Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 309

purification

The more we talk of Krsna, think of Krsna and preach for Krsna, the more we
become purified.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => SB 4.29.84

Can city-dwellers live on farms?

Harikesa: What happens with all these people who, like for example, myself,
I can’t live on a farm?
Prabhupada: Eh?
Harikesa: I can’t live on a farm.
Prabhupada: That does not make you, what is called, unfit. You can do
something like that.
Harikesa: I mean I was born in a city, raised in a city, and feel very good
when I’m in a city, but when I’m on a farm, I’m very disturbed.
Prabhupada: Rajasika, you have got rajasika. So that means your mode of
nature is rajasika. There are three kinds of-sattvika, rajasika, tamasika.
Harikesa: But what are we going to do with all these kind of people?
Prabhupada: That is already there, three kinds of propensities. Sattvika,
rajasika, tamasika. So you belong to the rajasika, that’s all. So it can be
conquered by sattvika.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Morning Walk — August 12, 1976, Tehran

Universal Form of the Lord

Question:

Could you please speak something regarding the verse and translation of SB 2.1.27 in which Srila Prabhupada writes that "The knees of the universal form are the planetary system of the name Sutala, and the two thighs are the Vitala and Atala planetary systems. The hips are Mahitala, and outer space is the depression of His navel."
And the verse and translation of SB 2. 5.40-41 in which Srila Prabhupada writes that "My dear son Narada, know from me that there are seven lower planetary systems out of the total fourteen. The first planetary system, known as Atala, is situated on the waist; the second, Vitala, is situated on the thighs; the third, Sutala, on the knees; the fourth, Talatala, on the shanks; the fifth, Mahatala, on the ankles; the sixth, Rasatala, on the upper portion of the feet; and the seventh, Patala, on the soles of the feet. Thus the virat form of the Lord is full of all planetary systems."

I am unable to understand it properly please explain it in a broad way.


Download Universal Form of the Lord

Fortunate and unfortunate

One young man, who used to help me distribute advertisements of our
bhakti-yoga club meetings at the universities, sincerely asked you, “Srila
Prabhupada, what is the position of a person who wants to be a devotee, but
due to his material attachment, just can’t seem to take to it?” The question
was an admittance of his own position at the time. He liked Krsna
consciousness and the association of devotees, but didn’t commit himself as
your other followers happily did. With a gentle wave of your hand, you
caringly replied, “Some are fortunate, and some are not”. That was enough
and all that you answered him.
Dasaratha Dasa, Srila Prabhupada Tributes 2012, p. 212.

Demigod Worship Described in Bhagavad-gita

[B]Where:[/B] Zurich, Switzerland[BR]
[B]When:[/B] 30 June 2012[BR]
[B]Language:[/B] English
[CUT]

Download Demigod Worship Described in Bhagavad-gita

Politicians cannot be saintly

A politician cannot be a saintly person. That is not possible. For politics
he has to do so many things. That is necessary. Just like Arjuna wanted to
be a nonviolent. Immediately it was condemned by Krsna, “What is this
nonsense? You are a military man. Nonviolent.” And similarly, politicians,
they require all this. Businessman must deal in black market. It is
inevitable. Otherwise he cannot improve. Because the world is bad, you, if
you become honest, then you cannot make pros…, cannot become prosperous.
Sate sartham samacaret.(?) Brahmana’s dealing must be very straight and
honest. They are not meant for politics or business. They are for
transcendental knowledge. Krsna conscious person should be all-inclusive. He
must be a politician, he must be a brahmana, he must be a ksatriya, he must
be a sudra — everything. All-inclusive. Because he is transcendental. In
otherwise he is neither a brahmana, neither a sudra, neither a… Yes. Naham
vipro na ca nara-patir na yatir va. Neither of these. In other side he is
everything. That is Krsna conscious. As Krsna is sometimes cowherd boy,
politician, sometimes dancing with, artist — He is everything, not
one-sided.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Room Conversation — November 13, 1976, Vrndavana

Advice

[B]Where:[/B] Zurich, Switzerland[BR]
[B]When:[/B] 30 June 2012[BR]
[B]Language:[/B] English with Tamil translation
[CUT]

Download Advice

Money for dog or for God

In Western countries they accumulate millions of dollars and at the last
moment he gives to his dog. (laughter) There are many instances, you know
better than me. He has no, nobody even, because they do not marry, no
children, no friend, so the dog is the best friend in Western country. Every
gentleman must have this best friend, pet dog. So ultimately, because there
is nobody to give, he gives it to the dog. Makes a will that my dog will get
it and they’ll give him jewelry, ornaments and so on, so on, so on. We have
got practical experience, the big palace which we have purchased in Detroit,
the man did not marry, so ultimately he bequeathed the whole estate to the
dog. (laughter) And there is a tomb of the dog. (laughter)
So, one has to do it. If he does not do it for God, then he will have to do
it ultimately to the dog. So better, so long you have got money, spend it
for God. San-nimitte varam tyago vinase niyate sati(?). This is the
instruction of Canakya Pandita, that whatever money you have got, it will be
spent. You cannot keep it. Either the money will go from you, or you have to
go from the money. You cannot keep together. That is not possible. If you
don’t spend the money for Krsna, if you keep it, that “I shall see it. I
shall lick up this money and become happy…” Krpana, that those who are
miser, they do not spend money for Krsna but they see the money. Therefore
it has become a problem for us, how to spend the money. How to spend the
money for Krsna, that is our policy. We do not want to keep money. We cannot
keep, that is not possible. Somebody will take it. Ultimately the government
will take. Better spend it for Krsna. Spend it for Krsna that is the right
use. San-nimitte varam tyago vinase niya… Canakya Pandita, he was great
politician, he is advising that if you have got money, spend it for Krsna.
Don’t keep it. Spend it for Krsna. Why? It will be spoiled. Today or
tomorrow it will be spoiled. Somebody will take and spoil it. Better, if you
spend it for Krsna, at least your service will be recognized. Krsna will see
that this man is spending his hard-earned money for Me. That is called
ajnata-sukrti. This service to Krsna, this inclination, does not arise
unless one is very, very, good asset he has got.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.9 — Vrndavana, October 31, 1976

Bhakti in the Three Modes and Beyond

[B]Where:[/B] Studen, Switzerland[BR]
[B]When:[/B] 29 June 2012[BR]
[B]Language:[/B] English with Tamil translation
[CUT]

Download Bhakti in the Three Modes and Beyond

What we must do now

Now, we must take to agricultural work — produce food and give protection
to the cows. And if we produce a surplus, we can trade. It is a simple thing
that we must do. Our people should live peacefully in farming villages,
produce grain and fruit and vegetables, protect the cows, and work hard. And
if there is a surplus, we can start restaurants. Krsna conscious people will
never be losers by following the instructions of Krsna. They will live
comfortably, without any material want, and tyaktva deham punar janma naiti
[Bhagavad-gita 4.9]: After leaving this body they will go directly to God.
This is our way of life.
>>> Ref. VedaBase => JSD 6.5: Slaughterhouse Civilization