Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.9.8–11 – March 19, 1969, Hawaii

690319SB-HAWAII [52:50 Minutes]

Prabhupada: [sings:]

[01:49]

In the last meeting, we have discussed that a person in devotional service, even though born of a very low family who are eating dogs' flesh, he is better than a qualified brahmana who is not a devotee of the Lord. The only disqualification-that he is not a devotee of the Lord-that makes everything null and void. Harav abhaktasya kuto mahad-gunah [SB 5.18.12].

The Bhagavata school does not give any credit for all material acquisitions. Simply they say it is simply a waste of time. Srama eva hi kevalam [SB 1.2.8]. If by your worldly acquisition, if by your religious principles, if you are becoming very highly thoughtful man of character-all good qualifications materially estimated-but if your aptitude is not Krsna consciousness, then Bhagavata says srama eva hi kevalam, it is simply laboring, that's all.

Srama means "labor" and kevalam means "only." Dharmaḥ svanusthitaḥ pumsam: everyone has got some particular type of duty. I'm not speaking of those who are not following the Vedic prin… Duty means to follow the duty enjoined by the scriptures. That is called duty.

Duty, you cannot make anything, manufacturing duty, that "This is my duty." No. Duty means it is authorized. So according to Vedic principle, everyone has some authorized duty. The classification is brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sūdra. They are followers of the enjoined duties. Others, they are called pancama; they are out of this core.

So even those who are following the duties-brahmana's duty, ksatriya's duty, vaisya's duties, sūdra's duty… The more you come lower, the duty's charge becomes smaller. Just like the brahmana, they have to qualify in twelve kinds of qualifications. The ksatriyas, they have to qualify themselves in seven kinds of qualifications. The vaisyas, they have to qualify themselves in three kinds of qualifications. And the sūdras, they have to qualify themselves in one, that's all. What is that one? Simply to serve the master faithfully. That's all. Paricaryatmakam karma sūdrasyapi svabhava-jam [Bg 18.44].

A sūdra means one who is simply to satisfy the master. He cannot live independently. He must seek out. Just like a dog: a dog's living independently means it is a street dog; there is no comfort. A street dog has no comfort. The cats and dogs, they find out some shelter. Just like this cat [chuckles], Govinda dasi's cat. As soon as Govinda dasi comes out, immediately she comes on the feet: "My dear mother, please keep me on your feet." So that is fortunate, she has selected…, it has selected a Vaisnavi, so it will have some good affect. But if the selection is wrong…

So our Vaisnava principle is we have to qualify ourselves, just like cats and dog. But we are not going to serve the ordinary person. Krsna and His representative-then his life is perfect. Kalau sūdra sambhava. In this age, everyone is practically a sūdra seeking a master. But let him seek a master. Krsna is prepared. He says, sarva-dharman parityaja mam ekam [Bg 18.66]

"Just accept Me as your master." The master is ready. If we accept this master, then our life is successful. Even though you are now in sūdras, but don't make mistake to find out a master who is a nonsense. Then life is spoiled.

So Prahlada Maharaja says, svapacam varistham-because one has dedicated his life… Because without dedication one's life to the transcendental loving service of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, all other qualification, material qualification they are acquiring, they are simply laboring hard. That's all.

There is no benefit. As soon as this body is finished, whatever I acquired by my material qualification, that is all finished. But if we have got a tinge of spiritual qualification, that will go with you, because you are spiritual soul; you are eternal. Therefore whatever spiritual activities you do, that is also eternal.

Now the question is that does it mean that Krsna is hankering after your service? We are advising everyone, "Just become a servant of Krsna or His representative." Krsna and His representative is identity…, identical. That is explained in the Guruvastakam: samsara-davanala-liḍha [Sri Sri Gurv-astaka 1].

You chant these songs, in the last verse that is saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair. The representative of Krsna is not different from Him. That is the way of dealing, even in the material field. Anyone's representative is as good as the proprietor. Even our ordinary canvasser, he comes to book some order from you, but as soon as he signs on behalf of such-and-such company, then the company is responsible for his signature, because he is representative.

Even if he has transacted some business at a loss, the company has to bear it. Even if there is no profit, the company cannot refuse the contract, because it has been signed by a representative. Is it not a fact? What do you think? This business-this is business dealing. As soon as a man signs for such-and-such company, it doesn't matter.

Just like representative, ordinary policeman, he comes with a paper: "Here is a warrant for you. You have to go immediately." What does the [indistinct] say-"What you are? You are non-significant." No. He's the representative of government; therefore you have to abide by his rule, abide by his order.

So in the material world also, the representative's value is there. Similarly, saksad-dharitvena samasta: the spiritual master is representative of Krsna. And Visvanatha Cakravarti advises that in all the scriptures it is stated that spiritual master is identical with the Supreme Lord. Saksad-dharitvena. Saksad means "exactly the same." Saksad. Not that indirect. Saksad means "directly," just like face to face.

If you see the representative of Krsna, that means you are seeing Krsna. Because you have to see Krsna through that representative; otherwise there is no seeing Krsna. He is the transparent via media. Everyone has no idea what is Krsna. And because the representative of Krsna induces one to see Krsna and gives his knowledge and intelligence and tactics how to see Krsna, therefore he is as good as Krsna. That is the verdict of all sastras. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair. Samasta means "all," and sastra means "scripture."

Sastra-Vedic literature, authorized literature. That is the verdict. Kintu prabhor yaḥ: but it does not mean, not like the Mayavadi… The Mayavadi, they present he is Krsna. But the Vaisnava, spiritual master, he does not say that "I am Krsna." He says, "I am humble servant of Krsna." That is his position: kintu. But the servant, why he is as good as Krsna? Because he is the most confidential servant. Therefore he is as good as Krsna.

So here the question is that a disciple, a follower, is advised to serve Krsna. Krsna is far away. His representative… Just like cats and dogs. Vaisnava thakura tomara kukkura baliya janaha more. Bhaktivinoda Thakura has written one song, Vaisnava Thakura. A spiritual master, or a Vaisnava, is called thakura. Just like we say "Bhaktivinoda Thakura." Thakura means "as good as God." Thakura. Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura.

So Vaisnava who is actually representative of Krsna, he is also thakura. "Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura," we say. "Baladeva Vidyabhūsana Thakura." All the big Vaisnavas, those who are representatives of Krsna, they are called thakura. So vaisnava thakura tomara kukkura. Vaisnava… Bhaktivinoda Thakura is addressing, "My dear Vaisnava, devotee of Lord Krsna, you are thakura. You are as good as Krsna. So you accept me," tomara kukkura, "you accept me as your dog."

So he has sung a very lengthy song, tomara kukkura baliya janaha more: "So please accept me as your dog." Then he describes: as a dog watches the door, no outsiders are allowed to come in. So he says, "I shall always watch your door. I shall not allow any nondevotee to enter your house." He is saying like that. "And for my food, whatever remnants of food you throw me, I shall be satisfied with that." In this way he has presented himself as a dog to the devotee.

So why this instruction? Does the Vaisnava require a dog, or Krsna require any servant? This verse says that naivatmanaḥ prabhur ayam nija-labha-pūrno. The Lord, Prabhu, or His representative, He does not require any service. He does not require any service. Then what is the use of offering myself as a dog, as a servant? He's not need of a dog or a servant. Nija-labha-pūrno.

Nija means "own"; labha, labha means "gain." Pūrno. Pūrno means "fully." He has, Krsna… Krsna is full Himself, saḍ-aisvarya-pūrna. Pūrna means "complete." He is full of all opulences. Nobody is richer than Him; nobody is reputed than Him; nobody is powerful than Him; nobody is beautiful than Him; nobody is learned than Him; nobody is renouncer than Him. Just see. Krsna has created… God created this world. But God does not come here; He has got His own place-kingdom of God.

Just see, renouncer. "You do whatever you like. You take. Enjoy. You want to enjoy? You want to become God? You want to imitate? All right, take this world, material world, and do whatever you like." Who can be renouncer than Him? If you construct a small building, "Hah, it is my building. No trespasser allowed."

Just see how Krsna is renouncer. God created… Nobody is more renouncer than God, Krsna. So how we can become…, how we can satisfy Him by becoming His dog or servant? He can create millions of servants like you. Why He has…, shall be anxious to accept you, a fourth-class servant? Not even fourth-class-no classification.

So here it is said prabhur ayam. Prabhur. Krsna-nija-labha-pūrno. He is complete in Himself. There is no need of any service for Him. Otherwise, unless He is complete, how He can be God? Similarly, the question is raised, "All right, if Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is complete, that's accepted. So how His representative is complete? So he requires some servant, or dog." No.

He is also complete. How he is complete? Because the Complete is his property. Krsna is his property; therefore he is also complete. Just like the father is very rich man, and the little son, he is not rich man. But because he is rich man's son, therefore he is rich man. Automatically.

Yam labdhva caparam labham manyate nadhikam tataḥ [Bg 6.22], you can achieve Krsna, then you will feel that "I don't require anything more." Yam labdhva: by gaining which a person thinks, "Complete, full." Dhruva Maharaja said when he saw Visnu, he says, svamin krtartho 'smi varam na yace [Cc Madhya 22.42]

"My dear Lord, my all desires and demands are now fulfilled. I don't want anything." This is Krsna consciousness. If actually one becomes Krsna conscious, he has no more demand for anything material. Not by becoming Krsna conscious, even by coming to the spiritual light one can become like that. Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannatma [Bg 18.54]

As soon as one realizes his self, immediately he becomes joyful. So long there is demand for our sense gratification, you cannot be joyful. So nija-labha-pūrno. Tad ekam danadi apramena samanan prakrtaiva bhagavan apityata nitiya [Sridhara Svami commentary]. So this verse says "No."

Just like in the material sense, if I got immense wealth, if I've got immense manpower-many servants, many children, many followers, many houses, many bank balances, much bank balance, all these things-so that is a kind of so-called satisfaction. So does Krsna and His devotee require these kind of satisfaction by possessing more?

This says, this verse says, "No; it is not that." Krsna and His representative is not trying to possess more, just like ordinary man. You cannot say it like this. Tad ekam danadi apramena samanan prakrta [Sridhara Svami commentary].

Here in the material world they want to acquire riches and manpower. That is material desire, fulfillment of material desire. Does it mean that Krsna and His devotee or His representative is like that, desiring to fulfill some material ambition by getting money and men? This verse says "No it is not that." Tad ekam danadi apramena samanan prakrtaiva bhagavan apityata [Sridhara Svami commentary].

The Lord, does He, I mean to say, wait, or does He depend upon such material acquisition, therefore He is canvassing that "You surrender unto Me; you follow Me," so that another addition of servant He gets? No. It is not like that. Try to understand this. Ahara prabhu isvara avidusa avakad janat manam pujan, atmana arthena vinite nechate. Yatha niva larva neva purna [Sridhara Svami commentary].

The Supreme Personality of Godhead does not require any service. He is already satisfied by His own opulence. Tad ekin puja nechetati eva tatra karuna krpalu ata brinate ca, tattva itur jagajad iti. Janjan manam jadvar jasmad jarineda janadi na bhagavate manam bhidavita, kaveva atmane bhavati nainat jatha mukhe krpaiva tilokada sri sobha, prativinda suhotri natu saksad ta saiva kartun sakrti talva [Sridhara Svami commentary].

Prahlada Maharaja says that "He demands your surrender, your service or your wealth-'You give Me everything.' It is for your benefit. He is full." Just like a small example-suppose a bank advertises that "You deposit your money; we give you five percent." So does it mean the bank has got less money and is trying to get your money to fulfill? No.

The bank has immense money. But if you deposit some money in the bank, then your money is protected, and you get nice interest. The bank is not poverty-stricken. Don't think... I'm just giving a crude example. Similarly, by serving Krsna you will be benefited. Therefore it is said, manam janad avidusaḥ.

People do not know. Avidusaḥ. Avidusaḥ means they are fools. They are thinking that "Why shall I become servant of God? Why shall I become dog of God?" But he will become very willingly a dog of a third-class man. Therefore he is avidusaḥ. Avidusaḥ means "fool," "rascal." He will agree to become a dog, a servant, of a fourth-class man, third-class man and nonsense.

But as soon as we shall say that "You become servant of Krsna, dog of Krsna," he will protest: "Oh, why shall I become? I am God. Just see. I am Krsna." Just see the fun. [laughs] Therefore avidusaḥ. Avidusaḥ means "rascal," "fool."

So manam janad avidusaḥ karuno vrnite. So when Krsna says that "You surrender unto Me," it is His mercy. Out of His mercy He is asking, that "This will be good for you. You are servant of God, you are dog of… You are servant of maya, dog of maya, servant of nonsense, dog of nonsense. You just become My dog, My servant. That will be good for you." And He gives assurance also, aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg 18.66]

"I shall give you protection from all sinful reaction." Suppose I am servant of a third-class nonsense. When he asks me something to do which is abominable, which I should not do, but in order to keep my service there I have to do it, and it is sinful. But from the reaction of sinful activities, he cannot give me protection. I will have to suffer.

Therefore one who is intelligent, he can understand that kamadinam katidha na katidha palita durnidesaḥ "I have served throughout my whole life…" Serving means…, actually I am serving not any master. I don't like that master. I don't wish to serve, because I know he is third-class, fourth-class man. But I am serving my lust. I think that "By serving this man I shall get some money, so I shall be able to satisfy my senses."

So therefore I am not serving, because I am not inclined to serve him, but because I am serving his money. So kamadinam katidha na katidha palita durnidesaḥ [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 3.2.25]:

"Therefore to serve my lust, I have done so many abominable things. But in spite of doing that," tesam na karuna na mayi jata, "I have served the lust," kamadinam. Kamadinam means not only lust-lust, anger, avarice, envy, so many things. "So I have served, throughout my whole life, but unfortunately still they are not kind to me. They are not kind to me."

One man is serving the dictation of his senses. Even if he is old, just going to die, still he is after that sense gratification. He knows that this drinking habit is not good. Nobody will say, any of his son, that "You become a drunkard like me, debauch like me," because he knows. But he cannot give it up. This is the material position. Kamadinam katidha na katidha palita durnidesaḥ. Always dictating.

So one who has got this sense, that "I am serving maya. I am serving illusion. So Krsna is demanding from me service; why not serve Krsna?" this is intelligence. So avidusaḥ karuno vrnite [SB 7.9.11]. Then other thing is that I can see… Suppose I am serving somebody in the material sense. So I am getting some money. But what I am getting if I serve Krsna and God? I am not getting even money. It is simply I am wasting my energy. No. It says, yad yaj jano bhagavate vidadhita manam.

The service rendered unto Krsna, tac catmane. If you are serving Krsna, that means you are actually serving yourself. The same example: the hands and legs, they are serving the stomach-you see, whole day working, and the food is moving. The hand is preparing food and the brain is working, everyone. But after the preparation of food the stomach is sitting idly, and you offer it.

The stomach is doing nothing, but the other limbs of the body, they are working all day and night. But when the actual foodstuff is prepared, it is to be given to the stomach. You see? So why? Why it should be done? Not… The Bhagavata says that if you do that, that is your welfare. That is your welfare. Whatever you give to Krsna, that is your…, that is your beauty, that is your… Everything that comes to…

The example, example is here given that, tac catmane prati-mukhasya yatha mukha-sriḥ [SB 7.9.11]. Prati-mukhasya. Suppose if you decorating your face… Suppose Krsna is the face, and you decorate Krsna, this face-but you cannot see the beauty of the face. The eyes are there in the face, but you cannot see how much beautiful it is decorated. But you stand before a mirror, and the face reflected in the mirror, you see all the beauty. So we are, man is made after God. You see?

We are just like reflection of God. So as in the mirror the reflection you can see the beauty, similarly by serving God you serve your society, you serve your country, you serve yourself-everything. This is the secret. By serving God, nobody is loser. He serves himself, he serves his country, he serves his family, he serves the human society, he serves the living entity-everyone. The same principle: when the stomach is satisfied, all the limbs of the body are satisfied. When the water is poured on the root of the tree, all the branches and fruits and flowers, they are automatically nourished.

This is the secret of Krsna consciousness, that to become Krsna conscious, to become dog of Krsna, servant of Krsna, means you are philanthropist, you are national, you are altruistic-so many good qualifications. You are universal brotherhood… There are big, big words all-but all these things can be achieved in one stroke by simply becoming Krsna conscious. You become good member of your family, you become good citizen, you become good, I mean to say, yourself. You become humanitarian, you become philanthropic, altruistic-everything.

Just take one example: take any devotee, how he's full in all these qualifications. He is a good member of the family, he is a good citizen, he is a good philanthropy, he is a good altruistic-everything. Sarvair gunais tatra samasate suraḥ [SB 5.18.12].

As soon as one becomes Krsna consciousness, all these good qualities will develop in him. Therefore the very good example, that tac catmane prati-mukhasya yatha mukha-sriḥ. Mukha-sriḥ, the beauty of the face after decoration, the face cannot see immediately. But it is reflected; it can be seen in the reflection. So if people accept this philosophy of Krsna consciousness, then the reflection-the world is the reflection; this material world is the reflection of the spiritual world-everything will be satisfactory, everything will be peaceful, everything will be glorious.

Tasmad aham. Therefore, if the process is like that, if one understands fully that by simply serving Krsna, simply becoming Krsna conscious, I become fully qualified in everything, then why not accept it?

So Prahlada Maharaja says, tasmad evam, because it is like that. Tasmad evam bhagavan bhakti eva tucchyati [Sridhara Svami commentary]. So simply by discharging devotional service in Krsna consciousness everything can be achieved; then what shall I do? Tasmad aham nico 'pi.

"I know that I am disqualified in every respect. I am born of a demon father. I cannot give any good representation of my family, my father. And I am also a little boy, which I… I am not educated. I never studied Vedanta, how to please God, how to understand. Never studied philosophy. So I am disqualified by birth, by age, by education and everything." Nico. "In everything I am lower."

That is the temperament of a Vaisnava. Vaisnava never thinks, "Oh, I am this, I am that." Prahlada Maharaja, just see how much qualified he is, but he is thinking himself nica. Nica means the most downtrodden, the most fallen. Just like Narottama dasa Thakura, he is singing,

"My dear Lord Caitanya, You have appeared to deliver the fallen souls, but please note that You will find no degraded fallen souls more than me. I am the last. If You are finding out the fallen souls, my number is the last. So therefore kindly accept me. And then from the opposite side, because You have come to claim the fallen souls, thus from the opposite side my number is first. Please accept me."

So this is the Vaisnava mentality. Here Prahlada Maharaja says that "I am nica. I am fallen. I am the lowest. I have no good qualifications, no good parentage, nothing of this sort. Then how can I serve Krsna, the Supreme? But the only hope is that, that whatever I do, that is good for me." So even if I do a little, that little is good for me.

There is no question of disappointment. He doesn't require any service from me. But whatever little service I can render, that is for my good. So there is no question of loss. Tasmad evam bhagavan bhakti eva tucchyati, tasmad aham nico 'pi vigata viklava. [Sridhara Svami commentary]. "Therefore I should not hesitate."

Nobody should hesitate. Prahlada Maharaja is giving us this assurance, that to serve Krsna, there is no question of hesitation. There is no question that I am lower, I am uneducated, I am born of this family or that family, or I am black or white or this or that. There is no question of disqualification. In whatever position you are, you can render service to Krsna.

I… My Guru Maharaja therefore always instructed that it is not necessary that you have to qualify yourself for serving Krsna. Whatever qualification you have already got, that is sufficient to come to the platform of service. That's all. You don't require any extra qualifications. But what extra qualifications?

So if somebody thinks, "Let me qualify like this, then I shall be able to serve Krsna better," no, that's a wrong philosophy. Whatever qualification you have acquired already, you begin Krsna service, Krsna consciousness, immediately, so that even a little bit done towards service you are gainer. Vigata-viklava gata sankha[?]. Do not be doubtful, that "I am not qualified, so I cannot serve. My service will not be accepted."

No. Sa karmana tama vaca. In the Bhagavad-gita also it is said that whatever qualification and whatever asset you have got, just immediately engage to Krsna's service. And whatever you do, little, that is your asset. Vigata-viklava isvarasya mahi: "So let me glorify."

We started this Back to Godhead so that our students may write in this paper whatever realization he has got. It doesn't matter. I have sent therefore one article written by Virabhadra, you see, for publication here. One must express his feelings of service. Actually I have started this Back to Godhead for this purpose. Not that I want to discuss huge, complicated philosophical thesis. We don't care for that.

One must express how he is feeling, or being employed, in the service of the Lord, without any doubt. And as soon as one becomes Krsna conscious, he becomes poetic also. That is another qualification. A Vaisnava, a devotee, develops twenty-six kinds of qualification, simply by service of Krsna. Out of that, one qualification is that he becomes poetic. So, maima amsa sarva pratatnena [Sridhara Svami commentary].

So we simply… If we simply try to explain how Krsna is great, how God is great, that is sufficient service. That is complete service: sravanam kirtana. If you simply go to the people, "Oh, you are denying God. Don't do this. God is very great. God is supplying you food. God has created this world. God is feeding everyone," simply these two things we should speak to the people, by writing or speaking-you are rendering great service.

Without any education, without any qualification-you simply just… Actually this is the fact. This is the fact. Everything is property of Krsna, of God. Everything is supplied by Krsna. You are living at the cost of Krsna. Your body is given by Krsna. In this way, we simply chant and preach like this, we are rendering service. Is it very difficult? Anyone can do. There is no need of qualification-either go to Japan or Honolulu or this or that. Everyone is man; everywhere you can say this. So just engage yourself in Krsna's service. That is good for you.

That's all. Thank you. [devotees offer obeisances]

So is it very difficult to be a preacher? You are going to be preacher, going to Japan? Do you think it is difficult? It is difficult? Simply say like this-you see-that "God is great." Don't be puffed up that you are great, you are all-powerful, you have got… Give up these foolish ideas. "God is great. He has created this world. He is giving you food; He has given you body." Just simply try to convince them, these principles, and you become a preacher.

So is there any question? Just try to understand. This is our philosophy, Krsna consciousness preaching. You don't require any high type of philosophical speculation or this or this ism, that ism, that ism-no. Simple truth. That's all. Just try to glorify the Supreme Lord, the great. That's all. And whatever capacity you have got-not that you have to qualify yourself in this way.

It is very nice to preach Krsna consciousness. When I was first in Boston, I was thinking on the ship that "I have come to preach here Krsna consciousness. I see these people are so much addicted to so many nonsense things. How I shall convince them? What shall I tell them? [chuckles] How they will understand me? It is a complete different culture, complete different…" I was thinking like that.

"Anyway, when Krsna has sent me, let me try; otherwise I shall go back." Yes. Actually I was thinking like that. I never thought that so many boys and girls will understand me and work with me. From the very beginning I was thinking that "It is impossible, because their mode of living, their mode of culture-everything is different. And I have brought Krsna consciousness. I will have to say, 'You don't take meat, you don't take intoxication, don't have illicit sex.' How they will be able to do that?" I was thinking. But by Krsna's grace everything is possible. That is my practical experience.

So we have to work very sincerely, keeping our faith in Krsna. Do this preaching work-it is not difficult-and be happy. And whatever service you render to Krsna, that becomes your permanent asset, permanent bank balance, never to be spoiled. Such nice thing.

If you have any question, you can ask me, or chant Hare Krsna. Any question? No. Gaurasundara, you have no question? Govinda dasi?

Govinda dasi: You said that… [end]