740000 - Morning Walk - Melbourne
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Prabhupāda: Therefore the vidhi-mārga, vidhi-mārga means to work under the direction of the spiritual master. Just like apprentice in a factory, one is working as apprentice. He does not know how to work. But gradually, when he becomes practiced, then he gets a good job, good salary. Is it not? Similarly, if this is apprenticeship—to rise early in the morning, offer maṅgala-ārati and bhoga—these are so many tools and regulations, then naturally there will be a spontaneous love. In the beginning there is no spontaneous love. One has to work under the direction of the spiritual master and śāstras, scriptures.
Devotee: Yes, they were saying that this was then a form of idol worship because there was no realization in the service.
Prabhupāda: No, even there is no realization. It is not idol. It is . . . idol worship for the rascals, not for the devotee. A devotee, under the direction of the spiritual master, is engaged in the service of the Deity. So the idea is that you cannot approach the Supreme Lord in your present condition.
Therefore He has agreed to take your service just like a stone. You can handle stone, you can handle, but you cannot handle the virāṭa-rūpa, the gigantic form. It is His mercy. Just like, I have given this example many times, just like a small letter box. It is a post office, but for your facility it is a box. It is post office. Actually it is post office. You put the letter and it will go ten thousand miles away. How it goes? Huh? How it goes?
Devotee: It goes to the GPO and then it is dispatched.
Prabhupāda: That's all right, because it is authorized.
Devotee: Yes.
Prabhupāda: Therefore the work is being done. You don't think, “I have put it in a small box.” It has gone to the post office and the work is going on. Similarly, for your facility, Kṛṣṇa has appeared before you as stone, as wood, but His throne is also Kṛṣṇa. That requires little brain. He can take service in any form. That is absolute.
Because the stone is not different from Kṛṣṇa. It is Kṛṣṇa's energy. So He is able to take service from you in any way. Therefore you have to approach Him authorizedly. If you imitate a small box in your, write simply, the same letter box, red, that will not go. That will stay there for millions of years. But the box which is authorized, that will go. Is it clear? Tell these rascals. This is not idol worship.
He knows. He has heard law or scripture book that he is sinful and the man is going to be punished, but still he will do it. Still he will commit the same criminal act. That means want of knowledge. He is embarrassed. He is so much with ignorance that he cannot restrain himself. Therefore he can do it. Then he remains always pure. Always pure. Initiation means he is purified. But if he does not contaminate again, then he remains purified. But if he purposefully contaminates again, then it is his fault. Otherwise, during the time of initiation, he is completely free from all sinful things. Completely.
The spiritual master takes all the reaction of his sinful life. Just like Kṛṣṇa says, ahaṁ . . . [Break] This is the relationship stated in the, we have discussed in Caitanya-caritāmṛta. It is not a joke, accepting a disciple . . . accepting a . . . It is not a joke. It is a very important task.
It is not that joke that you pay me thirty-five dollars and I give you deliverance immediately. And I push your eyes and you see the light and you become . . . These are, both of them going to hell. andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānās te 'pīśa-tantryām uru-dāmni (SB 7.5.31)
Caitanya Mahāprabhu has therefore warned them, "Don't make many disciples." There is risk. But for preaching work, a devotee takes the risk: "All right, let me go to hell, others may go to Kṛṣṇa." That is, just like Prahlāda Mahārāja says, [Break] Christian theory. Is it not? You see, their love is so that you go to hell, let me enjoy.
Devotee: We turn back, Prabhupāda?
Devotee: [chanting]
Prabhupāda: What is this sound means?
Devotee: That means to begin to roll. Action. That means action. When they snap that, that's the beginning of the shooting. That's the boy who is pulling the cart in the red. He is making one documentary film, all about your staying here in Australia. Then it will be distributed to the government. Actually this is an independent film. It can be put into library. People can get it for their schools, colleges. Some people would say that Kṛṣṇa consciousness is too austere.
Prabhupāda: Huh?
Devotee: Too austere. It should be taken in stages.
Prabhupāda: What is that austere, austerity? You are starving? We say don't eat meat. Is that a very great austerity?
Devotee: That is the easiest, to give up.
Prabhupāda: No illicit sex. We don't say no sex. Illicit sex. So where is the austerity?
Devotee: Devotees, they must rise early in the morning, take cold bath.
Prabhupāda: That is healthy. Because early to rise, early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy and wise. That's a fact. [Laugh]
What to speak of early rise? Practically I don't sleep at night. What to speak of early rise? Practically I don't sleep at night. Only two hours, that's all. And still I work early in the morning. What is wrong there? No, I don't sleep at night. It is only practice. On account of illicit sex, there are so many troubles. So many troubles. The easiest method for solving problems and becoming happiness is there. There is no loss. There is no expenditure. But still they will not do it. (end)
- 1974 - Morning Walks
- 1974 - Lectures and Conversations
- 1974 - Lectures, Conversations and Letters
- Morning Walks - Australasia
- Morning Walks - Australasia, Melbourne
- Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Australasia
- Lectures, Conversations and Letters - Australasia, Melbourne
- Audio Files 05.01 to 10.00 Minutes