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770323SB.BOM
Prabhupada: ...Bhavananda Swami, to recite two or three verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the theme of our Krsna consciousness movement. Read it. The verse begins with taravah kim na jivanti. Read that verse.
taravah kim na jivanti
bhastrah kim na svasanty uta na khadanti na mehanti kim grame pasavo 'pare [SB 2.3.18] "Do the trees not live? Do the bellows of the blacksmith not breathe? All around us, do the beasts not eat and discharge semen?" Purport by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. The materialistic man of the modern age will argue that life, or part of it, is never meant for discussion of theosophical or theological arguments. Life is meant for the maximum duration of existence for eating, drinking, sexual intercourse, making merry and enjoying life. The modern man wants to live forever by the advancement of material science, and there are many foolish theories for prolonging life to the maximum duration. But the Srimad-Bhagavatam affirms that life is not meant for so-called economic development or advancement of materialistic science for the hedonistic philosophy of eating, mating, drinking and merrymaking. Life is solely meant for tapasya, for purifying existence so that one may enter into eternal life just after the end of the human form of life.
The materialists want to prolong life as much as possible because they have no information of the next life. They want to get the maximum comforts in this present life because they think conclusively that there is no life after death. This ignorance about the eternity of the living being and the change of covering in the material world has played havoc in the structure of modern human society. Consequently there are many problems, multiplied by various plans of modernized man. The plans for solving the problems of society have only aggravated the troubles. Even if it is possible to prolong life more than one hundred years, advancement of human civilization does not necessarily follow. The Bhagavatam says that certain trees live for hundreds and thousands of years. At Vrndavana there is a tamarind tree (the place is known as Imlitala) which is said to have existed since the time of Lord Krsna. In the Calcutta Botanical Garden there is a banyan tree said to be older than five hundred years, and there are many such trees all over the world. Svami Sankaracarya lived only thirty-two years, and Lord Caitanya lived forty-eight years. Does it mean that the prolonged lives of the abovementioned trees are more important than Sankara or Caitanya? Prolonged life without spiritual value is not very important. One may doubt that trees have life because they do not breathe. But modern scientists like Bose have already proved that there is life in plants, so breathing is no sign of actual life. The Bhagavatam says that the bellows of the blacksmith breathes very soundly, but that does not mean that the bellows has life. The materialist will argue that life in the tree and life in the man cannot be compared because the tree cannot enjoy life by eating palatable dishes or by enjoying sexual intercourse. In reply to this, the Bhagavatam asks whether other animals like the dogs and hogs, living in the same village with human beings, do not eat and enjoy sexual life. The specific utterance of Srimad-Bhagavatam in regard to "other animals" means that persons who are simply engaged in planning a better type of animal life consisting of eating, breathing and mating are also animals in the shape of human beings. A society of such polished animals cannot benefit suffering humanity, for an animal can easily harm another animal but rarely do good.
sva-vid-varahostra-kharaih
samstutah purusah pasuh na yat-karna-pathopeto jatu nama gadagrajah [SB 2.3.19] "Men who are like dogs, hogs, camels and asses praise those men who never listen to the transcendental pastimes of Lord Sri Krsna, the deliverer from evils." Purport by His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Srila Prabhupada. The general mass of people, unless they are trained systematically for a higher standard of life in spiritual values, are no better than animals, and in this verse they have particularly been put on the level of dogs, hogs, camels and asses. Modern university education practically prepares one to acquire a doggish mentality with which to accept the service of a greater master. After finishing a so-called education, the so-called educated persons move like dogs from door to door with applications for some service, and mostly they are driven away, informed of no vacancy. As dogs are negligible animals and serve the master faithfully for bits of bread, a man serves a master faithfully without sufficient rewards.
Persons who have no discrimination in the matter of foodstuff and who eat all sorts of rubbish are compared to hogs. Hogs are very much attached to eating stools. So stool is a kind of foodstuff for a particular type of animal. And even stones are eatables for a particular type of animal or bird. But the human being is not meant for eating everything and anything; he is meant to eat grains, vegetables, fruits, milk, sugar, etc. Animal food is not meant for the human being. For chewing solid food, the human being has a particular type of teeth meant for cutting fruits and vegetables. The human being is endowed with two canine teeth as a concession for persons who will eat animal food at any cost. It is known to everyone that one man's food is another man's poison. Human beings are expected to accept the remnants of food offered to Lord Sri Krsna, and the Lord accepts foodstuff from the categories of leaves, flowers, fruits, etc. (Bg. 9.26). As prescribed by Vedic scriptures, no animal food is offered to the Lord. Therefore, a human being is meant to eat a particular type of food. He should not imitate the animals to derive so-called vitamin values. Therefore, a person who has no discrimination in regard to eating is compared to a hog.
The camel is a kind of animal that takes pleasure in eating thorns. A person who wants to enjoy family life or the worldly life of so-called enjoyment is compared to the camel. Materialistic life is full of thorns, and so one should live only by the prescribed method of Vedic regulations just to make the best use of a bad bargain. Life in the material world is maintained by sucking one's own blood. The central point of attraction for material enjoyment is sex life. To enjoy sex life is to suck one's own blood, and there is not much more to be explained in this connection. The camel also sucks its own blood while chewing thorny twigs. The thorns the camel eats cut the tongue of the camel, and so blood begins to flow within the camel's mouth. The thorns, mixed with fresh blood, create a taste for the foolish camel, and so he enjoys the thorn-eating business with false pleasure. Similarly, the great business magnates, industrialists who work very hard to earn money by different ways and questionable means, eat the thorny results of their actions mixed with their own blood. Therefore the Bhagavatam has situated these diseased fellows along with the camels.
The ass is an animal who is celebrated as the greatest fool, even amongst the animals. The ass works very hard and carries burdens of the maximum weight without making profit for itself. Footnote. The ass is generally engaged by the washerman, whose social position is not very respectable. And the special qualification of the ass is that it is very much accustomed to being kicked by the opposite sex. When the ass begs for sexual intercourse, he is kicked by the fair sex, yet he still follows the female for such sexual pleasure. A henpecked man is compared, therefore, to the ass. The general mass of people work very hard, especially in the age of Kali. In this age the human being is actually engaged in the work of an ass, carrying heavy burdens and driving thela and rickshaws. The so-called advancement of human civilization has engaged a human being in the work of an ass. The laborers in great factories and workshops are also engaged in such burdensome work, and after working hard during the day, the poor laborer has to be again kicked by the fair sex, not only for sex enjoyment but also for so many household affairs.
So Srimad-Bhagavatam's categorization of the common man without any spiritual enlightenment into the society of dogs, hogs, camels and asses is not at all an exaggeration. The leaders of such ignorant masses of people may feel very proud of being adored by such a number of dogs and hogs, but that is not very flattering. The Bhagavatam openly declares that although a person may be a great leader of such dogs and hogs disguised as men, if he has no taste for being enlightened in the science of Krsna, such a leader is also an animal and nothing more. He may be designated as a powerful, strong animal, or a big animal, but in the estimation of Srimad-Bhagavatam he is never given a place in the category of man, on account of his atheistic temperament. Or, in other words, such godless leaders of dogs and hoglike men are bigger animals with the qualities of animals in greater proportion.
Prabhupada: So
Anartha. We living entities, we are part and parcel of God. Mamaivamso jiva-bhutah [Bg. 15.7]. Some way or other, we are now fallen in this material condition, and we are changing bodies. This is the first instruction in the Bhagavad-gita. There are so many commentators on Bhagavad-gita, but nobody has pointed out what is the real business of Bhagavad-gita. The real business is, as Krsna says in the beginning of His teachings,
dehino 'smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara tatha dehantara-praptir dhiras tatra na muhyati [Bg. 2.13] This is the first instruction, that we are changing body on account of the spirit soul, and when the spirit soul changes... We are changing every day, every moment, our bodykaumaram yauvanam jara. I was a child. You were a child. We have now changed our bodies. Similarly, now I am old man. Some of you, you are also old man. We have changed the body.
So what kind of body we are going to have? What change is going to take place? There is no knowledge. So at least in India this condition should be changed, to keep people in ignorance of this bodily concept of life"I belong to this community." "I belong to that community." "I belong to this body." "I belong to that body."No. They should be educated to become brahma-bhutah.
brahma-bhutah prasannatma
na socati na kanksati samah sarvesu bhutesu mad-bhaktim labhate param [Bg. 18.54] Sama-sarvesu bhutesu. India's education is not to distinguish that "Here is an Englishman," "Here is a German," "Here is a Christian," "Here is a Hindu," "Here is a Muslim." Samah sarvesu bhutesu. Because India's realization of knowledge is brahmanubhuti, brahma-bhutah. Then, when one comes to the standard of brahma-bhutah knowledge, he'll be happy.
It is not possible, of course, to realize Brahman by everyone. That is not possible. But there must be an ideal institution. Unfortunately, at the present moment it is very difficult to find out where is that ideal brahmana, but there must be. Krsna says. Our Krsna consciousness movement includes this, that catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]. There must be division. There may be only a few number of brahmanas, but there must be ideal brahmanas so that people may learn that "Here is the first-class brahmana. Here is the first-class man. Let us take instruction from him, not from so-called politicians." This is Indian civilization. Don't think... Formerly even Lord Ramacandra, who was the king... He is God Himself. Still, He used to consult learned brahmanas, sages, saintly persons, for governmental duties. The division must be there.
So there are so many things to be done in Krsna consciousness movement. Don't take it that it is simply chanting Hare Krsna. Hare Krsna chanting is the prime factor because if you chant Hare Krsna maha-mantra, then gradually everything will be clear in your mind. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Whole world is suffering on account of all contaminated things accumulated within our heart. So the Bhagavata process is to hear from the right person.
srnvatam sva-kathah krsnah
punya-sravana-kirtanah hrdy antah-stho hy abhadrani vidhunoti suhrt satam [SB 1.2.17] So our request to all of you is that take this movement of Krsna consciousness, chanting, very seriously. Don't neglect it. This is the India's gift to the whole of the world. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's mission.
India's mission is para-upakara, not to exploit others but to do good to others. And what is the best thing to do? Because a human being also, he has got the opportunity to understand his position. He's kept into darkness that he is like animal and his only business is how to eat, how to sleep, how to mate. This kind of ignorance, at least in India, we should not desire. Let us combine together. That is my request. Take it very seriously. In America they are now taking it seriously. Perhaps you know. Recently there is a judgment by the Supreme Court in New York. They admitted that Hare Krsna movement is genuine religious movement. There was a great opposition against this movement. Our students were being kidnapped, and so many harassments was going on, but by the grace of Krsna I went to America in 1965, and now it is '77. After eleven, twelve years of struggle I was loitering in the street, who cared for me? But it is now being recognized, that "Here is a movement." Now we have to utilize it. I always put this logic to my students, andha-pangu-nyaya, that for the benefit of the whole world, American money and Indian culture should combine. (applause) That will bring benefit to the whole world.
So the opportunity is there. Now let our Indians' leader come out. Take this movement very seriously. There will be great advantage to the people of the whole world. This kind of situation, to keep them in darkness that "I am dog," "I am hog," "I am American," "I am Indian..." No. Aham brahmasmi. This is real conception of life. What is the difference? If a bulldog thinks that "I am a bulldog," and if a man thinks, "I am American" or "I am brahmana," what is the difference? The real thing is knowledge. So don't keep this knowledge locked up in your books, but spread it. My only request is: the leaders of India should now come forward and join this movement and take this advantage of doing good to the whole world, para-upakara. (applause)
Thank you very much. (applausebreak)
Giriraja: We request you to ask them now. So please... A lot of information has been presented, a lot of food for thought. So this is a very important movement, very important subject matter. So we request any of you who have any question at all to please put that question and we can have further discussion.
Lokanatha: Come here and ask the question in the microphone. Please come forward and ask question.
Giriraja: Who will be the first? Asking questions is a sign of intelligence.
Lady: What is the most important thing in life?
Giriraja: The question is what is the most important thing in life?
Prabhupada: To understand yourself. If you misidentify yourself that you are this body, then you are finished. Our most important... athato brahma jijnasa. The question should be, "What I am? Am I this body or something else?" That is most important thing. That is the beginning of Vedanta-sutra knowledge, athato brahma jijnasa. The animals cannot ask "Whether I am dog or something else?" And if the man is kept into darkness, that he has no question, "Whether I am this or that?" then he is animal. So the most important thing according to our Vedic culture is to understand oneself, "what I am." [break]
Guest (1): ...to educate?
Prabhupada: Do you think that you are not taxed? Why should you not be taxed for the proper gain? You are being taxed for so many nonsense things. Why not be taxed for the proper thing? That is intelligence.
Guest (2): What is the importance of health in life, and how does Guruji advise people to maintain health, and how does it connect to your mission?
Prabhupada: What is health? First of all you have to understand that however healthy you may be, you must die. What problem you have solved? Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi-duhkha-dosanudarsanam [Bg. 13.9], Krsna says. It is not my manufacture. However you may try to remain very healthy, nature's law is that you must die. How you can help yourself? After all, you have to meet death. Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. So long you have got this material body, there is no question of health. You must suffer. You may be very great scientist in oblivion, but the nature's law must act.
Foolish persons-ahankara-vimudhatma-bewildered by false egotism, he's thinking, "I am improving health, I am improving this, I am doing..." He's improving nothing. He is completely under the clutches of material nature. He cannot act anything independently. That is the law of nature.
Guest (3): May I know the distinction between Krsna consciousness and supramental consciousness described by Sri Aurobindo?
Prabhupada: Yes, Krsna consciousness means superconsciousness. Krsna You are part and parcel of Krsna. Krsna says, mamaivamso jiva-bhutah [Bg. 15.7]. Just like father and son. Father knows, "He is my son," and the son knows, "He is my father." So this father, paternal consciousness, is there. Similarly, Krsna consciousness is real consciousness, but we color it with other consciousness. That is polluted. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to purify your consciousness.
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam hrsikena hrsikesa- sevanam bhaktir ucyate [Cc. Madhya 19.170] When you become free from all designations of this worldsarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tat-paratvena nirmalamand you become purified, without any contamination, in Krsna consciousness, then your real business, real life, begins.
Guest (4): Can we solve political problems with this religious basis?
Prabhupada: Yes. All problems will be solved if you become Krsna conscious.
Guest (5): What is a simple solution to understand soul? I would like to understand soul in a simplified form.
Prabhupada: This is very simple, but we are educated so foolishly that we cannot understand. This is our defect. Krsna says, bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh kham mano buddhir eva ca, bhinna me prakrtir astadha: [Bg. 7.4] "Arjuna, there are eight material elements: earth, water, fire, air, ether, mind, intelligence, ego." Apareyam: "But these are inferior elements." Itas tu viddhi me prakrtim param: "Beyond this there is another, superior element." What is that? Jiva-bhutam maha-baho yayedam dharyate jagat [Bg. 7.5]. "The living entity is superior element." Without the living entity, what is the value of this bhumir apo 'nalo vayuh? This distinction we can experience every day. Here is an important man. Now he's finished. And if you kick on his face, he won't protest. What is the wanting? Thatjiva-bhutam maha-bahothat living force is wanting. So anyone, any child, can understand that "Something is wanting. Therefore this important body is nothing but a lump of matter." Anyone can understand. Everything is explained in the Bhagavad-gita, but we are not serious to understand. That is the (indistinct).
Guest (6): Can the Janata explosion be regarded as a division of Krsna consciousness or similar consciousness?
Prabhupada: You cannot have everyone to become Krsna conscious. That is not possible. It is not so easy.
It is very, very difficult. But at least there must be one section of people who understand Krsna so that people may take advantage of their position.
Prabhupada: Dharma-ksetra everyone knows. Kuruksetra is still dharma-ksetra. Everyone goes there for religious performances. Where is the difficulty? Why you make it difficult? In candra-grahana, in surya-grahana, hundreds, thousands of people still go there. This is dharma-ksetra. In the Vedic injunction it is said kuruksetre dharmam yajet: "When you want to perform religious ritualistic ceremonies, go to Kuruksetra." So Kuruksetra is still there, the place is there, the station is there, and it is mentioned in the Vedas, it is mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita. Where is the difficulty? Why you create difficulty? It is your fault that creates difficulty. Otherwise Kuruksetra is dharma-ksetra since time immemorial. That's all. Now chant Hare Krsna.
Bhavananda: So we are continuing our reading from the Srimad-Bhagavatam, Second Canto, Third Chapter, "Pure Devotional Service: The Change in Heart." (reads texts 20 and 21 and purports)
Prabhupada: Giriraja, you speak.
Bhavananda: Giriraja, you speak.
Prabhupada: Try to explain all this. (end)
Link to this page: https://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/sb/2/3/18-19/bombay/march/23/1977 Previous: Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.18-19 -- Los Angeles, June 13, 1972 Next: Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.19 -- Los Angeles, June 14, 1972
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