“Dog is the best Friend in Western Country”

Trouble is rich; literally, because Trouble is the dog’s name. Leona Helmsley, a hotelier, a real estate billionaire and the owner of Trouble, inherited $12 million to her dog when she passed away on the year 2007.

Prabhupada,  Vrndavana, October 31, 1976:  […] Not that we want to live in big palatial building and take subscription from others. No, this is not our policy. He’ll spoil the money in sense gratification, so try to engage him. This is the policy. And exactly following the footprints of Gosvamis, we do not require any money. We, we are quiet confident Krishna will supply all the necessities. But to engage the whole world who are spending money in so many rascaldom way, if that money is engaged in Krishna consciousness, they’ll get a chance. This is called ajnata-sukrti. He does not know how he is making progress in Krishna consciousness. Ajnata, it is unknown to him. But the person who is trying to induce him to be engaged in Krishna’s service, that is his friend, real friend. They are misunderstanding that these people are exacting money by force. Even it is done by force, it is good for the person who is contributing. But you should not use any such means, people will misunderstand.

But the policy is that his money, which is accumulated for sense gratification… In Western countries they accumulate millions of dollars and at the last moment he gives to his dog.  There are many instances, you know better than me. He has no, nobody even, because they do not marry, no children, no friend, so the dog is the best friend in Western country. Every gentleman must have this best friend, pet dog. So ultimately, because there is nobody to give, he gives it to the dog. Makes a will that my dog will get it and they’ll give him jewelry, ornaments and so on, so on, so on. We have got practical experience, the big palace which we have purchased in Detroit, the man did not marry, so ultimately he bequeathed the whole estate to the dog.  And there is a tomb of the dog.

So, one has to do it. If he does not do it for God, then he will have to do it ultimately to the dog. So better, so long you have got money, spend it for God. San-nimitte varam tyago vinase niyate sati. This is the instruction of Canakya Pandita, that whatever money you have got, it will be spent. You cannot keep it. Either the money will go from you, or you have to go from the money. You cannot keep together. That is not possible. If you don’t spend the money for Krishna, if you keep it, that “I shall see it. I shall lick up this money and become happy…” Krpana, that those who are miser, they do not spend money for Krishna but they see the money. Therefore it has become a problem for us, how to spend the money. How to spend the money for Krishna, that is our policy. We do not want to keep money. We cannot keep, that is not possible. Somebody will take it. Ultimately the government will take. Better spend it for Krishna. Spend it for Krishna that is the right use. San-nimitte varam tyago vinase niya… Canakya Pandita, he was great politician, he is advising that if you have got money, spend it for Krishna. Don’t keep it. Spend it for Krishna. Why? It will be spoiled. Today or tomorrow it will be spoiled. Somebody will take and spoil it. Better, if you spend it for Krishna, at least your service will be recognized. Krishna will see that this man is spending his hard-earned money for Me. That is called ajnata- sukrti. This service to Krishna, this inclination, does not arise unless one is very, very, good asset he has got.

Full Lecture: http://prabhupadabooks.com/classes/sb/5/5/9/vrndavana/october/31/1976