Quotes for
Maìgala-ärati
A collection from the teachings of
His Divine Grace
A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(Founder-Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
Index – Daily Quotes
Day
Topic
1
2
3
4
Reading
Guru Issue
Chanting Quality
Deity
5
6
7
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Vapuù & Väëé
Holy Name
8
Maìgala-ärati
9
10
11
12
Sädhana
Vaiñëava-aparädha
Reading
Guru Issue
13
Chanting Quality
14
15
16
Deity
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Vapuù & Väëé
17
18
19
20
Holy Name
Maìgala-ärati
Sädhana
Vaiñëava-aparädha
21
22
23
24
Reading
Guru Issue
Chanting Quality
Deity
25
26
27
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Vapuù & Väëé
Holy Name
28
29
Maìgala-ärati
Sädhana
30
31
Vaiñëava-aparädha
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Deity
Holy Name
Index – Festival Quotes
Çré-Räma-navamé .......................................................................................................................... 71
Nåsiàha-caturdaçé ........................................................................................................................ 72
Pänihäöi ciòä-dadhi utsava .......................................................................................................... 73
Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura’s disappearance day .................................................................... 74
Balaräma Jayanté........................................................................................................................... 75
Jhulan-yäträ ................................................................................................................................... 76
Cäturmäsya................................................................................................................................... 77
Çré Kåñëa Janmäñöamé ................................................................................................................... 78
Çré Vyäsa-püjä ............................................................................................................................... 79
Çré Rädhäñöamé .............................................................................................................................. 80
Vämana-dvädaçé........................................................................................................................... 81
Deepotsava ................................................................................................................................... 82
Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura’s appearance day......................................................................... 83
Govardhana-püjä ......................................................................................................................... 84
Çréla Gaura Kiçora däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja’s disappearance day ............................................. 85
Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura’s disappearance day .............................................. 86
Vaikuëöha Ekädaçé ........................................................................................................................ 87
Çré Advaita Äcärya’s appearance day ...................................................................................... 88
Varäha-dvadaçé............................................................................................................................. 89
Nityänanda Trayodaçé ................................................................................................................. 90
Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura’s appearance day................................................... 91
Çré Gaura-pürëimä ....................................................................................................................... 92
Guidelines for using this booklet
The numbers mentioned on top of the alternate pages represents each date of a month
and three sets of quotes are compiled for the months. For example if four quotes have
been compiled for date 1 under Jan-Apr-Jul-Oct, then on 1st of these months quotes
from that set can be read during maìgala-ärati.
1
Reading
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
We should not waste our time reading and talking nonsense, but should engage in the study of
Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Our time is very valuable, and we should not waste it.
- TLK Vs 16
Study my books and reproduce the purports in your own language. We haven't got to invent
something by our fertile brain for preaching. Everything is there. One who is expert for
presenting these things before the audience so that they can conveniently understand is a
successful preacher. You have to speak only what Kåñëa has said. Then you become a
preacher.
- Letter to: Jagadisa -- Bombay 9 November, 1975
You are happy because you are chanting, dancing, reading Çrémad-Bhägavatam and all the
books. If you do these things regularly, then your life is a success. Anyone who chants and
follows the rules and regulations, where is there room for anxiety for him?
- Letter to: Revatinandana: -- Bombay 7 November, 1975
Anybody seriously reading our book, he’ll be liberated. There is no doubt.
tyaktvä dehaà punar janma naiti mäm eti
That’s a fact. If not all books, if one carefully reads Kåñëa book daily, he is liberated
undoubtedly.
- Room Conversation -- April 13, 1977, Bombay
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
If you want to study, there is much time in the day for studying, but you must go also on
Saìkértana party, that is the result or practice of your studying. Simply studying is dry and
useless without chanting.
- Letter to: Sankarasana -- Paris 23 July, 1972
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 Kåñëa face-to-face.
- Letter to: Bhagavatananda -- New York 8 July, 1972
I am so glad to learn that you are reading my Bhagavad-gita As It Is with great interest, and I
hope if you kindly read my books carefully that all your spiritual desires will be fulfilled.
- Letter to: Hrisikesa – Hawai, 69-03-18
So I am requesting all of my students to read my books very seriously every day without fail. In
this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two hours daily in the transcendental
subject matter of Çrémad-Bhägavatam, Bhagavad-gétä, and other books then very easily you will
make your advancement in Kåñëa Consciousness.
- Letter to: Bhargava – Los-Angeles, 72-06-13
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
By reading regularly Çrémad-Bhägavatam, one becomes gradually freed from the influence of
passion and ignorance, and thus becomes situated in goodness. In such platform one can
engage oneself in serious devotional service, and thus one becomes illuminated with the
transcendental knowledge of Kåñëa. This stage is called liberated stage, and at this time one
becomes freed from all doubts and material bondage, and thus his life becomes successful.
- Letter to: Harivilasa -- Montreal 10 June, 1968
You simply read my books and reproduce it. That's all. That will be preaching.
- MW, Vrn, 750829
If you chant always Hare Kåñëa, read my books, and preach this philosophy sincerely, then
Kåñëa will provide you with all facility, and you will not fall down into material entanglement.
- Letter to: Devotees - San-Francisco, 67-03-30
So far the reading is concerned; you may read any one of my books. Best thing is to take one
of the books and finish it, from beginning to end.
- Letter to: Mahapurusa -- Los Angeles 7 March, 1968
2
Guru Issue
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
A guru can become guru when he’s ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can
become guru.
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gétä, Oct 28th, 1975, Nairobi
Self-made guru cannot be guru, he must be authorized by the bona fide guru. Then he’s guru.
This is the fact. Nobody can be self-made. A medical practitioner cannot be self-made. He
cannot say that “I have studied all the medical books in my home.” No. He should have gone
to the medical college and taken instruction from the bona fide teachers and got the certificate,
then he is a medical practitioner. Similarly, bona fide guru means he must be authorized by the
superior guru.
- Lecture, NoD, Oct 31st, 1972, Vrindavana
Spiritual master is not self-made. It is not that someone can come before you and bluff that “I
have attained spiritual perfection, and I have realized something by some method.” No. The
spiritual master means he has to receive the power from authority. Otherwise it is useless. It is
not that one can become spiritual master overnight. He has to take the power from his spiritual
master. Therefore it is called präptasya. Präptasya means one who has obtained, one who has
got the merciful blessings of his spiritual master.
- Purport to Sri-Sri-Gurv-astakam -- Los Angeles, January 2, 1969
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Why did this Gauòéya Maöha fail? Because they tried to become more than guru. Before passing
away Bhaktisiddhänta Saraswati Öhäkura gave all directions but never said that ‘This man should
be the next äcärya.’ But after his passing away these people began to fight that who shall be
äcärya. That is the failure. They never thought, ‘Why Guru Mahäräja gave us instruction on so
many things but did not say that this man should be äcärya?’ They wanted to artificially create
somebody äcärya and hence everything failed. They did not consider even with common sense
that if Guru Mahäräja wanted to appoint somebody as äcärya, why did he not say? He said so
many things, and how could he miss this real point? They declared some unfit person to
become äcärya. Then another man came, then another, äcärya, another äcärya. So better
remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by Guru Mahäräja. That is perfection.
- Room Conversation, 8th August 1976, Bombay
In the mundane world, anyone possessing his master’s power of attorney can act on behalf of
his master. Similarly, a spiritual master empowered by Kåñëa through his own bona fide spiritual
master should be considered as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. That is
the meaning of säkñäd-dharitvena.
- CC Madhya 10.136
Guru cannot be self-made. There is no such single instance throughout the whole Vedic
literature. And nowadays, so many rascals, they are becoming guru without any authority. That
is not guru. You must be authorized. evaà paramparä-präptam [Bg. 4.2]. As soon as the
parampara is lost, sa käleneha mahatä yogo nañöaù parantapa, immediately the spiritual potency
is finished. You can dress like a guru, you can talk big, big words, but it will never be effective.
- Lecture, Çrémad-Bhägavatam7.9.7 -- Mäyäpur, February 27, 1977
Devotee: Çréla Prabhupäda, if the knowledge was handed down by the saintly kings, evaà
paramparä-präptam, how is it that the knowledge was lost?
Prabhupäda: It is lost when it is not handed down but simply understood by speculation or if it
is not handed down as it is. Either they might have made some changes or they did not hand it
down. Suppose I handed it down to you, but if you do not do that, then it is lost. Now the
Kåñëa Consciousness movement is going on in my presence. Now after my departure, if you do
not do this, then it is lost. If you go on as you are doing it now, then it will go on.
- Room Conversation, Perth, May 9th, 1975
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
One cannot be a spiritual master in perfection unless and until one has received the same by
disciplic succession. That is the secret of receiving transcendental knowledge.
- SB 2.8.25
Caitanya Mahaprabhu authorized Sanatana Goswami to become guru. This is parampara
system. Nobody can become guru all of a sudden. Self-made guru is not guru. Unless Sanatana
Goswami has got the power to receive the instruction, Caitanya Mahaprabhu is not going to
waste His time. He has the power. So He is empowering Sanatana Gosvami to take this task
and spread Kåñëa consciousness. Just like even if one is a qualified lawyer, he must get the
power of attorney from his client, and then he can speak. That is the law. Similarly, without
being endowed with the power of attorney from Kåñëa, it is not possible to preach. Because we
are preparing ourselves to preach Kåñëa consciousness, we must be qualified to get the power
of attorney. Sometimes we speak that "I'll preach." What will you preach? First of all get the
power of attorney; then preach. Preaching is not so easy that anyone can preach. kåñëa-çakti
vinä nahe tära pravartana. So to get that power of attorney one has to qualify himself, not that
the power of attorney is hanging in the tree and you can take it.
- Lecture, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.105 -- New York, July 11, 1976
One who is not self-controlled, specifically in sex life, can become neither a disciple nor a
spiritual master. One must have disciplinary training in controlling speaking, anger, the tongue,
the mind, the belly and the genitals. One who has controlled the particular senses mentioned
above is called a gosvami. Without becoming a gosvami one can become neither a disciple nor
a spiritual master. The so-called spiritual master without sense control is certainly the cheater,
and the disciple of such a so-called spiritual master is the cheated.
- SB 2.9.43
The only way to obtain this devotional service is to take full shelter of the spiritual authority, the
guru, who is coming in the line of a proper disciplic succession. Those who toil without
worshiping the spiritual master will find that all their endeavors are futile.
- RTW 4.5
3
Chanting Quality
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Devotee: When chanting our sixteen rounds, we are not sure if these rounds are sincere. How can
we make the quality the best?
Prabhupäda: You will understand quality when you first of all come to the quality. Without having
quality, how will you understand the quality? You follow the instruction of your spiritual master and
çästra. That is your duty. Quality or no quality—that is not your position to understand. When the
quality comes there is no force. You will have a taste for chanting. You will desire at that time,
“Why sixteen rounds? Why not sixteen thousand rounds?” That is quality.
- Morning Walk -- November 2, 1975, Nairobi
Regarding quality of chanting Hare Kåñëa, we shall try to avoid the ten kinds of offenses, that is the
quality.
- Letter to: Rayarama -- Allston, Mass 14 May, 1968
We have to make a regulated program that we must chant Hare Kåñëa so many times because we
are not offenseless. Otherwise one chanting of Kåñëa is sufficient to make you liberated. Just like
Ajämila. Once he chanted Näräyaëa. He became immediately liberated because he was
offenseless. But since we cannot do that we have to make a prescription.
- SB 6.2.11 -- Allahabad, January 16, 1971
I thank all of you very much for accepting me as your spiritual master, and I promise that I will take
you back to home, back to Godhead. I ask you all to promise me to always chant at least 16
rounds, follow the regulative principles, read our books and try to preach this Kåñëa Consciousness
Movement all over the world.
- Letter to: Nityananda — Delhi 12 November, 1971
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
One must strictly chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra twenty-four hours daily. One may have other
duties to perform under the direction of the spiritual master, but he must first abide by the spiritual
master’s order to chant a certain number of rounds. In our Kåñëa consciousness movement, we
have recommended that the neophyte chant at least sixteen rounds. This chanting of sixteen
rounds is absolutely necessary if one wants to remember Kåñëa and not forget Him. Of all the
regulative principles, the spiritual master’s order to chant at least sixteen rounds is most essential.
- CC Madhya 22.113
Our request to all our students is that they daily chant at least sixteen rounds of this harer näma
mahä-mantra offenselessly, following the regulative principles. Thus their success will be assured
without a doubt.
- CC Ädi 17.23
It is essential, however, that everyone fulfill a specific vow to chant the Hare Kåñëa mantra.
Therefore we have prescribed in our Society that all our students must chant at least sixteen rounds
daily. Such chanting must be offenseless in order to be of high quality. Mechanical chanting is not
as powerful as chanting of the holy name without offenses.
- CC Ädi 10.43
There is no formula of quality. It is to be understood by oneself. Just like if after eating something
you feel refreshed and get strength. You haven't got to take certificate. You'll understand whether
you have eaten or not. That is quality. When you will feel so much ecstasy in chanting Hare Kåñëa,
that is quality. To come to that quality requires time and sincerity. It will be awakened naturally and
not by force.
- Morning Walk -- November 2, 1975, Nairobi
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Just like Haridäsa Öhäkura, he was not forced to chant. Even Caitanya Mahäprabhu requested him,
“Now you are old enough. You can reduce the number of rounds.” But Haridäsa Öhäkura refused,
“No. Up to the end of my life I shall go on chanting.” That is quality. Have you got such tendency
that you will go on chanting and do nothing? Now you are forced to do. So there is no question of
quality. This is a chance given so that one day you may come to the stage of quality.
- Morning Walk -- November 2, 1975, Nairobi
Rüpa Gosvämé says, “How shall I chant with one tongue, and how shall I hear with two ears? Had it
been millions of tongue and trillions of ears, then I could enjoy it.” This is quality. Quality is not so
cheap. May be after many births we may get it. For the time being you go on following the rules
and regulations and it is being done by force. When you are not forced, but automatically you
desire, that is quality.
- Morning Walk -- November 2, 1975, Nairobi
If one cannot complete the fixed number of rounds he is assigned, he should be considered to be in
a diseased condition of spiritual life. Çréla Haridäsa Öhäkura is called nämäcärya. Of course, we
cannot imitate Haridäsa Öhäkura, but everyone must chant a prescribed number of rounds. In our
Kåñëa consciousness movement we have fixed sixteen rounds as the minimum so that we will not
feel burdened. These sixteen rounds must be chanted loudly, so that one can hear himself and
others.
- CC Antya 11.23
Simply be serious in following the rules and regulations and chant sixteen rounds. These things will
constantly give you strength and spirit and I am sure that wherever you go in your preaching
program there you will be successful.
- Letter to: Danavir — London 24 August, 1971
4
Deity
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The Lord accepts the form of arcä-vigraha (worshipable Deity) just to accept service from His
different incapable devotees. By the mercy of the arcä-vigraha, the form of the Lord in material
elements, the devotees who are in the material world can easily approach the Lord, although
He is not conceivable by the material senses. The arcä-vigraha is therefore an all-spiritual form
of the Lord to be perceived by the material devotees; such an arcä-vigraha of the Lord is never
to be considered material. There is no difference between matter and spirit for the Lord,
although there is a gulf of difference between the two in the case of the conditioned living
being. For the Lord there is nothing but spiritual existence, and similarly there is nothing except
spiritual existence for the pure devotee of the Lord in his intimate relation with the Lord.
- SB 1.12.9
Çré-vigraha is the arcä, or suitable worshipable form of the Lord, and the disciple should be
engaged in worshiping the Deity regularly by çåìgära, by proper decoration and dressing, as
also by mandira-märjana, the matter of cleansing the temple. The spiritual master teaches the
neophyte devotee all these kindly and personally to help him gradually in the realization of the
transcendental name, quality, form, etc., of the Lord.
- SB 2.3.22
If the devotee knows perfectly that the arcä-vigraha, or Deity form of Lord Kåñëa in the temple,
is exactly the same sac-cid-änanda-vigrahaù as Lord Kåñëa Himself, then his service to the
temple Deity becomes direct service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Similarly, the
temple itself, the temple paraphernalia and the food offered to the Deity are also not separate
from Kåñëa. One has to follow the rules and regulations prescribed by the äcärya, and thus,
under superior guidance, Kåñëa realization is fully possible, even in this material existence.
- KB 82
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
If you become anxious how to worship Deity, how to dress Kåñëa nicely, that will develop your
anxiety for Kåñëa. Therefore Deity worship is essential. Exactly in time to get up, to offer
mangala-aräti, to dress, this anxiety is the beginning of Kåñëa anxiety. Then, when you become
perfect, you'll always be anxious for Kåñëa. And that is perfectional stage. Therefore, by the
injunction of the çästra, it is a way of creating that anxiety. So we must follow it. Then we'll
come to the real anxiety.
- Morning Walk -- April 26, 1976, Melbourne
If someone becomes attached to the çré-mürti, or Deity of Kåñëa, then he will forget his
relationships of so-called friendship, love and society. One must see the form of Govinda if one
at all wants to forget the nonsense of material friendship, love and society.
- NoD 13
When we see the Deity of Kåñëa in the temple, we should think that the Deity is Kåñëa. In this
way Kåñëa has agreed to be seen by us and even dressed by us. However, if we think of
Kåñëa's viräö-rüpa, His universal form, what can we do? How can we dress the viräö-rüpa? His
many heads cover the sky, and we cannot even conceive of Him. Kåñëa can become bigger
than the biggest and smaller than the smallest. Therefore this verse states: bhaktyä pumäï jätaviräga aindriyät. The more we serve Kåñëa, give Him things to eat and dress Him nicely, the less
we become interested in our own bodies. In the material world everyone is very busy dressing
himself very nicely in order to be sexually attractive, but if we try to dress Kåñëa nicely, we will
forget our own material dress. If we feed Kåñëa nice food, we will forget to satisfy our own
tongue by going to this or that restaurant.
- TLK Vs 25-26
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
A person constantly engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord cannot be
deviated from meditating on the form of the Lord. The arcana-märga, or the devotional path
prescribed in the Païcarätra system of devotional service for worshiping the Deity in the
temple, makes the devotee think constantly of the Lord; that is samädhi, or trance. One who
practices in this way cannot deviate from the service of the Lord, and that makes him perfect in
the mission of human life.
- SB 4.8.52
Demons are very much disturbed when devotees worship the Lord in the prescribed ways
recommended in the scriptures. In the Vedic scriptures, the neophyte devotees are advised to
engage in nine kinds of devotional service, such as to hear and chant the holy name of God, to
remember Him always, to chant on beads Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, to worship the Lord in the form of His Deity
incarnation in the temples, and to engage in various activities of Kåñëa consciousness to
increase the number of godly persons for perfect peace in the world. Demons do not like such
activity. They are always envious of God and His devotees. Their propaganda not to worship in
the temple or church but simply to make material advancement for satisfaction of the senses is
always current.
- SB 3.18.5
Kåñëa is always Kåñëa, but because we cannot see anything beyond material elements like
wood, stone, and metal, He appears in a form made of these elements. But He is neither
wood, metal, nor stone. When we associate with the Deity, we associate with Kåñëa
personally. Because Kåñëa is invisible, He very kindly takes a form that is visible to us. This is
Kåñëa's mercy. Do not think, "Oh, here is a stone Kåñëa." Kåñëa is everything, and therefore
Kåñëa is stone also, but He is not the kind of stone that cannot act. Even in the form of stone or
metal, Kåñëa can act as Kåñëa, and one who worships the Deity will perceive that. svayam eva
sphuraty adaù. The Deity, although apparently stone, may speak with a devotee.
- TQK 4
The duty of the post office is to carry letters from one place to another. If one puts letters in
postboxes authorized by the general post office, the function of carrying letters is performed
without a doubt. Similarly, the arcä-mürti can also deliver the same unlimited potency of the
Lord as when He is personally present.
- SB 3.1.18
5
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Utsähät means you must be very much enthusiastic that “In this human form of life, I must
complete my spiritual consciousness, or God consciousness, so that in the next life I may not
have this material body. That is called utsähät. Just like a man is very much enthusiastic that “In
this life I must accumulate ten million dollars in the bank,” and he does work with great
enthusiasm; similarly, we must also have enthusiasm that “In this very human form of life, I
must make my spiritual life perfect so that after leaving this body I may not come again to this
material world.” That is called utsähä, enthusiasm.
- Lecture, BG 2.46-47, New York, March 28th, 1966
Dhairyä means patience. There may be so many obstacles in prosecuting our spiritual life, but
we should patiently go forward. We shall not be discertained.
- Lecture, BG 2.46-47, New York, March 28th, 1966
Determination means continuing to practice Kåñëa Consciousness with patience and
perseverance. If one does not immediately attain the desired results, one should not think, “Oh,
what is this Kåñëa Consciousness? I will give it up.” No, we must have determination and faith in
Kåñëa’s words.
- Chapter 5, Path of Perfection
Please do therefore everything with enthusiasm. That will satisfy me, and Kåñëa also, and as a
result of which you will be satisfied transcendentally, this is our position.
- Letter to Bali-mardana, Los Angeles, May 25th, 1970
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
One should chant the holy name of the Lord with faith, enthusiasm and firm conviction on the
statement of Lord Caitanya that simply by chanting the mahä-mantra, one can be gradually
elevated to the highest platform.
- Letter to Kanupriya, Los Angeles, January 15th, 1969
You must voluntarily agree that “Spiritual master says like this. All right let me do it.” When you
work for Kåñëa with love and enthusiasm, that is your Kåñëa conscious life. If you think that “It
is troublesome, what can I do? But these people ask me to do it. I have to do it,” that is not
Kåñëa Consciousness. You have to do it voluntarily and with great pleasure.
- Lecture, BG 1.30, London, July 23rd, 1973
When one is fully qualified yet is humble and gentle, and when one is able to keep his balance
both in sorrow and in the ecstasy of joy, he has the opulence called patience (kñamä).
- Purport, Bhagavad-gétä 10.34
Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and
can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible for
liberation.
- BG 2.15
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The process of receiving the causeless mercy of the Lord is to render more and more service.
We should be very enthusiastic to render service to the Lord. That enthusiasm will come when
we chant Hare Kåñëa with faith and determination.
- Chapter 16, Second Chance
The devotee should patiently follow the rules and regulations of devotional service so that the
day will come when he will achieve, all of a sudden, all the perfection of devotional service. He
should not lament for any loss or any reverse in his advancement in spiritual life. This patience
(dhairyä) is the third positive item for advancing in devotional service.
- Verse 5, Närada-bhakti-sütra
Steadiness means that one should be very determined to make progress in spiritual life. Without
such determination, one cannot make tangible progress.
- BG 13.8
The sound of the holy name - Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare, everlastingly
increases the enthusiasm of the chanter. If one repeats monotonous material words, he will feel
exhausted, but if he chants Hare Kåñëa twenty-four hours a day, he will never feel exhausted;
rather, he will feel encouraged to continue chanting more and more.
- SB 3.21.22
6
Vapuù & Väëé
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Never think that I am absent from you. Physical presence is not essential; presence by message
(or hearing) is real touch. Lord Kåñëa is present by His message which was delivered 5,000 years
ago. We always feel the presence of our past äcäryas simply by their immutable instructions.
- Correspondence, Vrindavan, August 1967
Revaté-nandana: Sometimes this question comes up, with the devotees especially, that
sometimes the spiritual master is far away. He may be in Los Angeles and somebody may be in
Hamburg temple. So he thinks, “How will the spiritual master be pleased?”
Prabhupäda: Just follow his order. Spiritual master is along with you by his words. Just like my
spiritual master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.
- SB Lecture, 18th Aug 1971, London
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.
- CC Adi 1.35 purport
In the absolute world there is no distinction as me, or he, and I. Kåñëa and His representative
are the same. Just like Kåñëa can be present simultaneously in millions of places. Similarly, the
Spiritual Master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. 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.
- Letter to: Malati – 28th May 1968
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
A devoted disciple of the spiritual master would rather die with the spiritual master than fail to
execute the spiritual master's mission. As the Supreme Personality of Godhead comes down
upon this earth to reestablish the principles of religion, so His representative, the spiritual
master, also comes to reestablish religious principles. It is the duty of the disciples to take
charge of the mission of the spiritual master and execute it properly. Otherwise the disciple
should decide to die along with the spiritual master. In other words, to execute the will of the
spiritual master, the disciple should be prepared to lay down his life and abandon all personal
considerations.
- SB 4.28.50
If a disciple is very serious to execute the mission of the spiritual master, he immediately
associates with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by väëé or vapuù. This is the only secret of
success in seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead of being eager to see the Lord
in some bush in Våndävana while at the same time engaging in sense gratification, if one instead
sticks to the principle of following the words of the spiritual master, he will see the Supreme
Lord without difficulty.
- SB 4.28.51
Physical presence is immaterial; presence of the transcendental sound received from the
spiritual master should be the guidance of life. That will make our spiritual life successful. If you
feel very strongly about my absence you may place my pictures on my sitting places and this
will be source of inspiration for you.
- Letter to: Brahmananda, 19th Jan 1967
As far as my blessing is concerned it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting
Hare Kåñëa there and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Kåñëa prasädam
etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya whose
mission I am humbly trying to push on.
- Letter to: Bal Kåñëa – 30th Jun 1974
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
You are asking me if I am present in my picture and form? The answer is Yes. In form as well as
in teachings. To carry out the teachings of guru is more important than to worship the form,
but none of them should be neglected. Form is called vapuù and teachings is called väëé. Both
should be worshiped. Väëé is more important than vapuù.
- Letter to: Tusta Kåñëa -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972
Çréla Prabhupäda emphasized, “Your love for me will be tested how you maintain this institution
after my departure. We have glamour and people are feeling our weight. This should be
maintained. Not like Gauòéya Math. After Guru Mahäräja’s departure so many äcäryas came
up.”
- TKG’s Diary, p. 45
If a disciple is very serious to execute the instructions of the spiritual master, he immediately
associates with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by väëé or vapuh. That is the only secret
of success in seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Prabhupäda, 1978, Fourth Canto, Vol. 4, p. 235
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Çréla Prabhupäda: I will never die!
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!
Çréla Prabhupäda: I will live forever from my books and you will utilize.
- Interview, Berkley, 1975
7
Holy Name
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The powerful hari-nama is so strong that even if one unconsciously or consciously chants, say
they have no intention to chant the holy name of Kåñëa, but they imitate or criticize, “Hare
Kåñëa.” That also has effect.
- Calcutta, January 10, 1971.
The name of Kåñëa is non-different from Kåñëa. Therefore, the name of Kåñëa is as powerful as
Lord Kåñëa Himself. There is no difference at all. Anyone, therefore, can take advantage of the
holy names of Lord Çré Kåñëa even in the midst of greatest dangers. The transcendental name of
Kåñëa, even though uttered unconsciously or by force of circumstances, can help one obtain
freedom from the hurdle of birth and death.
- SB 1.1.14
Highest benefit is derived from the Mahämantra, or Hare Kåñëa Mantra, because this is said by
authorities. Compare what you were before to what you have become, now challenge any
other mantra to produce such effect. You know it. Now try to realize it yourself and convince
others. That is Kåñëa Consciousness.
- Letter to: Madhavananda -- Tokyo 25 April, 1972
Haridäsa Öhäkura was beaten with cane in twenty-two bazaars, but he was never disturbed;
instead, he smilingly tolerated the beating. Despite the disturbing dualities of the material world,
devotees are not disturbed at all. Because they fix their minds on the lotus feet of the Lord and
concentrate on the holy name of the Lord, they do not feel the so-called pains and pleasures
caused by the dualities of this material world.
- SB 6.17.29
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The sixteen word Maha Mantra is nobody's invention. There are authorized mantras in the
different Puranas which are Vedic authorities. Especially in the Kali Santara Upanisad it is stated
that this sixteen word Mahämantra is the Holy Name of the Supreme Brahma for the
deliverance of the fallen souls. Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted, Haridasa Thakura chanted 24
hours, all the Goswamis and Äcäryas chanted, my Guru Mahäräja chanted, and following all
these footsteps we are also chanting. So they are authorized by disciplic succession, and all of
us must chant at least 16 rounds daily to keep us fit on the Kåñëa Consciousness transcendental
platform.
- Letter to: Ranadhira -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1970
Wherever the Holy Name of Kåñëa is chanted, Kåñëa is present there because there is no
difference between Kåñëa and His Holy Name.
- Letter to: Kértanananda -- Allston, Mass 23 May, 1968
The modern civilization is so corrupt with full of sinful activities, Hence people will be forced to
face more troubles, by nature's order. Our business, however, is simply to take shelter of the
Hare Kåñëa Mahämantra and pray to the Holy Name to give us protection. We shall then be
unaffected by all that will happen. 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.
- Letter to: Kurusrestha -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 23 July, 1973
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself lower
than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all sense of
false prestige, and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one can chant
the holy name of the Lord constantly.
- SB Introduction
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Simply by chanting the holy name of Kåñëa—Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/
Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare—a devotee of the Lord can approach the
supreme destination easily and happily, but this destination cannot be approached by any other
process of religion
- Bg 12.6-7
In this Age of Kali, most of the population is foolish and not adequately educated to understand
Vedanta philosophy; the best purpose of Vedanta philosophy is served by inoffensively
chanting the holy name of the Lord. Vedanta is the last word in Vedic wisdom, and the author
and knower of the Vedanta philosophy is Lord Kåñëa; and the highest Vedantist is the great soul
who takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord. That is the ultimate purpose of all
Vedic mysticism.
- Bg 2.46
One who is not self-controlled and whose mind is not undisturbed cannot practice meditation.
Therefore, in the Båhan-näradéya Puräëa it is said that in Kali-yuga (the present yuga, or age),
when people in general are short-lived, slow in spiritual realization and always disturbed by
various anxieties, the best means of spiritual realization is chanting the holy name of the Lord.
"In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is chanting the holy name of
the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is no other way."
- Bg 6.11-12
One who is engaged in Lord Kåñëa's devotional service lives in a direct relationship with the
Supreme Lord, so there is no doubt that his position is transcendental from the very beginning.
A devotee does not live on the material plane—he lives in Kåñëa. The holy name of the Lord
and the Lord are non-different; therefore when a devotee chants Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa and His
internal potency are dancing on the tongue of the devotee.
- Bg 12.8
8
Maìgala-ärati
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Only by his implication in material activities has the spirit soul become miserable, temporary
and full of ignorance. This is due to vikarma. Therefore, we must practice sädhana-bhakti. -which means to offer maìgala-ärati (Deity worship) in the morning, to refrain from certain
material activities, to offer obeisances to the spiritual master and to follow many other rules and
regulations. These practices will help one become cured of madness. As a man's mental disease
is cured by the directions of a psychiatrist, so this sädhana-bhakti cures the conditioned soul of
his madness under the spell of maya, material illusion.
- NoD 2: The First Stages of Devotion
In this Kåñëa consciousness movement we require everyone to rise early in the morning, by four
A.M., and attend maìgala-ärati, or morning worship, then read Çrémad-Bhägavatam, perform
kértana, and so forth. Thus we hold continuous activities in devotional service twenty-four hours
daily. This is called sato våtti, or following in the footsteps of the previous äcäryas who expertly
filled every moment of time with Kåñëa conscious activities.
- NoI: verse 3
The Brahma-muhürta takes place about one and a half hours before sunrise. It is recommended
that one should rise from bed at that time and, after finishing daily ablutions, take to spiritual
activities by performing maìgala-ärati and chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra. This period is very
convenient for the execution of spiritual activities.
- KB 33
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
When you become fully Kåñëa conscious by worshiping the Deity regularly, as we have got
prescription to rise early in the morning, offer maìgala-ärati, then kértana, then class, in this way
when you practice and become advanced in Kåñëa consciousness, then your natural tendency
will be how to preach.
- Lecture, SB 7.9.4 -- Mäyäpur, February 11, 1976
If you have no idea of God, how you'll think of God? We have God, Kåñëa, here. We can think
of His form. We are busy in His service. We are not only thinking; we are trying to become His
devotee. We are serving, trying to serve Him. Rising early in the morning, offering maìgalaärati, then prayers, then reading His message, trying to apply in our life as far as possible. We
are not perfect, but we are trying to follow the instruction of God. This is our life.
- Room Conversation and Interview with Ian Polsen -- July 31, 1972, London
That is the test. Yes. One who cannot rise early in the morning, he is not spiritually serious.
That is test. This hour Brahma-muhürta (one hour before sunrise), is very auspicious moment.
- Room Conversation -- December 13, 1970, Indore
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
How you can avoid karma? Bhakti is also karma. Just like we are engaged in devotional service.
That service means karma. So they're also rising early in the morning at four 'o clock offering
maìgala-ärati, and then reading books, then chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra, then taking the class
and taking prasädam, then going outside for performing Saìkértana, to distributing books. All
day, twenty-four hours karma. So therefore outsiders, they cannot understand, what is bhakti.
They think bhakti means "Close your eyes and make some murmuring sound, that is good." But
bhakti is not like that.
- Room Conversation with Reporter from Researchers Magazine -- July 24, 1973, London
Just like in the newspaper in the morning, thousands of varieties of news they will attend, but
ask them to attend the maìgala-ärati for self-realization, "No, You are disturbing me,
nonsense." This is gåhamedhé. A person who sleeps till seven and then takes bed-tea without
washing teeth, he is considered advanced, and if one is asked to do this "Rise early in the
morning and wash yourself, take your bath and attend maìgala-ärati." "Oh, this is old way,
bhajana, nonsense." You see. Gåheñu gåhamedhinäm. But Vedic culture is that one must rise
early in the morning. And even Kåñëa in His gåhastha life, immediately He rose up. This is Vedic
culture.
- Morning Walk -- April 13, 1974, Bombay
This sleeping is the mäyä’s influence. It is stated Yä devé sarva-bhüteñu nidra-rüpeëa saàsthitaù.
This material energy, Devi, has captured everyone, and the more one sleeps, that means he's
under the control of mäyä. And the more he is not sleeping, he's free from mäyä. Nidrähäravihärakädi-vijitau. The Goswämés, they conquered over three things: nidrä, sleeping; ähära,
eating; and mating. These things are the clutches of mäyä. The more we conquer over it, we
are free. Whether I am in the clutches of mäyä or not can be tested -- whether I am sleeping
more, whether I am eating more. One can test himself. And bhakti means vairägya-vidyä, to
conquer over these three things. So practice this. To rise early in the morning and attend
maìgala-ärati is compulsory. It is part of this education, spiritual education.
- Evening Conversation -- January 25, 1977, Puri
Just like a machine works systematically; everyone has seen. The machine of the watch is
working very systematically. Similarly, every student, every disciple must work very correctly,
like the machine. There is no question, "Why you did not attend school or the class?" You
cannot say any reason. As a machine works, everyone should attend the class, rise early in the
morning, attend maìgala-ärati. This is called suyantritaù, working like machine, no discrepancy.
That is wanted.
- Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.12.3 -- Bombay, April 14, 1976
9
Sädhana
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Keep yourselves strong in Kåñëa Consciousness by following all of my basic principles. That is of
the utmost importance. Do not fail to chant sixteen rounds daily, rise early, come to maìgalaärati, come to classes and follow the 4 regulative principles. In this way your life will become
free from all anxieties.
- Letter to: Sons -- Bombay 28 December, 1974
As long as the body will be there, there will only be pain. Pleasure is only a misconception. Do
not be sorry if you are in an "unfortunate" situation. It can also be fortunate if you take
advantage by becoming serious to become Kåñëa consciousness. Follow the regulative
principles, chant 16 rounds and as far as possible render service and study my books. Success is
sure.
- Letter to: Kåñëa Vilasini -- Vrindaban 25 October, 1976
Character building is the groundwork for seating Kåñëa 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 do
not have a very large number of followers, neither do we want any large number of nonsense
followers. We want only one moon at night, and we do not care for millions of stars.
- Letter to: Jaya Mazo -- Los Angeles 18 January, 1968
Our policy is to have shaven head, wear robes, chant 16 rounds of beads, follow the regulative
principles, take prasädam only, etc. If they can follow all these principles then only it is all right.
If a doctor prescribes a medicine and a diet and if the patient follows both, he will get well. If
he just follows in part, then he may not. So all these principles must be followed in order to
derive spiritual benefit. That is our method.
- Letter to: Nayanabhirama — Bombay 4 April, 1971
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Go on preaching for now, we shall see the money matters 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. 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.
- Letter to: Gargamuni -- Honolulu 8 June, 1975
Be very conscientious and hard-working and Kåñëa will give you the ability to do everything
nicely. There is no difference between chanting Hare Kåñëa or Saìkértana and doing one's
assigned work in Kåñëa Consciousness. Sometimes we have to do so much managerial or office
work, but Lord Caitanya promises us that because in the Kali-yuga this is required for carrying
on our preaching mission. He gives assurance that we will not become entangled by such work.
When the work has to be done, do it first, then chant. But you must fulfill at least 16 rounds
daily. So if necessary sleep less but you have to finish your minimum number of rounds.
- Letter to: Kirtiraja -- Bombay 2 January, 1972
Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during the
brähma-muhürta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra, pronouncing
each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase naturally. Do not worry
so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing. A devotee should always be grave
and silent which means that he only discusses topics relating to Kåñëa Consciousness. Yes,
spend your time chanting and reading and taking Kåñëa prasädam and automatically your
tongue will come under control. If you sincerely engage 24 hours daily in devotional service
according to the instructions of the spiritual master, chant daily sixteen rounds, attend the aräti
ceremony of Lord Kåñëa, associate with the devotees and adhere strictly to the regulative
principles then Kåñëa will reveal Himself personally to you.
- Letter to: Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972
Please follow the regulative principles strictly, and chant daily sixteen rounds of beads regularly
without fail. This is the essential process for dissolving the clouds of illusion or Maya; and when
the cloud of illusion is removed, then we can understand Kåñëa Consciousness perfectly.
- Letter to: Nityananda -- Los Angeles 6 March, 1970
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
My advice 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. My disciples must follow these principles living either in
heaven or hell.
- Letter to: Raja Laksmi -- Mäyäpur 17 February, 1976
This is the duty of all my initiated disciples, everyone is expected to follow the devotional
practices. Two times daily everyone must attend the classes. During the morning and evening
times there should be no business, simply kértana, chant, dance, and be purified. Do not be
paramahaàsa that ‘Now I haven't got to hear Çrémad-Bhägavatam and Bhagavad-gétä’. Don't
be a better paramahaàsa than your Guru Mahäräja. Everyone can become a first class speaker.
Simply cram the purports of my books. The references are there, the philosophy is there.
Everything is there. So if you do it, everyone will be pleased with your speaking.
- Letter to: Gopijanavallabha -- Vrindavan 19 September, 1974
Simply if you will rigidly follow the regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds of beads daily
without fail and engage whole-heartedly in devotional service, your rapid advancement in Kåñëa
Consciousness will be certain.
- Letter to: Gurukrpa (Gregg Gottfried) — Bombay 30 March, 1971
10
Vaiñëava-aparädha
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Kåñëa will never tolerate insult on a devotee. He will never tolerate. The devotee may excuse,
tåëäd api sunécena taror api sahiñëunä. Just like Prahläda Mahäräja, he was suffering. His father
was torturing him. But Kåñëa never tolerates. Even if you insult Kåñëa, He will tolerate. But if
you insult His devotee, He will never tolerate. Then you are finished. Just like a big man. If you
insult him, he may think "All right, let him." But if you insult or do some harm to his child, he will
never tolerate. Similarly, a devotee who is dependent on Kåñëa in everything, and if somebody
does harm to him or insults him, Kåñëa will never tolerate. That is explained in the Caitanyacaritämåta. Tära madhye vaiñëava-aparädha häti matta. So we should be very careful not to
offend Vaiñëava devotees. This is greatest offense. Therefore it is said vipra-çäpa-vimüòhänäà.
vimüòhänäà. Those who are rascal, fools, they will want to try to insult real brähmaëa,
Vaiñëava. Then they are finished. A Vaiñëava never curses but tolerates. But Viñëu never
tolerates.
- Lecture, SB 1.15.22-23 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1973
Just like you have a nice garden and you are watering, giving manure and protecting and if in
that garden a mad elephant enters, then it will destroy everything, all your labor will go to hell
immediately. It will destroy everything. Similarly, you may do anything very nicely; but if you
commit offense at the feet of a pure Vaiñëava, then all your assets will be immediately
vanquished. Because Kåñëa is very angry. Those who are envious upon Vaiñëava and Viñëu, the
more dangerous position is to be envious of a Vaiñëava. Viñëu aparädha can be excused, God is
very kind. But He never excuses vaiñëava-aparädha. That is His vow.
- Lecture, SB 7.9.8 -- Calcutta, March 5, 1972
You should always be alert to see whether you are committing some offense. In rendering
service to Lord Kåñëa and His representative, the spiritual master, we should always maintain
this fearful attitude which means careful attention. This attitude will advance you progressively
in Kåñëa consciousness.
- Letter to Gopäla Kåñëa, April 21, 1970
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
When one is advanced, he can see the importance of devotees. Advanced devotees never
disobey or disrespect another devotee. Disrespect to another devotee is a great offense.
Vaiñëava-aparädha is a very serious offense. Therefore we teach to address amongst the
devotees, "Prabhu", "Prabhu", "Such and such Prabhu." This should not be simply spoken by the
lips. It should be realized. Everyone should think other devotee as his prabhu, master. Not he
should try to become master.
- NoD, Vrndavana, October 23, 1972
This Kåñëa consciousness movement is a transcendental science, and there is no room for
jealousy. As soon as one becomes envious, he falls from the platform of paramahaàsa. If we
consider the bodily defects of a Vaiñëava, we should understand that we are committing an
offense at the lotus feet of the Vaiñëava, which is very serious. For a neophyte especially,
considering a pure devotee from a material point of view is very injurious. One should try to
see the internal features and understand how he is engaged in the transcendental loving service
of the Lord. Those who think that Kåñëa consciousness is limited to a certain section of people
or devotees are generally prone to see the external features of the devotee. It is also an offense
to consider the empowered Vaiñëava an object of disciplinary action. It is offensive to give him
advice or try to correct him."
- NoI
Everyone should appreciate the value of other devotees. Nobody should criticize anyone.
- Letter to Tamäla Kåñëa, August 19, 1968
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu has said that by offending a Vaiñëava, one finishes all his spiritual
activities. Offending a Vaiñëava is considered the mad elephant offense. A mad elephant can
destroy an entire garden which has been developed with great labor. One may attain the
topmost platform of devotional service, but somehow or other if he offends a Vaiñëava, the
whole structure collapses. Unconsciously, King Rahügaëa offended Jaòa Bharata, but due to his
good sense, he asked to be excused. This is the process by which one can be relieved from a
Vaiñëava-aparadha. Kåñëa is always very simple and by nature merciful. When one commits an
offense at the feet of a Vaiñëava, one must immediately apologize to such a personality so that
his spiritual advancement may not be hampered.
- SB 5.10.24
One should always think of oneself as a servant of the servant of the äcäryas, and thinking this,
one should live in the society of Vaiñëava. However, if one thinks that he has become very
mature and can live separate from the association of Vaiñëava and thus gives up all the
regulative principles due to offending a Vaiñëava, one's position becomes very dangerous.
Giving up the regulative principles and living according to one's whims is compared to a mad
elephant, which by force uproots the bhakti-latä and breaks it to pieces. In this way the bhaktilatä shrivels up. Such an offense is especially created when one disobeys the instructions of the
spiritual master. This is called guru-avajïä. The devotee must therefore be very careful not to
commit offenses against the spiritual master by disobeying his instructions.
- CC Madhya 19.156
A Vaiñëava should be ready to give respect to anyone, all living entities, because all living
entities are part and parcel of Kåñëa. They should offer respect to everyone. Just like this finger
is a part and parcel of my body. If you respect my body and cut my finger, shall I be happy?
No. Therefore Vaiñëava knows this, that "Even a small ant, he is the part and parcel of Kåñëa.
So if I kill this ant, Kåñëa will be unhappy."
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gétä 9.11 -- Calcutta, June 30, 1973
11
Reading
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional service
to the Supreme Lord Sri Kåñëa. In conjunction with this you should always read my books
daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of Kåñëa
Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect.
- Letter to: Hugo Salemon – Bombay, Sep 22, 1974
In my books the philosophy of Kåñëa Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything
which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily
the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop.
- Letter to: Bahurupa dasa, 22nd November, 1974
Indian Man: We like your company very much and we feel like talking to you so much, but we
don’t have so much time to talk with you.
Prabhupäda: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books.
That’s all.
Indian Man: Personally, we think the association is greater.
Prabhupäda: That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books.
- Morning Walk -- August 7, 1975, Toronto
I have already answered the most important question. “How to please Kåñëa?”--by following all
the regulative principle that I have given you, chanting 16 rounds and reading my books
scrutinizingly. Everyone must do these things, otherwise they cannot understand Kåñëa
Consciousness.
- Letter to: Adi-kesava - Bombay, January 16, 1975
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Continue this book distribution program very nicely, and at the same time take advantage of
these books yourselves. Not that you just distribute but neglect reading them yourself. Always
read them, especially Kåñëa book. Every time you have a spare moment, you should read. This
will help you to advance in Kåñëa consciousness,
- Letter to: Trai -- Hawaii 5 May, 1972
Whatever free time you have, engage in reading my books. Otherwise, an idle mind is a devil's
workshop.
- Letter to: Nalinikanta -- Bombay 13 April, 1977
Similarly, you must read Bhagavad-gétä 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-gétä every day, that is better than reading for simply one hour and then
forgetting the topics until the next reading.
- Letter to: Paramananda -- Los Angeles 29 July, 1969
Actually these books are the foundation stone of our movement. Whatever we are is resting on
these books. Reading and distributing them—this should be our only motto.
- Letter to Hådayänanda Goswami, October 31, 1974
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Be very careful to follow all of the regulative principles nicely and chant 16 rounds and study
my books very deeply. This will make you able to go back to Godhead at the end of your life.
- Letter to: Kåñëa dasa - Mexico City, February 15, 1975
"The instruction given in my books is supposed to be personal instruction. When we read the
Bhagavad-gétä As It Is, it is understood that we are receiving personal instructions of Kåñëa. No
physical barrier is there in the case of spiritual affairs."
- Letter to Dhåñöaketu, October 14, 1973
Why are we giving so much stress on Bhagavad-gétä as it is? Because it is spoken by Kåñëa.
Similarly, anything written by Kåñëa’s pure devotee, that is important. Simply by reading such
book, we shall be free from material entanglement.
- Lecture, SB 7.9.18 -- Mäyäpur, February 25, 1976
I am very much stressing nowadays that my students shall increase their reading of my books
and try to understand them from different angles of vision. Each çloka can be seen from many,
many angles of vision, so become practiced in seeing things like this. If we are selling the books
but we do not know what is inside the book, that will be a farce.
- Letter to: Tribhuvanatha - Los Angeles, June 16, 1972
12
Guru Issue
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The words daivera käraëa indicate that by dint of providence, or by God’s will, the followers of
Advaita Äcärya divided into two parties. Such disagreement among the disciples of one äcärya
is also found among the members of the Gauòéya Maöha. In the beginning, during the presence
of Oà Viñëupäda Paramahaàsa Parivräjakäcärya Añöottara-çata Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta
Sarasvaté Öhäkura Prabhupäda, all the disciples worked in agreement; 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. Therefore, we do not belong to any faction. But because
the two parties, busy dividing the material assets of the Gauòéya Maöha institution, stopped the
preaching work, we took up the mission of Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura and Bhaktivinoda
Öhäkura to preach the cult of Caitanya Mahäprabhu all over the world, under the protection of
all the predecessor äcäryas, and we find that our humble attempt has been successful. We
followed the principles especially explained by Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura in his
commentary on the Bhagavad-gétä verse beginning vyavasäyätmikä buddhir ekeha kurunandana. According to this instruction of Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura, it is the duty of a
disciple to follow strictly the orders of his spiritual master. The secret of success in
advancement in spiritual life is the firm faith of the disciple in the orders of his spiritual master.
- CC Ädi 12.8
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
How can everyone become a spiritual master? A spiritual master must have sufficient
knowledge, so many other qualifications. Without any qualifications how can one become a
spiritual master. Now the process is, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu says, ämära äjïäya: "On My
order." That is the crucial point. One does not become spiritual master by his own whims. That
is not spiritual master. He must be ordered by superior authority. Then he's spiritual master. Just
like in our case. Our superior authority, our spiritual master, he ordered me that "You just try to
preach this gospel, whatever you have learned from me, in English." So we have tried it. That's
all. It is not that I am very much qualified. The only qualification is that I have tried to execute
the order of superior authority. That's all. This is the secret of success
- Bhagavad-gétä 2.2 -- London, August 3, 1973
One should not be eager to become a spiritual master cheaply for the sake of profit and fame.
The Lord never tolerates the impertinence of maryädä-vyatikrama. One should never pass over
the honor due to an elderly spiritual master in the interests of one's own personal gain and
fame. Impertinence on the part of the pseudo spiritual master is very risky to progressive
spiritual realization.
- SB 3.4.26
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
You are right about Çrédhara Mahäräja’s genuineness. But in my opinion he is the best of the lot.
He is my old friend, at least he executes the regulative principles of devotional service. I do not
wish to discuss about activities of my Godbrothers but it is a fact they have no life for
preaching work. All are satisfied with a place for residence in the name of a temple, they
engage disciples to get foodstuff by transcendental devices and eat and sleep. They have no
idea or brain how to broadcast the cult of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. My Guru Mahäräja used
to lament many times for this reason and he thought if one man at least had understood the
principle of preaching then his mission would achieve success. In the latter days of my Guru
Mahäräja he was very disgusted. Actually, he left this world earlier, otherwise he would have
continued to live for more years. Still he requested his disciples to form a strong Governing
body for preaching the cult of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. He never recommended anyone to be
äcärya of the Gauòéya Math. But Çrédhara Mahäräja is responsible for disobeying this order of
Guru Mahäräja, and he and others who are already dead unnecessarily thought that there must
be one acarya. If Guru Mahäräja could have seen someone who was qualified at that time to be
acarya he would have mentioned. Because on the night before he passed away he talked of so
many things, but never mentioned an acarya. His idea was äcärya was not to be nominated
amongst the governing body. He said openly you make a GBC and conduct the mission. So his
idea was amongst the members of GBC who would come out successful and self effulgent
äcärya would be automatically selected. So Çrédhara Mahäräja and his two associate gentlemen
unauthorizedly selected one äcärya and later it proved a failure. The result is now everyone is
claiming to be äcärya even though they may be kaniñöha-adhikäré with no ability to preach. In
some of the camps the äcärya is being changed three times a year. Therefore we may not
commit the same mistake in our ISKCON camp. Actually amongst my Godbrothers no one is
qualified to become äcärya. So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately
because instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them. This
attempt was made previously by them, especially Mädhava Mahäräja and Tértha Mahäräja and
Bon Mahäräja, but somehow or other I saved the situation. This is going on. We shall be very
careful about them and not mix with them. This is my instruction to you all. They cannot help
us in our movement, but they are very competent to harm our natural progress. So we must be
very careful about them.
- Letter to: Rupanuga -- Tirupati 28 April, 1974
13
Chanting Quality
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Brahmänanda: I think sometimes we recommend the devotees to chant their rounds in the
temple rather than walk in other places.
Prabhupäda: Why should one walk to other places? Who has said that you go out? I never said.
You should chant in the temple. Unless one has got some important business for the temple,
why should he go outside? There is no need. That is the chance of falling down. I have
explained, chanting outside the temple and chanting in the temple, it increases the value
thousand times.
- 15/4/76 Bombay
I am so glad to learn that you are now getting the fruit of chanting Hare Kåñëa. Hare Kåñëa 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. 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.
- Letter, 11/67 Calcutta
It is recommended that even if one commits offenses, one should continue chanting the holy
name. In other words, the chanting of the holy name makes one offenseless.
- SB 7.5.23-24
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
You must practice how to love Kåñëa. First you have to rise early in the morning. You may not
like to do that, but you think, "I will rise early to satisfy Kåñëa." This is the beginning. Then, "I
have to chant sixteen rounds of the Hare Kåñëa mantra on my beads." You may be lazy, you
may not want to do it, but if you want to love Kåñëa you must do it. You must do it. In the
beginning you have to learn how to love Kåñëa, but when you actually come to the state of
love of God there is no question of "have to." You will spontaneously follow the regulative
principles
- TQE 7a: The Yoga of Pure Attachment
The spiritual master has given you so many things to do. First of all finish sixteen rounds,
observe the regulative principles. Finish this duty. If you cannot finish sixteen rounds chanting,
you cannot observe the regulative principles, then what else you can do? Be expert in finishing
this duty first. Then ask for another duty. And if you finish this duty, automatically Kåñëa will
give you intelligence.
- SB 61.15 22/2/73 Auckland
There are three stages in chanting the holy name of the Lord. In the first stage, one commits
ten kinds of offenses while chanting. In the next stage, nämäbhäsa, the offenses have almost
stopped, and one is coming to the platform of pure chanting. In the third stage, when one
chants the Hare Kåñëa mantra without offenses, his dormant love for Kåñëa immediately
awakens. This is the perfection.
- SB 5.24.20
You are thinking that there are many problems in your life; I assure you that if you follow the
regulative principles of chanting 16 rounds, observing strictly the prohibitive injunctions, keep
association with pure devotees, plus taking care of the Deities in the Temple, surely all your
problems will be solved without any difficulty.
- Letter to: Kulasekhara — Los Angeles 11 January, 1970
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Öhäkura Haridäsa was the living example of how to follow the regulative principles. Similarly,
Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé was also such a living example. In the Ñaò-gosvämy-añöaka it is
stated: saìkhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhiù kälävasänékåtau. The Gosvämés, especially
Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé, strictly followed all the regulative principles. The first regulative
principle is that one must chant the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra loudly enough so that he can hear
himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds.
- CC Antya-lélä 11.24
A devotee always has a taste for chanting Hare Kåñëa: "Oh, very nice. Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa,
Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare." This is taste. Of
course, this takes time to awaken, but when Rüpa Gosvämé was chanting he was thinking, "I
have only one tongue and two ears. What can I appreciate of chanting? If I could have millions
of tongues and trillions of ears, then I could relish something by chanting and hearing." Of
course, we should not imitate him, but the devotees of the Kåñëa consciousness movement
must at least be very careful to complete their sixteen rounds, their minimum amount of
prescribed chanting. Nama-gäne sadä ruciù: we have to increase our taste for singing and
chanting Hare Kåñëa.
- Teachings of Queen Kunté
The Kåñëa consciousness movement prescribes sixteen rounds daily because people in the
Western countries cannot concentrate for long periods while chanting on beads. Therefore the
minimum number of rounds is prescribed. However, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté used to say
that unless one chants at least sixty-four rounds of japa (one hundred thousand names), he is
considered fallen (patita). According to his calculation, practically every one of us is fallen, but
because we are trying to serve the Supreme Lord with all seriousness and without duplicity, we
can expect the mercy of Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, who is famous as patita-pävana, the
deliverer of the fallen.
- The Nectar of Instruction Text 5
All of us must chant at least 16 rounds daily to keep us fit on the Kåñëa Consciousness
transcendental platform. Amongst all our duties surely we must not forget to complete our
sixteen rounds. We should not be carried away simply by the Kåñëa duties which is also
regarded as good as chanting, but in all circumstances we shall not forget this duty.
- Letter to: Ranadhira — Los Angeles 24 January, 1970
14
Deity
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The Viñëu forms of worship in great temples of India are not, therefore, arrangements of idol
worship, as they are wrongly interpreted to be by a class of men with a poor fund of
knowledge; rather, they are different spiritual centers of meditation on the transcendental limbs
of the body of Viñëu. The worshipable Deity in the temple of Viñëu is identical with Lord Viñëu
by the inconceivable potency of the Lord. Therefore, a neophyte's concentration or meditation
upon the limbs of Viñëu in the temple, as contemplated in the revealed scriptures, is an easy
opportunity for meditation for persons who are unable to sit down tightly at one place and then
concentrate upon praëava oàkära or the limbs of the body of Viñëu, as recommended herein
by Çukadeva Gosvämé, the great authority. The common man can benefit more by meditating
on the form of Viñëu in the temple than on the oàkära, the spiritual combination of a-u-m as
explained before. There is no difference between oàkära and the forms of Viñëu, but persons
unacquainted with the science of Absolute Truth try to create dissension by differentiating
between the forms of Viñëu and that of oàkära. Here it is indicated that the Viñëu form is the
ultimate goal of meditation, and as such it is better to concentrate upon the forms of Viñëu
than on impersonal oàkära. The latter process is also more difficult than the former.
- SB 2.1.19
Bhagavän Çré Kåñëa is present in the temple Deity, and even if a child comes to offer his
respects, he is counted as a devotee. A small child may not know anything, but simply by
seeing the Deity, chanting and dancing, he is benefited. Temples are meant to give everyone a
chance to advance in Kåñëa consciousness one step at a time.
- TLK Vs 14
In the material world, the Lord is always worshiped as the arcä-vigraha, or Deity in the temple.
There is no difference between the arcä-vigraha and the original person, and therefore those
who are engaged in worshiping the Deity in the temple in full opulence, even on this planet,
should be understood to be directly in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead without
a doubt.
- SB 5.17.14 Purport
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
I am pleased also that you are decorating your temple nicely. The more you decorate the
temple beautifully the more your heart will be beautiful. The example is that the more you
decorate the original the more the reflection automatically is decorated. So our heart is the
reflection of the Original Consciousness, Kåñëa, and the more Kåñëa and His paraphernalia are
decorated the more this will be reflected in our heart and we will feel transcendental bliss.
- Letter to: Upendra -- Tittenhurst 27 October, 1969
The common man, who is expected to become at least a third-class devotee, is advised herein
to visit the temple of the Lord and bow down before the Deity, even though he may be a very
rich man or even a king with a silk turban or crown. The Lord is the Lord of everyone, including
the great kings and emperors, and men who are rich in the estimation of mundane people must
therefore make it a point to visit the temple of Lord Çré Kåñëa and regularly bow down before
the Deity. The Lord in the temple in the worshipable form is never to be considered to be
made of stone or wood, for the Lord in His arcä incarnation as the Deity in the temple shows
immense favor to the fallen souls by His auspicious presence.
- SB 2.3.21
Clearly, those who have the eyes to see Kåñëa will see Him. When Caitanya Mahäprabhu
entered the temple of Jagannätha, He immediately fainted upon seeing the Deity. He said, "Oh,
here is My Lord! Here is My Lord!" In order to see, one has to become santaù, and one
becomes santaù by culture. When we develop love of Kåñëa, we will immediately see Kåñëa
and faint, saying, "Oh, here is my Lord!" However, those with no faith, those who are always
trying to deny Kåñëa, will simply say, "Oh, this is an idol. This is simply a piece of stone."
- TLK Vs 35
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The worship of the Deity in the temple is essential to reduce one’s restlessness due to the
contaminations of conditioned life. Thus Närada, in his päïcarätriké-vidhi, and other great sages
have sometimes stressed that since every conditioned soul has a bodily concept of life aimed at
sense enjoyment, to restrict this sense enjoyment the rules and regulations for worshiping the
Deity in the temple are essential.
- CC Ädi 7.76
Only attention engaged in the service of the Lord, especially in dressing and decorating the
temple, accompanied by musical kértana and spiritual instructions from scriptures, can save the
common man from the hellish cinema attractions and rubbish sex-songs broadcast everywhere
by radios. If one is unable to maintain a temple at home, he should go to another's temple
where all the above performances are regularly executed. Visiting the temple of a devotee and
looking at the profusely decorated forms of the Lord well dressed in a well-decorated,
sanctified temple naturally infuse the mundane mind with spiritual inspiration. People should visit
holy places like Våndävana where such temples and worship of the Deity are specifically
maintained.
- SB 2.3.22
We should follow two important lines, namely the päïcarätriké-vidhi as well as bhägavata-vidhi.
The bhägavata-vidhi is preaching work, and saìkértana, and päïcarätriké-vidhi is Temple
worship of the Deities. The Temple worship will keep us sanctified, and when we shall preach
in sanctified, pure heart, the preaching will be immediately effective. So we have to follow the
two parallel lines simultaneously for successful execution of devotional service.
- Letter to: Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970
15
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Rüpa Gosvämé says that to advance in spiritual life, the first principle is utsäha. Utsäha means
enthusiasm. “Yes, Kåñëa says, sarvadharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja. I will accept
it and work enthusiastically.” Kåñëa says, man-manä bhava mad-bhakto mad-yäjé mäà
namaskuru, and we have to execute it enthusiastically, “Yes, I shall always think of Kåñëa.”
Kåñëa says directly, “You just become My devotee.” So we have to be enthusiastic, “Yes, I shall
become Kåñëa’s devotee.” Kåñëa says, “Worship Me,” so we should be very much enthusiastic
to worship Kåñëa, offer maìgala-ärätrika, rise early in the morning. Those who are not
enthusiastic, lazy, lethargic, they cannot advance in spiritual life. One must be very, very
enthusiastic and positive.
- Lecture, Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.26.30, Bombay, January 7th, 1975
Dhairyä means patience. You should not become impatient that “Why am I not becoming
perfect? Sometimes why mäyä is kicking me?” Yes. That is habitual. That will go on. It will stop.
“When Kåñëa says, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà çaraëaà vraja (Bhagavad-gétä 18.66),
now I have given up everything. I have no other occupational duties. Simply to serve Kåñëa. So
when I have taken to it, then Kåñëa will surely give me protection.” That is called niçcaya. Don’t
be disappointed. Kåñëa is not a false speaker.
- SB 3.26.30, Mumbai, January 7th, 1975
Acäpalam, determination, means that one should not be agitated or frustrated in some attempt.
There may be failure in some attempt, but one should not be sorry for that; he should make
progress with patience and determination.
- Bg 16.1
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The more you engage yourself in the service of the Lord, the more you become enthusiastic.
There is no question of becoming tired. Just like I am old man. I have come from India. My age
is seventy-six years. So still I am enthusiastic. Still I am going everywhere, all over the world.
Why? Kåñëa’s service is so nice. Even an old man like me gets energy to work. And that’s also
without any salary. Kåñëa’s service is so nice that you try to engage yourself more and more
then you’ll get more and more Kåñëa consciousness, more enthusiasm. And this is spiritual.
- Arrival lecture, Gainesville, July 29th, 1971
Every devotee should be determined that in this life he will be able to satisfy the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and by that process go back home, back to Godhead. That is the
perfection of the highest mission of life.
- SB 4.8.69
Dhairyät means perseverance, patience. Niçcayät means with firm determination. “Yes, I have
begun chanting. Maybe there are offenses, but if I continue, Kåñëa will be pleased to place me
on the transcendental platform when I shall relish what this chanting Hare Kåñëa is.” Just like
Viçvanätha Cakravarté has given this example that the mango in the ripe stage and unripe stage.
Unripe stage, it is bitter, but the same mango, when it is fully ripe, it is sweet. We shall have to
wait for this stage, and we shall have to be careful that we may not commit offenses. Then,
surely, we shall come to that stage. Just like a diseased patient, if he follows the regulations
given by the physician and takes the medicine, then surely he’ll be cured.
- Lecture, SB 1.5.11, New Våndävana, June 10th, 1969
One thing is, our process of Kåñëa 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 Kåñëa, 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.
- Letter to: Bhagavatananda — New York 8 July, 1972
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
We must be enthusiastic that “I shall engage myself very nicely in Kåñëa Consciousness
movement.” That is first qualification, enthusiasm. Dullness will not help you. You must be very
enthusiastic. My Guru Mahäräja used to say, präëa ache yara sei hetu pracära. A person can
become a preacher if he has got life. A dead man cannot become a preacher. So you must be
very enthusiastic that “I shall preach the glories of the Lord to my best capacity.” It is not that
one has to become very learned scholar to become a preacher. Simply it requires enthusiasm,
“My Lord is so great, so kind, so beautiful, and so wonderful. So I must speak something about
my Lord.” This is the qualification, enthusiasm.
- Lecture, Nectar of Devotion, Våndävana, October 20th, 1972
One should not be impatient in Kåñëa Consciousness. Indeed, this Kåñëa Consciousness
movement was started single-handedly, and in the beginning there was no response, but
because we continued to execute our devotional activities with patience, people gradually
began to understand the importance of this movement, and now they are eagerly participating.
One should not be impatient in discharging devotional service, but should take instructions from
the spiritual master and execute them with patience, depending on the mercy of guru and
Kåñëa.
- Morning Walk Conversation, Hyderabad, December 5th, 1976
If we are fixed in our determination to carry out the supreme order of the Lord, we are always
secure, regardless of where we are situated, whether in hell or in heaven.
- SB 5.1.19
The standard of devotional practice should be kept very high by strictly observing the regulative
principles and executing devotional activities with determination and enthusiasm. If the standard
practices are followed then the atmosphere will naturally be joyful and enthusiastic for working
cooperatively for the satisfaction of Kåñëa.
- Letter to: Kåñëakanti — Bombay 29 November, 1970
16
Vapuù & Väëé
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Tamäla Kåñëa: Can a Christian in this age, without a spiritual master, but by reading the Bible
and following Jesus’s words, reach the spiritual sky?
Prabhupäda: When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without
spiritual master?
Disciple: I was referring to a living spiritual master.
Çréla Prabhupäda: There is no question of whether the spiritual master is “living.” The spiritual
master is eternal.
- General Lecture – 2nd Oct 1968 – Seattle
"There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say I have already said in my books. Now
you must all try to understand it and continue with your endeavors. If I depart, there is no
cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and my orders."
- NAM: Preface
The spiritual master is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore one who
is very serious about spiritual advancement must regard the spiritual master in this way. Even a
slight deviation from this understanding can create disaster in the disciple's Vedic studies and
austerities.
- SB 7.15.27
The son or disciple should accept the words of his spiritual master and father without
hesitation. Whatever the father and the spiritual master order should be taken without
argument: "Yes." There should be no instance in which the disciple or the son says, "This is not
correct. I cannot carry it out." When he says that, he is fallen.
- SB 3.24.13
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
There are two conceptions of presence—the physical conception and the vibrational
conception. The physical conception is temporary, whereas the vibrational conception is
eternal. When we enjoy or relish the vibration of Kåñëa’s teachings in Bhagavad-gétä, or when
we chant Hare Kåñëa, we should know that by those vibrations He is immediately present. He is
absolute, and because of this His vibration is just as important as His physical presence. When
we feel separation from Kåñëa or the spiritual master, we should just try to remember their
words of instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such association with Kåñëa
and the spiritual master should be association by vibration, not physical presence. That is real
association.
- Elevation to Kåñëa Consciousness
We put so much stress on seeing, but when Kåñëa was present on this earth, so many people
saw Him and did not realize that He is God; so what is the advantage of seeing? By seeing
Kåñëa, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to His teachings, we can come to
the platform of understanding. We can touch Kåñëa immediately by sound vibration; therefore
we should give more stress to the sound vibration of Kåñëa and of the spiritual master—then
we’ll feel happy and won’t feel separation.
- Elevation to Kåñëa Consciousness
This is called vyavasäyätmikä buddhiù. ‘I may be quite incomplete. It doesn't matter. But if I try
to follow the words of my Guru Mahäräja, then I become complete’. This is the secret. Yasya
deve parä bhaktir yathä deve tathä gurau [ÇU 6.23]. If one has strong faith in the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and as much faith in the guru, then the revealed scriptures become
manifest. It is not the education. It is not the scholarship. It is faith in Kåñëa and guru. Therefore
Caitanya-caritämåta says guru-kåñëa-kåpäya päya bhakti-latä-béja [Cc. Madhya 19.151].
- Lecture, SB 1.15.30, LA, Dec 8, 1973
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
So far personal association with the guru is concerned, I was only with my Guru Mahäräja four
or five times, but I have never left his association, not even for a moment. Because I am
following his instructions, I have never felt any separation. There are some of my Godbrothers
here in India who had constant personal association with Guru Mahäräja, but who are
neglecting his orders. This is just like the bug who is sitting on the lap of the king. He may be
very puffed-up by his position, but all he can succeed in doing is biting the king. Personal
association is not so important as association through service.
- Letter to: Satadhanya -- Calcutta 20 February, 1972
There are two kinds of service to the Spiritual Master One is called vaniseva and the other is
called vapuseva. Vaniseva means executing the instructions, and vapuseva means physically or
personally rendering service. So in the absence of physical presentation of the Spiritual Master
the vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master, Sarasvati Gosvami Thakura, may appear
to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve His instruction I never feel separated
from Him. I expect that all of you should follow these instructions.
- Letter to: Karandhara – 22nd Aug 1970
Whenever the äcärya comes, following the superior orders of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead or His representative, he establishes the principles of religion. Unfortunately, when
the äcärya disappears, rogues and nondevotees take advantage and immediately begin to
introduce unauthorized principles. The äcärya, the authorized representative of the Supreme
Lord, establishes the principles of religion, but when he disappears, things once again become
disordered. The perfect disciples of the äcärya try to relieve the situation by sincerely following
the instructions of the spiritual master.
- SB 4.28.48 purport
One should have complete faith in the guru, who helps the disciple make progress in spiritual
life. As soon as the disciple thinks independently, not caring for the instructions of the spiritual
master, he is a failure (yasyäprasädän na gatiù kuto 'pi).
- SB 8.17.1
17
Holy Name
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
A person who is chanting the holy name, although born of a low family like that of a caëòäla
[dog-eater], is situated on the highest platform of self-realization. Such a person must have
performed all kinds of penances and sacrifices according to Vedic rituals and studied the Vedic
literatures many, many times after taking his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage. Such a
person is considered to be the best of the Äryan family.
- SB 3.33.7
It is not possible for the common man in this age to follow all the rules and regulations of the
Vedic rituals, nor is it possible to study all of the Vedänta and the Upaniñads thoroughly. It
requires much time, energy, knowledge and resources to execute the purposes of the Vedas.
This is hardly possible in this age. The best purpose of Vedic culture is served, however, by
chanting the holy name of the Lord, as recommended by Lord Caitanya, the deliverer of all
fallen souls.
- Bg 2.46
Vedänta is the last word in Vedic wisdom, and the author and knower of the Vedänta
philosophy is Lord Kåñëa; and the highest Vedäntist is the great soul who takes pleasure in
chanting the holy name of the Lord. That is the ultimate purpose of all Vedic mysticism.
- Bg 2.46
Caitanya Mahäprabhu recommends, kértanéyaù sadä hariù, always chant. That is the principle.
But we cannot do that because we are so much overwhelmed by the influence of Kali. So we
have to chant at least sixteen rounds. Don’t miss this.
- SB 1.16.26-30 -- Hawaii, January 23, 1974
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The age we live in is called Kali-yuga, the age of forgetting God. It is an age of
misunderstanding and quarrel, and the people’s hearts are filled with dirty things. But God is so
powerful that if we chant His holy name we become purified, just as my disciples have become
purified of their bad habits. Our movement is based on this principle of chanting the holy name
of God. We give everyone the opportunity, without any distinction.
- The Science of Self-Realization
The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity [karmakäëòa, jïäna-käëòa and upäsanä-käëòa], Vedic hymns, and the processes for satisfying the
demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa. This is the reality of all
Vedänta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the ocean of nescience.
- Çré Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-lélä 7.76
Yamaräja warned his servants, “My dear servants, henceforward you must stop disturbing the
devotees. The devotees who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord and who
constantly chant His holy name are praised by the demigods and the residents of Siddhaloka.
Those devotees are so respectable and exalted that Lord Viñëu personally protects them with
the club in His hand. If you approach such devotees, He will kill you with that club. What to
speak of you, if even Lord Brahmä or I were to punish them, Lord Viñëu would punish us.
Therefore do not disturb the devotees any further.
- SC 21
You have to remain uncontaminated. Therefore our recommendation is always chant Hare
Kåñëa, Hare Kåñëa, Kåñëa Kåñëa, Hare Hare/ Hare Räma, Hare Räma, Räma Räma, Hare Hare.
So we should be careful about our slipping down again into the sinful activity. Everyone should
be careful and keep oneself in the chanting process. Then he’s all right.
- SB 2.3.15 -- Los Angeles, June 1, 1972
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The fact is that if one comes to Kåñëa consciousness, although he may have many material
desires, he becomes increasingly attracted to the lotus feet of Kåñëa through associating with
the Supreme Lord by chanting His holy name. The Supreme Lord and His holy name are
identical. Thus he becomes uninterested in attachment to material enjoyment. The perfection
of life is to be uninterested in material enjoyment and interested in Kåñëa.
- SB 6.16.39
Since Kåñëa and His holy name are identical, the holy name is eternally pure and beyond
material contamination. It is the Supreme Personality of Godhead as a transcendental vibration.
- CC Ädi-lélä 7.74
If you always chant Hare Kåñëa, that means you remember Kåñëa always. So there is chance,
ninety-nine percent chance, that at the time of your death you will think of Kåñëa and your life
is successful. Very simple method. Make always your mind absorbed in Kåñëa. Naturally at the
time of death you will think of Kåñëa.
- SB 1.16.3 -- Los Angeles, December 31, 1973
If you always chant Hare Kåñëa mantra and be in touch with Kåñëa, then you are secure. Mäyä
will not be able to touch you. And if we can somehow or other pass our days then at the time
of death we remember Kåñëa, then the whole life is successful.
- SB 2.1.1-2 -- New York, April 19, 1973
18
Maìgala-ärati
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
First principle is that every devotee must try to rise early in the morning. That is first business.
At four o’clock, attend the maìgala-ärätrika. Maìgala-ärätrika means auspicious beginning of
your day. Simply you have to follow the regulative principles. Then automatically you’ll become
spiritualized.
- Lecture, NoD, -- Våndävana, November 13, 1972
We have to be very cautious in executing our spiritual duties by observing the rules and
regulations and regularly chanting the Hare Kåñëa maha-mantra. If we neglect doing this, we will
eventually fall down. We must rise early in the morning, bathe, attend maìgala-ärätrika,
worship the Deities, chant the Hare Kåñëa mantra, study the Vedic literatures and follow all the
rules prescribed by the Äcäryas and the spiritual master. If we deviate from this process, we
may fall down, even though we may be very highly advanced. Even if one is in the renounced
order, he should never give up the regulative principles.
- NAM 3.24
Those who are actually engaged in Kåñëa consciousness, in devotional service, associate with
them. Don't think that at home you will be perfect. That is not possible. At home there is no
such facilities. Here you will get the facilities. At home you will think, "Oh, what is this early in
the morning? Let me enjoy sleep." So there is no such facilities at home. Therefore this
institution is started. If you are serious about Kåñëa consciousness, if you are serious about
increasing attachment for Kåñëa, then you should come and live with the devotees. Now they
are chanting, they are having maìgala-ärati, they are decorating the Deity, and so many things.
- BG 7.1 -- London, March 9, 1975
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Everyone can become first-class sura. They have to be trained. Therefore it is said that
pravåttià ca nivåttià ca janä na vidur äsuräù [Bg. 16.7]. The fault is, asuras, they do not know
how to live a very happy and clean life. Na çaucaà näpi cäcäraù. They have no cleanliness and
good behavior. So therefore we are teaching cleanliness. So he rises early in the morning, takes
his bath, immediately becomes cleansed. These are the qualification of brähmaëa or the suras.
Therefore we are training, "Rise early in the morning. Chant Hare Kåñëa. Have maìgala-ärati."
This is äcära. By practicing this, you can see the distinction between ordinary men or our men.
- Lecture, BG 16.7 -- Tokyo, January 27, 1975
We can practice sad-äcära if we perform devotional service regularly, including daily
attendance at maìgala-ärati and chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare Kåñëa mantra on beads.
These practices will gradually cleanse us of material contamination.
- SC 12
When a boy goes to school, he has to follow the rules and regulations, but after a while he
becomes accustomed to them and does not have to be taught. In other words, he learns
automatically to come to school at a certain time, take his seat and study nicely. Similarly, in
this Kåñëa consciousness movement, we have certain rules and regulations. We must rise early
in the morning for maìgala-ärati, chant sixteen rounds of Hare Kåñëa daily, and execute all the
functions of bhakti-yoga. In this way, we become attached to rendering service to Kåñëa, and
we become practiced in this science. When we attain this stage, we immediately become selfrealized.
- TLK Vs 17
If you engage yourself in the service of Kåñëa, you'll find newer and newer encouragement.
That is spiritual. If you find it hackneyed, then you must know that you are not yet serving
spiritually, you are serving materially for formality. But if you feel new energy, then you know
that you are serving spiritually. This is the test. Your enthusiasm will increase, not decrease. So
the test is within our hand. If during maìgala-ärati we feel laziness, that means I'm not yet
spiritually advanced. And if one feels enthused, "Now it is time for maìgala-ärati, let me stand
up, let me do this," then it is spiritual. Anyone can test.
- Lecture, BG 2.21-22 -- London, August 26, 1973
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Äpani äcari prabhu jéveri çikñäya. That is Caitanya Mahäprabhu's movement. He teaches others
by behaving Himself. "Example is better than precept." If you cannot rise early in the morning,
then how can you ask others to rise early in the morning? What is the effect? We have got
business early in the morning, to attend maìgala ärati. And if you sleep yourself and teach
others, so who will take it?
- Morning Walk -- April 23, 1974, Hyderabad
All of you keep yourselves strong in Kåñëa Consciousness by following all of my basic principles.
That is of the utmost importance. Do not fail to chant sixteen rounds daily, rise early, come to
mangala aräti, come to classes and follow the 4 regulative principles. In this way your life will
become free from all anxieties.
- Letter to: Sons -- Bombay 28 December, 1974
You have to practice tapasya by voluntarily accepting a little inconvenience. All our students
must rise early in the morning (before four), take bath, attend maìgala-ärati, and study the
scriptures. These are all austerities, in which we voluntarily give up things we may like and
accept things we may not like. Of course, if a person takes to Kåñëa consciousness seriously,
Kåñëa helps him become qualified in all these matters.
- DWT 16
One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer Çré Çré Gurv-añöaka
to the spiritual master during the brähma-muhürta obtains direct service to Kåñëa, the Lord of
Våndävana, at the time of his death.
- Çré Çré Gurv-añöaka (saàsära-dävänala-léòha-loka)
19
Sädhana
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Kåñëa consciousness can only be increased by chanting, reading our books regularly, and strictly
following the rules and regulations.
- Letter to: Subala — Bombay 25 November, 1974
You cannot get a moment of your life returned back by payment of millions of dollars, hence if
that moment is wasted, just consider how much money you have lost! Therefore not a single
moment should be lost in this human life. It should be utilized simply by chanting, reading
Çrémad-Bhägavatam. We have to read; we have to chant. Then life will successful. Then we
shall be free from this attachment. So the process is that nityaà bhägavata-sevayä. Daily we
should devote our time for understanding Çrémad-Bhägavatam.
- Lecture, SB 3.25.16 -- Bombay, November 16, 1974
The whole world is engaged in unnecessary hard labor with their factories. It is a brain killing
civilization. Let them come to free life. Spend time chanting Hare Kåñëa, reading books and
making their lives successful. This is very essential propaganda.
- Letter, September 4, 1974, Vrindavan
Simply execute your duties in Kåñëa's service, chant sincerely, and follow the regulative
principles faithfully. If you carry out this simple order of life, all your uncertainties will come to
nothing by the grace of the Lord and the whole matter will become clear.
- Letter, Jan 1, 1971, Bombay
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Number one engagement is that you must chant at least 16 rounds Hare Kåñëa mantra daily;
The four regulative principles are most important and must be observed rigidly in temple life;
You should speak according to the çästras and be compassionate to all conditioned souls and
try to convince them about the real truth.
- Letter, June 29, 1971, London
Your regular chanting of mahämantra and reading of books will keep you always fit for pushing
on this movement. This formula should be rigidly followed by everyone of us.
- Letter to: Tamala Kåñëa — Los Angeles 1 May, 1970
If you always chant Hare Kåñëa, read my books, and preach this philosophy sincerely,
then Kåñëa will provide you with all facility, and you will not fall down into material
entanglement.
- Letter, March 1967, San Francisco
Instead of suffering this repeated birth and death, sacrifice in this one life. What is the
inconvenience to live nicely, avoiding these four rascal habits, taking Kåñëa prasädam, and
chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra and reading all these nice books. Where is the difficulty? Nice first
class life. Wherever you will go you will be respectable. Anyone will worship you.
- Room Conversation -- August 15, 1971, London
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
If our students strictly follow the chalked out plan; namely chanting 16 rounds daily, following
the restrictive regulations and reading at least one chapter from our books, then automatically
they become ordained ministers. One might be examined by anyone, outsider, and he will
never fail the test. Try to see that things are exacted according to the above plan. Then they
are saved materially and spiritually both.
- Letter to: Brahmananda — Los Angeles 22 January, 1970
The important thing is to see that everyone is following a regulated schedule of chanting 16
rounds, reading, saìkértana, and temple worship. Any breakage in the performance of one's
duties will surely be a hindrance in one's advancement.
- Letter to: Vrindaban Candra — Bombay 9 November, 1970
If you actually want to become free from the contamination of this material world, then you
should always be engaged in chanting, saìkértanam. Not only the holy name, but reading the
Kåñëa book, The Nectar of Devotion, Teachings of Lord Caitanya. If you feel tired chanting, you
read these books. We have got so many books. If you feel tired reading this book, then transfer
your attention to another book, or another book, or chant. Simply do not to waste a single
moment. Caitanya Mahäprabhu says Kértanéyaù sadä hariù [Cc. Ädi 17.31]. Sadä means always.
So we have got materials for engaging ourself always in Kåñëa consciousness.
- Lecture, SB 6.3.20-23 -- Gorakhpur, February 14, 1971
As the temple is growing more and more, so can your service expend also. So stay strong in
Kåñëa's service by strictly following the regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds daily, without
fail, reading all our literatures, and engaging whole-heartedly in devotional service, 24 hours.
Then you will be happy and Kåñëa will be pleased.
- Letter to: Anandini (Karen Anderson) — Bombay 30 March, 1971
20
Vaiñëava-aparädha
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
While describing the system of protection for the creeper of devotional service, Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu has especially stressed protection from offenses unto the lotus feet of Vaiñëavas.
Such offenses are called vaiñëava-aparädha. Aparädha means "offense." If one commits
vaiñëava-aparädhas, all of his progress in devotional service will be checked. Even though one is
very much advanced in devotional service, if he commits offenses at the feet of a Vaiñëava, his
advancement is all spoiled. In the çästras it is found that a very great yogé, Durväsä Muni,
committed a vaiñëava-aparädha and thus for one full year had to travel all over the universe,
even to Vaikuëöhaloka, to defend himself from the offense. At last, even when he approached
the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vaikuëöha, he was refused protection. Therefore one
should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a Vaiñëava.
- SB 4.21.37
One should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a Vaiñëava. The most
grievous type of vaiñëava-aparädha is called gurv-aparädha, which refers to offenses at the
lotus feet of the spiritual master. In the chanting of the holy name of the Supreme Personality
of Godhead, this gurv-aparädha is considered the most grievous offense. Guror avajïä çrutiçästra-nindanam.
- SB 4.21.37
The power of vaiñëava-aparädha is so great that even an advanced devotee becomes almost
devoid of his spiritual assets if he commits it. Since Kåñëa consciousness is eternal, it cannot be
destroyed altogether, but advancement may be checked for the time being. Thus vaiñëavaaparädha is one kind of impediment to devotional service.
- SB 5.1.5
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
When one thus criticizes a pure devotee, he commits an offense (vaiñëava-aparädha) that is
very obstructive and dangerous for those who desire to advance in Kåñëa consciousness. A
person cannot derive any spiritual benefit when he offends the lotus feet of a Vaiñëava.
Everyone should therefore be very careful not to be jealous of an empowered Vaiñëava, or a
çuddha-vaiñëava. It is also an offense to consider an empowered Vaiñëava an object of
disciplinary action. It is offensive to try to give him advice or to correct him.
- NoI: verse 6
Karmés may consider the body of a devotee material, but factually it is not, for a devotee has
no conception of material enjoyment. If one thinks that the body of a pure devotee is material,
he is an offender, for that is a vaiñëava-aparädha.
- CC Antya 4.194
Pure consciousness can be revived by the process of sacrifice, charity, pious activities, etc., but
when one pollutes his Kåñëa consciousness by offending a brähmaëa or a Vaiñëava, it is very
difficult to revive. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu has described the vaiñëava-aparädha, or offense to
a Vaiñëava, as "the mad elephant offense." One should be very careful not to offend a
Vaiñëava or a brähmaëa. Even the great yogé Durväsä was harassed by the Sudarçana cakra
when he offended the Vaiñëava Mahäräja Ambaréña, who was neither a brähmaëa nor a
sannyäsé but an ordinary householder. Mahäräja Ambaréña was a Vaiñëava, and consequently
Durväsä Muni was chastised. The conclusion is that if Kåñëa consciousness is covered by
material sins, one can eliminate the sins simply by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra, but if one
pollutes his Kåñëa consciousness by offending a brähmaëa or a Vaiñëava, one cannot revive it
until one properly atones for the sin by pleasing the offended Vaiñëava.
- SB 4.26.24
A devotee must therefore be completely free from envy, especially of other devotees. To envy
other devotees is a great offense, a vaiñëava-aparädha. A devotee who constantly engages in
hearing and chanting (çravaëa-kértana) is certainly freed from the disease of envy, and thus he
becomes eligible to go back home, back to Godhead.
- SB 9.11.23
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
There are two kinds of impediments to devotional service. The first is an offense at the lotus
feet of a Vaiñëava. This is called vaiñëava-aparädha. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu warned His
devotees not to commit vaiñëava-aparädha, which He described as the mad elephant offense.
When a mad elephant enters a beautiful garden, it destroys everything, leaving a barren field.
Similarly, the power of vaiñëava-aparädha is so great that even an advanced devotee becomes
almost devoid of his spiritual assets if he commits it. Since Kåñëa consciousness is eternal, it
cannot be destroyed altogether, but advancement may be checked for the time being. Thus
vaiñëava-aparädha is one kind of impediment to devotional service.
- SB 5.1.5
We should know that vipra-çäpa-vimüòhänäm: if any person is cursed by vipra, brähmaëa,
Vaiñëava, then they are finished. Therefore according to the Vedic civilization, brähmaëas and
Vaiñëavas are always honored so that they may not be dissatisfied. This is the rule. Vedapäöhäd bhaved vipro brahma jänätéti brähmaëaù. Those who are spiritually advanced, such
persons should not be offended.
-SB 1.15.22-23 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1973
An offense at the feet of a Vaiñëava is more dangerous than an offense at the lotus feet of the
Lord.
- SB 1.13.59
A devotee of the Lord shows respect even to an ant, what to speak of the demigods? The
devotee is aware that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord and that they
are playing different roles only. In relation to the Supreme Lord, all beings are to be respected.
Therefore a devotee refers to others as "prabhu," meaning "My dear sir, my dear lord."
Submissiveness is a qualification for a devotee of the Lord.
- OWK 5: Steering Toward the Supreme
21
Reading
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Çrémad-Bhägavatam is the transcendental science not only for knowing the ultimate source of
everything but also for knowing our relation with Him and our duty toward perfection of the
human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge. It is powerful reading matter in the
Sanskrit language, and it is now rendered into English elaborately so that simply by a careful
reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the reader will be sufficiently
educated to defend himself from the onslaught of atheists. Over and above this, the reader will
be able to convert others to accepting God as a concrete principle.
- SB Preface
Those who have joined this Kåñëa Consciousness movement, my request is they follow the
regulative principles, as instructed by Rüpa Gosvämé, with enthusiasm, read books and
distribute books. And that is a very great service. I’ll speak something, you may forget, but if
you read from the book, you will get good opportunity to understand the philosophy.
- Arrival lecture, Honolulu, May 3rd, 1976
Yes, reading my books will help you, philosophy must be there, also participate in all temple
affairs like rising early, attending mangal aräti, performing devotional service, simply learning the
philosophy will have no effect.
- Letter to: Dayananda -- New York 7 July, 1972
One may supposed to be intelligent or scholar but if he does not read my books, his knowledge
has no profit. That's a fact. Asampürëa. He remains still in darkness.
- Letter from Yugoslavia—"Books!" -- June 30, 1977, Våndävana
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Be sure that all of the devotees there are very carefully following all of the regulative principles
and chanting 16 rounds daily and let them study the books deeply.
- Letter to: Nityananda – Honululu, 75-06-05
One who reads Brahma-saàhitä very carefully & scrutinizingly can understand everything of
Kåñëa without any fault. I recommend, therefore that all my students read Brahma-saàhitä very
carefully--especially because it was translated personally by my spiritual master Çrémad
Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Goswami Mahäräja.
- Letter to: Pradyumna — Calcutta 17 October, 1967
Chant 16 rounds minimum daily and study my books deeply. Some way or other, if they read
my books, they will be benefited. There is no doubt about it.
- Letter to: Damodara – Honululu, 75-05-26
Sudämä: A devotee wants to know that should they just have the chanting without reading
your books.
Prabhupäda: But that chanting must be pure. Your guru is writing books. If you think, "There is
no necessity of reading books," that is guror avajïä. Do you mean to say I am writing these
books whole night for selling and making money? Why do you think like that?
Woman Devotee: So there should just be chanting and reading of the books.
Prabhupäda: Yes.
- BG 17.1-3 -- Honolulu, July 4, 1974
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
All Vedic literature is summarized in the Vedänta-sütra, and for future guidance he gave a
natural commentation on the Vedänta-sütra, called Çrémad-Bhägavatam. We must always
engage our minds in reading these Vedic literatures. Just as materialists engage their minds in
reading newspapers, magazines and so many materialistic literatures, we must transfer our
reading to these literatures which are given to us by Vyäsadeva; in that way it will be possible
for us to remember the Supreme Lord at the time of death. That is the only way suggested by
the Lord, and He guarantees the result: "There is no doubt."
- Bg Introduction
We cannot live for a moment without being questioned or without giving answers. Because the
Çrémad-Bhägavatam deals with questions and answers that are related to Kåñëa, we can derive
the highest satisfaction only by reading and hearing this transcendental literature. One should
learn the Çrémad-Bhägavatam and make an all-around solution to all problems pertaining to
social, political or religious matters. Çrémad-Bhägavatam and Kåñëa are the sum total of all
things.
- SB 1.2.5
Çrémad-Bhägavatam is so scientifically presented that any sincere student of this great science
will be able to understand the science of God simply by reading it with attention or simply by
regularly hearing it from the bona fide speaker.
- SB 2.7.52
The spiritual master prescribes standard literature for the prosecution of the yoga of devotional
service, and he himself speaks only from scriptural reference. Therefore reading standard
scriptures is necessary for executing yoga. Practicing yoga without reading the standard
literatures is simply a waste of time.
- SB 3.28.4
22
Guru Issue
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The spiritual master must never be carried away by an accumulation of wealth or a large
number of followers. A bona fide spiritual master will never become like that. But sometimes, if
a spiritual master is not properly authorized and only on his own initiative becomes a spiritual
master, he may be carried away by an accumulation of wealth and large numbers of disciples.
His is not a very high grade of devotional service. If a person is carried away by such
achievements, then his devotional service becomes slackened. One should therefore strictly
adhere to the principles of disciplic succession.
- NoD 14: Devotional Qualifications
As bell metal can turn to gold when mixed with mercury in a chemical process, so, by the bona
fide dékñä, or initiation method, anyone can become a Vaiñëava. One should take initiation
from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is authorized by his
predecessor spiritual master. This is called dékñä-vidhäna.
- SB 4.8.54
When one has attained the topmost position of mahä-bhägavata, he is to be accepted as a
guru and worshipped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is
eligible to occupy the post of a guru.
- Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-lélä 24.330
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.
- CC Ädi 1.35
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
One should try to cooperate with the Lord in His outward activities for correcting the fallen
souls. By His order only, one should become a spiritual master and cooperate with the Lord.
One should not become a spiritual master for one's personal benefit, for some material gain or
as an avenue of business or occupation for earning livelihood. Bona fide spiritual masters who
look unto the Supreme Lord to cooperate with Him are actually qualitatively one with the Lord.
- SB 1.13.48
“The conclusion is that an empowered spiritual master is authorized by Kåñëa and his own guru
and should therefore be considered as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.”
- CC Madhya 10.136
Unless one is a resident of Kåñëa 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.
- Letter to: Mukunda — New Vrindaban 10 June, 1969
Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord Kåñëa to fulfill His desire and without
being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual master of the
whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not meant for
devotees or religious people.
- CC Madhya 25.9
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Kåñëa is the spiritual master because He originally gave the Vedic instructions to Brahmä, and
presently He is also instructing the Bhagavad-gétä to Arjuna; therefore He is the original spiritual
master, and any bona fide spiritual master at the present moment must be a descendant in the
line of disciplic succession stemming from Kåñëa. Without being a representative of Kåñëa, one
cannot become a teacher or spiritual master of transcendental subject matter.
- BG 11.43
An äcärya must always be eager to deliver the fallen souls. A person who establishes a temple
or maöha to take advantage of people’s sentiments by using for his livelihood what people
contribute for the worship of the Deity cannot be called a gosvämé or äcärya. One who knows
the conclusion of the çästras, follows in the footsteps of his predecessors and endeavors to
preach the bhakti cult all over the world is to be considered an äcärya. The role of an äcärya is
not to earn his livelihood through the income of the temple. Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté
Öhäkura used to say that if one earns his livelihood by displaying the Deity in the temple, he is
not an äcärya or gosvämé. It would be better for him to accept service even as a sweeper in the
street, for that is a more honorable means of earning one’s living.
- CC Antya 3.223
Who is an äcärya? Äcärya means one who has received the Vedic knowledge through the
paramparä system. Evaà paramparä-präptam imaà räjarñayo viduù [Bg. 4.2]. He is äcärya.
Äcärya cannot be manufactured, self-made. No. He must come down from the disciplic
succession. He is äcärya. You have to approach such an äcärya who is coming in disciplic
succession.
- BG 13.8-12 -- Bombay, October 5, 1973
To approach a bona fide guru, or spiritual master, is essential. The bona fide spiritual master is
he who has received the mercy of his guru, who in turn is bona fide because he has received
the mercy of his guru. This is called the paramparä system. Unless one follows this paramparä
system, the mantra one receives will be chanted for no purpose.
- SB 8.16.24
23
Chanting Quality
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads
daily, and this should be completed. He must be sure to keep his vow. If he does not strictly
follow this out, then he is sure to be negligent. That is offensive in the service of the Lord. If we
encourage offenses, we shall not be able to make progress in devotional service. It is better if
one fixes up a regulative principle according to his own ability and then follows that vow
without fail. That will make him advanced in spiritual life.
- NoD
In our preaching work, we deal with so much property and money and so many books bought
and sold, but because these dealings all pertain to the Kåñëa consciousness movement, they
should never be considered material. That one is absorbed in thoughts of such management
does not mean that he is outside of Kåñëa consciousness. If one rigidly observes the regulative
principle of chanting sixteen rounds of the mahä-mantra every day, his dealings with the
material world for the sake of spreading the Kåñëa consciousness movement are not different
from the spiritual cultivation of Kåñëa consciousness.
- SB 5.16.3
Everyone begins his devotional life from the neophyte stage, but if one properly finishes
chanting the prescribed number of rounds of hari-näma, he is elevated step by step to the
highest platform, uttama-adhikäré.
- The Nectar of Instruction Text 5
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The devotees who are preaching the message of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu should very
seriously follow strictly in His footsteps. If they follow the rules and regulations and chant
sixteen rounds daily, their endeavor to preach the cult of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu will certainly
be successful.
- Cc. Madhya 7.82
If somebody says, "Now I'll chant sitting down. Who is going to see me? I'll doze and people
will know I am chanting." This kind of cheating will not do. For all those who are interested in
Kåñëa consciousness we have given time, sixteen rounds. You are not Haridäsa Öhäkura that
you'll be able to chant whole day and night. If without working, if you chant, that is, the highest
state. That you cannot do. Then you will sleep. So the minimum quantity chant sixteen rounds,
and that will take not more than two hours. And other twenty-two hours, you always be busy
in Kåñëa's activities. That is required.
- Bhagavad-gétä 16.9 -- Hawaii, February 5, 1975
Païcadraviòa: What if the person cannot chant sixteen rounds a day. He says, "I can't..."
Prabhupäda: Then he is not even a human being. He is a rascal. That's all. He is not a human
being. He is animal. Don't talk about him if he cannot chant sixteen rounds.
- MW, Hyd, April 20, 1974
Indian man: Prabhupäda, when we do our chanting, the chanting beads contain 108 beads.
Why is this, and why do we chant sixteen rounds?
Prabhupäda: Not sixteen rounds. You can chant unlimitedly. Minimum 16 rounds because they
cannot chant more than that. Otherwise kértanéyaù sadä hariù [Cc. Ädi 17.31]. So you must
have a fixed amount of kértana. That is called tapasya, that "We must finish at least this much, if
not more." Saìkhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhiù. Saìkhyä-pürvaka. By numerical strength one
should chant. That is called vow. This is the idea. We cannot imitate Haridäsa Öhäkura, who
was chanting 300,000 times. One name is sufficient. If you can chant one name only, that is
sufficient. But that is not possible. So to understand the value of name at least we must have
some numerical strength. All the Gosvämés used to do that. We follow their footprints.
- Bhagavad-gétä 7.2 -- Nairobi, October 28, 1975
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Somebody, after initiation he promises, "Yes, I shall follow these rules and regulations. I shall
chant sixteen rounds," before the fire, before the Deity, before the guru, and if he does not
follow, then he is a cheater. What to speak of his becoming a Vaiñëava, he is a cheater. He
breaks all his promises. Therefore after seeing, observing a person is doing everything, then say
second initiation, or then he should not be recommended for second initiation
- MW, Hyd, April 20, 1974
Female devotee (1): When in the Bhagavad-gétä it says that the mahä-mantra cleanses the heart
and soul, does that mean that when you just say the words, just the sound, will that cleanse
your heart? Or should you try and remember Kåñëa with every word and every sound?
Prabhupäda: No. By simply chanting your heart will be cleansed. Yes. Go on chanting.
Therefore we give regulative principle that one must chant at least sixteen rounds.
Female devotee (1): Should we try to go fast in order to get them done, in order to get the
rounds done?
Prabhupäda: The first thing is that you should chant without any offense. In the beginning there
may be so many offenses, but the chanting will be perfect when you are free from ten kinds of
offenses.
- Bhagavad-gétä 4.39-42 -- Los Angeles, January 14, 1969
If you are determined that "I shall always chant Hare Kåñëa mantra," nobody can check. But we
do not feel so much attached to the chanting. Therefore it is checked. So therefore we have
fixed up a certain rounds. Just like we have given to you sixteen rounds. At least, as a regulative
principle, you must chant. Then gradually we may increase. That will be very good approach.
- The Nectar of Devotion -- Calcutta, January 25, 1973
I have advised that Païca-tattva mantra must be chanted. When there is chanting, if you chant
the çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu, then it becomes very clear. There will be no offense. So
therefore our process is, first of all chant çré-kåñëa-caitanya prabhu-nityänanda çré-advaita
gadädhara çréväsädi-gaura-bhakta-vånda, then you get some strength and chanting will be easy.
- Chicago, July 4, 1974
24
Deity
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Mäyävädés and atheists accept the forms of the Deities in the temple of the Lord as idols, but
devotees do not worship idols. They directly worship the Personality of Godhead in His arcä
incarnation. Arcä refers to the form which we can worship in our present condition. Actually, in
our present state it is not possible to see God in His spiritual form because our material eyes
and senses cannot conceive of a spiritual form. We cannot even see the spiritual form of the
individual soul. When a man dies we cannot see how the spiritual form leaves the body. That is
the defect of our material senses. In order to be seen by our material senses, the Supreme
Personality of Godhead accepts a favorable form which is called arcä-vigraha. This arcävigraha, sometimes called the arcä incarnation, is not different from Him. Just as the Supreme
Personality of Godhead accepts various incarnations, He takes on forms made out of matter—
clay, wood, metal and jewels.
- SB 3.25.35
There are many çästric injunctions which give instructions for carving forms of the Lord. These
forms are not material. If God is all-pervading, then He is also in the material elements. There is
no doubt about it. But the atheists think otherwise. Although they preach that everything is
God, when they go to the temple and see the form of the Lord, they deny that He is God.
According to their own theory, everything is God. Then why is the Deity not God? Actually,
they have no conception of God. The devotees' vision, however, is different; their vision is
smeared with love of God. As soon as they see the Lord in His different forms, the devotees
become saturated with love, for they do not find any difference between the Lord and His
form in the temple, as do the atheists. The smiling face of the Deity in the temple is beheld by
the devotees as transcendental and spiritual, and the decoration of the body of the Lord is very
much appreciated by the devotees.
- SB 3.25.35
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
It is recommended that the neophyte meditate on the Deity daily. He should begin by
meditating on the lotus feet, and then when he is practiced, he should turn his gaze toward
Kåñëa's smiling face. The neophyte should also read and hear Bhagavad-gétä and ÇrémadBhägavatam. If we simply try to see and don't listen, the results will not be permanent. In some
temples there are Deities but no discussion about Kåñëa. People attend for some time, but after
a while they lose interest. Thus there must be two activities. The Deities must be worshiped,
and this is called päïcarätriké-vidhi. There must also be bhägavata-vidhi, reading Çrémad
Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam. Päïcarätriké-vidhi and bhägavata-vidhi go hand in
hand. By participating in these two processes, the neophyte can gradually attain the
intermediate stage.
- TLK Vs 36
Even the third-class devotee—who is not advanced in knowledge of the Absolute Truth but
simply offers obeisances with great devotion, thinks of the Lord, sees the Lord in the temple
and brings forth flowers and fruits to offer to the Deity—becomes imperceptibly liberated.
Çraddhayänvitäù: with great devotion the devotees offer worshipful respects and paraphernalia
to the Deity. The Deities of Rädhä and Kåñëa, Lakñmé and Näräyaëa, and Räma and Sétä are
very attractive to devotees, so much so that when they see the statue decorated in the temple
of the Lord they become fully absorbed in thought of the Lord. That is the state of liberation.
- SB 3.25.36
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The entire Bhägavatam is glorification of Kåñëa, and this is glorification by Çukadeva Gosvämé.
He says that one can be perfectly purified if one either glorifies Kåñëa, meditates upon Him, or
simply sits before the Deity of Kåñëa and sees Him, thinking, "How nicely dressed is Kåñëa. How
nicely dressed is Rädhäräëé." If one has no ability to chant or if one's mind is so disturbed that
one cannot fix it upon Kåñëa, one is given this chance: "Here is the Deity. Simply see Him." If
one is engaged in the service of the Deity, there is a good chance of always seeing Him,
twenty-four hours a day. While cleansing the floor of the temple, while dressing the Deity,
while bathing the Deity, or while offering Him food, one will always see Him. This is the
process of devotional service.
- TQK 18
Ms. Nixon: One of the most difficult aspects of Kåñëa consciousness for an outsider to accept is
the Deity in the temple—how it represents Kåñëa. Could you talk a little bit about that?
Çréla Prabhupäda: Yes. At the present moment, because you have not been trained to see
Kåñëa, He kindly appears before you so you can see Him. You can see wood and stone, but
you cannot see what is spiritual. Suppose your father is in the hospital, and he dies. You are
crying by his bedside, "Now my father is gone!" But why do you say he is gone? What is that
thing which is gone?
Ms. Nixon: Well, his spirit is gone.
Çréla Prabhupäda: And have you seen that spirit?
Ms. Nixon: No.
Çréla Prabhupäda: So you cannot see spirit, and God is the Supreme Spirit. Actually, He is
everything—spirit and matter—but you cannot see Him in His spiritual identity. Therefore, to
show kindness toward you, He appears out of His unbounded mercy in the form of a wooden
or stone Deity so that you can see Him.
- SSR 1b
This is the practical application to what we find stated in the Bhagavad-gétä, man-manä bhava
mad-bhakto mad-yäjé mäà namaskuru. We do not speculate on what Kåñëa says but we follow
whatever He says implicitly. I also follow this process. Every morning I go to the temple and see
the Deity and offer obeisances, so I expect each and every one of my disciples should also
follow what I have given in this connection, arising early, taking bath, attending maìgala-ärati.
yuktasya bhaktäàç ca niyuïjato 'pi. The Deity is non-different from Kåñëa Himself. This we
have to understand.
- Letter to: Lilasakti — Bombay 5 November, 1974
25
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
This enthusiasm is very good sign, and if you continue to become more and more enthusiastic
to be always strictly engaged in devotional service while observing carefully the rules and
regulations,
Kåñëa will surely bestow upon you full success in Kåñëa Consciousness and thus your life will be
happy and successful.
- Letter to Ekayani, Los Angeles, May 3rd, 1970
In this material world, the more you'll work, you'll feel tired. And the spiritual world, the more
you work, you'll feel enthused. That is called anandämbudhi-vardhanam. That is the test. If our
workers are feeling tired, then that means he's working materially. And if he's feeling enthused,
more and more, then he's working spiritually. Änandämbudhi-vardhanam. That is the spiritual
test.
- Lecture, The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, January 10, 1973
Enthusiasm, "Yes, we must do it." That is wanted, not theoretically on the armchair of
devotional service. That will not be successful. Armchair theory will not help you. You must be
practical and there must be enthusiasm. Then it will be successful. You are sitting in the same
position and you are thinking that you are making progress. That will fail. You have to come out
with enthusiasm. Then it will be successful. That is required.
- Room Conversation with Yoga Student -- March 14, 1975, Iran
One who desires actual spiritual perfection must be enlivened to always chant and hear the
glories of the Lord. Such devotional enthusiasm is motivated by love of Godhead and is devoid
of any selfish expectation.
- SB 11.6.12
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
So far attaining enlightenment according to one's rate of development; that development
depends on your enthusiasm; how far you are serious. But one should become very serious.
That is the law in every sphere of achievement. So for attaining to the perfectional stage of
Kåñëa consciousness, one should be very much enthusiastic. And then one should be patient
also. Enthusiasm does not mean if I attain something immediately the result is immediate. No.
The result may be delayed but we should not be disturbed. But we must go on working with
enthusiasm. This is called patience. Enthusiasm, patience and confidence. Because we believe in
Kåñëa. Kåñëa says that if you do this you get this result. Therefore I must have confidence.
- Interview -- March 9, 1968, San Francisco
Do not be disturbed. There is no cause for anxiety. You are doing your best to serve Kåñëa,
that is very much appreciated, so do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration; that will spoil
everything. Kåñëa Consciousness means we should always be satisfied and happy, not that we
must work something impossible, become overburdened, and then because we are unhappy by
so much trouble we lose enthusiasm altogether and give up all hope. No. If too much endeavor
is there, that is to be avoided.
- Letter to Tejiyas, Delhi, December 19th, 1972
One should not dry up by performing unauthorized austerities or sacrifices; rather, one should
engage with all enthusiasm in the great sacrifice of çré-kåñëa-saìkértana, which enables one to
easily achieve the highest perfection of human life.
- SB 11.11.47
One should accept this opportunity to return home, back to Godhead, very enthusiastically.
Without enthusiasm, one cannot be successful. Even in the material world one has to be very
enthusiastic in his particular field of activity in order to become successful. A student,
businessman, artist or anyone else who wants success in his line must be enthusiastic. Similarly,
one has to be very enthusiastic in devotional service. Enthusiasm means action, but action for
whom? The answer is that one should always act for Kåñëa—kåñëärthäkhila-ceñöä.
- NoI: verse 3
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Kåñëa bestows more mercy upon His devotee, because the devotee has the capacity to accept
that mercy through service. The process of receiving the causeless mercy of the Lord is to
render more and more service. We should be very enthusiastic to render service to the Lord.
That enthusiasm will come when we chant Hare Kåñëa with faith and determination.
- SC 16: Awakening Love of God
A living entity cannot stop acting. So when he is forbidden to become enthusiastic about
material achievements, he should at once be encouraged to be enthusiastic about spiritual
achievements. Enthusiasm is a symptom of the living entity; it cannot be stopped. It is just like a
powerful engine: if you utilize it properly, it will give immense production. Therefore
enthusiasm should be purified. Instead of employing enthusiasm for attaining material goals, one
should be enthusiastic about achieving the perfectional stage of devotional service. Indeed,
enthusing His devotees in devotional service is the purpose for which Kåñëa descends to this
material world.
- NBS 5
The practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in Kåñëa 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.
- Purport, Bhagavad-gétä 6.24
You can remain enthusiastic if you follow the rules and regulation and chant regularly Hare
Kåñëa mantra. Otherwise that enthusiasm also will dry.
- Lecture, Los Angeles, August 2nd, 1970
26
Vapuù & Väëé
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
This is the secret of success. After being initiated and receiving the orders of the spiritual
master, the disciple should unhesitatingly think about the instructions or orders of the spiritual
master and should not allow himself to be disturbed by anything else. This is also the verdict of
Çréla Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura, who, while explaining a verse of Bhagavad-gétä
(vyavasäyätmikä buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana, Bg. 2.41), points out that the order of the
spiritual master is the life substance of the disciple. The disciple should not consider whether he
is going back home, back to Godhead; his first business should be to execute the order of his
spiritual master. Thus a disciple should always meditate on the order of the spiritual master, and
that is perfectional meditation. Not only should he meditate upon that order, but he should find
out the means by which he can perfectly worship and execute it.
- SB 4.24.15
We have only to execute the order of the spiritual master, preach Kåñëa consciousness and
follow in the path of the Vaiñëavas. The spiritual master represents both Lord Kåñëa and the
Vaiñëavas; therefore by following the instructions of the spiritual master and by chanting Hare
Kåñëa, everything will be all right.
- SB 4.23.7
Narayana: But how do the disciples know that they are pleasing you?
Çréla Prabhupäda: If you actually follow the words of guru, that means he is pleased. And if you
do not follow, how can he be pleased?
- Morning Walk Conversation, San Francisco, July 21st, 1975
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
"This body is perishable." Nityasyoktäù çarériëaù: "But the proprietor of the body, that is
eternal." vapu means the physical body, and väëé means the vibration. So we are not
concerned about the physical body. Not concerned means... We are concerned, of course,
because the spiritual master, those who are äcäryas, their body is not considered as material.
Arcye çilä-dhér guruñu nara-matir. Guruñu means those who are äcäryas, to accept their body as
ordinary man's body, this is denied in the çästras. So although a physical body is not present,
the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master, vibration. What we
have heard from the spiritual master, that is living.
- Lecture Excerpt -- Los Angeles, January 13, 1969
Without being self-controlled, without being disciplined and without being fully obedient, no
one can become successful in following the instructions of the spiritual master, and without
doing so, no one is able to go back to Godhead.
- SB 1.5.24
We put so much stress on seeing, but when Kåñëa was present on this earth, so many people
saw Him and did not realize that He is God; so what is the advantage of seeing? By seeing
Kåñëa, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to His teachings, we can come to
the platform of understanding. We can touch Kåñëa immediately by sound vibration; therefore
we should give more stress to the sound vibration of Kåñëa and of the spiritual master—then
we’ll feel happy and won’t feel separation.
- Elevation to Kåñëa Consciousness
I am successful in my teaching work because I have not deviated one inch from my Spiritual
Master's instruction, this is my only qualification. So if you simply remain pure, your preaching
will have effect.
- Letter to: Brhaspati -- Delhi 17 November, 1971
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
We are not separated actually. There are two -- vani or vapu. So vapu is physical presence and
vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. So Kåñëa when He was physically
present before Arjuna is the same when He is present before us by His vani of Bhagavad-gétä.
So far I am concerned, I do not factually feel any separation from my Spiritual Master because I
am trying to serve Him according to His desire. That should be the motto. If you kindly try to
fulfill my mission for which you have been sent there, that will be our constant association.
- Letter to: Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970
There are two conceptions: the physical conception and the vibration conception. So physical
conception is temporary. The vibration conception is eternal. Just like we are enjoying or we
are relishing the vibration of Kåñëa’s teachings. So by vibration He is present. As soon as we
chant Hare Kåñëa or chant Bhagavad-gétä or Bhägavata, so He is present immediately by His
vibration. He’s absolute. Therefore try to remember His words of instruction; you’ll not feel
separation. You’ll feel that He is with you. So we should associate by the vibration, and not by
the physical presence. That is real association. Just like we are touching Kåñëa immediately by
sound. Sound vibration. So we should give more stress on the sound vibration, either of Kåñëa
or of the spiritual master. Then we’ll feel happy and no separation. So whenever we shall feel
separation, the best thing is to remember the teachings. Then it will be very nice.
- SB Lecture – 18th Aug 1968 – Montreal
There are two ways of associating, by vani and by vapu. Vani means words and vapu means
physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not. Therefore
we should take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence, because the vani continues to
exist eternally. Bhagavad-gétä for example is the vani of Lord Kåñëa. Although Kåñëa was
personally present 5,000 years ago and is no longer present physically from the materialistic
viewpoint, still Bhagavad-gétä continues.
- Letter to: Suci -- Bombay 4 November, 1975
One should act according to the order of Kåñëa. This is a very important point. That order of
Kåñëa comes through disciplic succession from the bona fide spiritual master. Therefore the
spiritual master's order should be taken as the prime duty of life. If one gets a bona fide spiritual
master and acts according to his direction, then one's perfection of life in Kåñëa consciousness
is guaranteed.
- Bg 18.57
27
Holy Name
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Simply our prayer should be, ‘My dear Kåñëa, please remind me to always chant Your Holy
Name, please do not put me into forgetfulness. You are sitting within me as Supersoul, so you
can put me into forgetfulness or into remembering You. So please do not put me into
forgetfulness. Please always remind me to chant, even You send me into the hell, it doesn't
matter, just so long as I can always chant Hare Kåñëa’.
- Letter to: Devananda -- Los Angeles 23 November, 1968
Don't forget Kåñëa even for a single moment; chant Hare Kåñëa loudly or slowly as it may be
convenient. But don't forget to chant the Holy Name.
- Letter to: Kåñëa Devi -- Los Angeles 26 January, 1968
All activities in Kåñëa consciousness must be accompanied with chanting of the Holy Name
regularly. Actually chanting of the Holy Name regularly is our life and soul, and on the basis of
such activities all other devotional services will sustain.
- Letter to: Ekayani -- Los Angeles 10 February, 1970
A brahmacäré hears only words concerning Kåñëa consciousness; hearing is the basic principle
for understanding, and therefore the pure brahmacäré engages fully in harer nämänukértanam—
chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord.
- Bg 4.26
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Hare Kåñëa mantra will give you, give you relief from all sinful activities, provided you don’t
commit it again. Otherwise, it will be like hasti-snäna, the example of the elephant, and it will
be a great offense. If on the strength of chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra we continue to commit
sinful activities, that is great offense.
- The Nectar of Devotion -- Våndävana, November 7, 1972
The basic principle of advancement in our Kåñëa consciousness is stressed by Caitanya
Mahaprabhu that if one simply chants the Hare Kåñëa Mahämantra without offense and has
firm faith in Kåñëa and Spiritual Master then he will advance and he only can understand the
deep import of Kåñëa consciousness.
- Letter to: Stephen -- Bombay 4 January, 1971
This transcendental name is so sweet that either you chant with your one mouth and one
tongue or with one thousand mouths or one thousand tongues, still, you will never feel tired.
- Purport to Hare Kåñëa Maha Mantra
The holy name has to be chanted to please the Supreme Lord, and not for any sense
gratification or professional purpose. If this pure mentality is there, then even though a person is
born of a low family, such as a dog-eater’s, he is so glorious that not only has he purified
himself, but he is quite competent to deliver others.
- SB 3.33.7
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Çri Caitanya Mahäprabhu asked, “Among all worshipable objects, which Is the chief?”
Rämänanda Räya replies, “The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Rädhä and Kåñëa,
the Hare Kåñëa mantra.”
- NAM 2A.8: The Holy Name Is All-auspicious
If there is an arrangement for the constant chanting of the holy names, qualities, etc., of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no chance at all for the personality of Kali to enter.
That is the technique of driving away the personality of Kali from the world.
- SB 1.18.6
The powerful holy name of the Lord can certainly deliver one from sinful effects, but one who
desires to utilize this transcendental potency of the holy name of the Lord in one’s sinister
activities is the most degraded person in the world. Such persons are never excused by the
Lord or by any agent of the Lord.
- SB 2.1.12
Since no one is more powerful than or equal to the energy of the Supreme Lord, no one’s
name can be as powerful as that of the Lord. By chanting the Lord’s holy name, one can derive
all the stipulated energy synchronized from all sources.
- SB 2.1.12
28
Maìgala-ärati
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
If one practices the rules then that is sufficient examination. One of the items is that he has to
rise early in the morning. So if one is doing all these practical things, rising early in the morning,
attending the mangala-aräti, sitting in the class and reading Bhagavad-gétä, chanting Hare Kåñëa,
there is no need of examination. If he is doing, then he has passed the examination.
- Roof Conversation -- January 5, 1977, Bombay
The example is: just like you have got a green mango. So the green mango is not so tasteful,
but when it is ripe, it is tasteful. The mango is not different. It is the same mango. If you wait
for the time when it is ripened it will taste nice. Similarly, in the neophyte stage, when we say,
"You must rise early in the morning, offer maìgala-ärati, do this, take your bath", these things
appear to be botheration, not tasteful. But you have to do it under the order of the spiritual
master and the order of the çästras. When it is ripened by practicing, when one is accustomed
by practicing he develops love for God. Then, when he's in love for God, he cannot do without
it. Automatically he will rise early in the morning and do everything. It is simply the question of
time to arrive to that ripened stage.
- SB 1.1.2 -- London, August 17, 1971
Go on in this way, reading, chanting, worshiping the deity, and offering the fruits of your labor
to Kåñëa, and attend maìgala-ärati at the temple and classes as much as possible, and very
soon you will feel yourself becoming perfectly happy. This spot life is meant for becoming God
conscious and there is no other purpose or meaning to life outside of this.
- Letter to: Jayadeva — Los Angeles 16 August, 1972
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Our activities are aräti, kértana, classes. Everything is done in conformity to a regular standard.
For example, all the temple members, without exception must rise and attend mangala aräti.
Everyone living in the temple must agree to the standard by proper understanding of the
philosophy of tapasya. There should be a regular daily schedule of events and it should be
followed closely. So you should set the example and also see that the others are following. Our
buildings are not for our sleeping and eating like hotels, but whoever wants to join us should
understand the philosophy of regulated devotional service.
- Letter to: Mukunda -- Los Angeles 12 January, 1974
Unless there is vairägya, there is no question of happiness. But we cannot attain vairägya
immediately; therefore the vidhi-märga, to rise early in the morning, to attend maìgala ärati, to
offer flowers, fruits to the Deity and in this way we shall be engaged twenty-four hours. Then
vairägya-vidyä will gradually develop. Anarthopaçamaà säkñäd bhakti-yogam adhokñaje [SB
1.7.6]. We do not say that you starve, don't eat anything, don't sleep at all. It should be
regulated. Anäsaktasya viñayän yathärtham upayuïjataù. Don't be attached to eating, sleeping.
That is not good. But you must eat, you must sleep as little as possible, and try to conquer over
it. My mind is dictating, "Sleep seventeen hours." But ‘No’. Tapasä brahmacaryeëa [SB 6.1.13].
Why shall you sleep more than four hours or five hours, or utmost six hours? That is vairägyavidyä. We have to learn it. That is devotional service.
- SB 5.6.6 -- Våndävana, November 28, 1976
The most important points of Kåñëa Consciousness process is attending maìgala-ärati and
chanting 16 rounds. These regulative principles are our life, if they are not respected then we
fall down from the standard and the whole thing is finished. You should see the standard is
perfectly maintained. Then Kåñëa will give us all protection. Neglecting the principles means
neglecting Kåñëa’s order.
- Letter to: Hayagriva — Madras 13 February, 1972
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Without tapasya you cannot be purified. That little tapasya we have prescribed, that "Rise early
in the morning at half past three," but they are so downtrodden, they cannot do it. "Let me
sleep five minutes more. I'll enjoy." Just see how much we are fallen. We cannot sacrifice, say,
fifteen minutes or half an hour's sleep. We consider, "Sleeping is very good enjoyment." "I have
slept so much. That is my life's success." The rascal does not know that he is becoming
implicated for the next birth. If you are sleeping too much, then you become owl. Nature is
prepared to give you facilities. The owl can sleep for the whole day.
- SB 6.2.17 -- Våndävana, September 20, 1975
The training is, according to çästra and the instruction of the spiritual master, that: rise early in
the morning. There are thousands and millions of men at the present moment who have got
attachment for the family and rise at four o’clock and prepare himself to take this trouble of
going so many miles away for office. Why he is taking so much trouble? Family attachment.
Not that he has no attachment. But the same four o' clock, rising early in the morning, for
Kåñëa's maìgala-ärati is a better diversion. But he'll not agree. When he has got to go to office
for earning his livelihood, he will automatically rise up and go to the office, because the
attachment is strong. But in the temple, the rule is that you must get up before four and
prepare yourself. So this has to be practiced. This has to be practiced if you want to divert your
attention. Because we have no attachment for Kåñëa, we have to be forced. Never mind. Still
we have to continue this, to increase attachment for Kåñëa, mayy äsakta manäù pärtha. We
have to train our mind how to become attached to Kåñëa. This is bhakti process. The business
is the same, but we have to be trained up for increasing our attachment for Kåñëa. Not that we
have to bring a separate attachment. It has to be cleansed.
- SB 7.6.8 -- Våndävana, December 10, 1975
The first teaching is a brahmacäré should rise early in the morning. That is the general education.
It doesn't require that you have to learn some book immediately. First of all build your
character. Otherwise what is the use of taking degrees if you have no character? Yasyästi
bhaktir bhagavaty akiïcanä sarvair guëair tatra samäsate suräù [SB 5.18.12]. Just like in our
institution they are being trained up as devotee, he has to rise early in the morning for offering
maìgala-äratika, and you have got our order that everyone must attend the maìgala-ärati.
- Çrémad-Bhägavatam 7.12.2 -- Bombay, April 13, 1976
29
Sädhana
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The devotees have to maintain the devotional practices. This is the secret to success. Therefore
I am stressing it. And, if you also stress it and show yourself as an ideal Vaisnava, then you are
my representative in fullness. We are not after titles and designations. Lord Caitanya made it a
principle that we must teach by personal example. This is what I have tried to do. So if all of
you my disciples do this, then the future of our movement will be glorious.
- Letter to: Hrdayananda: — Bombay 31 October, 1974
Following Kåñëa's orders means chanting daily 16 rounds, following the four rules and
regulations, rising early, associating with devotees, like that. Unless these principles are
followed, we cannot expect Kåñëa's protection.
- Letter to: Jayadeva – Paris, 23 July, 1972
As soon as one discontinues his staunch following of the regulative principles such as no meat
eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, rising early before 4 AM coming to mangala
aräti, chanting at least 16 rounds, etc., then his spiritual life is hampered and there is a chance
that at any time he may become a victim of mäyä.
- Letter to: Revatinandana – Bombay, Dec 15, 1974
The beginning stage of devotional service is called sädhana-bhakti (regulatory practice), is so
powerful that it brings one to the platform of anartha-nivåtti, where one becomes free from
unwanted sinful habits and gains relief from the pressure of the tongue, belly and genitals. Thus
one is delivered from the bondage of material addiction and can no longer be cheated by the
allurements of the material energy.
- SB 11.8.21
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Sädhana-bhakti is devotional service in practice. The result of sädhana-bhakti must be ecstatic
love, attachment for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is also called prema-bhakti. In
the neophyte stage, sädhana-bhakti includes faith, association with devotees, and practicing
devotional service. Thus one is freed from all unwanted things. One then becomes fixed in
devotional service and increases his desire to act in devotional service.
- CC Madhya 8.68
You should try very sincerely to become a pure devotee of Kåñëa by following all of the four
regulative principles and chanting at least 16 rounds daily, as well as rising early, attending
mangala aräti, attending classes, etc. By this simple method, you will be very strongly fixed in
spiritual life and whatever problems you may have will seem insignificant.
- Letter to: Pancananda - Mexico City, Feb 15, 1975
If we deviate from the strict following of the regulative principles Maya is always ready to inject
doubts to shake our faith in Kåñëa. So you can see the great necessity of following the
prescribed duties of chanting regularly and following strictly the instructions of the spiritual
master and the regulative principles.
- Letter to: Madhusudana -- Los Angeles 30 January, 1970
It is most important that our activities be regular or, in other words, on a schedule. Everyone
should chant on his beads sixteen rounds daily without fail and follow the regulative principles
strictly. These basic Kåñëa Conscious duties are essential to be performed regularly, and they
will give you the necessary strength of spirit to keep always fixed up in devotional service.
- Letter to: Sucandra -- Los Angeles 19 February, 1970
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
We should always remember that we are in the kingdom of Maya and her influence is very
strong. So, unless we are very, very careful in our dealings, there is always chance of falling
down. Please therefore chant regularly the sixteen rounds beads and follow the regulative
principles; and teach the new boys by practical example, and try to preach Saìkértana as far as
possible.
- Letter to: Harer Nama -- Los Angeles 23 February, 1970
The most important things are that you follow very carefully all of the rules and regulations
such as rising early, and having mangala-aräti 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.
- Letter to: Tirthanga – Tehran, 14 March, 1975
As our devotees become more devotional, the non-devotees also come to hear. To become
advanced in spiritual life of devotional service to Kåñëa means to acquire spiritual strength, and
this spiritual strength is for impressing devotional service into the hearts of the fallen souls. Also
you must all become expert preachers and show the exemplary life of a devotee you must
keep yourself spiritually fit by observing the regulative principles strictly.
- Letter to: Jananivasa — Los Angeles 7 July, 1970
The process of bhakti-yoga is so powerful that even in the stage of sädhana-bhakti, in which
one is practicing devotional service through rules and regulations, the neophyte can have a
direct experience of fearlessness by the mercy of the Lord.
- SB 11.2.33
30
Vaiñëava-aparädha
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Viçvanätha Cakravarté Öhäkura remarks that Saubhari Muni had fallen from his austerity because
of a vaiñëava-aparädha. The history is that when Garuòa wanted to eat fish, Saubhari Muni
unnecessarily gave the fish shelter under his care. Because Garuòa's plans for eating were
disappointed, Saubhari Muni certainly committed a great offense to a Vaiñëava. Because of this
vaiñëava-aparädha, an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiñëava, Saubhari Muni fell from his
exalted position of mystic tapasya. One should not, therefore, impede the activities of a
Vaiñëava. This is the lesson we must learn from this incident concerning Saubhari Muni.
- SB 9.6.49
Vaiñëava-aparädha is never tolerated by Kåñëa. Just like the Päëòavas, they were Vaiñëavas,
and the Duryodhana and company, actually they were not Vaiñëava. So they insulted. They put
them to trouble in so many ways. They banished them in the jungle. They insulted their wife
and so many ways by clique. So Kåñëa could not tolerate that. So therefore the Battle of
Kurukñetra took place. So Vaiñëava is kind. Arjuna, he said, "My dear Kåñëa, whatever they
have done, that doesn't matter. I cannot kill my family men. Please excuse." So just see. Arjuna
is kind because he is Vaiñëava. But Kåñëa cannot tolerate. Kåñëa said, "You must kill them. That
is My order. You must kill them."
- SB 1.15.22-23 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1973
Everyone should offer respect to a Vaiñëava without considering his source of birth. Vaiñëave
jäti-buddhiù. No one should consider a Vaiñëava in terms of birth. The Vaiñëava is always the
best of the brähmaëas, and as such one should offer all respects to a Vaiñëava, not only as a
brähmaëa but as the best of the brähmaëas.
- SB 4.22.12
Prahläda Mahäräja was chastised by his father, Hiraëyakaçipu, in so many ways, but although
Prahläda tolerated this, Kåñëa did not. The Lord therefore came in the form of Nåsiàhadeva to
kill Hiraëyakaçipu. Similarly, although Çréla Haridäsa Öhäkura tolerated the insult by Gopäla
Cakravarté, Kåñëa could not. The Lord immediately punished Gopäla Cakravarté by making him
suffer from leprosy. Kåñëa cannot tolerate any insults or blasphemy against a Vaiñëava.
- CC Antya 3.213
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
An offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiñëava is the greatest offense in this world. When one
serves a Vaiñëava unknowingly, one still gets the good result, and if one unknowingly insults a
Vaiñëava, one suffers the bad result.
- SB 4.9.23
A Vaiñëava always feels compassion for others' distress. He is very afflicted by the miseries of
others. When Lord Jesus Christ presented himself, for instance, he was greatly afflicted by the
miserable conditions of the people. Regardless of which country or sect they belong to, all
Vaiñëavas, or devotees—people who are God conscious, or Kåñëa conscious—are thus
compassionate. Therefore to blaspheme a Vaiñëava, a preacher of God's glories, is a great
offense. Kåñëa, God, is never tolerant of offenses committed at the lotus feet of a Vaiñëava.
- SSR 7c
Of all sinful activities, an offense to a pure devotee, or Vaiñëava, is the most severe. An offense
at the lotus feet of a Vaiñëava is so disastrous that Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu has compared it to
a mad elephant that enters a garden and causes great havoc by uprooting many plants and
trees. If one is an offender at the lotus feet of a brähmaëa or Vaiñëava, his offenses uproot all
his auspicious activities. One should therefore very carefully guard against committing vaiñëavaaparädha, or offenses at the lotus feet of a Vaiñëava.
- SB 7.4.28
Spiritual master is to be considered the first Vaiñëava and if there is aparädha, that is the
greatest offense. That will spoil the whole spiritual life.
- Room Conversation -- December 12, 1970, Indore
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The Lord says that although He is the predominating factor of the internal energy and although
the material world is sanctified just by the water that has washed His feet, He has the greatest
respect for the brähmaëa and the Vaiñëava. When the Lord Himself offers so much respect to
the Vaiñëava and the brähmaëa, how can one deny such respect to such personalities?
- SB 3.16.9
Everyone wants that "I am very honorable man, prestigious man. And you should respect me."
That is our material disease. "I do not want to respect you, but you should offer me respect."
This is the position. Therefore our system is to call another Vaiñëava as prabhu. But if we call
prabhu, but think, "No, you are not prabhu; I am prabhu. You are servant", that cheating
process will not help us. Actually, we should believe that he is prabhu. "He is servant of Kåñëa;
therefore he is my prabhu." This is Vaiñëava mentality.
- SB 5.5.1 -- Våndävana, October 23, 1976
Even if one is a very learned and intelligent scholar, he cannot understand the activities of a
Vaiñëava. A Vaiñëava accepts anything favorable for executing his mission. But foolish persons,
not knowing the purpose of such exalted Vaiñëavas, indulge in criticizing them. That is
forbidden. Since no one can understand what a Vaiñëava does for the purpose of executing his
mission, to criticize such a Vaiñëava is the offense called sädhu-nindä.
- CC Ädi 15.22
The Lord says in Çrémad-Bhägavatam 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
Vaiñëava means offering respect to Viñëu. It is stated also that as a matter of etiquette as soon
as one sees a Vaiñëava one must immediately offer him respect, indicating the Supersoul sitting
within. A Vaiñëava sees the body as a temple of Viñëu.
- SB 4.3.22
31
Jan-July-Oct
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Ordinarily, we have to try our best to our best capacity to achieve something, and by Kåñëa's
Grace, all of a sudden we shall see everything is there. This sort of help from Kåñëa is
transcendental happiness. Our principle should be therefore, that we should work for the
mission with great enthusiasm, with certainty for its success, and patiently follow the regulative
principles, and associate ourselves with pure devotees, and work being completely in Kåñëa
Consciousness, that will make us happy and successful.
- Letter to: Brahmananda — Los Angeles 20 February, 1968
One must perform devotional service with great patience. One should not give up the
execution of devotional service because one or two attempts have not been successful. One
must continue. Çré Rüpa Gosvämé also confirms that one should be very enthusiastic and
execute devotional service with patience and confidence. Patience is necessary for developing
the confidence that "Kåñëa will certainly accept me because I am engaging in devotional
service." One has only to execute service according to the rules and regulations to insure
success.
- SB 3.29.16
The process of bhakti-yoga is simultaneously very difficult and very easy to perform. For a
sincere person devotional service is very easy. But for one who is not determined and sincere,
this process is very difficult.
- SB 4.8.30
May-Aug
Deity
The transcendental form of the Lord is the Vedas. Anyone who engages in the worship of the
Deity, or the form of the Lord in the temple, is understood to be studying all the Vedas twentyfour hours a day. Simply by decorating the Deities of the Lord, Rädhä and Kåñëa, in the temple,
one very minutely studies the injunctions of the Vedas. Even a neophyte devotee who simply
engages in the worship of the Deity is understood to be in direct touch with the purport of
Vedic knowledge. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gétä (15.15), vedaiç ca sarvair aham eva vedyaù:
the purport of the Vedas is to understand Him, Kåñëa. One who worships and serves Kåñëa
directly has understood the truths of the Vedas.
- SB 4.7.46
Deity worship is essential for spiritual progress. Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura mentions
that inexperienced persons may think that the Deity is meant for the sense gratification of the
worshiper, since superficially the Deity is made of external substances such as marble or brass.
But through the process of installing the Deity by chanting of authorized mantras, one invites
the Supreme Personality of Godhead to enter the Deity form. By regulated, faithful worship
one gradually understands that the Deity is completely nondifferent from the Supreme Lord
Himself. At that stage, on the strength of Deity worship, one rises to the second-class platform
of devotional service. At this more developed stage one desires to make friendship with other
devotees of the Lord, and as one becomes solidly established in the community of Vaiñëavas,
one completely gives up material life and gradually becomes perfect in Kåñëa consciousness.
- SB 11.27.48
Mar-Dec
Holy Name
Chanting of the holy name of the Lord should be loudly done, and it should be performed
offenselessly as well, as recommended in the Padma Puräëa. One can deliver himself from the
effects of all sins by surrendering himself unto the Lord. One can deliver himself from all
offenses at the feet of the Lord by taking shelter of His holy name. But one cannot protect
himself if one commits an offense at the feet of the holy name of the Lord.
- SB 2.1.11
For progress in spiritual life, the çästras recommend meditation in Satya-yuga, sacrifice for the
satisfaction of Lord Viñëu in Tretä-yuga and gorgeous worship of the Lord in the temple in
Dväpara-yuga, but in the Age of Kali one can achieve spiritual progress only by chanting the
holy name of the Lord. This is confirmed in various scriptures. In the Age of Kali there are many
faults, for people are subjected to many miserable conditions, yet in this age there is one great
benediction—simply by chanting the Hare Kåñëa mantra one can be freed from all material
contamination and thus be elevated to the spiritual world.
- CC Ädi 7.76
Festival Quotes
Çré-Räma-navamé
Lord Rämacandra appeared in this world to educate or to show an ideal example of a king how the king should be. Therefore when there is good government, the example is given,
Räma-räjya. It is the kingdom of Lord Räma. Because everyone was happy. So there are so
many historical incidences in the life of Rämacandra, and we should remember them. If we hear
Rämacandra's life, God's activities, pastimes, it means we are associating with Rämacandra.
There is no difference between His form, His name, His pastimes, and Himself. He's absolute.
Therefore either you chant the holy name of Räma or you see the statue of Räma or you talk
of His transcendental pastimes, that means you are associating with the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. So we take advantage of these days when the incarnation of God appears or
disappears, and we try to associate with Him. By His association we become purified. Our
process is purification. Kåñëa consciousness means simply we are purifying our consciousness.
- Çré Räma-Navamé, Lord Rämacandra's Appearance Day -- Hawaii, March 27, 1969
The Personality of Godhead Çré Räma assumed the form of a human being and appeared on the
earth for the purpose of doing some pleasing work for the demigods or the administrative
personalities to maintain the order of the universe. Sometimes great demons and atheists like
Rävaëa and Hiraëyakaçipu and many others become very famous due to advancing material
civilization by the help of material science and other activities with a spirit of challenging the
established order of the Lord. Puffed up by tiny success in material advancement, sometimes
the godless materialists challenge the existence of God. Rävaëa was one of them, and he
wanted to deport ordinary men to the planet of Indra (heaven) by material means without
consideration of the necessary qualifications. He also wanted to perform other acts against the
established rule of the Lord. He even challenged the authority of Çré Räma, the Personality of
Godhead, and kidnapped His wife, Sétä. Lord Räma came to chastise this atheist, answering the
prayer and desire of the demigods. He therefore took up the challenge of Rävaëa, and the
complete activity is the subject matter of the Rämäyaëa. Because Lord Rämacandra was the
Personality of Godhead, He exhibited superhuman activities which no human being, including
the materially advanced Rävaëa, could perform. That is the display of the power of God.
- SB 1.3.22
71
Nåsiàha-caturdaçé
Hiraëyakaçipu became very powerful by material achievements and thought himself to be
immortal by the grace of Brahmäjé. Brahmäjé declined to award him the benediction of
immortality because he himself is not an immortal being. But Hiraëyakaçipu derived Brahmäjé's
benediction in a roundabout way, almost equal to becoming an immortal being. Hiraëyakaçipu
was sure that he would not be killed by any man or demigod or by any kind of known weapon,
nor would he die in day or night. The Lord, however, assumed the incarnation of half-man and
half-lion, which was beyond the imagination of a materialistic demon like Hiraëyakaçipu, and
thus, keeping pace with the benediction of Brahmäjé, the Lord killed him. He killed him on His
lap, so that he was killed neither on the land nor on the water nor in the sky. The demon was
pierced by Nåsiàha's nails, which were beyond the human weapons imaginable by
Hiraëyakaçipu. The literal meaning of Hiraëyakaçipu is one who is after gold and soft bedding,
the ultimate aim of all materialistic men. Such demonic men, who have no relationship with
God, gradually become puffed up by material acquisitions and begin to challenge the authority
of the Supreme Lord and torture those who are devotees of the Lord. Prahläda Mahäräja
happened to be the son of Hiraëyakaçipu, and because the boy was a great devotee, his father
tortured him to the best of his ability. In this extreme situation, the Lord assumed the
incarnation of Nåsiàhadeva, and just to finish the enemy of the demigods, the Lord killed
Hiraëyakaçipu in a manner beyond the demon's imagination. Materialistic plans of godless
demons are always frustrated by the all-powerful Lord.
- SB 2.7.14
The Supreme Personality of Godhead in His transcendental form of Narahari, Nåsiàhadeva, is
always ready to kill the demons, who always create disturbances in the minds of honest
devotees. To spread the Kåñëa consciousness movement, devotees have to face many dangers
and impediments all over the world, but a faithful servant who preaches with great devotion to
the Lord must know that Lord Nåsiàhadeva is always his protector.
- SB 7.8.51
72
Pänihäöi ciòä-dadhi utsava
Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé had been attempting to come to the lotus feet of Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu for a long time, and finally he left his home and met the Lord. When Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu had gone to Çäntipura on His way to Våndävana, Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé had
offered to dedicate his life at the Lord’s lotus feet. In the meantime, however, a Muslim official
became envious of Hiraëya däsa, Raghunätha däsa Gosvämé’s uncle, and induced some big
official court minister to have him arrested. Thus Hiraëya däsa left his home, but by the
intelligence of Raghunätha däsa the misunderstanding was mitigated. Then Raghunätha däsa
went to Pänihäöi, and following the order of Nityänanda Prabhu, he observed a festival (ciòädadhi-mahotsava) by distributing chipped rice mixed with yogurt. The day after the festival,
Nityänanda Prabhu gave Raghunätha däsa the blessing that he would very soon attain the
shelter of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu.
- CC Antya 6: The Meeting of Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Raghunatha dasa Gosvämé
73
Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura’s
disappearance day
Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura was gåhastha, a very responsible officer. And he was so exalted that he
would come from his office generally at five o'clock, then take his supper and immediately go
to bed. Say at seven o'clock in the evening he goes to bed, and he wakes up at twelve o'clock;
it is sufficient sleep, five hours. One should not sleep more than five to six hours. Sleeping is not
very important thing. So especially in spiritual line, they should minimize as far as possible
eating, sleeping, mating, defending. And in this way he used to write books. He wrote about
one hundred books. And he excavated the birthplace of Lord Caitanya, organized how to
develop that birth site, Mäyäpur. He used to go to preach about Caitanya's philosophy. He
used to sell books to foreign countries. In this way he was a busy, äcärya. So one has to adjust
things. Not that "Because I am gåhastha, householder, I cannot become a preacher. It is the
business of the sannyäsé or brahmacäré." No. It is the business of everyone. The whole world is
suffering for want of knowledge. The present civilization is animal civilization. They do not
know anything beyond eating, sleeping, mating and defending. That's all. Human life is meant
for something else: "What I am? What is God? What is my relation with God? What is this
material world? Why I am here? Where I have to go next?" So many things one has to learn.
Athäto brahma jijïäsä. This is human life. Therefore, there is need of äcäryas, teachers, for
propagating spiritual knowledge, Kåñëa consciousness. Although Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura was a
gåhastha, householder, a government officer, magistrate, but he was äcärya. So from his life,
we should learn how one can become a preacher in any stage of life. It doesn't matter what he
is.
- His Divine Grace Çréla Sac-cid-änanda Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura's Appearance Day, Lecture -London, September 3, 1971
The greatest service one can render to the Lord is to try to infuse devotional service into the
heart of the conditioned soul so that the conditioned soul may be released from conditioned
life. Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura has said that a Vaiñëava is recognized by his preaching work—
that is, by convincing the conditioned soul about his eternal position, which is explained here as
nija-dharma. It is the living entity’s eternal position to serve the Lord; therefore to help one get
release from material bondage is to awaken one to the dormant understanding that he is the
eternal servant of Kåñëa.
- CC Madhya 20.6
74
Balaräma Jayanté
Lord Balaräma is the immediate expansion of viñëu-tattva as prakäça-vigraha of Lord Kåñëa. The
Supreme Lord, although one without a second, expands Himself as many other living beings.
The viñëu-tattva living beings are expansions of the Supreme Lord, and all of them are
qualitatively and quantitatively equal with the Lord. But expansions of the jéva-çakti, the
category of the ordinary living beings, are not at all equal with the Lord. One who considers the
jéva-çakti and the viñëu-tattva to be on an equal level is considered a condemned soul of the
world. Çré Räma, or Balaräma, is the protector of the devotees of the Lord. Baladeva acts as the
spiritual master of all devotees, and by His causeless mercy the fallen souls are delivered.
Çré Baladeva appeared as Çré Nityänanda Prabhu during the advent of Lord Caitanya, and the
great Lord Nityänanda Prabhu exhibited His causeless mercy by delivering a pair of extremely
fallen souls, namely Jagäi and Mädhäi. Therefore it is particularly mentioned herein that
Balaräma is the protector of the devotees of the Lord. By His divine grace only one can
approach the Supreme Lord Çré Kåñëa, and thus Çré Balaräma is the mercy incarnation of the
Lord, manifested as the spiritual master, the savior of the pure devotees.
- SB 1.14.28-29
The Lord is advaita, without differentiation. There is no difference between the forms of Kåñëa,
Räma, Näräyaëa and Viñëu. All of Them are one. Sometimes foolish people ask whether when
we chant “Räma” in the Hare Kåñëa mantra we refer to Lord Rämacandra or Lord Balaräma. If a
devotee says that the name Räma in the Hare Kåñëa mahä-mantra refers to Balaräma, a foolish
person may become angry because to him the name Räma refers to Lord Rämacandra. Actually
there is no difference between Balaräma and Lord Räma. It does not matter whether one refers
to Balaräma or to Lord Rämacandra when chanting Hare Räma, for there is no difference
between Them. However, it is offensive to think that Balaräma is superior to Lord Rämacandra
or vice versa.
- CC Madhya 9.155
75
Jhulan-yäträ
Våndävana is actually experienced as it is by persons who have stopped trying to derive
pleasure from material enjoyment. “When will my mind become cleansed of all hankering for
material enjoyment so I will be able to see Våndävana?” a great devotee sings. The more Kåñëa
conscious we become and the more we advance, the more everything is revealed as spiritual.
Thus Kåñëadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämé considered the Våndävana in India to be as good as the
Våndävana in the spiritual sky, and in the sixteenth verse of the Caitanya-caritämåta he
describes Rädhäräëé and Kåñëa as seated beneath a wish-fulfilling tree in Våndävana, on a throne
decorated with valuable jewels. There Kåñëa’s dear gopé friends serve Rädhä and Kåñëa by
singing, dancing, offering betel nuts and refreshments, and decorating Their Lordships with
flowers.
- Cc Ädi Introduction
Regarding Jhulanayatra Ceremony, during these five days the Deities' clothings should be
changed every day, and there should be nice prasädam distribution and Saìkértana as far as
possible. If you are able to do it, a nice throne may be constructed on which the Deities can be
placed. This throne may be swung gently during kértana. That will be very good, and surely the
Deities will enjoy the function.
- Letter to: Jayapataka — Los Angeles 1 August, 1969
76
Cäturmäsya
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. The real purpose
behind the vow taken during these four months is to minimize the quantity of sense
gratification. This is not very difficult. In the month of Çrävaëa one should not eat spinach, in
the month of Bhädra one should not eat yogurt, and in the month of Äçvina one should not
drink milk. One should not eat fish or other non-vegetarian food during the month of Kärtika. A
non-vegetarian diet means fish and meat. Similarly, masüra dhal and urad dhal are also
considered non-vegetarian. These two dhals contain a great amount of protein, and food rich in
protein is considered non-vegetarian. On the whole, during the four-month period of
Cäturmäsya one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment.
- CC Madhya 4.169
The Cäturmäsya ceremony is observed during the four months of the rainy season in India
(approximately July, August, September and October), beginning from Çrävaëa. During these
four months, saintly persons who are accustomed to travel from one place to another to
propagate Kåñëa consciousness remain at one place, usually a holy place of pilgrimage. During
these times, there are certain special rules and regulations which are strictly followed. It is
stated in the Skanda Puräëa that during this period, if someone circumambulates the temple of
Viñëu at least four times, it is understood that he has traveled all over the universe. By such
circumambulation, one is understood to have seen all the holy places where the Ganges water
is flowing, and by following the regulative principles of Cäturmäsya one can very quickly be
raised to the platform of devotional service.
- NoD 9 Circumambulating the Temple of Viñëu
77
Çré Kåñëa Janmäñöamé
Because He wants to reclaim millions and trillions of fallen souls within this material world, the
Lord goes everywhere. Yadä yadä hi dharmasya glänir bhavati bhärata, tadätmänaà såjämy
aham [Bg. 4.7]. As soon as there is any discrepancy in the understanding of eternal life, He
appears and teaches. So Kåñëa is teaching somewhere. There are so many innumerable
universes. Just like Kåñëa takes, appears on Janmäñöamé in this universe, immediately in another
universe there is Janmäñöamé; immediately in another universe there is Janmäñöamé. So therefore
it is called nitya-lélä. Nitya-lélä means the Janmäñöamé is going on. His govardhana-lélä is going on.
Everything, what He displayed when He was present, that is going on. Just like the sun. Now at
half past six, there is sun somewhere. It is not that because the sun has passed half past six, in
this country, therefore there is no more half past six. Half past six is somewhere. Is it not?
Similarly, it is not that because Kåñëa has now finished His Janmäñöamé, therefore no more
Janmäñöamé. Janmäñöamé is going on. This is kåñëa-lélä.
- Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.15.32 -- Los Angeles, December 10, 1973
Today is the birth appearance ceremony of Lord Kåñëa. The Personality of Godhead is not
niñkriya, without activities. But in the Bhagavad-gétä the Lord says, anyone who can understand
what kind of activities the Lord has and what kind of birth He accepts, simply by understanding
these two things one gets wonderful result. What is that result? By quitting this body, tyaktvä
dehaà punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9], he does not take any more birth in this material world.
Some of us may think that punar janma naiti means he becomes vanquished. No. Punar janma
naiti, but mäm eti, "He does not come to this material world, but he comes to Me."
- Janmäñöamé Lord Çré Kåñëa's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 16, 1968
78
Çré Vyäsa-püjä
This Vyäsa-püjä ceremony means to offer our thanks to the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
because He is the original guru. As we receive this message through paramparä system from
Kåñëa to Brahmä, Brahmä to Närada, Närada to Vyäsadeva, Vyäsadeva to Madhväcärya, in this
way, Mädhavendra Puré, then Éçvara Puré, then Caitanya Mahäprabhu, then six Gosvämés, then
others, Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura, Jagannätha däsa Bäbäjé, Gaura Kiçora däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja,
Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté. Then we have taken. So as we come to this Kåñëa consciousness
understanding through this long paramparä, similarly, in the Vyäsa-püjä ceremony, whatever
respect, honor, and presentation you give, that goes to Kåñëa through that paramparä system,
from down. As it is received through the paramparä system, so similarly, your offerings also
goes through this paramparä system to the Supreme. Our system is gopé-bhärtur pädakamalayor däsa-däsänudäsaù [Cc. Madhya 13.80]. It is sometimes called bureaucracy. If you
apply something to the President, you'll have to submit to the local collector. The collector will
submit to somebody else, then secretary, then to the President. So our system is that. It is not
that I am training my disciples to worship me, or I'm getting some honor from them for nothing.
No. It is not that. Whatever honor, whatever respect, whatever presentation you are giving to
your spiritual master, it will go to Kåñëa by paramparä system. This is Vyäsa-püjä.
- Çré Vyäsa-püjä -- London, August 22, 1973
Vyäsa-püjä means one day in a year, on the birthday of the spiritual master who is a
representative of Vyäsa delivering the same knowledge which has come down by disciplic
succession without any change, he is offered the respect. This is called Vyäsa-püjä. And the
spiritual master receives all honor, all contribution, on behalf of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, not for his person. Just like in our country when there was British rule, there was a
viceroy, a king's representative. So naturally, when viceroy used to go to some meeting, many
people used to present valuable jewels just to honor him. But the law was that not a single of
the jewels or contribution the viceroy could touch. It was going to the royal treasury. The
viceroy could accept on behalf of the king all contribution, but it goes to the king. Similarly, this
day, Vyäsa-püjä day, whatever honor, contribution and feelings is being offered to the spiritual
master, it is for the Lord. As we have received the knowledge from upwards, similarly, this
respect also goes from downward to the upward. This is the process. So as the spiritual master
is teacher of the student, he has to teach the disciple how to send back his respect and
contribution to God. This is called Vyäsa-püjä.
- Çré Vyäsa-püjä -- New Vrindaban, September 2, 1972
79
Çré Rädhäñöamé
In the Brahma-saàhitä you'll find that the Lord expands His änanda-cinmaya-rasa, the mellow
of transcendental pleasure potency. And these gopés are expansion of His pleasure potency.
And Rädhäräëé is the center. Don't take that Rädhäräëé is an ordinary woman like we have our
wife or sister or mother. No. She is the pleasure potency. Rädhä, this name is sometimes not
found in Bhägavata. So the atheistic class of men protest that Rädhäräëé's name is not in the
Çrémad-Bhägavatam. But they do not know how to see it. There is anayärädhyate. There are
many gopés, but there is mention that by this particular gopé He is served more pleasingly. Kåñëa
accepts this gopé's service more gladly. This word, ärädhyate means worshiping. From this word
ärädhyate, Rädhä has come. But Rädhä's name is there in other Puräëas. So this is the origin.
Kåñëa is the enjoyer and He wants to enjoy. So Rädhäräëé is expansion of Kåñëa. Kåñëa is the
energetic, and Rädhäräëé is the energy. Just like energy and energetic, you cannot separate. Fire
and the heat you cannot separate. Wherever there is fire there is heat, and wherever there is
heat there is fire. Similarly, wherever there is Kåñëa there is Rädhä. And wherever there is Rädhä
there is Kåñëa. They are inseparable.
- Rädhäñöamé, Çrématé Rädhäräëé's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 30, 1968
Rüpa Gosvämé sings, "All glories to Rädhäräëé." Rädhe jaya jaya mädhava-dayite. "She's so dear
to Kåñëa." Everyone, the whole world, the whole universe, all living entities, they are trying to
love Kåñëa, but Kåñëa is trying to love somebody. Now how great She is. Just try to understand
the greatness of Rädhäräëé. Therefore we have to offer our respect. Rädhe jaya jaya madhavadayite. How is She? Gokula-taruëé-maëòala-mahite. Of all the young girls, She is the most
beautiful. She is enchanting to the young girls also. And She always dresses Her so nicely that
Dämodara, Kåñëa, becomes attracted by Her beauty. And She is the only lovable object of
Kåñëa, and She is the queen of Våndävana. If you go to Våndävana, everyone is worshiping
Rädhäräëé. Räëé means queen. They are always speaking, "Jaya Rädhe!" All the devotees in
Våndävana, they are worshipers of Rädhäräëé. So on behalf of the pure devotees of Kåñëa,
Rüpa Gosvämé is praying, karuëäà kuru mayi karuëä-bharite. "Oh, my worshipable Rädhäräëé,
You are full of mercy. Very easily You bestow Your mercy." Now somebody may say, "Oh,
you are such a great learned scholar, saintly person, and you are begging mercy from an
ordinary girl? How is that?" Therefore Rüpa Gosvämé says, "Oh, this is not ordinary girl."
Sanaka-sanätana-varëita-carite. "This girl's description is possible to be made by great saintly
persons like Sanaka-Sanätana. She is not ordinary." So the lesson is that we should not treat
Rädhäräëé as ordinary girl, or Kåñëa as ordinary man. They are the Supreme Absolute Truth.
- Rädhäñöamé, Çrématé Rädhäräëé's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 30, 1968
80
Vämana-dvädaçé
A king can conquer other kings by strength, and such possession is considered to be rightful. So
Bali Mahäräja possessed all the lands of the universe, and he happened to be charitably
disposed toward the brähmaëas. The Lord therefore pretended to be a beggar brähmaëa, and
He asked Bali Mahäräja for a measurement of three footsteps of land. The Lord, as the
proprietor of everything, could take from Bali Mahäräja all the land he possessed, but he did not
do so because Bali Mahäräja possessed all those lands by king's rights. When Bali Mahäräja was
asked by Lord Vämana for such small charity, Bali Mahäräja's spiritual master, namely
Çukräcärya, objected to this proposal because he knew that Vämanadeva was Viñëu Himself,
pretending to be a beggar. Bali Mahäräja did not agree to abide by the order of his spiritual
master when he understood that the beggar was Viñëu Himself, and he at once agreed to give
Him in charity the land requested. By this agreement Lord Vämana covered all the lands of the
universe with His first two steps and then asked Bali Mahäräja where to place the third step.
Bali Mahäräja was very glad to receive the Lord's remaining step upon his head, and thus Bali
Mahäräja, instead of losing everything he possessed, was blessed by the Lord's becoming his
constant companion and doorman. So, by giving everything to the cause of the Lord, one does
not lose anything, but he gains everything that he could never otherwise expect.
- SB 2.7.17
Kåñëa is not in want of money, for He is the original proprietor of everything (Éçäväsyam idaà
sarvam [Éço mantra 1]). But still He asks us for charity. For example, Kåñëa, in the guise of
Vämana, a dwarf brähmaëa, went to beg from Bali Mahäräja. Even though He is sarva-lokamaheçvaram [Bg. 5.29], the proprietor of all the planets, He nonetheless says, "Please give in
charity to Me." Why? It is for our interest, for the sooner we return Kåñëa's money to Kåñëa,
the better situated we will be.
- MG 4: Learning Tapasya, Self-Control
81
Deepotsava
There is a statement in Padma Puräëa describing the ritualistic function during the month of
Kärttika (October-November). During this month, in Våndävana it is the regulative principle to
pray daily to Lord Kåñëa in His Dämodara form. The Dämodara form refers to Kåñëa in His
childhood when He was tied up with rope by His mother, Yaçodä. Däma means "ropes," and
udara means "the abdomen." So mother Yaçodä, being very disturbed by naughty Kåñëa, bound
Him round the abdomen with a rope, and thus Kåñëa is named Dämodara. During the month of
Kärttika, Dämodara is prayed to as follows: "My dear Lord, You are the Lord of all, the giver of
all benedictions." There are many demigods, like Lord Brahmä and Lord Çiva, who sometimes
offer benedictions to their respective devotees. For example, Rävaëa was blessed with many
benedictions by Lord Çiva, and Hiraëyakaçipu was blessed by Lord Brahmä. But even Lord Çiva
and Lord Brahmä depend upon the benedictions of Lord Kåñëa, and therefore Kåñëa is
addressed as the Lord of all benefactors. As such, Lord Kåñëa can offer His devotees anything
they want, but still, the devotee's prayer continues, "I do not ask You for liberation or any
material facility up to the point of liberation. What I want as Your favor is that I may always
think of Your form in which I see You now, as Dämodara. You are so beautiful and attractive
that my mind does not want anything besides this wonderful form." In this same prayer, there is
another passage, in which it is said, "My dear Lord Dämodara, once when You were playing as
a naughty boy in the house of Nanda Mahäräja, You broke the box containing yogurt, and
because of that, mother Yaçodä considered You an offender and tied You with rope to the
household grinding mortar. At that time You delivered two sons of Kuvera, Nalaküvara and
Maëigréva, who were staying there as two arjuna trees in the yard of Nanda Mahäräja. My only
request is that by Your merciful pastimes You may similarly deliver me."
- NoD 4: Devotional Service Surpasses All Liberation
Kåñëa's another name is Dämodara. The Dämodara month is coming, and from that day, we'll
observe Dämodara-vrata for one month. The duty will be that in the evening you'll offer a small
candle just before the Deity, and chant the Dämodaräñöaka, namäméçvaram. So this will be
Dämodara-vrata.
- Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.8.31 -- Mäyäpura, October 11, 1974
82
Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura’s
appearance day
Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master, we cannot make any progress. It is impossible.
So Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura happens to be one of the äcäryas. And he has left behind him many
books. Caitanya-çikñämåta, Jaiva Dharma. These are very important books. They're in Bengali,
in Sanskrit. He has prepared many books of song. So we are trying to present Bhaktivinoda
Öhäkura's books also in English translation. So our adoration, our worship to Bhaktivinoda
Öhäkura today is so that he may bless us to make progress peacefully in Kåñëa consciousness.
Äcärya-upäsanä, simply by the blessings of the äcäryas we can make very rapid progress. Yasya
prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaù - We sing every day. By the mercy of the spiritual master, äcärya,
we immediately get the blessings of Lord. If spiritual master, äcärya, is pleased, then you should
know that Kåñëa is also pleased. Just like you are working in office. If your immediate officer,
boss, is pleased, that means the proprietor of the firm, he's also pleased. Although you do not
see him. This is fact. So similarly in this spiritual line, it is guru-kåñëa-kåpä. We have to first
receive the merciful benediction from the äcärya, and then Kåñëa will be pleased and He'll also
give His blessings.
- His Divine Grace Çréla Sac-cid-änanda Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura's Appearance Day, Lecture -London, September 3, 1971
Regardless of one's circumstances, if one fully engages his activities, mind and words in the
devotional service of the Lord, he should be understood to be a liberated person. Çréla
Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura was a responsible officer and a householder, yet his service to the cause
of expanding the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu is unique. The sense organs are
certainly our greatest enemies, and they are therefore compared to venomous serpents.
However, if a venomous serpent is bereft of its poison fangs, it is no longer fearful. Similarly, if
the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord, there is no need to fear their activities. The
devotees in the Kåñëa consciousness movement move within this material world, but because
their senses are fully engaged in the service of the Lord, they are always aloof from the material
world. They are always living in a transcendental position.
- SB 5.1.17
83
Govardhana-püjä
The sacrifice known as Govardhana-püjä is observed in the Kåñëa consciousness movement.
Lord Caitanya has recommended that since Kåñëa is worshipable, so His land—Våndävana and
Govardhana Hill—is also worshipable. To confirm this statement, Lord Kåñëa said that
Govardhana-püjä is as good as worship of Him. From that day, Govardhana-püjä has been
going on and is known as Annaküöa. In all the temples of Våndävana or outside of Våndävana,
huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony and are very sumptuously distributed to
the general population. Sometimes the food is thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting
it off the ground. From this we can understand that prasädam offered to Kåñëa never becomes
polluted or contaminated, even if it is thrown on the ground. The people therefore collect and
eat it with great satisfaction.
- KB 24: Worshiping Govardhana Hill
The unique position of Govardhana Hill is praised in this way: “How fortunate is this
Govardhana Hill, for it is enjoying the association of Lord Kåñëa and Balaräma, who are
accustomed to walking on it. Thus Govardhana is always in touch with the lotus feet of the
Lord. And because Govardhana Hill is so obliged to Lord Kåñëa and Balaräma, it is supplying
different kinds of fruits, roots and herbs, as well as very pleasing crystal water from its lakes, in
presentation to the Lord. The best presentation offered by Govardhana Hill, however, is newly
grown grass for the cows and calves. Govardhana Hill knows how to please the Lord by
pleasing His most beloved associates, the cows and the cowherd boys.”
- KB 21: The Gopés Attracted by the Flute
84
Çréla Gaura Kiçora däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja’s
disappearance day
There is a practical example set for us by Gaurakiçora däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja, who used to sit on
the side of a latrine to chant Hare Kåñëa. Many materialistic persons used to come and bother
him and disturb his daily routine of chanting, so to avoid their company he used to sit by the
side of a latrine, where materialistic persons would not go because of the filth and the
obnoxious smell. However, Gaurakiçora däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja was so great that he was
accepted as the spiritual master of such a great personality as His Divine Grace Oà Viñëupäda
Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja.
- SB 4.2.18
We are not wonderful men. But our only business is that we are speaking only the same thing
as Kåñëa has spoken. That's all. There is no magic. This is the magic. Very simple thing. It
doesn't require education. You can hear from your spiritual master what has Kåñëa said. It
doesn't require even literacy. There are many great personalities, saintly persons. My Guru
Mahäräja's Guru Mahäräja, he was illiterate, Gaura Kiçora däsa Bäbäjé Mahäräja. He could not
sign even his name. But my Guru Mahäräja was the best scholar of his time. He accepted him
as guru. So this is the process, that yei kåñëa-tattva-vettä sei guru haya [Cc. Madhya 8.128].
That is the business of every Indian. And Caitanya Mahäprabhu is therefore asking, Indians are
meant for para-upakära, because outside India they are in darkness. But unfortunately, Indians
are now imitating the western kind of life. It is very regrettable.
- Bhagavad-gétä 4.15 -- Bombay, April 4, 1974
85
Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura’s
disappearance day
In the beginning, during the presence of Oà Viñëupäda Paramahaàsa Parivräjakäcärya
Añöottara-çata Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura Prabhupäda, all the disciples
worked in agreement; 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.
Therefore, we do not belong to any faction. But because the two parties, busy dividing the
material assets of the Gauòéya Maöha institution, stopped the preaching work, we took up the
mission of Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura and Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura to preach the cult of
Caitanya Mahäprabhu all over the world, under the protection of all the predecessor äcäryas,
and we find that our humble attempt has been successful.
- CC Ädi 12.8
Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura passed away from this material world on 31st December,
1936. There are two phases, prakaöa and aprakaöa, appearance and disappearance. So we have
nothing to lament on account of disappearance because Kåñëa and Kåñëa's devotees; not only
devotees, even the non-devotees, nobody disappears. Nobody disappears because every living
entity is eternal. It is confirmed in the Vedic literature, nityo nityänäà cetanaç cetanänäm
(Kaöha Upaniñad 2.2.13). So spiritually, appearance and disappearance, there is no difference.
So although this is the disappearance day of Oà Viñëupäda Çré Çrémad Bhaktisiddhänta
Sarasvaté Öhäkura, so there is nothing to be lamented. Although we feel separation, that feeling
is there, but spiritually, there is no difference between appearance and disappearance.
- His Divine Grace Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Prabhupäda's Disappearance Day,
Lecture -- Los Angeles, December 13, 1973
86
Vaikuëöha Ekädaçé
Viñëu-ärädhana is the ultimate goal of life. In the Puräëas also, Lord Çiva was instructing Pärvaté,
ärädhanänäà sarveñäà viñëor ärädhanaà param - "Of all different types of worship, the
worship of Viñëu is topmost." So human life is specially meant for worshiping Viñëu.
Unfortunately, the blind leaders, they are not teaching people how to execute viñëu-ärädhana.
So this Kåñëa consciousness movement is started just to educate people how to worship Lord
Viñëu. Viñëor ärädhanaà param—this is our mission to teach all over the world. Kåñëa also says
in the Bhagavad-gétä that yajïärthe karmaëo 'nyatra loko 'yaà karma-bandhanaù [Bg. 3.9].
Yajïa means Viñëu. Simply for satisfying Viñëu one should act. Any work one is habituated to
do, it should be aimed to satisfy Viñëu. Otherwise we shall be implicated in the karma. Karma
means we act in some way under the direction of material energy or illusionary energy, and we
become implicated. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gétä, käraëaà guëa-saìgo 'sya sad-asad-janmayoniñu [Bg. 13.22]. According to our work and association with particular type of the modes of
nature, we get different types of body. If we give up viñëu-ärädhana, if we give up the aim of
achieving the favor of Viñëu, then we are becoming implicated in the resultant action of our
different activities.
- Bhagavad-gétä 3.14 -- Sanand, December 27, 1975
Vedic religion, although there are demigods, but the ultimate is oà tad viñëoù paramaà padaà
sadä paçyanti sürayaù. Those who are süraya, actually advanced, they see to the Viñëu
paramaà padam. Viñëor aradhanaà param. The worship of Viñëu is the supreme worship. So
actually everyone should be worshiper of Viñëu. And that is Vaiñëavism. Vaiñëavism means for
everyone or sanätana dharma. The living entity is sanätana. Mamaiväàço jéva-bhütaù jéva-loke
sanätana [Bg. 15.7]. God is sanätana. The exchange between God and the living entity is called
sanätana-dharma or Vaiñëavism. So we are teaching that. We are not teaching Hinduism,
Muslimism, Christianism. We are teaching how to love God. That's all.
- Answers to a Questionnaire from Bhavan's Journal -- June 28, 1976, Våndävana
87
Çré Advaita Äcärya’s appearance day
Advaita Äcärya was a contemporary of Lord Caitanya's father. He felt sorry for the condition
of the world because even after Lord Kåñëa's appearance, no one had interest in devotional
service to Kåñëa. This forgetfulness was so overwhelming that Advaita Prabhu was convinced
that no one but Lord Kåñëa Himself could enlighten people about devotional service to the
Supreme Lord. Therefore Advaita requested Lord Kåñëa to appear as Lord Caitanya. Offering
tulasé leaves and Ganges water, He cried for the Lord's appearance. The Lord, being satisfied
by His pure devotees, descends to satisfy them. As such, being pleased by Advaita Äcärya,
Lord Caitanya appeared.
- Ädi 3-1975: The External Reasons for Lord Caitanya's Appearance
Çré Advaita Prabhu is an incarnation of Viñëu, for the welfare of the conditioned souls He
manifested Himself as a servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and throughout all His
activities He showed Himself to be an eternal servitor. Therefore the Personality of Godhead
and His different incarnations and forms played the parts of devotees to instruct the
conditioned souls how to approach the transcendental stage of devotional service. Advaita
Äcärya especially intended to teach the conditioned souls about devotional service. The word
äcärya means “teacher.” The special function of such a teacher is to make people Kåñëa
conscious. A bona fide teacher following in the footsteps of Advaita Äcärya has no other
business than to spread the principles of Kåñëa consciousness all over the world. The real
qualification of an äcärya is that he presents himself as a servant of the Supreme. Such a bona
fide äcärya can never support the demoniac activities of atheistic men who present themselves
as God. It is the main business of an äcärya to defy such imposters posing as God before the
innocent public.
- CC Ädi 6.28
88
Varäha-dvadaçé
The conditioned soul accepts a particular type of body, such as the body of a hog, by his work
and by the superior authority of material nature. But when Lord Kåñëa appears in the
incarnation of a boar, He is not the same kind of hog as an ordinary animal. Kåñëa appears as
Varäha-avatära in an expansive feature which cannot be compared to an ordinary hog's. His
appearance and disappearance are inconceivable to us. In the Bhagavad-gétä it is clearly said
that He appears by His own internal potency for the protection of the devotees and the
annihilation of the nondevotees. A devotee should always consider that Kåñëa does not appear
as an ordinary human being or ordinary beast; His appearance as Varäha-mürti or a horse or
tortoise is an exhibition of His internal potency. One should not mistake the appearance of the
Lord as a human being or a beast to be the same as the birth of an ordinary conditioned soul,
who is forced to appear by the laws of nature, whether as an animal, as a human being or as a
demigod. This kind of thinking is offensive.
- SB 4.8.57
While Varäha, with His tusks, engaged in uplifting the submerged earth from the depths of the
waters, this great demon Hiraëyäkña met Him and challenged Him, calling Him a beast.
Demons cannot understand the incarnations of the Lord; they think that His incarnations as a
fish or boar or tortoise are big beasts only. They misunderstand the body of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, even in His human form, and they deride His descent.
- SB 3.18.2
89
Nityänanda Trayodaçé
Nityänanda Prabhu is the immediate expansion of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Baladeva-tattva.
Baladeva means who gives strength for spiritual advancement. Näyam ätmä pravacanena
labhyo näyam ätmä balahinena labhyaù. These are the Vedic injunctions. So without Baladeva's
or Nityänanda's grace, one cannot make advancement.
ära kabe nitäi-cända karuëä karibe
saàsära väsanä mora kabe tuccha ha'be
This is the grace of Nityänanda Prabhu. Narottama däsa Öhäkura is aspiring for the day when
Nityänanda Prabhu will be pleased upon him. Just like Jagäi-Mädhäi was delivered by the mercy
of Çré Nityänanda Prabhu, similarly we have to pray Nityänanda Prabhu. He's very merciful.
He's so kind, He gives spiritual strength. Then we can approach the Supreme Lord. Therefore
we chant "Nitäi-Gaura." This is the process. We cannot change this policy. Païca-tattva must
be worshiped; Nityänanda Prabhu is the spiritual master. Or spiritual master is the
representation of Nityänanda Prabhu. So when Nityänanda Prabhu is pleased, then we become
detached from this material attraction.
- Çré Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-lélä 7.4 -- Mäyäpur, March 4, 1974
Today is Nityänanda Prabhu's ävirbhäva appearance day. Let us at least remember today nitäipada-kamala. That is wanted. Nitäi caraëa satya, tähära sevaka nitya. The reality is nitäi-caraëa,
and anyone who is servant of Lord Nityananda, one who has become the dog of Nityänanda
Prabhu, he gets his eternal life. We are eternal, but under misconception of material
identification, we are under the subjugation of mäyä. It is botheration, but they do not know.
Therefore we should always expect to be under the shelter of nitäi-pada-kamala.
- Lord Nityänanda Prabhu's Ävirbhäva Appearance Day Lecture -- Bhuvaneçvara, February 2,
1977
90
Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura’s
appearance day
Today is the most auspicious day, Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, appeared on this
day. Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura is gaura-çakti. Gaura-çakti means empowered,
empowered by Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu, wanted His mission to be
broadcast all over the world. He desired:
påthivéte äche yata nagarädi-gräma
sarvatra pracära haibe mora näma
Påthivéte, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu predicted personally five-hundred years ago that His mission
will spread all over the world, as many towns and villages are there. So perhaps my Guru
Mahäräja, Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura, attempted to fulfill the desire of Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu. And then, in 1918, my Guru Mahäräja started with this mission an institution
known as Gauòéya Math. And he was trying to spread this message of Çré Caitanya
Mahäprabhu, and by chance or by prediction, as you think, I was taken to Bhaktisiddhänta
Sarasvaté Öhäkura by one of my friends. I did not want to go there, but he forcibly took me
there. And he ordered me that "You preach the cult of Caitanya Mahäprabhu in English
language. This is very much essential." That was my first meeting with him. So at that time I
was in favor of Gandhi's movement. So I said that "We are not independent—subjugated. Who
will hear about our message?" So Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura refuted my argument. I was
very much pleased to be defeated, that "This so-called nationalism or any ism, they are all
temporary. Real need is the self-realization."
- His Divine Grace Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Prabhupäda's Appearance Day,
Lecture -- Atlanta, March 2, 1975
We should not remain vimüòha. We should become intelligent. And to make us intelligent,
Kåñëa or His devotees or some messenger comes. And Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura
is one of the messengers of Kåñëa Caitanya Mahäprabhu to preach Kåñëa consciousness. And
not only he preached, but he trained up many disciples to preach this Kåñëa consciousness all
over the world. So by his grace we are also endeavoring to do something. This is called
paramparä system. So we should take advantage of this Vaiñëava mission. Our Guru Mahäräja
Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura is a cent percent Vaiñëava. And he was para-duùkha-duùkhi.
This is Vaiñëava. Vaiñëava means he doesn't want any material profit or material opulence or
material reputation. He doesn't want. Vaiñëava is always thinking how to do good to the
suffering humanity.
- His Divine Grace Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Prabhupäda's Appearance Day,
Lecture -- Mäyäpur, February 8, 1977
91
Çré Gaura-pürëimä
In the Bhagavad-gétä Kåñëa has taught the philosophy of surrender to the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. One who has surrendered to the Supreme can make further progress by learning
to love Him. Therefore the Kåñëa consciousness movement propagated by Lord Caitanya is
especially meant for those who are cognizant of the presence of the Supreme Godhead, the
ultimate controller of everything. His mission is to teach people how to dovetail themselves into
engagements of transcendental loving service. He is Kåñëa teaching His own service from the
position of a devotee. The Lord’s acceptance of the role of a devotee in the eternal form of
Lord Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu is another of the Lord’s wonderful features. A conditioned soul
cannot reach the absolute Personality of Godhead by his imperfect endeavor, and therefore it is
wonderful that Lord Çré Kåñëa, in the form of Lord Gauräìga, has made it easy for everyone to
approach Him.
- CC Ädi 4.41
This is the benefit of Lord Caitanya’s movement. If one somehow or other comes in contact
with the Hare Kåñëa movement, without consideration of his being a çüdra, vaiçya, Jagäi,
Mädhäi or even lower, he becomes advanced in spiritual consciousness and immediately
develops love of Godhead. We now have actual experience that throughout the entire world
this movement is making many such persons lovers of God simply by the chanting of the Hare
Kåñëa mahä-mantra. Actually, Çré Caitanya Mahäprabhu has appeared as the spiritual master of
the entire world. He does not discriminate between offenders and the innocent. Kåñëa-premapradäya te: [Cc. Madhya 19.53] He liberally gives love of Godhead to anyone and everyone.
This can be actually experienced, as stated in the next verse.
- CC Ädi 8.22
92