If You Want to be Happy…

 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Directives
from the Conversations
of
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda

Founder Ācārya of the International Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

References from Caitanya-caritāmṛtaand Śrīmad-Bhāgavatamare copyright of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust.

Conversations of His Divine Grace are copyright of  The Bhaktivedanta Archives.

Preliminary draft completed on the anniversary of the appearance day of Śrīla Saccidananda Bhaktivinode Ṭhākura, who originally conceived that in the very near future all the civilized nations of the world would unite under the flag of Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu.                                                           
                                                                                                                                                  11th September, 2000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acknowledgements
Special thanks to Lagudi Prabhu for giving moral support and everything I asked for during my stay at New Govardhana Farming Community.

Thanks to all of my Godbrothers and Godsisters who sacrificed their life for others and granted me the stick of their support. I long for their association. Although I have not mentioned all,  I pray I may never forget any of them.

I beg the mercy of all the cows and bulls of New Govardhana. For the sake of preaching and broader protection of others I committed innumerable offences. Please forgive this fallen soul. I tried to serve you but could not.

This editing work has extended over a period of years: time heals, realizations develop, moods change- philosophy does not. No offence intended in any way. Let us forge ahead.

Thanks to all the devotees who made the publishing of the Conversations of Śrīla Prabhupada a reality, without which this impoverished soul would have been more lost, many times over.                          Sarve sukhino bhavantu 20/10/2001                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       
 
“…are now unconcerned…In fact, kings or others who have determined faith in the mercy ofbrāhmaṇas, cows and the Supreme Personality of Godhead Kṛṣṇa, and who always worship these three, are always strong in their position …”

 

(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.7.24 translation: Lord Brahma to the defeated demigods).

(From Morning Walk Conversation of May 28th, 1974 in Rome, page 232)

Yogeśvara: Śrīla Prabhupāda, the way you've been describing our solutions to the problems of the world, they seem to be on two levels. One is the extended solution, that is to say, the ultimate solution of Kṛṣṇa conscious.

Prabhupāda: No, there is no question of extended. You keep yourself in a limited solution. And then, when it is appreciated it will be automatically extended. You don't touch the extended. You become ideal civilized man. Others will follow.

Yogeśvara: Well, for example, ultimately, we want to live locally. These cities are not necessary.

Prabhupāda: No, you make the best use of a bad bargain. We shall depend more... Just like in New Vrindaban. They are coming to the city for preaching. So not absolutely we can abstain immediately because we have been dependent so long, many, many lives. You cannot. But the ideal should be introduced gradually. And make it perfect more and more and more and more. But there is possibility. Possibility if you live locally and make your arrangement, you get your foods... The real necessity is, bodily necessity is, eating, sleeping, mating and defending. This is necessity. So if you can eat locally, you can sleep locally, you can have your sex life also locally and you can defend locally, then what is the wrong? These are the necessities. We are not stopping this. We are not stopping, "No more sex life." That is nonsense, another nonsense. You must have. Marry. That's all. So you can marry locally and live. Where is the difficulty? Defend. If somebody comes to attack, there must be men to defend. And eating and sleeping. Where is your difficulty? Manage locally, as far as possible. After all, these are the necessities of body. So it can be solved locally. Is it impossible? To solve the bodily necessities? What do you think? Is it impossible?

Satsvar�pa: No, it's very simple.

Prabhupāda: Then do it. Do it. Set example perfectly.

( From Room Conversation 2 of January 21st, 1977, in Bhubanesvara

with Rāmeśvara Das, Managing Director of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust, page 1174)

Prabhupāda: And besides that, if we concentrate in farm project there will be no need of exchange, because I'll be satisfied with my products. That's all. There is no need of exchange. Whatever I need, I get in my farm.

Rāmeśvara: Weaving, cloth.

Prabhupāda: Everything I get. So I haven't got to go outside for exchange. If you are satisfied in your farm--I am satisfied--then where is question of exchange? There is no need of artificial... So this banking, "fanking," everything will collapse automatically. There is no money, who is going to keep money in the bank?

Hari-śauri: Who needs it?

Prabhupāda: (laughs) So this artificial way of banking, that will be also collapsed.

Hari-śauri: This is revolutionary.

Rāmeśvara: It's very hard for the mind to...

Prabhupāda: NO, SIMPLY DO THIS.

Rāmeśvara: Such a dramatic transformation of society.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Whatever it may be... We should be satisfied locally by our food, by our cloth, by our milk. That's all. Let the whole world go to hell. We don't care.IF YOU WANT TO SAVE YOURSELF also, you do this. Here is an example. If you want artificial life, city life, and hellish life, you do. But we shall live like this. This is the ideal life.

Hari-śauri: But still, we're going out to attract people to come to our life-style.

Prabhupāda: Hm?

Hari-śauri: We're still going out to attract people to come and live like us.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Rāmeśvara: Well, even more than that, we know that we have the secret to real life, so it's our duty to actually... Just like you say...

Prabhupāda: That is preaching. That is preaching.

Rāmeśvara: ...the surgeon, he must cut.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Rāmeśvara: The doctor must...

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Rāmeśvara: ...save the patient. It's his duty.

Prabhupāda: No artificial dealing. Purge out.

Hari-śauri: When one actually has the power, he can do that.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Hari-śauri: So by our preaching now, we have to try and establish a Kṛṣṇa consciousness government first through the democratic system.

Rāmeśvara: You said, "Think in terms of the whole world, not just one nation. That is our preaching." So you are training us to think very big, global.

Prabhupāda: We keep the ideal style of life. YOU LEARN AND DO IT. I am not encroaching upon your independence, but IF YOU WANT TO BE HAPPY, you follow. This is our process. Āpani ācārī prabhu jīveri śikṣāya. You be happy, very ideally, and people will learn. But this can be possible only on the basis of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If you make minus Kṛṣṇa consciousness this thing, it will never be possible. Then it will not be possible. All these scheme will be successful if there is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Hari-śauri: Only if the chanting and prasādam is there.

Prabhupāda: Prasādam, Deity worship, devotional life... Then it will be all right.

Hari-śauri: Yes. Gandhi could never implement his program.

Prabhupāda: Nobody can do. They simply... Even... What is that? Marx? He could not. There is no real attraction. Artificial, by force. Here the real attraction is Kṛṣṇa. So other thing he doesn't mind: "Let there be little inconvenience. I don't mind."

Hari-śauri: A devotee is actually getting a higher taste. He's getting some real enjoyment, so he doesn't care for the other things.

Prabhupāda: So unless there is enjoyment he cannot stick. But that enjoyment is Kṛṣṇa.

Hari-śauri: Just that chanting is enough. It's just so much nectar.

Prabhupāda: No, everything--Deity worship, chanting, kīrtana, preaching, publishing, distributing--everything.

(From Room Conversation 3 of January 31st, 1977 in Bhubaneswar, page 1243)

Yogeśvara: Well, at the farm there is not as much of a new bhakta program as in Paris. So the new men are encouraged to stay in Paris to get fixed up first.

Prabhupāda: So new... When they are trained up, they can come, live, especially gṛhasthas. My point is whether the farm is attractive. Not very much.

Yogeśvara: The potential is wonderful.

Prabhupāda: And therefore I'm asking. Potential is wonderful, so why they are not attracted to live in the farm and be self-independent and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa? That is our farm project. Our farm project is they should be satisfied with simple living. That is nice living. If you get milk, if you get fruit, if you get grain and open air, it is very healthy life. Why they should not be attracted?

Yogeśvara: It is still the beginning, and because it's the beginning, it is a little difficult sometimes.

Prabhupāda: That may be. But this should be our aim. We should not be attracted by the modern city life. Simplified life. Save time and utilize for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is perfect life. Just like Vṛndāvana. Vṛndāvana life means agriculturist, cowherd boys, uneducated girls, cows and calves, and tree, fruits. This is Vṛndāvana. The center is Kṛṣṇa.

Yogeśvara: Simple living.

Prabhupāda: But they are the topmost devotees. These (chuckling) uneducated, without any town life, cow-men, they are Kṛṣṇa's best friend. Unsophisticated, no education, but love intense--that is perfect. That attracted Kṛṣṇa more. Vṛndāvanaṁ parityajya na padam ekaṁ na kartavya... Krsna is so much attached to Vṛndāvana that He goes nowhere... What is that? They are not educated girls, up-to-date fashion, (indistinct) or nothing. Crude. As soon as there was blowing of the flute, immediately they began to run towards Kṛṣṇa. Somebody is taking care of children, somebody is engaged in boiling milk, and somebody was even lying down with her husband. Still, immediately... Very crude, unsophisticated, but intense love for Kṛṣṇa--that is Vṛndāvana.

WE WANT TO INTRODUCE THIS FARM PROJECT MEANS INTENSE LOVE FOR KRSNA.

And other things--very simple: little milk, little food grain, little vegetable, that's all. And that is very nice. If you get fresh vegetable, fresh milk, and food grain, what do you want more? And from milk you can prepare so many nice preparations, unlimited number, all very palatable, sweet. This civilization we want to introduce, not so-called rascal civilization and become implicated in this cycle of birth and death. This is not civilization. This is killing civilization. Human being got the opportunity to get out of these clutches of birth and death. They do not understand. They're so rascal, they do not understand how they are implicated in this cycle of birth and death, nor they do take it seriously, that this is the problem, janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-du�kha-doṣānudarśanam. They are so blind rascals, they do not see that this is real suffering. They do not know it. Simply theorizing, making plan, and they do not know what is the suffering. Such a rascal civilization. So we have to introduce real civilization. Therefore we are struggling so hard. So make in such a way. That's a very nice place, center of Europe and very nice place. What is the condition of rainfall?

Yogeśvara: Last summer was dry, but it was not so much dangerous for us. And now it is steady.

Prabhupāda: So there must be rainfall. And if we become Kṛṣṇa conscious, chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, there will be rainfall.

Yogeśvara: That will be true everywhere we go.

Prabhupāda: There'll be rainfall. And then even barren land will be fertile. They do not know this. They are importing water. These rascals, they continue sinful life and import water. There are oceans and seas. Why (chuckling) you scientist cannot bring the water, make cloud and pour water? Where is that science? What do they say about it?

Room Conversation (2), October the 8th, 1977 in Vṛndāvana, page 1460.

Prabhupāda: No luxuries. Live very simple life and you save time for chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa.

Haṁsad�ta: Yes, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: That is my desire.*

Don't waste time for bodily comforts. You have got this body. You have to eat something. You have to cover yourself. So produce your own food and produce your own cloth. Don't waste time for luxury, and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. This is success of life. In this way organize as far as possible, either in Ceylon or in Czechoslovakia , wherever... Save time. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Don't be allured by the machine civilization.

Haṁsad�ta: Yes, Prabhupāda.

Prabhupāda: This is soul-killing civilization, this kind way of life, especially European countries. Anywhere you can inhabit it. It is not very difficult. A cottage; you can produce your own food anywhere. Am I right?

Haṁsad�ta: Yes, Prabhupāda. We will do it.

Prabhupāda: And money, spend for Kṛṣṇa--for Kṛṣṇa's palace, for Kṛṣṇa's temple, for Kṛṣṇa's worship, gorgeous, as gorgeously as... Not for false...

This is the human civilization.

And to organize this, varṇāśrama will help you to divide the society -- brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya--as there is division in the body. That will help. Don't waste human form of body for sense gratification.

*I wanted to introduce this.*

Now I have given you ideas. You can do it. You are all intelligent. For Caitanya Mahāprabhu's para-upakāra... So you do good to others. Not exploit others. Any human being who has been bestowed by this body has the capacity to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Give them chance and make situation favorable.

Is that clear?

Hamsaduta: Yes, it�s clear, Prabhupāda. You have made everything very clear.

October 8, 1977, Vṛndāvana

purva-apara--former and latter; vidhi--regulative principles; madhye--among;

para--the conclusion at the end; balavan--most powerful.

"� Although there are many methods prescribed� the ultimate conclusion should be considered the most powerful."

Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta Madhya Līlā 18.197 Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu.

Śrīla Prabhupāda was most enlivened to hear the report of New Govardhana farm. His Divine Grace, in the last month or so, has been stressing the importance of these farm projects, and said:

"This is the next aspect of Kṛṣṇa consciousness which I wish to push forward. If I am able to travel again then I shall visit the farms and make them perfect. On these farms we can demonstrate the full varṇāśrama system. If these farms become successful, then the whole world will be enveloped by Kṛṣṇa consciousness (emphasis added).

"From your letter I can understand how nice this farm is. I am very happy to see fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, the devotees taking sumptuous prasadam and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. This is the actual meaning of human life. It is a very good farm, from your letter I can understand.

"Whatever you build, get the building materials locally. If you can manufacture tiles locally, then your house problem is solved. Build up a bamboo frame and on it place tiles. In any event, get everything locally. I wish to make a farm tour, and then I shall surely visit your farm."

I suggested to Śrīla Prabhupāda that he was the farm ācārya, but Śrīla Prabhupāda said:

" Kṛṣṇa is the Farm Ācārya. Baladeva is holding a plough, and Kṛṣṇa is holding the calf. Kṛṣṇa advised Nanda Mahārāja not to perform Indra-p�jā, but to worship the land, Govardhana, because it was supplying all foodstuffs for the residents of Vṛndāvana, and the cows as well."

[ Editor�s Note: Herein lies the transcendental, secret formula for transforming land into the spiritual world. When all the residents (beginning with Kṛṣṇa) of a particular tract of land (�village�) are supplied with and are happily subsisting on whatever foodstuffs are produced there locally with the help of happy bulls and cows, and are chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa; that land becomes worshipable, it becomes Govardhana, Vṛndāvana. That is worship of the land. ]

So Śrīla Prabhupāda wants you to develop this farm very nicely, as it will be the future program to present to the world as the ideal of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In the cities we are interested for preaching, but we cannot present the ideal varṇāśrama system.This is only possible at the farms, so they�re very important.

(Letter to GBC Australia, from Śrīla Prabhupāda�s secretary 10th August, 1977)

Then his whole problem is solved. Volume 1

To revive social structure is our very serious mission. Volume 2

First realise, then challenge. Volume 3

This is the arrangement. Volume 4

We must be serious to accept this formula for practical application. Volume 5

We want everyone to be happy. Volume 6

By our living example we�ll have to attract. Volume 7

So we must know how to please Kṛṣṇa. Volume 8

This is our philosophy. Volume 9

This simple thing we must do. Volume 10

Our first religion. Volume 11

If you want actually peaceful life. Volume 12

Then my preaching is successful. Volume 13

My problem. Volume 14

Make Vṛndāvana, Volume 15

Make your life successful. Volume 16

You do your work but take shelter of harinama. That is wanted. Volume 17

You have to prove them fools by practical. Volume 18

That is Vṛndāvana. Volume 19

If economic problem solved, then everything is solved. Volume 20

We must make our own life successful. Volume 21

Naturally they will see that this is convenient. Volume 22

You economically prove that this is the best way of life. Volume 23

Live that way. Volume 24

Life will be sublime. That is real business. Volume 25

Our project. Volume 26

The formula is there. Read it. Volume 27

Anyway, try to introduce a renovation of civilization. Volume 28

You learn and do it� If you want to be happy Volume 29

We want to introduce this farm project means intense love for Kṛṣṇa. Volume 30

This we want to introduce. This we want to preach. Just be convincedVolume 31

Anyway, now you learn this art. Volume 32

At any cost do it. Volume 33

If it is not possible to maintain such an institution, following Bhagavad-gītā's conclusion, then human civilization will be finished. There is no hope. Volume 34

I wanted to introduce this. Volume 35

Very good picnic. Volume 36

Be satisfied, happy with Krsna. Volume 37

To become happy, to be happy. To become really happy. New

 

References

Volume 1
Volume 2
Volume 3
Volume 4
Volume 5
Volume 6
Volume 7
Volume 8
Volume 9
Volume 10
Volume 11
Volume 12
Volume 13
Volume 14
Volume 15
Volume 16
Volume 17
Volume 18
Volume 19
Volume 20
Volume 21
Volume 22
Volume 23
Volume 24
Volume 25
Volume 26
Volume 27
Volume 28
Volume 29
Volume 30
Volume 31
Volume 32
Volume 33
Volume 34
Volume 35
Volume 36