This Life is preparation for the next Life

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Govinda Dasi: I think I like this one best of all! It takes me to the temple where the lamps are being offered. I want to find one in Vrindaban…the best of all celebrations!

Prabhupada, Los Angeles, December 13, 1968 — […] So this renunciation is recommended. If we simply remain in material opulence and enjoyment, that will be our disqualification for entering into the kingdom of God. Too much attachment, too much increasing of material civilization means that next life is very much dark. Bhogaisvarya. God. Too much attachment, too much increasing of material civilization means that next life is very much dark.

Bhogaisvarya-prasaktanam. Just like the other day I was explaining, raja-putra ciram jiva. “Oh, the son of royal order, you live forever. Because you do not know, next life is very dark for you. Because you do not cultivate any Krishna consciousness. You have got money, and you are enjoying sense enjoyment, and as soon as this body will be finished, no more your control.

Then you are completely under the control of material nature, and you’ll have to accept a body as you have done in this life, because this life is preparation for the next life.” You have got very concrete example. Just like President Kennedy.

He was young man, very rich man, and he got the president post with great endeavor, spending so much money. He had his wife and children. But in one moment everything finished. Everything finished.

So we do not know that we are standing on a tottering platform. So however nice arrangement we may make, this will be finished in one moment. That is, we are missing. We are simply sticking to a false platform that “This will save me, this will save me.” No. Therefore Bhaktivinoda Thakura says that jada-bidya jato mayara vaibhava.

This material advancement of civilization, very nice, very dazzling. Just like when we pass on the street or road of your American cities, it looks so nice. So many lights and so many night-illuminating signboards. But we should always remember that this nice situation is not permanent settlement. Any moment I’ll have to give up everything. Everything.

So therefore, if one becomes attached to this false platform, illuminating, so-called illuminating, false platform, then his determination to go back to Godhead will not be very much intense.
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