Know Everything of Something

Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.12.06 Bombay, April 17, 1976 download  flash player   Take a test Pradyumna: "Brahmacaris should be very polite and well... The Brahmacari should be quite well behaved and gentle in nature. He should not eat or collect more than necessary. He must always be active and expert, fully believing in the instructions of the spiritual master and the sastra. In this way, fully controlled over the senses, behave with women as much as necessary, as well as persons who are controlled by women, should be associated with only as much as necessary." Prabhupada: susilo mita-bhug daksah sraddadhano jitendriyah yavad-artham vyavaharet strisu stri-nirjitesu ca  [SB 7.12.6]

So now, actually behavior, the first thing is susila, very well behaved, gentle. Sila means behavior, and su means very good. Susilo mita-bhuk. This can be attained only when one practices eating whatever is absolutely necessary, not eating more. This is also enjoined by Rupa Gosvami: atyaharah prayasas ca prajalpo niyamagrahah [NoI 2]. Atyahara, eating more than necessary, is condemned everywhere. Spiritual life means reducing eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. That is spiritual life. Nidrahara-viharakadi-vijitau. The Rupa Gosvami and other six Gosvamis, they conquered over these things, nidra-ahara. So a brahmacari should not eat anything except prasadam, that also when he is called by the spiritual master, "You can come and eat." This we have discussed.

So mita-bhuk. We shall be very, very cautious about eating. And daksah. Daksah means active, not lazy, sleeping. This is not good. Nidrahara-vihara. Everyone has to conquer over sleeping, so that is called daksah. And daksah means expert. Whatever business is entrusted to him, he does it very nicely, daksa. Just like Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, he had no interest in material things. His father's estate was very big, and he was not interested. But at a time when there was a political situation, he tackled it very nicely. This is the example of daksa. There was some political controversy between Raghunatha dasa Gosvami's uncle, father uncle, and the government minister. So the minister, in order to take advantage, he came to arrest Raghunatha Gosvami's father and uncle, and they fled away from the house. So the minister arrested Raghunatha dasa Gosvami, the son, because if he was chastised, he'll disclose the secret, where his father and uncle has fled. And so Raghunatha dasa Gosvami -- it is a long story -- tackled the situation so nicely that there was peace between the minister and his father and uncle, and the misunderstanding was settled up. So this is called daksa. Not that because he has become Krsna conscious, and Vaisnava, he is unable to do anything of this material world. No. One who is Krsna conscious, he is conscious of everything and he knows how to deal with them. That is called daksa. Not that "Because I have become Krsna conscious I have no knowledge in other things." No. Every... You must have, if not complete, to know something of everything. That is intelligence, to know something of everything and to know everything of something. That is wanted. You may be expert, a devotee. You know everything of devotional service, but you should not be callous. You know something of everything. That is called daksa.

Daksa sraddadhanah: faithful. Faithful to whom? To the spiritual master. Whatever he says, the brahmacari should take it: "Yes, it is my life and soul." That is the explanation given by Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. He is explaining with reference to the verse vyavasayatmika buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana [Bg. 2.41]. He very nicely explains. You have perhaps read it, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura's... Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura has taught very, very nicely about guru. Therefore he has written in Gurvastaka, yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah **. He is example, practical example of guru-bhakti, Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura. He accepted his guru, Narottama dasa Thakura. So he said that "I am not interested for my salvation or going back to Godhead. I am not interested." Interested means it may come; it may not come. "That I don't mind. But I am interested only with the words of my guru." Visvanatha Cakravarti said. "That is my life. Whether I will be successful or not successful, it doesn't matter. I must take the words of my Guru Maharaja as my life and soul."

Actually, that is the secret of success. Yasya deve para bhaktir yatha deve tatha gurau.

yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante...
 [SU 6.23]

So that is the secret of success, sraddadhana, to accept the words of guru very, very faithfully. Sraddha. This is brahmacari's... And jitendriya, self-controlled. That is the brahmacari. He is not agitated by the senses. The whole practice is to control the senses. That is Vedic civilization. I have several times explained that senses cannot be let loose. Senses must be controlled. That is called swami or gosvami. Swami does not mean that "I am the swami, husband of my wife, and I can use her to my best capacity." No. Swami means the master of the senses. That is called swami or gosvami. Go means senses, and svami... Everyone in this material world is controlled by the senses. That is material world. We cannot control our senses. The tongue is dry and dictating, "Take a cigarette, take a cigarette," and immediately I begin to smoke. That means I am dictated by the tongue. Then tongue, then belly. The belly is filled up, and still, there is some nice food stuff -- "All right, let me eat." Control, cannot control. And then genital. That, we know very well, we cannot control. This straight line: tongue, belly, and the genitals. Therefore one should control the tongue first. That is spiritual life, beginning, controlling the tongue. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau [Brs. 1.2.234]. The controlling of the senses begins from the tongue. If you allow the tongue to eat anything in the restaurant or anywhere, then you cannot become the jitendriya. And if you can control the tongue -- "My dear tongue, I shall not give you any food which is not offered to Krsna, krsna prasadam" -- then the tongue is controlled. And krsna-prasadam means patram puspam phalam toyam yo me bhaktya prayacchati [Bg. 9.26]. If you want to offer Krsna something, we must know what Krsna wants to eat. Just like if you call a friend, you ask him, "My dear friend, what do you like to eat?" Then it is etiquette. And that is going on. Similarly, you have invited Krsna here. He has come. Don't think He has not come. He is here, saksad vrajendra-nandana-hari. The atheist may say, "Oh, these rascals are worshiping a stone," but that is not the fact. We are not spending so much energy and money for installing a stone. Stone is already there. Therefore it is forbidden, arcye sila-dhir gurusu nara-matih. If you think the Deity as sila, means stone, and gurusu nara-matih, if you think guru as ordinary human being, vaisnave jati-buddhi, and if you think a Vaisnava, "He is American Vaisnava. He is Indian Vaisnava," jati-buddhi naraki -- you become naraki immediately. These are the descriptions.

So jitendriya. A brahmacari means jitendriya. Samena damena va. Tapasa brahmacaryena [SB6.1.13]. Tapasa. Brahmacari life

means tapasya.

tapasa brahmacaryena
samena damena va
tyagena satya-saucabhyam
yamena niyamena va
 [SB 6.1.13]

This is life. Not that extravagant life is life. That is the present position of India, that we have lost our own culture. Brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, sannyasi -- this is compulsory. Every child should be trained up as brahmacari. Then, when he is completely trained up, if he still likes to get into married life or householder life, which is a concession for sex life... It is not required. According to Vedic civilization it is not required. You'll find, therefore, many naistika-brahmacaris. Naistika means never any connection with woman. That is called naistika-brahmacari. And upakurvana-brahmacaris. Upakurvana-brahmacari means he is married, but not for enjoying. He is married and to beget nice children under the order of his spiritual master. He is also brahmacari. If a grhastha abides by the order of a guru, he is also brahmacari. So here it is said jitendriya. Susilah mita-bhug daksah sraddadhano jitendriyah. Senses should not be used extravagantly. The modern civilization is that if you can use your senses more and more, then you are civilized. Then you are enjoyer. So Vedic civilization is different. Their aim is different. The whole scheme is controlling the senses, especially sex, because if we become too much addicted to sex life, then our life is spoiled. This is this.

Therefore next line, it is said, yavad-artham vyavaharet strisu. With woman you should be very, very cautious and careful, as much as required, not free mingling. No. Therefore, according to Vedic civilization, there is always a separation between woman and men. Here in India we find that whenever there is some meeting, the woman are sitting separately; men are sitting separately. This is required. Not only that, you cannot talk even with woman unnecessarily, even with your wife. This is restriction. Therefore it is said, yavad-artham vyavaharet: "as much as it is required." Don't talk unnecessarily, "Phish, phish, phish." That is very dangerous. Dangerous means in spiritual life. Yavad-artham. Even with your mother, with your daughter, with your sister, you cannot sit in a solitary place and talk. This is restricted. What to speak of others, even with your mother.

matra svasra duhitra va
naviviktasane vaset
 balavan indriya-gramo
vidvamsam api karsati
 [SB 9.19.17]

So according to Vedic civilization there is very, very strict stricture to mix with women. And in our childhood, we have seen in Calcutta that those who are aristocratic family, there are two section of the house, male section and female section. During daytime even the husband cannot meet wife. That is their restriction, even the husband. There was no chance because the women were in different house and men in a different house. So so many restriction. So here it is said, yavad-artham vyavaharet strisu... (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 7.12.6 -- Bombay, April 17, 1976

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© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

"Cross This Ocean Of Danger"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.25
Los Angeles, April 17, 1973

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---

Devotee:

vipadah santu tah sasvat
tatra tatra jagad-guro
bhavato darsanam yat syad
apunar bhava-darsanam

"I wish that all those calamities would happen again and again so that we could see You again and again, for seeing You means that we will no longer see repeated births and deaths."

Prabhupada: So that is very interesting verse that vipada, calamities, danger, that is very good if such danger and calamities remind me of Krsna. That is very good. Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamano bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam. A devotee, how he receives dangerous position? Danger must be there. Danger... Because this place, this material world is full of dangers. These foolish persons, they do not know that. They are trying to avoid the dangers. That is struggle for existence. Everyone is trying to become happy and avoid danger. This is the material business. Atyantika-sukham. Atyantika-sukham. Ultimate happiness. A man is working and thinking: "Let me work now very hard, and let me have some bank balance so when I shall get old, I shall enjoy life without any working." That is the inner intention of everyone. Nobody wants to work. As soon as he gets some money he wants to retire from work, and to become happy. But that is not possible. You cannot be happy in that way.

Here it is said: apunar bhava-darsanam. The real danger is... She is speaking of apunah. Apunah means... A means not, and punar bhava means repetition of birth and death. The real danger is repetition of birth and death. That has to be stopped. And not this so-called danger. This is all... The material world is full of dangers. Padam padam yad vipadam. Just like if you are on the ocean. If you are on the ocean, you might have very strong ship, very safe ship, but that is not safety. Because you are on the sea, at any time there can be dangers. Perhaps you remember from your country, there was, what is that, Titanic?

Devotee: Titanic.

Prabhupada: Everything was safe, but on the first voyage it was drowned, and all important men of your country, they lost their life. So danger there must be because you are in a dangerous position. This material world itself is dangerous position. So our business is... That danger must be there. Now our business should be how to cross over the sea as soon as possible. So long you are on the sea, you are on the dangerous position, however strong your ship may be. That's a fact. So you should not be disturbed by the sea waves. Just try to cross over the sea. Go to the other side. That is your business. Similarly, so long we are in this material world, there must be dangerous calamities because this is the place of calamity. So our business is, even within these calamities, dangers, how we develop our Krsna consciousness and, after giving up this body, we go back to home, back go Krsna. That should be our business. We should not be disturbed by the so-called calamities. They are not so-called; they are factual.

So this question was there by Arjuna to Krsna that: "Whatever You are speaking, it is all right. That I am not this body, I am soul. Everyone is not this body. He's soul. So on the annihilation of this body..." (Aside:) Stop that. "On the annihilation of the body the soul will exist. But when I see my son is dying, or my grandfather is dying, I am killing, how can I solace me that my grandfather is not dying, my son is not dying, the, simply it is changing? Because I am accustomed to think like that. So there must be grief." So Krsna replied: "Yes, that's a fact. So that you must have to tolerate, that's all. There is no other remedy." Tams titiksasva bharata.

Krsna never said that these are not facts, what Arjuna explained that: "I know that when my son is dying, my son is changing the body, or my grandfather is dying, changing the body, I know this, but still, because I am affectionate on the skin, so I must suffer." The Krsna replied: "Yes, the suffering is there. Because you are also on the bodily concept of life. So suffering must be there. So there is no other remedy than to tolerate. There is no other remedy." Matra-sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah.

Just like in your country it is very chilly in the morning to take bath, a little difficult task. But does it mean that those who are devotees, they will stop taking bath? No. Even it is chilly, cold, one must take bath. The duty must be done. The duty must be done. Even it is little suffering. That is called tapasya. Tapasya means we must prolong or proceed with, with our Krsna consciousness business in spite of all dangerous and calamitous condition of this world. This is called tapasya. Tapasya means voluntarily accepting the difficulties of life. Sometimes tapasya, in the system of tapasya, in hot season, summer, in scorching heat of the sun, still they ignite some fire all around and sit down in the midst and meditate. There are some processes of tapasya like that. In chilly cold one goes into the water up to the neck and meditates. These things are prescribed in tapasya.

But Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu does not give you such prescription. He gives you very nice program: chant, dance and take prasadam. Still we are unwilling. We cannot accept this tapasya. You see. We are so fallen. Su-sukham kartum avyayam. This is a kind of tapasya which is very easy to do and it is very pleasant. Still, we are not agreeable. We shall rot in the street, lie down anywhere and everywhere and still, I shall drink and have sex and lie down. So what can be done? We are giving good facilities. Come here, chant, dance and live very peacefully and take krsna-prasadam. Be happy. But people will not accept. That is called misfortune.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore said: etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says: namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktih. In the transcendental holy name of God, Krsna, there is all potencies. As Krsna has got unlimited potencies, similarly in the name, holy name of Krsna, there is unlimited potency. So namnam akari bahudha. And there are many names of Krsna. Krsna has got thousands and thousands of names. Krsna name is the chief name. Namnam akari bahudha nija-sarva-saktis tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah. And there is no hard and fast rule, that you have to chant in this time or that time. No. Any time. Any time you can take. And the name is identical with Krsna. On this logic, the name, the holy name of Krsna, is Krsna. He's no other than Krsna. Don't think that Krsna is living in Goloka Vrndavana and the name is different. Just like in material world we have got this conception. The name is different from the fact. But in the Absolute world there is no such difference. That is called absolute. Name is as potential as Krsna is potential.

So you have got this tongue. You can chant Krsna, Hare Krsna. Immediately you become directly in touch with Krsna. Immediately. Because the name Krsna and Krsna-person is not different. Identical. So even if you think that Krsna is far, far away... Krsna is not far, far away. Krsna is not far, far away. Krsna is within you. He's not far away. He's far away, at the same time nearest. So even if you think that Krsna is far, far, His name is there. You chant Hare Krsna, Krsna becomes immediately available. Aniyamitah. And for making Krsna available in this shortcut way, there is no hard and fast rule. You can chant any time. Immediately you get Krsna. Just see the mercy of Krsna.

Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that: etadrsi tava krpa. "My dear Lord, You have given Me so nice facilities to contact You, but durdaiva, but My, I am so unfortunate, I have no attachment for these things. I have no attachment. I have got so many attachments for other things. But I have got no attachment for chanting Hare Krsna. This is My misfortune." Krsna has given so much facilities, that He is present before you by transcendental vibration in His name, and the name has got all the potencies of Krsna. So if you remain in contact with the name, you get all the benefit of Krsna's benediction, but still, I am not inclined to chant Hare Krsna mantra. this is misfortune.

So a devotee never takes dangerous position as very reverse position or very calamitous position. He welcomes. Because a surrendered soul, he knows either danger or festival, they are all different demonstration of Krsna. Krsna is absolute. In the sastra it is said that just like there are two kinds, two sides, religiosity and irreligiosity, just the opposite. But in the sastra it is said the religiosity is just the front portion of God, and irreligiosity is the back portion of God. So God's front portion or back portion, is there any difference? God is absolute. Therefore a devotee, either in opulence or in danger, he is not disturbed. He knows both these things are Krsna. Either in dangerous position... "Now Krsna has appeared before me as danger."

Just like Hiranyakasipu and Prahlada Maharaja and Nrsimhadeva. Nrsimhadeva is dangerous to Hiranyakasipu, and He is the Supreme Friend to Prahlada Maharaja, the same Personality. Similarly God is never dangerous to the devotee. Devotee is never afraid of dangers. He's confident that the danger, that is another feature of God. "So why shall I be afraid? I am surrendered to Him." So Kuntidevi says that: vipadah santu. Vipadah santu tah sasvat. Because he, she knows how to remember Krsna at times of danger. So he is, she is welcoming danger. "My dear Lord, I welcome such dangers when I can remember You." Just like Prahlada Maharaja, he was always thinking of Krsna when his father was putting him in dangerous position. So if you are put into the dangerous position and if that dangerous position gives an impetus to remember Krsna, that is welcome. That is welcome. "Oh, I am getting this opportunity of remembering Krsna." So how it is welcome? It is welcome because seeing Krsna means I am advancing in my spiritual life so that I'll not have to suffer any more of these dangerous positions.

Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. If you become advanced in Krsna consciousness, then the result will be, after giving up this body, Krsna says, tyaktva deham, after giving up this body, punar janma naiti, you don't take birth again in this material world. That is wanted. Suppose I am very comfortable at the present moment. My body is kept in a very comfortable position, but there is death, and there is another birth. So after giving up this body, if I get the body of a cat and dog, then what is the meaning of this comfortable position? Because death is sure, and janmantam tatah dehantaram. Dehantaram means you have to accept another body. If you do not know what kind of body you are going to get... You can know it. That is stated in the sastra, that if you have got such and such mentality, you get such and such body. So in a comfortable position, if I keep myself in the dog's mentality, then I am going to get my next life as dog. Then what is the value of this comfortable position? I may be in comfortable position for twenty years, thirty years, fifty years, or utmost, one hundred years. And after that comfortable position, when I give up this body, if, due to my mentality, I become a cat and dog and mouse, then what is the benefit of this comfortable position?

These, they, people do not know that. They think, especially in this age that: "I am now in comfortable position. I have got enough money. I have got enough estate. I have got enough comforts, enough food. So as soon as the body's finished so I am not going to take birth again. So I am living, let me enjoy life." This is the modern philosophy, hedonism. But that is not the fact. Kunti is therefore anxious: apunar bhava-darsanam. Apunar bhava, not to repeat. If you see always Krsna, that is Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness means always thinking of Krsna. Your consciousness should be absorbed in Krsna thought.

Therefore we give different varieties of engagement, Krsna consciousness. We should not divert our energy. Now when we are selling book, that is Krsna consciousness. We are selling book. But if we think that the selling book may be diverted into selling jewelry, that is not very good idea. That is not very good idea. Then we become again jeweler. Punar musika bhava. Again become mouse. We should be very much careful. Our Krsna consciousness cannot be diverted. Then you are gone to hell. Even there is danger, even there is suffering in Krsna consciousness, we should tolerate. That is the instruction of... We should welcome such danger. And pray to Krsna. What is that prayer? Tat te 'nukampam su-samiksamanah. "My dear Lord, it is Your great mercy that I am put into this dangerous position." That is the viewpoint of devotee. He doesn't take danger as danger. He takes: "It is Krsna's mercy." What kind of mercy? Now bhunjana evatma-krtam vipakam. "Due to my past activities, I was to suffer so much. But You are mitigating that suffering, giving me little suffering."

Just like a token punishment. Sometimes in the courts a big man is culprit. So say, if the judge wants 100,000 dollars, he can pay immediately. But he asks from Him: "You just give one cent." Because that is also punishment. But minimizing. Similarly we have to suffer on account of our past deeds. That's a fact. You cannot avoid. Karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam [Bs. 5.54]. But those who are in devotional service, those who are in Krsna consciousness, their sufferings are minimized, a token. Just like one was to be killed. So instead of being killed with his knife, he gets some little cut on the finger. In this way, karmani nirdahati kintu ca...

Those who are in devotional service, they are: aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami. Krsna assures that: "I give you protection from the reaction of sinful life." So when there is very, very grievous criminal activities behind his, sometimes it is like that. Instead of hanging him, there may be little cut by the knife on the finger. This is the position. So why should we be afraid of danger? We should simply depend on Krsna consciousness, because if we live Krsna conscious, in any circumstances, then my benefit is that I am not coming again in this material world. Apunar bhava-darsanam. The repeatedly, as you think of Krsna, as you see Krsna, as you read of Krsna, as you work for Krsna, some way or other, if you remain in Krsna consciousness, that is your benefit. And that benefit will save you from taking birth again in the material world. That is real benefit. And if I am become little comfortable by so-called other engagement, and if I forget Krsna, and I have to take birth again, then what is my benefit? We should be very much careful about this.

Krsna consciousness cannot be disturbed at any circumstances. Even there is heavy suffering, that is the instruction of Kuntidevi. Kuntidevi's welcome, welcoming: vipadah santu tah sasvat tatra tatra. Let there... Because, before winning the battle of Kuruksetra, all these Pandavas were put into so many dangerous positions. That is already described in the previous verses. Sometimes they were offered poison, sometimes they were put into the house, lac, and it was set fire. Sometimes big, big demons, man-eaters, and big, big fighters. Every time... They lost their kingdom, lost their wife, lost their prestige. They were put into the forest. Full of dangers. But within all those dangers, Krsna was there, with all those dangers. When the Draupadi was being naked, Krsna was there supplying cloth. Krsna is always there.

Therefore Bhismadeva, while he was dying... He was grandfather of the Pandavas. So when the Pandavas came to see him on his deathbed, so he cried that: "These boys, my grandsons, they're all very pious. Maharaja Yudhisthira, the topmost pious person. His name is Dharmaraja, the king of religiosity. He is the eldest brother. And Bhima and Arjuna, they are devotees and so great hero. They can kill thousands of men. They're so powerful. So Yudhisthira, Yudhisthira is there, and Bhima is there. Arjuna is there, and Draupadi is directly the Goddess of Fortune. There was this injunction that wherever Draupadi will be there, there will be no scarcity of food. In this way, the combination was so nice and over and above them, Krsna is always with them, and still they are suffering." So he began to cry that: "I do not know what is the arrangement of Krsna that such pious men, such devotees, they are also suffering."

So don't think that: "Because I have become a devotee, there will be no danger, no suffering." Prahlada Maharaja suffered so much. The Pandavas suffered so much. Haridasa Thakura suffered so much. But we should not be disturbed by those sufferings. We must have firm faith, firm conviction that: "Krsna is there. He'll give me protection." Kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati. Don't try to take benefit of other shelter than Krsna. Always take to Krsna.

Krsna says: kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati. "My dear Arjuna, you can declare it to the public that My devotees are never vanquished." Why declaration was advised to be made by Arjuna? Why He did not declare Himself? There is some point. Because this declaration, if Krsna makes, there may be violation because sometimes He violates His promise. But if His devotee promises, it will be never violated. That is Krsna's business. "Oh, My devotee has declared this. I must see that it must be executed." That is Krsna's position. He's so much attached to His devotee. Therefore He said that: "You declare. If I declare, people may not believe it. But if you declare, they'll believe it. Because you are devotee. Your declaration will never be..."

Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah **. Krsna wants to see that: "My devotee's promise is fulfilled. My promise may not be fulfilled, may be broken." So this is Krsna consciousness. We must take to Krsna consciousness in, at all circumstances, even it's the most dangerous position. We must keep our faith in Krsna's lotus feet, and there will be no danger.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.25 -- Los Angeles, April 17, 1973

"The Magic Of Krsna Consciousness"

74/04/17 Bombay, Bhagavad-gita 4.28


Pradyumna: (leads chanting)

dravya-yajnas tapo-yajna
yoga-yajnas tathapare
svadhaya-jnana-yajnas ca
yatayah samsita-vratah

Translation: "There are others who, enlightened by sacrificing their material possessions in severe austerities, take strict vows and practice the yoga of eightfold mysticism, and others study the Vedas for the advancement of transcendental knowledge."

Prabhupada: You can read the purport also.

Pradyumna: "These sacrifices may be fitted into various divisions. There are persons who are sacrificing their possessions in the form of various kinds of charities. In India, the rich mercantile community or princely orders open various kinds of charitable institutions like dharma-sala, anna-ksetra, atithi-sala, anathalaya, vidyapitha, etc... In other countries too, there are many hospitals, old age homes and similar charitable foundations meant for distributing food, education and medical treatment free to the poor. All these charitable activities are called dravyamaya-yajna. There are others who, for higher elevation in life or for promotion to higher planets within the universe, voluntarily accept many kinds of austerities such as candrayana and caturmasya. These processes entail severe vows for conducting life under certain rigid rules. For example, under the caturmasya vow the candidate does not shave for fours months during they year, July to October, and does not eat certain foods, does not eat twice in a day and does not leave home. Such sacrifices of the comforts of life is called tapomaya-yajna. There are still others who engage themselves in different kinds of mystic yogas like the Patanjali system for merging into the existence of the Absolute, or hatha-yoga or astanga-yoga, for particular perfections. And some travel to all the sanctified places of pilgrimage. All these practices are called yoga-yajna, sacrifice for a certain type of perfection in the material world. there are others who engage themselves in the studies of different Vedic literatures, specifically the Upanisads and Vedanta-sutras, or the Sankhya philosophy. All of these are called svadhyaya-yajna, or engagement in the sacrifice of studies. All these yogis are faithfully engaged in different types of sacrifice and are seeking a higher status of life. Krsna consciousness is, however, different from these because it is the direct service of the Supreme Lord. Krsna consciousness cannot be attained by any one of the above-mentioned types of sacrifices but can be attained only by the mercy of the Lord and His bona fide devotee. Therefore, Krsna consciousness is transcendental."

Prabhupada:

dravya-yajnas tapo-yajna
yoga-yajnas tathapare
svadhyaya-jnana-yajnas ca
yatayah samsita-vratah

So charity, or sacrificing your possession for the benefit of others, this is also yajna. But they are called karma-kanda yajna, fruitive activities. By such performance of yajna, one can elevate his material position.

Just like feeding the poor. It is also yajna. But the same thing, if it is dovetailed in consciousness, that becomes perfect. People are very much inclined to feed the poor with sumptuous food, but it can be done in a little different way, that the foodstuff offered to Visnu, prasada, that distribution foodstuff is better than ordinary distribution of foodstuff. Ordinarily, that is punya, pious activities, but when it is connection with Krsna, this is called yajna. Dravya-yajna. To distribute food and cloth, that is called dravya-yajna, but yajna can be said when it is done, dovetailing the activities with Krsna consciousness. That is yajna. Yajna means Visnu. Yajnarthe karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]. So our the Krsna consciousness movement, we are also distributing food in our about one hundred branches all over the world. But not directly, but through nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate.

If we simply act piously, that is good, but it is not perfect. Suppose I execute many pious activities in my life. Then due to my pious activities, I will get birth in good family. Janmaisvarya-sruta-srih. I may get my birth in good family, high family. That is called janma. Then aisvarya, opulence, wealth; sri, beautiful body; and education also. I have several times explained that to become highly educated, that is also due to previous pious activities. To be highly rich, that is also due to previous pious activities. But Narottama dasa Thakura says that Karma-kanda, jnana-kanda, kebala bisera bhanda. Karma-kanda vicara, fruitive activities for getting better position of life, better body... [break] ...though I get my birth in a good family, there is still risk of degradation. Because sometimes we get our birth in rich family and due to opulence we are associated with bad company. Then we begin to act sinfully. That means again degradation. Therefore the Vaisnava philosophy does not very much approve even pious activities. What to speak of impious activities, they do not approve pious activities also.

They are simply after Krsna consciousness, simply interested in the service of Krsna. That is real yajna. Because in the Bhagavad-gita it is said that those who are engaged in devotional service... To hear, devotional service... I have explained several times. To hear about Krsna. Simply by hearing Krsna, if we simply try to understand Krsna, that is also better than dravyamaya-yajna, dravya, in charity. But because we cannot devote ourself... Pure devotional service means sravanam kirtanam. Just like Haridasa Thakura, he was simply engaged in sravanam kirtanam. He was chanting three hundred thousand times Hare Krsna maha-mantra. We cannot imitate that. That is not possible. But pure devotional service is like that.

Just like our Gosvamis, the Six Gosvamis in Vrndavana, how they executed devotional service is described by Srinivasa Acarya,

krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau premamrtambho-nidhi
dhiradhira-jana-priyau priya-karau nirmatsarau pujitau
sri-caitanya-krpa-bharau bhuvi bhuvo bharavahantarakau
vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau

Krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau. They always engaged them in chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Utkirtana, very loudly. Krsnotkirtana. Utkirtanam. Krsnotkirtana-gana-nartanau-parau, dancing also. Just like here the boys, they are chanting and dancing. This is very good, following the footsteps of the Gosvamis.

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He was also engaged in chanting and dancing. That is a... His dancing description is there in the Caitanya-caritamrta during the Ratha-yatra festival. So chanting, dancing, chanting of the holy name, and in ecstasy dancing, that is also yajna. That is the most perfectional yajna. Yajnaih sankirtana-prayaih. This is called sankirtana-yajna. Bahubhir militva gayantiti sankirtanam.

Sankirtana means when we combine together, many persons, and chant and dance. that is called sankirtana-yajna. So those who are engaged in the sankirtana-yajna, they are also performing yajna. That is better than dravyamaya-yajna, dravya-yajna. Dravya-yajna, charity. Suppose one man has no money. Then his life is spoiled? No. In any condition we can execute this yajna, sankirtana-yajna. There is no need of money. Ahaituky apratihata. This sankirtana-yajna is so nice that it cannot be checked by any material condition. If one is interested, he can perform sankirtana-yajna or the bhakti-yoga system, sravanam kirtanam, in any condition of life.

In the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, there is a story... Not story. Fact. It is described there that one brahmana -- he was a great devotee -- he wanted to offer very brilliant service, arcana, in the temple worship. But he had no money. But some day he was sitting in a Bhagavata class and he heard that Krsna can be worshipped even within the mind. So he took this opportunity because he was thinking since a long time how to worship Krsna very gorgeously, but he had no money.

So he, when he got this point, that one can worship Krsna within the mind, so after taking bath in the Godavari River, he was sitting underneath a tree and within his mind he was constructing very gorgeous simhasana, throne, bedecked with jewels and keeping the Deity on the throne, he was bathing the Deity with water of Ganges, Yamuna, Godavari, Narmada, Kaveri. Then he was dressing the Deity very nicely, then offering worship with flower, garland.

Then he was cooking very nicely, and he was cooking paramanna, sweet rice. So he wanted to taste it, whether it was very hot. Because paramanna is taken cold. Paramanna is no taken very hot. So he put his finger on the paramanna and his finger burned down. Then his meditation broken, because there was nothing. Simply within his mind he was doing everything. So... But he saw that his finger was burned. So he was astonished.

In this way, Narayana from Vaikuntha, He was smiling. Laksmiji asked, "Why you are smiling?" "One of My devotee is worshipping like this. So send My men to bring him immediately to Vaikuntha."

So the bhakti-yoga is so nice that even if you have no means to offer the Deity gorgeous worship, you can do it within the mind. That is also possible. Therefore it is said that ahaituky apratihata. In any position of life you can engage yourself in bhakti-yoga system. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam [SB 7.5.23]. But the prime or the topmost perfection of bhakti-yoga is sravanam kirtanam, sravanam kirtanam, fully absorbed in the thought of Krsna. That is recommended in the Bhagavad-gita also. Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantar-atmana [Bg. 6.47]. This is the simplest process. You have to practice always thinking of Krsna. That is also, Krsna says, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. Mad-yaji. Now, suppose if you have nothing to offer. Still, you can, man-manah, by thinking of Krsna, by thinking of all materials for worshiping, testing them, sitting in one place, you can go on. That is called man-manah, thinking, thinking of. You can offer Krsna, as I described, so many things.

But Krsna wants to see how much you are devoted to Him. Dravya-yajna. Krsna is not hungry that you have to offer something, very nice foodstuff. That, you must do that. But if you have no such thing in possession, you can do it within the mind. But not that you have got everything to offer... You can offer Krsna very nice foodstuff. In that case if you think that "I can do it in mind," that is cheating. That will not be done. But in case you have nothing to offer materially, but still, you can offer in the mind. That is called vitta-sartha.[?]

Actually we have seen in many places, a rich man has got Deity. The other day we went to a place. The Deity is there, but Deity is not worshipped. Deity is not offered anything. That is not good. That man is very rich man. According to his position, one must offer prepared foodstuff, distribute prasadam, not that... Generally, the impersonalists, they do so. There are many big, big temples, big, big Deities, but the Deity is offered a little elaichianna.[?] That is not good. If you establish Deity, you must worship to the best capacity of your possession. That is Deity worship.

But if one hasn't got to offer anything, he can offer everything within the mind. This facility is there. Therefore it is apratihata, it cannot be checked, apratihata. Because bhakti can be executed practically also within the mind. It cannot be checked. But if you have got something to offer to Krsna, don't think that "I shall offer in my mind. "That is... Krsna is also very intelligent, that "He is cheating Me." Krsna wants how much you are sacrificing in devotion, bhaktya. Krsna is not after your goods. That is explained in the Bhagavad, tad aham bhakty-upahrtam asnami. Patram puspam phalam toyam. Krsna is prepared to accept from you even a little leaf, patram, even a little flower, patram puspam phalam, a little fruit. Anyone can secure these. Even if you cannot secure, if you are so poor or unable, you can offer Krsna everything within the mind.

But if you are in possession, then that will not be successful. Then it be cheating. That is called mithya-sartha.[?]

According to one's means, ye yatha mam, according to one's position, they should worship Krsna, maybe without any dravya or with dravya. Yajna is performed. Dravya-yajnas tapo-yajnah. The svadhyaya. The Gosvamis, they also used to perform svadhyaya-yajna. That is also mentioned. Nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau. They were studying all Vedic literature, all Vedic literature. That is called svadhyaya-yajna, to read Vedic literature, to understand Vedic literature, to act according to the direction of the Vedic literature. This is called svadhyaya-yajna. Svadhyaya-yajna, jnana-yajna.

By reading Vedic literature, you enlighten yourself with knowledge. So this is also yajna. There are so many... Krsna is available in so many ways, according to your position. It is not that He is conditioned. He is not conditioned. Therefore it is called ahaituky apratihata. The svadhyaya-yajna. The Gosvamis, they were not only dancing and chanting. That was also part of their business. Krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau. But they were also good scholars. Nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma-samsthapakau.

Just like in our Krsna consciousness movement, we are trying to publish our books in different languages. Already we have got in European and American, English, French, German, Spanish, Swedish, Japanese, Chinese. This is required. Nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma. Because people are misled. So they should be given opportunity to study, to understand what is God consciousness, what is Krsna consciousness. So through the sastras. That is also required.

Nana-sastra-vicaranaika-nipunau sad-dharma... The Gosvamis practically demonstrated in their life everything. Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught them. They were the first disciples of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Rupa Gosvami was given lesson for ten days continually at Allahabad, Prayaga, Dasasvamedha-ghata. As a result of his instruction, he first wrote this Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, which we have translated into English, Nectar of Devotion. Similarly, Sanatana Gosvami was given instruction for two months at Benares, Varanasi.

So bhakti is not that it is something sentiment, without any basic principle of knowledge. No. It is fully based on Vedic knowledge. Bhaktya sruta-grhitaya. Sruta means Veda. Bhakti after studying the Vedic knowledge -- that is perfect bhakti. Vedanta-sutra.

Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He talked on Vedanta-sutra at Benares. And because the Mayavadi sannyasis, they were criticizing Caitanya Mahaprabhu that "He is sentimental sannyasi, devotee, He does not study Vedanta-sutra..." The Lord was criticized like that. So some of His devotees requested that "We know that You do not mix with the Mayavadi sannyasis, but they are criticizing You. If you kindly meet them..." So Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu met all the Varanasi Mayavadi sannyasis. Prakasananda Sarasvati, he had sixty thousand disciples. So they asked. Prakasananda Sarasvati asked Caitanya Mahaprabhu that "You are a sannyasi. So you do not study Vedanta-sutra. It is the," I meant to say, "vow of the sannyasis that they must." Vedanta-sutra is the crucial point of sampradaya. One sampradaya must give his commentation on the Vedanta-sutra. Otherwise he is not a bona fide sampradaya. So especially in the Sankara sampradaya, they are very much fond of studying Sankhya philosophy and Vedanta-sutra.

So Caitanya Mahaprabhu, when He went to Varanasi, He was simply dancing and chanting Hare Krsna mantra. So people began to criticize. Not people, this sannyasi-sampradaya. So His devotees, they became little sorry that "Our Lord is being criticized." Therefore He accepted their invitation, and there was Vedanta talk with Prakasananda Sarasvati, and Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu became victorious, and they became all disciples. These are statement in the Caitanya-caritamrta.

So it is not that those who are bhaktas, they... That is also complete, chanting and dancing Krsna. Krsnotkirtana-gana-nartana-parau. There is direct process. But if somebody wants to understand this Krsna consciousness philosophy through Vedanta philosophy, through Upanisads, so they are prepared, they are prepared. Therefore we are publishing so many books. We are discussing Vedanta philosophy, Upanisad, all the Vedic literatures. The Srimad-Bhagavatam is the essence of all Vedic literature.
It is stated, nigama-kalpa-taror galitam phalam idam [SB 1.1.3]. Nigama. Nigama means Vedic literature. Kalpa-taru. Kalpa-taru means desire tree. Desire tree... We have got experience; from the mango tree we get mango, and from coconut tree we get coconut. But desire tree means whatever you want, you can get. Even you can get puris and halava from the tree. that is called desire tree. So the Vedic literature is called nigama-kalpa-taru. Nigama, Vedic literature, desire tree, kalpa-taru, taru, kalpa-taru. In the Vedic literature every knowledge is there. Veda means knowledge, perfect knowledge, either material or spiritual. The Vedas are there for the benefit of the human society.

Because the living entity has come here in this material world to enjoy, so direction is there, "All right, you have come here to enjoy. So you enjoy materially under direction. Then gradually you become spiritual and then take liberation." That is the purpose. Karma-kanda, jnana-kanda. Jnana-kanda is the path of liberation. Then upasana-kanda.

So it is not that devotees are sentimental. It is not that. Bhaktya sruta-grhitaya. Bhakti devotional service, after complete Vedic literature understanding... But bhakti is nice thing that if one takes to bhakti directly, he understands Vedic version automatically.

vasudeve bhagavati
bhakti-yogah prayojitah
janayaty asu vairagyam
jnanam ca yad ahaitukam
[SB 1.2.7]

This is Krsna's mercy. Even one is illiterate, if he sincerely takes to bhakti-yoga, so Vedic philosophical conclusion automatically awakens.

yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah
[SU 6.23]

These are the statement, and actually... Just like these boys. These boys, they were not educated in Vedic literature, never. But how they have taken to this Krsna consciousness? This is the magic of Krsna consciousness. It is not dependant on studying of Vedas, but if you take seriously to Krsna consciousness, the Vedic knowledge is automatically awakened.

yasya deve para bhaktir
yatha deve tatha gurau
tasyaite kathita hy arthah
prakasante mahatmanah
[SU 6.23]

This is the secret. If one has unflinching faith in Krsna and unflinching faith to his spiritual master, then automatically the Vedic knowledge becomes awakened.

This is a fact, you can see. They never knew what is Vedic life, Vedic knowledge, but how they have become so nice perfect devotee? That unflinching faith. That is required. Visvase milaya vastu tarke bahu-rupa.[?] And that visvasa, that is explained, visvasa, faith, in the Caitanya-caritamrta, visvasa-sabde, visvasa sudrdha niscaya, krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta. Sraddha-sabde visvasa sudrdha niscaya. This is statement of Krsnadasa Kaviraja Gosvami. He said, sraddha. Because to become a devotee, the begin is sraddha faith.

Just like you all ladies and gentlemen, you are coming. It is the sraddha, "Let us hear something, what they are speaking about Krsna." This is the beginning. So this sraddha, as it grows and becomes firmly fixed up, that is devotion. Sraddha means, devotion means, gradually making the sraddha more and more fixed up. Adau sraddha. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sanga. First of all sraddha, faith. Then association with the devotee. Atha bhajana-kriya tato 'nartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha rucis tatah, athasaktis tato bhavah. Bhava. So we have to come to the stage of bhava. Budha bhava-samanvitah. Krsna says,

aham sarvasya prabhavo
mattah sarvam pravartate
iti matva bhajante mam
budha bhava-samanvitah
[Bg. 10.8]

So this bhava, the ecstatic stage of devotional service, one has to reach. That is the perfection, or that, the priority stage of love of Godhead.

So these things are recommended. Krsna is personally explaining. Why should we not take advantage of these things? Why we are neglecting? It is suicidal. The Supreme Personality of Godhead is personally instructing how to become Krsna conscious, how to become perfect in Krsna consciousness, and then, tyaktva deham punar janma [Bg. 4.9], then you can go back to home, back to Godhead. Why we should not take advantage of this opportunity? This is not very good. We should take advantage. We have got this human form of body. We have got intelligence. And the statement and explanation is being given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead personally. Why we should not take advantage? This is suicidal policy. Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 4.28 -- Bombay, April 17, 1974