man guided by lame man (India & United States)

In this verse the word laksita-laksanam indicates that the human body attained in Bharata-varsa is very auspicious. Vedic culture is full of knowledge, and a person born in India can fully take advantage of Vedic cultural knowledge and the cultural system known as varnasrama-dharma. Even at the present time, as we travel all over the world, we see that in some countries human beings have many material facilities but no facilities for spiritual advancement. We find everywhere the defects of one-sided facilities and a lack of full facilities. A blind man can walk but not see, and a lame man cannot walk but can see. -paṅgu-nyaya. The blind man may take the lame man over his shoulder, and as he walks the lame man may give him directions. Thus combined they may work, but individually neither the blind man nor the lame man can walk successfully. Similarly, this human form of life is meant for the advancement of spiritual life and for keeping the material necessities in order. Especially in the Western countries there are ample facilities for material comforts, but no one has any idea of spiritual advancement. Many are hankering after spiritual advancement, but many cheaters come, take advantage of their money, bluff them and go away. Fortunately the Krsna consciousness movement is there to give all facilities for both material and spiritual advancement. In this way people in the Western countries may take advantage of this movement, and in India any man in the villages, unaffected by the industrial cities of India, can still live in any condition and make spiritual advancement. (More...)

Prabhupada: ...but to engage them in Krsna's service. Our knowledge in spiritual life and your help, material opulence, combined together, there will be great change in the whole world. Cooperate with us. There is no loss on your part, but there is great benefit to the whole world. Try to convince them. Although they are not very big authority, but still, through them, you can approach bigger authorities. [break] ...big churches, no use, no utility. [laughs] [break] ...speak, andha-khanja-nyaya . Andha-khanja-nyaya, you know that, the lame man and the blind man? (More...)

Prabhupada: So America is blind, and we are lame. So let us get on the shoulder of the American blind and give him direction, and both will be benefited. The whole world will be benefited. The America, blind, he cannot see where he is going. [chuckles] And for want of money we cannot make progress. So let the Americans take on the shoulder this lame man, and I will give direction, "Go this way. Go this way." Everything will be done. Andha-khanja-nyaya. (More...)

Jayatirtha: Prabhupada was talking about the fact that the Western world is blind, and the..., India is lame for lack of money. But by a combination there is very good effect. So if the Western world takes us on its shoulders... (More...)

Jayatirtha: America. America will provide the resources, and we will provide the direction. [break] (More...)

Prabhupada: ...mayor and the police officers, through them, try to approach higher authorities. And what is that? We met yesterday? (More...)

Harikesa: The public relations? (More...)

Prabhupada: And if possible, send them ideas and direction. Bhavananda has gone. [break] ...convince them that they are doing very nice, to their best capacity, but they are doing it blindly. You are very good driver, but if you are a blind man, then how you will drive? You will create disaster. So we can open their eyes so that their good driving capacity will be properly utilized. A good driver, blind, what he will do? Ajnana-timirandhasya. [Gautamiya-tantra 7.11] (More...)