We have to understand the subject matter for which we are working. Personal benefit and extended personal benefit, there is no difference by quality.
Prabhupāda: So this... Very pleasant. Very pleasant. (break) And the other thing is the owner of the body. So which is important, the body or the owner of the body? You or I...(?) Which is important?
Guest (1) (Indian man): Actually, I have thought, without glorifying, because I did not want any material gain, but was my firm faith that what attracted me was the worth not of my personal ability but abilities of many other people.
Prabhupāda: No, no. We have to understand the subject matter for which we are working. Personal benefit and extended personal benefit, there is no difference by quality. Generally they take it that "I am working for my family. If I work for my community, or if I work for my society..." Extended. So the quality does not change.
Guest (1): The quality is... But even dharma many come, the mind should not be idle. Even if you go...
Prabhupāda: Mind cannot be idle. That is also foolishness.
Guest (1): Even if you go for religious sevā, that you go for some benefit, not otherwise, either for yourself or for the world.
Prabhupāda: But we must know what benefit is essential. Therefore I am trying to explain that there is body and there is the owner of the body. So which is important? There is this dress and the owner of the dress. If you simply take care of the dress and do not take care of the owner of the dress, do you think that is very good intelligence?
Guest (1): Sir, taking care of the society, of the countries, there is no difference?(?)
Prabhupāda: Society means... Suppose you are taking care of your own dress and if you take care, all the men, sitting here, their dress, you become washerman. That's all. (laughter) This is your improvement. Now you are soaping your own dress, personal, and if you soap the dresses of all these people, then you are elevated to the position of a washerman. If you are satisfied to become a washerman, that is very good. But that is not very important thing. Real important thing is whether you should take care of the dress or the owner of the dress.