Real essence
Srimad-Bhagavatam
SB Canto 4
Sri Caitanya-caritamrta
CC Adi-lila
- deve parā bhaktir yathā deve tathā gurau
- tasyaite kathitā hy arthāḥ prakāśante mahātmanaḥ
- [ŚU 6.23]
CC Antya-lila
Other Books by Srila Prabhupada
Renunciation Through Wisdom
Lectures
Bhagavad-gita As It Is Lectures
Initiation Lectures
Philosophy Discussions
Śyāmasundara: Other people are saying he is a philosopher.
Prabhupāda: Other... We don't say he's a philosopher. He says. He wants to pose himself as a philosopher; therefore he is talking all this nonsense. That's all.
Śyāmasundara: This existential psychoanalysis is supposed to get down to the root of a man's existence.
Prabhupāda: Has he seen that? Has he gone up to there?
Śyāmasundara: The level that he takes it to is that man is basically a "being for himself."
Prabhupāda: That's all right, that individuality.
Śyāmasundara: And that his decision-making power, his freedom to make decisions, is his real essence, his real nature.
Prabhupāda: So he agrees also at the same time, responsibility.
Śyāmasundara: Yes.
Prabhupāda: So that means he must have the power to make decisions, right and wrong. That is responsible.
Śyāmasundara: The main thing, though, is that he must abide by his decision. Whatever he chooses, that he must live it.
Prabhupāda: Not necessarily. If I decide to steal, it is better to avoid it. Not that because I have to decided to steal, I must do it just like a hero and then go to prison.
Śyāmasundara: For Sartre there is no absolute right and wrong. Some of his main heroes are great thieves and debauchers, like there's one... What is his name?
Prabhupāda: Alexander. Alexander and the robber. There is a story that a robber was arrested by Alexander and there was talk between Alexander and the robber: "You proved that you are big robber, that's all. Why you are going to punish me?" And he was released: "Yes. I'm a big robber. I have no difference between you and me."
Śyāmasundara: So he says that we can remedy the whole situation of bad faith and being an unsavory character and treating myself as an object instead of a person by choosing for myself the person I ought to become.
Prabhupāda: Ideal person.Page Title: | Real essence |
Compiler: | Rati, Laksmipriya |
Created: | 21 of Nov, 2008 |
Totals by Section: | BG=0, SB=3, CC=3, OB=1, Lec=3, Con=0, Let=0 |
No. of Quotes: | 10 |