From a BTG article by Yadurani Devi Dasi In 1967 at ISKCON'S first temple, at 26 Second Avenue, New York City, Srila Prabhupada had just received a postcard from his disciples in Montreal. The city was hosting the World's Fair -- Expo '67 -- and the devotees were asking if he had any paintings they could display at the Fair. Prabhupada showed me the postcard and asked if we had any.

We should never think of our so-called advancement as being conditioned by or dependent upon some set of material circumstances such as marriage, vanaprastha, or this or that. Mature understanding of Krsna consciousness means that whatever condition of life I am in at present, that is Krsna's special mercy upon me, therefore let me take advantage in the best way possible to spread this Krsna consciousness movement and conduct my spiritual master's mission. If I consider my own personal...

Prabhupada: So immediately, first of all, He [Krishna] chastised. Asocyan anvasocas tvam prajna-vadams ca bhasase: "Arjuna, you are talking like a learned man, but you are a fool number one." [Bg. 2.11] Gatasun agatasums ca nanusocanti panditah. That means "If you had been actually pandita, learned man, then you would not have lamented for this body." Gatasun. "The body is neither a subject matter for lamentation, either living condition or dead condition. It has no value."

We have to kill this civilization of mudhas. That is Krsna consciousness movement. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. Those who are actually human being, you have to give them Krsna. And those who are mudhas, we have to kill them. This is our business. Kill all the mudhas and give Krsna to the sane man. Yes. That will prove that you are really Krsna's. We are not nonviolent. We are violent to the mudhas.

Devotee's business is to glorify. He doesn't take any credit for himself. Actually, there is nothing to be taken credit. The all credit goes to Krsna. A devotee neither claims; neither it is possible. Even he may be very, very big devotee, he will never claim any credit for his glorious activities. His glorious activities means to make Krsna glorious. That is his glorious activities. Not that like the so-called materialist, he wants to take the credit.

Because you are human beings, you are together here to get this knowledge. The cats and dogs cannot come. They cannot take this knowledge. So we have got the advantage of getting this knowledge in this life, and again, if we go back to the cats' and dogs' knowledge, then what is the benefit of getting this body? So this civilization, this dog civilization, is so spread all over the world that it is very, very difficult to cure...

...it is not limited under certain country, certain atmosphere or certain population. Krsna consciousness is open for everyone. So therefore our request is that these Europeans and Americans who have taken to Krsna consciousness, just become perfect in the understanding of this science and become guru and deliver the whole world.

I, the Soul of all beings, am not as satisfied by ritual worship, brahminical initiation, penances, or self-discipline as I am by faithful service rendered to one's spiritual master.

If you think of Krsna in various ways favorably -- how to serve Krsna, how to decorate Krsna, how to give Krsna a nice place for residential quarter, temple, how to preach Krsna's glories -- in this way, if you think, that is Krsna consciousness. Anukulyena krsnanusilanam bhaktir uttama. That is first-class bhakti, how to serve Krsna.

Any transcendental message, any Vedic literature, unless it is presented by a self-realized devotee, it is poison. You simply misunderstand the whole thing, and you do not get the benefit. Rather, you become a victim of misunderstanding.

Our imperfect senses cannot see Krsna immediately. But Krsna is so kind, as we can see... We can see stone, we can see wood, we can see earth, we can see water, we can see color. Therefore, Krsna comes before us just quite suitable for our vision. But He's Krsna. So this Deity worship, those who are in charge of Deity worship, they never should think that here is a statue. No. Here is Krsna. The honor, the respect,...

SB 5.6.5 TRANSLATION The mind is the root cause of lust, anger, pride, greed, lamentation, illusion and fear. Combined, these constitute bondage to fruitive activity. What learned man would put faith in the mind?