How to start varnasrama - I have done business

August 7, 1999

>> Where did you get the idea of *forcing* some bhaktas on sankirtana for

>> three years?

> I was forced, it is not so unbeleivable. OK I could have stood my ground,

> and refused, but I dont think it would have done much good, besides I knew

> I was in 'Maya'. I was 16, 17, and not very aggressive. Should an aspiring

> monk stand up, against his authorities?"

Here is an interesting qoute from "Conversations with Srila

Prabhupada" (in Folio: 770810RC.VRN):

Prabhupada: Yes. In this way organize these two places with the courage

of an Englishman and the heart of a Bengali mother. And we should

ventilate in the papers that this Indian investment of American money

is not American money. It is my money. I have written books, laboring

whole night. The American boys have cooperated with me by printing, by

distributing, and the money was received by selling the books. So the

books are mine. I have given to the society.

So I have done business, regular, in foreign countries. I have earned

money and spending the same money in my country. It is not American money.

It is my money. I have done business. That's all. It is a credit for Indian

son so to do such tremendous business and bring money for investing in his

own country, from the national point of view... Why the...? The Americans

are not claiming that this is their money. They are my disciples; they

are cooperating with me.

Actually it is a business. I have done business, I have earned money and

brought it at home to spend. Everyone does. They should not misunderstand

that I have stolen money from America and brought it. It is fair business.

That's all. Ventilate this. They are under impression that the American

government is supplying, the World Bank is supplying. Nobody is supplying. I

am earning money by business, by my hard labor. Hm?

Devotee: Yes. That is fact.

Prabhupada: Ventilate this.

Prabhavisnu: It is very important to make this known to everyone.

Prabhupada: Yes. Money belongs to Bhaktivedanta Swami by hard labor. We

are his disciples. We are helping. It is mutual cooperation. Actually I

do not like to take.

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