Bhagavad-gita 7.1 Prabhupada: (mayy asakta-manah partha) yogam yunjan mad-asrayah asamsayam samagram mam yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu [Bg. 7.1] This is a verse from Bhagavad-gita, how to develop Krsna consciousness, or God consciousness. The Bhagavad-gita, most of you have heard about the name of this book. It is very widely read book of knowledge throughout the whole world. Practically in every country there are many editions of Bhagavad-gita. So the Bhagavad-gita is the basic principle of our Krsna consciousness movement. What we are spreading as Krsna consciousness, that is only Bhagavad-gita. It is not that we have manufactured anything. The Krsna consciousness is existing since the creation, but at least for the last five thousand years, when Krsna was present on this planet, He personally instructed Krsna consciousness, and the instruction is left behind Him, this is Bhagavad-gita. Unfortunately, this Bhagavad-gita has been misused in so many ways by the so-called scholars and swamis. The impersonalist class, or atheist class of men, they have interpreted Bhagavad-gita in their own way. When I was in America in 1966, one American lady asked me to recommend an English edition of Bhagavad-gita so that she could read it. But honestly I could not recommend any one of them, on account of their whimsical explanation. That gave me impetus to write Bhagavad-gita As It Is. And this present edition, Bhagavad-gita As It Is, is now published by Macmillan Company, the biggest publisher in the world. And we are doing very nice. We published this Bhagavad-gita As It Is in 1968, in small edition. It was selling like anything. The trades manager of Macmillan Company reported that our books are selling more and more; others are reducing. Then recently, in this 1972, we have published this Bhagavad-gita As It Is, complete edition. And Macmillan Company published fifty thousand copies in others, but it was finished in three months and they are arranging for second edition. So this Bhagavad-gita should be read by every individual person to know the science of God. It is a great science. God is not a fiction or an imagination, as people take it. Not always, but in human society, everywhere in civilized human society there is some conception of religion, and the purpose of executing religious faith means to understand God. There is no other purpose of any religion. If in any religion the understanding of God is lacking, that is not first-class religion. So we are preaching not any particular type of religion. Religion is described in the English dictionary as “a kind of faith.’’ Actually, religion does not mean. The Sanskrit word dharma, that dharma means characteristic. It is not a kind of faith—characteristic, or occupational duty. Generally it means characteristic. The characteristic is that every living being, whether it is animal or human being or tree or plants or insect… (loud noise from speaker system) (aside:) What is it? Every living being has a particular characteristic that is visible in all kinds of forms of living being. That is service. Everyone is rendering service. Here we have so many ladies and gentlemen present, but every one of us is rendering some service to the superior. That is our position. The animals also, the inferior animals, they are rendering service to the superior animal. The superior animal is eating the inferior animal, jivo jivasya jivanam. Big snake is eating small snake. There is a verse in the Srimad-Bhagavatam, apadani catus-padam. Those who are two- legged, they are eating the four-legged. And the four-legged animals, they are eating who cannot walk. Apadani catus-padam. Those who cannot move, just like grass, plants, tree, they cannot move, they are being eaten up by the four-legged animals. And the four-legged animals are being eaten by the two-legged animals, human beings. Just try to understand how the weaker section is serving the stronger section. That is the law of nature. Jivo jivasya jivanam. One living entity is the food or living means for another living entity, by nature’s law. So the conclusion is that we must render service to the strong. This is nature’s law. Now that being the position, we all living entities, we are weaker, and the strongest is the Supreme Lord; therefore our business is to render service to the Supreme Lord. We are rendering service to the stronger section, but the strongest of all stronger is the Supreme Lord. Therefore the conclusion is that our normal position is to render service to God. This is the position. We cannot say that “We don’t care for God.’’ That you cannot say. We are so dependent on God’s mercy that we cannot say. Just like today, this evening, when we were coming in this hall, there was heavy rain. So this heavy rain… I am coming from India, and other parts there is drought. There is no rainfall; they are suffering for want of rainfall. But in Australia, especially in Sydney, I see there is good rainfall. So how the distinction can be adjusted? In some places there is no rainfall, but here we have got sufficient rainfall at the present moment. It is God’s mercy. You cannot do it. Where there is shortage of rainfall, they cannot bring in rainfall by their scientific advancement of knowledge. That is not possible. You have to depend on God, on the mercy of God. What is this rainfall? This rainfall is an arrangement, taking water from the seas and spread all over the surface of the land. But you cannot do it. The sea water you can spread by pumping or by some other means, but that will not serve your purpose. The sea water must be distilled. It must be made into sweetness. Then such rainfall will give you some effect in producing agricultural production and so many things. So in every way we are dependent on the Supreme Personality of Godhead. When we speak of Krsna, we mean the Supreme Personality of Godhead. So here, Krsna is teaching Himself, God is teaching Himself, what is God, what is the science of God. You cannot speculate on the science of God: “God may be like this. God may be like that.’’ No. You have to know God from God Himself. Just like you cannot speculate about the position of a very big man. Suppose there is a very big man in your country. If you speculate about him at home, the knowledge is never perfect. It cannot be. Speculative knowledge is never perfect, especially when you imagine something about somebody. That is all humbug; it has no meaning. So God cannot be realized by speculation. But here is a chance wherein God is speaking about Himself, so you can understand what is God. Now in this verse, Bhagavad-gita, Krsna says, mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah asamsayam samagram mam yatha jnasyasi tac chrnu [Bg. 7.1] “My dear Arjuna, if you develop your attachment for Me,’’ mayy asakta… Mayy asakta, “attachment to Me,’’ God is saying. We have got attachment. Every one us has got some attachment, either for this or that. Especially our living condition means to love somebody. That love propensity, that loving propensity is there within me, within you. I want to love you or you want to love me or I want to love somebody, but I want to love; that is my hankering. But because the love is misplaced, therefore we are frustrated. Love is misplaced. The example is given in the sastra. Just like the tree has to be watered, but if you do know the purpose of watering, where to water, then our business of watering will be misused. You cannot water on the leaves, on the twigs or on the branches. You have to pour water on the root. That is the principle. So our loving propensity, when it will be properly employed, when we try to love or develop our loving propensity for God, or directly when we learn how to love God, then our loving propensity is perfect. Then you can love other things, others also. It is not… Just like watering the root of the tree, you automatically pour water in the other parts of the tree, or supplying foodstuffs in the stomach, you supply foodstuffs to all the parts of the body. Similarly, if you can develop your love for God… That is already there. It is not an artificial thing. In the Caitanya-caritamrta it is said that nitya-siddha krsna bhakti ‘sadhya’ kabhu naya (?). Our loving propensity or our love for God is already there in every living being, but it is now covered due to our ignorance, or due to our contamination with this material nature. So simply we have to awaken that love. That is our business. That awakening of love cannot be possible in other living condition than the human being. The human being, the human form of life, is therefore the perfectional stage, how to develop our love for God, or how we can love God. This is the main business of human life. Athato brahma jijnasa. The Vedanta-sutra says that this life is especially meant for developing or inquiring about our love with Krsna, or God. This is the only business. Athato brahma jijnasa. So that love for Krsna, or God, how you can develop or how you can awaken, that is explained by Krsna in this verse. Mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. You have to increase your attachment for Krsna, or God. According to Srimad-Bhagavatam, the first-class religion is that which teaches the follower how to love God. This is first-class religion. sa vai pumsam paro dharmo yato bhaktir adhoksaje ahaituky apratihata yayatma suprasidati [SB 1.2.6] If you want actually peace of your mind or yourself, then you must learn how to love God. Because you are hankering to love the Supreme, but because you have no information of the Supreme, you are placing your love to your body, your society, your country, your family, or if you haven’t got anything to love, then you get a dog, cat, and you love it. The loving propensity is there. This is the psychology. Now that loving propensity can attain its perfection, and as soon as you reach that perfectional point, you become happy. This is the formula for happiness. Everyone is trying to become happy, peaceful. That peacefulness, that happiness can be attained only when you increase your attachment or love for the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the meaning of Krsna consciousness movement. We are not teaching any kind of faith. There are many different types of faith, so, but unfortunately, maybe due to the slackness of this movement or religious movement, people have lost all faith in religious movement. Maybe there are many reasons. But it cannot be left aside. You cannot give up. If you want actually peace of the mind, peace of yourself, then you must try to love God. That is the only way. Sa vai pumsam paro dharmo [SB 1.2.6] So how to love Krsna, or God, that is being instructed by Krsna. Mayy asakta. You have to increase your attachment for Krsna. When I speak of Krsna, you should take it “God,’’ the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The Supreme Personality of Godhead, if Supreme Personality of Godhead has got any suitable name, perfect name… God may have many thousands of names, but the most perfect name which we can give to the Supreme Personality of Godhead is Krsna. Krsna means “all-attractive.’’ God must be all-attractive. It is not that God is attractive for a certain class of men and not attractive for others. You will find the picture of Krsna. Here is Krsna’s picture, and there are many other pictures also. Here is also. He’s attractive to the animals, He’s attractive to the trees, He’s attractive to the flowers, He’s attractive to the water, and what to speak of human beings. He’s attractive; therefore His name is Krsna. Krsna means all-attractive. So if any suitable name can be assigned to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it is Krsna. That is the verdict of the Vedic literature. Now Krsna says, “If you develop your attachment for Me,’’ mayy asakta-manah partha, “My dear Arjuna…’’ Mayy asakta-manah partha yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. It is a yoga, yoga system. You have heard the name of yoga system. There are different kinds of yoga systems, but the foremost and the topmost yoga system is to develop your attachment or constantly being in touch with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is first-class yoga. Yoga actually means to make your connection with the Supreme Lord. That is yoga. Yoga means addition, connect. And viyoga… The opposite word is viyoga. Just like addition and subtraction. Similarly, the yoga, and the opposite word is viyoga, or viyoga. Viyoga means when we are detached from God, and yoga means when we are attached to God. This the two different words. So here it is recommended, yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. It is another practice of yoga, the topmost yoga. In previous to this verse there is another verse, yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantaratmana sraddhavan bhajate yo mam sa me yuktatamo matah [Bg. 6.47] That is Sixth Chapter. I am speaking from the Seventh Chapter. This Sixth Chapter of Bhagavad-gita concludes with this verse, that yoginam api sarvesam. There are different types of yogis, but the most important yogi, or the topmost yogi, is he. Who? “Who is always thinking of Me,’’ Krsna says. Who is always thinking of God. He’s first-class yogi. Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantaratmana. Yoga means that: always thinking of God. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yam yogina. The yogi’s business is that he’s always meditating upon the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is yogi. Mad-gatenantaratmana. These are the Vedic version, that dhyanavasthita. Dhyana means meditation. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena: just being absorbed in the form of God, Krsna. One who is meditating, dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa,(?) mind is so trained up that mind cannot think of anything else except God, that is perfection of yoga. Mind…, we, our mind cannot be vacant. We must think of something in the mind. Not for a second we can make our mind vacant. That is not possible. So this vacancy, this mind’s business—thinking, feeling and willing—when all of them are engaged in the Supreme Personality of Godhead, that is called perfect yoga system, or the topmost yoga system. Unfortunately, the impersonalists, they have no idea of the form, form of the Lord. Because they’re impersonalist, they do not accept any form of the Lord. But there is the form of the Lord. Form of the Lord, there must be. God is accepted as the supreme father. In Christianity also it is accepted, the supreme father. In every religion He’s accepted the supreme person, supreme father, supreme master. So how He can be accepted as imperson? From logical point of view… Just like you are a person, your father is a person, his father is also a person, his father is also a person. Go on, even you do not know your topmost forefather, you know it that he was a person. Similarly, the supreme father, the father of all fathers, how He can be imperson? Logically you cannot conclude. He must be a person. And that is the Vedic version also. Brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate. vadanti tat tattva-vidas tattva yaj jnanam advayam brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate [Bhag. 1.2.11] The Supreme Absolute Truth is one, but He’s realized from different angles of vision. Those who are trying to realize the Supreme Absolute Truth by speculation, they come to the impersonal conclusion. And those who are trying to think Him, think about Him within the heart, dhyanavasthita… That is the yogic, yogic principle, to think of the Supreme within the heart. He is there within the heart. Both the living entity, individual living entity and God, is sitting within this heart. That’s a fact. We have to search it out, catch Him by yogic process. So those who are trying to understand the Absolute Truth by speculative method, they come to the conclusion of impersonalism. And those who are trying to capture the Supreme Personality of Godhead within the heart—yogis, Paramatma—they understand Krsna or God as Paramatma, the Supersoul. Isvarah sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese ’rjuna tisthati [Bg. 18.61] You will find in the Bhagavad-gita. Isvara, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, is sitting in everyone’s heart. Not only human beings, even animals, everyone. So that feature is called Paramatma. But the ultimate feature is bhagavan. Bhagavan means the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Bhaga means opulence. There are six kinds of opulences. So the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the possessor of all the opulences, and He’s a person. These are the Vedic versions. Isvarah paramah krsnah [Bs. 5.1]. We, we are also, because we are part and parcel of God, we may be called as sample God, sample God. Just like in Christian Bible also it is said that man is made after the form of God. Actually that is a… We have got two legs, two hands, this form—this is after God’s form. God has also the same form, like human being. It takes some time to understand. It is a great science. Anyway, our position is, we learn from Bhagavad-gita that we have to increase our attachment for God, Krsna. mayy asakta. This is the perfect process of yoga system. And if you simply increase your attachment for Krsna, then asamsayam, without any doubt, samagram, and in fullness, you can understand what is God. This is Krsna consciousness movement. We have got our Krsna’s form. Just like you see Krsna is playing on His flute. Here is also Krsna standing with His brother Balarama. So Krsna is sometimes with Radharani, so we worship Krsna-Radha, Radha-Krsna in our temple. Those who have not seen—we invite all of you to our temple—there is Radha-Krsna Deity. So this process, Krsna consciousness movement, is to teach people how to increase his attachment for Krsna. There are many processes. The beginning of the Krsna consciousness is sraddha, a little faith. That is the beginning. Adau sraddha. Sraddha means to accept that “This is a nice movement.’’ This a nice movement. Just like you have come here with sraddha, little faith, that “What these people are making in Krsna consciousness movement? Let us go and see.’’ This is called sraddha. This is the first thing. So you have to increase this sraddha. How? Adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sanga. If you want to increase this sraddha, then you have to make association with the devotees. Just like all these European, American, Canadians, all my devotees, they came first to me when I began this Krsna consciousness movement in New York. I was chanting underneath a tree, and these girls and boys, they were coming, so that was sraddha. Then as they gradually came to me, that is called sadhu-sanga. Just like anything you want to learn, you must associate with such kind of men. If you want to learn business, there are so many business corporation, association. So sometimes you become member in the stock exchange and other association to learn their business and make progress in their business. Similarly, if you want to increase your love for Krsna, or God, you must associate with persons who are interested in this business—devotees. These devotees, they have no other interest. All these boys and girls who are under my direction, they have no other interest, simply Krsna. So we have to associate with such persons, Adau sraddha tato sadhu-sanga [Cc. Madhya 22.54]. Sadhu-sanga means to associate with the devotees. Adau sraddha tato sadhu-sanga. Sadhu. Sadhu, this word, Sanskrit word, is meant for the devotees, the lover of Krsna. That is also explained in the Bhagavad-gita: sadhur eva sa mantavyah [Bg. 9.30]. Api cet suduracaro bhajate mam ananya-bhak, sadhur eva sa mantavyah. One who has unflinching faith in Krsna, one who is cent percent engaged to render service to Krsna, he is called sadhu. Sadhu does not mean a kind of dress or kind of beard. No. Sadhu means a devotee, perfect devotee of Krsna. That is a sadhu. Therefore it is recommended, sadhu-sanga. We have to associate with sadhu, means who have completely dedicated life for Krsna’s service. That is the injunction in the Bhagavad-gita. Man-mana bhava mad-bhakto mad-yaji mam namaskuru [Bg. 18.65]. This process is very simple. Krsna advises Himself how to become a sadhu, how to become a saintly person. That is also. Only follow four principles: man-mana bhava mad-bhakto. You simply think of Krsna, man-mana. You just become devotee of Krsna, man-mana bhava mad-bhak… Mad-yaji—you simply worship Krsna. Man-mana bhava mad-bhak… Mam namaskuru—“You offer your obeisances unto Me.’’ These four principles. Think of Krsna. That thinking of Krsna we have introduced. We have not introduced; it is introduced from Vedic literature—Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. If you chant these sixteen words, it is not very difficult. Anyone, there is no secrecy. There is no charge for it. We don’t say that “I shall give you some secret mantra. You give me some money.’’ No. We don’t say. We openly chant this Hare Krsna mantra. Anyone can chant also. But see the effect of chanting this mantra. That is up to you. If you begin chanting, you’ll feel the effect very soon. So this is called man-manah, always thinking of Krsna. As soon as one chants Hare Krsna, immediately he remembers Krsna. He immediately remembers Krsna’s activities, Krsna’s pastimes, Krsna’s form, Krsna’s quality, Krsna’s attributes—everything. That is called to absorb the mind in Krsna. That means you become immediately the first-class yogi. Yoginam api sarvesam mad-gatenantaratmana [Bg. 6.47]. This is the process. So these boys and girls who have taken to Krsna consciousness movement seriously, they are all first-class yogis because they are always thinking of Krsna. Man-mana bhava mad-bhaktah. So adau sraddha… So if you want to develop Krsna consciousness, then you kindly associate with these devotees. We are opening so many centers all over the world—we have already 102 centers—just to give opportunity to all classes of men to associate with devotees and develop your love for God. This is the purpose. And we have no other purpose, these centers are being opened. So I request you, those who are interested in loving God, in Krsna consciousness, they will kindly associate with these devotees. Adau sraddha tato sadhu-sanga. And these devotees… This is our method. When a man, a gentleman or lady comes to our association, he associates with us for three months, six months, then automatically he desires to be initiated. Adau sraddha tato sadhu-sanga atha bhajana-kriya. Bhajana-kriya means one becomes anxious. The effect of sadhu-sanga is to become anxious how to execute this devotional service properly. That is called initiation. So they come forward. The president recommends that “This boy or girl is now living with us for so many months, he’s interested, he may be initiated.’’ Then we initiate. But initiate with some condition. Anartha-nivrttih syat. These are the different stages. Initiation means that he must be free from all kinds of sinful activities. These four principles, the pillars of sinful activities, are four in number: illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. Striya suna panabhi(?). So automatically they give. All these boys and girls who are sitting here, you know that they have given up automatically. They have been able, by association with Krsna. It has become very practical and easy thing to give up all these four principles of sinful activities. Because without being pure, you cannot understand the Supreme Pure. God is the Supreme Pure. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita, yesam anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam. Anyone who is completely free from the reaction of sinful life, yesam anta-gatam papam jananam punya-karmanam. Now, how is it possible? If one is simply engaged in pious activities. The most pious activity is to be engaged in Krsna consciousness movement. Pure. Then these are the different stages. Adau sraddha tato sadhu-sango tato bhajana-kriya atha anartha-nivrttih syat. Anartha means things we do not want. Artificially we are practiced to things. Just like meat-eating. Meat- eating, we do not practice it from the beginning of our birth. Just after birth the child, the baby, requires little honey or little milk, not the meat. But afterwards, the parents or the guardians are teaching how to eat meat. This is not our human business. Human teeth is meant for eating fruits and grains. That is scientific. Our teeth is made in that way. So anyway, meat-eating, intoxication, illicit sex, as soon as one takes to Krsna consciousness movement, these four pillars of sinful life is immediately broken. adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango tato bhajana-kriya tato ’nartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha (tato rucis) As soon as one becomes free from all sinful activities, he becomes firmly convinced of God consciousness. That is called nistha. Tato nistha tato rucis. Then you taste, “Oh, it is so nice, Krsna consciousness.’’ That tato nistha. adau sraddha tatah sadhu-sango ’tha bhajana-kriya tato ’nartha-nivrttih syat tato nistha tato rucis athasaktis (tato bhavah) Then asakti. That is Krsna is recommending there, that asakti means attachment. So this attachment comes after passing over so many different stages of devotional service. So Krsna’s recommending mayy asaktah: you have to increase your attachment for Krsna, or God. So by practicing this process you come to the stage of asakti, mayy asakta-manah. Then your mind becomes completely attracted by Krsna. Tato bhavas, then ecstasy. Sadhakanam ayam premnah pradurbhave bhavet kramah. These are the different stages to develop your love for God, or Krsna. So this is not very difficult; anyone can practice. How it is difficult? These European, American boys, they were never practiced to it, not in their family or by culture. But because Krsna consciousness is there in everyone’s heart, simply by little practice it comes, it develops. So we request that to make your life successful, this human form of life, you practice this Krsna consciousness, or God consciousness. That is the success of life, not to live like animals, simply eating, sleeping, sex intercourse and defense. They are the business of the animals also. If we develop simply in these four principles of animal life, that is not advancement of civilization. The advancement of civilization is tested when a nation or person is interested to inquire about God. That is advancement. Athato brahma jijnasa. This is advancement—how a nation or person is advanced to inquire about God or about himself. God and we, we are of the same quality, because it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. That’s a fact. God is the supreme living being and we are also living being, but He is the head, supreme. That is the description in the Vedas: nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam eko bahunam (yo) vidadhati kaman These are the description in the Vedas, that God means that as we are persons, He is the supreme person. That’s all. Just like you are also persons, you are also Australians, and the president of the Australian government, he is also a person. He is not imperson. The government may be imperson, but the head of the government is a person. Similarly, in the universal government there are so many living entities, just like we are. Not only human beings—8,400,000 species of life, all living entities. God is also living entity, but He is the supreme living entity. That is the difference. Nityo nityanam cetanas cetananam. So as we act under the leadership of a supreme person, similarly, if we act, if we live under the leadership of God, that is our perfection of life. This is called yogam yunjan mad-asrayah. Mad-asrayah means “under My direction.’’ What is the direction of God? Just become His devotee, just think of Himself, always about Him, just offer Him obeisances. This is the process. It is not very difficult. And if you cannot do anything, simply if you chant the holy name of God. We do not say that you chant the name of Krsna. If you have got any name, holy name of God, you can chant that also. But chant. This is the process recommended in this age. harer nama harer nama harer nama eva kevalam kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha [Adi 17.21] In this age it is very difficult to develop Krsna consciousness, or God consciousness. People are so downfallen. But there is only one method: if you can chant the holy name of God it will help you very quickly. So we do not say that, if you think that Krsna name is the Hindu name or Indian name, “Why should I chant that?’’ But if you have got any name, actually must be name of God, not a fiction or an idea. Just like I’ve already explained this “Krsna,’’ Sanskrit word, means “all-attractive.’’ But in the greatest. You say that God is great. Krsna means the greatest all-attractive. Unless you become very great, you cannot be attractive. According to our material calculation, if one is very rich, he’s attractive. If one is very influential, he’s attractive. If one is very wise, he’s attractive. If one is very beautiful, he’s attractive. In this way, we attract. So God, Krsna, has got all the six opulences of attraction; therefore He is called Krsna. So our recommendation is… Not our; it is the recommendation of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, who inaugurated or revitalized this Krsna consciousness movement five hundred years ago in Bengal as Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. He says, namnam akari bahudha nija sarva saktis, tatrarpita niyamitah smarane na kalah. Namnam akari: the name and person whose name. Because God is absolute, there is no difference between His name and He Himself. Just like in this material calculation, if you want water, simply by chanting “water, water,’’ you won’t get water. The water substance is different from the name “water.’’ But God being absolute, His name, His form, His quality, His entourage, they are all the same, as good as God. So if you associate with any one of them, either God personally or with His name or with His form or with His quality or with His paraphernalia, immediately you become in contact with God. This is the science. This is not fiction; this is science. Because if you accept God as absolute, there cannot be difference between God and His name and His form. So this is science. You’ll realize as you make progress. You’ll realize. Just like these boys, they’re chanting Hare Krsna mantra, they are realizing; otherwise I’ve not bribed them. They’re mad after Hare Krsna mantra. It is not due to my bribing them. They’re actually realizing that they are in touch with Krsna. So anyone can do that. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, therefore, that there are many thousands of names of God. Although we say that the only perfect name is Krsna, but if you think, “No, we have got another name,’’ that’s all right. But it must be the name of God. It must be full with the conception of God. If you have got, you can chant that name also. There is no hindrance. Namnam akari. Because every name being identical with God, every name of God is as powerful as God. As powerful, because identical. Identical; therefore every name has got the same power and potency as the Supreme Person, God, has got. Namnam akari bahudha nija sarva saktis. Nija sarva saktis: all potencies are there. Tatrarpita. There is, it is already endowed with all the potencies. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, etadrsi tava krpa bhagavan mamapi durdaivam idrsam ihajani nanuragah: “My dear Lord, You have sent in age Your name, which is full of potency, as much potencies as You have got. Still, I am so unfortunate that I cannot chant even Your holy names.’’ It is so nice. You haven’t got to do anything, simply try to chant the holy name of God. Then gradually everything will evolve within you, because within you everything is there. Simply you have to accept the process and everything will come out. Ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12] Our misunderstanding is due to dirty things within our hearts. So first benefit of chanting Hare Krsna maha-mantra will be that all the dirty things within your hearts will be cleansed. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam. And immediately you’ll be relieved from the blazing fire of this material existence. This material existence is compared with a blazing forest fire. Forest fire means… Nobody goes to set fire in the forest, but it takes places automatically. Similarly, in this material world, however peacefully you want to live, without God consciousness, you cannot live peacefully. It is not possible. Forget it. Therefore, if you think of Krsna or God always, immediately you’ll be free from the conflagration of the blazing fire of this material existence. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam. And as soon as this blazing fire of material existence is extinguished, immediately you come to the platform of blissfulness. Ceto-darpana-marjanam bhava-maha-davagni-nirvapanam sreyah-kairava-candrika [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Then that blissfulness will increase one after another, one after another. Just like the comparison has been given just like the moon. The after the dark moon, the moon comes out just like a line, and then it increases, increases, and one night it becomes full. Similarly, as your heart becomes cleansed of the material dirty things, your real form, sat-cit-ananda vigrahah, eternity, blissful life of knowledge, becomes visible, just like the moon is visible. And one day you’ll come to the full pleasure, full moon night, and that is your sarvatma snapanam. And at that time you’ll enjoy your life like anything. That is our highest perfection of life. Param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam. The only method is chanting this holy name of God, Krsna. So because Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu chanted these sixteen names—Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare—therefore we also follow the footprints of Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu. We are also chanting the same Hare Krsna maha-mantra, and we shall request you also. There is no expenditure, there is no loss on your part, but if there is any gain, why don’t you try it? That is our request. Chant Hare Krsna, Hare Krsna, Krsna Krsna, Hare Hare/ Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare. This is the process for increasing your attachment for God and Krsna. And as you increase your love… That is our real constitutional position, to love God. We are loving also, in this fallen state, but not God, all non-God or some pseudo God. But when we come to the real stage of loving God, then at that time our life becomes perfect, and it is said in the Brahma-samhita, premanjana cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santah sadaiva hrdayesu vilokayanti [Bs. 5.38]. When you develop your love of God, Krsna, then you see God every moment, every step. Santah sadaiva. Sadaiva means always. If you say, “Can you show me God?’’ there is no need of showing God. You qualify yourself, and God will be visible in every step of your life. Then your life will be successful. Thank you very much. Hare Krsna. [break] … God, he’s (indistinct). Devotee: Jaya! (audience laughs) Prabhupada: So one can believe in himself, that’s all. [break] …the rainy season. Why the rainy season is there? Can you answer why the rainy season is there? Why it is raining? These are periodical changes. Just like there is summer season, winter season, rainy season. Similarly, this material world is subjected to the seasons or changes. It is called jagat. Jagat means which is changing. But we do not like this changing because we are eternal. We have been put into this condition, changing condition; therefore we are not happy. So this Krsna consciousness movement means to get ourselves out of this changing condition to the eternal condition. It is very, I mean to say, what is called, intelligent question: Why there is Kali-yuga? Kali-yuga means these ages are change. Just like the same way, as there is summer season; after summer season, there is rainy season; after rainy season there is winter season. Similarly, there are four yuga, namely Satya-yuga, Treta-yuga, Dvapara-yuga and Kali-yuga. Satya-yuga means perfect age. Then Treta-yuga—one-fourth less of perfection. Then Dvapara- yuga—three-fourth, er, half less; and then Kali-yuga—three-fourths less. Three-fourths bad elements and one-fourth good elements, and that is also very rare. But if you, if we take to Krsna consciousness, we become transcendental. We have nothing to do with these seasonal changes of Kali-yuga. That is recommended. Kalau. Kalau nasty eva nasty eva nasty eva gatir anyatha. If we take to Krsna consciousness, then we are not affected by the bad effects of Kali-yuga. That is recommended. [break] Kali-yuga is disagreement and fight. This is called Kali-yuga. Here, at the present moment, in this age, everyone disagrees with other, and they fight. Therefore it is called Kali-yuga. Guest: Do you believe the (indistinct) father of Jesus Christ? Devotee: He wants to know if Krsna is above Jesus Christ. Prabhupada: Yes, because Jesus Christ says that he’s son of God, and Krsna says He’s God. Therefore, He’s father of Jesus Christ. Devotee: Any other questions? [break] Prabhupada: There is no difference between father and son. Just like there is no difference between you and your father. To become son is not bad, or to become father is not good or bad. Father and son relationship is very affectionate, so there is no difference between father… (end)
by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Sydney, February 16, 1973