Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 37

United States of the World

Why not make one state — the whole world? Keep the democracy, but make one state, “United States of the World.” Why “United States of America”? Make English language common language and “United States of the World.” If they organize, they can do it. Just like United States has included Hawaii. They are not actually of the same blood. They are not European. So how they are managing Hawaii? Hawaii is a different stock. It is from Chinese.

Srila Prabhupada, Room Conversation — January 29, 1977, Bhuvanesvara

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You are never alone

What is this alone? Vaisnava is never alone. When I first came to the United States I was seemingly alone for one year. But I never felt alone. I always felt the presence of my Guru Maharaja. Myself, I was cooking, I was printing books, I was selling books, everything seemingly alone. But I did not lose my determination. Actually you should know this, you are never alone.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Trivikrama — 27 December, 1974

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Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami did not consider the faults of a Vaisnava

Raghunatha Bhatta Gosvami … never talked of nonsense or worldly matters but always engaged in hearing about Krsna twenty-four hours a day. He never cared to hear blasphemy of a Vaisnava. Even when there were points to be criticized, he used to say that since all the Vaisnavas were engaged in the service of the Lord, he did not mind their faults.

From Srila Prabhupada’s purport to CC Adi 10.158

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Republicans and Democrats

Revatinandana: The Republican party is elephant and the Democratic party is ass, a donkey.

Prabhupada: What is the value of vote by asses?

Srila Prabhupada, Conversation — December 13, 1970, Indore

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Ravana wanted to separate Laksmi from Rama

If anyone tries to separate Sri from Narayana, then he will be vanquished. The example is Ravana. Ravana wanted to separate Laksmi from Rama. This attempt is so dangerous that Ravana, instead of becoming happy… He was so-called happy, materially opulent. But as soon as he separated Laksmi from Narayana, he became vanquished with all his friend. So don’t try to do that, to separate Laksmi from Narayana. She cannot be separated. But if anyone attempts like that, he’ll be ruined. He’ll be ruined. The example is Ravana. So at the present moment people are very much fond of sri, money. Sri-aisvarya. Sri-aisvarya. Sri-aisvarya prajepsavah. General people, they want sri, money, or beauty, beautiful woman. Sri-aisvarya: money, riches. Sri aisvarya prajepsavah. Praja. Praja means family, society, money. They want. So Sri is always hankered after, searched after. But do not try to keep Sri alone. Then you’ll be ruined. This is the instruction. You do not try to keep Sri alone. Keep always with Narayana. Then you’ll be happy. Keep Narayana. So those who are riches, those who have got riches, rich, they should worship Narayana also with their money. Spend money. Money is meant for service of Narayana. So if you have got money, don’t spoil it like Ravana, but engage it in Krsna’s service. If you have got money, just spend it for very costly temple, for installing Laksmi-Narayana, Radha-Krsna, Sita-Rama, like that. Don’t spoil your money in other way. Then you’ll always remain rich. You’ll never become poor. But as soon as you try to cheat Narayana, that “I have taken Your Laksmi,” you starve. That policy is very bad.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.2 — February 12, 1977, Mayapur

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Varnasrama helps, but is not essential in spiritual life

The varnasrama system is for convenience sake in the material world. It has nothing to do with spiritual life. Acceptance of varnasrama means a little easy progress to spiritual life, otherwise it has no importance to us. For example, all my European and American disciples have no varnasrama position, but spiritually because they have followed the rules and regulations and also my instructions, their advancement spiritually is being appreciated by everyone. Always remember that varnasrama life is a good program for material life, and it helps one in spiritual life; but spiritual life is not dependent upon it.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Hamsaduta — 19 Oct 1974.

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For Durga-puja

During the morning walk on April 4, Prabhupada noticed a Durga temple and went a little out of his way to take darsana of Katyayani, the goddess Durga. Prabhupada offered his dandavats and began glorifying her: srstisthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir eka, chayeva yasya bhuvanani bibharti durga. This verse describes Durga as the Lord’s shadow potency. One can worship her, Prabhupada explained, to gain admission to Krsna’s service.

Jayadvaita Swami: Prabhupada had tears in his eyes as he spoke: “We are glorifying Durga, but not in the way the materialists do — ‘Give me this. Give me that’ — but like the gopis. They were praying to Durga: ‘You are always carrying out the orders of Krsna, so you are very dear to Krsna. Therefore please give us your blessings so that we can have Krsna as our husband.'”

From “Festivals” by Lokanatha Swami; p. 191

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The real principle of religion

We are trying to convince everyone that the devotional service of the Lord is enjoined in every scripture. If a person is religious, he must accept the supreme authority of the Lord, become His devotee and try to love Him. This is the real principle of religion. It does not matter whether one is Christian, Muslim, or whatever. He simply must accept the sublime position of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and render service unto Him. It is not a question of being Christian, Muslim, or Hindu. One should be purely religious and freed from all these material designations. In this way one can learn the art of devotional service. This argument appeals to all intelligent men.

Srila Prabhupada; Cc 2.25.20, purport

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Oct 9 John Lennon

Born: 9 October 1940, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Assassinated: 8 December 1980

Mr. John Lennon is anxious for peace in the world, so also is everyone anxious for peace in the world, but it should be known how that peace can be attained. If we keep the human society as it is, there is no possibility of peace. It is not a question of simply accepting God as the center of everything and peace will be achieved, but the question is how to live in God. Mr. Lennon wants to stop war, but the war is the creation of different politicians. So unless on the summit of administration there are actually Krishna Conscious men, we cannot stop war. Therefore people in general must understand the importance of Krishna Consciousness, and they must in this democratic day send their real representatives who can make right decisions whether there should be war or no war.

Srila Prabhupada, Letter to Vibhavati — New Vrindaban 12 June, 1969

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Offenseless chanting will be successful

It is very much encouraging to me to hear of so many activities of performing kirtana there. Kirtana is the universal principle, therefore, if you chant Hare Krishna offenselessly, that is to say, avoiding the 10 kinds of offenses, the vibration is sure to act. And anywhere this vibration is made, it will be liked because it is done on the spiritual platform. And on the spiritual platform, there will be certainly agreement. So long one is on the material platform, there is no agreement. So our movement is directly taken to the spiritual platform. So do it nicely, offenselessly, and it will be successful anywhere.

From Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Gurudasa — Los Angeles 14 December, 1968

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