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A Month in the Life of Srila Prabhupada - May 1977

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The Months in the Life of Srila Prabhupada present 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;
  • 470+ short audio clips Nectar Drops from Srila Prabhupada sprinkled throughout the months;
  • 1,080 short video clips extracted from lectures, conversations, morning walks or interviews with subtitles in up to 93 languages sprinkled throughout the months;
  • 13,350+ concise statements, drawn from Srila Prabhupada's lectures, conversations and letters are 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 Months 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.


May 1 to 7 - Bombay

1977 - May 01

Letter to Hari-sauri written from Bombay

vanipedia.org 		As you have recommended them I accept Michael Pepper and Jackie as my duly initiated disciples. Their new spiritual names are: Michael Pepper - Sikhipiccha-dhari Dasa; Jackie - Venu-dhara Dasi. Now hold a fire sacrifice and the new initiates should vow to always chant minimum 16 rounds daily and faithfully follow the four regulative principles. I also accept for second initiation Jayasila Dasa, Vashrestha Das, Atitaguna Dasi, and Bhadra Dasi.


1977 - May 02

Conversation A - Bombay

vanipedia.org 		Within ten years I have already written eighty-four books.
Conversation B - Bombay

vanipedia.org 		We have got so many subjects, positive. Read our books and present it in a different way. You can write intelligently. That's not bad. Just to induce them...


1977 - May 03

Letter to Aksayananda written from Bombay

vanipedia.org 		My health being not very good, the doctors have advised against making the long train journey as well as the vigorous preaching involved. Under the circumstances I was forced to cancel my going. However you may go as planned along with a few other devotees and hold the pandal program. Kindly let me know what was the response from the villagers during the program.
Letter to Gurukrpa written from Bombay
Letter to Prabhakar Mishra written from Bombay

vanipedia.org 		I propose that you can do something very tangible for us. In the Fifth Canto of the Srimad-Bhagavatam, there is a description of the planetary system. You are a learned scholar in Sanskrit, and also you have got knowledge in astronomy. I think if you tried, you can make a diagram of the whole planetary system. If you can do that, we want to make one gigantic planetarium.


1977 - May 04

Letter to Sankarsan written from Bombay

vanipedia.org 		Some days before we had a talk regarding the property of Kanthaltala (Maternal uncle's house). Please have a discussion for purchasing that land. We want to keep our remembrance with that land. Please discuss seriously on this matter and inform me at my Bombay's address.

vanipedia.org 		My health has gone too bad now so within few days I am going to Kashmir to change the climate.


1977 - May 05

Letter to Jayananda written from Bombay

vanipedia.org 		I am feeling very intensely your separation. In 1967 you joined me in San Francisco. You were driving my car and chanting Hare Krsna. You were the first man to give me some contribution ($5000) for printing my Bhagavad-gita. After that, you have rendered very favorable service to Krsna in different ways. I so hope at the time of your death you were remembering Krsna and as such, you have been promoted to the eternal association of Krsna.


1977 - May 06

Letter to German Disciples written from Bombay

vanipedia.org 		This Krsna consciousness movement is meant to deliver people to the proper understanding that they are not their body, that they are pure spirit soul. We may or may not be appreciated, that is not our concern.

vanipedia.org 		Our business is to satisfy the acaryas and Krsna. If they are pleased then we know our work is successful.

vanipedia.org 		Go on spreading the sankirtana movement more and more. I am only one person, but because all of you have kindly cooperated with me, this movement has now become a success all over the world. Be assured that there is no more direct way to preach than to distribute Krsna conscious books.

vanipedia.org 		Whoever gets a book is benefitted. If he reads the book he is benefitted still more, or if he gives the book to someone else for reading, both he and the other person is benefitted.

vanipedia.org 		Even if one does not read the book but simply holds if and sees it, he is benefitted. If he simply gives small donation towards the work of Krsna consciousness he is benefitted. And anyone who distributes these transcendental literatures, he is also benefitted. Therefore sankirtana is the prime benediction for the age.
Letter to Harikesa written from Bombay

vanipedia.org 		Regarding the translations into Russian and other East European languages, you are the expert in the field, so however you decide to get the work done is alright. I will simply be very glad to receive any publications from these languages.


1977 - May 07

Letter to Bank of America written from Bombay

May 7 - Delhi

May 8 to 15 - Hrisikesh

1977 - May 08

Conversation A - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		Prabhupāda: Hmm. But never put me in hospital. You can refuse, that "This is our Guru Mahārāja's order." Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Bās. Let me die peacefully.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: When Caitanya Mahāprabhu was unconscious, all that His disciples would do is they would chant in His ear.
Prabhupāda: That's all.
Conversation B - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		Oh, don't try to understand in a minute. You read all these books. But attentively, if the child has form, the father must have form. There is no doubt of it. And what is that form? That you have to understand. And his question, the father was a demon, but the child was not demon because he refused to follow that demon father. That was his only fault.
Conversation C - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		Take instruction of Bhagavad-gītā in all regards and be happy. It is not difficult. Practical examples are there. Before me, ten years before, whole world, foreigners, there was not a single Kṛṣṇa conscious. Whole history. Now you'll find thousands. Why? I have not manufactured (indistinct), giving them. I have given them Kṛṣṇa. That's all.


1977 - May 09

Conversation - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		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.


1977 - May 11

Conversation - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		So whatever limited circle, you just become guru and deliver them. Deliver means deliver from the ignorance. Everyone is in ignorance, dehātma-buddhiḥ. Yasyātma-buddhiḥ kuṇape tri-dhātuke, sa eva go-kharaḥ. So we have to teach them that "You are not this body. You are pure soul. Your business is different." And that is enlightenment. That is the business of guru. So we can do that business. And how to do it?

vanipedia.org 		Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, yāre dekha tāre kaha kṛṣṇa-upadeśa. You haven't got to manufacture anything. What Kṛṣṇa has already said, you repeat. Finish. Don't make addition, alteration. Then you become guru. Very simple thing. If I say that "My father said, 'This is a bell,' " I am correct because I have learned it from my father, authority. I may be fool, rascal; it doesn't matter. But because I have learned it from the authority and presenting it that "This is a bell," this is perfect.
Letter to Ambarisa written from Delhi

vanipedia.org 		This idea of doll exhibitions to demonstrate our philosophy has long been proposed, and my Guru Maharaja was very keen to execute this idea. Therefore I am just trying to give some shape to what my Guru Maharaja wanted.
Letter to Giriraja written from Delhi

vanipedia.org 		My health is improving a very little. The house that we have been given is the best in Risikesh. It is very nice and the climate is much better than Bombay's. Many persons are coming in the afternoons for darsana.
Letter to Jagadananda written from Delhi

vanipedia.org 		Regarding your daughter's illness, all of the family members should sit down together and hold Hare Krsna kirtan. Let your daughter hear and she will be alright.
Letter to Ramesvara written from Delhi

vanipedia.org 		From the photographs of the new construction I can see that in L.A. things are improving. Lord Dvarakadhisa is sitting there overseeing everything. He will give you all facility, simply you must cooperatively work together, faithfully following in the footsteps of the acaryas.

vanipedia.org 		I am very glad to know that you are all working so hard to double the book distribution this year. Here in Risikesh Mahesh Yogi has his headquarters and he is training his disciples. But he has to pay each of them a regular monthly salary and give them vacations as well. So he is not so fortunate as I am, that I have so many sincere disciples that I do not have to pay them any salary nor do they ever ask for any vacation. Instead they are working twice as hard to double the book distribution.

vanipedia.org 		Jayananda's death is glorious. It is very good that he had stated, what is the use of such a useless body, better to give it up. He has left his body very wonderfully, and he has been transferred to Vaikuntha. I have already sent a condolence letter for publication in Back To Godhead. Everyone should follow the example of Jayananda. I am very proud that I had such a nice disciple. If possible Jayananda's picture should be hung in the ratha of Lord Jagannatha, and in all of our temples a day may be set aside for holding a festival in his honor, just as we do on the disappearance day of the other great Vaisnavas.


1977 - May 12

Conversation - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		So if we have got faith in the words of Kṛṣṇa—they are very openly spoken—then our life becomes successful. But we have no faith in Kṛṣṇa. They take Kṛṣṇa as ordinary human being.


1977 - May 13

Conversation - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Someone came this morning. He was asking that... He was hoping that because he had heard that you had some mystical powers, so he was hoping that you could help his situation by demonstrating some of these mystical powers.
Prabhupāda: Some magic. Our magic is already there. Throughout the whole world we are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Is not that magic? Hmm? Foreign countries, foreign religion, and they are accepting Kṛṣṇa and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Is not that magic?
Letter to Adi Kesava Swami written from Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		I am very pleased to know that one Russian boy, Vladimir, has very sincerely taken to Krsna consciousness. Because it is very difficult of practice Krsna consciousness in Russia, we can be a little lenient in his case. I am very glad to accept him as my initiated disciple. His new spiritual name is Valmiki Muni Das.
Letter to Dasanudasa written from Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		There is no need to concoct anything new. You simply have to study carefully our books and then in your own words try to express what you have read. This will automatically make you a very successful preacher.

vanipedia.org 		There is no need to learn Bengali. I do not encourage learning any new skills. Whatever material abilities one has when he comes to Krsna consciousness, let him learn to engage these in Krsna's service: that is sufficient. There is no need of learning new skills now. That will simply be a waste of time.
Letter to Rajendra Sahai written from Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		Regarding Sri Beni Madho Temple, I have already advised Sri Acarya Omkar Giri to see my friend Dr. G. Ghosh of Allahabad, for making a Deed of Gift. But I have not heard anything further in the negotiation. Perhaps you can let me know what has transpired.


1977 - May 14

Conversation - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		If you get the chance of getting such mahātmā, then try to give him service. Become his servant. Then your path of liberation will be open. And tamo-dvāraṁ yoṣitāṁ saṅgi-saṅgam: those who are after sense gratification, if you associate with them, then you are going to the darkness.


1977 - May 15

Conversation - Hrishikesh

vanipedia.org 		Guru is required to understand tad-vijñānam, transcendental science, not for any material understanding. Material understanding, there are so many chemists, (sic:) physists and many other department of... When we speak of guru, it means beyond this material world. For that purpose we require guru.


May 16 - Delhi

May 17 to 31 - Vṛndāvana

1977 - May 17

Arrival Address - Vrndavana
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vanipedia.org 		If death takes place, let it take here. 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 endeavor.

vanipedia.org 		Whether I am present or not present, it doesn't matter. As Kṛṣṇa is living eternally, similarly, living being also lives eternally. But kīrtir yasya sa jīvati: "One who has done service to the Lord lives forever." So you have been taught to serve Kṛṣṇa, and with Kṛṣṇa we'll live eternally. Our life is eternal. Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre (BG 2.20). A temporary disappearance of this body, it doesn't matter. Body is meant for disappearance. Tathā dehāntara-prāptiḥ (BG 2.13). So live forever by serving Kṛṣṇa.
Conversation - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		You have got assets. You have got parentage. Everything you have got. Now do something. You have come. It is a good association. Satāṁ prasaṅgān mama vīrya-saṁvidaḥ (SB 3.25.25). (break) But they have dedicated their life to Kṛṣṇa. That is their qualification. Bhajate mām ananya-bhāk sādhur eva sa man... (BG 9.30). So their association is sādhu-saṅga.


1977 - May 18

Letter to Gurukrpa written from Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		I have heard with great pleasure how in only one month's time you have distributed 50,000 Bhagavad gita As It Is in the Japanese language. I think there has never been a case in history when so many religious books were distributed in such a short time.

vanipedia.org 		I was staying in Risikesh hoping to improve my health but instead I have become a little weaker. Now I have come back to my home, Vrndavana. If anything should go wrong, at least I will be here in Vrndavana. Vrndavana is for residence, Bombay is office for organization, and Mayapur is for worship of the Supreme Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
Letter to Hari-sauri written from Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		For ten days I was staying in Risikesh in a very nice house on the side of the Ganges River. But my health was not good and so I have come to Vrndavana where I will stay indefinitely.
Letter to Mahamsa Swami written from Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Why the building is required for prasadam distribution and kirtan? These can go on in any circumstances. From the very beginning I have been insisting on this program, but you say that it will only begin in the future. Prasadam distribution must always go on. Now whatever money I have sent you, spend for prasadam distribution. If necessary you may suspend the building, but distribution of prasadam and kirtan should be stressed above all.


1977 - May 19

Conversation - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Of course, we do not want to criticize, but according to śāstra, people will suffer more and more. And they must suffer, because they are becoming godless. They must suffer. That is nature's punishment.


1977 - May 20

Conversation - Vṛndāvana

1977 - May 21

Conversation - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Actually you and your Guru Mahārāja are the greatest enemies of modern civilization in this century, Śrīla Prabhupāda. So many people, materialists...
Prabhupāda: This is Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission, bhārata-bhūmite haila manuṣya-janma yāra, janma sārthaka kari' kara para-upakāra. This is India's culture. The whole world is in darkness, and they are risking their life in the transmigration of one body to another.


1977 - May 22

Conversation - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		The system of management will go on as it is now. There is no need of changing. The money which is in my personal name in different banks, that is being spent for the society, and it will be society property.

vanipedia.org 		So you are Americans, and they are responding. You are responding means Americans responding. So do very carefully, and if one fourth of America becomes Vaiṣṇava, the whole world will change. They are the leading nation. Kṛṣṇa has given them all facility—good land, good intelligence, good education, good facilities, good prestige. Is it not? They are fortunate.

vanipedia.org 		Therefore I do not wish to leave Vṛndāvana. If by Kṛṣṇa's desire I survive, then we shall see later on.


1977 - May 24

Conversation A - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		The disease is not ordinary. It is always fatal. But by His especial mercy anything can be done. That is another thing. Lost appetite means life finished. (pause) Tāvad tanu-bhṛtāṁ tvad upekṣitānām (SB 7.9.19). If Kṛṣṇa neglects, then nobody can live, but if He likes that "He must live," anything can happen. That is possible.
Conversation B - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		I have become very, very weak. No appetite. The brain is not working. Brain is working, but body is not allowing... Don't worry. Everyone will die, today or tomorrow. I am also old man. There is nothing to be regrettable. So as far as possible in my body, I am complete... Now it is up to Kṛṣṇa to judge. I have no objection.
Conversation C - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		These people are envious. Although they have become so-called Vaisnava, they are ferocious. They have not acquired the qualification of Vaisnava.
Conversation D - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Nimbu pāni, and all the devotees get piece of lemon with their main meal. We have now... Everyone has gathered. All of the preaching parties have come back, and we've... They're all dispersing again on Friday. So when everyone is there, we have close to 275 residents.


1977 - May 25

Conversation A - Vṛndāvana
Conversation B - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		These people were within Aryan civilization. Aryan, Iranian, their names are given. Up to Iran, their field(?). Europeans also, Indo-European. Gradually they declined. Caitanya Mahāprabhu's mission is to make them civilized. Paścimera loka saba mūḍha anācāra (CC Adi 10.89). They are all fools and misbehaved. Teach them this Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They'll be happy.


1977 - May 27

Conversation A - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		In the morning we were reading. How they were happy, the inhabitants of Vṛndāvana with Kṛṣṇa and living and cows. That I want to introduce. At any cost do it and... Don't bother about big, big buildings. It is not required. Useless waste of time. Produce. Make the whole field green. See that. Then whole economic question solved. Then you eat sumptuous. Eat sumptuously. The animal is happy. The animal even does not give milk; let them eat and pass stool and urine. That is welcome.

vanipedia.org 		Among yourselves, there is no strong man. That is the defect. All like child. That is the defect. And it requires a very strong man. That is lacking. In every minute detail I have poked my nose.

vanipedia.org 		I am asking so much here and... "Farm, farm, farm, farm." That is not my program -- Krsna's program. Annad bhavanti bhutani. Produce greenness everywhere, everywhere. Vrndavana. It is not this motorcar civilization.
Conversation B - Vṛndāvana
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vanipedia.org 		I am not going to die. Kīrtir yasya sa jīvati: "One who has done something substantial, he lives forever." He doesn't die. Even in our practical life... Of course, this is material, karma-phala. One has to accept another body according to his karma. But for devotee there is no such thing. He always accepts a body for serving Kṛṣṇa. So there is no karma-phala.

vanipedia.org 		You are my body. So you live on. There is no difference. Just like I am working, so my Guru Mahārāja is there, Bhaktisiddhānta Goswami. Physically he may not be, but in every action he is there. I think actually I have written that.
Conversation C - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Just now everything is going on, but after my demise it may be taken away from your hand.

vanipedia.org 		Prabhupāda: You should be very much determined, strong-minded. Otherwise it will slip. Such huge property...
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Actually these properties are the envy of all of India. They're the best properties in each place.
Prabhupāda: Not only property. Our prestige, our position... Everything is envied. Everywhere we are first class.

vanipedia.org 		We are rich man's son. Economic problem is already solved. That is already taken. Tal labhyate yad anyataḥ sukham. We don't care for all this so-called improvement. That is already settled up. Tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovidaḥ. Just see how to become a man of character like Nārada, Vyāsa. That is our goal.


1977 - May 28

Conversation A - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Anyone who has given sincere service to Kṛṣṇa for any one day, he cannot go away. He has Kṛṣṇa's protection. This life, that life.
Conversation B - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Prabhupāda: So add him. GBC is not to be changed.
Satsvarūpa: But then, in the event that some present GBC member leaves, either leaves...
Prabhupāda: Another should be elected.

vanipedia.org 		In my presence one should not become guru, so on my behalf, on my order... Āmāra ājñāya guru hañā. Be actually guru, but by my order.

vanipedia.org 		Caitanya Mahāprabhu says, āmāra ājñāya guru hañā (CC Madhya 7.128). One can understand the order of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, he can become guru. Or one who understands his guru's order, the same paramparā, he can become guru. And therefore I shall select some of you.

vanipedia.org 		They must be all ideal acarya-like. In the beginning we have done for working. Now we should be very cautious. Anyone who is deviating, he can be replaced.
Conversation C - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		The death is inevitable, you die today or tomorrow. So by taking this medicine, if you die, you have the greatest benefit. And if you live, enjoy. If you die, enjoy; if you live, enjoy.

vanipedia.org 		I am very much confident of this medicine, because nobody is prepared to die, but I am prepared to die. That much strength I have got. Generally people do not like to die. But I will be very glad to die if Kṛṣṇa wants. This is... And I shall stay with you. I have no objection either way. But I am not afraid of death.


1977 - May 29

Conversation A - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Do something positive. If you have got preacher, then never mind what is the quarter. Have kīrtana and distribute prasādam.
Conversation B - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		So here are three daṇḍas. One daṇḍa, person. There are four daṇḍas. He is person, "I am." And the other three daṇḍa, my mind—kāya manaḥ vākya—my body and my words. "So I dedicate my mind, my body and my activities, parātma-niṣṭha, only for the service of the Supreme. So being situated in that position, following..." Pūrvatamair maharṣibhiḥ. It is not that I have introduced something new.


1977 - May 31

Conversation - Vṛndāvana

vanipedia.org 		Keep always busy. That I wish to see.


   
 
   
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