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Balaji is Bala Krishna

In twenty minutes Prabhupada sought to give his receptive audience a comprehensive summary of the purpose of human life, and what they could do, as leaders of society, to help the citizens attain it. His statements reflected the depth and profundity of his realizations on the nature and goal of the human species.

He began by saying that the progress of human life should be systematized according to sastra, just as the workings of government are regulated by certain rules. "Sas-dhatu means to rule. From sas-dhatu, sastra [long 'a'] and sastra [short 'a']. If you do not act according to the sastra then there is sastra. Sastra means weapon, government. If you violate the rules of the government then there is police department, there is military department which will force you to accept the government regulation. And from the same sas-dhatu is sisya, one who voluntarily accepts the discipline."

He said that by following the regulation of sastra, then one attains the aim of life, param gatim. He described how the soul evolves through different species until it attains the human form, which is meant for further advancement. "Actually the aim should be to go back home, back to Godhead. ... If we properly utilize it, then we can make further progress. And if we do not, if we keep ourself as animals, then we'll degrade."

He outlined their role in that success or failure: "Government or king means to guide the citizens how to make progress of life. That is the duty of the government. Formerly all the kings were responsible for the progress of the citizens progress of life. The same principle should be applied. That is the statement of sastra. ... If we do not care for the sastra, whimsically manufacture our own ways of life, na siddhim sa avapnoti, it will never be successful; na sukham -- there will be no happiness, na param gatim."

He said that everything must be done as yajna, sacrifice for Visnu. If that is followed, then there is no sinful reaction; if it is not followed, one has to be responsible for the sins committed. He gave the example of a military man who kills the enemy on the order of the government and is rewarded with a medal; yet the same man is punishable if he kills according to his own whim. "We are requesting therefore everywhere -- not only in India, all over the world -- that people act according to the order of the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Gradually they are accepting the principle."

Directing his comments specifically to this province of Andhra Pradesh, he said, "You are very great devotees of Balaji. Balaji is Krsna, Bala Krsna. So I wish that the government may be conducted under the guide of Balaji, Lord Krsna. That is my request. And the codes and the orders and the rules and regulations, they're all stated in the Bhagavad-gita. ... It's a great culture. So karma, ordinary fruitive activities should be carried on for yajnarthe, for the satisfaction of Balaji, or Krsna. Not otherwise. What is gathered as contribution, it should be utilized for yajna. Because the money is given for yajna, not for other purposes."


- From "A Transcendental Diary Vol 4" by HG Hari Sauri Prabhu
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