srila prabhupada said...!!!

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

After Bhakti Caitanya Swami had complained that he was not receiving books from the BBT, Srila Prabhupada became very upset with Gopala Krsna about his tardiness in printing and distributing books.  Srila Prabhupada said, "Better we print in two or three places.  Let him print the books in Chandigarh."  Later in the morning, Srila Prabhupada called for Bhakti Prema Swami to find out why the printing had been delayed.

When Srila Prabhupada heard a baby crying, he called Aksayananda Swami to ask why mothers and children were living in the guesthouse.  Srila Prabhupada was not in favor of many women living in Vrndavana, especially in the guesthouse, and Srila Prabhupada said, "Better they go to Mayapur, where there is sufficient space."  Aksayananda Maharaja took the opportunity to report that the P.W.D. was objecting to the construction of the Bhaktivedanta Swami Gate because the structural blueprints had not yet been submitted.  This further upset Srila Prabhupada.

While translating in the afternoon, Srila Prabhupada called for his eye drops because he could not see properly.  When Upendra could not find the drops, a search ensued throughout Vrndavana and Mathura for the eye medicine, Optrix, as well as for an eyewash glass.

A devotee sent his used glass, but Prabhupada still wanted another glass purchased.  Unfortunately, Upendra took the devotee's glass as a sample for purchasing another, so that Prabhupada, when he decided to use the devotee's glass after all, was forced to wash his eyes with rose water from a small, silver katori, with success.  Still, he was very upset with Upendra for giving the glass away.

Finally, Srila Prabhupada discontinued the brahmacari's cold bath and cold friction massage completely, calling it a failure.  It failed mainly because Srila Prabhupada was expected to subject himself to cold, a procedure he did not like at all.  Otherwise, the treatment might have worked.  But Srila Prabhupada did not like any medicine or treatment that inconvenienced him.  He was now speaking of taking Lassix tablets, since the swelling in his body was the worst it has been in many weeks.

Srila Prabhupada has been constipated for three days.  I gave him Phillips Milk of Magnesia, which gave him relief during the night.

"Kartik Chandra Bose had one friend who said to him, 'You have manufactured so many medicines.  I have got this complaint: What you can do for me?'  Kartik Bose replied, 'I have got three medicines: castor oil, quinine, and manganese salt.  All other medicines are simply business.'  He didn't like to take medicines, though a doctor.  When indisposed, he would sit down for three days quietly and take one of these three."

When deteriorating eyesight made it impossible for Prabhupada to translate, he called for Bhakti Caitanya Swami and Trivikrama Swami, who had been asked to come to Vrndavana.  Trivikrama Maharaja suggested that the Delhi temple be added to Bhakti Caitanya Swami's zone, and Srila Prabhupada agreed. "Delhi is part of Northern India," Srila Prabhupada said.  I suggested that Gopala Krsna had worked hard to organize Delhi and might feel hurt about being replaced.  But Srila Prabhupada said, "Gopala, why he should mind?  It is not a sentiment.  It is business.  G.B.C. does not mean alone.  All combined together.  Let him concentrate especially on printing.  If you make factions, it will not be good."

Our discussion turned to Atal Bihari Vajpayee, the Foreign Affairs Minister.  "If he has got sympathy for what we are doing, he will do.  Let us test him.  But if he is political, no matter who goes, he won't help.  Canakya Pandita says never to trust a woman or a politician.  Mix with the politicians very carefully.  They can do more harm than good."

"When you speak to a rascal, you have to inject [tell him] what you want, ten times."

"A man went to a shopkeeper.  He was shaven headed.  The grocer asked who has died.  Oh, Sargal Singh is dead.  So on and on it went, many men, Sargal Singh is dead.  And each shaved his head.  Then one intelligent man asked, 'Who is this Sargal Singh?'  Then the news went back through parampara: The original man was a dobie [washerman] and his ass, Sargal Singh, had died.  This is how unintelligent men work.  Just like twenty years ago, I said they didn't go to the moon.  From Srimad-Bhagavatam, it is instructed you have to execute so much karma-kanda to go there.  So how these rascals will go by machine?  You have to be sastra-caksus.

"I have not studied all the Vedas and Upanisads.  I have read only Bhagavad Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam."  Prabhupada quoted Bhagavad Gita: 15:15.  "Throughout the whole world, amongst all the yogis, swamis, bogis, I am successful.  That is a fact.  Who can be compared with me?  I am giving Bhagavad Gita As It Is, no interpretation, no adulteration. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah.  Otherwise, there are so many big intellectuals.  Mayavadis present so many arguments.  So do not fight amongst yourselves for sentiment and prestige.  Present our infallible books."

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-June 30^th-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

After taking darsana of Sri Sri Krsna-Balarama, Srila Prabhupada met with "Turiya" Alice Coltrane.  Srila Prabhupada answered her questions, including one about the number of rounds she should chant and whether she could chant them mentally.  "You should chant twenty-four hours a day.  But minimum sixteen rounds.  Chanting any way that is convenient.  But chanting with voice is better because it benefits not just yourself but others as well."  Srila Prabhupada stressed not to concoct anything.  He had me read Bhagavad Gita: 16:23 with purport, which condemns whimsical activities.  He stressed that she study the books carefully.  It was clear that she had enjoyed her stay here immensely.  After she had left, Srila Prabhupada said she was very sincere.  If she chanted and read the books carefully, she would be a nice devotee.  Prabhupada was very pleased that she promised to lead a kirtana at three of our upcoming Ratha-yatra festivals.  Srila Prabhupada said this would be a practical demonstration of how our movement united all people, black and white.

When Srila Prabhupada requested me to read Bhagavad Gita: 16:23 during his darsana with Alice Coltrane, I could not find the verse at first; and Srila Prabhupada chastised me for not studying his books.  "You must be like an expert lawyer who can give all the references from law books in order to win the case."  I told Srila Prabhupada that I wanted to read his books but found too little time because of my heavy work schedule.  Srila Prabhupada demanded, "You have to find the time.  Less eating and sleeping."  He quoted the verse describing how the Six Gosvamis overcame their animal functions.  He concluded, "It requires practice."

In the evening, Srila Prabhupada received a report from Mr Meyer about the local management.  Mr  Meyer concluded that there was a lot of mismanagement and recommended that Aksayananda Maharaja reduce his managing and increase his preaching.  He showed that the temple was operating at a loss of thirteen thousand rupees per month.  Srila Prabhupada agreed that sannyasis and brahmacaris should preach; but because they were surrendered, they would also manage when asked to do so.  Therefore, they could not be faulted for any mistakes.  Finally, Prabhupada asked Mr  Meyer to assume the management of the Vrndavana temple and try to save money.  Srila Prabhupada said that he himself would speak with Aksayananda Maharaja about the change.  After Mr Meyer left, I said to Prabhupada that it would be nice if Mr Meyer became as good as Vasudeva, whose report about Fiji had come earlier.  Prabhupada replied, "He will."  Mr Meyer will be initiated Sunday morning.

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 1^s-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

"I was thinking how fortunate I was to be born in a devotee's family, surrounded by devotees.  One old friend of mine, he was seventy years old, such a nice devotee.  Nandulal was his name.  His wife died, and he remarried at age seventy.  Formerly, they used to get married even at eighty years old if there were no family members.  He was a pleader.  When offering obeisances sometimes, because he was old, he would stay asleep like that for two or three hours.  Yesterday, I was just thinking of him.  I felt purified by thinking of him.  In those days, everyone was a devotee.  The Mulliks were devotees.  Every morning, they must go to see Radha-Govinda before they will eat.  They would offer so many nice things, kachori, ruci-very criksy [crispy]-in a huge plate.  And the Mulliks would not eat everything, but would distribute to the neighbourhood men.  That was my training.  Whatever I have introduced, I was trained up in childhood.  I have simply imitated what I learned there.  Except for writing books, which is on the order of my Guru Maharaja.  I got initiated by professional guru at the age of twelve years, but later I rejected him.  One should give up such professional guru; there is direction like that.  The maidservants, they also had guru.  They only were paid three rupees per month and working at a few homes.  So it was not enough money."

I mentioned to Srila Prabhupada how fortunate his disciples were because he had provided for them in every way-wonderful temples to live in, books filled with philosophy.  I said, "You are a most loving father that you have in every way cared for us."  Srila Prabhupada replied, "That is why I want to make these arrangements for my children, that they may also feel this way."

As he prepared to go upstairs for the night, Srila Prabhupada said, "Anyone who does welfare work for the benefit of everyone will be respected in the three worlds.  Lokanam hita-karinau tri-bhuvane.  So I am sincerely trying to do good work for the whole human society.  Why I should not be respected?"  I had just finished reading a letter of appreciation from Peter Burwash.  All over the world, people appreciate that what Prabhupada gives is genuine.

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 2^nd-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

When Srila Prabhupada awoke after a night's rest, he opened his eyes and Srila Prabhupada said, "They go from Los Angeles.  You all think over it.  Then I shall tell you."  Srila Prabhupada was referring to the question which we had not yet solved: If the world is not a globe but part of Jambudvipa, which is the centre of the huge, lotus-like Bhumandala, how does an airplane fly from Los Angeles to Hawaii to Tokyo and on to India?  The scientists explain by saying that the airplane circles the globe.  But according to Srimad-Bhagavatam, there is no planet earth as the scientists say, floating in space.  Rather, there is Bharatavarsa with its seven continents and oceans and Himalayan Mountains.  After challenging us thus, Srila Prabhupada went back to sleep.  When he again awoke, Prabhupada began to reveal the answer.  "They are bound up and cannot go beyond a point.  They are conditioned and are forced to return.  They can only go so far and not farther."  I told Prabhupada that we accepted that point, but it still did not answer the question.  Prabhupada replied, however, that it did.  "You are prejudiced.  You are conditioned with preconceptions of how everything is."  He was saying that my difficulty to understand was due to my acceptance of the scientists' assumptions.  "It is just like a bull grinding, going around in a circle.  He is tied up and simply going around.  So everyone is tied up.  They cannot go beyond a point, and they cannot move in any way they like, just like the bull only has certain limits to his movement.  How can a frog in the well understand the ocean?  They say the Himalayan Mountains are twenty-eight thousand feet high.  But Srimad-Bhagavatam says eighty thousand miles high.  You have cheated about going to the moon.  How can I believe you?  You want to explain the whole universe, how can I believe you?  Once someone is shown to be a cheater, he will always cheat.  A gentleman would say, 'I don't know!'  But they are not gentlemen.  They are loafer class!  How we can believe them?  I have personally seen in Switzerland, you cannot see where the mountain goes.  Many planes are crashing there.  The Srimad-Bhagavatam says that great kings crossed the Himalayas.  But they crash.  They said the world was flat.  Then Galileo said it was round, and for this he was hanged.  They didn't know and he didn't know.  Our knowledge doesn't change, because it is perfect.  As soon as there is change, it is not perfect."

I told Srila Prabhupada of my experience yesterday with one of the banks in which he has an account, and how the bank manager was cheating. I explained my conclusion that if he was cheating us, then many other persons might have been cheated as well.  The matter concerned the bank's holding our money intentionally for two weeks after the account was closed and they were ordered to transfer the money to another bank.  By our insistence, they were made to pay us the interest for the period they illegally held the money.  Srila Prabhupada explained that this situation proved that employees of the bank took the interest money if the depositors were complacent, and kept it to enhance their salaries.  Prabhupada advised that I not speak publicly of this matter.

After lunch, Srila Prabhupada spoke again about the planetary system.  In trying to understand the fact of flying from Los Angeles to India, I had an energetic discussion with Srila Prabhupada.  I left feeling very perplexed with Prabhupada's admonition, "You are prejudiced."  Later in the afternoon, I was still feeling disturbed, mainly because of my argumentative attitude during the earlier discussion.  I felt that perhaps I had been offensive in questioning too much; thus, I came in and apologized.  Srila Prabhupada said there was nothing wrong; we were merely discussing a difficult subject.  After some time, Prabhupada called me back to the room and Srila Prabhupada said, "Why you are thinking this way, that I am offended?"  My mentality seemed to disturb Prabhupada.  Srila Prabhupada said, "Now the atmosphere is disturbed.  I cannot translate."  The emotions produced by this situation were very difficult to understand.  Perhaps I will realize their implications as I become more Krsna conscious.

Instead of translating, Prabhupada had me call the others: Bhakti Prema Swami and Yasodanandana Swami.  A conversation ensued, similar to the one Srila Prabhupada had with me after lunch.  Our question of how the Bhagavatam's description of Jambudvipa can accommodate travelling west from Los Angeles to reach India seemed to remain unanswered.  Prabhupada stressed, however, that we were overly concerned with such a minor issue, just "a drop of water" (Prabhupada's description of the Pacific Ocean).  "With your experimental logic you cannot understand.  It is inconceivable.  Just accept the sastra.  True understanding only comes by the mercy of the spiritual master.  You cannot adjust the description of the Bhagavatam within the limits of your knowledge.  Our Narada Muni went to Vaikuntha.  After coming back, he told a cobbler about an elephant passing through the eye of a needle.  The cobbler said, 'Oh, Narayana is so great!'  But a brahmana said, 'It is simply stories!'  Narada then asked the cobbler, 'How can you believe that Narayana was passing an elephant through the head of a needle?'  The cobbler explained, 'Why not?  We are sitting under a banyan tree.  There are so many fruits; and each fruit contains so many seeds, which each will grow into a huge banyan tree.'  Everything is inconceivable, and these rascals want to bring it as conceivable.  Don't be puffed up by your so-called education.  It has no value."  Srila Prabhupada gave us the spiritual solution to a mundane question.

Earlier in the day, Prabhupada had suddenly said, "I know Bhavananda Maharaja doesn't like to allow the women to come to Mayapur.  But why not?  They can be taught spinning."  I asked Srila Prabhupada whether householders could live together at Mayapur.  Srila Prabhupada said, "What is the harm as long as they follow the regulative principles?"  Then I asked what about sex life in Vrndavana and Mayapur.  Prabhupada answered, "Vrndavana is meant for renunciation.  But in Mayapur, it is all right within religious principles."

Mr Meyer was initiated today.  Yasodanandana Swami performed the yajna most expertly, reciting Sanskrit slokas very quickly and perfectly by memory for half an hour.  Hence, Srila Prabhupada said he must go to Fiji for the opening ceremony of the temple.  After the fire ceremony, Mr Meyer and his wife came before Srila Prabhupada in the garden, and Prabhupada named him "Ramakrsna dasa."  Prabhupada explained that the beauty of a wife was demonstrated by her faithfulness to her husband.  He gave the example of Sita devi, who was the daughter of a powerful king.  She could have stayed with her father but preferred to accompany Rama to the forest.  Prabhupada stated that the husband must always protect the wife, just as Rama, when Sita was kidnapped, annihilated Ravana's entire kingdom.

Later, Prabhupada called for Ramakrsna and Aksayananda Maharaja.  He requested Ramakrsna to help with the management, particularly the financial aspects, and try to save money.  He promised that Aksayananda Maharaja would not interfere.  Ramakrsna was eager to suggest ways to increase the collection, but Srila Prabhupada said, "To earn money is not difficult, but to save money, that requires intelligence.  It is difficult.  I think this is a maxim.  At least for me it is.  We do not earn.  We beg and Krsna sends.  Whatever property we have, Krsna has sent.  Now, to maintain our prestigious position, that is difficult.  In Delhi, in Lohi Bazaar, there is a Punjabi shop.  All preparations are made from first-class ghee.  Whenever I used to pass, there were at least fifty customers.  From this, I got the impression that if you have genuine goods, customers will come."

Ramakrsna Prabhu suggested working with the Prime Minister, but Srila Prabhupada said, "We don't want to become prime minister.  We have kicked out these things.  Even if offered, we will not accept.  But we can guide the prime ministers for the welfare of the whole world."

"The rascals don't know how to make things.  Just like a man was ordered to make a doll of Lord Siva but instead he made a monkey."

"My Guru Maharaja used to say, 'If I can beget Krsna-conscious children, I can beget one hundred children.  Modern people can't even maintain one child."

"Changing political parties.  This side of the stool or that.  Now they are thinking, this stool is dried up; it is better."

When Prabhupada was about to retire upstairs for the night, I mentioned that it was very good to change locations, even if still in the same house.  "Yes, even the sages living within the caves used to move up to the mountains at night."  I said, "Srila Prabhupada you are a modern-day sage."  "I try to be.  At least I am not a 'probably' man."

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 3^rd-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

When Prabhupada arises in the morning, he often thanks me, saying, "It is due to your care that the flies have not disturbed me, so I could rest."  When he wakes up, usually around 6:00 a.m., he opens his eyes and looks at me.  Then after some time, he holds out his arms and I pull him up.  I sit behind him and scratch his back, which has lines in the skin from lying down.  At this time, he usually talks casually.

This morning I told him of Bhavananda Maharaja's and Acyutananda Maharaja's recent visit to the Radha-ramana temple.  The pujari had said to them that he was praying that in their next life, they too would be able to worship Radha-ramana. Bhavananda Maharaja didn't reply, but he was thinking, "'I pray that in your next life you can preach all over the world."  Then Prabhupada commented, "A magistrate went to a village.  He was a young man.  Since people in the village think the police inspector is the top man, one old lady blessed the magistrate, saying to him, 'My dear boy, you become police inspector.'  I would have said to the Gosvami at the Radha-ramana temple, 'They are already better than you.'"

Visvambhara and Gunarnava returned today from Hyderabad.  Visvambhara came after darsana to report to Prabhupada.  Because the report was in Hindi, I went to the bank.  One thing I learned from the report, however, was that they spent some forty thousand rupees on constructing a new temple and go-sala, which were unnecessary and both of which were still unfinished.  They could have invested their money in farming, especially in irrigation.

By afternoon, Prabhupada's son Vrindaban Chandra De arrived, and at night, Prabhupada called for him.  He had come to learn how the family would be provided for.  They were worried about being asked by devotees, in Prabhupada's absence, to vacate the flat which Srila Prabhupada bought and in which they were permitted to live.  Prabhupada gave complete assurance that they would never Srila Prabhupada said be bothered and described a scheme whereby the mother, two sons, and two daughters would receive a regular monthly pension throughout their lives.

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 4^th-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

When Vrindaban Chandra returned, Srila Prabhupada rebuked him most severely for being irresponsible, unqualified, and incapable.  His mother had inherited one-fifth of the Mahatma Gandhi Road property; but the two sons, particularly M. M. (Mathura Mohan) could give her no protection, and they were forced to leave.  The money from selling their share was held by the bank, and she could not get it.  Prabhupada was furious that they were so unskilled, they could not even protect their mother.  Prabhupada explained that this was the reason he felt so cautious about giving her the Panchsheel flat, because he knew that they would lose it by mismanagement.  They were very unfortunate.  Prabhupada explained that good fortune required good activities in previous lifetimes.  Otherwise, one could not become fortunate simply by working hard.  Prabhupada then discussed the book business.  Vrindaban was simply sitting and talking about territory and commission, but where was the business?  He has paid practically nothing, but took over twenty-five thousand rupees worth of books; and now he talked of adjusting Gargamuni's commission to cover his bills.  Prabhupada was furious.  Prabhupada told him that from now on, all books would have to be purchased with cash.  Srila Prabhupada said, "I am giving you chance; if you pay, all facilities will be given."  After he left, Prabhupada lamented that M. M. had turned out so bad.  "Now he is a Communist.  But still, it is said he is strict vegetarian and worships Krsna.  He was beautiful, very intelligent, good devotee, his future was very bright.  But after I left, he became ruined by association.  Association is so important."

After lunch, I read Srila Prabhupada a report from Harikesa, which very much pleased His Divine Grace.  On hearing Harikesa's words of appreciation, Srila Prabhupada said, "People, my disciples, are thanking me for what I have done for them.  I don't think it is official.  Why you should be after a poor Indian?  It must be because you got life.  I don't think they are writing out of formality."

In the evening, Srila Prabhupada called again for Vrindaban Chandra and preached to him.  He especially asked him to convince his brother to come and see Prabhupada.  It was clear that Prabhupada had been very disappointed by his oldest son, who was so qualified but had wasted his life.  Srila Prabhupada said, "Let him join our movement.  He is not married, so he can join."  Prabhupada began to recount stories about his earlier family life.  He hesitated, saying, "I am a sannyasi and these are family affairs."  Then Srila Prabhupada, who is a completely transcendental personality, began to relate stories and exhibit emotions which were apparently those of an ordinary householder.  In a similar way, Lord Rama, who is the Supreme Lord, seemingly exhibited so much attachment and dependence on His consort Sita and seemed very depressed at times.

Prabhupada described, "I was with him [Mathura Mohan De] on a streetcar.  He was just a small boy.  This was in Bombay.  Then a marriage party passed and he asked, 'What is this?'  I told him it was a marriage party.  Then he asked, 'Father, you are also married?'  All the people in the streetcar laughed.  All the Vaisnavas loved him-Sridhara Maharaja, Bon Maharaja.  My Guru Maharaja would treat him just like a grandson.  On Janmastami, he would not even take water, even he would faint.  All of my Godbrothers would say, 'Go and ask for Guru Maharaja's mercy.'  And he would go to Guru Maharaja and bow down and say again and again, 'Guru Maharaja, please give me your mercy, please give me your mercy.'"  In speaking affectionately of his son, Prabhupada was seemingly affected by such thoughts.  Showing his love for him, he said to his younger son, Vrindaban, "Try to bring him here to see me.  Say to him that I want to see him in my last days." Then Prabhupada spoke of his former wife, how very faithful and nice she was, but not at all intelligent.  And she was spoiled.  "Once, when staying at the house of my father-in-law, they gave me my own room.  I came home at night.  So your mother served me kachoris and singharas [samosas] from the shop.  I thought, 'How is this?'  She said, 'The cook was sick today.'  But she would not cook.  Then I thought, 'It is better we do not live here at the home of her father, or she will be even more spoiled.'"

Srila Prabhupada's son was quite moved to hear his father speaking affectionately of his mother.  After all, Prabhupada had left his family to take sannyasa.  Srila Prabhupada allowed himself to express seemingly worldly emotions.  In the past, Prabhupada mentioned that he had neglected his family.  So this week, he was giving all attention to care for them, materially and spiritually.  Vrindaban asked whether there was any other instruction.  Srila Prabhupada said, "Try to improve your economic condition.  You are a family man, and you have to provide for children in the future."

For two days, Prabhupada has had a cold.  He took a medicine called Purnarnava to help with eliminating.

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 5^th-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

In the garden, Srila Prabhupada called for Vrindaban Chandra and preached to him for one and a half hours about being a devotee.  Then again after lunch, Srila Prabhupada preached to him.

The London devotees had sent Srila Prabhupada a silver and gold goblet.  Today, Prabhupada drank out of it.  I asked Prabhupada whether it made the drink taste better.  Prabhupada explained, "The karmis think that by changing, the particular taste will improve.  Or by getting a new body, it will be better.  Actually, by fortune, one gets a guru; and by the guru's instruction, one gets Krsna.  To get fortune, one has to follow the regulative principles.  Man is the architect of his own destiny.  But if he remains like an animal, he never gets fortune."

Srila Prabhupada received a letter from Satsvarupa Maharaja, regarding a proposed book, Things Without Krsna Fail, in which he proposed to criticize specific persons.  Prabhupada's instructions once again provided guidance for our preaching approach: "I think that is not a good idea.  You should go positively forward instead of attacking others.  It will create a section of enemies.  We may criticize with our mouth but not put it in writing.  Let us prove by action that all others are failures.  To criticize means to give some importance-a rival to Hare Krsna.  Our criticism is that as soon as we see there is no Krsna consciousness, it is rejected.  A rascal is beautiful so long he doesn't speak.  Just like rice-press a piece; and if it is not soft, you can understand it is all uncooked.  Therefore, one word, like 'probably,' means they are finished.  There is a proverb in Bengali:  'If you kill a skunk, your hand gets a bad smell.'  If you attack others, some bad smell will be there.  Keep your position respectable.  Why should I try to understand -- -'s  philosophy?  I know from the beginning it will be useless.  I therefore say, 'I do not know these.'  Let others present the philosophy of -- -, and then you smash it.  You crush it by kicking.  Otherwise, your hand will get a bad smell.  In other words, when others bring up the name of -- -, you can ask, 'What is his philosophy?'  After it is described, then you can smash it."

In the evening, Srila Prabhupada called for Vrindaban Chandra again.  Vrindaban Chandra, after considering the pension scheme devised by Prabhupada, was asking for further allowances.  Instead, Srila Prabhupada preached strongly, condemning material sense gratification.  "Happiness is not possible simply by money.  Become a devotee.  The secret to happiness is I must not be poverty-stricken, neither I hanker for becoming rich.  I have got so much property from my father and I will be happy.  Your maternal uncles died from drinking, though their father gave them so much property.  Happiness means to put an end to repeated birth and death.  Where is happiness in this world?  From babyhood to old age, there is suffering.  But when Krsna is added, then there is happiness in this present life and in the next.  This knowledge is given by guru.  I am insisting on this book distribution for you, because it is service.  You can make a living and, at the same time, it is service to Krsna."

As Prabhupada was preaching to Vrindaban, Visvambhara came in.  Prabhupada turned to him and requested him to take care of the Hyderabad farm.  Visvambhara expressed his fears that, unless the earth there had water, it would be impossible to develop.  Prabhupada's solution: "Perform sankirtana, and the water will come from above" Srila Prabhupada said.

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 6^th-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

In the morning, Prabhupada still had his cold.  The sun came up and the clouds parted.  I prayed to Suryadeva to please burn through the clouds.  I suggested to Prabhupada that a massage with oil in the morning sun would be very healthy.  He allowed me to massage him all over his body for one and a half hours as the sun mercifully shone.  Srila Prabhupada said, "Krsna dictated through you." (i.e. the idea of the early morning massage.)  Prabhupada then took one-third of a Lassix tablet, which helped him throughout the day to pass urine.  Because I was treating him, Srila Prabhupada acted as though I was his doctor.  He told Bhakti-Caru to consult me regarding which foods he should be served and asked Upendra to consult me about the kind of massage and bath to give.

In the evening, I read a letter from a gentleman who had received a bad first impression of ISKCON because of Dev Anand's movie "Hare Krsna, Hare Rama."  Srila Prabhupada said, "Why has Dev Anand become our enemy?"

A letter arrived from Tusta Krsna Swami.  Srila Prabhupada said, "You may differ with your Godbrothers, but don't differ in regard to chanting.  Then it will be suicidal.  Send him a sankirtana newsletter.  See how your Godbrothers are doing.  Compete with them instead of fighting.  Fighting is going on between brothers perpetually, but do something for the father."

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 7^th-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

This afternoon, I took Vrindaban Chandra to lunch at the Radha- Damodara temple.  It was an opportunity to ask him about Srila Prabhupada's family life.  Vrindaban Chandra explained that every morning about five o'clock, Prabhupada would hold kirtana, chanting Hare Krsna with his family; then he would offer food preparations to his Deities of Radha-Krsna.  At night, the program was repeated, with the addition of Prabhupada's reading from Srimad-Bhagavatam.  He would personally sew clothes for his Deities.  Such daily worship, he performed at home.  On big ceremonial days, he would attend the Baghbazar Gaudiya Math.

Prabhupada's cold has not improved.  During the afternoon massage, Srila Prabhupada said, "You can squeeze with all your strength; I can take it."  Vick's Vaporub was also applied, which Prabhupada liked.

This morning in the garden, I asked Srila Prabhupada what we should do regarding initiations.  Srila Prabhupada  said, "Give me a list of sannyasis, and I shall mark which ones.  You can do, Kirtanananda Maharaja, Satsvarupa Maharaja can do.  Jayatirtha, Bhagavan, Harikesa Swami.  Five or six men, whoever is nearest.  They can give first and second initiation.  In India, Jayapataka Maharaja; and you are also in India.  Ramesvara Maharaja and Hrdayananda.  So without waiting for me, whoever you consider is right, that will depend upon your discretion."  The next morning, Srila Prabhupada added Hamsaduta Maharaja and Bhavananda Maharaja.  These eleven devotees are called "rtvik"-representatives of the acarya.

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 8^th-Tamala Krsna Goswami

[chitralekha devi dasi (bcs)]

A letter came from Gopala Krsna, in which he expressed his distress over Bhakti Caitanya Swami's being appointed G.B.C. for Delhi.  He was also disturbed regarding other devotees in Bombay.  Prabhupada commented, "Why Gopala should be envious?  He is not fixed up."  (Gopala Krsna had said he wanted to give up his post.)  "Why these devotees should not be rewarded for getting so much preaching-how much land, how many devotees, how many books distributed-this I want to see.  First, he should return the three lakhs of rupees I loaned the BBT and make six lakhs profit as he promised.  Then he can have.  That will prove his word of honour."

In the evening, I read Srila Prabhupada a report of the successful victory in the Boston courts of the Basu Gopal case.  The report pleased Srila Prabhupada very much.  I also showed him a copy of Brijbasi Spirit and read a very moving story of a sixteen-year-old boy who was not allowed to be Krsna conscious by his parents, but continued his practice. Realizing that the deprogrammers knew him to be the heart of our movement, Prabhupada commented, "Krsna wanted me not to go; therefore this illness. Krsna knows I am very fond to move everywhere.  It would be dangerous.  And they [the deprogrammers] would be very happy if I came.  'This is the old rascal who has caused everything.'  They would have dragged me to court.  Better the rtvik go."

At night, Prabhupada took some cough medicine which made him sleep many hours.  Thus, he did not translate.  Srila Prabhupada said the medicine was mildly intoxicating.

Biographies and Glorifications of Srila Prabhupada-TKG's Diary: Prabhupada's Final Days-July 9^th-Tamala Krsna Goswami