View source for Why they don't approach a spiritual master for religious knowledge? Why do they think they can do it by themselves?

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[[Category:Questions asked to Srila Prabhupada]]
[[Category:Questions asked to SP... 1976]]
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<div id="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="section" sec_index="5" parent="compilation" text="Conversations and Morning Walks"><h2>Conversations and Morning Walks</h2>
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<div id="1976_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="9" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1976 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1976 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
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<div id="GardenConversationJune221976NewVrindaban_2" class="quote" parent="1976_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="154" link="Garden Conversation -- June 22, 1976, New Vrindaban" link_text="Garden Conversation -- June 22, 1976, New Vrindaban">
<div class="heading">That is their foolishness.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Garden Conversation -- June 22, 1976, New Vrindaban|Garden Conversation -- June 22, 1976, New Vrindaban]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Devotee (2): We can see practically everyone understands that if they want to be a chemist, they study under another chemist, or a doctor goes to study from some doctor. Why they don't approach a spiritual master for religious knowledge? Why do they think they can do it by themselves?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: That is their foolishness.</p>
<p>Kīrtanānanda: That idea has been encouraged by rascals.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Just like if you want a son, you must have a wife. If one says "No, without wife, I'll get a son," this is nonsense. Is it possible?</p>
<p>Kuladri: But Śrīla Prabhupāda, without any desire we have been given the heaviest guru. How is that possible?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Hmm? Without any desire?</p>
<p>Kuladri : Without our knowing about Kṛṣṇa, having any desire to become Kṛṣṇa conscious, still we have been given the knowledge.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: I don't follow.</p>
<p>Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: He's saying that by Kṛṣṇa's mercy we're here, we've taken.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Hmm. No. Anyone who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, it is the duty to distribute it. It is his duty. You may... When I came here, I never came here because American boys or people wanted me. They did not feel any need of my presence. But I came here, because it is my duty. My Guru Mahārāja ordered me. So one may think there is need or no need—it is the duty of Kṛṣṇa conscious persons to spread it. Just like the example I have already given. The cloud..., the mountain does not want rain, the sea does not want, but the cloud throws water everywhere.</p>
<p>Devotee (3): If no one was thinking that they needed your presence, then how is it some have come and some have not come? What is the difference?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Difference is it is Kṛṣṇa's desire. He wants that "Don't remain like cats and dogs. Be intelligent and come back to Me." Kṛṣṇa says sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam śaraṇaṁ vraja ([[Vanisource:BG 18.66|BG 18.66]]). So it is the duty of a devotee of Kṛṣṇa to spread this knowledge so that they may take to Kṛṣṇa. The cats and dogs, they cannot understand, but those who are two-legged cats and dogs, (laughs) they can understand. That is the advantage, because they have got two legs. So long they had four legs (laughing) they could not understand. So here is a chance, two-legged, so give them some opportunity. That's all. (long pause) You grow bitter melon also here?</p>
<p>Kīrtanānanda: We tried to this spring to grow it, but we can't get the seed to sprout.</p>
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