For God everything is important

Once Arjuna asked Krishna, “If there are previous lives, how is it that I am not able to remember anything from my previous births?”
Krishna, in turn, asked him, “Arjuna, do you remember what you had for breakfast today?”
“Yes, Krishna. I do.”
“Do you remember what you had breakfast last week?”
“I don’t remember it clearly, but if I think hard, I will be able to remember it.”
“That is good. Do you remember what you had for breakfast this same day, three years ago?”
“No. Krishna. How can I remember something so far back?”
“Okay. Do you remember what you had for breakfast on the morning you married Subadhra?”
“Yes, I do!,” said Arjuna and he went on to describe the menu.
Krishna then asked Arjuna, “This was many years ago. How is it that you remember it so vividly?”
Krishna went on to explain to him. “You don’t remember what you had three years ago, because it’s not important for you. But you remember what you had on your wedding day, because it’s important for you. We remember what’s important. Since what happened to you in your previous lives is not important, you do not remember it.”
“But, Arjuna, I remember everything because everything is important for me.”

We get energized by good

Student: Swami, how do we know what is good and what is bad?
Swami: Is a phal (fruit) good?
Student: Yes, Swami.
Swami: Is mal (excreta) good?
Student: No, Swami.
Swami: Why do we say phal is good, and mal is bad? Phal gives us energy.
Good thoughts, good words and good deeds give us energy.

What is the best way to utilize time with Swami?

Student: Swami, what is the best way to utilize our time when we are here?
Swami: Develop love.

(From interviews to Prasanthi Nilayam Undergraduate students 1993-1996)