Uncompromising preachingAfter the lecture, during the time set aside for questions, a short-haired, serious-looking young man made a bold statement that surprised the audience: he had decided to live forever! Prabhupada assured him that this was impossible. "You cannot be eternal. This is a material body."The young man offered a possible scenario: "Why not make the material spiritual? Why not make everything 'all-conscious'."Prabhupada conceded that if one became Krsna conscious then he could maintain his spiritual consciousness even after giving up this body. But spiritually aware or not, the body was not eternal, and would be changed at death.The young man continued to argue: Why was it necessary to change one's body at all?Prabhupada patiently explained further: "Your body has already changed. You have come from childhood to this point. You could not remain as a child."The man was stubborn. "Well, just because my body has changed up till now, it doesn't mean that it has to change in the future.""How you can?" Prabhupada challenged. "Why did you not remain as a child?"The young man decided to reveal his real identity: "Well, if I decide that I am God and I created everything."Prabhupada spoke firmly. "Dog can decide he is God. But does it mean that he is God?"As the young man's arguments became more preposterous, the devotees groaned in amazement."Well, it's my prerogative to decide to take the responsibility of being God."Prabhupada would take none of his nonsense: "Why don't you decide to become President Nixon?"Man: I don't want that.Prabhupada: It is nonsense. We don't talk with this nonsense. We talk scientifically.Man: I'd rather take on the responsibility of the universe.Prabhupada: If you decide that 'I become President Nixon', can you become?Man: Yes.Prabhupada: You can become?Prabhupada paused and added dryly, "Then become."The whole audience was hanging on every word, and laughing heartily at Prabhupada's succinct answers."First become -- then talk. If you are not becoming, and you talk, then you talk nonsense. First become God, then talk that you have become God. We have got our conception of God. God is all-powerful. Are you all powerful?"Man: Yes, I am.(Laughter)Prabhupada: If I give you a kick on your face, can you protest?(More laugher)The man was taken aback.Man: Well, you can kick; okay, okay, you can kick me if you want, that's your decision.Prabhupada: Then what power you have to check it?Man: The power that I have as a human being.Prabhupada: Then how are you God? You have power as a human being and you are claiming that you have become God.Man: But as a human being it's my right to think ..Prabhupada: That's all right, you have got right as a human being. Why are you claiming that you have become God? That is your foolishness. You must become as powerful as God, then you claim that you are God. The same thing, you first of all become President, then you claim that you are as good as President Nixon. Before that you cannot claim. You may say you have got the potency -- that I admit -- but first of all become and then you talk. God is all-powerful. When you become all-powerful, then you have become God.Man: Well then I'll have to show you.Prabhupada: But how can I believe you? If you do not show me then how can I believe you?Man: I accept the challenge. Just give me a little time.Prabhupada: That is another nonsense.(Howling laughter)Just like Arjuna wanted Krsna, 'How shall I know that you are all-powerful?' He immediately showed him the universal form. So if you are God, then you show me your universal form. Then I shall believe you. Don't believe in these nonsense ideas; you are misguided that you are God.Man: Give me something better then. I can't think of anything better than God, can you?Prabhupada: Well, you can think nonsense, you can think anything, I don't mind, but I say 'Don't be misguided'. It is up to you.The man was finally silent. There was nothing more to say. Prabhupada asked the devotees to chant. As he picked up his shiny brass karatals, Prabhupada turned to the man and with a look of great compassion offered him one last piece of advice. "Become God-ly. Don't become God."- From "The Great Transcendental Adventure" by HG Kurma Prabhu
To chant(i.e.to practice Shravanama,Kirtanama,Stavanama & Smaranama) the names(i.e.the qualities) of Shri Krishna finally purifies the mind of the chanter and his identification with the material body gradually vanishes and his true identity of being a small part and parcel of God(i.e.having the Godly qualities) starts to shine.
Hare Krishna!..
e.to - This website is for sale! - e to Resources and Information.
This website is for sale! e.to is your first and best source for all of the information you’re looking for. From general topics to more of what you w…
Comments
Hare Krishna!..