The following is an excerpt from a class on Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 4.13.41 — 44 by Śrīla Gaura Govinda Svāmī Mahārāja in Johannesburg, South Africa on 10 January, 1996, published on gourgovindaswami-vanisanga.com/vanisanga

 

 

Why one becomes cruel

ākrīḍe krīḍato bālān
vayasyān atidāruṇaḥ
prasahya niranukrośaḥ
paśu-māram amārayat

The boy was so cruel that while playing with young boys of his age he would kill them very mercilessly, as if they were animals meant for slaughter.

Śrīla Gaura Govinda Svāmī Mahārāja: He was so merciless and cruel. Why did he become so merciless that he was killing his play friends like he would slaughter animals?

taṁ vicakṣya khalaṁ putraṁ
śāsanair vividhair nṛpaḥ
yadā na śāsituṁ kalpo
bhṛśam āsét sudurmanāḥ

After seeing the cruel and merciless behaviour of his son Vena, King Anga punished him in different ways to reform him, but he was unable to bring him to the path of gentleness. He thus became greatly aggrieved.

prāyeṇābhyarcito devo
ye ‘prajā gṛha-medhinaḥ
kad-apatya-bhṛtaṁ duḥkhaṁ
ye na vindanti durbharam

The King thought to himself: Persons who have no sons are certainly fortunate. They must have worshipped the Lord in their previous lives so that they would not have to suffer the unbearable unhappiness caused by a bad son.

Śrīla Gaura Govinda Svāmī Mahārāja: Better not to have a son than to have a bad son, yes, or you will suffer so much. That’s a fact.

yataḥ pāpῑyasῑ kῑrtir
adharmaś ca mahān nṛṇām
yato virodhaḥ sarveṣāṁ
yata ādhir anantakaḥ

A sinful son causes a person’s reputation to vanish. His irreligious activities at home cause irreligion and quarrel among everyone, and this creates only endless anxiety.

Purport

It is said that a married couple must have a son, otherwise their family life is void. But a son born without good qualities is as good as a blind eye. A blind eye has no use for seeing but is simply unbearably painful. The King therefore thought himself very unfortunate to have such a bad son.

Śrīla Gaura Govinda Svāmī Mahārāja: The question comes: Who becomes cruel? And, what makes a man become cruel?

Devotee: Envy.

Śrīla Gaura Govinda Svāmī Mahārāja: Yes. Why does he become envious? A person who is devoid of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is cruel. Human birth is durlabha mānava-janma, a rarely achieved birth. The purpose of this birth is to develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Otherwise what is the value of this human birth, isn’t it? This opportunity is given when we get a human body. If someone doesn’t understand this and never makes any endeavour to understand Kṛṣṇa, to develop pure bhakti, then his human life is spoiled. His life is no better than the life of an animal. Animals are eating flesh, he’s eating flesh like a lion or a tiger. King Vena was like that, slaughtering animals, devoid of good qualities, he had no mercy. 

Mahāprabhu came, He brought this Holy Name,

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

prabhu kahe – kahilāṅ ei mahāmantra
ihā japa, giyā sabe kariyā nirbandha
ihā haite sarva-siddhi haibe sabāra
sarva-kṣaṇa bala’ ithe vidhi nāhi āra

Mahāprabhu is wonderfully merciful. He knows that Kali-yuga people have a very short span of life and that their consciousness is very degraded, covered or shrunken like that of animals. Bodily consciousness means animal consciousness. Animals know the body only, they don’t know anything but their body and their bodily demands – eating, sleeping, defending and mating. If a human being thinks to make nice arrangements for eating, sleeping, defending and mating, is the be-all and end-all of his life, then he’s leading an animal life. He doesn’t know that the goal of life is to develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to get paramārtha, kṛṣṇa-bhakti, to understand Kṛṣṇa, see Kṛṣṇa and get Kṛṣṇa. Bodily consciousness means animal consciousness. He doesn’t know it so that is animal life. Animals know what to eat, where to sleep, and how to defend themselves. Some animals have horns, some of them have sharp claws, or sharp teeth to defend themselves, and they know sex enjoyment. That is paśu-dharma – animal dharma, not mānava-dharma, or human dharma. Human life is meant for developing complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. The dharma for human beings is meant for the cultivation of bhāgavata-dharma therefore Bhagavān comes and speaks about dharma-tattva.

ye vai bhagavatā proktā
upāyā hy ātma-labdhaye
añjaḥ puṁsām aviduṣāṁ
viddhi bhāgavatān hi tān

Even ignorant living entities can very easily come to know the Supreme Lord if they adopt those means prescribed by the Supreme Lord Himself. The process recommended by the Lord is to be known as bhāgavata-dharma, or devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Śrīla Gaura Govinda Svāmī Mahārāja: What is bhāgavata-dharma? Bhāgavata-dharma is what Bhagavān has said – the dharma-nῑti, religious principles enunciated by Bhagavān.

dharmaṁ tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītaṁ
na vai vidur ṛṣayo nāpi devāḥ
na siddha-mukhyā asurā manuṣyāḥ
kuto nu vidyādhara-cāraṇādayaḥ

Real religious principles are enacted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although fully situated in the mode of goodness, even the great ṛṣis who occupy the topmost planets cannot ascertain the real religious principles, nor can the demigods or the leaders of Siddhaloka, to say nothing of the asuras, ordinary human beings, Vidyādharas and Cāraṇas.

Only bhagavat-praṇῑtaṁ can enunciate religious principles. That is known as bhāgavad-dharma. That dharma-nῑtῑ has been spoken in the Bhāgavata and in the Gītā.

sarva-dharmān parityajya
mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja

That is dharma-nῑtῑ: ‘Abandon all varieties of dharma, just surrender unto Me.’ Kṛṣṇa has said. That is the only dharma for human society, there is no other dharma.

dharma-mūlaṁ hi bhagavān
sarva-vedamayo hariḥ
smṛtaṁ ca tad-vidāṁ rājan
yena cātmā prasīdati

The Supreme Being, the Personality of Godhead, is the essence of all Vedic knowledge, the root of all religious principles, and the memory of great authorities. O King Yudhiṣṭhira, this principle of religion is to be understood as evidence. On the basis of this religious principle, everything is satisfied, including one’s mind, soul and even one’s body.

This is bhāgavata-dharma. Again, you will find in the sixth canto,

etāvān eva loke ’smin
puṁsāṁ dharmaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ
bhakti-yogo bhagavati
tan-nāma-grahaṇādibhiḥ

Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society.

Chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord is the ultimate religious principle for human society. Mahāprabhu has brought it – just chant ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’!

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Kali-yuga people cannot do any other sādhana, just chant ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa.’

ihā haite sarva-siddhi haibe sabāra
sarva-kṣaṇa bala’ithe vidhi nāhi āra

It is Mahāprabhu’s order. You will achieve all perfection if you chant ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’ putting full faith, complete faith, unflinching faith in the Holy Name. Sarva-siddhi haibe sabāra sarva-kṣaṇa – all perfection, supreme perfection you will achieve. Sarva-kṣaṇa bala’ithe vidhi nāhi āra – no consideration of rules, regulations, birth, place, time, or circumstances. In any condition you just chant,

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Mahāprabhu is so merciful, He brought this mahā-mantra. This is the only dharma, nitya-dharma, parā-dharma, it is the eternal dharma and supreme dharma for all human society. Mahāprabhu is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Bhāgavata prokta is what Bhagavān has said. That is meant for human society. A human being should cultivate bhāgavata-dharma not cultivate paśu-dharma – only running behind eating, sleeping, defending and mating – “How can I make nice arrangements for eating, nice arrangement for sleeping? Building a skyscraper, electric connection, A.C. connection, a nice soft bed, cushion so that I can sleep, snore nicely.” These material scientists are abusing atomic energy. Kṛṣṇa’s energy is meant for the benefit of human society, not for the destruction of human society. But material scientists abuse it by manufacturing such powerful bombs, atomic bombs. All people are afraid. Everything is situated on the brink of destruction. At any moment, the world can be destroyed. What is this going on? They don’t know. They are doing this to defend their eating, sleeping, defending and mating, ‘how to nicely enjoy sex, making so many arrangements, wonderful discoveries, inventions every day. But they are afraid, “Oh, the population is increasing, increasing! There will be a deficiency of foodstuff, this problem is coming now! So no more increasing population – we’ll enjoy sex but not produce children. Then they manufacture contraceptives. This is going on. Is this mānava-dharma? This is paśu-dharma. Animals do that – eating, sleeping, defending and mating. Even a worm in stool does that! So if you also only do that, kṛmīṇāṁ kiyad antaram [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.26.21], what is the difference between yourself and a worm in stool? Isn’t it? For you, this dharma has come, chanting,

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Again you can find what is bhāgavata-dharma in the 7th canto.

tatropāya-sahasrāṇām
ayaṁ bhagavatoditaḥ
yad īśvare bhagavati
yathā yair añjasā ratiḥ

Of the different processes recommended for disentanglement from material life, the one personally explained and accepted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead should be considered all-perfect. That process is the performance of duties by which love for the Supreme Lord develops.

guru-śuśrūṣayā bhaktyā
sarva-labdhārpaṇena ca
saṅgena sādhu-bhaktānām
ῑśvarārādhanena ca

śraddhayā tat-kathāyāṁ ca
kῑrtanair guṇa-karmaṇām
tat-pādāmburuha-dhyānāt
tal-liṅgekṣārhaṇādibhiḥ

One must accept the bona fide spiritual master and render service unto him with great devotion and faith. Whatever one has in one’s possession should be offered to the spiritual master, and in the association of saintly persons and devotees one should worship the Lord, hear the glories of the Lord with faith, glorify the transcendental qualities and activities of the Lord, always meditate on the Lord’s lotus feet, and worship the Deity of the Lord strictly according to the injunctions of the śāstra and guru.

hariḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu
bhagavān āsta ῑśvaraḥ
iti bhūtāni manasā
kāmais taiḥ sādhu mānayet

One should always remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His localized representation as the Paramātmā, who is situated in the core of every living entity’s heart. Thus one should offer respect to every living entity according to that living entity’s position or manifestation.

evaṁ nirjita-ṣaḍ-vargaiḥ
kriyate bhaktir ῑśvare
vāsudeve bhagavati
yayā saṁlabhyate ratiḥ

By these activities [as mentioned above] one is able to cut down the influence of the enemies, namely lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and jealousy, and when thus situated, one can render service to the Lord. In this way one surely attains the platform of loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Love for Supreme Lord – that is the purpose of human birth. Yes, and Mahāprabhu gives that love by chanting ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’. Mukhya-pathe jῑva pāya kṛṣṇa-prema-dhana – the chief result of chanting ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’ is to get kṛṣṇa-prema, that is to develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Gītā explains what is complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. What did Kṛṣṇa say in Bhagavad-gῑtā? Quote authority! Quote Kṛṣṇa’s words!

yo māṁ paśyati sarvatra
sarvaṁ ca mayῑ paśyati
tasyāhaṁ na praṇaśyāmi
sa ca me na praṇaśyati

For one who sees Me everywhere and sees everything in Me, I am never lost, nor is he ever lost to Me.

This is complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness – “One who sees Me everywhere”, Kṛṣṇa says, “and sees everything in Me, is not out of my sight, I’m not out of his sight. He sees Me, I see him.” This is complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. To see Kṛṣṇa everywhere and to see everything in Kṛṣṇa means to see Kṛṣṇa’s sambandha, the relationship with Kṛṣṇa. Everybody, every jīva, whatever you see and find here is related to Kṛṣṇa. It is all Kṛṣṇa’s. That is complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. So every jīva is related to Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa is the object of love. Mahāprabhu gives that love through chanting ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’. When one develops complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he has such vision that when he sees a jīva suffering because of being devoid of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, due to ignorance, deep darkness, his heart bleeds. “O Kṛṣṇa’s jīva is suffering! Kṛṣṇa who is the object of my life!” So he goes out and preaches the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. “Let me go and inculcate Kṛṣṇa consciousness so he can understand who he is and what is the goal of life then no more suffering! This should be his last birth here!” He goes out and preaches. That is a Kṛṣṇa conscious person, a Vaiṣṇava. His heart bleeds.

How can one who sees Kṛṣṇa’s sambandha be envious? How will he kill any jīva? ‘He is Kṛṣṇa’s who is the object of my love.’ Who has developed love for Kṛṣṇa, only he can love one and all. Otherwise, there is no question of love at all. Therefore nāme ruci, jῑve dayā, ei vaiṣṇava ācāra – he develops taste for the holy name because such nectarean mellow is emanating from it. He tastes it and distributes it, “You taste, you taste!” Mahāprabhu tasted and distributed.

To develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a question of love. ‘He is is Kṛṣṇa’s jīva and Kṛṣṇa is the object of my love’. Unless one develops complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, enviousness cannot be stopped. This is what is going on in this material world.

Jῑva jīvasya jῑvanām – a jīva is another jīva’s food. Isn’t it? An animal can do it because he is an animal. An animal has a very degraded consciousness, he cannot understand this science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, but a human being can. To develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness is meant for human society because the human being has such an opportunity to elevate the level of his consciousness to the highest level of consciousness, that is the fully blossomed stage of consciousness – complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

There are five levels of consciousness. All 84 lakhs of species come under five levels of consciousness. That is āvṛta-cetana, saṅkucita-cetana, mukulita-cetana, vikaśita-cetana and pūrṇa-vikaśita-cetana. Bhaktivinode Ṭhākura, a Vaiṣṇava ācārya, says so in Śrī Caitanya Śikṣāmṛta. This is a science of consciousness, spiritual science of consciousness.

There are two types of bodies – sajῑva and nῑrjῑva. Some are animate, some are inanimate. This is inanimate (the mic), it has no consciousness. To be animate means consciousness is there. A jῑva is a conscious being, he has consciousness. There are five levels of consciousness and all the 84 lakhs of species of life come under these five levels of consciousness. There are 80 lakhs of other species than human beings that come under two levels of consciousness: covered consciousness and shrunken consciousness. And there is no opportunity for them to raise their level of consciousness. That opportunity is only available to human beings. Therefore human birth is considered a rarely achieved birth, durlabhaṁ mānuṣaṁ janma.

The Padma Purāṇa says, catur lakṣāni mānava – there are four lakhs types of human beings. How is it? All human forms are similar – two hands, two legs, one head, two ears, two eyes, and one nose. How is it that there are four lakhs types of human beings? It is a question of the level of consciousness. The levels of consciousness of all human beings are not equal. You say, “We all should have the same rights!” Do you think that all have the same rights!? You have not developed your consciousness to the highest level so how can you demand the same rights for all? Human beings come under three levels of consciousness: budding, blossoming and fully blossomed. The highest level is the fully blossomed stage of consciousness, which is complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That opportunity is now available for you, in this human form, you can raise the level of your consciousness to the highest level: complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Therefore the Founder Ācārya of ISKCON, Śrī Śrīmad A.C. Bhaktivedānta Svāmī Prabhupāda Mahārāja, named this Society the ‘Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness’. Why didn’t he give some other name? It is very significant that it is ‘Kṛṣṇa Consciousness.’

Try to understand me. This is very significant. Why did he name it so? Many were saying, “No. Why ‘Kṛṣṇa’? Better say ‘God Consciousness’.” But Prabhupāda said, “No! This should be ‘Kṛṣṇa’ Consciousness.” He knows. He knows that human birth is meant to develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is the highest level of consciousness in human birth. This opportunity is only available in this very birth, human birth, not in any other form of life. So he formed such a society, that is his words – the “Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness”. This is the Society of Vaiṣṇavas. We give training here on how to develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness so you can make your human birth perfect, and successful, so no more coming here again – go back home, back to Godhead in this very life! This is significant. Whoever is fortunate will come and join this Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness. He will get such training, become well trained and develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness in this birth, then his human birth will be successful, he achieves supreme perfection by going back home, back to Godhead, no more birth here again. And these are his own words – “this is a Society where there is no envy!”

“Of course it is not possible for everyone to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, but the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement can create an exemplary society wherein there is no envy.” These are his words. Now it is your duty to develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, to become pure, to become a pakkā Vaiṣṇava, a pakkā sādhu. A pakkā Vaiṣṇava, a pakkā sādhu, is non-envious – parama nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ vedyam.

The second verse of the Bhāgavata says:

dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra paramo nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ vedyam

Who can understand bhāgavata-dharma-tattva? Those who are parama nirmatsarāṇāṁ satāṁ. Vaiṣṇavas are nirmatsarā, not envious. This Society for Kṛṣṇa Consciousness is an exemplary society where there will be no envy! Why is there enviousness? This year is the centennial year. It is your duty to make this society an exemplary society where there is no envy at all, then Prabhupāda Mahārāja will be very happy. That will be a real centennial celebration, “My disciples and grand-disciples are fulfilling my purpose – making this Society an ideal Society where there is no envy – a Society of Vaiṣṇavas.”

If by good fortune someone comes and joins, such training is imparted here that he can develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness in this very birth and go back home, back to Godhead. Otherwise, in the material world, there is only hiṁsā, enviousness and killing, you see. Vena was so merciless that he killed his playmates like slaughtered animals. It is going on. Bhāgavata first canto says:

ahastāni sahastānām
apadāni catuś-padām
phalgūni tatra mahatāṁ
jῑvo jῑvasya jῑvanam

Those who are devoid of hands are prey for those who have hands. Those who are devoid of legs are prey for the four-legged. The weak are the subsistence of the strong and the general rule holds that one living being is food for another.

One living being is food for another. Yes, only envious feelings are going on in the material world but in human society, it shouldn’t be so. Human birth is rarely achieved and as long as a human being has not developed complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, he cannot give up being envious of others with murder and killing. This Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a boon for human society therefore my revered spiritual master Prabhupāda Mahārāja formed this Society for preaching. In other words, this society for Kṛṣṇa consciousness is a boon meant to save human society from destruction. No other means is there therefore the Vaiṣṇava goes out and preaches.

“Of the different processes recommended for disentanglement from material life, the one personally explained and accepted by the Supreme Personality of Godhead should be considered all-perfect. That process is the performance of duties by which love for the Supreme Lord develops.”

Love for the Supreme Lord. Mahāprabhu gives that love by chanting ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’. This is bhāgavata-dharma.

guru-śuśrūṣayā bhaktyā
sarva-labdhārpaṇena ca
saṅgena sādhu-bhaktānām
ῑśvarārādhanena ca

śraddhayā tat-kathāyāṁ ca
kῑrtanair guṇa-karmaṇām
tat-pādāmburuha-dhyānāt
tal-liṅgekṣārhaṇādibhiḥ

One must accept the bona fide spiritual master and render service unto him with great devotion and faith. Whatever one has in one’s possession should be offered to the spiritual master, and in the association of saintly persons and devotees one should worship the Lord, hear the glories of the Lord with faith, glorify the transcendental qualities and activities of the Lord, always meditate on the Lord’s lotus feet, and worship the Deity of the Lord strictly according to the injunctions of the śāstra and guru.

Hear the glories of the Lord with faith! Hear Bhāgavatam with faith! These are the glories of the Lord, and nityam bhāgavata – daily, it’s a daily program, yes.

“One should always remember the Supreme Personality of Godhead in His localized representation as the Paramātmā who is situated in the core of every living entity’s heart. Thus one should offer respect to every living entity according to that living entity’s position and manifestation.”

“Thus one should pay respect to every living entity.” How can he kill someone? ‘Paramātmā is there in the heart and he is Kṛṣṇa’s jīva who is the object of my love.’ Without developing complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, envy can never be stopped.

evaṁ nirjita-ṣaḍ-vargaiḥ
kriyate bhaktir ῑśvare
vāsudeve bhagavati
yayā saṁlabhyate ratiḥ

By these activities [as mentioned above] one is able to cut down the influence of the enemies, namely lust, anger, greed, illusion, madness and jealousy, and when thus situated, one can render service to the Lord. In this way one surely attains the platform of loving service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

This is ātmā-dharma, bhāgavata-dharma; what Bhagavān says in Gītā and Bhāgavata is for human society. Getting a human birth, one who doesn’t cultivate bhāgavata-dharma he is an animal, he is cultivating paśu-dharma – eating, sleeping, defending and mating. He is no better than an animal, no better than a worm in stool. Isn’t it?

etāvān eva loke ‘smin
puṁsāṁ dharmaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ
bhakti-yogo bhagavati
tan-nāma-grahaṇādibhiḥ

Devotional service, beginning with the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord is the ultimate religious principle for the living entity in human society.

In this material world to render service to the lotus feet of Govinda, the Cause of all causes, and to see Him everywhere is the only goal of life. How can he see Govinda everywhere unless he develops love for Kṛṣṇa? And Mahāprabhu gives that love through chanting ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’ so we can develop that love.

In Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Kavirāj Gosvāmī writes, quoting the Lord’s own words.

bhakta āmā preme bāndhiyāche hṛdaya-bhitare
yāhāṅ netra paḍe tāhāṅ dekhaye āmāre

A highly elevated devotee can bind Me, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, in his heart by love. Wherever he looks, he sees Me and nothing else.

That is what Prahlāda Mahārāja has said.

ekānta-bhaktir govinde
yat sarvatra tad-ῑkṣaṇam

This bhāgavata-dharma is the dharma meant for human society. Unless one develops Kṛṣṇa consciousness, this hiṁsā cannot be stopped therefore Mahāprabhu gave this dharma of chanting ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’ and gave these regulated principles – no fish-eating-meat-eating: no animal killing, no intoxication, no illicit sex, no gambling. These are impediments to cultivating bhakti-dharma, bhāgavata-dharma. Do you understand? That is discussed in the first canto of the Śrῑmad-Bhāgavatam.

At the end of Dvāpara-yuga and the beginning of Kali-yuga, Parikṣit Mahārāja was ruling the whole world according to the religious principles given in Gῑtā and Bhāgavata. He was a great devotee of the Lord and was supervising, seeing that nobody would commit any sinful activity, all would do yajña-karma, cultivate bhāgavata-dharma, that nobody would go to hell in his kingdom. Everybody should go to Vaikuṇṭha, should go back home, back to Godhead. But the time for Kali-yuga had come. Kali-yuga means the age of sinful activities, adharma. Kali means adharma-bandhuḥ, irreligion. But Parikṣit Mahārāja’s ruling was there so nobody was committing any pāpa, any sinful activity. Kali could not get any place to stay anywhere so he was just creating a place by beating go-mithuna, a cow and a bull, which is contradictory to bhāgavata-dharma. Go-rakṣāna – cows should be protected. Parikṣit Mahārāja was travelling and saw someone beating a cow and a bull. He asked angrily, kas tvaṁ – who are you, doing this activity in my kingdom?! Karmaṇādvijaḥ, naṭavat karmaṇādvijaḥ – Kali had put on a royal dress, the dress of a kṣatriya, but by his activity, he was a śūdra. “Don’t you know these cow and bull are my prajā, my citizens!? I am their protector.” He drew out his sword to chop off the head of Kali so Kali-yuga saw, “Oh, he won’t spare me. He wants to chop off my head.” So he threw off his garment and said, “I am Kali-yuga, a śūdra.”

In Kali-yuga, all are śūdras – kalau sarveṣu śūdra-sambhavaḥ – drinking liquor, killing animals, doing illicit sex, taking intoxication, gambling, all these are going on and that makes one merciless, or cruel, yes. People in the Western world put on big signboards – “Strong people eat beef!” This is Kali-yuga. Liquor shops are everywhere! “Come drink cold wine! Day and night open! Drink, dance and dine!” So what do you expect from that? These people are all cruel, and merciless. Then Kali surrendered unto the lotus feet of Parikṣit Mahārāja. It is the duty of a kṣatriya, of a king, that if someone surrenders, he should be given shelter, he shouldn’t be killed. Kali prayed for a place, “I have no place because of your ruling. Nobody commits sinful activity so where can I stay?”

abhyarthitas tadā tasmai
sthānāni kalaye dadau
dyūtaṁ pānaṁ striyaḥ sūnā
yatrādharmaś catur-vidhaḥ

Mahārāja Parīkṣit, thus being petitioned by the personality of Kali, gave him permission to reside in places where gambling, drinking, prostitution and animal slaughter were performed.

Parikṣit Mahārāja gave him four places. First is dyūtaṁ. Wherever there is dyūta kriḍā, gambling, is sinful activity. That is the place for Kali. This dyūta, gambling, includes playing cards, playing dice, horse races, and lottery. In the lottery, you purchase a ticket for a dollar and get back a million dollars, but that is a sinful activity, and this is going on. The government is also doing the lottery which means all are committing sinful activity; it is rampant, and that is Kali’s place. A Vaiṣṇava knows this therefore he refrains from it. Otherwise, one cannot develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or pure devotion.

The second place of Kali is pāna, liquor, wine, smoking biḍi, gāñjā, and cigarettes. Big advertisements, from many cigarette, tobacco companies, and chewing pān, guḍākū, tamākū, and tobacco; all these come under pāna: intoxicants. It is a sinful activity. If somebody becomes addicted to tamākū, tobacco, he cannot develop his true consciousness, God-consciousness but he will only develop animal consciousness as for those who smoke gāñjā and drink liquor. When you travel in an aeroplane, they give you a list of liquors available – choose what you want. This is going on. Those who are addicted to these different types of liquors become merciless animals; they lose their human consciousness and develop animal consciousness instead. They become cruel, just like animals. This is going on in Kali-yuga. Vena was a merciless person. He must have been addicted to these liquors, intoxicants, LSD, marijuana, and very strong drugs.

Then illicit sex. Generally, to have sex with another woman than one’s wife is illicit sex. But if you develop too much attachment toward your own wedded wife, thinking her to be an object for your enjoyment, that is also illicit sex. ‘I am married, she has come to give enjoyment to my tongue and genitals.’ That is also illicit sex.

Aupasthya-jaihvaṁ bahu-manyamānaḥ, Prahlāda Mahārāja says. Aupasthya means genitals. Jaihva indriya – she will cook palatable dishes, serve me, sit beside me, fan me, laugh, “My dear husband, taste this.” Then she will give enjoyment to my genitals, especially. One who accepts a wife for this purpose does illicit sex. That is illicit sex.

She’s Kṛṣṇa dāsī! She’s the maidservant of Kṛṣṇa! She is meant to be enjoyed by Kṛṣṇa, not by you! Kṛṣṇa is the only enjoyer, you should understand this – you are not the enjoyer, she’s meant to be enjoyed by Kṛṣṇa — she’s Kṛṣṇa dāsī, she’s a Vaiṣṇavī. Both husband and wife should be a Vaiṣṇava and Vaiṣṇavī, should engage in rendering loving service to Kṛṣṇa and giving Kṛṣṇa all enjoyment, all pleasure. They should refrain from giving pleasure to their own senses or that will be illicit sex.

Gaura-Kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja had a follower named Śambhu Bābu. One day, Śambhu Bābu came to have his darśana. He paid obeisances, and one of the devotees said, “Mahārāja, Śambhu Bābu has come. He is married now, has accepted a wife.” Gaura-Kiśora dāsa Bābājī Mahārāja said, “Śambhu Bābu! You should understand that your wife is Kṛṣṇa’s maidservant, Kṛṣṇa dāsī – she is a Vaiṣṇavī. So it is your duty: every day to pay obeisances unto her, yes, she is a Vaiṣṇavῑ; and you should eat her remnants – ‘bhakta-śeṣa’ haile ‘mahā-mahā-prasādākhyāna’ [Śrī Caitanya-caritāmṛta, Antya-līlā 16.59].” That is Gaura-Kiśora dāsa Bābājī’s instruction. “You should pay obeisances to her daily because she’s a Vaiṣṇavī, Kṛṣṇa’s dāsī, and you shouldn’t think that she’s to be enjoyed by you. She’s to be enjoyed by Kṛṣṇa, and you should accept her remnants.” Yes. Then one may say, “Oh, I have accepted a wife so I should eat her remnants and serve her and pay her obeisances!?” This is what Bābājῑ Mahārāja has said. If somebody cannot accept his wife as Kṛṣṇa dāsī and instead thinks that she’s his maidservant, that she has come to serve him and give him enjoyment, especially to his tongue and genitals, then he does illicit sex. Yes. So how can he chant? How can he develop bhāgavata-dharma, bhakti-dharma? He cannot because this is a great impediment.

Then comes sūnā, animal killing. You have no right to kill Kṛṣṇa’s jīva. You cannot give him life so how can you kill him? Yajña paśu vāda means you have to perform yajña. In the other yugas, a pure brāhmaṇa would perfectly utter the Veda mantra and test his mantra śakti. Uttering some mantras, he would put an animal into the sacrificial fire so that the animal leaves his body but immediately jumps out from the fire in a new vigorous body. Generally, old animals were sacrificed in this way. But in Kali-yuga it is stopped, no such brāhmaṇa is there to perform sacrifices. Only one yajña must be performed in Kali-yuga, that is nāma-yajña.

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

All yajñas have stopped because no proper brāhmaṇas are there – kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ [Skanda Purāṇa]. If you want to kill an animal then you have to perform yajña so he gets a new body, then you can eat the flesh from the left-over old body otherwise you are not allowed to eat meat. It is such, that these are regulative principles. One should follow strictly these principles and accept a bona fide nāma-tattva-vit guru then under his guidance he should chant,

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Then one can develop pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, can develop the kṛṣṇa-prema that Mahāprabhu is offering, thereby one can see Kṛṣṇa everywhere. When you see a jīva, you must see Kṛṣṇa there. Kṛṣṇa, as Paramātmā, is there in Kṛṣṇa’s jīva so how can you kill him? There is no question of killing, no question of developing enviousness, hiṁsā. Understand? Kṛṣṇa consciousness is the only means otherwise enviousness cannot be stopped, therefore this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a boon for all human society. Understand this, practice it in your life, and spread it; you will do real good to human society. Otherwise where is anything good in human society?

One should understand these confidential purports here and spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Go out and preach Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Speak bhagavat-kathā, say what Kṛṣṇa has said. Wherever kṛṣṇa-kathā, bhāgavat-kathā, chanting of the holy Name goes on, Kali cannot enter there; the doors are bolted – no fish-eating, no meat-eating, no gambling, no intoxicant, no illicit sex. So how can Kali enter there?

If somebody does not strictly follow the principles then Kali can enter into the movement, and then there is quarrelling. But if pure hari-kīrtana goes on then Bhagavān Kṛṣṇa appears there. So one who doesn’t preach is an animal killer. Yes. The tenth canto says:

nivṛtta-tarṣair upagῑyamānād
bhavauṣadhāc chrotra-mano-‘bhirāmāt
ka uttamaśloka-guṇānuvādāt
pumān virajyeta vinā paśughnāt

Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the paramparä system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except for a butcher or one who is killing his own self?

Who speaks kṛṣṇa-kathā? Nivṛtta-tarṣair upagῑyamānād.

Glorification of the Supreme Personality of Godhead is performed in the paramparā system; that is, it is conveyed from spiritual master to disciple. Such glorification is relished by those no longer interested in the false, temporary glorification of this cosmic manifestation. Descriptions of the Lord are the right medicine for the conditioned soul undergoing repeated birth and death. Therefore, who will cease hearing such glorification of the Lord except for a butcher or one who is killing his own self?

A butcher won’t hear, but all are attracted to kṛṣṇa-kathā because it is non-different from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is all-attractive so if you speak pure kṛṣṇa-kathā, everybody will be attracted. How did Prabhupāda Mahārāja attract everybody? He spoke only pure kṛṣṇa-kathā and could attract mlecchas, yavanas, animal-like people, animal killers, drunkards, and woman hunters. How could they be attracted? By the pure kṛṣṇa-kathā. Kṛṣṇa is all-attractive, and His kathā is also all-attractive. If you speak pure kṛṣṇa-kathā, everybody will be attracted. Who will not be attracted except butchers? One who is a butcher cannot be attracted; he gets up when Bhāgavata class goes on. Definitely he’s a butcher, a cruel person, he kills animals and he kills his own self.

Hearing kṛṣṇa-kathā is bhāva ausadha, the medicine for all suffering jīvas, for all people. Kṛṣṇa-kathā is so nectarean, mano-‘bhirāmāt. Nigama-kalpa-taror galita phala – it is the most ripened, sweetest, nectarean juicy fruit of the Vedic tree coming out from the lips of Śukadeva Gosvāmī who is Rādhārāṇῑ’s parrot. Relish it! Relish it! Why relish liquor? Relish this nectar! How sweet it is, how nectarean it is! This is such!

One who is relishing can speak because he is free from all desires, nivṛtta-tarṣair, having no desire for material enjoyment, no desire for liberation, he only desires bhavatād bhaktir ahaitukῑ tvayi – to develop pure bhakti, unalloyed devotion, love for kṛṣṇa-kathā. Only he can speak kṛṣṇa-kathā. And when such a Vaiṣṇava mahā-bhāgavata, premi bhakta speaks kṛṣṇa-kathā, it attracts everybody! Only a butcher, an animal killer and a killer of his own self will not be attracted to it. Therefore Mahāprabhu gave these regulative principles.

The bull is representing dharma, but three legs of the bull have been broken, only one leg remains. Dharma has four legs — austerity, cleanliness, mercy, and truthfulness – tapasyā, śauca, dayā, satya. In Kali-yuga, three legs are broken: tapasyā, śauca, dayā – austerity, cleanliness, and mercy, so mercilessness is going on. Only one leg of dharma remains in Kali-yuga, that is satya – truthfulness – that is harināma, the yuga-dharma.

In Satya-yuga, the four legs of dharma were intact but in Kali-yuga three legs are broken. Why and how did they break? Because of pride, because of illicit sex, and because of intoxication. These activities are rampant so three legs are broken, and only one leg is there. Everybody in Kali-yuga thinks of himself as great. Someone says, “Ham baḍā hai! I am great!” Another person says, “What? You are great? I am great!” Then the fighting begins, quarrelling begins, this is Kali. One country says, “Ham baḍā hai! I am great!” The other says, “You are great? No, we are great!” Then two countries fight, two nations fight. It’s Kali-yuga because everybody thinks he is great. It is because of this pride that the austerity leg broke. Illicit sex is rampant, to enjoy the senses is rampant therefore cleanliness, that leg broke. Many varieties of intoxicants are there, many big companies manufacture intoxicants. Manufacturers of toothpaste offer a bribe to the government who is facing a big problem, “Oh, the population is increasing, increasing, increasing! A big problem for us! They demand employment, employment, employment!’ But there is unemployment so we have to give them money, unemployment allowance. A big problem!” Then one company came, “I have made a nice, palatable toothpaste with poison in it so when people use it, they will die.” “Ok. Very good. You can do it.” This is going on.

That was my question – ‘Why is a human being becoming cruel?’ Because of this intoxication. Therefore no intoxication of any sort – no tea, no coffee, no liquor, no gāñjā, marijuana, LSD, strong drugs, even no betel nut. One should not chew betel nut, all these are intoxicants. Smoking cigarettes makes human beings merciless. This is the reason therefore Mahāprabhu gave these four regulative principles. Follow them strictly, chant ‘Hare Kṛṣṇa’, and develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

Vena must have been doing that thing therefore he was merciless. Then comes a bad son or a good son. Here Prabhupāda says in his purport, ‘It is said that a married couple must have a son, otherwise their family life is void. But a son born without good qualities is as good as a blind eye. A blind eye has no use for seeing, but it is simply unbearably painful. The King therefore thought himself very unfortunate to have such a bad son.’

It is better to have no son than to have a bad son. Why should one marry? Why should a man accept a wife and a woman accept a husband? For what is purpose? To enjoy sex? No. Evaṁ vyavāyaḥ prajayā na ratyā [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.5.13] – only to procreate progeny. This is the purpose of marriage. So, produce a Vaiṣṇava putra, a good son! That is the purpose of marriage. Don’t produce bastard children. A bad son will give you only pain and suffering. King Citraketu was maintaining one crore of wives because he was such an opulent king, but all his wives were barren. There was no issue so he was very much distressed. Aṅgirā Muni came, and understood the reason for his distress, he asked him, “Why you are hankering about having a son? May you have a son who will give you both pleasure and displeasure, a son who will not survive. He will die and bring you distress.” Who was his enemy last birth came as his son.

That is all discussed in Śrῑmad-Bhāgavatam. Unless you produce a Vaiṣṇava putra, don’t marry. The purpose of marriage is not to enjoy sex. Bhāgavata and Bhagavad-gītā say:

balaṁ balavatāṁ cāhaṁ
kāma-rāga-vivarjitam
dharmāviruddho bhūteṣu
kāmo ‘smi bharatarṣabha

I am the strength of the strong, devoid of passion and desire. I am sex life which is not contrary to religious principles, O Lord of the Bhāratas [Arjuna].

That sex life is not contradictory to religious principles. What is a religious principle? In order to procreate a Vaiṣṇava son, a good son, one will accept a wife. Otherwise don’t marry. Don’t produce children who are like pigs eating stool only, bastard children. If you want to enjoy sex, if you accept a wife and just produce bastard children, bad sons, they will give you all trouble, all pain. It would be better not to have a son. Only produce a good son, a Vaiṣṇava son. One who has produced a Vaiṣṇava son is a real father, and a real mother. Pitā na sa syāj jananī na sā syāt [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 5.5.18] – one should not be a father if he cannot inculcate Kṛṣṇa consciousness into his son or daughter. And the mother should be Kṛṣṇa conscious. Mother is the first teacher. Jananῑ na sā syāt – if she cannot inculcate Kṛṣṇa consciousness into her child, she should not produce a child, and if she produces a Vaiṣṇava son, she’s a real mother. She is a real mother. Śāstra says. You may have hundreds of children but if they all eat stool why will you produce such bastard children who are like Vena, like animals?

kulaṁ pavitraṁ jananῑ kṛtartha
vasundhara sa vasatiś ca dhanya
svarge sthitas tatra pitaro ‘pi dhanya
yasyaḥ suto vaiṣnava-nama loke

A woman whose son is famous as a Vaiṣnava in this world is glorious and successful. Her family is purified. Her home and country are glorious. Her ancestors in Svargaloka are glorious and fortunate.

yasyasti vaiṣṇava-putraḥ
putriṇῑ sa vidhῑyate
avaiṣṇava-śata-putra
jananῑ śukarῑ-sama

Who has produced a Kṛṣṇa conscious son is a real father, his married life is successful – he has produced a Vaiṣṇava son. The father is glorified and the mother is glorified because, jananῑ dhanya, she bore such a son, a Vaiṣṇava son. The whole dynasty of such a son is glorified. Ekaś candras tamo hanti na ca tārāḥ sahasraśaḥ [Cāṇakya Paṇḍita] – once the moon is there, all darkness is dissipated. Lakhs, lakhs of twinkling stars may be there but they cannot dissipate the darkness. Produce a Vaiṣṇava son, a bhakta putra then your whole dynasty will be delivered! Kulaṁ pavitraṁ jananῑ kṛtārthā – the mother who gave birth to such a Vaiṣṇava son is a real mother. Śukarῑ means a she-hog. Otherwise she is a she-hog producing hundreds of children, all are eating stool.

Wherever such a Vaiṣṇava son stays, that plot of land or country in the world becomes glorified. Svarge sthitas tatra pitaro ‘pi dhanya – his ancestors, forefathers in the heavenly planets rejoice, “Oh, such a son has come in our family!” They all become delivered, they rejoice.

She is jananῑ who has produced a Vaiṣṇava son. She’s glorified, she’s a real mother. A woman may be producing hundreds of avaiṣṇava putras, they are like pigs, all eat stool. So to have a good son is the purpose of marriage – evaṁ vyavāyaḥ prajayā na ratyā [Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 11.5.13], only to procreate progeny that is a yajña putra, a good son, a Vaiṣṇava putra who can glorify the whole dynasty. His father and mother should be glorified.

It is not the purpose of marriage to enjoy sex only. Do you understand? It is better not to have a son than to have a son like Vena. The king thought, “Persons who have no son are certainly fortunate. They must have worshipped the Lord in their previous lives so that they would not have to suffer the unbearable unhappiness caused by a bad son as I have been suffering.” Prabhupāda says.

Purport

But a son born without good qualities is as good as a blind eye. A blind eye has no use for seeing, but it is simply unbearably painful.

Produce that son, otherwise don’t marry. Nāme ruci jῑve dayā ei vaiṣṇava ācāra – develop taste for the holy name, develop complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, see the relationship of Kṛṣṇa, see Kṛṣṇa’s jīva, then dayā, compassion comes. Otherwise you will kill him and eat his flesh. Vena was killing his playmates like slaughtered animals.

The boy was so cruel that while playing with young boys of his age he would kill them very mercilessly as if they were animals meant for slaughter.

A person becomes merciless because of intoxication. That is the reason therefore no intoxication, no illicit sex, no killing of any animal, no eating meat, no gambling. Strictly follow this, and accept a bona fide nāma-tattva-vit guru and under his guidance chant pure Name.

Hare Kṛṣṇa Hare Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Kṛṣṇa Hare Hare
Hare Rāma Hare Rāma Rāma Rāma Hare Hare

Definitely you will get the mercy of Mahāprabhu and definitely you will get kṛṣṇa-prema thereby you can see Kṛṣṇa everywhere and see everything related to Kṛṣṇa. When you can see that everything, every jīva is related to Kṛṣṇa, how can you kill anyone? How can you develop envy towards anyone? No question. Then envy can be stopped. You cannot stop envy in this material world unless you spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Understand me?

Whoever gets a human birth has the opportunity to develop Kṛṣṇa consciousness – no more killing. You can develop pure devotion, get Kṛṣṇa, and see kṛṣṇa-sambandha. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness and this is the boon.

There will be no more envy at all! In complete Kṛṣṇa consciousness, one sees kṛṣṇa-sambandha – ‘he is Kṛṣṇa’s jīva who is the object of my love’ then he can develop love for the jīva. ‘How can I kill him? How can I develop enviousness toward him?’ Kṛṣṇa consciousness should be spread thereby an ideal example will be provided in a society where there is no envy at all – a society of Vaiṣṇavas. All will be very happy, the main purpose will be fulfilled. That will be a real centennial celebration to give Prabhupāda happiness. Understand? Do it. Take it as a vow in your life! You, temple president, make a vow, “I must do it! Yes, I will give happiness to Prabhupāda!”

Alright? Thank you very much.

Devotee: All glories to Mahārāja! Kī jaya! Prabhupādjῑ Mahārājajῑ kī jaya ! Samaveta bhakta vṛnda kī jaya! Gaura premānandῑ ! Haribol !

Śrīla Gaura Govinda Svāmī Mahārāja: If you are not favoured by kṛṣṇa-śakti you cannot spread Kṛṣṇa consciousness, bābā. By your own effort, you cannot do it. If somebody is fortunate to come and join, he hears kṛṣṇa-kathā, develops pure Kṛṣṇa consciousness, and cultivates bhāgavata-dharma, then his cruelty will be completely changed into love for all living entities. That story is there of Mṛgāri Vyādha who changed from being a very cruel person by the mercy of Nārada Muni. Other things are there but I stop here and will continue my speech in the evening. Thank you very much.

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