Room Conversation

Prabhupāda:
…Viśvanātha Cakravartī has discussed. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so easy: man-manā bhava mad-bhakto, four principles. * [Bg. 18.65] Why people do not take to it? [background talking] Hmm? What is that?

Harikeśa:
He just wanted to know if someone was allowed to come for darśana.

Prabhupāda:
Yes, let them come. This time, five to seven?

[conchshell sounds]

Śāstrījī:
Hari oṁ sahasra-śīrṣā puruṣa sahasrākṣaḥ… [*Puruṣa-sūkta mantra 1]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. This B.R. Kundu, he is one of our…] [break]

Prabhupāda:
Śrīmad-bhāgavata-dharma is for the person who is not jealous. Paramo nirmatśarāṇāṁ [SB. 1.1.2]. This very word is used in the beginning, that “This bhāgavata-dharma is meant for persons who is not jealous.” Otherwise the material whole world is full of jealousy. Even during the time of Kṛṣṇa there was Paundra, out of jealousy. And there were so many. Beginning from Kṛṣṇa’s birth the asuras, they were jealous: “How to kill Kṛṣṇa.” This is the whole mat… Even in the higher planetary system the jealousy is there, asuras and the devas, devāsura. So our business is, as instructed by Caitanya Mahāprabhu, tṛṇād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṇunā. This jealousy will go on. Therefore one has to learn how to tolerate jealousy. Kīrtaniyaḥ sadā hariḥ [Cc. Ādi 17.31].

If one wants to push on this saṅkīrtana movement… Prabhupāda… We are insignificant creature. So many persons. You cannot avoid it. The best way is to learn how to tolerate. That is very nice. Otherwise Caitanya Mahāprabhu not have said taror api sahiṣṇunā. That is the best. So we are not like Caitanya Mahāprabhu, neither like Prabhupāda, and we shall have to learn to tolerate.

Indian devotee:
[Transl. During Prabhupāda’s time there used to be so many oppositions.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. Just see! If they were against him then there must be against me also.]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. Must be.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. I am nothing.]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. Disturbances must be there. The way you are doing good to others there must be opposition. Opposition groups, anti social elements must be there, but who will diminish your glories? Perhaps some day they will understand.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. Understand or not understand what I have taken up, whether they understand or not, I am simply trying to serve my guru.]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. No, no. I think many persons have now realised. Those who have realised they are now accepting that this is noble work. We are happy about it.]

Prabhupāda:
It is clearly written in the Caitanya-caritāmṛta that kṛṣṇa śakti vinā nahe kṛṣṇa nāma pracāraṇa [Cc. Antya 7.11]. So even they have no common sense, what can be done?

Indian devotee:
[Transl. They must accept that it is definitely kṛṣṇa-śakti.]

Prabhupāda:
No, no, this formula, that this is something new in the history of the world, and still they are jealous, what is this? They are finding fault. In Vṛndāvana, Nṛsiṁha-vallabha Gosvāmī, you know? He comes to me. He says, “So many people are jealous upon you.” I say that “First of all you create something like me; then you become jealous.” [Transl. For that they have no guts.]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. I hope, Mahārāja, within a very short time everything will be favourable to you. I see some symtoms like that.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. That’s why I just keep quiet.]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. Those who are against will come in your favour. There has been a huge change in their attitude in recent times. I have made a thorough inquiry about this and found that peoples’ mentality has…]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. Whether they change or not I myself become surprised.]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. They are your Godbrothers. You don’t keep any ill feeling against them, that will make your Gurudeva-Prabhupāda happy.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. No, no. I am never jealous of them. But the only thing is that the way they dictate me is very humiliating. Why should they dictate me?] First of all let them become like me. Then… [Transl. On equal level there should be friendship.The senior, he will dictate. And one who is junior he should obey. This is the process. Why those who are neither equals nor seniors, should dictate? How can I tolerate that?]

Indian devotee:
[Transl. That I understand.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. Why do they want to dictate? This is their foolishness. Who will dictate? The one who is superior.] The superior, he will dictate. And those who are equals, they live like friends. And those who are juniors, they should follow and obey. This is the vaiṣṇava etiquette. Those who are neither equal nor higher how they can dictate? That is their mistake. Either first of all become higher than him—then you dictate or you be equal with him—then you suggest. You are lower and you want to dictate? What is this nonsense? [Transl. Do you understand? This is the process. And they don’t even know the process.] By standard, one who is lower, they want to dictate.

Indian guest:
[Transl. The situation here is that we express our opinion about Prabhupāda before learned circles, and they agree and accept it.]

[loud conchshell]

Prabhupāda:
Bās. [laughter] Hare Kṛṣṇa. Hmm.

Indian guest:
[Transl. Rādhā-ramaṇa, M.L.A…]

Prabhupāda:
[aside:] [Transl. Put it down.]

Indian guest:
[Transl. …in our Navadvīpa constituency. I told him in the Congress office that you are a representative ISKCON Prabhupāda. He said, yes, I will visit. But how will I recognise? I said here is his photograph. But one thing is that Jayapatākā Mahārāja doesn’t like Rādhā-ramaṇa. So he made a condition that he cannot be photographed. But what I want is that let both of them be photographed together. Anyway, that can be done.

I told Rādhā-ramaṇa, my dear brother, first of all make a thorough research. Those who have sacrificed everything for the sake of the holy name, who were once absorbed in sense gratification and comfortable lifestyle, who were born and brought up in that environment but now have given up simply by the good association of Prabhupāda, and we suspect them! How is it? We should carefully think and understand. I literally grabbed his hand, but he didn’t come.] [break]

Prabhupāda:
They may be very big visioner. [Bengali proverb. Meger kāche peger baḍāi. Argus at home but mole abroad] Just like a cock. Meger kāche peger baḍāi. To the wife bla, bla, bla…But when it goes out then, do what you want, do what you want. Gets its throat cut. That’s all. Just like that. What is the use of bragging in front of dependents? First of all go out and preach the teachings of Caitanya Mahāprabhu.] Pṛthivīte āche yata nagarādi grāma [CB Antya-khaṇḍa 4.126].

[Transl. They are coming from all over the world.] A pākkā mature Vaiṣṇava like you, to find out faults, what is this? [Transl. People approach Rādhārāṇī, I heard if anyone approaches Rādhārāṇī, Rādhārāṇī will not mind who he is. What do you say? Why do people approach Rādhārāṇī? ‘Rādhe Rādhe’. Because if Rādhārāṇī recommends Kṛṣṇa then your life is successful. She doesn’t mind. “Oh he is a good devotee!” She is adoṣa-darśī: one who does not find faults with others. She cannot even conceive that one can commit mistake.] They have not united; they have disunited. And here, practically you see all religions, all nations, all persons, all philosophy. Everything is there. [Transl. They have come from America. Did I bribe them to bring here?] They have come with their life. [Transl. People don’t realize this.]

Indian guest:
[Transl. They put on saffron cloth, tilaka marks, neck beads and look happy. It is unjust to attack them.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. They say CIA.]

Indian guest:
[Transl. This is their fault.] [sarcastically]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. CIAs, becoming devotees, giving up even tea and bīḍī, dancing and chanting, are spying here! Just see how less common sense they have.] They haven’t got even common sense.

Indian guest:
[Transl. I have arranged for your welcome in Kṛṣṇananagar. Anyone who will oppose…] [break]

Prabhupāda:
…on behalf of Kṛṣṇa, so all the money should be given to us. The money actually belongs to Kṛṣṇa. You, by tricks, you are holding it. [knock] Yes? [Transl. Please come in. Are you well?]

Indian man:
[Transl. Yes, I am well.]

Prabhupāda:
[Transl. Sit down, sit down.]

Indian man:
[Transl. According to your permission I went to the Governor’s house…] [break] [end]