Room Conversation
with Press Representative
His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
March 21, 1975, Calcutta
Prabhupada: (Says something in Hindi) [break] …different desires, they are getting different conditions of life. Therefore we find so many species and forms of life.
Guest (Indian Press Representative): Is it possible, some of our…, is it possible on the spiritual platform?
Prabhupada: Yes, that is the only platform where…
Guest: But do you think that…
Prabhupada: Panditah sama-darsinah [Bg. 5.18]. Brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati, samah sarvesu bhutesu [Bg. 18.54]. That is after being brahma-bhutah.
Guest: But are all religions following? There are so many sects.
Prabhupada: According to… No, why according? This is fact. Religion which is not on the samyavada, that is not religion. That is some mental concoction. This samyavada platform is described in the Bhagavad-gita, as I have quoted already, brahma-bhutah prasannatma [Bg. 18.54]. When one is spiritually realized, that is called brahma-bhutah, and the symptom is prasannatma. So when one is prasannatma, naturally he is on the samyavada platform. On the material platform, nobody is prasannatma. Nobody.
Guest: But on the spiritual platform, everybody?
Prabhupada: Yes. Spiritual platform means prasannatma. That is the distinction. And the material platform means nobody is satisfied. A man, millionaires, he is also committing suicide.
Guest: But do you think that all men can stand on the spiritual platform?
Prabhupada: All men can stand or not stand—that is a different question. The fact is this. Suppose if I say, “Unless you become a graduate, you cannot enter law college.” Now this question does not arise that whether everyone will be graduate. But this is the condition. This is the condition. Anyone who fulfills this condition, he can be admitted.
Guest: Then what is the condition prescribed for standing on the spiritual platform?
Prabhupada: This is the spiritual platform,
brahma-bhutah prasannatma na socati na kanksati samah sarvesu bhutesu mad-bhaktim labhate param [Bg. 18.54]
This is spiritual. Unless you come to this platform, there is no question of samah sarvesu bhutesu or samyavada. Generally, they do not know it. They are talking of samyavada. They do not know what is the platform of samyavada. That is also further explained in Srimad-Bhagavatam, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum [SB 7.5.31]. Bhagavata, sastra, all Vedic literatures, they are perfect. So people do not know what is the aim of life. Therefore they have got different views. Actually they are missing what is the aim of life. There is a English proverb, “A man without aim and a ship without rudder,” or something like that. So similarly, ask anybody what is the aim of life. He doesn’t know, no clear idea.
Guest: Our aim of life should be the realization of God?
Prabhupada: Yes. Because at the present moment we are part and parcel. Just like a son, he has got the symptoms of his father, but he does not know who is his father. He does not know who is his father. There is a Hindi proverb, bap ka beta sipaika gora kusnaita tora tola: “The son inherits the quality of the father, but if he does not know who is his father, then what is his position?” That is going on. The scientist, he is trying to create something, but he does not know the supreme creator. Do you follow? Now the scientists are trying to create living being in the laboratory. But he does not enquire that who has already created so many millions of living entities? He is trying to create a living entity in laboratory. Suppose he creates one living entity. Then what credit is there for him? But he is spending lakhs and crores of rupees.
Guest: Then what should the scientists’ role?
Prabhupada: Scientists’ role, not only scientists, scientists, philosopher, politician—everyone should endeavor that “Wherefrom we got these propensities? Where is the origin?” That is described in the Vedanta-sutra: athato brahma jijnasa. I am a scientist. I am thinking of myself very great man, but I do not think that “Who is that great scientist under whose order the sun, moon, the sea, ocean, everything is working very properly?” I am thinking of that water is created by hydrogen, oxygen, but I do not inquire, “Wherefrom such hugh quantity of hydrogen, oxygen came, so that there is big oceans and seas, water?” That I don’t enquire. So I am so foolish scientist. I am theorizing. I am theorizing that life has come from matter, chemical composition, but as soon as I ask that “I give you the chemical. You create,” he says, “That I cannot do.” This is going on. But our business is, we Krsna conscious, that we see that you scientists, you are trying to create a living being, but I glorify the Supreme who has already created millions and millions of living beings. I give you credit that… I cannot give you credit unless you create. But still, as you are thinking that you will be able in future, that’s good… But what credit you will have? If I have got millions of rupees, and if you create ten rupees, then what is your credit? Even if you create? You cannot do it. You will never be able to create life. That’s a fact. That we know. But even if you are able to create, then what credit you, do you get. This is… Already there are millions and trillions of life. Why you are so proud that “We are going to create in the laboratory, life.” Why this false prestige?
Guest: So what is the idea behind the movement?
Prabhupada: Behind the movement, that… This is the idea, that you try to understand the Supreme Being behind all, everything. That is perfection.
idam hi pumsas tapasah srutasya va svistasya suktasya ca buddhi-dattayoh avicyuto ’rthah kavibhir nirupito yad-uttamasloka-gunanuvarnanam [SB 1.5.22]
Idam hi pumsas tapasah srutasya va. Everyone, big, big philosophers, scientists, they are engaged in tapasya and education, but they do not know what is the ultimate goal of this tapasya. The scientist is working very hard, and he has discovered a nuclear bomb to kill.
Guest: And what is the ultimate goal of tapasya?
Prabhupada: Tapasya means that by his knowledge… Suppose you are scientist. You prove by scientific way that here is the supreme scientist who has given us all these laws.
Guest: Is it possible to see the Supreme?
Prabhupada: Yes.
Guest: With our own eyes?
Prabhupada: Oh, yes.
Guest: It is possible?
Prabhupada: Oh, yes. Even if it is not possible, but you have to accept there is a supreme scientist. If you cannot see Him, that is your disqualification. That is your disqualification. But you have to admit that there is a supreme scientist. If you say that hydrogen and oxygen mixed together makes water, that’s all right. But who has created this big sea and ocean? Wherefrom the hydrogen, oxygen came? Who supplied? That is intelligence. Simply theoretical I know, but I cannot say who has created this big, vast mass of water by mixing hydrogen, oxygen. Wherefrom such huge quantity of hydrogen, oxygen came? Our point of view, that you scientists, you say that hydrogen, oxygen creates water, and here we see that somebody has created, but not somebody will know who is that body, how great He is. And that is our credit. If you want little credit by experimenting, hydrogen, oxygen mixed together, then how much credit should be given who has created the vast Atlantic Ocean, not only one, millions! Why don’t you give credit?
Guest: You should give.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is our point.
Guest: But are you not giving credit?
Prabhupada: No, nobody is giving. They are denying. Especially these so-called scientists, they are denying the existence of God.
Devotee: “God is dead.”
Prabhupada: “God is dead” or “There is no God.” “By science, we shall do everything,” and this and…, all nonsense theories. Our proposition is that glorify that supreme scientist. Yad-uttamasloka-gunanuvarnanam.
Guest: And the supreme scientist is God.
Devotee: Yes.
Prabhupada: He’s God. Yes.
Guest: God, or you can give another name as you like, any way.
Prabhupada: No, God or the Supreme Being. God means the Supreme Being in the dictionary. He is not like you, not like me.
Guest: What about…
Prabhupada: Anyway, He is supreme. We are not supreme. But this subordinate person, he wants to take the position of the supreme by manufacturing a drop of water in the laboratory.
Guest: So what is the easiest way to see the Supreme Being with our own eyes?
Prabhupada: That you have to take advice from the Supreme. The Supreme says, “If you want to know Me…” Bhaktya mam abhijanati yavan yas casmi tattvatah [Bg. 18.55] You have to take the way of the Supreme. “Simply by devotional service one can understand Me, what I am actually, is.” You have to take this way. That is Krsna consciousness movement. We are teaching everyone this bhakti-yogam so that one can understand the Supreme and submit to Him, yes. Vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah [Bg. 7.19]. When one understands by acquiring knowledge after many, many births, then he surrenders to Krsna. Vasudevah sarvam iti sa mahatma su-durlabhah [Bg. 7.19]. This is the first-class mahatma. That we are teaching. It is not a sentiment. Most scientific.
Guest: Is it possible for poverty-stricken people, those who have to earn bread and money by the sweat of their brow?
Prabhupada: According to sastra, poverty is no impediment for understanding God. Because we see practically that those who are great souls, they have voluntarily accepted poverty.
Guest: Just like Pratapudro(?).
Prabhupada: Many. Just like Vyasadeva. There is no comparison of his literature. One cannot write one line like him. But he was living in a cottage. Canakya Pandita, such a great politician, he was living in a cottage. He did not keep any Rolls Royce car or like that. Rather, this material opulence is impediment to understand God. So it is not that I say, comparatively inferior, not that material opulence is also another check, no. Neither poverty is check nor material opulence is check. Anyone can understand if he follows the principle or process.
Guest: Process as laid down in Gita?
Prabhupada: Yes, that is the ABCD. Then you can go further on. If you read Bhagavad-gita as it is, there is everything explained, everything. All problems are solved. Any problem you propose, there is solution in the Bhagavad-gita. Now this poverty, as you raised this question, poverty, so what is written there in the Bhagavad-gita? Annad bhavanti bhutani. This is instruction, that “You produce food grain.” Now, suppose Calcutta is a big city. Who is producing food grain? Everyone is trying to purchase food grain. But who is thinking that “Wherefrom the food grain will come?” Just see the foolishness of the people. You have to produce food grain. And there is ample facility. But throughout the whole world there are hundreds and thousands of cities. Now, who is producing food grain? The solution is there in the Bhagavad-gita. He said, annad bhavanti bhutani. Krsna never said, “By motor tire bhavanti bhutani.” Bhavanti means flourish. Everyone is engaged in producing motor tire, car, and they are flattering the Arabians for petrol. The same energy, if it would have been engaged in producing food grain, then where is the poverty? (Someone enters) Oh! Hare Krsna! Jaya.
Trivikrama: These men have just come from America.
Prabhupada: (Says something in Bengali)
Tamala Krsna: A new Back to Godhead. New issue, Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: (Speaks in Bengali)
Tamala Krsna: 750,000 copies printed. Our party ordered 200,000.
Prabhupada: (Speaks in Bengali) Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered,
bharata-bhumite manusya-janma haila yara janma sarthaka kari’ kara para-upakara [Cc. Adi 9.41]
This is para-upakara. So what is this nonsense para-upakara, creating an atom bomb? Is that para-upakara? Of course, it has got its utilization, but it is not for para-upakara. (Bengali) Paricaryatmakam karma sudra-karma svabhava-jam. (Bengali) Sudra is the catur division, that is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13] Now in India mostly they are sudras, 99.9. They are not interested that satya samo damas titiksa arjavah, jnanam vijnanam astikyam brahma-karma svabhava-jam. (Bengali) They are captivated by the sudras. This, during the British period the sudra activities, developing the country by railway, by factory, by bridge—these people are innocent. They thought that “Oh, here is the actual civilization. The Britishers have brought.” They lost their own civilization.
Guest: Is it possible to be brahmana for all?
Prabhupada: Yes, why not? Krsna said, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13].
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali) Suppose everyone becomes head. Then where is this supply of hands and legs? We do not say that everyone become brain. The brain is ordering, and who will carry the order? The order-carrier must be there, but they must carry order of the brahmana. Then it will be all right. The brain must be there, and the legs must be there. The legs must move by the dictation of the brain. Then it is perfect. It is not expected also that everyone will become brahmana. Therefore guna-karma-vibhagasah. Everyone has got his particular qualities. So we have to utilize—what quality does he belong? But at the present moment the difficulty is that they do not care that in the society there must be a class of brain, brahmana. That they do not know. They want everyone should become a sudra, the Communists life, worker, “Work.” And therefore they have not been successful. The whole nation is worker, and who will give the brain?
Guest: The whole nation is worker?
Prabhupada: Yes, Communist country, they want simply worker. But still, they have to create manager. Why manager created? Let everyone become worker. Now, Communist country also, although they say worker, but why they are creating manager?
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: Whatever it may be, you are in need of manager. You are in need of manager. You cannot deny another class of men of manager, so why not make the best manager, the brahmana, who is truthful, who is equal, satya samah damah, who is control of his senses, satya samah damah titiksa, who is tolerant? These are the brahminical qualification. Satya samah damah titiksa. Who is simple, not hypocrite. Everyone is hypocrite. So why there should not be a class who is not hypocrite? All politicians saying something in the mouth and doing something else, because they are sudra. So this is very scientific. How it not be scientific? It is spoken by God. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13]. Required. Just like in this institution, I am guru, and if everyone becomes guru, then who will carry out the order of guru? There must be disciple also, who will carry out the order of guru. So it is not required… Just like in your body, it is not that body is made of head only, but head is required. You cannot avoid head, neither you can avoid the leg. So sudra required, the brahmana required, the ksatriya required, and the vaisya required. And the society should be very nicely managed. Therefore Krsna says, catur-varnyam. Why does He not say one varna, brahmana? Naturally there must be division because all men are not of the same quality. You cannot expect. So whatever quality he has got, utilize that. Andha-khanja-nyaya. Andha-khanja-nyaya. The one man is lame, and one man is blind. So both are useless. So they combine together. The lame man was taken on the shoulder of the blind man. So the lame man has no leg, but he has got eyes. He was directing, “Go this way.” So both their business was perfect. Similarly, according to the quality of the work, there must be a class of men less intelligent. They cannot independently work. They must require a master. That is sudra. And then the vaisya, then the ksatriya, and the upper man is brahmana. He gives the direction to the ksatriya. He is ruler.
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: Yes, (Bengali) …really classless society. They should not be proud that “I am brahmana.” No. As you are required, as much, the sudra is also required. It is not that only the brahmanas are required. This is a very scientific movement. (Bengali) It is not a bogus sentimental thing. It is a very scientific movement. It is not so-called yogi and swami and everything equal. And where is equality?
Guest: The Hare Krsna movement is a scientific movement?
Prabhupada: Most scientific.
satatam kirtayanto mam yatantas ca drdha-vratah namasyantas ca mam bhaktya nitya-yukta upasate [Bg. 9.14]
Guest: (Bengali) to realize the Supreme.
Prabhupada: Realize the Supreme, that is the first and foremost aim, but at the same time, to keep the whole human society in perfect happiness, according to the direction of God. Just like I told you that Krsna says, annad bhavanti bhutani. If you want to keep the living entities, both men and animal, you must arrange for their nice fooding. Who can deny this philosophy? But they are saying that poverty should be removed, and we must acquire food for the suffering and starving. But what they are doing? They are manufacturing motor tire, the rascals.
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali) There is no question of dharma. First of all we say they must live. That is our proposal. Where is the question of dharma? Annad bhavanti bhutani. Give everyone to eat sufficiently. This is our proposal.
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali)
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali) Where is the actual attempt to give everyone sufficient food? Where is that attempt? And here in the Bhagavad-gita it is plainly said, annad bhavanti bhutani: if you want to keep happy the animals and the men, then produce food grain. Who is doing that? They simply passing resolution and raising funds and then eating, themself, at the cost of others. And therefore the price is increasing. One who has got money, he can pay more price, artificial. I am poor man. I have no money. You have got money. You purchase before me. Then I starve. But if there is sufficient supply of food grain, then this thing will not happen. You can distribute without any price. That was being done in India. Educated man means unemployment, is it not? So-called education means creating unemployment. They will go with application, “Give me some clerical post, some this post, that post, that post.” This is education.
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali) Mudha nabhijanati mam ebhyah param avyayam. If you don’t take advice from Krsna, God, then you are a mudha. So how he will adjust things? He himself is a mudha. A mudha means rascal, ass. Therefore our conclusion is that anyone who is not Krsna conscious or God conscious, he is a mudha. He does not know anything. He will not be able to do anything. Therefore this matter was entrusted to the brahmana to give direction. Brahmana means brahma janatiti brahmanah: “One who knows the Supreme, he is brahmana.” And he takes advice and gives others direction. (Bengali) Why do they go to the bhattacarya? And he knows what is the action and reaction. That was the system of the society. (Bengali) Nobody is interested. They are simply interested in politics.
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali) If you want to act as lawyer, you must learn. You must have legal education. (to devotees:) So you take your bath and prasadam. Wherefrom you are coming?
Tamala Krsna: From New York.
Prabhupada: Oh, direct?
Tamala Krsna: Yes.
Prabhupada: How many hours?
Tamala Krsna: Actual flight time was twenty-three hours, but with the time change, about thirty-six hours.
Prabhupada: You were in the, thirty-six hours in the plane?
Tamala Krsna: Well, we were in the plane about twenty-four hours.
Prabhupada: Three hours extra. We had to come here, twenty-one hours.
Tamala Krsna: Well, it stopped in London, Rome, Beirut…
Prabhupada: Indian plane?
Tamala Krsna: Yeah, an Air India. We came, altogether, ninety-six devotees.
Prabhupada: Oh. Where are they? They have gone?
Tamala Krsna: They are in Mayapur. They have gone. They have been met by a big bus, three buses, and are going on to Mayapur.
Prabhupada: (Bengali)
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali) Where is Gargamuni?
Srutakirti: He’s outside.
Prabhupada: Call him, call him. (Bengali) So? Nobody came?
Gargamuni: No, we sent three notices. But five of them are coming to Mayapur. They called up.
Prabhupada: All right. (Bengali) You have got any written statement of our mission?
Guest: Mission activities?
Gargamuni: I gave him a Back to Godhead and the BBT about your books.
Prabhupada: So you have already supplied.
Gargamuni: I gave him one copy of Back to Godhead and that BBT… You have it there? And the BBT catalogue which gives your history and everything.
Prabhupada: And catalogue? Where is? This is BBT?
Gargamuni: Yes. This tells about your books.
Prabhupada: (Bengali) …movement, (Bengali) bogus religious, it is scientific. You can question; I will understand. [break] They do not know what is the meaning of life. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanas te ’pisa-tantryam uru-damni baddhah. Another blind leader, so- called leader, he is blind himself. He does not know how to lead people. And the followers, followers are also blind. So what will be the result? They are bound up… Suppose if I tightly wrap your eyes, and all of them are done so, then how you will lead them?
Guest: Blind leaders and blind followers?
Prabhupada: Then they are controlled by the laws of material nature, and they want to be happy independently. This is rascaldom. If I am controlling you and you want to become happy independently, how it is possible? You must get out of the control first of all. Your eyes should be open. Then you can do something independently. But you are under my control fully, and I have wrapped up your eyes with very thick layer of cloth, and then how you can become independent, work. That they do not know. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita, daivi hy esa guna-mayi mama maya duratyaya. This maya, this energy, is very, very strong. You cannot get out of it. Then what is the way? Mam eva ye prapadyante mayam etam taranti te. Therefore Krsna consciousness movement is so important. If one becomes Krsna conscious, then immediately he gets out of the control of maya. That is the sign. Otherwise, if I remain a blind man, how can I lead others? Caitanya Mahaprabhu therefore said, janma sarthaka kari kara para-upakara. You are very busy doing good to others, but first of all make your life perfect. And otherwise, you rascal, fool, blind, what you will do? So where is the training? Where the politicians are going to take training how to become free from the wrapping, illusion? So they are in illusion, in darkness. What they can do? Futile attempt. Therefore all plans are failure. So many Hitler, so many Gandhi, so many Churchill, they came and…
Guest: (Bengali)
Prabhupada: (Bengali) Without being Krsna conscious, everyone is blind. Yes, everyone is blind.
Guest: Without being…?
Prabhupada: Being Krsna conscious, everyone is blind. And they are trying to lead other blind men. So what will be the result? All of them will fall down on the ditch.
Guest: And they attempt to lead others…
Prabhupada: Blind men. Therefore this fact is summarized in the Bhagavad-gita in the words,
na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah mayayapahrta jnana asuri-bhavam asritah [Bg. 7.15]
Because they have denied the existence of God, therefore they are blind and they are engaged in sinful activities without knowing what is going to happen next in his life. Therefore mudha, rascal. And naradhamah. Naradhamah means lowest of the mankind, because in the human form of life one could understand what is God, but he is misusing his intelligence for something else, naradhamah. But if you say, “They are educated. They have got so much education. Why do you condemn them?” then the answer is mayayapahrta-jnana. This so-called knowledge they have acquired, that means maya has made them more foolish. Bhaktivinoda Thakura says,
jada-vidya sab, mayara vaibhava, jibake karaye gadha
He has said like that, that so far advancement of material education means that so-called educated man is becoming more, more, more an ass. Why?
anitya somsare, moha janamiya,
He is simply getting more attached to this material world, where he will not be allowed to stay. This is his foolishness. Naturally, we are sitting in this room, and if we say that “I can spare only two minutes,” then will you be very much eager to decorate the room? So that warning is already there. Everyone knows that “I will not be able to stay here,” and they are making skyscraper building. How foolish they are. He knows that “I will not be allowed to stay here,” and he is busy whole life how to make fogscraper, skyscraper. The same example. If I say, “You cannot sit here more than few minutes,” then will you be engaged how to decorate this room? You’ll know naturally that “I am here for two minutes. Why shall I take, waste my time to decorate?” They are doing that actually. So are they not foolish? (Bengali)
anitya somsare, moha janamiya, jibake karaye gadha
Unnecessary attachment. Next life he may be not even a human being. The skyscraper building he is doing now with so great labor and enthusiasm, and next life he may be a cat or rat in that building. How can you stop it? The nature’s law will act. If you have behaved like cats and dogs and you have attachment for the building, then nature will, “All right, you become a cat and dog according to karma and you remain in this building.” (end)