Peacock-plume Eyes
Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.22
Los Angeles, June 19, 1972
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Take a testLos Angeles, June 19, 1972
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Pradyumna: (leads chanting,
etc.)
Prabhupada: That's all right. So,
barhayite te nayane naranam
lingani visnor na niriksato ye
padau nrnam tau druma-janma-bhajau
ksetrani nanuvrajato harer yau
Word meaning?
Pradyumna: (reads synonyms, then:) Translation: "The eyes which do not look at the symbolic representations of the Personality of Godhead, Visnu, His forms, name, quality, etc., are like those printed on the plumes of the peacock, and the legs which do not move to the holy places, where the Lord is remembered, are considered to be like tree trunks."
Prabhupada: So, the peacock plumes, they look like eyes, painted. But it has no power to see. Similarly, if we do not see the forms of the Lord, just like in this temple we are seeing, then these eyes are to be considered as painted eyes. Not real eyes. Simply just appearing like eyes. It has no use. The human form of life, the eyes are there, particular eyes, to see the forms of the Lord eye to eye. And because our present position is that with these material eyes we cannot see the Lord in His spiritual form, therefore the Lord has kindly appeared before us in a manner in which we can see Him. The forms of the Lord is not imagination. They say that they imagine some form. Sadhakanam hitvarthaya brahmano rupa-kalpanah. The Mayavadi philosophers, due to their poor fund of knowledge, they think that "The Absolute Truth is formless, but because we cannot meditate upon formless, something formless, let us imagine some form." Imagine. Nirvisesa-vadi, nirakara-vadi, they imagine forms.
Therefore, their philosophy, that "Any form you like, you can concentrate. Because after all, there is no form. But for your present facility, you can imagine some form." But there is also mistake on their part, because they say "Imagine any form." Generally, they prescribe the form of Lord Siva, the form of Lord Visnu, the form of Durga, the form of the sun, and the form of Ganesa. Pancopasana. These five forms. But ultimately, you become "form-less." The example given by them is that you rise up to a upper place with a wooden stair, and as soon as you reach there, you throw it away, so that you'll not be able to come back again. Similarly, their philosophy is: "With some imagination of form, you worship, and as soon as you realize Brahman, throw it away. No more." These are all imagination; actually there is no fact. They do not know the actual position of spiritual life; therefore they are personally misled, and they mislead others also. Here it is particularly mentioned, lingani visnoh, the form of Visnu, not of this rascal imagination of Durga, Kali, or Lord Siva.
So we are not concerned with the imagination form. They are also not imagination. Actually, everyone, all the demigods, they have got their forms. But the difference is Visnu, the form of Visnu, is eternal; and the forms of demigods or the form, our forms... Just like we have got now some form. They're not eternal -- temporary. We all sitting here, we have got different forms, but as soon as these forms will be changed, we shall accept another form -- this form's gone forever. It will never come again. But Visnu form, Lord Visnu's form, visnu-tattva. Visnu-tattva means the forms of the original Lord, Krsna. Krsna is the original form. Krsnas tu bhagavan svayam. But He expands in different forms. The original form is Krsna. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs 5.33]. In the Brahma-samhita it is said, Krsna, advaita, one. There is no second, I mean to say, counterpart. But He expands. Advaitam acyutam. Acyuta. Acyuta means which does not fall down. Acyuta. Cyuta means "fall down." So God's another name is Acyuta, never falls down. Just like we living entities, we fall down. From spiritual world, we fall down. Because we have fallen down, therefore we have got this material body. But Krsna, or God, never falls down. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs 5.33]. Ananta, endless. You cannot count how many forms are there of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. They have been compared with the incessant waves of the river. Just like, in the river you stand, on a flowing river, you will find the waves are day and night flowing, flowing, flowing, flowing.
Similarly, God, Krsna, from Him, ananta-koti, innumerable incarnations are coming out, coming out. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs 5.33]. Then next question may be that "If all the forms are coming from Krsna, then Krsna also must have come from some other form." Because we see ... Suppose I have got hundred children, so I was also born by some father. No. Krsna is not like that.
Anadi. He is not emanation from anyone. He's original. Krsnas tu bhagavan svayam. All others are emanations from Krsna. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam adyam [Bs 5.33]. He's the original. Adyam Purana, the oldest. Then why Krsna does not look like old man? Just like in some other religious sects they present God as very old man. But Krsna is, although the oldest... Because He's the origin of all emanations, He must be oldest, but He's nava-yauvanam ca, just like a young man, sixteen to twenty years old. That is Krsna. Yogesvara. Krsna, the oldest of all, still He appears nava-yauvana. Nava-yauvana, just youthful life is beginning. That is called nava-yauvana. So according to our human society, the youthful life begins at sixteen years. So Krsna is like that. He'll look always sixteen to twenty years old, not more than that. We have never seen Krsna has become old. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs 5.33]. Lingani. Lingani means form. So Krsna has many forms.
As Krsna, as Visnu, as Narayana, as Baladeva, as Jagannatha. So many. Govinda. There are thousands and thousands of forms. So we must see at least one of such forms. Either you see Krsna form or Rama form or Visnu form or Narayana form or Baladeva form, or His incarnation, Nrsimhadeva form, Matsyavatara, Minavatara... So many. If we do not increase our anxiety or inclination to see one of the forms of Visnu... Here it is specifically mentioned, Visnu. Not others. Lingani visnor na niriksato ye. If we do not see, then our eyes are exactly like the painted eyes on the plumes of the feathers, or plumes of the peacock. It looks very nice, but it has no value. No, it has no seeing power. So our, these eyes are also painted, because it is material. These eyes will remain when I shall give up this body, but it will have no more seeing power. The seeing power is gone when the spirit soul gives up this body. So in spite of the beautiful eyes, it is unable to see. Similarly, so long we have got this instrument... This is an instrument to work. Mayaya... In the Bhagavad-gita it is said,
isvarah sarva-bhutanam
hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati
bhramayan sarva-bhutani
yantrarudhani mayaya
[Bg. 18.61]
Isvarah the Supreme Lord, Krsna, is sitting within everyone's heart, and He's witness, anumanta-upadrasta. Upadrasta means He's seeing our activity. He's noting what I desire, because our desires are coming one after another, one after another. So according to our desire, Krsna is so kind, He gives you a body. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. Isvara, the Supreme Lord, is sitting within the heart of everyone. So... And sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati bhramayan. And He's giving us chance to transmigrate to different types of bodies or species of bodies. He's noting down that "This soul is very much fond of fresh blood and raw meat. All right. You take the body of a tiger. Yes. This soul feels pleasure being naked. All right, you take the body of a tree. You stand up naked for ten thousand years.
Satisfy your desire for being naked for ten thousand years." Why two years, three years, or five years, ten years? Remain naked. Human body is meant for covering, not to become naked, but if anyone develops the idea of becoming nudie, naked, "All right, next life you get tree. Stand up." The example is there, Yamala-Arjuna, They wanted to be naked. Narada gave them opportunity, "All right, you remain naked as trees." So therefore, our business should be to go to the temple as it is prescribed here, padau nrnam tau druma-janma-bhajau. Those who are not moving, they're just like trees, they do not move. So, if we do not move to the places where Visnu's forms are there... Just like in India, we have got many places of pilgrimage. Just like Vrndavana. There are... A small city, about fifty thousand utmost population. But there are five thousand temples, big and small. Out of that, about one dozen temples are very, very big, just like fort. And there are small temples.
So altogether, it is a city of fifty thousand population, but there are five thousand temples, Krsna. All Radha-Krsna. So this is a chance, that "Come to Vrndavana, and wherever you go, you see Radha-Krsna. That will make your life successful." By seeing, seeing, Radha-Krsna, Radha-Krsna, seeing, seeing, you'll get an impression. And if you continue... The inhabitants of Vrndavana, you'll find if, when you go there, that in the morning and evening, all of them, they are going different temples and seeing the Deity Radha-Krsna. So there is no need of education, there is no need of philosophy, there is no need of science. Simply if you visit temples of Visnu, then your life is successful. This is the Krsna consciousness process. Simply if you move to the temple and see with your eyes; very simple process. Our, this Krsna consciousness program is so simple, at the same time sublime, that you become liberated at the end. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. If you simply think of Krsna in that way.
If you cannot read, then sit down and simply see the Deity's form. That will also give you. Anything, anything done. Little dancing, little, a little ringing the cymbals or singing Hare Krsna mantra... Anything you do. These children... Just like they are dancing. They are also being spiritual profited. It will never go in vain. Somehow or other he has shown some jubilation in front of the Lord, it is noted immediately. Therefore this verse is there, padau nrnam tau druma-janma-bhajau. If you do not move to the temples, then what is the difference between your legs and the trees which are standing without legs? They have legs, but they cannot move. Tree's another name is padapa. They drink water with their legs. Just like we drink water in our mouth... So it is not that all animals act in the same way. No. Just like there is a bird (which) is called bat. They pass stool through the mouth. You know? Yes. So there are different processes. The fishes in the water, they touch with the wings.
Their wings are so perfect that three miles off, another big fish is coming to eat them, they can understand by the wings. Immediately, they take protection. These are all described in the Bhagavata. You get so much perfect knowledge, scientific knowledge, of different species of life, how they are acting, how they are eating, how they are moving. All, everything is perfect there. Vidya bhagavatavadhi. If you study Srimad-Bhagavatam perfectly, then all your education is complete. You don't require any other book to read; you get from Srimad-Bhagavatam all material and spiritual knowledge, and at the end, Krsna. This is the profit. Ksetrani nanuvrajato harer yau. Ksetrani. Ksetra means pilgrimage. This temple is pilgrimage. It is not ordinary house; it is Vaikuntha. In the sastra it is said that to live in the forest is living in goodness. There are three qualities, you know -- goodness, passion, ignorance -- in this material world. So when you live in the forest, you live in goodness.
When you live in a city, in a town, then you live in passion. And when you live in a liquor shop, in a brothel or Bowery street, then it is living in ignorance. There are three kinds of living. Everything, three kinds. Sattva, rajas, tamas, goodness, passion ... But if you live in temple, you live in Vaikuntha. Above goodness. So all of you should be very careful that you may not fall down again from the Vaikuntha place. That should be your first business, that you have been given opportunity to live in Vaikuntha, but don't fall down again. Either you fall down on goodness, passion... That is material. They go to forest for meditation, but that is goodness, material goodness. But one who lives in temple, he's not concerned with material goodness, passion, or ignorance. He lives in Vaikuntha. In this age it is not possible. You can imagine that "Now I shall go to Himalaya and forest and practice meditation." They're all bogus; you cannot do that. That is not possible.
Because the age is different. We are not trained in that way. Formerly, the brahmacaris, they used to go to the forest, to the teacher, to the spiritual master, and they acclimatized with the atmosphere. But here, from the very beginning, in school, college, dormitories mixing freely, doing all nonsense. How it can go? That's not possible. That is not possible. Therefore, take advantage of this temple, the centers we are opening, and live in Vaikuntha. And the authorities of the temple should be so careful that it does not turn into something else besides temple. Then you are safe. The maya cannot touch you. What is this? Hm. Then? Read.
Pradyumna: "Especially for the householder-devotees, the path of Deity worship is strongly recommended. As far as possible, every householder, by the direction of the spiritual master, must install the Deity of Visnu, forms like Radha-Krsna, Laksmi-Narayana, or Sita-Rama especially, or any other form of the Lord, like Nrsimha, Varaha, Gaura-Nitai, Matsya, Kurma, salagrama-sila and many other forms of Visnu, like Trivikrama, Kesava, Acyuta, Vasudeva, Narayana, Damodara, etc., as they are recommended in the Vaisnava tantras or puranas, and one's family should worship strictly, following the directions and regulation of arcana-vidhi."
Prabhupada: Hm. Now, this is the important point. I understand that some of our householder devotees are ordering for Deities in India. But here is the point. The point is that they "worship strictly, following the direction and regulation of arcana-vidhi." Don't make a play. If you follow strictly the Deity worship method, then you establish; otherwise, don't establish. It will be offense. One who is able to manage... Just like we are showing the example, how to worship Deity in the temple. In the same way, if one can... The idea is, as here, our devotees are engaged in the worship of the Deity, similarly, a householder, when all the family members are trained up how to worship the Deity, then they can establish. Not that make a farce. Cleanliness, and the rules and regulation, that must be... That is the duty of every... Actually, the higher castes in India still, everyone -- brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya -- they must have Deity worship at home. Therefore, in the Bhagavad-gita it is said, sucinam srimatam gehe yoga-bhrasto 'bhijayate.
Anyone who is rich in India still, they have got Deity worship at home. Very nicely. A separate house, a small house attached to their big buildings, and there is Deity worship, and the all the members should go there, offer prayers. Just like we are doing, the similar, same thing there. In Kanpur there is one temple, Dvarakadhisa. The temple belongs to a very rich man, Singhania. The, all the members... It is order of the lady, the mother of Mr. Singhania, that "You all of you, you must visit the Deity..." Very rich men, always busy in business. But still, they have to come to the temple and offer respect, take caranamrta and prasadam. Then go to office. If one misses one day, then he will be fined. Still. The head man will be fined ten dollars, and the next man five dollars, like that, according to position. So if one day somebody misses, immediately the priest will go with the bill of fine: "Sir, you have to pay this fine." "Yes. You take immediately."
Still there are such rules and regulations. So Deity worship, it is the duty of all householders, Deity worship. That means automatically all the members become devotees. But it must be done according... there are sixty-four kinds of offenses. In The Nectar of Devotion you'll find. Deity worship... For chanting Hare Krsna mantra, there are ten kinds of offenses. But Deity worship, there are so many offenses. These are described. "You cannot sit down before the Deity like this, you cannot yawn before the Deity, you cannot talk nonsense before the Deity." So many things are there. So therefore it is said that "strictly following the direction and regulation of arcana-vidhi." So you are being trained up. In India they are trained up since centuries. Their culture is different. They automatically can adopt, immediately. They're trained up. You are not trained up as yet. You are being trained. So unless you are fully trained, don't establish Deity to make a farce. Better learn it perfectly in the temple, and when you think that the members of the household are also now as good as the devotees in the temple, then you must establish the Deity. That is required. Next.
Pradyumna: "Any member of the family who is above twelve years of age should be initiated by a bona fide spiritual master, and all the members of the household should be engaged in the daily service of the Lord, beginning from morning, 4 a.m., till night, 10 p.m. ..."
Prabhupada: Hm. This is Deity worship. Not that sleeping up to 9:00 and Deity worship. This is farce. That is not allowed. That will be offense. All the members must rise early in the morning, just we are doing in the temple. At 4 a.m. take bath, cleanse, and offer aratrika. That is the beginning of Deity worship. And all the members should be so trained up... Suppose one is absent for some business, the other members should take it. There will be so many assistants, but the Deity worship must go on very nicely. Then?
Pradyumna: by performing mangala-aratrika, niranjana, arcana, puja, kirtana, srngara, bhoga-vaikali, sandhya-aratrika, patha, bhoga (at night), sayana-aratrika, etc. Engagement in such worship of the Deity, under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master, will greatly help the householders to purify their very existence and make rapid progress in spiritual knowledge. Simple theoretical book knowledge is not sufficient for a neophyte devotee. Book knowledge is theoretical, whereas the arcana process is practical. Spiritual knowledge must be developed by a combination of theoretical and practical knowledge, and that is the guaranteed way for attainment of spiritual perfection. The training of devotional service for a neophyte devotee completely depends on the expert spiritual master who knows how to lead his disciple to make gradual progress towards the path back home, back to Godhead. One should not become a pseudo spiritual master as a matter of business to meet one's family expenditures; one must be an expert spiritual master to deliver the disciple from the clutches of impending death. Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has defined the bona fide qualities of a spiritual master, and one of the verses in that description reads:
sri-vigraharadhana-nitya-nana-
srngara-tan-mandira-marjanadau
yuktasya bhaktams ca niyunjato 'pi
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam
Sri-vigraha is the arca, or suitable worshipable form of the Lord, and the disciple should be engaged in worshiping the Deity regularly by srngara, by proper decoration and dressing, as also by mandira-marjana, the matter of cleansing the temple. The spiritual master teaches the neophyte devotee all these kindly and personally to help him gradually in the realization of the transcendental name, quality, form, etc., of the Lord.
Only attention engaged in the service of the Lord, especially in dressing and decorating the temple, accompanied by musical kirtana and spiritual instructions from scriptures, can save the common man from the hellish cinema attractions and rubbish sex-songs broadcast everywhere by radios. If one is unable to maintain a temple at home, he should go to another's temple where all the above performances are regularly executed. Visiting the temple of a devotee and looking at the profusely decorated forms of the Lord well dressed in a well-decorated, sanctified temple naturally infuse the mundane mind with spiritual inspiration. People should visit holy places like Vrndavana where such temples and worship of the Deity are specifically maintained. Formerly all rich men like kings and rich merchants constructed such temples under the direction of expert devotees of the Lord, like the six Gosvamis, and it is the duty of the common man to take advantage of these temples and festivals observed in the holy places of pilgrimage by following in the footsteps of great devotees (anuvraja). One should not visit all these sanctified pilgrimage places and temples with sightseeing in mind, but one must go to such temples and sanctified places immortalized by the transcendental pastimes of the Lord and be guided by proper men who know the science. This is called anuvraja. Anu means to follow. It is therefore best to follow the instruction of the bona fide spiritual master, even in visiting temples and the holy places of pilgrimage. One who does not move in that way is as good as a standing tree condemned by the Lord not to move. The moving tendency of the human being is misused by visiting places for sightseeing. The best purpose of such traveling tendencies could be fulfilled by visiting the holy places established by great acaryas and thereby not being misled by the atheistic propaganda of moneymaking men who have no knowledge of spiritual matters.
Prabhupada: So you can keep (indistinct) (devotees offer obeisances -- end)
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
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