations of Brhad-Bhagavatamrtam, and Laghu-Bhagavatamrtam as requested. 760708let.Nitai

BRITISH EMPIRE Over the past ten years I have given the framework and now we have become more than the British Empire. Even the British Empire was not as expansive as we. They had only a portion of the world, and we have not completed expanding. We must expand more and more unlimitedly.

760519let.GBCdisciples.

BUDDHA Regarding your questions, in the sense that they do not belong to disciplic succession, in that sense Christ, Buddha, and the others are not bona fide. But because they have got some special power we accept them as bona fide. Just like Buddha. We accept him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sometimes they play like that because they may have to. Although they are bona fide, they play sometimes as unbona fide. For example, we reject Buddha as unbona fide, but we accept him as an incarnation of God. We worship Lord Siva as a Vaisnava, but as a demigod we reject him. But to speak the truth, these personalities are not bona fide because who is caring for them? This so-called resurgence of feeling for Christ by the young people is due to our Krishna Consciousness movement. They are seeing that the foreigners are here, there is some national feeling and they think why not our Christ? Whatever they are doing we do not approve. But that does not mean that they should stop their work, this factionalism will go on. But one can see by the results. It is better not to talk with these people. Better let them remain as Christians and Buddhists, we do not want to convert them. You tell them that if you stick to Christ you will come out all right. It is better to avoid these comparative studies. 720816let.Nityananda

BUDDHI YOGA

One should therefore understand that buddhi-yoga means to work in Kåñëa consciousness, in the full bliss and knowledge of devotional service. One who works for the satisfaction of the Lord only, however difficult such work may be, is working under the principles of buddhi-yoga and finds himself always in transcendental bliss. By such transcendental engagement, one achieves all transcendental understanding automatically, by the grace of the Lord, and thus his liberation is complete in itself, without his making extraneous endeavors to acquire knowledge. There is much difference between work in Kåñëa consciousness and work for fruitive results, especially in the matter of sense gratification for achieving results in terms of family or material happiness. Buddhi-yoga is therefore the transcendental quality of the work that we perform.

Bg 2.39 purport

Buddhi-yoga itself is action in Kåñëa consciousness; that is the highest intelligence. Buddhi means intelligence, and yoga means mystic activities or mystic elevation. When one tries to go back home, back to Godhead, and takes fully to Kåñëa consciousness in devotional service, his action is called buddhi yoga. In other words, buddhi-yoga is the process by which one gets out of the entanglement of this material world. BG10.10P

cleared up intelligence or intelligence dovetailed with the desires of Krishna SB 4.29.5

BUDDHIST The marginal position of voidness between Brahmajyoti and the material world manifestation is the destination of the Buddhist philosophers. Therefore the voidness philosophy is worse than Impersonalist philosophy. This voidness philosophy is simply nirvana, or absence of material manifestation, but actually it is a material stand whereas Impersonalist monism is transcendental to material manifestation and voidness. Therefore the conception of Brahmajyoti is advanced realization than conception of nirvana. Nobody can be satisfied in void or Impersonalist philosophy; they are against the nature of the spirit soul. We understand from Vedanta philosophy that the spirit soul is by nature joyful. There is no joy in voidness or Impersonalism and because such imperfect philosophers do not know of the association of Krishna which is full of bliss and knowledge, they will fall down repeatedly into voidness and Impersonalism with the result that they cannot stay there and they fall down to the material atmosphere. 680121let.Janardana

BUILDING FUND will construct 720913let.atreyarsi

BULL Bulls can be engaged in plowing and transporting 770103let.Balavanta.

BUREAUCRACY Regarding your points about taxation, corporate status, etc., I have heard from Jayatirtha you want to make big plan for centralization of management, taxes, monies, corporate status, bookkeeping, credit, like that. I do not at all approve of such plan. Do not centralize anything. Each temple must remain independent and self-sufficient. That was my plan from the very beginning, why you are thinking otherwise? Once before you wanted to do something centralizing with your GBC meeting, and if I did not interfere the whole thing would have been killed. Do not think in this way of big corporation, big credits, centralization—these are all nonsense proposals. Only thing I wanted was that books printing and distribution should be centralized, therefore I appointed you and Bali Mardan to do it. Otherwise, management, everything, should be done locally by local men. Accounts must be kept, things must be in order and lawfully done, but that should be each temple’s concern, not yours. Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments of knowledge and action, not for making bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility, competitive spirit, not that one shall dominate and distribute benefits to the others and they do nothing but beg from you and you provide. No. Never mind there may be botheration to register each centre, take tax certificate each, become separate corporations in each state. That will train men how to do these things, and they shall develop reliability and responsibility, that is the point. 721222let.Karandhar

BUSINESS:

There are four pillars of a successful business, and that is land, labor, capital and organization. 730105let.Tejiyas

Successful business means it will improve in volume. Suppose you require 50 assistants then where we have got so much men. At that time we have to employ outsiders. 690515let.Gargamuni

Regarding your idea of pressing a 10″ record, if you can sell these in ordinary stores, that’s all right, but don’t depend simply on temple sales. Depending on temple sales is not businesslike. You must plan your work in a businessman’s way, so you cannot depend upon our centers for all sales. In the temple there are devotees, there are not businessmen, so you cannot depend on them for doing business; neither can you expect advice about business dealings from me. I have given you a department to manage nicely, and if there is some profit, you may give some for my book fund, but I cannot be consulted for advice in how you should manage the particulars of your business. 690515let.Dinesh

One thing, you must be very careful that we should not divert our attention for money making too much. If we can make money by the process which you have now adopted, that is very nice. But we cannot divert our attention to such things as running on the bus, etc. This is not good. …………………………Money making schemes should be easy; we cannot divert our attention for money making activities. We require some money for prosecuting our activities, and if we get that money by contribution that is best, otherwise, we can sell our literature and books, etc. But if we direct our attention like others, then it becomes karma. And karma is very dangerous for persons who want to go back to Godhead. Therefore, in Bhagavad-gita karma yoga is advised. On the whole, we can endeavor for money making if it doesn’t hamper our devotional service. And otherwise, we shall prefer to starve and chant Hare Krishna. That should be the pivot of all our activities. 680621let.Hansadutta

Regarding the society’s leaders emphasizing business, you should understand what is the meaning of business. Business means to help the preaching. Preaching needs financial help, otherwise, we have no need for business. So far as I understand, our book business is sufficient to support or movement. I do not want the preaching to be at the expense of managing. Manager must also be a preacher otherwise who will want to follow him? 74.8.13let.Tamal

Trading leads to envy and jealousy and cheating, then everything is lost. I am seeing now that the business activities in our society, they are increasing. Originally I allowed that Gargamuni could start the incense business. I thought that the Ramakrishna Mission, they are doing and the incense we are using, so if we make some and sell it, then what is the harm. But now I see that Spiritual Sky, they have so many products. And now there is jewelry business going on. So why should the business increase? Nanda Kumar, he came here to India simply for doing business. This is not required. So I have given him sannyasa and now he is finished with all business, and he will go to Africa to preach. So this business should be discouraged, otherwise, if they do it, our men will again become karmis. Our business is simply book distribution. 751120let.Jagadisha

BUTCHER

Yesterday I received one letter from Räyaräma. He wanted my permission to make some propaganda in our magazine Back to Godhead against animal slaughter, butchery. So I replied that why should we be against a class of men who are known in the society as butcher? Actually, everyone is butcher. Actually, so-called gentlemen who are, I mean to say, supporting these butchers, they are also butchers. According to Manu-saàhitä, there are eight kinds of butchers. The man who is killing the animal, the man who is ordering to kill the animal, the man who is skinning the animal, the man who is purchasing the meat, the man who is cooking, the man who is eating, they are called all butchers. Just like if there is a murder case and there is a conspiracy, so it is not the man who has directly killed some person, he is arrested, but everyone who is in the conspiracy, they are all arrested. That is the common law. So in that sense everyone is butcher. Besides that, because a person is killing some cow or some animal, we are calling butcher, but mostly they are killing their soul. Anyone who is unconscious, who is ignorant of his spiritual identity, identifying himself with this body and misusing this opportunity of human form of life simply for animal sense gratification, they are also butchers. If killing of some living entity is butchery, then how great a butcher is he who is killing himself? He is killing an animal, but he is killing himself. Ätma-hä. Ätma-hä, self-killing, out of ignorance. Everyone is in ignorance. Any sinful activity is done out of ignorance. So ignorance is no excuse. The butcher is killing animal because he does not know what is the effect of this killing. Similarly, persons who do not know what is the value of this human form of life and simply spoiling it just like animals, they are also butchering themselves. 681118Le.LA

CAITANYA

By following Lord Caitanya’s blissful process of chanting, dancing, feasting and discussing spiritual philosophy, anyone can easily go back home, back to Godhead, for an eternal life of bliss and knowledge. SB10.61.25 P

means spiritual force CCM 7.66 P

Now, how to worship Him? Does He require any grandeur, any throne or any decoration? No. Nothing. Anywhere and everywhere you can worship Him. How? Saìkértanaiù, this chanting. Keep the picture of Lord Caitanya with His associates, this, as picture we are painting, we have got, and any part of the world, you sit down and go on chanting, Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma… So no expense, no nothing. This is the recommendation for this age. Therefore this picture and this sound vibration should be preached all over the world. And rest assured there will be peace and prosperity. This should be the mission of this society, Kåñëa consciousness. 661223cc.ny

Regarding Denver, why are they doing business? This creates a bad atmosphere. We shall only do one business and that is book-selling. That’s all. As soon as you become karmis after business, then spiritual life becomes damaged. This business should not be encouraged any more. Doing business and not sankirtana, this is not at all good. Visaya chadiya kabe suddha ha’be mana/ kabe hama herabo sri-vrndavana. “When the mind is completely purified, being freed from material anxieties and desires, then I shall be able to understand Vrndavana and the conjugal love of Radha and Krsna, and then my spiritual life will be successful.” One has to engage himself in devotional service, giving up the engagement of manufacturing pounds, shilling, pence. Sankirtana is very good, but grhasthas under condition can do other business, only if they give at least 50%, but sankirtana is the best business. …. I have seen the photograph you sent of the Houston temple. It is very impressive building. It looks like a secretariat building. I want that our Mayapur festival there should be booths showing our activities. There should be one booth showing all the photographs of our temple buildings. This will be very impressive. Even big, big businessmen, they haven’t got such branches all over the world as we have got. And our business is with honor. Why not purchase the Houston temple? And I am glad to note the successful program in Gainesville temple.751120let.Satsvarupa

CAITANYA BHAGAVATA Regarding your difficulty in rendering Caitanya Bhagavata, yes you are right that you are overstepping your position. Better to stop it. 750903let.Acyutananda

CAITANYA-CARITA: pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu CCM 2.87 wfw

CAITANYA-CARITAMRITA:

The word caitanya means “living force,” carita means “character,” and amåta means “immortal.” As living entities we can move, but a table cannot because it does not possess living force. Movement and activity may be considered signs of the living force. Indeed, it may be said that there can be no activity without the living force. Although the living force is present in the material condition, this condition is not amåta, immortal. The words Caitanya-caritämåta, then, may be translated as “the character of the living force in immortality……..”CC Intro p.1

“From the Caitanya-caritämåta we learn how Caitanya taught people to become immortal, and thus the title may be properly translated as “the immortal character of the living force.” V1 CC Intro

the epic Caitanya-Caritamrita Adi 4 Intro

Thank you for appreciating Sri Caitanya-caritamrta. There is no need to feel sad at the end of a chapter or a volume because there is always another chapter and another volume. There is no scarcity. You want more nectarine NECTAR and the supply is also there. Those who are actually looking for spiritual culture will find immense wealth in Caitanya-caritamrta.760110let.PustaKrishna

CAITANYA MAHAPRABHU

The Lord used to read the books of Vidyäpati, Jayadeva and Candidäsa, relishing their songs with His confidential associates like Sri Rämänanda Räya and Svarüpa Dämodara Gosvämi. Adi 13.42

The activities of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu in His travels after He accepted sannyäsa are His principal pastimes. His activities during His remaining eighteen years are called the antya-lélä, or the final portion of His pastimes.

Ädi 13.37. (this is the delineation of Madhya and Antya Lila and consequently of Adi Lila as well )

Caitanya Mahäprabhu is sometimes explained to be rädhä-bhäva-dyuti-suvalita, or characterized by the emotions and bodily luster of Shrimati Rädhäräni. Gadädhara däsa is this dyuti, or luster. In the Gaura-ganoddesha-dipikä (154) he is described to be an expansion of the potency of Shrimati Rädhäräni. Adi 10.53 p.

To teach others by example how to be a faithful disciple of one’s spiritual master, Shri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, visited the birthplace of Ishvara Puri at Kumära-hatta and collected some earth from his birth site. This He kept very carefully, and He used to eat a small portion of it daily. This is stated in the Caitanya-bhägavata, Ädi-khanda, Chapter Seventeen. It has now become customary for devotees, following the example of Shri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, to go there and collect some earth from that place. Ädi 9.11

simply glorifying the activities of the…, of Krishna. Just like we sing, udilo aruëa püraba-bhäge, dvija-maëi gorä amani jäge. This is our subject matter of singing. What is this? Now, activities of Shri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, that as soon as there is early rise of the sun, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu immediately started His nagara-saìkértana. Not of any other. Çré Caitanya… Tavehitam. Simply… The subject matter must be there. If I hear, the subject matter must be there. The subject matter is Kåñëa’s activities. Caitanya and Kåñëa is not different.

741016SB.May

Lord Caitanya is the ideal teacher of life’s prime necessities. He is the most munificent bestower of love of Kåñëa. He is the complete reservoir of all mercies and good fortune. As confirmed in Çrémad-Bhägavatam, the Bhagavad-gétä, the Mahäbhärata and the Upaniñads, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Kåñëa Himself, and He is worshipable by everyone in this age of disagreement. Everyone can join in His saìkértana movement. No previous qualification is necessary. Just by following His teachings, anyone can become a perfect human being. Anyone who is fortunate enough to be attracted by Lord Caitanya is sure to be successful in his life’s mission. In other words, those who are interested in attaining spiritual existence can easily be released from the clutches of mäyä by the grace of Lord Caitanya. The teachings presented in this book are nondifferent from the Lord. CC Preface xi

Now, how to worship Him? Does He require any grandeur, any throne or any decoration? No. Nothing. Anywhere and everywhere you can worship Him. How? Saìkértanaiù, this chanting. Keep the picture of Lord Caitanya with His associates, this, as picture we are painting, we have got, and any part of the world, you sit down and go on chanting, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma… So no expense, no nothing. This is the recommendation for this age. Therefore this picture and this sound vibration should be preached all over the world. And rest assured there will be peace and prosperity. This should be the mission of this society, Krishna consciousness. This is Lord Caitanya’s mission. 661223CC.NY

Although the Gosvämis were very aristocratic, on the order of Shri Caitanya Mahäprabhu they became mendicants just to deliver the fallen souls. One should also consider that those who engage in the missionary activities of the Krishna consciousness movement are under the guidance of Shri Caitanya Mahäprabhu. They are not actually beggars; their real business is to deliver fallen souls. Therefore they may go from door to door just to introduce a book about Krishna consciousness so that people can become enlightened by reading. CCM 8.39 P

We address each-other as prabhu, so how can we engage our godbrother as servant? Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu engaged Govinda das who was His god brother as His servant, but that was only on the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s spiritual master. 741123let.Kirtanananda

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu strictly followed Krsna. That is his grace: yare dekha tare kaha krsna upadesa/ amara agajnyaya guru hana tara ei desa: [Cc. Madhya 7.128] “Instruct everyone to follow the orders of Lord Sri Krsna as they are given in the Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. In this way become a spiritual master and try to liberate everyone in this land.” (Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila, Chapter 7, Verse 128.)

This means that Caitanya Mahaprabhu advises everyone, especially every Indian, to become a guru under His order. And when there is a question what is His order, that is explained in the next line: you simply repeat the instructions of Krsna, that is, Bhagavad-gita, to everyone whom you may meet. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission is as good as that of Krsna, but sometimes non-devotees misunderstand purposefully or foolishly the instruction given by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that you strictly follow the instructions of Krsna and preach it to everyone. Therefore our Krsna consciousness movement is based on the advise of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to preach the Bhagavad-gita As It Is. 751114let.ShreeShastri

I am very happy that you are taking a chance for Krishna, do everything very carefully and sincerely, Krishna will help you. Lord Caitanya predicted that in the modern age this movement would be spread to every town and village of the world. So by the sincere help of you American and European boys and girls it is actually happening. It is not bogus, like communism, socialism and so many isms going on in the world today. But is purely spiritual authorized by the disciplic succession tracing all the way back to Krishna himself who spoke this science of life 5,000 years ago on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. 751202let.Kirtiraja

Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu desires that in every city, town and village Krishna Consciousness should be preached. Therefore I left Vrindaban to come to your country. And now you have left your country also on behalf of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, therefore your life is glorious. May Krishna bless you that your preaching attempt becomes successful. As soon as a devotee endeavors to serve Krishna, Krishna immediately wants to help that devotee. Krishna will certainly protect and maintain you. You are an intelligent sincere boy so try to introduce this movement to the people of Greece. Everyone in the world is suffering. Despite so many attempts on the parts of the governments and planning commissions of the world, still the suffering continues. People are thinking that by more education, hospitals, food and so many other things they will become happy. But we actually have the ingredient which alone can make them satisfied—Krishna Consciousness. So please deliver Krishna to everyone you meet; instruct them in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. If it is possible to get our books translated into Greek that will be very helpful for your preaching. In the meantime as you are preaching to intelligent persons such as the lawyer you met, they will be able to read English, so you can give them our English books. 760106let.DinaDayal

Raising His arms, chanting the holy name and looking upon all with deep love, He drives away all sins and floods everyone with love of Godhead. Adi 3.62

CAMPHOR Regarding your question about offering camphor in aratrik, I do not know why you should be having trouble with smoke and soot by this offering. If you use smaller pieces of camphor this may alleviate the problem, or perhaps you are not using the right kind of camphor. Here we are using camphor for aratrik twice daily and there is no such problem. Of course, if it is too inconvenient, there does not have to be a camphor offering, but I do not know why this should be so. 690720let.Gajendra

CANAKYA PANDITA

But in India woman has no such right. The woman is never given any responsible post. That is the opinion of the greatest politician in the history of the world, Cāṇakya Paṇḍita. According to his opinion, viśvāso naiva kartavyaḥ strīṣu rāja-kuleṣu ca. He has given his explicit opinion that “You cannot trust with any responsible post or any responsibility with a woman and politician.” Those who are diplomat, politician, you cannot trust them. 730707BG.LON

was a great politician, sometimes prime minister of the emperor of India 680315sb.sf

Sethji, you are not an ordinary businessman. You are sufficiently educated and have rightly taken to business. By the Grace of Lord Sri Krishna you one of the very important business magnet and I may inform you on the authority of great Acaryas and books of knowledge that it is our duty to make the best use of our money so long it is with us. By the law of nature nothing in the material world is permanent including our material body and therefore the great politician Pandit Canakya who was once the Honorary Prime Minister of India, advised it that the nature of everything material being destructible the best use of a bad bargain is to utilize the temporary possessions for the cause of the Permanent.

At the present moment the people are more concerned with the temporary things namely the gross body and the subtle mind without any practical touch with the permanent soul and His Lord. The result is that we have produced a godless civilization and the whole world unhappy for this conception of civilization. 640523let.MathuraPrasad.

CANDAVEGA …means very swiftly passing away SB 4.27.13

CANDRAMUKHA means moon faced one Adi 10.19 wfw

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT

When the king orders somebody to be hanged on account of his committing murder, the king is not sinful. King is helpful. King is helping that rascal to atone his murdering activities. Otherwise, if he is not hanged, then next life, next time, he will be put into difficulty. Next time he will have to become animal. He will be slaughtered. These laws they do not know. Why these animals are being slaughtered? There is some nature’s law. They were murderer or slaughterer in their past life as human being. Now they have assumed, they have accepted a body to be slaughtered by the laws of nature. 730514SB.LA

CASTE SYSTEM 4. The fourth item is to organize the much discussed caste system as a solution of natural division of the human beings all over the world. Nationalistic division of human races is artificial but scientific division of the caste system as envisaged in the Bhagavad-gita is natural. We shall have to pick up brahmanas and others not only from the Indian people but from the peoples of all over the world. The vitiated caste system of present India is never sanctioned by the scriptures. But the caste system is made by God according to quality and work of the subject and it was never designed for the benefit of accidental birth right. Thus whatever is made by God cannot be destroyed by man. Destruction of the caste system as contemplated by some exponents, is therefore out of question. By the modes of nature different persons are imbued with different qualities and the scientific way of division of human society, from the qualitative aspect, by the caste system is quite natural. But the basic principle of such caste system is to serve the plan of Godhead and by doing so the four orders of caste system make a headway by the co-operative method. When such spiritual progress is definitely made, the materialistic progress is automatically effected as a matter of course. That makes a real classless society. 490228let.SardarPatel

CASTOR SEEDS Whatever is available easily we can use. There is no objection to using electricity. But we should not be dependent upon it. Produce oil from castor seeds and stock the oil sufficiently. It can be used in so many ways—for burning, grease, cooking, and as a purgative to cure all diseases. And oxen can be used for driving carts and go preaching village to village. What is the question of killing them? Here in India our Lokanatha Maharaja has successfully organized such a program and it is a great success. He has traveled all over India and everywhere they distribute books, prasadam and perform kirtana, village to village. Each night they stop at a different village. We can introduce many millions of such carts all over the world. 770316let.Nityananda

CHANGE There is no question of change but sometimes change is invigorating.

751110let.Bahudak

CASTE SYSTEM The caste system is nothing but a classification of men according to such modes of nature. It is not therefore bound up within the walls of India but this is current all over the world may be under different names. This scientific and natural division of men should be accepted and people should be given chance to become harijana with equal facilities for all. 490705let.Sir

CATS AND DOGS The people of this age are so fallen they are like cats and dogs. What cats and dogs will understand about philosophy? If a dog is barking and you speak with him very nicely “my dear dog, please try to control your barking, it is very disturbing” will he be able to understand? therefore we simply throw him a bone, and he is satisfied. So distribute prasadam, and chant Hare Krishna. For the mass of people this is the only medicine. Lord Caitanya never spoke philosophy in public, he held kirtana and distributed prasadam. When he meet Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya he talked high philosophy, otherwise, Chanting and prasadam distribution. 7512118let.Acyutananda&Yasodananda

CATUR MASYA: The Cäturmäsya period begins in the month of Äñäòha (June-July) from the day of Ekädaçé called Çayanä-ekädaçé, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. The period ends in the month of Kärtika (October-November) on the Ekädaçé day known as Utthänä-ekädaçé, in the fortnight of the waxing moon. This four-month period is known as Cäturmäsya. Some Vaiñëavas also observe it from the full-moon day of Äñäòha until the full-moon day of Kärtika. That is also a period of four months. This period, calculated by the lunar months, is called Cäturmäsya, but others also observe Cäturmäsya according to the solar month from Çrävaëa to Kärtika. The whole period, either lunar or solar, takes place during the rainy season. Cäturmäsya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter whether one is a gåhastha or a sannyäsé. The observance is obligatory for all äçramas. CC M 4.169 P

It is very good that you have been observing Catur-masya. 751118let.Madhudvisa

When the acaryas are seen with beard, that is during Caturmasya, July-September. If observed strictly there is not simply a beard. There are so many rules and regulations. One can’t eat a variety of foods. Only kitri prepared and poured on the floor, and then licked up. There are so many other rules also. That is not always that they kept beard. 760717let.Dhrstaketu

CATUR-VARGA: Dharma, artha, käma and mokña are called catur-varga.

CENTRALIZATION Regarding your points about taxation, corporate status, etc., I have heard from Jayatirtha you want to make big plan for centralization of management, taxes, monies, corporate status, bookkeeping, credit, like that. I do not at all approve of such plan. Do not centralize anything. Each temple must remain independent and self-sufficient. That was my plan from the very beginning, why you are thinking otherwise? Once before you wanted to do something centralizing with your GBC meeting, and if I did not interfere the whole thing would have been killed. Do not think in this way of big corporation, big credits, centralization—these are all nonsense proposals. Only thing I wanted was that books printing and distribution should be centralized, therefore I appointed you and Bali Mardan to do it. Otherwise, management, everything, should be done locally by local men. Accounts must be kept, things must be in order and lawfully done, but that should be each temple’s concern, not yours. Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments of knowledge and action, not for making bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility, competitive spirit, not that one shall dominate and distribute benefits to the others and they do nothing but beg from you and you provide. No. Never mind there may be botheration to register each centre, take tax certificate each, become separate corporations in each state. That will train men how to do these things, and they shall develop reliability and responsibility, that is the point. 721222let.Karandhar

Regarding the several smaller temples being dependent upon the central temple of Washington D.C., that is up to you to decide, but so far I am concerned, I have not got much stock in such centralized management or organization. I never wanted that any of my temples shall be dependent upon the other temples. Rather, our main business is to train up men to be self sufficient and competent in many ways to carry on the preaching work, not to make them into specialists or to minimize their responsibility by centralizing everything. If each center must rely upon its own strength to stand, that will be better training ground for the devotees. We must learn how to do all kinds of varieties of engagements on Krsna’s service, not that we shall expect anyone else to act for us and thus avoid something ourselves. But for reasons of spreading Krsna Consciousness movement, we may sometimes centralize, just like the books and money for BBT are managed by Karandhara in Los Angles. In that case, for more than one man to be dealing with Dai Nippon, overseeing the general production and financial condition of the books, if that were left for each temple to manage, there would be great difficulty and the books would get neither printed nor paid for nor distributed widely. So in that case, centralized management is preferable. But in the case of new temples, it is better if they must have to struggle a little while to establish themselves in their cities, become familiar with the local city officials and leading citizens, elicit support from all quarters of the city, like that, otherwise these things will be neglected and there will be false dependency upon the outside supplies. This will deteriorate everything. Our purpose of Krsna consciousness movement is to create first class servants of Krsna, that means they know how to do everything.

730109let.Damodar

CERTIFICATE APRIL 1967

CHANDRAMUKHI Candramukhi, which means, face resembling the moon

680329let.Nandarani&Dayanandaß

CHANTING (can also be entered under Japa)

Garuda Pandita, the thirty-seventh branch of the tree, always engaged in chanting the auspicious name of the Lord. Because of the strength of this chanting, even the effects of poison could not touch him.

PURPORT

Garuda Pandita was once bitten by a poisonous snake, but the snake’s poison could not affect him because of his chanting the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra.

Ädi 10.75

This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness = how to train the mind to die thinking of Kṛṣṇa. Then your life is successful. Therefore we have to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, always think of Kṛṣṇa. Man-manā bhava mad-bhakto mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Then your life is perfect. 730815BGsLon

The Absolute Truth is Sri Krishna, and loving devotion to Sri Krishna exhibited in pure love is achieved through congregational chanting of the holy name, which is the essence of all bliss. CCÄdi 1.96

But wherever you go, either in New Vrindaban or New York, you should make effort to finish your 16 rounds whenever possible. Of course, if you are always engaged in Krishna’s service, and always chanting Hare Krishna, even if not on your beads, that is also a nice status. As you are an important worker there and you have so many important duties, especially to take care of the cows, it may not be possible for you to stop your work for chanting 16 rounds. This is no great loss, and you should not feel badly about it. Krishna sees your sincerity in Krishna Consciousness, and He will be very kind upon you for this. But as much as possible you should try to fulfill the goal of 16 rounds daily. If you must fall short of this because you have so much service to render to Krishna, do not be disturbed by this. But you should not fall too much short of this goal. That will not be good. Similarly, you must read Bhagavad-gita at least a few verses every day and think about them throughout the day. The best thing is to read one chapter daily, but if you can meditate upon a few verses of Bhagavad-gita every day, that is better than reading for simply one hour and then forgetting the topics until the next reading. 690729let.Paramananda

I am very glad to know that Govinda Dasi felt herself cured of all her diseases by hearing my words, and I am very much encouraged. Both of you chant Hare Krishna and join Sankirtana Party, and there will be no disease. Maharaja Pariksit said that chanting the glories of the Lord can be executed by liberated persons. This means by chanting one becomes liberated from all material impediments. Not only chanting gives us liberation, but even in our conditioned state we like to hear the sweet melodious sound of the chanting. Only a person who is committing suicide or who is addicted in animal killing, such persons cannot relish the sweetness of this chanting. But even if they take to this chanting, they will become liberated. 690617let.Jadurany

Regarding your last question about the ecstatic symptoms of chanting Hare Krishna, you should know that the Hare Krishna Mantra has an equal effect upon all devotees. Just like the sunshine has an equal effect on everyone, but when it is covered, the sunshine has a different effect. Similarly, the influence of the Hare Krishna Mantra becomes manifest when one is no longer covered by the ten offenses to chanting. The more we become free from the ten offenses, the more the effect of chanting becomes manifested through us. Everyone can become a great devotee, being freed from the offenses 100%, simply by one’s determination and effort. 690616let.Arundhati

Regarding Jadurani’s question, hearing the vibration of Hare Krishna automatically reminds one of Krishna’s Pastimes. So both of them arise simultaneously in the mind when one is sincerely chanting. So you cannot make any distinction between listening to the sound and thinking of the Pastimes. But the process is to hear, and then Krishna’s Pastimes, Form, Qualities, etc. will automatically come to mind: That is very nice. 690410let.Satsvarupa

Regarding your last question about the importance of chanting; this chanting process is the only way of attaining full Krishna Consciousness in this age of kali yuga. Lord Caitanya stressed upon this point, and we may take it from His authority that no other method will prove to be successful in this matter. 690123let.Shivananda

The Krishna consciousness is already there but by hearing and purifying yourself, that consciousness comes. Just like water. Water is very clean. When it rains from the clouds it is very clean, but as soon as it drops on the ground it becomes muddy. So that muddiness has to be cleansed then water will come out again clean. Similarly, our consciousness is clean, Krishna conscious, actually, originally, but because it is contaminated with the muddy things of the material nature, it is cloudy. So, this process—Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare—is the cleaning, clarifying process, of the consciousness. Clarifying process. Ceto-darpaëa-märjanaà bhava-mahä-dävägni-nirväpanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. If you take to this clarifying process, then it will be just like as clear as mirror and you will be able to see your face nicely, what I am. Then you’ll understand that I don’t belong to this material world, I belong to the spiritual world, ahaà brahmäsmi; and when you realize that, then if you can act yourself as Brahman, then your life is successful.

brahma-bhutaù prasannätmä

na çocati na käìkñati

samaù sarveñu bhüteñu

mad-bhaktià labhate paräm

[Bg. 18.54]

That is beginning of devotional service. So Kåñëa, Caitanya Mahäprabhu, sädhu-çästra-kåpäya yadi kåñëonmukha haya sei jéva nistare. Nistare means he becomes delivered. If somehow or other he becomes Kåñëa conscious, by the mercy of a sädhu, and by understanding the çästra, if somehow or other he becomes lean to Kåñëa consciousness, then he is eligible for being delivered from this miserable condition of material life. 710317le.Mum

Regarding quality of chanting Hare Krishna, we shall try to avoid the 10 kinds of offenses, that is the quality. 680514let.Rayarama

So far the spirit soul is concerned, if conditions are for some reason not favorable in some place, he is forced to leave that womb and take shelter in another. And if there is chanting of Hare Krishna, even the soul is there for a short time, oh, he will hear and become advanced. This sound vibration is not material, it is spiritual, and powerful beyond our conception. So it cannot be hindered in any way by something material; it surpasses all these material barriers. So you can know it that when you are chanting, you are also giving benefit to even the child in the womb. 680228let.Mukunda&Janaki

I am very glad to learn you are chanting 48 rounds. Actually it is all right that one should chant 64 rounds, even 16 rounds, so if one is able to chant more than 16 rounds up to 64, it is very good.

You fix up your rounds. Try to increase it but never decrease it. 671217let.Indira/Ekayani

I am so glad to learn that you are now getting the fruit of chanting Hare Krishna. Hare Krishna is so nice that it clears the dirty things from the mind of the devotee and the more one is used to chant the Holy Name offenselessly, the more one develops love of God, forgetting the whole material nonsense. 671123let.Umapati

Thank you very much for participating in this sankirtana movement. I am glad to hear that you are enthusiastic about chanting. Keep chanting 24 hours if possible. This constant chanting of Krishna’s names will assure you of not falling down from His service. Never leave the association of devotees, otherwise it will be very difficult to chant constantly. 750112let.BhaktinLesley Fordham

P.S. In the meantime, please chant Hare Krishna as often as possible for purification of the heart.

750419let.JohnPanama

I think it is very obvious, even you have admitted, that the problem is that you are not following the basic principles of our society. The fact that you have not chanted your rounds for a long time is enough to make you without any spiritual strength. The best thing for you is to seriously try to follow all of the rules and regulations very strictly under the guidance of the temple authorities. Then your mind will become very clear, not so agitated. You have taken initiation from me, so actually you are obliged to do this. You have promised, therefore there is no choice,—you must follow strictly. Otherwise, you are carving your pathway to hell. 750526let.Gauragopala

Go on preaching for now, so far money matters, that we shall see later. Preaching is our life. Follow strictly the principles, read, chant,—then there is success. And if you don’t do this, spiritual strength is reduced. It is just like a snake is very powerful, so long he has got poison. If it has no poison, nobody cares for it. Similarly, this chanting, reading, and following the principles is our spiritual strength. 750608let.Gargamuni

Of course you should not be thinking to sell any of the crops for profit. That is not our purpose. The village organization is that the local people produce their necessities like grain, vegetables, milk, and cloth; and for recreation they have the chanting of Hare Krishna. They should live there comfortably and have spiritual recreation. 750803let.Mahamsa

Your home to home preaching is very good. The important thing is to make arrangements that they hear and chant. That will make your preaching successful. Once they begin chanting then automatically they will want to follow the rules and regulations, attend Arati, take Prasadam, etc. 760109let.TustaKrishna

Considering your problem I will advise you to chant on your lips since you become tired chanting out loud. Also you can sit and hear your Godbrothers chanting. And you can also hear tapes. Do all of these and there should be no problem. 760116let.Ajitananda

While chanting Hare Krishna Hare Krishna you should always feel the presence of Krishna in Person and as soon as you remember Krishna in Person you can remember also about His talks with Arjuna. If you cannot remember Krishna in Person you should try to hear attentively the word Krishna, Hare as you go on chanting. 670505let.Ballabhi

CHARITY We are helping people how to get out of this material body and revive your own spiritual body and, in that spiritual body, you go back to home, back to Godhead. This is the process. Tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. But people are so attracted to this material body that they are prepared to become cats and dogs next life, but they are not prepared to go back to home, back to Godhead. This is the problem. 730408BG.NY

CHEATING

The foremost process of cheating is to desire to achieve liberation by merging into the Supreme, for this causes the permanent disappearance of loving service to Kåñëa. CC Adi 1.92

The darkness of ignorance is called kaitava, the way of cheating, which begins with religiosity, economic development, sense gratification and liberation. CCÄdi 1.90

CHILDREN

The basic idea of raising children as they are described in the Vedic literature is that from birth till the age of five years the parents may be very lenient with the child. From the ages six to ten they should tighten the discipline of their child, and from the ages of ten till the sixteenth year the parents should be as strict as a tiger with their child so that he will be afraid to be disobedient at all. Then after the sixteenth year the parents shall treat their child as a friend, and the child is allowed to gradually develop his adult responsibility and independence.690715let.Vibhavati

Regarding the child problem: I may inform you that all our children born of the Krishna conscious parents, they are welcome and I want hundreds of children like that. Because in future we expect to change the face of the whole world, because child is the father of man. Anyway, I have seen Malati is nursing her child so nicely that she attended my meeting every day and the child was playing and she never cried. Similarly, Lilavati’s child also never cries or disturbs the meeting. Lilavati was always present with her child, so it depends on the mother. How to keep the child comfortable, so that it will not cry. The child cries only when it feels uncomfortable. The child’s comfort and discomfort depends on the mother’s attention. So the best solution is that we should train our all first-day small babies in such a way that they are always satisfied and there will be no disturbance in the meeting, and there will be no complaint. But there cannot be any hard and fast rules that only children who are grown up, 7 or 8 years old, can be admitted and no other children can be admitted. That is not possible, and I am not going to sanction any such rule. Rather I shall welcome a baby from the very beginning, so that the transcendental vibration may enter into its ear, and from the very beginning of its life, it becomes purified. But of course, the children cannot be allowed to disturb in the meeting by crying; and that is the mother’s responsibility to keep them comfortable, and not to disturb the meeting. 680821let.KrishnaDevi

Regarding your questions about children at Gurukula, above ten years old they can be initiated first time, and after one year of perfectly chanting 16 rounds and observing the other regulative principles, they may receive second initiation. The Bhagavata class should go on, just as I have shown you, with everyone attending, including the children. Read the Sanskrit sloka all together, word meanings, translation, purport and give elucidation on all points. The children should be doing the same thing we are doing, plus giving them the playing facility, a little ABC, history, mathematics, geography, like that. They should not help in cooking, nor should they take part in any hard work, they must study. After initiation, then they can learn cooking. They should not be utilized for giving service to the elderly members, they should be given chance for reading and writing. So far marriage is concerned, they must be legally married.

720725let.Satsvaruap

I am simply surprised that you want to give up your child to some other persons, even they are also devotees. For you, child-worship is more important than deity-worship. If you cannot spend time with him, then stop the duties of pujari. At least you must take good care of your son until he is four years old, and if after that time you are unable any more to take care of him then I shall take care. These children are given to us by Krishna, they are Vaisnavas and we must be very careful to protect them. These are not ordinary children, they are Vaikuntha children, and we are very fortunate we can give them chance to advance further in Krishna Consciousness. That is very great responsibility, do not neglect it or be confused. Your duty is very clear. 720730let.Arundhati

Small children are just like animals and they have to be t rained how to obey, otherwise they will be simply spoiled. But the art is how to apply authority and discipline so they will enjoy it and not reject, and I think you all instructors are learning yourselves that art more and more, and this pleases me very much.

721026let.Dinatarini

Now the thing is, children should not be beaten at all, that I have told. They should simply be shown the stick strongly. So if one cannot manage in that way then he is not fit as teacher. If a child is trained properly in Krishna Consciousness, he will never go away. That means he must have two things, love and education. So if there is beating of child, that will be difficult for him to accept in loving spirit, and when he is old enough he may want to go away—that is the danger. So why these things are going on _ marching and chanting japa, insufficient milk, too strict enforcement of time schedules, hitting the small children? Why these things are being imposed? Why they are inventing these such new things like marching and japa like military? What can I do from such a distant place? They should run and play when they are small children, not forced to chant japa, that is not the way. 721118let.Bhanutanya

Yes, if we simply train them properly they will come out just to the highest standard of Vaisnava devotee. And what is that training? Simply they should be engaged in such a way that they are somehow or other remembering Krishna at every moment, that’s all. It is not something mechanical process, if we force in such a way they will come out like this, no. We are persons, and Krishna is a Person, and our relationship with Krishna He leaves open as a voluntary agreement always, and that voluntary attitude—Yes, Krishna, I shall gladly co-operate whatever you say—that ready willingness to obey is only possible if there is love. Forcing will not make me agree. But if there is love, oh, I shall gladly do it. That is bhakti, that is Krishna Consciousness. So similarly, if we train children by developing and encouraging their propensity to love Krishna, then we shall be successful in educating them to the topmost standard. Then they shall always very happily agree to do whatever you ask them. So I have heard that there as been some beating with sticks on the children. Of course I do not know, but that should not be. You may show the stick, threaten, but better art is to somehow or other, even by tricking them, avoid this matter of force and induce them to obey out of loving spirit. That is success of disciplinary method. 721118let.RupaVilas

I note that your wife has given birth to one girl child. Are all your other children also dasi’s or do you have any das’s? We want more das’s than dasi’s. 751110let.Bahudak

I note that your wife and Visalaini both gave birth to baby girls. That is the defect. I want male children but you have no stamina for it. I expected from Visalaini by her belly that it would be a boy. Anyway, never mind. The name Brijlata is nice. Why do the majority of my married disciples give birth to girls?

751109let.Dhananjaya

I note that your wife has given birth to one girl child. Are all your other children also dasi’s or do you have any das’s? We want more das’s than dasi’s.

751110let.Bahudak

There is no reason why you have to be settled in one place. The actual education of a child doesn’t begin until five years. Before that the child is free. Thereafter, the child may be sent to Gurukula in Dallas. This is the Vedic system.

760111let.Kirtiraja

CHINESE I agree with your statement very much that if the Chinese are approached intelligently they will become strong devotees, because their moral character and steadfast nature is very strong. 74.5.12let.Devaprastha

I wish that you will meet Trivikrama Swami in Hong Kong and combinedly organize distribution of the Chinese Gita profusely. It will be a great triumph. After all, one third of the world is Chinese speaking, and they are also human, they have a very old culture, so why shouldn’t they be benefited by Lord Caitanya’s movement. 760604let.Sridhara

CHRIST

God has got many names according to different religious system. But the real name is Kristo. And you will be glad to understand that this Kristo, it is a Greek word, and it is a perverted pronunciation of Kṛṣṇa, this Greek word. The meaning of Kristo in Sanskrit dictionary and the Greek dictionary always the same, about this word. And from this Kristo the word has got Christo, or Christ. So even in Christian world the God’s name is there—Jesus the Christ, or Jesus the son of Kristo, or Kṛṣṇa.

740627BG.Mel

Maybe as our movement increases in volume the orthodox section of Christianity may be envious of our successful march. I think you should collect some information from the Bible that Sankirtana, chanting of the Holy Names of God, is recommended there also. There is a book called Aquarian Gospel in which it is stated that Lord Jesus Christ lived in the temple of Jagannatha. Without being His devotee, how could he live there and how the authorities could allow a nondevotee to live there? From that book it appears that Lord Jesus Christ lived in intimate relations with the priest order. So as far as possible, you should prepare yourself for future writings that our movement is not against the philosophy of Jesus Christ, but it is in complete collaboration with his line of religiosity. 690731let.Hayagriva

We have great respect for Lord Jesus Christ. We accept him as powerful incarnation of Krishna, as much as we accept Lord Buddha. We can adjust the Buddhists, Christians, and even the Mohammedans to our KC movement, so if the religious heads of these faiths try to understand our philosophy, certainly there will be great impetus in the matter of spiritual rejuvenation of the world. 690603let.Syamasundar

Regarding your questions, in the sense that they do not belong to disciplic succession, in that sense Christ, Buddha, and the others are not bona fide. But because they have got some special power we accept them as bona fide. Just like Buddha. We accept him as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sometimes they play like that because they may have to. Although they are bona fide, they play sometimes as unbona fide. For example, we reject Buddha as unbona fide, but we accept him as an incarnation of God. We worship Lord Siva as a Vaisnava, but as a demigod we reject him. But to speak the truth, these personalities are not bona fide because who is caring for them? This so-called resurgence of feeling for Christ by the young people is due to our Krishna Consciousness movement. They are seeing that the foreigners are here, there is some national feeling and they think why not our Christ? Whatever they are doing we do not approve. But that does not mean that they should stop their work, this factionalism will go on. But one can see by the results. It is better not to talk with these people. Better let them remain as Christians and Buddhists, we do not want to convert them. You tell them that if you stick to Christ you will come out all right. It is better to avoid these comparative studies. 720816let.Nityananda

CHRISTIAN Actually our Krishna Conscious movement is genuine Christian movement. Christ means Krishna, love of Godhead, Who has His face anointed with tilak. There is a word Kristos in the Greek dictionary, and this word is supposed to be borrowed from the Sanskrit word “Krishna,” and Christ is derived from Kristos. I find these things in a book known as Aquarian Gospel of Lord Jesus the Christ. Anyway, any genuine Christian will find our movement nice and perfect. We simply want their cooperation in this matter that they allow us to use their many vacant churches in the Western countries for rejuvenation of spiritual life in this part of the world. So if the Archbishop kindly gives us a church through the intervention of Mr. Harrison, it will be a great success for our movement. So try your best for this achievement. 690831let.Syamasundara

CHRISTMAS we don’t encourage Christmas greetings.741121let.Kirtiraja

CHURCH Anyway, all blessings upon you for securing this church. Krishna will certainly be pleased upon you. Now you and your good wife are both initiated, chant faithfully 16 rounds daily, and follow the four regulative principles. This will insure your spiritual perfection. 760110let.SubhaVilasa

CIRCUMCISION

Yes, so far your coming child is concerned, I shall give name to it when it is born. No, circumcision is not done in Vedic culture, it is not required. 680528let.Malati

is not important. 750507let.BhaktaDas

I cannot quote immediately from sastra, but psychologically we can understand that there is no such things as Hindu religion, but according to the Vedic sastra there is varna-asrama, the religion of varna and asrama. The whole varna-asrama system discourages sex life. Circumcision is a facility for sex life. So in other systems of religion or throughout the whole universe the tendency is to enjoy sex life, whereas the varna-asrama system discourages sex life. Sex life is the cause of bondage of the conditioned soul to remain in the material world. If one can conquer over the sex impulses voluntarily, he conquers over the influence of material nature. So the ideals being different, I think in the Vedic system such circumcision is prohibited. 750930let.ArvindShah

CITIZENSHIP The devotees must learn Hindi, as many as possible, and take citizenship. 760526let.Giriraja

CIT-SHAKTI

The cit-çakti, which is also called svarüpa-çakti or antaraìga-çakti, displays many varied manifestations. It sustains the kingdom of God and its paraphernalia.

Ädi 2.101

CIVILIZATION

The modern civilization is simply meant for creating unnecessary necessities of life. That’s all.

So we are becoming deviated from God. The more we are advancing in so-called material civilization, we are more becoming far away from God. Therefore Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has sung, jaḍa-bidyā yata, māyāra vaibhava, tomāra bhajane bādhā. Jaḍa-bidyā, the material education, they are simply paraphernalia of this illusory energy, māyāra vaibhava.And the effect of this advancement of material civilization means stopping one’s relationship with God. 721212BG.Ahm

The modern civilization is a condemned civilization. The innocent people are being dragged from the villages and exploited in the cities. But in the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krishna recommends them to remain where they are and produce grains: annad bhavanta bhutani. Grow your food, eat sumtuously, and chant Hare Krishna. This is real life. If we establish such projects all over India, we shall be the proprietor of India. Similarly in the USA. And if USA and India join together in such Krishna consciousness projects, then the whole world will be paradise. Krishna provides everything, but we mismanage it. Even in this condemned world He has provided everything complete. He is so perfect. Krishna wants us to pass on our days here in Krishna consciousness, and then go back home, back to Godhead.

This village program is for the ordinary class of people, and for the intellectuals we have got our books. We are not lacking in anything. 750907let.Mahavirya

This scientific book should be done very carefully, so that people in general may not be mislead by the over intelligent scientists. There are so many contradictory things, but we have our authority and they have their authority. Our knowledge is from vedic scriptures which we accept as definite and without any mistake. A modern scientist believes that there was no civilization before 3,000 years, our Bhagavatam was spoken by Sukadeva Goswami 5,000 years ago and he is explaining “as I have heard it from authority”, so we have got parampara system for millions of years. If there was no civilization before 3,000 years, then how this subject matter of knowledge could be discussed? How could it be received through the param-para system? So there is contradiction certainly. But the statement that there was no civilization 3,000 years ago can be adjusted by the conviction that there was civilization, millions and millions of years ago. 751217let.SvarupaDamodara

Just introduce this new type of Krishna Conscious civilization and the whole world will thank you. 760122let.Satsvarupa

CLEANLINESS I am glad to learn that the situation in New York is proper again. Thank you very much. So now do everything nicely and cooperate together, and keep everything purified. That is the brahminical qualification, truthfulness and cleanliness, satyam and saucam. These are the first qualifications. Then controlling the mind and the senses, simplicity, full knowledge, and practical application of knowledge, and faith in the Vedas and the spiritual master. Those who are initiated by the brahminical thread, their first duty is to maintain cleanliness and truthfulness. I hope you can understand the importance of this. 741208let.Radhaballava

I am glad to hear that your Sunday program is successful. One thing is that you should keep everything very clean. That is the first business. Every room should be as clean as a mirror. The prasadam room should be immediately cleaned after taking prasadam, otherwise you are inviting rats. Be careful. 731020let.Mukunda

Instruct the newly initiated Brahmins about cleanliness, taking bath three time daily, taking bath each time after passing stool. Cleanliness within and without, that is very important for brahminical life. 751207let.Madhudvisa

Hold a fire ceremony, and let the students hear the mantra from the tape recording through the right rear. Brahminical life means to be very very clean, inside and out. Inside by chanting and hearing, and outside by bathing three times daily, if not possible at least two times, but never less than once. Bathing after passing stool. The qualifications of the Brahmanas are described in the 18th Chapter of Bhagavad gita verse 42 “Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, wisdom, knowledge and religiousness—these are the qualities by which the brahmanas work.” So see that these instructions are being followed nicely. 751207let.Sivarama

CLOTHING Regarding your other questions, yes, you may wear any clothing that you find comfortable 690715let.Vibhavati

CLUTCHES OF MÄYÄ means birth, death, old age, and disease. 751211sb.vrn

COCONUT EXAMPLE

The example of Naradaji, that when he realized Krishna in his previous life, that life and next life, there is no difference. The example is given sometimes in the coconut skin when it is dried up, the fruit within the covering of coconut is hard. And if the coconut is shaken, it is found that the coconut fruit is moving within. Because it has dried up and broken away from the inner walls of the coconut skin. So it has nothing to do with the outer skin, even though it appears that it is within that skin. Similarly, when one is purely in Krishna Consciousness, it may appear that he is within the material existence, but actually he has nothing to do with it. He is dried up, like the coconut fruit; and that process of drying-up is forgetting all sense gratification, and executing Krishna Consciousness full time. So, when one is purely in Krishna Consciousness, his present life and in future life are identical. 680601let.Upendra

COMMUNISM Regarding China preaching, so far as I know Chinese people, although communists, they are not devoid of God consciousness. If they are sincere communists, they will accept our philosophy. Our philosophy is that every living being is the son of the Supreme Being and whatever we see within our vision—either living beings on the land, on the water—everything belongs to the Supreme Being. Every living being has a right to enjoy the Supreme Father’s property. So everyone means not only the human being, but also other living entities, those living in the sky, water, trees, plants, creepers, ants, beasts, birds—all living beings, they are sons of the Supreme Being in different forms.

So we should be compassionate to every living being, accepting them as sons of the Supreme Being. That is the real communistic idea, perfectly enunciated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So any communist country, if they take help from us, their communistic ideal will be perfect. Let the leading men of any communistic country come and talk with us about our philosophy and they are sure to make him convinced about this loftiest philosophy of Krsna consciousness. We do not criticize the communistic idea, but we want to make it perfect. 751118let.Madhudvisa

COMPETITION So, any devotee executing any one of the nine is transcendentally glorious. One devotee may be proud that his process of service is the best. That is not inglorious. This is called transcendental competition. Everyone should feel proud of his particular type of devotional service, but that does not mean that other types of service are inferior. Everyone should feel proud of becoming sincere servant of Krishna, but the pure devotee never minimizes the importance of other devotees. Krishna is the enjoyer of varieties of service. It is not stuck up with any particular type of service. Krishna takes pleasure with devotees even by fighting service. When Grandfather Bhisma was trying to injure the body of Krishna by sharpened arrows, in full devotion in the mellow of chivalry, Krishna was feeling the piercing of the arrows as good as worshiping him with soft rose flowers. The conclusion is that everyone should be very very sincere. There is no more the question of inferior or superior. 750119let.Satsvarupa

In the material world competition one thinks my competitor can do so much, how can I bring him down? In the spiritual world there is appreciation: he has done so nicely, I could not do so well. Just like in the material world there is attraction between men and women and this attraction is stronger than anything else. In the spiritual world there is also beautiful men and beautiful women and there is attraction but this attraction is not so strong as the attraction for chanting the Lord’s glories. 760118let.Ramesvara

Replying your letter of Nov. 9, I beg to inform you that Kirtanananda and Hayagriva’s recent standing is being directly dealt by me; at least Hayagriva is not as fanatic as Kirtanananda. His latest letter reveals that he is not out of Krishna Consciousness as we understand. The whole episode was generated by personal grudge. This personal grudge is not inhuman and as I have told many times, that individualism is the cause of personal misunderstanding. When such individualism is employed in the center of Krishna there is no harm even if there is personal misunderstanding. Personal misunderstanding exists even in the higher levels. There is competition of loving Krishna even in the party of Srimati Radharani. It is a kind of rasa to compete in loving affection centering around Krishna. We shall, therefore, try to bring back Hayagriva and Kirtanananda to their senses. After all we must understand that we are dealing with persons affected by Maya. Every one of us is under the influence of the external energy, Maya. The best way to get out of the clutches of Maya is to concentrate our attention in the loving service of Krishna. I understand that Hayagriva and Kirtanananda are continuing to chant Hare Krishna is their center. I hope therefore they will not go astray and the misunderstanding may be cleared up in due course of time. 671115let.Brahmanandmellow

COMPLAINTS Regarding the complaints against yourself you have mentioned, I do not find any complaints. But even if there should be such complaints, you must remain pure, and automatically the complaints will vanish. And, if there is any truth in the complaints, you should rectify and be purified. 741202let.Sudama

COMPROMISE When my Guru Maharaja was present even big, big scholars were afraid to talk with His beginning students. My Guru Maharaja was called “Living Encyclopedia”, he could talk with anyone on any subject. He was so learned—so we should be like that as far as possible. No compromise—Ramakrishna, avataras, yogis, everyone was enemy to Guru Maharaja—he never compromised. Some God-brothers complained that this preaching was chopping technique and it would not be successful. But we have seen that those who criticized, they fell down. For my part I have taken up the policy of my Guru Maharaja—no compromise. All these so called scholars, scientists, philosophers who do not accept Krsna are nothing more than rascals, fools, lowest of mankind etc.. So you go on with your work, it is very encouraging to me. Thank you. 730727let.Karandhar

COMPULSORY Anyone who is not taking to this Kåñëa consciousness movement, surely he is taking poison knowingly. That is the fact. Everyone, haräv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guëä [SB 5.18.12], no qualification. The so-called education has no meaning, no value. So it is not a whim that one may take to Kåñëa consciousness and one may not. No. It is compulsory. One must take to Kåñëa consciousness; otherwise his life is spoiled, çrama eva hi kevalam. 750320ar.cal

Regarding your questions, the main things is that whatever is required by you and your family to live nicely in Krishna Consciousness, that much you should accept. Do not take more than what you actually need. And you should give what ever you can to the temple as donation. Nothing is compulsory. Whatever you kindly pay, that will be accepted.

Regarding sending children to Gurukula, that is also optional, not compulsory. The most important things are that you follow very carefully all of the rules and regulations such as rising early, and having mangala arati and classes, etc. and that you chant at least 16 rounds daily without fail. These things are most essential for your spiritual advancement and then everything will be alright. 750314let.Tirthanga

CONDITIONED

Conditioned means you have to fulfill the condition. Just like from here if I want to go to America, then I have to fulfill the condition: the visa condition, the passport condition, the health condition, the custom condition—so many conditions. You cannot go immediately. Or nobody can come from there also. In every respect we are conditioned. Every respect. This body is conditioned. You cannot enjoy this body unconditionally. No. That is not possible. You have to change. 760921SB.Vnrd (This lecture explains the word conditioned very well)

means that due to imperfect desires the spirit soul becomes dependent on material conditions for his satisfaction. 730509let.caturbhuja

CONFIDENTIAL Therefore bhave ‘smin kliçyanti. Kliçyamänänäm. Simply wasting time, without knowing what is the aim of… The aim of life is you have to satisfy Kåñëa. We have repeatedly that… Therefore Kåñëa says nothing, that “The most confidential knowledge, Arjuna, I am giving you. I have spoken to you Bhagavad-gétä in so many detail, but because you are My intimate, dear friend, I give you the most confidential knowledge.” Guhyatamam. This word is used. What is that? “Surrender,” that’s all. Sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm… [Bg. 18.66]. “This is the most confidential… Simply surrender and do what I say.” That is the fact. If we act as Kåñëa says, then we shall be very, very happy. There is no doubt about it. And if we do not act, then we shall suffer.741016SB.May

CONFIRMATION Whatever you are doing at the present moment is approved by me and I think on account of your becoming a sincere soul, Krishna is dictating from within and you are doing things so nicely. There are two gurus—one internal and the other external. The internal Guru is Krishna Himself seated in everyone’s heart, and the external Guru is the Spiritual Master. So a sincere devotee is helped both externally and internally. To the sincere devotee the internal Guru Krishna dictates, but the thing has to be conformed by the external Guru then it is all right. I am very glad that you don’t go out, and keep indoors engaging yourself in Krishna Consciousness activities.680114ket.Kanchabala

CONSCIOUSNESS

This consciousness of the soul is, however, different from the consciousness of the Supreme because the supreme consciousness is all-knowledge—past, present and future. The consciousness of the individual soul is prone to be forgetful. When he is forgetful of his real nature, he obtains education and enlightenment from the superior lessons of Krishna BGAII 2.20 p

So Kṛṣṇa consciousness means… Consciousness is there. But this consciousness, what is this Kṛṣṇa consciousness? This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We have forgotten Kṛṣṇa; therefore we simply say “consciousness.” Really consciousness means Kṛṣṇa consciousness, because without Kṛṣṇa, you cannot have consciousness. Therefore the right name is “Kṛṣṇa consciousness,” not “consciousness.” Right name is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Just like without sun how there can be sunshine? Therefore we say “sunshine,” not “shine.” Sunshine.

Therefore as soon as there is consciousness, it must be Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If one makes Kṛṣṇa minus, he’s a rascal. He’s a rascal. Consciousness means Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Shining means sunshine. The sunshine means without sun, how there can be sunshine? Similarly, consciousness means Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Without Kṛṣṇa, how there can be consciousness? How it can be Kṛṣṇa consciousness? This requires a little brain to understand. 730430SB.LA

Consciousness is eternal, and consciousness is the symptom of the soul. Soul is eternal. When the soul takes shelter in the matter, then the matter develops, not that that combination of matter, you can produce soul. 660328BG.NY

the position of the consciousness is activity. Activity. 660328BG.NY

If we are actually conscious for our happiness, we must make a permanent solution of these miseries. That is the mission of human life. So for making that mission fulfilled, we have got developed consciousness than the animals. That developed consciousness should not be misused only for the animal propensities of life. That is the whole thing. 660523BG.NY

Suppose when you have got sense, improved consciousness, human being, if one asks you to stand up here for one hour, it will be so troublesome. And even if you are forced to stand up for one hour, you’ll feel so much uncomfortable. But this tree, because it has not developed consciousness, it is standing up for 10,000’s of years, and in open atmosphere, tolerating all kinds of excessive heat, rain, snowfall. But still, it is capturing. This is the difference between developed consciousness and undeveloped consciousness. A tree has also consciousness. Modern science, they have proved, they have got consciousness. Very much covered, almost dead.

But it is not dead. There is consciousness. So the more you develop your consciousness, the more you become a freedom lover. Just like in the human society, there is fight for freedom. But in the animal society, they do not know what is freedom. 720626sb.la

CONSIGNMENT Regarding the Doubleday book stores, we do not like to give on consignment, but if some very big stores will take our literature only in that way, then we must make concession. 690515let.Brahmananda

CONTRACEPTION the use of contraceptive methods for sex enjoyement is very sinful 730618let.Sureshcandra

COOK Regarding the cooking, a non-brahmana may assist but he cannot cook.

741124let.Sukadeva

COOPERATION: “Regarding general state of affairs at Amsterdam temple, I can understand there is some disturbance among you, but that is not to be taken very seriously. Real business is preaching work, and if there is full attention on this matter only, all other businesses will be automatically successful. Fighting amongst ourselves is not at all good, but if our preaching work is neglected, or if we fall down in following the regulative principles such as rising before four, chanting 16 rounds, like that, if these things are not strictly observed then maya will enter and spoil everything. So my best advice to you is to strictly observe these things yourself and be the example so that all others may follow. We should not criticize each other, as Vaisnavas, because there is fault in everyone and we may be ourselves subject to criticism. Best thing is to be above suspicion ourselves, then if we see discrepancies and make suggestion the others will automatically respect and take action to rectify the matters. That is cooperation. And we must exist on such cooperation, otherwise the whole thing is doomed if we simply go on fighting over some small thing. So try to organize things and preach together in this spirit, and that will please me very, very much.” 721118let.Madhumangala

We want cooperation. Why there should be non-cooperation between ourselves. That is not good. 751110let.Kirtanananda

Everything should be done co-operatively. “Our” and “your’s” are material conceptions and have no place in our Krishna Consciousness movement. If the members of our movement are unable to co-operate it will be very difficult to spread the mission of Lord Caitanya. 760105let.Satsvarupa

“Couple of days” Concerning the Chitra Studio, I very much appreciate your offering and I am sending Gopala Krishna das Adhikari along with one of our experienced photographers and filmmakers, Yadubara das Adhikari. They will surely arrive within the next couple of days and do the needful in this connection on my behalf. Thank you very much. 760406let.Kapurji

COWS When cows were purchased in the beginning I have seen them crying because the calf was taken for killing. They can understand. Not that they are animal and cannot understand. 741005let.Kirtanananda

The cow is the most wonderful animal and she is so beneficial for human society, giving so many gifts in the form of milk products. And you can turn all those milk products into wonderful preparations to offer to Radha-Krsna and thus your life will become perfect. 741217let.Parvati

I am glad also that you have a new gosala. Let other farms see what is our behavior for the cows and how we derive benefit from them and that will be the living example to persons who are using cow flesh rather than cow milk.

751110let.Kirtanananda

And oxen can be used for driving carts and go preaching village to village. What is the question of killing them? Here in India our Lokanatha Maharaja has successfully organized such a program and it is a great success. He has traveled all over India and everywhere they distribute books, prasadam and perform kirtana, village to village. Each night they stop at a different village. We can introduce many millions of such carts all over the world.

If you are getting enough milk from the cows simply by pasturing them, then that is all right. But if you require more then you may have to feed them special grains. We want to do whatever is easy and save time for Krishna consciousness. 770116let.Nityananda

CRAZY I am in due receipt of your letter dated April 8th, 1975 and I was unable to note the contents. Why do you write such a crazy letter? You cannot write like a normal person? Anyway, I hope that you are following all of the rules and regulations very carefully without any deviation. Try to work hard for Krishna and co-operate very nicely with the temple authorities. 750509let.SatkritaDas

CRITICISM

You have mentioned about some criticism made by Jaya Govinda which upset you. I do not know exactly what is the point, but if there is some honest criticism, there should be no cause of becoming upset. 690728let.Vrndavaneshvari

When I point out some discrepancy of my disciples, it is always with good will so you can become the best servant of Krishna. There is nothing of material grudge. Kindly remember this. 741019let.Hansadutta

I know you are working hard and sincerely. I have no business to criticize you but as head of the institution or your spiritual master, it is my duty to find out your faults. Even Caitanya Mahaprabhu presented himself as faulty before his spiritual master. To remain faulty before the spiritual master is a good qualification so he is subjected to rectification. But if one thinks he is all perfect then there is no scope for rectification. Don’t be sorry when I find fault. That is my primary duty. Canakya pandita says one must find fault with disciples and sons, it is good for them.74.4.20let.Bhavananda&Jayapataka

We should not criticize each other, as Vaisnavas, because there is fault in everyone and we may be ourselves subject to criticism. 721118let.Madhumangala

Regarding the criticism from others, that may be there but we have to follow our own principles. Syamasundara was too attached to his daughter and therefore he took her back, but it is not good.

730828let.Satsvarupa

CROWN JEWEL OF ALL HEROES CCM23.67 nayakanam siroratnam

“Krishna …is the crown jewel of all heroes..”

CULTURE A really cultured learned fellow is far above a politician. Because a politician is honoured by the votes of his countrymen while a cultured and learned fellow is honoured everywhere all over the world. So we say that Ravindra Natha and Gandhi were never dependant for the votes of their countrymen but they were honoured all over the world for their cultural contribution. The same Canakya Pandit defined the standard of learning. The standard of learning had had to be testified by its result and not by the manner of University degrees. He said that one, who looks upon all women, except one’s married wife as mothers—all other’s wealth as the pebbles on the street and all living being as one’s own self,—is really learned fellow. He never stressed on the point of standard of how many grammars, rhetorics or other books of knowledge one might have gone through, or how many Doctorates of different Universities one might have been decorated with.

At the present moment we know very well that a few men look upon other women, besides one’s married wife as mothers; very few men will look upon other’s wealth as pebbles on the street and very few men will try to behave with other living beings as one wants to be treated oneself. …………………….. The wonderful temples, the mosques and the cathedrals of past centuries were built up to give them the real food and were not built up by blind or unquestioning faith. The were built up on full faith and reasoning which were based on the deductive process. The Vedas, the Bible or the Koran would ask the human being to make proper use of his conserved energy in the transcendental service of God and unsophisticated men in the old days would follow such instruction unhesitatingly for realizing the Absolute Truth. Such temples, mosques were therefore centres of high culture to provide real food to human consciousness. 520120let.JawaharlalNehru

CYUTA Cyuta means fallen, and acyuta means not fallen. 730718bg.lon

DAIVA means controlled by the higher demigods. Just like famine or earthquake. …pestilence,… flood 730710bg.lon

Daiva-netreëa: by the decision of higher authorities. Daiva, generally, it means the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His agents. He has got many. 710215sb.Gor

DAMAGHOSA name of Sisupala’s father “Dama means curbing down, and ghoña means famous” KB ch. 53

DANCING our dancing is ecstatic 730419let.Satsvarupa

Regarding your question about the dancing, the dancing should be done enthusiastically by raising the hands like Panca-Tattva. You can also dance enthusiastically by raising hands. All of Lord Caitanya’s followers used to dance with raised hands. If someone dances with ecstasy, that is all right, but it is better to dance with raised hands. 751110let.Kirtanananda

DANDA As far as your danda goes if it is too troublesome to carry there is no need for it. Lord Caitanya’s danda was broken by Nityananda Prabhu and He never carried it again. But if you want you can make another although for preaching purposes it may be dropped. 760912let.Gurudas

DANDAVATS Prabhupada offers dandavats to his godbrother’s disciple.

DARASANA: interview CCM 8.31 and 33

DARKNESS is the absence of sunshine Adi 1.54 p

DARSHAN Yad-ékñaëam. Simply if you sit down in front of the Deity and go on seeing, bäs, do nothing, simply see: “How nicely dressed is Kåñëa. How nicely dressed is Rädhäräëé,” simply if you see, it is said, yad-ékñaëam. Yad-ékñaëam. Çravaëaà kértanam [SB 7.5.23], if you have no capacity to chant or if you have no such fixed-up mind—your mind is so disturbing that you cannot fix up your mind in Kåñëa—then the chance is given: “Here is Deity. You simply see.” Simply see. And if you are engaged in the service, there is good chance of seeing always, twenty-four hours. While you are cleansing the floor of the temple or the room, you are seeing. You are dressing—you are seeing. You are bathing—you are seeing. You are offering food—you are seeing. This is the process.

So people are so rascal, they do not come even to see. They are so fallen down. They do not come. “Oh, what is this, Deity worship? Idol worship. Idol worship.” They will worship Gandhi’s statue and this statue, that statue, but when they are asked that “Come here and see the Deity worship nicely,” “No, this is idol worship.” We… I have seen in Calcutta that Sir Asutosh Mukherjee’s statue there is in the Chowringhee Square. So in the morning, these ordinary sweepers, they’ll cleanse the statue with their brush, because whole year, the crows have passed stool on the face. So it has become a very solid stool, fixed up. So… I have seen it, brushing like this. This is their arcanam. This is allowed. And if you worship the Deity, bathe the Deity, this is idol worship. And that Municipal brush, sweeping brush, and on the face of Sir Asutosh Mukherjee brushing, that is very good. Just see how much rascal they are. In the morning this business is done. And in the evening all big, big men will come

and flower him, garland him, full of garlands. And after evening they’ll go away, and again, next morning, the crows will pass stool. That kind of worship is accepted. And if we install Deity of Kåñëa and worship Him nicely—”These are for the fools and rascals, less intelligent.” And he’s very intelligent. This is going on all over the world. They are worshiping Napoleon. They are worshiping… I have seen in Paris, Napoleon’s statue: “France and Napoleon, one.” I asked them, “Where is your Napoleon? France is there, but where is your Napoleon?”

So these things are going on all over the world. Why? Now, avidyä. The disease is avidyä-käma-karmabhiù. So people are so much embarrassed with this avidyä-käma-karmabhiù. And to educate them, to rescue them from these clutches of avidyä-käma-karmabhiù, is this çravaëaà kértanaà viñëoù smaraëaà päda-sevanam [SB 7.5.23]. That is the sum and substance. So that is explained in this verse also by Çukadeva Gosvämé, yat-kértanaà yat-smaraëaà yad-ékñaëam. Kértanaà smaraëam, and if you are unable to do that… Just like these children. They cannot meditate, but simply they sit down and see Kåñëa: “Here is Kåñëa. Here is Rädhäräëé.” That is also. A small child, he also gets the benefit. An animal gets the benefit—simply by seeing. Yad-vandanam. And if you are still more intelligent, then offer prayer. Either of these: yad-vandanaà yac-chravaëaà yad-arhaëam. The similar parallels, the arhaëam. If you are expert, trained by your spiritual master how to worship, that is arhaëam. And çravaëam, the same thing. Yad-vandanam, offering prayers. Some way or other…741015SB.May

DARWIN So actually we are in a very precarious condition, the modern civilization, I mean to say, manipulated by the Western people. It is a soul-killing civilization, this civilization. By nature the chance is given after many, many evolutionary process. Jalajä nava lakñäëi sthävarä lakñä viàçati [Padma Puräëa]. The evolutionary theory is there in the Padma Puräëa. It is not Darwin’s theory. Darwin stolen it from Padma Puräëa, and he presented in a distorted way of his own imagination. Otherwise, the Darwin’s theory is not the original. The theory… It is not theory—fact. Jéva-jätiñu. It is wandering within the cycle of jéva-jäti, different species of life. Tathä dehäntara präptiù [Bg. 2.13]. This is Vedic knowledge, this evolutionary process. It is not Darwin’s theory. 761210DB.Hyd

DAS We have seen one very practical example. Even fifty years ago, in Calcutta, there was a very big barrister. He was a political leader. He was Mr. C. R. Das. So his father died insolvent. His father was also very respectable man, but later on he became so much debtor that he died insolvent, declared. This Mr. C. R. Das, he did not get any property from the father, but by his practice as a barrister he became very rich man. In those days his monthly income was fifty thousand rupees. So he called all the creditors of his father and paid paisa to paisa, that “My father died in debtor. Now I have got money, you can take.” So this is the duty of the son. But if one is poor man, he cannot pay. So he becomes a subject matter of criticism. Under the circumstances the father becomes the enemy. 760927SB.Vrn

DAYA JIVESU: mercy to other living entities 4.29.1b

DEAFNESS With regard to your son, let him see the Deity and ask him to offer obeisances. He will see and learn it. Yes, the body is received according to karma, still it is not an impediment to advance in Krsna consciousness by being deaf. Just teach him to see the Deity and how to offer obeisances and he will take prasadam. These things will elevate him to Krsna consciousness. Later on if Krsna desires, he can develop his hearing power. Krsna is almighty and He can do whatever He likes. What is the use of the karmi deaf school. Better to sit him down before the Deity and see and offer obeisances. 751109let.Lokananda

DEATH Death means sleeping for 7 months. That’s all. Then again you get another body. As soon as I give up this body, I enter in the womb of another mother to get another body. The mother creates the body, and as soon as the body’s fit, it comes out. So the period when I give up this body, enter into the womb of mother and manufacture another body and come out, it takes about seven months. So during that seven months, we do not know what is happening. That is death. Death means that. Otherwise, there is no death. 720626sb.la

When we die our consciousness becomes almost stopped, and we then lie down within the womb of the mother according to species of body, —take it for granted our human form of body—seven months. At that time body is grown up. In this way, in tenth month the body is fully grown. Then by nature’s way the body comes out and another life begins. 760325bg.del

DEATHLESSNESS: Krsna Consciousness means to be on the platform of deathlessness. Every sloka in Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam is informing us of this. If you read these books carefully you will understand this platform of deathlessness as opposed to the material condition in which no one wants to die but no one can check death. Let to malati Jan 7^th 1974

DEGREE So far as your diploma in business management from McGill University is concerned, you must have it by all means. In the Bhakti-Rasamrita-Sindhu it is enjoined by Srila Rupa Goswami that any work, either prescribed in the Vedas or ordinary mundane activities, if the target is to satisfy Krishna, then everything is devotional service. 690731let.GopalKrishna

DEFENSE So long we are engaged in the service of the Lord, He has assured us all protection. But if we are attacked, of course we must defend ourselves as best we can. Nobody can compare with the Merciful Nityananda. He can defend Himself quite well; He could have killed the sinners in an instant, but He had decided that He wanted to save these sinners. He was setting an example that we have to preach Krishna Consciousness even at the risk of personal violence. Just like the children sometimes become violent, but the father knows he can defend himself at any time, and so he tries to teach them correctly by reprimanding them. 680225let.KarunamayeeDasi

DEHI means embodied BG 14.20 P

DEITY WORSHIP

There is a place named Däìihäöa, near the Agradvépa railway station and Päöuli in the district of Burdwan, where the Deity of Çré Gopénäthajé is still situated. This Deity accepted Govinda Ghosha as His father. Even until today, the Deity performs the çräddha ceremony on the anniversary of the death of Govinda Ghoña. Adi 11.14-15

# idol worship see 690716di.LA

But if I try to reach Kishna through Rädhäräëé, then my business is successful. Therefore we should worship Rädhäräëé first. That is our business. Instead of offering directly one flower to Krishna, you just put it in the hands of Rädhäräëé: “My mother Rädhäräëé, jagan-mätä, if You kindly take this flower and offer it to Kåñëa.” “Oh,” Rädhäräëé says, “Oh, you have brought a flower?” Krishna said, patraà puñpaà phalaà toyaà yo me bhaktyä prayacchati [Bg. 9.26], but don’t try to offer Kåñëa directly. Just offer through Rädhäräëé. It will be very much appreciated by Rädhäräëé.

So this is our philosophy, to please Kåñëa through Rädhäräëé, and just today is the auspicious day of Rädhäräëé’s appearance. So we should offer puñpäïjali and pray to Rädhäräëé that “Rädhäräëé, kindly be merciful and tell about me to Your Kåñëa. To Your Kåñëa. Kåñëa is Yours.” Kåñëa, Rädhä-Kåñëa. Kåñëa is not independent. Krishna is Rädhäräëé’s property. So you have to approach Kåñëa through Rädhäräëé. That is, today is the auspicious day. Worship Rädhäräëé very nicely and be happy. 730306BG.Lon

If you cannot see Kṛṣṇa physically… Although Kṛṣṇa is present everywhere, but we have no eyes to see Him. Therefore this Deity worship. Deity is not hedonism or idol worship. No. Deity is as good as the original Supreme Personality of Godhead. He’s absolute. His form and He is not different. Abhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.133]. Abhinna, identical. We are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, not that like gramophone. No. We are associating with Kṛṣṇa. Abhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ. By chanting Kṛṣṇa’s name, Kṛṣṇa is present on your tongue. Unless we realize in that way, then it is the period of nāma-aparādha or nāmābhāsa. Nāmā… Not nāmābhāsa—nāma-aparādha. This is nāma-aparādha, to consider that the name is different from the person. 730902BG.Lon

In the mean time, I may remind you to fix up the altar exactly like Los Angeles. You have seen it personally, and I am also enclosing herewith a picture of the Los Angeles altar. I wish that this design of the altar should be followed by everyone. This Los Angeles altar has been erected under my supervision, especially the Radha-Krishna throne, and I would very much like to follow this idea everywhere. Get for your temple nice devotees and monetary help. I hope you will stick to this center organizing, husband and wife, and in the very near future it will be as good as our Los Angeles temple. 690905let.Hansaduta

Srila Prabhupada said that it was better to accept some menial service for maintaining oneself then to get some money by showing the Deities to the innocent public and being satisfied thereby. 690831let.SatyaPal

For the present you may join Sankirtana Party because I know that your presence will enliven everyone. Actually, temple worship is for the neophyte devotee, and the preacher is in a higher position than the neophyte. That is the definition given in Srimad-Bhagavatam. The advanced devotee should be very much enthusiastic in preaching the transcendental message of Lord Caitanya, and temple worship should be entrusted to the newcomers, or neophytes. 690812let.Yamuna

I am glad that your friendship with Mr. George Harrison is gradually working, so much so that he is now prepared to spend $3,000 for an altar slab and a block of bluish marble for carving Krishna or Lord Caitanya. For Lord Caitanya yellowish marble or white marble should be used. If yellowish golden colored marble is available, that is very nice. Another thing is that these Forms should be worshiped. Our Deity worship is not heathenism. If we keep Forms of the Lord without worshiping the Deity under regulative principles, it will gradually turn into idol worship, which is an offense. The Deity of the Lord and the Lord Himself are identical. Krishna can act through the Deity perfectly. As I have given several times the example, the mailbox can act perfectly as the post office because it is authorized. Similarly, when the Deity is installed under authorized regulative principles, the Deity is as good as Krishna Himself. So you may advise your friend on this principle. But I am so much pleased that he is coming forward to offer his hard-earned money for Krishna’s purpose. 690715let.Syamasundara

Regarding your question about offering Prasadam, whatever is offered to the Deity actually it goes through the Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master offers to Lord Caitanya, and Lord Caitanya offers it to Krishna. Then Radha Krishna eats, or Jagannatha eats, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu eats, then the Spiritual Master eats, and it becomes Mahaprasadam. So when you offer something, you think like that and chant the Gayatri mantra, and then everything is complete. At last, ring the bell, take out the plate and wipe the place where the plate was kept. 690616let.Arundhati

The idea is the more we decorate Krishna, Who is nondifferent from His car also, the more we become decorated indirectly. We are compared as the shadow of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as it is stated in the Bible also, man is made after God. We understand from the scriptures that Krishna has His Vigraha, or Spiritual Body, exactly like a man who has two hands, two legs and all similar features. If you decorate your face, you do not see directly how your face has become beautiful, but when you see the reflection of your face in the mirror, then indirectly you can see the beauty. Therefore, by serving Krishna directly the result of the service indirectly comes to us. Just like we offer very nice prasadam directly to Krishna, but indirectly we enjoy the nice taste of the prasadam. So we should always remember this, that Krishna is always full in Himself; He does not want a pinch of our help for his satisfaction, but if we try to satisfy Him in so many ways as directed by acaryas and scriptures, indirectly we become benefited by such activities. 690527let.Yamuna

Regarding Karatieya’s question about worshiping Lord Jagannatha, He should always be worshiped with awe and reverence. Krishna’s picture as a Naughty Child should not be treated by us as a naughty child. We should always worship Krishna as the Supreme Lord. 690419let.Sudama&Kartikeya

the statement given by you in the matter of worshiping the Deity is super excellent. Please continue this system and Krishna will bestow upon you all blessings. If one attains perfection in Deity worship, that is called Arcana Siddhi. Arcana Siddhi means simply by Deity worship one goes back to Godhead, immediately after this life. So this Arcana Siddhi program is given in the Narada Pancaratra especially for the householders. Householders cannot undergo strict disciplinary activities of austerity, therefore for every householder the path of Arcana Siddhi is very much recommended. According to Vedic system, all householders are ordered to keep Deity at home and follow strictly the worshipment process. That makes the home pure, body pure, mind pure, and quickly promotes one to the pure platform of spiritual life. The temple is also specially meant for the householders. In India, in every town, in every village, in every neighborhood, still there are Visnu temples for the convenience of the surrounding householders. So I am pleased that you are ideal householder. And you are doing very nicely combined together husband and wife. Please do it as you are doing and gradually Krishna will give you all facility. 690318let.Himavati

Regarding prasadam offering to the Deities, you will take from the cooked foodstuffs in a plate just sufficient for one man’s eating, and this prasadam should be offered to the Deity, not the whole quantity. The rest of the foodstuffs may remain in the oven to keep it hot until the devotees accept and honor it. The plate offered to the Deities must be kept 15-20 minutes so that the major portion of the foodstuffs will be remaining warm in the oven, and the devotees will therefore not be dissatisfied. I think this practice will solve the question. 690214let.Kirtanananda

You have asked in your letter to Purusottama if you should observe the lists of 44 offenses and 44 regulations for deity worship, and the answer is no; there is no need of this for the present. 690207let.Naranarayana

Yes, I have noted your questions about the serving of prasadam. The main thing is that whenever prasadam is offered to the Lord, everything should be very respectfully and cleanly presented and prepared. In Jagannatha Puri, the Lord eats 56 times. So the Lord can eat as many times as you can offer. But only thing is whatever is offered must be with respect and devotion. (He is neither hungry nor poor, nor unable to eat, but He accepts everything, when such eatable is within the groups of vegetables, fruits, flours, milk, water, etc. is offered to Him with love and devotion, and faith. He wants our love only, and that makes Him hungry for eating as many times as you may offer. He is absolute, therefore, all contradictory points coincide in Him. He is hungry and satisfied simultaneously. So the purport is that everything should be offered very cleanly and pure things should be given.)etc etc etc… 680616let.Aniruddha

Yes, please decorate Jagannatha with very attractive nice clothing and ornaments, helmets, as brightly and magnificently as possible. The sample of decorating Jagannatha is already instructed to Harsarani, and in that way you can make arrangements. There shall be sufficient flower garlands for them daily also.

The decoration should be so attractive that people when seeing Jagannatha will forget all attractiveness of Maya. Then it will be successful, and actually, this is the process of decorating Jagannatha. Our eyes are attracted by the beauty of Maya, but if our eyes are attracted by the beauty of Krishna, the Jagannatha, then there is no more chance of our being attracted by Maya. In other words, when seeing Jagannatha nicely decorated, we become freed from the clutches of Maya. 680607let.Yamuna

Regarding your 2 questions: For offering prasadam simply prayers to the Spiritual Master is sufficient. The process is that everything is offered to the Spiritual Master, and the Spiritual Master is supposed to offer the same foodstuff to the Lord. When a thing is offered to the Spiritual Master, he immediately offers to the Lord. That is the system, and as we come by parampara system, it is our duty to go through the right channel—namely, first the Spiritual Master, then Lord Caitanya, and then Krishna. So when we chant prayers, we do this, Bande ham Sri Guru . . . and gradually to the Goswamis, then to Lord Caitanya, and then to Radha Krishna. That is the praying system. But offering the prasadam to present everything before the Spiritual Master whose picture is also in the altar, means that the Spiritual Master will take care of offering the foodstuff to the Lord. Therefore simply by chanting the prayer to the Spiritual Master, everything will be complete. 680528let.HarerNama

It is very nice that you are keeping the Radha Krishna Murti so nicely there with you. No, it is not improper to keep Them at your home, but it must be kept with due veneration and respect. If we keep the Statue of Krishna in our room, we must know that Krishna is present, and as such we must be careful in our dealings, talkings and behavior, as we are present before Krishna directly. The altar should be so made, with curtain, that it may be closed when Krishna and Radha are taking rest. Dress them as nicely as possible, we have so many Radha Krishna pictures, you can take idea from them. 680506let.Mukunda

Yes, you may say the prayer to the Spiritual Master 3 times, and also the Namo Brahmanya . . . prayer 3 times, when offering Prasadam. That is very nice to say the mantra 3 times. Also, you may, after offering to the Spiritual Master, offer to Lord Caitanya by saying the prayer, Namo Maha Badanyaya . . . 3 times, and then offer to Krishna thrice.680322let.Balai

The dishwashing occupation is open to anyone who wishes to help. There is no restriction. Also, non-initiates may help in cooking prasadam under the direction of devotees. That is all right. 680316let.Jadurany

So far the Advent Day of Lord Caitanya is concerned, I have written a full suggestion to Montreal, in which the main points are that we should all observe strict fasting up till moonrise, and at that time, an offering is made to Lord Caitanya of Ekadasi foods, fruits, peanuts, milk, and so forth. Then, on the next day, Friday the 15th, a full-scale feast is held to celebrate His Advent Day. On the 14th, chanting, reading of Srila Bhaktivinode’s book, Life and Precepts and Caitanya Caritamrta, Introduction to Bhagavatam, may be held all the day in the Temple. 680312let.Balai

Regarding kitchen affairs, as a rule those who are not initiated may not enter into the kitchen affairs, but uninitiated members can work under the guidance of another initiated member when there is great need. So the direction which you are giving to the willing girls to help with the kitchen affairs is not objectionable. You can go on doing that. 680303let.Rayarama

Once prasadam (water, or foodstuffs) is offered to the Lord, His Plate should remain on the altar for about 15-20 minutes (while the portion in the pots may be taken by the devotees). Water need only remain there for a few minutes. Once the prasadam is removed from the altar, and touched by us, it should not again be placed on the altar. Whatever we offer should be as fresh and pure as is possible.

680225let.KarunamayeeDasi

Regarding offering food: The custom is to offer the foodstuff first to the Spiritual Master; we cannot do anything directly. The Spiritual Master accepts the offering on behalf of his disciple, and offers the same to Krishna. After Krishna’s eating, the Spiritual Master eats it, and then the devotees take it as Mahaprasada. This is the system. Everything is offered to the Spiritual Master first, with the prayer “Nama Om Visnupadaya . . .”

If, in the cooking process, food falls on the floor, if it is raw and can be washed nicely, then it can be offered. But if it is prepared and cannot be washed, then it is not to be offered, but can be eaten rather than be wasted. 680215let.Jadurani

Regarding your questions: Yes, leave Krishna’s plate for 15-20 minutes or more, not more than half an hour. After offering the plate, the balance in the pots should be distributed immediately. The plate can remain on the altar while the rest is being distributed. 680125let.BalaiDD

Yes, 15 minutes is sufficient time for the offering to remain on the altar. You do not need to lay down Lord Jagannatha on a bed, by mantra you say my dear Lord please take rest. In temples, there are two sets of deities, the big set is always on the throne, and the smaller set is handled, taken out for a stroll, laid to bed, etc. There is no difference in the small and large set, of course. 680124let.Madhusudana

Regarding smearing on the Body of Lord Jagannatha: You should always know that the Body of Lord Jagannatha is spiritual. We are given the chance of serving the Spiritual Body and according to Revealed Scriptures, we should serve the Transcendental Body of the Deity just as we try to serve our worshipable personalities. To continue a sense of devotion, it is better to wash the Body of Lord Jagannatha with hot water so that we may have the feeling that Lord Jagannatha is more comfortable. We should offer foodstuffs to the Deity and allow enough time to eat them. These are all transcendental sentiments. At Vrindaban, the Deities are offered foodstuffs and time is allowed as in the case of others. Yes, before offering anything to the Deity you must be satisfied that it is a first class offering and there is no objection if you taste it by smelling. But you should not smell for other purposes. The whole idea is that devotional service should always be immune from sense gratification. 671230let.Madhusudan

One thing though, the deity worship must be completely pure in terms of cleanliness and punctuality, otherwise there will be some offense.

730131let.SriGovindaDas

You know how to dress and how to worship and I am very much pleased. It is a question of heart how to please Krsna. One simply has to agree to be trained up how to do it. You have done very nicely. I am very much pleased. And now you should teach others how to do it. This is very important business, Deity worship. The more the Deity is decorated, the more your heart will be decorated with Krsna consciousness. This is the way for the neophyte devotee how to absorb his mind in Krsna consciousness.

Never think of the Deity as made of stone or wood. Every worshipper must remember that Krsna is personally present. He is simply kindly presenting Himself before us in a way so that we can handle Him. That is His mercy, otherwise He is unapproachable.

atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih

sevon mukhe hi jivadau svayam eva sphuraty adah

[Brs. 1.2.234]

“No one can understand the transcendental nature of the name, form, quality and pastimes of Sri Krsna through his materially contaminated senses. Only when one becomes spiritually saturated by transcendental service to the Lord are the transcendental name, form, quality and pastimes of the Lord revealed to him.” (Padma Puräëa).751110let.Jayatirtha&Manjuali

The photos of my murti are very nice. The murti of the Spiritual Master should be treated as good as the Deity. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair, uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih/kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya **, The guru should be treated as good as God. This is stated in all the sastras. The difference is that God is master-God and guru is servant-God. So the installation ceremony for such a murti should be similar to that done for other Deities. All Temples can have this Deity if they like. But Temples which have only Panca-tattva painting worship should not be given this Deity.

You should make a murti of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati and then they may be worshiped together as is now being done in our Krishna Balarama Temple. They should be placed with Gaura Nitai—Guru Gauranga. 760129let.Karandhar

Concerning constructing a temple at the farm, it is feasible only if you have sufficient brahmanas to take nice care otherwise no. You have seen our Vrndavana temple, also the temple in Melbourne and Los Angeles. So things must be at this standard in order to have a temple. The standard must be very high. Neatness and cleanliness are the first business of temple worship. I shall see later on whether or not that Krishna Balarama can be installed there. You cannot paint the Deity with paint to make bluish. Don’t manufacture ideas. What is standard you must follow. Don’t make it a farce. 760504let.Nityananda

As regards your desire for Sadbhuja Deity, if you divert your attention to worship, that will not be good. Time is short. You can keep one picture for your darsana. 760516let.YasodanandaSwami

Concerning the domes, the domes must be over the three Deities. The domes should not be brought to the front of the building. Their place is over the Deities, whether they are visible to the passersby or not. 760519let.Upendra

Now beginning from this year’s Mayapur festival the devotees will begin preparing for Bhakti-sastri examination. Therefore we require a guidebook for Deity worship, arcana-paddhati, based on Hari-bhakti-Vilasa. All brahmanas will be responsible to learn this book. I would like to have the manuscript ready as soon as possible, preferably my Gaura Purnima. So please work diligently for this. Pradyumna began this, but I do not know what he has done with his work. 760109let.Nitai

The Deities should be very beautifully decorated so that people will be able to see the gorgeous worship in the temple. 760526let.Yasomatinandana

I am giving you herewith three mantras for Tulasi Devi as follows:

vrindaai tulasi devyai priyaai kesavasya ca

visnubhaktiprade devi satyavatyai namo namah

This is offering obeisances, bowing down (pancanga pranam). And when collecting leaves from the plant, the following mantra should be chanted:

tulasya mrta janmasi sada tvam kesavapriya

kesavarthi cinomi tvam barada bhava sobhine

Then the mantra for circumambulating the Tulasi tree.

yani kani ca papani brahmahatya dikani ca

tani tani pranasyanti pradaksinah pade pade

So there are three mantras, one for bowing down, one for circumambulating,* and one for collecting the leaves. The collecting of leaves should be done once in the morning for worshiping and for putting on the plates of foodstuff to be offered. On each bowl or plate there should be at lest one leaf. So you follow and practice these Tulasi affairs and you try to distribute your experience to all the other centers, that will be a new chapter in the history of Krsna Consciousness Movement. 700407let.GovindaDasi

*3 times round the plant both morning and evening.

“What are those Bengali dramas that Nitai is working on? He should

work on arcana-paddhati, not divert his attention here and there. He

should make Hari-bhakti-Vilasa into short cut, not more than twenty

pages. He can consult Nrsimha Vallabha Goswami for help in this

matter. This should be his first consideration now.” 760113let.Aksayananda

1. There is no question of bathing Caitanya deity. Of course He is bathed many times daily by Hare Krishna Mantra, but for bathing of such deities requires Salagrama Sila, and I have not introduced yet, but I shall do so later. Of course you should always cleanse Him with dry or damp cloth from time to time, but no daily bathing process is recommended by me for the time being. 2. You may dress Him in the same manner as Lord Krishna. 3. Deities should be changed in early morning, after mangala arati, before noon offering, and before Sundara arati They should be put on Their fine dress. 4. The Govardhana rock should be returned to Mt. Govardhana as soon as possible. 760618let.Palika

Regarding the Lord Jagannatha deities, if They cannot be worshiped, They should be thrown in the sea. …………

Deity worship should not be expanded anymore if it is difficult to manage, but Nitai-Gaura can be worshiped. If devotees do not stay in the center that means your preaching is not very strong. Regarding offering spinach, just it should be very clean—everything should be done very cleanly. 761004let.Balavanta

If it is not possible for Tulasi to survive the winters when planted in the ground, then a suitable house should be provided for her. Even in the Canadian temples which are in a much colder climate are keeping Tulasi nicely. Why should there be so much difficulty in Los Angeles, which has such a nice climate. Just do everything very carefully. Tulasi flourishes where there is love and devotion.

In answer to your questions; 1) Tulasi is one devotee who appears wherever there is devotion to Krsna. 2) Tulasi’s body is spiritual. 3) Yes, jewelry is alright. 4) If possible. 5) Tulasi leaves should be offered to the Deity. 6) If possible. 7) Yes. 8) Yes. 9) You may cut the dead branches, but what is the necessity. 10) I never said that. 11) No. 12) Yes. 13) Use the wood for beads as far as possible, the balance may be placed within the earth. 14) I said no chemical sprays. 15) Undisturbed means what? 16) Use common sense and if you have none then consult with others. 17) No. 18) Don’t try to introduce something new. The most important thing is the love and devotion. 761025let.Vidyadasi

I have no objection to your worshiping my murti for Guru Puja. But for placing in the temple there must be a pair of murtis, (my Guru Maharaja must be there) as in Krsna-Balarama Mandir, and they must be permanently installed 770113let.Sudama

DEMIGODS

There is a misconception about the Hindu religion among people who profess other religions, such as Christians and Muslims, who say that in the Hindu religion there are many Gods. Actually that is not a fact. God is one, but there are many other powerful living entities who are in charge of different departments of administration. They are called demigods. All the demigods are servants who carry out the orders of the Supreme Lord, the Personality of Godhead. Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu disclosed this fact in His childhood. Out of ignorance, sometimes people worship the demigods to receive some particular boon, but actually, one who becomes a devotee and worshiper of the Supreme Personality of Godhead does not need to go to the demigods for any benediction because he obtains everything by the grace of the Supreme Lord. Adi 14.50

are simply different directors engaged in operating the departments of material activities, and they are under the influence of the same material energy.

CCM 8.90 P

Demigod worship is meant for materialistic men whether in goodness, passion, or ignorance. Those in the transcendental position above the qualities of the material world worship Visnu. Most people do not know that Visnu is the ultimate aim of worship. The varna-asrama system is organized with this purpose, to worship Visnu. So far we are concerned, we never recommend to worship any demigod either in goodness, passion or ignorance. 741018let.ksirodakashayee

If one wants to water the tree he waters the root. There is no necessity of watering the branches. The demigods are all different parts of the universal form of the Supreme Lord. But Krsna is even more than that whole complete universal form. He is the origin of that universal form. Therefore I do not encourage you to worship this demigod, Ganesa. It is not required, it is not necessary. Simply worship Krsna. Perform nice devotional service to Krsna. Then your lives will certainly become perfect. Of course if one has got some sentiment for achieving the blessings of Ganesa for accumulating large sums of money to serve Krsna, then he may perform this Ganesa worship, privately, not making a public show. But first of all he must give me $100,000 per month. Not a single farthing less. If he can supply this amount, $100,000 per month, then he will be allowed to do this Ganesa Puja. Otherwise he should not do it. It will not be good. That is my order. 741228let.MyDearSons

DEMOCRACY

That is the desire of Krishna, or God, that the state executive head should be as pious as Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira. That is the scheme. Unfortunately, people do not want that. They have now discovered this democracy. Democracy… “Demon-cracy.” Shortcut of “demon-cracy” is “democracy.” All the demons and rogues, they gather together, somehow or other votes, and occupy the seat, and the business is plundering. The business is plundering. If we talk very much upon this, it will not be very favorable, but according to Shaastra… We, we talk according to Shaastra, that the democracy means assembly of rogues and plunderers. That is the statement in the Srimad-Bhaagavatam. Dasyu-dharmabhiù. The government men will be all dasyu. Dasyu means plunderer. Not pickpocket. Pickpocket, somehow or other, if you do not understand, takes something from your pocket, and the plunderer, or the dasyu, he catches you and by force, “If you don’t spare your money, I shall kill you.” They are called dasyu.

So the, in the present age of Kali, the government men will be dasyu. This is stated in the Srimad-Bhägavatam. Dasyu-dharmabhiù. You can, we can see practically. You cannot keep your money. You earn with hard labor, but you cannot keep gold, you cannot keep jewelry, you cannot keep money. And… They will take it away by laws. So they make law that… Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja was just quite opposite. He wanted to see that every citizen is so happy that they are not troubled even by excessive heat and excessive cold. Ati-vyädhi. They are not suffering from any disease, they are not suffering from excessive climatic influence, eating very nicely, and feeling security of person and property. That was Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja. Not only Yudhiñöhira Mahäräja. Almost all the kings, they were like that. So Kṛṣṇa is the original king, because He is stated here, puruṣam ādyam īśvaram. Īśvaram means controller. He’s the original controller.

740928SB.May

DEMON: Mayavadi Sannyasis CCM 18.113 P

Whoever describes Vedic knowledge as impersonal is a demon. One becomes successful in life by worshiping the form of the Lord. The Mäyävädé sannyäsés deny the form of the Lord, which delivers all fallen souls. Indeed, the Mäyävädé demons try to cut this form to pieces. CC M 17.104P

Means Godless persons.730728let.SirAlistairHardy

The demons could assume any gigantic shape they liked. They can play jugglery; they are not ordinary human beings. You must know that a person with whom God had to fight is not an ordinary person. He could play almost equally with the Lord, but nobody can excel the Lord. Therefore, he was killed. To expand and to reduce the body is sometimes performed by a successful yogi. 680215let.Jadurani

DEMOSTHENE There is a Mantra that says mukam karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim. This means that by Krishna’s Grace a dumb can speak like Demosthenes, and a lame can cross over the mountain. Krishna’s Grace is so glorious. So if we remain faithful in Krishna’s service, there will be no difficulty in speaking when ever it is necessary. There are many instances in the history of devotees of this, and even five year old boys like Dhruva and Prahlada were able to speak so nicely.690919let.Brahmananda

DEPRESSION

There was no friend, and I was living in apartment with great difficulty. Still, the whole, I mean to say, stock, and my typewriter, my tape recorder—everything was stolen. In this way, I became very much depressed, and I was going to the shipping company, “When the next ship is going for…, going to India?” So they gave me such-and-such date. Then I thought, “Let me wait for some time more. Then I shall return back.” I had return ticket, of course. There was no difficulty. 710215B3.Gor

Regarding your being depressed, you are becoming older, but so also am I an old man. But, you should not be depressed on account of advanced age. Krishna will help you. I do not think you have done wrongly in your management, and still now I do not think you have done wrongly. Rather you are wrongly depressed. But, for you this feeling of insufficiency is good for progress. No one should think that now I am complete. It is good to think that I am incomplete and useless. Actually Krishna is unlimited, and our energy is limited. Actually we cannot serve the unlimited, but Krishna’s unlimited mercy induces us to serve, and He accepts. Actually we are unworthy. He is so kind that He accepts our little service as if it were very big and great. 750729let.Hansadutta

So after publishing three parts of readings(?), then automatically, Guru Mahäräja gave me indication that “Now you can start for America.” So some way or other, in 1965 I went to America, with great difficulty. But I took about two hundred sets of books. The customs clearance was done, I told them that “Oh, I am taking these books for distribution. Not for sale.” Anyway, they passed, and with these books I reached America. And I was maintaining myself by selling these books for one year. There was no friend, and I was living in apartment with great difficulty. Still, the whole, I mean to say, stock, and my typewriter, my tape recorder—everything was stolen. In this way, I became very much depressed, and I was going to the shipping company, “When the next ship is going for, going to India?” So they gave me such and such date. Then I thought, “Let me wait for some time more. Then I shall return back.” I had return ticket, of course. There was no difficulty. 71015BA.Gor

Acyutananda is here, but he is not eating well, so I am also put into anxiety. In the beginning Kirtanananda was also sick, and he also at the present moment is feeling some pain in his leg. On the whole, the American boys who come here become first depressed, so I do not know how far our American house in Vrindaban will be successful. 670909let.Rupanuga

DESIGNATION Actually male and female bodies, these are just outward designations.

751225let.Malati

DESIRE This material world, so long we have got desire to enjoy this material world, Kṛṣṇa will give you different bodies, as you like. You can have your body in America, you can have your body in China, you can have your body in Russia, or in the moon planet—wherever you like. You simply desire, and it will be fulfilled in your next life. Desire means if you strongly desire till the point of your death, then next life your are going to get. That is nature’s arrangement. So why should we desire for any other life? We should desire to go back to Kåñëa, tyaktva dehaà punar janma [Bg. 4.9], then you’ll not get any material body. Then punar janma naiti, he does not get this material body. Then what happens to him? Mäm eti: “He comes to Me.” 710729Ar.Gain

DESIRELESS So here also we should not be aspiring after improving our material condition or liberation or anything. These are all desire, desires. They say that “desireless,” but desire cannot be completely absent because I am living entity. So my desire should be not to forget Kåñëa. That’s all, that one desire. That is real desire. And all other desires, they are foolish. So we cannot be desireless, but we should desire only bona fide. Just like I am part and parcel of the Supreme. So if I desire to work in cooperation with the Supreme, that is my natural position. That is desirelessness. If you… Suppose in this material condition, if you desire to eat, oh, that is natural. So long you have got this body, you have to eat. If somebody says, “Oh, you are desiring eating…?” Nobody says like that. Similarly, what is natural desire, that is permitted. And what is not natural, that is called “become desireless.” Don’t desire like this, unnatural. So desirelessness means not to desire unnatural thing. But to desire Kåñëa’s remembrance, that is natural. Because I am part and parcel, how can I forget? This forgetfulness is the cause of my so many desires. And as soon as I desire Kåñëa, there will be no other desire. That is desirelessness. 661130CC.NY

DESTINY Life cannot be prolonged by heart transplant. You cannot increase the duration of life. One can perhaps give some relief to disease, that is another thing, but the duration of life is destined. From the dead body, one cannot bring life. Similarly, it may appear that one is prolonging the duration of life by medicines or heart transplant, but that is not the case. If one lives 4 years after having had a heart transplant, then by nature’s law he was destined to live four years with or without having had a heart transplant. So what is the value of heart transplant?

Only by the yogic process can one prolong the life. By stopping the breathing process, keeping in samadhi, the breath period is not being misused, and he increases the life span. Therefore, destiny can only be changed by devotional service or yoga. Otherwise, what you must suffer, you must suffer, and what you must enjoy, you must enjoy. For a devotee however, whatever it may be, he takes the opportunity to chant Hare Krishna, and if by Krishna’s Grace destiny is changed, then it is alright. Nature’s law will work. We cannot change that, but Krishna, the Supreme Controller, He can change it; just like if a man is sentenced to be hanged, no one, not even the judge can pardon him, except the king or president. He only can excuse the offender. Similarly, I have to execute Krishna’s order, and suppose I have to suffer to execute this order. Therefore, devotional service and the devotee is so dear to Krishna. The devotee is prepared to die at any moment, but he simply wants to be engaged in Krishna’s service. 760604let.Purushottama

DETACHMENT Both you and Srimati Krishna devi are sincere workers for Krishna Consciousness and as such Krishna will never put you in difficulty, rest assured. Don’t be discouraged. Sit down tightly husband and wife. If nobody comes to hear, please chant and hear yourself. Success or failure does not matter. On the Absolute world there is no such relativities as a success and failure. The one thing in the Absolute world is to serve Krishna. Don’t care for the result. Krishna must know that we are working very seriously and that is our success of life.

671216let.Subal

DEVA . 750106let.SucharuDevaDasa

750509let.PavanaDeva Dasa

DEVELOPMENT The Rs. 32,000 should be spent for Gurukula in Vrindaban. Now the construction has begun and it must continue. Do not spend that Rs. 5,000 for alterations in the New Delhi Temple. Unless we have got our own land, where is the question of other projects in New Delhi. Let us continue in the rented house and see how things develop. If local people come and join and take initiation, then we can consider developing. Simply lip-sympathy will not do. They must be regular disciple, follow the regulative principles, and they will develop it themselves. Besides that book distribution and preaching is our most important activity. Opening temples is subordinate. We have to see how books are being distributed and how people are joining wholeheartedly. That is actual development.760711let.GopalKrishna

DEVOTEE

Son takes service from the parents. So devotees, they do not like to accept Kṛṣṇa as father. They would like to have Kṛṣṇa as their son. Father means to exact: “Father, give me this. I want. Mother, give me this”—to take service. And to accept God as son means give service. 710729Ar.Gain

Still, he became next life the Nārada Muni. And what is the cause? What… The cause is, nirūpito bālaka eva yoginām: “I was appointed a boy servant of the devotees.” The importance is that devotee is so important that if anyone renders a little service, then he becomes elevated to the spiritual life. What bālaka… Bālaka means there was a boy. “You, boy, bring me this,” or “Do this. Just wash my cloth,” or “Just set up my bedding.” Like that. This much servant. Or “Wash this dish.” So the devotional service is so powerful, by doing this… This will be described later on, that simply by doing this little service to the yoginām, he was so blessed that next life he became Nārada. This point is very important point. ……………. So during the four months, wherever they stay, simply being served by somebody as…, like a boy servant, they become delivered. There was no question of preaching. Simply giving the opportunity to serve, the fallen souls become delivered. But you must be competent; not to take service for nothing. Then you’ll go to hell. If you are actually in spiritual position, then by giving others little opportunity to serve you, he’ll be delivered. No question of understanding the philosophy. A devotee must be so perfect. The system is, therefore, as soon as one sees a devotee, he falls down and takes the…, touches the feet. This is the system. Because by touching the feet… Mahat-pāda-rajo-‘bhiṣekam [SB 5.12.12]. If one is actually elevated to the spiritual life and he is, mean, takes…, the people takes the opportunity of touching his lotus feet, then he becomes devotee. This is the process.

740804SB.VRN

Actually, the whole universe is Krishna’s property. Krishna’s devotees are His bona fide officers or sons, so if He likes, He can entrust the whole charge to His devotees immediately. It is not difficult for Him, but He wants to see how His devotees are developing unalloyed Krishna Consciousness. 690919let.Giriraja

As we learn from Bhagavad-gita, it is said there that a person who does not reach to the final goal of Krishna Consciousness is again given the opportunity to fulfill the mission of achieving perfection. So my request to you is that you should try to complete the process of Krishna Consciousness in this very life, without waiting for another term of cultivation. Of course a devotee either in this world or in the spiritual world, his connection with Krishna being fixed up, is equally happy anywhere. But so long we are in this material world there is constant allurement of Maya, and sometimes we fall victim. 690819let.Oliver

Your final question is how can you become a pure devotee, and the answer to this is given in Bhagavad-gita. Krishna instructs Arjuna that the mahatma, the pure devotee, is he who has fully surrendered himself unto the spiritual nature. And how can we tell if one is completely surrendered unto the spiritual nature? He is always fully engaged in devotional service to Krishna. So this is the process of becoming a pure devotee. We have to engage all of our words, thoughts, and activities in Krishna Consciousness under the direction of the Spiritual Master. Therefore, at every moment you should be busy in some way in serving Krishna and His pure devotees, and automatically you will become purified in Krishna Consciousness. Krishna is always willing to shower His mercy upon His devotees, so we have simply to become receptive to this mercy by devotional service, and then the path is very easy. I hope this will sufficiently answer your questions.690616let.Visala

In Krishna Consciousness every man is so important because all of the activities of a devotee of Lord Krishna is beneficial to all living entities 690615let.Shivananda

Regarding Mataji, she must have some trouble because she has done something which is nescience. How could she marry a young girl to Krishna? Is Krishna so play thing that He can be handled in such a way? This means she has no knowledge of Krishna. She is simply a sentimental devotee. When a sentimental devotee takes the part of becoming representative of Krishna, there is simply havoc. Srila Rupa Goswami therefore said in his Bhakti-Rasamrita-Sindhu that devotion to Krishna without reference to authoritative scriptures is simply a disturbance. How Krishna could be married with a young girl? 690515let.GuruDas

When a person is willing to help with our mission, he is also a devotee, so there is no question of him being nondevotee. 690213let.KrishnaDas

A pure devotee is always free from the four principle restrictions, and he has a tilaka on his forehead. At least these symptoms indicate one’s purity in Krishna Consciousness. If one is not following these principles, he is not considered to be a pure devotee. As a matter of recognition I am giving the second endowment of initiation, namely the sacred thread to those who are chanting 16 rounds regularly, and have followed the four principles of restrictions may be awarded this sacred thread. The first batch of six disciples are already given. When I return to San Francisco I shall offer the same sacred thread to some of you. 680523let.Gurudas

Our institution is mainly for the devotees and as it is the custom in India, devotees are maintained by the general public, who are engaged in materialistic activities for sense gratification. But in this country it is not possible that the Brahmacaris or Sannyasis shall beg from door to door, as it is the custom in India. But at the same time we require some money for conducting our business of our society.

680413let.Jadurany

means he is able to tolerate all kinds of discomfort and whims of the material nature, and because he is so much absorbed in serving Krishna, he takes no time to become angry or take offense with others or find out some fault, no. Devotee means very liberal and kind to everyone, always gentleman under all kinds of conditions of life.721210let.hansadutta

Please accept my blessings. Thank you for your letter dated November 29th 1975. The poem is very nice, however one should not think himself a devotee, poem 3. should read

“Your servant’s calling so sadly,”

“Your servant’s falling so badly,”

“A servant’s trapped in the city.”

one cannot call himself a devotee, but servant he can call himself always.*

Your bus program sounds nice, it is approved my me.

I hope this letter meets you well.

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

*Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu presented Himself as “Patitam kimkarana mam visamey charambudhva”. Kimkaram means servant.

751222let.Hrdayananda

DEVOTION There is no devotion unless you go to a guru. Forget it. Ädau gurväçrayam. First thing is, first business, is to accept a bona fide guru. Otherwise there is no devotion. It is simply false imitation. This is the injunction of Rüpa Gosvämé in Bhakti-rasämåta sindhu. Ädau gurväçrayam: “Your first business is to approach bona fide guru and take his äçraya.” Otherwise there is no devotion. That has been the defect in the modern society. They imagine. This business should be given up. He must follow. Sädhu-märgänugämanam, which is prescribed by the sädhu, guru, you have to accept that. You cannot manufacture your own way. 770123le.Bhu

DEVOTIONAL SERVICE:

So therefore Kṛṣṇa is described Hṛṣīkeśa. Hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. And bhakti means to serve Hṛṣīkeśa by the hṛṣīka. Hṛṣīka means senses. Kṛṣṇa is the master of the senses, and therefore, whatever senses I have got, the master is Kṛṣṇa, proprietor is Kṛṣṇa. So when our senses are engaged in the satisfaction of the master of the senses, that is called bhakti. This is the definition of bhakti, devotional service. And when the senses are engaged for sense gratification, not for the master, that is called kāma. Kāma and prema. Prema means to love Kṛṣṇa and do everything for satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa. That is prema, love. And kāma means everything done for the satisfaction of my senses. This is the difference. The sense is the medium. Either you do it, satisfy your senses, or you satisfy Kṛṣṇa’s senses. But when you satisfy Kṛṣṇa’s senses, you become perfect, and when you satisfy your senses, you become imperfect, illusioned. Because you cannot satisfy your senses. That is not possible without Kṛṣṇa. Hṛṣīkeṇa hṛṣīkeśa-sevanaṁ bhaktir ucyate [Cc. Madhya 19.170].

Therefore one has to purify the senses. At the present moment, everyone is trying to satisfy his senses. 730815BG.Lon

devotional service cannot be utilized for any material purpose. Devotional service is meant only for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Sometimes men with a poor fund of knowledge maintain that bhakti can be applied to material things also. In other words, they say that devotional service can be rendered to one’s country or to the demigods, but this is not a fact. Devotional service is especially meant for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and it is beyond this material range. CC M 19.153 p

So take to this process. We have got sufficient literature—books, magazines. And the simple method is, even if you do not read—suppose you are not educated, illiterate, you cannot read—still you can reach Kṛṣṇa. Bhakti, devotional service, is not dependent on any material condition. Because one man is very rich, he can get Kṛṣṇa? No. Because one man is very poor, he cannot get Kṛṣṇa? No. That’s not right.

Because one is Hindu or Indian, he can get Kṛṣṇa, not others? No. That is also not. Kṛṣṇa is unconditionally for everyone. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā: sarva yoniṣu kaunteya [Bg. 14.4]. Otherwise, how He can be God? If He is a Hindu God, just like they describe in the dictionary that Kṛṣṇa, a Hindu God—that is nonsense. Kṛṣṇa is for everyone. Kṛṣṇa does not say that “I am a Hindu God.” But these rascals say Kṛṣṇa is Hindu God. This is going on. 710729Ar.Gain

Strictly speaking, anyone who accepts the existence of God is situated in devotional service. To acknowledge that God is great is something, but not much. Lord Caitanya, preaching as an äcärya, a great teacher, taught that we can enter into a relationship with God and actually become God’s friend, parent or lover. CC Intro page 6

The more we struggle for advancing our Krishna Consciousness movement, the more we become advanced on the path. Really, devotional service means that we have to employ our energies for the purpose of Krishna Consciousness, and it does not matter what is the volume of such energy, because different persons have got different type of energies, but the best means is that one has to apply his energy as far as possible, that is the secret of success in Krishna Consciousness. It does not mean that one has to acquire the energy of an elephant or one has to become very learned or intelligent man, simply one has to become sincere and employ whatever energy he has in his possession in the service of the Lord. That is the secret of success in Krishna Consciousness. 680824let.Aniruddha

The 10 kinds of offenses are like this:

Blaspheming the Lord’s devotee

Considering the Lord and the demigods on the same level—or assuming there are many gods

Neglecting the orders of the spiritual master

Minimizing the authority of the Scriptures

Interpreting the Holy Name of God

Committing sin on the strength of chanting

Instructing the glories of the Lord’s Name to the unfaithful

Comparing the Holy Name with material piety

Inattention while chanting the Holy Name

Attachment to material things while engaged in the practice of chanting

So you follow those principles as well as the four restrictive rules, namely;

No addiction to indulgence in any form of intoxication, including coffee, tea and cigarettes

No illicit sexual relationships

Must be strictly vegetarian

No gambling

And the other standard practices for initiated devotees:

Must attend evening and morning classes

Should not extensively mix with non-devotees

Should not eat food cooked by non-devotees

Should not waste time in idle talks

Should not become engaged in frivolous sports

Should always chant and sing the Lord’s Holy Names

Chanting as enunciated by Lord Caitanya is the only means for spiritual realization in this age of dissension. So chant at least 16 rounds daily, and for other help you can ask assistance from your elderly God-brothers.

Hope you are well. 680530let.Sachisuta

One who is thus transcendentally situated at once realizes the Supreme Brahman and becomes fully joyful. He never laments or desires to have anything. He is equally disposed toward every living entity. In that state he attains pure devotional service unto Me. BGAII 18.54

One can understand Me as I am, as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, only by devotional service. And when one is in full consciousness of Me by such devotion, he can enter into the kingdom of God. BGAII 18.55

Krishna wants everyone to surrender unto Him, and devotional service means preaching this gospel all over the world….. From any point of view, human society can be reformed by the Krishna consciousness movement; therefore one who spreads this philosophy of Kåñëa consciousness for the benefit of all conditioned souls in the universe is perfect in pure devotional service. CCM 19.167 P

Devotional service is not a sentimental activity. The essence of Vedic knowledge is devotional service, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gétä (15.15): vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù. CC M 1.33 p.

Anyone who takes to devotional service is exalted, whereas a nondevotee is always condemned and abominable. Therefore in the discharge of devotional service of the Lord, there is no consideration service of the Lord, there is no consideration of the status of one’s family.” [Cc. Antya 4.67].

The devotee is great and the nondevotee is downtrodden. And in the matter of devotional service of Krishna, there is no concern of caste and creed. Krsna also says, mam hi partha vyapasritya ye’pi syuh pata-yonayayah [Bg. 9.32]. Even the papa-yonayayah, if he takes to devotional service, he also goes back to Home, Back-to-Godhead. This conception of caste on the basis of birthright has killed the Vedic culture. 760624let.Yasodanandan&Acyutananda

DHANUH and military science also, one of the part of the Vedas, Dhanur Veda. It is called Dhanur Veda—how to utilize dhanuḥ. Dhanuḥ means bow and arrows. 760925SB.VRN

DHARMA means your occupational duty. (“Religion” is imperfect translation)690409sb.ny ; means to abide by the orders of the Supreme….obedience to God. 730719bg.lon

DHIRA opposite number is crazy rascal 760409SB.VRN

This simple thing, they cannot understand. Therefore it is mentioned here, dhéras tatra na muhyati. Dhéra means sober, cool-headed man. And just the opposite is adhéra. Adhéra means third-class, fourth-class man. Or rascals, adhéra. Dhéra means sober. Just like… The exact translation is “gentleman,” dhéra. Those who are not gentlemen, uncultured, uneducated, rascal, they cannot understand. Otherwise where is the difficulty? ………..

Dhéra means one who is not agitated even there is cause of being agitated…. 730816BG.Lon

Those who are not sober cannot understand how the spirit soul is changing from one body to another. Krsna therefore says that this change of body can be appreciated only by the dhiras. dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13]. While those who are not dhiras cannot understand how the soul is changing from one body to another. There are two kind of men, dhira and adhira. The modern education is producing only the adhira class who are neither sober or educated. Therefore the majority of the population cannot understand how the soul is transmigrating from one body to another. They are only interested in wine and woman under the impression of the bodily concept of life. Therefore out of so many scientists in this country only you and the few others are understanding the importance of this subject matter. manusyanam sahasresu [Bg. 7.3]. 750623let.SvarupaDamodara

DHIRA LALITA A person who is very cunning and always youthful, expert in joking and without anxiety, and who can keep his girlfriends always subjugated is called dhéra-lalita. CCM 8.188

dhéra-lalitaù—a hero in loving affairs wfw CCM8.188

DHVAJA means the flag 730717bg.lon

DIABETES for over-eaters 690216Bgaii.La

DIKSHAA actually means initiating a disciple with transcendental knowledge by which he becomes freed from all material contamination. Madhya 4.111 p.

Disciple means one who is always following the orders of the spiritual master.” 720811let.sureshcandra

DISABILITY There are many examples in history of persons who have been very much disabled physically, but still have executed Krishna Consciousness. Still, up to date in places like Vrndavana, India, there are many persons who are blind, crippled, lame, deformed, etc., but they are determined to practice Krishna Consciousness to their best ability. So, you should also do like that. Simply be determined to practice the process of Bhakti-yoga with whatever abilities you may have. If you are really sincere, then Krishna will give you help. If you require any medical help, you can take as much as is needed. 750603let.KrishnaVilasini

DISAGREEMENT

I am very glad to receive your letter (undated), and I have noted the contents that you had left the temple but now you have returned again. This is most encouraging, because it means that Krishna is very kind upon you. Although you left Him, He did not allow you to go away. It is His special favor upon you. As individuals there may be disagreement sometimes, but that is quite natural. Even in ordinary family affairs there is sometimes disagreement, but that does not mean immediately the disagreeing members shall leave the family. 690607let.KrishnaDas

In the spiritual world there is also competition, but the center is always Krishna. In the material world there is competition, but the center is sense gratification. That is the difference. So competition, disagreement, or even dissension, if they are there, and the center is Krishna, such disagreement is not material. Even in Krishna Loka, there are rival parties of Srimati Radharani whose name is Candrabali, and there is competition between the two parties how to serve Krishna the best. 690403let.KrishnaDas

Of course, disagreements may be there, but there should not be dissension 680530let.Umapati

Regarding your personal sentiments not being in agreement with Umapati: I am very sorry that this thing has happened. We are preaching Krishna Consciousness, the greatest platform of harmony, and if we dissent amongst ourselves, and disunite, it doesn’t look very well. You are sinceremost servant of Krishna. I know that you have worked very good for Krishna. I think you should not be disturbed by minor disagreement. If you think that you cannot agree with Umapati, you can stop discussing with him, and if there is any point of judgment, you can refer to me. I am always at your service. So long we are individual souls, there must be disagreement also, because that is the symptom of individuality. But when such individual is surrendered unto Krishna, there should not be any disagreement. ………. There cannot be any disagreement in discharge of duties in Krishna Consciousness. 680530let.Aniruddha

Even there is disagreement, the platform should be Krishna Consciousness, and in that platform if there is disagreement there is no inebriety. 680530let.Mukunda (about the same Aniruddha matter)

DISCIPLE

This Satyakam went to Gautama Muni = “Sir, please make me your disciple.” So according to Vedic principle, without becoming a brāhmaṇa he cannot be accepted as disciple. Without becoming brāhmaṇa. In our Society also, we do not accept a disciple unless he’s brahminically qualified = no meat-eating, no illicit sex, no gambling, no intoxication. These are brahminical. Unless one is free from the sinful activities, how he can become a brāhmaṇa? Brāhmaṇa means śuci. And the others, they are called kṛpaṇa, or muci. Śuci means always cleansed. Internally… 730902BG.Lon

There is no difference between son and disciple. Cäëakya Paëòita has equalized, …. That is the, I mean to say, Vedic system—to teach the son and teach the disciple. If one cannot teach the son—the son is disobedient—he should give up his family life. 760907SB.VRN

For so many countless lifetimes the conditioned souls have been giving all of their service and energy to the service of Maya, and I am requesting all of my disciples that for this one lifetime you give all of your energy and service to Krishna. The spiritual force is eternal, so to give simply one lifetime to Krishna is not a very difficult thing. And yet if we are serious in executing the devotional principles, this one lifetime of service to Krishna will absolute and final solution to all the problems of life. Sincere devotional service in even one lifetime is sufficient to make one eligible to return to the Vaikuntha world permanently. Krishna Consciousness has got this power. So stick to this path as you are now doing, and as your sincerity and determination increase more and more, Krishna will surely be pleased to bestow all of His blessings upon you. 690907let.Madhudvisa

Disciple means discipline. Without discipline there cannot be any spiritual progress. Therefore our system is to follow the authority or our superiors, not that we can independently question: “No this is right and this is wrong”. That is not the way. 720723let.Sankarsana

A disciple means one who is always following the orders of the spiritual master. So I instruct my disciples to refrain from four prohibitions, namely no eating of meat, fish or eggs, no illicit sex life, no taking of intoxication, including tea, coffee, cigarettes, etc., and no gambling. Besides that my students must chant sixteen rounds of japa-mala of Hare Krsna mantra daily. So if you are able to follow these principles without fail, then you are as good as my disciple. And after you have practiced these things for a few months’ time, then we can see to your formal initiation. 720811let.SureshChandra

So long as one continues to follow the rules and regulations, he continues to be my disciple wherever he may be. 751109let.TustaKrishna

My advise is always chant 16 rounds minimum and follow the four regulative principles. All of my disciples must agree on this point otherwise they are not my disciples. Let one live anywhere, but stick to the principles. Disagreements will continue in this material world. So one may live in a suitable place, but one must follow these five principles. My disciples must follow these principles living either in heaven or hell.

Please do not be worried. Our movement is essentially for spreading this chanting of Hare Krishna world wide. And the main responsibility of my disciples is to follow the four regulative principles and chant 16 rounds without fail. Please worry about that first.760221let.MaeveDavies

“The best disciple of Prabhupada” You have given me the credit of being the best disciple of Prabhupada. 761115let.Shyamsundarji

DISCIPLINE for Gurukula children Yes, if we simply train them properly they will come out just to the highest standard of Vaisnava devotee. And what is that training? Simply they should be engaged in such a way that they are somehow or other remembering Krishna at every moment, that’s all. It is not something mechanical process, if we force in such a way they will come out like this, no. We are persons, and Krishna is a Person, and our relationship with Krishna He leaves open as a voluntary agreement always, and that voluntary attitude—Yes, Krishna, I shall gladly co-operate whatever you say—that ready willingness to obey is only possible if there is love. Forcing will not make me agree. But if there is love, oh, I shall gladly do it. That is bhakti, that is Krishna Consciousness. So similarly, if we train children by developing and encouraging their propensity to love Krishna, then we shall be successful in educating them to the topmost standard. Then they shall always very happily agree to do whatever you ask them. So I have heard that there as been some beating with sticks on the children. Of course I do not know, but that should not be. You may show the stick, threaten, but better art is to somehow or other, even by tricking them, avoid this matter of force and induce them to obey out of loving spirit. That is success of disciplinary method. 721118let.rupavilas

DISCIPLIC SUCCESSION

After all of the reading was finished, I explained how service and prayers are accepted by Krishna through the medium of the disciplic succession. It is something like electricity: if one is in touch with his Spiritual Master, and his Spiritual Master is in touch with his bona fide Spiritual Master, then in this way an offering is automatically transferred to Krishna. Just as the Mercy of Krishna is coming down through the disciplic succession, so the service of the devotee is offered up to Krishna through the disciplic succession. 690905let.Brahmananda

Yes, whoever you tell the chant to, it is effective. You have heard it from me and my disciples, similarly I have heard it from my Guru Maharaja, and so on, and on. Because you have heard it from a pure devotee of the Lord, therefore it is transmitted from you to another. Just as an aerial message, is transmitted from one place to another, similarly, this Guru parampara system is working. My disciples are my agents, my representatives, so by hearing it from them, you are receiving it from me. And because you are a sincere soul, those who are hearing the Mantra from you are receiving it in disciplic succession, from Lord Caitanya and from Lord Krishna. 680306let.AndreaTemple

There are four Sampradayas from the beginning of the creation. One is called Brahma Sampradaya, and is coming down by disciplic succession from Brahma; another Sampradaya is coming down from Laksmi, called Sri Sampradaya; another is coming down from the Kumaras, they are known as Nimbarka Sampradaya; another Sampradaya is coming from Lord Siva, Rudra Sampradaya or Viñëu Svämé. These are four bona fide Sampradayas that are accepted by the bona fide spiritualists. The Impersonalist Sampradaya is not original neither the Impersonalist Sampradaya or party can help us. At the present moment there are so many Sampradayas, but we have to test them about their method of disciplic understanding. Anyway, all the four Sampradayas above mentioned, they are after worshiping the Supreme Lord Visnu, in His different Expansions, and some of them are in favor of worshiping Radha Krishna. In the later age the Brahma Sampradaya was handed down though Madhva Acarya; in this Madhva Acarya disciplic succession came Isvara Puri. This Isvara Puri was accepted as Spiritual Master of Lord Caitanya. Therefore, we being in disciplic succession of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we are known as the Madhva Sampradaya. And because Lord Caitanya appeared in Bengal, which country is called Gaudadesa, our Sampradaya party is known as Madhva Gaudiya Sampradaya. But all these Sampradayas are non-different from one another because they believe and worship the Supreme Lord. Any other Sampradaya who are Impersonalist or voidist or nondevotee, they are rejected by us.

My Guru Maharaja was in the 10th generation from Lord Caitanya. We are 11th from Lord Caitanya. The disciplic succession is as follows: 1. Sri Krishna, 2. Brahma, 3. Narada, 4. Vyasa, 5. Madhva, 6. Padmanabha, 7. Nrihari, 8. Madhava, 9. Akshobhya, 10. Jayatirtha, 11. Jnanasindhu, 12. Purusottama, 13. Vidyanidhi, 14. Rajendra, 15. Jayadharma, 16. Purusottama, 17. Vyasatirtha, 18. Laksmipati, 19. Madhavendra Puri, 20. Isvara Puri (Advaita, Nityananda) 21. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, 22. (Svarupa, Sanatana) Rupa, 23.(Jiva) Raghunath, 24. Krishna dasa, 25. Narottama, 26. Visvanatha, 27. (Baladeva.) Jagannatha, 28. (Bhaktivinode) Gaura-kisora, 29. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, Sri Barshabhanavidayitadas, 30. Sri Srimad Bhaktivedanta.

DISEASE Regarding this matter with your child, I cannot say, but at least I would not have agreed that the doctors perform this operation. In New York in 1968 when I was in the hospital they tried to operate my brain, but I left the hospital tactfully. Therefore I say that you never call a doctor for me or send me to the hospital. So it is up to you, but I would have not agreed. 751104let.Mayapurusasa

Concerning plumbing indoors, that is not difficult. This can be done very easily if you have a high water tank, and sufficient water there. Just like sometimes we see at big, big factories. If the water supply is sufficient, there is no question of insanitation. Disease comes when there are dirty conditions. Also, don’t eat more than necessary. As soon as palatable food is offered, they eat. That is the disease. Concerning the outhouses, if they are not approved then you can have a septic tank, or pass stool in the open field. I was doing that. I never liked to go to the nonsense toilet so I was going in the field.

760323let.Kirtanananda

DISH For dishes, best thing is everyone who is eating Prasadam should wash his plate. Otherwise, one man has to do so many dishes. So even the guests should also wash their dishes, that is the system in the Temple; not leave one man to do it. 680409let.Aniruddha

DISSOLUTION There are two kinds of dissolution. One is when Brahma goes to sleep, and another is when Brahma dies. When Brahma goes to sleep, the highest planetary system does not dissolve, the lower planetary systems, beginning from heavenly planets downwards, everything is dissolved. And when the day comes out, they are again created. When the living entities enter into Brahma, or into the Body of Narayana, they keep their own spiritual body, that is very small, 1/10,000 of tip of hair, and when there is again material creation, they manifest again with different kinds of body. Just like a man sleeps at home without any dress, and when he goes out to work, he dresses himself. So similarly in creation, there is different kinds of bodies for working, and whenever there is no creation they remain in their own spiritual body sleeping. No, there is no complete annihilation at the end of Kali yuga, there may be some disturbances, but not complete annihilation. There are thousands of Kali yugas in every day of Brahma, and they come and go just like seasonal changes. 680409let.Aniruddha

DIVIA YUGA

We know that there are four ages [yugas], namely Satya, Tretä, Dväpara and Kali. These four together constitute one divya-yuga. CCÄdi 3.7

Divine consciousness This awakening of divine consciousness enthrals a devotee, who thus relishes his eternal transcendental mellow. Such an awakening is awarded only to those convinced by devotional service about the transcendental nature of the Personality of Godhead. Adi 1.49

DIVINE GRACE One thing you may note also as a matter of etiquette. The Spiritual Master is addressed as His Divine Grace, a Godbrother is addressed as His Grace, and any Sannyasin is addressed as His Holiness. 670130let.Brahmananda

DIVISIONS caste, color, creed or nationality 580826let.JBirla

DOG ‘s obstinacy So is it very difficult task to think of Kåñëa and to worship Him, to become His devotee and to offer obeisances to Kåñëa? Just like we are doing this, in this evening. This is the process. We are thinking of Kåñëa by chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra. We are offering obeisances to the Deity and at least trying to become bhaktas. Man-manä bhava mad…, mad-yäjé, and worshiping. What is the worshiping? Patraà puñpaà phalaà toyaà yo me bhaktyä prayacchati [Bg. 9.26]. It is not difficult. Little flower, little fruit, little water, anyone can collect. But the thing is a dog obstinacy: “I shall not do it.” That is the thing. Otherwise it is very easy thing, Kåñëa consciousness. And if we adopt it, our life becomes successful. That is the perfection of life. That we are teaching. But there is a dog’s obstinacy that they will not adopt: “No.” This is our defect. Otherwise the process is very simple; everyone can adopt it in every country, every man. There is no distinction that “This class of men can adopt and that class of men can…” No. Just like the Hare Kåñëa mantra, it is now being chanted all over the world, and they are becoming Vaiñëava. These European, American boys… Then where is the difficulty? But the difficulty is our obstinacy. If one is obstinate, he is determined, then it is very difficult. Therefore Kåñëa says, na mäà duñkåtino müòhäù prapadyante narädhamäù [Bg. 7.15]. Only these classes of men, duñkåtina, always engaged in sinful activities, müòha, rascal… Na mäà duñkåtino müòhäù prapadyante narädhamäù. And lowest of the mankind. Because human life is meant for worshiping Kåñëa. Narottama däsa Öhäkura sings, hari hari viphale, janama goìäinu: “My life is spoiled.” Why? Manuñya-janama päiyä, rädhä-kåñëa nä bhajiyä, jäniyä çuniyä viña khäinu. So we are trying to stop drinking poison knowingly. Viñayä viñänale, divä-niçi hiyä jvale, taribäre nä koinu upäya, golokera prema-dhana, hari-näma-saìkértana, rati nä janmilo kene täya. These are the Narottama däsa Öhäkura’s… Big… They were stalwart äcäryas. 730925le.bom

DOGMA I have already written to Hayagriva that the instructions which I impart are not dogmas. Our instructions are all based on sufficient logic and philosophy. The thing is that while conducting missionary activities it is quite natural that sometimes the situation may become very provocative, but we have to deal in these matters very carefully. 671105let.Brahmananda

DOGMATIC There is no necessity of stopping questioners by dogmatic statements as it was done in the beginning. I have every hope in you because you are educated and have understood the philosophy completely. 670930let.Janardan

DOLL EXHIBITION Your plans for including restaurant and bookshop in the museum is very good. So far your future plans are concerned, you should understand that at every center there should be such doll exhibitions. So wherever it is suitable, you should take up in that place first. We want that at every center there should be this doll exhibition. In the new New York building, one flat should be for this exhibition. 751118let.Bharadraja

Upon seeing the pictures of the doll exhibit I thought it was some of our devotees play acting. This boy Saptaratha Das has done the dolls very very nicely, now make a museum for the public. This doll making was one of the programs of my Guru Maharaja, and the exhibit used to tour India. That same exhibit, although falling apart, is still touring India today and people are appreciating it. So develop this program, I am very pleased with this boys work, encourage him. 751207let.Rupanuga

DONATION Regarding the incident with Mr. Mody, it was a mistake by Kausalya. Don’t commit anything which will cause mistrust. This is not at all desirable. Keep peaceful situation with all men. There is no question of taxing someone for a donation. They can give donation and we will accept on friendly terms. Nobody should be pressured for contribution. 750110let.PatitUddharan

DOOR TO DOOR

In 1434 Çakäbda (A.D. 1512), when Lord Nityänanda Prabhu was empowered by Lord Caitanya to preach the saìkértana movement in Bengal, Çré Gadädhara däsa was one of Lord Nityänanda’s chief assistants. He preached the saìkértana movement by requesting everyone to chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra. This simple preaching method of Çréla Gadädhara däsa can be followed by anyone and everyone in any position of society. One must simply be a sincere and serious servant of Nityänanda Prabhu and preach this cult door to door. Adi 10.53 P.

A sannyäsé should go door to door. Mahad-vicalanaà nåëäà grhiëäà déna-cetasäm. A sannyäsé is called mahätmä. Why he is mahätmä? Because his ätmä is now broader. Gåhiëäà déna-cetasäm. Mahad-vicalanam. Mahätmä travels or wanders country to country, door to door—mahad-vicalanaà nåëäà gåhiëäm—especially for the householders, déna-cetasäm, whose consciousness or mind is very crippled. 751118IN.BOM

DRAMAS are alright if you can perform them nicely. Even if you don’t speak them in English, they can be rendered into Hindi on the microphone while the drama goes on. But the puppet shows should be stopped. It is nonsense. 760113let.Aksayananda

DREAM the wholeday what I think, dreaming is a reflection 721121Bg.Hyd

DRESS Regarding dress, I have already written to you that you can dress as smartly as possible to deal with the public, and dress is immaterial in Krishna Consciousness. Consciousness is within. I am a sannyasi, but if some important work requires I dress myself just like a smart gentleman, I would immediately accept it. So it is not a problem. 690903let.GopalKrishna

DURBHISKA scarcity of food gains, famine sb12.2.9& 760416sb.bom

DURGA Goddess Durgä has four famous children: two daughters—the goddess of fortune, Lakñmé, and the goddess of learning, Sarasvaté—and two sons, Lord Gaëeça and Lord Kärttikeya. They are all considered demigods and goddesses. KB Ch.53

DURMADA means wrongly directed SB 4.29.14

DURYODHANA

Duryodhana, in the dress of a king, he was a rogue. He cheated the Pāṇḍavas by gambling. “You bet your wife. You bet your kingdom.” In this way, they were devotees, simple—cheated them. So Kṛṣṇa wanted to see that these cheaters and rogues must be killed. That was His plan. Therefore He said, yadṛcchayā copapannaṁ svarga-dvāram apāvṛtam: “Arjuna, you are hesitating to fight, but it is a great opportunity for you. Because as a kṣatriya, if you kill these cheaters and rogues, that will be a great achievement for you. 730902BG.Lon

So what did he do? When the five sons were sleeping, inhumanly he cut off…, he separated the heads of the five sons and presented to Duryodhana. Duryodhana was at that time in a incapable state. His, this waist was broken. He could not move. And he lied that “I have brought the five heads of the Päëòavas, my dear Duryodhana.” “Oh, you have brought?” He was very glad in the beginning. But he knew how to test it. But when he pressed the head, it immediately became collapsed. “Oh,” he said, “this is not Päëòavas’ head. It must be their sons’ head.” Then he admitted, “Yes.” He became fainted, that “You have killed all the hopes. I hoped that in our family at least five sons will… You have killed also.” So in that lamentment he died. 730416SB.LA

DUÑKÅTINAÙ: those who are applying their brain for mischievous activities, they are called duñkåtinaù. 721206bg.ahm

DVAAPARA YUGA

Now, in the Dväpara-yuga, just like in the Kali-yuga, this age, the mahä-mantra is Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare; similarly in the Dväpara-yuga the mantra, this mantra was chanted. What is that? Namas te väsudeväya: “All obeisances unto You, Lord Kåñëa, Väsudeva.”

namaù saìkarñaëäya ca

pradyumnäyäniruddhäya

tubhyaà bhagavate namaù SB 11.5.29

661224CC.NY

DVIJA: dvi means twice and ja means birth. 741007let.Vrajesvari

EATING Eating should be minimized. Too much eating leads to too much sleeping, and then sex desire. So, management should be done very carefully to see that there is not easy-going, lazy attitude which will only end in fall down.

750109let.Rupanuga

ECONOMY – Yes, we must invest our money in books and land, but no there will be collapse as you have anticipated. Everything will be adjusted by the grace of Krsna. From my own experience I have seen when first class rice was selling at 8np. per kg, and now that is being sold at Rs. 8. That means that it is 64 times higher, but still people are eating, and the man who lives in care of the footpath he is also eating. So the man in care of the foothpath, and the man on the 30th floor of the sky scraper, they are living and still the inflation is going on. Man-made laws cannot work any rupture in Krsna’s plan. Better let us remain now under Krsna’s shelter fully dependent, and we shall remain unaffected by all the man-made difficulties. 741201let.Hansadutta

EDITING

Now, you editor, I think it has to be corrected. Tvā means “You.” It is not “although.” Read. 740928SB.May

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated August 25 and 31 and have noted the contents.

Concerning the editing of Jayadvaita Prabhu, whatever he does is approved by me. I have confidence in him. Your changes which I have seen of the sanskrit synonyms is also approved by me. Tanmayataya refers to the fact that the trees and the father were absorbed in the same feelings.

Titling of the Ninth Canto as Liberation is good, and the Tenth Canto should be called “The Summum Bonum”. As far as the 11th and 12th Cantos are concerned they shall be named when they are presented. The title which you have given to the Eighth Canto was a little hard to understand at first but if it refers to pralaya, then it is alright. You must consult with me on such matters. Do not manufacture anything.

All of the sketches which you have sent to me while I am in India are approved. The picture of the Mohini Murti capturing the demons should take place outside on grass, there is no floor or walls. Prahlada Maharaja does not have a beard. Always avoid beards. It is not true that there are no shoes in Krsna lila, rather there are shoes except for the Vrndavana pastimes. But the shoes are of another quality, they are beautiful with jewels etc. On the battlefield they must wear shoes. The severed head of Rahu should look like the head of a demon, not round like a planet.

By controlling sex desire one becomes the most perfect sober person, kandutivan manasajivam visaheta dhirah. I hope this meets you in good health. 760907let.Radhaballabha

EDUCATION See 690721let.Giriraja

The nutshell of education is defined by Cäëakya Paëòita, that “Who is paëòita, learned?” So he does not say that one who has passed M.A., Ph.D., D.A.C. No. He doesn’t say that. He says, “Any person who has learned to see like this.” What is that? Mätåvat para-däreñu: “Everyone’s wife should be considered…” Para-dära. Para means others’ wife. Mätåvat, mother. Therefore the Vedic system is, when we address another woman, “Mother,” no other address. “Mother, can I do this? Would you like this?” The address should be “Mother.” Practice. This is practice, the brahmacäré’s practice. He goes to every householder’s wife: “Mother, give me some…” Just like this child. If he is taught from the very beginning of his life that “Address all women as mother…,” that training. And intermingling with anyone, then it is a different training. That is brahmacäré. So brahmacäré is taught that how he should behave in society, what is the aim of life. That is brahmacäré. Mätåvat para-däreñu.

Para-dravyeñu loñöravat. And other’s property? Just like garbage. Nobody goes, but I have seen. Nowadays garbage is also tackled. I have seen in Hong Kong, one woman is finding out something valuable from the garbage. This is Kali-yuga. It is untouchable, but still, people are trying to get something from the garbage, so downtrodden, this Kali-yuga. So mätåvat para-däreñu para-dravyeñu loñöravat, ätmavat sarva-bhüteñu: “All other living entities think like yourself.” That means your pains and pleasure, as you feel, you should take up others’ pains and pleasure, not that you protect yourself from all danger and you cut the throat of the poor animals on the plea that it has no soul. This is not education. This is education, that whether the animal has soul or not soul, we shall consider later on. But when knife is on my throat I cry, and he also cries. Why shall I say that “It has no soul, and let me kill it”? So that means he does not know how to see other living entities like himself. Buddha philosophy is based on this, that “Whatever you feel, pain, you should not inflict to others.” This is education. Mätåvat para-däreñu para-dravyeñu loñöravat ätmavat. 76.0523SB.Hon

Regarding Krishna Devi’s proposal, that is too immature now. We have to see the boy’s tendencies first. This will be judged when he is at least 16 years old. Before that, up to the 15th year, he should be given all sorts of education and training as brahmacari. We can’t impose anything from so early age, because when he is grown up he may not like the idea. So all this contemplation is premature. For the present your duty is to make him healthy and strong, physically and spiritually. Of course, if our Krishna Conscious children are to marry, the marriage must be performed within our group. 690808let.Rupanuga

Education, knowledge, means ultimately to understand, to know what is God. Actually; not fictitiously, vaguely. 720521le.La

Therefore I would be very happy to see you living in the temple, following all of our principles of pure life and becoming an expert scholar in Vedic knowledge, through studying my books diligently. This is real education. The so-called education that they are teaching in the schools and universities today is simply useless knowledge which is all based on atheistic and speculative theories. The teachers themselves are following no real authorities in wisdom neither do they set any good examples for their students. By going to school today there is always the danger through bad association of becoming entangled in so many unwanted things such as illicit sex, intoxication etc.741227let.Durgesh

Education means Krishna consciousness. That is education. If simply we understand that “Kåñëa is the Supreme Person. He is great, and we are all subordinate. So our duty is to serve Kåñëa,” these two lines, if we understand, then our life is perfect. If we simply learn how to worship Kåñëa, how to please Him, how to dress Him nicely, how to give Him nice foodstuff, how to decorate Him with ornaments and flowers, how to offer our respectful obeisances unto Him, how to chant His name, in this way, if we simply think, without any so-called education we become the perfect person within the universe. This is Kåñëa consciousness. It doesn’t require A-B-C-D education. It requires simply change of consciousness. 750303ar.Dal

And whenever you have got time, read books. Now we have got volumes of books. Again we have got another five volumes of books. All are now immediately published. So you have got enough to study. And those who are gåhasthas, children, we have got our Dallas. As soon as the children is fit, three to four years, you can send to Dallas. They are taking very much care. And if your children are educated Sanskrit and English, and reads all our books, he is more than any university M.A., Ph.D., more than. The M.A., Ph.D. of the ordinary university will not be able to be compared with that. So rest assured that education, culture, happiness, satisfaction, and next, go to home, back to home, back to Godhead. 740708ar.La

So far as Gurukula is concerned, literary education is for the Brahminical class, not for all. Others should learn by seeing, like the ksatriyas, vaisyas, and sudras. Just like driving a bullock cart; it doesn’t require education. Modern so-called education is simply a waste of time producing hippies. Shameless! Why compulsory education? To make hippies—compulsory education to degrade. So it is very fortunate that there is no compulsory education required by the state of Mississippi. 770316let.Nityananda

A really cultured learned fellow is far above a politician. Because a politician is honoured by the votes of his countrymen while a cultured and learned fellow is honoured everywhere all over the world. So we say that Ravindra Natha and Gandhi were never dependant for the votes of their countrymen but they were honoured all over the world for their cultural contribution. The same Canakya Pandit defined the standard of learning. The standard of learning had had to be testified by its result and not by the manner of University degrees. He said that one, who looks upon all women, except one’s married wife as mothers—all other’s wealth as the pebbles on the street and all living being as one’s own self,—is really learned fellow. He never stressed on the point of standard of how many grammars, rhetorics or other books of knowledge one might have gone through, or how many Doctorates of different Universities one might have been decorated with.

EGO

And subtle body, khaṁ mano buddhir eva: mind, intelligence, ego. 730715BG.LON

So one living entity is dying, and his gross body is left, and the subtle body—mind, intelligence, ego—carrying him in another body through the semina of the father to the womb of the mother. Then it is placed, and the body again forms, and when the body is formed, then he comes out. 760918SB.VRN

Mind, intelligence and ego. My conception, identity, “I am,” that conception is there. That is ego. And my intelligence and my mind, you cannot see, neither I can see. Therefore how the mind, intelligence and personal identity, or egotism, carries the soul to other body, they do not see it…….. Ether is also matter, but it is very subtle, fine. And finer than the ether is the mind, and the finer than the mind is the intelligence. And finer than the intelligence is my egotism: “I am,” this conception……. So how you can see the soul? That small particle is being carried by the subtle body—mind, intelligence and ego. And it is pushed through the semina of the father into the womb of the mother, and another body is manufactured in due course of time, and it comes out and works. 760923SB.VRN

EKADASI Ekadasi is observed for increasing the strength of devotion. 680201let.Madhusudana

ELECTION Regarding the election of President, a president can only be changed by vote. If no vote was taken, then the president cannot be changed. Neither Hamsaduta can change the president whimsically or can anybody else change the president. According the “Direction of Management” the GBC cannot change the President but only by vote can it be done. 74.9.29let.Mukunda

Regarding the intended election, I have no preference for anyone. Whomever gets the majority election, he has my vote.741016let.9london devotees

Regarding Sydney, that the President has left, if one does not follow the regulative principles, then he will leave. That is a fact. Has somebody else been elected? 750804let.Madhudvisa

I congratulate you on your being elected as president of ISKCON San Francisco branch. Your election as president is a recognition by Krishna and therefore I have got full support for you. Mukunda and other members have rightly selected you as president. Your service attitude for Krishna and your sincere attempts at being advanced in Krishna Consciousness will work with you and make your life more and more glorious and a happy state. I’ve been very glad that you are appreciating by your self the effects of sincere Krishna Consciousness. I’ve nothing new to instruct you, the same old instruction namely constant chanting and attentively hearing the transcendental vibration Hare Krishna is the only process for self-realization in this age. 670929let.Jayananda

Jayananda is a very sincere and intelligent boy and I think his decision should be accepted as final in the matter. Not only in this case, but in every other complicated case. The elected authorities in the management of the temple should be the final authority in these matters. Otherwise, the society cannot be managed. Our main principle should be to advance the cause of K.C. 680111let.Gargamuni

ENERGIES Regarding your questions about Easy Journey: purusa is Krishna, and Visnu Tattva, Visnu expansions. In Gita, in 10th Chapter, it is accepted by Arjuna that Krishna is the Original purusa or predominating factor or the Supreme Enjoyer. Stree is the enjoyed, or the energy, or the potency. God has got 3 energies in the spiritual world. One energy is existential, one is cognition, one is enjoyment. The same energy when reflected in the material world is exhibited in 3 mode—goodness, passion, and ignorance. Goodness is manifested in proper maintenance of the creation in the gradual development of spiritual realization, passion is exhibition in the matter of production, and ignorance is exhibited in the absence of real happiness. All these internal energies are acting in favor of the Supreme purusa; in the spiritual world they are acting harmoniously and in the material world they are acting in forgetfulness. Prakrti or stree is in forgetfulness is zero; and the living entities is also prakrti or stree, but he is in forgetfulness in the material existence. The living entities, the same living entities in cognition, are liberated souls, residents of the spiritual world. Daivi means pertaining to the Supreme purusa or Brahma. In everything there is Daivi influence; the Daivi influence is beyond the control of the living entities. Therefore the Daivi energy is spiritual energy or internal potency. I think you can develop this idea and if you have still any doubt you can put questions. 680121let.Janardana

ENGLAND During Mahäräja Yudhiñöhira’s time they were so happy that it is stated that there was not even scorching heat and pinching cold also. Neither people were in anxiety for their livelihood. This is government: to see that people are in good atmosphere in everything. That is the first duty of the government. Of course, we have seen at the present moment also, in some of the European government they have got very good arrangement. In England I have seen, although they have lost their empire, still, people get free education, free medical treatment. And England does not produce practically anything except potato. They…, the government imports so many eatables so that people may not suffer for want of food. So that is the way of good government from the time immemorial. 760927SB.Vrn

ENTHUSIASM If there is any slip in enthusiasm, then how things will go on? I have seen in Bombay everything is deteriorating, simply because this enthusiasm is lacking. Enthusiasm and patience, these things required first. But if we are not able to maintain, how we shall expand further? There must be regularly classes and reading books, chanting 16 rounds, going for kirtana, like that. This is our programme for enthusiasm, if you do not follow it, what can I do? If you are supervising in Bhavananda’s absence, you must see these things are going on, that everyone is strictly observing these practices, then there will be no lacking for anything. 721023let.Purnaprajnaetc

The whole problem is they are not following the regulative principles, that I can detect. Without this, enthusiasm will be lacking. Even mechanically following, and if he gets gradually understanding from the class, he will come to the point of spontaneous enthusiasm. This spontaneous loving devotional service is not so easy matter, but if one simply sticks strictly to the rules and regulations, like rising early, chanting 16 rounds, chanting gayatri, keeping always clean—then his enthusiasm will grow more and more, and if there is also patience and determination, one day he will come to the platform of spontaneous devotion, then his life will be perfect. All of this I have told you in Nectar of Devotion. So I do not think the leaders are themselves following, nor they are seeing the others are following strictly. That must be rectified at once. 721222let.Karandhar

I am very glad to note that you are so much sincere and enthusiastic devotee of Krishna. That is wanted. If I do not do anything else, at least let me produce one such sincere devotee that’s all. You are leader, so if you are enthusiastic then all of the others will remain always enthusiastic, that is your greatest qualification. And it is easy thing to maintain your enthusiastic behavior if you yourself and the rest devotees under your protection always without fail chant minimum 16 rounds daily, rise early in the morning for mangal arati, take bath, cleanse everything nicely, go out for preaching work, like that. In this way, if you stick tightly to the basic principles of devotional life as chalked out for us by our great predecessors, then always you will be feeling transcendental ecstasy of enthusiasm—that is Krishna Consciousness. It is very simple. 721225let.Kishor

I am especially glad to note that everyone is feeling so much enthusiasm to work very hard in this preaching mission. That enthusiasm must be maintained under all circumstance. That is our price for entering into Krsna’s kingdom. And maya is always trying to take away our enthusiasm to serve Krsna, because without enthusiasm everything else is finished.

Therefore Rupa Gosvami has introduced this system of regulative principles which I have taught to you also. These regulative principles, such as rising before 4 a.m. for mangala aratrika, chanting 16 rounds minimum on beads daily, reading books, going for the street sankirtana, preaching to anyone and everyone, offering the prasadam, like that, these principles of devotional service are there to safeguard us from maya’s attack by keeping us always enthusiastic. If we strictly observe these principles, we shall remain always enthusiastic. These are the sources and the maintainers of our enthusiasm to serve Krsna. As soon as someone is not following them regularly, it may be certain that his enthusiasm will gradually disappear. Therefore, my request to you is that under any and all circumstances that you yourself shall without fail stick to these principles and make certain that all of the devotees in your charge are also following them strictly.

If new students are coming and they want to live with us in the temple, they must agree before living with us to follow these principles without any exception. Otherwise, it is better for them to live outside and attend the class, aratrika, prasadam, like that, and gradually as they become convinced by their intelligence, they will voluntarily agree to perform the austerity or tapasya of living in the temple. But anyone who lives in the temple must follow all these principles without exception, otherwise they may be asked to live outside.

Of course we work very very hard just to get someone to come to the platform of devotee of Krsna, so we shall not be too much hasty to drive anyone out. Therefore we may forgive once, twice, but more than that we must take other steps. So if any new candidate for devotee comes forward you may test him very thoroughly to understand from him if he is ready to fully accept our strict standard of temple living. Let him understand that it is not an arbitrary or whimsical decision on our parts to become like military camp, rather we are strictly adhering to our devotional principles only so that we may make advancement in Krsna consciousness and be protected from the attack of maya consciousness. They may be thinking that these people are slaves of their strict principles, but we are thinking that the strict principles are slaves to us. Of course, the devotee is always very liberal-minded and tolerant towards everyone, seeing everyone as the part and parcel of Krsna and the pure devotee of Krsna, only seeing that due to maya they have temporarily forgotten their real position. So a devotee is always very understanding if there is some discrepancy behavior on the part of nondevotees, and even some devotees misbehave, he is always very tolerant and understanding. The point is that no one is actually qualified in this material world to approach Krsna, but if he makes the attempt through our inducing him gradually to give his energy to Krsna, by that attempt Krsna will extend his mercy and deliver the fallen soul despite his so many disqualifications. And such person or aspiring devotee, he is to be considered the most exalted of men because he has given his life to Krsna. Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate/vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma sudurlabhah, after many births and deaths, he who is actually in knowledge surrenders to Me, knowing Me to be the cause of all causes and all that is. Such a great soul is very rare. [Bg. 7.19]721231let.Dhananjaya

Whatever service we do, our enthusiasm must always be kept strong. 730127let.Dayananda&Nandarani

You are enthusiastic for spreading Krsna consciousness. This is the most important quality. Please continue. 750628let.Nandikesvara

In the path of Kåñëa consciousness the first principle is enthusiasm. If you lack enthusiasm then other things will not happen. And you can keep enthusiastic if you follow the rules and regulation and chant regularly Hare Kåñëa mantra. Otherwise that enthusiasm also will dry. So six things are required for advancing Kåñëa consciousness. The first thing is enthusiasm. Utsähän dhairyät. And patient. And niçcayäd, with conviction, firm conviction. 701000add.la

This enthusiasm is required. It is the basic principle in making advancement in Krsna’s service. 76.11.02let.Hrdayananda

ENVY Yes, there must always be competition, that gives life, that cannot be separated from life. Sanatana dharma means the strong will utilize the energy of the weak, the weak must serve the strong, that we see everywhere, is it not? Who can deny? So that competitive spirit makes us strong, otherwise it is a society of weak men only, and what is the good of such society? But if you ask anyone are you weak or strong, he must answer that he is weak—he cannot control even his toothache, what to speak of his death. Therefore, in fact, it is a society of weak men—everyone is weak before Durga Devi or the material energy. If you see sometimes her picture, the foolish materialist is being held by the claws of her tiger-carrier, while she pierces him to death with her trident weapon. She has got ten arms, each with weapon, she is so strong, but we are so weak that simply by piercing with her trident, the three-fold miseries, adhibhautika, adhidaivika, and adhyatmika, the foolish materialists are all defeated! And before Krishna, Durga devi is very weak—Krishna is the controller of Durga. So Krishna is the strongest: sattyam sattvavatam aham, “I am the strength of the strong.” Therefore, being weak, it is the eternal occupational duty of the living entity to surrender to Krishna, that’s all. In the surrendering to Krishna, if everyone does it, still, the brahmanas will be served by the lower castes, the kings will be served by vaisyas and sudras, the vaisyas will be served by the sudras, and the sudras will serve all higher castes—there is still utilizing the weak by the strong—but feeling themselves always very much weak in comparison to Krishna, the whole society services the Strongest, therefore there will be no envy of the stronger by the weaker class of men. So perfect society, or Vedic society, does not eliminate competition—competition, stronger and weaker, must be there—but it eliminates envy, because everyone is weak before Krishna. Is that clear?

721225let.SriGovinda

So far I have studied Siddhasvarupa, he is not a bad boy, but he has his own philosophy, from the very beginning. It is almost inevitable that there should be enviousness amongst the godbrothers, just like amongst my godbrothers. 750716let.Paramahamsa

EQUALITY Regarding your question, God does not discriminate, but so long as we have got forms we have to discriminate. Without God consciousness the discrimination is there. Why should think that you are American or that he is an Indian? Upon this platform of discrimination the whole philosophy of nationalism, communism, this ism and that ism is going on. When one learns how to see individual persons without discrimination, then he becomes perfect. That is described in the Bhagavad-gita: vidya vinyaya sampanne/ brahmane gavi hastini/ suni caiva svapake ca/ panditah sama darsinah [Bg. 5.18]. “The humble sage by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater (outcaste.)” It is only on the spiritual platform or Krishna consciousness or God consciousness platform that there is no such discrimination. So if you remain on the material platform and artificially desire no discrimination it is not possible.

We are preaching therefore this Krishna consciousness movement so that we may not have material discrimination. The soul has nothing to do with the body. The body is of different varieties calculated to be 8,400,000 forms. The soul is the same passing through different bodies by the process of transmigration. It is exactly like gold passing through business transaction, but when it is in the hands of somebody he thinks that it is “my gold,” and when it is passed through another’s hands, he thinks it is “my gold.” Similarly the soul being as gold when he is situated in a particular body, it identifies with the bodily position, and each and every body is different from the other. So long the soul is in ignorance and identifies with the body, how can there be equality? So unless one is raised to spiritual understanding, there is no question of equality on the bodily platform. This is a scientific calculation.

Women claim to be equal, so that now they are thinking that they do not want to become pregnant, so they are killing their own child. What kind of equality is this that it creates another’s suffering? As soon as the body is different how can there be equality? We see that woman cannot work so hard as a man, and women can do work that a man cannot do, so where is there equality? 750909let.EdGilbert

ETERNITY

The hand and body is created all at a time. It is not that the body is created first and then the hand is created. Our relation with Krishna is like the hand and the body. Therefore, Krishna and we both are eternal, and there is no history of eternity. It has no beginning and no end. Krishna is blue because He is all attractive. The sky is blue because it reflects Krishna’s blue color in the spiritual sky as much as the sunlight is reflected through skylight glasses.

ETIQUETTE Regarding your second question about greeting karmis, if a karmi is a friend, you just greet him Hare Krishna, and with folded hands touch your forehead. If the karmi is a superior relative, then chant Hare Krishna and bow down down to him on the ground. That should be the etiquette in our society transactions. Whenever you have questions, you ask your husband or ask me. You should always be very sound in knowledge about Krishna Consciousness. But as you are very much attached to chanting, there will be no difficulty for you. 690616let.Arundhati

EUCALYPTUS If you can find eucalyptus twigs, you can send them to me wherever I am in the world, and I shall always have nice toothbrushes thanks to you. Eucalyptus is the best. 720806let.Damodara

EUROPE If you give the right protection to the cows, then they will give so much milk, that the ground of New Vrndavana will be muddy with milk. European and American civilization will be finished on account of this sinful activity of killing the cows. 750531let.Kirtanananda

EVER WELL WISHER Suhrdam: SB 4.28.25

EVOLUTIONARY PROCESS

All living entities within this material world are undergoing the cycle of birth and death according to the laws of nature. This struggle of birth and death in different species may be called the evolutionary process, but in the Western world it has been wrongly explained. Darwin’s theory of evolution from animal to man is incomplete because the theory does not present the reverse condition, namely evolution from man to animal. In this verse, however, evolution has been very well explained on the strength of Vedic authority. Human life, which is obtained in the course of the evolutionary process, is a chance for elevation (svargäpavarga) or for degradation (tiraçcäm punar asya ca). If one uses this human form of life properly, he can elevate himself to the higher planetary systems, where material happiness is many thousands of times better than on this planet, or one may cultivate knowledge by which to become free from the evolutionary process and be reinstated in one’s original spiritual life. This is called apavarga, or liberation. SB 7.13.25 P

EXAMINATION

Bhakti Shastri examination 690904let.Firts Year Bhakti Shastri Exam

A first examination will be held sometimes next January on Bhagavad-gita As It Is, and those passing will have the degree of Bhakti-sastri. Next year we will hold an examination on Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the person who passes will have the title Bhakti-vaibhava. And the next year we shall hold an examination on Teachings of Lord Caitanya, Nectar of Devotion and Vedanta Sutra, and those who will successfully pass will be awarded with the title of Bhaktivedanta. By 1975, all of those who have passed all of the above examinations will be specifically empowered to initiate and increase the number of the Krishna Consciousness population. 690112let.Kirtanananda

Shortly we shall be introducing the system of examinations for those students who are ready for second initiation as well as sannyasa. According to the degree, devotees will be expected to read and assimilate our different books.

760105let.Satsvarupa

All of the leaders should study my books books very carefully, since now everyone will have to appear for the examination. But I don’t get any time to go into seclusion. My Guru Maharaja also did not approve of seclusion 760122let.Jayatirtha

6 January, 1976 Tamal

To All Governing Body Commissioners

Re: Examinations for awarding titles of Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhaktivedanta and Bhakti-sarvabhauma. Your response is requested immediately by Srila Prabhupada. (see letter for more details)

Soon we shall be introducing the Bhakti-sastri examination which all brahmanas will be expected to pass. It will be based on Bhagavad-gita, N. O. D., Nectar of Instruction, Isopanisad, and the small paperback books like Easy Journey. A brahmana should be pandita. 760107let.Brasakapi

Now beginning from this year’s Mayapur festival the devotees will begin preparing for Bhakti-sastri examination. Therefore we require a guidebook for Deity worship, arcana-paddhati, based on Hari-bhakti-Vilasa. All brahmanas will be responsible to learn this book. I would like to have the manuscript ready as soon as possible, preferably my Gaura Purnima. So please work diligently for this. Pradyumna began this, but I do not know what he has done with his work. 760109let.Nitai

Bhakti-sastri, Bhakti-vaibhava, Bhaktivedanta, and Bhakti-sarvabhauma. All our brahmanas and anyone wanting to become brahmana, will have to sit for examination once a year at Mayapur. They will be expected to know Bhagavad-gita, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, Sri Isopanisad, a book soon to be published on Deity worship, as well as all the small paperbacks. If they pass the examination they will be awarded Bhakti-sastri certificate. Sannyasis will be asked to sit for Bhakti-vaibhava examination which will include the first six cantos of Bhagavatam. 760109let.TustaKrishna

I have also suggested for the GBC’s consideration, that we introduce a system of examinations for the devotees to take. Sometimes there is criticism that our men are not sufficiently learned, especially the brahmanas. Of course second initiation does not depend upon passing an examination. How one has moulded his life—chanting, attending arati, etc., these are essential. Still, brahmana means pandita. Therefore I am suggesting examinations. Bhakti-sastri—(for all brahmanas) based on Bhagavad-gita, Sri Isopanisad, Nectar of Devotion, Nectar of Instruction, and all the small paper backs. Bhakti-vaibhava—the above plus first six cantos of S.B. Bhaktivedanta—the above plus cantos 7-12 S.B. Bhakti-sarvabhauma—the above plus Caitanya-caritamrta.

These titles can correspond to entrance, B.A., M.A., Ph.D. So just consider how to organize this Institute. At Mayapur we shall finalize everything. 760110let.SvarupaDamodara

Regarding the examinations, the idea is that anyone, after studying the books, who wants to gain the title of Bhakti-sastri, can take the exam. This is academic. Just like a brahmana with sastric knowledge and a brahmana without. It is optional—one who wants may take. The real purpose is that our men should not be neglectful of the philosophy. The examinations will begin on Gaura Purnima, 1977, not this year, so there is no reason why any of the devotees should give up their normal engagement. 760203let.Satsvarupa

Regarding the examination, I never meant that the examination would be held this year. It will be held first next year. The examination is meant for the intelligent class, not all. Neither it is compulsory. So to pass the examination means one must have knowledge. There are higher intelligent class of disciples, otherwise it is not compulsory. So how to organize it, how to do it, you GBC can decide. I have given the idea, now how to do it is up to the GBC. 760221let.Rupanuga

Example Nowadays it seems many of the older disciples like yourself are having difficulty. If you do not set the example for the younger students and take the responsibility for instructing them in the right line, how will things go on? Try to always study our books and see our philosophy from different lights of directions, become convinced yourself of this knowledge and without a doubt all of your difficulties of mind will disappear forever and you will see Krishna face-to-face. 720708let. Bhagavatananda

Expansion Pradyumna is Krishna’s plenary expansion like Vasudeva, Aniruddha and Sankarsana. When Krishna appeared on the earth Pradyumna appeared as His son born of Rukmini. The immediate expansion of Krishna is Baladeva. who appeared as elder brother of Krishna and Baladeva. expands Himself further as Sankarsana, Vasudeva, Pradyumna, and Aniruddha. There are such innumerable expansions of Krishna and Pradyumna is one of them. There is no difference in potency of all these expansions. 670427let.Pradyumna

Faith means unflinching trust in something sublime. BG 2.41

Fallen Cyuta means fallen, and acyuta means not fallen. Just like we are fallen. We are fallen conditioned souls. In this material world we have come with an enjoying spirit. Therefore we are fallen. If one keeps his position rightly, he does not fall. Otherwise he is degraded. That is fallen condition. So all the living entities within this material world, beginning from Brahmä down to the small insignificant ant, they are all fallen, fallen conditioned souls. Why they are fallen?

kåñëa bhuliya jéva bhoga vaïcha kare

päçate mäyä täre jäpaöiyä dhare

Fallen means when the living entities are under the clutches of this material energy. That is called fallen. Just like a man, when he is under police custody, it is to be understood that he is a criminal, he is fallen. He has fallen down from good citizenship. Similarly, we are all parts and parcels of Kåñëa. Mamaiväàço jéva-bhuta [Bg. 15.7]. So as part and parcel, our position is to live with Kåñëa. Just like this is my finger, part and parcel of my body. The finger must remain attached with this body. When this finger is cut off and fallen, although it is finger, it is no longer as important as it was formerly when it was attached with this body. So anyone who is not attached with the service of the Supreme Lord, he is fallen. This is the conclusion. 730718bg.lon

FALSE EGO mans accepting this body as oneself.

FAMILY The Cäëakya Paëòita says, åëa-kartä pitä çatruù: “A father in debts to others is enemy……. And mätä çatrur vyabhicäriëé: and if the mother, either she becomes prostitute or marries for the second time in the presence of elderly children, she is enemy. Åëa-kartä pitä çatrur mätä çatrur vyabhicäriëé. And Cäëakya Paëòita had very bad experience with his wife. So he says, rüpavaté bhäryä çatruù: “If the wife is very beautiful, she is enemy.” And putraù çatrur apaëòitaù: “And if the son is a rascal, no education, he is enemy.” So these are the family enemies. 760927SB.Vrn

Family means husband, wife, children, father, mother. Generally, this is family. 760927SB.Vrn

Similarly our Krishna Consciousness Movement means we are all gathering together in families of Krishna. Actually we are eternal family members of the Lord, but due to our misuse of independence we have now forgotten our eternal relationship with Krishna, exactly like a man who is mad forgets his family relationship and loiters in the street. But when he is again in his normal mental condition, he remembers his family members and goes back to them. Similarly this Krishna Consciousness Movement is a treatment for reviving the memory that we all belong to Krishna’s family. So we are trying to establish a replica of Krishna’s family in this material world wherein there is no material activities. To avoid the material activities means to follow the four regulative principles and to engage ourselves constantly in Krishna Consciousness activities and to have the association of pure devotees. We should not give indulgence to our senses more than what is required just to keep body and soul together. We should not engage ourselves in very difficult tasks, and we should not talk anything more than what is necessary for spreading Krishna Consciousness. We should follow the regulative principles, regard being had to situation, circumstances and objectives. We should not be greedy and we should not mix with persons not interested in Krishna. In this way, we can make steady progress and maintain our membership in Krishna’s family. Thus, at the end of this life we will enter actually into the spiritual world. So your main business should be to spread Sankirtana, becoming tolerant as the tree and becoming humbler than the grass. If you have anytime any difficulty, please try to settle up in the above way, but do not leave the company of devotees. That will not help you, even though there may seem to be some difficulties. 690607let.KrishnaDas

Now you are living peacefully with your family, that is good. Best thing is if you continue your employment at the book store, try to sell my books there if possible. Visit the New York temple regularly with your family and try to help them as far as possible, I think you should not attempt to make life members at this time. Maintain your wife and children by working honestly, attend the temple programs as far as possible and in this way live peacefully as a grhastha following the four regulative principles of spiritual life and chant Hare Krishna on beads and at home with family. That will keep you pure. 751130let.Manasvi

FAMILY PLANNING

Spiritual family planning is that one should be determined to train up children in Krishna Consciousness. According to Bhagavata, the spiritual family planning is that one should not become a father or one should not become a mother, unless he is able to maintain their children to the extent of liberation. It is the duty of the parents to see that the children are growing luxuriantly not only materially, but spiritually also. So spiritual training should be given from the very beginning. Kaumaram acaret prajna—In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Prahlada Maharaja has instructed that spiritual consciousness or Krishna Consciousness should be taught to the children from the very beginning as they are given education from early childhood. 680824let.Dayananda&Nandarani

FARM Regarding the farm, farm opening is not very essential, but if you can do it conveniently, then do it.741019let.Hansadutta

Yes, the farm plan in New Orleans is fine. But one thing is if we get land we must first be sure we will be able to fully utilize it, otherwise, if we cannot use it what is the use? I want the world to see by our example that life can be lived naturally, peacefully if one is self sufficient with land, some cows and chanting Hare Krishna. That is the idea of purchasing land. It is not necessary that every temple have a farm, but as many as can be efficiently managed locally is all right. Let them see our centers are self sufficient. Whatever can be managed conveniently. If they can manage a farm in Detroit also, what is the harm?

740618let.Jagadisha

I am very glad to hear about your new farm-asrama existing there. We want to develop many such farms all over the world. ….. It is alright that you have purchased machinery and are using on the farm but if you can do without as much as possible that is better….. To develop a farm community such as the one you are doing, it requires much hard work and endurance. But if you work sincerely then Krishna will give you all facilities and men. Therefore continue working and follow the good example that the devotees in New Vrndavana have set and everything will go very nicely. If you have any specific questions you can refer to New Vrndavana and they may be able to help you. 741215let.Bahudak

Our farm projects are an extremely important part of our movement. We must become self-sufficient by growing our own grains and producing our own milk, then there will be no question of poverty. So develop these farm communities as far as possible. They should be developed as an ideal society depending on natural products not industry. Industry has simply created godlessness, because they think they can manufacture everything that they need. Our Bhagavad-gita philosophy explains that men and animals must have food in order to maintain their bodies. And the production of food is dependent on the rain and the rain of course is dependent on chanting Hare Krsna. Therefore let everyone chant Hare Krsna, eat nicely and keep their bodies fit and healthy. This is ideal life style. We do not condemn modern civilization but we don’t like to get it at the cost of God Consciousness, that is suicide. Your farm in Pennsylvania sounds very nice.

741218let.Rupanuga

Are you liquidating your debts for the farm? You borrowed money on the farm. Are you repaying the loan? It is very good that the farm will be providing foodstuffs for both the farm and the temple in Paris. That is wanted. The farm program should be: grow your own food, produce your own milk, cloth and everything and chant Hare Krsna. It is good that you are repairing the buildings. They are dilapidated, but they can be repaired very nicely. 751114let.Bhagavan

Yes, this supplying of milk to the temple is wanted. Thank you. In the way that Atlanta is doing, every center must have a farm so we can get all milk and if possible vegetable, even fruit, flowers and milk. 760221let.Rupanuga

On the farms we should have mainly grhasthas. Farms are especially meant for the grhasthas. Brahmins and sannyasis are meant for begging food grains from the grhasthas. They depend on the grhasthas and the grhasthas treat them as their children. As the child is not a burden for the parents, so brahmanas and sannyasis are not burden for the grhasthas. They simply take food grains to survive but they give transcendental knowledge for the benefit of society. They have no worries for producing and securing food. That is the business of grhasthas, but they devote their time to spreading spiritual knowledge. That is the system. 760708let.Balavanta

See 761128let.Yasomatinandana

FASTING

Fasting should be continued up to evening, then you may have food like on Ekadasi, fruits, milk, etc. On the next day you may observe festival. Janardana consulted me and said he thinks Sunday feasting would be best, so you may do that if you like. Or you may do both days, as you feel best. 680307let.Mahapurusha

Regarding your fasting, if you are sick, then fasting is the best medicine. For disease and unwanted guests, if you do not give them food, they will go away. 750116let.Revatinandana

FAT Therefore in spiritual advancement becoming fat is not at all satisfactory. SB 7.13.17

FATHER

The father and mother are also as good as the Spiritual Master, and we are indebted to father and mother in so many ways. So as they are dependent on your income, try to help them as far as possible, as well as spend something for Krishna also. Rupa Goswami spent 50% for Krishna, 25% for emergency, and 25% for relatives. You can also try to follow this principle as far as possible. Your main business is to keep in Krishna Consciousness, and if you keep that point in view, you can deal with others according to social conventions without being attached. 690621let.GopalKrishna

As the husband of your wife, you should see that she is trained up nicely in Krishna consciousness. You also have a child, so this is your responsibility to see that your family no longer again has to come back and take material body in this world of birth and death. This is the responsibility of a father in Krsna consciousness. 751109let.Bhurijana

FAULT You mentioned in your previous letter about this person being sexually agitated. If there is agitation in the mind then there is no fault. Actually this is only natural in this material world, unless the mind is fully purified in Krsna Consciousness. 741228let.Sukadeva

FEAR When there is fear? When one understands there is something else than Kåñëa, then he is fearful. 741211sb.bom

FESTIVAL Observe many festivals, that will keep both public and devotees alive. Temple means festivals and Festivals means chanting and distribution of Prasadam. 730808let.TamalKrishna

Regarding the festival on July 6th, the best thing is to simply hold big kirtana and have plenty of prasadam distributed. Generally, the public masses are not so much interested in hearing philosophy. After five or ten minutes, their attention is lost. You can speak a little philosophy, but the stress should be on kirtana and prasadam and selling my books. 750519let.Gunagrahi

FEARLESSNESS The test of advanced spiritual consciousness is that one becomes fearless. Madhya 17.31 P.

FEET CCM 20.60

Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu continued, “By seeing you, by touching you and by glorifying your transcendental qualities, one can perfect the purpose of all sense activity. This is the verdict of the revealed scriptures.

PURPORT

This is confirmed in the following verse from the Hari-bhakti-sudhodaya (13.2).

CCM 20.61

“‘My dear Vaiñëava, seeing a person like you is the perfection of one’s eyesight, touching your lotus feet is the perfection of the sense of touch, and glorifying your good qualities is the tongue’s real activity, for in the material world it is very difficult to find a pure devotee of the Lord.’”

FERTILIZER We shall never use this artificial fertilizer on our farms. It is forbidden in the sastras. If you plant easily grown crops once in the year, then the earth will not become exhausted. Don’t overuse the land. 760111let.Rupanuga

FESTIVALS 4-5 Try to introduce Rathayatra and Janmastami, at least 4-5 ceremonies and festivals annually. 760604let.BhagavanDas

Concerning the festivals, it is a very good idea to have festivals on the major celebrations, at least 4-5 each year. 760606let.Jayapataka

FIFTY PERCENT As you are married, there is no need of separation as you are practicing artificially. You must live just like a respectable married couple and earn money as a Grhastha, and spend 50% for Krishna—that is the real program. 680528let.Hamsadutta

FIGHT

Why He was taking part in the battlefield? He had nothing to gain out of it personally, but why He was taking part in the battlefield? Just for the right cause. So He wanted to establish that for right cause there must be fighting. You cannot abolish violence from the world. This is the instruction of Kåñëa in Bhagavad-gétä. If required, violence will be taken. And Kåñëa induced Arjuna to be violent. Arjuna wanted to be nonviolent, but He wanted that “You should. You must fight. This fight is arranged by Me. 660530BG.NY

But one thing is you must stop this fighting between brothers. Otherwise the whole program will be spoiled. Yourself, Tamala Krishna, Brahmananda, Satsvarupa—you should do everything combinedly. That is my request. Gradually, by Krishna’s Grace, we are expanding. So if amongst ourselves there is friction, it will be very dangerous. So after my return to the States I shall make it more firm so there may not be any dissension. 690908let.Gargamuni

Therefore, Krishna Consciousness is also a sort of fight; but not with rifles. Our weapon is karatalas. In this age there is no need of fighting with rifles because the population is so poor that they are already killed by so many disturbances. They are short lived, poor in knowledge, slack in advancement of spiritual life, unfortunate, and embarrassed by so many miserable conditions of life; like war, famine pestilence, poverty and so on. So to kill these persons by rifle is like bringing a cannon for killing a mosquito. So Lord Caitanya introduced this fighting principle of Sankirtana Movement to reclaim all the fallen souls, who consist of so-called philosophers, half-educated scientists, misguided educationists and a miscreant society. If you can consolidate a party of soldiers as described by you, chanting Hare Krishna Mantra and claiming everyone of them to Krishna Consciousness, that will be a glorious task, and you have all of my good wishes for you for this purpose.690803let.RobertHendry

When there was fight, because they are kñatriyas… Kñatriyas, they will never go back from fighting. Yuddhe cäpy apaläyanam. That is the symptom of kñatriya. When there is fight, they will come forward first. Çauryaà tejo… Véryaà yuddhe cäpy apaläyanam éçvara-bhävaç ca dänaà ca. Kñatriyas means they are very powerful, strong, and when there is fight, a kñatriya, if he is challenged by somebody that “I want to fight with you,” he cannot deny. “Yes. What kind of fight you want, bows, arrows, or club, or sword?” Any way they will fight. And fight means until one is dead, the fight will go on. That is fight. 761212Bg.Hyd

We have to fight with all these so-called leaders, scientists, and philosophers, just like Krsna came to kill all the demons because the whole world is full of demons. 731029let.SvarupaDamodara

Regarding the other matters, a difference between godbrothers is natural. That difference of opinion will continue, what can be done. Siddhasvarupananda Maharaja and his group, whenever they see me they give me money. So they are not against me. So it is a natural thing for the brothers to fight, as long as they all stay obedient to the father. 750911let.Bhurijana

But one thing is disturbing me, are these reports coming from Sweden. These books are translated by Vegavan and Ajita, so they are rendering good service to you. Do not deal with them by force. They are competent hands, so why fight with them? Do everything amicably. This fighting is going on everywhere. It is not a good sign. I know the fight spirit is there in you, within the Westerners, that even if you do not care to fight, someone will induce you to fight. Rather, you should make vigorous propaganda for making people understand the utility of the Krsna consciousness philosophy. It is not something speculative. Make your plans, organize, and then execute in order to increase all of our Krsna consciousness programs. This will be better. 751113let.Alanath

Fight and depend on Krsna, that will bring you victory. 761227let.Ramesvara

FLAG Householders may wear dhotis in the Temple, or as they like, but not of the saffron color. They may wear white, yellow, or whatever. Outside the Temple they may wear American gentleman’s dress, with Tilaka, flag, and beads. It is not required to wear dhotis, as this society does not understand, so outside the Temple dress suit is more socially acceptable. If they so desire, for ceremony, they can dress in dhotis for Kirtana. 680312let.Balai

FLATTERY society will worship you as the goddess of fortune.74.9.15let.Taittiriya

FLU When people become too much sinful, too much godless, the world becomes overburdened, and there must be some machine to kill. Prakåteù kriyamäëäni guëaiù karmäëi sarvaçaù ahaìkära [Bg. 3.27]. They are thinking independently. No independence. As soon as you become sinful, there is reaction immediately. Immediately there will be war, pestilence, famine, flu, and so on, so on. 760922SB.Vrn

FOOD

Just like there are prescription, menu, of human food = vegetable, rice, wheat, sugar. This is actually the food for the human being. But if one hasn’t got restriction within the area of the allotted foodstuff… Because we have to accept allotted foodstuff. Everything is food, but the human being has got an allotted foodstuff by the Supreme Lord. Eko yo bahūnāṁ vidadhāti kāmān [Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13]. That Supreme Personality of Godhead is supplying everyone foodstuff. But not that the dogs’ and hogs’ foodstuff is the same for the human kind. No. Tena tyaktena bhuñjīthā [Īśo mantra 1]. You should enjoy as it is allotted by the Supreme Lord.

So if we transgress this law… Our constitutional position, anatomical fittings, is to eat fruit, vegetable, rice, wheat, milk or milk product. This is our constitutional position. But if we imitate the cats and dog, without any discrimination if we eat, then my next body is ready, the hog’s body or the dog’s body. This is natural law. 750423SB.Vrn

FOOL Regarding your last but one paragraph of your letter under reply. I may inform you that you cannot be fool as you have humbly expressed yourself. Better to remain an ever fool before the spiritual master. But if a disciple is actually fool it reflects on the spiritual master. To think of becoming a fool is the real qualification for a bona fide disciple. As soon as one thinks that he has become the wiser man than the spiritual master one is surely doomed. We should remain everlastingly a fool before the spiritual master. Not artificially but feelingly and then we can make real progress. Even my spiritual master a great scholar remained a so called fool before His spiritual master Who was outwardly an illiterate village fellow. So in the Absolute world the fool is also the master and the master is also a fool in reciprocal exchange of dealings. Lord Caitanya also accepted Himself a great fool before His spiritual master and all of us must follow the transcendental process. 671214let.Rayarama

FORCE So we are living entities. We are marginal energy. Marginal means we may remain under the external energy, or we may remain under the spiritual energy, as we like. The independence is there. Yathecchasi tathä kuru: [Bg. 18.63] “Whatever you like, you can do.” Kåñëa gives this independence to Arjuna. After describing Bhagavad-gétä, He said, yathecchasi tathä kuru. He does not force. That is not good. Forceful thing will not stand. Just like we advise, “Rise early in the morning.” This is advised. Not that I have to force everyone. That will… Force, I may force one day, two days, but if one does not practice it, then simply force is useless. So similarly, Kåñëa does not force anyone to leave this material world. 730819bg.lon

FORGETFULNESS Just like in my last life, what was my body, I do not remember. So forgetfulness is our nature. Because I forget something, that does not mean that things did not take place. No. In my childhood I did so many things. I do not remember. But my father (and) mother, who have seen my childhood, they remember. So forgetting does not mean that things did not take place. Similarly, death means I have forgotten what was I was in the past life. That is called death. Otherwise I, as spirit soul, I have no death. 730819bg.lon

FORGIVE I am glad to learn that your co-operation for this society is appreciated by the authorities, We should learn to forget and forgive minor incidents because whenever there are two men in a place, there is always some misunderstanding. Such misunderstanding happens even between husband and wife—what to speak of others. But we have to adjust things on the basis of Krishna Consciousness. We should always remember that K.C. is a challenge to the modern misguided human society, and we have to meet many unfavorable incidents. 680111let.Gargamuni

FORTUNATE Bhägyavän jéva means fortunate. Unless one is very, very fortunate, one cannot take up Kåñëa consciousness. 730413ar.La

FOUR O CLOCK PS: Regarding the time when the devotees arise in the morning, here in New Vindavan they are getting up by four o’clock. But in your country the people are not accustomed to this, and it will take a little time to get them used to it. But try to get them up at four o’clock as far as possible. 690617let.Hamsaduta

FOUR REGULATIVE PRINCIPLES …wherever you remain do not forget to follow the four regulative principles and chanting at least 16 rounds daily. Then all other things will be manifested in you by the grace of Lord Krishna. 741208let.SaciMata

FRAUD. Whatever fund is collected for food distribution should be sent to India. Why is it not sent? The other funds coming from sales of books can be accounted for properly, so where is there any fraud? Sometimes a salesman can say something extraordinary in order to sell something, but that is not fraud. Just like they are selling this oil, saying that if you rub it on your bald head, hair will grow. Where is the case where a bald man’s hair grew from this oil? But the government is not charging with fraud. Don’t use these UNICEF cards, that will not be good. You can make ISKCON FOOD RELIEF cards. But the money collected using this card must be sent to India where we are actually feeding people. If we simply speak nicely to a person and try sincerely to get him to take the book he’ll take it. Why should we adopt unfair means? We should not do anything which will create a bad impression or make us unpopular. People are after these books, they are hankering for them. We don’t need to take cheating method. I never had to use any cheating method when I first began. I simply presented the real thing.

750101let.Ramesvara.

FRAUD Sometimes a salesman can say something extraordinary in order to sell something, but that is not fraud. Just like they are selling this oil, saying that if you rub it on your bald head, hair will grow. Where is the case where a bald man’s hair grew from this oil? But the government is not charging with fraud. 750101let.Ramesvara

FREE WILL Regarding free will and pre-destination, yes, materially everything is decided. Spiritually you can make advancement despite all material destiny. Materially you cannot change things as they are but spiritually it is possible.

741124let.Srutadeva

FREUD And knowledge how to eat, how to sleep, how to defend, how to enjoy sex life, and volumes of books on this subject matter, these are not knowledge. They are known even by the cats and dogs. The cats and dogs never read Freud’s philosophy, but they know how to enjoy sex life.

So this dog’s philosophy will not help you, that “I have got this body, and how to enjoy the bodily sex life.” This is dog philosophy. A dog knows all these things. Your philosophy should be how to refrain from sex life. That is knowledge. Tapo divyam [SB 5.5.1]. Tapasya. This human life is meant for tapasya, to refrain from sense gratification. That is knowledge. Not that how to enjoy sex life or sense gratification. This is known to cats and dogs without any education, without any philosophy. 730825BG.Lon

FRIEND BG 4.3,

Friendship All godly qualities. So Arjuna, he is also… Otherwise, how he can become intimate friend of Kṛṣṇa unless of the same position? Friendship becomes very strong when both the friends on equal level = same age, same education, same prestige, same beauty. The more similarity of position, then the friendship is there, strong. So Arjuna is also on the same level of Kṛṣṇa. Just like if somebody becomes friend of the president, friend of the king or queen. So he is not ordinary man. He must be of the same position. 730815BG.Lon

FRUIT That is the real fruit of our preaching work, when people come and join and help us to spread this Krsna Consciousness movement. 741216let.Rishabdev

FUNNY This is very funny thinking in our society that you want to spend for this boat, and that Tulsi das wants to take sannyasa because he is feeling sex agitation. First of all there is no sanction to purchase this boat from the BBT. We are not interested.

Tulsi das is affected by sex, and he wants to take sannyasa? This is nonsense. Is sannyasa so cheap? He will be a victim. He is not fit for sannyasa. His mind is not fixed up. Everyone wants to fulfill their whimsical desires; this is going on. Let him stay with Tamala Krishna for sometime, and if he is recommended, then he can take sannyasa. He cannot make any separate program. He is not fit to stay separate. He must remain with another experienced sannyasa and be trained up.

751109let.Rameshvara

GALAGRAHA. Vigraha and galagraha. You should understand. If we forget that “Here is Kåñëa personally present. We have to receive Him very nicely. We have to give Him nice food, nice dress, nice…” Then it is service. And as soon as the feeling comes that “Here is a stone idol”—they say sometimes “idol worship”—”and we have been instructed to dress Him, to give Him…, all botheration.” Then finished. Finished. That has come everywhere. I have seen in Nasik in many, many big temples there is no püjäré, and the dogs are passing stool. Not only they’re breaking. In Western countries also the churches are being closed—big, big churches. In London I have seen, very big, big churches, but they’re closed. When there is meeting on Sunday, the caretaker, two, three men and some old lady, they come. Nobody comes. And we are purchasing. We have purchased several churches. Because it is now useless. It is useless. In our Los Angeles we have purchased, and several others. In Toronto, that recently we have purchased. Big, big churches. But they would not sell us. One church, the priest said that “I shall set fire in this church, still I shall not give to Bhaktivedanta Swami.” [laughter] This Toronto church was like that also. And in Melbourne, the condition was, sale condition was, that you have to dismantle this church building. We said, “Why?” He said, “Utilize as temple now, then we shall not give you.” They refused. You know that? So they do not like that “This Kåñëa consciousness movement will purchase our churches and install Rädhä-Kåñëa Deity.” They do not like that. But it is not going on. 760924 SB.Vrn

GANDHI

Gandhi was a great statesman in the garb of a saintly person, so that the Indian population would blindly follow him. 690213let.KrishnaDas

So if we want to be happy in this life and the next we have to worship Visnu. But Gandhi did to satisfy Visnu? He was trying to satisfy his country, and his country killed him. He manufactured so many things which were never found in Bhagavad-gita. Throughout the Bhagavad-gita Krishna is encouraging Arjuna to fight, and Gandhi manufactured non-violence from Bhagavad-gita. Everyone in India knows the Mahabharata, the great battle of Kuruksetra, 640,000,000 soldiers gave up their life in that battle, and Krishna was personally instructing Arjuna to fight, and Gandhi took Bhagavad-gita and preached non-violence. So what was his understanding. At the end of his life he frankly said, “I don’t believe there was ever such a historical person as Krishna”. So what did Gandhi know about Bhagavad-gita? 751218let.Tulsi

36 years of age Mahatma Gandhi Gave up sex life. 690216Bgaii.La

Bhagavad-gita is the world recognized philosophy of Indian culture and the favorite scripture of Mahatma Gandhi. He was a great follower of this great philosophy like other great saints and he was therefore a great devotee of Rama and Krishna and for this only he was raised to such exalted position of a saint amongst the statesmen during his very life time. 490705let.Sir

GANESH The Ganesa puja may not be performed. No, it is not to be done. No need of it. 741121let.Sudama

Concerning Ganesa worship, it is not actually necessary for us. But, if someone has a sentiment for getting the blessings of Ganesa in order to get large amounts of money for Krishna’s service, then it is alright, but anyone who takes up this kind of worship must send me at least 100,000 dollars monthly—not less. If he cannot send this amount, then he cannot do Ganesa worship.

Please continue distributing by books as many as possible. 750201let.BhaktaDas

GARUDA. They are very big bird. They are flying in the sky, and their rest is from one planet to another. Just like here you find the birds, they are flying from one tree to another, similarly, there are so big birds… They are called garuòa. So garuòa, these birds, they start their flying from one planet and sits in another planet. Just try to understand what is their flying. Not only that, they also lay eggs while flying, and the eggs, while falling down, it becomes another bird. And these birds can pick up elephants for eating.

So this is God’s creation. So if you want to become such a big bird, you can become. [laughter] Yes. Ye yathä mäà prapadyante [Bg. 4.11]. God is so kind. Whatever you desire, you will get. Therefore it is depending upon our discretion, that “What kind of desire I shall maintain?” That desire is Kåñëa consciousness. 750726SB.LB

GAUDADESA OR GAUDA The celebrated ancient capital of the Sena dynasty, which was known as Gaudadesa or Gauda, was situated in what is now the modern district of Malda. Later this capital was transferred to the ninth or central island on the western side of the Gnages at Navadvipa, which is now known as Mayapur and was then called Gaudapura. Lord Caitanya appeared there, and Lord Nityananda came there and joined Him from the district Birbhum. CC Adi 1.102

GAUDIYA MATH

but just after his disappearance, they disagreed. One party strictly followed the instructions of Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, but another group created their own concoction about executing his desires. Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, at the time of his departure, requested all his disciples to form a governing body and conduct missionary activities cooperatively. He did not instruct a particular man to become the next äcärya. But just after his passing away, his leading secretaries made plans, without authority, to occupy the post of äcärya, and they split into two factions over who the next äcärya would be. Consequently, both factions were asära, or useless, because they had no authority, having disobeyed the order of the spiritual master. Despite the spiritual master’s order to form a governing body and execute the missionary activities of the Gauòéya Maöha, the two unauthorized factions began litigation that is still going on after forty years with no decision. adi 12.8

So far as your question about controversy amongst the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, that is a fact. But this controversy is not material. Just like in a national program, different political parties are sometimes in conflict and make propaganda against each other, but their central point is always service to the country. Similarly, amongst the disciples of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati there may be some controversy, but the central point is how to preach the mission of His Divine Grace. If the central point is fixed up then there is no harm in such controversy. Every individual being must have his opinion; that is the significance of individuality, but all such differences of opinions must coincide in Krishna. In the battlefield of Kuruksetra were Arjuna and Bhisma who were fighting with one another, and because Krishna was on the side of Arjuna, sometimes Bhisma pierced the body of Krishna also with arrows. But still they remained the greatest devotees of the Lord, and Krishna accepted the friendship of Arjuna just as He accepted the inimical arrows of Bhisma in the same loving spirit. So you do not be disturbed by such controversial points. Better you engage your mind very seriously in the matter of the service entrusted upon you. That will make you progressive in Krishna Consciousness. 690728let.MandaliBhadra

GAURA of fair complexion CC M 2.1.P

GAURA GOPAL MANTRA and

GAURA MANTRA Worshipers of Çré Gaurasundara accept the four syllables gau-ra-aì-ga as the Gaura mantra, but pure worshipers of Rädhä and Kåñëa accept the four syllables rä-dhä kåñ-ëa as the Gaura-gopäla mantra. However, Vaiñëavas consider Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu nondifferent from Rädhä-Kåñëa (çré-kåñëa-caitanya rädhä-kåñëa nahe anya). Therefore one who chants the mantra “gauräìga” and one who chants the names of Rädhä and Kåñëa are on the same level. CCANT2.31P

GAUR KISHOR DAS BABAJI Srila Gaura Kisora das Babaji was unable to sign his name, and yet he became the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the most erudite learned scholar of His time. We should begin our devotional service in whichever position we are. 761120let.Jitadusana

GAURA NITAI Gaura Nitai deities should not be taken into university classrooms. The professors and students will think we are fanatics. It is better to keep a big picture of Gaura Nitai which can be seen by everyone, rather than taking deities into a classroom. 760105let.Satsvarupa

For serving Gaura-Nitai there is no offense, but if Radha-Krishna is there (travelling party) and there is some discrepancy, then there is great offense and that should be avoided. 730323let.Sudama

Gaura Nitai can be established anywhere, and it is simple to worship Them simply chant before Their Lordships. He doesn’t mind that you have not decorated very nicely, but if you chant and dance He is very pleased. 760421let.Madhudvisa

GAYATRI Gäyantaà träyate yasmäd gäyatré tvaà tataù småtä: one who chants the Gäyatré mantra is gradually delivered from the material clutches. In other words, that which delivers one from material entanglement is called Gäyatré. An explanation of the Gäyatré mantra can be found in the Madhya-lélä, Chapter Twenty-one, text 125 ………………. Then Gäyatré, mother of the Vedas, having been manifested by the divine sound of Çré Kåñëa’s flute, entered the lotus mouth of Brahmä, the self-born, through his eight earholes. Thus the lotus-born Brahmä received the Gäyatré mantra, which had sprung from the song of Çré Kåñëa’s flute. In this way he attained twice-born status, having been initiated by the supreme, primal preceptor, Godhead Himself. CCM 8.138 P

So far Gayatri Mantra is concerned, of course it is not such an important thing. The main thing is to chant Hare Krishna but you can consult with the GBC. Jayatirtha and get his recommendation. The Hare Krishna mantra is sufficient for becoming Krishna Conscious.741122let.Bahurupa

GBC

So Vidura was Yamaräja. Not only he was Yamaräja, ordinary, but he is one of the great authorities. There are twelve authorities mentioned in the çästra. One of them is Yamaräja. Balir vaiyäsakir vayam. This is stated in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Yamaräja is one of the GBC of Kåñëa. Yes. As we have got twelve GBCs, similarly Kåñëa has got twelve GBCs. Now,

svayambhür näradaù çambhuù

kapilo kumäraù manuù

prahlädo janako bhéñmo

balir vaiyäsakir vayam

[SB 6.3.20]

That twelve men are authorized to preach Kåñëa consciousness. So we have to follow. Mahäjano yena gataù sa panthäù [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. There we have created these GBCs. So they should be very responsible men; otherwise, they will be punished. They will be punished to become a çüdra. Although Yamaräja is a GBC, but he made a little mistake, he was punished to become a çüdra. So those who are GBC, they should be very, very careful to administer the business of ISKCON. Otherwise they will be punished. As the post is very great, similarly, the punishment is also very great. That is the difficulty. You can see from this example, Vidura. He was immediately punished. He did little mistake at Maëòüka… Because the åñis, the munis, they will curse. Dealing is very… Even Yamaräja is not taking. 740604SB.Gen

The GBC must be vigilant by following the regulative principles and teach by ideal character the presidents of the centers, and the presidents by their ideal character must teach the others then automatically all members of the whole institution will be ideal to the human society. Then we can dictate to administrators or sometimes take hold of the administration. In the absence of competent leaders we may take the post. But we must be very careful in the flow of the political movement we may not forget our ideal life. For example, Parasaram was a Brahmin but when he found the ksatriyas were mismanaging he killed them twenty one times and some of them fled to European countries. This is the history.740428let.Rupanuga

The GBC should personally observe strictly all the rules and regulations and they should become the practical example to others. Then everything will be all right. Then there will be no fear of being victimized by maya.740905let.BaliMardan

GBC means that one must be ideal Vaisnava. That means there must be strict observance in following all the rules and regulations. This is your main responsibility, and then to see that all others are following strictly. Then everything will be all right.740906Let.Jagadisha

Regarding your trip to U.S.A. you say that you will be tactful and respectful in your dealings. That should be the motto of all GBC. Be tolerant, and if there is any deficiency, rectify it. All our men have volunteered good service, so the background is good will. So everything should be done on the basis of good will. 74.9.7let.Hansadutta

Right from the very beginning when you joined me you have always been a sincere worker, therefore, I keep you as GBC. You may not be a good manager, but whatever I say you accept. These are all good qualifications. Others should follow your example and take instruction from you to push on this library program.74.9.8let.Satsvarupa

If anything has to be changed, that can be decided at the annual GBC meeting, but not whimsically. 74.9.12let.Hansadutta

The beads may be chanted upon by a sannyasi or GBC man.74.9.24let.adikeshava

The GBC’s business is to see that the President and the members are doing nicely, following the regulative principles, and chanting 16 rounds and that other things are going on nicely.74.9.29let.Mukunda

As GBC your first responsibility is to keep yourself spiritually fit and see that all the devotees in your zone of management are chanting 16 rounds, rising early and strictly avoiding the sinful activities. If they are doing this, then management will be at your finger’s end.740604let.Hrdayananda

My desire is that some of our experienced members who have proved their sincerity of service may form the GBC Board…. So I request you all to follow strictly the regulative principles, especially the chanting on the beads. GBC means to be a practical example to all residents of temples and devotees. If all of us follow this principle of purity, our spiritual position will remain sound, and maya will not touch us. mayam etam tarantite. A fully surrendered soul always remains untouched by the hand of maya. Otherwise it is not possible. 741005let.Kirtanananda

Yes, following the rules and regulations is the real qualification of GBC. We have made things easy for being qualified for such position, but still they are violating.

741112let.Kirtanananda

You mention that you are no longer much occupied with seeing that the rent and mortgage is paid and that the incense is sold, but GBC means to be occupied with everything in the zone. It is not that now we are preachers we can neglect all other points. No, the GBC member is supposed to know everything and anything about the condition and situation of all matters within his jurisdiction. That is the meaning of secretary. So because we are engaged in many fields of activity I am especially relying upon that knowledge of my GBC assistants and secretaries to manage everything properly. But if we do not take time to understand how the financial matters are going on, then at any moment we may experience some calamity due to our inattention to these matters. Therefore, you should try to keep yourself always informed how the financial matters are improving and keep your watchful eye on every feature of our Krishna Consciousness activity. That is also part of preaching work. I am also preaching daily. But I am at the same time managing everything, seeing the statements of accounts, going to the bank, giving advice on every topic, like that. Just now I have purchased one apartment house with seven apartments just adjacent to the L.A. temple and very soon we shall invest in similar properties. So practically there is no question of my neglecting the financial matters of the society, and similarly, you shall do as I am doing. That is your real business.

720701let.Satsvarupa

Our GBC members should always visit the different temples to see that everything goes on well, and to see that the management is being done very nicely. 741218let.Rupanuga

The GBC authority must be accepted under all circumstances, not that there will be fighting amongst you. 720915let.balimardan / PustaKrishna

“As far as your proposals are concerned the real thing is that we must make broader constitution of the management by GBC. But the difficulty is that our GBC men are falling victim to maya. Today I trust this GBC and tomorrow he will fall down. That is the difficulty. If the GBC men are so flickering then what to speak of the others. Unless this problem is solved whatever we may resolve it will not be very useful. We shall discuss this at our meeting. If the GBC men can ever manage properly then I shall get some time for writing my books.” 741216let.Jayatirtha

So the art is to sell many many books and not to irritate the public, so you may instruct all the others how to do this successfully. That is sannyasa. That is GBC.

720930let.BaliMardan

he is the GBC man in that zone, and he is the best man to come there immediately and see what is the situation and do the needful. Of course I do not know what are the facts, but I have seen that you have done very nicely there, so far I know. And no one has made complaint to me. So maybe there is a little fighting amongst yourselves, that is natural, but you are advanced disciple, don’t be disturbed by these things. Actually I want that householders shall manage in the temples, because they have got propensity to manage things and they want to take responsibility and they will not go away. Brahmacari, householder, it doesn’t matter, but householders are doing nicely all over the world, why the others shall resent householders in your temple? That is not reason. This attitude of changing this, changing that, if there is some small thing to make it something very great, changing the leaders three every week—these things are going on, I know. This is not at all good attitude, that if by adjustment, this and that, changing everything, I may create the perfect combination and everything will be all right. I am more impressed if someone has opened one centre and that he has stayed there tightly and developed nicely, not going away whimsically. So you have been leader at New Orleans temple for long time, you are the pioneer there, so why you should be whimsically discharged? Only the GBC man shall be able to make these changes, not any so-called secret meeting of devotees. Why they have misunderstood these things? If they have objection they must lodge it with their GBC, and differences must be discussed openly amongst ourselves, not secret meetings. We are Vaisnava devotees, not politicians. So these things must be stopped, plotting. Your merit stands far above theirs, you have done some tangible work to please me by spreading this Krishna Consciousness message in New Orleans, that is the test. Let them do something first, then we shall see what is their criticism. Simply criticizing and no work, that is the business of inferior men. So do not be disturbed by them, go on with your work, increasing more and more. Never mind the jackals howl. 721125let.Nityananda

So far your question, how far should the orders of my duly appointed officers like GBC, etc., be obeyed and followed, the answer is that they must always be followed exactly as he says. Have you not heard me on this point? Why these questions are repeated again and again? This individual begging must be stopped. So many questions, it’s not good at all. This question-begging is going on, even some of the important men are doing like that, that I know. So how I can say your question from here? I do not know what you are trying to do by such question. Of course, my authorities and so-called officers, they sometimes also order in such a way that everything becomes topsy-turvy. So you may write to me your grievance—what can I do?—but meanwhile you must follow him exactly whatever he says. If there is complaint, I can make adjustment later. But first of all you must without hesitation obey. It is something like the appealing to the higher court if one is not satisfied by decision of the lower court.

721213let.Jayadharma

Regarding your four questions, I am replying them one by one. But these things should not be asked until you have first of all asked them to the GBC men. Whatever they say you should accept, but if they cannot satisfy you, then you may ask. 721214let.Vishvambhara

As GBC member it is your duty to carefully make broad program for implementing Krishna consciousness in every sphere of life, in this way we will become respected as the most important members of human society.

730506let.Hansaduta

There will not be a GBC meeting in Janmastami, New Vrindaban. The important thing now for GBC members is that they go on working. It is not important to hold a meeting for passing resolutions etc. The best time and place is Mayapur on Lord Caitanya’s Appearance Day. That is not only the best for me but for everyone. Mayapur is meant for that. If possible all devotees from all our centers should go for 8 days at that time. There is no need for the Janmastami meeting. Go on working and send me regular reports. Besides, I will not be going to New Vrindaban for Janmastami. 730720let.TamalKrishna

Satsvarupa’s accolade: My Dear GBC Members, Please accept my blessings. I find amongst the GBC members that Satsvarupa Maharaja stands first because he submits regularly the report. A sample copy is enclosed herewith. I hope all GBC Members follow in his footsteps. 730807let.GBCmembers.

Yes! Hrsikesananda Maharaja may collect money for Vrindaban, that will be nice. But I notice that you are to collect one Lakh only, how is that? You are GBC so you should collect more than the others, you should collect the highest amount. 730808let.TamalKrishna

Encourage all the GBC members to manage everything very perfectly. We are very much assured that the GBC members are improving gradually, and in the future they will be able to manage world preaching of the Krsna consciousness movement without difficulty.

730927let.Karandhar

I have appointed these GBC men to oversee and manage all the affairs of the society giving me relief to do my translation work fully. 730817let.Nityananda

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated October 9, 1973 of the GBC report for Canadian Zone and I thank you very much for it. I am glad that the book distribution is going on there consistently.

Regarding the management of the Ottawa and Regina centers try to train them. We have to train sometimes. Whenever there is something extraordinarily wrong, you can remain there for sometime. You should rectify, but not reject. Members are coming to join us to be rectified, not to be rejected. So, try to rectify the incorrigible, and if not possible, then change. What can we do?

731018let.Jagadisha

I simply request you to chant 16 rounds daily without fail and follow all the regulative principles. Rise early, attend temple functions and study my books carefully. Work closely and take advice from your elder godbrothers like the temple president and the GBC. 750101let.PhatikcandraDas

There are so many devotees there in your zone. So, you must see that every one of them is chanting at least 16 rounds daily and observing our rules and regulations strictly. Keep everything nicely in this way. This is the duty of GBC, to see that all of our members are becoming fixed in Krishna’s service. 750112let.Jagadisha

I want that the GBC should relieve me of this management burden and in the future, all such questions should be taken up with the local GBC member. If no satisfactory solution can be reached, then other GBC members may be consulted. The GBC can formulate proposals and submit them to me for approval. So, kindly co-operate with Hamsaduta and thereby help me use my time to finish my translating work in my old age. 750202.let.Puranjana

You mentioned in your letter that you are doing a lot of deity worship and cooking due to lack of sufficient brahmanas. So why don’t you ask your GBC man for some brahmanas (at least one) to come and releive you of this service so that you can spend more of your time preaching and distributing books. A temple president should have more time for preaching. That is important. 750202let.RavindraSvarupa

In order to start the proposed project in your letter you must have full sanction of the GBC. Then I will approve of it, if they approve it. Do not try to start any project independent of the GBC. I want that everyone will co-operate nicely with the GBC. Please follow all of the rules and regulations very carefully and chant at least 16 rounds daily. 750408let.Mantrini

I have organized the GBC for the purpose of spreading Krsna consciousness all over the world. In this way I am trying to become free from the management in order to translate my books. Therefore there is no need to form a separate new committee of 64 members. Let each zone and center push on in their area of the world. If such an international committee is to be formed, it can be done by the GBC. You can make your further suggestions to Jagadisa. 750701let.Satkrita

Please have the beads chanted upon by a GBC sannyasi and hold a fire sacrifice. 750729let.Tulsi

This is the function of the GBC, to see that one may not be taken away by maya. The GBC should all be the instructor gurus. I am in the initiator guru, and you should be the instructor guru by teaching what I am teaching and doing what I am doing. This is not a title, but you must actually come to this platform. This I want. 750804let.Madhudvisa

If you see problems in the Stockholm center why don’t you try to reform it by your example and practical application of our philosophy. If I have to be involved in every dispute, then what is the need for the GBC? GBC is there for this purpose. However, if there is some serious difficulties, just now I can not give decision. If it is not settled, then it can be discussed at Mayapur. 751016let.Ajita

Why Bhagavan should interfere with Stockholm. I appoint GBC for peaceful management of affairs and now you are creating disturbances amongst yourselves. So how can I be peaceful to translate my work. So all these things should be kept in abeyance for the time being and when we meet in Mayapur we can discuss amongst the entire GBC. If Stockholm is in your charge why Bhagavan and Jayatirtha should dictate, and why Ajita should join with them. On the whole why there should be difference of opinion amongst the GBC? If there is some difference of opinion how is it that it can not be adjusted amongst you? The Spiritual Sky questions and all other questions of this nature will simply have to wait until we discuss it in Mayapur. 751016let.Hansadutta

There is no question of removal at the present moment. We shall sit together in Mayapur if there is any complaint against one another. At the Mayapur meeting, whatever we have decided that is good for one year. So if anything has to be done it will be decided by majority decision of the GBC. I do not wish to give any decision without the GBC’s verdict. My only grievance is that I appointed GBC to give me relief from the management but, on the contrary, complaints and counter-complaints are coming to me. Then how my brain can be peaceful. Naturally, I want to see that all of my centres are going nicely, so is it not possible to mitigate the differences of opinion and work smoothly, conjointly. So best thing is that we wait for the Mayapur meeting and decide there combinedly what to do.

The local management has to be done by temple president, GBC should see whether management is going on nicely, and if there are any discrepancies that will be discussed at the GBC meeting in Mayapur. That is the process. Sannyasis are meant for preaching only. That is the principle. But, contrary to the principle if things are being embezzled then how can I save them. How one man can manage the whole world affairs? This is my concern. 751016let.Jayatirtha

Regarding the controversy that is going on there in Stockholm, what is the reason. This must be considered at a full meeting of the GBC. You may suggest a way to mitigate this difficulty and if it is not accepted, then both of them should resign. I know that Hamsaduta is very expert in selling books but books are not only for selling but also for reading. Now has the GBC become more than Guru Maharaja? As if simply GBC is meant for looking after pounds, shilling, pence. The GBC does not look after spiritual life. That is a defect. All of our students will have to become guru, but they are not qualified. This is the difficulty.

751110let.Alanath

As a child when I was going to the neighboring Mallik temple, I was thinking then when will I have such a nice Deity to worship and now Krsna is so kind that I am establishing so many nice temples all over the world. Now I want that there should be established 108 temples before my death, so you think how to do it. Make some program, train up devotees. All temples in Melbourne, London, Paris, Bombay, all are very nice. Everything is very bright and brilliant. The Deity is proof of the sincere service. It is the duty of the GBC now to maintain this. Their duty is how to enthuse them and maintain. 751110let.Madhudvisa

So far your becoming GBC is concerned, yes, I had wanted that, but there are so many complaints. This is not good. GBC must mean that by his managing, there is not any complaints so that I can be relieved in order to do my translation work. 751123let.Cyavana

The program you have suggested can be discussed at the Mayapur GBC meeting. At Mayapur each year a program is chalked out for the entire year, and that is to be executed till the GBC meets again.751204Let.Chayavana

Yes, as a Sannyasi and GBC your first duty is to read my books. Otherwise how will you preach? In order to remain steadily fixed in Krishna consciousness there must be a sound philosophical understanding. Otherwise it will become only sentiment. Whenever you find time please read my books. 760105Let.Satsvarupa

The first business is that the GBC must see to the management of their zones. Still, I require a permanent secretary. In addition, one GBC man may come and go. 760107Let.Brahmananda

The bombastic distribution of Krsna Trilogies in New York is wonderful. I have read the report given in the Sankirtana Newsletter. But one thing is whether they have collected enough to cover all the costs. I have heard that despite all this distribution, now there is a big debt to the Book Fund. The GBC has to manage so expertly that there will not be debts. This debt to the Book Fund must be cleared immediately, if possible by the Mayapur meeting. Now we require so much money for the Temple projects in India, but if the Temples do not pay their book bills from where will I get the money? 760111let.Rupanuga

Our movement is so large it requires expert management and strong vigilence. Now you are finding out so many things were mismanaged, but why didn’t you find out before? What is the use of complaining now? It is your fault that you remained absent for so long. The GBC’s first business is to manage their zones. You said you were training Cyavana. Anyway, just try to mend things and restore it to its original position.

Caitya-guru’s case is one of misused intelligence. I have also received complaint about him from Nava Yogendra Maharaja. He has been taken out of any position of responsibility. 760113Let.Brahmananda

It has come to my attention that the GBC have not been able to fully participate in the Mayapur festivities due to the annual meeting. Therefore, I am asking all GBC members to come to Mayapur early and hold the meeting in my presence beginning the morning of March 6th. 760116Let.AtreyaRsi

The GBC should make an injunction that if they beget children, then whatever the expenses are for supporting Gurukula they must pay for it. 760122Let.Jagadisha

All of the leaders should study my books very carefully, since now everyone will have to appear for the examination. 760122Let.Jayatirtha

…… Society projects, they must get something for maintaining their children at Gurukula. So far as Prasadam and residence, they are already getting that free. But sometimes, grhasthas make their own arrangement for cooking. For that we can give no expenditure. Just try to improve the Prasadam system so nicely that one will not want any other arrangement. Another thing, is that the grhasthas may be encouraged to do agriculture. In the Indian villages like in Vrindaban, they get enough ghee for their personal use, and sufficient excess to be sold to the merchants, who then also get some money. Cow protection means good food and good trade. So I can give you suggestions how to manage everything, but it is up to the GBC to practically execute all these points. 760122Let.Jayatirtha

If you are needed there, it is all right for you to miss the festival. You will have to accept the decisions made by the other GBC. 760214Let.Brahmananda

GBC compliance by Prabhupada Himself

Please accept my blessings. Yesterday my secretary received a telephone call from you indicating that everything was mended between yourself and Gurukrpa Maharaja, and then today he received a call from Gurukrpa Maharaja saying that the both of you were not cooperating. So what am I to do? I have appointed Gurukrpa Swami the GBC for Japan and for now at least it will be necessary to comply with him. He has suggested that you leave Japan while waiting for the reply from the S. Korean embassy there, so you can please comply with his request. He suggested one island called Okinawa where you could go for the time being, and if that is not possible then you should come here to me in Hawaii. In any case, for whatever reasons Gurukrpa Maharaja has requested like this and he is delegated GBC by me, so follow this course of action for the time being so that things can go on peacefully in Japan, as you know it is a very touchy situation with the government, and being GBC, Gurukrpa Swami is given sanction by me to develop the program along guidelines which he can choose. 760516Let.Trivikrama

My dear Vasudeva dasa,

Please accept my blessings. In connection with our ISKCON project in Fiji, I beg to inform you that we are managing our Krishna Consciousness Movement by the Governing Body Commission, GBC. We have got about 20 GBC’s looking after the whole world affair, and above the GBC I am there. Below the GBC there are the temple president, secretary, treasurer in every centre. So the temple president is responsible to the GBC and the GBC is responsible to me. In this way we are managing. But why are you proposing a separate trustee for Fiji. We have up to now no separate trustee. If this is for security purposes, that we can discuss.

If you have got some new idea please explain to me how you want to manage. But I think Fiji Temple cannot be managed in a separate way. But still I will entertain some idea if you have difference you can write me explaining.

The deed for the property and temple should be made in favor of “His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada, founder-acharya of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.” It cannot be dedicated to any of the office bearers. So I suggest that you become the president of the temple and Upendra become the secretary, and either your brother or your wife can become treasurer. There is no need of trustees.

But in any circumstance the temple can’t be a private property in the name of ISKCON. If you want to keep it a private property then the ISKCON name should not be utilized.

I am very much anxious to get your clear reply to this thing. So many things are unclear, so let it be cleared up. I would like you to send me a copy of the deed to New York address along with your reply. 760630Let.Vasudeva

GERMANY The people there are very intelligent. They are prepared to accept the real truth. Germany was always famous for its intelligent population. 740907let.Hansadutta

Overflood Europe with German books. I think that the German people are the heart of Europe, and your march will be followed by Bhagavan dasa in French language.741114let.Hansadutta

The German devotees I have seen both in Paris and Stockholm have impressed me by their enthusiasm. It is very encouraging, so train them nicely. The Germans are very intelligent, and they will be the future preachers. So give them nice translations of my books and you will have tremendous success in Germany. Our success is our enthusiasm. So everything we do should be done with enthusiasm, the chanting, reading, and following the rules and regulations. 731012let.Hansadutta

GANDHI

So Gandhi, he invented this method, that “I shall fight with the Britishers, even they become violent, I shall not become violent. So I shall get world sympathy.” So this was his plan. He was great statesman. But his determination was so fixed up because he was a brahmacäré. From, at the age of thirty-six years he gave up. He had his wife but he gave up his sex life. He was a family man, he had children, he had his wife. But from the age of thirty-six, young man, a thirty-six year old, he gave up sex life with his wife. That made him so determined, that “I shall drive away these Britishers from the land of India,” and he did it. You see? And actually he did it. So controlling the sex life, to refrain from sex life is so powerful. Even if you don’t do anything, if you simply restrain your sex life, you become a very powerful man. People do not know the secret. So anything you do, if you want to do it with determination, you have to stop sex life. That is the secret.690216BG.LA

GIFT DEED 741001let.Giriraja

Yes, you did the right thing in getting the Gift Deed registered. I am sending herewith the Power of Attorney in this connection that you have asked for. 750817let.Mahamsa

GIRIJA Rukmiëé was thinking of Goddess Durgä as Girijä, the daughter of the Himalayan Mountains. The Himalayan Mountains are very cold and hard, and she thought of Goddess Durgä as hardhearted and cold. KB Ch.53

GITA PRESS Gita Press is full of Mayavada Philosophy which says Krishna has no form but He assumes a form for facility of devotional service. This is nonsense. I am just trying to wipe out this Mayavada philosophy and you may not therefore order for any more copy of the English Bhagavatam published by the Gita Press. The one which you have got may be kept only for reference on having an understanding of the Mayavada Philosophy which is very dangerous for ordinary person

The Mayavada Philosophy has played havoc in spiritual understanding leading to Atheistic tendency. The interpretation that one has to be naked before the Lord is also mayavada philosophy The pictures which Dan might have brought in the temple are certainly unauthorized. 670307let.Rayarama

Presently I am using one copy of the Gita Press version of Srimad-Bhagavatam in connection with my translating work, but in due course I may send it to you and you may transliterate the second and third cantos at that time. 680217let.Pradyumna

GLANIH means pollution 760427ar.nz

GLOSSARY end of SB chapter 4/ 28

Go means pleasure 680818sb.mon

gosvämé means master of the go, or senses. NOI 1 P

GOD

So anyone who is declaring himself God, immediately you should know he is the greatest sinful man. And if you study his private life, you will see that he is number one sinful man. This is the test. Otherwise, nobody will say that “I am God,” this false representation. Nobody. Any pious man will not do that. He knows, “What I am? I am ordinary human being. How can I claim to take the position of God?” And they become famous among rascals. 730717BG.LON

Éçvaraù paramaù kåñëaù. Éçvaraù means controller. That is the exact equivalent for the word God. God means controller, supreme controller. So that supreme controller means He has nobody else to control Him. Here, in this material world or anywhere, we find one controller, he is controlling, but he is also being controlled. He is not absolute controller…….. So here, you just analyze anyone; he may be controller, but at the same time he is controlled. Not that absolute controller. Nobody you can find. So if in this way you go on searching out where a person is not only controlled, controller, but He is not controlled by anyone, that is God. This is the simple definition of God. God controls everyone or everything, but He is not controlled by anyone. That is God. Éçvaraù paramaù kåñëaù sac-cid-änanda-vigrahaù [Bs. 5.1]. 730907BG.Stock

The real identity of the living entity is that he is eternally servant of God. We should not understand this word servant in the meaning of materialistic servant. To become servant of God is a great position. That is not ordinary position. Just like people try to get some government servitorship. Government service. That is also servant, to become servant. Why? Or people try to get some service in some established firm, well-reputed business firm. Why? That service is comfortable, there is great profit in such kind of service. So if people are satisfied by getting a government service or service in some good establishment, then just think over if you become servant of God then what is your position? Because God is the government of all government. So to become servant of God… We are servant of God constitutionally. Just like Caitanya Mahäprabhu says, jévera svarüpa haya nitya-kåñëa-däsa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109].

Godbrothers So I have now issued orders that all my disciples should avoid all of my godbrothers. They should not have any dealings with them nor even correspondence, nor should they give them any of my books or should they purchase any of their books, neither should you visit any of their temples. Please avoid them. 751009let.Visvarma

GODDESS OF FORTUNE Vishnupriya as incarnation of – 74.4.30let.Govindadasi

GODHEAD. Therefore we have named “Godhead” purposefully, not “God.” We don’t say “Back to God.” We say, “Back to Godhead.” “Head” means the chief. Everyone can claim that “I am God,” because everyone has got some power, little power. But not the supreme power. That is Kṛṣṇa. 740810SB.Vrn

God helps those who help themselves.

The English maxim that God helps those who help themselves is also applicable in the transcendental realm. Adi 1.50 p.

Similarly, the practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in Krishna consciousness, may appear to be a very difficult job. But if anyone follows the principles with great determination, the Lord will surely help, for God helps those who help themselves. BGAII 6.24 p.

GODLESSNESS I am glad to learn that you are in touch with the council for A summer of Love. Please try to convince them that this movement of Krishna Consciousness is the only remedy for treatment for the diseased condition of human society. The basic principle of disease is Godlessness and this movement is approved method for reviving God consciousness. So let the leaders take this movement more seriously and it will actually relieve the suffering humanity and specially the youths who are out to search out something spiritual. The youth of America who are so searching I am very much sympathetic with them and their qualification of detachment to the material advancement of civilization will alone help them to advance in Krishna or God consciousness. If they patiently hear me I am sure they will be convinced as you have been. So before my arrival you may make some arrangement so that I can speak to the greatest number of people and I am sure they will appreciate my presentation. 670521let.RavindraSvarupa

GOD’S BUSINESS Man’s artificial civilisation has created so many artificial laws that we, although God’s men, have difficulties to travel in God’s countries on God’s business. The foolish law makers should have at least given us some facilities to make people Krishna conscious so that they might be happy in this life and in the next. The Kingdom of Maya is like that and still we have to execute our business in Krishna Consciousness. 670314let.Brahmananda

GOKULA Go means cows, and kula means congregation. 680614let.Hayagriva

GOLD Yes, the analogy concerning the spiritual body of the Sat-Guru is acceptable, but not in the material sense. In the material world, the gold box and the gold plated box may be different in price, but in spiritual world there is no such distinction. There the gold box and the gold plated box are the same. In material world there is difference between a sweeper and a cooker; in the spiritual world a person who sweeps the Temple and a person who worships in the Temple are all the same. That is absolute knowledge. 680201let.Madhusudan

GOODNESS A passionate person or ignorant person cannot understand the Powerful, only those who are in Goodness or mixed Goodness and passion they can understand the powerful. 730728let.SirAlistair

GOPIES the actual fact is that the eight Gopis are as good as Krishna and Radharani. Therefore, no Vaisnava will claim to be one of the eight Gopis because that will tinge one with Mayavadi philosophy. If somebody says “I am Krishna.” or “I am Radha.” or “I am one of the eight Gopis.” that is against Krishna philosophy. My Guru Maharaja claimed to be one of the sub-devotee assistants of the eight Gopis. Lord Caitanya also claimed Himself as servant of the servant of the servant of Krishna. 690205let.Gargamuni

GOSWAMI gosvämé means master of the go, or senses.NOI 1 P

Your program in the schools, that is very nice. That is your success, that even the unruly students were well-disciplined. Dhiradhira-jana-priyau priyakarau nirmatsarau pujitau. “I offer my respectful obeisances unto the six Gosvamis, who are always engaged in chanting the holy name of Krsna and dancing. They are just like the ocean of love of God, and they are popular both with the gentle and with the ruffians because they are not envious of anyone.” 751114let.Bhagavan

GOVERNMENT

Ambassador: Because we have got to be… We should not be misunderstood. As a government, we should not take too strong a policy about any particular religion, even though it is the religion of the majority of the people.

Prabhupäda: No, no, no. It is the duty of the government… Secular state means neutral to any kind of religion. But it is the duty of government to see that people are religious. Not that “Because government is secular, let the people go to hell.”

Ambassador: No, that’s true.

Prabhupäda: Yes. If you are Muslim, and…, it is my duty as government to see that you are actually acting as a Muslim. If you are a Hindu, it is the government’s duty to see that you are acting as a Hindu. If you are a Christian, it is the government’s duty… You cannot give up religion. Dharmena hénäù paçubhiù samänäù [Hitopadeça].

If people become irreligious in the name of secularism, then they are simply animals. So it is the government duty to see that the citizens are not becoming animals. He may profess a type of religion. That doesn’t matter. But he must be religious. That is secular state. Not that secular state means government is callous: “Let the people become cats and dogs, without religion. Government doesn’t care.” That is not good government. What do you think?

Ambassador: I think, Your Eminence, there’s a lot in what you say, but, you know, politics is the art of the possible. Cont’ed

730905R1.Sto

But another duty of the kṣatriya is that people are being educated spiritually. That is kṣatriya’s duty. Or the king of a kingdom is looking over the citizens, that they are properly being trained up. This is… If one king is not properly… Just like in some states at the present moment. What is called? Secular. Secular means they have meant like that, that “You do all nonsense; we don’t care. You pay me tax, that’s all, income tax. And you go to hell. It doesn’t matter.” This is not secular state. Secular state means the state must be very vigilant whether everyone is doing his duty, everyone is employed in his duty; and if everyone is not employed, it is the duty of the government to see. He must be employed. A brāhmaṇa is employed, a kṣatriya is employed, a vaiśya is employed. Otherwise, if they are unemployed, idle brain; then idle brain will be devil’s workshop. ………………… That is happening, because everyone is not employed. They have discovered machine, and the machine is working hundred men’s work. So actually, a hundred men are unemployed. So the machine has not improved the situation. It has improved the pocket of the capitalist, but it has not improved the condition of the mass of people. No. They are unemployed. Therefore, in the Western countries, because the machine and industry, therefore, now they are producing from the university hippies, unemployed. Thousands and thousands of young boys and girls. Girls are not meant for working outside. Girls are meant for working inside. So the whole thing has topsy-turvied. Why? Because there is no good king. This is the cause.

730902BG.Lon

Birthright, what is called birthright. Just like everyone has got right to live under the protection of the government. Everyone. That is good government. Government should give security of life and property. That is government. Not only for the human being, but for even for the ant. This is government. Not that I give protection to my brother and not to others. That is not… Just like Parīkṣit Mahārāja, he was giving protection to the animals also. When he was on his tour, as soon as he saw that a black man was trying to kill one cow, oh, immediately he took his sword, “Who are you? You are trying to kill?”

So this is good government. Unless the government is equal to everyone… Just like God is equal to everyone. The king or the government must be representative of God 730707SB.LON

So according to Vedic system, the government has to look after about the ultimate goal of life also. The modern government, they are anxious to give material comforts, but formerly the aim was to…, how to educate people for spiritual advancement of life. Therefore the society was divided into four higher and lower divisions: brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya, çüdra. 760927SB.Vrn

GRATEFULLNESS / GRATITUDE

In our lifetime, if we can fix up at least one soul in Krishna Consciousness, Krishna immediately recognizes the service. The spell of Maya is very strong, and to save a living entity from such clutches is the greatest service to the humanity. 690819let.Subal

As Krishna sees that you are working very seriously to bring His other children back to the Spiritual Kingdom, then He will become very pleased and will bestow all blessings upon you. Krishna is never ungrateful for our efforts to serve Him, rest assured. 690729let.Prahladananda

Last evening when I was in the temple to perform initiation ceremony for about one dozen devotees I was talking to Tamala Krishna and Gargamuni that Brahmananda is now competing with you. So it was very pleasing talk that there is transcendental competition between the centers, and it is Krishna’s Grace that you stand first in this week’s business. Krishna is very kind, and He is giving the full remunerations to His sincere servants. We should always remember that Krishna is always grateful to His devotees. If some ordinary man gives sufficient remuneration to a worker, why Krishna will not give sufficient remuneration to His servants? But we should always remember that whatever Krishna gives us, that never becomes ours. It is Krishna’s. The more we receive from Krishna, the more we engage the remunerations in the service of Krishna. That is the duty of a bona fide brahmana. A Vaisnava is automatically a bona fide brahmana. There is a proverb that a brahmana remains a beggar even if he receives $100,000. That means that a brahmana is supposed to spend all of his money for Krishna as he receives it from Krishna. 690724let.Brahmananda

GREATEST OFFENSE

There are so many offenses, and one of the offenses is nämno baläd yasya hi päpa-buddhiù [Padma Puräëa, Brahma-khaëòa]. He is greatest offender, one who thinks that “By chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra, I become free from reaction of sinful life. So the whole day I shall go on committing all kinds of sinful activities, and at night or sometime I shall chant Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa—everything will be finished.” This is the greatest sin. Nämno baläd yasya hi päpa-buddhiù. He’s never excused. He is condemned. Caitanya Mahäprabhu accepts a sinful man like Jagäi and Mädhäi on the condition that he does not commit any more any sinful activities. On this condition. Not that “I have become a Vaiñëava. I’m chanting Hare Kåñëa, so I can go on committing all kinds of sinful activities. There will be no reaction.” This kind of conviction is the greatest offense. You should remember. Not like that, the Christian atonement. 760930SB.Vrn

GREATNESS So Kåñëa is so kind that He, although He is all-pervading, universal, He has agreed to accept your service just to give you liberation from this misunderstanding, no ätma-tattvam. This is Kåñëa consciousness movement, that Kåñëa, God, is great. How great He is, you cannot imagine. But still, He has agreed to accept your service, becoming small. That is greatness. In the material world, if something is big, very big, he cannot become, or it cannot become small. Just like, say, for… Elephant is very big animal. You ask the elephant, “Please become like an ant.” “Oh, that is not possible, sir. That is not possible.” But God is so great that although He’s universal, He can enter into the atom. 740611sb.Paris

You have written so many nice things in praise of me but I think that my Guru Maharaja is great, I am not great, he is great. So sometimes by association of the great one appears great. Just like the sun is great heat and light and by reflecting the greatness of the sun’s light the moon in dead of night also appears great, but actually the moon is by nature dark and cold, but in association with sun it has become accepted as great, this is the real position. So I thank you very much that you are appreciating my Guru Maharaja who wanted to preach Krishna Consciousness all over the world, he is so great. 730801let.Jahnava

GRHA another word is anganashrayam 721121Bg.Hyd

GÅHAMEDHI means he has made his center the wife and family. Just like one cow is, I mean, tied with the rope and with a fixed up wood, and he is going round this way, and he is thinking that he is going round the world. Yes. So gåhamedhi means he has fixed up his center, the wife and children, and going round throughout the whole life, no ending. They are called gåhamedhi. 751208sb.vrn

GRIHASTHA You have suggested that some men are best engaged in doing business. I agree. All grhasthas who are interested in doing business should do so in full swing. Yat karosi yad asnasi, yaj juhosi dadasi yat/ yat tapasyasi kaunteya tat kurusvamad arpanam [Bg. 9.27]. Let this be the guiding principle. So let all the grhasthas who wish to, execute business full-fledgedly in the USA and in this way support Gurukula. Business must be done by the grhasthas, not by the sannyasis or brahmacaris. Neither the sannyasis or brahmacaris can be expected to support Gurukula. The parents must take responsibility for their children, otherwise they should not have children. It is the duty of the individual parents. I am not in favor of taxing the Temples. The parents must pay for the maintenance of their children. Neither can the BBT be expected to give any loans. Now the BBT 50% for construction is pledged to the projects in India—Bombay, Kuruksetra, Mayapur. The profits from the businesses should first go to support Gurukula and balance may be given for the local Temple’s maintenance. Grhasthas can do business. It is best if the Temple Presidents are either sannyasis or brahmacaris. If the grhasthas want to do book distribution, they should be given a commission of 5 to 10% of which part must go to Gurukula. For any others who are engaged in important Society projects, they must get something for maintaining their children at Gurukula. So far as Prasadam and residence, they are already getting that free. But sometimes, grhasthas make their own arrangement for cooking. For that we can give no expenditure. Just try to improve the Prasadam system so nicely that one will not want any other arrangement. Another thing, is that the grhasthas may be encouraged to do agriculture. In the Indian villages like in Vrindaban, they get enough ghee for their personal use, and sufficient excess to be sold to the merchants, who then also get some money. Cow protection means good food and good trade. So I can give you suggestions how to manage everything, but it is up to the GBC to practically execute all these points. 760122let.Jayatirtha

GÅIHASTHA-ÄÇRAMA means it is as good as other äçrama, sannyäsa-äçrama, gåhastha-äçrama. If he lives according to the regulative principle, that is äçrama. That is also not for all the time, only for twenty-five years.751208sb.vrn

GUHA

Guhä. Guhä means the cave, mountain cave, and guhä means the heart. So suppose something is very valuable is there in the cave of the mountain, and you do not know how to search it out. But if you know somebody who knows it, if you follow him, that “He is going there, so I may also follow…” 720924SB.LA

In Sanskrit the heart is sometimes metaphorically referred to as guha, “cavern,” a deep and secret place. In wfw guha – of the cave SB 10.51.29

GUIDANCE In all humility I beg to differ with you that all men should be free to make their choices and interpretations in all things. Less intelligent men are always guided by those who are superior in knowledge in all spheres of life. This principle is applicable everywhere but the guidance must be right and bona fide. But it depends always on the sweet will of the guided to accept this principle or reject it. 511002let.DanielBailey

GUILELESS I am so happy that the Krishna Consciousness movement is attracting young innocent hearts of America. From this I can think that the future of this movement is very hopeful. I was very glad to learn that you are following our four principle rules, therefore your picking up of the process of acquiring spiritual knowledge from Bhagavad-gita is very nice. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that one should “prostrate oneself at the feet of the wise, rendering him all forms of service & question him with a guileless heart again & again”, is the only means to attain spiritual knowledge. The process of speculation without approaching the bona fide spiritual master is simply a waste of time. 671028let.Aatie

GURU:

Gurün is plural in number because anyone who gives spiritual instructions based on the revealed scriptures is accepted as a spiritual master. Adi 1.34 p (here the first verse of CC is repeated.)

So the…, the one side, the guru. Saìkértyamänaà munibhir mahätmabhiù. The… This is a relationship between disciple and guru. What are the qualifications of guru, and what are the qualifications of the disciple? If both of them are qualified, then immediately the result is there. Just like husband and wife: both of them, if they are healthy, by sex there will be pregnancy. Similarly, if the guru and the disciple, both of them are qualified, then immediately Krishna consciousness will be there.

So the qualification of the guru is described in the previous verse.

viçåëvato me ‘nusavaà yaço ‘malaà

saìkértyamänaà munibhir mahätmabhiù

[SB 1.5.28]

The guru must be mahätmä and muni. Muni means thoughtful, philosopher. Not foolish rascal, manufacturing some philosophy. And mahätmabhiù: not only self-realized, but by his character, by his behavior, by his understanding, he must be a mahätmä. What is that mahätmä? There are so many mahätmäs simply by changing the dress. No. Not that kind of mahätmä. Our Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura has sung a song, eo ta’ eka kalira celä: “Here is a disciple of Kali.” What is that? Näke tilaka galäya mälä. “He has got tilaka…” Mäthä neòä näke tilaka galäya mälä. He sings that sahaja-bhajana karachena mämu, saìge la’ye parera bälä. Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura sings that “He’s dressed like a bäbäjé. He has shaven his head, and has got tilaka and kaëöhé. But he has got at least half a dozen women, and that is his bhajana.” So not that… That is not mahätmä. That is durätmä, a cheating… Of course, in this Kali-yuga… Therefore Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura says, eo ta’ eka kalira celä. Kalira celä means the disciple of Kali. Dressed like a sädhu or Vaiñëava, but within, all rubbish things. That will not help us. He must be mahätmä, real mahätmä. We want guru like that. Then it will be a… We must be also qualified, and guru also qualified. Therefore it is said in the Hari-bhakti-vilaasa that one year should be taken to study one another, the guru and the disciple. The guru also will see whether the person is fit to become a disciple, and the disciple also will see, “Whether this gentleman can become my guru.”

So the qualification of guru is, he should be mahaatmaa and muni. Muni means philosopher, and mahaatmaa means God-realized. Really mahaatmaa means God-realized. He knows. 740810SB.VRN (1.5.29)

The word guru refers to the spiritual master who initiates his disciple into advancement in the science of Krishna, or Krishna consciousness, as stated by Srila Vishvanätha Cakravarti Thäkura (çré-bhagavan-mantropadeçake guräv ity arthaù). SB 7.4.31-32

Just like generally, people go to a guru for benefit of some material purpose: “Sir, I have got some cholic pain within my abdomen. Kindly give me your blessing.” The materialistic person, they are after blessing for some material benefit. They are not after Krishna. That is another offense. Therefore to go to guru or to accept a guru, there should not be any material purpose. Tad-vijïänärthaà sa gurum eväbhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. One should go to a guru for spiritual advancement of life, not as a fashion. People go to a guru as a fashion. My Guru Mahäräja used to say that “Don’t make a guru just like you keep a dog, as a fashion.” Nowadays it has become a fashion to keep a dog. In the European, American countries it is a compulsory fashion to have a dog. [chuckles] Everyone keeps a dog. And they love dog very much, more than anything. [laughter]760930SB.Vrn

So the…, the one side, the guru. Saṅkīrtyamānaṁ munibhir mahātmabhiḥ. The… This is a relationship between disciple and guru. What are the qualifications of guru, and what are the qualifications of the disciple? If both of them are qualified, then immediately the result is there. Just like husband and wife = both of them, if they are healthy, by sex there will be pregnancy. Similarly, if the guru and the disciple, both of them are qualified, then immediately Kṛṣṇa consciousness will be there. …. The guru must be mahātmā and muni. Muni means thoughtful, philosopher. Not foolish rascal, manufacturing some philosophy. And mahātmabhiḥ: not only self-realized, but by his character, by his behavior, by his understanding, he must be a mahātmā. What is that mahātmā? …….. We must be also qualified, and guru also qualified. Therefore it is said in the Hari-bhakti-vilāsa that one year should be taken to study one another, the guru and the disciple. The guru also will see whether the person is fit to become a disciple, and the disciple also will see, “Whether this gentleman can become my guru.”……. So the qualification of guru is, he should be mahātmā and muni. Muni means philosopher, and mahātmā means God-realized. Really mahātmā means God-realized. He knows. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā: BGAII 7.19 and SB 1.2.28-29 ………………………..

So when one understands Kṛṣṇa perfectly, he becomes mahātmā. Just try to understand. Not a politician. Not by changing dress, saffron-color cloth. No, that is not mahātmā. One who understands Kṛṣṇa perfectly well, he is mahātmā. Therefore here it is said, munibhir mahātmabhiḥ. The instruction was received from person, munibhiḥ, great philosophers. Not only philosopher, but mahātmā. Because one who has understood Kṛṣṇa perfectly… This is the qualification of guru. So that qualification, to attain, is not very difficult. But because we are rascals, we do not try to take the qualification. That qualification is very simple. One… Who can understand Kṛṣṇa? Kṛṣṇa is not so cheap thing. He has said already that yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaścin vetti māṁ tattvataḥ [Bg. 7.3]. So it not very easy. But it is very easy if you take the process, easiest process. What is that easiest process? That easiest process = you don’t talk nonsense; you simply talk what Kṛṣṇa has said. That’s all. And many times they give me very great credit that I have done wonderful. Yes, I have done wonderful. But what is the reason? Because I am not a rascal. I speak what Kṛṣṇa has spoken, that’s all. Very easy. Everyone can do that. Not only I; any of you, you can do this. Simply speak what is…, what Kṛṣṇa has said. That’s all. Don’t make addition, alteration. Then you become rascal. Immediately you become rascal.

So you don’t want to…, if you don’t want to become a rascal—if you want to become a mahātmā—then you accept what Kṛṣṇa says and preach that. Kṛṣṇa says, mattaḥ parataraṁ nānyat [Bg. 7.7] = “There is no more superior authority than Me.” You say that. You say, vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti. “Here is… Kṛṣṇa is the cause.” You understand or don’t understand, if you simply pick up the words of Kṛṣṇa and talk like that, then you become mahātmā. There is no difficulty to become mahātmā. But these durātmās, the rascals, they talk differently from Kṛṣṇa. Therefore they are not mahātmās; they are all durātmā. Therefore the process is that if you want to make progress in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then you have to find out a guru who is mahātmā. Ādau gurvāśrayam. That is the first business. Ādau, in the beginning, gurvāśrayam, to take shelter of a bona fide mahātmā guru. That is the Vedic instruction. Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum eva abhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. “Must,” abhigacchet. This verb is used—“must.” It is not, “Oh, I can do without guru.” No, that is not possible. That is not possible. If you want to understand the transcendental science, spiritual science, you must approach. Gacchet. This, this form of verb used when there is the meaning “must.” Tad-vijñānārthaṁ sa gurum eva abhigacchet, samit-pāṇiḥ śrotriyaṁ brahma-niṣṭham. And guru‘s qualification is brahma-niṣṭham. Brahma. And again this word. Brahman, and Kṛṣṇa is Para-brahman. Again this param. That Para-brahman has been said by Arjuna to Kṛṣṇa, paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān [Bg. 10.12]. Bhavān: “My dear Kṛṣṇa, You are Para-brahman.” Pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān……… But if the transaction is perfect from both the sides—from the disciple’s side and guru‘s side—then Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very, very easy.

Thank you very much.

740810SB.Vrn. This class is excellent for guru / disciple relationship.

We are taking information from whom? Kṛṣṇa, jagad-guru, the supreme guru, the original guru. Guru means Kṛṣṇa’s representative. A guru cannot be manufactured. Guru means… Kṛṣṇa is jagad-guru, and one who speaks on behalf of Kṛṣṇa or one who speaks as Kṛṣṇa says, he is guru. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā [Cc. Madhya 7.128] = “You just become guru on My order.” You cannot become guru automatically, without following the order of jagad-guru. The government servant… Who is government servant? Who is strictly following the government order, that is government servant. Anyone can say, “I am government servant.” No. How you can be? Similarly, guru means who is following the principles given by the jagad-guru. The… He’s guru.

So the principle… What is that principle? Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja [Bg. 18.66]. This is principle. “You give up all these nonsense activities. Simply surrender.” So one who has surrendered to Kṛṣṇa fully, no other business, he is guru. This is the definition of guru. There is no difficult to understand who is guru. One who follows strictly the principles laid down by jagad-guru, he is guru 741005SB.MAY

So Virāṭa, at that time this Mahārāja Virāṭa’s daughter, Uttarā, was trained by Arjuna for dancing. Arjuna was appointed as a dancing teacher for the daughter of Mahārāja Virāṭa, Uttarā. So when it was discovered that Arjuna was not a dancing teacher—he was the great hero—Mahārāja Virāṭa wanted to offer his daughter, that “You marry my daughter,” because he was disclosed. So Arjuna said, “How can I marry this girl? I am her teacher. Therefore a teacher is to be considered as father, so it is not possible. So if you like, I can get this girl married with my son Saubhadra, Subhadrā’s son.”730716BG.LON

The Lord, being full and free from problems, can wholeheartedly care for His devotees. His concern is how to elevate and protect all those who have taken shelter at His feet. The same responsibility is also entrusted to the spiritual master. The bona fide spiritual master’s concern is how the devotees who have surrendered to him as a representative of the Lord may make progress in devotional service. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is always mindful of the devotees who fully engage in cultivating knowledge of Him, having taken shelter at His lotus feet. CCAdi 1.62 P

So we got this information from His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, and that knowledge is still going on. You are receiving through his servant. And in future the same knowledge will go to your students. This is called paramparä system. Evaà paramparä präp… It is not that you have become a student and you’ll remain student. No. One day you shall become also guru and make more students, more students, more. That is Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s mission, not that perpetually… Yes, one should remain perpetually a student, but he has to act as guru. That is the mission of Caitanya Mahäprabhu. It is not that because I am acting as guru, I am no longer student. No, I am still student. Caitanya Mahäprabhu taught us this instruction that we shall always remain a foolish student before our Guru Mahäräja. That is the Vedic culture. I may be very big man, but still, I should remain a foolish student to my guru. That is the qualification. Guru more mürkha dekhi’ karila çäçana [Cc. Ädi 7.71]. We should be always prepared to be controlled by the guru. That is very good qualification. Yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù **. Ära nä kariha mane äçä. So we should become always a very obedient student to our guru. That is the qualification. That is the spiritual qualification. 761210dB.Hyd

The spiritual master who first gives information about spiritual life is called the vartma-pradarçaka-guru, the spiritual master who initiates according to the regulations of the çästras is called the dékñä-guru, and the spiritual master who gives instructions for elevation is called the çikñä-guru. Factually the qualifications of a spiritual master depend on his knowledge of the science of Kåñëa. It does not matter whether he is a brähmaëa, kñatriya, sannyäsé or çüdra. CCM 8.128P

Therefore a devotee, when he understands thoroughly that “Here is one Supreme Person, who is the leader, who is the controller, who is the maintainer of everything,” then he surrenders unto Him and becomes His devotee. You see? We, Kåñëa’s devotee, we are not fools and rascals. We have got our reason. We have got our philosophy. When we know that Kåñëa is actually the supreme controller, the Supreme Person, the supreme maintainer, then we surrender. Then we become Kåñëa’s devotee. It is not blind. It is not blind. We are strongly convinced that that one person is the Supreme Person. Therefore we surrender. We are not blind followers.

Ahaà sarvasya prabhavo mattaù sarvaà pravar…, iti matvä budhä bhäva-samanvitäù [Bg. 10.8]. Budhä. Budhä means one who has understood thoroughly. So therefore he can become… One who has understood thoroughly Kåñëa as the supreme controller, he is guru. He is guru. Otherwise one cannot be guru. Yei kåñëa-tattva-vettä sei guru haya [Cc. Madhya 8.128]. Who can [be] guru? Guru is not artificial thing, “Guru Mahäräja,” “this Mahäräja…,” no. One who has firmly understood that Kåñëa is the original cause of everything, He is the Supreme Person—nobody can, I mean to say, remove him from that firm convictional position—then he is guru. Otherwise he is not guru. Guru is not so easy thing. Budhä bhäva-samanvitäù [Bg. 10.8]. One who has understood Kåñëa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, the supreme maintainer, the Supreme Person, everything, only one, väsudevaù sarvam iti [Bg. 7.19]—that is guru. But otherwise, he is not guru, one who has not understood Krishna. 750128BG.Tok

You have asked if it is true that the Spiritual Master remains in the material universe until all of His disciples are transferred to the Spiritual Sky. The answer is yes, this is the rule. Therefore, every student should be very much careful not to commit any offense which will be detrimental to this promotion to the Spiritual Kingdom, and thereby the Spiritual Master has to incarnate again to deliver him. This sort of mentality will be a kind of offense to the Spiritual Master. Out of the ten kinds of offenses, the number one offense is to disobey the orders of the Spiritual Master. The instructions given to the disciple by the Spiritual Master at the time of initiation should be strictly followed. That will make one advance to the spiritual path. But if one deliberately defies such instructions, then his advancement is hampered from the very beginning. This defying means to disconnect the relationship with the Spiritual Master. And anyone who defies and therefore disconnects the relationship with the Spiritual Master can hardly expect the assistance of the Spiritual Master life after life. I hope this will clear up this question sufficiently for you. 690711let.Jayapataka

So far as I am concerned, I have accepted you as my disciple and you have accepted me as your spiritual father. This relationship cannot be ended anymore. It is eternal. So it will be my duty always to pray to Krishna for your further and further improvement in Krishna Consciousness, so you should go on serving this movement to your best capacity. 690709let.ayarama

As your beloved spiritual master and father, it is my duty to give you all protection; but if you allow Maya to act upon you without any resistance, then it is your own choice. Hope you are well. 690616let.Rayarama

In material consciousness one is identifying himself with his particular body, and he is forgetting that he is spirit soul, servant of Krishna. Then by the association and instructions of the purified servants of Krishna, the living entity gradually comes to remember that I am not part of this miserable material world, but I too am the eternal servant of Krishna, and my only business is to give pleasure to the Lord in pure Krishna Consciousness. In this way, such devotee becomes himself eligible to lead other back to the path of devotional service and thus he too may become a Spiritual Master. This process is called parampara, or the line of disciplic succession. 690616let.Vishala

The actual system is that the husband is Spiritual Master to his wife, but if the wife can bring her husband into practicing this process, then it is all right that the husband accepts wife as Spiritual Master. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that anyone who knows the science of Krishna, that person should be accepted as Spiritual Master, regardless of any material so-called qualifications; such as rich or poor, man or woman, or brahmana or sudra. 690614let.Sheelavati

Unless one is a resident of Krishna Loka, one cannot be a Spiritual Master. That is the first proposition. A layman cannot be a Spiritual Master, and if he becomes so then he will simply create disturbance. And who is a liberated person? One who knows Krishna. It is stated in BG, fourth chapter, anyone who knows Krishna in truth is immediately liberated, and after quitting the present body, he immediately goes to Krishna. That means he becomes a resident of Krishna Loka. As soon as one is liberated he is immediately a resident of Krishna Loka, and anyone who knows the truth of Krishna can become Spiritual Master. That is the version of Lord Caitanya. So to summarize the whole thing, it is to be understood that a bona fide Spiritual Master is a resident of Krishna Loka. Your next question, whether the Spiritual Master was formerly a conditioned soul, actually a bona fide Spiritual Master is never a conditioned soul. There are three kinds of liberated persons. They are called 1) sadhan siddha, 2) kripa siddha, and 3) nitya siddha. Sadhan siddha means one who has attained perfection by executing the regulative principles of devotional service. Kripa siddha means one who has attained perfection by the special mercy of Krishna and the Spiritual Master, and nitya siddha means one who was never contaminated. The symptoms of nitya siddha is that from the beginning of his life he is attached to Krishna, and he is never tired of rendering service to Krishna. So we have to know what is what by these symptoms. But when one is actually on the siddha platform there is no such distinction as to who is sadhan, kripa, or nitya siddha. When one is siddha, there is no distinction what is what. Just like when the river water glides down to the Atlantic Ocean nobody can distinguish which portion was the Hudson River or some other river. Neither is there any necessity to make any such distinction. Actually, every living entity is eternally uncontaminated, although he may be in the material touch. This is the version of the Vedas. Asanga ayam purusha—the living entity is uncontaminated. Just like when there is a drop of oil in water you can immediately distinguish the oil from the water, and the water never mixes with the oil. Similarly, a living entity, although in material contact, is always distinct from the matter.

You are correct when you say that when the Spiritual Master speaks it should be taken that Krishna is speaking. That is a fact. A Spiritual Master must be liberated. It does not matter if he has come from Krishna Loka or he is liberated from here. But he must be liberated. The science of how one is liberated is explained above, but when one is liberated, there is no need of distinction whether he has come directly from Krishna Loka or from the material world. But in the broader sense everyone comes from Krishna Loka. When one forgets Krishna he is conditioned, when one remembers Krishna he is liberated. I hope this will clear up these points. I hope this will meet you in good health. 690610let.Mukunda

Regarding your question of Paramatma: you are fortunate enough for your sincere service, Krishna as Paramatma Who is sitting within your heart is now dictating. Krishna is so kind that He wants to help us as Spiritual Master in two ways. He helps us from within as Caitya Guru and He expands Himself externally as Siksa Guru (as instructor) and diksa Guru (initiator). So the principle is that whatever you are instructed by the Caitya Guru internally may be confirmed by the instructor or initiator externally. Then your progress will be complete. Hope this will find you in good health. 690521let.Shivananda

The first thing, I warn Acyutananda, do not try to initiate. You are not in a proper position now to initiate anyone. Besides that, the etiquette is that so long the Spiritual Master is present, all prospective disciples should be brought to him. Therefore if anyone is anxious to be initiated, he should first of all hear our philosophy and join chanting at least for three months, and then if required, I shall send chanted beads for him if you recommend. As we are doing here. Don’t be allured by such maya. I am training you all to become future Spiritual Masters, but do not be in a hurry. If the family of the boy who is so eager to be initiated certainly, are Vaisnavas, let them offer you some place, because you are in need of a place, first and foremost. In that place hold Kirtana daily, morning and evening, as we do, that will be the sign of their sincerity. So for the time being, hold Kirtana. as I have advised above, and speak from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and try to serve the cause of the Krishna Consciousness society. You don’t be attracted by such cheap disciples immediately. One has to rise gradually by service. If you get a place in Patel Nagar, that will be very nice. ………….. Don’t be allured by cheap disciples. Go on steadfastly to render service first. If you immediately become Guru, then the service activities will be stopped; and as there are many cheap gurus and cheap disciples, without any substantial knowledge, and manufacturing new sampradayas, and with service activities stopped, and all spiritual progress choked up. You have already mentioned one such non-bona fide sampradaya, Jaya Krishna Sampradaya. 680821let.Achyutananda&JayaGovinda

The science of Krishna Consciousness is transcendental science, which is never understood by materialistic persons. Therefore, the Vedas order is that one must approach a spiritual master to understand that transcendental science. And the qualification of a spiritual master is that he has to have received the knowledge similarly from a bona fide spiritual master, and the result is that a spiritual master is completely convinced of the existence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and he is fixed. That is the qualification of the spiritual master. In other words, this science is appreciated by service attitude only. It is never understood by any challenging spirit. One who is submissive and ready to give aural reception of the transcendental message, to him only the transcendence becomes revealed. So the more you become in service attitude for Krishna, Krishna will reveal Himself to you. Krishna is within you and He is awaiting your surrender and service, and as soon as He sees that you are seriously in serving mood, you will understand everything about Krishna—His qualities, His form, His pastimes, His entourage, and His abode. I am very glad to know that you are gradually stepping upwards by your service attitude and I would request you to prolong this attitude eternally, and Krishna will reveal Himself unto you continually. In other words, Krishna is unlimited, but the more we advance in service attitude, we appreciate Him in newer and newer features. There is a verse spoken by Yamuna Acarya. He says, since I have begun to realize the newer and newer features of Krishna, I have forgotten more and more about material enjoyment. And the summit of material enjoyment is sex. And Yamuna Acarya says that whenever I think of sex, I spit on it. This is the state of Krishna Consciousness. The more you forget about nonsense material enjoyment, you must know you are advancing in Krishna Consciousness. You haven’t got to ask anybody how you are making progress, you will realize yourself by this test. Just like a person taking lunch, he will feel satisfied of hunger and strength, himself. Similarly, the more you serve Krishna, you will forget material hankerings and get spiritual strength. This is the test. 680617let.Sacisuta

It is my duty to help you always in the matter of understanding Krishna Consciousness and whatever I am trying to bestow upon you all is the gift of Lord Krishna directly—I am just doing the work of a bearer. There is nothing of my personal contribution and I ask all your mercy so that I may be able to distribute Krishna’s message as it is without any deviation. That will make Krishna, myself, and all others eternally happy. It is so nice, sublime and easy to perform. 680614let.Himavati

In the absolute world there is no distinction as me, or he, and I. Krishna and His representative is the same. Just like Krishna can be present simultaneously in millions of places. Similarly, the Spiritual Master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. A Spiritual Master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands of places by the principle of relay monitoring. 680528let.Malati

I am so pleased to learn that you are constantly trying to follow my instructions. Of course, I have no particular instructions, save and except the instruction which I have also heard from my Spiritual Master. So all instructions in the disciplic succession directly comes from the Supreme Person. Therefore to follow the instructions of a Spiritual Master is to follow the instructions of the Supreme Person. And as soon as we are accustomed to this habit, then all our misgivings of material existence are over. 680510let.Dayananda

The statements of Thakura Bhaktivinode are as good as scriptures because he is liberated person. Generally the spiritual master comes from the group of such eternal associates of the Lord; but anyone who follows the principles of such ever liberated persons is as good as one in the above mentioned group. The gurus from nature’s study are accepted as such on the principle that an elevated person in Krishna Consciousness does not accept anyone as disciple, but he accepts everyone as expansion of his guru. That is very high position, called Maha-bhagavata. Just like Radharani, sometimes thinks a subordinate of hers as her teacher, to understand devotion of Krishna. A person who is liberated acharya and guru cannot commit any mistake, but there are persons who are less qualified or not liberated, but still can act as guru and acharya by strictly following the disciplic succession. It is the injunction of the sastras that anyone who sees the Deity in the Temple as made of wood or stone, or considers the acaryas and gurus as ordinary common men, and discriminates Vaisnavas or devotees as belonging to a certain group or caste, are called hellish. Your question about Bon Maharaja in relation with his disciple is very intelligent and intricate, and we shall discuss at long when we meet. 680426let.Janardana

You have accepted me as father, so I have also accepted you as my dear and real son. Relationship of father & son on spiritual platform is real and eternal, on the material platform such relationship is ephemeral and temporary. Although I cannot give you anything as father, still I can pray to Krishna for your more & more advancement in K.C. Your sincerity & service mood will always help you in advancing your genuine cause. 680122let.Satsvarupa

I thank you very much for your acceptance of my guidance. My guidance means Krishna’s guidance. I am very poor and therefore I can pray only to Krishna for your guidance. Krishna is Absolute and we are all under His guidance but the bona fide Spiritual Master is accepted as guidance because he is transparent via media between Krishna and the devotee. The devotee has no access to Krishna without the via media.

680114let.Umapati

Please take it for granted that I have sanctioned for all your schemes. Because you are sincere worker Krishna is dictating from within yourself as He has promised in the Bhagavad-gita, and things are coming so nicely. May Krishna grace you more and more and in your advance service of Krishna Consciousness. You have very nicely stated that I am your life. This means you are my body and so neither life nor body can be separated because on the spiritual platform there is no such distinction. On material platform sometimes life is separated from body, but in the Absolute platform there is no such distinction. Dr. Radhakrishnan foolishly makes such distinction on the Body of Krishna, and therefore when Krishna says that one should become His devotee, he commends that it is not to the Person Krishna, but to the Light within Krishna. He does not know that in the spiritual platform, there is no such distinction of life and body. 680111let.Rayarama

In the Bhagavad-gita, it is stated that for the fixed up devotee there is one duty. This duty is understood through the transparent medium via media of the Spiritual Master. It is better service to Krishna and Spiritual Master in a feeling of separation; sometimes there is risk in the matter of direct service. For example, Kirtanananda was giving me direct service by massaging, cooking for me, and so many other things; but later on by dictation of Maya, he became puffed up, so much so that he thought his Spiritual Master a common man, and was existing only on account of his service. This mentality at once pushed him down. Of course, those who are sincere devotee, they take direct service as an opportunity, but the illusory energy is so strong that it acts on this doctrine of familiarity breeds contempt. Kirtanananda was thinking I was existing on his service, instead of realizing I was giving him opportunity to do me some service. 671230let.Madhusudana

heavy, supreme. SB 4.29.36-37

So who requires a guru? Jijïäsuù çreyaù uttamam. One who wants to go beyond this world of darkness. 760618sb.tor

It is my duty to deliver you the right thing in right earnestness and it is the duty of the receiver to act in the standard spiritual regulation. When you left us I simply prayed to Krishna for your return to Krishna Consciousness because that was my duty. Any good soul who approaches me once for spiritual enlightenment is supposed to be depending on my responsibility to get him back to Krishna, back to home. The disciple may misunderstand a bona fide spiritual master being obliged to do so under pressure of Maya’s influence. But a bona fide spiritual master never lets go a devotee once accepted. When a disciple misunderstands a bona fide spiritual master, the master regrets for his inability to protect the disciple and sometimes he cries with tears in the eyes. We had an experience while my Guru Maharaja was alive. One of His disciples who accepted sannyasa was one day forcibly dragged by his wife. My Guru Maharaja lamented with tears in His eyes saying that He could not save the soul.) We should always, therefore, be careful in the matter of being attacked by Maya’s influence and the only means of guarantee is to chant Hare Krishna offenselessly. The greatest offense is to defy the spiritual master and to act sinfully, thinking in the strength of chanting. If a man thinks that chanting will save him from all kinds of sinful reaction deliberately committed by him, then he becomes the greatest offender. By chanting Hare Krishna certainly we become free from all sinful reactions, but that does not mean that we shall deliberately commit sins and counteract it by chanting. Your reference to Kirtanananda and Hayagriva is very nicely appreciated. We shall silently pray for them to Krishna and shed tears for them for our inability to save them. Let us honestly pray and go ahead with Krishna Consciousness. More when we meet. Hope you are well671123let.Umapati

Regarding the Teachings in the temple; everyone of my disciples may become a teacher strictly following my instructions. I am a bona fide teacher as long as I follow the instructions of my spiritual master. That is the only one qualification for becoming a teacher. As soon as one deviates from this principle one is no longer a teacher. I do not know how Subala das speaks but if there is any deviation you can point it out & adjust things between yourselves. 671029let.Nandarani

means heavy, who knows better than you, or who knows perfect. 730710rc.lon

Actually we are puzzled every moment. Therefore it is necessary one should approach to a proper guru. Now Arjuna is approaching Kåñëa, the first-class guru. First-class guru. Guru means the Supreme Lord. He is guru of everyone, parama-guru. So anyone who represents Kåñëa, he is also guru. That will be explained in the Fourth Chapter. Evaà paramparä-präptam imaà räjarñayo viduù [Bg. 4.2]. So Kåñëa is showing example, where we should offer our surrender and accept guru. Here is Kåñëa. So you have to accept Kåñëa or His representative as guru. 751017bg.joh

Guru means representative of Bhagavän. Säkñäd-dharitvena samasta-çästrair uktas tathä bhävyata eva sadbhiù **. Guru… Because the real guru, he’s representative of Kåñëa, säkñät-hari. Säkñäd-dharitvena samasta-çästraiù. In all scriptures it is described that guru is as good as Bhagavän. Means he knows from the right source. Therefore he may be, not maybe exactly, but as good, säkñäd-dharitvena. Why? Kintu prabhor yaù priya eva tasya. Guru is servant, servant God. The master God and the servant God. Kåñëa is the master God and guru is the servant God. Although he’s respected as Kåñëa, still, kintu prabhor yaù priya eva tasya; He does not claim that “I’ve become Kåñëa.” No. He’s very dear to Kåñëa. Kintu prabhor yaù priya. Priya. Priya means dear. Why he’s so dear? Because he preaches the master’s message. Therefore he’s pure. If he preaches his own message, manufactured, then he’s not good; he’s deceit. 741213sb.bom

Çréla Jéva Gosvämé, in his Bhakti-sandarbha (213), has clearly explained that a pure devotee’s observation of the spiritual master and Lord Çiva as being one with the Personality of Godhead exists in terms of their being very dear to the Lord, not identical with Him in all respects.

CC Adi 1.46 p.

Yes. Some way or other, you know that he is a physician. So similarly, you have to find out guru. Guru… First of all, who requires a guru? That is the question. Because guru is not a fashion… The… It is said in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, tasmäd guruà prapadyeta: [SB 11.3.21] “On account of this, you should go to a guru.” What is that account? Tasmäd guruà prapadyeta jijïäsuù çreya uttamam: “One who is very much inquisitive to know about spiritual affair, he requires a guru.” Spiritual affair means that… We are in this material world. We are suffering. When the question will come in one’s mind, “Why I am suffering?” that is spiritual. Just like an animal is being taken to the slaughterhouse. He cannot inquire, “Why I am being taken to the slaughterhouse?” But if a man is being taken forcibly, he’ll protest; he will cry; he’ll call crowd. Therefore human being can inquire about spiritual affair. So when there is spiritual inquiry, then one requires a guru. And by going to guru, as it is stated, tad viddhi praëipätena paripraçnena sevayä [Bg. 4.34]. One has to learn by surrendering, praëipäta. So first of all there must be a strong impulse to inquire about the transcendental subject matter. Then one requires a guru. Not that, to follow a fashion, that one has guru. Äcäryavän puruño veda. Unless one becomes under the control of äcärya, he has no perfect knowledge. Therefore the Vedas says, tad-vijïänärthaà sa gurum eväbhigacchet: [MU 1.2.12] “For understanding that transcendental science, one must approach a guru.” And what is the symptom of guru? Samit-päëiù çrotriyaà brahma-niñöham: Guru means one who has complete knowledge of Vedic version, and not only that, he is a staunch or fixed-up devotee of the Supreme Lord. These are the qualification. The guru strictly follows the Vedic injunction and teaches the same thing to his disciple. That is guru. So first thing is: one must be inquisitive to understand about the spiritual subject matter. Just like you have come here in this temple. You know that here nothing like political meeting is going on. Here something spiritual matter is being discussed. Therefore you have come. This inclination is the beginning of spiritual life. This is called çraddhä. Çraddhä means faith.

So this çraddhä has to be developed further, and to develop this çraddhä, or faith, one has to associate with persons who are keeping with this faith. Therefore it is said, ädau çraddhä tataù sädhu-saìgaù: [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15] “First of all faith, then to associate with persons who are devotees and faithful…” In this way, when further development is done, then atha bhajana-kriyä, means the learning the process of devotional service. [break] …gambling, no meat-eating. These are not wanted. In the beginning of life nobody smokes or nobody becomes intoxicated. It is learned by bad association. Similarly, it can be given up by good association. They are called anarthas. Anartha means unwanted bad habits. So when we are children, innocent, we have no bad habits, but as we grow and associate with bad company, we also acquire all these bad habits. So to give up all these bad habits means we have to associate with sädhus or devotees, saintly persons. Then we can give it up. This is called anartha-nivåtti, means giving up all unwanted bad habits. These things are not wanted. Nobody dies if he does not smoke or drink. Nobody dies. So artificially we learn it, so by good association we can give it up. So when we are purified out of all the bad habits, then we become fixed up in spiritual knowledge. So in this way we make advance in spiritual life, and at the last stage we become lover of God. This is the process, and one who teaches this process, he is guru. This is the definition of guru.750211bg.mex

1) The criterion is that a devotee must know what Kåñëa wants him to do. This understanding can be achieved through the medium of a spiritual master who is a bona fide representative of Kåñëa. Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé advises, ädau gurv-äçrayam. One who is serious in wanting to render pure devotional service to the Lord must take shelter of a spiritual master who comes in the disciplic succession from Kåñëa. Evaà paramparä-präptam imaà räjarñayo viduù [Bg. 4.2]. Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, one cannot find out the real purpose of devotional service. Therefore one has to accept the shelter of a bona fide spiritual master and agree to be directed by him. The first business of a pure devotee is to satisfy his spiritual master, whose only business is to spread Kåñëa consciousness. And if one can satisfy the spiritual master, Kåñëa is automatically satisfied—yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù. This is the success of devotional service. CCM 19.167 P

2) a spiritual master simply must be conversant in the essence of the çästra; he must understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead CCM 4.111 P

the spiritual master is the pet dog of Krishna, and if he is pleased so Krishna is also pleased. That is the process. 730104let.George

To accept guru means whatever guru says, you have to accept. Otherwise, don’t make guru. Don’t make a fashion. You must be ready. That is called prapannam. Tad viddhi praëipätena [Bg. 4.34]. You can understand simply by surrendering, not to test guru. “I shall test him, how, how much he knows.” Then what is the use of making guru? No. 730808bg.lon

Atul Krishna Goswami has given a good certificate. Yes, everybody says like that, that I am incarnation of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Actually Krishna and Krishna’s representative are not different. Anything that is Krishna’s is not different from Krishna. Therefore it is said saksadharitvena ‘samasta sastrair. The spiritual master is accepted by all advanced devotees as Hari. 750714let.GopalKrishna

atäà prasaìgän mama vérya-saàvido

bhavanti håt-karna-rasäyanaù kathäù

taj-joñaëäd äçv apavarga-vartmani

çraddhä bhaktir ratir anukramiñyati

[SB 3.25.25]

Everything is there. Satäà prasaìgän. From a bona fide spiritual master you receive knowledge, because he will present as he has received from his spiritual master. He’ll not adulterate or manufacture something. That is the bona fide spiritual master. And that is very easy. To become spiritual master is not very difficult thing. You’ll have to become spiritual master. You, all my disciples, everyone should become spiritual master. It is not difficult. It is difficult when you manufacture something. But if you simply present whatever you have heard from your spiritual master, it is very easy. If you want to become overintelligent, to present something, to interpret something, whatever over you have heard from spiritual master you can make some further addition, alteration, then you’ll spoil whole thing. Then you’ll spoil whole thing. Don’t make addition or alteration. Simply present as it is. Therefore, we have begun Bhagavad-gétä As It Is. Don’t try to become over spiritual master. Then you’ll spoil. Remain always a servant of your spiritual master and present the thing as you have heard. You’ll be spiritual master. This is secret. You should know it. Don’t try to become overintelligent. That will spoil. Evam paramparä präptam imaà räjarñayo viduù [Bg. 4.2]. This is the… So (child talking) you can stop.(?)

So Caitanya Mahäprabhu says,

ämära äjïäya guru haïä tära ei deça

yäre dekha, täre kaha, ‘kåñëa’-upadeça

more ….go to 730822vp.lon in particular

To become spiritual master is not very difficult thing. You’ll have to become spiritual master. You, all my disciples, everyone should become spiritual master. It is not difficult. ……. Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide Guru, and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime of your Spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy. 730822vp.Lon

So I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master, and follow this principle. Spiritual master, simply, sincerely, follow the principles and speak to the general public. Then Krishna immediately becomes your favorite. Krishna does not become your favorite; you become Krishna’s favorite. Krishna says in the Bhagavad-gitä, na ca tasmän manuñyeñu kaçcin me priya-kåttamaù: “One who is doing this humble service of preaching work, Krishna consciousness, nobody is dearer than him to Me.” So if you want to become recognized by Krishna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master, present the Bhagavad-gétä as it is. Your life is perfect.

Thank you very much. (end) 730822vp.lon

New Delhi

2 December, 1975

My Dear Tusta Krishna Swami,

Please accept my blessings. I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 21 November, 1975. Every student is expected to become Acarya. Acarya means one who knows the scriptural injunctions and follows them practically in life, and teaches them to his disciples. I have given you sannyasa with the great hope that in my absence you will preach the cult throughout the world and thus become recognized by Krishna as the most sincere servant of the Lord. So I’m very pleased that you have not deviated from the principles I have taught, and thus with power of attorney go on preaching Krishna consciousness, that will make me very happy as it is confirmed in the Guru vastakam yasya prasadat bhagavata prasadah just by satisfying your Spiritual Master who is accepted as the bona fide representative of the Lord you satisfy Krishna immediately without any doubt.

I am very glad to inform you that Sudama Vipra Maharaja is also now following my principles. So I am very, very happy to receive all this news. Thank you very, very much.

Keep trained up very rigidly and then you are bona fide Guru, and you can accept disciples on the same principle. But as a matter of etiquette it is the custom that during the lifetime of your Spiritual master you bring the prospective disciples to him, and in his absence or disappearance you can accept disciples without any limitation. This is the law of disciplic succession. I want to see my disciples become bona fide Spiritual Master and spread Krishna consciousness very widely, that will make me and Krishna very happy.

I hope this letter finds you well,

Your ever well wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/hda

As soon as one thinks that he is greater than his spiritual master that is the greatest offense. Krsna will give one everything, but to these offenders everything is lost. 751110let.Jayatirtha&Manjuali

“Shrotriyam, Shrotriyam means one who has accepted the Vedic literature, the shästra, scripture, as the guidance, he can be guru. Not extravagant, upstart, he makes some group and religious principle of his own and becomes a guru. No, he is not guru.”

661226cc.ny

Please accept my blessings. I have understood from Sripada Nava Yogendra Swami that you have taken keen interest in our Krsna Consciousness Movement. So I am very pleased to hear this and I thank you for your service in helping to push on this mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Our mission is that especially those who have taken their birth in India that it is their responsibility to become perfect in the science of Krsna Consciousness and to deliver everyone in the world. In this way everyone is expected to become guru. But how to be a guru? It is said that one simply has to repeat the instructions that Krsna has given. If he repeats without adding or subtracting anything, then he is qualified as guru. Actually there is only one guru—Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So those who simply repeat His words, they also become guru. But of course a guru never thinks himself as being God. He only thinks himself as the servant of the servant of the servant: gopi bhrtya pada-kamalayo das dasanudasa [Cc. Madhya 13.80].

Recently I visited Africa and I could see that the management was not going on properly. So now I have given Nava Yogendra sannyasa order and am sending him back to Africa. He will be the president of the Mombassa temple, so please help him to make our mission there very solid. 751123let.Bhatia

Regarding your question regarding your household situation, that is not the spiritual master’s business. 760218let.BatuGopal

The spiritual master cannot be approached for solving marriage problems. That is not the business of the guru. 760221let.Sukirti

Therefore we have to consult shastra. What is our problem, we have to consult shästra. And shästra, how we can consult shästra. Shästra, we have to go somebody who knows shästra. Therefore the Vedic injunction is tad-vijïänärthaà sa gurum eva abhigacchet, çrotriyam [MU 1.2.12]. If you want to know what is your actual interest, then you have to approach a guru. And who is guru? Çrotriyam, who knows çästra. Çrotriyam. And not only knows, but the result must be there, brahma-niñöham, means Kåñëa consciousness. Brahma-niñöham means fully dependent on Kåñëa.

This is the process. We must know, we must find out guru who knows çästra, the essence of çästra, Vedic, Vedas. What is the essence of Vedas? Vedänta. Vedänta means to know Kåñëa. Vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù [Bg. 15.15]. Kåñëa says. All… There are different types of Vedas. Säma, Yajur, Åk, Atharva. Then one-hundred-eight Upaniñads. Then Vedänta-sütra. Then Puräëas, Rämäyaëa, Mahäbhärata. And the viàçati, twenty kinds of dharma-çästra, Manu-saàhitä. So many things. 740802BGAII.Vrn

I beg to acknowledge receipt of your very nice gift. I thank you very much for it and hope that you and your son Gaurahari das are advancing very nicely in your Krsna consciousness. Please always follow the regulative principles and chant your rounds carefully and surely such sincere practice will lead you to success. Pleasing the spiritual master is the active principle in spiritual life and offerings made with love and devotion are always pleasing to the spiritual master.760724let.KapardiniDasi

I am in due receipt of your very nice offering and I thank you very much for it. Pleasing the spiritual master is the most important principle in spiritual life so go on acting in such a way that the spiritual master may be pleased. Always chant at least 16 rounds daily and follow the four principles without fail. Then you will be strong in your spiritual life. By always following the principles, chanting, and performing regulated worship of the Deity, one can make steady advancement. 760724let.YasasviniDeviDasi

Your desire to please me is very pleasing and your preaching program in Spain sounds very nice. Please push on this movement in the Spanish and Portuguese languages with great enthusiasm and certainly Krsna will bless you for taking so much trouble to preach His glories. A Vaisnava always feels himself incapable to repay his debt to his spiritual master therefore he works very hard in order to try and repay that debt. He knows that without the mercy of the spiritual master one cannot preach this Krsna consciousness and therefore he always tries to act in such a way that he may please his guru. Please continue in this way and keep very strictly the regulative principles and chanting the prescribed number of rounds on the beads and you will clear the way for success in your preaching work. 760809let.CaturMurti

If you feel at all indebted to me then you should preach vigorously like me. That is the proper way to repay me. Of course, no one can repay the debt to the spiritual master, but the spiritual master is very much pleased by such an attitude by the disciple. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru nandana [Bg. 2.41], “Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one.” Our only business is to be fixed up in devotional service by pleasing the spiritual master. Those who are not fixed up they have various lines of action (eka means ‘one’ and bahu means ‘many’).

The real ocean of mercy is Krsna and it is the duty of the spiritual master to tell his disciple to come to the ocean and be happy. The spiritual master’s duty is to lead the disciple to this ocean. I am trying my best and if you try to follow surely you will benefit. 760814let.sons&daughters

You may hold a fire yajna and at that time the names of the initiates as well as their beads chanted on by Gurukrpa Maharaja may be given. Make sure that they are well aware of the four rules and regulations and that they are fixed in chanting the prescribed number of 16 rounds daily on the beads. Without these two principles no one can make advancement on the path of regulated bhakti. Teach them the science of the Bhagavad gita and train them to be first class representatives of Krsna. It is not very difficult, simply one has to hear from the perfect authority who is in disciplic succession from Krsna Himself, and then repeat the same message without any change. If one does this then he is qualified to become guru. 760820let.Jayadharma

If you try to follow my instruction you will feel that my body is in your presence always 670505let.Ballabhi

I had another great desire to open a temple in London and hoped also that Kirtanananda after accepting sannyasa would do this job. For this purpose he was given and introductory letter to a London lady along with expenses. However out of his whim he did not go to London but went directly to New York. This is a terrible example and it has shocked me. Your service attitude encourages me because Krishna can never be an order supplier. We should always remember that Krishna is the only order giver. His order is received through the agency of the spiritual master. The bona fide spiritual master is the manifest representative of Krishna. The spiritual master is described in the scriptures as good as Krishna because he is the most confidential servitor of Krishna. To please the spiritual master is to please Krishna. On this principle we must advance our Krishna Consciousness and there is no danger. 671003let.Nandaranietc

GURU&KRISHNA

Äcärya… Äcäryopäsanam. Äcärya should be always worshiped. Even if you, by A-B-C-D, you have become more learned than the äcärya… That is not possible, but if you foolishly think like that, still, you should not exhibit your foolishness, that you know more than the äcärya. That is Caitanya Mahäprabhu’s… By His life example He has taught us that the more we remain ignorant, foolish, before the äcärya or before the guru, that is more we advance. Real success is how one is faithful to his guru. That is real success. Yasya deve parä bhaktir yathä deve tathä gurau. It is not by education or grammatical knowledge you can learn anything. No. It is by the grace of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And that grace comes down through the grace of guru. That grace also does not come directly. We should not be neglecting this point. ………That is just like a common word, “If you love me, love my dog.” So you cannot approach Kåñëa without loving His dog, His servant. Satäà prasaìgät. A person who is trying to distribute the message of Kåñëa, he is very, very dear dog of Kåñëa. Na ca tasmän manuñyeñu kaçcin me priya-kåttamaù [Bg. 18.69]. He is very… It doesn’t matter how far he is advanced in education, how far he has learned grammar. These are not the things. The things is how far he is working to carry out the mission of Kåñëa. Then one has to receive Kåñëa’s mercy through the bona fide servant. Kåñëa cannot be bluffed by so-called education and grammar. 761004SB.VRN

To stick to the principles advised by the Spiritual Master and serve Krishna under the direction of the Spiritual Master is the only hope of our advancing in Krishna Consciousness. The Spiritual Master and Krishna are two parallel lines. You have to make your progress on these two parallel lines, you cannot avoid one in preference of the other. The train, on two tracks, moves forward. The Spiritual Master and Krishna are like these two tracks, they must be served simultaneously. Krishna helps one to find bona fide Spiritual Master, and bona fide Spiritual Master helps one to understand Krishna. If one does not get bona fide Spiritual Master, then how he can ever understand Krishna? You cannot serve Krishna without Spiritual Master, or serve just Spiritual Master without serving Krishna. They must be served simultaneously. 680212let.Mahapurusha

So far remembering me and Krishna, it should be simultaneous. I am your Spiritual Father, and Krishna is your Spiritual Husband. A girl can never forget either her father or her husband. In the Sastras it is said that Spiritual advance of life is achieved thru the combined mercy of the Spiritual Master and Krishna. Those who are sincere souls, Krishna helps them to have a bona fide Spiritual Master, and the bona fide Spiritual Master helps the disciple to approach Krishna. This is the process. I know you are a sincere devotee of Krishna and He will give you proper intelligence how to prosecute your present activities. I can simply pray to Krishna that He may bless you with all energy for serving Him. I am very much appreciative of your work, which you are doing for the society, and I wish you may continue to do like that. 670708let.Jadurany

Your nice letter with deep regard for Guru is quite appropriate. Guru and Krishna are two parallel lines on which the spiritual express runs very smoothly. In the Caitanya Caritamrta it is said “Guru Krsna prasade paya bhakti lata bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151].” By the Grace of Guru one gets Krishna and by the Grace of Krishna one gets a bona fide Guru. Therefore Krishna consciousness means staunch faith both in Guru and Krishna. One minus the other is no good for the devotee. So your faith in the principles of devotion to Guru will certainly help you more and more Krishna. Do not ever try to approach Krishna directly. Anyone who talks of Krishna without service to Guru will not be successful. So your faith in Guru and Krishna simultaneously will help you to become crowned with success in the progressive march in Krishna consciousness. Do not be worried, be situated in the present aptitude and everything will be clear.670927let.Devananda

Kirtanananda was awarded the position of a Sannyasi because he wanted it although I could understand it that he wanted to be a spiritual master himself. Lord Caitanya wanted every one should be a spiritual master provided he follows the order of Lord Caitanya. The Lord’s mission was to defeat the Mayavada philosophy and establish in the philosophy of Krishna consciousness because Krishna is the Supreme Lord the Personality of Godhead. Anyone following the order of Lord Caitanya under the guidance of His bona fide representative, can become a spiritual master and I wish that in my absence all my disciples become the bona fide spiritual master to spread Krishna Consciousness throughout the whole world. I want it but Kirtanananda was too much puffed up and artificially he took up a certificate from me that he has been awarded the order to a Sannyasi, In the spiritual field nobody can become a bona fide spiritual master by dissatisfying his spiritual master. It is said that one can satisfy the Supreme Lord simply by satisfying the spiritual master and one who dissatisfies the spiritual master has no place in the spiritual world. Kirtanananda wanted to become a spiritual master by dissatisfying his spiritual master and as such he has fallen down. 671102let.Madhusudana

GURUKULA So far the school of Sumati Morarji, make the children into Vaisnavas through English medium of learning. We are not going to abide by the government schedule. They should be taught our books as soon as they can read and write. The idea is that those who will later on accept service, they cannot be accepted by us for schooling, we cannot help them. They must be the sons of rich and important men who will not be taking education simply to use it for eating and sleeping. They should be taught just to do like the elders, that is, rise early, cleanse, attend mangal arati, read our literatures, chant, go for sankirtana, like that, and besides that, a little ABC, mathematics, geography, history, that’s all. And teach the small children to play Krishna games: one child is a cow, another is cowherd boy, they go to the forest, there are demons there, Krishna kills the demons, like that; in this way, let the children play Krishna games, then attend arati, then learn some ABC, then play some more, have kirtana, little ABC, and by keeping them always diversified they shall not lose interest and will keep their attention always focused around Krishna. 720730let.Giriraja

Gurukula is our most important project. If the children are given a Krsna Conscious education from early childhood then there is great hope for the future of the world. I have already given instruction on how the teaching should be conducted there, and this you can learn from Satsvarupa, Mohanananda, and the other senior teachers. Whatever service we do, our enthusiasm must always be kept strong. So Krsna is giving you guidance from within. So if you go to Gurukula, try to help develop things there and make it the model educational institution in the world. 730127let.Dayananda&Nandarani

It is a fcat that Gurukula must be alays carefully supervised, is one of our most important projects 730510let.Hydayananda

In my opinion all Gurukula students should be educated free of charge, but outside students may be charged. Our own parents should without obligation contribute liberally, but we should not be hard with them if they cannot pay. Sometimes the parents get money from the Welfare Dept., so whatever money they get for their children must be paid to Gurukula.

……………………..

But, on the whole the Gurukula standard should be free education, boarding, and lodging. People shall voluntarily contribute as far as possible. That should be introduced. We cannot enforce that if you do not pay, then take back your child. Rather the opposite. We must give free education to our children. We have to if need be provide money from the incense business or Book Trust, like that if sufficient income is not there.

731015let.Mohananda

The Gurukula must be based on the principle of renunciation; vairagya vidya nija bhakti yogam [Cc. Madhya 6.254]. Bhakti is based on the principle of the renunciation of material desires beginning from the earliest age; kaumaram acaret prajna dharman bhagavatan iha [SB 7.6.1]. From the very beginning, a boy must be trained to perform devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and not to be attached as the fruitive workers, the karmis, to the so-called fallible soldiers; dehapatya kalatradisu atma-sainyesu asatsv api tesam prammato nidhanam pasyanapi na pasyati [SB 2.1.4]. The karmis are attached too much to their bodies, children and wives, who are like fallible fighting soldiers who must ultimately be destroyed. Although they are sufficiently experienced, they still cannot see this.

Therefore our young men must be trained at the earliest age to not be attached to so many things like the home, family, friendship, society, and nation. To train the innocent boy to be a sense gratifier at the early age when the child is actually happy in any circumstance is the greatest violence. (and more) 760120let,Jayathirta

Another point is that BBT cannot give loan to Dallas for Gurukula construction. That is not possible. Jagadisa Prabhu is expecting a loan of $150,000 from the BBT. So I have told him that the money is already needed for construction here in India, in Bombay, Kuruksetra, and Mayapur. The best thing is that Gurukula should be moved to India.

Somehow or other arrange to give a loan for $40,000 for a new Temple in Houston. It is a worthy cause. 760123let.Ramesvara

GURU NANAKJI Will you kindly let me know what Guru Nanakji has said about Lord Krishna and Lord Rama in his Granth Sahib? How we can cooperate with the sikh community? 750610let.Caityaguru

GURU PURNIMA

I am glad to learn that you have performed the Guru Purnima Ceremony by Kirtana that is all right. But this Guru Purnima is generally performed by the Mayavadi sects. The idea of Guru Purnima is to offer gratitude to the Spiritual Master by the disciple once in a year. That is called Guru Purnima. So far as we are concerned, Gaudiya Vaisnavas, we offer all our gratefulness to the Spiritual Master on His Appearance Day Ceremony, called Vyasa Puja. So kirtana is our daily function; whatever you have done is all right, but actual worship of the Spiritual Master will be done by all of my disciples on the fifth day of September, just one day after Janmastami. 690802let.Gaurasundara

HADAI PANDIT the father of Nityananda Prabhu Adi 13.61

HAIR You can use the nickname Krishna-dasa, or Caitanya-dasa, etc., etc. when needed if you require some more simply name is distributing books. Everyone is Krishna-dasa, or Gurudasa, like that.

Unless absolutely necessary, one should keep head shaven and not allow the hair to grow long. If absolutely necessary, one can dress like an American gentleman, with short hair, but long hair is prohibited. The reason that one with long hair is not my disciple is because he is against the principle. Unless absolutely necessary one should keep hair short, and if necessary one can dress like an American gentleman with short hair. It is not expected that everyone will join. For that reason we can’t compromise. The tendency is there to be hippy. When the acaryas are seen with beard, that is during Caturmasya, July-September. If observed strictly there is not simply a beard. There are so many rules and regulations. One can’t eat a variety of foods. Only kitri prepared and poured on the floor, and then licked up. There are so many other rules also. That is not always that they kept beard. 760717let.Dhrstaketu

HAPPINESS The yogé whose mind is fixed on Me verily attains the highest perfection of transcendental happiness. He is beyond the mode of passion, he realizes his qualitative identity with the Supreme, and thus he is freed from all reactions to past deeds. BGAII 6.27

Thus the self-controlled yogé, constantly engaged in yoga practice, becomes free from all material contamination and achieves the highest stage of perfect happiness in transcendental loving service to the Lord. BGAII 6.28

You construct a very nice house and next day it was set fire and finished. So you have made arrangement for fire brigade always running on the street. That is means you want to enjoy happiness without any disturbance. So happiness means, which is eternally possible. That is happiness. And we are trying to give people that happiness which will never be exhausted. That is our objective of happiness. Bentham.SYA

HARE KRISHNA

That is stated in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam: kaler doña-nidhe räjann asti hy eko mahän guëaù [SB 12.3.51]. It was explained by Çukadeva Gosvämé to Parékñit Mahäräja. He described the faults of the Kali-yuga, but he encouraged by one verse. “My dear king, there is one very nice opportunity in this Kali-yuga.” Kaler doña-nidhe. Doña-nidhi: “It is the ocean of faults, but there is one very nice gain in this Kali-yuga.” What is that? Kértanäd eva kåñëasya mukta-saìgaù paraà vrajet [SB 12.3.51]: “Simply by chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra one can become free from all the troubles of this yuga, Kali-yuga,” and mukta-saìga, “and he becomes liberated, and he goes back to home, back to Godhead.” So take it very seriously and make your life perfect. 751029BG.Nai

Our prayer of the Hare Krishna Mantra means addressing Radha and Krishna for being engaged in Their service. Hare Krishna means “Oh Hare, Oh Radharani! Oh Krishna! Please engage me in Your service so that I can get relief from the service of Maya.” Just like a person resigns from an inferior quality of service and accepts a superior quality of service, similarly, our prayer to Krishna is to give us relief from the inferior quality of service to Maya, and to be engaged in the superior quality of service to Krishna. Service we have to render, and the whole process is to accept the superior quality of service in Krishna Consciousness. 690708let.Subal

means “O the energy of Kåñëa, O Kåñëa, please engage me in Your service. I have given service to this material world so much, but I could not satisfy the master, neither I am satisfied.”750209ar.LA

I am glad to learn of your success at the Chicago airport for distributing 800 big books and collecting $4000. I think you should distribute more parties to go in different parts of the U.S.A. Regarding adding the name Krsna to the airport name, anyway you tried. 751109let.Tripurari

In connection with the religious discrimination mentioned in the newspaper clipping from Atlanta; Wherever we live we worship God. We are not official worshippers. We worship wherever we are.

satatam kirtayanto mam

yatantas ca drdha-vratah,

namasyantas ca mam bhaktya

nitya-yukta upasate.

[Bg. 9.14]

“Always chanting My glories, endeavouring with great determination, bowing down before Me, these great souls perpetually worship Me with devotion.”

Our religion is not a part time transcendental recreation. We live in God. Of course, “Hare Krishna” is there on all these newspaper reports, that I want, that somehow or other hundreds and thousands of men will chant Hare Krishna. They have made all plans to avoid God, and our plan is that they accept God. The struggle will become acute, because formerly they thought we were simply hippies, but now they see our books, that we are here to stay. The professors are writing books, like Hare Krishna and Counter Culture, beginning to realize that Hare Krishna is here to stay. So, now the people are becoming envious that in such a short time we are so well known. Do not be discouraged by these fools and rascals, and simply push on sincerely and Krishna will save you. 760529let.Balavanta

HARE KRISHNA MAHA-MANTRA

So this mantra, mahä-mantra, this is not ordinary sound. This is spiritual. So by chanting this mantra—Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare—one becomes free from the contamination of this age. And not only he becomes free from the contamination of this age, but paraà vrajet, he goes back to the spiritual world.7309912SB.Lon

This Hare Krishna Mantra is addressed to the energy of the Lord and the Lord Himself to keep the chanter in his eternal position of being enjoyed. The prayer is “My Lord, Oh the Spiritual Energy of the Lord, kindly keep me engaged in Your service.” 690909let.Arundhati

In this age, chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra is the prime business of the devotee, and preaching of this Hare Krishna Mantra by outdoor Sankirtana and propagation of literature is our more important business. Side by side, Deity worship is recommended, but when there is a question of accepting one of them, we shall prefer to accept chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra first. 690905let.Hansadutta

“Simply you require your heart: “O Kåñëa, You are my Lord. You are my master eternally. I am Your servant eternally. Let me be engaged in Your service.” That is Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ (devotees chant) Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare. This is the meaning of Hare Kåñëa mantra: “O Kåñëa, O energy of Kåñëa, I am Your servant. Somehow or other I have now fallen in this material condition. Kindly pick me up and engage me in service.” 770301sb.may

HARE KRISHNA MOVEMENT. After all this Hare Krsna Movement is Indian culture. If the leaders of Indian culture will take it seriously, then certainly India’s glories will be magnified. 761101let.Ramkrishna

HARE RAMA Regarding your question, “What does Rama mean in Hare Rama? Is this Balarama or Lord Ramacandra?”, you can take it both ways, because there is no difference between Ramacandra and Balarama. Generally it means Krishna, because Rama means enjoyer. So either Ramacandra, Balarama or Krishna are all Visnu Tattvas and are always enjoying. The sakti tattva, or jiva tattva is always enjoyed. Our position is always predominated. If we remain in that position and properly use our small independence, then we remain happily eternally. But artificially, if we want to be independent and imitate the Supreme Enjoyer, then it is delusion. Material life means trying to imitate the Enjoyer, and spiritual life means to remain in one’s eternal position as enjoyed.

HARI means “one who takes away all miserable conditions” SB 4.30.24

Hari Bhakti Vilas I wish to know whether your Holiness will kindly participate in this ceremony during that time to install the deity properly according to the Hari-bhakti-Vilasa regulations. 750114let.SripadMadhavMaharaja

20 chapters summarized CCM 1.35

What are those Bengali dramas that Nitai is working on? He should work on arcana-paddhati, not divert his attention here and there. He should make Hari-bhakti-Vilasa into short cut, not more than twenty pages. He can consult Nrsimha Vallabha Goswami for help in this matter. This should be his first consideration now. 760113let.Akshayanada

HARIDAS THAKUR only took one of the items, the chanting, and he was so affectionate to Lord Caitanya. He was doing nothing, just chanting, but that means that he was doing everything. 741112let.Kirtanananda

HARIJAN 3. The third item is to take up the harijana movement. This movement is, in the real sense, a spiritual initiation movement and this should be organized in such a manner that people all over the world may take interest in it. The harijana is a word which shall not be used neglectfully as it is done now but attempt should be made to make everybody a harijana. Harijana means the recognized man of Hari the Personality of Godhead and thus he (the harijana) is as important a man as the knight of the king. So harijana movement should be strengthened more scientifically to turn every person who is now mayajana into a harijana. The mayajana is a word which is applicable to a person who is ordinarily engaged in the service of materialistic pursuits, whereas the harijana is the person whose main business is to attain perfection of human life, as Mahatma Gandhi did, by spiritualistic realization. This movement should therefore be conducted under strict disciplinary methods as prescribed by the mahajana or the harijana of accredited merit. In such a movement we shall have full co-operation of the sadhu community in India. 490228let.SardarPatel

Harijan A part of this movement is the harijana movement. The harijana means the God’s man or the godly man as distinguished from the satanic devils. How a man of satanic principles can be turned in to a God’s man is enunciated in the Bhagavad-gita. The way of karma-yoga i.e. doing everything for God’s sake should be the principles of life. The activities of the general public may not be stopped but may diverted in the manner stated in the Bhagavad-gita. By doing so any one in the world can be turned into a God’s man. Thus the harijana movement started by Mahatma Gandhi should not be taken absolutely for the benefit of the bhangis and ___ so to say but it should be utilized for all who have the mentality of the bhangis etc. 490705let.Sir

HARI MEDHASE means that the Lord is always planning ways to deliver the conditioned soul from the clutches of maya SB 4.39.24

HARMONIUM The harmonium may be played during bhajan if there is someone who can play melodiously. But it is not for kirtana and arati. 760111let.Bahudak

HARSA in wfw pleasure; in P Harña is described in the Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu. Harña is experienced when one finally attains the desired goal of life and consequently becomes very glad. When harña is present, the body shivers, and one’s bodily hairs stand on end. There are perspiration, tears and an outburst of passion and madness. The mouth becomes swollen, and one experiences inertia and illusion. When a person attains his desired object and feels very fortunate, the luster of his body increases. CCM 3.127

HATHA YOGA We are not interested in these things like hatha-yoga and swimming. We do not encourage such useless activities. We would never take to such activities for earning money. We get money enough. We don’t require to adopt any unauthorized means. At present we spend 8 lakhs of rupees every month and Krishna sends all money. Our process is to chant Hare Krishna. That is sufficient. 750106let.Bagai

HAWAI I like Hawaii very much.74.9.14let.Jayatirtha

One of my disciples informed me that you had been in our Toronto temple. Now, I invite you to come to Hawaii. The climate is very nice here and I wish that we may pass a few days together in this nice climate. 750605let.SripadBon

I am very glad to know that you have worked so diligently that the BBT debt has become almost nothing. It is very good that you have gone to Hawaii. It is a very good preaching field and our house there is one of the nicest in ISKCON. It simply requires very enthusiastic preaching and side by side very careful management. So I am confident that you can do both. 760204let.Sukadeva

HEALTH

I am very much anxious to know how is your present condition of health. Please let me know if you are improving or if there is some disturbance still. We should always remember that our body is not for sense gratification; it is for Krishna’s service only. And to render very good sound service to Krishna we should not neglect the upkeep of the body. We learn from an instance of Sanatana Goswami. He was sometimes very much sick on account of eczema, and he was therefore sometimes bleeding. But whenever Lord Caitanya met Sanatana Goswami, He used to embrace him in spite of Sanatana’s request for Him not to touch him. Because of this. Sanatana Goswami later on decided to commit suicide so Lord Caitanya would not embrace him in his bloody condition. This plan was understood by Lord Caitanya, and He called Sanatana Goswami and said to him, “you have decided to end this body, but don’t you know that this body belongs to Krishna? You have already dedicated your body to Krishna so how can you decide to end it?” So you must not neglect the upkeep of your body. This is the lesson we get from Lord Caitanya and Sanatana Goswami. Try to take care of your health in the best possible way.690209let.Rayarama

First of all produce your own food grain, milk and vegetables, eat as much as absolutely necessary, don’t eat more, and in this way keep your health. Follow the regulative principles and then if there is time left over you can divert your attention. But I think you should not waste your time in any other thing except Devotional service and maintain the body in proper order. Unnecessarily you should not waste your valuable time. 751217let.Rocana

HEART The material body has got heart and Krishna is seated there with the jiva in His Paramatma feature. 680125let.BalaiDD

HEAVENLY PLANETS Because in the higher planetary system the sun planet, moon planet, and many, many other planets, they are called the heavenly planets. The inhabitants of those planets are very opulent. The material happiness available in those planets are hundreds and thousand times better than in this planet. 760325bg.dehli

HELL The aim of life should be to make a sincere effort to go “Back to Godhead” but contrary to this, the tendency is to go back to hell or in the cycle of evolutionary animal life as it is described in the 16th chapter of Bhagavad-gita. 561121let.RajendraPrasad

The reaction that the hunter would have suffered, had he not received the Mercy of Narada Muni, is hellish life. There are different kinds of hellish life for different kinds of sinful activities. So, one has to undergo such punishment if he doesn’t take to Krishna Consciousness. It is only the devotee who can save the living entities from falling down into hellish conditions, and by the Grace of Narada Muni, the hunter was awakened to Krishna Consciousness and was saved. Yes, the general principle is that one is sent to the particular type of hell, and when he is practiced to suffer the hellish condition, he is given a similar body as reaction. These hell planets are described in the 5th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam; there is no question of imagination. One who is particular about this may read the different descriptions of hells in the 5th Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam. 680221let.Satsvarupa

HIERARCHY Above Prahläda, the Päëòavas are supposedly more advanced. Above the Päëòavas are the members of the Yadu dynasty, who are even more advanced. In the Yadu dynasty, Uddhava is the furthest advanced, and above Uddhava are the damsels of Vraja-dhäma, the gopés themselves. CCM8.246P

HINDU

This analysis by Sri Bhaktivinoda Thäkura, supporting the statements of Sri Krishnadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämi, depicts the position of the present so-called Hindu religion, which, being predominantly conducted by the Mäyäväda philosophy, has become a hodgepodge institution of various concocted ideas. Mäyävädis greatly fear the Krishna consciousness movement and accuse it of spoiling the Hindu religion because it accepts people from all parts of the world and all religious sects and scientifically engages them in the daiva-varëäçrama-dharma. As we have explained several times, however, we find no such word as “Hindu” in the Vedic literature. The word most probably came from Afghanistan, a predominantly Muslim country, and originally referred to a mountain pass in Afghanistan known as Hindukush, which is still a part of a trade route between India and various Muslim countries………….Although posing as great scholars, ascetics, householders and svämis, the so-called followers of the Hindu religion are all useless, dried-up branches of the Vedic religion. They are impotent; they cannot do anything to spread the Vedic culture for the benefit of human society. The essence of the Vedic culture is the message of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Lord Caitanya instructed:

yäre dekha, täre kaha ’kåñëa’-upadeça

ämära äjïäya guru haïä tära’ ei deça

(Cc. Madhya 7.128)

One should simply instruct everyone he meets regarding the principles of krishna-kathä, as expressed in Bhagavad-gitä As It Is and Srimad-Bhägavatam. One who has no interest in krishna-kathä or the cult of Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu is like dry, useless wood with no living force. The ISKCON branch, being directly watered by Sri Caitanya Mahäprabhu, is becoming undoubtedly successful, whereas the disconnected branches of the so-called Hindu religion that are envious of ISKCON are drying up and dying.

u religion, but the Krishna consciousness movement does not approve of it. Indeed, we strongly condemn it. Such worship of demigods and so-called incarnations of God should never be confused with the pure Krishna consciousness movement. Adi 10.11 p.

Whole of India, practically, became Buddhist during his time. But later on, after Çaìkaräcärya’s drive against Buddhism, Buddha-ism… Çaìkaräcärya wanted to establish the difference of Buddhism and Hinduism is that Buddhism, Lord Buddha did not accept Vedic authority. He did not accept Vedic authority. But according to Hindu culture, if somebody does not accept the Vedic authority, then he’s not a authority………………….

Ultimately, the Mäyävädé philosophers they say that God, the Supreme Absolute Truth, is impersonal, and the Vaiñëava philosophers, they say in the ultimate end, the Absolute Truth is Person and He is, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is Kåñëa. Kåñëas tu bhagavän svayam [SB 1.3.28]. This is little difference, and they stick to their position and they fight. Fight means by philosophical arguments. That is going on since a very long time. But both of them belong to the sanätana Hindu dharma because both of them will talk on the Vedänta philosophy. They’ll simply, they can give different interpretation, but they cannot say that “We don’t accept Vedänta.” Oh, that will…, then it is at once rejected. So one must give an interpretation on the Vedänta philosophy; then he’ll be accepted as äcärya. 661226cc.ny

HIPPIES He remarked another thing that he had thought of us as hippies because he saw that Ginsberg on the notice board, seemingly like one of our members. From his conversation I understood that people are very badly impressed about Ginsberg, especially respectable persons, on account of his hippy tendencies. I of course supported our case that Ginsberg is a great friend of our society and we advise everyone to chant Hare Krishna, and I believe he also does so. Anyway, we should be very much careful to publish anything in our paper which will give impression to the public that we are inclined to the hippy movement. In our papers nothing should be published which has even a small tinge of hippy ideas. I must tell you in this connection that if you have any sympathies with the hippy movement you should kindly give it up. 690827let.Hayagriva

I think it is Krishna’s desire that you would vacate the former building and go to the hippy quarters. Actually, the hippies are our best customers. Almost all of our important disciples are recruited from that group, and you are also from that group. So actually we should try to serve the hippy group more than others because there is great potency of recruiting Krishna Consciousness devotees from them. You will be pleased to know that one hippy girl named Chris who came to see me in your apartment is now living in our Los Angeles temple and doing very nicely. So if you make propaganda amongst the hippy group simply by our standard method; Sankirtana, reading some portion of Bhagavad-gita, and distributing prasadam, then I am sure the quarters in which you have now shifted will be very much prospective. 690713let.Goursundar

Pisacas 730727let.Karandhar

It is so pleasing that more and more boys are joining the Krishna Consciousness movement and I wish that the whole group known as the hippies may take advantage of this movement, and make their life very successful. 680822let.Jayananda

HIRA means diamond SPL 49

HIRANYA

Hiranya means “gold,” and kashipu means “a soft cushion or bed.”. SB 5.18.8

means gold 690409sb.ny

HISTORY With further reference to your letter dated Feb. 16, 1968, I may inform you that this Krishna Consciousness movement is not a recent movement, started a few months or a few years ago, but this movement has been existing for a very long time, dating back to the Vedic Age. Without tracing the history of this movement, we can safely say that at least 5000 years ago, this movement was started from the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. Later on, it was organizedly recorded in the great voluminous literature, known world over as the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and the very famous Bhagavad-gita, by the original author of Vedic literature, Sri Krishna Dvaipayana Vyasa. Since that time, this movement is current in India, supported by great Acaryas like Ramanuja, Madhva, and Visnu Swami, and Nimbarka. Later on, about 500 years ago, it received great impetus from Lord Caitanya, and since that time, there are millions of supporters for Krishna Consciousness in India. This Krishna Consciousness movement is still supported by conferences, seminars, and so forth, in several parts of India. Recently, we have started this movement in America, making New York as our center, with a view that we shall be able to attract the attention of the United Nations for spreading this important movement throughout the whole world for actual benefit of the human race.

It is not a sectarian movement meant for a certain class of men, but it is a necessary movement for all humanity irrespective of caste, creed, or color. So far I am concerned, I am a humble disciple of His Divine Grace, Om Visnupad Sri Srimad Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Goswami Maharaja, who was the original pioneer of spreading this movement in the Western world. During his lifetime, up to 1936, he started 64 main centers all over the world, including centers in Berlin, Germany, and London, England. His Divine Grace entrusted me to spread this movement in the Western countries, and since 1965, I am trying in my humble way to spread this movement in this part of the world. I am recognized Acarya of this movement, as will be evidenced by the enclosed copies of different branches of the Gaudiya Math institutions. 680221let.DJExley (UN)

HITLER

Prabhupāda: No, no. He knew it, everything, but he did not like to do it. He said. He said. He was gentleman. But these people are not gentlemen. He knew it perfectly well. He said that “I can smash the whole world, but I do not use that weapon.” The Germans already discovered. But out of humanity they did not use it. And all the…, your American, other countries, they have stolen from German ideas 751120MW.Mum

Why should our temples support or denounce Hitler. If somebody says something in this connection it must simply be some sentiment. We have nothing to do with politics. It is after all sentiment, you say something and I say something.

In this material world, to say this is good and this is bad has no value. To us, everything material is bad as it is lacking Krsna Consciousness. Just like wet stool and dry stool. Stool is stool, but somebody is saying that wet stool is better than dry stool. What is this good and bad? The top side of some stool is dry and the bottom side is wet, but anyway that you take it, the material world is stool, and it must be given up. Therefore, we are trying to get out of the material world and go back to Home, Back to Godhead.

But, of course, everyone has got some sentiment. If you want that my sentiment be decried, what is the wrong if I say that your sentiment should be decried. In this world of duality, this is good and this is bad has no meaning, it is called manodharma, mental concoction. However, the real truth is that Krsna says that: duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15], the world is a place of misery wherein repeated birth and death take place. Now this is good misery or bad misery? Misery is misery; and you have to die, good die or bad die? So to us everything material, without connection to Krsna, is to be rejected as stool, otherwise we will waste valuable time needed to solve the real problems of life, namely, birth, death, disease, and old-age. 760520let.DrWolf

There were so many asuras in this world. There were Lenin, there were Stalin, there were Hitler, there were Hiraëyakaçipu. So many. But they could not survive. It is not possible. They’ll be finished. 740930SB.May

HOLY NAME The modern civilization is so corrupt and as sinful activities are more and more committe., the people will be forced to face more troubles, by nature’s order. Our business, however, is simply to take shelter of the Hare Krsna Maha Mantra and pray to the Holy Name to give us protection. We shall be unaffected by all that will happen. Krsna will provide us with working facilities. Be assured of this, that the devotees will be protected by the Holy Name. Others will have to suffer in the days that are coming.

737723let.Kurushrestha

HONESTY

There are at least two lecture-passages on HONESTY

701000Ad.LA SP leaves US for India via Japan

other is arrival address in Auckland

Regarding the controversy about book distribution techniques, you are right. Our occupation must be honest. Everyone should adore our members as honest. If we do something which is deteriorating to the popular sentiments of the public in favor of our movement, that is not good. Somehow or other we should not become unpopular in the public eye. These dishonest methods must be stopped. It is hampering our reputation all over the world. Money collected for feeding people in India should be collected under the name ISKCON Food Relief. Not any other name. And every farthing of that money must be sent to India, or better yet, buy food grains there and ship them here and we will distribute. But every farthing collected for that purpose must be used for that purpose. I have already sent one letter to Ramesvara explaining these points.

Regarding food-stamps and welfare, if we have to fabricate some lie, that is not good. It can be done only if it is completely honest. 750112let.Kirtiraja

750109let.Rupanuga

Krsna will give you intelligence how to engage in honest, brilliant, glorious work on His behalf. There is no need to engage in anything dishonest. Krsna has given enough money, now earn by honest means. 770124let.AlexBobetc..

The tendency you report of the householders living at the expense of others in our Society, is not good. One way to earn money is by selling books, they can be given a salary or commission. But if you say that they do not want to do that, yes, they should do some honest work. 770201let.Harikesa

HOT SEASON April May June 760120let.Jayatirtha

HOUSE

You are all innocent boys without any experience of the world. The cunning world can befool you at any time. So please be careful of the world in Krishna Consciousness. When Krishna will desire the house will come to us automatically. But we should not ask Krishna to give us a house let Krishna give us when He likes. If Mr. Payne is able to give us the house it is so far very good. But from circumstances it appears that Mr. Payne cannot get financial assistance from any businessman. If somebody gives us donation for the right cause that is a different thing. So we should only wait for Krishna’s mercy and should not jeopardize the hard earned money for service of Krishna. I hope you will not misunderstand me. Both you and Gargamuni must be careful about the accounts and see that checks above $50.00 are not issued indiscriminately. 670215let.Satsvarupa

HOUSEHOLDER

Srila Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvati Thäkura said that the grhastha-äshrama, or the status of family life, is a sort of concession for sense gratification. ADI 12. 27

HÅÑÉKEÇA means håñéka éça. Håñéka means the senses, and éça, the master. Therefore Kåñëa is the master of our senses, everyone’s senses. 751017bg.joh

HUMBUG Bharam means humbug, humbugism. 741009SB.May

Note: Dictionary gives humbuggery not humbugism.

HUMILITY (dainya, dinata)

Devotee (1): Çréla Prabhupäda? How does a person become more humble?

Prabhupäda: That he has to learn, how to become humble. Tåëäd api sunécena taror api sahi… [Cc. Ädi 17.31]. If you preach Kåñëa consciousness, so many people will chastise you. The government will not allow you to go on the public street, and you’ll not get visa, you’ll be refused to enter. So you have to tolerate all these things. That is humbleness. 751029BG.Nai

Sädhana means the means by which we can achieve that goal of life. That is called sädhana, sädhana. So Rämänanda Räya quoted… Because when there is talk between two learned persons, they… Just like nowadays it has become a fashion: “In my opinion,” “I think in this way.” What, nonsense, what you can think? What is your knowledge? But he is very proud. Everyone like that. The other day, that Sir Alistair? Alistair Hardy came. He also said, “It is my opinion.” Nobody thinks that he is a nonsense number one; what is the value of his opinion? Nobody thinks. But this is the Vedic principle. Even Caitanya Mahäprabhu, He, when He was asked by Prakäçänanda Sarasvaté that “You are a sannyäsé. You do not engage Yourself in the study of Vedänta. You are simply chanting Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa.” So… Because a sannyäsé is supposed to be always reading Vedänta philosophy especially and all other philosophy. So “What is this, that you are chanting like a sentimental person?” So Caitanya Mahäprabhu replied, “Yes, My Guru Mahäräja, spiritual master, saw Me a fool number one.” So Caitanya Mahäprabhu, it was known to Prakäçänanda Sarasvaté, He was a great learned scholar in His student life. So He is posing Himself as a fool number one. So this is the way. Caitanya-caritämåta the author of Caitanya-caritämåta, he is presenting himself: puréñera kéöa haite muïi sei laghiñöha: [Cc. Ädi 5.205] “I am lower than the worm of the stool.” Puréñera kéöa haite muïi sei laghiñöha. Laghiñöha means lower, lowest. Jagäi mädhäi haite muïi sei päpiñöha. Jagäi and Mädhäi was taken, they were drunkards, woman hunters. Therefore they were sinful. So Caitanya-caritämåta kahe, says that jagäi mädhäi haite muïi sei papiñöha. This is the way, nobody think himself as one has become very big man and he has his own opinion to give. This is rascaldom. So everyone should think that “What is my value?” That is really learned, humble and meek. Nobody should think that “Now I have learned everything. I can surpass everyone. I have become above all rules and regulation. Now I have become paramahaàsa.” This is rascaldom. Everyone should always think, “I am fool number one.” Therefore the endeavor will go on, to become perfect. If we think that “Now I have become perfect, paramahaàsa,” then the spiritual regulative principles will never be followed, and you will fall down. 730730BG.Lon

“When unhappiness, fearfulness and the sense of having offended combine, one feels condemned. This sense of condemnation is described as dénatä, humility. When one is subjected to such humility, he feels physically inactive, he apologizes, and his consciousness is disturbed. His mind is also restless, and many other symptoms are visible.” CCM 2.35 from BRS

You have to be determined in your preaching, and at the same time remain humble. The two brother Jagai and Madhai injured Lord Nityananda, but still he continued to preach, and they became great Vaisnavas. In the beginning we have to face awkward situations, but if we stick to our principles and continue to preach, things will come round to our favor. The University wants you because they have seen it is as a good movement. Stick to our principles and be humble even if there is provocation; and things will come out successful. This is the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, trnad api sunicena. 750926let.Kurusrestha

IDEAL Our members of Krishna Consciousness society should be ideal human beings, and if they try to follow the principles, surely they will be the ideal men in the world. 690425let.Advaita

IDHMA-VAHA refers to one who carries wood for burning in a sacrifice when approaching a spiritual master

IDLENESS N.B. I learn that in the temple there are sometimes men with no work. This should not be allowed. Every one must be busy with some work in Krishna Consciousness. Idleness is not Krishna Consciousness. Please take care of this omission I shall be glad to hear from you about this. 670505let.Mukunda

The devotees of the temple must keep themselves engaged otherwise they cannot make progress in Krishna consciousness. The maya is very strong and as soon as there is opportunity the Maya will come and attack. Therefore every one should be very careful against the attack of Maya. And the only effective defense is remain Krishna consciousness always. 670513let.Mukunda

IGNORANCE A passionate person or ignorant person cannot understand the Powerful, only those who are in Goodness or mixed Goodness and passion they can understand the powerful. 730728let.SirAlisterHardy

That which is relative, temporary and far away from the Absolute Truth is called mäyä, or ignorance. This illusion is exhibited in two ways, as explained in the Bhagavad-gétä. The inferior illusion is inert matter, and the superior illusion is the living entity. The living entities are called illusory in this context only because they are implicated in the illusory structures and activities of the material world. Actually the living entities are not illusory, for they are parts of the superior energy of the Supreme Lord and do not have to be covered by mäyä if they do not want to be so. The actions of the living entities in the spiritual kingdom are not illusory; they are the actual, eternal activities of liberated souls.

Ädi 1.54 p

We should always think that we are in the modes of ignorance. We are just trying to make progress from ignorance to goodness and then transcend. This is the process of spiritual realization. Nobody should think that we are perfect. We cannot be. God is… Only God is perfect, and we are all imperfect. Even our so-called liberated stage, we are still imperfect. Therefore one has to take shelter of authority because, constitutionally, we are imperfect. 661226cc.ny

Illegal activities: Regarding the illegal taking of the Japanese currency from the country, do not do these things. Also stop the pen stealing. This is not good, and should be stopped.74.8.30let.BaliMardan

Illusion That which is relative, temporary and far away from the Absolute Truth is called mäyä, or ignorance. This illusion is exhibited in two ways, as explained in the Bhagavad-gétä. The inferior illusion is inert matter, and the superior illusion is the living entity. The living entities are called illusory in this context only because they are implicated in the illusory structures and activities of the material world. Actually the living entities are not illusory, for they are parts of the superior energy of the Supreme Lord and do not have to be covered by mäyä if they do not want to be so. The actions of the living entities in the spiritual kingdom are not illusory; they are the actual, eternal activities of liberated souls.

Ädi 1.54

lllusioned means taking one thing for another. That is called illusion. 660304bg.ny

IMPERSONALISM on the invitation card you have written All Glories to Our Guru Maharaja. This is impersonalism. As soon as we offer obeisances to guru, the name should be there. We are strictly personalists. The sahajiya’s, they write Glories to Guru. Why you are learning this impersonalism, who has taught you? Daily I am offering obeisances to my Guru by vibrating his real name, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, otherwise it is impersonal. 720714let.bhavananda

IMPERSONALISTS But there is a class, Impersonalists, whom we consider as atheists. The atheists directly say there is no God, and the Impersonalists say there may be God, but He has no form. It is indirectly saying that there is no God. 721211BG.Ahm

IMPIOUS ACTIVITIES Therefore we shall be very, very careful about impious activities. Impious activities…, we know the four legs of impious activities = illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling. So therefore we should be very, very careful about these impious activities. You cannot make any spiritual progress by simultaneously acting impiously and at the same time… It may… Not it may; it is sure it will go, but it will go very slow. Just like if you have got dry wood, then the fire ignites very easily. And if you bring wet fuel, it takes time. Of course, as soon as there is fire, the wetness of the fuel will dry. But it will require extra energy. And if you put dry fuel, then it ignites very easily. So in order to keep us dry without being wetted by the impious activities, then spiritual progress will be very quick. We should remember that. Actually, if we want to be advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, it is our duty to keep ourself dry from material wetness. That is our duty. Yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpam. 760910SB.VRN

INCOME. Although we are very poor and have no professional source of income, Krishna supplies money whenever we need it. CC M 5.76 p

INDEPENDENCE

In Vedic society no girl was allowed to remain independent and unmarried. Independence for women means they become like prostitutes, struggling to capture some man who will take care of her. In this way the so called independent woman has to work very hard to make herself attractive by artificially wearing cosmetics—mini skirts and so many other things. Formerly the girl would be married to a suitable boy at a very early age, say six years old. But although a girl was married early she did not stay with her husband immediately, but was gradually trained in so many ways how to cook, clean and serve her husband in so many ways—up until the time of her puberty. So all the time there was no anxiety because a girl would know—I have got a husband, and the boy would know I have got this girl as my wife. Therefore when the boy and girl would come of age there was no chance of illicit sex-life. And the pychology is the first boy that a girl accepts in marriage, that girl will completely give her heart to, and this attachment on the girls side for her husband becomes more and more strong, thus if a girls gets a good husband—one who has accepted a bona fide spiritual master and is firmly fixed up in his service, automatically the wife of such a good husband inherits all the benefits of his spiritual advancement. So you are fortunate. Go on in this present attitude, serve you husband always and in this way your life will be perfect, and together husband and wife go back home—Back to Godhead. 730728let.Naiskarmi

Even Sri Krishna cannot compel one for co-operation because every living being is given full chance of utilizing independant views. 580728lethas no independence. Even it is a big mountain or big thing, it has no independence 690904In.Ham (in MP3) & 690827In.Ham (in Vedabase)

INDIA

Because there is great propaganda to curb down by your leaders. They are naturally inclined. Anyone who takes birth in India, it is to be supposed that in his past life, he was spiritual. Bhārata-bhūmite manuṣya-janma haila yāra[Cc. Ādi 9.41]. There is great opportunity for persons who are born in India for spiritual advancement. Unfortunately, by force, by propaganda, we are suppressing them. That is the cause. We are suppressing them. …… It is not natural. It is unnatural. Natural is every Indian is Kṛṣṇa conscious. That is natural. By artificial means they are being suppressed. This is the misfortune of the present day of India. [break] …can be done? There is no, in the educational system, no Bhagavad-gītā. Just see how much unfortunate…

One Indian girl in Berkeley University, she asked me, “Swāmījī, what is God?” Just see. She’s Indian, where God takes birth, Rāmacandra, Kṛṣṇa, and she is now materially advanced; now she is asking what is God. This is our position. The land where God come, from that land a advanced student is asking, “What is God?” This is our advancement. Hare Kṛṣṇa.

721212BG.Ahm

So at least we Indians, we are trained up like that. Not only trained up, we are born devotees. Anyone who has taken birth in India, that is special facility. In their previous birth, they had performed many austerities, much austerities. Even the demigods, they desire also to take birth in India to get this opportunity. So India… Don’t think… India means this planet, Bhäratavarña. 760924SB.Vrn

In India of course the people are naturally Krishna conscious. Whenever we have some Krishna conscious program they come by the thousands, but they are crippled by poverty.74.9.8let.Satsvarupa

Actually the spiritual leader of the world but the fool and rascals are trying to sabotage the position. 730315let.Tejiyas

In India we have experience, there are so many cheaters. 730514let.Gurudas

The mass problem at the present moment in India is actually a food problem. I have therefore decided to start some village organization program—namely, people should be invited to live in the village, produce their own foodstuff (grains, fruits, and vegetables), maintain a sufficient number of cows to get a large quantity of milk, produce their own cloth, eat sumptuously for keeping fit in health, and then they can regularly sit down and chant the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. I shall arrange for the irrigation of the land and the people living there should give their labor for their own food and clothing, and then chant Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and cultivate Krishna Consciousness. Besides that, our men should go from village to village with Sankirtana party, hold festival, namely distribution of Bhagavat prasadam and induce them chant and join with us in vibrating the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. In India, they are not less than 95% villagers and Mahatma Gandhi wanted this village organization. I think this is a solid program. The people must eat sumptuously—not voraciously and make them fit for working and chanting. In this way, they will be purified and everything will be nicely organized. 750510let.OPGoelji

Here in India we could not sell 800 books in one month because there is no market. Here there is only a market for technology and black market. This is the advantage of the Western countries. There is enough resources, but simply it should be used in Krsna’s service. Then it will be nice. Yes, you should develop better relations with the Indians in Chicago. 30,000; that is no joke. In the London temple the Indian devotees are doing everything for the maintenance of the temple. So as soon as the Indians in Chicago come to know, then they will help you. Here in India the temples are maintained by the grhastha bhaktas.751120let.Jagadisha

The pole star which is situated within the Asking question starts constellation is the root. The universe is pivoting around the pole star. That is one movement. The second movement is that the sun is revolving around the universe, or as if it were going around the tree. That is the second movement. The sun is not fixed. If this is proved, then their whole scientific theory collapses. According to them, the stars are all suns. The stars may have the same composition as the sun but they are not suns. The Brahma-samhita says that the sun is the king with unlimited light and temperature. The Srimad-Bhagavatam sublime literature describes all these things and it was written five thousand years ago. And they say that five thousand years ago there was no civilization. That Srimad-Bhagavatam has this information proves that Indian civilization is the oldest civilization. 751121let.Svarupa Damodara

Please accept my blessings. I have understood from Sripada Nava Yogendra Swami that you have taken keen interest in our Krsna Consciousness Movement. So I am very pleased to hear this and I thank you for your service in helping to push on this mission of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Our mission is that especially those who have taken their birth in India that it is their responsibility to become perfect in the science of Krsna Consciousness and to deliver everyone in the world. In this way everyone is expected to become guru. But how to be a guru? It is said that one simply has to repeat the instructions that Krsna has given. If he repeats without adding or subtracting anything, then he is qualified as guru. Actually there is only one guru—Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So those who simply repeat His words, they also become guru. But of course a guru never thinks himself as being God. He only thinks himself as the servant of the servant of the servant: gopi bhrtya pada-kamalayo das dasanudasa [Cc. Madhya 13.80].

Therefore the school should be moved to India, specifically to our new gurukula project in Vrindaban, where the facility will be just to our needs and the needs of the brahmacari to develop spiritually because it is based on authentic scripture. To live in Vrindaban is the highest perfection and to grow up in Vrindaban the greatest fortune. Who can compare Vrindaban to the nasty western culture? Even to live in Mathura-mandala for a fortnight guarantees one liberation. In Vrindaban no one will place restrictions on the school and it will be encouraged by the government. The people will see such a school and the example will encourage thousands to send their children there to be trained as human beings and devotees. 760120let.Jayatirtha

India is the land of spiritual culture. But gradually, India, being influenced by the material allurement; Its spiritual culture is being forgotten. 760514let.RamKrishnaji

I am very encouraged to hear about the large crowds that are coming to the programs and taking our books. Concerning the new boy who has joined you from the Hubli program, you can keep him with you as you see fit, but be careful about money matters. Sometimes they will join with some ulterior motive. In the beginning, be very careful with money matters. 760516let.Yasodananda

Still I am struggling and whenever it is possible I am bringing foreign devotees to preach in India and as you say the Indians are cheaters even though not all of them. The majority who come and join us, it has been experienced, they are not sincere. Under the circumstances what can be done, I do not know. Even experienced devotees—perhaps you know Anand Baba—he was asked also to go as there were so many complaints against him. 760906let.GauraGopal

There is immense work to be done so far India’s spiritual asset is concerned and I think the Govt. may take up the matter scientifically for the good of all men. India’s specific culture demands that there should be a ministry of spiritual affairs to save the great culture of “Bharatavarsa”. 561121let.RajendraPrasad

INDIANS

Manuñyäëäm. There are 400,000 species of manuñya—400,000. Catur-lakñäëi mänuñäù. Jalajä nava-lakñäëi sthävarä lakña-viàçati, kåmayo rudra-saìkhyakäù [Padma Puräëa]. There are statements in the Padma Puräëa how many living entities, forms, are there. So out of 8,400,000 different forms and species, there are 400,000 species of manuñya. So out of them, one who is born in India, he is first-class manuñya. That is a fact. Unfortunately, we are missing the chance. Therefore Caitanya Mahäprabhu says, bhärata-bhümite haila manuñya-janma yära [Cc. Ädi 9.41].

[One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of India [Bhärata-varña] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people.]

So those who are Indians present here should know that after many pious activities, one gets birth in India, bhärata-bhümite. They should try to understand Kåñëa. There is facility. There are çästras. Kåñëa personally speaks Bhagavad-giitaa. Vyaasadeva speaks about Kåñëa in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam. We are neglecting, we have become so rascal and fools. This is not India’s business, to imitate how economic development: “Money, money, money, money, money.” This is not India’s… India’s business is to understand Kåñëa. Athäto brahma jijïäsä. That is India’s business. These Americans and Europeans have come here not to see how much you are economically developed, industrially developed. They have got enough of this, enough, more than enough. They don’t care for it. The modern young men, they do not like. They are fed up. They have come here to understand Kåñëa. They come here to understand Kåñëa. Manuñyäëäà sahasreñu kaçcid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. 740809SB.Vrn

I think some of you like yourself, Satsvarupa, Brahmananda and Mukunda and Gargamuni, Acyutananda and all of you had already cultivated this Krishna Consciousness in your past lives, now Lord Caitanya wants that this movement should be spread in the western countries, so most probably in your previous births you were all Indians and cultivated this Krishna Consciousness. Now Lord Caitanya has placed you in the western part of the world so that you can now combine together and broadcast the holy message all over the world.670505let.Kirtanananda

So you are coming, I mean to say, the Indians who are present here, from a country where Kṛṣṇa appeared. It is a great fortune for you that you have taken your birth in India. It is not ordinary fortune. So why? To take Indian birth, to take birth in India, automatically they are advanced in spiritual knowledge. Still, so much fallen condition of India, still, you go to a village, they will very easily understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness, without any advanced education, because by birthright they have got the knowledge. In Vṛndāvana, when we walk on the street, the ṭhelā-walla, the cartsmen, the milkmen carrying milk, immediately they’ll offer namaskāra, “Swāmījī.” The other day—[to devotee] I think you were present—we were walking. So we entered one field, just for walking. So the villagers, the cultivators, they came to congratulate us, to receive us = “Swāmījī, it is our great fortune that you have come to our field.” But in this country if I would have entered in another place, perhaps would have brought charge of trespass or might shot down. [laughter] So that is the different system, that by birthright they are Kṛṣṇa conscious.

If we speak something about Kṛṣṇa and Rāma… Generally, in the villages, the Rāmāyaṇa or Mahābhārata, they are recited by the paṇḍitas, and still thousands and thousands of men come to hear about Rāmāyaṇa and Mahābhārata. We have practical experience in India. We held several Hare Kṛṣṇa festivals in Calcutta, Bombay and Hyderabad, Madras. Many thousands people come. Twenty thousand, thirty thousand people, they come, still. So my request is that you are here in foreign country, you don’t forget your heritage. That is my request. Don’t be bara-sāhīb. Remain as Indian with Indian culture, and here is the temple of Kṛṣṇa; we are distributing this Kṛṣṇa culture all over the world. So don’t miss this opportunity, but you take advantage of it. That is the duty of every Indian. That is the mission of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. His mission is, especially to the Indians He says,

bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra
janma sārthaka kari’ kara para-upakāra
[Cc. Ādi 9.41]

Para-upakāra, just to do something good for others, for upakāra. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu says anyone who has taken birth in India, he should, bhārata-bhūmite manuṣya-janma haila yāra, anyone who has taken birth in India, for every one of them, it is the duty. Janma sārthaka kari’: first of all make your life successful, janma sārthaka kari’ kara para-upakāra,then you begin the welfare activities for all others. The idea is that India is enriched with Vedic knowledge, and those who are born in India, they should take advantage of this facility, especially those who are in the higher, topmost ranks, the brāhmaṇas, the kṣatriyas, the vaiśyas. Especially the brāhmaṇas. Take this education perfectly well, make your life perfect, and distribute the knowledge all over the world. This is your duty. That is the order of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He wanted…

Kṛṣṇa preached this Bhagavad-gītā, five thousand years ago, but it was not broadly preached. It was spoken on the battlefield of Kurukṣetra. Arjuna knew it and some of his other friends. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu is also Kṛṣṇa. He appeared as a devotee of Kṛṣṇa. And He distributed this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, and He wanted that every Indian should seriously take this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, make his life perfect, and distribute the knowledge. This is India’s duty. So you have got one opportunity, you Indian people, that you take this advantage of distributing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is good for you and for everyone who takes this knowledge very adherently. 760620BG.Tor

INDIVIDUAL It is all individual. I have to surrender to Krishna individually. Just like when you go to the sky on airplane, it is all individual. If one airplane is in danger, other airplane cannot save him. That is not possible. Similarly, it is all individual. It is all parataù svato vä. One has to take it seriously, personally, that “Krishna wants, so I’ll surrender. Krishna said, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja [Bg. 18.66], so I’ll do it.” Not that “When my father will do, then I shall do,” or “My husband will do, then I shall do,” or “My wife will do.” No. It is all individual. It is all individual. And there is no restraint. There is no restraint. Ahaituky apratihatä. If you want to surrender to Krishna, nobody can check you. Ahaituky apratihatä yayä ätmä suprasédati. When you do that individually… If you… Collectively if it is done, it is good, but it has to be done individually. 760921SB.Vrnd

INDRAPRASTHA

Same again ch 75 Page 677 “the men and women of Hastinapura or Indraprastha, their bodies smeared with scents…”

Here again Hastinapura and Indraprastha seem interchangeable KB p 664. Lord Krishna returns to the city of Hastinapura.

In this way, He ultimately arrived at Hastinäpura, or Indraprastha. KB ch 71

The men and women of Hastinäpura, or Indraprastha, their bodies smeared with scents and floral oils, were nicely dressed in colorful garments and decorated with garlands, jewels and ornaments KB 75 Why Durryodhana felt insulted…

INDUSTRY Industrialization means to bring the people more and more away from God Consciousness. 730728let.SirAlistair

INFLATION is due to paper currency 74.4.28let.Balavanta

INITIATION 74.1.23letsahadeva, 74.1.26letbhaktadas

It is stated in the Çrémad-Bhägavatam that when Brahmä was created, it was all darkness within the universe. He could not understand what is the purpose of his becoming there. Then he engaged himself in tapasya, and he was initiated from within.

Kåñëa is within everyone. Éçvaraù sarva-bhütänäà håd-deçe ‘rjuna tiñöhati [Bg. 18.61]. So He is called caitya-guru, means guru within the heart. And when Kåñëa understands… Because Kåñëa knows everything, whatever we are willing, whatever we are doing. He is the Paramätmä; He’s sitting within our hearts as witness. Anumanta upadåñöä. Upadåñöä means simply observing what we are doing, and what we are desiring. So as we desire, Kåñëa is very kind, He gives us facility. We have many times explained. Therefore, we have got varieties of bodies to enjoy this material world. So when Kåñëa sees that a living entity is very anxious to understand Him or to revive his Kåñëa consciousness, then Kåñëa gives him all opportunity, especially by manifesting Himself as the spiritual master. Antar bahiù. The spiritual master is therefore Kåñëa’s manifestation-Kåñëa’s mercy manifestation to help a person to develop his Kåñëa consciousness. From within He’s helping. Therefore, He’s called caitya-guru, and from without, He sends His representative to help how to become advanced in Kåñëa consciousness.

Therefore, to advance in Kåñëa consciousness we require two kinds of help—one from Kåñëa and another from the spiritual master. 730822vp.Lon

One of the GBC or sannyasis may chant on the beads. 770105let.Nandikesvara

Intelligence is always within the heart SB 4.26.17; we must live according to the time, place and circumstances, that is intelligence.720803let.gurudasyamuna

Intelligent means who does not waste time. 680315sb.sf

INFORMATION People are wandering within this material world, living entity, in different forms of life under different conditions of life. But they are not getting the information of Kåñëa. That is their misfortune. So one who is fortunate during this period of continuous wandering in different species of life on different planets, he contacts another devotee. Guru-Kåñëa. Or one who is actually anxious to unite with the Supreme Lord, how one gets this consciousness—by associating with devotees. Just like we are holding this class. Even those who are not devotee, outsider, if they come they can also understand, then he becomes, one becomes very seriously anxious how to understand God, how to go back to home, back to Godhead. Then Kåñëa immediately helps. This is the process. Kåñëa is there within your heart. As soon as you become little serious, immediately, Kåñëa is ready. Kåñëa is ready, He is sitting with you as a friend. Simply looking for the opportunity when you’ll come back to Him. That is Kåñëa. He’s always sitting with you. But we are not willing to go back to home, back to Godhead. We want to become God in this material world. 730817bg.lon

INITIATION

This initiation ceremony is a Vedic principle to lead a conditioned soul to the higher level of transcendental life. …. …. So this initiation means the preliminary chance for preparing oneself to achieve this highest perfection.. 690731let.Kulashekar etc..

second initiation is real initiation. First initiation is the preliminary, just to make him prepared, just like primary and secondary education. The first initiation gives him chance to become purified, and when he is actually purified then he is recognized as a brahmana and that means real initiation. The eternal bond between disciple and spiritual master begins from the first day he hears. Just like my spiritual master. In 1922 he said in our first meeting, you are educated boys, why don’t you preach this cult. That was the beginning, now it is coming to fact. Therefore the relationship began from that day. 720904let.Jaduani

If you want to take initiation from madhava Gosvami Maharaja I have no objection. 750110let.Asita

Here is a passage that deserve more back ground info: “They promised before me to follow the principles. If they are not, then they are not allowed to initiate, but if they are actually following, then they are allowed. These things should be raised in our next meeting in Mayapur and decided.

Here is the back ground info:

Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated October 16, 1975 along with the enclosed letters from persons you are recommending for initiation. I have no objection to your recommending these devotees, but whether you are acting as a sannyasi and observing all the rules and regulations and keeping yourself in sannyasi dress? On your confirmation I shall accept all these boys and girls as my disciples. So long as one continues to follow the rules and regulations, he continues to be my disciple wherever he may be. 751109let.TustaKrishna

Upon your recommendation I am accepting Rodney Mort as my disciple and his name is Jitakandarpa. I also accept Nakadi das Brahmacari for brahminical initiation. Enclosed is his thread and mantra sheet. So you should hold a fire sacrifice and lecture on the importance of following the rules and regulations, chanting 16 rounds and all the devotional principles. This is your responsibility as the president of the temple. You must do it yourself and see that they also do it. This is the perfect way of teaching. 751109let.Visvakarma

The beads of the first initiates can be chanted on by one of the sannyasis 760504lrt.Nityananda same in 760506let.Brisakapi

Regarding the two initiations, on your recommendation I agree to accept Yasomatisuta das for second initiation. Enclosed you will find his brahmana thread, and a copy of the gayatri mantra. After the fire sacrifice, you should play a tape of the gayatri mantra into his right ear, teaching him how to count on the fingers the prescribed number of times. The brahmana should remain clean outside and inside by regular bathing and chanting of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra. Also, I agree to accept Bhakta Richard as my disciple. A disciple promises to refraim from the four pillars of sinful life: no illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating. In addition, one must chant at least 16 rounds of japa daily and in this way progress in Krsna Consciousness. One promises before the spiritual master, the Deity, the fire, the devotees, the Supersoul, so it should very strictly be followed. You can have Gurukrpa Maharaja chant on his beads before the Fire Sacrifice, and present his beads to him at the time of the sacrifice. His spiritual name is Satyasena das. See that everyone is strictly following by presenting an ideal example yourself, and try to distribute these new Chinese Bhagavad-gita as much as you can. 760515let.Sevananda

Enclosed please find a copy of gayatri initiation and two brahmana threads. After the yajna, the brahmana initiates should hear the gayatri mantra in the right ear. The devotees must all bear in mind that they are promising to follow the four regulative principles, i.e., no illicit sex-life, no intoxication, no gambling, and no meat-eating, and also chanting a minimum of 16 rounds of japa daily. This promise is made before the spiritual master, before the Deity, the devotees, Vaisnavas, the Supersoul, and the fire. Everyone should take very seriously this vow and make steady and sure progress in Krishna Consciousness and go back to home, back to Godhead in this lifetime. 760612let.LokanathSwami

I am very grateful to the boy and girl who are distributing our books in Poland. Gradually, it will be alright if they are initiated. In their case some special concession may be made to encourage them, even they cannot follow so strictly. Let them continue still a little longer before initiation. 770319let.kirtiraja

INNOCENT Concerning the distinction between the innocent and the atheists, those who give time to listen to us are innocent. Those who naturally oppose us and have no time are atheists, because we are the only ones talking about God. We don’t talk anything about politics, etc. 760708let.Balavanta

INSTITUTION So far as my starting a separate organization known as International Society for Krishna Consciousness, it was inevitable because none of our godbrothers are cooperating with one another. Every one of us is conducting his own institution, and there is difference of opinion even between Gaudiya Mission and Gaudiya Math. 690523let.Sir

A sannyäsé should have an institution meant to preach Kåñëa consciousness; he need not accumulate money for himself. We recommend that as soon as money accumulates in our Kåñëa consciousness movement, fifty per cent of it should be invested in printing books, and fifty per cent for expenditures, especially in establishing centers all over the world. SB 7.13.34

INSTRUMENTS Regarding the instruments, stringed instruments are Vedic, but the real Vedic instrument is mrdanga and karatala. Anyway, you have to do according to the time and circumstances if you use these other instruments. So you have got my approval and you can go on. 751110let.Bahudak

INTELLIGENCE

One who is less intelligent is captivated by the wonderful activities of mäyä, but he does not understand that behind these activities is the direction of the Supreme Lord. Adi 1 54 p.

manda-mateh is one who is less intelligent because he is too absorbed in materialistic activities. Adi 1.19 p

Krishna Consciousness has great potency to deliver us to the highest platform of perfection, but only if it is understood by the intelligence. Something understood by the intelligence is fixed forever and cannot waver, and that is almost spiritual. 720708let.Bhagavatananda.

Although antavat tu phalaà teñäà tad bhavaty alpa-medhasäm [Bg. 7.23]. Those who are satisfied with temporary happiness, they’re not very intelligent. Tad bhavaty alpa-medha, alpa-medha. Those who have got little brain, they are satisfied with temporary, and those who are advanced, yogis, they are not satisfied with temporary happiness. They must be seeking for unlimited happiness. That can be achieved when you (go) back to home, back to Kåñëa. Kåñëa is eternal, His pastimes are eternal. Just join with Kåñëa, His rasa dance, His play with cowherd boys, His dealing with His father and mother in Våndävana. 730413ar.La

There are two things: brähmaëa and kåpaëa. Kåpaëa means miser. A person who got this valuable body… Just like if you get millions of dollars, if you do not utilize it, if you simply see in the treasury that you have got so much money, then you are kåpaëa. It is practical. But if you utilize that money and instead of one crore you make ten crores, then you are called intelligent. 731110le.dehli

Intelligence stolen 7.10: by material desires surrender to the demigods

7.15: Mayayaparhita jnana knowledge stolen by illusion

So far the stories are concerned, the Vedic literatures are full of instructive stories for the spiritual advancement of the human society. Because the less intelligent class of men, like women, mercantile people, and laborers, want to hear stories, for them the Vedic idea or concept was explained in 18 Puranas and the Mahabharata. If I get good assistance I can overflood your country with stories so nice and instructive. 670722let.Janardan

INTOLERANCE The Kirtanananda incident is certainly very unhappy and your dealing with the situation is quite appropriate. Lord Caitanya composed the verse that one should be humbler than the straw and more tolerant than the tree for chanting the Holy Name of Krishna, but the same Author learning the insult committee upon the person of Lord Nityananda became furious and the Lord wanted to immediately kill the insulter. The idea is that personally, one should be very meek and humble even in the presence of greatest provocation, but a slight insult to Krishna and His Representative should at once be taken seriously and appropriate measures should be taken. We should never tolerate any insult or blasphemy to Krishna or His Representative. So your action was quite all right, but because we are in the public eyes we have to act cautiously so that people may not misunderstand. 671115let.Brahmananda

INTOXICANT I am very glad to see your enthusiasm in the service of Lord Krishna and I am sure that this spiritual intoxicant of Krishna consciousness will encourage many many students who are actually in search after the Absolute Truth. I am very glad to learn that my students and children in San Francisco are doing well in Krishna consciousness.670521let.Shyamasundar

INVENTION So far the Road Show and this Yoga Village are concerned, these things should be stopped. Simply perform our kirtana. If we divert our attention in this way, the whole thing will gradually deteriorate. He is going far away. All these things are nonsense inventions. Such inventing spirit will ruin our this movement. People may come to see, some will become devotees, but such devotees will not stay because they are attracted by some show and not by the real thing or spiritual life according to the standard of Lord Caitanya. Our standard is to have kirtana, start temples. What is this “Road Show” and “Yoga Village?” It will be another hippie edition. Gradually the Krishna Consciousness idea will evaporate: another change, another change, every day another change. Stop all this. Simply have kirtana, nothing else. Don’t manufacture ideas.

721105let.Sudama

ISHOPANISHAD is part of the Yajur Veda, Éçopaniñad Mantra 1 P.

Here is converse statement of Invocation: Regarding the scientists, they will always find something new because their knowledge is not yet standardized. They will go on making new discoveries, on account of their imperfect knowledge. The modern scientists despite their experience of imperfectness, they take everything that they find out as the last word of perfection. Again they find out something which they find out as a further improvement and so they have to adjust everything new. They do not know that the senses are imperfect so any advancement of knowledge with imperfect senses must always remain imperfect. 751109let.Hayagriva

ISKCON

ISKCON (the International Society of Krishna Consciousness) is a non-lucrative organization, whose purpose is to promote the well-being of human society by drawing its attention to God. We are a non-sectarian society, and our members include people from Christian, Jewish and Moslem as well as Hindu faiths. The aim of ISKCON is not to found a new religious sect, but to invoke the living entity’s dormant love of God, and thus provide the human society of all faiths with a common platform of clear theistic knowledge and practice. Members of ISKCON may retain their own respective religious faiths, as ISKCON is meant to establish a clear, practical common formulation of the common ideal of all theists, and to defeat the unnecessary dogmatic wranglings that now divide and invalidate the theistic camp. This common ideal of theism is to develop love of God………more. 680824let.GovernorGeneralCanada

The report of the Brahmacari classes is very good; I do not mind that it is only two boys; if you work combinedly and very nicely, that is the program. We can not expect that everyone shall become Krishna Consciousness, because only the most pious and fortunate living entities can join this movement. But we are giving chance for everyone and it is up to him, to take advantage or not. 680607let.Jamuna

Krishna Consciousness does not depend on any external arrangement. You should not go outside of the shelter of this ISKCON. Just try to be happy by chanting Hare Krishna and following the regulative principles. 760215let.KrishnangaDD

Variants: As there is now great difficulty for getting money from India therefore I am requesting you to allow me the place for use of the International Institution For God consciousness at least for some time. 660114let.Hartman

This is not an ordinary temple of worship but it is an international institution for God consciousness based on the Srimad-Bhagavatam. 660120let.BonMaharaja

Therefore, I wish that you will remain in charge of New York, let Satsvarupa be in charge of Boston, Let Mukunda be in charge of San Francisco, let Janardana be in charge of Montreal. Let Nandarani and Dayananda be in charge of Los Angeles. And let Subala das be in charge of Santa Fe. 671111let.Brahmananda

I am glad to learn that you are going to re-open your Santa Fe temple. Please make it a point that once a center is opened should not be closed. I have already given charge of six temples to six boys. You and your husband must take charge of the Santa Fe center and Krishna will bestow all blessings upon you. I shall be very soon one of your guests. 671208let.KrishnaDevi&Subal

I understand that there are only three persons at Boston, but each of you can work for 300 persons, so it is not the numerical strength that works, but it is Krishna Consciousness that works. 671216let.Jadurani

Further down other names are given: Satsvarupa, Pradyumna

I wish to go from San Francisco to the other two new branches and then return to New York.671123let.Umapati

I am in due receipt of your statement regarding Jivanuga, and it is clear that he is crazy. I have already advised Jayananda in this connection that we cannot make the society an asylum for crazy people. It is not our business. 680111let.Gargamuni

ISOKRISHNA ISOKRISHNA has got two-fold meaning. It means International Society for Krishna Consciousness, and also, that Krishna is the All-Attractive Supreme Personality of Godhead. So it is all-round perfect. 680321let.Brahmananda

ISTA-GOSTHI: discussion among friends CCM 6.93 wfw

Regarding the topics of the Krsna book, this is Istagosthi. Istagosthi means discussion between ourselves but that should not be taken as a competition. It is not the subject matter for competition. It can be discussed in a small group of devotees. That is Istagosthi. This is better than competition. 751110let.Kirtanananda

Istagosthi 680225let.Satsvarupa

IÑÖAM means whatever you desire 760407sb.vrn

JADYA is explained as loss of memory brought about by severe shock due to separation from the beloved. In that state of mind, one loses all concern for loss and gain, hearing and seeing, as well as all other considerations. This marks the preliminary appearance of illusion. CC M 4.202

JAGANATH

there is no special planet for the Lord in His form of Lord Jagannatha. This particular lila was performed with His brother and sister when They were on this planet. If you are attracted to worshiping this form of the Lord, then you will go to Krishna. Lord Jagannatha is Krishna. You ask about what kind of food He likes to eat most. That you cannot prepare. If you sometimes come to Jagannatha Puri, then you can see. You should not give them any clubs to hold. It is not necessary.

Regarding Lord Jagannatha, He is the unfinished carved form of Krishna. One king named Indradyumna wanted to establish a Jagannatha temple some thousands of years ago, but while the Deities were being carved by the heavenly carpenter, Visva Karma, the king was in too much haste, and he established the half-finished Deities in the temple. Jagannatha means the Lord of the universe. That is Krishna. Krishna as the only one Lord of everything is confirmed in the Brahma Samhita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Caitanya Caritamrta, and all Vedic literature. Rathayatra is celebrating the occasion when Lord Krishna, or Lord Jagannatha attended one religious functional occasion in Kuruksetra along with His elder brother and younger sister in a big chariot. 690728let.MandaliBhadra

750109let.DevamayaDD

On the birthday of Lord Caitanya we have installed the deity Jagannatha (in three) in the temple of the San Francisco Branch and the celebration of feasting was nice last night. People are taking interest in the temple and they are attending meetings regularly. I think similarly Jagannatha should immediately be installed in New York. If some of you who may know carpentry work can engrave such deity, as Syamasundara has done here, I can give you the model. If not I shall ask Syamasundara to carve one set for you. I do not know if you are going to change the present place as it was indicated in the letter of Satsvarupa. 670328let.Brahmananda

JAGAT “Oh,” He says, “My dear Lord, Jagadisa…” Jagadisa means the Supreme Lord, Kåñëa. Jagat, jagat means this world, material world or spiritual world, all worlds. Jagat. Jagat gacchati iti jagat: “Which is progressing, that is called jagat.” So Jagat-éça, the supreme master of this jagat, going concern.” 661130cc.ny

JAHNAVA If a woman is perfect in Krishna consciousness… Just like Jähnavä-devi, Lord Nityänanda’s wife, she was äcärya. She was äcärya. She was controlling the whole Vaishnava community.

JAÌGAMA-NÄRÄYAËA means that the impersonal Brahman takes a shape and moves here and there in the form of a Mäyävädé sannyäsé. (Srila Prabhupada quotes His own Guru Maharaja) CCM 18.109

JAPAN I have got very good respect for Japanese people. So far I have met the Japanese boys and girls in our temple there, they are so well behaved that I was astonished that they were more respectful than my direct disciples. I think there is great prospect to spread Krsna consciousness in Japan as well as China, because both China and Japan belong to oriental culture. A little endeavor tactfully in pushing Krsna consciousness in these two countries will be sure advancement. This is my conviction.74.9.15let.Taittiriya

JARA Up to fifteenth year, it is called kaumära. And then from sixteenth year, it begins youthful life up to fortieth year. Then after forty, one becomes jarä, old man. Primarily old man and later on. Say, forty to fifty, primarily old man, and after fifty, he is old man. Therefore it is advised païcäç ordhvaà vanaà vrajet. Païcäç means fifty. Ürdhvam, fifty-one. 730819Bg.Lon

JATI means birth CCM 1.89 P

JATI-SMARA a person who remembers his past life KB ch 64 The story of king Nriga.

JATA-GOSANI OR JATI-GOSANI So there are thirteen pseudo pretenders belonging to the Caitanya-sampradäya. They are called first Äula, Bäula, Karttäbhajä, Neòä, Daraveña, Säìi, Sakhébheké, Gauräìga-nagaré, Cüòädhäré, Ativäòé, and Smärta, Jäta-gosäïi. Like that, thirteen.

So if I describe these thirteen, it will take thirteen hours. So I don’t describe all them. But one or two must be described. The most important is the Jäta-gosäïi. Jäti-gosäïi. They created a caste of gosväméns, just like they created a caste of brähmaëas, a caste of gosväméns. So this gosvämé will come by hereditary birth, just like brähmaëa. 690207BA.LA

JAYA refers to one who can conquer SB 4.28.29

JAYANANDA condolence letter 770505let.Jayananda

JEALOUSY Your mutual understanding with Sriman Janardana making Krishna as the center of attraction is very much enlightening to me. Transcendental jealousy is not wrong but it is absolute. In the transcendental world there are jealous parties also like the party of Radharani and the party of Satyabhama. Radharani and Satyabhama are always jealous of one another but the center is Krishna. There are many material examples also. There are many political parties in a state but in spite of all political jealousies they are one in serving the state. Similarly Krishna being the center all competition and jealousies for serving Krishna the best is always Absolute provided such jealousies do not come down to the material plane. 670413let.Kirtanananda

JET AGE PARIVRAJAKACARYA 74.5.5let.Jayatirtha

JHULAN or swing 730105let.jagadisha

JIVA Regarding your question about the jiva soul in the heart and the jiva soul within the cells, they are separate. Both are jiva atmas, but a particular jiva belongs to a particular body. There is the jiva in this body, but there are also jivas within the cells. Just like I am living within this apartment, but does it mean that no other living entity can live here. There are so many ants, flies, bugs, they are also living within the apartment. Even in my stool there are thousands of living entities. 750623let.SvarupaDamodara

JIVA-BHUTA Therefore Bhagavad-gétä says brahma-bhutaù prasannätmä [Bg. 18.54]. As soon as you become brahma-bhuta… [SB 4.30.20]. Brahma-bhuta means you are brahma; now your position is jéva-bhütaù, materially attached. That is called jéva-bhüta. Materially dressed. Brahma, spirit soul, materially dressed. That is called jéva-bhüta. Jéva-bhüta means struggle for existence. Manaù-ñañöhänéndriyäëi prakåti-sthäni karñati [Bg. 15.7]. Prakåti-sthani, in the material nature they are struggling hard for existence, because that is artificial life. The same jéva, when comes to Kåñëa consciousness, it is called brahma-bhüta, brahman realization, self-realization. “I am Kåñëa’s.” That is self-realization. Just like the same child, crying. “I am now on the lap of my mother,” it is happy. Similarly, when you come to Krishna consciousness, then you can become happy. Otherwise, go on crying for millions of years on different laps or different bodies. You cannot be happy. 710729Ar.Gain

JIVA GOSVAMI

In the Gaura-gaëoddeça-dépikä (195) it is said that Shrila Jiva Gosvämi was formerly Viläsa-manjari gopi. From his very childhood Jiva Gosvämi was greatly fond of Shrimad-Bhägavatam. He later came to Navadvipa to study Sanskrit, and, following in the footsteps of Sri Nityänanda Prabhu, he circumambulated the entire Navadvipa-dhäma. After visiting Navadvipa-dhäma he went to Benares to study Sanskrit under Madhusüdana Väcaspati, and after finishing his studies in Benares he went to Vrindävana and took shelter of his uncles, Shri Rüpa and Sanätana. This is described in the Bhakti-ratnäkara. As far as our information goes, Çréla Jéva Gosvämé composed and edited at least twenty-five books. They are all very much celebrated, and they are listed as follows: (1) Hari-nämämåta-vyäkaraëa, (2) Sütra-mälikä, (3) Dhätu-saìgraha, (4) Kåñëärcä-dépikä, (5) Gopäla-virudävalé, (6) Rasämåta-çeña, (7) Çré Mädhava-mahotsava, (8) Çré Saìkalpa-kalpavåkña, (9) Bhävärtha-sücaka-campü, (10) Gopäla-täpané-öékä, (11) a commentary on the Brahma-saàhitä, (12) a commentary on the Bhakti-rasämåta-sindhu, (13) a commentary on the Ujjvala-nélamaëi, (14) a commentary on the Yogasära-stava, (15) a commentary on the Gäyatré-mantra, as described in the Agni Puräëa, (16) a description of the Lord’s lotus feet derived from the Padma Puräëa, (17) a description of the lotus feet of Çrématé Rädhäräëé, (18) Gopäla-campü (in two parts) and (19–25) seven sandarbhas: the Krama-, Tattva-, Bhagavat-, Paramätma-, Kåñëa-, Bhakti- and Préti-sandarbha. After the disappearance of Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé and Sanätana Gosvämé in Våndävana, Çréla Jéva Gosvämé became the äcärya of all the Vaiñëavas in Bengal, Orissa and the rest of the world, and it is he who used to guide them in their devotional service. In Våndävana he established the Rädhä-Dämodara temple, where, after retirement, we had the opportunity to live from 1962 until 1965, when we decided to come to the United States of America. When Jéva Gosvämé was still present, Çréla Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé compiled his famous Caitanya-caritämåta. Later, Srila Jiva Gosvämi inspired Çréniväsa Äcärya, Narottama däsa Öhäkura and Duùkhé Kåñëadäsa to preach Kåñëa consciousness in Bengal. Jéva Gosvämé was informed that all the manuscripts that had been collected from Våndävana and sent to Bengal for preaching purposes were plundered near Viñëupura, in Bengal, but later he received the information that the books had been recovered. Çré Jéva Gosvämé awarded the designation Kaviräja to Rämacandra Sena, a disciple of Çréniväsa Äcärya’s, and to Rämacandra’s younger brother Govinda. While Jéva Gosvämé was alive, Çrématé Jähnavä-devé, the pleasure potency of Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, went to Våndävana with a few devotees. Jéva Gosvämé was very kind to the Gauòéya Vaiñëavas, the Vaiñëavas from Bengal. Whoever went to Våndävana he provided with a residence and prasädam. His disciple Kåñëadäsa Adhikäré listed all the books of the Gosvämés in his diary. Adi 10.85

JIVA-LOKA Sa eva, that ädi-puruña, that original person, He comes down, descends in this material world. Jéva-lokasya. This is called jéva-loka. This material world is called jéva-loka because here ätmä, the soul, is covered, conditioned. We have given the meaning, jéva-loka means when the ätmä is conditioned. That is called jéva-loka. There is no freedom.

JNANA means to understand that “I am spirit soul; I am not this material body.” 760407sb.vrn;

Jïäna means that “I am not this body.” This is jïäna. Not that so-called scientific knowledge, more attachment for this body. That is not… That is ajïäna. That is not jïäna. Jïäna means how to achieve the status of vairägya. That is jïäna. 730725bg.lon

Also 721119bg.hyd

What is jïäna, knowledge? We have got… Jïäna means consciousness or living symptoms. That is jïäna. Cetana……. Cetana means consciousness. Two things we find, generally, conscious and unconscious. 741214sb.bom

JNANA / VIJNANA BALANCE It is very good that you want to become very learned in Krishna Consciousness, but what good is so much knowledge without practice? Obedience must be there, so by being submissive in this way and following the direction of the temple leaders is practicing the knowledge of Krishna Consciousness. Disciple means discipline. Without discipline there cannot be any spiritual progress. Therefore our system is to follow the authority or our superiors, not that we can independently question:”No this is right and this is wrong.” That is not the way.

So my best advice to you is that without questioning you follow the instructions given to you by Visnujana and other leaders, and do exactly as they say, then everything will be all right. If you want to study, there is much time in the day for studying, but you must go also on Sankirtana party, that is the result or practice of your studying. Simply studying is dry and useless without chanting. 720723let.Sankarsana

JUSTICE Those who are tapasvé, they can excuse, but those who are in the governmental post, to make justice, there is no question of excuse. Life for life. “You have killed one man; you must be killed.” This is justice. A brähmaëa, he may excuse, “All right, you have killed my man. Never mind. I excuse you.” That is a brähmaëa’s business. But a kñatriya, the government, the ruling power, he cannot do so. It is his mercy. It is the government’s mercy when a murderer is hanged. That is the injunction in the Manu-saàhitä.751017bg.joh

You must be impartial.7.9.12let.Hansadutta

KACCHAPI-VINA She (Srimati Radharani) has a stringed instrument known as a kacchapé-véëä, which is the fame and fortune that actually dries up the faces and breasts of the other gopés. CC M 8.166 P

KAISORA The killing of Aghäsura took place when Kåñëa and all His boyfriends were under five years old. Children under five years old are called kaumära, from five years up to the tenth year they are called paugaëòa, and from the tenth year up to the fifteenth year they are called kaiçora. After the fifteenth year, boys are called youths. For one year there was no discussion of the incident of the Aghäsura demon in the village of Vraja. But when the boys attained their sixth year, they informed their parents of the incident with great wonder. KB Ch. 12

KALA parts of part is called kala 680818sb.mon

Kali Please therefore join this League of Devotees and try to preach the Bhagavad-gita through the bona fide Mahatmas. Any one who follows strictly the footprints of Sri Arjuna is certainly a Mahatma. It does not mean that a red-dressed man is a Mahatma and a noble householder like your good self is otherwise. We can find out Mahatmas like Arjuna in the householder life also and in this age of Kali we should find out More Mahatmas in the householders life than in the other camp. 580826let.JBirla

KALI Kali means fight 751029BG.NAI

KALPA TARO What kind of tree? Desire tree. Nigama-kalpa-taroḥ. Kalpa-taru. The kalpa-tarucan be found in the spiritual world, not in this material world……….. So kalpa-taru means whatever you want you can get from that tree. Because everything is spiritual. For example, he can give you… Just like you are a spiritual being, I am also a spiritual being. If I say, “Bring me a glass of water,” you’ll bring. “Give me some fruit,” you’ll give me. “Bring this,” you’ll bring. Because you are spirit soul, you can supply me whatever I want. This is the spiritual idea. Not that I wanted a glass of water, you can supply me a glass of water only. No. If I want other things, you can supply me also. This is an example, crude example. 760925SB.VRN

KÄMA means sense gratification 751202sb.vrn

käma means everything done for the satisfaction of my senses. 730815Bg.Lon

Kanai means “Lord Krishna’s”

KANDA platform of activity karma kanda jnana kando etc CC M 1.198

KANDA-PRALAYA And during Brahmä’s sleeping time all these planets will be, I mean to say, not annihilated, but inundated, you see, devastation with water. So after the finishing of these fourteen Manus here will be evening, night, and there will be devastation, and half of this universe, up to the sun planet, or above that, everything will be covered with water. Instead of air, there will be water. Then again there will be again… This is kaëòa-pralaya. And mahä-pralaya means, when Brahmä dies, then everything is finished. 661223CC.NY

KANISTHA-ADHIKARI Kaniṣṭha-adhikārī Vaiṣṇava, he remains compact in temple worship, that’s all, to show the Deity and get some money and fill up the belly. My Guru Mahārāja condemned this process. Of course, it is condemned in this sense, that those who are thinking that “I have got this temple. Let people come here out of sentiment and they’ll pay, and it will be a source of income for my filling up belly…” This is most condemned. My Guru Mahārāja used to say that ṭhākura dekhiye payesara ujgarache, rastaya jara diye jivika bharyam kara bhalo[?] One should be honest. He should work for getting some money. Just like Arjuna. Kṛṣṇa never said that “Arjuna, you sit down. I am your friend. I shall do everything for you. You sleep.” No. Arjuna was a kṣatriya. He should fight. 741009SB.May

KANPUR Kanpur is the next important city after Calcutta and Bombay. Therefore his decision to start immediately one center at Kanpur is acceptable. 680201let.Brahmananda

KAPHA what is this body? Kuëape tri-dhätuke. It is a bag of three elements, kapha, pitta, väyu. Mucus, bile and air. So, or ordinarily you can understand, this is a combination, this material body is combination of flesh, bone, blood, mucus, stool, urine, and so many other things. That, we are not self, but the foolish persons, they are taking this lump of matter, bones and flesh, accepting that “I am this body.” No learned man will take like that. The whole world is misled under this conception. They are accepting this lump of matter, blood and flesh and bones—”I am this is I am.” This is animal mentality. Animal thinks like that, not learned man. Learned man, one who knows, he will say ahaà brahmäsmi, “I am spirit soul. I am servant of God.” This is learned speaking. “I am not this body.” 730817bg.lon

KAPIDHVAJA. Kapi means Hanumaan and dhvaja means flag KB chapter 58

KARANAM Käraëaà guëa-saìgo ‘sya sad-asad-janma-yoniñu [Bg. 13.22]. Why there are different varieties of life, so many, 8,400,000? Now, what is the reason? Käraëam—käraëam means reason, the cause—guëa-saìga. 760610SB.LA

KARMA

This was India. They knew that “I cannot cheat you.” Karmī, in the karma-kāṇḍa, if I cheat you, then I will have to pay you four times this life or next life. That is the law of karma. ……………… Karma means when you act according to the śāstra, that is called karma. Lawful activities. The lawful activities is very good. But unlawful activities, you are punishable. So the business of sense gratification is unlawful activities. You cannot gratify your senses more than necessity. Everywhere that is the stringent laws of nature. Daivī hy eṣā guṇamayī mama māyā duratyayā [Bg. 7.14]. You cannot surpass it. Duratyayā. If you surpass, then you will be punished.

740814SB.Vrn

by activities, you can earn money and fulfill your material desire. 760407sb.vrn

As far as the results of one’s good karma is concerned, good karma returns in that he is surrendering to Krsna. One comes to the point of surrender when one has actually amassed the result of multi pious activities. Let11.1.73 Acyutananda see also [SB 10.12.11]

In this world we are, every one of us are bound up by the laws of karma, destiny. We have got our destiny. So much happiness, so much distress we must have. Because this is a mixture of happiness and distress. Here you cannot have unadulterated happiness. That is not possible in this… Unadulterated happiness, real happiness can be achieved in the spiritual world. Not in the material world. So certain amount of happiness and certain amount of distress we have to enjoy and suffer. You cannot change it. This is the law of nature in this material world. 730817bg.lon (here Srila Prabhupada equates karma with destiny)

Regarding your questions, the first question, when a soul reincarnates, does he associate with the souls he associated with in his lives, that is not necessarily so. Even if he associates, how can he recognize them because everyone changes his body. Regarding your question about karmic debt, yes, it is generally that the debtor is obliged to take birth and also the creditor. Sometimes the creditor takes birth as the son of the debtor and after being a very affectionate son for a few days, he dies and thus the debtor becomes aggrieved very much. This is the punishment. In this way in every transaction the participants are becoming involved in their resultant action of karma. This is karma-bandhana, in Bhagavad-gita, or the bondage of different fruitive activity. It is advised that one should act only for Krsna, otherwise he will be involved in karma-bandhana. 751110let.Madhudvisa

KARMA YOGA The way of karma-yoga i.e. doing everything for God’s sake should be the principles of life.490705let.Sir

KARMIS use of 4.26.17; 4.26.26 ( 2 X); 4.26.10; 74.5.11let.Kshirodakashayee

Karmis are considered like asses because they are working so hard day and night without profit. The Bhagavad-gita states: antavat tu phalam tesam/ tad bhavaty alpa medhasam [Bg. 7.23]. “Men of small intelligence worship the demigods, and their fruits are limited and temporary.” The karmis benefits are temporary and those who are seeking after such benefits are “mudhas.” Srila Vishvanath Cakravarti Thakura has identified mudhas with karmis. So we are servants of the acharya, therefore we also cannot give any good position to the karmis. According to Narottama das Thakura: karma-kanda jnana kanda kevala visera bhanda. “The paths of karma kanda and jnana kanda are just like pots of strong poison”. Therefore according to the principles, of bhakti, one has to avoid the karmis and jnanis. 760118let.DrWolk-Rottkay

So our only business is how to get out of this material existence. That is our only business, not that how we can adjust things here and become happy. That is called karmé, fools. It is a fact that so long you’ll be here in this material world, however you may try to adjust things to become happy, it will be never possible. It will be never possible. They are trying to be materially happy in the western world. They do not know actually what is happiness, but material happiness means sex life. So sex life they are every day enjoying. And still, they go to the naked dance to see if there is happiness. Why there will be happiness? There cannot be any happiness. But this is adjustment. They are trying this way or that way. That’s all. 740802BGAII.Vrn

KARMI If karmi dress is favorable, then go on with karmi dress. We have to execute missionary activities; dress is not fundamental. 760216let.Satadhanya

KARNA So far your question about Karna, the first son of Kunti; that Radha was not the same Radha, as Krishna’s Radha. That was Karna’s adopted mother. Karna was born before Kunti was married, so in order to keep it silent, he was kept in a package and floated in the ocean. And this carpenter father and his wife, Aniradha, took care of him, and he was brought up there with them. So Karna was known as the son of a carpenter; nobody knew that he was the eldest son of Kunti, and a Ksatriya. This was not known until he died, and Kunti began to cry. Yudhisthira asked her why you are crying, he is the enemy, and she said, he was my first son. He was born out of her ear, so he was called Karna. When she was very young, she got some mantra which could be used to call any demigod, so just to try it, as experiment, to see if it worked, she called the sun god. He immediately appeared there before her, and said, I will give you the benediction of one son; she replied that she simply was experimenting with this mantra, that she did not want a son, and she became afraid as she was unmarried girl. He said I shall give you a son anyway, and it will be born out of your ear. So as she was virgin girl, she became very frightened that people may say things, so she put him into the ocean. Yes, Karna had many extraordinary attributes. He was a great soldier, and a most charitable man. He was so strong that it was not possible for Arjuna to kill him; he had to take unfair tactics and kill him. Karna could have killed Arjuna, but by Krishna’s Grace, Arjuna killed Karna. In other words, Krishna killed Karna, otherwise, nobody could have killed him. 680429let.Nandarani&Dayananda

KARTIKA You have asked about the specialness of the month of Karatieya, and the answer is that is is a special inducement for persons who are not in Krishna Consciousness to perform some devotional service. For persons who are doing nothing in Krishna Consciousness, it is an indirect inducement to take to devotional service in earnest seriousness, every moment is Karatieya. In this connection, there is a good example that sometimes a store gives special concession to attract new customers. But for those who are already customers there is no need of a special sale. They will purchase at any cost if they know the import and value of the goods. Similarly, those who are pure devotees do not aspire for any concession, and out of spontaneous love try to engage themselves in devotional service 24 hours each day, 365 days every year, without any stoppage. 690130let.Jayapataka (note different spelling. Double check this)

KARTIKEYA Now here is the difference. Lord Śiva, he is the greatest of the demigods. He was also allured by Pārvatī, and as a result of that attraction, this boy Kārttikeya was born. That was the, what is called, conspiracy of the demigods, that unless one son is born out of the semina of Lord Śiva, it is impossible to conquer the demons. So Kārttikeya is considered the commander in chief of the demigods. 681219BG.LA

KASIPU means enjoyment in soft bedding 690409sb.ny

KATYAYANI is an incarnation of Yogamäyä. CCM 8.90 P

KAUMARA Up to fifteenth year, it is called kaumära. And then from sixteenth year, it begins youthful life up to fourtieth year. Then after forty, one becomes jarä, old man. Primarily old man and later on. Say, forty to fifty, primarily old man, and after fifty, he is old man. Therefore it is advised païcäç ordhvaà vanaà vrajet. Païcäç means fifty. Ürdhvam, fifty-one. 730819Bg.Lon

The killing of Aghäsura took place when Kåñëa and all His boyfriends were under five years old. Children under five years old are called kaumära, from five years up to the tenth year they are called paugaëòa, and from the tenth year up to the fifteenth year they are called kaiçora. After the fifteenth year, boys are called youths. For one year there was no discussion of the incident of the Aghäsura demon in the village of Vraja. But when the boys attained their sixth year, they informed their parents of the incident with great wonder.

KB Ch. 12 (Note contradiction for kaumara)

KAVI Kavis are those who are capable of thinking thoroughly on any subject matter. BG 10.37 P.

KICK Krishna comes to convince us. There is no question of imagination. “See Me. Here I am.” That is Kåñëa. Why you are imagining? Kåñëa therefore comes. Here it is said, tathäyaà ca avatäras te bhuvo bhära-jihérñayä. Avatära does not mean a big beard or big hair. We do not like to see such ugly avatära. We kick on their face, this avatära. This is not avatära. Avatära must be mentioned in the çästra. Caitanya Mahäprabhu, when He was talking with Sanätana Gosvämé, so Caitanya Mahäprabhu described about avatära. So just to make a little joke, because they are personal devotees… So he knew that Caitanya Mahäprabhu is the avatära. Still, he inquired from Caitanya Mahäprabhu, “How we shall know one avatära?” So Caitanya Mahäprabhu said, “Why? It is all mentioned in the çästra.” So avatära should be understood from the çästra, not by jugglery or magic. This is rascal. As soon as one wants to establish his avatarship by jugglery and magic, kick him out, immediately on the face, directly. Kick him. Let the avatära take steps. I don’t mind. If he’s avatära, let him kill me, all right. But I shall kick him on his face. Not that avatära. 760922SB.Vrn

KILL Killing proposal is not good. We have to kill them with arguments and reasons not with sticks and weapons.

Jadurani—I am very glad that you want to kill the non-devotees. You should, however, leave the matter to your good God-brothers who will take care of it. I am pleased to learn of your spirit of protest, but sometimes we have to tolerate. Hope you are well 671121let.Pradyumna

Kingdom of God. BG 18.55

Initiation One should always remember that a person who is reluctant to accept a spiritual master and be initiated is sure to be baffled in his endeavor to go back to Godhead. One who is not properly initiated may present himself as a great devotee, but in fact he is sure to encounter many stumbling blocks on his path of progress toward spiritual realization, with the result that he must continue his term of material existence without relief. Such a helpless person is compared to a ship without a rudder, for such a ship can never reach its destination. It is imperative, therefore, that one accept a spiritual master if he at all desires to gain the favor of the Lord. The service of the spiritual master is essential. If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the disciple. If one thinks that he is above consulting anyone else, including a spiritual master, he is at once an offender at the lotus feet of the Lord. Such an offender can never go back to Godhead. It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the çästric injunctions. Çré Jéva Gosvämé advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding. Adi 1.35 p.

KIRA means cucumber SPL 49

KIRATA Kirāta means the black clan, or the Africans. (2.4.18) 760925SB.VRN

KIRTAN

Regarding your question about kirtana, practically we are not concerned with the instruments. They are used sometimes to make it sweeter, but if we divert our attention for using the instruments more, that is not good. Generally kirtana is performed with mrdanga and karatalas, but if somebody is expert instrument player, he can be admitted to join Sankirtana. We can accept everything for Krishna’s service, but not taking the risk of diverting attention to any other thing which will hinder our Krishna Consciousness. That should be our motto, or principle. 690526let.Jadurani

There is no doubt about our success if we can make this Kirtana party successful. The most important point in this connection is that we shall never be professional; that is to say, we shall try to make the Kirtana party perfect from the point of view of Krishna Consciousness. The idea of introducing Panca-tattva in the kirtana party was also contemplated by me. Not only that, we have to prepare different dresses for Radha and Krishna, and Their eight confidential Associates, Sakhis. Sometimes you have to dress somebody as Nrsimhadeva and Prahlada; in this way, we shall have varieties of show along with the kirtana, and all the varieties will be picked up from Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. We have to teach the Brahmacaris and the Brahmacarinis to speak in Sanskrit some of the verses in this connection, and we explain the verses by singing, chanting, and speaking also. Sometimes in the middle of chanting and singing, we shall speak also. So, all these varieties show will be so attractive with melodious musical sounds, and above all our good behavior and advanced Krishna Consciousness, will make this show very successful. In the meantime, you train the Kirtana party as you are doing, and the responsive method is all perfect. I have already written you in my last letter in this connection, and again I say that the responsive method should be practiced. There may be more than one singer, just like you may take the leader’s seat, sometimes Jaya Govinda may take the leader’s seat, sometimes others may take the leader’s seat, but the method of chanting and responding, then chanting, should always be followed. 680304let.Hansaduta

Regarding the 24 hour kirtana as a regular temple function, do not do anything impractical. If it is not possible, then don’t do it.74.9.5let.Balimardan

Regarding your dancing in the middle of the kirtana, it is not wrong. It is completely right. If in your kirtana everyone dances in ecstasy it is perfectly all right. That is spiritual enthusiasm.741019let.Hansadutta

Any sitar player or tabla player or any other musician invited in the temple cannot play anything except Hare Krishna. Neither any one can utilize the temple for some musical demonstration. Such things are items for sense gratification. If somebody comes in the temple to chant Hare Krishna by his musical talents he is welcome otherwise not. Please follow this principle. 670513let.Mukunda

Kirtana means whatever we hear from the Spiritual Master we repeat it again nicely. One who can reproduce the sound vibration heard from the Spiritual Master, he will be a good preacher. I hope you will keep me informed of your further progress, and I hope this will meet you in good health. 690817let.Mahapurusha

Of course, chanting Hare Krishna does not require any artificial artistic sense, but still, if the procedure is presented rhythmically, then the people may be attracted more by the transcendental music. 680601let.Upendra

Regarding the observance of Lord Caitanya’s Advent Day: No, there is no need for any other devotional songs or chants; simply chant Hare Krishna, with Kirtana or beads, and sing the prayer “Sri Krishna Caitanya Prabhu Nityananda, Sri Advaita Gadadhara, SriVasadi, Gaura Bhaktavrinda.” You can also chant the prayer you asked about. This was spoken by Lord Nityananda while He was preaching in the town. He was addressing the people: “My dear brothers, you simply worship Lord Caitanya; talk of Lord Caitanya; speak Lord Caitanya’s Name, so anyone who does so, he is my life and soul.” Thus spoke Lord Nityananda. So far the reading is concerned, you may read any one of the books you have mentioned—Introduction to Srimad-Bhagavatam, Professor Sanyal’s book, Srila Bhaktivinode’s book Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu Life and Precepts, or English translation of Sri Sri Caitanya Caritamrta. Best thing is to take any one of the above mentioned books and finish it, from beginning to end. You can do that with Srila Bhaktivinode’s book, that would be very nice. 680307let.Mahapurusha

Impure atmosphere can be counteracted by having kirtanas twice and thrice daily with dancing. So, keep the atmosphere very peacefully. Go on chanting and hold classes in Bhagavatam, etc. Don’t allow anyone to engage in eating and sleeping alone or the devil’s workshop will develop. 750110let.PatitUddharan

The most important aspect of our preaching is Kirtana. Induce the people to chant, that is the only thing. Then everything else will follow. The goal is to make devotees and books; both are required. Distributing the books will make devotees. To make a devotee means to make someone purified. Reading the books will purify the intelligence. A purified heart and mind means Krishna Consciousness.

Don’t try to become big very fast. That is not possible. Go slowly. 760111let.Kirtiraja

You have rightly remarked whether they are devotees. You are right. These people are professional singers. Krishna Kirtana is not for earning livelihood. Krishna Kirtana is not meant for entertaining the public for demonstration of arts. It is dynamic service to the Lord. We do not therefore mind so much about the artistic presentation of Krishna Kirtana but we want to see how much a devotee is satisfying the Supreme Will. 671212let.Jadurani

KISORA-SVARUPA

whose real nature is that of an adolescent CCAdi 2.99 wfw.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge (and devotion) One has to follow the prescribed rules and regulations of religious principles in order to rise up to the platform of knowledge, because by knowledge and devotion only can one liberate himself from the clutches of mäyä (illusion). BGAII 2.14 p

So therefore to find out a bona fide guru means that he does not change the words of Kåñëa. That is his position. He places everything as it is, and he has understood thoroughly the science. Jijïäsuù çreya uttamam. Guru…, what is the symptom of guru? Tasmäd guruà prapadyeta jijïäsuù çreya uttamam [SB 11.3.21].

Those who are inquisitive to understand higher scientific knowledge, uttamam. Uttama means higher. Uttama, madhyama, adhama. There are three words: first class, second class, third class. So spiritual knowledge is uttamam. Anyone who is inquisitive to understand first-class knowledge, he requires to go to a guru. Those who are interested in third-class knowledge, they do not require any guru.

Third-class knowledge means animal knowledge: how to eat, how to sleep. How to make arrangement for eating, how to make arrangement for sleeping, that is third-class knowledge. Because the animal also try for this kind of knowledge, how to eat, how to sleep. Therefore this kind of knowledge is third-class knowledge.

And second-class knowledge is “What I am?” Athäto brahma jijïäsä. The Vedänta. That is second-class knowledge. And first-class knowledge, when he actually understands what he is—he is eternal servant of Kåñëa—and engages himself in the service of the Lord, that is first-class knowledge. And therefore, as soon as he comes to the first-class knowledge platform, he becomes happy.

brahma-bhütaù prasannätmä

na çocati na käìkñati

samaù sarveñu bhüteñu

mad-bhaktià labhate paräm

[Bg. 18.54]

So after being liberated from the material concept of life by the blessings of Kåñëa and guru, one comes to the platform of first-class knowledge, where he engages himself directly in the service of the Lord, that is first-class knowledge. First-class knowledge means beyond liberation. Second-class knowledge is trying for liberation. Third-class knowledge means in bondage, like animal. The animal, they are bound up by the particular type of body and has no, I mean to say, possibility of becoming liberated. That is animal life.

But human life is better than animal life because he, if he likes, he can make himself liberated from this bondage of material body. That is the facility. He can understand himself what he is. He can understand what is God. He can understand the relationship between God and himself. He can understand what is this material world. Because there are thousands of books of knowledge. Take it for Bhagavad-gétä; everything is there. And it is meant for human being, not for the cats and dogs. Cats and dogs cannot understand, but a human being can understand. 710903BA.Lon

Just like we have got experience: when the sky is cloudy, we are not very much happy, and as soon as there is sunrise, clear sky, we say, “Oh, today is very nice day.” Why? Because the light is there. So when we come to goodness, the light of knowledge is there, and therefore we see, “Oh, it is very nice.” But if we stay on that point, “Oh, it is very nice. It is very nice day,” that is not all. But you must utilize the very nice day. Otherwise what is very nice day to you? Similarly, knowledge has to be also fully utilized. And what is the full utilization of knowledge? The full utilization of knowledge is to understand God. That is full utilization. So long one does not come to the point of Kåñëa understanding, Kåñëa consciousness, or God consciousness, he is more or less in the ignorance.

So perfection of knowledge is Kåñëa consciousness,

661224CC.NY

So when a person comes to the understanding that “This body is anartha, unnecessarily imposed upon me,” that is called knowledge. That is called brahma-jñāna. Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā [Bg. 18.54].

750423SB.Vrn

The jïänés are mental speculators who simply try to understand what is spirit and what is matter. Their process is neti neti: “This is not spirit, this is not Brahman.” The jïänés are a little more advanced than the dull-headed karmés, who are simply interested in sense gratification. Before becoming a Vaiñëava, Särvabhauma Bhaööäcärya was a mental speculator (jïäné), and being such, he always cut jokes with Vaiñëavas. A Vaiñëava never agrees with the speculative system of the jïänés. Both the jïänés and karmés depend on direct sense perception for their imperfect knowledge. The karmés never agree to accept anything not directly perceived, and the jïänés put forth only hypotheses. However, the Vaiñëavas, the unalloyed devotees of the Lord, do not follow the process of acquiring knowledge by direct sense perception or mental speculation. Because they are servants of the Supreme Lord, devotees receive knowledge directly from the Supreme Personality of Godhead as He speaks it in the Bhagavad-gétä, or sometimes as He imparts it from within as the caittya-guru. CCM7.66P

This body is the field of my activities, and I, the proprietor of the body, I am the knower of the body. Idaà çaréraà kaunteya kñetram ity abhidhéyate etad yo vetti [Bg. 13.2]—this is real knowledge. Etad yo vetti, that is knowledge. The knowledge of technology is not knowledge. That is ignorance. The knowledge of self-realization is actual knowledge. That is possible in this human form of life. That is not possible by the cats and dogs. If we misuse this body for propensities like cats and dogs, we are misusing. 730907BG.Stock

Ultimate knowledge is to know Kåñëa.760407sb.vrn

Supreme Knowledge consists of understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead and our relationship with Him and acting according to that relationship.CCM 19.146 P

So anyone who accepts this body as self, he is animal, he is not human being. That is the beginning of knowledge. People are accepting knowledge from a school, college, university, but at the present moment at least, how many people know that he is not body? Unless we understand this first principle of knowledge, there is no question of spiritual advancement of life. So the beginning of Bhagavad-gétä is to give lesson that we are not this body. 750211bg.mex

We admit that we are in the conditional stage and our source of knowledge is not the senses because they are imperfect. We cannot find the right knowledge from the imperfect senses. We therefore take knowledge from the most perfect personality, Krsna, and His faithful servants and the result is that despite all of our imperfect senses, we have perfect knowledge. You have to keep this point of view in your front and pray to Krsna for enlightenment and then we shall be able to understand what is written in the Vedic literature. This is confirmed in the Vedic literatures: yasya deve para bhaktir, yasya deva yatha guru [ÇU 6.23]. 751109let.Hayagriva

There are two different processes for acquiring knowledge. The one is Deductive Process and the other is Inductive Process. In the Deductive Process we deduce the conclusion from the statement of higher authorities whereas by the Inductive Process we make a research in the truth by our own imperfect knowledge and induce a conclusion. 570507let.Padampat

Vedanta means ultimate knowledge. Knowledge is never perfect unless one comes to the point of understanding Krishna. To remain in Krishna Consciousness is actual understanding of Vedanta. Anything which is not Krishna Consciousness is polluted profane consciousness. Generally the philosophers are acting on the mental plane. The Bhagavatam clearly confirms it, unless one is not situated in Krishna Consciousness he is sure to fall down to material consciousness because he has no other platform. Just like one man flying in the sky, if he doesn’t get any supporting planet, he has to come back again on the planet from which he started. Similarly those who are hovering on the mental plane, they must come back to the material manifestation without being in knowledge of spiritual life. 680121let Janardana

means to understand that everything belongs to Krishna. 741028let.AlfredFord

Where is the education that you shall eat like this, you shall sleep like this, you shall have sexual intercourse like this? That is automatically known. This knowledge is automatically known. So human civilization does not mean that scientifically you have to do this, do that, eating, sleeping, mating. That is going on, scientifically. Now this science of mating is that we shall have sex intercourse, but there will be no pregnancy. Contracept. So this is not knowledge. Knowledge is different thing.

Knowledge means jïänaà niùçreyasärthäya puruñasya ätma-darçanam, that is knowledge. Atma-darçanam, self-realization. That is jïänam. Otherwise this lower jïäna or knowledge, how to eat, how to sleep, how to perform sexual life, and how to defend, this knowledge is there even in the mosquito or small ant. And what to speak of other, higher grade living entities. That is jïänam, but that is not niùçreyasäya. Çreya and preya, there are two things. Preya means to fulfill immediate necessities of life. That is called preya. And çreya means the knowledge, çreya means the goal of life. Niùçreyasäya, niùçreyasäya. Niùçreyasäya means the ultimate benefit. That education is lacking. In the material world, the jïäna, especially in the present age, jïäna means technical knowledge. How to eat, how to sleep. Now they are Somebody was telling me that they have invented eating, eatables from petrol. Who was speaking the other day? 741214sb.bom

When we come to this understanding that everyone of us, we may be in different body, but we are not this body, we are spirit soul, so that time, our actual knowledge begins 750212Bg.Mex

Our process is different. We admit that we are in the conditional stage and our source of knowledge is not the senses because they are imperfect. We cannot find the right knowledge from the imperfect senses. We therefore take knowledge from the most perfect personality, Krsna, and His faithful servants and the result is that despite all of our imperfect senses, we have perfect knowledge. You have to keep this point of view in your front and pray to Krsna for enlightenment and then we shall be able to understand what is written in the Vedic literature. This is confirmed in the Vedic literatures: yasya deve para bhaktir, yasya deva yatha guru [ÇU 6.23]. 751109let.Hayagriva

The defect of modern education is that the children are taught all nonsense things. They do not receive even the first point of knowledge, that I am pure spirit soul part and parcel of God. Everyone is interested in the body only, which is compared in Bhagavad gita to a dress, “As a person puts on new garments, giving up the old and useless ones, similarly, the soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless ones.” [Bg. 2.22] this simple fact they have yet to learn. So if you can teach them just this one point it will be a great success, because this is the basic platform of advancing in spiritual understanding. If we want to read and write, then it is essential to learn first of all A, B, C’s.

Whatever knowledge they have got now is on the platform of this body, which is a lump of matter only, there is no knowledge of the soul which is entrapped within the lump of matter, and so people are suffering because of ignorance of this simple point. So try to enlighten them on this point and make them happy, that will please me and Krishna, and thus you will become perfect yourself.

751204let.Aja

We are getting perfect knowledge from Krishna through the disciplic succession, so our position is very firm. 751231let.Kirtiraja

KNOWLEDGE STOLEN 7.10: by material desires surrender to the demigods

7.15: Mayayaparhita jnana knowledge stolen by illusion

KRISHNA

When He was charioteer of Arjuna, He was great-grandfather at that time. His grandson had sons. He’s old man. But you see, just a young man of twenty years old. 740810SB.Vrn

Similarly, a devotee, a sincere devotee, he is under the protection of Kṛṣṇa. And under the protection of Kṛṣṇa means under the protection of all six kinds of opulences = riches, then strength, then reputation, wisdom, renunciation, beauty—the six kinds of opulence.

Kṛṣṇa, under… Yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ [Bg. 6.22]. This is stated here. Because if you get somehow or other Kṛṣṇa’s favor, then there is no question of any more profit. Sufficient profit. You have got everything. Simply be sincere to the service of Kṛṣṇa. Then you have got everything. There is no need of trying for this or that. Yasmin sthite guruṇāpi duḥkhena na vicālyate [Bg. 6.23]. If one is situated under the shelter of Kṛṣṇa’s lotus feet, then guruṇāpi duḥkhena na vicālyate. If there is dangerous type of inconvenience, then he’s not disturbed. He knows… Just like Ambarīṣa Mahārāja, Prahlāda Mahārāja. There are many instances. His father, Hiraṇyakaśipu, was giving him trouble, chastising. He was patient, not disturbed. So be sure that if you are…, if you have actually taken shelter of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa, there is no question of danger. Kaunteya pratijānīhi na me bhaktaḥ praṇaśyati [Bg. 9.31]. And Kṛṣṇa confirms it = “Kaunteya, My dear Arjuna, you declare to the world that My devotee will be never vanquished by any enemy.” That is Kṛṣṇa’s assurance. 740804SB.VRN

Actually, the living entities are described in the Bhagavad-gītā, prakṛti. Prakṛti means woman. And puruṣa means man. So the living entities are never described as puruṣa. Puruṣa is Kṛṣṇa. Puruṣa śāśvata. When Arjuna said, paraṁ brahma paraṁ dhāma pavitraṁ paramaṁ bhavān, puruṣaṁ śāśvatam adyam… [Bg. 10.12]. Puruṣaṁ śāśvatam. Kṛṣṇa is always puruṣa. God cannot be female. God is always male, puruṣa. And we are prakṛti. 730718BG.LON

Regarding your question about Krishna’s Name, the first principle is that Krishna is Absolute. He is not only identical with His Name, but with His Qualities, Form, Pastimes, Paraphernalia, etc. Krishna is identical with the whole creation because the creation means the expansion of Krishna’s energy. The energy is never different from the source of the energy as much as heat and light are never different from the fire. The quality of fire is there existing both in heat and light. Naturally Krishna is not different from anything, and what to speak of His Transcendental Name? This is explained in the Bhagavad-gita where Krishna says that “everything is resting on Me, but I am not everything.” This simultaneously one and different philosophy should be carefully understood. Then our Krishna Consciousness will be more clear. 690728let.MandaliBhadra

New version:” That name is Kåñëa personified in sound and is therefore perfectly transcendental and eternally liberated from material contamination.”

Old version:”The name Krishna is the personification of sound perfectly transcendental and eternally liberated from material contamination. CCM15.106

We should always remember that Krishna is the only order giver. His order is received through the agency of the spiritual master. 671003let.Nandaranietc

You are Krishna’s part and parcel. As you love your hands and legs, as you feel when your hand is in trouble, similarly Krishna feels for you when you are in trouble. The hand has value when it is attached to the body. Similarly, we have values when we are Krishna Conscious. The hand has no value detached from the whole body. Krishna is the Whole and we are His parts and parcel. Try to understand this philosophy of simultaneously one and different.

This means that Krishna is giving you more & more facilities. Krishna is such a nice boss that he gives more facilities & improvement to the sincere servant. 671004let.Rayrama

KRISHNA BALARAMA TEMPLE Regarding Montreal, yes, it is required that the temple be ventilated nicely. That you will style it after the Krishna-Balarama temple in Vrndavana, that is very nice. 751120let.Jagadisha

Is the finest in the world 760120let.Jayatirtha

KRISHNA BOOK I have prepared a nice book, Krishna, and I want to print it in a deluxe edition. If some of your friends finance this publication, it will be a unique presentation to the world. This will contain Krishna’s life from the beginning of His Appearance to His Disappearance from this mortal world. It will contain all of His activities throughout. It is full of philosophy, instructions, transcendental pastimes and artistic pictures. 690715let.Syamasundara

(This is the beginning of the transaction and Srila Prabhupada initiated it)

KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS

The highest perfection of Krishna consciousness is renunciation of the material conception of life. This state is automatically achieved by progressive Kåñëa consciousness. BGAII 2.41p.

So our Krishna consciousness movement is that every religion, every human society, accepts God, at least officially accepts God and says, “God is great.” But they do not know how God is great. That we are giving. Just like in the school, children’s school, they have got a pocket dictionary. Now there is also definition what is meant by God.

But if there is another big dictionary, just like internationalism, or there is, or what is called, Encyclo-Britannica, the description is more vivid, any word. So those who are actually interested in the science of God, they will find here ample opportunity in this Kåñëa consciousness movement. It is not that decrying any other religion. No. It is the postgraduate study of higher consciousness, or God consciousness.

So there should be no objection from any religious group to come to Kåñëa consciousness. Just like many students from India, they come to your country for higher studies. So this is the higher study of how to learn…, to learn how to love God. That is our program. 690509TO.Col

Just like after very, very long time, if you hear something which was very intimately known to you, you immediately become attracted: “Oh, that sound is again coming.” You see? Similarly, Kṛṣṇa is our original father. As soon as we hear about Kṛṣṇa, naturally we shall be inclined to hear about Him more and more. So the more you hear, the more you become advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and more our life becomes successful. Then you go back to home, back to Godhead. This is the process. 710729Ar.Gain

A Kṛṣṇa conscious person, even an ordinary person, not in the level of Lord Śiva or Lord Brahmā, he’s never conquered by māyā. But one who is not fully in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, either he may be Lord Śiva or Lord Brahmā, he’ll be conquered by māyā, what to speak of others. This is the position. 681219BG.LA

Krishna consciousness means understanding the truth of Krishna, the truth of devotional service, the truth of love of Godhead, the truth of emotional ecstasy, the truth of transcendental mellows and the truth of the pastimes of the Lord. CCM 25.265

So if anyone is advancing by meditation or bhakti-yoga or Krishna consciousness, one has to give evidence that he is now being proportionately detached from this material engagement. That is the test. This is not for only the meditators. It is for you also. How far you are advancing in Krishna consciousness you test yourself—how far you have become detached from material consciousness. That’s all. The proportionately you have advanced in Krishna consciousness, the proportionately you’ll not like material engagement. If you have advanced cent percent, then cent percent you become detached. That is the way.

So everyone has to test himself, “how far I have advanced.” That means “How far I have become detached with material contamination.” That’s all. The test is in your hand. And if you are sincere, then you should test yourself. And if you want to make show, that is a different thing. 681220BG.LA

According to the Vedic system of classification, women, vaisyas, and sudras belong to a lower social order. A low life means a life without Krishna consciousness. High and low positions in society are calculated by considering a person’s Krishna consciousness. CCM8.36 P

As I have repeatedly said, that Krishna Consciousness is developed by following two parallel lines, means service of Krishna, and service of the Spiritual Master. This is the secret of success. The Spiritual Master must be bona fide, that is, he must come down from a bona fide Spiritual Master and must act according to the directions of the Spiritual Master, and by doing so, he gives proper directions about Krishna and the devotees serve Krishna under the direction of such Spiritual Master, and Krishna accepts service, and in this way the whole thing becomes beautiful and successful. I am very much pleased that you are following the same principle and there is no doubt that you will develop more and more in the service of Krishna. I always pray to Krishna for your advancement, and what I can do more than this. 680220let.Brahmananda

Krishna consciousness means we are guided by Kåñëa personally. Everyone can be guided. Kåñëa is giving instruction to the whole human society in the Bhagavad-gétä. So we can take advantage of it. Kåñëa is guiding personally. So there are two ways of accepting Kåñëa’s guidance. You accept the instruction of the Bhagavad-gétä, then you’ll be happy. If you don’t accept, then you will go back again to the cycle of birth and death. Mäm apräpya nivartante måtyu-saàsära-vartmani [Bg. 9.3]. So måtyu-saàsära-vartmani is not good life. Måtyu, måtyu… Janma-måtyu-jarä-vyädhi. If you take birth, then you’ll have to die, and if you have to die, you have to take birth again. This is called måtyu-saàsära-vartma. So this is not very good business. That intelligence is lacking. We are simply trying to adjust things for a few years, but we are not taking account of our real life. Our real life is na hanyate hanyamäne çarére [Bg. 2.20]. That is real life, that we do not die. But our brain is so dull that we have accepted janma-måtyu-jarä-vyädhi [Bg. 13.9] as usual thing. But death can be checked. That is Kåñëa consciousness movement. If you so desire, you can stop it. There is no difficulty. Very easy. 770204ar.cal

It is said that it is the nature of a devotee to constantly apply his mind, energy, words, ears, etc., in hearing and chanting about Kåñëa. This is called Kåñëa consciousness. KB Ch. 13

In our Krishna Consciousness philosophy there is no question of sectarian views. Krishna Consciousness is the post-graduate study of all religious conceptions of the world. I like the idea that you should make a thorough study of all theological schools, and in the future if you can explain our Krishna Consciousness Movement as the post-graduate presentation of all theological theses, then it will be a great accomplishment. 690710let.Giriraja

A man may perform Krishna Consciousness to a certain percentage, and another man may perform Krishna Consciousness to greater percentage or cent per cent progress. So those who are not able to perform the cent per cent progress, they have to remain in the material world, but according to the percentage of progress, they are allowed to take their next birth either in a rich family or in a very pure family; in both the cases, one is given the chance to have human form of life so that one can make progress from the point where he ended in his last life. The best thing is that every intelligent man must try to finish this business of Krishna Consciousness in this life. Finishing means one has to conclude that he has no more any necessity for material enjoyment. Spiritual enjoyment of life is the reality, and when one is perfectly prepared to accept spiritual enjoyment, and completely understands the uselessness of material enjoyment, that is the perfectional point of view. 680824let.Aniruddha

So, this Kåñëa consciousness movement is very scientific, authorized and practical, and very simple. 710317le.Mum

I received your letter a few days ago and I am very glad to learn that you are training the 2 boys in Krishna Consciousness. I do not think you require an academic degree for training such boys. We are training Krishna Consciousness, which has nothing to do with academic education; I therefore wish that instead of wasting your time for 2 or 3 years for taking a degree, you may increase your scope of activities for recruiting such boys and training them in Krishna Consciousness. But if your state laws do not allow it to hold any class without such degree then you must get such degree. On the whole you have got a very nice engagement for training children in Krishna Consciousness. And I think you are very fit for it. I am sure if you endeavor in this line of service, Krishna will be very much pleased and will shower His blessing more and more. you are very nice girl and I have got full faith in you and I wish that you can develop this line of service to the society. 680523let.Yamuna

Yesterday I have been in a Unitarian Church and there I saw two pictures of only logs and bamboos, and I was explained by our great artist Govinda dasi that these are modern abstract arts. Anyway I couldn’t see in them nothing but combination of logs and bamboos. There was nothing to impel my Krishna Consciousness. 680408let.Jadurani

This Maya will attack the body always, because the body itself is the source of all troubles. We try to make a solution of our misfortunes, but at the same time we want to keep this body. People do not understand the simple truth that if anyone wants real happiness, he has to get out of the entanglements of this material body, which is only possible by practice of Krishna Consciousness. 680301let.Brahmananda

You can do worship anywhere if you are a devotee. A devotee can worship Kåñëa anywhere, underneath a tree. Because Kåñëa is in everyone’s heart. Éçvaraù sarva-bhütänäà håd-deçe ‘rjuna tiñöhati [Bg. 18.61]. So if underneath a tree you think of Kåñëa and chant Hare Kåñëa, that is sufficient. Kåñëa does not require any big paraphernalia. He only wants how you are a sincere devotee. That’s all. And that devotional service can be discharged in any condition. Ahaituky apratihatä. It cannot be checked by the material circumstances. This is the process of Kåñëa consciousness. And you see the five-years-old boy, how he was protected from all kinds of dangers and he refused to take any benediction. He refused. The devotee should not be a mercantile man: “If you give me something, then I shall give you something.” That is business. A devotee is not like that. He understands that he is eternal servant of Kåñëa, his duty is to serve Kåñëa. In the material world a servant works when money is paid, wages. A devotee is not like that. A devotee serves Kåñëa out of duty. That is God consciousness, Kåñëa consciousness, that “It is my duty.” And then Kåñëa takes the responsibility, “It is My duty to protect this devotee.” This reciprocation is called Kåñëa consciousness. There is no question of business transaction. Then he will be protected. Kåñëa is nobody’s servant, but everyone is Kåñëa’s servant. If everyone becomes Kåñëa’s servant, then everyone is protected by Kåñëa. Kåñëa is protecting. Kåñëa is God, so He is protecting everyone, He is giving food everyone, but especially inclined to the devotees. Samaù sarveñu-bhüteñu. 750525Le.Hon

Please be always strongly fixed up in the Lotus Feet of Krishna, just as the bees are fixed up in the honeycomb. This staunch affection for Krishna will save us from all kinds of dangers created by Maya. You know it very well that the material energy is so strong that it captivates the spiritual spark, living entity and the only remedy is to cling to the Lotus Feet of Krishna. This age is especially meant for dissension, therefore whenever there is such occasion we should simply call for for the help of Krishna. Our task is very heavy because we have declared was against Maya. She will always try to defeat us or even kill us but we can always be saved by clinging unto the Lotus Feet of Krishna. Kindly remember this secret of our success and try to convince all your God-brothers on this point. Hope you are well. 671118let.Rayarama

Krishna consciousness means that everything including myself are different energies of the Lord and as such should be utilized for the purpose of Krishna. Krishna wants that all living entities should live with Him, as the father likes the whole family to live with him. Our Krishna consciousness movement is to educate people how to re-enter the family of Krishna and thus become eternally happy and blissful.741028let.AlfredFord

If the foundation is strong in chanting and hearing then your Krishna Consciousness is assured.741121let.Tamopaha

Krishna consciousness means emancipation from this material attachment. 720626sb.la

Krishna Consciousness is not a hackneyed thing but it is something which is our natural and original consciousness. Presently our consciousness is clouded just like a mirror becomes covered with dust So the cleansing process is this chanting and hearing and doing some service and trying to please the Spiritual Master. By this process our consciousness becomes clear and we are able to understand everything. 741122let.Bahurupa

Krishna consciousness can only be increased by chanting, reading our books regularly, and strictly following the rules and regulations. 741125let.SubaldasSwami

One thing is, our process of Krishna Consciousness, if it is followed with determination and enthusiasm, automatically it has the effect of fixing us, body, mind and soul, to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna, so that all sorts of fluctuations of the material nature, all sorts of difficulties and discrepancies of life are easily withstood. But first you have to agree to understand the process and follow it scrupulously. That is wanting. If I only think I know something, that is mental platform of accept/reject, and any knowledge gathered from the mental platform is like that, tottering and precarious, and it can be immediately rejected at any time. 720708let.Bhagavatananda

Or Bhagavat Dharma 720714letRishabdeva

you are part and parcel of your parent, so there is some intimate relationship with your parents. It cannot be broken, even if you are absent from home for many years. Still, when you go home, meet your parents, the old relationship—affectionate father, mother and son—immediately you’ll revive. It does not take much time—because the son was long, long away from father, and he has come back, he takes another hundred years to establish the relation. No. As soon as the father and the son is together, the natural relationship immediately revives.

710729ar.Gain

Without Kåñëa, without Kåñëa consciousness, we are all hopeless, confused. So I am very happy to see so many nice boys and girls assembled here. So take to this process. We have got sufficient literature-books, magazines. And the simple method is, even if you do not read, suppose you are not educated, illiterate, you can not read, and still you can reach Kåñëa. Bhakti, devotional service is not dependent on any material condition. Because one man is very rich, he can get Kåñëa? No. Because one man is very poor, he cannot get Kåñëa? No. That’s not right. Because one is Hindu or Indian, he can get Kåñëa, not others? No. That is also not. Kåñëa is unconditionally for everyone. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gétä: sarva yoniñu kaunteya [Bg. 14.4]. Otherwise, how He can be God? If He is a Hindu God, just like they describe in the dictionary that Kåñëa, a Hindu God—that is nonsense. Kåñëa is for everyone. Kåñëa does not say that “I am a Hindu God.” But these rascals say Kåñëa is Hindu God. This is going on. You see in the Bhagavad-gétä, Kåñëa says, sarva yoniñu kaunteya. “In all species of life.” Sambhavanti mürtayaù. There are as many different forms of life. Täsäà mahad yoni, brahma: “Their mother is this material nature, and I am their seed-giving father.” Kåñëa says that. So how can Kåñëa be Indian or Hindu or this or that? No. Kåñëa is for everyone. And the proof is that five years ago in the Western countries nobody knew what is Kåñëa. How they’re taking Kåñëa in so loving attitude? This is the proof that Kåñëa is for everyone, and everyone is for Kåñëa.

710729ar.Gain

Krishna Consciousness is the vaccine for all the diseases (different forms of material bodies). 750618let.DrWHWolf-Rottkay

Everyone in the world is suffering. Despite so many attempts on the parts of the governments and planning commissions of the world, still the suffering continues. People are thinking that by more education, hospitals, food and so many other things they will become happy. But we actually have the ingredient which alone can make them satisfied—Krishna Consciousness. So please deliver Krishna to everyone you meet; instruct them in the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita As It Is. If it is possible to get our books translated into Greek that will be very helpful for your preaching. In the meantime as you are preaching to intelligent persons such as the lawyer you met, they will be able to read English, so you can give them our English books. 760106let.DinaDayal

The thing which is absent from a dead body is the spirit. As there is individual spirit in individual body, similarly there is the Great Spirit in the universal material form. As the individual spirit is working systematically within the individual material body, similarly, the Supreme Spirit is conscious of the universal body. The lord knows what is happening in each & every planet as much as an individual soul knows what is happening in each & every part of his body. Therefore, the individual consciousness which is limited, when dovetailed with the Supreme Consciousness of the Lord is called Krishna Consciousness. 671102let.Madhusudana

This attitude of service will help you progress in Krishna Consciousness and perfect Krishna Consciousness will help us to go back to home, back to Godhead. 671105let.Rayarama

The fact is that once combined in Krishna Consciousness, one cannot be separated at any time but the incident of separation from the society of Kirtanananda and Hayagriva is accidental. 671105let.Rayarama

KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS IS AUTHORIZED, Regarding Krsna Consciousness is Authorized, the first thing you should do is arrange to have a few thousand sent to India immediately. They can be sent to the Calcutta temple but addressed to me. I am organizing an office of book distribution under my direct supervision, and I shall post these books to officers, professors, lawyers, etc. I think that the mass mailings of this book can be done by the BBT Mailorder department and BBT can cover the whole cost. But because we will be distributing it freely for the most part, you should try to get the cost reduced as far as possible. You can try to get a good response from your mailings, but regardless of the response, we should distribute this book indiscriminately to selected persons as I have already indicated: renown business, medical men, government officials, scientists etc. Your new membership publication should be included with the Krsna Consciousness is Authorized in any mass mailing. 760206let.Ramesvara

KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT

The only possible remedy that can counteract the tendency toward communism is the Krishna consciousness movement, which can give even communists the real idea of communist society. According to the doctrine of communism, the state should be the proprietor of everything. But the Krishna consciousness movement, expanding this same idea, accepts God as the proprietor of everything. People cannot understand this because they have no sense of God, but the Krishna consciousness movement can help them to understand God and to understand that everything belongs to God. Since everything is the property of God, and all living entities—not only human beings but even animals, birds, plants and so on—are children of God, everyone has the right to live at the cost of God with God consciousness. This is the sum and substance of the Krishna consciousness movement.

Ädi 8.20 p.

Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means to present Bhagavad-gītā as it is, without any adulteration. 730408BG.NY

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement means we want to become friends of everyone. Because they are suffering without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we are going door to door, city to city, village to village, town to town to preach this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And by the grace of Kṛṣṇa we are attracting the attention of intelligent class of men. So if we continue this process, not to become envious… That is animal nature, dog’s nature, hog’s nature. Human nature should be para-duḥkha-duḥkhī. One should be very unhappy by seeing others in miserable condition. So everyone is suffering for want of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Our only business is to awaken his Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and the whole world will be happy. Anartha upaśamaṁ sākṣād bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje, lokasya ajānataḥ. People have no knowledge about it. So we have to push on this movement. Lokasyājān…, vidvāṁś cakre sātvata-saṁhitām. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. So another name of Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is bhāgavata-dharma. Bhāgavata-dharma. If we accept it, then the whole human society will be happy. 750423SB.Vrn

So the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not for the persons who are envious. Envious. It is a movement to train people how to become not envious. It is very first class scientific movement, yes. Not to become envious. Therefore Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam in the beginning introduces, dharmaḥ projjhita-kaitavo atra [SB 1.1.2]. In this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, dharma,religious principle, cheating type of religious principle is completely eradicated, thrown away, projjhita. They are kicked out, projjhita. Just like you collect all the dirty things from the room, sweeping, and then kick out, don’t keep it within the room. Similarly, cheating type of religious system—kicked out. It is not such religion, “this religion,” “that religion.” Any religion system, if there is jealousy, that is not religion. Jealousy means… We should understand jealousy, what is jealousy. Jealousy means that you are rightful owner of something, I won’t allow you to take it. This is jealousy. This is jealousy. Jealousy, try to understand. Suppose you are rightful owner of something, and I am trying that “You don’t own it. I shall own it,” or “Somebody own it, I shall not allow it.” This is jealousy. 730707SB.LON

So Kåñëa cannot be impersonal. That is nonsense. Kåñëa is exactly a person like me, you, but the difference is that He’s very, very, unlimitedly powerful; I am limited. This is the difference. So Kåñëa also wants that to live with His family. Our Kåñëa consciousness movement is just to train ourselves again to enter into the family of Kåñëa. This is our movement. With these families, the so-called families, we are suffering. We are suffering. But this family idea is there. That is perfect in Kåñëa, with Kåñëa. The family idea, wherefrom family idea comes without it is being situated in Kåñëa? Because nothing can be visible without being in Kåñëa. He is the origin. Janmädy asya yataù [SB 1.1.1]. Ahaà sarvasya prabhavaù [Bg. 10.8]: “I am the origin of everything.”730721bg.lon

This whole Kåñëa consciousness movement may be called vairägya-vidyä. 730725bg.lon

Anyway I am glad that you are appreciating this Krsna consciousness movement which is meant for the welfare of all living entities in the universe. Our philosophy is that there cannot be happiness or peace unless everyone serves the Supreme Lord. Just like the body cannot be nourished unless food is supplied to the stomach. 751110let.Nyamiaka

KRISHNA CULTURE

we are distributing this Kṛṣṇa culture all over the world. 760620BG.Tor

KRISHNA DAS-ANUDAS, the servant of the servant of Krishna.740609let.Krsnadas

KRISHNA MEDITATION RECORD The songs which I have recorded there I have heard today on the record, and they are very nice, especially the “Prayers to the Six Goswamis.” It has come out very successful on the whole. I hope the German people will like the Bengali tunes. What is the report of how they are selling?

741112Let.Hansadutta

KRISHNA-VIRAHA: when the living entity feels spiritual separation of KrishnaCCM4.178P

KRISHNIAN Prabhupāda: We are Kṛṣṇian, and they are Christian. There is similarity.

KRIPANA This word kåpaëa, used in the sixth verse, is in opposition to the word brähmaëa. In the human form of life one should become a brähmaëa, which means that one should understand the constitutional position of the Absolute Truth, Brahman, and then engage in His service as a Vaiñëava. We get this facility in the human form of life, but if we do not properly utilize this opportunity, we become a kåpaëa, miser. A miser is one who gets money but does not spend it properly. This human form of life is especially meant for understanding Brahman, for becoming a brahmana, and if we do not utilize it properly, we remain a krpana. SB 4.28.7

KRITI Kåti means meritorious 740608ar.Paris

means one who has got good brain.721206bg.ahm

KSAT means hurt BG 2.31 P.

KSHATRIYA

A kñatriya can become a landholder and earn his livelihood by levying taxes or collecting rent from tenants. Adi 10.50 p

Kñat means hurt. One who gives protection from harm is called kñatriya (träyate—to give protection). BGAII 2.31 p

And even though you cannot kill them, if you die yourself, then the heavenly door is open for you.” Because a kṣatriya who dies in the battlefield for the right cause, he goes to the heaven. If he conquers over the enemy, he enjoys the kingdom. And if he dies… But the cause must be right. Svarga-dvāram.730902BG.Lon

So a kṣatriya’s business is always prepared to fight. Fight means that to see that everyone is acting nicely. Because if you are not acting nicely, and if I say that “You are not acting nicely,” you’ll be angry. Mūrkhāsya upadeśa prakopāya na śāntaye[Hitopadeśa]. Because if one is actually brāhmaṇa, he must act as a brāhmaṇa. So if somebody says that “You are declaring yourself as brāhmaṇa but you are not following the brāhmaṇa principle,” he will be angry. But a kṣatriya’s duty is that if he is angry, he should be punished immediately. He should be punished immediately. Kṣatriya’s yuddhāc, dharmyāddhi yuddhāt. He should challenge. Challenging means yuddha, fight. So kṣatriya cannot be nonviolent. It is not possible. Violence is also required to keep the social system strictly in order. Just like the government has violence department—the police department, the military department. That is required to keep up the society in order.730901BG.LON

means kñat… Kñat means injury, injury. And tra, tra means deliver. So a kñatriya’s business is to deliver a person who is going to be injured. That is kñatriya. 730508SB.LA

KUNAPE Kunape means this bag, 660304bg.ny

KUNTHA means anxiety 741215sb.bom

KURUKSETRA I am very happy that you are taking a chance for Krishna, do everything very carefully and sincerely, Krishna will help you. Lord Caitanya predicted that in the modern age this movement would be spread to every town and village of the world. So by the sincere help of you American and European boys and girls it is actually happening. It is not bogus, like communism, socialism and so many isms going on in the world today. But is purely spiritual authorized by the disciplic succession tracing all the way back to Krishna himself who spoke this science of life 5,000 years ago on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. The battlefield is still there and you will be happy to know that yesterday we have been at that very spot where Krishna spoke to Arjuna, and we will build a gorgeous Krishna Arjuna temple there. People will come from all over the world to see it and understand the authority and sublime message of Lord Krishna.

751202let.Kirtiraja

KUTUMBA-RAMA in SB 7.6.14: the pleasing atmosphere in the family 760628sb.nv

LA Personally I know both yourself & your husband, Dayananda, are very sincere souls & I am much obliged to you because you have opened a nice center in L.A.

671029let.Nandarani

LAGHU-BHAGAVATAMRTA You may begin translations of Brhad-Bhagavatamrtam, and Laghu-Bhagavatamrtam as requested. 760708let.Nitai

LAKSHMI

Regarding the press purchasing, it must proceed on, and Krishna will help you. Don’t worry. I understand that you require approximately $14,000 out of which Advaita has $4,500 and you have about $5,000. The balance may be asked from Tamala as the house we are contemplating to purchase is untouchable by us on account of too high price. So Tamala can spare the balance money for the press at the present moment, and when the house will be actually purchased, Krishna will provide us with the money. Anyway, don’t be discouraged. Whatever deficiencies will be there, Krishna will supply you, and if there is actually any deficiency, please let me know and I shall send you a check for that amount. I think this will be all right. 690916let.Brahmananda

Teaching the girls to sew nicely is also a very good idea. Take some Indian samples from Purusottama and try to make exactly like that so that we may make very good profit for the society. Our society requires millions of dollars for propaganda work, but Krishna has made us financially poor. I think it is good to remain financially poor because always we shall be able to pray Krishna, asking His help to execute His service. If all of a sudden we become very strong financially, Maya may dictate us for sense enjoyment, and we may fall a prey to her tactics. Therefore to remain poor is one of the qualifications for advancing in Krishna Consciousness. Our predecessors, the Goswamis, they voluntarily gave up everything for advancement in Krishna Consciousness. We do not require any money for our personal account, we shall always be happy with anything Krishna is happy to supply us for maintenance, but for the preaching purposes, we can accommodate to receive all the riches of the world. So let us try with sincerity, and Krishna will help us in the matter of our advancing the cause of Krishna Consciousness. 680614let.Himavati

Yes, you can have the band play there in the temple as you are in great need of money to carry on there. When we are in need of money to carry on Krishna’s work, then we can resort to whatever means there is available. So long it is always for Krishna and never for personal sense gratification. So you can try to get some money in that way. 680612let.Subal

Along with our preaching and propaganda work, we must also give attention to financial matters, otherwise the whole thing will collapse and it will be a farce. If there is good financial standing it is understood that Laksmi is favorable because her husband Narayana is being served nicely. If Laksmi is unfavorable, then we must increase our preaching efforts, and strive for pleasing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 720806let.Damodara

LALITANANDA means one who takes his pleasure from Lalita, who is one of the chief Gopis around Krishna.720902let.Lalitananda

LAND Above all our preaching must go on. If we do not get that land then we may purchase some other land, that is not a very difficult thing, but preaching is our real business. 730808let.TamalKrishna

Regarding the Taparia land in Vrindaban, take it! Aksayananda Swami sent me a telegram to say that the place is too secluded, with no road and thieves. Never mind, despite all inconveniences, take the land and when I return I shall see the situation and decide how to use the property. Some of our men can go and live there without difficulty, and begin making the necessary repair work.

With regards to the farmland you mentioned; we can not purchase any land for this purpose. If the land is donated, either by this party or that party, we can make use of the land, but we cannot purchase such land. 760504let.Giriraja

I think you can negotiate for this land immediately & the Society will be able to pay $3,000.00. After purchasing the land you can gradually develop it into an asrama by dint of your personal labor as teacher in college. From N.Y. the members may visit the place every weekend because it isn’t very far away. They take a 4 or 5 hour journey every week end so a 3 hour journey is not much. If you think you shall stick to your present occupation you can seriously think of this scheme.671019let.Hayagriva

LAWYERS

To tell you frankly, I have no faith in the lawyers; they promise something but they do something else. From my last experience with Mr. Ypsalentin and the real estate lawyers, I cannot advise you to pay $200.00 immediately to the lawyers and then depend on his good mercy. …………… Anyway, if some lawyer assures that this religious ministership which is so bona fide, can be established, then you can promise him some sum of money after completion of the attempt. But I do not advise you to appeal for the last decision.680605let.Brahmananda

LEADER SHIP

We should not waste much of our time with these so-called leaders because they are jackals in the forest. They are not actually leaders. The only leader is Krishna and one who is Krishna Conscious. Others are simply misleaders. 690608let.Hamsaduta

So far as being leader is concerned, leader means spiritually not materially. This you should understand very clearly. If spiritual potency and strength is there, then material intelligence will automatically follow. We must have a solid foundation of chanting and following the regulative principles. Then one is fit to lead others.74.9.6let.Jagajivana

That is the business of leader: He must be himself always enthusiastic and inspire others to be always enthusiastic. Then he is real leader. And that enthusiastic mood is maintained when everyone is always without fail chanting 16 rounds daily, rising early for mangala aratrika, reading books, preaching—in this way, by observing strictly the regulative principles of devotional life, that enthusiasm or great eagerness to have Krsna will come out. 721227let.Trai

You are setting a very good example in that you yourself are going with the travelling party. The Vedic concept of the commander is that he must be in front in the fight, not that he sit back behind the lines. 730723let.Jagadishna

This constantly changing managers is not good. We shall develop more progressively by sticking in one place and working, not that one week we have three presidents, that is not good. Our managers should be very responsible for developing their centre to the topmost standard, why this restlessness? It is just like one man is holding government post by getting votes, so today or tomorrow or next day, but he will have to go out, then another man comes, then another, another—in this way, democratic system, no one becomes responsible for the welfare of the citizens, only they want to take for themselves as much as they can before they have to get out, so they do not take real interest in their duty. It is a little like that. My idea is that the leaders must agree to stick at one place, even they may have to remain their life-long, that is the ideal leader, one who is conscious of his duty. 721105let.Hridayananda

This is not good, this unsteady position. I have never been in favor of this practice of many times changing the responsible officers, three times in one week changing presidents, this will ruin the whole thing. From now on if someone takes the leading post, he must agree to stick and not go away just because it is difficult from time to time. That is ideal leader. He is responsible and he knows his duty. Just like I did that. My Guru Maharaja gave me a task and always I was discouraged by my god-brothers, but I did not forget him even for a moment, and I was determined to follow my duty, even though sometimes I did not like to do it. But this always changing means no sense. If he is leader, he must be fixed-up. Otherwise, if he has no real interest, why he takes that post? He must be responsible. He must stick and develop the highest standard of Krishna Consciousness practice in that area of management. But if he is sometimes thinking, Oh, I do not like to do this, let me go away at first opportunity, then how will things go on? That is just like democratic system in your government: every four, five years changing all the leaders. In this way, each man is thinking he shall not try to do very much. No one is interested in the real welfare of the citizens, simply because the post is temporary. That is not our process. Real meaning of duty is just like Arjuna: he did not like to be responsible, he wanted to leave the scene, but Krishna convinced him this is your duty, to fight, so he did it for Krishna, and he fought until the last man was killed from the opposing side. That is leadership. He is determined to stick to his position because he has understood Krishna. 721105let.Satsvarupa

That is his duty as leader, to give you good engagement. 721023let.Soucharyadevi

People are simply being cheated by so many rascals who pose themselves as big, big leader so you must all strictly follow the principles that I have established and for the general mass of people give them chanting, prasadam, and have them take some of our literature. That will benefit them and gradually they will come to the standard. 751007let.DinaBhandu

LEARNING

They are accepting this lump of matter, blood and flesh and bones—”I am this is I am.” This is animal mentality. Animal thinks like that, not learned man. Learned man, one who knows, he will say ahaà brahmäsmi, “I am spirit soul. I am servant of God.” This is learned speaking. “I am not this body.”……

So this is the position. Those who are under the bodily concept of life, they can speak so many learned things, but after all they are fool.

yasyätma-buddhi-kuëape tri-dhätuke

sva-dhiù kalaträdiñu bhauma ijya-dhéù

yat-tértha-buddhiù salile na karhicij

janeçv abhijïeñu sa eva go-kharaù

[SB 10.84.13]……… therefore Kåñëa chastised him, that “You are not a very learned man. You are talking just like a learned man, but you are not learned man.” So this conclusion is to be taken by us. That anyone within this world, if he has got bodily concept of life, he’s not a learned man. He’s a fool. So this world at the present moment at least, it is a fool’s paradise. Nobody is learned. Because everyone is working under the bodily concept of life. This is chastise. This is the first chastisement……

So those who are in the bodily concept of life, they cannot advance in this real knowledge, that we are eternally servant of God. Our constitutional position is like that. If we do not serve God, we do not agree… We are servant of God, but if we deny that “No, I am not servant,” so that means I become servant of mäyä. Servant I’ll have to remain. That is my constitutional position. So one must first of all understand what is his identity. So this is the beginning of a lesson given by Kåñëa, that “You are lamenting for this body. This is not your identity. This is not your identity. You are wrongly thinking.” Just like if your coat is some way or other destroyed, that does not mean that you are destroyed. If your car by accident is broken, that does not mean that you are finished. Sometimes we get accident, that is another thing. But I am not the car. I am not this body, I am not this coat. This is real knowledge. Although sometimes we become little sorry, but the identity is different. So Kåñëa says that “You are talking like learned man, but you do not know your identity. You are not this body.” 730817bg.lon

LENIN Lenin has murdered the Czar, that was his only accomplishment, but any gunda could do that. 750901let.Alalanath

LETCHMORE HEATH is Vrndavan. It is like seeing from Kesi ghat the other side of Vrindaban. It is like that. 74.9.16let.Madhavanada

LETTERS

You write in your letter of September 10th that you have not received my replies, but I reply each and every letter. Especially your letters, Brahmananda’s letters, Satsvarupa’s letters and Gargamuni’s letters I take special care and reply each of them. I hope by this time you have received my reply. 6909914let.TamalKrishna

He (Kirtanananda) has done very nicely here in the Rathayatra Festival, and it was very successful in San Francisco. I shall send you later on the reprint pictures published in the local newspapers, and you will be glad to learn that about 10,000 people participated in this function. The procession was taken along about an 8 mile distance, and the people followed all through, simply chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra. This was a unique scene in this part of the world. Some of the Christian-minded people became almost envious, and I have received some anonymous letters. 690731let.Hayagriva

I am receiving letters about 12 daily 690330let.JayaGovinda

I receive daily so many odd letters, still we have to reply them properly. 690311let.Upendra

Regarding your reprinting of my letters, if you will not detract from your other important engagements you may do it. 690217let.Gargamuni

I have replied Yadunandana’s letter, and I wish that you all should read that letter, because it contains some valuable information about our preaching method, and many intelligent questions by him have been replied in that letter. Hoping you are all well. 680413let.Jadurani

Of course I do not reply your each and every letter, 670407let.Kirtanananda

I have already received letter from Jayananda with thanks. I have received letter from all my spiritual children and I am very sorry that I could not reply them timely although I have replied some of them already. But you may announce to them that I am coming at San Francisco very soon some time in the second week of June 1967. 670521let.Mukunda&Janaki

I am very glad to learn that you are doing your best and your good wife is helping you nicely. I have received her letter but I am sorry that I could not reply this good girl. I very much appreciate her feelings and specially the hand writing. So you have very nice qualified girl as your life’s companion and I bless you all that you peacefully carry out the message of Krishna Consciousness to the needy men of the world. 670521let.RavindraSvarupa

Your handwritten letter is more valuable than type written. 671221let.Brahmananda

LIBERATED SOULS There is no reason why you cannot associate with any of my disciples, providing that they adhere to our principles. As long as Siddha Svarupa Maharaja and Tusta Krishna Maharaja act as sannyasis, ie. dress in dhoti, keep shave headed with sikha, follow strictly the rules and regulations and preach from my books, I have no objection. Sometimes there will be a little misunderstanding between Godbrothers, that is even going on amongst liberated souls. What is important is that everyone must engage in Krishna’s service under the direction of the spiritual master 760107LET.RALPH

LIBERATION

Liberation is never inaction, but service without human mistakes. SB 2.2.1 p last line

He appears as the son of Devaké or Vasudeva. We have to know this. And if you can know, then you become immediately liberated. Our business is liberation. This is our main business. What is the purpose of getting this opportunity of human life? That we must understand. We should not waste our valuable life like the cats and dogs. This is our main business, to understand God. Athäto brahma jijïäsä. 761007SB.VRN

I am so much thankful to you for your good wishes, and your realization that you are the eternal servant of Krishna. It is the primary understanding of our constitutional position. Actually, we are servant, but in the conditioned state, every one of us posing as the master. The sooner we forget that we are not master, we are servant; and if even though we are not inclined to serve Krishna, we have to become the servant of our senses. So the sooner we realize this fact, that our constitutional position is servant, that means we are liberated. Liberation means to be situated in one’s original position. Just like a man suffering from fever, so relief from fever means to be situated in normal condition. So service is our normal condition, but this service being misplaced, we are not happy but as soon as the service is placed to the right person, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna, everything becomes happy and successful. 680822let.Daniel

O best among men [Arjuna], the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation. BG 2.15

Those who search after the knowledge of impersonal Brahman or localized Paramätmä are certainly accepted as liberated, but due to their imperfect knowledge they are described in Çrémad-Bhägavatam as vimukta-mäninaù. Since their knowledge is imperfect, their conception of liberation is imperfect. CCM 19.148 P

So if we give up the propensity for material sense gratification, that is mukti. So long we have a pinch, a drop of desire to enjoy material happiness, we’ll have to accept a body, different types of body, out of the 8,400,000. But if we become satisfied with service of Kåñëa, then we have no more interest with this material happiness. That is mukti. When we shall be detestful with this material happiness… (indistinct) Just like Jagäi-Mädhäi. (indistinct) No more (indistinct). That is mukti. Kåñëa will give you all facility. He’ll give you facilities, whatever you want. Ye yathä mäà prapadyante täàs tathaiva bhajämy a… [Bg. 4.11]. Therefore we see varieties of life. It is arranged by Kåñëa through the agency of material potency. Prakåteù kriyamäëäni guëaiù karmäëi sar… [Bg. 3.27]. It is going on. But if we say, “Kåñëa…,” to Kåñëa, “Now, from this day, I surrender unto You. My Lord, I don’t want anything material,” then you are mukta, liberated. And if you keep the standard, mäyä will not touch you. Just after giving up this body, you go back to home, back to Godhead. It is very easy. 730413ar.La

When one understands that he belongs not to the material world but to the spiritual world, one is called liberated. Madhya 17.137 P

4 kinds Adi 3.18

LIBRARY AND MEDITATION HALL Gopala Krishna informed me that you plan to build the temple in Nellore with the help of local life members. This is a very good idea. You may construct a library and a meditation hall to please the donors, but as far as possible the library should carry our books and books of other Vaisnava acaryas. The meditation hall you may put pictures of Krishna on all four sides. The construction may start as soon as you have raised enough money to local help. If the climate there is nice, then I may also come there. 750817let.Mahamsa

LIFE Less intelligent persons are very much interested in dreaming life, but one who is intelligent enough he searches after eternal life. The modern civilization does not understand what is eternal life. They are busy with the spot life of 50 or 100 years. Fools cannot think that one is not for 50 or 100 years, but one is for eternity. 671224let.Nandakishore

LAKSMI So far as the money is concerned, it is not meant for banking, but it is meant for spending. Our policy should be to collect millions of dollars or more than that daily, and spend it daily. That should be our policy. Every morning we shall be empty-handed, get collection of a million dollars during the daytime, and by evening it should be all spent. That should be our motto. But because we are pushing on our activities regularly, therefore some money should be saved to meet emergencies. So if you have got chance of opening a branch in Laguna Beach, do it. When we get a big temple in Los Angeles, Krishna will supply the necessary funds. 690617let.Tamal

LENIN There were so many asuras in this world. There were Lenin, there were Stalin, there were Hitler, there were Hiraëyakaçipu. So many. But they could not survive. It is not possible. They’ll be finished. 740930SB.May

LIBERATION

So here, how he became Nārada Muni will be described. But here it is said… One thing is that when you are liberated… Just like in the Bhagavad-gītā it is said that tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti [Bg. 4.9]. You become an associate of Nārāyaṇa, Kṛṣṇa, Viṣṇu, then you can remember your past lives. Remember your past lives. Just like you can remember your dreams, “I was dreaming like that.” So this is all dream. Our this life, at the present moment, because this body is false, so whatever we are acting, it is just like dream. Just like in dream at night we also work. So this is gross dream and that is subtle dream. But real life is spiritual life. But we foolish people, we are taking this life as permanent life, permanent settlement. 740804SB.VRN

He appears as the son of Devakī or Vasudeva. We have to know this. And if you can know, then you become immediately liberated. Our business is liberation. This is our main business. What is the purpose of getting this opportunity of human life? That we must understand. We should not waste our valuable life like the cats and dogs. This is our main business, to understand God. Athāto brahma jijñāsā. This is the life. Brahman, paraṁ brahma. Brahman, paraṁ brahma, or, Brahman’s, I mean to say, potencies. Parasya brahmaṇaḥ śaktiḥ [Viṣṇu Purāṇa]. These things are there. We should understand. That is our business. So if we understand why Bhagavān appears as the son of Devakī, then you become liberated. ……… They take everything from Kṛṣṇa as sympathy, anukampā. Tat te ‘nukampāṁ su-samīkṣamāṇaḥ [SB 10.14.8]. One who can see this anukampā in reverse condition of life, the compassion of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, mukti-pade sa dāya-bhāk, his right to become liberation becomes guaranteed. If anyone accepts the mercy of God in any circumstances, and he does not do anything wrong to anyone, such person is guaranteed to be liberated. That is the injunction of the śāstra.

761007SB.VRN

LILA-AVATARA: A lélä-avatära is an incarnation of the Lord who performs a variety of activities without making any special endeavor. He always has one pastime after another, all full of transcendental pleasure, and these pastimes are fully controlled by the Supreme Person. The Supreme Person is totally independent of all others in these pastimes. While teaching Sanätana Gosvämé (Cc. Madhya 20.296–298), Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu pointed out that one cannot count the number of lélä-avatäras:

lélävatära kåñëera nä yäya gaëana

pradhäna kariyä kahi dig-daraçana

“However,” the Lord told Sanätana, “I shall explain the chief lélä-avatäras.”

matsya, kürma, raghunätha, nåsiàha, vämana

varähädi—lekhä yäìra nä yäya gaëana

………………….

In his book Laghu-bhägavatämåta, Çréla Rüpa Gosvämé has enumerated the following twenty-five lélä-avatäras: Catuù-sana, Närada, Varäha, Matsya, Yajïa, Nara-Näräyaëa, Kapila, Dattätreya, Hayaçérña (Hayagréva), Haàsa, Påçnigarbha, Åñabha, Påthu, Nåsiàha, Kürma, Dhanvantari, Mohiné, Vämana, Paraçuräma, Räghavendra, Vyäsa, Balaräma, Kåñëa, Buddha and Kalki.

LITERATURE. Even if transcendental literature is written in faulty language, it is acceptable if it is written by a devotee, whereas so-called transcendental literature written by a mundane scholar, even if it is a very highly polished literary presentation, cannot be accepted. The secret in a devotee’s writing is that when he writes about the pastimes of the Lord, the Lord helps him; he does not write himself. As stated in the Bhagavad-gitä (10.10), dadämi buddhi-yogam tam yena mäm upayänti te. Since a devotee writes in service to the Lord, the Lord from within gives him so much intelligence that he sits down near the Lord and goes on writing books. Krishna däsa Kaviräja Gosvämi confirms that what Vrndävana däsa Thäkura wrote was actually spoken by Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and that Vrndävana däsa simply repeated it. The same holds true for Shri Caitanya-caritämrta. Krishna däsa Kaviräja Gosvämi wrote Shri Caitanya-caritämrta in his old age, in an invalid condition, but it is such a sublime literature that Shrila Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvati Gosvämi Mahäräja used to say, ”The time will come when the people of the world will learn Bengali to read Shri Caitanya-caritämrta.” We are trying to present Shri Caitanya-caritämrta in English and do not know how successful it will be, but if one reads the original Caitanya-caritämrta in Bengali he will relish increasing ecstasy in devotional service. Adi 8. 39 p.

LOAN So it is all right. I did not know it was a loan. In name money comes to India in loan but it is never repaid. In name there are so many loans, like to Spiritual Sky and now it is not being repaid. And everyone is taking loan from BBT. That is the only source of our income. But if everyone takes loan, then how can it go on?

741111let.Jayatirtha

Regarding the Hyderabad construction, it should not be stopped. I have received your request for the additional Rs. 40,000/- that I have agreed to give you, and this is all right. ___ you a loan you have requested for Rs. 60,000/-, but one thing is that it must be paid back. So many loans are given and they do not pay back. Please send me in writing that you agree to repay as soon as possible. Regarding the farm, we should not invest any money until it is transferred into our name. 750817let.Mahamsa

LODGING AND BOARDING 690201let.Uddhava

LORD CHAITANYA When you write to say that “I would like very much to be teaching them Krishna Conscience instead of English” it reminds me of Lord Caitanya. For some time Lord Caitanya was conducting a Catuspati, which is a small tutorial village class run by a learned Brahmin. When Lord Caitanya was teaching grammar to his students he was explaining Krishna. There is a chapter in Sanskrit grammar which is called Dahtu, it is verbal denominations. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was explaining Dahtu as Krishna & He would continue to explain Krishna in every step. When the students felt that the teacher was crazy the Transcendental Teacher closed his class. 671019let.Hayagriva

LOVE

For six of the eighteen years He continuously stayed in Jagannätha Puré, He regularly performed kirtana, inducing all the devotees to love Krishna simply by chanting and dancing.

Ädi 13.38

When this sense gratification will be turned towards Krishna, then our life is successful. Just like gopis. Apparently it appears that gopis, they were attracted by young boy, Krishna, and for their sense gratification they made friendship with Krishna. No. That is not the fact. The fact is that gopis used to dress themselves nicely because by seeing them, Krishna will be satisfied, not that for their sense gratification. Generally a girl dresses herself to attract the attention of the boy. So the same thing is there, but it is Krishna’s sense gratification, not the gopis’. The gopis did not want anything. But Krishna will be satisfied. That is the difference between lust and love. Love is there, only possible when it is diverted towards Krishna. That is love. And beyond that… Not beyond that…, below that, everything is lust. So we should always remember this. The senses are not stopped, but when the gratification of the senses is directed towards Krishna, that is bhakti, or love. And when the sense gratification is directed towards personal self, that is lust. This is difference between lust and love. So Srila Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvati Thäkura knew this art, how to turn our activities for the satisfaction of Krishna. This is Krishna consciousness movement. 761210dB.Hyd

Actually, our most Beloved Object is Krishna. Our love reposed on anything within our experience is due to our ultimate love for Krishna. People are trying to love the branches and leaves without taking care of the root. But when water is poured down on the root, the branches and leaves automatically become luxurious. This philosophy of taking care of the Supreme is missing in the modern civilization. They do philanthropic work, humanitarian work, national work, social work and many similar other works; now ultimately they have invented the United Nations and world health organizations. But all these attempts are exactly the same process as to water the leaves and the twigs. They don’t know the missing point: Krishna. So we have got very great responsibility to spread Krishna Consciousness throughout the world. 690815let.Madhudvisa

means for benefit. That is real love. I love you for your benefit; you love me for my benefit. If I so-called love you for my benefit, that is lust……love is between spirit and spirit…If we can love Krishna, then, through Krishna’s love, we can expand our love for everyone. 760625sb.nv

By these activities I am must (just???) trying to satisfy my spiritual master and you are all trying to help me, so I am very much obliged to you. This is real co-operation on the platform of love. 751109let.Satsvarupa

So what is the basis of peace? Basis of peace is love. Do you think that you do not love anyone and you become peaceful? No. How it is possible? Therefore, if you love God, then you can love everyone. And if you don’t love God, then you cannot love anyone. Because He’s the center. 661126cc.ny

You cannot survive without my mercy and I cannot survive without your mercy. It is reciprocal. This mutual dependence is based on love—Krishna Consciousness. 760122let.Jayatirtha

I beg to thank you for your letter dated 16th January, 1976 along with the enclosed donation. Unless there is loving feeling, how is it possible for you to always make offerings to me? The spiritual master is always instructing his disciples and they in turn are always trying to serve their spiritual master. It is a reciprocal relationship of love. 760131let.Bhurijana

LOVE FEAST

Try to have very nice Love feasts, because here in Los Angeles they are constantly attracting more and more members to join them, and the Love feast program is one of the very strong attracting influences. This program of offering grand scale quantities of prasadam amongst the general people was encouraged by Lord Caitanya, because if someone partakes of the remnants of offerings to Lord Krishna, then he is sure to come back to Krishna Consciousness again at one time or another. So propagate our processes of Sankirtana, sumptuous Love feasts, and reading literatures of Krishna Consciousness, and surely many persons will be attracted to join this sublime movement. 690715let.Pradyumna

LOVE OF GOD Maybe as our movement increases in volume the orthodox section of Christianity may be envious of our successful march. I think you should collect some information from the Bible that Sankirtana, chanting of the Holy Names of God, is recommended there also. There is a book called Aquarian Gospel in which it is stated that Lord Jesus Christ lived in the temple of Jagannatha. Without being His devotee, how could he live there and how the authorities could allow a nondevotee to live there? From that book it appears that Lord Jesus Christ lived in intimate relations with the priest order. So as far as possible, you should prepare yourself for future writings that our movement is not against the philosophy of Jesus Christ, but it is in complete collaboration with his line of religiosity. Actually, we don’t decry any religious way of the world, but we are simply advocating that people should learn to love God by following their religious principles. If one is not fortunate to be learning how to love God, then his religious principles are simply fanaticism, without any value. We are presenting the same thing practically by which one can learn very quickly how to love God, and then his life becomes sublime. So our process is a system, following which any man from any religious sect may come and join and learn how to love God. Now you should think over this matter and try to convince people by writing different types of articles in Back To Godhead. 690731let.Hayagriva

LUST love means for benefit. That is real love. I love you for your benefit; you love me for my benefit. If I so-called love you for my benefit, that is lust. 760625sb.nv

Lust is there in everyone, because everyone is actually a lover of Krishna. It just has to be purified by proper training.741106Let.Sarvamangala

MACHINE

That is happening, because everyone is not employed. They have discovered machine, and the machine is working hundred men’s work. So actually, a hundred men are unemployed. So the machine has not improved the situation. It has improved the pocket of the capitalist, but it has not improved the condition of the mass of people. No. They are unemployed. Therefore, in the Western countries, because the machine and industry, therefore, now they are producing from the university hippies, unemployed. Thousands and thousands of young boys and girls. Girls are not meant for working outside. Girls are meant for working inside. So the whole thing has topsy-turvied. Why? Because there is no good king. This is the cause. 730902BG.Lon

Regarding the farm, whatever money I had, they have taken 3 1/2 lakhs in India. Giriraja tooks 2 lakhs and Jayapataka Swami took 1 1/2 lakhs. So, you can provide the funds from Europe I think. As far as machines are concerned, it is better to avoid using them as far as possible. I am enclosing one letter that I have recently written to Mahamsa Swami concerning the farm for your information.

750519let.Hansadutta

MAD kṣipta means madness. Here is a man kṣipta, means he’s mad. So there are two kinds of madness. One madness is for material enjoyment. They are also mad, pramatta. Nūnaṁ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma [SB 5.5.4]. The material madness entangles people more and more in the process of birth and death. 760910SB.VRN

MADAN refers to Cupid CCM 8.139 P

MADAN MOHAN , the conqueror of lusty desires. 74.4.30let.Govindadasi

MADHAVENDRA PURI the original acarya of Gaudiya Vaisnavas. His disciple was Isvara Puri, and his disciple was Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 741011let.My dear Sir

MADIRA “intoxicating” Jiva Goswami SB 4.28.34

MADIRAKSENA: one whose eyes become intoxicated upon seeing the Deity. SB 4.28.34

MADHURYA Regarding your question, Sukdev and Vilvamangal Thakura developed the conjugal ecstacies later on. 750903let.Acyutananda

Yogamäyä is the name of the internal potency that makes the Lord forget Himself and become an object of love for His pure devotee in different transcendental mellows. This yogamäyä potency creates a spiritual sentiment in the minds of the damsels of Vraja by which they think of Lord Kåñëa as their paramour. This sentiment is never to be compared to mundane illicit sexual love. It has nothing to do with sexual psychology, although the pure love of such devotees seems to be sexual. One should know for certain that nothing can exist in this cosmic manifestation that has no real counterpart in the spiritual field. All material manifestations are emanations of the Transcendence. The erotic principles of amorous love reflected in mixed material values are perverted reflections of the reality of spirit, but one cannot understand the reality unless one is sufficiently educated in the spiritual science.

Ädi 4.29p

MADRAS In Madras we have to construct a very gorgeous temple. In Nellore the owners of the land are putting so many impossible conditions that we cannot construct. So that foundation stone can be brought to Madras and used for the Madras temple. Now immediately find out some land and begin the construction. Never mind what the cost will be. We are not concerned with the amount of money, but we want a very attractive temple. The money should come from the gentlemen of Madras. The foreign funds are reserved now for Bombay, Kuruksetra, Jagannatha Puri and Mayapur. But if absolutely required, something may be arranged. Go on sending funds to Hyderabad. That construction should be completed as soon as possible. But whatever amount you have sent there, Hyderabad will repay you after their Temple is finished. 760204let.Sravanananda&BhavaBhuti

MAHA BHARATA

The rascals, they say mythology. No. It is history. Mahābhārata. Mahā means greater, and bhārata means this planet. So Mahābhārata means the history of this planet. Now it is minimized, “India.” India is given…, the name given by the Britishers or the Europeans. Real name is Bhārata, Bhārata-varṣa, according to the name of Mahārāja Bharata. So this greater India, Mahābhārata, this is also history. Itihāsa. Itihāsa-purāṇa. Purāṇa means old history. Purāṇa means old. It is not mythology. Purāṇa. 760910SB.VRN

So these things are there described in the Mahābhārata. Mahābhārata means… Mahā means great, greater, and bhāratameans India. It is the history, history of greater India, Mahābhārata. They take it as stories, as mythology. That is nonsense. It is history. Mahābhārata is the history. So we take it as history. All these Purāṇas, Mahābhārata, they are histories. But not this chronological history. Chronological history, if you keep, then how many pages you have to keep? So many things. Simply selected incidences, they are described there; select, most important incidences. But that is history. So these very important incidents, they are described in the Mahābhārata. 730416SB.LA

Mahäbhärata means “The History of Greater India.” That is Mahäbhärata. History, it is history. It is not a fiction. It is history. Mahäbhärata. This planet was formerly known as Bhärata-varña. This planet. The whole planet. Not that the piece of land, as we are calling now, Bhärata-varña. No. Before that, this planet was known as Ilävåta-varña. And after the reign of Mahäräja Bharata, the son of Åñabhadeva, this planet became Bhärata-varña. So Bhärata-varña means the whole planet. But we have lost… Just like we have lost portion of the present Bhärata-varña as Pakistan. Everyone knows, twenty years before there was no such thing as Pakistan. But circumstantially we have lost. So…, so the whole Bhärata-varña has been partitioned as this portion is called America, this portion is called Europe, this portion is called Asia. These are modern names. Actually, the whole planet was Bhärata-varña. And the whole planet was being controlled by Vedic culture. So as we have lost our Vedic culture, as we could not control the others, other people in other part of the world, by our culture, by our political maneuver, we have lost. Even up to the day of Battlefield of Kurukñetra… Why Kurukñetra? Up to the time of Mahäräja Parékñit, the whole world was being controlled by one king in New Delhi, Hastinäpura. There was no other kingdom. And when the battlefield was…, the battle was there, all people from all parts of body, all parts of the world, they joined, either this party or that party. That was the battlefield. 721206bg.ahm

Yes, the Mahabharata is an authoritative book. It is considered the fifth veda. But, quotations must be given from the original Mahabharata. 741018let.Ksirodakasayee

MAHA BHAVA the condition of ecstatic love CCM8.282wfw (translated as “Srimati Radharani is the personification of ecstatic love of Godhead”

See Rasa Raja entry.

MAHA BHUJA means with unlimited strength KB ch. 54

MAHÄJANA means great authorized devotees. And they have been described, twelve.

751202sb.vrn

mahajana means mahatma means great ideal leaders Madhya 17.185 P

MAHA-MAHA-PRASADAM: remnants of food left by a pure VaishnavaCCM3.96 P

MAHAA-MAAYAA Mäyävaté had mystic knowledge of supernatural powers. Supernatural powers are generally known as mäyä, and to surpass all such powers there is another supernatural power, called mahä-mäyä. Mäyävaté had the knowledge of the mystic power of mahä-mäyä, and she delivered to Pradyumna this specific energetic power in order to defeat the mystic powers of the Çambara demon. Thus being empowered by his wife, Pradyumna immediately went before Çambara and challenged him to fight. KB ch.55

MAHÄ-RATHA means one who could fight with one thousand chariots on the other side. They were called mahä-rathäù. 730711bg.lon

MAHARISHI MAHESH YOGI 680212let.Mahapurusha

Mahatma Great soul does not mean politician, or scholar, or so-called yogi, or any other so-called big, big man, famous musician, or scientist, or anything like that. No, great soul is one who understands that Vasudevah, Krishna, is the cause of all causes and all that is, and then surrenders unto Him. You are doing that, therefore I say that you are great soul, not because you have got some material name, fame or wealth. But that will vanish at the time of your death, so what good it is? But because you are serving Krishna in devotional loving mood, therefore I say great soul. There is one Bengali proverb that the person who is actually famous is the Devotee who is known by all other Devotees to be great.

So that surrendering to Krishna, that is great soul. 720104let.George

MAHATMYAM: the glories SB 7.1.4- 5 wfw

MAHAT-TATTVA Sat means “effect,” asat means “cause,” and param refers to the ultimate truth, which is transcendental to cause and effect. The cause of the creation is called the mahat-tattva, or total material energy, and its effect is the creation itself. …. The source of birth of the cosmic manifestation, or mahat-tattva, is the Personality of Godhead. CC Adi 1.53

MAMSA (“meat”) indicates that those animals whom we kill will be given an opportunity to kill us. Although in actuality no living entity is killed, the pains of being pierced by the horns of animals will be experienced after death. SB 4.28.26

MAMSA SA KHADATI (complete expression) This animal will also eat me again

Mamsa means me, khadati means eat 760407sb.vrn

The word flesh is called mansa which means the animal in future will kill me and eat.740716let.AlfredFord

MAMTAA “Everything in my bodily relationships belongs to me” SB 4.26.1-3

MANAGEMENT:

Regarding your points about taxation, corporate status, etc., I have heard from Jayatirtha you want to make big plan for centralization of management, taxes, monies, corporate status, bookkeeping, credit, like that. I do not at all approve of such plan. Do not centralize anything. Each temple must remain independent and self-sufficient. That was my plan from the very beginning, why you are thinking otherwise? Once before you wanted to do something centralizing with your GBC meeting, and if I did not interfere the whole thing would have been killed. Do not think in this way of big corporation, big credits, centralization—these are all nonsense proposals. Only thing I wanted was that books printing and distribution should be centralized, therefore I appointed you and Bali Mardan to do it. Otherwise, management, everything, should be done locally by local men. Accounts must be kept, things must be in order and lawfully done, but that should be each temple’s concern, not yours. Krishna Consciousness Movement is for training men to be independently thoughtful and competent in all types of departments of knowledge and action, not for making bureaucracy. Once there is bureaucracy the whole thing will be spoiled. There must be always individual striving and work and responsibility, competitive spirit, not that one shall dominate and distribute benefits to the others and they do nothing but beg from you and you provide. No. Never mind there may be botheration to register each centre, take tax certificate each, become separate corporations in each state. That will train men how to do these things, and they shall develop reliability and responsibility, that is the point. 721222let.Karandhar

I beg to thank you very much for your letter pointing out some of the discrepancies of many of the devotees in New York. You are correct regarding the items which you have stated, such as sleeping in front of the deities, eating in front of the deities, taking of unoffered foodstuffs, drinking water from the bathroom, and non-chanting of rounds. But the thing is discipline can not be observed unless there is obedience. As you are obedient to me, you should be similarly obedient to my representative. Your statement about Brahmananda that he is a wonderful devotee is 100% agreed by me. He is in charge of the New York center, and, therefore, if proper obedience is not given to him it will be impossible for him to manage the affairs of the temple. Under the circumstances, the discrepancies you have observed in the temple may be referred to him, and he is quite reasonable, and will handle the matter with the respective devotees. Please don’t you take any direct actions because it will cause disruption. 690207let.Naranarayana

Encourage them and keep good relations with them so things may go on nicely. This is management. 73.6.11let.mukunda

That is the meaning of good management, to see that everyone is engaged 24 hours a day, and not sleeping unnecessarily or talking idly. 74.3.27let.Mukunda

Regarding the art of management, constant changing is not good. Even if there is some fault in management it should be corrected, not changed. Besides that, Vaisnava philosophy is that everyone is addressed as prabhu, or master. Everyone should consider himself the servant of the other. That will make management very nice.74.8.16let.BatuGopal

I am also glad to hear that in your temple no one misses mangala arati and that everyone is becoming steady and peaceful in their service. It sounds as if you are taking care of your men very nicely. This is first class management. Please continue in this kind of management. 741228.letKurushretha

Regarding incorporation of our Iskcon centers, we want to run all our centers as non-profit religious organizations; that is the main point. Keeping this point in view too much official control is not good in spiritual life. The centers should remain spiritually fit and independent. Some control must be there as is now. Too much control means so any vouchers. Gradually it will become a mundane institution. All our managers should be spiritually advanced, simple and honest in carrying out the orders of the Spiritual Master and Krishna. That will be nice standard. Democracy in spiritual affairs is not at all good but breeds power politics. We should be careful about power politics. Our only aim should be that every devotee is fully dedicated to Krishna. Then things will go on nicely.

730719let.Karandhar

Regarding the new building, if it is suitable, never mind if it is a little more or less, you should get it. We can rent the unused space, and the householders can live in the building as long as they have separate floors. One thing is that they must be fully engaged. Don’t make a hotel for free boarding and lodging. Everyone must be full-time engaged and the best engagement for them is to sell books. That will be very nice. Don’t allow anyone to simply eat and sleep. All should attend classes 2 or 3 times daily, chant 16 rounds, and go out for street sankirtana. Eating should be minimized. Too much eating leads to too much sleeping, and then sex desire. So, management should be done very carefully to see that there is not easy-going, lazy attitude which will only end in fall down. 750109let.Rupanuga

Any householder devotee who is working full-time (with his wife) as a sankirtana book distributer, of temple managerial duties, artist, cook, etc. shall be provided food, shelter, and other bare minimum necessities by the temple itself. They should not cook their own meals separate from the temple meals. If they have children, then some minimal allowance may be given according to the number of children. If they want anything extra or over and above what the temple president sees as absolute necessity, then they should work outside—the temple cannot pay for anything beyond the bare necessities. And definitely, the BBT cannot pay any salary to anybody. Our philosophy is “simple living and high thinking”—not sense gratification. The temple presidents and leaders (elder students) must show this by example. Temple or asrama means for renunciation and renounced persons. If one is engaged in self-realization process, then his material necessities become almost nil. Persons who do not like this can work outside. 750112let.Kirtiraja

The Miami situation is a great discredit for us because we have made such a bad impression on the neighbors that they have had us kicked out. This is because of nasty management. Rupanuga was the GBC, and now you are, why it cannot be made clean? Abhirama has proved his poor management, so he must be replaced. If you sell the old buildings and buy some land as proposed, it may be very nice. One thing is though, if the management continues to be so nasty, then that place will also be ruined. Management must be done very nicely otherwise it is useless. 750604let.Satsvarupa

They may have had some disagreement with you, but expert management means to engage all of the devotees and not allow them to split into different parties. Your action of sending a letter to the pleader has disturbed me. Why have you taken this rash action without consulting me or Brahmananda Maharaja? You should immediately withdraw that letter. I want that you approach Navayogendra with all humility and ask his forgiveness for the beating. In this way you can rectify things. You must bring them back. Otherwise if you cannot do it, then you should come here to me and we shall discuss it personally. 750729let.Chayavana

It is true that in the past there was some mismanagement in our Honolulu temple, but I was there recently, and it is nicely organized. 750730let.JacquettaBuell

Now you have the land, but the temple construction is not being done. Is it that you are doing too much? You should not become overburdened with too much management responsibilities because then you will not be able to accomplish anything. 750803let.Mahamsa

Regarding Manasvi you immediately inform the police that he has misappropriated so much money. He must give the account or we shall prosecute. Yes, Srutakirti he is a good boy, so he can be made the President as you suggest.

You are GBC so you must stop all this from going on. The best procedure is that the Treasurer takes all money collected and immediately writes it in the book and then daily deposits everything in the bank. None of the collection should be used for spending. All expenditures should be done by check as far as possible. Check means two signatures, so in this way this nonsense will be stopped. Please see that all temples are following this system. These report are very much disturbing to me. How can I translate? 750826let.GuruKripa

The article on Marxism is very much appreciated. We can say all these big so-called philosophers are all simply mudhas. Perhaps I am the first to do it. Our philosophy is perfect, and we cannot be defeated by anyone. So it is up to you to learn it and be able to present it nicely. Now you have everything, respect, philosophy, money, temples, books, all these things I have given, but I am an old man and my notice is already there. Now it is up to you all how to manage it. If you cannot increase it, you should at least maintain what I have given you. You cannot accuse me that I have not given you anything. So it is a great responsibility you now have. 750826let.JagannathSuta repeated in 750904let.Cyavana

Madhudvisa Swami has come here from Australia and as he is free I am sending him to New York. I have discussed with him how I want my rooms to be. As things have generally not been so well managed there I have asked him to be ad-hoc President of New York Temple until the coming GBC meeting. 760121let.Rupanuga

Honolulu

4 May, 1976

76-05-04

Bombay

To whom it may concern,

I have been informed by Upendra das in Fiji Island that he wrote one letter similar to the enclosed letter herein and that one month has passed without any reply. What kind of management is this? So these things should be rectified immediately. There is good scope for distributing Gujarati and Hindi books in Fiji, but if there is mismanagement then what can be done. Please reply this letter to Upendra das and other such inquiries at once upon receipt.

Your ever well-wisher,

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

ACBS/pks

Cyavana has misspent, that is clear. Therefore, indirectly we are responsible because we could not control him. Slack management Arrange things so that in the future these things may not occur. 761026let.Brahmananda

The behavior of Sukadeva is very bad. It is good that he has resigned. The fact is that unless the management is strictly supervised, these things will happen. Sudama and Manasvi did the same thing. Be careful so that these things may not happen again in the future. The president cannot take any loans without authorization. This is a declaration. These things must not be allowed. Whatever he has taken must be returned and he must pay back the money that he has kept. How can he claim proprietorship, everything is the property of the Guru. You must inform them wherever he has gone that he must return whatever he has taken.

Now you please stay there until you have properly trained up a competent manager and then you must carefully supervise so that this may not happen again. Hawaii is a good field so do it carefully. You have done the right thing to inform me of the situation. Thank you for rectifying the situation. 761026let.Gurukrpa

Yes, the management must be very first class. If required we can keep some paid men. Amateur management is not always efficient. I approve of your ideas for management. We shall get it passed by resolution meeting. I like the ideas. 761223let.Saurab

MANDA: Manda means “bad” and “slow.” Both the meanings can be manda. Manda-gati: they’re not interested in progressive life. That is also manda. Manda matayaù: and they have got their own opinions. They do not follow the standard path. And it is confirmed by the so-called leaders, yata mata tata patha, you can manufacture your own way of life. 760927SB.VRN

MANDAKINI: name of Ganges in higher planetary system (Lord Krishna daily activities)

MANGAL ARATIK My instruction is that all of my disciples must attend the mangala arati and chant 16 rounds daily.74.8.20let.RadhaKanta

MANGO Regarding the mangos: Govinda dasi misled me—the mangos are not yet ripened. There are many mango trees, but the fruit will not be ripened until late May or June. So for now there is no abundant supply of nice mangos. So I shall soon be returning to the mainland for my engagements in New York, in Boston, and elsewhere. 690315let.TamalKrishna

MANMATHA-MADANA means that He is attractive even to Cupid CC M 8.139 P

MANTRA. Mantra Siddhi means complete liberation. Therefore, there is no difference between the holy name and Mantra. Man means mind and tra deliverance. That which delivers one from mental speculation is called “Mantra”. “Mantra Siddhi” is to transcend the gross and subtle mental plane. 570507let.Padampat

MANVANTARA

Seventy-one divya-yugas constitute one manv-antara. There are fourteen manv-antaras in one day of Brahmä. CCAdi 3.8

is a period controlled by one Manu CCAdi 3.8 P

MARKATA-VAIRAGYA monkey renunciation 721121Bg.Hyd

MARKINE BHAGAVAD-DHARMA. Thank you very much for your nice translation of Markine Bhagavata-dharma. It is well appreciated. I think it can be included in the front of the new printing of the song book, and it can be sung in kirtana like the other songs of Bhaktivinode Thakura. I have included a few corrections below which can be noted. The other prayer can be called Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Krsna, and I will be sending comments on that shortly. 760208let.Jayasacinandana

MARRIAGE

So he became sinful because he left his married wife and he became attracted with a çüdräëé immediately. That has been described in the previous verse, visasarjäcirät päpaù [SB 6.1.65]. Päpaù means sinful man. He became sinful immediately. Therefore we stress on marriage. They cannot understand why this Association stresses so much for marriage, not to live… They live as friend; that is çüdra. There is no legal marriage, çüdra and çüdräëé. Just like he was living with the çüdräëé—he was not married—as friend. So even çüdra’s marriage there is. For the çüdra there is one äçrama—that is gåhastha äçrama. And for the brähmaëas, four äçramas: brahmacäré, gåhastha, vänaprastha, sannyäsa. This is for the brähmaëas. For the kñatriyas: brahmacäré, gåhastha, vänaprastha. For the vaiçya: brahmacäré and gåhastha. And for the çüdras: no brahmacäré, only family life, and that also sometimes without marriage. This is the low grade, first grade, second grade. 750902SB.Vrn

Krishna Himself married so many wives as a Ksatriya. Caitanya Mahaprabhu although He was to take Sannyas at the age of 24 years, still He married twice within 20 years. Lord Nityananda Prabhu also married. Advaita Prabhu and Srivas Prabhu, they were also householders. So to become married is no impediment for advancement in Krishna Consciousness. One should be vigilant only that he is not diverting from Krishna Consciousness. One has to follow the footprints of the great Acaryas then everything is all right. I was also a married man—my family is still existing. So you should always remember that marriage is not impediment. The greatest enemy is forgetfulness of Krishna. There are many Impersonalists and voidists—they renounced this material world very early in their life; just like Sankara Acarya. He took sannyasa at the age of 8 years. Lord Buddha left home just in the beginning of his youth. But we are not concerned with them. So I hope by this time, by serving this Krishna Consciousness movement for the last two years you must have gotten some taste of the nectarine. Now you must be fixed up and execute your specified duty as ordered by me, and then I am sure there will be no difficulty. But you should always remember that wife is not a machine for sense gratification. Wife is your half body for nourishing your Krishna Consciousness status. So your are getting a wife who is already trained up in Krishna Consciousness and if you live carefully and faithfully there will be no difficulty. That is the verdict of all Acaryas. I think this will simplify your agitated mind 690310let.Madhusudan

There is no need of separation. Live together and train up your mind, that is all. Artificial separation is never recommended. And when you see, living together, you have no desire for sense gratification, then that is the highest stage of perfection. Voluntary restraint is tapasya, austerity, and this is possible with advancement of Krishna Consciousness. Artificial separation is foolishness. We recommend voluntary restraint, not artificial separation. So you should understand that there is no objection to live together as husband and wife. The tendency is there, it is natural. But if one can check it, that is very good. But it is not compulsory. And not to be checked artificially, but with advancement of strength in Krishna Consciousness. 680614let.Himavati

You have written to say that your wife and you have a problem on which you require my help. The whole world, beginning with the highest planet to the lowest in this material world is facing this problem. Combination of husband and wife is a necessary satisfaction of the sex urge. The foolish people see everyday this problematic situation, still they are not intelligent enough to avoid it. Training of brahmacari life is especially meant for this purpose, and a student is advised not to indulge in sex life just to avoid these problems. It is very difficult to satisfy a woman by a person who has no good income, neither very good health. The woman as a class wants sufficient means to eat, and decorate and at the same time full satisfaction of sex. Any husband who cannot satisfy his wife by these three items, namely sufficient food, sufficient dress and ornament, and sufficient satisfaction of sex, must meet all these problems. And as soon as one becomes engaged in solving these problems it is very difficult to make any progress in Krishna Consciousness. If one is serious to make any success in the matter of Krishna Consciousness, one should avoid the association of woman as far as possible. Married life is a sort of license to the incapable man who cannot avoid sex life. On this statement, you can understand your real position. I do not agree with your wife’s statement that New York is unfit for human habitation. A real Krishna Conscious person can adjust things nicely even in hell. A fully Krishna Conscious person is always in transcendental position and he is not afraid of any place which is so called, unfit for human habitation. A Krishna Conscious person is always satisfied whether in Vaikuntha or in hell. His satisfaction is not the particular place but his sincere service attitude towards Krishna. I have no objections if your wife and you go to San Francisco and live there peacefully as man and wife concentrating your attention for Krishna Consciousness. Hope you are well 671113let.Gargamuni

Regarding your question, what is the position of the women in Krishna Consciousness Movement, we are not responsible for marriages. If you want to get married at your own risk, that is all right, you can get married by the state service and the husband must take full responsibility for living outside the temple and earning money for supporting wife and children. If you have a child and you are not married, still, having child is the same as being married, so there is no more marriage. Marriage is not for sense gratification, not that we get married twice, thrice in a year. No, if you have got a child there is no need for more marriages. But if you cannot stay in Krishna Consciousness unless you have got a husband, that is all right, but the responsibility is not ours for your maintenance or other things, so if want to get married both you and your husband must make your own arrangements. 720719let.Navina

Regarding householder life, I have no objection, this is not my responsibility.

720723let.Jayadeva

So never mind there may be some inconvenience in family life for the time being. Your husband is doing the highest service. You may assist your husband very nicely by concentrating all your time and efforts in raising your child in full Krsna consciousness. That will require all of your attention, and in that way you will be giving your husband the best assistance. This spot life is merely a platform for us to make progress toward going back to home, back to Godhead, therefore we should not be too much concerned with family matters. 720811let.Gangadevi (wife of Vasudeva, Berlin TP)

Husband and wife equal double strength 720909let.Krishnadas

Marriage between husband and wife means that the husband must forever be responsible for the wife’s well-being and protection in all cases. That does not mean that now there is agreement between us, therefore I am responsible, but as soon as there is some disagreement then I immediately flee the scene and become so-called renounced. Whether your husband likes to take responsibility as your spiritual guide or not, that does not matter. He must do it. It is his duty because he has taken you as his wife. Therefore he must take full responsibility for you the rest of his life. And you also must agree to serve him under all circumstances and assist him in every way so that he may make advancement in Krsna Consciousness. By his making advancement in Krsna Consciousness, automatically the wife will make advancement in the husband’s footsteps. But if you do not assist him and be very obedient to his welfare, then he may become disgusted and go away. So there must be mutual responsibility by both parties, and now that you are married couple there is no question of your separation, but you must both strive very hard to serve Krsna together in harmony. What are these nonsense emotions that cause you to go this way and that way, the real thing is your duty. Now you are married couple, you know what your duty is, so best thing is to perform your duty and always think of Krsna. Never mind some temporary inconveniences, we must remain steady in our duty to Krsna. 720915let.Sudevi

You are married and your husband is striving to become a devotee of Krsna, so you become his devotee, that is the position of husband and wife, that the husband will become a great devotee of Krsna by his wife’s assistance, and the wife will take benefit and advance in spiritual life by serving her husband. You are anxious about the rules and regulations, but without rules and regulations there is more frustration. So it may be a little difficult at first, but if you are sincere to achieve the highest result of your lifetime, then you can be assured that by your efforts in Krsna Consciousness that you will very quickly become happy more and more. The difficulties of this material world will shrink to no more than the size of a hoofprint left by the calf. 720929let.SusanBeckman

Another item is, you are married wife, so in that position you should serve your husband nicely always, being attentive to his needs, and in this way, because he is always absorbed in serving Krishna, by serving your husband you will also get Krishna, through him. He is your spiritual master, but he must be responsible for giving you all spiritual help, teaching you as he advances his own knowledge and realization. That is the vedic system: The wife becomes a devotee of her husband, the husband becomes a devotee of Krishna; the wife serves her husband faithfully, the husband protects his wife by giving her spiritual guidance. So you should simply do whatever your husband instructs you to do, however he may require your assistance. Of course, the nature of woman is to be attached to her husband and family, so our system is to minimize this attachment by making the ultimate goal of our activity the pleasure of Krishna. Just try to please Krishna always, and no material circumstances will be able to cause you any discomfort.

721023let.Soucharyadevi

If SubalaVilasa wants to marry that African girl, I have no objection but whether she wants to marry him? Also, take the consent of her parents and elder brothers. Such marriage may be good propaganda for our movement in Africa, but if there is any disturbance caused by it, that will be disaster, just like we saw with the Sarna girls. So you must judge whether the match will be favorable on the point that it must not cause any disturbance either in the girl’s family or in the local community. 721026let.Chayavana

Because the sex-urge is so strong in young persons, and because they are used to mixing freely with one another, I encourage my students to get themselves married. But our point is not that hard knot as above described. It is simply a relationship of mutually helping each other, man and wife, to make advancement in spiritual life, nothing more. We are not after home, money, fame, like that. But that does not mean that he shall not support her nicely, no. It is the duty of husband to protect wife in every way from the onslaught of material nature, and he must act always as her spiritual guide by being perfect example of devotee.

721107let.MrLoy

I note that you are requesting to take the sannyasa order of life. But if you have got wife, that will be difficult. If someone devotee has got wife, that will not become a very popular policy to grant so easily sannyasa. And if your wife wants many children, that is the only purpose for getting married to wife, to have facility for sex-life, otherwise what is the use for taking so much botheration of married life? So now you are married man, that decision you have made. That is great responsibility, and that should not become so light matter that anyone may think, Oh, let me get married and if I don’t like my wife, or there is anything difficulty, I will write Prabhupada for taking sannyasa, finished. Never mind wife, let her go to hell. That is not very nice proposal. Married life is serious business. If you have taken wife, you must be completely responsible for her throughout your life. She shall always serve and obey you without fail, and you shall instruct her in Krishna Consciousness and act as her spiritual master. Otherwise, without husband, women have great difficulty to make spiritual advancement. So if we have to develop a perfect society of scientific arrangement for making spiritual progress, then so many women will be there, so what shall they do? They have also come to Krishna, we cannot reject them. Therefore I have advised my students to get themselves married. I was householder, my Guru Maharaja was life-long brahmacari. But we are doing the same work of preaching Krishna Consciousness, so what is the difference, grhastha and brahmacari? Actual sannyasa means that he has given everything to Krishna, so practically you are already sannyasa. But if you have got wife, and if she is very desirous to raise children, she will not be very happy if you go away. That is not our business, to create havoc, no. If wife is very strong, she will appreciate if you take sannyasa, but if there is question at all, that should be avoided. Just like I never liked my wife, but I knew it was my duty to stick until my sons were grown-up, then I left. But if you give your wife one child, then she will be happy and she will have some life-long occupation, that you must consider. But at least you can wait until I come there next time, then we shall see further.

721217let.Danavir

And the pychology is the first boy that a girl accepts in marriage, that girl will completely give her heart to, and this attachment on the girls side for her husband becomes more and more strong, thus if a girls gets a good husband—one who has accepted a bona fide spiritual master and is firmly fixed up in his service, automatically the wife of such a good husband inherits all the benefits of his spiritual advancement. So you are fortunate. Go on in this present attitude, serve you husband always and in this way your life will be perfect, and together husband and wife go back home—Back to Godhead. 730728let.Naiskarmi

Regarding your separating from Nandarani, nothing should be done artificially. Nandarani is not different from you. She also seeks Krsna consciousness. Your household life is not repugnant; it is favorable. . Do not separate artificially. When everyone is engaged in Krsna’s service, there is no question of maya. I have got good estimation about Nandarani. 731016let.Dayananda

Regarding your taking a second wife, you cannot do this. At least you cannot stay in our temple in Vrindaban. If you want to take a second wife, then you have to leave our Vrindaban temple. Whether you can maintain them and take some job and earn? Our temples cannot support you and your two wives. You will then want three, four, and more. Anyway as an American it is illegal for you to do this. We are trying to minimize sex and you are trying to increase it. Please give up this idea. 750713let.Narottamananda

Woman is good and man is good, but if you combine them, then both become bad, unless there is regulation. 750714let.GopalKrishna

Regarding remarriage, no, remarriage should be always discouraged. Remarriage means encouraging sense gratification. Our mission is to curtail sense gratification. Three times marrying in a year, this is not good, and they are doing this. 750821let.Rupanuga

I never said there should be no more marriage. By all means legally you can get married. How can I object? They misunderstand me. Unless it is there from me in writing, there are so many things that “Prabhupada said.” I have no objection to marriage, but to bless it by a fire sacrifice, that I am thinking that if they don’t stay together, then it is not good. But if they can remain together for one year, then there can be fire sacrifice. But changing three times in a month husband and wife, that is not good. 750902let.OmkaraDasi

Regarding the question of second marriage, it cannot be done. Neither the law will allow it and neither we can encourage it. If they want to marry more than one wife, they must live outside our temples in their own arrangements. We have no objection if he does it, but it must be done outside the temple. It cannot be done inside the temple jurisdiction. Outside he can work, earn money, and if he wants he can maintain 16,000 wives. But he must go outside the Society. Within the Society only one marriage can be allowed.

I thought these boys and girls will be married and be happy. But, I see that they are not satisfied. In the Western countries they are trained up in a different way. Jumping from one to another. Another wife, another husband. This is the disease all over the world. Simply by agreement, then cancelled, then another agreement.

Everyone wants more than one wife. That is human nature. This means their mind is not being diverted to Krishna. Because they are not madan mohan, they are madan dahan, they are in the Cupid’s fire. You want them to have more wives under GBC supervision. You will supply the maintenance? What is this nonsense? They must go outside the Society to do it. And, the sort of marriage where they are not satisfied cannot be allowed. Nor can women with child strictly she cannot marry again. 750907let.Bhagavan

Regarding the devotee taking a second wife, it is all right from Vedic culture, but is not right from American law view point. That you have to adjust. 751109let.Satsvarupa

I received one letter from Shaktimata Devi Dasi whom you know from London. She is presently in Nairobi and is looking for a good husband for her daughter. She wrote one letter appealing that you might consider marrying her daughter. So, if you are agreeable then I have not objection. 760321let.PatitaUddharan

Concerning marriages in the Bombay centre as a means of income, if it does not disturb the daily routine, then it can be done. However, the marriages can not take place before the Deity in the temple. Where in the tower would you plan to have the marriages take place? What rooms would be utilized for this purpose? 760520let.Saurabha

I am in due receipt of the copy of Back to Godhead dated 15th February 1967 and I am glad that it is nicely done. The only defect is that picture which is wrongly put there without asking me. There was no need of interpretations and why you have interpreted the picture as one has to be naked before the Lord to become perfect? We have no interpretation in any one of the verses in the Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. They were not fictitious and therefore there is no need of interpretation. Krishna actually took away the dresses of the Gopis and actually He saw the girls naked. There is no interpretation there. The girls of Vrindaban of the same age like Krishna wanted Krishna as their husband. In India the girls are married earlier by ten years at least and thus the girls who were of the same age were married although they wished Krishna as their husband. Krishna fulfilled their wishes by this pastime. Nobody can ask any woman or girl to become naked except the husband. That is the moral etiquette of Vedic culture. Krishna is actually husband of every woman. There was no necessity of formal marriage. But still Krishna played like husband by asking them to become naked. In the spiritual world there is no cohabitation; simply by such emotion in transcendental ecstasy the desire is fulfilled. 670228let.Rayarama

They should get a marriage certificate as soon as is possible. In the temple the ceremony should be observed by chanting Hare Krishna before the fire, offering the clarified butter with the word Saha, and the bride and groom should exchange their garlands before the Lord Krishna deity and promise not to be separated in life. They should know it that bodily relation between the husband and wife is secondary; primary factor is that both should help one another in the matter of advancement of K.C. 670804let.Brahmananda

Regarding Gargamuni’s marriage, I have already sanctioned it.(with Karunamayee 670927let.Brahmananda) Perhaps you did not receive the letters containing all instructions. I repeat: the bride and groom should sit before the Deity Lord Krishna or Jagannatha and you should ignite the fire to offer clarified butter; simply chant Hare Krishna, all of you, and offer the butter to the fire with the word SAHA. The bride and groom should exchange their garlands, and the groom should promise never to forsake his wife, and the wife should promise to serve the husband for all her days. Then when there is opportunity, I shall further bless them personally. 670822let.Brahmananda

I am also very pleased to know that Himavati is definitely going to have a baby. It is a very wonderful thing, and surely Krishna will bless your home with His presence, as both you and your wife and His sincere servants; The best preparation for the coming of the child is just for the parents to remain perfectly Krishna Conscious, and of course, the best means for that is by chanting the holy Names and listening to Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. I very much appreciate that you enjoy helping to open various centers, and that is certainly laudable on your part. You must fully consider, however, your wife and child; your first duty now as a householder is to provide nicely for your wife and child. 670829let.Hansaduta

Please know it that I do not approve anyone’s separation who are married by me. If they disagree, they may live separately, but there cannot be divorce. When one is separate, one may fully devote in Krishna, but no more marriage. If this is not followed, I will not take part in anyone’s marriage in the future. I hope you will understand me right and do the needful. Hope you are well. 6709??let.KrishnaDevi

Regarding your personal question in the matter of relationship with your husband. Your relationship with your husband is all right. You must be faithful & devoted to your husband, Dayananda. Vedic system advises women to become very chaste & accept the husband as master. Your husband is especially good because he is progressing in Krishna Consciousness. I am very glad that you two are very good combination & your devotion for your husband & your husband’s love for you are considered great achievements so I have also advised Krishna Devi for her husband, Subala. I feel very happy when I see my spiritual boys and girls especially those who have been married by my personal presence are very happy in their conjugal relationship. Even if there is some misunderstanding between husband & wife that should be completely neglected & you should always remain rigid in service of Krishna as you have written to say, it is pleasing to be in the service of Krishna. Discharge of Krishna Consciousness is our primary objective & all other relationships should be faithful to this principle. Follow this principle. 671008let.Nandarani

MARX means a broader heart. They are not satisfied simply by his personal comfort. In political history also, you will find so many great leaders. They sacrificed their own comforts. In your country there was George Washington. He sacrificed so many. There were other leaders. In every country, in political field. Similarly, social field also. Even the political leaders, the Marx, they also, he was also compassionate by seeing the terrible condition of the Russian peasants, so he started that communist movement. That is the way. Great men, they work for the general mass of people. They are not… That is their greatness.

So Advaita Prabhu, when He found that people are simply engaged in eating, sleeping, and they are not, they have no concern with Kåñëa, and their life is being spoiled, so He wanted to start this Kåñëa consciousness movement, say, about six hundred years ago, but He considered Himself as unable to take up this movement seriously because the condition of the people was so wretched. He thought that “If Kåñëa Himself comes, then it can be done. Otherwise it is not possible.” So Advaita Prabhu called Caitanya Mahäprabhu. And Caitanya Mahäprabhu, by His call, He appeared, Kåñëa appeared. 690207Ba.LA

MATERIAL So this bodily relationship is material. Material means outward, external. It is not real relationship. The father is a soul, I am soul, my brother is a soul, so we are related on the spiritual platform in relationship with God because soul is not matter. 751001bg.mau

MATERIALISTIC WAY of life means nidrayä hriyate naktam. At night either sleep or enjoy sex. Nidrayä hriyate naktaà vyaväyena ca… [SB 2.1.3]. Vyaväyena means sex. And in daytime? Diva cärthehayä räjan. In daytime, “Where is money, where is money, where is money?” Go, take your car and run. So diva cärthehayä räjan, and when you get money, kuöumba-bharaëena vä. Then find out, purchase something for my wife, for my children, for myself, spend the money. Again night comes, again sleep, again sex. Again day comes, all right, go to market, earn money and spend it. This is going on. This is called material life.

MATERIAL ENJOYMENT

The whole world is Krsna’s property. The material world is a field of activities for the corrupt conditioned souls who desire to enjoy in imitation of the Supreme. For them, Krsna gives facilities for material enjoyment, but He wants the conditioned souls—after finishing their material enjoyment—to come back to Him with bitter experience of material existence.

Therefore in the Bhagavad-gita there is the essence of Vedic instructions. The plan is that the conditioned soul may fulfill his desire for material enjoyment and at the same time be trained up in spiritual identity to come back to Godhead, back to home. As such, Bhagavad-gita contains the solution of all problems of the material world. 74.3.29 let.Ghosh

MATERIAL KNOWLEDGE

Sātvata means eternal, and saṁhitā means Vedic literature. Vedic literature… Veda means knowledge. There are two kinds of knowledge = material knowledge and spiritual knowledge. Material knowledge means regarding these necessities of this body. So our educational system, the university, everything, that is simply imparting material knowledge. But material knowledge is superfluous because this body is also superfluous. Every one of us, we know that this body is nonpermanent. It is temporary. We create a certain type of situation, and we get a particular type of body, and we enjoy or suffer. There is no question of enjoyment; it is suffering. Just like we are running on this fan because the body is suffering. Otherwise, there is no necessity of this fan. And we require this light because without light the eyes will suffer. 750423SB.Vrn

MATERIAL LIFE means simply sinful activities.751211sb.vrn

MATERIAL NATURE

Regarding your question about Vasudeva, the father of Krishna, you should understand that he is not simply a symbol. The statement made in Srimad-Bhagavatam in this connection is meant for understanding, but unless one is in Vasudeva’s position, it is not possible to understand Vasudeva or Krishna. Vasudeva’s position means to be situated in pure goodness. In the material world, the three modes of nature which are named ignorance, passion and goodness, are always found mixed up together. In other words, these modes are never found pure, but if there is one mode present, there is sure to be at least a tinge of another mode there also. For this reason, we may sometimes see a third class man showing the quality of goodness, and we may see a first class man showing hints of ignorance. The modes are never found in a pure state in the material world. But in the Vasudeva stage of pure goodness there is no contamination from any material influence of passion or ignorance. Vasudeva is never to be understood as being a symbol. You should clearly understand this.690128let.Hamsaduta

MATERIAL QUALIFICATIONS

Devotional service does not depend on material assessment. It is said in Srimad-Bhagavatam, “ahaituki apratihata”. Devotional service must be without any material ambition and there is no material impediment which can check advancement in devotional service. Srila Gaura Kisora das Babaji was unable to sign his name, and yet he became the spiritual master of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, the most erudite learned scholar of His time. We should begin our devotional service in whichever position we are. It isn’t that we have to learn something extra for advancing in devotional service.

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaja

ahaituky apratihata yayatma suprasidati

[SB 1.2.6]

vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah

janyayaty asu vairagyam jnanam ca yad ahaitukam

[SB 1.2.7]

If one is materially well equipped it is welcome but devotional service does not depend on material qualifications. 761120let.Jitadusana

MATERIAL THOUGHS From your letter, I can understand you are confused in your mind, because you do not want this, you do not want that, you might like another, like that. That position of confusion is not very much desirable, so you are a Vaisnava, now rid yourself of such misunderstanding of things. Vaisnava means one who is able to sit down anywhere, under any conditions, and be happy. He wants only a place to lay down, a little prasadam, and if there’s a little service he can do, gladly let me do it for Krishna, that’s all. As long as we are thinking I want this, that is not to my liking, or if I adjust things a certain way everything will be better, these thoughts are material. Devotional service is not conditional. So stop this dreaming state. Try to understand things with the light of your intelligence, and if your are sincere in this way, without a doubt Krishna will give you full facility to understand Him and become freed of the bondage of ignorance. 720708let.Bhagavatananda

MATERIAL KNOWLEDGE

And material world means politics, jealousy, diplomacy, enviousness, so many things. This is material world. So even in the heavenly planets, these things are there, politics. Even in animal kingdom these politics are there. This is the nature. Matsaratā. Matsaratā means enviousness. One man is envious of another man. It doesn’t matte even they are brothers or family members. Here the family members, Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Pāṇḍu, two brothers, their sons, they were family members, but the enviousness.

730707BG.LON

MATERIAL WORLD

Śoka-moha-bhaya, these things are our constant companion. Śoka. Śoka means lamenting, and moha means illusion. And bhaya, bhaya means fearfulness. So we are embarrassed with these things always = śoka, moha and bhaya. Śoka: we are always lamenting, “This thing I have lost.” “I have lost this business,” “I have lost my son,” “I have lost…,” so many. Because it is, after all, a losing business. To exist in this material world means it is a losing business. There will be no profit. Therefore whatever we are working for, searching after, real happiness, if it is not devotional service, then the Bhāgavatasays, śrama eva hi kevalam [SB 1.2.8] = “Simply working for nothing, and the gain is labor.”

750423SB.Vrn

Similarly, the whole material world is nothing but an imitation of the spiritual world by intermixture of earth, water and fire—and nothing else.760923SB.VRN

So although this material world is condemned… Duùkhälayam açäçvatam [Bg. 8.15], Kåñëa says. It is also Kåñëa’s kingdom. Because everything belongs to God, Kåñëa. So this condemned place is created for suffering of the condemned persons. Who are condemned? Those who have forgotten Kåñëa and wants to become happy independently, they are all condemned demons. And those who are surrendered to Kåñëa, they are not condemned. That is the difference. So although Kåñëa has created this material world for the condemned persons, still, He wants to see that they are having their necessities of life and…, so that they may live prosperously. And let them enjoy for some time this material world according to their inclination. But at last, let them come back home, back to home, back to Godhead. Just like the prisoners: they are condemned, and the government puts them into jail. So for their criminality they are punished within the jail. But the government does not want that these prisoners may remain perpetually within the jail. The same thing. Try to understand. Government does not want. Government wants that “They have been condemned. So for their criminality, let them suffer for some time. And then they correct themselves and again they are freed. 740928SB.May

This material world. It is, although temporary, it has got a purpose. The purpose is to give chance to the living entities who are rotting in this material world to revive his Kåñëa consciousness, or original consciousness, and go back to home, back to Godhead. This is the plan. 730725bg.lon

MATHURA MANDALA To live in Vrindaban is the highest perfection and to grow up in Vrindaban the greatest fortune. Who can compare Vrindaban to the nasty western culture? Even to live in Mathura-mandala for a fortnight guarantees one liberation. 760120let.Jayatirtha

MATSARATA means enviousness 730707 bg.lon

MAAYAA (will have to check whether ordinary maya has got long a’s). Mäyävaté had mystic knowledge of supernatural powers. Supernatural powers are generally known as mäyä, and to surpass all such powers there is another supernatural power, called mahä-mäyä. Mäyävaté had the knowledge of the mystic power of mahä-mäyä, and she delivered to Pradyumna this specific energetic power in order to defeat the mystic powers of the Çambara demon. Thus being empowered by his wife, Pradyumna immediately went before Çambara and challenged him to fight. KB ch. 55

MAYA

Maya means energy Adi 1.54 p.

Or sense gratificatory illusion BGAII 2.39 p

Maya means things which have no existence independent of Godhead, but its business is to cover Godhead. 690813let.JayaGovinda

The real description of Maya is given in a Vedic literature called Markandeya Purana in the chapter Candika. Candika is another name of the external energy called Maya. This Candika is described there as the Goddess who is putting all conditioned souls in darkness. …. Every living entity is part and parcel spirit soul, but in contact with Maya it has developed different types of consciousness, represented by varieties of bodies, beginning from the aquatics and going to the bodies of demigods in higher planets. 690803let.RobertHendry

Mäyä means “what is not.” Mä-yä. So because we are under the clutches of mäyä, this material world, therefore we have been conditioned. And what is that mäyä? That mäyä is forgetfulness of our relationship with God. That is mäyä. Krishna-bahirmukha haïä bhoga väïchä kare. This jéva, when we forget Krishna, our relationship with Krishna… What is that relationship? Caitanya Mahäprabhu says jévera svarüpa haya nitya-krishna-däsa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109]. That is our relationship. We are eternal servant of Krishna. 760921SB.Vrnd

Maya can take Krishna’s place in our heart as soon as there is a slackness on our part. 690201let.Upendra

Maya and living entities are different energies of Krishna and all of them are eternal. Maya is acting under the direction of Krishna but her task is to punish the revolted living entities; therefore, she has to business in the spiritual platform. Maya cannot go to Krishna means that Maya’s influence cannot be active in the presence of Krishna. The example of darkness can be given herein. The darkness has no existence in the presence of sunlight, similarly Maya cannot exist in the presence of Krishna. As darkness and light exist eternally, similarly, Maya and Krishna exist eternally, but Maya has no existence in the presence of Krishna. Try to understand this simile. 680125let.Balai

As for the word mäyä, when used in reference to the dealings of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees, this word means “affection.”

SB 7.2.7-8

Maya is undoubtedly very strong, and we have to be very vigilant like soldiers in a fortress. We should not let maya enter into our activities, but keep all of our activities Krishna conscious. I have faith in you, so always try your best to serve Krishna and your spiritual master, and you will be all successful. 741126let.Damodara

“What appears to be truth without Me is certainly My illusory energy, for nothing can exist without Me. It is like a reflection of a real light in the shadows, for in the light there are neither shadows nor reflections.

Adi 1.54

One must also understand the relative truth to actually know the Absolute. The relative truth, which is called mäyä, or material nature, is explained here. Mäyä has no independent existence. One who is less intelligent is captivated by the wonderful activities of mäyä, but he does not understand that behind these activities is the direction of the Supreme Lord. In the Bhagavad-gétä (9.10) it is said, mayädhyakñeëa prakrtiù süyate sa-caräcaram: the material nature is working and producing moving and nonmoving beings only by the supervision of Kåñëa. ……. Mäyä means energy; therefore the relative truth is explained to be the energy of the Absolute Truth. Since it is difficult to understand the distinction between the absolute and relative truths, an analogy can be given for clarification. The Absolute Truth can be compared to the sun, which is appreciated in terms of two relative truths: reflection and darkness. Darkness is the absence of sunshine, and a reflection is a projection of sunlight into darkness. Neither darkness nor reflection has an independent existence. Darkness comes when the sunshine is blocked. For example, if one stands facing the sun, his back will be in darkness. Since darkness stands in the absence of the sun, it is therefore relative to the sun. The spiritual world is compared to the real sunshine, and the material world is compared to the dark regions where the sun is not visible………. That which is relative, temporary and far away from the Absolute Truth is called mäyä, or ignorance. This illusion is exhibited in two ways, as explained in the Bhagavad-gétä. The inferior illusion is inert matter, and the superior illusion is the living entity. The living entities are called illusory in this context only because they are implicated in the illusory structures and activities of the material world. Actually the living entities are not illusory, for they are parts of the superior energy of the Supreme Lord and do not have to be covered by mäyä if they do not want to be so. The actions of the living entities in the spiritual kingdom are not illusory; they are the actual, eternal activities of liberated souls.

Ädi 1.55CC Adi 1.54 p.

This lack of absolute knowledge is called mäyä. One who is not Krishna conscious is ruled by the spell of mäyä under the control of a duality in knowledge. Ado 2.11 P

I am so glad to learn that you have sacrificed your long beard and hair. I have forgotten your mother’s address, or I would have informed her of your action, and I think she would have liked it very much. Anyway, you must have reduced your age considerably by sacrificing this “maya,” and now you must look like a very nice young gentleman. 670827let.Hayagriva

Regarding Kirtanananda, there is nothing to be said about but one should be very careful not to fall sick like him. In the material world there is constant fight between maya & the living entity. Maya is very strong & we can fall a victim at her hand at any moment. The only means of protecting us from the attack of maya is to be fully Krishna Conscious. The proportion in which we fall back in Krishna Consciousness is filled up by the influence of maya. It is exactly like the proportion of negligence of our health is subsequently resulted in our falling ill. The person who is very careful about his health does not generally fall ill. Similarly a person who is always fixed up in Krishna Consciousness cannot be defeated by maya. Sometimes in spite of our full Krishna Consciousness we fall a victim to maya but that is temporary just as seasonal changes such calamities do come & pass away & we have to endure them. If Kirtanananda has ever sincerely served Krishna, & his spiritual master, he will not fall down. The temporary systems will fall down without delay. We should all pray to Krishna for his steady recovery. My grief for Kirtanananda isn’t anything personal but I am sorry that he has become like a mayavadi in spite of my best efforts to help him.

671026let.Jadurani

MÄYÄ-MOHITA-CETASAÙ means averse to Krishna. I want everything except Krishnaa. That is mäyä-mohita-cetasaù. I want everything, but except Kåñëa. That is my missing point. Because we are rascals, fools, we do not know what we should want. Na te viduù svärtha-gatià hi viñëum [SB 7.5.31]. He does not know that his actual want is Kåñëa. Just like a small child crying, and we are trying to pacify him, giving this, giving that. But he’s crying, crying. Because his actual want is his mother. And as soon the mother comes, takes the child on the lap, immediately he stops. Similarly, we want Kåñëa because we are part and parcel of Kåñëa. That we want. 760921SB.Vrnd

MAYAPUR CITY I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter with enclosed contribution towards the development of our Mayapur City in W. Bengal, and I thank you very much. We are trying to construct a city where people from all over the world can come to visit and live according to the Vedic tenets of “simple living and high thinking.” I am pleased to hear that you appreciative of our humble efforts and if you would like to contribute in the future towards this great spiritual city you can send your contributions to me care of: 760605let.MrHunter

MAYAVADI

Therefore, because they consider everything mäyä, they are known as Mäyävädis.

herein the explanation of Vedänta-sütra from Caitanya Mahäprabhu [to] the Mäyävädé sannyäsé of Benares. There are two kinds of Mäyävädé. The word Mäyävädé is very significant. I saw yesterday in your iñöagoñöhé you have tried to understand what is this Mäyäväda. Mäyävädii means materialist.

Mäyä: this matter, the external energy, the inferior energy; and those who want to stick to this inferior energy, never mind what class of philosopher, what section of philosopher they belong, if their idea is only within the boundary of this material energy, they are called Mäyävädé. They have no information of the spiritual energy. They are called Mäyävädé.

So chiefly the impersonalist and the void philosophers, they are called Mäyävädé, because they have no other information. They want to simply negate, nullify, but they have no positive information, they are called Mäyävädé. So the Çaìkarites… Çaìkarites, of course, they give positive information: brahma satya jagan mithyä. They say that this world is false and Brahman is reality. 670318CC.SA

Impersonalist philosophers (Mayavadis) maintain that both the living entity and God Himself are under the control of maya when they come into this material world. CC Intro V1.

MAYAVADA PHILOSOPHY (first 3 as, long)

“You have asked a question, ‘What is the difference between a Mayavadi philosopher and a Krsna conscious person?’ The answer is that the Mayavadi philosopher has only imperfect knowledge of God whereas the Krsna conscious person can understand Krsna fully. The example is given that a person may know about the sunlight, but that does not mean that he knows about the sungod within the sun planet. Within the sun there is a sungod named Vivasvan and his body and the bodies of the other inhabitants are made of fire. It is the heat from these fiery bodies that gives warmth and light to this universe. So if someone knows something about the sunlight, it does not mean that he has knowledge about Vivasvan. Similarly, from Krsna’s spiritual body there is the emanation of the Brahman effulgence, which pervades the entire universe. The Mayavadi philosophers are trying for knowledge of this Brahman effulgence, but even if they are able to merge into this effulgence emanating from Krsna’s body, that does not give them perfect knowledge of the source of everything. This source is Sri Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So both the Mayavadi philosopher and the Krsna conscious person are seeking spiritual advancement, but the Krsna conscious man is higher because he is going to the source of everything, including the Brahman effulgence. I hope you will understand this nicely. 690731let.Yoland

This is the viewpoint of Mäyäväda philosophy. Mäyäväda philosophy supports the impersonalist view that Näräyaëa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, has no form. One can imagine impersonal Brahman in any form—as Viñëu, Lord Çiva, Vivasvän, Gaëeça or Devé Durgä. According to the Mäyäväda philosophy, when one becomes a sannyäsé he is to be considered a moving Näräyaëa. Mäyäväda philosophy holds that the real Näräyaëa does not move because, being impersonal, He has no legs. Thus according to Mäyäväda philosophy, whoever becomes a sannyäsé declares himself Näräyaëa. Foolish people accept such ordinary human beings as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is called vivarta-väda. CCM18.109 P

MEAT Why we cannot eat meat”, to answer this question the staight reply is that “because Krishna does not eat meat”. We are concerned with Krishna Consciousness so our eating is dependent on Krishna Consciousness. We cannot eat, cannot do, cannot think, cannot will or can do nothing without Krishna consciousness. By nature one has to eat some weaker living being and therefore animals are eaten by man, vegetables are eaten by animal or the weak is eaten by the strong and therefore one living being is eaten by another stronger living being. But there is a systematic rules and principles for eating and a human being is to eat Krishna Prasadam. If Krishna would have eaten meat, we would have also eaten His meat Prasadam. We are concerned with Krishna Prasadam. In this connection please consult my writing in Srimad-Bhagavatam third volume page 822 “One living being is the food for the other” also please consult page 984 “The principles of Cow Killing” 670414let.Kirtanananda

MEAT EATERS Cāṇakya Paṇḍita says, caṇḍāla-veśmani. Caṇḍāla means untouchable, the dog-eaters. In the Vedic conception, the dog-eaters are untouchable. Actually they should be untouchable. Meat-eaters are untouchable, especially… There are different kinds of meat-eaters. Some eat the goats, some mutton, some cows, some hogs and some dogs. Just like the Hindus = they eat goats, but they do not eat cows. Some religious conception. And the Muhammadans, they use…, eat cows, but they do not eat pigs. Hārāma. The Muhammadans say, “To eat pig is hārāma.” So everyone has got some distinction. But the caṇḍālas, they eat everything, up to the dogs. We have seen in Korea, and in China also, they eat dogs. Here in India, Assam side, there are dog-eaters. So there are different kinds of flesh-eaters. And you’ll find in Āyurvedic dravya-guṇa, there are so many different types of meats and fleshes described, and the eating such flesh, what benefit or harm is there, that is described. So formerly, how they were analyzed. 741009SB.MAY

MEAT EATING

As far as the mode of ignorance is concerned, the performer is without knowledge, and therefore all his activities result in present misery, and afterwards he will go on toward animal life. Animal life is always miserable, although, under the spell of the illusory energy, mäyä, the animals do not understand this. Slaughtering poor animals is also due to the mode of ignorance. The animal killers do not know that in the future the animal will have a body suitable to kill them. That is the law of nature. In human society, if one kills a man he has to be hanged. That is the law of the state. Because of ignorance, people do not perceive that there is a complete state controlled by the Supreme Lord. Every living creature is a son of the Supreme Lord, and He does not tolerate even an ant’s being killed. One has to pay for it. So indulgence in animal killing for the taste of the tongue is the grossest kind of ignorance. A human being has no need to kill animals, because God has supplied so many nice things. If one indulges in meat-eating anyway, it is to be understood that he is acting in ignorance and is making his future very dark. Of all kinds of animal killing, the killing of cows is most vicious because the cow gives us all kinds of pleasure by supplying milk. Cow slaughter is an act of the grossest type of ignorance. In the Vedic literature (Rig Veda 9.46.4) the words gobhiù préëita-matsaram indicate that one who, being fully satisfied by milk, is desirous of killing the cow is in the grossest ignorance. BGAII 14.16 p.

In your country, meat-eating is no offense, but in the Vedic civilization, meat-eating is one of the foremost sinful activity. 740105SB.LA

MEGHA means cloud 661104gp.ny

MELLOW

Humor is the better word as in Madhya 15.140 wfw rasika-sekara master of all transcendental humors

In the dakñiëa-vibhäga (southern division) there is a general description of the mellow (relationship) called bhakti-rasa, which is derived from devotional service. Madhya 1.41 p.

MEMBERS

Regarding Narottama das, our policy should be to keep members as much as possible. We should not flatly say “You must leave.” That is not our policy. If he comes to Los Angeles to see me, I shall speak with him to find out what is his difficulty.690812let.Jayapataka

Regarding the boy who is now staying with you, if somebody takes shelter of our organization, we have no objection. If he desires to go to San Francisco, let him go. 690809let.Gaurasundara

Regarding your plan for advertising membership in BTG, that is nice. I do not see how we can insist that all members must follow the four regulative principles, but this is certainly our recommendation to anyone who is serious about pursuing Krishna Consciousness. 690716let.Brahmananda

For members nowadays we are not giving books free. First when becoming the member they receive five large books, but after that they must pay for future books. If by distributing books you can collect some money for purchasing land, do it. 761005let.Brahmananda

MENAKA Viçvämitra Muni was a great yogé who practiced präëäyäma, a breathing exercise, but when he was visited by Menakä, a society woman of the heavenly planets, he lost all control and begot in her a daughter named Çakuntalä

Krishna book Ch. 51

MENSTRUATION: According to the smarta vidhi, women cannot touch deity during menstrual period but the goswami viddhi allows. But it is better not to do it. One thing is that the seva can never be stopped for any reason. This also for the cooking. 74.8.13let.Amsu

MENTAL PLATFORM One thing is, our process of Krishna Consciousness, if it is followed with determination and enthusiasm, automatically it has the effect of fixing us, body, mind and soul, to the Lotus Feet of Lord Krishna, so that all sorts of fluctuations of the material nature, all sorts of difficulties and discrepancies of life are easily withstood. But first you have to agree to understand the process and follow it scrupulously. That is wanting. If I only think I know something, that is mental platform of accept/reject, and any knowledge gathered from the mental platform is like that, tottering and precarious, and it can be immediately rejected at any time.

MILK

660523BG.NY

Regarding your need for a warm beverage to drink while you are working, milk is the best. Take hot milk with little sugar, stir it very nicely, and drink it when it is warm sufficiently, tolerable by you, and with bubbles on the surface. That is the best hot beverage available in the world. You can also prepare some halevah. That is also very nice for a cold country. Add to it some raisins, almonds, etc. 690504let.Shivananda

the most important food 750831let.SwarupaDamodara

MIND

You say that your mind unfortunately runs away now and then. That is the business of the mind, but if you simply fix up your mind on the Lotus Feet of Krishna, the rascal mind cannot disturb you anymore. My Guru Maharaja used to say that just rise early in the morning and then kick the mind with a shoe one hundred times. Then while going to sleep, one should take a broomstick and strike the mind another hundred times. The mind is so restless, that it can be brought to tameness only by the process suggested by Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura. So you should try this process and stop the mind from running away now and then. If you follow the process of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, naturally He will help you in controlling the mind and bestow all His blessings upon you. 690629let.Rayarama

Regarding your question about the difference between mind and soul, the mind is one of the senses, and the soul is the owner of the senses, including the mind. The mind is material, just like the material body, but when the material coverings are taken away, as we revive our spiritual body, similarly we revive our spiritual mind also. At the present moment, my material mind, intelligence and ego is carrying me in different types of bodies, because mind has different desires, and it carries the soul just like finer air carries the flavor of the flower or some other smell. So the mind is an instrument, and the soul is the worker of the instrument. 690508let.Upendra

Of course we have to control the mind, and I have already instructed you and all my students that the restless fickle mind can only be controlled by putting the mind to the lotus feet of Krsna, and that can best be done by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, and there is no alternative in this age. By chanting without offenses, the devotee cries to Radharani and Krsna to please lift him out of the material energy and put him into the spiritual energy, which is devotional service.

And because we are not at the stage where we can chant and do nothing else all day, there are so many other engagements. So you have sufficient engagement there? Because if we are not fulltime engaged then the mind is free to do its fickle business of rejection and acceptance for sense gratification. Maya will immediately enter—we do not even have to call her—the moment we are not absorbed in Krsna’s devotional service. 730720let.Govindadasi

MISER Those who want to enjoy the fruits of their work are misers. BGAII 2.49

MISMANAGEMENT My Dear Brahmananda, Satsvarupa, Rayram, Gargamuni, Rupanuga, Donald,

Please accept my blessings. I have received your letter of the 24th March 1967 and previous to this I received one copy of the letter addressed to M/s. Willium Alfred White Inc. I have replied Mr. Goldsmith’s letter also giving him the whole history of the cheating business. It is understood that Mr. Goldsmith says the hope of getting back the money is very slim. Under the circumstances there is no need of pushing good money for the bad. $6000.00 has already become bad money and therefore no more good money should be spent after this. Forget the chapter. Take it for granted that Krishna has taken away this money from you for your deliberate foolishness. In future be very cautious and abide by the orders of Krishna. If you abide by the orders of Krishna, He can give you thing that you may need. Be cheerful and chant Hare Krishna without any lamentation. As I have told you several times that my Guru maharaj used to say that this world is not a fit place for gentleman. 670328let. As above

MISSION STATMENT

Following in the footsteps of Närada Muni, this Kåñëa consciousness movement is rendering service to humanity by giving everyone a chance to come in contact with Kåñëa. If one is fortunate, he becomes intimately related with this movement. Then, by the grace of Kåñëa, one’s life becomes successful. Everyone has dormant kåñëa-bhakti—love for Kåñëa—and in the association of good devotees, that love is revealed. As stated in the Caitanya-caritämåta (Madhya 22.107):

nitya-siddha-kåñëa-prema ’sädhya’ kabhu naya

çravaëädi-çuddha-citte karaye udaya

Dormant devotional service to Kåñëa is within everyone. Simply by one’s associating with devotees, hearing their good instructions and chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra, dormant love for Kåñëa is awakened. In this way one acquires the seed of devotional service. Guru-kåñëa-prasäde päya bhakti-latä-béja. CC M 19.151 P.

The main purposes of this institution are as follows amongst others: 1) To systematically propagate spiritual knowledge to society at large and to educate all peoples in the techniques of spiritual life in order to check the imbalance of values in life and to achieve real unity and peace in the world. 2) To propagate a consciousness of Krishna as it is revealed in the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. 3) To bring the members of the Society together with each other and nearer to Krishna, the prime entity, and thus develop the idea, within the members and humanity at large that each soul is part and parcel of the quality of Godhead (Krishna). 4) To teach and encourage the Sankirtana movement, congregational chanting of the holy name of God as revealed in the teachings of Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. 690821let.BSBhagavatMaharaja

My mission is to establish that Krishna Stu Bhagavan Swayam. The International Society for Krishna Consciousness wants to establish that one God, one scripture, one mantra, and one service. One God is Krishna, one scripture is Bhagavad-gita, one mantra is Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, and one service means everything for the Lord.680822let.VinodePatel

….you should take your post of temple president as a very serious matter. It is your responsibility to always exhibit a Krsna conscious example. You should always be thinking how to spread Krsna consciousness to the African people. This is our mission—to save suffering humanity from the path of repeated birth and death. The way to become free is only by becoming pure devotee of Krsna. You should simply stick to our principles and everything will come out all right in our preaching work. You should publish profusely literature in Swahili and distribute. This is very important. This mission has been established simply on the publishing and distribution of my books. So get them translated and published as soon as possible. 750726let.Sarvavit

Regarding the tax question, our Krishna consciousness movement is cultural. We are preaching Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Our mission is to spread the instructions of Krishna so that people may become happy, hopeful, and peaceful. The central point is to understand Krishna as the supreme proprietor, the supreme enjoyer and the best friend of all living beings. He is the best friend of the human society because He gives perfect social order, perfect economic development, perfect philosophy, perfect religion, and perfection of life.

And the mission of life is to revive the dormant divine consciousness in every living being. 580814let.AnandPrakash

My mission is not turn any one from the affiliation of a particular religion but I want to let them know more knowledge about God and devotion. 651106let.Sally

MISTAKES In this way I have read the book sporadically, not very minutely. I think it should be gone through once more very carefully and all the mistakes that are still existing there should be corrected. If the books are printed with spelling mistakes and other mistakes, that will be a discredit for our publication. So please see that editorial work is done very nicely. 700422let. Brahmananda

“I note that for the new printing of the abridged Gita, Dia Nippon, there were mistakes. Why there should be mistakes? Mistakes makes the book useless. You must be very, very careful. It will be detrimental to the sales. 751120let.Rameshvara

MISUNDERSTANDING Sometimes there will be a little misunderstanding between Godbrothers, that is even going on amongst liberated souls. What is important is that everyone must engage in Krishna’s service under the direction of the spiritual master.760107let.BhRalph

MLECCHA is a meat eater CC M 1.197 P, means unclean 740123sb.haw

CCM 18.213:” One who does not strictly observe the Vedic regulative principles is called a mleccha.”

According to Vedic culture, anyone who does not follow the regulative principles observed by the higher castes (the brähmaëas, kñatriyas and vaiçyas) or even those observed by the laborer class (the çüdras) is called a mleccha or yavana. Krishna book Ch 51.

MODES OF NATURE Ignorance means laziness. Laziness. That is ignorance. And passion means active. And goodness means sober. So we cannot find all men in this world of the same quality. Some of them are in goodness; some of them are in passion; some of them are in ignorance. But in this age seventy-five percent or more than that, they are in ignorance. And maybe ten or fifteen percent in passion, and hardly five percent, they are in goodness. ……. In ignorance we identify with this body and bodily relationships. And in passion we are very much active for this bodily comfort. And in goodness we can see what we are. So in goodness we can see that “I am not this body.” Of course, it is very common thing to understand that “I am not this body,” the distinction between a dead man and living man. When a man is dead, the relatives cry, lament, “Oh, my son is gone,” “My father is gone,” “My wife is gone.” But if we think, “Your wife is there lying. Your son is lying there. Why do you say he is gone?” Actually he is gone, but so long he does not go, we think this body as my son, as my daughter. This is ignorance. At the end we can understand, “Oh, this body is not my son,” “This body is not my daughter,” “This body is not my father,” when the end is done. But still, even after that experience, we think that “This body is myself.” This is called ignorance. Ahany ahani lokäni gacchanti yama-mandiram. In every moment, every second, we are seeing that body is this matter; the soul, when gone from the body, it has no value. Still, I am thinking that “I shall live in this world eternally, and I shall… Let me enjoy this bodily sense gratification.” This is ignorance. 661224CC.NY

MOKSHA means mukti, liberation.. a change of consciousness, not that one becomes niräkära or another two hand grow 751202sb.vrn

MONEY

I have asked Kirtanananda Maharaja to work on the bahudaka stage for the present. I discussed this point with him when I was in New Vrindaban. This stage means he should move amongst people to draw their attention to the New Vrindaban scheme and try to attract their attention for its development. So he should immediately begin this bahudaka program and collect money from outsiders, not from insiders. And as he is in charge of New Vrindaban, he may invest all such collection for the development of New Vrindaban, and before this Hayagriva must transfer the property to the society’s name. So far as investment of the society’s money for New Vrindaban is concerned, certainly it will be done in New Vrindaban, and not only the money which Kirtanananda Maharaja collects, but also, if need be, any center will invest money. But that investment should be in proportion to food and salt. To make it more tasteful, one adds salt to his food, and similarly, every center should be independently developed by supplying the food, and the society, if required, will supply the salt. For the present, all energy should be diverted to start a nice press for our publication work. So there is no extra money for the society to invest in New Vrindaban. Neither you can spare any money to anyone without my permission. Whatever you possess now in funds, that is not your personal money, so how can you execute the request of Kirtanananda at the present moment? I think you will understand the matter rightly and do the needful.690830let.Brahmananda

It is better to get money by collections than to work. 690504let.Shivananda

I quite approve your planning on becoming a householder, and at the same time serve the cause of our society. A Krishna Conscious member even though he is a householder may spend at least 50% of his income for the society. The Brahmacaris are dedicated their life and everything but the householder should spare at least 50% of income for the society. That is the standard distribution of money example set by our predecessors, Srila Rupa Goswami, and Srila Sanatana Goswami. We may try to follow the footprints of our predecessors. Srila Rupa Goswami used to distribute his money as follows: 50% for Krishna, 25% for relatives, and 25% for personal emergency expenditures. I think this is very nice.

680121let.Advaita

In economics also. It is said, “Bad money drives away good money.” If you put bad money, just like nowadays the currency is some paper, paper currency, so drives away good money. Good money means gold coins. They are not to be seen. That’s economic law. As soon as you put bad money, the good money will vanish. 710729ar.Gain

Also I want that all centers follow the following procedure for handling the money. Whatever income is there, every cent must be given to the treasurer. Immediately he records it in the book. Then daily he deposits everything in the bank. For the expenditures, he withdraws from the bank the petty cash by check signed by himself and the President. Then the expenditures are checked by the President to see how the money is being spent. The important thing is that all monies must be given to the treasurer and he records it and every day deposits everything in the bank. And whatever is spent that also is withdrawn from the bank. This will stop the embezzling that is going on. Please arrange for this and inform me. 750909let.Satsvarupa

Please see that the accounts are kept and that no money is wasted. That’s my only request. After all money is collected with great hardship. Not a single paise should be wasted. 760711let.Bishwambar

“Money is the honey” goes so far as it is employed for Krishna consciousness. 671013let.Hansaduta

MONTH ( Menstrual) Month” in this case is using Prabhupada’s word and the context is a particular woman’s menstrual cycle. A menstrual cycle can start on any day of a calendar month, and usually lasts for 24-30 days, with 28 days being most common. The “count” starts from the first day of menstrual bleeding and ends on the last day of no bleeding before the next bleeding begins. Generally a woman menstruates for about 2-6 days at the beginning of her “month.” I hope that is clear. By Urmila DD letter of 29/04/19

MOON What is the proof that they have gone to the moon? Why they are not now utilizing it, and they simply remain quiet? They have simply squandered so much money but there is no proof that they went. A foolish man squanders and does nothing and still we are to believe that they are scientists? According to the Bhagavad-gita, yanti deva vrta devan . . . without the necessary qualification, namely visa, etc., one cannot even go to another country what to speak of another planet, and the moon planet, Candra-loka, being a heavenly planet, how can we accept that they have gone to the moon? Our point is that they are accepting foolish men as scientists. 760604let.Purushottama

MORALITY

You may use the facilities available to you if there is no risk of making trouble. But so far as stealing is concerned, one should not steal except in the rarest circumstances. Moral principle is recommended in all scriptures as prerequisite for spiritual culture. If the conduct of the pure devotee crosses the lines of ordinary morality it is because he acts on the plane of Absolute Morality which is not known to the conditioned soul and cannot therefore be imitated. So generally we should be careful to observe good moral conduct.

Please clear any doubts you may have about what is to be done. 680122Let.Pradyumna

Ultimately, the material world gives the living entities a chance to satisfy their perverted desires and at the same time gradually achieve the liberation of going back home, back to Godhead. Thus material piety must be considered a means and never an absolute end, since the material world itself is not absolute, being temporary and limited. The Personality of Godhead is Himself the reservoir of all virtue and goodness. Those persons and activities that please the Lord are to be considered virtuous, and those that displease Him are to be considered sinful. There cannot be any other permanent definition of these terms. If one becomes a mundane moralist, forgetting the Supreme Lord, one’s position is certainly imperfect, and one will not achieve the ultimate goal of piety, going back home, back to Godhead. On the other hand, there is great fear among moralists that if the distinction between piety and sin is minimized, people will commit many atrocities in the name of God. In the modern world there is no clear understanding of spiritual authority, and moral men consider any appeal to transcend morality to be an invitation to fanaticism, anarchy, violence and corruption. Thus they regard material moral principles as more important than directly trying to please God. Because this point is controversial, Uddhava is anxiously requesting the Lord to give a clear explanation. SB 11.20.5 P.

In the spiritual loving sentiment induced by the yogamäyä potency, both Lord Çré Kåñëa and the damsels of Vraja forget themselves in spiritual rapture. By the influence of such forgetfulness, the attractive beauty of the gopés plays a prominent part in the transcendental satisfaction of the Lord, who has nothing to do with mundane sex. Because spiritual love of Godhead is above everything mundane, the gopés superficially seem to transgress the codes of mundane morality. This perpetually puzzles mundane moralists. Therefore yogamäyä acts to cover the Lord and His pastimes from the eyes of mundaners, as confirmed in the Bhagavad-gétä (7.25), where the Lord says that He reserves the right of not being exposed to everyone.

The acts of yogamäyä make it possible for the Lord and the gopés, in loving ecstasy, to sometimes meet and sometimes separate. These transcendental loving affairs of the Lord are unimaginable to empiricists involved in the impersonal feature of the Absolute Truth. Therefore the Lord Himself appears before the mundaners to bestow upon them the highest form of spiritual realization and also personally relish its essence. The Lord is so merciful that He Himself descends to take the fallen souls back home to the kingdom of Godhead, where the erotic principles of Godhead are eternally relished in their real form, distinct from the perverted sexual love so much adored and indulged in by the fallen souls in their diseased condition. The reason the Lord displays the räsa-lélä is essentially to induce all the fallen souls to give up their diseased morality and religiosity, and to attract them to the kingdom of God to enjoy the reality. A person who actually understands what the räsa-lélä is will certainly hate to indulge in mundane sex life. For the realized soul, hearing the Lord’s räsa-lélä through the proper channel will result in complete abstinence from material sexual pleasure. CC Ädi 4.30

On the mundane platform, what is morality for one person is immorality for another, and what is immorality for one person is morality for another. According to the Hindu conception, the drinking of wine is immoral, whereas in the Western world, wine drinking is not considered immoral but is a common thing. So morality is dependent on time, place, circumstance, social position, etc. There is, however, a sense of morality and immorality in all societies. OWK2

So these are the principles. If we stick to the particular type of ritualism—because I confess a particular type of faith, and my faith describes this sort of ritualism, I must follow—then you stick to that, you cannot make any progress. And if you go on simply philosophizing—this ism, that ism, that ism, nonsense-ism—then also you will not be able. And if you become mundane moralist, then also you will not be able. You have to become transcendental to all these mundane principles; then it will be possible to become perfectly Kåñëa conscious. So it is not transgressing, because as soon as you become really Kåñëa conscious, then you become all: you become a philosopher, you become a ritualistic, you become actually moralist. What is the standard of morals? Can you explain? What is the standard of morality? Can you explain? Can any one of you say? Have you got any idea what is the standard of morality? The standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality. Standard of morality does not mean that you manufacture something morality out of your concoction. No. Standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality. Example. Example is, just like this State, the State has law that if you commit murder, then you will be hanged. It is immoral. If you commit theft, then you will be punished. But when the State says that you go and become a spy and become a thief and bring out these documents on the enemy’s camp, that is morality. If you kill a man, you will be hanged. But when the State order, if you kill an enemy, hundreds of enemy, you will be awarded gold medal. So if you stick to the principle, theft and murder, and do not follow the State order, you will be considered, what is called, tyrant, or what is that? Traitor. Traitor.

So if in our practical experience we see to obey the order of the Supreme is morality, standard of morality, don’t you think to obey the supermost supreme, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to obey Him, that is morality. That is morality. So if you stick to the mundane principle, then it will not be. Therefore the astrologer advises the poor man, 661127CC.NY

MORTGAGE Regarding land, yes, contact Ambarisa immediately and remind him that he wanted to invest some money. If he does that, that will be very nice, and I will give my sanction if he wants. You can purchase—that place is nice where Damji lives. (Ambarisa can be contacted through the Boston temple.) Mortgage is not to be done as the interest will be too high. 761005let.Brahmananda

MOTHER So it is good that Shakti Mati is again living in the temple. Keep her nicely. She is woman, so you call her Mother. As soon as you call her Mother, that I am so fallen please save, you are so great, then she will be very pleased. She is very talented and can organize the Pujari Dept. 750904let.Cyavana

Any god-brother’s wife or any unmarried girl in our society should be always treated as mother and sister. Any married woman should be treated as mother.

711014let.Vasudeva

MOUNTAIN in 690904le.Ham Srila Prabhupada infers that mountains have no life

MUCI Brāhmaṇa means śuci. And the others, they are called kṛpaṇa, or muci. Śuci means always cleansed. Internally…730902BG.Lon

MUDHA means asses, rascal. He does not know his own interest 730719bg.lon

Also in 74.5.3let.TristaHubbarth

Müòha means they cannot understand what is God.

740608ar.Paris

Persons who think of God like himself has no knowledge of God. He immediately becomes a mudha, fool rascal. 751021let.Satsvarupa

MUKTI After giving up this material body, no more acceptance of material body; we remain in our spiritual body. We have got our spiritual body. That is now covered by the material dress, subtle dress and gross dress. So if we give up the propensity for material sense gratification, that is mukti. So long we have a pinch, a drop of desire to enjoy material happiness, we’ll have to accept a body, different types of body, out of the 8,400,000. But if we become satisfied with service of Kåñëa, then we have no more interest with this material happiness. That is mukti. When we shall be detestful with this material happiness… (indistinct) Just like Jagäi-Mädhäi. (indistinct) No more (indistinct). That is mukti. Kåñëa will give you all facility. He’ll give you facilities, whatever you want. Ye yathä mäà prapadyante täàs tathaiva bhajämy a… [Bg. 4.11]. Therefore we see varieties of life. It is arranged by Kåñëa through the agency of material potency. Prakåteù kriyamäëäni guëaiù karmäëi sar… [Bg. 3.27]. It is going on. But if we say, “Krishna…,” to Krishna, “Now, from this day, I surrender unto You. My Lord, I don’t want anything material,” then you are mukta, liberated. And if you keep the standard, mäyä will not touch you. Just after giving up this body, you go back to home, back to Godhead. It is very easy.730413ar.La

MUKUNDA “He who can award liberation” KB. The deliverance of King Mucukunda.

MULLIK Mullik means ”lord.” Just as the English government gives rich and respectable persons the title ”lord,” so the Muslims give the title Mullik to rich, respectable families that have intimate connections with the government. Thus the title Mullik is found not only among the Muslims but also among the Hindu aristocracy. This title is not restricted to a particular family but is given to different families and castes. The qualifications for receiving it are wealth and respectability. ADI 10.84

MUNI

The word Muni means one who can agitate his mind in various ways for mental speculations, without any factual conclusion. BGAII 2.56 P

means mind SB.4.28.32

MURDERER So in the Manu-smṛti… As I am quoting from Parāśara-smṛti, there are smṛti-śāstras. The Manu-smṛti, it is said that if a man commits murder, then he should be killed. Otherwise, he’ll suffer in the next life. So many sufferings. So the king’s order to condemn a murderer to death is a mercy, is a mercy for him, because he’s saved from future so many troubles. So the king should be so strict. Not that by compassion = “No. He’s murderer. That’s all right. He has killed one man. Why he should be killed?” No. He must be killed. This is the law. Here it is also found, Parāśara-smṛti, it is said that kṣatriya should be always śastra-pāṇi, and must strictly, as soon as there is any discrepancies, he must take.

Formerly, the judgment was given by the king. Every day, king would sit, just like we are sitting. So if there is… Formerly, there was no criminal, practically. If there was any criminal, if… It was very difficult to find out a criminal. Because these four things were forbidden. What is that? No illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, no meat-eating. So if one follows these four principles, naturally he is sinless automatically. And if the whole population is sinless, then where is the possibility of judging or bringing the criminal? 730902BG.Lon

MUSICAL INSRUMENTS Regarding instruments for temple kirtanas, karatala and mrdanga are sufficient. There is no need of other instruments. 750202let.Rupanuga

I am glad to note that you are taking out the traveling party. I hope that you have good success. Just do everything very soberly. Regarding the instruments, stringed instruments are Vedic, but the real Vedic instrument is mrdanga and karatala. Anyway, you have to do according to the time and circumstances if you use these other instruments. So you have got my approval and you can go on.

751110let.Bahudak

MYSTERY see rahasyam

MYSTIC POWER By mystic power everything can be done. 720806let.Jadurani

MYTHOLOGY Those who take Indian philosophy and scripture as mythological are not at all intelligent. They have been described in the Bhagavad-gita as “sinful”, “rascals”, “lowest of mankind”, “bereft of all knowledge”, and “atheistic”. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah/ mayayapahrta-jnana asuram bhavam asritah [Bg. 7.15]. This psychological conception of the so-called Indian philosophers has killed Indian civilization. There is no question of mythology when Krishna says: dehino ‘smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara/ tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13]. A baby grows to become a child, and a child grows to become a boy, and a boy grows to a young man, and a young man develops to middle age, and grows to an old man, and then what is next for the old man. The so-called mythologists don’t know what will happen to the old man. Neither they believe in the next life, and even if they do believe they don’t know what will happen to the old man or what kind of life he will get next. Therefore they are all fools and rascals. 760176let.Batraji

NAMAH means “I surrender” Initiation lecture LA 86.12.01

Just for example you said the other day Namah Sivaya. Now this Mantra is practically indicating the holy name of Lord Siva. Na means negation and Ma means false ego or Ahamkara. Therefore Namah means surrendering to the name Siva. In other words to accept the supremacy of Lord Siva means Namah Sivaya. Therefore the conclusion is that in Mantra the name of the deity is unavoidably amalgamated. And in the Mantra the spiritual power, by the Rsis like Narada etc. is surcharged like the copper is electrified by magnetic force. 570507let.Padampat

NAME

Just like in the relative world… This is relative world. Material world means the relative world. Relative world means the son. As soon as I say “the son,” there must be a father. As soon as I say “friend,” there must be another man, friend. As soon as I say “water,” there must be something as water. But in the Absolute world, the name water and the water is the same. This is called Absolute, no different separation. So in the kingdom of God, the God is God and His son is also God. There the everything—there is no difference between the name and the substance. Here in this material world the name and the substance, different. Just like if I am thirsty, I want water. So the water must come to me. If I simply chant, “Water, water, water,” that will not be effective, because it is relative world. But in the transcendental world, Kṛṣṇa is the name of God and it is God also. So by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa, you are directly in contact with God. This is the meaning of Hare Kṛṣṇa. Directly in contact.

740627BG.Mel

According to Vedic civilization, after the birth of the child there was name-giving ceremony, what kind of name. So that was calculated astrologically, that what kind of name he should be given, because the name should carry some meaning of the activities of his life. So Kṛṣṇa is named here Hṛṣīkeśa. 730715BG.LON

Your next question is if Visala Das will be your name eternally. As I have told you in San Francisco, Visala means Krishna, the Greatest, and Das means the servant of. So eternally you are the servant of visal, or Krishna, and thus you are always Visala Das. Krishna has so many different names because He is unlimited in all respects, and you are Krishna’s eternal servant. What your name will be eternally is not a very important subject at the present moment, but it is sufficient for you to know that you are always the servant of Visala, Krishna. 690616let.Visala

NÄRÄYAËA refers to one whose abode is in the water born from Nara [Garbhodakaçäyé Viñëu] CCAdi 2.30 from SB 10.14.14 Brahma uvaca

“The word ‘nära’ refers to the aggregate of all the living beings, and the word ‘ayana’ refers to the refuge of them all. CCAdi2.38

NARAYANA-PARA or a person who is fully surrendered to Narayana is not afraid to live even in most dangerous place. He is always safe, under the protection of Narayana. 750618let.Karandhara

NASTA PRAJNA means “one who has no perfect knowledge” SB 4.28.8

NASTY western culture 760120let.Jayatirthta

Management 750604let.Satsvarupa

NATASHALA indicates a place where pastimes are demonstrated CC M 1.227 P

NATURAL You mentioned in your previous letter about this person being sexually agitated. If there is agitation in the mind then there is no fault. Actually this is only natural in this material world, unless the mind is fully purified in Krsna Consciousness. 741228let.Sukadeva

NAVADVIPA In all nine of those islands of the Navadvépa area there are different places for cultivating devotional service. It is stated in Çrémad-Bhägavatam (7.5.23) that there are nava-vidha bhakti, nine different activities of devotional service:

çravaëaà kértanaà viñëoù smaraëaà päda-sevanam

arcanaà vandanaà däsyaà sakhyam ätma-nivedanam

[SB 7.5.23]

There are different islands in the Navadvépa area for cultivation of these nine varieties of devotional service. They are as follows: (1) Antardvépa, (2) Sémantadvépa, (3) Godrumadvépa, (4) Madhyadvépa, (5) Koladvépa, (6) Åtudvépa, (7) Jahnudvépa, (8) Modadruma-dvépa and (9) Rudradvépa. According to the settlement map, our ISKCON Navadvépa center is situated on the Rudradvépa island. Below Rudradvépa, in Antardvépa, is Mäyäpur. There Çré Jagannätha Miçra, the father of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, used to reside. In all these different islands, Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu, as a young man, used to lead His saìkértana party. He thus inundated the entire area with the waves of love of Krishna.

ADI 13.30

NAYAKA hero CCM 23.92

NAYIKA heroine CCM 23.92

NECKBEADS Last night there was initiation ceremony in which your beads were sanctified. You’ll take on string of small beads for sticking on your neck and the bigger ones you can chant according to the rules. (We read ONE

STRING…) 671217let.Indira / Ekayani

Nectar of Instruction The Nectar of Instruction has come out very nice. It is very important and must be immediately read by all devotees. In the near future we shall introduce the Bhakti-sastri examination for second initiation and this shall be one of the required books of study. Anyone who reads it will immediately understand what Krishna Consciousness is. Some minister in Bombay recently asked me how to create morality amongst the students, because the students are all vagabounds. If this book is introduced for study in the schools and colleges it will give a clear idea of what morality actually is. It is a most important book. 760105let.Radhballabha

NEEM

DäkinI and Shänkhini are two companions of Lord Shiva and his wife who are supposed to be extremely inauspicious, having been born of ghostly life. It is believed that such inauspicious living creatures cannot go near a nima tree. At least medically it is accepted that nima wood is extremely antiseptic, and formerly it was customary to have a nima tree in front of one’s house. On very large roads in India, especially in Uttar Pradesh, there are hundreds and thousands of nima trees. Nima wood is so antiseptic that the Äyurvedic science uses it to cure leprosy. Medical scientists have extracted the active principle of the nima tree, which is called margosic acid. Nima is used for many purposes, especially to brush the teeth. In Indian villages ninety percent of the people use nima twigs for this purpose. Because of all the antiseptic effects of the nima tree and because Lord Caitanya was born beneath a nima tree, Sétä Öhäkuräëé gave the Lord the name Nimäi. Later in His youth He was celebrated as Nimäi Paëòita, and in the neighborhood villages He was called by that name, although His real name was Vishvambhara.

Those leaves are nim leaves; keep them and when I come there I shall make a preparation of tooth paste. Neem tree is very antiseptic. 680321let.Brahmananda

If you can actually supply the society with Gaura Nitai deities it will be a great achievement. But one thing is that you should try to find out some strong wood. In India they use Neem wood because this wood is not attacked by termites, 730807let.Madhudvisa

Regarding the Gaura Nitai deities, I think 100 dollars is too much to pay for one pair of deities. Better you carve them from wood. In India the carvers have always used a wood bitter in taste, this keeps the worms from eating it, best is nim wood if such wood (bitter in taste) is available there then why not make Gaura Nitai from wood.

In New Vrindaban we have so much woodland, it is not that deities have to be made in Hawaii, why not in New Vrindaban and supply all our centers? let me know. 751127let.Vrishni

NEHRU In my opinion, India is going down by giving up this original cultural life which is its own. The government is enamored by the glittering civilization of the West, and it was a definite policy of our late prime minister, Mr. Nehru, who wanted to see India overnight as rich and materially advanced as America. It was, of course, Gandhi’s policy to concentrate his organization in village life, taking to simple life and cow protection. But just after Mahatma Gandhi’s disappearance, his chief disciple, Pandit Nehru, planned for up-to-date organized cow-slaughter house. So this is our position. 690605let.Gopalkrishna

NEUTRAL STAGE Devotional service mixed with non-Vedic speculative knowledge is certainly not pure devotional service. Therefore Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté in his Anubhäñya preaches that self-realization following the execution of ritualistic ceremonies is in the neutral stage between liberation and conditioned life. It is a place beyond this material world, in the river Virajä, where the three modes of material nature are subdued or neutralized in the unmanifest stage. CC M 8.64 P

NEW VRNDAVAN

Besides that, we have secured about 140 acres of land in West Virginia where the scheme is to construct 7 temples.690125let.KedarMataji

You will also be glad to know that Hayagriva Brahmacari has taken a 99 year’s lease on a very large plot of land about 134 acres, for constructing New Vrindaban. 680824let.Aniruddha

Bith of NV 680523let.Kirtanananda

So you have now taken charge of the sunrise of New Vrindaban. Our program is there for constructing seven temples. One Rupanuga Vidyapitha—that is a school for educating brahmanas and Vaisnavas. We have enough of technological and other types of educational institutions, but perhaps there is none where actual brahmanas and Vaisnavas are produced. So we will have to establish an educational institution for that purpose.690112let.Kirtanananda

You know how I started in the U.S.A. with faith both in the spiritual master and Krsna and they are certainly helping me. I am always praying to Krsna that the New Vrndavana attempt will be more and more successful and ideal for your country. That is my only prayer. I am glad to note that Indians are coming and that you are constructing a large kirtana and prasadam hall and also guest rooms. Yes, so you should do it and it will actually be a New Vrndavana in America. According to our program we will have to construct seven temples, Govindaji, Gopinatha, Madana-Mohana, Syamasundara, Damodara, Gokulananda and Radha-Ramana. And later on if possible, Rangunatha also. These guests rooms, it is very good you are constructing because they were needed. 751110let.Kirtanananda

NI means negative 680818sb.mon

Nirrti means sinful activity SB 4.29.14

NICE In my opinion, if we could get 5000 copies of Teachings of Lord Caitanya at $5000, that would have been a nice bargain. If possible try to contact Dvarakadhisa immediately, and see the whole correspondence, and do the needful. But do it as soon as possible. The sample of hardbound and the covering cloth, etc., are very nice. The paper is also nice, and the printing is also nice; now if they come down to the nice price, it all will be nice. 680215let.Brahmananda

NIDHI In the Çrémad-Bhägavatam, in another chapter, Twelfth Canto, it is said, kaler doña-nidhe räjan [SB 12.3.51]. These instructions were given by Çukadeva Gosvämé to Mahäräja Parékñit. So he addressed the king, “My dear King, in this age the faults are like the ocean,” kaler doña-nidhe räjan. Doña-nidhe. Nidhi means ocean. “There are so many faults in this age that it can be accepted as the ocean of faults.” Kaler doña-nidhe räjan asti hy eko mahän guëaù. “There is one great opportunity. Although it is full of faulty things, still there is one hope. 730912SB.Lon

NIDRÄHÄRA-VIHÄRAKÄDI-VIJITAU, to conquer over sleeping, eating and mating.751208sb.vrn

NILAMBARA CAKRAVARTI

Sacidevi’s father’s name was Nilämbara, and his surname was Cakravarti.

NIRAKAR When we get out of this temporary changes of different forms as we are transmigrating from one form to another and be placed in our real spiritual form, or purified our existence, that is called nirakara. Or in other words nirakara means absence of material form. 680121let.Janardana

NIRANJANA Niraïjana means… Aïjana… Aïjana means ointment or designation, something covering. So niraïjanam. If one is elevated in knowledge, then he becomes free from this designated life. Our material life is aïjana life, or designated life. 690611SB.NV

NIRAPEKSA wfw indifferent. In P: means not being affected by anything material and remaining fixed in the service of the Lord

NIRGUNA stage means when you are engaged in devotional service, that is your nirguëa stage. Devotional service is nirguëa. All other services or activities… We are rendering service. Either you are rendering service in office, or to your family, or to your cat, or to your dog, or to your government, or to your society—you must be giving some service. There is no escape. But that is saguëa service, under these material laws. So you have to give nirguëa service. If you give nirguëa, then you become nirguëa. 741215sb.bom

Nirguna means untouched by material contamination. 680121let.Janardana

NIRMATSARA. Matsara, matsara means envious, and nirmatsara, not envious. And parama, first-class nirmatsara.721206bg.ahm

nirëétam, which means “it has already been decided.” He was a liberated soul and therefore could not accept anything which was not conclusive. So Çukadeva Gosvämé especially stresses that it has already been concluded that one who has come to the stage of chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra with determination and steadiness must be considered to have already passed the trials of fruitive activities, mental speculation and mystic yoga. NOD 12

NIRUPITA means concluded SB 4.30.22

NIRVÄËA means, the actual word nirväëa in Sanskrit, nirväëa means finished. Finished. That is called nirväëa. That means materialistic activities finished. No more. That is called nirväëa. And unless you finish this nonsense activities, there is no question of peace. So long you’ll be engaged in materialistic activities, there is no question of peace. …..So nirväëa means not to accept any more material body. Don’t try to make it void. That is another nonsense. Void, you are not void. Void means to make void this material body. This full of miserable conditional body. Just try to grow your spiritual body. That is possible. Yad gatvä na nivartante tad dhäma paramaà mama [Bg. 15.6]. These things are there. So we have to become very intelligent to understand what is the problem of life, how we should use this valuable human form of life. Unfortunately this education is practically nil all over the world. ………………………… So nirväëa means not to accept any more material body. Don’t try to make it void. That is another nonsense. Void, you are not void. Void means to make void this material body. This full of miserable conditional body. Just try to grow your spiritual body. That is possible. 690216BG.LA

NIRVEDA: One may feel unhappiness and separation, as well as jealousy and lamentation, due to not discharging one’s duties. The despondency that results is called nirveda. When one is captured by this despondency, thoughts, tears, loss of bodily luster, humility and heavy breathing result. CC M 2.35

NIRVISESHA SUNYAVADI (as per Srila Prabhupada’s second pranam mantra) And çästra means the opinion of the great authorities, just like Vyäsadeva, Paräçara Muni, Närada Muni, modern äcäryas. We do not neglect. We may differ from the philosophical point of view—just like Buddha, Çaìkaräcärya. Vaiñëavas, they do not accept the philosophy of Buddha or Çaìkaräcärya. Buddha’s philosophy: zero, çünyavädi; and Çaìkara’s philosophy: nirviçeña-vädi, impersonal. So we defy these, nirviçeña-çünyavädi. But we have got all respect for them. Don’t think that we disrespect. Keçava dhåta-buddha-çaréra jaya jagadéça hare [Daçävatära-stotra 9]. And the Vaiñëavas know Çaìkaräcärya. Çaìkara, svayaà çaìkara, he is incarnation of Lord Çiva, and Lord Buddha is incarnation of Kåñëa. So they come for particular purpose, to benefit the whole world. But that is for the time being. That is not permanent. The permanent solution is mataà ca väsudevasya. That is permanent. Mataà ca väsudevasya. That is permanent. 760927SB.VRN

NISCAYAT means firmly convinced 760427AR.NZ

NITYANANDA

In the Gaura-ganoddesha-dipikä (58–63) it is described that Haläyudha, Baladeva, Viçvarüpa and Saìkarñaëa appeared as Nityänanda Avadhüta.

My blessings are always with you as you have requested. You are a very good devotee and servant of Krsna. So far your questions are concerned. Nityananda is the principle of the Guru. So, the Gurudeva is the incarnation of Nityananda. Anyone strictly following the instruction of the Guru is following Nityananda. The price one has to pay if he wants to become Krsna conscious is that he must dedicate himself to following the order of the spiritual master, mahat seva. If the Spiritual Master is pleased with disciple then the blessings of Guru will be there. That is the best way to become Krsna conscious, and Krsna is non-different from Nityananda. You may pray to Lord Nityananda to help you become dedicated in the service of your Guru. Krsna consciousness cannot be achieved artificially. You should approach Nityananda Prabhu through your Spiritual Master. 761022let.Makhanlal

NITYA-NAVA-NAVAYAMANA This means that one can go on chanting and hearing about the Lord and never feel tired but remain fresh and eager to hear more and more.

KB Ch.13

Niyamägraha means not to accept the regulative principle; niyamägraha means simply I am packed up with the regulative principle but I do not see whether I am making progress. 760427ar.nz

NON-SECTARIAN 680630let.Kirtanananda

Nonsense Your victory over the scientist who was saying that life comes from dust is very good. We should not take such nonsense from them. We should speak upagaisnt such flase theorists and say:”Don’t talk such nonsense please. Don’t mislead the public. You are taking big salaries and leading the public wrongly. It would be better for you to be a street sweeper and earn an honest livelihood instead of cheating” 730719let.Karandhar

Non-Violence The first principle in spiritual life is non-violence. 730803letBhaktadas

Nrsimha deva Regarding the Nrsimhadeva Deity, yes, that can be done, however to worship Nrsimhadeva requires a separate temple structure, not that Lord Nrsimhadeva can be worshiped in the same temple as Radha-Krsna. 751118let.Bharadraja

NUCLEAR WEAPON So necessity has no law. This brahma-bandhu, he knew how to create this brahmästra. He learnt it. But he knew it also that this weapon is not to be used generally. In very, very rare cases this should be used. As I explained, that atomic bomb, the nuclear weapon, is not used when there is fight between two dogs. It is not so insignificant. When the fight is very severe… Just like your country used this nuclear bomb. When the Japanese people dared to attack your Pearl Harbor, at that time, your president was Mr. Truman. So it was not to be used, but he took little more precaution. Anyway, such weapon, deadly weapon, should not be used ordinarily. 760917SB.Vrn

OBEDIENCE Obedience, the first law of discipline 661126cc.ny

Where is Rayarama? He may take back from Kirtanananda the letter of introduction to Miss D.C. Bowtell and may go to London as it was previously arranged. I entrusted this matter to Kirtanananda but he has disobeyed which has given me a shock. Once he disobeyed my order and we lost $1200.00 in connection with Mr. Payne. This time he has again disobeyed me. If he sets such example in the Society it will be a great impediment. Obedience is the first law of discipline. We are thinking of a great world wide organization which is not possible to be executed if there is disobedience. 670927let.Gargamuni

OBEISANCES

It may be argued that since Daksha was the father-in-law of Lord Shiva, it was certainly the duty of Lord Shiva to offer him respect. In answer to that argument it is explained here that when a learned person stands up or offers obeisances in welcome, he offers respect to the Supersoul, who is sitting within everyone’s heart. It is seen, therefore, among Vaiñëavas, that even when a disciple offers obeisances to his spiritual master, the spiritual master immediately returns the obeisances because they are mutually offered not to the body but to the Supersoul. Therefore the spiritual master also offers respect to the Supersoul situated in the body of the disciple. The Lord says in Srimad-Bhaagavatam that offering respect to His devotee is more valuable than offering respect to Him. Devotees do not identify with the body, so offering respect to a Vaishnava means offering respect to Vishnu. It is stated also that as a matter of etiquette as soon as one sees a Vaishnava one must immediately offer him respect, indicating the Supersoul sitting within. A Vaishnava sees the body as a temple of Vishnu. Since Lord Siva had already offered respect to the Supersoul in Krishna consciousness, offering respect to Daksha, who identified with his body, was already performed. There was no need to offer respect to his body, for that is not directed by any Vedic injunction. SB4.3.22

As soon as one sees guru, immediately he must offer obeisances. Beginning, end. When he comes to see guru he must offer obeisances, and when he leaves that place he must offer obeisances. And in the in-between, coming and going, he should learn from the guru Vedic understanding. This is the principle of living in gurukula.” 760414SB.Mumbai

You have also mentioned to repeatedly offer obeisances to your spiritual master. This is very important. A disciple should offer dandabats, not namaskara. The more one becomes fixed up in guru obeisances, the more he advances in spiritual progress. yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau [ÇU 6.23].

741115let.AtreyaRsi

Sri Caitanya Mahaaprabhu said, “You are on the platform of My spiritual master, and I am your disciple. Since you are My spiritual master, it is not befitting that you offer Me obeisances.” Madhya 17.170

OCCUPATIONAL DUTY is to render service to others 690409sb.ny

But mature understanding of activity means to take it as our occupational duty. That is to say, suppose I am established as good carpenter, then it will be foolish if after some time I am thinking, “Oh, I have done this cutting of woods so many times, now it is becoming boring and uninteresting, therefore let me become a doctor,” no. That is not recommended by Krsna, neither is it common sense. Occupational duty means to stick with one type of occupation which is just suitable for me, considering that it is my duty, therefore I am throughout my life obligated to perform it to the best of my ability. This is mature understanding of occupation. That means I must not leave it even for so-called good cause, just like Arjuna wanted to stop his fighting activity just to avoid killing so many of his kinsmen, cousin brothers, and other friends. So we are preachers on behalf of Lord Krsna, that is our occupational duty, we haven’t got to search any further some new challenge or change our engagement. No, that has been already settled up. Now best thing will be to develop more and more what we have begun. I have built the skeleton of the building, but there is so much more work remaining before us. 730102let.Hamsudutta

OCEAN The ocean is the father-in-law of Visnu, because the Goddess of Fortune, Laksmi, was born by the churning of the ocean. So the Goddess of Fortune, Laksmi, being the daughter of the ocean, the ocean also will help in spreading the glories of the ocean’s daughter and son-in-law. 690607let.Sudama

ODD CIRCUMSTANCES

Regarding your seeking permission for selling some leather goods and water pipes: I say yes, you can sell. We have nothing to do with these things, but in special cases, if somebody asks us to sell intoxicants or similar things, we cannot do that. The pipes are meant for persons who are already addicted to intoxication. So if we don’t sell it, it does not mean it will counteract intoxication, even though indirectly it is connected with intoxication. We are not having any connection with these things, but you are selling for getting some profit for Krishna. You cannot dissatisfy your supplier who are eager to sell like that. But anyway, in all such odd circumstances as this, you should ask my permission. But be careful that you may not be attached to such business. If required, we can give up such business at any moment. 680531let.Gargamuni

OFFENSE

There are offenses to be considered in chanting the Hare Krishna mahä-mantra, but there are no such considerations in chanting the names of Gaura-Nityänanda. Therefore, if one chants the Hare Krishna mahä-mantra but his life is still full of sinful activities, it will be very difficult for him to achieve the platform of loving service to the Lord. But if in spite of being an offender one chants the holy names of Gaura-Nityänanda, he is very quickly freed from the reactions to his offenses. Therefore, one should first approach Lord Caitanya and Nityänanda, or worship Guru-Gauräìga, and then come to the stage of worshiping Rädhä-Krishna. In our Krishna consciousness movement, our students are first advised to worship Guru-Gauräìga, and then, when they are somewhat advanced, the Rädhä-Krishna Deity is installed, and they are engaged in the worship of the Lord. CC Adi 8.31

Yes, you are correct in feeling sorry for mistreating Shakti Mati and Nava Yoginder. Hitting the devotees is not good. We have to teach by our example.

750904let.Cyavana

As soon as one thinks that he is greater than his spiritual master that is the greatest offence. Krsna will give one everything, but to these offenders everything is lost. 751110let.Jayatirtha&Manjuali

OFFERING FOOD

OFFICERS The temple officers are appointed to minimize my time, not increase it with so many letters. Best to stop expanding, or if you cannot raise funds there, close up the Calcutta center. It is not that the officers should be expert in one field only, they should be expert in everything. 720714let.Bhavananda

OIL N.B. You may try using oil on the dry skin before taking your taking your bath each day, and this may help the situation. Mustard oil, olive oil, or some sort of oil will suffice. 690324let.Prabhavati

OLD MAN Up to fifteenth year, it is called kaumära. And then from sixteenth year, it begins youthful life up to fortieth year. Then after forty, one becomes jarä, old man. Primarily old man and later on. Say, forty to fifty, primarily old man, and after fifty, he is old man. Therefore it is advised païcäç ordhvaà vanaà vrajet. Païcäç means fifty. Ürdhvam, fifty-one. 730819BG.Lon

OM Actually, this chanting of Om is also a bona fide form of meditation, but as we learn from Vedic literature and from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the chanting of Hare Krishna is the prime benediction for this age, and it is the authoritatively recommended means of God-realization. 690802let.Gaurasundara

Omkara is the alphabetical representation of Krishna. This representation of Krishna is impersonal, just like His lustre of the Body, Brahman effulgence. Impersonalists like to chant Omkara, but we wish to chant His Feature of Pastimes, because His personal feature is the ultimate understanding. Omkara is the symbol of eternity, but there is no bliss and knowledge. Om Tat Sat: Tat means the Absolute Truth, and Sat means eternal. Omkara is also used denoting address. Om Tat Sat means, oh, the Absolute Truth is eternal. 680312let.Rupanuga

The proposed pinnacle should not have Om, but shastic or cakra, Krsna’s weapon. 741202let.Madhudvisa

The God has His representation in three letters, a, u, m, which is sounded vibrated om. There is no difference between omkära and Krishna. It is admitted in the Bhagavad-gitä that omkära ‘smi. Akñaram omkäro ‘smi: “Of all the letters I am the omkära.” So Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare and omkära, there is no difference, so far the transcendental sound vibration is concerned. But the objective is different. By omkära one attains impersonal existence in the brahma-jyotir, and by chanting Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, one attains the spiritual body and he’s situated in the spiritual planets. We have many times discussed that there are spiritual planets. That is the difference. So far quality is concerned, both of them are spiritual, omkära or Hare Krishna. 661228cc.ny

OMNIPOTENCY Yes. We should not think how it is that Lord gave His laws through breathing. Because with breathing we cannot speak anything. That means I am calculating the strength of God with my capacity. The Brahma-saṁhitā says no. Aṅgāni yasya sakalendriya vṛttimanti. The every part, or every limb, of the body of Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality, can act of other limb. Just like I can see through the eyes only. But Kṛṣṇa can see through His finger also. That is His omnipotency. Omnipotency means every limb has got the potency of all other limbs. That is called omnipotency. We speak of omnipotency, but we do not know the meaning of omnipotency. This is omnipotency, that by His glance God created this world by His glance. Sa īkṣata sa asṛjata. These are Vedic hymns. So we can say that how is that, simply God saw and there was creation? Yes. That is omnipotency. Why do you think in terms of your capacity? That is materialism. As soon as you think of God in my capacity, that is materialism. You have to accept as it is said in the Vedas. Then you understand what is God. Otherwise you cannot. Go on. 681227BG.LA

ONE

The idea that everything is one is a kind of foolishness indulged in by those with less brain substance. CCM 8.90 P

I thank you once more for your appreciating my mission of one God, Sri Krishna; one scripture, Bhagavad-gita; and one mantra, Hare Krishna. This idea is not manufactured by me, but it is authoritative statement in the Gita Mahatma Skanda Purana. You have asked me to let you know about the concrete plan for Bombay and I beg to submit as follows. 680303let.SriHarikishandasAggarval

ONE GOD My point is one God. Ultimately you want to merge in the formless, or you want some material facilities, or you want to serve Krishna as His personal associate. Never mind, whatever you want, you worship one God, Krishna, and not bothering with the ultimate gain. The ultimate gain can be achieved as one desires. Krishna is all powerful, so if somebody wants material gain from Krishna, it is not difficult for Him to award such benediction. Similarly, if anyone wants to merge in the Impersonal Brahman effulgence, formless, He can also award the facility. In the same way, if anyone wants to associate with Krishna in five transcendental relationships, he can award also that facility. So, my point is, that whatever you want at the end, that doesn’t matter, but you worship Krishna, and He will award whatever you desire. One God, Krishna, means that let everyone come to one God, Krishna, and be engaged in Krishna Consciousness, and the award will be as the devotee desires. This is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita; “catur vidha bhajante mam”. Also, it is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, as follows:

akama sarva kama va moksa kama udaradhih

tivrena bhakti yogena yajeta paramam purusam

Akama means the devotees, sarvakama means the fruitive workers or Karmis, and Moksakama means the salvationist who wants to merge in the formless Brahman. So there are three classes of men and all are recommended to worship the Supreme Person Krishna with great energy of devotional service. So we invite everyone to join this movement, accepting Krishna as the tangible God for all practical purposes, and the worship of God is made easy by chanting the Mantra Hare Krishna, which is accepted even in far Western countries. You will be pleased to know that Hare Krishna Mantra is being chanted not only in America, but also in Europe by my record albums, and followers. I have got already invitations from many parts of Europe and they are appreciating my movement. Nobody feels reluctance in joining the chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra. Your good self also believes in the Mantra and certainly in Krishna as God. I have seen it that Swami Akhandananda worships Krishna in his apartment in Bombay. So we request everyone to worship Krishna and chant the Mantra, irrespectively, never mind whether one is a devotee, a fruitive worker, or a salvationist at the ultimate goal. We don’t disagree with anyone, namely the Karmis, Jnanis, Yogis, etc, although we are devotees. We simply request everyone to worship Krishna as the Supreme Lord and join with us in this great movement of Krishna Consciousness! 680303let.Harikishandasji

ONENESS The idea that everything is one is a kind of foolishness indulged in by those with less brain substance.CCM 8.90 P

So, if the Indian transcendentalists, those who are very serious about spreading this message of Bhagavad-gita may join this movement, backed by the Sankirtana movement as enunciated by Lord Caitanya, it will be great success. And there is every possibility of oneness all over the world, without any communal differences.680303let.SethHarikishandasji

ORDER(S)

So, everything is already there but it is now mixed up, we want to bring the whole world in to order by giving the right directions to all classes of men. Right direction means, to deliver the instructions of Krishna, and because