15--Lecture, Bombay

Prabhupada: As soon as there is a question of financial difficulties that means Krsna consciousness is gone. Then you have to struggle for material... So how they are managing?

Devotee: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: How they are managing?

[break]

The whole Vedic description is meant for understanding Krsna. Veda means, "Knowledge" and it is nigama-kalpa-taru [SB 1.1.3].

Nigama means Vedas and that is compared with desire tree. Desire tree means, kalpa taru, that is a fiction in the material world but it is a fact in the spiritual world. Just like we get from Brahma-samhita [Bs 5.29]: cintamani-prakara-sadmasu kalpa-vrksa-laksavrtesu.

Not only by kirtana. kalpa-vrksa-laksavrtesu surabhir abhipalayantam. The abode of Krsna is cintamani. There are also houses. They're made of cintamani-touch-stone, kalpa-vrksa, and the trees are kalpa-vrksa, surabhir abhipalayantam, and Krsna is tending cows, those cows are surabhi. Surabhir abhipalayantam laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam. And He is attended by hundreds and thousands of goddesses of fortune.

Laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam. In this material world we are worshiper of Maha-Laksmi for getting some material profit. We are always very much afraid that Laksmi may not go away from my home. But there Laksmi's are thinking, "Krsna may not leave me." Laksmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam. Here in this material world we are worshiping goddess of fortune with great fervor, with great respect so that she may not go away. But in the spiritual world such hundreds and thousands of Laksmis, goddesses of fortune, are very respectfully engaged in the service of the Lord. That is the difference between material world and spiritual world.

So from Vedic literature we get all this information. That is the purpose of studying Vedas and Krsna also says in the Bhagavad-gita:

He is the compiler of Vedanta and He can explain Vedanta, not others. Or His devotees can explain Vedanta. The Vedanta philosophy is meant for the devotees not for the demons who deny the existence of God. Vedanta means Vedanta-sūtra [1.1.2]: janmady asya yataḥ. The Vedanta-sūtra defines the nature of Absolute Truth. What is that nature? In one sūtra summarized, summarized sūtra: janmady asya yataḥ. Janma-adi, janma-asya is the Lord. [indistinct]. So wherefrom everything is emanating. Where everything resting. Yato va imani bhūtani jayante [Taittiriya Upanisad 3.1.1]

And after being created, generated, resting in Him and after annihilation again: jayante mam, prakrti mam ekam. Then these are stated in the Bhagavad-gita [Bg 10.8]: mattaḥ sarvam pravartate. "Everything eminates from the Absolute Truth, Krsna." Sarva-karana-karanam [Bs 5.1], these are Vedic statements. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu is saying the same thing, that krsna sambandha [Cc Madhya 20.124].

Vedas, studying the Vedas means to understand our relation with Krsna, that is studying of Vedas. Krsna sambandha, and after understanding the relationship the actual activity begins. Now we are acting in relationship with maya. I am thinking, "This is my family, this is my body," all bodily concepts, maya, because I am not this body. Therefore basic conception is wrong. Basic concept, it is called maya-illusion. Yasyatma-buddhiḥ, so much illusion that the Bhagavata says: yasyatma-buddhiḥ kunape tri-dhatuke [SB 10.84.13], anyone who is working on the basis of the concept of body, yasyatma-buddhiḥ kunape tri-dhatuke, sa eva go-kharaḥ, such person is only no better than cows and asses. Ah.

So with the wrong conception that, "I am this body, I am attached to this material world, I am this body." First of all we are attached to the body, then bodily relations: father, mother, brother then society, community, nation. Or international, we can think so far but they are on the same basis of bodily concept of life, they are expanding only. This is going on-the highest principles of pious activities but actually our aim, our target, our goal of life is Visnu. Na te viduḥ [SB 7.5.31], "they do not know," therefore they are after.

So much eager for nationhood or something like that. Bhauma ijya-dhiḥ. Nationhood, nationalism means accepting this land as ijya, ijya means-to the worshipable. There are people who sacrifice everything for the land in which he is born, but he is not prepared to sacrifice anything for Krsna. This is the position.

So directly Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that our Vedas, studying of Vedas-sabdat. Means to understand our relationship with Krsna. And the... after understanding the relationship with Krsna the activities. Activities which we perform, that is called abhidheya, and that is bhakti. Bhakti means after understanding our relationship with Krsna, the pure activities: sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam. When one becomes freed from the designations, material designations sarvopadhi-upadhi, these material designations are called upadhi. Sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam tatparatvena nirmalam [Cc Madhya 19.170], when one becomes Krsna conscious he becomes nirmalam.

Nirmalam means-freed from all material contamination. At that time the senses, hrsikena hrsikesa-sevanam. Krsna's another name is Hrsikesa, "master of the senses". The senses which we posses, they are Krsna's, they are not ours. We are thinking, "This is my hand," but it is not, it is Krsna's hand. Just like we are in this apartment, if we wrongly think that, "This is our house," no, we are simply tenants. We have been given the facilities to live here. As soon as the facility is over we have to quit immediately. Similarly this body is a facility given by Krsna,

We work and according to our work, daiva-netrena, by the superintendence of higher authorities, we get a body, therefore this body is not ours. But it is given to us according to our desire.

So Narada-bhakti-sūtra says that unnecessarily we are designating this body as Indian, as American, as brahmana's, as ksatriya, as this or that but actually this body belongs to Krsna. He has given us. So when we understand this position, our relationship with Krsna, that is liberation. That is mukti, simply to understand Krsna and what is our relationship with Him, that is mukti. Mukti does not mean something extraordinary, simply this knowledge that everything belongs to Krsna. I also belong to Krsna, I am part and parcel of Krsna, everything is manifestation of Krsna's energies. When you understand all these things, that is Krsna consciousness and that is the position of liberation. And if we act according to that there is no implication of bondage. There is no implication. That Bhagavad-gita [Bg 3.9] says that: yajnarthe karmanaḥ anyatra karma-bandhanaḥ.

Simply, because everything belongs to Krsna, therefore when everything is done for Krsna, that is called yajna. Yajna means another name of Visnu. Yajnarthe, for the satisfaction of Visnu or Krsna. Yajnarthe karma-so we shall have to work simply to satisfy Krsna, that is Krsna consciousness activities, and that is the position of liberation. You can act-whatever position you are, just like Arjuna acted. Arjuna was a fighter, a soldier, his business was to fight but he fought for Krsna therefore he was liberated. He did not fight for sense gratification. He was... He did not fight dictated by some diplomat or politician. Krsna is of course a great diplomat, politician also because He is supreme He is supreme diplomat also. He is supreme politician also, everything He's supreme. Nobody can surpass His diplomacy. Just like Duryodhana and Dhrtarastra, whole life they plotted against the Panḍavas. How to deprive these Panḍavas from their rights, that was their policy. But when Krsna was there in their side [the Panḍavas] all their diplomacy failed. The Panḍavas came out successful, and they depended only on Krsna.

So, so Krsna and Arjuna, apparently Arjuna was fighting, he was not chanting Hare Krsna, but that fighting, because he was fighting on the order of Krsna. Therefore it is as good as chanting-as good as chanting. Just as Krsna is absolute and Krsna's service is also absolute. Krsna's service and Krsna not different. In the absolute world everything is the one supreme spirit soul, Supersoul. This is the philosophy of Krsna consciousness. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says that krsna prapto. The... by our activities we have got some aim, to achieve some target some aim. So we have to achieve Krsna, that should be the aim of our life. But we do not know that. Therefore this Krsna consciousness movement is to let people know that the highest achievements is to approach Krsna and His love. It doesn't matter whatever you are doing, but by your actions, by your activities, by your business, by your profession. Whatever you are doing, if by such activities you can satisfy Krsna then your life is successful. Samsiddhir hari-tosanam.

Hari-tosanam-you remain a teacher, you remain an engineer, you remain a businessman, you remain a medical man, whatever you are you remain. There is no, I mean question of changing your position, svanusthita, "be situated in your position," but try to understand Krsna, that's all. Simply try to understand. That will make your life successful.

We do not sleep. We are also devotees. You can see these boys, there are grhasthas, with children, perhaps you have seen? Our the Syamasundara he has got a nice child, girl, Sarasvati. She is also worships with us, she also dancing with us. Eh? This morning I was [in the] hanging garden as soon as she saw one flower, she immediately thought of making a garland for Krsna. This is Krsna consciousness. She does not see flowers to be enjoyed by herself. She sees, "O nice flower, it should be offered to Krsna." Just see how Krsna consciousness is nice. A small child, immediately she is... that is perfection of yoga:

Mad-gatenantaratmana sraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo mataḥ. So one who is a child can become the best of the yogis. It is such nice movement. Even a small child of three or four years old, she is the best, better than any yogi of the world, because she is always thinking of Krsna. Mad-gatenantaratmana, sraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo [Bg 6.47]. Krsna is recommending. So Krsna consciousness is so nice. Simply you have to understand Krsna and act accordingly. There is no question of changing your position. Do, whatever business is suitable, you do-but try to satisfy Krsna. That is recommended in the Srimad-Bhagavatam [SB 1.2.13]: samsiddhir hari-tosanam, ataḥ pumbhir dvija-srestha.

Yet that this was spoken by Sūta Gosvami in a big meeting in Naimisaranya attended by great learned sages and brahmanas, that was not ordinary meeting. He says dvija-srestha, he is [not] addressing the ordinary men. Dvija-srestha-the best of the brahmanas, learned scholars in Vedic literature and devotees. Therefore they are called "best of the brahmanas".

There is division of varna and asrama, that is real human society, where there is varnas and asrama: brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sūdra and brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa. This is real Vedic civilization. Eight divisions of social order and social and spiritual orders. So they have got respective duties. The grhastha has got respective duty, a sannyasi has got respective duty, a brahmacari has got respective duty, yajna-dana-tapa-kriya [Bg 18.5].

A brahmacari is meant for performing yajnas, a grhastha is meant for giving in charity and a sannyasi is meant for performing tapasya-austerity. So there is a cooperation. So tyaga, when a sannyasi renounces everything it does not mean he has to renounce the tapasya or a grhastha has to renounce charity, or a brahmacari has to renounce yajna. Yajna-dana-tapa-kriya na tyajyam, they are not to be renounced in any stage of life-that has to be performed. So this is the injunction of the Vedas.

So Sūta Gosvami says that: ataḥ pumbhir dvija-srestha, varnasrama-vibhagasaḥ, this varna and asrama, they have got respective duties. One should perform his prescribed duties, that is Vedic injunction. So vibhagasaḥ and now we can give some examples, just like vaisyas, at the present moment in the world practically vaisyas and sūdras are very much prominent. Capitalist class and labor class and brahmanas and ksatriyas practically extinguished, maybe there are some. So now, you take for example the vaisyas, the vaisyas means their business is:

Bhagavad-gita says. The vaisya's duty is to develop agriculture, give protection to the cows and make trade. But unfortunately they are making trade but no cow protection. They are therefore deviating from the duties. The Bhagavata says that when Krsna says, it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, "That these are the duties of the vaisyas: krsi-goraksya-vanijyam." So if the vaisya community, the mercantile community they observe these three rules or injunctions given by Krsna or God, that is satisfying. Samsiddhir hari-tosana, we have to satisfy Hari, the Supreme Lord. The Supreme Lord says, "You do this," then if we do it then He is satisfied. There is no difficulty to understand how to satisfy. A brahmana, his business is: satya, sama, dama, titiksa, arjava, jnanam vijnanam astikyam, [Bg 18.42] he has got a very responsible duty.

Therefore brahmana is accepted as the first-class, first-class men in the human society because he has got so many duties. And this classification, Krsna says, guna-karma-vibhagasaḥ [Bg 4.13]. Eh? Guna-karma, according to qualities, if you have the qualities and if you are active according to the qualities then Krsna is satisfied. If you have no qualities and you are claiming, "I am brahmana, I am ksatriya, I am this, I am that." But where is your qualities? That means by such false claims Krsna is not satisfied. So these are plain things.

So Bhagavata says the perfection of your position, it doesn't matter whether you are brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sūdra or brahmacari, just try to see whether you are performing according to your position, then Krsna will be satisfied. And that is your perfection. It does not matter that a vaisya has to become a sannyasi. No, there is no need of it. Of course the gradual process is there, a grhastha becomes vanaprastha, that is spiritual order but; sthane sthitaḥsruti-gatam tanu-vah-manobhir [SB 10.14.3].

So you remain in your position, sthane-sthitaḥ, but sruti-gatam tanu-vah-manobhir. Try to hear about Krsna-sruti-gatam, by hearing; tanu-vah-manobhir, then employ your tanu-body, your words. Tanu-vah-manobhir-your mind in the service of the Lord. Tanu-vah-manobhir-or think of it, even if you cannot practically do it, just give your consideration and thoughts on the subject. That is Krsna consciousness. That is Krsna consciousness. In this way we can make our lives successful. Samsiddhir hari-tosana. Then perfection. That opportunity is in the human form of life, we can satisfy the Supreme Lord. In animal life it is not possible. Animal life they can satisfy, not directly but indirectly. Just like Bhaktivinoda Thakura said: kita-janma hau jatha tuwa das [Manasa Deha Geha, 5].

If a dog, if a cat is under the protection of a devotee his life also becomes successful. His life also, the cat's and dog's also become elevated. On account of his association with devotee because the devotee is always engaged in the service of Krsna. So the cats and dogs and other animals who is dovetailed with such persons, he also, it is such a nice thing.

So krsna sambandha; abhidheya. The activities... The activities in Krsna consciousness is called bhakti. Bhakti is not very extraordinary thing, it is extraordinary... ordinary in this sense that all the activities are meant for satisfying Krsna-that is called bhakti. Just like Arjuna, the same example, he satisfied Krsna by fighting, by killing. Krsna says that, "You must fight." Kutas tva kasmalam idam visame samupasthitam [Bg 2.2].

When Arjuna denied to fight but Krsna wanted that fight and Arjuna denied to fight for his sense gratification. So Krsna did not agree but because Arjuna was very dear to Krsna He explained to him the essence of Vedic literature, Bhagavad-gita. To understand his position, to understand his real relation. That is the purpose of Bhagavad-gita. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says the same thing, the krsna sambandha, our actual relationship is with Krsna. Not with this family, not with this body, not with this country or not with this nation, not with this... No. Our actual relationship with Krsna and we have to satisfy Krsna. That is our business and if we can do so then our life is successful.

Thank you very much. Hare Krsna.

[break]

Guest: [indistinct] God...

Prabhupada: [indistinct]

Guest: [indistinct] God is spirit...

Prabhupada: God is Supersoul.

Guest: Supersoul [indistinct]

Prabhupada: God is the supreme soul and we are minute souls. So we are part and parcel of God. Mamaivamso jiva-bhūta [Bg 15.7]. Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita. The jiva-bhūta, the jivas-the living entities, "They are My parts and parcels." Just like part and parcel, they are one in quality. The jiva and God, they are one in quality. Just like the sea, Arabian Sea and a small particle of this Arabian Sea water, qualitatively these are one but quantitatively it is a drop and it is the ocean. Is that clear?

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: Ha?

Guest: [indistinct] isvaraḥ sarva-bhūtanam, hrd-dese 'rjuna tisthati...

Prabhupada: Yes.

Guest: Bhramayan sarva-bhūtani, yantrarūḍhani mayaya [Bg 18.61]

Prabhupada: Mayaya.

Guest: Krsna [indistinct]

Prabhupada: Krsna is seated within everyone's heart.

Guest: [indistinct] then the resposibility or the karmas [indistinct]

Prabhupada: Karmas...

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: Yes, the karma means, just like: isvaraḥ sarva-bhūtanam, hrd-dese tisthati, bhramayan sarva-bhūtani [Bg 18.61]. Bhramayan sarva-bhūtani: all the living entities are being driven by Him, just like Krsna is charioteer. Arjuna says: senayor ubhayor madhye ratham sthapaya [Bg 1.21]. "Please keep my chariot between the two soldiers."

So this jivatma is ordering and Krsna is driving. So bhramayan sarva-bhūtani, yantrarūḍhani mayaya means the jiva soul wants something from Krsna, "Please do it," and Krsna is so kind as a friend, He is driving, "All-right." This.

Guest: [indistinct] driving us.

Prabhupada: Yes. Because this is a chariot given by maya.

Guest: Who is driving that?

Prabhupada: I am driving that because you want to drive it, senayor ubhayor madhye, "You please drive me there." "Kindly make me as a such-and-such." "Make me a tiger." "Alright, become a tiger." "Make me president, such-and-such." "Alright, become." So He is driving because you want it. But He says that, "Give up this business," sarva-dharman parityajya, mam ekam saranam [Bg 18.66].

But that we shall not do. We shall ask Krsna, "Please drive me to become a president." "Alright, become president." "Krsna, make me a millionaire." "Alright." "Krsna make me a dog." "Alright. Come on." But that will not make you happy. I give you all facilities sometimes to become a demigod or sometimes to become a dog. Sometimes you become a Brahma and sometimes you become an insect in the stool. Sometimes you are a hog, you want. "Alright, you become." That is Krsna, because without Krsna's sanction you can not do that. So He gives sanction. If you persist on the subject matter, very... "I want to become like this." "Alright, you become." That is Krsna's mercy but from His side He says: sarva-guhyatamam [Bg 18.64], "The most confidential part of My instruction is-please give up this business, simply surrender unto Me."

That will make you happy. That is Krsna's instruction. And when he is traveling in that chariot of given by maya, that is [indistinct].

So we have to learn that instead of becoming ourself the order-giver, better take orders from Krsna and be happy, that's all. Now we are in the position of order-giver, I order. Even if we go to temple we order: "My dear Lord, please give me two lahks of rupees." [laughs] And if I don't get, "O I don't care for this Krsna."

Guests: [laughter]

Prabhupada: So we don't go to worship, we want to order Him and Krsna becomes order-supplier. That position has to be changed. You become order-supplier of Krsna, then you become satisfied. Don't make Krsna order-supplier, then you will never be happy. But Krsna will give you, He will supply your orders, He is so kind.

Guest 2: Who has created this material world?

Prabhupada: You have created. You have created. That I am explaining. You wanted this body-Krsna has given you body.

Guest 3: [indistinct] But we are part and parcel of Supersoul

Prabhupada: That's alright but if you want something Krsna is so kind, He will give you. Just like your son, part and parcel of your body, but if he wants, persists, "Father I want this," you give him, "Alright, take it." Even if you do not want to.

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: Eh?

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: From the sastras? What we are doing? We are making, we are helping you to understand Krsna.

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: Eh?

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupada: You come daily and understand.

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupada:You come daily here and hear us and you will understand.

Guests: [laughter]

Prabhupada: We are at your service. These boys have understood-similarly you can understand.

Guest 4: I am a child.

Prabhupada: Yes. Everyone is child. So please come and try to understand. We are at your service. For this reason we are opening centers all over the world. To make people understand what is Krsna. We are ready to help you. You cooperate and you will understand Krsna then your life will becomes successful.

Krsna is so kind: srnvatam sva-kathaḥ, if one can engage this hearing about Krsna, then srnvatam sva-kathaḥ krsnaḥ. Then even one does not understand, simply by hearing, punya-sravana-kirtanaḥ, anyone who is hearing and one who is chanting. Both of are acquiring piety, punya-sravana-kirtanaḥ. And as soon as the increase of piety then hrdy antaḥ-stho hy abhadrani, all misgivings, all dirty things in the heart become cleansed. Vidhunoti-it is washed off, su-hrt satam. Suhrdam sarva-bhūtanam [Bg 5.29].

Krsna says: "I am friend of everyone," so su-hrt satam [SB 1.2.17], especially those who are devotees, He is special friend. He is friend of everyone but He is special friend for the devotees, su... suhrt satam. So He helps you and as soon as your dirty things from your heart is cleansed you can understand Krsna.

"Simply by hearing when dirty things will be cleansed you will understand Krsna." That is the position. Therefore these things is recommended, that please come and hear from a pure devotee. Then it will be alright. [End]