Go to Vaniquotes | Go to Vanipedia | Go to Vanimedia


Vanisource - the complete essence of Vedic knowledge


711129 - Lecture - Vrndavana: Difference between revisions

m (Text replacement - "Prabhupāda:" to "'''Prabhupāda:'''")
m (Text replacement - "Devotee:" to "'''Devotee:'''")
Line 21: Line 21:




Devotee: Engagement, November 28, evening (break) November 29, evening (break) Vṛndāvana.
'''Devotee:''' Engagement, November 28, evening (break) November 29, evening (break) Vṛndāvana.


(introduction by the Governor and Mayor)
(introduction by the Governor and Mayor)
Line 31: Line 31:
There is. You can't go directly to Rādhārānī as in courts of law you go through a Wakeel (lawyer), in the same way if you want to approach Rādhārānī you have to take help of ''sambandha''. Who is that ''prabhu'' from whom you can take help? He is the ''gurudeva''. If ''gurudeva'' can take you to Rādhārānī, Rādhārānī will accept you. And please keep in mind that it's by the grace of Rādhārānī and Lord Kṛṣṇa and by the kindness of your ''gurudeva'' you have come to see Rādhārānī. Take it for granted that Rādhārānī is actually pleased for you. You. He comes from Japan, he comes from Africa and.
There is. You can't go directly to Rādhārānī as in courts of law you go through a Wakeel (lawyer), in the same way if you want to approach Rādhārānī you have to take help of ''sambandha''. Who is that ''prabhu'' from whom you can take help? He is the ''gurudeva''. If ''gurudeva'' can take you to Rādhārānī, Rādhārānī will accept you. And please keep in mind that it's by the grace of Rādhārānī and Lord Kṛṣṇa and by the kindness of your ''gurudeva'' you have come to see Rādhārānī. Take it for granted that Rādhārānī is actually pleased for you. You. He comes from Japan, he comes from Africa and.


Devotee: America.
'''Devotee:''' America.


Governor: Friend here comes from America and German. Do you think you could come here without the kindness of Rādhārānī? Or without the kindness of Kṛṣṇa? If you have come and if you have just received the elevations of ''bhakti'' . . . (indistinct) . . . of this holy ''dhāma'' it is due to the kindness of your ''gurudeva''. We, we are all very thankful to him for bringing you all here and on behalf of the people of this place, on behalf of our young mayor on behalf of the authority of the municipality of Vṛndāvana we all welcome you and we wish that you become so offered to this place, this holy place of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Kulaśekhara and ''dāsānu-dāsa dāsa'' . . . (indistinct) (applause)
Governor: Friend here comes from America and German. Do you think you could come here without the kindness of Rādhārānī? Or without the kindness of Kṛṣṇa? If you have come and if you have just received the elevations of ''bhakti'' . . . (indistinct) . . . of this holy ''dhāma'' it is due to the kindness of your ''gurudeva''. We, we are all very thankful to him for bringing you all here and on behalf of the people of this place, on behalf of our young mayor on behalf of the authority of the municipality of Vṛndāvana we all welcome you and we wish that you become so offered to this place, this holy place of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Kulaśekhara and ''dāsānu-dāsa dāsa'' . . . (indistinct) (applause)


Devotee: This is the mayor of Vṛndāvana speaking.
'''Devotee:''' This is the mayor of Vṛndāvana speaking.


Mayor: (indistinct) . . . to Svāmī Mahārāja. Appreciating the services he has done for the cause of Vaiṣṇava ''dharma'', for the cause of ''nāma-saṅkīrtana'', for the cause of . . . (indistinct) . . . I had to prayed to Swamiji . . . (indistinct) . . . Lord Kṛṣṇa is the only way . . . (indistinct) . . . of the earth . . . (indistinct) . . . ''bhakti-bhāva'' is very important (break)
Mayor: (indistinct) . . . to Svāmī Mahārāja. Appreciating the services he has done for the cause of Vaiṣṇava ''dharma'', for the cause of ''nāma-saṅkīrtana'', for the cause of . . . (indistinct) . . . I had to prayed to Swamiji . . . (indistinct) . . . Lord Kṛṣṇa is the only way . . . (indistinct) . . . of the earth . . . (indistinct) . . . ''bhakti-bhāva'' is very important (break)
Line 99: Line 99:
So we are selecting according to that is considered to be the real. In the Kali-yuga there is no scope for Vedic initiation because according to ''śāstra'', Vedic initiation is especially meant for the higher castes, ''brahmin'', ''kṣatriya'', ''vaiśya''. But because in this age there is no ''garbhādhāna-saṁskāra'' therefore according to ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. The Nārada Muni instruction, if this ''saṁskāra'', ''garbhādhāna-saṁskāra'' is not observed in the higher caste families then immediately he falls down to the category of ''śūdras''. And as such according to ''śāstra'' at the present moment everyone has to be accepted, ''kalau śūdra sambhava''.
So we are selecting according to that is considered to be the real. In the Kali-yuga there is no scope for Vedic initiation because according to ''śāstra'', Vedic initiation is especially meant for the higher castes, ''brahmin'', ''kṣatriya'', ''vaiśya''. But because in this age there is no ''garbhādhāna-saṁskāra'' therefore according to ''Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam''. The Nārada Muni instruction, if this ''saṁskāra'', ''garbhādhāna-saṁskāra'' is not observed in the higher caste families then immediately he falls down to the category of ''śūdras''. And as such according to ''śāstra'' at the present moment everyone has to be accepted, ''kalau śūdra sambhava''.


Devotee: Hmm.
'''Devotee:''' Hmm.


'''Prabhupāda:''' Therefore the Vedic ''dīkṣā'' is not possible because ''śūdra'' cannot be initiated according to Vedic ''dīkṣā''. But ''pāñcarātrikīviddhi dīkṣā'' is allowed in our Vaiṣṇava community, especially in our Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ''samāja''. So this ''pāñcarātrikīviddhi'' means that if anyone has a little instinct for serving the Lord he should be picked up and he should be trained up to become a qualified ''brahmin'' and then he should be initiated as Vaiṣṇava.
'''Prabhupāda:''' Therefore the Vedic ''dīkṣā'' is not possible because ''śūdra'' cannot be initiated according to Vedic ''dīkṣā''. But ''pāñcarātrikīviddhi dīkṣā'' is allowed in our Vaiṣṇava community, especially in our Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava ''samāja''. So this ''pāñcarātrikīviddhi'' means that if anyone has a little instinct for serving the Lord he should be picked up and he should be trained up to become a qualified ''brahmin'' and then he should be initiated as Vaiṣṇava.


Devotee: ''Nāma-bhāṣya''
'''Devotee:''' ''Nāma-bhāṣya''


'''Prabhupāda:''' So these boys and girls who are present here they are first of all admitted as ordinary human being. When I started my propaganda in New York, Second Avenue, 26 Second Avenue. At that time, only half a dozen boys were coming and hearing. That hearing means, I was singing, chanting this Hare Krishna ''mantra'' and reading some verses from the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and they were patiently hearing because I will know if somebody patiently hears the holy name of Kṛṣṇa or about his pastimes.
'''Prabhupāda:''' So these boys and girls who are present here they are first of all admitted as ordinary human being. When I started my propaganda in New York, Second Avenue, 26 Second Avenue. At that time, only half a dozen boys were coming and hearing. That hearing means, I was singing, chanting this Hare Krishna ''mantra'' and reading some verses from the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' and they were patiently hearing because I will know if somebody patiently hears the holy name of Kṛṣṇa or about his pastimes.
Line 163: Line 163:
What is that ''svarūpa''? That ''svarūpa'' is described by Lord Caitanya, ''jīvera svarūpa haya nitya-kṛṣṇa-dāsa''. This is ''svarūpa'', so as soon as you come to this understanding that I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, that is liberation. That ''ahaṁ brahmāsmi'', so '''ham'' they are all included, so ''ham'' means I am qualitatively one with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is ''sac-cid-ānanda vigraha'', I am also ''sac-cid-ānanda vigraha''. But the difference is Kṛṣṇa is ''prabhu'', ''vibhu'' and I am ''anu''. That is the difference, that is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy, ''acintya-bhedābheda-tattva''. Simultaneously one and different.
What is that ''svarūpa''? That ''svarūpa'' is described by Lord Caitanya, ''jīvera svarūpa haya nitya-kṛṣṇa-dāsa''. This is ''svarūpa'', so as soon as you come to this understanding that I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, that is liberation. That ''ahaṁ brahmāsmi'', so '''ham'' they are all included, so ''ham'' means I am qualitatively one with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is ''sac-cid-ānanda vigraha'', I am also ''sac-cid-ānanda vigraha''. But the difference is Kṛṣṇa is ''prabhu'', ''vibhu'' and I am ''anu''. That is the difference, that is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy, ''acintya-bhedābheda-tattva''. Simultaneously one and different.


Devotee: Yes.
'''Devotee:''' Yes.


'''Prabhupāda:''' So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being propagated all over the world to make people understand that he is eternal servant God, Kṛṣṇa. When we say Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa means God and when we say God, God means Kṛṣṇa, ''kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam'' ([[SB 1.3.28|SB 1.3.28]]).
'''Prabhupāda:''' So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being propagated all over the world to make people understand that he is eternal servant God, Kṛṣṇa. When we say Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa means God and when we say God, God means Kṛṣṇa, ''kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam'' ([[SB 1.3.28|SB 1.3.28]]).
Line 225: Line 225:
That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement it is not a sectarian religious movement even religious parties in European and American countries they are appreciating our movement. They are appreciating, they are not against, just like in this country some of our national, some of our countrymen they protest against Christian religion being spread here. But so far I am concerned I have never received any protest or any resistance by the Christian community. Rather they are appreciating, they are. It is I mean to say. Hmm.
That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement it is not a sectarian religious movement even religious parties in European and American countries they are appreciating our movement. They are appreciating, they are not against, just like in this country some of our national, some of our countrymen they protest against Christian religion being spread here. But so far I am concerned I have never received any protest or any resistance by the Christian community. Rather they are appreciating, they are. It is I mean to say. Hmm.


Devotee: Quote?
'''Devotee:''' Quote?


'''Prabhupāda:''' Quoted in the newspaper that, "These people are very nice people."
'''Prabhupāda:''' Quoted in the newspaper that, "These people are very nice people."


Devotee: Hmm.
'''Devotee:''' Hmm.


'''Prabhupāda:''' "We want more of them," that is said. One Christian priest he issued one pamphlet in which he said frankly that, "these boys these young boys they are so much after God that they are dancing on the street chanting and after being instructed by Swamiji but we could not give them." Rather they are admitting they never attended church, all these boys and girls, they never attended.
'''Prabhupāda:''' "We want more of them," that is said. One Christian priest he issued one pamphlet in which he said frankly that, "these boys these young boys they are so much after God that they are dancing on the street chanting and after being instructed by Swamiji but we could not give them." Rather they are admitting they never attended church, all these boys and girls, they never attended.

Revision as of 02:23, 31 August 2023

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada



711129LE-VRNDAVAN - November 29, 1971 - 43:36 Minutes



Devotee: Engagement, November 28, evening (break) November 29, evening (break) Vṛndāvana.

(introduction by the Governor and Mayor)

Governor: Vṛndāvana is the place of Rādhārānī and Lord Kṛṣṇa. Rādhārānī and Lord Kṛṣṇa whenever they are pleased upon someone they call them to this holy place. Otherwise one has no right to come to this place. Yesterday Swamiji . . . (indistinct) . . . how he went to America and he said that when he went there he had only 40 rupees . . . (indistinct) . . . but he had one thing more, you perhaps know? And in India we call it a precious stone it is called pāras. Pāras is a stone which turns iron into gold.

That pāras he had with him that pāras is the nama-saṅkīrtana of Lord Kṛṣṇa. This he had with him but you may just put the question is pāras always acting? No. pāras is not always acting because from 1922 to 1965 he had to wait for that, where is pāras acting? pāras is acting illusionary while Rādhārānīis free from sambandha. While Rādhārānī was free from . . . (indistinct) . . . that pāras became effective and that pāras has collected you all in its fold. You, you may say even when Rādhārānī is pleased, is there some way to approach Rādhārānī?

There is. You can't go directly to Rādhārānī as in courts of law you go through a Wakeel (lawyer), in the same way if you want to approach Rādhārānī you have to take help of sambandha. Who is that prabhu from whom you can take help? He is the gurudeva. If gurudeva can take you to Rādhārānī, Rādhārānī will accept you. And please keep in mind that it's by the grace of Rādhārānī and Lord Kṛṣṇa and by the kindness of your gurudeva you have come to see Rādhārānī. Take it for granted that Rādhārānī is actually pleased for you. You. He comes from Japan, he comes from Africa and.

Devotee: America.

Governor: Friend here comes from America and German. Do you think you could come here without the kindness of Rādhārānī? Or without the kindness of Kṛṣṇa? If you have come and if you have just received the elevations of bhakti . . . (indistinct) . . . of this holy dhāma it is due to the kindness of your gurudeva. We, we are all very thankful to him for bringing you all here and on behalf of the people of this place, on behalf of our young mayor on behalf of the authority of the municipality of Vṛndāvana we all welcome you and we wish that you become so offered to this place, this holy place of Lord Kṛṣṇa and Kulaśekhara and dāsānu-dāsa dāsa . . . (indistinct) (applause)

Devotee: This is the mayor of Vṛndāvana speaking.

Mayor: (indistinct) . . . to Svāmī Mahārāja. Appreciating the services he has done for the cause of Vaiṣṇava dharma, for the cause of nāma-saṅkīrtana, for the cause of . . . (indistinct) . . . I had to prayed to Swamiji . . . (indistinct) . . . Lord Kṛṣṇa is the only way . . . (indistinct) . . . of the earth . . . (indistinct) . . . bhakti-bhāva is very important (break)

Prabhupāda: (indistinct) . . . my disciples there are gṛhasthas and sannyāsīs, brahmacārīs, like that. We are establishing daiva-varṇāśrama-dharma as Lord Kṛṣṇa has said in the Bhagavad-gītā:

cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ
guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ
(BG 4.13)

So, these eight divisions, four social orders and four spiritual orders, brāhmin, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha, sannyāsa. So these eight divisions are called varṇāśrama-dharma and Indian or Vedic civilisation is based on this varṇāśrama. So Viṣṇu Purāṇa it is said:

Varṇāśramācāravatā
puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān
viṣṇur ārādhyate (panthā)
nānyat tat-toṣa-kāraṇam
(CC Madhya 8.58)

The human civilisation must be based on varṇāśrama-dharma. Well in the Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa says:

manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
kaścid yatati siddhaye
(BG 7.3)

So when Śrīpāda Rāmānujācārya is explaining manuṣyā he says, śāstra adhikāra yajña. Unless one is conversant with the teachings of the lessons of śāstra, he is not to be considered as a human being. Actually that is so, unless one comes to the principles of varṇā and āśrama, one is not to be considered as a human. So this institution the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness is trying to establish this daiva-varṇāśrama.

Daiva-varṇāśrama as Kṛṣṇa says that, cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ, what is created by Kṛṣṇa the Supreme Personality of Godhead must be applicable universally. So this varṇāśrama-dharma is not limited in India or to the community who are known as Hindus. Because Kṛṣṇa claimed that, sarva-yoniṣu kaunteya sambhavanti mūrtayaḥ (BG 14.4) all species of forms, there are 8,400,000 species of life and Kṛṣṇa claims, ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā.

He is father of all, we should not consider that Kṛṣṇa is Hindu or Indian. Kṛṣṇa is for all, these foreigners they have taken to Kṛṣṇa consciousness by understanding that Kṛṣṇa is for all. They have not accepted a form of religious principles like Hindus or Muslims or Christians. These are designated religions, if I am calling myself a Hindu, this is not my religion this is my designation. Because I happen to take birth in a Hindu family therefore I call myself a Hindu. Or because I take birth in a particular land, I call myself Indian or American. But our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is not for such designative personalities.

This Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is, sarvopādhi-vinirmuktam (CC Madhya 19.170), when one becomes freed from all designations he can take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. So long one is Hindu, so long one is Muslim, so long one is Christian, there is no question of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Because Kṛṣṇa he says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁśaraṇaṁ (BG 18.66) that is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Only Kṛṣṇa really, Kṛṣṇa is my Lord and I am his eternal servant, this consciousness is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

If I keep myself as Hindu or as Muslim or Christian then I cannot take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This is not a statement manufactured by me, it is a statement by Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He says: "I am not a brahmin, I am not a kṣatriya, I am not a vaiśya, I am not a śūdra, I am not a brahmacārī, I am not a gṛhastha, I am not a vānaprastha, I am not a sannyāsī. He declines all these designations, then what was He? That He explains himself, gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānu-dāsa (CC Madhya 13.80). (devotee chuckles) So that is our real position, gopī-bhartuḥ Kṛṣṇa and the servant of Kṛṣṇa who is always engaged 24 hours in the service of the lotus feet of Kṛṣṇa. If we accept such devotee as my master, gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānu-dāsa. So that is our real position, so these boys and girls or ladies and gentlemen who have joined they have given up their designations. They are no more Americans or Canadians or Australians they are thinking as eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, gopī-bhartuḥ pada-kamalayor dāsa-dāsānu-dāsa.

So without this consciousness there is no question of liberation from the material contamination but so long there is the material contamination we have to divide the social order and spiritual orders according to śāstra. As brāhmins, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, śūdras, brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vānaprastha and sannyāsa. These are all material designations, so long we are not spiritually advanced, sarvopādhi-vinirmuktaṁ tat-paratvena nirmalam. So long we are not nirmal, nirmal means without contamination of the three modes of material nature. That is called nirmal or mukta.

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is for the nirmalam who are transcendental to these material designations. So these boys, these foreigners, they are being taught in that life but so long this body is there for gradual evolution—of course anyone who takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness immediately he becomes liberated. As it is said in the Bhagavad-gītā:

māṁ ca yo 'vyabhicāreṇa
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa guṇān samatītyaitān
brahma-bhūyāya kalpate
(BG 14.26)

So according to śāstric viddhi, if anyone takes to bhakti-mārga, devotional service, avyabhicāreṇa bhakti then at once he becomes transcendental to all these modes of material nature, sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa, tamo-guṇa. Still Vyāsadeva situated them on the spiritual platform of sattva-guṇa we are accepting them as brahmin after being duly qualified. It is confirmed by Nārada Muni while he was instructing Yudhiṣṭhira Mahārāja, yasya hi yal lakṣaṇaṁ syād.

Indian man: Yasya hi yal lakṣaṇaṁ proktaṁ . . .

Prabhupāda: Aw.

Indian man: varṇābhivyañjakam.

Prabhupāda: Yasya hi yal lakṣaṇaṁ syād varṇābhivyañjakam.

Indian man: Hmm.

Prabhupāda:

yad anyatrāpi dṛśyeta
tat tenaiva vinirdiśet
(SB 7.11.35)

So we are selecting according to that is considered to be the real. In the Kali-yuga there is no scope for Vedic initiation because according to śāstra, Vedic initiation is especially meant for the higher castes, brahmin, kṣatriya, vaiśya. But because in this age there is no garbhādhāna-saṁskāra therefore according to Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. The Nārada Muni instruction, if this saṁskāra, garbhādhāna-saṁskāra is not observed in the higher caste families then immediately he falls down to the category of śūdras. And as such according to śāstra at the present moment everyone has to be accepted, kalau śūdra sambhava.

Devotee: Hmm.

Prabhupāda: Therefore the Vedic dīkṣā is not possible because śūdra cannot be initiated according to Vedic dīkṣā. But pāñcarātrikīviddhi dīkṣā is allowed in our Vaiṣṇava community, especially in our Gauḍīya Vaiṣṇava samāja. So this pāñcarātrikīviddhi means that if anyone has a little instinct for serving the Lord he should be picked up and he should be trained up to become a qualified brahmin and then he should be initiated as Vaiṣṇava.

Devotee: Nāma-bhāṣya

Prabhupāda: So these boys and girls who are present here they are first of all admitted as ordinary human being. When I started my propaganda in New York, Second Avenue, 26 Second Avenue. At that time, only half a dozen boys were coming and hearing. That hearing means, I was singing, chanting this Hare Krishna mantra and reading some verses from the Bhagavad-gītā and they were patiently hearing because I will know if somebody patiently hears the holy name of Kṛṣṇa or about his pastimes.

śṛṇvatāṁ sva-kathāḥ kṛṣṇaḥ
puṇya-śravaṇa-kīrtanaḥ
hṛdy antaḥ stho hy abhadrāṇi
vidhunoti suhṛt satām
(SB 1.2.17)

Simply by hearing Kṛṣṇa's message, then Kṛṣṇa helps him to be purified within and Caitanya Mahāprabhu also says that, ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam (CC Antya 20.12). This chanting of Hare Krishna mantra means cleansing the dirty things accumulated in our hearts, due to the contamination of material nature. So actually it so happens, these boys and girls, I'm speaking boys and girls because in the western countries there is no distinction between boys and girls. They are given equal liberties, in our country still there is discrimination, I mean to say, grown-up boys and girls are not allowed to mix together although it is going now. But in European and American countries, western countries, there is no such restriction.

So there is no possibility of making any distinction between the boys and the girls. So both of them are attending. So by hearing the chanting of Hare Krishna mantra, I was chanting in the Park, Tomkinson's Square and these boys and girls used to surround me and dance and chant with the Hare Krishna mantra. In this way when some of them become a little advanced, purified they came forward, "Swamiji, please accept me as your disciple."

So my condition was that anyone who wants to become my disciple must be free from the four kinds of sinful activities. Illegitimate connection with women, meat eating, intoxication and gambling. In this way on these conditions these boys and girls were accepted as my disciples. And according to the pāñcarātrikīviddhi when they are fairly advanced they are given the sacred thread, upanayana-saṁskāra. Following the path and instruction of my guru mahārāja His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Gosvāmī Prabhu.

So actually according to śāstra they should not be considered as coming from families of mlecchas and yavanas. We should not consider like that because they are now purified. How they have become purified? That is also mentioned by Śukadeva Gosvāmī in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, you know of:

kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā
ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ
ye 'nye ca pāpā, ye 'nye ca pāpā yad-apāśrayāśrayāḥ
śudhyanti (tasmai) prabhaviṣṇave namaḥ
(SB 2.4.18)

How to become purified? By taking shelter of a bona-fide spiritual master. That is to be answered that, prabhaviṣṇave. That is the extraordinary power of Lord Viṣṇu nobody can check it. So they are all purified according to the pāñcarātrikīviddhi. And, many of them have got the sacred thread, they are doubly initiated. The first initiation is given chanting Hare Krishna mantra, they are given the beads and they must chant a number, saṅkhyā-pūrvaka-nāma-gāna-natibhiḥ (Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka 6). As the Gosvāmīs used to perform a fixed up number of chanting.

So I have not allowed them to imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura who happened to take his birth in a Mohammedan family but he was chanting 300,000 holy names of the Lord. And He, Caitanya Mahāprabhu appointed him nāmācārya. Caitanya Mahāprabhu appeared to put significance on the chanting of the holy name but he appointed his special representative to chant Hare Krishna mantra, Haridāsa Ṭhākura. Although he happened to take his birth in the Mohammedan family.

Similarly Rūpa-Sanātana Gosvāmī, you know all their names sad-gosvāmī, vande śrī rūpa-sanātanam raghu-yugau śrī-jīva-gopālakau. So these Rūpa-Sanātana although they were born in brāhmin families, sārasvata brāhmin families. Because they accepted service of a Mohammedan King they were rejected from the brahmin community.

And they changed their names, Sākara Mallika and Dabira Khāsa. And by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu they became the leaders of this viddhi, Vṛndāvana dhāma. And they were appointed the first gosvāmīs. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu's movement and Kṛṣṇa's instruction is not limited in India or in some particular community or country or climate or surroundings. It is universal, Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is universal and Kṛṣṇa's desire was there, that:

māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya
ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ
striyo vaiśyās tathāśūdrās
te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatim
(BG 9.32)

So the other day one young boy was asking, why this discrimination for the woman? But that is not discrimination, in the material world the such discrimination must be there because we are being ruled by the three modes of material nature, sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa, tamo-guṇa.

prakṛteḥ kriyamāṇāni
guṇaiḥ karmāṇi sarvaśaḥ
(BG 3.27)

We are under the clutches of prakṛti, the three modes of material nature. So there must be distinction sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa, tamo-guṇa. But not distinction by birth, that distinction should be according to guṇa and karma. Just like Cait. Lord Kṛṣṇa said personally, guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ (BG 4.13), cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ and Nārada Muni confirms it.

yad anyatrāpi dṛśyeta
tat tenaiva vinirdiśet
(SB 7.11.35)

And Śrīdhara Svāmī has commented on this point that birth is not important, the quality is important. Therefore our, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a propagation to bring back the human society on its real consciousness. Real consciousness is Kṛṣṇa consciousness because every living entity is eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. So when it comes to this understanding that I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa that is his mukti, that is his transcendental liberated stage.

As soon as he likes. So long he thinks otherwise, that I am Indian, I am American, I am brāhmin, I am śūdra, I am this I am that. That means he is still contaminated. Even if he thinks that, "I am brāhmin," even if he thinks that "I am sannyāsī," he is contaminated. He is simply free from all contamination when he thinks that "I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa," jīvera svarūpa haya nitya-kṛṣṇa-dāsa (CC Madhya 20.108). That is mukti—the Bhāgavata says:

muktir hitvānyathā rūpaṁ
sva-rūpeṇa vyavasthitiḥ
(SB 2.10.6)

What is that svarūpa? That svarūpa is described by Lord Caitanya, jīvera svarūpa haya nitya-kṛṣṇa-dāsa. This is svarūpa, so as soon as you come to this understanding that I am eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, that is liberation. That ahaṁ brahmāsmi, so 'ham they are all included, so ham means I am qualitatively one with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is sac-cid-ānanda vigraha, I am also sac-cid-ānanda vigraha. But the difference is Kṛṣṇa is prabhu, vibhu and I am anu. That is the difference, that is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's philosophy, acintya-bhedābheda-tattva. Simultaneously one and different.

Devotee: Yes.

Prabhupāda: So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is being propagated all over the world to make people understand that he is eternal servant God, Kṛṣṇa. When we say Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa means God and when we say God, God means Kṛṣṇa, kṛṣṇas tu bhagavān svayam (SB 1.3.28).

So all these boys they are convinced to this philosophy of life that I am eternal Kṛṣṇa's servant. And this realisation not very easily attained. Kṛṣṇa says personally:

manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
kaścid yatati siddhaye
yatatām api siddhānāṁ
kaścin vetti māṁ tattvataḥ
(BG 7.3)

So to understand Kṛṣṇa is not very easy task but by Lord Caitanya's grace it has become easy. Otherwise Kṛṣṇa says that, "to understand Me is not very easy," yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaścin vetti māṁ tattvataḥ. But this chanting of Hare Krishna mantra is so powerful that it cleanses the heart, the dirty things, of all the dirty things accumulated since our contamination of this material nature and how we contaminated this material nature that is also described by one Vaiṣṇava kavi and Kṛṣṇa himself, icchā-dveṣa-samutthena sarge yānti parantapa (BG 7.27). And the same verse is translated into Bengali in a nice way:

kṛṣṇa bhuliya jīva bhoga vāñchā kare
pāśate māyā tāre jāpaṭiyā dhare
(Prema-vivarta)

As soon as we forget Kṛṣṇa as our master, the supreme master, the Lord. Immediately the māyā captures you. Another place:

kṛṣṇa—sūrya-sama, māyā haya andhakāra
yāhāṅ kṛṣṇa, tāhāṅ nāhi māyāra adhikāra
(CC Madhya 22.31)

So Kṛṣṇa is so nice as soon as one becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, immediately he becomes liberated. Immediately he becomes liberated and, ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanaṁ bhava-mahā-dāvāgni-nirvāpaṇaṁ (CC Antya 20.12). Then all anxieties, this material existence means full of anxieties, sadā samudvigna-dhiyām asad-grahāt (SB 7.5.5). Prahlāda Mahārāja told because we have accepted something which is temporary asat, we don't say false. We don't see this world as false as the Māyāvādī philosopher says, brahma satyaṁ jagan mithyā.

No, why jagan mithyā? Jagat is also a fact because Kṛṣṇa is the origin of this jagat, janmādy asya yataḥ (SB 1.1.1) Kṛṣṇa says ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ (BG 10.8). So why anything emanating from Kṛṣṇa should be false? It cannot be. So therefore we don't accept this world as false, we accept it as reality but it becomes false when we try to enjoy it. Just like if I take away some other's property and want to enjoy it. That is, the thing is reality but my spirit of enjoyment is false. Therefore Śrīla Rūpa Gosvāmī says:

anāsaktasya viṣayān
yathārham upayuñjataḥ
nirbandhe kṛṣṇa-sambandhe
yukta-vairāgyam ucyate
(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.255)

So our philosophy is that we don't accept this world as false but we accept it, that it is not enjoyable by us. Then it is enjoyable by Kṛṣṇa, therefore whatever there is never mind, when it is employed in Kṛṣṇa's service that is yukta-vairāgya. On the other hand as the Māyāvādī philosopher says this world is false, that is also stated by the gosvāmī's.

prāpañcikatayā buddhyā
hari-sambandhi-vastunaḥ
mumukṣubhiḥ parityāgo
phalgu-vairāgya kathyate
(Bhakti-rasāmṛta-sindhu 1.2.256)

Prāpañcikatayā buddhyā that "this is material" or "this is not working, I cannot touch money, my hands become polluted by touching money." No. Why? Money is Lakṣmī, Lakṣmī is to be enjoyed by Nārāyaṇa so therefore Lakṣmī should be, I mean to say, placed for the service of Nārāyaṇa.

prāṇair arthair dhiyā vācā
śreya-ācaraṇaṁ sadā
(SB 10.22.35)

Therefore our . . . (indistinct) . . . philosophy, just like in the western countries we are very luxuriously situated there. My disciples they have given me my residential quarters which even the governor cannot imagine. (devotee chuckles)

How the luxurious apartments there because I remember sometimes back one night I was guest in the Lucknow Governor's house. At that time Biswanath Das was the governor. He was personally known to me, he came also here in Vṛndāvana. So I remember that this kind of luxurious apartment I enjoy, or I have the opportunity to lie down in such apartment one night. But they are giving me all it. So we cannot reject that because that is the standard of living there. If I say, "no I shall not lie down in this nice apartment, I shall lie down on the street, I'm a sannyāsī." Then nobody will care for me, there the standard of living is like that.

Therefore Rūpa Gosvāmī says, that you should not be attached to that room but for the service of Kṛṣṇa, if you are. If you have to use such room you should use it.

That was my guru mahārāja's philosophy and that is the real philosophy because bhoga and tyāga these conception of life is false. Bhoga, if the karmīs, they are trying to enjoy this material world and jñānīs after being fed up or being defeated in the matter of enjoying this material world they give it up as false.

Just like the jackal in the orchard of grapes, he tried to get it by jumping, jumping, jumping and when he could not get—he leaves the garden, "the grapes are sour." That kind of philosophical movement, why this world is nityā? It is also satya, if Kṛṣṇa is satya his creation is satya but this satya should be engaged for the satya's service, not for the māyā's service.

People are engaged in the service of māyā but we want to engage everything in the service of the Lord. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, so we are using aeroplanes, we are using dictaphones, we are using typewriters, machines, electric machines so many things we are using. Even for cleansing our clothes we are using machines, so that is the system there. In each and every centre we have got four motor cars. We cannot do without, in Europe, in America practically no gentleman walks on the street. That is the system there, so we have to use it but we should not be attached to it. Our attachment should be only to Kṛṣṇa and for Kṛṣṇa's service we can accept anything.

That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement it is not a sectarian religious movement even religious parties in European and American countries they are appreciating our movement. They are appreciating, they are not against, just like in this country some of our national, some of our countrymen they protest against Christian religion being spread here. But so far I am concerned I have never received any protest or any resistance by the Christian community. Rather they are appreciating, they are. It is I mean to say. Hmm.

Devotee: Quote?

Prabhupāda: Quoted in the newspaper that, "These people are very nice people."

Devotee: Hmm.

Prabhupāda: "We want more of them," that is said. One Christian priest he issued one pamphlet in which he said frankly that, "these boys these young boys they are so much after God that they are dancing on the street chanting and after being instructed by Swamiji but we could not give them." Rather they are admitting they never attended church, all these boys and girls, they never attended.

Now gradually churches are being sold. So Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is so nice that if it is presented nicely all over the world, it will be accepted. Now in your Abhayananda Patra you have mentioned in the paramparā, Vivekananda. So we may differ in that sense because Vivekananda's principles and our principles is different. Our paramparā is Kṛṣṇa:

evaṁparamparā-prāptam
imaṁ rājarṣayo viduḥ
(BG 4.2)

That paramparā, Kṛṣṇa says that "I am the Supreme Personality of Godhead," ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavo (BG 10.8).

mām eva ye prapadyante
māyām etāṁ taranti te
(BG 7.14)
man-manā bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yājī māṁ namaskuru
(BG 18.65)

We are preaching this paramparā, not that everyone is God. Not that God is loitering in the street, we don't say. That is not our paramparā, our paramparā is Kṛṣṇa as He says, we are presenting Bhagavad-gītā As It Is. Not with false commentary, no we don't do that. We are presenting. Our business is very easy because Kṛṣṇa says that:

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁśaraṇaṁ vraja
(BG 18.66)

We also said, give up everything surrender to Kṛṣṇa. So we have no difficulty, we are simply repeating the words of Kṛṣṇa. And Caitanya Mahāprabhu blessed that; āmāra ājñāya guru hañā, tāra' ei, yāre dekha, tāre kaha "Kṛṣṇa". So our business is very easy we don't require to undergo very deep philosophy. The simple philosophy is that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, you surrender to Kṛṣṇa and these boys and girls because they are blank slates, simple hearted they accepted it and therefore they are making progress. But in our country it is very difficult, if I say Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

There will be many protests, of course I don't expect that protest in Vṛndāvana but in other places.

They will say: "No, we have got our god's why Kṛṣṇa should be alone God?" Therefore they are not making progress. They want to be cheated, they want to take false things, therefore there is no progress, spiritual progress. They are lacking behind . . . lacking behind . . . but they had no false thoughts in their mind or hodgepodge in their head. I told them Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead they accepted it and it is going on.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Hare Kṛṣṇa. (applause and cheering) (end)