680310 - Lecture Initiation - San Francisco

Lectures by Date, 1968

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

 Listen to a 'Nectar Drop' created from this lecture

680310IN-SAN FRANCISCO - March 10, 1968 - 62.53 Minutes

Prabhupāda: (aside) Where is Annapurna?

Devotee: Coming.

Devotee: Is everything all right?

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Devotee: Is everything all right?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Chant.

(kīrtana) (prema-dhvani) Thank you very much. (devotees offer obeisances)

Today's colors are very nice. Who has made it? Or purchased from the market?

Devotee: Pradyumna.

Prabhupāda: Pradyumna. Pradyumna is expert. Very nice colors.

(break) (indistinct) . . . you do like this. Yes. Left hand. No, that's all right. Take water. Yes. Three times. Yes. Once take water. Yes. Take water in the left hand. Yes. Throw it. That's all. Now . . .

nama apavitraḥ pavitro vā

sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā

yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ

sa bāhyābhyantara-śuciḥ

(Garuḍa Purāṇa)

śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu

Take again. Do that, like. Yes. Yes.

nama apavitraḥ pavitro vā

sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā

yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ

sa bāhyābhyantara-śuciḥ

(Garuḍa Purāṇa)

śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu

Take again. Outside. Not there. First there.

nama apavitraḥ pavitro vā

sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā

yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ

sa bāhyābhyantara-śuciḥ

(Garuḍa Purāṇa)

śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu

The meaning of this mantra is apavitraḥ pavitro vā. Apavitraḥ means unclean, and pavitra means clean. So anyone who may be unclean or clean, it doesn't matter. Apavitraḥ pavitro vā sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā.

Sarva means all; avastha means condition. "In whatever condition one may be, either unclean or clean," yaḥ, "anyone who," smaret, "remembers," puṇḍarīkākṣam . . . puṇḍarīkākṣam means Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa's another name is puṇḍarīkākṣam.

Yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣam sa: "That person," bahya, "externally," abhyantaram, "internally," śuciḥ, "becomes at once purified." Śrī-viṣṇu, śrī-viṣṇu, śrī-viṣṇu. Puṇḍarīkākṣam, Kṛṣṇa or Viṣṇu. So this is the remembrance. Śrī-viṣṇu, namaḥ śrī-viṣṇu śrī-viṣṇu.

So this initiation means purification. In this material world we are all impure. Because we are impure, therefore death, disease, old age and pangs of birth overcome us. Just like in diseased condition—we have experience—there are so many painful conditions, similarly, in this materialistic way of life these symptoms, birth, death, disease and old age, they are different kinds of miseries. The rascals, materialist, they are thinking that they're making advance, but they have no solution for these things.

The solution is by tapasya. Tapasya means voluntarily accepting some rules and regulation to purify myself. That is called tapasya. Just like in diseased condition, one has to voluntarily accept the rules and regulation enforced by the physician, "You should not eat this. You should not do this. You should not go out. You should take rest." You should not, should not, should not, so many. Similarly, if we want to purify ourselves, then four principles of purificatory process, namely illicit sex life and intoxication, meat-eating and gambling, these four things must be . . .

These four things are paraphernalia of your civilization. In the Western . . . not only Western; Eastern, everywhere. The Kali-yuga is spreading very rapidly, and wherever the Kali-yuga is very prominent, these four items are very prominent: unrestricted sex life, gambling and meat-eating and intoxication. When people become practiced to all this nonsense, they think, "Oh, what is wrong there?" But it is the most abominable part of human civilization. Anyone who are indulging in these four things, they cannot imagine when and how he will be free from this conditional life. So this is the purificatory process.

So as you are being initiated, initiation means beginning of your purificatory process. So if we are serious about purification, then we must follow these four principles, if we want to be cured. Of course, this chanting of hari-nāma will make you purified. That's nice. But just like this fire I am going to ignite. This is dried firewood. But if I help it, to keep it dry, then the fire will be very nice, blazing fire. But if I pour water on it, then it will be difficult to ignite. Similarly, the fire of Kṛṣṇa consciousness will keep you always progressing, but at the same time, if we also voluntarily do not pour water on that fire, then it will be nice.

Similarly, Kṛṣṇa consciousness or chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa will keep you progressing. At the same time, voluntarily, if you do not commit all these nonsenses, then it will be very nice. And if you continue this water-pouring, then . . . just like a man is taking medicine, at the same time doing all nonsense. Then his disease will not be cured, or may take very, very long time. So we should not be irresponsible in that way, because life is very short. We do not know when death is coming, especially in these days. We are moving in the street, we are moving by plane, we are moving . . . every step, there is danger. Padaṁ padaṁ yad vipadām (SB 10.14.58). It is a place of danger.

So our life . . . we should consider this human form of life, especially Kṛṣṇa conscious life, is very important life. We should not be inattentive. So we should be very careful. Kṛṣṇa will, of course, protect you, but at the same time, we have got consciousness.

We should also take care that before the next death comes, we must be fully prepared for being transferred to Kṛṣṇaloka. And it is very simple thing. If you keep yourself constantly in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that's the only thing. Then you are sure to be going transferred next life. As I was explaining last night, simply by understanding Kṛṣṇa.

Kṛṣṇa is not like us. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. How He is Supreme Personality of Godhead? That He proved when . . . while He was present. The history is there, Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, Kṛṣṇa's activities, Kṛṣṇa's wisdom, lecture, Bhagavad-gītā. Everything is there. They are the proofs.

There is a very nice verse by Yamunācārya that there are authentic literatures, there are authentic personalities, and they accept Kṛṣṇa as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Authentic literatures, they give proof that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And by His wonderful activities we can understand that He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. But still, the atheistic rascal will not accept. You see?

There are sufficient proof. Just like Arjuna says: "Kṛṣṇa, You are the paraṁ brahma. It is not that because I am Your friend I am flattering You. You have been accepted by authorities like Vyāsadeva, Nārada, in all scriptures, and You are personally explaining Yourself." So there is no doubt about it, but the demons, in spite of all this—dog's obstinacy—they will not accept. So let them go to hell.

So far we are concerned, Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. His body is eternal, full of bliss and full of knowledge, and sac-cid-ānanda-vigrahaḥ (Bs. 5.1). Yes. If we simply remember that Kṛṣṇa is like that, and as soon as we chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, we remember Kṛṣṇa, and we understand that He is the Supreme Personality. This very consciousness will lead you.

It is not very difficult. It is very easy, always thinking of Kṛṣṇa. And those who have taken already, they are thinking of Kṛṣṇa, and they are making progress both, I mean to say . . . their health is improving, their mind is becoming very nice. So you will be also feeling. There is no need of talking. You will yourself feel. But you must follow. And there are ten kinds of offenses. That also you should avoid. And these rules and regulation.

Now chant mantra.

vande 'haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś ca

śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṇa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa-jīvam

sādvaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṇa-caitanya-devaṁ

śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-pādān saha-gaṇa-lalitā-śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś ca

nama om viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya

bhūtale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine.

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

śrīmate bhaktisiddhānta-sarasvatīti nāmine

śrī-vārṣabhānavī-devī-dayitāya kṛpā

śrī-vārṣa bhānavī-devī kṛpā

śrī-gaura-karuṇā-śakti-vigrahāya namo 'stu te

mādhuryojjvala-premāḍhya-śrī-rūpānuga-varāya te

namas te gaura-vāṇī-śrī-mūrtaye dīna-tāriṇe

rūpānuga-viruddhāpasiddhānta-dhvānta-hāriṇe

namo gaura-kiśorāya sākṣād-vairāgya-mūrtaye

vipralambha-rasāmbhode pādāmbujāya te namaḥ

namo bhaktivinodāya sac-cid-ānanda-nāmine

gaura-śakti-svarūpāya rūpānuga-varāya te

(nama) gaurāvirbhāva-bhūmes tvaṁ nirdeṣṭā saj-jana-priyaḥ

vaiṣṇava-sārvabhaumaḥ ṣrī-jagannāthāya te namaḥ

namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te

kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca

patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ bh`akta-rūpa-svarūpakam

bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

he kṛṣṇa karuṇā-sindho dīna-bandho jagat-pate

gopeśa gopikā-kānta rādhā-kānta namo 'stu te

jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gate

mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madana-mohanau

dīvyad-vṛndāraṇya-kalpa-drumādhaḥ

śrīmad-ratnāgāra-siṁhāsana-sthau

śrī-śrī-rādhā-śrīla-govinda-devau

preṣṭhālībhiḥ sevyamānau smarāmi

śrīmān rāsa-rasārambhī vaṁśī-vaṭa-taṭa-sthitaḥ

karṣan veṇu-svanair gopīr gopīnāthaḥśriye 'stu naḥ

tapta-kāñcana-gaurāṅgi rādhe vṛndāvaneśvari

vṛṣabhānu-sute devī praṇamāmi hari-priye

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare

hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

Now. Put that. Put beads.

Begin from one end: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. Sixteen names.

When finished, sixteen finished, then take another bead: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. In this way there are hundred and eight beads, hundred and eight, and finish here, again begin from there, from here, sixteen rounds. Don't touch this finger, only like this. Keep one bag, so that it may not touch ground, dust. This should be treated very sanctified.

Take. What is your name?

Devotee: Barbara.

Prabhupāda: Bar . . . Barbara? Oh. So your name should be beginning with 'B' . . . what is beginning with 'B'? . . . your name should be Barāha Dāsī. Barāha Dāsī.

Devotee: Varāha?

Prabhupāda: Barāha Dāsī.

Devotee: Barāha dāsī Dāsī?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Barāha who incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. Barāha-B A R A H-Barāha. And you are servant, maidservant of Barāha. That means Kṛṣṇa Dāsī. Barāha Dāsī.

So at least you have got that 10 times of offences.

(aside) You can give her.

Devotee: (indistinct) . . . right now (pause)

Prabhupāda: Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Begin chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Prabhupāda: In the fire of Kṛṣṇa consciousness all māyā burnt to ashes. So in the beginning we shall be very careful. I may not extinguish. Ādau śraddhā tataḥ sādhu-saṅgo (CC Madhya 23.14-15). Śraddhā you have got this faith that you wanted to be initiated. This is nice. Now you have to increase this faith by association. You are daily attending our class there?

Devotee: In the last class?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Thank you. This association will help. No other process. Saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ. If you associate with intoxicants then you will increase that tendency and if you associate with Kṛṣṇa conscious persons. Then you will increase this also. Association is very important. Therefore we are trying to open so many branches. So that people may take advantage of the association. That is very important thing.

saṅgāt sañjāyate kāmaḥ

kāmāt krodho 'bhijāyate

(BG 2.62)

Devotee: What is that?

Prabhupāda: Now . . . where is the bowl? It's the same? It's the same?

Devotee: Sesame.

Prabhupāda: There is . . . there is . . .

Devotee: Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Prabhupāda: Take, everyone little, little.

nama apavitraḥ pavitro vā

sarvāvasthāṁ gato 'pi vā

yaḥ smaret puṇḍarīkākṣaṁ

sa bāhyābhyantara-śuciḥ

(Garuḍa Purāṇa)

śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu, śrī viṣṇu

nama om viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya

bhūtale śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

vande 'haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś ca

śrī-rūpaṁ . . .

Now stop now take this right hand. Chanting stop . . . yes.

vande 'haṁ śrī-guroḥ śrī-yuta-pada-kamalaṁ śrī-gurūn vaiṣṇavāṁś ca

śrī-rūpaṁ sāgrajātaṁ saha-gaṇa-raghunāthānvitaṁ taṁ sa-jīvam

sādvaitaṁ sāvadhūtaṁ parijana-sahitaṁ kṛṣṇa-caitanya-devaṁ

śrī-rādhā-kṛṣṇa-pādān saha-gaṇa-lalitā-śrī-viśākhānvitāṁś ca

svāhā svā . . .

(break)

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

śrīmate bhaktisiddhānta-sarasvatīti nāmine

śrī-vārṣabhānavī-devī-dayitāya kṛpābdhaye

śrī-gaura-karuṇā-śakti-vigrahāya namo 'stu te

namas te gaura-vāṇī-śrī-mūrtaye dīna-tāriṇe

rūpānuga-viruddhāpasiddhānta-dhvānta-hāriṇe

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya huh . . .

gaura-kiśorāya sākṣād-vairāgya-mūrtaye

vipralambha-rasāmbhode pādāmbujāya te namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya bhaktivinodāya sac-cid-ānanda-nāmine

gaura-śakti-svarūpāya rūpānuga-varāya te

gaurāvirbhāva-bhūmes tvaṁ nirdeṣṭā saj-jana-priyaḥ

vaiṣṇava-sārvabhaumaḥ ṣrī-jagannāthāya te namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

vāñchā-kalpatarubhyaś ca kṛpā-sindhubhya eva ca

patitānāṁ pāvanebhyo vaiṣṇavebhyo namo namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

namo mahā-vadānyāya kṛṣṇa-prema-pradāya te

kṛṣṇāya kṛṣṇa-caitanya-nāmne gaura-tviṣe namaḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

pañca-tattvātmakaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ bhakta-rūpa-svarūpakam

bhaktāvatāraṁ bhaktākhyaṁ namāmi bhakta-śaktikam

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

he kṛṣṇa karuṇā-sindho dīna-bandho jagat-pate

gopeśa gopikā-kānta rādhā-kānta namo 'stu te

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

jayatāṁ suratau paṅgor mama manda-mater gate

mat-sarvasva-padāmbhojau rādhā-madana-mohanau

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

dīvyad-vṛndāraṇya-kalpa-drumādhaḥ

śrīmad-ratnāgāra-siṁhāsana-sthau

śrī-śrī-rādhā-śrīla-govinda-devau

preṣṭhālībhiḥ sevyamānau smarāmi

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

śrīmān rāsa-rasārambhī vaṁśī-vaṭa-taṭa-sthitaḥ

karṣan veṇu-svanair gopīr gopīnāthaḥśriye 'stu naḥ

svāhā, svāhā, svāhā

Take one banana. Take one more. Take in hand. Give me one. Stand up all.

nama oṁ, brahmaṇya, devāya

go, brāhmaṇa, hitāya ca

jagad, dhitāya, kṛṣṇāya

govindāya, namo, namaḥ

(Viṣṇu Purāṇa 1.19.65)

Put this on the fire. Yes.

hare kṛṣṇa hare kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa kṛṣṇa hare hare

hare rāma hare rāma rāma rāma hare hare

Now bow down.

nama oṁ viṣṇu-pādāya kṛṣṇa-preṣṭhāya bhū-tale

śrīmate bhaktivedānta-svāmin iti nāmine

Chant Hare Krsna. Please chant. (break) (end)