Because Narayana has got such a widespread government, Narayana’s servants have to go everywhere. They are not afraid, “No, I’ll have to go to such distant place, no friend, no money. How shall I go?” No. Narayana is there. He’s not afraid. “Whether I’m going to die or live, it doesn’t matter. I must go there. […]

The only thing wanted is that we should work very sincerely, with full faith in Krishna and the Spiritual Master. Then all help will come automatically. Srila Prabhupada; letter to Govinda  — Los Angeles 17 August, 1969

On a morning walk, Srila Prabhupada explained why he had installed Balarama alongside Krsna [in Vrndavana]. And the main reason Prabhupada gave is that in the future our men who are now performing very strenuous preaching and sankirtana, mixing with the conditioned souls, they will feel sometimes a weakness or exhaustion from this and they will require additional […]

Agriculture is the noblest profession. It makes society happy, wealthy, healthy, honest, and spiritually advanced for a better life after death. Srila Prabhupada, LoB verse 9

In Srimad-Bhagavatam (7.13.8) it is said, granthan naivabhyased bahun na vyakhyam upayunjita: “One should not read many books, nor should one try to make a profession of reciting many books, especially if one is a devotee.” One must give up the ambition to be a learned scholar and in this way earn a worldly reputation and financial facilities. If […]

The chanting of Hare Krsna mantra is the business of liberated soul, not for the conditioned soul. But even in our conditioned life we chant, we become gradually purified. Therefore it is recommended that everyone should chant. From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.15 — June 1, 1972, Los Angeles

Naturally one Hindu widow is trained up not to marry again. Once she got a husband, that’s all right. “Now divert your attention to Krsna.” They’ll make propaganda, “Why stop her sense gratification? Let her marry again, widow marriage.” Why widow marriage? If there is voluntarily giving up begetting any more child, to avoid husband, […]

Prabhupada: We are sometimes charged “escaping.” What is the charge? Pradyumna: We are escaping from reality. Prabhupada: There is the question. [devotees laugh] But their reality is dog’s race, and our reality is to advance in self-realization, Krsna consciousness. There is difference. Therefore karmis have been described as mudha, asses. Asses. And asses, why the […]

Here is a brahmana — what is the proof that he is a brahmana? He has got a sacred thread, that’s all. Or thread. It may not be sacred; purchased from the market. So at least we try to give a sacred thread by ceremony. But anyone can purchase a thread from the market, two-paisa […]

Because it is important, therefore Krsna said, krsi-go-raksya. Why go-raksya required, you do not require any explanation. Krsna said, go-raksya, “You must protect.” That’s all. That is Krsna conscious. Because we have no brain why Krsna — giving up all other animals — He is giving stress on go. And that is meaning. He never said […]

Animal civilization. This is not civilization. No tapasya, no brahmacari. Tapo divyam [SB 5.5.1]. And tapasya begins from brahmacari. Tapasa brahmacaryena samena [SB 6.1.13], to control. Brahmacari guru-grhe vasan dantah [SB 7.12.1]. How to control senses, that is the beginning of life. Not A-B-C-D learning and maybe your character may be less than an animal’s, and you have got a […]

Jamadagni was certainly very powerful due to his austerities, but because of a slight offense by his poor wife, Renuka, he ordered that she be killed. This certainly was a sinful act, and therefore Jamadagni was killed by the sons of Kartaviryarjuna, as described herein. Lord Parasurama was also infected by sin because of killing Kartaviryarjuna, although this […]