"Comforts For The Body And Soul"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.5
Mayapura, June 20, 1973



Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada


Devotee: (leads chanting, etc.

nadyah samudra girayah
savanaspati-virudhah
phalanty osadhayah sarvah
kamam anvrtu tasya vai

"The rivers, oceans, hills, mountains, forests, creepers and active drugs, in every season, paid their tax quota to the King in profusion."

Prabhupada: So everything in nature has to give something. That is the order. Everything that we see, nadyah, the river... Why God has created the river? It has got a function. Similarly samudrah, the oceans, similarly the hills, mountains, girayah, savanaspati, vegetables. All these vegetables which are growing, each and every vegetable, creeper, has some service, we do not know. Because we do not know the use of these vegetables, creepers, we go to the doctor, physician. Otherwise, if somebody is ill, the medicine is there. We do not know how to utilize it. Still in remote villages, in forest, they do not come to the physician, doctors. The bils, the aborigines, they know so many drugs. For toothache, we go to the dentist and they extract the teeth, but I have read in Ayurvedic medicine, there is a drug, a root. Only if you touch this side of the mouth, all the germs collected within the teeth will come out. I have seen it. Sometimes in the year 1931 or '32 I had a very severe tooth pain. So I was taken by my servant in the jungle to some, this vaidya. They cured me, and the dentist could not. I attended so many times to the dentist. I have got my practical experience. And in the Ayurvedic literature there is mention some drug, the root only if you touch here, the germs collected in the teeth, they will come out in the corner of the teeth some germs -- sometimes it is itching; there is all germs -- so they will come out. Sometimes pains in the toe. All they are germs. The germ theory is all right, but they want to cure these germs in different way. But by nature's way there are so many drugs and roots and creepers that can cure all the diseases.

Similarly the river, the river has its function to supply water all the year. During rainy season the water is collected on the top of the hill. It is stocked there by God's arrangement, and they come down. Just like we, by power pump, we get water down to the top of the roof and stock there. Similarly, on high level of hills and mountains water is stocked. Sometimes they are stocked in ice form, not in liquid form. So according to the seasonal changes the ice becomes melted and the water is supplied. It comes through the river. The same thing is there, but because we have now turned to become demons, the river sometimes overfloods, killing so many men and animals, at the loss. Actually everything is meant for kamam, for supplying our necessities. And as soon as you are disobedient to God, demons, nature will give you punishment. Instead of supplying you water, water is there, it will overflood. You will be in trouble.

So these rascals, they cannot see how nature is strong and it is controlling everything.

prakrteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
[Bg. 3.27]

Everything is perfectly being done by nature. Nature is appointed by Krsna. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram: [Bg. 9.10] "Under My control." So prakrti will work very nicely provided you are also nice, Krsna conscious. If you are not nice, then daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya [Bg. 7.14]. "My maya, My prakrti, My energy, is very strong, duratyaya." These rascals, they are trying to control this flood, government. So much money they have wasted, but still in this quarter there are havoc. Therefore daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya. You cannot control the nature's way. That is not possible.

How nature can be controlled? Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te [Bg. 7.14]. This is the law of nature. If you become disobedient to God, then prakrti or nature will give you trouble in so many ways. And as soon as you become submissive, surrender to Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, there will be no more natural disturbances. I have heard in 1900, 1898 -- I was born in 1896 -- so I have heard, I have seen also, I remember, in Calcutta there was a very virulent type of plague epidemic in 1898. So Calcutta became devastated. All people practically left Calcutta. Daily hundreds and hundreds of people were dying. I was one year old or one and a half year old. I have seen what was happening, but there was plague epidemic. That I did not know. I, later on, I heard from my parents. So one babaji, he organized sankirtana, Hare Krsna sankirtana. When there was no other way, so he organized sankirtana all over Calcutta. And in the, in sankirtana, all people, Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Parsi, everyone joined. And they were coming, they were going road to road, street to street, entering in every house. So that Mahatma Gandhi Road, 151, you have seen. The sankirtana party we received very nicely. There was light, and I was very small, I was also dancing, I can remember. Just like our small children sometimes dances. I remember. I could see only up to the knees of the persons who were joined. So the plague subsided. This is a fact. Everyone who knows history of Calcutta, the plague was subsided by sankirtana movement.

Of course, we do not recommend that sankirtana should be used for some material purpose, that is nama-aparadha, nama-aparadha. Shama sa bhakti kriya (?) pramana. Sankirtana, you can utilize sankirtana for some material purpose, but that is not allowed. That is nama-aparadha, because nama, the holy name of Krsna, and Krsna, they are identical. You cannot utilize Krsna for your personal, material benefit. That is aparadha. Krsna is the Lord. You cannot engage the Lord for your service. Similarly you cannot utilize the holy name of the Lord for some material purpose. That is not allowed. So anyway, because ye yatha mam prapadyante. If you wanted some material benefit by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, you'll get it, but that is nama-aparadha. You won't get the ecstasy of loving God. That is the aim of chanting Hare Krsna mantra: how you shall elevate yourself to the platform of loving God. That is required. Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [SB 1.2.6]. Not for utilizing the holy name for some material purpose. But this happened, we have got experience, I have heard, I have seen.

So, everything -- the rivers, the seas, oceans, the mountains, the hills, the forest, the creepers, the vegetables -- sarvah kamam anvrtu, according to seasonal changes everything has got meaning. So if we are honest, if we are, because the, just like in prison house, jail, although the prisoners are criminals, condemned, still there is arrangement for your comfort also, by the government. There is arrangement of supplying food and all other necessities of life. Recently in Ahmedabad when I was visiting, the prison authorities also invited us for kirtana. So I saw the criminals, prisoners. Savarmati. Savarmati jail, yes, where Gandhi was also imprisoned during the political movement. So Gandhi's room, where Gandhi was staying they showed me, and I sat down there. So, there is very good arrangement for the comforts of the prisoners, if they abide by the laws. Similarly, although this material world is just like prison house, prison house, we living entities, we have come here as punishment.

krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare
nikata-stha maya tare japatiya dhare

Now we are under the control of this external energy, material energy. We have become controlled, just like we become controlled by the prison authorities when we are criminals, not ordinarily. Ordinarily we are free. Those who are not within the walls of prison house, they are free. They are acting wherever they like they are going, but within the law. Similarly we have got freedom. There are living entities, their number is greater. Nitya-mukta, ever liberated. They live in the spiritual world, Vaikuntha planets. Nitya-mukta. Nitya-mukta means eternally liberated. They never come down in this material world. And we are nitya-baddha -- ever conditioned, eternally conditioned.

Eternally conditioned means... We cannot be eternally conditioned, because we are part and parcel of Krsna. Our natural position is ever liberated, eternally liberated. But because we wanted to imitate Krsna, we wanted to become Krsna, as the Mayavadis want to do, therefore in the spiritual world, Krsna is the only enjoyer. Ekam eva aditiyam(?). Aham, bhoktaram yajna-tapasam sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29]. Sarva-loka, not only of the Vaikunthalokas, planets, but these planets also. Everywhere, Krsna is the supreme proprietor. Therefore he is the supreme enjoyer. We cannot be enjoyer. We each can simply be servitor; that is our natural position. Just like a dog, when it serves a nice master, he's happy. Otherwise, it is street dog. Nobody cares for it. Street dog. A street dog has no position. Sometimes they are killed. Similarly, when we live under the full protection of the Supreme Lord, that is our healthy condition, that is our real life. And as soon as we give up this position to be subordinate, to be predominated by the Supreme Lord, then we are bewildered. We are thrown into this, under the control of this material nature, and according to our work we get different bodies. There are 8,400,000 forms of bodies and we get one body after another. Tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13]. This is called ever conditioned. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. In this way, we are wandering from one species of life to another, one planet to another. In this way the brahmanda, this universe is very very big and there is immense opportunity. You become sometimes demigod, sometimes dog, sometimes cat, sometimes tree. In this way, we are wandering.

But this human form of life, especially those who are born in India... Now it is not limited within India. By the grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu... His prediction, prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama. Now the Krsna's, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mercy is being distributed all over the world, all parts of the world. That is the prediction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So this is the opportunity of getting out from the control of the material nature, by accepting bhakti-lata-bija, accepting this very principle, that we are not masters, we are subordinate. We are jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109], eternally servant of Krsna. So as soon as we accept it and engage ourself in the service of the Lord, that is our liberated position. Then we, again, we become nitya-mukta. We revive our original condition of life. Original condition means ever liberated. We can go anywhere. When we are actually liberated, when we are not conditioned by this material body, that spiritual spark, as I explained several times, revives all godly qualities. Sarva-ga, we can go anywhere.

Just like Narada Muni. Narada Muni is sarva-ga. He's ideal living entity. He's going everywhere, in the spiritual world, material world. Similarly, every one of us, we can travel. Even within this material world, there are different grades of planets. There is one planet which is called Siddhaloka. There the inhabitants, they can fly in the sky without any instrument. Anima-siddhi, yoga-siddhi. Therefore it is called Siddhaloka. All kinds of yogic, asta-siddhi, eight kinds of perfection they possess. They haven't got to practice the mystic yoga system. By nature, they are perfect. As the yogis can travel from one place to another without any instrument, they will sit down here and perform the yogic practice. Within a moment or within a minute, wherever he wants to go, he'll be there. This is yogic perfection. This is called anima-siddhi. Laghima-siddhi, prapti-siddhi, vasita-siddhi, isita-siddhi.

So these are simply samples of our perfection. By yogic practice we can regain some of our sample liberty, but actually when we are in our spiritual form, identity, we have got such liberty, we can go anywhere, we can do whatever we like, as Krsna can do. Of course, Krsna is the supreme person. His power, his liberty is unlimited. Our power and liberty is limited. So when we use our power and liberty within that limit, we are called nitya-mukta, ever liberated. If we want, artificially, more power to imitate Krsna, then we are gone. Then (indistinct) krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare. Then you are conditioned in this material world. Because in the spiritual world the enjoyer is only Krsna. Nobody can be enjoyer; everyone is servitor. Jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109]. Still, although we are put into this prison house, all these rebelled souls, this prison house, this material world, is only one fourth of Krsna's creation. Ekamsena sthito jagat. Ekamsena. The three-fourths part of His creation is the spiritual world. Just imagine, this ekamsa. Ekamsa means not only this one universe. There are many hundreds and thousands of universes like this. This is one of them. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that this universe is just like a mustard seed in the bag of mustard seeds. You just imagine in a bag how many mustard seeds you can pack. Unlimited. You cannot count. Mustard seed within a bag, two and a half mounds weight. Can you count? No, it is not possible. Similarly all these universes, material universes, each of them is compared with a mustard seed, and this universe which we experience is one of the mustard seeds within the bag of mustard seeds. And all these material universes combined together, aggregate, is one fourth creation of Krsna. And the three-fourths part is the spiritual world. So just imagine how many liberated living entities are there. They are also living entities. They are ever liberated. Just like in the jail, the population in the jail is very small in comparison to the population of the city.

Similarly, within this material world, all the living entities, they are all conditioned, very limited number. The unlimited number are there in the spiritual world. But still Krsna has made arrangement. Krsna is giving us chance, this human form of life, that "I give you all facilities, all the supplies, necessities of your life. The river will serve you, the hills will serve, the mountains will serve you, the ocean will serve you, the forest will serve you, the vegetables will serve, the animals will serve you, everyone will serve you. Now you have got human form of life. You take service from them, live peacefully, and chant Hare Krsna." This is the arrangement. But these rascals, they'll not chant Hare Krsna. They want to predominate over these hills, mountains, rivers, animals. In the Bible, it is said the animals are given under the control of human beings, man. Is it not? They have taken it. And because the animals are given under the control of man, therefore man should open slaughterhouse and eat them? Suppose if somebody gives his son, "Sir, will you take my son? Keep him under your control." Does it mean I shall eat him? These rascals interpret in that way. Because the animals are given under the control of man, therefore there should be slaughterhouse, the animals will be killed, and they will eat. This is their interpretation of the Bible, is it not? Who knows Bible? Anyone? Nobody knows Bible? Have you forgotten? Anyway...

Devotee: In the Koran it is also said.

Prabhupada: Huh? In the Koran also it is said, yes, that animals are under the control of man. That is naturally. Just like...

Devotee: They say it is for the purpose of eating, fish(?) are created for the purpose of eating.

Prabhupada: That is also in the Srimad-Bhagavatam also, that jivo jivasya jivanam. That we also accept. But just like jivo jivasya jivanam, then why don't you eat your own son? He is also jiva. Why do you discriminate? Therefore discrimination is the better part valor. We should know, we are also eating the vegetables. What kind of jiva, living entity we shall eat, that is to be discriminated. Not that because one living entity is food for another living entity, it does not mean I shall eat my own son. I am father. We do not do that. Because we use our discrimination.

Similarly, in the human form of life there should be discrimination. We have to eat. We have to eat. Discrimination means (indistinct), that what kind of food I shall eat. Suppose the hogs, they eat stool. Does it mean because the stool is also food, I shall eat that? That is discrimination. If you say that everything is food, then why don't you eat stool? One man's food, another man's poison. That is... What is to be eaten, what is not to be eaten, that is discrimination. Now our discrimination is, because human life is meant for becoming God conscious, Krsna conscious, we have to act in God consciousness. We have taken vow that we shall eat the remnants of foodstuff, prasada, from Krsna. Now, what Krsna wants? Krsna says patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. Krsna says "Give Me vegetable, water." "Anyone who offers Me in devotion." So we have to eat Krsna prasadam. Although animals are meant for eating by the man. That is stated in the (indistinct). Ahastani sahastanam apadani catus-padam. Ahastani, they haven't got hands(?). Ahastani. (indistinct) sahastanam, they are food of the human being. So ahastani sahastanam apadani catus-padam. Just like the creepers, grass, and vegetables. Catus-padam. They're food for the four-legged. Phalguni jivo jivasya jivanam.

So, in this way, there is order that one life is meant eaten by another. That is nature's law. But we should use discrimination what kind of foodstuff, what kind of living entities we shall eat. That Krsna... (?). We have taken vow to eat only Krsna's prasadam. There is something. Whatever Krsna orders. So that is a fact that each and every living entity is meant for another living entity for eating. When we get human form of life, the animals, they, just like, another eat vegetables. Similarly, the cows. Nature's law is there. Although one animal is meant for by another these animals, they use their discrimination by nature's law. Tigers will never come to your garden to eat fruits and vegetables. No. By nature, they have got teeth and jaws to kill another animal. They want to eat, drink blood, fresh blood. Nature has given them all the provisions for that. Similarly, we human beings, this is scientific. Our teeth are meant for eating fruits. That is one Dr. Cooney, in your Germany. He said that... And actually, if you eat fruits and milk, you will have never any kind of sickness. That's a fact. So they're also life.

So we should use our discrimination. We... We, our only business is to become Krsna conscious. So under Krsna consciousness, we cannot eat anything which is not offered to Krsna. So Krsna says: patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati. Krsna does not say that "You give me meat, eggs and fish." Krsna does not say. When you have got Krsna as your guest... Krsna has come very kindly to be handled by you. He's unlimited. But He has agreed to become limited by your limited hands. This is Krsna, this arca-vigraha. Arca-vigraha. If Krsna, if you want to handle Krsna is His gigantic universal form, you have no capacity. Therefore, Krsna has become very small, and He's giving you chance to serve Him, to dress Him, to wash Him, to offer Him foodstuff, to offer aratrika. Krsna is giving these chances. So whatever Krsna says. He's your guest. He has come very kindly. He says, "Give Me such kind of food." It is your duty to give such food. Patram puspam phalam... You cannot say, "Krsna, this is also nice food, eggs and fish." No. That you cannot do.

Indian: (indistinct)

Prabhupada: Eh?

Indian: Tri-vidha ahara tri dvitiya...(?)

Prabhupada: So sattvika-ahara... Because Krsna consciousness is on the, above sattvika platform, above goodness... Suddha-sattva. Here in the material platform, sattva-guna is sometimes contaminated by rajo-guna and tamo-guna. But in the spiritual world there is simply pure sattva-guna. Sattvam visuddham vasudeva-sabditam. So vasudeva platform. There Krsna takes birth; there Krsna is seen. When you come to the suddha-sattva... Sa gunan samatityaitan brahma-bhuyaya kalpate [Bg. 14.26]. At that platform, you can deal with Krsna.

So this devotional service is suddha-sattva platform. There, you cannot bring in something contaminated which is material. Here, everything should a be spiritual. Therefore, because we have taken the vow of accepting Krsna consciousness, we cannot eat anything, although they are meant for eating. But we cannot eat anything. That is discrimination.

Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.5 -- Mayapura, June 20, 1973