Srila Prabhupada's Quote Of The Day

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December 3

Next January there will be an examination on this Bhagavad-gita. Papers will be sent by me to all centers, and those securing the minimum passing grade will be given the title of Bhaktisastri. Similarly, another examination will be held on Lord Caitanya's appearance day in February 1970, and it will be upon Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita. Those passing will get the title of Bhaktivaibhava. Another examination will be held sometime in 1971 on the four books, Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and The Nectar of Devotion. One who will pass this examination will be awarded with the title of Bhaktivedanta. I want all of my spiritual sons and daughters will inherit this title of Bhaktivedanta so that the family transcendental diploma of Bhaktivedanta will continue through the generations. Those possessing the title of Bhaktivedanta will be allowed to initiate disciples. Maybe by 1975, all of my disciples will be allowed to initiate and increase the numbers of the generations. This is my program.

Letter to Hamsaduta, 3 December, 1968

December 2

When we act in this position of Krishna's servitor very soon we understand that this is our natural, constitutional position, and thus we regain our constitutional qualities of eternity, bliss and knowledge. Actually these qualities are always there, but now they have been covered up by material contamination. But as Lord Caitanya has recommended, by this process of Sankirtana which we are propagating throughout the world the heart will very soon become cleansed of all such material misgivings.

Letter to Yadavananda, 2 December, 1969

December 1

My Guru Maharaja used to say, "One who has got life, he can preach.''

Letter to Jayananda, 1 December, 1973

November 30

Yesterday my deities were dressed with the clothing you made and it appears so nice. I do not know whether you have time to make similarly a few other sets. It will be very nice. I know that you are the most expert in making dresses than all others so therefore I request you that you may make at least two or three sets of dresses as you have already made.

Letter to Himavati, 30 November, 1968

November 29

In so many different ways, Krsna is convincing how the spirit soul is immortal. In different ways. Avyakto 'yam. It is not manifest to the blunt material eyes. We cannot see. Because as we have explained several times, the magnitude of the soul is one ten-thousandth part of the tip of the hair, very small. I think, smaller than the atom. That spirit soul is everywhere. Sarva-ga. Sarva-gata. Everywhere. Andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham [Bs. 5.35]. And wherever the spirit soul is there within this material world, he has got a body and there is heart, and within that heart, Krsna is also there. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. Both of them, living there. Therefore anor aniyan mahato mahiyan. Krsna can become greater than the greatest and the smaller than the smallest. This is God.

Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.25, Hyderabad, 29 November, 1972

November 28

I have got now this body, Indian body, and then, next body may be cat's and dog's or demigod's, according to my karma. So the body changes. So sanatana-dharma cannot be applied to this body. Sanatana-dharma means the characteristic of the soul. That is sanatana-dharma, to understand the characteristic of the soul. Krsna is describing here the characteristic of the soul: sanatana. And at the conclusion, He gives you information of the sanatana-dharma. What is that? Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. This is sanatana-dharma. Krsna is sanatana, I am sanatana, you are sanatana.

Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.24, Hyderabad, November 28, 1972

November 27

Regarding prasadam, leftovers should always be taken if they have not spoiled or if they have not been touched by diseased persons. We should never waste Krishna prasadam. Best thing is to cook only what is required and then give each person what he wants. That is the Vedic system, that the people sit in rows behind their plates and servers pass down the rows and put a very small portion of each foodstuff on each plate, unless there is some objection by a person then nothing is given. Then if anyone wants more, the servers pass up and down the rows continually and give more if anyone requests. In this way nothing is wasted and everyone is satisfied.

Letter to Kirtiraja das, 27 November, 1971

November 26

If one is thoroughly engaged in Krishna's service, this sex urge does not have much disturbance. But you have got to work outside with karmis and different types of people. Under the circumstances, if you have a good wife to help you, that will be very nice. Another difficulty is that in modern civilization everyone is independent spirited. The girls are no longer very much humble and submissive to their husbands.

Letter to Gopala Krishna, 26 November, 1969

November 25

So it is a good thing that you have distributed books to the son and daughter of the President. This is another example how the book distribution is better than the Street Sankirtana alone. Now the books are in the President's house, but by your chanting you could never approach the President's house. That the body guards allowed our devotee to sell them the books, means that they accept us as good people who do not cause harm. Most probably when entering the house and seeing the father, the daughter would say see what I have purchased today.

Letter to Ramesvara das, 25 November, 1974

November 24

Regarding your question about Supersoul, we take it from Bhagavad-gita philosophy that the distinction between Supersoul and individual jiva soul must always be there. The Supersoul never will fall under the clutches of this illusory maya and the jiva soul has this tendency. So there is distinction, yet, the two, Supersoul and jiva soul are also the same as much as the sunlight and the Sun are qualitatively the same. So this is Krishna's message that we are simultaneously one and different from Krishna. When the jiva soul accepts the dictates of the Supreme consciousness Supersoul, his activities will no longer be for the sake of personal sense gratification but will be only for the purpose of gratifying the senses of Krishna. This attitude of service is the perfection of the living entity.

Letter to Hamsaduta, 24 November, 1968

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