770207AR.MAY

Prabhupada: Mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca [Bg 15.15]. We can submit to Krsna. So if Krsna's..., for Krsna's service we submit some plan, He is very glad. You wanted some flower for Krsna's service, Krsna is giving us. Everything we wanted for Krsna, not for our sense gratification. Then it is...

[break] ...Krsnarthe akhila-cesta. For Krsna you can endeavor multifariously. That is wanted. That is the contribution of Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Before that, Vaisnavas, they used to live retired life in Vrndavana or some other place-no preaching activities. This is the first attempt. Of course, Caitanya Mahaprabhu did it, but for the practical sake how we can serve Krsna even sitting on big, big buildings and on motorcars we can serve Krsna, that is introduced by Bhaktisiddhanta. Otherwise, people were afraid of becoming Vaisnava: "Oh, I'll have to live underneath a tree like Rupa Gosvami." Some of them will imitate like that. Imitation is no good. Rupa Gosvami never said imitation.

Simply that one desire, that "I shall serve Krsna," then in any position he is liberated. Any position. And that is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita:

So if we are actually sincerely serving Krsna, people may be envious, that "These people, living in palatial buildings." Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said only the devotees shall live in palatial buildings. Only the devotees. Just like the government servants. [Transl. Are you keeping well? Your service and activities are going on nicely? No?]

Indian devotee: [Transl. Yes. Service is going on nicely.]

Prabhupada: Government servant, they are given the best place to live in. Similarly, those who are devotees, they should be given all facilities. Not extravagancy, not luxury, but nice food, nice place, nice facilities, chant Hare Krsna. This is our mission... This is not dry. Our mission, we invite everyone, "Come here, live comfortably, chant Hare Krsna." Don't become sensuous, but live very nicely and serve Krsna.

This is our mission. Especially you coming from European, American countries, you are not accustomed to the hardships of Indian people. You must have the bare necessities of comfort and serve Krsna. That is I am trying to do, and utilize, and you are doing that. I thank you very much for your kind cooperation. And you are the future hope for world preaching. American brain, American money and Indian culture-the ISKCON. Then the whole world will be heaven. This Indian culture, Krsna consciousness, and American brain and American money. Everything is successful. Big very…dovetail very nicely. Krsna will give you all facilities. He is giving us. When we first purchased this land, we never expected this building of Sridharnatha-tirtha[?]. [chuckling] [indistinct] suggested one Jagannatha temple. Did you not? And then they suggested on Madhava Maharaja. You suggested plan one Jagannatha temple here. [laughter] Now our temple is not yet come; it is simply residence of the temple worship. Hmm?

So if you want, we can go. [end]