Caste System Cast Out

14 May 69 , Colombus

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Prabhupada: It is stated, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]. The Lord says that "The four divisions of social order -- namely the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas, sudras -- these divisions were created by Me," and guna-karma-vibhagasah, "not by birthright but by identification of qualities and actual work." In the similar way, in the Srimad-Bhagavatam also, it is stated that yasya hi yad varnabhivyanjakam, laksanam syat. Yasya hi yad laksanam syad varnabhivyanjakam, tat tenaiva vinirdiset [SB 7.11.35]. The whole Vedic system is to pick up qualitative persons. There is no such thing as birthright qualification. And Sridhara Swami, the greatest commentator on Srimad-Bhagavatam, he has commented on this verse, yasya hi yad laksanam syad varnabhivyanjakam tat tenaiva vinirdiset, yad anyatrapi drsyeta tat tenaiva vinirdiset: [SB 7.11.35] "If such qualities are found in another platform, then he should be designated in that position." Just like if a boy born of a brahmana family, he has got the qualities of a sudra, he should be indicated as sudra. And if a boy born of a sudra family but he has got the brahmana's qualities, then he should be accepted as brahmana.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is accepting persons who are developing the qualities of brahmanas and Vaisnavas. It is not that because they were not born in India and not born in Hindu family... It is not... There is no such consideration. Anyone. Ye krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has said that,

kiba sudra kiba vipra nyasi kene naya
yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya
 [Cc. Madhya 8.128]

It doesn't matter whether a man is a sudra or a brahmana or a sannyasi or a householder. It doesn't matter. If he actually knows the science of God, Krsna-tattva... Krsna means God, the Supreme Lord, and tattva means scientific knowledge. Yei krsna-tattva-vetta sei guru haya. And another place Lord Caitanya says that amara ajnaya guru hana tara sarva desa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. To become a spiritual master, one may think it is very difficult job. Yes, it is very difficult job, but it is also very simple thing. Very difficult job in this way: If one cannot assimilate the Vedic knowledge, veda-vada-parah partha nanyad astiti vadinah, if they become simply Vedic student only, without assimilating, then it is very difficult. But if one can understand what is the idea of Vedic principle, then it is very easy. So what is the idea of Vedic principle? The Lord says, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah [Bg. 15.15]. By different scriptures, Vedic literature, Ramayana, Mahabharata... There are so many allied scriptures. The whole aim is, target is, Krsna. Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam. So actually the Vedas are searching Krsna. In the Brahma-samhita also it is stated,

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

It is very difficult to find out Krsna within the Veda. But if you are fortunate enough to contact a devotee of Krsna, then he can deliver you. And if one understands Krsna, then he understands the whole Vedas.

So this merciful benediction was given by Lord Krsna, er, by Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He is incarnation of Krsna. Krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam [SB 11.5.32]. He is Krsna. Categorically, He is Krsna, or chanting Krsna. But by complexion He is akrsna. Tvisakrsnam. So He gave us this greatest benediction, that you simply chant Hare Krsna mantra and you get all knowledge. The greatest impediment of acquiring knowledge is congestion of our heart with dirty things. And Lord Caitanya says that if you chant without any offense very nicely, then your heart becomes cleansed of all dirty things. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. And then you are liberated. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati [Bg. 18.54]. So this Krsna consciousness movement is based on Lord Caitanya's teachings and teachings of the Bhagavad-gita. It is not a new thing. Of course, in this country it is being presented for the last two years, but the thing is not new. It is the oldest because, if we take the version of Bhagavad-gita, Lord (Krsna) says, imam vivasvate yogam proktavan aham avyayam: [Bg. 4.1] "This yoga system, Bhagavad-gita, was spoken by Me to Vivasvan, the sun-god." Vivasvan manave praha: "And the sun-god said to his son Manu." Manur iksvakave 'bravit. Evam parampara-praptam: [Bg. 4.2] "In this way it is coming." So kaleneha yogo nastah parantapa: "But unfortunately that link has been broken; therefore I am speaking again to you the old philosophy, yoga system, Bhagavad-gita, unto you, Arjuna." "Why You are speaking to me? I am not a Vedantist. I am not a sannyasi. I am not even brahmana. Why You want to teach me?" Bhakto 'si: "Because you are My devotee." Therefore the first qualification of understanding the Vedas or Bhagavad-gita is to become a devotee of Krsna; otherwise it is blocked. Just like if you take a bottle of honey and lick it on the bottle, you won't get the taste. It has to be opened, who has got the key. Then you get the taste of honey. So Bhagavad-gita cannot be understood by academic scholarship. It is not possible, the same bottle-licking. But it has to be opened by the devotee, just like Arjuna opened it: param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan, purusam sasvatam adyam [Bg. 10.12]. He understood Krsna. So we have to follow the opener of the bottle, honey bottle. Then you will taste what is Bhagavad-gita.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is to purify the human society. And the purification process, simply by chanting, is sufficient. But still, our Gosvamins, they have given us some ritualistic ceremonies. That will help the process of purification. Sacrifice, offering, these things are there. But the main thing is chanting Hare Krsna mantra. That is sufficient. So in our society we want to establish divine society. Therefore there is need of all classes of men and all classes of social orders. Our Vedic conception is varnasrama-dharma. The "Hindu" term is not found in any Vedic literature. It is a name given by the Muhammadans, so far I know. It is not... Real term is varnasrama-dharma, sanatana-dharma, four varnas and four asramas. Four varnas: brahmana ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, according to qualification... And Bhagavad-gita also says these are the qualification, brahmanas: satya sama dama titiksa arjavam, acaryopasanam, brahma-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.42]. Similarly, there are indication of the ksatriyas, vaisyas; and sudras' one qualification: paricaryatmakam karmam sudra-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.44]. Paricarya, to serve others. And in this age, because everyone is after employment -- without employment he cannot survive -- therefore it is said, kalau sudra sambhava. In the Kali-yuga... A brahmana is not expected to serve anyone. A ksatriya is not expected to serve anyone, nor the vaisyas. Only the sudras. So kalau sudra sambhava. Therefore actually there is no Vedic ritualistic performance for the sudras. It is meant for the brahmanas only. But there is pancaratriki-viddhi for this age, when sudras can be elevated to the position of brahmana or Vaisnava by the Vaisnava-viddhi. That viddhi is a voluminous book by Sanatana Gosvami. But there is everything, how a brahmacari will live, how a grhastha will live, how a vanaprastha will live. The summary is being practiced. And we are holding now, today, two ceremonies. Some of the boys and girls will be initiated, primarily, and one couple will be married. So according to Hindu rites, there are many kinds of marriage, eight kinds of marriages. So in this age, as we find in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, marriage can be performed simply by agreement. Svikaram eva hi udvahe. That is sufficient. And actually it is being carried on in every country. The boys and girls go to a magistrate and give their statement and agree. That is marriage. Here also the same principle will be carried under some Vaisnava rites, chanting Hare Krsna and offering prayers to the acaryas and Deities.

So we have got all the Vedic arrangement, varnasrama-dharma, but our only aim is to preach Krsna consciousness, to understand the science of Krsna. It doesn't matter whether one is householder or a sannyasi or a brahmacari or a brahmana or ksatriya or a vaisya, sudra. Sva-karmana tam abhyarcya samsiddhim labhate param [Bg. 18.46]. Everyone should engage his energy to satisfy the Supreme Lord. That is samsiddhir hari-tosanam.

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

You never mind in whatever condition you are. You may be a brahmana. You may be a ksatriya or a sudra or... You have got particular duty. That's all. That makes you a brahmana and a sudra or a brahmacari. But whatever particular duty you may have, just try to see whether by your duty this Supreme Lord is satisfied. Then it is perfect. Svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam [SB 1.2.13]. That is the test: if you have satisfied Krsna through His representative. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasadah **. Just like we work in some big establishment, and if we can satisfy our immediate boss, that is the satisfaction of the whole company. You haven't got to see whether all the members of the company have become satisfied. Simply the immediate boss under which you are working, if he is satisfied, then you know the company is satisfied because he will submit the report of his work. Similarly, Krsna is very kind. He is helping you in different ways. He is within your heart. Krsna is within your heart. Antaryami. Caitya-guru. And is presenting Himself as spiritual master both ways, externally, internally. He is trying to help you. And when you are actually taking the advantage of that help, and if you are engaged with love and affection in the transcendental service of the Lord, then you can talk with God from within. God is within you. You haven't got to find out God in so many places. Anywhere you can sit down. But if you are sincere, if you are actually wanting to offer your service to the Lord -- tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam, dadami buddhi-yogam tam [Bg. 10.10] -- He will give you intelligence. Simply we have to become sincere servitor.

So it doesn't matter whether one is householder or a brahmacari or sannyasi. He has to become first of all sincere servitor of the Lord. Then everything is complete. The Lord is within you. He will give you all knowledge, all enlightenment, all dictation, and He will make your life progressive. Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sangah tato bhajana-kriya, anartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha tato rucis tato bhavas tato prema [Cc. Madhya 23.14-15]. In this way your life will be sublime. Yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tatah. And if you can contact the Supreme Personality of Godhead by some way or other by discharge of this devotional service in any position, never mind, then you will feel no more profit. Everyone in the material world, they are working hard day and night for some profit. But if you can be engaged in the service of the Lord, you will feel that you are so much profited that you will say, svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace: [Cc. Madhya 22.42] "I don't want any more profit. I have got all the profits now. I am fully satisfied." That is required. Yayatma suprasidati. Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje [SB 1.2.6]. You can... If you can develop that stage of life, yato bhaktir adhoksaje... Adhoksaje. The Lord is beyond your sensual perception; therefore He is called Adhoksaja. Avan-manasa gocarah. But He can reveal Himself. That is His power. Naham prakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavrtah [Bg. 7.25]. He reveals Himself. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah [Bs. 5.38]. You cannot reach the Absolute Truth simply by mental speculation because He is beyond your mental speculation. Avan-manasa gocarah. Sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti. If you are absorbed in love of Godhead, then you will see God everywhere, within your heart and outside. Premanjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena [Bs. 5.38]. That real purpose is bhakti. So anywhere you be situated, you take this process of loving service to the Lord, and the Lord will reveal Himself. Lord will reveal Himself.

So, kaunteya pratijanihi na me bhaktah pranasyati [Bg. 9.31].

kim punar brahmanah punya
bhakta rajarsayas tatha
anityam asukham lokam
imam prapya bhajasva mam
 [Bg. 9.33]

Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. So the aim of life should be to become a pure devotee of the Lord. Then your life is successful. In whatever condition you may be, it doesn't matter. You will be situated in the highest stage.

yam labdhva caparam labham
manyate nadhikam tatah
yasmin sthite gurunapi
duhkhena na vicalyate
 [Bg. 6.20-23]

If you are situated in that position, then if you are put into the test of severe difficulties, you will not be moved. You will be steady. Na vicalyate. Just like we have got many instances. Prahlada Maharaja, he was a little boy, five years old, and his only difficulty was that he became a devotee of the Lord. His father became enemy, atheistic father, Hiranyakasipu. He tortured him like anything, but he was not to be moved. He was stuck, sticking to his own position. This is... And you have many instances in your, this part of the world. Lord Jesus Christ, he was crucified, but still, he remained steady in his position. Haridasa Thakura, he was Muhammadan. When he took up this Krsna consciousness, the Muhammadan government chastised him like anything. He remained steady. So these religious persecution, this and that, that is the history of the whole world. But if one sticks to the position of becoming pure devotee of the Lord, he has nothing to be afraid of. He will be steady, and he will prosecute his business steadily. Krsna will help him. There is no doubt about it.

Thank you very much.

(ceremony follows, repeating prayers) [break] You shall begin here, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. Then you go to the next bead. In this way come to this side. Again begin from here. Come to this side. And do sixteen rounds. And you know the four rules and regulations? What is that?

Sri Caitanya: The four rules? No gambling, no meat-eating, no sex out of marriage... [break]

Prabhupada: Then other offenses he will give you, ten kinds of offenses. There is a list. So you should take from him now. Bow down.

nama om visnu-padaya krsna-presthaya bhu-tale
srimate bhaktivedanta svamin iti namine

(devotee repeats) So your name is Sri-Caitanya dasa. I think there is no...

Devotees: Oh!

Prabhupada: Come on. Now here. Give me this. [break] ...bhu-tale srimate bhaktivedanta svamin iti namine. Thank you very much.

Devotees: Hare Krsna! Haribol! [break] (fire sacrifice)

Arundhati's father: Arundhati.

Prabhupada: (Arundhati's father repeats) "...was so long under my care. Now I give you a charge. You please take and accept her as your wife." (Pradyumna repeats:) "Yes, I accept Arundhati as my wife and I take charge of her life in all conditions. I will never separate with her and jointly we shall execute Krsna consciousness."

Devotees: Jaya! Haribol!

Prabhupada: You say, (Arundhati repeats) "I accept you as my husband, Pradyumna, and I shall help you in the matter of Krsna consciousness throughout my life. I shall never separate from you in all conditions, in happiness or distress." Now you change the garland. Hare Krsna. Jaya. Now you... You put this cloth upon... Now cover the head. Yes. And give her head vermillion, red. [break] (prayers continue) Put silently on this. Now chant, Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. (devotees repeat) (Prabhupada repeats) (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Initiation of Sri-Caitanya dasa and Wedding of Pradyumna and Arundhati -- Columbus, May 14, 1969

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Sex and the Sober

Sex and the Sober

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.13-14
Honolulu, May 14, 1976

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Prabhupada: (devotees repeat) Om namo bhagavate vasudevaya. Texts number thirteen and fourteen.

tapasa brahmacaryena
samena ca damena ca
tyagena satya-saucabhyam
yamena niyamena va

deha-vag-buddhijam dhira
dharmajnah sraddhayanvitah
ksipanty agham mahad api
venu-gulmam ivanalah
 [SB 6.1.13-14]

So, how to become advanced. These are the prescribed methods. Tapasa. Tapasya. Tapa means voluntarily taking some disadvantage. That is tapa. Tapa. Tapa means, just like if there is fire, so there is heat, but the method of tapasya is that during summer season they ignite some firewood all round and sit down. Already there is scorching heat, and still, all round fire, and one has to sit. These are some of the examples of tapasya. Similarly, in the winter season it is very cold: one has to go down the water up to neck. This is the meaning of tapasya, voluntarily accepting some severe condition of life.

So in this age it is very difficult, but this is the meaning of tapasya, voluntarily accepting inconveniences. When there is cold, one has to take the help of heater, fire. No. No heater, no fire, but go deep into the cold water. Of course, it is very difficult in your country because the water is so cold, and if you go deep, immediately finish. (laughter) I have seen in New York. One dog, he jumped over -- immediately finished. I have seen it. That is actual fact. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu is so kind that these people in this age, they will not be able to undergo severe austerity. That is not possible. Mandah sumanda-matayo manda-bhagya hy upadrutah [SB 1.1.10]. In this age every man is alpayusah. Alpayusah means very short-living. The limit is hundred years, but who is going to live hundred years? Nobody. If one is eighty, seventy years, it is considered... Within sixty, seventy years everyone finished. But the age limit is hundred years. So what tapasya he'll do? What meditation he will do? In the Satya-yuga, by meditation one could get perfection. Just like Valmiki Muni. He meditated for sixty thousands of years. Because in those days a man used to live for 100,000's of years. Gradually it is reducing. In the Satya-yuga man and woman used to live, human being, up to 100,000's of years. Then, next yuga, it was ten thousands of years, reduced by ten times. And then, next yuga, next millennium, it is one thousands of years. And now, in the Kali-yuga, it is one hundred years. So it is very difficult to perform tapasya. But the recommendation is there, tapasa brahmacaryena [SB 6.1.13].

So brahmacarya, tapasya begins -- brahmacarya, celibacy, no sex life. That is the beginning of tapasya. Meditation means tapasya. So tapasa brahmacaryena samena [SB 6.1.13]. Sama, to control the senses, to keep in equilibrium. Senses may not be agitated. Damena, even it is agitated, by my knowledge I have to curb down. Just like if I become agitated by seeing a beautiful girl, or for woman, a beautiful boy... That is natural. Yuvatinam yatha yunor yunor yatha yuvah(?). Young boy, young girl, they are naturally attracted. There is nothing surprising. But tapasya means that "I have taken vow, no illicit sex." That is knowledge. "Why? Even if I am attracted, I shall not do this." This is tapasya. And "Because I am now attracted, now we shall enjoy" -- that is not tapasya. Tapasya means even one is attracted, he should not act. That is tapasya. There may be some difficulty to control, but that should be practiced. It can be practiced. It is not very difficult. But one has to practice the determination: "Now I have taken vow before Deity because at the time of initiation, it is promised before the Deity, before the fire, and before the spiritual master, before the Vaisnava, that 'I'll not have illicit sex.' That is promised. How can I break it?" This is tapasya. "I have taken vow before the Deity, before fire, before my spiritual master, before the Vaisnavas, 'No illicit sex, no meat-eating, no drinking or intoxication, no gambling.' I have promised it. If I am gentleman, how can I break my promise?" This is called jnana. With knowledge one has to respect. That is called tapasya. With knowledge. Otherwise, to become attracted, that is not unnatural. Caitanya Mahaprabhu used to say... He was sannyasi. He said that "Even if I see a doll made of wood, a beautiful woman, My mind becomes agitated." So what to speak of us? So this is the example. Caitanya Mahaprabhu giving some... To be agitated in the mind, that is not unnatural, but if you practice, then you'll not be agitated anymore. If you practice by your knowledge, then you'll not be agitated. That is called dhira. Dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13]. You have to become dhira.

Dhira and adhira, there are two classes of men. One is sober. Even there is cause of agitation, still he remains firm. He is called dhira. And adhira means as soon as there is cause of agitation, he became a victim. That is called adhira. So we have to become dhira. We have been adhira in so many different forms of life because I am coming to this human form of life after evolution of 8,000,000 forms of body. Jalaja nava-laksani sthavara laksa vimsati. That is evolution. So after... Bahu sambhavante. After many, many years I have got this opportunity. In other lower animal life I have enjoyed the senses in so many ways. So sense enjoyment is not very difficult. Even there... Visayah khalu sarvatah syat. The hogs and pigs, they have got facility for sense enjoyment. They do not care even who is who. Even she is mother or she is sister or she is daughter, they will enjoy sex. That is hog life. You have seen. There is no discrimination. And the monkeys, they are enjoying sex life. So everyone enjoys sense life. So "Why? I have got this valuable life, human form of life. Why I shall become a living entity like hogs and dogs?" This is called tapasya. "Why I shall become hogs and dogs and again I shall put myself in the cycle of birth and death? I have got this life after so many evolutionary process. Why not practice little tapasya in this life?" This is knowledge. "If by practicing little tapasya, restraint, I can get relief from this repetition of birth and death, why shall I not do it?" This is knowledge. And if I again become victimized... The laws of nature is there. If you want, you can enjoy. Nature will give you. "All right, you want so much sex. All right, come on. Become a hog. Yes." So nature is ready. It is not very difficult. Therefore the sastra says, "No, no, no. This life is not for becoming a hog and dog." Nayam deho deha-bhajam nr-loke kastan kaman arhate vid-bhujam ye [SB 5.5.1].

The whole world is working so hard. They are going to the office. They are going to the..., working hours to earn livelihood, but what is the pleasure? The pleasure is sex. That's all. Their ultimate goal is sex. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham [SB 7.9.45]. So, one should consider, "The sex indulgence is given to the hogs and dogs, and for the same enjoyment I'll have to work so hard?" This is knowledge. "For same enjoyment? I have got this human form of life for understanding Krsna, for understanding God, my position, what I am. I am not this body. I am spirit soul. I have been put into this body, and because I have been put into this body -- the body is material -- it must finished. It must be finished." Anything, it has got six changes. Anything material, it has got birth, it has got growth, it has got aftereffect, then dwindles, and then finished, everything, anything you take, the material. This is called sad-vikara, six kinds of changes. So I am eternal. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire [Bg. 2.20]. I do not die after this body is finished, and again I will have to... Tatha dehantara-praptih [Bg. 2.13]. So this is knowledge. One has to always think of this. That is called tapasya.

So a little... Kanduyanena karayor iva duhkha-duhkham. This is sastra, that "What is this sex life?" It is said, kanduyanena karayor iva duhkha-duhkham. Yan maithunadi-grhamedhi-sukham hi tuccham [SB 7.9.45]. Grhamedhi. Grhamedhi means one who does not know what is the aim of life. Grhamedhi and grhastha. Grhastha means although he is living with wife and children, but he knows what is the aim of life. That is the grhastha asrama. As the sannyasi knows what is the aim of life, similarly, a grhastha also may know. So such grhastha, sex life is allowed, who knows the aim of life. And one who does not know the aim of life, simply enjoys sex, he is called grhamedhi. These two words are there. In Sanskrit literature every word has got particular meaning, particular thought. Therefore it is called Sanskrta, most performed and purified literature, Sanskrit. Sanskrit means purified. Samskara. Just like we offer samskara at the time of initiation, purification. So our main problem is the sex life. That is... Because sex life is the basic principle of material life. Either you are human being or you are demigod or you are a bird, you are a beast, you are a fly, you are a fish, you are tree, plants -- everything -- the basic principle of material life is sex. Pumsah striya mithuni-bhavam etat tayor mitho hrdaya-granthim ahuh [SB 5.5.8]. Everything is there. You have got books. You study and follow the practice. Be little sober. It is not that you'll not be able. You'll be able. And Krsna will help. As soon as you are very eager, then Krsna will help. Tesam satata-yuktanam bhajatam priti-purvakam [Bg. 10.10].

So therefore the Deity worship is there. Along with Deity worship we should always pray, "Krsna, kindly save me from the pitfalls of maya." He'll do it. But if we want to cheat Krsna and cheat guru, then you'll be cheated. That's all. The guru will not be cheated, neither Krsna will be cheated. You'll be cheated. That's all. If you want to be cheated, then do whatever you like and prolong your this term of repetition of birth and death. And if you want to stop it, then here, the tapasa brahmacaryena samena ca damena ca tyagena [SB 6.1.13]. Tyagena. This is also one of the tapasya. Don't keep with you anything, even... Then you will make plan: "Let me have illicit sex. Let me have intoxication." As soon as you have got money. Best thing is, as soon as you get money, immediately you spend it for Krsna. Tyagena, charity. Charity. Tyagena means charity. Not that you starve. No. That kind of starvation... You keep yourself fit to execute Krsna consciousness, but don't keep much money. Immediately give in charity to Krsna. Krsna can take your charity as much as you can give.

Just like Bali, Bali Maharaja. Bali Maharaja, he secured the whole three worlds. He became the master of the three worlds, means the upper planetary system, down planetary system, middle planet. So, but he was a devotee also. Therefore Krsna came to him as Vamana.

chalayasi vikramane balim adbhuta vamana
pada-nakha-nira-janita-jana-pavana
kesava dhrta vamana sarira
jaya jagadisa...

So, because he was very proud of his possession, so Vamanadeva came to Bali Maharaja: "Maharaja, you are ksatriya. You are very charitable, I have heard. If you can give me little land?" So Bali Maharaja was very much pleased: "Yes, I will give You. How much land You want?" "Now, three feet." "Three feet? For this you have come to me?" "Yes, yes." So, "All right, I will give you three feet." So by one feet He covered the whole sky, and the other feet, he covered the whole down planetary system. So Bali Maharaja understood that what kind of beggar is He. (laughter) Yes. So Vamanadeva said, "My dear Bali Maharaja, you promised three feet, but by two feet you have finished all your possession. So what about the other feet?" So Bali Maharaja, he was a devotee. He said, "My Lord, don't worry. Still there is. It is my head. Place Your other feet on my head." So Vamanadeva said, "Now you have purchased Me by your charity. I shall remain your doorkeeper." So if you make charity to Krsna you can purchase Krsna. Yes. Although Krsna is all-powerful proprietor, you can purchase Krsna. So do that. If you have got any money, spend for Krsna consciousness.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.13-14 -- Honolulu, May 14, 1976

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© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International.

"Slaughter Victims--Murderers"

Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.52
Los Angeles, May 14, 1973



Srila A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada


Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

yatha pankena pankambhah
suraya va surakrtam
bhuta-hatyam tathaivaikam
na yajnair marstum arhati

Translation: "As it is not possible to filter muddy water through mud, or purify a wine-stained pot with wine, it is not possible to counteract the killing of men by sacrificing animals."

Prabhupada: So here one of the most important points is surakrtam bhuta-hatyam. Surakrtam means things becoming impure simply by touching liquor. Liquor is so impure. Just like you have got a very big pot of milk, but if you put one drop of wine in it, it becomes immediately impure. You can analyze chemically -- immediately impure. That sura, liquor, has become our daily affair. We are so impure. And bhuta-hatya, and killing of animals. The modern civilization means large-scale arrangement for killing animals and large-scale arrangement for distilling liquor, especially in the Western countries. And India is also now following. So this is the position of the world. What is being condemned by Maharaja Yudhisthira, that, those items at the present moment are being encouraged by the government. This is the difference between this government and Maharaja Yudhisthira's government. You can just imagine.

So the example is very nice. Yatha pankena pankambhah. Muddy water, if you bring muddy water, if you want to cleanse it, precipitate, then you cannot add another lump of mud in it. No. You have to add something chemical. Just like alum. In muddy water if you put little alum chemical... Am I right, chemist?

Svarupa Damodara: Yes.

Prabhupada: So immediately there will be precipitation and all the muddy things will be collected, and the water will be clear, original. So we are discussing about the muddy atmosphere. Things are there, sinful, muddy. But there is process also, how to counteract it. The process is also prescribed there. So at the present moment the whole world is muddy, but you cannot clear this muddy situation by adding more mud. They are trying to do that. They are not trying. The, there is Vedic method also, like that, that if you have done something wrong, you do another wrong thing. That is called prayascitta. Prayascitta. But Bhagavata does not accept this kind of prayascitta. Prayascittam vimarsanam. By this kind of reformation... Suppose you have committed theft. This is sinful activities. And you are put into the jail for six months. That does not mean that you become an honest man. That does not mean. So it is something like that. To clear the muddy water, put another lump of mud on it. This will not help. Something effective must be brought in.

That effective thing is kalau nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha, only this chanting of Hare Krsna mantra. The whole world is muddy. It is impure, full of sinful activities. So if you want to clear the situation of the modern world, then this is the only remedy:

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

There is no other way. And actually, we are seeing practically how by chanting this holy name of the Lord, Hare Krsna mantra, how nasty people are becoming purified, Vaisnava, brahmana. Actually nasty. Now, here it is said that surakrtam, a drop of wine makes the whole thing impure. And liquor drinking is our daily business. So the example is given that suppose here is one drop of wine, and the place has become impure. So if you bring another gallon of wine and just sweep over it, mop it with wine, that is not the process. You have to bring pure water and wash with it. Then it will purify. You cannot say that "Wine is also liquid. Why not cleanse it here by wine?" No.

So the Vedic conception is completely different. The... According to modern science, they put things into alcohol to sterilize. Is it not?

Svarupa Damodara: Put alcohol in things.

Prabhupada: Yes. But it becomes more impure. Anything you put into alcohol, that becomes more impure, according to this. So there are so many things. Our position jiva, is living entity, is pure by nature because it is part and parcel of God, Krsna. So we have accumulated so much, so many material things by which we have become impure. And yajnaih. This bhuta-hatya. Bhuta-hatya is also recognized here as sinful activities. As wine is sinful or impure -- if not sinful, it is impure -- bhuta-hatya, killing of animal, is also sinful activities. So you cannot counteract by performing yajna, because in the yajna there is also another bhuta-hatya.

So even there is no bhuta-hatya... That is called panca-suna-yajna, five kinds of imperceptible sinful activities. Just like when we are walking on the street, there are many ants and germs, they are being killed. I do not know, I do not wish to kill, but they are being killed. When you are igniting fire, in the fireplace, there are so many small ants. So as soon as you ignite, all those small ants -- you cannot see -- they die. Similarly, when you keep water, there are so many microbes and other living entities. So as you press on it, they die. Similarly, pestle and mortar. In India the system, they don't purchase...Those who are rigid family, they do not purchase these powdered spices. No. They bring whole spices and they smash it with mortar and pestle. That is very nice. So doing that smashing work, you kill so many animals. In breathing, you kill so many animals. In drinking water, you kill so many animals. This is bhuta-hatya. You are killing. This is not intentional. You do not know. Therefore in a Vedic system there is prescription, panca-suna-yajna. Panca means five, and suna means bhuta-hatya, or killing animals, suna. Striya-suna-pana-dyuta. Suna. Suna means violence. So we prohibit these four kinds of sinful life: killing of animals and illicit sex... Striya, suna, and... Panca-suna. Yes... Striya-suna-pana. Pana means intoxicants, and dyuta means gambling. So these are four kinds of sinful activities. So out of that, suna is one. That is also divided in many divisions, at least five. Willingly, we are not going to kill anybody, but unwillingly... Therefore there is panca-suna-yajna. You have to perform yajna every day to counteract the sinful reaction of your imperceptible killings of animals. That's it. This is Vedic life.

So Yudhisthira Maharaja says that "It is not possible to counteract." But indirectly, Yudhisthira Maharaja says, that if you... He says simply the negative side, but the positive side is, in this age, simply by chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra, you become purified. That is the recommendation by Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. There are two kinds of, what is called, atonement. One atonement, by the prescribed method. You have done... Just like I'll give you common example. Just like you have committed theft. One atonement is that you go to the jail and live there for some time. This is atonement. If you have committed a murder, then you also be hanged. These are the laws. When the king orders somebody to be hanged on account of his committing murder, the king is not sinful. King is helpful. King is helping that rascal to atone his murdering activities. Otherwise, if he is not hanged, then next life, next time, he will be put into difficulty. Next time he will have to become animal. He will be slaughtered. These laws they do not know. Why these animals are being slaughtered? There is some nature's law. They were murderer or slaughterer in their past life as human being. Now they have assumed, they have accepted a body to be slaughtered by the laws of nature. When an animal is slaughtered in sacrifice, there is mantra. The mantra is that... The animal slaughter in sacrifice is recommended for the animal-eaters, not for all. Those who are... To restrict.
In the Vedas there is recommendation that animals can be sacrificed in yajna. So that is also another meaning. The verse is loke vyavayamisa-madya-seva nitya hi jantor na hi tatra codana. In this material world every living entity has got natural propensity for sex life, meat-eating and intoxication. There is already propensities. You haven't got to teach. Nobody teaches in the school how to enjoy sex life. Everyone knows. So these things are natural. Then why it has been taken by the Vedas? This should be the question, that "Without marriage, sex life is going on. Why this show of marriage?" People may question this. But there is need. Because Vedas have taken this marriage. Marriage is Vedic. So why Vedas have taken this marriage? No, to restrict it. Without marriage, sex life (is) unrestricted. And as soon as it comes to the Vedic principles, it becomes restricted. So the idea is to restrict. People are accustomed to this habit, and on account of this habit, they gradually become implicated with the laws of material nature. Therefore there is some restriction. Just like anyone can distill liquor at home. It is not very difficult thing. Anyone can do it. In India they do it. It is called dheno-mada. Dheno-mada means... Mada means liquor, and dheno means from rice. Just like we cook rice, so you cook rice and keep it in water for a few days or for a month, it becomes liquor. It becomes liquor. So why government has restricted, "No, you cannot manufacture liquor; you have to purchase from the licensed shop." Why? That is restriction. If the government would have allowed that "You can distill liquor and drink it," then there was no limit. Everyone would have. There is no restriction.

So restriction is required. Why? It is because it is bad. Nobody restricts that "You don't manufacture capati." No. Because it is not bad thing. There is no such law, that "You don't manufacture nice foodstuff." No. That is very good. But when it is bad, then there is restriction. Therefore there is restriction of sex life, there is restriction of drinking wine, there is restriction of meat-eating, and there is restriction of gambling. Because these things are bad. You cannot become good by indulging in bad things. That is not possible. The same thing. Just like you cannot clear muddy water by putting another mud. That is not possible.

So the human life is meant for purification. Sattva-suddhi. In the Bhagavad-gita there is, abhayam... What is that? Can anyone... Abhayam sattva-samsuddhih. Sattva-samsuddhi, it is very important thing. Sattva means my existence. I am eternal. So I am existing, but I am suffering. I am suffering. Just like I have got now cold affection (infection). This is not my natural state, but I have been affected by chilly cold or something like that. Therefore I am suffering. So it is my duty to cure it, to take some medicine, to go to the physician. That is called sattva-samsuddhi, purifying your existence. By nature, by constitutional position, every living entity is as pure as God. But God does not become impure. We become impure. Therefore we are suffering. That is the... So this impurity can be rectified in this life, this human form of life. Therefore human form of life is meant for purification. Therefore so many scriptures are there, so many teachers are there, so many rules and regulations are there. They are not meant for the animals, because they cannot be purified. They must have to come to this position by evolution of human being. Then there is chance of purification.

Therefore in this human life, if we do not purify our existence, then we go on with this impure existence. Impure existence means transmigration of the soul from one body to another, and become subjected to birth, death, old age and disease. This is impurification. So they do not know that "Death is not my obligation. Because I am impure, therefore I am dying. Birth is not my obligation. Because I am impure, therefore I am taking birth." Janma-mrtyu... Four things: janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. Janma, birth, is due to my impure consciousness. Therefore if we purify our consciousness by advancing, by developing Krsna consciousness, then we become pure. This is the process of Krsna consciousness movement. Ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12], Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, cleansing the heart. And all these purificatory methods, they are based on cleansing the heart. If I think myself that "I am something of this material product..." The scientists, they say that "I am these material things." They do not understand what is spiritual identity. And I do, I act, according to that material conception, that is impurity of my consciousness. First thing is to understand that "I am not this material body."

Therefore, spiritual education begins from this body. As Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, dehino 'smin yatha dehe [Bg. 2.13]. Asmin dehe, in this body there is the spiritual spark who is the proprietor of the body. This is the beginning of spiritual education. What is, the scientists cannot imagine, or they have no idea, from there we begin our education in spiritual life, beyond their jurisdiction, beyond the jurisdiction of the scientists. And how they can understand this movement? It is beyond their jurisdiction. When they will receive one hundred or one thousands of Nobel Prize, at that time they may be able to understand that where Krsna consciousness movement begins. They do not know even where the Krsna consciousness movement begins. Therefore, generally people cannot understand what is this Krsna consciousness movement. They think it is some religious sentiment. Like so many other religions, it is like that. No. It is most the scientific movement, purifying the existence of the living being so that he can eternally, blissfully live, with complete knowledge. That is Krsna consciousness movement. To purify. Yena suddhyet sattvam. And for such... Just like for being cured from your attack of cold and cough, you take so many medicine, go to so many physician, you spend some money. Why? You want to be cured. Similarly, if you understand that "This is my disease, repetition of birth, death, old age and disease," so you'll have to sacrifice. Just like you are sacrificing money for being cured from the diseased condition, similarly, sastra says that this human life is meant for tapasya, tapasya. Tapo divyam yena suddhyet sattvam. This human life is meant for tapasya, not for indulging in sensual gratification like the animals. Tapasya. So in the tapasya method these things are prescribed. So Yudhisthira Maharaja is mentioning them.

So this Krsna consciousness movement means training people how to become tapasvi, tapasvi, who is undergoing tapasya, regulative, so that he may be cured from this permanent disease, birth, death, old age and disease. The Krsna consciousness movement. The whole Vedic process is meant for that purpose, to purify the existence of the living being so that he can be saved from the repetition of birth, death, old age and disease. You read some of the purport.

Pradyumna: Asvamedha-yajnas or gomedha-yajnas, or the sacrifices in which a horse or a bull is sacrificed, were not, of course, for the purpose of killing the animals. Lord Caitanya said that such animals sacrificed on the altar of yajna were rejuvenated and a new life was given to them. It was just to prove the efficacy of the hymns of the Vedas. By recitation of the hymns of the Vedas in the proper way, certainly the performer gets relief from the reactions of sins. But in case of such sacrifices not properly done under expert management, certainly one has to become responsible for animal sacrifice."

Prabhupada: This is a long subject matter. But the sacrifice in yajna, recommended, that is not for killing the animal, but it is a testing, how the Vedic mantras are being properly chanted. Because an old animal put into the fire, by Vedic mantras he would come out again with young life. That is sacrifice of animals in the yajna. Therefore in this age there is no such expert brahmana who can chant the mantras properly or he can behave because the life is very abominable. Therefore, because there is no expert brahmana, so these sacrifices are forbidden in this age. Kalau panca vivarjayet asvamedham gavalambham devarena sutotpattim sannyasam [Cc. Adi 17.164]. These things are forbidden in this age, because there is no proper men to conduct.

So in the Kali-yuga this sacrifice is recommended: yajnaih sankirtana-prayair yajanti hi sumedhasah [SB 11.5.32]. Sankirtana-yajna. This yajna will help you. Real thing is the heart, the mind. If this yajna, sankirtana-yajna, cleanses your mind and heart, then you come to the platform of knowledge. Then automatically other things become effective. So in this age it is recommended that other yajnas will not be effective, neither it is recommended. But the sankirtana-yajna -- yajnaih sankirtanaih -- that is recommended. Everyone can join it, and he can become purified, he can become situated on spiritual platform, and his life becomes successful.

Thank you very much. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.8.52 -- Los Angeles, May 14, 1973