Wanting to be Cheated

73/07/13 London, Bhagavad-gita 1.12

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Pradyumna: Translation: "Then Bhisma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather of the fighters, blew his conchshell very loudly like the sound of a lion, giving Duryodhana joy." [Bg. 1.12]

Prabhupada: So Duryodhana was doubting that "My grandfather, Bhisma, is more affectionately inclined to the other party. So he may not be lenient in fighting." So in order to encourage Duryodhana, tasya sanjanayan harsam. "Don't think that I am lenient. I am strong." Immediately, to encourage him, he blew his conchshell. Nowadays they use bugle. Formerly the conchshells were used by the kings.

And not that in modern days the fighting takes place -- the poor soldiers, they come to fight, and the leaders, they remain in safety place. It is not like that. All of them came out, ksatriya. Bhismadeva came, Duryodhana came, Arjuna came. And face to face, they had to fight. Not that the poor soldiers would fight and they would remain in a secure place, no. So tasya sanjanayan harsam kuru-vrddhah. Kuru-vrddha, the oldest man in the dynasty, Kuru dynasty, pitamaha, he's the grandfather of Arjuna and Duryodhana. The Dhrtarastra's elder uncle, his father's elder brother. He was very old man, brahmacari, and in that old age also, he was taking the risk of fighting. This is ksatriya spirit. Not that only... Dhrtarastra was escaping. Not escaping, because he was physically incapable, blind, therefore he did not come in the battlefield. Otherwise even Bhismadeva, in such old age he also came. This is ksatriya spirit. When there is fight, there is no rest. And fight means "Either the other party should be killed or I shall be killed." Not that without any decision the fighting will be stopped. No, that cannot be. When there is two parties, must be belligerent, one party. So decision is that "Either you kill me or I kill you." Not that without killing... "Without being killed one of us, the fighting cannot be stopped."

Just like Jarasandha was fighting with Bhima. During daytime the fighting was going on, and at night Bhima was a guest of Jarasandha. As guest is honored, respected, all the parties... But during daytime the fighting was going on. And this fighting went on for twenty-eight days. Still, there was no decision. Then Krsna gave hint, Bhimasena, that "Jarasandha has got a defect. He is joined, two bodies joined. So if you bifurcate him, then he will be killed." So later on Bhimasena took that policy, and Jarasandha was killed.

So amongst the ksatriyas when there is fighting, unless one party is killed, the fighting cannot be stopped. This is the Battle of Kuruksetra, to see the history of the former kings and ksatriyas, how they were determined. This is one of the qualifications of ksatriya: not to go away from the fighting. When there is challenge of fighting, immediately a ksatriya would accept. That is ksatriya spirit. Isvara-bhavam ca, and ruling over others. And charitable. These are the symptoms of ksatriya.

They are described in the Bhagavad-gita, brahmana qualification, ksatriya qualification, vaisya qualification, sudra qualification. So... Very nice arrangement, Vedic civilization. Everyone is guided by the superior. The brahmana guides the ksatriyas, the ksatriya guides the vaisyas, and the vaisya employs the sudras. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]. In this way, four divisions of brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, they manage the whole society so nicely. The ksatriyas, as the ksatriya's business was to give protection to the citizens, similarly, vaisya's duty was to give protection to the animals. Krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam vaisya-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.44].

Vaisya, they should engage themselves in agricultural production and giving protection to the cows, especially mentioned, go-raksya. Go-raksya, cow protection, is one of the items of state affairs. And now there is no cow protection. Poor cows, they deliver milk, and later on they become slaughtered. How much sinful the modern society is, and they still want peace and prosperity. That is not possible. The society must be divided -- brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra -- and they must execute their proper duty. And the vaisyas, they should give protection to the cows. And the sudras, they should work under the direction of the higher three divisions. In this way there will be nice management.

Then, as it is stated during the reign of Maharaja Yudhisthira, kamam vavarsa parjanyah [SB 1.10.4]. Then nature also will help. If you keep things all right, according to the direction, then nature also will help you. Nature will give you sufficient foodstuff. Vavarsa parjanyah, kamam. Whatever the necessities of life, it will be supplied by nature simply by proper pouring of water, vrsti. Actually, now the whole world is suffering for drought. There is scarcity of rain. And if the rain is stopped for one or two years more, there will be havoc. It is already there, havoc. In India there is famine, because they are more, mostly agriculturists. So there is famine. In other countries they have got industries. But India is not so industrially advanced. So without water, nothing can be produced.

Therefore during Maharaja Yudhisthira's time, kamam vavarsa parjanyah [SB 1.10.4]. Yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg. 3.14]. If you want sufficient water, then you must perform yajna. These are the indications, direction of the Vedic wisdom. So at the present moment no other yajna is possible. The only yajna, sankirtana-yajna, is possible. Yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi su-medhasah [SB 11.5.32]. So if this Krsna consciousness movement is taken seriously all over the world and they perform sankirtana-yajna, everything will be adjusted immediately. Everything. But these rascals will not take it. They will suffer. Otherwise all directions are there. People have to take the advantage of direction, perfect direction, without any mistake, and they will be happy. So we are trying to introduce this Krsna consciousness movement so that people may come to their senses, take advantage of it and be happy. Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 1.12 -- London, July 13, 1973

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Well Placed Greed

Well Placed Greed

Caitanya Caritamrta Madhya 20.107
New York, July 13, 1976

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Pradyumna: (chants verse, etc.) "Translation: You are fit to propagate the cult of devotional service. Therefore gradually hear all the truths from Me. I shall tell you about them."

Prabhupada: Yogya-patra hao tumi. This is hao not haoh.

yogya-patra hao tumi bhakti pravartaite
krame saba tattva suna, kahiye tomate

So to propagate the devotional service of Krsna consciousness, it requires the fit person. Not that one can imitate. It is not possible. One who is fit to take this responsibility, he receives proper instruction and help from higher authorities. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu selected Sanatana Gosvami as the fit person, Sanatana Gosvami and Rupa Gosvami. They were ministers, but when Caitanya Mahaprabhu first met them in Ramakeli, in Maldah district, at that time the headquarters of Bengal government, so He thought... Not only He thought, but... These Caitanya Mahaprabhu associates, they are eternal associates. They appear somewhere... Just like Haridasa Thakura appeared somewhere in Muhammadan family, Sanatana Gosvami was found engaged in government service, Raghunatha dasa Gosvami was a zamindar's son. In different places. But actually they appear to fulfill the mission of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Therefore they are called nitya-siddhas. Just like Arjuna. Arjuna is nitya-siddha friend, eternal friend. Otherwise how Krsna said that "Arjuna, when I spoke to sun-god..." Arjuna inquired that "Krsna, how can I believe? Sun-god is long, long millions of years ago. How it is that You taught him?" So what Krsna replied? Krsna said, "Yes, you were also present there, but you have forgotten. I have not forgotten." So similarly, whenever Krsna goes anywhere, His eternal associates also go with Him.

So sangopangastra-parsadam. About Caitanya Mahaprabhu it is said in the Bhagavatam, krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam [SB 11.5.32]. Sanga, associates. Therefore we worship Caitanya Mahaprabhu with His associates. Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu-nityananda sri-advaita gadadhara srivasadi-gaura-bhakta-vrnda. These are principal associates, and similarly other devotees of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, just like six Gosvamis and many others -- we have got the list in the Caitanya-caritamrta -- so they are all nitya-siddhas, eternal. There are two kinds of living entities: nitya-siddha and nitya-baddha. Nitya-siddha means they never fall a victim of maya. That is nitya-siddha. Even though they are within this material world, they are never victimized. That is called nitya-siddha. And one who is victimized, he is called nitya-baddha. But the actual constitutional position of every living entity is nitya-siddha, because God is eternal and His part and parcels, the living entities, they are also eternal. So that is nitya-siddha. Nitya-siddha, sadhana-siddha, krpa-siddha -- there are different grades. They are all described in The Nectar of Devotion. So one can become sadhana-siddha. By following the rules and regulations and instructions of the spiritual master, he can also become siddha. He can become again nitya-siddha.

So the Krsna consciousness movement is to make the nitya-baddhas again nitya-siddha, to bring them. It is a difficult task. Just I was talking in the morning, it is very difficult task to... Just like a madman. A madman, to again bring him to the normal life is very difficult task. You have got in your country so many institutions. So the whole world, anyone who is in this material world, he's a madman.

pisaci paile yena mati-cchanna haya
maya-grasta jivera sei dasa upaya (?)

When a man becomes ghostly haunted and he talks all nonsense... Similarly, anyone who is within this material world, they are all madmen. And Krsna consciousness movement means to cure them by this treatment. So if anyone accepts this treatment, then he can make progress very quickly. Just like any madman, if he is under proper treatment, there is hope of his being cured. But the modern education is that to keep him madman. That is the defect of modern civilization. Everyone is madman within this material world, and the modern education is to keep him madman. Therefore they cannot understand our philosophy. This Krsna consciousness philosophy is very bona fide and most essential philosophy. Madman cannot understand, but that does not mean the process of treatment should be stopped. No. It must go on. It cannot be stopped. So therefore in the previous verse it is said,

acirad eva sarvarthah
sidhyaty esam abhipsitah
sad-dharmasyavabodhaya
yesam nirbandhini matih

One must at least understand that we are in a... Everyone understands that, but maya covers, does not allow him to understand properly. Here in this material world we are trying to become happy. Just like in your country is supposed to be most advanced in material civilization. They are trying to be happy. But we can see even in this New York City, nobody wants, still, twenty-four hours there is blazing fire: "gan-gan-gan-gan-gan-gan-gan-gan-gan." Stop this. Why there is blazing fire? Nobody wants it. But there must be, because you are in the material world. However big, big skyscraper building you may have, you have to suffer. But these dull brain cannot understand, because madmen.

So this dull brain has to be cured. All rascals, mudha. It is a fact. Na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bg. 7.15]. Duskrtina means simply unnecessary wasting time adjusting things materially. This is miscreants. They do not know that "For one type of advantage, I have to create hundred times disadvantage." This is the fact. We are coming from New Vrindaban. They are living very comfortably in open space. There is no such disturbance, twenty-four hours, "dung-dung-dung-dung-kah-kah-kah-kah-kah." No. (laughter) No disturbance. But you have created some advantages to live in the skyscraper building. There are so many disadvantages also. So therefore sometimes the Indians are accused that "Believe in destiny." But that is actual fact. You cannot improve a single inch than you are destined. That is not possible. That is not possible. If you want to increase your so-called happiness, then you simply waste your time. That is Prahlada Maharaja's instruction. Na tat prayasam kartavyam. "I am not in a good position economically. Let me try to improve it." That you cannot. Otherwise in New York City, so opulent, so materially advanced, why we see so many men in the Central Park lying on the bench? Why? They do not belong to the poor nation or poor city. Still, because he's destined, he must lie down there. Maybe he is rich man's son or born in rich nation, but because he's destined to suffer, he must lie down there. Because he's destined to suffer, he must become a hippie.

So you cannot stop it. You cannot stop it. That is not possible. Therefore those who are advanced in knowledge, they do not try for all these nonsense, improving material condition. It will not make happy; it will increase problems. The so-called happiness will increase problems, and you have to deal with that problem, then again another problem, another problem. Daivi hy esa gunamayi mama maya duratyaya [Bg. 7.14]. Just like they are trying to control over the laws of material nature. That is impossible. It will never be possible. If you solve one question, then you will have to meet with thousands of other questions. It is not possible. So... Therefore Vedic literature says that "Do not waste your time in that way. Better you utilize your valuable time to understand Krsna. Then your life is successful." Yasmin vijnate sarvam eva vijnatam bhavanti. If you simply try to understand Krsna, then you'll understand everything very nicely. Just like we sometimes challenge the big, big scientists, philosophers, psychologists, but we are not psychologist or scientist. Ten years before, in my Easy Journey to Other Planet, I have written that "This moon-going attempt is childish and waste of time." And still we are challenging that "Mars-going, so-called, it will also fail." Write it: It will fail. Not that process. So how we are saying? How we are challenging these big, big scientists? Because we know from the Vedic literature that it is not possible to go to the moon planet or Mars in that way. It is not possible. You have to qualify yourself. Just like to come to America one has to qualify himself for the proper visa, passport, and so many other things, bank balance, this, that. How you can go to the other? They are higher planetary system. So this is all childish. But if you want to go at all, then it is possible if you follow the proper process. That is described in the Bhagavad-gita:

yanti deva-vrata devan
pitrn yanti pitr-vratah
bhutani yanti bhutejya
yanti mad-yajino 'pi mam
 [Bg. 9.25]

So the intelligent person, they will try to attempt for this, mad-yajino 'pi yanti mam. "Let me become a devotee of Krsna so that next life I go directly to Krsnaloka."

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

That is the highest perfection of life.

So if we accept... If we little understand this philosophy, that "There is another life, which is eternal, blissful life of knowledge," if we simply become serious to go to that life, then the Krsna consciousness is the only method. But if we want to live in this rotten life of material existence, then we can continue. Yathecchasi tatha kuru [Bg. 18.63]. Whatever you like, you can do. But if you have got little inclination, then there is process. Therefore in the previous verse we have read, sad-dharmasyavabodhaya yesam nirbandhini matih. Sad-dharma means eternal life. Dharma means occupational duty. Here we are engaged in temporary occupational duty. That this dull brain cannot understand. Now I have got Indian body or American body, I am engaged in American consciousness, but as soon as the body is changed, I get the dog's body, then dog's consciousness. Whole thing changed. So therefore it is temporary. This consciousness is temporary, say for fifty years or a hundred years utmost. But this dull brain cannot understand that there is a life of eternity, blissful knowledge. The dull bra... So to... Just like a madman cannot understand. So our task is very difficult. We have to cure so many. It is not possible to cure all of them, but as far as possible we are trying to cure, and simply one has to accept this philosophy seriously, then he'll get knowledge. Sad-dharmasyavabodhaya yesam nirbandhini matih.

So it is the duty of Caitanya Mahaprabhu's representative to take instruction from Caitanya Mahaprabhu and spread it. That is here said, yogya-patra hao tumi bhakti pravartaite: "You are the fit person." Then Caitanya Mahaprabhu gives you instruction. If you are unfit, then there will be no instruction. And what is the fitness? Fitness is he must be very eager to serve Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Just like Sanatana Gosvami approached: "My Lord, You have released me from this material occupation. Now order me what shall I do." This is wanted. One must be ready, very eager to carry out the orders of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Then He will give you instruction. And as soon as you get the favor, mercy of Caitanya Mahaprabhu... It is very simple. Simply we must be serious. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,

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

This is the sum and substance of Caitanya Mahaprabhu's instruction. And the details are there, but this is the platform. You must be ready to become a guru simply by repeating the instruction of Krsna, Bhagavad-gita. Therefore we have taken Bhagavad-gita as it is, and following the instruction of Caitanya Mahaprabhu, we are preaching to our best capacity. This is required, that you must be ready, you must be serious. Then Caitanya Mahaprabhu will give you proper instruction, and then you'll be very nice preacher for the benefit of the whole world.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Sri Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya-lila 20.107 -- New York, July 13, 1976

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Krishna Is Very Tricky

Krishna Is Very Tricky

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.28
Philadelphia, July 13, 1975

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Nitai: "At the time of death, Ajamila saw three awkward persons, very fearsome in appearance, with ropes in their hands. They had twisted faces and deformed bodily features, and their hair stood on end. They had come to take Ajamila away to the shelter of Yamaraja. Ajamila became extremely bewildered when he saw them. His small child, Narayana, was playing a little distance off, and with tearful eyes and great anxiety, he called the name of his son very loudly three times, 'Narayana, Narayana, Narayana!' " [SB 6.1.28-29]

Prabhupada: Is there "three times"?

Nitai: It said in the manuscript. The manuscript said "three times."

Prabhupada: Who said in the manuscript? There is no three times. Not "Narayana" three times. One time, "O Narayana," that's all. So did I say "three times"? No, it is not said here. You should correct it. Once, "O Narayana," that's all. There is no reason of calling three times. There is no mention here. Once is sufficient. (laughter)

sa pasa-hastams trin drstva
purusan ati-darunan
vakra-tundan urdhva-romna
atmanam netum agatan

dure kridanakasaktam
putram narayanahvayam
plavitena svarenoccair
ajuhavakulendriyah
 [SB 6.1.28-29]

Uccair ajuhava, very loudly, "Narayana!" Like that. That's all. Uccair ajuhava akulendriyah. So you edited it? Not yet?

Nitai: No.

Prabhupada: So you should keep at least what is there. So this is the position at the time of death. Sometimes you will find the dying man is crying, akulendriyah, tearful eyes. He cannot express. He is not practiced. But he was given the chance. Krsna gave him the conscience when the child was born to keep his name Narayana. This is Krsna's mercy, that "This rascal was My devotee, and now he is so fallen. All right, he is attracted to his children." So He gave the conscience, "Now keep your son's name Narayana." Sarvasya caham hrdi sannivistah. Krsna is situated in everyone's heart. Mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca [Bg. 15.15]. Krsna says, "From Me everything, remembrance and forgetfulness, come." Those who want to forget Krsna, Krsna helps him to forget: "All right, you forget." He does not give. He does not dictate from the within. And one who is foolishly in bad association, unfortunately forgets Krsna, then Krsna gives him chance. Offenders are very nuisance. Krsna... Too much offender, purposefully, guru -- Vaisnava, his position is very difficult. But by chance if one forgets Krsna, Krsna does not forget him.

Therefore in the Bhagavad-gita it is said,

api cet suduracaro
bhajate mam ananya-bhak
sadhur eva sa mantavyah
samyag vyavasito hi sah
 [Bg. 9.30]

Practiced, we are practiced to so many bad habits life after life in this material condition. So sometimes, one who is engaged in devotional service to the Lord may, on account of old practice, he commits some sinful activities. Krsna forgives him. He knows that he is sincere, but on account of his old practice, he has done something mistake. There is a verse, sah pada-mulam bhajatam priyasya(?). Somehow or other, you become recognized by Krsna, priya. Krsna may know that "He is sincerely trying to do something for render..." Krsna does not require your service or my service. He is self-sufficient. If we render service, that is for..., that is good for us. Krsna, He recognizes, "Oh, now he has again begun service. That's nice." So to such person Krsna excuses. Sah pada-mulam bhajatam priyasya. That verse. Now I forget. There is a verse like that.

So the Ajamila, young man, on account of association with a prostitute, he lost his good character and began to maintain the prostitute by stealing, by cheating, one after another. So by mistake or on account of the age, he became captivated by the prostitute. So Krsna was watching. Therefore He gave him this chance that on account of his affection towards the child, he will at least repeat "Narayana, Narayana." "Narayana come. Narayana take your food. Narayana sit down." So bhava-grahi-janardanah. Krsna is so kind. He takes the purpose or the essence. Because the holy name has its effect. So although this Ajamila, by his foolishness, he was attached to the material body of the son, but because he was chanting "Narayana," Krsna was taking that essence, that's all, that "Some way or other, he is chanting." The importance of chanting is so nice. So do not give up chanting. Then Krsna will protect you. This is the example. "Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna," you practice. Naturally, when you are in danger, you will say, "Hare Krsna." This much do. If you are practiced to do something, chant Hare Krsna, then you are safe.

So it is not difficult. Sincerely chant. Try to avoid offense. Don't try to fall down purposefully for sense gratification. That is very dangerous. He... Purposefully, he did not fall down. Circumstantially came in contact with a prostitute, could not help him. So circumstantially he fell down, not by willingly. This should be noted. Willingly doing, that is very great offense. But circumstantially, there is every chance because we are fallen and practiced to malpractices life after life. Because the material life means sinful life. You see the whole people. They do not care. They do not know even this is sinful. We say, "No illicit sex, no meat eating, no intoxication and no gambling." So Western people will think, "What is this nonsense? These are the preliminary facilities for a human being, and this man is denying." They do not know even. Some of our students left this institution. They thought that "Swamiji is denying the primary necessities of life." They are so dull that they cannot understand this is sinful. Not only ordinary common man, even a big man, Lord Zetland in England. So one of my Godbrothers went to preach, and Lord Zetland, Marquis of Zetland... He was known as Lord Rolandsey(?). He was governor of Bengal. In our college days he came to our coll... He's Scotch man. So very gentleman and inclined to philosophy. So he asked this Godbrother, "Can you make me brahmana?" So he proposed, "Yes, why not? You follow these rules and regulation. You will become brahmana." So when he heard the rules and regulation -- no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling, no intoxication -- he said, "Oh, it is impossible. It is not possible." He flatly refused, that "In our country it is not possible."

So it is very difficult job, but if one is able to give up these sinful activities, then his life is very pure. He becomes purified. And unless one is purified, he cannot chant Hare Krsna; neither he can understand Krsna consciousness.

yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
 [Bg. 7.28]

This Krsna says. "One who has ended the process of sinful activities and engaged in pious activities, such person can become a firm devotee." So these four principle, as we have recommended, you must follow. There is no question of optional, "I may do it, I may not do." No, you must. Otherwise, the progress will be checked. Krsna will not leave you. Just like the Ajamila. The progress was checked, but because he did not do it willfully, therefore Krsna was giving him opportunity. As soon as possible, again capture him. Because he did not do anything willfully. First of all, this is the condition, circumstantial. Therefore Krsna was very kind. He gave him the son, "Call him. You have affection for your son? All right, chant 'Narayana' by calling your son." This opportunity was given. So for his sinful activities he saw fierceful features of these order-carriers, or Yamaduta. That is going on. If one is not offender, then he has no chance even to see the Yamaduta. But because willfully or nonwillfully he was engaged in sinful activities, associating with the prostitute, and for maintaining the prostitute he was planning so many sinful activities, cheat and take others' money and enjoy, for that reason, he had to see. And if he remains pure, he hasn't got to see. This is the difference.

So regular resultant action of sinful life, one has to. Just like Yudhisthira Maharaja. Yudhisthira Maharaja was advised by Krsna that "You go to Dronacarya and tell him the lies." "What is that?" "Now, tell him that 'Your son Asvatthama is dead.' " Because Dronacarya had some benediction that unless he is shocked by the death of his son, he will never die. So Krsna had to take this diplomatic, because it is politics. So Krsna... Because Dronacarya will not believe anyone. He knew that Maharaja Yudhisthira is a most pious man; he never tells lies. So if Maharaja Yudhisthira goes and says that "Your son is dead," then he will believe. Otherwise, Krsna could have gone personally, but He knew that people do not believe Him. (laughter) He is very tricky. (laughter) So therefore no tricky man can excel Him. A man may be very tricky, very intelligent, but he will not be able to excel Krsna. He is more tricky. Just like in His childhood, Krsna was naughty, so mother wanted to bind Him. So Krsna also became tricky. Mother first of all brought some rope and bound, and when it was to be knotted, it was short. And then again she joined another rope. In this way, whatever rope store she had, she brought one after another, and at last, when knotting, it is too... What is called?

Devotees: Inches.

Prabhupada: Short. So she, Krsna thought, "Mother, nobody can bind Me, and because I have accepted to become your child, you are trying to bind Me? All right, you bring your all ropes. You will never be able to bind Me." This is Krsna. But mother Yasoda is the greatest devotee. So when Krsna saw that "My mother is now exhausted, perspiring. All right, you can bind Me." This is the... You have seen in the Krsna book. So ye yatha mam prapadyante tams tathaiva bhajamy aham [Bg. 4.11]. If you want to play tricks with Krsna, Krsna is the greater trick. You will never be able. That is our mistake, that we think that "I am so intelligent, I can do something without the knowledge of Krsna." That is our foolishness. Krsna says, sarvasya caham hrdi sannivistah: [Bg. 15.15] "I am sitting in everyone's heart." How you can cheat Him? It is not possible. Don't try to cheat Krsna. Don't try to cheat guru. Don't try to cheat Krsna. Then your progress is sure. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. You are singing daily, sri-guru-carana... What is that? Sri-guru...

Devotees: Sri-guru-carana-padma, kevala-bhakati-sadma.

Prabhupada: No, that...

Devotee: Guru-mukha?

Prabhupada: Guru-mukha-padma-vakya, cittete koriya aikya **. Don't try to cheat guru. Then progress will be checked.

acaryam mam vijaniyan
navamanyeta karhicit
na martya-buddhyasuyeta
sarva-devamayo guruh
 [SB 11.17.27]

Acaryam mam vijaniyan. Krsna says, "Acarya means I am." Navamanyeta karhicit: "Do not try to neglect." Na martya-buddhyasuyeta: "Do not consider acarya, spiritual master, as ordinary human being and become envious." These things are warned. Acaryam mam vijaniyan navamanyeta karhicit, na martya-buddhyasuyeta [SB 11.17.27]. Familiarity breeds contempt. That is not good. Similarly... Because by the mercy of acarya, by the mercy of guru, you will get Krsna. You sing that, krsna-prapti jaha hoite, what is that? Krsna-prapti jaha hoite. What is that language?

Krta-krta: That by his mercy he brings us close to Krsna.

Prabhupada: No, no, what is that Bengali language? You cannot... You are singing daily?

Krta-krta: Prema-bhakti jaha hoite, avidya vinasa jate.

Prabhupada: Ah. Avidya vinasa jate, krsna-prapti haya... So these are the things. Avidya vinasa jate. Avidya means ignorance. We are full of ignorance. So guru's duty is to open the eyes, and by opening your eyes he will give you Krsna. So this is the process. So you should be very much careful not to cheat Krsna, not to cheat guru, and become very sincere and follow. Then it is guaranteed. Guru-krsna-krpaya paya bhakti-lata-bija [Cc. Madhya 19.151]. Two things required. You cannot jump over Krsna, neglecting guru. Then it is finished. If you want to jump over Krsna without favor of the guru, Krsna is not so easy. So these things should be very carefully observed, no offense. Sincerely follow. Then Krsna will protect, and your progress in Krsna consciousness, to go back to home, back to Godhead, will be assured, insured.

So this man circumstantially fell down. So Krsna is saving him. Krsna is saving him, and he will be saved. We shall see in the following passage.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.28-29 -- Philadelphia, July 13, 1975

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© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

Avatara For The Already Dead

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.23
Los Angeles, July 13, 1974

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Prabhupada: ...Here mother earth, Dharitri, "O Earth." Earth is being addressed. The whole world is perturbed because the Kali-yuga has begun. Five thousand years ago, when the Kali-yuga began, so all persons were alarmed: "Now the Kali-yuga is begun. So many catastrophes will come in."

So one instruction is that the earth is addressed, "amba." Amba means mother. So the earth is also our mother. There are seven kinds of mother: atma-mata guroh patni. Real mother, from whose womb we have taken birth, she is called atma-mata, first mother. Then second mother, the guroh patni. Guru means teacher or spiritual master. His wife, she's also... Actually, according to strict moral instruction... Why strict? Ordinary. Any woman except his own wife is mother. Any woman. It doesn't matter whether she is elderly or young. No. That is the way. Still in India, any woman by unknown person, he can address any woman "Mother." The first relationship is mother. Now they have introduced "Sister," "Bahinaji." No, that is not Vedic etiquette. No bahinaji. Bahinaji means sister. Mother. Everyone should be addressed. We should learn this. Except one's one wife, all women should be addressed as "Mother." This is civilization. Then there will be no corrupt relation. If you, from the very beginning, you establish your relationship with other women as mother, then there is no question of other relationship.

 

So here it is instructed. Even the earth is addressed as mother. According to sastra, Dharitri is one of the mothers, seven mothers.

atma-mata guroh patni
brahmani raja-patnika
dhenur dhatri tatha prthvi
saptaita matarah smrtah

There are seven kinds of mother. Real mother, then a spiritual master or teacher's wife, guroh patni. Brahmani, the wife of a brahmana. Atma-mata guroh patni brahmani raja-patnika. And the queen, the wife of the king. Dhenu, cow; dhenur dhatri, maidservant, nurse. Because it was also formerly the practice, rich man, or mother is not unable to suck breast milk. So they used to employ young girls who has also children. Otherwise there is no milk supplied. So that is also mother. As Krsna took Putana as mother... Putana came to kill Krsna, smearing poison over her breast. And Krsna sucked the milk and her life also. But Krsna took her as (His) her mother. This is Krsna. Krsna did not take the black side. The intention was to kill Krsna, Putana came. But who can kill Krsna? That is not possible. But Krsna thought Himself as obligation, that "I have sucked her breast. So she is My mother. She must be given the position of mother." So Putana, after being killed, she was given the same opportunity as Mother Yasoda. This is Krsna. Bhava-grahi-janardanah. Any way you serve Krsna, it will be accepted. Not any way. I mean to say, we should serve Krsna according to regulative principle. Still, some way or other, unknowing or knowingly, if you render some service, that is called ajnata-sukrti.

Ajnata means without your knowledge you are advancing in spiritual life. That is called ajnata-sukrti. You do not know. But the system is so nice... Just like our this class is going on. These children, they are dancing, they are offering obeisances, they are offering a flower. They do not know what they are doing, but it will not go in vain. This is Krsna consciousness. These things are becoming assets, one after another. Just like if you keep money in the bank, daily you save, it is increasing your bank balance, similarly, these children, although they do not know what is this class, what is Prabhupada speaking, why we are offering... They are imitating. They are imitating, offering obeisances. We used to do so. Every children, every child does so. So if the mother is a devotee, the child automatically becomes a devotee, without any effort. If the father, mother is devotee... Therefore sucinam srimatam gehe yoga-bhrasto 'bhijayate. Krsna says that those who are yoga-bhrastah, could not fulfill the whole program of devotional service, some way or other fallen down, so they are given chance, another chance. What is that chance? The chance is he is given a human form of life and born in a devotee's house, so that from the very beginning of life he will again be in connection with devotional service. So these children, they are not ordinary children. Formerly, they were also devotees. Somehow or other, could not fulfill the whole program. Now Krsna has given the chance to take birth in the womb of a devotee mother so that from the very beginning of life they're learning devotional service. So the mother, father also should be careful, that "They are Vaisnavas, they have come under my care. So that he may not be spoiled. Let him become a perfect Vaisnava, and his life become perfect." This is... This is very nice program.

So mother Dharitri, Dharitri is mother. So he's asking whether mother is lamenting because Krsna... Bhuri-bharavatara-krtavatarasya hareh. After the Battle of Kuruksetra, Krsna disappeared from this earth. Krsna went back to His abode. So Krsna comes here, as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam [Bg. 4.8]. So Krsna appeared to kill so many demons. At that time... Whenever there will be demons, Krsna will come. At the present moment, now, the world is full of demons. Therefore Krsna has come in the form of Hare Krsna.

Devotees: Hare Krsna.

Prabhupada: That is Krsna avatara. Kali-yuge nama-rupe avatara. So don't think that Krsna, this vibration Krsna, is different from that Krsna. The same Krsna. The same Krsna. If you say that "Why has not come to kill the demons?" that is His great sympathy, mercy, that you are already killed. You see? What another killing? So we are already dead. Therefore we are so fallen that it does not require any more killing. Mercifulness. You see? The demons... Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu is Krsna, merciful. Papi tapi jata chilo hari-name uddharilo. All the demons, full of sinful activities, they are to be delivered by this weapon, Hare Krsna. Otherwise, killing is going on.

So it is now sympathy. Therefore when Jagai-Madhai insulted Nityananda, immediately Caitanya Mahaprabhu came and wanted to kill them. Nityananda Prabhu reminded, "Sir, You have promised in this, Your incarnation, will not kill." So then He was satisfied and delivered the demons. Delivered the demons. Nityananda Prabhu is therefore so kind. Nityananda Prabhu is guru. He's so kind that in spite of being injured by Jagai-Madhai, He delivered them. He requested Caitanya Mahaprabhu. So paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam. There was two sections. One section, sadhu, and one section, demon. That was the idea. Even when Krsna appeared, there were two sections. Now everyone is demon. Then if the killing program is taken, then (Hindi) thagavate gham oja.(?) then everything will be finished. Therefore there is no killing program by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is killing program -- it is killing the sinful activities. Papi tapi jata chilo hari-name uddharilo. Simply by chanting. He'll not be killed, but his activities, sinful activities, will be killed. This is the program.

So the mother earth was lamenting, "Now Krsna has gone. Who will give us protection?" But Krsna gives protection. Paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca... [Bg. 4.8]. Two, two different duties. To give protection to the sadhus, to the devotees, and to kill the demons. So... Another word is used. Antarhitasya smarati visrsta karmani nirvana-vilambitani. Nirvana-karma. This is Srimad-Bhagavatam. Try to understand seriously. We are here in this life, human form of life. We should not be lazy. Laziness is not required. Karmani. We should be active. What for? Now, nirvana. Nirvana means finishing this material life. That is called nirvana. The Buddha philosophy, they take it nirvana. Their philosophy is nirvana, means to stop the feelings of pains and pleasure. So their philosophy is that the pains and pleasure... Not only their philosophy. We also know. Bhagavad-gita also says. Matra-sparsas tu kaunteya sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah. The, the worldly pains and pleasure -- what is due to? It is due to this material body. Matra-sparsah. Matra means the skin. Because we have got this skin, in winter, the water is there, we feel pain, pinching. And because it is summer, the same water -- pleasing. So the condition of the skin, according to the season, is changing. Therefore we are feeling pains and pleasure. Otherwise there is no pain, pleasure. Just try to understand. Because we are covered by the skin, therefore we are feeling pains and pleasure. If you become uncovered, free from the skinly covering, then there is no pains and pleasure.

So that is our main business, how to get out of this material body of skins and bones. That is real business. But these rascals, they do not know what is real business. They want to maintain the skin and bone by another skin and bone. That is their program. So it is foolish civilization. They do not what is civilization, what is the aim of life, what we should do. Nothing, no program. Simply just like animals, and kill animals and eat and be merry. And to digest meat, you drink also. One after another. As soon as there is drinking, then there is illicit sex. And so many things complicated. Therefore Bhagavad-gita warns, yajnarthe karmano 'nyatra loko 'yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]. You must work. You should not be idle. But yajnarthe, for Krsna. Then you'll not be implicated. Otherwise, you'll be implicated. By the grace of maya, you'll be so implicated that you have got this human form of life, and after giving up this body, you'll have to accept, according to your karma, one of the 8,400,000 species of life; maybe it may be a tree, it may be a cat, it may be a dog, or it may be something lower grade.

Because in this age our activities are all sinful, lower grade. Therefore you cannot expect higher-grade life. That is not possible. Higher grade life you can get. You can go in the higher planetary systems. You can get long duration of life, better comforts, better nice body. There are arrangement. Svargaloka. Bhur bhuva... Om bhur bhuvah svah tat savitur varenyam bhargo devasya dhimahi... This is gayatri. There are three lokas: bhur bhuvah svah. So svah, heavenly, they've no some information, there is heavenly planet. Actually there is. There are... Svargaloka is not so very comfortable. Above the Svargaloka there is Janaloka, Maharloka, Tapoloka, Satyaloka, Brahmaloka, like that, seven lokas. So who will go there? Urdhvam gacchanti sattva-sthah. If you are situated in the modes of goodness, then you can be promoted to the higher planetary systems. And madhye tisthanti rajasah, and if you are in the modes of passion, then you'll remain within this bhur bhuvah svah, three worlds. And jaghanya-guna-vrtti-stha adho gacchanti tamasah, and if you are simply in darkness, you do not know how to enjoy spiritual life or material life, just like cats and dogs, then you are degraded. You take the body of trees, plants, lower animals, insects, worms of the stool, and so many things. So one should know that.

So nirvana. Actually, there is no benefit. Even if I go to the highest planetary system, with very, very long duration of life and material comforts, that is not actual benefit. Therefore Krsna says, abrahma-bhuvanal lokah punar avartino 'rjuna: [Bg. 8.16] "My dear Arjuna, even if you are promoted to the Brahmaloka, the highest planetary system, still, it is not safe, because the death is there. And if you come to My place, no, there is no more..." That is called nirvana. Our business is to finish this material existence and go back to home, back to... That is real business.

So here the Dharmaraja is lamenting, "On account of absence of Krsna, our real business, nirvana, is being delayed. Therefore, are you lamenting, mother?" So Krsna is so kind that although He's not present at the present moment, still, in the form of His holy name, He's present. You can take still advantage of Krsna's name by chanting this Hare Krsna mantra. You can take. Don't think that when you chant "Krsna," this name Krsna is different from the Krsna person. No. They are the same. Nama cintamanih krsnas caitanya-rasa-vigrahah, purnah suddho nitya-mukto 'bhinnatvan nama-naminoh. This is the shastric injunction. Abhinnatvan nama-naminoh. Nama, the holy name of Krsna, and Krsna, they're not different. Abhinna. Abhinna means not separate. The same. So take advantage of this life, and take advantage of this Hare Krsna mantra, and make your life successful.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.23 -- Los Angeles, July 13, 1974

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© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

"Wanting to be Cheated"

73/07/13 London, Bhagavad-gita 1.12


Pradyumna: Translation: "Then Bhisma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather of the fighters, blew his conchshell very loudly like the sound of a lion, giving Duryodhana joy." [Bg. 1.12]

Prabhupada: So Duryodhana was doubting that "My grandfather, Bhisma, is more affectionately inclined to the other party. So he may not be lenient in fighting." So in order to encourage Duryodhana, tasya sanjanayan harsam. "Don't think that I am lenient. I am strong." Immediately, to encourage him, he blew his conchshell. Nowadays they use bugle. Formerly the conchshells were used by the kings.

And not that in modern days the fighting takes place -- the poor soldiers, they come to fight, and the leaders, they remain in safety place. It is not like that. All of them came out, ksatriya. Bhismadeva came, Duryodhana came, Arjuna came. And face to face, they had to fight. Not that the poor soldiers would fight and they would remain in a secure place, no. So tasya sanjanayan harsam kuru-vrddhah. Kuru-vrddha, the oldest man in the dynasty, Kuru dynasty, pitamaha, he's the grandfather of Arjuna and Duryodhana. The Dhrtarastra's elder uncle, his father's elder brother. He was very old man, brahmacari, and in that old age also, he was taking the risk of fighting. This is ksatriya spirit. Not that only... Dhrtarastra was escaping. Not escaping, because he was physically incapable, blind, therefore he did not come in the battlefield. Otherwise even Bhismadeva, in such old age he also came. This is ksatriya spirit. When there is fight, there is no rest. And fight means "Either the other party should be killed or I shall be killed." Not that without any decision the fighting will be stopped. No, that cannot be. When there is two parties, must be belligerent, one party. So decision is that "Either you kill me or I kill you." Not that without killing... "Without being killed one of us, the fighting cannot be stopped."

Just like Jarasandha was fighting with Bhima. During daytime the fighting was going on, and at night Bhima was a guest of Jarasandha. As guest is honored, respected, all the parties... But during daytime the fighting was going on. And this fighting went on for twenty-eight days. Still, there was no decision. Then Krsna gave hint, Bhimasena, that "Jarasandha has got a defect. He is joined, two bodies joined. So if you bifurcate him, then he will be killed." So later on Bhimasena took that policy, and Jarasandha was killed.

So amongst the ksatriyas when there is fighting, unless one party is killed, the fighting cannot be stopped. This is the Battle of Kuruksetra, to see the history of the former kings and ksatriyas, how they were determined. This is one of the qualifications of ksatriya: not to go away from the fighting. When there is challenge of fighting, immediately a ksatriya would accept. That is ksatriya spirit. Isvara-bhavam ca, and ruling over others. And charitable. These are the symptoms of ksatriya.

They are described in the Bhagavad-gita, brahmana qualification, ksatriya qualification, vaisya qualification, sudra qualification. So... Very nice arrangement, Vedic civilization. Everyone is guided by the superior. The brahmana guides the ksatriyas, the ksatriya guides the vaisyas, and the vaisya employs the sudras. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]. In this way, four divisions of brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, they manage the whole society so nicely. The ksatriyas, as the ksatriya's business was to give protection to the citizens, similarly, vaisya's duty was to give protection to the animals. Krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam vaisya-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.44].

Vaisya, they should engage themselves in agricultural production and giving protection to the cows, especially mentioned, go-raksya. Go-raksya, cow protection, is one of the items of state affairs. And now there is no cow protection. Poor cows, they deliver milk, and later on they become slaughtered. How much sinful the modern society is, and they still want peace and prosperity. That is not possible. The society must be divided -- brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra -- and they must execute their proper duty. And the vaisyas, they should give protection to the cows. And the sudras, they should work under the direction of the higher three divisions. In this way there will be nice management.

Then, as it is stated during the reign of Maharaja Yudhisthira, kamam vavarsa parjanyah [SB 1.10.4]. Then nature also will help. If you keep things all right, according to the direction, then nature also will help you. Nature will give you sufficient foodstuff. Vavarsa parjanyah, kamam. Whatever the necessities of life, it will be supplied by nature simply by proper pouring of water, vrsti. Actually, now the whole world is suffering for drought. There is scarcity of rain. And if the rain is stopped for one or two years more, there will be havoc. It is already there, havoc. In India there is famine, because they are more, mostly agriculturists. So there is famine. In other countries they have got industries. But India is not so industrially advanced. So without water, nothing can be produced.

Therefore during Maharaja Yudhisthira's time, kamam vavarsa parjanyah [SB 1.10.4]. Yajnad bhavati parjanyah [Bg. 3.14]. If you want sufficient water, then you must perform yajna. These are the indications, direction of the Vedic wisdom. So at the present moment no other yajna is possible. The only yajna, sankirtana-yajna, is possible. Yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi su-medhasah [SB 11.5.32]. So if this Krsna consciousness movement is taken seriously all over the world and they perform sankirtana-yajna, everything will be adjusted immediately. Everything. But these rascals will not take it. They will suffer. Otherwise all directions are there. People have to take the advantage of direction, perfect direction, without any mistake, and they will be happy. So we are trying to introduce this Krsna consciousness movement so that people may come to their senses, take advantage of it and be happy. Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 1.12 -- London, July 13, 1973