All Wrapped Up in Matter

All Wrapped Up in Matter

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.51
Detroit, August 4, 1975

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Nitai: "The subtle body endowed with the five knowledge-acquiring senses, the five working senses, the five objects of sense gratification, and the mind, altogether sixteen parts, which is the effect of the three modes of material nature and is composed of very strong, insurmountable desires, causes the living entity to transmigrate from one body to another within the kingdom of human life, animal life, or higher demigod life. When he gets the body of a demigod he is certainly very jubilant. When he gets the body of a human being he is always in lamentation. When he gets the body of an animal he is always afraid. In this way, in all conditions he is miserable. This miserable condition is called samsrti, or transmigration in material life."

Prabhupada:

tad etat sodasa-kalam
lingam sakti-trayam mahat
dhatte 'nusamsrtim pumsi
harsa-soka-bhayartidam
 [SB 6.1.51]

This is called sankhya-yoga, to understand the analytical process of this body. In the Bhagavad-gita you have learned that,

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

So with this combination of sixteen elements, within that there is the soul. He is enwrapped in so many wrappers, mana, buddhi, ahankara and... Altogether twenty-four wrappers, and within that wrappers there is the living soul. The modern science, they cannot understand this. They are searching after the active principle or living force within this body, but they have no information. But here, in the Srimad Bhagavatam, you get the full analysis. Tad etat sodasa-kalam. The analysis is that the living entity is enwrapped first all with sixteen wrappers, sodasa-kalam. What are those? Now, ten senses: five working senses and five knowledge-gathering senses. We are experience... We are perceiving by using our five knowledge-gathering senses, just like eyes, ear, caksu, karna, smell, nose. Caksu, karna, nasika, jihva, tongue, touch, hand... In this way we get knowledge experience. Sometimes we stress on the knowledge experienced by the eyes: "I want to see." But that is not the only source of knowledge. There are many blind men who cannot see, but he has got full knowledge. There are other sources of knowledge. Just like a mango. You see the mango, but you cannot experience the full knowledge unless you use the tongue. Then you can say whether it is good mango or bad mango, not by seeing.

So these are our knowledge-gathering senses, and there are working senses, just like hand, leg, the stomach, the rectum, the genital. These are working senses. In this way, ten senses and five sense objects. We have got eyes, so there must be object of seeing. Panca-tanmatra, rupa, rasa. With eyes we can see the form. With tongue we can taste. Rupa, rasa, sabda. With the ear we can hear the sound. In this way, five sense objects of three, five, means fifteen, and the mind. The mind is the center of directing the senses. Indriyani parany ahuh indriyebhyah param manah. The senses are there, sense objects are there, but without mind it cannot work. Therefore the mind is the sixteenth item. And everything is being used by whom? By the soul. Therefore seventeenth. And in this gross body there are five elements and three subtle elements. Bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca [Bg. 7.4]. In this way there are twenty-four elements which is covering the twenty-fifth, living entity, and he is packed up in this way.

Then tad etat sodasa-kalam lingam. Lingam means the form. Lingam sakti-trayam mahat. Just like we have got this microphone, so the machine is made of these elements. That is analyzed. Then how it is working? Sakti-traya. The sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna, mahat-tattva, the material elements... In this way the living entity is under the full control of material nature. And everything is coming out swiftly by our desire. These desires are also being generated from the soul, but by the infection of three qualities: sattva-guna, rajo-guna, tamo-guna. So just try to understand how the nature's law is working very finely and immediately. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate [Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport]. And above all these things, the nature's working, there is Krsna. Mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram [Bg. 9.10]. The prakrti, nature... Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27]. Everything is being done. Just like the big airship is floating in the sky, but the pilot is pushing the button, similarly, the whole cosmic manifestation is working, but the button-pusher is Krsna. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate. His knowledge is so perfect, and He has made this machine so perfect. A man can make so nice perfect machine, so what to speak about God? So mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram [Bg. 9.10].

So the basic principle... We are under these laws of material nature only for our desire. That is the basic principle. So the Krsna consciousness movement means we have to change the desire. Anyabhilasita-sunyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. Sunyam means zero. As soon as we make all other desires... Other means there are two things: Krsna and maya. So this material world means maya. Maya means which is not fact. It is an illusion. Just like we dream at night. It is no fact, but it works. Similarly, this material world is called maya, means it is not factually in existence, but it is working, hallucination. So if we want to be really... Because we are within this entanglement, twenty-four elements, as we have analyzed, within this, the result is that, being influenced by this maya or mahat-tattva, who is working with the three modes of material nature, and I am desiring, my basic principle of my material existence is my desire, and as soon as I desire, by the order of Krsna, immediately the instruments and facilities are given to me. In this way, dhatte anusamsrtim pumsi. As I desire, immediately the instrument... This body is instrument. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61]. (child making noise) (aside:) Stop this child. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati. Krsna is situated everyone's heart, and as I am desiring, He has given us full freedom, not full freedom, but freedom. Krsna is so kind that just like father, mother, gives the child little freedom and it moves here and there, but always looking after -- may not catch up any fire, for may not fall down in the water, or some animal may not attack -- so similarly, we are desiring and Krsna is giving us facilities. But if we want to stop this repetition of birth and death and change of different atmosphere, as it is said, harsa-soka-bhaya arti. This material existence means sometimes we are very jubilant: "Oh, I have got this. Now I have got in America, I have got so many cars." Now harsa, jubilant. Then soka. And you take birth in some other place, lamentation, scarcity: "This is not. This is not." And bhaya. So there are 8,400,000 species of forms of life, and by this process we are entering into different types of atmosphere and subjected to sometimes harsa, jubilation, sometimes lamentation, sometimes fear. Even in this life we are undergoing such changes.

So if one is actually intelligent, then he should consider that "I don't want this lamentation. Why it is forced upon me?" It is forced upon me -- on my desire, on my desire. It is not forced by any external thing. It is my desire. I wanted this position, and I got it by the grace of Krsna, but when I got it, then again... Because the nature is like that, material nature... Duhkhalayam asasvatam [Bg. 8.15]. You can place yourself in any position -- the whole thing is duhkhalayam; it is miserable. We are simply changing, that "If I am posted in this position, then I will be happy. If I am posted in this position, then I will..." And we are changing different positions. Harsa-soka-bhayapaha. But if we want to stop this, if we want to come to our original position... Original position means we are part and parcel of God. So qualitatively the same position... It may be small, but the position is sac-cid-ananda-vigrahah [Bs. 5.1], eternal life of bliss and knowledge. If we want to come to that, then the process is that we should not any more desire or manufacture some ideas for becoming happy in this material world. This is intelligence.

Therefore Rupa Gosvami says, anyabhilasita-sunyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. You have to make zero all material desires. Anyabhilasita-sunyam means zero. So zero, that is Buddhist philosophy to make zero, sunyavadi, to make everything void. No. That cannot be. I cannot make my desires zero. That is not possible because I am living being. I may select what kind of desires I will have. That is intelligence. But desirelessness is not possible. Therefore the next item is that anyabhilasita-sunyam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. You make your material desires zero, void. "Then? What shall I do next? Shall I become void and finish?" No. Then your real life begins. What is that? Anabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam, anukulyena krsnanusilanam. Anukulyena krsnanusilanam. We have desires, many types of desires, jnana and karma. Karma platform is foolishness. Just like everywhere they are very busy, karmi, but they do not know what is the aim of life. That is called karma, acting something and suffering again. This is called karma. And jnana means one who understands that, by analysis, that "These wrappers, material wrappers, these fifteen, five, five, five -- five sense organs, five object of sense enjoyment -- in this way twenty-four wrappers, so how I am to get out of these wrappings?" That is intelligence. That is jnani. But a jnani does not know that "I get out from this entanglement. Then where I stay?" That they do not know. So that information is given by Krsna, that "Give up this, and take up Me," negative and positive, both. Sarva-dharman parityajya: [Bg. 18.66] "Give up this nonsense desires." Then? What to do? Now, mam ekam saranam vraja: "Come to Me, under Me." This is required. Anukulyena krsnanu. Mam ekam saranam vraja. That is not varietyless, that "I surrender unto You; then business finished." No. Saranam vraja means anukulyena krsnanusilanam: [Cc. Madhya 19.167] what Krsna says, you do that. Just like Arjuna. Arjuna was not willing to fight, but when he listened Bhagavad-gita from Krsna, then he agreed to fight.

So our first business is that if we want to stop this repetition of birth and death -- and sometimes we are very happy, sometimes we are very unhappy, sometimes we are in fearfulness, sometimes in so many other calamities -- then our first business is that we shall stop all these material desires. Anyabhilasita-sunyam [Brs. 1.1.11]. To stop means... The desire cannot be stopped. Because we are living entities, life, we are not dead stone, that desires will be stopped. No. Desires are to be purified. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Desires to purified... Everyone is working under some impure consciousness, just like nationalism: "I am American," "I am Indian," "I am Englishman," "I am German." This desire is polluted, because I am spirit soul, part and parcel of Krsna. What is the benefit, my identifying with America or India or...? This is called purification of the desire. Everyone is working under national, and they are fighting with one another because the desire is impure.

So the problem, the whole problem of the material world, can be solved only when we purify our desires. Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam, anukulyena krsna [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. Anukula, what Krsna says. Krsna is not dead. Therefore anukulyena. What Krsna says, we have to do that. Krsna says to Arjuna to fight. So we have to meet the situation as Krsna desired by. Sometimes He may say, "You sit down." So we have to carry out only. The Krsna is not dead. He can give us varieties of order, and our position is that we shall simply carry out the order. That is life. Otherwise we are under the clutches of maya, or material nature. Prakteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah. We are thinking that "I am the lord of everything." That is not the fact. The fact is that we have to work under somebody. That is our real position. Jivera 'svarupa' haya nitya krsna dasa [Cc. Madhya 20.108-109]. We are workers. We are not enjoyer. But unfortunately we are trying to take the position of enjoyer. That is maya. That is maya. And if we agree to work under the direction of Krsna, then our original life is revived. That is wanted. The Krsna consciousness movement means that we are trying to educate people to change the consciousness. We have got so many desires under different consciousness. So one desire, that "I am eternal servant of Krsna," this is called mukti, as soon as Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. This is mukti. If we give up all other desires and agree to accept Krsna's desires, that mam ekam saranam vraja, "You surrender unto Me," that is mukti; that is liberation. Otherwise, under the influence of these twenty-four elements and the material nature and the three gunas, infection, dhatte anusamsrtim pumsi harsa-soka-bhayartidam, you go on changing any body. The subject matter is very difficult, but we have to learn it from sastra what is our position. Otherwise, to realize these things, it is not very easy. But if we accept the direction of the sastra, that this is our position We cannot know what is my disease, but if I go to a doctor, physician, he can feel the pulse and he can recommend, "This is your disease. You do like this."

So if we want to avoid the tiresome, troublesome, miserable condition of this material world, then we have to accept the direction given in the sastras. But we are so dull, we cannot even understand what is the miserable condition of our life. [break] ...dead stone life or animal life. The animal cannot understand. But there is possibility. Sometimes when the miserable condition is very acute, we feel: "How to get out of it?" That is intelligence. But if we take the direction of the sastras-sadhu guru sastra vakya; guru mukha padma vakya, cittete kariya aikya, ara na kariya mane asa **, then there is possibility of getting out of these clutches, entanglement, and become free again and go back to home, back to Godhead.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.51 -- Detroit, August 4, 1975

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"Beauty Of Brahminical Culture"

71/08/04 London, Bhagavad-gita 7.1-3


Prabhupada:

om ajnana-timirandhasya jnananjana-salakaya
caksur unmilitam yena tasmai sri-gurave-namah

sri-caitanya-mano-'bhistam sthapitam yena bhu-tale
svayam rupah kada mahyam dadati sva-padantikam

vande 'ham sri-guroh sri-yuta-pada-kamalam sri-gurun vaisnavams ca
sri-rupam sagrajatam saha-gana-raghunathanvitam tam sa-jivam
sadvaitam savadhutam parijana-sahitam krsna-caitanya-devam
sri-radha-krsna-padan saha-gana-lalita-sri-visakhanvitams ca

You can take. All right.

he krsna karuna-sindho dina-bandho jagat-pate
gopesa gopika-kanta radha-kanta namo 'stu te

tapta-kancana-gaurangi radhe vrndavanesvari
vrsabhanu-sute devi pranamami hari-priye

vancha-kalpatarubhyas ca krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo vaisnavebhyo namo namah

mayy asakta-manah partha
yogam yunjan mad-asrayah
asamsayam samagram mam
yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu
[Bg. 7.1]

Krsna is speaking to Arjuna that mayy asakta-manah, "You have to train your mind to become attached to Me, Krsna." Actually, that is yoga system. Our mind... Mind has got two business: something accepting and rejecting. That's all. So we have to train our mind in such a way that we become simply attached to Krsna. That is called mayy asakta-manah. Mayi, "unto Me," asakta, "attachment"; manah, "mind." Mayy asakta-manah partha, "My dear Arjuna, you just become one of the persons who are attached to Me." Mayy asakta-manah partha yogam... This is the yoga. Yunjan. "If you execute this yoga..." Mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. "This yoga can be practiced by taking shelter of Me or My representative." Not alone. Therefore Krsna says, mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. Asrayah means shelter. Krsna says mat. Mat means "Me."

So either you take shelter of Krsna or you take shelter of a bona fide representative of Krsna. Just like if you do a business, either you transact a business in agreement with the proprietor or the proprietor's representative, the business is all right. If the representative of the firm signs that agreement, then even the proprietor does not know, it will be accepted as bona fide agreement. Is it not? So even though you cannot see eye to eye Krsna, you can execute this yoga system, Krsna consciousness, through the agency of His bona fide representative. Mayy asakta-manah partha. And how it is? Asamsayam. Asamsayam samagram mam [Bg. 7.1]. "By practicing that yoga, you will understand Me, or God," asamsayam, "without any doubt." Asamsayam samagram, "and in full." Not that partially. Yatha jnasyasi, "as you can understand"; tac chrnu, "now hear attentively." Krsna is beginning to speak to Arjuna about this bhakti-yoga system, and He's drawing attention, srnu, "Please hear attentively."

Yesterday there was a question. Somebody -- I do not know whether the gentleman is present here -- "Whether you have seen God, or Krsna." Not only me, everyone has seen Krsna. Everyone has seen Krsna. Krsna... It's not that... You can see Krsna in this form. He is playing flute and enjoying with Radharani. That is His natural picture or natural form. But He has got multi other forms also. If you are not fortunate enough to understand this form, then you can turn your attention to other, many other forms, and you can see Krsna. Actually, we cannot see spirit. Spirit soul even we cannot see. The modern advancement of science, they cannot see even the particle of the spirit. They have no power. Just like I am, you are, we are all spirit souls. We are in this body, but the medical science after dissection of the body cannot find out where is the spirit soul. But there is. That's a fact. But you have no instrument or power to see it. In spite of your advancement of so many scientific instruments, you cannot see. Therefore in the sastra it is said, atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [BRS. 1.2.234]. Our, these senses are so imperfect that we cannot perceive even what is spirit soul. We cannot see. That's a fact. And we cannot... It is very difficult to perceive also. But you can see also, you can perceive also, by accepting a certain method.

That method is called yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. "You have to practice this yoga system under My shelter or My representative's shelter. Then you can understand samagram, fully, completely; asamsayam, without any doubt." That you have to practice. And that is, that practice is also not very difficult. Simply one should be serious that "I want to see God." Everyone is seeing God, but he does not know that he's seeing God. That is maya. There are so many examples. Just like you can... Although you are in this room, you can know that sun is not yet set because you can see your watch and you can understand the sunset time is not yet there. So you can understand perfectly that there is sun in the sky. It is a method. Similarly, you can understand God is there. You have to accept the method. If you accept... That method is recommended here: yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. "You have to practice this yoga system under the shelter of Me." "Me" means... Just like the same example, a business firm signs "We." "We agree to this point." The manager signs, the proprietor signs, he says "We," means "We, the company, any one of us." Similarly, when Krsna says mad-asrayah, "under My shelter," it means that taking shelter of Krsna or anyone in the disciplic succession of Krsna. The same example: anyone attached to that business transaction, he's as good as the proprietor or the manager.

So Krsna says, jnanam te 'ham sa-vijnanam... The yoga system... Yoga system is a type of knowledge. Jnanam. Jnanam means knowledge. Jnanam te 'ham sa-vijnanam idam vaksyamy asesatah. "I'm just trying to explain the knowledge, or the devotional knowledge, or the yoga system, by which you can understand Me perfectly. That I am speaking to you in full knowledge." Jnanam, and sa-vijnanam, "with scientific knowledge." Not that bogus knowledge. Sa-vijnanam. Vijnanam means science. With scientific knowledge. Now, modern days, people are advanced. They like to talk on scientific basis. And here is the Krsna's statement: sa-vijnanam, "with scientific knowledge." Vaksyamy asesatah: "And I shall explain," asesatah, "in full explanation, without any reservation." Not that summarily I say something, you do not follow, you do not understand, I finish. No. "I shall fully explain," asesatah. Yaj jnatva, "And if you fortunately can understand," yaj jnatva neha bhuyo 'nyaj jnatavyam avasisyate, "if you understand this science, then you finish your process of acquiring knowledge."

Every one of us acquiring knowledge. That is called experience, one after another. So Krsna says that "If you understand this science," sa-vijnanam, "then your knowledge will be complete. You have nothing to hanker after any further knowledge. Knowledge is complete." That is also Vedic injunction. Kasmin tu bhagavo vijnate sarvam idam vijnatam bhavati. Kasmin vijnate, if you can understand the supreme knowledge, the Supreme, then sarvam idam vijnatam bhavati, everything becomes known to you. Just like in arithmetic, if you simply learn 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, then you learned all the arithmetic process. Because in the arithmetic there is nothing but 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... That's all. Whatever you see, big, big calculation, that is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9... That's all. Similarly, if you simply understand Krsna, then you'll see the whole arithmetic, whole world, whole universe is full of Krsna consciousness. That's all. Therefore in the Bhagavad-gita you'll see that bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate [Bg. 7.19]. When actually one becomes wise, full of wisdom, jnanavan... How? After many, many births of speculation and calculation, when he actually becomes... Just like the same example. A very expert mathematician, he sees the whole mathematic, arithmetic is full of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6... That's all. So actually when one is in knowledge, then he can see Krsna everywhere. Not that... Those who are in the lowest stage, they think that Krsna is here in the temple and not anywhere else. That is the lowest stage of understanding Krsna. But the highest stage of understanding Krsna: the Krsna conscious person sees everywhere Krsna, even within the atom. Andantara-stha-paramanu-cayantara-stham. Krsna can be found within this universe, in everyone, as well as in the atoms also, within the atoms. Samagram.

But this knowledge is little difficult. Therefore Krsna says, manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. Out of many millions of human beings, one becomes interested in Krsna consciousness, or God consciousness. When I speak "Krsna," you should understand "God." So Krsna says manusyanam sahasresu. Sahasresu is plural number, means among thousands and thousands of men, millions and thousands of men, one become interested. Manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye. Siddhaye means perfection. Perfection of life. One should be very cool-headed. The distinction -- the human being and animal -- the animal does not know what is perfection of life. They are simply interested with four principles of bodily necessities: eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. That's all. They have no other inquiries, "What is the perfection?" That means that is not possible in that body. In that animal body, cat's and dog's or hog's or elephant, very big body, or tiger, very powerful body, but they cannot inquire what is the perfection of life. That inquiry is possible in the human form of life. The tiger has got body and a man has got body. Tiger may be very powerful, a man may be very weak, but there is a great distinction between the tiger and the man. Because tiger, becoming so powerful, he has no power to understand what he is or what is the perfection of life. But a human being, although he may be very feeble and very weak than the tiger, he has got the developed consciousness to understand what is perfection of life and what he is. That is the distinction.

So people are trying to be like tiger. In India, a certain section of people, the Muhammadans, they say that "We want to be like sera." Sera means tiger. And more or less in the Western countries also, everyone is trying to become a tiger, very powerful. But one should be very cool-headed. A tiger is very powerful; a tiger can attack anyone and kill him. That is very good, but what is the use of tiger? Nobody is interested in tiger. Rather, if the tiger comes within the city, immediately it will be shot down. Because it has no use. But a humble, meek cow... Of course, here there is no protection of cow, but in India the cow is protected. It is the duty of the human being to give protection to the cow.

Just like we offer Krsna our obeisances: namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca: "Krsna, You are worshipable by the brahminical culture, brahmanya-devaya," not by others, "because You are go-brahmana-hitaya ca, You are well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas." Why Krsna is not said tiger? Why this prayer is devoid of tiger? Hitaya ca, Krsna is always, I mean to say, thinking how to protect the cows and the brahmanas. When Krsna appeared on this planet He became a cowherd boy to give protection to the cows. He was tending cows by His personal example. You will read in the Krsna book how He was taking care of the cows. Therefore go-brahmana-hitaya ca. The first prayer is that "You are protector of the cows and the brahmanas." Jagad-dhitaya. "You are well-wisher of the whole universe, but Your special interest is to give protection to the cows and the brahmanas." Why that special interest? Because if the human society does not give protection to the cows and does not cultivate the brahminical culture, then it is cats and dogs society. Therefore it is given. And as soon as the whole society becomes full of cats and dogs, how can you expect peace and prosperity? The dog's business is "Gow gow gow gow! Why you have come here? Why you have entered in our neighborhood? Please get out. Please get out." Not "Please." "Get out." (laughter)

So we are..., we have cultivated a nice human society that there are all, I mean to say, what is called? Dogs. The immigration department: "Why you have come here? How!" (laughter) "Yes, sir, I have come here not to harm you. I have to speak something nice thing." "How long you shall stay?" (laughter) "Oh, not more than one month." "All right." (laughter) So immediately watchdog. In every house, "Beware of dog." "Don't enter. Beware of dog." This is human civilization. You see. You cannot enter anyone's house, you cannot enter anyone's country. And if you do... This means this want of this Krsna consciousness. But the Vedic culture says, grhe satrum api praptam visvastam akuto bhayam. Even if your enemy comes to your home, you should receive him in such a way that he'll forget that you are his enemy.

Devotees: Haribol. Jaya.

Prabhupada: Grhe satrum api praptam. Satrum means enemy. If you see that an enemy has come to your house, satrum api. Satru means enemy; api, although. You should receive him in such a way that he'll completely believe you that you are his enemy..., you are not his enemy. That was the system. In the Kuruksetra war, the two brothers, I mean to say, cousin-brothers are fighting. But after finishing the fighting there is no enmity. These people are going to their camp, they are coming, talking or taking lunch. Very friendly. Friendly. There was another fight between Bhima and Jarasandha. The whole day there was fighting. It was decided that one should be killed. That's a fact. The fighting between ksatriyas it will not end unless one of them is killed. That is ksatriya spirit. So they know... Bhima and Jarasandha knew it very well that this fighting is going on until one is dead, one of the belligerent parties. But at night Bhima is the guest of Jarasandha, eating together, talking friendly. This is brahminical culture. For duty's sake, for some cause, we may fight. That's all right. But that does not mean we shall remain inimical always. Grhe satrum api praptam visvastam akuto bhayam.

There is another example. The fighting was going on between Arjuna and Duryodhana. So Duryodhana criticized the commander in chief, Bhima, Bhismadeva. "My dear grandfather, you are affectionate to the other parties, my other cousin-brothers; therefore you are not fighting very nicely." "Oh, you think like that, that I'm not fighting very nicely?" "Yes." Just to enthuse him. Yes. So he said, "All right. Tomorrow I shall kill all these five brothers. Is that all right?" "Yes, that's nice." "So I'll keep these five arrows reserved for killing these five brothers." So Duryodhana did not believe, that "He may miss these five arrows," but he said, "My dear grandfather, better I keep these five arrows with me. I shall deliver you tomorrow morning." "All right, you keep it." Krsna understood. Krsna is all-pervading. He immediately said Arjuna, "Tomorrow you are going to be killed. Be assured." Why? "Now this is the position." "Then what to do?" "Now, you go to Duryodhana and take away all those arrows. Otherwise you'll be killed." So Arjuna remembered that Duryodhana once promised -- Duryodhana was elderly, Arjuna is young, younger brother -- that "My dear brother, I promise, whatever you want I can give you." So Duryodhana said, "All right. I shall ask you some days later. Not now." So Arjuna thought, "Now this is the opportunity. I shall go and ask Duryodhana to give me those arrows." So Arjuna went to the other camp, and immediately Duryodhana received him as his brother: "My dear brother, you have come? What do you want? You want the kingdom without fighting? Therefore you have come? I can give you. I can stop this fighting if you want without fighting." No. Arjuna said, "No, I have come for some other purpose." "All right. Whatever you want, you can..." "Yes, you sometimes promised that whatever I want you will give me." "Yes, I am keeping my promise. What do you want?" He said, "Give me those five arrows." (laughter) "Yes." Immediately. This is ksatriya spirit. This is brahminical culture. "Yes, you take it. Go on."

Ramacandra was going to be enthroned and the stepmother said the same to Dasaratha Maharaja, that... They were stepmothers, Maharaja Dasaratha's three wives. So one wife wanted that her son should be king. So immediately she proposed that "Instead of Ramacandra, my son should be king." Maharaja Dasaratha said, "How it can be? It is already arranged. He is the eldest son." "No, you promised sometime that you will keep your promise and satisfy me. So this is my demand." "So what do you want?" "That Ramacandra should be banished immediately and my son should be enthroned." He agreed. He called Ramacandra, "This is the demand of Your stepmother. Kindly go to the forest for fourteen years, and Your stepbrother will be king." Ramacandra agreed immediately. "Yes, that's all right, father." This is brahminical culture. Is there any single instance in the history that a king which is going to be enthroned next morning and by the order of his father immediately he goes away to the forest? Therefore there is no harm that we make materially very much advanced, but not like cats and dogs. Take brahminical culture. Then it will be perfect, the whole society. Go-brahmana-hitaya ca jagad-dhitaya krsnaya govindaya... That brahminical culture can be established only by understanding Krsna. Without understanding Krsna, whatever we do, we shall remain simply animals. That's all.

So how the animals can be interested in Krsna? That is not possible. Therefore Krsna says, manusyanam sahasresu [Bg. 7.3]. "Out of many thousands of people." Just like we have started this movement, Krsna consciousness movement, in the Western countries for the last five years, but how many people have come to take to this Krsna consciousness movement? Not very many. We have got about three thousand followers. Therefore Krsna says that it is not attractive for everyone. But if one is attracted, his life is successful. His life is successful. Lord Caitanya also said the same thing. Brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva. There are many, innumerable living entities. They are wandering within this universe in different forms of body and different planets, transmigrating from one body to another, one planet to another. Ei rupe brahmanda, kona... Out of them, if one is fortunate enough to associate with a bona fide spiritual master and Krsna, his life is becomes successful.

ei rupe brahmanda bhramite kona bhagyavan jiva
guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija
[Cc. Madhya 19.151]

Bija means seed. As from the seed a big tree come out, similarly, if one is injected with this Krsna consciousness understanding, then, gradually, it will grow into a big tree. And when the fruits will be there, he'll enjoy life.

So although this Krsna consciousness, God consciousness, yoga system is very easy, still, Krsna says that

manusyanam sahasresu
kascid yatati siddhaye
yatatam api siddhanam...
[Bg. 7.3]

Not only perfect... Perfection of human consciousness is there when one understands that "I am not this body. I am spirit soul." Aham brahmasmi. That is perfection. But if you study scrutinizingly so many men, every one is bodily conscious. In Moscow I was speaking with a great professor, Kotovsky. He's in charge of Indology department of the government. He said... Although I defeated him in argument, he said that "After finishing this body, everything is finished." Just see. No. The spiritual knowledge begins when one is perfectly aware that "After finishing this body, I am not finished." That is perfection. Not that those who are in this concept of life, that with the finishing of this body everything is finished. That is nonsense. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. Krsna teaches. Na jayate na mriyate va kadacin..., nityah sasvato 'yam purano na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. "This atma is never born and he never dies." Na jayate mriyate va. Nitya, eternal; sasvata, ever-existing, sasvata. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. "Don't think that because the body is finished, therefore he is finished. No." In another place Krsna says, tatha dehantara-praptih. As we are changing body from babyhood to childhood, childhood to boyhood, boyhood to youth-hood, youth-hood to grown-up and old age -- this is our practical experience, I have several times explained -- similarly, this old body, when I give it up, I shall accept another body. What is that body? That will be given to you by the laws of nature according to your mentality. As you create your mentality, yam yam vapi smaran loke, absorb your thought and mind at the time of death, then you are given a particular type of body, either in the womb of a human being or a cat or a dog or a demigod or a tree or so many.

There are 8,400,000's of species of life. If you want the body of a tiger, if you have exercised very nicely to become like a tigerlike strong, then God will give you next life to become a tiger, actual tiger. "Why tigerlike? Become a tiger. I give you all facility. Become a tiger." So what is the use of getting tiger's life? You know... Perhaps you all know, the tigers cannot get food every day. And naturally, if in the forest there is a tiger, the other animals, they are very careful. But when he's too much hungry God provides him one animal. Because God provides everyone's food, so tiger also must have food. Eko bahunam vidadhati kaman. That one Supreme is maintaining all these living entities. So tiger is also part and parcel of God, and he has got that body. So God is kind even upon the tiger, and what to speak of the devotees.

So this human form of life, Krsna is stressing on this point, that manusyanam sahasresu kascid yatati siddhaye [Bg. 7.3]. Out of many millions, at least at the present moment, nobody is interested to know what is the perfection of life. They think or one thinks that perfection of life means to enjoy the senses to the best capacity, and as soon as the body is finished, everything finished. Just like Professor Kotovsky told, with the body everything is finished. Therefore people are so much anxious to enjoy sensually because he knows as soon "As this body is finished, everything is finished. So let me enjoy." This is the misconception, or illusion, or maya. Body's not finished. You are creating another body. Karmana daiva-netrena. And you'll get another body, karmana, according to your karma. Therefore the intelligent person, bahunam janmanam ante... [Bg. 7.19]. That intelligence comes after many, many births. Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan. One who is actually wise. Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate. Krsna says, "He surrenders unto Me." Why? How he...? Because he's wise. How he's wise? Because he knows, vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma sudurlabhah [Bg. 7.19]. He understands that Krsna is everything. Not that he's falsely surrendering. He knows that Krsna is everything. Aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate [Bg. 10.8]. Krsna says also that "I am the root." Bijo 'ham sarva-bhutanam. "I am the root, I am the seed, of everything." Therefore, when one becomes actually wise, full of knowledge, then he surrenders to Krsna.

Now, intelligent persons, they will see this instruction of Krsna, "Krsna says..." That is our method. Our method of acquiring knowledge is to hear from the authority. That's all. Now, who can be better authority than Krsna? The Bhagavad-gita is a book of authority, is acknowledged in every part of the world. Not that simply Indians or Hindus are interested. Any scholar, any philosopher, throughout the whole world. Any religionist, any scientist. Even Professor Einstein, he was interested in Bhagavad-gita. He was reading it daily. So wise man means one who understands Krsna. So our formula is if one is not God conscious, or Krsna conscious, we immediately reject him. We immediately accept that he has no qualification. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-gunah. One cannot be qualified unless he is God conscious. His all qualities immediately become rejected. "Why? He has passed M.A., Ph.D. and D.A.C., and he's honored..." That's all right, but in spite of all his education, he will create simply havoc in the world. That's all. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-guna mano-rathenasati dhavato bahih [SB 5.18.12]. Because he is hovering over the mental plane, he'll simply create havoc. His education will be utilized for his sense gratification, and he will not care for anything. Just like great scientists have discovered the atom bomb, by scientific research. What is the effect? Now by one drop you can kill many millions of people. That is his advancement of science. "Oh, why don't you create something that people will not die?" That is not... "I can assure death, but I cannot save death. That is not in my power." Then what kind of scientist you are? You create something, you create some medicine, that "Take this tablet and no death, no more, at least, no disease." That is not possible. There is disease, development of different kinds of disease, and they are discovering different kinds of medicine. That is a struggle. That is not scientific improvement. There is one problem before you, and you are creating some antidote. That's all. This is struggle, struggle for existence. This is not scientific advancement.

But how one can be stopped from repetition of birth and death? That is here in the Bhagavad-gita. What is that? Krsna says, janma karma me divyam yo janati tattvatah. You try to understand Krsna only, what is Krsna. Janma karma yo janati tattvatah, anyone who knows in truth, not superficially: "Oh, Krsna I know. In the Seven..., there is a place. They have got an idol of Krsna. They are worshiping. I know everything about Krsna." Not like that. Try to understand Krsna, what He is. He is Krsna undoubtedly, but people want to know actually what is Krsna. That we are open. So if one simply understands what is Krsna, the result is tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. Simply by understanding Krsna, there is no more taking birth. Punar janma. If you take birth, then there is death. If you stop your birth, then you can stop your death also. Because birth and death is in relationship with this body. If you don't have a material body, then there is no question of birth, death, old age and disease.

So this is the process of Krsna consciousness. People should be interested by hearing the words of Krsna. That is intelligence. Krsna says that "In this way you can stop your birth and death process." So why don't you do that? Why you are after so many things? If you simply try to understand Krsna and if you perfectly understand, then immediately you can stop your birth and death process. You are eternal. That is intelligence. That is intelligence. Just like Krsna says, "After many, many births, one comes to this conclusion that Krsna is everything." So why shall I wait for another many births? Why not accept Krsna as everything? This is intelligence. Krsna is saying, He's not bluffing. So why not take Krsna's word as truth and immediately, mam prapadyate, immediately surrender? "Krsna, I do not know anything. I simply surrender unto You. Please protect me." That's all. Finish business. Very simple thing, this Krsna consciousness movement. Everyone can take. Doesn't require to become very highly, scientist, philosopher and something like that. Simply accept Krsna's words and see the result. And the result is happening also. Those who are accepting Krsna in that way and trying their best to please Krsna with this human form of life, how much they are happy, how they are enjoying life.

So this is practical. So our request is that everyone should try to understand the Krsna consciousness movement and be happy. Thank you very much. [break] Yes. Yes. What is that?

Guest (1): Why does Krsna expanded Himself as maya?

Prabhupada: Krsna has not extended maya. You wanted maya, therefore He has given the facility to enjoy maya. Just like the government creates the prison department. It is not the government's desire that "There must be some prisoners." But you are criminal, therefore there must be prisonhouse. So you create the prisonhouse, not the government. Government creates university. "Come there, take education." Maya is created by you. As soon as you forget Krsna, the maya is there. Just like there is sunshine and darkness, side by side. If you want to keep yourself in the sunshine, there is no darkness. But if you voluntarily come to the darkness, what the sun will do? Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. "You surrender to Krsna." But why don't you do it? That is maya. It is up to you. Therefore you create maya. Krsna does not create. A man is hanged. Does it mean that the high court judge who orders that "This man should be hanged," the high court judge is enemy of that man he's hanging? No. He has created his situation that he should be hanged. God is very kind to everyone, but we have created situation so that we suffer. Karmana daiva-netrena -- by our own work and under the supervision of the Supreme. Just like in the state you create some criminal activity. Under the supervision of the government you are punished. All right. [break]

Guest (2): How do you recognize someone who has already a family and he's working and who wants to progress in Krsna consciousness? Is he, does he have to give up his job and shave his hair and wear robes?

Prabhupada: No, no. No, never. Simply you have to see, what you are doing, by such action Krsna is satisfied. That's all. You can do anything. The test is... That is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam,

atah pumbhir dvija-srestha
varnasrama-vibhagasah
svanusthitasya dharmasya
samsiddhir hari-tosanam
[SB 1.2.13]

The example is... Just like Arjuna. Arjuna was a warrior, fighter. So when he proposed that "I shall not fight. They are my brothers, my grandfathers, my nephews," that was his proposal. Krsna said, "Wherefrom you got this nonsense idea? You are in the warfield and are denying to fight." That means by his nice proposal that "I shall not fight," Krsna was not pleased. But after understanding Bhagavad-gita, when he saw that "Krsna wants this fight," "Yes. Karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]." That is perfection. So he remained a warrior and still he became perfect. So everyone can remain in his own occupation, varnasrama-vibhagasah, but one has to see that whether Krsna is satisfied. Then whatever he is doing, that is perfect. That is Krsna conscious.

Guest (3): Is it possible for any entity to do something until the Lord hears him?

Prabhupada: Yes. God sanctions, but you desire. "Man proposes, God disposes." Whatever you desire, if you insist, God will sanction. And without His sanction you cannot do. Therefore your doing something is dependent on God's sanction. But you desire something out of your own will. You are not a stone. You are a living entity. So you can desire anything. Krsna conscious, they do not do anything without Krsna's sanction.

Guest (3): The Krsna consciousness say, you cannot do anything unless the Lord desires it.

Prabhupada: Yes. Not God desires. God sanctions. Don't say like that. Desire is yours, but sanction is God's. Just like you want to do some business. You must take sanction from the government. You take license. You cannot do out of your own will. Similarly, you can desire and propose, "God, I want to do this," and God will sanction. So those who are not Krsna conscious, they want. "I want this. I want this. I want this. I want this." Krsna says, "All right. Take this." But Krsna says that "You give up all this nonsense," that we do not take. Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam: [Bg. 18.66] "Simply take Me." But that we do not do. We ask Krsna, "Please let me do this." "All right, do it." Yathecchasi tatha kuru. Krsna inquires from Arjuna after teaching him Bhagavad-gita, "Now I have spoken to you everything. What you want to do, you can do." That is Krsna's proposal. Krsna says that best thing is that you simply take to Krsna. But Krsna gives you the opportunity, liberty, that whatever you do, whatever you like, you can do. Now it is your choice. Just like father, (and) grown-up son. He says, "My dear boy, you do like this. That is my opinion." But when the son says, "No. I shall do like this." "All right, you do whatever you like." But without father's sanction, as the son cannot do anything, similarly, without Krsna's sanction you cannot do anything. But the proposal is yours. Therefore this maxim: "Man proposes, God disposes." So God is not responsible for your work. If you act according to the order of God, then He's responsible. And if you act against the will of God, then you are responsible. Yes?

Guest (4): (indistinct)

Prabhupada: I cannot hear him.

Devotee: Is desire, desire is due to the material contamination, or is it...?

Prabhupada: Yes. Desire is according to association. You mix with the drunkards, you'll desire to drink. And you mix with us, you'll desire to worship Krsna. Therefore we are giving you facility. You associate with us and desire only Krsna. That's all. Yes.
Indian man: But why there is so..., there is duality in this world?

Prabhupada: There is no duality. There is one, Krsna. But you have created duality. That is maya. When you forget Krsna, that is duality. When you think that there is something else other than Krsna, that is duality. So people are not coming to Krsna consciousness, that is duality. They are thinking that "We can be happy without Krsna." That is duality. If they know it perfectly well that "Krsna is one, and therefore my interest is with Krsna. My interest should not be different from Krsna's interest," that is oneness. Just like in a family the head is the father. So if anyone acts according to the head of the family, there is no duality. If some of the members says, "No. I'll act like this," there is duality. So if every one acts according to the desire of Krsna, there is no duality. There is oneness. But we don't act; therefore there is duality. Therefore duality is maya. So you have question? All right.

Guest: (indistinct)

Devotee: If you must have a spiritual body in order to go back home, she asks, is it only with this Hare Krsna mantra and by taking prasada that we achieve that body?

Prabhupada: Oh, yes.

Devotees: Haribol! Jaya! Haribol!

Prabhupada: You chant Hare Krsna and eat nice krsna-prasadam, you go back to home. Rest assured.

Devotees: Jaya, Prabhupada!

Prabhupada: That's all right. It is so nice. And don't you feel how you are becoming nicer and nicer? Practically. The news reporter... One lady in Philadelphia, she saw our students and she was surprised. She inquired, "Are you Americans?" So we are creating such devotees that people are becoming surprised how this is possible. Yes, it is possible by Krsna consciousness. It is simple method. Simply chant Hare Krsna and take Krsna prasada. That's all. Don't require any education, philosophical theorizing. Simply do these two business, chant Hare Krsna and take krsna-prasada. And our temple is open for that. Everyone. No fee. No charge. So why do you lose this opportunity? Yes?

Guest (4): Why do some people want to approach Krsna in hatred?

Prabhupada: What is that?

Syamasundara: Why is that some people want to approach Krsna in hatred?

Prabhupada: Because... Hatred? That is always. Not today. Every day. When Krsna was born, there was a Kamsa who was planning how to kill Krsna. When Krsna was born, you know that? So Krsna... To kill Krsna... There is a section of men who want to kill Krsna always. They are called demons, or raksasas. So the raksasas... More or less, everyone in this material world are demons. But those who are intelligent, from this demonic life they come to Krsna consciousness. Others who do not come God consciousness, they remain demons, and their business is just like Kamsa, Ravana, simply making plan how to kill God or kill Krsna. That's all. "There is no God." That is their propaganda. "I am God." That's all. So these demonic elements are always there. You have to do your own business. That's all.

Guest (5): Why is there soul and Supersoul in the body when soul is part and parcel of Krsna?

Prabhupada: Not why. It is always there, soul and Supersoul. There is no question of why. But soul and Supersoul, they are qualitatively one. Just like you have got your body. If you say, "Why there is hand?" so how can I answer? As soon as there is body, there is hand, there is a leg, there is a mouth. That is the creation. The creation is like that. There is soul and Supersoul. Just like you have got the whole body, and there are parts and parcels of the body, the limbs of the body. That is the beauty of the body. If you simply keep a lump of body it is not beautiful. Therefore the body should be nicely constructed, and there must be different parts and parcels of body. There is a design. But if simply there is soul, super, and there is no under soul, then how Krsna becomes anandamaya? About the Absolute Truth in the Vedanta-sutra it is said anandamayo 'bhyasat. "The Absolute Truth is full of bliss." So in order to enjoy bliss there must be Supersoul and under soul. Otherwise it is not blissful. Is it clear? Yes. There must be. Yes.

Indian man (2): Swamiji, in India, among the Bengali societies, many people worship demigods and demigoddesses. Now...

Prabhupada: They have been explained in the Bhagavad-gita as lost of intelligence. Kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah yajante anya-devatah [Bg. 7.20]. One who does not worship the Supreme Lord, but worships demigods or his officer in the office, his boss in the office, like that, but reject God, that person is considered as less intelligent.

Indian man (2): How they can become God conscious?

Prabhupada: By taking to Krsna consciousness. This is... Therefore this movement. This movement is to make everyone... Bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan [Bg. 7.19]. They have suffered under misconception many, many births, and here is the opportunity that they can stop their birth and death process and take to Krsna consciousness and go back to home. That's all.

Indian man (2): Does that means they should not worship these demigods and goddesses?

Prabhupada: Yes, there is no need.

Indian man (2): Sarasvati and Laksmi and...

Prabhupada: There is no need. Just like here. Take practical example. They are not worshiping demigods. How they are advancing. You see practically. And what the Sarasvati worshiper has advanced? They fight simply. During the martial (?) ceremony in Calcutta... So what is benefit? You should judge by the result, not by sophisticated ideas. There is no necessity. Therefore our acarya Narottama dasa Thakura says that you haven't got to take shelter of any other demigods. Why? If Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, if He is all powerful, then even if you want something from Krsna, do you think that Krsna is unable to deliver to you? Why should you go to demigods? That is also described in the Bhagavad-gita. Antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam. The benefit derived from the demigods, that is temporary. But rascals who have got less substance of brain, they are after that. It is clearly said. Antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam. Alpa-medhasam means one who has got brain substance very little, they are attracted by all these things. They are meant for third-class, fourth-class men. Because they will not worship God, "All right you worship these demigods. At least, you try to worship something instead of becoming atheist." That is the process. But when one is actually intelligent, after many, many births, he should worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Indian man (3): Srila Prabhupada, Ramacandra also worshiped Durga.

Prabhupada: Well, Ramacandra also, I mean to say, constructed a bridge over the ocean. Can you do that? So why do you bring Ramacandra? He can do anything He likes. He's God. You cannot do. God is so kind, sometimes He worships His devotees.

Guest (6): What are the qualities of the holy name?

Prabhupada: Transcendental qualities. What is the question?

Syamasundara: What qualities is the holy name invested with?

Prabhupada: It is not clear. Holy name of God is God Himself. As in this material world there is difference between the name and the substance, in the holy name, as soon as you call holy name, that name is not different from the substance. Is it clear or not? First of all answer this.

Guest (6): I want a quote for each.(?)

Prabhupada: No, your first question was "What is this holy name?" First of all try to understand this. Then put another question. Don't disturb. First of all try to understand this question. Holy name means the name is nondifferent from the substance. Here if you become thirsty, you want water, the substance. If you simply chant "water, water, water," it will not act. But holy name means if you chant Hare Krsna, then you are associating with Krsna personally. That is holy name. Here the name is contaminated, whatever name you... But God's name, Krsna's name, is holy name. That is nondifferent from God. Otherwise, don't you see, they are chanting "Krsna." If Krsna name is not Krsna, how they are making advance in Krsna consciousness? They are associating with Krsna directly. That is the holy name.

Indian man (4): Prabhupada, is the best method to read Bhagavad-gita?

Prabhupada: To surrender to Krsna. You do not know this? You read Bhagavad-gita? You'll see that is the best method, to surrender to Krsna. That is the best method. What is the difficulty?

Indian man (5): Prabhupada, how can we (indistinct).

Prabhupada: That you have to practice and see.

Indian man (5): We can persuade my family to my religion. Instead of worshiping...

Prabhupada: First of all you persuade yourself; then you talk of your family and relatives. If you understand factually, then you will be able to convince others. But if you don't understand yourself, what is the use of talking family and friends? First of all you. Apani acari' prabhu jivera siksaya. First of all, you have to act accordingly; then you can teach others. And if you are not pure, if you indulge in all kinds of sinful activities and you talk of Bhagavad-gita, what will be effect? There will be no effect. This is going on. They are doing all nonsense, and talking of Bhagavad-gita. Therefore it is not effective. For last one thousand years Bhagavad-gita was known in the Western countries, but there was not a single krsna-bhakta. Because they did not act accordingly. Simply talked of Bhagavad-gita. That's all. Simply talking will not do. You have to behave as these people are, these boys and girls are behaving. Then you will understand Bhagavad-gita. Yes.

Guest (6): Can you explain about taking a spiritual body after death?

Prabhupada: After death you take another body. Do you understand it? Similarly, you take spiritual body. What is the difficulty? Can you understand that you take another body?

Guest (6): Yes.

Prabhupada: Then why do you don't (understand) another spiritual body? What is the difficulty. You accept another body after death. Dehantaram. So instead of accepting a material body, you accept a spiritual body. That's all. What is the difficulty to understand? Just like you have accepted now this body, American body or English body. You cannot say, "I have an Indian body" or Chinese body or Russian body. In the same way, after giving up this body you can accept spiritual body. What is the difficulty to understand? There is no difficulty. Just like if you take birth in the sun planet, you have to take a body of fire. There are different planets, and the climatic influence are different, but here the scientists, they are calculating from their own point of view. They do not know that God's creation there are different types of body, different types of atmosphere. Just like the fish. They are living in the water. But you take out the fish on the land, immediately he dies. So your body, you have got a particular type of body. If you are thrown in the water you immediately die. But you can understand that within water there is life, on land there is life, there is body. So when you go to a certain different atmosphere, you have to accept a different type of body. Similarly, when you go to the spiritual world, you'll accept a spiritual body. What is the difficulty to understand? Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti [Bg. 4.9]. One should be qualified to enter into certain association, atmosphere. That... If you spiritually qualify yourself, then after giving up this body you get a spiritual body and you enter in the spiritual world. That's all. Very easy. You make yourself spiritualized in this life. That example is... Just like you put one iron rod in the fire; it becomes warmer, warmer, warmer, and at the end it becomes red hot. At that time it is no longer iron rod. It is fire. You touch that iron rod anywhere; it will burn. Similarly, by spiritual activities you can make this body spiritual so that there will be no more material activities. That is spiritual body. Just like in this body we are training our boys and girls... They are young boys and girls, but they are no more interested to go to the restaurant, hotel or cinema or dancing party. They are simply interested to Krsna consciousness. How they have given up all these young men's demand? How it is possible? You can see. So when your material activities are stopped, that is spiritual body.

Indian man (6): It is written in Gita the soul never dies. When the soul does not die, where does it go after that?

Prabhupada: He goes as he likes. Yes. He can go to hell, he can go to heaven, he can go to God, he can go to China. Anywhere he likes. (laughter)

Woman: Srila Prabhupada, what does it mean practically to surrender unto Krsna?

Prabhupada: Yes. Surrender to Krsna means you have to accept things which is favorable for Krsna consciousness. Just like we restrict our students, no illicit sex, no gambling, no meat-eating, no intoxication. If you surrender to this process, that is surrender to Krsna. Is it clear? If you don't surrender, there is no surrender. Then you are not surrendered soul. Chant sixteen rounds, and if you follow, that is surrendering to Krsna. Don't take anything except krsna-prasadam. That is surrendering to Krsna. So many we have got. So if you surrender to these principles, that means you surrender to Krsna. Just like a good citizen surrenders to the state. What does it mean? He abides by the law. That's all. He does not do anything which is against the will of the state. That's all. So you surrender to the principles; then you surrender to Krsna. That's all. All right. Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 7.1-3 -- London, August 4, 1971

"Big Ambition -- Little Brain"

74/08/04 Vrndavana, Bhagavad-gita 4.12


Prabhupada:

kanksantah karmanam siddhim
yajanta iha devatah
ksipram hi manuse loke
siddhir bhavati karmaja

Generally, people are karmaja. Karmaja means one who wants to enjoy the fruit of his labor. Everyone in this material world, they have come to enjoy. So therefore they are working so hard. We have seen in big, big cities, especially in the Western world, they are working very, very hard.

In the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said that nunam pramattah kurute vikarma.

nunam pramattah kurute vikarma
yad indriya-pritaya aprnoti
na sadhu manye yata atmano 'yam
asann api klesada asa dehah
[SB 5.5.4]

People do not understand that because we have got this material body, the sufferings are there. We are spirit. Aham brahmasmi. We are all spirit soul. But somehow or other, some way or otherwise, we have contacted this material world, and we are bound up by our karma, or fruitive, result of fruitive activities. And the result is this body. Karmana daiva-netrena jantur dehopapatti [SB 3.31.1].

We work in a certain way, in contamination with the modes of material nature, and we get different types of body. These are explained in the Bhagavad-gita, that why there are different types of body. Now we are sitting, say, one hundred men here. We have got different types of body. Not that everyone's body of the same type. Why? Why the scientists cannot reply this? But Bhagavad-gita replies. What is the reply? The reply is karanam guna-sangah asya sad-asad-yoni-janmasu. We have got different types of body from different types of mother. So karanam guna-sangah asya. Mother means yoni, and father means bija. Yatha yoni yatha bijam. Our birth is taking place according to the mother and the father. Yatha bijam yatha yoni. So we are getting different types of body, human body or animal body or demigod body. This is due to karanam.

What is the reason? Karanam guna-sangah asya. We are associating with different modes of material nature by our karma, activities. Therefore there are divisions of karma. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]. That is also creation of God, catur-varnyam, guna-karma. It is very subtle subject matter. According to guna and karma, we are getting bodies, and we are preparing also next body according to this guna and karma. So if we change our guna and karma, then we can again regain our spiritual body. This is the process. Guna... In the Bhagavad-gita it is also advised, traigunya-visaya veda nistraigunyo bhavarjuna. We have to transcend the gunas, the infection of these material qualities.

It is naturally happening. God's, I mean to say, machine is so perfect that it is automatically taking place. Parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate [Cc. Madhya 13.65, purport]. Sakti. God's energy, Krsna's energy, is so perfect that it is automatically being done.

We have got some experience nowadays. The pilot is sitting in front of the airplane, and there are very fine electronic machine, and he's pushing one button. Immediately the wings is working, and it is going down, it is, it is very, mean, a delicate position in the air. A little mistake in the pushing of the button, the whole plane may be crashed. So nowadays scientists, they have invented so many fine machineries that it is working very nicely. We came from London to Bombay in eight hours. So this is very nice.

But at the same time, we should appreciate that how much nice machinery are there which is conducting the whole cosmic activities. So that is stated in the Vedas, that parasya saktir vividhaiva sruyate, svabhaviki jnana-bala-kriya ca. Krsna's knowledge is so perfect. Krsna says, mayadhyaksena prakrtih suyate sa-caracaram [Bg. 9.10]. This nature's work is going on not whimsically, but under the guidance of pushing the button of Krsna, by Krsna. It is not going... Any scientist can understand that no machine, however nicely made, finely made, without pushing the button, it cannot work. So the huge machinery of the cosmic manifestation, which is working so nicely and perfect, perfectly... Our Dr. Svarupa Damodara has mentioned in his book very nicely. So... There must be some brain. All big, big scientists... Even Professor Einstein, he also admitted. So there is brain. That brain is Krsna. That brain is Krsna. So people are working.

In the previous verse we have discussed, ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham [Bg. 4.11]. Krsna is the Supreme Father. He's very loving father. So He has given freedom to His sons. We are, all sons. Mamaivamso jiva-bhutah [Bg. 15.7]. Aham bija-pradah pita. Krsna says, "I am the bija-pradah pita. Material nature is the mother." Tasam yonir mahad brahma aham bija-pradah pita. So the original father is Krsna, and mother is this material nature. So I am the soul, spirit soul, very minute position. My, my magnitude is very, very small. That is also given in the sastra: kesagra-sata-bhagasya satadha kalpitasya [Cc. Madhya 19.140]. One ten-thousandth part of the tip of the hair. That is my magnitude.

So that bija, that spiritual spark, is given by Krsna, and the material nature, ksitir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca... This body is, in this way we have got. So because we are now in the material world, we have got the propensity to enjoy, to exploit the resources of material nature. Krsna has given us the opportunity. Therefore He said in the previous verse that ye yatha mam prapadyante [Bg. 4.11]. If you want... Because material nature is also Krsna. Or Krsna's energy. Not Krsna. Krsna and Krsna's energy, there is no difference.

That I have explained last night. Just like the fire and heat, that is the same quality. In the heat there is warmth, and the fire there is warmth. Still, the heat is not the fire. This is called inconceivable, simultaneously one and different. This is the perfect philosophy. Everything is one with the Supreme, and at the same time it is different. This is perfect philosophy given by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Acintya-bhedabheda-tattva.

So here, in this material world, people are trying to enjoy. Therefore Krsna says, kanksantah karmanam siddhim. Everyone is working very hard. Any business he is doing, he is praying, "O My Lord, give me the opportunity that I may get success in my business." So Krsna is giving. That is also very nice.

If a person, desiring some material profit, remembering Krsna, that is also welcome. Welcome because he is not atheist. Atheist class men, even for material success, they do not pray to God. But theist class, one who has got background pious activities, he is called theist. An impious, sinful activities, or sinful man, cannot remember even God. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. Yesam anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam. So to remember even God, even go to God in temple or mosque or church and pray to God, "Give me this benefit,"... Just like Christian way of worshiping is "O God, give us our daily bread." Hindus also go to temple and pray to God that "Give me some profit. I am very poor man." So Krsna says that is also welcome. Catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtino 'rjuna, arto jijna..., arto...

Devotee: Artharthi.

Prabhupada: Artharthi, yes. Arto jijnasur jnani ca bharatarsabha. This is not pure devotee, but they are pious. One who goes to the temple and prays to God for some material profit, they are also pious. They are not sinful. But those who are sinful, they do not go even to the temple. They think, "What is this temple nonsense? We shall earn money." Our present government is encouraging this method, that "Why should you go to temple and waste your time? If you want money, then take to industries, work hard like an ass, and you get money." That is the policy going on. But Srimad-Bhagavatam says, "No, no, no, this is not good. To work so hard like dogs and hogs..."

Especially Srimad-Bhagavatam has mentioned the word "hog," "pig." Nayam deho deha-bhajam nrloke kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye [SB 5.5.1]. Vid-bhujam. Vit, vit means stool. Stool-bhujam, "one who eats stool." That means the pigs. So they are working very hard, day and night, to find out where is stool. "How to eat? How to eat? How to def... How to sleep?" This is their philosophy.

But actually, human life is not meant for that purpose. And to reduce some work, sometimes we think that "Let me go to the temple. If God or some demigod becomes very pleased upon me, then quickly I shall get the benefit." That is mentioned here. Kanksantah karmanam siddhim. This is also mentioned in the Vedas, that "If you want success in this line, then worship this demigod. If you want beautiful wife, then worship Uma. If you want..." They're all listed. I don't remember just now, but these are recommended. These are recommended. Therefore, according to Vedic system, if you worship some demigod for some particular purpose, that is recommended.

But Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam. Antavat tu phalam tesam. If you get some profit, material profit... You can get it very easily. Therefore it is said, kanksantah karmanam siddhim yajanta iha devatah, ksipram hi manuse loke. Just like... That is the difference between worshiping Lord Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and the demigods.

There are many examples. Just like Lord Siva. One demon, or a devotee of Lord Siva... But generally, we find in the sastras... Just like Ravana. Ravana was a great devotee of Lord Siva, recognized. But he's accepted as a demon, raksasa. Although he was a great devotee, Mahisasura... He was also a great devotee of goddess Durga, but it is described as asura.

So according to sastra it is said there are two divisions of men: deva and asura. Deva means the devotee of the Supreme Lord, Visnu. Visnu-bhaktah bhaved daiva asuras tad-viparyayah. So it is very interesting. By worshiping different demigods, we get immediate result. We immediate. Just like the Bhaumasura. He was a great devotee of Lord Siva, and when he was, Lord Siva was perfectly worshiped, he wanted to give him some benediction, and he asked Lord Siva that "Please give me this benediction that on the head of anyone, if I place my hand, immediately his head will be gone, vanished, vanquished. So Lord Siva is known as Asutosa. Asutosa, very quickly, very easily, he becomes pleased. That is Lord Siva's great qualification. And if anyone wants anything, even it is very obnoxious, he grants, "All right, take it."

So Lord Siva gave him the benediction, "Yes, your, I give you this benediction." So then he wanted to test it. So he said, "Sir, let me place my hand upon your head." (laughter) So Lord Siva was in danger. You see? Then he went to Lord Visnu, "Please save me. I,... This man took benediction from me, and now he wants to place his hand upon my head." So visnu-maya is very intricate. So Lord Visnu saved Lord Siva and informed the devotee, "This is not possible. Why don't you test by touching your own head?" Then as soon as he placed his hand on his own head, his head was vanished.

So here the people want to take immediate some benefit by worshiping different demigods, but he does not know what is the result. Neither the demigods know. Therefore Krsna says... You'll find in the eighth chapter that, antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam. Alpa-medhasa means one whose brain substance is very small. This is very true. According to brain substance,... What is called? Celebrum or something? The technical. Eh?

Svarupa Damodara: Cerebrum.

Prabhupada: Eh?

Svarupa Damodara: Cerebrum.

Prabhupada: Yes. I was student of psychology. Our professor, Dr. Urquhart said that the brain, the biggest brain is, by practical psychology it has been tested, sixty-four ounce. And that is the highest brain substance. But for woman it is never more than thirty-six ounce. So they have tested all these practical psychologies.

So here the same word is used, that alpa-medhasa. It is very technical. Alpa means "very little" brain substance. Those who have got very little brain substance, they try like this. Kanksantah karmanam siddhim yajanta iha devatah. "Why little brain substance? He's getting profit from the demigods." Then brain substance little means he does not know what is his actual aim of life. He does not know. Na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum [SB 7.5.31]. Those who are trying to be happy within this material world, worshiping different types of demigods and taking benefit very soon, but he, because his brain substance is very little, he does not consider it that "How long I shall enjoy it? How long I shall enjoy?"

Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, abrahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino 'rjuna [Bg. 8.16]. Even if you, by activities, pious activities, or worshiping different demigods, you go to the Brahmaloka, where the standard of life is very, very great, life is also, duration of life is very, very great, so that is not permanent. But our problem is that we are permanent, eternal, and we are trying to be happy in the nonpermanent condition of life. This is called less brain. My problem is that I am the spirit soul... Nityah sasvatah. I am eternal, sasvatah. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. I do not die even after the annihilation of this body. Then where is my eternal body? This question should be raised by the human form of life. Athato brahma jijnasa.

But instead of athato... Jivasya tattva-jijnasa. Jivasya, the only business is "How, what is the aim of life, how I shall be eternally happy, how I shall get my eternal life." That is the problem. But they do not consider the real problem. They think, "Immediately I require some money. So let me worship Lord Siva or Lord..., this, goddess Durga, or Ganesa, or Surya..." There are so many, recommended. So that is condemned in the Bhagavad-gita that tad bhavaty alpa, antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam.

But people are... They do not care. Of course, those who are worshiping demigods, apart from them, there are many atheists. They don't care for anything. They want simply sense enjoyment. But it is said that you can get some immediate profit by worshiping different demigods. That is all right. But that is not your permanent benefit. Because karmana, you are creating... Karmanam siddhim. You are getting some profit by your karma, fruitive karma, but you are creating another life, another life. To enjoy the fruitive result of this karma you'll have to wait for next life. So next life means another material body. So another material body means another term of suffering, another chapter of suffering. That they do not understand.

Therefore Rsabhadeva advising that "This is not good. Don't be engaged in karma, fruitive activities." If you be engaged in fruitive activities, karma, then you'll have to accept another material body. That may be a cat's body or dog's body or demigod's body or... Body you'll have to... But as soon as you have a material body, then you'll suffer. The... One who does not understand this philosophy, he's called alpa-medhasa, poor fund of knowledge. Poor fund of knowledge.

Real problem is, as Krsna says, janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam [Bg. 13.9], that I am implicated with this process of repetition of birth and death, and after birth, there is suffering, old age, disease. He does not consider it. He thinks, "This is natural." No, it is unnatural. One who does not understand this, he's alpa-medhasa, poor, poor fund of knowledge. So Bhagavatam says, therefore, "All right, if you have got desire also to enjoy this material world, then..." Bhagavatam says,

akamah sarva-kamo va
moksa-kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena
yajeta purusam param
[SB 2.3.10]

This is the recommendation, that akamah... Akamah means devotee. A devotee has no desire.

Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. Materialistic persons, they, what they want? They want dhanam, riches, wealth, and many men to control. Someone wants big factory, someone wants to become political leader, follower, many followers, and so on, so on. Janam. So these are material desires. Dhanam, means money, and janam, means followers, either family or followers or leader, like that. Dhanam janam... Na dhanam na janam... Another is sundari, wife, very beautiful wife. This is karmaja. Karmis, they want these three things: money, and many men upon whom he can command... (Hindi:) Kukumb, kukumb dena wala. [?] So, and very nice wife, quality wife.

So Maha..., Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, "No, no, I don't want these." This is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's teaching. Na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4]. "No, I don't want." Then mukti? Take mukti. "No, no, that also I don't want." This is bhakti. Bhakti means he does not want anything. Wanting means dharma karma... What is called? Dharmartha-kama-moksa. Dharma, artha, kama and moksa.

People want to become religious because they think... This is also fact. By becoming pious, religious, you get material happiness. That's a fact. Janmaisvarya-sruta-sri. Four things you can get by pious activities. You get birth in very nice family, aristocratic family, or brahmana family, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya family, or rich family, janma. Or rich nation.

I say therefore, these Americans, that "You are born of this rich nation. That is also a result of pious activities." Because janma... Janmaisvarya-sruta-sri. And wealth also. The Americans have got immense wealth. That is also a result of pious activities. And janmaisvarya-sruta, education. They have got the highest education. Now they are going, trying to go to the moon planet. Or they have gone. That is education, scientific education. And sri, they're beautiful also. All Americans... We have seen so many boys and girls here. They're beautiful also. This is not ordinary thing. This is due to pious activities. Janmaisvarya-sruta-sri.

So therefore I request them that "Materially, you have got all benediction. Now utilize this benediction for developing your dormant Krsna consciousness. Then you are perfect. Then you become perfect." So anywhere where these facilities are there, janmaisvarya-sruta-sri, instead of going down to hell, let them utilize it for getting the favor of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is perfection. Therefore Bhagavatam says, idam hi pumsas tapasah srutasya va, suktasya ca buddhi-dattayoh [SB 1.5.22] -- charity, intelligence.

So anyone who has got all these assets, so how it should be utilized? Avicyutah arthah, infallible decision has been made. What is that? Yad-uttamasloka-gunanuvarnanam: "Just try to glorify the Supreme Lord." With your money, with your intelligence, with your power, with your influence, whatever you have got. Education, departmental knowledge. Try to glorify the Supreme Lord. Then it is perfect.

And if you spoil it or simply sense gratification, the Bhagavata, Rsabhadeva says, na sadhu manye: "Oh, this is not good. This is not good." "Why it is not good? I am enjoying life. Why it is not good?" No, he says, na sadhu manye yata atmanah ayam asann api klesada asa dehah: [SB 5.5.4] "If you be engaged in these fruitive activities to enjoy this material world, then you'll have to accept another material body." Karmanam siddhim. Another material body. And if you accept another material body, then you'll have to accept again death, again old age, again disease. So what is the benefit? That is not benefit.

Therefore Bhagavatam says that even if you have got desire to enjoy this material world, still, you take shelter of Krsna.

akamah sarva-kamo va
moksa-kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena
yajeta purusam param
[SB 2.3.10]

Paramam purusa. Purusottama. Paramam purusa or Purusottama, the same thing. It is differently placed only. So Purusottama is Krsna. So if you have got some material desire, Krsna will fulfill.

But don't worship... Yajanta iha devatah. Iha devatah. Iha means this material world, iha. Devatah. All these demigods, beginning from Brahma. Brahma, Siva, Lord Siva, all the devatas. Indra, Candra, Surya. They're all iha devatah. They are also living entities like us. Not Lord Siva. Lord Siva is not jiva-tattva. But Brahma is jiva-tattva. So iha, the particular word is used here, iha, because as this material world will be finished, similarly, the different planetary systems occupied by the different demigods, they will be finished. And the demigods will be also finished. And you'll be also finished. Therefore it is called iha. Iha. Yanti deva-vrata devan pitrn yanti pitr-vra... [Bg. 9.25].

So, but your problem is eternal life. Why you should be engaged iha devatah? Because iha devatah means iha will be finished, your devata will be finished, you'll be finished, everything will be finished. But your problem is how to come to the eternal point. That is stated also by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita that janma karma me divyam yo janati tattvatah, tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. Not iha. Stand there, in the spiritual world. If you simply try to understand what is Krsna, then the result will be that after giving up this body, no more material body. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. No more punar janma.

That is required. But they do not understand it. They want quick result for some sense gratification, but implicate himself in the tangle, entanglement of getting again birth and death. That is going on. So Krsna consciousness movement is the most beneficial welfare activities to the human society because by awakening them to Krsna consciousness, they are saved from this danger of repetition of birth and death. Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 4.12 -- Vrndavana, August 4, 1974

"Special Senses Are Required"

73/08/04 London, Bhagavad-gita 2.3


Pradyumna (leads chanting, etc.):

klaibyam ma sma gamah partha
naitat tvayy upapadyate
ksudram hrdaya-daurbalyam
tyaktvottistha parantapa
[Bg. 2.3]

Translation: "O son of Prtha, do not yield to this degrading impotence. It does not become you. Give up such petty weakness of heart and arise, O chastiser of the enemy."

Prabhupada: So Bhagavan, Krsna, is encouraging, ksudram hrdaya-daurbalyam. "For a ksatriya to speak like that, ‘No no, I cannot kill my kinsmen. I am giving my weapons,' this is weakness, cowardice. Why you are all this nonsense doing?" Ksudram hrdaya-daurbalyam. "This kind of compassion, giving up your duty as a ksatriya, it is simply weakness of the heart. It has no meaning." Klaibyam ma sma gamah partha naitat tvayy upapadyate. "Especially for you. You are My friend. What people will say? So give up this weakness of the heart and uttistha, stand up, take courage." So just see how Krsna is inducing Arjuna to fight. People are very much ignorant and they sometimes criticize that "Krsna is exciting Arjuna. He is very gentleman, nonviolent, and Krsna is exciting him to fight." This is called jada-darsana. Jada-darsana. Jada-darsana means material vision. Therefore sastra says, atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Brs. 1.2.234]. Sri-krsna-namadi. We become in touch with Krsna by chanting His name, Hare Krsna. That is the beginning of our connection with Krsna. Namadi. So sastra says, atah sri-krsna-namadi. Adi means beginning.

So we have no connection with Krsna. But if we chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, immediately our first chance to contact Krsna begins. So it has to be practiced. Not that immediately I realize Krsna. That is not... Of course, if one is advanced, it is possible immediately. So sri-krsna-namadi. Nama means name. So Krsna is not only name. Adi, that is the beginning, but form, activities. Just like sravanam kirtanam. So sravanam kirtanam, glorifying or describing about Krsna... So He has got His form. So nama means name, and then, rupa means form. Nama, rupa... Lila means pastimes; guna means quality; entourage, his associates; all these... Atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved [Brs. 1.2.234]. Na bhaved grahyam indriyaih. By ordinary senses we cannot understand... Either Sri Krsna's name... We are hearing our, through the aural reception, Krsna's name, but if we keep our ear without purification... Of course, by hearing, it will be purified. We have to help. Help means to avoid the offenses, ten kinds of offenses. So in this way we shall help the purificatory process. Just like if I want to ignite fire, so I must help the igniting process by drying the wood. It will very soon get fire. Similarly, simply chanting, that will help us also. It will take time. But if we avoid the offenses, then it will be very quickly purified. The action will be there.

So atah sri-krsna-namadi na bhaved grahyam indriyaih [Brs. 1.2.234]. So this behavior of Krsna, how ordinary men can understand? Because they have got their ordinary senses, therefore they mistake. Why Krsna? Even Krsna's devotee, Vaisnava. That is also stated. Vaisnavera kriya mudra vijneha na bujhaya. Even a Vaisnava acarya, what he is doing, even the most expert intelligent man cannot understand why he is doing this. Therefore we should not try to imitate the higher authorities, but we have to follow the order, injunction, given by the higher authorities. It is not possible. Krsna is exciting Arjuna to fight. That does not mean we can also do that, excite, no. That will be immoral. For Krsna it is not immoral. Whatever He is doing... God is good, He is all-good. We should accept it. Whatever He is doing, that is all-good. This is one side. And whatever I am doing without authority's order, this is all bad. He does not require any order from anyone else. Isvarah paramah krsnah [Bs. 5.1]. He is the supreme controller. He does not require anyone's instruction. Whatever He does, it is perfect. This is Krsna understanding. And not that I have to study Krsna in my own way. Krsna is not subjected to your examination or your test. He is above all. He is transcendent. Therefore those who have not the transcendental vision, they misunderstand Krsna. Here He is directly enticing,

klaibyam ma sma gamah partha
naitat tvayy upapadyate
ksudram hrdaya-daurbalyam
taktvottistha parantapa

Parantapa is, this word, very word, is used that "You are a ksatriya, you are king. Your business is to chastise the mischief mongers. That is your business. You cannot excuse the mischief monger." Formerly the kings were so... The king himself used to judge. A criminal was brought before the king, and if the king thought it wise, he would take his own sword, immediately cut his head. That was the duty of king. Even not many, about hundred years ago in Kashmir, the king, as soon as a thief was caught, he would be brought before the king, and if he is proved that he was a thief, he has stolen, immediately the king will cut off his hands personally, chopped off. Even hundred years ago. So all other thieves warned, "This is your punishment." So there was no thiefing. There was no stealing, no burglary in Kashmir. Even somebody lost something on the road, it will lie down. Nobody will touch it. The order was, king's order was, "If something is lying down on the street uncared for, you cannot touch it. The man who has left it, he would come; he will collect. You cannot take." Even hundred years ago. So this capital punishment is required. Nowadays the capital punishment is excused. Murderers are not hanged. This is all mistake, all rascaldom. A murderer must be killed. No mercy. Why a human killer? Even an animal killer should be immediately hanged? That is kingdom. The king should be so strict.

So this sympathy is like Arjuna's sympathy. The sympathy... Now the state is sympathizing with the murderer not to be killed. This is Arjuna. That is hrdaya-daurbalyam. That is not duty. One has to discharge the duty ordered by the superior authority very strictly, without any consideration. So these are weakness of the heart, this kind of sympathy. But ordinary person will not understand. Therefore to understand Krsna, one requires special senses, special senses, not ordinary senses. Special senses means you have to pluck your eyes and you have to put another eyes? No. You have to purify. Tat-paratvena nirmalam. Just like if you have got some disease in the eyes, you apply medicine, and when it is clear, you can see clearly everything; similarly, with these blunt senses, we cannot understand what is Krsna. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Brs. 1.2.234]. As sri-krsnasya namadau, Krsna's name, form, quality, etc., is not understand by these blunt senses, so how it is to be done? Now, sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. Again jihvadau, beginning from the tongue, controlling the tongue. Just see it is something peculiar, that you have to understand Krsna by controlling the tongue? This is something wonderful. How is that? I have to control my tongue to understand Krsna? But it is, the sastra injunction is there: sevonmukhe hi jihvadau. Jihva means tongue. So in order to see Krsna, in order to understand Krsna, the first business is to control your tongue. Therefore we say, don't take meat, don't take liquor. Because it is controlling the tongue. The tongue is the most strong enemy as sense, as perverted sense. And these rascals they say, "No, you can eat whatever you like. It has nothing to do with religion." But Vedic sastra says, "You rascal, first of all control your tongue. Then you can understand what is God."

So this is called Vedic injunction -- perfect. If you control your tongue, then you control your belly, then you control your genital. Rupa Gosvami gives instruction,

vaco-vegam manaso krodha-vegam
jihvavegam udaropastha-vegam
etan vegan yo visaheta dhirah
sarvam apimam sa prthivim sa sisyat.

This is instruction, that anyone who has become competent to control the tongue, to control the mind, to control the anger, to control the belly and control the genital..., if six kind of control is there, he is fit for becoming spiritual master; he can make disciples all over the world. And if you cannot control your tongue, if you cannot control your anger, control your mental concoction, then how you can become even a spiritual master? That is not possible. Prthivim sa sisyat. One who did... That is called gosvami, gosvami or svami, master of the senses. Master of controlling these six kinds.

So beginning is the jihva. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Brs. 1.2.234]. Seva. The tongue can be engaged in the service of the Lord. How? You chant Hare Krsna, always glorify. Vacamsi vaikuntha-gunanuvarnane. Vacamsi, means talking. Talking is the business of tongue, and tasting is the business of tongue. So you engage the tongue in the service of the Lord by glorifying. Whenever... You take a vow that "Whenever I shall speak, I shall simply speak, glorifying Krsna, nothing more." That is tongue control. If you don't allow your tongue to speak anything nonsense, gramya-katha... We sometimes sit together. We talk so many nonsense. That should be controlled. "Now I have engaged my tongue for the service of the Lord, so we shall not talk anything of sense gratification." This is controlling the tongue. "I cannot eat anything which is not offered to Krsna." This is controlling the tongue. So these are small techniques, but it has got great, great value so that Krsna will be pleased, the austerity, and He will reveal. You cannot understand. You cannot see Krsna. You cannot order Krsna, "Krsna, please come, dancing with flute. I shall see You." This is order. Krsna is not subjected to your order. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu gives us instruction, aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam marma-hatam karotu va adarsanam. Adarsanam. Everyone wants to see Krsna, a devotee, but a pure devotee says that "No, if you don't like to see me, that's all right. You can break my heart. I may always pray to see You. But You do not come and break my heart, that is also accepted. Still, I shall worship You." This is pure devotion. Not that "I have asked Krsna to come before me dancing. He did not come. So I give up this nonsense. The Krsna consciousness movement is no value." Not like that. This is Radharani's attitude. So Krsna left Vrndavana. All the gopis, they passed their days simply crying for Krsna, but never condemned Krsna. Whenever somebody came... Krsna also was thinking of them because gopis are the greatest devotees, topmost devotees. There is no comparison with the devotion of the gopis. Therefore Krsna was always obliged to them. Krsna said to the gopis that "You have to be satisfied with your own business. I cannot return you anything for your love." Krsna, the Supreme, the all-powerful, He was unable to repay the debts for the gopis. Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, ramya kacid upasana vraja-vadhu-vargena ya kalpita. There is no more better worship than what was conceived by the gopis. So gopis are the topmost devotees. And amongst the gopis, Srimati Radharani is the topmost. Therefore Srimati Radharani is greater than Krsna.

So this is Gaudiya-Vaisnava philosophy. It requires time. So the activities of Krsna, the rascals, if they simply see that "Krsna is enticing Arjuna to fight; therefore Krsna is immoral," that is, means wrong vision. You have to see Krsna with separate eyes. Therefore Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, janma karma me divyam ca. Divyam. These transcendental activities of Krsna, if anyone can understand, simply if anyone can understand, then he becomes liberated immediately. Liberated. Not liberated ordinary liberation, but for going back to home, back to Godhead. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti mam eti kaunteya [Bg. 4.9]. The greatest liberation. There are different types of liberation also. Sayujya sarupya sarsti salokya sayujya.... Five kinds of liberation. So sayujya means to merge into the existence, Brahman, brahma-laya (merging in the impersonal). That is also liberation. The Mayavadis or the jnani sampradaya, they want to merge into the existence, Brahman existence. That is also mukti. That is called sayujya-mukti. But for a devotee, this sayujya-mukti is just like hell. Kaivalyam narakayate. So for Vaisnava, kaivalyam, to, monism, to merge into the existence of the Supreme, is compared with hell. Kaivalyam narakayate tri-dasa-pur akasa-puspayate (Caitanya-candramrta 5). And the karmis... Jnanis are anxious to merge into the existence of the Brahman effulgence, and the karmis, their highest aim is how to be elevated in the higher planetary system, Svarga-loka, where Lord Indra is there, or Brahma is there. That is karmi's ambition, to go to the heaven. They all, except Vaisnava philosophy, in all other literature, all other scripture, means Christian and Mohammedan, their aim is how to be elevated to the heaven.

So heaven is described in the Vedic literature as tri-dasa-pur. Tri-dasa-pur. Tri-dasa-pur means there are 33,000,000's of demigods, and they have got their separate planets. This is called tri-dasa-pur. Tri means three, and dasa means ten. So thirty-three or thirty. Anyway, tri-dasa-pur akasa-puspayate. Akasa-puspa means something imaginary something imaginary. A flower in the sky. A flower should be in the garden, but if somebody imagines the flower in the sky, it is something imaginary. So for a devotee, this heavenly promotion to the heavenly planet is just like a flower in the sky. Tri-dasa-pur akasa-puspayate. Kaivalyam narakayate. Jnani and karmi. And durdantendriya-kala-sarpa-patali protkhata-damstrayate. Then yogi. Yogis are trying. Yogi means yoga indriya-samyama, controlling the senses. That is yogic practice. Our senses are very strong. Just like we also, Vaisnavas, we first of all try to control the tongue. So yogis also, they try to control the senses, not only tongue, but all other, ten kinds of senses, by that yogis mystic process. So why they are trying to control? Because the senses are just like serpents. A serpent... Just like they touch anywhere, immediately something up to death. Injury there must be up to death. This is exemplified: just our sex impulse. As soon as there is illicit sex, there is so many difficulties. Of course, nowadays it has all become very easy. Formerly it was very difficulty, especially in India. Therefore a young girl was always protected, because if she mixes with the boys, somehow or other, as soon as there is sex, she becomes pregnant. And it will be no more possible to get her married. No. Touched by the serpent. This is... Vedic civilization is very strict. Because the whole aim was how to go back to home, back to Godhead, not sense gratification, eat, drink, be merry, enjoy. That is not the aim of human life. So everything was planned with that aim. Visnur aradhyate.

varnasramacaravata
purusena parah puman
visnur aradhyate pantha
nanyat tat-tosa-karanam

Varnasrama, these brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, everyone had to strictly follow the rules and regulation of the particular division. A brahmana must act as a brahmana. A ksatriya must as... Here is the... Just Krsna says, "You are ksatriya; why you are talking all this rascal? You must!" Naitat tvayy upapadyate. "In two ways you should not do this. As a ksatriya you should not do this, and as My friend, you should not do this. This is your weakness." So this is Vedic civilization. Fight for the ksatriya. A brahmana is not going to fight. Brahmana is satyah samo damah, he is practicing how to become peaceful, how to become clean, how to control the senses, how to control the mind, how to become simple, how to become full cognizant of the Vedic literature, how to apply practically in life, how to become firmly fixed up in conviction. These are brahmanas'. Similarly, ksatriya's -- fighting. That is necessary. Vaisya -- krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam [Bg. 18.44]. So all these strictly to be followed. Just yesterday we were reading when Manu, Vaivasvatu Manu, came to Kardama Muni, he is receiving, "Sir, I know that your touring means you are just...," what is called, what is called, examining?

Devotee: Inspecting.

Prabhupada: Inspecting, yes. Inspecting. "Your touring means inspection whether the varnasrama, whether the brahmana is doing actually as brahmana, ksatriya is doing actually as ksatriya." That is king's touring. King's touring not a pleasure touring at the expense of the state go somewhere and come back. No. He was... Sometimes in disguise the king used to see whether this varnasrama-dharma is being maintained, properly being observed, whether somebody is simply wasting time like hippies. No, that cannot be done. That cannot be done. Now in your government there is some inspection that nobody is employed, but unemployed. But so many things are not practically inspected. But it is the duty of the government to see everything. Varnasramacaravata, everything is practicing as brahmana. Simply by falsely becoming brahmana, falsely becoming ksatriya -- no. You must. So this was the king's duty, government's duty. Now everything is topsy-turvied. Everything is no more practical value. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, kalau...,

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

It is very difficult to take us back to the original process of civilization.

So for a Vaisnava, as I was explaining, the tri-dasa-pur akasa-puspayate durdantendriya-kala-sarpa-patali. So controlling the sense, that is durdanta. Durdanta means formidable. It is very, very difficult to control the senses. Therefore the yoga process, mystic yoga process -- just to practice how to control the senses. But for a devotee... They... Just like the tongue, if it is engaged only in the business of chanting Hare Krsna mantra and eating only Krsna prasadam, the whole thing is done, perfect yogi. Perfect yogi. So for a bhakta, there is no trouble with the senses because a bhakta knows how to engage each and every sense in the service of the Lord. Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. That is bhakti. Hrsika means the senses. When the senses are engaged only for the service of Krsna, Hrsikesa, then there is no need of practicing yoga. Automatically they are locked up in the service of Krsna. They have no other engagement. That is the highest. Therefore Krsna says,

yoginam api sarvesam
mad-gatenantaratmana
sraddhavan bhajate yo mam
sa me yuktatamo matah
[Bg. 6.47]

"A first-class yogi is he who is always thinking of Me." Therefore this chanting of Hare Krsna mantra, if we simply chant and hear, the first-class yogi. So these are the process. So Krsna wants to Arjuna that "Why you are indulging in this weakness of mind? You are under My protection. I am ordering you to fight. Why you are denying?" This is the purport.
Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.3 -- London, August 4, 1973