46 TEACHINGS OF QUEEN KUNTI

from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate
them without being disturbed.”’

In America it may sometimes be very chilly in the morning, and that
may make taking one’s morning bath a little difficult. But does that mean
that those who are devotees will stop taking their prescribed morning
bath? No. Even if it is chilly, they must take this regular bath. The duty
must be done, even if there is a little suffering involved. That is called
tapasya, or austerity. Tapasya means that we must proceed with our busi-
ness of Krsna consciousness despite all the dangers and calamities of this
world. This is called tapasya, or voluntary acceptance of the difficulties of
life.

Sometimes those who have undertaken strict vows of tapasya will ig-
nite a ring of fire all around themselves, and in the scorching heat of the
sun in the hot summer they will sit down in the midst of that fire and
meditate. Similarly, in the chilly cold of winter they will immerse them-
selves in water up to the neck and meditate. Such vows are prescribed in
strict systems of tapasya. But Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu does not give
us such a prescription. Instead, He gives us a very nice program: chant,
dance, and take prasada, food offered first to Lord Krsna. But still we are
unwilling. We are so fallen that we cannot accept even this tapasya. Al-
though this kind of tapasya is very easy to perform and very pleasant
(susukham kartum avyayam), still we are not agreeable. We may even
prefer to rot in the street. Some people prefer to drink and have sex and
live in the street. So what can be done?

The Krsna consciousness movement is giving all facilities so that
people may come here, chant, dance, live very peacefully, take Arsna-
prasdda, and be happy, but people will not accept it. That is called misfor-
tune. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, portraying the people of this age, therefore
said, ‘‘I am so unfortunate that I have no attachment for chanting Hare
Krsna.’’ Lord Caitanya prayed:

namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis
tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah
etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi
durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah
(Siksdstaka 2)

Krsna, the transcendental holy name of God, has all potencies, Lord
Caitanya said. Krsna has unlimited potencies, and similarly in the holy
name of Krsna there are unlimited potencies. Krsna has thousands and
