Spiritualize Your Chariot

27 June 71 , San Francisco

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Prabhupada: When our eyes are anointed with love of God, we can see Him everywhere. That is the injunction of the sastras. We have to develop our seeing power by developing love of Godhead. Premanjana-cchurita bhakti-vilocanena [Bs. 5.38]. When one is sufficiently developed in Krsna consciousness, he can see the Lord every moment within his heart and everywhere, wherever he goes. So this Krsna consciousness movement is an attempt to teach people how to see God, how to see Krsna. Krsna can be seen if we practice. Just like Krsna says, raso 'ham apsu kaunteya [Bg. 7.8]. Krsna says, "I am the taste of the water.'' Every one of us, we drink water everyday, not only one, twice, thrice or more than that. So as soon as we drink water, if we think that the taste of the water is Krsna, immediately we become Krsna conscious. To become Krsna conscious is not very difficult job. Simply we have to practice it. Just like this is an example how to practice to become Krsna conscious. Whenever you drink water, as soon as you are satiated, your thirst is quenched, immediately you think that this thirsting, the quenching power is Krsna. Prabhasmi sasi suryayoh. Krsna says, "I am the sunshine. I am the moonshine.'' So during daytime, every one of us seeing the sunshine. As soon as you see sunshine, immediately you can remember Krsna, "Here is Krsna.'' As soon as you see moonshine at night, immediately you can remember, "Here is Krsna.'' In this way, if you practice, there are many instances, many examples given in the Bhagavad-gita, in the Seventh Chapter, if you read them carefully, how to practice Krsna consciousness. Then at that time, when you are mature in love of Krsna, you will see Krsna everywhere. Nobody has to help you to see Krsna, but Krsna will be revealed before you, by your devotion, by your love. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Brs. 1.2.234]. Krsna, when one is in service mood, when one understands that "I am eternal servant of Krsna, or God,'' then Krsna help you how to see Him.

That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita,

tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
 [Bg. 10.10]

Krsna says, those who are constantly, twenty-four hours engaged in Krsna's service... Just like these students, the member of Krsna Consciousness Society, you'll find them twenty-four hours engaged in Krsna's service. That is the, I mean to say, significance of Krsna consciousness. They are always engaged. This Ratha-yatra ceremony is one of the item, so that at least, one day, all of you will be able to be engaged in Krsna consciousness. So this is only practice, and if you practice throughout your whole life, then at the time of death, if you can fortunately remember Krsna, your life is successful. That practice is required. yam yam vapi smaran loke tyajaty ante kalevaram [Bg. 8.6]. We have to give up this body, that is certain. But at the time of death, if we remember Krsna, immediately you are transferred to the abode of Krsna. Krsna is everywhere, but still Krsna has got a special abode, which is called Goloka Vrndavana. You can understand that our body, body means the senses, and above the senses there is the mind, which is very subtle, which is controlling the senses, and above the mind there is intelligence, and above the intelligence there is soul. We have no information, but if we practice this bhakti-yoga system, gradually we understand what I am. I am not this body. This, generally even big, big scholars, big, big philosophers, scientists, they are also in the concept of this body. Everyone is thinking, "I am the body,'' but that is mistake. We are not this body. Just I explain. Body means the senses, but the senses are controlled by the mind, and the mind is controlled by the intelligence, and the intelligence is controlled by the soul. That you do not know. There is no educational system throughout the whole world how to understand the existence of soul, which is the prime necessity of understanding for the human being. A human being is not meant for wasting his time like animals, simply eating, sleeping, mating and defending. That is animal life. The extra intelligence of human beings should be utilized how to understand "I am... What I am? I am a spirit soul.'' If we understand that "I am spirit soul,"' that this bodily concept of life, which has played havoc in this world... On the bodily concept of life I am thinking "I am Indian,'' you are thinking "American,'' he's thinking something, something. But we are all one. We are spirit soul. We are all eternal servant of Krsna, Jagannatha.

So today is a very nice, auspicious day. On this day Lord Krsna, when He was present on this earth, He attended a solar eclipse ceremony at Kuruksetra, and Krsna, along with His brother Balarama, and Subhadra, sister, came to visit the Kuruksetra field. That Kuruksetra land is still present in India. If someday you'll go to India you'll find that Kuruksetra land is there. So this Ratha-yatra ceremony is performed in commemoration of Krsna's visiting Kuruksetra with His brother and sister. So Lord Jagannatha, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He was in ecstasy. He was in the mood of loving spirit like Radharani, so He was thinking, "Krsna, please come back again to Vrndavana.'' So He was dancing before the Ratha-yatra, and you will understand, if you read some of the books published by you..., published by our society. One of the book is known as Teachings of Lord Caitanya. It is very important book. If you want to learn this Krsna consciousness movement, we have got enough books. You can scientifically and philosophically study. But if you have no inclination to study, if you simply take to this chanting of Hare Krsna, gradually everything will be revealed unto you, and you will understand your relationship with Krsna.

I thank you very much for participating in this ceremony. Now let us chant Hare Krsna and proceed with Jagannatha Swami. Hare Krsna. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Ratha-yatra -- San Francisco, June 27, 1971

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Make Krishna Your Beloved

Make Krishna Your Beloved

Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.3-4
Los Angeles, June 27, 1972

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Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

papraccha cemam evartham
yan mam prcchatha sattamah
krsnanubhava-sravane
sraddadhano maha-manah

samstham vijnaya sannyasya
karma trai-vargikam ca yat
vasudeve bhagavati
atma-bhavam drdham gatah
 [SB 2.4.3-4]

Translation: "O great sages, the great soul Maharaja Pariksit, constantly rapt in the thought of Lord Krsna, knowing well of his imminent death, renounced all sorts of fruitive activities, namely acts of religion, economic development, and sense gratification, and thus fixed himself firmly in his natural love for Krsna and asked exactly all these questions, as you are asking me."

Prabhupada: So, krsnanubhava-sravane sraddadhano maha-manah. Vasudeve bhagavati atma-bhavam drdham gatah. Krsnanubhava-sravane. When we hear from right source, the natural result will be Krsna consciousness, krsnanubhava, krsna-bhavanamrta. Sraddadhano maha-manah. One who hears with attention, with faith, maha-manah. Just like the great sages in Naimisaranya, they did. Real purpose is vasudeve bhagavati atma-bhavam drdham gatah, to increase our affection or love for Krsna. Vasudeve bhagavati. Vasudeve bhagavati bhakti-yogah prayojitah, janayaty asu vairagyam [SB 1.2.7]. Purpose, sannyasya, renounced... People cannot renounce. They are very much attached to this material body and anything in relationship with this body. But the real purpose of human life is to become renounced, no more material body. That is required. Vairagyam. This is called vairagyam, or renounced. Because we want this material body, therefore we get it, life after life. This will continue so long we'll be overpowered by material thought.

Material thought means these fruitive activities. "I shall work very hard, and I shall get so much wealth, and for this purpose I can go to church and temple. If God gives me millions of dollars, then I am ready to go there." So real purpose is sense gratification. "If I take to religious principles, then I'll get more money without any hard work, and if I get more money, then I'll be able to satisfy my senses." This is called dharmartha-kama. And there is another stage, which is called moksa, liberation. So people are not interested for liberation. They want to become religious for material benefits. But that is not the real purpose of life. Material benefit, you cannot get more than what you are destined to have; that is already fixed up. According to your body... You get the body. We get different types of body, and according to the body, our material sufferings and enjoyment are fixed up, already. You cannot have more or less. Otherwise... you'll see, one man is working so hard, day and night, and he could hardly maintain himself or his family. And another man, he's going to the market, sits down for one hour, and earns 100,000 dollars, immediately. You can see. Simply by touching the phone, he simply asks, "What is the rate of this? What is the rate of that?" and he makes one transaction, and immediately he gets one thousand dollars. And this man is working hard, day and night, he could not get even two sufficient meals.

So that means the, according to the body, the material happiness and... Just like you are. You have got this American body. So automatically your country's facilities... You are more comfortable than other countries because you have no scarcity, enough production. Everything is enough. So according to the body, you are getting comforts of life. And in another country, deserted country, very hard living, cannot get nice foodstuffs, only living on animals. That is also very rarely. So these are different. Just like in Greenland. It is filled up with ice. They cannot get any nice food. Still they live there. This is maya. They will not think, "Oh, here the life is very difficult. Let me go away from here. Let me go to some other, better place." No. He'll not go. Janani janma-bhumis ca svargad api gariyasi. Our birthplace, even it is hell, it is better than heaven. That is maya. Just like hog. Hog is living most abominable condition of life, with stools and filthy water, but still, he is thinking he's living in heaven. Janani janma-bhumis ca svargad api gariyasi. So therefore, the conclusion is that so far material comforts are concerned, you cannot get more. Or less. You will get. It is already fixed up. Deha-yogena dehinam. Sukham aindriyakam daitya deha-yogena dehinam, sarvatra labhyate... eh? Yatha duhkham ayatnatah. Prahlada Maharaja says. Sarvatra labhyate. So far material comfort is concerned, what you are destined to get, you'll get it, in wherever you may live. It doesn't matter. Your allotment is already there. That is your body.

And our sense pleasure means this material bodily pleasure. That is all. Sukham aindriyakam. We have got these senses: hands, legs, eyes, ears, and five working senses, and knowledge-gathering senses. They are all constitute the whole body. So bodily comfort means this sense gratification. Dharma, artha, kama. But here it is said trai-vargikam. Samstham vijnaya sannyasya karma trai-vargikam ca yat. When you are ready for death, there is no more this trai-vargikam. Trai-vargikam means religion and economic development and sense gratification. This is human civilization. This is not human civilization, in one sense, because there is question of dharma. Dharma means religion. Religion... not exactly in the same way as we understand in English language: "a kind of faith." Dharma. Generally, people understand that "I have got my own dharma." "I am Hindu; I am Christian; I am Muslim; I am this; I am that." But in Sanskrit language, dharma does not mean like that, "a kind of faith." No. Faith is blind. Today you are Hindu, tomorrow you are Christian, today you are Christian. So this faith-changing is not dharma. Dharma means "which you cannot change." That is dharma. Not that whimsically I change. That dharma is service. Every one of us rendering some service to others. That is dharma. Every one of us. Jivera svarupa haya krsnera nitya dasa. Caitanya Mahaprabhu gives us immediate information what is a living entity. He immediately gives the definition that a living entity means who is rendering service to the Lord. So we are rendering service. Somebody's rendering service to the countries, society, family, and at least, to dog, to cat. That is our general inclination, because we want to give service to the Supreme. But because we have forgotten the Supreme, our service attitude is now distributed in so many ways. But I am serving. That's a fact. Either you serve dog or either you serve God; the service is there. That you cannot avoid.

You cannot say, nobody can say that "I am not serving anyone." Even becoming God, so-called God... As there are so many rascals, say, they say that "We are God" or "I am God, everyone God." God is never servant. God is enjoyer; God is master. God does not serve anyone. Just like you see, we have God here, Krsna. He's not serving, He's enjoying. That is God. You'll always find God enjoying. God is not servant. Master. Krsna says bhokta. Bhokta means enjoyer. Everyone should be engaged for His service, and He's the only enjoyer. Ekale isvara krsna [Cc. Adi 5.142]. The only enjoyer, only master, is Krsna, and all others, they are servants. Now, there may be gradation of servant, just like in your country, President Nixon is also a servant. And ordinary constable, he is also a servant. Everyone is servant; nobody is master. So there is gradation of service. That's all. Somebody is serving as President, somebody is serving as constable, somebody is serving as dog, somebody is serving as cat. And similarly, somebody is loving reciprocally.

In this way, the whole situation is there. But the central point is, master is Krsna, or God, and our love should be reposed unto Him. This is the point. This is Krsna consciousness. Sraddadhano maha-manah. So one who has fixed up his goal of life in this way, that "I am rendering service. That's a fact. But I am not satisfied. Why? I am rendering so much service."... Just like in our country, Mahatma Gandhi rendered so much service to his country that at the end he was killed by his countrymen. Just see. This is the return. Your country also. President Kennedy, he was a nice president, but he was killed. So here in this material world, or maya, if you render service to maya, illusion, you'll never be satisfied. Neither the person to whom you are giving service, he'll be satisfied. There is no satisfaction, either to the so-called master or to the servant. Because Krsna is missing. That's all. One should understand this.

This is the actually fact. Here the service is going on, but the master and the servant, both are not satisfied. But there is another platform, spiritual world, where service rendered, both the master and the servant become satisfied, immediately. Tasmin tuste jagat tustah. The same example. Just like if (you) put your eatables into the stomach, so the stomach is satisfied and all the servants, the hands, legs, and others who acquire their foodstuff and put into the mouth, they are also satisfied, automatically. The hands, legs, fingers, eyes -- every part of my body, immediately satisfied. Yatha pranopaharac ca yathendriyanam. We are, at the present moment in the material existence, we are trying to be satisfied. That is also... The example is there. Just like a child is crying. You give him something eatable, he puts it in the mouth, and he's satisfied, no more crying. Similarly, actually if we want to be satisfied, then, as it is said here, samstham vijnaya sannyasya karma trai-vargikam, give up this, samstham, samstham vijnaya ...

Samstham means death. Death is sure. Death is the best surety as... "As sure as death." Nobody can say that "I can avoid death." That's a fact. So one who actually understands that "I'll have to die,"... People do not understand. Everyone thinks that he will not die. He'll not die. That is called maya. He's seeing that everyone is dying; still, he's thinking that "I shall not die" or "I shall live for millions of years. There is no question of death." But it is a fact. You may be advanced in science, but he, this death is sure. That's a fact. Therefore it is advised here that samstham vijnaya, one who is actually intelligent, he should know that he will die. But the karmis, the rascals, he knows also that he will die -- at least, theoretically accept -- but he wants to enjoy, since the death does not come, to the fullest extent. That is the present condition of the society. He knows that will he die. "So, so long my senses are there, let me gratify." Now, yesterday, when I went to the bank, there was a cinema signboard, what is that?

Karandhara: "Is there sex after death?"

Prabhupada: Yes. (laughter) You see? Because this material life means sex. So, they are seeking sex after death, also. (Laughter) This is, I mean to say, plain acceptance of the materialistic... He'll, "Is there sex after death?" they're inquiring. If there is sex after death, then they are not fearful of death. (laughter) There is a story that one man was drinking. So, drinking in India is a great sin. So his friend advised that "You are drinking. You'll go to hell." So he said, "Oh, my father also drinks." So he said, "Your father also will go to hell." "Oh, my brother also drinks." "Oh, he also will go to hell." In this way, he continued to say, "My father, my brother, my sister, my this, my that..." So... And he was replying, "Yes, he will also go to hell." "Oh, hell is heaven. Because we're all drinking here and drinking there. So what is the hell? That is heaven." Similarly, this is, this signboard is like that. "If sex is there after death then that is not death. That is life." (laughter) You see? So actually, you have got sex after death. Because you'll get into another body. Now you are having sex as human being in very nice apartment or on the street, on the beach, as you like. In the next life also, as cats and dogs, you will have sex life. The sex life is not denied, because the life is there. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca. This maithuna, maithuna means sex life. Eating, sleeping, and sex life, and defending. Ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca samanyam etat pasubhir naranam. So this is now inquiry. Now, if this inquiry is taken scientifically, "Is there sex after death?" it is not joking, if it is taken seriously, so people should be informed that "Yes, there is sex after death. Why there is no sex? Because there is life after death. You get another body. Maybe a god's body, demigod's body, or dog's body, you'll get another body, according to your own work. And as soon as you get body, these four things are there: eating, sleeping, sex, and defending."

So there is, actually. So the higher inquiry should be that "Then what is the position of this sex life?" The position of this sex life is eternal. The sex life is from Radha and Krsna. Cin-mithuna, cin-mithuna, spiritual. But there the sex life is not like this abominable sex life. There is sex impulse in the original. Otherwise how we have got this sex impulse? In the Vedanta-sutra it is said, janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1]. "Supreme Brahman, Absolute Truth, is there, is that from whom everything comes." So if there is sex life there in the Absolute Truth ... There must be sex life. Otherwise where you have got it? Wherefrom we get it? Everything is there, but the difference is that here, everything is contaminated, abominable, and there, everything is without inebrieties; it is happy, healthy, and eternal blissful. That is the difference. The things are there.

Just like Krsna's mother. Motherly affection of mother Yasoda upon Krsna. And Krsna is playing as child, pleasing mother Yasoda. So that thing is also in this material world. Here also, the mother likes to raise his beloved child, the child also plays to give pleasure to the mother. The rasa... Rasa means the humor or mellow. Exchange between the mother and child is there and here also. Similarly friendship, similarly conjugal love. Everything, all the five rasas, mellows, are there. The impersonalists cannot understand. They're afraid of... As soon as they hear "love," "Oh, love? Here is love, frustrated. Then it is maya. Then Krsna's love is also maya." Therefore they are called Mayavadi. They are carrying this material idea to the spiritual idea. And when they cannot accommodate, they make it zero or impersonal. Sunyavadi. That is their position. They cannot understand that these very things are existing in the spiritual world in a blissful way. So there is sex, but there is blissful sex. Not that... Here, we want to enjoy sex life, but at the same time want to get out of the result of sex life; therefore we use contraceptive tablets.

Because result of sex life is very, I mean to say, miserable. So we want to avoid the miserable condition of sex life, but there is another life, where there is no miserable condition of sex life. That is spiritual life. But the ordinary poor fund of knowledge, they cannot understand it. They think that "Here, the sex life is miserable, conditional sex life. So if in the spiritual world there is also sex life, then it is also miserable." So this conception of sex impulse, just like Radha Krsna and gopis' dealing with Krsna, they think it is maya. Therefore they are called Mayavadis. They have no knowledge. Their brain cannot accommodate this idea that all these activities can be very blissful, supreme. Without any difficulty, without any miserable condition. They cannot understand it. But ... Therefore it requires higher intelligence to understand Krsna consciousness. Krsna consciousness is trying to give the people the happiness to which is simply blissful, without any inebrieties.

That is Krsna consciousness. So here, vasudeve bhagavati atma-bhavam drdham gatah. Vasudeve bhagavati. Vasudeva, the son of Vasudeva, Krsna, bhagavati, He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here... Just like if I give one's father's name, then you know the man particularly. So here, bhagavati. There are many expansions of God. Advaitam acyutam anadim ananta-rupam [Bs. 5.33]. But He is particularly mentioned here: vasudeva, Krsna. Krsna's name is Vasudeva. Vasudeve bhagavati atma-bhavam drdham gatah. We are trying to enjoy life by making friends, atma-bhavam. Atma-bhavam means very intimate. Intimate, near relative, or beloved. So we have to change our consciousness. Instead of trying to make this material world as beloved, you have to make Krsna as beloved. That is Krsna consciousness. The everything is there. You get everything in return, as here, you are trying to enjoy, but without any inebriety. That is called Krsna consciousness. So Pariksit Maharaja attained this stage. Therefore he could give up all his kingdom, all his family, all his animals and everything, and he simply became Krsna conscious. Read the purport?

Pradyumna: "The three activities of religion, economic development, and sense gratification ..."

Prabhupada: Oh, there is no time. All right, have kirtana. Hare Krsna. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.4.3-4 -- Los Angeles, June 27, 1972

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"Truly Selfless Love"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.14
Mayapura, June 27, 1973

Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada


Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

nyarundhann udgalad baspam
autkanthyad devaki-sute
niryaty agaran no 'bhadram
iti syad bandhava-striyah

Translation: "The female relatives, whose eyes were flooded with tears out of anxiety for Krsna, came out of the palace. They could only stop their tears with great difficulty. They feared that tears would cause misfortune at the time of departure."

Prabhupada:

nyarundhann udgalad baspam
autkanthyad devaki-sute
niryaty agaran no 'bhadram
iti syad bandhava-striyah

You can practice this diacritic mark. English transliteration is there. It is not very difficult. Simply if you practice twice, thrice, four times, it will come exactly, the pronunciation. You have to learn the diacritic marks. Then it will be all right. Word meaning. (Pradyumna leads chanting)

Ladies generally, they are very much apt to shed tears in ecstatic moment. So Krsna was going from Hastinapura, and all of them, all the Pandavas, not only ladies, the men also, they were very, very much affected. We have already discussed in the previous verses. Especially the ladies, they could not check their tears forcibly coming out. But at the same time, they were thinking that "Krsna is going. Everything must be auspicious. There may not be something inauspicious." So they were in a very perplexed position. Tears were coming by force, and they wanted to check it so that there may not be any inauspicity in the matter of Krsna's departure. This is the picture.

So these are all symptoms of love for Krsna. That is the highest perfection of life, to shed tears for Krsna. Yugayitam nimesena caksusa pravrsayitam. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu taught us this method of worship in separation, vipralambha-seva. Not that "Oh, I have seen yesterday. Last night, I have seen Krsna. He was snatching my cloth." These are sahajiyas. Actually, our worship should be in separation. The Gosvamis also taught us like that. He radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah. They in the Vrndavana remained authorized persons. They were also searching after Krsna. They never said that "We have got Krsna," never said. He radhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-suno kutah sri-govardhana-kalpa-padapa-tale kalindi-vane kutah, ghosantav iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair maha-vihvalau. Simply khedair maha-vihvalau. They were lamenting in separation. Vande rupa-sanatanau raghu-yugau sri-jiva-gopalakau.

So this is the process of Caitanya Mahaprabhu's worship. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was falling down on the water, "Oh, I could not see Krsna." When He was grhastha, He was simply consulting with mother, "Mother, I could not realize Krsna. What shall I do? Where shall I go?" Mother said, "My dear son, why You are impatient? Everything will be all right in due course." Caitanya Mahaprabhu was giving indication that "I must leave home." Mother was also understanding that "This boy wants to leave us." That was another perplexed position. So that is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's teaching:

yugayitam nimesena
caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me

Govinda-virahena: "In separation from Govinda I am thinking one moment as twelve years." Some of you or all of us have got this experience. If we want something very, very eagerly, then every moment becomes a long time. "Oh, it is not yet received. It is not yet received. It is not yet done." Yugayitam nimesena. Nimesa, a moment, a twinkling of an eye, that is called nimesa. That appears to be twelve years. The gopis could not tolerate even twinkling of eyes. They were condemning the creator, "The creator does not know the art of creating. Why he has created this twinkling of eyes so that it is disturbing us from seeing Krsna." Seeing Krsna, and the twinkling of eyes, that is natural. So the gopis did not like it, that "Why he has created this? He does not know the art of creation." This is love. Yugayi... Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu tasted the gopis' feelings. Sri-caitanyakhyam prakatam adhuna tad-dvayam caikyam aptam. Radha krsna-pranaya-vikrtir hladini-saktih. Krsna, when He wants to enjoy... He is the Absolute Supreme Person, spirit, Absolute, the Supreme Spirit. So for spiritual enjoyment in this material world great saintly persons, sages, they give up all material enjoyment just to taste what is spiritual enjoyment, spiritual life.

Brahmanubhuti. They give up everything. Tapasa brahmacaryena [SB 6.1.13]. By austerity, brahmacarya, yamena, niyamena, tyagena, satya-saucabhyam --  so many processes they adopt for tasting a little brahmanubhuti. Ittham satam brahma-sukhanubhutya dasyam gatanam para-daivatena. So Sukadeva Gosvami said that "Here, the Krsna, here is, playing with the cowherds boys. Who is He?" Ittham satam brahma-sukhanubhutya. "The great sages, saintly persons, who are trying to taste the spiritual realization, that is here. He is playing as cowherd boy." Dasyam gatanam para-daivatena: "And those who are devotees, for them He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Mayasritanam nara-darakena: "And those who are mayasrita, they are thinking, ‘This Krsna is ordinary human child.' " Sakam vijahruh krta-punya-punjah: [SB 10.12.11] "So with this boy, transcendental Krsna, cowherd boy, the other boys who are playing, they are not ordinary men." Krta-punya-punjah. "They accumulated pious activities life after life for many, many thousands and millions of lives. Now they have got the opportunity to play with Krsna."

So this Krsna consciousness movement is very serious and important. Here are the sign, how they love Krsna. One side, they are..., they cannot check the tears coming out, "Krsna is going away." Another side, "Oh, if I shed tears, then there may be inauspicity." How much perplexity, this two sides. Dilemma. Between the horns of Scylla and Charybdis. That is the position. The lover, intense love creates such situation, as Caitanya Mahaprabhu exhibited.

yugayitam nimesena
caksusa pravrsayitam
sunyayitam jagat sarvam
govinda-virahena me

"Without seeing Govinda, the whole world is vacant." This is love. "Let me try to become Krsna conscious. If it is done, all right. If it is not done, I shall remain in my position. What is the loss?" Not like that. One must be so eager that without Krsna consciousness, one should become mad. One should become mad. That is Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's teaching, separation, not direct contact.

Direct contact is not possible. Neither that is the way of worshiping by the method of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. That is sahajiya-vada. "I am talking with Krsna. Krsna is snatching my cloth." There is a book, one lady has written, his (her) experience, that Krsna comes, He talks with her and snatches her cloth. She has written openly. But this is not Caitanya Mahaprabhu's way. There is one gentleman, Mr. Raya, in Poona, and he has got also woman. Everyone must have a woman, parakiya. This is sahajiya-vada. This is sahajiya-vada. Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu never said, "This is the parakiya-rasa: one should have one woman." No. He observed complete sannyasa life. Rather there was very, very severe, rigid restriction about women. But now, these sahajiyas, they are going on in the name of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu: aula, baula, kartta-bhaja, neda, daravesa, sani sahajiya, sakhibheki, like that, so many. They are apa-sampradaya. Real Caitanya Mahaprabhu sampradaya is that he should be feeling like Caitanya Mahaprabhu, separation.

Not sambhoga. Vipralambha. Vipralambha-seva: "Oh, I am so wretched, I could not serve Krsna. How I can see Krsna? It is not possible." In this way. That is the teaching of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. "But even though I do not see Him, neither it is possible for me to see Him..." Means: "What I am? I am insignificant person. Why Krsna come and see me?" This is right. "Why shall I aspire after seeing Krsna? What qualification I have got?" This is bhajana. This is bhajana. Why should I be proud that "Now I shall see Krsna"? What I am? That is the teaching of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Aslisya va pada-ratam pinastu mam marma-hatam karotu va adarsanat. Adarsana. "Without giving me audience, You kill me, You break my heart; still, You are my Lord, You are my worshipable Lord, nobody else." This is love. This is love. (Bengali:) Asan krsna galai diba naiva beja tata(?). Not like that. "Krsna may not come. I may not see Krsna for thousands and thousands of lives. I may rot in the hellish condition of life for many, many births. That doesn't matter. Still, I cannot give up Krsna consciousness." This is required. I may be sent to hell, heaven; it doesn't matter. What qualification I have got that I want to see back to home, back to Godhead? It is not so easy thing. So why should I be sorry for that? I should be happy even in the hell simply by thinking of Krsna. That is wanted. That is wanted. That is Krsna consciousness. So here is the example. Tears by force are coming out: "Oh, Krsna is going away." At the same time, they want to check: "There may not be any inauspicity for Krsna." They're thinking Krsna, for Krsna, not for personal self. "Oh, I am now crying. I have become very much fortunate. I am crying for Krsna." No. "My crying will create inauspicity for Krsna, I must check it." This is Krsna consciousness.

Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.14 -- Mayapura, June 27, 1973

"Tiger or President - Full of Anxiety"

"Tiger or President - Full of Anxiety"

74/06/27 Melbourne, Bhagavad-gita 3.27


(Town Hall)

Prabhupada: (leads chanting of "om namo bhagavate vasudevaya")

prakrteh kriyamanani
gunaih karmani sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
[Bg. 3.27]

Krsna says that all these living entities... We are all living entities... Actually, every one of us is spirit soul, living entities. It does not matter whether I am a human being or other than human being, lower animals, birds, beasts, trees or higher celestial beings. There are many varieties of life. 8,400,000. Nine... Jalaja nava-laksani. In the water there are living entities of 900,000 varieties. We simply know that there are some fishes and crocodiles or sharks in the water, but sastra, Vedic sastras, they give definite information, how many forms and varieties of life are there within the water: 900,000. How many we have seen? Our scientists, our botanists, how many they have seen? So actually you cannot have perfect knowledge by the experimental method.

Now, if I say... I don't say, but the sastra says there are 900,000 forms of aquatics. So you cannot say no because you have no experience. You have no experience. But from the sastra, Vedic literature, we get this information, Padma Purana. We are not speaking unauthorizedly. The sastras are accepted by the acaryas, the great teachers. And we get knowledge from the sastra. I may be imperfect, but I get knowledge from the perfect source. That is perfect knowledge.

Just like a child may ask his father that "What is this?" because he is astonished that the sound is very loud. So the child may not know, so inquires from the father, "Father, what is this? So father says, "My dear child, this is microphone. And when you speak through this machine, your sound becomes louder." So the child takes the knowledge from the father, and if he repeats or he understands firmly, "My father has said. It is perfectly right," then his knowledge is perfect. The child may be imperfect.

So our Vedic process is like that. We do not make any research. It is not possible to come to the right knowledge by so-called research, because our senses are imperfect. Just like we see through the telescope and we come under certain conclusion, but the fact is that I am the same person seeing through the telescope, and telescope is also manufactured by me or by you. So machine is imperfect and my seeing power is also imperfect. Then how you can have perfect knowledge? The machine is created by a person who has got imperfect knowledge, and the seer is also a person; he is also imperfect. The imperfect person is seeing through the imperfect machine. Then how we can conclude perfect knowledge? This is not possible.

Therefore the method is, according to the Vedic knowledge, that if you want perfect knowledge, then you should approach the perfect person. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum eva abhigacchet [MU 1.2.12]. This is the Vedic injunction. If you want perfect knowledge, then you must approach a perfect person, guru.

Now, at the present moment, there are so many gurus. How we will understand who is perfect? That is also another problem. So that perfection is... That I have already explained, that the child who has heard from his father that "This is microphone" and if he speaks that "This is microphone," then his knowledge is perfect. The child is not perfect, but because he has heard from the perfect authority, what he is speaking, although he is child, that is perfect. Similarly, this guru means who has heard from the perfect person. Therefore his knowledge is perfect, because he has heard. This is called parampara system or disciplic succession.

In this Bhagavad-gita you will find in the fourth chapter Krsna says, evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh [Bg. 4.2]. Parampara. Krsna is the original person, perfect, and He says,

imam vivasvate yogam
proktavan aham avyayam
vivasvan manave praha
manur iksvakave 'bravit
[Bg. 4.1]

evam parampara-praptam
imam rajarsayo viduh
sa kaleneha mahata
yogo nastah parantapa
[Bg. 4.2]

Krsna is explaining to Arjuna. You will find these statements in the fourth chapter of Bhagavad-gita. Krsna said that "This perfect knowledge of yoga system as I am explaining in this..."

Now it is known, Bhagavad-gita. Bhagavad-gita means the, generally in this Western world they say, "Song of God." So Bhagavad-gita is spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So He said that "This is not a new literature. Millions of years ago I spoke about this yoga system, imam vivasvate yogam proktavan... [Bg. 4.1]. Proktavan means, "I said." Whom? Vivasvan. Vivasvan is the name of the sungod or the president of the sun planet.

Just like here in this planet we have got presidents in each country. So now there are so many presidents. Formerly even on this planet there was one president. They are trying to be united. The United Nation organization, they want to unite. For the last twenty years the United Nations are trying to unite, but the result is we are disunited. Instead of making one flag, the flags are increasing every year. "This is Pakistan, this is Hindustan, this is this, this is that, this is..." They are not united. How they can be united? They cannot be united because prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27], everyone is under the control of the material nature, full control. So, so long we are in the material world, controlled by the external material energy, there is no possibility of unity. That is not possible.

Because prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah. In prakrti, material nature, there are three different qualities: goodness, passion and ignorance. So all the varieties of life, they are under the control of the material nature and therefore you see varieties of life, varieties. There are three qualities. You multiply three into three. It becomes nine. And if you multiply nine into nine, you become, you see eighty-one. So therefore all these varieties of life, they are being controlled because... Not controlled. He accepts to be controlled. Prakrti does not want. Nature does not want to control you.

Just like police force. Police force is not meant for controlling you. But when you accept to be controlled by police, when you become a criminal, then police force controls you, not that police force is made by the government unnecessarily to control you. No. He's to help you. Government has arranged policeman in every crossing. They are wandering in the street. They are meant for helping you. They are not meant for controlling you. But when you agree to be controlled by the police, then it will control you. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah [Bg. 3.27]. Then you become under the police control, if you become criminal. And what is that criminality? The criminality is that krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha. Krsna is the original enjoyer, God.

When I speak Krsna, it means God. God has got many names according to different religious system. But the real name is Kristo [pronounced "Kreesto"]. And you will be glad to understand that this Kristo, it is a Greek word, and it is a perverted pronunciation of Krsna, this Greek word. The meaning of Kristo in Sanskrit dictionary and the Greek dictionary always the same, about this word. And from this Kristo the word has got Christo or Christ. So even in Christian world the God's name is there. Jesus the Christ or Jesus the son of Kristo, or Krsna.

So Lord Jesus Christ said, "My Lord, hallowed be Thy name." He wants to glorify the name of the Lord. And some people says that there is no name of God. How? If Lord Jesus Christ says "Hallowed by Thy name," there must be name. The name is there, but he did not pronounce it because the people at that time will not be able to understand or maybe some reason, but he says there is name. So we are making this propaganda, Krsna consciousness movement, the "Hallowed by Thy name. My Lord Krsna, the Personality of Godhead, let Your holy name be glorified." This is our movement. It is not a sectarian...

It is very scientific movement, scientific movement because at the present moment we are all godless, forgotten what is God and what to speak of His name. They do not believe in God and what to speak of His name, fame, His place, His activities, His form, His qualities. How we can know? There is no educational system about the science of God. This movement, Krsna consciousness movement, is teaching the science of God. And if you accept the name of the God, name of God, Krsna -- this is also affirmed in other system also -- then you will be able to associate with God immediately. Because God is Absolute. Absolute means there is no difference.

Just like in the relative world... This is relative world. Material world means the relative world. Relative world means the son. As soon as I say "the son," there must be a father. As soon as I say, "friend," there must be another man, friend. As soon as I say, "water," there must be something as water. But in the Absolute world, the name water and the water is the same. This is called Absolute, no different separation. So in the kingdom of God, the God is God and His son is also God. There the everything -- there is no difference between the name and the substance. Here in this material world the name and the substance different.

Just like if I am thirsty, I want water, so the water must come to me. If I simply chant, "Water, water, water," that will not be effective, because it is relative world. But in the transcendental world, Krsna is the name of God and it is God also. So by chanting Hare Krsna, you are directly in contact with God. This is the meaning of Hare Krsna, directly in contact.

Now, if we imitate that "These boys and girls are chanting Hare Krsna. It is a name only. So let me chant... Instead of Krsna, let me chant John," but that chanting will not help you because you cannot chant more than three, four times or ten times, that's all. But this is the proof. And this Hare Krsna, this chanting, if you ask these boys and girls, they can chant continually for twenty-four hours in ecstasy, continually, without any stoppage. That is spiritual name. You cannot take any other name and chant and enjoy like that. So it is practical experience. I am touring all over the world, three times in a year, and because this chanting is Absolute, everyone is joining, Europe, America, Africa, Canada, Japan, China, everywhere. Nobody says that "This is a word from India. Why shall I chant the Indian name?" No. It is God's name. God is neither Indian nor American nor otherwise, neither Christian nor Hindu nor Muslim. God is God.

So we are at the present moment rotting in this material world. Purusah prakrti-sthah. That is also mentioned in the thirteenth chapter. It is said that purusah prakrti-sthah. Where is that verse? (aside:) I told you to...

Purusah prakrti-sthah? Purusah prakrti-stho hi. Yes.

purusah prakrti-stho hi
bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan
karanam guna-sango 'sya
sad-asad-yoni-janmasu
[Bg. 13.22]

Purusa. Purusa means the enjoyer. Everyone of us sitting in this hall, we have got different mentality to enjoy differently, different dress, different mentality, different opinion, because everyone of us we are individual. So this individuality is both in spiritual world and the material world. But in the material world our individuality is different on account of associating or infecting different qualities of the material nature. Just like there are different types of patients in the hospital. Why? Because each and every one of them is infected by different types of germs of disease.

Here it is explained, purusa, the living entity, prakrti-stha, being in this material world. Prakrti means this material world. We do not belong to this material world. Just like a person in the prison house, he is a citizen, but when he goes into the prisonhouse, he has got different sense, different, I mean, punishment, different dress. They are also dressed differently. So similarly, we are all criminals. Criminals. What is that criminality? Because we have forgotten God. This is criminality.

Krsna-bahirmukha hana bhoga vancha kare

(Prema-vivarta).

You will find in this practical experience. Suppose a boy is very rich man's son. But still, he thinks "Why shall I live under the rules and regulations of my father? Let me go out. I shall enjoy life freely." Freely, what freedom? You are already rich man's son. You can enjoy the property of your very, very rich powerful father, and what independence you will enjoy? This is criminality. This is criminality. We are sons of God, part and parcels of God, and God means almighty. So we have got almighty father, and leaving His place, I have come to this material world to enjoy independently. That is criminality. And we are suffering. That is explained here: prakrti-stha, "being placed in this material world," purusa, bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan, "he is enjoying, but enjoying the quality of the modes of material nature."

Just like a tiger. He is also enjoying. He is thinking, "I am very strong. I have got so power, so much jaws and nails. I can jump over any animal and immediately kill him." He is pleased in that position, but, you know, the tiger or the lion, they are so unfortunate that they do not get daily food, in spite of becoming so strong. Because prakrti-jan gunan, he is under the influence of the material nature. He... The tiger may be very powerful, but he remains always hungry. Very powerful. Because the other animals, they know that in that corner of the forest there is tiger, nobody goes there. Where he can get food? Hardly chance, by chance he gets one animal and jumps over it. This is called prakrti-jan gunan. He thought, "By becoming tiger I shall be very much proud of enjoying," but prakrti says, "No, sir, you cannot get even daily food. That is not possible." Therefore prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarva... [Bg. 3.27].

Here the so-called tiger, so-called big men... Just like in America the president is a big man. But now he is put into such a condition that he is full of anxiety. At any moment he may be kicked out. This is the position. You cannot be happy either as President Nixon or tiger or cats and dogs or human being or Lord Brahma. That is not possible. That is not possible. You must be full of anxieties because this is unnatural life.

To understand that "I am this body," this is foolishness. I am not this body. I am the soul within this body. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita in the second chapter: dehino 'smin yatha dehe [Bg. 2.13]. Dehi, the proprietor of the body. Just like you are the proprietor of your shirt and coat. You are not shirt and coat. You are the proprietor of the shirt and coat. You are dressed with shirt and coat in different colors and different shape.

Similarly, the living entity -- it does not matter whether he is a man or animal -- he is part and parcel of God, but he desired certain dress or certain body, so prakrti, nature, has given him. So this is going on. Purusah prakrti-stho hi [Bg. 13.22]. Purusa means... He is not enjoyer, but he is thinking enjoyer. He is not enjoyer. At any moment his so-called enjoyment will be finished.

Just like in the Western world they are thinking that "We are enjoying life." Of course, enjoying life in his consideration. But how long, sir, you will enjoy this life? You have got very nice car or very nice building and you are enjoying as Australian, as American. That's all right. But how long you shall remain American and Australian? That question does not come to the dull brain because he does not know that he is eternal. And this is temporary dress. I... Somehow or other, I wanted this, and prakrti, nature, has given me. But nature has not given me the right to remain as American, Australian, Indian, no. That is not possible. You wanted; you enjoyed this life for a certain time, and then again you create your desire." Now I am very powerful, very happy. Let me love dog instead of God" -- that means you are preparing your next life as dog because it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that at the time of death the mentality which you have created throughout the whole life, that will carry you to other body process. It is very scientific. Anta-kale tu mam smaran.

So if you train up... You have got this facility of life, comfortable life. Do not misuse it for becoming next life a dog. Utilize it to become next life God. That is success. You have got advanced intelligence, but this intelligence is given to you for understanding God and your position that by forgetting God you are in this material world, and in this material world you are changing one body to another. Sometimes American body, sometimes demigod's body, sometimes celestial body, sometimes dog's body, cat's body, tiger's body. This science is unknown. But this is the science. Prakrteh kriyamanani gunaih karmani sarvasah ahankara [Bg. 3.27]. We have got this body, that body, this body, under the direction of the prakrti, material nature. So therefore intelligence is that "If I am eternal..." Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. You are not dying. Hanyamane sarire.

That you can experience practically, daily. How is that? When you sleep at night, then you dream, means subtle body. So these activities of this gross body stop. You again work in the subtle body. You dream that you have gone to somewhere or in the forest or somewhere, somewhere, somewhere. But you forget that "My real body is lying in this bed." You do not remember. This is practical. So I change this, myself. I am soul. I change from this gross body lying on bed in a very nice apartment, skyscraper building, but I have gone to the forest, and I am affronting a big tiger and I'm crying. In this bed I am crying. The friends say, "Why you are crying?" "Tiger, tiger, tiger." Where is tiger? This is called subtle body. So you are changing daily at night from this gross body to the subtle body. And again the dream is over, from the subtle body, again to the gross body. Every one of us has got this experience.

Therefore I am the enjoyer, purusa. I am changing simply body, this way or that way. This is my position. So one who is intelligent, that "I change body and different bodies. I am eternal, so what is my eternal business?" This is athato brahma jijnasa. This is called inquiry of the spiritual life. This is very simple thing, that "I am simply changing body. Then what is my real position?" This is intelligent. When a man comes to this position or this platform, to inquire, "Actually what I am?" that is beginning of human life. Otherwise, it is animal life. The animal also thinks, "I am dog," "I am tiger," "I am that." You are none of these, sir. These are all designations, for the temporary, for a certain period, ten years, five years, fifty years, utmost hundred years, then finished. But you are eternal.

So here it is said, purusa. "I am purusa. I am enjoying." So purusa prakrti-sthah. So long he is in this material body, he bhunkte. Bhunkte means enjoys. Not enjoyment. We think we are enjoying, but we are suffering actually. And because we cannot understand what is suffering... Suffering there is. Sometimes we come to understand. But we are accepting this suffering as enjoying. A man is working very hard, very hard, whole day. He is... This is not enjoyment. You have got a car, but you are running at 70 miles speed, going to your business, and there you are earning hundred and thousands of dollars. So you are thinking that you are enjoying. But this labor is suffering -- you forget. And in order to forget this suffering, then I take to wine, take to this, take to that, to forget the suffering.

So actually we are suffering, but we are accepting it as enjoying. This is called illusion. So whatever we are doing in certain type of body in this material world, that is suffering. That is not enjoying. Because why you are placed? Because I wanted to enjoy life like that. So purusa prakrti-stho hi bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan [Bg. 13.22]. And this profit is nothing but acceptance of the quality of material nature. And that is very practical. We can understand. Just like we are getting... I get, say, fifty-thousand dollars in a check. So I think that "I have got fifty thousand dollars." But what is this fifty thousand dollars? It is a piece of paper. You see? This is called illusion. In this way you study your life, you will see. If you are sober, if you are actually thoughtful, you will find that "This is not my life. This is not my life. But I am falsely thinking that I am enjoying life." Therefore frustration. Next stage is frustration. Everyone, we are frustrated because we are in this material world.

That, Prahlada Maharaja said, a great devotee, that... His father asked him, "My dear boy, what best thing you have learned?" He said, "My dear father..." He did not say, "father." His father was first-class materialist. So he addressed him, "the best of the demons," because anyone who is very much sensuous, very much attached to sense gratification, they are called demon. And those persons who do not indulge in sense gratification but utilize this body or this life for God realization, Krsna realization, they are called gods.

There are two classes of men, demon and god. Those who are engaged in God consciousness they are not God but godly. And those who are not... Because this human life is meant for this purpose. Forgetting our father, forgetting our God, we are criminal within this material world. Therefore our only business is how to get out of this prison house and go back to home, back to Godhead.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is trying to liberate these foolish persons who are entangled in this material world and changing one body after another, sometimes very happy and sometimes very distressed. This is going on.

Therefore Prahlada Maharaja said, tat sadhu manye 'sura-varya dehinam: "My dear father, or the best of the demons, you are asking me, so I say, I have learned this. What is that? That these people who are always full of anxiety," asad-grahat, "because they have accepted this material world," tat sadhu manye 'sura-varya dehinam sada samudvigna-dhiyam asad-grahat [SB 7.5.5], "these persons, either in human being or animal or bird and beasts -- full of anxieties."

If you bring one bird... He is free. You give some grains, he will come to eat, but he will look like this: "Nobody is coming to kill me. Nobody comes to kill me." Similarly, our position is... Even President Nixon, he is also full of anxieties: "When I shall be dethroned? When I shall be dethroned? Let me take protection. Let me take..." Anyone, beginning from Lord Brahma down to the small ant... You... There is ant is going. You stop it by your finger. He will struggle: "Why you are stopping? Why you are stopping, stopping?" This is the way. You will see the ants. When there is water, they carry their eggs on the head and they go on the wall, up. They have also got the same feeling, affection, and anxiety, everything. And the human being or the best human being is Lord Brahma in the topmost planet, whose life is millions and millions of years, he is also full of anxiety.

So Prahlada Maharaja said rightly that "My dear best of the demons, so far I have learned that these living entities in different grades of life," sada samudvigna-dhiyam, "always full of anxiety." Why? Asad-grahat: "Because he has accepted this material body, therefore he must be full of anxiety." Then what is the remedy? Now, hitvatma-patam grham andha-kupam vanam gato yad dharim asrayeta: [SB 7.5.5] "He should give up this material encagement, material home and material thing. He should approach the Supreme Personality of Godhead in Vrndavana or forest and surrender unto Him." That is the only way.

So if you want to be free of anxieties... Nobody can say that "I am already free of anxiety" unless he is a madman. A madman will say, "I have no anxiety." But no sane man will say that "I am free of anxiety." This is material life. So if you want to become free of anxieties, then you come to the spiritual life. That is the only remedy. Harim asrayeta. Accept the lotus feet of God. That is the mission of God. God comes Himself. God sends His son or devotee or servant. The same thing. That religion may be different. That is not very important.

Anyone who has preached... The religious leaders all over the world... Take Lord Jesus Christ or Krsna or Mohammed or Lord Buddha. Nobody has said that "You will be happy in this material world." Nobody has said. "You continue this manufacturing of factories, and you will be happy." Has anybody said? No. "Back to home, back to Godhead. Then you will be happy." This is Krsna consciousness movement, back to home, back to Godhead.

We have go speak many things. We have got books. So try to understand and prepare yourself next life to go back to home, back to Godhead. This is the business of human life. All other business are simply useless waste of time. Thank you very much. [break]

Madhudvisa: When you become Krsna conscious, can you remember your past or see into the future?

Prabhupada: No, we understand past, future, everything present. That is spiritual consciousness. Yes. Just like Krsna says, "I know past, present and future," similarly, when you also become pure, purified in Krsna consciousness, you'll also know past, present and future.

Guest (1): [inaudible]

Madhudvisa: The gentleman is asking about the authenticity of Moses.

Prabhupada: Moses. They are representative of God. That's nice.

Guest (2): How strong is the power of Krsna?

Madhudvisa: How strong is the power of Krsna?

Prabhupada: (laughter) No, that can be explained. Just like there is Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean and you are a drop of it, that's all. The quality is the same, a drop of Atlantic or Pacific Ocean and the ocean. If you taste the drop, a small drop it is salty -- you can understand that the ocean is also salty. But the containing, the contents of salt, that is very small, and the contents of salt in the ocean, that is very big. That you cannot imagine. It is like that. God is like you and me, a person. But He is Pacific Ocean; we are drop. That's all.

Yes? What is your question? This gentleman, here.

Guest (3): [inaudible]

Madhudvisa: He wants to know what the doctrine of Krsna consciousness is.

Prabhupada: Krsna consciousness means that you are part and parcel of Krsna, or God, you being separated, I have already explained, you are suffering in this material world. So you back to your father, go back to your father and be happy. That's all.

Guest (4): [inaudible] [break]

Prabhupada: ...if you love God. And because we are missing God, we are loving this thing, that thing, that thing, that thing, that thing, and frustration. That very love which is reserved for God, we are applying it in this material world: "I love my country. I love my society. I love my family. I love my dog. I love my... I love." But I am missing whom to love. That is the point. I am placing my love in so many things, and I am becoming frustrated. So when we understand the love is meant for God, that is our perfection of life. And if you love God, then you love everyone. That is perfect love. Without loving God...

Just like you are the son of your father. So when you love your father, naturally you love your brothers also because you know, "My father will be pleased." So this is love. That universal love can be possible when you actually love God. Samah sarvesu bhutesu. In material platform that is not possible. But a devotee, a pure lover of God, he loves everyone. Just like we are. Because we have tried to love God, therefore we are wandering, touring all over the world, and the same message, "Please try to love God." We have no other message because we have understood to some extent that without love of God, they are suffering. So they will be happy when they begin to love God. This is our mission.

Devotee (1): In the Srimad-Bhagavatam, it says that Krsna did not want us to come to this material world. If Krsna did not want us to come, why are we here?

Prabhupada: Yes. You forced Krsna to allow you to come. Just like sometimes a child forces his father. Father says, "My dear son, do not do this. Do not go there." But he insists, "Oh, I must go. I must go." "All right, you go at your risk. That's all. And you suffer. What can be done?" Because you are son of God -- God has got independence, full independence, almighty -- therefore you have acquired the quality of your father. You have got little independence. So God does not interfere with your little independence. If you persist that "I must go and enjoy independently," so God says, "All right, you can go." This is the position. You have to take sanction. That is a fact. But when you persist, God sanctions. And you come and enjoy. Beginning from Lord Brahma down to the worms in the stool, gradually, according to your work, according to your desire, you manufacture your different types of body and enjoy and suffer. That's all. That is explained. Prakrti-stho hi bhunkte prakrti-jan gunan. And as soon as you, entangled in different types of punishment, not enjoyment but punishment.

So in this way, being punished in different types of life, when we come to the sense... That sense can come in human form of life. When we understand that "I have traveled through, in, transmigrated from many species of life, but every life I can see, not that I have forgotten. Even if I have forgotten, I can see the suffering of the cats, dogs, tiger, man, bulldog and everyone. So I had all these lives in the past. Evolutionary process, I have come to this human. So I suffered all these things. So when the question comes, "Why shall I suffer?" then the inquiry -- this is called, Vedanta-sutra, athato brahma jijnasa -- the inquiry of God begins. That is human life. Yes.

Guest (5): Prabhupada, Lord Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita that when there is decline of true religion...

Prabhupada: Yes.

Guest (5): ...and when evil increases in the world, that He manifests Himself in a body, a human body, and comes to earth to rescue the human beings from their illusion.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Guest (5): Now these conditions exist today. Is He here in the human form or is He still to come?

Prabhupada: Yes, God has already come.

Guest (5): In what form?

Prabhupada: In the form of name, Hare Krsna.

Guest (5): No, He said He manifests in a human form.

Prabhupada: God has human form, and God is everything. So if He comes in the form of sound, where is your objection? But God is everything. He can come as a human being, or He can come in the form of sound also. Because what is this human being? You are seeing a human being, this flesh. That is combination of matter, combination of matter, earth, water, fire, air, ether. This is combination. What you are seeing? Your eyes are also the combination. But the sound is ether. So if you accept earth as the form, where is your objection to accept ether? Because they are all material.

Guest (5): There are two objections. One is that He said, "I manifest in a human body," in a human body such as we have here, and also...

Prabhupada: So that requires little intelligence, that anyone who is preaching the holy name of God, he is also God. Anyone who preaches the glories of God, he is also God.

Guest (5): Are you God?

Prabhupada: I am servant of God.

Guest (5): But you're preaching the holy name of God?

Prabhupada: Yes, that is my business.

Guest (5): But then, by your own words, you are God.

Prabhupada: But that does not mean I am God, but I am equal to God. Or at least you should see like that. That is explained. A guru... That is explained.

saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair
uktas tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih
kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya
vande guroh sri-caranaravindam **

Guru's position is like this. What is that? Saksad-dhari. He is God. Saksad-dhari. How he is Hari, God? No, samasta-sastraih: "In all revealed scriptures it is explained that 'Guru, the servant of God, the son of God, the preacher, he is God.' " Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktah: ** "It is said." Tatha bhavyata eva sadbhih: "Those who are intelligent, they accept like that." Then next line says, kintu. Why he is God? Kintu prabhor yah priya eva tasya: "He is God because He is very, very dear to God." So as I said, in the absolute word, God and a person very dear to God, he is also God. But he does not think that he is God. He knows that he is servant of God. It requires little intelligence, spiritual intelligence, the Absolute, how the servant of God and God is the same. [break] Yes.

Guest (6): Do you believe in the Holy Bible?

Prabhupada: Why not? (laughter) It is holy, God's message. Why shall I not believe?

Devotee: (inaudible)

Madhudvisa: He wants to know how in the beginning, when we are starting to engage in Krsna consciousness, devotional service to God, can you develop enthusiasm and sincerity.

Prabhupada: Yes. The thing is if you want to become a drunkard, you mix with the people who drinks. Then you drink little, little, little. Then you become a big drunkard. Similarly, if you have got little sense that "I shall understand what is God," this very much qualification, if anyone only wants sincerely that "I will understand what is God," then your drinking business begins immediately. [break]

Then if you continue, then as the drunkard becomes big drunkard, you become a big devotee. The beginning is that you must be little anxious that how I can understand God. This is the qualification, that's all. And if you are serious, then God is within you, He will give you intelligence. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Tesam nityabhiyuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam buddhi-yogam dadami tam. When God sees that you are sincere, He is within you, He will dictate you do like this, you do like this, and you will make advance.

Devotee: He is commenting about the (indistinct) (laughter)

Prabhupada: The animal did not understand anything. (laughter and applause) Because he is animal he is thinking like that. Everyone thinks others like him. That is the nature. Atmavat manyate jagat.

There is a story. You will hear it. That one gentleman, he was hard of hearing, hard of hearing. So he is calling his wife Mrs. Such-and-such, Mrs. Such. She is replying, "Yes, I am coming." But he is hard of hearing. He is thinking that my wife is hard of hearing. She is replying, "Yes, I am coming." But this rascal is hard of hearing, so he is thinking my wife, that is my wife's fault, she is hard of hearing. He cannot hear and he is thinking that my wife is hard of hearing. This is the example. A man thinks others like himself.

Guest (7): Is Krsna a person God?

Prabhupada: Yes, God is person, like you and me. You can go and talk with Him, he qualified for that pur... Nitya nitya... This is Vedic injunction. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam (Katha Upanisad 2.2.13). God is eternal among all other eternals. We are all eternal, and God is the chief eternal. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam. We are also cognizant and God is also cognizant. The difference is that I am cognizant with a limited space and God is cognizant throughout the whole universe. But He is also cognizant. He is also person. I am also person. What is the difference? Eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman. That one maintains all these innumerable living entities. Therefore in the Bible you go and ask God give us our daily bread, He is maintaining. That is the difference between God and ourself. We are maintained and God is the maintainer. We are predominated and God is the predominator. That is the difference. Otherwise He is a person, we are also persons. He is eternal, we are eternal. He is cognizant, we are cognizant.

And all the desires and propensities what God has got, we have also got. God has got this propensity to love Radharani. We have got also the same propensity to love another young girl or young boy. So originally it is there. Therefore in the Vedanta-sutra it is said janmady asya yatah [SB 1.1.1]. God means from whom everything has come. So if there is a question of love, the (indistinct) a man loving a woman and woman loving a man, that is in God. It must be there. Otherwise wherefrom it has come?

But that is pure and here it is impure on account of this material contamination. The thing is there but it is contaminated. Therefore you feel frustration. So intelligence is the why shall I remain in this contaminated position? I shall go to the pure platform. That is Krsna consciousness.

Guest (8): Why didn't anyone see Krsna's universal form before Arjuna? Krsna said no one has seen before Arjuna. Why is that?

Prabhupada: You become like Arjuna, you will see. First of all you become like Arjuna, friend of Krsna. Then you will see. Do you think you are as good as Arjuna? Krsna says, Arjuna addressing, that I am instructing to you my dear Arjuna, because you are my dear friend. And you are very great devotee. Bhakto 'si priyo 'si me rahasyam etad uttamam [Bg. 4.3]. I am speaking to you this Bhagavad-gita because you are qualified. What is that qualification? Because you are My devotee and very intimate friend. So you become also intimate friend and devotee, you will understand everything. That is our request. If Arjuna becomes a friend and devotee you can also become. Why you are losing this opportunity? That is our propaganda. You also become a friend, a devotee, and be happy and see Krsna as He is simply symbolic representation. He says everyone. Let us take this opportunity and become like Arjuna. That is perfection of life.

I think now we should chant Hare Krsna. Please join us. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 3.27 -- Melbourne, June 27, 1974

"Spiritualize Your Chariot"

"Spiritualize Your Chariot"

27 June 71 , San Francisco


Prabhupada: When our eyes are anointed with love of God, we can see Him everywhere. That is the injunction of the sastras. We have to develop our seeing power by developing love of Godhead. Premanjana-cchurita bhakti-vilocanena [Bs. 5.38]. When one is sufficiently developed in Krsna consciousness, he can see the Lord every moment within his heart and everywhere, wherever he goes. So this Krsna consciousness movement is an attempt to teach people how to see God, how to see Krsna. Krsna can be seen if we practice. Just like Krsna says, raso 'ham apsu kaunteya [Bg. 7.8]. Krsna says, "I am the taste of the water.'' Every one of us, we drink water everyday, not only one, twice, thrice or more than that. So as soon as we drink water, if we think that the taste of the water is Krsna, immediately we become Krsna conscious. To become Krsna conscious is not very difficult job. Simply we have to practice it. Just like this is an example how to practice to become Krsna conscious. Whenever you drink water, as soon as you are satiated, your thirst is quenched, immediately you think that this thirsting, the quenching power is Krsna. Prabhasmi sasi suryayoh. Krsna says, "I am the sunshine. I am the moonshine.'' So during daytime, every one of us seeing the sunshine. As soon as you see sunshine, immediately you can remember Krsna, "Here is Krsna.'' As soon as you see moonshine at night, immediately you can remember, "Here is Krsna.'' In this way, if you practice, there are many instances, many examples given in the Bhagavad-gita, in the Seventh Chapter, if you read them carefully, how to practice Krsna consciousness. Then at that time, when you are mature in love of Krsna, you will see Krsna everywhere. Nobody has to help you to see Krsna, but Krsna will be revealed before you, by your devotion, by your love. Sevonmukhe hi jihvadau svayam eva sphuraty adah [Brs. 1.2.234]. Krsna, when one is in service mood, when one understands that "I am eternal servant of Krsna, or God,'' then Krsna help you how to see Him.

That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita,

tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
[Bg. 10.10]

Krsna says, those who are constantly, twenty-four hours engaged in Krsna's service... Just like these students, the member of Krsna Consciousness Society, you'll find them twenty-four hours engaged in Krsna's service. That is the, I mean to say, significance of Krsna consciousness. They are always engaged. This Ratha-yatra ceremony is one of the item, so that at least, one day, all of you will be able to be engaged in Krsna consciousness. So this is only practice, and if you practice throughout your whole life, then at the time of death, if you can fortunately remember Krsna, your life is successful. That practice is required. yam yam vapi smaran loke tyajaty ante kalevaram [Bg. 8.6]. We have to give up this body, that is certain. But at the time of death, if we remember Krsna, immediately you are transferred to the abode of Krsna. Krsna is everywhere, but still Krsna has got a special abode, which is called Goloka Vrndavana. You can understand that our body, body means the senses, and above the senses there is the mind, which is very subtle, which is controlling the senses, and above the mind there is intelligence, and above the intelligence there is soul. We have no information, but if we practice this bhakti-yoga system, gradually we understand what I am. I am not this body. This, generally even big, big scholars, big, big philosophers, scientists, they are also in the concept of this body. Everyone is thinking, "I am the body,'' but that is mistake. We are not this body. Just I explain. Body means the senses, but the senses are controlled by the mind, and the mind is controlled by the intelligence, and the intelligence is controlled by the soul. That you do not know. There is no educational system throughout the whole world how to understand the existence of soul, which is the prime necessity of understanding for the human being. A human being is not meant for wasting his time like animals, simply eating, sleeping, mating and defending. That is animal life. The extra intelligence of human beings should be utilized how to understand "I am... What I am? I am a spirit soul.'' If we understand that "I am spirit soul,"' that this bodily concept of life, which has played havoc in this world... On the bodily concept of life I am thinking "I am Indian,'' you are thinking "American,'' he's thinking something, something. But we are all one. We are spirit soul. We are all eternal servant of Krsna, Jagannatha.

So today is a very nice, auspicious day. On this day Lord Krsna, when He was present on this earth, He attended a solar eclipse ceremony at Kuruksetra, and Krsna, along with His brother Balarama, and Subhadra, sister, came to visit the Kuruksetra field. That Kuruksetra land is still present in India. If someday you'll go to India you'll find that Kuruksetra land is there. So this Ratha-yatra ceremony is performed in commemoration of Krsna's visiting Kuruksetra with His brother and sister. So Lord Jagannatha, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He was in ecstasy. He was in the mood of loving spirit like Radharani, so He was thinking, "Krsna, please come back again to Vrndavana.'' So He was dancing before the Ratha-yatra, and you will understand, if you read some of the books published by you..., published by our society. One of the book is known as Teachings of Lord Caitanya. It is very important book. If you want to learn this Krsna consciousness movement, we have got enough books. You can scientifically and philosophically study. But if you have no inclination to study, if you simply take to this chanting of Hare Krsna, gradually everything will be revealed unto you, and you will understand your relationship with Krsna.

I thank you very much for participating in this ceremony. Now let us chant Hare Krsna and proceed with Jagannatha Swami. Hare Krsna. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Ratha-yatra -- San Francisco, June 27, 1971


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

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