How To Find Gold

Prabhupada: All right, geologist. (laughter) So.... I don’t think geologist. (laughter) Geologist is different. You have no dictionary? Where is my dictionary?

Devotee: It is in the next room. Should I get it?

Prabhupada: All right, we shall see later on. Take it for agronomist, geologist. But soil expert (laughter). Soil expert to... He knows how to find out a particular type of mine. They can find out, “Here there is mica, in this soil there is coal, in this soil there is gold.” So Prahlada Maharaja is giving very nice example that, svarnam yatha gravasu hema-karah. Hema-karah means goldsmith, not goldsmith. Goldsmith is manufacturer of gold ornaments. Hema-karah means gold expert, you can say. He can find out in the soil where there is gold mine. Still there are. I know when I was managing Dr. Bose’s laboratory, one chemist, Chandra Bhusan Vadery (?), he was a well known chemist in Calcutta.

So, one Marwari gentleman was after him. He said that “I know how to find out gold mine.” So, the Marwari gentleman spent after him lakhs of rupees and he said that “Here there is gold,” but unfortunately gold was not found. (chuckles) And the gentleman lost so much money. So, but there are experts otherwise how gold mines are found out? There are experts. So here it is said... It is not new thing. Prahlada Maharaja said that this art is known millions and millions of years ago. It is not that the modern science has discovered airplane, modern science has discovered how to go to other planet and they have mining industry, no. These are all known. There is no question of modern science.

Now, otherwise how Prahlada Maharaja gave this example? Vivikta, viviktatma jnana, jnani napi bhavena brahmata praktikasam syat (?).Question may be put by opposing party that simply by becoming Krsna conscious how one can know God? What will be your answer? What will be your answer? Suppose an opposing party says that “All right, I accept that you are Krsna conscious or God conscious, you have devoted your life for Krsna, so how do you find, how do you see Krsna that you are working for Him?” What will be the answer? Are you following blindly or you have experience of Krsna? Yes. What will be the answer? It’s a very intelligent question. People will ask you, perhaps they ask, “Have you seen Krsna?” “Why you are Krsna conscious?” What is your answer?

Devotee: You see Him through sastra and the teachings of the spiritual master and His arca-vigraha.

Prabhupada: Of course that’s nice, but then you are following blindly your spiritual master. What is your experience?

Devotee: Your heart becomes pure.

Prabhupada: Hm.

Devotee: First you can hear Krsna before you see Him and this is a purification process. And the purification process can be felt and then you ask the person, “You can feel it yourself by chanting Hare Krsna, why not try it?”

Prabhupada: That’s all right, you have tried, whether you have seen? That is the question. You have tried for the last four or five years, whether you have seen Krsna?

Devotee: We cannot see Krsna because our eyes are impure...

Prabhupada: Then you are following blindly.

Devotee: (indistinct) the scriptures and the sastras we get pure.

Prabhupada: He has feeling. That is (indistinct). Anubhava ananta svarupa, paramesvara. That is the (indistinct). You can feel His presence, that is being explained here. (reads Sanskrit commentary) It is very simple. Prahlada Maharaja is saying that as the expert gold miner, when he sees there are gold particles in the field, naturally he concludes.... Still, in India there is a river, in that river gold particles, in the water gold particles can be found. Gold particles. Many poor men they whole day work and strain the water in different way and get some little gold, still.

So, by the symptoms, by the symptoms the expert gold miner finds out that here is gold, gold mine. Because within the soil, or with the soil you find some gold particles. That is the way, here it is said. Similarly, one can find out Krsna by the symptoms, the characteristics, of this world. That is common sense. Just in everything there is a controller. There is a life. Just like in my body, I am controlling this body, and there is living force, living symptoms. Similarly, this whole world which is going on, there are so many things that is, that requires nice brain.

This planetary system is moving nicely, exactly to the order. So, one should consider that there must be some brain behind this—how things are going so nicely. That is common sense. Just like the gold mine expert, as soon as he finds some gold particles either in the vicinity, water or land, they consider there is gold mine. Similarly, when you find that things are going on so nicely, there is a big brain behind this. That is the statement of Professor Einstein. He also says that as we make progress and we see wonderful things, we are bound to believe that there is a big brain. There is a big brain. (reads Sanskrit commentary)

So, as the poor man goes to the river side and by straining the water by—they have a specific process, they find out some gold—similarly, a person ksetresu dehesu atma adhyatma-vid brahma-gatim labheta (?). This meditation means thinking very deeply what I am, what I am. And the process of the yoga system is the same system as you strain water and find out gold. Similarly, if you follow the yoga system, dhyana, dharana, asana, pranayama—that is mechanical—then you will find that “I am the spirit soul and there is Supreme Soul, Krsna.” That is possible. That is really perfection of yoga practice. Not that simply pressing the nose, no.

Actually perfection of yogic meditation is to understand the self; the soul is there and the Supersoul is there. The process is there.astau prakrtayah proktastraya eva hi tad-gunahvikarah sodasacaryaihpuman ekah samanvayatAstau prakrtayah, eight material elements, that is described in the Bhagavad-gita—bhumir apo ’nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca—earth, water, fire, air, sky, and the mind, ahankara, mind, egotism and kham mano buddhi, and intelligence.

These are gross and subtle material elements. Astau prakrtayah proktas traya eva hi tad-gunah, and these material elements are moving by the interaction of the three material qualities—sattva-guna, raja-guna, tamo-guna. One who is situated in the sattva-guna, he is also existing on these eight material elements. And one who is existing in the modes of passion, he is also existing on the... Brahmana’s body, take for example. Brahmana is in the sattva-guna, and ksatriya is in the raja-guna. Vaisya is mixed up and sudra is the tamo-guna.

So existing means the consciousness according to the contamination of different condition of the gunas... This condition is the gunas. Sattva-guna, one who is in sattva-guna, his consciousness is different from the consciousness of the raja-guna. One whose consciousness is raja-guna, his consciousness is different from the tamo-guna. In this way you will find different types of consciousness. In pure there are three. If they’re mixed up—three into three, it becomes nine. Again mixed up—nine into nine, it becomes eighty-one. Again mixed up—eighty-one... In this way you will find varieties of life. But they’re based on the three types of consciousness—sattva-guna consciousness, raja-guna consciousness, tamo-guna consciousness.

So when one is transcendental to this contaminated consciousness, polluted by the three qualities of material nature, that is Krsna consciousness.astau prakrtayah proktastraya eva hi tad-gunahvikarah sodasacaryaihpuman ekah samanvayatBut the soul is the same. By external affection in the material world under different qualities, he’s appearing different. Therefore, we have got 8,400,000 of species of life, by different consciousness. When one comes to Krsna consciousness there is no such differentiation, there is one consciousness. Krsna is the Supreme, I am His servant, that’s all. So long one does not come to this platform of Krsna consciousness, there is no possibility of so-called eternity, fraternity, unity, universal brotherhood, that is not possible. It is impossible because they are all contaminated.dehas tu sarva-sanghatojagat tasthur iti dvidhaatraiva mrgyah purusoneti netity atat tyajan(reads Sanskrit commentary)

The Sankhya philosophy here, the description is Sankhya philosophy. Twenty-four elements, twenty-four elements. Eight gross and subtle elements, and then their production, the ten indriya, senses, working senses, and knowledge acquiring senses. Eight, ten, eighteen. Then the sense objects, five. Eighteen plus five, twenty-three. And then the atma, the soul. Twenty-four elements, the Sankhya philosophy, they are analyzed. The Sankhya philosophy. The European philosophers they like very much this Sankhya philosophy system because in the Sankhya philosophy these twenty-four elements have been very much lucidly explained. Sankhya philosophy. Dehas tu sarva-sanghato jagat.

So there are two kinds of bodies, jagat and tasthuh—moving and not moving. But they’re all combination of these twenty-four elements. atraiva mrgyah puruso neti netity, now, one has to find out the atma from these twenty-four elements by eliminating, “Where is atma, where is atma, where is atma.” But one can find out in that way provided he follows the rules and regulations, and the process. That is possible.anvaya-vyatirekenavivekenosatatmanasvarga-sthana-samamnayairvimrsadbhir asatvaraihSo further explanation, this is subject matter little difficult, but it is very important.

Prahlada Maharaja is explaining to his demonic class friends. Five years old boy how he’s explaining the Sankhya philosophy because he’s a devotee and he has heard the whole philosophy from authorities, Narada Muni. Mukham karoti vacalam pangum langhayate girim. Therefore, the spiritual master’s mercy is described, mukham karoti vacalam. Mukham means dumb, one who cannot speak. He becomes a great lecturer or speaker. Although he is dumb but he can become a great lecturer, mukham karoti vacalam. Pangum langhayate girim, and one who is lame, who cannot walk, he can cross over the mountains. Mukham karoti vacalam pangum langhayate... Yat krpa tam aham vande, that by whose mercy these things are possible, I offer my respectful obeisances, param ananda bhavam, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, reservoir of all pleasure. By Krsna’s mercy it is possible.

By material calculation it is not possible. Material calculation one will say that “How it is possible, you say the dumb is lecturing very nicely? That is not possible.” Or, “That lame man is now crossing the mountains?” So materially it is not possible. But by the mercy of Krsna or His representative... Just like Prahlada Maharaja, five years old boy, he is explaining so nicely about the constitution of the soul. Why? Because he has obtained the mercy of Narada Muni, the representative of Krsna. So it is possible. So we’ll stop. (end)

Searching After The Divine

Interview--New York, July 5, 1972

Guest (1): Yes, I guess it would be hard to define in terms of a search. Man’s…, man’s search for something divine. I’d…, I’d define it in terms of, of a search for the divine. I’ve been studying Russian Elders in the Orthodox Church. Perhaps that’s a tradition that you’re familiar with in some way. They seem to have found the divine. I guess that’s religion too. It seems to me both are, but perhaps you have a better definition than that?

Prabhupada: Yes. When you are searching with some hope, what is that hope? Why you are searching? When you are missing something, then there is a question of searching for that missing point. You said religion means searching after the divine. So that means you are missing the divine. Is it not?

Guest (1): That’s right.

Prabhupada: Now, the next question will be, What do you mean by this “divine”?

Guest (1): Oh, I’m not…, I’m not sure, Your Grace.

Prabhupada: The other day we were talking with some scientists. We came to this conclusion, that the scientists, big scientists, they are simply concerned with the laws of nature, because the laws of nature are very stringent. For example, there is death. Everyone will die. So nobody can check death. However great scientist he may, he cannot stop death. By laws of nature one is becoming old. By your scientific advancement you can stop first of all. So the science means they are trying to overcome the stringent laws of nature, but so far… Not so far—even in the past in the human history they could not. In the present also they are unable. They say in future they will be able. But how we can believe it? Because in the past they could not; in the present also they are unable. How they can overcome the laws of nature in the future? History repeats. Same failure there is (indistinct). Therefore the divine means, as we define, the divine means the controller of the laws of nature. Laws of nature there is, and everyone is under the laws of nature. Nobody can overcome the laws of nature. Just like state laws. Every citizen is bound to abide by the state law. He cannot overcome it. If…, if he overcomes it then, or violates it, the violation of law, and he becomes punishable. Similarly the laws of nature means laws of God. Just like your president is the giver of your state law. Similarly, as soon as we say laws of nature, there must be giver of them. In our sastra, the Vedic literature, it is said, dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. Dharma, religion, means the codes given by God, and we have to abide by those laws. When we do not abide by those laws, then we violate the laws of nature, of God, and we become punishable.Now, who is that person, or the authority, who is giving that law, who is controlling that law? That is divine search. But that divine search cannot be completed by the speculation of our imperfect senses. Our senses are imperfect; therefore whatever knowledge we gather by speculating our imperfect senses, that is imperfect. Just like the sun. The sun is very big, bigger, fourteen hundred thousand times bigger than this earth, but with our imperfect eyes we see just like a disk. If we remain satisfied with this imperfect knowledge, then we remain in darkness. We have to know the sun from the astronomer. They have calculated. They know. In this way knowledge, perfect knowledge, can be attained—when it is received through the perfect knower, not by speculation. That speculation means I shall speculate with limited mind and imperfect senses. So however carefully or expertly I manage with the instruments, they are themselves imperfect. Therefore Vedic sastra says that to understand the divine you must have divine mercy. You must possess. Athapi te deva padambuja-dvaya-prasada-lesanugrhita eva hi janati tattvam. One can understand the truth by the grace of… So searching after divine means we must search after the grace of the divine. Just like a very big man, just like President Nixon. So I am speculating that President Nixon is like that, like that, like this, his function is like that, he eats like this, he sleeps like this. That is speculation. But if I hear directly from President Nixon or his representative, very confidential representative, then it is perfect knowledge. I cannot speculate to know about President Nixon by my imperfect senses. I must know about President Nixon when he speaks personally about himself or his personal associate speaks about. That is the way.

Guest (1): If our senses are imperfect, then with what sense do we perceive the Divine that underlies these laws of nature?

Prabhupada: That our senses are imperfect means, just like I have given the example, I can see the sun, but I do not see the sun perfectly. I have got the power to see the sun, but I do not know how big is the sun. That power I haven’t got. In that way my senses are imperfect. So when I see the sun and hear about him from a perfect person who knows about the sun, then my knowledge becomes perfect, although I have got imperfect senses. Just like I cannot understand President Nixon by my speculation, but when President speaks about him I can understand, although I have got imperfect senses. This is the process. Imperfect in this way: that our senses cannot approach to the ultimate point by speculation.

Guest (1): Well I agree with that, but I still… The perfect person that is going to speak to me is God? Is that…

Prabhupada: That, that we’ll have to find, find later on. First of all the principle should be accepted that unless we hear from the perfect person, our knowledge is imperfect. First of all you have to agree to this point. Therefore you are going to your schools, colleges, universities, because at home who could learn everything? So why you are going to school, colleges and universities? That is not possible. Therefore the Vedic injunction is that in order to know that perfect knowledge, one has to approach the proper person, who is know as guru.

Guest (1): That’s what I was getting at.

Guest (2): (aside) Could I ask a couple of questions now?

Devotee: Please. Yes.

Guest (2): Swami, please, I don’t want to interrupt. I want to try and ask you a few questions (indistinct). I’m with (indistinct). Swami, what do you think accounts for the…, your popularity, popularity of the…, the Krsna consciousness movement sweeping America?

Prabhupada: Because it is not due to my personality. I am presenting the truth as it is. It will appeal. Just like if you prepare some foodstuff with nice ingredients, it will be appealing to everyone, and if you prepare something obnoxious, it may be appealing to a certain section, not to all.

Guest (2): What can appreciation of Krsna do for the Americans (indistinct)?

Prabhupada: That, that I have repeatedly said, that you Americans, you are…, you have already the grace of the Lord. According to our Vedic formula, when a man is born in rich family he is understood to be possessing the grace of the Lord. So you Americans, you have got sufficient riches, you are sons of rich men. So this is the grace of God, janma aisvarya, to take birth in a high family, to possess riches; janmaisvarya sruta, to become learned scholar. Just like you are going to the moon planet. Your scientific knowledge is advanced. And sri, sri means beauty. So you are beautiful also. So considering all these four points, it is to be understood that you are in favorable condition, favorable consideration of the Absolute Truth Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now, if you take to Krsna consciousness, or God consciousness, then all your these material opulences plus Krsna consciousness makes your life perfect.

Guest (2): Do you foresee that the devotees will grow in numbers in this country?

Prabhupada: There is possibility. Otherwise why these young men are coming? That I can say. There is good possibility, but we have no facility. Just like government is spending to stop the LSD intoxication, millions of dollars. But our students, as soon as they come, they become my students, I simply order them, “No intoxication.” So what to speak of LSD, they do not take tea, they do not take coffee, they do not smoke. But government will not help us. That is the difficulty.

Guest (2): Do you seek government help?

Prabhupada: Yes. If I get government help, I can give protection to these confused, frustrated youths. I have no proper house to accommodate them, to feed them. With great difficulty I am pushing on this movement. So if the government comes forward, this means a little facility, I can turn the face of your country, immediately. There will be no problem.

Guest (2): What can you cure? What can you make better?

Prabhupada: This is the cure: I am making good character. Don’t you see their face? Some of them were hippies, frustrated, wretched condition. Now they are known as bright faces, serious character. They don’t have any illicit sex. They don’t eat meat. They don’t have any intoxication. They don’t engage in gambling. These are the four pillars of sinful life. If you allow people to indulge in sinful life, how you can expect good citizen? That is not possible. Their character must reform. So we have taken from the root. We are making men of character, knowledge, sincerity, God conscious. Don’t you appreciate it?

Guest (2): Will they be able to function in a society as working individuals?

Prabhupada: Yes. There is nothing prohibited. Simply you have to change your consciousness, that’s all. We are also eating, we are also sleeping. Many of our students are householders; they have sex. So there is…, nothing is prohibited, but regulated for higher achievement. That is our program.

OUT OF CONTROL: We Are Controlled By Nature. That You Cannot Refuse

Prabhupada: That means there is some superior supervision that “You must do like that. He must do like that.” You call it nature. We accept that. We also say... Bhagavan, Krsna says, prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah: [Bg. 3.27] “Everything is being done by the direction of prakrti, nature.” So nature is superior than you. You have to accept. Because you are being directed by nature.

Bali-mardana: Their hope is that they can become superior to nature.

Prabhupada: That is rascaldom. That is rascaldom. There is the foolishness.prakrteh kriyamananigunaih sarvasahahankara-vimudhatmakartaham iti manyate [Bg. 3.27]This rascal, is being dictated by nature, but he’s thinking that “I am the Lord.”Bali-mardana: He wants to be the best.

Prabhupada: Ahankara-vimudhatma. Vimudha, rascaldom, ahankara, by self-conceit. Falsely he’s thinking that “I am doing it.” Or “I shall be able to do it, without.” This is foolishness, this is rascaldom. (japa) Good morning.Passers-by: Good morning.

Satsvarupa: The scientists can give evidence that so much control has been gained. Now we can fly all over the world...

Prabhupada: Then so much control, that is another thing. But not control. “So much control” means no control. (japa) [break] ...admitted that we are controlled by nature. That you cannot refuse. That is foolishness. Now, next, how nature is working? That is also replied in the Bhagavad-gita, mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram: [Bg. 9.10] “The material nature is working...” Just like we are also taking the advantage of material nature, ksity-ap-tejah. Here is earth, but we can take this earth and make into brick and make a skyscraper building. So it is not that the earth itself is going to become a skyscraper building. I am living entity; I am utilizing. So nature means these five elements, eight elements. So that has been manipulated by another living entity. Just like the aeroplane is a combination of some matter, but it is being worked out by the manufacturer, by the pilot. Therefore that driver of the aeroplane or the manufacturer of the..., he’s superior. So superior to the material nature is Krsna. This is the conclusion. [break] ...our position is that we are being controlled by the material nature, and, and nature, material nature, is controlled by Krsna. So the sense is that one who is at all sensible, that “After all, the controller is Krsna. So why not directly under control of Krsna?” This is Krsna consciousness. Why through the material nature? I have to be controlled. I am being controlled by the material nature; and material nature is being controlled by Krsna. So why not being directly controlled? This is good sense.

Bali-mardana: Krsna is benevolent.

Prabhupada: Eh?

Bali-mardana: Krsna is benevolent, and the material nature is not.

Prabhupada: No, material nature... Just like you don’t care for government. Then you be controlled by the jail superintendent. That’s all. You’ll be controlled. You cannot be free. But if you deny directly the control of the government then you must be controlled by the criminal department, by force. This is your position.

Bali-mardana: Either to be controlled by love or by force.

Prabhupada: Eh?

Bali-mardana: One has a choice to either be controlled by love or by force.

Prabhupada: But love, there is no love when there is force.

Bali-mardana: No, but by Krsna.

Prabhupada: Yes, that is love. Just like you are being controlled by me. There is no force. Voluntarily, out of love... I am not paying you. Still, if I say something, immediately you do. Why? There is love. That’s all.

Bali-mardana: One who actually understands the distinction, is it possible that he will still choose to be controlled by the material nature?

Prabhupada: Yes, he has already chosen. But he’s foolish. He does not know. He thinks that “I am now independent of the Supreme Lord.” But because he’s foolish, he cannot understand that you are not independent. You are being controlled by another agent of God. And because, although he’s being controlled, he’s thinking, “I am free,” therefore he’s in illusion. This is called illusion. Illusion means something which is not fact. That is illusion. So this materialist, the so-called scientist, he’s thinking, “There is no God. We are independent.” So many things, like rascal they are thinking. Foolish rascal, childish. And that is illusion. Ahankara-vimudhatma. Therefore this very word is used, vimudhatma: “befooled rascal.” Actually, he’s being controlled by material nature. So how to get out of this material nature? That is explained, mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te: “As soon as that rascal surrenders unto Me, immediately he’s out of control.” Hare Krsna. How these rascals, scientists, philosophers, politicians can refute this arrangement? Is it possible?

Bali-mardana: Yes, they refuse.

Prabhupada: They refuse. That is..., means rascaldom. They do not actually understand the fact. How they can refuse? Every moment they are controlled by the material nature. Every step.

Bali-mardana: The thing is that they do not realize. They are in illusion. They do not realize...

Prabhupada: That is... That means... Therefore we say they are rascals. They do not realize the fact. Therefore, rascal. Rascal means who do not understand the real fact.

Satsvarupa: They say that we are also under the control of nature?

Prabhupada: What?

Satsvarupa: They don’t see that we, that the devotee is actually free of the material nature.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Satsvarupa: They say, well, we also, we have to die, we have to grow old. Just because we’re Hare Krsnas...

Prabhupada: That’s all right. But we admit that. But you don’t admit that. Therefore you are foolish. We admit that “Yes, we are under control.” That is the difference between you and me. But you don’t admit. Therefore you are foolish.

Nitai: Usually, they admit.

Prabhupada: Eh?

Nitai: Usually, they admit that death is certain. But the thing is that they say, what, that you can’t do anything about it.

Prabhupada: That means you are under control. You are not independent.

Satsvarupa: But we say, “Surrender to Krsna and you can become free,” and they say, “No, I don’t see that.”

Prabhupada: Therefore I say that a sensible man is that “I am controlled. I am controlled by some other agent of Krsna. So why not be controlled directly by Krsna.” This is sense. I cannot be independent. Just like the government. If somebody says, “I don’t agree to be controlled by you,” then government will kick with police, with military. That is our position. We are being kicked by the agent of government, material nature. We are desiring in different way to become controller or enjoyer, and we are being offered different facilities, means different types of body, birth and death. So because they have no sense, they have accepted this process. So by the force of nature... “You wanted to desire. You desired this thing. All right, take this body. You wanted to eat without discrimination. All right, take this body of a pig and eat up to stool.” That is nature’s gift. So therefore he’s changing. Ei rupe brahmanda brahmite kono bhagyavan jiva. He’s going on changing, this dress that dress, that dress, that dress, that dress. But he’s not in sense that “How I can stop this change?” That he doesn’t know. Now, as Americans, they have so many nice facilities, but you cannot enjoy them. By nature’s force, you’ll have to change. What you can do? Today you are living on the twenty-fourth floor of this skyscraper, and tomorrow you may become a rat in that room. How you can change it? It is not in your power. The rat is also in the same room and you are also in the same room. Who has made this arrangement?

Nitai: So they say...

Prabhupada: The bug is also there. The mosquito is also there. The leader is also there. So, so many bodies, they are in the same room, but the enjoyment is not the same. Leaser’s enjoyment is not exactly like the occupier of the room.

Nitai: So they say that “Because life is temporary, let’s live it up.”

Prabhupada: Oh, that is foolish, another foolishness. That is... “You are beating me with your shoes. That’s all right, it is temporary. That’s all right. Let me go on suffering this.” So that is foolishness. He does not think that “Why I have been subjected to be beaten by shoes, insult? All right, I do not mind. It is temporary.” That is foolishness.

Nitai: Well, they think that instead of being beaten that they’re having fun, that it’s pleasurable.

Prabhupada: Yes. Unless he’s...

Nitai: They think, “Let us have all the pleasure we can.”

Prabhupada: That is another maya’s illusion. Unless he thinks it is pleasurable, how he can tolerate? Just like the pig, eating stool. Everyone is thinking, “Aoww”, but unless he thinks pleasurable, how he can eat? That is another concession of maya. Praksepatmika, avaranatmika. He’s covered by illusion. He is accepting the most abominable thing, but he’s thinking, “I’m enjoying.” This is called maya.

Nitai: Sometimes we tell them that this life is only full of miseries, and they say, “What do you mean?”

Prabhupada: No, that is their foolishness. That is their foolishness. They do not know, they do not distinguish what is misery and what is happiness. They have no sense, no brain. That is their foolishness.

Nitai: So we can convince them by pointing out...?

Prabhupada: They cannot convince them because they are so rascal, so foolish, that they have no brain to understand what is the distinction. They have no brain. Just like cats and dogs. That is their fallen condition. Yes.

Sudama: They believe that this misery is good.

Prabhupada: Yes, that I have explained. Unless they believe it is good, how they can be put in to miserable condition? Just like some of the thieves. They go to jail. They think, “It is very nice. We haven’t got to earn. We are getting food here, free of charge. Yes, it is very nice place. It is my father-in-law’s house.” (laughs) So unless they believe, how they can tolerate such tribulations? The worm in the stool, he believes, “This is enjoyment.” You take it from the stool, put it here, no, it will go again. It thinks it is pleasurable. That is their position. Therefore they have been described as mudha. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. When they believe it, “Oh, it is not good,” that is their good fortune. Then they are fortunate. That is explained by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, ei rupe brahmanda brahmite kono bhagyavan jiva. When they come to that fortunate position, that is first-class.

As Soon As You Become Criminal, You Come Under The Control Of Police

Our Krsna consciousness movement is for this purpose, that simply we are trying to educate people how to give up the control of the material energy, and under the control... Not to control the material energy; that we cannot do, that is not possible. But not to become under the control. That is very simple method: mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te.

Just like if you become honest, if you are not criminal, then there is no police control—police may be there. But as soon as you become criminal, you come under the control of police. Similarly our business is, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu has explained, and everywhere in the sastra, and actually we are so, we are eternal servant of God, or Krsna. This is our real position.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said, jivera svarupa haya nitya krsna dasa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109]. But our disease is instead of becoming dasa, we are trying to become the master of the prakrti. This is called materialistic way of life. So that will not make us happy at any stage of our life. This is very dangerous. We are missing the point.na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnumdurasaya ye bahir-artha-maninahandha yathandhair upaniyamanaste ’pisa tantryam uru-damni baddhah [SB 7.5.31]We are forgetting that we are absolutely under the control of the material nature.prakrteh kriyamananigunaih karmani sarvasahahankara-vimudhatmakartaham iti manyate [Bg. 3.27]

We are fully under the control of material nature, and foolishly, ahankara, on account of being bewildered by false egotism, we are thinking that “I am independent.” This is called material illusion.So our first business is to understand what is this material world, what is the spiritual world, what is God, what is my relationship with Him, and how to execute the business of my life, to become successful in this human form of life. The success of human form of life is to understand this thing: our relationship with God. And we should act in relationship with God. Then our success of life will be achieved.

This is the main purpose of Krsna consciousness movement. It is a very profound subject matter to understand, but everything is explained. Our only request is that you read Bhagavad-gita as it is; don’t try to interpret. That is useless. Otherwise why people have lost in India their own culture? Because they have interpreted wrongly. Every sastra has been interpreted wrongly and therefore people are misguided. They could not take advantage of the instruction of Bhagavad-gita because all through, the Bhagavad-gita has been misinterpreted.

So many so-called politicians, scholars, but it is maybe for the first time—not first time; it is there—but to make it broad propaganda wide, that try to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is, without any interpretation. That is our mission. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission. Don’t try to interpret and spoil it. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Ei desa means, He was born in Bengal, India—it may be Bengal or in India—He, we have interested with every man all over the world,prthivite ache yata nagaradi gramasarvatra pracara hoibe mora nama

So He was interested in all the parts of the world, how they can be delivered from the clutches of this material energy. So He wished especially the Indians to take this job of preaching the teachings of Bhagavad-gita all over the world. He wanted it.bharata-bhumite manusya janma hoila yarajanma sarthaka kari karo para-upakaraThis is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission, para-upakara. It is not the business of the Indian people to exploit others.

The mission is they must be very, very merciful to all outsiders, born in, out of India. That is India’s mission. Because they are in darkness, they do not know. So instead of enlightenment, giving them jyotir gamah—tamasi ma: “Don’t remain in darkness”—so we are imitating them. This is not India’s good fortune. We should not imitate. That is not very good civilization. That is, this has been described as asuric civilization in the Bhagavad-gita. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnu: they do not know. Anyway, although they do not know, they are accepting now.

The Krsna consciousness movement is so potential that they are accepting, that is upakara. Caitanya Mahaprabhu wanted this, para upakara. They are in darkness, tamasi. Bring them in the light: tamasi ma jyotir gamah.So this attempt has been done by us individually, with teeny effort, but it is becoming successful. But if we take up seriously this movement, every one of us become completely aware of this movement and take this mission as Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa: [Cc. Madhya 7.128] “Every one of you, you become a guru,” by the order of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So “I shall become guru? What shall I do? I do not know anything.” No! You haven’t got to know anything. You simply, yare dekha tare kaha krsna upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. You simply repeat the instruction of Bhagavad-gita. Whomever you meet, you try to convince him; then you are guru.

So our mission is this, Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s. We are trying to execute the order of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We don’t say anything else except what is described in the Bhagavad-gita. Bhagavad-gita says, Krsna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Simple thing. It is not very difficult thing. Krsna says, “Always think of Me.” Is it very difficult task? No.

You chant Hare Krsna, you remember Krsna immediately. Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. So always remember Krsna, this is Krsna’s instruction, man-mana, “Always think of Me,” mad-bhakta, and naturally you become bhakta. As soon as you go on chanting Hare Krsna, just like these European and American boys, they have been instructed to chant Hare Krsna mantra... Don’t think that I showed them any magic, how to manufacture gold, or how to become this or that. No.

Simply I have asked them to chant Hare Krsna, and they have joined me because they have chanted Hare Krsna. Why? Ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. By chanting this Hare Krsna maha-mantra, the dirty things within the heart will be cleansed. They you will understand what is my position, what to do.So this is the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, yare dekha tare kaha, Krsna said that man-mana bhava mad-bhakta: “You just think of Me, you just become My devotee, mad-yaji, you just offer a little flower and water to Me.” Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. If you think that “We have got money. The money is for my enjoyment, and Krsna may be offered a little water and flower,” that is cheating; that is not good.

According to your position you must worship. This is wanted. Otherwise, bita (indistinct). If you have got money and if you don’t serve Krsna, and you serve Krsna with a little water and flower, Krsna can understand this kind of cheating business. No. Everyone should worship Krsna according to his position. That is wanted. Kurusva tad mad-arpanam. Yat karosi yaj juhosi yad asnasi yat tapasyasi kurusva tad mad-arpanam.

To become very big businessman is not ordinary thing; it requires tapasya, very great labour, brain, yat tapasyasi. But the result, Krsna says, kurusva tad mad-arpanam, He’s asking, “Give it to Me.” So there is no harm to become very big businessman, earning money. That is all right—but you give it to Krsna. Then in any position you can remain Krsna consciousness. And if you remain Krsna conscious, then you will understand Krsna. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita:mayy asakta-manah parthayogam yunjam mad-asrayahasamsayam samagram mamyatha jnasyasi tac chrnu [Bg. 7.1]

Krsna is explaining that everyone is trying to understand God, but by speculation you cannot understand. By service only you can understand. By attachment. You cannot serve Krsna without being attached. Therefore Krsna says in the Seventh Chapter, mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah: “Taking shelter of Me, or My devotee, if you practice this yoga system, bhakti-yoga system, increasing your attachment for Me, this is wanted.” Krsna consciousness means we have got attachment so many things, but that attachment has to be transferred to Krsna. Then you’ll become Krsna conscious. Mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah asamsayam.

Then asamsayam, without any doubt. To understand God there are three features: brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. So the ordinary person, they can be able to understand Brahman; a little advanced than them, they can understand Paramatma; but to understand Krsna is very difficult. Bahunam janmanam ante [Bg. 7.19]. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. Out of many millions of persons, one tries to become siddha, perfect. What is that siddha? Brahma-jna. Yatatam api siddhanam kascid vetti mam tattvatah [Bg. 7.3]. And out of the siddhas, those who are actually self-realized, aham brahmasmi, out of many of them maybe one is able to understand Krsna.So Krsna can be understood only by devotion. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55].

So we have to take this process, sravanam kirtanam visnu. So our only request is that to understand Krsna is not very difficult if we read Bhagavad-gita perfectly, seriously. Then Krsna is understood. And as soon as you understand Krsna... Because Krsna is explaining Himself, what is the difficulty to understand Krsna? Hm? If you, Mr. Birla, you explain that “I am like this. I have got so much money, I have got so many business, I have got so many factories,” if you explain, then where is my difficulty? But if I speculate, “Mr. Birla may be..., so much (indistinct) may be had.” That is always imperfect. But if you understand directly from Mr. Birla, then it is clear.

So Krsna, God, is explaining Himself, “I am like...” Asamsayam samagram mam yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu [Bg. 7.1]. So there is not very difficult to understand Krsna if we simply... But if we interpret foolishly, and try to understand Krsna by misinterpretation, then the business is finished. Don’t do that. Simply try to understand Krsna as He is explaining Himself, then your life is successful. How it is successful?janma karma ca me divyamyo janati tattvatahtyaktva deham punar janmanaiti mam eti... [Bg. 4.9]That is successful. If one can understand Krsna, about His activities, why He comes, He explains, yada yada hi dharmasya [Bg. 4.7], [break] ...change this body. But we do not know what kind of body I am going to get. These information are there. But any kind of body you get, even in the higher planetary system as demigod, a-brahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino ’rjuna [Bg. 8.16], that is not good. The best thing is you get a body, a spiritual body, like Krsna, sat-cit-ananda-vigraha. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti... [Bg. 4.9]. Then you haven’t got to accept any more this material body. Then what happens to me? Mam eti, you come to Krsna and enjoy with Him. That is success of life.Thank you very much.

[Excerpt,....Lecture Engagement at Birla House--Bombay, December 17, 1975]

Give up all nonsense, just take shelter under My lotus feet

Bhagavad-gita is the preliminary study of Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhagavad-gita ends sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. This is the end of Bhagavad-gita’s instruction, that “Give up all nonsense, just take shelter under My lotus feet.” If you hesitate that “If I give up everything...” You haven’t got to give up everything, but you have to understand the meaning of life.

Arjuna, when he understood Bhagavad-gita, he did not give up his profession as a military man. But what was the change? The change is Krsna inquired from Arjuna: “What is now your decision? I have spoken to you everything about jnana and guhya-guhyatamam. Now you consider upon it and whatever you like you do.” Yathecchasi tatha kuru. So upon this Arjuna replied nasto mohah. “My illusion is now over.” Nasto mohah smrtir labdha. “My memory is now returned.” Karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73], “I shall act according to You.” This is Krsna consciousness. Try to understand what is the purpose of Bhagavad-gita.

You haven’t got to give up everything. You can be engaged in everything but if you utilize everything according to the instruction of Krsna then it will be successful. Otherwise it will be failure. So we have tested all these things, how many programs and plans we have made and everything has failed. Why not try to take the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, the instruction of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and try to utilize it for practical life. And it will be successful. There is no doubt about it. I am speaking from my practical experience.

Now these foreigners, they are neither Hindus nor Indian nor brahmanas. How they are taking? They are not fools and rascals. They are coming from respectable family, educated. So we have got our centers in Iran also. In Tehran, I am just coming from there. We have got so many Mohammedan students, and they have also taken to it. In Africa they have taken to it. In Australia they have taken to it. All over the world. So that is the Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s mission.prthivite ache yata nagaradi gramasarvatra pracara haibe mora nama

This is the prediction of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. As many town and villages are there all over the world, this Krsna consciousness movement will be spread. So there is no credit for me, but it is only a teeny attempt, and humble attempt. So if one man could do, if you say, some success, why not all of us? Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given power of attorney to all Indians. Bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara [Cc. Adi 9.41]. He’s speaking to the manusya, not to the cats and dogs.

So manusya-janma yara janma sarthaka kari’. First of all, try to understand what is the purpose of life. That is called janma sarthaka. Janma sarthaka kari’ kara para-upakara. Go. Everywhere there is very good demand for Krsna consciousness.So everyone should be prepared, everyone should understand Bhagavad-gita. Of course, it is not possible for everyone to go. Still, if one understands... That is also Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s order. Amara ajnaya guru hana tara’ ei desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. He says everyone of you become a guru.

How can I become guru? I am not very learned scholar, I have no education. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says no. Even though you are not very much educated or not born of a very high family, you simply, yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. That’s all. You become a guru. Krsna-upadesa. Don’t adulterate it, but as Krsna says, you say. You become guru. This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s... So I have tried that. I have tried to follow the Caitanya Mahaprabhu’s instruction, and I am presenting Bhagavad-gita As It Is. There is no magic, there is no jugglery and people are taking. If you do that everyone will be happy, the world will be happy and India’s glory will be spread all over the world.
[Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.6--Hyderabad, August 18, 1976]

SEX PLEASURE & REAL PLEASURE

Here in the material world we have got experience, we get pleasure, but that is transient. Just like ordinary men, they understand sex pleasure is the highest pleasure. Actually, on sex pleasure the whole material world is existing. But how long this sex pleasure can remain? A few minutes. So our philosophy is we don’t want that few minutes’ pleasure. We want pleasure which will continue perpetually. Nityananda. Nitya. Nitya means eternal. Ananda means bliss. Satyananda, real pleasure. Satyam param dhimahi. We want the actual truth. That is quality. So that standard is mentioned in the Vedic literature, that those who are intelligent persons, those who are yogis... Yogi means perfect man. So they want pleasure which is eternal, not transient. Transient pleasure is liked by fools and rascals. Because fools and rascals, they do not know what is their constitutional position. But one who is intelligent, one who is learned, he knows his constitutional position, that he is eternal, he is not this body. Therefore he must be seeking eternal pleasure. Bodily pleasure... Body is transient, and bodily pleasures are also transient. So that is not sought after by any intelligent man. Those are sought by rascals. Because one identifies himself with the body, therefore bodily pleasure is this pleasure. But one who knows that he is not body, he is eternal. Then he seeks what is that eternal pleasure.
[Philosophy Discussions w/ Syamasundara dasa, John Stuart Mill]

Real pleasure is defined: ananta. Ananta means that which has no end. So that pleasure you can have only when you are spiritually realized soul. That is possible. That is possible. We are reading all these scriptures, Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, and there are so many Vedic literatures that if anyone wants to have spiritual life, there is complete facility. There is complete facility.
[Bhagavad-gita 2.13--New York, March 11, 1966]

Revatinandana: “Purport: The symptoms of the self-realized person are given herein. The first symptom is that he is not illusioned by the false identification of the body with his true self.”

Prabhupada: Yes. So achieving something pleasant... Generally we accept a thing pleasant when it satisfies our senses. We accept it as pleasant. But actually, satisfaction of my sense is not real pleasure because my senses are at the present moment diseased. Therefore as it is stated in the Narada-pancaratra, that tat-paratvena nirmalam. One has to purify the senses in Krsna consciousness. The Krsna consciousness movement is not to become void of the senses. The other philosophers, they say that “You don’t desire.” We say that we don’t desire nonsense but we desire Krsna. Desire is there, but as soon as desire is purified, then I shall desire Krsna. When one is desiring only Krsna, that is his healthy state. And if somebody is desiring something else, something other than Krsna, then he is to be understood in diseased condition.
[Bhagavad-gita 5.17-24--Los Angeles, February 8, 1969]

Pleasure is the ultimate goal. But you do not know where is the pleasure. that is illusion. Real pleasure is in the transcendental form of Krsna. You’ll find Krsna always jolly. There’s so many pictures you see. And if we join, you become jolly. There’s so many pictures you see. And if we join, you become jolly, that’s all. Have you seen any picture Krsna is working with machine? (laughter) Huge machine? Or have you seen any picture He is smoking? (laughter) By nature, pleasure, you see? Pleasure. So you have to unfold yourself, unfold yourself in that way and you find pleasure. Simply full of pleasure, that’s all. Anandamayo ’bhyasat. By nature simply pleasure. Not by artificial means. Ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhih. In the Brahma-samhita you find.ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhistabhir ya eva nija-rupataya kalabhihgoloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhutogovindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami [Bs. 5.37]Ananda-cinmaya-rasa. Rasa means the taste, the mellow. Just like we try to taste a sweetmeat, a sweet candy, anything. Why? Because there is a very nice taste. So everyone is trying to have some taste from everything. We want to enjoy sex life. There is some taste. So that is called adi-taste. So there are so many tastes. There in the Brahma-samhita, ananda-cinmaya-rasa. That taste, material taste, you may taste it, but it will be finished immediately. Immediately finished. Say few minutes. Suppose you have got very nice sweetmeat. You taste it. You get, “Oh, it is very nice.” “Take another.” “All right.” “And another?” “No, I don’t want,” finished. You see? So material taste is finishable. It is not unlimited. But real taste is unlimited. If you taste one then you cannot forget. It will go on, increasing, increasing. Anandambudhi-vardhanam. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that, “This taste is simply increasing.” Although it is ocean-like, great, still it is increasing. Here you have seen ocean. It is limited. Your Pacific Ocean is tossing, but it is not increasing. If it increases there is havoc, you see? But by nature’s law, by God’s order, it does not come beyond its limit. Within the limit it is. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu says there is an ocean of bliss, ocean of taste, of transcendental bliss, which is increasing. Anandambudhi-vardhanam prati-padam purnamrtasvadanam sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. You’ll get by this chanting Hare Krsna, your pleasure potency increasing more and more, more and more.
[Bhagavad-gita 6.1 --Los Angeles, February 13, 1969]

Nobody can say “I have no anxiety”

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.27--
New York, March 6, 1975 [Excerpt...]

Nitai: “Now I am attracted to those instructions imparted to me by the Personality of Godhead, Govinda, because they are impregnated with instructions for relieving the burning heart in all circumstances of time and space.”

Prabhupada:desa-kalartha-yuktanihrt-tapopasamani caharanti smaratas cittamgovindabhihitani me
So this word hrt-tapa upasamani... Hrt means heart, and tapa means miseries or burning, heat. Tapa means burning heat. If there is fire and there is heat, sometimes it is intolerable. So hrt-tapa means the burning fire blazing within the heart.

So that is always. Anyone who is in this material world, he has got this disease, burning fire within the heart, anyone. That means severe anxiety, everyone. Even a small bird, he is also full of anxiety. You give him some grains. It will come. It will eat. At the same time, it will look this way, that way, this way, full of anxiety. Although there is food, he is eating, still, there is anxiety, “Somebody may come, kill me.”

So everyone is full of anxiety. That is the material nature. Nobody can say “I have no anxiety.” That is not possible. If he says like that, he is a liar. That is not possible. Is anyone here who can say that he or she has no anxiety? Of course, when you take to Krsna consciousness, there is no anxiety. That is the distinction. Anxiety there is, but to relieve this anxiety one has to take to Krsna consciousness. Otherwise not. You cannot get relief. (child says, “Prabhupada”) Yes. (laughter)

So you may say that “Sometimes we have got anxiety, and sometimes we are very nice.” So even accepting that, Arjuna says, desa-kala-artha-yuktani. Desa, kala, the time and space within this material world, and artha means purpose, everything, any time... Arjuna does not say that “sometimes.” At any time, if we are materially attached, then this hrt-tapa must be. Hrt-tapa means burning fire, blazing fire within the heart. It will continue.Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura says that visaya-bisanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale. This means anyone who is engaged in these material affairs, Visaya... Visaya means material necessities. Everyone has got material necessities: ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna, how to eat, how to sleep, where to sleep, where to get apartment, where to secure money to get food, and how to secure sex pleasure, where it is available, man or woman, and how to defend. “I have got so much bank balance. It may not be taken away. I have got this property.”

In this way everyone is suffering. That’s a fact. Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura says, visaya-bisanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale: “The heart is burning.” The same word. It is in simple Bengali, and this is in Sanskrit. Visaya-bisanale, diba-nisi hiya jwale, juraite na koinu upay. So if a man simply goes on suffering like this, then he is not a human being. Human being means if there is suffering, he must try to alleviate it, to mitigate the suffering. That is human being.That is... Nature gives us this human form of body, intelligence, that if there is danger, if there is anxiety, he tries to get out of it. The animals also do, but they cannot do very nicely. Just like animals are slaughtered. So they know when they are put into one, what is called, pound and they know that they will be slaughtered, but they have no means to get out of it. So the human being can do that. If I foresee, “There is some danger, I can make some way to get out of it.” That is human intelligence.

Therefore Narottama dasa Thakura says that “Although I had the intelligence to get out of these material anxieties, the blazing fire within the heart, but I did not take it.” And what is that? Now, hari-nama prema-dhana...Devotees: Golokera...Prabhupada: Golokera prema-dhana, hari-nama-sankirtana, rati na janmilo kene tay. This is the remedy. Golokera prema-dhana, this hari-nama-sankirtana, chanting of Hare Krsna mantra, this sound vibration, it is not material. Suppose if I would have advised my disciples that “You chant ‘Mr. John, Mr. John, Mr. John,’ ” this movement would not have spread. (laughter) How long one can chant this “Mr. John, Mr. John”?

Therefore it is the proof, that all over the world, we have got about hundred centers. Everywhere, hundred, two hundred, three hundred disciples are there. They’re chanting, dancing, with Hare Krsna mantra. Why? Because it is not material sound vibration. This is the proof. Don’t think that Hare Krsna chanting and chanting the name of Mr. John is the same, no. This is the proof. You can go on chanting twenty-four hours, Still, you will not feel tired. This is the golokera... This is the proof, that this hari-nama-sankirtana, golokera prema-dhana, it is the property for loving. It is the thing which will lead you how to love God, prema-dhana. You will gradually develop your propensity to love Krsna. Ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam: “All glories to the chanting of Hare Krsna mantra.”

Hazrat Muhammad - the servant of God and we have all respect for him

"Hazrat Muhammad, the inaugurator of the Islam religion, I accept him as an empowered servant of God because he preached God-consciousness in those parts of the world and induced them to accept the authority of God. He is accepted as the servant of God and we have all respect for him." ( Letter, 2-4-1976)

"So therefore, by that symptom, we accept Lord Jesus Christ as Saktyaves avatara, or Hazrat Muhammad, he's also. Because these two religious leaders of the world, they preached about the glorification of the Supreme Lord. And they sacrificed everything for preaching the glories of the Lord. Therefore... And their influence and their followers, there are... These are the symptoms by which we can understand that Jesus Christ and Hazrat Muhammad was, were Saktyaves avataras.
( CC Madhya-lila 20.367-84)

"Vedas means the books of transcendental knowledge. Not only the Bhagavad Gita, even the Bible or the Quran, they are also." (lecture 29-7-68)

Srila Prabhupada: No, no. Christianity is Vaisnavism.

Dr. Patel: Vaisnavism? Absolutely Vaisnavism.

Srila Prabhupada: Islam is also Vaisnavism.
Dr. Patel: Mohammedanism is not Vaisnavism.

Srila Prabhupada: No, no. Caitanya Mahaprabhu had talked with the Pathanas.

He proved that "Your religion is Vaisnavism." (February 17, 1974, Bombay)

"Chaitanya Mahaprabhu proved devotional service from the Quran. So, it requires a devotee who can explain God from any Godly literature" ( Morning Walk, June 6, 1974, Geneva)

"Then Islam is Vaishnava dharma in a crude form like christianty."(room conversation, Tehran 14-3-75)

"They accept God. They are also our brothers because they accept God. They are not atheist. Atheist don't accept God. "there is no God" say the atheist. But here they are theists. They accept God. They want to please God. They go to the church, go to mosques, offer prayers. Prayers is also bhakti, devotional service. The Christian way or the Muslim way is to offer prayer. The Muslims offer obeisences & offer prayer. So that is also Bhakti (devotion). The Christians also do that, so that is also bhakti. And they accept God; We accept God. So there is no difference. But the only point is who is that God." ( room conversation, Tehran 14-3-75)

"Thus I have explained to you knowledge still more confidential. Deliberate on this fully, and then do what you wish to do" Bhagavad Gita 18-63.

"My mission is not turn any one from the affiliation of a particular religion but I want to let them know more knowledge about God and devotion." 6-11-1965, (letters)

"Actually, we are not teaching a particular type of faith. We are teaching the post graduate studies of all religions:we are teaching people how to love God and who is the man that will deny this principle?" 5-12-68

QUOTES COMPILED BY NARARATNA DAS

Modern Avancement of Civilization Means, “Exploit others and you become happy”

Prabhupada: This is philosophy. Not that “Because I am friend, I will do, and you will sleep and get dysentery.” No. You have to work. Everything is already arranged, but you must work. That is wanted. Otherwise, why Arjuna was induced to fight. Krsna has already arranged. And Arjuna also: “Yes.” Karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. “Whatever you say...” This is Krsna consciousness. [break] ...politician, Balavanta? He’s not here.

So let him preach that “We shall, if you take our Krsna consciousness movement, there will be no unemployment.” He can at least give this manifesto to the..., “There will be no more unemployment.” People will be very nice, very glad to hear. Now this machine, this machine nonsense means unemployment. One machine will work for hundred men. So hundred men becomes unemployed, and one technician, he gets all the salaries. To work on the computer, com...

Devotee: Computer, yes.

Prabhupada: Machine. And he’s very expert. He’ll take three thousand dollars. And others will be unemployed. This is going on. And they are thinking: “Advancement of civilization.” Advancement of civilization means “Exploit others and you become happy.” This is advancement of civilization. “Others may die for such, out of starvation, and one man takes all the money and spends it for wine and women and motor car.” That’s all. This is advancement of civilization. Sarve sukhino bhavantu. This is Vedic civilization. “Let everyone be happy.” That is Vedic civilization. And the demonic civilization, they’re: “Let everyone suffer; I become happy. That’s all.” And Vaisnava is thinking, “For my salvation it is already guaranteed.” But he is thinking, “How these poor people will be saved?”

So, ce tato vimukha-cetasa maya-sukhaya bharam udvahato vimudhan [SB 7.9.43]. Prahlada Maharaja. This is Vaisnava’s position. Para-duhkha-duhkhi. He’s unhappy by seeing others unhappy. For himself, he has no unhappiness. Para-duhkha-duhkhi. Krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye. This is Vaisnava philosophy. Vaisnava shall work hard, undergo all tribulation, for others. He has no problem.

A Vaisnava has no problem. Because he has taken shelter of Krsna, he has no problem. Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati. Krsna also gives guarantee, “Anyone who has taken shelter of My..., he is saved. I will give him protection.” Krsna says, aham tvam moksayisyami sarva... Everything is there. For Vaisnava there is no suffering, personally. But he is very much anxious: “How these rascals will be happy?” That is his business. “These rascals are misled. They are going astray, unhappy. So how they should be happy?” So that is Vaisnava’s business.

So the Vaisnava, therefore, will have no politics. Politics means planning for one’s own happiness. That is politics. So in our society there should be no diplomacy, no politics. Everyone should be eager how to do good to others. That is Vaisnava. If he’s planning something, that “I shall be leader,” “I shall be doing something,” that is not Vaisnavism. That politics is not good.

Devotee: It seems that people are so attached to sense gratification, if we tell them we want to stop all these facilities for drinking, cinema, women, like that, they become angry.

Prabhupada: So that, that is natural. If you give good instruction to a rascal, he’ll be angry. Murkhayopadeso hi prakopayati na samayati (?). Murkha, a rascal, if you give him good instruction... But give him practical. “Come here. Sit down. Take prasadam. Chant Hare Krsna. And help me by doing this.”

In this way you have to... Just like a child. Child does not want to go to school, but some, by... Find out some means so that he’ll be induced. That is intelligence. He’ll be angry, naturally. He’s a rascal. He’ll be angry. That is not unnatural. Murkhayopadeso hi prakopayati na samayati (?). Just like a snake. You feed the snake with milk. It will increase the poison. That’s all. Practically attract. Practically attract. That is the Hare Krsna movement will practically attract the people.

If the world affairs are adjusted according to our Krsna conscious plan, there will be no difficulty for all the nations, all the countries. They will be happy. So we have to educate people gradually. And by our example, living example, we’ll have to attract. (pause)

Local people: (calling out in distance) Harilalji! Harilalji!

Prabhupada: Hare Krsna. Jaya. At least they are remembering Harilalji by seeing us. So much benefit was in that. Eh?

The first duty of the government...

That is the duty of the government. It may be monarchy or democracy. The first duty of the government is to see that all the citizens, they are feeling happy. That is the duty of the government. Not simply collecting taxes and: “All the citizens may go to hell. It doesn’t matter.” This is not good government. Good government is to see there are... It may be secular government. The secular government does not mean that the whole citizens should be less religious, godless. Secular government should see that even there are many religious sects, just like Hindus or Muslim and Christians, so secular government does not mean that they should neglect. They should see that the Hindus are strictly following the principles of Hindu religion, the Mohammedans are strictly following the principles of Mohammedan religion or... That is government’s duty. Nobody should remain unemployed. That is government’s duty. There are so many things. They are all described in connection with Maharaja Prthu, one noble king.So in Bhagavata you’ll find everything. Politics, sociology, religion, culture, philosophy—everything you will find. Vidya bhagavata vadnih.(?) All kinds of cultural and educational instruction are there in the Srimad-Bhagavatam.
[Excerpt,...Lecture on Bhagavad-gita 2.2-6--Ahmedabad, December 11, 1972]

The Subtle Laws Of The Universe

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.26
--Vrndavana, September 2, 1976


Pradyumna:
kim idam svit kuto vetideva-deva na vedmy ahamsarvato mukham ayatitejah parama-darunam
“O Lord of lords, how is it that this dangerous effulgence is spreading all around? Where does it come from? I do not understand it.”

Prabhupada:kim idam svit kuto vetideva-deva na vedmy ahamsarvato mukham ayatitejah parama-darunam. So Asvatthama’s brahmastra... We have discussed about brahmastra. It is almost similar to the modern nuclear weapon or bomb. But it is made with chemicals, but this brahmastra is made of mantra. That is the subtle way.

Modern science has not reached to that point of subtle existence. Therefore they cannot understand how transmigration of the soul takes place. The modern science has no knowledge. Imperfect knowledge. They see the gross body, but they have no knowledge about the subtle body. But the subtle body is there. Just like we do not see your mind, but I know that you have got mind. You do not see my mind, but you know that I have got mind. Mind, intelligence and ego. My conception, identity, “I am,” that conception is there. That is ego. And my intelligence and my mind, you cannot see. Neither I can see. Therefore how the mind, intelligence, and personal identity or egotism carries the soul to other body, they do not see it. They cannot see it.

They see the gross body is stopped, everything is stopped. The gross body is burned into ashes. Therefore they think everything is finished. Bhasmi-bhutasya dehasya kutah punar agamano bhaved The atheist class, they’ll think like that. With poor fund of knowledge, they think that “I see the body is now burnt into ashes. Then where is the soul?” So “There is no soul, there is no God, it is all imagination.” But that is not the fact, not that is the fact.

The fact is that the gross body is finished, but the subtle body is there. Mano buddhir ahankarah. Bhumir apo ’nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca. Apareyam itas tu viddhi me prakrtim param. So the action and reaction of the subtle thing, subtle matter... Mind is also matter, but subtle matter, very fine. Just like sky, ether. Ether is also matter, but it is very subtle, fine. And finer than the ether is the mind, and the—finer than the mind is the intelligence. And finer than the intelligence is my egotism: “I am,” this conception.So they have no knowledge. Therefore they can manufacture weapon or bomb with the gross things. Bhumir apo ’nalo—the chemicals, that is gross. But this brahmastra is not gross. This is also material, but it is made of subtle things: mind, intelligence, and ego.

Therefore Arjuna is asking Krsna, “I do not know wherefrom it is coming, wherefrom this such high temperature is coming.” It is stated here, tejah parama-darunam. The temperature is so high, intolerable. So we should ask the authority. Krsna is the best authority. So Arjuna is asking from Him, kim idam svit kuto veti: “My dear Krsna, wherefrom this temperature is coming?” Kim idam. Deva-deva. Why he’s asking to Krsna? Because Krsna is the deva-deva. Here we have got many millions of different varieties of life, 8,400,000 varieties of life. Out of them, we human form of life, and above this, the demigods in the higher planetary system, their standard of living, their duration of life is many, many times higher, superior than ours.

Just like our standard of life, we are human being, it is better than the uncivilized man. And the uncivilized man’s standard of life is better than the animal life. Phalguni tatra mahatam jivo jivasya jivanam. The uncivilized man, they cannot produce food; therefore they kill animal. In the forest they live, and they kill some animals and eat. They cannot... They have no such knowledge that the forest can be cleared and we can till the ground and we can get very nice foodstuff, foodgrains, vegetables, so many things. Krsi, agriculture. So the land is there, but this uncivilized man does not know how to get the necessities of life from land. They do not know. Otherwise, in the land everything is there. It is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, sarva-dugha mahi. Sarva-dugha. No. Sarva-kama-dugha mahi. Kama, kama means the necessities. We can get all the necessities of our life from the land. The land is so important. But the uncivilized man, they do not know how to utilize the land. Therefore they commit sinful activities for their existence. Instead of utilizing land for the necessities of life, unnecessarily...

Although they are civilized—they should not have done so—they are killing animals.The animal killing is for the uncivilized man, one who cannot get the necessities of life by intelligence. Just like modern civilized man, they are getting, suppose, so many machines, say, motorcar, a very useful vehicle. But wherefrom it is obtained? From the land. What is the motorcar ingredients? It is a combination of matter: earth, water, air, fire. You get iron, put into the fire and melt it, and then get the wheel. Similarly so many things. Tejo-vari-mrdam vinimayah. Material civilization means tejo-vari-mrdam vinimayah—exchange of fire, water, and earth—that’s all. It is just like you see nice doll. What is this nice doll? Tejo-vari-mrdam vinimayah. There is earth, water, fire. You mix the earth with water, and make it a nice doll, and put it into the fire and then color it. It will appear just like a very, very beautiful girl. But it is not the fact. Similarly the whole material world is nothing but an imitation of the spiritual world by intermixture of earth, water, and fire—and nothing else.But because we are not beyond this material existence, we are in the material..., I am identifying with this body, therefore I am thinking that after the finish of this body everything is finished. This is rascaldom, atheism. No.

But Krsna gives information, na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. This is right information. Krsna, the supreme authority, gives you the information that don’t think that this body is finished, therefore everything is finished. No. Not everything finished. The soul is being carried by the subtle body.” The example is given just like when the air passes through the rose garden and you smell very nice fragrance. You cannot see what is that fragrance, but you experience that there is some fragrance. Wherefrom?

Sometimes we inquire “Wherefrom this fragrance coming?” You cannot see. Similarly, the soul is very, very small, a small particle of the same ingredient as Krsna. Mamaivamsa. Mamaivamso jiva-bhutah [Bg. 15.7]. Jiva is very small particle of the same ingredient as Krsna’s body. Sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah. Isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah [Bs. 5.1]. So we have got our vigraha, very small. That is also stated in the sastra. Kesagra-sata-bhagasya satadha kalpitasya ca: [Cc. Madya 19.140] one ten-thousandth part of the tip of the hair. We cannot even imagine what is the length and breadth of the hair, but the soul is one ten-thousandth part. So how you can see the soul?

That small particle is being carried by the subtle body—mind, intelligence, and ego. And it is pushed through the semina of the father into the womb of the mother, and another body is manufactured in due course of time, and it comes out and works. This is called transmigration of the soul—from one body to another. That body is given by superior examination, Yamaraja. Yamaraja fixes up what kind of body this soul will get. Karmana daiva-netrena. Just like in the court, there is case, and the magistrate decides what kind of punishment this criminal should be awarded. So similarly, here in this material world, we are simply engaged in sinful activities.

Here the so-called pious and impious, that is simply imagination. Really, if I am actually pious, I should not get this material body. Just like to remain in the prison house means criminal. You may be a first-class prisoner, it doesn’t matter, but you are a prisoner. You are a criminal. Sometimes the big, big politicians, they are put into the jail and they’re given all comforts. But that does not mean he’s not a criminal. He’s a criminal. Either he may be Gandhi or anyone, because he’s put into the jail he’s a criminal. Similarly, anyone who is enwrapped with this material body, he’s a criminal. He’s a criminal. Either he may be in the heavenly planet or in this earthly planet or in the cats’ and dogs’ life or insect or aquatics. There are varieties of life. Every one of us, as long as we are put into this material body, it is to be understood that we are all criminal.

Therefore Krsna said,yesam tv anta-gatam papamjananam punya-karmanamte dvandva-moha-nirmuktabhajante mam drdha-vratah [Bg. 7.28]The krsna-bhajana is not so easy thing. Yesam tv anta-gatam papam. One who is completely free from the reaction of papa, he cannot (can) take to Krsna consciousness. But in the ordinary way, karma... According to karma... Just like you are working to earn some money, businessman, karma. So ordinary way you have to work very hard day and night to get some money. Suppose if you want one lakh of rupees or one crore of rupees, you have to work for it. But there is another way. Suppose one rich man gives you, that “You haven’t got to work. Take this one lakh of rupees or one crore of rupees. You take it.” That is another way.

Ordinary way to accumulate crores of rupees, it may not be possible in your life. But if some friend or some rich man becomes kind upon you and delivers you, “Take it,” you can get it immediately, without any hard labor. Similarly, Krsna, the supreme rich man, supreme rich being, is offering you, sarva-dharman parityajya mam... [Bg. 18.66]. “You haven’t got to do anything. Come on. You surrender unto Me, and I give you immediately liberation.” Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah. There is no anxiety.So that is Krsna. He can give you immediately liberation. Simply you have to surrender. Therefore He’s deva-deva. Sometimes we go to this demigod, to that demigod for some material perfection or ultimate liberation. But Krsna can give you liberation within a second. That is Krsna. Within a second. Otherwise, it is not very easy. Aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah patanty adho ’nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah [SB 10.2.32].

The jnanis, they are trying for liberation and undergoing very severe type of austerity and penances. Krcchrena. Krcchrena means very severe type of austerities they undergo. But still they fall down. Aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah patanty adho ’nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah [SB 10.2.32]. One who does not understand Krsna, then his knowledge, his so-called jnana... Maybe to some extent it is perfect, but it is not completely perfect. Completely perfect will be possible when you understand Krsna.So if you go on the ordinary way, from the karma platform to jnana platform, from jnana platform to yoga platform, but ultimately you have to come to the bhakti platform. If you do not come to the bhakti platform, then there is no question of liberation. That is not possible.

You can get better position by karma, jnana, yoga. Suppose a yogi, he can achieve many wonderful things. Suppose we can fly in the sky by airplane. Many hundreds of miles we can. But a yogi, within a second he can reach even the sun planet. That yogic perfection is there. Prapti-siddhi. It is called prapti-siddhi. A perfect yogi, simply by catching the beam of sunlight, he can go to the sun planet. He can go to the moon planet. Within a second. That is called yoga-siddhi. But even if you go to the sun planet or moon planet by yoga-siddhi or material science, what is the profit? There is no profit. Krsna says, abrahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino ’rjuna: [Bg. 8.16] “Even if you approach the topmost planet, Brahmaloka, you have to come back again.” Again come back, again become grass and again be eaten by cows, and again somebody drinks milk, and he gets the semina, again gives you birth in the womb of woman.

These subtle laws they do not know, how things are happening in the subtle ways.Therefore Arjuna knows, but for our education he’s asking Krsna that “Wherefrom this high temperature is coming?” Kim idam svit kuto veti deva-deva na vedmi. We cannot understand. It is not possible. So many things are there even in this material world we cannot understand. We cannot get full information. But if we take Krsna’s instruction... He’s giving personally the instruction in the Bhagavad-gita. If we take care of them, then we can understand everything very easily. Krsna consciousness movement is so nice that simply by understanding Krsna, you can understand everything. Kasmin tu bhagavo vijnate sarvam idam vijnatam bhavati. So this is the all-perfect knowledge, perfect culture, perfect advancement of civilization. So everyone should take to it and all questions should be, is answered by Krsna. You take it and become a perfect man.Thank you very much. (end)

A Person Condemned for Murder, The Justice of the Peace Cannot Be Blamed

Visnujana: 21: “O Partha, how can a person who knows that the soul is indestructible, unborn, eternal and immutable kill anyone or cause anyone to kill?” Purport: “Everything has its utility, and a man who is situated in complete knowledge knows how and where to apply a thing for its proper utility. Similarly violence also has its use, and how to apply violence rests with the person in knowledge. Although the justice of the peace awards capital punishment to a person condemned for murder, the justice of the peace cannot be blamed because he orders violence to another according to the codes of justice. In the Manu-samhita,...”

Prabhupada: Manu-samhita, yes.

Visnujana: “...the lawbook for mankind, it is supported that a murderer should be condemned to death so that in his next life he will not have to suffer for the great sin he has committed. Therefore the king’s punishment of hanging a murderer is actually beneficial. Similarly when Krsna orders fighting, it must be concluded that violence is for the supreme justice, and as such, Arjuna should follow the instruction, knowing well that such violence committed in the act of fighting for justice is not at all violence. Because at any rate the man, or rather, the soul, cannot be killed. For the administration of justice, so-called violence is permitted. A surgical operation is not meant to kill the patient, but is for his cure. Therefore the fighting to be executed by Arjuna under the instruction of Krsna is with full knowledge, and so there is no possibility of sinful reaction.”

Prabhupada: This is the distinction between violence and nonviolence. People are very much advocate of nonviolence, but they are committing, according to their estimation, they are committing every moment violence. But from higher standard there is practically no violence and the things which apparently appear to be violence, if it is properly executed... Just like under the order of high court judge, one body is being executed. So that is not violence. A justice of higher order is not meant for committing violence. It is justice. Similarly, when, under the direction of the supreme justice, Krsna, anything is done, apparently, although it appears violence, it is not violence. It is justice. This is to be understood. Go on.

Visnujana: 22: “As a person puts on a new garment, giving up old ones, similarly the soul accepts new material bodies, giving up the old and useless one.” Purport.

Prabhupada: In a different way, in varied ways, Krsna is trying to make us understand the constitutional position of the soul. Yes.

Visnujana: “Change of body by the atomic individual soul is an accepted fact. Even some of the modern scientists who do not believe in the existence of the soul but at the same time cannot explain the source of energy from the heart, they have to accept continuous changes of body which appear from childhood to boyhood and from boyhood to youth and again from youth to old age. From old age the change is transferred to another body. This has already been explained in the previous verse. Transference of the atomic individual soul to another body is also made possible by the grace of the Supersoul. The Supersoul fulfills the desire of the soul as one friend fulfills the desire of another. The Vedas, such as the Mundaka Upanisad, as well as the Svetasvatara Upanisad...”

Prabhupada: Svetasvatara.

Visnujana: “...confirm this concept of two kinds of souls by comparing them to two friendly birds sitting on the same tree. One of the birds, the individual atomic soul, is eating the fruit of the tree, and the other bird is simply watching his friend. Of these two birds, although they are the same in quality, one is captivated by the fruits of the material tree, while the other is simply witnessing his activity. Krsna is the witnessing bird and Arjuna is the eating bird. Although they are friends, one is still the master and the other is the servant.”

Prabhupada: That is the eternal relationship. These are confirmed in Vedic literature just like Svetasvatara Upanisad, Mundaka Upanisad. The system is whatever is mentioned in the Vedas, that is authoritatively accepted. That is the Vedic understanding. If there is some evidence in the Vedas... Just like in law court, if there is some section in the lawbook, then the lawyers, the judge, accept it. “Yes, it is like this.”

Similarly knowledge. Vedas means knowledge. So perfect knowledge is there. Therefore if the evidence is there in the statement of Vedas, that is the proof. Sabda-pramana. There are three kinds of evidences. Pratyaksa, direct sense perception, and sabda-pramana, evidence from the Vedic statement, and anumana, aitihya, historical or hypothesis. So out of all evidences, the evidence which is called, derived from Vedic statement, that is accepted as most authoritative.

Therefore Mundaka Upanisad and Svetasvatara Upanisad, they are Vedas. There is statement that two birds are sitting on the same tree. The tree is compared, the body is compared with the tree. And two birds, namely the Supersoul, Krsna, and the living entity, individual soul, they are sitting together. And one is eating the fruit of the tree and the other is simply witnessing. This is our position. The other friendly bird, Krsna or Supersoul, is giving us opportunity to act with this body as I like. He’s giving us opportunity. Ksetra-jna. I am the proprietor of this body. I have been allowed to utilize this body as I like. And the facility is given by the Supersoul.

So if I like, I can utilize this body for higher grade of life. Krsna will give us all facilities. And if I like, I can utilize this body for lower grade of life. Krsna will give us facilities. So He’s always friendly. And He gives us also friendly advice, that “Don’t act independently. Just act in Krsna consciousness under Me. Then you’ll be happy.” That is His actual instruction. But the living entity does not care for the instruction of the Supersoul. He wants to act independently, and he has to suffer the consequence. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita in the Fourth Chapter. Yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra loko ’yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]. Yajna means Visnu or Krsna. Whatever you do, or what... Not whatever you do. You have to do only for Krsna. Yajnarthe karma. Whatever you act. Never mind. Whatever you do. But you have to act for Krsna. Yajnarthe karma anyatra. Otherwise, karma-bandhanah, you’ll be bound up by the reaction. The same example: just a person acting on behalf of some superior authority, government, personally he has no responsibility because he is acting on behalf of the supreme authority. Just like a manager or agent, attorney. Just like we signed one lease agreement.

That Mr. Brown, he is acting as attorney on behalf of the landlord. So he has no responsibility. He is acting in landlord capacity or landlord consciousness. He is trying to save the interest of the landlord as far as possible. But if there is any mistake, the landlord will suffer or gain. He has nothing to do. Similarly, if we work in Krsna consciousness, if there is something wrong... Because we can act two ways, wrongly or rightly. That’s all. If we do rightly, it is all right. Even if we don’t do it rightly, wrongly, still, it is right because the cause is the Supreme. Yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra loko ’yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]. The best, safest way of acting is to act in Krsna consciousness or under the order of Krsna. Or if somebody says “Where is Krsna?” No. Krsna is there. Just like Bhagavad-gita is there, and the explanation of Bhagavad-gita by the representative of Krsna is there. So Krsna, being absolute, His representative, His words are nondifferent from Him. We should not think that “Krsna is not in my presence.” As soon as Bhagavad-gita is there and as soon as we understand Bhagavad-gita as it is, that means we are hearing directly Krsna. So if we do according to the instruction of Krsna, as Arjuna did, then there is no reaction. We are free. Yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra....

[excerpt from Bhagavad-gita 2.20-25--Lecture, Seattle, October 14, 1968]

What do you mean by God?

Prabhupada: The first thing is that what do you mean by Krsna. That is to be understood. Krsna means God. So if you have no objection to chant the name of God, then there is no difference of opinions. Now first of all, I may ask you, “What do you mean by God?”

You are chanting the holy name of God, and people may ask you, “What do you mean by God?” Because especially nowadays... (aside) No, there is matches? That’s all. Come near. So first question will be, “What do you mean by God?” If I, or anybody, asks you, “What do you mean by God?”

Moustafa: I cannot explain, because now...

Prabhupada: But that you must explain. If you are chanting the name of God, then you must know what do you mean by God.

Moustafa: When I feel, I will get spiritual, my feeling...

Prabhupada: Spiritual, what do you mean by spiritual?

Moustafa: It means I put everything that is bad and dirty inside and I make it out, all of them.

Prabhupada: What is inside and what is outside?

Moustafa: Outside? I don’t know what is inside.

Prabhupada: Then you do not know. You do not know outside, inside.

Moustafa: When I do wrong, for example. When I do lie, when I do something, when I see wrong.

Prabhupada: Wrong, one thing is wrong in my country, and that is right in your country. Just like animal slaughter is wrong according to our Vedic civilization. Unnecessary animal slaughter is forbidden. But in your country or in other Western countries, they kill so many animals. So what is wrong, what is right? Who will decide?

Moustafa: That’s the reason I don’t kill animals and I don’t eat meat. For three years now.

Prabhupada: That’s very good, very good idea. When we want God, to understand, we must try to understand what is God. What do you mean by God? The God definition is given in the dictionary, what is that? “Supreme being, supreme controller.” So how do you understand that supreme controller?

What do you mean by supreme controller? In this way we should try to understand what is the idea carried by the word God. We have got, in our Vedic language, we have got definition of God, thataisvaryasya samagrasyaviryasya yasasah sriyahjnana-vairagyayais caivasannam bhaga itinganah“God” means He must possess all the wealth.

Just like in Persia you have got so many wealthy persons, but nobody can claim, even the Shah cannot claim, that he possesses all the wealth. That is not possible. Persia. Do you follow what I say? So this is one of the items, that God is the richest, or He possesses all the wealth. Similarly, He possesses all the strength, He possesses all the beauty, He possesses all knowledge, and He is the renouncer also, the most exalted renouncer. Although He possesses so many things, He is renounced. Just like this universe is the property of God, but He has given to you, all the living entities. “Now you wanted to enjoy, enjoy it to your best capacity.” He doesn’t interfere. “All right, you go on.” And we are trying to enjoy this material world to our best capacity.

Just like in Iran, you are trying to enjoy by exploiting the oil. Similarly, somebody is exploiting. It is all God’s property. He doesn’t interfere. “All right, enjoy.” This is renouncement. His property, He does not come to interfere. God knows how this universe is made. So many big, big scientists, they are trying to understand what is the constitution, how this universe is made, how it is created. Nobody knows, but He knows. Just like you have got this body, I have got this body, but we do not know everything of this body. I do not know how many hairs are there. Is it not?

So, so many things. I am eating, and it is transformed into blood, and it is directed towards brain, towards other parts of the body and we are working very strong, but we do not know how things are happening. Although I am claiming I am this body, I am my body. But God knows every particular, any... anvayad itaratah. How the stone is made, He knows. How this flower is colored, He knows. That is called wise, wisdom. Vedaham samatitani. He knows. That is God. He is the possessor of all wealth, all knowledge, all beauty, all strength, all influence. In this way you have to understand God.

Atreya Rsi: His question is “How can I have more faith in God?”

Prabhupada: The more you know about these things.

Atreya Rsi: You must inquire.

Prabhupada: Yes. Oh, very good. Then is bigger than you. Very good. There is a verse in Caitanya-caritamrta, siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa iha ha-ite krsne. To know, we have got limited knowledge, we cannot understand full what is God, but still we must try to understand what is God.

This is the general definition of God. Suppose you take one item, God is rich, richest. Try to understand how He is richest, what is the topmost idea of all richness. Whether God possesses that richness. He possesses, but we do not understand. In this way we have to study, and all the saintly person have studied Krsna, about these six things. They have analyzed the characters and symptoms and they have found isvarah paramah krsnah [Bs. 5.1]. Not blindly, but studying thoroughly about these qualities of God, they have decided isvarah paramah krsnah [Bs. 5.1]. So you have to study God. Not that we accept God anybody and anything, no. Siddhanta baliya citte na kara alasa. Don’t be lazy to understand God. The more you understand, the more you become a devotee.

Atreya Rsi: He says, “I am very anxious to become a good devotee.”

Prabhupada: Yes, you can become, everyone can become. The more the dirty things within the heart is cleansed, more one becomes a devotee. Anyabhilasita-sunyam [Madhya 19.167]. You have to make zero all dirty desires. Then it is pure.anyabhilasita-sunyamjnana-karmady-anavrtamanukulyena krsnanu-silanam bhaktir uttama [BRS 1.1.11]That is bhaktir uttama.

[Excerpt from .....Room Conversation--August 8, 1976, Tehran]

God and The Law of Karma

[from The Laws of Nature: An Infallible Justice]

The Isopanisad states that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is “perfect and complete.” Part of the Lord’s complete arrangement for this material world is his process of creation, maintenance, and destruction. Every living being in this material world has a fixed schedule of six changes: birth, growth, maintenance, the production of by-products, diminution, and destruction. This is the law of material nature.

A flower is born as a bud. It grows, remains fresh for two or three days, produces a seed, gradually withers, and then is finished. You cannot stop this by your so-called material science. To try to do so is avidya, ignorance.Sometimes people foolishly think that by scientific advancement man will become immortal. This is nonsense. You cannot stop the material laws. Therefore in the Bhagavad-gita (7.14) Lord Krsna says that the material energy is duratyaya, impossible to overcome by material means.

Material nature consists of three modes, or gunas: sattva-guna, rajo-guna, and tamo-guna, or the modes of goodness, passion, and ignorance. Another meaning of guna is “rope.” Rope is made by twisting fiber in a threefold process. First the fiber is twisted in three small strands, then three of them are twisted together, then again three of those are twisted together. In this way the rope becomes very strong. Similarly, the three modes of nature—goodness, passion, and ignorance—are mixed, after which they produce some by-product. Then they are mixed again, and then again. Thus they are “twisted together” innumerable times.In this way the material energy binds you more and more.

By your own efforts you cannot get out of this bondage, which is known as pavarga. Pa-varga is the fifth set of letters in the Sanskrit Devanagari alphabet. It contains the letters pa, pha, ba, bha, and ma. Pa stands for parisrama, “hard labor.” Every living entity in this world is struggling very hard to maintain himself and survive. This is called the hard struggle for existence. Pha stands for phena, “foam.” When a horse works very hard, foam comes out of its mouth. Similarly, when we are tired from working very hard, our tongue may become dry and some foam forms in our mouth. Everyone is working very hard for sense gratification—so much so that foam is coming from their mouth. Ba represents bandha, “bondage.” In spite of all our efforts, we remain bound up by the ropes of the material modes of nature. Bha stands for bhaya, “fear.”

In material life, one is always in a blazing fire of fear, since no one knows what will happen next. And ma represents mrtyu, “death.” All our hopes and plans for happiness and security in this world are ended by death.So, Krsna consciousness nullifies this pavarga process. In other words, by taking to Krsna consciousness one attains apavarga, where there is no hard struggle for existence and no material bondage, fear, or death. Pavarga symptomizes this material world, but when you add the prefix “a” to pavarga, that means it is nullified.

Our Krsna consciousness movement is the path of apavarga.Unfortunately, people do not know of these things, and therefore they are wasting their lives. This modern civilization is a soul-killing civilization; people are killing themselves because they do not know what real life is. They are simply living like animals. The animal does not know what life is, so he simply works under the laws of nature, undergoing gradual evolution. But when you get this human form of life, you have a responsibility to live in a different way. Here is a chance for you to become Krsna conscious and solve all problems. But if you don’t—if you continue to act like animals—you will again have to enter the cycle of birth and death and transmigrate through 8,400,000 species of life. It will take many, many millions of years to come back to the human form of life. For example, the sunshine you are seeing now you will not see again until after twenty-four hours.

Everything in nature moves in a cycle. So if you lose this opportunity of elevating yourself, then again you must enter the cycle of transmigration. Nature’s law is very strong. Therefore we are opening so many centers so that people may take advantage of this International Society for Krishna Consciousness and elevate themselves.It is important to take to Krsna consciousness immediately, because we do not know how much time is left before death. When your time in this body expires, no one can stop your death. The arrangement of material nature is so strong. You cannot say, “Let me remain.” Actually, people sometimes request like that. When I was in Allahabad, an old friend who was very rich was dying. At that time he begged the doctor, “Can’t you give me at least four more years to live? I have some plans which I could not finish.” You see. This is foolishness. Everyone thinks, “Oh, I have to do this. I have to do that.” No. Neither the doctors nor the scientists can check death: “Oh, no, sir. Not four years, not even four minutes. You have to go immediately.” This is the law.

So before that moment comes, one should be very careful to become realized in Krsna consciousness. You should realize Krsna consciousness very quickly. Before your next death comes, you must finish your business. That is intelligence. Otherwise you will suffer defeat.The Isopanisad states that whatever emanates from the complete whole—the Supreme Lord—is also complete in itself. Therefore if you want to take advantage of your life and become Krsna conscious, there is complete facility. But you have to come to the point of taking up the practice. Krsna consciousness is not theoretical; it is practical. All experiments have already been performed.

So, as indicated in the Isopanisad, there is a complete facility for the small complete units—ourselves—to realize the supreme complete, Krsna. We are complete units, but we are small. For example, in a big machine there is a small screw, and the perfection of that small screw is to be fitted in its proper place. Then it has value. But if it becomes unscrewed from the machine and falls down on the floor, it has no value. Similarly, we are perfect as long as we are attached to Krsna; otherwise we are useless.To realize the complete means to realize what our relationship with the complete is. And all forms of incompleteness are experienced only on account of incomplete knowledge of the complete. We are thinking, “I am equal to God. I am God.” This is incomplete knowledge. But if you know, “I am part and parcel of God, and therefore I am equal to God in quality,” that is complete knowledge.

The human form of life is a chance to revive the complete manifestation of the consciousness of the living being. You can revive this complete consciousness by the process of Krsna consciousness. But if you don’t take advantage of this complete facility, you are killing yourself, committing suicide. As it is said in the Isopanisad, “The killer of the soul, whoever he may be, must enter into the planets known as the worlds of the faithless, full of darkness and ignorance. ” So don’t be the killer of your soul. Utilize the complete facility of your human life to become Krsna conscious. That is your only business.

Abortion- Being Evicted From Your Apartment

Bhagavad-gita 2.12--London, August 18, 1973 [Excerpt...]

...There is no limit how many living entities are there. If you search out, after passing stool, if you search out stool, you’ll find millions of living entities, germs. Even from the hole of your room, there is small hole, and there are ants, hundreds and thousands will come out.

So similarly, within the hole, within the earth, within the air, within the fire even, there are germs, worms in the fire. These rascals, they do not know. They simply think... Because nitya, nitya means ever-existing. So in the fire the living entities does not die. They sterilize. “Now it is sterilized.” That is all nonsense. Sterilized means the body is killed, but not this... There is abortion. The body is killed. Contraception... The body is killed. But the soul, he’s not killed. If you make some inconvenience to the soul, who has taken shelter in the womb, and you kill the body, then he’ll have to search out another body. This is going on. Just see how the rascal civilization is going on. They’re thinking they’re killing. This way killed, that way killed. No. You, it is sinful because you create inconvenience to that particular soul.

He was taking shelter, karmana daiva-netrena jantur dehopapattaye [SB 3.31.1]. By his karma he was given shelter to develop a body, and if you kill that body, that means you go against the order of the Supreme. Daiva-netrena, suppose you are destined to occupy some room, and somebody does not allow you to enter that room, is it not criminal? It is criminal, unlawful detention, unlawful... It is unlawful, even in the state.

Similarly, a living entity is developing one body, and if you kill that, you become immediately criminal, punishable. And the living entity who is checked to develop the body, he’s put into inconvenience, he’s also sinful. He’s also sinful. Therefore it may be simply he’s wandering from one womb to another, one womb to another. Because he committed that sinful activity abortion. Now the man who causes his abortion, he also being punished, that “You’ll never see the light of this world. You’ll simply have to live one womb to another, one womb to another. Go on.” So nature’s punishment is like that. But these foolish people they do not know.