Srila Prabhupada’s Affectionate Remarks About Sripada Maharaja

The spiritual master is always concerned about the wellbeing of the disciples. The affection and care of the spiritual master for his disciple are clearly visible in the relationship between Srila Prabhupada and Sripada Maharaja. Srila Prabhupada’s remarks about Sripada Maharaja made during the period from 1970 to 1977 collected from conversation volume and other volumes are a garland of blessings and confidence of the spiritual master to his disciple. Some selected remarks are listed here and we, the disciples of Sripada Maharaja feel very fortunate to bave these wonderful remarks.

“I think you should not think of relinquishing your job
without meeting me and
discussing the matter deeply.
Don’t do anything out of sentiment.
You must make the best use of a bad bargain.
Unless you keep your job,
you will not be considered an important man
in the material sense. And, if you are
not an important man, then who will listen to you?”
- Letter to Svarupa Damodara Dasa, Evanston, Illinois 75-08-23

Prabhupada: “Svampa Damodara must be the best
candidate. Others, what they’ll know about it? All other
Ph.D.s, they are simply rubber stamped. Actually they
have no knowledge. Svarupa Damodara has solid
knowledge. He has learned from us. Therefore he’s writing
all these books. He has rejected his so-called scientifìc
knowledge. He has completely understood that so called
scientifìc knowledge is bogus, it has no solid background.
Now, he’s writing books on this.”
- Room Conversation, Detroit, June 15, 1976

“Therefore, out of so many scientists in the country only you and a few others are understanding the importance of this subject matter – manusyanam sahasresu.
So please work very hard,
following our rules and regulations and you will always remain in the fìre of Krishna consciousness.”
- SPL to Svarupa Damodara, 23rd June 1975

“So we have got a great mission.
You are one of the strong pillars of the mission…
Be fully strong to push on this cult amongst
the educated scientifìc circle…
When you present more scientifically,
they will be convinced.”
- SPL to Svarupa Damodara Dasa, September 8, 1974

“… so aim yourself at the top-class of men
and give them every opportunity to
become convinced of our philosophy and
engage themselves to their satisfaction.
That will be the best contribution.”
- SPL to Svarupa Damodara Dasa, December 13, 1972.

“… appeal yourself to the high class of men,
not the mass. Mass, too, we do not eliminate anyone,
but if the best men are there to run on things,
mass will follow later.”
- SPL to Svarupa Damodara Dasa, December 13, 1972.

‘Therefore, I took it so seriously. Every morning walk, I was,
“Where is the scientist?”
I thought “Here I have got an opportunity to
impress that will fructify in fruition.”
That was my aim. Therefore, I was bothering you in so many ways.’
- Room Conversation, Bombay, March 27, 1977

“If one has got unflinching faith in Krishna and His
representative, guru, then all the knowledge
will be revealed to him automatically.
Just like yourself. You are a big scientist.
You have talked with me, you have studied with me,
and you have examined me in so many ways.
And I have also spoken whatever I had knowledge.
Unless you are convinced, how you can say that
‘You are my spiritual master?”
- Lecture, Srimad-Bhagavatam 1974

Prabhupada: “So life is the origin”.
Svarupa Damodara: “Life started from life.
It cannot start from matter”.
Prabhupada: “If you establish this theory,
you will get also Nobel Prize.
Yes, try for… Yes, do it.
And all these rascals will be defeated.
Do that… Do this by your education…
Simply we have to present it scientifically.
That’s all”.
- Morning walk, Los Angeles, May 2, 1973

“If these boys, in their scientific language,
they try to convince, that will be more effective,
We are generally speaking that
“Water has come from Krishna,” or
“The earth has come from Krishna.”
That may be blind.
But if it is scientifically presented,
how it has come from Krishna,
then they cannot refute so easily.
So that I am engaging this doctor of chemistry,
Svarupa Damodara and Raya Ramananda.
Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s two personal associates,
Svarupa Damodara and Ramananda.”
- Room Conversation Vrindavan, October 31, 1973

“…so if I would not have students like you,
they would have taken me as crazy man.
But now I have engaged you to prove them rascals.
That is my ambition.”
- Morning Walk Bhubaneswar, February 1, 1977

“This boy was stubborn athiest. …
And he was walking with me on the seaside,
and I was chastising him,
kicking him, and refuting. (laughs)
Now he has organized this Bhaktivedanta Institute.
- Room Conversation Vrindavan, July 26, 1977

Srila Prabhupada’s Instructions to Sripada Maharaja

The quality of a genuine disciple is always to beg for the instructions of the spiritual master. The instructions of the spiritual master are the life and soul of a genuine disciple. The instructions given by Srila Prabhupada to his beloved disciple Sripada Maharaja on Scientific presentation of Krishna Consciousness among the Scientists, Philosophers and Intellectuals of the world; on Manipur; on Education and Culture and on Bhaktivedanta Institute are the real indications of the ideal relationship that exists between a genuine disciple and his spiritual master. From these instructions we can see that Srila Prabhupada had showered immense blessings upon Sripada Maharaja. These are a great source of inspiration for us as well. The instructions listed herewith in the form of “qoutes” are mainly from the Conversation Volume and Letters and Lecture Volumes of Srila Prabhupada.

Scientific Preaching of Krishna Consciousness

“Advanced people are eager to understand
the Absolute Truth through the medium
of science, and therefore a great scientist should
endeavour to prove the existence of
the Lord on a scientifìc basis.”
- Srimad Bhagavatam, 1.5.22 purport.

“Although there are so many departments
of knowledge, medicine, astronomy, etc.,
the science of God is still to be introduced.
When the scientist philosopher medical man
will get the opportunity to study systematically
what is God, what are His energies,
what is my relationship, how to approach Him,
then only there will be paradise.”
- Letter, Calcutta, June 10,1970

“If we can convince the intelligent class of
men of our Krishna philosophy then o
ur success for changing the position of your
country and the rest of the world
from a very dangerous condition is assured”
- SPL to Svarupa Damodara Dasa, Mayapur, March 1, 1972.

“As there is need of medical man, engineer or lawyer or other, similarly,
there is need of expert who knows the science of soul… The
medical man, the engineer, the archaeologist
or this or that, they are all meant for the body.
Similarly, there must be one expert section
who are meant for the soul.”
- Room conversation, Caracas, February 22, 1975

“So by study of Srimad-Bhagavatam under
the bonafìde spiritual master, one becomes
aware of the full value of life,
and then he revives his original Krishna consciousness.
That is the perfection of life. The individual soul
is already under specific material nature,
and the process is going on in lower grades of life,
but in the human form of life by advancement of education,
one can become above the modes of material nature. The
chance is given to him. This is stated in Bhagavad-gita:
yanti devavrata devan. So if he likes he can go back to
Godhead: yanti mad yajino ‘pi mam, and stop this
transmigration process. Then he comes again perfect in
Krishna consciousness.”
- SPL to Svarupa Damodara, 31 August, 1975

“Unless there is a strong body to present
God Consciousness proposals to
the leaders of the world, there will be no hope.
We have taken Bhagavad-gita as
the standard of all human activities.
If the leaders of the human society take
it as standard, then all the problems will be solved.”
- SPL, Los Angeles, June 4, 1976.

“If the scientists, philosophers,
they take up seriously then it will be good
for the general mass of people.
yad yad acarati sresthas ”
- Room conversation, Los Angeles, June 22, 1975.

“If a scientist, if he proves Krishna’s
supremacy by scientifìc law, then his knowledge in science is perfect.”
- Prabhupada Lecture, Bhagavad-Gita, Bombay, April 4, 1971.

“First of all you have to establish that
life is not from matter. Matter is from life.
Then they (referring to scientists) will be
under your control …. First of all
you have to establish this.
Why don’t you write a theory and get Nobel Prize?
This is a fact.”
- Morning Walk, May 9, 1973

“If we can prove that life comes from life,
or the soul is from the Super soul,
then all other things can be brought into
serious consideration. So you try to prove that
chemical combination can never bring about life,
this is our main argument, if we can prove
this particular subject matter,
that the soul can’t be manufactured
by combination of chemical, then gradually
we can prove that vedic knowledge is perfect,
while other sources of knowledge by speculation and imagination are all wrong.”
- Letter Date Dec. 17, 1975

“…We are now sending our representatives
all over the world to the scientists.
Here is Dr. Svarupa Damodara, Ph.D… he
was invited by many universities, schools, colleges.
So this movement is not a sentimental movement.
It is the scientific movement. It is the most elevated, scientific movement.”
- Prabhupada Lectures, Bhagavad-Gita, 1974.

On Manipur

“So, fìrst thing make your headquarters in Bombay, and make Manipur a Vaisnava state.”
- Room conversation, Mayapur, February 18, 1977

“After the G.B.C, assembly in Vrindavana,
Svarupa Damodara had travelled to Manipur
and Calcutta and was now returning to
Vrindavana to see Srila Prabhupada.
As soon as Prabhupada heard Svarupa Damodara
had arrived he asked to see him.
As usual, Srila Prabhupada treated him very
specially and gave him much time and attention.
From Prabhupada’s first meeting with
Svarupa Damodara when Svarupa Damodara
had been Thoudam Singh, a Ph.D. candidate in Physical Organic
Chemistry at University of California, Irvine, Prabhupada had
taken great care to cultivate their relationship.”
- “Srila Prabhupada Lilamrita” Vol. 6, p.333

“So make Manipur a strong centre and preach. The other side, Manipur, next is Burma?”
- Room conversation, January, 30, 1977. Bhubaneswar

“So I could understand that Manipur has
got great potential of Bhakti marga.
They are born … Babhruvahana.
You descendant of Babhruvahana, Arjuna’s son.
So let there be at least one country- ideal brahmana,
ideal ksatriya. And people are submissive to
Krishna Consciousness. I have seen. In Vrindavana and Navadvipa
there are many Manipuris.”
- Srila Prabhupada, conversation-Extra.

“… make Manipur a big centre of Vaisnava.
You are descendants of Babhruvahana.
There is no doubt about it. Vaisnava rajya.
Make Manipur a strong centre of Krishna,
and it will be easily done, strong vaisnava center,
ksatriya, I would like to see this …The Manipur is already …
For the last fìve thousand years at least,
their name is in the Bhagavatam, Manipur.
And still they are Vaisnavas. They have got temples
in Navadvipa, in Vrindavana.”
- Room conversation, Bhubaneswar, January 30, 1977.

“Pandava Arjuna:
The great hero of the Bhagavad-gita. … He married four wives, Draupadi, Subhadra,
Citrangada and Ulupi. From whom he got
four sons of the names Srutakirti, Abhimanyu,
Babhruvahana and Iravan respectively…
Royal families at Manipur and Tripura are
descendants of Arjuna’s son Babhruvahana… Similarly, he met
Citrangada, a daughter of the King of Manipura, and thus
Babhruvahana was born.”
- Bhagavatam 1. 12. 21 (PURPORT)

“Now Manipur, make a very enlightened state.
I have got very good respect for your state because
Arjuna is there, Arjuna’s son.
So you make an ideal state, Indian culture.
I wanted to go only for this reason,
that you take it very seriously, make a centre of Scientifìc Vaisnava Culture.”
- Srila Prabhupada, conversation-Extra.

“Let us have a small ideal state. If respectable gentlemen take it,
oh, it will be a great success,
an ideal state throughout the whole world,
Vaisnava state. … Show their (Manipur) policemen,
all with tilaka, and marching,
“Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare,
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare. Hare…”
- Room Conversation, Mayapur, February, 20, 1977

“We shall train them. Military march, Manipur.
Slogan: “Jaya Radhe! Jaya Krishna!
Jaya Babhruvahana! Jaya Arjuna!”
And then let us go …Manipur Vaisnava state,
send missionary all over the world,
bonafìde, scientifìc System of religion, ideai character.”
- Room Conversation, Mayapur, February, 20, 1977

“So… make Manipur a Vaisanava State…
There must be some state, ideal state. Just like the Russia is Communist State,
and they’re making nice propaganda, similarly we must have a Krishna conscious state.”
- Room Conversation, Mayapur, February 28, 1977

“Let us cooperate. The Manipur is already…
For the last fìve thousand years at least,
their name is in the Bhagavatam, Manipur.
And still they are Vaisnavas.
They have got temples in Navadwipa, in Vrindavana.
So Manipur have cele…”
- Room conversation, Bhubaneswar, January, 30, 1977.

“Now arrange for big festival.
There is a program, Manipur.
I want to start in that small state varnasrama idea.
That is my dream. Small state it can be done,
brahmana, ksatriya ...”
- Room conversation, Mayapur, February 14, 1977.

“So Manipuri people are very nice,
So why not organize? Rejuvenate them.
So you are the Manipur’s son.
Now you are perfect Vaisnava.
Now let us make Manipur a Vaisnava
ksatriya centre, very nice. Then make relation with Nepal.
Nepal, they are ksatriyas also.”
- Room conversation, Bhubaneswar, January 30, 1977

Svarupa Damodara:
“Cause that’s the neighbour,
it’s only about ten miles from Manipur.
Its’s close to Mandalay. Used to be..
The kings of Manipur used to invade this Burma,
especially Mandalay, to fight.
So we can go to Burma from there.”
- Room conversation, April 18, 1977, Bombay

“It is to be understood that
Parvati is the daughter of the king of the
very, very old mountainous country
known as the Manipur state…
Five thousand years ago, therefore,
when the Pandavas ruled,
Manipur existed, as did its king.
Therefore this kingdom is a very old,
aristocratic vaisnava kingdom.
If this kingdom is organized as a Vaisnava state,
this revitalization will be a great success
because for five thousand years this state
has maintained its identity.
If the Vaisnava spirit is revived there,
it will be a wonderful place,
renowned throughout the entire world.
Manipuri Vaisnavas are very famous in Vaisnava society.
In Vrindavana and Navadwipa there are many temples
constructed by the kings of Manipur.
Some of our devotees belong to the Manipur state.
The Krishna consciousness movement, therefore,
can be well spread in the state of Manipur by the cooperative
efforts of the Krishna conscious devotees.
- Srimad Bhagavatam (Purport), 9.22.3

On Education

“There are hundreds and thousands of universities
all over the world… there is no department of
knowledge where the science of the soul is taught”.
- Lecture, Bhagavad-Gita, Los Angeles, August 7, 1969

“There should be school, college to understand what is God.”
- Morning Walk, Los Angeles, December 9, 1973.

“If you have got some knowledge,
you distribute the knowledge for Krishna’s.
How you can do that?
Whatever knowledge you have got,
you try to describe Krishna…
This is the first-class distribution of knowledge.
Whatever you know, you try to explain
Krishna by that knowledge.
Just like our Dr. Svarupa Damodara.
He’s a scientist, and now he is trying to
explain Krishna through his scientific knowledge”.
- Prabhupada Lectures, Srimad Bhagavatam, 1974

“The Krishna Consciousness Movement is trying to
educate people about this science, how to go back to home,
back to Godhead. It is not a so-called religious movement.
Of course, anything which has connection with God,
you can take it as religious movement.
But it is very scientific movement.
For the big scientists, philosophers, thinkers,
they should try to understand this movement”.
- General Lecture, 1975

“Now our Ph.D.’s must, collaborate and
study the fifth canto to make the model for
building the Vedic Planetarium.
My fìnal decision is that the universe
is just like a tree, with root upwards…
So now you all Ph.D.’s must carefully study
the details of the fifth canto and make
a working model of the universe.
If we can explain the passing seasons,
eclipses, phases of the moon, passing of day and night,
etc. then it will be very powerful propaganda.
I am sending this letter to you,
and you can make photocopies of it and
send to our other Ph.D.’s and begin serious
research into the matter in detail.”
- SPL, April 27, 1977.

On Culture

“We want a stronghold of this (vedic) culture,
and I think it will be possible in Manipur.
Daivi-Varnasrama. Make. There must be
first-class brahmanas, first-class ksatriyas,
first-class vaisyas and first-class sudras also.
Never mind. Ideal. The whole world will see that
here is the real culture, Vedic culture.”
- Srila Prabhupada, conversation-Extra.

“Because your wife is fully trained as classical dancer,
even she taught in such big university,
so she can organize classical dancing to portray
stories about Krishna and His pastimes and
that will be very nice proposal. Recently in Bombay
we have held a benefit charity performance called
“Hare Krishna Benefìt” performed by the Javeri Sisters,
a famous classical dancing group from Manipur.
These dancers were depicting stories from Krishna’s
Pastimes, and the dancing was very nice.
So this art of dancing, as any art, can be also
employed in the service of glorifying the Supreme Lord.
If she is expert dancer, your wife can organize
a dancing group to depict very exquisitely
stories from our Krishna Book.”
- SPL to Prajapati, Mayapur, 25 February, 1972

On Bhaktivedanta Institute

“The purpose of the Bhaktivedanta Institute
is to achieve the distinction of human life”
- Letter dated Sept. 30, 1975

“The Institute will be primarily for those
who have not entered our temples.”
“It will be a formal education and they will get degree.
It will be open for every one, including those
who have already entered our temples,
they may also participate. But, the subject matter
should not be different from what is in the temples.”
- Letter Sept. 30, 1975

“And this (BI preaching) is solid work, yes.
It must be done. Without any hesitation,
without any impediment.
That will increase our prestige of the movement.
In suit, yes.
You get fìrst dress, then address.”
- Srila Prabhupada, Room conversation, Bombay, March 31, 1977

“So that duty is now entrusted to you,
in your hands. Do it very nicely.
Krishna will help you.”
- Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, Bhubaneswar, February 1, 1977

“Turn the whole building into
Bhaktivedanta Institute.
And another building start.
Yes … I want that the intelligent man
should come and learn this science.”
- Room conversation, Bombay, March 26, 1977.

“You may be knowing that we nave formed
one party of scientists under the leadership of
Sriman Svarupa Damodara Prabhu.
Also we have formed the Bhaktivedanta Institute
for organizing scientific presentations
of Krishna Consciousness.
This party is our most important preaching arm
with which we will be able to destroy the bogus
speculation and cheating which goes under
the banner of scientific advancement.
Therefore, I have got great hope for
Svarupa Damodara and his colleagues.
I want them to travel vigorously throughout the world
to lecture in all universities and other institutions.
There is no lack of fìnancial resources and we shall spare
nothing to see to this party’s success.”
- SPL to Amarendra Das, April 2, 1977.

“Whenever you speak,
speak scientifìcally about Krishna’s existence.
Our mission is to turn the people to become devotees
so that they can see Krishna.”
- Srila Prabhupada’s letter to Svarupa Damodara, September 8, 1974

“So you make it a point, six months outside, six months here.
And all your expenditure
will be spent by the Society.
We shall beg and pay if there is no income.
But they must be allowed to go from
place to place. That is our real business.”
- Srila Prabhupada, Room Conversation with Svarupa Damodara, Bhubaneswar, February 3, 1977

“Make a strong party and you travel extensively
all over the world, amongst the scientists,
and whatever amount is required, I shall spend.”
- Srila Prabhupada, Room conversation, Bombay, March 31, 1977

“I want to give you the best place in Bombay.
Because you have to invite so many respectable,
big scientists.”
- Srila Prabhupada, Room conversation Vrindavana, June 21, 1977

“The whole human society
is affected by this misleading theory.
We have to make program,
go from place to place and invite all big men,
all scientists.”
- Srila Prabhupada, Morning Walk, Los Angeles, May 3, 1973

“This is the beginning.
And arrange for such conference
one after another, many…. Do something
for that before my departure.
I can see something.”

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