March 9, 1976 : Mayapur

Hari Sauri: Madhudvisha brought up a question about the role of sannyasi, brahmacari, and grihastha in ISKCON. "In one of your purports you say that a sannyasi should never discourage a young man from getting married. But on the other hand, we have understood that a sannyasi should encourage young men to remain brahmacari. So it seems to me like there's some kind of a ..."

Prabhupada replied, "According to time, circumstances. Just like Krishna says, niyatah kuru karma tvam: 'Always be engaged in your prescribed work.' And, at last, He says sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. Now we have to adjust. That is not contradiction. That is suitable to the time and circumstance. Karma-kanda is also recommended in the Vedas. There are three divisions: karma-kanda, jnana-kanda and upasana-kanda ... You have to become the eternal servant of Krishna. Either you go through karma or jnana or yoga, it doesn't matter. The ultimate aim is how to reach Krishna. That is wanted."