Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 7.6.19–21

Prabhupāda: [coughs]

na hy acyutaṁ prīṅayato bahv-āyāso 'surātmajāḥ ātmatvāt sarva-bhūtānāṁ siddhatvād iha sarvataḥ [SB 7.6.19]

[My dear sons of demons, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṅa, is the original Supersoul, the father of all living entities. Consequently there are no impediments to pleasing Him or worshiping Him under any conditions, whether one be a child or an old man. The relationship between the living entities and the Supreme Personality of Godhead is always a fact, and therefore there is no difficulty in pleasing the Lord.]

So Prahlāda Mahārāja concluded that instead of wasting time for so-called material happiness, sense gratification, please engage yourself in the service of Nārāyaṅa. That conclusion he has made giving his very nice arguments and reasoning that a human being has nothing to do for sense gratification, he has only to act in Kṛṣṅa consciousness. There is no other engagement. Any other engagement than Kṛṣṅa consciousness business is sense gratification and that is waste of time. This conclusion is made. Now such a big thing, Kṛṣṅa consciousness. Does it mean that one has to make a very big attempt for capturing the exalted platform? Prahlāda Mahārāja says: No, no, no:

na hy acyutaṁ prīṅayato bahv-āyāso 'surātmajāḥ [SB 7.6.19]

Sometimes people deviate from accepting Kṛṣṅa consciousness, they think that it is very difficult. Sense gratification is very easy but Kṛṣṅa consciousness accepting [is difficult], actually they think like that. But the real fact is it is more difficult to attain for sense gratification than Kṛṣṅa consciousness. Kṛṣṅa consciousness is very easy. These people, for sense gratification, they are trying to adjust these material inconveniences in so many ways. So many parties, so many politicals, socials and educational propaganda but the result is zero. In spite of so much endeavor the result is zero. And so far Kṛṣṅa consciousness is concerned anyone, anywhere, any part of the world, simply he can chant Hare Kṛṣṅa mantra and his life becomes successful. [coughs]

Prahlāda Mahārāja says: "My dear asurātmajāḥ," ātmajāḥ means sons. "My dear sons of the asuras." He also admits himself that, "I am also son of asura." So it is not very difficult to develop your Kṛṣṅa consciousness and Nārāyaṅa consciousness, the same thing. Why?

ātmatvāt sarva-bhūtānāṁ siddhatvād iha sarvataḥ [SB 7.6.19]

Because being the supersoul, the all-pervading supersoul—ātmatvāt sarva-bhūtānāṁ. Not that Kṛṣṅa or Nārāyaṅa is only for the Hindus or for the Indians or for the brāhmaṅas. No. Sarva-bhūtānāṁ, ātmavat sarva-bhūtānāṁ. Sarva-bhūtānāṁ means "all living entities." Even animals. Because the Supersoul, ātmā, Paramātmā of every living entity so He is available for everyone. This is not a conclusion that Kṛṣṅa or Viṣṅu is meant for the Hindus or the Indians or the brāhmaṅas. No, sarva-bhūtānāṁ. Siddhatvād iha vedeṣu.

nanu bālānām asmākaṁ tad bhajanam aśakyam iti cet tatrāha, nahīti. bahv-āyāso ’ti-prayāsaḥ. [Bhāvārtha-dīpikā 7.6.19]

So Prahlāda Mahārāja, expecting that they might say that, "We are only five years old boys, children, how it is possible to accept Kṛṣṅa consciousness?" So he is convincing them, "So don't think like that." Kṛṣṅa consciousness is easier because He is everywhere in everyone's heart. You haven't got to go outside to search out Him, simply you have to accept the process and you will find within your heart just near you, Kṛṣṅa. [coughs] If anyone chants Hare Kṛṣṅa mantra without any offense, seriously, he will very soon realize that Kṛṣṅa is just on his tongue, He is dancing there. Hare Kṛṣṅa Hare Kṛṣṅa Kṛṣṅa Kṛṣṅa. No, it is not difficult that you have to search for Kṛṣṅa, He's all so long, long distance away. You can not approach even Kṛṣṅaloka by the airplane of mind and air but a still Kṛṣṅa is available. At your hand, within your heart: īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe 'rjuna tiṣṭhati [Bg 18.61].

[The Supreme Lord is situated in everyone's heart, O Arjuna, and is directing the wanderings of all living entities, who are seated as on a machine, made of the material energy.]

Simply we have to attach the process, how to realize Him, then it is not at all difficult.

parāvareṣu bhūteṣu brahmānta-sthāvarādiṣu bhautikeṣu vikāreṣu bhūteṣv atha mahatsu [ca] [SB 7.6.20]

[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, who is infallible and indefatigable, is present in different forms of life, from the inert living beings [sthāvara], such as the plants, to Brahmā, the foremost created living being. He is also present in the varieties of material creations and in the material elements, the total material energy and the modes of material nature [sattva-guṅa, rajo-guṅa and tamo-guṅa], as well as the unmanifested material nature and the false ego. Although He is one, He is present everywhere, and He is also the transcendental Supersoul, the cause of all causes, who is present as the observer in the cores of the hearts of all living entities. He is indicated as that which is pervaded and as the all-pervading Supersoul, but actually He cannot be indicated. He is changeless and undivided. He is simply perceived as the supreme sac-cid-ānanda [eternity, knowledge and bliss]. Being covered by the curtain of the external energy, to the atheist He appears nonexistent.]

So Kṛṣṅa can be found, not only within your heart, but also parāvareṣu, parā and avara. There are two creations, one creation is spiritual and another creation is material, that is called parāvareṣu. Parā means—spiritual, avara means—the material. Bhūteṣu, bhūteṣu there are five elements: earth, water, air, fire and sky. Everywhere Kṛṣṅa is there, bhūteṣu. Brahmānta-sthāvarādiṣu, brahmānta, beginning from the ant up to the Brahmā. Ant is the most insignificant creature and Brahmā is most important, first created being. Everywhere, in every living entity Kṛṣṅa is there—īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ. Bhautikeṣu—anything which is material, everywhere: aṅḍāntara-stham-paramāṅu-cayāntara [Bs 5.35].

[He is an undifferentiated entity as there is no distinction between potency and the possessor thereof. In His work of creation of millions of worlds, His potency remains inseparable. All the universes exist in Him and He is present in His fullness in every one of the atoms that are scattered throughout the universe, at one and the same time. Such is the primeval Lord whom I adore.]

So he is not only within this universe but he is within the atom. Bhautikeṣu vikāreṣu—and the creation by interaction of these five elements. Suppose here is a microphone, it is a creation of the five elements, here is also Kṛṣṅa. So this is Kṛṣṅa consciousness. Everywhere is Kṛṣṅa or everything belongs to Kṛṣṅa, take it otherwise. Anyway therefore everything should be utilized for Kṛṣṅa, this is Kṛṣṅa consciousness. Nothing is without Kṛṣṅa—īśāvāsyam idaṁ sarvaṁ [Īśopaniṣad One].

[Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.]

This is the same thing is being explained by Prahlāda Mahārāja. One has to see Kṛṣṅa everywhere. Stāvara jaṅgame se dekhe āmāre muk [?] [Gītār Gān 6.29]. The highly elevated, the devotees, mahā-bhāgavatas, he never sees anything, he sees simply Kṛṣṅa, in everything. Stāvara jaṅgame se dekhe [indistinct] He sees trees, he sees animals or man, going, moving, but he does not see them, he sees, "O here is a part and parcel of Kṛṣṅa moving in this way. Staying in this way." This is Kṛṣṅa conscious. He does not see the outward covering. Just like when you receive a friend known to you—you don't see his dress, you see your friend. Similarly if you have developed love for Kṛṣṅa then you will see that everywhere is Kṛṣṅa existing.

bhautikeṣu vikāreṣu bhūteṣv atha mahatsu ca [SB 7.6.20]

[The Supreme Personality of Godhead, the supreme controller, who is infallible and indefatigable, is present in different forms of life, from the inert living beings [sthāvara], such as the plants, to Brahmā, the foremost created living being. He is also present in the varieties of material creations and in the material elements, the total material energy and the modes of material nature [sattva-guṅa, rajo-guṅa and tamo-guṅa], as well as the unmanifested material nature and the false ego. Although He is one, He is present everywhere, and He is also the transcendental Supersoul, the cause of all causes, who is present as the observer in the cores of the hearts of all living entities. He is indicated as that which is pervaded and as the all-pervading Supersoul, but actually He cannot be indicated. He is changeless and undivided. He is simply perceived as the supreme sac-cid-ānanda [eternity, knowledge and bliss]. Being covered by the curtain of the external energy, to the atheist He appears nonexistent.]

ātmatvāt sarvatra siddhatvād iti ca hetu-dvayam upapādayati, parāvareṣv iti caturbhiḥ brahma anto yeṣāṁ sthāvara ādir yeṣāṁ teṣu bhūteṣu jīveṣu bhautikeṣv ajīveṣu [Bhāvārtha-dīpikā 7.6.20]

Bhūteṣu means living, [coughs] and bhautikeṣu, bhautik that non-living, matter. Both in living and [indistinct] material elements or entities, everywhere is Kṛṣṅa. Ajīveṣu ghaṭādiṣu, ajīveṣu—just like these karatālas, these karatālas has no life but when it is used for chanting Kṛṣṅa's name, there is Kṛṣṅa. This is Kṛṣṅa vision, this is Kṛṣṅa conscious. Anything used for Kṛṣṅa consciousness, anything used for Kṛṣṅa's service, it is not different from Kṛṣṅa. That is advised here Prahlāda Mahārāja, he's a mahā-bhāgavata, he advised, everywhere.

guṅeṣu guṅa-sāmye ca guṅa-vyatikare tathā eka eva paro hy ātmā bhagavān īśvaro 'vyayaḥ [SB 7.6.21]

Guṅeṣu means—all the things that is manufactured. We have got so many things therefore guṅeṣu. Guṅa-vyatikare—everywhere is Kṛṣṅa. Everywhere is Kṛṣṅa.

kathaṁ tarhi draṣṭṭa-dṛśya-bhoktṛ-bhogyādi-bhedo māyayety āha, pratyagātmā draṣṭā bhoktā tat svarūpeṅa vyāpakatayā nirdeśyaḥ dṛśyaṁ bhogyaṁ dehādi tad rūpeṅa ca vyāpyatayā nirdeśyo māyayāīyata ity uttareṅānvayaḥ vastutas tu svayam avikalpito ’nirdeśyo ’pi san yadvā anirdeśyo ’py evaṁ nirdeśyaḥ san vikalpita īyata ity anvayaḥ [Bhāvārtha-dīpikā 7.6.21]

So the atheist class they challenge, "Where is God?" "Can you show me God?" The atheist class. But a devotee is seeing always God, nothing except God. That is the difference between atheist and devotee. Why? Why the devotee sees always Kṛṣṅa in everything?

premāñjana-cchurita-bhakti-vilocanena santaḥ sadaiva hṛdayeṣu vilokayanti yaṁśyāmasundaram acintya-guṅa-svarūpaṁ govindam ādi-puruṣaṁ tam ahaṁ bhajāmi [Bs 5.38]

[I worship Govinda, the primeval Lord, who is Śyāmasundara, Kṛṣṅa Himself with inconceivable innumerable attributes, whom the pure devotees see in their heart of hearts with the eye of devotion tinged with the salve of love.]

This seeing power of Kṛṣṅa in everything will be possible when the devotees eyes are anointed with the ointment of prema. Premāñjana-cchurita, añjana, what is English of āñjana? Kal.. Kali?..

Devotee: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Devotee 2: Salve.

Prabhupāda: Salve? What is.. what is the spelling?

Devotee: S-A-L-V-E.

Prabhupāda: Oh salve, yes. So the salve of love when it is painted or when it is smeared on your eyeballs, then you can see Kṛṣṅa as He is. So in order to see God, in order to see Kṛṣṅa we have to paint this salve daily by this daily routine work. Ādau śraddhā, tato prema [Cc Madhya 23.14-15].

[In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Kṛṣṅa consciousness.]

We have to invoke prema. Prema is there within you—kṛṣṅa-bhakti nitya-siddha [Cc Madhya 22.107].

[Pure love for Kṛṣṅa is eternally established in the hearts of the living entities. It is not something to be gained from another source. When the heart is purified by hearing and chanting, this love naturally awakens.]

It is as you are truth, as spirit soul part and parcel of similarly your love for Kṛṣṅa is also a fact. It is not that artificially we are being taught to love Kṛṣṅa. Simply it has to be awakened, that's all. Śravaṅādi-śuddha-citte karaye udaya. Udaya means—it is awakened. Not that artificially you are being taught to love Kṛṣṅa. Nothing artificial can stand, that is not possible.

So in order to invoke that love of Godhead there is process, this is the process. This is the process as prescribed in the śāstras: sādhu śāstra guru-vākya [Guru-vandanā 2]. You have to make progress with reference to the śāstras, with reference to the saintly persons, ācāryas, and your direct spiritual master. Sādhu śāstra guru, tinete koriyā aikya.. Ādau śraddhā tato sādhu-saṅga. Sādhu first. Sādhu first. If anyone has got śraddhā, a faith for realizing Kṛṣṅa then he must associate with sādhus.

Our society, this society means it is a society of the sādhus, Kṛṣṅa consciousness. Don't be asādhu, then your societies name will be spoiled. And what is the symptoms of sādhu? Sādhu means titikṣavaḥ kāruṅikāḥ [SB 3.25.21].

[The symptoms of a sādhu are that he is tolerant, merciful and friendly to all living entities. He has no enemies, he is peaceful, he abides by the scriptures, and all his characteristics are sublime.]

Titikṣavaḥ—tolerate. If there is any inconvenience in this society don't be disturbed, tolerate, that is the first qualification of sādhu. Don't think, "Oh it is not suitable for me I am going away." No. No. Tolerate. If you can not cope with your friends and god brothers, tolerate, try to pacify.

My Guru Mahārāja used to—whenever there were big assembly, there will be difference of opinion, difference of treatment, even we find bad treatment—but titikṣavaḥ. One of our god brothers was a big thief, he was stealing money of the society, I don't wish to disclose his name, perhaps you may know. There was complaints to my Guru Mahārāja that, "This man is taking all the money for his." So he used to reply, "So why you are complaining? Why you are not sympathetic with your godbrother? He's so much attached to money, can you not turn him to be attached to Kṛṣṅa? Why you are complaining?" He used to like that. He knew that, "This rascal, he is taking money," and there were complaints but he used to reply. So titikṣavaḥ, titikṣavaḥ. Sādhu means very tolerant. Tṛṅād api sunīcena, taror iva sahiṣṅunā, amāninā mānadena [Cc Antya 20.21].

[One who thinks himself lower than the grass, who is more tolerant than a tree, and who does not expect personal honor but is always prepared to give all respect to others can very easily always chant the holy name of the Lord.]

The first qualification of sādhu is tolerance. Humbler than the grass and tolerant than the trees. Titikṣavaḥ kāruṅikāḥ. One side tolerance another side very compassionate. Preaching. [?] These non Kṛṣṅa-consciousness people, they are suffering, without Kṛṣṅa consciousness they are suffering. Let us do some service so that they may come to Kṛṣṅa consciousness and be happy, this is kāruṅikāḥ, titikṣavaḥ kāruṅikāḥ, suhṛdam sarva-bhūtānām.

Then preaching should be done only in India? No. Sarva-bhūtānām! All over the world for the. There are not [just] living entities within India or within Hindus. Suhṛdam sarva-bhūtānām. All living entities, they should be compassionate, how they are suffering for want of Kṛṣṅa consciousness. Let them take this Kṛṣṅa consciousness, these are the sādhu's business, titikṣavaḥ kāruṅikāḥ. And if you do that, ajāta-śatravaḥ, nobody will be your enemy. And depend on this principle Kṛṣṅa is even enemies they will be [indistinct]. But, don't care for those enemies, you remain firmly with Kṛṣṅa by speaking His message. Kṛṣṅa will give you protection. Suhṛdam sarva-bhūtānām, sādhavaḥ sādhu-bhūṣaṅāḥ. They are sādhus because they have got all these sādhu characteristics.

So sādhu-saṅga—people should be given chance to associate with sādhus then, bhajana-kriyā. As soon as one comes in contact with sādhu he will be willing to accept the process of devotional service, initiation. He will be eager to be initiated. Bhajana. And as soon as he is initiated and follows the regulative principles then anartha-nivṛttiḥ syāt [Cc Madhya 23.14].

[In the beginning there must be faith. Then one becomes interested in associating with pure devotees. Thereafter one is initiated by the spiritual master and executes the regulative principles under his orders. Thus one is freed from all unwanted habits and becomes firmly fixed in devotional service. Thereafter, one develops taste and attachment. This is the way of sādhana-bhakti, the execution of devotional service according to the regulative principles. Gradually emotions intensify, and finally there is an awakening of love. This is the gradual development of love of Godhead for the devotee interested in Kṛṣṅa consciousness.]

All the nonsense habits will disappear. All nonsense automatically. If there is bhajana-kriyā, actually, then there automatically there is disappearance of. Anyone who is actually undergoing bhajana-kriyā you can not see him smoking and drinking tea it is impossible. Therefore if you see so-called sādhu and so-called Bābājī, "Oh its just a puff." Then you must know there is no bhajana-kriyā. That is a test! That bhajana-kriyā means all this nonsense habits must disappear—bhajana. And without disappearance of the nonsense habits nobody can be attached to Kṛṣṅa consciousness.

Atha bhajana-kriyā, tato niṣṭhā, niṣṭhā—when anartha-nivṛttiḥ, when there is disappearance of unwanted things. Just like our students, they never think of going to the cinema. They're also young men. Because they have no taste for it anymore. Every young man you will see they are standing in line for hours together for purchasing ticket. But Kṛṣṅa consciousness is so nice that even one is very young, even one has got all the inclinations, he has no more taste, paraṁ dṛṣṭvā nivartate [Bg 2.59].

[The embodied soul may be restricted from sense enjoyment, though the taste for sense objects remains. But, ceasing such engagements by experiencing a higher taste, he is fixed in consciousness.]

Because he has got better taste he doesn't like this. Anartha-nivṛttiḥ, tato niṣṭhā—when anartha-nivṛttiḥ is there then he is firmly fixed-up, it is to be understood. Firmly fixed-up, he's niṣṭhā. Then rucis—love for Kṛṣṅa, āsaktiḥ, without Kṛṣṅa, just like gopīs, of course gopīs position is very, very high, but some of them attained āsaktiḥ. Kṛṣṅa is going to Mathurā, they are serving.

Hm, āsaktiḥ, tathāsakti. Then prema, these are the signs of prema. As soon as you reach to the platform of prema, then you see Kṛṣṅa in every minute, nothing but Kṛṣṅa. This is perfection of Kṛṣṅa consciousness. You'll find everywhere Kṛṣṅa, that is perfect love.

Thank you very much. [break]

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: How difficult? Anywhere sit down, even if you can't go outside, sit down, chant Hare Kṛṣṅa and you will develop this highest perfectional stage. What is the difficulty? And for sense gratification, oh how much they are struggling hard. So sense gratification is difficult, Kṛṣṅa consciousness is not at all difficult. Is that alright, the other side?

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: Yes. It is not at all difficult. It's easier, but the rascal will not accept the religious process. They'll try to be happy by sense gratification. This is māyā. He has been made a servant of māyā, working day and night very hard for sense gratification. They will reply, "Oh if everyone becomes Kṛṣṅa conscious who will work like me, like an ass?" That is their argument, "Where the asses will go?" [laughs] Why keep him an ass, why not make him a man? That program is not acceptable, he shall remain ass, sa eva go-kharaḥ [SB 10.84.13].

[One who identifies his self as the inert body composed of mucus, bile and air, who assumes his wife and family are permanently his own, who thinks an earthen image or the land of his birth is worshipable, or who sees a place of pilgrimage as merely the water there, but who never identifies himself with, feels kinship with, worships or even visits those who are wise in spiritual truth—such a person is no better than a cow or an ass.]

What do you think? Manu. He was a priest in your country, yes, he was intelligent, be prepared.

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: Eh?

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: What is that?

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: Yes material nature, that's all, just like we are feeling it is cold, covering, that's all. Mātrā-sparśās tu kaunteya, śītoṣṅa-sukha-duḥkha-dāḥ [Bg 2.14].

[O son of Kuntī, the nonpermanent appearance of happiness and distress, and their disappearance in due course, are like the appearance and disappearance of winter and summer seasons. They arise from sense perception, O scion of Bharata, and one must learn to tolerate them without being disturbed.]

Because it is cold that does not mean that we shall stop our Kṛṣṅa consciousness business. Let it go on, tolerate. If there is time crying for a little, but go on with your Kṛṣṅa consciousness. He is using he is coming by force, all-right let him wait for two minutes, let's finish this business. But they can not stop our Kṛṣṅa consciousness movement. Just like I may be called for answering natures call, I go, alright, finish it. Like that. For that reason one cannot stop Kṛṣṅa consciousness. That is not. Tāṁs titikṣasva bhārata [Bg 2.14]. Kṛṣṅa advises Arjuna, "Tolerate," it is painful, alright, tolerate. [coughs] That does not mean. That is māyā, it is āgamāpāyino 'nityās, it comes and goes they are temporary, disturbing elements. Alright just let him tolerate, that's all. So many things come and go, so we take it like that. You have any questions, Saheeb?

Guest: [indistinct]

Prabhupāda: That's alright. Alright. [End]