Mr. Malhotra: As long as I continue my identity that "I am so and so. I am this body," or "I am a person, or ātmā, seated in this body, or dwelling in this body," when I dislodge my body from ātmā, then what is the position?
Prabhupāda: You are different from the body. You are different from the body. You are soul. Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre (BG 2.20). This body is temporary; you are eternal. Nityaḥ śāśvato 'yaṁ na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre (BG 2.20). You are nityaḥ śāśvata. You are never killed, even after the destruction of the body. That should . . . That is real understanding, that "I am not this body. After annihilation of this body, I shall continue." Tathā dehāntara-prāptir dhīras tatra na muhyati (BG 2.13). You should know that you are eternal part and parcel of God. God is eternal. Just like gold and a small particle of gold, both of them are gold. A small particle of gold, it is also gold, but not equal to the gold mine. That is real understanding. And because you are little gold . . .
Mr. Malhotra: But potentiality?
Prabhupāda: Potential different, because a lump of gold and a small particle of gold, the value is not the same. Gold it is quality, but not the value the same. That you cannot say.
Mr. Malhotra: Quality-wise it is gold, but . . .
Prabhupāda: But quantity it is different. God is all-pervading. Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe arjuna tiṣṭhati (BG 18.61). God is all-pervading. He is in everyone's heart. Can you live in everyone's heart? Can you know what I am thinking? Then how you can become God?
Mr. Malhotra: Well there are . . .
Prabhupāda: There are fools, rascals. There are others. (laughter)