Beyond Business Of Hogs And Dogs

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.12
October 23, 1972, Vrndavana



Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

Pradyumna: "That Absolute Truth is realized by the seriously inquisitive student or sage who is well equipped with knowledge and who has become detached by rendering devotional service and hearing the Vedanta-sruti."

Prabhupada:

tac chraddadhana munayo
jnana-vairagya-yuktaya
pasyanty atmani catmanam
bhaktya sruta-grhitaya
[SB 1.2.12]

So first of all it has been described what is the purpose of life. This human form of life, it is not meant for being spoiled like the dogs and hogs. The dogs and hogs, they're busy to find out food: "Where is food? Where is stool?" And they are spoiling their whole day and night. Their life has been made by nature in such a way that they have no other business than to find out where is some food, where is some food, where is... And laboring, they're laboring very hard.

So human life is not meant for that purpose. It is a chance given by the nature's way. Asitim caturas caiva laksams tan jiva-jatisu. Eight million, four hundred thousands forms of life we are passing through. Nature has given a chance, this human form of body, especially civilized form of body... (aside:) Hmm? Don't do that. What is the purpose? Just like try to understand, a government servant, a big minister or M.P.'s, they're given all facilities of living condition, good bungalow, nice salary, servant. What is the purpose? The purpose is that with cool brain, satisfied mind, they'll do, be able to render valuable service to the administration. That is the purpose. Similarly, human being has been given so much facilities. The grains, the fruits, the flowers, the milk, intelligence to construct nice house, nice road, nice cities. The cats and dogs, they cannot do it. Why? You live peacefully and try to understand the value of life. Not that we get more facilities for bodily comfort and we engaged ourself in sense gratification. No.

Just like in the Western world, they have been endowed with so much facilities of comfortable life, but because they do not know how to utilize the comfortable situation of life, there is so much chaos and confusion. The so rich nations, young boys and girls, they are turning to be hippies. Because they do not find... It is hackneyed. The same wine, same women, and same motorcar and same road, it has become disgusting. That is the nature's way. Because human life is not meant for that purpose. Human life is meant for, as it is said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, jivasya tattva-jijnasa nartho yas ceha karmabhih. You are working so hard... You are so working hard... Why? Is it meant for simply sense gratification and satisfying the bodily needs? That is being done by the hogs and dogs. The... We see the hogs and dogs, they are always busy. So this human form of life is not meant for that purpose. Jivasya tattva-jijnasa. Earn money, but... Be comfortable, but utilize time -- tattva-jijnasa, athato brahma jijnasa. That is your aim of life.

So this has been described in the previous verses: jivasya tattva-jijnasa nartho yas ceha karmabhih. If you have no program for tattva-jijnasa, then why should you work so hard? Food is available for birds and beasts. You have also your food. That is already there, destined by nature's way, by God's arrangement. Eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman. God provides food just before your birth. A child takes birth; the mother, young mother, has no milk on the breast a minute ago. But as soon as the child is born, immediately there is profuse milk in the breast of the mother. That is the nature's arrangement. Before birth, the food, the child immediately require, the mother's breast, there is milk supply immediately. So by God's arrangement, the economic position is already arranged. Our only business is tattva-jijnasa.

What is that tattva? Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. The original cause of everything, the cause of all causes. That is already mentioned in the Vedas, that Krsna:

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

The cause of all causes. Why you have come to this material world? Why you are under the threefold miserable condition of life: adhyatmika, adhibhautika, adhidaivika. These things are to be inquired. "I do not wish to die, but death is forced upon me. I do not want to become old man. Old age is forced upon me." So these are the inquiries, tattva-jijnasa. But they are not interested. Neither educational department, nor any other department. They are simply interested, "Where is money? Where is money? Where is money?" Diva carthehaya rajan kutumba-bharanena va [SB 2.1.3]. We are spoiling our night simply by sleeping. And, and those who have got sex facilities, they enjoying sex life. This is the night's engagement. And day's engagement, "Where is money? Where is money? Where is money?" And if we get money, then how to spend it for relatives, for sons, children. That's all. Diva carthehaya rajan.

So in this way we shall not spoil our life. The life's purpose is different. They do not know. The modern civilization do not know what is the purpose of life. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum [SB 7.5.31]. They are trying to make adjustment, political situation, social situation in so many problems. The United Nations, they're trying to solve the problems of whole nation, but still the war is going on between such and such party, such and such party, and everyone busy in politics and diplomacy. This way, the problems of life cannot be solved. If there is any solution of the problems of life, it is actually this Krsna consciousness movement. Those who are intelligent, they should study the purpose of Krsna consciousness movement and try to apply in all fields of activities -- political, social, religious, anything, economical. Everything can be solved. Jiva, jivasya tattva-jijnasa. This is called inquiry, inquisitiveness about the Absolute Truth.

Now this verse is describing how one can become interested in the values of life. The values of life is to inquire the Absolute Truth, how this inclination can be developed or how Krsna consciousness can be developed. Tattva-jijnasa means Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan, Krsna. Now how this inclination... There is inclination in everyone, but by artificial means, they have been checked. Otherwise, normally, this inclination is there in everyone's heart. Nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti sadhya kabhu naya. It is not an artificial imposition. Naturally there is tendency to know, if he's a sane man, "What I am? What is God? What is my relationship with Him? Why I am suffering?" There are so many questions. So here it is suggested that if you are actually serious about tattva-jijnasa, to understand the Absolute Truth, this is the process. What is that? Tat sraddadhanah. Sraddha. Sraddha means that at least to understand that "These people are doing some nice things." Just like in Europe and America, the papers are now discussing about our Movement. They say, "They are nice people, and we want more of them." At least, they are saying like that. Yes. "These Hare Krishna people, they are very nice, and we want more of them." And in Berkeley, when our procession was taken, the neighboring shopkeepers, they remarked that "These people are not window-breaking crowd." Because as soon as there is some crowd, or procession, immediately they begin to break the windows and throw stones. That is, that has become a custom. So when they see that these people are very peaceful... Even the police, they also give certificate that "We don't have to take much worries to control this crowd," when our Ratha-yatra festival go.

So actually, this is the fact. Yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. If one develops Krsna consciousness, devotion to Krsna, then naturally, without any separate endeavor, all the good qualities will develop. This is the symptom how one is advancing in Krsna consciousness. That means all the good qualities will be visible in his character. That is practical. Anyone can test. Just like these boys, these girls, European, American boys and girls who have taken to this Krsna consciousness, just see how their bad habits have been altogether stopped. Sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. All good qualities will develop. You see practically. You see practically. These young boys and girls, they never asked me that "Give me some money. I shall go to cinema," or "I shall purchase a packet of cigarettes. I shall drink." No. This is practical. And everyone knows that from the very their birth, they are accustomed to eat meat, and... I do not know from the very beginning whether they are accustomed to take intoxicants. But actually they were habituated to these things, but they have altogether given up. They don't drink tea even, coffee, cigarettes, anything. Sarvair gunais tatra samasate... This is the test. A man has become devotee, at the same time smoking -- this is ludicrous. This is ludicrous. A devotee cannot smoke, cannot indulge in intoxication, nor illicit sex or meat... They cannot. That is disqualification. That means he's not on the platform. This is the practical.

So tat sraddadhanah. The first thing is sraddha. Adau sraddha. That is the beginning of Krsna conscious life. Rupa Gosvami has given this formula that in order to attain to the perfectional stage of life, how to love God,... Krsna consciousness movement means that we are try, teaching people how to love God. This is the sum and substance. Unfortunately, people have no idea of God, who is God, what is His form... Generally, they think God has no form. If anyone has advanced little in spiritual life, they come to the point of nirakara, or nirvisesa-brahman, formless. That is the first step in Brahman realization. We have already described this. But beyond that they don't want to proceed. They think this is fac..., this is final, to realize the impersonal feature of the Absolute Truth, that is final. That is Mayavada philosophy. No, that is not final. Still you have to advance, realize Paramatma. Still you have to advance, realize God, the Supreme Personality of God.

So we are teaching people how to love the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That means one who has surpassed the realm of Brahman and Paramatma, they can realize, they can understand what is the process of loving God. If they have no idea of God, then whom to love? You cannot love air or sky. You must have form. But they have no idea what is the form of God. Therefore sastra says, "Here is form." Isvarah paramah krsnah sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah [Bs. 5.1]. Vigraha means form. Without form, how we can love? So to come to that perfectional stage, how to love God, this is our philosophy. How to love God. Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [SB 1.2.6]. That is first-class religious system which helps the followers to come to the point to love God. That is first-class religion.

sa vai pumsam paro dharmo
yato bhaktir adhoksaje
ahaituky apratihata
yayatma suprasidati
[SB 1.2.6]

If you want actually peace and tranquillity, atma, of your self, of your mind, of your body, everything fully, then this is the process. This is the aim, how to love God.

So that stage, that supreme stage can be attained as it is described here, tac chraddadhanah. Sraddha. Rupa Gosvami therefore says, adau sraddha. In the beginning, one must have a conviction that "I must love Krsna, or God." This is the first... Caitanya-caritamrta karaca explains this sraddha:

‘sraddha'-sabde visvasa kahe sudrdha niscaya
krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya

This is called sraddha, beginning, one... Bhagavan, Sri Krsna is teaching in the Bhagavad-gita,

sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
[Bg. 18.66]

This is the beginning. If I am firmly convinced that simply by surrendering unto the lotus feet of Krsna I'll be saved by Him... Because He assures, "I..." Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami. People suffer on account of sinful activities. The resultant actions are reserved there. What we are suffering now, it is the resultant action of our past sinful activities. And we are preparing another body in this life by committing sinful activities. The more we... Everyone within this material world who has got this material body, it is to be understood it is due to our past sinful activities. It doesn't matter what kind of body you have got. Therefore Bhagavata says that we should not, I mean to say, commit any more sinful activities. Na sadhu manye yata atmano 'yam asann api klesada asa dehah [SB 5.5.4].

Although we have got this temporary body... You can say that "Although I am suffering, I'll, it will be finished, within, say, twenty years, ten years." Asann api. It is not permanent. But why you should make yourself under these tribulations of life? That is the problem. Not only that. Asann api klesada asa dehah. I have got this body. I am suffering. I am undergoing threefold miseries, threefold miserable condition of life. Why I shall make another body, again undergo the threefold miseries of life? Not only human life, any form of life. Human life, there... Human form of life, there is possibility of little comfort. Suppose if I get a body like a tree. Just like here is an eucalyptus tree standing. Then I'll have to stand for thousands of years. And I have to suffer scorching heat, shivering cold, and blast wind, and so many things.

So people have no education, unfortunately, that the spirit soul is permanent. It is changing different types of body in order to suffer different types of miserable condition of life. They're thinking, easy-going... "I have got now very nice body, eating, sleeping mating and..." That is the business of the hogs and dogs. That is not the business of human being. Human being must be serious to understand the value of life and prepare himself for the next life. The next life, if you go back to Krsna... Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama [Bg. 15.6]. Krsna says, "You can go back to Krsna." Krsna comes here. He takes His incarnation here to canvass, "My dear sons, please come back home. Why you are suffering here?" Krsna comes, Krsna canvasses. Sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. "Why you have created so many rascaldom, politics and economics and this and that, So many things are encumbered. Please come to Me. You'll be happy." This is the whole instruction of Bhagavad-gita. He comes. He shows His vrndavana-lila, that "You can dance also with Me. You can play with Me just like cowherds boy. And I shall give you protection. There are so many demons. They're coming to attack us. But I'll give you protection." Jolly life. Anandamayo 'bhyasat. This is Krsna consciousness.

Krsna is coming personally, but we are so stubborn, we shall not take to this. We shall not take to this. Avajananti mam mudhah. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. Krsna says, "These are the classes of men who do not surrender unto Me." Who are they? Duskrtinah. Those who are engaged always in sinful activities. Duskrtinah. Mudhah. Rascals without any knowledge. Asses. So duskrtinah mudhah and naradhamah, lowest of the mankind, lowest of the mankind. Means this human form of life is meant for understanding Krsna and surrender unto Him, but they'll not do. They're busy in so many other rascaldom except Krsna consciousness. This is their business, naradhamas. You can say, "Oh, there are so many educated persons, B.A., M.A., D.A.C.'s, and they do not take to Krsna consciousness." (aside:) Vaikuntha, you come here. You are in front of the... Agreti dalayam(?). Give him... Yes. You... So you can say that "So many educated persons, they're not taking to Krsna consciousness. Are they naradhamas, lowest of the mankind?" Yes? The immediate answer is "Yes." "Now, after passing so big, big examination, they have become naradhamas?" "Yes."

The Bhaktivinoda Thakura confirms it: jibake karaye gadha, jada-bidya jato mayara vaibhava. This material education, they're simply expansion of the opulence of maya, illusion. Suppose if I am darkness, in darkness, if the darkness becomes more and more deeper, is it advancement? The darkness, there must be light. Then it is advancement. But if, if the, if there is little darkness, if you make it more and more dark, then is that advancement? So here it is actually... The advancement of so-called material education is making the people more and more attached to this material world. The value of life is jnana-vairagya, to acquire the knowledge, "What is the value of life?" And when one has actually attained to that platform of knowledge, he should be detached from this material world. Jnana-vairagya. That is required.

But what is happening? There is no knowledge of the value of life, and they are becoming more and more attached to this material world. Therefore Krsna says that so-called advancement of education, education means mayaya apahrta-jnana. The maya, the illusory energy, is plundering the real purpose of knowledge. Therefore they are naradhamas, simply spoiled. In Los Angeles, from the University, many scientists come, many psychologists and psychiatrists... We have got many students also, they are Doctor of Science. So we talked. So we flatly say that "This advancement of education making you naradhama, lowest of the mankind." So they are convinced. And some of them are very serious student. So actually this education, as Bhaktivinoda Thakura has said, jada-bidya jato mayara vaibhava, tomara bhajane badha. You, you'll see, the more a person is materially educated, he has no interested. Just like our whole state has become secular state. No more interested. Here is our Bhagavad-gita. Gandhi started his movement with Bhagavad-gita. The big, big politician, Aravinda, he studied Bhagavad-gita. And Tilaka, he studied Bhagavad-gita. Now, in our schools and colleges, if there is question of studying Bhagavad-gita, the state will not allow. Is it not? They... So mayaya apahrta-jnanah. Such a cultural book, such a book of knowledge, great book of knowledge, Bhagavad-gita, they're banned. It is banned. And if you present Bhagavad-gita with some nonsense commentary, that will be sold. And when you speak Bhagavad-gita as it is... Of course, factually, now we are getting ground. Our Bhagavad-gita is selling more than other editions, Bhagavad-gita As It Is.

So actually this is the knowledge. This knowledge is rejected. Mayaya apahrta-jnanah. Why this is happening? Asuram bhavam asritah. Because they have taken to the shelter of atheism, the philosophy of atheism: "There is no God. Everyone is God. I am God. You are God. Why you are finding out, trying to find out...? You are... Why you are going to the temples? There is no God. God is everywhere." God is everywhere, except in the temple. They'll preach this philosophy, "God is everywhere; why you are going to the temple?" That means God is everywhere except in the temple. That is their philosophy. So these nonsense things are going on. Naradhama. Therefore they're naradhamas. Don't follow these naradhamas. Be faithful. Try to understand, those who are actually followers of God. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. So you take to this line of disciplic succession from Krsna and try to understand what is Absolute Truth, what is your relationship with you, how you can get out of the threefold miserable condition of life. This is possible. That is called brahma-jijnasa, tattva-jijnasa, athato brahma jijnasa.

The Bhagavata also says, jivasya tattva-jijnasa.

So this sraddadhanah, if we have got little faith that... Just like people come here with little faith. That faith is the little spark of fire. Now you have to fan it, fan it, so that fire may increase. Tat sraddadhanah munayah. So sraddadhanah, Rupa Gosvami has given us the formula that if you have got little faith in for understanding the Absolute Truth, Bhagavan, then adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah, associate with sadhu. Who is sadhu? Sadhu means devotee. Krsna says, api cet su-duracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak, sadhur eva sa mantavyah [Bg. 9.30]. He's sadhu. Not a sadhu having big beard or mustaches and having red cloth without any sense of Krsna. He's not sadhu. Sadhu means one who is fully engaged in the service of the Lord. He's sadhu. Api cet su-duracarah. Even if he's not very well-behaved, su-duracara, still he's sadhu. Why? Bhajate mam ananya-bhak. He has no other business than to love Krsna. This is the symptom of sadhu.

So sadhu-sanga means: Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah. Sadhu-sanga means to associate with the devotees of Krsna. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango 'tha bhajana-kriya. Sadhu-sanga. As soon as these boys... They first of all, they come out of inquisitiveness to our several centers. Gradually, they shave their head and try to understand the books and literature. They then come forward: "Swamiji, give me initiation. Make, get me the sannyasi-asrama." Gradually they come. So adau sraddha tatah sa... Sadhu, this is the effect of sadhu-sanga. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said,

sadhu-sanga sadhu-sanga sarva-sastre kaya
lava-matra sadhu-sange sarva-siddhi haya
[Cc. Madhya 22.54]

Actually, if one associates with a sadhu, with a pure devotee of Lord, then certainly it will be effective. Certainly. This Krsna consciousness society is meant for giving opportunity to the people to make association with bhaktas. By association with bhakta, devotees, they'll become also bhakta. Sangat sanjayate kamah. If you associate with drunkards, then you gradually become a drunkard. But if you associate with devotees, gradually you become a devotee. This is natural sequence.

So adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango 'tha bhajana-kriya tato 'nartha-nivrttih syat. Anartha, things which are not wanted. Artha means wanted, something wanted; anartha means this is not wanted. So we are habituated to so many things, bad habits. So anartha-nivrttih syat. This is the result of bhajana-kriya. Anartha. Anartha. Just like these things, as we prohibit -- illicit sex, intoxication, meat-eating and gambling -- these are anarthas. They are not required actually. But people are habituated to these things on account of bad association. So if you associate with a really sadhu, if you execute really devotional service, these anarthas will be vanquished. That is the symptom. No more illicit sex. No more intoxication. No more gambling. No more meat-eating, fish-eating, egg-eating. No. That is called anartha.

People are not dying for want, for want of cigarette smoking. But it is habit. You can give it up. You can give up so many things which is not required at all. So these unwanted things will be automatically vanquished. This is the result of bhajana-kriya. Not that I am chanting one hand, Hare Krsna, and in another hand, smoking. This is not anartha-nivrtti. The... If actually you are chanting, there will be no more in the other hand, smoking bidi or cigarette. This is called anartha-nivrtti. Then after anartha-nivrtti, then you become cleansed. Yesam anta-gatam papam. This is called the freedom stage from all sinful activities. Because unless you are free from all sinful activities, we cannot engage ourself in devotional service.

yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
[Bg. 7.28]

The bhajana, devotional service, is possible when one is freed from these anarthas, unwanted things. Tato nistha rucis tatah athasaktis tato bhavah, sadhakanam ayam premnah pradurbhave bhavet kramah.

So these are the different steps of sraddha. Actually, devotional service means increasing your faith more and more. And these are the steps. The first step is that you must associate with devotees and then take to bhajana-kriya. Then see, examine yourself that whether you are free from all the anarthas, all the unwanted things. If all the unwanted things are vanquished, then you'll have firm faith. Bhaktir bhavati naisthiki. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya, nasta-prayesu abhadresu... Nasta [SB 1.2.18]. Not that I am completely free from all sinful activities, but prayesu, say, fifty percent, sixty percent is gone. At that time, nasta-prayesu abhadresu... How it has come to take place? Nityam bhagavata-sevaya. Nityam... We have to daily. Not that Bhagavata-saptaha, and finish, and whole year you can do all nonsense. Not like that. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya.

I don't find any Bhagavata-saptaha any authorized book. I don't find. There are so many big, big stalwart commentators of Srimad-Bhagavatam, beginning from Sridhara Svami. Nobody has recommended this Bhagavata-saptaha. But it has come to existence by the professional man. But actually nityam bhagavata-sevaya. How you can finish Bhagavatam in seven days? You cannot finish even one word. My Guru Maharaja explained Srimad-Bhagavatam, the first verse, janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1], in Dacca, for three months. Actually, it is so profound. Janmady asya yatah. This very quote contains all the Vedanta philosophy. How you can finish Bhagavatam within seven days? It is a farce. Actually, Bhagavata should be relished. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya.

nasta-prayesv abhadresu
nityam bhagavata-sevaya
bhagavaty uttama-sloke
bhaktir bhavati naisthiki
[SB 1.2.18]

As soon as praya, seventy-five, sixty percent of your unwanted things are given up, and then your naisthiki, firm, steady devotional attitude develops. Bhagavaty uttama-sloke bhaktir bhavati naisthiki.

tada rajas-tamo-bhavah
kama-lobhadayas ca ye
ceta etair anaviddham
sthitam sattve prasidati
[SB 1.2.19]

You cannot have a steady position unless you come to the platform of goodness. Sthitam sattve. Sattva means sattva-guna, goodness. And rajo-guna and tamo-guna means kama and lobha, lust and greediness. This is the symptoms. And when you come to the platform of goodness, then you are satisfied that "I don't want all these things. Now I want Brahman." Brahma janati iti brahmanah.

So these are the processes. So Bhagavata recommends, tat sraddha, sraddadhana munayo jnana-vairagya-yuktaya. There must be sufficient knowledge. Otherwise this kind of vairagya has no meaning. I have, I've taken renounced order of life, but I've, privately I've got all these nonsense, illicit sex, intoxication, gambling -- that is not required. Real knowledge means there must be renouncement of this nonsense. That is real knowledge. Jnana-vairagya-yuktaya munayah pasyanty atma... For him, it is not difficult to find out where is God. He can immediately find out God sitting within his heart. Immediately. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti [Bs. 5.38]. Anywhere he can sit down and he can talk with God, he can see God, he can take direction from God. Pasyanty atmani catmanam bhaktya sruta-grhitaya. By devotional service. Not by other means. Sruta-grhitaya. By understanding from the Vedas. Not manufactured. Just like Krsna says, evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. You have to hear from Krsna or from His bona fide representative. Then it will be sufficient.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.2.12 -- Vrndavana, October 23, 1972