740700 - Garden Conversation - New Vrindaban, USA

Lectures and Conversations - Unknown Date

740700GC-NEW VRINDABAN - July 1974

(Video - 00:40)

Guest: I don't think we have to worry about your disciples being in the criminal courts now do we? We don't have to worry about that. You have fine followers here.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Guest: This community, fine community.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Guest: Good people.

(break)

Prabhupāda: A magistrate or a lawyer is already graduate. (break) If he is a lawyer it is to be understood that he has passed his graduate examination. Similarly, if one is vaiṣṇava it is to be understood that he has already become a brahmin. Is it clear? Why we offer you the sacred thread? That means there is brahminical standard. Unless one is brahmin he cannot become vaiṣṇava. Just like unless one is graduate, he cannot become lawyer. So as a lawyer means he is already a graduate of the university, similarly a vaiṣṇava means he is already a brahmin.

Devotee: So therefore the vaiṣṇavas, they're all, they should have no contamination of passion and ignorance, therefore . . .

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Devotee: They shall be, they shall be on the platform of . . .

Prabhupāda: Yes, vaiṣṇava means, bhakti means, bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra caiṣa (SB 11.2.42), bhakti means realization of God consciousness. And the symptom of God consciousness is that he is averse to all material activities. He has no interest.

Devotee: So then the brāhmaṇa has no interest in being, excuse me, the vaiṣṇava has no interest in being a brahmin, kṣatriya, vaiśya or śūdra, but he takes some specific occupation . . .

Prabhupāda: That is, he is actually on the topmost position. He has no interest. But so long he is not so perfect, he has interest. Therefore that interest should be corroborated, or, what is called . . . adjusted according to the brahminical, kṣatriya . . . (break) . . . because, in that time, the people are so rotten, that they could not understand what is God. Therefore he took up that "First of all let them become sinless. Then one day will come, he will understand what is God. Lord Christ also said: "Thou shall not kill." Now, the people at that time are killers. Otherwise why does he say: "Thou shall not kill." Why this first commandment? Because full of killers. Not very good society. If in a society constantly there is killing, murder, is that very good society? So therefore he first of all asked not to kill, first of all let them become sinless, then they will understand what is God. Here is, Bhagavad-gita confirms: yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ (BG 7.28). One who has become completely sinless. So God consciousness is meant for the person who is sinless. You cannot become God conscious at the same time sinful. That is cheating. A God-conscious person means he has no sin. He cannot be within the jurisdiction of sinful activities. That is God consciousness. You cannot become God conscious at the same time sinful. That is not possible. So everyone can understand whether I am actually God conscious or not by judging his own activities. There is no need of asking for external certificate. Whether I am fixed up on these principles: no illicit sex, no meat eating, no gambling, no intox . . . if one is sincere he can judge himself whether I am actually on the platform or not. Just like you are hungry, if you have eaten something then you can feel strength, satisfaction. There is no need of external certificate. Similarly, God consciousness means whether you are freed from all sinful activities. Then you'll become. A God conscious person will not be inclined to any sinful activity. (break) (end)