Room Conversation – May 22, 1975, Melbourne

Read books. Try to understand the philosophy

Madhudvisa: ...who are here, they would like to have your association, [laughter] more personal association.

Prabhupada: I also like. [laughter] Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado yasyaprasadan na gatiḥ kuto 'pi. This is essential, to be anxious to be associated with the spiritual master. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc Madhya 19.151]. That is the statement of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. By the mercy of Krsna one comes in touch with the bona fide spiritual master, and by the mercy of spiritual master, one gets Krsna. So Krsna is in everyone's heart. Īsvaraḥ sarva-bhūtanam [Bg 18.61].

Krsna can understand what we want. So when we sincerely want Krsna, then Krsna sends His representative, guru. Guru is outside representative of Krsna. So to the sincere student, Krsna teaches from inside and outside. That is the way, so that he becomes quickly fit for going back to home, back to Godhead. So this behavior, to be attached to spiritual master, is a good qualification. Yasya prasadat, by his mercy, Krsna becomes merciful. By Krsna's mercy, one gets spiritual master, and by the spiritual master's mercy, one gets the mercy of Krsna.

So your this behavior, attachment, is very much appreciated both by Krsna and devotees. So continue this attitude and follow the instruction. Then it is guaranteed, go back to home, back to Godhead. It is not difficult. For a sincere person to go back to home, back to Godhead, is not at all difficult. Especially Krsna in this age has personally appeared as Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. And Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is very, very kind to the fallen souls. Papi-tapi jata chilo, hari-name uddharilo. His business was with all the papi and tapi. Papi means sinful, and tapi means suffering. Papi-tapi jata chilo... [to child, who has been whispering throughout:] Sit down.

Woman: I must give him tissues.

Prabhupada: Papi-tapi jata chilo. So His business was papi-tapi? No. His business was with the most exalted personalities like... Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu nityananda, sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta. They were all very exalted personalities. But all of their mission was to deliver the papi-tapis. That we have described in our that small book, Sri Krsna Caitanya in Five Features. So papi-tapi is everyone, in this age especially. But if we take shelter of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, by His mercy we get everything. So now Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Nityananda has come to Melbourne, very nicely looking. So keep yourself always engaged in the service of the Lord.

Sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-srhgara-tan-mandira-marjanadau. Sri-vigraharadhana, this arcana process, beginning from mahgala-aratrika up to the sayana-aratrika, everything should be done very nicely. And the temple should remain very clean. Tan-mandira-marjanadau. To dress the Deity is as much important as to cleanse the temple also, not that temple will remain dirty, simply you are dressing the Deity. No. Everything within the temple should be kept very, very neat and clean. And the more you keep the temple neat and clean, you will be neat and clean within your heart. And then your understanding will be very easy. We cannot understand Krsna, because our heart is piled up with many garbage. That we have to cleanse. Then it will be easy to understand Krsna.

So I am very much pleased that we have secured this nice building. Keep it very neat and clean and go on chanting. You have got nice place for chanting and dancing. And utilize the open land for growing flower. In this way make this center unique. And it is a recognized building. If people understand that this building is now a temple and very nicely kept, people will come and see. So keep yourself always in touch with the principles and chant Hare Krsna, and those who are... All of you, I think, you are educated. Read books. Try to understand the philosophy. Then your life is successful.

Thank you very much for your coming.

Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupada. [offer obeisances]

Prabhupada: All of them are resident?

Madhudvisa: Residents?

Prabhupada: Resident in this temple?

Madhudvisa: We would like them all to be residents. But some of them find it little difficult to be residents.

Prabhupada: Make it suitable. Hmm. All right.

Madhudvisa: They don't want to go.

Prabhupada: All right. [laughter] [end]