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So by the result, one has to see.

Just like there is examination. One student says, "Oh, I have studied
so much." But when the examination was taken, he failed. So what does
it mean that he studied? That means he did not study, that's all. The
test is that spiritual advancement means minimizing material
activities. Bhaktih paresanubhavo viraktir anyatra syat [SB 11.2.42].
Automatically they will be detestful for material engagement.
Spiritual advancement means that.

Just like a hungry man, if you give him to eat, as soon as he begins
to eat, immediately he'll feel satisfaction, and when he is fully fed,
he'll say, "No, I don't want any more." So similarly, spiritual
advancement means proportionately one should be detestful to material
engagement. That is the test.

So if anyone is advancing by meditation or bhakti-yoga or Krsna
consciousness, one has to give evidence that he is now being
proportionately detached from this material engagement. That is the
test. This is not for only the meditators. It is for you also. How far
you are advancing in Krsna consciousness you test yourself -- how far
you have become detached from material consciousness. That's all. The
proportionately you have advanced in Krsna consciousness, the
proportionately you'll not like material engagement. If you have
advanced cent percent, then cent percent you become detached. That is
the way.

So everyone has to test himself, "how far I have advanced." That means
"How far I have become detached with material contamination." That's
all. The test is in your hand. And if you are sincere, then you should
test yourself. And if you want to make show, that is a different
thing. That is explained in the Second Chapter, sthita-prajna. The
behavior of a person who has advanced in spiritual consciousness, that
is explained. You have studied. He talks like that, he walks like
that, he behaves like that. So many things, they have been explained.
These are the tests. So we may not be able to achieve all the success
immediately, but everyone should try to follow.

The meditation process is also one process. That is also one of the
processes. That is good. But we simply say that this process is not, I
mean to say, very fruitful in this age. In this age, this chanting of
Hare Krsna is the most beneficial process.
That is our program. We don't deprecate the meditational process. That
is a process, standard process. But we don't say... We have not
manufactured. It is the sastra says. Krte yad dhyayato visnum.
Meditation of Visnu was possible in the Satya-yuga when people used to
live for one hundred thousands of years. Just like Valmiki Muni, he
meditated for sixty thousands of years. He got perfection. Here it is
very difficult even to meditate for sixty minutes at a time. You see?
Krte yad dhyayato visnum. That process was recommended in the
Satya-yuga.

And the next process is tretayam yajato makhaih. The next stage, by
performing great sacrifices. That is very costly affair. Nobody has
money. Suppose if I prescribe performance of some sacrifice, and if I
order that "You have to secure one hundred tons of butter or ghee,"
can you secure? Oh... You see? So therefore that is not possible. Krte
yad dhyayato visnum tretayam yajato makhaih dvapare paricaryayam.

Temple worship is also not possible. So kalau tad-hari kirtanat -
Chanting hare krishna is the only way, the sastras recommend.

So, Just like Arjuna. He sacrificed all sentiments, all connection,
everything for Krsna. That is called sannyasa, real sannyasa. Although
he was a warrior, a fighter, a householder having more than dozen
wives, but he was sannyasa. Because he sacrificed everything for
Krsna. That is wanted. That is Krsna conscious.

So everyone can test how far he has advanced simply by this, "How far
I have become prepared to sacrifice everything for Krsna?" He doesn't
require to take certificate from others. He can test himself, "How far
I am prepared?" Then it is all right. This is the standard.

Srila Prabhupada Lecture :: Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 3.1-5 --
Los Angeles, December 20, 1968