711210 - Lecture SB 10.84.13 - Delhi

Lectures by Date, 1971

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

711210SB-DELHI - December 10, 1971 - 22:57 Minutes

Prabhupāda:

. . . sva-dhīḥ kalatrādiṣu bhauma-ijyadhīḥ

yat-tīrtha-buddhiḥ salile na karhicij

janeṣv abhijñeṣu sa eva go-kharaḥ

(SB 10.84.13)

So the world is under the bodily concept of life, so they are thinking that, "We are Americans," "Indians." This is the disease. So they are described as animals, go-kharaḥ. Go means cow; kharaḥ means ass.

So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to save them from this animal consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness means real consciousness, and without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, just animals. Therefore that Prahlāda Maharaja says:

sukham aindriyakaṁ daityā

deha-yogena dehinām

sarvatra labhyate daivād

yathā duḥkham ayatnataḥ

(SB 7.6.3)

Dehātma-buddhi. So long we are under the concept of this body that, "I am this body," his business is sense gratification, because this body means senses. We have got varieties of senses. So bodily concept of life means the senses are dominant. Therefore, beginning from the animals up to the human being, under the bodily concept of life they're busy simply for sense gratification. Nature is giving chance, "All right." Because everyone who has come to this material world, that is for sense gratification. Those who deny to satisfy Kṛṣṇa, they are sent here, "All right, you satisfy your sense by your labor here."

Kṛṣṇa can satisfy His senses without any labor, but we have to satisfy our senses by dint of our labor. Not easily. You cannot become a millionaire so easily, or he cannot be a citizen in the heavenly planet so easily. That is our experience. So if some man from a poor family become . . . wants to become a citizen of America, a rich man, it is not so easy. You have to undergo through so many things to get the citizenship.

There are so many, that your country, yes, they have got big immigration department simply to consider this application of different countries for citizenship, or to immigrate. I have seen, in Montreal, people applying for citizenship or immigration, big line, very big line, and a similar immigration department in Canada, there is no problem. So people very much anxious to become citizens or immigrate in America, because it is rich country.

So as there is restriction here in this place, in this planet, that you cannot enter any other country . . . if you think their country is very nice, actually, in comparison to other countries, there are so many facilities in America. At least, one can earn money like anything. So people are inclined to become citizen. But that is not easy, even within this planet. So how you will easily enter moon planet and other heavenly planets without being competent? It is not possible.

So we are called conditioned soul because we are conditioned according to this body. Deha-yogena dehinām. The . . . according to karma, the certain privileges or disadvantages, what you are destined to receive, that is already a fact according to your birth. Just like somebody's suffering from asthma, so he has got a body from a father and mother, and from the very beginning there is asthma. That body is the symptom, or the result, of his past karma. Therefore the material advantages or disadvantages are already settled up according to his body.

So those who are sane man, they are confident that, "Kṛṣṇa has given me this body according to my past karma, so let me not improve. Let me not waste my time for improving the advantages and disadvantages of this material world." But you cannot do it. The body is already there, according to your karma. Karmaṇā daiva-netreṇa (SB 3.31.1). It is already given to you. So people should be satisfied. Just like when I got the body of an ass, you can . . . (indistinct) . . . and the advantage and dis-advantage, that ass is meant for becoming a beast of burden. He has to do that. Similarly, there is a body, the hog, he has to eat stool.

So we should know it, that either we are born in such a country, such society, the body is there, and I can get my happiness and distress according to this body. This is subtle fact. But they do not know. They're simply trying to . . . unnecessary wasting time for bodily comforts. "Oh, you are so comfortable. Let me try." Huh? "I shall try also." So Prahlāda Maharaja says, "No, don't waste your time in that way. Your time is very valuable."

So that was Vedic civilization. Brāhmin, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, everyone is expert, but everyone is engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness, there is no bodily barrier. No. "Because I have got a particular type of body, therefore Kṛṣṇa consciousness is forbidden for me," no, that is not. In any body, any circumstances, you can cultivate Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

But not materially. But people, they do not know. They think that, "Kṛṣṇa consciousness, there is no need, but let me improve my bodily comfort." This is called illusion. Just try to understand. He cannot improve, even by an inch, the burden, but still . . . but you can improve, or you can purify, your consciousness. That is open to all, irrespective of bodily . . . (indistinct)

And that is actually happening. You have got a different body from before . . . (indistinct) . . . but everyone, you, taking to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Kṛṣṇa says: "It doesn't matter what kind of body you have got—low-born or high-born or this born or that born. I have no such conception. If you want Me, you can get Me." Te 'pi yānti parāṁ gatim. Mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūtaḥ (BG 15.7): "You are all My parts and parcels. Every one of you are equally important to Me."

Similarly, a devotee of Kṛṣṇa also sees. He does not see the outward cover. He sees that, "Every living entity is part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. So he is now forgetful of his real position. So let us help him that he may come to Kṛṣṇa consciousness and become successful." This is our position. There is no question of bodily barrier. Ahaituky apratihatā (SB 1.2.6). Bhakti line is so nice that there is no cause and effect.

Cause and effect is for this body. Karmaṇā, by my previous activity, I get a certain type, particular type of body, cause and effect. That is not applicable in devotional service. Ahaituky apratihatā. "Because I am high-born, I will have Kṛṣṇa consciousness," no. Or "Because I am low-born, I cannot have Kṛṣṇa consciousness," that is not. Ahaituky. There is no such cause and effect. Apratihatā. Apratihatā means without any barrier. Everyone. Never mind.

The body is not barrier, we should always remember. Bodily concept of life is the consciousness of the animals, and spiritual concept of life is the consciousness of the perfect being. I am servant, eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa. This we should know. We should not try for bodily program. We should simply try to improve our Kṛṣṇa consciousness, how we can better serve Kṛṣṇa.

That is our business. Bodily comforts, this comfort, that is already settled up with this body. But we should also know that anyone who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, if he has got any slight desire for bodily comfort, he'll get that. He'll get that. But without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if he tries, that is not possible.

If I have got slight desire for my material improvement, Kṛṣṇa will satisfy you, if you take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That means you are double way benefited: you get Kṛṣṇa consciousness as well as your desire for material benefit. That is also there. But without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if you want to improve your material condition, that is not possible. Deha-yogena de . . . you may become rich, that's all right, but comfort does not depend on your richness. If you're not Kṛṣṇa conscious, it does not mean because you have got some money by struggling very hard you'll get.

There are so many rich men you'll find, they are not comfortable. I have heard from our students, their parents, just like Śyāmasundara was telling, his father is taking . . . what is that pill?

Śyāmasundara: Sleeping tablets.

Prabhupāda: Sleeping tablets. He cannot sleep. Similarly, Brahmānanda was telling about his father. So if we can earn money, you can make a good bank balance, that does not mean that you will get bodily comfort. That is not. That is already fixed up, according to your karma. So don't waste your time for improving bodily comforts. Simply try to improve how you'll become more and more Kṛṣṇa conscious, how you will serve Kṛṣṇa more and more, very nicely. That should be all. Tasyaiva hetoḥ prayateta kovido (SB 1.5.18). For that purpose our life should be engaged, not for so-called bodily comfort. That is already fixed-up.

So any questions?

Devotee: You said that if you have some material desire and you take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you get double benefit—that the material desire is fulfilled and also you get Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Devotee: But if you have that material desire, does that slow up your advancement?

Prabhupāda: By Kṛṣṇa consciousness it will vanish. But Kṛṣṇa is so kind, because you desire, He'll give you. He'll give you. Kṛṣṇa is so kind that, "Oh, you wanted this? All right, you take!" That is the benefit of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. You get both the things. You reject, "No, I asked for . . ." That is real pure devotion. "For this paltry happiness I requested Kṛṣṇa. What a fool I was." But Kṛṣṇa will give you, because you desire.

Therefore Dhruva Maharaja regretted that, "I was such a fool that I came to in the forest to develop Kṛṣṇa . . . for asking my father's property. What a nonsense I was." But Kṛṣṇa gave him. Better than. He demanded that, "I shall have a property . . ." Because that was child. His stepmother insulted, so he was determined. Nārada Muni had requested him, "My dear boy, you are child. Why you be afflicted to this insult? You are now to play." So he said: "Your instruction is very nice, but I am so degraded, I cannot accept it as such. If you kindly give me some way that I can get," I mean, "material opulence better than my grandfather and father. You just give me such and such."

His father was Uttānapāda. Grandfather was Brahmā. So he wanted a post better than Brahmā. So he was given, "Oh, yes, you'll get." But when he was offered a better position than Brahmā, he regretted that, "What I . . . what a fool I was." He requested, "Sir, I am very much satisfied simply by Your . . ." "Never mind. You enjoy, then you come back." Kṛṣṇa is so kind.

Devotee (2): Prabhupāda, can you explain about vaibhava and . . . (indistinct) . . . bhāva?

Prabhupāda: What is that?

Devotee (2): Vaibhava and . . . (indistinct) . . . bhāva.

Prabhupāda: They're nonsense. Why do you ask all these questions?

Devotee (2): It is in the Caitanya . . .

Prabhupāda: Meher Baba?

Devotee (2): Teachings of Lord Caitanya.

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: He's not saying "Baba." Some . . . I can't understand.

Prabhupāda: Meher Baba, he's a . . .

Tamāla Kṛṣṇa: Vaibhava.

Prabhupāda: Oh, Meher . . . and vaibhava. I thought that Meher Baba. (laughter) (break) There was a Hari Baba, there was a Meher Baba. Meher Baba is famous in your country. Is it not?

Devotees: Yes.

Prabhupāda: Meher Baba. He's a nonsense. I thought it . . . vaibhava, prabhāvā, expansion of Kṛṣṇa. When the body is similar, but the color of the body different, that is called vaibhava. Just like Balarāma. Balarāma. Kṛṣṇa's body and Balarāma, there is no bodily difference, but Kṛṣṇa is blackish, Balarāma is whitish. These things are described in the Teachings of Lord Caitanya. You don't read it? Huh?

Devotee (2): Yes, it's from the Teachings of Lord Caitanya. I wanted some explanation about all this . . .

Prabhupāda: That explanation is there. Why you are asking me? That is . . . I do not remember exactly what is the features of vaibhava. That is there. But the vaibhava, prabhāvā, vaibhava, vilāsa, there are detailed description of Kṛṣṇa's expansion. They are described there. You can refer to. Prabhāvā, vaibhava, vilāsa, they are expansions of Kṛṣṇa's different avatāra, incarnation, and part . . . part of incarnation. So it is a huge list, and it's not always possible to remember them in detail. Better refer to the book. Is that all right?

Devotee (2): Yes. Hare Kṛṣṇa, Prabhupāda. (break)

Prabhupāda: . . . that the teacher will remember all the words of the dictionary. (laughs) You can refer to the dictionary. (laughter) . . . (indistinct) . . . (break)

Devotee boy: (indistinct exchange with Prabhupāda) (break) (end)