View source for Precarious position

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[[Category:Precarious Position|1]]
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<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam" class="section" sec_index="1" parent="compilation" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam"><h2>Srimad-Bhagavatam</h2>
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<div id="SB_Canto_2" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 2"><h3>SB Canto 2</h3>
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<div id="SB2820_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_2" book="SB" index="269" link="SB 2.8.20" link_text="SB 2.8.20">
<div class="heading">At the time of Draupadī's precarious position, when she was attacked by the Kurus who wanted to see her naked in the open assembly of the royal order, the Lord saved her from being stripped by supplying an unlimited length of sari to cover her.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 2.8.20|SB 2.8.20, Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="purport text"><p style="display: inline;">The devotees of the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, do not directly practice the process of mystic powers, but, by the grace of the Lord, His devotee can defeat even a great yogeśvara like Durvāsā Muni, who picked a quarrel with Mahārāja Ambarīṣa and wanted to show the wonderful achievements of his mystic powers. Mahārāja Ambarīṣa was a pure devotee of the Lord, and thus without any effort on his part the Lord saved him from the wrath of Yogeśvara Durvāsā Muni, and the latter was obliged to beg pardon from the King. Similarly, at the time of Draupadī's precarious position, when she was attacked by the Kurus who wanted to see her naked in the open assembly of the royal order, the Lord saved her from being stripped by supplying an unlimited length of sari to cover her. And Draupadī knew nothing of mystic powers. Therefore the devotees are also yogeśvaras by the unlimited power of the Lord, just as a child is powerful by the strength of the parents. They do not try to protect themselves by any artificial means, but are saved by the mercy of the parents.</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_4" class="sub_section" sec_index="4" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 4"><h3>SB Canto 4</h3>
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<div id="SB4868_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="355" link="SB 4.8.68" link_text="SB 4.8.68">
<div class="heading">Dhruva Mahārāja's affectionate father thought his young boy, only five years old, to be in a very precarious position in the jungle, but Nārada Muni assured him, "You do not have sufficient information about the influence of your son." Anyone who engages in devotional service, anywhere within this universe, is never unprotected.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.8.68|SB 4.8.68, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">The great sage Nārada replied: My dear King, please do not he aggrieved about your son. He is well protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Although you have no actual information of his influence, his reputation is already spread all over the world.</p>
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<div class="purport text"><p>Sometimes when we hear that great sages and devotees go to the forest and engage themselves in devotional service or meditation, we become surprised: how can one live in the forest and not be taken care of by anyone? But the answer, given by a great authority, Nārada Muni, is that such persons are well protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Śaraṇāgati, or surrender, means acceptance or firm belief that wherever the surrendered soul lives he is always protected by the Supreme Personality of Godhead; he is never alone or unprotected. Dhruva Mahārāja's affectionate father thought his young boy, only five years old, to be in a very precarious position in the jungle, but Nārada Muni assured him, "You do not have sufficient information about the influence of your son." Anyone who engages in devotional service, anywhere within this universe, is never unprotected.</p>
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<div id="SB42954_1" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_4" book="SB" index="1277" link="SB 4.29.54" link_text="SB 4.29.54">
<div class="heading">My dear King, the living does not see the gradual diminishing of his life, nor does he care about the superintendent of death, who is trying to kill him from behind. Just try to understand this. You are in a precarious position and are threatened from all sides.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 4.29.54|SB 4.29.54, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">My dear King, woman, who is very attractive in the beginning but in the end very disturbing, is exactly like the flower, which is attractive in the beginning and detestable at the end. With woman, the living entity is entangled with lusty desires, and he enjoys sex, just as one enjoys the aroma of a flower. He thus enjoys a life of sense gratification—from his tongue to his genitals—and in this way the living entity considers himself very happy in family life. United with his wife, he always remains absorbed in such thoughts. He feels great pleasure in hearing the talks of his wife and children, which are like the sweet humming of bumblebees that collect honey from flower to flower. He forgets that before him is time, which is taking away his life-span with the passing of day and night. He does not see the gradual diminishing of his life, nor does he care about the superintendent of death, who is trying to kill him from behind. Just try to understand this. You are in a precarious position and are threatened from all sides.</p>
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<div class="purport text"><p>Materialistic life means forgetting one's constitutional position as the eternal servant of Kṛṣṇa, and this forgetfulness is especially enhanced in the gṛhastha-āśrama.</p>
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<div id="SB_Canto_8" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam" text="SB Canto 8"><h3>SB Canto 8</h3>
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<div id="SB8245_0" class="quote" parent="SB_Canto_8" book="SB" index="816" link="SB 8.24.5" link_text="SB 8.24.5">
<div class="heading">Unfortunately, because in Kali-yuga there is no protection of the cows and brahminical culture, everything is in a precarious position. If human society wants to be exalted, the leaders of society must follow the instructions of Bhagavad-gītā and give protection to the cows, the brāhmaṇas and brahminical culture.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:SB 8.24.5|SB 8.24.5, Translation and Purport]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">Śrī Śukadeva Gosvāmī said: O King, for the sake of protecting the cows, brāhmaṇas, demigods, devotees, the Vedic literature, religious principles, and principles to fulfill the purpose of life, the Supreme Personality of Godhead accepts the forms of incarnations.</p>
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<div class="purport text"><p>The Supreme Personality of Godhead generally appears in various types of incarnations to give protection to the cows and brāhmaṇas. The Lord is described as go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya ca; in other words, He is always eager to benefit the cows and brāhmaṇas. When Lord Kṛṣṇa appeared, He purposefully became a cowherd boy and showed personally how to give protection to the cows and calves. Similarly, He showed respect to Sudāmā Vipra, a real brāhmaṇa. From the Lord's personal activities, human society should learn how to give protection specifically to the brāhmaṇas and cows. Then the protection of religious principles, fulfillment of the aim of life and protection of Vedic knowledge can be achieved. Without protection of cows, brahminical culture cannot be maintained; and without brahminical culture, the aim of life cannot be fulfilled. The Lord, therefore, is described as go-brāhmaṇa-hitāya because His incarnation is only for the protection of the cows and brāhmaṇas. Unfortunately, because in Kali-yuga there is no protection of the cows and brahminical culture, everything is in a precarious position. If human society wants to be exalted, the leaders of society must follow the instructions of Bhagavad-gītā and give protection to the cows, the brāhmaṇas and brahminical culture.</p>
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<div id="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" class="section" sec_index="2" parent="compilation" text="Sri Caitanya-caritamrta"><h2>Sri Caitanya-caritamrta</h2>
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<div id="CC_Madhya-lila" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Sri_Caitanya-caritamrta" text="CC Madhya-lila"><h3>CC Madhya-lila</h3>
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<div id="CCMadhya259_0" class="quote" parent="CC_Madhya-lila" book="CC" index="345" link="CC Madhya 2.59" link_text="CC Madhya 2.59">
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:CC Madhya 2.59|CC Madhya 2.59, Translation]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="trans text"><p style="display: inline;">“All these inauspicious days and nights are not passing, for I have not met You. It is difficult to know how to pass all this time. But You are the friend of the helpless and an ocean of mercy. Kindly give Me Your audience, for I am in a precarious position.</p>
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<div id="Lectures" class="section" sec_index="4" parent="compilation" text="Lectures"><h2>Lectures</h2>
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<div id="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="0" parent="Lectures" text="Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures"><h3>Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures</h3>
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<div id="LectureonBG213NewYorkMarch111966_0" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="58" link="Lecture on BG 2.13 -- New York, March 11, 1966" link_text="Lecture on BG 2.13 -- New York, March 11, 1966">
<div class="heading">One should be conscious of his precarious position, that "I am eternal, but I am encaged in a temporary body which will not exist."
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 2.13 -- New York, March 11, 1966|Lecture on BG 2.13 -- New York, March 11, 1966]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Prahlāda Mahārāja says, sadā samudvigna-dhiyām. And why this anxiety? Now, asad-grahāt. Asad-grahāt: "Because he has accepted this temporary body." He is eternal. A living spirit is eternal, but he has been forced to accept this temporary body. This is my position. One should be conscious of his precarious position, that "I am eternal, but I am encaged in a temporary body which will not exist. However I may try to make it youthful by so many arrangement, but no..." The science cannot give you permanent life. That is not possible. You may be, may be proud of your scientific advancement of knowledge, but Bhagavad-gītā says that four things... Janma-mṛtyu-jarā-vyādhi-duḥkha-doṣānudarśanam ([[Vanisource:BG 13.8-12 (1972)|BG 13.9]]). "My dear sir, however you may make advancement in scientific knowledge, you cannot stop birth, you cannot stop death, you cannot stop old age, neither you can stop diseases." You see? So, so long we have got this body, so we must have anxieties. That is the law of nature.</p>
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<div id="LectureonBG23637LondonSeptember41973_1" class="quote" parent="Bhagavad-gita_As_It_Is_Lectures" book="Lec" index="100" link="Lecture on BG 2.36-37 -- London, September 4, 1973" link_text="Lecture on BG 2.36-37 -- London, September 4, 1973">
<div class="heading">So Arjuna's position is very precarious.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on BG 2.36-37 -- London, September 4, 1973|Lecture on BG 2.36-37 -- London, September 4, 1973]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Prabhupāda: So Arjuna's position is very precarious. There is a Bengali proverb naste bose bhunkata.(?) A girl, he, she is very famous dancing girl. So it is the system... As we have introduced, the girls and ladies, they have their veil, guṇṭhana. It is called guṇṭhana in Indian language. So a dancing girl, when she was on the stage, she saw that so many of her relatives are there as visitors. So she began to draw the veil. So this is not required. You are a dancing girl. Now you have to dance. You cannot be shy. You must freely dance. That is your duty. So Arjuna, some rascal has killed some man giving the reason that killing is not sinful because in the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated there. Yes. Apparently, to the rascals it appears like that, that Kṛṣṇa is encouraging Arjuna to fight. And he says there is no sin. But the rascal does not see under what condition he is advising. Sva-dharmam api cāvekṣya. The sva-dharma, the principle is a kṣatriya's duty to fight, is to kill in fight. If you are in fight, you become sympathetic, then the same example: the dancing girl, when on the stage, if she is shy, it is like that. Why she should be shy? She must dance freely. That will be credit. So in the warfield, you cannot be compassionate. That is not required. In so many ways. Ahiṁsā ārjava, these are good qualities. In the thirteen chapter, Kṛṣṇa has described ahiṁsā, nonviolence. Nonviolence is generally accepted. And actually Arjuna was nonviolent. He was not a coward, not that because he was coward, therefore he was refusing to fight. No. As a Vaiṣṇava, naturally he is nonviolent. He does not like to kill anyone, and especially his own family men. He was taking a little compassion. Not that he was a coward. So Kṛṣṇa is encouraging, inducing Arjuna to observe the duty. You cannot deviate from duty. That was the point. When there is fight, you must fight regularly, and kill the enemies. That is your credit. When you are fighting with the enemies, if you become compassionate, "How shall I kill?" that is cowardice.</p>
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<div id="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="1" parent="Lectures" text="Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures"><h3>Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures</h3>
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<div id="LectureonSB1824MayapuraOctober41974_0" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="212" link="Lecture on SB 1.8.24 -- Mayapura, October 4, 1974" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.8.24 -- Mayapura, October 4, 1974">
<div class="heading">So these generals, Bhīṣmadeva, Karṇadeva, Karṇa and others, they were very, very powerful than Arjuna. Therefore Arjuna took the opportunity of killing Karṇa in a precarious position.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.8.24 -- Mayapura, October 4, 1974|Lecture on SB 1.8.24 -- Mayapura, October 4, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So in that battlefield, mṛdhe mṛdhe, there were Bhīṣmadeva, Droṇācārya, Karṇa, Kṛpācārya. They were so big fighters, mahā-ratha. Mahā-ratha means... Mahā-ratha, ati-ratha, eka-ratha. A fighter who can fight with one man, he is called eka-ratha. And one who can fight with thousands of men, he is called mahā-ratha. And more than that, he is called ati-ratha. So these generals, Bhīṣmadeva, Karṇadeva, Karṇa and others, they were very, very powerful than Arjuna. Therefore Arjuna took the opportunity of killing Karṇa in a precarious position. Similarly, Bhīṣma was... Karṇa was almost dead when Bhīṣma was fighting.</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB11527NewYorkMarch61975_1" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="294" link="Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975">
<div class="heading">And now India's position is: it is neither spiritual nor material. That's all. Just like it is, the example is, if there are two boats and if you place your leg this boat and that boat, the position is very precarious.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975|Lecture on SB 1.15.27 -- New York, March 6, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So we do not want to criticize anyone, but sometimes it so happens. Big, big scholars, big, big politicians, they misguide people. That is the position of India. So many big, big leaders and politician and so-called swamis and yogis, they have exploited people by bluffing, and now India's position is: it is neither spiritual nor material. (laughter) That's all. Dhuno ke pap.(?) Just like it is, the example is, if there are two boats and if you place your leg this boat and that boat, the position is very precarious. (laughter) Neither in this boat, neither that boat. Fully. So our position is that. We are learning technology, and the western countries, they are advanced in technology always hundred years more. Some years ago there was a big exhibition in Delhi. The show was that India had manufactured cycle and sewing machine. That is their proud. The cycle, I think, two hundred years ago (laughs) was manufactured in the western countries and so also sewing machine. So India was very much proud, that "Now we have got cycle." When they are manufacturing big, big 747 airplane, we are manufacturing cycle. (laughter) Just see.</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB11622HawaiiJanuary181974_2" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="338" link="Lecture on SB 1.16.22 -- Hawaii, January 18, 1974" link_text="Lecture on SB 1.16.22 -- Hawaii, January 18, 1974">
<div class="heading">So at the present moment, our position is very precarious. We are in the darkness, ignorance, and so many other things, corollaries to these things.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 1.16.22 -- Hawaii, January 18, 1974|Lecture on SB 1.16.22 -- Hawaii, January 18, 1974]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So at the present moment, our position is very precarious. We are in the darkness, ignorance, and so many other things, corollaries to these things. Rāṣṭrāṇi vā tair avaropitāni itas tataḥ. Just see. Five thousand years ago this Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam was written, the symptoms of Kali-yuga. Now you see that, itas tato vāśana-pāna-vāsaḥ-snāna. Now everywhere, all over the world, the young boys and girls, they have no fixture where they'll live, where they'll take their bath, where they'll eat or how, or how they'll have sex. No. These are preliminary necessities of life. One must have a good place to live. One must have sufficient nice foodstuff to eat. Sleep. Eating, sleeping, mating—this is physical necessities. So in the Vedic civilization, these necessities are prescribed in a regulated way so that he can satisfy his physical necessities, at the same time, become Kṛṣṇa conscious and go back to home, back to Godhead.</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB558VrndavanaOctober301976_3" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="543" link="Lecture on SB 5.5.8 -- Vrndavana, October 30, 1976" link_text="Lecture on SB 5.5.8 -- Vrndavana, October 30, 1976">
<div class="heading">Kṛṣṇa is canvassing personally that "You give up all these plans, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja. That will save you from this precarious position of material world, threefold miseries, suffering after suffering after suffering."
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 5.5.8 -- Vrndavana, October 30, 1976|Lecture on SB 5.5.8 -- Vrndavana, October 30, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So we should not be entangled as far as possible. It is not possible, very, very difficult, but if it is possible we can..., there is brahmacārī. This is tapasya. Because we have begun these verses, tapo divyaṁ putrakā yena śuddhyed sattvam ([[Vanisource:SB 5.5.1|SB 5.5.1]]). Tapasya. That tapasya begins, tapasā brahmacāryeṇa, brahmacārī ([[Vanisource:SB 6.1.13-14|SB 6.1.13]]). That is tapasya. So if possible we should try to remain. But Kṛṣṇa consciousness is so nice if we accept Kṛṣṇa very seriously, with Kṛṣṇa anyone, either man or woman, we can remain very happy with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa can become my friend, Kṛṣṇa can become my husband, Kṛṣṇa can become my son—whatever you want. So in this way, if we advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then we can save ourselves, janasya moho 'yam. In this illusory galaxy of illusory, this material world, we may be saved, and that is wanted that we have to give up the attraction for this material world. Then there is possibility of spiritual advancement. Therefore Kṛṣṇa is canvassing personally that "You give up all these plans, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇaṁ vraja ([[Vanisource:BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). That will save you from this precarious position of material world, threefold miseries, suffering after suffering after suffering."</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB6145LagunaBeachJuly261975_4" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="676" link="Lecture on SB 6.1.45 -- Laguna Beach, July 26, 1975" link_text="Lecture on SB 6.1.45 -- Laguna Beach, July 26, 1975">
<div class="heading">But he wanted some master, because a dog without master, his position is very precarious. So we are all servant. Every one of us, we are all servants of māyā.
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 6.1.45 -- Laguna Beach, July 26, 1975|Lecture on SB 6.1.45 -- Laguna Beach, July 26, 1975]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So we have not manufactured this; this is the standard. Just like Kṛṣṇa says, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekaṁ śaraṇam ([[Vanisource:BG 18.66 (1972)|BG 18.66]]). "Why you are unnecessarily running just like dog?" That street dog, we have seen just now on the beach, he has no master. So sometimes he is running this way, sometimes this running way, and he saw us. He knows—after all, he is a living being—that "There are some Vaiṣṇavas. So let me go with them if they will give us shelter." That is the purpose. He was coming. You were making, "Hut!" (laughter) But he wanted some master, because a dog without master, his position is very precarious. Without master... So we are all servant. Every one of us, we are all servants of māyā. Māyā means we are servant of our desires. We are servant of our different desires. Somebody is thinking, "I shall be happy in this way"; somebody is thinking, "I shall be happy in this way." In this way we have got different desires, and we are servant of the desires. So servant of desire means just like the street dog. He is also desiring: "If these gentleman will accept me as his dog?" But he is going there, and he is driven away: "Hut! Hut!" He is going to some house, moving his tail, "My dear sir, will you give me some food?" "No, no. Go away." We are also going also: "My dear sir, will you give me some service?" "No vacancy. Get out." This is our position. Hana māyāra dāsa kori nāna abhilāṣa. Because we are constitutionally servant of God, but we have given up that service, we have now become the servant of māyā. Therefore our life is frustrated, because you do not know "What is my actual position."</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB799MayapurFebruary161976_5" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="804" link="Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976" link_text="Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976">
<div class="heading">So they were kidnapped for so many days or so many years, so they appealed to Kṛṣṇa that "We'll not be accepted either by our father, neither anybody will agree to marry." Then Kṛṣṇa understood that "Their position is very precarious. Although they are released, they cannot go anywhere."
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976|Lecture on SB 7.9.9 -- Mayapur, February 16, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">You know the story, that many beautiful, sixteen thousand beautiful, I mean to say, king's daughters were kidnapped by the asura. What is the name of that asura? Bhaumāsura, no? Yes. So they prayed to Kṛṣṇa that "We are suffering, kidnapped by this rascal. Please save us." So Kṛṣṇa came to rescue them, and the Bhaumāsura was killed and all the girls were made free. But after freedom they were still standing there. So Kṛṣṇa asked them, "Now you can go home to your father." They said that "We are kidnapped, and we cannot be married." In India still that rule is there. If one girl, young girl, goes out of home for one day or two days, nobody will marry him (her). Nobody will marry him (her). He's (She's) considered to be spoiled. This is still the Indian system. So they were kidnapped for so many days or so many years, so they appealed to Kṛṣṇa that "We'll not be accepted either by our father, neither anybody will agree to marry." Then Kṛṣṇa understood that "Their position is very precarious. Although they are released, they cannot go anywhere." Then Kṛṣṇa... He's so kind, bhakta-vatsala. He inquired, "What you want?" That... They said that "You accept me. Otherwise we have no other means to stay." Kṛṣṇa immediately: "Yes, come on." This is Kṛṣṇa.</p>
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<div id="LectureonSB7940MayapurMarch181976_6" class="quote" parent="Srimad-Bhagavatam_Lectures" book="Lec" index="846" link="Lecture on SB 7.9.40 -- Mayapur, March 18, 1976" link_text="Lecture on SB 7.9.40 -- Mayapur, March 18, 1976">
<div class="heading">So genital has become my master, the tongue has become my master, the hand has become my master, the leg has become my master, so I am the servant of so many masters. So my position is very precarious. How can you satisfy so many masters?
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<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture on SB 7.9.40 -- Mayapur, March 18, 1976|Lecture on SB 7.9.40 -- Mayapur, March 18, 1976]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">I'm not master; I'm servant of the tongue. Then just below the belly there is one genital. He has used it with his wife, and still, he goes to the prostitute. Servant. "Let us have some new taste." For tasting new sex enjoyment, people simply travel from one place to another. Especially nowadays, I have got experience in Delhi. I have seen. The foreigners, they are coming, ordering the manager that "I want this, I want that, because I have come here by the dictation of my genital." People go to Paris—I know many gentlemen—for satisfying the genital. So genital has become my master, the tongue has become my master, the hand has become my master, the leg has become my master, so I am the servant of so many masters. So my position is very precarious. How can you satisfy so many masters?</p>
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<div id="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="2" parent="Lectures" text="Nectar of Devotion Lectures"><h3>Nectar of Devotion Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="TheNectarofDevotionVrndavanaOctober241972_0" class="quote" parent="Nectar_of_Devotion_Lectures" book="Lec" index="14" link="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 24, 1972" link_text="The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 24, 1972">
<div class="heading">My position is very precarious. This morning, one man came to challenge me that how I am converting these mlecchas and yavanas to Vaiṣṇava.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 24, 1972|The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, October 24, 1972]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">īla Jīva Gosvāmī has commented on this line, śvādo 'pi sadyaḥ, that a dog-eater, after becoming a devotee, immediately he becomes a qualified brāhmaṇa, so much so that he becomes competent to become a priest in the matter of offering sacrifices. But Jīva Gosvāmī says that even a person is born in brāhmaṇa family, he awaits the qualification of performing sacrifices. He has to be initiated. He has to be advanced in education, so many things. But one dog-eater, if he takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, immediately, without waiting for reformatory method, he becomes immediately competent to act as priest in performing sacrifices. But we should not take advantage of this. Actually, we should become on the platform of brāhmaṇa, qualified brāhmaṇa, qualification Vaiṣṇava so that others may not criticize. That is our special request. That chance is there, everyone. This path of Kṛṣṇa consciousness is open to everyone. It does not matter. My position is very precarious. This morning, one man came to challenge me that how I am converting these mlecchas and yavanas to Vaiṣṇava.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Initiation_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Lectures" text="Initiation Lectures"><h3>Initiation Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="LectureInitiationSeattleOctober201968_0" class="quote" parent="Initiation_Lectures" book="Lec" index="10" link="Lecture &amp; Initiation -- Seattle, October 20, 1968" link_text="Lecture &amp; Initiation -- Seattle, October 20, 1968">
<div class="heading">India's position is very precarious, because they have left their own culture and they're trying to imitate the Western culture, which they cannot due to so many circumstances, and therefore they're put between the horns of Scylla and Charybdis.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Lecture &amp; Initiation -- Seattle, October 20, 1968|Lecture &amp; Initiation -- Seattle, October 20, 1968]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">So in this age people are embarrassed in so many ways. First disqualification is that they do not live for long time. The average duration of life in India is thirty-five years, and I do not know exactly what is the average age here, but in India the people are overcrowded. They have no such intelligence, or they did not care to go outside India, colonize. Everyone went there to exploit, but they never thought of exploiting other places. That is their cultural... They do not try to encroach upon others' property. Anyway, India's position is very precarious, because they have left their own culture and they're trying to imitate the Western culture, which they cannot due to so many circumstances, and therefore they're put into, between the horns of Scylla and Charybdis. You see. So this age is like that. Not only in India, in other countries the difficulties are in a different way. The problems are different. But there are problems, either in India or in America or in China. Everywhere, they are trying to make so many schemes for world peace.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="General_Lectures" class="sub_section" sec_index="11" parent="Lectures" text="General Lectures"><h3>General Lectures</h3>
</div>
<div id="PandalLectureBombayApril61971_0" class="quote" parent="General_Lectures" book="Lec" index="80" link="Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 6, 1971" link_text="Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 6, 1971">
<div class="heading">By speculating we cannot understand our ordinary father without the instruction of mother. If you go on speculating, "He may be my father. He may be my father. He may be father," go on speculating, but you will never understand who is your father. But you accept the authoritative statement of your mother, that "He is your father"—that is perfect knowledge. That process should be accepted. Otherwise, our position is very precarious.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 6, 1971|Pandal Lecture -- Bombay, April 6, 1971]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">It is not that you have to become completely perfect by following certain process. If you simply perfectly follow the instruction of Kṛṣṇa, then you become perfect. Other processes, yoga, dhyāna, karma, jñāna... There are many processes to make oneself perfect, but even becoming perfect, you cannot understand Kṛṣṇa. Yoginām. Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu kaścid yatati siddhaye ([[Vanisource:BG 7.3 (1972)|BG 7.3]]). Siddhaye means perfection. Yatatām api siddhānāṁ kaścid vetti māṁ tattvataḥ. Even you become perfect, still, it is doubtful whether you have understood Kṛṣṇa. This is the position.</p>
<p>Therefore the conclusion is that if you simply follow the perfect instruction of Kṛṣṇa, then automatically you become perfect, however imperfect you may be. That is our duty. It is not very difficult. Just like a child, a boy, a child. He's asking father, "My dear father, what is this?" An intelligent child questions like that. The father explains, "This is this," and the child accepts. Then his knowledge is perfect. But if he accepts the instruction of the father or mother, immediately he becomes perfect. There are many other examples. Just like a child wants to know who is father. The mother says, "My dear child, this gentleman is your father"—that is perfect knowledge. But if the child wants to research who is his father, it is impossible to find out. Similarly, if we want to know the supreme father, Kṛṣṇa, or God, we have to take instruction from the supreme father, not speculating, just like by speculating we cannot understand our ordinary father without the instruction of mother. If you go on speculating, "He may be my father. He may be my father. He may be father," go on speculating, but you will never understand who is your father. But you accept the authoritative statement of your mother, that "He is your father"—that is perfect knowledge. That process should be accepted. Otherwise, our position is very precarious.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Philosophy_Discussions" class="sub_section" sec_index="13" parent="Lectures" text="Philosophy Discussions"><h3>Philosophy Discussions</h3>
</div>
<div id="PhilosophyDiscussiononJohnDewey_0" class="quote" parent="Philosophy_Discussions" book="Lec" index="10" link="Philosophy Discussion on John Dewey" link_text="Philosophy Discussion on John Dewey">
<div class="heading">You are rascal. When it is explained by God Himself, and actually by doing it, you do not accept it. And still you imagine. So your position is very precarious.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Philosophy Discussion on John Dewey|Philosophy Discussion on John Dewey]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Hayagrīva: He says in the realm of philosophy and religion, certainty is impossible. He says, "The moment philosophy supposes it can find a final and comprehensive solution, it ceases to be inquiry and becomes either apologetics or propaganda. Any philosophy that in its quest for certainty ignores the reality of the uncertain in the ongoing processes of nature denies the conditions out of which it arises."</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: There is uncertain when you do not accept the reality. The reality is God, and God is explaining how things are going on, but you take it as mythology. Then how you will know?</p>
<p>Hayagrīva: No way.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Huh?</p>
<p>Hayagrīva: No way.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: You are rascal. When it is explained by God Himself, and actually by doing it, you do not accept it. And still you imagine. So your position is very precarious. When God comes Himself and shows Himself, His activities, we think it is mythology. Then how we can be convinced? Direct perception and authority. And the direct perception, when He comes you take it that it is mythology. When the direct perception history is written about Kṛṣṇa in Mahābhārata, and then you take it as mythology. Then how he will believe it? And the authority accepts, "Yes, Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme. He has done it." You say, "I don't accept it." Then how you will be convinced? What is the way to convince you? Huh? What is the way, possible way?</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="section" sec_index="5" parent="compilation" text="Conversations and Morning Walks"><h2>Conversations and Morning Walks</h2>
</div>
<div id="1970_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="3" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1970 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1970 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationDecember121970Indore_0" class="quote" parent="1970_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="3" link="Room Conversation -- December 12, 1970, Indore" link_text="Room Conversation -- December 12, 1970, Indore">
<div class="heading">It is to be very carefully tackled. This king is going to die very soon. And as soon as the king dies, the queen's position is very precarious, almost finished. So if she becomes our president, she'll continue to keep her honor and prestige.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation -- December 12, 1970, Indore|Room Conversation -- December 12, 1970, Indore]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Haṁsadūta: No. If we get that house, Prabhupāda...</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: You can get.</p>
<p>Haṁsadūta: We can get?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes, why not? You have appealed to the king, and he is willing. Why can you not? What is the difficulty? Now it is your business how to induce, induce him. There is chance, ninety percent chance.</p>
<p>Haṁsadūta: In which way will it be most helpful, in giving money personally or inducing others to give money? He will give money?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes, otherwise...</p>
<p>Haṁsadūta: How much money?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Ten lakhs.</p>
<p>Haṁsadūta: Ten lakhs. They can give the full amount?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes, why not? This man... It is to be very carefully tackled. This king is going to die very soon. And as soon as the king dies, the queen's position is very precarious, almost finished. So if she becomes our president, she'll continue to keep her honor and prestige. That's a fact. She's a good lady. We have no objection to make her the president of the local center. And she is American. She will be able to tackle these American boys and girls with motherly affection. And we shall keep her always in good respect so that throughout her life she shall be honored all over as she was, as she was honored with her husband. This is a fact. So you have to convince her.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1973_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="6" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1973 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1973 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationJuly91973London_0" class="quote" parent="1973_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="33" link="Room Conversation -- July 9, 1973, London" link_text="Room Conversation -- July 9, 1973, London">
<div class="heading">Śūdra. Unless he gets that post, he'll starve. He has got some talent in some particular subject but he must get some service. By serving others, he'll be able to utilize his talent and get some money, then he'll eat. This is śūdra's business. Dog's business. Just like a dog unless he has got a nice master, his position is very precarious. A street dog.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation -- July 9, 1973, London|Room Conversation -- July 9, 1973, London]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Prabhupāda: Just like a śūdra, he cleans in the road for money. They are going as professor but the category is the same. You don't make any distinction between that sweeper and this professor. Or a hog and cat and dog. The hog is also working hard, whole day and night for stool, eating. So this man is also working like that. Beyond that he has no other knowledge.</p>
<p>Revatīnandana: The scientists, they have a term. Psychologists, they call it the idiot savant. The idiot savant means he's an idiot but he has one particular talent and because of that talent he can get along. Just like sometimes you find an idiot, he can look at a column of figures and he can compute the sum in his head very easily but he can't even understand how to tie his shoes. And I think these scholars are like that, they're actually idiots but they have one talent for Sanskrit or for history and because of that they can get along. They can support their body but otherwise they have no qualifications.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Śūdra. Unless he gets that post, he'll starve. He has got some talent in some particular subject but he must get some service. By serving others, he'll be able to utilize his talent and get some money, then he'll eat. This is śūdra's business. Dog's business. Just like a dog unless he has got a nice master, his position is very precarious. A street dog. Nobody will care neither it is (indistinct).</p>
<p>Yogeśvara: You point out in Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam that they go to school and learn to become Ph.D., then they have to knock on the door for a job and no one will open the door.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: No vacancy, sir. So just like dog.</p>
<p>Revatīnandana: But they have a way to force them to work. The politicians force the scholars.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes.</p>
<p>Revatīnandana: If they don't print books, if they don't write a book every now and then and print it, get it published, they lose their tenure, their position as a professor. They must produce one book, then another book, then another book. If they don't, finished. In this way they are working all the time.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationwithDrArnoldToynbeeFamousHistorianathishomeorofficeJuly221973London_1" class="quote" parent="1973_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="49" link="Room Conversation with Dr. Arnold Toynbee, Famous Historian, at his home or office -- July 22, 1973, London" link_text="Room Conversation with Dr. Arnold Toynbee, Famous Historian, at his home or office -- July 22, 1973, London">
<div class="heading">Well, change can take place any moment, provided they will take this movement little seriously. Change for good.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation with Dr. Arnold Toynbee, Famous Historian, at his home or office -- July 22, 1973, London|Room Conversation with Dr. Arnold Toynbee, Famous Historian, at his home or office -- July 22, 1973, London]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Prabhupāda: So these four things are considered sinful activities: illicit sex, meat, unecessarily killing of animals, and intoxication, and gambling. Yatra pāpas catur-vidhaḥ. These are four kinds of sinful activities. So Vedic civilization means they should be freed from the sinful activities. Then other things will automatically come.</p>
<p>Śyāmasundara: I think Mr. Toynbee... I saw on television, I saw you once on a television program in New York.</p>
<p>Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes, yes.</p>
<p>Śyāmasundara: And you concluded that if men came out of this age who had developed a spirit of renunciation, true renunciation from material pursuit, that this would enable the world to rectify its present precarious position.</p>
<p>Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes, yes, yes. Yes.</p>
<p>Śyāmasundara: So... Yes.</p>
<p>Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Do you see any signs of change in the western world or not?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Well, change can take place any moment, provided they will take this movement little seriously. Change for good.</p>
<p>Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Change for good. Yes.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes. And your article showed that you are also for change for good.</p>
<p>Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes, yes.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes. So our movement and your honor, we can cooperate for the good of the general people.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" class="sub_section" sec_index="8" parent="Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" text="1975 Conversations and Morning Walks"><h3>1975 Conversations and Morning Walks</h3>
</div>
<div id="MorningWalkSeptember131975Vrndavana_0" class="quote" parent="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="186" link="Morning Walk -- September 13, 1975, Vrndavana" link_text="Morning Walk -- September 13, 1975, Vrndavana">
<div class="heading">We have no eyes to see. We see through Kṛṣṇa. As Kṛṣṇa sees, we see. This is Kṛṣṇa conscious. We are not perfect. Our position is that we are not perfect. But we are perfect so long we follow Kṛṣṇa, that's all. Just like I am blind man. I am not perfect. But if you have got eyes, if you take me I follow you. Then I am perfect. Kṛṣṇa assures that "You surrender to Me and I will make you free from all dangers," and we accept Kṛṣṇa.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Morning Walk -- September 13, 1975, Vrndavana|Morning Walk -- September 13, 1975, Vrndavana]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Pṛthu-putra: I read in one of your books so many names about different groups of these Māyāvādī philosophers. Are they still existing today and active?</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: Yes. Anyone who thinks godlessness, he is Māyāvādī, that's all. Anyone. All these impersonalists, they are all Māyāvādīs. And mostly they are now impersonalists.</p>
<p>Dhṛṣṭaketu: So although we can't see it with our material eyes, their position is very precarious.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: We have no eyes to see. We see through Kṛṣṇa. As Kṛṣṇa sees, we see. This is Kṛṣṇa conscious. We are not perfect. Our position is that we are not perfect. But we are perfect so long we follow Kṛṣṇa, that's all. Just like I am blind man. I am not perfect. But if you have got eyes, if you take me I follow you. Then I am perfect. Kṛṣṇa assures that "You surrender to Me and I will make you free from all dangers," and we accept Kṛṣṇa. That's all. Our method is very easy. The child is walking, unable to walk, falling down. The parents say, father says, "My dear child, just catch my hand." Then he's safe.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationOctober291975Nairobi_1" class="quote" parent="1975_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="228" link="Room Conversation -- October 29, 1975, Nairobi" link_text="Room Conversation -- October 29, 1975, Nairobi">
<div class="heading">You cannot non-cooperate with the stomach. You must serve the stomach. Otherwise your position is very precarious.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation -- October 29, 1975, Nairobi|Room Conversation -- October 29, 1975, Nairobi]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Prabhupāda: Nobody of you could answer the question. Now I give you again chance to answer this question very properly. Why one should be obliged to please Kṛṣṇa? Why?</p>
<p>Harikeśa: Just like this finger. Its position is to serve the body. Just like the stomach. Everyone may be jealous of the stomach and not want to feed the stomach, but if all the hands and the legs and the mouth went on strike not to feed the stomach...</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: This is the right answer.</p>
<p>Harikeśa: ...they would ultimately be destroyed.</p>
<p>Prabhupāda: This is right answer, that you cannot non-cooperate with the stomach. You must serve the stomach. Otherwise your position is very precarious. That is the answer. If the finger thinks that "I shall remain independent and be happy," that is not possible. The stomach must be supplied food, and then all the parts of the body, they'll be happy. That is the point. So you cannot non-cooperate with the stomach. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa is the central enjoyer. Bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ sarva-loka-maheśvaram ([[Vanisource:BG 5.29 (1972)|BG 5.29]]). He is the center. Just like ordinarily this African state, if you do not satisfy the state or the president, then you cannot remain happy. Independently you cannot be happy. We require in every step sta... We have come to this park because state is cooperating. In the morning we shall come, and they have prepared it nicely. We are not going to the jungle. So if we actually want happiness we must cooperate with the state. This is crude example. Similarly, if our ultimate aim is to become happy, then we must cooperate with Kṛṣṇa. This is obligatory. You cannot escape it. Then you'll be unhappy.</p>
</div>
</div>
<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>
</div>
<div id="RoomConversationJune241976NewVrindaban_0" class="quote" parent="1976_Conversations_and_Morning_Walks" book="Con" index="159" link="Room Conversation -- June 24, 1976, New Vrindaban" link_text="Room Conversation -- June 24, 1976, New Vrindaban">
<div class="heading">The energy and the intelligence you got for your self-realization or your, this precarious position, constantly dying and taking birth in various species of life, this is your problem, and this was to be solved in human life, you have got advanced intelligence, but that intelligence is utilized from castor seed lamp to the electric lamp. That's all. Just try to understand. What is that improvement?
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Room Conversation -- June 24, 1976, New Vrindaban|Room Conversation -- June 24, 1976, New Vrindaban]]: </span><div class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Prabhupāda: Now suppose these electric lights. So, crude form of light, we grow some castor seed, everything from the earth. This also you are getting from earth, petroleum, and running on machine, and electricity is generated. But really you are getting the impetus from the earth. As soon as the petroleum supply is stopped, everything stopped. But for this purpose you have to search out petroleum from the middle of ocean, boring. Therefore it is ugra-karma. The purpose is that you grow some castor seed, press it, get oil, put in any pot, and one wick, the light is there. So even understanding that you have improved the lighting system, but that is not the only necessity of my life. But to improve from the castor seed lamp, castor oil lamp, to this electricity, you have to work so hard. You have to go to the middle of ocean and drill it and get out petroleum and... In this way your real business of life is finished. The energy and the intelligence you got for your self-realization or your, this precarious position, constantly dying and taking birth in various species of life, this is your problem, and this was to be solved in human life, you have got advanced intelligence, but that intelligence is utilized from castor seed lamp to the electric lamp. That's all. Just try to understand. What is that improvement? And for this improving from castor seed oil lamp to electricity lamp, you forget your real business. You lost yourself. This civilization is going on. This is called māyā. For some fictitious happiness you lose your whole purpose of life. It is difficult to understand, but the fact is there.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div id="Correspondence" class="section" sec_index="6" parent="compilation" text="Correspondence"><h2>Correspondence</h2>
</div>
<div id="1970_Correspondence" class="sub_section" sec_index="5" parent="Correspondence" text="1970 Correspondence"><h3>1970 Correspondence</h3>
</div>
<div id="LettertoBalimardanaLosAngeles21January1970_0" class="quote" parent="1970_Correspondence" book="Let" index="33" link="Letter to Bali-mardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1970" link_text="Letter to Bali-mardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1970">
<div class="heading">So the disease of the human society is becoming more and more acute and Lord Caitanya desired that the Indians should preach this cult for the benefit of the human society. Unfortunately, the present generation of Indians is more attracted to technological knowledge than this cult of Krishna Consciousness. Their position is very precarious.
</div>
<span class="link">[[Vanisource:Letter to Bali-mardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1970|Letter to Bali-mardana -- Los Angeles 21 January, 1970]]: </span><div style="display: inline;" class="text"><p style="display: inline;">Lord Caitanya desired that this cult of love for Krishna, which is the highest benefit for the living entity, shall be preached all over the world. As an intelligent boy you can understand how much this Krishna Consciousness Movement is necessary for the upliftment of the human society. Due to their extraordinary materialistic way of life, the so called "civilized" human society has degraded to the position of the animals. They are now dancing naked on the public stage and so called "respectable" persons are going to enjoy such performances. The animals wander here and there naked, the monkeys walk naked; even the aborigines in the jungles they also cover their private parts by some skin or tree or leaf. I do not know how the so called "civilized" men are gliding to the stage of animal life and still they are proud of their advancement of education and civilization.</p>
<p>So the disease of the human society is becoming more and more acute and Lord Caitanya desired that the Indians should preach this cult for the benefit of the human society. Unfortunately, the present generation of Indians is more attracted to technological knowledge than this cult of Krishna Consciousness. Their position is very precarious.</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>