710308 - Lecture SB 07.06.22-25 - Calcutta

Lectures by Date, 1971

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

710308SB-CALCUTTA - March 08, 1971 - 36:49 Minutes

Devotee: Śrīla Prabhupāda's morning lecture on the 8th, 1971, March. Came a bit later in, the day.

Prabhupāda: . . . becomes present no. The stone is also another kind of energy, material energy. Eh? Just like you do not know that this nail is very hard, very hard. You cut your nail you don't feel but just a half an inch below if you cut your skin, you feel. That does not mean this nail is not production of my body. Is it not? Eh? Even there is no sensation in the nail. That does not mean that it is not production of my body. Similarly even if you see a stone without any life that does not mean it is without Kṛṣṇa. It is another Kṛṣṇa energy. That is called external energy.

Just like we can see and do not see. The nail you do not feel sensation, just below the nail you feel sensation. Eh? So the skin is also produced by my energy and the nail is also produced by my energy but in one place I do not perceive in another place I perceive . . .

Material, what is this material world? Material world where Kṛṣṇa is not perceived. It appears Kṛṣṇa is absent, it is something else. That is nail when you forget Kṛṣṇa. The place is such nail that here forgetfulness of Kṛṣṇa is stronger, no sensation. Otherwise Kṛṣṇa . . . it is Kṛṣṇa's energy. Kṛṣṇa, this forgetful is also Kṛṣṇa's energy. It is stated in the Śrīmad Bhagavad-gītā: aham sarvasya . . .

sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭo

mattaḥ smṛtir jñānam apohanaṁ(ca)

(BG 15.15)

Jñānam—sensation, then perception. Apohanaṁ no . . . sensation . . . everything is emanating. Eh? This is contradictory, acintya. We may argue how is that? In one place there is perception and in another place there is no perception, how they can be of the same source, same energy. Therefore acintya. Everything Kṛṣṇa's acintya, you can earn, adjust but there is adjustment in higher level of understanding.

vyāpako-vyāpako

vyāpya-vyāpaka-nirdeśyo

hy anirdeśyo 'vikalpitaḥ

(SB 7.6.22)

He is personally vyāpaka—localized, but His energy is vikalpitaḥ. It spreads everywhere in His creation.

kevalānubhavānanda-

svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ

māyayāntarhitaiśvarya

īyate guṇa-sargayā

(SB 7.6.23)

So Kṛṣṇa can be realized, kevalānubhava. Kevalānubhava means—you can understand. Eh? Even though you cannot see face to face. One who is advanced he can understand. Just like in this body you do not see what is the soul. A dead man, when a man is dying you do not know what is that particle, spirit soul is passing. How it is passing? No scientist . . . (indistinct) . . . man. No medical man can . . . (indistinct) . . . out but he can feel it that the soul is gone—anubhava. This is called anubhava. Anubhava.

So this anubhavānanda this as you are advanced in Kṛṣṇa consciousness that anubhavānanda—feelings—feelings from feelings you—have a spiritual bliss. Anubhavānanda svarūpaḥ. Not that Kṛṣṇa is impersonal, Kṛṣṇa is void. He is person but in our present position because we have got blunt material senses it is not possible to see Him face-to-face. But anubhavānanda but saintly persons, advanced devotees they see Kṛṣṇa's presence and they derive transcendental bliss in that. Anubhavānanda svarūpaḥ.

Kevalānubhavānanda-svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ. Svarūpaḥ, svarūpaḥ means—form, parameśvaraḥ—the Supreme Personality of Godhead. See; a devotee, advanced devotee sees Kṛṣṇa is present here. He's talking with me, He's dancing. Everything—anubhavānanda. Anubhavānanda svarūpaḥ.

Just like Prahlāda Mahārāja and Hiraṇyakaśipu. When Prahlāda Mahārāja was . . . and his father was just trying to kill him with his sword. So the boy was seeing on the, what's it called? Pillar. Or what is called?

Devotee: Column?

Prabhupāda: Column, yes. He was seeing on the column, because he challenged, "Where is your Kṛṣṇa." He said: "Kṛṣṇa is everywhere." And immediately he was seeing on the column. So Hiraṇyakaśipu immediately to disrupt, "Is He there in the column?" Attack. So the same place, Hiraṇyakaśipu was there and Prahlāda was there. He is seeing but he cannot see. Just like when Kṛṣṇa manifested his virāṭ-rūpa, Arjuna saw, not others. Similarly one who is advanced devotee he is sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti (Bs 5.38). 24 hours he is seeing Kṛṣṇa minimum, anubhavānanda.

Kevalānubhavānanda-svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ. Kevalānubhavānanda not like sahajiyās. Oh we have struggled nights, I went to such and such place. I saw Kṛṣṇa's rāsa-līlā dancing. You know. The Gosvāmīs they anubhavānanda, their, their process of devotional service was anubhavānanda. Caitanya Mahāprabhu also exhibited this anubhavānanda. "Where is Kṛṣṇa, where is Kṛṣṇa?" He is jumping on the water, in the sea. And similarly Gosvāmīs also. He rādhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-sūno kutaḥ (Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka, 8).

"I am feeling that You are somewhere here, but where You are?" This is anubhavānanda. He rādhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-sūno kutaḥ. No advanced devotee will say that Kṛṣṇa was talking last night with me. There is many books like that. One book was presented by the group Vijaya Krishna Gosvami group. There is a book like that. Hm. Kṛṣṇa is coming and talking just like a boy, in this way describe. There is another group like that in Poona, Lilyfry He and his women they also write like that. Kṛṣṇa was snatching his cloth, harried and took his soul. There is. But we don't find all this nonsense in the life of Gosvāmīs or Caitanya Mahāprabhu. This is called sahajiyaism.

Here also it is said anubhavānanda, kevalānubhavānanda-svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ. One should see parameśvaraḥ, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, as Caitanya Mahāprabhu saw it or the Gosvāmīs saw it. They knew Kṛṣṇa is somewhere in the vraja-pure, in the Vrajabhūmi. Kṛṣṇa is somewhere, must be somewhere here but he does not see. He sees the presence and he touch him.

he rādhe vraja-devike ca lalite he nanda-sūno kutaḥ

śrī-govardhana-kalpa-pādapa-tale kālindī-vane kutaḥ

ghoṣantāv iti sarvato vraja-pure khedair mahā-vihvalau

(Ṣaḍ-gosvāmy-aṣṭaka, 8)

Their business is that Kṛṣṇa is somewhere here. I cannot see, "So where are You Kṛṣṇa? Where are You Kṛṣṇa?" So in this way they are crying and wandering all over the vraja-pure. Khedair—I cannot see You. You are here but I cannot . . . I am so sinful I cannot see you. Khedair mahā-vihvalau—just like madness. This is called vihvalau, vihvalau, bhajana by separation. Always feeling Kṛṣṇa's presence at the same time that he cannot see—in this way.

kevalānubhavānanda-

svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ

kevalānubhavānanda-

svarūpaḥ parameśvaraḥ

māyayāntarhitaiśvarya

īyate guṇa-sargayā

(SB 7.6.23)

Being covered by the curtain of the external energy, to the atheist He appears nonexistent.)

But He is not within this material world. Māyayāntarhitaiśvarya, He is present in Goloka Vṛndāvana and still He is present everywhere. Goloka eva nivasaty akhilātma-bhūto (Bs 5.37). His place is at . . . His abode is in Goloka Vṛndāvana but a still He is everywhere.

Māyayāntarhitaiśvarya

īyate guṇa-sargayā

(SB 7.6.23)

tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu bhūteṣu

dayāṁ kuruta sauhṛdam

bhāvam āsuram,

bhāvam āsuram unmucya

yayā tuṣyaty adhokṣajaḥ

(SB 7.6.24)

(pause)

yasmād evaṁ

tasmāt sarveṣu bhūteṣu

yathocitaṁ dayāṁ

sauhṛdaṁ ca kuruta

(Bhāvārtha-dīpikā, 7.6.24)

śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā-

śṛṅgāra-tan-mandira-mārjanādau

(Śrī Śrī Gurv-aṣṭaka, 3)

This is the beginning, Bhāgavata darśana—worshipping the Lord by the arcanā-mārga. Śrī-vigrahārā—śrī-vigraha the form of the Lord. Ārādhana—worshiping. Śrī-vigrahārādhana-nitya-nānā, śṛṅgāra—and various kinds of dress and decorating. Tan-mandira-mārjanādi āśu This is the beginning according to the rules and regulations described in the śāstras, one has to begin this vidhi bhakti. Prescribed duties in devotional service. Everyone should learn how to worship, there is a beginning. But if you simply remain in that way. Of course one cannot remain, we make advance. Na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu. One is stateless.

Ah . . . the other day perhaps some of you accompanied me in that buy this house. That somebody went to call Baka and he came. That he is now busy. He's busy in worshipping the Deity and in one hour he will not be free. Kaniṣṭha-adhikārī, in the lower stage. Because he does not know how to respect the devotees.

na tad-bhakteṣu cānyeṣu

sa bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ (smṛtaḥ)

(SB 11.2.47)

He is thinking that he is very busy in worshipping the Deity but does not show respect to a devotee. He is kaniṣṭha-adhikārī. But here Prahlāda Mahārāja recommends:

tasmāt sarveṣu bhūteṣu

dayāṁ kuruta sauhṛdam

(SB 7.6.24)

That you, you should know that Kṛṣṇa is present everywhere. So for Kṛṣṇa's service everything should be engaged. This is madhyama-adhikārī. Prahlāda Mahārāja is recommending to his friends to become madhyama-adhikārī, not kaniṣṭha-adhikārī. Kaniṣṭha-adhikārī they may be very much expert in worshipping the Deity, that is also required. But at the same time they should learn how to do good to others. How to respect a devotee. If he does not know that: na tad-bhakteṣu sa bhaktaḥ prākṛtaḥ smṛtaḥ. He is prākṛtaḥ—material devotee. There is two positions by following the rules and regulations as described in the śāstras. From the material platform we gradually rise to the transcendental platform. But if you simply stick to the material platform do not make improvement. Then that is, That happens. So, "I am busy now. I am now busy for one hour. I cannot see a devotee although he is at my door." This is kaniṣṭha-adhikārī.

So Prahlāda Mahārāja recommends that you, dayāṁ kuruta sauhṛdam. Because Kṛṣṇa is everywhere, so if, if you show your mercy to everyone. What is that mercy? To call him into Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is my (mercy). Just try to engage everything in Kṛṣṇa's service. Try to convert everyone to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, dayāṁ kuruta sauhṛdam. Bhāvam āsuram unmucya yayā tuṣyaty adhokṣajaḥ and give up this demoniac principals. What is God? Demoniac principle—what is God? God is everywhere you have to learn the art how to see Him and how to serve Him.

This is asura-bhāva—what is God? Can you show me? Why don't you see? You will see, if you don't see now, you will see at the time of death. How God is. You'll see. Just wait for that moment. That time you cannot say: "Oh, can you show me God? Can you show me God?" "Yes, here is God." Just like Hiraṇyakaśipu, "Here is God." Uuuum! Bas, Finished. (laughter) so if you want to see God like that, then you wait you will see. You cannot say there is no God. There is God. But He will be present in a different way. He will be present in a different . . . huh? For a devotee: premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena (Bs 5.38).

He is seeing God everywhere, every time. You do not see every, everywhere, every time God. All right, wait for it, that's all. You'll see God. Kṛṣṇa says: mṛtyuḥ sarva-haram āham (BG 10.34)

"I am with you at death. When I take away everything." Sarva-haram. That is I am; definition. So why don't you see God? Don't you see, another man dies, you will see also, at that time. You'll see Yamarāja, representative of God, how he catches you, how he takes away.

Prahlāda Mahārāja recommends that: bhāvam āsuram unmucya. "You give up this rascal lust—there is no God. And God, God is not there." No. Try to understand God, try to see God. And so how you can see God? That is also said: dayāṁ kuruta sauhṛdam. Just be merciful to everyone, to bring them into Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is premā, Kṛṣṇa wants.

sarva-dharmān parityajya

mām ekaṁśaraṇaṁ (vraja)

(BG 18.66)

Kṛṣṇa wants it. So you serve Kṛṣṇa, to fulfil His mission. That just surrender unto Kṛṣṇa. Try in various ways and that is attempt. How one can convert persons to surrender unto Kṛṣṇa. This is our plan. Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau (CC Madhya 17.136).

yena tena prakāreṇa manaḥ kṛṣṇe niveśayet

(Brs 1.2.4)

Somehow or other let him be engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Yena tat. Sarve vidhi-niṣedhā syur etayor (Brs 1.2.4). Not in the beginning all the vidhis are there present. But find out how this man can be turned into Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the trick. Not any stereotype to it. Ananta ācāryas. So one has to find out the trick, how one can engage others into Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Yena tena prakāreṇa. Sarve vidhi-niṣedhā syur etayor eva kiṅkarāḥ (Brs 1.2.4).

So Prahlāda Mahārāja advises everyone to become preacher, he is also preacher. He, Prahlāda Mahārāja when he was offered benediction by Lord Nṛsiṁhadeva. He's preacher, just see, he is preaching amongst his class friends. Prahlāda Mahārāja's position is preacher. Meditation. So he is teaching others also to become preacher. Tasmāt sarveṣu bhūteṣu, sarveṣu bhūteṣu—all living entities. Dayāṁ kuruta sauhṛdam, just like a friend, be merciful on them. Don't be envious. Just like a medical man, sometimes operating.

The operating surgical operation going on and the patient is crying and calling by ill names. "You śva-paca (son of a hog) what you are doing." You see? But a still he has to do that. Yes. He has to do that. He may call śva-paca and tum kya kar rahe ho (what are you doing?) but he has to do it. Dayāṁ kuruta. They may cry, "What is this nonsense Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you live with your own business, why do you come here to disturb us? You chant, why do you come here?" They say like that. You have no experience?

Devotee: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Just like Jagāi and Mādhāi. They attacked Nityānanda prabhu, "Why you have come here? You chant Hare Krishna, then go away. Why you have come here? Let us joke." But still Nityānanda prabhu said: "No." Please once chant Hare Krishna. This is the duty of a preacher. And although they revolted, a still by the grace of Nityānanda they became parama-vaiṣṇava's. Dayām, dayām means—to the lower grade. Dayām. Unless one is in the higher grade, he cannot show any dayām—mercy.

A bank clerk how he can show mercy? Mercy, one can show, one who has got some assets, so dayām. Vividhāḥ, vividhāḥ the Ramakrishna mission uses vividhāḥ. Vividhāḥ means—cut the throat of the goat and the meat may be given to their friends. That is vividhāḥ. And what, what fault this goat has done? And Brahma, Brahma is eating Brahma. They will put arguments like that. Ramakrishna himself he gave this reason, he was eating fish and he gave this reason. That Brahma, Brahma, my belly is also Brahma. So . . .

tasmāt sarveṣu kāleṣu bhūteṣu

dayāṁ kuruta sauhṛdam

(SB 7.6.24)

(aside) Not like that.

Bhāvam āsuram unmucya yayā tuṣyaty. Give up this āsuri heart. This āsuribhava means if one does not understand what is God. What is our relationship? How he will preach? So these kind of questions. Can you show me God? What is God? Have you seen God? These are āsura. Asurānīka. Prahlāda Mahārāja says give up this nonsense, rascaldom. Āsura-bhāva—atheism. God is everywhere try to understand God, Kevalānubhavānanda-svarūpaḥ. You can simply see as you become purified if you can see that is God. Not that you have to see personally, cheek to cheek, eye-to-eye. And give up this godlessness and preach. Be merciful to others this is Prahlāda Mahārāja's instructions.

yasmād evaṁ

tasmāt sarveṣu bhūteṣu

yathocitaṁ dayāṁ

(Bhāvārtha-dīpikā, 7.6.24)

Yathocitam. Not that if you approach somebody and try to preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You, you for. It is not that you'll be able to make him immediately Kṛṣṇa conscious. That is not possible but the yathocitaṁ, you try, your best. That is your service. Sevonmukhe hi jihvādau svayam eva sphuraty adaḥ (Brs 1.2.234). When you render service, it is not that, that you have to turn one into Kṛṣṇa consciousness but if you try. If you do your duty on behalf of Kṛṣṇa. That will elevate you. That will help you being recognised by Kṛṣṇa. "Oh, there is a devotee, he is trying his best," that's all. It does not matter whether you have converted somebody or not. You can say simply, "Kindly chant Hare Krishna. Kindly chant Hare Krishna." Just like we appeal in the meetings, and it is so easy, why don't you take to it? And that is our preaching, that's all. Remember, a still although it is so easy they will not take, āsuram bhāvam. Āsura. So easy I don't, know. Caitanya Mahāprabhu . . . (indistinct)

etādṛśī tava kṛpā bhagavan mamāpi

durdaivam īdṛśam ihājani nānurāgaḥ

(Śikṣāṣṭaka 2)

"You are so kind, my dear Lord, that You are present before me in Your holy name. I can chant it very easily but I am so unfortunate I don't take this."

You call him to chant Hare Krishna, he'll never take. He's so unfortunate. It is very easy, what is the difficulty? Hare Krishna. Even this child can take, if they are actually sane. But the āsura-bhāva, they are thinking, "Oh what is this nonsense Hare Krishna? Let me go my office and take some earning." You see? But the preacher has to take the trouble, to bother him, that please chant Hare Krishna, please chant Hare Krishna. This is mercy.

tuṣṭe ca tatra kim alabhyam ananta ādye

kiṁ tair guṇa-vyatikarād iha ye sva-siddhāḥ

dharmādayaḥ kim aguṇena ca kāṅkṣitena

sāraṁ juṣāṁ caraṇayor upagāyatāṁ naḥ

(SB 7.6.25)

I shall explain this point. (break)

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: They are not at all sincere, mūḍhās. They are described in the śāstra as asses. They have no intelligence. Mūḍhā. Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ (BG 7.15).

They are thinking, "Everyone thinks I am most sincere, I'm advancd." Everyone thinks like that. That is not, this is māyā. "Oh, I am so advanced, I have learnt everything. Now I can see . . ." You see?

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: What is that mathematics? What is that mathematics? So Bhaktivinode Ṭhākura says: jaḍa-vidyā saba māyāra vaibhava itaḥ (Vidyāra Vilāse, 3)

Tomāra bhajane bādhā, this so-called intricacies of mathematics science. They are absorbed in their brain. Tomāra bhajane bādhā, they are simply impediments for advancing in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the qualification. They are putting so many solid impediments for advancing. Against advancing. So what is the value of this? My business is how to become Kṛṣṇa conscious and let my life perfect. And all these things are simply impediments. Then what is the value of it? Technology Therefore Bhaktivinode Ṭhākura said: "They are simply impediments," tomāra bhajane bādhā.

anitya soṁsāre,

moha janamiyā,

jīvake koroye gādhā

(Vidyāra Vilāse, 3)

He is already gādhā—an ass and he becomes a greater ass. This because he is thinking, "Oh, I've discovered such Institute of Mathematics and Physics and discovered this law and . . ." He is absorbed in that thought but that thought means a stumbling block for his Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore he was formally an ass, now he is greater ass. In the beginning he was mūḍhāḥ—ass, now he has become greater ass. That's all. So do you think that to become greater ass is intelligent? What is your opinion? Greater ass!

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Bigger. (laughter)

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Eh? Without mathematics one is smaller? (laughter)

Prabhupāda: But with mathematicism? Bigger . . . so we have to honor big ass? You see? Because there is a big ass is established. Therefore we have to honor him? We haven't got to dishonor because: tṛṇād api sunīcena taror iva (Śikṣāṣṭaka, 3). But we should know there is a big ass. That's all.

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Yes, yes.

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: No, he wanted, he wanted to be mathematician—big ass.

Guest: . . . (indistinct) (laughter)

Prabhupāda: So Kṛṣṇa gave him intelligence, "Yes you become mathematics . . ." Kṛṣṇa is merciful, "All right you become . . ." He wanted to be a big politician, "All right you become politician." But His open instruction, "Give up all this nonsense, surrender." But if he does not do that, all right Kṛṣṇa is there. He is appealing, "All right you do it." I give you facility.

bhrāmayan sarva-bhūtāni

yantrārūḍhāni māyayā

īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ

hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati

(BG 18.61)

Ca anumantā upadraṣṭā (BG 13.23)

Eh? He is a persistant? I have given that example. That ah . . . when I was in Allahabad, that . . . (indistinct) . . . so I was sitting on my table at the electric fan, was going on. My eldest son, at that time he was two and a half years old. He touched that blade, he cut, he cried, "Save me." So another doctor was sitting, he advised me, "Just slow down and it will turn." So I slowed it down and I did not puzzle it to touch pyang! pyang! So I said: "Again touch." "No." (laughter)

Prabhupāda: "Again touch." "No." So that is the way. So when this child is persistent, let him do one thing. You see? And when he will experience, then he'll come back. Bahūnāṁ janmanām ante jñānavān māṁ prapadyate (BG 7.19).

He will go on being all kinds nonsense but after many, many births. He'll come to his sense, he'll become wise, at that time he surrenders to Kṛṣṇa. Vāsudevaḥ sarvam iti sa mahātmā sudurlabhaḥ (BG 7.19). So Kṛṣṇa gives sanction, without sanction nobody can be anything, that's a fact. But how does he gives sanction? You are persistent. "Oh, all right. You do it."

But He is open and shut. Sarva-guhyatamaṁ (BG 18.64).

"I am just telling you the most confidential instruction. Give up all nonsense. Just surrender." Is that clear?

Guest: . . . (indistinct)

Prabhupāda: Hmm. That's right. Without Kṛṣṇa's sanction nobody can be but Kṛṣṇa is very kind. Ye yathā māṁ prapadyante (BG 4.11).

That is Kṛṣṇa's kindness. He is kind to the thief and he is kind to the householder. Householder is praying, "My dear Lord, let there not be any burglary at night." And the burglar is praying, "Kindly help me, I shall go somewhere and steal something." So Kṛṣṇa can do? He has to help him and him also. (laughter)

Prabhupāda: That is Kṛṣṇa's business. He has to help the burglar and he has to help the householder. Both. And Kṛṣṇa says: "Why you are burglar? Why you are householder? You just become devotee. Then your problem is solved." But he wants to remain a burglar and he wants to be householder and there is struggle. And Kṛṣṇa has said yes . . . all right. (end)