Arrival Lecture
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Los Angeles, April 13, 1973

Prabhupada: So I am very glad to see you again, and especially to see Sriman Radha-Madhava, Gaura-Nitai is being worshiped nicely. Thank you very much. So my journey was in India, Australia, New Zealand. I was to go to Africa also, but I could not go. Everywhere our International Society members are worshiping very nicely. In Australia—Sydney, Melbourne—Deity worship is going on very nicely. Similarly in New Zealand, Auckland. They have also purchased one house, and worship is going on nicely. New York, they are also doing very nicely, and you are also doing very nicely. Perhaps you are still going ahead. Yes. I am very much thankful to you that Krsna, Caitanya Mahaprabhu, came to your country. He wanted to come here, and you have well received and worship Him. Serve Him. He will be happy. Introduce this movement all over your country. America is favored country. Little misguided about spiritual affairs, but if you introduce this Krsna consciousness movement in right way, keeping yourself to the standard, then people will accept it gradually.

Of course, it is not so easy to accept Krsna consciousness. One must be very fortunate. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kono bhagyavan jiva. Bhagyavan jiva means fortunate. Unless one is very, very fortunate, one cannot take up Krsna consciousness. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita,

manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye yatatam api siddhanam kascid vetthi mam tattvatah [Bg. 7.3]

Out of many millions of men, one tries to make his life successful. Make his life means to distinguish oneself from the animals. Animal life is meant for sense gratification. So one who searches after real happiness—ramante yogino anante—unlimited happiness, he rejects this. One who is satisfied with temporary happiness, he’ll not reject it. Although antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam. Those who are satisfied with temporary happiness, they’re not very intelligent. Tad bhavaty alpa-medha, alpa-medha. Those who have got little brain, they are satisfied with temporary, and those who are advanced, yogis, they are not satisfied with temporary happiness. They must be seeking for unlimited happiness. That can be achieved when you (go) back to home, back to Krsna. Krsna is eternal, His pastimes are eternal. Just join with Krsna, His rasa dance, His play with cowherd boys, His dealing with His father and mother in Vrndavana.

So our, this movement is to join Krsna’s pastimes. Tyaktva deham punar janma, punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9] Simply if you try to understand Krsna… That is not very difficult. Everything is explained in the Bhagavad-gita, what is Krsna. And further explained in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So if you simply read our books, follow the rules and regulations, chant sixteen rounds, it will be not very difficult. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah. Things will reveal to you. So if you, in this life, simply try to understand Krsna, then your life is successful. What is that success? Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. After giving up this material body, no more acceptance of material body; we remain in our spiritual body. We have got our spiritual body. That is now covered by the material dress, subtle dress and gross dress. So if we give up the propensity for material sense gratification, that is mukti. So long we have a pinch, a drop of desire to enjoy material happiness, we’ll have to accept a body, different types of body, out of the 8,400,000. But if we become satisfied with service of Krsna, then we have no more interest with this material happiness. That is mukti. When we shall be detestful with this material happiness… (indistinct) Just like Jagai-Madhai. (indistinct) No more (indistinct). That is mukti. Krsna will give you all facility. He’ll give you facilities, whatever you want. Ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy a… Therefore we see varieties of life. It is arranged by Krsna through the agency of material potency. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sar… [Bg. 3.27]. It is going on. But if we say, “Krsna…,” to Krsna, “Now, from this day, I surrender unto You. My Lord, I don’t want anything material,” then you are mukta, liberated. And if you keep the standard, maya will not touch you. Just after giving up this body, you go back to home, back to Godhead. It is very easy.

So try to understand and be happy. Continue this Krsna consciousness movement in right earnest. So Krsna will help you. Tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam dadami buddhi-yogam tam [Bg. 10.10]. Anyone who’s engaged with heart and soul in the service of the Lord, Krsna will give him, everyone, He’ll give you full intelligence: “Do like this. Do like this.” Yena mam upayanti. He gives such intelligence by which you can go back to Him again.

Thank you very much. We shall talk again. (end)