10.

Feeling Home Sick Session 10

10.1 Introduction :
A thought may come in devotee’s mind that No one is bothered about me! In my house, mother
would be always concerned whether I have eaten or not today, no one knows! - But Srila Prabhupada
has set up a system, whereby if a devotee follows the process, he gets necessary guidance and strength.
Çréla Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Öhäkura has emphasized that those seriously interested in achieving the
perfection of Kåñëa consciousness must live in a community of Vaiñëavas. Çréla Prabhupäda has also
mentioned several times in his literature that it is not possible to achieve the stage of perfect Kåñëa con-
sciousness unless one accepts the shelter of the pure devotees by living in the Kåñëa conscious commu-
nities being established all over the world by the International Society for Krishna Consciousness.

10.2 Understanding of Home sickness - Scriptures-Guru-Sadhu.

Srila Prabhupada’s personal life incident: Learning- so I was dreaming sometimes that my Guru
Mahäräja is calling me and I am leaving my home and going behind him. I was dreaming like that, and I
was thinking, "Oh, I have to give up my home? My Guru Mahäräja wants me to give up my home life
and take sannyäsa?" So I was thinking, "It is horrible. How can I leave my home?" This is called mäyä.
Of course, it's a long story, but incidentally I am speaking to you because you are my dear children. So I
was thinking that "How can I take sannyäsa and leave my home, my children?" So that was a horrible
thought for me, I tell you. I was thinking seriously, "Oh, I will have to take this course. Guru Mahäräja
wants me." But actually I did not like to give up my home life. But Guru Mahäräja made me obliged to
give up my home life. So now, by his order, or by his plan, I gave up my home life, I gave up a few chil-
dren, but Guru Mahäräja is so kind that has given me so many nice children.

So by serving Kåñëa, nobody becomes loser. This is my practical ex..., I mean, practical experi-
ence, nobody. So I am citing this example of my personal experience because... Just try to understand
that before leaving my home was thinking that "I may be in great trouble." Especially when I left my
home for your country in 1965 alone, the government would not allow me to take any money. I had on-
ly a few book and forty rupees, Indian forty rupees. So I came in New York in such condition, but by the
grace of my spiritual master Bhaktisiddhänta Sarasvaté Gosvämé Mahäräja, and by the grace of Kåñëa,
everything happens by combined mercy of Kåñëa and spiritual master.

Prabhupäda: So I am so pleased that you are doing things just to my satisfaction. And stick to this prin-
ciple and Kåñëa will bless you, sure. Our line of action is not difficult: chanting sixteen rounds regularly,
following the four regulative principles, take prasädam, read books, we have got so many books, speak,
discuss about the subject matter amongst yourself, and this is the process.

REF. Çrémad-Bhägavatam 2.1.1-4 -- Boston, December 22, 1969

According to Prahläda Mahäräja, the material home is compared to a blind well. If a man falls down into
a blind well, it is very difficult to get out of it and begin life again. Prahläda Mahäräja has advised that
one give up this blind well of home life. Ref. 4.13.46 (Purport)

10.3 We can’t and should not expect personal care.

1. No doubt, authorities to the best of their abilities will try to keep everyone comfortable. Still every-
one has limitations!
2. Prabhupada So as we explained last night, every action and reaction is being completed by the supe-
rior person, Kåñëa. But He has got so multi-energies that He does not require... Just like we have to
see so many things personally. Just like in this management of our institution sometimes we have to
take personal care: "How this is being managed?" Because we have to see there may not be any dis-
crepancies in the service of the Lord. That is our duty. But entirely, if we depend on Kåñëa, things
will go on. But we have to depend in that way. He has got such fine machinery. The first thing is that

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 He is seated in everyone's heart. Sarvasya cähaà hådi sanniviñöaù [Bg. 15.15]. So He can give instruc-
tion to perform the respective duties—but provided there is another thing, personal consideration.
Ref. SB 3.26.41 Lecture

10.4 Handling different situation if devotees is sick:

Understanding No. 1

What should a devotee do, when he is sick and no one has come to give him prasadam?

Solution : A devotee should tackle this situation with 2 levels of thinking:

1. Social Level
2. Spiritual / Transcendental level

Mostly, system is set to take care of sick devotees. But if no one comes…

1. At a social level a devotee should himself call Temple Commanders / other devotees and request for
help.In case, it doesn’t come, he should again try.

2. If in spite of all attempts he sees no one coming (which is very very unlikely), he should think philo-
sophically / spiritually.

Understanding No. 2
We suffer or enjoy as a result of reactions to our own doings. There is an infallible law of
karma. How to understand this point

Solution: A devotee should have firm faith that nothing happens without the will of Krishna

1. So if we simply remember that “Kåñëa has put me in this condition of life that is very nice. tat te ’nu-
kampäà su-samékñamäëo bhuïjäna evätma-kåtaà vipäkam. A devotee is satisfied always. He does
not grudge, that “I am put into this condition. Why I’m not put into the condition of a king or a
learned brähmaëa?” No. “Whatever condition Kåñëa has given me, that is all right.” Tat te anu-
kampäm, it is His grace. “By His grace I have got this position.”Because my only business is to re-
member Kåñëa. That we can do any stage of life.

REF. Çrémad-Bhägavatam 6.1.9 -- Los Angeles, June 22, 1975

2. Whenever there is some crash, either railway or the airplane, it should be noted that all those pas-
sengers are destined to die by the will of God, and they come together and destroy.(?) Because with-
out the sanction, will, of God, nothing can take place. [break] ...some reason. Father is not unkind,
but when father denies the same facility he is giving to the other child, that does not mean he is un-
kind. [break] ...the devotee is suffering from some reverse condition, then he is feeling very much
obliged to Kåñëa, “Oh, my dear Lord, it is Your great mercy that I am suffering.” This is devotee. He
is suffering and he is taking it as great mercy of God. Tat te anukampäm. Anukampä. Anukampä
means mercy. So it is Your mercy. Tat te ’nukampäà susamékñamäëo bhuïjäna evätma-kåtaà vipäkam.
He knows the same thing, that a man suffers on account of his past sinful activities or present sinful
activities.

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Understanding No. 3

Devotee accepts all miserable conditions to be the grace of the Lord.

Solution:

Srila Prbhupada says : Devotee thinks, “I would have been punished or put into a more miserable
condition of life due to my past misdeeds, but the Lord has protected me. Thus I have received only a
little punishment as Token execution of the law of karma.

REF. Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.7.12 -- Våndävana, September 11, 1976

One has to become advanced devotee to Understand how Kåñëa’s direction is going on. They can
understand. Don’t think that things are taking place automatically. Therefore even in reverse condition
a devotee does not see that “This thing is happening without direction of Kåñëa.” Even if he is in an ad-
verse condition, he does not feel any pain, because he knows that “This adverse condition is also under
the direction of Kåñëa.

So I am fully surrendered to Kåñëa.Why I shall take this adverse position as not mercy of Kåñëa?
It is also mercy of Kåñëa.” Tat te ’nukampäà su-samékñamäëo huïjäna evätma-kåtaà vipäkam. A devo-
tee is not disturbed by adverse condition. He takes that this is a gift of Kåñëa. Tat te anukampäm. “It is
Kåñëa’s mercy. Although I am put into difficulty, it is Kåñëa’s mercy.”So anyone who takes in that way,
mukti-pade sa daya-bhäk: his going back to home, back to Godhead, is guaranteed. Because he takes eve-
rything as Kåñëa’s mercy. Just like Prahläda Mahäräja. Prahläda Mahäräja was so much chastised by his
father. You know how he was put into difficulty so many ways. But he was taking, “This is Kåñëa’s mer-
cy.” He did not take otherwise.

Understanding No. 4
We are living in a community of devotees How to recognize this fact.

Solution:
We are enjoying so many benefits:

1. Wonderful prasadam
2. Spiritual atmosphere
3. Deity worship
4. Association of devotees
5. Opportunities to serve Lord

Understanding No. 5
Many times, familiarity breeds contempt How to understand & overcome from such situation.

Solution: We get so familiar with the benefits and advantages of ashram life, that we stop recognizing
them. We may no longer recognize our good fortune. Rather, we start seeing the advantages of a peaceful
life back home.

A thought may come, I can also read, chant, etc in home. Why be in a temple?

In ashram, we may miss some of the benefits, which we may have experienced in our homes.

But never forget the benefits which we are enjoying being is an ashram in association of devotees

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In one sense, we have not left anything. Lord is keeping us so comfortable in an ashram with all facili-
ties and amenities.

Even if we feel, we are facing some inconvenience; we should take it as Krishna’s mercy

REF. Çrémad-Bhägavatam 1.7.49-50 -- Våndävana, October 7, 1976

1. Therefore devotees, they do not expect that “Kåñëa will always be very kind upon me. He may be
harsh, but that is also good.” Kåñëa or Kåñëa’s devotee, even he is harsh, he is unkind, so-called un-
kind, it is also good. Just like Närada Muni cursed the Yamalärjuna. What is that? Their name? The
Kuvera’s sons?

2. They were cursed to become tree, but what was the result? The result was that although they became
trees they were fortunate enough to see Kåñëa personally.
So God or His devotee, Kåñëa and Kåñëa devotee, you should always take that they’re always good.
God is good. And the devotee is good. Either we see that He’s merciful... He’s always merciful.

3. Therefore devotees never take anything as not merciful. Tat te anukampäm. They take everything
from Kåñëa as sympathy, anukampä. Tat te ’nukampäà su-samékñamäëaù.
One who can see this anukampä in reverse condition of life, the compassion of the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, mukti-pade sa däya-bhäk. His right to become liberation becomes
guaranteed.

4. If anyone accepts the mercy of God in any circumstances, and he does not do anything wrong to an-
yone, such person is guaranteed to be liberated. That is the injunction of the çästra.

Understanding No. 6
To gain something we have to always take some degree of discomfort and hardships.

1. This is true for even material gain.

2. Karmis are working day and night – 24 /7 for some petty material gains
3. Why can’t we sacrifice some so called comforts of family life for eternal everlasting gain?
4. Great kings in the past, would give up opulent kingdoms and go to forests for God realization!

Understanding No. 7
In comparison, what have we given up? What great austerity have we taken?
Solution:
1. Hence, a devotee should take some of the discomforts he may encounter in a community living as an
austerity.
2. He should enthusiastically, keep doing devotional service in spite of hardships and disturbances in
mind, having faith in Krishna’s protection.
Srila Prabhupada’s Lecture:- REF. The Nectar of Devotion –Våndävana, November 3, 1972
3. Everyone is, in the material world, here, everyone is full of anxieties. That is the nature of material
existence. One after another, problems. So if somebody says, assures, that “You just depend on me. I
take charge of all your problems,” how much relief you will feel. Just imagine.
4. So an ordinary man, if some ordinary human being says (to) a friend that “Don’t worry. I shall take
charge of your all affairs. Don’t worry,” so we may doubt an ordinary man, because we know the ca-
pacity of an ordinary man.
5. But when Kåñëa says that “I take charge of you,” then how much relief you should feel. Kåñëa is not
ordinary man. Kåñëa is all-powerful, the Supreme Personalty of Godhead. He’s Yogeçvara. He’s the
Absolute Truth.
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No doubt authorities will take care of the devotees. However, our primary dependence should be on
Srila Prabhupada, his instructions, and the process he so mercifully gave us.

Srila Prabhupada instructs:

1. I assure you that if you follow the regulative principles of chanting 16 rounds, observing strictly the
prohibitive injunctions, keep association with pure devotees, plus taking care of the Deities in the
Temple, surely all your problems will be solved without any difficulty. REF: (70-01-11, Letter to:
Kulasekhara - Los Angeles)
2. Remain unflinching in Krishna's service by strictly following the regulative principles, chanting 16
rounds of beads daily, without fail, and reading all our books. Then Krishna will surely help you.
REF: (71-04-01, Letter to: Kanya Kumari - Bombay)
3. Simply if the standard of our routine work is maintained very highly, that is, if we steadfastly per-
form our daily program of rising early, cleansing, chanting 16 rounds holding kirtans, reading, wor-
shiping the deity, going on Sankirtana, like that--if this routine work is always done nicely and never
neglected, then our all success is guaranteed in whatever we do. That is the simple formula for suc-
cess. REF: (72-02-05, Letter to: Kisora - Bombay)

Understanding No. 8
However, we should at social level, ask for help whenever required. One may wonder, why
disturb the authorities? They are busy servingKrishna, why disturb them?
Solution

1. No. Authorities’ main service to Krishna is to take care of devotees. To make them mature in Krishna
Consciousness.
2. Sometimes, authorities may genuinely be busy with some service. However, we should not hesitate to
ask help when required.
3. Especially, if there is an EMERGENCY
4. Don’t fail to raise an ALARM !!!
5. In fact, it’s a great service to authorities; if one goes and reveals the mind at the right time.
6. There is nothing wrong in seeking help to clarify doubts and resolve conflicts within the mind.

Understanding No. 9
Many times, our problem is that we have no problems!
Srila Prabhupada’s Lecture REF. Arrival Address – Paris, June 8, 1974, (new98)

10.5 Conclusion

1. So what is the difficulty to become Kåñëa conscious? You have got nice Deity, Kåñëa is present to
take your service. Be pure; eat nice prasädam, chant Hare Kåñëa and dance, and go to back to
home, back to Godhead.

2. Where is the difficulty? Simple thing. Don't be misled by the rascals and fools. Just try to under-
stand Kåñëa, try to hear Kåñëa, His instruction is there, and be happy.

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11. Handling Habits Session 11
11.1 Introduciton : Habits is our Second Nature
Habits are also called our second nature because of their extremely powerful influence in all as-
pects of our sensory and mental activities

Srila Prabhupada Quotes

Story: A thief on a pilgrimage

In this regard there is the story of a thief who went on a pilgrimage to a holy town, and on route
he and the other pilgrims stopped to rest overnight at an inn. Being addicted to stealing, the thief began
making plans to steal the other pilgrims' baggage, but he thought, "I'm going on a pilgrimage, so it
doesn't seem appropriate that I should steal this baggage. No, I shall not do it." Nonetheless, due to his
habit, he could not keep his hands off the baggage. So he picked up one person's bag and placed it in an-
other place, and then another person's bag and placed it elsewhere. He spent all night placing different
bags in different places, but his conscience bothered him so that he could not take anything from them.
In the morning, when the other pilgrims awoke, they looked around for their bags and couldn't find
them. There was a great row, and eventually, one by one, they began to find the bags in various places.
After they were all found, the thief explained: "Gentlemen, I am a thief by occupation. Being that I am
habituated to stealing at night, I wanted to steal something from your bags, but I thought that since I am
going to this holy place, it is not possible to steal. So I may have rearranged the baggage, but please ex-
cuse me." This is the characteristic of a bad habit. He does not want to commit theft anymore, but be-
cause he is habituated, sometimes he does. Thus Kåñëa says that one who has decided to refrain from his
immoral habits and make progress in Kåñëa consciousness is to be considered a sädhu, even if out of
past habit or by chance he yields to his fault.

Srila Prabhupada Says

A dog, even when seated on a royal throne will not give up its habit of licking a shoe

sadåçaà ceñöate svasyäù

prakåter jïänavän api
prakåtià yänti bhütäni
nigrahaù kià kariñyati

Even a man of knowledge acts according to his own nature, for everyone follows the nature he
has acquired from the three modes. What can repression accomplish? [BG 3.33]
In Krishna consciousness, we tend to think that we have practically given up all bad habits (like meat
eating, intoxication, gambling, illicit sex, watching movies etc.) and are now practicing many good
habits like rising early, chanting, studying scriptures etc.
But, in spiritual life, one should never become complacent. One should be ever vigilant in order to make
spiritual advancement. If we carefully introspect, we can observe that there are still so many bad habits
to give up and so many good ones to take up for advancement in KC
Lord Caitanya says that one should cultivate the creeper of bhakti with great care and attention and
remove all unwanted weeds:

Principle to follow
1. anukulyasya sankalpah
accept things favorable for Devotional Service

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2. pratikulyasya varjanam
Reject things that are unfavorable

Änukülyasya saìkalpaù. The first çaraëägati is to accept everything favorable for Kåñëa's service.
Änukülyam. Änukülyena kåñëänuçélanaà bhaktir uttamä [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. Devotional, first-class
bhakti means accepting everything which is favorable for devotional service. And prätikülyasya varja-
nam. And reject everything which is unfavorable to the procedure of Kåñëa consciousness. So we forbid
that "You don't do this," because they are unfavorable. And we say something, "You do this, chant Hare
Kåñëa sixteen rounds," that is favorable. Çaraëägati means to give up the unfavorable things and to ac-
cept the favorable. Änukülyasya saìkalpaù prätikülyasya varjanam. And believe that "Kåñëa will give me
protection." Full faith. And to count oneself as one of the servants of Kåñëa. In this way, çaraëägati.

11.2 Habits in Krishna Consciousness

yuktähära-vihärasya
yukta-ceñöasya karmasu
yukta-svapnävabodhasya
yogo bhavati duùkha-hä
He who is regulated in his habits of eating, sleeping, recreation and work can mitigate all material
pains by practicing the yoga system. [Bg 6.17]

11.2.1 Eating
1. Take only Krishna prasadam
2. Do not waste Krishna prasadam
3. Take prasäda at scheduled times
4. Do not fast or eat more than is required
5. Do not allow the tongue to eat according to its choice

11.2.2 Sleeping
1. Unnecessary time spent sleeping is considered a great loss
2. Do not sleep in Bhagavatam class
3. One should not sleep more than six hours daily

11.2.3 Avyärtha-kälatvam
1. Not a single moment is wasted in mäyä’s service
2. Every moment of our lives is utilized for the rendering of devotional service and nothing else
3. One should not waste time in gossiping or spreading rumors
4. Our recreation is dancing and chanting [PoP]

11.2.4 Dealing with Devotees

1. A guru’s servants or disciples are all Godbrothers to one another, and as such they should all
respect one another as prabhu, or master.
2. Appreciating good qualities in other devotees
3. Not finding faults with other devotees’ habits
4. Not misbehaving with a Godbrother
5. Respecting temple authority

11.2.5 Choice is yours

Bad Habits – Burden
Good Habits – Gifts
Puñöa-kåñëa: And his question was that those in the mode of passion and ignorance do they have any
choice?

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Prabhupäda: Everyone has choice. Everyone has choice. Choice, but under the control. Exactly like that.
By your choice, you go to the prison house. By your choice, you go to the university. There is supreme
control, government. But it is your choice, whether you want to live in the prison or in the university.
that is your choice. Government does not say that "Oh, this man will come to the university, and this
man will go to the prison house." No. You make your choice, you work according to that, and
government sends you either to the prison or to the university. You cannot say... One man is condemned
to be killed for murdering, another man is rewarded some prize, you cannot say government is partial.
You have made your choice, and government is giving you the result. (pause) Once you make your
choice to steal, then you are under prison house.

11.3 Habit Building

1. Our thoughts become our words…
2. Words become our actions…
3. Actions become our habits…
4. Habits become our character…
5. And character is our second nature.

11.5 Changing Habits

Transcendental Sound

The most powerful way to change the habit of the mind – transcendental sound This is the way of
changing the habit of the mind. The mind is not to be killed. [SB 2.1.17 Purport]

11.6 Devotee Association:

Nothing is stereotyped. One can change his habit by good or bad association, and one has to
become intelligent enough to discriminate between good and bad. The best association is the service of
the devotees of the Lord, and by that association one can become the highest qualified man by the grace
of the Lord's pure devotees. [SB 2.10.41 Purport]

11.7 Willingness to Change:

A diseased person who has become diseased because of a certain bad habit must be ready to
follow the advice of the physician, and as a natural sequence he must attempt to give up the cause of the
disease. The patient cannot indulge in the bad habit and at the same time expect to be cured by the
physician. [CC Adi. 5.20 Purport]

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12. Lusty Desires Session 12
12.1 Intorduction: understanding the root cause of Lusty Desires
There was a question, very nice question, by Akbar Badshah, the Muhammadan
emperor, Mogul emperor of India, Akbar Badshah. He was in the fifteenth century, five hundred years
ago. So he kept very intelligent ministers. They would reply. Whatever inquiries are made by the emper-
or, the particular minister will inform, “This is this, sir.” So he inquired one minister. His name was... I
forget now. So “How long the lusty desires continue, sex desire?” So he replied, “Up to the point of
death.” So the emperor said, “No, no, how it can be?” “No, he has got the desire, but he cannot use it.
His instruments become dull or useless. Therefore... But the desire is there.” And, “I don’t believe. I can-
not...I am not satisfied with this answer.” “All right, sir, I will satisfy you.” So one day, all of a sudden
the minister came to Akbar Badshah, “Sir, you will have to come with me immediately, and take your
young daughter with you.” So Akbar Badshah could understand there is some meaning, so immediately
he prepared and took his young daughter with him. So he asked, “Where you are going?” “You will
come to know.” So he entered a house where an old man was on the death bed, a very old man. So the
minister requested the emperor that “While entering the room, you kindly try to see the face of the lying
man who is going to die.” So Akbar was very intelligent. So he was seeing the face. So he marked it that
the man was looking towards the young girl, not to the emperor. So he said, “Yes, I have got your an-
swer.”So these desires... This is the root cause of our coming to this material world, to enjoy. Enjoyment
is there in the spiritual world, but there, in the spiritual world, the enjoyer is Kåñëa, and everyone is en-
joyed.

As soon as lusty desires awaken, one's senses, mind, life, soul, religious principles, patience, in-
telligence, shyness, beauty, strength, memory and truthfulness are all vanquished. One can render unal-
loyed devotional service only when there are no material desires in one's mind.

We have been conditioned for many many…. lifetimes Therefore it’s not so easy to give up lust.
Srila Prabhupada was asked “How long the lusty desires sex desire lasts?”

12.2 Lust is the root cause of our coming to this material world So it’s not so easy to conquer lust
Lord Kapila says in the Srimad-Bhagavatam
Just try to understand the mighty strength of My mäyä in the shape of woman, who by the mere
movement of her eyebrows can keep even the greatest conquerors of the world under her grip
REF. SB 3.31.38
Lord Krishna instructs in the Bhagavad-gita:

daivé hy eñä guëa-mayé

mama mäyä duratyayä
mäm eva ye prapadyante
mäyäm etäà taranti te
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.
REF. Bhagavad-gétä 15.15 -- August 5, 1976, New Mayapur (French farm)

The question is, we have all faith in your, Çréla Prabhupäda, and if we want to follow your
instructions, we want to follow your instructions word by word, but sometime we can find some
difficulty. In a case of difficulty, what should we do?
Prabhupäda: You should be patient. Utsähän dhairyät. Dhairya means patience. Just like a girl is married
and she wants a son. You cannot expect, today is marriage, and tomorrow child. That is not possible.
You have to wait.
REF. Çrémad-Bhägavatam 3.26.30 -- Bombay, January 7, 1975

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 Dhairya means patience, not that “Because I have begun devotional service with great
enthusiasm...” So you are already on the perfectional platform, but if you become impatient that “Why I
am not becoming perfect? Sometimes why mäyä is kicking me?” Yes. That is habitual. That will go on. It
will stop.Niçcayät. Dhairyät, niçcayät, that “When Kåñëa says, sarva-dharmän parityajya mäm ekaà
çaraëaà vraja [Bg. 18.66] now I have given up everything. I have no other occupational duties. Simply
to serve Kåñëa. So when I have taken to it, then niçcaya, Kåñëa will surely give me protection.” That is
called niçcaya. Don’t be disappointed. Kåñëa is not a false speaker. He says ahaà tväà sarva-päpebhyo
mokñayiñyämi. So we should have firm faith, niçcaya. Niçcayät..., utsähäd dhairyät niçcayät. But niçcayät;
at the same time, you should not sit idly. You should work according to the direction of the spiritual
master.
12.3 How to understand -

12.3.1 I make resolutions – but every time I fall down:

Srila Prabhupada explains:
Devotional service is more or less a declaration of war against the illusory energy. As long as one
is not strong enough to fight the illusory energy, there may be accidental falldowns.
Sometimes, a devotee can make ‘UNREASONABLE RESOLUTIONS’ like:
1. From today onwards I will never see a woman’s face
2. From today onwards I will never think a lusty thought
3. From today onwards I will never speak to a woman

Thinking of sex will come; even great saintly persons like Lord Siva are not free of thoughts that
come, so what to speak of you. Prevent thoughts from maturing into actions--that is the practical
application of Krishna Consciousness regulative principles. REF. Letter to: Kirtiraja -- Mayapur 28
February, 1972
12.3.2 We have to extensively deal with women while preaching. Is it OK?
Srimad Bhagavatam instructs:
nanv agniù pramadä näma
ghåta-kumbha-samaù pumän
sutäm api raho jahyäd
anyadä yävad-artha-kåt
Woman is compared to fire, and man is compared to a butter pot. Therefore a man should avoid
associating even with his own daughter in a secluded place. Similarly, he should also avoid association
with other women. One should associate with women only for important business and not therwise
REF. SB 7.12.9

It is the duty of the male members to be very steady and cautious. This can be done by regular
chanting like Haridasa Thakura did. Whenever there is a young woman, we should remember Haridasa
Thakura and beg his mercy to protect us, and we should think that these beautiful gopis are meant for
the enjoyment of Krishna. It is a dilemma for our Society that we cannot deny these girls, and at the
same time they are a great dangerous allurement to the young boys.
(SPL to Gargamuni Swami, 29th Sept, 1975)
12.3.3 What to do if I accidentally make a mistake?
Lord Krishna instructs in the Bhagavad-gita:
api cet su-duräcäro
bhajate mäm ananya-bhäk
sädhur eva sa mantavyaù
samyag vyavasito hi saù

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1. Even if one commits the most abominable action, if he is engaged in devotional service he is to be
considered saintly because he is properly situated in his determination. REF. Bg 9.30

2. In the Çrémad-Bhägavatam it is stated that if a person falls down but is wholeheartedly engaged in the
transcendental service of the Supreme Lord, the Lord, being situated within his heart, purifies him
and excuses him from that abomination.

3. The material contamination is so strong that even a yogé fully engaged in the service of the Lord
sometimes becomes ensnared; but Kåñëa consciousness is so strong that such an occasional falldown
is at once rectified.
4. Therefore the process of devotional service is always a success. No one should deride a devotee for
some accidental falldown from the ideal path, for, as explained in the next verse, such occasional
falldowns will be stopped in due course, as soon as a devotee is completely situated in Kåñëa
consciousness.

5. They are a warning to the nondevotees that because of an accidental falldown a devotee should not
be derided; he should still be considered saintly even if he has accidentally fallen down.
In the Nåsiàha Puräëa the following statement is given:

bhagavati ca haräv ananya-cetä

bhåça-malino ’pi viräjate manuñyaù
na hi çaça-kaluña-cchabiù kadäcit
timira-paräbhavatäm upaiti candraù

The meaning is that even if one fully engaged in the devotional service of the Lord is sometimes
found engaged in abominable activities, these activities should be considered to be like the spots that
resemble the mark of a rabbit on the moon.

6. Such spots do not become an impediment to the diffusion of moonlight. Similarly, the accidental
falldown of a devotee from the path of saintly character does not make him abominable. On the other
hand, one should not misunderstand that a devotee in transcendental devotional service can act in all
kinds of abominable ways; this verse only refers to an accident due to the strong power of material
connections.
7. No one should take advantage of this verse and commit nonsense and think that he is still a
devotee. If he does not improve in his character by devotional service, then it is to be understood that
he is not a high devotee. REF. Bg 9.30
8 Just like a child, learning to walk, may fall down occasionally 8. By continuing to practice, one
day he will be able to walk correctly
12.3.4 The more I try to avoid, the more difficult it becomes.Where am I going wrong?
We act based on our opinions & how we see things! If our opinions, beliefs & perceptions are
faulty, our resultant actions will also be wrong! If our perceptions are faulty, our resultant actions also
will be wrong . To have correct perceptions, use Q-Cards to reinforce perceptions of scriptures and
great acharyas

Material energy is designed to give Living entity the ahankara that he is the cause, independent
controller. If we see the body mind mechanism, we are acting according to our thoughts. What is the
controlling point of those thoughts? Krishna says I am seated in everyone’s heart and from Me comes
knowledge, rememberance and forgetfullness. Independent of Krishna one has no strengh in executing
any one of his desires. Constantly drill the mind otherwise material energy constantly drilling the oppo-
site.

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