Prabhupāda: Crossing by ferry, one hour. Then waiting for bus, another hour. Then going to the office. Then after office, they're coming back. Again going. Whole day, they're dependent on everything. That is the condition in New York. It is to be supposed: the most advanced city. The same thing is everywhere. People are becoming dependent, śūdra, just like dogs. A dog, unless he gets a nice master, he's not happy. So at the present moment, all the population, just like the cats and dogs, they're dependent. They are not intelligent. Intelligence means he must be independent. That is intelligence. And people are struggling for independence. That is their motive. Everyone is struggling hard for independence. Because that is the culmination of intelligence. So our problem is that we do not know what we are. Neither we know how to get out of the miserable condition of life. Therefore we have no intelligence. We are like cats and dogs. This is the conclusion. What do you think? Am I right or wrong?
Guest (1): I couldn't follow you.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Guest (1): I haven't followed you.
Prabhupāda: No, what is your opinion, my description of intelligence and not, no intelligence?
Guest (1): I think you're right.
Prabhupāda: Thank you. (laughter)
Guest (1): But you know, my thoughts must be really not worth very much.
Prabhupāda: But we can give intelligence by which he can become independent. This is Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement.
Guest (1): How can we in a money-orientated world?
Prabhupāda: Hm?
Haṁsadūta: How can we become intelligent or independent?
Guest (1): In a money-orientated world?
Prabhupāda: Well, money you can get. That money does not mean independence.
Guest (1): No, I know.
Prabhupāda: They are, while working, they're getting money, but they're not independent.
Guest (1): No, I understand that.
Prabhupāda: Yes. So without money, if you become independent, that is intelligence.
Śrutakīrti: That was her question.
Prabhupāda: Ah. That, if you can get Kṛṣṇa, you'll...
Guest (1): But how do you, what I mean is how do you, how can you...
Prabhupāda: That "how to," that we shall teach, as we are teaching others. In the Bhagavad-gītā it is stated,
- yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ
- manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ
- yasmin sthito na duḥkhena
- guruṇāpi vicālyate
- (Bg. 6.20-23)
Yaṁ labdhvā. You get something, which getting, you will be satisfied: "I don't want anything more." That is highest gain. Yaṁ labdhvā cāparaṁ lābhaṁ manyate nādhikaṁ tataḥ. Cāparam. Another kind of benefit is not required. So yasmin sthitaḥ. If we remain in that position, then even there is hardest difficulty of life, he'll not be disturbed.