TRANSCRIPTION
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
oṁ namo bhagavate vāsudevāya
Reading from Śrīmad Bhāgavatam 1.17.43-44:
sa eṣa etarhy adhyāsta
āsanaṁ pārthivocitam
pitāmahenopanyastaṁ
rājñāraṇyaṁ vivikṣatā
āste ’dhunā sa rājarṣiḥ
kauravendra-śriyollasan
gajāhvaye mahā-bhāgaś
cakravartī bṛhac-chravāḥ
Translation
The most fortunate emperor Mahārāja Parīkṣit, who was entrusted with the kingdom of Hastināpura by Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira when he desired to retire to the forest, is now ruling the world with great success due to his being glorified by the deeds of the kings of the Kuru dynasty.
Purport
The prolonged sacrificial ceremonies undertaken by the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya were begun shortly after the demise of Mahārāja Parīkṣit. The sacrifice was to continue for one thousand years, and it is understood that in the beginning some of the contemporaries of Baladeva, the elder brother of Lord Kṛṣṇa, also visited the sacrificial place. According to some authorities, the present tense is also used to indicate the nearest margin of time from the past. In that sense, the present tense is applied to the reign of Mahārāja Parīkṣit here. For a continuous fact, also, present tense can be used. The principles of Mahārāja Parīkṣit can be still continued, and human society can still be improved if there is determination by the authorities. We can still purge out from the state all the activities of immorality introduced by the personality of Kali if we are determined to take action like Mahārāja Parīkṣit. He allotted some place for Kali, but in fact Kali could not find such places in the world at all because Mahārāja Parīkṣit was strictly vigilant to see that there were no places for gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter. Modern administrators want to banish corruption from the state, but fools as they are, they do not know how to do it. They want to issue licenses for gambling houses, wine and other intoxicating drug houses, brothels, hotel prostitution and cinema houses, and falsity in every dealing, even in their own, and they want at the same time to drive out corruption from the state. They want the kingdom of God without God consciousness. How can it be possible to adjust two contradictory matters? If we want to drive out corruption from the state, we must first of all organize society to accept the principles of religion, namely austerity, cleanliness, mercy and truthfulness, and to make the condition favorable we must close all places of gambling, drinking, prostitution and falsity. These are some of the practical lessons from the pages of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: So Śrīla Prabhupāda is starting off here discussing the grammatical presentation. Because in the grammar it’s significant that what is happening, is just happening, is also considered part of the presence. Because that’s what’s in the consciousness, that’s the activity being performed. And also the element is that it can continue. What Mahārāja... the good work that Mahārāja Parīkṣit – I mean Mahārāja Yudhiṣṭhira, or Mahārāja Parīkṣit in this case had established, that can continue now. Means that what what is valuable in this case, that can be continued.
So then he gives very practical points is that by following these aspects of religion then everything can go smoothly. If one doesn’t, it can’t work. The principle is that in ignorance one defines what is religion as irreligion. And what is irreligion one is defining as religion. So the modern governance wants that everything should be nice. But the problem is, is all the things that they’re complaining about – the results – their sanction and the activities, they generate it. Means there’s a... there’s a disturbance with corruption. So in wanting, desiring to remove corruption, they’re not removing the things that cause it. In fact, the cause of the corruption is what they're sanctioning. There's a good chance, depending upon the place, that the government gets more revenue from the taxes levied on these activities of corruption than they get from any other sector. But they don't understand that that creates the corruption that they're fighting against.
So, and these are, you know, who run the country, and they generally are, you know, somewhat intelligent. Somewhat qualified. And if they can make such mistakes to reverse what actually creates success, then why not anyone else? So, the modern idea, they think whatever they feel, that that's actually what's going to work. It may work in one area, but it will create a problem in another. It may create some economic development, but it will create corruption and dissatisfaction. So, we have to be very, very careful about falling into the same trap.
As we see Parīkṣit Mahārāja, then it's just a matter of your values, how you perceive something. Right. As one great saint was telling me, that it's a matter of perception. How you see something is then how it will affect you. You see it in relationship to Kṛṣṇa, it doesn't bother you. You don't see it in relationship to Kṛṣṇa, it bothers you. So, basically, all there is, is this change in consciousness.
It's interesting how the living entity will claim that they're in control of everything, and everything's going according to their desire, at the same time as they won't take any responsibility by saying, “What can I do? That's the situation.” In other words, one comes into a situation, one tries to control it completely. And one feels it's one's right. At the same time is, you ask them why things are in the particular way they are, they'll go, “It's the situation, what can we do about it? It's Kali-yuga, so how can we follow all these devotional elements?” At the same time is, it's just we're overwhelmed by Kali-yuga, but how many hours or days did it take you to get that pair of pants that you're wearing, or that shirt, or those shoes? Right? They, you just, you were walking down the street, you weren't thinking of buying anything, and you're suddenly sucked into a shop and forced to buy something there, and then you're walking out wearing all these weird things, and “What can I do? It's just Kali-yuga, I'm forced.” Right? Or did you walk by shop after shop after shop, saying, “Oh, I don't wear this brand, oh, that's not good enough, oh, that's not what I want,” until, and you go into the shop and pick through everything they got until you find just what you want, and then only you buy it. So, why are you wearing what you're wearing? Because Kali-yuga forced you to, or because you chose to, and went through a lot of trouble to get your choice? Which is it? Right?
Prabhu (1): [indistinct]
HH BVPS Mahārāja: It's Kali-yuga. [devotees laughing] Yeah, okay. Yeah, those those socks definitely are Kali Yuga, right? So, the whole point is, is that by the example of Mahārāja Parīkṣit, it's your choice how you manage your life is whether you are affected by Kali-yuga or not. Means if things are going the way you like, you know, then, you know, it's “What to do, it's Kali-yuga, we have to do things like this.” If things aren't going the way you like, then it's God's fault. So, we have to be aware that what we do, we are responsible for. It's not someone else's fault. So, that's what's being given here, is that if we understand the principles of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they can always be applied, because it's simply a matter of choice, a matter of consciousness. Any questions? Yes.
Prabhu (2): What is a proper understanding of the term irreligion?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Irreligion. To understand irreligion, one should first understand religion. So, religion means the nature of something that, that doesn't change. Right? Means, so, irreligion means going against the inherent nature of something. Does that make sense? It's that simple. Yes.
Prabhu (2): So, then this irreligion as religion and religion as irreligion – does it mean that something that is inherent is denied and is substituted by something that is not?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Yes. So, means the example here is given that the government doesn't want corruption. Which is a good thing. But they are allowing those elements that actually are the creation of corruption. Right? So, they sanction gambling, casinos, you know, alc... you know these… How would you say? Use of intoxicate..., intoxication, they regulate that, they, prostitution, ga… How would you say? All these different things, they become part of the administrative process. So, that generates corruption. So, they are not understanding that by sanctioning irreligion, then it, it cre..., it… How would you say? It disturbs the environment. Does that make sense? Yeah. Yes.
Prabhu (3): [poor audio] I try to, in my life I try to understand that everything that happens is, it’s my fault, something going wrong or, or it’s... it’s me something going right. But what is the difference from seeing everywhere the Kṛṣṇa in everything and become, and doing some, some mistakes? I need to think that Kṛṣṇa or how to view?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: So, then, trying to see the… Means seeing whatever is going on in your life as, as you know, being responsibly connected to that. So, that's nice, that is considered pious, that's intelligent, but… But then God consciousness means that even though that may be part of God consciousness, still God conscious means being conscious of God. So, in other words, we are seeing that, okay, the actions and reactions I get in my life are based on what what I pe..., what I do, what actions I perform. But then, by whose potency is this whole process going on? So, by Kṛṣṇa's arrangement, then the material nature is there, it has its way of functioning, and it is then, will function according to His direction. Right, so then, when these things happen, we know that it's, even though we perform the activity, we'll get the reaction, but that's still all God's arrangement. Right? Does that make sense?
So, in other words, one can see, in other words, that you're doing something, you're getting a result, that's your responsibility. But the mechanics by which that is allowed to happen, that, that facility is created by the Lord. Also, along with that is, the Lord cre..., is also created what is superior and inferior. Or wha..., in other words, what is good or bad. So, good, then, is what is connection to the Lord. Bad is what's not connected to the Lord. So, even in our choices, that, that itself has been defined. You do an activity that's approved, you'll get a better result. You do an activity that's not approved, then you won't get a good result. So, irreligion means that one is, in one's own mind, accepting something that is not approved by the Lord and saying that it is all right. Does that make sense? Like that. So that way you can see you know the, the mechanics, the workings of the world and the Lord’s involvement.
Prabhu (4): My question is that, that... is, is that connected what we devotees for example here in Riga do? We knew how we act and how serious we are, our spiritual life. And does it affect society, become our country? And if it’s so, should we become more serious about spiritual progress?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Prabhupāda said that if 1% of the world population became Kṛṣṇa conscious, then the whole world would be, you know, like Vaikuṇṭha. Prabhupāda also mentioned... the standard of sinful activities that the modern culture is engaged in, then according to that they are not pious enough to actually, that fruits and flowers would be available. But because of the devotees, they are still there. So therefore, if the devotees are more serious, it naturally has more effect on society. Yes.
Prabhu (5): I heard in lecture given by Bhakti Vijñāna Gosvāmī Mahārāja, that by removing this ignorance, spiritual master is using kind of a painkiller?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: A painkiller?
Prabhu (5): Painkill... anesthesia. Painkiller. Anesthesia for remove false ego from disciple. If you agree to that point, would you explain how it works? Or...
HH BVPS Mahārāja: I'm not sure I understand the point.
Prabhu (5): He said, what spiritual ma...
HH BVPS Mahārāja: But what do you mean by painkiller? What it, what, what it, what, what...
Prabhu (5): How to make it easier remove his false ego or get rid of his ignorance.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Means getting rid of the ignorance is the painkiller?
Prabhu (5): [indistinct] disciple. No, he uses some method to make it easier.
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Oh, to get rid of the...
Prabhu (3): [indistinct] ignorance [indistinct]...
HH BVPS Mahārāja: ...ignorance. Some do. [devotees laughing] Otherwise, some follow his… Are you getting your kicks? So they kick the disciple around the block, you know. Gets rid of false ego. It's quite effective. Like that. So, there's various ways you can interpret getting your kicks. I think it's also a breakfast cereal. Yeah, so that is he being paid by, you know, Kellogg's to, you know, advertise their cereal or something?
The idea is that how, means one can, depending upon the situation and the mentality, then one can speak, speak something in a very straightforward way or present the same thing in a more pleasant way. The point is, is that one should always use whatever is the softest form needed to use. But the point is, is that it should work. Means if using a softer form works, why use something harder? But if the soft form doesn't work, then naturally one will use something harder. So it's just a matter of culture. You want to get the effect. It's not that, you know, you have the fun of, you know, that you're the, you're the kick man. Like that. Does that make sense? Yes.
Prabhu (6): Would you be kind to elaborate on where the material desires come and how to judge or determine the minimum we need in life?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Did you say it for everybody?
Translator: Well, yeah, it was actually…
HH BVPS Mahārāja: No, he said it, but I'm just saying that everybody here.
Translator: Oh, sorry. [repeats the question in Russian]
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Means material desire comes from just it's the nature of the living entity. Because living entity, means sat-cit-ānanda, means there's going to be the element of eternally being involved in action that gives a result. Ānanda means a result. Result of interaction. Interaction is cit, knowledge. Knowledge means you perform an activity. Knowledge doesn't mean you do nothing. The person goes to… How you say? Medical school. They have knowledge about medicine. So how do you tell that he has knowledge about medicine? Because he practices it. And you can't practice medicine unless you have knowledge. So the two go together. Does that make sense? And one has to have some platform of existence. Some identity. All action happens in an environment. So one has to, to perform an activity in an environment, one has to be able to see yourself and the environment and the relationship.
So then the question is, is whether you see that environment, the action and the result in relationship to God or not. You see it in relationship to God, that is called God consciousness. You don't see it in relation to God, that's called illusion or māyā. God being everything, in everything, the controller of everything – if you don't see it in relation to Him, you are in illusion. So the problem is not that the senses are engaged with the sense objects. The problem is, is that the senses aren't engaged in the Lord's service. You can't get rid of the senses and the mind. If you get rid of them, what do you have left? Right? So it's not a matter of getting rid of them, it's a matter of properly engaging them. Does that make sense? So that's why when one has knowledge, then one is able to decide what is appropriate action and what's inappropriate action. Does that make sense? Okay.
Translator: And the second part about minimum of life?
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Hmm?
Translator: How to... the minimum of life. All this talking about...
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Oh, the minimum. Minimum is according to your situation – what do you require. Means in other words, what you don't really require means you can just say, “Okay, I don't need that,” and forget about it, then that's fine. But if you're always absorbed in it, then that will be needed to be part of your environment. Because your environment is created by the Lord and how you can deal with it, what results you can get – therefore that has to be looked at. In other words, what's the proper way to deal with that environment and what should you do and how should you see the results? So the minimum is what works. But what, what... how you deal with it, how you see it, that decides whether you're God conscious or in māyā. Māyā is how you see it, not what you’re seeing. Does that make sense?
Okay, this we go up to what time? Class. Nine. Okay, so it’s nine o’clock. Okay. So then we’ll end here. Jaya ho. Jaya.
Grantha-rāja Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam - kī
Devotees: Jaya!
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Śrīla Prabhupāda - kī
Devotees: Jaya!
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Samāveta bhakta-vṛnda - kī
Devotees: Jaya!
HH BVPS Mahārāja: Jaya nitai-gaura-premānande
Devotees: Hari-haribol!