Prabhupāda: The whole plan should be that people should understand that he is not animal. First thing. This is education. In the animal society there is no religion, but as soon as you claim to be in human society or civilized society, then there must be religion. Economic development secondary, next.
Of course, according to medical consciousness they say ātmānam. Ātmānam means they say "body." But ātmā means this body, this mind and the soul. Real meaning of ātmā is soul. So there is a verse, ātmānaṁ sarvato rakṣet: "First of all try to save your soul." I think Lord Jesus Christ has also spoken something like that, "If, after gaining everything, one loses his spirit soul, then what does he gain?" Is it not?
Devotee: Um-hm.
Prabhupāda: So this is the principle. Ātmānaṁ sarvato rakṣet. One should give first protection to the ātmā. What is that protection? Protection from the onslaught of māyā, material nature. That is protection. At the present moment, I am under the influence of māyā, under the influence of the three qualities of māyā. So when I get the opportunity of this human form of life, my first business is how to protect this ātmā, soul.