Category:My Speaking (Prabhupada)
Theme Analysis
Śrīla Prabhupāda’s speaking was a dynamic manifestation of his surrender to Kṛṣṇa. This category explores the evolution and nature of his spoken word—from his humble beginnings, where he felt he "could not speak," to his fearless challenging of scientists, governments, and atheistic philosophies. The analysis reveals that his boldness was not a result of personal ego but of deep sincerity. By strictly repeating the message of the Supreme Personality of Godhead without addition or subtraction, his speaking became identical to kīrtana (glorification). Furthermore, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that his books are simply his "spoken kīrtanas" recorded for posterity, ensuring that his voice continues to preach even in his physical absence.
- The Source of Boldness: Śrīla Prabhupāda admits that initially, he was not a bold preacher. However, he teaches that when one serves sincerely, Kṛṣṇa within the heart provides the courage and intelligence to speak fearlessly.
- Speaking as Kīrtana: He redefined the concept of kīrtana, explaining that speaking the philosophy of Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is as much kīrtana as chanting with musical instruments.
- Revolutionary Message: Śrīla Prabhupāda acknowledged that his speaking was revolutionary and might even incite government opposition, yet he refused to flatter his audience or compromise the truth about intoxication, illicit sex, and godlessness.
- The Dictaphone and Books: A unique insight in this category is Prabhupāda’s description of his writing process. He explains that he "speaks" his books into a dictaphone, and these recordings—transcribed into print—are his "spoken kīrtanas" that act exactly like him in his absence.
- No "New" Speaking: He consistently defended himself against the charge of not saying anything new. He proudly stated that he had no research or invention, but simply repeated what Kṛṣṇa spoke, which is the secret of his potency.
- Explore the synthesized essence of this category in this Vanipedia article: Speaking the Absolute Truth - Prabhupāda’s Boldness as a Humble Servant.
Subcategories
This category has only the following subcategory.
O
Pages in category "My Speaking (Prabhupada)"
The following 138 pages are in this category, out of 138 total.
A
- A man is known when he speaks. "A fool is so long beautiful as long as he does not speak." When he speaks, then you can understand what he is. So my speaking are there in the books, and if you are intelligent, you can understand. You haven't got to ask
- Although I am condemning the western mode of life, still, so many western young boys, they have come. I never came to speak to flatter you, that "Your western civilization is very nice." I never said that
- Australian cities, like your Melbourne city... I was just speaking to my students, "If any Indian comes, so they will be surprised with this standard of living." They will think that "Oh, it is heaven." Because the material prosperity is far different
B
- Bhagavad-gita should be discussed amongst the devotees. Sometimes we discuss Bhagavad-gita amongst the non-devotees. That is due to higher order, higher order - Guru Maharaja asked that "You go and speak." So we are doing that
- Bhinna prakrtir astadha. Just like I am speaking, it is being recorded, recorded. But in my absence, if the record is played, it will exactly vibrate the same sound. So that is my energy or anyone's energy, but bhinna, separated from me
D
- Don't take this movement as some something sentimental. Authorized movement. We are speaking the science which is given by Krsna, the Supreme Authority
- Don't waste your time how to solve your economic problems. This is nonsense. Of course, it is very revolutionary. People will hate me. "What Swamiji's speaking?" But actually this is the fact. This is another madness
E
- English is a foreign language to me also, but I try to speak it, not to be a big scholar, but to be a servant of Krishna. So do not be disturbed if you feel that your language ability is not yet very expert
- Everything is clearly said in the BG. I speak, therefore, to my disciples that "You simply repeat like parrot BG and follow first your life. Don't try to become very big scholar, do interpretation. Remain foolish & believe in Krsna. Then life is perfect"
F
- Fall down means from our spiritual identification we fall down to material identification, upadhi. Material identification, upadhi, designation. I am now speaking, "I am Indian,"
- Familiarity breeds contempt. But in the Western countries when we speak of Krsna, they see the philosophy. They see the science and become attracted
- For every action of Krsna consciousness movement there is support from Vedas, Vedic literature. Just like whenever we speak something we immediately give evidence from the Bhagavad-gita
- Frankly speaking the Deities are not as opulent as when They were being taken care of by you. So if you want to come back here and take care of Them I have no objection
- From now on, I would like to speak only at very important engagements, and for most engagements, have my students preach. All of you must learn to preach; and for me, my most important preaching work is to finish up the Srimad-Bhagavatam
G
- Generally we chant this mahamantra, Hare Krsna, and then we deliver speeches from Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and then there are questions, we answer, and in that way the audience and the disciples they become enlightened and they advance
- Generally you will find, whenever we speak something, we give evidence from the sastra in Sanskrit, in all our books. That is the way of proving that whatever I am speaking, it is fact
H
I
- I (Prabhupada) have already spoken to you about Narada. He has also accepted Him. That means authorities. He's quoting authorities
- I (Prabhupada) think I have spoken about my own life. You know that I was a married man. So after being married, I did not like my wife. (laughter) Somehow or other, I did not like
- I also speak from the Bhagavad-gita and the students also speak from the Bhagavad-gita. The Bhagavad-gita is the same in all the centers. But it may be because I have little more experience I can explain them a little more nicely
- I am Calcutta born. What Calcutta was in our childhood days and what is now, I know everything. How we were happy during British days and what is now position, I can speak from my personal experience
- I am going in a few days to San Francisco to speak at the San Francisco State University there on the topic of "Krsna Consciousness: The Best Alternative Life Style, the Ideal Community, the New Social Order"
- I am just speaking opposite, from the beginning of my preaching. So why you are coming? So if you stick to your position, real human civilization, people will come, gradually. Because they have got the sense
- I am not very much anxious to speak only to Hindu community, but I want to speak to Japanese people and students
- I am speaking Bhagavad-gita. I am giving you knowledge as given by Lord Krsna. It is not my knowledge
- I am speaking in the dictaphone, but after some time, without me, it will speak exactly like this. So I am speaking, but I'm not present there. Similarly, material world means it is being conducted by Krsna, but still personally, He's not present there
- I am speaking not my manufacture. I heard it from my Guru Maharaja. He told me that these are these, like that. Not unauthorized. I don't speak anything which I have not heard from my Guru Maharaja
- I am speaking simply what the Supreme Personality of Godhead has said. I'm just repeating the same words. That's all. Don't think that I am speaking. I am simply instrument. Real speaker is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, who is without and within
- I am speaking this freely because you are a gentleman, but the civilization, modern civilization, everyone is addicted to intoxication, everyone is flesh-eating, everyone is illicit sex, everyone is addicted to gambling. So where is pure person?
- I am speaking to America because America is a little serious against this communistic movement
- I am speaking to you Bhagavad-gita, just learning from my spiritual master. So I have to learn it, but when Krsna spoke, He had not to learn it
- I am speaking to you of my personal experience how this eagerness of hearing is a very important thing
- I am speaking to you; this is also kirtanam. And you are hearing; this is bhakti. Sravanam kirtanam, about Krsna. The chanting, dancing about Krsna, this is bhakti
- I am speaking. Now, this speaking recorded, when it will be replayed, the same sound will come. I am not there, but still, the vibration is exactly what I am speaking, Similarly, Krsna says that - This earth is emanation of My energy
- I am the single man speaking of God. Nobody speaks. All big, big leaders, politicians, philoso..., who is speaking of God? We are stressing only God consciousness
- I am trying to speak to you. That is also understanding, studying Krsna science. Rather, hearing is better reception
- I compose books by speaking into a dictaphone, and when the dictaphone is replayed, it appears that I am speaking personally, but actually I am not. I spoke personally, but then the dictaphone tape, which is separate from me, acts exactly like me
- I did not like to take the position of Krsna. I remained servant of Krsna, and I spoke what Krsna said. That's all. This is my secret. So everyone can do that. There is nothing magic. The magic will act as soon as you become a pure devotee of Krsna
- I don't say it is my movement. Neither do I say that I am God. I am simply speaking of the established movement
- I don't speak for anyone. But these kinds of paramahamsas are there. They cannot go out of Vrndavana, they are so advanced. But in Vrndavana, if there is a beautiful woman, try to exploit her
- I especially like your idea to speak to many students, and if they are important meetings, I have no objection to travelling to other cities in Japan
- I have received the enclosed copies of BTG and they are very nice. The layout made by you and the others are completely satisfactory. Thank you very much. I have again begun speaking on the tapes and very soon you will get transcribed copies
- I have seen also very educated medical man, England-returned, M.R.C.P - I am speaking from my practical experience - so he goes to a hospital, big doctor, but I have seen in his house, he had not even a good utensil at home. He's so poor
- I know there are many Sanskrit scholars in Germany, but unfortunately I have no practice to speak in Sanskrit. I can read and write, but I cannot speak in Sanskrit
- I never was a scientist, neither I am a psychologist, neither a psychiatrist, neither this or that. But I speak on the strength of Bhagavad-gita, I defeat them. It is practical. So many people came to me, but nobody went unharmed
- 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
- I want to give Indian culture to the whole world. I'm not going to cheat people, taking Bhagavad-gita and speaking all nonsense. I want to present Bhagavad-gita as it is. That is my mission
- I want to speak to the public something, I have expressed my opinion in that way. But because it is popular, you are taking advantage of my book and expressing your views. How much cheater you are. Therefore he is suffering, Dr. Radhakrishnan
- I will speak twice or thrice in a week to as many students who will come, intelligent boys and girls, and they will get regular instruction in our Vedic knowledge as it is
- I wish to speak on the great philosophy of Bhagavata Dharma at least once in a week on Television, so if arrangement is made by you for this, then you will be doing the highest service for Krishna
- I'll speak something, you may forget, but if you read from the book, you will get good opportunity to understand the philosophy
- If death takes place, let it take here. So there is nothing to be said new. Whatever I have to speak, I have spoken in my books. Now you try to understand it and continue your endeavor
- If somebody asks, "Oh, you are so nice girl, why you are passing stool and urine?" is that any argument? I am just speaking on the argument's sake
- If you are able to arrange everything so that I can simply sit in my room and be seen by the world and speak to the world, then I shall never leave Los Angeles
- If you think the major portion of the audience can understand directly English, then it is much better. I am not very much enthusiastic to speak in a place where English is not directly understood
- In this Hawaii sometime I was speaking in the university. So when I was speaking like that (never mind I shall again take my birth), one student said, "What is the wrong there if I become dog?" Yes, he flatly said. - I shall forget everything
- It may be that government may take action against me because I'm speaking something revolutionary. Yes. But that is the fact. Why you should work?
J
- Just like I am speaking before you. As soon as I, the spirit, leave this body, this body can no more speak, can no more can shake the hands and move the hands and so on. Everything stopped. So just try to understand, this is matter and spirit
- Just like I am speaking here. This vibration is being recorded all over the universe, this sound vibration
- Just like I have spoken something to my disciple. He says the same thing to his disciple. He says the same thing to his disciple. But some way or other, if it is distorted at a certain point, then the knowledge is lost
K
N
- Nobody can speak on the Bhagavad-gita so authoritatively as I can do. That is a fact. So if the university wants to take advantage of this opportunity, even in this old age I can go from one university to another
- Now I have got the facility of the talking in microphone, and... So why should I not take it? It will be recorded. It will be heard by so many others. I am speaking to four, five men. It can be heard by a big crowd of four hundred men
O
- Once I was invited to speak in that institution, MIT. So I questioned, "Where is your department of technology to understand the difference between dead body and living body?" So I spoke on this
- One big man came. So I talked about first-class men, and he admitted. So he said at the last moment, "Now let me go and engage myself in fourth-class activities." So everyone is engaged in fourth-class activities, and we are trying to make first-class men
- One thing is, I have got many tapes of my speaking in Bengali language, and if you and Satchidananda can co-operatively transcribe them for printing there?
- Our mind is very restless, so mind tries to go. Suppose I am speaking and you are hearing, and mind is somewhere. This is . . . ordinarily there is such difficulty, but we have to bring back the mind again
P
- People, they're all the same. As soon as we speak of Krsna consciousness, they respond immediately. That is my experience. Actually that is a fact
- Play the Gayatri mantra tape through the right ear. Have her repeat along with my vibration word by word and then give her Gayatri mantra as usual. This Gayatri mantra function should be held amongst the devotees only
- Presently arrangements are being made for me to go to Moscow, Russia. We have one invitation to speak in the university there. If I see that you are understanding our philosophy, then I shall be glad to take you with me to Russia for preaching work
R
- Regarding my going to Germany, I am actually very much eager to go there and speak in the Indo-German branches about the importance of our Krishna Consciousness Movement
- Regarding your suggestion for a book especially for use in college courses, if possible you can pick it up from my other books, articles and speeches. You have the idea, so you can do it, just suitable for them
- Ruci means taste. Why you are hearing about Krsna daily, the same thing? We are speaking nothing new. "Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and you have to surrender." This is our daily business
- Rupanuga has a tape of me reciting Gayatri mantra, so you can get this from him. One thing is that the tape should be heard through earphones into the right ear
S
- Separated energy you'll understand: just like I am speaking, and my speech is being recorded in the tape recorder. So even I am not here, if you apply the machine, it will exactly speak like me. That is my energy, but now it is separated
- Simply to become servant of God, and whomever we meet, we speak the words of God, that's all
- So far my coming to Moscow, yes I will come, but I may not be arrested. Still I shall go, and I shall speak on pure communism
- So far our International Society is concerned, we do not cheat. We speak the real truth. Here is God, Krsna. Here you are. Your relationship is to serve Him
- So far the speaking engagements are concerned, they must be well-organized and sponsored, so that there will be enough publicity and many people will come. We are not cheap, we want to speak something, but there must be good accommodations provided
- So there is next life. There is no doubt. The practical proof there is . . . and Krsna has given many proof. I have spoken in this meeting many times. There is next life. So we should be responsible
- Sometimes people gives me very much credit that I have done wonderful throughout the whole world. But I do not know that I am wonderful man. I know one thing: that I am speaking what Krsna has spoken. That's all. I am not making any addition, alteration
- Sometimes rascals come, that "You are speaking the same thing. Why don't you speak something new by research work?" We say that we have no intelligence, we cannot make any research
- Sometimes we speak in English, but even though most people (of India) do not understand English, they nevertheless come to hear us. Even when imitation incarnations of Godhead speak, people gather in the thousands
- Suppose if I say that "I narrated, I gave a speech in the sun planet and forty millions of years before," you'll laugh: "Oh, Swamiji's speaking some nonsense, that forty millions of years before he spoke this Bhagavad-gita in the sun planet"
T
- That he (the guru) was speaking, vani and vapuh. Even if you don't see his body, you take his word, vani
- That's my credit. I did not like to take the position of Krsna. I remained a servant of Krsna, and I spoke what Krsna said. That's all. This is my secret
- The chemical composition of God's body and our body . . . not this body. This is material. I am speaking of our spiritual identification, that body. That is as good as God. The chemical composition is one
- The copy of my recent speech on Krishna Consciousness I will send to him. Also, I am sending you one copy of said speech, and it may be published in Back to Godhead
- The difficulty is that we do not follow the direction of the sastras, therefore we are misguided. As I was speaking the other day, because we have forgotten Krsna for time immemorial, therefore these books are there
- The mission of Bhagavatam with which I have come here is altogether a new thing for the American. Still the most astonishing thing is that whenever and wherever I speak they take it very nicely
- The other day I was speaking in the church that God is not dead. God cannot be dead. Neither you or me cannot be dead. There is living symptom in your body, and there is living symptom in the cosmic manifestation also. Just try to understand what is God
- The programme is going on very nicely, and all the devotees are enlivened by our discourses daily in morning and evening in the Samadhi courtyard at Radha-Damodar temple
- The speaking is very pleasing when there are many persons here. I cannot speak alone here. That is not ananda. I can speak here at night, dead of night, nobody here. That is not ananda. Ananda means there must be others
- The students are being trained. The students, they also speak the same thing. There is nothing new. I also speak from the Bhagavad-gita and the students also speak from the Bhagavad-gita. The Bhagavad-gita is the same in all the centers
- There are so many tape records of my speeches, you can select some of them to be printed with the pictures. I think that will be better attracting the general public. It is better you take a little more time but do it very nicely
- There is Kumbha-mela. These assemblies are not advertised. People know it by parampara. I am speaking to you; you are speaking to your friend. In this way they know it, and on that particular day they assemble at a place, just like Prayaga
- There is no need of taking instructions spoken in dream while the Spiritual Master is still present
- These questions should be on the subject matter which we have discussed. Don't bring outside question. Then there..., it will be no end. This is not the process. When we invite question - on the subject matter which we have spoken
- They (the judges) said: "Swamiji, God is person, you are the first man speaking." Why first man? It is already there. They cannot believe that God is person
- They are not my words (in my books and letters and my speaking at meetings), as I have repeatedly informed you that I am simply the bearer of the message from Lord Chaitanya through the disciplic succession and I do not make any addition or subtraction
- This microphone can be utilized for so many purposes, and it can be utilized also God's purposes. I am speaking through this microphone about the message of God. So when it is utilized for God's purposes it is spiritual
- Today at (20/8/65) the captain arranged for a meeting on board the Jaladuta on account of Janmastami day & I spoke for an hour on the philosophy & teachings of Lord Sri Krishna. All the officers attended the meeting & there was distribution of Prasadam
- Today I shall speak to you of the history of a boy devotee named Prahlada Maharaja. He was born in a family that was stubbornly atheistic
W
- We are delivering speeches from authoritative book, Bhagavad-gita. I am not speaking before you of my own imagination. I am speaking from the authorized book
- We are experiencing, if we speak something impersonal, they think it is very learned speech, and when we speak of something personal they think it is old, old style. This is nonsense
- We are in London for holding our 4th annual Rathayatra Festival of Lord Jagannath. The procession will begin from Marble Arch and finish in Trafalgar Square, where I shall be speaking to more than 10,000 persons and holding fire yagna
- We are simply Sankirtana men; our program is chanting, dancing, distributing prasadam, and speaking high philosophy, that's all
- We have got so many branches, they want to hear me, my singing, my speech, therefore they record it and send it to different branches
- We speak of Vrndavana-dhama, Dvaraka-dhama and Mathura-dhama because in these places the name, fame, qualities and paraphernalia of the Supreme Godhead are always present
- What I am speaking before you from Srimad-Bhagavatam or Bhagavad-gita, that is also chanting. This is also kirtana. Kirtana means describing
- Whatever I am speaking, it is there in the Bhagavad-gita. Unfortunately, Bhagavad-gita has been misinterpreted by so many commentators that people have misunderstood the Bhagavad-gita. Actually, Bhagavad-gita means to develop Krsna consciousness
- When I (Prabhupada) spoke before students & some faculty members at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the first question raised was: Where is the technological department which is investigating the difference between a dead man and a living man
- When I come to Bombay at the end of this month or the beginning of next month, if he can arrange my lecture on Bhagavad-gita in all colleges and universities, I shall speak to the students very gladly
- When I first went to U.S.A., the theory was "God is dead." But when I began to speak, they realized, "No, God is not dead. God is with Swamiji"
- When I speak Krsna, that means God. If there is any important name... God, it is sometimes said God has no name. That's a fact. But God's name is given by His activities
- When I speak of Krsna, you must remember that I am speaking of God. There are millions of names of God in different parts of the world, but Krsna is the supreme name according to Vedic knowledge
- When speaking to Christians we never say our religious system is better than theirs but we speak on the principles of love of God. They become convinced and pleased to hear our explanations of God consciousness based on the Vedic conclusion
- When we speak of hearing & chanting, it means that not only should one chant & hear of the holy name of the Lord as Rama, Krsna (or systematically the 16 names of the maha-mantra), but one should also read & hear the BG & SB in the association of devotees
- When we speak of hearing and chanting, it means that not only should one chant and hear of the holy name of the Lord as Rama, Krsna - or the sixteen names Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
- When we speak of jnana, knowledge, it must be learned from a person. Bhagavan, the last word in the understanding of Absolute Truth, He says in this Bhagavad-gita
- When we speak of sanatana-dharma, don't think that sanatana-dharma is meant for the Hindus. Sanatana means eternal, and dharma means occupation
- Why distinguish between chanting and book distribution? These books I have recorded and chanted, and they are transcribed. It is spoken kirtanas. So book distribution is also chanting. These are not ordinary books. It is recorded chanting
- Why not try to take the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and try to utilize it for practical life. And it will be successful. There is no doubt about it. I am speaking from my practical experience
- Why should you say, "Oh, I am Christian. I am Jew. I cannot attend your meeting." Why should you say, "Oh, I cannot allow you to speak in my church." If I am speaking about God, what objection you have got?
- Why you are coming? I never came to flatter you, neither I never came to say, "Yes, there is no God." I am speaking just opposite, everything opposite. "You are drunkard; no drink. You are illicit sex hunters; no illicit sex"
Y
- You are an elder disciple and you have heard what I am speaking, so you should just speak what you have heard and it will have potent effect. This is the power of the parampara, disciplic succession. So you must be prepared to meet all opposition
- You are correct when you say that when the Spiritual Master speaks it should be taken that Krishna is speaking. That is a fact
- You are recording my speeches in the tape recorder. When you play back it will speak just like I am speaking, but I am not there. Is it not fact?
- You can make my program for lecturing in the Indo-German society, taking it that I shall be going there in the month of August. I know there are many Sanskrit scholars in Germany, but unfortunately I have no practice to speak in Sanskrit
- You can privately say, "You never speak like that. The etiquette is: when you are permitted by Guru Maharaja, you can speak," not that "He is speaking. I know better than him. I shall speak something." That's very licentious
- You know the radio message, how it is transmitted in the modern world. Similarly, as I am speaking, so whatever I am doing, that is immediately recorded and there will be some reaction
- You mentioned that you are not yet a very bold preacher, but you will become bold, if you have got sincerity. In the beginning also I could not speak
- You mentioned that you are not yet a very bold preacher, but you will become bold, if you've got sincerity. In the beginning also I could not speak. But Krsna is within you, & when you're serving Him sincerely He'll give you courage, boldness, everything