Prabhupāda:
- anarthopaśamaṁ sākṣād
- bhakti-yogam adhokṣaje
- (SB 1.7.6)
This, the present material civilized life, is anartha, unwanted. But still we have accepted it. This is (indistinct). Things are not wanted—this body, material body, it was not necessary. We have got our spiritual body. Just like in India, the tropical climate, we do not require any heavy clothing. But still sometimes you find to become a gentleman they load with heavy clothing, unnecessarily. (laughs) It is simply a habit.
Otherwise, in India plain cloth is sufficient. Most of the…, most part of the year in the villages, they remain naked body. There is no need of any heavy clothing. But sometimes, to keep up the modern civilization, we dress heavily with coats, pants and necktie and..., just see them covered. So unwanted. Similarly, we have got our spiritual body. This material body is unwanted. There is no need.
So our Vedic civilization is to minimize the necessities, artificial necessities of the body. Therefore a mendicant, a sādhu, lies down on the floor; a brahmacārī lies down on the floor. Simple, for society's sake, a loincloth. Bare necessities. Sannyāsī means the bare necessities. Brahmacārī means bare necessities. Only the gṛhasta, because they have to keep up the pace with the society, they require little gorgeous dress. So minimum necessities. Reduce. Just like Śukadeva Gosvāmī says, for persons who are desiring to advance in spiritual life, he says that "When there is by nature bedding, nice grass, just lie down. Why you are after cot and mattress?"
Now, "All right, the bedding is there. Where is the pillow?" He says, then, "You have got this pillow: hand. Why should you try for another pillow?" Then, "Where is home?" "Oh, don't you find the caves?" And then, "Where is food?" "Oh, don't you find trees, their fruits?" "And where is water?" "Oh, don't you find this river, there is water?" "And where is the pot?" "Oh, you take pot like this." Then, "I must have a temple." "No, there is no necessity of temple; the Lord is within your heart." You see? The everything's simplified. No artificial necessity.
And then again, he says, "All right, if you are unable to, I mean to say, equalitize with this paraphernalia, then why you are so much worried? Do you think that Kṛṣṇa will not provide you? He's providing everyone, and not to His devotee? Why you are so much anxious?" Kasmād bhajanti kavayo dhana-durmadāndhān (SB 2.2.5). He says, "Why should you go to a moneyed man for begging? Make your life simplified, and live peacefully and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa." That Śukadeva Gosvāmī is prescribing. But it is very difficult for the modern man to adopt. Śukadeva Gosvāmī was never dependent on anyone. He was naked even. He didn't require clothing also. He was naked.