Arrival Talk

Prabhupāda: So I must first of all thank you for decorating Rādhā-Mādhava so nicely. So we are coming from Māyāpur, from the birthplace of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. And Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu is combination of Rādhā-Mādhava. Śrī-kṛṣṅa-caitanya, rādhā-kṛṣṅa nahe anya [Śrī Guru-paramparā 6]. So Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu wanted that in every town, every village of this globe, this cult of Kṛṣṅa consciousness should be preached. And it was given to the Indians: bhārata bhūmite manuṣya-janma haila yāra [Cc Ādi 9.41].

[One who has taken his birth as a human being in the land of India [Bhārata-varṣa] should make his life successful and work for the benefit of all other people.]

It was the duty of the Indians. But in one sense, Bhārata-varṣa means this planet. Formerly there was one flag, Bhārata-varṣa, and the capital was Hastināpura. Gradually the control of the Pāṅḍavas declined. Up to Mahārāja Parīkṣit, the whole world was Bhārata-varṣa. Now it has become a teeny land, peninsula. So in that sense, anyone who is..., who has taken birth on this planet, it is the duty of him to spread Kṛṣṅa consciousness. So by the grace of Kṛṣṅa, you European boys and girls, you have taken very seriously, and Kṛṣṅa will be very much pleased upon you.

Unfortunately, Bhāratavarṣī is not interested. Here we see side by side the two wings of this house. The one room is interested in making money, and one room is interested in spreading Kṛṣṅa consciousness. So this is the position. We are... Indians, we are neglecting this movement. That is not very good. Recently I had the chance to travel in the villages of Bengal. Oh, it is so pitiable, full of... They have given up this culture of Kṛṣṅa consciousness. They have not profited. They have not profited. But unfortunately the leaders, they think that by development of industries they'll be able. No. That is not possible. Harāv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guṅā [SB 5.18.12].

[All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vāsudeva. On the other hand, a person devoid of devotional service and engaged in material activities has no good qualities. Even if he is adept at the practice of mystic yoga or the honest endeavor of maintaining his family and relatives, he must be driven by his own mental speculations and must engage in the service of the Lord's external energy. How can there be any good qualities in such a man?]

If you become godless, then you have no good qualification. Everything is finished. Harāv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guṅā manorathena asato dhāvato bahiḥ. These rascals, godless people, they will simply manufacture plan, manorathena: by mental concoction, "Now this, we have made this plan. It will be very nice." But no. That is not possible.

daivī hy eṣā guṅamayī mama māyā duratyayā mām eva ye prapadyante māyām etāṁ taranti [Bg 7.14]

[This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it.]

Māyā is so strong that it will break, dismantle, everything into pieces, your plan.

So anyway, Calcutta is my birthplace, so you have kindly come here and conducting this temple. I am very much obliged to you. I cannot remain here; I have to go here and there. Try to raise the standard of Kṛṣṅa consciousness, even there are so many inconveniences, I know. You are coming from a country where material conveniences are greater. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu has advised,

tṛṅād api sunīcena taror api sahiṣṅunā amāninā mānadena kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ [Cc Ādi 17.31]

[One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor yet is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.]

So some of you, you have come with your big, big buses and vans to preach in India. You take Caitanya Mahāprabhu's blessings and try to enlighten these people. The people are already... Bhāratavarṣī, the inhabitants of Bhārata-varṣa, naturally they are inclined. Just like in the villages, when we were passing, the boys and children, they were also dancing. That is natural. Some way or other, this India is in a very precarious condition. So you have come, taking so much trouble. And take little trouble. There is no trouble. By the grace of Kṛṣṅa and Caitanya Mahāprabhu there will be no trouble. You'll be happy. Try to preach this Kṛṣṅa consciousness movement in India at least for some time, and help them to rise to their standard of Kṛṣṅa consciousness.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya! [end]