Prabhupada: Yes. (Child talking
and Prabhupada says something in Hindi) Dr. Ghora (?), you can say. The aim
should be samsiddhih hari-tosanam. But if we don't care for this proposition...
They do not know what is God, neither we don't want to satisfy Him, "He may be
satisfied or not satisfied. Let us go on with our business." (Hindu)Indian
man (1): A lot of dangers will be there. We'll be putting ourself into
trouble.
Prabhupada: Yes, we are in trouble. Even last war, when the trouble was too much, they began to go to the church. Even Churchill. And one gentleman -- he is my Godbrother in Germany -- he told me, after this war many German men and women became atheist. Everyone went to the church and prayed. Especially women prayed for return of their husband, brother, father. And nobody returned. So they thought, "There is no God. So forget about all these things." People became atheist. So this risky civilization is going on. They don't want to know what is God, neither they want to satisfy Him. And our Krsna consciousness movement is just the opposite, that "Here is God. You satisfy Him." That's all. "Never mind what you are, but by your occupational duty you satisfy Him. That is perfection." This is our Krsna consciousness movement. And this is taught in the Bhagavad-gita. Krsna ultimately said this: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. In the beginning He said, yat karosi yat juhosi yad asnasi yat tapasyasi kurusva tad mad arpanam: [Bg. 9.27] "Do it for Me." Yat karosi. It doesn't matter what you are doing. And very good work or bad work or anything, when He says, yat karosi, means "Whatever you are doing, do it, but the result give Me." Kurusva tad mad-arpanam. This is His desire. And at last again He said that sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. This is the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, and if somebody would say that "Simply I have to satisfy You? Then I have to satisfy others also. If I do not do, then I will be sinful," that, Krsna says, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah: [Bg. 18.66] "Don't worry. If there is any reaction, not doing other duty, simply to surrender to Me, and if there is sinful reaction, then I'll give you protection. Don't worry." This is the conclusion. And we are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is, that's all, without any malinterpretation. Everyone is interpreting in his own way. But we are not interpreting. We are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is. And it is becoming effective. Bhagavad-gita was studied in the Western countries since a long time, since seventeenth century -- but not like this. Before me, many swamis, yogis, they came to the Western countries, and most of them spoke on Bhagavad-gita, but not a single person was a devotee of Krsna. But now they are becoming by hundreds because the Bhagavad-gita is presented as it is. This is the comparison. We have got Christians, Mohammedans, then Buddhist, Africans. Everyone we have got in our society, all very devout executor of our mission. Now here is Mr. Attar. Now he is Atreya Rsi. Whatever he is earning, he is spending for Krsna. Samsiddhih hari-tosanam. He is trying to satisfy Krsna. That is wanted. So in the dictionary it is stated, "Krsna is a Hindu god." He is not a Hindu god; He is God. But He appeared in India. He remained in the Vedic culture. Lord Buddha was also Hindu. And he was in Vedic culture. Later on he spread his own mission. That is also Hindu culture, ahimsa, nonviolence. Lord Buddha... kesava dhrta-buddha. The same Krsna, His powerful avatara, Lord Buddha. Kesava dhrta-buddha-sarira jaya jagadisa hare. We offer our prayers to Lord Buddha. Christ was also for twelve years in India. He... Christ, the word Christ and kristo, there is similarity. He also propagated love of God. That is Krsna. So we are spreading this Krsna consciousness, and you are all Indians. It is your duty to see that the movement is pushed forward. Pranair arthair dhiya vaca: "By your life, by your money, by your good intelligence and by your words." Our mission is to spread the words of Krsna. We don't manufacture anything. Why should we manufacture? Everything is there perfectly. What Krsna says, it is perfect. If I manufacture something, that is imperfect because I am imperfect. So how can I speak perfectly, or how can I give perfect knowledge? It is not possible because I am defective, I commit mistake, I am sometimes illusioned. Why sometimes? Practically always. Everyone is thinking that he is this body -- he is Indian, he is American, he is Hindu, he is Muslim. That is illusion. He is not this body. Similarly, our senses are imperfect, and so long we are in the imperfect condition, if we teach, that means we cheat. I have no perfect knowledge, and still, I am trying to teach. That is cheating. Nobody should try to preach with imperfect knowledge. That is cheating. That is stated in the sastra: bhrama, pramada, vipralipsa and karana-patava. We are qualified with these imperfections, and therefore we cannot manufacture. Somebody says "in my opinion." So what is the value of your opinion? You are imperfect. If the child says "in my opinion," what is the value? Therefore we don't say, "in my opinion," "our opinion." We say "Krsna says this," that's all. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is... He says,
amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa
yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
He says that "All of you, you become guru." Just like I am requesting all Indians outside that I am alone trying to spread this Indian culture, why not you also join? You also become guru. So how to become guru? Not that simply by advertising that one has become guru all of a sudden, no. Guru means, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Whomever you meet, you just instruct him in what Krsna says, that's all. You become guru. It is not very difficult to become guru, provided we simply preach the instruction of Krsna. That we are doing. We do not say that we are perfect, we have become God, or we have so many, so many magic jugglery. No, we have nothing to do, that. No magic, no jugglery, no God. Simply to become servant of God, and whomever we meet, we speak the words of God, that's all. Then you become guru. This is our mission. That we may be imperfect, that doesn't matter. We are imperfect. Just like this child, he is imperfect. Everyone knows. But if he says, "My father has informed me that this is microphone," so this knowledge of "is microphone" is perfect because he has received from the father, experienced father. And before hearing from the father, he may not know that this is microphone, but since he has heard from the father that this is microphone, and if he says to others that "My father has said, 'This is microphone,' " then people will accept this is perfect knowledge. So we should follow this instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. So you, every one of you, can become guru. You may say that "I am not interested to become a guru," but Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that if you are not interested, that is not very good. You should be interested. You must be guru. That is success of your life. You can speak the instruction of Krsna, even to your family. That also guru. You are actually guru. The father or the head of the family is guru to the children, to the wife. In India still, the wife addresses the husband as pati-guru. And father is guru. That is natural. So why don't you become real guru to your wife, to your children, and instruct Bhagavad-gita as it is? This is our mission. You sit down in the evening, chant Hare Krsna mantra, and teach little instruction from the Bhagavad-gita. See how the life changes. Is that very difficult task? Boliye.
Indian man (2): No, no.
Prabhupada: So do that. Don't approach the cheater guru, bluffer guru, and be cheated. Stop this business. This has spoiled the whole spiritual atmosphere of the world. Take guru, the supreme guru, Krsna. Krsna, when in Mahabharata when Maharaja Yudhisthira performed rajasuya yajna, in the rajasuya yajna one person is elected the chief guest. So in that yajna many big, big demigods were present, and Bhismadeva was present, Vyasadeva was present, and many, many other saintly person, brahmana, from the whole universe were present. And Krsna was decided to be accepted as the... Everyone agreed to accept Him as the chief guest. And the Sisupala, he protested. Then everyone was angry to kill him. So Krsna is accepted the guru by everyone. By our acaryas, recent acaryas, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya... I am not speaking of the loafer class, but those who are recognized acaryas, Sankaracarya... They accepted Krsna as the supreme guru. Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So accept Krsna as the supreme guru and follow His instruction and try to convince others. "Others" means even your family members. That is success of life. Samsiddhih hari-tosanam. Why should you lead your life blindly? This human life is meant for enlightenment, supreme enlightenment, and this is supreme enlightenment, to understand the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and preach it as far as you can. If not, you can preach amongst your family members. This is perfection of life. What is that verse? Ya imam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati. That is the desire of Krsna.
Nitai:
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesu abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
[Bg 18.68]
"For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me."
Prabhupada: Next? Na ca tasman...
Nitai:
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad
anyah priyataro bhuvi
[Bg. 18.69]
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be anyone more dear."
Prabhupada: So this is the easiest process, that you learn Bhagavad-gita. Don't misinterpret. There is no question of misinterpretation. They, by their, what is called, crippled mind, they misinterpret. Otherwise there is no question of. Where is the difficulty to understand? So Krsna says, "Anyone who preaches this Krsna philosophy, He is My dearmost person." So if you are recognized by Krsna, then that is samsiddhih hari-tosanam. That is wanted. Boliye. Any question? (Pause) No question? Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg. 4.34]. There must be pariprasna, yes or no?
Indian man (3): Well, the question was the satisfaction of the God, that we satisfy our Lord. Now, what are the means to satisfy the Lord?
Prabhupada: That He says: that you preach, you become guru. That is already explained. Ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesu abhidhasyati [Bg 18.68]. That is... He says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Everything is there. Where is the difficulty? If I say that "You do this. I will (be) satisfied," you do that; you will satisfy me. What is the difficulty?
Indian man (4): And the part where you, which you said to preach Krsna's... to attain the satisfaction of..., but what you have already said, that one should first know himself first, basic...
Prabhupada: Himself?
Indian man (4): What Krsna stands and what Krsna means in the Bhagavad-gita.
Prabhupada: That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Why don't you...?
Indian man (4): Yes. When we say we start preaching, so first one... somebody has to know himself.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Indian man (4): Then he can come forward for preaching.
Prabhupada: So why don't you know yourself? Why you are in darkness? Krsna says everything in the Bhagavad-gita. In the beginning He says, dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam [Bg. 2.13]. In this body there is the occupier of the body. So if you think yourself that you are this body, that is your wrong. You try to understand that "I am not this body; I am spirit soul, aham brahmasmi." That's the fact. So this human life is meant for that purpose. So why should you not do it? Why should you keep yourself in darkness? That is very risky. If I keep myself in the darkness like cats and dogs, that "I am this body," then my life is very risky. By nature's way we are given this opportunity, human form of life. If we do not understand our position, if we remain in the same category, bodily concept of life, then we are missing the chance. After all, you have to change this body. It is not permanent settlement that you shall remain Indian, you shall remain American. No. Tatha dehantara-praptih [Bg. 2.13]. You have to change. Now what kind of body you are going to get, that you have to understand. That is responsibility. So this child, this boy, if he remains in darkness that he will continue this childhood body, and father, mother will take care of him -- "I don't require to take any education" -- then future life, when he will be young man, he will be not nicely posted for want of education. Then how miserable it will be. Similarly, if we don't take care of this education that "I am not this body, my future body will be different, and if I do not know what kind of different body I'll have to accept..." Suppose we accept some lower grade of body. Then what is my future? So if we don't understand this philosophy as Krsna teaches, asmin dehe dehinah, "Within this body there is the occupier, soul," so if you do not understand, that is very risky life. Nature's way must go on. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27]. We cannot control over the nature's way. And we get our next body according to the association of different modes of nature. Karanam guna-sangah asya. Everything is there. Why do you not study? Why you remain in darkness? What is this life? Is that very good life? You, what is your name?
Atreya Rsi: Mr. Sahani.
Prabhupada: Sahani, yes. Mr. Sahani, do you think is that very nice life, to remain in darkness for our future life?
Mr. Sahani: Not at all.
Prabhupada: That's it. (says something in Hindi regarding dandavat) (chuckles) That is very good. That is our process. Sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-
Indian man (5): ...our Krsna consciousness movement, is there any different methods?
Prabhupada: No, methods I have all explained. Krsna bhakta means do what Krsna says. That is Krsna bhakti. Anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. Just like Arjuna did. He did not like to fight with his cousin-brothers, but after hearing instruction of Krsna, he said, "Yes," nasto mohah, "my illusion is now over." Smrtir labdha: "I have got my consciousness." Karisye vacanam tava: [Bg. 18.73] "I shall act as You are saying, that's all." This is Krsna bhakta. We may have different decisions. That is natural. But when you agree to abide by the orders of Krsna, then your life is perfect. That is Krsna consciousness. So you have to agree. Krsna does not force; He says, "Do this like this," and if we agree, then we are Krsna conscious.
Devotee (1): Can you satisfy equally as brahmacari or grhastha or sannyasi? Can you satisfy equally in whatever path you have chosen?
Prabhupada: Yes, yes. The satisfaction is the point. So just like the head of the family, he is asking his wife to do something, children to do something, servant to do something. So if they are doing according to the order, then it is very nice. The head of the family is satisfied, and everything is going nicely. Anywhere, in office also. There are different officers, secretaries, managers, and the director. He has given: "You do this. You do that. You do that. You do that." So if they do their duty, then everything is nice. Just like in your body. Here also we have got different parts. The hand does something, the leg something, the belly something, the brain something. What the brain does, the leg does not do. But the leg is doing for the satisfaction of the whole body. The brain is doing for the satisfaction of the whole body. Hand is doing for the satisfaction of the whole body. That is required, not that what is brain doing, the leg has to do the same. The leg may do his own way, but the aim is satisfaction of the order of the... I ask the leg, "Please take me from this room to that room." That is leg's duty. I am satisfied. So not that Krsna is only one-sided. That they do not understand. Krsna is the isvara, controller of the whole creation. So if He gives you something to do for His satisfaction, you do that. It does not matter whether you are doing the same thing. The same example: Leg is doing something else than the hand, hand is doing something else than the brain, but the real purpose is to satisfy the whole. So Krsna is not asking Vyasadeva to come and fight in the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Vyasadeva is doing his own work. He is writing literature, Vedavyasa. He is asking Arjuna to fight. But although the activities are different-Vyasadeva is writing Vedanta-sutra, and Arjuna is fighting -- but both of them are equally important. Krsna says Arjuna, bhakto 'si: "You are My very dear friend," and priyo 'si [Bg. 4.3], "Therefore I shall speak to you about this Bhagavad-gita." Krsna did not say, "Call Vyasadeva. I have to speak Bhagavad-gita. He is learned scholar." No. Arjuna was not a learned scholar; he was a warrior. And he was a grhastha, busy in politics. Still, He called Arjuna, "Yes, I shall speak to you Bhagavad-gita." Why? Bhakto 'si: "You are My devotee." So to become devotee doesn't require that one has to become very big scholar or very rich man. No. Simply you have to agree, "Yes, Sir, what You say I shall do," that's all. This is bhakta. To become bhakta is not very difficult thing. You simply agree, "Krsna, what You say, I shall do," that's all. Karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. That is, perfection. So Krsna wants this. This is the common formula for all. Ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesu abhidhasyati [Bg 18.68]. "Anyone who speaks about this Bhagavad-gita, sarva-dharman pari..., he is very dear to Me." So agree to that proposal, that "We shall speak to everyone about this Bhagavad-gita as Krsna has spoken." Then you become a bhakta. That's all. You can do it in your office. You can do in your home. Krsna does not say that "First of all you become a sannyasi and you change your dress and become like these Krsna conscious men." No. You remain in your position. But do this. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's... Sthane sthitah sruti-gatam tanu-van-manobhih. You remain in your place, sthane sthitah. Simply you hear from Krsna or from Krsna's representative and do it, that's all. Where is the difficulty? Boliye.
Mr. Sahani: No difficulty.
Prabhupada: It is my request that you are so many respectable Indian gentlemen here, and we are preaching Krsna's message. You come forward. You learn more and join this mission. It is not meant for Mr. Attar; it is meant for everyone, especially for the Indians. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that also, bharata-bhumite manusya-janma haila yara [Cc. Adi 9.41]. Bharata-bhumite means in the land of Bharatavarsa. Bharata-bhumi is considered punya-bhumi. So you are fortunate that you have taken birth as human being in India. It is the result of much pious activities. Indians are naturally Krsna conscious. Now this gentleman, Mr. George, what is his name, full name?
Devotee (2): John(?) (Jordon?)
Prabhupada: Oh. The Canadian ambassador. He came to see me. He saw me in Delhi when our function was going on. He was speaking; he was so surprised. So this movement has got good potency, and every one of you join.
bharata-bhumite manusya-janma haila yara
janma sarthaka kari 'kara para-upakara
[Cc. Adi 9.41]
This is para-upakara. The whole world is in darkness without Krsna consciousness. So enlighten them, para-upakara. Human life is for para-upakara; it is not animal life. To do good to others. Cats and dogs, they are selfish. But human life should be for para-upakara. So this is the biggest para-upakara movement. And it is very easy to take part in it. You don't require to be very expert. You... Everything is there. You simply carry the message like peon. Krsna says this; kindly follow; that's all. We don't say that "I say this. I have manufactured this. I have become very big man, God." We don't say nonsense. It is all nonsense. Simply carry the message of Krsna; then you are perfect. In the Western countries they are little fond of yoga. So the yoga system is also spoken by Krsna in the Sixth Chapter. But the conclusion is, when Arjuna refused, "My dear Krsna, it is not possible for me. This meditation, this pranayama and dhyana, dharana, yama, niyama, dhyana, it is not possible for me. I am a politician. I have no time either" -- he said frankly -- then Krsna satisfied him that "You are already the best of the yogis."
yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gata antaratmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah
[Bg. 6.47]
"You are already yogi, first-class yogi, because you are always thinking of Me." So this is the standard of first-class yogi, to remain always in Krsna consciousness and try to execute His will, that's all. That is first-class yogi, Krsna says. You haven't got to get certificate from anyone else. Krsna says. Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gata antaratmana. Who is always thinking of Krsna antaratmana, that is real yoga. Yoga means dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah [SB 12.13.1]. One who is always thinking of Krsna by dhyana, by meditation, that is real yoga. And Krsna says also. He confirms the same, that mad-gata antaratmana, sraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo. Then he is first-class yogi. This bodily exercise is meant for person who is in the bodily concept of life. One who understands that "I am not this body; I am part and parcel of Krsna. My duty is to serve Krsna," that is first-class yogi. So become first-class yogi, first-class recognized person by Krsna. Make your life success. That is Krsna consciousness movement. So what was your question?
Guest: Me?
Prabhupada: Yes?
Guest: My question?
Prabhupada: Yes, question, you question something.
Guest: It's just people... For example, could the president of the Coca-Cola company find the way to Krsna, to serve Krsna?
Prabhupada: Yes, everyone can serve. Cola company?
Guest: Coca-Cola company.
Prabhupada: Coca-Cola.
Guest: Somebody that manufactures a product which is basically destructive.
Prabhupada: No. Coca-Cola company... Of course, we advise... Krsna advises, yat karosi. It includes Coca-Cola company. But He said yat karosi: "Whatever you do." Krsna said, "Whatever you do." So that includes all kinds of activities. But will the Coca-Cola company agree to give the profit to Krsna? Then he is Krsna conscious. The profit he will enjoy for his wine and woman, that's all, not for Krsna. That is the difficulty.
Guest: Can the profit of the manufacture of something which is manufactured purely for profit be turned to good?
Prabhupada: Yes, if he gives to Krsna. Just like Arjuna. He fought. He killed. Killing is not good business, but he killed on the advice of Krsna, and he became a bhakta by killing. Krsna said, bhakto 'si. And what did he do? He killed, that's all. This is an example. Of course, bhakta never kills. Krsna... Arjuna was not willing to kill. But when he saw that "Krsna wants it, so this is my first business. Never mind I shall go to hell," that is Krsna conscious. "By killing my brother I may go to hell. It doesn't matter. But Krsna will be satisfied. That is my first business." Krsna sometimes pretended to be sick. And many physicians came, they could not cure Him, headache. So He suggested that "I think if My devotee gives their dust of foot on My head, then I'll be cured." Then every devotee was approached that "Give your dust of feet. Krsna wants it." Even Narada. So Narada said, "How it is possible I shall give my dust of feet to Krsna? No, no, no, it is not possible." But when the person, messenger, approached gopis in Vrndavana and they were informed that "Krsna is sick. So He wanted the dust of feet of the devotee to be applied on His head. Nobody gave it. So we have come last to you," so immediately: "Yes, yes, take it, take it." Immediately. So so much dust was collected. And Krsna was cured. So this is gopis. Others thought that "If I give the dust of my feet to Krsna, I may go to hell," but the gopis thought, "Let us go to hell, but let Krsna be cured." Therefore the gopis are the first-class devotee. They do not care for themselves. That is recommended by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargabhir ya kalpitah: "The process of worship as it was planned by the gopis in Vrndavana, there is no comparison. That is the highest devotion." They did not care for themself. They simply wanted to satisfy Krsna. When Krsna was playing flute at dead of night, all the gopis were flying to Krsna. His father, his husband -- "Where you are going in this dead of...? Where you are going?" They didn't care. Society, friendship, love -- all sacrificed: "We shall go to Krsna." This is krsna-bhakti. That is the highest perfection of life, to sacrifice everything for Krsna. "Only Krsna should be satisfied." That is Krsna consciousness. But that is not very easy job. But one can do if he likes, everything for Krsna. Krsna says also, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. Gopis did not care for social, for religious or family and nothing. Sarva-dharman parityajya. They went: "Krsna now is calling. Let us go." This is the typical example of sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam. So, of course, it is not possible to become on the standard of gopis. That is not possible. But at least we shall try to follow these devotees. Arjuna is there, gopis are there, Uddhavas are there -- many devotees. Lord Brahma is there. Lord Siva is there. Kapiladeva is there. The four Kumaras are there. Bhismadeva is there. Prahlada Maharaja is there. Janaka Maharaja is there. Sukadeva Gosvami is there. So mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. If we simply follow these big, big devotees, then our life is successful. For authorized persons' name, to follow them:
svayambhur naradah sambhuh
kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado bhismo janako
balir vaiyasakir vayam
[SB 6.3.20]
Twelve: Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Narada, then the four Kumaras, then Kapiladeva, then Prahlada Maharaja, Bhisma, Janaka Maharaja, Vyasadeva, er, no, Vaiyasaki, son of Vyasadeva. Not Vyasadeva -- son of Vyasadeva, Sukadeva Gosvami. Bali Maharaja and Yamaraja. These twelve mahajana, we can follow them. Sarvatma snapane balih. Bali Maharaja gave everything to Krsna. (end)
Prabhupada: Yes, we are in trouble. Even last war, when the trouble was too much, they began to go to the church. Even Churchill. And one gentleman -- he is my Godbrother in Germany -- he told me, after this war many German men and women became atheist. Everyone went to the church and prayed. Especially women prayed for return of their husband, brother, father. And nobody returned. So they thought, "There is no God. So forget about all these things." People became atheist. So this risky civilization is going on. They don't want to know what is God, neither they want to satisfy Him. And our Krsna consciousness movement is just the opposite, that "Here is God. You satisfy Him." That's all. "Never mind what you are, but by your occupational duty you satisfy Him. That is perfection." This is our Krsna consciousness movement. And this is taught in the Bhagavad-gita. Krsna ultimately said this: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. In the beginning He said, yat karosi yat juhosi yad asnasi yat tapasyasi kurusva tad mad arpanam: [Bg. 9.27] "Do it for Me." Yat karosi. It doesn't matter what you are doing. And very good work or bad work or anything, when He says, yat karosi, means "Whatever you are doing, do it, but the result give Me." Kurusva tad mad-arpanam. This is His desire. And at last again He said that sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja. This is the instruction of Bhagavad-gita, and if somebody would say that "Simply I have to satisfy You? Then I have to satisfy others also. If I do not do, then I will be sinful," that, Krsna says, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami ma sucah: [Bg. 18.66] "Don't worry. If there is any reaction, not doing other duty, simply to surrender to Me, and if there is sinful reaction, then I'll give you protection. Don't worry." This is the conclusion. And we are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is, that's all, without any malinterpretation. Everyone is interpreting in his own way. But we are not interpreting. We are presenting Bhagavad-gita as it is. And it is becoming effective. Bhagavad-gita was studied in the Western countries since a long time, since seventeenth century -- but not like this. Before me, many swamis, yogis, they came to the Western countries, and most of them spoke on Bhagavad-gita, but not a single person was a devotee of Krsna. But now they are becoming by hundreds because the Bhagavad-gita is presented as it is. This is the comparison. We have got Christians, Mohammedans, then Buddhist, Africans. Everyone we have got in our society, all very devout executor of our mission. Now here is Mr. Attar. Now he is Atreya Rsi. Whatever he is earning, he is spending for Krsna. Samsiddhih hari-tosanam. He is trying to satisfy Krsna. That is wanted. So in the dictionary it is stated, "Krsna is a Hindu god." He is not a Hindu god; He is God. But He appeared in India. He remained in the Vedic culture. Lord Buddha was also Hindu. And he was in Vedic culture. Later on he spread his own mission. That is also Hindu culture, ahimsa, nonviolence. Lord Buddha... kesava dhrta-buddha. The same Krsna, His powerful avatara, Lord Buddha. Kesava dhrta-buddha-sarira jaya jagadisa hare. We offer our prayers to Lord Buddha. Christ was also for twelve years in India. He... Christ, the word Christ and kristo, there is similarity. He also propagated love of God. That is Krsna. So we are spreading this Krsna consciousness, and you are all Indians. It is your duty to see that the movement is pushed forward. Pranair arthair dhiya vaca: "By your life, by your money, by your good intelligence and by your words." Our mission is to spread the words of Krsna. We don't manufacture anything. Why should we manufacture? Everything is there perfectly. What Krsna says, it is perfect. If I manufacture something, that is imperfect because I am imperfect. So how can I speak perfectly, or how can I give perfect knowledge? It is not possible because I am defective, I commit mistake, I am sometimes illusioned. Why sometimes? Practically always. Everyone is thinking that he is this body -- he is Indian, he is American, he is Hindu, he is Muslim. That is illusion. He is not this body. Similarly, our senses are imperfect, and so long we are in the imperfect condition, if we teach, that means we cheat. I have no perfect knowledge, and still, I am trying to teach. That is cheating. Nobody should try to preach with imperfect knowledge. That is cheating. That is stated in the sastra: bhrama, pramada, vipralipsa and karana-patava. We are qualified with these imperfections, and therefore we cannot manufacture. Somebody says "in my opinion." So what is the value of your opinion? You are imperfect. If the child says "in my opinion," what is the value? Therefore we don't say, "in my opinion," "our opinion." We say "Krsna says this," that's all. Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission is... He says,
amara ajnaya guru hana tara ei desa
yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
He says that "All of you, you become guru." Just like I am requesting all Indians outside that I am alone trying to spread this Indian culture, why not you also join? You also become guru. So how to become guru? Not that simply by advertising that one has become guru all of a sudden, no. Guru means, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. Whomever you meet, you just instruct him in what Krsna says, that's all. You become guru. It is not very difficult to become guru, provided we simply preach the instruction of Krsna. That we are doing. We do not say that we are perfect, we have become God, or we have so many, so many magic jugglery. No, we have nothing to do, that. No magic, no jugglery, no God. Simply to become servant of God, and whomever we meet, we speak the words of God, that's all. Then you become guru. This is our mission. That we may be imperfect, that doesn't matter. We are imperfect. Just like this child, he is imperfect. Everyone knows. But if he says, "My father has informed me that this is microphone," so this knowledge of "is microphone" is perfect because he has received from the father, experienced father. And before hearing from the father, he may not know that this is microphone, but since he has heard from the father that this is microphone, and if he says to others that "My father has said, 'This is microphone,' " then people will accept this is perfect knowledge. So we should follow this instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. So you, every one of you, can become guru. You may say that "I am not interested to become a guru," but Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that if you are not interested, that is not very good. You should be interested. You must be guru. That is success of your life. You can speak the instruction of Krsna, even to your family. That also guru. You are actually guru. The father or the head of the family is guru to the children, to the wife. In India still, the wife addresses the husband as pati-guru. And father is guru. That is natural. So why don't you become real guru to your wife, to your children, and instruct Bhagavad-gita as it is? This is our mission. You sit down in the evening, chant Hare Krsna mantra, and teach little instruction from the Bhagavad-gita. See how the life changes. Is that very difficult task? Boliye.
Indian man (2): No, no.
Prabhupada: So do that. Don't approach the cheater guru, bluffer guru, and be cheated. Stop this business. This has spoiled the whole spiritual atmosphere of the world. Take guru, the supreme guru, Krsna. Krsna, when in Mahabharata when Maharaja Yudhisthira performed rajasuya yajna, in the rajasuya yajna one person is elected the chief guest. So in that yajna many big, big demigods were present, and Bhismadeva was present, Vyasadeva was present, and many, many other saintly person, brahmana, from the whole universe were present. And Krsna was decided to be accepted as the... Everyone agreed to accept Him as the chief guest. And the Sisupala, he protested. Then everyone was angry to kill him. So Krsna is accepted the guru by everyone. By our acaryas, recent acaryas, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya... I am not speaking of the loafer class, but those who are recognized acaryas, Sankaracarya... They accepted Krsna as the supreme guru. Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So accept Krsna as the supreme guru and follow His instruction and try to convince others. "Others" means even your family members. That is success of life. Samsiddhih hari-tosanam. Why should you lead your life blindly? This human life is meant for enlightenment, supreme enlightenment, and this is supreme enlightenment, to understand the teachings of Bhagavad-gita and preach it as far as you can. If not, you can preach amongst your family members. This is perfection of life. What is that verse? Ya imam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati. That is the desire of Krsna.
Nitai:
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesu abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
[Bg 18.68]
"For one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me."
Prabhupada: Next? Na ca tasman...
Nitai:
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad
anyah priyataro bhuvi
[Bg. 18.69]
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be anyone more dear."
Prabhupada: So this is the easiest process, that you learn Bhagavad-gita. Don't misinterpret. There is no question of misinterpretation. They, by their, what is called, crippled mind, they misinterpret. Otherwise there is no question of. Where is the difficulty to understand? So Krsna says, "Anyone who preaches this Krsna philosophy, He is My dearmost person." So if you are recognized by Krsna, then that is samsiddhih hari-tosanam. That is wanted. Boliye. Any question? (Pause) No question? Tad viddhi pranipatena pariprasnena sevaya [Bg. 4.34]. There must be pariprasna, yes or no?
Indian man (3): Well, the question was the satisfaction of the God, that we satisfy our Lord. Now, what are the means to satisfy the Lord?
Prabhupada: That He says: that you preach, you become guru. That is already explained. Ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesu abhidhasyati [Bg 18.68]. That is... He says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Everything is there. Where is the difficulty? If I say that "You do this. I will (be) satisfied," you do that; you will satisfy me. What is the difficulty?
Indian man (4): And the part where you, which you said to preach Krsna's... to attain the satisfaction of..., but what you have already said, that one should first know himself first, basic...
Prabhupada: Himself?
Indian man (4): What Krsna stands and what Krsna means in the Bhagavad-gita.
Prabhupada: That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Why don't you...?
Indian man (4): Yes. When we say we start preaching, so first one... somebody has to know himself.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Indian man (4): Then he can come forward for preaching.
Prabhupada: So why don't you know yourself? Why you are in darkness? Krsna says everything in the Bhagavad-gita. In the beginning He says, dehino 'smin yatha dehe kaumaram yauvanam [Bg. 2.13]. In this body there is the occupier of the body. So if you think yourself that you are this body, that is your wrong. You try to understand that "I am not this body; I am spirit soul, aham brahmasmi." That's the fact. So this human life is meant for that purpose. So why should you not do it? Why should you keep yourself in darkness? That is very risky. If I keep myself in the darkness like cats and dogs, that "I am this body," then my life is very risky. By nature's way we are given this opportunity, human form of life. If we do not understand our position, if we remain in the same category, bodily concept of life, then we are missing the chance. After all, you have to change this body. It is not permanent settlement that you shall remain Indian, you shall remain American. No. Tatha dehantara-praptih [Bg. 2.13]. You have to change. Now what kind of body you are going to get, that you have to understand. That is responsibility. So this child, this boy, if he remains in darkness that he will continue this childhood body, and father, mother will take care of him -- "I don't require to take any education" -- then future life, when he will be young man, he will be not nicely posted for want of education. Then how miserable it will be. Similarly, if we don't take care of this education that "I am not this body, my future body will be different, and if I do not know what kind of different body I'll have to accept..." Suppose we accept some lower grade of body. Then what is my future? So if we don't understand this philosophy as Krsna teaches, asmin dehe dehinah, "Within this body there is the occupier, soul," so if you do not understand, that is very risky life. Nature's way must go on. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27]. We cannot control over the nature's way. And we get our next body according to the association of different modes of nature. Karanam guna-sangah asya. Everything is there. Why do you not study? Why you remain in darkness? What is this life? Is that very good life? You, what is your name?
Atreya Rsi: Mr. Sahani.
Prabhupada: Sahani, yes. Mr. Sahani, do you think is that very nice life, to remain in darkness for our future life?
Mr. Sahani: Not at all.
Prabhupada: That's it. (says something in Hindi regarding dandavat) (chuckles) That is very good. That is our process. Sankhya-purvaka-nama-gana-
Indian man (5): ...our Krsna consciousness movement, is there any different methods?
Prabhupada: No, methods I have all explained. Krsna bhakta means do what Krsna says. That is Krsna bhakti. Anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. Just like Arjuna did. He did not like to fight with his cousin-brothers, but after hearing instruction of Krsna, he said, "Yes," nasto mohah, "my illusion is now over." Smrtir labdha: "I have got my consciousness." Karisye vacanam tava: [Bg. 18.73] "I shall act as You are saying, that's all." This is Krsna bhakta. We may have different decisions. That is natural. But when you agree to abide by the orders of Krsna, then your life is perfect. That is Krsna consciousness. So you have to agree. Krsna does not force; He says, "Do this like this," and if we agree, then we are Krsna conscious.
Devotee (1): Can you satisfy equally as brahmacari or grhastha or sannyasi? Can you satisfy equally in whatever path you have chosen?
Prabhupada: Yes, yes. The satisfaction is the point. So just like the head of the family, he is asking his wife to do something, children to do something, servant to do something. So if they are doing according to the order, then it is very nice. The head of the family is satisfied, and everything is going nicely. Anywhere, in office also. There are different officers, secretaries, managers, and the director. He has given: "You do this. You do that. You do that. You do that." So if they do their duty, then everything is nice. Just like in your body. Here also we have got different parts. The hand does something, the leg something, the belly something, the brain something. What the brain does, the leg does not do. But the leg is doing for the satisfaction of the whole body. The brain is doing for the satisfaction of the whole body. Hand is doing for the satisfaction of the whole body. That is required, not that what is brain doing, the leg has to do the same. The leg may do his own way, but the aim is satisfaction of the order of the... I ask the leg, "Please take me from this room to that room." That is leg's duty. I am satisfied. So not that Krsna is only one-sided. That they do not understand. Krsna is the isvara, controller of the whole creation. So if He gives you something to do for His satisfaction, you do that. It does not matter whether you are doing the same thing. The same example: Leg is doing something else than the hand, hand is doing something else than the brain, but the real purpose is to satisfy the whole. So Krsna is not asking Vyasadeva to come and fight in the battlefield of Kuruksetra. Vyasadeva is doing his own work. He is writing literature, Vedavyasa. He is asking Arjuna to fight. But although the activities are different-Vyasadeva is writing Vedanta-sutra, and Arjuna is fighting -- but both of them are equally important. Krsna says Arjuna, bhakto 'si: "You are My very dear friend," and priyo 'si [Bg. 4.3], "Therefore I shall speak to you about this Bhagavad-gita." Krsna did not say, "Call Vyasadeva. I have to speak Bhagavad-gita. He is learned scholar." No. Arjuna was not a learned scholar; he was a warrior. And he was a grhastha, busy in politics. Still, He called Arjuna, "Yes, I shall speak to you Bhagavad-gita." Why? Bhakto 'si: "You are My devotee." So to become devotee doesn't require that one has to become very big scholar or very rich man. No. Simply you have to agree, "Yes, Sir, what You say I shall do," that's all. This is bhakta. To become bhakta is not very difficult thing. You simply agree, "Krsna, what You say, I shall do," that's all. Karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]. That is, perfection. So Krsna wants this. This is the common formula for all. Ya idam paramam guhyam mad-bhaktesu abhidhasyati [Bg 18.68]. "Anyone who speaks about this Bhagavad-gita, sarva-dharman pari..., he is very dear to Me." So agree to that proposal, that "We shall speak to everyone about this Bhagavad-gita as Krsna has spoken." Then you become a bhakta. That's all. You can do it in your office. You can do in your home. Krsna does not say that "First of all you become a sannyasi and you change your dress and become like these Krsna conscious men." No. You remain in your position. But do this. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's... Sthane sthitah sruti-gatam tanu-van-manobhih. You remain in your place, sthane sthitah. Simply you hear from Krsna or from Krsna's representative and do it, that's all. Where is the difficulty? Boliye.
Mr. Sahani: No difficulty.
Prabhupada: It is my request that you are so many respectable Indian gentlemen here, and we are preaching Krsna's message. You come forward. You learn more and join this mission. It is not meant for Mr. Attar; it is meant for everyone, especially for the Indians. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that also, bharata-bhumite manusya-janma haila yara [Cc. Adi 9.41]. Bharata-bhumite means in the land of Bharatavarsa. Bharata-bhumi is considered punya-bhumi. So you are fortunate that you have taken birth as human being in India. It is the result of much pious activities. Indians are naturally Krsna conscious. Now this gentleman, Mr. George, what is his name, full name?
Devotee (2): John(?) (Jordon?)
Prabhupada: Oh. The Canadian ambassador. He came to see me. He saw me in Delhi when our function was going on. He was speaking; he was so surprised. So this movement has got good potency, and every one of you join.
bharata-bhumite manusya-janma haila yara
janma sarthaka kari 'kara para-upakara
[Cc. Adi 9.41]
This is para-upakara. The whole world is in darkness without Krsna consciousness. So enlighten them, para-upakara. Human life is for para-upakara; it is not animal life. To do good to others. Cats and dogs, they are selfish. But human life should be for para-upakara. So this is the biggest para-upakara movement. And it is very easy to take part in it. You don't require to be very expert. You... Everything is there. You simply carry the message like peon. Krsna says this; kindly follow; that's all. We don't say that "I say this. I have manufactured this. I have become very big man, God." We don't say nonsense. It is all nonsense. Simply carry the message of Krsna; then you are perfect. In the Western countries they are little fond of yoga. So the yoga system is also spoken by Krsna in the Sixth Chapter. But the conclusion is, when Arjuna refused, "My dear Krsna, it is not possible for me. This meditation, this pranayama and dhyana, dharana, yama, niyama, dhyana, it is not possible for me. I am a politician. I have no time either" -- he said frankly -- then Krsna satisfied him that "You are already the best of the yogis."
yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gata antaratmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah
[Bg. 6.47]
"You are already yogi, first-class yogi, because you are always thinking of Me." So this is the standard of first-class yogi, to remain always in Krsna consciousness and try to execute His will, that's all. That is first-class yogi, Krsna says. You haven't got to get certificate from anyone else. Krsna says. Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gata antaratmana. Who is always thinking of Krsna antaratmana, that is real yoga. Yoga means dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yoginah [SB 12.13.1]. One who is always thinking of Krsna by dhyana, by meditation, that is real yoga. And Krsna says also. He confirms the same, that mad-gata antaratmana, sraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo. Then he is first-class yogi. This bodily exercise is meant for person who is in the bodily concept of life. One who understands that "I am not this body; I am part and parcel of Krsna. My duty is to serve Krsna," that is first-class yogi. So become first-class yogi, first-class recognized person by Krsna. Make your life success. That is Krsna consciousness movement. So what was your question?
Guest: Me?
Prabhupada: Yes?
Guest: My question?
Prabhupada: Yes, question, you question something.
Guest: It's just people... For example, could the president of the Coca-Cola company find the way to Krsna, to serve Krsna?
Prabhupada: Yes, everyone can serve. Cola company?
Guest: Coca-Cola company.
Prabhupada: Coca-Cola.
Guest: Somebody that manufactures a product which is basically destructive.
Prabhupada: No. Coca-Cola company... Of course, we advise... Krsna advises, yat karosi. It includes Coca-Cola company. But He said yat karosi: "Whatever you do." Krsna said, "Whatever you do." So that includes all kinds of activities. But will the Coca-Cola company agree to give the profit to Krsna? Then he is Krsna conscious. The profit he will enjoy for his wine and woman, that's all, not for Krsna. That is the difficulty.
Guest: Can the profit of the manufacture of something which is manufactured purely for profit be turned to good?
Prabhupada: Yes, if he gives to Krsna. Just like Arjuna. He fought. He killed. Killing is not good business, but he killed on the advice of Krsna, and he became a bhakta by killing. Krsna said, bhakto 'si. And what did he do? He killed, that's all. This is an example. Of course, bhakta never kills. Krsna... Arjuna was not willing to kill. But when he saw that "Krsna wants it, so this is my first business. Never mind I shall go to hell," that is Krsna conscious. "By killing my brother I may go to hell. It doesn't matter. But Krsna will be satisfied. That is my first business." Krsna sometimes pretended to be sick. And many physicians came, they could not cure Him, headache. So He suggested that "I think if My devotee gives their dust of foot on My head, then I'll be cured." Then every devotee was approached that "Give your dust of feet. Krsna wants it." Even Narada. So Narada said, "How it is possible I shall give my dust of feet to Krsna? No, no, no, it is not possible." But when the person, messenger, approached gopis in Vrndavana and they were informed that "Krsna is sick. So He wanted the dust of feet of the devotee to be applied on His head. Nobody gave it. So we have come last to you," so immediately: "Yes, yes, take it, take it." Immediately. So so much dust was collected. And Krsna was cured. So this is gopis. Others thought that "If I give the dust of my feet to Krsna, I may go to hell," but the gopis thought, "Let us go to hell, but let Krsna be cured." Therefore the gopis are the first-class devotee. They do not care for themselves. That is recommended by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargabhir ya kalpitah: "The process of worship as it was planned by the gopis in Vrndavana, there is no comparison. That is the highest devotion." They did not care for themself. They simply wanted to satisfy Krsna. When Krsna was playing flute at dead of night, all the gopis were flying to Krsna. His father, his husband -- "Where you are going in this dead of...? Where you are going?" They didn't care. Society, friendship, love -- all sacrificed: "We shall go to Krsna." This is krsna-bhakti. That is the highest perfection of life, to sacrifice everything for Krsna. "Only Krsna should be satisfied." That is Krsna consciousness. But that is not very easy job. But one can do if he likes, everything for Krsna. Krsna says also, sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. Gopis did not care for social, for religious or family and nothing. Sarva-dharman parityajya. They went: "Krsna now is calling. Let us go." This is the typical example of sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam. So, of course, it is not possible to become on the standard of gopis. That is not possible. But at least we shall try to follow these devotees. Arjuna is there, gopis are there, Uddhavas are there -- many devotees. Lord Brahma is there. Lord Siva is there. Kapiladeva is there. The four Kumaras are there. Bhismadeva is there. Prahlada Maharaja is there. Janaka Maharaja is there. Sukadeva Gosvami is there. So mahajano yena gatah sa panthah [Cc. Madhya 17.186]. If we simply follow these big, big devotees, then our life is successful. For authorized persons' name, to follow them:
svayambhur naradah sambhuh
kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado bhismo janako
balir vaiyasakir vayam
[SB 6.3.20]
Twelve: Lord Brahma, Lord Siva, Narada, then the four Kumaras, then Kapiladeva, then Prahlada Maharaja, Bhisma, Janaka Maharaja, Vyasadeva, er, no, Vaiyasaki, son of Vyasadeva. Not Vyasadeva -- son of Vyasadeva, Sukadeva Gosvami. Bali Maharaja and Yamaraja. These twelve mahajana, we can follow them. Sarvatma snapane balih. Bali Maharaja gave everything to Krsna. (end)
>>> Ref. VedaBase =>
Room Conversation with Indian Guests -- March 13, 1975,
Tehran
© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.
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