Why Krsna Comes To This World

21 Aug 73 , London

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thank you very much. (end)

 

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

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Purpose Of Installing Deity

21 Aug 73 , London

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Prabhupada: Goloka-namni nija-dhamni. There is a planet in the spiritual world. The material world, you can see the material sky, limit of the sky, the horizon, but you are not able to reach even the moon planet, the nearest planet. But within this universe, within this horizon, there are innumerable planets. Asesa. Yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti kotisv asesa-vasudhadi vibhuti-bhinnam [Bs. 5.40]. By the shining effulgence from the body of Krsna... That is called brahmajyoti. Within that brahmajyoti or effulgence there are innumerable universes. Ananta-koti. Yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti. Koti means innumerable. One million, ten millions equal to one lakh. Such hundred lakhs makes a koti. So actually we see there are innumerable planets but beyond this creation, this is material creation, one-fourth manifestation, one-fourth manifestation of God's creation, this, this material world... This is also only one universe. There are innumerable universes clustered together and beyond this clustering of universes there is another sky which is called paravyoma or spiritual sky. If you want to go there, then you have to penetrate through the material coverings -- earth, water, fire, water, fire, air, like that. Each layer so big. And the next layer is ten times more than the first layer. In this way there are seven layers. So penetrating through that seven layers you reach the spiritual sky. And after reaching the spiritual sky, there are so many Vaikuntha planets, spiritual planets.

So that is summarized: goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya [Bs. 5.43]. The topmost planet is called Goloka or Krsna, Krsnaloka. Go means cows. Krsna is very much fond of cows. Therefore, that planet is called also Goloka, the planet full of cows. We have recited Brahma-samhita today, cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-laksa-vrtesu surabhir abhipalayantam [Bs. 5.29]. Krsna is engaged in tending cows. He's very much fond of cows. Surabhi, they are not ordinary cows. In the spiritual world, everything is spiritual. So there is a planet, goloka-namni. So, that is the highest planet. Goloka-namni nija-dhamni. That is the personal abode. Goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya: [Bs. 5.43] under that planet, there are other planetary systems. They are called Devidhama, Mahesadhama, Haridhama.

Now this universe, this material world is called Devi-dhama. Devi-dhama. It is under the control of the material energy. Srsti-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir-eka chayeva yasya bhuvanani vibharti durga [Bs. 5.44]. This energy is also personified called Durgadevi. So above this planetary system there is Mahesa-dhama. Mahesa-dhama. In the border between spiritual sky and material sky. Above that, there are Hari-dhama, the Vaikuntha planets where Narayana, in various forms is predominating. And above all of them there is Goloka-dhama or Krsna's dhama. So picture we have given in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya [Bs. 5.43], devi-mahesa-hari-dhamasu tesu tesu, te te prabhava-nicaya vihitas ca yena. Each planetary system has got specific atmosphere. Everything is specific. So that is done, that is created by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So in this way, Krsna is there in the topmost Goloka-dhama. But still goloka-dhamni nivasati, although He is living there, akhilatma-bhuto, He is everywhere. He's everywhere. That is Krsna.

Just like we are sitting in this hall. We are not in our apartment house. Krsna is not like that. He is in the goloka-namni nija-dhamni, in His own planet, He's engaged in His occupation. Somewhere He's tending cows, somewhere He's dancing with the gopis. He is going on with His enjoying occupations. But still He's everywhere. Goloka-namni, goloka eva nivasaty [Bs. 5.37]. Nivasaty means although He's living there, akhilatma bhutah. He's everywhere. He's within your heart. Isvara sarva bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati. He's within your heart. Not only within the heart, He is within the atom also. Eko 'py asau racayitum jagad-anda-kotim yac-chaktir asti jagad-anda caya yad-antah andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham [Bs. 5.35]. His one plenary portion has entered this material world as Garbhodakasayi Visnu. From Garbhodakasayi Visnu, there is expansion of Ksirodakasayi Visnu. That Ksirodakasayi Visnu has entered every atom. Eko 'py asau racayitum jagad-anda-kotim yac-chaktir asti jagad-anda-caya yad-antah. So Krsna is everywhere, and if you are devotee, then you can catch Him. This is the secret. Just like electricity is everywhere, electrons. One who can tackle the electrons, they can talk without any direct connection by electronic method, thousand thousand miles away. Just like radio message, television message. So similarly, Krsna is also everywhere. Just like the waves of sound wave is going on. As soon as you produce, I produce one sound, immediately within a second the sound goes round the earth seven times. So if a material thing has got so much power, just think how much power God has got. So He is everywhere. Simply you have to catch Him. And He's also ready for being caught. Yes. If somebody wants to catch Him... Suppose you are a devotee. If you want to catch Him, He comes forward ten times than your desire. He's so kind. Therefore, we have to simply receive Him.

So this Deity worship in the temple means worshiping Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He's akhilatma-bhutah [Bs. 5.37]. Where you shall find Him? He's everywhere. Therefore, He has very kindly accepted to assume a form which you can handle. This form of Krsna, the atheist will say that "Here is a form made of marble. How is that they are worshiping God, Krsna?" That is atheist view. But from the sastra, we understand Krsna, if He is within the atom, why not within the marble? It is simply understanding. Not only within, the marble itself is also Krsna. Because in the Bhagavad-gita we understand: bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca [Bg. 7.4]. These material elements, earth, earth, water, fire, air, they are Krsna's energy. Krsna says bhinna me prakrtir astadha. They are My energies, separated energy. So even if you consider that here is not Krsna but a marble. No, that marble is also Krsna. Marble is also... And Krsna is, being omnipotent, even for your logical argument... Even if you say that this is a marble statue, still Krsna is so powerful, omnipotent, that He can accept your service even through this marble. Actually, it is not marble. Or from spiritual vision, everything being Krsna, so Krsna can accept your service even through the marble, even through the water, even through the fire. Why not? Energy. Just like if you come to the sunshine, energy of sun, you immediately touch the sun globe. Is it not? Because the beams are coming from the sun globe so as soon as you touch the sunshine, sunbeam, you touch the sun immediately. And there are yogis who can reach the sun planet through the beams of sun. Because the spirit soul is very, very small. Smaller than the atom. Kesagra-sata-bhagasya satadha kalpitasya ca [Cc. Madhya 19.140]. And the spirit soul can go everywhere. And it is, the speed of spirit soul is greater than the mind. You have got experience of the speed of the mind. In a second you can go many thousands of miles. Mind. Suppose you are sitting here, those who are Indians, immediately, within a second, one can reach Calcutta, Bombay. Immediately, without even, less than a second's time. The mind's speed, you can imagine. And finer than the mind is the spirit soul. So how much speedy is the spirit soul, that we have to know from the sastras. Sastra yonitvat. Everything.

Therefore do not think that we have installed a marble statue. The rascals will say "They are heathens." No. We are worshiping Krsna personally. Krsna personally, Krsna has kindly assumed this form just... Because we cannot see Krsna, the gigantic Krsna, or Krsna is everywhere... Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. Our imperfect senses cannot see Krsna immediately. But Krsna is so kind, as we can see... We can see stone, we can see wood, we can see earth, we can see water, we can see color. Therefore, Krsna comes before us just quite suitable for our vision. But He's Krsna. So this Deity worship, those who are in charge of Deity worship, they never should think that here is a statue. No. Here is Krsna. The honor, the respect, the samra (indistinct), means with great honor... You must always think that here is Krsna personally. Don't think that it is statue. Krsna personally. So you should honor and think also and be cautious so that you may not commit offense. Krsna worship, if you neglect the process, then it will be offensive. There are sixty-four kinds of offenses. You have seen it in The Nectar of Devotion. So not very much... You should be very much clean, first thing is. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Very much clean, rise early in the morning, take your bath and perform mangala aratrika, then chant Hare Krsna mantra, then read scriptures. In this way remain twenty-four hours engaged in Krsna's service. This is the purpose of installing Deity. Not that after few days you think it is a burden. No, then it will be great offense. It is not burden. It is a great opportunity to serve Krsna. As the gopis are serving in Goloka Vrndavana. Krsna is so kind. He has come here to accept your service in a manner in which you can handle Him. You can dress Krsna, you can offer prasada, you can chant His glory. In this way, always remain engaged in Krsna consciousness and gradually you'll find how you are advancing in spiritual life. Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Deity Installation -- London, August 21, 1973

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© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

"Don't Cheat Others"

73/08/21 London, Bhagavad-gita 2.15


Pradyumna:

yam hi na vyathayanty ete
purusam purusarsabha
sama-duhkha-sukham dhiram
so 'mrtatvaya kalpate
[Bg. 2.15]

"O best among men [Arjuna], the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation."

Prabhupada: There is a mistake. "Is best," it should be "the best," not "is best" "The best." It is address. Not nominative. Go on.

Pradyumna: Finished.

Prabhupada: Finished?

Pradyumna: Yes.

Prabhupada: So Krsna is addressing Arjuna, purusarsabha, the best of the men. "O the best of the men." Certainly, Arjuna is the best of the mankind. Because he is directly friend of Krsna, who can be better man than him? The best of the men. So the best of the men, why he's distressed in executing his duty? Therefore, this very word is used, that "You are the best of the men."

Actually, the best of the men should not be disturbed by any material condition. He should discharge his duties. And what is the duty? Duty is to become immortal. This is the duty. The lowest of the men does not know how to become immortal, amrta. Mrta means death and amrta means no death. The modern rascal civilization cannot understand that there is possibility of becoming immortal. They have taken it, accepted it; "Well, who can stop?" They are simply scientifically calculating that "Some day will come, by science, we shall be immortal, there will be no death." The formula is given here by Krsna how to become immortal. That means you should be callous of this so-called happiness and distress of this material world. That is the first qualification. One who doesn't care what is the distress and happiness of this body, he must execute Krsna consciousness. That is the qualification. "Oh, I cannot execute Krsna consciousness because there are so many inconveniences," he's not fit for becoming immortal.

People do not know that there can, we can become immortal. Immortal we are, but we have been embodied in this material body. Therefore we have to accept mortality, birth and death. These things stated in the Bhagavad-gita, this is the beginning of spiritual life. Spiritual life means how to become immortal. They come to ask me, "Sir, do you know some spiritual magic? Kundalini, yoga? This? That?" All for material benefit. Spiritualist means something magic so that you can get some material benefit. If by stretching your hand you can get some little quantity of gold, then you are spiritualist: "Oh, here is a man, wonderful spiritualist. He can create gold. He can cure disease by simply..." What is called? Fooing.(?) Like that. They want to see magic only for material benefit. What is called? Miracles. That is spiritualist. (aside:) Not in that way; let him sit backside this. Spiritual life means how to become immortal. Amrtatvaya. So 'mrtatvaya kalpate. Krsna has explained,

matra-sparsas tu kaunteya
sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah
agamapayino 'nityas
tams titiksasva bharata
[Bg. 2.14]

Tams titiksasva. Don't be disturbed by the sensuous disturbance of the body. Become dhira. Dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13].

Become dhira.

So one who has practiced to become dhira, not to become disturbed by the sensuous or bodily sensations, he's supposed to be kalpate, he's supposed to be, to become immortal at the end. And the Bhagavata says also that you do not become a spiritual master, you do not become a father, you do not become a mother, you do not become a friend, a relative, in this way, if you cannot make your subordinate immortal. Pita na sa syat, gurur na sa syat, gurur na sa syat, janani na sa syat pita na sa syat. In this way, there is a list. You become father of hundreds of children. That's all right. No restriction. You beget children. But you must make your children immortal. That is the injunction. You have become guru. That's all right, Guruji Maharaja. That's all right. But make your disciples immortal. Otherwise, don't, don't cheat others. Cheaters. Illicit father, illicit mother. As we say, illicit sex. Similarly illicit father, illicit mother. Who is illicit father, illicit mother? Who cannot make his children immortal. That is the aim of human life. How to become immortal. How... Not to become, we are immortal. Just like a person, he's diseased, attacked by fever. Fever is not his natural condition, but somehow or other, he has got fever. Similarly, we are immortal. That will be explained. Na jayate na mriyate va. The living entity never takes birth, never dies. Therefore immortal. Immortal means no birth, no death. That is immortal. Whenever there is birth, there is death. If there is no birth, there is no death. That is immortality.

So the whole scheme is Vedic scheme, not otherwise: how to become immortal. You find in Bhagavad-gita, yad gatva na nivartante tad dhama paramam mama [Bg. 15.6]. In many places, the sastra only aims at. In another place, in Bharati-kavya (Bhakti-kavya) (?), when Visvamitra Muni came to see Maharaja Dasaratha to ask his son, Ramacandra and Laksmana, to take them, they were boys at that time, and there was a demon disturbing in the forest. So Visvamitra... (aside:) Not back side ... Visvamitra Muni came to Maharaja Dasaratha for help. Visvamitra Muni could kill that demon immediately, but that is not the business of the brahmana. Killing business is for the ksatriya. Just see how... He was quite powerful. He could kill that demon simply by saying that "You die." He was so powerful, Visvamitra Muni. But still, he came to the king for help.

So when Visvamitra Muni came to Maharaja Dasaratha, as we ask, "How are you?" so Dasaratha, Maharaja Dasaratha inquired from Visvamitra Muni, aihistam yad punar janmajaya: (?)"My dear sir, if there is anything disturbance in your occupation? Because you are trying to conquer over death." All the great rsis and saintly persons, all spiritual realization means to conquer over death. So this was the question. ihistam yad tam punar janmajaya.(?) Punar janma, you are trying to own over repetition of birth. The modern civilization, they do not know that it is possible. It is possible to become immortal, to have eternal blissful life of knowledge. That is called immortality. Sac-cid-ananda. Sat means eternity and cit means knowledge and ananda means pleasure, bliss. We are part and parcel of Krsna. Krsna is sac-cid-ananda vigraha [Bs. 5.1]. His transcendental body is eternal, blissful and complete knowledge, His body. Therefore He's speaking Bhagavad-gita. If He's an ordinary man, what is the use of hearing Him? Ordinary man will commit mistake, will cheat, will be illusioned. His senses are imperfect; how he can give complete knowledge? That is not possible. Therefore we are not concerned to hear any rascal. We want to hear Krsna. We are not prepared to hear any rascal, so-called scientists and so-called philosopher, so-called God. No. We are not prepared. Because everyone is rascal. Everyone is full of mistakes, everyone is trying to cheat others, everyone is illusioned, and everyone's senses are imperfect. How he can give knowledge perfect? That is not possible.

Therefore, we have to select guru. Guru means Krsna. As Arjuna has selected guru, sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam tvam prapannam: [Bg. 2.7] "I am, I become Your sisya, disciple, and I surrender unto You." So to get perfect knowledge, we have to find out Krsna or Krsna's bona fide representative. Then there is perfect knowledge. Then we can become immortal. Unless we get perfect knowledge. So Krsna is sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah [Bs. 5.1], immortal. Krsna is full of bliss, full of knowledge, and we are also part and parcel of Krsna. So we have also the same quality, sac-cid-ananda, the spiritual body. But because we have contacted this material nature, our blissfulness, our eternity, our knowledge, everything is now disturbed. Everything is now disturbed. We cannot be completely blissful. Anything you take, any pleasurable thing you take, it cannot give you always pleasure. It is not possible. This is not possible in this material world. However you may try scientifically to prolong your duration of life, live forever, it is not possible. And however you may pose yourself, cheat others, that you are the best man in knowledge, philosopher, scientist, you are a fool. That is not possible. Sac-cid-ananda vigrahah is Krsna only [Bs. 5.1]. So we can also become like Krsna along with Krsna. Not outside. We can be living force along with Krsna. So Krsna is also very much anxious to take us back to Him.

Therefore He comes. Yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati bharata abhyutthanam srjamy aham [Bg. 4.7]. When these rascals forget that unless he goes back to home, goes back to Krsna he'll never be happy, that is the discrepancy of occupational duty. They have come here, krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare (Prema-vivarta), he has come here to enjoy, to lord it over the material nature, and has become entangled. So Krsna comes, descends, to save us, to give us shelter at His lotus feet so that we may also become immortal like Krsna, full of bliss and full of knowledge. That is called amrtatva.

So unless we have got our aim, target of life, then what is the value of life? This is amrtatvaya. Is there any institution, is there educational institution or university or college where this teaching is given, that how you can become immortal? Is there any institution in the world? Throughout the whole world? No. They are simply teaching that you live like animal and die like animal. That's all. You live like cats and dog and you die like cats and dogs and again become cats and dogs. Punah punas carvita-carvananam [SB 7.5.30]. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te 'pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah.

matir na krsne paratah svato va
mitho 'bhipadyeta grha-vratanam
adanta-gobhir visatam tamisram
punah punas carvita-carvananam

[SB 7.5.30]

naisam matis tavad urukramanghrim
sprsaty anarthapagamo yad-arthah
mahiyasam pada-rajo-'bhisekam
niskincananam na vrnita yavat

This is Prahlada Maharaja's instruction, that the... He was instructing his father, materialist, first-class materialist. So, when he inquired that "What is your purpose that you have become Krsna conscious? How you have become Krsna conscious?" So he answered. He did not ask him, addressed him, as "My father." He addressed him, asura-varya, the first-class demon. He never addressed him, "My dear father." "My dear first-class demon." This little boy, five years old, because he's Krsna conscious, and the father is threatening always to kill, still he's not afraid. When he says that "Wherefrom you have got this courage, Prahlada?" "My dear father," or "My dear demon, I have got this courage wherefrom you have got this courage. But you are forgetting. That is the difference. You have got so much power that you can defeat anyone, even the demigods. You should know that you have got this power from the powerful. But you are not obedient to the powerful." That is demon. Demons, when they get power, they think that "I have got it, I have earned it. It is my thing. Who can challenge me?" But he forgets that everything can be withdrawn within a second by the powerful. That is demoniac. And Vaisnava, devotee means although he is very, very powerful, he never thinks that "I am powerful." He thinks that "I am acting simply by the order of the powerful." This is the difference.

So Prahlada Maharaja said "People do not know the aim of life." The aim of life is here, amrtatva, as good as Krsna, as good as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Blissful, full of knowledge and eternal. That is the aim of life. But people do not know. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum [SB 7.5.31]. Visnu means the Supreme Lord who is eternal, full of bliss and full of knowledge. So our aim should be how to approach Visnu. Then we get the same power, same eternity, same blissfulness. Just like a motorcar is running at the speed of sixty miles, and if a cyclist someway or other catches the motorcar, he can also go at the speed of sixty miles. Sometimes boys do that. Similarly, you approach Krsna. You approach Visnu. You get all the powers because you become under protection. Protection of the... That... Tulasi dasa has said that in the ocean, the waves of the ocean, if you put one elephant very powerful, very strong, the elephant will be washed away by the waves. But a small fish, a teeny fish, it is swimming against the waves. They take pleasure. The fish, when the waves are coming this way, the fish go in that way. Now see. You put against the waves an elephant. It will be washed away. Why elephant? Any strong thing you give. Even big, big ships, oh, it will be washed away. But a small fish, it doesn't care the waves; it goes against the waves. Why? It has taken the shelter. It has taken the shelter of the ocean. Similarly, all power belongs to Krsna. Yatra yogesvarah harih. But if anyone takes shelter of Krsna, he becomes as powerful as Krsna. This is the process.

So, but we do not know. We want to become powerful here by so-called science, so-called yoga, kundalini and what other nonsense they are think... They are trying to be immortal, powerful. No, sir, that is not possible. It is not possible. Therefore, people do not know. Na te viduh. They do not know. Svartha-gatim hi visnum. Our aim should be how to approach Visnu. How to go back to home, back to Godhead. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya [SB 7.5.31]. They're hoping, very durasaya, means very badly, wrongly, that they want to be happy by adjustment of this material world. The yogic process is also another material gymnastic. We have not heard any yogi has become successful to get immortality. No, that is not possible. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum durasaya ye bahir-artha-maninah [SB 7.5.31]. Those who are trying to adjust this material world by science or yoga, without caring for Visnu, what they are? Andha. They are blind. Andha. And their leaders? They are also blind. Andha yatha upaniyamanah andhena. One blind man is trying to lead another blind man. So what is the wrong there? Te 'pisa-tantryam baddhah: They are bound up by the laws of nature, hand and legs tight. How they can become free and happy by such endeavor? That is not possible. So, so simply by taking Krsna consciousness it will be nice? Yes.

So how to take Krsna consciousness? That is also answered by Prahlada Maharaja. Matir na krsne paratah svato va mitho 'bhipadyeta grha-vratanam. Krsna consciousness cannot be awakened for a person who wants to stay in this material world and become happy. He cannot become Krsna conscious. Grha-vratanam. Grha means home, and vratanam means one who has taken the house or home or this body as everything. Vrata. Vrata means... Just like you are observing this today, a Janmastami-vrata, under vow. We shall fast, an austerity. The aim is different from the grha-vrata. Grha-vrata's aim is how to decorate the home, how to become happy in this home, in this world, in this material world. That is their... So they cannot become Krsna conscious. One who has become callous of this material happiness, he can become Krsna conscious. Therefore it is said here, yam hi na vyathayanty ete. These material things, seasonal changes, so-called happiness, so-called distress, if one is not disturbed... There is no cause of disturbance. This is another foolishness. Why one should be disturbed? Because the so-called happiness or happiness or distress, whatever you are destined to receive, you must get it. You try or do not try, it doesn't matter. Whatever portion of happiness you are destined to get, you'll get it. And whatever portion of... Because this material life is mixture. You cannot get unadulterated happiness or unadulterated distress. No. That is not. You'll get distress and happiness both.

Therefore Krsna has explained in the previous verse, here also: yam hi na vyathayanty ete. Matra-sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna-sukha-duhkha [Bg. 2.14]. Here in this material world there is winter and the counterpart summer also. In the winter we aspire, "If it would have been warmer." That means you want summer. And again summer you'll require, you aspire had it been, I mean to say, cooler. You apply cooling machine. So this is our struggle. In the summer, we apply cooling machine, and in the winter, we apply heating machine. So undisturbed happiness, either in coolness or warmth, you cannot have. This is not possible. Therefore we have to become callous. But the materialist persons, they are disturbed. A little winter, little chilliness, immediately, "Bring electric heater, immediately." Or if there is too much hot, "Bring fan, bring cooler." So they are busy how to adjust these material disturbances. But they do not think that "Why these material disturbances are disturbing me? I do not want them." That question do not come... They simply struggle how to counteract it. Struggling like fool. But here is the solution. Here is the solution. The solution is that don't be disturbed with this cooling and heating machine. Be pleased in whatever condition Krsna has placed you. Of course, there is no harm if you can put yourself in a comfortable... But simply for putting yourself in comfortable situation, don't forget Krsna. That is our aim. Simply for making adjustment of this material condition of life, if you forget Krsna, then you'll lose everything. That in the Bible also, what is, there is a... (devotee speaks) Yes. Repeat it.

Hamsaduta: "What profiteth a man who gains the whole world but he loses his eternal soul?"

Prabhupada: That's it. That should be the aim. That we are eternal soul. We must be again replaced in our eternal life. But if you forget this mission of life and simply become engaged how to become happy in this material world, how to avoid distress and how to get happiness... People are engaged in that way. Simply trying to get happiness and avoid distress, and forgetting that he has got a mission of life, to realize his self and go back to home, back to Godhead. This is the defect of the modern civilization.
So... bahir-artha-maninah. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi... matir na krsne paratah svato va mitho 'bhipadyeta grha-vratanam. So their conferences, their United Nation, their scientific advancement, their educational system, philosophy, and so on, so on, everything is meant for how to become happy in this material world. Grha-vratanam. The aim is how to become happy here. And that is not possible. These rascals they cannot understand. If you want to become happy, then you must come to Krsna. Mam upetya tu kaunteya duhkhalayam asasvatam napnuvanti [Bg. 8.15]. Krsna says, "If somebody comes to Me, then he does not again get this place which is full of miseries," duhkhalayam. This material world is explained by Krsna as duhkhalayam. Alayam means place, and duhkha means distress. Everything is distressful here, but fools being illusioned, covered by the illusory maya, that distress he accepts as happiness. That is maya. It is not at all happiness. A man is working whole day and night, and because he's getting some paper where it is written, "We trust in God. Take this paper, hundred dollars. I cheat you." Is it not? "We trust in God. I promise to pay you. Take this paper now. Not even one cent worth. It is written there hundred dollars." So I am thinking I am very happy: "Now I have got this paper." That's all. Cheaters and cheated. This is going on.

So we should not be disturbed by the happiness and distress of this material world. That should be our aim. Our aim should be how to execute Krsna consciousness. How to execute. And Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given very simple formula:

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

In this age, Kali, you cannot execute any severe austerity or penances. Simply chant Hare Krsna. That also we are not able to do. Just see. How unfortunate we are. So this is the position of the Kali-yuga. Mandah sumanda-matayo manda-bhagya upadrutah [SB 1.1.10]. They are very rascals, manda. Manda means very bad, manda. And sumanda-matayah. And if they want to improve something, they will accept some rascal Guruji Maharaja. Mandah sumanda-matayah. And some party which has no bona fide contribution, they will accept that: "Oh it is very nice." So first of all they're all bad, and if they accept something, that will also be very bad. Why? Unfortunate. Mandah sumanda-matayo manda-bhagyah [SB 1.1.10]. Manda-bhagyah means unfortunate. And above that, upadrutah. Always disturbed by taxes, no rains, no sufficient food. So many things. This is the position of Kali-yuga. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu said... Caitanya Mahaprabhu not. It is in the Vedic literature, that you cannot do the yoga practice, meditation or offering big, big sacrifices or construct big, big temples for worshiping the Deity. It is very, very difficult nowadays. Simply chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, and gradually you'll realize how to become immortal.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.15 -- London, August 21, 1973

"Purpose Of Installing Deity"

21 Aug 73 , London


Prabhupada: Goloka-namni nija-dhamni. There is a planet in the spiritual world. The material world, you can see the material sky, limit of the sky, the horizon, but you are not able to reach even the moon planet, the nearest planet. But within this universe, within this horizon, there are innumerable planets. Asesa. Yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti kotisv asesa-vasudhadi vibhuti-bhinnam [Bs. 5.40]. By the shining effulgence from the body of Krsna... That is called brahmajyoti. Within that brahmajyoti or effulgence there are innumerable universes. Ananta-koti. Yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti. Koti means innumerable. One million, ten millions equal to one lakh. Such hundred lakhs makes a koti. So actually we see there are innumerable planets but beyond this creation, this is material creation, one-fourth manifestation, one-fourth manifestation of God's creation, this, this material world... This is also only one universe. There are innumerable universes clustered together and beyond this clustering of universes there is another sky which is called paravyoma or spiritual sky. If you want to go there, then you have to penetrate through the material coverings -- earth, water, fire, water, fire, air, like that. Each layer so big. And the next layer is ten times more than the first layer. In this way there are seven layers. So penetrating through that seven layers you reach the spiritual sky. And after reaching the spiritual sky, there are so many Vaikuntha planets, spiritual planets.

So that is summarized: goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya [Bs. 5.43]. The topmost planet is called Goloka or Krsna, Krsnaloka. Go means cows. Krsna is very much fond of cows. Therefore, that planet is called also Goloka, the planet full of cows. We have recited Brahma-samhita today, cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-laksa-vrtesu surabhir abhipalayantam [Bs. 5.29]. Krsna is engaged in tending cows. He's very much fond of cows. Surabhi, they are not ordinary cows. In the spiritual world, everything is spiritual. So there is a planet, goloka-namni. So, that is the highest planet. Goloka-namni nija-dhamni. That is the personal abode. Goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya: [Bs. 5.43] under that planet, there are other planetary systems. They are called Devidhama, Mahesadhama, Haridhama.

Now this universe, this material world is called Devi-dhama. Devi-dhama. It is under the control of the material energy. Srsti-sthiti-pralaya-sadhana-saktir-eka chayeva yasya bhuvanani vibharti durga [Bs. 5.44]. This energy is also personified called Durgadevi. So above this planetary system there is Mahesa-dhama. Mahesa-dhama. In the border between spiritual sky and material sky. Above that, there are Hari-dhama, the Vaikuntha planets where Narayana, in various forms is predominating. And above all of them there is Goloka-dhama or Krsna's dhama. So picture we have given in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So goloka-namni nija-dhamni tale ca tasya [Bs. 5.43], devi-mahesa-hari-dhamasu tesu tesu, te te prabhava-nicaya vihitas ca yena. Each planetary system has got specific atmosphere. Everything is specific. So that is done, that is created by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So in this way, Krsna is there in the topmost Goloka-dhama. But still goloka-dhamni nivasati, although He is living there, akhilatma-bhuto, He is everywhere. He's everywhere. That is Krsna.

Just like we are sitting in this hall. We are not in our apartment house. Krsna is not like that. He is in the goloka-namni nija-dhamni, in His own planet, He's engaged in His occupation. Somewhere He's tending cows, somewhere He's dancing with the gopis. He is going on with His enjoying occupations. But still He's everywhere. Goloka-namni, goloka eva nivasaty [Bs. 5.37]. Nivasaty means although He's living there, akhilatma bhutah. He's everywhere. He's within your heart. Isvara sarva bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati. He's within your heart. Not only within the heart, He is within the atom also. Eko 'py asau racayitum jagad-anda-kotim yac-chaktir asti jagad-anda caya yad-antah andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham [Bs. 5.35]. His one plenary portion has entered this material world as Garbhodakasayi Visnu. From Garbhodakasayi Visnu, there is expansion of Ksirodakasayi Visnu. That Ksirodakasayi Visnu has entered every atom. Eko 'py asau racayitum jagad-anda-kotim yac-chaktir asti jagad-anda-caya yad-antah. So Krsna is everywhere, and if you are devotee, then you can catch Him. This is the secret. Just like electricity is everywhere, electrons. One who can tackle the electrons, they can talk without any direct connection by electronic method, thousand thousand miles away. Just like radio message, television message. So similarly, Krsna is also everywhere. Just like the waves of sound wave is going on. As soon as you produce, I produce one sound, immediately within a second the sound goes round the earth seven times. So if a material thing has got so much power, just think how much power God has got. So He is everywhere. Simply you have to catch Him. And He's also ready for being caught. Yes. If somebody wants to catch Him... Suppose you are a devotee. If you want to catch Him, He comes forward ten times than your desire. He's so kind. Therefore, we have to simply receive Him.

So this Deity worship in the temple means worshiping Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. He's akhilatma-bhutah [Bs. 5.37]. Where you shall find Him? He's everywhere. Therefore, He has very kindly accepted to assume a form which you can handle. This form of Krsna, the atheist will say that "Here is a form made of marble. How is that they are worshiping God, Krsna?" That is atheist view. But from the sastra, we understand Krsna, if He is within the atom, why not within the marble? It is simply understanding. Not only within, the marble itself is also Krsna. Because in the Bhagavad-gita we understand: bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca [Bg. 7.4]. These material elements, earth, earth, water, fire, air, they are Krsna's energy. Krsna says bhinna me prakrtir astadha. They are My energies, separated energy. So even if you consider that here is not Krsna but a marble. No, that marble is also Krsna. Marble is also... And Krsna is, being omnipotent, even for your logical argument... Even if you say that this is a marble statue, still Krsna is so powerful, omnipotent, that He can accept your service even through this marble. Actually, it is not marble. Or from spiritual vision, everything being Krsna, so Krsna can accept your service even through the marble, even through the water, even through the fire. Why not? Energy. Just like if you come to the sunshine, energy of sun, you immediately touch the sun globe. Is it not? Because the beams are coming from the sun globe so as soon as you touch the sunshine, sunbeam, you touch the sun immediately. And there are yogis who can reach the sun planet through the beams of sun. Because the spirit soul is very, very small. Smaller than the atom. Kesagra-sata-bhagasya satadha kalpitasya ca [Cc. Madhya 19.140]. And the spirit soul can go everywhere. And it is, the speed of spirit soul is greater than the mind. You have got experience of the speed of the mind. In a second you can go many thousands of miles. Mind. Suppose you are sitting here, those who are Indians, immediately, within a second, one can reach Calcutta, Bombay. Immediately, without even, less than a second's time. The mind's speed, you can imagine. And finer than the mind is the spirit soul. So how much speedy is the spirit soul, that we have to know from the sastras. Sastra yonitvat. Everything.

Therefore do not think that we have installed a marble statue. The rascals will say "They are heathens." No. We are worshiping Krsna personally. Krsna personally, Krsna has kindly assumed this form just... Because we cannot see Krsna, the gigantic Krsna, or Krsna is everywhere... Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Cc. Madhya 17.136]. Our imperfect senses cannot see Krsna immediately. But Krsna is so kind, as we can see... We can see stone, we can see wood, we can see earth, we can see water, we can see color. Therefore, Krsna comes before us just quite suitable for our vision. But He's Krsna. So this Deity worship, those who are in charge of Deity worship, they never should think that here is a statue. No. Here is Krsna. The honor, the respect, the samra (indistinct), means with great honor... You must always think that here is Krsna personally. Don't think that it is statue. Krsna personally. So you should honor and think also and be cautious so that you may not commit offense. Krsna worship, if you neglect the process, then it will be offensive. There are sixty-four kinds of offenses. You have seen it in The Nectar of Devotion. So not very much... You should be very much clean, first thing is. Cleanliness is next to godliness. Very much clean, rise early in the morning, take your bath and perform mangala aratrika, then chant Hare Krsna mantra, then read scriptures. In this way remain twenty-four hours engaged in Krsna's service. This is the purpose of installing Deity. Not that after few days you think it is a burden. No, then it will be great offense. It is not burden. It is a great opportunity to serve Krsna. As the gopis are serving in Goloka Vrndavana. Krsna is so kind. He has come here to accept your service in a manner in which you can handle Him. You can dress Krsna, you can offer prasada, you can chant His glory. In this way, always remain engaged in Krsna consciousness and gradually you'll find how you are advancing in spiritual life. Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Sri Radha Gokulananda Deity Installation -- London, August 21, 1973

© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.