Srila Prabhupada's Quote Of The Day

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December 20

Sankaracarya's theory is that you first of all become a sannyasa, in renounced order of life; then you try to understand what you are, sankhya philosophy. Therefore, according to their system, anyone who takes sannyasa, he's supposed to be immediately merged into the existence of God. Therefore they address, "Narayana." In Sankara sampradaya, one sannyasi addresses another sannyasi as "Naryana." But here, in Krsna consciousness movement, there is no condition. The only condition is... That is not condition; that is recreation.

Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 3.1-5, Los Angeles, December 20, 1968

December 19

You should make sure that there is nice fresh, clean dress every morning, nice bathing ceremony every morning, nice offerings of prasadam. You should see that the Deity is tended for and cooked for only by the duly second initiated brahmanas. The Deity should have nice flowers everyday etc., etc. You should try to bring Them up to the highest standard, such as we have in Los Angeles or New Vrndavana. Sri Sri Radha-Madan Mohan have kindly descended in Their arca vigraha form now you must receive Them with that consciousness. And by serving Them you will all develop pure love of Krsna.

Letter to Bahudak, 19 December, 1974

December 18

Yes, as GBC member your task is very responsible. You must always keep yourself pure and in this way your preaching work will take effect. Others are also speaking Bhagavad-gita but their speech has no effect because they are not following the regulative principles of devotional service. Also, always maintain Sankirtana Party, prasadam, chant 16 rounds and read all our literature. These things keep you always in touch with Krishna, and Krishna will give you intelligence more and more how to spread this movement. "I dwelling in their hearts destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance'' [Bg. 10.11].

Letter to Krsna das, 18 December, 1970

December 17

I am very glad to learn you are chanting 48 rounds. Actually it is all right that one should chant 64 rounds, even 16 rounds, so if one is able to chant more than 16 rounds up to 64, it is very good. You fix up your rounds. Try to increase it but never decrease it.

Letter to Indira (Iris Mendoza) and Ekayani (Esther Mendoza), 17 December, 1967

December 16

If you purchase Bhagavad-gita, you purchase Bible, you purchase Koran, or..., there are so many literatures. They are also authorized. That's all right. But you cannot learn them by your own study. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. One must go and learn it from the spiritual master; exactly you purchase some scientific book, medical science, or engineering and study at home. Oh, you will never be acknowledged as a medical practitioner. You have to admit yourself into the, that disciplic succession, medical college. You have to attend lectures. Then, when you pass degree, then you will be admitted.

Lecture on Bhagavad-Gita 9.26-27, New York, 16 December, 1966

December 15

Acara and vicara, there are two things. Vicara means consideration. That is vicara. Just like vicara prati. The high-court judge is called vicara prati. Two opposite party presenting their grievances and he will consider and give his judgment. So vicara-pandita. Unless one is very learned, he cannot consider things. But acara. Acara everyone can do. Acara means just like to rise early in the morning, to take bath, chant Hare Krsna, have tilaka, observe mangala-arati. This is called acara. Then there is hygienic. And vicara means consideration. So in the asuras, both things are lacking.

Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 16.7, Hyderabad, 15 December, 1976

December 14

You have asked about "chemical changes of consciousness'' or drugs, and if these may ever be utilized in Krishna's service. To change consciousness, therefore the Spiritual Master is there. Do not do anything whimsically, like taking these drugs, that will ruin everything. Because you are imperfect you require help from the Perfect, and anything material like drugs is imperfect, so do not be distracted by contemplating in this way.

Letter to Visvambhara, 14 December, 1972

December 13

Your husband has gone away so what can be done. But you should return to our Temple and again take up devotional service as I have designed and directed at our Centers.

Letter to Govinda dasi, 13 December, 1973

December 12

Krishna Kirtana is not for earning livelihood. Krishna Kirtana is not meant for entertaining the public for demonstration of arts. It is dynamic service to the Lord. We do not therefore mind so much about the artistic presentation of Krishna Kirtana but we want to see how much a devotee is satisfying the Supreme Will.

Letter to Jadurani, 12 December, 1967

December 11

Asvamedha sacrifice, gomedha sacrifice, sannyasa, and to get child by devara, husband's younger brother, these things are forbidden in this age.

Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.2-6, Ahmedabad, December 11, 1972

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