Prabhupāda: Pure means materially pure. But yoga practice means go to the spiritual platform. Just like in the material qualities, some men are very good men—the quality of goodness—and some men are in passion. That is the rajo-guṇa. And some men are in darkness. So there are three qualities in the material world: sattva-guṇa, rajo-guṇa and tamo-guṇa.
So those who are situated in the modes of goodness, they are called perfect in the material world; very good men. That "very good man" does not mean that he is spiritually advanced. He may be moralist. He may be philanthropist, just like so many leaders of nation. That is another thing.
The spiritual state is called viśuddha-sattva. Viśuddha-sattva means goodness where no other quality can contaminate. Here even one man is very good man, sometimes he is tinged with passion or ignorance. Just like I told you that Mahātmā Gandhi, he was a recognized good man, but he committed so many mistakes.
So pure goodness is not possible in this material world. Pure goodness means spiritual life. Yasyāsti bhaktir bhagavaty akiñcanā sarvair guṇais tatra samāsate surāḥ (SB 5.18.12). So because the spirit soul by nature is pure, by nature . . . as God is pure, similarly, we are part and parcel of God, we are also pure in our original position. But due so long . . . since we have come in contact with this material nature, our inferiorities in different qualities or different degrees are present.
So for spiritual advancement, one has to come first to the platform of goodness, then pure goodness.
- brahma-bhūtaḥ prasannātmā
- na śocati na kāṅkṣati
- samaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu
- mad-bhaktiṁ labhate parām
- (BG 18.54)
These things are there. So in the Satya-yuga, cent percent, or hundred percent people, they were on the platform of the quality of goodness.
Guest (2): Can a person . . . er, if a person is married and they are interested in entering into Hare Kṛṣṇa, you know, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, can they reach the ultimate?
Prabhupāda: Why not? There is no restriction. Marriage is sanctified prescription in every scripture. There were many great souls who were married. Marriage is no hindrance.
Guest (2): But what about celibacy?
Prabhupāda: Celibacy is still better. But one who cannot, I mean to say, prosecute a celibate life, he can marry. There is no such restriction.
Guest (3): You talk about different yogas reaching different platforms, like one the twenty-fifth, one the fiftieth, and one the eightieth. Now, is it really . . . does each one really reach the same point? Say one reaches the eightieth. Does it first reach the fiftieth and then the eightieth? In other words, do two yogas get to the same point? Then one can take you further, but the other one . . .
Prabhupāda: Yes. You have got the alternative. The same example: Just like in that Empire State building there are staircases, and there is lift also. So if you want to go step by step, then you can go. That is your option. But if you take the advantage of the lift, oh, in a second you can go.
Guest (3): And bhakti . . .
Prabhupāda: Similarly, there are different yoga processes. If you stick to some process, you go little further. Then you take another—you go little further. But if you take the bhakti-yoga process, it is the lift immediately. Because, as I quoted the verse from Bhagavad-gītā, yoginām api sarveṣām (BG 6.47). Sarveṣām means all. There are different kinds of yogīs. So "Out of different kinds of many yogīs," mad-gatenāntarātmanā, "one who is thinking of Me always within his heart," mad-gatenāntarāt . . . śraddhāvān bhajate mām, "and is engaged in My service with faith and devotion," sa me yuktatamo, "oh, he is the first-class yogī." He is the first-class yogī.
Because yoga means to contact the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is the ultimate goal. So if by some process you can at once contact the Supreme Personality of Godhead, that is first class. That is made easy in this age. Simply by chanting "Kṛṣṇa," you immediately contact. Immediately. So why not take this process? Why not try? Just give a try, and reach immediately. That is our proposal. We request everyone, "Try this process."
Yes?
Guest (4): Does devotion come before wakefulness, or does wakefulness come before devotion?
Prabhupāda: Before?
Guest (4): Wakefulness, awareness.
Devotee: (explaining) Does devotion come before wakefulness, or does wakefulness come before devotion?
Prabhupāda: What do you mean by wakefulness?
Guest (4): Awareness. You know, feeling the presence, being aware of yourself.
Prabhupāda: No. First you have to execute devotion; then awareness comes. If you do not read or labor for passing your examination, how you can pass examination? So therefore devotion is the prescribed rules and regulation. That is not very difficult. The primary rule is that you chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Just see. It is not difficult.