Bhagavad-gītā 7.1--Hindi – October 29, 1973, Vṛndāvana

Prabhupada: God had inspired me and I was instructed by my Guru Maharaja that there should be some preaching in English language in the western countries. This was his instruction to all my godbrothers but when I saw that all of them had become busy in preaching just here and no one was willing to go overseas, then I thought, fine let me try something in this old age. At that time, in 1965, my age was seventy years. So, I went there, to New York in a ship and was thinking seated there-"If" If I go there and speak directly upon Vaisnava etiquette then immediately the people will ask me to leave." After all no one can be a Vaisnava without following proper etiquette. Even though the Lord has said-api cet su-duracaroapicet suduracaro, this is the symptom, that the vaisnava should always follow the etiquette. Sarvair gunais tatra samasate suraḥ [SB 5.18.12] Sarvaih gunais tatra samasate surah, the Vaisnava should have all the qualities of the demigods. The devotees have the same symptoms and they follow the Vaisnava etiquette. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakurra has said in one place that it is an etiquette for the vaisnavas to offer obeisances to other vaisnavas. But if they are not every advanced then their association is not recommended. So, it is very important to follow the Vaisnava etiquette. So, my first thought was to advise them to follow the etiquette. They should give up four kinds of sinful activities, just like the Lord says; yesam tv anta-gatamyesam anta gatam:

To become engaged in the service of the Lord with determination is not an ordinary feat. Yesam tv anta-gatam papamesam tv anta gatam papam, those who have become completely free from all sinful activities, for him it is possible to engage in the service of the Lord. On the other hand, we should understand that those who are engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord they are real followers of etiquette, they are the only one's following the etiquette. Even if upon external observation one appears to be not with etiquette, for the Lord says api cet suduracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak [Bg. 9.30] apicet suduracaro bhajate mam ananya bhak.

So, upon going to the west, in New York, particularly in a park called Tompkinson Square park. I didn't even have a mrdahga back then, I just took a dugdugi and started kirtan. Then these boys started joining in, some of them are present here. Here we have Brahmananda Brahmananda Swami who was the first to start dancing, another is Achyutaananda Swami who is currently preaching vigorously in Hyderabad. So, gradually by the effect of the chanting of the holy names ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam [Cc. Antya 20.12] ceto darpana marjanam bhava maha davagni nirvapanam-this is the instruction of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu param vijayate sri-krsna-sahkirtanam param vijayate sri krsna sankirtanam. Chanting of the holy names of the Lord-kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sahgaḥ param vrajet [SB 3.31.1] kirtanand eva krsnasya mukta sanga param vrajet. In the words of Sukadeva Goswami-in Kaliyuga there are innumerable faults for kaliyuga is an ocean of faults. Kalau alu dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunaḥ [SB. 12.3.51] dosa nidhe rajan asti hi eka mahan guna, there is still a great quality. And that is kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sahgaḥ param vrajetkirtanad eva krsnasya mukta sanga param vrajet, simply by chanting the holy names of the SuprmeSupreme Lord tan-nama-grahanadibhih [Bhag. 6.3.22] tannam grhandadibhih, the effect of this ws seen in Europe and America. Just by going on chanting adau sraddha tataḥ sadhu [SB 1.4.15] adau sraddha tato sadhu sanga-then some of these boys came forward and asked me for initiation. To that I replied that we have four prohibitions, firstly illicit sex. In their country boys and girls both stay together. They stay together with someone then after some time change partners. This goes on, they stay together just as friends. So, those who wanted to become my disciples to them I said this will not go. If any of them had a liking for someone they were asked to remainedremain as a married couple.

They all agreed, so I married them and when there were kids, for them I opened the Gurukula, so their entire generation is changing, and this will not break, even though I am at a very mature age. Currently, I am seventy eight years old, I may pass away right now, but I am very sure that these boys will keep the movement going. It will never stop. Because here it is taught to increase one's attachment for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Bhagavan. As He Himself says, mayy asakta-manaḥ partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayaḥ [Bg. 7.1] mayyasakta manah partha ogam yunjann madasrayah, one should take shelter of the Lord and practice bhakti yoga. And what is that Bhakti yoga? It means of increase one's attachment towards the Lord, all of us have attachment to something. Someone is attached to his house, someone to his wealthy, someone to his nation and if someone doesn't have anyone, then it is often seen in the western countries, that those who don't have families they keep a pet dog or cat. So, people become attached even to their dogs. What we need to do is turn our attachment towards God, that's all. This is devotional service man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65] manmana bhava madhbakto madyaji mam namaskuru the Lord Himself is saying that think of Me, man-mana manmana become my devotee, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji manmanabhava madbhakto madyaji-worship me, offer your obeisances unto me. Moreover, you all are the residents of Vrndavana, you all chant God's name all the time. man-mana manmana' "Hare KrsnaKrsna Hare KrsnaKrsna KrsnaKrsna KrsnaKrsna Hare Hare Hare Rama Hare Rama rama Rama Rama Hare hareHare." So with the utterance of His names the mind of the chanter becomes absorbed at the lotus feet of the Lord. The Goswamis have written, the acaryas have taught, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has taught Himself,

So, there is no difficulty. There is no difficulty in increasing our attachment towards the Supreme Lord, especially in Kaliyuga, one simply can chant the names of the Lord tvannama grhnadibhih, devotional service begins with the chanting of the holy names. To increase our attachment towards the Lord it is recommended to chant His holy names. We chant all the time as much as possible, all of you can see how it is: Hare Krsna Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare, manmana bhava madhbakto, and whoever chants the holy names will become a devotee.

Nama-cintamani krsna-caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.133] Nama cintamani krsnas caitanya rasa vigrah, the Lord and His name are non different Abhinnatvan nama-naminoḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.133] abhinnatvam nama naminoh, the Lord's name is cintamani and is personally the Supreme Godhead. Nama-cintamani krsna-caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ, the holy name is the treasure house for all the mellows. Raso vai sah, just like Lord Krsna Krsnacandra Himself is the source of all mellows, all twelve of them. Rupa Goswami gives a term in his Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu-akhila-rasamrta-mūrtiḥakhila rasamrta murti, so all the mellows and sources of pleasure are within the Lord himself. And just by remaining in contact with raso vai sah one becomes filled with bliss. The form of the Supreme Lord is full of bliss and because we are His parts and parcels, that is why if we only catch his lotus feet, we will become blissful.

The Supreme Lord's form is made of eternity, knowledge and bliss and so is the living entitiyentity His part and parcel. However, remaining a infinitesimal and the Lord being vibhu or infinite, similar to a fire and a spark. The spark being very small extinguishes, but, but when it is brought in contact of the fire it becomes lit up again. In this way when we desire to enjoy this material world, Jagadananda Pandita has said Krsna bhuliya jiva bhoga-vancha kare-pasete maya tare japatiya dhare [Prema-vivarta 6.2].

Soon as we desire to enjoy, that itself is nothing by maya, illusion. We are not enjoyers. Enjoyer is none other than the Supreme Lord bhoktaram yajna tapasam sarva loka mahesvaram-when we forget this fact. That we are no the enjoyers, bhokta bhagavan, the Lord is the enjoyer and we are meant for His enjoyment, this is our only purpose. Just like the gopis do-they remained forever ready for the pleasure of the Lord, all the residents of Vrndavana have just this purpose. The Lord is the enjoyer and we are forever ready to engage in His service.

Everyone wants to enjoy, they are attached to it. But just like in the position of mother and father, they give up their enjoyment, naturally for the upbringing of their children. The reason is love. The lover gives up his own enjoyment to give pleasure to his beloved. It cannot be said for this world but in the spiritual world, in spiritual behavior this is possible. In this world no one wishes to give up his enjoyment. However, in Vaikuntha Vaikuntha planets only the Supreme Lord is the enjoyer. All other living beings are to be enjoyed by him, they are ever readyever ready to give him pleasure, and this principle is taught to here. In vaisnava school of thought one is taught to engage oneself in the service of the Lord, which the Lord Himself is repeating in the seventh chapter-mayy asakta-manaḥ partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayaḥ [Bg. 7.1] mayyasakta manah partha yogam yunjann madasrayah. That which is known as yoga, bhakti yoga can only be possible to execute if one take shelter of the Supreme Lord. It should also be known that there is no difference between taking shelter of the Lord or the shelter of His devotees.

The business of a guru is to engage everyone in devotional service. The guru is give the same honor as the Supreme Lord Himself. However, the guru gives all the honor he receives to the Supreme Lord, doesn't take any credit for himself. Just like there is a manager, he deals with the money for his owner. In this way those who are devotees of the Lord, whatever they get, be it respect of or money, they offer it back to the Lord.

This is why it has been said about the vaisnavas and spiritual master that whatever is given to them, is same as giving to the Lord Himself. Which is why the Lord says madasraya, His shelter or the shelter of His devotees. So, if one doesn't have the shelter of the Supreme Lord, which is not possible anyway, tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet: [Munḍaka Upanisad 1.2.12] tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet, whoever has taken to the shelter of the Lord. The shelter of the Lord is obtained only upon taking the shelter of the devotees of the Supreme Lord. It is not directly possible.

So, the Lord says madasraya, which means one should take shelter of those who have taken the shelter of the Lord. By taking only hisonly His shelter should one try and execute devotional service. Similarly, the Lord evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduḥ [Bg. 4.2] says evam parampara praptam imam rajarsayo viduh, devotional service, the holy name, the qualities of the Supreme Lord, his pastimes, his glories, to understand all foof these one should take to the disciplic succession. That is why in vaisnavavaisnava school three are four sampradayas-brahma sampradaya. Rudra sampradaya, Kumara samrpadaya and Sri sampradaya headed by goddess Laxmi. You all are followers of the Sri sampradaya Sri sampradaya and those who are of Kumara Kumara sampradaya they follow Nimbarkacarya. So, it has been said sampradaya-vihina ye mantras te nisphala mataḥsampradaya vihinas te matras te nisphalah matah. Whichever of the four sampradayas sampradayas one accepts one will be considered to have taken shelter of the Supreme Lord. Whichever of the four sampradayas sampradayas one chooses he will learn only devotional service. They will teach only how can one increase one's attachment towards the Lord. They have no other business. That is why the Lord says mayy asakta-manaḥ [Bg. 7.1] mayyasakta manah, if you wish to increase your attachment towards the Lord then we should make one's mind attached to the Lord sa vai manaḥ krsna-padaravindayor [SB 9.4.18] sa vai manah krsna padaravindayoh, just like Ambarisa maharaja Maharaja did. Even though he was the emperor ,emperor, he engaged his mind in constantly thinking about Him. In the same way we should at least try to imitate him, or better follow Him. The acaryays, we can imitate mahajano yena gataḥ sa panthaḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.186]-if we follow the path as delineated by the mahajanas then we will certainly be delivered and Sukadeva Sukadeva Goswami has said kirata-hūnandhra-pulinda-pulkasa abhira-sumbha yavanaḥ khasadayaḥ [SB 2.4.18] hirat hunanda pulinda pulkasah abhira sambhah yavana khasadayah, someone may be of yavana or khasadaya khasada race, even for them it has been said ye 'nye ca papa [SB 2.4.18] mam hi partha vyapasritya ye 'pi syuḥ papa-yonayaḥ [Bg. 9.32] ye anye ca papa mam hi partha vyapasritya ye pi syuh paap yonayah, there is nothing big about being a sinner. After all, the living beings are not sinful they are the parts and parcels of the Supreme Lord and therefore completely pure. However, due to being contaminated it becomes concerned with the principle of sin and piety.

In reality the real purusa purusa ayam purusa purusa asang, this is a vedic injunction even the living being has nothing to do with this material world, still due to ignorance, being deluded by maya, there is this consideration. That contamination is finished mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te [Bg. 7.14] mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te, if one prays to the Lord with hearfeltheartfelt sincerity, that O Lord that fror so many lifetimes I remained oblivious to You, but now I know that You are my real master and now, I surrender my life unto You. Just at that moment the living being becomes free from all sin but now he needs to remain aloof from all sin. Just by taking shelter of the Lord one becomes free from all sins but if he keeps on sinning, that shall not be appropriate.

Just like Jagai and Madhai were delivered by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, they were very, very sinful but Chaitaya Mahaprabhu just asked them to vow that they will no longer sin anymore, the condition for His devlieringdelivering them from all sin. So, in this way the Lord also stated sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66] sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja aham tvam sarva papebhyo moksaisyami-if we become surrenderdsurrendered to the Lord with all our hearts, then the Lord being fully capable will relieve us from all sinful reactions. Karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam [Bs. 5.54] Karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti bhajam, in the Brahma samhita, whoever is the devotee of the Lord, the Lord removes all their karmic reaction.

Therefore, one should try to increase their attachment towards the Supreme Lord. They should try to take shelter of the Lord and engage in the yoga of devotional service: sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada sevanam arcanam vandanam dasyam sakhyam atma nivedanam

These nine limbs of devotonialdevotional service- among them the first two are particularly important. Just like you all come to the temple daily and hear about the Supreme Lord, this is very important and Caitanya Mahaprabhu Chaitanya Mahaprabhu accepted this to be chief. Sthane sthitaḥ sruti-gatam tanu-vah-manobhir [SB 10.14.3] Sthane sthitah srutigatam tanuvan manobhih… no one has to chanechange their position, if one is a brahmana he may stay so, one is a ksatriya he can remain, vaisya he can remain, sūdra he can remain, brahmacari he can remain, grhastha he can remain, vanaprastha he can remain, sannyasi he can remain. One should execute one's occupational duties but at the same time keep on hearing about the Supreme Lord. Satam prasahgan mama virya-samvido bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanaḥ kathaḥ [SB 3.25.25] Satam prasangat mama virya samvido bhavanti hrt karna rasayana katahah, just by hearing and hearing, Ceto-darpana-marjanamceto darpana marjanam, those who have their svarupa svarūpa one will achieve that and one's relationship with the Supreme Lord will become perfect. So, this hearing and chanting is very important. For example, you can see all these Americans and European students who are becoming big, big devotees just by chanting and hearing and there is so much preaching going on at the same time. As compared to India the preaching outside is very widespread, we have around a hundred temples all over the world just in the USA there are fifty temples. In Europe there are around fifteen or twenty, the same way we have temples in Japan, Australia, New Zealand and everywhere the deities of Radha and Krsna are being worshiped.

They have taken up vaisnava etiquette and have given up all misbehavior up to quitting smoking what to speak of drinking alcohol and flesh eating. They don't engage in illict sex or gambling and don't take any kind of intoxication. So, this etiquette is being followed all over, if you visit sometimes you will see. You come here to Vrndavana in America there is new Vrindavana. It is in West Virginia where we have a hundred acres of Land. We are raising cows there, which give milk up to five hundred pounds. Everyone is very joyful there, they only honor Bhagavad prasada and everyone is ready to learn devotional culture there. So, the saints from India should go there, everyone is willing to accept it. I was alone and I achieved so much but if you all come along then the whole world will become vaisnava. You all are worried about this little Pakistan we will help you turn the whole world to Hindustan, India, but if you will not join then what will I be able to do? We are doing whatever we can do along, you all please bless so that it may go further on and on.

Thank you very much.

Hare Krsna. [End]