Prabhupada on How to give Class

[Guest guest]

PURPOSE OF CLASS

 

I am very much stressing at this point that all of my students shall be

very much conversant with the philosophy of Krishna Consciousness, and that

they should read our books very diligently at least one or two hours daily

and try to understand the subject matter from varieties of angles. We are

holding our morning class here in Los Angeles in the temple and I am

speaking from 7 to 8 am, and the process is that we are going through some

chapters of Srimad-Bhagavatam by taking one sloka each day, and reading the

Sanskrit aloud, each word is pronounced by me and repeated by the students

and then altogether we chant the sloka several times until we have learned

it. And then we discuss the subject matter very minutely and inspect it from

all angles of approach and savor the new understandings. So you introduce

this system in all of the centers in your zone, and you will discover that

everyone becomes very much enlivened by these daily classes. Read one sloka

and discuss and then go on to the next sloka on the next day, and so on, and

even you discuss one verse each day it will take you 50 years to finish

Srimad-Bhagavatam in this way. So we have got ample stock for acquiring

knowledge. And if the students get knowledge more and more, they will

automatically become convinced and very easily perform their duties for

tapasya or renunciation of the material bondage, and that will be their

successful advancement in Krishna Consciousness. So I want that advancement

amongst all of my students, so your are responsible that the standard will

be maintained. (72-06-16 Letter: Madhudvisa)

 

We should gradually come to the sattva-guna, so that we may avoid the two

lower gunas. This can be done if we regularly discuss Srimad-Bhagavatam and

hear about Krsna's activities. Nasta-prayesv abhadresu nityam

bhagavata-sevaya (Bhag. 1.2.18). All the activities of Krsna described in

Srimad-Bhagavatam, beginning even with the pastimes concerning Putana, are

transcendental. Therefore, by hearing and discussing Srimad-Bhagavatam, the

rajo-guna and tamo-guna are subdued, so that only sattva-guna remains. Then

rajo-guna and tamo-guna cannot do us any harm. (SB 10.13.53 The Stealing of

the Boys and Calves by Brahma)

 

Jnanena. Therefore this class is held to awaken jnana. Either you read these

books, you hear from realized soul--that will awaken your jnana, knowledge.

Or otherwise if you cannot do this... Both things should be done. You chant

Hare Krsna. Very simply. (741127SB.BOM Lectures)

 

So these books are there to remind us, because we have forgotten Krsna,

because we have forgotten God on account of restless mind, so we have to

make it santa, calm and peaceful. Without becoming calm and peaceful, you

cannot understand what is God. When our heart will be no more attacked by

the rajo-guna and tamo-guna, we come to that platform. This class is held

for understanding Srimad-Bhagavatam. Why? Just to cleanse the heart.

Ceto-darpana-marjanam. (741230SB.BOM Lectures)

 

CLASS SHOULD BE HELD & ATTENEDED DAILY, MORNING & EVENING

 

Nityam bhagavata-sevaya. Not that we are almost free from all the

contamination, but even little washed away... It begins immediately. As soon

as you begin hearing and chanting of these literatures or chanting Hare

Krsna mantra, immediately the cleansing method begins. And nasta-prayesu

abhadresu. Almost cleansed, not that properly, cent percent clean.

Nasta-prayesu abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya. Daily. Not this

Bhagavata-saptaha, official. No. Nityam. There is no such thing as

Bhagavata-saptaha in any Vedic literature. This is another manufacture,

concoction. The Bhagavata says, nityam bhagavata-sevaya: "You have to

twenty-four hours engaged in bhagavata, in the service of bhagavata, the

person bhagavata or the book Bhagavata." Bhagavata, there are two kinds of

bhagavata. Person bhagavata is the spiritual master, and the book Bhagavata.

So there is no difference, because the person bhagavata advises you read

Bhagavata. And by reading Bhagavata, you understand what is Bhagavan, what

is spiritual master. (741230SB.BOM Lectures)

 

So far your need for constant engagement in press work is concerned, I do

not see that there should be any difficulty if you attend the classes daily

when our literatures are read and discussed. It is alright if you do not

attend the Arati, but you must remain fixed up by attending the classes. Two

hours daily in the classes will not be too much time away from press work. I

give you my permission to work in this way. Now adjust things as you find it

convenient and please begin work again immediately. I know that you are in

need of constantly working the press and the press is constantly in need of

being worked. If you are individually the manager of ISKCON Press, I have no

objection, but you must work nicely and the GBC will be satisfied.

(70-12-19.Adv Letter: Advaita)

 

The pastimes of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His devotees are

recorded in Srimad-Bhagavatam so that those who recite these pastimes and

listen to them will become purified. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya. As a matter of

principle, devotees should read, speak and hear Srimad-Bhagavatam

persistently, twenty-four hours daily if possible. That is the

recommendation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Kirtaniyah sada harih. One should

either chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra or read Srimad-Bhagavatam and

thereby try to understand the characteristics and instructions of the

Supreme Lord, who appeared as Lord Rsabhadeva, Lord Kapila and Lord Krsna.

In this way one can become fully aware of the transcendental nature of the

Supreme Personality of Godhead. (SB 5.6.16 P The Activities of Lord

Rsabhadeva)

 

We should discuss Srimad-Bhagavatam daily as much as possible, and then

everything will be clarified, for Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedic

literature (nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalam). It was written by Vyasadeva

(maha-muni-krte) when he was self-realized. Thus the more we read

Srimad-Bhagavatam, the more its knowledge becomes clear. Each and every

verse is transcendental. (SB 10.13.53 The Stealing of the Boys and Calves by

Brahma)

 

QUALIFICATION OF SPEAKER

 

The great sages offered the speaker of the Bhagavatam an elevated seat of

respect called the vyasasana, or the seat of Sri Vyasadeva. Sri Vyasadeva is

the original spiritual preceptor for all men. And all other preceptors are

considered to be his representatives. A representative is one who can

exactly present the viewpoint of Sri Vyasadeva. Sri Vyasadeva impregnated

the message of Bhagavatam unto Srila Sukadeva Gosvami, and Sri Suta Gosvami

heard it from him (Sri Sukadeva Gosvami). All bona fide representatives of

Sri Vyasadeva in the chain of disciplic succession are to be understood to

be gosvamis. These gosvamis restrain all their senses, and they stick to the

path made by the previous acaryas. The gosvamis do not deliver lectures on

the Bhagavatam capriciously. Rather, they execute their services most

carefully, following their predecessors who delivered the spiritual message

unbroken to them. (SB 1.1.5 P Questions by the Sages)

 

QUALIFICATION OF SPEAKER: PERSONAL REALISATION

 

...Sri Suta Gosvami when he expressed his desire to present

Srimad-Bhagavatam exactly as he heard it from Sukadeva Gosvami and also

realized it personally. Personal realization does not mean that one should,

out of vanity, attempt to show one's own learning by trying to surpass the

previous acarya. He must have full confidence in the previous acarya, and at

the same time he must realize the subject matter so nicely that he can

present the matter for the particular circumstances in a suitable manner.

The original purpose of the text must be maintained. No obscure meaning

should be screwed out of it, yet it should be presented in an interesting

manner for the understanding of the audience. This is called realization...

No learned man should be willing to hear a person who does not represent the

original acarya. So the speaker and the audience were bona fide in this

meeting where Bhagavatam was being recited for the second time. That should

be the standard of recitation of Bhagavatam, so that the real purpose can be

served without difficulty. Unless this situation is created, Bhagavatam

recitation for extraneous purposes is useless labor both for the speaker and

for the audience. (SB 1.4.1 P The Appearance of Sri Narada)

 

QUALIFICATION OF SPEAKER: MUST BE FOLLOWING STRICTLY

 

The sages said: Respected Suta Gosvami, you are completely free from all

vice. You are well versed in all the scriptures famous for religious life,

and in the Puranas and the histories as well, for you have gone through them

under proper guidance and have also explained them.

 

A gosvami, or the bona fide representative of Sri Vyasadeva, must be free

from all kinds of vices. The four major vices of Kali-yuga are (1) illicit

connection with women, (2) animal slaughter, (3) intoxication, (4)

speculative gambling of all sorts. A gosvami must be free from all these

vices before he can dare sit on the vyasasana. No one should be allowed to

sit on the vyasasana who is not spotless in character and who is not freed

from the above-mentioned vices. He not only should be freed from all such

vices, but must also be well versed in all revealed scriptures or in the

Vedas. The Puranas are also parts of the Vedas. And histories like the

Mahabharata or Ramayana are also parts of the Vedas. The acarya or the

gosvami must be well acquainted with all these literatures. To hear and

explain them is more important than reading them. One can assimilate the

knowledge of the revealed scriptures only by hearing and explaining. Hearing

is called sravana, and explaining is called kirtana. The two processes of

sravana and kirtana are of primary importance to progressive spiritual life.

Only one who has properly grasped the transcendental knowledge from the

right source by submissive hearing can properly explain the subject. (SB

1.1.6 P Questions by the Sages)

 

Regarding the Teachings in the temple; everyone of my disciples may

become a teacher strictly following my instructions. I am a bonafide teacher

as long as I follow the instructions of my spiritual master. That is the

only one qualification for becoming a teacher. As soon as one deviates from

this principle one is no longer a teacher. (67-10-29 Letter: Nandarani)

 

One should avoid hearing from a person not situated in Vaisnava behavior.

A Vaisnava is nivrtta-trsna; that is, he has no material purpose, for his

only purpose is to preach Krsna consciousness. So-called scholars,

philosophers and politicians exploit the importance of Bhagavad-gita by

distorting its meaning for their own purposes. Therefore this verse warns

that krsna-katha should be recited by a person who is nivrtta-trsna.

Sukadeva Gosvami epitomizes the proper reciter for Srimad-Bhagavatam, and

Pariksit Maharaja, who purposefully left his kingdom and family prior to

meeting death, epitomizes the person fit to hear it. A qualified reciter of

Srimad-Bhagavatam gives the right medicine (bhavausadhi) for the conditioned

souls. The Krsna consciousness movement is therefore trying to train

qualified preachers to recite Srimad-Bhagavatam and Bhagavad-gita throughout

the entire world, so that people in general in all parts of the world may

take advantage of this movement and thus be relieved of the threefold

miseries of material existence. (SB 10.1.4 P The Advent of Lord Krsna:

Introduction)

 

QUALIFICATION OF SPEAKER: MUST BE CONVERSANT IN ALL SYSTEMS OF PHILOSOPY

 

One can sit on the vyasasana only after being conversant in all systems

of philosophy so that one can present fully the theistic views of the

Bhagavatam in defiance of all other systems. Srila Suta Gosvami was the

proper teacher, and therefore the sages at Naimisaranya elevated him to the

vyasasana. Srila Vyasadeva is designated herein as the Personality of

Godhead because he is the authorized empowered incarnation. (SB 1.1.7 P

Questions by the Sages)

 

And because you are submissive, your spiritual masters have endowed you

with all the favors bestowed upon a gentle disciple. Therefore you can tell

us all that you have scientifically learned from them.

 

With reference to your letter dated 14th May, I am surprised how you

allowed Mr. Parikh to sit on the Vyasasana. You know that Vyasasana is meant

for the representative of Vyasadeva, the Spiritual Master, but Mr. Parikh

does not come in the Parampara to become the representative of Vyasa,

neither he has any sound knowledge of Vaisnava principles. I understand from

your letter that sometimes discussions on Aurobindo philosophy are done by

Mr. Parikh from the Vyasasana, so I am a little surprised how did you allow

like this. I think you should rectify immediately all these mistakes as

stated by you in the last two lines of your letter, "I think the best thing

to do is stop his class. Nonsense ought not to be tolerated." (70-05-16

Letter: Gurudasa)

 

QUALIFICATION OF SPEAKER: WOMEN GIVING CLASS?

 

Regarding lecturing by woman devotees: I have informed you that in the

service of the Lord there is no distinction of caste or creed, color, or

sex. In the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord especially mentions that even a woman

who has taken seriously is also destined to reach Him. We require a person

who is in the knowledge of Krishna, that is the only qualification of a

person speaking. It doesn't matter what he is. Materially a woman may be

less intelligent than a man, but spiritually there is no such distinction.

Because spiritually everyone is pure soul. In the absolute plane there is no

such gradation of higher and lower. If a woman can lecture nicely and to the

point, we should hear her carefully. That is our philosophy. But if a man

can speak better than a woman, the man should be given first preference. But

even though a woman is less intelligent, a sincere soul should be given

proper chance to speak, because we want so many preachers, both men and

women. (68-02-08.Jay Letter: Jayagovinda)

 

Regarding your third question, morning lecture is also allowed. Lecture

is also kirtana, and so as morning kirtana is there, similarly morning

lecture can also be delivered. In New York , or even in San Francisco, when

I was present I was giving lectures in morning also. So far as girls or boys

lecturing in the morning, that doesn't make any difference. Either girl or

boy devotees may deliver lecture if they choose to do. We have no such

distinction of bodily designations, male or female. Krishna Consciousness is

on the spiritual platform. As such, anyone who is a devotee of the Lord,

following in this line of disciplic succession, can deliver lecture, on the

teachings of Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, etc. (68-10-21.Sya Letter:

Syama)

 

If your husband, Syamasundara. is not even keeping correspondence with

you how can we know what is his position. Please try to advise him to return

the money he owes as soon as possible. Chant 16 rounds, follow all of our

regulative principles then everything will be alright in a very short time.

I am hoping he will do like this. So you please continue your devotional

service, cooking etc, and you can also keep giving Bhagavatam class if you

like. Women in our movement can also preach very nicely. Actually male and

female bodies, these are just outward designations. Lord Caitanya said that

whether one is brahmana or whatever he may be if he knows the science of

Krsna then he is to be accepted as guru. So one who gives class, he must

read and study regularly and study the purport and realize it. Don't add

anything or concoct anything, then he can preach very nicely. The

qualification for leading class is how much one understands about Krsna and

surrendering to the process. Not whether one is male or female. Of course

women, generally speaking are less intelligent, better she has heard nicely

then she will speak nicely. (74-12-25.Mal Letter: Malati)

 

QUALIFICATION OF AUDIENCE

 

O Suta Gosvami, we are eager to learn about the Personality of Godhead

and His incarnations. Please explain to us those teachings imparted by

previous masters [acaryas], for one is uplifted both by speaking them and by

hearing them.

 

The conditions for hearing the transcendental message of the Absolute

Truth are set forth herein. The first condition is that the audience must be

very sincere and eager to hear. And the speaker must be in the line of

disciplic succession from the recognized acarya. The transcendental message

of the Absolute is not understandable by those who are materially absorbed.

Under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master, one becomes gradually

purified. Therefore, one must be in the chain of disciplic succession and

learn the spiritual art of submissive hearing. In the case of Suta Gosvami

and the sages of Naimisaranya, all these conditions are fulfilled because

Srila Suta Gosvami is in the line of Srila Vyasadeva, and the sages of

Naimisaranya are all sincere souls who are anxious to learn the truth. Thus

the transcendental topics of Lord Sri Krsna's superhuman activities, His

incarnation, His birth, appearance or disappearance, His forms, His names

and so on are all easily understandable because all requirements are

fulfilled. Such discourses help all men on the path of spiritual

realization. (SB 1.1.13 Questions by the Sages)

 

Sanatana Gosvami requested Lord Caitanya to explain the verse as He had

formerly explained it to Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya. Sanatana explained his

eagerness to hear the same explanation in order that he might be

enlightened. Being thus requested by Sanatana, the Lord replied: "I do not

understand why Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya so much appreciated My explanation.

As far as I am concerned, I don't even remember what I said to him. But

because you are asking this of Me, I shall, with the help of your

association, try to explain whatever I can remember." Thus the speaker and

the audience are very intimately connected; the speaker is enlightened by

the presence of the audience. The speaker, or master, can speak very nicely

on transcendental subject matters before an understanding audience;

therefore Lord Caitanya said that He did not know how to explain the

Sanskrit verse but that since He was in the association of Sanatana He would

try to explain it. (TLC 15 Explanation of the Atmarama Verse in Srimad

Bhagavatam)

 

QUALIFICATION OF AUDIENCE: MUST HAVE SOME FAITH -- NOT FOR GENERAL PUBLIC

 

Prabhupada: Therefore Krsna said that "Bhagavad-gita should be discussed

amongst My devotees, not amongst the rascals." It will be waste of time. Ya

imam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati. Find out this verse.

Pusta Krsna: "For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees,

devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me."

Prabhupada: Not to the fools and rascals. So first of all, to give them

chance, let them come to the temple, take prasadam, hear sankirtana, offer

obeisances by imitating others. In this way, when they become little

devotee, then instruct. Otherwise it will be useless. You'll waste your time

by arguing.

Pusta Krsna: You have given the example that the field has to be plowed

before the seed is sown, cultivated.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Cyavana: The mind has to want that higher taste.

Prabhupada: Ceto-darpana-marjanam. So this process... Bring the... Invite

them. Chant Hare Krsna, dance, give them prasadam. Everyone will take part

in this way, not immediately instructing that "You are not this body; you

are soul." He will not be able to.

Cyavana: It's too difficult.

Prabhupada: Therefore this process is recommended. Caitanya Mahaprabhu

argued with Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, Prakasananda Sarasvati, not with

ordinary public. Ordinary public--"Go on chanting Hare Krsna and dancing."

Never argued, neither He discussed Bhagavatam. For ordinary public--four

hours' kirtana, chanting and dancing, bas. And then give them sufficient

prasadam: "Take prasada." This process... Because unless he has got little

sraddha, he will simply put some false argument and waste your time. Not in

the beginning. Mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati. First of all create him a devotee

a little. Chant Hare Krsna--harer nama harer nama harer namaiva

kevalam--only. Because this is Kali-yuga, people are so fallen, so

downtrodden, so rascal, cats and dogs. It is very difficult. But this

process--chanting of Hare Krsna maha-mantra, giving them chance to hear it

and take prasadam--that will cure. And that is easily accepted by anyone. It

doesn't matter what he is. Anyone will accept. To chant and dance and take

prasadam--no one will disagree. So this is the process. When they come to

the temple... Just like these boys. You are offering obeisances; they are

also offering. But that will go to their credit, to become bhakta. This

process should be adopted. Not in the beginning, but in the beginning give

them prasadam, chant Hare Krsna. And try to sell some book. You pay

something. That means he is giving some service, the hard-earned money. That

will also go to his credit. And then, when he'll concerned that "I have paid

for it. Let me see what this nonsense has written. All right. Read." And

that will also convince him. This is the way. He'll keep this body, book,

and show some friend, so the infection will go on. (751004rc.mau

Conversations)

 

HOW TO GIVE CLASS

 

Speaking or anything all depends on practice and study. I remember when I

was first called for speaking by one of my senior Godbrothers. I felt very

much hesitating because I was not practiced to speak. Later on by speaking

and hearing or reading I got experience and now we can speak 45 minutes, 50

minutes or one hour at a stretch. So you have to read our books very nicely

and gather thoughts, then you can speak for hours without any difficulty. It

requires practice. So read your books carefully, especially Nectar of

Devotion now published, and practice speaking. It will be alright. (70-06-24

Letter: Upendra)

 

HOW TO GIVE CLASS: UNDERSTAND & REPRODUCE PURPORT

 

I am very pleased to learn that both you and your wife have been

lecturing on Krishna Consciousness at the George Washington University and

there was good response to your program. You simply read our books and if

you simply reproduce the purport of Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita,

people will take it very seriously. So, of course, you must understand the

purport and reproduce it in your own language. That will be very good, but

someway or other if in some way you present the purport of Srimad-Bhagavatam

or Bhagavad-gita that will be also very good. The idea is that we should not

make any addition or subtraction of mental speculation, but we should

endeavor, even if we do not fully understand from our present platform, to

present simply the philosophy as we have received it directly and realized

it by practical experience. (70-01-22 Letter: Dinesh)

 

I am glad to read in your letter you are going to the universities to

preach. The universities are very important places because there there are

men who can appreciate our philosophy. So when you speak in the classroom,

just quote from any of my books and then try and explain the meaning in your

own words and the students will appreciate it very much. (70-11-09.Tul

Letter: Tulsi)

 

Regarding preaching work: If you simply reproduce verbatim the purports

which I have given in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, and chant Hare Krishna with

ecstasy, that will be sufficient for your preaching work, and as you do it

seriously and sincerely, Krishna gives you more and more strength for this

noble missionary work. (68-06-10 Letter: Harivilasa)

 

As you chant your 16 rounds and follow the four regulative principles,

then you will get the strength. The process is that you should memorize the

purports of my books and then speak them in your own words. Do not

adulterate or change anything. Then you will be the perfect preacher. You

should also distribute our books as far as possible. If you do this

sincerely, then you will be successful. (75-11-15 Letter: Janajanmadhih)

 

HOW TO GIVE CLASS: MAHAMANTRA CHANTING BEFORE AND AFTER CLASS

 

These classes of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam as you are now

holding must be continued very rigidly... And before and after the class

there must be Mahamantra chanting. (70-04-16.Yam Letter: Yamuna, Gurudasa)

 

After partaking the "Mangalaratrik" Prasadam, he shall attend the

morning class of "Path Kirtana" in which chanting of the holy name of God

along with musical instruments, will be sung before and after reading of

"Srimad Bhagavad-gitaBhagavatam" etc. This function will continue from 6

to 8 in the morning. (55-01-01 Letter: Brothers)

 

Hold this meeting regularly for one hour in your home or any other

suitable place near about your home, and chant the hymns or slokas of

"Bhagavad-gita" with reverence & devotion. If possible the reading of

Bhagavad-gita may be preceded & followed by a congregation chanting of the

holy name of God as mentioned below--Hare Krishna . . . Hare Hare. (55-09-00

Letter: Brother)

 

In our general thrice weekly classes we chant Hare Krishna Mantra in the

beginning and at the end, and in the middle we speak on Bhagavad-gita and

Srimad-Bhagavatam regularly. In this class we do not prohibit anyone to come

within the Temple, everyone is welcome. The only thing we ask visitors to

leave their shoes at a specified place and sit down in the Temple

crosslegged. If somebody finds difficulty to sit down crosslegged, we offer

him a chair. (70-02-05 Letter: Hanuman Prasad Poddar)

 

In your class, the chanting of Hare Krishna Mantra must be done in the

beginning and at the end. That will keep the spirit of the temple. (70-04-17

Letter: Balmukundji)

 

So my advise to you is that you make a small center immediately, and, if

possible, get some musical instruments from New York. Brahmananda will

supply you with a mrdanga and a few pairs of cymbals. Simply you have to sit

down together as you have seen done in New York. Just begin chanting Hare

Krishna in the accompaniment of a beating drum and the playing of cymbals.

There is no necessity of any other instrument at present. The chanting is

very simple; Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare

Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. So in this way for 15-20 minutes you

chant, and then read from our Bhagavad-gita. There is explanation there as

far as possible to convince everyone what is the importance of Krishna

Consciousness. So 15 minutes of chanting and dancing, and 1/2 hour of

reading from text of Bhagavad-gita, then questions and answers, and at last

chanting again of Hare Krishna. In this way you can begin, and there will be

no difficulty. Gradually, as you get even more interested in this procedure.

(69-02-01.Lar Letter: Larry Snyder, Mark Perlman, John Curran) (NOTE:

Brahmananda Prabhu has confirmed to me that this was the system until the

early 70s. Devotees did not start to give class until then, before that

"class" was Kirtan, reading from Prabhupada's books, and Kirtan again.)

 

HOW TO GIVE CLASS: NOTHING NEW

 

If we try artificially to explain sastra in our own words, there is every

danger of interpretation and speculation. First the student must be able to

repeat exactly the words of the guru and then after some time he may be

qualified to apply the principles he has learned word-for-word to personal

situations. It is not that we are a dry philosophy of dogmas and slogans.

No. The language of Krishna Consciousness is ever-fresh and we can explain

everything by it, just like my Guru Maharaja once lectured for three months

on one verse from Srimad-Bhagavatam. But every precaution must be taken to

preserve our basic guiding principles as they are and not change them

because we want to hear something new. (71-11-20.Bha Letter: Bhakta dasa)

 

QUESTIONS

 

Those who listen to the Bhagavatam may put questions to the speaker in

order to elicit the clear meaning, but this should not be done in a

challenging spirit. One must submit questions with a great regard for the

speaker and the subject matter. This is also the way recommended in

Bhagavad-gita. One must learn the transcendental subject by submissive aural

reception from the right sources. Therefore these sages addressed the

speaker Suta Gosvami with great respect. (SB 1.1.5 P Questions by the Sages)

 

QUESTIONS: AT END OF CLASS

 

Prabhupada: Stop. Whatever you do not understand, you will ask later on, not

in the middle. I could not understand that time. You see? It was... I talked

with him in so many ways: "Who will hear your Caitanya's message? We are

dependent country... (690207BA.LA Lectures)

 

CLASS: NECTAR OF DEVOTION

 

One thing I must inform you in this connection that so far our activities

in Krsna Consciousness are concerned, everyone of us should read this book

very attentively because all conclusive statements in the Kingdom of Bhakti

are contained in this transcendental valuable book. It is the essence of all

Vedic scriptures enlightening about Krsna Consciousness. If anyone will read

this Nectar of Devotion very carefully, he will have all guidance in Bhakti

cult. So in the temple class some portions of this book must be regularly

discussed. (70-06-18 Letter: Advaita)

 

CHILDREN IN THE CLASS

 

68-08-21.Krs Letter: Krsna Devi

Regarding the child problem: I may inform you that all our children born

of the Krishna conscious parents, they are welcome and I want hundreds of

children like that. Because in future we expect to change the face of the

whole world, because child is the father of man. Anyway, I have seen Malati

is nursing her child so nicely that she attended my meeting every day and

the child was playing and she never cried. Similarly, Lilavati's child also

never cries or disturbs the meeting. Lilavati was always present with her

child, so it depends on the mother. How to keep the child comfortable, so

that it will not cry. The child cries only when it feels uncomfortable. The

child's comfort and discomfort depends on the mother's attention. So the

best solution is that we should train our all first-day small babies in such

a way that they are always satisfied and there will be no disturbance in the

meeting, and there will be no complaint. But there cannot be any hard and

fast rules that only children who are grown up, 7 or 8 years old, can be

admitted and no other children can be admitted. That is not possible, and I

am not going to sanction any such rule. Rather I shall welcome a baby from

the very beginning, so that the transcendental vibration may enter into its

ear, and from the very beginning of its life, it becomes purified. But of

course, the children cannot be allowed to disturb in the meeting by crying;

and that is the mother's responsibility to keep them comfortable, and not to

disturb the meeting.

 

SANSKRIT CLASSES: TO BECOME SANSKRIT SCHOLAR IS NOT OUR BUSINESS

 

About holding Sanskrit classes, the special stress should be given to

chanting the mantras in our books. I have given specific instructions in

this connection to your husband, and if Sanskrit class is to be held, it

should be mainly for this purpose. We should simply expend our time for

development of Krishna Consciousness. To become a scholar of Sanskrit is not

our business. You say that 15 to 40 students are attending. Are they

outsiders? My point is anyone who will attend the Sanskrit class must be

interested for chanting the mantras (in our books Isopanisad, Bhagavad-gita,

Srimad-Bhagavatam) and not for any other purpose. And before and after the

class there must be Mahamantra chanting. (70-04-16.Yam Letter: Yamuna,

Gurudasa)

 

I am very glad to learn that you have begun to teach Sanskrit pronunciation

to our students. Please see that they can pronounce very nicely the Sanskrit

verses in Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Isopanisad, and Brahma Samhita,

and teach them to chant conjointly as they chant Hare Krishna Mahamantra.

(70-04-17 Letter: Balmukundji)

 

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada