Life Is Very Risky

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.67
Vrndavana, September 3, 1975

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Prabhupada:

yad asau sastram ullanghya
svaira-cary-ati-garhitah
avartata ciram kalam
aghayur asucir malat
 [SB 6.1.67]

Degradation. The first degradation is undesirable association, the first degradation; then no more respect for scriptural injunction, second degradation; and then the third step, aghayur asucih, you become infected with the low-grade quality. Jaghanya-guna-vrtti-stha adho gacchanti tamasah. The first grade qualification is sattva-guna, second rajo-guna, and the third, tamo-guna. So they believe in the evolution. Now, in this human form of life, what is further evolution? The further evolution is that if you are keeping in sattva-guna, in goodness, then you can be promoted, elevated, to the higher planetary system. Urdhvam gacchanti sattva-sthah [Bg. 14.18]. And if you keep yourself in the rajo-guna, then you will keep within this Bhurloka. And if you are infected with the tamo-guna, then you again go to lower grade life, again animal life, plant life. This is the nature's process. You cannot avoid it. You may be very much proud falsely, but after death, after giving up this body, you are completely... You are already completely under the regulative principle of nature. You cannot violate even. But if you foolishly violate, then you are preparing your next life according to your karma. Karmana daiva-netrena [SB 3.31.1].

So this man, Ajamila, by his association with the prostitute, he degraded. Therefore it is the duty of the guardians, of the government, of the father, to protect the civilization from degradation. But nobody cares for that. Therefore, at the present moment, everything is chaotic. They are degraded. Prostitution is allowed freely, bad association, and they are encouraging by opening liquor shop, brothel, restaurant, meat-eating. So how you can expect a very nice civilization? That is not possible. We are suffering the consequence of our own degraded life. So how we can protect ourself from degradation? The sastra is there. Sastra, the scriptures, are there. Never mind whatever scriptures you have got -- Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Buddha, or any. Every religion has got scripture. Just like the Christians have got Bible, the Muslims have got Koran, and Hindus, they have got Vedas. They should abide by the injunction of the sastra. Lord Krsna also recommends that you must follow the sastric injunction.

So Krsna says,

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

If you do not follow the injunction of the sastra, then your human life is unsuccessful. Na siddhim. Human life means that you stop the process of transmigration from one body to another. That is human life mission. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. One should endeavor in such a way that you do not take again birth in this material world. Tyaktva deham punar janma naiti [Bg. 4.9]. Because as soon as you accept any material body, either the material body of Lord Brahma or the material body of an ant, most inignificant, the trouble is there. You will have to suffer. You cannot escape it. Nunam pramattah kurute vikarma [SB 5.5.4]. Irresponsibly, we, if we act, pramattah, like madman, without following the sastric injunction... That is a madman. Just like a madman does not care for any instruction. He acts according to his own whim. That is described here: svaira-cari. Svaira-cari. Svaira-cari means "I will act according to my whims. I don't care for any authority." That is called svaira-cari. No. The laws are meant for human beings. Even on the street, as soon as you go out on the street, immediately the law is there: "Keep to the right. Keep to the left." And if you violate, immediately you'll be punished, immediately become criminal. Similarly... This is government law. Similarly, law given by the Supreme Lord.

So we must follow the rules and regulations as given by God. That is religion. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam [SB 6.3.19]. Religion means the law which is given by God, and if you follow, then your life is successful. This is religion. Religion is not that concocted, you manufacture some religion. That is not religion. Just like you cannot manufacture law. The law is given by the state, by the government. That is law. Similarly, religion means the law given by God. So therefore in the Bhagavad-gita the real religion means sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja [Bg. 18.66]. Don't manufacture concocted religion, this samaj, this religion, that, all nonsense. The only religion is how to surrender to Krsna, or God. That is religion. But nobody will surrender to God, and they will manufacture religion. So what is the meaning? Therefore Bhagavata has rejected all this cheating type of religion. Dharmah projjhita-kaitavo 'tra paramo nirmataranam [SB 1.1.2]. Religion means for the paramhamsa. Paramo nirmataranam. Nirmatsara. Matsarata means envious. Everyone is envious of his friend, of his neighbor, even of his father or son. This is material nature. So this bhagavata-dharma is meant for the first-class nonenvious person, because everyone is envious, and the enviousness begins by envying Krsna or God. Then other enviousness begins. And he becomes svaira-cari, living whimsically. This kind of living is condemned herewith. Aghayuh. Aghayuh means sinful life. Ayuh means life; agha means sinful life. Aghayur asucih, impure. Malat. Malat means material infection, especially rajo-guna, tamo-guna, dirty things. So one is expected to go above these dirty things. Dirty things means greediness and lusty desires. These are dirty. Tato rajas-tamo-bhavah kama-lobhadayas ca ye [SB 1.2.19]. Rajas-tamah, these are the dirty qualities, and sattva-guna is pure quality, and you have to go above sattva-guna. Then your life is perfect. Even if you rise, elevate yourself to sattva-guna, means a pure brahminical stage -- sama dama satam saucam titiksa arjavam, jnanam vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam [Bg. 18.42] -- still, you have to go further, suddha-sattva. Sattvam visuddham vasudeva-sabditam. Then you can understand what is Krsna.

So this devotional service means to go above sattva-guna. Sa gunn samatityaitan brahma-bhuyaya kalpate [Bg. 14.26]. You have to transcend all the material qualities, even sattva-guna. Therefore a Vaisnava is above sattva-guna. So his brahminical qualities is supposed to be included. A Vaisnava is already a brahmana. We give a Vaisnava the sacred thread, the mark of becoming a brahmana, because without becoming a brahmana, nobody can come to the platform of Vaisnava. That is the idea. Nobody should come to the platform of suddha-sattva without being elevated to the sattva-guna platform. So this man... Sattva-guna... He was already sattva-guna. He was son of a brahmana. He was being trained up very nicely. But because it was not suddha-sattvata, therefore he fell down, even on the sattva-guna platform. But when one is on the suddha-sattva... Just like Haridasa Thakura. This man was brahminically qualified, but as soon as he saw that a sudrani and sudra were engaged in lusty affairs, he fell down. But see the behavior of Haridasa Thakura. Because he was situated on the suddha-sattva-guna and... Although he was young man, one, another young prostitute came to deviate him, and he remained in his position. Rather, he converted the prostitute to become a devotee. This is the difference between sattva-guna and suddha-sattva-guna. If you keep yourself on the suddha-sattva-guna, then you will be able to convert others to become devotees. Therefore it is not difficult. It is very easy also.

Krsna says,

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

This brahma-bhuyaya means suddha-sattva. Suddha-sattva. That is also, in suddha-sattva-guna, that is liberated stage. If you do not stick to devotional service, then there is chance of fall down also. So without taking to the devotional service, life is very, very risky. Risky means now we can dance and laugh because we have got this human form of life. But after death we do not know. We do not know unless we are very much cautious. That is... Here it is said aghayuh. Aghayuh. This Ajamila lived for more than eighty-eight years, but what is the use of prolonged life? Aghayuh. Just like trees, they are standing for thousands of years. Taravah kim na jivanti [SB 2.3.18] . You are trying to prolong your life by scientific method, but what is the use of such life? This material life, there is suffering. Just like the tree. It does not do any harm to anyone. Rather, it is very hospitable. It gives shelter to the people. They are taking fruits, they are taking branches, leaves, sometimes cutting. They are very harmless, but still, there is harm, suffering. Must stand there for five thousand years and scorching heat and pinching winter, storm, and sometimes fall down. The suffering is there. Even we become a nonviolent... Even Gandhi. He was nonviolent, very moralist. Still he was killed. Just see. This is material world. He was killed by bullet. So the material world means suffering. So what is the use of making a prolonged life? Prolonged suffering. Therefore it is said, aghayuh. If you live for a moment as a devotee, your life is successful. And if you live for many thousands of years without any Krsna consciousness -- aghayuh, useless life, useless. Aghayur asucir malat, because the desire is there, kama and lobha, greediness and lusty desire.

So this Krsna consciousness movement is very important, scientific movement. Take to it. Stick to the principles. Don't live uselessly like a tree or cats and dogs. They have also sense pleasure. It is not that because in human life we have got full opportunity for sense pleasures... Well, sense pleasure is offered to the monkeys and pigs and dogs more leniently. So that is means that is life? No. That is not life. This has been discussed in the Srimad Bhagavatam. Bhastrah kim na svasanty uta, taravo kim na jivanti. They have been analyzed. No, the real life is Krsna conscious life. That is success of life. So some way or other, you have come to this platform of Krsna conscious life. Stick to the principle carefully. Don't fall down. Then try to understand Krsna. Then life is successful.

Thank you very much. (end)

 

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.67 -- Vrndavana, September 3, 1975

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"Dishonor Is Worse Than Death"

73/09/03 London, Bhagavad-gita 2.33-35



Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.) Translation: "If, however, you do not fight this religious war, then you will certainly incur sins for neglecting your duties and thus lose your reputation as a fighter."

Prabhupada:

atha cet tvam imam dharmyam
sangramam na karisyasi
tatah sva-dharmam kirtim ca
hitva papam avapsyasi
[Bg. 2.33]

So imam dharmyam, religious fight. Just like even nowadays also, if the soldier disobeys the order of the commander, that soldier is shot down by martial law. Because to disobey the order of the commander is sinful. So Krsna says, atha cet tvam imam dharmyam sangramam na karisyasi. This fight is not ordinary fight. It is not the politician's fight. "For the sake of religion, you must fight. And if you do not, then sva-dharmam... You are a ksatriya. Not only ksatriya, you are a very well known fighter. You have been recognized by so many demigods." Arjuna got the pasupata-astra. To test Arjuna's fighting capacity, sometimes Lord Siva, when Arjuna was hunting in the forest, so Lord Siva also, as a hunter, he appeared before him, and when a boar was killed by hunting, Lord Siva claimed that "I have done this killing." Arjuna said, "No, I have done this." So there was controversy, who will claim that hunt, I mean to say, killed animal. So Arjuna was claiming, and Lord Siva as a hunter, he was also claiming. Then there was fight between Lord Siva and Arjuna. So Lord Siva was defeated. So he then disclosed his identity that "I am very much pleased that you (are) such a nice fighter." So he presented him one arrow which is called pasupata-astra. Similarly, he sometimes fought with Indra. He gave him some astra, weapon. This was the system, that a ksatriya is presented with a kind of weapon, a brahmana is presented with Vedas, and so far vaisyas and sudras are concerned, they are not very important.

So Arjuna was recognized by Lord Siva, by King Indra, and many others also. So Krsna says that "You have got recognition from big personalities. So if you don't fight, then not only you shall be irreligious but also you'll lose your reputation." Tatah sva-dharmam kirtim ca hitva papam avapsyasi. Papam means sin or sinful reaction. So it has to be judged, when... Sometimes fighting is papam, means sinful activity, and sometimes fighting is punyam, pious activities. It requires the time, circumstances, on what ground the fighting was going on, on whose order the fighting was going on. These are to be studied. So violence and nonviolence. Our great leader, Mahatma Gandhi, he wanted to prove from Bhagavad-gita, nonviolence. He started the nonviolence movement, and he wanted to support... Everyone takes advantage of Bhagavad-gita and tries to support his view on the strength of Bhagavad-gita. Therefore you will find so many interpretations. Everyone wants to utilize. There are more than six hundred publication, commentaries, on Bhagavad-gita. One Dr. Rele in Bombay, he has interpreted Bhagavad-gita as talks between a physician and a patient.

So these things are going on, but that is not Bhagavad-gita. That is namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhih. Nama-aparadha, ten kinds of offenses... This is offense. Just like namno balad yasya hi papa-buddhih. We say, the sastra says, that by chanting Hare Krsna mantra, you become cleansed of your sinful activities. That's a fact. But if somebody thinks that "I shall go on committing sinful activity and chant Hare Krsna mantra so it will be adjusted, neutralized, this is the most sinful activity, namno balat, by the strength of chanting, committing sin. So similarly on the strength of Bhagavad-gita, if one wants to prove his foolish philosophy, that is a great offense. That's a great offense. Therefore Bhagavad-gita cannot be interpreted by foolish commentators. It must be studied through the parampara system, acarya upasanam. One must worship the acarya and learn from him what is Bhagavad-gita. Acaryavan puruso veda. This is the Vedic injunction. Who knows things as they are. Acaryam mam purusa, one who is under the guidance of acarya. So you won't find this foolish nonviolence theory from any acarya. Many acaryas have commented on Bhagavad-gita. There is Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, even Sankaracarya. But never said that Bhagavad-gita is proof of nonviolence. Nonviolence is good but when there is dharma-yuddha, righteous fighting, there is no question of nonviolence. Violence is approved.

Therefore Krsna says that tatah sva-dharmam kirtim ca: "You will, by neglecting your sva-dharma, your professional or occupational duty, and minimizing the importance of your recognition, kirti..." Kirtir yasya sa jivati: "Anyone who is reputed for his good activities, he lives forever." Kirtir yasya sa jivati. Bhaja sadhu-samagamam. Tyaja durjana-samsargam bhaja sadhu-samagamam. Canakya Pandita also says kirtih sa... Who lives forever? One who has got reputation for his, one who is famous for his good activities. "So don't try to lose your reputation. You are a great fighter, recognized by so many authorities, and if you don't fight, then people will say, ‘Now Arjuna is finished. He cannot anymore fight.' So don't lose this reputation. Don't be deviated from your occupational duty as a ksatriya. If you do all these things, then papam avapsyasi. You don't think that it will be pious. You will, on the other hand you will become impious." Papam avapsyasi. Next verse.

Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

Translation: "People will always speak of your infamy, and for one who has been honored, dishonor is worse than death."

Prabhupada:

akirtim capi bhutani
kathayisyanti te 'vyayam
sambhavitasya cakirtir
maranad atiricyate
[Bg. 2.34]

Sambhavitasya, one who is very reputed, famous man, if he does something wrong, then it was better to die before such infamy is grown. This is advised. Arjuna is famous as a great fighter. Not only that, he is personal friend of Krsna, so much so that Krsna has agreed to become his chariot driver. Just try to understand what is his position. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna, who is worshiped by Lord Brahma, govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami **, He has agreed to drive the chariot of Arjuna on account of friendship. Now, we have to imagine how much famous he is. "Everyone will say, ‘Oh, Krsna is his so intimate friend that He has agreed to drive his chariot!' This is your reputation all over the world." So sambhavitasya cakirtih. "And if you don't fight now, what people will say? Better you die." Krsna is advising that "Instead of becoming a very good man, nonviolent, you lay down your life. That is My advice. You die. I shall see that you have died. I will be very much pleased." This is Krsna's advice. How much He has become, I mean to say, dissatisfied with the decision of Arjuna, "Krsna, I am not going to fight this battle." So Krsna's last advice is that if you don't fight, better you die before him. I shall be very much pleased." Then?

Pradyumna: (leads chanting, etc.)

Translation: "The great generals who have highly esteemed your name and fame will think that you have left the battlefield out of fear only, and thus they will consider you a coward."

Prabhupada:

bhayad ranad uparatam
mamsyante tvam maha-rathah
yesam ca tvam bahu-mato
bhutva yasyasi laghavam
[Bg. 2.35]

This spirit of ksatriya was prevalent even, say, three hundred years ago in India. There was a king, Yasomanta Sena. He was the commander-in-chief of Emperor Aurangzeb. So in one fight, he was defeated and came back to his home. So his wife heard that "My husband has been defeated. He's coming back home." So she asked the caretaker to close the door of the palace. So when Yasomanta Sena came there, he saw that his palace door is closed. Then he sent message to the queen that "Why you have closed the door? I have come home." So messenger came and informed that "The king has come. So he is asking to open the door." The queen replied, "Who is king? Yasomanta Sena. No, no. Yasomanta Sena cannot come being defeated. Yasomanta Sena either he conquers the battle or he lays down his body there dead. So the man who has come, he must be somebody pretender. He is not King Yasomanta Sena." So she refused to open the door. This is the spirit of ksatriya spirit.

So here also the same thing, five thousand years also ago, that Krsna says that "You are so reputed a fighter, and if you stop fighting, people will not consider... Especially other commander-in-chiefs like Dronacarya, Bhisma, Karna... They are maha-rathas." Maha-ratha means one fighter who can combat with thousands of men alone. He is called maha-ratha. As nowadays the titles are "captain," "commander," "commander-in-chief," similarly, formerly "maha-ratha," "ati-ratha" were the titles given to the soldiers, fighters. So maha-ratha, the greatest commanders... So Krsna said that "You are recognized, one of the maha-rathas. So what the other maha-rathas will think of you? They will not consider that out of compassion you did not fight. They will think that out of fear you have left the battlefield. They will take the opposite." Bhayad ranad uparatam. "Out of fear you have stopped fighting." Mamsyante tvam maha-rathah. "So now you are recognized as one of the maha-rathah. Yesam ca tvam bahu-matah. "Oh, you are known by various, I mean to say, commander-in-chiefs." Bhutva yasyasi laghavam: "In their eyes you will be considered as degraded." Bhutva yasyasi laghavam. "Why should you accept? Better fight and die." That's all right. Thank you. (end)

>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 2.33-35 -- London, September 3, 1973