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How to easily become– a “nonsense”–SP

August 13, 2022 in Articles

Dec 14 1972 letter Tusta krsna
We advise everyone to address one another as Prabhu. Prabhu means master, so how the master should be disobeyed? Others, they are also pure devotees. All of my disciples are pure devotees. Anyone sincerely serving the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it may be Siddhasvarupa or others, a-Siddhasvarupa. This must be very clearly stated. It is not only that your Siddhasvarupa is a pure devotee and not others. Do not try to make a faction. Siddhasvarupa is a good soul. But others should not be misled. Anyone who is surrendered to the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it doesn’t matter if Siddhasvarupa or non-Siddhasvarupa. Amongst ourselves one should respect others as Prabhu, master, one another. As soon as we distinguish here is a pure devotee, here is a non-pure devotee, that means I am a nonsense. Why you only want to be in the spiritual sky with Siddhasvarupa? Why not all? If Siddhasvarupa can go, why not everyone? Siddhasvarupa will go, you will go, Syamasundara will go, all others will go. We will have another ISKCON there. Of course, Mr. Nair must stay.

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Importance of guru param para-otherwise “all our perceptions are imperfect”-SP

August 13, 2022 in Articles

Nov 11 1975 Bombay

Devotee (3): [break] You were speaking about the blind person who is thinking that he can see. He is in illusion. How can we best convince him that he is not able to see?

Prabhupāda: You have to convince him that “Your eyes are imperfect.” Then you can tell, “Just close your eyes. Can you see the eyelid? It closes, but you cannot see. Why? You have got eyes. When there is some particle in the eye, so close and find out where is the particle. Why making this way, this way, this way? So what is the value of your eyes? This is the proof. You cannot see even your eyelids. So why do… Why you are so much proud of seeing?” Is it not?

Devotee (3): Yes.

Prabhupāda: This is conviction. He can say that “I cannot see on account of distant place, the planet,” but you see the nearest. So you cannot see distant place things and you cannot see nearest. Then what is the value of your eyes? That means you can see only under certain condition. So condition is offered by somebody else. Therefore you are conditioned. Your seeing is conditioned, because it is not absolute. So how do you believe your eyes? Hm?

Devotee (3): The vision of the eyes is imperfect. We have to see by intelligence, from the authority…

Prabhupāda: Yes. That is not intelligence; that is fact. Intelligence you should have that “However I can perceive by the senses, the senses being imperfect, all our perceptions are imperfect.” That is intelligence.

Devotee (3): :Then one may ask, “Well, how do I recognize that this is the bona fide authority?”

Prabhupāda: :Who authorized? Another rascal, that’s all. He’s a rascal. Another rascal… Just like sva-vid-varāhoṣṭra-kharaiḥ saṁstutaḥ puruṣaḥ paśuḥ [SB 2.3.19]. A lion is being praised by the rabbit in the jungle. The rabbit is also animal; lion is also. So what is the use of lion being praised by a rabbit? If a lion is praised by a rabbit, does it mean lion is more than animal? So similarly, these so-called scientists, big men, they are being praised by small rascals. That does not mean on account of praising, he has become more than animal. He remains animal.

Devotee (3): :We see Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they see Him as a common man like themselves also.

Prabhupāda: :Therefore they are mūḍhas. Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhāḥ. Only the mūḍhas can deride. Avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritaḥ [Bg. 9.11]. It is stated already.

Devotee (3): :Then how is it that some people do finally come to accept Kṛṣṇa?

Prabhupāda: Yes. They come in the paramparā system, through guru. Tad-vij�ānārtham sa gurum evābhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. Therefore you have to go to guru to understand. You cannot understand personally. That is not possible. Therefore our system is to see through the guru and śāstra, not by these naked eyes. That is misleading.

Devotee (3): Then the key would be to recognize and appreciate the importance of the guru.

Prabhupāda: Parampara. Guru is also not authority by himself. He is authority by his guru, paramparā. If he is coming in the paramparā system, then he is guru. Otherwise he’s not guru. Just like what we are doing? We are simply repeating the Kṛṣṇa’s word. That’s all. Therefore guru. And as soon as I make addition or alteration, I am goru

Harikeśa: Goru means?

Prabhupāda: Goru means cow, animal. Go-kharaḥ. Sa eva go-kharaḥ [SB 10.84.13]. The go-kharaḥ, these animals have been, I mean, exemplified because these two animals work for others very heavily. The bull also loads heavily, and the ass also loads very heavily for others, not for his own benefit. The bull is working day and night and being whipped… (end)

Link to this page:https://prabhupadabooks.com/conversations/1975/nov/morning_walk/bombay/november/11/1975

Some Conclusions- Today it has become fashionable and commonplace to disobey or disbelieve in the bona fide gurus instructions. And even if someone repeats verbatim his instructions, still they wont believe you or will argue with you. This is yet only another symptom of this degraded age of quarrel and hypocrisy.

SB 4.18.5–A foolish person who manufactures his own ways and means through mental speculation and does not recognize the authority of the sages who lay down unimpeachable directions is simply unsuccessful again and again in his attempts.

PURPORT-At the present moment it has become fashionable to disobey the unimpeachable directions given by the ācāryas and liberated souls of the past. Presently people are so fallen that they cannot distinguish between a liberated soul and a conditioned soul. A conditioned soul is hampered by four defects: he is sure to commit mistakes, he is sure to become illusioned, he has a tendency to cheat others, and his senses are imperfect. Consequently we have to take direction from liberated persons. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement directly receives instructions from the Supreme Personality of Godhead via persons who are strictly following His instructions. Although a follower may not be a liberated person, if he follows the supreme, liberated Personality of Godhead, his actions are naturally liberated from the contamination of the material nature. Lord Caitanya therefore says: “By My order you may become a spiritual master.” One can immediately become a spiritual master by having full faith in the transcendental words of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and by following His instructions. Materialistic men are not interested in taking directions from a liberated person, but they are very much interested in their own concocted ideas, which make them repeatedly fail in their attempts. Because the entire world is now following the imperfect directions of conditioned souls, humanity is completely bewildered.

 

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Learning how to become a devotee of the Lord

July 27, 2022 in Articles

Here is the  philosophy of how to treat and deal with others-especially Vaisnavas. If we do the following we will be developing  actual and real spiritual consciousness which takes us out of the third class  materialistic devotees mentality and category.
 
Dec 14 1972 letter Tusta krsna
We advise everyone to address one another as Prabhu. Prabhu means master, so how the master should be disobeyed? Others, they are also pure devotees. All of my disciples are pure devotees. Anyone sincerely serving the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it may be Siddhasvarupa or others, a-Siddhasvarupa. This must be very clearly stated. It is not only that your Siddhasvarupa is a pure devotee and not others. Do not try to make a faction. Siddhasvarupa is a good soul. But others should not be misled. Anyone who is surrendered to the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it doesn’t matter if Siddhasvarupa or non-Siddhasvarupa. Amongst ourselves one should respect others as Prabhu, master, one another. As soon as we distinguish here is a pure devotee, here is a non-pure devotee, that means I am a nonsense. Why you only want to be in the spiritual sky with Siddhasvarupa? Why not all? If Siddhasvarupa can go, why not everyone? Siddhasvarupa will go, you will go, Syamasundara will go, all others will go. We will have another ISKCON there. Of course, Mr. Nair must stay.
 
SB 3.29.16-The devotee should regularly see My statues in the temple, touch My lotus feet and offer worshipable paraphernalia and prayer. He should see in the spirit of renunciation, from the mode of goodness, and see every living entity as spiritual.
SB 3.29.22-One who worships the Deity of Godhead in the temples but does not know that the Supreme Lord, as Paramātmā, is situated in every living entity’s heart, must be in ignorance and is compared to one who offers oblations into ashes.
SB3.29.23-One who offers Me respect but is envious of the bodies of others and is therefore a separatist never attains peace of mind, because of his inimical behavior towards other living entities.
SB3.29.24-My dear Mother, even if he worships with proper rituals and paraphernalia, a person who is ignorant of My presence in all living entities never pleases Me by the worship of My Deities in the temple.
SB3.29.25-Performing his prescribed duties, one should worship the Deity of the Supreme Personality of Godhead until one realizes My presence in his own heart and in the hearts of other living entities as well.
SB 3.29.26-As the blazing fire of death, I cause great fear to whoever makes the least discrimination between himself and other living entities because of a differential outlook.
PURPORT-There are bodily differentiations among all varieties of living entities, but a devotee should not distinguish between one living entity and another on such a basis; a devotee’s outlook should be that both the soul and Supersoul are equally present in all varieties of living entities.
 
So these few verses and purports above by Srila Prabhupada should  be teaching us  how to deal with one another and I am talking  devotees here, not the karmis.

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Vaisnava Behavior explained by SP

July 26, 2022 in Articles

Hare Krsna-Below We will find some very interesting points about personal behavior for a Vaisnava which are definitely applicable to all of us in this age of quarrel and hypocrisy.
Jan 7 1976
My dear Bhakta Ralph
Please accept my blessings. I beg to thank you letter, undated.
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.
I hope this meets you well. Your ever well-wisher,
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
72-08-26 letter
My Dear Gaurasundara,
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated August 20, 1972, and I am quite surprised to read it. This does not sound like you. All along I have been discouraged in every way by my Godbrothers, but still I have stuck to my duty, keeping my Spiritual Master always in front. Because there is some fighting or bickering amongst us, that does not mean that I should go away. If I have understood the order of my Spiritual Master rightly, then I must perform my duty under any circumstances and never one think of going away under disgust. I have appointed you to be my GBC representative in South America because I think that you are very much responsible and capable to do it, and I am very fond of you and your good wife Govinda dasi for helping me all along. So do not be disturbed or worried by some small thing, rumor, or misunderstanding. There is no plot amongst our so-called big men against you or Siddha-swarup Ananda. That is childish.
Where have you got this idea to retire and simply translate books? That is not in our line. My Spiritual Master has given me the instruction to spread this movement all over the world and you are my good disciples, are helping me do this. Without your good help I could not have done anything, so practically you can take all the credit for spreading this Krsna Consciousness movement and fulfilling the prophecy of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. If there is some incident and I claim that no one is cooperating with me or no one will work with me, that is my defect, not theirs. The Vaisnava devotee must think like this. We should not find fault with others and criticize and go away, that is not the Vaisnava way.Better we should always be willing to offer all respects to others and consider them as our superiors always.
Meanwhile, hoping this meets you in good health,
(Note-one idea here is that SP was just starting his movement and did not want the devotees to fight with each other and go away. And at that time, things were pretty much going the way SP wanted. There was no unauthorized gurus on such a large scale like we have today. Also going away meant at that time-from iskcon. Today iskcon itself is so far gone away, it is hard to remain there and remain sane. But today we have all the books and instructions so that we don’t need to “go away” Going away means leaving Krsna Consciousness altogether.)
67-11-18
My Dear Brahmananda,
Please accept my blessings. 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. (Even amongst our God-brothers we have misunderstanding but none of us is astray from the service of Krishna. My Guru Maharaja ordered us to execute his mission combinedly. Unfortunately we are now separated. But none of us have stopped preaching Krishna Consciousness. Even if there was misunderstanding amongst the God-brothers of my Guru Maharaja none of them deviated from the transcendental loving service of Krishna. The idea is that provocation and misunderstanding may remain between one man and another. But our staunch faith in Krishna Consciousness may not allow any material disruption. Please therefore try to be sympathetic with any person even if they differ. The only qualification we have to scrutinize is if one is acting in Krishna Consciousness as far as one is able to do it.)

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This is the process–SP

July 23, 2022 in Articles

Hare Krsna-Below is a wonderful morning walk conversation with Srila Prabhupada over the idea we are not these material bodies. They also discuss what is the cause of death-heart attack, car accident, or just that the body is wearing out? In the end after nicely defeating all the karmi arguments, Srila Prabhupada tells us that philosophy is not to be discussed with the common man as they will not understand. Better to give him kirtan and prasadam and little by little they will come to understand it all. Everyone will like kirtan, dancing and Krsna prasadam.
 I feel the same is true of guru tattva as many devotees  cannot yet understand it because they have not taken sufficient time in reading the books. Nor have they been yet blessed by Srila Prabhupada or Lord Krsna as Paramatma.
damaghosa das
—————————–

Oct 4 1975 Mauritius morning walk conversation on you are not this body
Prabhupāda: But the size of the body has changed.
Brahmānanda: The size has changed. It has grown, increased.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: It looks different, completely… It looks different. There is no similarity.
Prabhupāda: Yes. There is no similarity. Why the child… There was no mustaches. Why you have mustaches? How you can say “The same body”? You shall have to give your own argument. Child had no mustaches; you have got now mustaches. How you can say the same body? The child had no sex desire; now you have got sex desire.
Brahmānanda: They would say all these things are dormant within the child’s body, and now they are coming out.
Prabhupāda: That we also say, but that body not… That “dormant” means dormant in the soul, not in the body. That is the knowledge. Dormant it is, but dormant in the soul, not in the body.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: They have to admit that it’s a different body because if the body is simply made of food and they are eating so much and evacuating so much, then it has to be a different body.
Prabhupāda: No, it is different body, undoubtedly. If they foolishly argue, that is different thing. Therefore rascal. Their argument has no value. How you can be the same body? So many changes. The body is changed. (to Indian man:) What is that? It was not garam?
Indian man (1): No, garam not.
Prabhupāda: So this argument, how he can refute, that he has died twenty-two years?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Well, he can also say that he has lived twenty-two years, because he has no perception of any life before that time. He can’t remember living before.
Brahmānanda: “Before, I was not alive. Now I am alive, so I have lived for twenty-two years. Before, I was dead; I was not alive. Now I am alive, so I’ve been alive for twenty-two years.”
Prabhupāda: So before, you were not alive. Then how your life came?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: The combination of…
Prabhupāda: Do it. Again foolishness. These rascals… (laughs) Then, if you can create life, then where is the question of dead body? You create again. Give life again. If you are so competent that you can give life, combination, then this dead body is there. You bring chemicals and inject.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: The same chemicals are there, too. The same chemicals, living body, dead body—five minutes before, five after—is the same chemicals. But they can’t explain why there is such a drastic difference.
Prabhupāda: What is that same chemical?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: In the living body, two minutes before death and two minutes after…
Prabhupāda: So what is that? Name that, what is that chemical. Then bring it.
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: Let him try and make life. Not possible.
Prabhupāda: If you know the chemical, then you bring it. Chemical is available. Why this is dead? What they will answer? What this chemical is wanting, that it is dead?
Brahmānanda: Well, we may not know…
Prabhupāda: Then, you rascal, why you are talking? You do not know. (laughter)
Brahmānanda: But, then, neither do you know.
Prabhupāda: Huh? No…
Brahmānanda: You can say soul, but you don’t…
Prabhupāda: No. But you cannot answer my question; therefore you are more rascal than me. You cannot answer. Your… You are…
Harikeśa: You have the position. He’s in a position. He cannot answer.
Prabhupāda: Yes. You say that chemical is missing. I say what is that chemical?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: No, but the chemical is not missing.
Prabhupāda: Then?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: The same chemical is there. Two minutes before death and two minutes after death, the body chemistry has not changed so much.
Prabhupāda: No. What is that missing that it is dead?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: They can’t answer.

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become a blank slate before guru–SP

July 20, 2022 in Articles

Be a blank slate before guru
 
Srila Prabhupada: In order to teach them nicely, this highest learned personality, Vyāsadeva, created the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.” Lokasya ajānataḥ. Ajānataḥ means rascals who has no knowledge.
anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje lokasyājānato vidvāṁś cakre sātvata-saṁhitā
[SB 1.7.6]
Whatever abominable characteristics we have developed, if we want to counteract it, we have to take to bhakti-yoga only. Anartha. Anartha. We have developed so many anartha. We don’t require it, but we have developed all these symptoms. So anartha upaśamam. So if you want to cut down these anarthas, then bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje—you have to accept this bhakti-yoga principle to the adhoksaja. Lokasya ajānato: “These rascal men, they do not know it.” Therefore vidvāṁś cakre sātvata-saṁhitā: “The most learned Vyāsadeva compiled this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.” And they do not take care of Bhāgavata. They do not take care of Bhagavad-gītā. They take care of a book written by some rascal leaders. That’s all. The aim of that book is to kill Kṛṣṇa. That’s all. So how you can improve? It is not possible. If they actually want improvement, not only this country or that country, whole world to world, one has to take this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement; otherwise it is doomed. So, we are giving the best service to the human society—Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You came yesterday? No. This gentleman? Yes? No, you are coming first? So that boy, he was to immediately offer his service to join us. “We can join you if you flatter me. Whatever I know, if you accept, that’s all, then I can. And if you say something against my conviction, oh, then I am not going to join.” But here the process is, first is, you first surrender. Whatever you know, nonsense, you give it up. First of all, become blank slate. So, I was told by some authority, a very responsible man, that in Germany there are musical institution. So, when a student who goes there who knows something about musical art, he is charged more. Is it a fact? He is charged more. He is charged more because extra endeavor has to be done to make him forget what nonsense he has learned. Because this learning is all nonsense, so one has to take… Just like so many people come. I have to talk so many hours to forget, to make him forget what nonsense he has learned. So, he should be charged more, this student. And one who comes as blank slate… They have accepted Kṛṣṇa consciousness because they are blank slates. And in India they think that they have learned so many things. Yes. They have learned from Radhakrishnan, they have learned from Aurobindo, they have learned from Vivekananda, the Ramakrishna, this, that, so many nonsense—except Kṛṣṇa. They have learned everything from so many nonsense except Kṛṣṇa. Now here there is so much advertisement of Ramakrishna… Just see these American boys, they do not know even the name of Ramakrishna in America.
 

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Cooking and kitchen rules by SP

July 20, 2022 in Articles

COOKING AND KITCHEN RULES to be followed in a temple or at a home ashram-these are some but not all………….
Feb 15 1968 letter
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.
Brijbasi Co. are not ordinary businessmen, they are devotees. So their pictures aren’t poisonous. Even it is poison, because we are paying for their goods, therefore if poison is there, it becomes ineffective. Just like we are buying so many things at the market which are not fit for offering to Krishna, but because we are purchasing them, we can offer.
March 3 1968 letter
I am so glad to learn that you are now editing TLC with keen interest. Please do it nicely and finish it as soon as possible. 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.
March 16 1968
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.
April 9 1968
Milk and salt should never be mixed, it is improper, and will cause leprosy. But salt can be mixed with yogurt.

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God is not our order supplier–SP explains in detail

July 16, 2022 in Articles

Oct 9 1968 SP letter

So far my going to Boston, unless the students agree to hear patiently for some time, Bhagavad-gita, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, the casual lectures will not be very much beneficial. So they are not very much interested, otherwise they would have come to our classes. But I told you previously that I am prepared to go provided they pay the expenses. But I think that is also not possible. So why should you take the risk? Of getting me there and with great difficulty you shall maintain my expenses, I think it is not very much favorable, so we shall see later on what is to be done; for the time being let it be dropped.
Students’ prayers 24 hours a day to listen to the political talks and desiring the war should stop is useless. God cannot be their order supplier. First of all they act sinfully, and when there is reaction of war, pestilence, famine, and so many other nature’s disturbances, they pray to God for stopping them. This is not possible. Just like a criminal first of all commits theft, burglary and debauchery, and when he is captured, by the police force, if he prays to the government to stop, that is not possible. So they are engaged in all sinful activities, and by natures’ law, there must be reaction. I am encouraging now cow killing or animal killing, and when by nature’s law, the turn comes upon me to be killed, if I pray I want to stop it, how it can be stopped? So their process is not very genuine. They want to make God as order supplier. So God is not order supplier. He is order giver. He orders everyone to surrender unto Him, and the fools and rascals who do not surrender unto Him, they want to order God in the form of so-called prayer, that He should ask material nature to stop her legal activities. That is not possible. So the situation is not very favorable, but if somebody agrees to hear Bhagavad-gita and the Teachings of Lord Caitanya, continually for some time, even they do not pay me anything, I am prepared to go and lecture. But not to take part in some political agitation. So I was awaiting your letter if I was to go to Boston, now I shall prepare my next program. I think for going to Los Angeles. And my going to Europe is not yet fixed up.
 
Note—The above letter is very instructive to us all.  Prabhupada is making the point about  the students  and others during the Vietnam war wanting peace, so they pray to God for peace. Yet all these millions of people are daily killing cows and other animals just for the satisfaction of their tongue, but where is the peace for those animals?  God is not our order supplier-we pray to Him- when- we want something. And the rest of the time we flat out disobey Him and kill all His subordinate creatures and then ask Maya the material energy of God, to stop these wars, economic upheavals, famines, weather disturbances, etc etc etc. The example of a criminal stealing, getting caught then praying to the government officials to just please release me. Unfortunately, for us all,  it doesn’t work that way. God is the Infinite and we are the finite-which means servant of the servant of the servant….
 

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No Compromise-this is our preaching–SP

July 12, 2022 in Articles

Hare Krsna-one will find immense reasons NOT to ever compromise with karmis, yogis, social workers, scientists, religionists, and all others from the statements of Srila Prabhupada. 
Our movement is based on the books which are authoritative and unchanging. We dont follow the philosophy of...”to get along you must go along” We follow Krsna’s philosophy-Surrender to Him and all things will become perfect.
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das 
 
Nov 12 1967 letter Subala

 

I am not in agreement with Mr. Altman that we are expanding very thinly. In my opinion a single sincere soul can maintain a center. You know, I started the center at 26 2nd Ave. alone. I took the risk of $200. rent. At that time there were no assistants. Mukunda was a friend, but there was no responsibility for him for maintaining center. Gradually Kirtanananda, Hayagriva joined but they did not take any responsibility. Still, I was maintaining the establishment simply depending on Krishna and then Krishna sent me everything; men & money. Similarly, if a sincere soul goes out and opens a center in any part of the part, Krishna will help him in all respects. Without being empowered by Krishna nobody can preach Krishna Consciousness. It is not academic qualification or financial strength which helps in the matter, but it is sincerity of purpose which helps us always. Therefore I wish that you will remain in charge of Boston. Let Mukunda be in charge of San Francisco. Let Janardana be in charge of Montreal, Nandarani and Dayananda be in charge of Los Angeles. And let Subala das be in charge of Santa Fe. 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 even if there were no men present to hear me. The principle of chanting is to glorify the Lord & 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 & every center.” More when we meet. Hope you are well.
 
Jan 18 1968 letter Jai Mazo
I thank you very much for your appreciation of my disciples in N.Y. and you will be glad to know all my disciples in different centres are being so trained. The four principles of restriction, namely, no illicit sex relations; no animal food; no intoxication; and no gambling, are acting on their character. Character building is the groundwork for seating Krishna Consciousness and the Vedic injunction is that one can advance in spiritual life by following the rules of austerity and celibacy. We do not bluff our students that he has liberty to do all sorts of nonsense, and at the same time advance in spiritual understanding. And because we are a little bit strict in this matter, we have not a very large number of followers, neither do we want any large no. nonsense followers. We want only one moon at night, and we do not care for millions of stars. When we meet we shall talk further on this matter, and I hope you shall be initiated. I thank you very much for your nice letter, and hope you are well.
 
Nov 15 1968 letter Mukunda
So far Mr. George Harrison is concerned, he promised to call Dayananda, but he has not done so. Therefore I think it is not probable to meet him. 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. …So don’t be worried, do your best and success or failure does not matter. Krishna is absolute, so there is no such thing as success or failure in Krishna Consciousness, or in other words, there is no question of failure in Krishna Consciousness, whatever we do it is success. Whatever one may do in the material world, if he is even Rockefeller, it is all failure, defeat, because it will not exist beyond this body. He does not know that next life I may be dog or cat. But whatever service we can do for Krishna, even if somebody is not able to execute fully Krishna Consciousness, whatever amount of service he does it never goes in vain. It will eternally remain. And it will act. 
 
March 19 1969 letter
Actually this so-called yoga system and meditation that is so much popular in your country is bogus. But if we speak the naked truth to the people, sometimes they may get angry. Because unpalatable truth is not tolerated. If we call a black man black, he will be angry because it is unpalatable. So we have to present our case very carefully.

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Srila Prabhupada defines real culture and who has it

July 9, 2022 in Articles

Oct 4 1975 Mauritius

Prabhupāda: Enjoy. What is that enjoyment if you are going to die?
Harikeśa: It’s so incredible how crazy everything is.
Brahmānanda: Well, at least before I die, I can get as much pleasure as I can.
Prabhupāda: Nobody can, if he is actually afraid of death. Suppose if you are given a beautiful woman—”Enjoy, and as soon as you come out I will shoot you.” (laughter) Will you enjoy?
PuṣṭaKṛṣṇa: That’s a great example. That example would change the world.
Prabhupāda: That is the difference between a man of knowledge and a fool. Man of knowledge, that is that he knows he has to die. “But I don’t wish to die. So what is the solution?” That is man of knowledge.
Harikeśa: Sometimes they say “Well, why worry about death? It’s gotta happen anyway, so why should we worry?”
Prabhupāda: But you… You… Because you are rascal number one, you don’t worry, but that is the psychology. This is the example.
Harikeśa: But I want to enjoy right now.
Prabhupāda: Suppose that you enjoy this woman for few minutes. Then you will be shot down. Then will you be able to enjoy?
Brahmānanda: Actually they do that. When some man is to be executed in the prison they give him one woman the night before as a special consolation.
PuṣṭaKṛṣṇa: They finish him off completely. They ruin him. (laughing)
Cyavana: But death is very far away from me. I am only thirty years old. I don’t have to worry about death.
Prabhupāda: What is the guarantee that you will live thirty-one years? What is the guarantee that you will live thirty-one years? There is no guarantee.
Cyavana: But everyone else around me appears to be having fun and enjoying.
PuṣṭaKṛṣṇa: They can use this argument though, Prabhupāda. I‘ve heard it before, that “So God has placed us in this world. Okay, there is God, and He has placed us in this world, and He has created the world also, and He has made these things very, very enjoyable, sex life, and this and that. So why not enjoy if God has created it?”
Prabhupāda: That is foolishness. That is foolishness. It is not enjoyable. That is… If a criminal says, “The prisonhouse is very enjoyable,” it is like that.
Cyavana: But all the travel brochures and the advertisements, they say it’s nice here. All the advertising and travel brochures, they say it is nice.
Prabhupāda: Let him say, but prisonhouse, is it nice? That is foolishness.
Cyavana: But everyone else says it’s nice.
Prabhupāda: Everyone? I don’t say.
Cyavana: You are the only one who says it is not nice.
Prabhupāda:I am the only intelligent person. (laughter) That’s a fact. Mūḍho nābhijānāti.

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How to chant Hare Krsna without offenses—SP explains

July 4, 2022 in Articles

 “Unless we take care of the books and preach and read ourself, understand the philosophy, this Hare Kṛṣṇa will be finished within few years…”

April 9 1968 letter

 So we should not remain as neophyte devotee. Neophyte devotee does not know how to preach. He simply goes to the temple, and offers everything with devotion to the Deity, and he doesn’t know anything else. So our devotees of the society should not remain in the neophyte position; neither should they try to imitate the topmost devotee. Best thing is to remain in the via media of middle class position, namely to love God, to make friendship with devotees, and to enlighten the innocent, and to avoid the demons. These differences of body according to Karma are there, but a devotee divides them into the above groups, and so we have to divide them into these different groups and behave differently with each of the groups. It is true that we should not be attached to the differences of material bodies, but practically, in practical field, the behavior should be as stated above.
 
Madhya 12.135 purport-
The word jīva-hiṁsā (envy of other living entities) actually means stopping the preaching of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Preaching work is described as paropakāra, welfare activity for others. Those who are ignorant of the benefits of devotional service must be educated by preaching. If one stops preaching and simply sits down in a solitary place, he is engaging in material activity. If one desires to make a compromise with the Māyāvādīs, he is also engaged in material activity. A devotee should never make compromises with nondevotees. By acting as a professional guru, mystic yogī or miracle man, one may cheat and bluff the general public and gain fame as a wonderful mystic, but all this is considered to be dust, straw and grains of sand within the heart. In addition, one should follow the regulative principles and not desire illicit sex, gambling, intoxicants ormeat.Togive us practical instructions, Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu cleansed the temple twice. His second cleansing was more thorough.
Sept 16 1976
Pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi. That is His (Lord Caitanya’s) mission. It is not that “Become a big Vaiṣṇava and sit down and imitate.” This is all rascaldom. So don’t follow this thing. So at least we cannot advise you in that way. We have learned from our Guru Mahārāja that preaching is very, very important thing, and when one is actually an experienced preacher, then he is able to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra without any offense. Before that, this so-called chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, you may practice without any offenses…And giving up all other business to make a show of a big Vaiṣṇava, that is not required. Thank you very much. (end)
(Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, May 10, 1969, Columbus, Ohio)
“This boy hears very nicely. He does not go away,” the first impression he gave to other godbrothers. “So I shall make him disciple.” These very words he said. Actually I did not follow him in the beginning. High philosophical speaking and I was a new boy. I could not follow him, but actually I was so much glad to hear him. That’s all. So that was my qualification, whatever you may say. I was simply asking, “When Guru Maharaja will speak? When he will speak? When?” And I will sit down and go on hearing, and I will understand or not understand – –others will disperse — I will not disperse. That he marked. Yes. First. There was first one instance. At that time I was not initiated. There was a circumambulation of whole Vrndavana. So although I was not initiated, I was one of the important members of the… So I thought, “Let me go. What these people are doing, circumambulating all over Vrndavana?” So I went to Mathura. Then I went to the Vrndavana interior, which place was known as Kosi. So in that Kosi one of my godbrothers declared that “Prabhupada is going tomorrow back to Mathura. So he will speak this evening. So anyone who wants to hear him, they can stay. And others may prepare to…” …. So they were to go to see some other temple which is called Sesayi Temple. So although I was new man, I did not like to go to see the Sesayi Temple. I decided that “I shall hear.” So at that time I was new, so all other, some of my important godbrothers, they were sitting like this, and I was sitting. At last, you see. But he knew that “This boy is new.”Everyone has gone, all others except a few selected godbrothers. So he marked it that “This boy is interested to hear me.” So hearing is very important. Hearing. Just like Arjuna heard from Krsna. Come on. (People entering) (Break) …because I was serious for hearing, and therefore now I am serious about kirtanam, means speaking, or preaching. Do you follow what I say? Yes.So one who is serious about hearing, he can become a future nice preacher. Sravanam kirtanam. Next stage is developed. That is development. If one has actually heard nicely, then he will speak nicely.Sravanam kirtanam smaranam. Then consciousness will automatically develop because when you speak or you hear, unless your mind is concentrated, your consciousness is right, you cannot rightly hear or speak. Sravanam kirtanam smaranam pada-sevanam. And then the development, “How I shall serve Krsna? Krsna is so loving. Krsna is so great,” that automatically comes. Not silent, but activity.”

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Important book explaining Srila Prabhupada’s second phase of the Hare Krsna Movement

July 4, 2022 in Articles

Garden video

https://www.amazon.com/MOVE-CITY-TAKE-CONTROL-GROWING/dp/1696418623

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SP spells out his spiritual world civilization plan

July 4, 2022 in Articles

Letter to Rayarama
68-10-17
 
Next—regarding your point: program for a spiritual world civilization—it is very nice suggestion. And practically our Krishna Consciousness movement is built on this idea, that we want to make a world civilization on the basis of spiritual understanding. So I am giving you some points which you may expand or do it for understanding of the people in general. But the point should be as follows:
1st point, that any civilization devoid of God consciousness or Krishna Consciousness, is no civilization at all. It is simply a polished type of animal society. This is the first point. So at the present moment, the modern civilization on the basis of so-called scientific knowledge and economic development is trying to avoid God consciousness, or Krishna Consciousness—that is the defect of the modern civilization. Therefore, in spite of all advancement it is zero. So zero has no value. And millions of zeros put together does not make any value. But one is put on the left side of the zero, it increases the value. Then one zero becomes 10, two zero becomes 100, three zero becomes 1000, so it is very nice. This point should be clearly discussed, that without God conciousness, Krishna Consciousness, any attempt of human civilization so-called philosophical or political or economical or labor, they are all zeros. The human society should be divided as a social order, as the intellectual men, the administrator class, and the mercantile class, and the laborer class. And so far spiritual order, they should be divided as the renounced order of life, retired order of life, householder, and student life. 
Third point, all these 8 divisions are meant for understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and this Krishna Consciousness movement is meant for teaching this necessities of human civilization. 
Fourth point, so far the administrator class of men, or mercantile class of men, and laborer class of men, there are many institutions but to train a first class intellectual man, there is no institution all over the world. … The fifth point is that in whatever division one may be situated, this very aim of life should be to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is the duty of everyone, it doesn’t matter in what status of life he is situated, but if he wants to have a successful life, then he must learn to see how by his activities the Supreme Lord is satisfied. That should be the aim. Then it does not matter what is the position and occupation of the man, but he is in the right order of civilization because his very aim is to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. 
Next point, And in order to learn this art, how he is able to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, one has to take instruction or education in the art of Krishna Consciousness, by reading Bhagavad-gita as it is, by reading Srimad-Bhagavatam, which are calculated the science of God, and following the Teachings of Lord Caitanya, such practice should be performed 24 hours. It is not that one may meditate for 15 minutes, and he becomes spiritually advanced, it is not possible. 
…Next point, in order to understand this teachings of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam, there should be centers where people can assemble daily, morning and evening, and try to understand this Krishna Consciousness or God consciousness movement.
… Next point, when people are accustomed to associate with these different centers, of Krishna Consciousness movement, they will one day come out of the material concept of life.
…Next point, and when he is awakened, he becomes completely detached from the so-called affection for designations, namely, society, friendship and love.
Next point, by such understanding, one is not so much materially active. One is satisfied with income which can simply maintain his body and soul together and he is no more interested to increase the bank balance unnecessarily for sense gratification. The defect of the modern civilization that everyone is earning money undoubtedly in large volumes, but he does not know how to spend. He is spending simply for sense gratification and the last word of sense gratification is sex, therefore all money is being spent up for intoxication and sexual life, nudey dance, nudey theater, in so many ways.
…. Next point, one should know it certain that material resources, either in this planet or in other planets, either in the sky or within the earth, namely in the mines, all the properties that is being utilized at the present moment as economic development, one should understand definitely that all the ingredients supplied or all the ingredients stocked, for example, the petroleum now stocked within the earth, and people are utilizing it for so many power machinery—one should know that this petroleum belongs to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It is not man-made. Nor the scientists can manufacture. Similarly everything, all commodities, all things, all properties, they are made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This understanding must be there.
…Next point, one can enjoy such properties but with this understanding, that they belong to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just like one is situated in the public park in a very nice garden, public park, but one should always remember that the public park does not belong to him, personally. But it is the property of the government or the state.
...Next point, therefore, the properties made by the Supreme Personality of Godhead can be utilized by all living entities. Every living entities, not only the human beings, but also the animals, they have got right to live on the property of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
...Next point, nobody can encroach upon the right of other living
entities. Everyone is supplied by the Lord, the fooding, shelter, by natural arrangement, so nobody should encroach upon the right of living of others. As such, the human being considered to be the highest developed conscious animals, so if they utilize this consciousness in relationship with Krishna, that is called Krishna Consciousness.
…Next point, a Krishna Conscious person does not encroach upon the right of other living beings, as such they do not approve organized slaughterhouses for killing animals.

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Just try to become a little SOBER—SP

July 2, 2022 in Articles

►760912rc.vrn                Conversations Prabhupada: No, they’re thinking that so many people are coming  to the cities, how we shall provide them? That’s a problem. After  all government has to supply them rations. Where is so much foodstuff?  And if they are not supplied, then there will be resentment. That’s  a fact. What they are doing in the city, so many scooter (makes  motor sound), going here and there. Actually no engagement. The girls  are loitering in the street by dressing. It will become more and  more problems, city life. So this is the solution, that they must go  back to the village. But they are trained up  to enjoy the facilities, so-called facilities, of the city. They are not  going to village. But if we can introduce this hari-sankirtana, and if they  have little taste, that is success. It’s a great program. And that taste  will come–ceto-darpana-marjanam. If he simply becomes little  sober that “I want to eat, I have to sleep, I want  some sense enjoyment and defense. So if I can get easily in  the village, why shall I go three hundred miles  away? Just keep in mind the psychology. So that simple  life will be possible if one is bhakta. Bhaktih  paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra syat. Only by devotion. Not  by otherwise. Not by artificial means, by manufacturing toilet.  Only bhakti. If they get little attachment for Krsna the questions  will be solved automatically. And they will be happy. Undoubtedly. That is  the Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s first instruction. Ceto-darpana.
 
Hare Krsna
damaghosa das

Just see how much variety comes from Krsna’s Bhumi Devi-and it is not difficult to grow this food-otherwise how could millions of  rural people worldwide already be doing it? And these pictures represent only the tip of the iceberg– of food bounty

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Don’t change one word–SP

July 2, 2022 in Articles

Dec 28 1968 LA

Prabhupāda: (chants first four verses) Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu instructed His disciples to write books on the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. A task which those who follow Him have continued to carry out down to the present day. The elaboration and exposition on the philosophy taught by Lord Caitanya are in fact the most voluminous, exacting, and consistent, due to the unbreakable system of disciplic succession of any religious culture in the world. Yet Lord Caitanya in His youth widely renowned as a scholar Himself, left us only eight verses called Śikṣāṣṭaka.

 
When  I read these words above by Srila Prabhupada I  know that I can be safe in my understanding that what he will deliver to me is 100% accurate  and if I follow his words of instruction I can go back to home back to Godhead and in so doing achieve the goal of this human form of life.. 
Without that accurate help, I will remain here forever in this material world.
 
However what we have today due to the irresponsible  and sinful behavior of  all the iskcon  misleaders is a total break in this “unbreakable system of disciplic succession of any religious culture in the world.”
Only  people (I wont even call them devotees) who have lost all their intelligence would dare to meddle with or change in any way the vani of such a great Acarya as Srila Prabhupada.   And  worse still, he told us not to change one word on top of that and  still they did it anyway with now thousands of changes.
 
Who  would or could do such a thing? Who is on the same level as Srila Prabhupada and do what he did worldwide? If it wasn’t for him they would not even have the opportunity to work on his books and help him  publish them in all major world languages and be sold in the millions?
 
Here is who would dare such a thing—only one  who is influenced by the external energy  called Maya, of the Supreme Lord. 
 
June 13 1974 Paris
Prabhupāda: What do you understand by the word “māyā”?
Yogeśvara: That which is not.
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: Things which we place value on that have no relation to Kṛṣṇa.
Prabhupāda: The māyā is explained very nicely in the Bhāgavata, yathābhāso yathā tamaḥ. Just like sun is reflected in the water, and the light is reflected again on the wall. This is the exact explanation of māyā. Reality, this material world, the man who manufactured all these things, nobody knows where he has gone, but these things are taken as reality. This will be also finished. It will remain as relics, as Rome, relics, but when it was…, the houses were prepared with great enthusiasm as reality. And now it is as relics. So the energy expended for manufacturing those house, that is also māyā, and now they are being visited as relics. That is also māyā. So all these things are māyāra vaibhava, expansion of māyā. So if somebody says that you don’t appreciate these things? No, we appreciate, very much appreciate intelligence. But if you, for this appreciation, if you forget, then it is māyā. Forget Kṛṣṇa.
Puṣṭa-kṛṣṇa: Kṛṣṇa.
Prabhupāda: Then it is māyā. Otherwise, it is reality. If they would have installed Deity worship in these buildings, how much nice it would have been. People chanting, dancing, and taking prasādam, twenty-four hours. Then it is no more māyā. It is reality. Such big, big, nice houses, they should have been places of worshiping Kṛṣṇa. But they’re worshiping bones, keeping some dead bones, and….
 
Some Conclusions–So if one disobeys the orders of Gods bona fide representative how can we get free of illusion or Maya? Above Prabhupada explains maya as light reflected on water which then reflects on a wall which is taken as reality If people take this reflection as reality they are in what we call “Maya” or illusion. So these people who have changed the books are the same as people who take the relics in Rome as reality. They have forgotten the orders under which they operate as disciples-not to change anything. And if they had obeyed Srila Prabhupada then so much good could have come out of iskcon. But they changed everything and instead of those buildings we see as relics today they could have been made as temples of Krsna , then an entire different history would have been written in iskcon.
And this is what the misleader people in iskcon have done with Srila Prabhupadas books. They have DARED to enter into the internal region of pure devotional service when they are all nothing more than neophyte devotees-at best.
June 12 1974 Paris
Devotee: Prabhupāda, what is the devotee’s greatest enemy? A devotee’s greatest enemy?
Prabhupāda: He, he himself. Because he’s a rascal, he’s his greatest enemy. So just get out of this rascaldom, and you become your friend. Nobody is enemy. You are yourself your enemy. Nobody is enemy. (pause) Which one?
 
June 22 1977 Vrndavana
Prabhupāda: So write them immediately that “The rascal editors, they are doing havoc, and they are being maintained by Ramesvara and party.”

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