A Day in the Life of Srila Prabhupada - December 20

December 19 - December 21

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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.

1966 - December 20

Lecture BG 09.29-32 - New York

Nectar Drops from Srila Prabhupada

"Suppose I have got some bad character from the beginning of my life, but I have understood that "Kṛṣṇa consciousness is very nice. I shall take to it." So I am trying, trying my best. But at the same time, because I am habituated to something, I cannot give it up. Although I know that this, my habit, is not good, but still, habit is the second nature. I cannot give it up. So Lord Kṛṣṇa recommends that "Still, he is good. There is no question that he is not a sādhu or he is not an honest, he is not religious man. That simple one qualification, that he is Kṛṣṇa conscious, and he is acting sincerely, but failing sometime, but still, he is to be taken as sādhu." Sādhu means honest, religious, pious."

661220 - Lecture BG 09.29-32 - New York

vanipedia.org

Just like we become devoted, similarly, God also becomes devoted to us. You don't think that one-sided devotion. No. Just like love is never one-sided. Love is reciprocation, reciprocation. Similarly, although God is great, He becomes a devotee of the devotee. He takes pleasure in that way.

Lecture CC Madhya 20.298 - New York

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The diamond is made by the interaction of sunshine. All these valuable stones, they are products of sunshine. So as the diamond has got power of shining power, it is derived from the sun, or diamond, the moon also, it derives power from the sun, similarly, Brahmā, although he is very powerful, he is known as creator of this universe, but he is just like diamond. He inherits power from the Supreme Lord, so he becomes powerful.

1968 - December 20

Lecture BG 03.01-5 - Los Angeles

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A sannyāsī, a renounced order of life, his main business is to spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or God consciousness. That is his real business. But if one has not the taste what is Kṛṣṇa consciousness, simply accept sannyāsa, then he will do all this nonsense work.

vanipedia.org

This Krsna consciousness movement is not to remain in a secluded place to get cheap advertisement, "Oh, that man is meditating." No. Go, practically work.

vanipedia.org

You'll find that a student is advised to question to the spiritual master. Tad viddhi. You should understand the transcendental science by the process of... First thing is surrender; then question, and sevā, service. Surrender and service and question. Simply if you question, and don't surrender, don't render any service, then it will be simply waste of time.

vanipedia.org

We should not become religious fanatics, nor dry mental speculators. Both these classes of men are dangerous. They cannot make any advance. The combination. You should be religious, but try to understand each and every line philosophically.

vanipedia.org

I have been able to come to this stage of renunciation forgetting my all relationship with my wife and children and family and home because I was trained gradually. I was trained as brahmacārī, as gṛhastha by the mercy of our spiritual master. Therefore I don't feel anything. But abruptly, if we take to sannyāsa order, then... We have seen many persons abruptly taking or without understanding the self-realization process. He fails. He again comes back to the materialistic way of life in a different form.

Letter to Rupanuga written from Los Angeles

vanipedia.org

Regarding your question of the planetary systems, the planets are arranged in each universe in layers like the petals of a lotus. But in each layer there is mixed both heavenly, hellish and middle planets. On the outside layer there are these three kinds of planets, on the middle layers there are the three kinds of planets and on the inner-most layer there are found these three kinds of planets. Above these layers, in the center, is the Brahmaloka where Lord Brahma, the creator is residing.

1969 - December 20

Letter to Himavati written from London

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I am especially proud how my householder disciples are preaching Lord Caitanya's Mission. This is a new thing in the history of the Sankirtana Movement. In India all the acaryas and their descendants later on acted only from the man's side. Their wives were at home because that is the system from old times that women are not required to go out. But in Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also equally competent like the men in the matter of Krishna Consciousness Movement.

vanipedia.org

Please therefore carry on these missionary activities, and prove it by practical example that there is no bar for anyone in the matter of preaching work for Krishna Consciousness.

Letter to Manager of Lloyds Bank written from London

1970 - December 20

Lecture Hindi - Surat

Lecture SB 06.01.38 - Surat

Letter to Jayapataka written from Surat

vanipedia.org

We are not interested in realizing the rent from the house; we need the place for our own accommodation. Therefore vacant possession is essential. The best thing will be that let them give us possession of the ground floor and we are prepared to pay them proportionately immediately up to two lakhs of rupees or more.

1972 - December 20

Lecture Manipuri Dancing Group - Bombay

1973 - December 20

Morning Walk - Los Angeles

vanipedia.org

Karandhara: There is one very famous philosopher named Dubrown. He had a saying that "Some men say that you become intoxicated by wine, but I become sobered by wine." Prabhupāda: That can be accepted. "One man's food, another man's poison." That is going on everywhere. But for that reason one cannot accept poison as food. Is it not? Just like stool is food for the pigs. But that does not mean stool is food. It may be food for a certain class of animal.

Lecture SB 01.15.42 - Los Angeles

vanipedia.org

The theory of conservation of energy, that is imperfection. All energy are conserved in that Supreme Personality of Godhead. They have got little idea of this, wherefrom the energies are coming, but not perfectly. The modern scientist, they can simply think of "conservation of energy." But where is that conservation, that they do not know. That is the missing point.

Letter to Atreya Rsi written from Los Angeles

vanipedia.org

We are having a GBC meeting and your presence is required. After the Mayapur ceremony when I am coming to Europe, I will stop in Tehran for two or three days.

Letter to Haribolananda written from Los Angeles

vanipedia.org

Yes, we want to develop our land there and Bhaktivedanta Manor very nicely with cows and gardens. So after discussing the matter fully with Madhavananda and Mukunda you make a practical plan for doing this, simultaneously carrying on the Sankirtana program and book distribution.

Letter to Mukunda written from Los Angeles

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Regarding the entry certificate from the Home Office of Great Britain, what is the value of such a certificate if it remains at the discretion of the local immigration officer whether or not the certificate can be expeditious in passing through immigration? If you are able to get such an entry certificate for me in London then go ahead, otherwise I do not think it is worth the botheration for me to apply personally.

1974 - December 20

Lecture SB 03.26.08 - Bombay

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Don't try to elevate yourself materially. That will not make you happy. Just try to get out of these material clutches and begin your spiritual life. That will make you happy. That is the only source of happiness. Otherwise it is not. The same example, that if you are put into the ocean—you may be very good swimmer—it will be great struggle; you can keep yourself floating; but that is not happiness. Happiness is different thing.

Letter to Dr. Santosh Kumar written from Bombay

vanipedia.org

.Satya Sai Baba, he wants to claim himself as Bhagavan, unfortunately. He can not give any faultless message. The definition of Bhagavan is given in the sastras as one who possesses six kinds of opulences. Nobody is greater than Bhagavan, Krsna. Therefore if we take Krsna's message we will actually be benefited, otherwise not.

Letter to Jayadvaita written from Bombay

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When one associates with one who is in illusion or mislead naturally he will also become influenced by that illusion. So you must pray to Krsna to protect you from such bad association.

1975 - December 20

Morning Walk - Bombay

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One who is constantly engaged in Krsna's service, to him He gives intelligence, not to the rascals. Krsna is there, but - even in the heart of the pig or dog - but He does not give any instruction to the pig and dog.

Lecture BG 07.01 - Bombay

Vrndavana Means that Krishna Is the Center - 0367
06:26 minutes from a lecture on BG 07.01 in Bombay

vanipedia.org

Kṛṣṇa... Kṛṣṇa, Vṛndāvana means that Kṛṣṇa is the center. He is the lovable object of everyone. The gopīs, the cowherd boys, the calves, the cows, the trees, the fruits, flowers, the father, mother—everyone is attached to Kṛṣṇa. That is Vṛndāvana.

vanipedia.org

So our, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is bhāgavata-dharma, to teach throughout the whole world that God is great and we are small particle part and parcel of God, our duty is to serve God, that is bhakti. Ānukūlyena kṛṣṇānuśīlanam when you favorably serve Kṛṣṇa, be ready to get orders from Kṛṣṇa and serve Him, that is perfection of life.

vanipedia.org

We do not want to become alone guru, but we want to preach in such a way that every, the chief man, or any man, he can become guru in his surroundings.

1976 - December 20

Lecture Hindi - Wardha

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Eight thousand years ago the Lord was Himself speaking the Bhagavad Gita, it was destroyed at that time. Why? The disciplic succession was destroyed. That is why the Lord states that the ancient yoga, it is not that I am creating one now and speaking to you now, no! I am speaking this to you only.

Conversation - Wardha

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By the calculation it is forty millions of years ago. Now who will believe that, that Kṛṣṇa spoke this Bhagavad-gītā forty millions of years ago to the sun-god? Hmm? Who will believe that? They'll say mythology. So where is the faith in Bhagavad-gītā and faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa?

Arrival - Bombay

Conversation - Bombay

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Unless mother is good, the son cannot be good. Our Mahāṁśa, he is coming from Parsi family. So in the beginning his mother came to fight with me—not fighting—but now she is very happy. Sudhāmā returned; his mother said, "You have come to here? Immediately go again." Just see. After all, mother wants actual happiness of the son.

Letter to Jayatirtha written from Bombay

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The building on Soho is nice, I've seen it. Your idea to in the future build a major temple is very good. Then we can either sell the building on Soho or we can keep it for a restaurant if it is profitable. We can make the whole building a restaurant or a hotel. The Indians would like a completely vegetarian hotel.

Letter to M. M. De written from Bombay

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Regarding Bhuvanesvara temple, whatever you have said is alright, but we have received estimate much less than that of yours. It is almost 50% less than what you have said. Besides that we are not prepared to spend so much for this project. So, for the time drop this matter.

Letter to Rupanuga written from Bombay

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Kirtanananda's offer to Brisakapi is good. If one is fully engaged in preaching, his mind will be subdued. That is the only way. Yadavadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravinde.

Letter to Tamala Krishna written from Bombay

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Your book distribution report is very encouraging. If I see our leaders are enthusiastic, that gives me more enthusiasm. Your suggestion to get new buses is good. I always recommended that. I don't like old vehicles. I think one hundred buses are not sufficient for America. You propose to induce the American people to surrender to Lord Caitanya by expansion of book distribution, that is wanted.

December 19 - December 21