Arati

Quotes for
Maṅgala-ärati
A collection from the teachings of
His Divine Grace

A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
(Founder-Acharya: International Society for Krishna Consciousness)
Index – Daily Quotes
Day Topic
1 Reading
2 Guru Issue
3 Chanting Quality
4 Deity
5 Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
6 Vapuṇ & Väṇī
7 Holy Name
8 Maṅgala-ärati
9 Sädhana
10 Vaiṣṇava-aparädha
11 Reading
12 Guru Issue
13 Chanting Quality
14 Deity
17 Holy Name
18 Maṅgala-ärati
19 Sädhana
21 Reading
22 Guru Issue
23 Chanting Quality
24 Deity
27 Holy Name
28 Maṅgala-ärati
29 Sädhana
Deity
Holy Name
Index – Festival Quotes
Śrī-Rāma-navamī.......................................................................................................... 71
N!siṁha-caturdaśī....................................................................................................... 72
Pānihāṭi ciỢā-dadhi utsava............................................................................................ 73
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s disappearance day........................................................... 74
Balarāma Jayantī........................................................................................................ 75
Jhulan-yātrā................................................................................................................ 76
Cāturmāsya............................................................................................................... 77
Śrī K!ṣṇa Janmāṣṭamī.................................................................................................. 78
Śrī Vyāsa-pūjā............................................................................................................. 79
Śrī Rādhāṣṭamī.......................................................................................................... 80
Vāmana-dvādaśī........................................................................................................ 81
Deepotsava............................................................................................................... 82
Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s appearance day............................................................... 83
Govardhana-pūjā........................................................................................................ 84
Śrīla Gaura Kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja’s disappearance day....................................... 85
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s disappearance day.........................................86
Vaikuṇṭha Ekādaśī..................................................................................................... 87
Śrī Advaita Ācārya’s appearance day........................................................................... 88
Varāha-dvadaśī.......................................................................................................... 89
Nityānanda Trayodaśī................................................................................................ 90
Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura’s appearance day............................................. 91
Śrī Gaura-pūrṇimā....................................................................................................... 92
Guidelines for using this booklet
The numbers mentioned on top of the alternate pages represents each date of a
month and three sets of quotes are compiled for the months. For example if four
quotes have been compiled for date 1 under Jan-Apr-Jul-Oct, then on 1st of these
months quotes from that set can be read during maìgala-ärati.
1
Reading
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
We should not waste our time reading and talking nonsense, but should engage in the study of
Śrīmad-Bhägavatam. Our time is very valuable, and we should not waste it.
- TLK Vs 16
Study my books and reproduce the purports in your own language. We haven't got to invent
something by our fertile brain for preaching. Everything is there. One who is expert for
presenting these things before the audience so that they can conveniently understand is a
successful preacher. You have to speak only what K!ṣṇa has said. Then you become a
preacher.
- Letter to: Jagadisa -- Bombay 9 November, 1975
You are happy because you are chanting, dancing, reading Śrīmad-Bhägavatam and all the
books. If you do these things regularly, then your life is a success. Anyone who chants and
follows the rules and regulations, where is there room for anxiety for him?
- Letter to: Revatinandana: -- Bombay 7 November, 1975
Anybody seriously reading our book, he’ll be liberated. There is no doubt.

tyaktvä dehaṁ punar janma naiti mäm eti
That’s a fact. If not all books, if one carefully reads K!ṣṇa book daily, he is liberated
undoubtedly.
- Room Conversation -- April 13, 1977, Bombay
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
If you want to study, there is much time in the day for studying, but you must go also on
Saìkīrtana party, that is the result or practice of your studying. Simply studying is dry and
useless without chanting.
- Letter to: Sankarasana -- Paris 23 July, 1972
Try to always study our books and see our philosophy from different lights of directions,
become convinced yourself of this knowledge and without a doubt all of your difficulties of
mind will disappear forever and you will see K!ṣṇa face-to-face.
- Letter to: Bhagavatananda -- New York 8 July, 1972
I am so glad to learn that you are reading my Bhagavad-gita As It Is with great interest, and I
hope if you kindly read my books carefully that all your spiritual desires will be fulfilled.
- Letter to: Hrisikesa – Hawai, 69-03-18
So I am requesting all of my students to read my books very seriously every day without fail.
In this way, if your mind becomes absorbed at least one or two hours daily in the
transcendental subject matter of Śrīmad-Bhägavatam, Bhagavad-gītä, and other books then
very easily you will make your advancement in K!ṣṇa Consciousness.
- Letter to: Bhargava – Los-Angeles, 72-06-13
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
By reading regularly Śrīmad-Bhägavatam, one becomes gradually freed from the influence
of passion and ignorance, and thus becomes situated in goodness. In such platform one
can engage oneself in serious devotional service, and thus one becomes illuminated with
the transcendental knowledge of K!ṣṇa. This stage is called liberated stage, and at this time
one becomes freed from all doubts and material bondage, and thus his life becomes
successful.
- Letter to: Harivilasa -- Montreal 10 June, 1968
You simply read my books and reproduce it. That's all. That will be preaching.
- MW, Vrn, 750829
If you chant always Hare K!ṣṇa, read my books, and preach this philosophy sincerely, then
K!ṣṇa will provide you with all facility, and you will not fall down into material entanglement.
- Letter to: Devotees - San-Francisco, 67-03-30
So far the reading is concerned; you may read any one of my books. Best thing is to take
one of the books and finish it, from beginning to end.
- Letter to: Mahapurusa -- Los Angeles 7 March, 1968
2
Guru Issue
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
A guru can become guru when he’s ordered by his guru. That’s all. Otherwise nobody can
become guru.
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gītä, Oct 28th, 1975, Nairobi
Self-made guru cannot be guru, he must be authorized by the bona fide guru. Then he’s
guru. This is the fact. Nobody can be self-made. A medical practitioner cannot be self-made.
He cannot say that “I have studied all the medical books in my home.” No. He should have
gone to the medical college and taken instruction from the bona fide teachers and got the
certificate, then he is a medical practitioner. Similarly, bona fide guru means he must be
authorized by the superior guru.
- Lecture, NoD, Oct 31st, 1972, Vrindavana
Spiritual master is not self-made. It is not that someone can come before you and bluff that
“I have attained spiritual perfection, and I have realized something by some method.” No.
The spiritual master means he has to receive the power from authority. Otherwise it is
useless. It is not that one can become spiritual master overnight. He has to take the power
from his spiritual master. Therefore it is called präptasya. Präptasya means one who has
obtained, one who has got the merciful blessings of his spiritual master.
- Purport to Sri-Sri-Gurv-astakam -- Los Angeles, January 2, 1969
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Why did this GauỢīya Maṭha fail? Because they tried to become more than guru. Before
passing away Bhaktisiddhānta Saraswati Ṭhākura gave all directions but never said that ‘This
man should be the next äcärya.’ But after his passing away these people began to fight that
who shall be äcärya. That is the failure. They never thought, ‘Why Guru Mahārāja gave us
instruction on so many things but did not say that this man should be äcärya?’ They wanted
to artificially create somebody äcärya and hence everything failed. They did not consider
even with common sense that if Guru Mahārāja wanted to appoint somebody as äcärya,
why did he not say? He said so many things, and how could he miss this real point? They
declared some unfit person to become äcärya. Then another man came, then another,
äcärya, another äcärya. So better remain a foolish person perpetually to be directed by
Guru Mahārāja. That is perfection.
- Room Conversation, 8th August 1976, Bombay
In the mundane world, anyone possessing his master’s power of attorney can act on behalf
of his master. Similarly, a spiritual master empowered by K!ṣṇa through his own bona fide
spiritual master should be considered as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead
Himself. That is the meaning of säkñäd-dharitvena.
- CC Madhya 10.136
Guru cannot be self-made. There is no such single instance throughout the whole Vedic
literature. And nowadays, so many rascals, they are becoming guru without any authority.
That is not guru. You must be authorized. evaṁ paramparä-präptam [Bg. 4.2]. As soon as
the parampara is lost, sa käleneha mahatä yogo nañṭaḳ parantapa, immediately the spiritual
potency is finished. You can dress like a guru, you can talk big, big words, but it will never
be effective.
- Lecture, Śrīmad-Bhägavatam7.9.7 -- Mäyäpur, February 27, 1977
Devotee: Śrīla Prabhupāda, if the knowledge was handed down by the saintly kings, evaṁ
paramparä-präptam, how is it that the knowledge was lost?
Prabhupāda: It is lost when it is not handed down but simply understood by speculation or if
it is not handed down as it is. Either they might have made some changes or they did not
hand it down. Suppose I handed it down to you, but if you do not do that, then it is lost. Now
the K!ṣṇa Consciousness movement is going on in my presence. Now after my departure, if
you do not do this, then it is lost. If you go on as you are doing it now, then it will go on.
- Room Conversation, Perth, May 9th, 1975
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
One cannot be a spiritual master in perfection unless and until one has received the same
by disciplic succession. That is the secret of receiving transcendental knowledge.
- SB 2.8.25
Caitanya Mahaprabhu authorized Sanatana Goswami to become guru. This is parampara

system. Nobody can become guru all of a sudden. Self-made guru is not guru. Unless
Sanatana Goswami has got the power to receive the instruction, Caitanya Mahaprabhu is
not going to waste His time. He has the power. So He is empowering Sanatana Gosvami to
take this task and spread K!ṣṇa consciousness. Just like even if one is a qualified lawyer, he
must get the power of attorney from his client, and then he can speak. That is the law.
Similarly, without being endowed with the power of attorney from K!ṣṇa, it is not possible to
preach. Because we are preparing ourselves to preach K!ṣṇa consciousness, we must be
qualified to get the power of attorney. Sometimes we speak that "I'll preach." What will you
preach? First of all get the power of attorney; then preach. Preaching is not so easy that
anyone can preach. kåñụa-çakti vinä nahe tära pravartana. So to get that power of attorney
one has to qualify himself, not that the power of attorney is hanging in the tree and you can
take it.
- Lecture, Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.105 -- New York, July 11, 1976
One who is not self-controlled, specifically in sex life, can become neither a disciple nor a
spiritual master. One must have disciplinary training in controlling speaking, anger, the
tongue, the mind, the belly and the genitals. One who has controlled the particular senses
mentioned above is called a gosvami. Without becoming a gosvami one can become neither
a disciple nor a spiritual master. The so-called spiritual master without sense control is
certainly the cheater, and the disciple of such a so-called spiritual master is the cheated.
- SB 2.9.43
The only way to obtain this devotional service is to take full shelter of the spiritual authority,
the guru, who is coming in the line of a proper disciplic succession. Those who toil without
worshiping the spiritual master will find that all their endeavors are futile.
- RTW 4.5
3
Chanting Quality
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Devotee: When chanting our sixteen rounds, we are not sure if these rounds are sincere. How
can we make the quality the best?
Prabhupāda: You will understand quality when you first of all come to the quality. Without
having quality, how will you understand the quality? You follow the instruction of your spiritual
master and çästra. That is your duty. Quality or no quality—that is not your position to
understand. When the quality comes there is no force. You will have a taste for chanting. You
will desire at that time, “Why sixteen rounds? Why not sixteen thousand rounds?” That is
quality.
- Morning Walk -- November 2, 1975, Nairobi
Regarding quality of chanting Hare K!ṣṇa, we shall try to avoid the ten kinds of offenses, that is
the quality.
- Letter to: Rayarama -- Allston, Mass 14 May, 1968
We have to make a regulated program that we must chant Hare K!ṣṇa so many times because
we are not offenseless. Otherwise one chanting of K!ṣṇa is sufficient to make you liberated.
Just like Ajāmila. Once he chanted Nārāyaṇa. He became immediately liberated because he
was offenseless. But since we cannot do that we have to make a prescription.
- SB 6.2.11 -- Allahabad, January 16, 1971
I thank all of you very much for accepting me as your spiritual master, and I promise that I will
take you back to home, back to Godhead. I ask you all to promise me to always chant at least
16 rounds, follow the regulative principles, read our books and try to preach this K!ṣṇa
Consciousness Movement all over the world.
- Letter to: Nityananda — Delhi 12 November, 1971
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
One must strictly chant the Hare K!ṣṇa mahä-mantra twenty-four hours daily. One may have
other duties to perform under the direction of the spiritual master, but he must first abide by the
spiritual master’s order to chant a certain number of rounds. In our K!ṣṇa consciousness
movement, we have recommended that the neophyte chant at least sixteen rounds. This
chanting of sixteen rounds is absolutely necessary if one wants to remember K!ṣṇa and not
forget Him. Of all the regulative principles, the spiritual master’s order to chant at least sixteen
rounds is most essential.
- CC Madhya 22.113
Our request to all our students is that they daily chant at least sixteen rounds of this harer näma
mahä-mantra offenselessly, following the regulative principles. Thus their success will be
assured without a doubt.
- CC Ädi 17.23
It is essential, however, that everyone fulfill a specific vow to chant the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra.
Therefore we have prescribed in our Society that all our students must chant at least sixteen
rounds daily. Such chanting must be offenseless in order to be of high quality. Mechanical
chanting is not as powerful as chanting of the holy name without offenses.
- CC Ädi 10.43
There is no formula of quality. It is to be understood by oneself. Just like if after eating

something you feel refreshed and get strength. You haven't got to take certificate. You'll
understand whether you have eaten or not. That is quality. When you will feel so much ecstasy
in chanting Hare K!ṣṇa, that is quality. To come to that quality requires time and sincerity. It will
be awakened naturally and not by force.
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Just like Haridāsa Ṭhākura, he was not forced to chant. Even Caitanya Mahāprabhu requested
him, “Now you are old enough. You can reduce the number of rounds.” But Haridāsa Ṭhākura
refused, “No. Up to the end of my life I shall go on chanting.” That is quality. Have you got such
tendency that you will go on chanting and do nothing? Now you are forced to do. So there is no
question of quality. This is a chance given so that one day you may come to the stage of
quality.
Rūpa Gosvāmī says, “How shall I chant with one tongue, and how shall I hear with two ears?
Had it been millions of tongue and trillions of ears, then I could enjoy it.” This is quality. Quality
is not so cheap. May be after many births we may get it. For the time being you go on following
the rules and regulations and it is being done by force. When you are not forced, but
automatically you desire, that is quality.
If one cannot complete the fixed number of rounds he is assigned, he should be considered to be
in a diseased condition of spiritual life. Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura is called nämäcärya. Of course,
we cannot imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura, but everyone must chant a prescribed number of rounds.
In our K!ṣṇa consciousness movement we have fixed sixteen rounds as the minimum so that
we will not feel burdened. These sixteen rounds must be chanted loudly, so that one can hear
himself and others.
- CC Antya 11.23
Simply be serious in following the rules and regulations and chant sixteen rounds. These things
will constantly give you strength and spirit and I am sure that wherever you go in your preaching
program there you will be successful.
- Letter to: Danavir — London 24 August, 1971
4
Deity
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The Lord accepts the form of arcä-vigraha (worshipable Deity) just to accept service from
His different incapable devotees. By the mercy of the arcä-vigraha, the form of the Lord in
material elements, the devotees who are in the material world can easily approach the Lord,
although He is not conceivable by the material senses. The arcä-vigraha is therefore an all-
spiritual form of the Lord to be perceived by the material devotees; such an arcä-vigraha of
the Lord is never to be considered material. There is no difference between matter and spirit
for the Lord, although there is a gulf of difference between the two in the case of the
conditioned living being. For the Lord there is nothing but spiritual existence, and similarly
there is nothing except spiritual existence for the pure devotee of the Lord in his intimate
relation with the Lord.
- SB 1.12.9
Śrī-vigraha is the arcä, or suitable worshipable form of the Lord, and the disciple should be
engaged in worshiping the Deity regularly by çåìgära, by proper decoration and dressing, as
also by mandira-märjana, the matter of cleansing the temple. The spiritual master teaches
the neophyte devotee all these kindly and personally to help him gradually in the realization
of the transcendental name, quality, form, etc., of the Lord.
- SB 2.3.22
If the devotee knows perfectly that the arcä-vigraha, or Deity form of Lord K!ṣṇa in the
temple, is exactly the same sac-cid-änanda-vigrahaḳ as Lord K!ṣṇa Himself, then his
service to the temple Deity becomes direct service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Similarly, the temple itself, the temple paraphernalia and the food offered to the Deity are
also not separate from K!ṣṇa. One has to follow the rules and regulations prescribed by the
äcärya, and thus, under superior guidance, K!ṣṇa realization is fully possible, even in this
material existence.
- KB 82
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
If you become anxious how to worship Deity, how to dress K!ṣṇa nicely, that will develop
your anxiety for K!ṣṇa. Therefore Deity worship is essential. Exactly in time to get up, to
offer mangala-aräti, to dress, this anxiety is the beginning of K!ṣṇa anxiety. Then, when you
become perfect, you'll always be anxious for K!ṣṇa. And that is perfectional stage.
Therefore, by the injunction of the çästra, it is a way of creating that anxiety. So we must
follow it. Then we'll come to the real anxiety.
- Morning Walk -- April 26, 1976, Melbourne
If someone becomes attached to the çrī-mürti, or Deity of K!ṣṇa, then he will forget his
relationships of so-called friendship, love and society. One must see the form of Govinda if
one at all wants to forget the nonsense of material friendship, love and society.
- NoD 13
When we see the Deity of K!ṣṇa in the temple, we should think that the Deity is K!ṣṇa. In
this way K!ṣṇa has agreed to be seen by us and even dressed by us. However, if we think
of K!ṣṇa's viräṭ-rüpa, His universal form, what can we do? How can we dress the viräṭ-rüpa?
His many heads cover the sky, and we cannot even conceive of Him. K!ṣṇa can become
bigger than the biggest and smaller than the smallest. Therefore this verse states: bhaktyä
pumäñ jäta- viräga aindriyät. The more we serve K!ṣṇa, give Him things to eat and dress Him
nicely, the less we become interested in our own bodies. In the material world everyone is
very busy dressing himself very nicely in order to be sexually attractive, but if we try to dress
K!ṣṇa nicely, we will forget our own material dress. If we feed K!ṣṇa nice food, we will forget
to satisfy our own tongue by going to this or that restaurant.
- TLK Vs 25-26
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
A person constantly engaged in the transcendental loving service of the Lord cannot be
deviated from meditating on the form of the Lord. The arcana-märga, or the devotional path
prescribed in the Pañcarätra system of devotional service for worshiping the Deity in the
temple, makes the devotee think constantly of the Lord; that is samädhi, or trance. One who
practices in this way cannot deviate from the service of the Lord, and that makes him
perfect in the mission of human life.
- SB 4.8.52
Demons are very much disturbed when devotees worship the Lord in the prescribed ways
recommended in the scriptures. In the Vedic scriptures, the neophyte devotees are advised
to engage in nine kinds of devotional service, such as to hear and chant the holy name of
God, to remember Him always, to chant on beads Hare K!ṣṇa, Hare K!ṣṇa, K!ṣṇa K!ṣṇa,
Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, to worship the Lord in the
form of His Deity incarnation in the temples, and to engage in various activities of K!ṣṇa
consciousness to increase the number of godly persons for perfect peace in the world.
Demons do not like such activity. They are always envious of God and His devotees. Their
propaganda not to worship in the temple or church but simply to make material advancement
for satisfaction of the senses is always current.
- SB 3.18.5
K!ṣṇa is always K!ṣṇa, but because we cannot see anything beyond material elements like
wood, stone, and metal, He appears in a form made of these elements. But He is neither
wood, metal, nor stone. When we associate with the Deity, we associate with K!ṣṇa
personally. Because K!ṣṇa is invisible, He very kindly takes a form that is visible to us. This
is K!ṣṇa's mercy. Do not think, "Oh, here is a stone K!ṣṇa." K!ṣṇa is everything, and
therefore K!ṣṇa is stone also, but He is not the kind of stone that cannot act. Even in the
form of stone or metal, K!ṣṇa can act as K!ṣṇa, and one who worships the Deity will
perceive that. svayam eva sphuraty adaḳ. The Deity, although apparently stone, may speak
with a devotee.
- TQK 4
The duty of the post office is to carry letters from one place to another. If one puts letters in
postboxes authorized by the general post office, the function of carrying letters is performed
without a doubt. Similarly, the arcä-mürti can also deliver the same unlimited potency of the
Lord as when He is personally present.
- SB 3.1.18
5
Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Utsähät means you must be very much enthusiastic that “In this human form of life, I must
complete my spiritual consciousness, or God consciousness, so that in the next life I may
not have this material body. That is called utsähät. Just like a man is very much enthusiastic
that “In this life I must accumulate ten million dollars in the bank,” and he does work with
great enthusiasm; similarly, we must also have enthusiasm that “In this very human form of
life, I must make my spiritual life perfect so that after leaving this body I may not come again
to this material world.” That is called utsähä, enthusiasm.
- Lecture, BG 2.46-47, New York, March 28th, 1966
Dhairyä means patience. There may be so many obstacles in prosecuting our spiritual life,
but we should patiently go forward. We shall not be discertained.
- Lecture, BG 2.46-47, New York, March 28th, 1966
Determination means continuing to practice K!ṣṇa Consciousness with patience and

perseverance. If one does not immediately attain the desired results, one should not think,
“Oh, what is this K!ṣṇa Consciousness? I will give it up.” No, we must have determination and
faith in K!ṣṇa’s words.
- Chapter 5, Path of Perfection
Please do therefore everything with enthusiasm. That will satisfy me, and K!ṣṇa also, and
as a result of which you will be satisfied transcendentally, this is our position.
- Letter to Bali-mardana, Los Angeles, May 25th, 1970
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
One should chant the holy name of the Lord with faith, enthusiasm and firm conviction on
the statement of Lord Caitanya that simply by chanting the mahä-mantra, one can be
gradually elevated to the highest platform.
- Letter to Kanupriya, Los Angeles, January 15th, 1969
You must voluntarily agree that “Spiritual master says like this. All right let me do it.” When
you work for K!ṣṇa with love and enthusiasm, that is your K!ṣṇa conscious life. If you think
that “It is troublesome, what can I do? But these people ask me to do it. I have to do it,” that
is not K!ṣṇa Consciousness. You have to do it voluntarily and with great pleasure.
- Lecture, BG 1.30, London, July 23rd, 1973
When one is fully qualified yet is humble and gentle, and when one is able to keep his
balance both in sorrow and in the ecstasy of joy, he has the opulence called patience
(kñamä).
- Purport, Bhagavad-gītä 10.34
Anyone who is steady in his determination for the advanced stage of spiritual realization and
can equally tolerate the onslaughts of distress and happiness is certainly a person eligible
for liberation.
- BG 2.15
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The process of receiving the causeless mercy of the Lord is to render more and more
service. We should be very enthusiastic to render service to the Lord. That enthusiasm will
come when we chant Hare K!ṣṇa with faith and determination.
- Chapter 16, Second Chance
The devotee should patiently follow the rules and regulations of devotional service so that
the day will come when he will achieve, all of a sudden, all the perfection of devotional
service. He should not lament for any loss or any reverse in his advancement in spiritual life.
This patience (dhairyä) is the third positive item for advancing in devotional service.
- Verse 5, Närada-bhakti-sütra
Steadiness means that one should be very determined to make progress in spiritual life. Without
such determination, one cannot make tangible progress.
- BG 13.8
The sound of the holy name - Hare K!ṣṇa, Hare K!ṣṇa, K!ṣṇa K!ṣṇa, Hare Hare,
everlastingly increases the enthusiasm of the chanter. If one repeats monotonous material
words, he will feel exhausted, but if he chants Hare K!ṣṇa twenty-four hours a day, he will
never feel exhausted; rather, he will feel encouraged to continue chanting more and more.
- SB 3.21.22
6
Vapuḳ & Väëé
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Never think that I am absent from you. Physical presence is not essential; presence by
message (or hearing) is real touch. Lord K!ṣṇa is present by His message which was delivered
5,000 years ago. We always feel the presence of our past äcäryas simply by their immutable
instructions.
- Correspondence, Vrindavan, August 1967
Revatī-nandana: Sometimes this question comes up, with the devotees especially, that
sometimes the spiritual master is far away. He may be in Los Angeles and somebody may be
in Hamburg temple. So he thinks, “How will the spiritual master be pleased?”
Prabhupāda: Just follow his order. Spiritual master is along with you by his words. Just like
my spiritual master is not physically present, but I am associating with him by his words.
- SB Lecture, 18th Aug 1971, London
If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by
remembering his instructions. There is no difference between the spiritual master’s
instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of direction
should be the pride of the disciple.
- CC Adi 1.35 purport
In the absolute world there is no distinction as me, or he, and I. K!ṣṇa and His
representative are the same. Just like K!ṣṇa can be present simultaneously in millions of
places. Similarly, the Spiritual Master also can be present wherever the disciple wants.
Spiritual Master is the principle, not the body. Just like a television can be seen in thousands
of places by the principle of relay monitoring.
- Letter to: Malati – 28th May 1968
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
A devoted disciple of the spiritual master would rather die with the spiritual master than fail
to execute the spiritual master's mission. As the Supreme Personality of Godhead comes
down upon this earth to reestablish the principles of religion, so His representative, the
spiritual master, also comes to reestablish religious principles. It is the duty of the disciples
to take charge of the mission of the spiritual master and execute it properly. Otherwise the
disciple should decide to die along with the spiritual master. In other words, to execute the
will of the spiritual master, the disciple should be prepared to lay down his life and abandon
all personal considerations.
- SB 4.28.50
If a disciple is very serious to execute the mission of the spiritual master, he immediately
associates with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by väụī or vapuḳ. This is the only secret
of success in seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Instead of being eager to see the
Lord in some bush in V!ndāvana while at the same time engaging in sense gratification, if one
instead sticks to the principle of following the words of the spiritual master, he will see the
Supreme Lord without difficulty.
- SB 4.28.51
Physical presence is immaterial; presence of the transcendental sound received from the
spiritual master should be the guidance of life. That will make our spiritual life successful. If
you feel very strongly about my absence you may place my pictures on my sitting places
and this will be source of inspiration for you.
- Letter to: Brahmananda, 19th Jan 1967
As far as my blessing is concerned it does not require my physical presence. If you are
chanting Hare K!ṣṇa there and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only K!ṣṇa
prasädam etc., then there is no question of your not receiving the blessings of Lord Caitanya
whose mission I am humbly trying to push on.
- Letter to: Bal Kåñụa – 30th Jun 1974
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
You are asking me if I am present in my picture and form? The answer is Yes. In form as well
as in teachings. To carry out the teachings of guru is more important than to worship the
form, but none of them should be neglected. Form is called vapuḳ and teachings is called
väụī. Both should be worshiped. Väụī is more important than vapuḳ.
- Letter to: Tusta Kåñụa -- Ahmedabad 14 December, 1972
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasized, “Your love for me will be tested how you maintain this
institution after my departure. We have glamour and people are feeling our weight. This
should be maintained. Not like GauỢīya Math. After Guru Mahārāja’s departure so many
äcäryas came up.”
- TKG’s Diary, p. 45
If a disciple is very serious to execute the instructions of the spiritual master, he immediately
associates with the Supreme Personality of Godhead by väụī or vapuh. That is the only
secret of success in seeing the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Prabhupäda, 1978, Fourth Canto, Vol. 4, p. 235
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?

Śrīla Prabhupāda: I will never die!
Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!
Śrīla Prabhupāda: I will live forever from my books and you will utilize.
- Interview, Berkley, 1975
7
Holy Name
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The powerful hari-nama is so strong that even if one unconsciously or consciously chants,
say they have no intention to chant the holy name of K!ṣṇa, but they imitate or criticize,
“Hare K!ṣṇa.” That also has effect.
- Calcutta, January 10, 1971.
The name of K!ṣṇa is non-different from K!ṣṇa. Therefore, the name of K!ṣṇa is as powerful
as Lord K!ṣṇa Himself. There is no difference at all. Anyone, therefore, can take advantage
of the holy names of Lord Śrī K!ṣṇa even in the midst of greatest dangers. The transcendental
name of K!ṣṇa, even though uttered unconsciously or by force of circumstances, can help
one obtain freedom from the hurdle of birth and death.
- SB 1.1.14
Highest benefit is derived from the Mahämantra, or Hare K!ṣṇa Mantra, because this is said
by authorities. Compare what you were before to what you have become, now challenge
any other mantra to produce such effect. You know it. Now try to realize it yourself and
convince others. That is K!ṣṇa Consciousness.
- Letter to: Madhavananda -- Tokyo 25 April, 1972
Haridāsa Ṭhākura was beaten with cane in twenty-two bazaars, but he was never disturbed;
instead, he smilingly tolerated the beating. Despite the disturbing dualities of the material
world, devotees are not disturbed at all. Because they fix their minds on the lotus feet of the
Lord and concentrate on the holy name of the Lord, they do not feel the so-called pains and
pleasures caused by the dualities of this material world.
- SB 6.17.29
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The sixteen word Maha Mantra is nobody's invention. There are authorized mantras in the
different Puranas which are Vedic authorities. Especially in the Kali Santara Upanisad it is
stated that this sixteen word Mahämantra is the Holy Name of the Supreme Brahma for the
deliverance of the fallen souls. Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted, Haridasa Thakura chanted
24 hours, all the Goswamis and Äcäryas chanted, my Guru Mahārāja chanted, and
following all these footsteps we are also chanting. So they are authorized by disciplic
succession, and all of us must chant at least 16 rounds daily to keep us fit on the K!ṣṇa
Consciousness transcendental platform.
- Letter to: Ranadhira -- Los Angeles 24 January, 1970
Wherever the Holy Name of K!ṣṇa is chanted, K!ṣṇa is present there because there is no
difference between K!ṣṇa and His Holy Name.
- Letter to: Kīrtanananda -- Allston, Mass 23 May, 1968
The modern civilization is so corrupt with full of sinful activities, Hence people will be forced
to face more troubles, by nature's order. Our business, however, is simply to take shelter of
the Hare K!ṣṇa Mahämantra and pray to the Holy Name to give us protection. We shall then
be unaffected by all that will happen. Be assured of this, that the devotees will be protected
by the Holy Name. Others will have to suffer in the days that are coming.
- Letter to: Kurusrestha -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 23 July, 1973
One should chant the holy name of the Lord in a humble state of mind, thinking oneself
lower than the straw in the street; one should be more tolerant than a tree, devoid of all
sense of false prestige, and ready to offer all respect to others. In such a state of mind one
can chant the holy name of the Lord constantly.
- SB Introduction
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Simply by chanting the holy name of K!ṣṇa—Hare K!ṣṇa, Hare K!ṣṇa, K!ṣṇa K!ṣṇa, Hare
Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare—a devotee of the Lord can
approach the supreme destination easily and happily, but this destination cannot be
approached by any other process of religion
- Bg 12.6-7
In this Age of Kali, most of the population is foolish and not adequately educated to
understand Vedanta philosophy; the best purpose of Vedanta philosophy is served by
inoffensively chanting the holy name of the Lord. Vedanta is the last word in Vedic wisdom,
and the author and knower of the Vedanta philosophy is Lord K!ṣṇa; and the highest
Vedantist is the great soul who takes pleasure in chanting the holy name of the Lord. That is
the ultimate purpose of all Vedic mysticism.
- Bg 2.46
One who is not self-controlled and whose mind is not undisturbed cannot practice
meditation. Therefore, in the Båhan-näradīya Puräụa it is said that in Kali-yuga (the present
yuga, or age), when people in general are short-lived, slow in spiritual realization and
always disturbed by various anxieties, the best means of spiritual realization is chanting the
holy name of the Lord. "In this age of quarrel and hypocrisy the only means of deliverance is
chanting the holy name of the Lord. There is no other way. There is no other way. There is
no other way."
- Bg 6.11-12
One who is engaged in Lord K!ṣṇa's devotional service lives in a direct relationship with the
Supreme Lord, so there is no doubt that his position is transcendental from the very
beginning. A devotee does not live on the material plane—he lives in K!ṣṇa. The holy name
of the Lord and the Lord are non-different; therefore when a devotee chants Hare K!ṣṇa, K!
ṣṇa and His internal potency are dancing on the tongue of the devotee.
- Bg 12.8
8
Maṅgala-ärati
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Only by his implication in material activities has the spirit soul become miserable, temporary
and full of ignorance. This is due to vikarma. Therefore, we must practice sädhana-bhakti. --
which means to offer maìgala-ärati (Deity worship) in the morning, to refrain from certain
material activities, to offer obeisances to the spiritual master and to follow many other rules
and regulations. These practices will help one become cured of madness. As a man's mental
disease is cured by the directions of a psychiatrist, so this sädhana-bhakti cures the
conditioned soul of his madness under the spell of maya, material illusion.
- NoD 2: The First Stages of Devotion
In this K!ṣṇa consciousness movement we require everyone to rise early in the morning, by
four A.M., and attend maìgala-ärati, or morning worship, then read Śrīmad-Bhägavatam,
perform kīrtana, and so forth. Thus we hold continuous activities in devotional service twenty-
four hours daily. This is called sato våtti, or following in the footsteps of the previous äcäryas
who expertly filled every moment of time with K!ṣṇa conscious activities.
- NoI: verse 3
The Brahma-muhürta takes place about one and a half hours before sunrise. It is recommended
that one should rise from bed at that time and, after finishing daily ablutions, take to spiritual
activities by performing maìgala-ärati and chanting the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra. This period is
very convenient for the execution of spiritual activities.
- KB 33
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
When you become fully K!ṣṇa conscious by worshiping the Deity regularly, as we have got
prescription to rise early in the morning, offer maìgala-ärati, then kīrtana, then class, in this
way when you practice and become advanced in K!ṣṇa consciousness, then your natural
tendency will be how to preach.
- Lecture, SB 7.9.4 -- Mäyäpur, February 11, 1976
If you have no idea of God, how you'll think of God? We have God, K!ṣṇa, here. We can
think of His form. We are busy in His service. We are not only thinking; we are trying to
become His devotee. We are serving, trying to serve Him. Rising early in the morning,
offering maìgala- ärati, then prayers, then reading His message, trying to apply in our life as
far as possible. We are not perfect, but we are trying to follow the instruction of God. This is
our life.
- Room Conversation and Interview with Ian Polsen -- July 31, 1972, London
That is the test. Yes. One who cannot rise early in the morning, he is not spiritually serious.
That is test. This hour Brahma-muhürta (one hour before sunrise), is very auspicious
moment.
- Room Conversation -- December 13, 1970, Indore
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
How you can avoid karma? Bhakti is also karma. Just like we are engaged in devotional
service. That service means karma. So they're also rising early in the morning at four 'o
clock offering maìgala-ärati, and then reading books, then chanting Hare K!ṣṇa mantra, then
taking the class and taking prasädam, then going outside for performing Saìkīrtana, to
distributing books. All day, twenty-four hours karma. So therefore outsiders, they cannot
understand, what is bhakti. They think bhakti means "Close your eyes and make some
murmuring sound, that is good." But bhakti is not like that.
- Room Conversation with Reporter from Researchers Magazine -- July 24, 1973, London
Just like in the newspaper in the morning, thousands of varieties of news they will attend,
but ask them to attend the maìgala-ärati for self-realization, "No, You are disturbing me,
nonsense." This is gåhamedhī. A person who sleeps till seven and then takes bed-tea
without washing teeth, he is considered advanced, and if one is asked to do this "Rise early
in the morning and wash yourself, take your bath and attend maìgala-ärati." "Oh, this is old
way, bhajana, nonsense." You see. Gåheñu gåhamedhinäm. But Vedic culture is that one
must rise early in the morning. And even K!ṣṇa in His gåhastha life, immediately He rose up.
This is Vedic culture.
- Morning Walk -- April 13, 1974, Bombay
This sleeping is the mäyä’s influence. It is stated Yä devī sarva-bhüteñu nidra-rüpeụa

saṁsthitaḳ. This material energy, Devi, has captured everyone, and the more one sleeps,
that means he's under the control of mäyä. And the more he is not sleeping, he's free from
mäyä. Nidrähära- vihärakädi-vijitau. The Goswāmīs, they conquered over three things:
nidrä, sleeping; ähära, eating; and mating. These things are the clutches of mäyä. The more
we conquer over it, we are free. Whether I am in the clutches of mäyä or not can be tested
-- whether I am sleeping more, whether I am eating more. One can test himself. And bhakti
means vairägya-vidyä, to conquer over these three things. So practice this. To rise early in
the morning and attend maìgala-ärati is compulsory. It is part of this education, spiritual
education.
- Evening Conversation -- January 25, 1977, Puri
Just like a machine works systematically; everyone has seen. The machine of the watch is
working very systematically. Similarly, every student, every disciple must work very
correctly, like the machine. There is no question, "Why you did not attend school or the
class?" You cannot say any reason. As a machine works, everyone should attend the class,
rise early in the morning, attend maìgala-ärati. This is called suyantritaḳ, working like
machine, no discrepancy. That is wanted.
- Śrīmad-Bhägavatam 7.12.3 -- Bombay, April 14, 1976
9
Sädhana
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Keep yourselves strong in K!ṣṇa Consciousness by following all of my basic principles. That is
of the utmost importance. Do not fail to chant sixteen rounds daily, rise early, come to
maìgala- ärati, come to classes and follow the 4 regulative principles. In this way your life
will become free from all anxieties.
- Letter to: Sons -- Bombay 28 December, 1974
As long as the body will be there, there will only be pain. Pleasure is only a misconception.
Do not be sorry if you are in an "unfortunate" situation. It can also be fortunate if you take
advantage by becoming serious to become K!ṣṇa consciousness. Follow the regulative
principles, chant 16 rounds and as far as possible render service and study my books.
Success is sure.
- Letter to: Kåñụa Vilasini -- Vrindaban 25 October, 1976
Character building is the groundwork for seating K!ṣṇa Consciousness and the Vedic
injunction is that one can advance in spiritual life by following the rules of austerity and
celibacy. We do not bluff our students that he has liberty to do all sorts of nonsense, and at
the same time advance in spiritual understanding. And because we are a little bit strict in
this matter, we do not have a very large number of followers, neither do we want any large
number of nonsense followers. We want only one moon at night, and we do not care for
millions of stars.
- Letter to: Jaya Mazo -- Los Angeles 18 January, 1968
Our policy is to have shaven head, wear robes, chant 16 rounds of beads, follow the
regulative principles, take prasädam only, etc. If they can follow all these principles then
only it is all right. If a doctor prescribes a medicine and a diet and if the patient follows both,
he will get well. If he just follows in part, then he may not. So all these principles must be
followed in order to derive spiritual benefit. That is our method.
- Letter to: Nayanabhirama — Bombay 4 April, 1971
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Go on preaching for now, we shall see the money matters later. Preaching is our life. Follow
strictly the principles, read, chant,--then there is success. And if you don't do this, spiritual
strength is reduced. A snake is very powerful so long he has got poison. If it has no poison,
nobody cares for it. Similarly, this chanting, reading, and following the principles is our
spiritual strength.
- Letter to: Gargamuni -- Honolulu 8 June, 1975
Be very conscientious and hard-working and K!ṣṇa will give you the ability to do everything
nicely. There is no difference between chanting Hare K!ṣṇa or Saìkīrtana and doing one's
assigned work in K!ṣṇa Consciousness. Sometimes we have to do so much managerial or
office work, but Lord Caitanya promises us that because in the Kali-yuga this is required for
carrying on our preaching mission. He gives assurance that we will not become entangled by
such work. When the work has to be done, do it first, then chant. But you must fulfill at least
16 rounds daily. So if necessary sleep less but you have to finish your minimum number of
rounds.
- Letter to: Kirtiraja -- Bombay 2 January, 1972
Chanting japa should be done early in the morning with full concentration preferably during
the brähma-muhürta time. Concentrate fully on the sound vibration of the mantra,
pronouncing each name distinctly and gradually your speed in chanting will increase
naturally. Do not worry so much about chanting fast, most important is the hearing. A
devotee should always be grave and silent which means that he only discusses topics
relating to K!ṣṇa Consciousness. Yes, spend your time chanting and reading and taking K!
ṣṇa prasädam and automatically your tongue will come under control. If you sincerely
engage 24 hours daily in devotional service according to the instructions of the spiritual
master, chant daily sixteen rounds, attend the aräti ceremony of Lord K!ṣṇa, associate with
the devotees and adhere strictly to the regulative principles then K!ṣṇa will reveal Himself
personally to you.
- Letter to: Radhavallabha -- Bombay 6 January, 1972
Please follow the regulative principles strictly, and chant daily sixteen rounds of beads
regularly without fail. This is the essential process for dissolving the clouds of illusion or
Maya; and when the cloud of illusion is removed, then we can understand K!ṣṇa
Consciousness perfectly.
- Letter to: Nityananda -- Los Angeles 6 March, 1970
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
My advice is always chant 16 rounds minimum and follow the four regulative principles. All
of my disciples must agree on this point otherwise they are not my disciples. Let one live
anywhere, but stick to the principles. My disciples must follow these principles living either in
heaven or hell.
- Letter to: Raja Laksmi -- Mäyäpur 17 February, 1976
This is the duty of all my initiated disciples, everyone is expected to follow the devotional
practices. Two times daily everyone must attend the classes. During the morning and
evening times there should be no business, simply kīrtana, chant, dance, and be purified.
Do not be paramahaṁsa that ‘Now I haven't got to hear Śrīmad-Bhägavatam and
Bhagavad-gītä’. Don't be a better paramahaṁsa than your Guru Mahārāja. Everyone can
become a first class speaker. Simply cram the purports of my books. The references are
there, the philosophy is there. Everything is there. So if you do it, everyone will be pleased
with your speaking.
- Letter to: Gopijanavallabha -- Vrindavan 19 September, 1974
Simply if you will rigidly follow the regulative principles and chant sixteen rounds of beads
daily without fail and engage whole-heartedly in devotional service, your rapid advancement
in K!ṣṇa Consciousness will be certain.
- Letter to: Gurukrpa (Gregg Gottfried) — Bombay 30 March, 1971
10
Vaiñëava-aparädha
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
K!ṣṇa will never tolerate insult on a devotee. He will never tolerate. The devotee may
excuse, tåụäd api sunīcena taror api sahiñụunä. Just like Prahlāda Mahārāja, he was suffering.
His father was torturing him. But K!ṣṇa never tolerates. Even if you insult K!ṣṇa, He will
tolerate. But if you insult His devotee, He will never tolerate. Then you are finished. Just like
a big man. If you insult him, he may think "All right, let him." But if you insult or do some
harm to his child, he will never tolerate. Similarly, a devotee who is dependent on K!ṣṇa in
everything, and if somebody does harm to him or insults him, K!ṣṇa will never tolerate. That
is explained in the Caitanya- caritämåta. Tära madhye vaiñụava-aparädha häti matta. So we
should be very careful not to offend Vaiñụava devotees. This is greatest offense. Therefore it is
said vipra-çäpa-vimüòhänäṁ. vimüòhänäṁ. Those who are rascal, fools, they will want to try
to insult real brähmaụa, Vaiñụava. Then they are finished. A Vaiñụava never curses but
tolerates. But Viṣṇu never tolerates.
- Lecture, SB 1.15.22-23 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1973
Just like you have a nice garden and you are watering, giving manure and protecting and if
in that garden a mad elephant enters, then it will destroy everything, all your labor will go to
hell immediately. It will destroy everything. Similarly, you may do anything very nicely; but if
you commit offense at the feet of a pure Vaiñụava, then all your assets will be immediately
vanquished. Because K!ṣṇa is very angry. Those who are envious upon Vaiṣṇava and Viṣṇu,
the more dangerous position is to be envious of a Vaiṣṇava. Viṣṇu aparädha can be excused,
God is very kind. But He never excuses vaiñụava-aparädha. That is His vow.
- Lecture, SB 7.9.8 -- Calcutta, March 5, 1972
You should always be alert to see whether you are committing some offense. In rendering
service to Lord K!ṣṇa and His representative, the spiritual master, we should always
maintain this fearful attitude which means careful attention. This attitude will advance you
progressively in K!ṣṇa consciousness.
- Letter to Gopäla Kåñụa, April 21, 1970
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
When one is advanced, he can see the importance of devotees. Advanced devotees never
disobey or disrespect another devotee. Disrespect to another devotee is a great offense.
Vaiñụava-aparädha is a very serious offense. Therefore we teach to address amongst the
devotees, "Prabhu", "Prabhu", "Such and such Prabhu." This should not be simply spoken by
the lips. It should be realized. Everyone should think other devotee as his prabhu, master.
Not he should try to become master.
- NoD, Vrndavana, October 23, 1972
This K!ṣṇa consciousness movement is a transcendental science, and there is no room for
jealousy. As soon as one becomes envious, he falls from the platform of paramahaṁsa. If
we consider the bodily defects of a Vaiṣṇava, we should understand that we are committing
an offense at the lotus feet of the Vaiṣṇava, which is very serious. For a neophyte
especially, considering a pure devotee from a material point of view is very injurious. One
should try to see the internal features and understand how he is engaged in the transcendental
loving service of the Lord. Those who think that K!ṣṇa consciousness is limited to a certain
section of people or devotees are generally prone to see the external features of the devotee.
It is also an offense to consider the empowered Vaiṣṇava an object of disciplinary action. It
is offensive to give him advice or try to correct him."
- NoI
Everyone should appreciate the value of other devotees. Nobody should criticize anyone.
- Letter to Tamäla Kåñụa, August 19, 1968
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has said that by offending a Vaiṣṇava, one finishes all his spiritual
activities. Offending a Vaiṣṇava is considered the mad elephant offense. A mad elephant
can destroy an entire garden which has been developed with great labor. One may attain
the topmost platform of devotional service, but somehow or other if he offends a Vaiṣṇava,
the whole structure collapses. Unconsciously, King Rahūgaṇa offended JaỢa Bharata, but due
to his good sense, he asked to be excused. This is the process by which one can be
relieved from a Vaiñụava-aparadha. K!ṣṇa is always very simple and by nature merciful.
When one commits an offense at the feet of a Vaiṣṇava, one must immediately apologize to
such a personality so that his spiritual advancement may not be hampered.
- SB 5.10.24
One should always think of oneself as a servant of the servant of the äcäryas, and thinking
this, one should live in the society of Vaiṣṇava. However, if one thinks that he has become
very mature and can live separate from the association of Vaiṣṇava and thus gives up all
the regulative principles due to offending a Vaiṣṇava, one's position becomes very
dangerous. Giving up the regulative principles and living according to one's whims is
compared to a mad elephant, which by force uproots the bhakti-latä and breaks it to pieces.
In this way the bhakti- latä shrivels up. Such an offense is especially created when one
disobeys the instructions of the spiritual master. This is called guru-avajñä. The devotee
must therefore be very careful not to commit offenses against the spiritual master by
disobeying his instructions.
- CC Madhya 19.156
A Vaiṣṇava should be ready to give respect to anyone, all living entities, because all living
entities are part and parcel of K!ṣṇa. They should offer respect to everyone. Just like this
finger is a part and parcel of my body. If you respect my body and cut my finger, shall I be
happy? No. Therefore Vaiṣṇava knows this, that "Even a small ant, he is the part and parcel
of K!ṣṇa. So if I kill this ant, K!ṣṇa will be unhappy."
- Lecture, Bhagavad-gītä 9.11 -- Calcutta, June 30, 1973
11
Reading
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
A temple is a place where by one is given the opportunity to render direct devotional
service to the Supreme Lord Sri K!ṣṇa. In conjunction with this you should always read my
books daily and all your questions will be answered and you will have a firm basis of K!
ṣṇa Consciousness. In this way your life will be perfect.
- Letter to: Hugo Salemon – Bombay, Sep 22, 1974
In my books the philosophy of K!ṣṇa Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything

which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading
daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will
develop.
- Letter to: Bahurupa dasa, 22nd November, 1974
Indian Man: We like your company very much and we feel like talking to you so much, but we
don’t have so much time to talk with you.
Prabhupāda: So in my absence you read the books. What I talk, I have written in the books.
That’s all.
Indian Man: Personally, we think the association is greater.
Prabhupāda: That’s all right. But still, you can associate with me by reading my books.
- Morning Walk -- August 7, 1975, Toronto
I have already answered the most important question. “How to please K!ṣṇa?”--by following
all the regulative principle that I have given you, chanting 16 rounds and reading my books
scrutinizingly. Everyone must do these things, otherwise they cannot understand K!ṣṇa
Consciousness.
- Letter to: Adi-kesava - Bombay, January 16, 1975
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Continue this book distribution program very nicely, and at the same time take advantage of
these books yourselves. Not that you just distribute but neglect reading them yourself.
Always read them, especially K!ṣṇa book. Every time you have a spare moment, you should
read. This will help you to advance in K!ṣṇa consciousness,
- Letter to: Trai -- Hawaii 5 May, 1972
Whatever free time you have, engage in reading my books. Otherwise, an idle mind is a devil's
workshop.
- Letter to: Nalinikanta -- Bombay 13 April, 1977
Similarly, you must read Bhagavad-gītä at least a few verses every day and think about
them throughout the day. The best thing is to read one chapter daily, but if you can meditate
upon a few verses of Bhagavad-gītä every day, that is better than reading for simply one hour
and then forgetting the topics until the next reading.
- Letter to: Paramananda -- Los Angeles 29 July, 1969
Actually these books are the foundation stone of our movement. Whatever we are is resting
on these books. Reading and distributing them—this should be our only motto.
- Letter to Hådayänanda Goswami, October 31, 1974
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Be very careful to follow all of the regulative principles nicely and chant 16 rounds and study
my books very deeply. This will make you able to go back to Godhead at the end of your
life.
- Letter to: Kåñụa dasa - Mexico City, February 15, 1975
"The instruction given in my books is supposed to be personal instruction. When we read

the Bhagavad-gītä As It Is, it is understood that we are receiving personal instructions of K!
ṣṇa. No physical barrier is there in the case of spiritual affairs."
- Letter to Dhåñṭaketu, October 14, 1973
Why are we giving so much stress on Bhagavad-gītä as it is? Because it is spoken by K!

ṣṇa. Similarly, anything written by K!ṣṇa’s pure devotee, that is important. Simply by reading
such book, we shall be free from material entanglement.
- Lecture, SB 7.9.18 -- Mäyäpur, February 25, 1976
I am very much stressing nowadays that my students shall increase their reading of my
books and try to understand them from different angles of vision. Each çloka can be seen
from many, many angles of vision, so become practiced in seeing things like this. If we are
selling the books but we do not know what is inside the book, that will be a farce.
- Letter to: Tribhuvanatha - Los Angeles, June 16, 1972
12
Guru Issue
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The words daivera käraụa indicate that by dint of providence, or by God’s will, the followers
of Advaita Ācārya divided into two parties. Such disagreement among the disciples of one
äcärya is also found among the members of the GauỢīya Maṭha. In the beginning, during the
presence of Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya Aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura Prabhupāda, all the disciples worked in agreement; but
just after his disappearance, they disagreed. One party strictly followed the instructions of
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, but another group created their own concoction about
executing his desires. Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura, at the time of his departure,
requested all his disciples to form a governing body and conduct missionary activities
cooperatively. He did not instruct a particular man to become the next äcärya. But just after
his passing away, his leading secretaries made plans, without authority, to occupy the post
of äcärya, and they split into two factions over who the next äcärya would be. Consequently,
both factions were asära, or useless, because they had no authority, having disobeyed the
order of the spiritual master. Despite the spiritual master’s order to form a governing body
and execute the missionary activities of the GauỢīya Maṭha, the two unauthorized factions
began litigation that is still going on after forty years with no decision. Therefore, we do not
belong to any faction. But because the two parties, busy dividing the material assets of the
GauỢīya Maṭha institution, stopped the preaching work, we took up the mission of
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura and Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura to preach the cult of Caitanya
Mahāprabhu all over the world, under the protection of all the predecessor äcäryas, and we
find that our humble attempt has been successful. We followed the principles especially
explained by Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura in his commentary on the Bhagavad-gītä
verse beginning vyavasäyätmikä buddhir ekeha kuru- nandana. According to this instruction
of Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, it is the duty of a disciple to follow strictly the orders of
his spiritual master. The secret of success in advancement in spiritual life is the firm faith of
the disciple in the orders of his spiritual master.
- CC Ädi 12.8
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
How can everyone become a spiritual master? A spiritual master must have sufficient
knowledge, so many other qualifications. Without any qualifications how can one become a
spiritual master. Now the process is, Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, ämära äjñäya: "On My
order." That is the crucial point. One does not become spiritual master by his own whims.
That is not spiritual master. He must be ordered by superior authority. Then he's spiritual
master. Just like in our case. Our superior authority, our spiritual master, he ordered me that
"You just try to preach this gospel, whatever you have learned from me, in English." So we
have tried it. That's all. It is not that I am very much qualified. The only qualification is that I
have tried to execute the order of superior authority. That's all. This is the secret of success
- Bhagavad-gītä 2.2 -- London, August 3, 1973
One should not be eager to become a spiritual master cheaply for the sake of profit and
fame. The Lord never tolerates the impertinence of maryädä-vyatikrama. One should never
pass over the honor due to an elderly spiritual master in the interests of one's own personal
gain and fame. Impertinence on the part of the pseudo spiritual master is very risky to
progressive spiritual realization.
- SB 3.4.26
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
You are right about Śrīdhara Mahārāja’s genuineness. But in my opinion he is the best of the
lot. He is my old friend, at least he executes the regulative principles of devotional service. I
do not wish to discuss about activities of my Godbrothers but it is a fact they have no life for
preaching work. All are satisfied with a place for residence in the name of a temple, they
engage disciples to get foodstuff by transcendental devices and eat and sleep. They have
no idea or brain how to broadcast the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. My Guru Mahārāja
used to lament many times for this reason and he thought if one man at least had
understood the principle of preaching then his mission would achieve success. In the latter
days of my Guru Mahārāja he was very disgusted. Actually, he left this world earlier,
otherwise he would have continued to live for more years. Still he requested his disciples to
form a strong Governing body for preaching the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He never
recommended anyone to be äcärya of the GauỢīya Math. But Śrīdhara Mahārāja is
responsible for disobeying this order of Guru Mahārāja, and he and others who are already
dead unnecessarily thought that there must be one acarya. If Guru Mahārāja could have seen
someone who was qualified at that time to be acarya he would have mentioned. Because on
the night before he passed away he talked of so many things, but never mentioned an
acarya. His idea was äcärya was not to be nominated amongst the governing body. He said
openly you make a GBC and conduct the mission. So his idea was amongst the members of
GBC who would come out successful and self effulgent äcärya would be automatically
selected. So Śrīdhara Mahārāja and his two associate gentlemen unauthorizedly selected one
äcärya and later it proved a failure. The result is now everyone is claiming to be äcärya
even though they may be kaniñṭha-adhikärī with no ability to preach. In some of the camps
the äcärya is being changed three times a year. Therefore we may not commit the same
mistake in our ISKCON camp. Actually amongst my Godbrothers no one is qualified to
become äcärya. So it is better not to mix with my Godbrothers very intimately because
instead of inspiring our students and disciples they may sometimes pollute them. This attempt
was made previously by them, especially Mādhava Mahārāja and Tīrtha Mahārāja and Bon
Mahārāja, but somehow or other I saved the situation. This is going on. We shall be very
careful about them and not mix with them. This is my instruction to you all. They cannot help
us in our movement, but they are very competent to harm our natural progress. So we must
be very careful about them.
- Letter to: Rupanuga -- Tirupati 28 April, 1974
13
Chanting Quality
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Brahmānanda: I think sometimes we recommend the devotees to chant their rounds in the
temple rather than walk in other places.
Prabhupāda: Why should one walk to other places? Who has said that you go out? I never
said. You should chant in the temple. Unless one has got some important business for the
temple, why should he go outside? There is no need. That is the chance of falling down. I
have explained, chanting outside the temple and chanting in the temple, it increases the
value thousand times.
- 15/4/76 Bombay
I am so glad to learn that you are now getting the fruit of chanting Hare K!ṣṇa. Hare K!ṣṇa is
so nice that it clears the dirty things from the mind of the devotee and the more one is used
to chant the Holy Name offenselessly, the more one develops love of God, forgetting the
whole material nonsense. It is my duty to deliver you the right thing in right earnestness and
it is the duty of the receiver to act in the standard spiritual regulation.
- Letter, 11/67 Calcutta
It is recommended that even if one commits offenses, one should continue chanting the holy
name. In other words, the chanting of the holy name makes one offenseless.
- SB 7.5.23-24
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
You must practice how to love K!ṣṇa. First you have to rise early in the morning. You may
not like to do that, but you think, "I will rise early to satisfy K!ṣṇa." This is the beginning.
Then, "I have to chant sixteen rounds of the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra on my beads." You may be
lazy, you may not want to do it, but if you want to love K!ṣṇa you must do it. You must do it.
In the beginning you have to learn how to love K!ṣṇa, but when you actually come to the
state of love of God there is no question of "have to." You will spontaneously follow the
regulative principles
- TQE 7a: The Yoga of Pure Attachment
The spiritual master has given you so many things to do. First of all finish sixteen rounds,
observe the regulative principles. Finish this duty. If you cannot finish sixteen rounds
chanting, you cannot observe the regulative principles, then what else you can do? Be expert
in finishing this duty first. Then ask for another duty. And if you finish this duty, automatically
K!ṣṇa will give you intelligence.
- SB 61.15 22/2/73 Auckland
There are three stages in chanting the holy name of the Lord. In the first stage, one
commits ten kinds of offenses while chanting. In the next stage, nämäbhäsa, the offenses
have almost stopped, and one is coming to the platform of pure chanting. In the third stage,
when one chants the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra without offenses, his dormant love for K!ṣṇa
immediately awakens. This is the perfection.
- SB 5.24.20
You are thinking that there are many problems in your life; I assure you that if you follow the
regulative principles of chanting 16 rounds, observing strictly the prohibitive injunctions,
keep association with pure devotees, plus taking care of the Deities in the Temple, surely all
your problems will be solved without any difficulty.
- Letter to: Kulasekhara — Los Angeles 11 January, 1970
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Ṭhākura Haridāsa was the living example of how to follow the regulative principles.
Similarly, Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī was also such a living example. In the Ẓaò-gosvämy-
añṭaka it is stated: saìkhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhiḳ kälävasänīkåtau. The Gosvāmīs,
especially Raghunātha dāsa Gosvāmī, strictly followed all the regulative principles. The first
regulative principle is that one must chant the Hare K!ṣṇa mahä-mantra loudly enough so
that he can hear himself, and one must vow to chant a fixed number of rounds.
- CC Antya-līlä 11.24
A devotee always has a taste for chanting Hare K!ṣṇa: "Oh, very nice. Hare K!ṣṇa, Hare K!
ṣṇa, K!ṣṇa K!ṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare." This is
taste. Of course, this takes time to awaken, but when Rūpa Gosvāmī was chanting he was
thinking, "I have only one tongue and two ears. What can I appreciate of chanting? If I could
have millions of tongues and trillions of ears, then I could relish something by chanting and
hearing." Of course, we should not imitate him, but the devotees of the K!ṣṇa consciousness
movement must at least be very careful to complete their sixteen rounds, their minimum
amount of prescribed chanting. Nama-gäne sadä ruciḳ: we have to increase our taste for
singing and chanting Hare K!ṣṇa.
- Teachings of Queen Kuntī
The K!ṣṇa consciousness movement prescribes sixteen rounds daily because people in the
Western countries cannot concentrate for long periods while chanting on beads. Therefore
the minimum number of rounds is prescribed. However, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī used
to say that unless one chants at least sixty-four rounds of japa (one hundred thousand
names), he is considered fallen (patita). According to his calculation, practically every one of
us is fallen, but because we are trying to serve the Supreme Lord with all seriousness and
without duplicity, we can expect the mercy of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, who is famous
as patita-pävana, the deliverer of the fallen.
- The Nectar of Instruction Text 5
All of us must chant at least 16 rounds daily to keep us fit on the K!ṣṇa Consciousness
transcendental platform. Amongst all our duties surely we must not forget to complete our
sixteen rounds. We should not be carried away simply by the K!ṣṇa duties which is also
regarded as good as chanting, but in all circumstances we shall not forget this duty.
- Letter to: Ranadhira — Los Angeles 24 January, 1970
14
Deity
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The Viṣṇu forms of worship in great temples of India are not, therefore, arrangements of idol
worship, as they are wrongly interpreted to be by a class of men with a poor fund of
knowledge; rather, they are different spiritual centers of meditation on the transcendental
limbs of the body of Viṣṇu. The worshipable Deity in the temple of Viṣṇu is identical with
Lord Viṣṇu by the inconceivable potency of the Lord. Therefore, a neophyte's concentration
or meditation upon the limbs of Viṣṇu in the temple, as contemplated in the revealed
scriptures, is an easy opportunity for meditation for persons who are unable to sit down
tightly at one place and then concentrate upon praụava oṁkära or the limbs of the body of
Viṣṇu, as recommended herein by Śukadeva Gosvāmī, the great authority. The common
man can benefit more by meditating on the form of Viṣṇu in the temple than on the oṁkära,
the spiritual combination of a-u-m as explained before. There is no difference between
oṁkära and the forms of Viṣṇu, but persons unacquainted with the science of Absolute
Truth try to create dissension by differentiating between the forms of Viṣṇu and that of
oṁkära. Here it is indicated that the Viṣṇu form is the ultimate goal of meditation, and as
such it is better to concentrate upon the forms of Viṣṇu than on impersonal oṁkära. The
latter process is also more difficult than the former.
- SB 2.1.19
Bhagavān Śrī K!ṣṇa is present in the temple Deity, and even if a child comes to offer his
respects, he is counted as a devotee. A small child may not know anything, but simply by
seeing the Deity, chanting and dancing, he is benefited. Temples are meant to give everyone
a chance to advance in K!ṣṇa consciousness one step at a time.
- TLK Vs 14
In the material world, the Lord is always worshiped as the arcä-vigraha, or Deity in the
temple. There is no difference between the arcä-vigraha and the original person, and
therefore those who are engaged in worshiping the Deity in the temple in full opulence, even
on this planet, should be understood to be directly in touch with the Supreme Personality of
Godhead without a doubt.
- SB 5.17.14 Purport
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
I am pleased also that you are decorating your temple nicely. The more you decorate the
temple beautifully the more your heart will be beautiful. The example is that the more you
decorate the original the more the reflection automatically is decorated. So our heart is the
reflection of the Original Consciousness, K!ṣṇa, and the more K!ṣṇa and His paraphernalia
are decorated the more this will be reflected in our heart and we will feel transcendental
bliss.
- Letter to: Upendra -- Tittenhurst 27 October, 1969
The common man, who is expected to become at least a third-class devotee, is advised
herein to visit the temple of the Lord and bow down before the Deity, even though he may
be a very rich man or even a king with a silk turban or crown. The Lord is the Lord of
everyone, including the great kings and emperors, and men who are rich in the estimation of
mundane people must therefore make it a point to visit the temple of Lord Śrī K!ṣṇa and
regularly bow down before the Deity. The Lord in the temple in the worshipable form is
never to be considered to be made of stone or wood, for the Lord in His arcä incarnation as
the Deity in the temple shows immense favor to the fallen souls by His auspicious presence.
- SB 2.3.21
Clearly, those who have the eyes to see K!ṣṇa will see Him. When Caitanya Mahāprabhu
entered the temple of Jagannātha, He immediately fainted upon seeing the Deity. He said,
"Oh, here is My Lord! Here is My Lord!" In order to see, one has to become santaḳ, and one
becomes santaḳ by culture. When we develop love of K!ṣṇa, we will immediately see K!ṣṇa
and faint, saying, "Oh, here is my Lord!" However, those with no faith, those who are always
trying to deny K!ṣṇa, will simply say, "Oh, this is an idol. This is simply a piece of stone."
- TLK Vs 35
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The worship of the Deity in the temple is essential to reduce one’s restlessness due to the
contaminations of conditioned life. Thus Nārada, in his päñcarätrikī-vidhi, and other great
sages have sometimes stressed that since every conditioned soul has a bodily concept of life
aimed at sense enjoyment, to restrict this sense enjoyment the rules and regulations for
worshiping the Deity in the temple are essential.
- CC Ädi 7.76
Only attention engaged in the service of the Lord, especially in dressing and decorating the
temple, accompanied by musical kīrtana and spiritual instructions from scriptures, can save
the common man from the hellish cinema attractions and rubbish sex-songs broadcast
everywhere by radios. If one is unable to maintain a temple at home, he should go to
another's temple where all the above performances are regularly executed. Visiting the
temple of a devotee and looking at the profusely decorated forms of the Lord well dressed in
a well-decorated, sanctified temple naturally infuse the mundane mind with spiritual inspiration.
People should visit holy places like V!ndāvana where such temples and worship of the Deity
are specifically maintained.
- SB 2.3.22
We should follow two important lines, namely the päñcarätrikī-vidhi as well as bhägavata-
vidhi. The bhägavata-vidhi is preaching work, and saìkīrtana, and päñcarätrikī-vidhi is
Temple worship of the Deities. The Temple worship will keep us sanctified, and when we
shall preach in sanctified, pure heart, the preaching will be immediately effective. So we
have to follow the two parallel lines simultaneously for successful execution of devotional
service.
- Letter to: Gurudasa -- Los Angeles 15 March, 1970
15
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Rūpa Gosvāmī says that to advance in spiritual life, the first principle is utsäha. Utsäha
means enthusiasm. “Yes, K!ṣṇa says, sarvadharmän parityajya mäm ekaṁ çaraụaṁ vraja. I
will accept it and work enthusiastically.” K!ṣṇa says, man-manä bhava mad-bhakto mad-yäjī
mäṁ namaskuru, and we have to execute it enthusiastically, “Yes, I shall always think of K!
ṣṇa.” K!ṣṇa says directly, “You just become My devotee.” So we have to be enthusiastic,
“Yes, I shall become K!ṣṇa’s devotee.” K!ṣṇa says, “Worship Me,” so we should be very
much enthusiastic to worship K!ṣṇa, offer maìgala-ärätrika, rise early in the morning. Those
who are not enthusiastic, lazy, lethargic, they cannot advance in spiritual life. One must be
very, very enthusiastic and positive.
- Lecture, Śrīmad-Bhägavatam 3.26.30, Bombay, January 7th, 1975
Dhairyä means patience. You should not become impatient that “Why am I not becoming
perfect? Sometimes why mäyä is kicking me?” Yes. That is habitual. That will go on. It will
stop. “When K!ṣṇa says, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaṁ çaraụaṁ vraja (Bhagavad-gītä
18.66), now I have given up everything. I have no other occupational duties. Simply to serve
K!ṣṇa. So when I have taken to it, then K!ṣṇa will surely give me protection.” That is called
niçcaya. Don’t be disappointed. K!ṣṇa is not a false speaker.
- SB 3.26.30, Mumbai, January 7th, 1975
Acäpalam, determination, means that one should not be agitated or frustrated in some
attempt. There may be failure in some attempt, but one should not be sorry for that; he
should make progress with patience and determination.
- Bg 16.1
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The more you engage yourself in the service of the Lord, the more you become
enthusiastic. There is no question of becoming tired. Just like I am old man. I have come
from India. My age is seventy-six years. So still I am enthusiastic. Still I am going
everywhere, all over the world. Why? K!ṣṇa’s service is so nice. Even an old man like me
gets energy to work. And that’s also without any salary. K!ṣṇa’s service is so nice that you
try to engage yourself more and more then you’ll get more and more K!ṣṇa consciousness,
more enthusiasm. And this is spiritual.
- Arrival lecture, Gainesville, July 29th, 1971
Every devotee should be determined that in this life he will be able to satisfy the Supreme
Personality of Godhead and by that process go back home, back to Godhead. That is the
perfection of the highest mission of life.
- SB 4.8.69
Dhairyät means perseverance, patience. Niçcayät means with firm determination. “Yes, I
have begun chanting. Maybe there are offenses, but if I continue, K!ṣṇa will be pleased to
place me on the transcendental platform when I shall relish what this chanting Hare K!ṣṇa
is.” Just like Viśvanātha Cakravartī has given this example that the mango in the ripe stage
and unripe stage. Unripe stage, it is bitter, but the same mango, when it is fully ripe, it is
sweet. We shall have to wait for this stage, and we shall have to be careful that we may not
commit offenses. Then, surely, we shall come to that stage. Just like a diseased patient, if
he follows the regulations given by the physician and takes the medicine, then surely he’ll
be cured.
- Lecture, SB 1.5.11, New Våndävana, June 10th, 1969
One thing is, our process of K!ṣṇa Consciousness, if it is followed with determination and
enthusiasm, automatically it has the effect of fixing us, body, mind and soul, to the Lotus
Feet of Lord K!ṣṇa, so that all sorts of fluctuations of the material nature, all sorts of
difficulties and discrepancies of life are easily withstood. But first you have to agree to
understand the process and follow it scrupulously. That is wanting.
- Letter to: Bhagavatananda — New York 8 July, 1972
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
We must be enthusiastic that “I shall engage myself very nicely in K!ṣṇa Consciousness
movement.” That is first qualification, enthusiasm. Dullness will not help you. You must be
very enthusiastic. My Guru Mahārāja used to say, präụa ache yara sei hetu pracära. A
person can become a preacher if he has got life. A dead man cannot become a preacher.
So you must be very enthusiastic that “I shall preach the glories of the Lord to my best
capacity.” It is not that one has to become very learned scholar to become a preacher.
Simply it requires enthusiasm, “My Lord is so great, so kind, so beautiful, and so wonderful.
So I must speak something about my Lord.” This is the qualification, enthusiasm.
- Lecture, Nectar of Devotion, Våndävana, October 20th, 1972
One should not be impatient in K!ṣṇa Consciousness. Indeed, this K!ṣṇa Consciousness
movement was started single-handedly, and in the beginning there was no response, but
because we continued to execute our devotional activities with patience, people gradually
began to understand the importance of this movement, and now they are eagerly
participating. One should not be impatient in discharging devotional service, but should take
instructions from the spiritual master and execute them with patience, depending on the
mercy of guru and K!ṣṇa.
- Morning Walk Conversation, Hyderabad, December 5th, 1976
If we are fixed in our determination to carry out the supreme order of the Lord, we are
always secure, regardless of where we are situated, whether in hell or in heaven.
- SB 5.1.19
The standard of devotional practice should be kept very high by strictly observing the
regulative principles and executing devotional activities with determination and enthusiasm. If
the standard practices are followed then the atmosphere will naturally be joyful and
enthusiastic for working cooperatively for the satisfaction of K!ṣṇa.
- Letter to: Kåñụakanti — Bombay 29 November, 1970
16
Vapuḳ & Väëé
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Tamāla K!ṣṇa: Can a Christian in this age, without a spiritual master, but by reading the Bible
and following Jesus’s words, reach the spiritual sky?
Prabhupāda: When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without
spiritual master?
Disciple: I was referring to a living spiritual master.
Śrīla Prabhupāda: There is no question of whether the spiritual master is “living.” The spiritual
master is eternal.
- General Lecture – 2nd Oct 1968 – Seattle
"There is nothing new to be said. Whatever I had to say I have already said in my books.
Now you must all try to understand it and continue with your endeavors. If I depart, there is
no cause for lamentation. I will always be with you through my books and my orders."
- NAM: Preface
The spiritual master is as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and therefore one
who is very serious about spiritual advancement must regard the spiritual master in this way.
Even a slight deviation from this understanding can create disaster in the disciple's Vedic
studies and austerities.
- SB 7.15.27
The son or disciple should accept the words of his spiritual master and father without
hesitation. Whatever the father and the spiritual master order should be taken without
argument: "Yes." There should be no instance in which the disciple or the son says, "This is
not correct. I cannot carry it out." When he says that, he is fallen.
- SB 3.24.13
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
There are two conceptions of presence—the physical conception and the vibrational
conception. The physical conception is temporary, whereas the vibrational conception is
eternal. When we enjoy or relish the vibration of K!ṣṇa’s teachings in Bhagavad-gītä, or
when we chant Hare K!ṣṇa, we should know that by those vibrations He is immediately
present. He is absolute, and because of this His vibration is just as important as His physical
presence. When we feel separation from K!ṣṇa or the spiritual master, we should just try to
remember their words of instructions, and we will no longer feel that separation. Such
association with K!ṣṇa and the spiritual master should be association by vibration, not
physical presence. That is real association.
- Elevation to Kåñụa Consciousness
We put so much stress on seeing, but when K!ṣṇa was present on this earth, so many
people saw Him and did not realize that He is God; so what is the advantage of seeing? By
seeing K!ṣṇa, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to His teachings, we can
come to the platform of understanding. We can touch K!ṣṇa immediately by sound vibration;
therefore we should give more stress to the sound vibration of K!ṣṇa and of the spiritual
master—then we’ll feel happy and won’t feel separation.
This is called vyavasäyätmikä buddhiḳ. ‘I may be quite incomplete. It doesn't matter. But if I
try to follow the words of my Guru Mahārāja, then I become complete’. This is the secret.
Yasya deve parä bhaktir yathä deve tathä gurau [ŚU 6.23]. If one has strong faith in the
Supreme Personality of Godhead and as much faith in the guru, then the revealed
scriptures become manifest. It is not the education. It is not the scholarship. It is faith in K!
ṣṇa and guru. Therefore Caitanya-caritämåta says guru-kåñụa-kåpäya päya bhakti-latä-bīja
[Cc. Madhya 19.151].
- Lecture, SB 1.15.30, LA, Dec 8, 1973
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
So far personal association with the guru is concerned, I was only with my Guru Mahārāja
four or five times, but I have never left his association, not even for a moment. Because I am
following his instructions, I have never felt any separation. There are some of my
Godbrothers here in India who had constant personal association with Guru Mahārāja, but
who are neglecting his orders. This is just like the bug who is sitting on the lap of the king.
He may be very puffed-up by his position, but all he can succeed in doing is biting the king.
Personal association is not so important as association through service.
- Letter to: Satadhanya -- Calcutta 20 February, 1972
There are two kinds of service to the Spiritual Master One is called vaniseva and the other
is called vapuseva. Vaniseva means executing the instructions, and vapuseva means
physically or personally rendering service. So in the absence of physical presentation of the
Spiritual Master the vaniseva is more important. My Spiritual Master, Sarasvati Gosvami
Thakura, may appear to be physically not present, but still because I try to serve His
instruction I never feel separated from Him. I expect that all of you should follow these
instructions.
- Letter to: Karandhara – 22nd Aug 1970
Whenever the äcärya comes, following the superior orders of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead or His representative, he establishes the principles of religion. Unfortunately,
when the äcärya disappears, rogues and nondevotees take advantage and immediately
begin to introduce unauthorized principles. The äcärya, the authorized representative of the
Supreme Lord, establishes the principles of religion, but when he disappears, things once
again become disordered. The perfect disciples of the äcärya try to relieve the situation by
sincerely following the instructions of the spiritual master.
- SB 4.28.48 purport
One should have complete faith in the guru, who helps the disciple make progress in
spiritual life. As soon as the disciple thinks independently, not caring for the instructions of
the spiritual master, he is a failure (yasyäprasädän na gatiḳ kuto 'pi).
- SB 8.17.1
17
Holy Name
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
A person who is chanting the holy name, although born of a low family like that of a caụòäla
[dog-eater], is situated on the highest platform of self-realization. Such a person must have
performed all kinds of penances and sacrifices according to Vedic rituals and studied the
Vedic literatures many, many times after taking his bath in all the holy places of pilgrimage.
Such a person is considered to be the best of the Äryan family.
- SB 3.33.7
It is not possible for the common man in this age to follow all the rules and regulations of the
Vedic rituals, nor is it possible to study all of the Vedānta and the Upaniṣads thoroughly. It
requires much time, energy, knowledge and resources to execute the purposes of the
Vedas. This is hardly possible in this age. The best purpose of Vedic culture is served,
however, by chanting the holy name of the Lord, as recommended by Lord Caitanya, the
deliverer of all fallen souls.
- Bg 2.46
Vedänta is the last word in Vedic wisdom, and the author and knower of the Vedänta
philosophy is Lord K!ṣṇa; and the highest Vedāntist is the great soul who takes pleasure in
chanting the holy name of the Lord. That is the ultimate purpose of all Vedic mysticism.
- Bg 2.46
Caitanya Mahāprabhu recommends, kīrtanīyaḳ sadä hariḳ, always chant. That is the
principle. But we cannot do that because we are so much overwhelmed by the influence of
Kali. So we have to chant at least sixteen rounds. Don’t miss this.
- SB 1.16.26-30 -- Hawaii, January 23, 1974
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The age we live in is called Kali-yuga, the age of forgetting God. It is an age of
misunderstanding and quarrel, and the people’s hearts are filled with dirty things. But God is
so powerful that if we chant His holy name we become purified, just as my disciples have
become purified of their bad habits. Our movement is based on this principle of chanting the
holy name of God. We give everyone the opportunity, without any distinction.
- The Science of Self-Realization
The essence of all Vedic knowledge—comprehending the three kinds of Vedic activity
[karma- käụòa, jñäna-käụòa and upäsanä-käụòa], Vedic hymns, and the processes for
satisfying the demigods—is included in the eight syllables Hare K!ṣṇa, Hare K!ṣṇa. This is
the reality of all Vedānta. The chanting of the holy name is the only means to cross the
ocean of nescience.
- Śrī Caitanya-caritämåta Ädi-līlä 7.76
Yamarāja warned his servants, “My dear servants, henceforward you must stop disturbing
the devotees. The devotees who have surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord and who
constantly chant His holy name are praised by the demigods and the residents of
Siddhaloka. Those devotees are so respectable and exalted that Lord Viṣṇu personally
protects them with the club in His hand. If you approach such devotees, He will kill you with
that club. What to speak of you, if even Lord Brahmā or I were to punish them, Lord Viṣṇu
would punish us. Therefore do not disturb the devotees any further.
- SC 21
You have to remain uncontaminated. Therefore our recommendation is always chant Hare
K!ṣṇa, Hare K!ṣṇa, K!ṣṇa K!ṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare
Hare. So we should be careful about our slipping down again into the sinful activity.
Everyone should be careful and keep oneself in the chanting process. Then he’s all right.
- SB 2.3.15 -- Los Angeles, June 1, 1972
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The fact is that if one comes to K!ṣṇa consciousness, although he may have many material
desires, he becomes increasingly attracted to the lotus feet of K!ṣṇa through associating
with the Supreme Lord by chanting His holy name. The Supreme Lord and His holy name
are identical. Thus he becomes uninterested in attachment to material enjoyment. The
perfection of life is to be uninterested in material enjoyment and interested in K!ṣṇa.
- SB 6.16.39
Since K!ṣṇa and His holy name are identical, the holy name is eternally pure and beyond
material contamination. It is the Supreme Personality of Godhead as a transcendental
vibration.
- CC Ädi-līlä 7.74
If you always chant Hare K!ṣṇa, that means you remember K!ṣṇa always. So there is
chance, ninety-nine percent chance, that at the time of your death you will think of K!ṣṇa
and your life is successful. Very simple method. Make always your mind absorbed in K!ṣṇa.
Naturally at the time of death you will think of K!ṣṇa.
- SB 1.16.3 -- Los Angeles, December 31, 1973
If you always chant Hare K!ṣṇa mantra and be in touch with K!ṣṇa, then you are secure.
Mäyä will not be able to touch you. And if we can somehow or other pass our days then at
the time of death we remember K!ṣṇa, then the whole life is successful.
- SB 2.1.1-2 -- New York, April 19, 1973
18
Maṅgala-ärati
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
First principle is that every devotee must try to rise early in the morning. That is first
business. At four o’clock, attend the maìgala-ärätrika. Maìgala-ärätrika means auspicious
beginning of your day. Simply you have to follow the regulative principles. Then automatically
you’ll become spiritualized.
- Lecture, NoD, -- Våndävana, November 13, 1972
We have to be very cautious in executing our spiritual duties by observing the rules and
regulations and regularly chanting the Hare K!ṣṇa maha-mantra. If we neglect doing this, we will
eventually fall down. We must rise early in the morning, bathe, attend maìgala-ärätrika,
worship the Deities, chant the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra, study the Vedic literatures and follow all
the rules prescribed by the Äcäryas and the spiritual master. If we deviate from this process,
we may fall down, even though we may be very highly advanced. Even if one is in the
renounced order, he should never give up the regulative principles.
- NAM 3.24
Those who are actually engaged in K!ṣṇa consciousness, in devotional service, associate
with them. Don't think that at home you will be perfect. That is not possible. At home there is
no such facilities. Here you will get the facilities. At home you will think, "Oh, what is this
early in the morning? Let me enjoy sleep." So there is no such facilities at home. Therefore
this institution is started. If you are serious about K!ṣṇa consciousness, if you are serious
about increasing attachment for K!ṣṇa, then you should come and live with the devotees.
Now they are chanting, they are having maìgala-ärati, they are decorating the Deity, and so
many things.
- BG 7.1 -- London, March 9, 1975
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Everyone can become first-class sura. They have to be trained. Therefore it is said that
pravåttiṁ ca nivåttiṁ ca janä na vidur äsuräḳ [Bg. 16.7]. The fault is, asuras, they do not
know how to live a very happy and clean life. Na çaucaṁ näpi cäcäraḳ. They have no
cleanliness and good behavior. So therefore we are teaching cleanliness. So he rises early in
the morning, takes his bath, immediately becomes cleansed. These are the qualification of
brähmaụa or the suras. Therefore we are training, "Rise early in the morning. Chant Hare K!
ṣṇa. Have maìgala-ärati." This is äcära. By practicing this, you can see the distinction
between ordinary men or our men.
- Lecture, BG 16.7 -- Tokyo, January 27, 1975
We can practice sad-äcära if we perform devotional service regularly, including daily

attendance at maìgala-ärati and chanting sixteen rounds of the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra on
beads. These practices will gradually cleanse us of material contamination.
- SC 12
When a boy goes to school, he has to follow the rules and regulations, but after a while he
becomes accustomed to them and does not have to be taught. In other words, he learns
automatically to come to school at a certain time, take his seat and study nicely. Similarly, in
this K!ṣṇa consciousness movement, we have certain rules and regulations. We must rise
early in the morning for maìgala-ärati, chant sixteen rounds of Hare K!ṣṇa daily, and
execute all the functions of bhakti-yoga. In this way, we become attached to rendering
service to K!ṣṇa, and we become practiced in this science. When we attain this stage, we
immediately become self- realized.
- TLK Vs 17
If you engage yourself in the service of K!ṣṇa, you'll find newer and newer encouragement.
That is spiritual. If you find it hackneyed, then you must know that you are not yet serving
spiritually, you are serving materially for formality. But if you feel new energy, then you know
that you are serving spiritually. This is the test. Your enthusiasm will increase, not decrease.
So the test is within our hand. If during maìgala-ärati we feel laziness, that means I'm not yet
spiritually advanced. And if one feels enthused, "Now it is time for maìgala-ärati, let me
stand up, let me do this," then it is spiritual. Anyone can test.
- Lecture, BG 2.21-22 -- London, August 26, 1973
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Äpani äcari prabhu jīveri çikñäya. That is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's movement. He teaches others
by behaving Himself. "Example is better than precept." If you cannot rise early in the
morning, then how can you ask others to rise early in the morning? What is the effect? We
have got business early in the morning, to attend maìgala ärati. And if you sleep yourself
and teach others, so who will take it?
- Morning Walk -- April 23, 1974, Hyderabad
All of you keep yourselves strong in K!ṣṇa Consciousness by following all of my basic
principles. That is of the utmost importance. Do not fail to chant sixteen rounds daily, rise
early, come to mangala aräti, come to classes and follow the 4 regulative principles. In this
way your life will become free from all anxieties.
- Letter to: Sons -- Bombay 28 December, 1974
You have to practice tapasya by voluntarily accepting a little inconvenience. All our students
must rise early in the morning (before four), take bath, attend maìgala-ärati, and study the
scriptures. These are all austerities, in which we voluntarily give up things we may like and
accept things we may not like. Of course, if a person takes to K!ṣṇa consciousness
seriously, K!ṣṇa helps him become qualified in all these matters.
- DWT 16
One who, with great care and attention, loudly recites this beautiful prayer Śrī Śrī Gurv-
añṭaka to the spiritual master during the brähma-muhürta obtains direct service to K!ṣṇa,
the Lord of V!ndāvana, at the time of his death.
- Śrī Śrī Gurv-añṭaka (saṁsära-dävänala-līòha-loka)
19
Sädhana
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
K!ṣṇa consciousness can only be increased by chanting, reading our books regularly, and
strictly following the rules and regulations.
- Letter to: Subala — Bombay 25 November, 1974
You cannot get a moment of your life returned back by payment of millions of dollars, hence
if that moment is wasted, just consider how much money you have lost! Therefore not a
single moment should be lost in this human life. It should be utilized simply by chanting,
reading Śrīmad-Bhägavatam. We have to read; we have to chant. Then life will successful.
Then we shall be free from this attachment. So the process is that nityaṁ bhägavata-
sevayä. Daily we should devote our time for understanding Śrīmad-Bhägavatam.
- Lecture, SB 3.25.16 -- Bombay, November 16, 1974
The whole world is engaged in unnecessary hard labor with their factories. It is a brain
killing civilization. Let them come to free life. Spend time chanting Hare K!ṣṇa, reading
books and making their lives successful. This is very essential propaganda.
- Letter, September 4, 1974, Vrindavan
Simply execute your duties in K!ṣṇa's service, chant sincerely, and follow the regulative
principles faithfully. If you carry out this simple order of life, all your uncertainties will come
to nothing by the grace of the Lord and the whole matter will become clear.
- Letter, Jan 1, 1971, Bombay
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Number one engagement is that you must chant at least 16 rounds Hare K!ṣṇa mantra
daily; The four regulative principles are most important and must be observed rigidly in
temple life; You should speak according to the çästras and be compassionate to all
conditioned souls and try to convince them about the real truth.
- Letter, June 29, 1971, London
Your regular chanting of mahämantra and reading of books will keep you always fit for
pushing on this movement. This formula should be rigidly followed by everyone of us.
- Letter to: Tamala Kåñụa — Los Angeles 1 May, 1970
If you always chant Hare K!ṣṇa, read my books, and preach this philosophy sincerely,
then K!ṣṇa will provide you with all facility, and you will not fall down into material
entanglement.
- Letter, March 1967, San Francisco
Instead of suffering this repeated birth and death, sacrifice in this one life. What is the
inconvenience to live nicely, avoiding these four rascal habits, taking K!ṣṇa prasädam, and
chanting Hare K!ṣṇa mantra and reading all these nice books. Where is the difficulty? Nice
first class life. Wherever you will go you will be respectable. Anyone will worship you.
- Room Conversation -- August 15, 1971, London
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
If our students strictly follow the chalked out plan; namely chanting 16 rounds daily,
following the restrictive regulations and reading at least one chapter from our books, then
automatically they become ordained ministers. One might be examined by anyone, outsider,
and he will never fail the test. Try to see that things are exacted according to the above
plan. Then they are saved materially and spiritually both.
- Letter to: Brahmananda — Los Angeles 22 January, 1970
The important thing is to see that everyone is following a regulated schedule of chanting 16
rounds, reading, saìkīrtana, and temple worship. Any breakage in the performance of one's
duties will surely be a hindrance in one's advancement.
- Letter to: Vrindaban Candra — Bombay 9 November, 1970
If you actually want to become free from the contamination of this material world, then you
should always be engaged in chanting, saìkīrtanam. Not only the holy name, but reading the
Kåñụa book, The Nectar of Devotion, Teachings of Lord Caitanya. If you feel tired chanting,
you read these books. We have got so many books. If you feel tired reading this book, then
transfer your attention to another book, or another book, or chant. Simply do not to waste a
single moment. Caitanya Mahāprabhu says Kīrtanīyaḳ sadä hariḳ [Cc. Ādi 17.31]. Sadä means
always. So we have got materials for engaging ourself always in K!ṣṇa consciousness.
- Lecture, SB 6.3.20-23 -- Gorakhpur, February 14, 1971
As the temple is growing more and more, so can your service expend also. So stay strong
in K!ṣṇa's service by strictly following the regulative principles, chanting 16 rounds daily,
without fail, reading all our literatures, and engaging whole-heartedly in devotional service,
24 hours. Then you will be happy and K!ṣṇa will be pleased.
- Letter to: Anandini (Karen Anderson) — Bombay 30 March, 1971
20
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
While describing the system of protection for the creeper of devotional service, Śrī Caitanya
Mahāprabhu has especially stressed protection from offenses unto the lotus feet of
Vaiṣṇavas. Such offenses are called vaiñụava-aparädha. Aparädha means "offense." If one
commits vaiñụava-aparädhas, all of his progress in devotional service will be checked. Even
though one is very much advanced in devotional service, if he commits offenses at the feet of
a Vaiṣṇava, his advancement is all spoiled. In the çästras it is found that a very great yogī,
Durvāsā Muni, committed a vaiñụava-aparädha and thus for one full year had to travel all
over the universe, even to Vaikuṇṭhaloka, to defend himself from the offense. At last, even
when he approached the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vaikuṇṭha, he was refused
protection. Therefore one should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a
Vaiṣṇava.
- SB 4.21.37
One should be very careful about committing offenses at the feet of a Vaiṣṇava. The most
grievous type of vaiñụava-aparädha is called gurv-aparädha, which refers to offenses at the
lotus feet of the spiritual master. In the chanting of the holy name of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, this gurv-aparädha is considered the most grievous offense. Guror
avajñä çruti- çästra-nindanam.
- SB 4.21.37
The power of vaiñụava-aparädha is so great that even an advanced devotee becomes

almost devoid of his spiritual assets if he commits it. Since K!ṣṇa consciousness is eternal, it
cannot be destroyed altogether, but advancement may be checked for the time being. Thus
vaiñụava- aparädha is one kind of impediment to devotional service.
- SB 5.1.5
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
When one thus criticizes a pure devotee, he commits an offense (vaiñụava-aparädha) that
is very obstructive and dangerous for those who desire to advance in K!ṣṇa consciousness.
A person cannot derive any spiritual benefit when he offends the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava.
Everyone should therefore be very careful not to be jealous of an empowered Vaiṣṇava, or
a çuddha-vaiñụava. It is also an offense to consider an empowered Vaiṣṇava an object of
disciplinary action. It is offensive to try to give him advice or to correct him.
- NoI: verse 6
Karmīs may consider the body of a devotee material, but factually it is not, for a devotee has
no conception of material enjoyment. If one thinks that the body of a pure devotee is
material, he is an offender, for that is a vaiñụava-aparädha.
- CC Antya 4.194
Pure consciousness can be revived by the process of sacrifice, charity, pious activities, etc.,
but when one pollutes his K!ṣṇa consciousness by offending a brähmaụa or a Vaiṣṇava, it is
very difficult to revive. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has described the vaiñụava-aparädha, or
offense to a Vaiṣṇava, as "the mad elephant offense." One should be very careful not to
offend a Vaiṣṇava or a brähmaụa. Even the great yogī Durvāsā was harassed by the
Sudarśana cakra when he offended the Vaiṣṇava Mahārāja Ambarīṣa, who was neither a
brähmaụa nor a sannyäsī but an ordinary householder. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was a Vaiṣṇava,
and consequently Durvāsā Muni was chastised. The conclusion is that if K!ṣṇa
consciousness is covered by material sins, one can eliminate the sins simply by chanting
the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra, but if one pollutes his K!ṣṇa consciousness by offending a
brähmaụa or a Vaiṣṇava, one cannot revive it until one properly atones for the sin by
pleasing the offended Vaiṣṇava.
- SB 4.26.24
A devotee must therefore be completely free from envy, especially of other devotees. To
envy other devotees is a great offense, a vaiñụava-aparädha. A devotee who constantly
engages in hearing and chanting (çravaụa-kīrtana) is certainly freed from the disease of
envy, and thus he becomes eligible to go back home, back to Godhead.
- SB 9.11.23
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
There are two kinds of impediments to devotional service. The first is an offense at the lotus
feet of a Vaiṣṇava. This is called vaiñụava-aparädha. Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu warned His
devotees not to commit vaiñụava-aparädha, which He described as the mad elephant
offense. When a mad elephant enters a beautiful garden, it destroys everything, leaving a
barren field. Similarly, the power of vaiñụava-aparädha is so great that even an advanced
devotee becomes almost devoid of his spiritual assets if he commits it. Since K!ṣṇa
consciousness is eternal, it cannot be destroyed altogether, but advancement may be
checked for the time being. Thus vaiñụava-aparädha is one kind of impediment to
devotional service.
- SB 5.1.5
We should know that vipra-çäpa-vimüòhänäm: if any person is cursed by vipra, brähmaụa,

Vaiṣṇava, then they are finished. Therefore according to the Vedic civilization, brähmaụas
and Vaiṣṇavas are always honored so that they may not be dissatisfied. This is the rule.
Veda- päṭhäd bhaved vipro brahma jänätīti brähmaụaḳ. Those who are spiritually advanced,
such persons should not be offended.
-SB 1.15.22-23 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1973
An offense at the feet of a Vaiṣṇava is more dangerous than an offense at the lotus feet of
the Lord.
- SB 1.13.59
A devotee of the Lord shows respect even to an ant, what to speak of the demigods? The
devotee is aware that all living entities are parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord and that
they are playing different roles only. In relation to the Supreme Lord, all beings are to be
respected. Therefore a devotee refers to others as "prabhu," meaning "My dear sir, my dear
lord." Submissiveness is a qualification for a devotee of the Lord.
- OWK 5: Steering Toward the Supreme
21
Reading
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Śrīmad-Bhägavatam is the transcendental science not only for knowing the ultimate source
of everything but also for knowing our relation with Him and our duty toward perfection of
the human society on the basis of this perfect knowledge. It is powerful reading matter in the
Sanskrit language, and it is now rendered into English elaborately so that simply by a
careful reading one will know God perfectly well, so much so that the reader will be
sufficiently educated to defend himself from the onslaught of atheists. Over and above this,
the reader will be able to convert others to accepting God as a concrete principle.
- SB Preface
Those who have joined this K!ṣṇa Consciousness movement, my request is they follow the
regulative principles, as instructed by Rūpa Gosvāmī, with enthusiasm, read books and
distribute books. And that is a very great service. I’ll speak something, you may forget, but if
you read from the book, you will get good opportunity to understand the philosophy.
- Arrival lecture, Honolulu, May 3rd, 1976
Yes, reading my books will help you, philosophy must be there, also participate in all temple
affairs like rising early, attending mangal aräti, performing devotional service, simply learning the
philosophy will have no effect.
- Letter to: Dayananda -- New York 7 July, 1972
One may supposed to be intelligent or scholar but if he does not read my books, his
knowledge has no profit. That's a fact. Asampürụa. He remains still in darkness.
- Letter from Yugoslavia—"Books!" -- June 30, 1977, Våndävana
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Be sure that all of the devotees there are very carefully following all of the regulative
principles and chanting 16 rounds daily and let them study the books deeply.
- Letter to: Nityananda – Honululu, 75-06-05
One who reads Brahma-saṁhitä very carefully & scrutinizingly can understand everything of
K!ṣṇa without any fault. I recommend, therefore that all my students read Brahma-saṁhitä
very carefully--especially because it was translated personally by my spiritual master
Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Goswami Mahārāja.
- Letter to: Pradyumna — Calcutta 17 October, 1967
Chant 16 rounds minimum daily and study my books deeply. Some way or other, if they
read my books, they will be benefited. There is no doubt about it.
- Letter to: Damodara – Honululu, 75-05-26
Sudāmā: A devotee wants to know that should they just have the chanting without reading
your books.
Prabhupāda: But that chanting must be pure. Your guru is writing books. If you think, "There
is no necessity of reading books," that is guror avajñä. Do you mean to say I am writing
these books whole night for selling and making money? Why do you think like that?
Woman Devotee: So there should just be chanting and reading of the
books. Prabhupāda: Yes.
- BG 17.1-3 -- Honolulu, July 4, 1974
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
All Vedic literature is summarized in the Vedänta-sütra, and for future guidance he gave a
natural commentation on the Vedänta-sütra, called Śrīmad-Bhägavatam. We must always
engage our minds in reading these Vedic literatures. Just as materialists engage their minds
in reading newspapers, magazines and so many materialistic literatures, we must transfer
our reading to these literatures which are given to us by Vyāsadeva; in that way it will be
possible for us to remember the Supreme Lord at the time of death. That is the only way
suggested by the Lord, and He guarantees the result: "There is no doubt."
- Bg Introduction
We cannot live for a moment without being questioned or without giving answers. Because
the Śrīmad-Bhägavatam deals with questions and answers that are related to K!ṣṇa, we can
derive the highest satisfaction only by reading and hearing this transcendental literature.
One should learn the Śrīmad-Bhägavatam and make an all-around solution to all problems
pertaining to social, political or religious matters. Śrīmad-Bhägavatam and K!ṣṇa are the
sum total of all things.
- SB 1.2.5
Śrīmad-Bhägavatam is so scientifically presented that any sincere student of this great

science will be able to understand the science of God simply by reading it with attention or
simply by regularly hearing it from the bona fide speaker.
- SB 2.7.52
The spiritual master prescribes standard literature for the prosecution of the yoga of
devotional service, and he himself speaks only from scriptural reference. Therefore reading
standard scriptures is necessary for executing yoga. Practicing yoga without reading the
standard literatures is simply a waste of time.
- SB 3.28.4
22
Guru Issue
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The spiritual master must never be carried away by an accumulation of wealth or a large
number of followers. A bona fide spiritual master will never become like that. But
sometimes, if a spiritual master is not properly authorized and only on his own initiative
becomes a spiritual master, he may be carried away by an accumulation of wealth and large
numbers of disciples. His is not a very high grade of devotional service. If a person is carried
away by such achievements, then his devotional service becomes slackened. One should
therefore strictly adhere to the principles of disciplic succession.
- NoD 14: Devotional Qualifications
As bell metal can turn to gold when mixed with mercury in a chemical process, so, by the
bona fide dīkñä, or initiation method, anyone can become a Vaiṣṇava. One should take
initiation from a bona fide spiritual master coming in the disciplic succession, who is
authorized by his predecessor spiritual master. This is called dīkñä-vidhäna.
- SB 4.8.54
When one has attained the topmost position of mahä-bhägavata, he is to be accepted as a

guru and worshipped exactly like Hari, the Personality of Godhead. Only such a person is
eligible to occupy the post of a guru.
- Śrī Caitanya-caritämåta, Madhya-līlä 24.330
It is imperative that a serious person accept a bona fide spiritual master in terms of the
çästric injunctions. Śrī Jīva Gosvāmī advises that one not accept a spiritual master in terms of
hereditary or customary social and ecclesiastical conventions. One should simply try to find
a genuinely qualified spiritual master for actual advancement in spiritual understanding.
- CC Ädi 1.35
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
One should try to cooperate with the Lord in His outward activities for correcting the fallen
souls. By His order only, one should become a spiritual master and cooperate with the Lord.
One should not become a spiritual master for one's personal benefit, for some material gain
or as an avenue of business or occupation for earning livelihood. Bona fide spiritual masters
who look unto the Supreme Lord to cooperate with Him are actually qualitatively one with
the Lord.
- SB 1.13.48
“The conclusion is that an empowered spiritual master is authorized by K!ṣṇa and his own guru
and should therefore be considered as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself.”
- CC Madhya 10.136
Unless one is a resident of K!ṣṇa Loka, one cannot be a Spiritual Master. That is the first
proposition. A layman cannot be a Spiritual Master, and if he becomes so then he will
simply create disturbance.
- Letter to: Mukunda — New Vrindaban 10 June, 1969
Without being empowered by the direct potency of Lord K!ṣṇa to fulfill His desire and
without being specifically favored by the Lord, no human being can become the spiritual
master of the whole world. He certainly cannot succeed by mental concoction, which is not
meant for devotees or religious people.
- CC Madhya 25.9
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
K!ṣṇa is the spiritual master because He originally gave the Vedic instructions to Brahmā,
and presently He is also instructing the Bhagavad-gītä to Arjuna; therefore He is the original
spiritual master, and any bona fide spiritual master at the present moment must be a
descendant in the line of disciplic succession stemming from K!ṣṇa. Without being a
representative of K!ṣṇa, one cannot become a teacher or spiritual master of transcendental
subject matter.
- BG 11.43
An äcärya must always be eager to deliver the fallen souls. A person who establishes a
temple or maṭha to take advantage of people’s sentiments by using for his livelihood what
people contribute for the worship of the Deity cannot be called a gosvämī or äcärya. One
who knows the conclusion of the çästras, follows in the footsteps of his predecessors and
endeavors to preach the bhakti cult all over the world is to be considered an äcärya. The
role of an äcärya is not to earn his livelihood through the income of the temple. Śrīla
Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura used to say that if one earns his livelihood by displaying
the Deity in the temple, he is not an äcärya or gosvämī. It would be better for him to accept
service even as a sweeper in the street, for that is a more honorable means of earning
one’s living.
- CC Antya 3.223
Who is an äcärya? Äcärya means one who has received the Vedic knowledge through the
paramparä system. Evaṁ paramparä-präptam imaṁ räjarñayo viduḳ [Bg. 4.2]. He is äcärya.
Äcärya cannot be manufactured, self-made. No. He must come down from the disciplic
succession. He is äcärya. You have to approach such an äcärya who is coming in disciplic
succession.
- BG 13.8-12 -- Bombay, October 5, 1973
To approach a bona fide guru, or spiritual master, is essential. The bona fide spiritual
master is he who has received the mercy of his guru, who in turn is bona fide because he
has received the mercy of his guru. This is called the paramparä system. Unless one follows
this paramparä system, the mantra one receives will be chanted for no purpose.
- SB 8.16.24
23
Chanting Quality
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Generally, we recommend our disciples to chant at least sixteen rounds on their japa beads
daily, and this should be completed. He must be sure to keep his vow. If he does not strictly
follow this out, then he is sure to be negligent. That is offensive in the service of the Lord. If
we encourage offenses, we shall not be able to make progress in devotional service. It is
better if one fixes up a regulative principle according to his own ability and then follows that
vow without fail. That will make him advanced in spiritual life.
- NoD
In our preaching work, we deal with so much property and money and so many books
bought and sold, but because these dealings all pertain to the K!ṣṇa consciousness
movement, they should never be considered material. That one is absorbed in thoughts of
such management does not mean that he is outside of K!ṣṇa consciousness. If one rigidly
observes the regulative principle of chanting sixteen rounds of the mahä-mantra every day,
his dealings with the material world for the sake of spreading the K!ṣṇa consciousness
movement are not different from the spiritual cultivation of K!ṣṇa consciousness.
- SB 5.16.3
Everyone begins his devotional life from the neophyte stage, but if one properly finishes
chanting the prescribed number of rounds of hari-näma, he is elevated step by step to the
highest platform, uttama-adhikärī.
- The Nectar of Instruction Text 5
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
The devotees who are preaching the message of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu should very
seriously follow strictly in His footsteps. If they follow the rules and regulations and chant
sixteen rounds daily, their endeavor to preach the cult of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu will
certainly be successful.
- Cc. Madhya 7.82
If somebody says, "Now I'll chant sitting down. Who is going to see me? I'll doze and people
will know I am chanting." This kind of cheating will not do. For all those who are interested in
K!ṣṇa consciousness we have given time, sixteen rounds. You are not Haridāsa Ṭhākura
that you'll be able to chant whole day and night. If without working, if you chant, that is, the
highest state. That you cannot do. Then you will sleep. So the minimum quantity chant
sixteen rounds, and that will take not more than two hours. And other twenty-two hours, you
always be busy in K!ṣṇa's activities. That is required.
- Bhagavad-gītä 16.9 -- Hawaii, February 5, 1975
PañcadraviỢa: What if the person cannot chant sixteen rounds a day. He says, "I can't..."
Prabhupāda: Then he is not even a human being. He is a rascal. That's all. He is not a human
being. He is animal. Don't talk about him if he cannot chant sixteen rounds.
- MW, Hyd, April 20, 1974
Indian man: Prabhupāda, when we do our chanting, the chanting beads contain 108 beads.
Why is this, and why do we chant sixteen rounds?
Prabhupāda: Not sixteen rounds. You can chant unlimitedly. Minimum 16 rounds because
they cannot chant more than that. Otherwise kīrtanīyaḳ sadä hariḳ [Cc. Ādi 17.31]. So you
must have a fixed amount of kīrtana. That is called tapasya, that "We must finish at least this
much, if not more." Saìkhyä-pürvaka-näma-gäna-natibhiḳ. Saìkhyä-pürvaka. By numerical
strength one should chant. That is called vow. This is the idea. We cannot imitate Haridāsa
Ṭhākura, who was chanting 300,000 times. One name is sufficient. If you can chant one
name only, that is sufficient. But that is not possible. So to understand the value of name at
least we must have some numerical strength. All the Gosvāmīs used to do that. We follow
their footprints.
- Bhagavad-gītä 7.2 -- Nairobi, October 28, 1975
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Somebody, after initiation he promises, "Yes, I shall follow these rules and regulations. I
shall chant sixteen rounds," before the fire, before the Deity, before the guru, and if he does
not follow, then he is a cheater. What to speak of his becoming a Vaiṣṇava, he is a cheater.
He breaks all his promises. Therefore after seeing, observing a person is doing everything,
then say second initiation, or then he should not be recommended for second initiation
- MW, Hyd, April 20, 1974
Female devotee (1): When in the Bhagavad-gītä it says that the mahä-mantra cleanses the
heart and soul, does that mean that when you just say the words, just the sound, will that
cleanse your heart? Or should you try and remember K!ṣṇa with every word and every
sound?
Prabhupāda: No. By simply chanting your heart will be cleansed. Yes. Go on chanting.
Therefore we give regulative principle that one must chant at least sixteen rounds.
Female devotee (1): Should we try to go fast in order to get them done, in order to get the
rounds done?
Prabhupāda: The first thing is that you should chant without any offense. In the beginning
there may be so many offenses, but the chanting will be perfect when you are free from ten
kinds of offenses.
- Bhagavad-gītä 4.39-42 -- Los Angeles, January 14, 1969
If you are determined that "I shall always chant Hare K!ṣṇa mantra," nobody can check. But
we do not feel so much attached to the chanting. Therefore it is checked. So therefore we
have fixed up a certain rounds. Just like we have given to you sixteen rounds. At least, as a
regulative principle, you must chant. Then gradually we may increase. That will be very
good approach.
- The Nectar of Devotion -- Calcutta, January 25, 1973
I have advised that Pañca-tattva mantra must be chanted. When there is chanting, if you
chant the çrī-kåñụa-caitanya prabhu, then it becomes very clear. There will be no offense.
So therefore our process is, first of all chant çrī-kåñụa-caitanya prabhu-nityänanda çrī-
advaita gadädhara çrīväsädi-gaura-bhakta-vånda, then you get some strength and chanting
will be easy.
- Chicago, July 4, 1974
24
Deity
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Mäyävädīs and atheists accept the forms of the Deities in the temple of the Lord as idols,
but devotees do not worship idols. They directly worship the Personality of Godhead in His
arcä incarnation. Arcä refers to the form which we can worship in our present condition.
Actually, in our present state it is not possible to see God in His spiritual form because our
material eyes and senses cannot conceive of a spiritual form. We cannot even see the
spiritual form of the individual soul. When a man dies we cannot see how the spiritual form
leaves the body. That is the defect of our material senses. In order to be seen by our
material senses, the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts a favorable form which is
called arcä-vigraha. This arcä- vigraha, sometimes called the arcä incarnation, is not
different from Him. Just as the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts various
incarnations, He takes on forms made out of matter— clay, wood, metal and jewels.
- SB 3.25.35
There are many çästric injunctions which give instructions for carving forms of the Lord.
These forms are not material. If God is all-pervading, then He is also in the material
elements. There is no doubt about it. But the atheists think otherwise. Although they preach
that everything is God, when they go to the temple and see the form of the Lord, they deny
that He is God. According to their own theory, everything is God. Then why is the Deity not
God? Actually, they have no conception of God. The devotees' vision, however, is different;
their vision is smeared with love of God. As soon as they see the Lord in His different forms,
the devotees become saturated with love, for they do not find any difference between the
Lord and His form in the temple, as do the atheists. The smiling face of the Deity in the
temple is beheld by the devotees as transcendental and spiritual, and the decoration of the
body of the Lord is very much appreciated by the devotees.
- SB 3.25.35
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
It is recommended that the neophyte meditate on the Deity daily. He should begin by
meditating on the lotus feet, and then when he is practiced, he should turn his gaze toward
K!ṣṇa's smiling face. The neophyte should also read and hear Bhagavad-gītä and Śrīmad-
Bhägavatam. If we simply try to see and don't listen, the results will not be permanent. In
some temples there are Deities but no discussion about K!ṣṇa. People attend for some time,
but after a while they lose interest. Thus there must be two activities. The Deities must be
worshiped, and this is called päñcarätrikī-vidhi. There must also be bhägavata-vidhi, reading
Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītä and Śrīmad-Bhägavatam. Päñcarätrikī-vidhi and bhägavata-vidhi go
hand in hand. By participating in these two processes, the neophyte can gradually attain the
intermediate stage.
- TLK Vs 36
Even the third-class devotee—who is not advanced in knowledge of the Absolute Truth but
simply offers obeisances with great devotion, thinks of the Lord, sees the Lord in the temple
and brings forth flowers and fruits to offer to the Deity—becomes imperceptibly liberated.
Śraddhayänvitäḳ: with great devotion the devotees offer worshipful respects and
paraphernalia to the Deity. The Deities of Rādhā and K!ṣṇa, Lakṣmī and Nārāyaṇa, and
Rāma and Sītā are very attractive to devotees, so much so that when they see the statue
decorated in the temple of the Lord they become fully absorbed in thought of the Lord. That
is the state of liberation.
- SB 3.25.36
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The entire Bhägavatam is glorification of K!ṣṇa, and this is glorification by Śukadeva
Gosvāmī. He says that one can be perfectly purified if one either glorifies K!ṣṇa, meditates
upon Him, or simply sits before the Deity of K!ṣṇa and sees Him, thinking, "How nicely
dressed is K!ṣṇa. How nicely dressed is Rādhārāṇī." If one has no ability to chant or if one's
mind is so disturbed that one cannot fix it upon K!ṣṇa, one is given this chance: "Here is the
Deity. Simply see Him." If one is engaged in the service of the Deity, there is a good chance
of always seeing Him, twenty-four hours a day. While cleansing the floor of the temple, while
dressing the Deity, while bathing the Deity, or while offering Him food, one will always see
Him. This is the process of devotional service.
- TQK 18
Ms. Nixon: One of the most difficult aspects of K!ṣṇa consciousness for an outsider to accept
is the Deity in the temple—how it represents K!ṣṇa. Could you talk a little bit about that?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: Yes. At the present moment, because you have not been trained to see
K!ṣṇa, He kindly appears before you so you can see Him. You can see wood and stone, but
you cannot see what is spiritual. Suppose your father is in the hospital, and he dies. You are
crying by his bedside, "Now my father is gone!" But why do you say he is gone? What is
that thing which is gone?
Ms. Nixon: Well, his spirit is gone.
Śrīla Prabhupāda: And have you seen that
spirit? Ms. Nixon: No.
Śrīla Prabhupāda: So you cannot see spirit, and God is the Supreme Spirit. Actually, He is
everything—spirit and matter—but you cannot see Him in His spiritual identity. Therefore, to
show kindness toward you, He appears out of His unbounded mercy in the form of a
wooden or stone Deity so that you can see Him.
- SSR 1b
This is the practical application to what we find stated in the Bhagavad-gītä, man-manä
bhava mad-bhakto mad-yäjī mäṁ namaskuru. We do not speculate on what K!ṣṇa says but
we follow whatever He says implicitly. I also follow this process. Every morning I go to the
temple and see the Deity and offer obeisances, so I expect each and every one of my
disciples should also follow what I have given in this connection, arising early, taking bath,
attending maìgala-ärati. yuktasya bhaktäṁç ca niyuñjato 'pi. The Deity is non-different from
K!ṣṇa Himself. This we have to understand.
- Letter to: Lilasakti — Bombay 5 November, 1974
25
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
This enthusiasm is very good sign, and if you continue to become more and more
enthusiastic to be always strictly engaged in devotional service while observing carefully the
rules and regulations,
K!ṣṇa will surely bestow upon you full success in K!ṣṇa Consciousness and thus your life will
be happy and successful.
- Letter to Ekayani, Los Angeles, May 3rd, 1970
In this material world, the more you'll work, you'll feel tired. And the spiritual world, the more
you work, you'll feel enthused. That is called anandämbudhi-vardhanam. That is the test. If
our workers are feeling tired, then that means he's working materially. And if he's feeling
enthused, more and more, then he's working spiritually. Änandämbudhi-vardhanam. That is
the spiritual test.
- Lecture, The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, January 10, 1973
Enthusiasm, "Yes, we must do it." That is wanted, not theoretically on the armchair of
devotional service. That will not be successful. Armchair theory will not help you. You must
be practical and there must be enthusiasm. Then it will be successful. You are sitting in the
same position and you are thinking that you are making progress. That will fail. You have to
come out with enthusiasm. Then it will be successful. That is required.
- Room Conversation with Yoga Student -- March 14, 1975, Iran
One who desires actual spiritual perfection must be enlivened to always chant and hear the
glories of the Lord. Such devotional enthusiasm is motivated by love of Godhead and is
devoid of any selfish expectation.
- SB 11.6.12
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
So far attaining enlightenment according to one's rate of development; that development
depends on your enthusiasm; how far you are serious. But one should become very
serious. That is the law in every sphere of achievement. So for attaining to the perfectional
stage of K!ṣṇa consciousness, one should be very much enthusiastic. And then one should
be patient also. Enthusiasm does not mean if I attain something immediately the result is
immediate. No. The result may be delayed but we should not be disturbed. But we must go
on working with enthusiasm. This is called patience. Enthusiasm, patience and confidence.
Because we believe in K!ṣṇa. K!ṣṇa says that if you do this you get this result. Therefore I
must have confidence.
- Interview -- March 9, 1968, San Francisco
Do not be disturbed. There is no cause for anxiety. You are doing your best to serve K!ṣṇa,
that is very much appreciated, so do not lose enthusiasm out of frustration; that will spoil
everything. K!ṣṇa Consciousness means we should always be satisfied and happy, not that
we must work something impossible, become overburdened, and then because we are unhappy
by so much trouble we lose enthusiasm altogether and give up all hope. No. If too much
endeavor is there, that is to be avoided.
- Letter to Tejiyas, Delhi, December 19th, 1972
One should not dry up by performing unauthorized austerities or sacrifices; rather, one
should engage with all enthusiasm in the great sacrifice of çrī-kåñụa-saìkīrtana, which
enables one to easily achieve the highest perfection of human life.
- SB 11.11.47
One should accept this opportunity to return home, back to Godhead, very enthusiastically.
Without enthusiasm, one cannot be successful. Even in the material world one has to be
very enthusiastic in his particular field of activity in order to become successful. A student,
businessman, artist or anyone else who wants success in his line must be enthusiastic.
Similarly, one has to be very enthusiastic in devotional service. Enthusiasm means action,
but action for whom? The answer is that one should always act for K!ṣṇa—kåñụärthäkhila-
ceñṭä.
- NoI: verse 3
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
K!ṣṇa bestows more mercy upon His devotee, because the devotee has the capacity to
accept that mercy through service. The process of receiving the causeless mercy of the
Lord is to render more and more service. We should be very enthusiastic to render service
to the Lord. That enthusiasm will come when we chant Hare K!ṣṇa with faith and
determination.
- SC 16: Awakening Love of God
A living entity cannot stop acting. So when he is forbidden to become enthusiastic about
material achievements, he should at once be encouraged to be enthusiastic about spiritual
achievements. Enthusiasm is a symptom of the living entity; it cannot be stopped. It is just
like a powerful engine: if you utilize it properly, it will give immense production. Therefore
enthusiasm should be purified. Instead of employing enthusiasm for attaining material goals,
one should be enthusiastic about achieving the perfectional stage of devotional service.
Indeed, enthusing His devotees in devotional service is the purpose for which K!ṣṇa
descends to this material world.
- NBS 5
The practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in K!ṣṇa Consciousness, may appear to be a

very difficult job. But if anyone follows the principles with great determination, the Lord will
surely help, for God helps those who help themselves.
- Purport, Bhagavad-gītä 6.24
You can remain enthusiastic if you follow the rules and regulation and chant regularly Hare
K!ṣṇa mantra. Otherwise that enthusiasm also will dry.
- Lecture, Los Angeles, August 2nd, 1970
26
Vapuḳ & Väëé
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
This is the secret of success. After being initiated and receiving the orders of the spiritual
master, the disciple should unhesitatingly think about the instructions or orders of the
spiritual master and should not allow himself to be disturbed by anything else. This is also
the verdict of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, who, while explaining a verse of
Bhagavad-gītä (vyavasäyätmikä buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana, Bg. 2.41), points out that the
order of the spiritual master is the life substance of the disciple. The disciple should not
consider whether he is going back home, back to Godhead; his first business should be to
execute the order of his spiritual master. Thus a disciple should always meditate on the order
of the spiritual master, and that is perfectional meditation. Not only should he meditate upon
that order, but he should find out the means by which he can perfectly worship and execute
it.
- SB 4.24.15
We have only to execute the order of the spiritual master, preach K!ṣṇa consciousness and
follow in the path of the Vaiṣṇavas. The spiritual master represents both Lord K!ṣṇa and the
Vaiṣṇavas; therefore by following the instructions of the spiritual master and by chanting
Hare K!ṣṇa, everything will be all right.
- SB 4.23.7
Narayana: But how do the disciples know that they are pleasing you?
Śrīla Prabhupāda: If you actually follow the words of guru, that means he is pleased. And if you
do not follow, how can he be pleased?
- Morning Walk Conversation, San Francisco, July 21st, 1975
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
"This body is perishable." Nityasyoktäḳ çarīriụaḳ: "But the proprietor of the body, that is
eternal." vapu means the physical body, and väụī means the vibration. So we are not
concerned about the physical body. Not concerned means... We are concerned, of course,
because the spiritual master, those who are äcäryas, their body is not considered as
material. Arcye çilä-dhīr guruñu nara-matir. Guruṣu means those who are ācāryas, to accept
their body as ordinary man's body, this is denied in the çästras. So although a physical body
is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the spiritual master,
vibration. What we have heard from the spiritual master, that is living.
- Lecture Excerpt -- Los Angeles, January 13, 1969
Without being self-controlled, without being disciplined and without being fully obedient, no
one can become successful in following the instructions of the spiritual master, and without
doing so, no one is able to go back to Godhead.
- SB 1.5.24
We put so much stress on seeing, but when K!ṣṇa was present on this earth, so many
people saw Him and did not realize that He is God; so what is the advantage of seeing? By
seeing K!ṣṇa, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to His teachings, we can
come to the platform of understanding. We can touch K!ṣṇa immediately by sound vibration;
therefore we should give more stress to the sound vibration of K!ṣṇa and of the spiritual
master—then we’ll feel happy and won’t feel separation.
I am successful in my teaching work because I have not deviated one inch from my Spiritual
Master's instruction, this is my only qualification. So if you simply remain pure, your
preaching will have effect.
- Letter to: Brhaspati -- Delhi 17 November, 1971
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
We are not separated actually. There are two -- vani or vapu. So vapu is physical presence
and vani is presence by the vibration, but they are all the same. So K!ṣṇa when He was
physically present before Arjuna is the same when He is present before us by His vani of
Bhagavad-gītä. So far I am concerned, I do not factually feel any separation from my Spiritual
Master because I am trying to serve Him according to His desire. That should be the motto.
If you kindly try to fulfill my mission for which you have been sent there, that will be our
constant association.
- Letter to: Hamsaduta -- Los Angeles 22 June, 1970
There are two conceptions: the physical conception and the vibration conception. So
physical conception is temporary. The vibration conception is eternal. Just like we are
enjoying or we are relishing the vibration of K!ṣṇa’s teachings. So by vibration He is present.
As soon as we chant Hare K!ṣṇa or chant Bhagavad-gītä or Bhägavata, so He is present
immediately by His vibration. He’s absolute. Therefore try to remember His words of
instruction; you’ll not feel separation. You’ll feel that He is with you. So we should associate
by the vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association. Just like we are
touching K!ṣṇa immediately by sound. Sound vibration. So we should give more stress on
the sound vibration, either of K!ṣṇa or of the spiritual master. Then we’ll feel happy and no
separation. So whenever we shall feel separation, the best thing is to remember the
teachings. Then it will be very nice.
- SB Lecture – 18th Aug 1968 – Montreal
There are two ways of associating, by vani and by vapu. Vani means words and vapu
means physical presence. Physical presence is sometimes appreciable and sometimes not.
Therefore we should take advantage of the vani, not the physical presence, because the vani
continues to exist eternally. Bhagavad-gītä for example is the vani of Lord K!ṣṇa. Although
K!ṣṇa was personally present 5,000 years ago and is no longer present physically from the
materialistic viewpoint, still Bhagavad-gītä continues.
- Letter to: Suci -- Bombay 4 November, 1975
One should act according to the order of K!ṣṇa. This is a very important point. That order of
K!ṣṇa comes through disciplic succession from the bona fide spiritual master. Therefore the
spiritual master's order should be taken as the prime duty of life. If one gets a bona fide
spiritual master and acts according to his direction, then one's perfection of life in K!ṣṇa
consciousness is guaranteed.
- Bg 18.57
27
Holy Name
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Simply our prayer should be, ‘My dear K!ṣṇa, please remind me to always chant Your Holy
Name, please do not put me into forgetfulness. You are sitting within me as Supersoul, so
you can put me into forgetfulness or into remembering You. So please do not put me into
forgetfulness. Please always remind me to chant, even You send me into the hell, it doesn't
matter, just so long as I can always chant Hare K!ṣṇa’.
- Letter to: Devananda -- Los Angeles 23 November, 1968
Don't forget K!ṣṇa even for a single moment; chant Hare K!ṣṇa loudly or slowly as it may be
convenient. But don't forget to chant the Holy Name.
- Letter to: Kåñụa Devi -- Los Angeles 26 January, 1968
All activities in K!ṣṇa consciousness must be accompanied with chanting of the Holy Name
regularly. Actually chanting of the Holy Name regularly is our life and soul, and on the basis
of such activities all other devotional services will sustain.
- Letter to: Ekayani -- Los Angeles 10 February, 1970
A brahmacärī hears only words concerning K!ṣṇa consciousness; hearing is the basic
principle for understanding, and therefore the pure brahmacärī engages fully in harer
nämänukīrtanam— chanting and hearing the glories of the Lord.
- Bg 4.26
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Hare K!ṣṇa mantra will give you, give you relief from all sinful activities, provided you don’t
commit it again. Otherwise, it will be like hasti-snäna, the example of the elephant, and it will
be a great offense. If on the strength of chanting Hare K!ṣṇa mantra we continue to commit
sinful activities, that is great offense.
- The Nectar of Devotion -- Våndävana, November 7, 1972
The basic principle of advancement in our K!ṣṇa consciousness is stressed by Caitanya

Mahaprabhu that if one simply chants the Hare K!ṣṇa Mahämantra without offense and has
firm faith in K!ṣṇa and Spiritual Master then he will advance and he only can understand the
deep import of K!ṣṇa consciousness.
- Letter to: Stephen -- Bombay 4 January, 1971
This transcendental name is so sweet that either you chant with your one mouth and one
tongue or with one thousand mouths or one thousand tongues, still, you will never feel tired.
- Purport to Hare Kåñụa Maha Mantra
The holy name has to be chanted to please the Supreme Lord, and not for any sense
gratification or professional purpose. If this pure mentality is there, then even though a person
is born of a low family, such as a dog-eater’s, he is so glorious that not only has he purified
himself, but he is quite competent to deliver others.
- SB 3.33.7
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Śri Caitanya Mahāprabhu asked, “Among all worshipable objects, which Is the chief?”
Rāmānanda Rāya replies, “The chief worshipable object is the holy name of Rādhā and K!ṣṇa,
the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra.”
- NAM 2A.8: The Holy Name Is All-auspicious
If there is an arrangement for the constant chanting of the holy names, qualities, etc., of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, there is no chance at all for the personality of Kali to
enter. That is the technique of driving away the personality of Kali from the world.
- SB 1.18.6
The powerful holy name of the Lord can certainly deliver one from sinful effects, but one
who desires to utilize this transcendental potency of the holy name of the Lord in one’s
sinister activities is the most degraded person in the world. Such persons are never excused
by the Lord or by any agent of the Lord.
- SB 2.1.12
Since no one is more powerful than or equal to the energy of the Supreme Lord, no one’s
name can be as powerful as that of the Lord. By chanting the Lord’s holy name, one can
derive all the stipulated energy synchronized from all sources.
- SB 2.1.12
28
Maṅgala-ärati
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
If one practices the rules then that is sufficient examination. One of the items is that he has
to rise early in the morning. So if one is doing all these practical things, rising early in the
morning, attending the mangala-aräti, sitting in the class and reading Bhagavad-gītä, chanting
Hare K!ṣṇa, there is no need of examination. If he is doing, then he has passed the
examination.
- Roof Conversation -- January 5, 1977, Bombay
The example is: just like you have got a green mango. So the green mango is not so
tasteful, but when it is ripe, it is tasteful. The mango is not different. It is the same mango. If
you wait for the time when it is ripened it will taste nice. Similarly, in the neophyte stage,
when we say, "You must rise early in the morning, offer maìgala-ärati, do this, take your
bath", these things appear to be botheration, not tasteful. But you have to do it under the
order of the spiritual master and the order of the çästras. When it is ripened by practicing,
when one is accustomed by practicing he develops love for God. Then, when he's in love for
God, he cannot do without it. Automatically he will rise early in the morning and do
everything. It is simply the question of time to arrive to that ripened stage.
- SB 1.1.2 -- London, August 17, 1971
Go on in this way, reading, chanting, worshiping the deity, and offering the fruits of your
labor to K!ṣṇa, and attend maìgala-ärati at the temple and classes as much as possible, and
very soon you will feel yourself becoming perfectly happy. This spot life is meant for
becoming God conscious and there is no other purpose or meaning to life outside of this.
- Letter to: Jayadeva — Los Angeles 16 August, 1972
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Our activities are aräti, kīrtana, classes. Everything is done in conformity to a regular
standard. For example, all the temple members, without exception must rise and attend
mangala aräti. Everyone living in the temple must agree to the standard by proper
understanding of the philosophy of tapasya. There should be a regular daily schedule of
events and it should be followed closely. So you should set the example and also see that
the others are following. Our buildings are not for our sleeping and eating like hotels, but
whoever wants to join us should understand the philosophy of regulated devotional service.
- Letter to: Mukunda -- Los Angeles 12 January, 1974
Unless there is vairägya, there is no question of happiness. But we cannot attain vairägya
immediately; therefore the vidhi-märga, to rise early in the morning, to attend maìgala ärati,
to offer flowers, fruits to the Deity and in this way we shall be engaged twenty-four hours.
Then vairägya-vidyä will gradually develop. Anarthopaçamaṁ säkñäd bhakti-yogam
adhokñaje [SB 1.7.6]. We do not say that you starve, don't eat anything, don't sleep at
all. It should be
regulated. Anäsaktasya viñayän yathärtham upayuñjataḳ. Don't be attached to eating, sleeping.
That is not good. But you must eat, you must sleep as little as possible, and try to conquer
over it. My mind is dictating, "Sleep seventeen hours." But ‘No’. Tapasä brahmacaryeụa [SB
6.1.13]. Why shall you sleep more than four hours or five hours, or utmost six hours? That is
vairägya- vidyä. We have to learn it. That is devotional service.
- SB 5.6.6 -- Våndävana, November 28, 1976
The most important points of K!ṣṇa Consciousness process is attending maìgala-ärati and
chanting 16 rounds. These regulative principles are our life, if they are not respected then
we fall down from the standard and the whole thing is finished. You should see the standard
is perfectly maintained. Then K!ṣṇa will give us all protection. Neglecting the principles
means neglecting K!ṣṇa’s order.
- Letter to: Hayagriva — Madras 13 February, 1972
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
Without tapasya you cannot be purified. That little tapasya we have prescribed, that "Rise
early in the morning at half past three," but they are so downtrodden, they cannot do it. "Let
me sleep five minutes more. I'll enjoy." Just see how much we are fallen. We cannot
sacrifice, say, fifteen minutes or half an hour's sleep. We consider, "Sleeping is very good
enjoyment." "I have slept so much. That is my life's success." The rascal does not know that
he is becoming implicated for the next birth. If you are sleeping too much, then you become
owl. Nature is prepared to give you facilities. The owl can sleep for the whole day.
- SB 6.2.17 -- Våndävana, September 20, 1975
The training is, according to çästra and the instruction of the spiritual master, that: rise early
in the morning. There are thousands and millions of men at the present moment who have
got attachment for the family and rise at four o’clock and prepare himself to take this trouble
of going so many miles away for office. Why he is taking so much trouble? Family
attachment. Not that he has no attachment. But the same four o' clock, rising early in the
morning, for K!ṣṇa's maìgala-ärati is a better diversion. But he'll not agree. When he has got
to go to office for earning his livelihood, he will automatically rise up and go to the office,
because the attachment is strong. But in the temple, the rule is that you must get up before
four and prepare yourself. So this has to be practiced. This has to be practiced if you want
to divert your attention. Because we have no attachment for K!ṣṇa, we have to be forced.
Never mind. Still we have to continue this, to increase attachment for K!ṣṇa, mayy äsakta
manäḳ pärtha. We have to train our mind how to become attached to K!ṣṇa. This is bhakti
process. The business is the same, but we have to be trained up for increasing our
attachment for K!ṣṇa. Not that we have to bring a separate attachment. It has to be
cleansed.
- SB 7.6.8 -- Våndävana, December 10, 1975
The first teaching is a brahmacärī should rise early in the morning. That is the general
education. It doesn't require that you have to learn some book immediately. First of all build
your character. Otherwise what is the use of taking degrees if you have no character?
Yasyästi bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanä sarvair guụair tatra samäsate suräḳ [SB 5.18.12]. Just
like in our institution they are being trained up as devotee, he has to rise early in the
morning for offering maìgala-äratika, and you have got our order that everyone must attend
the maìgala-ärati.
- Śrīmad-Bhägavatam 7.12.2 -- Bombay, April 13, 1976
29
Sädhana
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
The devotees have to maintain the devotional practices. This is the secret to success. Therefore
I am stressing it. And, if you also stress it and show yourself as an ideal Vaisnava, then you
are my representative in fullness. We are not after titles and designations. Lord Caitanya
made it a principle that we must teach by personal example. This is what I have tried to do.
So if all of you my disciples do this, then the future of our movement will be glorious.
- Letter to: Hrdayananda: — Bombay 31 October, 1974
Following K!ṣṇa's orders means chanting daily 16 rounds, following the four rules and
regulations, rising early, associating with devotees, like that. Unless these principles are
followed, we cannot expect K!ṣṇa's protection.
- Letter to: Jayadeva – Paris, 23 July, 1972
As soon as one discontinues his staunch following of the regulative principles such as no
meat eating, no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, rising early before 4 AM coming to
mangala aräti, chanting at least 16 rounds, etc., then his spiritual life is hampered and there
is a chance that at any time he may become a victim of mäyä.
- Letter to: Revatinandana – Bombay, Dec 15, 1974
The beginning stage of devotional service is called sädhana-bhakti (regulatory practice), is

so powerful that it brings one to the platform of anartha-nivåtti, where one becomes free
from unwanted sinful habits and gains relief from the pressure of the tongue, belly and
genitals. Thus one is delivered from the bondage of material addiction and can no longer be
cheated by the allurements of the material energy.
- SB 11.8.21
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
Sädhana-bhakti is devotional service in practice. The result of sädhana-bhakti must be
ecstatic love, attachment for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, which is also called
prema-bhakti. In the neophyte stage, sädhana-bhakti includes faith, association with
devotees, and practicing devotional service. Thus one is freed from all unwanted things.
One then becomes fixed in devotional service and increases his desire to act in devotional
service.
- CC Madhya 8.68
You should try very sincerely to become a pure devotee of K!ṣṇa by following all of the four
regulative principles and chanting at least 16 rounds daily, as well as rising early, attending
mangala aräti, attending classes, etc. By this simple method, you will be very strongly fixed
in spiritual life and whatever problems you may have will seem insignificant.
- Letter to: Pancananda - Mexico City, Feb 15, 1975
If we deviate from the strict following of the regulative principles Maya is always ready to
inject doubts to shake our faith in K!ṣṇa. So you can see the great necessity of following the
prescribed duties of chanting regularly and following strictly the instructions of the spiritual
master and the regulative principles.
- Letter to: Madhusudana -- Los Angeles 30 January, 1970
It is most important that our activities be regular or, in other words, on a schedule. Everyone
should chant on his beads sixteen rounds daily without fail and follow the regulative
principles strictly. These basic K!ṣṇa Conscious duties are essential to be performed
regularly, and they will give you the necessary strength of spirit to keep always fixed up in
devotional service.
- Letter to: Sucandra -- Los Angeles 19 February, 1970
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
We should always remember that we are in the kingdom of Maya and her influence is very
strong. So, unless we are very, very careful in our dealings, there is always chance of falling
down. Please therefore chant regularly the sixteen rounds beads and follow the regulative
principles; and teach the new boys by practical example, and try to preach Saìkīrtana as far
as possible.
- Letter to: Harer Nama -- Los Angeles 23 February, 1970
The most important things are that you follow very carefully all of the rules and regulations
such as rising early, and having mangala-aräti and classes, etc. and that you chant at least
16 rounds daily without fail. These things are most essential for your spiritual advancement
and then everything will be alright.
- Letter to: Tirthanga – Tehran, 14 March, 1975
As our devotees become more devotional, the non-devotees also come to hear. To become
advanced in spiritual life of devotional service to K!ṣṇa means to acquire spiritual strength,
and this spiritual strength is for impressing devotional service into the hearts of the fallen
souls. Also you must all become expert preachers and show the exemplary life of a devotee
you must keep yourself spiritually fit by observing the regulative principles strictly.
- Letter to: Jananivasa — Los Angeles 7 July, 1970
The process of bhakti-yoga is so powerful that even in the stage of sädhana-bhakti, in which
one is practicing devotional service through rules and regulations, the neophyte can have a
direct experience of fearlessness by the mercy of the Lord.
- SB 11.2.33
30
Jan-Apr-July-Oct
Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura remarks that Saubhari Muni had fallen from his austerity
because of a vaiñụava-aparädha. The history is that when GaruỢa wanted to eat fish,
Saubhari Muni unnecessarily gave the fish shelter under his care. Because GaruỢa's plans
for eating were disappointed, Saubhari Muni certainly committed a great offense to a
Vaiṣṇava. Because of this vaiñụava-aparädha, an offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava,
Saubhari Muni fell from his exalted position of mystic tapasya. One should not, therefore,
impede the activities of a Vaiṣṇava. This is the lesson we must learn from this incident
concerning Saubhari Muni.
- SB 9.6.49
Vaiñụava-aparädha is never tolerated by K!ṣṇa. Just like the PāṇỢavas, they were
Vaiṣṇavas, and the Duryodhana and company, actually they were not Vaiṣṇava. So they
insulted. They put them to trouble in so many ways. They banished them in the jungle. They
insulted their wife and so many ways by clique. So K!ṣṇa could not tolerate that. So
therefore the Battle of Kurukṣetra took place. So Vaiṣṇava is kind. Arjuna, he said, "My dear
K!ṣṇa, whatever they have done, that doesn't matter. I cannot kill my family men. Please
excuse." So just see. Arjuna is kind because he is Vaiṣṇava. But K!ṣṇa cannot tolerate. K!ṣṇa
said, "You must kill them. That is My order. You must kill them."
- SB 1.15.22-23 -- Los Angeles, December 2, 1973
Everyone should offer respect to a Vaiṣṇava without considering his source of birth.
Vaiñụave jäti-buddhiḳ. No one should consider a Vaiṣṇava in terms of birth. The Vaiṣṇava is
always the best of the brähmaụas, and as such one should offer all respects to a Vaiṣṇava,
not only as a brähmaụa but as the best of the brähmaụas.
- SB 4.22.12
Prahlāda Mahārāja was chastised by his father, Hiraṇyakaśipu, in so many ways, but
although Prahlāda tolerated this, K!ṣṇa did not. The Lord therefore came in the form of N!
siṁhadeva to kill Hiraṇyakaśipu. Similarly, although Śrīla Haridāsa Ṭhākura tolerated the
insult by Gopāla Cakravartī, K!ṣṇa could not. The Lord immediately punished Gopāla
Cakravartī by making him suffer from leprosy. K!ṣṇa cannot tolerate any insults or blasphemy
against a Vaiṣṇava.
- CC Antya 3.213
Feb-May-Aug-Nov
An offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava is the greatest offense in this world. When one
serves a Vaiṣṇava unknowingly, one still gets the good result, and if one unknowingly
insults a Vaiṣṇava, one suffers the bad result.
- SB 4.9.23
A Vaiṣṇava always feels compassion for others' distress. He is very afflicted by the miseries
of others. When Lord Jesus Christ presented himself, for instance, he was greatly afflicted
by the miserable conditions of the people. Regardless of which country or sect they belong
to, all Vaiṣṇavas, or devotees—people who are God conscious, or K!ṣṇa conscious—are
thus compassionate. Therefore to blaspheme a Vaiṣṇava, a preacher of God's glories, is a
great offense. K!ṣṇa, God, is never tolerant of offenses committed at the lotus feet of a
Vaiṣṇava.
- SSR 7c
Of all sinful activities, an offense to a pure devotee, or Vaiṣṇava, is the most severe. An
offense at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava is so disastrous that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu has
compared it to a mad elephant that enters a garden and causes great havoc by uprooting
many plants and trees. If one is an offender at the lotus feet of a brähmaụa or Vaiṣṇava, his
offenses uproot all his auspicious activities. One should therefore very carefully guard against
committing vaiñụava- aparädha, or offenses at the lotus feet of a Vaiṣṇava.
- SB 7.4.28
Spiritual master is to be considered the first Vaiṣṇava and if there is aparädha, that is the
greatest offense. That will spoil the whole spiritual life.
- Room Conversation -- December 12, 1970, Indore
Mar-June-Sept-Dec
The Lord says that although He is the predominating factor of the internal energy and
although the material world is sanctified just by the water that has washed His feet, He has
the greatest respect for the brähmaụa and the Vaiṣṇava. When the Lord Himself offers so
much respect to the Vaiṣṇava and the brähmaụa, how can one deny such respect to such
personalities?
- SB 3.16.9
Everyone wants that "I am very honorable man, prestigious man. And you should respect
me." That is our material disease. "I do not want to respect you, but you should offer me
respect." This is the position. Therefore our system is to call another Vaiṣṇava as prabhu.
But if we call prabhu, but think, "No, you are not prabhu; I am prabhu. You are servant", that
cheating process will not help us. Actually, we should believe that he is prabhu. "He is
servant of K!ṣṇa; therefore he is my prabhu." This is Vaiṣṇava mentality.
- SB 5.5.1 -- Våndävana, October 23, 1976
Even if one is a very learned and intelligent scholar, he cannot understand the activities of a
Vaiṣṇava. A Vaiṣṇava accepts anything favorable for executing his mission. But foolish persons,
not knowing the purpose of such exalted Vaiṣṇavas, indulge in criticizing them. That is
forbidden. Since no one can understand what a Vaiṣṇava does for the purpose of executing
his mission, to criticize such a Vaiṣṇava is the offense called sädhu-nindä.
- CC Ädi 15.22
The Lord says in Śrīmad-Bhägavatam that offering respect to His devotee is more valuable
than offering respect to Him. Devotees do not identify with the body, so offering respect to a
Vaiṣṇava means offering respect to Viṣṇu. It is stated also that as a matter of etiquette as
soon as one sees a Vaiṣṇava one must immediately offer him respect, indicating the Supersoul
sitting within. A Vaiṣṇava sees the body as a temple of Viṣṇu.
- SB 4.3.22
31
Jan-July-Oct

Ordinarily, we have to try our best to our best capacity to achieve something, and by K!ṣṇa's
Grace, all of a sudden we shall see everything is there. This sort of help from K!ṣṇa is
transcendental happiness. Our principle should be therefore, that we should work for the
mission with great enthusiasm, with certainty for its success, and patiently follow the
regulative principles, and associate ourselves with pure devotees, and work being
completely in K!ṣṇa Consciousness, that will make us happy and successful.
- Letter to: Brahmananda — Los Angeles 20 February, 1968
One must perform devotional service with great patience. One should not give up the
execution of devotional service because one or two attempts have not been successful.
One must continue. Śrī Rūpa Gosvāmī also confirms that one should be very enthusiastic
and execute devotional service with patience and confidence. Patience is necessary for
developing the confidence that "K!ṣṇa will certainly accept me because I am engaging in
devotional service." One has only to execute service according to the rules and regulations
to insure success.
- SB 3.29.16
The process of bhakti-yoga is simultaneously very difficult and very easy to perform. For a
sincere person devotional service is very easy. But for one who is not determined and
sincere, this process is very difficult.
- SB 4.8.30
May-Aug
Deity
The transcendental form of the Lord is the Vedas. Anyone who engages in the worship of
the Deity, or the form of the Lord in the temple, is understood to be studying all the Vedas
twenty- four hours a day. Simply by decorating the Deities of the Lord, Rādhā and K!ṣṇa, in
the temple, one very minutely studies the injunctions of the Vedas. Even a neophyte
devotee who simply engages in the worship of the Deity is understood to be in direct touch
with the purport of Vedic knowledge. As confirmed in Bhagavad-gītä (15.15), vedaiç ca
sarvair aham eva vedyaḳ: the purport of the Vedas is to understand Him, K!ṣṇa. One who
worships and serves K!ṣṇa directly has understood the truths of the Vedas.
- SB 4.7.46
Deity worship is essential for spiritual progress. Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura mentions
that inexperienced persons may think that the Deity is meant for the sense gratification of
the worshiper, since superficially the Deity is made of external substances such as marble or
brass. But through the process of installing the Deity by chanting of authorized mantras, one
invites the Supreme Personality of Godhead to enter the Deity form. By regulated, faithful
worship one gradually understands that the Deity is completely nondifferent from the
Supreme Lord Himself. At that stage, on the strength of Deity worship, one rises to the
second-class platform of devotional service. At this more developed stage one desires to
make friendship with other devotees of the Lord, and as one becomes solidly established in
the community of Vaiṣṇavas, one completely gives up material life and gradually becomes
perfect in K!ṣṇa consciousness.
- SB 11.27.48
Mar-Dec
Holy
Name
Chanting of the holy name of the Lord should be loudly done, and it should be performed
offenselessly as well, as recommended in the Padma Puräụa. One can deliver himself from
the effects of all sins by surrendering himself unto the Lord. One can deliver himself from all
offenses at the feet of the Lord by taking shelter of His holy name. But one cannot protect
himself if one commits an offense at the feet of the holy name of the Lord.
- SB 2.1.11
For progress in spiritual life, the çästras recommend meditation in Satya-yuga, sacrifice for
the satisfaction of Lord Viṣṇu in Tretä-yuga and gorgeous worship of the Lord in the temple
in Dväpara-yuga, but in the Age of Kali one can achieve spiritual progress only by chanting
the holy name of the Lord. This is confirmed in various scriptures. In the Age of Kali there are
many faults, for people are subjected to many miserable conditions, yet in this age there is
one great benediction—simply by chanting the Hare K!ṣṇa mantra one can be freed from all
material contamination and thus be elevated to the spiritual world.
- CC Ädi 7.76
Festival Quotes
Śré-Räma-navamé
Lord Rämacandra appeared in this world to educate or to show an ideal example of a king -
how the king should be. Therefore when there is good government, the example is given,
Räma-räjya. It is the kingdom of Lord Räma. Because everyone was happy. So there are so
many historical incidences in the life of Rämacandra, and we should remember them. If we
hear Rämacandra's life, God's activities, pastimes, it means we are associating with
Rämacandra. There is no difference between His form, His name, His pastimes, and
Himself. He's absolute. Therefore either you chant the holy name of Räma or you see the
statue of Räma or you talk of His transcendental pastimes, that means you are associating
with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So we take advantage of these days when the
incarnation of God appears or disappears, and we try to associate with Him. By His
association we become purified. Our process is purification. Kåṣṇa consciousness means
simply we are purifying our consciousness.
- Śrī Räma-Navamī, Lord Rämacandra's Appearance Day -- Hawaii, March 27, 1969
The Personality of Godhead Śrī Räma assumed the form of a human being and appeared on
the earth for the purpose of doing some pleasing work for the demigods or the
administrative personalities to maintain the order of the universe. Sometimes great demons
and atheists like Rävaṇa and Hiraṇyakaśipu and many others become very famous due to
advancing material civilization by the help of material science and other activities with a
spirit of challenging the established order of the Lord. Puffed up by tiny success in material
advancement, sometimes the godless materialists challenge the existence of God. Rävaṇa
was one of them, and he wanted to deport ordinary men to the planet of Indra (heaven) by
material means without consideration of the necessary qualifications. He also wanted to
perform other acts against the established rule of the Lord. He even challenged the authority
of Śrī Räma, the Personality of Godhead, and kidnapped His wife, Sītä. Lord Räma came to
chastise this atheist, answering the prayer and desire of the demigods. He therefore took up
the challenge of Rävaṇa, and the complete activity is the subject matter of the Rämäyaṇa.
Because Lord Rämacandra was the Personality of Godhead, He exhibited superhuman
activities which no human being, including the materially advanced Rävaṇa, could perform.
That is the display of the power of God.
- SB 1.3.22
71
N!siṁha-caturdaśT
Hiraṇyakaśipu became very powerful by material achievements and thought himself to be

immortal by the grace of Brahmäjī. Brahmäjī declined to award him the benediction of
immortality because he himself is not an immortal being. But Hiraṇyakaśipu derived
Brahmäjī's benediction in a roundabout way, almost equal to becoming an immortal being.
Hiraṇyakaśipu was sure that he would not be killed by any man or demigod or by any kind
of known weapon, nor would he die in day or night. The Lord, however, assumed the
incarnation of half-man and half-lion, which was beyond the imagination of a materialistic
demon like Hiraṇyakaśipu, and thus, keeping pace with the benediction of Brahmäjī, the
Lord killed him. He killed him on His lap, so that he was killed neither on the land nor on the
water nor in the sky. The demon was pierced by Nåsiṁha's nails, which were beyond the
human weapons imaginable by Hiraṇyakaśipu. The literal meaning of Hiraṇyakaśipu is one
who is after gold and soft bedding, the ultimate aim of all materialistic men. Such demonic
men, who have no relationship with God, gradually become puffed up by material
acquisitions and begin to challenge the authority of the Supreme Lord and torture those who
are devotees of the Lord. Prahläda Mahäräja happened to be the son of Hiraṇyakaśipu, and
because the boy was a great devotee, his father tortured him to the best of his ability. In this
extreme situation, the Lord assumed the incarnation of Nåsiṁhadeva, and just to finish the
enemy of the demigods, the Lord killed Hiraṇyakaśipu in a manner beyond the demon's
imagination. Materialistic plans of godless demons are always frustrated by the all-powerful
Lord.
- SB 2.7.14
The Supreme Personality of Godhead in His transcendental form of Narahari, Nåsiṁhadeva,

is always ready to kill the demons, who always create disturbances in the minds of honest
devotees. To spread the Kåṣṇa consciousness movement, devotees have to face many
dangers and impediments all over the world, but a faithful servant who preaches with great
devotion to the Lord must know that Lord Nåsiṁhadeva is always his protector.
- SB 7.8.51
72
Pänihäṭi ciòä-dadhi utsava
Raghunätha däsa Gosvämī had been attempting to come to the lotus feet of Śrī Caitanya
Mahäprabhu for a long time, and finally he left his home and met the Lord. When Śrī
Caitanya Mahäprabhu had gone to Śäntipura on His way to Våndävana, Raghunätha däsa
Gosvämī had offered to dedicate his life at the Lord’s lotus feet. In the meantime, however,
a Muslim official became envious of Hiraṇya däsa, Raghunätha däsa Gosvämī’s uncle, and
induced some big official court minister to have him arrested. Thus Hiraṇya däsa left his
home, but by the intelligence of Raghunätha däsa the misunderstanding was mitigated. Then
Raghunätha däsa went to Pänihäṭi, and following the order of Nityänanda Prabhu, he
observed a festival (ciòä- dadhi-mahotsava) by distributing chipped rice mixed with yogurt.
The day after the festival, Nityänanda Prabhu gave Raghunätha däsa the blessing that he
would very soon attain the shelter of Śrī Caitanya Mahäprabhu.
- CC Antya 6: The Meeting of Śrī Caitanya Mahäprabhu and Raghunatha dasa Gosvämī
73
ŚrTla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura’s
disappearance day
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura was gåhastha, a very responsible officer. And he was so exalted that
he would come from his office generally at five o'clock, then take his supper and
immediately go to bed. Say at seven o'clock in the evening he goes to bed, and he wakes
up at twelve o'clock; it is sufficient sleep, five hours. One should not sleep more than five to
six hours. Sleeping is not very important thing. So especially in spiritual line, they should
minimize as far as possible eating, sleeping, mating, defending. And in this way he used to
write books. He wrote about one hundred books. And he excavated the birthplace of Lord
Caitanya, organized how to develop that birth site, Mäyäpur. He used to go to preach about
Caitanya's philosophy. He used to sell books to foreign countries. In this way he was a
busy, äcärya. So one has to adjust things. Not that "Because I am gåhastha, householder, I
cannot become a preacher. It is the business of the sannyäsī or brahmacärī." No. It is the
business of everyone. The whole world is suffering for want of knowledge. The present
civilization is animal civilization. They do not know anything beyond eating, sleeping, mating
and defending. That's all. Human life is meant for something else: "What I am? What is
God? What is my relation with God? What is this material world? Why I am here? Where I
have to go next?" So many things one has to learn. Athäto brahma jijñäsä. This is human
life. Therefore, there is need of äcäryas, teachers, for propagating spiritual knowledge,
Kåṣṇa consciousness. Although Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura was a gåhastha, householder, a
government officer, magistrate, but he was äcärya. So from his life, we should learn how
one can become a preacher in any stage of life. It doesn't matter what he is.
- His Divine Grace Śrīla Sac-cid-änanda Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura's Appearance Day, Lecture
-- London, September 3, 1971
The greatest service one can render to the Lord is to try to infuse devotional service into the
heart of the conditioned soul so that the conditioned soul may be released from conditioned
life. Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura has said that a Vaiṣṇava is recognized by his preaching work
— that is, by convincing the conditioned soul about his eternal position, which is explained
here as nija-dharma. It is the living entity’s eternal position to serve the Lord; therefore to
help one get release from material bondage is to awaken one to the dormant understanding
that he is the eternal servant of Kåṣṇa.
- CC Madhya 20.6
74
Balaräma JayantT
Lord Balaräma is the immediate expansion of viñụu-tattva as prakäça-vigraha of Lord Kåṣṇa. The
Supreme Lord, although one without a second, expands Himself as many other living
beings. The viñụu-tattva living beings are expansions of the Supreme Lord, and all of them
are qualitatively and quantitatively equal with the Lord. But expansions of the jīva-çakti, the
category of the ordinary living beings, are not at all equal with the Lord. One who considers
the jīva-çakti and the viñụu-tattva to be on an equal level is considered a condemned soul of
the world. Śrī Räma, or Balaräma, is the protector of the devotees of the Lord. Baladeva acts
as the spiritual master of all devotees, and by His causeless mercy the fallen souls are
delivered. Śrī Baladeva appeared as Śrī Nityänanda Prabhu during the advent of Lord
Caitanya, and the great Lord Nityänanda Prabhu exhibited His causeless mercy by
delivering a pair of extremely fallen souls, namely Jagäi and Mädhäi. Therefore it is
particularly mentioned herein that Balaräma is the protector of the devotees of the Lord. By
His divine grace only one can approach the Supreme Lord Śrī Kåṣṇa, and thus Śrī
Balaräma is the mercy incarnation of the Lord, manifested as the spiritual master, the savior
of the pure devotees.
- SB 1.14.28-29
The Lord is advaita, without differentiation. There is no difference between the forms of
Kåṣṇa, Räma, Näräyaṇa and Viṣṇu. All of Them are one. Sometimes foolish people ask
whether when we chant “Räma” in the Hare Kåṣṇa mantra we refer to Lord Rämacandra or
Lord Balaräma. If a devotee says that the name Räma in the Hare Kåṣṇa mahä-mantra refers
to Balaräma, a foolish person may become angry because to him the name Räma refers to
Lord Rämacandra. Actually there is no difference between Balaräma and Lord Räma. It does
not matter whether one refers to Balaräma or to Lord Rämacandra when chanting Hare
Räma, for there is no difference between Them. However, it is offensive to think that
Balaräma is superior to Lord Rämacandra or vice versa.
- CC Madhya 9.155
75
Jhulan-yäträ
Våndävana is actually experienced as it is by persons who have stopped trying to derive

pleasure from material enjoyment. “When will my mind become cleansed of all hankering for
material enjoyment so I will be able to see Våndävana?” a great devotee sings. The more
Kåṣṇa conscious we become and the more we advance, the more everything is revealed as
spiritual. Thus Kåṣṇadäsa Kaviräja Gosvämī considered the Våndävana in India to be as
good as the Våndävana in the spiritual sky, and in the sixteenth verse of the Caitanya-
caritämåta he describes Rädhäräṇī and Kåṣṇa as seated beneath a wish-fulfilling tree in
Våndävana, on a throne decorated with valuable jewels. There Kåṣṇa’s dear gopī friends
serve Rädhä and Kåṣṇa by singing, dancing, offering betel nuts and refreshments, and
decorating Their Lordships with flowers.
- Cc Ädi Introduction
Regarding Jhulanayatra Ceremony, during these five days the Deities' clothings should be
changed every day, and there should be nice prasädam distribution and Saìkīrtana as far as
possible. If you are able to do it, a nice throne may be constructed on which the Deities can
be placed. This throne may be swung gently during kīrtana. That will be very good, and
surely the Deities will enjoy the function.
- Letter to: Jayapataka — Los Angeles 1 August, 1969
76
Cäturmäsya
Cäturmäsya should be observed by all sections of the population. It does not matter
whether one is a gåhastha or a sannyäsī. The observance is obligatory for all äçramas. The
real purpose behind the vow taken during these four months is to minimize the quantity of
sense gratification. This is not very difficult. In the month of Śrävaụa one should not eat
spinach, in the month of Bhädra one should not eat yogurt, and in the month of Äçvina one
should not drink milk. One should not eat fish or other non-vegetarian food during the month
of Kärtika. A non-vegetarian diet means fish and meat. Similarly, masüra dhal and urad dhal
are also considered non-vegetarian. These two dhals contain a great amount of protein, and
food rich in protein is considered non-vegetarian. On the whole, during the four-month
period of Cäturmäsya one should practice giving up all food intended for sense enjoyment.
- CC Madhya 4.169
The Cäturmäsya ceremony is observed during the four months of the rainy season in India
(approximately July, August, September and October), beginning from Śrävaụa. During
these four months, saintly persons who are accustomed to travel from one place to another
to propagate Kåṣṇa consciousness remain at one place, usually a holy place of pilgrimage.
During these times, there are certain special rules and regulations which are strictly
followed. It is stated in the Skanda Puräụa that during this period, if someone
circumambulates the temple of Viṣṇu at least four times, it is understood that he has traveled
all over the universe. By such circumambulation, one is understood to have seen all the holy
places where the Ganges water is flowing, and by following the regulative principles of
Cäturmäsya one can very quickly be raised to the platform of devotional service.
- NoD 9 Circumambulating the Temple of Viñụu
77
ŚrT K!?ëa Janmā?ṭamT
Because He wants to reclaim millions and trillions of fallen souls within this material world,
the Lord goes everywhere. Yadä yadä hi dharmasya glänir bhavati bhärata, tadätmänaṁ
såjämy aham [Bg. 4.7]. As soon as there is any discrepancy in the understanding of eternal
life, He appears and teaches. So Kåṣṇa is teaching somewhere. There are so many
innumerable universes. Just like Kåṣṇa takes, appears on Janmäñṭamī in this universe,
immediately in another universe there is Janmäñṭamī; immediately in another universe there is
Janmäñṭamī. So therefore it is called nitya-līlä. Nitya-līlä means the Janmäñṭamī is going on.
His govardhana-līlä is going on. Everything, what He displayed when He was present, that is
going on. Just like the sun. Now at half past six, there is sun somewhere. It is not that
because the sun has passed half past six, in this country, therefore there is no more half
past six. Half past six is somewhere. Is it not? Similarly, it is not that because Kåṣṇa has
now finished His Janmäñṭamī, therefore no more Janmäñṭamī. Janmäñṭamī is going on. This is
kåñụa-līlä.
- Śrīmad-Bhägavatam 1.15.32 -- Los Angeles, December 10, 1973
Today is the birth appearance ceremony of Lord Kåṣṇa. The Personality of Godhead is not
niñkriya, without activities. But in the Bhagavad-gītä the Lord says, anyone who can
understand what kind of activities the Lord has and what kind of birth He accepts, simply by
understanding these two things one gets wonderful result. What is that result? By quitting
this body, tyaktvä dehaṁ punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9], he does not take any more birth in this
material world. Some of us may think that punar janma naiti means he becomes vanquished.
No. Punar janma naiti, but mäm eti, "He does not come to this material world, but he comes
to Me."
- Janmäñṭamī Lord Śrī Kåñụa's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 16, 1968
78
ŚrT Yyāsa-pūjā
This Vyäsa-püjä ceremony means to offer our thanks to the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, because He is the original guru. As we receive this message through paramparä
system from Kåṣṇa to Brahmä, Brahmä to Närada, Närada to Vyäsadeva, Vyäsadeva to
Madhväcärya, in this way, Mädhavendra Purī, then Īśvara Purī, then Caitanya Mahäprabhu,
then six Gosvämīs, then others, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura, Jagannätha däsa Bäbäjī, Gaura
Kiśora däsa Bäbäjī Mahäräja, Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī. Then we have taken. So as we
come to this Kåṣṇa consciousness understanding through this long paramparä, similarly, in
the Vyäsa-püjä ceremony, whatever respect, honor, and presentation you give, that goes to
Kåṣṇa through that paramparä system, from down. As it is received through the paramparä
system, so similarly, your offerings also goes through this paramparä system to the
Supreme. Our system is gopī-bhärtur päda- kamalayor däsa-däsänudäsaḳ [Cc. Madhya
13.80]. It is sometimes called bureaucracy. If you apply something to the President, you'll
have to submit to the local collector. The collector will submit to somebody else, then
secretary, then to the President. So our system is that. It is not that I am training my
disciples to worship me, or I'm getting some honor from them for nothing. No. It is not that.
Whatever honor, whatever respect, whatever presentation you are giving to your spiritual
master, it will go to Kåṣṇa by paramparä system. This is Vyäsa-püjä.
- Śrī Vyäsa-püjä -- London, August 22, 1973
Vyäsa-püjä means one day in a year, on the birthday of the spiritual master who is a
representative of Vyäsa delivering the same knowledge which has come down by disciplic
succession without any change, he is offered the respect. This is called Vyäsa-püjä. And the
spiritual master receives all honor, all contribution, on behalf of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, not for his person. Just like in our country when there was British rule, there was
a viceroy, a king's representative. So naturally, when viceroy used to go to some meeting,
many people used to present valuable jewels just to honor him. But the law was that not a
single of the jewels or contribution the viceroy could touch. It was going to the royal
treasury. The viceroy could accept on behalf of the king all contribution, but it goes to the
king. Similarly, this day, Vyäsa-püjä day, whatever honor, contribution and feelings is being
offered to the spiritual master, it is for the Lord. As we have received the knowledge from
upwards, similarly, this respect also goes from downward to the upward. This is the process.
So as the spiritual master is teacher of the student, he has to teach the disciple how to send
back his respect and contribution to God. This is called Vyäsa-püjä.
- Śrī Vyäsa-püjä -- New Vrindaban, September 2, 1972
79
ŚrT Rādhā?ṭamT
In the Brahma-saṁhitä you'll find that the Lord expands His änanda-cinmaya-rasa, the
mellow of transcendental pleasure potency. And these gopīs are expansion of His pleasure
potency. And Rädhäräṇī is the center. Don't take that Rädhäräṇī is an ordinary woman like
we have our wife or sister or mother. No. She is the pleasure potency. Rädhä, this name is
sometimes not found in Bhägavata. So the atheistic class of men protest that Rädhäräṇī's
name is not in the Śrīmad-Bhägavatam. But they do not know how to see it. There is
anayärädhyate. There are many gopīs, but there is mention that by this particular gopī He is
served more pleasingly. Kåṣṇa accepts this gopī's service more gladly. This word, ärädhyate
means worshiping. From this word ärädhyate, Rädhä has come. But Rädhä's name is there
in other Puräụas. So this is the origin. Kåṣṇa is the enjoyer and He wants to enjoy. So
Rädhäräṇī is expansion of Kåṣṇa. Kåṣṇa is the energetic, and Rädhäräṇī is the energy. Just
like energy and energetic, you cannot separate. Fire and the heat you cannot separate.
Wherever there is fire there is heat, and wherever there is heat there is fire. Similarly,
wherever there is Kåṣṇa there is Rädhä. And wherever there is Rädhä there is Kåṣṇa. They
are inseparable.
- Rädhäñṭamī, Śrīmatī Rädhäräụī's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 30, 1968
Rüpa Gosvämī sings, "All glories to Rädhäräṇī." Rädhe jaya jaya mädhava-dayite. "She's so dear
to Kåṣṇa." Everyone, the whole world, the whole universe, all living entities, they are trying
to love Kåṣṇa, but Kåṣṇa is trying to love somebody. Now how great She is. Just try to
understand the greatness of Rädhäräṇī. Therefore we have to offer our respect. Rädhe jaya
jaya madhava- dayite. How is She? Gokula-taruụī-maụòala-mahite. Of all the young girls,
She is the most beautiful. She is enchanting to the young girls also. And She always
dresses Her so nicely that Dämodara, Kåṣṇa, becomes attracted by Her beauty. And She is
the only lovable object of Kåṣṇa, and She is the queen of Våndävana. If you go to
Våndävana, everyone is worshiping Rädhäräṇī. Räṇī means queen. They are always
speaking, "Jaya Rädhe!" All the devotees in Våndävana, they are worshipers of Rädhäräṇī.
So on behalf of the pure devotees of Kåṣṇa, Rüpa Gosvämī is praying, karuụäṁ kuru mayi
karuụä-bharite. "Oh, my worshipable Rädhäräṇī, You are full of mercy. Very easily You
bestow Your mercy." Now somebody may say, "Oh, you are such a great learned scholar,
saintly person, and you are begging mercy from an ordinary girl? How is that?" Therefore
Rüpa Gosvämī says, "Oh, this is not ordinary girl." Sanaka-sanätana-varụita-carite. "This
girl's description is possible to be made by great saintly persons like Sanaka-Sanätana. She
is not ordinary." So the lesson is that we should not treat Rädhäräṇī as ordinary girl, or
Kåṣṇa as ordinary man. They are the Supreme Absolute Truth.
- Rädhäñṭamī, Śrīmatī Rädhäräụī's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 30, 1968
80
Yāmana-dvādaśT
A king can conquer other kings by strength, and such possession is considered to be rightful.
So Bali Mahäräja possessed all the lands of the universe, and he happened to be charitably
disposed toward the brähmaụas. The Lord therefore pretended to be a beggar brähmaụa,
and He asked Bali Mahäräja for a measurement of three footsteps of land. The Lord, as the
proprietor of everything, could take from Bali Mahäräja all the land he possessed, but he did
not do so because Bali Mahäräja possessed all those lands by king's rights. When Bali Mahäräja
was asked by Lord Vämana for such small charity, Bali Mahäräja's spiritual master, namely
Śukräcärya, objected to this proposal because he knew that Vämanadeva was Viṣṇu
Himself, pretending to be a beggar. Bali Mahäräja did not agree to abide by the order of his
spiritual master when he understood that the beggar was Viṣṇu Himself, and he at once
agreed to give Him in charity the land requested. By this agreement Lord Vämana covered
all the lands of the universe with His first two steps and then asked Bali Mahäräja where to
place the third step. Bali Mahäräja was very glad to receive the Lord's remaining step upon
his head, and thus Bali Mahäräja, instead of losing everything he possessed, was blessed
by the Lord's becoming his constant companion and doorman. So, by giving everything to
the cause of the Lord, one does not lose anything, but he gains everything that he could
never otherwise expect.
- SB 2.7.17
Kåṣṇa is not in want of money, for He is the original proprietor of everything (Īçäväsyam
idaṁ sarvam [Īśo mantra 1]). But still He asks us for charity. For example, Kåṣṇa, in the
guise of Vämana, a dwarf brähmaụa, went to beg from Bali Mahäräja. Even though He is
sarva-loka- maheçvaram [Bg. 5.29], the proprietor of all the planets, He nonetheless says,
"Please give in charity to Me." Why? It is for our interest, for the sooner we return Kåṣṇa's
money to Kåṣṇa, the better situated we will be.
- MG 4: Learning Tapasya, Self-Control
81
Deepotsava
There is a statement in Padma Puräụa describing the ritualistic function during the month of
Kärttika (October-November). During this month, in Våndävana it is the regulative principle
to pray daily to Lord Kåṣṇa in His Dämodara form. The Dämodara form refers to Kåṣṇa in
His childhood when He was tied up with rope by His mother, Yaśodä. Däma means "ropes,"
and udara means "the abdomen." So mother Yaśodä, being very disturbed by naughty Kåṣṇa,
bound Him round the abdomen with a rope, and thus Kåṣṇa is named Dämodara. During the
month of Kärttika, Dämodara is prayed to as follows: "My dear Lord, You are the Lord of all,
the giver of all benedictions." There are many demigods, like Lord Brahmä and Lord Śiva,
who sometimes offer benedictions to their respective devotees. For example, Rävaṇa was
blessed with many benedictions by Lord Śiva, and Hiraṇyakaśipu was blessed by Lord
Brahmä. But even Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmä depend upon the benedictions of Lord Kåṣṇa,
and therefore Kåṣṇa is addressed as the Lord of all benefactors. As such, Lord Kåṣṇa can
offer His devotees anything they want, but still, the devotee's prayer continues, "I do not ask
You for liberation or any material facility up to the point of liberation. What I want as Your
favor is that I may always think of Your form in which I see You now, as Dämodara. You are
so beautiful and attractive that my mind does not want anything besides this wonderful form."
In this same prayer, there is another passage, in which it is said, "My dear Lord Dämodara,
once when You were playing as a naughty boy in the house of Nanda Mahäräja, You broke
the box containing yogurt, and because of that, mother Yaśodä considered You an offender
and tied You with rope to the household grinding mortar. At that time You delivered two
sons of Kuvera, Nalaküvara and Maṇigrīva, who were staying there as two arjuna trees in
the yard of Nanda Mahäräja. My only request is that by Your merciful pastimes You may
similarly deliver me."
- NoD 4: Devotional Service Surpasses All Liberation
Kåṣṇa's another name is Dämodara. The Dämodara month is coming, and from that day,
we'll observe Dämodara-vrata for one month. The duty will be that in the evening you'll offer
a small candle just before the Deity, and chant the Dämodaräñṭaka, namämīçvaram. So this
will be Dämodara-vrata.
- Śrīmad-Bhägavatam 1.8.31 -- Mäyäpura, October 11, 1974
82
ŚrTla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura’s
appearance day
Without accepting a bona fide spiritual master, we cannot make any progress. It is
impossible. So Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura happens to be one of the äcäryas. And he has left
behind him many books. Caitanya-çikñämåta, Jaiva Dharma. These are very important
books. They're in Bengali, in Sanskrit. He has prepared many books of song. So we are
trying to present Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura's books also in English translation. So our adoration,
our worship to Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura today is so that he may bless us to make progress
peacefully in Kåṣṇa consciousness. Äcärya-upäsanä, simply by the blessings of the äcäryas
we can make very rapid progress. Yasya prasädäd bhagavat-prasädaḳ - We sing every day.
By the mercy of the spiritual master, äcärya, we immediately get the blessings of Lord. If
spiritual master, äcärya, is pleased, then you should know that Kåṣṇa is also pleased. Just
like you are working in office. If your immediate officer, boss, is pleased, that means the
proprietor of the firm, he's also pleased. Although you do not see him. This is fact. So
similarly in this spiritual line, it is guru-kåñụa-kåpä. We have to first receive the merciful
benediction from the äcärya, and then Kåṣṇa will be pleased and He'll also give His
blessings.
- His Divine Grace Śrīla Sac-cid-änanda Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura's Appearance Day, Lecture
-- London, September 3, 1971
Regardless of one's circumstances, if one fully engages his activities, mind and words in the
devotional service of the Lord, he should be understood to be a liberated person. Śrīla
Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura was a responsible officer and a householder, yet his service to the
cause of expanding the mission of Lord Caitanya Mahäprabhu is unique. The sense organs
are certainly our greatest enemies, and they are therefore compared to venomous serpents.
However, if a venomous serpent is bereft of its poison fangs, it is no longer fearful. Similarly,
if the senses are engaged in the service of the Lord, there is no need to fear their activities.
The devotees in the Kåṣṇa consciousness movement move within this material world, but
because their senses are fully engaged in the service of the Lord, they are always aloof from
the material world. They are always living in a transcendental position.
- SB 5.1.17
83
Govardhana-pūjā
The sacrifice known as Govardhana-püjä is observed in the Kåṣṇa consciousness

movement. Lord Caitanya has recommended that since Kåṣṇa is worshipable, so His land—
Våndävana and Govardhana Hill—is also worshipable. To confirm this statement, Lord
Kåṣṇa said that Govardhana-püjä is as good as worship of Him. From that day,
Govardhana-püjä has been going on and is known as Annaküṭa. In all the temples of
Våndävana or outside of Våndävana, huge quantities of food are prepared in this ceremony
and are very sumptuously distributed to the general population. Sometimes the food is
thrown to the crowds, and they enjoy collecting it off the ground. From this we can
understand that prasädam offered to Kåṣṇa never becomes polluted or contaminated, even if
it is thrown on the ground. The people therefore collect and eat it with great satisfaction.
- KB 24: Worshiping Govardhana Hill
The unique position of Govardhana Hill is praised in this way: “How fortunate is this
Govardhana Hill, for it is enjoying the association of Lord Kåṣṇa and Balaräma, who are
accustomed to walking on it. Thus Govardhana is always in touch with the lotus feet of the
Lord. And because Govardhana Hill is so obliged to Lord Kåṣṇa and Balaräma, it is
supplying different kinds of fruits, roots and herbs, as well as very pleasing crystal water
from its lakes, in presentation to the Lord. The best presentation offered by Govardhana Hill,
however, is newly grown grass for the cows and calves. Govardhana Hill knows how to
please the Lord by pleasing His most beloved associates, the cows and the cowherd boys.”
- KB 21: The Gopīs Attracted by the Flute
84
ŚrTla Gaura Kiśora dāsa BābājT Mahārāja’s
disappearance day
There is a practical example set for us by Gaurakiśora däsa Bäbäjī Mahäräja, who used to sit
on the side of a latrine to chant Hare Kåṣṇa. Many materialistic persons used to come and
bother him and disturb his daily routine of chanting, so to avoid their company he used to sit
by the side of a latrine, where materialistic persons would not go because of the filth and the
obnoxious smell. However, Gaurakiśora däsa Bäbäjī Mahäräja was so great that he was
accepted as the spiritual master of such a great personality as His Divine Grace Oṁ
Viṣṇupäda Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Gosvämī Mahäräja.
- SB 4.2.18
We are not wonderful men. But our only business is that we are speaking only the same
thing as Kåṣṇa has spoken. That's all. There is no magic. This is the magic. Very simple
thing. It doesn't require education. You can hear from your spiritual master what has Kåṣṇa
said. It doesn't require even literacy. There are many great personalities, saintly persons.
My Guru Mahäräja's Guru Mahäräja, he was illiterate, Gaura Kiśora däsa Bäbäjī Mahäräja.
He could not sign even his name. But my Guru Mahäräja was the best scholar of his time.
He accepted him as guru. So this is the process, that yei kåñụa-tattva-vettä sei guru haya
[Cc. Madhya 8.128]. That is the business of every Indian. And Caitanya Mahäprabhu is
therefore asking, Indians are meant for para-upakära, because outside India they are in
darkness. But unfortunately, Indians are now imitating the western kind of life. It is very
regrettable.
- Bhagavad-gītä 4.15 -- Bombay, April 4, 1974
85
ŚrTla Bhaktisiddhānta SarasvatT Ṭhākura’s
disappearance day
In the beginning, during the presence of Oṁ Viṣṇupäda Paramahaṁsa Parivräjakäcärya
Aṣṭottara-śata Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura Prabhupäda, all the disciples
worked in agreement; but just after his disappearance, they disagreed. One party strictly
followed the instructions of Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura, but another group created
their own concoction about executing his desires. Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura, at the
time of his departure, requested all his disciples to form a governing body and conduct
missionary activities cooperatively. He did not instruct a particular man to become the next
äcärya. But just after his passing away, his leading secretaries made plans, without authority,
to occupy the post of äcärya, and they split into two factions over who the next äcärya would
be. Consequently, both factions were asära, or useless, because they had no authority,
having disobeyed the order of the spiritual master. Despite the spiritual master’s order to
form a governing body and execute the missionary activities of the Gauòīya Maṭha, the two
unauthorized factions began litigation that is still going on after forty years with no decision.
Therefore, we do not belong to any faction. But because the two parties, busy dividing the
material assets of the Gauòīya Maṭha institution, stopped the preaching work, we took up
the mission of Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura and Bhaktivinoda Ṭhäkura to preach the
cult of Caitanya Mahäprabhu all over the world, under the protection of all the predecessor
äcäryas, and we find that our humble attempt has been successful.
- CC Ädi 12.8
Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura passed away from this material world on 31st
December, 1936. There are two phases, prakaṭa and aprakaṭa, appearance and
disappearance. So we have nothing to lament on account of disappearance because Kåṣṇa
and Kåṣṇa's devotees; not only devotees, even the non-devotees, nobody disappears. Nobody
disappears because every living entity is eternal. It is confirmed in the Vedic literature, nityo
nityänäṁ cetanaç cetanänäm (Kaṭha Upaniñad 2.2.13). So spiritually, appearance and
disappearance, there is no difference. So although this is the disappearance day of Oṁ
Viṣṇupäda Śrī Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura, so there is nothing to be
lamented. Although we feel separation, that feeling is there, but spiritually, there is no
difference between appearance and disappearance.
- His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Gosvämī Prabhupäda's Disappearance Day,
Lecture -- Los Angeles, December 13, 1973
86
Yaikuëṭha EkādaśT
Viñụu-ärädhana is the ultimate goal of life. In the Puräụas also, Lord Śiva was instructing
Pärvatī, ärädhanänäṁ sarveñäṁ viñụor ärädhanaṁ param - "Of all different types of
worship, the worship of Viṣṇu is topmost." So human life is specially meant for worshiping
Viṣṇu. Unfortunately, the blind leaders, they are not teaching people how to execute viñụu-
ärädhana. So this Kåṣṇa consciousness movement is started just to educate people how to
worship Lord Viṣṇu. Viñụor ärädhanaṁ param—this is our mission to teach all over the world.
Kåṣṇa also says in the Bhagavad-gītä that yajñärthe karmaụo 'nyatra loko 'yaṁ karma-
bandhanaḳ [Bg. 3.9]. Yajña means Viṣṇu. Simply for satisfying Viṣṇu one should act. Any
work one is habituated to do, it should be aimed to satisfy Viṣṇu. Otherwise we shall be
implicated in the karma. Karma means we act in some way under the direction of material
energy or illusionary energy, and we become implicated. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gītä,
käraụaṁ guụa-saìgo 'sya sad-asad-janma- yoniñu [Bg. 13.22]. According to our work and
association with particular type of the modes of nature, we get different types of body. If we
give up viñụu-ärädhana, if we give up the aim of achieving the favor of Viṣṇu, then we are
becoming implicated in the resultant action of our different activities.
- Bhagavad-gītä 3.14 -- Sanand, December 27, 1975
Vedic religion, although there are demigods, but the ultimate is oṁ tad viñụoḳ paramaṁ
padaṁ sadä paçyanti sürayaḳ. Those who are süraya, actually advanced, they see to the
Viṣṇu paramaṁ padam. Viñụor aradhanaṁ param. The worship of Viṣṇu is the supreme
worship. So actually everyone should be worshiper of Viṣṇu. And that is Vaiṣṇavism.
Vaiṣṇavism means for everyone or sanätana dharma. The living entity is sanätana.
Mamaiväṁço jīva-bhütaḳ jīva-loke sanätana [Bg. 15.7]. God is sanätana. The exchange
between God and the living entity is called sanätana-dharma or Vaiṣṇavism. So we are
teaching that. We are not teaching Hinduism, Muslimism, Christianism. We are teaching
how to love God. That's all.
- Answers to a Questionnaire from Bhavan's Journal -- June 28, 1976, Våndävana
87
ŚrT Advaita Äcārya’s appearance day
Advaita Äcärya was a contemporary of Lord Caitanya's father. He felt sorry for the condition
of the world because even after Lord Kåṣṇa's appearance, no one had interest in devotional
service to Kåṣṇa. This forgetfulness was so overwhelming that Advaita Prabhu was
convinced that no one but Lord Kåṣṇa Himself could enlighten people about devotional
service to the Supreme Lord. Therefore Advaita requested Lord Kåṣṇa to appear as Lord
Caitanya. Offering tulasī leaves and Ganges water, He cried for the Lord's appearance. The
Lord, being satisfied by His pure devotees, descends to satisfy them. As such, being
pleased by Advaita Äcärya, Lord Caitanya appeared.
- Ädi 3-1975: The External Reasons for Lord Caitanya's Appearance
Śrī Advaita Prabhu is an incarnation of Viṣṇu, for the welfare of the conditioned souls He
manifested Himself as a servitor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and throughout all
His activities He showed Himself to be an eternal servitor. Therefore the Personality of
Godhead and His different incarnations and forms played the parts of devotees to instruct
the conditioned souls how to approach the transcendental stage of devotional service.
Advaita Äcärya especially intended to teach the conditioned souls about devotional service.
The word äcärya means “teacher.” The special function of such a teacher is to make people
Kåṣṇa conscious. A bona fide teacher following in the footsteps of Advaita Äcärya has no
other business than to spread the principles of Kåṣṇa consciousness all over the world. The
real qualification of an äcärya is that he presents himself as a servant of the Supreme. Such
a bona fide äcärya can never support the demoniac activities of atheistic men who present
themselves as God. It is the main business of an äcärya to defy such imposters posing as
God before the innocent public.
- CC Ädi 6.28
88
Yarāha-dvadaśT
The conditioned soul accepts a particular type of body, such as the body of a hog, by his
work and by the superior authority of material nature. But when Lord Kåṣṇa appears in the
incarnation of a boar, He is not the same kind of hog as an ordinary animal. Kåṣṇa appears
as Varäha-avatära in an expansive feature which cannot be compared to an ordinary hog's.
His appearance and disappearance are inconceivable to us. In the Bhagavad-gītä it is
clearly said that He appears by His own internal potency for the protection of the devotees
and the annihilation of the nondevotees. A devotee should always consider that Kåṣṇa does
not appear as an ordinary human being or ordinary beast; His appearance as Varäha-mürti
or a horse or tortoise is an exhibition of His internal potency. One should not mistake the
appearance of the Lord as a human being or a beast to be the same as the birth of an
ordinary conditioned soul, who is forced to appear by the laws of nature, whether as an
animal, as a human being or as a demigod. This kind of thinking is offensive.
- SB 4.8.57
While Varäha, with His tusks, engaged in uplifting the submerged earth from the depths of
the waters, this great demon Hiraṇyäkṣa met Him and challenged Him, calling Him a beast.
Demons cannot understand the incarnations of the Lord; they think that His incarnations as
a fish or boar or tortoise are big beasts only. They misunderstand the body of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, even in His human form, and they deride His descent.
- SB 3.18.2
89
Nityānanda TrayodaśT
Nityänanda Prabhu is the immediate expansion of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Baladeva-tattva.

Baladeva means who gives strength for spiritual advancement. Näyam ätmä pravacanena
labhyo näyam ätmä balahinena labhyaḳ. These are the Vedic injunctions. So without
Baladeva's or Nityänanda's grace, one cannot make advancement.
ära kabe nitäi-cända karuụä karibe
saṁsära väsanä mora kabe tuccha ha'be
This is the grace of Nityänanda Prabhu. Narottama däsa Ṭhäkura is aspiring for the day
when Nityänanda Prabhu will be pleased upon him. Just like Jagäi-Mädhäi was delivered by
the mercy of Śrī Nityänanda Prabhu, similarly we have to pray Nityänanda Prabhu. He's very
merciful. He's so kind, He gives spiritual strength. Then we can approach the Supreme
Lord. Therefore we chant "Nitäi-Gaura." This is the process. We cannot change this policy.
Pañca-tattva must be worshiped; Nityänanda Prabhu is the spiritual master. Or spiritual
master is the representation of Nityänanda Prabhu. So when Nityänanda Prabhu is pleased,
then we become detached from this material attraction.
- Śrī Caitanya-caritämåta, Ädi-līlä 7.4 -- Mäyäpur, March 4, 1974
Today is Nityänanda Prabhu's ävirbhäva appearance day. Let us at least remember today
nitäi- pada-kamala. That is wanted. Nitäi caraụa satya, tähära sevaka nitya. The reality is nitäi-
caraụa, and anyone who is servant of Lord Nityananda, one who has become the dog of
Nityänanda Prabhu, he gets his eternal life. We are eternal, but under misconception of
material identification, we are under the subjugation of mäyä. It is botheration, but they do
not know. Therefore we should always expect to be under the shelter of nitäi-pada-kamala.
- Lord Nityänanda Prabhu's Ävirbhäva Appearance Day Lecture -- Bhuvaneçvara, February
2, 1977
90
ŚrTla Bhaktisiddhānta SarasvatT Ṭhākura’s
appearance day
Today is the most auspicious day, Śrīla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura, appeared on
this day. Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura is gaura-çakti. Gaura-çakti means empowered,
empowered by Śrī Caitanya Mahäprabhu. Śrī Caitanya Mahäprabhu, wanted His mission to
be broadcast all over the world. He desired:
påthivīte äche yata nagarädi-
gräma sarvatra pracära haibe
mora näma
Påthivīte, Śrī Caitanya Mahäprabhu predicted personally five-hundred years ago that His
mission will spread all over the world, as many towns and villages are there. So perhaps my
Guru Mahäräja, Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura, attempted to fulfill the desire of Śrī
Caitanya Mahäprabhu. And then, in 1918, my Guru Mahäräja started with this mission an
institution known as Gauòīya Math. And he was trying to spread this message of Śrī
Caitanya Mahäprabhu, and by chance or by prediction, as you think, I was taken to
Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura by one of my friends. I did not want to go there, but he
forcibly took me there. And he ordered me that "You preach the cult of Caitanya
Mahäprabhu in English language. This is very much essential." That was my first meeting
with him. So at that time I was in favor of Gandhi's movement. So I said that "We are not
independent—subjugated. Who will hear about our message?" So Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī
Ṭhäkura refuted my argument. I was very much pleased to be defeated, that "This so-called
nationalism or any ism, they are all temporary. Real need is the self-realization."
- His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Gosvämī Prabhupäda's Appearance
Day, Lecture -- Atlanta, March 2, 1975
We should not remain vimüòha. We should become intelligent. And to make us intelligent,
Kåṣṇa or His devotees or some messenger comes. And Śrīla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura
is one of the messengers of Kåṣṇa Caitanya Mahäprabhu to preach Kåṣṇa consciousness.
And not only he preached, but he trained up many disciples to preach this Kåṣṇa
consciousness all over the world. So by his grace we are also endeavoring to do something.
This is called paramparä system. So we should take advantage of this Vaiṣṇava mission. Our
Guru Mahäräja Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Ṭhäkura is a cent percent Vaiṣṇava. And he was
para-duḳkha-duḳkhi. This is Vaiṣṇava. Vaiṣṇava means he doesn't want any material profit
or material opulence or material reputation. He doesn't want. Vaiṣṇava is always thinking
how to do good to the suffering humanity.
- His Divine Grace Śrīla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvatī Gosvämī Prabhupäda's Appearance
Day, Lecture -- Mäyäpur, February 8, 1977
91
ŚrT Gaura-pūrëimā
In the Bhagavad-gītä Kåṣṇa has taught the philosophy of surrender to the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. One who has surrendered to the Supreme can make further
progress by learning to love Him. Therefore the Kåṣṇa consciousness movement
propagated by Lord Caitanya is especially meant for those who are cognizant of the
presence of the Supreme Godhead, the ultimate controller of everything. His mission is to
teach people how to dovetail themselves into engagements of transcendental loving service.
He is Kåṣṇa teaching His own service from the position of a devotee. The Lord’s
acceptance of the role of a devotee in the eternal form of Lord Śrī Caitanya Mahäprabhu is
another of the Lord’s wonderful features. A conditioned soul cannot reach the absolute
Personality of Godhead by his imperfect endeavor, and therefore it is wonderful that Lord Śrī
Kåṣṇa, in the form of Lord Gauräṅga, has made it easy for everyone to approach Him.
- CC Ädi 4.41
This is the benefit of Lord Caitanya’s movement. If one somehow or other comes in contact
with the Hare Kåṣṇa movement, without consideration of his being a çüdra, vaiçya, Jagäi,
Mädhäi or even lower, he becomes advanced in spiritual consciousness and immediately
develops love of Godhead. We now have actual experience that throughout the entire world
this movement is making many such persons lovers of God simply by the chanting of the
Hare Kåṣṇa mahä-mantra. Actually, Śrī Caitanya Mahäprabhu has appeared as the spiritual
master of the entire world. He does not discriminate between offenders and the innocent.
Kåñụa-prema- pradäya te: [Cc. Madhya 19.53] He liberally gives love of Godhead to anyone
and everyone. This can be actually experienced, as stated in the next verse.
- CC Ädi 8.22
92

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Quotes for

A collection from the teachings of

His Divine Grace

Anybody seriously reading our book, he’ll be liberated. There is no doubt.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu authorized Sanatana Goswami to become guru. This is parampara

There is no formula of quality. It is to be understood by oneself. Just like if after eating

Determination means continuing to practice K!ṣṇa Consciousness with patience and

Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?

This sleeping is the mäyä’s influence. It is stated Yä devī sarva-bhüteñu nidra-rüpeụa

In my books the philosophy of K!ṣṇa Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything

"The instruction given in my books is supposed to be personal instruction. When we read

Why are we giving so much stress on Bhagavad-gītä as it is? Because it is spoken by K!

We can practice sad-äcära if we perform devotional service regularly, including daily

The power of vaiñụava-aparädha is so great that even an advanced devotee becomes

We should know that vipra-çäpa-vimüòhänäm: if any person is cursed by vipra, brähmaụa,

Śrīmad-Bhägavatam is so scientifically presented that any sincere student of this great

When one has attained the topmost position of mahä-bhägavata, he is to be accepted as a

The practice of yoga, especially bhakti-yoga in K!ṣṇa Consciousness, may appear to be a

The basic principle of advancement in our K!ṣṇa consciousness is stressed by Caitanya

The beginning stage of devotional service is called sädhana-bhakti (regulatory practice), is

Enthusiasm, Patience & Determination

Hiraṇyakaśipu became very powerful by material achievements and thought himself to be

The Supreme Personality of Godhead in His transcendental form of Narahari, Nåsiṁhadeva,

Våndävana is actually experienced as it is by persons who have stopped trying to derive

The sacrifice known as Govardhana-püjä is observed in the Kåṣṇa consciousness

Nityänanda Prabhu is the immediate expansion of Caitanya Mahäprabhu, Baladeva-tattva.

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