Prabhupāda: Well, just like I came here alone to reform, to make God conscious, but gradually it is increasing. Although I had very little hope, but still now hopeful. So let us try for it. It is not that cent percent people, but if one, two men can understand, leading men, then the whole society will be benefited. It is not that mass people will be reformed. Just like we have received one letter from one Mr. Ford, Ford family, how much he is appreciating our movement. He has paid also. So it is our duty to do. But if one, two men comes out, comes forward, then it will be successful.
Yaśomatīnandana: That Ford boy is about to become a devotee, Prabhupāda.
Prabhupāda: Yes, he'll become devotee, just like George is becoming devotee. So if somebody comes in our touch, and if he is sincere, he'll become devotee. Now this . . . I shall go this way?
Śrutakīrti: Yes.
Prajāpati: So therefore, because we're not actually trying to gain the office, there need be no compromise in our preaching. Our preaching can be strictly on the platform . . .
Prabhupāda: Oh, yes.
Prajāpati: . . . it always has been.
Prabhupāda: Our this attempt is for preaching, not for the post. If we get the post, it is all right. If we don't get, we are not disappointed. Just like even Kṛṣṇa—He came to preach, sarva-dharmān parityajya mām ekam (BG 18.66). And did everybody do so, sarva-dharmān? So that you cannot expect, that your preaching . . . because it is so sublime, it is not possible. But if one or two men accept, then you are successful.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: It's just a form of preaching.
Prabhupāda: Eh?
Svarūpa Dāmodara: It's just a form of preaching, so we can expose everyone.
Prabhupāda: Yes. The ideal should be there. Just like sometimes university maintains some classes, spending thousands of dollars every month, but there is no student. Does it mean the university shall close that department? No, it must go on. If anyone is fortunate, he'll take advantage. This is the process.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: Among those students, thousands of students, there are only very few who come out very good in society, who follows.
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: Not everybody.
Prabhupāda: Manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu, that is already spoken. Kṛṣṇa is speaking Bhagavad-gītā; at the same time, He says:
- manuṣyāṇāṁ sahasreṣu
- kaścid yatati siddhaye
- yatatām api siddhānāṁ
- kaścin vetti māṁ tattvataḥ
- (BG 7.3)
"Out of many million of person are trying to be perfect, and out of many millions of perfects, one can hardly understand Me." Then why He is speaking Bhagavad-gītā? Actually the formula is impossible. Nobody is trying for becoming perfect, and there is no perfect; then who will understand? And still, He is speaking. Still Caitanya Mahāprabhu is coming. You see? So our endeavor should be there. Our endeavor should be . . .
If one man can take it up, then there will be immense good for the human so . . . therefore I say this is the only humanitarian work. This is the only humanitarian . . . all others, bogus. They cannot become successful. They are opening hospitals, but there are many millions of person they are without any hos . . . and even if you give good medicine, good hospital, is that guarantee?
Svarūpa Dāmodara: So the difference is one is working on the illusory platform . . .
Prabhupāda: Yes.
Svarūpa Dāmodara: . . . and one is working on the absolute platform.
Prabhupāda: Yes, that is the difference. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt (BG 2.40). Therefore a little, if you act in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, it will never be lost and it will save you from the greatest danger. Svalpam apy asya dharmasya trāyate mahato bhayāt. Kartum avyayam. Susukhaṁ kartum avyayam (BG 9.2). And whatever you have done, that is your permanent asset. It will never be lost.