Room Conversation – October 24, 1972, Vṛndāvana

[No Audio]

Prabhupada: We are worshiping with ordinary water.

Devotee (1): And as soon as it touches the Deity, it becomes…

Prabhupada: As soon as it touches Deities, become Ganges water, Yamuna water. Why Yamuna is so pure? Because Krsna touched it. So after touching Krsna, the ordinary water become Yamuna. Why not?

Devotee (1): Yes, it's a fact.

Devotee (2): I thought perhaps it was the…

Prabhupada: There is no perhaps. This is the conclusion. What is that perhaps?

Devotee (2): I was thinking because genuine tulasi are available in Vrndavana, it would be nice to…

Prabhupada: Huh?

Devotee (2): It would be nice to get tulasi beads here.

Prabhupada: That's all right. But whatever the ordinary beads on which you have chanted, it has already become tulasi. And what is the guarantee that is genuine tulasi what you have brought? Have you seen?

Devotee (2): They give a little guarantee.

Prabhupada: They give, but how do you know it is genuine? They can cheat you.

Devotee (2): Yeah, I know. That one shop in Vrndavana is supposed to be...

Prabhupada: That's all right. There are many cheaters. You can keep some. So the conclusion should be that any bead you chant Hare Krsna, it is tulasi. If you chant regularly according to the initiation process, that is tulasi. It becomes. The same example. How you worship... [break] ...ordinary water, how?

Devotee (2): You said that when it touched the Deity, it becomes sacred.

Prabhupada: That's it. Why Ganges is pure? Because it is coming through the toes of Visnu. Pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana [Sri Dasavatara Stotra 5]. The Ganges has become so pure because it has touched the toes of Visnu. So as soon as any water touches... The Ganges water, also any water, it was not Ganges; after touching the lotus feet of Visnu, it has become Ganges.

Devotee (2): So you wouldn't approve of getting a new set of [indistinct]?

Prabhupada: Oh, you are already chanting on beads, that is already tulasi. Why do you think of another tulasi, another tulasi? It will depend on chanting, how pure you are in chanting. It is half past ten now?

Devotee (2): It is ten until nine o'clock.

Prabhupada: Huh?

Devotee (2): Ten until nine o'clock.

Prabhupada: That means ten minutes to nine.

Devotee (2): Yes.

Devotee (1): Would you like us to take leave so that you can…

Prabhupada: Yes.

Devotee (2): May I stay and talk to you for a few minutes, Srila Prabhupada?

Devotee (3): Srila Prabhupada, may I ask you a question?

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Devotee (3): Yesterday you were talking, and so many other days you've always been saying about taking up the responsibility of management in order to manage the affairs of the Society. I'm a very insignificant brahmacari, but what is it that I can do that would be able to help to make management of the Society?

Prabhupada: I shall tell you.

Devotee (2): Your lectures, they are very nice, Srila Prabhupada. I've been trying to be your disciple for the last almost three years now.

Prabhupada: [aside:] All right, [indistinct].

Devotee (2): I have been having some falldown in the last three years because of sex desire, and each time I have come back because I cannot escape Krsna.

Prabhupada: Then you can marry.

Devotee (2): That is the difficulty. My other Godbrothers, they put very great obstruction in my path also. And in some cases when they have given information, I have been misdirected. In one case, I was directed by Giriraja wrongly and I was... I got... Bhavananda got a letter from your secretary, Syamasundara, saying that I should be thrown out of India. So Bhavananda now, I am more or less under his government in Calcutta. And I have asked him about marriage, he knows my position, and he has said better I should leave than take marriage.

Prabhupada: All right, you shall go. Now you can go.

Devotee (2): Can I ask you what course I should take?

Prabhupada: No, not today. I am tired.

Devotee (2): Hare Krsna. Thank you very much.

Prabhupada: Hare Krsna.

Devotee (2): I should call Srutakirti for you if he is...

Prabhupada: Yes. [long pause] So why have you been taking rest? [indistinct]

Srutakirti: I'll take down. I'll take down the Dictaphone also in case the electricity goes on. [end]