Bhakti Vikasa Swami's Blog, page 62

Enemies of the world

The demoniac are engaged in activities that will lead the world to destruction. The Lord states here that they are less intelligent. The materialists, who have no concept of God, think that they are advancing. But according to Bhagavad-gita, they are unintelligent and devoid of all sense. They try to enjoy this material world to the utmost limit and therefore always engage in inventing something for sense gratification. Such materialistic inventions are considered to be advancement of human civilization, but the result is that people grow more and more violent and more and more cruel, cruel to animals and cruel to other human beings. They have no idea how to behave toward one another. Animal killing is very prominent amongst demoniac people. Such people are considered the enemies of the world because ultimately they will invent or create something which will bring destruction to all. Indirectly, this verse anticipates the invention of nuclear weapons, of which the whole world is today very proud. At any moment war may take place, and these atomic weapons may create havoc. Such things are created solely for the destruction of the world, and this is indicated here. Due to godlessness, such weapons are invented in human society; they are not meant for the peace and prosperity of the world.

Srila Prabhupada’s purport to Bg 16.9

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Becoming most dear to Krsna

Krsna said:

As the Supersoul of the living entities, sitting in everyone’s heart, I observe everyone’s activity in every stage and order of life. Regardless of which stage one is in, when I see that one is engaged seriously and sincerely in discharging the duties ordered by the spiritual master, and is thus dedicating his life to the service of the spiritual master, that person becomes most dear to Me.

From Srila Prabhupada’s Krsna Book, Ch. 80, Lord Krsna to Sudama Brahmana

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Bug association & love association

I am sitting here, and the bug is also sitting here. That does not mean we are very confidential. No. Bug is different business, and my business different. And bug’s business is biting. That kind of association will not help. Association means to develop love for the person.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.7.23 — September 20, 1976, Vrndavana

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Teachers as cheaters

The training was entrusted to the first-class brahmana, who is himself trained up to speak truth, satya samo damah, to remain clean, to become very simple in habit, to become master of knowledge, and practically application. Such person should be the trainer, should be the teacher. Not a third-class rascal becomes a teacher and professor. He has no idea how to speak truth. He is speaking all lies, theories, and getting Nobel Prize. Such a sudra is honored at the present moment. You see? Who has no knowledge. So many so-called philosophers and scientist, simply speaking lies and untruth. They have no knowledge. As soon as you challenge them, they will say, “Yes, we are trying. In future we shall do it.” But if you are trying, then where is your knowledge? Why you are taking the post of a teacher? You are a cheater. You have no full knowledge, and still, you are putting some theory to mislead the people.

Srila Prabhupada, Lecture, 29 Dec 1973

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Excerpt from the last lecture of Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati

I have most probably given many people troubles in the mind. Some of them might have thought about me that I am their enemy because I was obliged to speak the plain truth for service and devotion towards the Absolute Godhead. I have given them all those troubles only for the reason that they may turn their face towards the Personality of Godhead without any desire for gain and with unalloyed devotion. I hope some day or other they may understand me rightly.

Translated from the Bengali and printed in the first edition of BTG magazine by Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

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Qualifications of a prospective candidate

SB 1.5.29

I was very much attached to those sages. I was gentle in behavior, and all my sins were eradicated in their service. In my heart I had strong faith in them. I had subjugated the senses, and I was strictly following them with body and mind.

PURPORT

These are the necessary qualifications of a prospective candidate who can expect to be elevated to the position of a pure unadulterated devotee. Such a candidate must always seek the association of pure devotees.

Srila Prabhupada

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Advice for the head of state (or any other leader)

The king, president or head of the state should always remember that he is not the proprietor but the servant.

Srila Prabhupada, SB 4.22.45, Purport

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Preachers must be sincere

Unless one is situated as pure Vaisnava in his dealing, in his behavior, inside and outside, he should not become a preacher because it will not be effective; neither one should hear from such person. But people in general, they cannot understand, but those who are preaching, they must be very sincere, the same way, rupa-raghunatha pade, haibe akuti. They should read the literatures, the instruction, just like Upadesamrta, The Nectar of Instruction. We should follow, strictly follow. Then prthivim sa sisyat [Upadesamrta 1]. Then you’ll be able to preach and make disciples all over the world. This is the injunction. That is called gosvami. Don’t be cheap preacher, cheap guru. No. That is not good.

Srila Prabhupada; lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 7.9.28 – Mayapur, March 6, 1976

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India’s magnaminity exploited

The foreigners took advantage of India’s simplicity, magnanimity. They came here, the Muhammadans and the Christians, to exploit it. But India was very much magnanimous. Anyone who comes — “Yes, come here. Learn Vedic literature.” The India’s philosophy is grham satrum api praptam visvastam akutobhayam. That is India’s philosophy. “Even the enemy comes to your place, you should receive him so nicely that he will forget that he is your enemy.” That is India’s philosophy. Grham satrum api praptam. What to speak of friend, even if you get your enemy, you shall receive him. That is India’s hospitality. In the fight…

We have got incidences in the history. There was fight, Kurus and the Pandavas, but in the evening time they were friends. Evening time, there is no animosity. Just like Arjuna went to Duryodhana. Duryodhana criticized as grandfather. Grandfather is sometimes criticized by the grandsons. It is not an offense. You cannot criticize superiors, but between grandfather and grandchildren the relation is different. The grandfather also criticizes the grandchildren. So Duryodhana criticized Bhismadeva, “My dear grandfather, you have got affection for the Pandavas. Then you are not fighting sincerely. You have been appointed the commander-in-chief, but out of your affection you are neglecting your duty.” Indirectly he said. So old grandfather became little angry: “What do you want?” “No, you can finish them in one day. Why you are taking so much time?”

“All right, I shall finish today. Tomorrow I shall do that. At least I shall finish Arjuna tomorrow. Either his intimate friend Krsna will have to break His promise or His friend will die. You’ll see tomorrow.” Because Krsna said, “Arjuna, I am joining you, but I shall not fight. Do you want Me?” Still, Arjuna said, “Yes, I want You. You don’t fight.” And Duryodhana saw Krsna divided — one side Himself and another side His eighteen aksauhini military force. So Duryodhana thought that “Better let me take the forces. If Krsna does not fight, what shall I do with Him? Better take His forces.” So Duryodhana accepted the military force, and Arjuna accepted Krsna, with the promise that “I shall not fight, so I shall become your charioteer.” So Arjuna, Krsna and Pitamaha, the Grandfather Bhismadeva, this is the scene.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 5.5.20 — November 8, 1976, Vrndavana

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Dog’s philosophy

Because we have rebelled against the principle of universal brotherhood we are all suffering. I have several times said that there are ample space. There is no question of scarcity. Ample space. I am traveling all over the world. So much space lying vacant in America, in Africa, Australia. Why the Chinese or the Indians should be congested, overpopulation? But they will not allow. “It is my country.” “Have you got visa?” Immigration. “Yes, I have got.” “All right, three months. Then get out.” This is going on. Because they are rascals, they are falsely claiming, “This is my country. This is my property. Nobody can come here.” This is a dog’s philosophy. Just like the dogs, they have selected one neighborhood, and three, four dogs, they live peacefully. Not peacefully — they also fight amongst them. But if another dog comes, immediately the four, five dogs will attack: “Why you have come here? Why you have come here? Gow! Gow! Gow!”

So this kind of so-called immigration department means dog’s department. [laughter] They are maintained for checking the human life. Why there should be immigration? We are all brothers. Why you should stop? It is my father’s property. It is your father’s property.

From Srila Prabhupada’s lecture on SB 5.5.20 — November 8, 1976, Vrndavana

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