As is intimated in Christian theology, the name of God and God are non-different. At a lecture in Paris at the Salle Playel on 14 June 1974 Srila Prabhupada said this: “Here it is said that ‘In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God.’ ” Vaisnavas understand that Krishna’s Name and Krishna are non-different, especially in Kali-yuga. “The actual fact is that the Lord is non-different from His name.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 3.15.25/purport.)

Sometimes people ask what ISKCON’s stance is on issues such as genetic modification. According to the principle of yukta vairagya, ‘gm’ is neither good nor bad. In agricultural gm for example, if more nutritious foods or more copious quantities of vegetables and grains can be produced in the same amount of space, well and good. But gm ‘experiments’ are still being enacted and we the general public are the test rats, so, if the present dangers of gm outweigh its potential to help, then we must be opposed, even officially. As long as we don’t take stands on certain issues, even if they have become politically charged (like the abortion issue), we shall remain irrelevant. Srila Prabhupada didn’t want his movement to become political, but he didn’t want it to be irrelevant.

Srila Prabhupada once said that sound creates the universe ( San Francisco temple lecture, 1967). Syamasundara prabhu asked how this happens, as he didn’t understand. In the blink of an eyelid Srila Prabhupada brought his palms together violently, making a loud clap. Immediately and sternly he replied, “Now do you understand?” Syamasundara just looked at him and nodded his head.

Srila Prabhupada uses the example of a frog in the well as a metaphor that shows how narrow-minded most people are. Even those who profess to be open-minded – researchers, scientists, philosophers, and various academics – are really closed-minded. This is particularly noticeable when it comes to others’ points of view. Also, when it comes to God, vegetarianism, and `eastern’ thought, one is truly amazed at how deep prejudice can run.

The grhasta ashram has been left behind, and is usually not respected properly, but we need to keep in mind the distinction between grhasta and grhamedi. The Eleventh Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam elaborates on how grhamedhis are falsely captivated by family life, such that there is complete co-dependence between spouses until the time of death. The metaphor used is a family of pigeons.

When Syamasundara and I played Prabhupada a recording of “Narada Muni Eternal Spaceman,” words and music by Hayagriva prabhu and yours truly, Srila Prabhupada encouraged us. He said, “Very nice. A song in your country tune.” He was, to say the least, being most charitable. It was probably one of the worst recordings ever made.

Srila Prabhupada often quoted Canakya. This indicates that Srila Prabhupada was really into sadacara or “good behavior.” He included one of the maxims he often mentioned in his tenth Canto: “According to moral instructions, one should not neglect to extinguish fire completely, treat diseases completely, and clear debts completely. Otherwise they will increase and later be difficult to stop.” (10.4.37/purport).

This is the concept of glitz, glamour, sentimentality and romance. Mr. or Mrs. Right will be the “divine match,” and love of this soul mate will make the world perfect and complete. Hollywood and popular culture helps perpetrate this problem with its “love at first sight,” themes. Poems, novels and songs also help keep this myth alive.

“Therefore every day a demon would come and interrupt their sporting pastimes. The demon would be killed, and then the boys would engage again in their transcendental pastimes.” (Srimad Bhagavatam 10.12.13/purport).

Srila Prabhupada?s insistence on preaching, despite all the different time, place, circumstance, and audience considerations, is what made him unique among acaryas.