In 1925 or '26 when my son was two years old. There was a table

 fan, "I would like to touch it." And I said, "No, no, don't touch."

This is child. So but it's a child. He again tried to touch it.

 

Hari-sauri: They get a bit confused because God has to... Like that man last night was saying not even a blade of grass can move without God's sanction. So they think because God sanctions...

Prabhupada: Yes, that is so many times explained. Just like a child wants to do something. The father says, "Don't do it," I have said several times. Reluctantly, "All right, do it." I have given this example of my practical experience in 1925 or '26 when my son was two years old. There was a table fan, "I would like to touch it." And I said, "No, no, don't touch." This is child. So but it's a child. He again tried to touch it. So there was a friend, he said, "Just slow the speed and let him touch." So I did it, slowed the speed and he touched--tung! Then he would not touch. You see. So this sanction was given, "Touch it," reluctantly. Now when he gets experience and I ask him, "Touch again?" "No." So this sanction. All of us who have come to this material world, it is like that. Reluctantly. Therefore God comes again to inform these rascals that "Now you have tried so much, better give up this, come to Me again." Sarva-dharman parityajya.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Evening Darsana, August 11, 1976, Tehran]

 

 

 

In Calcutta, in my younger days, I was traveling in tram, and

my youngest son, he was with me. He was only two years old,

or two or two and a half years old. So the conductor,

out of joke, asked him, "Give me your fare."

 

This confidence. This is called saranagati, surrender. There are six points of surrender unto Krsna. One point of surrender is to believe that "Krsna will protect me." Just like a small child has got full faith in his mother: "My mother is there. There is no danger." Confident. I have seen it. Everyone. I have got... I'll narrate one practical experience. In Calcutta, in my younger days, I was traveling in tram, and my youngest son, he was with me. He was only two years old, or two or two and a half years old. So the conductor, out of joke, asked him, "Give me your fare." So he first of all said like this: "I have no money." So the conductor said, "Then you get down." He immediately said, "Oh, here is my father." (makes some gesture) (laughter) You see. "You cannot ask me to get down. My father is here." You see? So this is the psychology. If you have approached Krsna, then even the greatest fear will not agitate you. That is a fact. So such a thing is Krsna. Try to achieve this greatest boon, Krsna. And what Krsna says? Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati. "My dear Kaunteya, son of Kunti, Arjuna, declare in the world that My devotees will never be vanquished." Will never be vanquished. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture Seattle, October 4, 1968]

 

 

 

My father, he was, at the last stage of his taking, some rice

 mixed with milk. While eating that, he'll take a little curry also.

 

Prabhupada: (laughs) It is not for the hog, but a human being... I had a friend. If you give him rasagulla, he'll want little salt. Rasagulla with little salt, he'll eat. Without salt, he cannot eat. And my father, he was, at the last stage of his taking, some rice mixed with milk. While eating that, he'll take a little curry also. So it is a taste.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, March 6, 1974, Mayapura]

 

 

 

When my father died, the kaviraja said, "Now you

can do the rituals because he will die before next

 morning." He said. And actually it so happened

 

Prabhupada: There was one physician in Dacca. He was... Morning, he was washing his face. So one man was going, and he was coughing. So he asked that man, "Come here. Where you are going?" So he was a cultivator--"I am going to the field." So he said, "Better go home. Don't go to the field." So he was a respectable physician, so he went back. So his students asked that, "How is that, you asked him to go home?" So he chastised his stu..., "You do not know that he is coughing and the sound is like this? He will die after eight hours." It is experience. The students did not know but he could understand, "Coughing under such and such sound, it means death after such and such time." Yes. That, kaviraja can tell. When my father died, the kaviraja said, "Now you can do the rituals because he will die before next morning." He said. And actually it so happened. He said me this about ten, eleven o'clock, and he said exactly, "Before next morning he'll die." So that is experience. If you say, "After twenty days the month of January is coming," the child cannot understand, "How father said that twenty days after, January is coming?" But it is better experience only that one can say, "Today is 10th, and after twenty days, 1st January, will come." Everything is experience but supreme experience is Krsna. Therefore if we receive experience from Him, then our experience becomes perfect. This is our proposal.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, December 13, 1973, Los Angeles]

 

 

 

Later on when I was young and lost my father, I was very sorry

to have lost such affectionate father, but by Krishna's Grace,

 I have now many American fathers and mothers.

 

I am just claiming this contribution [For printing books] as your pet child. My father was very much affectionate, and in my childhood, whatever I wanted from my father he would at once give me. One time he purchased for me one rifle, and so after taking it I demanded that he must give me another. My father denied "You already have one. Why do you ask me for another?" So my argument was that I must have two rifles, one for each hand. Due to my obstinacy my father finally agreed. Later on when I was young and lost my father, I was very sorry to have lost such affectionate father, but by Krishna's Grace, I have now many American fathers and mothers. So I am appealing to all of my American fathers and mothers to help me by this contribution. Please let me know if you will do this. I am waiting your early reply.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Mukunda, Los Angeles, 20 February, 1969]

 

 

Allahabad, 1930, after the passing away of Srila Prabhupada’s Father Gour Mohan De.

Top: Srila Prabhupada, Gour Mohan’s portrait, Krishna Charan.

Front: Prayag Raj, Srila Prabhupada’s new son and Sulakshman

 

 

Long ago, about forty years ago, when I was householder,

my second son, he was four years old. He was walking

with me, and he said, "Oh, father, why the moon is

 coming with us?" This is very intelligent.

 

This is the process of understanding Krsna consciousness. He walks and does not walk. Just like crude example I give you, that the sun and, at noontime, it is on your head and somebody walking eastern side or western side, he also sees the sun is also walking with him. Long ago, about forty years ago, when I was householder, my second son, he was four years old. He was walking with me, and he said, "Oh, father, why the moon is coming with us?" This is very intelligent. Yes. So similarly, if a material object can walk so swift... You have seen. You are going on aeroplane or train, you'll see the moon or sun is going with you. So how it is not possible that Krsna cannot walk? Although He's situated... But you ask your friend, "Where is the sun? Where is the moon?" He'll say, "Oh, it is on my head." Similarly, goloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhutah. Krsna, although He is in Vrndavana, Goloka Vrndavana, enjoying pastimes with the associates, He is everywhere, according to the position, shape, form, activities. Everywhere. Therefore it is said here that Supreme Lord walks and does not walk. He does not go from His abode. He is fully enjoying. But at the same time, everywhere He is. Everywhere walking.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture from Sri Isopanisad, Mantra 5, Los Angeles, May 7, 1970]

 

 

 

When my second son was about four years old, so before breakfast,

 I used to ask him, "Show me your teeth." So he'll sh..., "Yes."

 "All right, you have washed your teeth. That's all right.

 Then you are allowed to take breakfast."

 

Actually I began my, this Krsna consciousness movement--not that they came in a very purified condition. That we, every one of you, know, that those who came to me, they, according, they have been trained from childhood... According to Indian standard, they do not know even the hygienic principles. What is the question of purification? You see. In India the system is from childhood, a child is trained to take bath, to wash teeth in the morning. Yes. And I remember. When my second son was about four years old, so before breakfast, I used to ask him, "Show me your teeth." So he'll sh..., "Yes." "All right, you have washed your teeth. That's all right. Then you are allowed to take breakfast." So this training there are. But here, in this country, the training... Of course, there are somewhere, but not very strictly. So that doesn't matter. Chant Hare Krsna. Begin Hare Krsna. Then everything will come. Everything will come.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.11-13, Hawaii, March 24, 1969]

 

 

 

Now, my second son, when he was four years old,

 we were passing, and there was a big marriage

 party. You know how marriage party goes?

 

Jayahari: It is just like the scientists. They cannot accept the existence of the soul until they see it.

Prabhupada: No, that is explained. Why you are repeating that? You have no seeing power, still, you are boast of seeing. That is your rascaldom. That is your rascaldom. Yes. There was a question in a newspaper. A child is asking his father, "Father, you were a girl or a boy in childhood?" Because he has no distinction what is the boy, what is the girl, therefore he is asking that nonsense question. Now, my second son, when he was four years old, we were passing, and there was a big marriage party. You know how marriage party goes?

Giriraja: Oh yes.

Prabhupada: So he was asking. Very intelligent boy, he was asking, "What is this? What is...?" So I also explained, "This man is going to marry." So in this way, after, "Father, you were married?" He asked me. So this nonsense question is there. He does not know, "Without marriage, how I am come into existence?" So these questions are like that, childish questions. It has no meaning.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, December 18, 1973, Los Angeles]

 

 

 

When I was family man, I had a servant who was only twenty-two

 years old. Oh, he was too stout and strong. You see?

 

 Now, there are so many scientists. They are discovering vitamin value from foodstuff. Now, what is the vitamin value in the dry grass? Can any scientist say that this is the vitamin value in dry grass? If there is no vitamin value in dry grass, how the cow is producing so much milk, who is full of vitamins A and D? How, from dry grass, vitamins coming out? Nowadays the physician prescribes some artificial vitamins for maintaining your body. Now, what is the vitamin there in the dry grass so that the cow is eating dry grass and giving you nice milk full of vitamins A and D, essential for your life? So these are all wrong theories, that "This contains this vitamin. This contains this." Let them go on. But natural foodstuff which is meant for human being, they are full of vitamins already there by nature's law, by God's wish. So annad bhavanti bhutani.

   You will be surprised. When I was family man, I had a servant who was only twenty-two years old. Oh, he was too stout and strong. You see? So one day I asked him that... His name was Buddhu. So I asked him, "Buddhu, what do you take that you are very stout and strong?" He said, "My dear sir, I take only these corns." Corns. You know corns? A corns and it is powdered. The powdered portions used to make bread, and the grain portion he used to cook as rice, and he was taking that. That's all.

Green: Cornmeal?

Prabhupada: Corn.

Devotees: Meal. Cornmeal.

Prabhupada: Cornmeal, yes. And he was very stout and strong. He was deriving all the vitamins. Because he was poor man, he could not eat any butter or milk or any other things, meat also no, nothing of the sort. He was simply eating... He was drawing, at that time, only twenty-two rupees from me. Twenty-two rupees means... According to your American exchange, it comes to five dollars, five dollars a month, his income. And what he could spend? So he was taking the cheap food. But he was very strong and stout. So whole idea is that these grains, these grains are meant for human being.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture from Bhagavad-gita 3.13-16, New York, May 23, 1966]

 

 

 

Sometimes in the year 1931 or '32 I had a very severe tooth pain.

 So I was taken by my servant in the jungle to some, this

 vaidya. They cured me, and the dentist could not.

 

Prabhupada: So everything in nature has to give something. That is the order. Everything that we see, nadyah, the river... Why God has created the river? It has got a function. Similarly samudrah, the oceans, similarly the hills, mountains, girayah, savanaspati, vegetables. All these vegetables which are growing, each and every vegetable, creeper, has some service, we do not know. Because we do not know the use of these vegetables, creepers, we go to the doctor, physician. Otherwise, if somebody is ill, the medicine is there. We do not know how to utilize it. Still in remote villages, in forest, they do not come to the physician, doctors. The bils, the aborigines, they know so many drugs. For toothache, we go to the dentist and they extract the teeth, but I have read in Ayurvedic medicine, there is a drug, a root. Only if you touch this side of the mouth, all the germs collected within the teeth will come out. I have seen it. Sometimes in the year 1931 or '32 I had a very severe tooth pain. So I was taken by my servant in the jungle to some, this vaidya. They cured me, and the dentist could not. I attended so many times to the dentist. I have got my practical experience. And in the Ayurvedic literature there is mention some drug, the root only if you touch here, the germs collected in the teeth, they will come out in the corner of the teeth some germs--sometimes it is itching; there is all germs--so they will come out. Sometimes pains in the toe. All they are germs. The germ theory is all right, but they want to cure these germs in different way. But by nature's way there are so many drugs and roots and creepers that can cure all the diseases.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture from Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.5, Mayapura, June 20, 1973]

 

 

 

When I met my spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, so as a gentleman meets as a gentleman,

 so he was sitting in a couch like that. So, and I

also sat down on that very couch.

 

Rules and regulations are subordinate, subordinate thing. Just like you enter into an office. You are appointed in some office to work. So on the very day, you do not know all the rules and regulations. But because you do not know all the rules and regulation, that does not mean that you cannot be appointed. First of all let yourself be appointed. Now, working, working, yourself you will know that rules and regulations: "This is the rules, and this is the regulation." Just like in my life, I will say one instance. When I met my spiritual master, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, so as a gentleman meets as a gentleman, so he was sitting in a couch like that. So, and I also sat down on that very couch. So I did not know that what are the rules and regulations. Now, when I saw that his other disciples are coming, and they are sitting down, (laughs) so I thought myself, "Oh, I have done this wrong. I should not have sat with His Divine Grace." So of course, I did not get down immediately, but I took it, and from next day I did not sit. So rules and regulations automatically was taught. So that rules and regulations is not very important. The important is... The thing is that we must take up.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Maha-mantra, New York, September 8, 1966]

*Note: This was not the first meeting, see page 298

 

 

 

"This boy hears very nicely. He does not go away," the first

 impression he gave to other godbrothers. "So I shall

 make him disciple." These very words he said.

 

"This boy hears very nicely. He does not go away," the first impression he gave to other godbrothers. "So I shall make him disciple." These very words he said. Actually I did not follow him in the beginning. High philosophical speaking and I was a new boy. I could not follow him, but actually I was so much glad to hear him. That's all. So that was my qualification, whatever you may say. I was simply asking, "When Guru Maharaja will speak? When he will speak? When?" And I will sit down and go on hearing, and I will understand or not understand--others will disperse--I will not disperse. That he marked. Yes. First. There was first one instance. At that time I was not initiated. There was a circumambulation of whole Vrndavana. So although I was not initiated, I was one of the important members of the... So I thought, "Let me go. What these people are doing, circumambulating all over Vrndavana?" So I went to Mathura. Then I went to the Vrndavana interior, which place was known as Kosi. So in that Kosi one of my godbrothers declared that "Prabhupada is going tomorrow back to Mathura. So he will speak this evening. So anyone who wants to hear him, they can stay. And others may prepare to..." …. So they were to go to see some other temple which is called Sesayi Temple. So although I was new man, I did not like to go to see the Sesayi Temple. I decided that "I shall hear." So at that time I was new, so all other, some of my important godbrothers, they were sitting like this, and I was sitting. At last, you see. But he knew that "This boy is new." Everyone has gone, all others except a few selected godbrothers. So he marked it that "This boy is interested to hear me." So hearing is very important. Hearing. Just like Arjuna heard from Krsna. Come on. (People entering) (Break) ...because I was serious for hearing, and therefore now I am serious about kirtanam, means speaking, or preaching. Do you follow what I say? Yes. So one who is serious about hearing, he can become a future nice preacher. Sravanam kirtanam. Next stage is developed. That is development. If one has actually heard nicely, then he will speak nicely. Sravanam kirtanam smaranam. Then consciousness will automatically develop because when you speak or you hear, unless your mind is concentrated, your consciousness is right, you cannot rightly hear or speak. Sravanam kirtanam smaranam pada-sevanam. And then the development, "How I shall serve Krsna? Krsna is so loving. Krsna is so great," that automatically comes. Not silent, but activity.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, May 10, 1969, Columbus, Ohio]

 

 

 

My Guru Maharaja was very kind upon me

because I was very much interested to hear him.

 

The mahajanas are there. So we have to follow. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah. We should not remain mudha-drsa. We should follow the mahajanas and the sadhus, sastra. And they recommend... The most important process is sravanam. Srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah punya-sravana-kirtanah. If we don't hear about Krsna, then how we'll make advance? We have to hear. My Guru Maharaja was very kind upon me because I was very much interested to hear him. That you know. I hear him. I did not understand him, actually. In the beginning I could not understand him. He was speaking in so high philosophical way that it was not... Still, I wanted to hear him. That was my only qualification.

   So the... It is the process. During lecture time, if we don't care to hear or we do other things or take rest, that is not very good sign. We should be very much careful. Then we shall remain mudha-drsa. Nato natyadharo yatha. We have taken the vow to see Krsna or to understand Krsna. We should be very, very serious and do the needful. Then our life will be successful.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture from Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.19, Mayapura, September 29, 1974]

 

 

 

So long, long ago, sometimes in the year 1933 in this

 Caitanya Math, there was a big snake came out in my front.

 

So long, long ago, sometimes in the year 1933 in this Caitanya Math, there was a big snake came out in my front. I was taking bath. So everyone was looking what to do. So Guru Maharaja was on the upstair. He immediately ordered, "Kill him." So it was killed. So at that time, 1933, I was newcomer. So I thought, "How that? Guru Maharaja ordered this snake to be killed?" I was little surprised. But later on, when I saw this verse, I was very glad. Modeta sadhur api vrscika-sarpa-hatya. It remained a doubt, "How Guru Maharaja ordered a snake to be killed?" But when I read this verse I was very much pleased, that these creatures, or creatures like the snake, they should not be shown any mercy. No. And Canakya Pandita said there are two kinds of cruel creatures. One kind is a sarpah krurah. The snake is very cruel. Sarpah krurah, khalah krurah. And khala, a person who has awakened the quality like snake... Then there is no fault. Why a snake is called so cruel? Because unnecessarily they bite. If somebody commits some offense unto you, if you bite me, that is reasonable. But I have no fault, but you are biting me. The vrscika, scorpion, and snake, they do that, without any offense. A man is passing, an animal is passing--unnecessarily it bites, without offense. A man is sleeping--it bites. Therefore they are very dangerous. Similarly, there are men also like the snake--without any fault, they bite, without any fault. If I do something faulty, you can punish me, bite. But without any fault, if you bite me... So therefore Canakya Pandita says, sarpah krurah-khalah krurah sarpat kruratarah khalah. Such person is called khala, envious, jealous.

   So there are two living creatures. One is snake, and one is jealous or envious person. So Canakya Pandita said, sarpat kruratarah khalah: "This man, envious man, is more dangerous than the snake. Than the snake." Why? He's a human being. Yes, because he's human being and he has got developed consciousness and he has practiced to use the developed consciousness for becoming jealous, He's more dangerous than the snake.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Lecture from Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.9.14, Mayapur, February 21, 1976]

 

 

 

He became very angry and chastised me.

 

Devotee (2): Is there any instance when you were chastised by your spiritual master?

Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Oh, yes.

Devotee (2): Can you tell us?

Prabhupada: I remember the moment was very valuable. Yes.

Devotee (2): Can you tell us the story?

Prabhupada: Yes. I think I have said that.

Satsvarupa: When you were speaking to one man...

Prabhupada: Yes. He became very angry and chastised me.

Jagajivana: Srila Prabhupada, was this during a lecture by Srila Bhaktisiddhanta?

Prabhupada: Eh?

Jagajivana: Was this during a lecture?

Prabhupada: Yes. I was not... One of my old brother, he, he wanted to speak something. So I leaned my... I immediately became... (laughter) So he chastised him more than me.

Devotee (2): When Lord Caitanya chastised someone more than Advaita Acarya, Advaita felt that He had been neglected 'cause he had not received a greater chastisement.

Prabhupada: He wanted to be chastised, so Caitanya fulfilled His desire.

 

[Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, April 8, 1975, Mayapur]