Lecture at Government Center [Partially Recorded] – February 1, 1971, Allahabad

710201L1-Allahabad [11:36 Minutes]

We do not know what is our own culture

Prabhupada:

Ladies and Gentleman, we know Krsna as Krpa-sindhu, the ocean of mercy: he krsna karuna-sindho. Dina-bandho, and He is the friend of all submissive spiritual souls. Dina-bandho. Dina-this very word is used because we are in this material existence. We are very much puffed up-svalpa-jala matrena sapari phora-phorayate. Just like a small fish in the corner of the lake flaps, similarly, we do not know what is our position.

Our position is very insignificant in this material world. This material world is described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, er, Bhagavad-gita: ekamsena sthito jagat [Bg 10.42]. This material world is only an insignificant portion of the whole creation. There are innumerable universes; that we get information-yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anḍa-koti [Bs 5.40]. Jagad-anḍa-koti. Jagad-anḍa means this universe. So there are… Koti means innumerable.

Caitanya Mahaprabhu stated that this universe is just like a mustard seed in the bag of a mustard. Just you cannot count how many mustard seeds are there in a big bag, and this is one of the mustard seeds. Jagad-anḍa-koti. Koti vasudhadi vibhūti-bhinnam [Bs 5.40], and each universe is impregnated with innumerable planets. So just imagine this world is out of such innumerable planets in one universe. There are innumerable universes, and all together all these universes is considered the material world. There are many description in the sastras.

So out of the innumerable universes, this universe is only an insignificant part, and within this universe there are innumerable planets, out of which this earthly planet is an insignificant portion. And within this earthly planet there are so many countries. So our India is only a portion. And in India there are so many provinces and cities and countries.

Out of this, Allahabad is very insignificant, and we, what to speak of our position, we are very, very insignificant in the creation of the Lord. But we are puffed up-"I am God" We are so much puffed up, our position is so insignificant, but we are puffed up; we speak of that "I am God" That is called maya. That is called maya: which is not actually fact. Therefore Krsna, although He is suhrdam sarva-bhūtanam… Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita,

He is friend of everyone. Because He is God, He is friend of everyone, samo 'ham sarva-bhūtesu [Bg 9.29]. But He is especially inclined to the devotee, ye tu mam bhajanti. Therefore Krsna's name is Bhaktavatsala. And He is Dina-bandhu. Bhakta means He is very humble. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,

He has advised that one should become humbler than the grass-because we trample over the grass; it does not protest. So humbler than the grass, and tolerant than the tree.

We should not be puffed up. If we want to make success of our life, then we must revive our eternal relationship with Krsna. That is the movement of Krsna consciousness. If we actually want to be happy, there is no happiness, there is no peace, there is no prosperity without Krsna. We must know it.

So Caitanya-caritamrta, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, krsna-bhakta-niskama, ataeva 'santa'. Krsna-bhakta, a devotee of Krsna, he has no other desire than to serve Krsna; therefore he is peaceful.

Bhukti means the materialist they want to enjoy this material world to the fullest extent. That is called bhukti. They are after money and all that. That's all. That is called bhukti. They are elevating themselves; they are doing pious activities, yajnas, performing yajnas, pious activities-why? They will be elevated to the heavenly planets; they will enjoy more comfortable life, more beautiful wife, more beautiful association. This is karmic. Bhukti-simply for material enjoyment.

So anywhere you go, in any planet, either moon planet, sun planet or Brahmaloka, Janaloka, Maharloka-there are innumerable planets, and there are thousands and thousands times better comfortable life if you are elevated to such planets-but you cannot avoid these four principles: janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. Even if you are born as Brahma in the Brahmaloka you will have to die.

What is Brahma? That his life is also calculated in the Bhagavad-gita:

Our yuga multiplied by one thousand, so that is only twelve hours in Brahma's life. In that way you make twenty-four hours, you make months, you make years, and such hundred years he lives-but he has to die.

So there are many instances, many informations of the Vedic literature you have to learn. But we do not learn. That is our misfortune. In India we have got so many valuable scriptures and Vedic information, but we have neglected. That is our education. We do not know what is our own culture. We are now going to beg from other countries. Our government men, ministers, go: "Give me rice. Give me wheat. Give me money. Give me soldiers. Give me. Give me." But you haven't got anything to give to them?

This is Krsna culture. If you want to give them, not to be beggar, then take up this Krsna conscious movement seriously and give to the whole world. They will receive it with great [indistinct]. And you see the examples how these boys, these frustrated boys. Everyone in the younger generation is frustrated. You see the example: in Calcutta I have talked with so many Naxalite boys, similarly nice, educated boys, but they are frustrated; they are desperate.

So our university education, our so-called education, is producing only confused, frustrated, desperate generation. So if you want to save yourself, you must take this Krsna consciousness very seriously. It is a science, it is authorized, and it is India's gift to the whole world. So I think you shall seriously consider this movement. We are giving as far as possible in these books all the information, and be benefited by this movement.

Thank you very much. [applause]

Devotee: [to tape] Prabhupada has just spoken at the Government Center, Pedagogical Institute, Allahabad, on the first of January [sic] 1971. [end]