SPD07-05 Prabhupāda Speaks with Vaikuṇṭhanātha's Parents New Vrindavan, June, 1976

[07:09 minutes]

[01:13] [Vaikunthanatha's father:] I don't think we have to worry about your disciples being in the criminal courts now, do we?

[01:19] We don't have to worry about that. You have fine followers here...

[01:23] [Prabhupada:] Yes.

[01:24] [Father:] ...this community. Fine community.

[01:26] [Prabhupada:] Yes.

[01:28] [Father:] Good people. [break]

[01:44] [Prabhupada:] A magistrate or a lawyer is already graduate.

[01:50] If there is a lawyer, it is to be understood that he has passed his graduate examination.

[01:59] Similarly, if one is Vaisnava, it is to be understood that he has already become a brahmana.

[02:08] Is it clear?

[02:10] Why we offer you the sacred thread? That means there is brahminical standard.

[02:19] Unless one is brahmana, he cannot become Vaisnava.

[02:22] Just like unless one is graduate, he cannot become lawyer.

[02:27] So as a lawyer means he is already graduate of the university,

[02:32] similarly, a Vaisnava means he is already a brahmana.

[02:38] [Devotee:] So therefore the Vaisnavas, they all should have no contamination of passion and ignorance, therefore.

[02:45] They should all be on the platform of brahmanas.

[02:47] [Prabhupada:] Vaisnava means... Bhakti means bhaktiḥ paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra syat [SB 11.2.42].

[02:53] Bhakti means realization of God consciousness.

[02:58] And the symptom of God consciousness is that he is averse to all material activity.

[03:06] He has no interest even.

[03:09] [Devotee:] So then the brahmana has no interest in... The Vaisnava has no interest in being a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya

[03:14] or sūdra, but he takes some specific occupation...

[03:18] [Prabhupada:] That is, he is actually on the topmost position. He has no interest.

[03:29] But so long he is not so perfect, he has interest.

[03:35] Therefore that interest should be corroborated, or, what is called, adjusted

[03:44] according to the brahminical, ksatriya... [break]

[03:55] Because in that time, the people were so rotten that they could not understand what is God.

[04:04] Therefore he took up that "First of all let them become sinless.

[04:08] Then one day will come, he will understand what is God."

[04:14] Lord Christ also said, "Thou shall not kill."

[04:18] Because the people at that time were all killers.

[04:22] Otherwise why does he say, "Thou shall not kill"? Why this first commandment?

[04:28] Because full of killers. Not very good society.

[04:36] If in a society constantly there is killing, murder, is that very good society?

[04:44] So therefore he first of all asked not to kill. First of all let them become sinless.

[04:52] Then they will understand what is God.

[04:54] Here is, Bhagavad-gita confirms it: yesam tv anta-gatam papam [Bg. 7.28].

[04:58] One who has become completely sinless.

[05:03] So God consciousness is meant for the person who is sinless.

[05:10] You cannot become God conscious, at the same time sinful.

[05:15] That is cheating.

[05:19] A God conscious person means he has no sin.

[05:24] He cannot be within the jurisdiction of sinful activities.

[05:28] That is God consciousness.

[05:31] You cannot become God conscious, at the same time sinful.

[05:35] That is not possible.

[05:43] So everyone can understand "Whether I am actually God consciousness or not?"

[05:48] by judging his own activities.

[05:55] There is no need of asking for external certificate.

[06:00] Whether I am fixed up on these principles:

[06:02] no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxication.

[06:11] If one is sincere, he can judge himself, "Whether I am actually on the platform or not?"

[06:22] Just like you are hungry. If you have eaten something, then you can feel strength,

[06:28] satisfaction. There is no need of external certificate.

[06:35] Similarly, God consciousness means whether you are freed from all sinful activities.

[06:43] Then you'll become.

[06:50] A God conscious person will not be inclined to any sinful activities.