yāvanto viṣayāḥ preṣṭhās
tri-lokyām ajitendriyam
na śaknuvanti te sarve
pratipūrayituḿ nṛpa
TRANSLATION:
The Personality of Godhead said: O my dear King, even the entirety of whatever there may be within the three worlds to satisfy one's senses cannot satisfy a person whose senses are uncontrolled.
PURPORT
The material world is an illusory energy to deviate the living entities from the path of self-realization. Anyone who is in this material world is extremely anxious to get more and more things for sense gratification. Actually, however, the purpose of life is not sense gratification but self-realization. Therefore, those who are too addicted to sense gratification are advised to practice the mystic yoga system, or aṣṭāńga-yoga system
nūnaḿ pramattaḥ kurute vikarma
yad indriya-prītaya āpṛṇoti
na sādhu manye yata ātmano 'yam
asann api kleśada āsa dehaḥ
"When a person considers sense gratification the aim of life, he certainly becomes mad after materialistic living and engages in all kinds of sinful activity. He does not know that due to his past misdeeds he has already received a body which, although temporary, is the cause of his misery. Actually the living entity should not have taken on a material body, but he has been awarded the material body for sense gratification. Therefore I think it not befitting an intelligent man to involve himself again in the activities of sense gratification, by which he perpetually gets material bodies one after another."
LECTURE:
We are reading this evening from the Srimad Bhagwatam Canto Eight Chapter Nineteen. This describes one of the most celebrated of the incarnations of Lord Hari. In the beautiful poem by Sri Jaidev Goswami in his Gita Govinda, introduction, he sings prayers to the ten prominent incarnations of the Lord “Dasavatar’. There he sings:
keshava dhrita vamana rupa jaya jagadisha hare, jaya jagadisha hare, jaya jagadisha hare.
He is describing that the Supreme Personality of Godhead appeared in the form of a dwarf especially to show by his supreme glory the real pleasure and satisfaction of the intuitive soul. The beauty of this story is explained by Srila Sukhadev Goswami. It is described that Bali Maharaja who was the grandson of Prahlad, the great grandson of that ferocious Rakshasa Hiranyakashyapu, that means he was the great grand nephew of Hiranyakasha. He is coming from quite a mix variety of ancestors. But he was very, very powerful & it is described in the Bhagavatam that Bali Maharaja performed a particular service to the Brahmans and he gained by pleasing them and satisfying them and by performing a great, great sacrifice successfully, tremendous amount of power and with this power he was undefeatable, so he marched upon the heavenly kingdom of Indra and when Indra saw him, with all of his soldiers, he saw that Bali Maharaja was shining like hundreds of sons and Indra could understand that what hope do I have with all of my armies to defend my self against this informidable enemy and he spoke to his guru and his guru told him that Indra at this time he has been favored by the sages and rishis and you can not defeat him. The best thing you could do is hide. So Indra fled and they had to hide in disguise and at this time the mother of Indra and the demigods Aditi she was feeling very much concerned for her children so she with the instruction of her husband Kashyapa Muni and his blessings she performed austerities and she performed very, very deep services of worship in order to satisfy the Supreme Lord Narayana and in response to her prayers of her devotion he appeared as her very child. But he appeared in a very, very and unusual and magnificent way as a dwarf. Why he appeared as a dwarf that will be understood later. When he came he was so beautiful and all of the sages, rishis and demigods, they all began to offer him beautiful gifts but his mission:
paritrāṇāya sādhūnāḿ
vināśāya ca duṣkṛtām
dharma-saḿsthāpanārthāya
sambhavāmi yuge yuge
To reestablish the religious principles, to protect the pious and to annihilate the miscreants. So he wanted Bali Maharaja to bring back the land that belongs to demigods and Indra so how Lord Vamandev performed this pastime is most, most instructive to all of us. Being the son of Kashyapa, he was Brahman & especially in those days it was considered the most honorable thing for the Brahman to beg for his food. Today due to the corruption of the society it is considered most dishonorable thing, to beg. You see so many unscrupulous people who have nothing to give they take to the profession of begging simply for their sense gratification often because they are just too lazy to work. But in those days the Brahmans were the hardest working people. They were constantly endeavoring with great, great determination performing sacrifice to teach people the goal of life, to study scrutinizingly the revealed scriptures, to live very pure and simple life and to teach whoever they came in contact with a better way of life, a higher state of consciousness. It is explained that when the Brahmans would come to beg at your door, they were actually coming in the name of begging, just to enlighten your household, just to give you some chance to render some service to the Lord’s devotees and to give some transcendental knowledge, to teach you how to chant the Holy Name, to teach you how to make your family a spiritual relationship. It is described when Garga muni came to the house of Vasudev, the father of Lord Sri Krishna, I’m sorry when he came to the house of Nanda Maharaja, Nanda Maharaja was a very, very wealthy king of the Vrjavasis. He said to Garga muni, Vasudev also said the same thing that you Brahmans, you rishis, sadhus, you come to beg because that is your excuse to enlighten us, because we are so forgetful of the goal of life, because we are so much engrossed in all this family affairs, working, maintaining a house, maintaining children, providing food, providing clothing, taking care of our status quo in society, our spirituality becomes so superficial, ritualistic and external. Therefore in the name of begging you come just to enlighten us and penetrate our hearts with the truth of the real goal of life.
So in the same way, Vamanadev knew that Bali Maharaja was the leader of the demons due to his association with his birth from Virochan and Hiranyakashyapu. But at the same time because his grandfather was Prahlad, there was something very, very inherently pious and spiritual within him and also the Lord will always be a special well wisher of anyone who is in anyway connected to His devotee. Vamanadev’s incarnation was more for the purpose of giving Bali Maharaja a chance to surrender to Him than it was to bring the land back to the demigods. Because after all when he got the land back to Indra, what were they going to do with the land? Enjoy! But how He was to change the heart of Bali Maharaja? That is one of the greatest and most wonderful episodes in Vedic history. Why did He do this? Because Bali Maharaja had a connection to Prahlad. It is said that same Vamanadev, when He appeared as Lord Narasinghadev, He told Prahlad, you know after Hiranyakashyapu tried to torture and murder him in so many ways by throwing him from mountains, by throwing him into fire, by casting him into the ocean, by feeding him deadly poison, by piercing him with spears, by putting him under the feet of mad elephants, Prahlad always remained humble, depending on the mercy of the Lord.
mare krishna rakhe ke, Rakhe krishna mare ke
You want to kill me Lord, what do I need this body for, if You want to save me, why should I fear? Who could harm even one hair on the head of someone protected by You my Lord. So he was fearless. He was faithful. He surrendered, his life, his soul. Off course we know how Lord Narasinghadev ultimately came to rescue Prahlad from these dangerous calamities and He killed his father. When Lord Narasinghadev appeared, He offered Prahlad any benediction he desired. Prahlad’s reply was, I’m not here to do business with You. I’m your servant. I’m coming to ask You for anything, except how can I please You. What can I do for You. If I perform the chanting of the Holy Name and if I perform lila smarana, my remembering of Your lila, for something material in return, that’s not the way of a devotee, that is the way of a business man. You give something, you expect something.
Just today, we were discussing, with someone, this idea of people going to a sadhu, asking for a blessing and off course most people, the blessing they want from a sadhu is something material, something we could get from a doctor or you could get from a bank, money, health or you can get from a marriage counselor, if you want something regarding that you should go those people. A sadhus duty is to give you an understanding of how to realize God, which is the only solution to all the problems of the world. So when people come to a sadhu, asking for a material blessing, their hearts are closed, they are receptive to the real blessing that the sadhu can give them which is love of God, Self realization, beyond mukthi, bhakthi. So therefore when we approach a sadhu, as Krishna describes:
Pariprashnena Sevaya
If we approach him, to inquire submissively, what is the Truth, and to offer our service, then at that time, our hearts are open to receive the supreme blessing of Krishna. But if we ask for something cheap, some temporary article of this world, or some temporary state of this world, the sadhu cannot give you the real thing that God has sent him to give. Therefore if you really want the blessing of a great soul, there is only one way to get it. Not can I have your blessing? Its business. I bow down to you, that is the price, now give me blessing. I’ve offered pranams, I’ve given you a garland, now give me blessing. It is business. Whatever blessing he wants to give you, your heart is too closed to receive it. It is not the process. Nowhere in the scripture do we find this. If you want the true blessing of a sadhu, you inquire submissively, please instruct me what is the goal of life? What is best for me? How can I serve you? And when you approach in this way, ahhh then you are the perfect receptive of God’s full mercy. Then the true blessing of life becomes your’s. so Prahlad Maharaja wanted to keep that relationship with Lord Narasinghadev. Yes, I’ve risked my life for You, but its for Your pleasure, its not for something in return. I simply want to be Your servant, and remember You for ever. That is my only request. But Lord Narasinghadev insisted, you ask for something. So Prahlad said, alright, if You insist, my father, he was such a demon, such a rakshasha, he drank Brahmans blood, he murdered, he killed, he killed cows, he killed humans, he exploited and stole the property of practically everyone in all directions, he was having illicit sex with all sorts of honorable people’s wives, he was constantly intoxicated with strong liquors and drugs, he was a liar, he was a gambler, he was a cheater, but because, I’m his son, I’ve a natural affection for him. So kindly give him liberation. I don’t care what he is done for me. This is the quality of a great devotee. So forgiving. Most people, if in Prahlad’s position, for what that man did to him, when he was only five years old, they would want him to rot in hell for ever. He wanted to give him liberation. He had no vengeance spirit. In the Bible it was asked to Jesus, It is said that in the scripture, that you should forgive a man seven times, what do you say about this? He said, if a man offends you, you should forgive him seven times, seven times. A devotee by nature becomes most forgiving, the loving friend of everyone, even of those who approach him as an enemy.
So Prahlad begged, Lord Narasinghadev, give my father liberation. Don’t make him suffer for all that he has done. Lord Narasinghadev replied that you father, not only your father but ten generations in the past and ten generations in the future, of all persons related to you, because I know that by nature as a family they will all be dear to you, they will all be liberated. Then the Lord keeps His word. He incarnated, because Bali Maharaja was performing demoniac activities, but because he was the grandson of Prahlad, it was the Lord’s desire, because he is so dear to Prahlad, being connected, he is so dear to Me, I must give him the perfect opportunity for liberation and beyond.
At that time Bali Maharaja was performing an enormous sacrifice and Vamanadev, He had a little deerskin on and He had a little staph. He was a Brahmachari. He had a begging bowl and Brahman thread. So beautiful, golden complexion and He came to the door of the palace of Bali Maharaja. Bali Maharaja, due to the sukriti of being connected to Prahlad, he was very charitable. He said, ohh you are a Brahman, he knew that by giving in charity to the Brahmans, he will become very powerful. What would you like, I’ll give you anything that you like? Vamanadev said, Ohh, you are the grandson of Prahlad, of that great devotee, what an exalted position you have and you are also the great grandson of Hiranyakashyapu. He was so powerful that even the devatas were scared to death of him and Virochan, your father, he was also very, very powerful, very famous throughout the three worlds. I’ve come to your home, knowing your greatness and your glory and I’ve come to beg in charity. Bali Maharaja said, ask anything, You have come to the right place. If you like I can give You an entire island, I can give You a cow, You are a Brahman, You like cows, if You like, I can give You beautiful wife, I can give You a fortune, I can give You anything, because I’m the proprietor of all directions, I’ve conquered all. Vamanadev replied, my dear Bali Maharaja, my request is this. Kindly give me the amount of space that is covered by three of my paces. Bali Maharaja said, You are most unintelligent, foolish. When You come to a rich man, ask for something big, not three paces and You are a dwarf, Your paces are tiny, ask for something more. This brings us to our verse today.
Bali Maharaja says, one who approaches me to beg something, should not have to ask anything more, anywhere at any time. Therefore if You wish, You may ask me as much land as will suffice to maintain You, according to Your needs. The personality of Godhead said, Oh my dear king, even the entirety of whatever there may be within the three worlds to satisfy one’s senses cannot satisfy a person whose senses are uncontrolled. If I were not satisfied with three paces of land, then surely I’ll not be satisfied even with possessing one of the seven islands consisting of nine varsha’s. Even if I possess one island, I’ll hope to get others from others. We have heard although powerful kings like Maharaja Prthu and Maharaja Gaya achieved proprietorship over the seven dwipa’s. They could not achieve satisfaction, or find an end of their ambitions. One should be satisfied, with whatever he achieves by his previous destiny for discontent can never bring happiness. A person who is not self controlled will not be happy even with possessing the three worlds. Material existence causes discontent in regard to fulfilling one’s lusty desires and achieving more and more money. This is the cause for the continuation of material life, which is full of repeated birth and death. But one who is satisfied by that which is obtained by destiny is fit for liberation from his material existence. Therefore O King, from you, the best of those who give charity, I ask only three paces of land. By such a gift I shall be very pleased, for the way of happiness is to be fully satisfied to receive that which is absolutely needed.
Sukhadev Goswami continued, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead had thus spoken, Bali Maharaja smiled, and told Him, alright take whatever You like. To confirm his promise, to give Vamanadev the desired land, he then took up his water pot. So Vamanadev, is explaining to all of us, who are more or less in the same situation as Bali Maharaja, that this greed, this aspiration for more and more, in this world is the greatest illusion and it is the cause of bondage and suffering. If we do not learn how to be content, how to be peaceful, from within our own hearts, if we cannot learn how to find satisfaction, in our internal relationship with God, and experience the love of that relationship, then it is impossible to find any true satisfaction in any of our endeavors in life. It is a grand illusion and this entire world practically is simply going on under the spell of this grand illusion. Vamanadev explains, how ever much you gain, you always want more. Krishna says in Gita that lust is insatiable. It burns like fire. Whatever you get, you always want more. And it is a fact. Therefore why:
nāyaḿ deho deha-bhājāḿ nṛloke
kaṣṭān kāmān arhate viḍ-bhujāḿ ye
tapo divyaḿ putrakā yena sattvaḿ
śuddhyed yasmād brahma-saukhyaḿ tv anantam
Rshabdev explains, the animals are doing the same thing. They are simply endeavoring very hard for sense enjoyment. The dogs and hogs that eat stool are doing the same business. Human form of life is meant for real satisfaction which comes through self realization which comes from the purification of the heart. Off course, people in our society today, consider that this is impractical. It is not realistic. This is the most unfortunate condition. In the world this is the cause of all problems. It is practical, to destroy the water, to destroy the air, to destroy the ground, with pollution, nuclear waste, very realistic is it not? It is very realistic and practical to be so frustrated in material endeavors to fill your bodies with drugs and alcohol, to fill your ears with music which simply makes you like a mad man. This is the realistic way of life. This is the practical way of life. Or to be so called pious, giving charity, be a good person for fame and adoration and when you don’t get enough fame and adoration you are totally frustrated and seek revenge from those who have offended you. The culmination of all this craziness, is divorces, drug addiction, nations pointing nuclear weapons at one another, ready to destroy the earth. What is the cause of all these problems? One thing. There is one cause for all of these problems in the world if you examine properly. People are discontent. The more they have, the more discontent they become. The poor man wants to be a rich man, he is discontent. The rich man wants to be a millionaire, the millionaire wants to be a billionaire, the billionaire wants to be a multi- billionaire. The multi- billionaire wants to control the earth. Even if he controls the earth, he would be looking towards the moon. And even after conquering the moon, he would probably become an alcoholic, because he is still not content and he doesn’t know what else to look for.
Right here in this city of Bombay, I was just told this evening, an average of two people a day, commit a suicide, two people a day, officially. Unofficially it might be more. People are discontent. Because of this discontentedness there is no peace in the world. The scientists and the technologists are thinking, if only we can make a very, very luxurious type of lifestyle, then everyone will be content. Now we have our big skyscrapers and people are jumping off to commit suicide. Now we have our big, big airplanes and the terrorists are putting their bombs in them. We have our rocket ships and they are exploding in mid air. Spending billions of dollars of tax payers money, for what, looking for some contentment, some peace in life. Who has found it? Show me one person. You could show me someone who says, Yes, I’m very happy. But show me tomorrow, when circumstances change and they lose what brings them happiness. Things change. America has a very advanced culture but it in the medical journals of America, official statement that the current generation of Americans who are living now, one of three is guaranteed to die of cancer. One out of three. That’s doctors and cancer researchers speaking. And what is cancer from? It is the totally polluted atmosphere, total artificial standard of living. You think anyone is going to be peaceful when their brothers, their sisters and their friends are going to be dropping dead in front of them? This is the great glory of what modern technology has given to the world. We are not against modern technology. We are against the mentality that is motivating it, which is greed and discontent. It is explained that Hiranyakashyapu, Bali Maharaja’s great grand father, he conquered the entire universe and he was still totally miserable. Why? First of all because he couldn’t control his senses. Just to forget his misery, he was totally drunk and then to make things worse, his son was a devotee of God. He couldn’t control him. His life was a total nervous wreck. Ultimately, his body became a total wreck also. This is the pursuit of happiness, through sense gratification. Whatever level of civilization we are on, it is futile, it is vain. In the Garga Upanishad it is explained, that the most miserly and unfortunate of all creatures in all creation is a human being that does not attain Self realization, in this life. He dies like the cats and dogs without knowing God.
athato brahma jijnasa
Human life is meant for the ultimate pleasure, the ultimate contentment, the ultimate realization of love of God.
Vamanadev, wanted to give Bali Maharaja the benediction of love of God. But first He had to convince him. That I’m content within Myself, whether I take three steps of land, or whether I take the whole universe, makes no difference to Me. Now should I proceed and take My three steps? Bali Maharaja said, yes, please go on. And just at that time, Bali Maharaja’s guru, Sukracharya, he said, don’t give him three steps of land. I know who this Person is. He is Vishnu. He has come to trick you and cheat you. What kind of a guru are you? Guru is supposed to teach you to surrender to Vishnu and your telling me not to surrender? Get out of my home. Bhagavatam is explaining, don’t be attached to false gurus. Anyone who is not teaching you how to be a devotee of God, and surrender everything to God, is not a guru at all. So Sukracharya became very angry and cursed Bali, then left. Vamanadev was watching the whole thing with great happiness and then He proceeded to take His three dwarf like steps, right before everyone’s eyes in the most mystical way, He began to grow and grow and grow and grow and grow and He grew into such a size that you could not see the beginning or end of Him. He took His first step, and covered the lower and middle planets of the universe and then He took a second step and covered all of the upper planets of the universe. And when He did that He pierced with His toe the layer of the universe that borders it with Karanadaksayi ocean, the casual ocean, and from that the Ganges entered into this universe.
Now one may think this is some mythological story, just to give us some symbolic message. It is true whatever the Lord does, has great symbolism, but we should not be so foolish to think that there is anything that God cannot do. If we accept God, we must accept Acinthya sakthi. But He has inconceivable potencies. He is not like you and me. Some people, they say, that when you God a form like a dwarf, its anthropomorphic. They are trying to make God like a human. But actually its just the reverse, by not believing that God can be a dwarf, who can expand in size in this way, that is anthropomorphic. Because you are thinking of God’s human form, it must be like mine. What can you create? What can you maintain? What can you destroy? What is the extent? How are the planets floating in perfect order? How is the sun lighting up the sky in all directions, in the entire universe? How are all creatures on earth growing, creating? When we eat, how is our food getting digested? No man could ever imitate what God has done. God is revealing miracles to us, everywhere we look. Life is full of God’s miracles, but we are so blind, we can’t see it. If someone comes before us to produce gold, we think, my god, how wonderful. This is a miracle. But when sun is shining, rain is coming, we see the planets in the sky in perfect orbit, these are massive miracles. Just the fact that you have a child, that is growing, is a miracle and when he eats, how he gets his energy, is a miracle. No man can create. So the God who has created not only this planet but all universes, is there anything impossible for Him? For Him to expand to an endless size, for a devotee it is perfectly acceptable, logical. It is not a question of belief. It is a question of practical facts. Krishna is Krishna. If He wants to lift Govardhan Hill, with His little finger of the left hand, for seven days, why not? So after Vamanadev, took these two steps of land, now why did He do it like this? Because God wants to show the world, when He incarnates, how infinitely great He is. Why? Not to show off! But to attract our consciousness back to our loving relationship with Him. So Vamanadev at that time He said, Bali, you promised Me three steps, that was your vow, now where am I to put My third step? You own nothing else. I already covered everything and He arrested Bali Maharaja. At that time, Prahlad came, and he told Bali how fortunate you are, just surrender. Surrender to the Lord, you are the most fortunate. Then Bali Maharaja said, my dear Lord, if You want to put Your step somewhere else, kindly put It on top of my head because I’m now surrendering to You, my body, my words, my life, everything is Your’s my Lord. Bali Maharaja, through this act of surrender, is now known as of the twelve Mahajanas. One of the twelve great spiritualists, in the history of creation, on the same level of his grandfather, Prahlad. The Lord gave him benediction, of eternal loving service in the spiritual world. This is very significant. One of the very wonderful messages of this story, is how extremely dear a devotee who surrenders to Krishna is to Krishna, so dear that Krishna will take personal attention and care, for anyone in any way connected to that devotee. This is the love of God. So if you love your family, what is the best thing, you can do for them? You may have your responsibilities. That is a little thing. That is not much, but you should do it because that is your duty. If you really want to show the greatest love, surrender to Krishna. Become a lover of Krishna. Because not only your family, but all of your descendants, all of your ancestors, in the future all of them will be liberated. Krishna will take personal care of each and everyone of them whether they like it or not. Hiranyakashyapu didn’t like it, but Krishna took care of Him. Bali Maharaja didn’t like, for Bali Maharaja, what tasted like poison at the beginning, tasted like nectar at the end. He had to lose everything before he gained everything. But we trust in Krishna. This is Krishna consciousness. Please understand that Prahlad surrendered to Krishna and Bali Maharaja also surrendered to Krishna, but people fear that if you surrender to Krishna, you won’t be able to function any longer in society. But this is utter nonsense. Because Prahlad surrendered when he was five years old. Did he become a sannyasi? By the arrangement of Krishna, because his father was a king, his responsibility was to be a king. Prahlad became the king. Now he ruled the world, for all of his life. And after he surrendered to Krishna, because it is a duty of the king to get married, he got married and he had children and grand children and great grand children. He performed all his duties in this world, perfectly for Krishna. That is the difference. It was for Krishna. Therefore his kingdom, was like the kingdom of Rama because he was teaching everyone, how according to their natural propensities in society, to be Krishna conscious, to be engaged in the devotional service of the Lord. Bali Maharaja, after he surrendered everything to Krishna, did he take sannyasa? He remained a king for the rest of his days, he performed his responsibilities as a king, expertly but in loving service to the Lord. Off course, we also have the story of Sanatana Goswami. He was the prime minister. He was working for a demoniac king. When he surrendered to Krishna, he became a sannyasi and lived in Vrndavan. According to how we could best serve, there is a need for sannyasi, there is a need for king, there is a need for businessman, there is a need for householders, brahmacharis, there is a need for every classification in society. But that need is everyone performs their natural quality of work in unity with the will of God, in devotion to Krishna. Through that process, there is inner contentment, there is a dignity of spirituality that brings true fulfillment to our lives. And that love that is generated between our own soul and the Paramatma, Krishna, is so sweet, that Sri Krishna says, I preserve what you have and carry what you lack. Not only you, but all those who are near to you. So this is the eternal message of Sanatana Dharma, to revive our natural God consciousness. By hearing the message of the Lord, by associating with the devotees of the Lord, by chanting the Holy Name of the Lord, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
How to chant the Name of the Lord? We have soon tonight the beautiful kirtan, devotees calling out Ktishna’s Name, calling out like a child, calling for his mother, calling out not only for our own purification, but for the purification of those whom we love, and purification of the entire atmosphere. We don’t chant, expecting some material relief. But we should chant expecting something beyond that. Automatically material relief comes when spiritual satisfaction takes its place. Material pain is due to the emptiness of heart. When the heart is full, with Krishna’s love, bhakthi, where is the question of material suffering? Haridas Thakur explains, that the gain of chanting the Holy Names, is so great, it is love of God. Mukthi or liberation, is just a reflection, which is a subordinate principle which is automatically attained, when we love Krishna. Just like when the sun is rising, before the sun rises, all darkness is dispelled. Through the chanting of the Holy Names, before the sun of love of God rises in our heart, automatically all darkness is dispelled and we attain mukthi, liberation. But beyond that is to enter in to the loving affairs of Sri Krishna. In everything we do, wherever we are, this is a great benediction. This is the supreme blessing of God, upon all humanity. The treasures, which can be attained, by chanting of His Names, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare.
Thank you very much.
Devotee: brahmanaya hitaya ca
One side this Hiranyakashyapu, Bali, they were all Brahmana. So these Brahmanas have exploited the society. When all the time on our sastra they are explaining, you must give respect to Brahmans. And such great brahmans like Hiranyakashyapu or Bali, if they were confused, then what about the position of today’s society people.
Maharaja: First, comprehend what is a Brahman, what is a Kshatriya, Vaisya or a Sudra. Krishna describes in the Gita,
catur varnam maya srstam guna karma vibhagasa
That I’ve personally created this varnasrama system, of the four varnas and four ashrams and according to one’s qualities and according to the work one does in this world, one is categorized as a Brahman, Kshatriya, Vaisya or a Sudra. Nowhere in this reference does Krishna categorize by janma or birth. Off course if one is born in the family of doctors, the atmosphere around him is more conducive for him to be a doctor. So he is fortunate in that way, but unless he goes to college, passes his exams and gets his diploma, no sane person will consider him a doctor, simply because he was born in the family of doctors. So similarly a Brahman, is explained in the Gita, as one who is self controlled, one who is peaceful, one who is learned in the scripture, one who is devoted to God, one who follows the highest standards of cleanliness, this is a Brahman. Such a person should be honored and respected, because by honoring and respecting them we open our hearts, we open our minds, to receive the knowledge and benedictions of God, that is the gifts they are offering to society. The great corruption of Indian culture, is this idea of caste by birth. The idea of caste is good, but it should be according to Krishna’s direction, according to the natural qualities. There are certain God given guidelines in which you work for the upliftment of society and for the glory of God.
The Kali yuga entered into this world, through this process, of the degradation of the Brahmans. We see from the story of the Srimad Bhagavatam, that Maharaja Parikshit was one day, was travelling throughout his kingdom to make sure, that the highest standards of Dharma was being withheld, and he came upon Kali personified, who was a low class person, in the disguise of a king. Kali first came in, by trying to take the guise of a king, a ruler, a leader of people. When a king, a king is meant to be the representative of God, upholding religious principles. When a person is not religious, takes the position of a king and leads the society in this way, then the whole society goes down to degradation. Previous to this all the great kings, previous to Praikshit, there is Yudishtir, previous to him, Bhisma was ruling, although he was a deficient king, previous to him was Maharaja Santanu, they were all very, very great religious people. So Kali tried to enter into this world by taking a role that he did not deserve. Maharaja Parikshit was ready to kill him, when he saw him mistreating the cow and the bull which is the representative of the religious principles of the world. But he begged forgiveness. Then Maharaja Parikshit said, you can stay wherever there is intoxication, gambling, meat eating and illicit sex. But there was no such thing as long as Maharaja Parikshit was the king. So he gave him another concession, whereever there is greed for wealth. But even that did not exist. So Kali had to be very very very cunning, to get into this world and how did he do it? By corrupting a Brahman. Maharaja Parikshit, under the spell of Yogamaya, committed some small offense to one brahmana and insulted… and his son Sringi, became so angry that he misused his brahminical power to curse the king to die. After Maharaja Parikshit left this world, after that seven days, the Kali came in. so we see all corruption, comes in to the world when the so called spiritual leaders, become corrupt. Because they are the upholders of dharma. All classes of men, even the king, must take advise from the sadhus. The vaisyas, the businessmen, are advised to take advise from the sadhus, the workers, every class of men, of every caste is meant to get spiritual direction from saintly persons. And when the saintly persons, no longer represent the Truth of God, or engage in corrupt activities then the whole society loses faith in them and there is nobody to take instruction from. Then religion just becomes, you believe this and I believe this and whatever you want to believe is good enough. Everyone has there own interpretation, there own opinion of what is dharma and there is no dharma at all.
dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam
Dharma is coming from God. It is not at all subjected to anyone’s opinion or faith. Then where is God’s dharma coming down into this world through? Through the scriptures and through the saints who understand the scriptures and can present them practical to their daily life. The average man will never understand the scripture without the help of a guru. So this is a great problem in society. Therefore people have to learn how to discriminate, what are the qualifications of a real Brahman? What are the qualifications of a true sadhu? And then you must, absolutely, if you want to make any advancement, in this world, and be a contribution to the good of the world, you must follow such souls.
Any other questions?
Devotee: Prahlad Maharaja, ………………
Maharaja: A devotee like Prahlad has affection for everyone. But because of the closeness of relationship naturally a devotee has a special affection and concern for his near and dear family members. That is natural. The Lord considers that natural affection, and bestows his great blessings upon all family members.
Devotee: I read in Srimad Bhagavatam, that one should be satisfied with whatever he receives by his previous destiny. It means a person should just sit quiet and make no extra endeavor for progress?
Maharaja: If that was the case, then why did Krishna tell Arjuna to fight the battle of Kurukshetra? Why didn’t He sit quietly and make no progress? What this means is our future is depending on what we do now. But our present is due to what we had done in the past. Correct? The state you are in now, is what you had created from your past and there is only one marriage you can be happy or distressed and that is now, right? So therefore learn how in whatever situation you are in to be content with your remembrance of God, Krishna, that doesn’t mean for the practical welfare of your duties in this world, you don’t work hard, that doesn’t mean in the service to the Lord, you don’t work hard either to create something wonderful in the future. But as far as the present moment, whatever situation you are in, accept it as the mercy of God, accept it as something you have created for yourself. It is your destiny. By taking shelter of the Lord within, which is so simple by chanting His Holy Names, Hare Krishna, Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna, Hare Hare, Hare Rama, Hare Rama, Rama Rama, Hare Hare, you can be satisfied.
Any other questions?
Devotee: ………………………..
Maharaja: You should learn how to use, whatever that is favorable in Krishna’s service and accept it. Rupa Goswami gave a simple formula, by which we can understand every situation in life. Off course we need spiritual guidance to help us, to make this discrimination. What it is, is:
Accept whatever is favorable for devotional service, and utilize it in devotional service and whatever that is unfavorable for devotional service, should be rejected. If you had desired lots of money in the past, and someone comes and give you lots of money, what should we do with it? Should we reject it? Let it be misused by someone else? Should we decide, well, forget Krishna, now I can enjoy? Or should we take that and use it for the betterment of mankind, use it for the propagation of God’s glories in this world. Whatever Krishna gives us is a gift, which is to be used, according to His will. If it is something that cannot be used in His service, then we should reject. For instance, if your married and some other man comes and says, I love you. You shouldn’t say, well, this is Krishna’s arrangement. I should love in Krishna’s service. Its causeless mercy. You will have to reject it, because it is unfavorable for Krishna consciousness. If someone comes and says, oh I have some nice marijuana or some nice liquor, why don’t you have a drink with me? Ah, Krishna is sending, it will be sinful to refuse, the gifts of God. You must reject it. But if someone gives to you something that can positively be used for the betterment of the society, for the service of the Lord and the devotees, it will be sinful to reject it, accept it.
Any other questions?
Devotee: Maharaja, you say that everything should be used in the service of the Lord, then some people will say, well when everything you are saying should be used in the service of the Lord, then marijuana and liquor can be use in the service of the Lord, I’ll offer to deity and I can drink?
Maharaja: Rupa Goswami explains, what is favorable for devotional service should be accepted, what is unfavorable must be rejected. What is favorable or unfavorable, that we must learn from the Lord, through the scriptures, through the sadhus and from the guru. Therefore our spiritual master explained the four regulative principles, no illicit sex, no intoxication, no gambling, no meat eating. Anything that has any connection with these four activities must be rejected. Anything that can be utilized, for propagating the glories of the Holy Names or whether it is within our own family, you have money, build a nice temple in your home, make nice garlands, teach your children how to be Krishna conscious, buy nice musical instruments for them, teach them with books, help those who are helping you, to become Krishna conscious. These things can be accepted.
Any other questions?
I would like to thank you very much.
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