30 August 68 , Montreal
Prabhupada:
...am aprameyam anagham nirvana-santi-pradam brahma-sambhu-phanindras tebhyo 'nisam vedanta-vedyam vibhum sura-gurum maya-manusya-harim vande 'ham karunakaram raghu-varam bhu-pala-cudamanim
This is a verse composed by a great devotee, Tulasi dasa. He was a devotee of Lord Ramacandra. So Lord Rama and Lord Krsna, there is no difference. When we speak Krsna, that means He includes all other incarnations. In the Brahma-samhita it is said,
ramadi murtisu kala-niyamena tisthan
nanavataram akarod bhuvanesu kintu
krsnah svayam samabhavat paramah puman yo
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
[Bs. 5.39]
Krsna is svayam. Krsnah svayam samabhavat paramah puman yo. Krsna is paramah puman. Paramah puman means the ultimate Supreme Personality of Godhead. But He is always manifest in different incarnations, and of all the incarnation, Lord Rama is the foremost, Balarama. You have heard the name of Balarama, Baladeva. Similarly Rama, Rama means the Supreme Enjoyer. Ramante yoginam anante sac-cid-ananda-ciratmaniti rama-padenasau. Rama means real bliss, and all the yogis, either dhyana-yogi or a jnana-yogi or a bhakta-yogi... There are three kinds of yogis. Everyone tries to enjoy that eternal bliss, and that is real pleasure. Therefore Rama.
So this verse... Our, this respectable Indian lady, she will begin Ramayana... This Tulasi, actually it is not Ramayana. It is called Rama-carita-manasa. Ramayana means Valmiki Ramayana, but people have taken it as Ramayana. Actually, Tulasi dasa has expressed his own feelings about his devotion to Lord Rama, and therefore he has named it Rama-carita-manasa, his mind full with service attitude for Lord Rama. That is the real meaning of this book. But people have misinterpreted; they are going on just it is Ramayana. And Ramayana, of course, anywhere where Rama's activities are described, that is called Ramayana. That is another sense. But real Ramayana means the Ramayana composed by Valmiki Ramayana. Ramayana composed by Maharsi Valmiki. And this is... It is a popular notion that this is Ramayana, but actually this book is called Rama-carita-manasa. So some of the description of Rama are there, but not all the description. Rather there are many differences from the original Valmiki Ramayana. Anyway this is song of a devotee for his Lord Rama. In that sense, you can call it Ramayana, but this book is actually Rama-carita-manasa.
So in the fifth chapter, Sundara-Khanda, it is a very nice verse. What is that? Santam sasvatam aprameyam anagham nirvana-santi-pradam. Each word is meaningful. Santam. The Lord is never disturbed. Why He shall be disturbed? Just like we are, in this material world, we are always disturbed in so many ways. The duration life is short, and we are always embarrassed with so many problems, political, social, religious, cultural, so many things. And family, maintenance of family is more difficult than maintaining an empire.
So this material world is full of anxiety. I have several times explained, asad-grahat. Because we have accepted something which is not eternal. Anything which is not eternal will always create disturbance. But because the Lord is eternal, therefore He is santam. Whenever we'll find the face of Lord Krsna or Rama, Visnu, you'll find smiling with peace. As soon as you'll see you become also peaceful. His very face is so nice. Santam. And sasvatam. Sasvatam means original. It's not that Rama and Krsna, as the Mayavadi philosophers say, that the impersonal Brahman appears in form. This is rascaldom. Actually, He appears in His own form, as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, sambhavamy atma-mayaya [Bg. 4.6]. We are accepting this form not by our own potency. I have accepted this body, you have accepted this body, not by your own will. You have been forced to accept a particular type of body according to your work. You cannot make choice. Otherwise, everyone would have made his choice to take birth in America or some place like that, or heavenly planets. Oh, that is not choice. Just like if the foreigners, they apply for immigration, there is, the choice depends on the highest authority.
So similarly, this body is not sasvatam. It is not my original body. This body is changing. I may have this body this time, I may have another body, another species of life; therefore it is not sasvatam. But the Lord's body is sasvatam. As it is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, sasvatam purusam, and He is enjoyer. So the same word is used here. Santam sasvatam aprameyam. Aprameyam means that cannot be measured. The Mayavadis, they cannot conceive how immeasurable, unlimited. Therefore as soon as they take it that God is unlimited, immeasurable, they take it for impersonal. They cannot conceive that God can assume any extensive form without any difficulty. Just like He appeared as Hiranya..., I mean to say, Varahadeva. The Varahadeva, He appeared in such a gigantic body that He could lift this whole planet by His tusk. So just imagine how much great body He assumed. So aprameyam. Another, He can assume so small body. Just like Pariksit Maharaja, when he was within the womb of his mother, attacked by the atomic energy, so Krsna entered the womb of his mother and saved him. Just imagine how small He became.
Therefore aprameyam means you cannot measure how He is small, how He is great. The Mayavadi philosophers, they can think of greatness, but Krsna can become small also. Just like Jagannatha, He is the master, He is the proprietor of the whole world, but He has assumed such a nice form that He is within our reach. We can serve Him very convenient. This is God. Therefore aprameyam, immeasurable. Immeasurable does not mean simply great. Immeasurable means you cannot measure even how small He is. Anor aniyan mahato mahiyan. He is greater than the greatest and smaller than the smallest. Therefore aprameyam. Anagham. Anagham means this material contamination cannot touch Him. Etad isasya isanam. Isa, the Supreme Lord, means that He may come in any form. Just like He appears as the boar, hog. That does not mean He is hog. Or even He acts like hog, still He is anagham. How it is possible? Because He's tejiyasam na dosaya [SB 10.33.29]. Tejiyasam...
The example is that the sun. Sun is so powerful that he is soaking water from everywhere. He is soaking water even from the filthy place where people are passing urine and stool. But sunshine is so powerful that it is soaking water from the urine, urinals, and lavatory, latrine, but still sun is pure. And by the sun's contact that place also becomes pure. This is called purity. Even impure, even I am impure, if am in touch with Krsna consciousness then I also become pure. He does not become impure. We are so, I mean to say, teeny, that if I go to a contaminated place, I become contagious. I become infected with the contamination. But Krsna or Rama, They are so powerful that even a contaminated person approaches Him, He, it does not mean that Krsna becomes contaminated -- the contaminated person becomes purified. This is very nice to understand. So anyone, with any aim, if he approaches Krsna or Rama, he becomes anagham. Nirvana. Nirvana-santi-pradam. This nirvana means finishing. Santi. This material life, material existence, is always full of threefold miseries.
So Krsna or Rama can give you a position by which you can stop all this nonsense. Nirvana-santi-pradam brahma-sambhu-phanindras tebhyo 'nisam. Brahma, the demigods, there are millions of demigods. Of all the demigods, Brahma, Siva and Brahma, they are considered to be the chief. Brahma, Siva, Phanindra. Phanindra means Sesa. He's also incarnation of Visnu. So all of them are engaged in the service of the Supreme Lord. That means Visnu is the Supreme, even superior than Lord Siva. He has especially mentioned: brahma-sambhu. Sambhu means Lord Siva. Brahma-sambhu-phanindras tebhyo 'nisam vedanta-vedyam vibhum. So Vedanta, Vedanta means the ultimate knowledge. So one who is in the ultimate knowledge, he can understand the Personality of Godhead Rama and Krsna. Those who have got little knowledge, or a mediocrity, they can go up to the impersonal Brahman, but they cannot enter into the knowledge of the Supreme Personality of Godhead Rama. That is described in the Bhagavad-gita by Arjuna, that "It is very difficult to understand Your personality."
Actually we are experiencing, if we speak something impersonal, they think it is very learned speech, and when we speak of something personal they think it is old, old style. This is nonsense. Practically, the Personality of God is the ultimate knowledge, but men with poor fund of knowledge, a little stock of knowledge, they cannot understand. If He is impersonal, how Brahma and Sambhu are engaged in His service? He is person. Brahma-sambhu-phanindras tebhyo 'nisam vedanta-vedyam. Vedanta-vedyam. These Mayavadis, they have Sankaracarya, they have their Sariraka-bhasya. They have tried to prove the Supreme Lord as imperson. This is not actually fact. Vedanta-vedyam. It is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam, vedanta-krt veda-vid eva caham [Bg. 15.15]. Krsna says that all the Vedas, including Vedanta... If somebody says the Vedanta is describing impersonal Brahman, but Krsna says that "How it can do?" Vedanta-vid, "I am the actual knower of Vedanta, I am actual composer of Vedanta. So I am the Supreme." So these Mayavadi philosophers, they cannot understand. They think that Vedanta...
In India the Mayavadi sannyasis are known as Vedanti. Therefore my society, Vaisnava society, has particularly given me this title, Bhaktivedanta. Vedanta means bhakti. It is a challenge to the Mayavadi sannyasis. This particular title was given after due consideration that my humble self should be awarded this title. It is new title amongst the Vaisnava society. So the Mayavadi philosophers they are sometimes surprised that "How Swamiji is Vedanti, at the same time bhakti?" But actually they do not know Vedanta means bhakti. Real Vedanta commentary is Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhasyam brahma-sutranam **. Brahma-sutra means this Vedanta-sutra. Vedanta-vedyam. Siva-virinci, that Lord Siva or Lord Brahma, they are trying to understand the Supreme. Flickering knowledge? No. Through the Vedanta. Vedanta. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. And vibhum, vibhum means the greatest. Nobody is greater than the Supreme Lord. Ramakhyam jagad-isvaram. And He is Rama. We chant daily:
Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare
Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare
Ramakhyam. Rama means the ramaniya, the beautiful, or the enjoyer, ramakhyam. And jagad-isvaram. And He is the master or the proprietor of the whole universes. Sura-gurum. Sura means the demigods and gurum is spiritual master. Sura-gurum. Just like Arjuna is sura, and his guru is Krsna. Vyasadeva, his guru, Narada; Narada's guru is Brahma; Brahma's guru is Krsna. So sura-gurum. maya-manusyam. And when He appears as human being, that is maya. maya means actually He is not an ordinary man. He is the Supreme Personality of God, but the rascals they think that "Because Rama and Krsna has appeared like one of us, He is a man, He's an ordinary man." This is the version of the rascals. That Rama, especially there is a class who are known as Arya-samajis. They do not agree that the Supreme Person can, Supreme God can appear as Rama and Krsna. They do not know that although He appeared as one of us in the form of human body, He is not a human being. He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Therefore it is called ramakhya, maya manusya hari. He is the Hari... Hari means the Supreme Personality of Godhead who can give you all pleasure, taking all your miserable condition. He is Hari.
So vande 'ham karunakaram raghu-varam bhu-pala-cudamani. So he is offering his respectful obeisances to the Lord Rama. Karunakaram. He comes, paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. Therefore He is karuna-akaram. Akaram means mine. He is the great mine of mercy. Karunakaram raghu-varam. And because He appeared in the dynasty of Maharaja Raghu, so He is the Supreme Personality in the Raghu dynasty, raghu-varam. And bhu-pala-cudamani. He is the helmet of all kings. Cudamani. Cudamani means, mani means pearl, and cuda means helmet. So the pearl is placed in the crown. So He is the, although He appeared as King, but He is the helmet of all kings. In this way, Lord Rama's description is here. Now Mataji requested me to explain one verse, so I have tried to explain.
Now today is our Radhastami ceremony. I must speak now something about Radharani, and then I shall go up, reach my apartment at twelve. In the meantime, you can observe the ceremonies. So, so far Radharani, Radharani, today is the birthday of Srimati Radharani. Radharani is the pleasure potency of Krsna. Krsna is the Supreme Brahman. Just try to understand. Krsna is the Supreme Brahman. Param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan [Bg. 10.12]. So when param brahma wants to enjoy... That enjoying spirit is there in the param brahma. Otherwise we cannot have this enjoying spirit. Because we are part and parcel, therefore we have got that enjoying spirit; but that is materially contaminated. But the fact is there, because Krsna, He is enjoying, this enjoying spirit we have got also, but I do not know how to enjoy. We are trying to enjoy in the matter, in the dull matter. That is spiritual. So brahman, brahman sukhanubhutya. People are trying to feel what is brahma-sukha, pleasure of brahmanubhava. That is not material pleasure. So many yogis, they have given up their family life, their kingdom, and meditating to achieve that Brahman pleasure. Actually, the idea is Brahman pleasure. So many brahmacaris, so many sannyasis, they are trying to achieve that Brahman pleasure, and in order to achieve that Brahman pleasure they are neglecting, they are kicking off all this material pleasure. Do you think that Brahman pleasure is ordinary, this material pleasure? To achieve a portion of Brahman pleasure, if they are kicking off all this material pleasure... Don't talk of ourselves. We are ordinary men. In the history we have got instances, that of Bharata Maharaja. Bharata Maharaja, under whose name this planet is called Bharatavarsa. That Bharata Maharaja was the emperor of the whole world. And as emperor he had his beautiful wife, young children. But at the age of twenty-four years, just young man, he gave up everything. All right. This is very old story, of course, but you know Lord Buddha. He was also a prince. He was also prince, not ordinary man, and he was ksatriya, and he was always enjoying with beautiful women. That is the palace pleasure accustomed in every, in Oriental countries, that in the palace there are many beautiful girls, they're always dancing and giving pleasure to the kings and the prince. So Lord Buddha was also in such pleasure, but he gave up everything and began to meditate.
There are many hundreds of instances in Indian history that to realize the Brahman pleasure they gave up everything. They gave up everything. That is the way. Tapasya means voluntarily accepting something severe for realizing the supreme pleasure. That is called tapasya. So if, for tasting a little Brahman pleasure, all materialistic pleasures are to be given up, do you think that the Supreme Brahman, Lord Krsna, is enjoying this material pleasure? Is it very reasonable? This Krsna, He's enjoying laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam [Bs. 5.29]. Hundreds and thousands of goddess of fortune are engaged in His service. Do you think these laksmis are material women? How Krsna can take pleasure in the material women? No. This is mistake. Ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhis tabhir ya eva nija-rupataya kalabhih [Bs. 5.37]. In the Brahma-samhita you'll find that He expands His ananda-cinmaya-rasa, the mellow of transcendental pleasure potency. And these gopis are expansion of His pleasure potency. And Radharani is the center. Radharani is the center. So Radharani is not... Don't take that Radharani is an ordinary woman like we have our wife or sister or mother. No. She is the pleasure potency. And the birth of Radharani was not from the womb of any human being. She was found by her father in the field. While father was plowing, he saw one little nice child is lying there, and he had no children, so he caught it and presented to the queen, "Oh, here we have got a very nice child." "How you got?" "Oh, in the field." Just see. Radharani's janma is like that. So this janma is today and Radha, this name is sometimes not found in Bhagavata. So the atheistic class of men protest this Radharani's name is not in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. How this name came, Radharani? But they do not know how to see it. There is anayaradhyate. There are many gopis, but there is mention that by this particular gopi He is served more pleasingly. Krsna accepts this gopi's service more gladly. Anayaradhyate. Aradhyate. This aradhate, this word, aradhyate means worshiping. From this word aradhyate, Radha has come. But Radha's name are there in other Puranas. So this is the origin.
So Radha, so Radha and Krsna. Krsna is the enjoyer and He wants to enjoy. So He's the Supreme Brahman. He cannot enjoy anything, atmarama, He can enjoy it in Himself. Therefore Radharani is the expansion of His pleasure potency. Krsna hasn't got to seek external things for His pleasure. No. He is in Himself full, atmarama. So Radharani is expansion of Krsna. Krsna is the energetic, and Radharani is the energy. Just like energy and energetic, you cannot separate. Fire and the heat you cannot separate. Wherever there is fire there is heat, and wherever there is heat there is fire. Similarly, wherever there is Krsna there is Radha. And wherever there is Radha there is Krsna. They are inseparable. But He is enjoying. So Svarupa Damodara Gosvami has described this intricate philosophy of Radha and Krsna in one verse, very nice verse. Radha krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini-saktir asmad ekatmanav api bhuvi pura deha-bhedam gatau tau [Cc. Adi 1.5]. So Radha and Krsna is the one Supreme, but in order to enjoy, They have divided into two. Again Lord Caitanya joined the two into one. Caitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna. That one means Krsna in the ecstasy of Radha. Sometimes Krsna is in ecstasy of Radha. Sometimes Radha is in ecstasy of Krsna. This is going on. But the whole thing is Radha and Krsna means the one, the Supreme.
So Radha-Krsna philosophy is a very great philosophy. It is to be understood in the liberated stage. Radha-Krsna philosophy is not to be understood in the conditioned stage. But when we worship Radha-Krsna in our conditional stage, actually we worship Laksmi-Narayana. You have seen that picture, this viddhi-marga and raga-marga. Radha-Krsna worship is on the platform of pure love, and Laksmi-Narayana worship is on the regulative principles. So long we do not develop our pure love, we have to worship on the regulative principles. One has to become a brahmacari, one has to become a sannyasi, one has to perform the worship in this way, in the morning he has to rise, he has to offer. So many rules and regulations. There are at least sixty-four rules and regulations. So we shall introduce them gradually as you develop. So in the viddhi-marga, when you have no love for God or Krsna, we have to follow the regulative principles and automatically..., there is practice. When practicing. Just like you practice this mrdanga playing. In the beginning it is not in order, but when you become well versed in the practice, the sound will come so nice. Similarly, when we are engaged by regulative principles in the worship of Radha-Krsna, that is called viddhi-marga. And actually when you are on the love platform, then that is called raga-marga. So without viddhi-marga, if anyone wants to learn the raga-marga immediately, that is foolishness. That is foolishness. Nobody can pass M.A. examination without going through the regulative principles of primary schools and colleges. So therefore I do not, I mean to say, indulge in the discussions of Radha and Krsna so easily. Rather go on with the regulative principle at the present moment. Gradually, as you become purified, as you become on the transcendental platform, you'll understand what is Radha-Krsna. Don't try to understand Radha-Krsna very quickly. It is a very big subject. If we want to understand Radha-Krsna very quickly, then there will be so many prakrta-sahajiyas. In India there are prakrta-sahajiya. Just like Radha-Krsna dancing. Radha-Krsna has become a plaything. The painting Radha-Krsna, Krsna is kissing Radha, Radha is kissing. These are all nonsense. Radha-Krsna philosophy has to be understood by the liberated person, not by the conditioned soul. So we shall await for the fortunate moment when we are liberated, then we shall understand radha-krsna-pranaya-vikrtir. Because Krsna and Radha, They are not on the material field. Try to understand. This is Jiva Gosvami's analysis, that Krsna is the Supreme Brahman. The Supreme Brahman cannot accept anything material. So Radha is not in the material field.
Now there is a very nice song. I shall sing if you can play on the harmonium. Yes. This is a Rupa Gosvami's song. (sings)
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite
damodara-rati-vardhana-vese
hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese
vrsabhanudadhi-nava-sasi-lekhe
lalita-sakhi guna-ramita-visakhe
karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite
sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite
radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite
This song was sung by Rupa Gosvami. He is the real person, actual person, to understand Radha and Krsna. So he says, "All glories to Radharani." Radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite. "She's so dear to Krsna." Krsna, everyone is trying to love Krsna, but Krsna is trying to love somebody. Now how great She is. Just try to understand. Everyone, the whole world, the whole universe, all living entities, they are trying to love Krsna. Krsna-prema. Lord Caitanya describes, prema-pumartho mahan. And Rupa Gosvami described that "You are distributing krsna-prema." So krsna-prema is so valuable, but Krsna is after Radharani. Just see how Radharani is great. Just try to understand the greatness of Radharani. Therefore She is so great, and we have to offer our respect. Radhe jaya jaya madhava-dayite. How She is? Gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite. Taruni, taruni means young girls. You'll see the pictures, they are all young girls. But of all the young girls, She is the most beautiful. She is enchanting to the young girls also. She is so beautiful. Gokula-taruni-mandala-mahite. Damodara-rati-vardhana-vese. And She always dresses Her so nicely that Damodara, Krsna, becomes attracted by Her beauty. Hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese. And She is the only lovable object of Krsna, and She is the queen of Vrndavana. This queen of Vrndavana... You'll find in Vrndavana, if you go to Vrndavana, everyone is worshiping Radharani. Rani means queen. They are always speaking, "Jaya Radhe!" Radharani. All the devotees in Vrndavana, they are worshiper of Radharani. Hari-niskuta-vrnda-vipinese. Vrsabhanudadhi-nava-sasi-lekhe. And She appeared as the daughter of King Vrsabhanu, and Her companion, Lalita-sakhi and Visakha-sakhi, and the devotees... So on behalf of the pure devotees of Krsna, Rupa Gosvami is praying, karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite. "Oh, my worshipable Radharani, You are full of mercy. So I am begging of Your mercy because You are so merciful, very easily You offer, bestow Your mercy. So I am begging Your mercy." Karunam kuru mayi karuna-bharite, sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite. Now somebody may say, "Oh, you are so great, learned scholar, you are so great saintly person, and you are begging mercy from an ordinary girl? How is that?" Therefore Rupa Gosvami says, "Oh, this is not ordinary girl." Sanaka-sanatana-varnita-carite. "This girl's description is possible to be made by great saintly persons like Sanaka-Sanatana. She is not ordinary."
So the lesson is that we should not treat Radharani as ordinary girl, or Krsna as ordinary man. They are the Supreme Absolute Truth. But in the Absolute Truth, there is the pleasure potency, and that is exhibited in the dealings of Radha and Krsna. And Radha's expansion all the gopis, and Krsna is the Supreme Lord.
Thank you very much. Chant Hare Krsna. You can chant? Can you chant? Janardana? All right, you can chant. What is that? No, I have explained that one sloka from this Rama-carita-manasa. Chant Hare Krsna. (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Radhastami, Srimati Radharani's Appearance Day -- Montreal, August 30, 1968
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
"Nothing But Krsna"
4 Sept 69 , Hamburg
Prabhupada:
...avidya-karma-samjnanya
trtiya saktir isyate
This is a verse from Visnu Purana. It is stated there that visnu-saktih para, "The energy of the Supreme Lord is spiritual." Energy and the energetic, they are nondifferent. Just like the sunshine is the energy of the sun globe, but the quality of sunshine and the sun globe is the same. It is not different. The sunshine is bright, illuminating, hot. Similarly, we can understand the sun globe, the temperature may be very high, but the quality is the same. So visnu-saktih para prokta [Cc. Madhya 6.154]. God has got one energy. That energy is spiritual energy. And ksetrajnakhya tatha para: and the same energy is manifested in another form, which is called ksetrajna, or marginal energy, or the energy in which we living creatures are acting. Ksetrajnakhya tatha para. And avidya-karma-samjna, and trtiya saktir isyate. And besides these energies, there is another energy, which is avidya, ignorance. Karma-samjna: and it is based on fruitive activities. Anya means besides these two energies, spiritual energy and the marginal energy, living entities, there is another energy, which is called avidya. Avidya means ignorance. And karma-samjna: and in that energy, one has to enjoy his, the fruit of his own labor. This is the material world. This material world is also energy of Krsna, or God, but here ignorance prevails. Ignorance is prominent. Avidya, ignorance. Therefore one has to work. Practically one hasn't got to work, but because he is, one is in avidya, ignorance, therefore he has to work. Avidya-karma-samjnanya trtiya saktir isyate.
So actually, there is one energy, spiritual energy. Krsna, or God, is the whole spirit, and the energies emanating from Him, that is also spiritual. Saktih saktimator abhinnah. In the Vedic language we understand that the saktiman, or the energetic, Krsna, and the energy, they are nondifferent. So this material energy is also nondifferent from Krsna. In other words of Vedic language it is said, sarvam khalv idam brahma: "Everything is Brahman." In the Bhagavad-gita also, Lord Krsna says that maya tatam idam sarvam. Sarvam means all; idam, this manifestation, this cosmic manifestation, whatever you are experiencing... Krsna says that "I am expanded as this cosmic manifestation." Maya tatam idam sarvam avyakta-murtina. This impersonal feature, avyakta, mat-sthani sarva-bhutani naham tesu avasthitah: [Bg. 9.4] "Everything is resting on Me, or everything is expansion of Myself." Naham tesu avasthitah: "But I am not there." This philosophy, acintya-bhedabheda, simultaneously one and different, is our philosophy, inaugurated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, although it is in the Vedanta-sutras. So everything is simultaneously one and different from the Supreme Lord. But there are two classes of philosophers. One class says that God and the living entities are different, and there is another philosopher, monist philosopher. They say God and the living entities are one. So this acintya-bhedabheda philosophy adjusts that "God and the living creatures, they are simultaneously one and different." They are one in quality, just like the energy and the energetic, the sun globe and the sunshine. In quality, in sunshine there is heat, there is illumination, light. In the sun globe also, there is heat, there is illumination. But the degrees are quite different. You can bear the heat and illumination of the sunshine, but you cannot go to the sun globe or you can bear the heat and temperature there. The scientist says that so many millions miles away, if somebody goes or some planet goes near the sun globe, it will immediately burn into ashes. Similarly, God and ourself, Krsna and living entities, they are qualitatively one, but quantitatively, we are very minute. Anu. We are smaller than the atom. Nowadays there is atomic theory. We can see the atoms within the holes of the windows when there is focus of sunlight. That is called prasarenu. Prasarenu means six atoms combined together, then it is visible. Otherwise, atom is also not visible with our naked eyes. There is atomic theory, paramanuvada, in Vedic literature also. And Bhagavata says that the scientists may be one day able to count how many atoms are there within this universe. This is not possible, of course, but it is theoretically. The Vedic, er, Srimad-Bhagavata says that "It may be possible one day by scientific research, one can count how many atoms are there within this cosmic manifestation. Still, it is not possible to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead by our ordinary sense perception." Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. Krsna, or God, is not perceivable by your material senses. It is not possible. Atah, therefore, sri-krsna-namadi. Atah sri-krsna-namadi. Namadi. Namadi means "beginning from His name." Because we try to understand Krsna beginning by chanting His holy name, Hare Krsna. Then, after chanting Hare Krsna, when our heart is purified, then we can understand His form, sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1].
So either His name or His form or His quality or His paraphernalia or His activities -- none of these can be understood by your material senses. It is not possible. Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. Indriyaih, the senses. Then how it is understood? Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah. When we take to the transcendental loving service of the Lord, then the Lord reveals Himself. We cannot understand. He reveals Himself. Therefore sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. Jihva means tongue. The first business of is to engage the tongue in the service of the Lord. How you can engage the tongue in the service of the Lord? By chanting and glorifying His name, fame, quality, form, paraphernalia, pastimes. This is the business of the tongue. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. When the tongue is engaged, gradually all other senses are also engaged in the service of the Lord. The tongue is the most important sense within our body; therefore for controlling our senses it is recommended that one should control first of all the tongue. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings in his song: ta'ra madhye jihva ati lobhamaya sudurmati. Our present conditional state is like this. Sarira avidya-jal, we are packed up in the network of this material body. It is just like a fish is caught within a net. Similarly, we are caught up by this network of this material body. Not only this body -- we are changing this net in various phases of life. There are 8,400,000's of holes of this network. This is a network of ignorance, avidya-jal. Avidya means ignorance. Sarira avidya-jal jadendriya tahe kal. And this network, my imprisonment within this network of ignorance, is being continued on account of these dangerous senses. Sense enjoyment. So out of these dangerous senses, Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, the tongue is the most dangerous. Tongue is the most dangerous. The tongue... If we cannot control the tongue, then the tongue will oblige me to take different types of body, one after another. If I am very much fond of satisfying my tongue by flesh and blood, then nature, material nature, will give me facility to taste flesh and blood fresh and give me a body of the tiger. If I do not discriminate of eating, then material nature will give me a body just like a hog, when we have to accept as our food stool.
So we are so-called materially suffering and enjoying according to this body. Therefore this body, this human form of body, is a great opportunity, because God realization begins by engaging the tongue. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau [Brs. 1.2.234]. By engaging the tongue in the loving service of the Lord, one can make advance in Krsna consciousness, ultimate realization of God, the tongue. So this tongue in the human body can be engaged. In other body, in the cat's body, dog's body, tiger's body... Tiger may be a very powerful animal. No animal is powerful or better than human beings. That is accepted. So this human form of life is a great boon to the living entity who is traveling through the cycle of birth and death, perpetually changing different sorts of body. Here is the opportunity, human form of body. We can utilize the tongue properly and get out of these clutches. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. So seva, seva means service; jihva adau, beginning from the tongue. So if we can keep our tongue engaged, always chanting Hare Krsna mantra... Because "Krsna," this sound, is not different from Krsna. Krsna is absolute. Nothing is different from Him. Krsna and Krsna's name is not different. In the material sense, everything is different. I myself is different from this body. I am not this body. But Krsna is not like that. Krsna and Krsna's body is the same. Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritah [Bg. 9.11]. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, "Rascals and fools, they deride at Me because I appear as a human being. They are thinking just like I am ordinary human being." Param bhavam ajananto. "These rascals do not know what is My influence and what I am." Param bhavam. "What is My nature they do not know. Without knowing Me, they consider, 'Krsna is an ordinary human being.' " Avajananti mudha. This very particular word has been used, mudha. Mudha means rascals. So in spite of this warning, there are so many rascals passing as big scholars. They say like this. When there is order of Krsna that "You surrender unto Me," the rascals comment, "It is not to Krsna but the unborn spirit which is within Krsna." He does not know that Krsna is not different from His body, Krsna is not different from His name, Krsna is not different from His fame. Anything pertaining to Krsna is Krsna. They are monists, they are philosophizing that oneness, but as soon as they come to Krsna, immediately they divide: "Krsna is different from His body," or "Krsna's body is different from Krsna."
So atah sri-krsna-namadi. So Krsna's name and Krsna is not different. Therefore, as soon as my tongue touches the holy name of Krsna, that means immediately it associates with Krsna. So if you constantly keep yourself associated with Krsna by chanting this mantra, Hare Krsna, then just imagine how you are being easily purified simply by this process, chanting, jihvadau, engaging the tongue in chanting. And your tongue wants very palatable dishes to taste. So Krsna is very kind. He has given you hundreds and thousands of palatable dishes, remnants of foodstuff eaten by Him. You eat. In this way, if you simply make it a determination that "I shall not allow my tongue to taste anything which is not offered to Krsna, and I shall engage my tongue always chanting Hare Krsna," then all perfection is within your hold. All perfection. Two simple things: Don't eat anything which is not offered to Krsna. That's all. Our Krsna prasadam are so variegated, nice varieties... The variety is the mother of enjoyment. How much enjoyment you want with your tongue? You can have simply by eating Krsna prasadam. And the more your tongue is purified, the more you relish the chanting of Hare Krsna mantra. Relish. Anandambudhi-vardhanam. It is stated by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that it increases the ocean of bliss, transcendental bliss. Ocean does not increase. We have no experience within this material world. If ocean would have increased, then all the lands would have been swallowed up many long, long years ago. Ocean does not increase. But this ocean, transcendental bliss, is increasing. Some of you must have experienced, those who are actually relishing. The authorities like Rupa Gosvami, he says that "What I shall chant with one tongue? If I would have millions of tongues, then I could chant a little more. And what I shall hear with two ears?" So he's expecting, he's aspiring to have millions of ears and trillions of tongues to relish this chanting Hare Krsna. So that is another stage, of course, when this chanting will be so melodious that we shall try to have more ears and more tongues to utilize it. Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. By our present senses, we cannot understand what is Krsna, or what is God, what is His name, what is His form, what is His quality. Therefore immediately, if we try to understand Krsna by His picture, "Oh, Krsna is embracing Radharani or the gopis," we shall mistake. Because unless our senses are purified, we shall accept Krsna and Radharani as ordinary young boy or girl and their dealings. But actually it is not. It is pure. Caitanya-caritamrta kar has distinguished that the loving affairs of the gopis with Krsna and the ordinary, these lustful dealings of human beings, there is a gulf of difference. He compares that the gopis' love with Krsna is gold, and our so-called love here is iron. As there is difference between gold and iron, similarly there is difference between the loving affairs of gopis with Krsna and these mundane, so-called lusty affairs between men and women or boys and girls. It is never equal. Therefore, atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved... [Brs. 1.2.234]. These present senses, these impure senses, contaminated senses, cannot understand Krsna; therefore we should follow this principle: sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. First of all, engage chanting Hare Krsna. There is Radha and Krsna. Hara is Radha, and Krsna, there is. But don't try to understand by the present senses, but simply chant their holy name, Hare Krsna. Then ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. When your, the dust on the mirror of your heart will be cleansed, and it will cleanse by simply chanting, ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam, and there will be no more any material condition...
That is the next stage. If you chant Hare Krsna mantra without any offense, then immediately the stage will be that you are freed from all material anxieties. That is the test. How I am advancing in chanting will be tested how far you are free from material anxieties. That's all. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Then real life begins. So long you are perturbed by material disturbances, you should know that your spiritual life has not begun. This is confirmed in everywhere. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati [Bg. 18.54]. Prasannatma. Bhagavad-gita says, "When one is Brahman realized..." Brahman realized means one who understands that "I am not this body. I am pure spirit soul, eternal servitor of Krsna." Simply understanding that "I am not this body. I am spirit soul," is not enough. That is not sufficient knowledge. Of course, that is good. That is just on the marginal step between matter and spirit. But you have to transcend completely this material existence and come to the platform of spiritual understanding. So for that purpose you have to go further after Brahman realization. Brahman, brahma-bhutah prasannatma [Bg. 18.54]. If you are actually Brahman realized, the symptom will be that you are always joyful, no anxiety. Anxiety, why...? Everything is very nicely discussed in Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad. When you forget Krsna, or God, and if we think there is something else than Krsna, then we are afraid. And those who are convinced and realized souls that there is nothing but Krsna, where is the cause of fearfulness? Therefore those who are pure devotees, they are not disturbed even in most distressed condition of life. What they think? They think, tat te 'nukampa...: "My Lord, it is Your great mercy that You have put me into this distressed condition." Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah [SB 10.14.8]. So in the distressed condition, the devotees take it an opportunity that "I have got a very nice opportunity to remember God constantly. Krsna, You are so kind that You have given me this distressed condition."
So this Krsna consciousness is very nice. If we try to make progress on this line, we'll feel even... Yasmin sthite gurunapi duhkhena na vicalyate [Bg. 6.20-23]. Bhagavad-gita says if one is situated in Krsna consciousness, even in the terrible situation, fearful situation, he is not afraid. Just like Prahlada Maharaja. You see? Prahlada Maharaja, a five-years-old boy, his father tortured him like anything. But he was not afraid. He was not afraid. This is the Krsna consciousness state. The boy is not afraid. Even in such tortured condition, when his father challenged him, "Prahlada, with whose strength you are so powerful that you do not care for me?" he immediately answered, "My dear father, by whose power you are talking like that?" So Krsna consciousness is so nice that even one is put into the terrible condition of distress, he is not perturbed. Narayana-parah sarve... There are many verses like that. We can quote hundreds. Narayana-parah sarve na kutascana bibhyati [SB 6.17.28]. If one becomes Krsna conscious, he is not afraid, any condition of life. Na kutascana bibhyati. Svargapavarga-narakesv api. If he is put into the hell or in heaven or in the spiritual world or any world, he is happy. Tulyartha-darsinah. He thinks everything is all the same. "Either you put me in the hell or heaven or this or that, (it) is all the same." Because he is always with Krsna, chanting Hare Krsna. Krsna is always with him. So where is the cause of being afraid that "This place is not good; this place is very good"? No. Wherever Krsna is there is very good. That's all.
So we have to practice and train the tongue very nicely. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Brs. 1.2.234]. And the more our tongue is engaged in the loving service of Krsna... It is very nice service. You simply chant and eat Krsna prasadam. Is it very difficult service? Everyone will accept, "Oh, yes." But unfortunately, everyone does not accept. (laughter) (chuckles) You see. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore says, etadrs i tava krpa bhagavan mamapi: "My dear Lord, You are so kind that You have approached Me in..., by transcendental sound. Or You are always with Me." You can be. If I take, then Krsna is always with me. If I reject, then... That is the ignora... "Krsna is everywhere" means as soon as we accept, Krsna is immediately with us. And as soon as we reject, oh, He is far, far away. So Krsna can be with us very easily simply by this chanting or engaging the tongue in His service. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended this process, or He inaugurated this process in this age. Although it is not new system, but He especially introduced because His incarnation is to reclaim the fallen souls of this age. So He... [break] ...before advent of Krsna he's simply planning, "As soon as Krsna will take birth, I will kill him." This is the plan of the demons, to kill God. Atheism. "God is dead." That is also killing, one sort of killing. "There is no God. I am God." These are all different processes of trying to kill. But God is never killed. [break] Rather, they are killed. That is the whole history everywhere.
Guest: I don't follow. Is it...? Whose choice is it to be a demon? Is it the living entity's choice, complete choice, to be demonic, against God, or is it a part of Krsna's energy to put demons, or to have created him that way?
Prabhupada: No...
Guest: Is it completely each individual's choice to be demonic, or...?
Prabhupada: Yes. Demon means when he is forgotten, when has lost his sense, that is demon. When has lost his sense, that is demon. Demon means mayayapahrta-jnanah [Bg. 7.15]. Maya, by the influence of maya, the true aspect of knowledge is taken away. Anyone who is trying to establish it that "There is no God," he is demon. That's all. There are so many philosophers, so many atheists, so many scientists. Their only business is to deny God. They are demons. Yes.
Guest: Then is there individual complete choice?
Prabhupada: That is ignorance. Yes. Apahrta-jnanah means just like a madman. For the time being, his natural knowledge is taken away. Crazy. What do we mean by crazy? For the time being, his knowledge is taken away. Similarly, when a living entity is in that position, as somebody has taken away his knowledge, that is demonic condition. But he can be reestablished again in knowledge. Just like a crazy man is sent, mental disorder, to hospital for treatment; again he comes as a sane man. Similarly, the demons are just like crazy men. Even they are treated with Krsna consciousness, they can be reverted to their own position. So this is temporary. This demoniac nature is temporary due to the contact with maya. Therefore the whole business is how to get out of the clutches of maya. Then there is no more demonic nature. It is artificial. [break] ...superficial. It comes and goes. As it comes artificially, so it can go also. And the driving method is this Krsna consciousness.
Guest: So maya is temporary, and the only thing that is eternal is Krsna and the spiritual energies.
Prabhupada: Yes. Spiritual energy. That is eternal. That is eternal. So we are... Due to our ignorance, we have been very much serious with the temporary situation of maya and we have forgotten the eternal position. This is our present conditional life. Now this Krsna consciousness movement means His treatment to reclaim the living entity from the clutches of maya. Then he is situated in his natural position. [break]
...contaminated, impure. Impure condition. Apavitra. And pavitra means pure condition. Apavitrah pavitro va. One may be in impure condition and one may be in pure condition. Sarvavastham, in all conditions. Avastha means all conditions. Gato 'pi va, situated, in any condition situated; yah, anybody; smaret, remembers; pundarikaksam. Pundarikaksam means "the Lord whose eyes are like the lotus petal." Lotus eyes. Pundarikaksam. Sa, that person becomes; sa bahyabhyantaram. Bahya means externally and abhyantara means internally. Bahyabhyantaram sucih. Sucih means purified. Another suci means brahmana. A brahmana is called suci. A brahmana means a purified person. Not that by birth one becomes pure. No. The purificatory process. There are purificatory processes. Just like in infectious condition, those who are vaccinated, given injection, he is supposed to be purified. He cannot be attacked or infected by the disease. Similarly, in spiritual life also one has to remain purified. The whole process, this Krsna consciousness movement, is to purify the people in general from the contaminated condition of material existence. Purifying. It is purifying process. A living entity by nature is pure because he is part and parcel of the Supreme Pure, God. But due to his impure condition, he has forgotten his eternal relationship with God. So this initiation means that one is being accepted as student by the spiritual master to promote him gradually to the purified state, where he can realize himself and God. This is the whole process. In contaminated state we cannot approach. I have given this example many times. Just like if you want to enter into certain place, then you must be adjusted with the conditions. Just like people are going to the moon planet. There it is supposed to be it is very cold. So people go with a certain type of dress by adjusting. Similarly, if you want to enter into the spiritual kingdom, the abode, the planet where Krsna lives, so you must be purified. Adjust yourself. Not only to the spiritual kingdom of Krsna -- any planet you want to enter, you must adjust yourself in that way. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita,
yanti deva-vrata devan
pitrn yanti pitr-vratah
bhutejya yanti bhutani
mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam
[Bg. 9.25]
If you adjust yourself, then you can go to the higher planetary system. Deva-vrata devan. Devan means the planetary system or the different planets where demigods are living. Just like this moon planet. This moon planet is also another planet of the demigod Candra. I do not know the modern expedition of going to the moon planet, how far it will be successful. I think it cannot be successful. According to Vedic literature, it cannot be successful because people cannot adjust to enter that planet. One has to adjust, make the bodily condition in that way so that one can live there. In this planet also, there are different climates. In India the climate is different, and your Western country, the climate is different. So when one comes to the Western country, he also adjusts with different coats and shirts. In India we can remain naked body practically throughout the whole year, but you cannot live here. So there is adjustment. So this adjustment, the Bhagavad-gita says, mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam [Bg. 9.25]. "Those who have adjusted themselves to come to Me, he can come." There is no obstruction. So this initiation process, this Krsna consciousness, means to adjust your condition so that after leaving this body, you can enter into the planet where Krsna lives. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama: [Bg. 15.6] "That supreme abode, where entering, one does not come back again to this material world, that is My supreme abode." There is...
na yatra bhasayate suryo
na sasanko na pavakah
yad gatva na nivartante
tad dhama paramam mama
[Bg. 15.6]
These kind are explained. In that spiritual kingdom there is no need of sunshine, there is no need of moonshine, there is no need of electricity. And one who goes there, he does not come back. He lives there eternally, blissful life of knowledge.
So the initiation process means to give the conditioned soul a chance. This chance can be available in this human form of life. The cats and dogs, they cannot take chance of entering into the spiritual kingdom, or they cannot... It is not possible they can take initiation for purifying the body. So everybody, every human being, should take advantage of this form of life, human form of life, and cultivate this Krsna consciousness. And it is very simple and easy also. For this age, Lord..., by the grace of Lord Caitanya, we have got very easy method: simply chanting Hare Krsna. This mantra also which we uttered just now, it is said, yah smaret pundarikaksam: "Anyone who remembers pundarikaksam, Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, immediately he becomes purified." Suci. Suci. Suci means purified. Sri visnu sri visnu sri visnu. Three times. So the Krsna and Visnu is the same thing. Krsna is the original person of all visnu-tattva. So anyone who is keeping himself always in touch with the vibration of Krsna consciousness -- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare -- that is the only, I mean to say, guaranteed platform where you can keep yourself purified without any material contamination. And in this purified state, if we can leave this body ultimately, then there is no doubt we enter into the supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita, and you read carefully. This initiation does not mean... Of course, this chanting will save you, only chanting. But if you read some literatures also, and the philosophy also, then it will be more and more convincing that you are making progress. And in the Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita you will find that this is the process by which you can understand practically whether you are making actually progress in spiritual life. Pratyaksam avagamam dharmyam. This bhakti-yoga system is so nice that one can directly understand how he is making progress, and very quickly. That's a fact. All of our students who have taken to this process, within very short time, they are realizing that actually they are making some progress. Therefore they are sticking to the principles and going on.
So my request to you all who are going to be initiated, that you keep always yourself in contact with this chanting and that will make you, I mean to say, able to be always purified, suci. Material contamination cannot... And you avoid these four principles: illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication of all descriptions. Intoxication does not mean simply liquor. Intoxication means even tea-drinking. Tea is also intoxication, in slight degree. Tea, coffee, cigarettes -- everything should be avoided. In India they chew pan. So these things are to be give up, intoxication group, and meat-eating group. Then you make very quickly progress, and by the grace of Krsna, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. After leaving this body, one hasn't got to take another material body and suffer. So long we have got this material body, we have to suffer the material pangs. There cannot be any adjustment. So if anyone is serious for ending all troubles... Everyone wants to live peacefully and happily. That is natural, because spirit soul is anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12), by nature joyful. He wants to keep himself joyful, but he does not know how eternal joyful life can be attained. That is spiritual life. You cannot become joyful by material adjustment. No. You may be joyful for the time being by drinking or by intoxication, but how long? So long the intoxication influence is there, you may feel something. That is artificially. But that is not actually the state of joyfulness. Real state of joyfulness is to be situated in spiritual life, and when you (are) actually in the spiritual kingdom, then you become sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1], eternal life, joyful life, blissful life, with full knowledge.
So on behalf of Krsna, we are trying to distribute this knowledge at least in this part of the world. Now, those who are fortunate, they will take it and be benefited. Our business is to distribute. Now it is up to you. Every individual soul is independent. He may accept or may not accept. That depends on him. But if he accepts, it is good for him. Otherwise, he may make his choice. Krsna never..., God never interferes with your independence. No. He will never do that. Then what is the meaning of living being? Dull matter, it has no independence. Even it is a big mountain or big thing, it has no independence. It will stand still. But a small ant, even a microbe, it has got independence because it is living creature. So God has made you or given you little independence. That independence does not mean that you shall misuse it. You shall use it properly. And what is that proper use? To be engaged in His loving service. Just like you citizens of this German state, what you are meant for? You are meant for rendering service to the state. Similarly, the whole... This is a small state. America is a small... Or this planet is a small state. But there is a huge state which is called the cosmic manifestation. That state belongs to Krsna, or God. So naturally, you have to render service to the supreme state, supreme will. Then it is all right. Your independence is there. So long you are rendering service to the state properly, your independence as citizen is there. But as soon as you rebel against the state, your independence is gone. Similarly, our, this conditional life is due to our rebellious condition towards God. As soon as we agree surrender and be one with Him by transcendental loving service, the whole thing becomes adjusted. So Krsna consciousness movement means to teach people and to give them practical suggestion and help to... (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiation Lecture -- Hamburg, August 27, 1969
Prabhupada:
...avidya-karma-samjnanya
trtiya saktir isyate
This is a verse from Visnu Purana. It is stated there that visnu-saktih para, "The energy of the Supreme Lord is spiritual." Energy and the energetic, they are nondifferent. Just like the sunshine is the energy of the sun globe, but the quality of sunshine and the sun globe is the same. It is not different. The sunshine is bright, illuminating, hot. Similarly, we can understand the sun globe, the temperature may be very high, but the quality is the same. So visnu-saktih para prokta [Cc. Madhya 6.154]. God has got one energy. That energy is spiritual energy. And ksetrajnakhya tatha para: and the same energy is manifested in another form, which is called ksetrajna, or marginal energy, or the energy in which we living creatures are acting. Ksetrajnakhya tatha para. And avidya-karma-samjna, and trtiya saktir isyate. And besides these energies, there is another energy, which is avidya, ignorance. Karma-samjna: and it is based on fruitive activities. Anya means besides these two energies, spiritual energy and the marginal energy, living entities, there is another energy, which is called avidya. Avidya means ignorance. And karma-samjna: and in that energy, one has to enjoy his, the fruit of his own labor. This is the material world. This material world is also energy of Krsna, or God, but here ignorance prevails. Ignorance is prominent. Avidya, ignorance. Therefore one has to work. Practically one hasn't got to work, but because he is, one is in avidya, ignorance, therefore he has to work. Avidya-karma-samjnanya trtiya saktir isyate.
So actually, there is one energy, spiritual energy. Krsna, or God, is the whole spirit, and the energies emanating from Him, that is also spiritual. Saktih saktimator abhinnah. In the Vedic language we understand that the saktiman, or the energetic, Krsna, and the energy, they are nondifferent. So this material energy is also nondifferent from Krsna. In other words of Vedic language it is said, sarvam khalv idam brahma: "Everything is Brahman." In the Bhagavad-gita also, Lord Krsna says that maya tatam idam sarvam. Sarvam means all; idam, this manifestation, this cosmic manifestation, whatever you are experiencing... Krsna says that "I am expanded as this cosmic manifestation." Maya tatam idam sarvam avyakta-murtina. This impersonal feature, avyakta, mat-sthani sarva-bhutani naham tesu avasthitah: [Bg. 9.4] "Everything is resting on Me, or everything is expansion of Myself." Naham tesu avasthitah: "But I am not there." This philosophy, acintya-bhedabheda, simultaneously one and different, is our philosophy, inaugurated by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, although it is in the Vedanta-sutras. So everything is simultaneously one and different from the Supreme Lord. But there are two classes of philosophers. One class says that God and the living entities are different, and there is another philosopher, monist philosopher. They say God and the living entities are one. So this acintya-bhedabheda philosophy adjusts that "God and the living creatures, they are simultaneously one and different." They are one in quality, just like the energy and the energetic, the sun globe and the sunshine. In quality, in sunshine there is heat, there is illumination, light. In the sun globe also, there is heat, there is illumination. But the degrees are quite different. You can bear the heat and illumination of the sunshine, but you cannot go to the sun globe or you can bear the heat and temperature there. The scientist says that so many millions miles away, if somebody goes or some planet goes near the sun globe, it will immediately burn into ashes. Similarly, God and ourself, Krsna and living entities, they are qualitatively one, but quantitatively, we are very minute. Anu. We are smaller than the atom. Nowadays there is atomic theory. We can see the atoms within the holes of the windows when there is focus of sunlight. That is called prasarenu. Prasarenu means six atoms combined together, then it is visible. Otherwise, atom is also not visible with our naked eyes. There is atomic theory, paramanuvada, in Vedic literature also. And Bhagavata says that the scientists may be one day able to count how many atoms are there within this universe. This is not possible, of course, but it is theoretically. The Vedic, er, Srimad-Bhagavata says that "It may be possible one day by scientific research, one can count how many atoms are there within this cosmic manifestation. Still, it is not possible to know the Supreme Personality of Godhead by our ordinary sense perception." Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. Krsna, or God, is not perceivable by your material senses. It is not possible. Atah, therefore, sri-krsna-namadi. Atah sri-krsna-namadi. Namadi. Namadi means "beginning from His name." Because we try to understand Krsna beginning by chanting His holy name, Hare Krsna. Then, after chanting Hare Krsna, when our heart is purified, then we can understand His form, sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1].
So either His name or His form or His quality or His paraphernalia or His activities -- none of these can be understood by your material senses. It is not possible. Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. Indriyaih, the senses. Then how it is understood? Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah. When we take to the transcendental loving service of the Lord, then the Lord reveals Himself. We cannot understand. He reveals Himself. Therefore sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. Jihva means tongue. The first business of is to engage the tongue in the service of the Lord. How you can engage the tongue in the service of the Lord? By chanting and glorifying His name, fame, quality, form, paraphernalia, pastimes. This is the business of the tongue. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. When the tongue is engaged, gradually all other senses are also engaged in the service of the Lord. The tongue is the most important sense within our body; therefore for controlling our senses it is recommended that one should control first of all the tongue. Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura sings in his song: ta'ra madhye jihva ati lobhamaya sudurmati. Our present conditional state is like this. Sarira avidya-jal, we are packed up in the network of this material body. It is just like a fish is caught within a net. Similarly, we are caught up by this network of this material body. Not only this body -- we are changing this net in various phases of life. There are 8,400,000's of holes of this network. This is a network of ignorance, avidya-jal. Avidya means ignorance. Sarira avidya-jal jadendriya tahe kal. And this network, my imprisonment within this network of ignorance, is being continued on account of these dangerous senses. Sense enjoyment. So out of these dangerous senses, Bhaktivinoda Thakura says, the tongue is the most dangerous. Tongue is the most dangerous. The tongue... If we cannot control the tongue, then the tongue will oblige me to take different types of body, one after another. If I am very much fond of satisfying my tongue by flesh and blood, then nature, material nature, will give me facility to taste flesh and blood fresh and give me a body of the tiger. If I do not discriminate of eating, then material nature will give me a body just like a hog, when we have to accept as our food stool.
So we are so-called materially suffering and enjoying according to this body. Therefore this body, this human form of body, is a great opportunity, because God realization begins by engaging the tongue. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau [Brs. 1.2.234]. By engaging the tongue in the loving service of the Lord, one can make advance in Krsna consciousness, ultimate realization of God, the tongue. So this tongue in the human body can be engaged. In other body, in the cat's body, dog's body, tiger's body... Tiger may be a very powerful animal. No animal is powerful or better than human beings. That is accepted. So this human form of life is a great boon to the living entity who is traveling through the cycle of birth and death, perpetually changing different sorts of body. Here is the opportunity, human form of body. We can utilize the tongue properly and get out of these clutches. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. So seva, seva means service; jihva adau, beginning from the tongue. So if we can keep our tongue engaged, always chanting Hare Krsna mantra... Because "Krsna," this sound, is not different from Krsna. Krsna is absolute. Nothing is different from Him. Krsna and Krsna's name is not different. In the material sense, everything is different. I myself is different from this body. I am not this body. But Krsna is not like that. Krsna and Krsna's body is the same. Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritah [Bg. 9.11]. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, "Rascals and fools, they deride at Me because I appear as a human being. They are thinking just like I am ordinary human being." Param bhavam ajananto. "These rascals do not know what is My influence and what I am." Param bhavam. "What is My nature they do not know. Without knowing Me, they consider, 'Krsna is an ordinary human being.' " Avajananti mudha. This very particular word has been used, mudha. Mudha means rascals. So in spite of this warning, there are so many rascals passing as big scholars. They say like this. When there is order of Krsna that "You surrender unto Me," the rascals comment, "It is not to Krsna but the unborn spirit which is within Krsna." He does not know that Krsna is not different from His body, Krsna is not different from His name, Krsna is not different from His fame. Anything pertaining to Krsna is Krsna. They are monists, they are philosophizing that oneness, but as soon as they come to Krsna, immediately they divide: "Krsna is different from His body," or "Krsna's body is different from Krsna."
So atah sri-krsna-namadi. So Krsna's name and Krsna is not different. Therefore, as soon as my tongue touches the holy name of Krsna, that means immediately it associates with Krsna. So if you constantly keep yourself associated with Krsna by chanting this mantra, Hare Krsna, then just imagine how you are being easily purified simply by this process, chanting, jihvadau, engaging the tongue in chanting. And your tongue wants very palatable dishes to taste. So Krsna is very kind. He has given you hundreds and thousands of palatable dishes, remnants of foodstuff eaten by Him. You eat. In this way, if you simply make it a determination that "I shall not allow my tongue to taste anything which is not offered to Krsna, and I shall engage my tongue always chanting Hare Krsna," then all perfection is within your hold. All perfection. Two simple things: Don't eat anything which is not offered to Krsna. That's all. Our Krsna prasadam are so variegated, nice varieties... The variety is the mother of enjoyment. How much enjoyment you want with your tongue? You can have simply by eating Krsna prasadam. And the more your tongue is purified, the more you relish the chanting of Hare Krsna mantra. Relish. Anandambudhi-vardhanam. It is stated by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu that it increases the ocean of bliss, transcendental bliss. Ocean does not increase. We have no experience within this material world. If ocean would have increased, then all the lands would have been swallowed up many long, long years ago. Ocean does not increase. But this ocean, transcendental bliss, is increasing. Some of you must have experienced, those who are actually relishing. The authorities like Rupa Gosvami, he says that "What I shall chant with one tongue? If I would have millions of tongues, then I could chant a little more. And what I shall hear with two ears?" So he's expecting, he's aspiring to have millions of ears and trillions of tongues to relish this chanting Hare Krsna. So that is another stage, of course, when this chanting will be so melodious that we shall try to have more ears and more tongues to utilize it. Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. By our present senses, we cannot understand what is Krsna, or what is God, what is His name, what is His form, what is His quality. Therefore immediately, if we try to understand Krsna by His picture, "Oh, Krsna is embracing Radharani or the gopis," we shall mistake. Because unless our senses are purified, we shall accept Krsna and Radharani as ordinary young boy or girl and their dealings. But actually it is not. It is pure. Caitanya-caritamrta kar has distinguished that the loving affairs of the gopis with Krsna and the ordinary, these lustful dealings of human beings, there is a gulf of difference. He compares that the gopis' love with Krsna is gold, and our so-called love here is iron. As there is difference between gold and iron, similarly there is difference between the loving affairs of gopis with Krsna and these mundane, so-called lusty affairs between men and women or boys and girls. It is never equal. Therefore, atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved... [Brs. 1.2.234]. These present senses, these impure senses, contaminated senses, cannot understand Krsna; therefore we should follow this principle: sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. First of all, engage chanting Hare Krsna. There is Radha and Krsna. Hara is Radha, and Krsna, there is. But don't try to understand by the present senses, but simply chant their holy name, Hare Krsna. Then ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. When your, the dust on the mirror of your heart will be cleansed, and it will cleanse by simply chanting, ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam, and there will be no more any material condition...
That is the next stage. If you chant Hare Krsna mantra without any offense, then immediately the stage will be that you are freed from all material anxieties. That is the test. How I am advancing in chanting will be tested how far you are free from material anxieties. That's all. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Then real life begins. So long you are perturbed by material disturbances, you should know that your spiritual life has not begun. This is confirmed in everywhere. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati [Bg. 18.54]. Prasannatma. Bhagavad-gita says, "When one is Brahman realized..." Brahman realized means one who understands that "I am not this body. I am pure spirit soul, eternal servitor of Krsna." Simply understanding that "I am not this body. I am spirit soul," is not enough. That is not sufficient knowledge. Of course, that is good. That is just on the marginal step between matter and spirit. But you have to transcend completely this material existence and come to the platform of spiritual understanding. So for that purpose you have to go further after Brahman realization. Brahman, brahma-bhutah prasannatma [Bg. 18.54]. If you are actually Brahman realized, the symptom will be that you are always joyful, no anxiety. Anxiety, why...? Everything is very nicely discussed in Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhayam dvitiyabhinivesatah syad. When you forget Krsna, or God, and if we think there is something else than Krsna, then we are afraid. And those who are convinced and realized souls that there is nothing but Krsna, where is the cause of fearfulness? Therefore those who are pure devotees, they are not disturbed even in most distressed condition of life. What they think? They think, tat te 'nukampa...: "My Lord, it is Your great mercy that You have put me into this distressed condition." Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah [SB 10.14.8]. So in the distressed condition, the devotees take it an opportunity that "I have got a very nice opportunity to remember God constantly. Krsna, You are so kind that You have given me this distressed condition."
So this Krsna consciousness is very nice. If we try to make progress on this line, we'll feel even... Yasmin sthite gurunapi duhkhena na vicalyate [Bg. 6.20-23]. Bhagavad-gita says if one is situated in Krsna consciousness, even in the terrible situation, fearful situation, he is not afraid. Just like Prahlada Maharaja. You see? Prahlada Maharaja, a five-years-old boy, his father tortured him like anything. But he was not afraid. He was not afraid. This is the Krsna consciousness state. The boy is not afraid. Even in such tortured condition, when his father challenged him, "Prahlada, with whose strength you are so powerful that you do not care for me?" he immediately answered, "My dear father, by whose power you are talking like that?" So Krsna consciousness is so nice that even one is put into the terrible condition of distress, he is not perturbed. Narayana-parah sarve... There are many verses like that. We can quote hundreds. Narayana-parah sarve na kutascana bibhyati [SB 6.17.28]. If one becomes Krsna conscious, he is not afraid, any condition of life. Na kutascana bibhyati. Svargapavarga-narakesv api. If he is put into the hell or in heaven or in the spiritual world or any world, he is happy. Tulyartha-darsinah. He thinks everything is all the same. "Either you put me in the hell or heaven or this or that, (it) is all the same." Because he is always with Krsna, chanting Hare Krsna. Krsna is always with him. So where is the cause of being afraid that "This place is not good; this place is very good"? No. Wherever Krsna is there is very good. That's all.
So we have to practice and train the tongue very nicely. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Brs. 1.2.234]. And the more our tongue is engaged in the loving service of Krsna... It is very nice service. You simply chant and eat Krsna prasadam. Is it very difficult service? Everyone will accept, "Oh, yes." But unfortunately, everyone does not accept. (laughter) (chuckles) You see. Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore says, etadrs i tava krpa bhagavan mamapi: "My dear Lord, You are so kind that You have approached Me in..., by transcendental sound. Or You are always with Me." You can be. If I take, then Krsna is always with me. If I reject, then... That is the ignora... "Krsna is everywhere" means as soon as we accept, Krsna is immediately with us. And as soon as we reject, oh, He is far, far away. So Krsna can be with us very easily simply by this chanting or engaging the tongue in His service. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended this process, or He inaugurated this process in this age. Although it is not new system, but He especially introduced because His incarnation is to reclaim the fallen souls of this age. So He... [break] ...before advent of Krsna he's simply planning, "As soon as Krsna will take birth, I will kill him." This is the plan of the demons, to kill God. Atheism. "God is dead." That is also killing, one sort of killing. "There is no God. I am God." These are all different processes of trying to kill. But God is never killed. [break] Rather, they are killed. That is the whole history everywhere.
Guest: I don't follow. Is it...? Whose choice is it to be a demon? Is it the living entity's choice, complete choice, to be demonic, against God, or is it a part of Krsna's energy to put demons, or to have created him that way?
Prabhupada: No...
Guest: Is it completely each individual's choice to be demonic, or...?
Prabhupada: Yes. Demon means when he is forgotten, when has lost his sense, that is demon. When has lost his sense, that is demon. Demon means mayayapahrta-jnanah [Bg. 7.15]. Maya, by the influence of maya, the true aspect of knowledge is taken away. Anyone who is trying to establish it that "There is no God," he is demon. That's all. There are so many philosophers, so many atheists, so many scientists. Their only business is to deny God. They are demons. Yes.
Guest: Then is there individual complete choice?
Prabhupada: That is ignorance. Yes. Apahrta-jnanah means just like a madman. For the time being, his natural knowledge is taken away. Crazy. What do we mean by crazy? For the time being, his knowledge is taken away. Similarly, when a living entity is in that position, as somebody has taken away his knowledge, that is demonic condition. But he can be reestablished again in knowledge. Just like a crazy man is sent, mental disorder, to hospital for treatment; again he comes as a sane man. Similarly, the demons are just like crazy men. Even they are treated with Krsna consciousness, they can be reverted to their own position. So this is temporary. This demoniac nature is temporary due to the contact with maya. Therefore the whole business is how to get out of the clutches of maya. Then there is no more demonic nature. It is artificial. [break] ...superficial. It comes and goes. As it comes artificially, so it can go also. And the driving method is this Krsna consciousness.
Guest: So maya is temporary, and the only thing that is eternal is Krsna and the spiritual energies.
Prabhupada: Yes. Spiritual energy. That is eternal. That is eternal. So we are... Due to our ignorance, we have been very much serious with the temporary situation of maya and we have forgotten the eternal position. This is our present conditional life. Now this Krsna consciousness movement means His treatment to reclaim the living entity from the clutches of maya. Then he is situated in his natural position. [break]
...contaminated, impure. Impure condition. Apavitra. And pavitra means pure condition. Apavitrah pavitro va. One may be in impure condition and one may be in pure condition. Sarvavastham, in all conditions. Avastha means all conditions. Gato 'pi va, situated, in any condition situated; yah, anybody; smaret, remembers; pundarikaksam. Pundarikaksam means "the Lord whose eyes are like the lotus petal." Lotus eyes. Pundarikaksam. Sa, that person becomes; sa bahyabhyantaram. Bahya means externally and abhyantara means internally. Bahyabhyantaram sucih. Sucih means purified. Another suci means brahmana. A brahmana is called suci. A brahmana means a purified person. Not that by birth one becomes pure. No. The purificatory process. There are purificatory processes. Just like in infectious condition, those who are vaccinated, given injection, he is supposed to be purified. He cannot be attacked or infected by the disease. Similarly, in spiritual life also one has to remain purified. The whole process, this Krsna consciousness movement, is to purify the people in general from the contaminated condition of material existence. Purifying. It is purifying process. A living entity by nature is pure because he is part and parcel of the Supreme Pure, God. But due to his impure condition, he has forgotten his eternal relationship with God. So this initiation means that one is being accepted as student by the spiritual master to promote him gradually to the purified state, where he can realize himself and God. This is the whole process. In contaminated state we cannot approach. I have given this example many times. Just like if you want to enter into certain place, then you must be adjusted with the conditions. Just like people are going to the moon planet. There it is supposed to be it is very cold. So people go with a certain type of dress by adjusting. Similarly, if you want to enter into the spiritual kingdom, the abode, the planet where Krsna lives, so you must be purified. Adjust yourself. Not only to the spiritual kingdom of Krsna -- any planet you want to enter, you must adjust yourself in that way. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita,
yanti deva-vrata devan
pitrn yanti pitr-vratah
bhutejya yanti bhutani
mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam
[Bg. 9.25]
If you adjust yourself, then you can go to the higher planetary system. Deva-vrata devan. Devan means the planetary system or the different planets where demigods are living. Just like this moon planet. This moon planet is also another planet of the demigod Candra. I do not know the modern expedition of going to the moon planet, how far it will be successful. I think it cannot be successful. According to Vedic literature, it cannot be successful because people cannot adjust to enter that planet. One has to adjust, make the bodily condition in that way so that one can live there. In this planet also, there are different climates. In India the climate is different, and your Western country, the climate is different. So when one comes to the Western country, he also adjusts with different coats and shirts. In India we can remain naked body practically throughout the whole year, but you cannot live here. So there is adjustment. So this adjustment, the Bhagavad-gita says, mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam [Bg. 9.25]. "Those who have adjusted themselves to come to Me, he can come." There is no obstruction. So this initiation process, this Krsna consciousness, means to adjust your condition so that after leaving this body, you can enter into the planet where Krsna lives. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama: [Bg. 15.6] "That supreme abode, where entering, one does not come back again to this material world, that is My supreme abode." There is...
na yatra bhasayate suryo
na sasanko na pavakah
yad gatva na nivartante
tad dhama paramam mama
[Bg. 15.6]
These kind are explained. In that spiritual kingdom there is no need of sunshine, there is no need of moonshine, there is no need of electricity. And one who goes there, he does not come back. He lives there eternally, blissful life of knowledge.
So the initiation process means to give the conditioned soul a chance. This chance can be available in this human form of life. The cats and dogs, they cannot take chance of entering into the spiritual kingdom, or they cannot... It is not possible they can take initiation for purifying the body. So everybody, every human being, should take advantage of this form of life, human form of life, and cultivate this Krsna consciousness. And it is very simple and easy also. For this age, Lord..., by the grace of Lord Caitanya, we have got very easy method: simply chanting Hare Krsna. This mantra also which we uttered just now, it is said, yah smaret pundarikaksam: "Anyone who remembers pundarikaksam, Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, immediately he becomes purified." Suci. Suci. Suci means purified. Sri visnu sri visnu sri visnu. Three times. So the Krsna and Visnu is the same thing. Krsna is the original person of all visnu-tattva. So anyone who is keeping himself always in touch with the vibration of Krsna consciousness -- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare -- that is the only, I mean to say, guaranteed platform where you can keep yourself purified without any material contamination. And in this purified state, if we can leave this body ultimately, then there is no doubt we enter into the supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita, and you read carefully. This initiation does not mean... Of course, this chanting will save you, only chanting. But if you read some literatures also, and the philosophy also, then it will be more and more convincing that you are making progress. And in the Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita you will find that this is the process by which you can understand practically whether you are making actually progress in spiritual life. Pratyaksam avagamam dharmyam. This bhakti-yoga system is so nice that one can directly understand how he is making progress, and very quickly. That's a fact. All of our students who have taken to this process, within very short time, they are realizing that actually they are making some progress. Therefore they are sticking to the principles and going on.
So my request to you all who are going to be initiated, that you keep always yourself in contact with this chanting and that will make you, I mean to say, able to be always purified, suci. Material contamination cannot... And you avoid these four principles: illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication of all descriptions. Intoxication does not mean simply liquor. Intoxication means even tea-drinking. Tea is also intoxication, in slight degree. Tea, coffee, cigarettes -- everything should be avoided. In India they chew pan. So these things are to be give up, intoxication group, and meat-eating group. Then you make very quickly progress, and by the grace of Krsna, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. After leaving this body, one hasn't got to take another material body and suffer. So long we have got this material body, we have to suffer the material pangs. There cannot be any adjustment. So if anyone is serious for ending all troubles... Everyone wants to live peacefully and happily. That is natural, because spirit soul is anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12), by nature joyful. He wants to keep himself joyful, but he does not know how eternal joyful life can be attained. That is spiritual life. You cannot become joyful by material adjustment. No. You may be joyful for the time being by drinking or by intoxication, but how long? So long the intoxication influence is there, you may feel something. That is artificially. But that is not actually the state of joyfulness. Real state of joyfulness is to be situated in spiritual life, and when you (are) actually in the spiritual kingdom, then you become sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1], eternal life, joyful life, blissful life, with full knowledge.
So on behalf of Krsna, we are trying to distribute this knowledge at least in this part of the world. Now, those who are fortunate, they will take it and be benefited. Our business is to distribute. Now it is up to you. Every individual soul is independent. He may accept or may not accept. That depends on him. But if he accepts, it is good for him. Otherwise, he may make his choice. Krsna never..., God never interferes with your independence. No. He will never do that. Then what is the meaning of living being? Dull matter, it has no independence. Even it is a big mountain or big thing, it has no independence. It will stand still. But a small ant, even a microbe, it has got independence because it is living creature. So God has made you or given you little independence. That independence does not mean that you shall misuse it. You shall use it properly. And what is that proper use? To be engaged in His loving service. Just like you citizens of this German state, what you are meant for? You are meant for rendering service to the state. Similarly, the whole... This is a small state. America is a small... Or this planet is a small state. But there is a huge state which is called the cosmic manifestation. That state belongs to Krsna, or God. So naturally, you have to render service to the supreme state, supreme will. Then it is all right. Your independence is there. So long you are rendering service to the state properly, your independence as citizen is there. But as soon as you rebel against the state, your independence is gone. Similarly, our, this conditional life is due to our rebellious condition towards God. As soon as we agree surrender and be one with Him by transcendental loving service, the whole thing becomes adjusted. So Krsna consciousness movement means to teach people and to give them practical suggestion and help to... (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiation Lecture -- Hamburg, August 27, 1969
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
"You Can Become Greatest Devotee"
23 Jan 77 , Bhubanesvara
Prabhupada: varnasrama-dharma, four varnas and four asrama -- brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra -- so the Vedic culture means to execute the varnasrama-dharma. Now we are known as Hindus. The Hindu word is not to be found... [break] A little disturbance will mar the situation. So, Vedic culture means this varnasrama-dharma. The Muhammadans from the other side of river Sindhu, they have called us Hindu. Actually, this word "Hindu" you'll not find any Vedic scripture. So to accept this position-brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa -- is compulsory. It is not that one has to take sannyasa as a fashion. No. Actually it is absolutely necessary for any person at the last stage of life to accept sannyasa. This Ramananda Raya also retired from the government service. He met Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised him that "Now you retire from your governorship and come to Jagannatha Puri, your home, and let us talk together about spiritual life." So in this way he retired. So all the associates of Caitanya Mahaprabhu-sri-rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasa-raghunatha-Six Gosvamis, the direct disciples of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they were all in renounced order of life. Then? Read. You read. You'll hear.
Indian man (2): "Although the Gosvamis were very aristocratic, they became mendicant just to deliver the fallen souls according to the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."
Prabhupada: About Gosvamis, Srinivasa Acarya, he has written, tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau. (child talking) (aside:) Please take out. Tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim. They were ministers. Naturally their associates were very, very big zamindars and rich men, asesa-mandala-pati-srenim. Mandala-pati means leaders, social, political. So, gave up their company. Explain. Why? Tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau. Dina-ganesakau, the poor mass of people... We are thinking that we are advancing, but actually we are becoming poverty-stricken. So this very word is used, dina-ganesakau karunaya. So this time is always. Unless the social leaders, the leaders of the society, they take care of the mass of people to educate them, dina-ganesakau karunaya, if they do not become compassionate to the poor mass of people, who will deliver them?
They are poor because they have no spiritual conception of life. So that situation is always existing; therefore it is the duty of the leaders of the society, especially of the brahmanas and ksatriyas, to take sannyasa and preach Krsna consciousness to the mass of people. Dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau. Now we have got experience that many big, big leaders in political field... We have seen this noncooperation movement. They also took sannyasa practically. But they could not live long because they could not tolerate the position of renouncement. But about the Gosvamis it is said,
tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat
bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau
gopi-bhava-rasamrtabdhi-lahari-kallola-magnau muhur
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau...
There must be engagement, proper engagement. If the engagement is not Krsna consciousness, then this so-called sannyasa will be failure. Practically in Calcutta there was a big barrister, C. R. Das, he renounced everything, but he could not live long. Very shortly he died. [break] ...was their position. [break] Sannyasa means to renounce for the Supreme, sannyasa. Sat-nyasa. If one takes to Krsna consciousness and if he renounces family life and preaches Krsna consciousness, then he will be happy, and the persons amongst whom he will preach, they will be happy. We have seen practically, many, many big, big sannyasis, they gave up this world -- brahma satya jagan mithya: "This world is mithya. Let me take sannyasa." But unfortunately, they could not stand in that position. After few years they come down again in social work, in political work. That means they could not understand what is Brahman. That is stated, confirmed in the sastra, that
ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas
tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah
aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah
patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah
[SB 10.2.32]
Ye 'nye 'ravindaksa. Ye aravindaksa. Aravindaksa is Krsna. "Persons who are thinking that 'I have become liberated,' vimukta-manina, they're actually... They're not mukta. Therefore," aruhya krcchrena param padam, "although they underwent very severe austerities and achieved the position in nirvisesa-brahma," aruhya krcchrena param padam [SB 10.2.32], "but because they could not understand, my Lord, Your lotus feet, they," patanty adho, "they fall down." Just like in the modern age they are going very high by aeroplane or sputnik, but because they do not get a shelter in either the moon planet or Mars planet, they again come down. So simply speculative knowledge, philosophical knowledge, will not give us actual shelter in the nirvisesa, nirakara-brahman. Absolute Truth we can realize in three stages. This is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam,
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
[SB 1.2.11]
Yes. The brahmanu-bhuti is simply negation of this material world. Brahma satya jagan mithya. But brahmanu-bhuti is not final. We are part and parcel of Krsna, sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah [Bs. 5.1]. So simply understanding of our eternity-aham brahmasmi -- is not sufficient. So that is only appreciation of the eternity portion. And then, if one further makes progress, he... Paramatma. Paramatma means cit, cid-amsa. And lastly, unless we come to the shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna, there is no ananda. And every one of us-anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). God is also anandamaya. We, being part and parcel of God, we are also seeking after ananda. So you cannot get permanent ananda either by Brahman realization or Paramatma realization. Unless you come to God realization, Personality of Godhead, there is no ananda.
ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhis
tabhir ya eva nija-rupataya kalabhih
goloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhuto
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
[Bs. 5.37]
Govinda, Krsna, is ananda-cinmaya-rasa. He is in the ananda cinmaya. His ananda is not jara-rasa. It is cinmaya-rasa. We should not understand or misunderstand Krsna's lila is just like ordinary human activity. Srila Jiva Gosvami has described this Krsna's ananda, that,
radha krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini saktir asmad
ekatmanav api bhuvi pura deha-bhedam gatau tau
sri-caitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad-dvayam caikyam aptam...
[Cc. Adi 1.5]
So we should understand Krsna, how He is ananda-cinmaya vigraha. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is ananda-cinmaya vigraha, combination of hladini sakti, Srimati Radharani, and Krsna together. Therefore the Vaisnava sings, sri-krsna-caitanya radha-krsna nahe anya. Radha-krsna nahe anya. If we take shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then there is possibility to understand the Krsna science.
So this Krsna consciousness movement is trying to impregnate or push this movement throughout the world through the mercy of Sri Krsna Caitanya. And actually it is happening. By taking shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, these Europeans and Americans, although they are supposed to be born in mleccha, yavana family, they are taking Krsna consciousness so seriously. Otherwise it is very difficult to understand Krsna.
manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascid vetti mam tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]
Out of many many millions of persons, one is interested how to become perfect. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye. Siddhi means to understand one's own position. Therefore we request everyone to take shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to understand Krsna. Srila Rupa Gosvami he has given his direction,
namo maha-vadanyaya
krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya
namne gaura-tvise namah
[Cc. Madhya 19.53]
Idea is Srila Rupa Gosvami, offering his obeisances to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, namo maha-vadanyaya: "The greatest munificent charitable person because You are giving Krsna-prema. Nobody can understand Krsna, but You are giving Krsna-prema." Namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te krsnaya krsna-caitanya [Cc. Madhya 19.53]. "You are Krsna. You have appeared again as Krsna Caitanya. Therefore I offer my obeisances." Similarly Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, who was the learned scholar, pandita, in the assembly of Maharaja Prataparudra... [break] ...sabha-pandita. So he also has written many verses. One of them is that,
vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yoga-
siksartham ekah purusah puranah
sri-krsna-caitanya-sarira-dhari
krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye
[Cc. Madhya 6.254]
"This Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the same person." Vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti. "In order to teach Krsna consciousness, He has now appeared as Krsna Caitanya." Vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti yoga-siksartham ekah purusah puranah [Cc. Madhya 6.254]. Sasvata-purana. Krsna is the Purana. Nava-yauvanam ca. In the Brahma-samhita it is said, advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam adyam purana nava-yauvanam ca [Bs. 5.33]. He's the oldest person, adi-purusa, but nava-yauvana. So in every way you'll find that if we want to understand Krsna, then we have to take shelter of this Krsna's renounced order of life in the form of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
So Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu's one of the confidential devotees was an Oriya, this Ramananda Raya and Sikhi Mahiti. So it is a great opportunity for the Oriyas to understand Krsna consciousness science through the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We are discussing the talks between Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya. You'll kindly hear and take advantage of it and be benefited. [break] So we can, if they require, any question-answer. [break]
Guest (1): ...Krsna consciousness in grhastha asrama?
Prabhupada: They follow Sri Ramananda Raya. He was a grhastha. He was a responsible government officer. Still, he was the best disciple of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Ramananda Raya, while talking with Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he was feeling little shamefulness because Caitanya Mahaprabhu was a great sannyasi and coming from a very respectable brahmana family, and Ramananda Raya, he belonged to the Kharan(?) caste of Orissa, and he was grhastha, at the same time in government service. So he was feeling little shamefulness, that "I am teaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu." So when he was feeling like that, Caitanya Mahaprabhu encouraged him,
kiba vipra kiba sudra nyasi kene naya
yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya
[Cc. Madhya 8.128]
"You become a sannyasi or you become a grhastha or you are a brahmana or a sudra. The Krsna consciousness has nothing to do with these material things. If you know actually what is Krsna, then you can become guru." Another place also, Krsna, er, Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that
yei bhaje sei bada abhakta hina chara
krsna-bhajane te nahi jati-kuladi-vicara
[Cc. Antya 4.67]
"Anyone who is a devotee, he is great, and who is not devotee, he may declare himself as great, but he is the most fallen." In the devotional service there is no such distinction as jati and kula. So if you follow -- the example is there in your country, Ramananda Raya -- then wherever you are, you are exalted. Narottama dasa Thakura, he has also said -- he is acarya-grhe va vanete thake ha gauranga bale dake narottama mage tara sanga: "It doesn't matter whether he is a grhastha or he's a sannyasi." Vanete means vanaprastha, sannyasi. "Wherever he may be, if he's actually a perfect devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I want his association. Never mind." Grhe va vanete thake ha gauranga bale dake narottama mage tara sanga.
So Krsna bhajana is so magnanimous, so exalted, in any position you can become the greatest guru, provided you follow the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. [break] ...says how one can become perfect. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Four things. Simply think of Krsna, this chanting of Hare Krsna mantra -- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare... So you remain grhastha. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said, namasraya kari thakaha apana kaje. In whatever occupation you are, remain there. There is no need of changing. But namasraya kari. If you remain a grhastha, what is your loss if you chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra? And if there is gain, why don't you take it? Simple thing. And Krsna also says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru, mam evaisyasi asamsayah [Bg. 18.65]. These four things will get you back to home, back to Godhead. What is that? Simply think of Krsna. But if from the very beginning you want to understand the meaning of Krsna -- "Krsna is nirakara. He has no hand, He has no leg" -- then how you'll think of Krsna? You have to give up all this nonsense idea. Then wherever you live, you will be perfect by Krsna consciousness. [break] ...Kali-yuga the special advantage is that people cannot become very much advanced in spiritual life, but for Kali-yuga there is a special concession. Kalau nasty nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. Harer nama harer nama harer nama iva kevalam [Cc. Adi 17.21]. And Srimad-Bhagavatam also, it is confirmed, kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sanga param vrajet [SB 12.3.51]. So you remain grhastha. It is now difficult to give up grhastha life. But don't be merged into this black hole. Don't make black hole tragedy. Be alive, take to Krsna consciousness, and you'll be happy. So there is no distinction in Krsna-bhajana whether one is a grhastha or a sannyasi. He must take the science. Then he will be all right.
Guest (3) (Indian man): ...without taking diksa from the guru also utters the name of Lord Krsna with devotion and...
Prabhupada: There is no devotion unless you go to a guru. Forget it. Adau gurvasrayam. First thing is, first business, is to accept a bona fide guru. Otherwise there is no devotion. It is simply false imitation. This is the injunction of Rupa Gosvami in Bhakti-rasamrta sindhu. Adau gurvasrayam: "Your first business is to approach bona fide guru and take his asraya." Otherwise there is no devotion. That has been the defect in the modern society. They imagine. This business should be given up. He must follow. Sadhu-marganugamanam, which is prescribed by the sadhu, guru, you have to accept that. You cannot manufacture your own way.
Guest (3): The world is so vast, and people who are living in this world and also wishing to attain God or remember God or say about the God... Also the namaskaram is, Gurudeva said, that, mentioned in the Gita, that all these are fruitless, the soul which is remembering God either in the form of Krsna, but he has not met a guru. Because to get a real guru is a real occasion. It doesn't happen in the case of everyone. One in million get a chance to get a real spiritual guide. There are so many in the name of spiritual guide. And he will false pray because his inner soul hankers and inner soul thinks that "This is my guru, and somehow I will accept whatever he says." And the ultimate aim and objective is to love God or to recite his name or surrender to Him.
Prabhupada: This question has been answered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu while He was teaching Srila Rupa Gosvami.
ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]
The guru word is there. Guru Krsna. If you are actually hankering after Krsna -- Krsna is within yourself -- He will give you a guru. He will give you a guru. Guru-krsna-krpaya. But we must be fortunate to get real guru. If I am unfortunate, I'll not get a guru. Otherwise why Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]? Mali hana se bija kariya aropana. In this way you'll find in the Caitanya-caritamrta. So even Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He accepted guru, Isvara Puri. He is Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna Himself. As Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya said that,
vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yoga-
siksartham ekah purusah puranah
sri-krsna-caitanya sarira dhari...
[Cc. Madhya 6.254]
He's the purusa Purana, Krsna, but now He has appeared as Krsna Caitanya. So he also accepted guru, what to speak of our... Krsna also accepted guru. So how you will get the ultimate goal of life without accepting guru? Why do you manufacture this idea? There is no need of manufacturing this. You have to follow. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. If you manufacture, then you'll be cheated. Don't do this. That has become a fashion, that you manufacture your own way of service. That is not possible. Therefore Rupa Gosvami stresses, adau-gurvasrayam: "The first business is that you must find out a bona fide guru." Then other things.
Guest (4) (Indian man): Gurudeva said the only aim of human being is to surrender to Sri Krsna, to the lotus feet of Sri Krsna.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Guest (4): In India especially, there are so many temples and gods and goddesses...
Prabhupada: That has been described in the Bhagavad-gita. Those who are hrta-jnanah, less intelligent, all these gods and goddess are for them. Hrta-jnanah. Kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah yajante anya devatah [Bg. 7.20]. "Those who are after other demigods, they are hrta-jnanah." Hrta-jnanah means they have got little knowledge -- that is taken away by maya. Mayayapahrta-jnana. These words are there. So this demigod worship is for the less intelligent class of men, not the actual intellectuals. Actual intellectual is he-bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate [Bg. 7.19]. So he's actual intelligent, when he surrenders to Krsna. Vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah [Bg. 7.19]. So the demigod worship is recommended for the less intelligent class of men. Otherwise, to surrender to Krsna is the highest stage of perfection.
Guest (5) (Indian man): Sir, what is the difference between renunciation and surrender?
Prabhupada: Yes. Renunciation is the beginning of this material world. You cannot take, you cannot surrender to Krsna, unless you renounce this ma.... If you have got material necessities... Sarva-dharman parityajva. Krsna says, "Absolute surrender." And if you want material necessities, then you have got so many dharmas -- this dharma, that dharma, social dharma, family dharma, national dharma, community dharma, and so on, so on. But Krsna demands, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. So it is not very easy thing. Therefore renunciation and surrender. Surrender means full renunciation, no reservation. And renunciation means you renounce something and keep something. That is difference.
Guest (5): Supposing any person, he renounces everything, his material property, and if he just came to Krsna consciousness. Can he live?
Prabhupada: We are living. You can see practically. We have got more than one hundred centers, and we are maintaining at least ten thousand men, just like these Europeans. And you have seen our opulence. We are advertised as fabulously rich. You can see here also. We have got at least four cars here. Who has got four cars? Don't you see how we are living?
Guest (5): Sir, what I meant... Supposing...
Prabhupada: No. Your question is that... We are living very opulently because we are surrendered to Krsna. That is point. So if you come to us you will also live very opulently. Surrender. Do that by practical seeing. We have no anxiety. Do you know what is our expenditure? In New York we are spending twelve lakhs of rupees per month. Only in New York. Similarly, in Los Angeles we have got huge expenditure. And our income is also, daily, five lakhs. You can see. Take our account. Audit. People do not touch as soon as one hears, "Oh, it is a religious group." And we are selling religious books, this Bhagavata and Srimad Bhagavad-gita, six lakhs of rupees daily. Can you imagine?
Guest (6) (Indian man): Where is this consciousness of surrender come in human life? At what stage it can come?
Prabhupada: At any moment. You must be prepared. Krsna said, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. So if you have got intelligence, you can do it immediately. Where is the difficulty? But you'll not do it. They have done it, these young boys. They have no other business. And Krsna assures, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah: Don't hesitate. But we are hesitating. So there is no surrender. So all right, you remain under the clutches of maya and suffer. Daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya [Bg. 7.14]. Maya is very strong. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti As soon as you surrender to Krsna immediately you are mukta. Immediately, instantly. It is in your hand. You follow Krsna's instruction, do the needful, you are mukta. Chant Hare Krsna
Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupada! (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Evening Lecture -- Bhuvanesvara, January 23, 1977
Prabhupada: varnasrama-dharma, four varnas and four asrama -- brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra -- so the Vedic culture means to execute the varnasrama-dharma. Now we are known as Hindus. The Hindu word is not to be found... [break] A little disturbance will mar the situation. So, Vedic culture means this varnasrama-dharma. The Muhammadans from the other side of river Sindhu, they have called us Hindu. Actually, this word "Hindu" you'll not find any Vedic scripture. So to accept this position-brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, and sannyasa -- is compulsory. It is not that one has to take sannyasa as a fashion. No. Actually it is absolutely necessary for any person at the last stage of life to accept sannyasa. This Ramananda Raya also retired from the government service. He met Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised him that "Now you retire from your governorship and come to Jagannatha Puri, your home, and let us talk together about spiritual life." So in this way he retired. So all the associates of Caitanya Mahaprabhu-sri-rupa sanatana bhatta-raghunatha sri-jiva gopala-bhatta dasa-raghunatha-Six Gosvamis, the direct disciples of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, they were all in renounced order of life. Then? Read. You read. You'll hear.
Indian man (2): "Although the Gosvamis were very aristocratic, they became mendicant just to deliver the fallen souls according to the order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu."
Prabhupada: About Gosvamis, Srinivasa Acarya, he has written, tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau. (child talking) (aside:) Please take out. Tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim. They were ministers. Naturally their associates were very, very big zamindars and rich men, asesa-mandala-pati-srenim. Mandala-pati means leaders, social, political. So, gave up their company. Explain. Why? Tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau. Dina-ganesakau, the poor mass of people... We are thinking that we are advancing, but actually we are becoming poverty-stricken. So this very word is used, dina-ganesakau karunaya. So this time is always. Unless the social leaders, the leaders of the society, they take care of the mass of people to educate them, dina-ganesakau karunaya, if they do not become compassionate to the poor mass of people, who will deliver them?
They are poor because they have no spiritual conception of life. So that situation is always existing; therefore it is the duty of the leaders of the society, especially of the brahmanas and ksatriyas, to take sannyasa and preach Krsna consciousness to the mass of people. Dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau. Now we have got experience that many big, big leaders in political field... We have seen this noncooperation movement. They also took sannyasa practically. But they could not live long because they could not tolerate the position of renouncement. But about the Gosvamis it is said,
tyaktva turnam asesa-mandala-pati-srenim sada tuccha-vat
bhutva dina-ganesakau karunaya kaupina-kanthasritau
gopi-bhava-rasamrtabdhi-lahari-kallola-magnau muhur
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau...
There must be engagement, proper engagement. If the engagement is not Krsna consciousness, then this so-called sannyasa will be failure. Practically in Calcutta there was a big barrister, C. R. Das, he renounced everything, but he could not live long. Very shortly he died. [break] ...was their position. [break] Sannyasa means to renounce for the Supreme, sannyasa. Sat-nyasa. If one takes to Krsna consciousness and if he renounces family life and preaches Krsna consciousness, then he will be happy, and the persons amongst whom he will preach, they will be happy. We have seen practically, many, many big, big sannyasis, they gave up this world -- brahma satya jagan mithya: "This world is mithya. Let me take sannyasa." But unfortunately, they could not stand in that position. After few years they come down again in social work, in political work. That means they could not understand what is Brahman. That is stated, confirmed in the sastra, that
ye 'nye 'ravindaksa vimukta-maninas
tvayy asta-bhavad avisuddha-buddhayah
aruhya krcchrena param padam tatah
patanty adho 'nadrta-yusmad-anghrayah
[SB 10.2.32]
Ye 'nye 'ravindaksa. Ye aravindaksa. Aravindaksa is Krsna. "Persons who are thinking that 'I have become liberated,' vimukta-manina, they're actually... They're not mukta. Therefore," aruhya krcchrena param padam, "although they underwent very severe austerities and achieved the position in nirvisesa-brahma," aruhya krcchrena param padam [SB 10.2.32], "but because they could not understand, my Lord, Your lotus feet, they," patanty adho, "they fall down." Just like in the modern age they are going very high by aeroplane or sputnik, but because they do not get a shelter in either the moon planet or Mars planet, they again come down. So simply speculative knowledge, philosophical knowledge, will not give us actual shelter in the nirvisesa, nirakara-brahman. Absolute Truth we can realize in three stages. This is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam,
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
[SB 1.2.11]
Yes. The brahmanu-bhuti is simply negation of this material world. Brahma satya jagan mithya. But brahmanu-bhuti is not final. We are part and parcel of Krsna, sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah [Bs. 5.1]. So simply understanding of our eternity-aham brahmasmi -- is not sufficient. So that is only appreciation of the eternity portion. And then, if one further makes progress, he... Paramatma. Paramatma means cit, cid-amsa. And lastly, unless we come to the shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna, there is no ananda. And every one of us-anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). God is also anandamaya. We, being part and parcel of God, we are also seeking after ananda. So you cannot get permanent ananda either by Brahman realization or Paramatma realization. Unless you come to God realization, Personality of Godhead, there is no ananda.
ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhis
tabhir ya eva nija-rupataya kalabhih
goloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhuto
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
[Bs. 5.37]
Govinda, Krsna, is ananda-cinmaya-rasa. He is in the ananda cinmaya. His ananda is not jara-rasa. It is cinmaya-rasa. We should not understand or misunderstand Krsna's lila is just like ordinary human activity. Srila Jiva Gosvami has described this Krsna's ananda, that,
radha krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini saktir asmad
ekatmanav api bhuvi pura deha-bhedam gatau tau
sri-caitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad-dvayam caikyam aptam...
[Cc. Adi 1.5]
So we should understand Krsna, how He is ananda-cinmaya vigraha. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu is ananda-cinmaya vigraha, combination of hladini sakti, Srimati Radharani, and Krsna together. Therefore the Vaisnava sings, sri-krsna-caitanya radha-krsna nahe anya. Radha-krsna nahe anya. If we take shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then there is possibility to understand the Krsna science.
So this Krsna consciousness movement is trying to impregnate or push this movement throughout the world through the mercy of Sri Krsna Caitanya. And actually it is happening. By taking shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu, these Europeans and Americans, although they are supposed to be born in mleccha, yavana family, they are taking Krsna consciousness so seriously. Otherwise it is very difficult to understand Krsna.
manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascid vetti mam tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]
Out of many many millions of persons, one is interested how to become perfect. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye. Siddhi means to understand one's own position. Therefore we request everyone to take shelter of the lotus feet of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to understand Krsna. Srila Rupa Gosvami he has given his direction,
namo maha-vadanyaya
krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya
namne gaura-tvise namah
[Cc. Madhya 19.53]
Idea is Srila Rupa Gosvami, offering his obeisances to Caitanya Mahaprabhu, namo maha-vadanyaya: "The greatest munificent charitable person because You are giving Krsna-prema. Nobody can understand Krsna, but You are giving Krsna-prema." Namo maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te krsnaya krsna-caitanya [Cc. Madhya 19.53]. "You are Krsna. You have appeared again as Krsna Caitanya. Therefore I offer my obeisances." Similarly Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya, who was the learned scholar, pandita, in the assembly of Maharaja Prataparudra... [break] ...sabha-pandita. So he also has written many verses. One of them is that,
vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yoga-
siksartham ekah purusah puranah
sri-krsna-caitanya-sarira-dhari
krpambudhir yas tam aham prapadye
[Cc. Madhya 6.254]
"This Caitanya Mahaprabhu is the same person." Vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti. "In order to teach Krsna consciousness, He has now appeared as Krsna Caitanya." Vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti yoga-siksartham ekah purusah puranah [Cc. Madhya 6.254]. Sasvata-purana. Krsna is the Purana. Nava-yauvanam ca. In the Brahma-samhita it is said, advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam adyam purana nava-yauvanam ca [Bs. 5.33]. He's the oldest person, adi-purusa, but nava-yauvana. So in every way you'll find that if we want to understand Krsna, then we have to take shelter of this Krsna's renounced order of life in the form of Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu.
So Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu's one of the confidential devotees was an Oriya, this Ramananda Raya and Sikhi Mahiti. So it is a great opportunity for the Oriyas to understand Krsna consciousness science through the mercy of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We are discussing the talks between Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Ramananda Raya. You'll kindly hear and take advantage of it and be benefited. [break] So we can, if they require, any question-answer. [break]
Guest (1): ...Krsna consciousness in grhastha asrama?
Prabhupada: They follow Sri Ramananda Raya. He was a grhastha. He was a responsible government officer. Still, he was the best disciple of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Ramananda Raya, while talking with Caitanya Mahaprabhu, he was feeling little shamefulness because Caitanya Mahaprabhu was a great sannyasi and coming from a very respectable brahmana family, and Ramananda Raya, he belonged to the Kharan(?) caste of Orissa, and he was grhastha, at the same time in government service. So he was feeling little shamefulness, that "I am teaching Caitanya Mahaprabhu." So when he was feeling like that, Caitanya Mahaprabhu encouraged him,
kiba vipra kiba sudra nyasi kene naya
yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya
[Cc. Madhya 8.128]
"You become a sannyasi or you become a grhastha or you are a brahmana or a sudra. The Krsna consciousness has nothing to do with these material things. If you know actually what is Krsna, then you can become guru." Another place also, Krsna, er, Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that
yei bhaje sei bada abhakta hina chara
krsna-bhajane te nahi jati-kuladi-vicara
[Cc. Antya 4.67]
"Anyone who is a devotee, he is great, and who is not devotee, he may declare himself as great, but he is the most fallen." In the devotional service there is no such distinction as jati and kula. So if you follow -- the example is there in your country, Ramananda Raya -- then wherever you are, you are exalted. Narottama dasa Thakura, he has also said -- he is acarya-grhe va vanete thake ha gauranga bale dake narottama mage tara sanga: "It doesn't matter whether he is a grhastha or he's a sannyasi." Vanete means vanaprastha, sannyasi. "Wherever he may be, if he's actually a perfect devotee of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, I want his association. Never mind." Grhe va vanete thake ha gauranga bale dake narottama mage tara sanga.
So Krsna bhajana is so magnanimous, so exalted, in any position you can become the greatest guru, provided you follow the footsteps of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. [break] ...says how one can become perfect. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Four things. Simply think of Krsna, this chanting of Hare Krsna mantra -- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare... So you remain grhastha. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said, namasraya kari thakaha apana kaje. In whatever occupation you are, remain there. There is no need of changing. But namasraya kari. If you remain a grhastha, what is your loss if you chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra? And if there is gain, why don't you take it? Simple thing. And Krsna also says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru, mam evaisyasi asamsayah [Bg. 18.65]. These four things will get you back to home, back to Godhead. What is that? Simply think of Krsna. But if from the very beginning you want to understand the meaning of Krsna -- "Krsna is nirakara. He has no hand, He has no leg" -- then how you'll think of Krsna? You have to give up all this nonsense idea. Then wherever you live, you will be perfect by Krsna consciousness. [break] ...Kali-yuga the special advantage is that people cannot become very much advanced in spiritual life, but for Kali-yuga there is a special concession. Kalau nasty nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. Harer nama harer nama harer nama iva kevalam [Cc. Adi 17.21]. And Srimad-Bhagavatam also, it is confirmed, kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sanga param vrajet [SB 12.3.51]. So you remain grhastha. It is now difficult to give up grhastha life. But don't be merged into this black hole. Don't make black hole tragedy. Be alive, take to Krsna consciousness, and you'll be happy. So there is no distinction in Krsna-bhajana whether one is a grhastha or a sannyasi. He must take the science. Then he will be all right.
Guest (3) (Indian man): ...without taking diksa from the guru also utters the name of Lord Krsna with devotion and...
Prabhupada: There is no devotion unless you go to a guru. Forget it. Adau gurvasrayam. First thing is, first business, is to accept a bona fide guru. Otherwise there is no devotion. It is simply false imitation. This is the injunction of Rupa Gosvami in Bhakti-rasamrta sindhu. Adau gurvasrayam: "Your first business is to approach bona fide guru and take his asraya." Otherwise there is no devotion. That has been the defect in the modern society. They imagine. This business should be given up. He must follow. Sadhu-marganugamanam, which is prescribed by the sadhu, guru, you have to accept that. You cannot manufacture your own way.
Guest (3): The world is so vast, and people who are living in this world and also wishing to attain God or remember God or say about the God... Also the namaskaram is, Gurudeva said, that, mentioned in the Gita, that all these are fruitless, the soul which is remembering God either in the form of Krsna, but he has not met a guru. Because to get a real guru is a real occasion. It doesn't happen in the case of everyone. One in million get a chance to get a real spiritual guide. There are so many in the name of spiritual guide. And he will false pray because his inner soul hankers and inner soul thinks that "This is my guru, and somehow I will accept whatever he says." And the ultimate aim and objective is to love God or to recite his name or surrender to Him.
Prabhupada: This question has been answered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu while He was teaching Srila Rupa Gosvami.
ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]
The guru word is there. Guru Krsna. If you are actually hankering after Krsna -- Krsna is within yourself -- He will give you a guru. He will give you a guru. Guru-krsna-krpaya. But we must be fortunate to get real guru. If I am unfortunate, I'll not get a guru. Otherwise why Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]? Mali hana se bija kariya aropana. In this way you'll find in the Caitanya-caritamrta. So even Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He accepted guru, Isvara Puri. He is Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna Himself. As Sarvabhauma Bhattacarya said that,
vairagya-vidya-nija-bhakti-yoga-
siksartham ekah purusah puranah
sri-krsna-caitanya sarira dhari...
[Cc. Madhya 6.254]
He's the purusa Purana, Krsna, but now He has appeared as Krsna Caitanya. So he also accepted guru, what to speak of our... Krsna also accepted guru. So how you will get the ultimate goal of life without accepting guru? Why do you manufacture this idea? There is no need of manufacturing this. You have to follow. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. If you manufacture, then you'll be cheated. Don't do this. That has become a fashion, that you manufacture your own way of service. That is not possible. Therefore Rupa Gosvami stresses, adau-gurvasrayam: "The first business is that you must find out a bona fide guru." Then other things.
Guest (4) (Indian man): Gurudeva said the only aim of human being is to surrender to Sri Krsna, to the lotus feet of Sri Krsna.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Guest (4): In India especially, there are so many temples and gods and goddesses...
Prabhupada: That has been described in the Bhagavad-gita. Those who are hrta-jnanah, less intelligent, all these gods and goddess are for them. Hrta-jnanah. Kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah yajante anya devatah [Bg. 7.20]. "Those who are after other demigods, they are hrta-jnanah." Hrta-jnanah means they have got little knowledge -- that is taken away by maya. Mayayapahrta-jnana. These words are there. So this demigod worship is for the less intelligent class of men, not the actual intellectuals. Actual intellectual is he-bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate [Bg. 7.19]. So he's actual intelligent, when he surrenders to Krsna. Vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah [Bg. 7.19]. So the demigod worship is recommended for the less intelligent class of men. Otherwise, to surrender to Krsna is the highest stage of perfection.
Guest (5) (Indian man): Sir, what is the difference between renunciation and surrender?
Prabhupada: Yes. Renunciation is the beginning of this material world. You cannot take, you cannot surrender to Krsna, unless you renounce this ma.... If you have got material necessities... Sarva-dharman parityajva. Krsna says, "Absolute surrender." And if you want material necessities, then you have got so many dharmas -- this dharma, that dharma, social dharma, family dharma, national dharma, community dharma, and so on, so on. But Krsna demands, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. So it is not very easy thing. Therefore renunciation and surrender. Surrender means full renunciation, no reservation. And renunciation means you renounce something and keep something. That is difference.
Guest (5): Supposing any person, he renounces everything, his material property, and if he just came to Krsna consciousness. Can he live?
Prabhupada: We are living. You can see practically. We have got more than one hundred centers, and we are maintaining at least ten thousand men, just like these Europeans. And you have seen our opulence. We are advertised as fabulously rich. You can see here also. We have got at least four cars here. Who has got four cars? Don't you see how we are living?
Guest (5): Sir, what I meant... Supposing...
Prabhupada: No. Your question is that... We are living very opulently because we are surrendered to Krsna. That is point. So if you come to us you will also live very opulently. Surrender. Do that by practical seeing. We have no anxiety. Do you know what is our expenditure? In New York we are spending twelve lakhs of rupees per month. Only in New York. Similarly, in Los Angeles we have got huge expenditure. And our income is also, daily, five lakhs. You can see. Take our account. Audit. People do not touch as soon as one hears, "Oh, it is a religious group." And we are selling religious books, this Bhagavata and Srimad Bhagavad-gita, six lakhs of rupees daily. Can you imagine?
Guest (6) (Indian man): Where is this consciousness of surrender come in human life? At what stage it can come?
Prabhupada: At any moment. You must be prepared. Krsna said, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. So if you have got intelligence, you can do it immediately. Where is the difficulty? But you'll not do it. They have done it, these young boys. They have no other business. And Krsna assures, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah: Don't hesitate. But we are hesitating. So there is no surrender. So all right, you remain under the clutches of maya and suffer. Daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya [Bg. 7.14]. Maya is very strong. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti As soon as you surrender to Krsna immediately you are mukta. Immediately, instantly. It is in your hand. You follow Krsna's instruction, do the needful, you are mukta. Chant Hare Krsna
Devotees: Jaya Srila Prabhupada! (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Evening Lecture -- Bhuvanesvara, January 23, 1977
"Initiation"
27 August 69 , Hamburg
Prabhupada: Apavitrah pavitro va. One may be in impure condition and one may be in pure condition. Sarvavastham, in all conditions. Avastha means all conditions. Gato 'pi va, situated, in any condition situated; yah, anybody; smaret, remembers; pundarikaksam. Pundarikaksam means "the Lord whose eyes are like the lotus petal." Lotus eyes. Pundarikaksam. Sa, that person becomes; sa bahyabhyantaram. Bahya means externally and abhyantara means internally. Bahyabhyantaram sucih. Sucih means purified. Another suci means brahmana. A brahmana is called suci. A brahmana means a purified person. Not that by birth one becomes pure. No. The purificatory process. There are purificatory processes. Just like in infectious condition, those who are vaccinated, given injection, he is supposed to be purified. He cannot be attacked or infected by the disease. Similarly, in spiritual life also one has to remain purified. The whole process, this Krsna consciousness movement, is to purify the people in general from the contaminated condition of material existence. Purifying. It is purifying process. A living entity by nature is pure because he is part and parcel of the Supreme Pure, God. But due to his impure condition, he has forgotten his eternal relationship with God. So this initiation means that one is being accepted as student by the spiritual master to promote him gradually to the purified state, where he can realize himself and God. This is the whole process. In contaminated state we cannot approach. I have given this example many times. Just like if you want to enter into certain place, then you must be adjusted with the conditions. Just like people are going to the moon planet. There it is supposed to be it is very cold. So people go with a certain type of dress by adjusting. Similarly, if you want to enter into the spiritual kingdom, the abode, the planet where Krsna lives, so you must be purified. Adjust yourself. Not only to the spiritual kingdom of Krsna -- any planet you want to enter, you must adjust yourself in that way. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita,
yanti deva-vrata devan
pitrn yanti pitr-vratah
bhutejya yanti bhutani
mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam
[Bg. 9.25]
If you adjust yourself, then you can go to the higher planetary system. Deva-vrata devan. Devan means the planetary system or the different planets where demigods are living. Just like this moon planet. This moon planet is also another planet of the demigod Candra. I do not know the modern expedition of going to the moon planet, how far it will be successful. I think it cannot be successful. According to Vedic literature, it cannot be successful because people cannot adjust to enter that planet. One has to adjust, make the bodily condition in that way so that one can live there. In this planet also, there are different climates. In India the climate is different, and your Western country, the climate is different. So when one comes to the Western country, he also adjusts with different coats and shirts. In India we can remain naked body practically throughout the whole year, but you cannot live here. So there is adjustment. So this adjustment, the Bhagavad-gita says, mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam [Bg. 9.25]. "Those who have adjusted themselves to come to Me, he can come." There is no obstruction. So this initiation process, this Krsna consciousness, means to adjust your condition so that after leaving this body, you can enter into the planet where Krsna lives. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama: [Bg. 15.6] "That supreme abode, where entering, one does not come back again to this material world, that is My supreme abode." There is...
na yatra bhasayate suryo
na sasanko na pavakah
yad gatva na nivartante
tad dhama paramam mama
[Bg. 15.6]
These kind are explained. In that spiritual kingdom there is no need of sunshine, there is no need of moonshine, there is no need of electricity. And one who goes there, he does not come back. He lives there eternally, blissful life of knowledge.
So the initiation process means to give the conditioned soul a chance. This chance can be available in this human form of life. The cats and dogs, they cannot take chance of entering into the spiritual kingdom, or they cannot... It is not possible they can take initiation for purifying the body. So everybody, every human being, should take advantage of this form of life, human form of life, and cultivate this Krsna consciousness. And it is very simple and easy also. For this age, Lord..., by the grace of Lord Caitanya, we have got very easy method: simply chanting Hare Krsna. This mantra also which we uttered just now, it is said, yah smaret pundarikaksam: "Anyone who remembers pundarikaksam, Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, immediately he becomes purified." Suci. Suci. Suci means purified. Sri visnu sri visnu sri visnu. Three times. So the Krsna and Visnu is the same thing. Krsna is the original person of all visnu-tattva. So anyone who is keeping himself always in touch with the vibration of Krsna consciousness -- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare -- that is the only, I mean to say, guaranteed platform where you can keep yourself purified without any material contamination. And in this purified state, if we can leave this body ultimately, then there is no doubt we enter into the supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita, and you read carefully. This initiation does not mean... Of course, this chanting will save you, only chanting. But if you read some literatures also, and the philosophy also, then it will be more and more convincing that you are making progress. And in the Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita you will find that this is the process by which you can understand practically whether you are making actually progress in spiritual life. Pratyaksam avagamam dharmyam. This bhakti-yoga system is so nice that one can directly understand how he is making progress, and very quickly. That's a fact. All of our students who have taken to this process, within very short time, they are realizing that actually they are making some progress. Therefore they are sticking to the principles and going on.
So my request to you all who are going to be initiated, that you keep always yourself in contact with this chanting and that will make you, I mean to say, able to be always purified, suci. Material contamination cannot... And you avoid these four principles: illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication of all descriptions. Intoxication does not mean simply liquor. Intoxication means even tea-drinking. Tea is also intoxication, in slight degree. Tea, coffee, cigarettes -- everything should be avoided. In India they chew pan. So these things are to be give up, intoxication group, and meat-eating group. Then you make very quickly progress, and by the grace of Krsna, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. After leaving this body, one hasn't got to take another material body and suffer. So long we have got this material body, we have to suffer the material pangs. There cannot be any adjustment. So if anyone is serious for ending all troubles... Everyone wants to live peacefully and happily. That is natural, because spirit soul is anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12), by nature joyful. He wants to keep himself joyful, but he does not know how eternal joyful life can be attained. That is spiritual life. You cannot become joyful by material adjustment. No. You may be joyful for the time being by drinking or by intoxication, but how long? So long the intoxication influence is there, you may feel something. That is artificially. But that is not actually the state of joyfulness. Real state of joyfulness is to be situated in spiritual life, and when you (are) actually in the spiritual kingdom, then you become sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1], eternal life, joyful life, blissful life, with full knowledge.
So on behalf of Krsna, we are trying to distribute this knowledge at least in this part of the world. Now, those who are fortunate, they will take it and be benefited. Our business is to distribute. Now it is up to you. Every individual soul is independent. He may accept or may not accept. That depends on him. But if he accepts, it is good for him. Otherwise, he may make his choice. Krsna never..., God never interferes with your independence. No. He will never do that. Then what is the meaning of living being? Dull matter, it has no independence. Even it is a big mountain or big thing, it has no independence. It will stand still. But a small ant, even a microbe, it has got independence because it is living creature. So God has made you or given you little independence. That independence does not mean that you shall misuse it. You shall use it properly. And what is that proper use? To be engaged in His loving service. Just like you citizens of this German state, what you are meant for? You are meant for rendering service to the state. Similarly, the whole... This is a small state. America is a small... Or this planet is a small state. But there is a huge state which is called the cosmic manifestation. That state belongs to Krsna, or God. So naturally, you have to render service to the supreme state, supreme will. Then it is all right. Your independence is there. So long you are rendering service to the state properly, your independence as citizen is there. But as soon as you rebel against the state, your independence is gone. Similarly, our, this conditional life is due to our rebellious condition towards God. As soon as we agree surrender and be one with Him by transcendental loving service, the whole thing becomes adjusted. So Krsna consciousness movement means to teach people and to give them practical suggestion and help to... (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiation Lecture -- Hamburg, August 27, 1969
Prabhupada: Apavitrah pavitro va. One may be in impure condition and one may be in pure condition. Sarvavastham, in all conditions. Avastha means all conditions. Gato 'pi va, situated, in any condition situated; yah, anybody; smaret, remembers; pundarikaksam. Pundarikaksam means "the Lord whose eyes are like the lotus petal." Lotus eyes. Pundarikaksam. Sa, that person becomes; sa bahyabhyantaram. Bahya means externally and abhyantara means internally. Bahyabhyantaram sucih. Sucih means purified. Another suci means brahmana. A brahmana is called suci. A brahmana means a purified person. Not that by birth one becomes pure. No. The purificatory process. There are purificatory processes. Just like in infectious condition, those who are vaccinated, given injection, he is supposed to be purified. He cannot be attacked or infected by the disease. Similarly, in spiritual life also one has to remain purified. The whole process, this Krsna consciousness movement, is to purify the people in general from the contaminated condition of material existence. Purifying. It is purifying process. A living entity by nature is pure because he is part and parcel of the Supreme Pure, God. But due to his impure condition, he has forgotten his eternal relationship with God. So this initiation means that one is being accepted as student by the spiritual master to promote him gradually to the purified state, where he can realize himself and God. This is the whole process. In contaminated state we cannot approach. I have given this example many times. Just like if you want to enter into certain place, then you must be adjusted with the conditions. Just like people are going to the moon planet. There it is supposed to be it is very cold. So people go with a certain type of dress by adjusting. Similarly, if you want to enter into the spiritual kingdom, the abode, the planet where Krsna lives, so you must be purified. Adjust yourself. Not only to the spiritual kingdom of Krsna -- any planet you want to enter, you must adjust yourself in that way. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita,
yanti deva-vrata devan
pitrn yanti pitr-vratah
bhutejya yanti bhutani
mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam
[Bg. 9.25]
If you adjust yourself, then you can go to the higher planetary system. Deva-vrata devan. Devan means the planetary system or the different planets where demigods are living. Just like this moon planet. This moon planet is also another planet of the demigod Candra. I do not know the modern expedition of going to the moon planet, how far it will be successful. I think it cannot be successful. According to Vedic literature, it cannot be successful because people cannot adjust to enter that planet. One has to adjust, make the bodily condition in that way so that one can live there. In this planet also, there are different climates. In India the climate is different, and your Western country, the climate is different. So when one comes to the Western country, he also adjusts with different coats and shirts. In India we can remain naked body practically throughout the whole year, but you cannot live here. So there is adjustment. So this adjustment, the Bhagavad-gita says, mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam [Bg. 9.25]. "Those who have adjusted themselves to come to Me, he can come." There is no obstruction. So this initiation process, this Krsna consciousness, means to adjust your condition so that after leaving this body, you can enter into the planet where Krsna lives. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama: [Bg. 15.6] "That supreme abode, where entering, one does not come back again to this material world, that is My supreme abode." There is...
na yatra bhasayate suryo
na sasanko na pavakah
yad gatva na nivartante
tad dhama paramam mama
[Bg. 15.6]
These kind are explained. In that spiritual kingdom there is no need of sunshine, there is no need of moonshine, there is no need of electricity. And one who goes there, he does not come back. He lives there eternally, blissful life of knowledge.
So the initiation process means to give the conditioned soul a chance. This chance can be available in this human form of life. The cats and dogs, they cannot take chance of entering into the spiritual kingdom, or they cannot... It is not possible they can take initiation for purifying the body. So everybody, every human being, should take advantage of this form of life, human form of life, and cultivate this Krsna consciousness. And it is very simple and easy also. For this age, Lord..., by the grace of Lord Caitanya, we have got very easy method: simply chanting Hare Krsna. This mantra also which we uttered just now, it is said, yah smaret pundarikaksam: "Anyone who remembers pundarikaksam, Hari, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, immediately he becomes purified." Suci. Suci. Suci means purified. Sri visnu sri visnu sri visnu. Three times. So the Krsna and Visnu is the same thing. Krsna is the original person of all visnu-tattva. So anyone who is keeping himself always in touch with the vibration of Krsna consciousness -- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare -- that is the only, I mean to say, guaranteed platform where you can keep yourself purified without any material contamination. And in this purified state, if we can leave this body ultimately, then there is no doubt we enter into the supreme abode of the Personality of Godhead. These things are very nicely explained in the Bhagavad-gita, and you read carefully. This initiation does not mean... Of course, this chanting will save you, only chanting. But if you read some literatures also, and the philosophy also, then it will be more and more convincing that you are making progress. And in the Ninth Chapter of the Bhagavad-gita you will find that this is the process by which you can understand practically whether you are making actually progress in spiritual life. Pratyaksam avagamam dharmyam. This bhakti-yoga system is so nice that one can directly understand how he is making progress, and very quickly. That's a fact. All of our students who have taken to this process, within very short time, they are realizing that actually they are making some progress. Therefore they are sticking to the principles and going on.
So my request to you all who are going to be initiated, that you keep always yourself in contact with this chanting and that will make you, I mean to say, able to be always purified, suci. Material contamination cannot... And you avoid these four principles: illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication of all descriptions. Intoxication does not mean simply liquor. Intoxication means even tea-drinking. Tea is also intoxication, in slight degree. Tea, coffee, cigarettes -- everything should be avoided. In India they chew pan. So these things are to be give up, intoxication group, and meat-eating group. Then you make very quickly progress, and by the grace of Krsna, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. After leaving this body, one hasn't got to take another material body and suffer. So long we have got this material body, we have to suffer the material pangs. There cannot be any adjustment. So if anyone is serious for ending all troubles... Everyone wants to live peacefully and happily. That is natural, because spirit soul is anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12), by nature joyful. He wants to keep himself joyful, but he does not know how eternal joyful life can be attained. That is spiritual life. You cannot become joyful by material adjustment. No. You may be joyful for the time being by drinking or by intoxication, but how long? So long the intoxication influence is there, you may feel something. That is artificially. But that is not actually the state of joyfulness. Real state of joyfulness is to be situated in spiritual life, and when you (are) actually in the spiritual kingdom, then you become sac-cid-ananda-vigraha [Bs. 5.1], eternal life, joyful life, blissful life, with full knowledge.
So on behalf of Krsna, we are trying to distribute this knowledge at least in this part of the world. Now, those who are fortunate, they will take it and be benefited. Our business is to distribute. Now it is up to you. Every individual soul is independent. He may accept or may not accept. That depends on him. But if he accepts, it is good for him. Otherwise, he may make his choice. Krsna never..., God never interferes with your independence. No. He will never do that. Then what is the meaning of living being? Dull matter, it has no independence. Even it is a big mountain or big thing, it has no independence. It will stand still. But a small ant, even a microbe, it has got independence because it is living creature. So God has made you or given you little independence. That independence does not mean that you shall misuse it. You shall use it properly. And what is that proper use? To be engaged in His loving service. Just like you citizens of this German state, what you are meant for? You are meant for rendering service to the state. Similarly, the whole... This is a small state. America is a small... Or this planet is a small state. But there is a huge state which is called the cosmic manifestation. That state belongs to Krsna, or God. So naturally, you have to render service to the supreme state, supreme will. Then it is all right. Your independence is there. So long you are rendering service to the state properly, your independence as citizen is there. But as soon as you rebel against the state, your independence is gone. Similarly, our, this conditional life is due to our rebellious condition towards God. As soon as we agree surrender and be one with Him by transcendental loving service, the whole thing becomes adjusted. So Krsna consciousness movement means to teach people and to give them practical suggestion and help to... (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiation Lecture -- Hamburg, August 27, 1969
Sunday, September 26, 2010
"We Have To Tolerate"
"We Have To Tolerate"
29 Mar 77 , Bombay
Prabhupada: Hare Krsna.
nunam pramattah kurute vikarma
yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti
na sadhu manye yata atmano 'yam
(asann api) klesada asa dehah
[SB 5.5.4]
The real problem of life is not to adjust things materially, change from one form of government to another form of government. These things are temporary things. It will not give relief. And this fighting between one party with another amongst the politicians or the ksatriyas or the administrators, they are going on perpetually. That is not a very new thing. So we should not forget our real life. For ruling over to get political predominance, there may be fighting. That is natural. It is going on. Just like the Battle of Kuruksetra -- it is a fighting between two sections of the same family, who will rule over. So there was fighting, but at the same time, they did not lose Krsna culture. That is the important point. Similarly, India has got a great culture, background, Vedic culture or Krsna culture. Vedic culture means Krsna culture, and Krsna culture means Vedic culture. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. So study Veda or Vedanta means to understand Krsna. That is the purpose. Vedais ca sarvair. Veda means knowledge, and anta means end. Vedanta. Vyasadeva, Srila Vyasadeva, he has given us the Vedanta philosophy. What is the purpose? That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita:
sarvasya caham hrdi-sannivisto
mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca
vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam
vedanta-vid vedanta-krt (eva) ca aham
[Bg. 15.15]
So we should take care of very seriously about this culture of Bhagavad-gita. This is India's property. This Vedic culture, instruction of Bhagavad-gita, was spoken on the land of Bharata-varsa, although it is not meant for a particular class of men or a class of people or in a particular country. It is meant for everyone. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. Especially for the human being. So our request is that we may fight amongst ourself for political predominance, but why should we forget our real culture, Vedic culture, Krsna consciousness? That is our request. All important men, leaders of the society, they should take this Vedic culture, Krsna consciousness, and not only preach in their own country, but all over the world. If you don't take it, there is a great risk. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita:
asradaddhanah purusa
dharmasyasya parantapa
mam aprapya eva nivartante
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani
[Bg. 9.3]
Krsna says personally... He comes, yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata, tadatmanam srjamy aham [Bg. 4.7], for the benefit of the human society. Because dharmasya glanir. Dharma is meant for the human society. Dharma is not meant for the cats and dogs. They have no dharma. You cannot have any religious principle or institution in the cat society or dog society. Dharmena hinah pasubhih samanam. Therefore when human society becomes devoid of dharma, then it is animal society. It is no longer human society.
And what is that dharma? I have several times spoken. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. Dharma means the law or the words given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is dharma. That is the shortcut definition of dharma. "You should do this; you should not do this." Just like the government gives us law, "Keep to the right." So that is law. Although it is very simple thing, "Keep to the right," but that is law. Similarly what Krsna says... Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we take it for proper utilization of our this great boon of life, human form of life, then we become dharmi, and our life is successful. What Krsna says, that is not at all difficult. Even a child can perform. What Krsna said? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Very simple thing. Krsna says, "Always think of Me." What is the difficulty? Even a child can think of Krsna. If he goes to the temple and if he understands from his parents that "Here is the Deity, Krsna," it impresses. He understands, "Here is Krsna." Because he is simple. So he can also think of Krsna: "I went to the temple, I saw Krsna very nicely dressed, very nicely decorated. Very nice foodstuff was offered, and I got the prasadam." Where is the difficulty? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. If you go regularly to see Krsna in the temple and to remember Him, then you become a bhakta. It doesn't require that you have to pass M.A. examination to become a knowledge... Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. If you simply understand Krsna, your all Vedic knowledge is perfect. Aradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim [Narada-pancaratra]. If you have understood Hari, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, tapasa tatah kim, then where is the necessity of tapasya? You have achieved the result of tapasya.
Because to understand Krsna is not so easy.
manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascid vetti mam tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]
To understand Krsna he requires great tapasya. There is no doubt about it. But if some way or other you have understood Krsna, then aradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim [Narada-pancaratra]. There is no more need of tapasya. Your ultimate goal of life is already achieved. And naradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim. And you have performed great austerities, penances, but you do not know what is Krsna -- then it is useless waste of time. Naradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim. What is the value of your tapasya? Real thing you do not understand. So aradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim, naradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim, antar bahir yadi haris tatah kim. If you have learned these four principles as instructed by Bhagavan, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru... [Bg. 18.65]. Very simple thing. Antar bahir, within and without, if you have learned to think of Krsna, antar bahir yadi haris tapasa, then where is the use of tapasya? It is already achieved. Because you are thinking always, externally and internally, Krsna. And naradhito yadi haris. Antar bahir yadi haris tapasa tatah kim. If you have not learned the art of thinking Krsna externally and internally, then what is the use of your so-called tapasya?
So this Krsna consciousness movement is very easy. If it cannot be introduced, I mean to say, in large scale, collectively, individually anyone can learn and take the Vedic wisdom. Anyone, even a child. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakta. And what is the result? The result is mam evaisyasi asamsayah [Bg. 18.65]. Anyone who is doing this, asamsaya, "Without any doubt, you are coming to Me." That is the aim of life, how to go back to hom, back to Godhead. Not to join here in the dog's race. That is not aim of life. It will not make me happy, anyone happy.
prakrteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
[Bg. 3.27]
The nature's law is working very stringently. You cannot avoid it.
daivi hy esa gunamayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te
[Bg. 7.14]
So these things are there. I can quote many verses like that. But Krsna consciousness is very easy, and everyone should become Krsna conscious. That is the aim of life. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. We are trying to adjust things externally, but that will never be fulfilled. Durasaya. This is hope against hope. You cannot do anything independently because you are fully under the clutches of maya. Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. Krsna says, "My dear Arjuna, Isvara, the Supreme Lord, is situated in the core of everyone's heart." He is not far away. And He is observing. In the Upanisads it is said that there are two birds on one tree. One is eating the fruit, and the other is witnessing. The witnessing bird is Krsna, and the eating bird is the jivatma.
So Krsna is so friendly that He always lives with us just to turn our face towards Krsna. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. What is His business? He is simply waiting for the time when we shall turn our face to Krsna. That is His business. But unfortunately, we do not want Krsna. We want something which is not Krsna. That is our disease. Still, Krsna is giving us facility. Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya [Bg. 18.61]. Krsna gives intelligence, mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca [Bg. 15.15], that "You are My part and parcel. Why you are struggling so hard in this material world? Come to Me. I will give you all protection." Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66]. He is ready. But I'll not do. That's my obstinacy. At that time what Krsna will do? He is affectionate father. "All right, what do you want to do?" "I want to do like this." "All right." Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya [Bg. 18.61]. He immediately orders prakrti... Mayadhyaksena prakrteh suyate sa-caracaram [Bg. 9.10]. "This living entity wants a body like this. So give him a body like that." Yantra. That is called yantra. It is a machine. This body is the machine. And therefore we are changing, one body to another, yantrarudhani mayaya. This is our business.
So if I am now in a yantra, Mercedes car, and suppose next life I ride on another yantra which is four-legged dog, then what is the benefit of this kind of struggle for existence? But that is going on. Therefore Krsna warns, asraddhadhanah purusa dharmasyasya parantapa mam aprapya. "The aim of life was to achieve Me," Krsna says, "but the result is, because he does not hear what I say," mam aprapya nivartante, "again goes back," mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. This material world means to take birth and die. That is called mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. Now I am born as Indian or as brahmana or something like that. The next life, there is no guarantee. Krsna does not say that there is guarantee. Krsna says tatha dehantara-praptih. You have to change your body. Tatha dehantara-praptih dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13].
So our request is that such a great science of, for the human society, for understanding the problems of life, how to solve it, how to achieve the greatest success in life... We have got this in the Bhagavad-gita. Why should we neglect it? What is the reason? Other things may go on -- this political fight or some fight. Fighting. This is a world of fighting. Agamapayino 'nityah tams titiksasva bharata. Matra-sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah [Bg. 2.14]. This is world of sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah. You cannot avoid it. So tams titiksasva bharata. Just try to tolerate. Caitanya Mahaprabhu also says the same thing:
trnad api sunicena
taror api suhisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
[Cc. Adi 17.31]
We have to become tolerant than the grass on the street and forbearing more than the trees. In this way we have to tolerate whatever is going on in this material world. Tolerate does not mean unnecessarily we shall suffer. As far as possible, let us struggle, but we should not forget our real business. That is human life. Real business is that I am part and parcel of God. Mamaivamso jiva-bhuta [Bg. 15.7]. Some way or other, I am fallen in this material condition. There is a Bengali poet, he has sung, anadi-karama-phale padi, bhavarnava-jale, tarivare na dheki upaya. "Somehow or other I am fallen in this material ocean and struggling for existence." Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore prayed... He does not pray for any material benefit. He is teaching us, na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye: [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4] "My Lord, Jagadisa, I do not want any material happiness or wealth," na dhanam na janam, "or great followers," na sundarim kavitam, "or beautiful wife." These are the demands of the karmis: "I must have wealth, I must have position, I must have beautiful home, beautiful wife." But Caitanya Mahaprabhu denies. He says, na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye. He does not want even mukti. Because He says next line that mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. "Life after life simply let Me remain Your devotee."
ayi nanda-tanuja patitam kinkaram
mam visame bhavambudhau
krpaya tava pada-pankaja-
sthita-dhuli-sadrsam vicintaya
[Cc. Antya 20.32, Siksastaka 5]
So we have got such vast knowledge for achieving the goal of life. It is India. Why should we neglect? Why we should become so foolish that forget our real purpose of life and engage in will-o'-the-wisp struggle for existence, which will never be successful? Why this misconception of life? At least, there must be this institution of Krsna consciousness in India so that not only the Indians, but all outside India, they should come and learn what is Krsna consciousness. (applause) So it is already explained. We are trying to develop this institution in Bombay. Bombay is the best city in India, and people are also very advanced, enlightened. So let us combine together and develop this institution for the whole human society. That is our ambition. It is not for any sect or any creed or any particular class of men. Manusyanam sahasresu [Bg. 7.3]. It is for the human society, and we have got this opportunity of human body. A Bengali poet sings, hari hari biphale janama gonainu. Manusya-janama paiya, radha-krsna na bhajiya, janiya suniya visa khainu. "My Lord, I have wasted my this valuable life, human form of life, because I did not take to Krsna consciousness."
So if you do not take Krsna consciousness seriously in this human form of life, then you must know that you are drinking poison knowingly. Don't neglect it. Try to understand. It is based on science, philosophy, sastra, knowledge. It is not a blind faith. And we are prepared to answer you in any way. The method is very simple; even a child can take advantage of it. Not that we are manufacturing. It is sanctioned in the sastra. Kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah. This is the statement by Sukadeva Gosvami to Maharaja Pariksit. He describes the faults of this Kali-yuga. It is just like the ocean. Kaler dosa-nidhe rajann hy asti eka mahan... But there is one very great advantage. He said What is that? Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet [SB 12.3.51]. If you chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, then you become free from all contamination and go back to home, back to Godhead.
Thank you very much.
Tamala-krsna: Some people have questions. Do you want to answer them?
Prabhupada: Hm?
Tamala-krsna: No need? Kirtana?
Prabhupada: They do not know. Hare Krsna. Thank you very much. Jaya.
Giriraja: We're inviting all of you to remain for... [break] (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.3-4 -- Bombay, March 29, 1977
29 Mar 77 , Bombay
Prabhupada: Hare Krsna.
nunam pramattah kurute vikarma
yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti
na sadhu manye yata atmano 'yam
(asann api) klesada asa dehah
[SB 5.5.4]
The real problem of life is not to adjust things materially, change from one form of government to another form of government. These things are temporary things. It will not give relief. And this fighting between one party with another amongst the politicians or the ksatriyas or the administrators, they are going on perpetually. That is not a very new thing. So we should not forget our real life. For ruling over to get political predominance, there may be fighting. That is natural. It is going on. Just like the Battle of Kuruksetra -- it is a fighting between two sections of the same family, who will rule over. So there was fighting, but at the same time, they did not lose Krsna culture. That is the important point. Similarly, India has got a great culture, background, Vedic culture or Krsna culture. Vedic culture means Krsna culture, and Krsna culture means Vedic culture. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. So study Veda or Vedanta means to understand Krsna. That is the purpose. Vedais ca sarvair. Veda means knowledge, and anta means end. Vedanta. Vyasadeva, Srila Vyasadeva, he has given us the Vedanta philosophy. What is the purpose? That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita:
sarvasya caham hrdi-sannivisto
mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca
vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam
vedanta-vid vedanta-krt (eva) ca aham
[Bg. 15.15]
So we should take care of very seriously about this culture of Bhagavad-gita. This is India's property. This Vedic culture, instruction of Bhagavad-gita, was spoken on the land of Bharata-varsa, although it is not meant for a particular class of men or a class of people or in a particular country. It is meant for everyone. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. Especially for the human being. So our request is that we may fight amongst ourself for political predominance, but why should we forget our real culture, Vedic culture, Krsna consciousness? That is our request. All important men, leaders of the society, they should take this Vedic culture, Krsna consciousness, and not only preach in their own country, but all over the world. If you don't take it, there is a great risk. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita:
asradaddhanah purusa
dharmasyasya parantapa
mam aprapya eva nivartante
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani
[Bg. 9.3]
Krsna says personally... He comes, yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata, tadatmanam srjamy aham [Bg. 4.7], for the benefit of the human society. Because dharmasya glanir. Dharma is meant for the human society. Dharma is not meant for the cats and dogs. They have no dharma. You cannot have any religious principle or institution in the cat society or dog society. Dharmena hinah pasubhih samanam. Therefore when human society becomes devoid of dharma, then it is animal society. It is no longer human society.
And what is that dharma? I have several times spoken. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. Dharma means the law or the words given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is dharma. That is the shortcut definition of dharma. "You should do this; you should not do this." Just like the government gives us law, "Keep to the right." So that is law. Although it is very simple thing, "Keep to the right," but that is law. Similarly what Krsna says... Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we take it for proper utilization of our this great boon of life, human form of life, then we become dharmi, and our life is successful. What Krsna says, that is not at all difficult. Even a child can perform. What Krsna said? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Very simple thing. Krsna says, "Always think of Me." What is the difficulty? Even a child can think of Krsna. If he goes to the temple and if he understands from his parents that "Here is the Deity, Krsna," it impresses. He understands, "Here is Krsna." Because he is simple. So he can also think of Krsna: "I went to the temple, I saw Krsna very nicely dressed, very nicely decorated. Very nice foodstuff was offered, and I got the prasadam." Where is the difficulty? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. If you go regularly to see Krsna in the temple and to remember Him, then you become a bhakta. It doesn't require that you have to pass M.A. examination to become a knowledge... Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. If you simply understand Krsna, your all Vedic knowledge is perfect. Aradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim [Narada-pancaratra]. If you have understood Hari, Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, tapasa tatah kim, then where is the necessity of tapasya? You have achieved the result of tapasya.
Because to understand Krsna is not so easy.
manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascid vetti mam tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]
To understand Krsna he requires great tapasya. There is no doubt about it. But if some way or other you have understood Krsna, then aradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim [Narada-pancaratra]. There is no more need of tapasya. Your ultimate goal of life is already achieved. And naradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim. And you have performed great austerities, penances, but you do not know what is Krsna -- then it is useless waste of time. Naradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim. What is the value of your tapasya? Real thing you do not understand. So aradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim, naradhito yadi haris tapasa tatah kim, antar bahir yadi haris tatah kim. If you have learned these four principles as instructed by Bhagavan, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru... [Bg. 18.65]. Very simple thing. Antar bahir, within and without, if you have learned to think of Krsna, antar bahir yadi haris tapasa, then where is the use of tapasya? It is already achieved. Because you are thinking always, externally and internally, Krsna. And naradhito yadi haris. Antar bahir yadi haris tapasa tatah kim. If you have not learned the art of thinking Krsna externally and internally, then what is the use of your so-called tapasya?
So this Krsna consciousness movement is very easy. If it cannot be introduced, I mean to say, in large scale, collectively, individually anyone can learn and take the Vedic wisdom. Anyone, even a child. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakta. And what is the result? The result is mam evaisyasi asamsayah [Bg. 18.65]. Anyone who is doing this, asamsaya, "Without any doubt, you are coming to Me." That is the aim of life, how to go back to hom, back to Godhead. Not to join here in the dog's race. That is not aim of life. It will not make me happy, anyone happy.
prakrteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
[Bg. 3.27]
The nature's law is working very stringently. You cannot avoid it.
daivi hy esa gunamayi
mama maya duratyaya
mam eva ye prapadyante
mayam etam taranti te
[Bg. 7.14]
So these things are there. I can quote many verses like that. But Krsna consciousness is very easy, and everyone should become Krsna conscious. That is the aim of life. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. We are trying to adjust things externally, but that will never be fulfilled. Durasaya. This is hope against hope. You cannot do anything independently because you are fully under the clutches of maya. Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. Krsna says, "My dear Arjuna, Isvara, the Supreme Lord, is situated in the core of everyone's heart." He is not far away. And He is observing. In the Upanisads it is said that there are two birds on one tree. One is eating the fruit, and the other is witnessing. The witnessing bird is Krsna, and the eating bird is the jivatma.
So Krsna is so friendly that He always lives with us just to turn our face towards Krsna. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. What is His business? He is simply waiting for the time when we shall turn our face to Krsna. That is His business. But unfortunately, we do not want Krsna. We want something which is not Krsna. That is our disease. Still, Krsna is giving us facility. Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya [Bg. 18.61]. Krsna gives intelligence, mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca [Bg. 15.15], that "You are My part and parcel. Why you are struggling so hard in this material world? Come to Me. I will give you all protection." Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66]. He is ready. But I'll not do. That's my obstinacy. At that time what Krsna will do? He is affectionate father. "All right, what do you want to do?" "I want to do like this." "All right." Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya [Bg. 18.61]. He immediately orders prakrti... Mayadhyaksena prakrteh suyate sa-caracaram [Bg. 9.10]. "This living entity wants a body like this. So give him a body like that." Yantra. That is called yantra. It is a machine. This body is the machine. And therefore we are changing, one body to another, yantrarudhani mayaya. This is our business.
So if I am now in a yantra, Mercedes car, and suppose next life I ride on another yantra which is four-legged dog, then what is the benefit of this kind of struggle for existence? But that is going on. Therefore Krsna warns, asraddhadhanah purusa dharmasyasya parantapa mam aprapya. "The aim of life was to achieve Me," Krsna says, "but the result is, because he does not hear what I say," mam aprapya nivartante, "again goes back," mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. This material world means to take birth and die. That is called mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. Now I am born as Indian or as brahmana or something like that. The next life, there is no guarantee. Krsna does not say that there is guarantee. Krsna says tatha dehantara-praptih. You have to change your body. Tatha dehantara-praptih dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13].
So our request is that such a great science of, for the human society, for understanding the problems of life, how to solve it, how to achieve the greatest success in life... We have got this in the Bhagavad-gita. Why should we neglect it? What is the reason? Other things may go on -- this political fight or some fight. Fighting. This is a world of fighting. Agamapayino 'nityah tams titiksasva bharata. Matra-sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah [Bg. 2.14]. This is world of sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah. You cannot avoid it. So tams titiksasva bharata. Just try to tolerate. Caitanya Mahaprabhu also says the same thing:
trnad api sunicena
taror api suhisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
[Cc. Adi 17.31]
We have to become tolerant than the grass on the street and forbearing more than the trees. In this way we have to tolerate whatever is going on in this material world. Tolerate does not mean unnecessarily we shall suffer. As far as possible, let us struggle, but we should not forget our real business. That is human life. Real business is that I am part and parcel of God. Mamaivamso jiva-bhuta [Bg. 15.7]. Some way or other, I am fallen in this material condition. There is a Bengali poet, he has sung, anadi-karama-phale padi, bhavarnava-jale, tarivare na dheki upaya. "Somehow or other I am fallen in this material ocean and struggling for existence." Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore prayed... He does not pray for any material benefit. He is teaching us, na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye: [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4] "My Lord, Jagadisa, I do not want any material happiness or wealth," na dhanam na janam, "or great followers," na sundarim kavitam, "or beautiful wife." These are the demands of the karmis: "I must have wealth, I must have position, I must have beautiful home, beautiful wife." But Caitanya Mahaprabhu denies. He says, na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye. He does not want even mukti. Because He says next line that mama janmani janmanisvare bhavatad bhaktir ahaituki tvayi [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. "Life after life simply let Me remain Your devotee."
ayi nanda-tanuja patitam kinkaram
mam visame bhavambudhau
krpaya tava pada-pankaja-
sthita-dhuli-sadrsam vicintaya
[Cc. Antya 20.32, Siksastaka 5]
So we have got such vast knowledge for achieving the goal of life. It is India. Why should we neglect? Why we should become so foolish that forget our real purpose of life and engage in will-o'-the-wisp struggle for existence, which will never be successful? Why this misconception of life? At least, there must be this institution of Krsna consciousness in India so that not only the Indians, but all outside India, they should come and learn what is Krsna consciousness. (applause) So it is already explained. We are trying to develop this institution in Bombay. Bombay is the best city in India, and people are also very advanced, enlightened. So let us combine together and develop this institution for the whole human society. That is our ambition. It is not for any sect or any creed or any particular class of men. Manusyanam sahasresu [Bg. 7.3]. It is for the human society, and we have got this opportunity of human body. A Bengali poet sings, hari hari biphale janama gonainu. Manusya-janama paiya, radha-krsna na bhajiya, janiya suniya visa khainu. "My Lord, I have wasted my this valuable life, human form of life, because I did not take to Krsna consciousness."
So if you do not take Krsna consciousness seriously in this human form of life, then you must know that you are drinking poison knowingly. Don't neglect it. Try to understand. It is based on science, philosophy, sastra, knowledge. It is not a blind faith. And we are prepared to answer you in any way. The method is very simple; even a child can take advantage of it. Not that we are manufacturing. It is sanctioned in the sastra. Kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah. This is the statement by Sukadeva Gosvami to Maharaja Pariksit. He describes the faults of this Kali-yuga. It is just like the ocean. Kaler dosa-nidhe rajann hy asti eka mahan... But there is one very great advantage. He said What is that? Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet [SB 12.3.51]. If you chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, then you become free from all contamination and go back to home, back to Godhead.
Thank you very much.
Tamala-krsna: Some people have questions. Do you want to answer them?
Prabhupada: Hm?
Tamala-krsna: No need? Kirtana?
Prabhupada: They do not know. Hare Krsna. Thank you very much. Jaya.
Giriraja: We're inviting all of you to remain for... [break] (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.3-4 -- Bombay, March 29, 1977
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