Room Conversation – November 8, 1977, Vṛndāvana

It's not the time to discuss building temples

Prabhupada: [Transl. Here]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. In the stomach or?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. In the stomach]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Pain in the stomach. Well, Kaviraja has gone now. He will be back in the evening. When he comes he will see you. You were sleeping, so he didn't disturb you. He says the pain will subside, it will subside today only.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Hmm.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. The pain is in the lower abdomen, No? Srila Prabhupada.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Yes.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Has pain in the lower abdomen.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Hmm.]

Satadhanya: Sharp, pin-pointed pain, or over..., general?

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. What kind of pain do you feel Srila Prabhupada?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. To release the urine.]

Bhakti-caru: When he passes urine, then...

Prabhupada: [Transl. Bring urine bottle.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Srila Prabhupada?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Bring bottle.]

Bhakti-caru: Urine? Urine bottle? [break]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. I saw Dr. Rama Svarūpa.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. What?]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. Dr. Rama Svarūpa from Mathura. He is the number one Doctor in Mathura. Bon Maharaja asked him about you, and he said, as long as you stay in Vrndavana you will be alright. If you go out there will be some difficulty.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Doctor Ram Svarūpa?]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. Yes.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Rama Svarūpa what?]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. Doctor]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Qualified Doctor?]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. Yes, Qualified Doctor. He is Mathura's District officer's son.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. What?]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. He is Mathura's District officer's son. He was working in the Hospital. Now he is retired. He is a good person. He is your life member. He was here for sometime.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Hmm. I think I know this Rama Svarūpa.]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. Yes. You must be knowing him. I know that. [Smiles] He is a disciple of Tirtha Maharaja. He is a life member.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Rama Svarūpa Verma?]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. Yes, Verma.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Hmm. Did he want to come?]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. Yes, He wants. Should I tell him? After two three days festival was over I thought let me go and see Maharaja. He said you request Maharaja that I will come and have his darsana. ...District Magistrate's Son. If you want to see him.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Anytime, I am lying here.]

Krsna Dasa Babaji: [Transl. The other day I came. You were sleeping. I told him after half an hour.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. For your darsana, this is Balaramaji Misra. Do you know him? He is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's...]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. I am Balarama Misra.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Yes.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Do you recognize me?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Yes.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Kaviraja is known to me from a long time.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Yes.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yesterday I happened to meet him. He said Maharaja has called me, I will go and see him in the evening. So I said to him you are very fortunate. I thought I will also take a chance to meet you as we know each other from a long time when the Deities were not even installed.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Give him a chair.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yes, I have got. So I thought let me go and see him.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. All of a sudden my health became like this. It was working alright. I don't know what happened. Someone says that I have been given poison. May be.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. What? What are you saying?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Someone says that poison has been given.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. To whom?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. To me.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Who says?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. This is the tension.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Who has said that Srila Prabhupada?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Somebody said.]

Tamala Krsna: Krsna dasa?

Kaviraja: [Transl. Who will give you poison? And why will he give you?]

Tamala Krsna: Who said that Srila Prabhupada?

Prabhupada: I don't know, but it is said.

[indistinct whispered comments by devotees]

Prabhupada: [Transl. You know Astrology I believe.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. He is asking you.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. You know Astrology right?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Me?]

Kaviraja: [Transl. He is not an Astrologer. He is a Priest.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. What?]

Kaviraja: [Transl. He is a Priest. He does not know Astrology. He knows Karma-Kanḍa.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. To Kaviraja: You know something about this. Not something, but you know about Astrology.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. I know little.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Sastriji knows Srila Prabhupada.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Who told you that in your astrological chart you have a deadly period? Did some Astrologer tell you?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. What told you?]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. To Prabhupada: You were saying that your duration of life is ending. Did any Astrologer tell you this? [To Kaviraja: He had this in his Astrological calculation. [To Prabhupada: But Sastriji is saying that is not true. [To Kaviraja: You said he will live for 10 more years.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Yes. What now?]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Sastriji says you will stay with us 10 more years Srila Prabhupada.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. You give up the consideration completely that there is no duration of life left in your astrological chart.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. The medicine you brought yesterday, was there any Triphala in it?]

Kaviraja: [Transl. No.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Because I had to mix it with the medicine you gave for the eyes.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Give some fruits etc. to Balarama Sastri]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Yes, Srila Prabhupada]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yes, Yes. Prasada. [Smiles] My father says…whenever he became ill or felt some distress, he would chant this sloka.]

Prabhupada: Hmm.

Balarama Misra: [Transl. He would chant ya tvara draupadi-trane ya tvara gaja moksane mayy arte karuna-sindhu sa tvara kva gata vibho. Ya tvara, how will I explain it's meaning to you? ya tvara draupadi-trane ya tvara gaja moksane mayy arte karuna-sindhu sa tvara kva gata prabho. Maharaja, You have got so many dedicated disciples and servants with you. They are always praying to the Lord for you so much. So why do you worry? When the Lord responded to Draupadi's prayer, when He protected His devotee within the womb of his mother, so your devotees are praying, not only here but everywhere. I was in Calcutta, there also the devotees are praying for Prabhupada. Then I thought when I go to Vrndavana, ...because I have been coming here from a long time. At the time of installation they told me that you will become the acarya or head priest for the ceremony, but there was some obstacle. By Lord's grace you were able to recognize me. [Bell ringing, conchshell blowing, indistinct] But I must pray to the Lord. I will offer Tulasi leaves to Lord Narayana and recite Visnu Sahasranama prayer. Since these things are mentioned in the sastra... rogartto mucyate rogad baddho mucyeta bandhanat...]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Then do it.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Alright. Okay.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Maharaja, this is simply a disturbance to the mind. What else?]

[indistinct whispered comments by Svarūpa Damodara.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Why then such injunctions are made. It is not a question of piety and impiety. It is the standard rule that needs to the followed.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. baddho mucyeta bandhanat rogartto mucyate rogad.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. bhayan mucyeta bhitastu mucyeta apanna apadaḥ [Visnu Sahasranama, Phala Sruti verse 8] This is the complete verse from Visnu Sahasranama.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Does a devotee like him become afflicted by disease? Or a fruitive worker becomes afflicted? Actually such a devotee does not feel it but ordinary people become distressed by seeing it. This is very surprising.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Then do something here.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Alright.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. If you order, it must be done.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Visnu Sahasranama.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Okay.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. rogartto mucyate rogad. Yesterday I went to his house also.]

Prabhupada: Hmm.

Kaviraja: [Transl. Adjacent to his house there is a temple of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The temple looks distorted. One portion of it, one part of it is damaged. It is a very old temple.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. From Navadvipa, there is a book on the life of the Vaisnavas. In every part of that book this Deity is mentioned. The famous siddha Krsnadasa Babaji Maharaja who lived in Radha-kunḍa brought that Deity and installed in Radha-kunḍa. The Deity looked like gold. The name of the Deity was Sonara Gaurahga or Golden Gaurahga. After seeing that Deity, some dacoits tried to steal Him. They thought the golden Deity is so beautiful and they must take Him away. So as they packed the Deity and started leaving, by the wonderful arrangement of the Lord, suddenly they hit something with their legs and that created some sound. As a result, everyone woke up and saw the decoits. They chased them, but the decoits left the Deity and ran away. After that it was decided that the Deity should be brought to Vrndavana and worship there. That same ancient Deity is in Vrndavana now. The condition is such ...the temple is almost ruined.]

Prabhupada: Hnn.

Balarama Misra: [Transl. If something is not done, it will fall apart. Much of it has already fallen. Such an ancient ....if not renovated it will be gone. It is a famous temple of Mahaprabhu from many generations. Maharaja, if you can do something to protect this temple. This will be a great favor. I thought I will meet you and tell about the temple condition. If you can help renovate such a temple it will be a great benevolent work. To help renovate such a temple at this point will be very much beneficial to you. Moreover such an act will be very auspicious for you from all sides.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. How much will it cost?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. What?]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. What is the cost?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. You send a man and he will find it out. If you send somebody, if you want it … if you just order, they will take care of it. So many big buildings are constructed. This is only a small temple.]

[Prabhupada coughing]

[indistinct whispered comments in background by devotees: "It's not the time to discuss building temples." Balaram Mishra is asking for financial help to repair a Caitanya Mahaprabhu temple.]

Tamala Krsna: [Whispers] Tell him he can talk to the secretary.

Prabhupada: [Transl. Approximately how much?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yes Sir.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. How much approximately?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Why don't you tell someone to go and see it.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Everyone is busy. You have to say how much it will take?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. [indistinct] Somehow Mahaprabhu's worship is going on ...]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Just approximately.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. What can I say?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. It is your work. You should know. You must be having some idea.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Mahaharaj, whoever I talked to about the estimate, it is difficult to get it. It depends….you understand? But one thing I can say that if this work is done it will be a great thing, otherwise it is not possible.]

[devotees are talking in whispers in background in disapproval. "Can't you stop him from talking?"]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Then you give your approval.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Srila Prabhupada, your health is not good. Now you are, couldn't you discuss this later? There is Bhaktivedanta Charity Trust also, he can discuss with them Srila Prabhupada.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Alright.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. I am just inquiring. He is saying so many things but not…..]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. You are speaking so much but you cann't say approximately how much it will cost?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. I cannot guess exactly how much it will cost. So how can I say?]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. He is not able to give an estimate Srila Prabhupada.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Let me see your tongue Maharaja. Your tongue little. Okay. Tomorrow morning I need some raw turmeric. I tried here so much]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Did you get it?]

Kaviraja: [Transl. No. I phoned Bhagatji. If he gets it will be nice.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. If it is available here then it is alright, otherwise Adridharana will bring it.]

Tamala Krsna: Srila Prabhupada?

Prabhupada: Hmm.

Tamala Krsna: We got some news of some preaching. I was wondering what was a good time to read to you.

Prabhupada: Where?

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. What do you think of him today?]

Kaviraja: [Transl. His health is Okay.]

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Oh, Okay Srila Prabhupada, should I go now and bring some Horlicks for you? [whispers], I bring some Horlicks. Kaviraja: Little, this much. Should I remove the pot for urine, Srila Prabhupada? Are you done?]

Prabhupada: Hnn.

Bhakti-caru: [Transl. Srila Prabhupada, will you pass urine? It is here. Should I remove from here?]

Prabhupada: Hnn.

Tamala Krsna: Like to hear it, Srila Prabhupada?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Tamala Krsna: Or should I... I could come later on if you think it's better.

Prabhupada: No. [break]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Pick up this bottle from here.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. First you give an estimate then we will go.]

Tamala Krsna: What did he say?

Satadhanya: He said give him the estimate and he will decide.

Prabhupada: [Transl. [indistinct] And you want to offer Tulasi to Narayana, that you do in the temple.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Tulasi to Narayana.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yes.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. He will do Maharaja.] [pause]

Prabhupada: Tamala Krsna?

Tamala Krsna: Yes, Prabhupada.

Prabhupada: Give Sastriji ten rupees.

Tamala Krsna: Give this gentleman?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Tamala Krsna: Ten rupees. Okay.

Prabhupada: And some fruits.

Tamala Krsna: Uncut.

Prabhupada: Uncut, yes.

Tamala Krsna: Okay.

Balarama Misra: [Transl. So I am not needed anymore Maharaja. I have got some duty to perform. You get well, I will get so much.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. You are a Sastri.]

[Everyone smiles]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. You bless me. That is a lot.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Your honor...]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. No honor, you have said this word, that is sufficient for me. I am not bragging. Bless me. I want that you again…]

Prabhupada: [Transl. That you will want.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. The Lord will accept service from you...]

Prabhupada: [Transl. I also have a duty.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Maharaja, How did you say today that somebody told you that you have been poisoned? Did you get any hint?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Not like that, someone said this happens when it is given. May be it is written in some book.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Doesn't happen just by saying. It happens by raw mercury, it happens by some other things. But who will do such a thing to you? I think if anyone would think of such a thing about a godly personality like you, he is a demon.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. [Whispers] Offering 180 Tulasi …..in the month of Kartik…worshiping the Supreme Lord Narayana.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Have darsana Maharaja.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. So, what we have to do for that?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. That I will take care. You don't have to do anything. I will chant Sahasranama and offer tulasi leaves desiring your long life. I have golden Laksmi-Narayana Deities. They will also be installed.]

Tamala Krsna: I'll give him the fruits now, Srila Prabhupada? I have some fruits. I can give him now?

Prabhupada: Hmm.

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Maharaja, they have given me prasada by your order.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Bless.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. It is my duty to pray for your protection.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. You bless me.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. What?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Your blessings.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yes, Certainly. That is my pleasure.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. I have not caused any harm to anyone.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. No, No. Nothing will happen. Who said? You have done such a great work, Maharaja, that is indescribable. People become astonished to see such a great work you have done. Wherever I go I hear about your glories. That is why I wish whatever illness you have, may I be able to relieve you from that. Everything will be done.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. In Bombay.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yes, Maharaja.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. We are going to open a temple.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. When?]

Svarūpa Damodara: [Transl. In the month of January.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Will you go there?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. If I go, what will I have to do? Installation?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Yes.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. I will go.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. How much will it cost?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. As you want to do. I have nothing to say. Deity installation, that is not a big deal. As you arrange I will do. I don't ask anything. Whatever one gives me I accept it. It's a honor to perform such a ceremony. Whatever I am destined I will get it. You told me before also but I did not keep your words. It is a question of faith. I will try my best to do.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. How many brahmanas will go?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. As it will be arranged. Five person, seven persons, it is very far no? To take more people will be ...]

Kaviraja: [Transl. As you order it will be done. Please speak less.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Keep his address. Hmm. Hmm.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Om Visnu. So Maharaja, I take your leave now. Tomorrow I will see you again. Whispers, tomorrow Morning.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. This your….please come here. Will you do that at home?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Yes. The Deities are there, Narayana Salagrama is there.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. If you desire I can have him do it here. What is there?]

Prabhupada: [Transl. What if you come and do it here?]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Come and do it here.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. If I do it here there will be quarrel.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. What?]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Not possible here.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. It is better if you do it here.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Whatever you order.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. Radha-Krsna are here, you can offer Them.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Narayana Deities are there. They have to be bathed and installed. Then one thousand tulasi leaves will be offered.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. If you do it here we will bear all the expenses.]

Balarama Misra: [Transl. Don't worry about that. Leave it. I will do it as my duty. As a Brajavasi you have done so much in the whole world. So I also have a duty. You are doing so much. See you later.]

Prabhupada: [Transl. If the pūja is performed here, you will make all arrangements.]

Kaviraja: [Transl. Alright Srila Prabhupada.]

[indistinct comments by devotees in background]

Tamala Krsna: What did Prabhupada say?

Svarūpa Damodara: Prabhupada wants to do here. He's going to...

Tamala Krsna: Is he going to do it here? [referring to the offering of one thousand tulasi leaves to Lord Narayana for Prabhupada's recovery]

Svarūpa Damodara: Prabhupada's requesting here. He said it's better if we do it here. So he said, "Make all the arrangements necessary."

Tamala Krsna: He wants to bring the brahmanas to inaugurate the Bombay temple, Srila Prabhupada?

Prabhupada: That we shall consider later.

Tamala Krsna: 'Cause we already told these South Indian brahmanas to come.

Prabhupada: Some of them may go also.

Tamala Krsna: Do you know this man from a long time ago?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Tamala Krsna: He wants some money for some temple?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Tamala Krsna: Here in Vrndavana.

Prabhupada: Hmm. Now stop talking.

[long pause] [break] You have given him ten rupees?

Svarūpa Damodara: Ah, Prabhupada. To that brahmana?

Giriraja: Yes. He gave ten rupees.

Svarūpa Damodara: Tamala gave ten rupees?

Giriraja: Yes. Srila Prabhupada? Would you like soft kirtana now, or quiet?

Prabhupada: You were reading something?

Svarūpa Damodara: No.

Upendra: He's talking to Tamala.

Giriraja: Oh, Tamala Krsna. He's... [break] Yesterday I spent the day in Delhi, and I opened an account with the Punjab Bank in the name of Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust. And we also gave them a letter that the interest from the ten lakhs sixty thousand should go into that Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity account. And I took the original trust of the new trust, the original deed, and I made some photocopies and got them notarized by notary.

Prabhupada: Photocopy of?

Giriraja: Of the trust deed forming the Bhaktivedanta Swami Charity Trust. And then I bought a copy of the income tax act, because there's some provision that if funds are used to restore some ancient place of worship or some place of worship which is famous in a particular state, then that is exempt from income tax. So I think that this fits in with the aims and objects of this new trust. So we should be able to get tax exemption for that. Then I spoke to Bombay to see how things were doing, and Gopala Krsna said that everything is going nice, and he's coming here on Friday, after two days. So I told him that your condition was very serious and that I wanted to stay here for a little longer. So he said that was okay. I confirmed with Yasodanandana Swami's assistant that he sent the letter to the South Indian brahmanas to confirm that they can come on the dates which we have fixed. So we're waiting to hear that reply.

Prabhupada: You can take some brahmana from here. Balarama...

Giriraja: Yes.

Prabhupada: They'll chant Veda-mantra very nice.

Giriraja: Uh-huh. We can have these brahmanas and also the South Indian brahmanas. [break] [end]