"Four Classes Of Men Come To God" 66/10/09 New York, Bhagavad-gita 7.15-18

Prabhupada: Mayayapahrta-jnana asuram bhavam asritah. Last day we have been discussing four classes of men who come to God and four classes of men who do not come to God. The four classes of men who do not come to God, they are impious, foolish, lowest of the mankind, and their knowledge is taken away by the illusory energy and they are atheists.

na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg. 7.15]

We have discussed this point in detail. The next, that four classes of men, arto artharthi jnani ca bharatarsabha... Arto jijnasur artharthi jnani ca bharatarsa... Four classes of men who are pious but at the same time distressed, poverty-stricken, and inquirous, and inquisitive of transcendental knowledge, and jnani, and philosopher, jijnasu, inquisitive and philosopher -- these four classes of men, they come to God.

Now, so far the four classes of men who do not come to God... That means the impious, the foolish, the lowest of the mankind, whose knowledge has been taken away by the illusory energy, and the atheists. Apart from these classes of men, the four classes of men who come to God, just like arta, distressed, inquisitive, artharthi... Artharthi means poverty-stricken. And jnani means philosopher. Now, out of these four classes, Lord Krsna says, tesam jnani nitya-yukta eka-bhaktir visisyate: "Out of these four classes, men, one who is philosophically trying to understand the nature of God with devotion, with Krsna consciousness, he is visisyate."

Visisyate means he's specially qualified. He's specially qualified. Priyo hi jnanino 'tyartham aham sa ca mama priyah. The... "For a person who is Krsna conscious, at the same time philosophically trying to understand what is the nature of God, so he is very dear to Me," Krsna says. "He is very dear to Me because he has no other business than to understand what is God." Others, just like a distressed man, he is in distress, but because he's pious, therefore he believes in God, he goes to the churches or to the temple or to the mosque and prays, "My dear Lord, I am very much distressed. Kindly help me." But the difficulty of this person is that God does not require to be prayed for, asking anything. He is... He is pious, he is distressed, but at the same time, he is foolish. Why he is foolish? Because he does not know that "God is with me, within my heart. He's sitting along with me. The soul and the Supersoul, both of them are sitting together. And God knows everything about me. So I do not require to pray from God to get me out of this distress. He knows everything. Why shall I pray?" He leaves everything to God. He does not pray. He prays..., he prays to glorify the God, "How great You are," not for his personal interest -- "O God, give me my bread. Give me my dress. Give me my shelter." That is also good. He is better than the person, that mudha, the foolish, the atheist and the lowest of the mankind. He's far better. Even he is going and asking in the church, "O God, give me my daily bread." But at the same time, he is less intelligent because he does not know that "God is with me, and He knows everything about me."

Therefore one who is pure devotee, he does not pray to God for any personal interest. Even if he is distressed, he says, "O Lord, it is Your kindness. You have put me in distress just to rectify me. I would have been put into more and more, thousand times in distress, but You are giving me little. That's all. That is Your great mercy." That is his vision. He does not... He's not disturbed. Tulyarthapamanayoh(?). A person who is in Krsna consciousness, he doesn't care for all this material distress or insult or honor, because he is aloof from this. He doesn't... He knows very well that "This designation, this honor, or this insult, they are pertaining to my body, but I am not this body." Just like Socrates. Socrates was condemned to death because he believed in the..., an immortality of the soul. So he was condemned to death, and he was asked to take hemlock or something like that, poison. And the judge wanted: "Well, Socrates, how do you want to be put into the grave?" He replied, "First of all, you catch me. Then you put me into the grave. (laughter) You are dealing with my body, nonsense. I am out of this. So you kill me or you put me into the grave or whatever you like, I don't mind. First of all, you catch me. Then you put me into the grave."

So this is... One who is completely conversant with Krsna science, he knows very well, "I am not this body. I am part and parcel of Krsna. My eternal relation is with Krsna. But some way or other, I have been put into this entanglement of this material body. All right. Now I am in sense. I get aloof from you. I am not going to be associated with the three qualities of this material nature," as we are discussing this morning. "I am not concerned with the modes of goodness or modes of passion or modes of ignorance. I am concerned with Krsna." Therefore such a learned and who has understood his real position and his relationship with Krsna, he is jnani. He knows. Therefore he is very much dear to Krsna. And Krsna always guides him. This man, who is in distress, goes and prays to God. That praying of God is an asset to him, but it may be, when he is put into opulence, he forgets God. There is defect in that. But a jnani, one who knows, he'll never forget God. His business will go on, continue.

Then, therefore, Krsna says, tesam jnani nitya-yuktah. Jnani is nitya-yukta. Jnani is not a... He is not a jnani, or man in knowledge, who is not eternally engaged in the service of Krsna. There are... There is a class of jnani, impersonalists. They say that "Because to worship impersonal is very difficult for us, so imagine some form of God." They are not jnanis; they are fools. Oh, you cannot imagine the form of God. God is so great. That may be your imagination, but that is not the form of God. That is concoction. They are called iconographer, iconographer. There are two classes of men: iconoclast and iconographer. Those who imagine the form of God, they are not jnani, they are iconographer. And those who think that "I have killed God" or "I have finished God," they are iconoclast. Just like in India we have experienced during British days. There were Hindu-Muslim riots. So the Hindus would go to the mosque of the Muslim and break it, and the Muslim would go the temples of the Hindus and break the idol. And they'll think that "We have finished Hindu's God." Just like Hindus also think, "Oh, we have broken their mosque. Therefore I have broken their God." These are foolishness. In another case... I have got experience. When there was, I mean to say, noncooperation movement of Gandhi's, the people became riotous, and they began to break anything government, especially the post boxes on the street. They thought by breaking the post boxes they are finishing the post office.

So these are foolishness. They are not jnani. One who has got real conception of God, they have no quarrel with each other. All the history of religious fight, Hindu-Muslim or Christian–non-Christian, they are all ignorant. They are all ignorant. One who is in the knowledge, he knows that God is one. God cannot be Hindu. God cannot be Muslim. God cannot be Christian. God is God. He has no material qualification. It is our conception that "God is such and such. God is such and such." That is imagination. That is called iconographer. So they are not jnani. They are not man in knowledge. Man in knowledge is different. He knows that God is transcendental. Just like even Sankaracarya, the impersonalist, he said, narayanah parah avyaktat. And in the morning also we have discussed the point that one who knows God transcendental, above this material qualities, he knows.

So therefore Krsna says here, priyo hi jnanino 'tyartham. The man who is actually in knowledge of the science of God is very dear to God. Priyo hi jnanino 'tyartham aham sa ca mama priyah. That is the personal relationship with the devotee and God. The devotee, he does not know anything beyond God, and God also does not know anything beyond His devotee. So sweet relation. God is always after me, as we have discussed many times, that He is sitting in the same tree, in this heart. I am sitting, and my friend, God, is also sitting, Supersoul, eternally. Wherever I am taking my transmigration, when I leave this body and enter into another body, God also goes there just to see what I am doing. When I shall turn my face towards Him -- He is simply waiting. And as soon as I turn my face towards God, oh, He says, "My dear son, come on." Sa ca mama priyah. Lord says, "You are eternally dear to Me. Now you are turning your face to Me. So I am very glad."

So therefore jnani -- one who understands the science of God. Simply God, "God is good," that is also very good. But one should understand what is the... That science of God is Srimad-Bhagavata, Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavata. Bhagavad-gita is the preliminary study of the science of God. So anyone who is actually interested in God, they should study the science of God, Bhagavad-gita. Vijnanam. Vijnanam means science. Jnanam me parama-guhyam yad vijnana-samanvitam. In the Bhagavata there is a statement like this. Jnanam. Jnanam means knowledge. Parama-guhyam, very confidential, very subtle and confidential. Parama-guhyam. Yad vijnana-samanvitam, which is full of scientific knowledge. Sa-rahasyam. It is full of mystery also. Jnanam me parama-guhyam yad vijnana-samanvitam, sa-rahasyam tad-angam ca, and how to understand the different departmental knowledge of God. Grhana gaditam maya. That knowledge can be imparted by God Himself. You cannot manufacture the knowledge of God. As..., as you discover some scientific knowledge of this material world, similarly you cannot discover God by such knowledge. That is not possible. The knowledge of God can be had when it is explained by God Himself or a bona fide representative of God. That is the process.

Therefore in the Bhagavad-gita you'll find:

yada yada hi dharmasya
glanir bhavati bharata
abhyutthanam adharmasya
tadatmanam srjamy aham
[Bg. 4.7]

"Whenever there is discrepancy in the matter of understanding the science of God, at that time I incarnate Myself." Because the whole system is like that, that it is an opportunity to the conditioned soul to recoup themselves to come back to God. This whole material creation is there, manifestation is there, to give the conditioned soul an opportunity to recoup himself and to understand what is his relationship with God and come back to God. So anyone who is very much inquisitive and, at the same time, eager to understand his relationship with God, he is called a jnani, a man in knowledge, and he is very dear to Krsna. It is not a sentiment. By sentiment you talk some nonsense. That is not bhakti. That is not devotion. Devotion is not sentiment. It is a science. Rupa Gosvami says,

sruti-smrti-puranadi-
pancaratra-vidhim vina
aikantiki harer bhaktir
utpatayaiva kalpate
[BRS 1.2.101]

He says that "A show of devotion, a show of spiritual," I mean to say, spirituality, "a show of devotion, a show of spirituality, without reference to the Vedic knowledge, sruti, smrti, and corollaries to the Vedas, pancaratra-vidhim, and the definition of bhakti-sutras like Narada-bhakti-sutra and such authoritative books," aikantiki harer bhaktih, "if a man is showing himself that he is very great devotee, and a man in knowledge, without any reference of the authoritative sastra, books -- oh, that is simply disturbance," Utpata. Utpata means disturbance. A man showing that he is a great devotee, he's great man of knowledge, but he has no reference with the books of knowledge, or the authoritative books, oh, that is simply creating disturbance. That is not religiosity, neither devotion, nothing else.

So this Krsna consciousness is a science. You have to take it scientifically, as they are described in the authoritative books, and test it by your reason and argument and knowledge, and follow it. It is science. It is not sentiment. Whatever we are doing here, the dancing, singing and everything, that is all scientific. Simply you have to understand it. Therefore jnani, only a person who is in knowledge, who is in knowledge of the science of Krsna, he can make an rapid advancement, and he is very dear to Krsna. Because slow but sure, he is making sure progress. It is no sentiment. So jnani. Priyo hi jnaninah atyartham. Atyartham means very... Aham. Krsna is very dear to the person in knowledge, and that man is also very dear to Krsna. Reciprocal. If you love Krsna, then Krsna will love more than you. You can... What capacity you have got to love Krsna? But Krsna will love. He has got immense capacity. So that is a science.

And what is the next? Now Krsna says,

udarah sarva evaite
jnani tv atmaiva me matam
asthitah sa hi yuktatma
mam evanuttamam gatim

Now, those persons, those who are distressed and those who are poverty-stricken, they go to God. They pray to God. Now Krsna is accepting their endeavor. Udarah sarva evaite: "They are, all of them, these four classes of men, either he is..., he is coming to Me in distress or being poverty-stricken or as inquisitive or as real man of knowledge, they are welcome. They are welcome." Udarah: "They are very good." Sarva evaite. "But, out of them," jnani tu atmaiva me matam, "still, that person who is in knowledge is very dear to Me, still." He is confirming it.

So one should be in knowledge. Devotional service, it is a science. And why others are welcome? Those who are distressed, has come to God, and those who are in poverty-stricken, has come to God, why they are also welcome? They are welcome in the sense that because they have come to God, in course of time, they will also become as good as the man in knowledge -- if they continue. But generally it happens: one who goes to the church for some profit, if the profit is not there, he'll say, "It is nonsense." He gives up all connection with church. I have got information from one of my Godbrothers. He is German. He told me that during wartime many Germans, they went to war, and their wives, sister, all woman class, they went to church and prayed for the return of their husband, brother or son. But they did not return, and all of them became atheists: "Oh, there is no God. There is no God." Sometimes it happens like that, that "We want God as my order-supplier. If He does not supply the order, then He becomes no God. There is no God." That is the defect of this kind of prayer. But if they continue...

Now, I'll give you one example. There was a little boy, five years old, in royal family, Maharaja Dhruva. He was insulted by his stepmother. The little boy was sitting on the lap of his father, and the stepmother dragged the boy: "Oh, you cannot sit down, sit on the father's, on the lap of your father, because you are not born of me." Oh, the boy became very much, I mean to say, aggrieved at the... Because he was the son of a ksatriya -- they are in modes of passion -- so he took it a great insult, and he went to his own mother. The king had two queens. The, I mean to, the senior queen had this boy, and the junior queen had no son. So junior queen was very much envious of this boy. And so he... She dragged the boy from the lap of his father, but the boy felt insulted. He went to his mother and cried, "Mother, my," I mean to say, "junior mother has insulted me in this way. I was sitting."

"Oh, yes, my boy. What can I do? I am helpless. Your father does not like me."

"Then how can I take revenge?"

"My dear boy, you are helpless. If God helps you, then you can take revenge." Because womanly character...

"Oh, where is God?"

She said, "Oh, I understand so many great sages and saints, they go to the jungle and forest. They see God there. They undergo penances and austerity and then find God there."

Oh, he at once went to the forest. Then he was asking the tiger, "Oh, you are God?" The elephant, "You are God?" In this way, when Narayana saw, "Oh, this boy is very much inquisitive," so He sent Narada that "Go and see what is the condition of this boy."

So Narada came. Narada is the agent of God. "My dear boy, you are royal... You belong to the royal family. You cannot suffer all this penance and austerity. Please go back to your home. Your father is very much anxious for you. Your mother is very much anxious for you."

The boy said, "My dear sir, you don't try to dissuade me in that way. If you know something about God, how can I see God, then tell me. Otherwise you go away. Don't disturb me." So he was firmly determined.

Now, this boy was initiated by Narada. When he saw that "This boy is determined," then he initiated him and gave him mantra, that namo bhagavate vasudevaya. He chanted that mantra and became perfect, and God came before him.

Now, when God came before him, God offered him: "My dear Dhruva, what do you want? Take whatever you like." Then Dhruva said, "My dear Sir," sthanabhilasi tapasi sthito 'ham, "oh, I was situated in this severe type of penance simply for the matter of my father's kingdom, a land." Sthanabhilasi tapasi sthito 'ham tvam praptavan deva-munindra-guhyam: "But I have now seen You, and You who is impossible to be seen even by the great sages and great saints. So I have seen You. So what is my profit?"

Now, kacam vicinvann api divya-ratnam: "As if I came out of my home to find out some particles of glass, but I have found out a very valuable diamond." Svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: "Oh, I am satisfied. I have no necessity of asking from You."

So if anyone, either in distressed condition or in poverty-stricken, if he goes to God and just like the same determination like Dhruva, that "I must see God and take this benediction from God," and if he happens to God..., see God, if he understands God, then he is, he no more, no more wants to have anything material. He understands that "All this material nonsense is foolishness. I have got the real thing." Yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah: "Which gaining," you'll find in the Bhagavad-gita, "when one actually in Krsna consciousness, he does not want anything." Just like Dhruva Maharaja. Svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: "My dear Lord, I am fully satisfied. I don't want anything. I have no distress. I am not poverty-stricken. I am the wealthiest. There is no comparison of my assets." That position he comes to.

Therefore Krsna says that udarah: "They are also good, because gradually they will come to this understanding." Because a jnani knows that "What are these material things? They are only flickering, flickering. Suppose I get too much wealth and too much everything. What is this mighty labha?" Labha, puja, pratistha. These material assets are three. Something, I want some gain out of my work, profit. And puja. Puja means people will adore me: "Oh, you are such a rich man. You are so great man." Labha, puja, and pratistha, and fame: "People may know me that ‘I am Carnegie,' ‘I am Rockefeller,' ‘I am Birla.' " But he does not know that Birla or Rockefeller is this body. As soon as this body is finished, all Birla or Rockefeller is finished. Then I do not know whether I am entering into cat or dog. Because after finishing this body, you are neither Birla, neither Rockefeller -- you are spirit soul. And according to your own karma, according to your own work, your own work, you have to enter another body, which is different from Birla and Carnegie. A jnani knows, "So why shall I bother myself for these temporary designations?" That is jnani. He is jnani. He is man in knowledge. "I am pure soul. My eternal connection -- with Krsna, the Supreme Lord. Let me establish that connection very firmly so that Krsna may take me back into His kingdom. That is my business." So this is the preference to the jnani that although...

So these persons who come to the shelter of God being distressed or being poverty-stricken, they are also welcome because there may be chance that one day he may be fully in knowledge: "No, I don't want all these material things. I want simply You. That is my mission. That is my life's mission." One should take it like that. Then that is perfect life. The whole, I mean to say, natu..., cosmic situation, is giving us all facility that you should enjoy. So far body is concerned, you get all things supplied by you, er, supplied by God. You have got enough grains. You have got enough fruit. You have got enough milk. You have got everything enough. You eat it, live peacefully. Because what is my want of this body? Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca. Oh, you can eat. Ahara means eating. So you can eating suffi..., you can eat sufficiently. Nidra. You can make shelter. God has given you so many wood, so many, I mean to say, planks you can get. Make your home. That's all right. Sleep there peacefully. And ahara-nidra-bhaya. And you can defend as far as possible. Then you want sex life? All right. There are so many women. Get them married. Live peacefully and culture God consciousness, Krsna consciousness. That arrangement is there. Why don't you do it? Why do you want more and more, more and more, more and more? This is foolishness.

So far your material necessities are concerned, oh, there is enough. All right, you are eating? Can your manufacturing process can supply eating from the factories? No. Then why do you bother about the factory? Why you spoil your energy? Just eat. Be satisfied, whatever God has given you, and culture, devote your time for reviving your eternal relationship with God. Plain living and high thinking -- that is the best type of civilization. You want sex? Can you manufacture sex in the factory? No. Then? It is supplied by God. So everything, whatever you require, that is supplied by God. You take advantage of it and be God conscious or Krsna conscious. That is your business.

So God has given us all facilities to come to Him, but we are unfortunate. And He has given us still more facilities in this age, because in this age we are all unfortunate, short-living. So even we have no facilities for the primary necessities of life, ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithuna: eating, sleeping and defending and mating. These things are, I mean to say, absolutely necessary for keeping the body fit. But we have no such arrangement even that, you see, in this age. There are so many people who have no shelter, so many people who have no food, so many people who have no married life, no sex life, and there are so many people not defended from the onslaught of nature or anything. This age is like that.

Therefore, in this age, Lord Caitanya recommended... But because I have no facility even for my material body, still I have to make progress in the spiritual life. How to do it?

harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha
[Adi 17.21]

You just always chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna. Never mind you are in factory. Never mind you are (in) hell. Never mind you are in the skyscraper houses. Go on chanting Hare Krsna -- Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. There is no expense. There is no bar. There is no caste. There is no creed. There is no color. Anyone: chant and hear; chant and hear.

udarah sarva evaite
jnani tv atmaiva me matam
asthitah sa hi yuktatma
mam evanuttamam gatim

So some way or other, if anyone comes in contact with God, God consciousness, or Krsna consciousness, and he prosecutes the energy rightly under the direction of a bona fide guide, then he is sure to go back to home.

What is time now? All right. Any question? (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 7.15-18 -- New York, October 9, 1966

"Let Us Die Like Brahmanas -- Not Cats and Dogs" 69/09/08 Hamburg, Bhagavad-gita 7.14

Prabhupada: ...Vedic civilization, unless one is inquisitive for the solution of the problems, he is not on the human being standard. Because there are so many problems. The animals cannot inquire, but a man can inquire. So unless one comes to this point, to inquire how these problems can be solved, he's not developed to human consciousness. He's still in the animal consciousness. Actually, the problem is that... What is this human civilization, advanced civilization? They are trying to solve problems. One problem is presented, and they try to solve it. Just like at the present moment they have manufactured atomic bomb, and all the nations are anxious to keep peace, and they have started that United Nations organization to solve the problem. Although they are unable, but they are trying. So advancement of civilization means by nature some problem is offered, and they are trying to solve it. Anything you take, it is an attempt for trying to solve the problem. Just like in your country there is subway. What is that subway? Because on the surface there is a lot of traffic, to solve this problem they want to go underground. And in this way somebody thinks, "Oh, Western countries have advanced than the Eastern countries. They have made some solution." But after that, there is another problem. So problem after problem.

So what is the ultimate problem? The ultimate problem is we do not want to suffer. That's all. We want comfortable, peaceful life. This is the ultimate problem. Is it not? Just think over. That is... In Sanskrit language it is called atyantika-duhkha-nivrttih. Atyantika-duhkha-nivrttih, to solve the problems of miseries. We don't want any kind of misery. We don't want to suffer. We want very peaceful and joyful life. That is... But that is not being possible within this material world. That is the problem. The living entity is, by nature, he wants joyful life... Anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). Abhyasat means by natural tendency he wants joyful life. But... There is a song, Bengali song. A poet writes, sukhera lagiya ei ghara bandhila anale puriya gela:(?) "I constructed my home to live very peacefully and comfortably. All of a sudden, there was set fire and everything vanquished." Just like in America you have got experience that Mr. Kennedy, he became president after long struggle. He had very nice wife, children, honor, prestige, everything. And somebody was saying, telling me yesterday, that people took him as a very happy man. Within a second, all finished. He was driving, he was in procession, people were honoring him, and within a second -- finished.

So everyone is trying to be very happy, comfortable, but it is being finished within a second. Is it not a fact? Huh? Is there any disagreement on this point? That is the problem. Everyone is trying to solve this problem in his own way. They are manufacturing different ways only, but the problem is not solved. The problem is there. Here in America, whenever I meet some gentleman in the street and he understands that I am coming from India, he says, "Oh, India is very poverty-stricken." You see. So... As if there is no problem in America. There is one problem, food scarcity. But I told him that "You have got also many problems. You are not problem-free." So there is... Suppose you have got some pain here. Sometimes we think that "If pain would have been here, then it would have been nice. Here it is very painful." So pain, here or there, it is pain. You see.

So either you have got problem of food grain or problem of hippies, but the problem is there. A different feature only. Therefore one should be very much careful to know how to solve the problems. Actually, we are trying. We are trying to advance in education, in scientific knowledge. In so many things we are trying. The material nature is offering problems after problem. That is the nature's business. You solve one problem, and she'll present another problem. First of all, one, somebody thought, "If there is airplane, then it will be very nice to travel in the space." But now the problem is that by airplane, if there is enmity, another country can face my country without any fight. So another problem. (laughs) Now they have to go underground. I was reading in the World Almanac that next hundred years people will live underground. You have read that? That World Almanac?

Sivananda: This is taking place in Montreal.

Prabhupada: Just see. They will come on the surface just to breathe little freely. Otherwise, they will have to live within underground. So another problem is coming. (chuckles) But intelligent persons should think of how this ultimate problem can be solved.

So what will be the answer? How ultimate problem can be solved? The problem is there, you agree everyone? Or you have disagreement, there is no problem. You think there is no problem? Eh? Problem there is, you think? So how to solve it? They have tried their utmost. It is not solved. Then what is the solution? That solution is there in the Bhagavad-gita in the Seventh Chapter. Where is Bhagavad-gita? Is there? No Bhagavad-gita here?

Devotee (1): I have one in my case.

Prabhupada: Hare Krsna. Give me my spectacle. Behind that, there is small book. Just up, here. [break] ...seven. Give me that. Hayagriva, you can come here. Sit down here. Seventh Chapter, fourteenth verse.

Hayagriva: "This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material..."

Prabhupada: Fourteen? That is fourteen?

Hayagriva: 7.14?

Prabhupada: Seventh Chapter, fourteenth verse.

Hayagriva: Fourteenth verse. "This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome. But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it."

Prabhupada: This is the solution. This material nature... What is that? Read it again.

Hayagriva: "This divine energy... This divine energy of Mine..."

Prabhupada: Yes. This material nature is another energy of Krsna, or God. So the energy is very strong. It is very difficult to surpass the problems put forward by the material energy. What is the exact language?

Hayagriva: "This divine energy of Mine, consisting of the three modes of material nature, is difficult to overcome."

Prabhupada: "Is difficult to overcome." There are three modes of material nature: goodness, passion, and ignorance. But they are very difficult to overcome. And now, what is the solution?

Hayagriva: "But those who have surrendered unto Me can easily cross beyond it."

Prabhupada: Yes. The solution is we have to surrender unto the Supreme. Just like if you are arrested by the police, then it is very difficult to get out of their clutches. But if you are a good citizen, surrendered soul to the state, there is no problem. The police has nothing to do with you. Is it very difficult to understand? The problems are there and the problems are under the management of this material nature. So it is not possible to overcome the stringent laws of material nature, exactly like if you are once arrested by the police department, it is not very easy to come out. So mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te [Bg. 7.14]. So if you want to get out of these clutches of material nature, which is putting forward problems after problem, then you have to become a surrendered soul or Krsna conscious. Otherwise, material nature is so strong, you think, "Now this problem is solved," but actually that is not solved. You create another problem. [break] ...there any other method for solving the problems? Anyone can suggest?

The ultimate problem is, of course, death. Nobody wants to die. Even one is very old man, older than me, and his body is not working, he's invalid, he cannot walk even, lying on the bed -- still, he wants to live. If some suffering old man, who has so many diseases, invalid person, if you say, "My dear father, grandfather, you are so much suffering. Let me shoot you." "Oh, no, no, no. Don't shoot me." He doesn't want to die. So death is a problem. Nobody wants to die, but death comes and captures him, just like President Kennedy, within a second: (snaps his finger) "Leave this position." Forced. Submit. "Yes. What can I do?" No scientific advancement of knowledge. Of course, this is also another science, Krsna science. But we understand scientific knowledge, this material scientists, material science. They are also trying. The Russians sometimes say that "Time will come when science will solve the problems of death. Nobody will die." Let them think like that, but it is not possible.

That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam [Bg. 13.9]. One who is actually learned, advanced in knowledge, he should know that these four things, the miseries of taking birth... The misery of taking birth means we have to take, we have to appear... After this body is finished, we have to take another body. How this body is constructed, developed? In the womb of the mother. The father gives the semina with the living entity within, and mother receives it and develops it, body. This is nature's law. So you have to live within the mother, compact, air-tight packed, for ten months, at least. Just imagine if you are packed in a bag and put in a air-tight compartment, locked up, would you like? You'll die within three seconds. But the arrangement is so nice, by nature's law, the intestine, that the mother (child) breathes with the mother's breathing, mother's fooding. Even unconscious, his development of the body goes on. That is nature's arrangement, but you cannot do that. It is by God's grace the child lives. Otherwise, by your so-called scientific calculation, nobody can live in that condition. You just try it. Take any man, pack him, and put him in the air-tight condition. He'll die within three seconds.

So there is suffering during birth. Similarly, there is suffering during death. These are... And the concomitant sufferings always with this body. Similarly there is suffering if you are diseased, and similarly there is suffering when you are old. Just like we are old and some way or other, keeping this body by massaging, by taking some medicine, this way, that way. This body is no longer just like a young man's body. It is suffering body. As soon as you are over fifty years, by nature, so the old age begins. And when you are over seventy years, you are completely old, and you have to suffer the consequences of old age. You may try to keep that old body for... But there is suffering. A young man cannot understand, but one who is old, he can understand, there is suffering. Suffering of old age, suffering of birth, suffering of death, and suffering of disease. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam [Bg. 13.9]. If you are proud of your advancement of knowledge, that you have solved all the questions, all the problems, in the Bhagavad-gita Krsna says, "Don't think like that. That is your foolishness. These problems are there. What you can do?" That is learning: "Yes. Problems are not solved. The problems are there." That is learning. If you have got some problem, and... Just like the rabbits. The rabbits, when they face one hunter and it understands that "Now my life is in danger," he closes his eyes. He thinks that "The problem is now solved." (laughs) And peacefully he is killed. (laughs) You see? Similarly, the problems are there, but we are closing our eyes: "Oh, there is no problem. We are very happy." That's it. (laughter) So this is called maya. The problem is not solved, but they are thinking their problem is solved by closing the eyes. That's all.

Now, here is the solution of problem, as Krsna says in the fourteenth verse, Seventh Chapter of Bhagavad-gita: "It is very difficult to surmount the problems offered by the laws of material nature, but one who surrenders unto Me, he overcomes." Therefore we are teaching this Krsna consciousness to solve the problems of life. It is not sentiment or fanaticism or any sectarian religion. It is a fact that if you want to solve the problems of life, you have to become Krsna conscious. There is no other alternative. Krsna-nama karo bhai ara saba mithya. You understand Bengali? It says that "Just chant Hare Krsna. Everything is false, all other means of making some... False." Why? Palaibe patha naya ya mache kichu.(?) "You cannot escape. Just death is waiting behind you." So before death overcomes you, you make a solution of the problem. That is intelligence, that "The greatest danger is awaiting me -- death." That is sure. "As sure as death." Everyone knows.

Now, how we shall meet death? Like cats and dogs? Then what is the use of this human form of life? The cats and dogs, they have got body. They have also will meet death. And I have got body; I will also meet death. So am I meant for meeting death like cats and dogs? Then what kind of human being I am? No. The sastra says that labdhva su-durlabham idam bahu-sambhavante. After many, many evolution of different kinds of body... You understand the evolutionary theory. It is not exactly like Darwin's theory, but this evolutionary process is there. That is admitted in Vedic literature. From lower grade of animal life to the higher grade of animal life. So this human form of life is to be understood. We have got this human form of life after many, many lower grades of life. Labdhva su-durlabham. And it's very rare. You count, those who are biologists, you count how many kinds of living entities are there. There are 8,400,000 species of life. Out of that, the human being are very small quantity. Out of 8,400,000, the human species of life are 400,000; compared with other animals, a very small quantity. Out of that, there are uncivilized men, many. They are almost animals. Then there is civilized form of human being, just like we are. Out of them, they do not know... Many, they do not know what is spiritual life. Manusyanam. That is also stated in the Bhagavad-gita: manusyanam sahasresu [Bg. 7.3]. Out of many thousands of human beings, one is interested to make a solution of the problems. Not everyone. Everyone, they do not know even that what is the problem. Neither they do care for it. They think, "All right, let there be problem. We have got this life, let us enjoy senses." So they are almost animals. But those who are inquisitive how to solve the problem, they are actually accepted as human beings. Others, they are not even human beings. They are almost animals.

So you have got this opportunity. This body should be utilized properly, how to solve the problem. If we simply give ourself in the waves of the cycle of birth and death, of different types of body, that is not very good intelligence. Not intelligence at all. So this human form of life should be utilized how to make a solution of the problem. That is Vedic civilization. They stress more on the solution of the problems, not to create problems. The materialistic way of life means to increase and create problems. That is not perfect human civilization. The perfect human civilization is that you have to sit very calmly, quietly, and philosophically think, "How to solve the problem? Where I shall get the knowledge?" This is human form. The whole Vedic instruction is like that. "Now you utilize this form of life to make a solution. Don't die like cats and dogs." No. And one who tries... The Veda says, etad viditva yah prayati sa brahmanah: "One who dies after attempting to make a solution to the problems, he is brahmana." And one who dies like cats and dogs, he is called krpana. Krpana means a very less intelligent man.

So we should not die like cats and dogs. We should die like brahmana. Even in one life a solution is not made, then you get next life opportunity. Just like all these boys who have come to us, it is to be understood that they tried in their last life for making a solution of this problem, but it was not finished. There is another opportunity. These things are stated in the Bhagavad-gita. So now, this life, you should be determined. Those who are coming to the touch of Krsna consciousness and initiated to execute, they should be very determined that "In this life we shall make a solution. No more. No more coming again." That should be our determination. [break] ...and go back to home, back to Godhead, where we get eternal, blissful life of knowledge. This is the sum and substance of Krsna consciousness movement. [break] ...do you think, our Austrian friend? What is your name? Alfred?

Alfred: Alfred.

Devotee: No, no, no. [break]

Prabhupada: They are also human being. Why not? Let... People are suffering. Let them have this knowledge and be happy. Our proposal is sarve sukhino bhavantu. That is Vedic civilization: "You all be happy." The Vedic civilization is not "Oh, here is very nice, fat.(?) Oh, you have got money. Let me exploit you and bluff you and take your money." That is not Vedic civilization. Vedic civilization is to think, "Oh, let everyone be happy." Sarve sukhino bhavantu: "Everyone be happy." So we are preaching this Krsna consciousness cult. It is not a cult. It is an actual, the fact for solving all problems. People should know. And if he is intelligent, he'll accept it. If he's intelligent. Because krsna yei bhaje sei bada catura. Without being very intelligent, nobody can become Krsna conscious. It is not possible. Less intelligent persons cannot do it. It is meant for the first-class intelligent men. (aside:) Arati? Later on.

English boy (2): Is it possible for one to make it in this life? This one...? Is it possible that one falls down?

Prabhupada: It is possible in one second, provided you are serious. It is not difficult. Krsna-bhakti... Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate: [Bg. 7.19] "After many, many births, one, when one is intelligent, wise, fully grown, wise, he surrenders unto Me," Krsna says. So if I am intelligent, then I will see that "If that is the goal of life, that after many, many births one has to surrender to Krsna, why not myself surrender immediately?" This is intelligence. If this is a fact, that one has to come to this point after cultivating knowledge for many, many births, then why not accept it immediately? Why shall I wait for many, many births if this is a fact?

So that requires little intelligence. It does not require many, many births. It requires little intelligence. Take to this Krsna consciousness seriously; your problems are solved. Now, if you don't believe in it, then come to argument, come to philosophy, come to reason. Go on arguing. There are volumes of books. You can be convinced. You can learn it. Every answer is there in the Bhagavad-gita. You can try to understand it with your reason, with your arguments. It is open. [break] ...like Arjuna. Arjuna was taught Bhagavad-gita, how much time? At most, within half an hour. Because he was very intelligent. This Bhagavad-gita, the people of the world are reading. Very, very learned scholar, wise men, they are reading. They are trying to understand, giving different interpretation. And there are thousands of edition, commentaries. But Arjuna was intelligent; he understood it within half an hour.

So it requires relative intelligence. Everything... This world is relative. Law of relativity. That is scientific. Professor Einstein's theory? Law of relativity? So it is relatively. One can become immediately Krsna conscious within a second, and one cannot become Krsna conscious after many, many births. So it is relative. If you have got sufficient intelligence, you can accept it immediately. If there is less intelligence, then it will take time. You cannot say that "It will be possible after so many years." That cannot be said. It is relative. Everything is relative. For a human being, from here to here, one step; and for a small microbe, it is ten miles from here to here, ten miles for him. So everything is relative. This world is relative world. There is no such formula that "One can be Krsna conscious after so many years." No. There is no such formula. One cannot become Krsna conscious even millions after..., births, and one can become within second Krsna conscious. But on the other edge, within this life we can become perfect in Krsna consciousness if we take it seriously. Especially you are all young boys. We expect at least you'll live for fifty years more. Oh, that is sufficient time. Sufficient. More than sufficient. More than sufficient. If for fifty years one chants simply Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, he is sure to become perfect. There is no doubt about it. Simply if you chants this mantra, Hare Krsna, oh, there is no doubt about it.

Guest (3): I had a question. Whose choice is it? In other words, you said it takes an intelligent person to become Krsna consciousness, but it's obvious that (there) are not so many intelligent people. Whose choice is it? If a person isn't intelligent, is it because he wants to enjoy that makes him ignorant?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Guest (3): Or is it because he has to wait until he is...

Prabhupada: It is his choice. Just like if somebody offers you one million dollars, "Take it." You do not know what is the value of one million dollars; you will refuse it. So little intelligence. So the choice is yours. In all the case, the choice is yours. If you know the value, instantly you accept it. If you do not know the value, then it will take time. But after all, the choice is depending on you to accept it or not accept it. It is your choice. Krsna also says in the Bhagavad-gita. After instructing him, He inquires, "Whether your illusion is now over? What you decide to do now?" He said, "Yes, my illusion is over. I will act what You say." That's all. The choice is mine.

German Devotee (4): I know so many people, young people, that when they see us chanting on the street, I can see their eyes, that they really want to chant also, but something is stopping them.

Prabhupada: That is maya. Maya is there. Therefore Krsna says, "The maya is very strong." But if you capture Krsna very, more strongly, then maya cannot do anything. If something is opposing your chanting, then you'll have to chant more loudly: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. So you defeat maya. The medicine is the same. At least, I do so. When I am in some danger, I chant Hare Krsna loudly. Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ (laughter) Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. That's all. Bhaktivinoda Thakura... There is song: jay sakal bipod bhaktivinod bole jakhon o-nam gai. He says, "As soon as I chant this Hare Krsna, I become immediately free from all dangers."

So the means is there. We have to utilize it. That requires intelligence. So my request to you all boys, that you try to understand and... You understand or not understand, it is a standard method. Try to induce people to chant Hare Krsna. They will be happy. They will get the... Real thing will be delivered to them. That is a fact. So such a simple method and such sublime gain, so why one should lose this opportunity? There is no loss, but the gain is very great. So why should you lose this opportunity? Let us make an experiment, chanting, Hare Krsna. And those who are making, those who are chanting, they are being convinced, they are being advanced. They are realizing. Otherwise... They are not wasting time. Here is a boy, he is postgraduate. He is teacher. So he's not a fool. So why he's sticking unless he's feeling that "Yes, I am advancing"?

So anyone who will take to it, he will understand, yes, he is advancing. It may take little more time or quickly; that doesn't matter. But he will feel it. Pratyaksavagamam dharmyam. Just like you are suffering, you are hungry. If actually nutritious foodstuff is given to you, when you eat, you understand, "Yes, I am getting strength. My hunger is being satisfied." This is also like that. If you take to chanting, you will feel, "Yes, I am getting strength. My misgivings are being moved." In this way you go on, go on, go on. The perfect stage will come. It may take little more time or it may come quickly. That depends on my relative endeavor. But it will come. Be sure. And with this faith and conviction and understanding, you make progress. Everything will be all right. But don't be misled that "There is no problem of life; we are very happy, eating, sleeping, mating." This is animal life. There is so many great problems. Very great problems. This birth, death, old age, disease and repeated... Bhutva bhutva praliyate [Bg. 8.19]. Once manifested, again nonmanifested, again manifested, again nonmanifested. This body is manifested; now it will be finished. Again we will have to take shelter of a mother's womb by such process, maybe human being or other than human being. Then another body manifested. Then again finished, then again manifested.

So it is, this is very troublesome business. (laughs) So why should we accept this troublesome business? Bhutva bhutva praliyate [Bg. 8.19]. This body is changing. Just remember your childhood. Oh, how much troublesome life we have undergone in our... At least I can remember. Everyone can remember. So stop this problem. Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama [Bg. 15.6]. And what is the difficulty? You do your own work and chant Hare Krsna. We don't say that you stop your business, stop your occupation. You remain. Just like he is teacher. All right, he is teacher. He is jeweler. Remain jeweler. He's something, he's something. That doesn't matter. But be Krsna conscious. Chant Hare Krsna. Think of Krsna. Take krsna-prasadam. Everything is there. And be happy. That is our propaganda. You learn yourself, and preach this cult. People will be happy. Simple method. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 7.14 -- Hamburg, September 8, 1969

"Unplanned Unwanted Children" 74/02/25 Bombay, Bhagavad-gita 7.11-12

Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

balam balavatam caham
kama-raga-vivarjitam
dharmaviruddho bhutesu
kamo 'smi bharatarsabha

Translation: "I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O Lord of the Bharatas, Arjuna."

Prabhupada: Next sloka also.

Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

ye caiva sattvika bhava
rajasas tamasas ca ye
matta eveti tan viddhi
na tv aham tesu te mayi

Translation: "All states of being, be they of goodness, passion or ignorance, are manifested by My energy. I am in one sense everything, but I am independent. I am not under the modes of this material nature."
Prabhupada:

balam balavatam caham
kama-raga-vivarjitam
dharmaviruddho bhutesu
kamo 'smi bharatarsabha

Krsna is explaining everything, how you can become Krsna conscious twenty-four hours. The one process is, as recommended by Caitanya Mahaprabhu,

trnad api sunicena
taror api sahisnuna
amanina manadena
kirtaniyah sada harih
[Cc. adi 17.31]

Kirtaniyah sada harih. "Always chanting the glories of the Lord." Man-manah... Satatam kirtayanto mam [Bg. 9.14]. Krsna also says in the Bha... Satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah [Bg. 9.14]. Namasyantas ca mam bhaktya nitya-yukta upasate. These are the mahatmas, symptoms of mahatma. They are always engaged in chanting the holy name. Satatam. And Caitanya Mahaprabhu also recommends: kirtaniyah sada harih.

This is life. Human life is meant for this purpose. Kirtaniyah sada harih. We require something to eat because we have got this body. So minimizing the bodily enjoyments... Bodily enjoyment means... Or necessities. When you use bodily necessities in excessive proportion, that is called kama. Otherwise, to satisfy the bodily necessities, that is not kama. Therefore Krsna says that kamo 'smi bharatarsabha. Dharmaviruddho bhutesu. Dharma aviruddha. The religion, religion means regulation. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. Everything has got regulation. Just like in our ordinary life, we get license. Even a man is keeping a wine shop -- that is not good thing -- but he must take license, regulation. The whole sastra means regulation. Sastra. The word sastra has come from sas-dhatu. Sas-dhatu means ruling, controlling. So from sas-dhatu, the sasana has come, government ruling. And sastra has come. And sastra has come. Sastra means weapon. Just like sword. It is called sastra. Or guns. And sastra also. Sastra is the regulative principles, the book of law. You cannot violate the book of laws. Yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya vartate kama-karatah, na sukham savapnoti. You must keep yourself in regulative principles, according to the sastra.

So here Krsna says, dharma aviruddhah kamah. The... In the sastra it is stated that jivo jivasya jivanam. "Every living entity is living by eating another living entity." That is nature. Ahastani sahastanam. Sastra says, in the Bhagavata, that "Those who have got no hands, they are food for the animal with hands." Those who are eating animals, they are also animals. Even human being, in the form of human being, eating animal. So one... human being means with hands, sahastanam. Hasta means hand, and sa means with. And the animals, ahastanam, ahastani, they have no hands. They have got only legs, four legs. So ahastani sahastanam. This, the with-hands animal, means those who are meat-eating, they are animals, but with hands. That is the difference. Here is an animal. Just like cows, goats, lambs. They are animals. And dogs. There are dog-eaters also. There is the word, sva-pacah. Sva-pacah means dog-eaters. Yaj-jihvagre nama tubhyam, aho bato sva-paco 'to gariyan yaj-jihvagre nama tubhyam. Even a person coming from the family of dog-eaters... There are dog-eaters still. So if he chants Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he becomes glorious. Aho bato sva-paco 'to gariyan yaj-jihvagre nama tubhyam. Candala... They are called candalas. Candalo 'pi dvija-srestho hari-bhakti-parayanah. Even if a candala... Candala means the dog-eaters. So these animal-eaters, they are also animal, describing, animal with two hands. Ahastanam sahasta... Ahastani sahastanam. Apadani catus-padam. Apadani means those who have no legs, like plants, trees, the grass. They have no legs. They are standing. They have got legs, but they have no moving power. They are called pada-pa. Pada-pa means they have got legs for eating. We are eating with mouth; they are eating with legs.

So everything, analytical study is there in the sastras very minute, senses and power, who has got. The fish, they have got very good sensation power. Means two miles away, they get sensation there is enemy, "Somebody's coming to eat me." These are all described in the Bhagavatam. The frogs, they can become in samadhi, situated in samadhi, for many, many years. So these things are not very great things, to have samadhi, to have yogic principles. Even in the animals you will find. I read long, long ago that in the coal mine, while they were digging coals, one frog came out from the coal and jumped over and died. That means the frog was buried within the lump of coal for many, many thousands of years, and he was keeping samadhi. Kumbhaka, kumbhaka-yoga they know. So these are not very extraordinary things. Because after all, living entity is eternal, does not die. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. If, by some process, he lives for some time more, that is not very wonderful thing. The wonderful thing is how to stop this birth and death. That is wonderful thing. Not that I am living, say, for fifty years or hundred years, another man is living for three hundred years. That is not very wonderful thing.

So there is regulative principles in the sastra, as I was explaining. (aside:) Why the boys shall talk? So we must follow the... If we want to make our life perfect, we must follow the regulative principles. Just like good citizen means... What is that good citizen? Good citizen means who follows the laws of the state. He is good citizen. Good citizenship means strictly following the laws of the government. Similarly, first-class human being means who follows the laws of God. That's all. He's first-class. And those who are simply violating the laws of God, they are third class, fourth class, tenth class. It will be explained a few verses after that na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. Those who are simply violating the laws of God, they are called duskrtinah, miscreants. Such class of men... There are so many classes of men. Krsna is mentioning some of them. Na mam duskrtino mudhah. The duskrtinah, those who are simply violating the laws of God, they are called duskrtinah. So such persons cannot come to Krsna consciousness, God consciousness. One must follow the rules and regulation, sastra.

Sastra means which is giving you regulative life. In regulative life sex life is... [break] That is sastra. That is regulative principle. And even with your wife you cannot have sex life unless it meant for progeny, for producing children, Krsna conscious children, not cats and dogs. That is dharmaviruddhah. That is not against religious principles. That is very nice. Just like to produce brahmacaris. Brahmacari, wherefrom the brahmacari comes? It comes from the grhastha life. Unless one marries, how he can beget children who become brahmacari? So if you produce brahmacari, then you can produce hundreds of brahmacari. That is allowed. But don't produce cats and dogs. That is dharmaviruddhah. Krsna says, "I am there." Everything is there. Krsna is everything. Even in sexual intercourse there is Krsna. But how? Dharmaviruddhah, not against the laws of sastra. In the sastra it is said that you'll have sex life after the menstrual period, sex life you have. But when your wife becomes pregnant, no more sex life. No more sex life. This is the injunction of the sastra. You cannot have sex life for producing illegitimate son. That is described in the... That is called varna-sankara. One who produces illegitimate children, the world becomes full of varna-sankara, unwanted children, and thus the whole world becomes hell. This is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Now it is a fact, everyone knows, that so many children are... Especially in the Western country, I have seen. A girl is not married, but she has got child. What is that? That is varna-sankara. So varna-sankara increases; the world becomes hellish. Why so much trouble now? Because... Don't mind. It is according to sastra. The whole population is varna-sankara. Therefore there is no regulative principles. If you follow regulative principles, there is no problem. And this regulative principle is Krsna svayam. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. He's giving, He's saying, dharmaviruddhah kamo 'smi bhutesu bharatarsabha. So there is Krsna consciousness even in begetting children. Provided you follow.

So everything can be employed. Just like I was explaining to George -- just now he came -- that actually there is nothing material. Everything is spiritual. As Krsna is explaining from the very beginning: bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir...prakrtir me bhinna astadha. Prakrti, "My nature." Nature I have already explained. Just like nature of fire. How do you understand the nature? By heat and light. That is the nature. Wherever there is fire... Parvato bhanuman dhumat.(?) The example is given. Just like long, long, high... I have seen in Naimitad.(?) There is fire. There is smoke. So that smoke means there is fire. That is the symptom. You cannot separate smoke from fire. That is not possible. Smoke is nature. Similarly, nature and the source from which... Just like fire. It is coming, the smoke. You cannot separate. Similarly, if bhumih apah analah vayuh kham, this material nature is coming from Krsna, how you can separate it from Krsna? It is also Krsna. That is Krsna consciousness. One who does not see bhumi, immediately remembers that "This is Krsna's nature," he remembers immediately Krsna. That is Krsna consciousness. Even by seeing land. So devotee sees like that. "Oh, this land is so nice. Why not construct a nice temple for Krsna?" This is Krsna conscious vision. "Oh, there are so many skyscrapers. Why not construct a nice skyscraper temple of Krsna?" That is Krsna consciousness.

So soon as you become Krsna conscious, you become spiritual. Just like as soon as there is fire, immediately you become hot, warm. You touch the iron rod in the fire; it becomes warm, warmer, warmer, then it becomes red-hot. And when it is red-hot, it is no more iron rod; it is fire. You touch everywhere, the same iron rod will burn. Similarly, if you become fully Krsna conscious, there is nothing material. Your body's spiritual, your mind is spiritual, your soul is already spiritual -- everything is spiritual. Sarvam khalv idam brahma. That is Krsna consciousness. So simply we have to bring Krsna in every activities. Krsna consciousness movement is that for, for that purpose. And there will be no problems. You bring Krsna. Yat karosi yaj juhosi yad dadasi yad asnasi yat tapasyasi kurusva tad mad-arpanam. Krsna says, "Whatever you eat..." Just like we are eating prasadam. Others will see, "They are eating dala-bhata, and they are calling prasadam." Because he has no Krsna consciousness. And one who has got Krsna consciousness, he eats the same dala-bhata... It is not dala-bhata. It is spiritualized, because it is offered to Krsna. Krsna has eaten it. Krsna eats. Don't think that "The things are there. Krsna has not eaten." No, Krsna has eaten. But Krsna's eating and your eating is different. If I give you something to eat, you'll finish the whole thing, but Krsna is purna. Purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva avasisyate. This is the Vedic injunction. He can eat, and He can leave. Otherwise, is He speaking false?

patram puspam phalam toyam
yo me bhaktya prayacchati
tad aham bhakty-upahrtam
asnami prayatatmanah

He eats. So one friend belongs to the Arya-samaj. He asked me this question, that "You are offering in the temple, but does Krsna eat?" Certainly He eats. Why not? "No, the things are there. How He eats?" Why you are comparing your eating and Krsna's eating the same? Avajananti mam mudha manusim tanum asritam, param bhavam ajanantah [Bg. 9.11]. These rascals do not know what is Krsna. He thinks, "Krsna is like me." These rascals. They do not know what Krsna. Why?

manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascin mam vetti tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]

He does not know. Krsna can be known by the mercy of Krsna. Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55]. If you want to know Krsna tattvatah, in truth, then you have to go through this bhakti process, not by your speculative process. Krsna is not open to your sensual gratification. Naham prakasah sarvasya yogamaya-samavrtah [Bg. 7.25]. He cannot be revealed to anyone and everyone. Yogamaya-samavrtah. He's covered. Just like at night we cannot see the sun. That does not mean the sun is not in the sky. This is foolishness. If somebody thinks, "Now we cannot see the sun. Therefore sun is gone, dead..." Formerly people used to think like that. What is that? Some people? Used to think that sun is dead? So Krsna is everywhere. As sun is always there in the sky, Now it is, say, half-past eight. So the morning, half-past eight, is also there, present. In America it is half-past eight, morning. There you'll see sun. So because at night in India, in Bombay, half-past eight we cannot see the sun, it does not mean the sun is finished. If you go to America, in Los Angeles, you'll see the sun. Similarly, Krsna is always present. Simply you have to prepare your eyes to see Krsna.

Therefore Krsna says that dharmaviruddho bhutesu kamo 'smi bharatarsabha. Who is following the, strictly the regulative principles, even in sex life he can see Krsna. Which is considered abominable, but even in sex life, if you are following the rules and regulations, you can see Krsna. Therefore when such sons are begotten, they become devotees of Krsna. Therefore according to Hindu principles, there is garbhadhana-samskara, ten kinds of samskaras, reformative measures. So the sex life should be also open to the samskara. It is a samskara. Garbhadhana-samskara. Garbhadhana-samskara means when you are going to make your wife pregnant, there is samskara, there is ceremony. And especially in the brahmana families, if there is no garbhadhana-samskara, he immediately becomes a sudra. This is the shastric. You must follow the samskara. Samskarad bhaved dvijah janmana jayate sudrah. One who follows the samskaras, then he becomes purified. This is, this is called dharmaviruddhah, "not against the religious principles."

So if we do not follow the principles, then we are animals. That's all. That is the difference between the animal and man. If you do not follow the regulative principles enjoined in the sastras... Yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya vartate kama-karatah, kama-karatah, na sukham savapnoti. Because we do not follow the shastric injunction, therefore we are thinking that "Population is increasing; let us use contraceptive method." The so-called contraceptive method is there because we are having sex life against religion. Against religion. But if you have sex life in, mean, pursuance of the religious principles, you don't require. Because to become father and mother is not restricted, but to become father and mother of cats and dogs is restricted. To become father and mother is not restricted. That is nature. You become father of hundreds children. But don't produce cats and dogs. Then there will be... Then dharmaviruddhah... And there will be unwanted population, problem, fight, no peace, no tranquillity. Everything, all, it will be hell.

So because people are producing children against religious principles, therefore the whole world if full of varna-sankara, and there is no peace. So if you follow the principles of Bhagavad-gita, automatically there will be peace. Because every children, every boy, every girl will be sober, Krsna conscious. And therefore sastra prohibits, pita na sa syat, one should not become father; janani na sa syat, one should not become mother; gurur na sa syat, one should not become guru. One... In this way, there are... Why? Na mocayed yah samupeta-mrtyum. If you cannot stop the course of birth and death of your children, then don't become a father. This is called religious contraceptive. Remain without children. That is called dharmika life. If you can stop the birth and death of your children... Birth and death means... Because dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara [Bg. 2.13]. The real soul, the real life is within the body, while... And he's transmigrating. The... Transmigrating from one body to another. That is called death. And when he comes out from one, another body, that is called birth. So as soon as you get -- klesada asa dehah -- this body, full of miserable condition, then you again put into miserable condition of life. Therefore if you can stop your childrens' birth and death any more, then beget children. This is the shastric injunction. And if the father does not know how to stop his own birth and death, then what is the use of producing children? The father should be so sympathetic with the children, with the sons, that he must know what is the pains and pleasure of birth and death.

So every parent desires welfare of his children, of their children. So this is the greatest welfare, that "This child has come in my womb, he has become my son. This is the last time. No more birth and death. He will be educated in that way." That is father's responsibility. Not that eat him, get him meat-eating, and get him fat. However fat he may be, he'll die. (laughter) You cannot stop his death simply by making him fat like elephant. Therefore it is said, dharmaviruddha. Don't beget children if you have no responsibility. But they think that "We'll have sex life, but we shall avoid this responsibility. So then let us use contraceptive." This is greatest sinful life. Greatest sinful life. You are killing, murderer. Now in the Western countries, they are actually killing. They have made law. So if the society has become so awfully sinful, how they can expect peace and prosperity? That is not possible. That is not possible.

Therefore na mam duskrtino mudhah prapad... [Bg. 7.15]. That sloka will be explained later on. Those who are leading sinful lives, simply sinful life, duskrtinah... Krti means very meritorious. But duskrti, they're the opposite. It is not sukrti. Su means "for well-being," and duskrti means "for creating disturbances." There are many brains nowadays. They know how to use the brain. But duskrtinah. Therefore a godless society, there is so much restlessness in the society. Because the duskrtinah are working. Now, in their place, sukrtinah must be brought. Catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtino 'rjuna. Then there will be peace and prosperity.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 7.11-12 -- Bombay, February 25, 1974

"Transcendental Nature Study" 74/08/15 Vrndavana, Bhagavad-gita 7.9

Pradyumna: "I am the original fragrance of the earth, and I am the heat in fire. I am the life of all that lives, and I am the penances of all ascetics."

Prabhupada: So Krsna is describing how He is spread everywhere, in details. In the beginning, before this verse, He has mentioned in so many ways. So we can see Krsna in every step and every moment. If we practice to see Krsna, it is not difficult. Whenever there is fragrance... Just like rose flower, beauty and fragrance, you can immediately remember Krsna, "Here is Krsna." Simply we have to practice it.

So as soon as you remember Krsna or you say or utter the word "Krsna," immediately Krsna contacts you. You are in contact with Krsna immediately. And if you remain constantly in contact with Krsna by studying all these details, then where is the lack of Krsna consciousness? And if you remain always in that way, Krsna conscious, then you are the topmost yogi. Yoginam api sarvesam [Bg. 6.47]. Very easy. It is not at all difficult. Simply you have to practice. As soon as there is nice fragrance, nice flower... In another place it is said that the nice flower, or any flower that is fructified, that is blooming, that is smiling, smiling of Krsna. So you can see Krsna smiling as soon as you see a flower.

So I do not know why they say, "Can you show me Krsna?" Krsna is showing Himself in so many ways. They will not take it. It is not at all difficult to see Krsna every moment, in every step, if we study what Krsna says: "I am," "This is." Punyo gandhah prthivyam ca. Everything is there. Now, within the earth, the every stock is there. The flavor of rose flower is there, and the flavor of some other flower is also there, but you cannot take out by your so-called scientific chemical process. You take some lump of earth and extract from it the flavor of rose. It is there. That is a fact. Because you sow the seed of a rose flower, it will exact the rose flavor from the earth. That's a fact. Who can deny it? Otherwise, wherefrom the flavor is coming? Krsna also, He, it is said, jivanam sarva-bhutesu. He's the life, seed. Bijo 'ham... Next, next verse He'll say, bijam mam sarva-bhutanam. Bija, the seed. The seed is so nicely made by Krsna's brain that as soon as you put on the seed within the earth and put some water, it will come out, fructify, and gradually grow and exact the flavor, the color, everything. This is a fact. No, everybody knows. Not only that, a small seed of banyan tree... Bijam mam sarva-bhutanam. There is also Krsna. Otherwise how this wonderful thing can happen? A small seed just like a mustard seed, and it... Not only one tree, but many millions of fruits, and in each fruit, many millions of trees. This is Krsna's brain. You cannot do that. The so-called manufacturers, they can manufacture one watch, very complicated, but not that from that watch many watches will come. No, that is not possible.

But Krsna is so powerful, omnipotent, that He has manufactured... Because He is there. Bijam mam sarva-bhutanam. Whenever He is there, He can play wonderful things. This is the study of Krsna consciousness. Where is the difficulty? Bija... Punyo gandhah prthivyam ca tejas ca, tejas casmi vibhavasau. Now, this electric lamp, it is brilliant or it has got some heat, temperature. Wherefrom it is coming? It is coming from Krsna. That's a fact. Cause of all causes.

isvarah paramah krsnah
sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah
sarva-karana-karanam
[Bs. 5.1]

This is a fact. These are explained here. Everything, that is there. Janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1].

But we should not, like Mayavadi, we should not make mistake: because the electric bulb, or electric light, is being caused by Krsna, therefore the electric lamp is Krsna. No, not that. Krsna -- always separate from the electric light. The Mayavadi says that "Because Krsna is there in the electric lamp, or in the tree, or in the seed, or in the color, or in the flavor, therefore Krsna is finished. There is no more Krsna. Because Krsna has spread Himself in so many ways, therefore Krsna is finished." This is material consideration. Just like you take a piece of paper and make it small fragments and throw it, then the original paper is lost. This is material.

But Krsna is not like that. Krsna is a person, and from His energies so many varieties of productions are coming out. But still, He is existing. Purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva avasisyate. He's purna. Not that because so many things have been taken from Krsna, Krsna is finished. This is material life. They cannot conceive of the omnipotency. They accept God is omnipotent, but they cannot understand what is that omnipotency. The omnipotency is that so many things are being manifested by the Krsna's energies, but Krsna is not lost. Krsna is there. We haven't got to worship so many things, pantheism. No. That is not our... Pantheism, the same idea, that "Krsna, or the Absolute Truth, has become divided into so many ways; therefore everything combined together is the Absolute Truth," this is the theory of pantheism. But ours is Vedic proposition, that Krsna is the cause of everything. Varieties of material and spiritual things are there, but Krsna's identity is there in Vrndavana. Vrndavanam parityajya padam ekam na gacchati. Krsna is there. Akhilatma-bhutah. Goloka eva nivasaty akhilatma-bhutah [Bs. 5.37]. That is stated.

goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya
devi-mahesa-hari-dhamasu tesu tesu
te te prabhava-nicaya vihitas ca yena
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
[Bs. 5.43]

advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam
adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca
vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau
govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami
[Bs 5.33]

So these features of Krsna, how He is simultaneously one and different, acintya-bhedabheda... Krsna is this electric lamp, and still, He's not the electric lamp. Krsna is this pillow, but He's not the pillow. If, when we say that Krsna is everything, therefore... Just like some big mission, they say, "Anything we accept as God, it is all right." No. We do not say like that. Neither Krsna says. When Krsna speaks of worshiping, He does not say that you worship the electric light or something else. Mam ekam, that is the instruction. Not that "Krsna has become everything; therefore everything has to be worshiped." No. This is wrong. This is acintya-bhedabheda. We have to take shelter of Krsna personally -- mam ekam saranam vraja -- not the varieties. You have to understand that varieties are dependent on Krsna, but not that "Because there are varieties, therefore Krsna is finished." No, that is not the philosophy. Jivanam sarva-bhutesu tapas casmi tapasvisu. Especially tapasvi...

Tapasvi means those who are seeking after eternal happiness. Karmis, yogis, there are many tapasvis. But real tapasvi... Tapo divyam. That is... Divyam means transcendental. Just perform tapasya for realizing Krsna. Tapo divyam. Otherwise, Hiranyakasipu, he also performed tapasya. What was that tapasya? He performed severe tapasya, so much so that the whole universe became perturbed and Brahmaji came to see, "What do you want?" "No, I am performing tapasya for becoming immortal. So if you make me immortal, it will be very kind of you." He said, "I am myself not immortal. How can I make you immortal? That is not possible." So the idea is he also performed tapasya, but that tapasya was for material gain. But that is not tapasya.

Tapasya means to undergo voluntarily some inconveniences of this body. Because we are accustomed to enjoy bodily senses, and tapasya means voluntarily to give up the idea of sense gratification. That is tapasya. Tapasya. Just like Ekadasi. Ekadasi, one day fasting, fortnight. That is also tapasya. Or fasting in some other auspicious day. That tapasya is good, even for health, and what to speak of advancing in Krsna consciousness. So we should accept this tapasya. The upavasa. There are many prescribed days for fasting. We should observe. And the preliminary tapasya, no illicit sex, no gambling, no intoxication, no..., no meat-eating... There may be some inconvenience, those who were accustomed to this practice, but we'll have to accept. Tapo divyam putraka yena suddhyet sattvam. If we want to purify our existence... At the present moment our existence is not purified, impure. Therefore we are suffering. Just like when one's physiological condition becomes infected, he suffers from fever and other symptoms of disease, similarly, we are suffering in this material world on account of this material body. If we want really happiness, then we must accept tapasya. Tapasya is required. Without tapasya, if you think that very easily... Or "Without tapasya, I can get it simply by imagination," then you become sahajiya, to take things very easily. No. Tapasya.

Therefore Krsna says that tapas casmi tapasvisu. That acceptance of tapasya means that tapasya is itself Krsna. You associate with Krsna. When you voluntarily give up meat-eating or intoxication, this giving-up, this process, is Krsna. Krsna says, tapas casmi tapasvisu. This is tapasya. Tapasya means to accept voluntarily something as enjoined in the sastras. Sastra says... Krsna says. Whatever Krsna says, that is sastra. What is Veda? Veda means what Krsna says; that is Veda. There is no other Veda. Just like in the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said, tene brahma hrda. Brahma hrda. Brahma means Veda. Brahma, sabda-brahma. So Krsna tene, imparted, injected brahma, Vedic, Vedic sabda, sabda-brahma, Vedas, tene brahma hrda, through the heart. Krsna is situated in everyone's heart. So Brahma had no other spiritual master, but Krsna is there within the heart. Therefore Krsna's name is Caitya-guru. Buddhi-yogam dadami tam. The caitya-guru, the guru... Krsna is so kind. He is guru within, and when we are serious, He manifests Himself as a spiritual master. This is described in the Caitanya-caritamrta.

So guru is helping from inside and from outside. Antar-bahih. So Krsna is so kind. Therefore Krsna manifests Himself as spiritual master. Therefore Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura says, saksad-dhari, saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastraih. Manifestation of empowered. One who is pure devotee, he's empowered by Krsna to act as spiritual master. Therefore spiritual master should be accepted: saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktah **. It is described there. Tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih. Those who are learned scholars, actual devotees, they accept. But that does not mean guru is Krsna. Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya. Now, that, if you accept, you... Accept means you honor spiritual master as good as Krsna, because he's representative. But not that Mayavada philosophy that guru and Krsna is the same. This is simultaneously one and different. Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya. He is as good as Krsna because he is very, very dear to Krsna. Why dear? Because he's preaching on behalf of Krsna. What Krsna wants, he's doing that. Therefore he's very dear.

Krsna wants everyone, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. A guru's business is that. Guru does not mean that he takes the position of Krsna. He simply teaches people that "You accept Krsna the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You surrender unto Him. You always think of Him. You always offer your obeisances. You become a pure devotee of Krsna." This is guru's business. It is not very difficult. Anyone who is sincerely following Krsna's instruction and instructing others also to do that, that is acarya. Apani acari prabhu jivere sikhaya. This is acarya. You behave yourself exactly as it is stated in the sastra, as it is ordered by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, as it is ordered by Krsna... Apani acari jivere sikhaya. And you teach all your disciples, who comes to you as your disciples, teach them. This is acarya.

So acarya, guru, representative, it is not difficult. Simply one has to become very, very sincere. One must undergo the simple tapasyas as prescribed in the sastras. Caitanya Maha... Yes. Haridasa Thakura. Apani acari prabhu jivere sikhaya. He was preaching also the glorification of chanting Hare Krsna by personal example; therefore he is accepted as guru. All the Vaisnavas, all the acaryas, Gosvamis, they acted accordingly and preached. Therefore they are acaryas. And Krsna says, acaryam mam vijaniyan nava-manyeta karhicit [SB 11.17.27]. These are the instructions.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is there. It is very simple. There is no difficulty. We have to always... Man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah. Now, for us, those who are materially attached, we cannot think twenty-four hours of Krsna. It is very pleasing, but because we are materially attached, we cannot do that. Therefore Krsna is prescribing that "You see the varieties of this material world and try to remember Me." These are the varieties: punyo gandhah prthivyam ca tejas casmi vibhavasau. "You study, nature study." Just like we study nature study, similarly, "You study nature and see these important points. And there I am." It is very scientific. You study nature and pick up some point and Krsna says that "This is I am." Where is the difficulty? This is Krsna consciousness. You drink water -- you remember Krsna. You see the light -- remember Krsna. You see the flavor, aroma of very nice flower, punya gandhah -- immediately remember Krsna. Practice this. It is not difficult.

Actually, we have to think of Krsna... Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Always thinking of Krsna. Man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah. Here is Krsna's form. Therefore we have to worship Deity. Constantly, if we worship, then Krsna's form is always impressed. I can see Krsna any, any time. If I close my eyes, I will see Krsna, how Krsna is nicely dressed. I see Krsna is very pleasingly eating what I have prepared with devotion, bhaktya. Real thing is bhaktya, not official. Not official. Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. He does not accept anything even it is not offered with bhakti and by the bhakta. He does not accept. Why He shall accept? Is He hungry like me? No. He simply wants to see how you have learned to love Krsna, bhakti, how you are eager to serve Krsna. That is... Krsna wants to see. Otherwise He does not require your service. Laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam [Bs. 5.29]. He's always being served by hundreds and thousands of goddess of fortune. They are so much afraid. They are goddess of... We are praying here goddess of fortune, "My mother, Goddess of Fortune, give me some fortune." They are... The goddess of fortune is afraid if Krsna may reject. Just like Rukmini. When Krsna was joking with her, she thought, "Maybe Krsna is going to leave me." Immediately fainted. Immediately fainted. That is the goddess of fortune.

So humbly, so fearfully, they are engaged in Krsna's service. What Krsna's service we can give? What we are? We are nothing. Insignificant. So why Krsna accepts our service? Why He comes in His arca-murti to accept our service? Just to induce you how to serve Him, bhakti. That is wanted. Therefore He says, "So you give Me even patram puspam phalam toyam. It doesn't matter. But give Me with bhakti." Yo me bhaktya prayacchati. This is real business. (?) If you have no bhakti, if you officially make, Krsna does not touch it. Krsna is not so poor. Laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam govindam adi-purusam tam... [Bs. 5.29]. So whatever you do, you should always be humble: "Krsna, I am quite unfit. So whatever I could collect with my capacity, kindly accept." This is our only plea. Otherwise, don't be proud that "I am doing so much for Krsna. Krsna will be obliged to accept it." It is not like that. Trnad api sunicena taror api sahisnuna. This is wanted.

So it is very easy, very sublime, but we have to learn it. And learning is also not very difficult. Here is everything, varieties. You always think of Krsna, and Krsna will give you intelligence. Buddhi-yogam dadami tam. Tesam nityabhiyuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam. Tesam nityabhi... One who is always thinking of Krsna, "Here is Krsna, here is Krsna, here is Krsna, here..." Nitya abhiyukta. Tesam nityabhiyuktanam. Krsna... You cannot cheat Krsna. That is not possible. Krsna is within your heart. He is seeing everything, your intention, your purpose, your activities, everything. Upadrasta. In the Bhagavad-gita it is... Upadrasta-anumanta. He is witness. You cannot cheat Krsna. Be sincere, and try to serve Him. He'll accept your service. And He will give you intelligence. Your life will be successful.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 7.9 -- Vrndavana, August 15, 1974

"No Brain Behind Nature" 74/02/24 Bombay, Bhagavad-gita 7.9-10

Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

punyo gandhah prthivyam ca
tejas casmi vibhavasau
jivanam sarva-bhutesu
tapas casmi tapasvisu

Prabhupada: Next verse also.

Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

bijam mam sarva-bhutanam
viddhi partha sanatanam
buddhir buddhimatam asmi
tejas tejasvinam aham

Translation: "I am the original fragrance of the earth, and I am the heat in fire. I am the life of all that lives, and I am the penances of all ascetics. O son of Prtha, know that I am the original seed of all existences, the intelligence of the intelligent and the prowess of all powerful men."

Prabhupada:

punyo gandhah prthivyam ca
tejas casmi vibhavasau
jivanam sarva-bhutesu
tapas casmi tapasvisu

Punyo gandhah, it may be original. Also the fragrant... Just like there are some flowers like rose, the fragrance is very nice. Of course, all fragrance is varieties, but prthivyam ca: the fragrance is coming from the earth. It is not synthetic fragrance. So the same earth, the same watering, the same, what is called, sara? For growing the trees, you...

Devotee: Manure.

Prabhupada: Manure. The same manure, same water, the same gardener, but according to different flowers, the fragrance is different. How this is done? Can any scientist answer? How it is coming differently? And why there are differences? If it is nature, and the ingredients are the same, why nature is not producing the same quality or the same kind of flower or trees or fruits? Why? Therefore it is answered in the Bhagavad-gita that nature is not all in all. Nature cannot work independently. Nature is the material world, material elements.

So it is answered there in the Bhagavad-gita: mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram [Bg. 9.10]. There is superintendence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna. He, He likes that "This kind of bija, or the seed, will produce this kind of flower and this kind of flavor." The superintendence is there of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. We fools, we say, we cannot explain. We say "Nature." What is this nature? There must be brain behind the nature. Otherwise, how a rose, so nicely it is coming? Even from artistic point of view, if you want to paint one flower, you have to take so much labor, so many colors, reflection, and so many instruments, then hardly you can paint one nice rose flower. Still, it is not as good. And not at all good in comparison to the original flower. So if this third-class flower, you have to apply so much brain, and this first-class flower has no brain behind it? Is that very good logic? What is this logic? There must be brain. And that is stated here: punyo gandhah prthivyam ca tejas casmi vibhavasau, aham. "It is My, under My superintendence."

So Krsna is giving us intelligence that "If you do not go to the temple or do not hear to the acarya, you can at least try to understand My presence when you see a flower or smell a flower." Is that very difficult job? Krsna consciousness is so nice. Even drinking water, even by seeing the sunshine, even by seeing the moonshine, or, if you are a Vedic scholar, by chanting om, pranavah sarva-vedesu, or even by hearing the sound vibration, or by seeing a flower, or smelling a flower, something brilliant... Just like the sun is brilliant, the moon is brilliant. Tejas casmi. So wherefrom this brilliance comes? The brilliance is imitation, reflection of the bodily brilliance of Krsna. That is stated in the Brahma-sutra, Brahma-samhita: yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti [Bs. 5.40]. Then why we should disbelieve? We can see eye-to-eye that the sun is so brilliant. It is a material product only. But wherefrom the sun has come, so brilliant? Yac caksur esa savita sakala-grahanam raja samasta-murti, samasta-sura-murtir asesa-tejah. The brilliance and the temperature is unlimited. So wherefrom the brilliance comes? You can calculate yourself, that "The sun is composition of these chemicals, this material...," but why don't you produce? Why don't you produce an imitation sun so that you'll save so much money for electricity? At night you can get one sun in Bombay city. (laughs) (laughter)

So the rascals will give all description, but they'll never be prepared to prepare it, to manufacture it. Recently... It is a practical... In California one learned chemical scholar,... He has got Nobel Prize. So he was describing that "From matter, life has come." So there was one student, he's my disciple, Svarupa Damodara. He questioned, "Sir, if I give you all these chemicals, can you produce life?" Then he said, "That I cannot say." But if you know that these chemicals composes life, so when I give you the chemicals, why don't you produce? So simply theorizing. Simply theorizing. Panthas tu koti-sata-vatsara-sampragamyah.

So we cannot decide by theorizing. But if we take shelter of Krsna, here is the perfect knowledge, that aham, "I am the background." Otherwise, how we can explain? Svabhaviki jnana-bala-kriya ca. Just like if you have to paint one flower or if you have to create some scent, you have to mix so many chemicals. But He's so powerful, His energies are so perfect, that svabhaviki jnana-bala-kriya ca, simply by His willing, immediately, everything is there. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate. That is the appreciation of the energy of God. If you are not appreciating, that is your fault, but there is brain, there is work. But the energy is so perfect... Just like nowadays, electric, electronic energy. You simply push on one button and so many things happens immediately. It is still, still, hundred thousand times subtler. Simply by His willing, everything has come out. This is understanding. But because we have no such brain, neither we can think, we evade the issue. Therefore if we want to understand how this flower has come in, how this fragrance is there, you try to understand that it is due to Krsna. And appreciate. That is Krsna consciousness. You appreciate: "Oh, my Lord is so..."

There is a story, I shall... It is not story. Or take it as story, that sometimes Narada Muni was passing, and one very learned scholar, brahmana, he saw Narada Muni, and he asked Narada Muni, "Sir, where you are going?" He said, "I am going to Vrndavana, yes, Vaikuntha, to see my Lord." "Oh, you are going there?" Narada Muni has got free passage to everyone. So, "Will you ask Narayana when my liberation will come?" "All right, I shall ask." Then he met another cobbler. He was sewing shoes. So he also asked, "Sir, where you are going?" "Now I am going to Vaikuntha to see my Lord." So, "Will you ask when I shall get salvation?" So Narada Muni noted, "All right, I shall ask." So when Narada Muni met Narayana, he, after finishing his business, he asked the two men's question, that "These two men, one very learned scholar, brahmana, he also asked me this question, and the cobbler also asked me." So Narayana said "This cobbler will get his salvation after finishing this life, and this brahmana will have to take, wait for many, many births."

So Narada Muni became very much inquisitive, "How is that?" So when he came back, first of all he met the brahmana. He inquired, "Did you inquire, sir, about me?" "Yes, yes. He said that you have to wait many, many births." No, He did not say many, many births, Krsna said, Narayana said that "When you meet them again, you say that, if they inquire ‘What my Lord was doing at that time?' you say that ‘He was pulling one elephant from the hole of a nail,' " what is called?

Devotees: Needle.

Prabhupada: Needle. So when he met the brahmana he said... And he inquired, "What Narayana was doing when you met Him?" "I saw that He was pulling one elephant through the hole of a needle." So he immediately said, "All right, sir, namaskara. Your, all these big, big stories we cannot believe, that an elephant is being drawn through the hole of a needle." And the same question was raised by the cobbler, and he, Narada Muni replied in the same way. And he began to cry, "Oh, my Lord is so powerful. He can do anything." So Narada Muni inquired that "How do you believe that the elephant is being drawn through the hole of a needle?" "Now, why not? I am seeing daily. I am sitting under this banyan tree and there is fig, banyan fruit, and there are thousands of seeds, and I know that each seed's containing a big tree like this."

That's a fact. Everyone knows. Bijo 'ham sarva-bhutanam. Here Krsna says, bijo 'ham sarva-bhutanam. Is there any chemist? Just get one small seed like the fig seed. It is very small, but it contains that big tree. Where is that chemistry? Where is that physics? So here is the answer, Krsna says, bijam mam sarva-bhutanam viddhi. Big, even this big, gigantic universe, that is also bijam mam sarva-bhutanam. It is stated in the Vedic literature. Yasyaika-nisvasita-kalam athavalambya jivanti loma-vilaja jagad-anda-nathah [Bs. 5.48]. There are so many things. Everyone is inquisitive, "Where is the beginning of this thing?" The beginning is the Supreme Lord. That is the Vedanta-sutra, janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1]. Beginning is there. So you cannot say that life has come from matter. That is not possible. Because here it is said, Krsna says, that bijam mam sarva-bhutanam. Anything which has come into existence, the original source is Krsna. So Krsna is life. He's not dead stone. Therefore the conclusion is: from life, life has come and matter has come. Not that matter has come from life. Oh, what is that? Life has come from matter. That is not the conclusion. That is wrong conclusion.

So if you actually require perfect knowledge, then we have to accept knowledge this, like this way. It is called avaroha-pantha. Avaroha-pantha means a descendence or deductive process. So our Krsna consciousness movement, we claim that we have got perfect knowledge of everything because we are taking knowledge from the perfect person -- Krsna. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. And that is the real process. If you simply speculate to arrive at the conclusion, inductive process... Just like if you want to study whether man is mortal or immortal, there are two processes. Deductive process, you take the idea from superior person that man is mortal. If you accept, then your knowledge is perfect. But if you want to approach the knowledge by inductive process, by studying each man, whether he is mortal or immortal, you may study thousand, two thousand, five thousand, but you cannot study all the men. Therefore your conclusion remains always defective. You cannot do that. Therefore the best process is knowledge is to receive from the person who is authorized. Actually, you do that. We go to a school, we go to college, to receive knowledge from the superior person. That is our process. That is perfect knowledge. You cannot manufacture knowledge.

Therefore real knowledge of everything can be had from the Bhagavad-gita. If you study it nicely, it is very easier and perfect. Bijam mam sarva-bhutanam viddhi partha sanatanam. Sanatanam. Sanatanam means eternal. It is not that bija, that which is produced and again it is vanquished. Sanatanam. In another place Krsna says, aham bija-pradah pita. All living entities...

sarva-yonisu kaunteya
murtayah sambhavanti yah
tasam brahma mahad yonir
aham bija-pradah pita
[Bg. 14.4]

Aham, the person, He is the... Just like the father gives the seed in the womb of the mother and the child comes out. Similarly sarva-bhutanam, not only human beings, but also all living entities. There are 8,400,000 species of living entities. The original bija, the seed, the seed-giving father is Krsna. Therefore Krsna is international or interuniversal. Krsna is not a Hindu or Indian or this or that. Krsna is for everyone. So I have explained to my foreign students, American, European and African, and other, that "Krsna is for everyone. Don't take it that Krsna is for the Hindus, for the Indians, or for the brahmanas or the ksatriyas. No. Krsna is for everyone." Therefore our society's name is "Krsna Consciousness."

So our only request is that "Take Krsna as the original father, original father." It is very easy to understand. As I have got my father, my father has got father, his father, his father his... Who is the original father? The original father is Krsna. Aham bija-pradah pita. So where is the difficulty to understand? There must be one original father. If you go on researching who is the original father, then you'll come to the conclusion that Krsna is the original father.

isvarah paramah krsnah
sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah
anadir adir govindah
sarva-karana-karanam
[Bs. 5.1]

This is the Vedic version. Sarva-karana-karanam [Bs. 5.1]. Father's father, his father, his father, you go on, go on. you come to Brahma. Brahma is considered as the forefather or grandfather, pitamaha. But Krsna is addressed in the Bhagavad-gita: prapitamaha, even the father of Brahma. Prapitamaha. You'll find in the Eleventh Chapter, prapitamaha [Bg. 11.39]. He's father of... Tene brahma hrda adi-kavaye. You know, those who are conversant with the sastras, that Brahma's another name is Svayambhu. He's not born of any material father and mother. He's born on the lotus flower sprouted from the navel of Maha-Visnu, Garbhodakasayi Visnu. Therefore his name is Svayambhu. Svayambhu is one of the authorities because he was first educated about the Vedic knowledge by Krsna, or Visnu. Tene brahma hrda. Brahma means Vedic knowledge. Tene means imparted. Adi-kavaye, the adi-kavi, the original person. Tene brahma hrda adi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah. Even big, big personalities, they become bewildered to understand Krsna. Therefore Krsna says... We have already discussed.

manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam
kascin mam vetti tattvatah
[Bg. 7.3]

So Krsna is the Supreme Person. Krsna is the original of everything, original source of everything. That is the verdict of the... Therefore Arjuna accepted; sarvam etad rtam manye yad vadasi kesava: [Bg. 10.14] "My dear Krsna, whatever You are saying, I accept Him, accept all these in toto, not deducting, not giving my own commentation." This is the way of studying Bhagavad-gita. So if you study Bhagavad-gita as it is, as it is said in the..., and if you accept it, then your life is successful. Otherwise, panthas tu koti-sata-vatsara-sampragamyo vayor athapi manaso muni-pungavanam [Bs 5.34], you'll never understand what is God or what is ultimate source, what is Absolute Truth.

So the Bhagavad-gita is the essence of all Vedic literatures because, after all, Vedic literature means vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah [Bg. 15.15], to understand Krsna, the Absolute Truth, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the purpose of Vedic study. So the Supreme Personality Himself is giving the knowledge of the Supreme by Himself, personally. Therefore we are preaching this Bhagavad-gita as it is, Krsna consciousness. And the easiest method is to chant Krsna's name. Easiest method. It is recommended. It is not our manufacture. It is said. When Maharaja Pariksit learned all the defects of this Kali-yuga, then he was little disappointed, "How these men or the persons...?" Men means human beings. "How they will be relieved from the miserable condition of materialistic life in this age of Kali?" Because it is all defective.

Now, it is stated in that chapter that in the Kali-yuga the mleccha rajanya-rupino bhaksayisyanti prajas te. The government will be all mlecchas, not the ksatriyas. Mlecchas. Mleccha rajanya-rupinah. They'll take the post of government post, government service. And their business will be bhaksayisyanti prajas te, they'll devour all the prajas. And in this way the prajas will be so much, I mean to say, distressed that gacchanti giri-kananam. Gacchanti giri-kananam. They will be so much, I mean to say, harassed that they will give up their home and hearth and go to the forest. That time is coming. That time is coming. It is no more that brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya. Therefore human civilization, there is no human civilization if there is no such division as brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra. That is not human... That is animal civilization. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna... [Bg. 4.13]. Everything is there. Social, political, economical, all solutions are there in the Bhagavad-gita. But unfortunately, it is our property, it is, it was spoken in India, and it was desired that all Indians should learn it and spread the knowledge all over the world -- the rascals are doing nothing. Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered, bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara [Cc. Adi 9.41]. It is for the perfect human being. Janma sarthaka kari' kara para-upakara. The other parts of the world, they're in darkness. So there is great necessity of spreading the knowledge of Bhagavad-gita all over the world. The customers are also ready. So if you want glory of India, if you want to glorify your life, just study Bhagavad-gita as it is and spread it all over the world. You'll be honored. Single-handed, whatever I have done, they are thinking wonderful. And if we have got many, many persons to go outside India and preach this gospel of Bhagavad-gita, they will be benefitted and you will be glorified. Your country will be glorified. This message of Bhagavad-gita, it is a fact; it is not story.

So people are fed up with this wrong type of civilization. This is not civilization. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca. Day and night. This is also warned in the Srimad-Bhagavatam:

nunam pramattah kurute vikarma
yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti
na sadhu manye yata atmano 'yam
asann api klesada asa dehah
[SB 5.5.4]

Rsabhadeva said that "These rascals," pramattah, pramattah, "has become mad." Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma: "Always engaged in mischievous activities." These rascals, these materialistic persons. Nunam pramattah. "They have become mad, and their business is..." Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma [SB 5.5.4]. Vikarma, akarma and vikarma. Vikarma means activities which are forbidden in the sastra. Just like according to Vedic principles, at least a brahmana, a leader, a king should avoid these four principles of sinful activities. What is that? Meat-eating, illicit sex life, gambling and intoxication. At least, these four men, who is leading the public or who is a brahmana or who is a king, he must be very much cautious about... But just see what is the... Everyone, practically, they are addicted to these sinful activities. So therefore they are mad, pramattah. Vikarma. These are forbidden in the sastras, and they are doing that. Why? Because they are mad. Why they are so mad? Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma [SB 5.5.4]. Now, yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti: "Simply for sense gratification." That's all. Simply for sense gratification. Not for any big but to satisfy the senses. "Oh, oh, my tongue is asking for a cigarette, asking for wine. All right, give the tongue wine." Why? Without cigarette, without wine, you shall die? "No, I want to satisfy my tongue." Indriya-pritaya aprnoti. "So why it is sinful?" It is sinful in this way, that... Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti, na sadhu manye [SB 5.5.4]. "Oh, it is not good." Yata atmano 'yam asann api klesada. Atma, atma is eternal, but he is covered by this material body. Asann api. You can say, "All these material bodies, they are for a few years." But it is klesada, it is so much miserable. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanu... People have lost their brain. They do not know what is actually unhappiness, miserable condition. They have no... "All right..." That is all... Animals, the animals do not know. He's going to the slaughterhouse. "All right, let me go." That's all.

So this kind of civilization will not make you happy, sir. You have got... Bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma... You have taken your birth in the punya-bhumi, in the sacred land of Bharatavarsa. Here is your knowledge. Take it and be successful in your life.
Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 7.9-10 -- Bombay, February 24, 1974