1. Swamiji is very conservative, primitive

    Prabhupada: Yes, the average man is… Now we are preaching this cult, but why they are not coming? You have kindly come, but maybe tomorrow you may not come. They’re not eager to understand. They want to be misled. They want to be cheated. That is their progression. They don’t want the truth. Because if he wants the truth, then his life will be spoiled.

    Indian lady: Restriction.

    Prabhupada: Yes. He is living an untruth. The whole world is living on meat-eating, drinking, illicit sex and gambling. And we are restricting, “No, you cannot have illicit sex, you cannot have meat-eating, you cannot indulge in intoxication.” So how many people will come? “Oh, Swamiji is very conservative,” they say. “Swamiji is very conservative, primitive. We are now advanced. We must eat three plates of meat and two bottles of wine. That is advancement of civilization.” What is this nonsense talking? Yes. Some of my students left, “Oh, Swamiji is not allowing even the primary necessities of life.” That is the primary necessities of life. Rayarama left for this purpose.

    So we cannot make any compromise. We don’t make compromise. Therefore, although we are preaching all over the world, our principles are very strict. Anyone who comes seriously, “You cannot do this.” Generally you can come and chant Hare Krsna mantra, that’s all right.

    But if you want to become my disciple, then you have to give up all these bad habits. One who agrees, then I accept him as disciple. If I would say, “Yes, you can do. God has given you senses; you go now, enjoy your senses and chant Hare Krsna,” then I would have gotten millions and trillions. I don’t allow that, such kind of nonsense.

    (Conversation — December 30, 1972, Bombay)