“Therefore real civilization is that minimize work. Minimize work, save time, and go back to your spiritual life “
Hare Krsna To all
Pranams
All glories to Srila Prabhupada
Below are short excerpts from a lecture Prabhupada gave on the disadvantages of so called modern life where most people, (even some devotees) think that machines will save the day for us all. Unless one is a practicing devotee , one may have a hard time accepting some of the things he says, what to speak of actually adopting these ideas in one’s practical life. But as we see in the daily news, things are not getting better as food and gas prices soar, unemployment rises, more wars loom on more horizons due to discontent of the masses everywhere.
But to stop or change direction of the political machines of the world can be done. I saw one documentary done by some of the “new age” people in the natural food business and one CEO of one of these massive companies said in so many words–we the individual people DO have power over all these multi-national companies. That power comes when we pull out our money for a purchase which sends a clear message to the companies-what we like and what we dont like. He said we, the common man, have no idea how much attention they pay to these point of purchases made daily.
Therefore if people worldwide started growing their own food, and in the stores demanded only good wholesome natural and organic food, the face of national business could change overnight.
So who is going to do this? Those with good brain substances– The Vaisnavas.
Hare Krsna
Damaghosa das
750514mw.per Conversations
Amogha: He was saying that your solution was too simple. He said that
people will not accept it because it is too simple.
Prabhupada: That is his ignorance. They will say it is primitive.
Amogha: He was saying that your solution was too simple. He said that
people will not accept it because it is too simple.
Prabhupada: That is his ignorance. They will say it is primitive.
That is the only solution. According to the Vedic system, you cannot use
anything which you cannot produce. Suppose this we are using, but
according the Vedic system we should not use it because I cannot
produce it. Then the whole solution is there. Nobody will manufacture
this because there will be no customer. If I refuse this use of this
machine, thinking that “I cannot produce it; I should not use it,”
then where is the customer? The so-called industry will automatically
stop, and he has to go to the village outlying.
anything which you cannot produce. Suppose this we are using, but
according the Vedic system we should not use it because I cannot
produce it. Then the whole solution is there. Nobody will manufacture
this because there will be no customer. If I refuse this use of this
machine, thinking that “I cannot produce it; I should not use it,”
then where is the customer? The so-called industry will automatically
stop, and he has to go to the village outlying.
[and become more self sufficient]
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720916SB.LA Lectures
The scientists, they are very much busy. Just this morning our
scientist, Svarupa Damodara, was speaking about an article: the
scientists are very much busy that the source of supply is being
decreased. Just like petroleum. Petroleum, gas, that is diminishing.
Now, whole modern materialistic civilization is depending on the
motorcars and aeroplanes, transportation. So if the petroleum supply
is stopped, then what will be the condition of the society? Formerly
there was no need of going to see a friend thirty miles away, because
every friend was within the village. Now, because we have got
motorcar, we create friendship with a man who lives fifty miles away.
We accept a job fifty miles away. In Hawaii our Gaurasundara was going
to attend office fifty miles off. By fifty miles off… In big, big
cities like New York, Calcutta, we have seen people are coming to
attend their office from hundred miles off. I have seen also in
aeroplane there are many people… I have seen in England. Many
workers or gentlemen, they are coming from Glasgow to London for
working, by aeroplane.
So we have created a civilization that… We have created a
facility for transport by motorcar or by aeroplane, but side by side,
we have created another difficulty, that a man has to go to his work
The scientists, they are very much busy. Just this morning our
scientist, Svarupa Damodara, was speaking about an article: the
scientists are very much busy that the source of supply is being
decreased. Just like petroleum. Petroleum, gas, that is diminishing.
Now, whole modern materialistic civilization is depending on the
motorcars and aeroplanes, transportation. So if the petroleum supply
is stopped, then what will be the condition of the society? Formerly
there was no need of going to see a friend thirty miles away, because
every friend was within the village. Now, because we have got
motorcar, we create friendship with a man who lives fifty miles away.
We accept a job fifty miles away. In Hawaii our Gaurasundara was going
to attend office fifty miles off. By fifty miles off… In big, big
cities like New York, Calcutta, we have seen people are coming to
attend their office from hundred miles off. I have seen also in
aeroplane there are many people… I have seen in England. Many
workers or gentlemen, they are coming from Glasgow to London for
working, by aeroplane.
So we have created a civilization that… We have created a
facility for transport by motorcar or by aeroplane, but side by side,
we have created another difficulty, that a man has to go to his work
three hundred miles away. Side by side. Formerly, a man used to work
on his field, a few steps from his house. Now we have created facility
of transport; therefore we have to go to work three hundred miles away
from home. This is the position. But they have no brain. They’re
thinking they’re advancing. (chuckles) Advancing in this way, that
“For my livelihood I have to go three hundred miles, three hours at
least, not less than three hours. Or six hours I have to spoil. Then I
can go to my office. Then I work there whole day, and again come,
again six hours. Then I come at night to sleep along with my family
for three hours.” Yes. This is our facility. Yes.
One… There is a story. Not story, it is a fact. One day, one
grown-up child was asking his mother, “Who is this gentleman?” The
father was there. So the mother said, “He is your father, my dear
child.” So he did not see his father until he grew three years or four
years old. Because when he was child, the father was rising early in
the morning. At that time, child was sleeping. And he was going to
office, and when he comes back, the child was sleeping. So unless the
child grew four years old, he could not see his father. Is it not the
position of this? It is a story or an instruction, because the man,
the gentleman, was going office early in the morning… There are
on his field, a few steps from his house. Now we have created facility
of transport; therefore we have to go to work three hundred miles away
from home. This is the position. But they have no brain. They’re
thinking they’re advancing. (chuckles) Advancing in this way, that
“For my livelihood I have to go three hundred miles, three hours at
least, not less than three hours. Or six hours I have to spoil. Then I
can go to my office. Then I work there whole day, and again come,
again six hours. Then I come at night to sleep along with my family
for three hours.” Yes. This is our facility. Yes.
One… There is a story. Not story, it is a fact. One day, one
grown-up child was asking his mother, “Who is this gentleman?” The
father was there. So the mother said, “He is your father, my dear
child.” So he did not see his father until he grew three years or four
years old. Because when he was child, the father was rising early in
the morning. At that time, child was sleeping. And he was going to
office, and when he comes back, the child was sleeping. So unless the
child grew four years old, he could not see his father. Is it not the
position of this? It is a story or an instruction, because the man,
the gentleman, was going office early in the morning… There are
still. They start at six o’clock from home to catch the first train.
We have seen in Calcutta. First train is seven o’clock, and they come
in Calcutta after two hours, nine o’clock. Then attends office, and
again he catches another train, five o’clock. He goes, late at night.
In Bombay also, big, big cities. This is the position.
So we are advancing in science, but at the same time, the so-called
science, at the same time we are creating many disadvantages. Many
disadvantages. From practical experience I say that when I came to
your country… In India it is very difficult to get a telephone. You
have to wait in the waiting list at least for two years or you have to
bribe the authorities, say, five thousand, two thousand, like that. So
when I got this facility of telephone… Because as soon as I
deposited forty dollars… Forty dollars? The next day the telephone
was in my room. So I was very glad. But after getting my telephone, I
was disturbed always. (laughter) Some of my students asking, phoning
me, (telephone sound) cling, cling, and “Swamiji, how you are
feeling?” At twelve o’clock at night. (laughter). Yes.
So try to understand. The so-called facility of the modern science
means creating so many difficulties also. That is the position. Just
like formerly, a preacher could not come to your country, say, fifty
We have seen in Calcutta. First train is seven o’clock, and they come
in Calcutta after two hours, nine o’clock. Then attends office, and
again he catches another train, five o’clock. He goes, late at night.
In Bombay also, big, big cities. This is the position.
So we are advancing in science, but at the same time, the so-called
science, at the same time we are creating many disadvantages. Many
disadvantages. From practical experience I say that when I came to
your country… In India it is very difficult to get a telephone. You
have to wait in the waiting list at least for two years or you have to
bribe the authorities, say, five thousand, two thousand, like that. So
when I got this facility of telephone… Because as soon as I
deposited forty dollars… Forty dollars? The next day the telephone
was in my room. So I was very glad. But after getting my telephone, I
was disturbed always. (laughter) Some of my students asking, phoning
me, (telephone sound) cling, cling, and “Swamiji, how you are
feeling?” At twelve o’clock at night. (laughter). Yes.
So try to understand. The so-called facility of the modern science
means creating so many difficulties also. That is the position. Just
like formerly, a preacher could not come to your country, say, fifty
years or a hundred years ago. So he was preaching within his limit.
But we have got now facilities, so we are preaching everywhere. So
from Krsna consciousness, we can utilize all facilities in the proper
channel. But not materially. Now, we are utilizing this facility of
aeroplane; that means we are getting good chance for serving Krsna.
But others, materialists, they are getting this facility so that his
child cannot recognize him. So we can take all facilities… So
therefore we are actually utilizing the scientific improvements for
the benefit of the people; the karmis, they cannot. They are in
difficulties,……
But we have got now facilities, so we are preaching everywhere. So
from Krsna consciousness, we can utilize all facilities in the proper
channel. But not materially. Now, we are utilizing this facility of
aeroplane; that means we are getting good chance for serving Krsna.
But others, materialists, they are getting this facility so that his
child cannot recognize him. So we can take all facilities… So
therefore we are actually utilizing the scientific improvements for
the benefit of the people; the karmis, they cannot. They are in
difficulties,……
————————
770618rc.vrn
Upendra: The reason the original faith was placed in the scientists
was because radio, airplanes, tape recorders have been manufactured,
and people are impressed by these originally.
Prabhupada: So what is the benefit? Without radio, people were dying,
or with radio they are not living?
Upendra: They say they are living more comfortably.
Prabhupada: Nonsense comfortably… They have changed the season? Is
it comfortable? We have to take this cooling machine. What is the
practical benefit? You can say that it is comfortable. That’s all
right. But that does not mean that you have moved the uncomfortable
situation. You are struggling against. That much you can take credit.
Real benefit is not there. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita.
Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. Real unhappiness is this, that you are: “Why
I am struggling? I don’t want death.” Actually why I am taking massage
and so on, so on? So that I may not die. So where is the scientists’
guarantee, “No, you’ll not die”? Has he any…? You’ll struggle only.
That’s all. The scientists cannot guarantee, “No, you’ll not die.”
That is real guarantee. “You’ll die comfortably.” Hm? Die comfortably?
Now there is no appetite. Where is the scientist, assuring, “Take”?
What actual benefit they have done? They are giving some… Nothing
Upendra: The reason the original faith was placed in the scientists
was because radio, airplanes, tape recorders have been manufactured,
and people are impressed by these originally.
Prabhupada: So what is the benefit? Without radio, people were dying,
or with radio they are not living?
Upendra: They say they are living more comfortably.
Prabhupada: Nonsense comfortably… They have changed the season? Is
it comfortable? We have to take this cooling machine. What is the
practical benefit? You can say that it is comfortable. That’s all
right. But that does not mean that you have moved the uncomfortable
situation. You are struggling against. That much you can take credit.
Real benefit is not there. That is stated in the Bhagavad-gita.
Janma-mrtyu-jara-vyadhi. Real unhappiness is this, that you are: “Why
I am struggling? I don’t want death.” Actually why I am taking massage
and so on, so on? So that I may not die. So where is the scientists’
guarantee, “No, you’ll not die”? Has he any…? You’ll struggle only.
That’s all. The scientists cannot guarantee, “No, you’ll not die.”
That is real guarantee. “You’ll die comfortably.” Hm? Die comfortably?
Now there is no appetite. Where is the scientist, assuring, “Take”?
What actual benefit they have done? They are giving some… Nothing
they have given. It is simply bluff. Things without which we could do,
such things are there. There were no motorcars. There was horse
carriage and bullock carriage. Things were going on. Not that without
this horseless motorcar society would have been vanquished. No. There
are other alternatives. Rather, they were complicated. As soon as you
ride on a car, there is anxiety, especially in your country, so many
cars. When you ride on a car, full of anxiety… At any moment there
may be accident. It is not comfortable. If you are full of anxiety.
Aeroplane may be. At any moment you can die. It is your time only.
They’re going in good faith: “I shall go there.” But before rising to
the sky, finished, crash. So many airplane has been… So where is the
comfort? As soon as you get on the aeroplane, you are in full anxiety
that at any moment there may be crash. Is it not? Then where is
comfort? Real comfort is without anxiety. That is real comfort.
such things are there. There were no motorcars. There was horse
carriage and bullock carriage. Things were going on. Not that without
this horseless motorcar society would have been vanquished. No. There
are other alternatives. Rather, they were complicated. As soon as you
ride on a car, there is anxiety, especially in your country, so many
cars. When you ride on a car, full of anxiety… At any moment there
may be accident. It is not comfortable. If you are full of anxiety.
Aeroplane may be. At any moment you can die. It is your time only.
They’re going in good faith: “I shall go there.” But before rising to
the sky, finished, crash. So many airplane has been… So where is the
comfort? As soon as you get on the aeroplane, you are in full anxiety
that at any moment there may be crash. Is it not? Then where is
comfort? Real comfort is without anxiety. That is real comfort.
Canakya Pandita has given, real comfort means, arni akyavad(?): “One
who is not out of home and one who has no debts, he is happy.”
who is not out of home and one who has no debts, he is happy.”
Nowadays people are going out of home, and everyone is debtor to the
bank and so many… The economic machine is so made that one is put
always in debts for some so-called comforts, and he’s full of anxiety.
The whole month he has to work to pay debts. (end)
——————-
770108mw.bom
Indian man: Second thing is…
Prabhupada: No, first of all you understand this. Then bring second
thing. That you have no duty. Your only duty is to surrender to Krsna.
Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam. That is your only duty. But because
you are under the mental platform, you are creating duties, so but
that also must be finished after certain age. That is compulsory, that
“You are very good, responsible man. All right, do your duty up to
this. No more duty. No more duty.” So this “duty, no duty,” this is
our creation. We are under fully control of the nature. But we have
created our mental concoction: “This is duty. This is good. This is
bad.” That is our mano-dharma. Real dharma is sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja. This is real dharma. And everything is
mano-dharma, mental creation. Therefore the Bhagavata in the beginning
it is said that dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra: “This false dharma is
rejected.” These are all false dharmas. Real dharma is to surrender to
Krsna. But it takes time. Therefore sat-sanga is required. But
actually real dharma is to become Krsna conscious and do everything…
Anukulyena krsnanusilanam. What Krsna wants, we must know it and do
it. And this is real dharma.
Indian man: Second thing is…
Prabhupada: No, first of all you understand this. Then bring second
thing. That you have no duty. Your only duty is to surrender to Krsna.
Sarva-dharman parityajya mam ekam. That is your only duty. But because
you are under the mental platform, you are creating duties, so but
that also must be finished after certain age. That is compulsory, that
“You are very good, responsible man. All right, do your duty up to
this. No more duty. No more duty.” So this “duty, no duty,” this is
our creation. We are under fully control of the nature. But we have
created our mental concoction: “This is duty. This is good. This is
bad.” That is our mano-dharma. Real dharma is sarva-dharman parityajya
mam ekam saranam vraja. This is real dharma. And everything is
mano-dharma, mental creation. Therefore the Bhagavata in the beginning
it is said that dharmah projjhita-kaitavo ‘tra: “This false dharma is
rejected.” These are all false dharmas. Real dharma is to surrender to
Krsna. But it takes time. Therefore sat-sanga is required. But
actually real dharma is to become Krsna conscious and do everything…
Anukulyena krsnanusilanam. What Krsna wants, we must know it and do
it. And this is real dharma.
——————-
750304mw.dal Conversations
Just like in the prisonhouse you have to work. Eh? So
they think this working is civilization. This is avidya. So therefore
they have created more work. From early morning, five o’clock, till
ten o’clock, simply working. They do not know that “This working is
our punishment.” But because ignorant, they think that “Working is
life.” This is called ignorance. He does not know, “This working is my
punishment. How to get out of this work?” No. To increase the work
more, complicate, that is civilization. This is called avidya.
Avidya-karma-samjnanya. Our tendency is not to work but get things.
Therefore he has asked that question. Because he has to get cloth by
working, therefore he asking, “Why God has not created?” That means
tendency is not to work. That is spiritual tendency. Everything,
necessities, automatically available. That is our… Therefore as soon
as one man becomes rich, he does not work. He gets his thing by
working others. The tendency is there, to retire from work. They go to
a solitary place. They retire. They do not go out. Weekly, at least,
they want to stop worker, working. So why this tendency? He does not
want to die. He does not want to work. This is spiritual. Why man
should work like… Therefore real civilization is that minimize work.
they think this working is civilization. This is avidya. So therefore
they have created more work. From early morning, five o’clock, till
ten o’clock, simply working. They do not know that “This working is
our punishment.” But because ignorant, they think that “Working is
life.” This is called ignorance. He does not know, “This working is my
punishment. How to get out of this work?” No. To increase the work
more, complicate, that is civilization. This is called avidya.
Avidya-karma-samjnanya. Our tendency is not to work but get things.
Therefore he has asked that question. Because he has to get cloth by
working, therefore he asking, “Why God has not created?” That means
tendency is not to work. That is spiritual tendency. Everything,
necessities, automatically available. That is our… Therefore as soon
as one man becomes rich, he does not work. He gets his thing by
working others. The tendency is there, to retire from work. They go to
a solitary place. They retire. They do not go out. Weekly, at least,
they want to stop worker, working. So why this tendency? He does not
want to die. He does not want to work. This is spiritual. Why man
should work like… Therefore real civilization is that minimize work.
Minimize work, save time, and go back to your spiritual life. That is
civilization. And this is not civilization, to get the necessities of
life, sense gratification, and work like hog and dog. That is
condemned.
civilization. And this is not civilization, to get the necessities of
life, sense gratification, and work like hog and dog. That is
condemned.
——————
â–º770107rc.bom
Prabhupada: No, even from that point of view, I was taking aeroplane.
Aeroplane was flying. So we admit this is contribution of the Western
technology. But it is not safe. But what I am giving, it is safe.
Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato… So our, this contribution
of India’s culture and this contribution, far different. That is not
safe. At any moment you’ll be finished. ….
Prabhupada: No, even from that point of view, I was taking aeroplane.
Aeroplane was flying. So we admit this is contribution of the Western
technology. But it is not safe. But what I am giving, it is safe.
Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trayate mahato… So our, this contribution
of India’s culture and this contribution, far different. That is not
safe. At any moment you’ll be finished. ….
740928SB.MAY Lectures
Therefore Krsna gives His instruction. He’s the supreme ruler. He
gives this order: annad bhavanti bhutani: “You require food grains.”
This is practical. Who will disagree with Krsna, that “We don’t
require food grains; we require bolts and nuts in the factory“? Who
will say? This is practical… But Krsna does not say that
“You open slaughterhouse and industries and brothels and cinema.” No.
Krsna does not say. Krsna says, “Grow more food, rascal! You’ll eat
and become strong.” And nobody is obeying Krsna. Is it not?
Therefore Krsna gives His instruction. He’s the supreme ruler. He
gives this order: annad bhavanti bhutani: “You require food grains.”
This is practical. Who will disagree with Krsna, that “We don’t
require food grains; we require bolts and nuts in the factory“? Who
will say? This is practical… But Krsna does not say that
“You open slaughterhouse and industries and brothels and cinema.” No.
Krsna does not say. Krsna says, “Grow more food, rascal! You’ll eat
and become strong.” And nobody is obeying Krsna. Is it not?
770108mw.bom
…So in the human form of life, you cannot neglect the instruction of Bhagavan. Then you’ll be punished.
Severe punishment. Tan aham dvisatah kruran ksipamy ajasram andha-yonisu….
…So in the human form of life, you cannot neglect the instruction of Bhagavan. Then you’ll be punished.
Severe punishment. Tan aham dvisatah kruran ksipamy ajasram andha-yonisu….
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