Material things means

Expressions researched:
"Material things means"

Srimad-Bhagavatam Lectures

Material things means āhāra-nidrā-bhaya-maithunaṁ ca. Eating, sleeping, mating, and defending.

Lecture on SB 2.3.23 -- Los Angeles, June 20, 1972: Anartha means things we do not require. Anartha. Artha, anartha. Artha means which is essentially required, and anartha means which is not required, artificially we have requisitioned. So when one grows his Kṛṣṇa consciousness, immediately his artificial life becomes finished. Bhaktiḥ pareśānubhavo viraktir anyatra syāt [SB 11.2.42]. This is the symptom of development of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, that he's not anymore interested for material, unnecessary things. This is the test. If one is increasing Kṛṣṇa consciousness, at the same time he has got full attachment for material things, that means he's not developing. Material things means āhāra-nidrā-bhaya-maithunaṁ ca. Eating, sleeping, mating, and defending. So sometimes the karmīs are afraid of this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement because they know that as soon as one becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, he is no more interested in these material things. Just like we say "Don't eat meat." So actually, if all people become Kṛṣṇa conscious and give up meat-eating, then the slaughterhouse will be closed. Automatically.

Nectar of Devotion Lectures

Material things means, as I have repeatedly explained, forgetful of Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise there is no, nothing material. It is illusion.

The Nectar of Devotion -- Vrndavana, November 11, 1972: My Guru Mahārāja used to say... He had so many temples all over India, and he used to say sometimes that "If by selling all these properties, temples, if I could turn one man to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, then my mission will be successful." He used to say that. So our purpose is not to construct big, big buildings. That is required for propaganda work, for giving shelter to people. But our main business is how to turn the face of the bewildered conditioned souls towards Kṛṣṇa. That is our method. That is our main purpose. Therefore, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura and other Vaiṣṇavas, they did not advise to give much attention for constructing big, big temples and maṭhas. Because if our attention is diverted towards these material things... Material things means, as I have repeatedly explained, forgetful of Kṛṣṇa. Otherwise there is no, nothing material. It is illusion. Illusion means actually there is nothing material. How it can be material? If the Supreme Lord is Supreme Spirit, everything is coming from Him, so what we call the material energy, that is also coming from the Supreme.

1973 Conversations and Morning Walks

Material things means the desire for sense gratification. That is material.

Room Conversation -- September 19, 1973, Bombay: So mind is also another material thing. So if you think of Kṛṣṇa's form within the body, mind, it is as good as you worship the Deity in the temples made of brass or wood or stone. Because both of them are Kṛṣṇa's energies. So whatever possible, He can accept. And that is Kṛṣṇa. Because Kṛṣṇa's energy. Therefore the energy is not different from Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa can accept your service in any of these material. So-called material. Actually there is no material things. Material things means the desire for sense gratification. That is material. Ātmendriya-prīti-vāñchā—tāre bali 'kām [Cc. Ādi 4.165].' That is material. Kṛṣṇendriya-prīti-icchā dhare 'prema' nāma. That is spiritual.

1975 Conversations and Morning Walks

Material things means separated energy.

Room Conversation with Jesuit -- May 19, 1975, Melbourne:

Jesuit: Everything is distinct from God.

Prabhupāda: Yes.

Jesuit: We are distinct persons.

Prabhupāda: Yes. That is bhinnā prakṛtir aṣṭadhā.

Jesuit: We share our being from God.

Prabhupāda: Bhinnā prakṛtiḥ, that is stated, "separated energy." Material things means separated energy. Just like this tape recorder. When we are not here, they will play the record and I am speaking. That is separated energy. And I am directly speaking, that is nonseparated energy. So separated energy and nonseparated energy, they are coming from the same source. The source is the same. Therefore, ultimate issue, the source being all spirit, everything is spirit. But the place where we do not directly perceive God, that is material. And the place where we directly perceive God, that is spiritual. So either separated or connected, God is the only one source of all energies. That is explained there. Bhūmir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca [Bg. 7.4].