108 Glories
1st Set
Meditations on the Infinite Qualities and Pastimes
of
Om Visnu-pada Paramahamsa Parivrajakacarya
Astottara Sata Sri Srimad
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
by Paratrikananda dasa
___________________
89. Srila Prabhupada is my incomprehensible fortune. Though I am penniless, boundless riches await me. Krsna prema is my patrimony.
When Sarvajna saw the horoscope of the man, he was at once astonished that the man was so poor, and he said to him, "Why are you so unhappy? From your horoscope I can see that you have a hidden treasure left to you by your father. However, the horoscope indicates that your father could not disclose this to you because he died in a foreign place, but now you can search out this treasure and be happy." This story is cited because the living entity is suffering due to his ignorance of the hidden treasure of his Supreme Father, Krsna. That treasure is love of Godhead, and in every Vedic scripture the conditioned soul is advised to find it. As stated in Bhagavad-gita, although the conditioned soul is the son of the wealthiest personality -- the Personality of Godhead -- he does not realize it. Therefore Vedic literatures are given to him to help him search out his father and his paternal property.
Teachings of Lord Caitanya
The Wise Man
90. Srila Prabhupada is my bane. He melts my cruel heart with kindness. He forces me to resignation with his invincible weapon of compassion.
A devotee, a mahatma, is good heart. How he is good heart? He sees everyone that "This living entity," especially human being, "he is engrossed in the clutches of maya. He is suffering. Let me try to make him understand Krsna consciousness, or his eternal relationship with Krsna." He tries everywhere. That is his business. He doesn't mind whether he is failure. Failure or success, he doesn't mind. But he thinks, "Oh, this conditioned soul is suffering. Let me do something." Therefore Vaisnava's prayer is vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca. A Vaisnava, he is just like the ocean of mercy. He always feels for the sufferings of the humanity. That is their business.
Lecture
London, September 14, 1969
91. Srila Prabhupada is my embassy. Those who serve him may claim diplomatic immunity from the agents of Yamaraja. Death personified is subservient to his order.
Somebody asked me that "Swamiji, why these tulasi beads in your neck or your devotees' neck?" So I replied, "Just like a pet dog has got a collar, similarly we are pet dogs of God. We have got this collar. And Yamaraja will understand that ‘He is God's dog. He should not be shot down.' " (laughter)
Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.34-39
Surat, December 19, 1970
92. Srila Prabhupada is my freedom from fear. Because he is a Vaikuntha man, there is no anxiety in his presence. Emancipation is realized standing before him.
If someone is able, by chance, to see face to face a great saintly person like Narada, who is always serene and merciful to everyone, then immediately that conditioned soul becomes liberated. This is exactly like being situated in the full light of the sun: there cannot be any visionary impediment.
Krishna Book
The Deliverance of Nalakuvara and Manigriva
93. Srila Prabhupada is my coach. He drives me to exhaustion. He accepts nothing less than 100% from members of his team.
"My Lord, I am Your eternal servant. Please give me Your service. Let me engage. Let me be engaged in Your service." This is called ananya-cetah. Ananya-cetah satatam. Satatam means always, twenty-four hours, cent percent, without any deviation. This is Krsna consciousness.
Bhagavad-gita 8.14-15
New York, November 16, 1966
The books distribution in Los Angeles during the six day period is transcendental samadhi. They are working in trance, not on the material platform. No common man can work so hard, it is not possible. Working without sleep means no death. Sleeping is dead condition. ``Jiv jago, jiva jago, gauracanda bole, kota nidra yao maya-pisacira kole.'' Your book distribution is really intoxication.
Srila Prabhupada letter
Calcutta, January 12, 1976
94. Srila Prabhupada is my social pressure. He sets the high standards for a God centered society. His guidelines compel me to correct myself.
This is the cure: I am making good character. Don't you see their face? Some of them were hippies, frustrated, wretched condition. Now they are known as bright faces, serious character. They don't have any illicit sex. They don't eat meat. They don't have any intoxication. They don't engage in gambling. These are the four pillars of sinful life. If you allow people to indulge in sinful life, how you can expect good citizen? That is not possible. Their character must reform. So we have taken from the root. We are making men of character, knowledge, sincerity, God conscious.
Interview
New York, July 5, 1972
95. Srila Prabhupada is my home. I am uncomfortable anywhere else. I become homesick when I wander from his service.
Devotee: Why are you here, Srila Prabhupada? He asked why are you here?
Prabhupada: Why?
Devotee: Why are you here? (laughter)
Prabhupada: This is my home. (laughter) I have got so many children, grandchildren. So I have come to see them.
Press Conference at Airport
Dallas, July 28, 1975
96. Srila Prabhupada is my infallible soldier. When would-be victors are routinely kicked down by maya, he is always triumphant. Prabhupada is the true hero, exercising full conquest of his senses in the unwavering service of Hrsikesa.
Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated 8/3/67. Don't be afraid of my being attacked by maya. When there is fight between two belligerent parties, it is always expected that there will sometimes be reverses. Your country and the western world is mostly under the grip of Maya and the modes of nature in passion and ignorance, and my declaration of war against the maya is certainly a great battle. Maya saw me very successful within one year, so that I got so many sincere young flowers like yourself and others, so it was a great defeat to the activities of maya: western country youngsters giving up illicit sex, intoxication, meat eating and gambling is certainly a great reverse in the activities of maya. Therefore she took advantage of my old age weakness and gave me a death dash. But Krishna saved me; therefore we should thank more Krishna than eulogize maya. So far my present health is concerned I think I am improving; at least I am taking my lunch better than in N.Y. So as soon as I am a little fit to return to the field of battle I shall again be in your midst.
Srila Prabhupada letter
Vrindaban, August 4, 1967
(Cont'd on next page.)
