730502 - Lecture SB 01.08.40 - Los Angeles

Lectures by Date, 1973

His Divine Grace
A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada

730502SB-LOS ANGELES - May 02, 1973 - 32:02 Minutes

Pradyumna: Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. Oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya. (leads chanting of verse) (Prabhupāda and devotees repeat)

ime jana-padāḥ svṛddhāḥ

supakvauṣadhi-vīrudhaḥ

vanādri-nady-udanvanto

hy edhante tava vīkṣitaiḥ

(SB 1.8.40)

(Prabhupāda interrupts chanting to correct pronunciation of svṛddhāḥ)

(break)

. . .—all these; jana-padāḥ—cities and towns; svṛddhāḥ—flourished; supakva—nature; auṣadhi—herbs; vīrudhaḥ—vegetables; vana—forests; adri—hills; nadī—rivers; udanvantaḥ—seas; hi—certainly; edhante—increasing; tava—Your; vīkṣitaiḥ—seen.

Translation: "All these cities and villages are flourishing in all respects because the herbs and grains are in abundance, the trees are full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the hills are full of minerals and the oceans full of wealth. And this is all due to Your glancing over them."

Prabhupāda: Mmm. This is Vedic civilization. There is mention of so many things that, "The grains are in abundance and the trees are full of fruits. The rivers are flowing nicely. The hills are full of minerals and the ocean full of wealth." So where is the scarcity? There is no mention that slaughterhouse is flourishing, industry is flourishing. No such mention.

These are all nonsense things they have created. Therefore problems are there. If you depend on God's creation, then there is no scarcity; simply ānanda. If the trees are full of fruits, if you have got sufficient grains and . . . because there is sufficient grain, there is sufficient grass also. The animals, the cows, they will eat the grass. You'll eat the grains, the fruits. And the animal will help you, the bulls will help you to produce grains. And he will partake little, what you throw away. The animal will be satisfied. You take the fruits, inside of the fruits; you throw away the skin, the animal will be satisfied. You take the grains and throw out the grass, the animal will be satisfied. From the trees, you take the fruits. They are satisfied with the vegetables.

So there is full cooperation between trees, animals, human being when there is Kṛṣṇa is in the center. This is civilization. Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa or Kṛṣṇa consciousness, if it is there, tava vīkṣitaiḥ . . . tava vīkṣitaiḥ means, "This is due to Your glancing over them." Just like we are sitting here, Kṛṣṇa is glancing over us. Everything is nice, first class. Kṛṣṇa has come very kindly. Because you are trying to become Kṛṣṇa's devotee, He has come before you in His full opulence, and He's glancing over you, and you become happy and beautiful. Therefore we want . . . this whole material creation is due to Kṛṣṇa's glancing. Sa aikṣata. In the Vedas, He glanced over this matter and the matter became agitated. Just like there is man and woman. When the woman is agitated, there is fruit. There is fruit. Similarly, the whole creation is in the same process. The nature, matter, has to be agitated. That agitation comes from the life, not from the matter.

So this is the Vedic information. Sa aikṣata sa asṛjata (Aitareya Upaniṣad 1.1.1–2). Kṛṣṇa also says, ahaṁ sarvasya prabhavaḥ (BG 10.8). Simply by Kṛṣṇa's glancing, seeing, the matter becomes agitated and becomes pregnant, and the living entities come out. The trees, the fruits and everything come out, simply by His glancing. How it is possible? We have no experience that, "By simply glancing over my wife, I can make her pregnant." No. That is for you, not for Kṛṣṇa. Not for Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is described in the Brahma-saṁhitā, aṅgāni yasya sakalendriya-vṛttimanti (Bs. 5.32). Each and every part, limb of Kṛṣṇa, has got the capacity of other part. We, by our eyes part of our body, we can simply see. But Kṛṣṇa, by seeing, can make others pregnant. That is Kṛṣṇa. There is no need, use, of sex life. There is no . . . simply by Kṛṣṇa's glancing. Mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram (BG 9.10). Adhyakṣeṇa, adhi-akṣeṇa. Akṣa means eyes. "By My glancing," mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ, "the material nature . . ." These things are there in the Bhagavad-gītā. You study. Mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate: "gives birth." What kind of birth? Carācaram: "Moving and nonmoving."

There are two living entities: moving and nonmoving. The nonmoving are the trees and the plants. They cannot move. They stand in one place. And we, human being, animals, insects, flies, we move. So there are two kinds of living entities. Sthāvara-jaṅgama (CC Madhya 8.274). In Sanskrit it is called sthāvara-jaṅgama. So the sthāvara-jaṅgama, they're coming out of this material nature. Not the life is coming, but the body. When we say coming, coming means birth. So if you say, now, matter, from matter—no. The living entities, they are accepting a type of body from material nature. Not that actually coming. Just like a child is coming . . . a child is coming, taking the body from the mother. It takes ten months to prepare the body from the blood and secretion of the mother. But the child is not matter. The child is a living entity. That living entity takes shelter into the womb of the mother, and the mother supplies from the body. By nature's way, it is going on. The mother does not know how she's supplying, but from her body, another body is created, and when it is fit, it comes out to work.

This is birth. Not that the living entity is taking birth. Because that is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, na jāyate na mriyate vā (BG 2.20): the living entity does not take birth, neither he dies. Anything which does not take birth does not die also. Death is for such thing which is created. Which is not created, it has no death. Na jāyate na mriyate vā kadācit. Kadācit, "At any time." Kṛṣṇa says kadācit. It is not that now it is not taking birth; formerly it took birth. No. Na kadācit. "Oh, I see this is, this is child is now born." No, it is not born. Nityaḥ śāśvataḥ purāṇaḥ: that living entity is eternal; śāśvataḥ, always existing; purāṇaḥ, very, very old. Very, very old. Then? Na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre (BG 2.20). Don't think that when this body will be destroyed that living entity will be destroyed. No, it will continue.

So our scientist friend was asking that, "What is the proof of eternity?" The proof is there. Kṛṣṇa says, na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre. That is the proof. Śruti. This is hearing, disciplic succession hearing from the Supreme. This is one proof. One proof is by logic, nyāya-prasthāna. You can get your knowledge by logic, argument, philosophical research. This is all right also. But another: śruti, by hearing from the authorities. That is also knowledge. And smṛti. Smṛti means statement derived from śruti. Just like Bhagavad-gītā is called smṛti, thePurāṇas are called smṛti. But Upaniṣad is called śruti, and Vedānta is called nyāya. So three ways: nyāya-prasthāna, śruti-prasthāna and smṛti-prasthāna.

So of all these, the śruti-prasthāna, or the evidence by the śruti, is very important. Pratyakṣa, anumāna and śruti. Pratyakṣa: direct perception. Direct perception has no value because our senses are all imperfect. So what is the value of direct perception? Just like we are seeing every day the sun just like a disc, say, about twelve inches or eleven inches. But it is fourteen hundred thousand times bigger than this earth. Therefore our direct perception with the experience with these eyes has no value. Similarly all the senses, either eyes or nose, by smelling, by touching, by tasting, by hearing . . . there are so many senses we can experience knowledge. But because the senses are imperfect, whatever knowledge you are getting by exercising your senses, they're all imperfect.

Just like the so-called scientists. Because they're trying to understand by exercising their this imperfect senses, they always remain imperfect. Just like our Svarūpa Dāmodara inquired that, "If I give you the ingredients to produce life, will you be able to produce life?" He questioned one scientist. He said: "That I do not know." The imperfect knowledge. If you do not know, then your knowledge is imperfect. Why you have become teacher? That is cheating. When you have got imperfect knowledge, why you take the position of the teacher? That should . . . you should not have done that. Therefore our position, to become perfect, is to take lesson from the perfect. Kṛṣṇa is the perfect. Kṛṣṇa says, na hanyate hanyamāne śarīre (BG 2.20). So we take the knowledge from the perfect. Therefore this understanding, that soul is eternal, that is perfect.

So ultimately Kṛṣṇa. Without Kṛṣṇa . . . Caitanya Mahāprabhu explained when He was explaining dhātu . . . dhātu, the forms of verb "activity." So He used to explain ultimately Kṛṣṇa is the dhātu. So Kuntīdevī says, ime jana-padāḥ svṛddhāḥ supakvauṣadhi-vīrudhaḥ. Everything is sufficient. Now whatever mentioned here, that "The grains are in abundance, the trees are in full of fruits, the rivers are flowing, the hills are full of minerals, and the ocean full of wealth . . ." What do you want more? You can take from the ocean that, what is called, that . . .? Oyster? Boyster? What is called?

Svarūpa Dāmodara: Crab? Oyster?

Prabhupāda: Oyster. Oyster. The oyster produces pearls, very valuable. If you can collect the oysters, you'll get valuable pearls. One pearl, ten thousand dollar. The wealth is there. So formerly people used these pearls, the valuable stones, silk, gold, silver, and decorated the body with nice manufactured ornaments. The beautiful for body. But where are those things gone? Those things are now gone. Now plastic bangles. Advancement of civilization. All these beautiful girls without any ornament of gold, pearls and nice jewel, they have got plastic bangles. Just see the fun.

So what is the use of this industry, slaughterhouse? You get these, all these things. Have enough food grains, enough milk, enough fruits, enough vegetables, clear, nice river water. There is . . . there is no need of constructing waterworks. Why? I have traveled in Europe. Each and every river has become nasty. In Russia I saw the river, in Germany I saw the river, in France also I saw the river—nasty. And also in your country I have seen that . . . what is that river in New York?

Devotees: East Side, Hudson.

Prabhupāda: Hudson and another?

Devotees: East Side.

Prabhupāda: They have created nasty. By nature's way such . . . just like you see in the ocean, how the water is clear and crystal. By nature's way, it is kept very nice, clear and crystal, and from the ocean the water is diverted by the process to come into the river, the same water, but it is crystallized without any salt. By nature's way. "By nature's way" means Kṛṣṇa's way. So you take nice water from the river. What is the use of constructing huge waterworks supplying water? Nature has already given you. You take fruits, nice fruits. You take grains. You take milk products. You take silk. You take pearls. You take jewels. Everything is . . . you want richness, you collect the pearls—you become rich. There is no question of to become rich by starting some huge factory, producing these motor bodies. You see?

So we have created troubles. Otherwise, if we depend on Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa's mercy . . . because by Kṛṣṇa's glancing, everything is all right. Here it is said:

ime jana-padāḥ svṛddhāḥ

supakvauṣadhi-vīrudhaḥ

vanādri-nady-udanvanto

hy edhante tava vīkṣitaiḥ

(SB 1.8.40)

So simply by Kṛṣṇa's glancing, Kuntī is expressing that so many beautiful things are there. "Simply by Your glance." So if you simply plead for Kṛṣṇa's glancing, so there is no question of scarcity, there is no question of need. Everything will be complete. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. You depend on nature's gift. By the grace of Kṛṣṇa . . . they are . . .

Our opinion, that the population has increased. Everywhere they say the population has increased, and they're checking the population by artificial means, the rascal method. Why? The birds and bees, they have no checking. They are increasing their population without any contraceptive. But are they in need of food? Have you seen any bird that is dying for want of food? Never. Any animal? It may be, animal in the city, they may be dying for want of food. That is also not very seen. But in the jungle you go, you see all the animals, big, big animals like elephant, they are very stout and strong. Who is supplying them food? The tiger, the lions, everyone—everyone is living. Some of them are vegetarian, some of them are nonvegetarian, but nobody is in want of food.

The tiger . . . by nature's way, the tiger do not get every day food. Naturally, because he is nonvegetarian. So he gets his food with a little difficulty. Because who is going to face the tiger to become its food? Nobody's going. "Sir, I am very philanthropist. I have come to you to give you food. Take my body." Nobody's going. Therefore he has got difficulty to find out its food. Because in the jungle the . . . there is jungle laws also, nature's law. As soon as the tiger is out, there is one animal that is called feo. I do not know what is the name in English. It will follow the tiger, and it will sound "feo, feo," so the other animals will know: "Now the tiger is out." So it has got difficulty. It has got difficulty, by nature's way. But still Kṛṣṇa supplies him food. Say after one week he gets the chance of catching one animal. Therefore he doesn't get fresh food daily. He stocks the animal in some bush and takes little, little. So he has become very powerful.

People wants, "I want to become like tiger" or "I want to become like lion." But that is not very good position, because you won't get food daily. That's a fact. And you have to search out food with great labor. But if you become a vegetarian, you get daily. Anywhere there are grass, you can eat. The animals are eating. Now in every city there are slaughterhouses. Does it mean the slaughterhouse can supply all the meat? Suppose you don't take any other food—grains or vegetables. Can you live simply by eating meat? There is no supply, sufficient supply. Here . . . you have to eat the grains and the fruits and the vegetables, along with a slice of meat you take. Still, for that slice of meat, you are killing so many poor animals. How much sinful it is.

So it is not to be done. It is not to be done. Therefore people are not happy. They are committing simply sinful activities. How they can become happy? But if you become Kṛṣṇa conscious, simply depend on Kṛṣṇa's glancing, tava vīkṣitaiḥ, if you depend on Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa will supply you everything. There is no question of scarcity. It is question of production. And sometimes we find that the grains and fruits are produced in huge quantity. One cannot finish. So it is a question of Kṛṣṇa's glance. If Kṛṣṇa likes, He can produce huge quantity of grains and fruits and vegetables. And if He . . . Kṛṣṇa controls, then what your meat will do? You can eat me; I shall eat you. That will go on. But that will not solve the problem. Therefore for real peace of life, tranquillity and everything, sufficient supply of foodstuff, sufficient supply of milk and water, everything arrangement is there. Simply we have to depend on Kṛṣṇa.

Just like Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura is teaching us so, "I depend on You." Mārobi rākhobi jo icchā tohārā. "My dear Lord, I simply surrender unto You, depend on You. Now, if You like, You can kill me or You can give me protection." This is wanted. And Kṛṣṇa says in reply, "Yes." Sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja (BG 18.66). Ekam. He does not say: "Yes, you depend on Me and depend on your slaughterhouse and factory also." No. He says: "Simply depend on Me: one." Mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ahaṁ tvāṁ sarva-pāpebhyo mokṣayiṣyāmi. So, "I will rescue you from the resultant action of your sinful activities." Because you have lived so many years without being Kṛṣṇa conscious, you have lived sinful life only. So Kṛṣṇa gives, gives assurance that as soon as one surrenders to Kṛṣṇa, He immediately squares up all account. All your sinful activities finished now. Finished. Now you begin new life. That is called initiation. But don't commit anymore.

Therefore we take promise from our disciples that, "Now the account is squared up. Whatever sinful life you led, that is closed now. Without any payment, I close. Now don't commit any more." That is nāma-aparādha. If you . . . if we think that kṛṣṇa-nāma, the holy name of Kṛṣṇa, can, I mean to say, nullify so many sinful activities, so if I commit little sinful activity and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, it will be nullified. No, don't think like that. That is the greatest sin. Nāmno balād yasya hi pāpa-buddhiḥ (Padma Purāṇa, Brahma-khaṇḍa). Anyone who is thinking like that, that "Let me commit some sinful activities, and in the evening I shall chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. It will be all right," no. No, no. That is the greatest offense. Out of ten kinds of offenses, that is the greatest offense. Nāmno balād yasya hi.

Don't take to that process, confession. Just like the Christians do: they go to the church and confess. Suppose one confesses—"That's all right"—and again does the same sinful activities. Then what is the value? Accept . . . why accept? It is fact. If you confess before the Lord, just as, "My Lord, out of my ignorance . . ." The sinful activities are done out of ignorance. Not that by planning that, "I shall commit sinful activities, go to the church and confess. Then everything is nullified. Again begin, new chapter, sinful activities." That is not ignorance. That is by knowingly, knowingly taking advantage of chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra.

So we should be very careful. We promise before taking initiation no illicit sex, no intoxicants, no gambling, no meat eating. We should strictly follow. We should strictly follow. Then we are clean: "No more." And keeping oneself clean and keeping oneself always engaged in devotional service, his life is success and there is no need, there is no scarcity of anything he wants.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Śrīla Prabhupāda. (end)