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26 Aug 2007
paying salaries to devotees

So Krsna comes, His avatara comes, His incarnation, to... Because we are very thickly, intimately, related, we are sons, we are part and parcel of Krsna, therefore He... Just like your father is always anxious to see you happy. If you are doing something wrong, he's more anxious than yourself. He knows that you are... A child is going to capture fire. The father, parents says, "No, my dear child, don't touch it. It is harmful." That is the duty, natural. So this, in this material world, we have come here, we are sons of God, part and parcel of God, and doing all nonsense. So Krsna is not happy; therefore He comes, avatara, avatara. He comes, "My dear child, why you are doing this?" And He advises, sarva-dharman parityajya: [Bg. 18.66] "Give up all this nonsense business. Come to Me. I shall give you protection." But we are so foolish rascal that we are prepared to become servant of the most abominable activities of our senses, but we are not prepared to surrender to Krsna and become His servant.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.23 --  Hawaii, January 19, 1974

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27 Aug 2007
why Krsna and His avataras come

So Krsna comes, His avatara comes, His incarnation, to... Because we are very thickly, intimately, related, we are sons, we are part and parcel of Krsna, therefore He... Just like your father is always anxious to see you happy. If you are doing something wrong, he's more anxious than yourself. He knows that you are... A child is going to capture fire. The father, parents says, "No, my dear child, don't touch it. It is harmful." That is the duty, natural. So this, in this material world, we have come here, we are sons of God, part and parcel of God, and doing all nonsense. So Krsna is not happy; therefore He comes, avatara, avatara. He comes, "My dear child, why you are doing this?" And He advises, sarva-dharman parityajya: [Bg. 18.66] "Give up all this nonsense business. Come to Me. I shall give you protection." But we are so foolish rascal that we are prepared to become servant of the most abominable activities of our senses, but we are not prepared to surrender to Krsna and become His servant.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.23 --  Hawaii, January 19, 1974

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26 Aug 2007
paying salaries to devotees

Srila Prabhupada spoke very strongly about our Society not existing for the purpose of sense gratification.  This was in connection with paying salaries to devotees and supplying special facilities for grhasthas.  Prabhupada stressed that Krsna consciousness meant vairagya.  One who was not interested yet in developing vairagya could not be maintained by the Society.  Otherwise the whole institution would become weakened.  If grhasthas were rendering essential service, the temple could provide living
facilities; but they had to work voluntarily, not for salaries.

from TKG's Diary

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24 Aug 2007
Krishna save me!

Despite being in Swamiji's presence and daily witnessing his inspiring transcendental activities, I find some difficulty following all the basic rules. When I confess this to Swamiji, he jumps to his feet. "Then chant Hare Krishna!" he says, the force of his gesture sweeping me upward with him, so that I stand up automatically. "Chant Hare Krishna! Krishna! Krishna! Krishna help me! Krishna save me!"

>>> Ref. VedaBase => HKE 5: The Hare Krishna Explosion

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23 Aug 2007
adosa-adarsi

It is a qualification of a Vaisnava that he is adosa-darsi: he never sees others' faults. Of course, every human being has both good qualities and faults. Therefore it is said, saj-jana gunam icchanti dosam icchanti pamarah: everyone has a combination of faults and glories. But a Vaisnava, a sober man, accepts only a man's glories and not his faults, for flies seek sores whereas honeybees seek honey.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Adi 8.62

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23 Aug 2007
stopping the current of "do it" or "not do it"

Because a nondevotee has become a devotee, he is practicing how to simply accept Krsna's orders. But by his previous habit he's still engaged in "do it" and "don't do it." That is his previous habit. Just like this fan is running. You take out the switch, the current is stopped, but it's still running, at least three, four rounds. So similarly, if you have taken to Krsna consciousness, your, that current of "do it" or "do not," is stopped. Because you have agreed to do only what Krsna says. If you have actually decided like that, then you are free. There is no more current of "do it" or "not do it." But because you were habituated in your past life to this "do it" or "not do it," sometimes it is found.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Evening Darsana -- August 11, 1976, Tehran

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20 Aug 2007
preachers meet opposing elements

...the devotees go out to preach, and going forth, they sometimes meet opposing elements. Sometimes they are defeated, sometimes disappointed, sometimes able to convince, sometimes unable. It is not that every devotee is well equipped to preach.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => PoP 5: Determination and Steadiness in Yoga

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20 Aug 2007
Bhakti is joyful and purifying

It is said that the execution of devotional service is so perfect that one can perceive the results directly. This direct result is actually perceived, and we have practical experience that any person who is chanting the holy names of Krsna (Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare) in course of chanting without offenses feels some transcendental pleasure and very quickly becomes purified of all material contamination. This is actually seen. Furthermore, if one engages not only in hearing but in trying to broadcast the message of devotional activities as well, or if he engages himself in helping the missionary activities of Krsna consciousness, he gradually feels spiritual progress. This advancement in spiritual life does not depend on any kind of previous education or qualification. The method itself is so pure that by simply engaging in it one becomes pure.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bg 9.2

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20 Aug 2007
one who is not humble cannot accept a guru

You have inquired why Caitanya Mahaprabhu has not mentioned anything about accepting a Spiritual Master in His Siksastaka. But perhaps you have missed the point that He says amanina manadena kirtaniya sada hari. This means one has to chant the Holy Names of Krishna, becoming humbler than the straw, and more tolerant than the tree. So who can become humbler than the straw unless he accepts a Spiritual Master?

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Jayagovinda  --  Los Angeles 4 July, 1969

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19 Aug 2007
a deluge of love of Godhead

Just as Bhagiratha brought down the Ganga and liberated his forefathers, similarly, we must bring a deluge of love of Godhead that can extricate the
conditioned souls from the clutches of gross materialism. At least for some time, we must create Satya-yuga, the age of reason and piety. We can easily accomplish this Herculean task simply by reintroducing Lord Caitanya's sankirtana movement of the congregational chanting of Lord Krsna's name and thus flooding the world with krsna-prema. All living entities -- the human beings, who are afflicted by Kali-yuga, as well as sub-human beings -- must be drowned in the floodwaters of krsna-prema.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => RTW 5.1: The Highest Use of Intelligence

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17 Aug 2007
our prime duty in life

Krsna consciousness means to become absorbed in serving the Supreme Lord and His name, qualities, form, pastimes, etc. In other words, it means becoming an instrument for His satisfaction. We have to become infused with His spiritual potency; thus strengthened, we then have to make the propagation of His transcendental glories our prime duty in life. By means of such potent missionary activities, innumerable jivas can experience endless spiritual joy.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => RTW 5.1: The Highest Use of Intelligence

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15 Aug 2007
Vrindaban is an inspiration only

We have tremendous task before us. Vrindaban is an inspiration only but our real field of work is all over the world.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Rayarama — Unknown Place 18 January, 1969

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14 Aug 2007
3 enemies

If you improve the preaching programme, automatically everything else will improve, Krishna will give you all facilities. ... If you become lazy in your spiritual life, everything else will deteriorate. We are not interested in big, big buildings, no. ... I simply want to engage everyone in the service of Krishna, that's all. And that means preaching. So if the preaching work has stopped, what can I do? In that case you must expect there will be so many troubles. So try to improve your preaching work, distribute all the books, and print more, and in this way, Krishna is the husband of the Goddess of Fortune, you will get as much money and as many big buildings as you need for spreading Krishna Consciousness movement, without any doubt.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yadubara — Vrindaban 11 November, 1972

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13 Aug 2007
3 enemies

Srila Prabhupada said that our movement has 3 enemies: in Bombay the
municipality, in Vrindavan the Goswamis, and in Mayapur his godbrothers.

(confirmed by Hari sauri Prabhu; maybe not so relevant today)

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13 Aug 2007
Millions of life members

If we make all over India the example that the leading persons in Bombay are becoming our life members, then all the influential and important people will become our life members, all over the country. Millions of life members can be made. And they are liking our books. So it is a good program. Besides that, these festivals are also very good programs. So if we do so in every city and distribute our books also, this movement will be top in India.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Gurudasa  --  Bombay 11 June, 1971

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13 Aug 2007
Every Indian gentleman should be enrolled as a Life member

Bombay life membership program is very encouraging. Just yesterday they made eight life members and are averaging three daily. So if we make all over India the example that the leading persons in Bombay are becoming our life members, then all the influential and important people will become our life members, all over the country. Millions of life members can be made. And they are liking our books. So it is a good program. Besides that, these festivals are also very good programs. So if we do so in every city and distribute our books also, this movement will be top in India. So consider the fact and do the needful.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Gurudasa  --  Bombay 11 June, 1971

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13 Aug 2007
Falling and getting up, or going further down

api cet suduracaro
bhajate mam ananya-bhak
sadhur eva sa mantavyah
samyag vyavasito hi sah
 [Bg. 9.30]

He has got little practice of these nonsense things. But if he sticks to Krsna consciousness, this will be stopped very soon. That is the only remedy. So a devotee means he has taken vow before the spiritual master, before the fire, before... If he sticks to his principle, then he's free. Even though some bad habits found due to his past behavior. That will be stopped. But he must stick. Bhajate mam ananya-bhak. That must stick. Krsna consciousness must continue. Everything will be corrected. And if there is slackness in Krsna consciousness, then again he'll fall down. That I was telling this morning, that if you have determination, maya will put forward so many impediments, and with all sufferings, if he remains determined in Krsna consciousness, then life is success. A man is habituated to smoke. He has given up, has promised no more smoking. Just like our students. Now he's put amongst some friends, they are smoking. But he has bad habit, he's thinking, "Why not smoke?" And if the friends offer, "It is friends. Who is going to see, your spiritual master." "Yes." That is possible. But if he comes to his sense again, "Oh, what I have done?" If he repents, "I promised it before my spiritual master, before God, before fire. Now I'm doing this?" that repentance will help him. And if he thinks that "I'm doing it. My spiritual master is not here, let me fall to it," then he is finished. Then he is finished. If he repents for the wrong he has done, then he's excused. Otherwise finished.

Hari-sauri: Is there any limit to the number of chances that he has?

Prabhupada: Yes, there is limit. Once, twice, thrice. If you make four times, then it is extricated: "Get out rascal, cheating."

Atreya Rsi: But Srila Prabhupada, aren't there fallen sinful people who are still...

Prabhupada: Amongst fallen, sinful people, if you want to remain fallen, sinful, then who can help you? It is up to you. Krsna says sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. And if you want to remain fallen, "No, I'll do it, go on," you remain. What is objection of Krsna? Go on. You are suffering, go on suffering. I give you this suggestion, you do it. If you do it, you become free. But if you want to continue, continue, it is your business. Go on suffering. Why you make Krsna responsible? You are responsible for your own activities.

Nava-yauvana: You say if someone has no shame...

Prabhupada: Yes, shameless. Dukankata,(?) in Bengal it is called. So if you want to continue, then continue. The facility is already given there. The material world is there. You go on, continue. But if you want to stop it, if you are conscious of the material position, duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg.8.15], then you have to stop it. Krsna has given you freedom, yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. Whatever you like, you can do. If you like to suffer, go on suffering. Who can...? It is your business.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Evening Darsana -- August 11, 1976, Tehran

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10 Aug 2007
If they only knew

Srila Prabhupada said: "If they only knew my plans, they would lock me up." (I didn't catch who related this)

from Following Srila Prabhupada DVD #1

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08 Aug 2007
Srila Prabhupada on kirtana

1) Brahmananda Prabhu recalls asking Srila Prabhupada "What is the best way to sing kirtana?"

Srila Prabhupada replied, "In a way that you never get tired."

2) Even names of Krishna, if not given by a bona fide sampradaya, should not be chanted. (Told by Madhudvisa Prabhu)

3) You can chant the holy names in any way but because we are followers of Lord Caitanya we chant the Hare Krishna maha-mantra. (I didn't catch who related this)

from Following Srila Prabhupada DVD #1

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07 Aug 2007
address others as Prabhu, don't think oneself Prabhu

I am very sorry that Subala das has assumed such air of importance. We should always remember that we are on the path of perfection, but we are not perfect. If Subala das or anyone thinks that he has attained perfection he will be wrongly directed. I have asked you all to address your Godbrothers as prabhu. This prabhu means boss. If everyone of us thinks of his fellow worker as boss there is no question of misunderstanding. The mistake is that being addressed as boss or prabhu one thinks himself as exactly Prabhu or the boss. One should not forget himself as humble servant even though one is addressed as prabhu. The spiritual master is offered respects as they are offered to the Supreme Lord. Unfortunately if the spiritual master thinks that he has become the Supreme Lord then he is doomed. A bona fide spiritual master always think of himself as the servant of the Lord. One should never forget __ be humble in dealings. If everyone of us would conduct our business in that spirit of prabhu and servant then there is very little chance of being misunderstood. Sometimes misunderstanding may take place but it should be adjusted in a spirit of service attitude to the prabhu.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Nandarani  --  Calcutta 28 November, 1967

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06 Aug 2007
Why Srila Prabhupada wrote so much against Mayavada

Nalinikantha: In the West, people are generally unfamiliar, I think, with the philosophy of Sankara, yet in your books you devote so much argument to defeating Mayavada philosophy. I was wondering if it is within every conditioned soul's heart to be an impersonalist. Is it.... Does every conditioned soul have the propensity for impersonalism?

Prabhupada: No, they cannot understand God; therefore it is impersonalism. It is due to their poor fund of knowledge. So most people are in poor fund of knowledge.

Hari-sauri: As soon as one forgets Krsna, he's impersonal.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Mahendra: Just like many of us, Srila Prabhupada, we were thinking, that...

Prabhupada: They cannot think that a person, how he can produce a sky? That is beyond their conception. This is their illusion.(?) They say God is all-powerful, but He cannot produce a sky. This is their defect of knowledge. If God is all-powerful, why He cannot produce a sky? That they cannot think. Yes, He's all-powerful, cannot produce a sky. Their intellect. Poor intellect.

Mahendra: Many of us were also thinking God to be impersonal before we met you, Srila Prabhupada.

Prabhupada: Yes.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- June 7, 1976, Los Angeles

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05 Aug 2007
"People may hate me for saying this"

We should not waste our time with solving economic problems. Economic development is nonsense. Of course, this proposal is very revolutionary, and people may even hate me for it. "What is Swamiji saying?" they may ask. But actually it is a fact. This economic development is madness. Suppose one has a rich father and enough food. Suppose one knows, "My father is the richest man in the city." Then where is one's economic problem? Actually, that is our position. We have no economic problem. Everything is completely provided.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => TQK 4: Approaching Krsna, the All-pervading Truth

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03 Aug 2007
home is prison for nondevotees

Lord Brahma said:

My dear Lord Krsna, until people become Your devotees, their material attachments and desires remain thieves, their homes remain prisons, and their affectionate feelings for their family members remain foot-shackles.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 10.14.36

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01 Aug 2007
why higly educated persons do not take to Krsna consciousness

The education that keeps the conditioned soul bound life after life is called materialistic education. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura has explained that materialistic education expands the influence of maya. Such an education induces the conditioned soul to be increasingly attracted to materialistic life and to stray further and further away from liberation from unwanted miseries.

One may ask why highly educated persons do not take to Krsna consciousness. The reason is explained in this verse. Unless one takes shelter of a bona fide, fully Krsna conscious spiritual master, there is no chance of understanding Krsna. The educators, scholars and big political leaders worshiped by millions of people cannot understand the goal of life and take to Krsna consciousness, for they have not accepted a bona fide spiritual master and the Vedas. Therefore in the Mundaka Upanisad (3.2.3) it is said, nayam atma pravacanena labhyo na medhaya na bahuna srutena: one cannot become self-realized simply by having an academic education, by presenting lectures in an erudite way (pravacanena labhyah), or by being an intelligent scientist who discovers many wonderful things. One cannot understand Krsna unless one is graced by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Only one who has surrendered to a pure devotee of Krsna and taken the dust of his lotus feet can understand Krsna.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 7.5.32

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31 Jul 2007
don't be discouraged

One should not be discouraged in the discharge of devotional service. Failures may not be detrimental; they may be the pillars of success. One must have good faith in the regulative principles followed by the self-realized souls, and one should not be doubtful about the ultimate result of such devotional service. Rather, one must go on executing his prescribed duties without hesitation, and one should never be influenced by unwanted association.

(Light of the Bhagavat verse 43)

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30 Jul 2007
not a plaything

We should not consider going back to Godhead a plaything. We must take it seriously, as enjoined in the scriptures. For a strict follower, the result is sure and certain, and when the time is right the result will come of its own force.

(Light of the Bhagavat verse 43)

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29 Jul 2007
the only solace

The association of devotees is the only solace for our existence.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Yadunandana  --  San Francisco 26 March, 1968

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29 Jul 2007
thought for Guru-purnima

(I'm now in Vrindavan, where Guru-purnima is one of the major festivals, being the disappearance day of Srila Sanatana Gosvami, who is respected by all Vraja-vasis as their purva-guru.)

Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has pointed out that the original cause of offending the Lord and falling down from one's position is one's not learning how to properly worship a bona fide spiritual master. One who is trained to offer respectful obeisances and worship to the bona fide spiritual master automatically offers proper worship to the Supreme Lord. Without the mercy of a bona fide spiritual master, even a so-called religious man will gradually become atheistic, offend the Lord by foolish speculation and fall into a hellish condition of life.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 11.5.3

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28 Jul 2007
simple remdy for material life

The almighty God awards the results we desire, and therefore we should desire that which is eternal, blissful, and full of knowledge. In devotional service we should not endeavor for that which is temporary and useless.

(Light of the Bhagavat verse 43)

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27 Jul 2007
simple remdy for material life

To the extent we are thinking of Krishna, to that extent Maya has no influence. But as much as we are desiring to forget Krishna and trying to enjoy for ourself, so to that extent we must suffer the pains of Maya. So our remedy for material life is very simple, simply to chant for Krishna, to dance for Krishna, to work, prepare nice foods for Krishna and then cent per cent we become fully free from all other influences. Please always remember this secret and show by example to all others.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Himavati  --  Los Angeles 12 December, 1968

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26 Jul 2007
heartrending feelings

Lord Sri Krsna is so attractive for the living beings, especially for the devotees, that it is impossible for them to tolerate separation. The conditioned soul under the spell of illusory energy forgets the Lord, otherwise he cannot. The feeling of such separation cannot be described, but it can simply be imagined by devotees only. After His separation from Vrndavana and the innocent rural cowherd boys, girls, ladies and others, they all felt shock throughout their lives, and the separation of Radharani, the most beloved cowherd girl, is beyond expression. Once they met at Kuruksetra during a solar eclipse, and the feeling which was expressed by them is heartrending. There is, of course, a difference in the qualities of the transcendental devotees of the Lord, but none of them who have ever contacted the Lord by direct communion or otherwise can leave Him for a moment. That is the attitude of the pure devotee.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 1.10.9-10

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25 Jul 2007
asses' life, and Krsna's solution

They are suffering, working day and night like an ass, and still, he's thinking that he's very happy. But he does not know that there is a life where there is no such thing as to work hard. Just like Krsna and Krsna's associates in Vrndavana, they are jolly, tending their cows, getting milk in the village, sufficient food, dancing with the gopis. That is life. No mill, no slaughterhouse, no motorcar. You see? No skyscraper building. Here see. So this is another philosophy, another philosophy: simple life, simple life with Krsna. Simple life we can live still, but we do not agree. If we live simple life, people will criticize, "Oh, this is primitive, primitive. What you have made advancement?" But they have no sense. Anyway... So if we really want relief from this materialistic way of life, then we should take shelter of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His sankirtana movement. Then our misunderstanding of existence will be cleansed. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni [Cc. Antya 20.12]. And we have created a civilization which is blazing fire, blazing fire. Everyone, all politicians, even ordinary citizens, they are now suffering. The politicians cannot give them enough food. They simply take vote, and the price of foodstuff is increasing. This is a very precarious condition. It is called samsara-davanala, "the blazing fire of material existence." We may extinguish for the time being, but again... Davanala is used for this purpose. Nobody sets fire, but it takes place. That is called davanala. In the forest nobody goes to set fire, but it takes place by dealings. So when we deal in a different way than Krsna consciousness, then there will be fire immediately. This dealing will produce fire. That has come already. So this
is the only remedy, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's process:

harer nama harer nama harer nama eva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
[Cc. Adi 17.21]

So here is the statement, panca-tattva lana karena sankirtana range. You
take to this movement, chant and dance. All problems will be solved.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Adi-lila 7.4 -- Mayapur, March 4, 1974

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24 Jul 2007
attached to God, or to family

Prabhupada (to Brahmananda Prabhu): Your mother was very angry upon us. (laughter) You know that? When she came to see me, I told, "Mrs. Bruce, can you give me some money?" (laughing) (Imitating angry woman's voice:) "I have given you two sons!" (laughter) She was very angry. "Still you want money?" (laughter)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk -- July 1, 1975, Denver

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22 Jul 2007
attached to God, or to family

The test is how much you have learned to love God. Not that "I am Hindu. I have got such a big tuft and so much tilaka, and I take bath daily in the
Yamuna, Ganges. I am strictly vegetarian," and so on, so on, so on. But the result? "I am simply attached to my family." That's all. (laughter)  "I am doing all things, but my center of gravity is my family." Grhamedhi.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.6 -- Vrndavana, October 17, 1972

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17 Jul 2007
transcendental theft

At the feasts, Prabhupada was always careful to see that the children were fed first, and from his vyasasana he would direct the servants, "Give him more of this, him more of that." I would always sit up toward the front, near Prabhupada, anxious to receive some remnants from his plate. Once I was lucky enough to get a sweetball, which I saved on the corner of my plate to relish at the end of my meal. But my Godbrother Jaya Gopala had also been eyeing the sweetball. Suddenly he reached over and stole it, plopping it into his mouth in one swift action. I became furious, and because he had no remnants for me to steal in return, I began to twist his arm in anger, completely forgetting that Prabhupada was siting right in front of us.

Prabhupada asked, "What is going on?"

"Jaya Gopala just stole my sweetball!"

Prabhupada replied, "Very good, he has just made great advancement."

Everyone laughed. Then all the devotees began stealing each other's prasadam.

From TKG's Servant of the Servant

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14 Jul 2007
frauding for Krsna

I am very pleased that your preaching work is going on nicely. That is the test, that you are making devotees. Especially I want this school and college program. If only the intelligent class of men understand our Krishna philosophy, then our mission is successful. So try to attract these students with profuse prasadam and nice philosophy and they will appreciate more and more. Slow but sure, that is our motto -- and class, not mass. So never mind some other Christian movements are getting many followers. The competition is beneficial for us. Everything is beneficial for Krishna consciousness if it is utilized properly. That is the art. Anything without substance will not last, so just demonstrate sincerely that we have got solid ground beneath us, not that we have only some sentiment, that's all. Many fanatic spiritual movements have come and gone, but without the flawless philosophy of Krishna, they cannot stand. Therefore I want especially that my books and literature should be distributed profusely. This is our substance, real philosophical information, not some weak sentiments. So try for this, to give all men this Krishna philosophy, and many real devotees will come with us back to Home, back to Godhead.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Lalita Kumar, Jambavati  --  Vrindaban 27 November, 1971

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12 Jul 2007
substantial preaching

I am very pleased that your preaching work is going on nicely. That is the test, that you are making devotees. Especially I want this school and college program. If only the intelligent class of men understand our Krishna philosophy, then our mission is successful. So try to attract these students with profuse prasadam and nice philosophy and they will appreciate more and more. Slow but sure, that is our motto -- and class, not mass. So never mind some other Christian movements are getting many followers. The competition is beneficial for us. Everything is beneficial for Krishna consciousness if it is utilized properly. That is the art. Anything without substance will not last, so just demonstrate sincerely that we have got solid ground beneath us, not that we have only some sentiment, that's all. Many fanatic spiritual movements have come and gone, but without the flawless philosophy of Krishna, they cannot stand. Therefore I want especially that my books and literature should be distributed profusely. This is our substance, real philosophical information, not some weak sentiments. So try for this, to give all men this Krishna philosophy, and many real devotees will come with us back to Home, back to Godhead.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Lalita Kumar, Jambavati  --  Vrindaban 27 November, 1971

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10 Jul 2007
To conquer God

God realization depends on God, because you cannot oblige God by some force. Just like if you have got money, oh, you can do anything nowadays. If you have got strength of wealth, you can have any power, you can do anything. But that does not mean that you can purchase God. No. That is not possible. If you have got beauty, you can conquer over very stalwart, very strong men. Just like what is the... Cleopatra. She was very beautiful, and she conquered many great warriors. So beauty sometimes can conquer even the greatest man, but that does not mean beauty can conquer God. No. That is not possible. To conquer God is bhakti. If you are advanced in devotional service, then you can conquer God. Just like the gopis...

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Lecture -- Los Angeles, February 2, 1968

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09 Jul 2007
negative mentality

My dear mind, you have embraced the path of self realization, yet you foolishly think that you are cleansing yourself by bathing in the pretentiously fierce qualities of deceit and fault-finding, which are compared to donkey urine.  Factually, you are incinerating yourself and dragging an infinitesimal spirit soul like me into the conflagration.  Stop this suicidal course!  Dive into the immortal ocean of sublime ambrosia that awaits you in loving devotional service at the lotus feet of Sri-Sri Radha and Krsna.  Resuscitate my very being and thus give both of us endless happiness.

My dear brother mind, the despicable desire for material honor and distinction is compared to a shameless and low-born prostitute who eats dog meat—yet she is flagrantly dancing in my heart. How, then, can the pristine love of pure devotion to Sri Krsna ever find a place in my heart? You will simply have to serve the unalloyed devotees of the Lord, who are His intimate associates and stalwart supporters. They alone can drive out this prostitute and enthrone pure love of Godhead within my heart.

Sri Manah-Siksa of Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, Verses 6 and 7

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07 Jul 2007
four pilars of our success

Simply propagate this chanting, dancing, feasting and following the
regulative principles. These are the four pillars of our success.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Letter to: Krsna dasa  --  Boston 25 December, 1969

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05 Jul 2007
what Srila Prabhupada always recommends

If you sit down and write some article on Krsna, that means you have to concentrate on Krsna's activities or Krsna's devotees' activities, and that very process will purify your heart. Therefore we always recommend to our students that you write articles, read our magazine, read our book.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.2.12-14 -- Allahabad, January 17, 1971,  at Kumbha-mela

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04 Jul 2007
why the sky is blue

So jyotisam api jyotis tamasah param. So this jyoti, this illumination, is beyond this material world. And because there is illumination, that illumination is reflected in the material world. You will find the reflection, bluish reflection, in the sky. It means that brahmajyoti is bluish because it is coming out from the blue body of Krsna. Therefore it is bluish.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 13.18 -- Bombay, October 12, 1973

Sky is the reflection of Krsna's bodily effulgence; therefore it is blue.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 6.254 -- Los
Angeles, January 8, 1968

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03 Jul 2007
svaha for Krsna or for Maya

(NB "svaha" is chanted when offering oblations into a sacrificial fire)

...if you don't execute this svaha, then you will have to execute that svaha. (laughter) (sings out the word "svaha!") That's all. The Vietnam is going on -- svaha! So many young men -- svaha! So much money -- svaha! You have to do that. Therefore better learn how to make svaha for Krsna. Otherwise you will have to make svaha for maya.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiations -- San Diego, June 30, 1972

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02 Jul 2007
by sincere chanting, everyting becomes perfect

The chanting of the holy name of the Lord is perfect; even though one does not know how to please Lord Visnu or His associates, simply by sincerely chanting the holy name of the Lord, everything becomes perfect. A devotee, therefore, either in danger or in happiness, constantly chants the Hare Krsna mantra. When he is in danger he is immediately relieved, and when he is in a position to see Lord Visnu or His associates directly, by chanting this maha-mantra he can please the Lord. This is the absolute nature of the maha-mantra. Either in danger or in happiness, it can be chanted without limitation.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 4.12.21

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