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Prabhupāda:  
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<div class="lec_verse">
yasya sarve samārambhāḥ<br />
kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ<br />
jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ<br />
tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ</div>


<div class="code">660808BG.NY - August 08, 1966</div>


<div class="lec_verse">
tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ<br />
nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ<br />
karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi<br />
naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ</div>


<mp3player>https://s3.amazonaws.com/vanipedia/full/1966/660808BG-NEW_YORK.mp3</mp3player>


Now, how one can work without any lust? This process is being described by Śrī Kṛṣṇa to Arjuna. In our last meeting we have discussed the previous verse, that we have to... We may begin any gorgeous task. It doesn't matter. But we have to work in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, not for sense gratification. That will make us free from the interaction of the activities. So long we are attached to work for sense gratification, so long we shall be under this obligation of reaction.


Now, if we want to get out of the reaction of material activity, then this is the formula given by Śrī Kṛṣṇa: kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ. Kāma means one's sense gratification. "I want to do this thing for my sense gratification." That is materialism. But if I want to do something which will be satisfactory, which will give satisfaction to Kṛṣṇa, that is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. This very simple thing we are discussing in a different way. And this Kṛṣṇa consciousness is attained by jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇam. Yes?
'''Prabhupāda:'''


Devotee: If you look from this angle, the pane is broken.
:''yasya sarve samārambhāḥ''
:''kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ''
:''jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ''
:''tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ''
:([[BG 4.19 (1972)|BG 4.19]])


Prabhupāda: No. Just like a fire burns everything, similarly, when we act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, after attainment of full knowledge of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then just like fire burns everything, similarly, the reaction of our activities will be burned. Jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇam. This verse we have already discussed. And the next verse is further explanation of this verse. Tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ.
We have been discussing this ''śloka'' since the last two days in our meetings. The next verse is:


Now, whatever we do, we desire some fruit out of it. Anything we do, we expect some result out of it. Sometimes the result may be bad, or sometimes the result may be very good. But a person in Kṛṣṇa consciousness should not be attached either to the good result or bad result because even if I want good result, that is my attachment. And of course, if there is bad result, we haven't got any attachment, but sometimes we lament. That is our attachment. That is our attachment. So one has to transcend both from the good result and the bad result.
:''tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ''
:''nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ''
:''karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi''
:''naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ''
:([[BG 4.20 (1972)|BG 4.20]])


How it can be done? It can be done. Just like if you are working on account of some big firm. Suppose you are a salesman. You are working on behalf of that big firm. Now, suppose if you make one million dollars profit, you have no attachment for that because you know that "This profit goes to the proprietor." You have no attachment. Similarly, if there is some loss, you also know that "I have nothing to do with the loss. It goes to the proprietor."
In order to be free from the reaction of our work, this formula is described by Śrī Kṛṣṇa.


Similarly, if we work on account of Kṛṣṇa, then I shall be able to give up the attachment for the result of the work. Tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ. Nitya-tṛpta, always satisfied: "Either there is good result or there is bad result, it doesn't matter. I shall remain satisfied in the sense that I am working under the direction of Kṛṣṇa. So I have nothing to think of the result." Karmaṇy evādhikāras te mā phaleṣu kadācana.  
:''yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭo''
:''dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ''
:''samaḥ siddhāv asiddhau ca''
:''kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate''
:([[BG 4.22 (1972)|BG 4.22]])


Just like Arjuna. Arjuna did not like to fight with his relatives, with his grandfather, but because Kṛṣṇa wanted it, he fought, and he was satisfied. Because the principle was that "Kṛṣṇa wants it, and Kṛṣṇa is satisfied. Although I do not like to fight, but Kṛṣṇa is satisfied; therefore I have to fight." This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Nitya-tṛpta. He is not dissatisfied: "Oh, I have to fight against my relatives, my grandfather, my teacher." Nirāśraya. Nirāśraya means he is not under the obligation of any good result or bad result. Nirāśraya. "In this way, if we engage ourself in any activity," karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi, "if one is engaged in such a spirit of neutrality, simply for the satisfaction of Kṛṣṇa, then the result will be," karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi, "although he is engaged in every sort of work," naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ, "he is free from that work. He is free from the result or reaction of such work."
:''gata-saṅgasya muktasya''
:''jñānāvasthita-cetasaḥ''
:''yajñāyācarataḥ karma''
:''samagraṁ pravilīyate''
:([[BG 4.23 (1972)|BG 4.23]])


So this is the process, that we, we have simply to act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and by doing so, the reaction of such work will not affect me.
The formula is that we have to become detached from the result of the work and must be situated in full knowledge. In full knowledge. Unless we are situated in full knowledge, it is not possible to be detached from the work which you are doing. And that detachment and that knowledge, to be situated in full knowledge, is possible when we perform ''yajña'', or sacrifice.


<div class="lec_verse">
Now, today's subject matter is varieties of sacrifices, how we can perform different kinds of sacrifices. And what is the sacrifice? Sacrifice means ''yajñārthe karma''. Just at the present moment our conception is that I am the proprietor of everything. Actually, I am not the proprietor. The ''Īśopaniṣad'' says that ''īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam'' ([[ISO 1 (1974)|Īśo mantra 1]]). "The Supreme Lord, Personality of Godhead, or Kṛṣṇa, He is the proprietor." But by deluded by the illusory energy of the material existence, we are thinking that "I am the proprietor." Therefore in the scriptures, in Vedic scriptures, sacrifice is recommended.
nirāśīr yata-cittātmā<br />
tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ<br />
śārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma<br />
kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam</div>


Sacrifice means you give voluntarily. You give voluntarily. Because we have been so much attached to this material proprietorship, that . . . and without that attachment, there is no possibility of our becoming free from this material entanglement. But that attachment is very difficult to give up. Therefore sacrifice has been recommended, that "You sacrifice." You . . . it is . . . supposing that it is your proprietorship, you are the proprietor of everything, but you sacrifice, ''yajñārthe''. ''Yajñārthe'' means "for the Supreme Lord."


Kilbiṣam. Kilbiṣam means sin. We are materially so much entangled that even if we do not want to commit any sin, consciously or unconsciously we are obliged to commit some sort of sins. We are in such a circumstances.
So, so many sacrifices are recommended in various scriptures. So we shall try to discuss some of the sacrifices. ''Yajñāyācarataḥ karma samagraṁ pravilīyate'' ([[BG 4.23 (1972)|BG 4.23]]) . If we perform our duties, ''yajña'', for the matter of satisfaction of Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord, then we shall not be bound up by the reaction of any work.


Say for example, just like animal killing. Animal killing, according to Buddhist philosophy, or even according to Hindu philosophy, animal killing is a sort of sin. Now, suppose I am not inclined to kill animals or I do not kill animals. I avoid it. But intentionally or unintentionally, sometimes we have to kill animals. How is that? Now, suppose we are walking on the street. There are many ants who are being killed by the pressure of our legs unintentionally. Now, suppose... Of course, here you have got gas oven, but in India they have got ordinary country oven and that is worked daily. And sometimes in the oven some small germs and flies they take shelter. But when you fire the oven, they die. So that is unintentional. Sometimes we kill... The jug of water, and underneath the jug of water, there are many, I mean to say, small germs and flies. They take shelter. But when you take the jug, they are killed. In this way there are so many processes, unintentionally or intentionally, we have to kill. But they are taken into account; they are also sin. According to strict Vedic literature, if you kill even a bug, oh, you are sinful. You cannot kill even a bug. These are mentioned in the scriptures. Now, how we can avoid? How we can avoid?
Now, that first thing is in the sacrifice according to the Vedic rites, there are five principal factors. What are those? There is sacrificial fire, altar, and the person who is offering the . . . generally, in the sacrifice grains and butter, clarified butter, is offered. So the sacrificial altar, fire, and the offering ingredients, grains and clarified butter, and the person who is offering sacrifice, three, and the result and the performance. These five things are there in the matter of sacrifice.


That is the distinction[?]. I do not like to kill, but sometimes unintentionally they are killed. Therefore, according to Vedic literature, there are five kinds of yajña performed to get oneself free from this unintentional killing of animals. Now, here Kṛṣṇa says that śārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam. If you make your principle of life that "I have to work simply for maintaining my body and soul together." Śārīram. Śarīram means body. Because I have to execute, I have to understand, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but without this body, how can I understand or culture Kṛṣṇa consciousness? So my body must be maintained. And if I want to maintain my body, intentionally or unintentionally, I have to commit so many sins.
Now, Kṛṣṇa says that if these five things are transformed into Kṛṣṇa consciousness or Brahman realization, then the result will be that the man who is performing that sacrifice is sure to attain his spiritual salvation and go back to Godhead. This prescription is recommended in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', that:


Take for example those who are vegetarians. They may think that "We are not killing animals." No. They are also committing sins because vegetables, they have also got life. So the nature's law is that to keep up your body you have to kill another body. Never mind it is vegetable or, I mean to say, animal or some fish or something else. You see? Jīvo jīvasya jīvanam: "One living entity is the subsistence, life-giving subsistence, for another living being." That is the nature's law. You'll find. Ahastāni sahastānām. The everything has been very nicely discussed in Vedic literature. They have discussed all the points.
:''brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir''
:''brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam''
:''brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ''
:''brahma-karma-samādhinā''
:([[BG 4.24 (1972)|BG 4.24]])


Ahastāni sahastānām: "Those who have got hands, they are eating," I mean to say, "living entities who have no hands." That means we are human being, we have got hands, and we are eating animals. They have got only legs; they have no hands. So sahastānām ahastāni: "Those who have got hands, they are eating the animals which have no hands." And apadāni catuṣ-padām: "Those who have no legs, they are being eaten by the four-legged." Just like a cow eating grass. So grass cannot move. It has life, but it cannot move. So and... phalgūni tatra mahatām. Phalgūni, "those who are weak, they are being eaten by the..." Just like we find lizards. In your country you don't find lizards. In India we have got many lizards in the walls. They are eating small ants. Phalgūni mahatāṁ tatra. And in the snake, snake kingdom, you will find the small snakes are being by the big snake. Similarly, in sea water also, you will find small fishes are being eaten by the big fishes.
Now, ''brahmārpaṇam''. Sacrifice for whom? For the Brahman. And Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Brahman. Therefore sacrifice for Kṛṣṇa is ''brahmārpaṇam'', means sacrificing for the Brahman, Supreme Brahman. Because Kṛṣṇa is described in the Tenth Chapter as the Parambrahman, the Supreme Brahman.


And the same law is applicable in human society. A big nation is trying to swallow up a small nation. You see? This is going on. This is nature's law. Nature's law. You cannot avoid it. But there are those who are Kṛṣṇa conscious. They... It is said that śārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan nāpnoti kilbiṣam: "Those who are in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they are not entangled in these sinful acts." How? They are also maintaining their body. So when they are maintaining their body, they have to commit sins. They have to eat other animals or vegetables. Never mind. So how they are not committing sins? These are very intelligent questions. There is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Brahman means . . . we are also all Brahman. Because we are all fragmental parts and parcel of the Supreme Being, Kṛṣṇa, therefore we are also Brahman. Just like particles of gold is also gold, similarly, we are fragmental portions of Kṛṣṇa. Do not understand that as material fragments. We are not material fragment. But just because we have no other conception at the present moment except material understanding, therefore I am just trying . . . this is translated into English as "fragment," but not like that material fragment.


A devotee of Lord Kṛṣṇa, he does not eat anything which is not offered to Kṛṣṇa. Just like you take the remnants of your master. Just like servant takes the remnants of master. The master eats. In India the process is that husband and wife, that after the husband eats, the remnants are taken by the wife. The wife does not eat along with the husband. That is the old system. Now it is being changed. The husband and wife, they do not... The husband is supplied by the wife all kinds of good dishes, and when the husband is satisfied, some foodstuff is left, and that is taken by the wife. So similarly, a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, he does not take anything, does not accept anything, which is not offered to Kṛṣṇa. This is the process. Because his life is full of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Just like we have got a paper in our hand. If I tear into pieces, they become fragments. Then the original paper, the shape of the paper—no longer existing. It is not like that. The ''Upaniṣad'' says that:


And Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, you will find... Suppose if you want to take things which have been eaten by Kṛṣṇa, then you have to ask Kṛṣṇa, "What do You desire to eat, sir?" Suppose if you want me, to feed, give me some foodstuff, naturally you ask me, "Swamiji, what sort of foodstuff you'll like?" I have got experience here in your country. I was invited in Butler, here also, by some churches, and they wanted to give me some food. So they asked me, "Swamiji, what do you desire to eat?" So I told them, "I eat... I am strictly vegetarian. I shall accept fruits and milk. That's all." Similarly, if anyone invites somebody, it is natural that the guest is asked what sort of foodstuff he would like.
:''pūrṇam idaṁ pūrṇam adaḥ''
:''pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate''
:''pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya''
:''pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate''
:([[ISO (1974) Invocation|Īśo Invocation]])


Similarly, Kṛṣṇa, if you want to offer something Kṛṣṇa, you must know what sort of foodstuff He wants. How you will know? Kṛṣṇa is not just present in your front. How you will know that Kṛṣṇa wants this foodstuff? Oh, that is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. Just like you can understand, what government expects from me, you can know from the lawbooks, from the civil court, similarly, what Kṛṣṇa wants, it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. Kṛṣṇa says,
The spiritual conception is that, that any number of fragments of the whole can be taken from the whole spirit, but still, the spirit whole is as it is. That is the description in the Vedic literature. We have got material idea, "One minus one equal to zero." But in the spiritual realm, one minus one equal to one. So these fragments, the fragments of the Supreme Brahman, Kṛṣṇa, we are.


<div class="lec_verse">
So with that consciousness we have to sacrifice. ''Brahmārpaṇam brahma havir''. And the thing which we are sacrificing, we have to understand that the things belong to the Supreme Brahman. ''Brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau''. And the fire which is on the altar, that is to be understood as the energy of the Supreme Brahman. And ''brahmaṇā hutam'': and the person who is offering the sacrifice, he is also part and parcel of the Supreme Brahman.
patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ<br />
yo me bhaktyā prayacchati<br />
tad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtam<br />
aśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ<br />
[[BG 9.26]] </div>


In this way if we offer sacrifice, then ''brahmaiva tena gantavyam'': the person who is offering such sacrifice is sure to attain spiritual salvation. This is ''brahma-karma-samādhinā''. And the performance is just according to the Vedic injunction also. So in this way if we, I mean to say, execute the duties of our living condition, then the result will be that at the end we shall be attaining Brahman. And the whole process is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness.


Now, Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Lord, He is not hungry. He is not hungry that I shall supply Him foodstuff, and therefore He will be maintained. It is not like that. But still, Kṛṣṇa says that patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁ bhaktyā prayacchati: "Any devotee, if he offers Me patram..." Patram means leaf. Puṣpam means flower. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalam. Phalam means fruit. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam. Toyam means milk or water. Generally, it is meant water.
In the higher conception of life, just it is stated in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', that everything is visualized as Brahman. Brahman means spiritual. So in the higher conception of life, one who has attained in the higher stage of spiritual realization, for him, there is nothing material. There is nothing material. The distinction of matter and spirit is this.


Now, just see. To satisfy Kṛṣṇa is not very difficult thing. Even the poorest man in the world, he can satisfy Kṛṣṇa by these four items. Anyone can secure from any part of the world. It doesn't matter that because Kṛṣṇa was, I mean to say, Kṛṣṇa appeared in India, therefore He wanted Indian food. No. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam. Leaf, and flower, and fruit, and water. Oh, that is available in America, that is available in Czechoslovakia and Greenland, everywhere.
Now, from the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' we understand that two energies are working. One energy is called inferior energy, and the other energy is called superior energy. Now, take for example the inferior energy. The energy emanating from the source, is there any possibility of dividing the energy and the energetic?


So this is the universal form of satisfying Kṛṣṇa. Anyone—it doesn't matter however poor he is—he can satisfy Kṛṣṇa. You do not require, "Oh, Kṛṣṇa, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, I have invited Him, so I must arrange very nice foodstuff." Of course, if you have got means to supply very nice foodstuff, you must. Otherwise you will be understood that you are miser. If for your own eating you prepare very nice dishes, and because Kṛṣṇa says, "I will be satisfied with leaf and fruits," so you supply Kṛṣṇa, "All right, sir. You take leaf and fruit. And for me, I shall take these palatable dishes," no. Kṛṣṇa is very, I mean to say, intelligent also. He is more intelligent than... Then you are cheating Him. It is for the, I mean to say, poorest man. If you have got means...
No. That is not possible, just like you cannot divide heat from the fire or the illumination from this light. This is not possible. If there is no illumination, then the light has no meaning. If there is no heat, so then fire has no meaning. Similarly, if the energy is separated from the energetic, the energetic has no meaning.


In India there are many thousands of Kṛṣṇa temples all over India, especially in Vṛndāvana. I have several times told you that Vṛndāvana is the city, only fifty thousand people, not even one hundred thousand, fifty thousand people within a small city. But there are five thousand temples, five thousand, all Kṛṣṇa temples. Now, in each and every temple you will find how nice foodstuff. According to the capacity of the temple owner, oh, very, I mean to say costly foodstuff are being offered. And those foodstuff is distributed amongst the poor class men.
So Kṛṣṇa says that there are two kinds of nature: superior nature, or higher nature, and inferior nature. Now, even the inferior nature . . . we take it for granted that there is something like inferior nature. Of course, this material energy, the material nature, is called inferior nature—inferior in the sense that the matter has got no incentive. Without touch of spirit, matter cannot work. Therefore it is understood that it is inferior.


Now, at the present moment, after the, we have got sva-rāja, or independence, the government has interfered with this sort of service. They say that "This is waste of money. Why you are offering?" They are becoming atheist. But this is not waste of money. At the cost of the rich men, the prasādam was being distributed to the poor class of men at a nominal cost. You see? Now, poor men, they go to hotel. But if they take prasādam in a temple, oh, the far better quality foodstuff is supplied to him only at nominal cost. In a hotel, what will be charged, one dollar, he can have it in the temple for ten cents. So this is still more sane.
But in the higher sense it is not inferior. How it is not inferior? Because it is emanation from the Supreme, and you cannot separate this energy from the Supreme, and there is no difference between the Supreme and His energy. ''Śakti-śaktimator abheda''. This is the Vedic injunction. ''Śakti'', ''śakti'' means energy, and ''śaktimator'', ''śaktimator'' means the person who has got the energy. So ''abheda'', they are nondifferential. You cannot differentiate between the energy and the energetic.


In our childhood, when I was a boy of eight or ten years, sometimes I used to accompany my father. My father was a great devotee. He would take prasādam from the temple. So I have got experience that we paid for two dishes, four annas. Four annas means, according to modern exchange, it is five cents only, five cents according to your exchange value. For five cents we were, very nice prasādam we can get. Two persons we were fed. Still there is a place which is called Nāthadvāra. Nāthadvāra, if you pay there two annas, you will get worth prasādam, two dollars worth. So this system is going on still.
Just like electric powerhouse. The energy is electric . . . electricity. Now, from the electricity energy we are working so many things. So far our household affairs are concerned, by the same electric energy we are getting heat and we are getting also cold. In the refrigerator we see everything is cold. In the heater we find everything is hot, warm. But the same energy is working. So one who knows that this is the electrical energy that is working in a different way, for him, there is no superior or inferior. That is called ''jñāna''. If we are on the platform of knowledge, then there is no distinction between matter and spirit.


So if one has got sufficient means, he should supply Kṛṣṇa to his best capacity. But when Kṛṣṇa wants that "You give Me..." He says... This is the lowest common factor. Patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyam [[BG 9.26]] . Anyone, any poor man in any part of the country, they can supply Kṛṣṇa and take the prasādam. So that by taking that prasādam, you become free from the, I mean to say, responsibility of being sinful. That is the point. That you will find in Bhagavad-gītā, that yajña-śiṣṭāśinaḥ santo mucyante sarva-kilbiṣaiḥ: "If you take the remnants after offering Kṛṣṇa, that foodstuff makes you free from all kinds of sin."
And that knowledge we have to acquire. How we have to acquire? We must know it definitely that everything that is manifested . . . in the ''Viṣṇu-Purāṇa'' there is a nice verse which describes this energy and the energetic very nicely:


So anyone—it doesn't matter what he is—he can prepare foodstuff either family-wise or... Just like I am here, Hindu. I am cooking my foodstuff, and I am offering to Kṛṣṇa, and I am taking, and as far as possible, some of the remnants is distributed to the devotees. So this process we can adopt, everyone, because we have to maintain this body. So if we do not take kṛṣṇa-prasāda, then I become responsible for all kinds of sins. But if we take, accept, kṛṣṇa-prasāda, then I have no responsibility because Kṛṣṇa is taking.
:''eka-deśa-sthitasyāgner''
:''jyotsnā vistāriṇī yathā''
:''parasya brahmaṇaḥ śaktis''
:''sarvedam akhilaṁ jagat''
:([[CC Madhya 20.110]])


Just like Arjuna is fighting. Arjuna was afraid of sinful acts by killing his kinsmen and, I mean to say, grandfather. But when he understood that "I am fighting on Kṛṣṇa's account, so I am free." Śārīraṁ kevalaṁ karma kurvan na āpnoti kilbiṣam. If you simply don't try to increase your artificial demands for maintaining this body... You have every right to live, and everyone has got right to live, not only myself. Even the ant has got the right to live. But in human society, so-called civilization, we give all protection to the human society, but we don't give any protection to the animal society.
''Akhilaṁ jagat''. Whatever we are seeing in this, in our presence, whatever we are seeing, they are nothing but different energies of the Supreme Lord. And how they are acting? Just like the electric powerhouse is situated far away from your residential apartment, but from there the energy is being distributed and you are finding heat, cold, and so many things electrically you are working, so although the Supreme Lord is far, far away . . . of course, He is not far, far away, but in our conception, in the material conception, because we cannot see . . . we are on a different planet. So by His energy He is not far away.


Because it is due to want of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. When we shall be Kṛṣṇa conscious, then naturally we shall feel for every living entity because we shall know... Because in the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated, mamaivāṁśo jīva-loke jīva-bhūtaḥ sanātanaḥ: [[BG 15.7]] "All these living entities, they are all My fragments." They are part and parcels of Kṛṣṇa. Under circumstances, some of them have become lower animals, some of them have become big men, some of them become higher demigods, some of them become small germs. It doesn't matter. But they are all parts and parcels of Kṛṣṇa. So a person who is under Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he cannot make any injustice to any living entity. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Just like the sunlight, the sunshine, in the morning you find the sunshine is within your room, the sun is just within your room. It is actually. But still, the sun is ninety million miles away from you. Similarly, in all circumstances we must understand that Kṛṣṇa is, although far away from us, still He is with us, within us. This is called knowledge. This is called knowledge.


Therefore, one who has dedicated his life for acting on account of Kṛṣṇa, under Kṛṣṇa consciousness, nirāśīr yata-cittātmā, he has no other hope except, save and except, to satisfy Kṛṣṇa. Nirāśīr yata-cittātmā tyakta-sarva-parigrahaḥ: "He doesn't like to make, exploit, the resources of the material nature." Whatever is obtained easily, as gift of nature, he accepts and he maintains his body and soul together for Kṛṣṇa's satisfaction, and he eats everything which is offered to Kṛṣṇa. Then he is freed from all kinds of sinful reactions.
And He says also in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'' that ''sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭaḥ'' ([[BG 15.15 (1972)|BG 15.15]]). "I am situated in everyone's heart." So just think how much nearest He is if He is sitting on my heart, and He is actually there, which is called Paramātmā, or the Supersoul. So ''sarvasya, sarvasya'' means everyone's, not only in human body, but in animal body, in the atoms also.


Now, by the next śloka, it is more nicely explained.
''Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham'' (Bs 5.35). ''Paramāṇu'' means atom. He is situated. So practically, He is not far away. He is the nearest friend. He also claims in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', ''suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām'' ([[BG 5.29 (1972)|BG 5.29]]). "I am the friend of everyone." So this knowledge we have to acquire, that "We have got the greatest powerful friend in Kṛṣṇa, and He is with me." This is knowledge.


<div class="lec_verse">
Just like when you chant "Kṛṣṇa," ''Hare Kṛṣṇa'', actually the fact is Kṛṣṇa is dancing on your tongue by sound vibration. Kṛṣṇa is not away. It is stated in the scriptures, ''nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe'' (Padma Purāna).
yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭo<br />
dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ<br />
samaḥ siddhāv asiddhau ca<br />
kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate</div>


He is addressing Nārada, Nārada, a great devotee of Kṛṣṇa. He is explaining to Nārada, ''nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca''. The ''yogīs'', the mystic ''yogīs'', they try to find out the Supersoul within themself. That is the ''yoga'' system. ''Yoga'', actual ''yoga'' system, is to concentrate the mind, to focus the mind on the Supersoul. That is ''yoga'' system.


Now, the process of life described here, yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭaḥ: "One should be satisfied with things which comes very easily." We should not try for anything too much to obtain it. No. We shall be satisfied. Whatever comes automatically or by the will of Kṛṣṇa, we may be satisfied in that way. Yadṛcchā-lābha. For gaining something, we should not be too much endeavoring. Then I shall be deviated from Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
So Kṛṣṇa says that ''nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe''. In the scriptures we find that kingdom of God, that is called Vaikuṇṭha. Vaikuṇṭha means ''vigata-kuṇṭha yatra''. ''Kuṇṭha'' means anxieties. The place where there is no anxieties, that is called Vaikuṇṭha. So Kṛṣṇa says that ''nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca'': "My dear Nārada, do not think that I am staying in the Vaikuṇṭha, in the kingdom of God only, or in the heart of the ''yogis'' only. No." ''Tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ''; "Wherever My devotees sing or chant the glories of Me, I stand there. I go there." So this is ''brahmārpaṇam''. This ''yajña'', this is the highest ''yajña''.


There are six formulas which can deviate us from Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and there are six formulas which can encourage us, which can enhance, advance us in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And what are they? Now, first of all let me state what are "against" principles, against Kṛṣṇa consciousness, against the principle of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. What are they?
Now, we are discussing of the varieties of ''yajña''. Now, so far sacrifice in the altar of fire, clarified butter and grains, it is not possible. At the present moment . . . of course, formerly, we understand from the scriptures that they used to pour tons of tons clarified butter in the fire, because at that time they were available. But at the present moment . . . of course, we are seeing some butter sticks here in America, but from India practically butter has disappeared. So it is not possible.


<div class="lec_verse">
The present day, Kali-yuga, is not favorable for such sacrifice which was being performed in the Satya-yuga or Tretā . . . not Satya-yuga. Sacrifice was being performed in the Tretā-yuga, second millennium. The duration of a period. Just like in a year we have got different seasons, similarly, in the existence there are different periods. According to Vedic literature, they are called Satya-yuga, Tretā-yuga, Dvāpara-yuga, Kali-yuga. Now we are passing through the Kali-yuga. The Kali-yuga, duration of Kali-yuga, is four hundred thousands of years . . . four hundred and twenty-seven thousands of year. Out of that, we have passed only five thousands of years. That is the Vedic calculation.
atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca<br />
prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ<br />
jana-saṅgaś ca laulyaṁ ca<br />
ṣaḍbhir bhaktir vinaśyati<br />
[[NOI 2]] </div>


So Lord Caitanya has recommended this ''yajña''. It is not Lord Caitanya's imagination; it is recommended in the ''Bhāgavata'' that:


Ṣaḍbhir bhaktir vinaśyati. Vinaśyati means is lost. Kṛṣṇa consciousness is lost. How? By these six processes. What are the six processes? Atyāhāra. Atyāhāra means to eat more than you require, and atyāhāra means to accumulate wealth more than what you require.
:''kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ''
:''tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ''
:''dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ''
:''kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt''
:([[SB 12.3.52]])


The whole trouble of the world is that nobody is satisfied. If he's a poor man, if he thinks, "Oh, my income is $100. If I get $400 per month, then I will be very happy." But when he gets $400, he expects, "Oh, if I get $1,000, then I shall be happy." In this way it is going on. Nobody is satisfied. But here it is said, yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭaḥ. That automatically comes, as we make progress in the matter of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then our demand for more enjoyment, more accumulation of wealth, diminishes. That is the symptom of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭaḥ.  
Now, these four ''yugas'' are divided. ''Kṛte'', ''kṛte'' means in Satya-yuga, when people were all virtuous. That is called Satya-yuga. So ''kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇum'': "In the Satya-yuga what was attained by meditation on Viṣṇu . . ." We shall always remember that whenever we call for meditation, that meditation is not in void. Void meditation is very much troublesome. ''Kleśo 'dhikataras teṣām avyaktāsakta-cetasām'' ([[BG 12.5 (1972)|BG 12.5]]), you will find in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''.


So atyāhāra. Atyāhāra means to acquire more than we need. Because we have to maintain this body and soul together, then we must earn something or acquire something to keep my health and body fit. That is all right. But we should not try unnecessarily for accumulating more. Suppose if I am satisfied by some grains and vegetables and fruits and milk, if my health is properly kept, why should I eat more than that simply for satisfying the palate, my tongue? Oh, no. We should not do that. Yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭaḥ. So atyāhāra, atyāhāra, to accept more than what we need, that is against Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Those who are trying to meditate upon the void, they are in very troublesome condition. And it is very difficult to achieve success. That is stated in the ''Bhagavad-gītā''. So meditation always means meditation on Viṣṇu.


And prayāsa. Prayāsa means we have to acquire something, but if it requires a heavy work, heavy, I mean to say, endeavor, we should avoid it. We should avoid it.
So in the Satya-yuga, in the millennium when all people were virtuous, cent-percent virtuous, at that time this meditation was recommended. Because their minds were not disturbed and they could sit down peacefully and concentrate his mind on Viṣṇu. That was the process recommended. ''Kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ'' ([[SB 12.3.52]]). ''Tretāyām'' means the next millennium. That is . . . it was recommended that people should perform sacrifices.


Atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca prajalpaḥ [[NOI 2]] . Prajalpa means for nothing talking nonsense. People are accustomed to talk so many things unnecessarily just in clubs, amongst friends' circle, which has no benefit either spiritually or materially. So that sort of talking should be avoided.
''Tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ dvāpare paricaryāyām''. ''Dvāpare'' means the next millennium. That is recommended for temple worship. Temple worship. The temple worship . . . so many temples, thousands and thousands of temples you will find. Not only in India, in other parts of the world also. The churches are also temples, the mosques are also temples, the synagogues are also temples. So this temple worship was introduced in the third millennium.


Atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ. Niyamāgraha means to stick to the rules regulation. Suppose in your faith or in my faith there are certain rules and regulations to be observed. But if I go to some other place where the rules and regulations cannot be strictly observed, and if I want to observe such rules and regulations, then my main business is suffering. So we should not stick to the rules and regulations. We should see to the business.
Now this is the fourth millennium. In the fourth millennium, the ''Bhāgavata'' says that ''kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt'': "At the present moment we have to perform sacrifices by chanting the ''hari-kīrtana'', the glorification of Kṛṣṇa." This is ''yajña''. Other ''yajñas'', although they are prescribed . . . because when Kṛṣṇa was speaking, He was speaking generally, but there are specific consideration. This ''yajña'' recommended in the ''Bhagavad-gītā'', ''brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma'', ''brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam'' ([[BG 4.24 (1972)|BG 4.24]]).


Just like I am an Indian sannyāsī. I have come to your country, at your country. Oh, there are many rules and regulations in India which is different from your rules and regulations. But if I follow, if I stick to rules and regulations of Indian conception, then it is impossible to remain here. So I have to propagate this mission, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, so I am not so much attached to the rules and regulations, but I am attached to the preaching work. So therefore niyamāgraha. Atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ [[NOI 2]] . This four, this niyamāgraha, is also against Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And niyamāgraha. And when you are in a quite convenient position, if you do not observe the rules and regulations, that is also against Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Atyāhāraḥ prayāsaś ca prajalpo niyamāgrahaḥ.  
Now, where is the fire, and where is the clarified butter, and where is the expert performer of ''yajña''? The performer of ''yajña'' must be so much educated.


And laulyam. Laulyam means greediness. That is against Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Laulyam, and jana-saṅgaś ca. Jana-saṅga means to associate with persons who are not interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. We should avoid. We should avoid association of persons who are not interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. If we make more association with persons who are not interested in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then it will go against me.
There was a talk between Lord Caitanya and a Muhammadan magistrate. Because when Lord Caitanya appeared in Bengal, India was being governed by the Muhammadans, Pathans, in the four . . . fifteenth century, five hundred years before. Lord Caitanya appeared about 480 years before. So there was a talk between Lord Caitanya and the Muhammadan magistrate.


So these are six "against" rules. Similarly, there are six favorable rules. What are they?
Now, just like . . . you will also learn that we are performing this ''kīrtana''. Some tenant in this house, he has taken objection. And just to avoid misunderstanding, so I am closing this door. But it is becoming very too much discomfiture. That I can feel. People are not feeling comfortable.


<div class="lec_verse">
Anyway, apart from that, now this misunderstanding of ''kīrtana'', five hundred years before also, there was. When Caitanya Mahāprabhu was performing ''kīrtana'', the . . . not the Muhammadans, but the Hindus, they took objection that, "This is not according to our scripture. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has introduced something new." So he complained to the magistrate, although the magistrate was Muhammadan, he was government representative. So he took action.
utsāhān niścayād dhairyāt<br />
tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt<br />
saṅga-tyāgāt sato vṛtteḥ<br />
ṣaḍbhir bhaktiḥ prasidhyati<br />
[Upadeśāmṛta 3] </div>


What action was taken? Now, the first of all he warned the Lord Caitanya's party that, "You cannot perform ''saṅkīrtana''." Then Lord Caitanya's party neglected. Then the magistrate sent some constables and they broke the ''mṛdaṅga''. You have seen the ''mṛdaṅga''. So there was some disturbance, and Lord Caitanya formed a party of one hundred thousand people from Navadvīpa and He began to make a civil disobedience. He performed ''saṅkīrtana'' all over the city, and there was some trouble between the Muhammadan magistrate. And at last, they came to compromise. And when the compromise was done, then there was some discussion. The discussion was the distinction between Muhammadan religion and Hindu religion.


Prasidhyati means it flourishes. The cause is advanced. How? Utsāhāt. We should be very much enthusiastic: "Oh, Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so nice. We have heard about Kṛṣṇa consciousness so nice things. It is so beneficial for successful human mission, so I must have it. I must execute this Kṛṣṇa consciousness." This is called utsāhāt, to become energetic, not lethargic but energetic. So utsāhād dhairyāt. Dhairyāt means with patience. Suppose I have begun immediately. So if there are so many impediments, I am not immediately successful, oh, that does not matter. I must be patient.
Now, Caitanya Mahāprabhu first of all inquired that the Muhammadan magistrate . . . they established their relation as the uncle and nephew. Caitanya Mahāprabhu became the nephew, and the Kazi, the magistrate, he became the uncle. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu addressed the uncle, "My dear uncle, why you are killing your father and mother?" So the uncle replied, "What is that? I am killing our father and mother?" "Yes. Because the cow is your mother. She gives milk. And the bull, he helps you in the agricultural fields. He produces grains. So just like father and mother—mother supplies milk and father brings grain—so they are your father and mother. How you are killing your father and mother?"


Utsāhād dhairyān niścayāt. Niścayāt means with confidence. Confidence. Because Kṛṣṇa says this is this, so I must have confidence. "So Kṛṣṇa says like this, so it is sure it is successful." I must have that confidence. Utsāhād dhairyān niścayāt, and tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt. And you have to do, you have to act accordingly, as Kṛṣṇa says. If you do not act, then... So tat-tat-karma-pravartanāt sato vṛtteḥ, and your profession should be very honest. Sato vṛtteḥ.  
So the uncle replied that, "In Your . . ." he was also very educated, learned. He said that "In Your Vedic scripture there is cow sacrifice. So You are also killing cow." Just I am going to explain the sacrifice. Now, Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained there that that was not killing. When there was some animal sacrifice, an old animal would be sacrificed in the altar, but it would be given a new life. It was practically testing of the Vedic ''mantra'' by the qualified ''brāhmaṇas''. So He said, "Because at the present moment there are no qualified ''brāhmaṇa'', therefore such kind of sacrifice is stopped." Stopped. That was His explanation.


And sādhu-saṅge, and you should associate. Just like the "against" rule is to associate with persons who are not Kṛṣṇa conscious, similarly, sādhu-saṅge. Sādhu-saṅga [[CC Madhya 22.83]] means... Sādhu means who are culturing Kṛṣṇa consciousness. They are called sādhu. You will find in the Bhagavad-gītā, api cet su-durācāro bhajate mām ananya-bhāk, sādhur eva sa mantavyaḥ [[CC Madhya 22.83]] . About sādhu I have explained several times. So sādhu-saṅga, we have to make association with persons who are spiritually interested and who are trying to culture Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that association.
So these sacrifices means unless they are performed very nicely, according to the rules and regulation as they are mentioned in scripture, they will not produce the desired result. That is the way of sacrifice. Now, here it is said, ''brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma haviḥ''. Now, where is the butter, where is the grain, and where is the qualified ''brāhmaṇa'' who can chant the ''mantras'', hymns, very nicely, so that we can get the result?


So these six things will elevate me to the path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. And the other six formulas, they will go against me. So yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭaḥ means that my principle should be how to... (incomplete) (end)
So any kind of sacrifice at the present age is impossible. It is not possible. The only sacrifice—that ''kīrtana'', ''saṅkīrtana-yajña''. That is possible, which you have just now tried. This was introduced, and this is recommended in ''Bhāgavata''. This is authoritative. And when Caitanya Mahāprabhu . . . Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. That is confirmed in ''Mahābhārata'', ''Bhāgavata'', ''Purāṇa'', ''Upaniṣad''.


{{BGL_Footer|{{PAGENAME}}}}
Now, in the ''Bhāgavata'' in the Eleventh Canto you'll find the symptoms of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in which it is stated that ''yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ'' ([[SB 11.5.32]]); "Those who are intelligent person in this age, in Kali-yuga, they will perform ''saṅkīrtana-yajña'' and satisfy Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa . . . er, Lord Caitanya." So this ''saṅkīrtana-yajña'', that which you are performing:
 
:''Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare''
:''Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.''
 
So if we think, if we are Kṛṣṇa conscious, that "I am eternal fragments of Kṛṣṇa, therefore my duty is . . ." Now, everyone can understand what is the duty of the fragment to the whole, fragment to the whole, that the Kṛṣṇa is the whole, whole machine. Suppose . . . in this mechanical world we can understand that the whole machine is there, but there is a small screw which is fragment of that machine. So that screw should be properly adjusted in the machine, and it will help machine working nicely. Similarly, we are all different fragments of the Supreme, Kṛṣṇa, and if we dovetail ourself in the work of Kṛṣṇa, that is the highest ''yajña''. That is the performance of ''yajña''.
 
We haven't got to search out for large quantities of butter, clarified butter or grains. That is impossible factor now. It is very difficult to secure butter for eating purposes, and who is going to sacrifice? That is not possible. Although that is mentioned in the different scriptures, that sacrifice should be performed in that way, but it is impractical. It is not possible. So such sacrifices as recommended in the scripture by offering clarified butters and grain, or sacrificing some animal . . . there are so many.
 
Now, this sacrifice of animal was protested by Lord Buddha. He deviated from the Hindu religion. Lord Buddha was born in Hindu family. He was ''kṣatriya''. He was a king's son. But he wanted to preach nonviolence. He wanted to preach completely, to stop completely animal killing. But because in the Vedic . . . of course, I have already explained that sacrifice of animal, as stated in the ''Vedas'', they are not for killing. They are meant for giving a new life to the animal.
 
By Vedic ''mantra'' . . . the Vedic ''mantra'' are so powerful that that was a test how a dead animal can get . . . regain new birth. An old animal is sacrificed and it gets a new, youthful life. That was the test. It was not meant for killing. Don't misunderstand that sacrifice. But that is mentioned in the ''Vedas''. So people misused that sacrifice means . . . that sacrifice . . . they wanted to give evidence from ''Vedas'', "So here is . . . animal sacrifice is mentioned in the ''Vedas''. Why we shall stop?"
 
So Lord Buddha started his movement, completely stopping this animal sacrifice. But he knew that, "These foolish men will come and give me evidence that 'Here in the ''Vedas'' animal sacrifice is recommended. Why you are preaching? Why you are preaching stoppage of animal killing?' " Therefore he completely rejected ''Vedas''. He said that, "I don't accept ''Vedas''."
 
That is stated in a very nice verse about Lord Buddha by a Vaiṣṇava poet.
 
:''nindasi yajña-vidher ahaha śruti-jātaṁ''
:''sadaya-hṛdaya darśita-paśu-ghātam''
:''keśava dhṛta-buddha-śarīra jaya jagadīśa hare''
:(Daśāvatāra-stotra 9)
 
It is very nicely composed. The idea is that the poet is praying Lord Buddha. That Lord Buddha is also mentioned in ''Bhāgavatam'' as incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. So he is praying Lord Buddha, "My dear Lord, you have assumed now the ''buddha-śarīra'', body, just to . . . by taking compassion on the poor animals, and therefore you are also deprecating the animal sacrifices recommended in the ''Vedas''."
 
So because Lord Buddha did not accept . . . he had to do that, because his mission was to stop animal sacrifice and animal killing. "Now if these foolish persons, without knowing the Vedic purpose, if they present, 'Oh, here it is recommended in the ''Vedas'',' then there will be disturbance." So he had to discard, he had to go out of the Vedic rules and regulation, and he preached his own philosophy.
 
So therefore sacrifice, any kind of sacrifice, that sacrifice is now consolidated in this sacrifice of, I mean to . . . sacrificing your time and sitting down here and chanting, ''Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare''. This is the best kind of sacrifice recommended by Lord Caitanya for this age. He said that:
 
:''kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā''
:''harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam''
:(CC ''Ādi'' 17.21)
 
Just like if we want to give stress on a particular subject matter we say that "Do this! Do this! Do this!" similarly, Lord Caitanya also stressed on this performance of ''saṅkīrtana'' thrice. He said, ''kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā'': "In this age of Kali there is no other way, there is no other way, there is no other way." Thrice He said. And what is that? ''Harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam''. Now here also thrice: "Simply just chant Kṛṣṇa's name, ''Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare''." So this is the best kind of sacrifice.
 
But because . . . other sacrifices, they are also recognized. Just like ''yoga''. ''Yoga'' is also recognized, but that was meant for in the Satya-yuga, when all people were very much all virtuous, cent percent virtuous. There was no, I mean to say, sinful men at all. Now, as the age advanced, in the Tretā-yuga there were seventy-five percent virtuous and twenty-five percent sinful. In the Dvāpara-yuga, fifty percent virtuous and fifty percent sinful. And in this age, Kali-yuga, almost cent percent sinful, although it is calculated in the ''śāstra'' that seventy-five percent are sinful and twenty-five percent are . . . that you can see, how many percentage are going to join our, this ''saṅkīrtana'' movement. We can see from the audience. You see?
 
So it is difficult, but it is the fact. If we perform this sacrifice nicely, according to the rules recommended by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we are sure to get salvation. ''Niścitam''. ''Niścitam'' means sure. So let us perform this sacrifice with patience and perseverance, with steadiness, and then surely we shall achieve the desired result, spiritual salvation, which is that . . . it is stated, ''brahmaiva tena gantavyam''. The whole thing is meant for go back to home, go back to Godhead. That is the whole thing.
 
This is not our home; neither it is our place. We come here as a foreigner. Just like I have come to your place as a foreigner. Suppose I am here for last one year. I may remain here for three months more or one year more, or then I may go back. Similarly, we are all foreigners in this material world. We come here for certain . . . that is changing, changing body—changing body, changing place. So this is not our place. Our real place is back to Godhead, back to home.
 
So if we want to go to our home, back, and live there permanently, in eternal life, in blissfulness and complete knowledge, then this Kṛṣṇa consciousness should be adopted very seriously. It should be preached to the human society, so that they can also take advantage of this nice program, and that is the highest service you can offer to the human society, this sacrifice of ''saṅkīrtana-yajña''.
 
It is nothing manufactured; it is recommended in Vedic literature. It was actually performed by Lord Caitanya. So there is nothing unauthorized. It is completely authorized. So I shall request all friends and audience here to take up the matter very seriously and just try to execute it, although there are some impediments. So any good thing you do, there will be so many impediments. But we have to execute our mission. Thank you very much.
 
If there is any question, you can ask. (end)

Latest revision as of 23:42, 5 November 2023

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada




660808BG.NY - August 08, 1966



Prabhupāda:

yasya sarve samārambhāḥ
kāma-saṅkalpa-varjitāḥ
jñānāgni-dagdha-karmāṇaṁ
tam āhuḥ paṇḍitaṁ budhāḥ
(BG 4.19)

We have been discussing this śloka since the last two days in our meetings. The next verse is:

tyaktvā karma-phalāsaṅgaṁ
nitya-tṛpto nirāśrayaḥ
karmaṇy abhipravṛtto 'pi
naiva kiñcit karoti saḥ
(BG 4.20)

In order to be free from the reaction of our work, this formula is described by Śrī Kṛṣṇa.

yadṛcchā-lābha-santuṣṭo
dvandvātīto vimatsaraḥ
samaḥ siddhāv asiddhau ca
kṛtvāpi na nibadhyate
(BG 4.22)
gata-saṅgasya muktasya
jñānāvasthita-cetasaḥ
yajñāyācarataḥ karma
samagraṁ pravilīyate
(BG 4.23)

The formula is that we have to become detached from the result of the work and must be situated in full knowledge. In full knowledge. Unless we are situated in full knowledge, it is not possible to be detached from the work which you are doing. And that detachment and that knowledge, to be situated in full knowledge, is possible when we perform yajña, or sacrifice.

Now, today's subject matter is varieties of sacrifices, how we can perform different kinds of sacrifices. And what is the sacrifice? Sacrifice means yajñārthe karma. Just at the present moment our conception is that I am the proprietor of everything. Actually, I am not the proprietor. The Īśopaniṣad says that īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvam (Īśo mantra 1). "The Supreme Lord, Personality of Godhead, or Kṛṣṇa, He is the proprietor." But by deluded by the illusory energy of the material existence, we are thinking that "I am the proprietor." Therefore in the scriptures, in Vedic scriptures, sacrifice is recommended.

Sacrifice means you give voluntarily. You give voluntarily. Because we have been so much attached to this material proprietorship, that . . . and without that attachment, there is no possibility of our becoming free from this material entanglement. But that attachment is very difficult to give up. Therefore sacrifice has been recommended, that "You sacrifice." You . . . it is . . . supposing that it is your proprietorship, you are the proprietor of everything, but you sacrifice, yajñārthe. Yajñārthe means "for the Supreme Lord."

So, so many sacrifices are recommended in various scriptures. So we shall try to discuss some of the sacrifices. Yajñāyācarataḥ karma samagraṁ pravilīyate (BG 4.23) . If we perform our duties, yajña, for the matter of satisfaction of Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord, then we shall not be bound up by the reaction of any work.

Now, that first thing is in the sacrifice according to the Vedic rites, there are five principal factors. What are those? There is sacrificial fire, altar, and the person who is offering the . . . generally, in the sacrifice grains and butter, clarified butter, is offered. So the sacrificial altar, fire, and the offering ingredients, grains and clarified butter, and the person who is offering sacrifice, three, and the result and the performance. These five things are there in the matter of sacrifice.

Now, Kṛṣṇa says that if these five things are transformed into Kṛṣṇa consciousness or Brahman realization, then the result will be that the man who is performing that sacrifice is sure to attain his spiritual salvation and go back to Godhead. This prescription is recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā, that:

brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir
brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam
brahmaiva tena gantavyaṁ
brahma-karma-samādhinā
(BG 4.24)

Now, brahmārpaṇam. Sacrifice for whom? For the Brahman. And Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Brahman. Therefore sacrifice for Kṛṣṇa is brahmārpaṇam, means sacrificing for the Brahman, Supreme Brahman. Because Kṛṣṇa is described in the Tenth Chapter as the Parambrahman, the Supreme Brahman.

Brahman means . . . we are also all Brahman. Because we are all fragmental parts and parcel of the Supreme Being, Kṛṣṇa, therefore we are also Brahman. Just like particles of gold is also gold, similarly, we are fragmental portions of Kṛṣṇa. Do not understand that as material fragments. We are not material fragment. But just because we have no other conception at the present moment except material understanding, therefore I am just trying . . . this is translated into English as "fragment," but not like that material fragment.

Just like we have got a paper in our hand. If I tear into pieces, they become fragments. Then the original paper, the shape of the paper—no longer existing. It is not like that. The Upaniṣad says that:

pūrṇam idaṁ pūrṇam adaḥ
pūrṇāt pūrṇam udacyate
pūrṇasya pūrṇam ādāya
pūrṇam evāvaśiṣyate
(Īśo Invocation)

The spiritual conception is that, that any number of fragments of the whole can be taken from the whole spirit, but still, the spirit whole is as it is. That is the description in the Vedic literature. We have got material idea, "One minus one equal to zero." But in the spiritual realm, one minus one equal to one. So these fragments, the fragments of the Supreme Brahman, Kṛṣṇa, we are.

So with that consciousness we have to sacrifice. Brahmārpaṇam brahma havir. And the thing which we are sacrificing, we have to understand that the things belong to the Supreme Brahman. Brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havir brahmāgnau. And the fire which is on the altar, that is to be understood as the energy of the Supreme Brahman. And brahmaṇā hutam: and the person who is offering the sacrifice, he is also part and parcel of the Supreme Brahman.

In this way if we offer sacrifice, then brahmaiva tena gantavyam: the person who is offering such sacrifice is sure to attain spiritual salvation. This is brahma-karma-samādhinā. And the performance is just according to the Vedic injunction also. So in this way if we, I mean to say, execute the duties of our living condition, then the result will be that at the end we shall be attaining Brahman. And the whole process is called Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

In the higher conception of life, just it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, that everything is visualized as Brahman. Brahman means spiritual. So in the higher conception of life, one who has attained in the higher stage of spiritual realization, for him, there is nothing material. There is nothing material. The distinction of matter and spirit is this.

Now, from the Bhagavad-gītā we understand that two energies are working. One energy is called inferior energy, and the other energy is called superior energy. Now, take for example the inferior energy. The energy emanating from the source, is there any possibility of dividing the energy and the energetic?

No. That is not possible, just like you cannot divide heat from the fire or the illumination from this light. This is not possible. If there is no illumination, then the light has no meaning. If there is no heat, so then fire has no meaning. Similarly, if the energy is separated from the energetic, the energetic has no meaning.

So Kṛṣṇa says that there are two kinds of nature: superior nature, or higher nature, and inferior nature. Now, even the inferior nature . . . we take it for granted that there is something like inferior nature. Of course, this material energy, the material nature, is called inferior nature—inferior in the sense that the matter has got no incentive. Without touch of spirit, matter cannot work. Therefore it is understood that it is inferior.

But in the higher sense it is not inferior. How it is not inferior? Because it is emanation from the Supreme, and you cannot separate this energy from the Supreme, and there is no difference between the Supreme and His energy. Śakti-śaktimator abheda. This is the Vedic injunction. Śakti, śakti means energy, and śaktimator, śaktimator means the person who has got the energy. So abheda, they are nondifferential. You cannot differentiate between the energy and the energetic.

Just like electric powerhouse. The energy is electric . . . electricity. Now, from the electricity energy we are working so many things. So far our household affairs are concerned, by the same electric energy we are getting heat and we are getting also cold. In the refrigerator we see everything is cold. In the heater we find everything is hot, warm. But the same energy is working. So one who knows that this is the electrical energy that is working in a different way, for him, there is no superior or inferior. That is called jñāna. If we are on the platform of knowledge, then there is no distinction between matter and spirit.

And that knowledge we have to acquire. How we have to acquire? We must know it definitely that everything that is manifested . . . in the Viṣṇu-Purāṇa there is a nice verse which describes this energy and the energetic very nicely:

eka-deśa-sthitasyāgner
jyotsnā vistāriṇī yathā
parasya brahmaṇaḥ śaktis
sarvedam akhilaṁ jagat
(CC Madhya 20.110)

Akhilaṁ jagat. Whatever we are seeing in this, in our presence, whatever we are seeing, they are nothing but different energies of the Supreme Lord. And how they are acting? Just like the electric powerhouse is situated far away from your residential apartment, but from there the energy is being distributed and you are finding heat, cold, and so many things electrically you are working, so although the Supreme Lord is far, far away . . . of course, He is not far, far away, but in our conception, in the material conception, because we cannot see . . . we are on a different planet. So by His energy He is not far away.

Just like the sunlight, the sunshine, in the morning you find the sunshine is within your room, the sun is just within your room. It is actually. But still, the sun is ninety million miles away from you. Similarly, in all circumstances we must understand that Kṛṣṇa is, although far away from us, still He is with us, within us. This is called knowledge. This is called knowledge.

And He says also in the Bhagavad-gītā that sarvasya cāhaṁ hṛdi sanniviṣṭaḥ (BG 15.15). "I am situated in everyone's heart." So just think how much nearest He is if He is sitting on my heart, and He is actually there, which is called Paramātmā, or the Supersoul. So sarvasya, sarvasya means everyone's, not only in human body, but in animal body, in the atoms also.

Aṇḍāntara-stha-paramāṇu-cayāntara-stham (Bs 5.35). Paramāṇu means atom. He is situated. So practically, He is not far away. He is the nearest friend. He also claims in the Bhagavad-gītā, suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānām (BG 5.29). "I am the friend of everyone." So this knowledge we have to acquire, that "We have got the greatest powerful friend in Kṛṣṇa, and He is with me." This is knowledge.

Just like when you chant "Kṛṣṇa," Hare Kṛṣṇa, actually the fact is Kṛṣṇa is dancing on your tongue by sound vibration. Kṛṣṇa is not away. It is stated in the scriptures, nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe (Padma Purāna).

He is addressing Nārada, Nārada, a great devotee of Kṛṣṇa. He is explaining to Nārada, nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca. The yogīs, the mystic yogīs, they try to find out the Supersoul within themself. That is the yoga system. Yoga, actual yoga system, is to concentrate the mind, to focus the mind on the Supersoul. That is yoga system.

So Kṛṣṇa says that nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe. In the scriptures we find that kingdom of God, that is called Vaikuṇṭha. Vaikuṇṭha means vigata-kuṇṭha yatra. Kuṇṭha means anxieties. The place where there is no anxieties, that is called Vaikuṇṭha. So Kṛṣṇa says that nāhaṁ tiṣṭhāmi vaikuṇṭhe yogināṁ hṛdayeṣu ca: "My dear Nārada, do not think that I am staying in the Vaikuṇṭha, in the kingdom of God only, or in the heart of the yogis only. No." Tatra tiṣṭhāmi nārada yatra gāyanti mad-bhaktāḥ; "Wherever My devotees sing or chant the glories of Me, I stand there. I go there." So this is brahmārpaṇam. This yajña, this is the highest yajña.

Now, we are discussing of the varieties of yajña. Now, so far sacrifice in the altar of fire, clarified butter and grains, it is not possible. At the present moment . . . of course, formerly, we understand from the scriptures that they used to pour tons of tons clarified butter in the fire, because at that time they were available. But at the present moment . . . of course, we are seeing some butter sticks here in America, but from India practically butter has disappeared. So it is not possible.

The present day, Kali-yuga, is not favorable for such sacrifice which was being performed in the Satya-yuga or Tretā . . . not Satya-yuga. Sacrifice was being performed in the Tretā-yuga, second millennium. The duration of a period. Just like in a year we have got different seasons, similarly, in the existence there are different periods. According to Vedic literature, they are called Satya-yuga, Tretā-yuga, Dvāpara-yuga, Kali-yuga. Now we are passing through the Kali-yuga. The Kali-yuga, duration of Kali-yuga, is four hundred thousands of years . . . four hundred and twenty-seven thousands of year. Out of that, we have passed only five thousands of years. That is the Vedic calculation.

So Lord Caitanya has recommended this yajña. It is not Lord Caitanya's imagination; it is recommended in the Bhāgavata that:

kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ
tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ
dvāpare paricaryāyāṁ
kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt
(SB 12.3.52)

Now, these four yugas are divided. Kṛte, kṛte means in Satya-yuga, when people were all virtuous. That is called Satya-yuga. So kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇum: "In the Satya-yuga what was attained by meditation on Viṣṇu . . ." We shall always remember that whenever we call for meditation, that meditation is not in void. Void meditation is very much troublesome. Kleśo 'dhikataras teṣām avyaktāsakta-cetasām (BG 12.5), you will find in the Bhagavad-gītā.

Those who are trying to meditate upon the void, they are in very troublesome condition. And it is very difficult to achieve success. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā. So meditation always means meditation on Viṣṇu.

So in the Satya-yuga, in the millennium when all people were virtuous, cent-percent virtuous, at that time this meditation was recommended. Because their minds were not disturbed and they could sit down peacefully and concentrate his mind on Viṣṇu. That was the process recommended. Kṛte yad dhyāyato viṣṇuṁ tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ (SB 12.3.52). Tretāyām means the next millennium. That is . . . it was recommended that people should perform sacrifices.

Tretāyāṁ yajato makhaiḥ dvāpare paricaryāyām. Dvāpare means the next millennium. That is recommended for temple worship. Temple worship. The temple worship . . . so many temples, thousands and thousands of temples you will find. Not only in India, in other parts of the world also. The churches are also temples, the mosques are also temples, the synagogues are also temples. So this temple worship was introduced in the third millennium.

Now this is the fourth millennium. In the fourth millennium, the Bhāgavata says that kalau tad dhari-kīrtanāt: "At the present moment we have to perform sacrifices by chanting the hari-kīrtana, the glorification of Kṛṣṇa." This is yajña. Other yajñas, although they are prescribed . . . because when Kṛṣṇa was speaking, He was speaking generally, but there are specific consideration. This yajña recommended in the Bhagavad-gītā, brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma, brahma havir brahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutam (BG 4.24).

Now, where is the fire, and where is the clarified butter, and where is the expert performer of yajña? The performer of yajña must be so much educated.

There was a talk between Lord Caitanya and a Muhammadan magistrate. Because when Lord Caitanya appeared in Bengal, India was being governed by the Muhammadans, Pathans, in the four . . . fifteenth century, five hundred years before. Lord Caitanya appeared about 480 years before. So there was a talk between Lord Caitanya and the Muhammadan magistrate.

Now, just like . . . you will also learn that we are performing this kīrtana. Some tenant in this house, he has taken objection. And just to avoid misunderstanding, so I am closing this door. But it is becoming very too much discomfiture. That I can feel. People are not feeling comfortable.

Anyway, apart from that, now this misunderstanding of kīrtana, five hundred years before also, there was. When Caitanya Mahāprabhu was performing kīrtana, the . . . not the Muhammadans, but the Hindus, they took objection that, "This is not according to our scripture. Caitanya Mahāprabhu has introduced something new." So he complained to the magistrate, although the magistrate was Muhammadan, he was government representative. So he took action.

What action was taken? Now, the first of all he warned the Lord Caitanya's party that, "You cannot perform saṅkīrtana." Then Lord Caitanya's party neglected. Then the magistrate sent some constables and they broke the mṛdaṅga. You have seen the mṛdaṅga. So there was some disturbance, and Lord Caitanya formed a party of one hundred thousand people from Navadvīpa and He began to make a civil disobedience. He performed saṅkīrtana all over the city, and there was some trouble between the Muhammadan magistrate. And at last, they came to compromise. And when the compromise was done, then there was some discussion. The discussion was the distinction between Muhammadan religion and Hindu religion.

Now, Caitanya Mahāprabhu first of all inquired that the Muhammadan magistrate . . . they established their relation as the uncle and nephew. Caitanya Mahāprabhu became the nephew, and the Kazi, the magistrate, he became the uncle. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu addressed the uncle, "My dear uncle, why you are killing your father and mother?" So the uncle replied, "What is that? I am killing our father and mother?" "Yes. Because the cow is your mother. She gives milk. And the bull, he helps you in the agricultural fields. He produces grains. So just like father and mother—mother supplies milk and father brings grain—so they are your father and mother. How you are killing your father and mother?"

So the uncle replied that, "In Your . . ." he was also very educated, learned. He said that "In Your Vedic scripture there is cow sacrifice. So You are also killing cow." Just I am going to explain the sacrifice. Now, Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained there that that was not killing. When there was some animal sacrifice, an old animal would be sacrificed in the altar, but it would be given a new life. It was practically testing of the Vedic mantra by the qualified brāhmaṇas. So He said, "Because at the present moment there are no qualified brāhmaṇa, therefore such kind of sacrifice is stopped." Stopped. That was His explanation.

So these sacrifices means unless they are performed very nicely, according to the rules and regulation as they are mentioned in scripture, they will not produce the desired result. That is the way of sacrifice. Now, here it is said, brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma haviḥ. Now, where is the butter, where is the grain, and where is the qualified brāhmaṇa who can chant the mantras, hymns, very nicely, so that we can get the result?

So any kind of sacrifice at the present age is impossible. It is not possible. The only sacrifice—that kīrtana, saṅkīrtana-yajña. That is possible, which you have just now tried. This was introduced, and this is recommended in Bhāgavata. This is authoritative. And when Caitanya Mahāprabhu . . . Lord Caitanya Mahāprabhu is the incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. That is confirmed in Mahābhārata, Bhāgavata, Purāṇa, Upaniṣad.

Now, in the Bhāgavata in the Eleventh Canto you'll find the symptoms of Caitanya Mahāprabhu, in which it is stated that yajñaiḥ saṅkīrtana-prāyair yajanti hi su-medhasaḥ (SB 11.5.32); "Those who are intelligent person in this age, in Kali-yuga, they will perform saṅkīrtana-yajña and satisfy Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa . . . er, Lord Caitanya." So this saṅkīrtana-yajña, that which you are performing:

Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare
Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare.

So if we think, if we are Kṛṣṇa conscious, that "I am eternal fragments of Kṛṣṇa, therefore my duty is . . ." Now, everyone can understand what is the duty of the fragment to the whole, fragment to the whole, that the Kṛṣṇa is the whole, whole machine. Suppose . . . in this mechanical world we can understand that the whole machine is there, but there is a small screw which is fragment of that machine. So that screw should be properly adjusted in the machine, and it will help machine working nicely. Similarly, we are all different fragments of the Supreme, Kṛṣṇa, and if we dovetail ourself in the work of Kṛṣṇa, that is the highest yajña. That is the performance of yajña.

We haven't got to search out for large quantities of butter, clarified butter or grains. That is impossible factor now. It is very difficult to secure butter for eating purposes, and who is going to sacrifice? That is not possible. Although that is mentioned in the different scriptures, that sacrifice should be performed in that way, but it is impractical. It is not possible. So such sacrifices as recommended in the scripture by offering clarified butters and grain, or sacrificing some animal . . . there are so many.

Now, this sacrifice of animal was protested by Lord Buddha. He deviated from the Hindu religion. Lord Buddha was born in Hindu family. He was kṣatriya. He was a king's son. But he wanted to preach nonviolence. He wanted to preach completely, to stop completely animal killing. But because in the Vedic . . . of course, I have already explained that sacrifice of animal, as stated in the Vedas, they are not for killing. They are meant for giving a new life to the animal.

By Vedic mantra . . . the Vedic mantra are so powerful that that was a test how a dead animal can get . . . regain new birth. An old animal is sacrificed and it gets a new, youthful life. That was the test. It was not meant for killing. Don't misunderstand that sacrifice. But that is mentioned in the Vedas. So people misused that sacrifice means . . . that sacrifice . . . they wanted to give evidence from Vedas, "So here is . . . animal sacrifice is mentioned in the Vedas. Why we shall stop?"

So Lord Buddha started his movement, completely stopping this animal sacrifice. But he knew that, "These foolish men will come and give me evidence that 'Here in the Vedas animal sacrifice is recommended. Why you are preaching? Why you are preaching stoppage of animal killing?' " Therefore he completely rejected Vedas. He said that, "I don't accept Vedas."

That is stated in a very nice verse about Lord Buddha by a Vaiṣṇava poet.

nindasi yajña-vidher ahaha śruti-jātaṁ
sadaya-hṛdaya darśita-paśu-ghātam
keśava dhṛta-buddha-śarīra jaya jagadīśa hare
(Daśāvatāra-stotra 9)

It is very nicely composed. The idea is that the poet is praying Lord Buddha. That Lord Buddha is also mentioned in Bhāgavatam as incarnation of Kṛṣṇa. So he is praying Lord Buddha, "My dear Lord, you have assumed now the buddha-śarīra, body, just to . . . by taking compassion on the poor animals, and therefore you are also deprecating the animal sacrifices recommended in the Vedas."

So because Lord Buddha did not accept . . . he had to do that, because his mission was to stop animal sacrifice and animal killing. "Now if these foolish persons, without knowing the Vedic purpose, if they present, 'Oh, here it is recommended in the Vedas,' then there will be disturbance." So he had to discard, he had to go out of the Vedic rules and regulation, and he preached his own philosophy.

So therefore sacrifice, any kind of sacrifice, that sacrifice is now consolidated in this sacrifice of, I mean to . . . sacrificing your time and sitting down here and chanting, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare / Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. This is the best kind of sacrifice recommended by Lord Caitanya for this age. He said that:

kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā
harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam
(CC Ādi 17.21)

Just like if we want to give stress on a particular subject matter we say that "Do this! Do this! Do this!" similarly, Lord Caitanya also stressed on this performance of saṅkīrtana thrice. He said, kalau nāsty eva nāsty eva nāsty eva gatir anyathā: "In this age of Kali there is no other way, there is no other way, there is no other way." Thrice He said. And what is that? Harer nāma harer nāma harer nāmaiva kevalam. Now here also thrice: "Simply just chant Kṛṣṇa's name, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare." So this is the best kind of sacrifice.

But because . . . other sacrifices, they are also recognized. Just like yoga. Yoga is also recognized, but that was meant for in the Satya-yuga, when all people were very much all virtuous, cent percent virtuous. There was no, I mean to say, sinful men at all. Now, as the age advanced, in the Tretā-yuga there were seventy-five percent virtuous and twenty-five percent sinful. In the Dvāpara-yuga, fifty percent virtuous and fifty percent sinful. And in this age, Kali-yuga, almost cent percent sinful, although it is calculated in the śāstra that seventy-five percent are sinful and twenty-five percent are . . . that you can see, how many percentage are going to join our, this saṅkīrtana movement. We can see from the audience. You see?

So it is difficult, but it is the fact. If we perform this sacrifice nicely, according to the rules recommended by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu, we are sure to get salvation. Niścitam. Niścitam means sure. So let us perform this sacrifice with patience and perseverance, with steadiness, and then surely we shall achieve the desired result, spiritual salvation, which is that . . . it is stated, brahmaiva tena gantavyam. The whole thing is meant for go back to home, go back to Godhead. That is the whole thing.

This is not our home; neither it is our place. We come here as a foreigner. Just like I have come to your place as a foreigner. Suppose I am here for last one year. I may remain here for three months more or one year more, or then I may go back. Similarly, we are all foreigners in this material world. We come here for certain . . . that is changing, changing body—changing body, changing place. So this is not our place. Our real place is back to Godhead, back to home.

So if we want to go to our home, back, and live there permanently, in eternal life, in blissfulness and complete knowledge, then this Kṛṣṇa consciousness should be adopted very seriously. It should be preached to the human society, so that they can also take advantage of this nice program, and that is the highest service you can offer to the human society, this sacrifice of saṅkīrtana-yajña.

It is nothing manufactured; it is recommended in Vedic literature. It was actually performed by Lord Caitanya. So there is nothing unauthorized. It is completely authorized. So I shall request all friends and audience here to take up the matter very seriously and just try to execute it, although there are some impediments. So any good thing you do, there will be so many impediments. But we have to execute our mission. Thank you very much.

If there is any question, you can ask. (end)