Krishna Consciousness

How can such envious persons be happy in their godless civilization?

Srimad-bhagavatam 10.5 Text 26
kaccit paśavyaṁ nirujaṁ
bhūry-ambu-tṛṇa-vīrudham
bṛhad vanaṁ tad adhunā
yatrāsse tvaṁ suhṛd-vṛtaḥ
SYNONYMS
kaccit—whether; paśavyam—protection of the cows; nirujam—without difficulties or disease; bhūri—sufficient; ambu—water; tṛṇa—grass; vīrudham—plants; bṛhat vanam—the great forest; tat—all these arrangements are there; adhunā—now; yatra—where; āsse—are living; tvam—you; suhṛt-vṛtaḥ—surrounded by friends.
TRANSLATION
My dear friend Nanda Mahārāja, in the place where you are living with your friends, is the forest favorable for the animals, the cows? I hope there is no disease or inconvenience. The place must be full of water, grass and other plants.
PURPORT
For human happiness, one must care for the animals, especially the cows. Vasudeva therefore inquired whether there was a good arrangement for the animals where Nanda Mahārāja lived. For the proper pursuit of human happiness, there must be arrangements for the protection of cows. This means that there must be forests and adequate pasturing grounds full of grass and water. If the animals are happy, there will be an ample supply of milk, from which human beings will benefit by deriving many milk products with which to live happily. As enjoined in Bhagavad-gītā (18.44), kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma-svabhāvajam. Without giving proper facilities to the animals, how can human society be happy? That people are raising cattle to send to the slaughterhouse is a great sin. By this demoniac enterprise, people are ruining their chance for a truly human life. Because they are not giving any importance to the instructions of Kṛṣṇa, the advancement of their so-called civilization resembles the crazy efforts of men in a lunatic asylum.

Cc  Madhya 24 Text 249
nārada kahe,--"ardha mārile jīva pāya vyathā
jīve duḥkha ditecha, tomāra ha-ibe aiche avasthā
SYNONYMS
nārada kahe—Nārada Muni replied; ardha mārile—by half-killing the animals; jīva pāya vyathā—the living beings suffer too much pain; jīve duḥkha ditecha—you are giving troubles to the living beings; tomāra—your; ha-ibe—there will be; aiche avasthā—the same suffering in retaliation.
TRANSLATION
"Nārada Muni replied, 'If you leave the animals half-dead, you are purposefully giving them pain. Therefore you will have to suffer in retaliation.'
PURPORT
This is an authoritative statement given by the greatest authority, Nārada Muni. If one gives another living entity unnecessary pain, one will certainly be punished by the laws of nature by a similar pain. Although the hunter Mṛgāri was uncivilized, he still had to suffer the results of his sinful activities. However, if a civilized man kills animals regularly in a slaughterhouse to maintain his so-called civilization, using scientific methods and machines to kill animals, one cannot even estimate the suffering awaiting him. So-called civilized people consider themselves very advanced in education, but they do not know about the stringent laws of nature. According to nature's law, it is a life for a life. We can hardly imagine the sufferings of one who maintains a slaughterhouse. He endures suffering not only in this life, but in his next life also. It is said that a hunter, murderer or killer is advised not to live and not to die. If he lives, he accumulates even more sins, which bring about more suffering in a future life. He is advised not to die because his dying means that he immediately begins to endure more suffering. Therefore he is advised not to live and not to die.
As followers of the Vedic principles, we accept the statements of Nārada Muni in this regard. It is our duty to see that no one suffers due to sinful activities. Foolish rascals are described in Bhagavad-gītā as māyayāpahṛta-jñānāḥ, which indicates that although they are superficially educated, māyā has taken their real knowledge away. Such people are presently leading human society. In Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam they are also described as andhā yathāndhair upanīyamānāḥ. These rascals are themselves blind, and yet they are leading others who are blind. When people follow such leaders, they suffer unlimited pains in the future. Despite so-called advancement, all this is happening. Who is safe? Who is happy? Who is without anxiety?

Srimad-bhagavatam 5.16 Text 25
yān upajuṣāṇānāṁ na kadācid api prajānāṁ valī-palita-klama-sveda-daurgandhya-jarāmaya-mṛtyu-śītoṣṇa-vaivarṇyopasargādayas tāpa-viśeṣā bhavanti yāvaj jīvaṁ sukhaṁ niratiśayam eva.
SYNONYMS
yān—which (all the products produced because of the flowing rivers mentioned above); upajuṣāṇānām—of persons who are fully utilizing; na—not; kadācit—at any time; api—certainly; prajānām—of the citizens; valī—wrinkles; palita—grey hair; klama—fatigue; sveda—perspiration; daurgandhya—bad odors because of unclean perspiration; jarā—old age; āmaya—disease; mṛtyu—untimely death; śīta—severe cold; uṣṇa—scorching heat; vaivarṇya—fading of the luster of the body; upasarga—troubles; ādayaḥ—and so on; tāpa—of sufferings; viśeṣāḥ—varieties; bhavanti—are; yāvat—as long as; jīvam—life; sukham—happiness; niratiśayam—unlimited; eva—only.
TRANSLATION
The residents of the material world who enjoy the products of these flowing rivers have no wrinkles on their bodies and no grey hair. They never feel fatigue, and perspiration does not give their bodies a bad odor. They are not afflicted by old age, disease or untimely death, they do not suffer from chilly cold or scorching heat, nor do their bodies lose their luster. They all live very happily, without anxieties, until death.
PURPORT
This verse hints at the perfection of human society even within this material world. The miserable conditions of this material world can be corrected by a sufficient supply of milk, yogurt, honey, ghee, molasses, food grains, ornaments, bedding, sitting places and so on. This is human civilization. Ample food grains can be produced through agricultural enterprises, and profuse supplies of milk, yogurt and ghee can be arranged through cow protection. Abundant honey can be obtained if the forests are protected. Unfortunately, in modern civilization, men are busy killing the cows that are the source of yogurt, milk and ghee, they are cutting down all the trees that supply honey, and they are opening factories to manufacture nuts, bolts, automobiles and wine instead of engaging in agriculture. How can the people be happy? They must suffer from all the misery of materialism. Their bodies become wrinkled and gradually deteriorate until they become almost like dwarves, and a bad odor emanates from their bodies because of unclean perspiration resulting from eating all kinds of nasty things. This is not human civilization. If people actually want happiness in this life and want to prepare for the best in the next life, they must adopt a Vedic civilization. In a Vedic civilization, there is a full supply of all the necessities mentioned above.

Purport to Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu

690111PU.LA  -- Purport to Sri Krsna Caitanya Prabhu   Prabhupada: Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu doya koro more, toma bina ke doyalu jagata-mayare. This is a song composed by Narottama dasa Thakura. He is praying Lord Caitanya that "My dear Lord, please be merciful upon me because who can be more merciful than Your Lordship within these three worlds?" Actually, this is the fact. Not only Narottama dasa Thakura, but also Rupa Gosvami, he also prayed for Lord Caitanya when both of them met at Prayaga, Allahabad, in the first meeting of Lord Caitanya and Rupa Gosvami at Prayaga. At that time, Srila Rupa Gosvami also said, "My dear Lord, You are the most munificent of all incarnations. Because You are distributing love of Krsna, Krsna consciousness." In other words, when Krsna was personally present, He simply asked us to surrender, but He did not distribute Himself so easily. He made condition that "First of all you surrender." But here, in this incarnation, Lord Caitanya, although He's Krsna Himself, He makes no condition. He simply distributes, "Take love of Krsna." Therefore Lord Caitanya is approved as the most munificent incarnation, and Narottama dasa Thakura says that "Please be merciful upon me. You are so magnanimous because You have seen the fallen souls of this age, and You are very much compassionate upon them. But you should know also that I am the most fallen. Nobody is a greater fallen than me." Patita-pavana-hetu tava avatara. "Your incarnation is just to reclaim the conditioned souls, fallen souls. But I assure You that You will not find a greater fallen than me. Therefore my claim is first."
   Then he prays to Lord Nityananda. He says, ha ha prabhu nityananda, premananda sukhi. "My dear Lord Nityananda, You are always joyful, in spiritual bliss, and You appear always very happy. So I have come to You because I am most unhappy. So if You kindly put Your glance over me, then I may also become happy."
   Then he prays to Advaita Prabhu: ha ha prabhu sita-pati advaita gosai. Advaita Prabhu's wife's name was Sita. Therefore He is sometimes addressed as sita-pati. So "My dear Advaita Prabhu, the husband of Sita, please You also be kind upon me because if You become kind upon me, then naturally Lord Caitanya and Nityananda also will be kind upon me." The reason is that actually, Advaita Prabhu invited Lord Caitanya to come down. When Advaita Prabhu saw the fallen souls, they are all engaged simply in sense gratificatory processes without understanding Krsna consciousness, He felt very much compassionate upon the fallen souls, and He felt Himself as incapable of claiming all these fallen souls. He therefore prayed to Lord Krsna that "You come Yourself. Without Your personal presence, it is not possible to deliver these fallen souls." So by His invitation Lord Caitanya appeared. "Naturally..." Narottama dasa Thakura prays Advaita Prabhu that "If You be kind upon me, naturally Lord Caitanya and Nityananda also will be kind upon me."
   Then he prays to the Gosvamis. Ha ha svarupa, sanatana, rupa, raghunatha. "My dear Gosvami Prabhus," svarupa. Svarupa was Svarupa Damodara was personal secretary of Lord Caitanya. He was always keeping with Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and whatever He wanted, he immediately arranged for that. Two personal attendants, Svarupa Damodara and Govinda, they were always, constantly with Lord Caitanya. So Narottama dasa Thakura also praying Svarupa Damodara. And then the Gosvamis. The next disciples of Lord Caitanya were the six Gosvamis: Sri Rupa, Sri Sanatana, Sri Bhatta Raghunatha, Sri Gopala Bhatta Gosvami, Jiva Gosvami, and Raghunatha dasa Gosvami. These six Gosvamis were directly instructed by Lord Caitanya for spreading this movement of Krsna consciousness. Narottama dasa Thakura is praying also their mercy. And after the six Gosvamis, the next acarya was Srinivasa Acarya. So he's also praying Srinivasa Acarya.
   Actually, Narottama dasa Thakura was in the disciplic succession after Srinivasa Acarya. Or almost he was contemporary. And his personal friend was Ramacandra, Ramacandra Cakravarti. So he is praying that "I always desire the company of Ramacandra." Devotee's company. The whole process is that we should always be praying mercy of the superior acaryas. And we should keep company with pure devotee. Then it will be easier for us to advance in Krsna consciousness to receive the mercy of Lord Caitanya and Lord Krsna. This is the sum and substance of this song sung by Narottama dasa Thakura. (end)
 680717PU.MON -- Sri-Krsna-Caitanya PrabhuPrabhupada: This is a prayer to Lord Caitanya. The devotee is saying, "O Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, kindly show me your causeless mercy." Sri-krsna-caitanya prabhu daya karo more. "Because You have come to deliver fallen souls, so You will not find the most fallen soul like me." This is the humble prayer. We should be conscious of our fallen condition and pray to the Lord in that way, that "My dear Lord, somehow or other I am fallen. Now kindly pick me up." The substance of this song is like this. Of course, the language, Sanskrit, you may understand..., you may not understand, but the vibration will act. (end)

Some verses about the soul

BG 2.12: Never was there a time when I did not exist, nor you, nor all these kings; nor in the future shall any of us cease to be.

BG 2.13: As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. A sober person is not bewildered by such a change.

BG 2.14: O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.

BG 2.15: O best among men [Arjuna], the person who is not disturbed by happiness and distress and is steady in both is certainly eligible for liberation.

BG 2.16: Those who are seers of the truth have concluded that of the nonexistent [the material body] there is no endurance and of the eternal [the soul] there is no change. This they have concluded by studying the nature of both.

BG 2.17: That which pervades the entire body you should know to be indestructible. No one is able to destroy that imperishable soul.

BG 2.20: For the soul there is neither birth nor death at any time. He has not come into being, does not come into being, and will not come into being. He is unborn, eternal, ever-existing and primeval. He is not slain when the body is slain.

BG 2.23: The soul can never be cut to pieces by any weapon, nor burned by fire, nor moistened by water, nor withered by the wind.

BG 2.24: This individual soul is unbreakable and insoluble, and can be neither burned nor dried. He is everlasting, present everywhere, unchangeable, immovable and eternally the same.

BG 2.25: It is said that the soul is invisible, inconceivable and immutable. Knowing this, you should not grieve for the body.

BG 2.27: One who has taken his birth is sure to die, and after death one is sure to take birth again. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.

BG 2.29: Some look on the soul as amazing, some describe him as amazing, and some hear of him as amazing, while others, even after hearing about him, cannot understand him at all.

BG 9.2: This knowledge is the king of education, the most secret of all secrets. It is the purest knowledge, and because it gives direct perception of the self by realization, it is the perfection of religion. It is everlasting, and it is joyfully performed.

BG 7.7: O conqueror of wealth, there is no truth superior to Me. Everything rests upon Me, as pearls are strung on a thread.

BG 10.41: Know that all opulent, beautiful and glorious creations spring from but a spark of My splendor.

BG 16.1-3: Fearlessness; purification of one's existence; cultivation of spiritual knowledge; charity; self-control; performance of sacrifice; study of the Vedas; austerity; simplicity; nonviolence; truthfulness; freedom from anger; renunciation; tranquillity; aversion to faultfinding; compassion for all living entities; freedom from covetousness; gentleness; modesty; steady determination; vigor; forgiveness; fortitude; cleanliness; and freedom from envy and from the passion for honor — these transcendental qualities, O son of Bharata, belong to godly men endowed with divine nature.

And these four verses are considered by some to be the most important.

BG 10.8: I am the source of all spiritual and material worlds. Everything emanates from Me. The wise who perfectly know this engage in My devotional service and worship Me with all their hearts.
BG 10.9: The thoughts of My pure devotees dwell in Me, their lives are fully devoted to My service, and they derive great satisfaction and bliss from always enlightening one another and conversing about Me.
BG 10.10: To those who are constantly devoted to serving Me with love, I give the understanding by which they can come to Me.
BG 10.11: To show them special mercy, I, dwelling in their hearts, destroy with the shining lamp of knowledge the darkness born of ignorance.

BG 18.65: Always think of Me, 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.

BG 18.66: Abandon all varieties of religion and just surrender unto Me. I shall deliver you from all sinful reactions. Do not fear.

BG 18.68: For one who explains this supreme secret to the devotees, pure devotional service is guaranteed, and at the end he will come back to Me.

BG 18.69: There is no servant in this world more dear to Me than he, nor will there ever be one more dear.

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 1:"Creation" : SB 1.3: Krsna Is the Source of All Incarnations : SB 1.3.5 : PURPORT :

The next incarnations are the Manus. Within one day's duration of the life of Brahmā (which is calculated by our solar year as 4,300,000 x 1,000 years) there are fourteen Manus. Therefore there are 420 Manus in one month of Brahmā and 5,040 Manus in one year of Brahmā. Brahmā lives for one hundred years of his age, and therefore there are 5,040 x 100 or 504,000 Manus in the duration of Brahmā's life. There are innumerable universes, with one Brahmā in each of them, and all of them are created and annihilated during the breathing time of the puruṣa. Therefore one can simply imagine how many millions of Manus there are during one breath of the puruṣa.

 

Books : Bhagavad-gita As It Is - Macmillan 1972 Edition : Bg 8: Attaining the Supreme : Bg 8.17 : PURPORT :

The duration of the material universe is limited. It is manifested in cycles of kalpas. A kalpa is a day of Brahmā, and one day of Brahmā consists of a thousand cycles of four yugas or ages: Satya, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali. The cycle of Satya is characterized by virtue, wisdom and religion, there being practically no ignorance and vice, and the yuga lasts 1,728,000 years. In the Tretā-yuga vice is introduced, and this yuga lasts 1,296,000 years. In the Dvāpara-yuga there is an even greater decline in virtue and religion, vice increasing, and this yuga lasts 864,000 years. And finally in Kali-yuga (the yuga we have now been experiencing over the past 5,000 years) there is an abundance of strife, ignorance, irreligion and vice, true virtue being practically nonexistent, and this yuga lasts 432,000 years. In Kali-yuga vice increases to such a point that at the termination of the yuga the Supreme Lord Himself appears as the Kalki avatara, vanquishes the demons, saves His devotees, and commences another Satya-yuga. Then the process is set rolling again. These four yugas, rotating a thousand times, comprise one day of Brahmā, the creator god, and the same number comprise one night. Brahmā lives one hundred of such "years" and then dies. These "hundred years" by earth calculations total to 311 trillion and 40 million earth years. By these calculations the life of Brahmā seems fantastic and interminable, but from the viewpoint of eternity it is as brief as a lightning flash. In the causal ocean there are innumerable Brahmās rising and disappearing like bubbles in the Atlantic. Brahmā and his creation are all part of the material universe, and therefore they are in constant flux.

  

Books : Srimad-Bhagavatam : Canto 2: "The Cosmic Manifestation" : SB 2.9: Answers by Citing the Lord's Version : SB 2.9.2 : PURPORT :

The different forms of the living entities are different dresses offered by the illusory, external energy of the Lord according to the modes of nature the living being desires to enjoy. The external, material energy is represented by her three modes, namely goodness, passion and ignorance. So even in the material nature there is a chance of an independent choice by the living entity, and according to his choice the material energy offers him different varieties of material bodies. There are bodies, 1,100,000 worms and reptiles, 1,000,000 forms of birds, together there are 8,400,000 varieties of bodies in different planets of the universe, and the living entity is traveling by so many transmigrations according to different modes of enjoying spirit within himself. Even in one particular body the living entity changes from childhood to boyhood, from boyhood to youth, from youth to old age and from old age to another body created by his own action. The living entity creates his own body by his personal desires, and the external energy of the Lord supplies him the exact form by which he can enjoy his desires to the fullest extent. The tiger wanted to enjoy the blood of another animal, and therefore, by the grace of the Lord, the material energy supplied him the body of the tiger with facilities for enjoying blood from another animal. Similarly, a living entity desiring to get the body of a demigod in a higher planet can also get it by the grace of the Lord. And if he is intelligent enough, he can desire to get a spiritual body to enjoy the company of the Lord, and he will get it.

unless he on that platform (pure devotion) he should not attempt it (to become spiritual master). Then both of them will to go to hell, like blind men leading the blind.

   And if somebody does not go (Back to Godhead), then I shall have to come back to take him there. One should remember this and every one of my disciples should act in such a way that they may go with me and may not have to come back to take another birth.
   As for your next question, can only a few pure devotees deliver others, anyone, if he is a pure devotee he can deliver others, he can become spiritual master. But unless he on that platform he should not attempt it. Then both of them will to go to hell, like blind men leading the blind.
   Next you ask if I am present in my picture and form? Yes. In form as well as in teachings. To carry out the teachings of guru is more important than to worship the form, but none of them should be neglected. Form is called vapu and teachings is called vani. Both should be worshiped. Vani is more important than vapu.
   Your next question is, should we love Krishna or love the spiritual master: You cannot go to Krishna directly, loving Him. It is common sense that if Krishna is the object of your love, His pet dog is also the object of your love. Friends meet friends and if the friend is with his dog the gentleman pats his dog first, is it not? So the man becomes automatically pleased, his dog being patted. I have seen it in your country. The conclusion is this: Without pleasing the spiritual master he cannot please Krishna. If anyone tries to please Krishna directly, he's fool number one.
   Hoping this meets you and your good wife, Krishna Tulasi dasi, in good health and devotional mood.

Your ever well-wisher,
A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

You have asked me if the spiritual master is ultimately Krishna, so the answer must be that if you think that way then everyone is Krishna. So why we should think like this?

72-12-14.Tus    Letter: Tusta Krsna
My dear Tusta Krishna,
   Please accept my blessings. I am in due receipt of your letters dated November 18, November 22, and December 3, 1972, and I have heard that you are having some difficulties, so I have sent Siddhasvarupa there to help you.Now try to keep a cool head under all circumstances and always remember that Krishna will protect you in any case, you haven't to worry anything. I think that without you the New Zealand affair will not go on, but now you are leaving there to live on some farm in Australia. Of course, our serving Krishna is voluntary affair, so what can I say? If you think that is the best choice, I must agree, otherwise you might go away altogether. Anyway we shall discuss in detail if I come there in future.
   Regarding your questions in the letter of November 18, 1972, you have asked me if the spiritual master is ultimately Krishna, so the answer must be that if you think that way then everyone is Krishna. So why we should think like this? saktyavesa Avatara. means a living entity, but he is specially empowered. Not that he is Krishna. But on account of his exalted position he is honoured as much as Krishna. Not that he is Krishna. That is Mayavadi. He acts in the position of Krishna, but he is not Krishna, he is very dear to Krishna. That is explained: (here the verse was quoted: yasya prasadat bhagavata prasadat . . .) The spiritual master is acting in the position of Krishna because he is the most confidential servant of Krishna.

 

As soon as we distinguish here is a pure devotee, here is a non-pure devotee, that means I am a nonsense.

72-12-14.Tus    Letter: Tusta Krsna Part 2

Your next question, after leaving this material realm does the devotee remain forever with his spiritual master? The answer is yes. But I think you have got the mistaken idea in this connection. You speak of pure devotee, that he is saktyavesa avatara, that we should obey him only--these things are the wrong idea. If anyone thinks like that, that a pure devotee should be obeyed and no one else, that means he is a nonsense. We advise everyone to address one another as Prabhu. Prabhu means master, so how the master should be disobeyed? Others, they are also pure devotees. All of my disciples are pure devotees. Anyone sincerely serving the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it may be Siddhasvarupa or others, a-Siddhasvarupa. This must be very clearly stated. It is not only that your Siddhasvarupa is a pure devotee and not others. Do not try to make a faction. Siddhasvarupa is a good soul. But others should not be misled. Anyone who is surrendered to the spiritual master is a pure devotee, it doesn't matter if Siddhasvarupa or non-Siddhasvarupa. Amongst ourselves one should respect others as Prabhu, master, one another. As soon as we distinguish here is a pure devotee, here is a non-pure devotee, that means I am a nonsense. Why you only want to be in the spiritual sky with Siddhasvarupa? Why not all? If Siddhasvarupa can go, why not everyone? Siddhasvarupa will go, you will go, Syamasundara. will go, all others will go. We will have another ISKCON there. Of course, Mr. Nair must stay.
   And if somebody does not go, then I shall have to come back to take him there. One should remember this and every one of my disciples should act in such a way that they may go with me and may not have to come back to take another birth.
   As for your next question, can only a few pure devotees deliver others, anyone, if he is a pure devotee he can deliver others, he can become spiritual master. But unless he on that platform he should not attempt it. Then both of them will to go to hell, like blind men leading the blind.

 

So we have to approach the sampradaya. Without sampradaya, whatever we learn, that is not perfect.

741222SB.BOM Lectures

So there are four sampradayas of the Vaisnavas. At the present moment they are known as Madhva-sampradaya, or Madhva-Gaudiya-sampradaya; or Ramanuja-sampradaya; or Visnusvami-sampradaya; and Nimbarka-sampradaya. Here in Bombay, Vallabha-sampradaya, they belong to the Visnusvami-sampradaya. So we have to approach the sampradaya. Without sampradaya, whatever we learn, that is not perfect. Sampradaya-vihinas ye mantras te nisphala matah. Just like we have got very nice example that in political field there are parties: "This is Congress party," "This is Communist party," "This is..." So these parties are recognized. Unless you belong to some party, you cannot stand for election. As it is there in the political field, sampradaya-vihina ye, they cannot stand, similarly, if one person who desires to advance in spiritual life, he must take initiation from the sampradaya.

Somebody was asking about the parampara. So that parampara is very necessary.

741222SB.BOM Lectures
Somebody was asking about the parampara. So that parampara is very necessary, to know the knowledge by the parampara system. Evam parampara-praptam imam rajarsayo viduh. Parampara is very important thing. Therefore, unless we take to the parampara system, which is, in another word, it is called sampradaya... Sampradaya.
   So to understand the Absolute Truth, there are four recognized sampradayas: the Brahma-sampradaya, the Rudra-sampradaya, the Kumara-sampradaya, and the Sri-sampradaya. Sri-sampradaya mean one sampradaya is coming from directly from the goddess of fortune, Laksmi. That is called Sri-sampradaya. And one sampradaya is coming from Lord Brahma. Tene brahma hrda adi-kavaye. The adi-kavi is Lord Brahma. He learned from the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Tene brahma hrda. The Supreme Personality of Godhead instructed Lord Brahma from within the heart: tene brahma hrda. Hrda means within the heart. So in this way, instruction is received from Lord Brahma, from Lord Siva, from Laksmiji the goddess of fortune, and the Kumaras, Sanat-kumara, Sanaka, Sanatana, Sananda Kumara. They have got a sampradaya. So we have to approach the sampradaya. Tad-vijnanartham sa gurum eva abhigacchet. Abhigacchet: "must approach the sampradaya," either of the sampradaya. Sampradaya-vihina ye mantras te nisphala matah: "If you don't take your instruction, mantra, from the sampradaya, then it is useless." It has no meaning, because they do not know. Therefore we have to take sampradaya, accept sampradaya.

Here you see the eyes of God: the sun, the moon. Why don't you see it?

690926LE.LON                 Lectures 
So this sun example we have to understand, that to understand the sun there are three divisions. The first division is the sunlight or sunshine. The sunshine is all-pervading over the universe. It is not imagination. We get from Vedic information. It is said, yasya prabha prabhavato jagad-anda-koti. This is brahmajyoti. Yac-caksur esa savita sakala-grahanam. Savita, the sun-god, is called yac-caksur esa savita sakala-grahanam raja samasta-sura-murtir asesa-tejah. So the sun is described as the eye of the Supreme Lord. Just like we have got our eyes; we can see to some extent, three feet, four feet, or ten feet, or hundred feet. But the eyes of God is so powerful, He can see the whole universe. Yac-caksur esa savita. Savita means the sun. The sun is... So we have to study in this way. People say, "Can you show me God?" Yes, why not? You just try to see God. Here you see the eyes of the God: the sun, the moon. Why don't you see it? Yac-caksur esa savita. Just try to understand the one eye of God, then another eye, then try to understand other senses. But you cannot understand even one eye. What you will understand of God? In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, raso 'ham apsu kaunteya: "The taste in the water I am." Just try to understand. Prabhasmi sasi-suryayoh: "I am the shining in the sun and the moon. I am the sound in the sky." So this light, sound, these are scientific studies. Krsna says, Bhagavan says, that "I am the sound in the sky." So if you can practically study sound, light, nicely, scientifically, then you'll see Krsna also.

Unless there is sunlight, no living entity on any planet can see. Therefore the sun is considered to be the eye of the Supreme Lord.

SB 8.5.36  The Demigods Appeal to the Lord for Protection 
                                 TEXT

                yac-caksur asit taranir deva-yanam
                 trayimayo brahmana esa dhisnyam
                dvaram ca mukter amrtam ca mrtyuh
                 prasidatam nah sa maha-vibhutih

                             SYNONYMS

   yat--that which; caksuh--eye; asit--became; taranih--the sun-god; deva-yanam--the predominating deity for the path of deliverance for the demigods; trayi-mayah--for the sake of guidance in karma-kanda Vedic knowledge; brahmanah--of the supreme truth; esah--this; dhisnyam--the place for realization; dvaram ca--as well as the gateway; mukteh--for liberation; amrtam--the path of eternal life; ca--as well as; mrtyuh--the cause of death; prasidatam--may He be pleased; nah--upon us; sah--that Supreme Personality of Godhead; maha-vibhutih--the all-powerful.

                           TRANSLATION

   The sun-god marks the path of liberation, which is called arciradi-vartma. He is the chief source for understanding of the Vedas, he is the abode where the Absolute Truth can be worshiped, He is the gateway to liberation, and he is the source of eternal life as well as the cause of death. The sun-god is the eye of the Lord. May that Supreme Lord, who is supremely opulent, be pleased with us.

                             PURPORT

  The sun-god is considered to be the chief of the demigods. He is also considered to be the demigod who watches the northern side of the universe. He gives help for understanding the Vedas. As confirmed in Brahma-samhita (5.52):

               yac-caksur esa savita sakala-grahanam
               raja samasta-sura-murtir asesa-tejah
               yasyajnaya bhramati sambhrta-kala-cakro
               govindam adi-purusam tam aham bhajami

 "The sun, full of infinite effulgence, is the king of all the planets and the image of the good soul. The sun is like the eye of the Supreme Lord. I adore the primeval Lord Govinda, in pursuance of whose order the sun performs his journey, mounting the wheel of time." The sun is actually the eye of the Lord. In the Vedic mantras it is said that unless the Supreme Personality of Godhead sees, no one can see. Unless there is sunlight, no living entity on any planet can see. Therefore the sun is considered to be the eye of the Supreme Lord. That is confirmed here by the words yac-caksur asit and in the Brahma-samhita by the words yac-caksur esa savita. The word savita means the sun-god.

"Does God Exist?"

770129mw.bhu                             Conversations
Prthu-putra: ...but he's not writing books himself. It's all people. They hear his conferences, they collect all his conferences, and they write for him. He never wrote any books himself, Krishnamurti.
Hari-sauri: No, I read a book he wrote. (break) A friend recommended it to me. He said he was very exuberant. He said he'd found a book you could read and throw away at the end. So out of curiosity, I started to read...
Prabhupada: So why shall I take the trouble? I throw it immediately. (laughter)
Hari-sauri: I got the book, and I... There was one chapter called, "Does God Exist?" something like that. So I turned to that one first. And after I read the first paragraph, I threw the book out, (laughs) because he was saying, "Well, God exists if you believe He exists. And if you don't believe He exists, then He doesn't exist."
Prabhupada: So it depends on me. God's existence depends on me.
Hari-sauri: Yeah. So I thought, "Well, if he's leaving it up to me to decide..." I was buying the book to try and find some information. So what was the...? So I couldn't see the value in the thing.

He has come to teach, and he says, "There is no need of teacher. Teacher is within." Is he not a rascal?

750713r2.phi              Conversations
Sandy Nixon: The aim of many spiritual paths is to find the guru within.
Prabhupada: Within?
Sandy Nixon: The guru within. Is this different...?
Prabhupada: Who says that, to find guru within?
Sandy Nixon: Um...
Jayatirtha: Kirpal Singh, he's one person who says that.
Guru dasa: Krishnamurti says that also.
Prabhupada: So why does he come to teach? (laughter) This rascal, why does he come to teach? This is the answer. These things are spoken by rascals. He has come to teach, and he says, "Find out guru within." Then why you have come to teach? Because people are not intelligent, they cannot catch him. He talks all nonsense, and they hear, that's all.
Guru dasa: He also has written a book about "No books are needed." (laughter)
Prabhupada: So you can find out how rascal he is. Is it not? Do you admit or not? He writes book, and he says, "There is no need of books." He has come to teach, and he says, "There is no need of teacher. Teacher is within." Is he not a rascal?
Sandy Nixon: Well, they say... Those people...
Prabhupada: No, first of all you answer my question. If he says contradictory things, is he not a rascal?
Sandy Nixon: Well, he's contradicting himself.
Prabhupada: Therefore he is a rascal. He does not know how to defend him.
Sandy Nixon: Can the Vedas be taken symbolically as well as literally?
Prabhupada: As it is. We are presenting Bhagavad-gita As It Is, not symbolically.

Krishnamurti : He's writing books, and he says, "There is no need of books."

740323mw.bom              Conversations
Dr. Patel: Krishnamurti, I read a couple of books. He said that nothing, everything...
Prabhupada: Does he say anything about Krsna?
Dr. Patel: Yes, he does say.
Prabhupada: What does he say?
Dr. Patel: He says the Krsna's all names are all, God is also His name. Because the God, it is Krsna.
Prabhupada: No, no. What does he say about personal Krsna? Does he know anything?
Bhagavata: He said, "You are your own guru," Srila Prabhupada.
Prabhupada: Yes. That is...
Devotee: I have heard him.
Prabhupada: You see? Krsna says, tad vijnanartham sa gurum evabhigacchet... Tad viddhi pranipatena. He says, "Everyone is guru." Just see. "Everyone is guru." Then why you are instructing? Why you are becoming guru?
Dr. Patel: He's not becoming guru of anybody.
Prabhupada: No, no. Why does he say that "You do this"? That is guru. Guru means one who orders. That is guru. That means you reject all other gurus... That means... He means to say that "You reject all other gurus. Accept me guru." That's all.
Guest (3): That is not... That is what he...
Prabhupada: That is competition.
Guest (3): All gurus are like that. All gurus are like that.
Bhava-bhuti:. He's writing many books saying "There's no need for books."
Prabhupada: Accha. Now see. He says, "There is no need of books." And he writes books, Krsna books.
Guest (3): Yes. Yes. What you have
Bhagavata: He said, Everything is within you. So you are your own guru and..."
Prabhupada: Just see.
Bhagavata: ...everything will be revealed to you."
Dr. Patel: It may be within him, all right. He must drag it out.
Prabhupada: No, no. Now, just see how he is making nonsense competition.
Guest (3): Vasarambhanam. (?)
Prabhupada: Vasarambhanam.
Dr. Patel: Vasarambhanam caro namadheyam (?). (break)
Prabhupada: He's writing books, and he says, "There is no need of books."