Bhagavad-gītā says, yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ (BG 7.28). A sinful person cannot understand Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It is said, yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ. One who has completely vanquished all sorts of sinful reactions.
Now, the question may be that whether one can finish all sorts of sinful reactions within this material world. No. That is not possible. But it is possible also. What is that? That is also answered in the Bhagavad-gītā that, "You give up everything. Surrender unto Me. I shall give you protection from all sinful reactions." So I may be sinful, and there are so many reactions awaiting me for giving me trouble, but as soon as Kṛṣṇa takes charge of me, then everything is finished. How it can be finished? Because He is all-powerful, He's the supreme.
Just like if the president says . . . one man is ordered to be hanged. If the president says: "No, he should not be hanged," then immediately all others sanction, because he's the supreme. Similarly, if we surrender to Kṛṣṇa, in spite of a huge stock of sinful reactions awaiting me, simply for the purpose of my surrendering to Kṛṣṇa they're all set aside by Kṛṣṇa.
He'll see to it. Simply surrender. And that surrender, as soon as it is done, then the other word says, yeṣāṁ tv anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ (BG 7.28) One who has finished all kinds of reactions of sinful activities, janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām, persons executing pious activities . . . and the most pious activity is devotional service.
"How is that? There are so many other kinds of activities. What is this? This man has made so much charity, he has made so many hospitals, he has . . . (indistinct) . . . in such things. And this man is simply chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. Do you mean to say he is more pious than that man who has made so much charity?" The śāstra says, "Yes. Yes." Why? That is also explained in the Bhāgavata: sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje (SB 1.2.6). That activity is considered to be the highest pious activity. The Bhāgavata does not say what kind of activity. "That activity which leads one to be a devotee of the Lord."
That activity is not limited. Any activity that makes one progressing for realization of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that is higher, the highest pious activity. That is the description. Just as military art is not a very pious activity, killing art. But because the killing art exhibited by Arjuna was leading him to this platform of satisfying Kṛṣṇa, so that became the highest pious activity. Sa vai puṁsāṁ paro . . . we have to see whether by his activity he's gaining strength in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Then it is highest. It doesn't matter whether it is photography or business or painting or cooking. It doesn't matter. Whether Kṛṣṇa is being satisfied by his activities.
Just like you are engaged in different activities. But as soon as you bring your money and engage in the Society's cause, oh, I am very gratified. I do not require . . . of course, we do not encourage impious activity. That is not the meaning. But phalena paricīyate. Because you offer the result of your activities to Kṛṣṇa, that becomes pious. Sa vai puṁsāṁ paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhokṣaje. So that is the standard of pious activity.
Now, this is also pious activity . . . (indistinct) . . . teacher. But if by satisfying the poor teachers one becomes pious, how much pious he is who is trying to satisfy the supreme teacher, Kṛṣṇa. He's also a living creature. He's also individual person. Nityo nityānāṁ cetanaś cetanānām (Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13).
(pause) Oh you have finished our walking? Not yet?
Devotee (2): Excuse me?
Prabhupāda: All right, one round more.
Devotee (1): (indistinct) . . . flower?
Prabhupāda: Oh, no flavor?
Devotee (1): No, they bloom in the springtime.
Prabhupāda: It is just like a beautiful man without any qualification.
Devotee (1): Ah! No scent.
Prabhupāda: No scent.
Gurudāsa: Is that a qualification? Is that part of the age of Kali-yuga? Flowers with no scent?
Prabhupāda: Yes. Trees will have no fruits. The fruit will have no juice. That is mentioned. Just like in a mango there is a seed. In many fruits there is seed. In Kali-yuga you'll find simply the skin and seed, no pulp. And cloud without rain. These are mentioned. What can you do?
If the cloud becomes without rain, if the fruit become without pulp, if the paddy becomes without grain, then what you have to eat? You have to eat the grass, the husk, the skin and the seed. Or kill another man and eat. Just like in Africa, still, they are doing: cannibals. Killing the grandfather, that is a great ceremony. Do you know that?
Gurudāsa: Yes.
37:55 Prabhupāda: They kill the grandfather and have a feast, the cannibals. Yes. That is a great sport, that the grandsons will kill the grandfather and have a feast on his body by toasting. Yes. The same idea is being preached by the Communists. They want that all old man of the society, they should be killed. That is one of the theories put forward by the Communists. Because they are not producing anything.
So just imagine, these things will come gradually. So better to leave this place as soon as possible. Not to come again. That should be our serious attention.