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The theme of the evening class on Srimad-Bhagavatam was pravrtti-marga and nivrtti-marga -- the path of advancement in sense gratification versus the path of progression in self-realisation. Srila Prabhupada expanded on some of the points he had brought up in his room after speaking with Mr. Moore.

"There are two paths. Material life and spiritual life. Material life means sense gratification, as much as possible. And the central point of sense gratification is sex. There are different grades of sense gratification, but the point is the same. Both the cats and dogs and the human beings are engaged in the same business. The cats and dogs are eating according to their taste; the humans are also eating according to their taste. The standard may be different, but the taste is the same."

Prabhupada gave a clear example: One may think that his eating from a gold pot is giving him more satisfaction than if he eats the same food from an iron pot, but in fact there is no real difference in taste. Prabhupada expanded further: Even if one went to the highest planetary systems in the universe, and ate out of a diamond pot, still the taste would not change. And if one lived a fabulously long life there, still one would have to die. Therefore, Prabhupada explained, pravrtti-marga, so-called progress based on sense gratification, was not real progress. Rather it was progress towards repeated birth and death.

The alternative was nivrtti-marga, progress towards a spiritual destination. "How to make progress towards the goal of nivrtti-marga? It is stated mahat-sevam dvaram ahur vimukteh. One should associate with devotees." By such association with a mahatma, a great soul, Prabhupada continued, one would come to learn of his eternal service relationship with God. Such service was natural; without such association, however, one would be frustrated with mundane service, such as service to one's senses, or one's dog, or one's family, society or nation.

Prabhupada described the lives of Gandhi, Hitler and Napoleon as contemporary examples of the results of misplaced, frustrated service. He concluded his class by shedding light on the locally contentious issue of whether one should live inside or outside the temple.

"Sometimes there is some disagreement that 'why one should not live outside the temple?' But that is a little difficult because in the temple you get good association. Everyone is trying to get free from this bondage of life. In the temple there is some inspiration. We are making this temple commodious so that people may come here and live and learn the art. But if you live outside, there is risk, because sangat sanjayate kamah, if you live in certain association, drunkard association, then you will learn gradually how to drink. But if you live with the association of the devotees, then you will forget drinking. You will become devotee. So we are opening these centres, giving a chance to everyone, without discrimination."

A lively question-and-answer session followed. A young woman wondered why a person had to make an endeavour to reach Godhead. Since everyone returned to Godhead eventually, she suggested, why not just let things take their natural course?

"That is a good suggestion," Prabhupada quipped, "but you rot for the time being." This mentality, he said, was like the foolishness of attempting to walk up to an office at the top of a skyscraper building only to find it closed for the day. The solution? Better to take the elevator, the speediest process.


- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu