How To Love God

June 28, 1976, Vrndavana
Answers to a Questionnaire from "Bhavan’s Journal"

Pusta Krsna: Next question, Srila Prabhupada. "As the world is coming to be divided into just two classes—atheist and theist—is it not advisable for all religions to come together? And what positive steps can be taken in this direction?"

Srila Prabhupada: The steps to be taken have already been explained—this Krsna consciousness movement. The atheist class and the theist class will always exist. This is the nature of the material world. Even at home—the father may be an atheist like Hiranyakasipu, and the son a theist like Prahlada. So atheists and theists will always exist—in the family, in the community, in the nation.

But the theists should follow the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita and take shelter at Krsna's lotus feet, giving up other, so-called religious principles. That will bring religious unity. Religion without a clear conception of God is humbug, bogus. Religion means to accept the order of God. So if you have no clear conception of God, if you do not know who God is, there is no question of accepting His order. Find this verse in the Sixth Canto of
Srimad-Bhagavatam: dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19].

Hari-sauri:
dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam
na vai vidur rsayo napi devah
na siddha-mukhya asura manusyah
kuto nu vidyadhara-caranadayah
[SB 6.3.19]
"Real religious principles are enacted by . . ."

Srila Prabhupada: Ah. "Real." Go on.

Hari-sauri: "Real religious principles are enacted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although fully situated in the mode of goodness, even the great sages who occupy the topmost planets cannot ascertain the real religious principles, nor can the demigods or the leaders of Siddhaloka, to say nothing of the demons, ordinary human beings, Vidyadharas, and Caranas." [Bhag. 6.3.19]

Srila Prabhupada: Hm. Read the next verses also.

Hari-sauri:
svayambhur naradah sambhuh
kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado janako bhismo
balir vaiyasakir vayam
[SB 6.3.20]
dvadasaite vijanimo
dharmam bhagavatam bhatah
guhyam visuddham durbodham
yaj jnatvamrtam asnute

"Lord Brahma, Bhagavan Narada, Lord Siva, the four Kumaras, Lord Kapila [the son of Devahuti], Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja, Bhismadeva, Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Gosvami, and I myself [Yamaraja] know the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental religious principle, which is known as bhagavata-dharma, or surrender unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the material modes of nature. This transcendental religious principle is very confidential and difficult for ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home, back to Godhead."

Srila Prabhupada: So these mahajanas—Brahma, Narada, Lord Siva, and so on—they know what the principles of religion are. Religion means bhagavata-dharma, understanding God and our relationship with God. That is religion. You may call it "Hindu religion" or "Muslim religion" or "Christian religion," but in any case, real religion is that which teaches how to love God.

Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje: [SB 1.2.6] if by following some religious system you come to the platform of loving God, then your religious system is perfect. Otherwise, it is simply a waste of time—bogus religion, without a clear conception of God. So we have to understand what God is and what He says, and we have to abide by His orders. Then there is real religion, there is real understanding of God, and everything is complete.

Pusta Krsna: Srila Prabhupada, one may ask why someone like Christ or Moses is not mentioned among the mahajanas.

Srila Prabhupada: There are mahajanas among the Christian saints. They include Christ, and in addition to Christ, so many others—St. Matthew, St. Thomas, and so forth. These mahajanas are mentioned in the Bible. A mahajana is one who strictly follows the original religion and knows things as they are. And that means he must be coming in the parampara, the system of disciplic succession.

For instance, Arjuna learned Bhagavad-gita directly from Krsna. Therefore Arjuna is a mahajana. So you should learn from Arjuna. You follow the way Arjuna acted and the way Arjuna understood Krsna. Then mahajano yena gatah sa panthah: you are following the mahajana—you are on the real path. Just as we are.

In these verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam is a list of mahajanas, including Svayambhu, or Lord Brahma. So this sampradaya of ours is called the Brahma-sampradaya. Our sampradaya also includes Narada, another mahajana. Sambhu, or Lord Siva, is still another mahajana. He has his own sampradaya, the Rudra-sampradaya. And similarly, Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, has the Sri-sampradaya.

So we must belong to one these sampradayas. Sampradaya-vihina ye mantras te nisphala matah: if you do not belong to a bona fide sampradaya, originating from a mahajana, then your religious process is useless. You cannot concoct some religious system. So whether you follow the Christian mahajanas or the Vedic mahajanas, it doesn't matter. But you have to follow the mahajanas. If a Christian says, "I don't believe in St. Thomas," what kind of Christian is he? It doesn't matter which mahajana we are discussing. The real mahajana is he who is strictly following the principles enunciated by God. Then he is following a real religious system. Otherwise, there is no question of religion. The so-called follower is simply a mano-dharmi, a mental speculator. Mental speculation is not religion. Religion is the order of God, and one who follows that order—he is religious. That's all.

Pusta Krsna: Then as far as I can understand, Srila Prabhupada, you're saying that there's no need to maintain sectarian labels, that there's one religion in the world.

Srila Prabhupada: One religion exists already: how to love God. This is the one religion. Will the Christians say, "No, we don't want to love God"? Will the Muhammadans say, "No, no, we don't want to love God"? So religion means how to love God, and any religion which teaches how to love God—that is perfect. It doesn't matter whether you are Christian or Muslim or Hindu.
Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: [SB 6.3.19] "Real religion is directly enunciated by Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead."

So, Bhagavan, Lord Krsna, says, "surrender unto Me." Of course, you cannot surrender until you love. For instance, you are surrendered to me. Even though I am not from your country, because you have love for me, you surrender. If I say, "do this," you'll do it. Why? Because you love me. So when will there be surrender to God? When one loves God—when one reaches the platform where he thinks, "O Lord, I love You; I can sacrifice everything for You." That is the basic principle of religion.

Therefore, that religion is perfect which teaches its followers how to love God. So let everyone come to this platform of loving God. That is Krsna consciousness. We are teaching nothing but how to love God, how to sacrifice everything for God. That is real religion. Otherwise, it is all a bogus waste of time, simply a following of ritualistic ceremonies. That is not religion. That is superfluous. As stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [1.2.8],

dharmah svanusthitah pumsam
visvaksena kathasu yah
notpadayed yadi ratim
srama eva hi kevalam

"You are very good; you are following your religious principles very strictly. That's all right—but what about your love of God?" "Oh, that I do not know." So, the Bhagavatam says, srama eva hi kevalam: "Your religion is simply a waste of time—simply laboring. That's all. If you have not learned how to love God, then what is the meaning of your religion?"

But when you're actually on the platform of love of God, you understand your relationship with God: "I am part and parcel of God—and this dog is also part and parcel of God. And so is every other living entity." Then you'll extend your love to the animals also. If you actually love God, then your love for insects is also there, because you understand, "This insect has got a different kind of body, but he is also part and parcel of God—he is my brother." Samah sarvesu bhutesu: you look upon all living beings equally. Then you cannot maintain slaughterhouses. If you maintain slaughterhouses and disobey the order of Christ in the Bible—"Thou shall not kill"—and you proclaim yourself a Christian, your so-called religion is simply a waste of time.

Srama eva hi kevalam: your going to the church and everything is simply a waste of time, because you have no love for God. That foolishness is going on all over the world. People are stamping themselves with some sectarian label, but there is no real religion.

So if all people are to come together on one platform, they have to accept the principles of Bhagavad-gita. The first principle is that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If you do not accept in the beginning that Krsna is the Supreme Lord, then try to understand this gradually. That is education. You can begin by accepting that there is somebody who is supreme.

Now, if I say, "Krsna is the Supreme Lord," you may say, "Why is Krsna the Supreme Lord? Krsna is Indian." No. He is God. For example, the sun rises first over India, then over Europe. But that does not mean the European sun is different from the Indian sun. Similarly, although Krsna appeared in India, now He has come to the Western countries through this Krsna consciousness movement.

So you should try to understand whether Krsna is God or not. But He is God. There is no doubt about it. If you have the intelligence to understand what God is, then try to understand. But Krsna is God, undoubtedly. So take to Krsna consciousness and abide by the order of Krsna. Then everyone can come together on the same religious platform. One religion, Krsna consciousness.

Pusta Krsna: Srila Prabhupada, sometimes in our preaching activities we meet people who claim to be very devout Christians or Muslims but at the same time blaspheme Krsna. Is it possible that such persons can actually be associates of God?

Srila Prabhupada: No. If one is serious about understanding what God is, then he will accept Krsna as the Supreme Lord. Once he knows what God is, he'll understand, "Here is God—Krsna." If he remains in darkness and does not learn what God is, then how will he understand Krsna? He'll understand Krsna as one of us. That's all. But if he knows what God is, then he'll understand about Krsna: "Yes, here is God."

For instance, if a person knows what gold is, then anywhere he comes upon gold, he'll understand, "Here is gold." He won't think gold is available in one shop only. And if a person knows what God is, what the meaning of "God" is, then in Krsna he will find God in fullness. Krsnas tu bhagavan svayam: "Krsna Himself is the Supreme Personality of Godhead." The sastra explains what Bhagavan, or God, is, and how Krsna is Bhagavan. You should understand and see from the activities of Krsna whether He is or is not Bhagavan. It requires a good brain to understand.

If I say, "Here is God," now it is up to you to test my statement. If you know what God is, then test my statement about Krsna, and then you'll accept Him as God. If you do not know how to test my statement, then you may refuse to accept it. That is another thing. You may also accept iron as gold. That is your ignorance: you do not know what gold is. But if you actually know what God is, you will accept Krsna as God. There is no doubt about it.

So this is the common platform—Bhagavad-gita. Everyone, come and take to Krsna consciousness. Understand God and learn how to love Him, and your life will be perfect.
Pusta Krsna: But many people claim to have the best religion, Srila Prabhupada.
Srila Prabhupada: But we have to look at the result. how will we decide what is real religion? Sa vai pumsam paro dharmah yato bhaktir adhoksaje: by seeing whether the followers have learned how to love God. If one has no love of God, then what is the use of claiming that one's religion is the best? Where is the sign of love of Godhead? That is to be seen. Everyone will say, "My understanding is the best." But there must be practical proof.

If someone claims to have the best religion, we ask, "Tell us how to love God. What is your process of loving God? If you do not know your relationship with God and others' relationship with God, then how can you love God?" That process of loving God is lacking. Nobody can give a clear conception of God. If you have no understanding of what God is, where is the question of love? Love is not mere fantasy or imagination. You cannot love air. You love a person, a beautiful person. If you merely say, "I love the air, I love the sky," what question is there of love? There must be a person. So who is that person we want to love?

Unfortunately, most people have no personal conception of God. Nor can they describe the Lord's personal beauty, knowledge, strength —His fullness in the six personal opulences. There is no such description. They have some conception of God, but actually they do not know what God is. But religion means you must know God and love Him. Love is something tangible. It is not merely fantasy or imagination. So we Krsna conscious people accept Krsna as God, and we are worshiping Krsna, and we are making progress.

Pusta Krsna: Recently a priest visited us and admitted that he didn't know what God looks like. He couldn't say anything about God, but he said he loved God.

Srila Prabhupada: Then? What kind of love is it?

Pusta Krsna: Nor did he say his people were very enthusiastic about coming to church. He said, "At best they come once a week." He said that's all that is necessary.

Srila Prabhupada: Well, love does not mean that you come once a week to my house. Love means you come to my house every day, give me some present, and take something from me. Srila Rupa Gosvami describes the symptoms of love in his
Upadesamrta [4]
dadati pratigrhnati
guhyam akhyati prcchati
bhunkte bhojayate caiva
sad-vidham priti-laksanam

If you love somebody, you must give him something, and you must accept something from him. You must disclose your mind to him, and he should disclose his mind to you. And you should give him some eatable, and whatever eatable thing he offers, you accept. These six kinds of exchange develop love.

But if you do not even know the person, then where is the question of love? Suppose you love some boy or some girl, then you will give some present, and he or she gives you some present—that develops love. You give something to eat, and whatever he or she gives you to eat, you eat. You disclose your mind: "My dear such-and-such, I love you. This is my ambition." And he or she makes some disclosure. These are the exchanges of love.

But if there is no person-to-person meeting, where is the question of love? If I claim to love somebody, but I visit his house only once a week and ask,"Please give me such-and-such," where is the exchange of love? Love means there is some exchange. If you love somebody but you have not given anything to that person or taken anything from him, where is the love?

The conclusion is, religion means to love God, and that means you must know who God is. There is no alternati You must know the person who is God. Then you can have loving exchanges with Him. That we are teaching. We are asking our disciples to rise early in the morning and offer mangala arati, then bhoga arati, to the Lord in His form as the Deity in the temple. Are we such fools and rascals that we are wasting time worshiping a "doll"? Sometimes people think like that. But that is not a fact. When you enter the temple, you know definitely, "Here is Krsna. He is God, and we must love Him like this." That is the superexcellence of this Krsna consciousness movement. We do everything definitely, on the positive platform. Is that clear? Does anyone have any further question?

Pradyumna: Srila Prabhupada, you're saying we must know God before we can love Him. So that means devotional service is preceded by knowledge.

Srila Prabhupada: Yes, that is the process given in the Bhagavad-gita. There are eighteen chapters, and the whole eighteen chapters are education—how to know God. When Arjuna at last comes to complete awareness, he accepts, "Krsna, You are param brahma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Then Arjuna surrendered, as Krsna advised—sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. But unless you know God, how will you surrender? If some third-class man comes and says, "Surrender to me," will you do that? "Why should I surrender to you?" You must know, "Now, here is God. I must surrender." Eighteen chapters describe God and how to know God, and then Krsna proposes, "Surrender unto Me." Then Arjuna does it: "Yes." So without knowing God, how can you surrender to Him? It is not possible.

So the Bhagavad-gita is the science of how to know God. The preliminary science. If you want to know more, then read Srimad-Bhagavatam. And if you are in intense love with God, read Caitanya-caritamrta—how your love for God can be still more intensified. That is Caitanya-caritamrta. So Bhagavad-gita is the preliminary book: to understand God and surrender. And from the surrendering point, further progress—that is Srimad-Bhagavatam. And when the love is intense, to make it more intensified—that is Caitanya-caritamrta. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was mad after God. He cried, sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me: "I find everything vacant without Krsna." That is the supreme ecstasy.

So these things cannot happen without love. If you love somebody and he's not there, you find everything vacant. So Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu felt this way about Krsna—lover and beloved. Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me: "I see everything vacant without Govinda." That is the supreme stage of love. Is that clear or not?

Pradyumna: There's just one more thing, Srila Prabhupada. What's the minimum knowledge one must have to . . .

Srila Prabhupada: God is great. That's all. God is great. Krsna proved that He's great. Therefore He's God. Everyone says, "God is great." Allah-u-akbar, the Muslims say: "God is great." And Hindus say, param brahma: "You are the Supreme Spirit." So God is great. And when Krsna was present, He proved that He is all-great. Therefore He's God. If you accept that God is great, and if you find somebody who is great in everything, then He is God.

How can you deny it? You can see how great Krsna is simply by considering His Bhagavad-gita. Five thousand years have passed since Krsna spoke Bhagavad-gita, and still it is accepted as the greatest book of knowledge all over the world. Even people from other religions who are really learned accept it. That is proof of the greatness of Krsna—this knowledge.

Who can give such knowledge? That is the proof that He is God. Krsna has all opulences in full, including knowledge. Other than here in Krsna's words, where is such knowledge throughout the whole world? Every line is sublime knowledge. If you study Bhagavad-gita scrutinizingly, you'll understand that Krsna is the Supreme Lord.

From Civilization and Transcendence

God Being Pleased with Your Sincere Service and Love, He Will Let You Know

CC. Madhya-lila 20.125-
NY,11-27-66
Prabhupada:

abhidheya-nama 'bhakti', 'prema''prayojana
purusartha-siromani prema maha-dhana

So after understanding our relationship with Krsna...
Every understanding has its ultimate goal. So the understanding is that we are eternally related with Krsna. Forgetting this relationship, we are now engaged in relationship with this material body, which I am not. Therefore I have to revive my activities which is directly in relationship with Krsna. And that is called to act in Krsna consciousness. And development of that Krsna consciousness will be ended in love of, full love of Krsna. When we reach that stage, love of God, love of Krsna, then we love everyone because Krsna is everyone. Without coming to that central point, our love on the material conception of life'equality, fraternity, brotherhood'are all simply cheating process. That is not possible. So come to that stage.

krsna-madhurya-sevananda-praptira karana
krsna-seva kare, (ara) krsna-rasa-asvadana
Krsna-madhurya-seva, praptira karana.

Just like in the material world, when we serve somebody, we become tired. We become detestful. We do not like to serve. But if we serve Krsna, then we shall feel some ecstasy in increasing the service. There is no payment. There is, I mean to say... Materially, there is no payment. Still, a person engaged in Krsna's service, in Krsna consciousness, he will be encouraged to serve more and more. This is the distinction. In the material platform, if you serve somebody, you will find tired, satiated. You won't like. But if you engage yourself in the service of Krsna, you'll find yourself more energetic. You'll like to serve more and more. That is the test.

If I feel tired, then that is material, and if I feel more encouraged, that means it is blessings of Krsna. Krsna-madhurya... So one is engaged in service of Krsna not officially or to make show, he feels enlivened in rendering such transcendental service. Some of you must be feeling like that, I am sure; otherwise you cannot take so much responsibility, working all day, unless you feel. You see?

So that is the test. Krsna-madhurya. There is some transcendental ecstasy, feeling, in the service of the Lord. So in the beginning we may not relish that transcendental feeling, but as we go on, increasing, we'll feel it. Krsna-seva kare, krsna-rasa-asvadana. This is called krsna-rasa. Just like anything we do, there is some humor, there is some taste. Suppose a person writes poetry. In writing that poetry he feels some taste; therefore he writes. Some, somebody plays on flute. So everything... Somebody drinks. So there is some particular taste. Similarly, transcendentally, you'll have a taste for Krsna's service. That is Krsna consciousness, a taste of mellow, mellow, or, what is called, a humor. You'll like. You'll like to serve more and more. The more you serve, you'll like to serve more and more. That is transcendental service.

ihate drstanta'yaiche daridrera ghare
'sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare

Now, Lord Caitanya is giving one example, that a astrologer has come to a poor man's house. The astrologer sees that 'This man is living very ..., wretched life, but he should not have done like that. His horoscope says that he should be a rich man. His palmistry says that he should be a rich man.

ihate drstanta'yaiche daridrera ghare
'sarvajna' asi' duhkha dekhi' puchaye tahare

So the astrologer asks him, 'Oh, I see you have got some good symptoms in your horoscope, in your palm. Oh, why you are suffering" Why you are suffering"' So...

'tumi kene duhkhi, tomara ache pitr-dhana
tomare na kahila, anyatra chadila jivana'

'I see that you have got your paternal property hidden somewhere, hidden somewhere. You have got some money left by your father, but it is hidden somewhere. You have to find out. It is hidden somewhere.'

sarvajnera vakye kare dhanera uddese
aiche veda-purana jive 'krsna' upadese

Now, as you... Now, the poor man asked the astrologer, 'Yes, what you say is right. I have heard also that my father is very rich man and he has left some money for me, but where he has kept, I do not find. Will you please let me know how I can find out"' So the astrologer... Astrologer, a perfect astrologer is called sarvajna. Sarvajna means he knows past, present and future.

A real astrologer means he will tell you about your past life and he will tell you about your present life and your future life also. There is a system of astrology in India which is called Bhrgu-samhita. Any man will go, and if the expert in Bhrgu-samhita science, he will at once tell you what you were in your past life, how you are acting in this present life, and what is your next life.

Therefore, perfection of astrology is in the Bhrgu-samhita, and they is called sarvajna. In old Indian system, as soon as child is born, an expert astrologer will be called forth and there will be ceremony, jata-karma, just after the birth. Just like, before giving birth to the child, there was some ceremony which is called garbhadhana ceremony, and between the birth-giving ceremony and the child is born, there are two other ceremonies, sadhavakan (?). So after the birth of the child, the astrologer is called forth and he begins to tell about the future of the boy.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, when Maharaja Pariksit was born, his father was dead, his grandfather. You know, his father was only sixteen years old when the boy was in the womb of his mother. In the battlefield he died. So when the child was born, the grandfather, Arjuna, and his elder brother, they are very much anxious to know how this child will become in future. Because a responsible king, they wanted to know 'Whether the child is worth to our family"' So everything was spoken that is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, that 'This child will be like this, like this,' and it was foretold that the at the last stage of his life, he will be cursed by a brahmana and he will die out of snake bite. 'This child will die by snake bite.' That was also foretold. And because the brahmana cursed, a brahmana boy cursed him that 'Within seven days the king will die by snake bite...' That's a long story. Therefore, Maharaja Pariksit, he was not very old, but he understood that 'I will have to die by snake bite, so let me get free from this royal responsibilities.' He at once handed over his kingdom to his son and went to the bank of the Ganges and sat down there tight, without taking any food and drink, for seven days, and he heard Srimad-Bhagavatam from the authoritative source of Sukadeva Gosvami, and he died at the end of seven days. A snake came and bit him.

So this astrological calculation were then; still there are. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, when Srimad-Bhagavatam was written, it was five thousand years before. It is stated there that in the beginning of Kali-yuga, there will be buddha-avatara, incarnation. Vabhisekha ("). Vabhisekha means 'there will appear.' These are sastra, these are astrological calculation, everything perfect. The other day, when I was discussed about Sanatana Goswami, how even an ordinary hotel keeper, he kept an astrologer who told the hotel keeper that 'This man has got eight golden dollars.' Just see. This is astrology. Even a thief could be conducted, guided by astrologer, and what to speak of others. So that was their system in India. So that example is being placed here by Lord Caitanya that the Veda, that is astrology for your guidance. For your guidance, the scripture is your astrologer. He knows your future, he knows your past. So therefore you should consult, you should consult, for our guidance.
Now, the astrologer is supposed to give some instruction to the poor man.

'ei sthane ache dhana''yadi daksine khudibe
'bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe

Now, the astrologer says, is giving him, it is figurative, that 'If you want to search out the Absolute Truth by ritualistic method...' Mostly people are attached to the particular faith and its ritualistic method. They consider this is everything. Veda-vada-ratah partha nanyad astiti vadinah. They think that performing these rituals of a particular religion and faith, that is all; no more.

So Lord Caitanya says, Lord Caitanya in the shape of that astrologer says, that if you follow'it is given figuratively, that he is searching after the wealth left by his father. Similarly, we have got our father, the Supreme, and He is the supreme proprietor of everything. If we try to find out our father and father's property by the ritualistic process'there are ritualistic processes in every religion and in every scripture'but if we stick to that, then the result will be they will be entrapped by the search, fanaticism, and it will be not possible to make progress.

This is called daksina system. Daksina, daksina means if he is giving him instruction that 'Your house is bounded by east side, west side, north side and south side. So if you go to the south...' South is translated into Sanskrit, daksina. And daksina also means giving something to the priest in respect of his service for performing rituals. So this is figuratively being used, daksina. Daksina means priesthood. If you follow the priesthood, then the result will be that 'bhimarula-baruli' uthibe, dhana na paibe. 'There are some poisonous insects which will bite you, and you will not be able to dig out the wealth left by your father.' So this poisonous effect is that the priesthood, they are for business. They will never give you the right thing, not it is in their power. Not it is in their power. That is going on. But if you find out, if you want to find out the Absolute Truth through this rituals and priesthood, then the result will be that you will be bitten by some poisonous insects and your attempt will be unsuccessful. Pascime, pascime khudibe.

'pascime' khudibe, taha 'yaksa' eka haya
se vighna (karibe),'dhane hata na padaya

Then again, the system of ahangama-pasana, pantheism, philosophical speculation, pantheism, monism, atheism, agnosticism, so many isms there are. So if you follow these isms, there is a jata, there is another danger which you will not get any information of the Absolute Truth.

'uttare' khudile ache krsna 'ajagare'
dhana nahi pabe, khudite gilibe sabare

So uttara, uttara means uttara-mimamsa. There is a philosophy which is called karma-mimamsa. Karma-mimamsa means there is no need of making your relationship with God. God is Supreme, accepted, but He is bound to give you the result of your honest work. This is another philosophy. So you work honestly, there is more or less moral principles. If you stick to the moral principle, ethics and morals, then you will be entrapped by the prideness that 'Oh, I am very moral. I do not speak lies. I do not steal. I treat with my neighbors very nicely.

So I have no necessity to search out father. I am quite all right.' That means, this mundane moralist, if you become mundane moralist, or if you become mundane philosopher or if you stick to the ritualistic process of your particular faith, then there is no hope of reaching to the Absolute Truth. Mundane scriptural, ritualistic way and dry speculative philosophy and mundane moralists. Just like Arjuna and his brother.

His eldest brother is Maharaja Yudhisthira; he was very moralist, Dharmaraja. His name was 'the king of religious principles,' Dharmaraja. So Krsna Himself advised him that 'You go to Dronacarya and tell him a lie, that 'Your son is dead. Your son is dead.' ' Now Maharaja Yudhisthira, he was a mundane moralist, so 'How can I tell lie" How can I tell lie" I have never spoken lie in my life.' So there was some argument. Of course this was, fight was, some compromise was made between them in the camp.

So he became a mundane moralist. He did not consider that 'The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is asking me to tell lie.' So he could not transgress his moral principles so he could not become a devotee of Krsna. He (was) considered mundane moralism, so it was not possible for him to become a Krsna conscious person. He could not take Krsna's order as the Supreme. But Arjuna, in the beginning, he was hesitating to fight and kill his kinsmen, and when he understood that 'Krsna wants this fight,' he decided, 'Yes, I shall do.' This is Krsna consciousness.

So these are the principles. If we stick to the particular type of ritualism'because I confess a particular type of faith, and my faith describes this sort of ritualism, I must follow'then you stick to that, you cannot make any progress. And if you go on simply philosophizing'this ism, that ism, that ism, nonsense-ism'then also you will not be able. And if you become mundane moralist, then also you will not be able. You have to become transcendental to all these mundane principles; then it will be possible to become perfectly Krsna conscious. So it is not transgressing, because as soon as you become really Krsna conscious, then you become all: you become a philosopher, you become a ritualistic, you become actually moralist. What is the standard of morals?

Can you explain" What is the standard of morality? Can you explain? Can any one of you say? Have you got any idea what is the standard of morality? The standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality. Standard of morality does not mean that you manufacture something morality out of your concoction. No. Standard of morality is to obey the Supreme. That is standard of morality.

Example. Example is, just like this State, the State has law that if you commit murder, then you will be hanged. It is immoral. If you commit theft, then you will be punished. But when the State says that you go and become a spy and become a thief and bring out these documents on the enemy's camp, that is morality. If you kill a man, you will be hanged. But when the State order, if you kill an enemy, hundreds of enemy, you will be awarded gold medal. So if you stick to the principle, theft and murder, and do not follow the State order, you will be considered, what is called, tyrant, or what is that" Traitor. Traitor.

So if in our practical experience we see to obey the order of the Supreme is morality, standard of morality, don't you think to obey the supermost supreme, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, to obey Him, that is morality. That is morality. So if you stick to the mundane principle, then it will not be. Therefore the astrologer advises the poor man,

purva-dike tate mati alpa khudite
dhanera jhari padibeka tomara hatete

In other words, that if you take this process of Krsna consciousness, devotional service, a slight attempt will give you the treasury house of that wealth. A slight attempt. Sv-alpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato bhayat. This is the only, only path. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55]. In the Bhagavad-gita you will find that if you actually want God, then you will have to follow this process, Krsna consciousness, and transcendental loving service to the Supreme Lord. That will make you successful. Even if you execute a little percentage of this process, then you will touch at once, at least you will know, 'Oh, here is the hidden box containing the treasure.' Now, gradually, you open it and then enjoy. But at once you will get information, 'Here is the thing.' So this is the process.

Aiche sastra kahe,'karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'.

Now, Lord Caitanya is explaining this system, different system, ritualistic, philosophical, meditation, morality, all these in sastra-kahe. Real Vedic instruction... Just like, what is Veda? Veda means the words of the Lord. That is Veda. Scripture means the words of the Lord.

God says, 'Let there be light.' God says, 'Let there be creation.' These words are scripture. Now one who takes out... Just like sound is transmitted from a certain place, and one who catches by the machine, he gets the information. Similarly, Veda means instruction transmitted by the Supreme Lord, and there are capable personalities, just like Brahma, that capture it, and that is distributed, either in writing or by tradition, by hearing. That is scripture. The words of God. Now, here the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is personally speaking Bhagavad-gita. Is it not Veda? That is Veda. That is real Veda. Sarva-upanisade.

In the Gita-mahatma it is said, 'This is the essence of all Veda.' This is Vedanta. Simply by studying Bhagavad-gita, one becomes a learned science in the science of God. So sastra-kahe. And what is that sastra? The essence of all sastra, the essence of all scripture, asks you to do'the sastra says, the Lord says'sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: [Bg. 18.66] 'Give up everything, just surrender under Me.' This is the most confidential part of knowledge.

So 'give up everything' means there are different processes, different processes, ritualistic process, different religious processes, philosophical processes, meditation, so many. 'Give up all them. Simply surrender to Krsna.' So Lord Caitanya is stressing on that point, that aiche sastra kahe,'karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'. Karma. Karma means general activities on moral principle.

That is called karma. Karma means, real karma means that you have to live, so you have to work. So work in such a way that you may not be entangled. Just like honest businessman, he works, he works according to the law. He does not play any blackmailing, and he pays the proper income tax to the government and the other taxes. He does nicely. This is called work, karma. You have to live. Without working you cannot live. But you work in such a way so that you may not be entangled. That is called work, karma. Now, this work is not the solution of your human life.

You can get some morsel of bread and eat and drink and sleep and just enjoy your life and die like cats and dogs, that's all. And then you will take with you the result of your good work or bad work. That is karma. That is not solution. Then the next stage is, above this karma, this ordinary, general people, there is a class, they are thinkers. They are thinkers: "Whether this is the solution of life"


So thinkers, some of them are dry thinkers, they have no knowledge, but they think only. They do not get the source of knowledge from higher authorities; they manufacture their own way. So apart from that, those who are bona fide thinkers, they are called jnani. Jnani means that this process of karma cannot make solution of life. They push some philosophical thesis that 'This is the solution of life.' They are called jnani. The others, yogis, they meditate. So what they meditate" Not they meditate falsely; they meditate, they concentrate the whole senses and put the focus on the soul and the Supersoul. So their endeavor is to make, reestablish with the Supersoul who is sitting in my heart. That is yoga system.

So all these systems can be adjusted only in one system, Krsna consciousness. That is the version of all the sastra, all the Vedas. Lord Caitanya also confirms that

aiche sastra kahe,'karma, jnana, yoga tyaji'
'bhaktye' krsna vasa haya, bhaktye tanre bhaji

If you want Krsna, if you want God, then you don't try to follow all these processes. You just try to follow devotional service to the Lord, bhakti, Krsna consciousness. That will please Krsna. Then by His pleasing, He will reveal to you. He will reveal to you. God being pleased with your sincere service and love, He will let you know. Just like Arjuna is being instructed by the Supreme Lord, and He says, 'My dear Arjuna, I am speaking to you the most confidential part of knowledge.' So if we become friends like Arjuna to Krsna, then Krsna will reveal Himself, as He is revealing Himself, 'I am this, I am that, I am this, I am that.' (indistinct) So if you actually want to reestablish your lost relationship with Krsna and God, then you have to adopt this Krsna consciousness and nothing more.
Thank you very much. (end)

Prescribed Duties - to satisfy the Supreme Lord

After performing the preliminaries of various sacrifices, Maharaja Bharata offered the results in the name of religion to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Vasudeva. In other words, he performed all the yajnas for the satisfaction of Lord Vasudeva, Krsna. Maharaja Bharata thought that since the demigods were different parts of Vasudeva’s body, He controls those who are explained in the Vedic mantras. By thinking in this way, Maharaja Bharata was freed from all material contamination, such as attachment, lust and greed. When the priests were about to offer the sacrificial ingredients into the fire, Maharaja Bharata expertly understood how the offering made to different demigods was simply an offering to the different limbs of the Lord. For instance, Indra is the arm of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and Surya [the sun] is His eye. Thus Maharaja Bharata considered that the oblations offered to different demigods were actually offered unto the different limbs of Lord Vasudeva.

PURPORT
The Supreme Personality of Godhead says that as long as one does not develop the pure devotional service of sravanam kirtanam, hearing and chanting, one must carry out his prescribed duties. Since Bharata Maharaja was a great devotee, one may ask why he performed so many sacrifices that are actually meant for karmis. The fact is that he was simply following the orders of Vasudeva. As Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita, sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: “Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me.” (Bg. 18.66)

Whatever we do, we should constantly remember Vasudeva. People are generally addicted to offering obeisances to various demigods, but Bharata Maharaja simply wanted to please Lord Vasudeva. As stated in Bhagavad-gita: bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram (Bg. 5.29). A yajna may be carried out to satisfy a particular demigod, but when the yajna is offered to the yajna-purusa, Narayana, the demigods are satisfied.

The purpose of performing different yajnas is to satisfy the Supreme Lord. One may perform them in the name of different demigods or directly. If we directly offer oblations to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the demigods are automatically satisfied. If we water the root of a tree, the branches, twigs, fruits and flowers are automatically satisfied.

When one offers sacrifices to different demigods, one should remember that the demigods are simply parts of the body of the Supreme. If we worship the hand of a person, we intend to satisfy the person himself. If we massage a person’s legs, we do not really serve the legs but the person who possesses the legs.

All the demigods are different parts of the Lord, and if we offer service to them, we actually serve the Lord Himself. Demigod worship is mentioned in Brahma-samhita, but actually the slokas advocate worship of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Govinda. For instance, worship of the goddess Durga is mentioned this way in Brahma-samhita (5.44):srsti-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir ekachayeva yasya bhuvanani vibharti durgaicchanurupam api yasya ca cestate sagovindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami. Following the orders of Sri Krsna, the goddess Durga creates, maintains and annihilates.

Sri Krsna also confirms this statement in Bhagavad-gita. Mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram: “This material nature is working under My direction, O son of Kunti, and it is producing all moving and unmoving beings.” (Bg. 9.10). We should worship the demigods in that spirit. Because the goddess Durga satisfies Krsna, we should therefore offer respects to goddess Durga.

Because Lord Siva is nothing but Krsna’s functional body, we should therefore offer respects to Lord Siva. Similarly, we should offer respects to Brahma, Agni and Surya. There are many offerings to different demigods, and one should always remember that these offerings are usually meant to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Bharata Maharaja did not aspire to receive some benediction from demigods.

His aim was to please the Supreme Lord. In the Mahabharata, among the thousand names of Visnu, it is said yajna-bhug yajna-krd yajnah. The enjoyer of yajna, the performer of yajna and yajna itself are the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord is the performer of everything, but out of ignorance the living entity thinks that he is the actor.

As long as we think we are the actors, we bring about karma-bandha (bondage to activity). If we act for yajna, for Krsna. there is no karma-bandha. Yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra loko ’yam karma-bandhanah: [Bg. 3.9]) “Work done as a sacrifice for Visnu has to be performed. otherwise work binds one to this material world.” (Bg. 3.9)

Following the instructions of Bharata Maharaja, we should act not for our personal satisfaction but for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In Bhagavad-gita (17.28) it is also stated:asraddhaya hutam dattamtapas taptam krtam ca yatasad ity ucyate parthana ca tat pretya no iha. Sacrifices, austerities and charities performed without faith in the Supreme Personality of Godhead are nonpermanent.

Regardless of whatever rituals are performed, they are called asat, nonpermanent. They are therefore useless both in this life and the next.Kings like Maharaja Ambarisa and many other rajarsis who were pure devotees of the Lord simply passed their time in the service of the Supreme Lord. When a pure devotee executes some service through the agency of another person, he should not be criticized, for his activities are meant for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.

A devotee may have a priest perform some karma-kanda, and the priest may not be a pure Vaisnava, but because the devotee wants to please the Supreme Lord, he should not be criticized. The word apurva is very significant. The resultant actions of karma are called apurva. When we act piously or impiously, immediate results do not ensue. We therefore wait for the results, which are called apurva.

The results are manifest in the future. Even the smartas accept this apurva. Pure devotees simply act for the pleasure of the Supreme Personality of Godhead; therefore the results of their activities are spiritual, or permanent. They are not like those of the karmis, which are nonpermanent. This is confirmed in Bhagavad-gita (4.23):gata-sangasya muktasyajnanavasthita-cetasahyajnayacaratah karmasamagram praviliyate“The work of a man who is unattached to the modes of material nature and who is fully situated in transcendental knowledge merges entirely into transcendence.”

A devotee is always free from material contamination. He is fully situated in knowledge, and therefore his sacrifices are intended for the satisfaction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

[From Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.7.6]

Intelligent Design - Spirit Is The Creator

A Russian fiction writer is now contributing suggestions to the rest of the world that scientific progress can help man to live forever. Of course, he does not believe in a Supreme Being who is the creator. Yet we welcome his suggestion because we know that actual progress in scientific knowledge will certainly take men to the spiritual sky and inform the scientist that there is a supreme creator who has full potencies beyond all materialistic scientific conceptions.

As mentioned, every living being is eternal in form, but he has to change his outer coverings, gross and subtle, and this changing process is technically known as life and death. As long as a living being has to put on the shackles of material bondage, there is no relief from this changing process, which continues even in the highest stage of material life.

The Russian fiction writer may speculate, as fiction writers are apt to do, but saner people with some knowledge of natural law will not agree that man can life forever within this material world.A naturalist can see the general course of material nature simply by studying a piece of fruit. A small fruit develops from a flower, grows, stays for some time on a branch, becomes full-grown, ripens, then begins to dwindle daily until it finally falls from the tree and commences to decompose into the earth and at last mingles with the earth, leaving behind its seed which in its turn grows to become a tree and produces many fruits in time, which will all meet the same fate, and so on and so on. Similarly, a living being (as a spiritual spark, a part of the Supreme Being) takes its organic form in the womb of a mother just after sexual intercourse. It grows little by little within the womb, is born, then continues growing, becomes a child, boy, youth, adult, old man, then finally dwindles and meets death, despite all the good wishes and hopeful pipe dreams of fiction writers.

By comparison, there is no difference between man and the fruit. Like the fruit, the man may leave behind him his seeds of numerous children, but he cannot exist eternally within his material body due to the law of material nature.How can anyone ignore the law of material nature? No material scientist can change the stringent laws of nature, however boastful he may be. No astronomer or scientist can change the course of the planets—he can only manufacture a paltry toy planet which he calls a satellite.

Foolish children may be impressed by this and may give a great deal of credit to the inventors of modern satellites, sputniks, etc., but the saner section of humanity gives more credit to the creator of the gigantic satellites, namely the sun, stars and planets of which the material scientist can see no end. If a small toy satellite has a creator in Russia or America, it is reasonable that the gigantic satellites have their creator in the spiritual sky. If a toy satellite requires so many scientific brains for its manufacture and its orbiting, what kind of subtle and perfect brain created galaxies of stars and maintains them in their orbits? Thus far the atheistic class have not been able to answer this.

Nonbelievers put forward their own theories of the creation, which usually result in statements such as, “It’s hard to understand,” “Our imagination cannot conceive it, but it’s quite possible,” “It’s incomprehensible,” and so forth. This only means that their information has no authoritative basis and is not backed by scientific data. They simply speculate.

However, authorized information is available in the Bhagavad-gita. For instance, the Bhagavad-gita informs us that within the material world there are living beings whose duration of life covers 4,300,000 x 1,000 x 2 x 30 x 12 x 100 solar years. We accept the Bhagavad-gita as authority because this book of knowledge was so accepted by India’s great sages like Sankaracarya, Sri Ramanujacarya, Sri Madhvacarya and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.

The Bhagavad-gita indicates that in the material world all component forms are subject to decay and death, regardless of their duration of life.Therefore all material shapes are subject to the law of change, although potentially the material energy is conserved. Potentially, everything is eternal, but in the material world matter takes shape, remains for some time, develops into maturity, grows old, begins to dwindle and at last disappears again.

This is the case with all material objects. The materialist’s suggestion that beyond the material sky there is “some other form” which is beyond the boundary of visibility and which is strange and inconceivable is but a faint indication of the spiritual sky. However, the basic principle of spirit is much closer—for it functions within all living beings. When that spiritual principle is out of the material body, then the material body has no life.

Within the body of a child, for instance, the spiritual principle is present, and therefore changes take place in the body and it develops. But if the spirit leaves the body, the development stops. This law is applicable to every material object. Matter transforms from one shape to another when it is in contact with spirit. Without spirit there is no transformation. The entire universe develops in that way. It emanates from the energy of the Transcendence because of the spiritual force which is His, and it develops into gigantic forms like the sun, moon, earth, etc.

There are fourteen divisions of planetary systems, and although they are all different in dimension and quality, the same principle of development holds true for all. The spiritual force is the creator, and by this spiritual principle only, transformation, transition and development take place.Life is definitely not generated simply by a material reaction like a chemical combination, as many foolish men claim.

Material interaction is set in motion by a superior being who creates a favorable circumstance to accommodate the spiritual living force. The superior energy handles matter in an appropriate way—as determined by the free will of the spiritual being. For example, building materials do not automatically “react” and suddenly assume the shape of a residential house. The living spiritual being handles matter appropriately by his free will and thus constructs his house. Similarly, matter is the ingredient only, but the spirit is the creator.

Only a man with a poor fund of knowledge avoids this conclusion. The creator may remain unseen in the background, but that does not mean that there is no creator. One should not be illusioned simply by the gigantic form of the material universe. Rather, one should learn to discern the existence of supreme intelligence behind all these material manifestations. The Supreme Being, who is the supreme intelligence, is the ultimate creator, the all-attractive Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna.

Although one may not be aware of this, there is definite information of the creator given in Vedic literatures such as the Bhagavad-gita and especially the Srimad-Bhagavatam.When a satellite is thrown into outer space, a child may not understand that there are scientific brains behind it, but an intelligent adult realizes that scientific brains on earth are controlling the satellite. Similarly, less intelligent persons do not have information of the creator and His eternal abode in the spiritual world, which is far beyond our range of visibility, but in actuality there is a spiritual sky, and spiritual planets which are more spacious and greater in number than planets in the material sky.

From the Bhagavad-gita we receive information that the material universe only constitutes a fraction (one fourth) of the creation. Such information is extensively available in the Srimad-Bhagavatam and in other Vedic literatures.If living energy can be generated in the scientist’s laboratory by “the interaction of certain physical and chemical combinations,” then why haven’t the boastful material scientists been able to manufacture life?

They should know definitely that spiritual force is distinct from matter and that such energy is not possible to produce by any amount of material adjustment. At present Russians and Americans are undoubtedly very much advanced in many departments of technological science, but they are still ignorant of the spiritual science.

They will have to learn from superior intelligence in order to make a perfect and progressive human society.The Russians are unaware that in the Srimad-Bhagavatam the socialist philosophy is most perfectly described. The Bhagavatam instructs that whatever wealth exists—all natural resources (agricultural, mining, etc.)—is created by the ultimate creator, and therefore every living being has a right to take part of them.

It is further said that a man should only possess as much wealth as is sufficient to maintain his body, and that if he desires more than that, or if he takes more than his share, he is subject to punishment. It is also stated that animals should be treated as one’s own children.We believe that no nation on earth can describe socialism as well as the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Living beings other than humans can be treated as brothers and children only when one has a full conception of the creator and the actual constitution of the living being.

Man’s desire to be deathless is realized only in the spiritual world. As stated at the beginning of this essay, a desire for eternal life is a sign of dormant spiritual life. The aim of human civilization should be targeted to that end. It is possible for every human being to transfer himself to that spiritual realm by the process of bhakti-yoga, as described herein. It is a great science, and India has produced many scientific literatures by which the perfection of life may be realized.Bhakti-yoga is the eternal religion of man. At a time when material science predominates all subjects—including the tenets of religion—it would be enlivening to see the principles of the eternal religion of man from the viewpoint of the modern scientist...

[excerpt from Easy Journey to Other Planets]

sarve sukhino bhavantu-Everyone Become Happy

NY,7-18-76

Prabhupada: ...served five thousand years ago at Kuruksetra. In India there is still that place, Kuruksetra, and religious men go there especially on the occasion of solar eclipse. So recently there was solar eclipse. Still, many millions of Indian population gathered there. Those who have gone to India might have seen this holy place, Kuruksetra. There is a railway station also of the name Kuruksetra, and it is a vast field.

The Battle of Kuruksetra took place also during Lord Krsna’s time, and the Bhagavad-gita is the product in the Battlefield of Kuruksetra. So this ceremony..., Krsna, with His elder brother Balarama and His younger sister Subhadra, visited in this chariot at Kuruksetra, and we are observing this festival. Formerly one king of the name Indradyumna, he started the temple of Jagannatha in Orissa at Puri. Perhaps some of you who have gone there, they know there is a very, very old temple, according to modern calculation, not less than two thousand years old. There is the Jagannatha Deity. The King was very much anxious to establish a temple of Krsna, Balarama and Subhadra, but there was a contract between the sculptor and the King that the sculptor would go on working in closed door and the King should not disturb him. But when many days passed the King felt, “What this worker is doing?”

So he forcefully opened the door, and he saw that the sculptor could not finish the Deity. So this form of Jagannatha, Krsna, Balarama and Subhadra, was unfinished. They were going under construction, carving, but the King forcibly opened the door. Therefore the King said, “I shall worship this unfinished Deity. Never mind.”

So this Jagannatha you see in this form because King Indradyumna wanted to worship Him in that form.So this is devotee’s willing. Krsna accepts everyone’s devotional service if it is offered with love and affection. He says in the Bhagavad-gita, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. Krsna said “Anyone who offers Me a little flower, a little water, a little fruit, with love and affection, I eat them, I accept them.”

So if something offered by you to Krsna is accepted by Him, then you should know that your life is successful. So there is no question of offering God so many things very gorgeously prepared, but you can offer a little flower, a little fruit and little water with love and affection. That means even the poorest man in the world can worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no hindrance. Ahaituky apratihata. Devotional service cannot be checked by any material condition.

If anyone wants to worship God, he can do in any condition of life. There is no restriction. There is no restriction of cast and creed or country or nation. Anyone can worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead according to his means, and our, this Krsna consciousness movement is a propagation to teach people how to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is our mission, because without relationship with God, without reviving our eternal affinity with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, we cannot be happy. The Vedic injunction is sarve sukhino bhavantu: “Everyone become happy.”

We are actually struggling for existence to become happy, but we do not know how to become happy.So this science was taught five thousand years ago by God Himself. He advented in India. That does not mean He advented for India’s benefit. He claims... Actually that is God’s claim, that He is the father of all living entities.sarva-yonisu kaunteyamurtayah sambhavanti yahtasam brahma mahad yoniraham bija-pradah pita [Bg. 14.4]

God is father, supreme father of everyone. If we simply study this verse from the Bhagavad-gita, that the mother nature is the mother of all living entities and God is the supreme father of everyone... We can study these two lines very carefully. On the earth we can see so many living entities are coming out, beginning from the grass, then so many insects, reptiles, big trees, then animals, birds, beasts, then human beings. They are all coming from the earth, and they are living at the expense of earth. The earth is supplying food to everyone. As the mother gives life or maintains the child by the milk of her breast, similarly, the earth mother is maintaining all different types of living entities.

There are 8,400,000 different forms of life, and the earth, mother earth is supplying food. There are thousands of elephants in the African jungle, they are also being supplied with food. And within your room in a hole there are thousands of ants, they are also being supplied food by the mercy of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So the philosophy is that we should not be disturbed by the so-called theory of over- population. If God can feed elephants, why he cannot feed you? You do not eat like the elephant. So this theory, that there is a shortage of food or overpopulation, we do not accept it.

God is so powerful that He can feed everyone without any difficulty. Simply we are mismanaging. Otherwise there is no difficulty.So under the circumstances we propose that every one of you become God conscious. The paragraph which I was mentioning, that we see the mother, mother earth, and we see the children in different forms... Then we must accept that there is father. Because without father there is no possibility of mother begetting children. If you simply understand this philosophy of father, mother and children, then you can very easily understand that there is God, the supreme father. There is no difficulty.

But if you do not become reasonable as human being, if you remain as animal like cats and dogs... The dogs cannot understand that there is the supreme father, God, but a human being can understand. He has got intelligence. So with this advanced intelligence, if we do not understand about the existence of God, our relationship with Him and what is our duty in that relationship, then our, this human form of life will be spoiled.

Our, this Krsna consciousness movement is checking the human society from spoiling the human form of life. This human form of life, by the evolutionary process we have got after millions and millions of years, and if we spoil this life eating, sleeping, mating and defending like the cats and dog without any sense of God, then our life is spoiled. So please do not take this Krsna consciousness movement as any sectarian movement. It is the science of God. Try to understand the science of God. We have got so many... (man yelling in background) What is that?

Radha-vallabha: It’s a crazy boy.

Prabhupada: All right. Either you accept it directly or you try to understand through philosophy and science. We have got so many books. So kindly take advantage of this movement and impartially try to understand what is the purpose of this movement, why we are distributing so many literatures. Soberly and with calm head, try to understand this movement and be happy. That is our only mission.Thank you very much. (end)

KRSNA - His devotee can purchase Him

Montreal, August 23, 1968

Prabhupada: So to love Krsna we don’t require anything. Ahaituky apratihata. It is open for everyone, but we should learn to sacrifice for Krsna. That is the sign of love. Yat karosi yad asnasi yaj juhosi. If you... You are eating. If you simply decide that “I shall not eat anything which is not offered to Krsna,” then Krsna will understand, “Oh, here is a devotee.” “I shall not see anything except Krsna’s beauty.” Krsna can understand. “I shall not hear anything except Hare Krsna and topics on Krsna...” These things are there.

It does not require that you become very wealthy, very beautiful, or very learned. You have to decide that “I shall not do this without Krsna. I shall not do this without Krsna. I shall not mix with any man who is not Krsna conscious. I shall not talk anything which does not speak about Krsna.”

So your... “I shall not go anywhere except Krsna’s temple. I shall not engage my hands in anything except Krsna’s business.” In this way, if you train your activities, then you love Krsna and Krsna is purchased—simply by your determination. Krsna does not require anything from you.

Simply He wants to know whether you have decided to love Krsna. That’s all. Ahaituky apratihata. Ahaituky apratihata means it is not dependent on anything. You can yourself automatically, by whatever asset you have got—thinking, feeling, walking, eating, sleeping—whatever you have got. By such things, by using those things in Krsna consciousness, you can purchase Krsna. This is the Krsna consciousness movement. You haven’t got to acquire something extra for loving Krsna or purchasing Krsna. Krsna becomes purchased.

Therefore... Krsna cannot be purchased. His name is Ajita. He cannot be conquered, but His devotee can purchase Him, can conquer Him. Just like you have seen the pictures in our Back to Godhead about Bhisma, that it was just joking, but he knew that “Arjuna cannot be killed because he is very dear friend of Krsna. So these people are requesting me to kill Arjuna. So I shall show my capacity of fighting.”

And actually Arjuna became perplexed. Bhisma wanted to see that Krsna shall have to break His promise for His devotee. “I know I shall not be able to kill Arjuna, but at least I shall see that Krsna has broken His promise.” So Krsna actually did not break His promise. He did not accept any weapon, but He simply showed Bhisma that “I have come to kill you with this wheel of the chariot.” His sudarsana-cakra is different. These are the reciprocation. Krsna can do anything for His devotee. Personally He may be very severe, but for devotee He can do anything. That means devotee can purchase by his devotion. (end)

The Purpose of This Movement is to Cleanse The Heart

Ratha-yatra Lecture--London, July 13, 1972

Prabhupada: ...nityanandasri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda

Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare / Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

Ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for you coming here and participating in this great movement known as Hare Krsna sankirtana movement. This sankirtana movement was started five hundred years ago by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in India, in the state West Bengal, in the district of Nadia. His mission was that this Hare Krsna movement, or God consciousness, should be spread all over the world. As many town and villages as there are on the surface of the globe, this Hare Krsna movement would be spread all over.

His prediction is now being carried out by some of the devotees. And you may kindly take advantage of this movement.The purpose of this movement is to cleanse the heart. Ceto- darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. We have created so many problems in our life simply on the platform of misunderstanding. Therefore this movement is meant for cleansing the misunderstanding of the heart. Ceto-darpana-marjanam. What is that misunderstanding? The misunderstanding is that we are accepting this material body as the self. We are all living entities, spirit souls, encaged in this material body. We are transmigrating from one body to another.

There are 8,400,000 species of life, and this human form of life is the greatest opportunity for self-realization. Self-realization means to know that “I am not this body. I am spirit soul. I am part and parcel of God.” You have... Most of you must have read Bhagavad-gita. In the Fifteenth Chapter it is said that the living entities are part and parcel of God. God is by nature joyful. In the Vedanta- sutra it is said about the Supreme Absolute Truth, as anandamayo ’bhyasat, by nature joyful.

Therefore, as we are part and parcel of God, our aim of life is joy. We are searching after that joyfulness within this material world, but that is not possible. Just like a fish, if it is taken from the water and put on the land, in any condition the fish will never feel joyfulness. Similarly, we are spirit souls. Somehow or other, we have come in contact with this material world. Therefore in this material world we cannot have joyfulness. Anandamayo ’bhyasat. This material world is not befitting our spiritual self.

Spiritual self requires spiritual joy. That is beyond these material senses. Therefore this Krsna consciousness movement is meant for clearing or cleansing or purifying the senses. As soon as we purify our senses, then actually we can enjoy our spiritual sense enjoyment.In the material covering, the senses are not properly being used. The enjoyment which you are now having, it is simply a perverted reflection of our spiritual self. So this Krsna consciousness movement is meant for purifying our senses. In the Vedic literatures it is said, sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam [Cc. Madhya 19.170].

When we become free from the designation, at that time we become spiritually purified. At the present moment, on account of our ignorance, or in ignorance of our self- realization, we are thinking in relationship with this body. I am born in India, so I am thinking, “I am Indian.” You are born in England; therefore you are thinking Englishmen. Or other is thinking some other thing. But actually, we are neither Indian, nor Englishmen, nor Japanese, or nor German. We are spirit soul, part and parcel of God. Therefore that is self-realization.

Unless we realize our self, all activities that we are enacting, this is meant for our defeat.Therefore, practically we see that in spite of advancement of education, in spite of economic development, in spite of so many philosophical speculations, we are in the same problematic atmosphere. That is the defect of the present civilization, because they do not know what we are. We are spirit soul.

So we must realize. That is... If we want to realize, everything explained in the Vedic literature, which is summarized in the Vedanta-sutra and later on in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. And five thousand years, the Lord Himself, Lord Krsna, spoke the philosophy or the knowledge in the Bhagavad-gita. We are publishing all these literatures translated into English. If you want to read them, if you want to understand this scientific, spiritual movement through your scientific knowledge, philosophical speculation, we have got dozens of books. You can read them and you can understand them. Otherwise, it is very simple method.

You can simply chant this Hare Krsna maha-mantra. It is only sixteen words:Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare HareHare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare

So there is no expenditure. If you chant Hare Krsna mantra, there is no loss on your part, neither we are charging anything. We are distributing this maha-mantra free of charges, and anyone can chant. There is no difficulty.

We are spreading this movement all over the world. Not only in your country—whole of America, whole of Canada, Japan, Australia, New Zealand. Everywhere. We have got one hundred branches all over the world. And there is no difficulty. Even in Africa, the Africans are also chanting this Hare Krsna mantra.So our only request is that in whatever condition you may be, it doesn’t matter, please try to chant these sixteen words if it is possible, whenever you have got time. You have got enough time.

You can chant Hare Krsna mantra when you are walking on the street, when you are traveling in the bus, or when you are sitting alone. There is no loss, but the gain is very great. Therefore our only request is that you take this maha-mantra,Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare HareHare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare HareAnd we shall periodically remind you by such functions as we are holding today, the Ratha-yatra festival. This Ratha-yatra festival is very old. At least for 5,000 years.

Lord Krsna along with His elder brother Balabhadra, or Balarama, and His sister Subhadra came in a chariot from Dvaraka to Kuruksetra. We are commemorating this arrival of Lord Krsna with His family on this chariot. This function is held in Jagannatha Puri. Mostly you know. In India it is a great festival. And we are introducing this festival in the Western countries along with Hare Krsna movement because the original progenitor of this Hare Krsna movement, namely Lord Caitanya, He took very much active part in this Ratha-yatra festival.

So following His footsteps, we are also introducing this Ratha-yatra festival in the Western countries. Simultaneously as it is being observed in London, it is being held in San Francisco, Buffalo, and...

Devotees: Melbourne, Tokyo.

Prabhupada: Melbourne, Tokyo, and many other places. And India also, in Calcutta also. So this festival, taking part in these festivals means a step forward for our self-realization. Rathe ca vamanam drstva punar janma na vidyate. Simply by seeing the Lord on the chariot, one makes advancement for stopping the repetition of birth and death.So I am very glad that you have taken so much trouble to come here. Now will you chant Hare Krsna mantra along with the devotees and take part in honoring the prasadam? The prasadam is also one of the programs.

Our Hare Krsna movement is standing on three principal things: chanting, dancing, and eating prasadam. It is not very difficult. It is very enjoyable to chant, dance, and take prasadam. And if you like, you can hear a little philosophy of this movement. Or even if you do not understand the philosophy, even you do not read the books, simply if you take part in these three things, chanting, dancing, and taking part in eating the prasadam, your life will gradually progress in spiritual advancement of life. And if you continue this, then some day will come, even in this life it may come, that you will understand what is Krsna. And as soon as you understand Krsna, then after leaving this body you go back to home, back to Godhead, directly (?). This is stated in the Bhagavad-gita.

Those who have read Bhagavad-gita... Lord Krsna says,janma karma me divyamyo janati tattvatahtyaktva deham punar janmanaiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]Simply by understanding Krsna, Krsna’s appearance, Krsna’s disappearance, Krsna’s activities. This Rathayatra is one of the activities of Krsna. Therefore to take part in the Rathayatra festival means to associate with Krsna directly. So in this way, if we associate with Krsna’s name, Krsna’s pastimes, Krsna’s qualities, Krsna’s form, then, gradually, we transcend this material existence. Janma karma me divyam yo janati tattvatah.

If we simply try to understand about Krsna’s movement, then the result is, Krsna says, tyaktva deham: we have to give up this body. But if we give up this body after being elevated into Krsna consciousness, then Krsna says, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. Then, after giving up this body, you haven’t got to accept another material body. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. Then where shall I go? Krsna says, mam eti: “He comes to Me.”There is planet beyond this material sky.

There is another sky. That is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Paras tasmat tu bhavo ’nyo ’vyakto ’vyaktat sanatanah [Bg. 8.20]. There is another sky, which is eternal. This sky is temporary. Just like your body, my body, or anything in this material world, they are temporary. They have got a date of birth, and they grow, they stay, they produce some by-products, then dwindle, and then vanishes. That is material nature. But there is another nature, which is called spiritual nature. Even when everything is annihilated, that nature stands. So that spiritual nature, or spiritual sky, is described in the Vedic literature, in the Upanisads, that there is no need of sunshine, there is no need of moonshine, there is no need of electricity.

That is another sky. So our only business is to transfer ourself from this sky to that sky, that illuminating sky. That is the Vedic injunction. Tamasi ma jyotir gamaya: “Don’t remain in this darkness, in this world of darkness. Come to the world of light.” So this movement is very important movement. We are trying to educate people how to transfer one from this world of darkness to the world of light, which is called Goloka Vrndavana. So I am very much thankful to you that you have given me your time. So we have got our books; our devotees are preaching. Take advantage of this opportunity and make your life successful.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Haribol! (end)

Two Things Required, Guru and Krsna. . .

Gargamuni: Page one. “Similarly, in the Second Canto, the post-creation cosmic manifestation is described. The different planetary systems are described in the Second Canto as different parts of the universal body of the Lord. For this reason, the Second Canto can be called “The Cosmic Manifestation.” There are ten chapters in the Second Canto, and in these ten chapters the purpose of Srimad-Bhagavatam and the different symptoms of this purpose are narrated. In the first chapter the glories of chanting are described and the process of meditation on the universal form of the Lord by the neophyte devotees is hinted.

In the first verse Sukadeva Gosvami replies to the questions of Maharaja Pariksit, who asked him about one’s duty at the point of his death. Maharaja Pariksit was glad to receive Sukadeva Gosvami and he was proud of being a descendant of Arjuna, the intimate friend of Krsna. Personally, he was very humble and meek, but he expressed his gladness that Lord Krsna was very kind to the sons of Pandu, or his grandfathers, especially his own grandfather Arjuna. And because Lord Krsna is always pleased with His family, therefore at the verge of Maharaja Pariksit’s death, Sukadeva Gosvami was sent to help him in the process of self-realization.”

Prabhupada: This is confirming the statement of Caitanya-caritamrta, that guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Two things required, Guru and Krsna, to advance in the spiritual realization or Krsna consciousness. So here it is, Krsna is pleased in the family of the Pandavas. So Pariksit Maharaja was going to die. Pariksit Maharaja was grandson of Arjuna, and he was also a devotee. So therefore by the mercy of Krsna, a bona fide spiritual master is sent to Pariksit Maharaja. Guru-Krsna.

When one is sincere, then Krsna is sitting within everyone. As soon as He sees that “Here is a sincere soul. He’s seeking after Me,” so He manifests Himself out externally as spiritual master. The spiritual master is therefore representative of Krsna. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Two things. Without being representative of Krsna, nobody can become spiritual master. Krsna-sakti vina nahe tara pravartana. Without being empowered by Krsna, nobody can preach, nobody can become a spiritual master.So here Sukadeva Gosvami sent by Krsna on the verge of his death. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva [Cc. Madhya 19.151].

This opportunity is obtained by a very fortunate person. Because the living entities are wandering within this universe, packed up, from one planet to another, from one species life to another species of life. In this way, he is wandering. He is not fixed up. Today I am American or Indian, tomorrow or next birth, I do not know what is going to happen to me. But this body for good will be finished. I’ll never get this body. I’ll get another body.

Maybe a demigod’s body or a tree’s body or a plant’s body or animal’s body—I must get another body. So the living entity is wandering in this way, vasamsi jirnani. Just like we change our dress from one dress to another, similarly we are changing different positions by the influence of maya. Maya is forcing me. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani [Bg. 3.27]. As soon as I am desiring something, immediately my body is formed. Immediately a particular type of body begins to form, and as soon as I am mature to change, my next body I get according to my desire.

Therefore we should always desire Krsna. Then from this life, the Krsna-approaching body or the spiritual body will be formed. The more you become sincere servant of Krsna, the more your body becomes Krsna-ized, electrified. Therefore advanced Krsna conscious person is considered to have a spiritual body. The same example, as I have given several times: just like iron rod. You put into the fire, it becomes warmer, warmer. The more it is connected with fire, it becomes warm, warm, warm. And at last it becomes red hot, so that at that time, if that iron is touched to any other thing, it burns. It does not act as iron; it acts as fire.

Similarly, by this Krsna consciousness, continuous chanting, you will make your body spiritualized. At that time, wherever you go, wherever you touch, he’ll be spiritualized. Similarly, the iron... Without being spiritualized, without being red hot, if you touch, it will not act.So every one of us, those who have come to this Krsna consciousness movement, expected to preach in the future and to become a spiritual master also in the future. But first of all you must spiritualize yourself; otherwise it is useless. So krsna-sakti vina nahe. Without... Just like without being red hot, you cannot burn any other thing. Similarly, without being fully spiritualized, you cannot make others spiritualized.

Therefore we have to follow the parampara system. The disciplic succession, as we get the knowledge, as we get the power, as we get the instruction, so we have to follow. That will help me to spiritualize myself. And when you are spiritualized... You’ll have to wait for that time. Then, wherever you will preach, the result will be there.So by the grace of Lord Krsna, Sukadeva Gosvami has reached Pariksit Maharaja. Therefore at the verge of Maharaja Pariksit’s death, Sukadeva Gosvami was sent to help him in the process of self-realization. Without spiritual master’s help, nobody can become self-realized.

Our Vaisnava philosophy does not allow that you shall become self-realized by your own endeavor. Just like other schools, they think, Buddha school, that by meditation... I do not know whether in Buddha school the spiritual master is accepted. But our Vaisnava school, without acceptance of spiritual master, there is no possibility of self-realization. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Then, (reading) “Maharaja Pariksit was a devotee of Lord Krsna from his childhood, so he had natural affection for Krsna, and Sukadeva Gosvami could understand his devotion to Lord Krsna. Therefore he welcomed the question about his duty because the king hinted that worship of Lord Krsna is the ultimate function of every living entity.

Sukadeva Gosvami welcomed this suggestion and said, ‘Because you have raised the question about Krsna, your question is most glorious.’ ” The next sloka is variyan esa te prasnah [SB 2.1.1]. Sukadeva Gosvami welcomed the prasna, the question about Krsna, and that we shall discuss next day.Thank you very much. (end)

Yoga & The Master of Yoga

At the conclusion of the Bhagavad-gita, it is said: "Where there is Krsna, and where there is Arjuna, the greatest of bowmen, there, undoubtedly, is victory."

The Bhagavad-gita is a narrative spoken by Sanjaya, the secretary of Maharaja Dhrtarastra. This is just like airwaves from the radio: the play is going on in the auditorium, but you can hear from your room. So, just as we now have such a mechanical arrangement, at that time there were also certain arrangements, although there was no machine. Anyway, the secretary of Dhrtarastra could see what was going on in the battlefield, and he was in the palace, telling this to Maharaja Dhrtarastra, who was blind. Now, the conclusion made by Sanjaya was that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

When the yoga performance is described, it is said that Krsna's name is yogesvara. No one can be a better yogi than the master of yoga, and Krsna is the master. There are many different types of yoga. Yoga means the system, and yogi means the person who practices that system. The object of yoga, the ultimate goal, is to understand Krsna. Therefore, Krsna consciousness means to practice the topmost type of yoga.

This topmost yoga system was described by Krsna in the Gita to His most intimate friend, Arjuna. In the beginning, the Lord said that this system can be practiced only by a person who has developed attachment for it. This Krsna conscious yoga system cannot be practiced by an ordinary man who has no attachment for Krsna, for it is a different system, and the topmost--bhakti-yoga.

There are five types of direct attachment, and there are seven types of indirect attachment. Indirect attachment is not bhakti. Direct attachment is called bhakti. If you are attached to Krsna by the direct method, it is called devotional service, and if you are attached to Krsna by an indirect method, it is not devotional service. But that is also attachment. King Kamsa, for example, was the maternal uncle of Krsna; and there was a warning that Kamsa would be killed by one of his sister's sons. So he became very anxious about the sons of his sister, and he decided to kill his sister. Devaki, Krsna's mother, was saved by her husband, Vasudeva, who made a compromise and proposed to his brother-in-law as follows: "You are afraid of the son of your sister. So your sister herself is not going to kill you." He requested, "Don't kill your sister. Save her, and I promise that all the sons born of her will be brought to you, and if you like you can kill them."

Vasudeva did this in order that his poor wife might be saved. And Vasudeva thought, "When Devaki's son is born, Kamsa may have a change of heart." But Kamsa was such a great demon that he killed all the sons of Devaki. It was told that the eighth son of the sister would kill him. So, when Krsna was in the womb of His mother, Kamsa was always thinking of Krsna. You may say that he was not Krsna conscious, but actually he was. Not directly, not for love's sake, but as an enemy. He was Krsna conscious as an enemy. So, that is not devotional service. One in devotional service is Krsna conscious as Krsna's friend, Krsna's servant, His parent, or His lover.
You may want Krsna as your lover, or as your son; you may want Krsna as your friend, you may want Krsna as your master, you may want Krsna as the Supreme Sublime. These five different kinds of direct relationships with Krsna are called devotion, or bhakti. They entail no material profit.

The concept of accepting God as a son is superior to the concept of accepting God as a father. There is a distinction. The relationship between father and son is that the son wants to take something from the father. The father's relationship with the son is that the father always wants to give something to the son. Therefore, the relationship with God or Krsna as son is better than the relationship with Krsna by one who thinks, "If I accept God as my father, then my business will be to ask for my necessities from the father." But, if I become the father of Krsna, then from the very beginning of His childhood, my business will be to serve Him. The father is the parent of the child from the very beginning of his birth; therefore the concept of this relationship of Vasudeva and Devaki is sublime.

Krsna's foster mother, Yasoda, is thinking, "If I do not feed Krsna sumptuously, He will die." She forgets that Krsna is the Supreme Lord, that He is sustaining the three worlds. She forgets that only one Lord is supplying the necessities of all the living entities. This same Personality of Godhead has become the son of Yasoda, and she is thinking, "If I do not feed Him nicely, He will die." This is love. She has forgotten that it is the Supreme Personality of Godhead who has appeared before her as a little child.

This relationship of attachment is very sublime. It requires time to understand, but there is a position where, instead of asking, "O God, please give us our daily bread," you can instead think that God will die if you do not supply bread to Him. This is the ecstasy of extreme love. There is such a relationship between Krsna and His devotee Radharani, the greatest devotee, the greatest lover of Krsna. Mother Yasoda is His lover as a parent; Sudama is His lover as a friend; Arjuna also as a friend--there are millions and billions of different kinds of direct devotees of Krsna.

So the yoga systems as described here lead to bhakti-yoga, and bhakti-yoga can be practiced by persons who have developed attachment to Krsna. Others cannot practice it. And, if anyone is able to develop that attachment, the relationship will be that he will understand God, Krsna, perfectly. However we may try to understand God by our different theories or speculations, it is still a difficult job. We may say that we have understood God, but it is not possible to understand Him as He is, because we have limited senses, and He is unlimited.

It is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that our senses are imperfect, all of them. We cannot understand even the material world perfectly. You have seen so many planets and stars in the sky at night, but you do not know what they are. You do not even know what the moon planet is, though men have been trying for so many years to go there in sputniks. Even this one planet, Earth! We do not know what varieties there are even on this planet! If you go to the sea, to the sky, your perception is limited. Our knowledge is, therefore, always imperfect. On that we must agree. If we foolishly think that we have acquired all forms of knowledge and we have advanced in science, this is another foolishness. It is not possible.

And, when it is not possible to understand even the material things which we daily see with our eyes, what can we say of the spiritual world and Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead? He is the supreme spiritual form, and it is not possible to understand Him by our limited senses. Then why are we bothering so much for Krsna consciousness, if it is not possible? If these imperfect senses cannot realize Krsna as He is? The answer is that if you become submissive, if you develop the spiritual attitude of following Krsna, and you are as a servant or a friend, as a parent or as a lover--if you begin to give service to the Supreme Lord then you can begin to know Him.

Your service begins with the tongue. How? By the tongue you can chant Hare Krsna, and by the tongue you can taste Krsna prasadam, spiritual food. So, the beginning of the process is very nice. You can chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare. Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare--and whenever prasadam is offered to you by Krsna, by His kindness, you accept it. The result will be that if you become submissive, and if you begin this service--chanting and eating prasadam--Krsna will reveal Himself before you.

You can't understand Krsna by speculation; that is not possible, because your senses are imperfect. But if you begin this process of service, then it will be possible--one day Krsna will reveal Himself to you: "I am like this." just as Krsna is revealing to Arjuna. Arjuna is a devotee, and he is submissive, and he is in contact with Krsna as a friend. Therefore Krsna is revealing to him.

The Bhagavad-gita was spoken to Arjuna, not to any Vedantist philosophical speculator. In the beginning of the Fourth Chapter, you will note that Krsna says, "I am speaking to you that ancient system of yoga." It is stated, "unto you." Arjuna was a ksatriya, a fighter. He was a householder, not even a sannyasi, not a renouncer--but these are not qualifications to understand Krsna. Suppose I say I have become a sannyasi mendicant--this is not a qualification, that I can now understand Krsna. Then what is the qualification? This: One who has developed the service spirit, with love and devotion, can understand Me." No other. Not the big scholars and mental speculators; but a child can understand Krsna, if he has full faith in Him. So faith and devotion qualify one.

Simply by such faith and service you will understand that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Just as we are preaching Krsna consciousness; we are not wasting your time or our time, because we are in full faith that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Theoretically or practically, you should accept Krsna as the Supreme Person. Theoretically, there is the revealed scripture. You will understand from the Vedic literature, from the great devotees in the past and in the present.

For the present, there is Lord Caitanya. Lord Caitanya is the great authority. None is greater. He was mad after Krsna. And then, after Him, His six disciples, the gosvamis, have left us an immensely valuable literature--especially Jiva Gosvami. They have written volumes on Krsna. So, under disciplic succession, we have come to this point; and if you like past history, then go back a long, long time to Vyasadeva. He is known to have written the Srimad-Bhagavatam and other literature on Krsna. Srimad-Bhagavatam is nothing but a description of Krsna. Vyasa is also the writer of the Bhagavad-gita. The Gita was spoken by Krsna and noted down by Vyasa, who put this Gita into the Mahabharata.

So Vyasadeva accepts Krsna as the Supreme Person. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam he has given the description of the different incarnations; there are twenty-five of Them. And, in the conclusion, he says that the descriptions that are given of different incarnations are all parts of the representations of God. But Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself. He is not part, but one hundred percent--one hundred percent God. So there is the evidence of authority.
And, practically, if we believe the sastras, the scriptures, then we can see: Who can be more powerful than Krsna? Who can be more beautiful than Krsna? Who can be more famous than Krsna? Krsna appeared five thousand years ago, but His knowledge, which He gave in the form of the Srimad Bhagavad-gita, is still worshiped. It is worshiped not only by the Hindus or the Indians, but is read all over the world. In your country there are at least fifty different editions of the Bhagavad-gita, written by different men. Similarly, in England, in Germany, in France and in all other countries, you will find hundreds of editions of the Gita. So, who can be more famous? There are many other evidences, if you believe in sastra: Krsna married 16,108 wives, and He provided each one of them with a big palace, and each one of them had 10 children, and from the 10 children there were many other children born. So we have the evidence of revealed Scriptures; and in the Brahma-samhita also, Krsna is accepted as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is a very old book, supposed to have been written by Brahma, the first living being in the universe.

In that Brahma-samhita, it is said, isvarah paramah krsnah. Isvara means God. There are many gods. It is said that there are so many demigods, and there is the Supreme God. So Brahma-samhita says, isvarah paramah krsnah--He is the God of gods. Isvarah paramah krsnah, and then: sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah--and His body is eternal, and full of bliss and knowledge. And next: anadih--He has no beginning, but He is the beginning of everyone. Anadir adir govindah. Go means senses, go means cow, and go means land. He is the proprietor of all land, He is the proprietor of all cows, and He is the creator of all senses.

We are after sense pleasure, but our perfection of sense pleasure can be achieved only when we reciprocate our pleasure with Krsna. Therefore, His name is Govinda, the Supreme Original Personality of Godhead.

The same Personality of Godhead personally spoke about Himself to Arjuna in the Gita. How can you say that somebody, by his thinking, by speculation, can say something about God that is more important than what is being said by Krsna Himself? It is not possible. No one can speak better than Krsna about God, because God Himself is speaking. If you speak about yourself personally, who can say more than you? So, if you have faith, if you believe theoretically or practically in Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead, then, by the speeches that are delivered by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita, you can understand God. There is no difficulty.
And, if you believe Krsna, then the result will be that you can understand God--how He is working, how His energies are acting, how He is manifesting, what is this material world, what is the spiritual world, what are the living creatures, what is their relationship--so many things are to be found in God's literature.

The whole Vedic literature deals with three things: the first is your relationship with God; then, next, after you understand your relationship with God, you can act in that way. Just as a man or woman may not be related, but as soon as the relationship is established that one is husband and the other is wife, then the dealings begin.

Once they understand their relationship with God, people generally believe that God is the father, and the son's business is to ask Father for whatever he needs. But that is really a lesser relationship. If you understand God perfectly, then there are intimate relationships also. Your intimate relationship will be revealed when you are perfectly liberated. Each and every living creature has a particular relationship with God, but we have, for now, forgotten. When that relationship is revealed in the process of devotional activities, or Krsna consciousness, you will know that that is the perfection of your life. Krsna consciousness is a great science; it is not a sentimental speculation regarding love. It is based on scientific propositions described in the Bhagavad-gita, in the Vedas, and in the Brahma-samhita; and it is accepted by authorities like Lord Caitanya, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Narada, Asita, Vyasa--there are so many authorities. Krsna consciousness is not an ordinary lovemaking or moneymaking business; it is reality, and if you stick to it seriously, your life will be perfect.

Krsna says in Bhagavad-gita, "After giving up this body, one who knows Me in truth does not come back again to this material world to accept a material body." Then what happens to him? He goes to Krsna, back home, back to Godhead. This Krsna consciousness movement is directly giving people understanding of Krsna. We are giving knowledge of Krsna based on these authorized scriptures: Bhagavad-gita and the Vedas. Veda means knowledge, and Vedanta means the ultimate end of knowledge. What is that end of knowledge? That is Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah. By knowing all the Vedas, the ultimate conclusion should be Krsna. This conclusion comes after many, many births.

After culturing knowledge for many, many births, when one actually becomes wise, then he surrenders unto Krsna. How can he surrender? He knows that Vasudeva, Krsna, is everything. Whatever we see is simply a manifestation of the energy of Vasudeva. One must be convinced on this point, and then he becomes a devotee. Krsna therefore advises that whether you understand or not, simply surrender unto Him. What Krsna taught in Bhagavad-gita, we are also teaching, without different manufactured ideas. That is our Krsna consciousness movement. It is open to everyone, and the process is very simple. We have our centers. If you want to take advantage of this movement, you are welcome. You will be happy.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada