PADA: For a number of years now Rocana das has been saying we need "a living speaker" or one of Rocana's "living gurus" to transmit spiritual understanding. Unfortunately, many of the people Rocana selected as his "living speakers" were speaking all kinds of nonsense, while they were engaged in debauchery. Meanwhile, we said all along that the real source of transcendence is the spiritual vani of the pure devotee Srila Prabhupada.
Seems like, albeit gradually, by our pulling and dragging Rocana along, while he has been kicking and screaming in protest, he is finally agreeing -- our idea is right, and so he is printing more articles like this one (ys pd):
BY: RAKSHANA DAS
The quotes contained in this paper are support for the efficacy of the many forms of transcendental sound vibration imparted by the spiritual master and the Lord, especially the vibration of pure Vedic scripture as spoken by Srila Prabhupada. They are not a challenge or alternative to the eternal principle of accepting a 'bona fide' spiritual master and surrendering unto him. Nor are they meant to obfuscate the potential for higher understanding and taste experienced in saintly association.
Unfortunately, devotees in some Gaudiya Vaisnava societies believe that transcendental sound cannot be fully potent unless the speaker is physically present within earshot. Of equal concern is the ISKCON strategy of creating ever-new imaginative directives aimed at corralling followers into subservient impotence.
Some of the quotes are well known to quite a few devotees, although repetition of transcendental knowledge is never redundant. These quotes are simply a window toward understanding the glorious variety of spiritual relationships sanctioned by the Lord, and an opportunity to admire the qualities of all genuine devotees, regardless of status of initiation.
13 January, 1969, Lecture: Srila Prabhupada: "So although a physical body is not present, the vibration should be accepted as the presence of the Spiritual Master, vibration. What we have heard from the Spiritual Master, that is living."
Paramahamsa: My question is, a pure devotee, when he comments on Bhagavad-gita, someone who never sees him physically, but he just comes in contact with the commentary, explanation, is this the same thing?
Srila Prabhupada: "Yes, you can associate with Krishna by reading Bhagavad-gita. And these saintly persons, they have given their explanations, comments. So where is the difficulty?"
Elevation to Krishna Consciousness:
"Some people complain that when they pray to God they do not feel His presence. We should know that this is due to our incapacities, not God's... The physical conception is temporary, whereas the vibrational conception is eternal. When we enjoy or relish the vibration of Krishna's teachings in Bhagavad-gita, or when we chant Hare Krishna, we should know that by those vibrations He is immediately present. He is absolute, and because of this His vibration is just as important as His physical presence... Such association with Krishna and the spiritual master should be association by vibration, not physical presence. That is real association. We put so much stress on seeing, but when Krishna was present on this earth, so many people saw Him and did not realise that He is God; so what is the advantage of seeing? By seeing Krishna, we will not understand Him, but by listening carefully to His teachings, we can come to the platform of understanding. We can touch Krishna immediately by sound vibration; therefore we should give more stress to the sound vibration of Krishna and of the spiritual master – then we'll feel happy and won't feel separation."
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.7.8:
"Srimad-Bhagavatam is so made that one becomes at once engaged in the path of self-realization simply by hearing the topics. Although it is especially meant for the paramahamsas, or those who are totally engaged in self-realization, it works into the depths of the hearts of those who may be worldly men."
22 March, 1974:
"The spiritual knowledge, brahma, brahma-vidya, sabda-brahma, the Vedic knowledge...Just like in the Bhagavad-gita, the words written in this book, Bhagavad-gita, although it appears like ordinary letters, they are not like that. It is Vedic vibration."
19 November, 1974, Lecture: "So that light is given by guru. Ajnana-timirandhasya jananjana-salakaya. That light is given not by bringing one torchlight, but jnananjana-salakaya, the light of knowledge. The light of...Jnananjansalakaya. Caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri gurave namah. Guru's business is to give you light by knowledge. Then you understand. Tasmad gurum prapadyeta jijnasuh sreya uttamam. How the jnana, knowledge, light is given? Sabde pare ca nisnatam brahmany upasamasrayam. This is the guru's system, guru's symptom, what is guru. Sabde pare ca nisnatam. He has completely assimilated the Vedic essence of life. That is called guru. And what is sabda? Sastra, or Vedas. Sruti-sastra. Sruti means Veda, knowledge."
25 January, 1975, Lecture: "So God is speaking Bhagavad-gita. Just like reading, Krishna is speaking. So hear it, God speaking, the sound. The devotees are chanting Hare Krishna, that is God, that sound is God, sabda-brahma."
19 October, 1974, Letter to Rupanuga: "Anyone who reads the books that is also chanting and hearing. Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting. Anyone who reads, he is hearing."
17 May, 1977, Vrindavan, Arrival Conversation: "So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavour. Whether I am present or not present it doesn't matter."
11 November, 1974, Letter to Brahmarupa: "In my books the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop."
18 February, 1976, Room Conversation: "After 80 years, no one can be expected to live long. My life is almost ended. So you have to carry on, and these books will do everything."
13 May, 1973, Morning Walk: Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, when you're not present with us, how is it possible to receive instructions? For example in questions that may arise...
Srila Prabhupada: Well the answers are there in my books.
7 January, 1976, Letter to Upendra: "So utilize whatever time you find to make a thorough study of my books. Then all your questions will be answered."
24 January, 1970, Letter to Randhira: "Every one of you must regularly read our books at least twice, in the morning and evening, and automatically all questions will be answered."
Teachings of Lord Chaitanya, Chapter 23: "This is the system of receiving instructions from the Supersoul. Externally He is not to be seen, but internally He speaks to the devotee. That is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita. The Lord dictates from within one who is sincerely engaged in His service, and the Lord acts in such a way that such a person can ultimately attain the supreme goal of life."
1969, Letter to Ananda: "Don't feel yourself to be alone because Krishna is always with you. Krishna is always with every living entity as Supersoul, and to His devotee especially He talks and gives instructions how to attain the perfectional stage of meeting Him. So don't feel alone."
18 August, 1968, Lecture: "So we should associate by vibration, and not by the physical presence. That is real association."
Srimad Bhagavatam 3.31.48, Purport: "It is sometimes misunderstood that if one has to associate with persons engaged in devotional service, he will not be able to solve the economic problem. To answer this argument, it is described here that one has to associate with liberated persons not directly, physically, but by understanding, through philosophy and logic, the problems of life."
6 October, 1977, Room Conversation: Paramananda: We're always feeling your presence very strongly, Srila Prabhupada, simply by your teachings and instructions. We're always meditating on your instructions.
Srila Prabhupada : Thank you. That is the real presence. Physical presence is not important.
30 June, 1974, Letter: "As far as my blessing is concerned, it does not require my physical presence. If you are chanting Hare Krishna there, and following my instructions, reading the books, taking only Krishna prasadam, etc, then there is no question of your not receiving the blessing of Lord Chaitanya, whose mission I am humbly trying to push on."
21 July, 1975, Room Conversation: Tamala Krishna: Can a Christian in this age, without a Spiritual Master, but by reading the Bible, and following Jesus' words, reach the...
Srila Prabhupada: When you read the Bible, you follow the Spiritual Master. How can you say without? As soon as you read the Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ. That means that you are following the Spiritual Master. So where is the opportunity of being without Spiritual Master?"
Madhudvisa: I was referring to a living Spiritual Master.
Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual Master is not question of...Spiritual Master is eternal...so your question is 'without Spiritual Master'. Without Spiritual Master you cannot be at any stage of your life. You may accept this Spiritual Master or that Spiritual Master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that 'by reading Bible', when you read Bible that means you are following the Spiritual Master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ.
Chaitanya-caritamrita Adi 1.35: "There is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual master himself."
Back To Godhead Article, 'Search for the Divine': "If you have understood this Krishna philosophy and if you have decided that you will take Krishna consciousness seriously and preach the philosophy to others; that is your initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination that is initiation."
16 October, 1976, Chandigarh: "…well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing."
22 November, 1974, Letter to Babhrupa dasa: "In my books the philosophy of Krishna consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop."
1975, Berkley, Interview:
21 July, 1975, Room Conversation: Tamala Krishna: Can a Christian in this age, without a Spiritual Master, but by reading the Bible, and following Jesus' words, reach the...
Srila Prabhupada: When you read the Bible, you follow the Spiritual Master. How can you say without? As soon as you read the Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ. That means that you are following the Spiritual Master. So where is the opportunity of being without Spiritual Master?"
Madhudvisa: I was referring to a living Spiritual Master.
Srila Prabhupada: Spiritual Master is not question of...Spiritual Master is eternal...so your question is 'without Spiritual Master'. Without Spiritual Master you cannot be at any stage of your life. You may accept this Spiritual Master or that Spiritual Master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that 'by reading Bible', when you read Bible that means you are following the Spiritual Master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ.
Chaitanya-caritamrita Adi 1.35: "There is no difference between the spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual master himself."
Back To Godhead Article, 'Search for the Divine': "If you have understood this Krishna philosophy and if you have decided that you will take Krishna consciousness seriously and preach the philosophy to others; that is your initiation. My touch is simply a formality. It is your determination that is initiation."
16 October, 1976, Chandigarh: "…well, initiation or no initiation, first thing is knowledge. Initiation is formality. Just like you go to a school for knowledge, and admission is formality. That is not very important thing."
22 November, 1974, Letter to Babhrupa dasa: "In my books the philosophy of Krishna consciousness is explained fully so if there is anything which you do not understand, then you simply have to read again and again. By reading daily the knowledge will be revealed to you and by this process your spiritual life will develop."
1975, Berkley, Interview:
Reporter: Who will succeed you when you die?
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die. I will live forever from my books and you will utilize.
12 April, 1968, Letter: "Regarding the parampara system: there is nothing to wonder for big gaps. We have to pick up the prominent acarya and follow from him."
28 May, 1968, Letter: "Just like Krishna can be present simultaneously in millions of places, similarly the spiritual master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body."
Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Poem: "He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die, when thou art living still in sound."
Srimad Bhagavatam, Dedication, 1962: "He lives forever by his divine instructions, and the follower lives with him."
28 January, 1975, Lecture: "So God is speaking Bhagavad-gita. Just like reading, Krishna is speaking. So hear it, God speaking, the sound. The devotees are chanting Hare Krishna, that is God, that sound is God, Sabda-brahma. This is the way. And if you want to see God, you can see also. That is prescribed here."
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.24.40: "The Vedas are known as sabda-brahma because evidence taken from the Vedas constitutes the ultimate understanding. This is because sabda-brahma, or the Vedas, represents the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, the real essence of sabda-brahma is the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. By vibrating this transcendental sound, the meaning of everything, both material and spiritual, is revealed."
Teachings of Lord Kapila, Chapter 4: "One must find a guru to whom one can surrender, and if this is not possible, one shouldn't waste his time."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 3.33. 37: Translation: The description of the dealings of Kapiladeva and His mother is very confidential, and anyone who hears or reads this narration becomes a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is carried by Garuda, and he thereafter enters into the abode of the Supreme Lord to engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
Purport: The narration of Kapiladeva and His mother, Devahuti, is so perfect and transcendental that even if one only hears or reads this description, he achieves the highest perfectional goal of life, for he engages in the loving service of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
[This is one of the many, many benedictions offered by the Lord and the Vaishnavas to those who read (hear) transcendental narrations.]
Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.1.14, Lecture, 1970: "As soon as you see "It is Krishna's," that is perfection. Why you bother about inside? Why don't you see outside? This outside whose property it is? Krishna has simply hidden Himself inside and He is not outside? Inside He is also. Isvara sarva-bhutana hrd-dese 'rjuna. That's nice. But why not outside? Then what is this outside? That is also explained by Krishna: "It is Mine." So inside and outside you have to see. Any man can see outside. Any child, if I say, if I teach a child, "Well, this everything you see, it is Krishna's," what is the wrong there? This tape recorder is Krishna's, this microphone is Krishna's, this fire is Krishna's. What is the wrong there? Krishna has kindly given me. So I should feel obliged, "Krishna, You are so kind that You have given this fire so I am not suffering." Is that not Krishna consciousness? We want to teach that. Not a bogus thing, "I am seeing within Krishna." Why not outside? What is the wrong there? Tell me what is. Is it clear or not?"
Bhagavad-gita 3.31-43, Lecture, 1969: "People may say, "What they are doing? They are also eating, they are also cooking, and offering Krishna, and they say it is Krishna conscious. What is the difference between this foodstuff with the hotel foodstuff?" In this way they may think. "Oh, they are also typewriting, they are also using dictaphone and this tape recorder and all this material." But they do not know that everything is being used for Krishna. Therefore there is far different. There is no lust. So you can utilize everything if it is in Krishna consciousness, not for satisfaction of your lust. Then your life is sublime."
Bhagavad-gita 9.34, Lecture, 1966: "Therefore what is the difference between materialism and spiritualism? The same typewriter is there. The same dictaphone is there. The same mimeograph machine is there. The same paper is there. Same, I mean, ink is there. The same hand is there. Everything is same, but everything is done for Krishna's account. That's all, Krishna's account. This is spiritualism. Don't think spiritualism something uncommon. You can turn the whole material world into spiritualism, if you simply become Krishna conscious."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.1.2-5, Lecture, 1968: "Don't you see what are our activities? Is it very secret? You can see what are our activities. We are discussing about Krishna. We are talking about Krishna. We are chanting about Krishna. We are eating about Krishna. We are typewriting about Krishna. We are dictaphoning about Krishna. Don't you see it? Then? Everything engaged in Krishna consciousness—that is our activity."
9 July, Room Conversation, London: "Simply for Krishna, there is simply to understand Krishna. Anything else-waste of time. But in Krishna's connection there are varieties. Does it mean, although the dictaphone is there, still I shall write in my hand? Krishna consciousness cannot touch this. We don't follow this nonsense philosophy. Unnecessary vairagya, dry knowledge."
16 March, 1976, Mayapur, Room Conversation: Prabhupada: The devotee's vision is: in everything there is Krishna. That is a fact. Just like we are using this dictaphone and tape record. It is material things. Sometimes they accuse that "You are against material things. Why you are using these material advantages?" Do they not? You do not meet such men?
Adi-kesava: Yes.
Prabhupada: But for us there is nothing material. We have no such vision as "material" and "spiritual." Material means when we forget Krishna's right.
20 October, 1968, Seatle, Room Conversation: "The Supreme Absolute Truth has multi-energies. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate, multienergies. And svabhaviki jñana-bala-kriya ca, and by His energies he's working in such a nice way that it appears that it is being automatically done. Just like this tape recorder is working. How it is working? The electric energy is there. By the electric energy the machine is so nicely working that when it is replayed exactly I am speaking. So energy is working. I am speaking, my speaking energy is acting, electric energy is helping. This machine energy is accepting and a nice thing is coming. Similarly, the whole cosmic manifestation is the manifestation of the energies. The rascals, they do not understand."
15 September, 1975, Vrndavana, Morning Walk: Hari-sauri: ...Krishna's energy is all-spiritual, then why in Bhagavad-gita does Krishna make a distinction—"My separated material energy"? Why does He say, "separated"?
Prabhupada: Separated... Just like I am talking and this will be reproduced as it is, although it is separated.
Hari-sauri: So He's not personally present there.
Prabhupada: Yes. When you replay, the same voice will come, but I am not there. So if you want to utilize this separated energy for Krishna consciousness, then it will help you. Just like the Deity. So our philosophy is that. Although this material world, bhumir apo 'nalo vayu', they are separated from Krishna, we can use it for Krishna. Just like the same example: The tape recorder, it is material, but it can be used for Krishna's purpose. We are writing books, recording in the tape recorder. That nirbandha krishna-sambandhe yukta vairagyam ucyate. There is no need of giving up this bhumir apo nalo vayu, as the Mayavadi philosopher says. You can utilize. After all, it is Krishna's energy. This is the best philosophy, that one man's property should be used for the proprietor. That is the best use.
Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.16.41, Purport: "Because everything emanates from the Supreme, nothing can be false; everything has some use in the service of the Supreme. For example, we are now dictating into a microphone and recording on a dictating machine, and thus we are finding how the machine can be connected to the Supreme Brahman. Since we are using this machine in the service of the Lord, it is Brahman. This is the meaning of sarva khalv ida brahma. Everything is Brahman because everything can be used for the service of the Supreme Lord. Nothing is mithya, false; everything is factual."
Nectar of Devotion 14: "Anything that can be utilized in advancing Krishna consciousness and devotional service should be accepted. For instance, we are using many machines for the advancement of our present Krishna consciousness movement, machines like typewriters, dictating machines, tape recorders, microphones and airplanes. Sometimes people ask us, "Why are you utilizing material products if you condemn the advancement of material civilization?" But actually we do not condemn. We simply ask people to do whatever they are doing in Krishna consciousness. This is the same principle on which, in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advised Arjuna to utilize his fighting abilities in devotional service."
Bhagavad-gita 5.22-29, New York, 1966: "Just like we are also using here electric light, the microphone, and the tape recorder. This is the gift of the modern science. So instead of decrying them, let them engage in the matter of understanding Krishna consciousness. Then everything will be properly utilized. We cannot go back. You cannot go back in the matter of advancement of modern civilization, but here we have got a point, Krishna consciousness. Nirbandha Krishna-sambandhe. We can engage everything in the matter of understanding Krishna consciousness."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.3.19, Los Angeles, 1972: "We have to worship Krishna, whatever is favorable. It is not that because the microphone is material, therefore I cannot use it. There are some so-called transcendentalists... Why not? If I speak through the microphone, I can serve better Krishna. Why shall I not accept it? So anukulyena krsnanusilanam. Anything which is favorable for serving Krishna, we shall accept. After all, everything belongs to Krishna. Isavasyam idam sarvam. Nothing belongs to you. Simply we are thieves. We are using Krishna's property for our own sense gratification. Stena eva sa ucyate. All thieves."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 7.9.55, Vrndavana, 1976: "If I can go to America within fifteen hours for preaching facility, why shall not I use the aeroplane? Why shall I stick... It is called niyamagraha, "without any profit," to follow the regulative principle without any profit. No. If we get opportunity, preaching facilities for going on car, on airplane, using typewriter, dictaphone, microphone, we must use it. Because this is Krishna's property, it must be used for Krishna. This is our philosophy. This microphone is Krishna's. Isavasyam idam sarvam. So when it is used for Krishna it is not material; it is spiritual."
10 January, 1972, Letter: "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29th November, 1971, and I have noted the content with great pleasure. Below find one letter for initiates, please. Because you have recommended, I am happy to accept them as my duly initiated disciples. Seven beads, two copies of Gayatri mantra and two sacred threads, duly chanted on by me, have been sent under separate post. Hold a fire yajna and give Gayatri mantra to Tulasi Manjari and Rukma. I think you have got a tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra. One thing is that the tape should be heard through earphones into the right ear. So the fire yajna can be held for all nine devotees."
27 February, 1972, Talk with Bob Cohen: Prabhupada: "Material life means when you desire to gratify your senses, that is material life. And when you desire to serve God, that is spiritual life. That is the difference between material life and spiritual life. Now we are trying to serve our senses. Instead of serving the senses, when we serve God, that is spiritual life. What is the difference between our activities and others' activities? We are using everything: table, chair, bed, this tape recorder, typewriter. So what is the difference? The difference is that we are using everything for Krishna."
Srila Prabhupada: I will never die. I will live forever from my books and you will utilize.
12 April, 1968, Letter: "Regarding the parampara system: there is nothing to wonder for big gaps. We have to pick up the prominent acarya and follow from him."
28 May, 1968, Letter: "Just like Krishna can be present simultaneously in millions of places, similarly the spiritual master also can be present wherever the disciple wants. A spiritual master is the principle, not the body."
Bhaktivinoda Thakur, Poem: "He reasons ill who tells that Vaishnavas die, when thou art living still in sound."
Srimad Bhagavatam, Dedication, 1962: "He lives forever by his divine instructions, and the follower lives with him."
28 January, 1975, Lecture: "So God is speaking Bhagavad-gita. Just like reading, Krishna is speaking. So hear it, God speaking, the sound. The devotees are chanting Hare Krishna, that is God, that sound is God, Sabda-brahma. This is the way. And if you want to see God, you can see also. That is prescribed here."
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.24.40: "The Vedas are known as sabda-brahma because evidence taken from the Vedas constitutes the ultimate understanding. This is because sabda-brahma, or the Vedas, represents the Supreme Personality of Godhead. However, the real essence of sabda-brahma is the chanting of the Hare Krishna mantra. By vibrating this transcendental sound, the meaning of everything, both material and spiritual, is revealed."
Teachings of Lord Kapila, Chapter 4: "One must find a guru to whom one can surrender, and if this is not possible, one shouldn't waste his time."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 3.33. 37: Translation: The description of the dealings of Kapiladeva and His mother is very confidential, and anyone who hears or reads this narration becomes a devotee of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is carried by Garuda, and he thereafter enters into the abode of the Supreme Lord to engage in the transcendental loving service of the Lord.
Purport: The narration of Kapiladeva and His mother, Devahuti, is so perfect and transcendental that even if one only hears or reads this description, he achieves the highest perfectional goal of life, for he engages in the loving service of the lotus feet of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
[This is one of the many, many benedictions offered by the Lord and the Vaishnavas to those who read (hear) transcendental narrations.]
Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.1.14, Lecture, 1970: "As soon as you see "It is Krishna's," that is perfection. Why you bother about inside? Why don't you see outside? This outside whose property it is? Krishna has simply hidden Himself inside and He is not outside? Inside He is also. Isvara sarva-bhutana hrd-dese 'rjuna. That's nice. But why not outside? Then what is this outside? That is also explained by Krishna: "It is Mine." So inside and outside you have to see. Any man can see outside. Any child, if I say, if I teach a child, "Well, this everything you see, it is Krishna's," what is the wrong there? This tape recorder is Krishna's, this microphone is Krishna's, this fire is Krishna's. What is the wrong there? Krishna has kindly given me. So I should feel obliged, "Krishna, You are so kind that You have given this fire so I am not suffering." Is that not Krishna consciousness? We want to teach that. Not a bogus thing, "I am seeing within Krishna." Why not outside? What is the wrong there? Tell me what is. Is it clear or not?"
Bhagavad-gita 3.31-43, Lecture, 1969: "People may say, "What they are doing? They are also eating, they are also cooking, and offering Krishna, and they say it is Krishna conscious. What is the difference between this foodstuff with the hotel foodstuff?" In this way they may think. "Oh, they are also typewriting, they are also using dictaphone and this tape recorder and all this material." But they do not know that everything is being used for Krishna. Therefore there is far different. There is no lust. So you can utilize everything if it is in Krishna consciousness, not for satisfaction of your lust. Then your life is sublime."
Bhagavad-gita 9.34, Lecture, 1966: "Therefore what is the difference between materialism and spiritualism? The same typewriter is there. The same dictaphone is there. The same mimeograph machine is there. The same paper is there. Same, I mean, ink is there. The same hand is there. Everything is same, but everything is done for Krishna's account. That's all, Krishna's account. This is spiritualism. Don't think spiritualism something uncommon. You can turn the whole material world into spiritualism, if you simply become Krishna conscious."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 2.1.2-5, Lecture, 1968: "Don't you see what are our activities? Is it very secret? You can see what are our activities. We are discussing about Krishna. We are talking about Krishna. We are chanting about Krishna. We are eating about Krishna. We are typewriting about Krishna. We are dictaphoning about Krishna. Don't you see it? Then? Everything engaged in Krishna consciousness—that is our activity."
9 July, Room Conversation, London: "Simply for Krishna, there is simply to understand Krishna. Anything else-waste of time. But in Krishna's connection there are varieties. Does it mean, although the dictaphone is there, still I shall write in my hand? Krishna consciousness cannot touch this. We don't follow this nonsense philosophy. Unnecessary vairagya, dry knowledge."
16 March, 1976, Mayapur, Room Conversation: Prabhupada: The devotee's vision is: in everything there is Krishna. That is a fact. Just like we are using this dictaphone and tape record. It is material things. Sometimes they accuse that "You are against material things. Why you are using these material advantages?" Do they not? You do not meet such men?
Adi-kesava: Yes.
Prabhupada: But for us there is nothing material. We have no such vision as "material" and "spiritual." Material means when we forget Krishna's right.
20 October, 1968, Seatle, Room Conversation: "The Supreme Absolute Truth has multi-energies. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate, multienergies. And svabhaviki jñana-bala-kriya ca, and by His energies he's working in such a nice way that it appears that it is being automatically done. Just like this tape recorder is working. How it is working? The electric energy is there. By the electric energy the machine is so nicely working that when it is replayed exactly I am speaking. So energy is working. I am speaking, my speaking energy is acting, electric energy is helping. This machine energy is accepting and a nice thing is coming. Similarly, the whole cosmic manifestation is the manifestation of the energies. The rascals, they do not understand."
15 September, 1975, Vrndavana, Morning Walk: Hari-sauri: ...Krishna's energy is all-spiritual, then why in Bhagavad-gita does Krishna make a distinction—"My separated material energy"? Why does He say, "separated"?
Prabhupada: Separated... Just like I am talking and this will be reproduced as it is, although it is separated.
Hari-sauri: So He's not personally present there.
Prabhupada: Yes. When you replay, the same voice will come, but I am not there. So if you want to utilize this separated energy for Krishna consciousness, then it will help you. Just like the Deity. So our philosophy is that. Although this material world, bhumir apo 'nalo vayu', they are separated from Krishna, we can use it for Krishna. Just like the same example: The tape recorder, it is material, but it can be used for Krishna's purpose. We are writing books, recording in the tape recorder. That nirbandha krishna-sambandhe yukta vairagyam ucyate. There is no need of giving up this bhumir apo nalo vayu, as the Mayavadi philosopher says. You can utilize. After all, it is Krishna's energy. This is the best philosophy, that one man's property should be used for the proprietor. That is the best use.
Srimad Bhagavatam, 6.16.41, Purport: "Because everything emanates from the Supreme, nothing can be false; everything has some use in the service of the Supreme. For example, we are now dictating into a microphone and recording on a dictating machine, and thus we are finding how the machine can be connected to the Supreme Brahman. Since we are using this machine in the service of the Lord, it is Brahman. This is the meaning of sarva khalv ida brahma. Everything is Brahman because everything can be used for the service of the Supreme Lord. Nothing is mithya, false; everything is factual."
Nectar of Devotion 14: "Anything that can be utilized in advancing Krishna consciousness and devotional service should be accepted. For instance, we are using many machines for the advancement of our present Krishna consciousness movement, machines like typewriters, dictating machines, tape recorders, microphones and airplanes. Sometimes people ask us, "Why are you utilizing material products if you condemn the advancement of material civilization?" But actually we do not condemn. We simply ask people to do whatever they are doing in Krishna consciousness. This is the same principle on which, in Bhagavad Gita, Krishna advised Arjuna to utilize his fighting abilities in devotional service."
Bhagavad-gita 5.22-29, New York, 1966: "Just like we are also using here electric light, the microphone, and the tape recorder. This is the gift of the modern science. So instead of decrying them, let them engage in the matter of understanding Krishna consciousness. Then everything will be properly utilized. We cannot go back. You cannot go back in the matter of advancement of modern civilization, but here we have got a point, Krishna consciousness. Nirbandha Krishna-sambandhe. We can engage everything in the matter of understanding Krishna consciousness."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.3.19, Los Angeles, 1972: "We have to worship Krishna, whatever is favorable. It is not that because the microphone is material, therefore I cannot use it. There are some so-called transcendentalists... Why not? If I speak through the microphone, I can serve better Krishna. Why shall I not accept it? So anukulyena krsnanusilanam. Anything which is favorable for serving Krishna, we shall accept. After all, everything belongs to Krishna. Isavasyam idam sarvam. Nothing belongs to you. Simply we are thieves. We are using Krishna's property for our own sense gratification. Stena eva sa ucyate. All thieves."
Srimad Bhagavatam, 7.9.55, Vrndavana, 1976: "If I can go to America within fifteen hours for preaching facility, why shall not I use the aeroplane? Why shall I stick... It is called niyamagraha, "without any profit," to follow the regulative principle without any profit. No. If we get opportunity, preaching facilities for going on car, on airplane, using typewriter, dictaphone, microphone, we must use it. Because this is Krishna's property, it must be used for Krishna. This is our philosophy. This microphone is Krishna's. Isavasyam idam sarvam. So when it is used for Krishna it is not material; it is spiritual."
10 January, 1972, Letter: "I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated 29th November, 1971, and I have noted the content with great pleasure. Below find one letter for initiates, please. Because you have recommended, I am happy to accept them as my duly initiated disciples. Seven beads, two copies of Gayatri mantra and two sacred threads, duly chanted on by me, have been sent under separate post. Hold a fire yajna and give Gayatri mantra to Tulasi Manjari and Rukma. I think you have got a tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra. One thing is that the tape should be heard through earphones into the right ear. So the fire yajna can be held for all nine devotees."
27 February, 1972, Talk with Bob Cohen: Prabhupada: "Material life means when you desire to gratify your senses, that is material life. And when you desire to serve God, that is spiritual life. That is the difference between material life and spiritual life. Now we are trying to serve our senses. Instead of serving the senses, when we serve God, that is spiritual life. What is the difference between our activities and others' activities? We are using everything: table, chair, bed, this tape recorder, typewriter. So what is the difference? The difference is that we are using everything for Krishna."
"Earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence and false ego. And these eight elements are described in the Bhagavad-gita as separated energy. Separated energy you'll understand: just like I am speaking, and my speech is being recorded in the tape recorder. So even I am not here, if you apply the machine, it will exactly speak like me. That is my energy, but now it is separated. It cannot be changed. Suppose I am personally sitting here. If I want to speak something and I can change into another, but that machine cannot change. It will simply produce the sound, what is recorded there. Therefore it is separated energy. Similarly, these eight elements, they are called separated energy. God, from God's inconceivable potencies, this energy has come out, this material energy. And it is acting mechanically, just like the same way, tape recorder. Nobody has got power to change it, but it is working. It is working. And it is working so nicely because it is emanated from the Absolute Truth."
Back To Godhead, Volume 14, 1979: Srila Prabhupada: No. You have not seen Him, but what is your desire? You want to see Him?
Guest: I want to at least hear God in this world, and I was wondering what is ...
Srila Prabhupada: So God is speaking Bhagavad-gita. You are reading and Krsna is speaking. So here it is—God is speaking. And you can also chant Hare Krsna. That is God. Sabda-brahma, spiritual sound vibration—the sound is God. This is the way.
The quotes given in this small document are just a drop in the ocean of mercy given by Srila Prabhupada. An exhaustive and exhilarating approach entails thorough and continued study of Srila Prabhupada's books, which are indeed non-different to Srila Prabhupada Himself. The books become increasingly relishable, enlightening, exciting, and loving with each repeated reading. The instructions contained within are applicable to all people, in all places, and at all times.
Hare Krishna
Your servant,
Rakshana das
Back To Godhead, Volume 14, 1979: Srila Prabhupada: No. You have not seen Him, but what is your desire? You want to see Him?
Guest: I want to at least hear God in this world, and I was wondering what is ...
Srila Prabhupada: So God is speaking Bhagavad-gita. You are reading and Krsna is speaking. So here it is—God is speaking. And you can also chant Hare Krsna. That is God. Sabda-brahma, spiritual sound vibration—the sound is God. This is the way.
The quotes given in this small document are just a drop in the ocean of mercy given by Srila Prabhupada. An exhaustive and exhilarating approach entails thorough and continued study of Srila Prabhupada's books, which are indeed non-different to Srila Prabhupada Himself. The books become increasingly relishable, enlightening, exciting, and loving with each repeated reading. The instructions contained within are applicable to all people, in all places, and at all times.
Hare Krishna
Your servant,
Rakshana das
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