0 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:02,219 SB 1-15-27 LA 1973-12-05 Mistaking Suffering for Enjoyment 1 00:00:02,220 --> 00:00:06,698 ANNOUNCER: The following is a class on the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, 2 00:00:06,699 --> 00:00:11,519 1st canto, 15th chapter, text number 27, 3 00:00:11,520 --> 00:00:18,119 given by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, 4 00:00:18,120 --> 00:00:23,789 recorded on December 3rd, 1973, in Los Angeles. 5 00:00:23,790 --> 00:00:25,289 PRADYUMNA: Translation: 6 00:00:25,290 --> 00:00:28,790 “Now I am attracted to those instructions imparted to me by the 7 00:00:28,791 --> 00:00:34,103 Personality of Godhead, Govinda, because they are impregnated with instructions 8 00:00:34,104 --> 00:00:40,810 for relieving the burning heart in all circumstances of time and space.” 9 00:00:40,811 --> 00:00:44,059 PRABHUPĀDA: Go on reading the purport. 10 00:00:44,060 --> 00:00:47,879 “Herein Arjuna refers to the instruction of the Bhagavad-gītā, 11 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:52,639 which was imparted to him by the Lord in the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra. 12 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:56,130 The Lord left behind Him the instructions of the Bhagavad-gītā, 13 00:00:56,131 --> 00:01:02,239 not only for the benefit of Arjuna alone, but also for all time and in all lands. 14 00:01:02,240 --> 00:01:06,139 The Bhagavad-gītā, being spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 15 00:01:06,140 --> 00:01:09,310 is the essence of all Vedic wisdom. 16 00:01:09,311 --> 00:01:14,147 It is nicely presented by the Lord Himself for all who have very little time 17 00:01:14,148 --> 00:01:16,508 to go through the vast Vedic literatures, 18 00:01:16,509 --> 00:01:20,710 like the Upaniṣads, Purāṇas and Vedānta-sūtras. 19 00:01:20,711 --> 00:01:25,170 It is put within the study of the great historical epic Mahābhārata, 20 00:01:25,171 --> 00:01:30,039 which was especially prepared for the less intelligent class, namely the women, 21 00:01:30,040 --> 00:01:34,150 the laborers, and those who are worthless descendants of the brāhmaṇas, 22 00:01:34,151 --> 00:01:38,020 kṣatriyas and the higher sections of the vaiśyas. 23 00:01:38,021 --> 00:01:40,495 The problem which arose in the heart of Arjuna, 24 00:01:40,496 --> 00:01:45,780 on the Battlefield of Kurukṣetra, was solved by the teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā. 25 00:01:45,781 --> 00:01:50,180 Again, after the departure of the Lord from the vision of earthly people, 26 00:01:50,181 --> 00:01:53,138 when Arjuna was face-to- face with being vanquished, 27 00:01:53,139 --> 00:01:57,098 in his great acquired power and prominence, he wanted again, 28 00:01:57,099 --> 00:02:00,278 to remember the great teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā, 29 00:02:00,279 --> 00:02:04,220 just to teach all concerned, that the Bhagavad-gītā could be consulted, 30 00:02:04,221 --> 00:02:09,254 in all critical times, not only for solace from all kinds of mental agonies, 31 00:02:09,255 --> 00:02:12,391 but also for the way out of the great entanglements, 32 00:02:12,392 --> 00:02:16,486 which may embarrass one in some critical hour. 33 00:02:16,487 --> 00:02:18,718 The merciful Lord left behind Him 34 00:02:18,719 --> 00:02:21,003 the great teachings of the Bhagavad-gītā, 35 00:02:21,004 --> 00:02:23,682 so that one can take the instructions of the Lord, 36 00:02:23,683 --> 00:02:27,360 even when He is not visible to material eyesight. 37 00:02:27,361 --> 00:02:31,430 Material senses cannot have any estimation of the Supreme Lord, 38 00:02:31,431 --> 00:02:33,590 but by His inconceivable power, 39 00:02:33,591 --> 00:02:38,403 the Lord can incarnate Himself to the sense perception of the conditioned souls, 40 00:02:38,404 --> 00:02:41,647 in a suitable manner, through the agency of matter, 41 00:02:41,648 --> 00:02:45,256 which is also another form of the Lord’s manifested energy.” 42 00:02:45,257 --> 00:02:55,390 Just like we have no knowledge of Kṛṣṇa, conditioned soul. 43 00:02:55,391 --> 00:03:01,277 Therefore, for our understanding, He is so merciful, 44 00:03:01,278 --> 00:03:05,750 He descends as arcā-mūrti. 45 00:03:05,751 --> 00:03:16,650 This Deity which we are worshiping, that is called arcāvatāra, incarnation of arcā. 46 00:03:16,651 --> 00:03:27,380 He’s accepting our worship, our prayer, our everything. 47 00:03:27,381 --> 00:03:36,220 He has descended just suitable for our handling. 48 00:03:36,221 --> 00:03:39,690 That is His mercy. 49 00:03:39,691 --> 00:03:51,190 Therefore we should not consider that this arcā Kṛṣṇa is made of stone, 50 00:03:51,191 --> 00:03:57,150 as atheists will say, that “These foolish persons are worshiping… 51 00:03:57,151 --> 00:03:59,510 Heathens, they are worshiping.” 52 00:03:59,511 --> 00:04:03,010 No, we are not worshiping stone. 53 00:04:03,011 --> 00:04:05,420 We are worshiping Kṛṣṇa. 54 00:04:05,421 --> 00:04:07,530 But that they do not know. 55 00:04:07,531 --> 00:04:10,590 Kṛṣṇa has appeared before us. 56 00:04:10,591 --> 00:04:17,930 Because at the present moment, we cannot see except stone and wood, 57 00:04:17,931 --> 00:04:25,430 therefore, suitable for our vision, He has appeared in such a way. 58 00:04:25,431 --> 00:04:28,650 Otherwise how we can appreciate? 59 00:04:28,651 --> 00:04:36,440 Here… They are searching after what is God, but here is God. 60 00:04:36,441 --> 00:04:39,090 Here is God. 61 00:04:39,091 --> 00:04:42,430 Therefore in the śāstra it is forbidden, arcā, 62 00:04:42,431 --> 00:04:46,982 arcye viṣṇau śilā-dhīr guruṣu nara-matir 63 00:04:46,983 --> 00:04:52,241 vaiṣṇave jāti-buddhiḥ [Padma Purāṇa] 64 00:04:52,242 --> 00:04:56,800 It is forbidden that when you worship Deity, 65 00:04:56,801 --> 00:05:03,910 you should not think that it is made of wood or stone or something else material. 66 00:05:03,911 --> 00:05:05,330 No. 67 00:05:05,331 --> 00:05:06,880 What is this material? 68 00:05:06,881 --> 00:05:12,420 Material is… Matter means energy of Kṛṣṇa. 69 00:05:12,421 --> 00:05:17,310 Just like the sunshine, or like the illumination of this light. 70 00:05:17,311 --> 00:05:20,490 It is the energy of the lamp. 71 00:05:20,491 --> 00:05:22,240 So it is not different. 72 00:05:22,241 --> 00:05:26,102 Similarly, as Kṛṣṇa says in the Bhagavad-gītā, 73 00:05:26,103 --> 00:05:28,882 bhūmir āpo ’nalo vāyuḥ [Bg. 07.04] 74 00:05:28,883 --> 00:05:36,630 this earth, water, air, fire, anything material, that is expansion of His energy. 75 00:05:36,631 --> 00:05:42,280 So He can accept your service through His energy. 76 00:05:42,281 --> 00:05:44,160 That is His omnipotency. 77 00:05:44,161 --> 00:05:47,100 That is called omnipotent. 78 00:05:47,101 --> 00:05:54,764 You cannot do anything of your personal affairs with your energy, 79 00:05:54,765 --> 00:05:56,400 but… You can sometimes do. 80 00:05:56,401 --> 00:05:58,420 Suppose if you have got money. 81 00:05:58,421 --> 00:06:01,450 Even being present on the spot, 82 00:06:01,451 --> 00:06:05,620 by spending money you can get the things done. 83 00:06:05,621 --> 00:06:08,180 The money will act for you. 84 00:06:08,181 --> 00:06:11,120 Similarly, Kṛṣṇa being omnipotent, 85 00:06:11,121 --> 00:06:18,220 He can take your service through His agency, through His potency. 86 00:06:18,221 --> 00:06:20,220 And potency means śakti. 87 00:06:20,221 --> 00:06:23,600 śakti-śaktimator abhedaḥ [Brahma-sūtra] 88 00:06:23,601 --> 00:06:28,660 Kṛṣṇa and His potency is not different. 89 00:06:28,661 --> 00:06:31,060 So Kṛṣṇa by His causeless mercy, 90 00:06:31,061 --> 00:06:36,850 He has appeared before you in a manner by which you can touch Him, 91 00:06:36,851 --> 00:06:40,930 you can handle Him, you can dress Him, you can give Him. 92 00:06:40,931 --> 00:06:42,350 This is Kṛṣṇa’s mercy. 93 00:06:42,351 --> 00:06:45,120 It is not idol worship. 94 00:06:45,121 --> 00:06:46,390 Therefore it is forbidden. 95 00:06:46,391 --> 00:06:48,540 Don’t think it is idol. 96 00:06:48,541 --> 00:06:49,720 Go on. 97 00:06:49,721 --> 00:06:51,932 “Thus the Bhagavad-gītā, 98 00:06:51,933 --> 00:06:55,668 or any authentic scriptural sound representation of the Lord, 99 00:06:55,669 --> 00:06:58,250 is also the incarnation of the Lord. 100 00:06:58,251 --> 00:07:01,742 There is no difference between the sound representation of the Lord, 101 00:07:01,743 --> 00:07:03,654 and the Lord Himself. 102 00:07:03,655 --> 00:07:06,570 One can derive the same benefit from the Bhagavad-gītā, 103 00:07:06,571 --> 00:07:11,660 as Arjuna did in the personal presence of the Lord.” 104 00:07:11,661 --> 00:07:19,270 You can derive the same benefit as Arjuna by reading Bhagavad-gītā. 105 00:07:19,271 --> 00:07:26,590 People say that Arjuna was enlightened because Kṛṣṇa was present before Him. 106 00:07:26,591 --> 00:07:36,650 But Kṛṣṇa is present before you also, by His words, by His sound representation. 107 00:07:36,651 --> 00:07:42,310 Just like Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra, Kṛṣṇa’s name, it is not different from Kṛṣṇa. 108 00:07:42,311 --> 00:07:46,020 nāma abhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ [Cc. Madhya 17.133] 109 00:07:46,021 --> 00:07:52,250 Nāmi… Here in the material world the name and the person whose name, 110 00:07:52,251 --> 00:07:56,010 that is different, because it is material. 111 00:07:56,011 --> 00:08:04,320 If you want water, this water substance or water is different from the name water. 112 00:08:04,321 --> 00:08:08,250 You cannot quench your thirst simply by chanting “Water, water.” 113 00:08:08,251 --> 00:08:09,370 That is not possible. 114 00:08:09,371 --> 00:08:11,400 Because it is material. 115 00:08:11,401 --> 00:08:15,517 But you can realize the Supreme Personality of Godhead, 116 00:08:15,518 --> 00:08:17,790 by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. 117 00:08:17,791 --> 00:08:22,550 That is the significance of spiritual and material. 118 00:08:22,551 --> 00:08:28,300 Otherwise, how people are satisfied simply by chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra? 119 00:08:28,301 --> 00:08:31,730 Let him chant some other name, material. 120 00:08:31,731 --> 00:08:33,000 No. 121 00:08:33,001 --> 00:08:35,320 You cannot chant more than three times. 122 00:08:35,321 --> 00:08:37,500 Then you will feel tired. 123 00:08:37,501 --> 00:08:41,958 But you can go on chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra 124 00:08:41,959 --> 00:08:43,670 for hundreds and millions of years. 125 00:08:43,671 --> 00:08:47,090 It will, still you will not feel tired. 126 00:08:47,091 --> 00:08:49,180 That is the difference. 127 00:08:49,181 --> 00:08:55,530 Therefore His name and He is not different. 128 00:08:55,531 --> 00:08:56,460 Abhinnatva. 129 00:08:56,461 --> 00:09:00,464 nāma cintāmaṇiḥ kṛṣṇaś caitanya-rasa-vigrahaḥ 130 00:09:00,465 --> 00:09:04,780 pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto ’bhinnatvān nāma-nāminoḥ [Padma Purāṇa] 131 00:09:04,781 --> 00:09:08,212 This is the shastric injunction, nāma, 132 00:09:08,213 --> 00:09:18,700 the holy name of Śrī Caitanya… Kṛṣṇa, is abhinna, nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa. 133 00:09:18,701 --> 00:09:21,052 nāma cintāma… pūrṇaḥ śuddhaḥ [Padma Purāṇa] 134 00:09:21,053 --> 00:09:23,630 Full, complete. 135 00:09:23,631 --> 00:09:26,570 Not that little less, no. 136 00:09:26,571 --> 00:09:27,060 Full. 137 00:09:27,061 --> 00:09:28,310 Pūrṇaḥ śuddhaḥ. 138 00:09:28,311 --> 00:09:31,380 And uncontaminated. 139 00:09:31,381 --> 00:09:37,570 Just like Kṛṣṇa is uncontaminated, similarly, His name is also uncontaminated. 140 00:09:37,571 --> 00:09:39,060 pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya [Padma Purāṇa] 141 00:09:39,061 --> 00:09:39,650 Eternal. 142 00:09:39,651 --> 00:09:42,620 As Kṛṣṇa is eternal, name is also eternal. 143 00:09:42,621 --> 00:09:45,350 pūrṇaḥ śuddho nitya-mukto ’bhinnatvāt [Padma Purāṇa] 144 00:09:45,351 --> 00:09:50,660 Because they are not different one with another. 145 00:09:50,661 --> 00:09:56,080 So the most important word is, 146 00:09:56,081 --> 00:10:00,790 deśa-kālārtha-yuktāni [SB 01.15.27] 147 00:10:00,791 --> 00:10:04,830 Deśa, time and space. 148 00:10:04,831 --> 00:10:10,400 Bhagavad-gītā is… Because nondifferent from Kṛṣṇa. 149 00:10:10,401 --> 00:10:13,500 As Kṛṣṇa is everywhere, similarly, 150 00:10:13,501 --> 00:10:24,370 Bhagavad-gītā can be appreciated in every country, every season, every circumstances. 151 00:10:24,371 --> 00:10:24,763 That is… 152 00:10:24,764 --> 00:10:28,520 deśa-kālārtha-yuktāni [SB 1.15.27] 153 00:10:28,521 --> 00:10:31,110 Then, 154 00:10:31,111 --> 00:10:34,870 hṛt-tāpa upaśamāni ca [SB 1.15.27] 155 00:10:34,871 --> 00:10:35,970 Hṛt-tāpa. 156 00:10:35,971 --> 00:10:37,700 There is a hṛt-tāpa. 157 00:10:37,701 --> 00:10:43,575 Hṛt means heart, and tāpa means… 158 00:10:43,576 --> 00:10:51,390 tāpa means… Real meaning is temperature, or temperature rooted. 159 00:10:51,391 --> 00:10:54,200 Just like agni-tāpa. 160 00:10:54,201 --> 00:10:54,850 Agni. 161 00:10:54,851 --> 00:10:58,890 Agni means fire, and tāpa, it has got temperature. 162 00:10:58,891 --> 00:11:03,130 So to a certain degree you can tolerate. 163 00:11:03,131 --> 00:11:07,396 But when the degree… Just like in India we have got 164 00:11:07,397 --> 00:11:12,630 temperature in summer season 120 degrees. 165 00:11:12,631 --> 00:11:18,610 Here, just like in your country, the temperature is less. 166 00:11:18,611 --> 00:11:20,602 In other country… 167 00:11:20,603 --> 00:11:25,040 The temperature in, I mean, the Middle East, 168 00:11:25,041 --> 00:11:30,220 the temperature is 135 degrees, Arabian countries. 169 00:11:30,221 --> 00:11:40,590 So there are three tāpas, three kinds of miserable condition, this material world. 170 00:11:40,591 --> 00:11:43,190 That also can be taken, tāpa. 171 00:11:43,191 --> 00:11:48,030 Tāpa means suffering, excessive heat and cold. 172 00:11:48,031 --> 00:11:50,370 That is called tāpa. 173 00:11:50,371 --> 00:11:52,859 So, 174 00:11:52,860 --> 00:11:55,820 hṛt-tāpopaśamāni ca [SB 1.15.27] 175 00:11:55,821 --> 00:11:59,096 The teachings of Bhagavad-gītā… 176 00:11:59,097 --> 00:12:02,630 We are suffering always within the heart. 177 00:12:02,631 --> 00:12:08,756 As Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says, that 178 00:12:08,757 --> 00:12:13,940 viṣaya viṣānale divā-niśi hiyā jvale [Hari Hari Biphale] 179 00:12:13,941 --> 00:12:14,630 Viṣaya. 180 00:12:14,631 --> 00:12:18,860 Viṣaya means this material enjoyment. 181 00:12:18,861 --> 00:12:21,220 So it is just like poison. 182 00:12:21,221 --> 00:12:26,000 The more we are entangled in material enjoyment… There is no enjoyment. 183 00:12:26,001 --> 00:12:27,590 It is suffering. 184 00:12:27,591 --> 00:12:33,230 But we are taking suffering as enjoyment. 185 00:12:33,231 --> 00:12:38,902 Just like in this winter season, we cover ourself, 186 00:12:38,903 --> 00:12:43,580 very nicely with gloves, with overcoat. 187 00:12:43,581 --> 00:12:47,040 It is simply counteracting the suffering. 188 00:12:47,041 --> 00:12:52,500 But a man who has got a nice overcoat and gloves, he is thinking he is enjoying. 189 00:12:52,501 --> 00:12:55,400 This is māyā. 190 00:12:55,401 --> 00:13:01,020 He forgets that he is simply trying to counteract the suffering. 191 00:13:01,021 --> 00:13:02,890 Actually, he is suffering. 192 00:13:02,891 --> 00:13:10,350 But having a nice coat or nice place, he is thinking that he is enjoying. 193 00:13:10,351 --> 00:13:11,660 That is foolishness. 194 00:13:11,661 --> 00:13:12,840 That is called māyā. 195 00:13:12,841 --> 00:13:15,370 There is no enjoyment in this material world. 196 00:13:15,371 --> 00:13:18,800 Simply we are trying to counteract the suffering. 197 00:13:18,801 --> 00:13:25,550 This counteraction of suffering, we are accepting as enjoyment. 198 00:13:25,551 --> 00:13:29,050 So this material world means you must suffer. 199 00:13:29,051 --> 00:13:31,160 That is the position of the material world. 200 00:13:31,161 --> 00:13:33,780 Otherwise why you have come to material world? 201 00:13:33,781 --> 00:13:38,990 Just like in the prison life, how you can expect enjoyment there? 202 00:13:38,991 --> 00:13:41,004 But a man… 203 00:13:41,005 --> 00:13:46,155 Suppose a big politician is put into the jail and he is given, 204 00:13:46,156 --> 00:13:52,550 a very nice, comfortable bungalow and everything, but he is in the jail. 205 00:13:52,551 --> 00:13:56,301 But he is thinking that “I am enjoying.” 206 00:13:56,302 --> 00:14:00,051 He forgets that he is in the jail. 207 00:14:00,052 --> 00:14:03,341 He is in the jail. 208 00:14:03,342 --> 00:14:07,251 That is called ignorance, māyā. 209 00:14:07,252 --> 00:14:10,181 He is suffering and he is accepting. 210 00:14:10,182 --> 00:14:13,111 Just like the pig. 211 00:14:13,112 --> 00:14:18,191 He is eating stool, but he is thinking he is enjoying. 212 00:14:18,192 --> 00:14:20,481 This is going on. 213 00:14:20,482 --> 00:14:22,251 So hṛt-tāpa. 214 00:14:22,252 --> 00:14:27,351 In this, I mean to say, ocean of suffering, 215 00:14:27,352 --> 00:14:34,411 viṣaya-viṣānale, dibā-niśi, the more we want to enjoy, the more sufferings enter. 216 00:14:34,412 --> 00:14:37,421 More suffering. 217 00:14:37,422 --> 00:14:38,521 You can understand. 218 00:14:38,522 --> 00:14:42,931 Just now we got this car, horseless car. 219 00:14:42,932 --> 00:14:44,741 But now there is a problem. 220 00:14:44,742 --> 00:14:49,741 They are thinking, “If there is no petrol available, then what will happen?” 221 00:14:49,742 --> 00:14:52,011 So this is material existence. 222 00:14:52,012 --> 00:14:55,011 Viṣaya viṣānale, divā-niśi… Anxiety. 223 00:14:55,012 --> 00:14:57,841 That anxiety is suffering, “What will happen? 224 00:14:57,842 --> 00:14:58,371 What will happen?” 225 00:14:58,372 --> 00:14:59,671 That is material existence. 226 00:14:59,672 --> 00:15:02,401 sadā samudvigna-dhiyā [SB 7.5.5] 227 00:15:02,402 --> 00:15:04,291 Always full of anxiety. 228 00:15:04,292 --> 00:15:07,291 This is material life. 229 00:15:07,292 --> 00:15:11,091 So, Narottama dāsa Ṭhākura says that, 230 00:15:11,092 --> 00:15:14,831 viṣaya viṣānale divā-niśi hiyā jvale [Hari Hari Biphale]: 231 00:15:14,832 --> 00:15:20,741 “The heart is burning on account of this material existence.” 232 00:15:20,742 --> 00:15:23,221 Tarivare nā kainu upāya [Hari Hari Biphale] 233 00:15:23,222 --> 00:15:32,521 “But I did not try to find out the means by which I can get out of this.” 234 00:15:32,522 --> 00:15:35,855 golokera prema-dhana hari-nāma-saṅkīrtana 235 00:15:35,856 --> 00:15:38,951 rati nā janmila kena tāya [Hari Hari Biphale] 236 00:15:38,952 --> 00:15:42,756 The medicine is this Hari, Kṛṣṇa, 237 00:15:42,757 --> 00:15:46,431 Kṛṣṇa’s teachings, Kṛṣṇa’s name, Kṛṣṇa’s glorification. 238 00:15:46,432 --> 00:15:48,751 That is the real medicine. 239 00:15:48,752 --> 00:15:51,241 But we have no attraction for these things. 240 00:15:51,242 --> 00:15:53,891 We are simply trying to counteract the suffering, 241 00:15:53,892 --> 00:15:59,061 and we are accepting this counteraction as enjoying. 242 00:15:59,062 --> 00:16:07,301 Bhagavad-gītā: haranti smarataś cittam [SB 1.15.27] 243 00:16:07,302 --> 00:16:13,891 So actually, if we want to enjoy life, 244 00:16:13,892 --> 00:16:18,241 then we should take the instruction of Bhagavad-gītā, Kṛṣṇa. 245 00:16:18,242 --> 00:16:20,691 We shall chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra. 246 00:16:20,692 --> 00:16:24,411 That will give us relief from the blazing fire. 247 00:16:24,412 --> 00:16:29,671 saṁsāra-dāvānala-līḍha-loka trāṇāya kāruṇya-ghanāghanatvam [Śrī Śrī Gurvaṣṭakam 1] 248 00:16:29,672 --> 00:16:31,261 This is the only way. 249 00:16:31,262 --> 00:16:39,781 Otherwise… So when Arjuna was too much perturbed by absence of Kṛṣṇa, 250 00:16:39,782 --> 00:16:44,381 he was simply remembering the instruction of Kṛṣṇa, 251 00:16:44,382 --> 00:16:47,722 which he received in the Battle of Kurukṣetra. 252 00:16:47,723 --> 00:16:57,158 Thank you very much. 253 00:16:57,159 --> 00:16:57,160 Subtitles by Gopī Kāntā Dāsa, Causelessmercy.com Sponsored by Jitarati Dāsa & Pratyatoṣa Dāsa