Category:Civilization and Transcendence Chapters 01 to 14
Pages in category "Civilization and Transcendence Chapters 01 to 14"
The following 558 pages are in this category, out of 558 total.
A
- A degree-holder who has no tapasya and no character - Krsna says he is mayayapahrta-jnana, - his knowledge is stolen by illusion
- A doctor may order, "In the morning, take this medicine; in the evening, take that medicine." It is not a change of the doctor's orders. It is simply that according to the time, the doctor's orders call for a particular medicine
- A dog is not afraid of having sex on the street, in front of everyone. We hide it in a nice apartment. That's all. But the activity is the same. There is no difference
- A dog is running here and there on four legs, and you are running on four wheels. Is that progress
- A guru is necessary. In the Bhagavad-gita, when Krsna and Arjuna were talking as friends, there was no conclusion. So Arjuna decided to accept Krsna as his guru
- A guru is necessary. Like Arjuna, everyone is perplexed about his best course of action. Nobody can decide by himself
- A mahajana is one who strictly follows the original religion and knows things as they are. And that means he must be coming in the parampara, the system of disciplic succession
- A pig has a certain type of body, and his eatable is stool. This is destined. You cannot change it - "Let the pig eat halava." That is not possible
- A ritual is a practice based on tapasya, or austerity. Generally, unless one undergoes the ritualistic ceremonies for purification, he remains unclean
- Accept Krsna as your friend. You'll be happy. - This is the message of Krsna consciousness
- Actually, the Vedic system is called sanatana-dharma, not Hindu dharma. This is a wrong conception. This sanatana-dharma is meant for all living entities, not just the so-called Hindus. The very term "Hindu" is a misconception
- Actually, this liberation by chanting Hare Krsna is happening. But people want to be misguided. And there are so many bluffers to misguide them. What can be done
- Advancement of spiritual life, culture, tapasya - is meant to cleanse the heart. And in this process of chanting the maha-mantra, the first installment of benefit is the cleansing of the heart. Ceto-darpana-marjanam
- After brahmacari life, one may marry. This means he enters grhastha life, household life. That is also tapasya. He cannot have sex whenever he likes. No
- Aham brahmasmi - "I am a spirit soul." So, we are Brahman, spirit, and Krsna is Param Brahman, the Supreme Spirit
- All the benefits of practicing austerities, penances, mystic yoga, and so on will be totally achieved simply by the chanting of the Hare Krsna mantra
- All the various swamis and yogis who came here - they never introduced Krsna as the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Now it is being done, and people are accepting, naturally. This is the Krsna consciousness movement
- Although he (a degree-holder) has learned so many things, nonetheless, maya has taken away his knowledge. He's a rascal. He's an animal. This is the perspective of Vedic civilization
- Although His father was Nanda Maharaja, a village vaisya king, & although Krsna was the PG Himself, still He could not refuse. He had to go. Nicavat - just like a menial servant. This is brahmacarya, spiritual student life. This is tapasya
- Although Krsna appeared in India, now He has come to the Western countries through this Krsna consciousness movement
- Altogether there are dasa-vidha-samskarah, ten kinds of purificatory processes. So, in this age it is very difficult to follow them
- An ordinary name - if you chant "Mr. John, Mr. John," after chanting three times you'll cease. But this Hare Krsna maha-mantra - if you go on chanting twenty-four hours a day, you'll never become tired
- Animal life, however, means you can do whatever you like. On the road, animals may keep to the right or keep to the left; it doesn't matter. Their irregularity is not taken as an offense, because they are animals
- Anyone who is born in India should attempt to broadcast the message of Bhagavad-gita and Krsna. That is the order of Caitanya Mahaprabhu
- Are we such fools and rascals that we are wasting time worshiping a "doll"? Sometimes people think like that. But that is not a fact
- Arjuna is representing the perplexed position of the materialistic person. So under the circumstances, a guru is required to give us real direction
- Arjuna learned Bhagavad-gita directly from Krsna. Therefore Arjuna is a mahajana. So you should learn from Arjuna
- Arjuna said, param brahma param dhama pavitram paramam bhavan: (BG 10.12) - You are the Supreme Spirit, the ultimate abode, the purest, the Absolute Truth
- Arjuna selected Krsna as his guru. He did not go to anyone else, because he knew, - I can't find any other means to pacify me. You are the only one
- As for our general understanding, Caitanya introduced the philosophy of acintya-bhedabheda - simultaneously one with & different from the Lord. That is explained by Krsna in BG (15.7): mamaivamso. jiva-bhutahthe - living entities are part & parcel of God
- As for the question of "fatalistic," I have often given this example: Let us say a man is condemned by a court of law to be hanged. Nobody can check it
- As to eradication of all social divisions, it cannot be done. This is still more foolishness, because Krsna Himself says, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah - BG 4.13
- As your advancement of so-called material happiness is already destined and cannot be checked, similarly, your advancement in spiritual life cannot be checked - if you endeavor for it
- At the Kumbha-mela, millions of people come to take bath in the Ganges because they are interested in how to become spiritually liberated from this material world. They're not lazy
- At the present moment everyone is in a diseased condition: people are thinking they are something other than servants of Krsna. Now this movement is trying to bring everyone to the position of recognizing that they are eternal servants of Krsna
- At the very beginning of life one must be a brahmacari. He must go to the spiritual master's place and act like a menial servant
B
- Because He was in the role of a great devotee, Lord Caitanya followed these injunctions of sruti and smrti. Krsna-varnam tvisakrsnam sangopangastra-parsadam (SB 11.5.32). Krsnam varnayati: Lord Caitanya was always chanting Hare Krsna
- Because people are not educated, they're accepting these rascals as Vedantists. Really, the Mayavadi Vedantists - they are bluffers. They are not Vedantists. They do not know anything of the Vedanta-sutra. That is the difficulty
- Before Brahma could take part in creation, he had to undergo tapasya. Is it not stated in the sastra? Yes. So tapasya is essential. You cannot avoid it
- Before coming to this understanding (Krsna is everything), one has no knowledge. His so-called understanding is simply misunderstanding. Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate
- Besides the Srimad-Bhagavatam, the natural commentary by the author of Vedanta-sutra himself, there are Vedanta-bhasyas written by Vaisnava acaryas such as Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnu Svami, and Baladeva Vidyabhusana
- Bhagavad-gita is considered smrti. And Bhagavad-gita also says, satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah: (BG 9.14) Fully endeavoring with determination, the great souls are always chanting My (Krsna's) glories
- Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu, which is also considered smrti, explains: sruti-smrti-puranadi (Brs. 1.2.101) - the great devotees heed both the srutis and the smrtis
- Bird, beast, insect, fish - everywhere the same struggle: "Where is food? Where is sex? Where is shelter? How to defend?" So the sastra (scripture) says we have done these things in many, many past lives
- Brahmana-dharma, "ksatriya-dharma," "Hindu dharma," this dharma, that dharma - give all these up and simply surrender to Krsna, because the ultimate aim of dharma is to come to Krsna. "You directly come to Me; then everything is all right
- Brhan-naradiya Purana, enjoins, harer nama harer nama harer namaiva kevalam: "In this age of quarrel, the only way to realize the Lord is to chant His holy name, chant His holy name, chant His holy name
- Busy-ness is so important that Prahlada Maharaja says, kaumara acaret prajno: (SB 7.6.1) "Beginning from childhood, one should work for self-realization." One should not lose a second's time. So that is Vedic civilization
- By chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra - all one's sins are eradicated and one becomes fully reformed. In other words, one comes to the spiritual platform, and that is success in life
- By constant chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra, one automatically becomes purified
C
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu especially taught that our relationship with Krsna can be in conjugal love, madhurya-rasa
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu was mad after God. He cried, sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me: "I find everything vacant without Krsna." That is the supreme ecstasy. So these things cannot happen without love
- Caitanya taught, aradhyo bhagavan vrajesa-tanayas tad-dhama vrndavanam: First of all, Krsna-Vrajendra-nandana, the son of Nanda Maharaja - is aradhya, worshipable. Then, tad-dhama vrndavanam: His dhama, or abode - Vrndavana - is equally worshipable
- Complete knowledge is possible, as it is said in the Bhagavad-gita, bahunam janmanam ante (BG 7.19) - after many births
D
- Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: (SB 6.3.19) "Real religion is directly enunciated by Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead." So, Bhagavan, Lord Krsna, says, - surrender unto Me
- Do you know what is meant by "sacrifice"? Yes. That (sacrifice to Visnu, to Krsna) means pleasing Krsna. If Krsna is pleased, He can change destiny
- Does anyone say, "Oh, his father was truthful - therefore, he is truthful"? This is nonsense. Krsna never says anything like this. The father may be Hiranyakasipu, a big demon, but his son can still be Prahlada, a great devotee of the Lord
- Don't be entrapped with these temporary, bodily 'necessities of life' - sense gratification. You must inquire about the Absolute Truth. the next verse of Srimad-Bhagavatam explains, vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattvam yaj jnanam advayam - SB 1.2.11
- Don't waste your time with these things (checking happines and distress condition of life). better you utilize your energy for advancing in Krsna consciousness
- During the daytime the dogs and asses think, - We are working, but these spiritualists, they are not working
E
- Educational centers should be opened for teaching people how to become genuine brahmanas and ksatriyas. Guna-karma-vibhagasah: (BG 4.13) according to their qualities and work, people naturally belong to different social groupings
- Especially when there is no religion, human beings are simply animals. This any common man can distinguish - that a dog does not understand what religion is
- Eternality belongs to everyone. Not that the Hindus, after giving up this body, exist, and the Muslims or Christians do not exist. Everyone exists eternally. So sanatana-dharma is meant for everyone
- Even a physician - when he is sick he does not devise his own treatment. He calls for another physician, because his brain is not in order. How can he prescribe the right medicine for himself
- Even at home - the father may be an atheist like Hiranyakasipu, and the son a theist like Prahlada. So atheists and theists will always exist - in the family, in the community, in the nation
- Even from the standpoint of basic moral instruction, we must ask, Who today is educated
- Even in ordinary affairs - let us say you are driving your car on some urgent business, and you see a red light. You have to stop. You cannot say, "I have to be there in a few minutes. I must go." No. You must stop. That is tapasya
- Even Krsna was ordered by His spiritual master to go and pick up some dry wood from the forest. So He had to go
- Even other Vaisnava philosophies cannot explain the higher relationships with God, which Caitanya Mahaprabhu explained. These are vatsalya-rasa (parenthood), and madhurya-rasa - conjugal love
- Even people from other religions who are really learned accept it (the Bhagavad-gita). That is proof of the greatness of Krsna - this knowledge. Who can give such knowledge? That is the proof that He is God
- Even though we have been attempting to introduce Him for only a few years, still, because it is reality, Krsna consciousness is being accepted
- Even though you do not want distress, still distress comes upon you. Similarly, even if you do not work hard for the happiness that is destined to be yours, still it will come
- Every living entity is eternal, sanatana. God is also eternal, and we can live with God in His sanatana-dhama, His eternal abode. This reciprocation is called sanatana-dharma, the eternal nature and duty of the living being
- Everyone can take to Krsna. Then everything will be settled up
- Everyone should offer up the fruits of his occupational duty to the lotus feet of the Lord Visnu , or Krsna." That is why the Vedic system is called varnasrama - literally, "social organization with a spiritual perspective
- Everyone's central point is Krsna. Everyone is loving Krsna so much that they do not know He is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- Everything is based on the srutis. as the Vedanta-sutra says, anavrttih sabdat: simply by chanting the Lord's names and instructions - His sound vibration - one becomes spiritually realized
- Everything is there in the Vedic culture, but this culture of Krsna consciousness, which is summarized in Bhagavad-gita As It Is, had not been preached properly. Everyone had interpreted Bhagavad-gita in his own way, to satisfy his own whims
- Everywhere, but in India especially, people should know that the real religion is this Vedic system. Vedic religion means varnasrama-dharma. Krsna says - God says - catur-varnyam maya srstam - BG 4.13
F
- First you must understand what actual progress is. The thing is that if you try to progress vainly, what is the use of trying? If it is a fact you cannot change your material destiny, why should you try for that
- Five thousand years ago, Krsna said, "I am the supreme authority. There is no authority superior to Me." He is still so. Therefore we are simply attempting to introduce Krsna
- For advancement in spiritual life, such tapasya (fasting and other dietary regulations) is essential. Tapasya means voluntarily accepting something which may be painful
- For everyone. At the head of the social body there must be the intelligent class of men, who will give advice
- For spiritual and material progress, the four occupational divisions of society have been set up by Me." So that is obligatory, just as the state law is obligatory. You cannot say, - I don't accept this law
- For this age, Kali-yuga, the Lord has prescribed a special means of God-realization - the chanting of His holy name
- From the surrendering point, further progress - that is Srimad-Bhagavatam. And when the love is intense, to make it more intensified - that is Caitanya-caritamrta
- From the very beginning of life, a child is habituated to eating meat. the mother purchases powdered meat and mixes it with liquid and feeds it to the infant. I have seen it
G
- Generally, modern so-called religious leaders have no conception of God, and yet they are preaching religion. What good is that religion? People are simply being misled. Real religion means God's order: dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam
- God is great, and we are minute. In that way we are different. That is why Caitanya Mahaprabhu enunciated this philosophy of acintya-bhedabheda: inconceivable, simultaneous oneness with and difference from God. That is real philosophy
- God is great. That's all. God is great. Krsna proved that He's great. Therefore He's God. Everyone says, "God is great." Allah-u-akbar, the Muslims say: "God is great." And Hindus say, param brahma: "You are the Supreme Spirit." So God is great
- God says, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah: (BG 4.13) "For the proper management of human society, I have created these four social divisions, based on people's qualities and actions." So you have to accept it
- God says, maya srstam: "This varnasrama system is given by Me." So how can we refuse to follow it? that means we are denying the real religion. Dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: (SB 6.3.19) real dharma, real religion, means the order given by God
- Good and "bad," "pious" and "sinful" - these are all considerations on the material platform. But when you are on the transcendental platform, you are automatically without sin. Krsna confirms this in Bhagavad-gita - 14.26
H
- He (a person free from clutches of maya) thinks, - Now I am engaged only in seeking these bodily comforts of life. These are not at all essential, because my body will change
- He (a person) may live in a hut and become very advanced in self-realzation. But if he wastes his time turning his hut into a skyscraper, then his whole life is wasted, finished
- He (mundane worker) is busy all day simply so that in the evening he can look at his account books and say, "Oh, the balance had been one thousand dollars - now it has become two thousand." That is his satisfaction
- He (mundane worker) will have the same two pieces of bread and one cup of tea, even though he has increased his balance from one thousand to two thousand. And still he'll work hard. This is why karmis are called mudhas
- He (Prahlada Maharaj) didn't care about his father's attempts to make him suffer. That state of existence is called apratihata: if you want to execute KC, your material condition of life cannot check it. That is the real platform of progress
- He (the cleansed heart person who is free from the clutches of maya, or the materialistic way of life) understands that he is not this body - that he's a spirit soul, and that his business is therefore different from merely material concerns
- He says especially to people born in India (CC Adi 9.41) - Anyone who has taken his birth as a human being in India, Bharatavarsa, should make his life successful and work for the upliftment of the whole world
- He says, sarva-yonisu kaunteya (BG 14.4) ... aham bija-pradah - Of all forms of life, I am the seed-giving father
- He's thinking, "I am so busy & working so hard, yet I am not getting a good salary. And this man is just sitting on the bench, and he's getting such a fat salary." The criticism of Hinduism as "inhibiting progress" is like that: it comes out of ignorance
- Here is the Absolute Truth speaking - a person. Why don't you take it
- How are we doing it (following sanatana-dharma)? Is it not practical? Krsna requests, man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru: "Always think of Me, become My devotee, worship Me, and offer your obeisances to Me." Where is the impracticality
- How can I believe it - that by working harder I will not get more material happiness than I would otherwise have had? - Because you are undergoing so many distressing conditions even though you do not want them
- How can there be happiness or peace in animal society? The big leaders want to keep the citizenry as animals, and at the same time they are striving to make a United Nations. How is it possible? United Animals? Is it possible? Society for United Animals
- How does one become qualified? That is also described. For instance, in Bhagavad-gita Krsna describes the qualities of a brahmana as follows: samo damas tapah saucam ksantir arjavam eva ca jnanam vijnanam astikyam
- How have the cowherd boys gotten the position of being able to play with Krsna? Krta-punya-punjah: After many, many lives of pious activities, they have gotten the position of playing with Krsna on equal terms
- How shall I get them (material happiness)?" How? Kalena sarvatra gabhira-ramhasa: By the arrangement of eternal time, everything will come about in due course
- How your love for God can be still more intensified. That is Caitanya-caritamrta. So Bhagavad-gita is the preliminary book: to understand God and surrender
- Human life is the opportunity for understanding what one is and what the aim of one's life is. The aim of life is to go back home, back to Godhead
- Human society without religion - animal society. This is the plain fact. Why are people unhappy now? Because they are neglecting religion
I
- I (a person free from clutches of maya) can understand that these bodily concerns are not my real business. My real business is how to elevate myself - as a spirit soul - to the spiritual world, back to home, back to Godhead
- I am sexually inclined, but I cannot do it. This is not the time. - That is tapasya
- I have already explained, that any civilized human being - he has got some religion. Now, the basic principles of religion are the statements made by God
- I require the real water. That is the nature of the relative world and relative consciousness. But in the spiritual world or spiritual consciousness, the name is the same as the thing that is named
- If a human being does not follow the regulative principles, he is sinful. He'll be punished
- If a person knows what gold is, then anywhere he comes upon gold, he'll understand, "Here is gold." He won't think gold is available in one shop only & if a person knows what God is, what the meaning of "God" is, then in Krsna he will find God in fullness
- If all people are to come together on one platform, they have to accept the principles of Bhagavad-gita. The first principle is that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- If by following some religious system you come to the platform of loving God, then your religious system is perfect. Otherwise, it is simply a waste of time - bogus religion, without a clear conception of God
- If destiny cannot be changed, then why was Prahlada Maharaja urging this (taking up KC)? Generally, "destiny" means your material future. That you cannot change. But even that can be changed when you are in spiritual life
- If everyone joins - either Indian or non-Indian - in this movement, there will be one religion and there will be peace. Peace will prevail. This is the only way - BG 5.29
- If God were gold, the living entity would also be gold. That is oneness in quality
- If he remains in darkness and does not learn what God is, then how will he understand Krsna? He'll understand Krsna as one of us. That's all. But if he knows what God is, then he'll understand about Krsna: - Yes, here is God
- If I say, "Here is God," now it is up to you to test my statement. If you know what God is, then test my statement about Krsna, and then you'll accept Him as God
- If I say, "Krsna is the Supreme Lord," you may say, "Why is Krsna the Supreme Lord? Krsna is Indian." No. He is God. For example, the sun rises first over India, then over Europe. But that does not mean the European sun is different from the Indian sun
- If my eye is giving me some kind of trouble on account of a cataract, that doesn't mean my eye should be plucked out. The cataract should be removed. So that is the idea of the KC movement - to remove the cataract from people's religious vision
- If one chants the Hare Krsna maha-mantra without any offense, under the guidance of a spiritual master, all these samskaras (ten kinds of purificatory processes) automatically become fulfilled, and one returns to his original, spiritual position
- If one does not act accord to the rules and regulations of sanatana-dharma, that is his business. That's all
- If one does not know what his position is, what benefit will he derive by simply being stamped - Hindu
- If one does not know who God is, who Krsna is, and if one does not surrender to Him, then where is the question of knowledge? But if a rascal claims that "I am a man of knowledge," what can be done
- If one engages himself in his original, spiritual business, acting as the servant of Krsna, then all processes of purification and reformation are fulfilled
- If one has no love of God, then what is the use of claiming that one's religion is the best? Where is the sign of love of Godhead? That is to be seen. Everyone will say, "My understanding is the best." But there must be practical proof
- If one is serious about understanding what God is, then he will accept Krsna as the Supreme Lord. Once he knows what God is, he'll understand, - Here is God-Krsna
- If people want to be cheated, then who can stop them? In Bhagavad-gita Krsna also says, vedanta-krd ... eva caham: "I am the compiler of Vedanta." Why do these rascals not consider who compiled Vedanta
- If someone claims to have the best religion, we ask, "Tell us how to love God. What is your process of loving God? If you do not know your relationship with God and others' relationship, then how can you love God?" That process of loving God is lacking
- If the living entity is eternally a fragmental part, how can he become one with the whole? The part is never equal to the whole. That is an axiomatic truth. So it is a wrong conception to try to become equal to God
- If the spiritual master says "go and pick up some wood from the forest," one may be a king's son, but he cannot refuse the spiritual master's order. He must go
- If there is no brain, no head, then what is the use of these arms and legs and belly? It is all dead. So in human society, if there is not a class of learned, truthful, and honest men - men with all the brahminical qualifications - then society is ruined
- If there is no conception of God, no order of God, then where is the question of religion? Ask someone in some other religious system what their conception of the form of God is. Can anyone tell clearly? Nobody can say
- If there is no person-to-person meeting, where is the question of love? If I claim to love somebody, but I visit his house only once a week and ask,"Please give me such-and-such," where is the exchange of love
- If they remain unreasonably stuck up in their own concocted philosophy, then it is difficult. But it is a fact that the living entity is eternally one with and different from God. Find this verse: mamaivamso jiva-loke - BG 15.7
- If we accept Srimad-Bhagavatam as the real commentary on Vedanta-sutra, then we'll find that in the Srimad-Bhagavatam it is said, kaler dosa-nidhe rajann asti hy eko mahan gunah - SB 12.3.51
- If we don't get out of this struggle (Where is food? Where is sex? Where is shelter? How to defend?) for existence, we'll have to do them again in many, many future lives. So these things should be stopped
- If we take instruction from Krsna and abide by that instruction, then our life is successful. Conveying that fact is our mission. This Krsna consciousness movement teaches, - Accept Krsna as your guru. Don't divert your attention
- If we take Srimad-Bhagavatam as the real explanation of Vedanta-sutra, then we will understand Vedanta, the end of knowledge. And if we take shelter of the Mayavadi Vedantists, the bluffers, then we cannot understand Vedanta
- If you actually love God, then your love for insects is also there, because you understand, - This insect has got a different kind of body, but he is also part and parcel of God - he is my brother
- If you chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra and give up these sinful activities, automatically you become reformed. You come to the spiritual platform. And in this way your life will become successful
- If you do not accept in the beginning that Krsna is the Supreme Lord, then try to understand this gradually. That is education. You can begin by accepting that there is somebody who is supreme
- If you do not even know the person, then where is the question of love? Suppose you love some boy or some girl, then you will give some present, and he or she gives you some present - that develops love
- If you do not know how to test my statement, then you may refuse to accept it (Krsna as God). That is another thing
- If you do not understand Krsna, then where is your knowledge? Half-way knowledge is not knowledge. It must be complete knowledge
- If you follow these principles - no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, no meat-eating - you are a brahmana. Come on and receive further training
- If you have no clear conception of God, if you do not know who God is, there is no question of accepting His order
- If you keep someone on the ignorant platform, then what is the benefit of making a Christian or a Muslim into a Hindu? No, artificially changing someone into a Hindu will not help. One must know the philosophy of life
- If you love somebody and he's not there, you find everything vacant. So Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu felt this way about Krsna - lover and beloved
- If you love somebody, you must give him something, and you must accept something from him. You must disclose your mind to him, and he should disclose his mind to you
- If you love somebody, you should give him some eatable, and whatever eatable thing he offers, you accept. These six kinds of exchange develop love
- If you merely say, "I love the air, I love the sky," what question is there of love? There must be a person. So who is that person we want to love
- If you study Bhagavad-gita scrutinizingly, you'll understand that Krsna is the Supreme Lord
- If you take the instruction of Arjuna, then you will understand the Absolute Truth. So what is the instruction of Arjuna? Find out in the tenth chapter
- If you take to some false religious system, then you suffer. But if you take to the real religious system, then you'll be happy
- If your religion has no conception of God, where is the question of religion? Still, without any conception of God, they are professing some religion. How long will it go on artificially? It will deteriorate
- Immediately, description - "Here is God." Then there is religion. And if there is no conception of God, where is the question of religion? Bogus. That is why religiosity and the other noble human qualities are declining
- In a court of law, there are two lawyers. One lawyer is speaking on one point of the law, the other lawyer is speaking on another point of the law. But if the judge listens to one side only, then how will he make a proper judgement
- In a high-court a judge is sitting soberly, apparently doing nothing, and he is getting the highest salary. And another man in the same court - he's working hard all day long, rubber-stamping, and he is getting not even one-tenth of the judge's salary
- In a nutshell, Brahman is then described: janmady asya yatah (SB 1.1.1) - "Brahman is the origin of everything." And in Bhagavad-gita Krsna says, aham sarvasya prabhavah: (BG 10.8) I am the origin of everything
- In all other business, there is no question of pleasing Krsna. When one nation declares war upon another, there is no question of pleasing Krsna or serving Krsna. They're pleasing their own senses, serving their own whims
- In Bhagavad-gita (5.18) Krsna also describes the pandita: "The humble sage, by virtue of true knowledge, sees with equal vision a learned and gentle brahmana, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and a dog-eater." That is a learned man. Not this degree-holder
- In Bhagavad-gita Arjuna has realized, "O Krsna, You are the Supreme Brahman," So you should make Arjuna your guru and Krsna your guru. Arjuna is the representative of Krsna, the friend of Krsna
- In Bhagavad-gita He affirms, (BG 14.4) "I am the seed-giving father of all living entities" - not just the living entities in the human society, but also all other living entities, like the aquatics, the insects, the plants, the birds, and the beasts
- In Bhagavad-gita Krsna goes on to explain: vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah (BG 7.19). when one understands that Vasudeva, Krsna, is everything, then that is knowledge. But such a mahatma is very rare
- In his next life he (person in hut) is going to be a dog, although he does not know it. That's all
- In His Siksastaka, Lord Caitanya describes the progressive benefits of chanting Hare Krsna. First, ceto-darpana-marjanam - CC Antya 20.12
- In human society, whether you are a Christian or a Muhammadan or a Hindu or a Buddhist, it doesn't matter. But there must be some system of religion - that is human society
- In our International Society for Krishna Consciousness, our main business is how to make advancement in Krsna consciousness. We are not enthusiastic about opening big, big factories with big, big money-earning machines. No
- In spite of any suffering, you can make progress in spiritual life. Just like Prahlada Maharaja himself. His father put him into so many suffering conditions, but he was not impeded - he made spiritual progress
- In spite of your destiny, if you try for Krsna consciousness, you can achieve spiritual success. Otherwise, why did Prahlada Maharaja urge his friends, kaumara acaret: Take Krsna consciousness up from your very childhood
- In the Bhagavad-gita Krsna clearly says, aham sarvasya prabhavo mattah sarvam pravartate: (BG 10.8) "I am the origin of everything; everything comes from Me." So why don't you Mayavadi Vedantists take it
- In the Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna says, vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: (BG 15.15) "By all the Vedas I am to be known." So the whole Vedanta-sutra is a description of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- In the Eleventh Chapter Krsna Himself is described as sanatanah. Do you remember? He is described as sanatanah, the supreme eternal
- In the relative world, the word water and the substance water are different. When I am thirsty, if I simply chant "Water, water, water," my thirst will not be satisfied
- In the SB 12.3.51 also, Sukadeva Gosvami directs, Although in this age there are so many faults - it is truly an ocean of faults - still, there is one very great advantage: simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra, one becomes fully purified & liberated
- In the science of logic it is said, "Man is a rational animal." So when rationality is missing, one becomes simply an animal. What is the possibility of being a human being
- In the spiritual world there often seems to be no difference between the master and the servant. For instance, Krsna's friends the cowherd boys - they do not know that Krsna is God. They play with Him on equal terms
- In the Vedas it is said, nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam (Katha Upanisad 2.2.13): both God and His creatures are living entities, though God is the chief
- In the Vedic system is what God says. If you take to this system, then the social body will be perfect, not only for Hindus but also for Christians, for Muhammadans, for everyone. And that is being practically realized in our Krsna consciousness movement
- In this age, because it is practically impossible to induce people to take up all these ritualistic processes, both the scripture and Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommend, "Chant the Hare Krsna maha-mantra." This is the special advantage of this age
- In this way (the Supreme Being is directly and indirectly cognizant of everything and is fully independent, everthing has emanated from Him) the smrti explains the sruti
- In this way they will come to the platform of devotional service, and then their life becomes successful. Is that question answered or not
- In today's educational institutions, who is teaching this tapasya? Where is the school or college? The students are even smoking in front of their teacher, and it is tolerated. No offense. What can you expect from such students
- Indians are meant for this business - for the upliftment of the whole world - because all over the world people are unaware of Krsna
- Insofar as your material condition is concerned, generally that cannot be checked. You have to suffer. But in the case of a devotee, that suffering also can be stopped or minimized. Otherwise, Krsna's statement would be false: aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
- Instead of wasting your time trying to change your economic condition or material destiny apart from Krsna consciousness, you should employ your priceless human energy for attaining Krsna consciousness, which cannot be checked
- It (Krsna consciousness movement) is not artificial proselytizing: "You are Christian; now become a Hindu." It is not like that. This movement is actually bringing people back to their natural position - part and parcel of God
- It (pushing on this Krsna consciousness movement) is based on sruti, smrti, and pancaratriki-vidhi, the principles of sruti, smrti, and the Narada Pancaratra. Therefore, it is becoming effective
- It doesn't matter which mahajana we are discussing. The real mahajana is he who is strictly following the principles enunciated by God. Then he is following a real religious system. Otherwise, there is no question of religion
- It is a false charge that the Vedic system inhibits the progress of mankind. What is that "progress"? A dog's jumping is progress
- It is not "I may do it or not do it." These austerities must be done. For example, in the Mundaka Upanisad it is ordered that if one wants to become self-realized, one must approach a spiritual master: tad-vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet - MU 1.2.12
- It is not a new role for the Vedic culture. The role is already there - to preach Krsna consciousness. That is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's vision
- It is not enough simply to abolish the caste system, which is contaminated by the false conception of qualification by birthright. Certainly, this wrong caste system should be abolished
- It is not that one (demon's son) will inevitably become exactly like one's father. Of course, it may be; there is every possibility. But still it is not a fact that the son unavoidably becomes like the father
- It is said, samskarad bhaved dvijah: by the purificatory processes, one attains spiritual rebirth. That is essential
J
- Just as misery comes without our trying for it, so the happiness we deserve will also come, by higher arrangement. A dog has a material body, and I have a material body. So my sex pleasure and the dog's sex pleasure is the same
- Just as we are. In these verses from Srimad-Bhagavatam is a list of mahajanas, including Svayambhu, or Lord Brahma. So this sampradaya of ours is called the Brahma-sampradaya
- Just as you cannot check your distressing condition of life, similarly you cannot check your happy condition of life. It will come automatically
K
- Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet: (SB 12.3.51) Chant the Lord's holy name and you'll be liberated
- Krsna does not say that. He says "according to quality and work." He never says "according to birth." So this so-called caste system in India is a false notion of catur-varnyam, the system of four social divisions
- Krsna has all opulences in full, including knowledge. Other than here in Krsna's words, where is such knowledge throughout the whole world? Every line is sublime knowledge
- Krsna is Brahman, or spirit, and I am also Brahman, but He's the Supreme Brahman, while I am minute Brahman. So my business is to serve Krsna
- Krsna is God, undoubtedly. So take to Krsna consciousness and abide by the order of Krsna. Then everyone can come together on the same religious platform. One religion, Krsna consciousness
- Krsna is not just for India. He is for everyone, because He is God
- Krsna is personally advising: sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: (BG 18.66) "Give up all your concocted religions and surrender to Me alone." take His advice and be happy
- Krsna is present through His words and through His representative. Therefore we advise everyone to accept Krsna's instructions in Bhagavad-gita and to surrender to His bona fide representative
- Krsna requests, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja: (BG 18.66) "Give up all varieties of concocted religion & simply surrender to Me." This is practical religion. Just surrender to Krsna & think - I am a devotee of Krsna, a servant of Krsna
- Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita (7.28): - Persons who have acted piously in previous lives & in this life & whose sinful actions are completely eradicated are freed from the dualities of delusion, & they engage themselves in My service with determination
- Krsna says, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah (BG 4.13) according to their qualities & work, you take some men & put them in the brahminical class, others in the ksatriya class, still others in the vaisya class, & the rest in the sudra class
- Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja (BG 18.66), and we say the same thing: "Give up all other ideas of so-called dharma and surrender to Krsna." The same thing. we don't say of ourselves, - I am the authority
- Krsna says, sarva-dharman parityajya: (BG 18.66) "In the ultimate issue, My instruction is to give up all religious formularies" - including even Vedic formularies - and simply surrender to Me
- Krsna's family and friends never understood that Krsna is God. Their natural love for Krsna was so intense. Therefore Vrndavana life is so exalted
- Krsna, being absolute, is not different from His words. The words of Krsna and Krsna Himself - they are the same. That is the meaning of Absolute Truth
- Krsnas tu bhagavan svayam: (SB 1.3.28) "Krsna Himself is the Supreme Personality of Godhead." The sastra explains what Bhagavan, or God, is, and how Krsna is Bhagavan
L
- Let the Mayavadi Vedantists and their followers accept the conclusions of Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. Then they will understand Vedanta-sutra. They'll be real Vedantists
- Let them suffer (by concocting their own system). What can be done? If you don't accept the laws of the state and you manufacture your own laws, then you'll suffer
- Like Arjuna, we should also accept Krsna as the guru who can instruct us in how to get relief from our perplexed position. So Krsna is the guru not only for Arjuna, but for everyone
- Love is something tangible. It is not merely fantasy or imagination. So we Krsna conscious people accept Krsna as God, and we are worshiping Krsna, and we are making progress
- Love means there is some exchange. If you love somebody but you have not given anything to that person or taken anything from him, where is the love
M
- Make sure that everything is clear. Why are you so eager to progress? Try to understand what is what. The first thing is that your destiny cannot be changed. That's a fact
- Maybe your character is less than an animal's, though you have a degree from the university. "Never mind. You have become a learned man." No - that is not accepted
- Mental tapasya. Bodily tapasya. Verbal tapasya - controlling vaco-vegam, the urge to talk loosely or whimsically. You cannot talk nonsense. If you talk, you must talk about Krsna. That is tapasya
- Mr. Ford was destined to become a rich man. His destiny was there, and so he became a rich man. Another man may work just as hard as Ford, but this does not mean he will become as rich as Ford. This is practical
N
- Naturally, according to the different types of body, there are some external differences in the pleasure, but the basic amount and quality of this pleasure has very well defined limitations. That is called destiny
- No one can check your spiritual advancement. Try to understand this
- Nobody can change them (sruti-smrti-pramana). But these particular rules and regulations in sruti-smrti are for particular times, particular circumstances. So we have to take these rules and regulations. You cannot change them
- Nobody can give a clear conception of God. If you have no understanding of what God is, where is the question of love? Love is not mere fantasy or imagination. You cannot love air. You love a person, a beautiful person
- Nobody is actually outside (of sanatana-dharma). Everyone is an eternal spirit soul, and therefore everyone is meant for the eternal religion, sanatana-dharma. You may think that you are not an eternal spirit soul, but that is simply illusion
- Nobody is enjoying uninterrupted material happiness. That is not possible. A certain amount of material happiness and a certain amount of material distress - these both must be present always
- Now one should learn about the Absolute Truth - what Brahman is, what Paramatma is, what Bhagavan is. In this way, one should make advancement in his spiritual consciousness
- Now people have to understand that Krsna is God. There is no "different role" for the Vedic culture. The role is the same worldwide
- Now you are in doubt about whether a guru is needed. Yes, a guru is needed, but you have to go to a real guru. That is the instruction given by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita
- Now, God says, "give up all this concocted dharma and just surrender unto Me." So take that dharma
- Nowadays India, like the rest of the world, has also given up the real religious system - sanatana-dharma, or varnasrama-dharma. In India they have accepted a hodgepodge thing called "Hinduism." So there is trouble
O
- Of course, you cannot surrender until you love. For instance, you are surrendered to me. Even though I am not from your country, because you have love for me, you surrender. If I say, "do this," you'll do it. Why? Because you love me
- On the platform of this philosophy, everyone can come together, if they are reasonable
- One gentleman has written me that Marx said, "Religion is the opium of the people." That means the Communists are very adamant against God consciousness because they think that religion has spoiled the whole social atmosphere
- One may begin with understanding impersonal Brahman by the speculative method; then, in the secondary stage, one can understand the Paramatma, the Lord's localized aspect; and the final stage is to understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna
- One may say, "Krsna is no longer present, so how can I surrender to Him?" Krsna is no longer present? How can you say that? Krsna's instruction is there - Bhagavad-gita. How can you say that Krsna is not present
- One must know what God is. One must learn how to love God. That is real life
- One religion exists already: how to love God. This is the one religion. Will the Christians say, "No, we don't want to love God"? Will the Muhammadans say, - No, no, we don't want to love God
- One should practice tapasya in every way - in body, mind, words, personal behavior, and dealings with others. That is human life
- One side you have to follow restrictions, and on the other side you have to engage yourself in devotional service
- Only a devotee can understand that to become one with God is not a sublime idea. In Vrndavana the devotees want to become the father or mother of God - to control God with love. This fact the Mayavadis, or Advaitavadis, cannot understand
- Only pure devotees can understand these things - to become the father or mother of God - to control God with love
- Our aim should be to go there (spiritual world), and every human being should be given the chance. That is real education. That is called samskara, the process of purification
- Our Krsna consciousness movement is not a process of trying to convince people of some speculative idea. This movement is actually bringing people to their real position - that they're all part and parcel of Krsna
- Our only business should be to surrender to Krsna. And if you artificially want to be more happy by economic development, that is not possible
- Our point is, wherever you go, you'll find a first-class man who is truthful. Now, wherever you find a truthful man, you can classify him as a brahmana & train him to serve the social body in that capacity, as a spiritual teacher & advisor. That is wanted
- Our sampradaya also includes Narada, another mahajana. Sambhu, or Lord Siva, is still another mahajana. He has his own sampradaya, the Rudra-sampradaya. And similarly, Laksmi, the goddess of fortune, has the Sri-sampradaya
P
- Peacefulness, self-control, austerity, purity, tolerance, honesty, knowledge, wisdom, and religiousness. So people who want to become brahmanas must be educated to acquire these qualities
- People are stamping themselves with some sectarian label, but there is no real religion
- People are taking this sex pleasure between a man and woman in a nice decorated apartment as very advanced. But this is not advanced. And yet they are making a dog's race for this - advancement
- People do not follow any tapasya at the present moment, but human life is meant for tapasya - regulative principles
- People do not know anything, and as a result they can be bluffed and cheated by anyone. Therefore now they should learn from this Krsna consciousness movement what Vedanta is and what the explanation of Vedanta-sutra is. Then they will be benefited
- People have no conception of God, and therefore there is no understanding of religion. As a result, the whole human civilization is declining. And because it is declining, human beings are becoming more and more like animals
- People should take to the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Then all reformation will be there, and people will come to the spiritual platform - brahma-bhutah, the realization of Brahman
- People who accuse followers of Vedic civilization of laziness or of "inhibiting progress" do not know what real progress is. The Vedic civilization is not interested in the false progress of economic development
- Practically everyone has been brought up eating meat. yet I say, "Don't eat meat." Therefore that is troublesome. But if one is serious about becoming self-realized, one must accept the order. That is tapasya
- Prahlada Maharaja advises his friends (SB 7.6.3): My dear friends, material pleasure which is due simply to this material body - is essentially the same in any body. And just as misery comes without our trying for it
- Prahlada Maharaja says that everything about material pleasure is already fixed
- Prahlada Maharaja says we are imagining that there are different types of pleasure on account of different types of body, but the pleasure is fundamentally the same
- Prahlada Maharaja says, na tat-prayasah kartavyam: you should not waste your energy for material happiness, because you cannot get more than what you are destined to have. That is not possible
- Prasannatma: they'll be happy. Na socati na kanksati: there will be no lamentation or needless hankering. Samah sarvesu bhutesu: they will see everyone on the spiritual platform. And finally, mad-bhaktim labhate param - BG 18.54
- Previously nobody attempted to introduce the supreme authority, Krsna, all over the world. We are just trying to introduce Krsna, following the orders of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who appeared five hundred years ago
- Prthivite ache yata nagaradi-grama, sarvatra pracara haibe mora nama: (CB Antya-khanda 4.126) "In every town and village throughout the world," said Lord Caitanya, - the chanting of My holy name will be heard
R
- Religion means how to love God, and any religion which teaches how to love God - that is perfect. It doesn't matter whether you are Christian or Muslim or Hindu
- Religion means the order of God, just as law means the order of the state. Now, if in your social system there is no state, where is the question of the state's order? You will simply manufacture your own order
- Religion might have been misused, but that does not mean that religion should be avoided. Real religion should be taken. Simply because religion has not been properly executed by the so-called priests, that does not mean religion should be rejected
- Religion will practically vanish. So that means gradually human beings will descend to the platform of animals - in Kali-yuga
- Religion without a clear conception of God is humbug, bogus. Religion means to accept the order of God
S
- Sa mahatma sudurlabhah: that mahatma, that great soul, is very rarely to be found. Durlabhah means "very rarely found," but the word used is sudurlabhah - very, very rarely to be found
- Sabda brahman means "spiritual sound vibration," and as the Vedanta-sutra instructs us, by chanting this spiritual sound vibration - the instructions and holy name of the Lord - one can become liberated
- Samah sarvesu bhutesu: you look upon all living beings equally. Then you cannot maintain slaughterhouses. If you maintain slaughterhouses and disobey the order of Christ in the Bible - "Thou shall not kill" - and you proclaim yourself a Christian
- Sanatana means "eternal." As Krsna says in the Bhagavad-gita, na hanyate hanyamane sarire: (BG 2.20) The living entity within the body is not destroyed when the body is destroyed, because he is eternal
- Sanatana-dharma, or Vedic dharma, is being disobeyed, distorted, and misrepresented, it has come to be misunderstood as "Hinduism." That is a fake understanding. That is not the real understanding
- Sarvatma-snapanam param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam: all glories to this sankirtana movement, the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra
- Simply a following of ritualistic ceremonies. That is not religion. That is superfluous. As stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam - 1.2.8
- Smrtis are given by the Lord and His representatives. They come from spiritual authorities such as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The sastra, or scripture, also gives this authority
- Smrtis such as the Brhan-naradiya Purana say the same thing - that in this age of Kali-yuga, the only possible means of God-realization is chanting the Lord's name
- So far as the Vedic religion is concerned, it is not simply for the so-called Hindus. That is to be understood. This is sanatana-dharma, the eternal and universal nature and duty of every living being. It is for all living entities, all living beings
- Some rascal Mayavadi may claim, "I am a Vedantist," but why should I go to a rascal instead of the real compiler of the Vedanta-sutra
- Someone may ask, "Then shall we do nothing?" Yes do nothing simply to improve your material position. Whatever material happiness is allotted for you by destiny, you'll get it wherever you are
- Sometimes people boast, "We have gone from the hut to the skyscraper." They think this is progress. But in the Vedic system of civilization, one thinks about how much he is advanced in self-realization
- Sometimes people misunderstand, thinking that sages who try for self-realization are lazy
- Sometimes the residents of Vrndavana see Krsna's wonderful activities and think, "Krsna must be some demigod who has come here." They never recognize that Krsna is the Supreme Personality of Godhead - or if they do, Krsna makes them immediately forget
- Sometimes those who have no idea of religion notice that the Indian saintly persons are not working hard like dogs
- Spiritually uncultured people think the dog race is life. But actual life is spiritual progress. Therefore the SB (1.5.18) says, tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's philosophy is acintya-bhedabheda: the living entities are simultaneously one with and different from the Lord. The living entity is one in the sense that he is part and parcel of God
- Srila Rupa Gosvami says in the Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu - You cannot become purified or actually God conscious without reference to both sruti and smrti. So as we push on this Krsna consciousness movement, it is not whimsical
- Srila Vyasadeva knew that in this Kali-yuga people would not be able to study Vedanta-sutra nicely on account of a lack of education, he personally wrote a commentary on the Vedanta-sutra. That commentary is Srimad-Bhagavatam. Bhasyam brahma-sutranam
- Srimad-Bhagavatam begins with the same aphorism as the Vedanta-sutra: janmady asya yatah (SB 1.1.1), and continues, anvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah svarat. So actually, the Vedanta-sutra is explained by the author in Srimad-Bhagavatam
- Sruti-smrti-pramana - citing evidence from the Vedas and the corollary literature - is the only method for making a spiritual statement. You have to take it
- Suffering must befall me on account of my sinful activities, but Krsna says, "I will deliver you from all the reactions to your sinful activities." This should be clear. Ordinarily, destiny cannot be checked
- Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me: "I see everything vacant without Govinda." That is the supreme stage of love. Is that clear or not
- Suppose I have written a book. If you cannot understand something in it, then you should come directly to me for an explanation. That is sensible. Why go to a rascal who has nothing to do with my book
- Suppose you are destined to suffer. So apratihata means that in spite of your so-called destiny to suffer, if you take to Krsna consciousness your suffering will be reduced, or there will be no suffering
- System of four social divisions, according to quality and work, is ordained by Me." But the difficulty is that this so-called caste system has come in, on account of the false notion that in order to be a brahmana, one must be the son of a brahmana
T
- Take this simple approach (from BG 18.66). Then everything will be immediately done. Real dharma, real religion, means dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam: (SB 6.3.19) what God says, that is dharma
- Take to Krsna consciousness. You'll get these other things (material happiness) besides
- Tapasya applies to diet, to personal behavior, to dealings with others, and so on and so forth. In every aspect of life, there is tapasya. That is all described in the Bhagavad-gita
- Tapasya begins with brahmacari life, learning to control the senses - that is the beginning of life. Not "A-B-C-D" learning
- Tapasya is meant for the human being. He must do it if he at all wants to make progress in life. It is essential
- Tapasya is so essential that one has to do it. There is no question of an alternative
- Tapasya means following the regulative principles strictly, according to the higher order. and that is human life
- Tapo divyam: (SB 5.5.1) if you want to simply be a human being, and especially if you want to make progress in spiritual life, you must act according to the sastric injunctions. That means tapasya
- Tapo divyam: (SB 5.5.1) like other great spiritual authorities, Rsabhadeva orders that this human life is meant for austerity aimed toward realizing God. Therefore in our Vedic civilization we find so many rules and regulations
- That (dietary regulations) is also tapasya. For example, we prohibit meat-eating. So in your country this is a little troublesome
- That advantage of re-engagement in our original, spiritual business is given freely in this age: kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet (SB 12.3.51) - Simply by chanting the Lord's holy name, one achieves spiritual liberation
- That classification (the brahminical class,the ksatriya class, the vaisya class, and the sudra class according to the qualities of a person) is wanted. That must be there
- That ignorance (no conception) about God has resulted in the present condition
- That is the process (we must know God before we can love Him) given in the Bhagavad-gita. There are eighteen chapters, and the whole eighteen chapters are education - how to know God
- That is the teaching of Lord Caitanya: jivera 'svarupa' haya krsnera 'nitya-dasa' (CC Madhya 20.108) - The real identity of the living being is that he is the eternal servant of Krsna
- That is why (because there is not a class of learned, truthful, & honest men (brahmana) in the society) people are perplexed. Today almost everyone is trained to be a sudra, a laborer: "Go to the factory." That's all. - Go to the factory and get money
- That religion is perfect which teaches its followers how to love God. So let everyone come to this platform of loving God. That is Krsna consciousness
- That spiritual purpose you should engage your energy. That advantage is open to you now, in the human form. Ahaituky apratihata: pure devotional service to the Lord, Krsna consciousness, is open to you now, and it cannot be checked
- The Absolute Truth is explained as Brahman, the all-pervading spiritual effulgence; as Paramatma, the localized Supersoul; or as Bhagavan, the Supreme Lord. Understanding these is what Vedanta-sutra means when it says, athato brahma jijnasa
- The Advaitan wrongly thinks that he is absolutely one with God, that he himself is God. That is wrong. How can you become God? God is sad-aisvarya-purnam, full in six opulences - all power, all wealth, all beauty, all fame, all knowledge, & renunciation
- The ass stands at the washerman's door, eating the grass, while the washerman loads him up again. The ass has no sense to think - If I get out of the clutches of this washerman, I can get grass anywhere. Why am I carrying so much
- The ass works very hard for no tangible gain. He carries on his back tons of cloth for the washerman, and the washerman in return gives him a little morsel of grass
- The beginning is cleansing the heart, because we are impure on account of dirty things within our heart, accumulated lifetime after lifetime in the animalistic way of life
- The benefit (of training people according to their own qualities) will be that the whole social body will function harmoniously. The social body must have a brain and arms and a belly and legs to be complete
- The Bhagavad-gita is the science of how to know God. The preliminary science. If you want to know more, then read Srimad-Bhagavatam. And if you are in intense love with God, read Caitanya-caritamrta
- The boys are playing with Param Brahman, though to an ordinary man He appears to be an ordinary child
- The Brahma-samhita (5.54) says, karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam: destiny can be changed by Krsna for His devotees; otherwise it is not possible
- The Britishers are achieving their sense gratification; we cannot. All right, fight. So there was no question of pleasing Krsna
- The charge is false. Those who have made that charge do not know what "Hinduism" is
- The conclusion is, religion means to love God, and that means you must know who God is. There is no alternative. You must know the person who is God. Then you can have loving exchanges with Him. That we are teaching
- The cowherd boys are playing with Krsna. And who is Krsna? He is the essence of brahma-sukha, spiritual bliss. He is Param Brahman, the Supreme Spirit
- The difference between the two (God and living entities) is that God maintains all the other living entities. That is a fact. We are maintained, and God is the maintainer. We are predominated - we are not independent - and God is the predominator
- The difference is always there between God & the part-&-parcel living entities, but by the influence of God's internal potency, the understanding is covered. We can attain that position after many, many lives of pious activities. That is stated in the SB
- The dog is also a living being, but he's not interested in what is being discussed here about Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavatam. That is the distinction between man and dog: the animal is not interested
- The dog is busy for sense gratification: "Where is food? Where is shelter? Where is a mate? How to defend?" And the man is also doing the same business, in different ways
- The Dvaitans stress that one is utterly different from God, that God is separate from the living entity. But actually, from the Bhagavad-gita we understand that the living entities are part and parcel of God
- The educated person is described by Canakya Pandita: "The educated man sees another's wife as his mother and another's property as untouchable garbage, and he sees all others as equal to himself." That is the pandita, the learned man
- The effects of artificial proselytizing will not stand. But when one comes to the real understanding of his position, then that will continue. This Krsna consciousness movement is that real understanding - bringing everyone back to his original position
- The fellow's (Brahmana trainee) father may be a meat-eater or a gambler or a drunkard, but if he himself is truthful and agreeable to the brahminical life, then tell him, "All right, come on - you are welcome." Then everything will be all right
- The first statement in the Vedanta-sutra is athato brahma jijnasa: Now, having attained a human birth, one should inquire into Brahman, the Absolute Truth
- The followers of varnasrama-dharma - they never tried for economic development. You'll find in India, still, millions of people taking bath in the Ganges during Kumbha-mela. Have you have been to the Kumbha-mela festival
- The four original Vedas are considered sruti. But simply by hearing them, one cannot understand fully. Therefore, the smrtis have explained further. Purayati iti purana: by hearing the Puranas and other smrtis, one makes his understanding complete
- The Greek word Christo comes from the Sanskrit Krishna. In fact, another spelling of Krishna is Krishta. So actually, if we take the root meaning,"Christian" means "Krishtian" or "Krishnian." So that is a controversial point
- The guru is essential. But why go to a bogus guru? You will be cheated
- The guru is necessary; that's a fact. But go to the real guru. Who is the real guru? The real guru is Krsna or one who has seen Krsna, such as Arjuna
- The human being should exert his energy for that thing which he did not get in many, many lives. Through many, many lives the soul has been in the forms of dogs or demigods or cats or birds or insects
- The illusion of wrongly working on the basis of the bodily concept of life is overcome simply by the chanting of the Hare Krsna maha-mantra. This is the first installment of benefit from chanting
- The inhabitants of Krsna's abode have such unflinching love for Krsna. That is Vrndavana life. The cows, the calves, the trees, the flowers, the water, the elderly men, Krsna's parents Nanda Maharaja & Yasodamayi - everyone is intensely attached to Krsna
- The life of vice and the life of piety are within this material world, but when one is spiritually engaged, he is above the material plane, on the spiritual plane
- The materialistic workers - they see, "These men are not working like us, like dogs & asses. So they are escaping." Yes, escaping your fruitless endeavor.The Vedic civilization of self-realization begins from the varnasrama system of social organization
- The Mayavadi Vedantists are all nonsense - they have no knowledge at all. The subject matter of ultimate knowledge, Vedanta, is Krsna, God
- The Mayavadi Vedantists cheat. Suppose I present some proposition. If it is a misconception, generally there are others also who can say something to clarify this misconception
- The Mayavadi Vedantists do not care to read these Vaisnava Vedanta-bhasyas. They simply read Sariraka-bhasya and call themselves Vedantists
- The Mayavadi Vedantists follow the impersonal commentary of Sankaracarya, Sariraka-bhasya. But there are other commentaries on the Vedanta-sutra
- The Mayavadis are trying to become God, but that is impossible. Let them try to become godly. Godly means "servant of God." That will make them perfect
- The members of the modern so-called civilization do not know of varnasrama. Therefore they have created a society that is simply a dog's race. The dog is running on four legs, and thay are running on four wheels. That's all
- The mundane workers are like that (no sense to think). They're busy at the office, very busy. If you want to see the fellow - I am very busy now
- The Muslims called India "Hindustan," which means "the land on the other side of the river Sind, or 'Hind.'" Otherwise, "Hindustan" has no Vedic reference. So this "Hindu dharma " has no Vedic reference
- The Muslims referred to the Indian people, who lived on the other side of the river Sind, as "Sindus" - actually, due to the peculiarities of pronunciation, as "Hindus
- The natural position is that every living entity - animals, plants, and human beings, including Indians, Americans, Czechs - everyone is part and parcel of Krsna
- The next benefit is anandambudhi-vardanam: the ocean of transcendental bliss increases; and purnamrtasvadanam: he tastes the nectar of Krsna consciousness at every step of life. In other words, his life becomes totally blissful
- The particular medicine is recommended by the doctor, not by your whims. Sruti and smrti cannot be changed, but they may recommend a particular process at a particular time
- The person who chants Hare Krsna purifies his consciousness. Then his materialistic activity is stopped. He knows, "This is simply a waste of time. I must act spiritually." That is knowledge, which comes from cleansing the heart - CC Antya 20.12
- The predominated living entities are part and parcel of God, in quality they are one with God
- The purpose of samskaras is to gradually bring a person who has no knowledge of spiritual life to the spiritual platform
- The question was, "Should purificatory processes be revived?" They should be revived as far as necessary, but all of them cannot be revived in this age
- The rascal Mayavadis - without understanding Vedanta-sutra, and without reading the natural commentary, Srimad-Bhagavatam - are posing themselves as Vedantists. That means they are misguiding people
- The real aim of samskaras is to bring a rascal to the platform of knowledge. Janmana jayate sudrah: by birth, everyone is the same - sudra. In other words, one is without any knowledge
- The real system of catur-varnyam means guna-karma-vibhagasah, determination of the four social divisions according to quality and work. One must be qualified
- The real Vedic dharma is sanatana-dharma, or varnasrama-dharma. First of all, one has to understand this
- The reason (the Mayavadi Vedantists read only one commentary named Sariraka-bhasya but not Vaisnava Vedanta-bhasyas) is that they want to read something that will confirm their illusion that they are God
- The reformatory processes, or samskaras, are meant for purifying a person so that he becomes mukta-sangah, liberated from all the bad association of material existence and eligible to go back home, back to Godhead
- The same judge who gave the verdict cannot check it. But if the man begs for the mercy of the king, the king can check the execution. He can go totally above the law
- The sastra says, "You must have sex like this: once in a month and only for begetting children." So that is also tapasya
- The self-controlled man wakes up very early - practically in the middle of the night - and works for spiritual realization while others are sleeping
- The so-called follower is simply a mano-dharmi, a mental speculator. Mental speculation is not religion. Religion is the order of God, and one who follows that order - he is religious. That's all
- The so-called Vedantists, the Mayavadis (impersonalists), are bluffers. They do not know what Vedanta is. But people want to be bluffed, and the bluffers take advantage of it
- The soul has a particular type of body, he must eat a particular type of food. Can anyone, any scientist, improve the standard of living of a pig? Is it possible
- The spiritual divisions are the brahmacaris - students, grhasthas - householders, vanaprasthas - retirees, and sannyasis - renunciants
- The Srimad-Bhagavatam is the real commentary on the Vedanta-sutra, written by the author of the Vedanta-sutra himself. The Vedanta-sutra was written by Vyasadeva, & under the instruction of Narada, his spiritual master, Vyasadeva wrote a commentary on it
- The Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is smrti, explains, janmady asya yato 'nvayad itaratas carthesv abhijnah sva-rat: (SB 1.1.1) The Supreme Being, from whom everything has emanated, is directly and indirectly cognizant of everything and is fully independent
- The state says, "Keep to the right." But if you make your own law - "No, I will keep to the left" - then you'll suffer. It's a fact
- The steps to be taken have already been explained - this Krsna consciousness movement. The atheist class and the theist class will always exist. This is the nature of the material world
- The system which teaches this eternal system of reciprocation - that is called sanatana-dharma, the eternal religion. It is meant for everyone
- The theists should follow the instructions of the Bhagavad-gita and take shelter at Krsna's lotus feet, giving up other, so-called religious principles. That will bring religious unity
- The transcendental platform means there is no sinful activity. It is above any question of "sinful." "Pious" and "sinful" activities are there only as long as you are on the material platform
- The two words combined in the word Vedanta are veda and anta. Veda means "knowledge," and anta means "goal" or "end." so Vedanta means the end of all knowledge, or veda
- The ultimate goal is visnur aradhyate - the worship of the Supreme Lord, Visnu , by all. That is the idea
- The uncivilized men in the jungle are having the same sex pleasure as the so-called civilized men who boast, "Instead of living in that hut made of leaves, we are living in a skyscraper building. This is advancement
- The Vaisnava philosophy teaches that we can remain in our natural position but act as a servant of God. That is perfect. But if the servant tries to become the master, that is artificial
- The varnasrama system has four social and four spiritual divisions. the social divisions are the brahmanas - teachers and priests, ksatriyas - administrators and military men, vaisyas - farmers and merchants, and sudras - laborers and craftsmen
- The Vedanta-sutra actually describes Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead
- The Vedanta-sutra says, athato brahma jijnasa: - Now, in the human form of life, is the time to inquire into what is the Supreme Brahman
- The Vedanta-sutra says, janmady asya yatah: (SB 1.1.1) "The Absolute Truth is that from which everything emanates." But this needs some explanation. One may ask, Is that Absolute Truth personal or impersonal
- The Vedantists are simply reading the Sariraka-bhasya. They are not reading other bhasyas, such as the Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is the natural commentary. And they are cheating people. That's all
- The Vedic civilization is for self-realization. It is meant for the intelligent person, the person who will not just work like an ass but who will try for that thing which he did not achieve in so many other lives - namely, self-realization
- The Vedic mantras are not always understood. For instance, the Vedanta, which is sruti, begins with the mantra janmady asya yatah: (SB 1.1.1) "The Supreme is that being from whom everything has emanated." This is very abbreviated
- The Vedic scriptures make no mention of such a thing as "Hinduism." but they do mention sanatana-dharma, the eternal and universal religion, and also varnasrama-dharma, the natural organization of human society. That we can find in the Vedic scriptures
- The Vedic system is not fatalistic. It is fatalistic only in the sense that one's material destiny cannot be changed. But your spiritual life is in your hands
- The Vedic system is this: The human being has a certain amount of energy - better energy than the animals', better consciousness - and that energy should be utilized for spiritual advancement
- The Vedic system of civilization is meant for realizing God: visnur aradhyate. In the Vedic system, people try for that
- The Vedic system of religion we have been describing - the varnasrama system created by Krsna - is not to be confused with the present-day caste system - determination of social divisions by birth
- The whole Vedic civilization is based on the understanding that destiny allows only a certain amount of material happiness in this world, and that our efforts should therefore be directed toward self-realization
- The whole Vedic system is meant for spiritual advancement. Human energy is employed in a more exalted direction than to compete with the dog
- There are 8,400,000 material forms. So this transmigration is going on, but in every one of these millions of forms, the business is sense gratification
- There are mahajanas among the Christian saints. They include Christ, and in addition to Christ, so many others - St. Matthew, St. Thomas, and so forth. These mahajanas are mentioned in the Bible
- There are so many rascals who think that with the death of the body, everything is finished. They may think so, but that is not a fact
- There are two different platforms, the material and the spiritual. Followers of the Vedic civilization, which is practiced in India - although nowadays it is distorted - actually, these people are not lazy
- There is also tapasya in connection with krodha-vegam, the urge to express one's anger. If one becomes angry and wants to express it by beating someone or doing something very violent, tapasya will restrict him - No, don't do it
- There is also tapasya with regards to the tongue, belly, and genitals. One cannot eat anything and everything, or at any time he pleases. Nor can one have sex freely, but only according to the scriptural injunctions
- There is bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam: the process of stopping the blazing fire of material existence. Next, sreyah-kairava-candrika-vitaranam: his life becomes completely auspicious; & vidya-vadhu-jivanam: he becomes filled with transcendental knowledge
- There is no "different role." God is one. God cannot be two. As Krsna states in the Bhagavad-gita (7.7), mattah parataram nanyat kincid asti dhananjaya: "There is no authority superior to Me." That is God
- There is no question of "optional"; it (tapasya) must be done. And one must carry out the order of the spiritual master and the order of the sastra, or scripture
- There must be adherence to both sruti and smrti - to scriptural authority. You cannot modify
- There must be the administrative and protective class, the farming and mercantile class, and the laboring class. This is all given in the Bhagavad-gita: brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra
- There must be veda-pramana, sabda-pramana: evidence from the Vedas and from the explanatory Vedic literature. Otherwise, there is no evidence. Your statement is not valid: you cannot change the original sruti-smrti
- These are the human assets - qualities which make a human being distinct from the animals.These things will decline (in Kali-yuga). There will be almost no mercy, there will be almost no truthfulness, memory will be shortened, duration of life shortened
- These examples (Lord Caitanya following injunction of sruti, smrti and chanting Hare Krsna) are evidence that the smrtis are directly based on the srutis. So introduce this Hare Krsna maha-mantra. Everyone will be purified
- These facts (Krsna-Vrajendra-nandana, the son of Nanda Maharaja - is aradhya, worshipable. Then, tad-dhama vrndavanam: His dhama, or abode - Vrndavana - is equally worshipable) pertain to a higher standard of understanding
- These mahajanas-Brahma, Narada, Lord Siva, and so on - they know what the principles of religion are. Religion means bhagavata-dharma, understanding God and our relationship with God. That is religion
- They (followers of Vedic Civilization) are so busy that they want to begin the busy-ness from their very childhood. Therefore it is wrong to think they are lazy
- They (followers of Vedic Civilization) are very, very busy. Not only very, very busy, but also kaumara acaret prajno dharman bhagavatan iha: (SB 7.6.1) they are trying to become self-realized from the very beginning of life
- They (karmis) work like asses, without any real aim of life
- They (Mayavadi Vedantists) will remain cheaters. So if you go to a cheater you'll be cheated, and that is your business
- They (members of the modern civilization) think the four-wheel race is advancement of civilization
- They (most people) have some conception of God, but actually they do not know what God is. But religion means you must know God and love Him
- They (people) tavel thousands of miles to take bath in the Ganges at the holy place of Prayag. So although they are not busy in the dog's race, these people are not lazy
- They (the smrtis) cannot be changed. Nothing can be changed. But according to the time, you have to apply the principles properly. For instance, in Kali-yuga the smrti order is kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet
- They may take it as "new smrti," but smrti is smrti - it is not new. In any spiritual statement, you have to give references to sruti and smrti. Otherwise, it is not valid
- This (Krsna consciousness) is not a new role for the Vedic culture. The role is already there. Five hundred years ago, Caitanya Mahaprabhu spoke of it
- This (presenting Bhagavad-gita) is not a "different role" for the Vedic culture. It is the actual role. Nobody had tried for it; therefore Krsna had been unknown in the Western countries
- This (sanction a particular application for a particular time and place) was done by Lord Sri Krsna Caitanya. When he appeared five hundred years ago, he sanctioned the application of sruti-smrti because He's a genuine authority. He's a genuine acarya
- This Advaitan idea is artificial - to think you're able to become God
- This is an animal civilization (where the students are even smoking in front of their teacher, and it is tolerated). This is not human civilization. No tapasya, no brahmacari life. Real civilization means tapo divyam (SB 5.5.1), godly austerity
- This is predicted in SB (12.2.1): In Kali-yuga, this age of quarrel and hypocrisy, there shall be a waning of these qualities: religiosity, truthfulness, cleanliness, tolerance, memory, bodily strength, duration of life, and mercy
- This is stated in the SB (6.1.15): Just as when the sun rises the all-pervading fog immediately disappears, so in this Kali-yuga, by the process of bhakti-yoga - especially by chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra - all one's sins are eradicated
- This is the common platform - Bhagavad-gita. Everyone, come and take to Krsna consciousness. Understand God and learn how to love Him, and your life will be perfect
- This is the conception of pure devotional service - that when you go to Goloka Vrndavana, Krsna's abode, you love Krsna so much that you will not distinguish between the Supreme Lord and His subordinates
- This is the process taught by Caitanya Mahaprabhu - to bring all the Dvaitans and Advaitans together on one platform. Everyone has to understand that he is essentially a servant of God
- This is the real guru - one who has seen the truth, just as Arjuna has seen Krsna. Arjuna heard Krsna's instructions and said, - You are the Absolute Truth
- This is the special advantage (liberated from all the bad association of material existence and eligible to go back home, back to Godhead) of chanting the Hare Krsna maha-mantra
- This is the spiritual nature of the Absolute Truth (that the Hare Krsna maha-mantra - if you go on chanting twenty-four hours a day, you'll never become tired). This is practical. Anyone can perceive it
- This is the way to attain santi, peace. Understand Krsna - that He is the supreme enjoyer, the supreme proprietor, and the supreme friend of everyone
- This Kali-yuga, which is an ocean of faults, there is one benediction, one opportunity. What is that? Kirtanad eva krsnasya mukta-sangah param vrajet: (SB 12.3.51) "One can become liberated simply by chanting the Hare Krsna mantra." This is real Vedanta
- This movement is not some kind of rubber-stamp proselytizing - You were Christian; now you are Hindu
- This sankirtana movement is Caitanya Mahaprabhu's gift, and by taking up this chanting one attains kevala-bhakti, unalloyed devotion to the Lord
- This smrti injunction we should take up, & actually we see all over the world how it is purifying all sections of people. Take to this chanting of Hare Krsna; then sruti, smrti, everything will be fulfilled. This is the easiest method
- This struggle for existence is going on, life after life. Even a small insect is engaging in the same struggle - ahara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam - eating, sleeping, defending, and mating
- This understanding is wanted. Krsna is eternal, we are eternal, and the place where we will live with Him and exchange our feelings - that is eternal
- This verse (1.2.10) of Srimad-Bhagavatam proceeds directly from the Vedanta-sutra - athato brahma jijnasa: "Now is the time to inquire about the Absolute Truth." Here the very same thing is explained
- Those who approach the Mayavadi Vedantists for knowledge are also rascals. They are willingly being cheated
- Those who are striving to acquire knowledge - after many, many births, when actually by the grace of God and by the grace of a devotee they come to knowledge, then such persons agree, - Oh, vasudevah sarvam iti: (BG 7.19) Krsna is everything
- Those who know the Absolute Truth describe Him in this way ... Tattva means "truth." The truth is explained by the tattva-vit, one who knows the truth. How? Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate
- Those who serve Him with love and devotion, Krsna can change destiny. So sacrifice, yajna, means pleasing Krsna. Our whole Krsna consciousness movement means pleasing Krsna. That is the whole program
- To engage oneself in devotional service under the order of the spiritual master and the sastra is the way to remain on the transcendental platform
- To make one a brahmana, these four things are essential: no illicit sex, no meat-eating, no intoxication, no gambling. These essentials must be there; you cannot dispense with them
- To obtain spiritual liberation, one must chant the holy name of the Lord, Hare Krsna. So you have to do this
- To rise early in the morning - for those who are not practiced, it is a little painful, but one has to do it. So according to the Vedic injunctions, there are some tapasyas that must be done
- Today that (manufacturing our own order) is going on in the field of religion: there is no conception of God and therefore no following of God's order
- Today, since I am in an American body, I think I have so many duties as an American man. Tomorrow I may be in an American dog body, and immediately my duty would change
U
- Unfortunately, most people have no personal conception of God. Nor can they describe the Lord's personal beauty, knowledge, strength - His fullness in the six personal opulences. There is no such description
- Unless one surrenders to Krsna, there is no jnana, no knowledge
- Unless you know God, how will you surrender? If some third-class man comes and says, "Surrender to me," will you do that? - Why should I surrender to you?
V
- Vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyam: (BG 15.15) by all the Vedas, Krsna is to be known. That is the ultimate knowledge
- Vedanta means "the ultimate knowledge." And what is that knowledge? Krsna explains in the Bhagavad-gita (7.19): bahunam janmanam ante jnanavan mam prapadyate. After many births, one who is actually in knowledge at last surrenders unto Me
- Vedic civilization is different. As Narada Muni says the learned, astute person will use this life to gain what he has missed in countless prior lives - namely, realization of self and realization of God
- Vedic civilization is different. The accusation implied in the question is not correct. In the Vedic system, people are not lazy. They are very busy working for a higher purpose
- Vedic civilization says, No, this (living in a skyscraper building) is not advancement. Real advancement is self-realization - how much you have realized your relationship with god
- Vedic religion means this sanatana-dharma, not "Hindu dharma." Read the verse from Bhagavad-gita that describes Krsna as sanatanah
- Vyasadeva has already given the perfect explanation of Vedanta-sutra - the Srimad-Bhagavatam. So let people read the Srimad-Bhagavatam; then they will understand what Vedanta is
- Vyasadeva is the incarnation of Krsna. He compiled Vedanta. Why do these rascals not consider the original Vedantist, Krsna? They approach a Mayavadi instead. So how will they understand Vedanta
W
- We are asking our disciples to rise early in the morning and offer mangala arati, then bhoga arati, to the Lord in His form as the Deity in the temple
- We are chanting Hare Krsna. If Krsna were different from the chanting of Hare Krsna, then how could we be satisfied chanting the whole day and night? This is the proof - in the spiritual world, the name is the same as the thing that is named
- We are escaping their reality. But their reality is a dog's race, and our reality is to advance in self-realization, Krsna consciousness. That is the difference. Therefore the mundane, materialistic workers have been described as mudhas, asses
- We are following in the footsteps of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. It is not whimsical. You have to follow the authority in all circumstances
- We are just trying for the first time to present Bhagavad-gita as it is, and it is becoming effective
- We are one with God, since we have God's qualities in minute degree. But God is the master, and we are always subordinate. Eko bahunam yo vidadhati kaman: we are protected, we are maintained, we are predominated. That is our position
- We are part and parcel of God. Somehow or other, we are now in this material existence. So the real aim of life is to return to the spiritual world, where there is no struggle for existence - blissful, happy life
- We are recommending no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, no meat-eating. So those who are accustomed to these bad habits - for them, in the beginning it may be a little difficult. But in spite of this difficulty, one has to do it. That is tapasya
- We are satisfied with whatever material happiness and distress we are destined. But we are very eager to utilize our energy for progressing in Krsna consciousness. This is the point
- We are simply attempting to bring people to the real understanding. Krsna says, mamaivamso jiva-bhutah: (15.7) all living entities are part and parcel of Me
- We are sometimes labeled "escapists." What is the charge
- We are teaching nothing but how to love God, how to sacrifice everything for God. That is real religion. Otherwise, it is all a bogus waste of time
- We cannot attain the position of predominator. That is not possible
- We devotees of Krsna have a clear conception of God. Here is God: Krsna. And He's giving orders. We accept those orders. So it is clear religion
- We do everything definitely, on the positive platform. Is that clear? Does anyone have any further question
- We don't say, "I am Krsna; follow my order." We never say that. We simply ask people, - Please abide by the order of Krsna
- We have got devotees from all groups of human society, and they are taking to this Vedic system. It is practical. There is no difficulty. So Hindus, Muslims, Christians - everyone should take to this Krsna religion and become "Krishnites," - Krishnians
- We have to look at the result. how will we decide what is real religion? Sa vai pumsam paro dharmah yato bhaktir adhoksaje: (SB 1.2.6) by seeing whether the followers have learned how to love God
- We have to study sanatana-dharma, or varnasrama-dharma. Then we'll understand what the Vedic religion is
- We have to understand what God is and what He says, and we have to abide by His orders. Then there is real religion, there is real understanding of God, and everything is complete
- We must belong to one these sampradayas. Sampradaya-vihina ye mantras te nisphala matah: if you do not belong to a bona fide sampradaya, originating from a mahajana, then your religious process is useless. You cannot concoct some religious system
- We say, "Krsna is the authority, and you should surrender to His instruction and try to understand Him." This is the Krsna consciousness movement
- We see so many men working so hard. Does this mean that every one of them will become a Ford, a Rockefeller? Why not? Everyone is trying his best
- We want unending blissful life, but it is not possible in the material world That happiness is in the spiritual world
- What is night for ordinary beings is the time of wakefulness for the self-controlled." The self-controlled man wakes up very early - practically in the middle of the night - and works for spiritual realization while others are sleeping
- What is stated in the Srimad-Bhagavatam - that is real Vedanta
- What is the aim of performing tapasya? The aim is to please the Supreme Lord through the spiritual master. Yasya prasadad bhagavat-prasado: "One can attain the mercy of the Lord only by attaining the mercy of the spiritual master." This is the idea
- What is the benefit of becoming one with God
- What is the result of your being so busy? "Well, I take two pieces of toast and one cup of tea. That's all." (Laughter.) And for this purpose you are so busy
- What kind of love is it? Love does not mean that you come once a week to my house. Love means you come to my house every day, give me some present, and take something from me. Srila Rupa Gosvami describes the symptoms of love in his Upadesamrta - 4
- Whatever energy you have, utilize it for understanding Krsna consciousness. That is real progress. Make your spiritual understanding - your understanding of God and self - perfectly clear
- When Arjuna at last comes to complete awareness, he accepts, "Krsna, You are param brahma, the Supreme Personality of Godhead." Then Arjuna surrendered, as Krsna advised - sarva-dharman parityajya - BG 18.66
- When human beings are becoming uninterested in religion, then they're becoming animals
- When Krsna is defeated in play, He has to take His friend on His shoulder and carry him. The friends do not know who is God and who is not God. So that is the advanced spiritual conception
- When Krsna manifested His pastimes on earth some five thousands years ago, He passed through many dangerous situations - so many demons were coming - and Mother Yasoda would chant mantras to protect Krsna, thinking, - He may not be put into some calamity
- When Krsna was present, He proved that He is all-great. Therefore He's God. If you accept that God is great, and if you find somebody who is great in everything, then He is God. How can you deny it
- When Krsna, the Absolute Truth, comes before you and says, "I am the origin of everything - everything comes from Me," why don't you accept Krsna as the Absolute Truth? Why do you take the impersonalist view only, that the Absolute Truth has no form
- When the First and Second World Wars began, it was not for pleasing Krsna. The Germans wanted that their sense gratification not be hampered by the Britishers. That means it was a war of sense gratification
- When the heart is cleansed, then a person becomes eligible for being freed from the clutches of maya, or the materialistic way of life
- When the man gets some money, he immediately purchases wine and women. So if you try to make society classless, you'll produce such men - useless men, disturbing to the social body
- When there is a red light, if you do not stop you'll be punished. But if a cat or dog transgresses - "Never mind the red light; I shall go" - he's not punished
- When we are perplexed and cannot find any solution, at that time the guru is required. It is therefore essential for everyone to surrender to a guru, since in our present existence we are all perplexed
- When will there be surrender to God? When one loves God - when one reaches the platform where he thinks, "O Lord, I love You; I can sacrifice everything for You." That is the basic principle of religion
- When you are diseased, for your treatment you need to go to a physician. But you want to go to a real physician, not a cheater who has no knowledge of medical science and misrepresents himself - "I am a physician, an M.D." Then you'll be cheated
- When you enter the temple, you know definitely, "Here is Krsna. He is God, and we must love Him like this." That is the superexcellence of this Krsna consciousness movement
- When you follow without consideration of whether it (the order of the spiritual master and the order of the sastra, or scripture) is convenient or inconvenient, simply because it must be done, that is called tapasya
- When you fully surrender to Krsna, you can give up all the regulations pertaining to these four social classes
- When you're actually on the platform of love of God, you understand your relationship with God: "I am part & parcel of God - and this dog is also part & parcel of God. And so is every other living entity." Then you'll extend your love to the animals also
- Where is the difficulty (of following sanatana dharma)? And Krsna promises, mam evaisyasy asamsaya: "If you do this, you'll come to Me. Without any doubt you'll come to Me." Why don't you do that
- Whether you follow the Christian mahajanas or the Vedic mahajanas, it doesn't matter. But you have to follow the mahajanas. If a Christian says, "I don't believe in St. Thomas," what kind of Christian is he
- Whether you take sruti or smrti, the subject matter is the same. Both sruti and smrti are spiritual evidence. We cannot do without either of them
- Who can protect you from all these distressing conditions? - "So," you should conclude, "if these distressing conditions come upon me by force, the other kind of condition, the opposite number, will also come
- Who wants distress? E.g. in our country, Mahatma Gandhi was killed by his own countrymen. He was a great man, he was protected by so many followers, he was beloved by all - and still he was killed. Destiny
- Why assume, "Here is the son of a truthful man; therefore he is truthful, a brahmana "? That is a misconception. You have to find the truthful men all over the world and train them as brahmanas. That we are doing
- Why do you (mayavadi vedantists) simply remain stuck at the point that the Absolute Truth is that from which everything emanates
- Why don't you take Krsna's instruction? Why do you go outside His instruction? That is the cause of all your troubles. You do not know the difference between this sanatana-dharma, the real, eternal religion, and your concocted dharma
- Why it is called sanatana-dharma. That I have already explained. The living entity is sanatana, or eternal; God is sanatana; and there is sanatana-dhama, the Lord's eternal abode. As Krsna describes in the Bhagavad-gita (8.20), paras tasmat tu bhavo 'nyo
- Why shall I waste my time trying to avoid distress and gain so-called happiness? Let me utilize my energy for Krsna consciousness. - That is intelligence. You cannot check your destiny. The magazine's question touches on this point
Y
- You can see how great Krsna is simply by considering His Bhagavad-gita. Five thousand years have passed since Krsna spoke Bhagavad-gita, and still it is accepted as the greatest book of knowledge all over the world
- You can train the child spiritually. That is possible. Therefore it is said, tasyaiva hetoh prayeteta kovido: use this priceless human form to attain what you could not attain in so many millions of lower forms
- You cannot abolish that system (training brahmanas to serve the social body). That is a false attempt
- You cannot avoid it (social groupings), but because you have created a false caste system, that should be abolished, and the system recommended by Krsna - that should be adopted
- You cannot avoid the natural occurrence of various social divisions. Nature's caste system will remain. Take, for example, the brahminical quality of truthfulness. All over the world, wherever you go, you'll find at least one person who is truthful
- You cannot become a devotee unless you give up sinful activity. Therefore you have to begin by following these four prohibitions
- You cannot change your destiny simply by working hard like asses and dogs. No. But you can utilize your special human energy for improving your Krsna consciousness. That's a fact
- You cannot easily find such a mahatma who clearly understands Krsna
- You cannot make society classless. If you try to make it classless, naturally people will all be sudras, fourth-class men, and worse. Then there will be social chaos
- You could not abolish the truthful class of men even if you wanted to. You'll find truthful men everywhere. You simply have to train them
- You follow the way Arjuna acted and the way Arjuna understood Krsna. Then mahajano yena gatah sa panthah: (CC Madhya 17.186) you are following the mahajana - you are on the real path
- You give something to eat, and whatever he or she gives you to eat, you eat. You disclose your mind: "My dear such-and-such, I love you. This is my ambition." And he or she makes some disclosure. These are the exchanges of love.
- You have to accept a guru, so why go to a pseudo guru, who will mislead you? Why not take instructions from a real guru
- You have to accept it if you want to have a happy life. You cannot become an outlaw. Then you'll not be happy. You'll be punished
- You have to avoid sinful activities like illicit sex, meat-eating, gambling, and intoxication, including tobacco, coffee, and tea. Then you'll gradually become completely sinless
- You have to take their (the sruti-smrti) particular recommendation for the particular time, just as Krsna Caitanya Mahaprabhu did when He urged His followers to heed the injunction of Brhan-naradiya Purana - 3.8.126, CC Adi 17.21
- You may also accept iron as gold. That is your ignorance: you do not know what gold is. But if you actually know what God is, you will accept Krsna as God. There is no doubt about it
- You may call it "Hindu religion" or "Muslim religion" or "Christian religion," but in any case, real religion is that which teaches how to love God
- You may think, "I am not a sanatana-dharmi - a follower of sanatana-dharma - I am a Christian," but actually you are a sanatana-dharmi. Of course, if you wish to think otherwise, you can. Who can check it
- You must at least avoid sinful activities. Then one can practice Krsna consciousness
- You must know, "Now, here is God. I must surrender." Eighteen chapters describe God and how to know God, and then Krsna proposes, "Surrender unto Me." Then Arjuna does it: "Yes." So without knowing God, how can you surrender to Him? It is not possible
- You should try to understand whether Krsna is God or not. But He is God. There is no doubt about it. If you have the intelligence to understand what God is, then try to understand
- You should understand and see from the activities of Krsna whether He is or is not Bhagavan. It requires a good brain to understand
- Your so-called religion is simply a waste of time. Srama eva hi kevalam: (SB 1.2.8) your going to the church and everything is simply a waste of time, because you have no love for God. That foolishness is going on all over the world