A Day in the Life of Srila Prabhupada - May 09

May 08 - May 10

Srila Prabhupada's letters, lectures and conversations throughout consecutive years

• Click on the year dates to go to the Timeline of Srila Prabhupada's Life for that year.

The Days in the Life of Srila Prabhupada presents 2200+ of his lectures; 905+ of his conversations; 490+ of his morning walks; 65+ of his interviews and 6,570+ of his letters.

This listing covers all available material and includes:

• 10,300+ links to Vanisource - our repository of all of Srila Prabhupada's words;
• 450+ short audio clips - Nectar Drops from Srila Prabhupada sprinkled throughout the months;
• 1,080 short video clips extracted from lectures, conversations, morning walks and interviews, with subtitles in up to 88 languages, sprinkled throughout the months;
• 13,350+ concise statements, drawn from Srila Prabhupada's lectures, conversations and letters, highlighted within quoteboxes;
• For further study on the different subjects addressed, each statement links to the various categories in our thematic section of Vanipedia named Vaniquotes.

These statements from the Days in the Life of Srila Prabhupada offer unparalleled insights into his devotional character; his vision to re-spiritualize human society; his dedication to translate, publish & distribute his books; his expertise to tirelessly lead & manage his worldwide movement; his empowered ability to encourage, care for, train & clearly communicate the disciplines he expects from all his disciples as he engages them in their pursuit of Krsna consciousness & performance of missionary activities. Through all these situations one can also experience how Srila Prahhupada consistently represents the pure teachings of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and His associates.

• See also: A Month in the Life of Srila Prabhupada.

1968 - May 09

Lecture Initiation Brahmana - Boston

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His (Caitanya) mission should be preached not only in India but pṛthivīte, means all over the world ---all cities and all villages, all countries, sarvatra, everywhere, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should be propagated. And He has openly said that anyone—doesn't matter in what, which family or in which country he has taken his birth, anyone who knows this science of Kṛṣṇa, he's eligible to become a Vaiṣṇava or a spiritual master.

Conversation - Boston

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I have to thank Jadurāṇī for nice pictures. She is giving us light about spiritual understanding. So Kṛṣṇa will bless her with greater energy for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Thank you.

1969 - May 09

Lecture Temple Opening - Columbus

Lecture BG 04.01-2 - Columbus

Nectar Drops from Srila Prabhupada

"Advaita means Kṛṣṇa expands Himself. Kṛṣṇa can expand Himself, that is God. Just like I am sitting here, you are sitting here. Suppose you are wanted by your, some relative at home, but if somebody inquires that 'Mr. such-and-such is at home,' so the reply will... 'No. He's not at home'. Kṛṣṇa is not like that. Kṛṣṇa, goloka eva nivasaty akhilātma-bhūtaḥ (BS 5.37) . He is present everywhere. It is not that because Kṛṣṇa was speaking with Arjuna in the battlefield of Kurukṣetra, therefore He was not in the Goloka or Vaikuṇṭha, not only Goloka, Vaikuṇṭha, everywhere. You'll find in the Bhagavad-gītā Kṛṣṇa is here also, now. Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe arjuna tiṣṭhati (BG 18.61). Kṛṣṇa is everyone's heart. In your heart there is Kṛṣṇa, in my heart there is Kṛṣṇa, everyone's heart."

690509 - Lecture BG 04.01-2 - Columbus

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Bhagavad-gītā is not a new thing, a new adventure. And the person who spoke Bhagavad-gītā to the sun-god, does it mean that He left something to be commented by some, these mundane men to understand the meaning of the Bhagavad-gītā? Such a great personality, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, He told something which is to be understood by the interpretation of a mundane scholar?

Lecture Temple Opening - Columbus

Nectar Drops from Srila Prabhupada

"So this Mahābhārata history was specially meant for these classes: woman, worker class and this dvijabandhu class, or the so-called brāhmaṇas and kṣatriyas. But still if you read Mahābhārata you will find that it is difficult even for the greatest scholar of this age. Just like Bhagavad-gītā. Bhagavad-gītā is set up in the Mahābhārata, and originally it was meant for the less-intelligent class of men. So you can just try to understand what class of men existed in those days. Actually it is so. Bhagavad-gītā is such nice philosophical spiritual treatise, whilst taught to Arjuna in the battlefield. So in the battlefield how much time he could spare? And at the point he was going to fight, he thought, “Oh, why shall I fight?” So some instruction was given by Kṛṣṇa—so you can imagine, utmost half an hour or at most one hour He talked—and he understood the whole Bhagavad-gītā. So what class of man was Arjuna? The same Bhagavad-gītā even big scholars of this age, they cannot understand. And Arjuna understood it within half an hour"

690509 - Lecture Temple Opening - Columbus

1970 - May 09

Lecture ISO 07 - Los Angeles

Nectar Drops from Srila Prabhupada

"Our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to bring some men on the platform of goodness. The world requires it now. The world is (in) need of some brāhmaṇas, qualified brāhmaṇas. Not that... You are being trained up to become qualified brāhmaṇas."

700509 - Lecture ISO 07 - Los Angeles

vanipedia.org

You are being trained up to become qualified brahmanas. So be always careful that you may not contact the quality of passion and ignorance. Passion and ignorance will induce you... Kama lobha, lust and greediness. That is the sign of passion and ignorance. And when you are in goodness, then you can see things as they are. Then you can see yourself, that you are not matter; you are spirit soul.

Letter to Candanacarya and Bharadraja written from Los Angeles

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Both of you are expert in singing and musical science as well as painting work. Now by the grace of Krsna your talents are being utilized in His service. That is what we require in Krsna Consciousness. We do not require to qualify very extraordinarily to serve Krsna. Krsna is Self-sufficient, He does not require anyone's service, but still the more we render service unto Him the more we become happy.

Letter to Gurudasa written from Los Angeles

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Please let me know what is the necessity of learning Devanagari script. We are transliterating all our books - Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, Brahma Samhita, etc. - in Roman type, So why you should waste your time in learning Devanagari script?

Letter to Patita Uddharana written from Los Angeles

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You can bind our books in this way, and although it may go slowly just now it is being done very nicely. Then in future you may be able to do our binding here instead of in Japan. You write to say that these are some nice typical examples of your binding work, so it is a great credit because these books any man would be proud to have.

Letter to Satsvarupa written from Los Angeles

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Regarding the Vedas personified, they should be drawn just like you have seen some pictures of great sages. They are young in appearance like perfect Vaisnavas, and they may be shown with tilak and Vaisnava markings in that way.

Letter to Tamala Krishna written from Los Angeles

1972 - May 09

Letter to Amogha written from Honolulu

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I am very much pleased to hear from you that all the programs in Melbourne are increasing enthusiastically under your supervision. I like Melbourne very much. One thing is, too much competition between centers is not good, the emphasis should be on cooperation, not competition.

Letter to Bali-mardana written from Honolulu

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I am very much disturbed that I shall work so hard and the manuscripts are lost. If they are not in that trunk, then I shall have to translate 14, 15, and 16 (part) again?

Letter to Bhavananda written from Honolulu

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The servant must know what is God, what does He do, how He is satisfied: these things should be preached to them. How one is accepted as God, what are the symptoms: these things they should learn.

Letter to Damodara written from Honolulu

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So far your management of different centers in Eastern Zone, I have already advised Rupanuga to do the needful; if there is waste then you can merge various centres. You can thin milk by adding water and you can make it thick by boiling.

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Better to develop the small number of devotees we have, make them truly Krishna conscious boys and girls than to go on getting many followers who do not understand and practice the real principles. Better one moon that many stars.

Letter to Rupanuga written from Honolulu

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It is not good if such big temples who are setting the example for the whole Society do not pay their bills. This is most irregular. I am trying to retire from the administrative affairs, but if the presidents and GBC men make such disturbances then how I can be peaceful? Things should be maintained automatically, then it will be peaceful for me.

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Now I want that we shall concentrate on making our devotees Krishna conscious and ourselves becoming Krishna conscious, and not be so much concerned with expanding ourselves widely but without any spiritual content. Just like boiling the milk, it becomes thicker and sweeter. Now do like that, boil the milk.

Letter to Satsvarupa written from Honolulu

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Your observations are nice, and I think this will be a nice way to arrange the world into zones for GBC management.

1973 - May 09

Morning Walk - Los Angeles

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Real yogic process is to find out Paramatma, but side by side, many other dormant powers become awakened. Another example: that tree is producing chemicals. So every living entity has got dormant potencies, more or less.

Lecture SB 01.08.47 - Los Angeles

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Dhira means one who is not disturbed. That requires training. In great dangerous position, one is not disturbed, that is not ordinary thing. Therefore the word has been used, dhira. Dhira and adhira. There are two classes of men. Dhira means acts very conscientiously, without being disturbed by the external factors.

Letter to Caturbhuja written from Los Angeles

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Conditioned soul means one who has accepted something illusion as reality. Conditioned means that due to imperfect desires the spirit soul becomes dependent on material conditions for his satisfaction.

Letter to Jayapataka and Bhavananda written from Los Angeles

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Regarding keeping the Mohammedans in our temple I have no objection provided they follow or rules and regulations. Our philosophy is that we are not this body, outer tabernacle, but one must stick to our principles and live with us like other devotees. The difficulty will be the Mohammadans will not agree to shave their heads and beards.

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Side by side increase our spiritual consciousness by attending to the temple routine work, Deity worship sankirtana, attending class. The idea is we must have the necessities of our life as far as possible independently. But we should not be business minded. Our main business is to develop our dormant Krsna Consciousness.

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Most of my students are coming from the Christian and Jewish groups but because they agreed to follow our principles there was no difficulty to organize the society. Similarly Mohammedan or anyone else who has no objection to our principles is welcome.

1974 - May 09

Morning Walk - Bombay

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They cannot understand what is the meaning of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They are such dull-headed men. They have no brain to understand. They are coming down again. Just like the dog's tail. Know, dog's tail? They are hearing about this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The aim is the body, the dog's tail. They are hearing daily about Kṛṣṇa, but they cannot understand. It is very difficult.

Letter to Caru written from Bombay

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Your entering politics is good. You should make political propagation on the basis of reforming the whole human society. The leaders must be an ideal class of men, with ideal character, free from the four sinful activities: no meat eating, no gambling, no illicit sex and no intoxications, as well as chanting.

Letter to Gangamayi written from Bombay

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Your comment is well taken that you have little or no knowledge of the politics. So you remain uninvolved and just continue to simply follow the authorities and concentrate on improving the Deity worship.

Letter to Jayapataka and Bhavananda written from Bombay

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You write that you are very careful utilizing funds that are sent for that particular purpose. In all matters of management this careful attitude must be taken. I have been requesting my disciples for sometime to release me from the management aspects of ISKCON so I can be free to translate.

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And you two are managing one of our biggest centers. I cannot close my eyes when there are big management difficulties, so when I see things going wrong, money mispent, things not used properly, then I have to take part. But if you can relieve me of worry of management in Mayapur it will be a great relief for me. Krsna will give you more and more intelligence on how to do this if you sincerely endeavor.

Letter to Madhava written from Bombay

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Yes there is no objection to your casting clay forms of Deities into plaster. I understand you are a nice artist in this medium, so make Deities of Gaura-Nitai and send me photographs of the forms.

Letter to Manager of Liberty Bank written from Bombay

Letter to Radhavallabha written from Bombay

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Now you are preparing the publications of Vol.1 and Vol.3 of Caitanya Caritamrta. As far as subtitles all the volumes should have on the cover just as it is on the cover of Vol.2, "The Pastimes of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu". As for the subtitle on the inside title page which is now printed in Vol.2 as "Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in the renounced Order of Life"

Letter to Ramesvara written from Bombay

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You are always broadcasting the glories of the Sankirtana movement in the shape of ISKCONs book distribution and surely you will be recognized by Lord Caitanya for your unbounded enthusiasm and expertise in seeing that my books are distributed all over the world.

Letter to Tejiyas written from Bombay

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Regarding moving our New Delhi center from its present location to a smaller place, I would advise you to first investigate the building which is now being rented by an old disciple of mine, who you have met, Acarya Prabhaker.

Letter to Visala and Visalini written from Bombay

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You are both exemplary Vaisnavas and I want that you, husband and wife, preach together. So you are part of our Vrindaban center. When you can return there spend your time always studying my books, chanting and preaching to the people of Vrindaban, with real understanding of this science of Krishna.

1975 - May 09

Morning Walk - Perth

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Gaṇeśa: Śrīla Prabhupāda, if the knowledge was handed down by the saintly kings, evaṁ paramparā-prāptam (BG 4.2), how is it that the knowledge was lost? Prabhupāda: When it was not handed down. Simply understood by speculation. Or if it is not handed down as it is. They might have made some changes. Or they did not hand it down. Suppose I handed it down to you, but if you do not do that, then it is lost.

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Now the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is going on in my presence. Now after my deparature, if you do not do this, then it is lost. If you go on as you are doing now, then it will go on. But if you stop...

Letter to G.L. Nanda written from Perth

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Every living being is eternal, unborn and still he has accepted the path of birth, death, old age and disease, so the human being should be taught and trained up how to get out of this miserable condition of material life.

Letter to Mr. Fletcher written from Perth

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You are very fortunate to be taking part in the Krishna Consciousness movement. If you take it very seriously, then you will not have to take another birth in this miserable material world. You can go back to home, back to Godhead at the end of this life. So, my request is that you take it up very boldly and finish your business in this material world.

Letter to Pavanadeva written from Perth

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Do not be discouraged. Simply follow all of the rules and regulations very carefully. Rise early, attend mangala arati, attend class, chant 16 rounds and follow the four basic rules and regulations. This is most important. Without these things, there is no spiritual life. If your try sincerely, then Krishna will give you all blessings.

Letter to Satkrita written from Perth

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Why do you write such a crazy letter? You cannot write like a normal person? Anyway, I hope that you are following all of the rules and regulations very carefully without any deviation. Try to work hard for Krishna and co-operate very nicely with the temple authorities.

1976 - May 09

Lecture SB 06.01.08 - Honolulu

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We are part and parcel of God, every one of us. So we remain always pure, but account of material attachment, we are suffering. This is the position. So therefore the diseased condition of our present life has to be treated. What is that treatment? To become detached. On account of attachment we are suffering.

Letter to Abhirama written from Honolulu

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Please let me know how negotiations are going on with acquiring the park across the way, for making "Bhaktivedanta Park." You should concentrate on getting the park. The house is of secondary importance.

Letter to Balabhadra written from Honolulu

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Try to follow the formula recommended practically by Srila Rupa Goswami, that 50% of one's income be spent for propagating Krishna Consciousness. That will be very nice, and then your business endeavours will surely be pleasing unto the Supreme Lord.

Letter to Gopala Krishna and Tejiyas written from Honolulu

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Now, you must be very sure to keep a stock of each and every book so that you can supply all of these orders immediately. You may require a stock of some 300 of each and every volume. So, contact Ramesvara Maharaja and compare your stocks with what you may require in the near future. The point is that you must have these books in stock in order to supply the orders promptly.

Letter to Personal Secretary to the President of the United States written from Honolulu

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Why shouldn't this spiritual education be given to the American people in an organized way? The whole world is going down and becoming Godless. If the American people, who trust in God, constitutionally, take this movement seriously, it will be a great service to the human society. We are prepared to cooperate in this connection if the American Government takes it very seriously.

Letter to Ramesvara written from Honolulu

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Now, there must be sufficient stock of each book in our India warehouse to supply all of these orders immediately. I have written one letter to both Tejyas and Gopala Krishna in this connection, now you should find out their inventory and see that they have sufficient books to meet all of the orders promptly.

Letter to Sri K. K. Joshi written from Honolulu

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We are preaching on the basis of the Vedic literatures, which are considered to be the most authentic knowledge by Indian scholars, religionists, and people in general. This authenticity is being appreciated now by all scholarly sections throughout the whole world. Our books are being received by all libraries, universities, and scholarly persons, and I wish also that your institution may also order for all these books so that you can understand our point of view.

Letter to Susheel Asnani written from Honolulu

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Whenever you find time please go to the Bombay temple and offer your sincere obeisances to Lord Krishna. Nobody's life will continue in this material world but if we practice Krishna Consciousness, then certainly by giving up this body one goes back to Home, back to Godhead.

Letter to Temple President and GBC for Hawaii written from Honolulu

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I have consented that when and if a new set of Pancatattva Deities are installed in the Hawaii Temple, the old set of Pancatattva Deities may be given to Govinda dasi. Please comply this at the said time, as Govinda dasi would like to worship these Deities if new Deities are installed in the Temple.

Letter to Trivikrama written from Honolulu

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It is understood that you have come back from Korea. I do not know why you have come back. You wanted to organize our preaching there. If Korea attempt has not proven very fruitful, you can come immediately to the U.S.A.

1977 - May 09

Conversation - Hrishikesh

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From historical reference it is so, but it can go still farther, and in that way India's glories will be magnified. But unfortunately, our leaders and government are callous. They do not know what is India's glory and how India's glory can be distributed. They are trying that India's glory will be magnified by imitating Western way of life. This is the defect. They can understand that the Western way of life has not given them actual happiness.

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