0 00:00:00,000 --> 00:00:01,410 Lect SF 1968-04-02 Skyscraper Civilization vs. Soul --etc 1 00:00:01,411 --> 00:00:05,222 ANNOUNCER: The following is a lecture given by His Divine Grace 2 00:00:05,223 --> 00:00:09,035 A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupāda, 3 00:00:09,036 --> 00:00:14,435 recorded in San Francisco in March of 1968. 4 00:00:14,436 --> 00:00:22,417 PRABHUPĀDA: In the Bhagavad-gītā it is said that one who is intelligent, 5 00:00:22,418 --> 00:00:26,281 he will see four things before him. 6 00:00:26,282 --> 00:00:29,441 You may be very great scientist. 7 00:00:29,442 --> 00:00:34,142 You may be very much advanced in material science. 8 00:00:34,143 --> 00:00:42,133 You may be able to construct very high building, skyscrapers, 9 00:00:42,134 --> 00:00:45,390 and many millions of motorcars, 10 00:00:45,391 --> 00:00:53,758 but you have to think whether you have solved the real problem of life. 11 00:00:53,759 --> 00:01:02,090 The real problem of life is birth, death, disease, and old age. 12 00:01:02,091 --> 00:01:12,009 Not that to live in a high skyscraper our problems of life is solved. 13 00:01:12,010 --> 00:01:13,614 No. 14 00:01:13,615 --> 00:01:22,395 The problem of life is how to stop these four things: birth, death, old age, 15 00:01:22,396 --> 00:01:25,397 and disease. 16 00:01:25,398 --> 00:01:31,782 But we have neglected the real problems of life. 17 00:01:31,783 --> 00:01:34,936 And we are misusing our intelligence 18 00:01:34,937 --> 00:01:40,285 for constructing big buildings and constructing 19 00:01:40,286 --> 00:01:47,858 or increasing the so-called bodily necessities of life. 20 00:01:47,859 --> 00:01:52,186 The bodily necessities of life are four only. 21 00:01:52,187 --> 00:01:53,705 What is that? 22 00:01:53,706 --> 00:02:01,592 Eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. 23 00:02:01,593 --> 00:02:06,945 To maintain this body you require to eat something. 24 00:02:06,946 --> 00:02:08,189 Everyone is eating. 25 00:02:08,190 --> 00:02:14,683 You are eating, the cats are eating, the dogs are eating, the birds are eating. 26 00:02:14,684 --> 00:02:17,594 They have no economic problem. 27 00:02:17,595 --> 00:02:20,238 Eating is there already. 28 00:02:20,239 --> 00:02:27,522 Have you seen ever that a bird is dying for want of eating, eatables? 29 00:02:27,523 --> 00:02:29,463 No. 30 00:02:29,464 --> 00:02:33,003 So these things are already arranged. 31 00:02:33,004 --> 00:02:35,300 That is no problem. 32 00:02:35,301 --> 00:02:42,530 In every form of life your eatables are there by nature’s supply. 33 00:02:42,531 --> 00:02:46,634 Similarly sleeping. 34 00:02:46,635 --> 00:02:49,562 The bird is sleeping, the dog is sleeping, 35 00:02:49,563 --> 00:02:54,401 the cat is sleeping, and you are also sleeping. 36 00:02:54,402 --> 00:02:56,949 But you have got a very nice apartment. 37 00:02:56,950 --> 00:03:02,633 Does it mean that you have solved the problem of sleeping? 38 00:03:02,634 --> 00:03:05,723 No. 39 00:03:05,724 --> 00:03:08,612 Then defending. 40 00:03:08,613 --> 00:03:11,823 The birds, the dogs, the cats, the animals, 41 00:03:11,824 --> 00:03:16,278 everyone knows how to defend in their own way. 42 00:03:16,279 --> 00:03:20,980 You go every day in the, what is called, Stowe Lake path. 43 00:03:20,981 --> 00:03:22,625 And as soon as you go, 44 00:03:22,626 --> 00:03:28,972 the swans immediately jump to the water because that is their defending. 45 00:03:28,973 --> 00:03:33,495 As soon as they go to the water, they know that “These human beings, 46 00:03:33,496 --> 00:03:38,193 they cannot come to the water. We are now secure.” 47 00:03:38,194 --> 00:03:43,918 So that defending process is there even in the swans, in the birds, in everything. 48 00:03:43,919 --> 00:03:48,059 You don’t think that because we have manufactured atomic bombs, 49 00:03:48,060 --> 00:03:51,307 therefore we have become very good. 50 00:03:51,308 --> 00:03:53,956 What is this atomic bomb? 51 00:03:53,957 --> 00:03:57,666 Killing. Killing is going on. 52 00:03:57,667 --> 00:04:05,652 Have you manufactured anything by which you can save from death? 53 00:04:05,653 --> 00:04:13,737 So our problems of life, as it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, 54 00:04:13,738 --> 00:04:20,323 is to solve these four things: no more birth… 55 00:04:20,324 --> 00:04:25,869 Because we are… Always remember that we are all eternal. 56 00:04:25,870 --> 00:04:32,401 Just like in this body, beginning from my mother’s womb up to this old age, 57 00:04:32,402 --> 00:04:39,223 I am the same eternal soul, but my body is changing. 58 00:04:39,224 --> 00:04:46,075 So after changing this body also, I shall remain the same. 59 00:04:46,076 --> 00:04:49,564 Simply I shall have another body. 60 00:04:49,565 --> 00:04:55,152 This plain truth, there is no difficulty to understand. 61 00:04:55,153 --> 00:05:05,150 Now if I am eternal… If I am eternal means no death, no birth, no disease, no old age. 62 00:05:05,151 --> 00:05:09,107 That is eternal. 63 00:05:09,108 --> 00:05:18,921 So if I am eternal, whether it is possible to get an eternal body? 64 00:05:18,922 --> 00:05:23,256 Or eternal happiness? 65 00:05:23,257 --> 00:05:28,199 That is the problem of human society. 66 00:05:28,200 --> 00:05:34,074 If you can solve that problem, then you be proud of your civilization. 67 00:05:34,075 --> 00:05:37,851 Otherwise there is no difference between cats’ and dogs’ civilization 68 00:05:37,852 --> 00:05:41,510 and your civilization. 69 00:05:41,511 --> 00:05:47,485 Because you are simply trying to solve the problems of eating, sleeping, 70 00:05:47,486 --> 00:05:49,852 defending and mating. 71 00:05:49,853 --> 00:05:57,093 But these problems are already solved by nature’s law. 72 00:05:57,094 --> 00:06:02,674 So our developed intelligence should be utilized 73 00:06:02,675 --> 00:06:08,042 for solving these problems by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. 74 00:06:08,043 --> 00:06:13,824 We are presenting this movement before you, your country, 75 00:06:13,825 --> 00:06:19,148 because you are intelligent, you are materially advanced. 76 00:06:19,149 --> 00:06:22,262 You are greater than all other countries. 77 00:06:22,263 --> 00:06:26,755 Therefore I present this movement, scientific movement before you. 78 00:06:26,756 --> 00:06:32,071 You just try to understand it. 79 00:06:32,072 --> 00:06:36,598 Lord Caitanya’s movement… This is Lord Caitanya’s movement. 80 00:06:36,599 --> 00:06:45,341 And the author of Caitanya- caritāmṛta… That is in Sanskrit. 81 00:06:45,342 --> 00:06:52,207 We have translated it into English, Teachings of Lord Caitanya. 82 00:06:52,208 --> 00:06:55,901 If you like, you can purchase that book. 83 00:06:55,902 --> 00:07:06,127 So in that book it is stated that caitanyera dayāra kathā karaha vicāra. 84 00:07:06,128 --> 00:07:09,006 Ladies and gentlemen, you just…, 85 00:07:09,007 --> 00:07:17,601 scrutinizingly you try to understand the mercy of Lord Caitanya, 86 00:07:17,602 --> 00:07:26,961 this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, how it is solving the problems of our life.” 87 00:07:26,962 --> 00:07:29,983 Vicāra karile citte pābe camatkāra. 88 00:07:29,984 --> 00:07:37,752 If you scrutinizingly test it and try to understand this movement, 89 00:07:37,753 --> 00:07:42,741 then you’ll feel yourself that it is wonderful. 90 00:07:42,742 --> 00:07:46,654 And actually it is wonderful. 91 00:07:46,655 --> 00:07:54,373 So… And the process is also very simple. 92 00:07:54,374 --> 00:08:02,722 You do not require to be highly educated or philosopher or talented or rich or poor, 93 00:08:02,723 --> 00:08:04,334 or black and white. 94 00:08:04,335 --> 00:08:08,990 Doesn’t matter what you are. 95 00:08:08,991 --> 00:08:11,403 It is universal. 96 00:08:11,404 --> 00:08:17,842 Any human being with little intelligence, he can understand. 97 00:08:17,843 --> 00:08:21,464 And even he does not understand, 98 00:08:21,465 --> 00:08:27,426 this process is so nice that if you continue this process 99 00:08:27,427 --> 00:08:33,243 for a few weeks you’ll be able to understand. 100 00:08:33,244 --> 00:08:39,365 This chanting of Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ 101 00:08:39,366 --> 00:08:46,102 Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare is transcendental vibration. 102 00:08:46,103 --> 00:08:47,670 Sound. 103 00:08:47,671 --> 00:08:52,242 Sound is the origin of all creation. 104 00:08:52,243 --> 00:08:57,846 So this transcendental sound, if you vibrate, 105 00:08:57,847 --> 00:09:05,414 you will understand very quickly this philosophy of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. 106 00:09:05,415 --> 00:09:10,146 And there is no loss on your part. 107 00:09:10,147 --> 00:09:15,695 Suppose you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa; you do not lose anything. 108 00:09:15,696 --> 00:09:19,653 But if there is any gain, why don’t you try it? 109 00:09:19,654 --> 00:09:29,323 We simply request you with folded hands that you kindly chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. 110 00:09:29,324 --> 00:09:31,356 We are simply requesting you. 111 00:09:31,357 --> 00:09:34,900 We’re not asking you to pay us something 112 00:09:34,901 --> 00:09:39,847 or to suffer something or be educated or be engineer or be lawyer, 113 00:09:39,848 --> 00:09:41,081 then come to us. 114 00:09:41,082 --> 00:09:43,152 Never mind what you are. 115 00:09:43,153 --> 00:09:45,143 Stay in your position. 116 00:09:45,144 --> 00:09:53,320 Simply try to chant these sixteen words, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, 117 00:09:53,321 --> 00:09:58,768 Hare Hare/ Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. 118 00:09:58,769 --> 00:10:01,205 You can try for one week. 119 00:10:01,206 --> 00:10:05,909 And there is no hard and fast rules. 120 00:10:05,910 --> 00:10:08,991 You can chant anywhere and everywhere. 121 00:10:08,992 --> 00:10:15,286 While walking you can chant, while driving you can chant. 122 00:10:15,287 --> 00:10:18,825 Nobody is going to tax, that “You are chanting. 123 00:10:18,826 --> 00:10:20,628 Give me this tax.” 124 00:10:20,629 --> 00:10:23,169 It is very easy. 125 00:10:23,170 --> 00:10:25,798 So kīrtanīyaḥ sadā… [Cc. Adi 17.31]. 126 00:10:25,799 --> 00:10:28,631 Ceto-darpaṇa- mārjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. 127 00:10:28,632 --> 00:10:37,700 If you chant, the result will be that your mind will be cleansed. 128 00:10:37,701 --> 00:10:43,258 The whole misunderstanding is that “I am not this body. 129 00:10:43,259 --> 00:10:45,243 I am spirit soul. 130 00:10:45,244 --> 00:10:49,124 But I am identifying myself with this body— 131 00:10:49,125 --> 00:10:56,919 ‘I am Indian,’ ‘I am American,’ ‘I am Christian,’ ‘I am Hindu.’” 132 00:10:56,920 --> 00:11:00,168 These are all your designations. 133 00:11:00,169 --> 00:11:03,607 You are spirit soul. 134 00:11:03,608 --> 00:11:07,740 Just try to understand that you are spirit soul, 135 00:11:07,741 --> 00:11:13,432 and try to understand on the platform of spiritual understanding. 136 00:11:13,433 --> 00:11:16,925 All problems will be solved. 137 00:11:16,926 --> 00:11:23,236 And so long you are standing on this designated platform—“ I am American,” 138 00:11:23,237 --> 00:11:29,013 “I am Indian,” “I am this,” “I am that”— there is no solution of problems. 139 00:11:29,014 --> 00:11:32,464 Take it for granted. 140 00:11:32,465 --> 00:11:35,093 There is no solution of problem. 141 00:11:35,094 --> 00:11:39,403 You stand on this platform of spiritual understanding; 142 00:11:39,404 --> 00:11:43,543 there will be solution of all problems. 143 00:11:43,544 --> 00:11:49,802 This is authentic, and those who have followed, they have got result. 144 00:11:49,803 --> 00:11:57,045 And take it from me that there is no cheating, there is no bluff. 145 00:11:57,046 --> 00:12:01,911 Simply chant Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ 146 00:12:01,912 --> 00:12:08,629 Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare, and see the result practically. 147 00:12:08,630 --> 00:12:15,771 With my request, you can chant for one week and see the result. 148 00:12:15,772 --> 00:12:18,784 We are always prepared to serve you. 149 00:12:18,785 --> 00:12:20,866 We have got our temple here. 150 00:12:20,867 --> 00:12:24,390 Not only here, we have got our temple in Los Angeles, 151 00:12:24,391 --> 00:12:30,849 we have got our temple in New York, in Santa Fe, Montreal, Boston, 152 00:12:30,850 --> 00:12:37,233 and recently we’re trying to open one temple in Buffalo. 153 00:12:37,234 --> 00:12:44,194 And two of my students, they have gone to Florida. 154 00:12:44,195 --> 00:12:46,560 They are also trying to open. 155 00:12:46,561 --> 00:12:52,949 So it is very nice movement, and it is very easy to chant. 156 00:12:52,950 --> 00:13:00,040 Now before me… I am Indian, you are all Americans. 157 00:13:00,041 --> 00:13:04,705 This Hare Kṛṣṇa, this vibration may be foreign to you, 158 00:13:04,706 --> 00:13:08,700 but there is no difficulty to chant. 159 00:13:08,701 --> 00:13:14,296 The words may be in Sanskrit, but it is not difficult to chant. 160 00:13:14,297 --> 00:13:18,385 And if you simply chant, you get the result. 161 00:13:18,386 --> 00:13:22,767 Because it is transcendental vibration. 162 00:13:22,768 --> 00:13:29,307 Just like when television or radio vibration is there, either in India, 163 00:13:29,308 --> 00:13:34,677 America, or everywhere the vibration is equally beneficial. 164 00:13:34,678 --> 00:13:42,660 Similarly, this transcendental vibration is coming down 165 00:13:42,661 --> 00:13:44,876 from the transcendental world. 166 00:13:44,877 --> 00:13:47,055 It is not material sound. 167 00:13:47,056 --> 00:13:48,521 It is not hackneyed. 168 00:13:48,522 --> 00:13:51,913 If you chant, if you practice, you’ll realize it. 169 00:13:51,914 --> 00:13:58,271 So our request is that without any charges, without any fee, 170 00:13:58,272 --> 00:14:02,543 without any bluff, we say that you please chant 171 00:14:02,544 --> 00:14:07,248 Hare Kṛṣṇa, Hare Kṛṣṇa, Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa, Hare Hare/ 172 00:14:07,249 --> 00:14:11,372 Hare Rāma, Hare Rāma, Rāma Rāma, Hare Hare. 173 00:14:11,373 --> 00:14:17,863 Thank you very much. 174 00:14:17,864 --> 00:14:17,865 Subtitles by 80.1.251.112, Causelessmercy.com