How To Be Fearless At Death

16 Mar 74 , Vrndavana

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Prabhupada:

variyan esa te prasnah
krto loka-hitam nrpa
atmavit-sammatah pumsam
srotavyadisu yah parah
 [SB 2.1.1]

Srotavyadisu yah parah. The... Here in this material world we are busy in questioning and answering, or hearing. Question, hearing, and answering. This is the whole world. Even in the material field. You go to the market, you inquire, "What is the price of this thing?" and you hear the description of the thing and the price of the thing. So the prasnah, the question was made by Maharaja Pariksit just at the point of his death, "What I have to do now?" This is very intelligent. Only intelligent man can understand what is the value of this question, "What I have to do now?" Because intelligent person knows that "I am going to leave this body."

I am speaking... Pariksit Maharaja is talking with Sukadeva Gosvami at the point of death. He was given notice that "Within seven days you'll be bitten by a snake and you'll die." This was a curse by a brahmana boy. So he was ready. He was not afraid. Narayana-parah sarve na kutascana bibhyati [SB 6.17.28]. He could retaliate. He was a great devotee. He could counteract the cursing of the brahmana boy, but he did not do so. Because he was cursed, the Srimad-Bhagavatam came. He was perplexed what to do, and Sukadeva Gosvami appeared there, and everyone accepted the verdict of Sukadeva Gosvami, "Maharaja, you are a great devotee. So I shall quote from Srimad-Bhagavatam, and you hear only. That's all. You have nothing to do. Simply you hear."

sravanam kirtanam visnoh
smaranam pada-sevanam
arcanam vandanam dasyam
sakhyam atma-nivedanam
 [SB 7.5.23]

These are the nine different processes of devotional service. So generally, we are expected to execute all the nine different processes. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh. Sravanam kirtanam about Visnu, not for any other demigods. No, Visnu. The Mayavadis, they take it that "We can hear of any demigod, of anyone," because they are Nirakaravadi. So "You can imagine anyone and hear about him." But sastra does not say. Sastra does not say that you can hear about anybody. No. Sastra says, sravanam kirtanam visnoh, about Visnu.

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

This is the sastra's injunction, that if you have to chant, if you have not to chant, means you must chant. Kalau nasty eva gatir anyatha. You cannot avoid it. If you actually want relief from this conditional life, duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15], then you must... This is the only means. Kalau nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. Karma-jnana-yoga, there are different processes of self-realization, karma-jnana-yoga, but it is stressed, nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva, not karma, not jnana, not yoga. Simply chanting Hare Krsna. That is required. That is the preaching of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, this, this verse of Agni Purana:

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

So this is the bhakti process, chanting and hearing. So chanting, hearing, or questioning and answering, the same thing. So when Pariksit Maharaja was perplexed what to do at the time of death, so many great sages and saintly persons, brahmanas, they came there. Because the king is going to die. So not only of this planet, from other planets also, many, many exalted persons came. Somebody prescribed something, somebody prescribed something. So he was perplexed. Fortunately, Sri Sukadeva Gosvami arrived there, and he advised, "Maharaja, you simply hear harer nama, the name, the form, the quality, the pastimes. About Krsna, you simply hear." That was the... Therefore... And Pariksit Maharaja was a devotee from the very beginning of his life. He's a grandson of Arjuna and Maharaja Yudhisthira. Naturally, he was krsna-bhakta. He, Krsna was his grandmother's brother also. There was family relation. And he studied thoroughly... Although, when he was born, he did not see Krsna, but still, he knew that Krsna saved the whole Pandava family.

Krsna, when brahmastra was released by Asvatthama to kill the Maharaja Pariksit while he was within the womb of his mother, Krsna personally saved him. Because... He wanted because in the Battlefield of Kuruksetra, everyone died, of the Kuru dynasty. Only the son, this Abhimanyu's son, Krsna, uh, Arjuna's grandson, was within the womb of his mother. Therefore he was not killed in the battlefield. Still, Asvatthama, the son of Dronacarya wanted to kill him, and he released brahmastra, and it was going to kill the child. At that time his mother, Uttara, approached Krsna, that "I am feeling that my womb will be..., abortion there may be." So Krsna saved. This is the history. So after his birth, because he saw Krsna within the womb, so after his birth, as soon as he came out of the womb of his mother, he was looking here and there, "Where is that personality?" Therefore his name is Pariksit. Pariksit means he was examining, "Who is that? Who is that man?"

So Pariksit Maharaja was so fortunate, so fortunate. From the very beginning of his life, he saw Krsna. Just like this child. These are fortunate children. Yoginam... That... Sucinam srimatam gehe yoga-bhrasto 'bhijayate [Bg. 6.41]. This child who was dancing before me, he's not ordinary child. Otherwise how he could dance symmetrically? He had his practice in his previous life, and he has got the chance to get Vaisnava father and mother, and from the very beginning of his life, he is chanting, dancing. So Pariksit Maharaja was like that. So to get the chance of having good father, sucinam... Sucinam means brahmana-vaisnava, especially brahmana. And srimatam. Srimatam means very rich. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has given his comment: sucinam means highly cultured brahmana, and srimatam means highly rich vaisya. So to take birth in this family, cultured family, rich family, is not ordinary thing. It is not ordinary thing. It is the result of pious activities, pious activities. The pious activities means you get your birth in a very good, aristocratic family, rich family or brahmana family. That is the result of pious activities. You become very beautiful. You become very learned. Janmaisvarya-sruta-sri [SB 1.8.26]. Four things. Janma means birth. Aisvarya means riches, wealth. Aisvarya. Janma aisvarya and sruta. Sruta means education. To become learned man, to become very educated, that is also a result of pious activities. To take birth in rich family, that is also result of pious activities. To become very beautiful, that is also result of pious activities. Janmaisvarya-sruta-sribhir edhamana-madah puman. Unfortunately... When we get these opportunities, very nice family or nice nation, beautiful body, education, we should consider that it is due to our past pious activities. Therefore they should be utilized for Krsna. Because pious activities means to approach Krsna. Those who are impious, sinful, they cannot approach Krsna. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. Those who are naradhamah, lowest of the mankind, always engaged in sinful activities, and rascals, may be very educated-mayaya apahrta-jnanah, their educational value has been taken away by maya... As, just like nowadays it has become. The more one is educated, the more one is atheist. We have received one report just now, Bombay. They are... That singing, Hare Krsna singing, nuisance, they say. You see. How degraded human being has become: "Hare Krsna singing is nuisance. And cinema singing is very good." Just see. They have become simply rascals, dogs and hogs. Simply.

So we should be very much careful of our next birth. Because... Yam yam vapi smaran bhavam tyajaty ante kalevaram [Bg. 8.6]. This is the verdict of Krsna. At the time of death, whatever thought is there, you get next birth a similar body. The mind, mind creates the body, gross body. As we have got this gross body, so within this gross body there is the subtle body: mind, intelligence and ego. These rascals, they do not know that when the gross body is annihilated, it does not mean that the soul is finished. No. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. This is the verdict. Don't think because the gross body is now finished, therefore the person is finished. No. The person is there within the subtle body. And the subtle body will carry him. Just like the fragrance is carried by the air. You cannot see what is this fragrance, but you can smell. A very good smell, wherefrom it came? That is subtle carrying. Similarly, the soul is carried after annihilation of this body, gross body, material... Mind, intelligence, ego -- that is also material, but subtle. You cannot see. Everyone knows that I have got mind. I have got soul, but you cannot see. Neither I can see. But there is. But one who does not know what is soul, what is subtle body, they become perplexed. Therefore Krsna says, dhiras tatra na muhyati. Dhira, those who are sober, one who knows how things are going on, dhiras tatra na muhyati.

dehino 'smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati
 [Bg. 2.13]

So one has to become dhira. These, nowadays, the modern civilization is a rascaldom. Everyone is adhira. He does not know... In the Western countries, big, big, professors, they do not know how the soul is existing, how the transmigration of the soul is taking place, how the body is changed, what is the purpose of life, what is the perfection of... Nothing they... Simply like cats and dogs. Work very hard like an ass and enjoy like cats and dogs, ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca samanyam etat pasubhir naranam. This life is most degraded life, that at the present moment we see that people are suffering because they have simply become animals, all over the world. Simply taking care of this body. But here Pariksit Maharaja, now he knows that "Taking part of the body is now finished; I have to take care of the soul." Therefore he wanted to ask from Sukadeva Gosvami, "Now what I have to do? Shall I fully think of Krsna?" Because he was a Krsna devotee. Naturally, he was thinking of Krsna. Satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah [Bg. 9.14]. A devotee, he always thinks of Krsna. That is devotee.

So we have to practice: Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This is the chance, this is the chance for remembering Krsna. Satatam smartavyam visnum. Visnu, Lord Krsna or Lord Visnu, has to be remembered always. Here... The sloka is there: tasmad bharata sarvatma.

tasmad bharata sarvatma
bhagavan isvaro harih
 srotavyah kirtitavyas ca
smartavyas cecchatabhayam
 [SB 2.1.5]

Icchata abhayam. Abhayam means fearlessness. One should be... Abhayam sattva-samsuddhih. There are three necessities, four necessities of conditioned life: eating, sleeping, mating and fearing. So one has to become abhayam, no more fear. How? When you take shelter of Krsna's lotus feet. Narayana-parah sarve na kutascana bibhyati [SB 6.17.28]. If you take shelter of the lotus feet of Krsna, then... Therefore Pariksit Maha..., er, Sukadeva Gosvami: icchata abhayam. Those who are actually willing to become fearless, hero, they must always... Satatam kirtayanto mam [Bg. 9.14]. Always chanting and hearing about Krsna. That is wanted. This Krsna consciousness movement is meant for that purpose, to become abhayam, no more fear. Why one should fear? Krsna assures, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati [Bg. 9.31].

So if we take shelter of the supreme abhayam, Krsna... Therefore one Vaisnava kavi has sung, bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana, abhaya-caranaravinda re. Abhaya-carana. Krsna's lotus feet is to become free from fearfulness. Bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana. Particularly sri-nanda-nandana. Nanda-nandana means that Krsna has got many forms: Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, then Visnu, Maha-Visnu. Ananta, advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs. 5.33]. But His real form is in Vrndavana, the son of Nanda Maharaja. Therefore he is advising, bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana. Krsna... There are Mayavadi philosophers, they say that the Absolute Truth, the Supreme, has no name. Yes. For the persons with poor fund of knowledge, they may not find out Krsna's name. But in the sastra we have got thousands of name. Visnu-sahasra-nama. But what are those names? Name means His behavior with His devotees. Just like "Nanda-nandana." Krsna is the father of everyone -- aham bija-pradah pita [Bg. 14.4] -- everyone. So how He has got a father? Oh, that is His mercy. He accepts one devotee as His father. And when He's addressed in relationship with His devotee... Nanda Maharaja wanted Krsna as his son. Krsna agreed, "Yes, I shall become your son." So everyone, if you want Krsna as your son... Not to become God, but to become the father of God. The Mayavadi philosophers, they want to become God. But we Vaisnavas, we want to become the father of God. This is Vaisnava philosophy. Father of God means he controls God. He's not controlled by God. So a devotee can get such position. Everyone is being controlled by God, but a devotee is so exalted that Krsna says that "I wish to be controlled by you." This is Krsna's position. Therefore the Vaisnava kavi advises, bhaja hun re mana sri-nanda-nandana, abhaya-caranaravinda re. Durlabha manava, durlabha manava-janama sat-sange taraha e.

Now we have got this human form of body, durlabha, very, very rare. This human form of body is obtained after many millions of years. Not very easily. Because we had to come through the evolutionary process, 8,400,0000 species of life. Jalaja nava-laksani sthavara laksa-vimsati. Therefore this human form of life should not be wasted. Here is the solution of all the problems of life. Don't neglect it. Therefore it is advised, durlabha manava-janama sat-sange taraha e bhava-sindhu re. E bhava-sindhu. This is the ocean, this is the ocean of nescience, ignorance. What is that? Bhava. Bhava-sindhu means take birth again and again. Bhutva bhutva praliyate [Bg. 8.19]. This is very botheration. And there is no guarantee what kind of... Therefore Pariksit Maharaja... He's also devotee. He's going to Vaikuntha. There was no doubt about it. Still, for our lesson, he inquired from Sukadeva Gosvami that "What is my duty now, now I am going to die?" This is intelligence.

So Pariksit Maharaja had a notice of death for seven days, but we do not know what is the notice. We can die immediately. So how much for us it is necessary to chant Hare Krsna mantra. Pariksit Maharaja had some time. This Bhagavata-saptaha is imitated under Pariksit Maharaja's... Pariksit Maharaja had only seven days' time, so he might have listened to the Bhagavata lesson for seven days. But for us, it is not that we observe a Bhagavata-saptaha and finish our business. No. Our business is nityam bhagavata-sevaya.

srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah
punya-sravana-kirtanah
hrdy antah-stho hy abhadrani
vidhunoti suhrt satam
 [SB 1.2.17]

nasta-prayesv abhadresu
nityam bhagavata-sevaya
 [SB 1.2.18]

Nityam. Not that for seven days. Seven days is meant for Pariksit Maharaja because he had no more time. His seven days was sufficient nityam. So we should not imitate that, that "I'll hear seven days." That is also a formality. Actually to understand one verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam it requires at least seven months. Janmady asya yatah anvayad itaratas ca arthesu abhijnah sva-rat [SB 1.1.1]. My Guru Maharaja explained this verse in Dacca for three months. Janmady asya. Actually, it is so important. The beginning.

So we must be very serious to understand Bhagavatam. If we can understand even one line, one verse, our life becomes sublime. It is so nice. There is no comparison of this literature, Srimad-Bhagavatam. That we are actually finding in the Western countries, how nicely they are receiving these granthas. We have translated into English, and they're enjoying. Actually that is the fact. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18]. Now, our problem, what is this problem? Problem is that we have got so many dirty things within the heart. The first dirty thing is that "I am this body." "I am Indian," "I am Englishman," "I am American," "I am brahmana," "I am ksatriya," "I am sudra," "I am fat," "I am thin," "I am black and white..." These conceptions, these are all dirty things. "I am not this body," that is real knowledge. Therefore Sri Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12], to cleanse the dirty things from the heart, that is my first business. And what is that dirty things? To identity myself with this body. That is the dirty things. The whole world is in distressed condition on account of this dirty thing, that "I am this body." This is the conception of the ass.

It is said in the...

yasyatma-buddhih kunape tri-dhatuke
sva-dhih kalatradisu bhauma ijya-dhih
yat-tirtha-buddhih salile na karhicij
janesv abhijnesu sa eva go-kharah
 [SB 10.84.13]

Go-kharah. Go-kharah means... Go means cow, and kharah means ass. Yat-tirtha-buddhih salile. Now many persons come here in Vrndavana, tirtha, but what do they think? They think, "Let me take bathing in the Yamuna River. Then my business is finished." But no. Sastra says that you should approach to a bhagavata, a devotee who is living in Vrndavana, pure devotee, and surrender unto him. That is tirtha-yatra. Not that coming here and taking bathing in the Ganges or... They are going to dure vary-ayanam tirtham. General people think, in this Kali-yuga, at least, that if you go thousand miles away from your home, then your tirtha is finished. Just like in Calcutta there is Ganges, but people come to Hardwar to take bathing in the Ganges. Now, what is the difference between the Hardwar Ganges and Calcutta Ganges? But he thinks, "If I go three thousand miles and take bathing there, that is real Ganges." So dure vary-ayanam tirtham. These are the symptoms of the Kali-yuga. Yat-tirtha-buddhih salile na karhicit. Many thousands of people come to Vrndavana, but they think by taking bathing in the Yamuna, his tirtha is finished. Or going to Prayaga, taking... Christian also, they go. They take bathing in the...? Water of...? Jordan?

Devotee: Jordan River.

Prabhupada: Yes. So... No. Nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18]. If you have to cleanse your heart from all misgivings, then you have to do this: srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah punya-sravana-kirtanah [SB 1.2.17]. You hear about Krsna. Where? Krsna is speaking about Himself in the Bhagavad-gita. "I am this. I am that." You hear. Or you hear about Krsna from Srimad-Bhagavatam. Srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah. So if you hear... Krsna is within your heart. He can understand. If you are seriously hearing, then Krsna can understand. Not that karma-kandiya-vicara. "Let me hear on Srimad-Bhagavatam for seven days, and I'll get... I have got now one lakh of rupees. I'll get three lakhs." That is karma-kandiya-vicara. That is not wanted. The hearing of Bhagavatam means to cleanse your heart, that you are not this body, you are spirit soul, eternal servant of Krsna. That is purification. When you come to this understanding, that "I am not this body, I am spirit... Aham brahmasmi," then... Brahmasmi, finished? The Mayavadi says as soon as you come to this conclusion, brahma-bhutah, then your business is finished. No. Your business begins there. That is the verdict of Bhagavad-gita.

brahma-bhutah prasannatma
na socati na kanksati
samah sarvesu bhutesu
mad-bhaktim labhate param
 [Bg. 18.54]

After being liberated, brahma-bhutah, then bhakti begins. People misunderstand that by bhakti one gets mukti. No. One who is engaged in bhakti, he is always... He has already got mukti. Muktir mukulitanjali sevate 'sman. Bilvamangala Thakura says that if one has attained to the platform of bhakti, then mukti is hankering after his feet: "What can I do for you?" Muktih svayam mukulitanjali sevate 'sman dharmartha-kama-gatayah samaya-pratiksah.

So bhakti is above mukti. Therefore a pure devotee does not aspire for mukti. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. Na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye, mama janmani janmani. He says, janmani janmani. Janmani, when He says janmani, it is not mukti. Because mukti means you stop your material transmigration from one body to another. That is mukti. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu: mama janmani janmani. A devotee doesn't require mukti. Janmani janmani tvayi bhaktih. If you are situated in the devotional service of the Lord, then you are already mukta. Avyabhicarini.

mam ca yo 'vyabhicarena
bhakti-yogena sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate
 [Bg. 14.26]

Brahma-bhutah prasannatma... [Bg. 18.54]. This is the verdict. So for a devotee mukti is not very big thing. Mukti's already there if he's actually a pure devotee. A pure devotee means just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu says. He has no other desire. Na dhanam na janam na sundarim [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. Everyone is desiring in this material world for riches, wealth, dhanam, and janam, good family, high aristocratic family, or good followers, leader, minister. Janam. They are aspiring popular votes. Na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam. And next is to have a very beautiful, obedient wife. These are the aspirations of material life. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "I do not want all these things." Na dhanam na janam na sundarim. This is bhakti life. When one is free from all such material desires, he's fit for executing devotional service. That is mukti.

Therefore we have to cleanse our heart. Our heart is always aspiring how to get money, how to get women, how to get prestige, how to become leader, how to become minister, how to become guru. These are the things, always hankering in our heart. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. First of all cleanse your heart. And that is also said in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, that nasta-prayesv abhadresu nityam bhagavata-sevaya [SB 1.2.18]. Nityam. Not seven days. Nityam. Read every day. Especially those who are in Vrndavana. Every day, as much as possible, read Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita. Nityam. Then our heart will be cleansed, and we shall know what is our constitutional position, what is our relationship with Krsna, and then if we serve in that relationship, our life is perfect.

So here Pariksit Maharaja asked that "Shall I think of Krsna, or I shall hear about Krsna?" And Sukadeva Gosvami's congratulating him, variyan esa te prasnah: [SB 2.1.1] "Yes, it is very nice." Variyan, first class, glorious. Variyan esa te prasnah krto loka-hitam. "Now, your question is so nice that when I shall answer, it will be beneficial for the whole universe, loka-hitam." Loka-hitam. Because this Bhagavata is so nice, transcendental subject matter discussed about Krsna, it is loka-hitam. It should be spread all over the world. Loka does not mean your country or your society, brahmana society, gosvami society. No. Loka-hitam, for the benefit of the whole world. That is loka-hitam. Not only of this world, but other worlds also. Of the whole universe. Loka-hitam nrpa. "My dear King, your prasna..." So this message of Srimad-Bhagavatam should be spread all over the world.

ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
 [Bg 18.68]

na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
 [Bg. 18.69]

Don't make it stagnant, that "This Bhagavata is meant for a certain class of men, and it is to be recited by certain professional men, and make some money, and provide your family, and you become... Bas. Very good, religious." No. Loka-hitam. Bhagavata should be spread.

That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission. Yare dekha tare kaha krsna-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Whole world, whomever you meet, you speak of Krsna. That is guru. That is gosvami. Not that gosvami profession means that I make a means of my livelihood, and I bring money from outside and engage in my son's marriage and daughter's marriage. That is not gosvami. One who is engaged in loka-hitam, spreading Srimad-Bhagavatam all over the world, that is gosvami. Gosvami means... Go means indriya. Svami means... Indriya means senses, and svami means the master. One has to control. If one is busy only family matters... What is this family? It is simply sense gratification, sexual intercourse. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham [SB 7.9.45]. So if one is engaged in these family affairs only, sexual affairs, he's not a gosvami. Gosvami means who has, one who has... Wherefrom this gosvami comes? Rupa Gosvami. Vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva... They, they were not family men. They were not in sense gratification. They were in the service of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Krsna. That is gosvami. We must know what is gosvami. Loka-hitam ratam. Everyone who is on behalf of Krsna, Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, is engaged to preach Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, throughout the whole world... Prthivim sa sisyat. A gosvami means he must have disciples all over the world. That is gosvami. Not that within some area. These are the things.

We should scrutinizingly study what is Srimad-Bhagavatam, what is Bhagavad-gita, what is a preacher, what is gosvami. These things we must study. Loka-hi... These will be discussed by Sukadeva Gosvami, that what is what. You'll find in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Therefore it is our duty: nityam bhagavata-sevaya. Nityam. Not that seven days. Nityam. Nasta-prayesv abhadresu [SB 1.2.18]. First of all we have to hear. Srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah punya-sravana-kirtanah. We acquire pious result of hearing. And the result will be manifested... Hrdy antah-stho hy abhadrani...

srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah
punya-sravana-kirtanah
hrdy antah-stho hy abhadrani
vidhunoti suhrt satam
 [SB 1.2.17]

Then he must be free from the material bondage. That is called hrdy antah-stho hy abhadrani vidhunoti, washed off. If it is not completely washed off, if it is partially washed off, nasta-prayesu... Nasta-praya means we have got all these filthy things within the heart. It is not yet cleansed fully, but even some percentage is cleansed, then... Nityam bhagavata... But how it can be cleansed? The process is to hear Srimad-Bhagavatam. That will be explained:

srotavyadini rajendra
nrnam santi sahasrasah
apasyatam atma-tattvam
grhesu grha-medhinam
 [SB 2.1.2]

These verse are very nice, I mean to say, instructive verses, and you try to read them regularly, every morning. Or whenever you find time. Then you will understand Srimad-Bhagavatam. Everything is explained there. Then the dirty things in our heart will be cleansed, and then we will understand what is our constitutional position, and what is our duty, and how to execute it.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.1.1 -- Vrndavana, March 16, 1974

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Why We Can't Forget About God

19 May 73 , Dallas

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Prabhupada: ....five years old. It is a school. He was preaching amongst the class-friends this Krsna consciousness movement. You have seen the picture of Prahlada Maharaja standing on the table -- of course, there was no tables in those days -- and speaking to his class-friends about devotional service. The friends of Prahlada Maharaja, they objected, that "We are now children. Let us play now. We shall see about God consciousness when we are old enough, or at the time of death we shall see to it." Prahlada Maharaja said,

kaumara acaret prajno
dharman bhagavatan iha
durlabham manusam janma
tad apy adhruvam arthadam
 [SB 7.6.1]

Prahlada Maharaja said, "My dear friends, Krsna consciousness should be learned from the very beginning of life, kaumara." The learning should be beginning between five years old to ten years old, between this time. This Bhagavata-dharma especially, first thing is, the children from the very beginning of their life should be given instruction on religious principles of life. What are the religious principles? Religious principle means to understand what is God. That is religious principle. It doesn't matter whether you are Christian or Hindu or Muslim or any... There are many hundreds and thousands patterns of religious system, but according to our Bhagavata school, we accept that religion as first class which teaches how to love God. That is religion. Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [SB 1.2.6]. That system of religion is first class wherein the followers are given lessons how to love God. Unfortunately, at the present moment there is no question of how to teach them for loving God. They deny the existence of God. This is the present situation. People have become so rascal that they do not believe in the existence of God. Or somebody believes... Not believes. That is affirmed. Some of them say, "God is dead. Now we have to take to social work, political work. Let the subject matter of God be set aside." Especially in India. In India, the country where still God consciousness is so strong, the government wants that they should forget about this God business. So this is Kali-yuga. Kali-yuga means simply for fight on trifling things and forget God.

So anyway, apart from their business, our Krsna consciousness movement is especially meant for awakening the dormant Krsna consciousness of every man. Krsna consciousness is there in everyone. Otherwise how these European, American young men, young girls, children, they are taking part in it? It is not that I have bribed them. Sometimes the Christian missionaries go to our country. They bribe the poorer classes of men, and they become Christians -- not by understanding the philosophy or the religion. Because India is poverty-stricken, so if you do some social work, give them some medicine, give them some financial help, they think of, being obliged, and whatever you like, you can tell them. Similarly, in Muhammadan time also, all the Indian Muhammadans, they were not coming from very respectable high family. You know, in India there are four classes of men: brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra. Out of them, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya are considered the topmost class. Now everything has deteriorated. So we find from the history of this conversion, from the sudra class, lower than the sudra class, not very many from the higher class. So still, that was based on bribing, giving some social help, political help, financial help. But our Krsna consciousness movement I started in 1966. I came here with seven dollars and a few books. So it was not possible for me to bribe these educated young boys and girls. That was not possible. But they accepted the philosophy very seriously and gradually it is growing. Now there are many Indians, they are not here, but other than the Indians, they are here. So the thing is I am very glad that you take something very seriously. That is very good. So for the children also, kaumara acaret prajnah. Prajnah means one who is intelligent. He should begin learning Krsna consciousness from the child life. That is our basic principle of this Gurukula. We are trying to generate some population fully Krsna conscious so that they may preach in future very nicely.

So Prahlada Maharaja says, dharman: "People, children should be taught from the very beginning of their life about dharma, religion." What is that religion? Religion means to accept God as the supreme authority. That's all. The sum and substance. And try to love Him. Just like very, if you have got a very wealthy friend or very learned friend or beautiful friend, you try to love him. You want to make friendship with him. So God means He is the most richest, most powerful, most learned, most beautiful. In this way, there is no comparison of God's opulence. So why should we not be attracted with God? If some rich man in your quarter attracts the attention of the neighbor, neighborers... If God is the richest man... He is not man; He is God. But He looks like man. He... Just like we see Krsna here, He has got also two hands and two legs. That is His original form. If He likes, He can expand thousands of hands and thousands of legs, as it was exhibited to Arjuna in His virat-purusa form. But the original form is Krsna, adi-purusam. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta... Although He can expand Himself in many millions of forms, but His original form is Krsna.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is directly connecting people with the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and especially these children are required to learn this Krsna consciousness from the very beginning of their life. Because this human form of life is the only chance to understand God. You cannot understand God in any other form, in the form of a dog, in the form of a cat, or even the form of a demigod. Demigods, they are very rich, opulent, so sometimes they forget. Out of very much being affluent, people forget Krsna. Therefore the demigods also sometimes forget. And what to speak of the animals. So this human form of life is the only chance to understand God. Therefore if children are not given lesson about God... There is no guarantee that we will live one hundred years. There is no guarantee. Anyone, at any moment, can pass away. Therefore, before the next death comes, one must be fully Krsna conscious. That is the highest achievement of life.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Arrival -- Dallas, May 19, 1973

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Thanks To Original Guru

22 Aug 73 , London

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Prabhupada: My dear sons and daughters, I am so much obliged to you that you have become so enthusiastic for offering Vyasa-puja. Now try to understand. Several times we have explained why this function is called Vyasa-puja. I have already explained in the morning, this offering worshiping, one may think that this man is teaching his disciples man-worshiping, anthropomorphism. But it is not man-worshiping. One should not misunderstand. Vyasadeva is the original spiritual master. Original spiritual master is Krsna. From Krsna, Brahma was initiated, Lord Brahma. Tene brahma hrdaya adi-kavaye muhyanti yat surayah. It is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam that when Brahma was created, it was all darkness within the universe. He could not understand what is the purpose of his becoming there. Then he engaged himself in tapasya, and he was initiated from within.

Krsna is within everyone. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. So He is called caitya-guru, means guru within the heart. And when Krsna understands... Because Krsna knows everything, whatever we are willing, whatever we are doing. He is the Paramatma; He's sitting within our hearts as witness. Anumanta upadrsta. Upadrsta means simply observing what we are doing, and what we are desiring. So as we desire, Krsna is very kind, He gives us facility. We have many times explained. Therefore, we have got varieties of bodies to enjoy this material world. So when Krsna sees that a living entity is very anxious to understand Him or to revive his Krsna consciousness, then Krsna gives him all opportunity, especially by manifesting Himself as the spiritual master. Antar bahih. The spiritual master is therefore Krsna's manifestation-Krsna's mercy manifestation to help a person to develop his Krsna consciousness. From within He's helping. Therefore, He's called caitya-guru, and from without, He sends His representative to help how to become advanced in Krsna consciousness.

Therefore, to advance in Krsna consciousness we require two kinds of help -- one from Krsna and another from the spiritual master. It is stated in the Caitanya-caritamrta... You'll be glad now that Caitanya-caritamrta is now published. (devotees: Jaya! Haribol!) Yes. (This) It is the... Our Panditji, Pradyumna, he has presented. Actually, he has worked for it, although I have translated. But I am very much indebted to him that he very carefully edits and makes the thing very perfect. So, now we have got translation of Srimad-Bhagavatam, Bhagavad-gita, and Sanskrit portion... Because mostly there is Sanskrit portion, so, so my beloved disciple, Pradyumna, I call him Pandit Mahasaya, because he is actually doing the pandita's work. So he edits and he works very hard. And... Not only that, his wife also helps in this connection. So actually, that is wanted.

kiba vipra kiba sudra nyase kene naya
ye krsna tattva vetta sei guru haya

I'm sometimes criticized by my Godbrothers that I have become a marriage-maker, because a sannyasi does not take part in a marriage ceremony, but I get my disciples married. This is also unique in the history. So they criticize me that I have become a marriage-maker. But they, they do not know why I take this risk. I have got many disciples, they are married couples, but all of them, husband and wife, they are helping this movement. Here is Bhagavan dasa, he's also married man, children.

So actually, married couples should be paramahamsas. Paramahamsa means the topmost stage of sannyasi. Paramahamsa. A sannyasi has got four stages: kuticaka, bahudaka, parivrajakacarya and paramahamsa. A sannyasi, in the beginning, he's supposed to make a small cottage, just on the border of the village, does not go home, but the, his necessities are supplied by his home, but he does not go home. This is called kuticaka. Then gradually, when he is practiced, he begs from home to home. He does not anymore depend on his own home. (aside:) Stop this. That is called bahudaka. Bahudaka means collecting his necessity from many places. And then as he becomes practiced, he becomes parivrajakacarya. He goes from place to place, village to village, preaching the message of Krsna. As our Sriman Revatinandana Maharaja is doing. He has now very nice bus. All others also doing. Grhasthas are also doing. Because our only business is Krsna. It doesn't matter whether a grhastha, vanaprastha, sannyasi. It doesn't matter. So when he preaches all over the world, that is called parivrajakacarya. And when he's experienced, he executes the work by his assistants. That is called paramahamsa. So grhasthas are supposed to be paramahamsa. Just like Bhaktivinoda Thakura, he was grhastha, magistrate, government servant, but he has worked so much for Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu in writing books. Not only writing books, but also begetting a child like Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja, my spiritual master. So that is grhastha. They should produce children like Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Maharaja. Because we want big stalwart men to preach this Krsna consciousness movement.

So everyone has got duty in Krsna consciousness, and this duty is taught by Krsna and the spiritual master. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kono bhagyavan jiva. Anyone who is coming to Krsna consciousness, he's not ordinary living being. Anyone who is connected with our movement, he's not ordinary living being. Actually, he's liberated soul. And I am very much hopeful that my disciples who are now participating today, even if I die, my movement will not stop, I am very much hopeful. Yes. All these nice boys and girls who have taken so seriously... Bhaktivinoda Thakura wanted that European and American people may understand the philosophy of Caitanya cult and take part in it. That was his desire. My Guru Maharaja, His Divine Grace Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Gosvami Prabhupada, he also attempted to send his disciples to preach Caitanya cult in the Western world. One of them, he advised me also. First meeting, perhaps you know, he asked me to preach. So at that time I was young man, only twenty-five years old, and I was also householder. So I should have joined and executed his desire immediately, but due to my ill luck I could not immediately execute his order, but it was in my heart that it is to be done. So better late than never, I executed his order at the age of seventy years, not at the age of twenty-five. So actually I wasted so much time, I can understand that. From twenty... The message was there when I was twenty-five years old, but I began at the age of seventy years. But I did not forget the message. Otherwise, how could I do? That was, that is a fact. I was simply finding out the opportunity, how to do it. So anyway, although I began very late, at the age of seventy years, so by the help of my disciples this movement is gaining ground and is spreading all over the world. So therefore I have to thank you. It is all due to you. It is not my credit, but it is your credit that you are helping me in executing the order of my Guru Maharaja.

So this movement, Krsna consciousness movement, that you already know, that this is a most essential, most important movement to the human society. Last night the Ambassador of India, His Excellency Rasagotra, he was present here. He also appreciated that this movement is very important movement, and he was very pleased that I have done so much. So this movement will go on. Nobody can stop. So this Vyasa-puja ceremony means to offer our thanks to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, because He is is the original guru. As we receive this message through parampara system from Krsna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasadeva, Vyasadeva to Madhvacarya, in this way, Madhavendra Puri, then Isvara Puri, then Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then six Gosvamis, then others, Bhaktivinoda Thakura, Jagannatha dasa Babaji, Gaura Kisora dasa Babaji Maharaja, Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati. Then we have taken. So this, as we come to this Krsna consciousness understanding through this long parampara, similarly, in the Vyasa-puja ceremony, whatever respect, honor, and presentation you give, that goes to Krsna through that parampara system, from down. As it is received through the parampara system, so similarly, your offerings also goes through this parampara system to the Supreme. The connection.

Our system is gopi-bhartur pada-kamalayor dasa-dasanudasah [Cc. Madhya 13.80]. It is sometimes called bureaucracy. If you apply something, at least in India, to the President, you'll have to submit to the local collector. The collector will submit to somebody else, somebody else, then secretary, you go. Then to the President. So our system is that. So it is not that I am training my disciples to worship me, man-worship, I'm getting some honor from them for nothing. No. It is not that. Whatever honor, whatever respect, whatever presentation you are giving to your spiritual master, it will go to Krsna by parampara system. This is Vyasa-puja. Therefore, it is called Vyasa-puja. Vyasa-puja means Vyasadeva is the original guru. After Brahma, Narada, then Vyasa. And Vyasa is original guru, because from his literature we understand spiritual knowledge. All these literatures whatever we have produced, they are actually originally from Vyasadeva. The four Vedas, Brahma-sutra, Upanisads, Puranas, they are called Vedic literature. And whatever is written with the conclusion of this Vedic literature, that is also Vedic literature. Just like our books. All our books, they are not mental speculation. Whatever I have learned from my Guru Maharaja, I am presenting. That's all. It is not mental speculation -- this philosophy, that philosophy. We kick out all these things. Unless we get the knowledge from the authorized source, we don't accept. Because how we can accept? A so-called philosopher, scientist, according to... Why according? Everyone can understand that however great philosopher, scientist one may be, he is imperfect. He's imperfect. Every man. I have several times recited this example that in our country Gandhi was very big politician. You know Mahatma Gandhi. He committed so many mistakes. At last he committed such a great mistake that he was killed. That's a long history. So even a great person like Mahatma Gandhi, he commits mistake. Therefore, the sastra says any conditioned soul, he must commit mistake. However great he may be in the estimation of fools and rascals. Sva-vid-varahostra. He must commit mistake, he must be illusioned, his propensity is to cheat, and at the end, all the senses are imperfect. We have several times described. So, so much imperfectness, how he can give perfect knowledge?

Therefore, a so-called philosopher, scientist's knowledge is always imperfect. The perfect knowledge can be received through this parampara system. From Krsna, Krsna to Brahma, Brahma to Narada, Narada to Vyasa, Vyasa to Madhvacarya. In this way, from Caitanya Mahaprabhu, six Gosvamis, then our Guru Maharaja, in this way. And our business is just to present whatever we have heard. This is very important point. And because we do not speculate mentally, just like so many svamis comes from India. They make their own presentation by speculation. So whatever little success I have got, it is due to this process, that I do not present anything which is created by me. That is the secret of success. All these rascals, I say, declare in this, all these rascals come, they manufacture. A spiritual thing cannot be manufactured -- as God cannot be manufactured. God is always God, and the words of God is also God. If we present as it is, then it will be effective. That is said in the sastra:

satam prasangan mama virya-samvido
bhavanti hrt-karna-rasayanah kathah
taj-josanad asv apavarga-vartmani
sraddha bhaktir ratir anukramisyati
 [SB 3.25.25]

Everything is there. Satam prasangan. From a bona fide spiritual master you receive knowledge, because he will present as he has received from his spiritual master. He'll not adulterate or manufacture something. That is the bona fide spiritual master. And that is very easy. To become spiritual master is not very difficult thing. You'll have to become spiritual master. You, all my disciples, everyone should become spiritual master. It is not difficult. It is difficult when you anufacture something. But if you simply present whatever you have heard from your spiritual master, it is very easy. If you want to become overintelligent, to present something, to interpret something, whatever over you have heard from spiritual master you can make some further addition, alteration, then you'll spoil whole thing. Then you'll spoil whole thing. Don't make addition or alteration. Simply present as it is. Therefore, we have begun Bhagavad-gita As It Is. Don't try to become over spiritual master. Then you'll spoil. Remain always a servant of your spiritual master and present the thing as you have heard. You'll be spiritual master. This is secret. You should know it. Don't try to become overintelligent. That will spoil. Evam parampara praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. This is the... So (child talking) you can stop.(?)

So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,

amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa
yare dekha, tare kaha, 'krsna'-upadesa
 [Cc. Madhya 7.128]

Just see. It is very nice. You'll find in Caitanya-caritamrta, now it is published. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, He is the Supreme Lord, Krsna. He says, amara ajnaya. "Whatever I say, amara ajnaya, by My order, you become a spiritual master." Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So one may be very illiterate, no education, or no scholarship, may not be born in brahmana family, or may not be a sannyasi. There are so many qualification. But one may not have all these qualifications. He may be rascal number one, but still, he can become spiritual master. How? Amara ajnaya. As Krsna says, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, if you follow, then you become spiritual master. One may be rascal number one from material estimation, but if he simply strictly follows whatever is said by Caitanya Mahaprabhu or His representative spiritual master, then he becomes a guru.

So it is not very difficult. One may not think that "I am not qualified to become guru." No, you are qualified if you follow strictly the parampara system. Then you are qualified. That's all. Amara ajnaya guru hana... And what is the difficulty? Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, "Don't feel any difficulty." Because as spiritual master, what you have to do? Yare dekha, tare kaha, 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Whomever you meet, you simply speak to him the instruction which Krsna gives. What Krsna instruction gives? That is also very easy. What is that? Krsna says man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Krsna says "Just become My devotee, always think of Me, offer Me obeisances, and worship Me." So here is Krsna. If you simply think "Here is Krsna, Radha-Krsna Deity," you may be fool number, rascal number one. That doesn't matter. But you are getting impression of this Radha-Krsna, think of Him: "Oh, how nicely Krsna is decorated." This much. No erudite scholarship. Simply... Krsna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. Here is Deity. Worship Him nicely as it is regulated principle. Even you are not worshiping, simply think of Krsna, "Here is Radha-Krsna." Impression. What is the difficulty? As soon as you see Radha-Krsna, you get some impression. Think of that impression. Where is the difficulty? Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. "Worship me." If you have got opportunity, worship. If you are initiated, worship here. Or you install Deity at home, as our Ksirodakasayi Prabhu is doing. Everyone can do it. Where is the difficulty? Now ask him how he is happy. The whole family is happy. Not only he. But his wife, his children, everyone is happy. Practical. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. And if you cannot do anything, simply come and offer your obeisances: "My dear Lord Krsna, I am so poor, so unfortunate, I cannot do all these things, but I offer my humble obeisances unto Your lotus feet." That much also. If you do this, you become spiritual master.

So, simply by accepting this principle, and even if you are not learned, illiterate, you are hearing so much from Bhagavad-gita, you simply repeat that. Simply repeat that. There is no question of becoming very learned scholar. God has given you this ear. Even if you are blind, you cannot read, you can hear. So krsna-upadesa, what is Krsna...? This is 'krsna'-upadesa. And at last, Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. So if you simply preach this cult, "My dear friend, my dear brother, you surrender to Krsna," you become spiritual master. You become spiritual master. You go door to door. No other talks. Simply say, "My dear friend, you are very nice, you are very learned." That was adopted by Prabodhananda Sarasvati.

dante nidhaya trnakam padayor nipatya
kaku-satam krtva caham bravimi
he sadhavah sakalam eva vihaya durad
caitanya-candra-carane kurutanuragam (sic)

The meaning is the preaching, very easy. Dante nidhaya trnakam. According to Indian system, if you put a grass on your mouth, it is a sign of that you have become very humble. If you approach a person with a grass in your mouth, he'll immediately know that you are coming there with very, very great humbleness. Therefore dante nidhaya. This was the system. Dante nidhaya trnakam, and touching his feet. Immediately, touch his feet. Immediately, even if he's enemy, he'll be a friend. Even if he's your enemy, it is so nice process. Take a grass on your mouth and immediately fall on his feet, padayor nipetya, and with folded hands, much flattering. Dante nidhaya trnakam padayor nipatya kaku-satam krtva ca. All flattering words. Aham bravimi. So immediately he will agree, "Yes, what you say I'll hear. I'll hear." Immediately, convert to hear you at least. Just see how perfect process is. "Then what is your purpose, sir? Why you are becoming so humble, meek? And now say." "Yes sir, I'll say." What is that? He sadhavah, "You are a great sadhu." Although he may be rascal number one. Still, you call him, he sadhavah. "Yes, I am sadhu, yes. What is your proposal?" "Now kindly forget all nonsense, whatever you have learned. That's all. I am flattering you because I want that you forget everything, all these yogis and this and that and that and meditation. Please kick out all these." "Then what I have to do?" "Caitanya-candra-carane kurutanuragam. Just adhere yourself to the lotus feet of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Then you become spiritual master. That's all."

So I hope that all of you, men, women, boys and girls, become spiritual master, and follow this principle. Spiritual master, simply, sincerely, follow the principles and speak to the general public. Then Krsna immediately becomes your favorite. Krsna does not become your favorite; you become Krsna's favorite. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, na ca tasmad manusyesu kascin me priya-krttamah: "One who is doing this humble service of preaching work, Krsna consciousness, nobody is dearer than him to Me." So if you want to become recognized by Krsna very quickly, you take up this process of becoming spiritual master, present the Bhagavad-gita as it is. Your life is perfect.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Vyasa-puja -- London, August 22, 1973

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Why Krsna Comes To This World

21 Aug 73 , London

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Prabhupada: (chants mangalacarana prayers) His Excellency, the High Commissioner; ladies and gentlemen, I thank you very much for your coming here and participating in this ceremony, Janmastami, advent of Krsna. The subject matter I've been ordered to speak on is advent of Krsna. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita,

janma karma me divyam
yo janati tattvatah
tyaktva deham punar janma
naiti mam eti kaunteya
 [Bg. 4.9]

This fact, that we can achieve such a stage of life when we can stop our birth and death... Sa 'mrtatvaya kalpate. This morning, I was explaining this verse:

yam hi na vyathayanty ete
purusam purusarsabha
sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram
so 'mrtatvaya kalpate

Amrtatva means immortality. So the modern civilization, they have no idea, either the great philosopher, great politician or great scientist, that it is possible to attain the stage of immortality. Amrtatva. We are all amrta. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, na jayate na mriyate va kadacin. We living entities, we never die, never take birth. Nityah sasvato yam, na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. Every one of us, we are eternal, nityah sasvato; Purana, the oldest. And after annihilation of this body, we do not die. Na hanyate. The body is finished, but I have to accept another body. Tatha dehantara praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati. Dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam jara [Bg. 2.13].

This simple thing, at the present moment, they are lacking knowledge, that we, all living entities, part and parcel of Krsna, we are eternal, we are blissful, and we are cognizant. Krsna is described in the Vedic sastras:

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

Sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah. God, Krsna, when I speak Krsna, that means God. If there is any important name... God, it is sometimes said God has no name. That's a fact. But God's name is given by His activities. Just like Krsna accepted the sonhood of Maharaja Nanda, or Yasodamayi, or Devaki, or Vasudeva. Vasudeva and Devaki were Krsna's real father and mother. Nobody is real father and mother of Krsna, because Krsna is the original father of everyone. But when Krsna comes here, advents, He accepts some devotees as His father, as His mother. Krsna is the original, adi-purusam. Adyam Purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca [Bs. 5.33]. He is the original person. Then must be very old? No. Adyam purana purusam nava-yauvanam ca. Always fresh youth. That is Krsna. When Krsna was on the battlefield of Kuruksetra, you have seen the picture, He's just like a boy of twenty years or, at most, twenty-four years old. But at that time, He had great-grandchildren. Therefore, Krsna is always youth. Navayauvanam ca. These are the statements of Vedic literatures.

advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam
adyam purana-purusam nava-yauvanam ca
vedesu durlabham adurlabham atma-bhaktau
 [Bs. 5.33]

So, to understand Krsna, simply if we read as a formality the Vedic literature, it will be very difficult to understand what is Krsna. Vedesu durlabham. Although all the Vedas are meant for understanding Krsna. In the Bhagavad-gita, it is said, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyo. Aham eva vedyo. What is the use of studying Vedas if you do not understand Krsna? Because the ultimate goal of education means to understand the Supreme Lord, the supreme father, the supreme cause. As it is said in the Vedanta-sutra, janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1]. Athato brahma jijnasa. Brahma-jijnasa, to discuss about the Supreme Absolute Truth, Brahman. What is that Brahman? Janmady asya yatah. That Brahman means wherefrom everything emanates. So science, philosophy, means to find out the ultimate cause of everything. That we are getting from the sastras, Vedic literature, that Krsna is the cause of all causes. Sarva-karana-karanam. Sarva-karana-karanam.

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

Cause of all causes. Just like try to understand. I am caused by my father. My father is caused by his father. He is caused by his father, his father... Go on searching, then you'll ultimately come to somebody who is the cause. But He has no cause. Anadir adir govindah [Bs. 5.1]. I may be cause of my son, but I am also result of the cause, my father. But the sastra says that anadir adir, He is the original person, but He has no cause. That is Krsna. Therefore, Krsna says that janma karma ca me divyam yo janati tattvatah [Bg. 4.9]. The advent of Krsna, it is very important thing. We should try to understand Krsna, why He advents, why He comes on this material world, what is His business, what are His activities. If we simply try to understand Krsna, then what is the result? The result is tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. You get that immortality. The aim of life is to achieve immortality. Amrtatvaya kalpate.

So in the advent of Krsna, we shall try to understand the philosophy of Krsna. His Excellency was speaking of peace. The peace formula is there, spoken by Krsna. What is that?

bhoktaram yajna-tapasam
sarva-loka-mahesvaram
suhrdam sarva-bhutanam
jnatva mam santim rcchati
 [Bg. 5.29]

If the politicians, diplomats, they are trying to establish peace in the world... The United Nation is there, and there are many other organizations. They are trying to have real peace and tranquillity, no misunderstanding between man to man, nation to nation. But that is not happening. That is not happening. The defect is that in the root is wrong. Everyone's thinking "It is my country. It is my family. It is my society. It is my property." This "mine" is illusion. In the sastra it is said, janasya moho 'yam aham mameti [SB 5.5.8]. This "I and my" philosophy is illusion.

So this illusion means maya. maya... If you want to get out of this illusion, maya, then you have to accept the Krsna's formula. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Everything is there in the Bhagavad-gita for guidance if we accept the philosophy of Bhagavad-gita as it is. Everything is there. Peace is there, prosperity is there. So that is a fact. Unfortunately, we do not accept it. That is our misfortune. Or we misinterpret it. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Krsna says that "You always think of Me," man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. "Become My devotee." Mad-yaji, "You worship Me." Mam namaskuru, "And offer obeisances unto Me." Is it very difficult task? Here is Krsna's Deity. If you think of this Deity, Radha-Krsna, is it very difficult? Man-mana. You come into the temple and, just as a devotee, offer your respect to the Deity, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. As far as possible try to worship the Deity, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati [Bg. 9.26]. Krsna does not want your whole property. Krsna is open to the poorest man for being worshiped. What He is asking? He says, patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati: "With devotion, if a person offers Me a little leaf, a little fruit, a little water, I accept it." Krsna is not hungry, but Krsna wants to make you devotee. That is the main point. Yo me bhaktya prayacchati. That is the main principle. If you offer Krsna little things... Krsna is not hungry; Krsna is providing food for everyone. Eko yo bahunam vidadhati kaman. But Krsna wants your love, your devotion. Therefore He is begging little patram puspam phalam toyam. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. There is no difficulty in understanding Krsna and to accept Krsna consciousness. But we'll not do that; that is our disease. Otherwise, it is not difficult at all. And as soon as we become devotee of Krsna, we understand the whole situation. Our philosophy, Bhagavata philosophy, is also communism because we consider Krsna the supreme father, and all living entities, they are all sons of Krsna.

So Krsna says that He is the proprietor of all planets, sarva-loka-mahesvaram [Bg. 5.29]. Therefore whatever there is, either in the sky or in the water or in the land, they're all Krsna's property. And because we are all sons of Krsna, therefore every one of us has the right to use (the) father's property. But we should not encroach upon others. This is the formula of peace. Ma grdha kasya svidhanam, isavasyam idam sarvam [Iso mantra 1]. Everything belongs to God. You are sons of God. You have got the right to use father's property, but do not take more than you need. That is punishable. These things are stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. Stena eva sa ucyate [Bg. 3.12], in the Bhagavad-gita, "he's a thief." If anyone takes more than he needs, then he's a thief. Yajnarthat karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]. If for the satisfaction of Krsna... Yajna means Krsna. Krsna's another name is Yajnesvara. So you act for Krsna, you take prasada Krsna. That what we are teaching here. In this temple, we are residing Americans, Indians, Englishmen, Canadians, Africans, different parts of the world. You know that. Not only in this temple, all over the world. [break]

...when we forget this philosophy, that Krsna is the supreme father, Krsna is the supreme proprietor, Krsna is the supreme enjoyer and Krsna is the supreme friend of everyone. When you forget this, then we come into this material world and struggle for existence, fight with one another. This is material life. So you cannot get... The politicians, diplomats, philosophers, they have tried so much, but actually nothing has become fruitful. Just like the United Nations. It was organized after the second great war, and they wanted that peacefully we shall settle everything. But there is no such thing. The fighting is going on between Pakistan and India, between Vietnam and America, and this and that. It is not the process. The process is Krsna consciousness. Everyone has to understand this fact, that we are not proprietor. Proprietor is Krsna. That's a fact. Just like America. Say two hundred years ago the Americans, the European migrators, they were not proprietor -- somebody was proprietor. Before them, somebody was proprietor or it was vacant land. The actual proprietor is Krsna. But artificially you are claiming that "It is my property." Janasya moho 'yam aham mameti [SB 5.5.8]. This is called maya.

So Krsna advents for give us lesson. Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata [Bg. 4.7]. Krsna says, "My dear Arjuna, I come when there is discrepancies in the process of religious life." Dharmasya glanir bhavati. And what is dharma? The simple definition of dharma is dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. This is dharma. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. Just like what do you mean by law? Law means the word given by the state. You cannot make law at home. That is not possible. Whatever the government gives you, that "You should act like this," that is law. Similarly, dharma means the direction given by God. That is dharma. Simple definition. You create dharma. I have created this dharma, another man creates another dharma; these are not dharma. Therefore, where the Bhagavad-gita ends, that sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam [Bg. 18.66], this is dharma -- to surrender to Krsna. Any other dharma, they are not dharma. Otherwise, why Krsna asks sarva-dharman parityajya: "Give up"? He said that dharma-samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge: "I advent to establish the principles of religion." And at last He says, sarva-dharman parityajya. That means the so-called dharmas that we have manufactured, man-made dharmas, they are not dharmas. Dharma means what is given by God. But we have no understanding what is God and what is His word. That is the modern civilization defect. But the order is there, God is there -- we won't accept. Where is the possibility of peace? The order is there. Krsna says, the Supreme, bhagavan uvaca. Vyasadeva writes bhagavan uvaca. One should know what is bhagavan. Vyasadeva could have written krsna uvaca. No. He says... If one may misunderstand Krsna, therefore he writes in every stanza, every verse, sri bhagavan uvaca. So Bhagavan is there. Bhagavan is speaking. Bhagavan is accepted by all the acaryas. Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnu Svami. Latest, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu also, even Sankaracarya, he also accepts Krsna-sa bhagavan svayam krsna. So the verdict of the modern acaryas, and in the past also, Vyasadeva, Narada, Asita, everyone accepted Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Arjuna, who heard from Krsna, after understanding Bhagavad-gita, he said, param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan purusam adyam sasvatam [Bg. 10.12].

So everything is there. Especially in India, we have got so much asset for understanding God. Simple thing. Everything is there ready made. But we won't accept. So what is the remedy for such disease? We are searching after peace, but we won't accept anything which is actually giving us peace. This is our disease. So this Krsna consciousness movement is trying to awaken the dormant Krsna consciousness in everyone's heart. Otherwise, how these Europeans and Americans and other countrymen, they never heard of Krsna four or five years ago, how they are taking Krsna consciousness so seriously? Krsna consciousness is there in everyone's heart. It has to be awakened only. That is described in the Caitanya-caritamrta

nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti 'sadhya' kabhu naya
sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya

It is awakened. Love for Krsna, devotion for Krsna, is there within everyone's heart, but he has forgotten. So this Krsna consciousness movement is simply meant for awakening that Krsna consciousness. This is the process. Just like when you are sleeping, your, I have to call you loudly -- "Mr. such and such, such and such, get up. You have got this business." No other senses will act when you are sleeping. But the ear will act. Therefore, in this age, when people are so fallen they will not hear anything, if we chant this Hare Krsna maha-mantra, he'll be awakened to Krsna consciousness. This is practical.

So actually if we are anxious for peace and tranquillity in society, then we must be very serious to understand Krsna. That is our request. Don't take it neglectfully, the Krsna consciousness movement. This movement can solve all the problems of life, all the problems in the world. Social, political, philosophical, religious, economical -- everything can be solved by Krsna consciousness. Therefore, we request those who are leaders -- just like His Excellency is present here -- you should try to understand this Krsna consciousness movement. It is very scientific, authorized. It is not a mental concoction or sentimental movement. It is most scientific movement. So we are inviting all leaders from all countries: try to understand. If you are sober, if you are actually reasonable, you'll understand that this Krsna consciousness movement is the sublime movement for the welfare of the whole human society. That's a fact. Anyone may come. We are prepared to discuss this subject matter. Krsna bhuliya jiva bhoga vancha kare. We should not...

Our human life, the ultimate goal of human life is to achieve immortality. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9], This is our..., we have forgotten this. We are simply leading the life of cats and dogs, without any knowledge that we can achieve that perfection of life when there will be no more birth, no more death. We do not understand even that there is possibility of amrtatvam. But everything is possible. Amrtatvam. Nobody wants to die. That's a fact. Nobody wants to become old man, nobody wants to become diseased. This is our natural inclination. Why? Because originally, in our spiritual form, there is no birth, no death, no old age, no disease. So after evolutionary process down from the aquatics, birds, beasts, plants, trees, when you come to this form of human form of body after... Asitim caturas caiva laksams tad jiva-jatisu. This is evolutionary process. We come to the human form of body. Then we should know what is the goal of life. The goal of life is amrtatvam, to become immortal. That you can become immortal simply by becoming Krsna conscious. Krsna says. It is a fact. We have to simply understand. Janma karma me divyam yo janati tattvatah. If you try to understand Krsna in truth, tattvatah, then, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9], after giving up this body, you don't accept any more material body. And as soon as you don't accept any material body means you become immortal. Because by nature we are immortal.

So Krsna advents, Krsna advents to teach us this lesson, that "You are immortal by nature. As spirit soul you are part and parcel of Me. I am as immortal. So you are also immortal. Unnecessarily, you are trying to be happy in this material world."

mamaivamso jiva bhuto
jiva-loke sanatanah
manah sastanindriyani
prakrti-sthani karsati
 [Bg. 15.7]

Simply struggle for..., unnecessarily. The best thing is that you have enjoyed sense life in so many varieties of life, as cats, as dogs, as demigods, as tree, as plants, as insect. Now, in this human form of life, don't be captivated by sensuous life. Just try to understand Krsna. That is the verdict of the sastras. Nayam deho deha-bhajam nrloke kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye [SB 5.5.1]. To work very hard like dogs and hog for sense gratification is not the ambition of human life. Human life is meant for little austerity. Tapo divyam putraka yena suddhyet sattvam. We have to purify our existence. That is the mission of human life. Why I shall purify my sattva existence? Brahma-saukhyam tv anantam. Then you get unlimited pleasure, unlimited happiness. That is real pleasure. Ramante yogino 'nante satyananda-cid-atmani iti rama-padenasau param brahmabhidhiyate [Cc. Madhya 9.29].

So, at least in India, all the great personalities, saintly persons, sages and acaryas, they have cultivated this spiritual knowledge so nicely and fully, and we are not taking advantage of it. It is not that those sastras and directions are meant for the Indians or for the Hindus or for brahmanas. No. It is meant for everyone. Because Krsna claims

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

Krsna claims that "I am everyone's father." Therefore, He is very much anxious to make us peaceful, happy. Just like the father wants to see his son is well situated and happy; similarly, Krsna also wants to see every one of us happy and well-situated. Therefore He comes sometimes. Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati [Bg. 4.7]. This is the purpose of Krsna's advent. So those who are servants of Krsna, devotees of Krsna, they should take the mission of Krsna. They should take up the mission of Krsna. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's version.

amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa
yare dekha, tare kaha, 'krsna'-upadesa
 [Cc. Madhya 7.128]

 Krsna-upadesa. Just try to preach what Krsna has said in the Bhagavad-gita. That is the duty of every Indian. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says.

bharata-bhumite manusya janma haila yara
janma sarthaka kari para-upakara.
 [Cc. Adi 9.41]

So Indians, Indians are meant for para-upakara. Indians are not meant for exploiting others. That is not Indians' business. Indian history is all along for para-upakara. And formerly, from all parts of the world, used to come to India to learn what is spiritual life. Even Jesus Christ went there. And from China and from other countries. That is history. And we are forgetting our own asset. How much we are callous. Such a great movement, Krsna consciousness, is going on all over the world, but our Indians are callous, our government is callous. They do not take. That is our misfortune. But it is the Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission. He says any Indian, bharata bhumite manusya janma, if he's human being, he must make his life perfect by taking advantage of this Vedic literature and distribute the knowledge all over the world. That is para-upakara. So India can do. They are actually appreciating. These Europeans, American young men, they are appreciating that how great... I get daily dozens of letter, how they are benefited by this movement. Actually, that is the fact. It is giving the life for the dead man. So I shall specially request the Indians, especially His Excellency, kindly cooperate with this movement, and try to make successful your life and others' life. That is the mission of Krsna, advent of Krsna.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Janmastami Lord Sri Krsna's Appearance Day Lecture -- London, August 21, 1973

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When I Went To Your Country...

26 Jan 73 , Calcutta

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Prabhupada: ... and sat means om tat sat, the Absolute Truth. Sannyasa. (aside:) So stop that sound. So renouncement, simply giving up something, is not very good idea. You must have something better. Param drstva nivartate [Bg. 9.59]. If you get something better, then you give up something inferior. Our Vaisnava philosophy, renouncement means renouncement of sense gratification. The Mayavada sannyasa means karma-tyaga, simply reading Vedanta philosophy, sankhya philosophy, and everything given up. But our Vaisnava philosophy is giving up the wrong thing and accepting the right thing. Side by side. Simply if I give up, it will not stay very long time. If I simply by sentiment give up, brahma satyam jagan mithya, "This world is false and Brahman is the real, reality," so there are so many sannyasis, we see, they give up the so-called mithya world and come to the Brahman realization by meditation, by meditation, meditation... Then meditation means hospital and school. Because there is no Brahman, there is no reality. So after much meditation, (he) comes to the conclusion that "Now I am a sannyasi. I must open schools, college and daridra-narayana seva and goat-narayana killing." This kind of sannyasa has no meaning. Daridra-narayana seva. By killing goat narayana. Goat is not Narayana. Simply daridras are Narayana. If you accept one as Narayana, why should you not accept the other as Narayana?

So this kind of false sannyasa is not accepted by the Vaisnavas. Vaisnavas, they accept sannyasa for better activities. For better activities means dedicated life for satisfying the Supreme Lord. Mam ekam saranam vraja. Anyone who has sacrificed his life for Krsna, he's sannyasa. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita: anasritah karma-phalam karyam karma karoti yah, sa sannyasi [Bg. 6.1]. Na niragnir na cakriyah. One who has given up... A sannyasi is not supposed to cook. Ni, niragnih. And na niragnir na yogi. But anasritah karma-phalam. Tyagi means karma-phala tyaga. This is tyaga, real tyaga. Suppose you are working. You are doing some business and getting lakhs of rupees' profit. If you can give up that profit for Krsna, that is sannyasa. Otherwise, "I shall enjoy fully the profit and I have become a great devotee"? No. Sannyasa means, as it is stated, anasritah karma-phalam. Karma-phalam. There must be some karma-phala, whatever you do. There must be some result, bad or good. So anasritah, without taking shelter of the result of activities, karyam karma karo... "It is my duty." Just like Arjuna did. Arjuna understood that Krsna wanted the fight. He took it, karyam, that "I, this, this, I must do. This I must do. Krsna wants it. Because my business is to satisfy Krsna. I cannot become nonviolent as I wanted to become falsely, 'Krsna, I don't want to fight with my cousin-brothers, my nephews, my grandfather.' That was my sense gratification." Krsna immediately said, "What kind of nonsense you are talking, that you won't fight, won't fight? This is not good." Kutas tva kasmalam idam visame... "What kind of nonsense you are speaking? You have come to fight in the battlefield, and now you are talking that nonviolence. So don't talk all this nonsense because you are My friend, My cousin-brother. It does not look well." Anarya-justam asvargyam akirti-karam. [Bg. 2.2] "These things are done by the anaryas, not by a gentleman." Anarya-justam akirti-karam. "You, this, this will be infamous for you. Don't do like that." Then He explained to him Bhagavad-gita. And when he understood, then he took sannyasa. What is that sannyasa? Karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73] "Yes, I'll fight." That's all.

So this is sannyasa. Anasritah karma-phalam [Bg. 6.1]. He was first of all judging, "If I kill my cousin-brothers, my grandfather, there will be bad result. I'll go to hell." Now, later on decided, "Hell or heaven, I don't care for it." That is called anasritah. "I don't take shelter of hell or heaven. I take shelter of Krsna." A devotee does not discriminate what is hell or what is heaven. Narayana-parah sarve na kascana na bibhyati [SB 6.17.28]. One who is Narayana parah, devotee, he doesn't care for what is hell or heaven. Svargapavarga-narakesu api tulyartha-darsinah. A devotee... Just like Narada: he goes to hell, he goes to heaven. He has got freedom to go everywhere. Tulyartha-darsinah. For him, there is no hell, there is no heaven. He's preaching Krsna consciousness wherever he goes. That's all. He has nothing to do. Just like we went to that Savarmati jail in Ahmedabad. We were received by the jail authorities, where Gandhi was put into jail. Who was with me in that...? You were... You were also there. No. So we went to jail. There, they made very good arrangement. The prisoners, they received us, they chanted Hare Krsna mantra. So it was a good function. So we want to, went to jail. But what we have got to do with the jail? We have no business with the jail. Similarly sometimes we are invited in a very rich man's house, governor's house. We go there. That is heaven. So we have nothing to take, either from this heaven or from that hell. We have to chant Hare Krsna mantra anywhere. That is our business.

So,

narayana-parah sarve
na kutascana bibhyati
svargapavarga-narakesv
api tulyartha-darsinah
 [SB 6.17.28]

So this renouncement, for preaching Krsna consciousness, that is real sannyasa. Just like when I went to your country, actually sometimes I had to live in a hell according to our Indian standard, Vedic standard. So what can be done? Hell or heaven, I have to do my duty. It doesn't matter. Factually... I do not want to describe those things. So this sannyasa means do not care for personal sense gratification -- "Oh, this is inconvenience. This is convenience." Simply go on preaching Krsna consciousness. So this sannyasa. Anasritah karma-phalam karyam karma karoti yah, sa sannyasi yogi. He's yogi, he's sannyasi in everything, who is simply working for Krsna. There will be some result, loss or gain. So if there is loss, that is Krsna's. If there is gain, that is also Krsna's. Not that loss is Krsna's and gain is mine. No. Not like that. Everything Krsna's. We have to work for Krsna. So, so take this mantra.

Syamasundara: These are the copies of the two mantras. Two pages.

Prabhupada: No. Come one. First Bhavananda come. You also come. Chant this mantra: Etam... (devotees chant this mantra responsively with Prabhupada.) No. Stand up. Etam.... Stand up.

etam sa asthaya paratma-nistham
upasitam purvatamair mahadbhih
aham tarisyami duranta-param
tamo mukundanghri-nisevayaiva

(Sloka is chanted responsively two more times) Come on. Whose this is? Yours? Give that garland. Come on. Give him garland.
Devotee: Haribol!

Prabhupada: Yes. Stand up. So... So the purport of this verse, etam sa asthaya, this sannyasa order I am accepting. Why? Etam sa asthaya paratma-nistham. Just to fix up my mind steadily on the lotus feet of the Supreme Lord, paratma-nistha. My only life is meant for serving the Supreme Lord, original Narayana, not daridra-narayana. That is my istha. Etam sa asthaya paratma-nistha. You... If we serve the Supreme Narayana, the daridra-narayana is automatically... There is no such word as daridra-narayana. The poor souls, they can be served automatically. Just like taror mula-nisecanena trpyanti tat-skandha-bhujopasakhah. If the root is watered, then the trunk and branches and the twigs and the flowers, automatically... Pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam. Pranopaharac. Just like offering foodstuff to the stomach. Then every indriya, every sense is satisfied. Two, two examples are given. One may argue, "Suppose I am watering. That is also nice. I water to the root, I water to the leaf also." The injunction is that there is no necessity of watering the leaves. You simply water the root. But if you argue that "What is the harm...? Suppose I... Root, offer water to the root, as well as to the leaves and twigs." Just like somebody says, "All right. Why we shall only worship Krsna? Why not other demigods?" although it is not necessary. But the next example is given that, pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam. Just like offering foodstuff to the stomach, the senses automatically become healthy, then now, if you say, in the same way... Just like offering to the root as well as to the leaves, that "Yes, I shall offer foodstuff to the stomach as well as to the ears and eyes." Then what the result will be? The result will be that your eyes and ears will be stopped functioning. Therefore this very example is given. This, this is not required at all. Similarly, by worshiping Krsna, you don't require to endeavor to worship the demigods, to worship the daridras, to worship the this and that. It will be automatically done.

Just like in our temples, everywhere, we are daily feeding so many daridras. So many. In Los Angeles, in New York, and Mayapur also, daily we are feeding five hundred to one thousand people. They are daridras. So that is the duty of every temple. There we're feeding not only Hindus and, only, but Muslims also. Anyone. Anyone come here and take prasadam. And the whole village is so satisfied with these activities. Temple means there must be sufficient foodstuff. Anyone who comes for foodstuff, he should be given. So by worshiping Krsna, these things automatically done. There is no need of extra endeavor. Paratma-nistha. This is called paratma-nistha. Etam sa asthaya paratma-nistha. Not only now. From time immemorial, all the temples in India, they have got sufficient foodstuff. Even at Natha-dvara, if you pay them only one anna or four annas, they'll give you so much nice prasadam. The two annas, four annas, the priestly order, they take. Otherwise, prasada is distributed. So by worshiping Krsna... Krsna is not hungry. He's fully satisfied. He doesn't require to eat. Temple worship means to distribute the prasadam to the poor. That is temple worship. Temple worship does not mean that you, you bring some rice from the neighborers and cook it and eat yourself and sit, sleep down, nice. No. Temple worship means you must distribute prasadam... You should... To the poor. Everyone is poor. Not that the rich man is not poor. Actually I have seen one rich man, he was coming for asking some prasadam. In my, before when I taking, when I was grhastha, I was going in so many temples, asking for some prasadam. That's a long history. So there is no question of, if one is financially poor, he should come to the temple. Everyone should come to the temple and ask for prasada. That is required.

So paratma-nistham. The sannyasi should worship the Deity in the temple and feed the poor. Poor does not mean that one who has no legs, no ears, or no... Poor... Everyone who is spiritually poor, he should be given prasadam. By eating, prasade sarva-duhkhanam hanir asyopajayate. That is called paramatma-nistham. Yajna. It is called yajna-sistasino santo mucyante sarva-kilbisaih. It is not poor-feeding. It is distributing the resultant action of yajna. This worship is yajna. So yajna-sistasino... If you feed some men, not the so-called poor, everyone, then they'll be freed from their sinful activities. Yajna-sistasino santah mucyante sarva-kilbisaih. Kilbisaih means sinful activities. Therefore prasada distribution. Because everyone is engaged simply duskrtinah, simply sinful activities. Eating everything, doing everything, and they're life is full of sinful activities. Therefore to deliver them this prasada distribution is required. Mucyante sarva-kilbisaih. Not that cooking in an, like a hotel, and sometimes, out of compassion, we distribute prasadam. That kind of, means bhunjate te agham papa ye pacanty atma-karanat [Bg. 3.13]. Simply for feeding myself or yourself. Just like in marriage ceremony and other ceremonies we do. That, that bhunjate te agham papa, they're simply eating papa. Therefore we are prohibited to take prasadam anywhere and everywhere. Because if there is no Deity worship, if we take food from their house, then we partake the sin, resultant action of their sinful activities. We should be careful. Unless it is prasadam, if we accept invitation from anywhere and everywhere, that means we are accepting the sinful activities, resultant action of the sin, person. Therefore a sannyasi... And it was, formerly, this was the regulation, that sannyasi would take prasadam in the house of a brahmana, because a brahmana is supposed to worshiper of Narayana. In every house of a brahmana there was Narayana-sila. Still some rigid brahmanas, they worship. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu even, He did not accept prasadam from a non-Vaisnava brahmana. He must be brahmana, at the same time, Vaisnava. Then He would accept.

So this regulation we should follow. We should not accept food, (only) prasadam. If anyone wants to give us food, then he must arrange for cooking food and offering to the Narayana, to the Visnu, Krsna. Then we can take. This is the... Otherwise we... Bhunjate te agham papa ye pacanty atma... People who are cooking for eating oneself, that cooking, that eating is simply sinful. Without prasadam, whatever we eat, that is, we are eating sin, That's all. Therefore we must suffer. We should be careful. Bhunjate te agham papa. This is paratma-nistha, that we should not accept anything which is not offered to Visnu, or Krsna. Paratma-nistham. Etam sa asthaya paratma-nistham. This nistha is not invented by us. Purvatamair mahadbhih upasitam. All great predecessors... There were other sannyasis, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, even Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He was a sannyasi. So purvatamair mahadbhih upasitam. These actions were executed by our previous acaryas. Purvatamair mahadbhih upasitam. Mahadbhih. Mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. You have to follow the acarya. Acarya upasana. Aham... The, what will be the result? Now, aham tarisyami. I shall cross over.... Tarisyami. Duranta-param. The extensive, unlimitedly extensive, the ocean of material existence. Aham tarisyami duranta-param tama. Tama means this material world, which is darkness. Because our business is to go out of this darkness to the light. Tamasi ma jyotir gama. We have to go to the light. So this is the process. Aham... And what is that process? Tama mukundanghri-nisevayaiva. Mukunda means Krsna, one who gives liberation. Hari. Hari means one who takes away all your sinful activities. Aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66]. He's taking; therefore His name is Hari. Mukundanghri. Another name is Mukunda. Mukunda means... Muk means mukti, and ananda means bliss. Krsna gives you mukti, deliverance, deliverance from this tama, this material world, and gives you transcendental bliss; therefore His name is Mukunda. Mukundanghri: the lotus feet of Mukunda. Nisevayaiva. Simply by serving the lotus feet of Mukunda, I can do this. This is the sum and substance.

So this sannyasa order, although it is prohibited in this age... Because so many rascals will accept sannyasa and do all nonsense things; therefore sannyasa is prohibited. Just like nowadays in Kali-yuga the, some of the sannyasis, they are eating meat. Disastrous. So this kind of rascal sannyasism is prohibited in the sastra. Sannyasam pala-paitrkam, devarena sutotpattim kalau panca vivarjayet [Cc. Adi 17.164]. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Vaisnava acaryas, they took sannyasa for preaching work, not for doing rascaldom. Preaching work. So Mukunda aham nisevaye. Mukundanghri-nisevayaiva. Simply by serving... Mukunda, Krsna, what does He want? He wants that this philosophy of Krsna, Bhagavad-gita, should be spread all over the world. You take up this determination and be steady in your sannyasi. That is my request.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sannyasa Initiation Lecture -- Calcutta, January 26, 1973

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