Room Conversation – July 4, 1972, New York

720704R3-New York [08:59 Minutes]

Human intelligence means you must be a big cheater

Devotee (1): A brush.

Prabhupada: No soap?

Devotee (1): I don't think so. It's wire, metal.

Prabhupada: What?

Devotee (1): It's a metal brush. It would be too hard for the nails, for the body.

Atreya Rsi: Yeah. For toes? For toenails.

Devotee (1): For feet?

Atreya Rsi: Toenails, perhaps.

Prabhupada: [indistinct] cord?

Devotee (1): Silk cord?

Prabhupada: What is it meant?

Devotee: Round the neck. Some brass shoes. [loud noises of fireworks exploding]

Prabhupada: You [indistinct]?

Devotee (1): Match your bead bag.

Prabhupada: Huh?

Devotee (1): It will match your bead bag.

Devotee (2): Handkerchief.

Prabhupada: Popularly. [laughter]

Devotee (1): Time magazine, special issue.

Prabhupada: [devotees are laughing as they look at magazine] First name [indistinct]? What is that?

Devotee (1): It says "Vai..., Vaikuntha Playhouse, statement of purpose." There's a theatrical group called the Vaikuntha Players. [break]

Atreya Rsi: ...Srila Prabhupada, Fourth of July.

Prabhupada: Huh?

Atreya Rsi: It's Fourth of July.

Prabhupada: Today?

Atreya Rsi: Yes, Srila Prabhupada.

Prabhupada: Hmm. Keep it all in almirah.

Devotee (1): This is some peanuts.

Prabhupada: Distribute.

Atreya Rsi: It's a very sad day for us, Srila Prabhupada.

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Atreya Rsi: It's a sad day for us.

Prabhupada: Sad day?

Atreya Rsi: Sad.

Prabhupada: Why?

Atreya Rsi: You have, [indistinct] very limited opportunity for associating, so offensively. You'll be leaving today.

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Atreya Rsi: You'll be going away.

Prabhupada: Home-made soap you can make?

Devotee (1): I could make it if I found out how. I don't know the ingredients.

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Devotee (1): I don't know the ingredients, but I could find out the ingredients and the process. I could try.

Prabhupada: Who can make home-made soap. You can?

Devotee (3): We will be making in...

Prabhupada: Huh?

Devotee (3): ...the Spiritual Sky business. We'll be making. It's the same business, this soap, I think.

Prabhupada: No, it is not needed.

Devotee (1): [indistinct] [fireworks explode]

Prabhupada: It is [indistinct].

Devotee (1): Yes. [break]

Prabhupada: ...a cheater is not disqualification in this country.

Atreya Rsi: It's a good qualification.

Prabhupada: [laughs] Good qualification.

Atreya Rsi: Biggest cheaters are in control, in charge.

Prabhupada: What is the disqualification? Not to become cheater?

Atreya Rsi: Yes, then they will be stupid.

Devotee (4): To be an honest man.

Atreya Rsi: See, then they call you stupid.

Prabhupada: Oh. The standard is different, completely. Human intelligence means you must be a big cheater.

Devotee (1): Srila Prabhupada?

Prabhupada: Ah?

Devotee (1): What would you like to take for lunch today?

Prabhupada: I'm not feeling very much hungry. Don't prepare now. If I feel hungry, it can be done. Call Syamasundara.

Atreya Rsi: Srila Prabhupada?

Prabhupada: Hmm.

Atreya Rsi: Would you have any instructions as to how I could serve you better? For me?

Prabhupada: By convincing people of... [end]