“My books will be the law books for the next ten thousand years”
(Srila Prabhupada statement in Los Angeles, 1976)
Many people within ISKCONs institution are speaking now about a “golden age”.
Some say it has become “golden” since the appearance of the golden avatar called Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, the most merciful incarnation of Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Then some say since Prabhupādas appearance and some even say after the so-called “Guru-Reform”. But really is this a beautiful and blissful “golden age” that everyone are experiencing now!? Is this “age” in the Kali Yuga really like a Satya Yuga? Or is this, since the Sankirtan movement was established by Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, simply a golden opportunity for the human beings in the universe?
Prabhupāda said many times that this movement ISKCON As He has established will go on without fail for the 10.000 years:
Rāmeśvara: Śrīla Prabhupāda, when I first came to this, to your movement, the first thing I was told is that Lord Caitanya’s movement in this age will, like a moon, rise for ten thousand years. I was told that number, ten thousand years. Is that true?
Prabhupāda: Hmm.
Rāmeśvara: And then after that, they will…
Prabhupāda: This movement will go for ten thousand years without any impediment.
Rāmeśvara: So that means increasing, because it’s the nature of the spiritual energy.
Prabhupāda: It increases; you should take this opportunity. You work sincerely, it will increase, it will increase.
Rāmeśvara: Ten thousand years, there is a good opportunity to…
Prabhupāda: Many fallen souls will be delivered back to home, back to Godhead.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Very encouraging.
Rāmeśvara: You once said that Christianity will die out. We will be the only religion left.
Prabhupāda: I do not remember that.
Rāmeśvara: Someone told me like that.
Prabhupāda: Christianity’s already dead. We are purchasing the churches.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: That means dead.
Hari-śauri: And their priests are coming to join us as well.
Prabhupāda: See, this temple, this was closed. There was no men. And now balcony. In the same place, the same countrymen. That is the proof, this building. These boys and girls and men, they are not imported from India.
Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: They are formerly Christians and Jews.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Rāmeśvara: These demons that are trying to challenge us, they cannot stop our movement for ten thousand years.
Prabhupāda: What is their challenge? They have no…, nothing to challenge. Unless they are, what is called, violent. That much they can do, like demons.
So he doesn’t speak from an “age in the age of kali”, but that the movement will increase and everyone gets the golden opportunity to take part in it. Everything else is incorrect because Satya Yuga is what it is, a golden age with best conditions:
„The meditation process in right earnest was possible in the golden age of Satya-yuga, because the people at that time lived for a hundred thousand years on the average. If you want success in practical yoga, take to the chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, and feel for yourself how you are making progress“
(Lecture – Seattle, October 11, 1968)
„This meditation process was possible to be executed in the age when people were very pious and very honest and the duration of life was very long. That is called Golden Age, or Satya-yuga. According to Sanskrit word, it is called Satya-yuga. This meditation process was possible to be executed in the Satya-yuga, Satya millennium.“
(Lecture at International Student Society – Boston, May 3, 1969)
Every modern description is mental speculation from the esoteric scene and self appointed masters that want to be guru. It is not from a bonafide succession.
Even in Wikipedia u find the golden lie in there u can practice every yoga system as a devotee for becoming perfect. That is additional lie from the New Age hippies. This age is not in the slightest peaceful especially for the common man.
He clearly said often that we have with getting the human form of life a golden opportunity:
Letter to Krsnakatha (Kris Carlson), Anala (Anna Carlson) Riddha (Roger May), Maharddhi (Morley Walkowski), Rohita (Randy Hyndeman), Kala (Carl Mulder) — Bombay 5 January,
“You have asked ‘How serious would it be for me if I should miss the golden opportunity to become your initiated disciple?’ You should know that the value of accepting a bonafide spiritual master is more than we can calculate. It is not a mere formality. Of course everyone is encouraged to chant Hare Krishna, but until one gives up sinful activities and becomes determined to serve Krishna through His representative then the firm fixing up of devotional service will not take hold, and there is every chance that one will fall prey to all sorts of material desires and have to come back again in the next life—and one cannot guarantee that he will be born in the form of life he may desire.”
(Srila Prabhupada Letter to Ravendra Gupta, February 12, 1974)
“You know that in the Western countries, the hippy movements. What are the hippies? They’re also educated, coming from very rich family also, but they do not like the way of envelopment as their fathers and grandfathers liked. They have rejected. So this is the golden opportunity to preach the Kṛṣṇa cult all over the world. You are lamenting because a few yards of land has been taken away from your country as Pakistan, but if you spread this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, the whole world will become Hindustan. There is such potency; I give you my direct perception. People are hankering after it. So long I am in India, practically I am wasting my time. Outside India, this reception is taken so seriously that every part of my moment is properly utilized.”
In the next quotations we will explore how Prabhupadas ISKCON movement will develop and increase to deliver all sincere souls in the three worlds:P.
Prabhupāda:
I never said that “You have to give up this, you have to do this, you have to…” Never said it. Then gradually, ceto-darpaṇa-mārjanam (CC Antya 20.12). When the heart becomes cleansed, then little (indistinct). There is no hopelessness. Because so many people have come, and they are coming. Both black, white, everyone is coming. There is no question of (indistinct). But you cannot expect that cent percent people will come. That is not possible. But even, even one-fourth percent people will come to this, then it will be successful. Compared to the American population, what percentage we have got? Still we have made some impression, the Hare Kṛṣṇa movement. Literatures are selling, they are appreciating, learned circle. Takes some time, but if we stick to our principles and do not make any compromise and push on—in this way, as I have given you instruction—it will never stop; it will go on. It will never stop. At least for ten thousand years it will go on. That is in your (indistinct). And this movement is meant for these fourth-class, fifth-class, tenth-class men. Not this movement is fourth class, fifth class. They are so fallen that they cannot be counted even third class, fourth class—tenth class of men. Deliver them. Patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra. Caitanya Mahāprabhu’s incarnation is for delivering these classes of men. Caitanya Mahāprabhu never meant to start this movement for high-class brāhmaṇas, sages, saintly persons—no. This class of men. For the all fallen. Kali-yuga, all fallen. Don’t be disappointed. Go on, go on. Stick to the principles. When there was no response, I did not know where to live, where to eat. Sometimes with Dr. Mishra, sometimes with some friend somewhere. Where to live? And I was going to inquire the shipping company when the next ship returning to India. Still I was renewing my visa: “Let us hope. Let us hope.” In this way, we started Second Avenue in month of July, I think?
Prabhupāda: The politicians, they: “These books are useless. Throw them in the water.” They say like that publicly. They are not interested. Rather, this Movement, as I have now began with my disciples, European, American boys, they’re… They are not very satisfied, the present politicians. They are not very satisfied. They don’t want. Everywhere this…, more or less the same mentality. But it is our duty on behalf of Kṛṣṇa to push on this Movement. So we are doing, and we are getting response. It is not without response. It will increase. That is also stated, that for ten thousand years Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement will increase. Yes.
Śyāmasundara: Ten thousand years.
Prabhupāda: Within ten thousand years, if they become Kṛṣṇa conscious, then life is successful. After ten thousand years, the gloomy picture of Kali-yuga will come. Still there is time. Ten thousand years is not small period. Yes. So we have passed five thousand year. So still ten thousand. We have got to the fifteen thousand year. Kali-yuga’s duration of life is four hundred thousand…, four hundred and twenty-seven thousand. Chār-lakh murti saja(?). Yes.
Prabhupāda: Satya-yuga.
Allen Ginsberg: Which is?
Prabhupāda: Satya-yuga, the pious. Satya-yuga. People will be pious, truthful, long-living.
Allen Ginsberg: Are those people that remain, or whatever new creation comes out of the destruction?
Prabhupāda: Some of them will remain, some of them. It will not completely extinguish. Some of them will remain, pious. Paritrāṇāya sādhūnāṁ vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām (BG 4.8). All miscreants will be killed, and out of them, there must be some pious… They remain.
Allen Ginsberg: Do you think of this in terms of a historical event that will occur in the lifetime of your disciples?
Prabhupāda: No. This will happen at least 400,000’s of years after. At least. So by that time…
Allen Ginsberg: They will go down, down, down for 400,000 years?
Prabhupāda: Yes. So at that time my disciples will be with Kṛṣṇa. (laughter)
Devotees: Haribol!
Prabhupāda: And those who will not follow them, they will see the fun, how they are being killed. (laughter)
Allen Ginsberg: Four hundred thousand years. Will people be still chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa in 400,000…
Prabhupāda: No. Hare Kṛṣṇa will be finished within ten thousand years. There will be no more Hare Kṛṣṇa.
Allen Ginsberg: Ah. So what will be left?
Prabhupāda: Nothing. Left will be “I’ll kill you and eat you, and you shall kill me, you shall eat me.” That will be left.
Allen Ginsberg: After ten thousand years?
Prabhupāda: Yes. There will be no grain, no milk, no sugar, no fruit. So I have to eat you, and you will have to eat me. Full facility for meat-eating. (laughter) Full facility. Kṛṣṇa is very kind. He’ll give facility: “All right. Why cows and calves? You take your own son. Yes. Eat nicely.” Just like serpents, snakes, they eat their own offsprings; tigers. So this will happen.
Allen Ginsberg: Kālī eats her own…
Prabhupāda: Yes. And there will be no brain to understand, no preacher, nothing else. Go. Go to…, to the dog. And then Kṛṣṇa will come: “All right, let Me kill you so that you are saved.” So…
Allen Ginsberg: But you see it as actually a historical thing of ten thousand years for the chanting, of the diminishing chanting of…
Prabhupāda: Yes. These are…
Allen Ginsberg: Well, then do you think more people will chant Hare Kṛṣṇa or fewer?
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. More people. Now it will increase.
Allen Ginsberg: Until?
Prabhupāda: Up to ten thousand years.
Allen Ginsberg: And then?
Prabhupāda: Then diminish.
Allen Ginsberg: So what is the purpose of, right now, a world increase…
Prabhupāda: People will take advantage of this up to ten thousand years. Then they will…
Allen Ginsberg: So this is like the last rope, the last gasp.
Prabhupāda: (laughs) Last gasp. Yes. So the sooner we take to shelter, shelter of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is better.
Allen Ginsberg: Well, then, according to Vedic theory, when did this yuga begin? According to this Vedic theory… Or… This is śāstra?
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Allen Ginsberg: When did this yuga…?
Prabhupāda: Begin from this Caitanya Mahāprabhu. He introduced five hundred years ago, and it will continue now.
Hayagrīva: Kali-yuga.
Prabhupāda: Kali-yuga has begun five thousand years ago.
Allen Ginsberg: Oh. Began five thousand years ago.
Kīrtanānanda: But this wave within Kali-yuga, in which Hare Kṛṣṇa increases and then diminishes, is about ten thousand years, and that began five hundred years ago.
Prabhupāda: Kali-Yuga, the duration of life of Kali-yuga is 432,000’s of years. Out of that, we have passed five thousand years. There is balance, 427,000’s of years. Out of that, 10,000 years is nothing.
Allen Ginsberg: Where is all this…?
Prabhupāda: Vedic literature.
Allen Ginsberg: What…?
Prabhupāda: Padma Purāṇa. Purāṇas.
Allen Ginsberg: Bhāgavata Purāṇa.
Prabhupāda: Bhāgavata Purāṇa.
Allen Ginsberg: Has the detailed analysis of what goes on within the Kali-yuga?
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Oh, yes, yes. I’ll read you sometimes.
Allen Ginsberg: There are translations of that. There are some translations of that.
Prabhupāda: Yes. In the Twelfth Canto, the Kali-yuga descriptions are there.
Allen Ginsberg: Twelfth Canto.
Prabhupāda: Twelfth Canto. And you will find that all the descriptions are coming to be true.
Guest (1): True.
Prabhupāda: Just like there is one statement, svīkaram eva udvahe: “Marriage will be performed simply by agreement.” Now that is being done. And lāvaṇyaṁ keśa-dharaṇam (SB 12.2.6). “People will think that he has become very beautiful by keeping bunch of hairs.” That is coming true. These are written there. All things are there in Bhāgavata history.
Allen Ginsberg: Well, in the Bhāgavata Purāṇa is there also provision for the Caitanya cult?
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes. Oh, yes. Kṛṣṇa-varṇaṁ tviṣākṛṣṇam (SB 11.5.32). We have given that in that book, our Teachings of Lord Caitanya. That is the first quotation there.
Allen Ginsberg: So it’s on this quotation from Bhāgavata Purāṇa that Caitanya built His system?
Prabhupāda: No, no. That is program already presented, and He came to execute the program. Just like our meeting is already programmed; I come and execute it. That’s all. That was previous. Clearly it is said, ” ‘In the Kali-yuga the Supreme Lord comes as one who always chants the holy name of Śrī Kṛṣṇa, who is Śrī Kṛṣṇa Himself, whose complexion is yellow.’ Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Eleventh Canto, Fifth Chapter, 32 verse.”
Allen Ginsberg: It’s in there.
Prabhupāda: So we have accepted Lord Caitanya as Kṛṣṇa not fanatically. There are evidences in Mahābhārata, in Upaniṣads, in Purāṇas, in Bhāgavata, in all Vedic scripture.
Allen Ginsberg: Well, then, within this period of ten thousand years, only those who hear Kṛṣṇa’s name and worship Kṛṣṇa by chanting…
Prabhupāda: Yes. Kīrtanād eva kṛṣṇasya mukta-saṅgaḥ paraṁ vrajet (SB 12.3.51). That is also stated in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
Allen Ginsberg: So only those who practice Kṛṣṇa chanting can attain mokṣa.
Prabhupāda: They become immediately liberated and go back to home, back to Godhead.
Allen Ginsberg: And everybody else gets involved deeper and deeper in the yuga.
Prabhupāda: Yes, yes, yes. So if anyone believes in the śāstras, they should take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is intelligence, to take advantage of authorized scriptures. You’ll find in the Bhāgavata, there is a history of Candragupta, and “The Yavanas will become kings.” That means English occupation, Muhammadan occupation. Everything is there. And Buddha’s appearance, kikaṭeṣu bhaviṣyati.
Kikaṭeṣu means in the Bihar province in India. Bhaviṣyati. Because Bhāgavata Purāṇa was written five thousand years ago, and Lord Buddha appeared about 2,600 years ago. So therefore it is stated, bhaviṣyati: “In future, just in the beginning of Kali-yuga, Lord will appear as Buddha. His mother’s name will be Añjana, and his business will be to cheat the atheist.”
Similarly, since the sankirtana movement was first set in motion five hundred years ago by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s desire that it spread all over the universe, the Krishna consciousness movement, in continuity of that same motion, is now spreading all over the world, and in this way it will gradually spread all over the universe. With the spread of the Krishna consciousness movement, everyone will merge in an ocean of love of Krishna.(C.C. Adi 13.32)
