krsna Posted July 31, 2006 Report Share Posted July 31, 2006 SRILA PRABHUPADA SPEAKS OUT ON: <!-- the main section of the post goes here -->1. LEATHER 2. COCA COLA 3. FROZEN VEGETABLES, JAM, CANED FRUIT 4. ICE CREAM 5. CHEESE 6. SPORTS 7. MUSHROOMS 8. ONION, GARLIC 9. COFFEE 1.LEATHER “Swamiji, is wearing of leather shoes permissible?” “No.” “What if someone has given us some leather shoes?” “Leather means violence,” Prabhupada said.He pointed to Satsvarupa s shoes of inexpensive mad- made material. “Your country is very nice. By your technology you can get those shoes easily without wearing leather.” For Satsvarupa and others the question was answered for a lifetime… (Srila Prabhupada Lilamrta - page 150) 68-05-31 Allston, Mass 31st May, 1968 San Francisco My Dear Gargamuni, Regarding your seeking permission for selling some leather goods and water pipes: I say yes, you can sell. We have nothing to do with these things, but in special cases, if somebody asks us to sell intoxicants or similar things, we cannot do that. The pipes are meant for persons who are already addicted to intoxication. So if we don’t sell it, it does not mean it will counteract intoxication, even though indirectly it is connected with intoxication. We are not having any connection with these things, but you are selling for getting some profit for Krishna. You cannot dissatisfy your supplier who are eager to sell like that. But anyway, in all such odd circumstances as this, you should ask my permission. But be careful that you may not be attached to such business. If required, we can give up such business at any moment. Hope this will find you all right, and keep in good health. Thanking you once more, Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami 68-11-28 Los Angeles 28th November, 1968 My Dear Hamsaduta, Regarding the “Inside Iskcon'’ journal, if it is not very troublesome the idea is all right. Since you describe a necessity for warmer shoes, leather may be utilized and their is no harm. Hope that you are all well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami 2.COCA COLA This morning, while I was walking on the beach, we found so many things, the capsule of the Coca-cola, cigarette butts and so many other things. So what is the necessity of this Coca-cola? You don’t find all these things in our society. We don’t drink Coca-cola. We don’t drink Pepsi-cola. We don’t smoke. So many things which are selling in the market in huge quantity by advertisement, by victimizing the poor customer… (SB lecture 7.5.30 Mauricius October 2, 1975) Prabhupada: There was no… We don’t require all these things because we know others are victims. They pay for it. And they work hard for the money and pay to work. That’s all. Our men never touch this Coca-cola and cigarette, but others, they are mad after it. (Morning walk, Mauricius, October 2 !977) 75-09-29 Ahmedabad 29th September, 1975 My Dear Rupanuga das: Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letter dated September 19, 1975 and have noted the contents carefully. What is the street address of the new building in New York? The consent letter has been sent from Vrindaban. You should minimize the expenditure and increase the income, otherwise how will you liquidate the debts? We do not have to make propaganda, but automatically people will not want. The people are innocent. The rascal leaders say it is primitive to remain on the farm, but to do business in the city and become rogue and rascal, that is advanced. They have dog race, horse race, gambling, coca cola, pepsi cola–all unnecessary. There is no use for it but the business is going on. They take to cigarette and T.V. because they have no good engagement. They are chewing the already chewed. That is nice that the parents are donating. I hope this meets you in good health. A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami 3.FROZEN VEGETABLES, JAM, CANED FRUID Prabhupada: So you will never discover the cure, and he will never come out. Now somebody was saying that this freezing, the body within, they decompose. The parts of the body are separate. That is… As we have… You take the frozen vegetable. It is tasteless. It is decomposed. Hamsaduta: “I was able to get frozen vegetables from the south of Russia. They freeze it and then they sell it,” he said, “but it is very expensive, very costly.” He was getting frozen. Prabhupada: That is also nasty. Frozen means nasty. I never take frozen. In the beginning I thought, “Oh, it is very nice, you can get fresh vegetable.” But they are not at all fresh. Hamsaduta: No. Devotee (1): Tastes as though it is different. The fresh vegetable the taste is very good. Prabhupada: Fresh vegetable must be, but still there is some taste. But this frozen it has no taste. (Room conversation, Vrndavan, November 3, 1976) 69-07-05 Los Angeles 5th July, 1969 My Dear Upendra, Regarding frozen vegetables, they are not bad, but if they are twice boiled, then they should not be used. I do not know exactly, but I do not think it is twice boiled. Anyway, if it is, it should not be used. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Tamala Krsna: Would you have agreed to stay with him? Prabhupada: I would have been glad. Very nice foodstuff, very nice, clean, and he has got his fresh vegetables, like that. Tamala Krsna: How old were you? Prabhupada: At that time I was ten years old. Or twelve years. Not more than twelve years. But I liked that place very much. They still presented the foodstuff, fresh. I have been many… Not many. In the village so tasteful, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and they cooked so nicely. Nice milk. Everything very nutritious. That life is gone. What is this nonsense life, hanging in the daily buses, outside. Krsna advises to live village life, agriculture, and utilize time for understanding your spiritual life. The devotee should always be very careful not to commit the ten offenses when chanting the Hare Krsna mantra. If a devotee very strictly follows the methods of Deity worship, he will naturally and quickly become a pure Vaisnava. A pure Vaisnava has unflinching faith in the Lord, and he does not deviate at all. He is always engaged in perfect Deity worship. One should also notice the specific offenses against Deity worship. These are mentioned in the Skanda Purana (Avanti-khanda), spoken by Vyasadeva himself. One should liquidate all kinds of offenses. There are thirty-two offenses that should be avoided. (1) One should not enter the temple in a vehicle. Shoes and slippers should be removed before entering the temple….. (24) One should always offer fresh, untouched fruit to the Deity. (SCC Madhya, 24/236) Prabhupada: I would have been glad. Very nice foodstuff, very nice, clean, and he has got his fresh vegetables, like that. Tamala Krsna: How old were you? Prabhupada: At that time I was ten years old. Or twelve years. Not more than twelve years. But I liked that place very much. They still presented the foodstuff, fresh. I have been many… Not many. In the village so tasteful, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables, and they cooked so nicely. Nice milk. Everything very nutritious. That life is gone. What is this nonsense life, hanging in the daily buses, outside. Krsna advises to live village life, agriculture, and utilize time for understanding your spiritual life. (Srila Prabhupada conversation) (Bhagavad Gita 17. 10) Food prepared more than three hours before being eaten, food that is tasteless, decomposed and putrid, and food consisting of remnants and untouchable things is dear to those in the mode of darkness. Food prepared more than three hours is cause misery by reducing the mucus in the stomach, leading to disease. Foods in the mode of ignorance or darkness are essentially those that are not fresh. Any food cooked more than three hours before it is eaten (except prasadam, food offered to the Lord) is considered to be in the mode of darkness. 68-05-30 Allston, Mass 30th May, 1968 My Dear Sacisuta, So you follow those principles as well as the four restrictive rules, namely; No addiction to indulgence in any form of intoxication, including coffee, tea and cigarettes No illicit sexual relationships Must be strictly vegetarian No gambling And the other standard practices for initiated devotees: Must attend evening and morning classes Should not extensively mix with non-devotees Should not eat food cooked by non-devotees Should not waste time in idle talks Should not become engaged in frivolous sports Should always chant and sing the Lord’s Holy Names Chanting as enunciated by Lord Caitanya is the only means for spiritual realization in this age of dissension. So chant at least 16 rounds daily, and for other help you can ask assistance from your elderly God-brothers. Hope you are well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami In India, Prabhupada instructed the devotees how a gentlemen would eat and how to feed guests who came to the temple. During the meal the host shouldbe very attentive to his guest’s needs, supplying him servings of hot puris,fresh water, and more of everything. He should also engage his guest inlight, relaxing conversation, and not heavy, anxiety producing topics.Prabhupada said rice was useless unless served hot. He also said reheating rice must never be done, since it causes a poisonous effect. “So far as offering to Krsna apple cider, this can be done only if it is prepared by the devotees. These food manufacturers do not take proper precautions incleanliness nor do they have devotion for Krsna in their labours, so it is not very acceptable offering. If you can make this preparation yourself,then it would be all right.” [From “Prabhupada Nectar”] Karmi jam , and caned fruit cannot by offered and et. 4. ICE CREAM Prabhupada: Don’t take ice cream. (music continues louder in background) (laughs) This is maya. (laughter) “Come on, come on, enjoy me. Come on, come on, enjoy me.” (laughs) As soon as you enjoy, you become entrapped. That’s all. Prabhupada: Do they add mango? Hari-sauri: Yes, sometimes they put different fruits in it. Pradyumna: Little oranges in there. You can put orange? Hari-sauri: Strawberry and mango and this and that. They make it with some kind of ice cream machine. Prabhupada: Hmm? This is not from machine? Hari-sauri: No, this is from machine. Pradyumna: You first made ice cream in New York, Srila Prabhupada? Someone told me that in 26 Second Avenue, did you make…, you made them ice cream when it was very hot? Prabhupada: Hot? Pradyumna: It was hot, no, the weather was hot, so you made. Prabhupada: No, you can make ice cream in this, what is called, refrigerator. You can make. Hari-sauri: Just make thick cream and put it in the fridge. Pusta Krsna: “Ice” cream. Prabhupada: But unless I become little strong, how can I go? Kuladri: Hm. So we’ve also brought some sweets and ice cream, but just now is not so good for you to take it. The ice cream is not so good for you to take just now, so shall we keep it for you? Prabhupada: Distribute. Kuladri: You’ll take one little taste, Srila Prabhupada? You’ll take one little taste? (Prabhupada takes taste) Prabhupada: First class. Tamala Krsna: He says that the kaviraja is waiting for you to get a little stronger and the weather should be a little colder. Bhavananda: Srila Prabhupada, so I have some grape juice here, and a little bit of ice cream. If you could take that now it will help you become strong. Prabhupada: Yes, I can take. (break) 68-10-21 Seattle 21st October, 1968 My Dear Syama dasi, Your second question, ice cream purchased from the market may not be offered. Because such ice cream contains sometimes undesirable things, which we should not offer. We must offer to Krishna only first class prepared foodstuff, especially made at home. We shall try to avoid as far as possible goods purchased from the market and offer to Krishna. Regarding your third question, morning lecture is also allowed. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami 5. CHEESE TRANSLATION She made long-lasting cheese, many varieties of sweetmeats with milk and cream, and many other varied preparations, such as amrta-karpura. (SCC ANTYA LILA 10/26) Prabhupada: Lunchtime you can eat bread, butter, fruit, milk. There are so many things. Dry fruits. So there are so many. God has supplied your country is, by God’s grace you have got sufficient foodstuff. You can use potato, vegetables. Devotee: Cheese? Prabhupada: Cheese also. Cheese is milk preparation. You can eat. And offer it to Krsna, that “Krsna, these things are supplied by You. Kindly You taste it, then I’ll take.” Dr. Muncing: If we weren’t being recorded I would make a comment but we are, so I won’t. (laughter) Sir, could we move from the metaphysical to the material for a brief moment? We were not certain from reading your book whether it would be acceptable, but Dr. Harrap has a special sample of cheese which we wondered if we might present. Dr. Harrap: This is cheese that has been made in the C.S.R.O. from cow’s milk, and I hope that perhaps you might enjoy it. Prabhupada: Oh, thank you very much. So you can give some cheese preparation to all these respectable scientists. You have got that sweet, sweet ball? Satsvarupa: Where are they? I could not find them just now. Prabhupada: You go and find out. Dr. Harrap: This is a variety of cheese that, what we call a gouda cheese which comes originally from Holland. But it is very much liked in Asian countries and Australia has quite a large export market to many of the Asian countries, and more particularly to Japan. It seems to appeal very much to the taste of cheese-loving people in these countries, and this is a product which is becoming more and more popular in these countries. Prabhupada: From milk you can prepare hundreds and thousands of preparations. 6. SPORTS Hawaii 69-03-20 (TOSANA KRISHNA DAS BRAHMACHARY) THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THOMAS GRITTON ALLIN is my bona fide initiated student. He is being trained under me to become an ordained Minister of Religion in the KRISHNA CONSCIOUSNESS (God Consciousness) SOCIETY, and he is studying regularly the following books: 1. Bhagavad-gita As It Is, 2. Srimad-Bhagavatam, 3. The Teachings of Lord Caitanya, and other allied literatures. He is also preaching this perfect religious process amongst university students. My initiated students are strictly forbidden to indulge in the following principles of degradation: 1. All forms of intoxication, including coffee, tea, cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, etc. 2. The eating of animal foods, such as meat, fish, and eggs. Rather, their diet consists of Prasadam, especially offered foodstuffs (vegetarian), 3. Unmarried sex indulgence, 4. Gambling, or idle sports of any sort. Their lives are dedicated to serving God, and as such, they have no time to squander on unbeneficial activities or non-Godly activities. The formalities are as follows: You should take a vow not to have any illicit sex life. That means sex life should be accepted only by married couples. You should not take anything beyond the group of grains, fruits, vegetables, flowers, milk and milk products, and that also only after offering to Lord Krishna. You should not accept any kind of intoxication, including drinking coffee, tea, or smoking cigarettes, chewing pan, etc. Finally, you should not take part in any gambling, including so-called sports, cinema, theatre, or any such entertainment. Then you will have to be first initiated for chanting the Hare Krishna Mantra under regulative principles, avoiding 10 kinds of offenses and following the above regulative principles. Then, on or before the completion of one year, you will be finally initiated. letter to Mr. Kair (July 8, 1969) Although one may be born in a family of Aryans, where there are restrictions against meat eating, intoxication, gambling and illicit sex, still one may want to enjoy these forbidden things. There is always someone who wants to go to prostitute for illicit sex or to a hotel to eat meat and drink wine. There is always someone who wants to gamble at nightclubs or enjoy so called sports. All these propensities are already within the hearts of the living entities, but some living entities stop to enjoy these abominable activities and consequently fall down to a degraded platform.” (SB 4.29.4, purport) 7. MUSHROOMS 71-11-17 Delhi 17th November, 1971 My dear Himavati, Because mushrooms grow in a filthy place, they are not usually offered to Krishna. It is very nice that all the men should participate in deity-worship, this will sanctify their all other work. I think you are the most clever manager, better than your husband, because you are organizing temple routine very nicely for serving the deities and this will have very good results for everyone. I hope this meets you in good health and cheerful mood. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami 68-12-01 Los Angeles 1st December, 1968 My Dear Harer Nama, So far as explaining my letter to Kris, I have listed the ingredients which may use for preparing prasadam but these various varieties of foodstuffs may be prepared either in the given recipes or if you like you may invent nice new formulas for offering. The important thing is that your preparations be palatable for Lord Krishna and that the ingredients be within the groups of ingredients already listed. You have asked me about sassafras and yes, it may be offered. Mushrooms are generally not offered, but there is no prohibition, there is no harm in them. I hope that this has answered your questions. Please keep me informed as to the progress of your temple. Hope you are all well. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami 8. ONION, GARLIC Prabhupada: We don’t eat anything which is not offered to Krsna. We first of all prepare foodstuff as recommended in the scripture. They are mostly from vegetable, grains, fruits, milk. So we have got enough food. Interviewer: No meat of any kind. Prabhupada: No. No meat, no onion, no garlic, no intoxication, no liquor, we don’t smoke even, we don’t take tea, coffee. We simply take what is absolutely necessary for keeping the body fit to execute Krsna consciousness. We don’t indulge in luxury…, or for the satisfaction of the tongue. (Interview San Francisco, March 12, 1968) 9. COFFEE Letter to: Visvakarma : 76-11-19 Vrindaban “No, you may not serve decaffinated coffee in the restaurant.” Hoping this will meet you in good health. Your ever well-wisher, A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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