by Makhancora dasa
 
The spirit soul in the material world in due course of its evolution enters the human form of body, endowed with developed and fairly uncovered consciousness. Our existence in this material realm is characterized by perpetual struggle for existence through exploitation of natural resources. All the bodies work under the laws of material nature and each body is like a filter, a coloured glass, through which the light of the soul - the consciousness - shines. According to the filter, the light, originally pure and intense, appears to be of different hues and intensity. Thus each plant, mushroom or animal exhibits a particular behaviour befitting the particular specie. They don't go beyond their "program". They are not extravagant. They follow their own nature.
It's an interesting sight. Everything works perfectly in natural sequence, the whole ecosystem is like one body where everyone has his place, function and purpose. Nothing is missing and nothing is extra.
 
Yet we see a disruption of this divine arrangement. Especially at present times, the modern man creates a situation, where in his own struggle for existence, in his attempt to exploit natural resources for the pleasure of his senses he violates natural sequences. He extends the inputs of enjoyable stimulus even beyond the capacity of his senses to actually absorb them and the ultimate result of this unwise and blind policy is his own frustration and confusion accompanied by gradual destruction of the world not just for himself, but for everyone else as well. The material body and this world is given to the living entity as a tool for enjoyment of the senses under a false idea of material identity, but after millions of births and deaths in millions of species, after one realizes the futility of his attempts to become the supreme master and enjoyer of the world, the same material body and the same world are to be utilised as an instrument for his liberation. Human form of life can facilitate this process of liberation through proper action in the world executed on account of purified consciousness, but without the right vision and spiritual education we can't ever be truly satisfied and cease to drain our environment for flickering pleasures of our gross and subtle bodies.

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Perfection of human civilization is made possible by utilizing the gifts of nature in their own way. As we find herewith in the description of its opulence, Dvaraka was surrounded by flower gardens and fruit orchards along with reservoirs of water and growing lotuses. There is no mention of mills and factories supported by slaughterhouses, which are the necessary paraphernalia of the modern metropolis. The propensity to utilize nature's own gifts is still there, even in the heart of modern civilized man. The leaders of modern civilization select their own residential quarters in a place where there are such naturally beautiful gardens and reservoirs of water, but they leave the common men to reside in congested areas without parks and gardens. Herein of course we find a different description of the city of Dvaraka. It is understood that the whole dhama, or residential quarter, was surrounded by such gardens and parks with reservoirs of water where lotuses grew. It is understood that all the people depended on nature's gifts of fruits and flowers without industrial enterprises promoting filthy huts and slums for residential quarters. Advancement of civilization is estimated not on the growth of mills and factories to deteriorate the finer instincts of the human being, but on developing the potent spiritual instincts of human beings and giving them a chance to go back to Godhead. Development of factories and mills is called ugra-karma, or pungent activities, and such activities deteriorate the finer sentiments of the human being and thus turn society into a dungeon of demons.​

The devotee crowd at the B.L.I.S.S. Fuengirola Temple has expanded considerably with the arrival of Godbrothers and Godsisters from Perú and Mexico. Join us for the upcoming

festival of Lord Caitanya´s appearance day

​in ecstatic Hare Krsna chanting, dancing, prasadam feasting, profound philosophical discussions and loving devotional service to the Sweet Blue Boy - Krsna.

by Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Because the foolish people have no information of the soul and how the spirit soul is beyond the purview of the body and the mind, therefore all their occupational duties can not give them complete satisfaction. Herein the question of satisfaction of the self is raised. The self is beyond the gross body and subtle mind and he is the potent active principle of the body and mind. Without knowing the need of the dormant soul how one can be happy simply by emolument of the body and mind. The body and the mind are but superfluous outer coverings of the spirit soul but the soul's needs must be fulfilled. Without knowing the needs of the bird in the cage, simply by cleansing the cage the bird can not be satisfied.

The need of the spirit soul is that he wants to get out of the limited sphere of material bondage and wants to fulfil the desire for complete freedom. He wants to get out of the covered walls of the greater universe. He wants to see the free light and the spirit. ​That complete freedom is achieved when he meets the complete Spirit Personality of Godhead. There is dormant affection of God within everyone; spiritual existence is manifested through the gross body and mind in the form of perverted affection for the matter gross and subtle. We have to engage ourselves, therefore, in such occupational engagement as will be able to evoke our divine consciousness. This is possible only by the process of hearing and chanting of the divine activities of the Supreme Lord and any occupational activity which does not help in achieving such Stage of attachment for hearing and chanting the transcendental message of Godhead, is said herein as simply waste of time. Because other occupational duties call it by any ism can not give liberation to the soul. Even the activities of the salvationists are considered to be useless on account of its failure to pick up the Fountain head of all liberties. Gross materialists can see it practically that his material gain is limited only by time and space either in this world or in the other. Even he goes up to the Swargaloka that is also not the permanent abode for the hankering soul. The hankering soul must be satisfied by the perfect scientfic process of perfect devotional service.

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.8 Delhi edition, purport)

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

The whole world is full of questions and answers. The birds, beasts or the man all are busy in the matter of perpetual questions and answers. In the morning the birds in the nest become busy with questions and answers in the evening also the same birds come back and again become busy with questions and answers. The human being unless he is fast asleep at night he is busy with questions and answers. The businessmen on the market place is busy with questions and answers and so also the lawyers in the court and the students in the schools and colleges. The legislators in the parliament are also busy with questions and answers and the politicians or the press representatives all are busy with questions and answers. But they go on making such questions and answers for the whole life and still they are not at all satisfied. Satisfaction of the soul can only be obtained by questions and answers on the subject of Krishna.

Krishna is our most intimate master, friend, father or son and object of conjugal love. Forgetting Krishna we have created so many objects of questions and answers but none of them are able to give us complete satisfaction. Any thing except Krishna can give us temporary satisfaction only and if we have to have complete satisfaction we must take to the questions and answers about Krishna. We cannot live for a moment without being questioned or without giving answers. Because the Srimad Bhagwatam deals in questions and answers in relation with Krishna, we can derive the highest satisfaction only by reading and hearing this transcendental literature. Learn the Srimad Bhagwatam and make an all round solution of all problems regarding social, political or religious matters. Srimad Bhagwatam and Krishna is the sumtotal of all things.

(Srimad-Bhagavatam  1.2.5 Delhi edition, purport)

Text 2
 
Hridi yasya preranaya prabrtita aham baraka api-tasya hare padakamalam vande chaitanya devasya.
 
English Synonyms
 
Hridi-In the heart; yasya-whose, preranaya-by the inspiration of, pravartito-engaged, aham-myself, baraka-insignificant, api-although, tasya-of him, hare-the Lord's, padakamalam-lotus feet, vande-do worship, chaitanya-Sri Chaitanya, deva-the Lord.
 
Translation
 
Let me worship the lotus feet of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, by the inspiration of whose unbounded mercy I am now engaged, although very much insignificant in this task.
 
Purport
 
The author Sri Rupa Goswami shows the way of approaching the Absolute Personality of Godhead Sri Krishna. He therefore offers his respectful obeisance unto the lotus feet of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who is no other than Sri Krishna Himself appeared in the form of a devotee to bestow his merciful benediction upon the fallen souls of this iron age called by the name Kali Yuga. Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu personally inspired Srila Rupa Goswami at Dasaswmedh Ghat Prayag (Allahabad) continuously for ten days and authorised him to propagate the science of devotional service for everyone's benefit. As pure Vaishnava, Srila Rupa Goswami considers himself as the most insignificant person although he is not so. Nobody can describe the transcendental science unless he is authorised by the Lord Himself or His bonafide representative. As Arjuna was, in the Bhagwat Geeta, personally inspired by Sri Krishna-so also here Srila Rupa Goswami was also personally inspired by the Lord. As such none of them can be insignificant persons but on the contrary they are the proper authorities who can deliver us the right thing. Nobody can understand the Bhagwat Geeta if he does not follow the footprints of Arjuna and similarly nobody can understand the mission of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu unless one is scrupulously inclined to follow the footprints of the Goswamins headed by Sri Rupa Goswami. Srila Jiva Goswami explains the word Baraka as one who can explain the right concept. It may not be out of place to mention in this connection that this translation work into English is also undertaken under the same authority of His Divine Grace Sri Srimad Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Goswami Maharaj who is bonafide representative of Srila Rupa Goswami. There is no spirit of change herein from the path of the original authority.
 

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

So in the human form of body we can understand our real, constitutional position. So if the leaders of the human society do not give education to the human society, how the spirit soul can get out of the clutches of birth, death, old age and disease? You have rightly said that Indian sages and great personalities, they specifically cultivated this knowledge, how the living entity encaged in this material body can be liberated. Therefore, to give education to the human society how he can get out of this entanglement of birth, death, old and disease is the best welfare activity. We can remember the history in your country: there was great Napoleon. In other countries also there were many big heroes. They constructed their country very nicely, but at last they had to leave the country. 

So whatever we create materially with this material body in this life, along with my giving up this body I have to give up everything. And after this, I have to accept another body. We do not know what kind of body I am going to accept. But suppose I am going to accept, say, a lower grade of body, less than human being. Then what is my condition? My love of country may give me another body in this country, or in my country, but if I am not well situated... Suppose if I get the body of an animal like cow, I shall be sent to the slaughterhouse. 

Krishna Consciousness is so nice that if one takes part in it in either ways, like hearing, chanting, remembering, worshiping, praying, or even simply by eating prasadam, the transcendental effect will be visible. I am very glad that you have developed these nice sentiments and now you are living with other devotees. If you continue like this I am sure you will make rapid progress in Krishna Consciousness. 

(Srila Prabhupada´s Letter to: Lynn  --  Calcutta 23 November, 1967)

I have read your statements regarding opening centers. I am not in agreement with Mr. Altman that we are expanding very thinly. In my opinion, a single sincere soul can maintain a center. You know I started the center at 26 2nd Ave. alone. I took the risk of 200.00 dollars per month for the rent. At that time there were no assistants. Mukunda was at that time a friend but there was no responsibility for him for maintaining the center. Gradually Kirtanananda and Hayagriva joined but they did not take any responsibility. Still I was maintaining the establishment simply depending on Krishna and then Krishna sent me everything -- men and money. Similarly, if a sincere soul goes out and opens a center in any part of the world Krishna will help him in all respects. Without being empowered by Krishna, nobody can preach Krishna Consciousness. It is not academic qualification or financial strength which helps in these matters, but it is sincerity of purpose which helps us always. Therefore, I wish that you will remain in charge of New York, let Satsvarupa be in charge of Boston, Let Mukunda be in charge of San Francisco, let Janardana be in charge of Montreal. Let Nandarani and Dayananda be in charge of Los Angeles. And let Subala das be in charge of Santa Fe. In this way you will follow my example as I did in the beginning at 26 2nd Ave. That is preaching, cooking, writing, talking, chanting everything one man's show. I never thought about the audience. I was prepared to chant if there were no man to hear me. The principle of chanting is to glorify the Lord and not to attract a crowd. If Krishna hears nicely then he will ask some sincere devotee to gather in such place. Therefore, be advised that thousands of centers may be started if we find out a sincere soul for each and every center. We do not require more men to start. If there is one sincere soul that is sufficient to start a new center. 

(Letter to: Brahmananda  --  Calcutta 11 November, 1967)

In the material world there is constant fight between maya & the living entity. Maya is very strong & we can fall a victim at her hand at any moment. The only means of protecting us from the attack of maya is to be fully Krishna Conscious. The proportion in which we fall back in Krishna Consciousness is filled up by the influence of maya. It is exactly like the proportion of negligence of our health is subsequently resulted in our falling ill. The person who is very careful about his health does not generally fall ill. Similarly a person who is always fixed up in Krishna Consciousness cannot be defeated by maya. Sometimes in spite of our full Krishna Consciousness we fall a victim to maya but that is temporary just as seasonal changes such calamities do come & pass away & we have to endure them.

(Letter to: Jadurani  --  Navadvipa 26 October, 1967)

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Yes. So if we get place, we can start. Our program is international. And it is not difficult for us. We can start a branch even underneath a tree. We begin... I began in New York like that. I was chanting underneath a tree in a park. Yes.

(Room Conversation, Dec. 21st 1970, Surat)

As preachers, we do not require elaborate temples for our work. No, we are content to live under a tree. So, as long as your preaching work is going on, never mind there is no temple. of course, in your western countries people must have a comfortable place to sit down or they will not come for chanting. So as soon as possible you may get a nice place and invite the general public by making it very attractive.

(Letter to: Locanananda  --  Delhi, India 8 December, 1971)

It is not so important that you have no temple building just now. The main thing is that somehow or other preaching work goes on and literature is distributed. We are prepared to sleep under a tree, so what is there need for a fancy house? Only people must have some place to go, so as soon as possible try to get some place where the public can come and sit down comfortably and chant Hare Krishna.

(Letter to: Sri Galim  --  Delhi 20 November, 1971)







​

THERE ARE NO CHANGES IN THE ORIGINAL BOOKS
​
Hayagriva has changed so many things.
(Conversation, "Rascal Editors," and Morning Talk -- June 22, 1977, Vrndavana)

PRABHUPADA CHECKED THE EDITING

It is not possible for me to check, and they are doing all nonsense, freedom.
(Conversation, "Rascal Editors," and Morning Talk -- June 22, 1977, Vrndavana)

EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE CHANGES, THE FIRST EDITIONS ARE AUTHORIZED

So, when you change, then the authority is lost.
(Room Conversation with Carol Cameron -- May 9, 1975, Perth)

EVEN THOUGH WE KNOW THERE ARE CHANGES, WE SHOULD KEEP THEM THERE.

Of course, our spiritual subject matter is transcendental and therefore it remains potent despite mistakes in grammar, spelling, etc. But this type of translation may only be allowed if there is no other way to correct it, then it is all right. But if you know the correct order, then you must make it perfect. That is our philosophy: everything perfect for Krishna.
(Letter to: Mandali Bhadra - Jaipur 20 January, 1972)

​by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

So Prahlāda Mahārāja, although he was born of an atheistic family, he's taking courage: "The Lord has no such distinction; therefore I shall pray according to my capacity." Bhāva-grāhī janārdana. Bhāva. The Personality of Godhead takes account of your mental... Not exactly mental—your spiritual attraction, how much you are attracted. This attraction is the main thing. As I have several times explained in this meeting, that sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharma yato bhaktir adhokṣaje [SB 1.2.6].

What is the highest type of religion? Everyone will say that "My system of religion is better than yours." That is quite natural. A Hindu will say, "Oh, I am better than the Christian." Christian will say, "I am better than the Hindu." But Bhāgavata says that that is not the test of religion. Bhagavat says, sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje [SB 1.2.6]. That type of religion is the best by which one develops love of Godhead. That's all. The test is how much you have developed love of Godhead.

​Bhāva-grāhī janārdana. In Vedic literature it is said that God, Kṛṣṇa, simply accepts your bhāva or your situation, how much you have developed your attraction for God, or Kṛṣṇa. That is taken into account. He does not take account that "Oh, you are very rich. You are very beautiful. You are very opulent," or "You are very poor. You are not beautiful." These considerations are not there. The only consideration is how much you love God. Then your life is successful.

by His divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Happiness can be attained when you come to God -- because you are part and parcel of God. The same example. A little child is crying. Nobody could pacify it. As soon as the child is put on the breast of the mother, immediately happy. Because the child is the part and parcel of the mother. And immediately he understands that "Now I have come to safe, my mother." Immediately happy. This is practical. Similarly, we are all part and parcel of God, Visnu. So unless we come to Krsna or Visnu -- Krsna is Visnu there is no happiness. It is not possible. It is not possible. But the rascals, they do not know. They are trying to become happy by so-called scientific advancement. What is this science? Atyantika-duhkha-nivrtti. The aim of life is to come to the platform of happiness, where there is no distress at all, simply happiness. That is our aim. There cannot be any distress. Only happiness. Anandamayo 'bhyasat [Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12].

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Duhkha-nivrtti means avoiding painful situation. So everyone is trying to avoid painful situation. That's a fact. We are struggling. I have got income, say two hundred dollars, so that is not sufficient for me. So I am struggling hard to get five hundred dollars, to avoid this painful situation. Again when in five hundred dollars I feel another pain, so I try for one thousand dollar. In this way go on increasing, and the painful situation will never be mitigated. That will continue. Otherwise, why millionaires are committing suicide? He has got money. But they do not know that any amount of material comforts will not make them happy. That is not possible. So we have repeatedly discussed this fact that other countries... Like India is advertised very poor country. But still, majority of the people in India, they are happy. People do not know. Although materially they haven't got possession... They have got only two cloth or even one cloth. In the village you will find, they are so poverty-stricken. But still, they are following the Vedic principles, taking bath early in the morning, going to their business, whatever they get, eating, husband, wife, children. They are happy. People say "Primitive." But you want, after all, happiness. Primitive or advanced, what is that? In advanced civilization, if you commit suicide, why not primitive?

(Lecture on the Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.3.23 -- September 28, 1972, Los Angeles

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in the early days chalked out the path for his movement in the West. Here are the goals he set up:

(A) To educate the greater human society in the techniques of spiritual life as the basis for a balanced psychic and biological development, and thereby achieve for the first time in human society a real peace and unity among the contending forces in the world today.

(B) To propagate the Sense of Godhead, the all attractive Personality of primal and eternal Form, as He Himself revealed in His own words in the Bhagavad Gītā, the Holy Scripture of the Lord Sri Krishna, the Godhead.

(C) To bring together individals in a Society, regardless of nationality and irrespective of creed or caste, in order to develop a nearness to the Godhead and thereby the idea that within the members and humanity-at-large there is an infinitesimal soul-spirit that is part and parcel in quality with the Godhead, and that all life is meant for the satisfaction of said Godhead, the Supreme Soul.

(D) To encourage the teachings of Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu who demonstrated practically the transcendental process of approaching the absolute Personality of Godhead by His acts of congregational chanting of the holy name of God, a process known as Samkirtan.

(E) To prove by active work and preaching that Lord Sri Krishna is the only enjoyer of all the outcomes of individual and collective sacrifice, penance, meditation, arts, culture, science, because He is the Supreme Proprietor of the whole universe, eternally apart of Him everyone knows Him as a friend. Real peace can be attained when this is realized, in fact.

(F) To assist whenever and wherever possible in the building of a social structure on the real foundation of spiritual progress and establishment of peace and unity between men throughout the world.

(G) To attempt to save men individually from the chain of victimization the ongoing trend in modern civilization operates by, in the name of ideologies of false sentiment, so that Man may again be a free soul, to act and live freely with spiritual vision. This is possible by individual spiritual initiation, Diksha, when a man can see everything in Godhead and Godhead in everything.

(H) To further toward realization this highest truth as revealed by Lord Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and the six Goswamins headed by Śrīla Rupa and Sanatana Goswamins.

(I) To have for its objectives amongst the others four principles which the Goswamins had in view. They are the following:

1. To erect a holy place of transcendental pastimes as well as a place where members of the Lord Sri Krishna can flourish.

2. To propagate all over the world in the form of missionaries the process of devotion, the transcendental service to the Godhead, and to make known that this devotional service is the main function of the human being.

3. In order to accomplish this, to adopt proselytizing methods of peaceful means and to establish a broader society of association for all members, including scholars and admirers, to engage in this service as put forth in the Śrīmad Bhagwatam.

4. To install, wherever it is possible, the worship and temple of Radhakrishna and that of Sri Chaitanya, and to give facility to everyone to become trained in the modes of Archan or preparatory principles of devotional service.

(J) To introduce to the members of the Society and humanity-at-large a simpler and more natural purpose in life by means suitable to the particular place and time, and as enjoined in the Bhagavad Gītā.

(K) To organize educational programs, such as classes and lecture tours, and to institute services, such as mailing, for the benefit of the members of the Society and humanity-at-large.

(L) To publish periodicals, books and/or pamphlets in all important languages in order to reach human society and give an opportunity to same to communicate with the Society.

(M) To invoke the quality of goodness particularly in every member of the Society, individually by the process of Diksha and by establishing one in the status of a Brahmin (good and intelligent man) on the basis of truthfulness, knowledge and faith in the transcendental service of the Lord.

(N) Among the secondary objectives of the Society, it shall undertake the following activities:

1. To revive the scientific system of social orders of classification based on intelligence, martial spirit, productivity and common assistance, generally known as the four castes with reference to quality and worth for the common cause of world society.

2. To discharge as a matter of course the vitiated system of supremacy of one man over another by false prestige of birthright or vested interests.

3. To popularize the vegetable-grain diet under approved methods in order that full value of protein, carbohydrate, fat and vitamin benefit may be derived therefrom.

4. To discourage intoxicating or addicting habits of all descriptions and dimensions and to expose such persons thus afflicted to approved methods of spiritual realization.

(Founding Document For ISKCON : Constitution Of Association, 1966)

Whenever there is new branch of our society for Krishna Consciousness I become very very happy, & my blessings in heart and soul are with you. I went to your country for spreading this information of Krishna Consciousness & you are helping me in my mission although I am not physically present there but spiritually I am always with you. Our procedure is very simple and consistent. We chant, we read from Bhagavad-gita & Srimad-Bhagavatam and we distribute prasadam.
(Srila Prabhupada´s Letter to: Nandarani, Krsna Devi, Subala, Uddhava, October 3rd, 1967)

I can assure you your steady progress in K. C.; as you are sincerely trying for the cause of K.C. In the conditioned stage there is every possibility of being mistaken;

but Krishna will always protect us if we are sincere; even if there is a gross mistake, Krishna forgives his devotee who is very sincere so go on working sincerely and Krishna will protect you always.


(Srila Prabhupada´s letter to Satsvarupa, Aug.29th 1967)

​By His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Your appreciation of my Spiritual Master is very commendable. One who understands and appreciates the disciplic succession is certainly advanced, and we should always be very careful to give full respect to those who have so carefully handled this Divine Fruit of transcendental knowledge before us.

​Even a slight change will spoil it. That is why I have always been so careful to give you only those things which I have heard from my Guru Maharaja

(Letter to: Satsvarupa, Hansadutta  --  Vrndavana, India August 1967)

There is a set of Spiritual Master(?) and disciple much advertised in this age of Kali and it is said about them that the master injected spiritual force up to the disciple by electrical current generated by the master and the disciple began to feel the shock actually so that he became unconscious; and the master was weeping for his becoming pauper on account of his exhausting the store of so called spiritual assets. Such bogus advertisement is going on in this age and the poor common man is becoming the victim of such illegitimate advertisement. We do not find such folk-tales in the matter of dealings of Sukdeva Gosvami and his great disciple Maharaj Parikshit. The sage recited Srimad Bhagwatam in devotion and the great King heard him properly. The King did not feel any shock of electrical current from the master neither the disciple became unconscious while receiving knowledge from the master. One should not, therefore, become victim of these unauthorised advertisements by some bogus representative of Vedic(?) knowledge. The sages of the Naimisaranya were very much respectful in the matter of hearing about Maharaj Parikshit on account of his receiving knowledge from Sukadeva Goswami by means of ardent hearing. Ardent hearing from the bonafide master is the only way of receiving transcendental knowledge and there is no other medical performances or mysticism for miraculous effect. The process is simple and only the sincere party can achieve the desired result.

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.12.3 purport, Delhi edition)

Prabhupada: ..."Even a moment's association with a pure devotee -- all success." Not necessarily that one has to acquire it previous, no. Generally it is so, but sadhu sanga has got its effect. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, lavamatra sadhu sanga sarva siddhi haya. You have not read in the Sanatana-siksa in the Teachings of Lord Caitanya?

Revatinandana: Does that also apply to reading the words of a pure devotee?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Revatinandana: Even a little association with your books has the same effect?

Prabhupada: Effect, of course, it requires both the things. One must be very eager to take it. Just like Maharaja Pariksit heard Srimad-Bhagavatam, and there are so many others. They are also reading Srimad-Bhagavatam. So Maharaja Pariksit was very serious. So both things should be serious. Just like the example: the husband and wife must be potent; then there is pregnancy. Otherwise there is no pregnancy. So sewing the seed, the field also must be fertile or receptive, then the seed will fructify. It is reciprocal.

Revatinandana: If the seed starts to sprout and it lacks sufficient facilities, then it will die completely.

Prabhupada: Yes. Yes.

Revatinandana: But if a spiritual seed sprouts, then whatever sprout is made is never lost. Right?

Prabhupada: Yes. It is not lost, but it is checked. Sometimes he is checked.

Revatinandana: Because the tendency to revive again.
​
Prabhupada: In that way again one has to... That brings the question of previous life. One was advanced so much; it was checked by some reason; he again begins from that point. Just like Bilvamangala Thakura. Bilvamangala Thakura was advanced in his previous life up to bhava-bhakti. Somehow or other, it was checked. But as soon as he heard the words from the prostitute, "Oh, you are so much after the flesh and similar, and bones and skin. If you had been so much eager for Krsna, how you would have been disposed," immediately he came to that point and immediately left. 

(Room Conversation --  December 13, 1970, Indore)

by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Avyapara means a occupation, an occupation which is not fit for you. That is avyapara. Avyapara-suvyaparam. And one occupation which is not exactly fitting you, you do not know how to do it, so avyapare suvyaparam yo kartu... If one wants to act in a business in which he is unable to do, then he is killed just like this fool monkey. Avyapare suvyaparam yo narah kartum icchati, sa-mulo hanyate. That foolish person is killed just like this monkey. The monkey's business was not to imitate the sawman, but he wanted to imitate. The result was that he was killed. So that is not expertness. Expertness is you just try to do which is easily performed by you. You don't accept anything heavy task because Krsna does not want that you have to do this heavy task. Whatever you know, you just apply it. You dovetail it in Krsna consciousness. Krsna does not say that you have to become like this, like that, like that, then you can serve Him. Does not say. Just like this cow. Just see. What does it know? He's an animal. You see? But the calf knows to brush his head and tongue like this, in love. It is doing and Krsna accepting, "Yes." That is expert. First of all find out what is easily done by you. Don't take anything which is not easily done by you. You find out what is your occupation, what you can very nicely and easily perform, and do it for Krsna. That's all. Is that clear? Expert? This is expert. Expert does not mean that I do not know how to drive motor car, and I will have to imitate somebody, "Oh, I shall become driver." Why? If you do not know driving, why should you attempt driving? Whatever you know, you just try it, that business, and try to satisfy Krsna.

(Room Conversation --  July 16, 1968, Montreal)

Yamuna: Swamiji, Janaki-devi wrote me this very nice letter where she had a dream that there was a gigantic platform above the surface of the earth, and all of our devotees, our Godbrothers and sisters and you, were assembled on this gigantic platform for sankirtana. And we had such a thunderous joy, magnificent kirtana, that the whole earth... When you said, "Jaya om param paramahamsa," the whole earth bowed down to you like this. And we were all crying, so happy. And you said, "Now my Guru Maharaja is satisfied." That was her dream.

Prabhupada: Thank you very much. Yes. Thank you for your dreaming like that. It is very pleasing to me. Yes, I want to see like that. [Break]

Devotee: Swamiji, is the dream world the real world?

Prabhupada: Yes, it is reflection of the real world. Reflection is real for the time being. This world is also dream, for the time being. Because this body is not permanent, so it is also a dream. A dream for 100 years or 50 years or 70 years, but that dream is 50 minutes. At night we see the dream for 50 minutes, and this dream is 50 years. That's all. It is a question of time. It is also dream. But dream is reality... So long we see it and enjoy it, that is reality. Just like a man in dream he's crying. It is dream. But the effect is there. Reaction is there. In that sense, dream is reality. Reality, temporary reality, flickering reality. Otherwise, it is reality. [end]

​(Room Conversation --  March 25, 1968, San Francisco)

Oh my Lord the lotus-eyed, whenever You go away to Mathura-Vrindaban or to Hastinapur for meeting Your friends and relatives, every moment of the period of Your absence becomes a duration of millions of years. Oh the infallible, at that time our eyes become useless as it is in the absence of the sun.

PURPORT by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

We are all proud of our material senses for making an experiment in the matter of the existence of God. But we forget that our senses are not absolute by themselves. They can act under certain conditions. For example our eyes. So long the sunshine is there our eyes are useful to a certain extent. But in the absence of sunshine the eyes are all useless. Lord Sri Krishna being the Primeval Lord, the Supreme Truth, He is compared with the Sun. Without Him all our knowledge are either false or partial. The opposite number of the sun is the darkness and similarly the opposite number of Krishna is Maya or illusion. The devotees of the Lord can see everything in true perspective on account of the light disseminated by Lord Krishna. By the Grace of the Lord the pure devotee cannot be in the darkness of ignorance. Therefore, it is necessary that we must always be in the sight of Lord Krishna so that we can see both ourselves and the Lord with His different energies. As we cannot see anything in the absence of the sun so also we cannot see anything including our own self without the factual presence of the Lord. Without Him all our knowledge is so called and covered by illusion.

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.11.9, Delhi edition)