Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 202

Krishna helps sincere souls to preach and establish centers

If a sincere soul goes out and opens a center in any part of the world Krishna will help him in all respects. Without being empowered by Krishna, nobody can preach Krishna Consciousness.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Brahmananda — Calcutta 11 November, 1967

Cow etiquette

Because we drink cow’s milk, we should accept the cow as our mother. That is etiquette.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Nayanabhirama — Bombay 1 December, 1970

Krishna Kirtana is not for earning livelihood

I understand also, there was a Kirtana performance given by Sri Purna das. You have rightly remarked whether they are devotees. You are right. These people are professional singers. Krishna Kirtana is not for earning livelihood. Krishna Kirtana is not meant for entertaining the public for demonstration of arts. It is dynamic service to the Lord. We do not therefore mind so much about the artistic presentation of Krishna Kirtana but we want to see how much a devotee is satisfying the Supreme Will.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Jadurani — Calcutta 12 December, 1967

Tourism

What for you want to go on world tour — people everywhere are doing the same thing, eating, sleeping, mating, and defending — each in some slightly different way, but same substance is there. There are the same streets, same people, same cars, same trees, etc. everywhere, somewhere a hill, somewhere sandy, somewhere some water — but what is the profit of seeing so much scenery? It is better if you want to travel, you can travel to preach and spread this Krishna Consciousness to the suffering humanity at large.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to: Kris — Los Angeles 13 November, 1968

Chant and be liberated

Chant Hare Krsna as many times as possible and be liberated. Thank you very much.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.27 — Vrndavana, November 14, 1976

Srila Prabhupada’s unheeded advice to M. Gandhi

This life is meant for understanding the Supreme Brahman. Therefore this knowledge must be spread in schools, colleges — everywhere. But that is not being done. The leaders or misleaders, unfortunately, at least in India they should have done it, because now the present political situation in the Congress, they are following the example of — at least they are supposed to follow — the example of Mahatma Gandhi. You have seen the photograph of Mahatma Gandhi — he is taking Bhagavad-gita in his hand with heart and soul. Why aren’t they teaching Bhagavad-gita? In the current status of political situation, where is the teaching of Bhagavad-gita? And if it is being taught, it is by malinterpretation. That is the defect. Bhagavad-gita should be taught all over the world. I requested Mahatma Gandhi before starting, that “Mahatma Gandhi, you are very devotee of Bhagavad-gita. Now you have got your svaraja, let this svaraja management be taken care by your disciples. You teach Bhagavad-gita. People will accept it because you have got position. People respect you.” But he did not do it. And I gave him hint also, that “If you do not do it, you may be killed by your…” And that was done.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Bhagavad-gita 4.1 — February 7, 1974, Vrndavana

(Gandhi died on Jan 30, 1948)

Higher than philosophy

Philosophy is the highest, but even higher than philosophy is practice of philosophy. So if you simply remain pure, your preaching will have effect.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Brhaspati — Delhi 17 November, 1971

The cool breeze of Krishna’s Grace

To the sincere devotee, however, this ocean of maya is easily crossed by the cool breeze of Krishna’s Grace. So this is our business, to submit to Krishna’s desire to have us back with Him in the eternal sky of Krishna Loka.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Syamasundara — Los Angeles 24 November, 1968

One guru, and servant-gurus

There is only one guru — Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So those who simply repeat His words, they also become guru. But of course a guru never thinks himself as being God. He only thinks himself as the servant of the servant of the servant.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Mr. Himtsinh J. Bhatia, Mrs. Manjula H. Bhatia — Bombay 23 November, 1975

Bhoga and tyaga, thievery and lunacy

The world contains those engaged in bhoga and those engaged in tyaga. However, we will not be happy by following either of these paths because it is not our proper position to either enjoy or renounce. Since everything belongs to Krsna and nothing belongs to anyone else, whatever we possess is actually Krsna’s property (isavasyam idam sarvam [Iso mantra 1]). Since we have not produced the trees, plants, waters or the land, we cannot claim them. Since we actually have nothing, we can renounce nothing, or, as it is said, naked we come into this world and naked we go out. In the interim we falsely claim, “This is my country, this is my home, this is my wife, these are my children, this is my property, this is my bank balance, etc.” Such claims are false because when we come into the world, we come in empty-handed, and when we go out, we go out empty-handed. What then is the meaning of bhoga and tyaga? In the light of the actual facts, they have no actual meaning. Bhoga is thievery, and tyaga, renunciation of what never belonged to us, is a form of lunacy.

From: Krsna Consciousness, the Matchless Gift, by Srila Prabhupada