690319 - Lecture SB 07.09.08-11 - Hawaii

Lectures by Date, 1969

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

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690319SB-HAWAII - March 19, 1969 - 52:35 Minutes

Prabhupāda: (sings)

brahmādayaḥ sura-gaṇā munayo ’tha siddhāḥ

sattvaikatāna-gatayo vacasāṁ pravāhaiḥ

nārādhituṁ puru-guṇair adhunāpi pipruḥ

kiṁ toṣṭum arhati sa me harir ugra-jāteḥ

(SB 7.9.8)

manye dhanābhijana-rūpa-tapaḥ-śrutaujas-

tejaḥ-prabhāva-bala-pauruṣa-buddhi-yogāḥ

nārādhanāya hi bhavanti parasya puṁso

bhaktyā tutoṣa bhagavān gaja-yūtha-pāya

(SB 7.9.9)

viprād dvi-ṣaḍ-guṇa-yutād aravinda-nābha-

pādāravinda-vimukhāt śvapacaṁ variṣṭham

manye tad-arpita-mano-vacanehitārtha-

prāṇaṁ punāti sa kulaṁ na tu bhūrimānaḥ

(SB 7.9.10)

naivātmanaḥ prabhur ayaṁ nija-lābha-pūrṇo

mānaṁ janād aviduṣaḥ karuṇo vṛṇīte

yad yaj jano bhagavate vidadhīta mānaṁ

tac cātmane prati-mukhasya yathā mukha-śrīḥ

(SB 7.9.11)

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 brahmin 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. Harāv abhaktasya kuto mahad-guṇāh (SB 5.18.12).

The Bhāgavata school does not give any credit for all material acquisitions. Simply they say it is simply a waste of time. Śrama 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 Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then Bhāgavata says śrama eva hi kevalam, it is simply laboring, that’s all.

dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puṁsāṁ

viṣvaksena-kathāsu yaḥ

notpādayed yadi ratiṁ

śrama eva hi kevalam

(SB 1.2.8)

Śrama means "labor" and kevalam means "only." Dharmaḥ svanuṣṭhitaḥ puṁsāṁ: 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 brahmin, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra. They are followers of the enjoined duties. Others, they are called pañcama; they are out of this core.

So even those who are following the duties—brahmin's duty, kṣatriya’s duty, vaiśya’s duties, śūdra’s duty . . . the more you come lower, the duty’s charge becomes smaller. Just like the brahmin, they have to qualify in twelve kinds of qualifications. The kṣatriyas, they have to qualify themselves in seven kinds of qualifications. The vaiśyas, they have to qualify themselves in three kinds of qualifications. And the śūdras, they have to qualify themselves in one, that’s all. What is that one? Simply to serve the master faithfully. That’s all. Paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdrasyāpi svabhāva-jam (BG 18.44).

A śūdra 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 dāsī's cat. As soon as Govinda dāsī 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 Vaiṣṇavī, so it will have some good affect. But if the selection is wrong . . .

So our Vaiṣṇava principle is we have to qualify ourselves, just like cats and dog. But we are not going to serve the ordinary person. Kṛṣṇa and His representative—then his life is perfect. Kalau śūdra sambhava. In this age, everyone is practically a śūdra seeking a master. But let him seek a master. Kṛṣṇa is prepared. He says, sarva-dharmān parityaja mām ekaṁ (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 śūdras, but don’t make mistake to find out a master who is a nonsense. Then life is spoiled.

So Prahlāda Mahārāja says, śvapacaṁ variṣṭham—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 spirit soul, you are eternal. Therefore whatever spiritual activities you do, that is also eternal.

Now the question is that does it mean that Kṛṣṇa is hankering after your service? We are advising everyone, "Just become a servant of Kṛṣṇa or His representative." Kṛṣṇa and His representative is identity . . . identical. That is explained in the Guruvaṣṭakam: saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha (Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka 1).

You chant these songs, in the last verse that is sākṣād-dharitvena samasta-śāstrair. The representative of Kṛṣṇa 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, sākṣād-dharitvena samasta: the spiritual master is representative of Kṛṣṇa. And Viśvanātha Cakravārtī advises that in all the scriptures it is stated that spiritual master is identical with the Supreme Lord. Sākṣād-dharitvena. Sākṣād means "exactly the same." Sākṣād. Not that indirect. Sākṣād means "directly," just like face to face.

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

Śāstra—Vedic literature, authorized literature. That is the verdict. Kintu prabhor yaḥ: but it does not mean, not like the Māyāvādī . . . the Māyāvādī, they present he is Kṛṣṇa. But the Vaiṣṇava, spiritual master, he does not say that, "I am Kṛṣṇa." He says, "I am humble servant of Kṛṣṇa." That is his position: kintu. But the servant, why he is as good as Kṛṣṇa? Because he is the most confidential servant. Therefore he is as good as Kṛṣṇa.

So here the question is that a disciple, a follower, is advised to serve Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is far away. His representative . . . just like cats and dogs. Vaiṣṇava ṭhākura tomāra kukura baliyā jānaha more. Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura has written one song, Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura. A spiritual master, or a Vaiṣṇava, is called ṭhākura. Just like we say "Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura." Ṭhākura means "as good as God." Ṭhākura. Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura.

So Vaiṣṇava who is actually representative of Kṛṣṇa, he is also ṭhākura. "Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura," we say. "Baladeva Vidyābhūṣana Ṭhākura." All the big Vaiṣṇavas, those who are representatives of Kṛṣṇa, they are called ṭhākura. So vaiṣṇava ṭhākura tomāra kukura. Vaiṣṇava . . . Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura is addressing, "My dear Vaiṣṇava, devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, you are ṭhākura. You are as good as Kṛṣṇa. So you accept me," tomāra kukura, "you accept me as your dog."

So he has sung a very lengthy song, tomāra kukura baliyā jānaha 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 non devotee 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 Vaiṣṇava require a dog, or Kṛṣṇa require any servant? This verse says that naivātmanaḥ prabhur ayaṁ nija-lābha-pūrṇo. 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-lābha-pūrṇo.

Nija means "own"; lābha, lābha means "gain." Pūrṇo. Pūrṇo means "fully." He has, Kṛṣṇa . . . Kṛṣṇa is full Himself, ṣaḍ-aiśvarya-pūrṇa. Pūrṇa 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. Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa is renouncer. God created . . . God is . . . nobody is more renouncer than God, Kṛṣṇa. 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 ayaṁ. Prabhur. Kṛṣṇa—nija-lābha-pūrṇo. 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 Kṛṣṇa, 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. Kṛṣṇa 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. Yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ (BG 6.22).

The Bhagavad-gītā, it will point that if you can achieve Kṛṣṇa . . . how you can achieve Kṛṣṇa? Kṛṣṇa does not require any service from you but the love. If you can achieve Kṛṣṇa, then you will feel that "I don’t require anything more." Yaṁ labdhvā: by gaining which a person thinks, "Complete, full."

Dhruva Mahārāja said when he saw Viṣṇu, he says, svāmin kṛtārtho ’smi varaṁ na yāce (CC Madhya 22.42)

"My dear Lord, my all desires and demands are now fulfilled. I don’t want anything." This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If actually one becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, he has no more demand for anything material. Not by becoming Kṛṣṇa conscious, even by coming to the spiritual light one can become like that. Brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā (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-lābha-pūrṇo. Tad ekam danadi apramena samanan prakrtaiva bhagavan apityata nitiya (Śrīdhara Svāmī 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 Kṛṣṇa and His devotee require these kind of satisfaction by possessing more?

This says, this verse says: "No, it is not that." Kṛṣṇa 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 (Śrīdhara Svāmī 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 Kṛṣṇa 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 (Śrīdhara Svāmī 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 (Śrīdhara Svāmī 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 (Śrīdhara Svāmī commentary).

Prahlāda Mahārāja 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 Kṛṣṇa you will be benefited. Therefore it is said, mānaṁ janād aviduṣaḥ.

People do not know. Aviduṣaḥ. Aviduṣaḥ 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 aviduṣaḥ. Aviduṣaḥ 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 Kṛṣṇa, dog of Kṛṣṇa," he will protest, "Oh, why shall I become? I am God. Just see. I am Kṛṣṇa." Just see the fun. (laughs) Therefore aviduṣaḥ. Aviduṣaḥ means "rascal," "fool."

So mānaṁ janād aviduṣaḥ karuṇo vṛṇīte. So when Kṛṣṇa 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 māyā, dog of māyā, servant of nonsense, dog of nonsense. You just become My dog, My servant. That will be good for you." And He gives assurance also, ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi (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 kāmAdināṁ katidhā na katidhā palita durnideṣaḥ (Brs. 3.2.25, quoted in CC Madhya 22.16)

"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 kāmādināṁ katidhā na katidhā palita durnideṣaḥ (Brs. 3.2.25):

"Therefore to serve my lust, I have done so many abominable things. But in spite of doing that," teṣāṁ na karuṇā na mayi jatā, "I have served the lust," kāmādināṁ. Kāmādināṁ 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. Kāmādināṁ katidhā na katidhā palita durnideṣaḥ. Always dictating.

So one who has got this sense, that "I am serving māyā. I am serving illusion. So Kṛṣṇa is demanding from me service; why not serve Kṛṣṇa?" this is intelligence. So aviduṣaḥ karuṇo vṛṇīte (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 Kṛṣṇa and God? I am not getting even money. It is simply I am wasting my energy. No. It says, yad yaj jano bhagavate vidadhīta mānaṁ.

The service rendered unto Kṛṣṇa, tac cātmane. If you are serving Kṛṣṇa, 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 Bhāgavata says that if you do that, that is your welfare. That is your welfare. Whatever you give to Kṛṣṇa, that is your . . . that is your beauty, that is your . . . everything that comes to . . .

The example, example is here given that, tac cātmane prati-mukhasya yathā mukha-śrīḥ (SB 7.9.11). Prati-mukhasya. Suppose if you decorating your face . . . suppose Kṛṣṇa is the face, and you decorate Kṛṣṇa, 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 Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, to become dog of Kṛṣṇa, servant of Kṛṣṇa, 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 Kṛṣṇa 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 guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ (SB 5.18.12).

As soon as one becomes Kṛṣṇa consciousness, all these good qualities will develop in him. Therefore the very good example, that tac cātmane prati-mukhasya yathā mukha-śrīḥ. Mukha-śrīḥ, 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 Kṛṣṇa 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.

tasmād ahaṁ vigata-viklava īśvarasya

sarvātmanā mahi gṛṇāmi yathā manīṣam

nīco ’jayā guṇa-visargam anupraviṣṭaḥ

pūyeta yena hi pumān anuvarṇitena

(SB 7.9.12)

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

So Prahlāda Mahārāja says, tasmād evaṁ, because it is like that. Tasmād evaṁ bhagavan bhakti eva tucchyati (Śrīdhara Svāmī commentary). So simply by discharging devotional service in Kṛṣṇa consciousness everything can be achieved; then what shall I do? Tasmād ahaṁ nīco ’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 Vedānta, how to please God, how to understand. Never studied philosophy. So I am disqualified by birth, by age, by education and everything." Nīco. "In everything I am lower."

That is the temperament of a Vaiṣṇava. Vaiṣṇava never thinks, "Oh, I am this, I am that." Prahlāda Mahārāja, just see how much qualified he is, but he is thinking himself nīca. Nīca means the most downtrodden, the most fallen. Just like Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura, he is singing:

patita-pāvana-hetu tava avatāra

mo sama patita prabhu nā pāibe āra

(Prārthanā 39)

"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 Vaiṣṇava mentality. Here Prahlāda Mahārāja says that, "I am nīca. I am fallen. I am the lowest. I have no good qualifications, no good parentage, nothing of this sort. Then how can I serve Kṛṣṇa, 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, tasmād ahaṁ nīco ’pi vigata viklava. (Śrīdhara Svāmī commentary). "Therefore I should not hesitate."

Nobody should hesitate. Prahlāda Mahārāja is giving us this assurance, that to serve Kṛṣṇa, 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 Kṛṣṇa.

I . . . my Guru Mahārāja therefore always instructed that it is not necessary that you have to qualify yourself for serving Kṛṣṇa. 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 Kṛṣṇa better," no, that’s a wrong philosophy. Whatever qualification you have acquired already, you begin Kṛṣṇa service, Kṛṣṇa 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 karmaṇā tama vācā. In the Bhagavad-gītā also it is said that whatever qualification and whatever asset you have got, just immediately engage to Kṛṣṇa’s service. And whatever you do, little, that is your asset. Vigata-viklava īśvarasya 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 Vīrabhadra, 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 Kṛṣṇa conscious, he becomes poetic also. That is another qualification. A Vaiṣṇava, a devotee, develops twenty-six kinds of qualification, simply by service of Kṛṣṇa. Out of that, one qualification is that he becomes poetic. So, maima amsa sarva pratatnena (Śrīdhara Svāmī commentary).

So we simply . . . if we simply try to explain how Kṛṣṇa is great, how God is great, that is sufficient service. That is complete service: śravaṇaṁ kīrtana. 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 Kṛṣṇa, of God. Everything is supplied by Kṛṣṇa. You are living at the cost of Kṛṣṇa. Your body is given by Kṛṣṇa. 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 Kṛṣṇa’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, Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When I was first in Boston, I was thinking on the ship that, "I have come to preach here Kṛṣṇa 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, completely" I was thinking like that.

"Anyway, when Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa 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 Kṛṣṇa’s grace everything is possible. That is my practical experience.

So we have to work very sincerely, keeping our faith in Kṛṣṇa. Do this preaching work—it is not difficult—and be happy. And whatever service you render to Kṛṣṇa, 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 Kṛṣṇa. Any question? No. Gaurasundara, you have no question? Govinda dāsī?

Govinda dāsī: You said that . . . (cut) (end)