Devotee (1): ...it's true that people are getting disease and sicknesses as the result of their past activities, pious or sinful. Why is it that it appears that when there is a flu many people are inflicted with that flu? Practically everyone, indiscriminately.
Prabhupāda: All of them? Hm. "Birds of the same feather, flock together, see."
Devotee (1): (laughs) What about when it happens amongst the community of devotees or some, hepatitis, or malaria, or something of that nature?
Prabhupāda: Hm? It is also past sins.
Devotee: Purification?
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Devotee (1): Well the materialists would say, "You're just accepting it that way. The reality is that you're becoming sick just like anyone else."
Prabhupāda: Hm?
Devotee (1): The scientist or materialist will say, "You're just becoming sick like anyone else, but you're saying it's just, that you're becoming purified."
Prabhupāda: Hm. What you have to do?
Puṣṭa Kṛṣṇa: It's a fact though, when people are suffering they're neutralizing their sinful reactions.
Prabhupāda: Yes. What is the wrong there? (break)
Devotee (1): ...becoming purified from this suffering then why isn't it when we're sick, why is it that we forget Kṛṣṇa, we become disgusted, and after we are sick we don't feel any more advanced than before? (break)
Prabhupāda: ...purified, you will not be sick. (break)