Invoking Natural Love to Krishna

Invoking Natural Love to Krishna

73/01/05 Bombay

download  flash player

 

Take a test

---

Pradyumna: (reading) "...propensity expands just as a vibration of light expands, but we do not know where it ends. The Nectar of Devotion teaches us the science of loving every one of the living entities perfectly by the easy method of loving Krsna. We have failed to create peace and harmony in human society even by such great attempts as the United Nations because we do not know the right method."

Prabhupada: Hmm. The example is just like there is air vibration, water vibration, the radio message. In one place, the vibration is made, and it goes like waves. It expands. Very quickly, within a second, it expands seven times the earth, so far we have heard. Or if you throw one stone on the lake, they'll become a circle, circle, and the circle expands, unless it goes to the limit. So our loving propensity is there, and it should expand. Ultimately it should reach the lotus feet of the Lord. Then it will be perfect. So this is being explained.

So nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti. In the Caitanya-caritamrta it is said, nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti. Our love for Krsna is there already, but it is being choked up by material conditions. I want to love, but some blind leader, he comes. He says that "You love your, this country, your society, humanity," and you love your society but you cut throat of another society. This is going on. Because it is imperfect. One side, they're teaching "Love your nation," and cut the throat of another nation. So this kind of love, or this kind of loving propensity will not be ever satisfied. We shall always remain unsatisfied, because this is artificial. The same example: If you want to love, then you have to pour water on the root of the tree. Then it will be all right. Otherwise, if you manufacture so many ways of love, then certainly you'll be confused and frustrated. (aside:) Why don't you sit down here? Come on. Go on.

Pradyumna: "The method is very simple, but one has to understand it with a cool head. The Nectar of Devotion teaches all men how to perform the simple and natural method of loving Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. If we learn how to love Krsna, then it is very easy to immediately and simultaneously..."

Prabhupada: In the Caitanya-caritamrta it is said,

krsne bhakti kaile sarva-karma krta haya
sraddha-sabde-visvasa sudrdha niscaya

To be elevated to the transcendental platform of loving service of the Supreme Lord there is a process. The process is that as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita: mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. This is the process. You have to increase your attachment for Krsna. This yoga system you have to adopt, how to increase your love for Krsna. That is not very difficult. Just like this arcana, sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam [SB 7.5.23]. So these are the different processes, how to increase your attachment for Krsna. The attachment of Krsna is there, but by sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya.

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

Everyone has got love for Krsna. It is not artificial thing. Everyone has got. Otherwise how these Europeans and American boys and girls (are) taking to this principle? Why they are mad after Krsna? Because it was there. It is not... Artificially, you cannot make such thing. It is not possible. Artificially you cannot make a staunch devotee of Krsna. That is not possible. Artificially, one day, two days, three days -- then goes away. Just like it has become in our country. Our love is now for material happiness. Poverty for the last two thousand years or one, little above, one thousand years, India was foreign-subjugated. So they are now thinking that some way or other, if we can become like Americans, skyscraper buildings, our life will be successful. So they have... Artificially, now... They're killing their own culture and trying to imitate. This is artificial. But this artificial way, one cannot be happy. They'll be frustrated. Just (like) the Americans have become frustrated. They have got enough. What is the skyscraper buildings in Bombay? They have got hundred times skyscraper buildings in New York. Hundred times. And what is this skyscraper? Say, twenty stories? There are hundred and four,-five stories. When I first went to New York I saw one building, Empire, Empire State?

Devotees: State.

Prabhupada: Yes. It was hundred and two stories. Now the others, they have increased to hundred and four,-five. So... But why these American boys are frustrated. Their fathers, their grandfathers have got enough money, enough skyscraper buildings, but they are not satisfied. They don't want to work like their father and grandfather. They've left. I have got many students, my disciples, their father, very rich man, industrialist, lawyers. But they don't like.

So this kind, this kind of so-called happiness will never satisfy us. The real happiness which is within, our love, loving propensity for Krsna, that has to be revived. Nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti sadhya kabhu naya. It is not by artificial means one becomes a devotee of Krsna. That is not possible. Nobody can become a lover or devotee of anyone else by artificial means unless there is some natural tendency. So that natural tendency for, to love Krsna is there in everyone's heart. So our Krsna consciousness movement is how to invoke that natural tendency to love Krsna. That is our business. And how it is possible? The sastra, sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya. Sravanadi-suddha-citte. Sravanadi means this process. Just like you have come here; you are hearing about Krsna. This is the process. You may be illiterate, you may be rich, or you may be poor. Whatever you may be, it doesn't matter. Please come, sit down and hear. But in the hearing process, there is so many impediments, maya. Just like people are coming here to hear, but there has been impediment: "Oh, sir, our lift if being to much used. The electric supply will cut off." Maya is always there. They will, I mean to say, spend electric energy in so many ways, that is not loss. But people were coming for half an hour and one hour, gentlemen, "No. Electricity will be spoiled." This is maya. Maya is always after this checking process. So we have to fight against the maya, then we come to Krsna consciousness. That fighting determination must be there. Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te [Bg. 7.14]. One must be determined. So maya may check my progress in Krsna consciousness, but I must fight maya. This determination wanted. Drdha-vratah. Bhajante mam drdha-vratah. That is wanted. "All right let me do. All right, not. That's all right. Let me do my business." No. One must be very serious. Drdha-vratah. Drdha-vratah and firmly convinced. These things are required to revive your Krsna consciousness. Otherwise it is very easy.

Sravanadi-suddha-citte karaye udaya. Caitanya Mahaprabhu, when there was discussion about sraddha and sadhana, what is the aim of life and what is the process of achieving that aim of life, this discussion was made between Ramananda Raya and Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was questioning and Ramananda Raya was replying. So the first reply was given by Ramananda Raya, when Caitanya Mahaprabhu inquired, "What is the goal of life?" and "What is the process to reach that goal of life?" Very nice question. So Ramananda Raya replied:

varnasramacaravata
purusena parah puman
visnur aradhyate pumsam
nanyat tat-tosa-karanam
 [Cc. Madhya 8.58]

He immediately replied that a human being must, first of all, come to the standard of varnasrama-dharma. Four varnas and four asramas: brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, and brahmacari, grhastha... Unless they come systematically, life on these principles, they're animals. They're not human beings. They're... That was our Indian, Vedic civilization. Now they have manufactured their religion: yata mat tata path. You can manufacture your own way and you be satisfied. This is being... So many. You can see in Bombay, so many rascals are preaching. They, there is no standard thing. So it is very difficult for us to give us the right thing, but we are certain. Because we are not cheating people, so it may take some time, but people are gradually coming to Krsna consciousness, because this is right thing.

So varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman [Cc. Madhya 8.58]. This is the beginning of actual human life. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately replied, iha bahya age kaha ara. Iha bahya. Bahya means this is external. This will not very much help at the present moment. And actually that is being done. Just like we are preaching in the Western countries. If we wanted to establish varnasrama-dharma in the beginning, that "You become brahmana, you become grhastha, you become sannyasi..." No. Then everyone would have rejected: "Sir, we are prepared for this purpose." But the process introduced by Caitanya Mahaprabhu... It is not introduced by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is the sanction in the sastras: sravanam kirtanam visnoh smaranam pada-sevanam [SB 7.5.23]. This is standard method. Because we gave them the chance of hearing, gradually they're coming. Not that immediately you become brahmana. Now they are becoming more than brahmanas. Here, in India, the brahmanas, they are doing everything. Still they are going in the name of brahmana. But here, these European brahmanas, American brahmanas, they're real brahmanas, because they have given up all sinful activities. The brahmana's life is first of all truthful. Truthful. Satya sama dama titiksa. Controlling the senses, controlling the mind, forbearance and simplicity, full knowledge, application of knowledge, belief in the Vedas -- these are the symptoms of brahmana. Satya sama dama titiksa arjavam astikyam jnanam vijnanam brahma-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.42]. So if we take to Krsna consciousness, these brahminical qualifications automatically come. Yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah [SB 5.18.12]. This is the test. A devotee shall be qualified with all the godly qualities. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu said if you induce people... Because His mission is to propagate this Vedic culture all over the world. He's not confined within some limited area. Prthivite ache yata nagaradi grama. As many villages and towns are there in the world, His mission is to be preached there. So, so if we, in the beginning we say, "You have to become a brahmana first of all," Who's going to become a brahmana? Our people are not becoming brahmana. They'll say, "It is all nonsense. Let us become sudra." So that is not possible. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, iha bahya age kaha ara.

Then Ramananda Raya suggested karma-misra-bhakti, then jnana-misra-bhakti-bhakti with jnana, mixed with jnana, process of jnana, speculative philosophy; and bhakti mixed with karma, karma-kandiya. Karma-kandiya vicara. But real bhakti is jnana-karmady-anavrtam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. It must be untouched by the process of jnana and karma. It should be spontaneous. Spontaneous. That is bhakti. Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady-anavrtam, anukulyena krsna [Brs. 1.1.11]. Spontaneous means when we shall rise to the platform that "Here is a service for Krsna. Let me do it." Immediately. "Let me do it." Just like Yudhisthira was advised by Krsna that "You just go to Dronacarya and speak him lie that his son is dead." Yudhisthira hesitated: "Oh, how can I speak lie? I never done it in my life." This is karma-kandiya vicara. This is karma-kandiya vicara. He is, he is looking after his own benefit. Karma-kanda vicara means I do something and I profit and I enjoy it. I do some sacrifices, I become elevated to the heavenly planet, and I enjoy life. This is karma-kanda. And jnana-kanda means that this world is false: brahma satyam jagan mithya; therefore let me merge into the Brahman effulgence. Nirbheda brahmanusandhana. This is jnana-kanda. Nirbheda brahmanusandhana. But bhakti means jnana-karmady-anavrtam [Cc. Madhya 19.167]. One must be free from this karma-kandiya vicara and jnana-kanda vicara. Must be pure devotee. What is that? Anukulyena krsnanu-silanam. Simply to carry out.

So it was the duty of Yudhisthira to immediately, what Krsna said, immediately to execute it. But because he was on the karma-kandiya... Of course, they were all devotees, but just to show us... The karma-kandiya vicara, they hesitated. Just like the brahmanas who were, yajnic brahmana, who was performing sacrifices and Krsna, Krsna's friends became hungry. So they asked Krsna, "Krsna we are hungry. Give me... Please arrange for some food." Krsna said, "Yes, you go immediately there. The brahmanas are performing yajnas, and ask them for some food." They went, but the brahmanas refused. "Oh, the yajna is not yet performed. How we can give you? No, no. Don't talk." So they came back. Then Krsna said, "Go to their wives, the yajnic brahmana patni. Go to their wives." And as soon as they went to the wives, they heard Krsna's name, they were very much beloved to Krsna. Immediately, whatever was there for the yajna, immediately they brought to Krsna. This is bhakti. And the yajnic brahmanas were in the karma-kandiya platform, but they were devotees. But when actually it was performed... What is that verse? Dik janma...?

Indian man: Dik janma tri veda vidvan. Dik janma aha. Tri vid vidvan means Vedas...

Prabhupada: (interjecting) Yes, yes, yes.

Indian man: What all these Vedas...? Because useless. Dig janma... got worldly..., family, is also useless. Tri vid vidvan..., bahut jnanam...

Prabhupada: Bahut jnanam.

Indian man: ...dik kulam

Prabhupada: Brahmana, born in brahmana family. Yes.

Indian man: ...dik kriya.

Prabhupada: So this is bhakti. And bhakti means spontaneously responding to Krsna. That is bhakti. There is no... Therefore it is transcendental platform. It is not on this material... Material platform, karma-kanda, jnana-kanda. But bhakti is above.

mam ca avyabhicarini
bhakti-yogena yah sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate
 [Bg. 14.26]

Transcendental platform.

So Caitanya Mahaprabhu said that this karma-kandiya vicara, that is also nice, those who are in the too much bodily concept of life. But it is very difficult to raise the people to the karma-kandiya, jnana-kandiya vicara. In this age especially, they have become so fallen that it is not possible for them to raise them, either karma-kandiya, jnana-kandiya or yogic process. This is not possible. Therefore in the sastra it is said, kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. If you follow karma-kandiya vicara, jnana-kandiya vicara or yogic process, it is very difficult. Therefore the only process is,

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

And Narottama, Narottama dasa Thakura says that karma-kanda, jnana-kanda, sakali visera bandha amrta baliya yeba khaya. So suppose karma-kandiya vicara, you, you get elevated to the heavenly planet. That's all right, by karma-kandiya vicara. But what Krsna says about this elevation? Antavat tu phalam tesam tad bhavaty alpa-medhasam. Antavat tu phalam tesam [Bg. 7.23]. These results derived out of karma-kanda, jnana-kanda, they are temporary. Of course, we do..., we do not know what kind of temporary. But temporary means even if you live for many millions of years, that is also temporary, because you are eternal. So somebody's living for one year, somebody's living for one minute, and somebody's living for one million or more than that. Just like Brahma's life: sahasra-yuga-paryantam ahar yad brahmano viduh [Bg. 8.17]. That is also temporary. Our problem is to get our eternal life again. Yad gatva na nivartante tad dhamam pa. [Bg. 15.6].. This is the process. One should go to such a place that he'll not have to come back again to this temporary world. So karma-kanda, jnana-kanda means you can be elevated to the heavenly planet by karma-kandiya process, or even to the Brahma planet, Brahmaloka, Satyaloka, but what Krsna says? A-brahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino 'rjuna [Bg. 8.16].

So that will not give us the ultimate benefit. The ultimate benefit is,

mam upetya (tu) kaunteya
duhkhalayam asasvatam
napnuvanti mahatmanah
samsiddhim paramam gatah
 [Bg. 8.15]

That is wanted. One has to go back to home, back to Godhead. That is the perfection of life. This human life should be utilized for going back to home, back to... But they have no idea. They do not know what is God, where is back to home, back to Godhead -- nothing, no education, although the knowledge is there in the Bhagavad-gita and other sastras. Everything is there, but we have become so fools that we take Bhagavad-gita and comment in a different way so that people may not understand. He does not understand himself, and how he'll explain? Naham prakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah [Bg. 7.25]. Because without becoming a devotee, nobody can understand Bhagavad-gita. That's a fact. So they, one may be very good scholar, ABCD, but the ABCD knowledge is not sufficient to understand. Bhakto 'si priyo 'si me rahasyam hy etad uttamam [Bg. 4.3]. Simply by erudite scholarship you cannot understand. Then Krsna would have selected somebody else who is scholarly advanced. But He was selecting Arjuna, although he was a soldier. He was not a Vedantist, he was not a brahmana, but he was ordinary soldier. Maybe royal family. Grhastha. But He selected him. Why? Bhakto 'si: because he was devotee. Therefore Bhagavad-gita is to be understood by devotee from the very beginning.

So one has to become devotee of Krsna. Then we can understand the teachings of the Vedas. Vedas means vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. Any way you go, either... Bhagavad-gita is also Vedic literature. Bhagavata is also Vedic literature. So either you take directly Vedas, Isopanisad, or Upanisad, the ultimate goal is to understand Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam [Bg. 15.15]. So this Krsna consciousness movement is trying to give Krsna. Krsna se tomara, krsna dite para. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung that vaisnava thakura, tomara kukura baliya janaha more. He's presenting himself, "My dear sir, Vaisnava, kindly accept me as your dog." Davita... What is that song? You have forgotten?

Syamasundara: I don't know.

Indian man: (indistinct)

Prabhupada: No. Vai...

Indian man: Krsna se tomara...

Prabhupada: Ah. Krsna se tomara, krsna dite para, tomara sakati ache. This is a fact. If you want Krsna, then you have to approach a pure devotee of Krsna. He can give you, deliver you. Vedesu durlabha adurlabha atma-bhaktau. If one is Krsna devotee, he can deliver Krsna: "Take Him. Here is Krsna." That is the special prerogative of devotee. Kaunteya pratijanihi. Vaisnava... Krsna is advising Arjuna, because he's devotee, that "You declare, na me bhaktah pranasyati." So He could declare Himself. No. He wants to declare everything through His devotee. Nimitta-matram bhava savya-sacin. He want to see that Arjuna becomes victorious, although He was conducting, actually He was doing this victory also, war. So in this way, krsna-bhakti, nitya-siddha krsna-bhakti, if we simply invoke our krsna-bhakti, that is success of life. Some way or other. Therefore Rupa Gosvami says that yena tena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet. Somehow or other, just be absorbed within your mind about Krsna. Sa vai manah krsna-padaravindayor [SB 9.4.18]. Some way or other. It doesn't matter which way. And another place Rupa Gosvami says, krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih kriyatam yadi kuto 'pi labhyate. Purchase this krsna-bhakti-rasa-bhavita matih, Krsna consciousness, if it is available somewhere. Tatra laulyam eka mulyam, na janma kotibhih sukrtibhih labhyate.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is very rare thing, but, by the grace of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, it is being distributed all over the world freely. It is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's grace. Maha-vadanyaya krsna-prema-pradaya te [Cc. Madhya 19.53]. If we adopt the method of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then we can distribute what Krsna..., Krsna-prema, love of Krsna. Knowledge of Krsna may be distributed. The scholars and the panditas, they can understand, but love of Krsna is different thing. That is a different thing. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu is distributing love of Krsna. Krsna-prema-pradaya te.

namo maha-vadanyaya
krsna-prema-pradaya te
krsnaya krsna-caitanya-
namne gaura-tvise namah
 [Cc. Madhya 19.53]

So if we follow through the path chalked out by Caitanya Mahaprabhu, then Krsna also, although He..., it is very difficult to understand Krsna... Manusyanam saharesu kascid yatati siddhaye, yatatam api siddhanam [Bg. 7.3]. But through the process of Caitanya Mahaprabhu... And to follow Caitanya Mahaprabhu means to follow the six Gosvamis, because these six Gosvamis were directly instructed by Caitanya Mahaprabhu to spread this movement. He instructed Rupa Gosvami continually for ten days in Prayaga, Dasasvamedha ghata. He instructed Sanatana Gosvami for two months in Benares. And they have given us this invaluable literature. There are so many other literatures, of which the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, we have translated into English: Nectar of Devotion. So try to follow this book. Rupa-raghunatha-pade haibe akuti... Narottama dasa Thakura is singing,

rupa-raghunatha-pade haibe akuti
kabe hama bujhaba sri yugala-piriti

The sahajiyas, they immediately try to understand the love affairs of Krsna and Radharani. That is sahajiyism. Here we have to take instruction from Narottama dasa Thakura. First of all we have to take the mercy of Rupa-Raghunatha, Gosvamis. Then if there is, our luck is good, then we can understand what is Radha-Krsna prema. You, it is not a thing to be understood by the common man in the bazaar, Radha-Krsna. Therefore, in spite of hearing Radha-Krsna lila for many, many years, they remain in the same position, not a single step forward, what to..., to understand Krsna? Because they do not try to understand Radha-Krsna through the channel chalked out by Caitanya Mahaprabhu and Gosvamis. We must know. Radha-Krsna is not ordinary. Radha krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini sakti. This is the manifestation of the ahladini sakti of Krsna. Krsna does not enjoy any material thing. The gopis and Radharani, they are not these ordinary girls. Ananda-cinmaya-rasa-pratibhavitabhis tabhir ya eva nija-rupataya kalabhih [Bs. 5.37].

So this is the process. We don't, therefore, advise people that immediately come to understand rasa-lila. No. We never do so. First of all, understand Krsna by the channel, by the proper method. Then gradually, when you are actually purified, they you'll understand Radha-Krsna.

rupa-raghunatha-padehaibe akuti
kabe hama bujhaba sri-yugala-piriti

They don't become sahajiya, to understand Radha and Krsna just like ordinary... They're understanding Radha and Krsna, and they're inclined to so many nonsense things. If one understands Radha-Krsna, his impulse for sex life, vita raga kama, immediately will be finished. He'll never think of... As Yamuna, Yamunacarya says, yad-avadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravindayor. You know the verse?

Indian man: Yes.

Prabhupada: Cite it. Yad-avadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravindayor. Yamunacarya.

Indian man: Oh, ahh...

Prabhupada: No. This verse:

yad-avadhi mama cetah krsna-padaravindayor
nava-nava-(rasa-)dhamany (udyatam) rantum asit
tad-avadhi mama bata nari-sangame smaryamane
bhavati mukha-vikarah susthu nisthivanam ca

So this is the test. If actually one understands Radha-Krsna lila, then they'll forget forever this sex life of the material world. This is the test. So our request is that don't try to understand Radha-Krsna. Just worship Radha-Krsna according to the arcana-vidhi. Then gradually Radha-Krsna will be pleased, Caitanya Mahaprabhu will be pleased, and svayam eva sphuraty adhah. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau [Brs. 1.2.234]. When They are pleased by your seva, then They will reveal. Don't try to jump over to understand Radha-Krsna. That will not help us.

Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => The Nectar of Devotion -- Bombay, January 5, 1973

HOME

© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Cleansing Away Our Criminality

Cleansing Away Our Criminality

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.6
Nellore, January 5, 1976

download  flash player

 

Take a test

---

Prabhupada:

adhuneha maha-bhaga
yathaiva narakan narah
nanogra-yatanan neyat
tan me vyakhyatum arhasi
 [SB 6.1.6]

This is from Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sixth Canto. This is our latest publication, Srimad-Bhagavatam. Therefore I am taking advantage of this publication to present before you. So in the Fifth Canto of Srimad-Bhagavatam Sukadeva Gosvami has given a vivid description of the naraka planets or the hellish condition of life. Fifth Canto, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Sukadeva Gosvami has given a vivid description of the naraka planets, or the hellish planets. So this verse I am quoting from the First Chapter, Sixth Canto, that Pariksit Maharaja is asking Sukadeva Gosvami "How the people suffering in hellish condition of life can be delivered?" [break] Let him... [break] This is the beginning of the Sixth Chapter of Srimad-Bhagavatam.

At the end of the Fifth Chapter, Srila Sukadeva Gosvami has given description of the hellish planets. You have seen in the sky. There are millions and millions of stars or planets, and they are divided into three groups. Everything is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So as it is said in the Bhagavad-gita, urdhvam gacchanti sattva-sthah [Bg. 14.18]. [break] ...sattva-sthah, meaning that those who are in the sattva-guna, modes of goodness, they are promoted to the higher planetary system. Madhye tisthanti rajasah: "Those who are under the influence of passion, they remain in the middle planetary system." And those who are in the lowest grade of tamo-guna, adho gacchanti tamasah. So Pariksit Maharaja, after hearing the pitiable condition of persons in the hellish planets, he became sympathetic. Therefore he is putting the statement before Sukadeva Gosvami. Adhuneha maha-bhaga yathaiva narakan narah: "My dear sir, you have described about the hellish condition of the suffering persons. Now kindly give me any enlightenment how they can be delivered."

This is the symptom of a Vaisnava. Vaisnava cannot tolerate the sufferings of the humanity. Just like Prahlada Maharaja. He said before Nrsimhadeva, naitad udvije paro duratyaya-vaitaranyah: "My dear Lord, I have no problem how to get delivered from this material world," because a devotee is already on the transcendental platform. It is said in the Bhagavad-gita,

mam ca (yo) vyabhicarini
bhakti-yogena yah sevate
sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuya...
 [Bg. 14.26]

Means anyone who is engaged in devotional service, he is already on the Brahman platform. Therefore a devotee means he is already in the Brahman platform, or spiritual platform. So Pariksit Maharaja became very anxious how this suffering humanity can be saved. Here it is said, nana ugra yatanat neyat tan me vyakhyatum arhasi: "Kindly give me some enlightenment how these people can be saved from this severe type of suffering." So at the present moment in this age of Kali people are so fallen low that they do not know what is going to happen in the future. They are dismissing the whole problem by saying that there is no next life. This is very precarious condition of the modern civilization. So as there are comfortable life, we can see there are discomfortable life also. So there is understanding of papa and punya. Especially in the human form of life one should know what is papa and what is punya. The human life is responsible life.

You have got practical experience that if you violate the law of the state you become criminal and punished. But if the cats and dogs or animals, they violate the law, they are not punishable. Therefore human life must be very responsible. Yes. So Sukadeva Gosvami says, "My dear king, if before one's next death whatever impious acts one has performed in this life with his mind, words, and body are not counteracted through proper atonement according to the description of the Manu-samhita and other dharma-sastras, one will certainly enter into the hellish planets after death and undergo terrible sufferings as I have previously described." So just like in our ordinary life if we commit some sinful activity and if we plead in the court, "My dear judge, I did not know the law," so this kind of pleading will not help him. Ignorance is no excuse. Therefore human life is distinct from animal life. If we live in human life without caring for the supreme laws, then we are destined to suffer.

Therefore in the human society there is a system of religion and scripture. It is the duty of the human being to understand the laws of the nature, the injunction in the sastras and live very honestly according to their direction. In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna says,

yah sastra-vidhim utsrjya
vartate kama-karatah
na siddhim sa avapnoti
na sukham na param gatim
 [Bg. 16.23]

"Anyone who does not follow the instruction of the sastras and live whimsically as very free to act, such person never gets perfection of life, no happiness, and what to speak of going back to home, back to Godhead." Especially in India, who are born as Indians, they have got a special facility to get this transcendental knowledge from sastras. Caitanya Mahaprabhu advised or ordered to every Indian that "You make your life perfect by going through the sastras and distribute this knowledge throughout the whole world for welfare activities." The exact words in Bengali is like this,

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

Means anyone who has taken birth in this holy land of Bharatavarsa must make his life successful by going through the sastras and distribute the knowledge throughout the whole world. Therefore I am appealing to my Indian brothers to take up this missionary work as ordered by Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, especially my appeal is to the people of South India. Because all our acaryas, Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Nimbarka, Visnu Svami, Sankaracarya, they came out from South India, so I especially request gentlemen present here to take up this Krsna consciousness movement very seriously and join with us. [break] ...says that before our next death comes... Death will come. We say generally, "As sure as death." For our next life. Sukadeva Gosvami advises according to our Vedic principle, before death there is a ceremony which is called prayascitta or atonement. He advises that when a diseased man goes to a physician, the physician, after diagnosing the disease, he gives the suitable medicine. If the disease is very serious, sometimes very expensive medicine is recommended. There is some example in the Caitanya Mahaprabhu's time. One gentleman, he was a big zamindar, landholder. He was converted into a Muslim. In those days, five hundred years ago, it was not very difficult to convert a person into Muslim religion. If a Muslim would take some water from his water pot and sprinkle on the body of a Hindu, he would become Muslim. In this way, so many people were converted into Muslims. So I am quoting these instances in this respect because when in those days people would go to the brahmana to take advice for atonement they would give so severe type of atonement that it was impossible to perform.

So there was the king in Bengal at that time. He was known as Nawab Hussein Shah. Formerly he was a Mohammedan servant to a big Hindu landlord. So this boy servant committed some theft so the master punished him by striking with a cane. So the striking mark of the cane was there on his backside. So one day the Nawab's wife, Begam, saw the mark and inquired from her husband, "What is this mark?" So the Nawab described that in his childhood, when he was a servant of that Hindu gentleman, Buddhimanta Khan, he beat him with that cane and that mark is there. So the wife of the Nawab, Begum Sair(?), she requested that "You kill this man. Otherwise people will blaspheme you." The Nawab, however, declined. "No, no, this cannot... This is not possible. He was my master, just like my father. He chastised me. There was no fault." So the wife then requested, "At least make him a Mohammedan." So the Nawab, to satisfy his wife, he agreed, "Well, that is not very difficult task." So one day he called Buddhimanta Khan and sprinkled the water on his body.

So Buddhimanta Khan took it that he has now become a Mohammeddan, so he went to the brahmana for consultation. So when Buddhimanta Khan went to a bhattacarya, he said that "The," what is called, "prayascitta is that you melt one kilogram of," what is called, "lead, and drink it." So he, being helpless, he went to consult another brahmana bhattacarya. He said, "All right, if you cannot drink molten lead, then you can drink one kilo of melted ghee." So in this way, when he was helpless, he went to Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu knew the situation of the then society. He therefore advised him that "You better give (up) your family life. You go to Vrndavana." So He advised him that "Go to Vrndavana, live there and chant Hare Krsna." So the difficulty is, in the sastras there are atonement for prayascitta of so..., not like that -- you drink hot ghee or hot lead -- but there are prayascittas. So one has to execute that.

So when Sukadeva Gosvami recommended, "My dear King, you are very anxious for these persons suffering in the hell. They have to perform prayascitta." So Sukadeva Gosvami, after recommending this, could not satisfy Pariksit Maharaja. He was king, ksatriya. He knew the nature of the citizen. Therefore he said,

drsta-srutabhyam yat papam
janann apy atmano 'hitam
karoti bhuyo vivasah
prayascittam atho katham
 [SB 6.1.9]

The Maharaja Pariksit said, "One may know that sinful activity is injurious for him because he actually sees that a criminal is punished by the government and rebuked by people in general, and because he hears from the scriptures and learned scholars that one is thrown into hellish condition in the next life for committing sinful act. Nevertheless, in spite of such knowledge one is forced to commit sins again and again, even after performing acts of atonement. Therefore what is the value of such atonement?" [break] Pariksit Maharaja was ruler, the king. He knew everything practically, that so many citizens committing criminal act were imprisoned and punished. Still, they, after coming back from the jail, prisonhouse, again committed. So on the whole, Pariksit Maharaja did not like, the process of prayascitta is ultimately beneficial to the people.

We get experience by two methods, by seeing and by hearing. Just like a criminal, thief, he has seen that previously a man who stole, he was arrested by the police and punished and he has heard also from authorities, from lawyers, that "Stealing is bad. If you are arrested you will be put into the prison." So this is the defect of the modern civilization. They are enacting so many laws to stop criminal but the criminality is increasing. The practical example is, when you go to the airport there is security checking. So all gentlemen, whoever he may be -- sometimes they excuse me -- but they are checked thoroughly. So the authorities check everyone means that everyone is dishonest. So what is the value of this education if everyone is criminal and dishonest? So Pariksit Maharaja is intelligent devotee. He therefore protested against this so-called atonement. Therefore he describes like this, drsta-srutabhyam yat papam janann apy atmano 'hitam [SB 6.1.9]. Everyone knows that "I am stealing; it is not good for me," but even though he is put into the jail as prayascitta, again he comes back and does the same thing. Then what is the meaning of this legal punishment or prayascitta? Therefore Pariksit Maharaja says that

kvacin nivartate 'bhadrat
kvacic carati tat punah
prayascittam atho 'partham
manye kunjara-saucavat
 [SB 6.1.10]

He gave very good example, that "This prayascitta or legal punishment is like kunjara-saucavat." Kunjara means elephant, and sauca, taking bath. So kunjara, the elephant, dips itself into the water and takes bath very thoroughly, and as soon as it comes on the land, it takes some dust and throws over his body. The purpose is that unless one is fully convinced that "Sinful activities are very, very abominable for me," he cannot give it up. Therefore one has to cleanse his heart. That is real prayascitta. Otherwise, even being imprisoned or giving fine or suffering one cannot cease from sinful activity. So this Krsna consciousness movement is thoroughly wholesale process of cleansing the mind.

Therefore Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has given His own version, ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam vidya-vadhu-jivanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. The purport is -- it is a long verse -- that by chanting, param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. If we perform this Krsna sankirtana, then immediately our core of heart, which is filled up with all dirty things will be cleansed. For example, you can see practically all my disciples present there. They are coming from Western countries, Europe, America, or even in India, Parsis and other, Mohammedans, they are coming. But they are now pure, cleansed of all dirty things. In this movement throughout the whole world there are at least ten to twelve thousand devotees like that. And before this life they were addicted to all kinds of sinful life. We have summarized all sinful activities into four groups, namely, illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication, and gambling. So all these ten to twelve thousand men who are now attached with this Krsna consciousness movement, they are not committing these four pillars of sinful life.

Therefore our request is that you take to this chanting method. It is very easy, Hare Krsna Hare Krsna Krsna Krsna Hare Hare, Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare, and gradually you shall become free from all sinful reaction of life. But one thing we must be very careful, that we should not commit again sinful life. If you chant Hare Krsna mantra, you become free immediately from all sinful reaction. But if you commit again sinful life, that is your responsibility. This is warned very... Amongst the ten kinds of offenses, one offense is very grievous offense -- namnad balad yasya hi papa-buddhih -- if one thinks that "I am chanting Hare Krsna; therefore whatever sinful acts I am doing, it is becoming counteracted." If you keep yourself on the platform of chanting Hare Krsna mantra and do not commit willfully again sinful life, then you are liberated. So not only mukti-marga, if you keep yourself always pure, do not commit any sinful activity and chant Hare Krsna mantra, then your life is successful. Don't commit the mistake of the elephant that take bath thoroughly and again come and throw dust on your body. I think I shall end tonight this here. Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.6 -- Nellore, January 5, 1976

HOME

© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Centering the Central Sense

Centering the Central Sense

Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.28
Bombay, January 5, 1975

download  flash player

 

Take a test

---

Prabhupada:

yad vidur hy aniruddhakhyam
hrsikanam adhisvaram
saradendivara-syamam
samradhyam yogibhih sanaih
 [SB 3.26.28]

yam brahma varunendra-rudra-marutah stunvanti divyaih stavair
vedaih sanga-pada-kramopanisadair gayanti yam sama-gah
dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yogino
yasyantam na viduh surasura-gana devaya tasmai namah
[SB 12.13.1]

This is a mantra, Vedic mantra: "The Supreme Lord is worshiped by all the demigods." Yam brahma varunendra-rudra-marutah stunvanti divyaih stavaih. Varuna, Indra, and other demigods, even Lord Siva or Lord Brahma... Siva-virinci-nutam: [SB 11.5.33] "He is worshiped by Siva and Virinci." Virinci means Lord Brahma. So the only Lord, master, is Krsna. I have explained, ekale isvara krsna [Cc. Adi 5.142]. Isvara, the supreme isvara, controller, is Krsna. And He is worshiped by... Yam brahma varunendra-rudra-marutah stunvanti divyaih stavaih. He is the objective of worshiping.

So dhyanavasthita-manasa..., dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa yam pasyanti yoginah. Yogis, they are desirous of mystic power, eight kinds of mystic power. They also meditate on the Supreme Lord. And the feature of the Supreme Lord on which the yogis meditate by concentrating their mind is called Aniruddha. Sankarsana, Aniruddha..., Vasudeva, Sankarsana, Aniruddha, Pradyumna. So this is described. Aniruddha is the Deity of the mind, and mind is the central sense of all senses. Indriyani parany ahur indriyebhyah param manah [Bg. 3.42]. In the material conception of life the senses are very prominent. So long we are under the bodily concept of life, our objective is to satisfy the senses. But the master of the senses is the mind, and the controlling Deity of the mind is Aniruddha. Therefore God's another name is Hrsikesa. And bhakti means to serve Hrsikesa, because He is the proprietor of the senses.

Here it is said, yad vidur hy aniruddhakhyam hrsikanam adhisvaram. Hrsika. Hrsika means senses. And another name of God or Krsna or Aniruddha is Hrsikesa. Senayor ubhayor madhye... The Hrsikesa name is there in the Bhagavad-gita. Hrsikesa means hrsikanam adhisvaram. So practically, the senses which you are using, the real proprietor is Aniruddha, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You can utilize the instrument. Just like you hire some instrument to use it for some purpose, but the instrument belongs to somebody else, similarly, our the instrument, the karana, the means of working, or instrument, as you say -- the proprietor is Hrsikesa, or Aniruddha. So we are now utilizing instruments without fulfilling the desire of Aniruddha, or the Hrsikesa. That means we are using it for sense gratification unlawfully. Therefore we are becoming implicated in sinful activities. (aside:) Who is talking this side? Stop them. So, therefore, bhakti means that when you don't use the hrsika, or the senses, for any other purpose than to serve the Hrsikesa, that is called bhakti. Hrsikena hrsikesa sevanam bhaktir ucyate [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Hrsikanam adhisvaram.

Actually, the proprietor of the senses is Aniruddha, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. There is no difference between Krsna and His expansion.

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

In the Brahma-samhita we understand that the Lord is one, but He can expand Himself into multiforms. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs. 5.33]. Nava-yauvanam ca. This is... This expansion is going on from time immemorial. Still, the Lord is nava-yauvanam, very young, sixteen to twenty years old, that's all. Purana. Although He is the adi, origin of all living entities, still He is young. And although He has expanded Himself into multiforms, still He is one. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs. 5.33]. Advaita. Advaita is one, not that because He has expanded Himself into many forms, therefore He has got many, He has become many. No. He is one still. Purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva avasisyate [Iso Invocation]. That is absolute knowledge, that the Supreme Lord, if He expands Himself into supreme for..., er, unlimited forms, unlimited supreme forms, still He remains supreme. It is not material; material is supreme. If you take one lakh of rupees, if you take one lakh of rupees, then it becomes zero. But in the spiritual world the Absolute means you take the Supreme, the Supreme may expand Himself into many millions of Supreme form; still, the original Supreme remains. Purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva avasisyate. These things are spiritual understanding.

So this Aniruddha is the objective of meditation for the yogis. Nowadays they have manufactured so many objective, but that is not authorized. The authorized is that you have to concentrate your mind upon the form of Visnu known as Aniruddha. That is the real meditation. Visnu has got many forms. "Many forms" means the Visnu forms are all catur-bhuja, four-handed, and the symbolic representation of each hand is sankha-cakra-gada-padma: the conchshell, the disc, sankha-cakra, gada, the club, and the lotus flower. Now the Lord is differently named... Ordinarily, there are twenty-four names. So those names are there according to the situation of the symbolic representation. It begins from the right lower hand, and then it comes to the left lower hand, this sankha-cakra-gada-padma, differently situated. Just like begin, sankha, then cakra, then gada, then padma. Then begins cakra, gada, lotus flower, and conchshell. In this way there are different positions of the sankha-cakra-gada-padma, and according to that different position, the name is changed: Nrsimha, Vamana, Padmanabha, Narayana, like that.

So there are innumerable forms and innumerable names, advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs. 5.33], but they are all one. There is no difference, advaita. This is the conception of spiritual understanding, because these forms, each form, has got a separate planet. Just like here in this material world, each demigod has got a separate planet. The demigod Candradeva... He is also demigod. So he has got a separate planet which is called Candraloka. Similarly Suryaloka, Varunaloka, Vayuloka, Indraloka, many. There are hundreds and thousands of demigods, and they have got their different planets. Similarly, the Lord in the spiritual world has got multiforms, and the each and every form is the predominating Deity of the Vaikuntha planets. The spiritual planets are called Vaikuntha planets. The material planets, they are not Vaikuntha; they are kuntha. Here, in these planets, anyone living, he is always full of anxiety, kuntha. In the Vaikuntha planets there is no such thing as anxiety. That is the difference between the spiritual and material planets. Vaikuntha planets means without any anxiety. Here everyone is full of anxiety, whatever he may be. He may be Lord Brahma or he may be Mr. Ant, small, very insignificant. Everyone is full of kuntha. Sada samudvigna-dhiyam. Samudvigna, fully anxious, "What will happen next? What will happen next? How things will go on?" This anxiety. He may be very rich man or very poor man. The anxiety must be there. Why? Sada samudvigna-dhiyam asad-grahat: [SB 7.5.5] "Because they have accepted this material body."

So Aniruddha, Pradyumna, Sankarsana, or other Visnu form, or the living entities who are living there in those Vaikuntha planets, they have no anxiety. There is no anxiety, neither there is influence of this maya, neither there are the activities of the three modes of material nature. That is called spiritual world, Vaikunthaloka. They are free. Neither there is birth, death, old age, and disease. These things are absent. Everyone is full of transcendental bliss. Anandamayo 'bhyasat (Vedanta-sutra 1.1.12). By nature they are anandamaya, always jolly. And here also, in this material world, when we become free from this material concept of life, bodily concept of life, when we are fully aware of the thing that "I am not this material body; I am spirit soul, aham brahmasmi," he also becomes jolly because he acquires the spiritual quality. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma. That is the sign. Prasannatma. Na soc... Prasannatma. What does it mean, prasannatma? Na socati na kanksati: [Bg. 18.54] "There is no hankering, and there is no lamentation." Then it is possible to see everyone on the equal level. Samah sarvesu bhutesu.

This is the preliminary condition of becoming a devotee, when one has attained this stage, prasanna-manasah. Evam prasanna-manaso bhagavad-bhakti-yogatah [SB 1.2.20]. This stage can be attained by bhakti-yoga, the simple method. Bhakti-yoga means hearing and chanting: chant Hare Krsna and hear Srimad-Bhagavatam. That's all. Sit down together, all the family members, and chant Hare Krsna and read some passages from Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam. This is bhakti-yoga. If possible, install Deity, worship it properly. There is no need of going to cinema, restaurant, eating all nonsense. This will be automatically finished. Anartha. These are anartha, unwanted things. Anartha-nivrttih syat. If you take to this devotional service, bhakti-yoga, the anarthas, unnecessarily nonsense things -- smoking bidi, cigarette, drinking tea, going to the cinema, restaurant, and so many other -- they are not required. What is the necessity of these things? If you say there is some ananda, that is not ananda. Ananda is here, to hear about the Supreme Lord. Sravanam kirtanam visnoh [SB 7.5.23] -- that is ananda. This is not ananda. This is false ananda. But we are accustomed to this. That is our misfortune. Anartha. So (to) come to the bhakti platform, one has to become free form the anarthas. Otherwise bhakti will not be substantial. Anartha-nivrttih syat. Tato nistha. When anarthas are finished, no more attraction... Bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra syat [SB 11.2.42]. If one is really devotee, then he will be detached to the anarthas, unwanted things. That is the test of bhakti. And "I am devotee; also I am devotee of bidi," that is not devotee. "I am smoking, also chanting." In the Bengal it is said, ami dugha khai tamogha khai.(?) No, not like that.

So that is the test who is a devotee. Simply by advertising himself, advertisements will not do. How much you are freed from the anarthas. Viraktir anyatra syat. Bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra syat [SB 11.2.42]. The example is given: just like if you are hungry, you are hankering after food, but when sufficient food is supplied to you, then the next stage will be: "No, no, I don't want any more. That's all right." "No, no, take more." "No, no, no, no. I am not..." He is satisfied, fully satisfied. Just like Prahlada Maharaja: he took advantage of bhakti for some material... Not Prahlada Maharaja, Dhruva Maharaja. I am sorry. So when actually saw Krsna, Visnu, who came to satisfy him, being pleased upon his austerities, little boy of five years, at that time, when he saw Krsna, he said, "No, no, I don't want anything." Svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: [Cc. Madhya 22.42] "Svamin, my Lord, I am fully satisfied. I have no more demand."

That is the bhakti stage -- no more demand. The karmis, the jnanis, the yogis, they have got demand. They want something. The karmis, they want promotion to the higher planets for sensual satisfaction, for higher standard of material living condition, karmis. The more you are karmis, you can live very high standard of life just like Europeans, Americans. They are big, big karmis, big, big manufacture of machine, wonderful machine, and they get money-cost one dollar and they are charging five hundred dollars. You get money and good opportunity for sense gratification. So that is the idea of karmis. They want higher standard of sense gratification, scientific method of sense gratification. They have got machine even for shaving, even for tooth brushing. So everything machine. The idea is sense gratification. This is karmi. And jnanis, they have also demand: "I shall become one with God." Ekatvena. But the bhaktas, they don't want ekatvam. That is jnani. And yogis, they want mystic powers. Because if they can manifest some mystic power, immediately so many foolish person will be followers, and they will get some material reputation, position. So there is demand. And when there will be no demand, that is bhakta stage. Svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: [Cc. Madhya 22.42] "No more varam, Sir. I have taken much varam."

What is that varam? Everything is supplied by Krsna. Why the devotee should be anxious for varam, for benediction? Krsna says, yoga-ksemam vahamy aham [Bg. 9.22]. Tesam nityabhiyuktanam. Those who are constantly engaged in the service of the Lord, all that is required by him, that is carried by the Supreme Personality of Godhead Himself to supply him. He says, yoga-ksemam vahamy aham. What you have got, He will give protection, and what you have not got, He will supply you -- for the devotees. The devotees do not want, but Krsna... Just like a child, dependent on the parents. He does not want anything, but the parents are very much anxious, "What my child needs?" The bhakta, devotee, wants how to keep satisfied the Lord, how to keep Him in comfortable position. Just like here the devotees, they are always dressing and giving flower garland and sandalwood pulp and tulasi and cleansing the... Tan-mandira-marjanadau. What is the idea? That Krsna may sit down here very pleasingly. This is bhakta's activity. And Krsna's anxiety is "How My devotees will remain without any want." This business is going on, without any difficulty. So the bhaktas, they will not want anything. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction. Na dhanam na janam na sundarim kavitam va jagadisa kamaye [Cc. Antya 20.29, Siksastaka 4].

So the Aniruddha, He is the master of the senses, as it is stated here, hrsikanam adhisvaram, adhisvaram, master, proprietor. So the common sense is that if my hand is the property of Krsna, why it should be used for me? It should be used for Krsna. This is good sense. Suppose something belongs to somebody else. If you use it for your purpose, that is illegal, not lawful. This is my watch. If you take away this watch and use for your purpose, then it is criminal. You cannot say the watch is being used either by him or by... It is being used, that's all. No. You cannot use it. You can use it only by the permission of the proprietor. Without permission of the proprietor, if you use it, then you are criminal or you are sinful. Similarly, we have got all the senses. The senses are meant for working. The eyes are meant for seeing, the ears are meant for hearing, the nose is meant for smelling, the hand is meant for touching, the leg is meant for going, the stomach is meant for eating -- so many, we have got, different senses. They are meant for different purpose. But if the purpose is for your sense gratification, then you are criminal because you are not proprietor. This is to understand bhakti. If you do not use all the senses for Krsna's purpose, then it is criminal. That is called papa.

So you are doing that. Every one of us, who is doing for Krsna? Nobody is doing for Krsna. Everyone is doing for his own purpose. He is taking one flower. The devotee is bringing the flower: "Oh, very nice flower. Let me take it to the temple and offer it to Krsna." That is devotion. The same flower, "Oh, it is very nice flower. Oh, let me pin it on my bunch of hair." That is papa. The same thing. You must know how to utilize it. That is called bhakti. Everything can be utilized. Nirbandhah krsna-sambandhe yuktam vairagyam ucyate. That art we have to learn. Anasaktasya visayan. Visayan means objectives for sense gratification, visayan. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca. These are called visaya-eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. Visaya.

So we are visaya. Everyone are. We are eating. Everyone is eating. Who can say, "I am not eating"? So visaya. So our business should be not to be attached for eating. Then shall I starve and die? No, you eat Krsna prasadam. Eating is not stopped. Eating is not stopped. Eating means as you are cooking for yourself at home, the same cooking, do it for Krsna and offer it to Krsna and eat it. That's all. The mode of life should be changed. That is Krsna consciousness. It is not that you shall give up eating. No, how can I give you that? No, it is not possible. Neither Krsna says, "Just give up eating." Never you will find in the Bhagavad... Yuktahara-viharasya. You must eat what you need. Yuktahara-viharasya yogo bhavati duhkha-ha. Krsna never says that "Unnecessarily you starve." You never find in the Bhagavad-gita; neither any acarya will say. Rather, you offer to Krsna first-class foodstuff because He is the enjoyer, and Krsna is so kind, He will leave everything for you for taking prasadam. So automatically you can satisfy your tongue. You offer to Krsna first-class food, and Krsna is so kind that He will eat; at the same time, He will keep it for you. Purnasya purnam adaya purnam eva avasisyate [Iso Invocation]. Krsna's eating is not like that: because you have given Him very nice foodstuff, He will eat everything and nothing for you. (laughter) That is not Krsna. Krsna eats everything, He accepts your service, and keeps everything for you.

So this is bhakti-marga. It is very nice. Simply you have to learn how to engage your senses. Hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam bhaktir ucyate [Cc. Madhya 19.170]. Your senses are property of Hrsikesa. As it is said here, hrsikesa adhisvaram. Hrsikesa adhisvaram. He is adhisvaram. He is the proprietor. So you must use it. It is not that you stop your senses. That is not required. That is not bhakti. Bhakti means you must engage your senses fully with more enthusiasm, but it should be for Krsna. That's all. If you want to do business, do it very nicely, but give the profit to Krsna. Yat karosi yaj juhosi yad asnasi, kurusva tad mad-arpanam [Bg. 9.27]. Krsna says, "Give it to Me." That is bhakti. Nothing is stopped, but you cannot do any unlawful. Bhakti does not mean you can do anything unlawful. But ultimate issue: whatever you do, if it is for Krsna, that is rightful. Just like materially, Arjuna was trying to become very gentleman, nonviolent, Arjuna: "Krsna, I am not going to fight." People very much appreciate, "Just see, Arjuna is so gentle, he is trying to become nonviolent, and Krsna is inducing him to become violent." This is the vision of the demons. They do not know, whatever Krsna desires, that is rightful. Krsna wanted Arjuna to fight. That is rightful. And Arjuna wanted to become nonviolent. That is not rightful. Therefore Krsna chastised him, kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam: "Why you are talking like anarya?" Anarya-justam: "This kind of talking... You are ksatriya, and you are not willing to fight. What is this? This kind of proposal is made by the anarya, uncivilized. You are a ksatriya. Your duty is to fight, and you are trying to refrain from the fight? You have become so ignorant? Oh, this is not good." Then, when Arjuna understood that he was not in the right point, declining the fight, karpanya-dosa upahata-svabhavah, karpanya-dosa. "I am not doing my duty. I can understand. All right. But I am perplexed. Therefore I become Your student." Sisyas te 'ham sadhi mam prapannam: [Bg. 2.7] "I surrender unto You as sisya, as Your disciple. Now correct me." And he was, when he was corrected, the same Arjuna said, "Yes." Karisye vacanam tava [Bg. 18.73]: "Yes, I will fight."

This is Krsna consciousness. You have to act by the desires of Krsna. That is the proper use of your senses. You cannot use for your purpose. Anything... Just like you are working in some establishment. Anything in that establishment, you can use for the proprietor's business. You cannot use it. Just like in hospital there are blankets. It is written there, "Hospital Property." So long you are in the hospital, you can use it. But you cannot take it outside. Then you are criminal. Similarly, everything... Isavasyam idam sarvam [Iso mantra 1]. Everything belongs to God, and you can use it for the service of God. Tena tyaktena bhunjitha ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam. This is the instruction, Vedic instruction. You can use it as prasadam, but everything should be offered to the Supreme. Yajnarthe karmanah loko 'yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]. If you do not do that, if you engage yourself always in good activities, as the karmis they do, and earn money and use it for your own sense gratification, that is papa activity.

yajna-sistasinah santo
mucyante sarva-kilbisaih
bhunjate te tv agham papa
ye pacanty atma-karanat
 [Bg. 3.13]

"Those who are cooking in the kitchen very palatable dishes for satisfying the tongue, they are simply eating sinful things." Ye pacanty atma-karanat.

So therefore, if we become sinful every moment, how we can become happy? It is not possible. If you want to become happy, you have to become pious. And the standard of piety is to become Krsna conscious, devotee of Krsna. That is the highest perfection of life.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.26.28 -- Bombay, January 5, 1975

HOME

© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.