Room Conversation , New York , 1972-07-04
Devotee (1): A brush.
Prabhupāda: No soap?
Devotee (1): I don't think so. It's wire, metal.
Prabhupāda: What?
Devotee (1): It's a metal brush. It would be too hard for the nails, for the body.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yeah. For toes? For toenails.
Devotee (1): For feet?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Toenails, perhaps.
Prabhupāda: [indistinct] cord?
Devotee (1): Silk cord?
Prabhupāda: What is it meant?
Devotee: Round the neck. Some brass shoes. [loud noises of fireworks exploding]
Prabhupāda: You [indistinct]?
Devotee (1): Match your bead bag.
Prabhupāda: Huh?
Devotee (1): It will match your bead bag.
Devotee (2): Handkerchief.
Prabhupāda: Popularly. [laughter]
Devotee (1): Time magazine, special issue.
Prabhupāda: [devotees are laughing as they look at magazine] First name [indistinct]? What is that?
Devotee (1): It says "Vai..., Vaikuṇṭha Playhouse, statement of purpose." There's a theatrical group called the Vaikuṇṭha Players. [break]
Ātreya Ṛṣi: ...Śrīla Prabhupāda, Fourth of July.
Prabhupāda: Huh?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: It's Fourth of July.
Prabhupāda: Today?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: Hmm. Keep it all in almirah.
Devotee (1): This is some peanuts.
Prabhupāda: Distribute.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: It's a very sad day for us, Śrīla Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: Hmm?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: It's a sad day for us.
Prabhupāda: Sad day?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Sad.
Prabhupāda: Why?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: You have, [indistinct] very limited opportunity for associating, so offensively. You'll be leaving today.
Prabhupāda: Hmm?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: You'll be going away.
Prabhupāda: Home-made soap you can make?
Devotee (1): I could make it if I found out how. I don't know the ingredients.
Prabhupāda: Hmm?
Devotee (1): I don't know the ingredients, but I could find out the ingredients and the process. I could try.
Prabhupāda: Who can make home-made soap. You can?
Devotee (3): We will be making in...
Prabhupāda: Huh?
Devotee (3): ...the Spiritual Sky business. We'll be making. It's the same business, this soap, I think.
Prabhupāda: No, it is not needed.
Devotee (1): [indistinct] [fireworks explode]
Prabhupāda: It is [indistinct].
Devotee (1): Yes. [break]
Prabhupāda: ...a cheater is not disqualification in this country.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: It's a good qualification.
Prabhupāda: [laughs] Good qualification.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Biggest cheaters are in control, in charge.
Prabhupāda: What is the disqualification? Not to become cheater?
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Yes, then they will be stupid.
Devotee (4): To be an honest man.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: See, then they call you stupid.
Prabhupāda: Oh. The standard is different, completely. Human intelligence means you must be a big cheater.
Devotee (1): Śrīla Prabhupāda?
Prabhupāda: Ah?
Devotee (1): What would you like to take for lunch today?
Prabhupāda: I'm not feeling very much hungry. Don't prepare now. If I feel hungry, it can be done. Call Śyāmasundara.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Śrīla Prabhupāda?
Prabhupāda: Hmm.
Ātreya Ṛṣi: Would you have any instructions as to how I could serve you better? For me?
Prabhupāda: By convincing people of... [end]