Prabhupada: (leads chanting) "Those
who are not faithful on the path of devotional service cannot attain Me, O
conqueror of foes, but return to birth and death in this material
world."
Prabhupada:
asraddadhanah purusa
dharmasyasya
parantapa
aprapya mam nivartante
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani
[Bg.
9.3]
Krsna (is) instructing that there are two pathways. One
is go back to home, back to Godhead, and other path is remain in this material
world which is full of miseries, especially birth, death, old age and disease.
Two paths. Actually, we living entities, we are not subjected to birth, death,
old age and disease. We are eternal part and parcel of Krsna. Krsna is the
Supreme Personality of Godhead and we are part and parcel of Him, just like
father is there and he may have many children. So every child is the part and
parcel of the father. Similarly, Krsna, the Supreme Lord, God, we all living
entities, we are sons, or part and parcel of God. Qualitatively we are one. Just
like a small particle of gold is also gold. It is not a different thing. But one
is small particle and one is big lump. But qualitatively, both of them are gold.
So we are small particle of Krsna, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Therefore Krsna is vibhu, the great, God is great, and we are small
particle.
Somehow or other we have fallen
in this material world. There are many causes, but as we are in this material
world, it is to be taken that somehow or other we have come here. Light, the
sparks of fire... There is fire, and there are sparks. Everyone has got this
experience. So the sparks are coming and dancing within the fire. It is also
brilliant and it is also fire. If a small spark of fire falls on your cloth,
immediately it will burn. It will immediately make a black spot. We have got
this experience. Because although it is small, but it is fire. Therefore it
burns. Similarly, we are a small particle, part and parcel of God. Just like the
spark, it falls down from the fire. There may be three conditions. The spark may
fall down on the ground, the spark may fall down on the water and the spark may
fall down on some dry grass. So if the spark falls down on the dry grass, then
it may, again, makes another fire. And if the spark falls down on the water,
then it is completely finished. And if it falls down on the ground, then it may
continue as fire for some time, then it becomes extinguished.
Anyway, in these three
conditions... So when we fall down in this material world... The material world
is of three modes of material nature, goodness, passion and ignorance. So if we
acquire the quality of goodness, there is chance of enlightenment, knowledge, so
that again fire can be generated. But if we fall down on the water, practically
it is finished. Ignorance. So sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna. So in our
fallen condition, mostly the rajo-guna and tamo-guna is very prominent, in our
fallen condition, in this material condition. So symptoms of rajo-guna and
tamo-guna means material desires and greediness. And sattva-guna means
enlightenment. If we cultivate the sattva-guna quality, just means, if we
cultivate the brahminical qualification, that is the platform of sattva-guna. So
that is described in the Bhagavad-gita, satyam samo damas titiksa arjavam jnanam
vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.42]. If we cultivate this
kind of life, to be truthful, to be peaceful, to be tolerant, to be men of
wisdom, knowledge, faith in God and the sastras, in this way there are nine to
twelve qualities. If we acquire that qualities, then we become
brahmana.
Brahmana means there is chance of
understanding Brahman. Brahma janati iti brahmana. And this human life is meant
for inquiring about Brahman. Athato brahma jijnasa. This is the first verse,
aphorism, of the Vedanta-sutra. So the whole Vedic literature, in a gist form,
is described in the Bhagavad-gita. And it is being explained by the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Krsna. So it is a very important book, spoken by God
Himself. And another system of religion... Sometimes the representative of God
is speaking, the servant of God speaking. They are also the same, but according
to time and circumstances they are modified. But here in this Bhagavad-gita, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is speaking.
So you are coming, I mean to say,
the Indians who are present here, from a country where Krsna appeared. It is a
great fortune for you that you have taken your birth in India. It is not
ordinary fortune. So why? To take Indian birth, to take birth in India,
automatically they are advanced in spiritual knowledge. Still, so much fallen
condition of India, still, you go to a village, they will very easily understand
Krsna consciousness without any advanced education. Because by birthright they
have got the knowledge. In Vrndavana, when we walk on the street, the
thela-walla, the cartsmen, the milkmen carrying milk, immediately they'll offer
namaskara, "Swamiji." The other day, I think you were present? We were walking.
So we entered one field, just for walking. So the villagers, the cultivators,
they came to congratulate us. To receive us. "Swamiji, it is our great fortune
that you have come to our field." But in this country if I would have entered in
another place, perhaps would have brought charge of trespass or might shot down.
So that is the different system. That by birthright they are Krsna
conscious.
If we speak something about Krsna
and Rama... Generally, in the villages, the Ramayana or Mahabharata, they are
recited by the panditas, and still thousands and thousands of men come to hear
about Ramayana and Mahabharata. We have practical experience in India. We held
several Hare Krsna festivals in Calcutta, Bombay and Hyderabad, Madras, many
thousands people come. Twenty thousand, thirty thousand people, they come,
still. So my request is that you are here in foreign country, you don't forget
your heritage. That is my request. Don't be bada saheb. Remain as Indian with
Indian culture, and here is the temple of Krsna, we are distributing this Krsna
culture all over the world. So don't miss this opportunity, but you take
advantage of it. That is the duty of every Indian. That is the mission of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. His mission is, especially to the Indians He
said,
bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara
janma
sarthaka kari' kara para-upakara
[Cc. Adi 9.41]
Para-upakara, just to do something good for others,
for upakara. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu said anyone who has taken birth in India, he
should, bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara [Cc. Adi 9.41], anyone who has
taken birth in India, for every one of them, it is the duty, janma sarthaka
kari', first of all make your life successful, janma sarthaka kari' kara
para-upakara, then you begin the welfare activities for all others. The idea is
that India is enriched with Vedic knowledge, and those who are born in India,
they should take advantage of this facility, especially those who are in the
higher topmost ranks, the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas. Especially the
brahmanas. Take this education perfectly well. Make your life perfect and
distribute the knowledge all over the world. This is your duty. That is the
order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He wanted...
Krsna preached this
Bhagavad-gita, five thousand years ago, but it was not broadly preached. It was
spoken on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Arjuna knew it and some of his other
friends. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu is also Krsna. He appeared as a devotee of
Krsna. And He distributed this Krsna consciousness movement and He wanted that
every Indian should seriously take this Krsna consciousness movement, make his
life perfect, and distribute the knowledge. This is India's duty. So you have
got one opportunity, you Indian people, that you take this advantage of
distributing Krsna consciousness. It is good for you and for everyone who takes
the knowledge very adherently. Therefore Krsna says... This is Ninth Chapter of
Bhagavad-gita where He is speaking plainly about bhagavata-bhakti. And this
knowledge is described as raja-guhyam. Most confidential knowledge.
Here,
raja-vidya raja-guhyam
pavitram idam
uttamam
pratyaksavagamam dharmyam
susukham kartum avyayam
[Bg.
9.2]
This is the beginning of this chapter. Raja-vidya, the
king of education. Raja-vidya raja-guhyam. And very confidential. It is not
understood by any ordinary man. Because it is very confidential. You go
anywhere. Suppose you go to a bank. A few persons in the bank, like the manager
or the cashier or the accountant, they know everything confidential. Not the
clerks or the customers, no. So this is, also Krsna concludes Bhagavad-gita with
these words, guhya guhyatamam. This knowledge is very confidential. This means
when one thing is very confidential means it is very, very important. So Krsna
says therefore that asraddadhanah purusah [Bg. 9.3]. "This is so nice
confidential. And I am speaking personally to enlighten the people in general."
Not general, but people like Arjuna. Arjuna was not ordinary person. He was born
in royal family and he was so exalted that he could speak with Krsna face to
face. He's not an ordinary person. So this confidential knowledge is not for
ordinary person, but it is so easy. As it is said, susukham kartum avyayam. It
is so easy to perform that everyone can do it.
Just like what we are doing here
in this temple? These boys, these American and Canadian boy, what they are
doing? It's very easy. What is that? Chanting Hare Krsna, dancing and eating
prasada. What is the difficulty? To chant Hare Krsna or in ecstasy, dance nicely
and dancing, dancing, when you become hungry and tired, take nice prasada. What
is the difficulty? By this process they are becoming devotees. There is no need
of discussing higher philosophy or becoming a mystic or magician or juggler or
bluffer or cheater, nothing. Simply accept this simple process. You come here
and chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra and automatically you'll be ecstatic. Because
this Hare Krsna maha-mantra is not ordinary sound. It is spiritual sound.
Narottama dasa Thakura has sung, golokera prema-dhana hari-nama-sankirtana. This
sound, just like you receive sound from distant place, in radio. Similarly, this
sound is not produced in this material world. It is brought from the spiritual
world. Golokera prema-dhana. There in the spiritual world there are eternal
liberated devotees. They are so much ecstatically enjoying simply by chanting
and dancing, the descriptions are there, that there is no sex life.
Just imagine. Here in this
material world there is sex life. That is considered to be the highest pleasure.
But the spiritual world means there is no sex life. Although there are very
beautiful women, very beautiful men, with four hands. The men are with four
hands there and very attractive. All of them are young. They never become old.
Because in the spiritual world there is no birth, death, old age and disease.
That is spiritual world. So there is no... Old age is due to this body.
Otherwise, spirit soul is everlastingly young. You can think over yourself. Just
like I am now old man. So sometime I think that in my childhood, when I was
born, I was jumping and dancing. Now I cannot do that. Because of this old body.
So we are hampered on account of this material body. Encagement.
So there are two ways, as I have
already explained, that if you like you can become free from this bondage of
material body. If you like. And if you don't like you can continue your material
way of life, changing different material bodies. Changing different material
body is described here: mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. Mrtyu. Because with any body,
material body, either cat's body, a dog's body or human being's body or
demigod's body or even Brahma's body, you have to die. There is no escape.
Therefore it is called mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. And the, another path is, aprapya
mam, this mrtyu-samsara-vartmani means you don't get Krsna. Krsna says aprapya,
not getting mam, Me. Two alternatives. Either you get Krsna and go back to home,
back to Godhead, this is one path. And the other path that you remain in this
material world and repeatedly get a body and die again, get again another body.
This is going on. Repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. So Krsna is,
because He is our supreme father, supreme friend... suhrdam sarva-bhutanam.
Krsna says
bhoktaram
yajna-tapasam
sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam
jnatva mam
santim rcchati
[Bg. 5.29]
For our happiness we require cooperation of some friend.
That is our practical experience. But if we make Krsna as our supreme friend...
He is supreme friend. He's so supreme friend that... You'll find in the
Bhagavad-gita, everything is explained. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna
tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. Sarva-bhutanam. Of all living entities, within the core of
the heart, Krsna is sitting there along with the living entity. The living
entity is also within the heart and the supreme living entity, Krsna, is also
sitting by him.
This is confirmed in the
Upanisad, that two birds are sitting on one tree. One bird is eating the fruit
and another bird is simply observing. So the observing bird is Krsna and the
eating bird is the living entity. Two birds. In another place also Krsna says
ksetra-jnam capi mam viddhi sarva-ksetresu bharata [Bg. 13.3]. The question of
the ksetra-jna, the owner of the body and the body. In this Chapter, in the
Thirteenth Chapter, it is discussed. So in that chapter Krsna says that "I am
also one of the owner of the body, but the difference of this singular
individual body and Myself is this, that the individual soul knows about his own
body. But so far I am concerned, I am present in everyone's body and I know
everything of everyone's body." Just like you are a spirit soul, I am a spirit
soul within this body. You know the pleasure and pains of your body. I know the
pleasure and pains of my body. But Krsna, he knows the pleasure and pains of
your body and pleasure and pains of my body and everyone's body. That is Krsna.
That is Paramatma. Jivatma and Paramatma.
So all these facts have been very
widely described and discussed. So we should be very careful to accept the
instruction of Bhagavad-gita as it is. If we do not accept, then Krsna says
asraddadhanah. One is not interested in this type of occupational duty, dharma
means occupational duty. So dharmasyasya parantapa. Asya dharmasya. What is this
dharma? In the end of Bhagavad-gita it is clearly said, sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. This is dharma. This is real dharma. And
anything except this, is bogus, cheating. This is real dharma. Krsna came, He
said that yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata tadatmanam srjamy aham
[Bg. 4.7]. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. Hm?
Dharma-samsthapanarthaya. To reestablish the religious system. Yuge yuge
sambhavami, "I come." He comes. So, or He sends His representative, His son or
His devotee. His servant. In this way, Krsna is trying to enlighten the whole
human society.
So we should take advantage of
it. If you don't take advantage of it, asraddadhanah, no faith, no interest...
Asraddadhanah purusah, the human being. This is a chance of human form of life
to accept the system which is offered by God Himself. That is our duty. But if
one is not interested, then the result is that aprapya mam. "He cannot get Me."
Aprapya mam. So if we don't get Krsna, then what is the wrong there? Very, very
wrong. That Krsna says: nivartante mrtyu-samsara-vartmani, [Bg. 9.3] then he
remains in the cycle of birth and death. That is not very pleasing job. We are
making material efforts to make nice road, nice cars, nice skyscraper building,
nice other facilities of life. But why I am doing this? This is practical. If I
am called by death. How, we are not very happy, "Oh, I am attempting to build
this and now I am dying," this is very painful. Sometimes at the time of death,
they cry, that "I could not finish my business."
So that is the way of nature.
That you may try to become very happy in this material world, nature will kick
you out, will not allow you to stay here. Duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. This
world is duhkhalayam. You make so many imagination, try to fulfill it, that's a
very troublesome job. To get money and to make material arrangement, that is not
very easy. After you've undergone severe hardship, then you can get some money
and build big, big buildings or purchase car. So before possessing big, big
buildings and cars you had to work so hard. And to keep them intact, that is
also very difficult. So, and again there is no guarantee that you shall be able
to enjoy it. Today you may be proprietor of a big house, big motor car, but
after death you don't know, you have to accept a body, and it may be you become
a cockroach in the car or in the house. That is not in your hands. That is in
the prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27]. That will be
considered. If you have got attachment for the car and you are dying, then you
have done working such a way that you have no right to possess a car any more.
You have to accept a cockroach body. Then you become, a, because you have got
attachment, in the same car you become a cockroach. This nature's law we do not
know.
prakrteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani
sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
[Bg.
3.27]
The rascals, they do not know how prakrti, nature is
working, and we are completely under the control of material nature. So after
death we have to accept one body. Dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptih, dehantara-praptih [Bg. 2.13]. One has to accept. Just
like we have given up our childhood body and we accepted another body, boyhood
body or youth-hood body or old aged body. Similarly, after giving up this body,
old aged body, I have to accept another body. That will be created by nature
according to your karma. So that is called mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. Then you
begin another chapter. Even you become a demigod or a dog or a cockroach or
human being, from the date of your birth you begin another chapter. Again
duhkhalayam, to grow up, to change body, to adjust things according to the
atmosphere.
So this is called
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. If we want to save this botheration, then hear what
Krsna says. Then your life will be successful. If you don't accept Krsna's
works, which are very plainly explained in the Bhagavad-gita, then you have to
remain in this mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. It is very plain truth. There is no doubt
about it, that... You may be very proud of your strong body, your social
condition or political condition, but after death it is not under your control.
It is under the control of the material nature. So don't be falsely proud,
bewildered. Ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate [Bg. 3.27]. Don't be
foolish person by false egotism that "I am free, I can do whatever I like." Then
you'll suffer and remain in the path of repetition of birth and death. And there
are 8,400,000 species of life. We have to go through this process, we fall down.
So this human form of life is obtained, bahunam janmanam ante [Bg. 7.19], after
many many births, evolutional process we have got it. Now it is the time to
understand our position. What is that position? The position is that we are
eternal part and parcel of God.
mamaivamso jiva-loke
jiva-bhutah sanatanah
manah
sasthanindriyani
prakrti-sthani karsati
[Bg.
15.7]
"These living entities," Krsna says, "They are My part
and parcels. But foolish rascals, they're creating concoction, mental
speculation, to become happy." Manah sasthanindriyani. And according to their
mentality they are getting a different type of body, indriyani. Indriyani,
the... As I was explaining in one morning, the pig has got also tongue, that is
indriya, sense, and I have got also tongue, but his tongue will like to eat
stool. We won't like. Because the different body, the tongue is also tasteful in
different way. So indriyani. Manah sasthanindriyani. First of all with subtle
mind we create a different type of indriya. If we live like dogs and hogs, then
that mentality will give me similar senses, the body of a dog and hog. And we
change our taste according to dog and hog. Similarly, we can change our taste
according to the body of demigods. But the subject matter of tasting or
enjoyment is the same. Eating, sleeping, sex and defense. That will continue.
But the quality of eating may be different. Not the quality, but the form may be
different.
So in this way things are going
on. They are described in this Bhagavad-gita very widely and expressively. So
every human being is expected to receive this knowledge directly from Krsna.
Don't interpret wrong way according to your whims. Take it as it is and be
benefited. If you don't take it, asraddadhanah purusah [Bg. 9.3]. Those who have
no interest to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is, the result is mam aprapya.
Aprapya mam. He never approaches God. He remains in this material world of
repetition of birth and death. That is not a very good job.
So our, this Krsna consciousness
movement is trying to enlighten people so that they can accept these principles
of Bhagavad-gita. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is para-upakara. And He
advises everyone, especially Indians, to become guru. He said, amara ajnaya guru
hana tara' ei desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Every one of you, you become a guru, and
try to deliver the persons where you are living. So how can I become guru? Yes,
it is very easy. What is that? Yare dekha tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya
7.128]. Then you become guru. You simply repeat what Krsna has said in the
Bhagavad-gita, you become guru. To become guru is not... But if you want to be a
bluffer, cheater, then you can talk all nonsense. But if you actually talk only
Krsna's words, then you become a guru. It's not very difficult.
Krsna says man-mana bhava
mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65], four things only. And mam
evaisyasi asamsayah [Bg. 18.65]. "By doing these four things, without any doubt,
you come back to Me." And what are those four things? Man-mana bhava. "Always
think of Me." That is very difficult job? You are seeing... [break] So
man-manah. And then you become bhakta. Unless you are bhakta, you cannot
continue to think of Krsna. Man-mana bhava mad, mad-yaji. "Worship Me." So here
is Krsna, accepting everyone's worship. And what is the means of worship? Very
simple. If you can offer very valuable things, that is all right. But if you
think that you are poor man, you cannot supply any valuable things, Krsna says,
"Never mind." Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati [Bg. 9.26].
"Simply little flower, little fruit, if you offer Me with devotion, I accept."
So there is no difficulty.
Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. These four things. Very, very easy to do it.
It is universal. There is no restriction. It is not that "I am not a brahmana, I
am not an Indian, I am not a Sanskrit scholar, I cannot go to the temple." No,
that is not. Krsna says, mam hi partha vyapasritya ye 'pi syuh papa-yonayah [Bg.
9.32]. Never mind whether he is Indian, brahmana or this or that. Even if he's
born in the lowest, lowest grade of family, papa-yoni. They are
kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa abhira-sumbha yavanah [SB 2.4.18], there are so
many. They're papa-yoni, almost animal. Sudhyanti, they also become purified and
comes to Krsna. It is so wide, universal, easy and especially you are Indian,
why you should not take advantage of this facility. You take it and be happy.
That is my request. Thank you very much.
Guest: Swamiji, is there some way
(indistinct) duty of the student to the knowledge (indistinct) guru
shortcoming?
Prabhupada: First of all, you
have to know who is guru. If you accept one rascal as guru, how you can be
helped? First thing is who is guru. That I have already explained. Guru is he
who repeats the words of Krsna. He is guru. Otherwise he's a rascal. This is the
test. Krsna says that
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena
sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
[Bg.
4.34]
So tattva-darsi, one who has seen the truth, you have to
accept him as guru. Tattva-darsi. Darsi means who has practical experience.
Take, for example, just like Arjuna. Arjuna is directly receiving the knowledge
from Krsna. He's guru. What he said, we accept that. But if you accept somebody
who wants to kill Krsna and become himself Krsna, he's a rascal. He's not guru.
Because his policy is to accept the place of Krsna, not to serve Him. That is
maya. And Krsna has said very freely that
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante
naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg.
7.15]
A person who is imbibed with asuric tendency... Asuric
tendency means to refute the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All the asuras...
Just like Ravana. Ravana is described as raksasa, asura. What was his fault? His
fault was that he did not care for Rama. "What is this Rama? Kidnap his wife,
bring him(her), I shall enjoy." This is raksasa. So he could not enjoy Sita, but
the result was, with his whole family, state, and himself, everything, he was
ruined. This is asura. So those who are asuram bhavam asritah, followers of
Ravana, Hiranyakasipu, Kamsa, they do not surrender to Krsna.
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante
naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg.
7.15]
So our simple method is to see whether somebody is
speaking about Krsna or what Krsna has said. If he does not do so, then
immediately accept him asuram bhavam asritah, a raksasa. How you can accept him
as guru? A raksasa? That is your mistake. How can you accept a person as guru
who has imbibed with raksasa. So then what is their position? Duskrtinah. Very
sinful. Mudhah, rascal, ass. Naradhamah, lowest of the mankind. "No, he's so
educated." Mayayapahrta-jnanah. His so-called education has no value because
maya has taken away the essence of... Because education means... Veda means
knowledge. So the Vedas are there for education. So vedais ca sarvair aham eva
vedyah [Bg. 15.15]. Ultimately Vedanta, Vedanta means the ultimate knowledge.
The end of knowledge. The end of knowledge is to know Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair
aham eva vedyah [Bg. 15.15]. So after studying Vedas, if he does not understand
Krsna, then it is to be understood, mayayapahrta-jnanah, his knowledge has been
taken away by maya. So simple thing is that Krsna is the original guru. Mattah
parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya [Bg. 7.7]. There is no more better guru
than Krsna. So anyone who repeats the words of Krsna, teach others, he is guru.
Otherwise he's a rascal.
Guest: (indistinct)
Prabhupada: Why do you ask this
question? That means you have no faith.
Guest: I have faith, I don't
(indistinct) knowledge.
Prabhupada: You read this, then
you'll get the knowledge.
Guest: I would like to know about
what time
Prabhupada: Time it may be. Any
time, but the knowledge is eternal. Just like Krsna spoke five thousand years
ago to Arjuna and some forty millions of years ago to the sun-god. Time is
different. Once He spoke forty millions of... Imam vivasvate yogam proktavan
aham avyayam. Find out this verse:
imam vivasvate yogam
proktavan aham
avyayam
vivasvan manave praha
manur iksvakave 'bravit
[Bg.
4.1]
Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2].
These things are there that Krsna said to Arjuna that "This philosophy, yoga,
the yoga system, bhakti-yoga, I spoke to Vivasvan, the sun-god." So if you take,
take calculation... Because it is said there: vivasvan manave praha, if you take
calculation of Manu, then you can calculate the age of Manu. Seventy-two cycle
of four ages. Four ages means, one age means forty-three lakhs of years,
multiply it by seventy-two. That becomes the duration of life of one Manu. So it
is said that the sun-god said to Manu. So this is the age of Vaivasvata Manu. So
you can understand when it was spoken. So we have calculated, it is about forty
millions of years ago he spoke this... And Krsna says sa evayam maya te 'dya
yogah proktah puratanah [Bg. 4.3]. Read that?
Hari-sauri:
sa evayam maya te 'dya
yogah proktah
puratanah
bhakto 'si me sakha ceti
rahasyam hy etad uttamam
[Bg.
4.3]
Prabhupada: Yes. Krsna said "The same system I am
speaking to you. Puratanah. Because you are My bhakta." So either you hear it
forty millions of years ago or five thousand years ago or today from us, the
subject matter is the same. Why do you make difference of the time? There is no
difference of time. The subject, the puratanah, everything is the same old. Even
it is spoken in different time, the subject matter remains the same. There is no
change. Just like millions and millions of years ago there was sun. And what is
the sun? Heat and light. And today also there is the sun. What is the sun. Heat
and light. So there is no difference. There is no consideration of age. The
subject matter is the same.
Guest: (indistinct)
Prabhupada: Yes, eternally means
that this creation, the material creation, it takes place at a certain date and
it continues for certain millions and trillions of years, and again it becomes
annihilated, dissolved. There is no creation for... Bhutva bhutva praliyate [Bg.
8.19]. And again millions of years passes, and again there is creation. So one
who does not take advantage of this creation, manifestation, especially in the
human form of life, as I was discussing, mrtyu-samsara-vartmani, then he remains
in the path of birth and death in this creation, and because he does not deliver
himself, then next creation and next creation. So unless he takes to it, it is
eternally going on. If he does not take advantage of this opportunity, then he
remains in the cycle of birth and, mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. And the
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani continues in this creation, next creation and before that
it is going on.
Devotee: Another
question?
Prabhupada: That's all right.
Thank you very much.
Devotees: Jaya! Jaya Prabhupada!
(end)
>>> Ref.
"Don't Forget Your Heritage"
Prabhupada: (leads chanting) "Those
who are not faithful on the path of devotional service cannot attain Me, O
conqueror of foes, but return to birth and death in this material
world."
Prabhupada:
asraddadhanah purusa
dharmasyasya
parantapa
aprapya mam nivartante
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani
[Bg.
9.3]
Krsna (is) instructing that there are two pathways. One
is go back to home, back to Godhead, and other path is remain in this material
world which is full of miseries, especially birth, death, old age and disease.
Two paths. Actually, we living entities, we are not subjected to birth, death,
old age and disease. We are eternal part and parcel of Krsna. Krsna is the
Supreme Personality of Godhead and we are part and parcel of Him, just like
father is there and he may have many children. So every child is the part and
parcel of the father. Similarly, Krsna, the Supreme Lord, God, we all living
entities, we are sons, or part and parcel of God. Qualitatively we are one. Just
like a small particle of gold is also gold. It is not a different thing. But one
is small particle and one is big lump. But qualitatively, both of them are gold.
So we are small particle of Krsna, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Therefore Krsna is vibhu, the great, God is great, and we are small
particle.
Somehow or other we have fallen
in this material world. There are many causes, but as we are in this material
world, it is to be taken that somehow or other we have come here. Light, the
sparks of fire... There is fire, and there are sparks. Everyone has got this
experience. So the sparks are coming and dancing within the fire. It is also
brilliant and it is also fire. If a small spark of fire falls on your cloth,
immediately it will burn. It will immediately make a black spot. We have got
this experience. Because although it is small, but it is fire. Therefore it
burns. Similarly, we are a small particle, part and parcel of God. Just like the
spark, it falls down from the fire. There may be three conditions. The spark may
fall down on the ground, the spark may fall down on the water and the spark may
fall down on some dry grass. So if the spark falls down on the dry grass, then
it may, again, makes another fire. And if the spark falls down on the water,
then it is completely finished. And if it falls down on the ground, then it may
continue as fire for some time, then it becomes extinguished.
Anyway, in these three
conditions... So when we fall down in this material world... The material world
is of three modes of material nature, goodness, passion and ignorance. So if we
acquire the quality of goodness, there is chance of enlightenment, knowledge, so
that again fire can be generated. But if we fall down on the water, practically
it is finished. Ignorance. So sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna. So in our
fallen condition, mostly the rajo-guna and tamo-guna is very prominent, in our
fallen condition, in this material condition. So symptoms of rajo-guna and
tamo-guna means material desires and greediness. And sattva-guna means
enlightenment. If we cultivate the sattva-guna quality, just means, if we
cultivate the brahminical qualification, that is the platform of sattva-guna. So
that is described in the Bhagavad-gita, satyam samo damas titiksa arjavam jnanam
vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.42]. If we cultivate this
kind of life, to be truthful, to be peaceful, to be tolerant, to be men of
wisdom, knowledge, faith in God and the sastras, in this way there are nine to
twelve qualities. If we acquire that qualities, then we become
brahmana.
Brahmana means there is chance of
understanding Brahman. Brahma janati iti brahmana. And this human life is meant
for inquiring about Brahman. Athato brahma jijnasa. This is the first verse,
aphorism, of the Vedanta-sutra. So the whole Vedic literature, in a gist form,
is described in the Bhagavad-gita. And it is being explained by the Supreme
Personality of Godhead, Krsna. So it is a very important book, spoken by God
Himself. And another system of religion... Sometimes the representative of God
is speaking, the servant of God speaking. They are also the same, but according
to time and circumstances they are modified. But here in this Bhagavad-gita, the
Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, is speaking.
So you are coming, I mean to say,
the Indians who are present here, from a country where Krsna appeared. It is a
great fortune for you that you have taken your birth in India. It is not
ordinary fortune. So why? To take Indian birth, to take birth in India,
automatically they are advanced in spiritual knowledge. Still, so much fallen
condition of India, still, you go to a village, they will very easily understand
Krsna consciousness without any advanced education. Because by birthright they
have got the knowledge. In Vrndavana, when we walk on the street, the
thela-walla, the cartsmen, the milkmen carrying milk, immediately they'll offer
namaskara, "Swamiji." The other day, I think you were present? We were walking.
So we entered one field, just for walking. So the villagers, the cultivators,
they came to congratulate us. To receive us. "Swamiji, it is our great fortune
that you have come to our field." But in this country if I would have entered in
another place, perhaps would have brought charge of trespass or might shot down.
So that is the different system. That by birthright they are Krsna
conscious.
If we speak something about Krsna
and Rama... Generally, in the villages, the Ramayana or Mahabharata, they are
recited by the panditas, and still thousands and thousands of men come to hear
about Ramayana and Mahabharata. We have practical experience in India. We held
several Hare Krsna festivals in Calcutta, Bombay and Hyderabad, Madras, many
thousands people come. Twenty thousand, thirty thousand people, they come,
still. So my request is that you are here in foreign country, you don't forget
your heritage. That is my request. Don't be bada saheb. Remain as Indian with
Indian culture, and here is the temple of Krsna, we are distributing this Krsna
culture all over the world. So don't miss this opportunity, but you take
advantage of it. That is the duty of every Indian. That is the mission of Sri
Caitanya Mahaprabhu. His mission is, especially to the Indians He
said,
bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara
janma
sarthaka kari' kara para-upakara
[Cc. Adi 9.41]
Para-upakara, just to do something good for others,
for upakara. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu said anyone who has taken birth in India, he
should, bharata-bhumite haila manusya-janma yara [Cc. Adi 9.41], anyone who has
taken birth in India, for every one of them, it is the duty, janma sarthaka
kari', first of all make your life successful, janma sarthaka kari' kara
para-upakara, then you begin the welfare activities for all others. The idea is
that India is enriched with Vedic knowledge, and those who are born in India,
they should take advantage of this facility, especially those who are in the
higher topmost ranks, the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas. Especially the
brahmanas. Take this education perfectly well. Make your life perfect and
distribute the knowledge all over the world. This is your duty. That is the
order of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He wanted...
Krsna preached this
Bhagavad-gita, five thousand years ago, but it was not broadly preached. It was
spoken on the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Arjuna knew it and some of his other
friends. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu is also Krsna. He appeared as a devotee of
Krsna. And He distributed this Krsna consciousness movement and He wanted that
every Indian should seriously take this Krsna consciousness movement, make his
life perfect, and distribute the knowledge. This is India's duty. So you have
got one opportunity, you Indian people, that you take this advantage of
distributing Krsna consciousness. It is good for you and for everyone who takes
the knowledge very adherently. Therefore Krsna says... This is Ninth Chapter of
Bhagavad-gita where He is speaking plainly about bhagavata-bhakti. And this
knowledge is described as raja-guhyam. Most confidential knowledge.
Here,
raja-vidya raja-guhyam
pavitram idam
uttamam
pratyaksavagamam dharmyam
susukham kartum avyayam
[Bg.
9.2]
This is the beginning of this chapter. Raja-vidya, the
king of education. Raja-vidya raja-guhyam. And very confidential. It is not
understood by any ordinary man. Because it is very confidential. You go
anywhere. Suppose you go to a bank. A few persons in the bank, like the manager
or the cashier or the accountant, they know everything confidential. Not the
clerks or the customers, no. So this is, also Krsna concludes Bhagavad-gita with
these words, guhya guhyatamam. This knowledge is very confidential. This means
when one thing is very confidential means it is very, very important. So Krsna
says therefore that asraddadhanah purusah [Bg. 9.3]. "This is so nice
confidential. And I am speaking personally to enlighten the people in general."
Not general, but people like Arjuna. Arjuna was not ordinary person. He was born
in royal family and he was so exalted that he could speak with Krsna face to
face. He's not an ordinary person. So this confidential knowledge is not for
ordinary person, but it is so easy. As it is said, susukham kartum avyayam. It
is so easy to perform that everyone can do it.
Just like what we are doing here
in this temple? These boys, these American and Canadian boy, what they are
doing? It's very easy. What is that? Chanting Hare Krsna, dancing and eating
prasada. What is the difficulty? To chant Hare Krsna or in ecstasy, dance nicely
and dancing, dancing, when you become hungry and tired, take nice prasada. What
is the difficulty? By this process they are becoming devotees. There is no need
of discussing higher philosophy or becoming a mystic or magician or juggler or
bluffer or cheater, nothing. Simply accept this simple process. You come here
and chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra and automatically you'll be ecstatic. Because
this Hare Krsna maha-mantra is not ordinary sound. It is spiritual sound.
Narottama dasa Thakura has sung, golokera prema-dhana hari-nama-sankirtana. This
sound, just like you receive sound from distant place, in radio. Similarly, this
sound is not produced in this material world. It is brought from the spiritual
world. Golokera prema-dhana. There in the spiritual world there are eternal
liberated devotees. They are so much ecstatically enjoying simply by chanting
and dancing, the descriptions are there, that there is no sex life.
Just imagine. Here in this
material world there is sex life. That is considered to be the highest pleasure.
But the spiritual world means there is no sex life. Although there are very
beautiful women, very beautiful men, with four hands. The men are with four
hands there and very attractive. All of them are young. They never become old.
Because in the spiritual world there is no birth, death, old age and disease.
That is spiritual world. So there is no... Old age is due to this body.
Otherwise, spirit soul is everlastingly young. You can think over yourself. Just
like I am now old man. So sometime I think that in my childhood, when I was
born, I was jumping and dancing. Now I cannot do that. Because of this old body.
So we are hampered on account of this material body. Encagement.
So there are two ways, as I have
already explained, that if you like you can become free from this bondage of
material body. If you like. And if you don't like you can continue your material
way of life, changing different material bodies. Changing different material
body is described here: mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. Mrtyu. Because with any body,
material body, either cat's body, a dog's body or human being's body or
demigod's body or even Brahma's body, you have to die. There is no escape.
Therefore it is called mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. And the, another path is, aprapya
mam, this mrtyu-samsara-vartmani means you don't get Krsna. Krsna says aprapya,
not getting mam, Me. Two alternatives. Either you get Krsna and go back to home,
back to Godhead, this is one path. And the other path that you remain in this
material world and repeatedly get a body and die again, get again another body.
This is going on. Repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. So Krsna is,
because He is our supreme father, supreme friend... suhrdam sarva-bhutanam.
Krsna says
bhoktaram
yajna-tapasam
sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam
jnatva mam
santim rcchati
[Bg. 5.29]
For our happiness we require cooperation of some friend.
That is our practical experience. But if we make Krsna as our supreme friend...
He is supreme friend. He's so supreme friend that... You'll find in the
Bhagavad-gita, everything is explained. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna
tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. Sarva-bhutanam. Of all living entities, within the core of
the heart, Krsna is sitting there along with the living entity. The living
entity is also within the heart and the supreme living entity, Krsna, is also
sitting by him.
This is confirmed in the
Upanisad, that two birds are sitting on one tree. One bird is eating the fruit
and another bird is simply observing. So the observing bird is Krsna and the
eating bird is the living entity. Two birds. In another place also Krsna says
ksetra-jnam capi mam viddhi sarva-ksetresu bharata [Bg. 13.3]. The question of
the ksetra-jna, the owner of the body and the body. In this Chapter, in the
Thirteenth Chapter, it is discussed. So in that chapter Krsna says that "I am
also one of the owner of the body, but the difference of this singular
individual body and Myself is this, that the individual soul knows about his own
body. But so far I am concerned, I am present in everyone's body and I know
everything of everyone's body." Just like you are a spirit soul, I am a spirit
soul within this body. You know the pleasure and pains of your body. I know the
pleasure and pains of my body. But Krsna, he knows the pleasure and pains of
your body and pleasure and pains of my body and everyone's body. That is Krsna.
That is Paramatma. Jivatma and Paramatma.
So all these facts have been very
widely described and discussed. So we should be very careful to accept the
instruction of Bhagavad-gita as it is. If we do not accept, then Krsna says
asraddadhanah. One is not interested in this type of occupational duty, dharma
means occupational duty. So dharmasyasya parantapa. Asya dharmasya. What is this
dharma? In the end of Bhagavad-gita it is clearly said, sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. This is dharma. This is real dharma. And
anything except this, is bogus, cheating. This is real dharma. Krsna came, He
said that yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata tadatmanam srjamy aham
[Bg. 4.7]. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. Hm?
Dharma-samsthapanarthaya. To reestablish the religious system. Yuge yuge
sambhavami, "I come." He comes. So, or He sends His representative, His son or
His devotee. His servant. In this way, Krsna is trying to enlighten the whole
human society.
So we should take advantage of
it. If you don't take advantage of it, asraddadhanah, no faith, no interest...
Asraddadhanah purusah, the human being. This is a chance of human form of life
to accept the system which is offered by God Himself. That is our duty. But if
one is not interested, then the result is that aprapya mam. "He cannot get Me."
Aprapya mam. So if we don't get Krsna, then what is the wrong there? Very, very
wrong. That Krsna says: nivartante mrtyu-samsara-vartmani, [Bg. 9.3] then he
remains in the cycle of birth and death. That is not very pleasing job. We are
making material efforts to make nice road, nice cars, nice skyscraper building,
nice other facilities of life. But why I am doing this? This is practical. If I
am called by death. How, we are not very happy, "Oh, I am attempting to build
this and now I am dying," this is very painful. Sometimes at the time of death,
they cry, that "I could not finish my business."
So that is the way of nature.
That you may try to become very happy in this material world, nature will kick
you out, will not allow you to stay here. Duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. This
world is duhkhalayam. You make so many imagination, try to fulfill it, that's a
very troublesome job. To get money and to make material arrangement, that is not
very easy. After you've undergone severe hardship, then you can get some money
and build big, big buildings or purchase car. So before possessing big, big
buildings and cars you had to work so hard. And to keep them intact, that is
also very difficult. So, and again there is no guarantee that you shall be able
to enjoy it. Today you may be proprietor of a big house, big motor car, but
after death you don't know, you have to accept a body, and it may be you become
a cockroach in the car or in the house. That is not in your hands. That is in
the prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27]. That will be
considered. If you have got attachment for the car and you are dying, then you
have done working such a way that you have no right to possess a car any more.
You have to accept a cockroach body. Then you become, a, because you have got
attachment, in the same car you become a cockroach. This nature's law we do not
know.
prakrteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani
sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
[Bg.
3.27]
The rascals, they do not know how prakrti, nature is
working, and we are completely under the control of material nature. So after
death we have to accept one body. Dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptih, dehantara-praptih [Bg. 2.13]. One has to accept. Just
like we have given up our childhood body and we accepted another body, boyhood
body or youth-hood body or old aged body. Similarly, after giving up this body,
old aged body, I have to accept another body. That will be created by nature
according to your karma. So that is called mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. Then you
begin another chapter. Even you become a demigod or a dog or a cockroach or
human being, from the date of your birth you begin another chapter. Again
duhkhalayam, to grow up, to change body, to adjust things according to the
atmosphere.
So this is called
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. If we want to save this botheration, then hear what
Krsna says. Then your life will be successful. If you don't accept Krsna's
works, which are very plainly explained in the Bhagavad-gita, then you have to
remain in this mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. It is very plain truth. There is no doubt
about it, that... You may be very proud of your strong body, your social
condition or political condition, but after death it is not under your control.
It is under the control of the material nature. So don't be falsely proud,
bewildered. Ahankara-vimudhatma kartaham iti manyate [Bg. 3.27]. Don't be
foolish person by false egotism that "I am free, I can do whatever I like." Then
you'll suffer and remain in the path of repetition of birth and death. And there
are 8,400,000 species of life. We have to go through this process, we fall down.
So this human form of life is obtained, bahunam janmanam ante [Bg. 7.19], after
many many births, evolutional process we have got it. Now it is the time to
understand our position. What is that position? The position is that we are
eternal part and parcel of God.
mamaivamso jiva-loke
jiva-bhutah sanatanah
manah
sasthanindriyani
prakrti-sthani karsati
[Bg.
15.7]
"These living entities," Krsna says, "They are My part
and parcels. But foolish rascals, they're creating concoction, mental
speculation, to become happy." Manah sasthanindriyani. And according to their
mentality they are getting a different type of body, indriyani. Indriyani,
the... As I was explaining in one morning, the pig has got also tongue, that is
indriya, sense, and I have got also tongue, but his tongue will like to eat
stool. We won't like. Because the different body, the tongue is also tasteful in
different way. So indriyani. Manah sasthanindriyani. First of all with subtle
mind we create a different type of indriya. If we live like dogs and hogs, then
that mentality will give me similar senses, the body of a dog and hog. And we
change our taste according to dog and hog. Similarly, we can change our taste
according to the body of demigods. But the subject matter of tasting or
enjoyment is the same. Eating, sleeping, sex and defense. That will continue.
But the quality of eating may be different. Not the quality, but the form may be
different.
So in this way things are going
on. They are described in this Bhagavad-gita very widely and expressively. So
every human being is expected to receive this knowledge directly from Krsna.
Don't interpret wrong way according to your whims. Take it as it is and be
benefited. If you don't take it, asraddadhanah purusah [Bg. 9.3]. Those who have
no interest to understand Bhagavad-gita as it is, the result is mam aprapya.
Aprapya mam. He never approaches God. He remains in this material world of
repetition of birth and death. That is not a very good job.
So our, this Krsna consciousness
movement is trying to enlighten people so that they can accept these principles
of Bhagavad-gita. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is para-upakara. And He
advises everyone, especially Indians, to become guru. He said, amara ajnaya guru
hana tara' ei desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Every one of you, you become a guru, and
try to deliver the persons where you are living. So how can I become guru? Yes,
it is very easy. What is that? Yare dekha tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya
7.128]. Then you become guru. You simply repeat what Krsna has said in the
Bhagavad-gita, you become guru. To become guru is not... But if you want to be a
bluffer, cheater, then you can talk all nonsense. But if you actually talk only
Krsna's words, then you become a guru. It's not very difficult.
Krsna says man-mana bhava
mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65], four things only. And mam
evaisyasi asamsayah [Bg. 18.65]. "By doing these four things, without any doubt,
you come back to Me." And what are those four things? Man-mana bhava. "Always
think of Me." That is very difficult job? You are seeing... [break] So
man-manah. And then you become bhakta. Unless you are bhakta, you cannot
continue to think of Krsna. Man-mana bhava mad, mad-yaji. "Worship Me." So here
is Krsna, accepting everyone's worship. And what is the means of worship? Very
simple. If you can offer very valuable things, that is all right. But if you
think that you are poor man, you cannot supply any valuable things, Krsna says,
"Never mind." Patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati [Bg. 9.26].
"Simply little flower, little fruit, if you offer Me with devotion, I accept."
So there is no difficulty.
Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. These four things. Very, very easy to do it.
It is universal. There is no restriction. It is not that "I am not a brahmana, I
am not an Indian, I am not a Sanskrit scholar, I cannot go to the temple." No,
that is not. Krsna says, mam hi partha vyapasritya ye 'pi syuh papa-yonayah [Bg.
9.32]. Never mind whether he is Indian, brahmana or this or that. Even if he's
born in the lowest, lowest grade of family, papa-yoni. They are
kirata-hunandhra-pulinda-pulkasa abhira-sumbha yavanah [SB 2.4.18], there are so
many. They're papa-yoni, almost animal. Sudhyanti, they also become purified and
comes to Krsna. It is so wide, universal, easy and especially you are Indian,
why you should not take advantage of this facility. You take it and be happy.
That is my request. Thank you very much.
Guest: Swamiji, is there some way
(indistinct) duty of the student to the knowledge (indistinct) guru
shortcoming?
Prabhupada: First of all, you
have to know who is guru. If you accept one rascal as guru, how you can be
helped? First thing is who is guru. That I have already explained. Guru is he
who repeats the words of Krsna. He is guru. Otherwise he's a rascal. This is the
test. Krsna says that
tad viddhi pranipatena
pariprasnena
sevaya
upadeksyanti te jnanam
jnaninas tattva-darsinah
[Bg.
4.34]
So tattva-darsi, one who has seen the truth, you have to
accept him as guru. Tattva-darsi. Darsi means who has practical experience.
Take, for example, just like Arjuna. Arjuna is directly receiving the knowledge
from Krsna. He's guru. What he said, we accept that. But if you accept somebody
who wants to kill Krsna and become himself Krsna, he's a rascal. He's not guru.
Because his policy is to accept the place of Krsna, not to serve Him. That is
maya. And Krsna has said very freely that
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante
naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg.
7.15]
A person who is imbibed with asuric tendency... Asuric
tendency means to refute the Supreme Personality of Godhead. All the asuras...
Just like Ravana. Ravana is described as raksasa, asura. What was his fault? His
fault was that he did not care for Rama. "What is this Rama? Kidnap his wife,
bring him(her), I shall enjoy." This is raksasa. So he could not enjoy Sita, but
the result was, with his whole family, state, and himself, everything, he was
ruined. This is asura. So those who are asuram bhavam asritah, followers of
Ravana, Hiranyakasipu, Kamsa, they do not surrender to Krsna.
na mam duskrtino mudhah
prapadyante
naradhamah
mayayapahrta-jnana
asuram bhavam asritah
[Bg.
7.15]
So our simple method is to see whether somebody is
speaking about Krsna or what Krsna has said. If he does not do so, then
immediately accept him asuram bhavam asritah, a raksasa. How you can accept him
as guru? A raksasa? That is your mistake. How can you accept a person as guru
who has imbibed with raksasa. So then what is their position? Duskrtinah. Very
sinful. Mudhah, rascal, ass. Naradhamah, lowest of the mankind. "No, he's so
educated." Mayayapahrta-jnanah. His so-called education has no value because
maya has taken away the essence of... Because education means... Veda means
knowledge. So the Vedas are there for education. So vedais ca sarvair aham eva
vedyah [Bg. 15.15]. Ultimately Vedanta, Vedanta means the ultimate knowledge.
The end of knowledge. The end of knowledge is to know Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair
aham eva vedyah [Bg. 15.15]. So after studying Vedas, if he does not understand
Krsna, then it is to be understood, mayayapahrta-jnanah, his knowledge has been
taken away by maya. So simple thing is that Krsna is the original guru. Mattah
parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya [Bg. 7.7]. There is no more better guru
than Krsna. So anyone who repeats the words of Krsna, teach others, he is guru.
Otherwise he's a rascal.
Guest: (indistinct)
Prabhupada: Why do you ask this
question? That means you have no faith.
Guest: I have faith, I don't
(indistinct) knowledge.
Prabhupada: You read this, then
you'll get the knowledge.
Guest: I would like to know about
what time
Prabhupada: Time it may be. Any
time, but the knowledge is eternal. Just like Krsna spoke five thousand years
ago to Arjuna and some forty millions of years ago to the sun-god. Time is
different. Once He spoke forty millions of... Imam vivasvate yogam proktavan
aham avyayam. Find out this verse:
imam vivasvate yogam
proktavan aham
avyayam
vivasvan manave praha
manur iksvakave 'bravit
[Bg.
4.1]
Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2].
These things are there that Krsna said to Arjuna that "This philosophy, yoga,
the yoga system, bhakti-yoga, I spoke to Vivasvan, the sun-god." So if you take,
take calculation... Because it is said there: vivasvan manave praha, if you take
calculation of Manu, then you can calculate the age of Manu. Seventy-two cycle
of four ages. Four ages means, one age means forty-three lakhs of years,
multiply it by seventy-two. That becomes the duration of life of one Manu. So it
is said that the sun-god said to Manu. So this is the age of Vaivasvata Manu. So
you can understand when it was spoken. So we have calculated, it is about forty
millions of years ago he spoke this... And Krsna says sa evayam maya te 'dya
yogah proktah puratanah [Bg. 4.3]. Read that?
Hari-sauri:
sa evayam maya te 'dya
yogah proktah
puratanah
bhakto 'si me sakha ceti
rahasyam hy etad uttamam
[Bg.
4.3]
Prabhupada: Yes. Krsna said "The same system I am
speaking to you. Puratanah. Because you are My bhakta." So either you hear it
forty millions of years ago or five thousand years ago or today from us, the
subject matter is the same. Why do you make difference of the time? There is no
difference of time. The subject, the puratanah, everything is the same old. Even
it is spoken in different time, the subject matter remains the same. There is no
change. Just like millions and millions of years ago there was sun. And what is
the sun? Heat and light. And today also there is the sun. What is the sun. Heat
and light. So there is no difference. There is no consideration of age. The
subject matter is the same.
Guest: (indistinct)
Prabhupada: Yes, eternally means
that this creation, the material creation, it takes place at a certain date and
it continues for certain millions and trillions of years, and again it becomes
annihilated, dissolved. There is no creation for... Bhutva bhutva praliyate [Bg.
8.19]. And again millions of years passes, and again there is creation. So one
who does not take advantage of this creation, manifestation, especially in the
human form of life, as I was discussing, mrtyu-samsara-vartmani, then he remains
in the path of birth and death in this creation, and because he does not deliver
himself, then next creation and next creation. So unless he takes to it, it is
eternally going on. If he does not take advantage of this opportunity, then he
remains in the cycle of birth and, mrtyu-samsara-vartmani. And the
mrtyu-samsara-vartmani continues in this creation, next creation and before that
it is going on.
Devotee: Another
question?
Prabhupada: That's all right.
Thank you very much.
Devotees: Jaya! Jaya Prabhupada!
(end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase =>
Bhagavad-gita 9.3 -- Toronto, June 20, 1976
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.