swamis article

That same afternoon, we head for a Cistercian monastery near the small town of Yarra Glen, forty miles northeast of Melbourne. Prabhupada usually wants me to drive him wherever we are. I guess he's trusted my driving since the early days, when we hurtled down the 101 in San Francisco together. Each time we were somewhere different, though, I'd have to sit behind the wheel in some new weird car and try to figure out where the turn signals were, usually hitting the windshield wipers instead. Today, I'm driving a medium-sized Australian Holden sedan, Prabhupada in the passenger seat, heading north in rush-hour traffic on the "wrong" side of the road and trying to follow directions uttered by Upananda from the back seat in his Aussie twang. Eventually the traffic clears, and when we at last turn right up a narrow, winding, gravel road, we find ourselves transported a thousand years into the past. The Cistercian Order of the Strict Observance, better known as the Trappists, is an austere order of Catholic monks that traces its roots back to A.D. 1098 The Trappists lead a regulated life of contemplation, prayer, and congregational chanting, with an emphasis on manual labor and self-sufficiency. In 1954, a group of Irish monks moved onto a thousand-acre tract in the rolling hills near Melbourne and called it Tarrawarra Abbey. It's autumn now, harvest season on this side of the world, and as we motor up the mile-long drive lined with giant eucalyptus trees to the hilltop abbey, we're struck by the bountiful countryside around us: sheaves of wheat stacked in the fields, huge baskets of grapes piled at the ends of rows in the vineyards, cows grazing in belly-high grass. "What are those mountains in the distance, Upananda, behind the abbey?" "Those are the Victorian Alps, part of the Great Dividing Range - they're covered in snow in winter." The whole scene looks like an idyllic Romantic pastoral painting. We explain to Prabhupada what little we know about cloistered Christian monks, their place in Western history, and how in isolation they have preserved the strict principles of their faith, and Prabhupada says, "Yes, it is just like our New Vrindaban ashram." As we pull into the courtyard, the sense of returning to a distant time is augmented by the sight of thirty monks, black scapulars over white cassocks, gathered to greet us-one now coming forward to reverently place a garland of fresh-cut roses around Prabhupada's neck and then bow, head to the ground, like the pope has come to visit. Most of the monks bow with him, and we know this is going to be a special occasion. Father Daniel guides Prabhupada to an elaborate, elevated chair in the timber-paneled hall, and the brotherhood assembles before him on simple wooden chairs.

As usual, Prabhupada is amazing. He pitches his words perfectly, finding the common ground. He notes the historical aspects of both our faith and theirs, saying that religion is sanatana-dharma, the "eternal occupation," and that the origins of Krishna consciousness are "practically prehistoric," establishing his precedence in ancient authority. And like you ascetic Catholics, he says, we understand the importance of parampara, the generational handing down of pure religious principles, unchanged, through disciplic succession. We are in rare company. Prabhupada says, "Out of many millions of persons, one is interested to make his life successful. And out of millions of successful persons, one can very rarely understand what is God." And this is our strongest bond, he says: "Our definition of religion is to accept the orders of God. That's all. It doesn't matter what religion you are following. You may be Christian, I may be Hindu, another may be Muhammadan, but the test of religion is how one has developed his God consciousness."

The monks eat it up, seeing that our faith and practices are so similar to theirs, even down to the shaved heads and exotic robes. There is a feeling of instant brotherhood, cross-institutional familiarity. Prabhupada is the dynamic authority, delivering the gospel in a way they understand. These men are well versed in Latin, so Prabhupada's liberal use of Sanskrit only solidifies their conviction that he is for real. Forefinger and thumb of his left hand resting on thigh and curled in a circle, his right hand flows from one powerful gesture to another: two fingers pointing, this way, that way, then clutching the air, then forming his palm in a cup, always moving, in mudras of emphasis. Sometimes he scratches his neck or raises his glasses, closes his eyes tight, then opens them wide and looks into their hearts-and the monks are transfixed. After the lecture, Hanuman Swami opens the floor to ques-tions, and eight monks, some with lilting Irish brogues, stand to make profound queries, like, "How do we know God?" and

"When one becomes sinless, would he then experience the indwelling of God?" Prabhupada answers all questions to their complete satisfaction. We follow with kirtan, which quickly moves from the sub-lime to the boisterous as the monks push their chairs away and clap and dance with us, some laughing with glee despite them-selves, their innocent faces glistening with holy rapture. Ba-boom-BOOM! Kirtan ends, the monks bow down while Prabhupada recites Sanskrit prayers, then rise as one, somewhat stunned. (I'm thinking, "See, it's the same thing, but we have more fun!")

Father Daniel raises his arms, hushes everyone, and says, "We would like to thank Swami Prabhupada for his kindness and extreme gentleness in coming to us. We've listened with respect to the words of life divine, and they have warmed my heart, anyway, and given me hope for a family of human brothers to which we belong. I think we are closer to one another now, to the devotees of the temple. It's very beautiful coming here tonight, and I certainly feel that this little meeting, the human brothers under a common Father, is a particular inspiration for coming in contact with a God whom we're all reaching out for but who has many faces. Thank you very much." After the meeting we gather in the rectory around a long wooden table laden with fresh vegetarian food, a banquet right out of the Middle Ages, with heaps of grapes, platters of baked potatoes, and loaves of fresh-baked bread. I speak with the monk seated next to me, and he tells me there are about four thousand Cistercian monks and nuns living in 170 similar retreats world-wide. "Yeah, we call them ashrams," I say. "You'll find such places all over India."

He describes the monks' daily routine, which surprisingly is much like ours:

4 a.m.: Office of Vigils - reading from scripture 6 a.m.: Office of Lauds - Mass, taking the Eucharist, an hour of prayer, then silent breakfast
8 a.m.: Office of Terce, then work in the fields or buildings for three hours
11:15 a.m.: Office of Sext - followed by main daily meal, silent while someone reads aloud, nap
1:40 p.m.: Office of None followed by four hours of work
6 p.m.: Office of Vespers, then a light evening meal, conversation allowed
8 p.m.: Office of Compline, which is sung in unison in the dark-ness, including Psalm 91:

You set your love on me so I will save you; Protect you for you know my name. When you call I shall answer: "I am with you," I will save you in distress and give you glory.

Followed by a final hymn, "Salve Regina":

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope ... O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo Maria.

One of the monks points to a picture of Mother Mary hanging on the wall and says with reverence, "She is the object of our love." I say, "Yeah, she looks like Krishna's mother, Yasoda." After eating, Prabhupada is led to a room to meet Dom Kevin O'Farrell, the old abbot of the monastery, who had come here from Ireland in 1959. They appear to be about the same age, but Prabhupada is actually twenty-three years older and, compared to the abbot, he seems like a you   (More...)

Prabhupada: And on the house on bottom, there is river. Not directly, but an offshoot of river. People come, rowing. A very nice situation. And because it is black quarter, nobody was purchasing. So I said that "For us, what is black or white? Purchase it." So we got very cheap. At that time Alfred gave hundred and fifty thousand, and [indistinct] Elizabeth. We purchased.    (More...)

Prabhupada: So Indians did not like that Muhammadans may go away. Rather, when Siraj ud-Daulah was arrested by flight, the Bengali zamindars, they protested. Rani Bhavani, she protested, although it is alleged that Siraj ud-Daulah kidnapped her daughter. But if Siraj ud-Daulah kidnapped her daughter, how he [she] supported Siraj ud-Daulah? There are so many falsehoods. On the whole, the Indians never planned to drive away the Muhammadans. They never. That's a fact. They were happy because there was no exploitation. All these Muhammadans, they made their home in India, so whatever lavishly they were spending, that was coming to the Indians. In Tollygunge there is a man-now they are aristocratic family-he was servant of the nawab, and he stolen one shoes, one feet, which was bedecked with jewels. So by selling that jewel he became a rich man. So although they were using jeweled shoes, but it was in India. They were satisfied that "I am nawab. I am using jeweled shoes." But the jeweled shoes was in India, and these Englishmen, they have taken away all the jewels even from the walls, and keeping them in their homes-all gold, jewels, everything.    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: Everywhere we go, the professors are very enthusiastic about the publications, and they say, "We will take immediately all the books." All over India.    (More...)

Mahamsa: Sunday Chronicle. Deccan Chronicle. The biggest distributed English paper in this area.    (More...)

Gargamuni: The Ratha-yatra conquering.    (More...)

Gopala Krsna: Conquer the world.    (More...)

Prabhupada: ...the eyesore of the Communist party.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: It says underneath, "Ratha-yatra in foreign lands." That's the caption underneath the picture.    (More...)

Gargamuni: "Ratha-yatra in foreign lands."    (More...)

Manihara: "Man has unraveled many mysteries in his progress from barbarianism to civilization in his relentless pursuit of knowledge and his bid to add to his storehouse of information about the myriad mysteries of the universe. He has outstepped the boundaries of the earth and turned his attention to outer space, and at present he is trying to determine whether life exists on Mars. But even though he has climbed a long way up the ladder of knowledge, the great mystery of all baffles him still-the mystery of God. Who is God? What is the relationship between man and God? Why should man try to realize God? These are some of the questions which have been engaging the attention of all thinking men from times immemorial. The search for God has been going on down the ages because the Supreme Being is God, and to know Him is to know the truth of all things, in all forms, in time as well as in space. The destiny of man is unity with God, for man is essentially inseparable from God. It is this knowledge which helps man to attain the state of eternal satisfaction, or moksa. But for self-knowledge, moksa would be impossible. And self-knowledge would be impossible of attainment but for those divine messengers who throw light on the path of our lives. Whenever true knowledge, spiritual knowledge, begins to vanish from the face of the earth and tends to lapse into oblivion, the divine messengers revive that knowledge and nourish it with the vitality of their own experience. These divine messengers seek to awaken man to the knowledge of his real heritage. One such divine messenger is His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada..."    (More...)

Prabhupada: He has made the ground. [laughter]    (More...)

Gargamuni: We should send this to Blitz, this article. Because they have said "ungodly," and he is saying "divine messenger."    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. You please send this. Get some copies and send this rascal editor Karanji. He is known to you? He is a Parsi?    (More...)

Manihara: "ISKCON, which is a worldwide nonsectarian movement dedicated to propagating the message of the Vedas for the benefit of mankind. The Society was founded in 1966 by Swami Prabhupada, who had come to the United States a year earlier on the order of his spiritual master to teach Krsna consciousness in the Western world. Over the years, ISKCON has steadily grown in popularity and influence, and today it is widely recognized by theologians, scholars and laymen as a genuine and important spiritual movement."    (More...)

Prabhupada: This is "theologians, scholars," and they, he said... Just see. Go on.    (More...)

Manihara: "At present there are 108 ISKCON centers in 30 countries throughout the world. These centers enable full-time members to live in close association, following the principles of Vedic life, and also provide a place where interested visitors can learn about the philosophy and culture of Krsna consciousness and participate in its various functions. The basis of the movement is the Hare Krsna mantra-Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. The chanting of this mantra is the most recommended means for spiritual progress in this age, as it cleanses the mind and enables one to transcend the temporary designations of race, religion and nationality and to understand one's true identity as an eternal spiritual being. In other words, simply by chanting Hare Krsna one can directly experience self-realization and lead a blissful life. The devotees experience divine ecstasy in singing the holy names of God to the accompaniment of musical instruments. The Hare Krsna devotees, as a prerequisite for the serious pursuit of spiritual life, voluntarily abstain from meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication and gambling. The Krsna conscious life-style is based on the principles of simple living and high thinking. The devotees rise very early, about 3:30 a.m., and spend the morning hours in meditation and study. During the day, the main activity is preaching Krsna consciousness. Many devotees go out to public places to distribute the Society's books and its official journal, Back to Godhead magazine, which has a monthly circulation more than a million copies in fourteen different languages. In addition to book distribution, devotees engage in a variety of activities, including teaching, artistic pursuits and farming. The qualification in Krsna consciousness is not what kind of work one performs, but that it be done in the spirit of devotion to God. For the first time, Swami Prabhupada has introduced Ratha-yatra of Lord Jagannatha of Puri in the Western world. This festival is now being conducted in the major cities of the world like San Francisco, Philadelphia, Chicago, New York, London, Paris, etcetera. Millions of people relish the taste of pulling the transcendental ratha and partake of Krsna prasada. Another of ISKCON's projects is New Vrindavan, a model thousand-acre Krsna conscious community farm in the hills of West Virginia. This is ISKCON's first venture in protecting cows from going to the slaughterhouses."    (More...)

Manihara: It says, "This is ISKCON's first venture in protecting cows from going to slaughterhouses. Over four hundred cows give twelve hundred litres of milk daily, providing natural, healthy products like butter, ghee, etcetera, and especially milk sweets like gulabjamun, rasagulla, etcetera."    (More...)

Prabhupada: That's all right. Enclose this quote.    (More...)

Manihara: "ISKCON has generated many community farms like New Vrindavan, providing the ideal atmosphere of a busy yet peaceful village, fully devoted to spiritual progress. Swami Prabhupada has also established the first Krsna conscious gurukula in the West, a primary school in Dallas, Texas, for one hundred boys and girls between the ages of five and fifteen. Soon after its success, many such gurukulas have sprung up all over the world. Aside from teaching reading, writing, mathematics, geography, etcetera, the gurukula teaches the child how to cultivate God consciousness. Once a year the members of ISKCON journey to the Society's international headquarters at Sridhama Mayapur, ninety miles north of Calcutta, and the birthplace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is the site of a ten-crore-rupees international Vedic village comprised of community farming projects, high-class gurukula school, free medicinal facilities, and handloom weaving center. An institute of Vedic studies is proposed to be established at this site. Other major ISKCON centers in India are in Vrndavana, Bombay and Kuruksetra, the site of a three-crore-rupee international Sanskrit university. This project will be sponsored by Alfred Ford, a nephew of Henry Ford. This will be the cultural..."    (More...)

Prabhupada: So the present Mr. Ford, his nephew, certainly, because daughter's side. His mother is the daughter, is granddaughter of Henry Ford. Alfred's mother is the granddaughter of Henry Ford. Therefore the present Ford is the maternal uncle of Alfred.    (More...)

Manihara: "This will be a cultural gateway of India for the people of the world. Hyderabad is the South Indian headquarters for ISKCON in India. The magnificent Sri Sri Radha-Madana-mohana temple at Nampally Station Road, inaugurated by Swami Prabhupada, will serve as a center of the cultural, spiritual, educational and social activities given to uplift the lives of people here. According to Sri Mahamsa Swami, the president of the Society here, the devotees will hold seminars in colleges, factories, business centers, universities, schools, etcetera, to teach the techniques of spiritualizing the day-to-day life. Deity worship accompanied by the constant chanting of the holy names will be a special feature at the center. Besides, there will be daily classes in Sanskrit, Bhagavad-gita, Bhagavatam and the Upanisads. There will be a Vedic library, consisting of Swami Prabhupada's books and various books on comparative study of religion. A cassette library will be a special feature here. Devotees will travel into towns and villages and do saṅkirtana for the uplift of the masses. ISKCON Hyderabad is introducing for the first time in South India its major 600-acre community farming project, 40 kilometers from Hyderabad, to benefit about 20,000 villages. Besides regular free nutritional food distribution program, ISKCON is also planning to set up a model high-yielding 600-cow dairy farm, handloom centers, nature-cure hospital, and gurukula school project. Swami Prabhupada's most substantial contribution, however, is to be found in his books, a veritable storehouse of knowledge and wisdom. He has written more than 50 books so far, explaining the principles of Krsna, or God consciousness, in a logical, practical and scientific way. Through his books people are understanding the eternal wisdom of the ancient Indian scriptures. That ISKCON has made a significant contribution to the intellectual, cultural and spiritual life of contemporary man is obvious from the fact that people of all ages and..."    (More...)

Gargamuni: A very good article.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. And it details everything. So you purchase some copies. We have to prepare...    (More...)

Manihara: No. Oh, "to make a pleasure-loving and easy-going Western youth to shed his fashionable dress and make him give up his dearly cherished beefsteaks, wine and women, cannabis and LSD, and don the saffron robe, shave his head, hold the danda and chant Hare Krsna, is no mean achievement. That ISKCON has made thousands of Western youths perform this seemingly impossible task is an eloquent testimony of the impact it has made on the life of the contemporary West. ISKCON does offer to the modern man a haven of refuge from the complexity and anxiety of present-day life. The society has indeed set before itself a noble and laudable ideal..."    (More...)

Prabhupada: When the Englishmen were ruling over this country and Gandhi had to do so much labor, his life sacrificed, some way or other they were gone. Now the same Englishman is working here as book distributor, [laughs] who was our ruler. So whose achievement is better? Gandhi's or mine?    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yours.    (More...)

Prabhupada: This rascal criticizing. But they have come to me for money? They are poor or they are illiterate fools? They have come to me for money or some material gain? No. Unless they are convinced about the spiritual gain, why they should give me such service? They have no eyes to see.    (More...)

Gargamuni: No, because in India, many Indians, when they approach a guru, they want something. But we didn't have to approach you for anything.    (More...)

Prabhupada: That is the speciality. The guru... One should go to guru to serve him as menial servant. That is acceptance of guru. That is required. Nicavat. Nica. Nica means menial. Just like menial servant, he does everything. Similarly, to live with guru means to serve him as a menial servant. That is Vedic injunction. Nicavat. You should not be puffed up, that "I am coming from such royal family, I am coming from such rich family." And that tendency is trained up from the childhood. A child does not know. Just like Pradyumna's son. You can engage him in any menial service. He does not discriminate. He's trained up. So this is gurukula. Very word is used, nicavat. He gives service to the guru just like a menial servant. And this training being given from the childhood, he does not know what is low or what is high. His spiritual master asks to do something... Even Krsna went to the forest to collect some dry wood. Vasudeva's son, in royal family, but He had to go. And all of a sudden there was storm and..., what is called?    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Hail.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Hailstorm. And they became entrapped in the jungle whole night. And in the morning guru with other disciples came to search out them. And this Sudama Vipra and Krsna was stranded, and they were found out, then taken back. So even Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He served the guru as menial. The guru's wife asked Him, "Bring some fuel from the jungle," and they went immediately. This is gurukula. No, I mean to say, prestigious position. "Guru has said-has to be done." This training. Then?    (More...)

Manihara: There's just a few more sentences. "The Society has indeed set for itself a noble and laudable ideal, producing men and women of high character, sincerity and God consciousness."    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes, this shall be sent. And also to Om Mehta.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Say "You have mentioned several times my name, so for your benefit, and to open your eyes, I am sending you one article. Please read what ISKCON is doing." Simply write this.    (More...)

Gargamuni: I have to go to Delhi for my carnet. I will go to the office, the Blitz office, and bring them this personally.    (More...)

Gargamuni: "You have written about me, but I would like to present you this article."    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: Well, we've just come from eastern coast. We came down from Calcutta through Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada. We took some orders in Guntur. And before that...    (More...)

Prabhupada: Guntur there is university?    (More...)

Prabhupada: Guntur, our Tirtha Maharaja has got a branch there. Is it not? Gaudiya Matha, they have got branch?    (More...)

Prabhupada: No, that is another. In Guntur, yes.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Visakhapatnam, there is one of my Godbrothers, Puri Maharaja. Did you go there?    (More...)

Prabhupada: So Guntur you received order from...?    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: The State Regional Library. It's the most prestigious library in Andhra Pradesh. They took a complete order for all the books.    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: Yes, standing order. And Visakhapatnam University also, standing order for all the books. We'll probably go back to Guntur again, and I think we'll make some more orders there next week. But it was Saturday, and some of the colleges were closed, so we couldn't see the professors.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Keep your health nice, because Indian climate sometimes does not suit. Eat simple things-fruits...    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes. I have also told they should eat nice fruits and vegetable so they will keep healthy.    (More...)

Prabhupada: There is no question of disease. But for our tongue taste we eat so many cooked food. But if we eat vegetables, boiled vegetables and fruits and milk, ah, it is sufficient. Ekadasi. [laughter] Daily ekadasi. And these peanuts-a few grains, not much-that is also nice. Cashew, peanut. Yes. So thank you very much. You are working so much for Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission. Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa [Cc Madhya 7.128]. Bas. You become a guru. Actually you are doing the guru's work. "Here is a message from Krsna. Please take it." Bas. Simple. Yare dekha. And whomever you meet, tare kaha krsna-upadesa, either you speak personally or give him a book.    (More...)

Manihara: This is the noon paper published...    (More...)

Prabhupada: Explosion. Mahamsa Swami is continuing this.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Buddhi-yogam dadami tam. As soon as we decide to work for Krsna very sincere... [chuckling] What is this Krsna crossword? This is gambling.    (More...)

Gargamuni: Krsna crossword puzzle.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Oh. Crosswords are gambling?    (More...)

Hari-sauri: They give clues, and it's to make you think.    (More...)

Manihara: They give a clue. They say...    (More...)

Manihara: No, I don't think there is prize.    (More...)

Gargamuni: There is in the other newspapers. Maybe not in this. But they do offer prize. You send in, then they choose prize.    (More...)

Prabhupada: So they work, originally it became for prize. [laughs] Otherwise, these karmis, why they shall waste their time? They wanted some prize.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Sometimes they print their names in the next issue: "The last week's winner was..."    (More...)

Prabhupada: "Winner." That means prize-winner.    (More...)

Manihara: There's no mention of any reward. Just...    (More...)

Prabhupada: Anything of these four prohibited regulations should not do. Yatra papas catur-vidhah [SB 1.17.38]. That catur-vidha, four kinds of papa, sinful activities. From the very beginning, because I introduced this, no catur-vidhah, four kinds of papa, therefore our Society is now so respected. From the very beginning we are following to keep these principles in forefront. This is appreciated by anyone. Even he is himself a debauch, he'll appreciate. It is so nice thing. A person may be a big drunkard, but he'll never like to see his son drunkard. That is natural.    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes. My father, he used to smoke, but he said, "You should not smoke."    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes. I think all fathers must say.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Yes, mine did too. One day I walked in with a cigarette, so he beat me because I was smoking and I was only fourteen or something. So then I said, "But you were doing the same thing." [laughs] And he beat me even more.    (More...)

Prabhupada: "When you are an older, you become a debauchee. But don't become now." [laughing] If it is a good thing, why older and younger?    (More...)

Manihara: That's true. Our relatives, especially close relatives, parents, and they see, they can see immediately how much...    (More...)

Prabhupada: This is natural. These things are not good. They know it, but they are habituated. But they do not like that son should be habituated. That is natural. Your father predicted about Brahmananda, that "This boy will be a saintly man."    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. He'll not be a karmi. From the beginning he could understand. How did he understand?    (More...)

Gargamuni: Because his tendencies were never in the business field. He was an intellectual. He used to read a lot, and he was interested in religion.    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes. In college he took courses in religion.    (More...)

Prabhupada: And when he first came to me, he expressed that "I was searching this institution. Now I'll join." And he was getting at that time four hundred dollars?    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. So he was paying everything almost, keeping little money. And then he brought him.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: I have a picture of you with your hair. I'll show you. I have a picture of Gargamuni Swami when he still had hair and karmi clothes.    (More...)

Gargamuni: "Shakespearean locks." Prabhupada used to call me that.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Hair in this picture's a bit cropped up, but you had a bead bag then.    (More...)

Gargamuni: Oh, yeah, yeah. Then that was later.    (More...)

Prabhupada: You were selling Back to Godhead on the street?    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes, in the pushcart.    (More...)

Prabhupada: That time how many copies you were printing?    (More...)

Gargamuni: We were printing 500 to 1,000. We started at 500 then to 1,000.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Then when Brahmananda proposed that "We can get it printed from Japan, but they want order for 20,000 minimum." So I said yes. Five hundred, 1,000 we were selling, and he proposed 20,000. "Yes. You order." [laughs] Now, two million?    (More...)

Hari-sauri: The biggest one, I think, was that centennial, bicentennial issue. What was that? It increases, anyway, every year.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Brahmananda was hesitating how 20,000 per month we shall consume.    (More...)

Prabhupada: [laughs] I said, "Yes. You order. We shall consume." Then this Tamala Krsna, he helped.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: He was in book distribution from the start.    (More...)

Gargamuni: From their sales they were sending.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. He gave impetus for distribution. Then we got encouragement-other party, another party. Where those mimeograph machine gone?    (More...)

Gargamuni: I don't know. After I went to San Francisco... They should be preserved. That was beginning. We could still use them.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. I paid $150 I had collected. They wanted hundred dollars each or $125 each. So I went there, that I want two machines, but I have got $150 dollars only. So he wanted to throw away the machine. "All right, you take two machines." So I gave $150 and took away two machines. I think it is more costly. Eh?    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes, oh, yes. Those are heavy-duty machines. They were old, but they were good.    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yeah, Ranchor.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Ranchor. Spoiling so much paper.    (More...)

Prabhupada: His father and mother divorced. So he used to visit sometimes his grandfather, father's father. So naturally grandfather, when he used to visit, he gave him some money.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: And he'd give it to you. Then he gave it to you.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Once he gave me. Anyway, Krsna is giving us encouragement. Religious, philosophical book, as soon as they hear of it they immediately say, "No, no, we..." That is the natural tendency.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. Naturally. That chief minister said.    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes. He mentioned. "It is a reversal of history."    (More...)

Prabhupada: So that was my policy, that I shall go America, and if the Americans become devotees then these rascals will be automatically... Here they could not appreciate. When I started, wanted to start this movement, they refused to give their son.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: They always say a preacher is never appreciated in his home town.    (More...)

Prabhupada: "Swamiji, what benefit there will be by becoming brahmana, by devotee? They have to earn their livelihood." Spiritual culture is in India practically rejected. They are convinced with the idea that for spiritual culture we are so much...    (More...)

Hari-sauri: It must have been a big shock for them when they first saw our devotees.    (More...)

Gargamuni: Yes, at 10:30 they said. Gopala said he's coming. I don't know, but I will ask.    (More...)

Manihara: ...what is the benefit they get, exactly? There have been so many concoctions: "Oh, they will take human birth," "They will take this..." What is the actual benefit that a karmi will get when he takes prasadam?    (More...)

Manihara: 'Cause some devotees, they are saying...    (More...)

Prabhupada: Krsna bada dayamaya. Because we want eating, so He is giving His mercy through eating. Eating, nobody will refuse. So by eating he is being favored by Krsna. This is the process. You understand Bengali? Krsna bada dayamaya: He's very merciful. Karibare jihva jaya. We are accustomed to eat, go to the restaurant, go to the hotel, go to here and there, at home and so on. Simply eating, eating. So this is jihva lampatya, prostitution of the tongue. Just like a woman prostitute is not satisfied with one man. Similarly, our tongue is like prostitute. It is not satisfied with simple foods. Sometimes here, sometimes there, sometimes on the street, sometimes on the restaurant, sometimes a hotel. Regular prostitution. It is called tongue prostitution. There are prostitution of three things: prostitution of the tongue, prostitution of the belly and prostitution of the genital. Three kinds of. Udara-upastha-vegam. Jihva-udara-upastha-vegam . Straight line. So to stop this prostitution is to control the tongue. The tongue prostitution means he wants to eat varieties of foodstuff. Krsna is so merciful, "All right, you eat varieties of prasadam." Then tongue prostitution is controlled, and naturally the belly and the genital controlled. Krsna bada dayamaya karibare jihva jaya. To own victory over the tongue, He has given varieties... Therefore all nice things should be offered to Krsna, and then take prasadam. They will be benefited.    (More...)

Manihara: This is Krsna's arrangement, special.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Any reasonable persons appreciate it.    (More...)

Prabhupada: How the books are being supplied? From Bombay?    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: Well, when we were working from Bombay, Bombay was sending them by rail. But now Gargamuni Swami, he has given us some books to supply immediately to the libraries, and then others that we can't... If we don't have enough to supply all the libraries, he's going to arrange for more to be sent. I think he wants to send a van, a vehicle around all the colleges to deliver the books.    (More...)

Prabhupada: He will make some good profit? [laughs] Never mind. If books are distributed, that is our satisfaction. Let anyone make some profit. We don't mind.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: No, he wants to send one of our vehicles around. Yes?    (More...)

Prabhupada: Never mind. The books must reach there. That is my...    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. That's all. Doesn't matter. We are not after profit.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Anyway, wherever you go, they take it.    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: Yes. All these people... Practically every college will take something at least. If they don't have enough money for the full standing order, at least they take some books out of respect. Everywhere they are very respectful, and everyone has heard of you and the work that you've done.    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: Oh, very much. People are very impressed. In the Western world people are so much unfavorable towards us, but here in India they treat us like kings. Sometimes when I come to colleges practically they touch my feet and give me all kinds of foodstuffs and drinks. Very nice.    (More...)

Manihara: Even in the West they are not so favorable, but still everybody has heard of Krsna. Everybody's heard of the Hare Krsna people.    (More...)

Mahamsa: There's only five first initiations. Those ladies, I told them to wait some more time.    (More...)

Mahamsa: I already told them, "You please..." They said they will give up, but I said that you...    (More...)

Mahamsa: But they are waiting. What shall I tell them now? I just now told them...    (More...)

Prabhupada: No, tell them that "If you promise from today you will give up..."    (More...)

Prabhupada: Oh, yes. If they have promised, we shall give. Simply you don't break promise. You have promised-do it. That's all.    (More...)

Mahamsa: [laughs] I'll tell them. Another thing was those... What is... I don't know. What is the position of ladies being initiated? They are young girls. They may get married. They may get married to someone outside the Society.    (More...)

Prabhupada: But she can chant and observe the rules and regulations-what is that?    (More...)

Mahamsa: Even if her husband does not follow?    (More...)

Mahamsa: Okay. Then there'll be five more.    (More...)

Prabhupada: My sister, while she was married, so her father-in-law's house, they were all eating fish. So a new girl, ten years, eleven years old. So she was given this foodstuff with fish and everything. So she was crying. So her mother-in-law, "Why you are crying?" "No, we do not touch all these things." She immediately arranged special cooking for her. So her husband and other members, they were taking fish, but she never touched. She never touched. She does not know what is fish. If one wants to keep oneself pure, he or she can keep herself pure in any circumstances.    (More...)

Mahamsa: Okay. And there'll be two second initiations, two devotees from here. So I will talk to them again, because just now I've told them, "You must wait one month more." They were willing to.    (More...)

Mahamsa: So I'll tell them like that. Okay. Then the names and beads will be given downstairs by Your Grace? You'll be coming down?    (More...)

Hari-sauri: They should be wearing their neckbeads before. At least two lines.    (More...)

Prabhupada: So Krsna will recognize your service. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah [Bg 18.69]. You are distributing this knowledge, so you become immediately recognized, very dear servant, very confidential servant of Krsna. He says personally. Na ca tasman manusyesu [Bg 18.69]: "Amongst the human beings, those who are doing this preaching, nobody is dearer than these persons to Me-anyone." You have read that?    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. To be quickly recognized by Krsna, this is the short-cut process. He never says those who are sitting in a secluded place meditating or chanting, doing nothing, He never says that "They are My very dear devotees." But those who are preaching-na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me [Bg 18.69]. Just like government takes more care for the soldiers, especially when there is fighting. They are giving life for the state. So their comfort-first consideration. In the wa rfield, enough supplies. Anything the soldiers require, enough supplies. Sometimes the store is blown out, and again another store is ready. Therefore in the wartime they control. In the...    (More...)

Manihara: It's the sergeants and the corporals that go first. The leaders of the battalion, they will go first to start to ravage and loot, and then all the other men will follow.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Everywhere, huh? So I have seen in Calcutta outside villages. So my maternal uncle's house was their Tollygunge. So when they used to come there was a, what is called, rumor, "Soldiers come here." They'll captured any woman from the street. No restrictions.    (More...)

Manihara: They are simply killing, killing, killing, for no reason; therefore this killing turns just into..., they turn into animal. So when they see woman, immediately...    (More...)

Prabhupada: So everywhere the same business. The soldiers are let loose in the villages.    (More...)

Pradyumna: Srila Prabhupada? What is the program? Will you becoming down?    (More...)

Pradyumna: As soon as ready you will come. We're not waiting for any minister or something to come or anything?    (More...)

Hari-sauri: He's supposed to be here now.    (More...)

Pradyumna: But as soon as we are ready, you will come down?    (More...)

Manihara: Now England is finished. Everybody is completely unhappy. Nobody is happy in England. The rich men, once they were happy; now they are having their money taken away by the government. They are taxing, taxing, taxing, all the time. And the poor people, they have nothing anyway. Nobody has anything to talk about. Nothing to be proud of in England. Everybody is leaving. Every day in the newspaper you read such-and-such has happened.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. They expanded their empire. Where is that empire now? The expansion of empire began during Victoria's time. Huh? Victoria's time.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Even before that, though, because they were going out in the ships and... America and all.    (More...)

Prabhupada: During the first Elizabeth's time. That was the beginning.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Queen Elizabeth the First.    (More...)

Manihara: They went to America at that time. Pilgrim.    (More...)

Prabhupada: So within four hundred years everything finished. [laughs] Everything built up and everything finished.    (More...)

Manihara: Now the Indians are coming from India, setting up big business in England. They're controlling big factories, business, so many mills, everything. In Manchester, where I come from...    (More...)

Prabhupada: There is agitation to drive away Indians.    (More...)

Manihara: Now they are trying to drive away. Because they know they have money. They are taking over.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Money and intelligence also. They can organize the English very nicely. And they're not extravagant. European and American, as soon as they get money they spend it. And Indians know how to save something. I saw in London, almost all Indians have got their own house. Maybe small house; it doesn't matter. But they have got their own quarters. Every Indian. And they're living very comfortably. Englishmen, local men, renting.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Uganda. They got English citizenship. Now they cannot refuse them legally.    (More...)

Manihara: There's one group, the National Front group, they are trying to stop the citizenship. Because the government, they are saying, "Yes, we will make you citizens if you come here, get business." And they are fighting against this.    (More...)

Prabhupada: They are refusing citizenship to the children. Children born of Indians in England, naturally they should be citizens. But now they're refused.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: They're making all of them get six-month... They only get... Any Indians, they give them six-month visas. That's partly the reason why India is now thinking to impose visa regulations on the British, on British people who come here.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Why they are doing that? Why not make world citizen? So much space. Let anyone go anywhere and live as he likes.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Nationalism.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Everyone is God's son, and everything belongs to God. If one finds opportunity in some place, let him have it. I think if this is adopted by the United Nation, immediately the face of the world will change. The Chinese and the Indians, they are very expert. If they are given place, they can immediately turn that place into a nice food-producing village. They can do that. And you can produce anything usable from anywhere, according to the climate. Especially in America, the facility is very, very great. So many jungles. If the jungles are cut, the woods can be used for making house and the field can be used for producing food and milk, cows, everything. Around our New Vrindavan there are many places.    (More...)

Hari-sauri: Both our... Pennsylvania farm has one hundred acres of woods.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Especially in America. There is enough place. And England also. There is enough place. They are not being utilized.    (More...)

Manihara: Even my father, he has one big house with some land, one or two acres of land. I put this to him, I told him, "Why you cannot just live simply? You have enough room for one cow, which is enough milk for you and for four people that live there," my two sisters, like that. One cow. "You can grow vegetables, you can have an apple tree, a pear tree. Like this you can have everything. You don't need to buy anything."    (More...)

Manihara: He says, "I'm a doctor."    (More...)

Prabhupada: "We shall purchase meat and eat."    (More...)

Manihara: "We need meat." He said, "We need meat." He's a doctor. He's saying he needs meat. I said, "I've not been eating meat for four years. There's nothing wrong with me."    (More...)

Prabhupada: And when there will be no vegetables, where you'll get meat? After all, you must have sufficient vegetables for eating by the cows. But if there is no vegetable, then where you'll get meat? Actually, in Europe it is being done, that there is drought. There is no rain. There is no grass.    (More...)

Mahamsa: The Minister of Endowments is here. The Minister of Endowments.    (More...)

Commissioner: Yes, sir. Yesterday, our chief minister's not here. He came this morning. I asked him to come there, but he has not been, he said. Some other ministers are wanting to come. I wondered if at four o'clock.    (More...)

Mahamsa: Today so early now? But your rest. It's time you take rest, Prabhupada.    (More...)

Prabhupada: I take rest up to four or half past four.    (More...)

Commissioner: At five o'clock there will be another program of our ministers.    (More...)

Mahamsa: As soon as your car comes, we will leave.    (More...)

Prabhupada: You can give him that paper. Today is very nice report about our activities in the Sunday Chronicle. [indistinct background discussion as minister leaves] You can go up to the car. Go up to the car. So, I shall take little khicuri.    (More...)

Manihara: Lemon pickle.    (More...)

Prabhupada: ...and ghee should be given separately, as I... Make it simplified. If I go to rest at two o'clock, then it will be possible to start. So see that it is quickly done. We shall go and come back by half past twelve. In Europe especially, if they do not change their mode of living, reject spiritual life, then gradually the whole situation will be dangerous. Means there will be no water supply.    (More...)

Prabhavisnu: Yes. I read in the newspaper just a few days ago that Britain is thinking of importing drinking water.    (More...)

Prabhupada: It is impractical. Is it possible to import drinking water for so many people?    (More...)

Manihara: Just before I left England... They have so many cows in the south of England, they were grazing. But because it was so hot, the grass was not growing. It was becoming very dry, and no new grass was growing because there was no rain. So then they had to move all the cows to the north of England. Thousands upon thousands of cows, they have to move in big lorries to the north of England, where there was some grass. And now in the north of England there is no grass, so they're going to have to move them to Scotland. It's costing so much money. And then the cows are going to become thin.    (More...)

Prabhupada: They are killing immaturely. Because they die, they cannot eat. They want to eat fresh, huh? They want to kill them alive.    (More...)

Mahamsa: Yes. That's how it would be, if we could get permanent laborers. That's another thing I experienced, that when these village laborers come, they come at nine o'clock, nine-thirty, they work at their own speed and then, at five-thirty, they see the sun. I was amazed how they find the exact time, but they do it by the sun's movements. Exactly at five-thirty they will stop their work and go. But I have seen our laborers who stay here on our land, they work from five-thirty in the morning and they work all day, all the way to the night.    (More...)

Prabhupada: Yes. That must be done. Anyone who comes to see the arati, at least two puris, little vegetable, halava should be given. Prasada distribution should go on everywhere. Who said that that is my trick? Who was...?    (More...)

Tamala Krsna: BBT, yes. They had a meeting in Mayapur discussing some common points of interest and concern. It says, "We will anxiously be awaiting a report on Srila Prabhupada's reaction to the various points, and it would be good if you sent copies to all the trustees directly if there are any urgent points. I am going to Los Angeles in a few weeks, at which time I will make it my business, as one of the U.S. trustees, to look into the Press matter. I will send a report after doing so. I also share your concern in this matter. I am going to France in a few days and will send a report on my findings. I am especially concerned to see that BBT be set up along standard lines. I have heard that Srila Prabhupada's health has improved somewhat. Please be so kind as to send reports on this from time to time, as all the devotees are very much concerned. We are all praying to Lord Nrsimhadeva that His Divine Grace's health will be completely restored. I remain your servant, Jayatirtha dasa. P.S. I will be visiting Africa in May." This letter is dated 25th March.    (More...)

Gopala Krsna: Yes. It advertises all your books. Plus, Srila Prabhupada, I had signed a contract with the biggest mail-order house in India, called Mail Order Sales. And this week their full-page advertisement on the Bhagavad-gita is reaching 25,000 households. Their ad wasn't ready, but they are sending it to me in few days. It's a very beautiful ad. They have a monthly newspaper called Mail Order News, and that they've given a whole page. But they pay for it. We give them a straight commission on sales. Just like in America you have Book of the Month Club and selling books by mail. This is very big. Plus we are now doing the Bhaktivedanta Encyclopedia of Vedic Knowledge. This will also... We are preparing a brochure just like this. This is a Brittanica Encyclopedia advertisement. So we're going to have your nineteen or twenty Bhagavatams here. The artists are working on it, in a small [indistinct], and this is going to be sent to about thirty thousand households. These are just for households, not libraries or anyone, just as selling to businessmen and executives.    (More...)

Svarupa Damodara: Also, that will add attractions to the outsiders, if we have these nice places. Everybody who came here, those few scientists... About fifty-five, I think, all came. Most of them told me that they never knew that such thing existed in Vrndavana. It's such a nice place, and very peaceful and... They never expected that these things existed in Vrndavana. And they were very impressed. Even our incomplete building and with all our incomplete arrangements, they were very amazed that such thing existed. And one... Actually a few of them from Agra told me that "Next time, if you hold a conference," he said, "I will take all responsibility to bring all the scientists from around Agra, Delhi, and everything." He said he didn't know that such things might exist. So Vrndavana is also a place where people come and we can cultivate their..., to bring them to the spiritual consciousness, Krsna consciousness. Actually, it's very true that when they see our temple and to see our children, oh, they were so impressed that they say they will come back. And some of them attended maṅgala-arati and some of them attended Bhagavatam class, even those who came for our conference. And so... Especially those who came with wives, very attracted to see our Deities and the photographs, nice, from all over the world. Everything was so attractive. Even the Mishra, who was so Mayavadi during our conference, also was almost materialist, his wife was so influential. His wife was actually a devotee. And I spent about two hours in his room with them, and she was instructing him that "You think that everything is just chemicals." And she was telling him that "Why don't you think that God existed before-there was God, and everything's coming from Him? And do research on the basis of that. If you do that, then everything will be nice." She was telling him that "Without bhakti, your science isn't going to give you any happiness, no pleasure." So actually she... Then he almost became a devotee. He said, "Yes, yes, yes." [laughter] And they wanted to see Srila Prabhupada just before they went. I told them that doctor told us that we shouldn't allow any, even the devotees, not so crowded in the room, because doctor advises not to do so. So I requested that "When Prabhupada gets better, you please come back. Prabhupada's going to get better. Then we'll have the opportunity to allow you to have Prabhupada's darsana." So they say they will come back, bring their children. Especially they were very impressed by our gurukula boys. They said it reminded them Krsna's boyhood pastimes just seeing these our gurukula boys. Especially every day we had invocation by the gurukula boys with Yasodanandana Maharaja from Brahma-samhita. The vibrations were so potent that everybody was very impressed. Though we didn't have all the guests that we invited, but still, I think, those few who came, I think they had very good appreciation about Srila Prabhupada's program. Especially bhakti-vedanta... Mishra's relation was very significant. He said he never had in his life to see this bhakti-vedanta. He called all of us as Bhakti-vedantist. He said he was always Advaita-vedantist, and he said he never saw a bhakti-vedanti. He said it was a great experience. He said he was very grateful that he came to the conference. And he had great appreciation of the whole movement. They said, "Just imagine that in about ten years a big empire can be built in such a pure spirit." So like that, Dr. Soni... Soni is the Deputy General of Indian Council of Agricultural Research. He's also a big government scientist. To see these people... Actually, even one cannot just go and see them. You have to wait for so many red tapes just to go them. They came. He came with his family. Actually, he was the chief guest on Sunday, and he had a great appreciation of our whole Movement, and he told me very frankly in his opening speech that a few years ago he saw the devotees in Piccadilly Circus, first time in London. And about that time he said he had a very wrong impression, negative impression of the whole Movement. He said he thought something that was not very impressive. Then he told me very frankly that when I came to invite him for this to be the chief guest on Sunday, he said just on the basis of that, he said he was not willing to accept the invitation. But then, he said, after talking with me for a few minutes, he said he changed his whole attitude and then just decided to come. And then he expressed that he was very grateful that he came, and he learned a lot. He said this is one of the noblest causes that one can dedicate. So he had a great appreciation for the Movement. So like that, we'd like to make some friends, especially in the higher, educated classes of people. And I think I'm very hopeful, by the mercy of Your Divine Grace and Krsna's mercy, that we can at least follow your instruction. Then I think we can do it.    (More...)

Tamala Krsna: Not that pillow? Is that all right? Says, "Book distribution, worldwide." Says here... These are the world totals for the month of September, Srila Prabhupada. In the month of September all over the world they distributed the following number of big books: 215,914. 216,000 big books in one month, Srila Prabhupada. Medium books: 226,000 in one month. Small books: 237,000. And Back to Godheads: 433,000. Now I calculated, Srila Prabhupada, also the total amount of money realized by the BBT. In the month of September the BBT sold..., the temples sold 675,000 dollars' worth of books. In rupees, I figured out it's fifty-nine lakhs the BBT sold. Now, the temples, when they..., if they sell a book, they get double the amount of money. You know what I mean? If the BBT sells the book to the temple for say $2.50, the temple gets $5.00 when it sells the book. So I calculated that the temples collected $1,350,000 from selling your books in the month of September, which comes out to one crore, seventeen lakhs collections from book sales. And then I was calculating what this would mean... [end]    (More...)