Evening class,
Teheran, August 10, 1976
(Excerpt)
Teheran, August 10, 1976
(Excerpt)
Srila Prabhupada in a relaxed evening class in Iran, expounding on the final, topmost, and quintessential instruction of the Bhagavad Gita: Forget everything I have just told you. Abandon all varieties of duties, religion and spirituality and just surrender to Me. Trust Me. [Bg. 18.66]
Your first business is to surrender. Then maya will not touch you.
Mrs. Sahani: Krsna says that not even a leaf moves without His desire, and this present life...
Prabhupada:
Yes, you have to take sanction. You have to take sanction because Krsna
is the supreme controller. If you request repeatedly, "Krsna, I want to
steal something," so Krsna will say, "No, no, don't do it, it is not
good." But...
Mrs. Sahani: But bhakti...
Prabhupada: It is not bhakti,
it is a common affair. You want to do some... Just like a thief. A
thief steals very privately, why? Because Krsna says, "Don't do it." But
he does still. So Krsna says always good things, but you don't care for
it.
Mrs. Sahani: But when, as said, that no leaf moves without the intentions of Krsna...
Prabhupada:
Without hearing the good advice of Krsna, he does it at his risk.
That's all. He'll be arrested, he'll be put into jail. That's all. He'll
suffer. But Krsna gives him good counsel, "Don't do it." mattah smrtir jnanam apohanam ca [from Me come remembrance, knowledge and forgetfulness].
He's
situated in every heart, but if you persist to do something, He gives,
"All right, do at your risk. What can I do?" You suffer. That
independence you have got. Just like State. State does not advise anyone
that "You become a criminal." But when he becomes criminal, then put
into jail. State says, "Everyone go to the university, be educated," but
if you make your choice, go to the prison house, you can make your
choice. Similarly, Krsna says everyone,
But if you make your choice to go to hell, what can He do?
Mrs. Sahani: This means we have the freedom.
Prabhupada: Oh, yes, you have got little freedom. Therefore Krsna says,
mam ekam saranam vraja [just surrender unto Me]
[Bg. 18.66]
"You do it." He does not force. He can force you. He's all-powerful. But He does not force. He gives you the chance, "Do it, you'll be happy." If you don't do it, that is your choice.
yathecchasi tatha kuru [do what you wish to do]
[Bg. 18.63]
mam ekam saranam vraja [just surrender unto Me]
[Bg. 18.66]
"You do it." He does not force. He can force you. He's all-powerful. But He does not force. He gives you the chance, "Do it, you'll be happy." If you don't do it, that is your choice.
yathecchasi tatha kuru [do what you wish to do]
[Bg. 18.63]
Krsna gives Arjuna the freedom, "Now I have given you all instruction, now make your choice."
"Whatever you like, you do."
Hari-sauri: Oh.
Iti te jnanam akhyatam
guhyad guhyataram
maya vimrsyaitad asesena
yathecchasi tatha kuru
[Bg. 18.63]
guhyad guhyataram
maya vimrsyaitad asesena
yathecchasi tatha kuru
[Bg. 18.63]
Prabhupada:
"I have given you knowledge, confidential, more confidential, most
confidential. Now you consider, you deliberate upon this and do whatever
you like." And what Arjuna replied?
nasto mohah smrtir labdha
tvat-prasadan mayacyuta
sthito 'smi gata-sandehah
karisye vacanam tava
[Bg. 18.73]
tvat-prasadan mayacyuta
sthito 'smi gata-sandehah
karisye vacanam tava
[Bg. 18.73]
This is understanding. "Now my illusion is gone",
"I am in my original consciousness." So what you'll do?
"You are asking to me to fight? I shall do it." Everything is explained. Krsna gives you freedom,
And one who understands Krsna, he says,
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73].
That's it. Not by interpretation, or refuse by interpretation. That is not Krsna's... karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]. This is understanding. Otherwise simply waste of time.
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73].
That's it. Not by interpretation, or refuse by interpretation. That is not Krsna's... karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]. This is understanding. Otherwise simply waste of time.
If you like, you can waste your time. And find out this verse,
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
[Bg. 18.69],
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
[Bg 18.68]
Find that verse,
kascin me priya-krttamah
[Bg. 18.69],
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
[Bg 18.68]
Find that verse,
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
Pradyumna: What's the first word?
Hari-sauri: Jayanam.
Prabhupada: Read, after sixty-fourth verse, read all the verses.
Pradyumna:
sarva-guhyatamam bhuyah
srnu me paramam vacah
isto 'si me drdham iti
"Because
you are My very dear friend, I am speaking to you the most confidential
part of knowledge. Hear this from Me, for it is for your benefit."
man-mana bhava mad-bhakto
mad-yaji mam namaskuru
mam evaisyasi satyam te
pratijane priyo 'si me
"Always
think of Me and become My devotee. Worship Me and offer your homage
unto Me. Thus you will come to Me without fail. I promise you this
because you are My very dear friend."
sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja
aham tvam sarva-papebhyo
moksayisyami ma sucah
"Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reaction. Do not fear."
idam te natapaskaya
nabhaktaya kadacana
na casusrusave vacyam
"This
confidential knowledge may not be explained to those who are not
austere, or devoted, or engaged in devotional service, nor to one who is
envious of Me."
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
"For
one who explains the supreme secret to the devotees, devotional service
is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me."
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
bhavita na ca me tasmad
anyah priyataro bhuvi
"There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear."
Prabhupada: This is decided, that if we present this Bhagavad-gita as it is, ya idam param. What is that? Ya idam paramam guhyam?
Pradyumna:
ya idam paramam guhyam
mad-bhaktesv abhidhasyati
bhaktim mayi param krtva
mam evaisyaty asamsayah
Prabhupada: asamsayah. So he becomes immediately recognized by Krsna. If you preach Bhagavad-gita as it is, immediately you become recognized.
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
[Bg. 18.69]
So one has to understand it perfectly well and then preach, then his life is perfect. And what Sanjaya says? yatra yogesvaro?
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
[Bg. 18.69]
So one has to understand it perfectly well and then preach, then his life is perfect. And what Sanjaya says? yatra yogesvaro?
Pradyumna:
yatra yogesvarah krsno
yatra partho dhanur-dharah
tatra srir vijayo bhutir
Prabhupada: Jaya.
Pradyumna:
"Wherever there is Krsna, the master of all mystics, and wherever there
is Arjuna, the supreme archer, there will also certainly be opulence,
victory, extraordinary power, and morality. That is my opinion."
Prabhupada: So understand Krsna like Arjuna. Then Krsna is there, Arjuna is there, and all victory is there.
Mrs. Sahani: Krsna is Krsna. Anyone who surrenders to Krsna can become Arjuna? Krsna is Krsna, anyone who surrenders to Krsna...
Prabhupada: He's like Arjuna. He's like Arjuna. What is Arjuna's qualification? He surrendered, and he says,
You become also Arjuna-like.
Mrs. Sahani: And the victory is there.
Prabhupada: Yes, then victory is there. But if one can avoid Krsna or kill Krsna, then where is victory?
Mrs. Sahani: Victory.
Prabhupada: Victory, any man you can say victory. Where there is Krsna, there is victory.
Mr. Sahani: But we don't want to go and fight like Arjuna, go out and kill people.
Prabhupada: Why? If Krsna orders, you must. Why don't you like? That is your misfortune. What Krsna's...
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73].
That is following. You like or may not like. Arjuna did not like to fight. That's a fact. Therefore whole Bhagavad-gita is spoken to him. Arjuna did not like fight. But when he understood Bhagavad-gita, he said, "Yes,"
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73]
You cannot give your verdict. What Krsna says, you have to do it. That is Krsna conscious. You like or don't like, that doesn't matter. Just like a child. He likes or not likes, but what the parent says, he has to do. That is his success. If the child says, "Father, I don't like to go to school," will the father agree? "No, you must go to school." And if he agrees, that is his benefit. Our liking, not liking, has no value. What Krsna likes, we have to do it.
anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [perpetual, ardent endeavour meant exclusively for Sri Krsna and performed out of genuine kindness to Him]
[Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu 1.1.1.]
That is bhakti. Bhakti means anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [BRS 1.1.1.]. You have to act which is favorable to Krsna. That is bhakti. You cannot make your choice. What Krsna says, you do it. That is bhakti. [break] What is their reason?
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73].
That is following. You like or may not like. Arjuna did not like to fight. That's a fact. Therefore whole Bhagavad-gita is spoken to him. Arjuna did not like fight. But when he understood Bhagavad-gita, he said, "Yes,"
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73]
You cannot give your verdict. What Krsna says, you have to do it. That is Krsna conscious. You like or don't like, that doesn't matter. Just like a child. He likes or not likes, but what the parent says, he has to do. That is his success. If the child says, "Father, I don't like to go to school," will the father agree? "No, you must go to school." And if he agrees, that is his benefit. Our liking, not liking, has no value. What Krsna likes, we have to do it.
anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [perpetual, ardent endeavour meant exclusively for Sri Krsna and performed out of genuine kindness to Him]
[Bhakti Rasamrta Sindhu 1.1.1.]
That is bhakti. Bhakti means anukulyena krsnanu-silanam [BRS 1.1.1.]. You have to act which is favorable to Krsna. That is bhakti. You cannot make your choice. What Krsna says, you do it. That is bhakti. [break] What is their reason?
Mrs. Sahani: Well, they were not even Krsna conscious people.
Prabhupada: Who?
Mrs. Sahani: Kauravas.
Prabhupada:
Kaurava, oh. Yes. No, not that they are not Krsna conscious, they may
be. That's all right. My business is to execute what Krsna says. That's
all. That is bhakti.
sarvopadhi-vinirmuktam
tat-paratvena nirmalam
hrsikena hrsikesa
sevanam bhaktir ucyate
anyabhilasita-sunyam jnana-karmady
anavrtam anukulyena krsnanu
[Cc Madhya 19.167]
We have to act to satisfy Krsna. That is bhakti. We cannot make our choice, that "This is good, this is bad." Whatever Krsna says is all right. Then it is bhakti. Arjuna proposed that "Krsna, why shall I fight with my brothers? After all, they are my brothers. They are enjoying the kingdom. Let them enjoy. I shall better live by begging. Why shall I fight with them?" It is a very good proposal, very gentlemanlike. But Krsna said, "No, you must fight."
kutas tva kasmalam idam
visame samupasthitam
anarya-justam...
[Bg 2.2]
"You're talking like anarya [persons who do not know the value of life]. Fight." This is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. And when he understood that "Krsna wants it," he said, "Yes" —
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73].
"Yes." So we cannot discriminate what is good or bad. We have to act according to the order of Krsna. That is wanted. But you cannot do independently also. When Krsna orders, you do it. And Krsna will order when you are faithful servant. buddhi-yogam dadami tam [I give the understanding by which they can come to Me]:
anavrtam anukulyena krsnanu
[Cc Madhya 19.167]
We have to act to satisfy Krsna. That is bhakti. We cannot make our choice, that "This is good, this is bad." Whatever Krsna says is all right. Then it is bhakti. Arjuna proposed that "Krsna, why shall I fight with my brothers? After all, they are my brothers. They are enjoying the kingdom. Let them enjoy. I shall better live by begging. Why shall I fight with them?" It is a very good proposal, very gentlemanlike. But Krsna said, "No, you must fight."
kutas tva kasmalam idam
visame samupasthitam
anarya-justam...
[Bg 2.2]
"You're talking like anarya [persons who do not know the value of life]. Fight." This is the instruction of the Bhagavad-gita. And when he understood that "Krsna wants it," he said, "Yes" —
karisye vacanam tava [I am prepared to act according to Your instructions]
[Bg. 18.73].
"Yes." So we cannot discriminate what is good or bad. We have to act according to the order of Krsna. That is wanted. But you cannot do independently also. When Krsna orders, you do it. And Krsna will order when you are faithful servant. buddhi-yogam dadami tam [I give the understanding by which they can come to Me]:
tesam satata-yuktanam
bhajatam priti-purvakam
dadami buddhi-yogam tam
yena mam upayanti te
tesam evanukampartham
aham ajnana-jam tamah
nasayamy atma...
This is the process. If we manufacture our own ways, that is nonsense, that will not help us.
Mr. Sharma: When one person surrenders to God, to Lord Krsna, so does maya automatically vanish?
Prabhupada: Yes. Krsna says...
Mr. Sharma: If I say, I pray to God, "O Lord Krsna, I surrender unto You." So is..., maya will not touch me? I will not be affected by this material infection?
Prabhupada: Yes. If you fully surrender, maya will not touch you.
Mr. Sharma: How one surrenders? What is meaning of surrender?
Prabhupada: Surrender as He says, sarva-dharman... [all varieties of duties, religion and yoga] [Bg 18.66].
You have nothing to do. You have simply to do what Krsna says. That is
surrender. You cannot reserve anything, that "I do it something for me
and something for Krsna." That is not surrender. You have nothing to do
except what Krsna says. That is surrender.
Mr. Sharma: If that is surrender, means I now surrender.
Prabhupada: Otherwise, it's not surrender.
Mr. Sharma: Only saying is not surrender?
Prabhupada: You have to act, become active.
Mr. Sharma: So one who has surrendered, what is his thinking and acting, how he lives in the world?
Prabhupada: He's active only on Krsna's business. That's all. He has no other business.
Mr. Sharma: So he does no other work. He does only what Krsna has said.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Mr. Sharma: Preaching and this and that.
Prabhupada:
Yes, just like we are doing. Krsna said, "Surrender unto Me." And what
we are preaching? We are preaching, "Sir, you surrender to Krsna." So
what is the difficulty? Is there any difficulty? Krsna said "Surrender
unto Me." And if I go to you, "Mr. Sharma, you surrender to Krsna." So
what is my difficulty?
Mr. Sharma: Suppose I want to surrender to God, to Krsna. How I will do it?
Prabhupada:
No, no, first of all my position, because I am working on behalf of
Krsna. So Krsna says, "You surrender unto Me." So if I say that "Sir,
you surrender to Krsna," so where is my difficulty?
Mr. Sharma: You see, yes, I say I surrender to Krsna.
Prabhupada:
You surrender, not surrender, that is your business. But my business is
that I am requesting you that you surrender to Krsna. So where is my
difficulty? You surrender, not, that is your business. But my business
is to canvass, "Sir, you surrender to Krsna." So I am representing. And
Krsna says,
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
[Bg. 18.69]
I have to be recognized by Krsna. That is my business. So if I do agree, then I become recognized by Krsna. You do or not do, that is your business. My only business is to request you.
na ca tasman manusyesu
kascin me priya-krttamah
[Bg. 18.69]
I have to be recognized by Krsna. That is my business. So if I do agree, then I become recognized by Krsna. You do or not do, that is your business. My only business is to request you.
Mr. Sharma: That I should surrender.
Prabhupada: Yes. But if you accept it, it is good for you; you don't accept it, that is your misfortune. But my business is finished.
Mr. Sharma: So fortune comes very much into it.
Prabhupada:
Fortune you create. Man is the architect of his own fortune. If you
don't accept Krsna's advice, then unfortunate. But my business is not
difficult. We are simply going door to door and asking, "Sir, you become
a devotee of Krsna." If he is inquisitive, "How can I become?" — "You
chant Hare Krsna." So where is my difficulty? Haven't got to pay you
something. I simply carry the message of Krsna. And Krsna says,
na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya
[Bg. 18.69]
"He's My most beloved person, who does this." So why shall I give up this simple job and become recognized by Krsna? It is very simple thing. That is the advice of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,
amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
"All of you become guru and deliver these persons where you live." So how can I become guru? I have no education, I have no knowledge. No, no. You haven't got to:
yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
"You go and simply instruct him what Krsna has said, you become guru." So Krsna has said, "Surrender unto Me," I say "You surrender to Krsna," I become guru. Even though I am a fool number one, I become guru, because I am repeating what Krsna has said. That's all. I don't require any education. Very simple thing. Everyone can become guru if he simply repeats what Krsna has said, that's all.
na ca tasman manusyesu kascin me priya
[Bg. 18.69]
"He's My most beloved person, who does this." So why shall I give up this simple job and become recognized by Krsna? It is very simple thing. That is the advice of Caitanya Mahaprabhu. Caitanya Mahaprabhu says,
amara ajnaya guru hana tara' ei desa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
"All of you become guru and deliver these persons where you live." So how can I become guru? I have no education, I have no knowledge. No, no. You haven't got to:
yare dekha, tare kaha 'krsna'-upadesa
[Cc. Madhya 7.128]
"You go and simply instruct him what Krsna has said, you become guru." So Krsna has said, "Surrender unto Me," I say "You surrender to Krsna," I become guru. Even though I am a fool number one, I become guru, because I am repeating what Krsna has said. That's all. I don't require any education. Very simple thing. Everyone can become guru if he simply repeats what Krsna has said, that's all.
Mrs. Sahani: So it seems that to surrender to Krsna, the first thing...
Prabhupada:
Unless he surrenders, how he can say others to surrender? Unless one
has fully surrendered, if he says to others, "You surrender," that has
no meaning. He must have surrendered. Then he can say to others, "You
surrender." Unless he has surrendered, how he can take up this business,
go door to door and say, "You surrender to Krsna, you surrender to
Krsna"? That means he has surrendered. He has no other business. And
what I am doing? I am doing the same thing. I have not given any bribe
to these Europeans, Americans, or the anyone. No bribe, no show of gold
manufacture. I simply say this, "You just become devotee of Krsna."
That's all.
Mrs. Sahani: Chanting Krsna's name is very essential.
Prabhupada: Yes, that is the easiest way. By chanting Krsna,
you are associating with Krsna. Because Krsna is absolute, so Krsna and
Krsna's name, no difference. Krsna, Krsna's name, Krsna's form, Krsna's
quality, everything, absolute. So chanting of Krsna's name means you
are associating with Krsna. So if you are associating with Krsna, then
gradually you become Krsna-ite.
Mrs. Sahani: Creates the desire to get knowledge.
Prabhupada: Yes. ceto-darpana-marjanam [Cc. Antya 20.12]. Caitanya Mahaprabhu has recommended,
param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam
ceto-darpana-marjanam
[Cc. Antya 20.12]
Just like if you remain in touch with the fire, certainly you become warm. So if you remain always in touch with Krsna, then you become Krsnized. Very easy. You haven't got to go to the forest or Himalaya or meditate. Simply chant Hare Krsna. That is recommended in the sastra:
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva
nasty eva nasty eva
[Cc. Adi 17.21]
You cannot perform any severe austerities, penance. Wherever you remain, you chant Hare Krsna. And you become perfect. If not in one day... But you will become, if you continue chanting. And where is the difficulty? Where is the loss? And if there is some gain, why don't you try it? That is intelligence. I am not losing anything by chanting Hare Krsna. If there is any gain, why not chant? Huh? Why is the argument not to chant? There is no loss, but if there is any profit, why don't you try to take it. Sastra recommends. Krsna recommends,
satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
[Bg. 9.14]
Find out this verse. satatam kirtayanto mam.
param vijayate sri-krsna-sankirtanam
ceto-darpana-marjanam
[Cc. Antya 20.12]
Just like if you remain in touch with the fire, certainly you become warm. So if you remain always in touch with Krsna, then you become Krsnized. Very easy. You haven't got to go to the forest or Himalaya or meditate. Simply chant Hare Krsna. That is recommended in the sastra:
harer nama harer nama
harer namaiva kevalam
kalau nasty eva
nasty eva nasty eva
[Cc. Adi 17.21]
You cannot perform any severe austerities, penance. Wherever you remain, you chant Hare Krsna. And you become perfect. If not in one day... But you will become, if you continue chanting. And where is the difficulty? Where is the loss? And if there is some gain, why don't you try it? That is intelligence. I am not losing anything by chanting Hare Krsna. If there is any gain, why not chant? Huh? Why is the argument not to chant? There is no loss, but if there is any profit, why don't you try to take it. Sastra recommends. Krsna recommends,
satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
[Bg. 9.14]
Find out this verse. satatam kirtayanto mam.
Pradyumna:
satatam kirtayanto mam
yatantas ca drdha-vratah
namasyantas ca mam bhaktya
nitya-yukta upasate
Prabhupada: This is bhakti.
So everything is there. If we don't misinterpret and take as it is,
then we'll benefit. That is fortune. If somebody has one lakh of rupees
and if he does not utilize it, then he is unfortunate. And if he's
fortunate he can utilize it, he can make it millions of dollars. So the
knowledge is already there, you haven't go to manufacture or speculate.
You take it, you become perfect. We are preaching this Krsna
consciousness, we don't manufacture anything. Here is this knowledge, Bhagavad-gita,
just take it. Already it is there, everything. We haven't got to
manufacture something, concoct something. Everything is there. You
refer, you get knowledge, and be fortunate. Prasadam?
Atreya Rsi: Jaya Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: Cut this fruit and distribute it. Bring one knife.
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