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Room Conversation

4 July 1972New YorkRoom conversation720704r3.ny

Ātreya Ṛṣi: You have, very limited opportunity for associating, so offensively.

Devotee (1):
A brush.

Prabhupāda:
No soap?

Devotee (1):
I don’t think so. It’s wire, metal.

Prabhupāda:
What?

Devotee (1):
It’s a metal brush. It would be too hard for the nails, for the body.

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Yeah. For toes? For toenails.

Devotee (1):
For feet?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Toenails, perhaps.

Prabhupāda:
[indistinct] cord?

Devotee (1):
Silk cord?

Prabhupāda:
What is it meant?

Devotee:
Round the neck. Some brass shoes. [loud noises of fireworks exploding]

Prabhupāda:
You [indistinct]?

Devotee (1):
Match your bead bag.

Prabhupāda:
Huh?

Devotee (1):
It will match your bead bag.

Devotee (2):
Handkerchief.

Prabhupāda:
Popularly. [laughter]

Devotee (1):
Time magazine, special issue.

Prabhupāda:
[devotees are laughing as they look at magazine] First name [indistinct]? What is that?

Devotee (1):
It says “Vai…, Vaikuṇṭha Playhouse, statement of purpose.” There’s a theatrical group called the Vaikuṇṭha Players. [break]

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
…Śrīla Prabhupāda, Fourth of July.

Prabhupāda:
Huh?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
It’s Fourth of July.

Prabhupāda:
Today?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda:
Hmm. Keep it all in almirah.

Devotee (1):
This is some peanuts.

Prabhupāda:
Distribute.

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
It’s a very sad day for us, Śrīla Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda:
Hmm?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
It’s a sad day for us.

Prabhupāda:
Sad day?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Sad.

Prabhupāda:
Why?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
You have, [indistinct] very limited opportunity for associating, so offensively. You’ll be leaving today.

Prabhupāda:
Hmm?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
You’ll be going away.

Prabhupāda:
Home-made soap you can make?

Devotee (1):
I could make it if I found out how. I don’t know the ingredients.

Prabhupāda:
Hmm?

Devotee (1):
I don’t know the ingredients, but I could find out the ingredients and the process. I could try.

Prabhupāda:
Who can make home-made soap. You can?

Devotee (3):
We will be making in…

Prabhupāda:
Huh?

Devotee (3):
…the Spiritual Sky business. We’ll be making. It’s the same business, this soap, I think.

Prabhupāda:
No, it is not needed.

Devotee (1):
[indistinct] [fireworks explode]

Prabhupāda:
It is [indistinct].

Devotee (1):
Yes. [break]

Prabhupāda:
…a cheater is not disqualification in this country.

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
It’s a good qualification.

Prabhupāda:
[laughs] Good qualification.

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Biggest cheaters are in control, in charge.

Prabhupāda:
What is the disqualification? Not to become cheater?

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Yes, then they will be stupid.

Devotee (4):
To be an honest man.

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
See, then they call you stupid.

Prabhupāda:
Oh. The standard is different, completely. Human intelligence means you must be a big cheater.

Devotee (1):
Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda:
Ah?

Devotee (1):
What would you like to take for lunch today?

Prabhupāda:
I’m not feeling very much hungry. Don’t prepare now. If I feel hungry, it can be done. Call Śyāmasundara.

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Śrīla Prabhupāda?

Prabhupāda:
Hmm.

Ātreya Ṛṣi:
Would you have any instructions as to how I could serve you better? For me?

Prabhupāda:
By convincing people of… [end]