Page 24 - Patropadesa (English)

12 PATROPADEÇA

future. The politicians generally promise people that which
appeals to their sense gratification—our movement is not for
sense gratification. So, although we should and do, to a limited
extent, preach to politicians, we can’t expect that they will take us
very seriously unless and until Krsna consciousness begins to be
accepted (at least in some way or other) by the masses of Indian
people. Who knows what the future will bring? Lord Caitanya
has great plans for this movement. He said that it will spread
all over the world—therefore it will! Exactly how and when that
happens is to be seen. I personally feel that our movement could
and should be more strongly preached. There is great potential
at the present time for spreading Krsna consciousness. Just see
the rise of “Hindutva.”

Regarding tea at Hare Krsna Land: Apparently Srila Prabhupada
had authorized it, on the grounds that if it was not served so
many people wouldn’t come, and that tea drinking, although
strictly not allowed for serious Vaisnavas, was not such a great
vice as, for instance, smoking cigarettes, etc. Anyway, it’s not
very nice and is a controversial point.
Yes, Srila Prabhupada used snuff. Snuff has its medicinal use to
clear the nose and head, and Srila Prabhupada used it for this.
Even alcohol has its usage in many Ayurvedic medicines, and
even tobacco is commonly used for brushing teeth. Everything
has its usage. However, Srila Prabhupada’s usage of snuff does
not authorize foolish, less intelligent people to indulge in all
kinds of nonsense. Srila Prabhupada was a goswami (that is,
one in full control of his senses) and could therefore use such
things without any danger of becoming involved in their misuse.
However, snuff taking is not for everybody, nor is it necessary
to widely let it be known that Srila Prabhupada used snuff, lest
there be misunderstandings.

It is quite acceptable to offer puja to Tulasi in the evening. In
fact, this is a regular practice in many of our ISKCON centres
around the world.