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Because we are now in the material world, we have got the propensity to enjoy, to exploit the resources of material nature. Krsna has given us the opportunity

Expressions researched:
"because we are now in the material world, we have got the propensity to enjoy, to exploit the resources of material nature. Kṛṣṇa has given us the opportunity"

Lectures

Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures

Because we are now in the material world, we have got the propensity to enjoy, to exploit the resources of material nature. Kṛṣṇa has given us the opportunity. Therefore He said in the previous verse that ye yathā māṁ prapadyante (BG 4.11).

Kṛṣṇa's knowledge is so perfect. Kṛṣṇa says, mayādhyakṣeṇa prakṛtiḥ sūyate sa-carācaram (BG 9.10). This nature's work is going on not whimsically, but under the guidance of pushing the button of Kṛṣṇa, by Kṛṣṇa. It is not going . . . any scientist can understand that no machine, however nicely made, finely made, without pushing the button it cannot work. So the huge machinery of the cosmic manifestation, which is working so nicely and perfected, perfectly . . . our Dr. Svarūpa Dāmodara has mentioned in his book very nicely. So . . . there must be some brain. All big, big scientists . . . even Professor Einstein, he also admitted. So there is brain. That brain is Kṛṣṇa. That brain is Kṛṣṇa.

So people are working . . . in the previous verse we have discussed, ye yathā māṁ prapadyante tāṁs tathaiva bhajāmy aham (BG 4.11). Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Father. He's very loving father, so He has given freedom to His sons. We are all sons. Mamaivāṁśo jīva-bhūtaḥ (BG 15.7). Ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā (BG 14.4). Kṛṣṇa says: "I am the bīja-pradaḥ pitā. Material nature is the mother." Tāsāṁ yonir mahad brahma ahaṁ bīja-pradaḥ pitā. So the original father is Kṛṣṇa, and mother is this material nature. So I am the soul, spirit soul, very minute position. My, my magnitude is very, very small. That is also given in the śāstra: keśāgra-śata-bhāgasya śatadhā kalpitasya, one ten-thousandth part of the tip of the hair. That is my magnitude. So that bīja, that spiritual spark, is given by Kṛṣṇa, and the material nature, kṣitir āpo 'nalo vāyuḥ khaṁ mano buddhir eva ca . . . (BG 7.4). This body is . . . in this way we have got.

So because we are now in the material world, we have got the propensity to enjoy, to exploit the resources of material nature. Kṛṣṇa has given us the opportunity. Therefore He said in the previous verse that ye yathā māṁ prapadyante (BG 4.11). If you want . . . because material nature is also Kṛṣṇa, or Kṛṣṇa's energy. Not Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa and Kṛṣṇa's energy, there is no difference. That I have explained last night. Just like the fire and heat, that is the same quality. In the heat there is warmth, and the fire there is warmth. Still, the heat is not the fire. This is called inconceivable, simultaneously one and different. This is perfect philosophy. Everything is one with the Supreme, and at the same time it is different. This is perfect philosophy given by Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Acintya-bhedābheda-tattva.

So here, in this material world, people are trying to enjoy. Therefore Kṛṣṇa says, kāṅkṣantaḥ karmaṇāṁ siddhim (BG 4.12). Everyone is working very hard. Any business he is doing, he is praying, "O my Lord, give me the opportunity that I may get success in my business." So Kṛṣṇa is giving. That is also very nice. If a person, desiring some material profit, remembering Kṛṣṇa, that is also welcome. Welcome because he is not atheist. Atheist class men, even for material success, they do not pray to God. But theist class, one who has got background pious activities, he is called theist. An impious, sinful activities, or sinful man, cannot remember even God. Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ (BG 7.15). Yeṣām anta-gataṁ pāpaṁ janānāṁ puṇya-karmaṇām (BG 7.28). So to remember even God, even go to God in temple or mosque or church and pray to God, "Give me this benefit," . . . just like Christian way of worshiping is "O God, give us our daily bread." Hindus also go to temple and pray to God that, "Give me some profit. I am very poor man." So Kṛṣṇa says that is also welcome. Catur-vidhā bhajante māṁ sukṛtino 'rjuna, ārto jijñā . . . ārto . . .

Devotee: Arthārthī.

Prabhupāda: Arthārthī, yes. Ārto jijñāsur jñānī ca bharatarṣabha (BG 7.16). This is not pure devotee, but they are pious. One who goes to the temple and prays to God for some material profit, they are also pious. They are not sinful. But those who are sinful, they do not go even to the temple. They think, "What is this temple nonsense? We shall earn money." Our present government is encouraging this method that, "Why should you go to temple and waste your time? If you want money, then take to industries, work hard like an ass, and you get money." That is the policy going on. But Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam says, "No, no, no, this is not good. To work so hard like dogs and hogs . . ." Especially Śrīmad-Bhāgavata has mentioned the word "hog," "pig." Nāyaṁ deho deha-bhājāṁ nṛloke kaṣṭān kāmān arhate viḍ-bhujāṁ ye (SB 5.5.1). Viḍ-bhujām. Viṭ, viṭ means stool. Stool—bhujam, "one who eats stool." That means the pigs. So they are working very hard, day and night, to find out where is stool. "How to eat? How to eat? How to def . . . how to sleep?" This is their philosophy.

Page Title:Because we are now in the material world, we have got the propensity to enjoy, to exploit the resources of material nature. Krsna has given us the opportunity
Compiler:SharmisthaK
Created:2023-02-16, 07:42:27
Totals by Section:BG=0, SB=0, CC=0, OB=0, Lec=1, Con=0, Let=0
No. of Quotes:1