They have no idea of spiritual life; therefore they misunderstand. But if we read thoroughly Bhagavad-gita, then everything is clear

Expressions researched:
"They have no idea of spiritual life; therefore they misunderstand. But if we read thoroughly Bhagavad-gītā, then everything is clear"

Conversations and Morning Walks

1976 Conversations and Morning Walks

We are trying to bring everyone to that spiritual platform. Therefore they cannot understand. They vision everything from materialistic point of view. They have no idea of spiritual life; therefore they misunderstand. But if we read thoroughly Bhagavad-gītā, then everything is clear. Sve sve karmaṇi means he must act according to his position. If he claims to become a Brahmin, he must act as Brahmin. Guṇa-karma. If you actually have the Brahmin's qualification, you must act as a Brahmin. Otherwise, what is the use of claiming that, "I am a brāhmaṇa"? That is not accepted.

760708 - Conversation C - Washington D.C.

Prabhupāda: Yes, it's a fact. If you work as a Brahmin . . . if you are thinking yourself as a brāhmaṇa, then you act as brāhmaṇa. You cannot act as a śūdra. As a brāhmaṇa you cannot accept anyone's service; then you become śūdra. You deviate from your own position. Brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, they'll never accept anyone's service, only the śūdra. Paricaryātmakaṁ karma śūdra-karma svabhāva-jam (BG 18.44). When you live at the mercy of others, this is called dog's business. Just like a dog lives at the mercy of the master. So it is strictly prohibited for the brāhmaṇas. Even in very difficult position, you can act as a kṣatriya, you can act as a vaiśya, but never accept the position of a dog, a śūdra. This is injunction. Sve sve karmaṇi, you stick to your own business. If you claim as a brāhmaṇa, you must act as a brāhmaṇa. Then you'll become successful. You cannot remain a brāhmaṇa and accept the business of a dog. That is not sve sve karmaṇi.So everything, what is stated there in the Bhagavad-gītā, that is perfect. People at the present moment, they are living at the mercy of others. That is dog's business. Therefore in the śāstra it is said kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ. In the Kali-yuga everyone is a śūdra. There is no Brahmin, no kṣatriya, no vaiśya. That is generally accepted. Because at the present moment education means to get some service. What is the value of that education? If you become dependent on others, then what is the value of this education? Therefore kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ, everyone is a śūdra. But this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement says, striyo vaiśyās tathā śūdrāḥ (BG 9.32): never mind, even if you are śūdra, take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, you'll become perfect. Either you become woman or vaiśya or śūdra, it doesn't matter, or any other pāpa-yoni, māṁ hi pārtha vyapāśritya ye 'pi syuḥ pāpa-yonayaḥ, te 'pi yānti parām (BG 9.32). So this is the most liberal movement, that it doesn't matter what you are, if you take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness then you become perfect. Sa guṇān samatītyaitān brahma-bhūyāya kalpate (BG 14.26). He's on the Brahman platform, above all these different modes of material nature. These brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra, these are differences on the material platform. But when you come to the spiritual platform, there is no such difference. Paṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ (BG 5.18).So we are trying to bring everyone to that spiritual platform. Therefore they cannot understand. They vision everything from materialistic point of view. They have no idea of spiritual life; therefore they misunderstand. But if we read thoroughly Bhagavad-gītā, then everything is clear. Sve sve karmaṇi means he must act according to his position. If he claims to become a Brahmin, he must act as Brahmin. Guṇa-karma. If you actually have the Brahmin's qualification, you must act as a Brahmin. Otherwise, what is the use of claiming that, "I am a brāhmaṇa"? That is not accepted.Devotee (4): Śrīla Prabhupāda? The karmī is thinking that service to humanity is the real high platform because . . .Prabhupāda: Yes, this is the best service to humanity, to raise them from gross ignorance of animal life. This is best service. People are in gross ignorance of animal life, and Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to raise him from that animal life to spiritual life. That is the best service.Guest (2): Prabhupāda? Is Kṛṣṇa right here in the room?Prabhupāda: Yes. Don't you see Kṛṣṇa there? (laughter)Guest (2): When I'm looking at the picture, is Kṛṣṇa right here?Prabhupāda: Whether you look or not look, He's there. If you have got some eye disease, you cannot see. But He is there.Dr. Sharma: Īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānām (BG 18.61).Prabhupāda: Hṛd-deśe, He is within your heart. He is within atom. Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham (BS 5.35). But you have no eyes to see Him. Otherwise, Kṛṣṇa is everywhere. Therefore those who are on the first-class platform of devotional service, they see everywhere Kṛṣṇa. Sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe, nā dekhe tāra mūrti, sarvatra haya nija iṣṭa-deva-sphūrti (CC Madhya 8.274). He's seeing to the tree, but he's not seeing the tree; he's seeing Kṛṣṇa. That is a difference. Sthāvara-jaṅgama dekhe, nā dekhe tāra mūrti, sarvatra sphūrti. He sees this tree, how it is Kṛṣṇa's energy, how it is acting. He studies all things as he has studied in the Bhagavad-gītā. Premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti (BS 5.38). Sadaiva, on account of his love . . . that is a very common sense. If you love somebody, wherever you are, you are seeing your lover, "When I shall meet him? Where he is? What he is doing?" That was the gopīs' business. Kṛṣṇa was on the pasturing ground, and gopīs are crying at home that, "Kṛṣṇa's foot is so soft, and He is walking in the fields barefooted. How many, these crags, pricking Him?" In this way thinking, thinking, they were crying. (guest leaves) Hare Kṛṣṇa. That is perfection of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Satataṁ kīrtayanto māṁ yatantaś ca dṛḍha-vratāḥ (BG 9.14).