1. No need to read other books

    There is no need by any of my disciples to read any books besides my books. In fact, such reading may be detrimental to their advancement in Krsna consciousness--except in certain authorized cases, for example, to read some philosopher like Plato to make an essay comparing his philosophy with Krsna's philosophy. But otherwise, all such outside reading should be stopped immediately. It is simply another botheration. If my students cannot even read my own books thoroughly, why should they...
  2. Chanting: no loss, but very great gain

    I am very glad to learn also that you are feeling joy while chanting the mantra Hare Krishna. Yes, it is exactly like this. If anyone chants this mantra in good faith and in simple understanding, then surely this transcendental vibration will act immediately in spiritual bliss. Please therefore continue to chant this mantra as many times as possible throughout the day and night. I do not think there is any inconvenience or loss on your part if you...
  3. Early rising, a very simple tapasya

    Just a year ago it was my duty to wake everyone up at 4 A.M. by running around the brahmacari asrama and guesthouse banging a gong. Srila Prabhupada had been visiting during Janmastami and had inquired from his servant, Upendra prabhu, what was going on. When Upendra had told him that it was me waking everyone up for mangala arati, he had shaken his head and commented, "They have to be woken like a bunch of cows!"
  4. Foolish Questions, Perfect Answers

    Prabhupada's flight to Melbourne landed and he was escorted to a press conference in the airport's VIP lounge. A hundred jubilant devotees sat on the floor as reporters questioned Prabhupada, who sat with Madhudvisa on a raised dais. The questions were the usual: Reporter: What is your name? Prabhupada: A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami. Reporter: What do the "A" and the "C" stand for?
  5. Bullock cart preaching

    A letter from Mahamsa Swami included a progress report on Hyderabad, where another new temple is steadily being built. Work has already begun on raising the dome. The project is costing 75,000 rupees per month, which the devotees are collecting throughout South India. Mahamsa also reported four small books -- Sri Isopanisad, Rajavidya, Perfection of Yoga and Matchless Gifts -- have been translated into Telugu.
  6. Reading without serving no use

    For one who is not engaged in devotional service, reading all of the books is simply like licking the outside of the honey jar... If we can simply understand one book, or one sloka, then perfection is there. Lord Caitanya warned about reading too many books, although I see in America this is very popular to get volumes and volumes of books and not understand one.
  7. Social activity of the Hare Krsna movement

    Indian man: No. Is there any social activity which this Hare Krsna movement has taken? Prabhupada: So what is the best social activity? Our is the best social... Indian man: Serving the poor and the needy... Prabhupada: Everyone is poor. Who is rich? First of all find out: who is rich? Indian man: Rich in the sense, luxurious living... Prabhupada: He is not living very luxuriously, that he has no disease, he does not become old. Does not become? Indian man: No. Prabhupada: Then? Then where...
  8. Book distribution and Srila Prabhupada’s humility

    The latest report from Tamala Krsna Goswami is that we are selling $60,000 worth of our books daily. It is because you are helping me that all this has become possible otherwise how can I do anything alone, ekaki amara nahi paya bol, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that I cannot do anything, alone I am helpless. So Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna Himself and he wants the help of His devotees and what to speak of me.
  9. Perfect marital combination

    The combination should be that the husband should be first-class devotee, Krsna conscious, and woman should be, woman should be devoted to the husband, faithful, so that she would help the husband to make progress in Krsna consciousness. Then their both life is successful. Otherwise, if the husband simply becomes captivated by the charming beauty of woman and engages himself in the sex life, then his life is lost, and the woman, they are less intelligent, unless they are...