Room Conversation – February 8, 1974, Vṛndāvana

Shall I give the Lord so hot? Let me see

[Poor Recording]

[Indian devotee reciting Sanskrit pranam-mantras] [break]

[01:34]

Prabhupada: Nityananda Prabhu.

Gurudas: Is he…

Prabhupada: Brahmacari.

Gurudas: Is he the one who lived with you in Vrndavana?

Prabhupada: Hm?

Gurudas: There's one Nityananda prabhu who lived with you in Vrndavana? When Purusottama lived with you also? One Nityananda?

Prabhupada: No, he lives in Orissa.

Gurudas: Oh, I see.

Prabhupada: Near, Berhampur.

Gurudas: Oh.

Prabhupada: He has got a paper, [Hindi]

Devotee: [Hindi]

Prabhupada: He is very sincere worker, brahmacari. [break] [Hindi with guest] [break]

Guest: I just purchased that Krsna.

Prabhupada: Krsna.

Guest: Two parts. Really wonderful. Earlier I had read one book by Paresvaranda Hrsikesa [indistinct] about Krsna's philosophy, ethics. So after that, I read this really most appealing and wonderful [indistinct].

Prabhupada: Our books are selling very nicely. We're selling books for forty thousand rupees daily. That is the main standing. Our whole expenditure went there. Please cooperate with this movement.

Guest: I am at your disposal.

Prabhupada: Thank you.

Guest: At your command. So you can make me for the [indistinct] documents and all that.

Prabhupada: [Hindi] [break] [indistinct] ...No botheration. Just have chanting. No botheration from Kali? That I [indistinct]. But we cannot give you princely order. That is not possible. Simply just to maintain the body and soul together, that I can. But this is [indistinct]. Therefore I am little strict, that from constantly [indistinct] for nothings. And if there is no Deity money, then picture is there. Only the dress-put the picture. That is also Deity, is it not? Is it not? Yes. Or even in the mind. That is also Deity. Picture is also Deity. And one who cannot provide even picture, the mind is there. Just think of Krsna-Balarama and prepare foodstuff, all kinds of foodstuff, and offer within the mind. You have not seen that picture? Yes. We are preparing khir, and wanted to implore this? "Shall I give the Lord so hot? Let me see." Then he touched, his finger is burned. There is no khir, [laughing] but the finger is burned. These are the instances. A devotee can offer, that serve Krsna, so many ways, so many ways. But we should try to serve Krsna as gorgeously as possible. But if you have no means, then other things also. Not that "We have to do it this way." No.

The Gauḍiya Vaisnava, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, have got their temple. I expected that you must have, Americans. [indistinct] But if it is not possible, then it is patram puspam with picture, that's all. There is no question of stoppage. Ahaituky apratihata [SB 1.2.6]. Devotional service cannot be stopped in any circumstances. [Cross talk from other audio recording fades in and out until end]. So my first business is to see that somehow or other the temple is complete. Then we shall see whether there is Deity or there is dress. If in the meantime it is possible, you do. And if there is no means, then you cannot take from the construction. This is my point. Is that clear? Yes. And so far money is concerned, whatever money is there, then you'll spend everything for temple, not for other things. Therefore I am trying to minimize as much as possible, and necessity must be there. Otherwise that money is for this Vrndavana, the construction and maintenance. Now I want to finish this. [long pause] So do like that. Is that all right?

Gurudas: Yes.

Prabhupada: Finish the construction at any cost. Your wood has come?

Gurudas: Wood has come. Yes.

Prabhupada: Ah, so finish the temple, and I think iron will come by tomorrow or day after tomorrow. In the meantime, you'll fix up the wood and whatever iron. Yes. You bring it. Keep account whatever Deity collection is there.

Gurudas: Yes.

Prabhupada: That's all. That money is there?

Gurudas: Yes. Twenty thousand, and another ten will come when it is sent.

Prabhupada: Do it very cautiously, because after all, we are beggar. That you should consider. But if somebody comes forward, that is our business-to induce others, moneyed man. Let his money be spent. That we are doing actually. But this money what I have brought or what I have given at Bombay, this about forty lakhs of rupees. What I have brought from USA, that is my book. That is my…, we can say, that writing book at night and inducing these devotees: go and sell, go and sell, go and sell. In this way it is going on. This is not contribution. George has given contribution, but that is house. But nobody gives us money for it. And here also you don't get any big contribution, except that Birla has contributed.

Tamal Krsna: Mr. Turani[?] has given four lakhs.

Prabhupada: Given?

Tamal Krsna: He's given fifty thousand, and now he'll give the balances.

Prabhupada: That's all right. So here we can…, from Bombay do that.

Tamal Krsna: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: But all this money, what I have brought from USA, I have sent about six lakhs for Mayapur, and about fifteen lakhs…

Tamal Krsna: Bombay.

Prabhupada: Bombay. And this is also about nine lakhs. So?

Tamal Krsna: Thirty lakhs.

Prabhupada: Thirty lakhs of rupees. And others, I estimate forty lakhs. Anyway…

Tamal Krsna: Yes, because you put some money in a trust in America.

Prabhupada: Yes, yes.

Tamal Krsna: So there is the other ten.

Prabhupada: Ten lakhs. Yes. Ten lakhs I have put for maintenance. So why there is no work today? They're not working?

Devotee: Yes, they're working.

Prabhupada: Working? So finish in this way. And it is not possible to bring money any more. If possible, I'll bring. But it has given me too much strain.

Tamal Krsna: We cannot expect it, [indistinct].

Prabhupada: Yes. Too much strain. In Bombay, that, you know, how telephone after telephone, and this Mrs. Nair, this attorneys, this, that, all.

Tamal Krsna: That was amazing. You said that was the biggest battle...

Prabhupada: Yes.

Tamal Krsna: ...of all.

Prabhupada: Overnight it if we want to payment. Immediately make a call, I take fifty, thirty thousand. Give immediately.

Tamal Krsna: Every night, we were going from early in the morning 'til midnight, every day practically, with meetings. [break]

Prabhupada: Now, please try to save me from all this strain. Whatever is done, done. Try to maintain it. And what is there? For Vrndavana, there is no anxiety. A little roti and rice, you'll be able to offer to Krsna-Balarama. There will be no difficulty. Somehow or other finish the temple and install the Deity. If it is not possible install Deity, you have got this picture there.

Gurudas: I think we will make one set of clothes.

Prabhupada: Do whatever you… Like that yes. So why so gorgeous? If you are short of money, the principle should be that we should request somebody; he should supply. This temple construction, we are taking responsibility. The gosvamis did not do that.

Gurudas: Manasingha took.

Prabhupada: Yes. They, one big man came that way. So many big men come. So they offer service, "What can I do?" So they prescribe according to his position. When King Manasingha came, "Yes, you can construct a very nice temple. You have got money." So they constructed. It is not that Rūpa Gosvami had to collect money and see the supervision. The man who came to give some service according to his position, he said, "All right, you can construct a nice temple." So he constructed that temple. [Break] We have to see how far progress is made. So far, there is no progress. What I left at that…

Tamal Krsna: The sanctioning of the [indistinct].

Prabhupada: No progress has been made. What I left, it is…. [break] Just to make these things more clear: the stress should be given to complete the temple as soon as possible. When the temple is complete, then ask for the Deity. Fifteen thousand is already paid, and that will be…, balance will be paid. Now, dress, if there is money, you'll make His dress ten thousand cost. But if there is no money, then ordinary cloth will be sufficient. This is clear-cut program. Is that all right? Now go. [laughs] Hare Krsna. [end]