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Bad example

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Formerly the kings of Bhāratavarṣa, India, they used to kill these uncivilized men. Bad example.
Lecture on BG 16.6 -- Hyderabad, December 13, 1976: Prabhupāda:
dvau bhūta-sargau loke 'smin
daiva āsura eva ca
daivo vistaraśaḥ prokta
āsuraṁ pārtha me śṛṇu
[Bg. 16.6]

There are two classes of men within this world, daiva āsura eva ca. One class of men is called daiva, devatā, or the demigod, and the other class āsura. Sura means civilized, and āsura means not civilized. Kirāta-hūṇāndhra-pulinda-pulkaśā ābhīra-śumbhā yavanāḥ khasādayaḥ [SB 2.4.18]. These are amongst the noncivilized men.

Formerly the kings of Bhāratavarṣa, India, they used to kill these uncivilized men. Bad example. They did not follow the Vedic civilization, so the king's order was that they should be killed. If they are too much prominent...

Conversations and Morning Walks

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

If he does not chant, that will be bad example. If he does not agree, then it is fallen down. Now he's denying to chant. He's denying to chant; he's indulging in sex. What does it mean? He'll be a bad example wherever he goes.
Morning Walk -- January 22, 1974, Hawaii:

Bali Mardana: Instead of book distribution, they go in the ocean. [break] Is it a good idea for them to go to Māyāpura and chant?

Prabhupāda: Where is that difficulty?

Bali Mardana: Well, like, someone like Karandhara. He suggested for him to go there.

Prabhupāda: Yes. But if he does not chant, that will be bad example. If he does not agree, then it is fallen down. Now he's denying to chant. He's denying to chant; he's indulging in sex. What does it mean? He'll be a bad example wherever he goes.

Bali Mardana: Is that an example of free will, that someone can choose Kṛṣṇa and then turn away? That example of free will?

Prabhupāda: Yes. Because if you accept Kṛṣṇa, then you must follow what Kṛṣṇa says. If you don't follow Kṛṣṇa, then what is the use of talking of Kṛṣṇa? Kṛṣṇa says, satataṁ kīrtayanto mām: [Bg. 9.14] "Always chanting about Me." That is mahātmā. Satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ [Bg. 9.14]. Mahātmānas tu māṁ pārtha daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ: [Bg. 9.13] "Mahātmā, those who are devotee, they are not under these material influence." Daivīṁ prakṛtim āśritāḥ: "the spiritual influence." So how he's accepted Kṛṣṇa? By his own concoction? He... If he accepts Kṛṣṇa, he must abide by the injunction of Kṛṣṇa.

1974 Conversations and Morning Walks

That is the difficulty with us. We do not want to set such bad examples.
Morning Walk -- March 24, 1974, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: No. I go to bed between ten to eleven.

Dr. Patel: I go to bed at nine-thirty. I must go to bed early. Otherwise, I can't get up.

Prabhupāda: All right, let us go. [break] ...dāla, cāpāṭis, (indistinct) brāhmaṇas cook.

Dr. Patel: He has a very good cook. That day I don't know how he ran away, or... You striked him, no?

Prabhupāda: No, sometimes they smoke bidis. That is the difficulty.

Indian (2): That is not in the presence of the kitchen itself, but outside.

Dr. Patel: They do all sorts of nonsense.

Prabhupāda: That is the difficulty.

Dr. Patel: If we don't allow them, they do it.

Prabhupāda: And they will drink tea, smoke.

Dr. Patel: They always drink tea, all the cooks. They won't like...

Prabhupāda: That is the difficulty with us. We do not want to set such bad examples. [break] ...Hindu system is very hygienic. Yes.

Dr. Patel: Extremely hygienic. The W.C.'s also.

Prabhupāda: Everything.

Dr. Patel: They must be kept extremely clean or some of the diseases, you must have (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: These European, American boys, they gave up their smoking habit, drinking tea habit, all habits, meat-eating, immediately. But if we ask any Indian, he has to consider for three generations.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Those who cannot strictly follow our principles, they should not come here. It is bad example. By mistake, if somebody does, he should be regretful and he should rectify. That is another thing. But not willingly he should neglect. Then such person is not required at all.
Morning Walk -- November 2, 1975, Nairobi:

Brahmānanda: He's saying that the brāhmaṇas who comes from our overseas temples here, it's their responsibility to see that the Africans follow properly, because the Africans will follow their example.

Prabhupāda: Yes, it is for that purpose they have come. That is the purpose, missionary purpose, here. We come here not to earn some money but to see that this culture is spread. So what is his question?

Brahmānanda: So it's the responsibility then of those who are coming as the missionaries to set the proper example.

Prabhupāda: Yes, certainly.

Brahmānanda: Because then the Africans will follow that proper example.

Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Yes, he is right.

Brahmānanda: If they set a bad example, then they will follow bad example, then the criticism of the Indians will be justified.

Prabhupāda: Yes. That's it. So those who cannot follow, they should not come here. And ask from the origin that "Those who cannot strictly follow the rules and regulations, they should not come at all. It will set a bad example. They should be forbidden to come here." That I was speaking, that instead of filling with bad cows, better keep the cowshed vacant. That I was speaking. Those who cannot strictly follow our principles, they should not come here. It is bad example. By mistake, if somebody does, he should be regretful and he should rectify. That is another thing. But not willingly he should neglect. Then such person is not required at all.
If you are not attending class, if you are not attending maṅgala ārati, if you are not finishing sixteen rounds, then that is bad example. Don't set bad example. That is detrimental.
Morning Walk -- November 2, 1975, Nairobi:

Cyavana: Then what is your instruction? If they won't accept your instruction, then what is your instruction? Must be bogus. Huh? If your instruction is pure, then they'll accept. If your instruction is not pure, who will accept? I will not accept.

Prabhupāda: No, "Example is better than precept." If you actually follow strictly the rules and regulations and chant sixteen rounds, why they'll not follow? They'll follow. If you are not attending class, if you are not attending maṅgala ārati, if you are not finishing sixteen rounds, then that is bad example.

Brahmānanda: This boy didn't attend mangal ārati.

Prabhupāda: Don't set bad example. That is detrimental.

Devotee (7): Śrīla Prabhupāda, is it for the advanced devotees...?

Prabhupāda: Nobody is advanced. Everyone is student. He must follow. There is no question of advanced.
Not whimsically. That will not... That is a bad example.
Morning Walk -- November 13, 1975, Bombay:

Prabhupāda: ...not whimsically. That will not... That is a bad example.

Dr. Patel: Oh, yes. Otherwise it will become a hotel.

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Dr. Patel: Otherwise it will become a hotel.

Prabhupāda: Yes. Hotel we are preparing also, transcendental hotel. But they must pay for it.

Dr. Patel: That's right. I think it is perfectly right.

Prabhupāda: Otherwise what will be the impression of the sādhus, that one treatment to one and one treatment to another? Hare Kṛṣṇa. [break] ...require, everything is there by God's arrangement. [break] ...heavy load, there is elephant, truck. Elephant is truck, horse is carriage. Everything is there by nature's... And for small load, the bulls, the asses. Hare Kṛṣṇa. [break] Where he is? He has gone back? In the kitchen they are preparing tea? They are preparing tea in the kitchen?
That is the difficulty. It will be very bad example. People will think... They already thinking that "These are all hippies." That will minimize the prestige of the temple.
Morning Walk -- December 3, 1975, Vrndavana:

Prabhupāda: ...our guest. Because somebody is guest, paying guest, therefore we shall admit anyone in any kind of dress?

Akṣayānanda: No.

Gopāla Kṛṣṇa: We don't admit people who look like hippies or something.

Akṣayānanda: That girl, I told her she had to wear a sari. And she did for some time, but then again she stopped.

Prabhupāda: That I am speaking, that sa yadi krīyate rāja.

Akṣayānanda: Due to habit.

Prabhupāda: Sakrn nasnuta pahanam (?) That is the difficulty. It will be very bad example. People will think... They already thinking that "These are all hippies." That will minimize the prestige of the temple. [break] Jaipuria House they do not allow any hippies. You know that?
If we give indulgence to these people, then this preaching work will be hampered. Or they should be separated. Otherwise, it will be bad example, and all restrictions will be broken.
Morning Walk -- June 7, 1976, Los Angeles:

Prabhupāda: They say. Now you accept them as authority, "They say." What is they? What they are?

Rāmeśvara: Ajāmila's qualification was he thought of Kṛṣṇa at the time of death.

Prabhupāda: Yes. But you cannot think.

Rāmeśvara: They want to think of the gopīs at the time of death.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Then practice.

Prabhupāda: What they will think of at the death, why you are conjecturing now? Their habits are rascal, they're making pregnant, illicit sex, what they will think? Anyway, if we give indulgence to these people, then this preaching work will be hampered.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: No, we're not going to do that.

Prabhupāda: Or they should be separated. Otherwise, it will be bad example, and all restrictions will be broken.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: If they don't change their mentality, then they should live separately, do their own society.

Prabhupāda: And they'll do that. (japa) That sahajiyā tendency is very easy to take up.

Hari-śauri: It seems like it's an inherent thing in...

Prabhupāda: Thinking of Rādhā-Kṛṣṇa līlā, that is in liberated stage, not in the conditioned stage.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: I could never understand, Śrīla Prabhupāda, why, I was always wondering why in all of your books you're always blasting so much time on the sahajiyās, and I was not.... Now I see why, because the tendency is so easy. I could never, I'd always think, "Why is Prabhupāda saying so much? Because they're only in India."

Rāmeśvara: He's thinking that this is a small group.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Yes, in India, but now I see it's an easy mentality for anyone's mind that can be adopted. That's why Prabhupāda was stressing.

Rāmeśvara: And as our movement gets more and more members, there will be more and more people who will be exhibiting this sahajiyā tendency.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That's why it's in every book Prabhupāda speaks about it without fail.

Prabhupāda: Anyway, keep your movement very pure. You don't mind if somebody goes away. Don't mind. But we must keep our principles pure.

Correspondence

1971 Correspondence

So why take bad examples; there are so many good examples to be taken. I have gotten married so many of my disciples. Gurudasa, Tamala, there are so many living peacefully. If someone has deserted, then he is wrong and not the example.
Letter to Umapati -- Los Angeles 9 July, 1971: You have complained about those devotees who have mistreated their wives and children, but that is not the example. Those who have deserted this movement are not the example. So why are you citing them as example? There are so many devotees like Dayananda, Syamasundara., Hayagriva and others who are living with their wife and children very peacefully. There are so many. So why take bad examples; there are so many good examples to be taken. I have gotten married so many of my disciples. Gurudasa, Tamala, there are so many living peacefully. If someone has deserted, then he is wrong and not the example. So you are a grhastha. You should set an example. I do not know why you left Europe without consulting me. Who made you obliged to leave Europe? You were engaged in translating work and all of a sudden you left and now you are complaining about others. I was so much surprised when you left Europe. Anyone who is somehow or other engaged in the society's work, their position is higher.
So far your editorial work is concerned, I welcome your good service but if you do not follow temple life and Deity worship, it will set a bad example.
Letter to Rayarama -- Bombay 22 October, 1971: Under the circumstances simple academic career will not help you. If you want to live with us you must accept temple life, namely cleanly shaven head, observing the regulative principles, decorating the body with tilak, etc. You know all these things. So far your editorial work is concerned, I welcome your good service but if you do not follow temple life and Deity worship, it will set a bad example. When I was there in N.Y. last time I saw that the tendency was there in the press members not to follow the principles. So I said better to stop the press. Since then Advaita and the others are attending temple worship. Similarly you must also do the same and chant at least 16 rounds, etc.

1972 Correspondence

you have requested me if you can again return to your wife. How is that? It will be a very bad example. It is not possible at all. Then you have to give up your sannyasi dress.
Letter to Rupanuga -- Hyderabad 18 November, 1972: I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter undated, wherein you have requested me if you can again return to your wife. How is that? It will be a very bad example. It is not possible at all. Then you have to give up your sannyasi dress. So give up these thoughts. You cannot live together, that is not possible, neither you can see her or speak. If you want to keep her, she can remain separately and you can support her in that way, but you cannot see her. That means there are many other women loitering, so you may see her like that sometimes by chance, but you may not see separately or privately and you cannot talk with her, neither correspond.

1973 Correspondence

Now so many cases are there of unhappiness by the wife who has been abandoned by her husband against her wishes. So how can I sanction such thing? I want to avoid setting any bad example for future generations, therefore I am so much cautiously considering your request.
Letter to Madhukara -- Bombay 4 January, 1973: So I have introduced this marriage system in your Western countries because there is custom of freely intermingling male and female. Therefore marriage required just to engage the boys and girls in devotional service, never mind distinction of living status. But our marriage system is little different than in your country, we do not sanction the policy of quick divorce. We are supposed to take husband or wife as eternal companion or assistant in Krsna consciousness service, and there is promise never to separate. Of course if there is any instance of very advanced disciples, married couple, and they have agreed that the husband shall now take sannyasa or renounced order of life, being mutually very happy by that arrangement, then there is ground for such separation. But even in those cases there is no question of separation, the husband, even he is sannyasa, he must be certain his wife will be taken care of nicely and protected in his absence. Now so many cases are there of unhappiness by the wife who has been abandoned by her husband against her wishes. So how can I sanction such thing? I want to avoid setting any bad example for future generations, therefore I am so much cautiously considering your request. But if it becomes so easy for me to get married and then leave my wife, under excuse of married life being an impediment to my own spiritual progress, that will not be very good at all. That is misunderstanding of what is advancement in spiritual life. Occupational duty must be there, either this one or that one, but once I am engaged in something occupational duty, then I should not change that or give it up, that is the worst mistake. Devotional service is not bound up by such designations. Therefore once I have chosen, it is better to stick in that way and develop my devotional attitude into full-blown love of Godhead. That is Arjuna's understanding.
I have given you all instructions, why you cannot follow them? Now you are supposed to be a responsible devotee, and this situation must be rectified, it is bad example for others.
Letter to Kaliya Krsna -- Bombay 31 March, 1973: You have committed a very grave error. I am depending on you leaders for the future of our Society, yet there is all this interest in illicit sex life. this is causing me heartache worrying how things will go on. What can I do? I have given you all instructions, why you cannot follow them? Now you are supposed to be a responsible devotee, and this situation must be rectified, it is bad example for others. You have begged for my blessings and I give them to you because you are my spiritual son and I have taken responsibility for engaging you in the service of Krsna. But I think you can from now on follow the regulated restrictions strictly and refrain from any sex life at all, that can be your austerity.
Page Title:Bad example
Compiler:Visnu Murti
Created:25 of Oct, 2008
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=1, Con=7, Let=5
No. of Quotes:13