Receiving Knowledge From Kṛṣṇa

Bob: So a guru receives his knowledge through the disciplic succession, not directly from Krsna? Do you receive some knowledge directly from Krsna?

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. Krsna's direct instruction is there: Bhagavad-gita!

Bob: I see, but. . .

Srila Prabhupada: But you have to learn it through the disciplic succession, otherwise you will misunderstand it.

Bob: But presently you do not receive information directly from Krsna? It comes through the disciplic succession from the books?

Srila Prabhupada: There is no difference. Suppose I say that this is a pencil. If you say to him, "This is a pencil," and if he says to another man, "This is a pencil," then what is the difference between his instruction and my instruction?

Bob: Krsna's mercy allows you to know this now?

Srila Prabhupada: You can take Krsna's mercy also, provided it is delivered as it is. Just as we are teaching Bhagavad-gita. In Bhagavad-gita Krsna says:

"Just give up all other forms of religion and simply surrender unto Me." [Bg 18.66] Now we are saying that you should give up everything and surrender to Krsna. Therefore, there is no difference between Krsna's instruction and our instruction. There is no deviation. So if you receive knowledge in that perfect way, that is as good as receiving instruction directly from Krsna. But we don't change anything.

Bob: When I pray reverently, faithfully, does Krsna hear me?

Srila Prabhupada: Yes.

Bob: From me to Him?

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, because He is within your heart He is always hearing you-whether you are praying or not praying. When you are doing some nonsense, He is also hearing you. And when you pray, that is very good-welcome.

Bob: To Krsna's ear, is praying louder than nonsense?

Srila Prabhupada: No. He is all-perfect. He can hear everything. Even if you don't speak, even if you simply think, "I shall do it," then He hears you. sarvasya caham hrdi sannivistaḥ: Krsna is seated in everyone's heart. [Bg 15.15]

Bob: But one should pray-is that so?

Srila Prabhupada: That is his business-praying.

Bob: Whose business?

Srila Prabhupada: Every living entity's. That is the only business. Eko bahūnam yo vidadhati kaman [Katha Upanisad, 2.2.13]. That is the statement of the Vedas.

Bob: What does that mean?

Srila Prabhupada: He supplies everything to everyone. He is supplying food to everyone. So He is the Father. So why should you not pray, "Father, give me this"? Just as in the Christian Bible there is, "Father, give us our daily bread." That is good-they are accepting the Supreme Father. But grown-up children should not ask from the father; rather, they should be prepared to serve the father. That is bhakti [devotion].

Bob: My questions you solve so nicely.

[Everyone laughs with affection.)

Srila Prabhupada: Thank you very much.

Bob: So, should I ask you another question now?

Srila Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Yes!