Prabhupada: But if you don't
follow the instruction in Bhagavad-gita directly or indirectly.... Krsna says
sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66], if you do not do that and because you may
not understand Krsna.... But Krsna also says tad viddhi pranipatena... You do
not go to a seer, then how you'll understand Krsna? You do not understand
directly or indirectly. Then you are hopeless.Mrs. Sahani: If you don't
understand Krsna directly...
Prabhupada: Neither indirectly. If you don't understand directly, you should go to a person who understands Krsna. But if you don't do either of these things, then how you'll understand Krsna?
Mrs. Sahani: But how to, because in India there's so many...
Prabhupada: Don' talk of India; at any place.
Mrs. Sahani: Any place, yes. But how do we be sure that this person knows Krsna?
Atreya Rsi: How can she be sure that the spiritual master is bona fide?
Prabhupada: If when you see that he does not speak anything except Krsna, that is tattva-darsi. If you are expert businessman in certain line, you have no other business than to talk with on that line. Suppose if you are to purchase some gold, then you have to go to the gold market for dealing with gold. Why should we go to the ice market? That is your ignorance. If you want to know Krsna, then you have to know from the persons who are dealing with Krsna. That's all. They have no other business. Our Krsna consciousness movement means we are dealing with Krsna. That's all. We're writing books, so many books for Krsna. We are preaching and going country to country. We simple deal with Krsna. Therefore the movement is known as "Krsna consciousness." Somebody suggested "Why don't you write 'God consciousness'?" No, if I say "God consciousness," they'll bring so many gods. It is very simple. If we take it seriously, then benefit is there. But if we hesitate, it is our misfortune.
manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascin mam vetti tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]
To understand Krsna is not a joke. Manusyanam sahasresu-out of millions and millions of persons, kascid yatati siddhaye, one may try for perfection of life. And yatatam api siddhanam [Bg. 7.3], and out of many such persons who have attained perfection, kascin vetti mam tattvatah, somebody may know. So to understand Krsna is not so easy job. But Krsna personally comes and teaches about Himself, and still if we do not take, that is our misfortune. If we still interpret, misinterpret rather, then it is our misfortune. What can be done? We should, those who are Indians, Bharatavarsi, we have got a particular duty. Bharata bhumite haila manusya janma yara [Cc. Adi 9.41]. One who has taken birth as a human being in India, he should make his life perfect and distribute the knowledge. So you are outside India, you make your life perfect and distribute this knowledge. This is the duty of Indians. Why outside India they should remain in darkness? Distribute the knowledge. But unless you make your life perfect, how you can distribute?
Mrs. Sahani: Takes very long.
Prabhupada: Eh? Very easy, provided you want to do it.
Mrs. Sahani: But takes long time to surrender to Krsna.
Prabhupada: No long time, I say a moment. Krsna says sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam [Bg. 18.66]. You do it. You can do it in a moment, but you'll not do it. That is the difficulty.
Mrs. Sahani: Yes, we are doing that.
Prabhupada: You can do it immediately, but unfortunately you'll not do it. What can be done? There is a story, I may narrate it. One poor man was begging on the street, and Lord Siva and Parvati was passing as ordinary man. So Parvati requested Lord Siva that this poor man, he's asking, he's begging, so requested him, "Why don't you give him something?" And Lord Siva replied, "Even if I give, he'll not be able to enjoy it. He's so unfortunate." "Oh, that we shall see. Why don't you give?" So Lord Siva, in a watermelon, gave him, say, one thousand dollars. "You take this watermelon." So he thanked him, and after that he thought "What I shall do with this watermelon?" So another man came, "Sir, if you take this watermelon and give me one anna." So he gave one anna and he took it. Because he had no good fortune to take that money within the watermelon. Our fortune is like that. Krsna is giving us the final benefit, but we are not taking care of. This is our misfortune.
Mr. Sahani: It is knowledge, that we don't have the knowledge, or enlightenment that in that watermelon there is something which is worth, or it is only that we don't want to do it, or we don't want to take the trouble?
Prabhupada: That chance is there. You can take the watermelon and cut it, but before that doing if you give it to somebody else, that is your misfortune.
Mr. Sahani: No, fortune is something which we say...
Prabhupada: No, I am talking of misfortune. That the perfect knowledge is being distributed by Krsna, but we are so misfortunate we do not take it. That is my fault. Krsna...
Mr. Sahani: Misfortune is again, is not in the hands of human being.
Prabhupada: No, misfortune is your creation. Fortune... Man is the architect of his own fortune. So you can create your fortune and misfortune. That is the world, going on, so many people, they are working, somebody is creating fortune, somebody is creating misfortune. So anyway, when Krsna directly is giving you the knowledge, perfect knowledge, why don't you take it? Is it not misfortune?
Mr. Sahani: Well, that probably is ignorance.
Prabhupada: THat is misfortune. Ignorance means misfortune. The unfortunate persons are those who are ignorant, uneducated. Therefore you have to take education to become fortunate. And that education is being imparted by Krsna, but you don't take it. That is misfortune. If you take education from Krsna, you become fortunate. So why don't you take it? Krsna has said this very thing.
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg. 7.15]
These are the classes. One who does not take the advantage of Krsna's instruction, he's immediately grouped in these category: duskrtinah, mudhah, naradhamah, mayayapahrta-jnana, asuram bhavam. Krsna says personally. One who does not take to Krsna's instruction, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam [Bg. 18.66], then how he's grouped? He's grouped:
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg. 7.15]
He is grouped. Duskrtinah means he has got intelligence, krti. Krti means one who has got intelligence, merit. But his merit is being utilized for sinful activities, duskrtinah. If merit is used for good work, that is called sukrtina. And if the merit is used for manufacturing something harmful to the human society, then it is duskrtina. Merit is there. A thief, rascal and cheater, he has got good merit, but he's using it for bad purpose. They are duskrtina. Why he has become so? Mudhah. Because he does not know his interest, ass. The example is ass, mudhah. The ass does not know his interest. He is loading tons of cloth for others' interest, for a morsel of grass. And the rascal does not know he can get grass anywhere. Why he is taking so much trouble? Mudhah. Na mam duskrtino, naradhamah. And this human life was meant for understanding this, nara, but he has misused his life's asset. Naradhamah, lowest of the mankind. How it happened? They are so educated. mayayapahrta-jnana. Their education has no value. Why? Asuram bhavam, don't care for Krsna, don't care for God. "We are everything, we are God." This is going on. mayayapahrta-jnana asuram bhavam asritah. These are descriptions in the Bhagavad-gita.
catur-vidha bhajante mam
janah sukrtino 'rjuna
arto jijnasur artharthi
jnani ca bharatarsabha
[Bg. 7.16]
Everything is explained there. If somebody comes to Krsna even with material motive, arto artharthi... There are four classes of men: arto, artharthi, jnani, jijnasur. So jnani, for the sake of knowledge, tries to understand what is God, what is Krsna. Jijnasur, inquisitive, actually what is Krsna. And those who are less than them, when they become distressed, artha, or in need of money, they pray to Krsna. Still, they have gone to Krsna. Therefore they are called sukrtinah. And one who has not gone to Krsna, simply speculating, that description, mayayapahrta-jnana. These things are there.
Mr. Sahani: Maya is also very attached to everybody, it still can be jijnasur and jnani, (Hindi).
Prabhupada: No, no. (Hindi) Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Your first business is to surrender. Then maya will not touch you.
Mrs. Sahani: Krsna says that not even a leaf moves without His desire, and this present life...
Prabhupada: Yes, you have to take sanction. You have to take sanction because Krsna is the supreme controller. If you request repeatedly, "Krsna, I want to steal something," so Krsna will say, "No, no, don't do it, it is not good." But...
Mrs. Sahani: But bhakti...
Prabhupada: It is not bhakti, it is a common affair. You want to do some... Just like a thief. A thief steals very privately, why? Because Krsna says, "Don't do it." But he does still. So Krsna says always good things, but you don't care for it.
Mr. Sahani: But when, as said, that no leaf moves without the intentions of Krsna...
Prabhupada: Without hearing the good advice of Krsna, he does it at his risk. That's all. He'll be arrested, he'll be put into jail. That's all. He'll suffer. But Krsna gives him good counsel, "Don't do it." Mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca. Sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca [Bg. 15.15]. He's situated in every heart, but if you persist to do something, He gives, "All right, do at your risk. What can I do?" You suffer. That independence you have got. Just like State. State does not advise anyone that "You become a criminal." But when he becomes criminal, then put into jail. State says, "Everyone go to the university, be educated," but if you make your choice, go to the prison house, you can make your choice. Similarly, Krsna says everyone, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. But if you make your choice to go to hell, what can He do?
Mrs. Sahani: This means we have the freedom.
Prabhupada: Oh, yes, you he got little freedom. Therefore Krsna says mam ekam saranam vraja, "You do it." He does not force. He can force you. He's all-powerful. But He does not force. He gives you the chance, "Do it, you'll be happy." If you don't do it, that is your choice. Yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. Eh? Find out this verse. Yathecchasi tatha kuru. Krsna gives Arjuna the freedom, "Now I have given you all instruction, now make your choice." Yathecchasi tatha kuru. "Whatever you like, you do." What is the difficulty? Could not find? Ask somebody else.
Atreya Rsi: Hari-sauri's trying.
Prabhupada: Why don't you ask Pradyumna?
Hari-sauri: He's way upstairs...
Prabhupada: But downstairs he cannot come!
Hari-sauri: Well, I tried to look it up in the index.
Prabhupada: Index is not there. It is in the middle, yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. Index you'll find only the beginning. Just after, just before the verse sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66].
Hari-sauri: Oh. Iti te jnanam...
Prabhupada: Ah, iti te jnanam.
Hari-sauri: ...akhyatam guhyad guhyataram maya vimrsyaitad asesena yathecchasi tatha kuru.
Prabhupada: "I have given you knowledge, confidential, more confidential, most confidential. Now you consider, you deliberate upon this and do whatever you like." And what Arjuna replied? Nasto mohah smrtir labdha tvat-prasadan kesava. Find it.
Hari-sauri:
nasto mohah smrtir labdha
tvat-prasadan mayacyuta
sthito 'smi gata-sandehah...
Prabhupada: Sthito 'smi gata-sandehah karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. This is understanding. "Now my illusion is gone," nasto mohah. Smrtir labdha. "I am in my original consciousness." So what you'll do? Karisye vacanam tava. "You are asking to me to fight? I shall do it." Everything is explained. Krsna gives you freedom, yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. And one who understands Krsna, he says, karisye vacanam tava. That's it. Not by interpretation, or refuse by interpretation. That is not Krsna's... Karisye vacanam tava. This is understanding. Otherwise simply waste of time. Srama eva hi kevalam [SB 1.2.8]. If you like, you can waste your time. And find out this verse, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg. 18.69], ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati [Bg 18.68]. Find that verse, ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati.
Pradyumna: What's the first word?
Hari-sauri: Jayanam.
Prabhupada: Read, after sixty-fourth verse, read all the verses.
Pradyumna:
sarva-guhyatamam bhuyah
srnu me paramam vacah
isto 'si me drdham iti
tato vaksyami te hitam
"Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you the most confidential part of knowledge. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit."
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo 'si me
[Bg. 18.65]
"Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
[Bg. 18.66]
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear."
idam te natapaskaya
nabhaktaya kadacana
na casusrusave vacyam
na ca mam yo 'bhyasuyati
"This confidential knowledge may not be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me."
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
[Bg 18.68]
"For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me."
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad
anyah priyataro bhuvi
[Bg. 18.69]
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear."
Prabhupada: This is decided, that if we present this Bhagavad-gita as it is, ya idam param? What is that? Ya idam paramam guhyam [Bg 18.68]?
Pradyumna:
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
[Bg 18.68]
Prabhupada: Asamsayah. So he becomes immediately recognized by Krsna. If you preach Bhagavad-gita as it is, immediately you become recognized. Na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg. 18.69]. So one has to understand it perfectly well and then preach, then his life is perfect. And what Sanjaya says? Yatra yogesvaro?
Pradyumna:
yatra yogesvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama
Prabhupada: Jaya.
Pradyumna: "Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."
Prabhupada: So understand Krsna like Arjuna. Then Krsna is there, Arjuna is there, and all victory is there.
Mrs. Sahani: Krsna is Krsna. Anyone who surrenders to Krsna can become Arjuna? Krsna is Krsna, anyone who surrenders to Krsna...
Prabhupada: He's like Arjuna. He's like Arjuna. What is Arjuna's qualification? He surrendered, and he says karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. You become also Arjuna-like.
Mrs. Sahani: And the victory is there.
Prabhupada: Yes, then victory is there. But if one can avoid Krsna or kill Krsna, then where is victory?
Mrs. Sahani: Victory.
Prabhupada: Victory, any man you can say victory. Where there is Krsna, there is victory.
Mr. Sahani: But we don't want to go and fight like Arjuna, go out and kill people.
Prabhupada: Why? If Krsna orders, you must. Why don't you like? That is your misfortune. What Krsna's... Karisye vacanam tava. That is following. You like or may not like. Arjuna did not like to fight. That's a fact. Therefore whole Bhagavad-gita is spoken to him. Arjuna did not like fight. But when he understood Bhagavad-gita, he said, "Yes," karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. You cannot give your verdict. What Krsna says, you have to do it. That is Krsna conscious. You like or don't like, that doesn't matter. Just like a child. He likes or not likes, but what the parent says, he has to do. That is his success. If the child says, "Father, I don't like to go to school," will the father agree? "No, you must go to school." And if he agrees, that is his benefit. Our liking, not liking, has no value. What Krsna likes, we have to do it. Anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [Cc. Madhya 19.167], that is bhakti. Bhakti means anukulyena krsnanu-silanam. You have to act which is favorable to Krsna. That is bhakti. You cannot make you choice. What Krsna says, you do it. That is bhakti. [break] What is their reason?
Mrs. Sahani: Well, they were not even Krsna conscious people.
Prabhupada: Who?
Mrs. Sahani: Kauravas.
Prabhupada: Kaurava, oh. Yes. No, not that they are not Krsna conscious, they may be. That's all right. My business is to execute what Krsna says. That's all. That is bhakti.
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa
sevanam bhaktir ucyate
[Cc. Madhya 19.170]
Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady anavrtam anukulyena krsnanu [Brs. 1.1.11]. We have to act to satisfy Krsna. That is bhakti. We cannot make our choice, that "This is good, this is bad." Whatever Krsna says is all right. Then it is bhakti. Arjuna proposed that "Krsna, why shall I fight with my brothers? After all, they are my brothers. They are enjoying the kingdom. Let them enjoy. I shall better live by begging. Why shall I fight with them?" It is a very good proposal, very gentlemanlike. But Krsna said, "No, you must fight." Kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam anarya-justam -- "You're talking like anarya. Fight." This is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. And when he understood that "Krsna wants it," he said, "Yes" -- karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. "Yes." So we cannot discriminate what is good or bad. We have to act according to the order of Krsna. That is wanted. But you cannot do independently also. When Krsna orders, you do it. And Krsna will order when you are faithful servant. Buddhi-yogam dadami tam.
tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
[Bg. 10.10]
tesam evanukampartham
aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma...
[Bg. 10.11]
This is the process. If we manufacture our own ways, that is nonsense, that will not help us.
Mr. Sharma: When one person surrenders to God, to Lord Krsna, so does maya automatically vanish?
Prabhupada: Yes. Krsna says...
Mr. Sharma: If I say, I pray to God, "O Lord Krsna, I surrender unto You." So is..., maya will not touch me? I will not be affected by this material infection?
Prabhupada: Yes. If you fully surrender, maya will not touch you.
Mr. Sharma: How one surrenders? What is meaning of surrender?
Prabhupada: Surrender as He says, sarva-dharman... You have nothing to do. You have simply to do what Krsna says. That is surrender. You cannot reserve anything, that "I do it something for me and something for Krsna." That is not surrender. You have nothing to do except what Krsna says. That is surrender.
Mr. Sharma: If that is surrender, means I now surrender.
Prabhupada: Otherwise, it's not surrender.
Mr. Sharma: Only saying is not surrender?
Prabhupada: You have to act, become active.
Mr. Sharma: So one who has surrendered, what is his thinking and acting, how he lives in the world?
Prabhupada: He's active only on Krsna's business. That's all. He has no other business.
Mr. Sharma: So he does no other work. He does only what Krsna has said.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Mr. Sharma: Preaching and this and that.
Prabhupada: Yes, just like we are doing. Krsna said, "Surrender unto Me." And what we are preaching? We are preaching, "Sir, you surrender to Krsna." So what is the difficulty? Is there any difficulty? Krsna said "Surrender unto Me." And if I go to you "Mr. Sharma, you surrender to Krsna." So what is my difficulty?
Mr. Sharma: Suppose I want to surrender to God, to Krsna. How I will do it?
Prabhupada: No, no, first of all my position, because I am working on behalf of Krsna. So Krsna says, "You surrender unto Me." So if I say that "Sir, you surrender to Krsna," so where is my difficulty?
Mr. Sharma: You see, yes, I say I surrender to Krsna.
Prabhupada: You surrender, not surrender, that is you business. But my business is that I am requesting you that you surrender to Krsna. So where is my difficulty? You surrender, not, that is your business. But my business is to canvass, "Sir, you surrender to Krsna." So I am representing. And Krsna says, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg. 18.69]. I have to be recognized by Krsna. That is my business. So if I do agree, then I become recognized by Krsna. You do or not do, that is your business. My only business is to request you.
Mr. Sharma: That I should surrender.
Prabhupada: Yes. But if you accept it, it is good for you; you don't accept it, that is your misfortune. But my business is finished.
Mr. Sharma: So fortune comes very much into it.
Prabhupada: Fortune you create. Man is the architect of his own fortune. If you don't accept Krsna's advice, then unfortunate. But my business is not difficult. We are simply going door to door and asking, "Sir, you become a devotee of Krsna." If he is inquisitive, "How can I become?" "You chant Hare Krsna." So where is my difficulty? Haven't got to pay you something. I simply carry the message of Krsna. And Krsna says na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya [Bg. 18.69]. "He's My most beloved person, who does this." So why shall I give up this simple job and become recognized by Krsna? It is very simple thing. That is the advice of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. "All of you become guru and deliver these persons where you live." So how can I become guru? I have no education, I have no knowledge. No, no. You haven't got to-yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. "You go and simply instruct him what Krsna has said, you become guru." So Krsna has said, "Surrender unto Me," I say "You surrender to Krsna," I become guru. Even though I am a fool number one, I become guru, because I am repeating what Krsna has said. That's all. I don't require any education. Very simple thing. Everyone can become guru if he simply repeats what Krsna has said, that's all.
Mrs. Sahani: So it seems that to surrender to Krsna, the first thing...
Prabhupada: Unless he surrenders, how he can say others to surrender? Unless one has fully surrendered, if he says to others, "You surrender," that has no meaning. He must have surrendered. Then he can say to others, "You surrender." Unless he has surrendered, how he can take up this business, go door to door and say, "You surrender to Krsna, you surrender to Krsna"? That means he has surrendered. He has no other business. And what I am doing? I am doing the same thing. I have not given any bribe to these Europeans, Americans, or the anyone. No bribe, no show of gold manufacture. I simply say this, "You just become devotee of Krsna." That's all.
Mrs. Sahani: Chanting Krsna's name is very essential.
Prabhupada: Yes, that is the easiest way. By chanting Krsna, you are associating with Krsna. Because Krsna is absolute, so Krsna and Krsna's name, no difference. Krsna, Krsna's name, Krsna's form, Krsna's quality, everything, absolute. So chanting of Krsna's name means you are associating with Krsna. So if you are associating with Krsna, then gradually you become Krsna-ite.
Mrs. Sahani: Creates the desire to get knowledge.
Prabhupada: Yes. Ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has recommended, param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam, ceto-darpana-marjanam. Just like if you remain in touch with the fire, certainly you become warm. So if you remain always in touch with Krsna, then you become Krsnized. Very easy. You haven't gone to the forest or Himalaya or meditate. Simply chant Hare Krsna. That is recommended in the sastra: harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva [Cc. Adi 17.21]. You cannot perform any severe austerities, penance. Wherever you remain, you chant Hare Krsna. And you become perfect. If not in one day... But you will become, if you continue chanting. And where is the difficulty? Where is the loss? And if there is some gain, why don't you try it? That is intelligence. I am not losing anything by chanting Hare Krsna. If there is any gain, why not chant? Huh? Why is the argument not to chant? There is no loss, but if there is any profit, why don't you try to take it. Sastra recommends. Krsna recommends, satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah [Bg. 9.14]. Find out this verse. Satatam kirtayanto mam.
Pradyumna:
satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
namasyantas ca mam bhaktya
nitya-yukta upasate
[Bg. 9.14]
Prabhupada: This is bhakti. So everything is there. If we don't misinterpret and take as it is, then we'll benefit. That is fortune. If somebody has one lakh of rupees and if he does not utilize it, then he is unfortunate. And if he's fortunate he can utilize it, he can make it millions of dollars. So the knowledge is already there, you haven't go to manufacture or speculate. You take it, you become perfect. We are preaching this Krsna consciousness, we don't manufacture anything. Here is this knowledge, Bhagavad-gita, just take it. Already it is there, everything. We haven't got to manufacture something, concoct something. Everything is there. You refer, you get knowledge, and be fortunate. Prasadam?
Atreya Rsi: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: Cut this fruit and distribute it. Bring one knife.
Atreya Rsi: We have prasadam downstairs.
Prabhupada: No, bring it here.
Hari-sauri: Do you want to take any...
Prabhupada: I will take little milk.
Hari-sauri: Any puffed rice or anything like that?
Prabhupada: You have puffed rice?
Hari-sauri: Yes.
Prabhupada: So puffed rice and milk. (Hindi) We are now advertised all over the world, "The beggar's nation." We have got satsampatti, and we are now advertised "beggar's nation." And actually doing that.
Mrs. Sahani: (Hindi)
Prabhupada: (Hindi) Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. If you voluntarily become entangled with maya, that is your business. (Hindi) Krsna is light and maya is darkness. So when there is light, there is no question of darkness. Darkness automatically will go. When there will be sunrise in the morning, you haven't got to endeavor to drive away the darkness of night. It will automatically go. (Hindi) Knowledge is already there. Why should you remain misfortunate? Krsna says sukrtino 'rjuna. Catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtino 'rjuna. Sukrtino means fortunate. So as soon as you begin Krsna bhajana, immediately you become fortunate. Sukrtino 'rjuna. Catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtino 'rjuna. (Hindi) Immediately begin krsna-bhajana.
bharata bhumite haila manusya-janma yara
janma sarthaka kari 'kara para-upakara
[Cc. Adi 9.41]
If we don't do it, then we are neglecting our duty. (Hindi) What is this, peach?
Atreya Rsi: It's a kind of peach. It's like peach.
Mr. Sharma: There are many other Indians living in town, so can we arrange one day that you come to town and meet all of them at our place or another place if it is possible?
Prabhupada: That will depend on...
Atreya Rsi: Can they come here? We can arrange for transportation. Because it's not very easy with the traffic.
Prabhupada: No, if they arrange meeting, we can go.
Mr. Sharma: And we can have some bhajana and prasada.
Mrs. Sahani: We can make it on Friday.
Atreya Rsi: Friday Srila Prabhupada is traveling. And Thursday at 11:30 you're going to see that building.
Prabhupada: I think within so short time it will (not) be possible for holding a meeting.
Atreya Rsi: For a short time?
Prabhupada: No, because there are two days only. On Thursday we have got already engagement.
Atreya Rsi: Yes, we have an engagement for Thursday.
Prabhupada: Then tomorrow only. So I don't think it will be possible.
Mr. Sharma: Thursday evening it is not possible?
Prabhupada: No.
Atreya Rsi: We're going to travel already into town once Thursday. We got some Persian puffed rice. They make puffed rice.
Prabhupada: I'll take. You first of all give them.
Atreya Rsi: We'll go downstairs and have prasadam.
Prabhupada: All right. Thank you very much for your coming. Jaya. (end)
Prabhupada: Neither indirectly. If you don't understand directly, you should go to a person who understands Krsna. But if you don't do either of these things, then how you'll understand Krsna?
Mrs. Sahani: But how to, because in India there's so many...
Prabhupada: Don' talk of India; at any place.
Mrs. Sahani: Any place, yes. But how do we be sure that this person knows Krsna?
Atreya Rsi: How can she be sure that the spiritual master is bona fide?
Prabhupada: If when you see that he does not speak anything except Krsna, that is tattva-darsi. If you are expert businessman in certain line, you have no other business than to talk with on that line. Suppose if you are to purchase some gold, then you have to go to the gold market for dealing with gold. Why should we go to the ice market? That is your ignorance. If you want to know Krsna, then you have to know from the persons who are dealing with Krsna. That's all. They have no other business. Our Krsna consciousness movement means we are dealing with Krsna. That's all. We're writing books, so many books for Krsna. We are preaching and going country to country. We simple deal with Krsna. Therefore the movement is known as "Krsna consciousness." Somebody suggested "Why don't you write 'God consciousness'?" No, if I say "God consciousness," they'll bring so many gods. It is very simple. If we take it seriously, then benefit is there. But if we hesitate, it is our misfortune.
manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascin mam vetti tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]
To understand Krsna is not a joke. Manusyanam sahasresu-out of millions and millions of persons, kascid yatati siddhaye, one may try for perfection of life. And yatatam api siddhanam [Bg. 7.3], and out of many such persons who have attained perfection, kascin vetti mam tattvatah, somebody may know. So to understand Krsna is not so easy job. But Krsna personally comes and teaches about Himself, and still if we do not take, that is our misfortune. If we still interpret, misinterpret rather, then it is our misfortune. What can be done? We should, those who are Indians, Bharatavarsi, we have got a particular duty. Bharata bhumite haila manusya janma yara [Cc. Adi 9.41]. One who has taken birth as a human being in India, he should make his life perfect and distribute the knowledge. So you are outside India, you make your life perfect and distribute this knowledge. This is the duty of Indians. Why outside India they should remain in darkness? Distribute the knowledge. But unless you make your life perfect, how you can distribute?
Mrs. Sahani: Takes very long.
Prabhupada: Eh? Very easy, provided you want to do it.
Mrs. Sahani: But takes long time to surrender to Krsna.
Prabhupada: No long time, I say a moment. Krsna says sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam [Bg. 18.66]. You do it. You can do it in a moment, but you'll not do it. That is the difficulty.
Mrs. Sahani: Yes, we are doing that.
Prabhupada: You can do it immediately, but unfortunately you'll not do it. What can be done? There is a story, I may narrate it. One poor man was begging on the street, and Lord Siva and Parvati was passing as ordinary man. So Parvati requested Lord Siva that this poor man, he's asking, he's begging, so requested him, "Why don't you give him something?" And Lord Siva replied, "Even if I give, he'll not be able to enjoy it. He's so unfortunate." "Oh, that we shall see. Why don't you give?" So Lord Siva, in a watermelon, gave him, say, one thousand dollars. "You take this watermelon." So he thanked him, and after that he thought "What I shall do with this watermelon?" So another man came, "Sir, if you take this watermelon and give me one anna." So he gave one anna and he took it. Because he had no good fortune to take that money within the watermelon. Our fortune is like that. Krsna is giving us the final benefit, but we are not taking care of. This is our misfortune.
Mr. Sahani: It is knowledge, that we don't have the knowledge, or enlightenment that in that watermelon there is something which is worth, or it is only that we don't want to do it, or we don't want to take the trouble?
Prabhupada: That chance is there. You can take the watermelon and cut it, but before that doing if you give it to somebody else, that is your misfortune.
Mr. Sahani: No, fortune is something which we say...
Prabhupada: No, I am talking of misfortune. That the perfect knowledge is being distributed by Krsna, but we are so misfortunate we do not take it. That is my fault. Krsna...
Mr. Sahani: Misfortune is again, is not in the hands of human being.
Prabhupada: No, misfortune is your creation. Fortune... Man is the architect of his own fortune. So you can create your fortune and misfortune. That is the world, going on, so many people, they are working, somebody is creating fortune, somebody is creating misfortune. So anyway, when Krsna directly is giving you the knowledge, perfect knowledge, why don't you take it? Is it not misfortune?
Mr. Sahani: Well, that probably is ignorance.
Prabhupada: THat is misfortune. Ignorance means misfortune. The unfortunate persons are those who are ignorant, uneducated. Therefore you have to take education to become fortunate. And that education is being imparted by Krsna, but you don't take it. That is misfortune. If you take education from Krsna, you become fortunate. So why don't you take it? Krsna has said this very thing.
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg. 7.15]
These are the classes. One who does not take the advantage of Krsna's instruction, he's immediately grouped in these category: duskrtinah, mudhah, naradhamah, mayayapahrta-jnana, asuram bhavam. Krsna says personally. One who does not take to Krsna's instruction, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam [Bg. 18.66], then how he's grouped? He's grouped:
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg. 7.15]
He is grouped. Duskrtinah means he has got intelligence, krti. Krti means one who has got intelligence, merit. But his merit is being utilized for sinful activities, duskrtinah. If merit is used for good work, that is called sukrtina. And if the merit is used for manufacturing something harmful to the human society, then it is duskrtina. Merit is there. A thief, rascal and cheater, he has got good merit, but he's using it for bad purpose. They are duskrtina. Why he has become so? Mudhah. Because he does not know his interest, ass. The example is ass, mudhah. The ass does not know his interest. He is loading tons of cloth for others' interest, for a morsel of grass. And the rascal does not know he can get grass anywhere. Why he is taking so much trouble? Mudhah. Na mam duskrtino, naradhamah. And this human life was meant for understanding this, nara, but he has misused his life's asset. Naradhamah, lowest of the mankind. How it happened? They are so educated. mayayapahrta-jnana. Their education has no value. Why? Asuram bhavam, don't care for Krsna, don't care for God. "We are everything, we are God." This is going on. mayayapahrta-jnana asuram bhavam asritah. These are descriptions in the Bhagavad-gita.
catur-vidha bhajante mam
janah sukrtino 'rjuna
arto jijnasur artharthi
jnani ca bharatarsabha
[Bg. 7.16]
Everything is explained there. If somebody comes to Krsna even with material motive, arto artharthi... There are four classes of men: arto, artharthi, jnani, jijnasur. So jnani, for the sake of knowledge, tries to understand what is God, what is Krsna. Jijnasur, inquisitive, actually what is Krsna. And those who are less than them, when they become distressed, artha, or in need of money, they pray to Krsna. Still, they have gone to Krsna. Therefore they are called sukrtinah. And one who has not gone to Krsna, simply speculating, that description, mayayapahrta-jnana. These things are there.
Mr. Sahani: Maya is also very attached to everybody, it still can be jijnasur and jnani, (Hindi).
Prabhupada: No, no. (Hindi) Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Your first business is to surrender. Then maya will not touch you.
Mrs. Sahani: Krsna says that not even a leaf moves without His desire, and this present life...
Prabhupada: Yes, you have to take sanction. You have to take sanction because Krsna is the supreme controller. If you request repeatedly, "Krsna, I want to steal something," so Krsna will say, "No, no, don't do it, it is not good." But...
Mrs. Sahani: But bhakti...
Prabhupada: It is not bhakti, it is a common affair. You want to do some... Just like a thief. A thief steals very privately, why? Because Krsna says, "Don't do it." But he does still. So Krsna says always good things, but you don't care for it.
Mr. Sahani: But when, as said, that no leaf moves without the intentions of Krsna...
Prabhupada: Without hearing the good advice of Krsna, he does it at his risk. That's all. He'll be arrested, he'll be put into jail. That's all. He'll suffer. But Krsna gives him good counsel, "Don't do it." Mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca. Sarvasya caham hrdi sannivisto mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca [Bg. 15.15]. He's situated in every heart, but if you persist to do something, He gives, "All right, do at your risk. What can I do?" You suffer. That independence you have got. Just like State. State does not advise anyone that "You become a criminal." But when he becomes criminal, then put into jail. State says, "Everyone go to the university, be educated," but if you make your choice, go to the prison house, you can make your choice. Similarly, Krsna says everyone, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. But if you make your choice to go to hell, what can He do?
Mrs. Sahani: This means we have the freedom.
Prabhupada: Oh, yes, you he got little freedom. Therefore Krsna says mam ekam saranam vraja, "You do it." He does not force. He can force you. He's all-powerful. But He does not force. He gives you the chance, "Do it, you'll be happy." If you don't do it, that is your choice. Yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. Eh? Find out this verse. Yathecchasi tatha kuru. Krsna gives Arjuna the freedom, "Now I have given you all instruction, now make your choice." Yathecchasi tatha kuru. "Whatever you like, you do." What is the difficulty? Could not find? Ask somebody else.
Atreya Rsi: Hari-sauri's trying.
Prabhupada: Why don't you ask Pradyumna?
Hari-sauri: He's way upstairs...
Prabhupada: But downstairs he cannot come!
Hari-sauri: Well, I tried to look it up in the index.
Prabhupada: Index is not there. It is in the middle, yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. Index you'll find only the beginning. Just after, just before the verse sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66].
Hari-sauri: Oh. Iti te jnanam...
Prabhupada: Ah, iti te jnanam.
Hari-sauri: ...akhyatam guhyad guhyataram maya vimrsyaitad asesena yathecchasi tatha kuru.
Prabhupada: "I have given you knowledge, confidential, more confidential, most confidential. Now you consider, you deliberate upon this and do whatever you like." And what Arjuna replied? Nasto mohah smrtir labdha tvat-prasadan kesava. Find it.
Hari-sauri:
nasto mohah smrtir labdha
tvat-prasadan mayacyuta
sthito 'smi gata-sandehah...
Prabhupada: Sthito 'smi gata-sandehah karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. This is understanding. "Now my illusion is gone," nasto mohah. Smrtir labdha. "I am in my original consciousness." So what you'll do? Karisye vacanam tava. "You are asking to me to fight? I shall do it." Everything is explained. Krsna gives you freedom, yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. And one who understands Krsna, he says, karisye vacanam tava. That's it. Not by interpretation, or refuse by interpretation. That is not Krsna's... Karisye vacanam tava. This is understanding. Otherwise simply waste of time. Srama eva hi kevalam [SB 1.2.8]. If you like, you can waste your time. And find out this verse, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg. 18.69], ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati [Bg 18.68]. Find that verse, ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati.
Pradyumna: What's the first word?
Hari-sauri: Jayanam.
Prabhupada: Read, after sixty-fourth verse, read all the verses.
Pradyumna:
sarva-guhyatamam bhuyah
srnu me paramam vacah
isto 'si me drdham iti
tato vaksyami te hitam
"Because you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you the most confidential part of knowledge. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit."
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo 'si me
[Bg. 18.65]
"Always think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this because you are My very dear friend."
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
[Bg. 18.66]
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear."
idam te natapaskaya
nabhaktaya kadacana
na casusrusave vacyam
na ca mam yo 'bhyasuyati
"This confidential knowledge may not be explained to those who are not austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is envious of Me."
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
[Bg 18.68]
"For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me."
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad
anyah priyataro bhuvi
[Bg. 18.69]
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear."
Prabhupada: This is decided, that if we present this Bhagavad-gita as it is, ya idam param? What is that? Ya idam paramam guhyam [Bg 18.68]?
Pradyumna:
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
[Bg 18.68]
Prabhupada: Asamsayah. So he becomes immediately recognized by Krsna. If you preach Bhagavad-gita as it is, immediately you become recognized. Na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg. 18.69]. So one has to understand it perfectly well and then preach, then his life is perfect. And what Sanjaya says? Yatra yogesvaro?
Pradyumna:
yatra yogesvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
dhruva nitir matir mama
Prabhupada: Jaya.
Pradyumna: "Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence, victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."
Prabhupada: So understand Krsna like Arjuna. Then Krsna is there, Arjuna is there, and all victory is there.
Mrs. Sahani: Krsna is Krsna. Anyone who surrenders to Krsna can become Arjuna? Krsna is Krsna, anyone who surrenders to Krsna...
Prabhupada: He's like Arjuna. He's like Arjuna. What is Arjuna's qualification? He surrendered, and he says karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. You become also Arjuna-like.
Mrs. Sahani: And the victory is there.
Prabhupada: Yes, then victory is there. But if one can avoid Krsna or kill Krsna, then where is victory?
Mrs. Sahani: Victory.
Prabhupada: Victory, any man you can say victory. Where there is Krsna, there is victory.
Mr. Sahani: But we don't want to go and fight like Arjuna, go out and kill people.
Prabhupada: Why? If Krsna orders, you must. Why don't you like? That is your misfortune. What Krsna's... Karisye vacanam tava. That is following. You like or may not like. Arjuna did not like to fight. That's a fact. Therefore whole Bhagavad-gita is spoken to him. Arjuna did not like fight. But when he understood Bhagavad-gita, he said, "Yes," karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. You cannot give your verdict. What Krsna says, you have to do it. That is Krsna conscious. You like or don't like, that doesn't matter. Just like a child. He likes or not likes, but what the parent says, he has to do. That is his success. If the child says, "Father, I don't like to go to school," will the father agree? "No, you must go to school." And if he agrees, that is his benefit. Our liking, not liking, has no value. What Krsna likes, we have to do it. Anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [Cc. Madhya 19.167], that is bhakti. Bhakti means anukulyena krsnanu-silanam. You have to act which is favorable to Krsna. That is bhakti. You cannot make you choice. What Krsna says, you do it. That is bhakti. [break] What is their reason?
Mrs. Sahani: Well, they were not even Krsna conscious people.
Prabhupada: Who?
Mrs. Sahani: Kauravas.
Prabhupada: Kaurava, oh. Yes. No, not that they are not Krsna conscious, they may be. That's all right. My business is to execute what Krsna says. That's all. That is bhakti.
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa
sevanam bhaktir ucyate
[Cc. Madhya 19.170]
Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady anavrtam anukulyena krsnanu [Brs. 1.1.11]. We have to act to satisfy Krsna. That is bhakti. We cannot make our choice, that "This is good, this is bad." Whatever Krsna says is all right. Then it is bhakti. Arjuna proposed that "Krsna, why shall I fight with my brothers? After all, they are my brothers. They are enjoying the kingdom. Let them enjoy. I shall better live by begging. Why shall I fight with them?" It is a very good proposal, very gentlemanlike. But Krsna said, "No, you must fight." Kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam anarya-justam -- "You're talking like anarya. Fight." This is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. And when he understood that "Krsna wants it," he said, "Yes" -- karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. "Yes." So we cannot discriminate what is good or bad. We have to act according to the order of Krsna. That is wanted. But you cannot do independently also. When Krsna orders, you do it. And Krsna will order when you are faithful servant. Buddhi-yogam dadami tam.
tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
[Bg. 10.10]
tesam evanukampartham
aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma...
[Bg. 10.11]
This is the process. If we manufacture our own ways, that is nonsense, that will not help us.
Mr. Sharma: When one person surrenders to God, to Lord Krsna, so does maya automatically vanish?
Prabhupada: Yes. Krsna says...
Mr. Sharma: If I say, I pray to God, "O Lord Krsna, I surrender unto You." So is..., maya will not touch me? I will not be affected by this material infection?
Prabhupada: Yes. If you fully surrender, maya will not touch you.
Mr. Sharma: How one surrenders? What is meaning of surrender?
Prabhupada: Surrender as He says, sarva-dharman... You have nothing to do. You have simply to do what Krsna says. That is surrender. You cannot reserve anything, that "I do it something for me and something for Krsna." That is not surrender. You have nothing to do except what Krsna says. That is surrender.
Mr. Sharma: If that is surrender, means I now surrender.
Prabhupada: Otherwise, it's not surrender.
Mr. Sharma: Only saying is not surrender?
Prabhupada: You have to act, become active.
Mr. Sharma: So one who has surrendered, what is his thinking and acting, how he lives in the world?
Prabhupada: He's active only on Krsna's business. That's all. He has no other business.
Mr. Sharma: So he does no other work. He does only what Krsna has said.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Mr. Sharma: Preaching and this and that.
Prabhupada: Yes, just like we are doing. Krsna said, "Surrender unto Me." And what we are preaching? We are preaching, "Sir, you surrender to Krsna." So what is the difficulty? Is there any difficulty? Krsna said "Surrender unto Me." And if I go to you "Mr. Sharma, you surrender to Krsna." So what is my difficulty?
Mr. Sharma: Suppose I want to surrender to God, to Krsna. How I will do it?
Prabhupada: No, no, first of all my position, because I am working on behalf of Krsna. So Krsna says, "You surrender unto Me." So if I say that "Sir, you surrender to Krsna," so where is my difficulty?
Mr. Sharma: You see, yes, I say I surrender to Krsna.
Prabhupada: You surrender, not surrender, that is you business. But my business is that I am requesting you that you surrender to Krsna. So where is my difficulty? You surrender, not, that is your business. But my business is to canvass, "Sir, you surrender to Krsna." So I am representing. And Krsna says, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg. 18.69]. I have to be recognized by Krsna. That is my business. So if I do agree, then I become recognized by Krsna. You do or not do, that is your business. My only business is to request you.
Mr. Sharma: That I should surrender.
Prabhupada: Yes. But if you accept it, it is good for you; you don't accept it, that is your misfortune. But my business is finished.
Mr. Sharma: So fortune comes very much into it.
Prabhupada: Fortune you create. Man is the architect of his own fortune. If you don't accept Krsna's advice, then unfortunate. But my business is not difficult. We are simply going door to door and asking, "Sir, you become a devotee of Krsna." If he is inquisitive, "How can I become?" "You chant Hare Krsna." So where is my difficulty? Haven't got to pay you something. I simply carry the message of Krsna. And Krsna says na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya [Bg. 18.69]. "He's My most beloved person, who does this." So why shall I give up this simple job and become recognized by Krsna? It is very simple thing. That is the advice of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. "All of you become guru and deliver these persons where you live." So how can I become guru? I have no education, I have no knowledge. No, no. You haven't got to-yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. "You go and simply instruct him what Krsna has said, you become guru." So Krsna has said, "Surrender unto Me," I say "You surrender to Krsna," I become guru. Even though I am a fool number one, I become guru, because I am repeating what Krsna has said. That's all. I don't require any education. Very simple thing. Everyone can become guru if he simply repeats what Krsna has said, that's all.
Mrs. Sahani: So it seems that to surrender to Krsna, the first thing...
Prabhupada: Unless he surrenders, how he can say others to surrender? Unless one has fully surrendered, if he says to others, "You surrender," that has no meaning. He must have surrendered. Then he can say to others, "You surrender." Unless he has surrendered, how he can take up this business, go door to door and say, "You surrender to Krsna, you surrender to Krsna"? That means he has surrendered. He has no other business. And what I am doing? I am doing the same thing. I have not given any bribe to these Europeans, Americans, or the anyone. No bribe, no show of gold manufacture. I simply say this, "You just become devotee of Krsna." That's all.
Mrs. Sahani: Chanting Krsna's name is very essential.
Prabhupada: Yes, that is the easiest way. By chanting Krsna, you are associating with Krsna. Because Krsna is absolute, so Krsna and Krsna's name, no difference. Krsna, Krsna's name, Krsna's form, Krsna's quality, everything, absolute. So chanting of Krsna's name means you are associating with Krsna. So if you are associating with Krsna, then gradually you become Krsna-ite.
Mrs. Sahani: Creates the desire to get knowledge.
Prabhupada: Yes. Ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has recommended, param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam, ceto-darpana-marjanam. Just like if you remain in touch with the fire, certainly you become warm. So if you remain always in touch with Krsna, then you become Krsnized. Very easy. You haven't gone to the forest or Himalaya or meditate. Simply chant Hare Krsna. That is recommended in the sastra: harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam, kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva [Cc. Adi 17.21]. You cannot perform any severe austerities, penance. Wherever you remain, you chant Hare Krsna. And you become perfect. If not in one day... But you will become, if you continue chanting. And where is the difficulty? Where is the loss? And if there is some gain, why don't you try it? That is intelligence. I am not losing anything by chanting Hare Krsna. If there is any gain, why not chant? Huh? Why is the argument not to chant? There is no loss, but if there is any profit, why don't you try to take it. Sastra recommends. Krsna recommends, satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah [Bg. 9.14]. Find out this verse. Satatam kirtayanto mam.
Pradyumna:
satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
namasyantas ca mam bhaktya
nitya-yukta upasate
[Bg. 9.14]
Prabhupada: This is bhakti. So everything is there. If we don't misinterpret and take as it is, then we'll benefit. That is fortune. If somebody has one lakh of rupees and if he does not utilize it, then he is unfortunate. And if he's fortunate he can utilize it, he can make it millions of dollars. So the knowledge is already there, you haven't go to manufacture or speculate. You take it, you become perfect. We are preaching this Krsna consciousness, we don't manufacture anything. Here is this knowledge, Bhagavad-gita, just take it. Already it is there, everything. We haven't got to manufacture something, concoct something. Everything is there. You refer, you get knowledge, and be fortunate. Prasadam?
Atreya Rsi: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: Cut this fruit and distribute it. Bring one knife.
Atreya Rsi: We have prasadam downstairs.
Prabhupada: No, bring it here.
Hari-sauri: Do you want to take any...
Prabhupada: I will take little milk.
Hari-sauri: Any puffed rice or anything like that?
Prabhupada: You have puffed rice?
Hari-sauri: Yes.
Prabhupada: So puffed rice and milk. (Hindi) We are now advertised all over the world, "The beggar's nation." We have got satsampatti, and we are now advertised "beggar's nation." And actually doing that.
Mrs. Sahani: (Hindi)
Prabhupada: (Hindi) Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. If you voluntarily become entangled with maya, that is your business. (Hindi) Krsna is light and maya is darkness. So when there is light, there is no question of darkness. Darkness automatically will go. When there will be sunrise in the morning, you haven't got to endeavor to drive away the darkness of night. It will automatically go. (Hindi) Knowledge is already there. Why should you remain misfortunate? Krsna says sukrtino 'rjuna. Catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtino 'rjuna. Sukrtino means fortunate. So as soon as you begin Krsna bhajana, immediately you become fortunate. Sukrtino 'rjuna. Catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtino 'rjuna. (Hindi) Immediately begin krsna-bhajana.
bharata bhumite haila manusya-janma yara
janma sarthaka kari 'kara para-upakara
[Cc. Adi 9.41]
If we don't do it, then we are neglecting our duty. (Hindi) What is this, peach?
Atreya Rsi: It's a kind of peach. It's like peach.
Mr. Sharma: There are many other Indians living in town, so can we arrange one day that you come to town and meet all of them at our place or another place if it is possible?
Prabhupada: That will depend on...
Atreya Rsi: Can they come here? We can arrange for transportation. Because it's not very easy with the traffic.
Prabhupada: No, if they arrange meeting, we can go.
Mr. Sharma: And we can have some bhajana and prasada.
Mrs. Sahani: We can make it on Friday.
Atreya Rsi: Friday Srila Prabhupada is traveling. And Thursday at 11:30 you're going to see that building.
Prabhupada: I think within so short time it will (not) be possible for holding a meeting.
Atreya Rsi: For a short time?
Prabhupada: No, because there are two days only. On Thursday we have got already engagement.
Atreya Rsi: Yes, we have an engagement for Thursday.
Prabhupada: Then tomorrow only. So I don't think it will be possible.
Mr. Sharma: Thursday evening it is not possible?
Prabhupada: No.
Atreya Rsi: We're going to travel already into town once Thursday. We got some Persian puffed rice. They make puffed rice.
Prabhupada: I'll take. You first of all give them.
Atreya Rsi: We'll go downstairs and have prasadam.
Prabhupada: All right. Thank you very much for your coming. Jaya. (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase =>
Evening Darsan -- August 10, 1976, Tehran
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
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