Jesus Christ Predicts the Appearance of Srila Prabhupada
Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit (Srila Prabhupada)
Holy Bible, John 14:16-18:
"And I will ask the
Father, and he will give you ANOTHER Counsellor to be with you for
ever---the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it
neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you
and will be in you."
Srila Prabhupada the liberated devotee makes his appearance.
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.58:
TRANSLATION
"Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krsna Himself.
PURPORT
It is not possible for a conditioned soul to directly meet Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if one becomes a sincere devotee and seriously engages in devotional service, Lord Krsna sends an instructing spiritual master to show him favor and invoke his dormant propensity for serving the Supreme. The preceptor appears before the external senses of the fortunate conditioned soul, and at the same time the devotee is guided from within by the caittya-guru, Krsna, who is seated as the spiritual master within the heart of the living entity."
"Since one cannot visually experience the presence of the Supersoul, He appears before us as a liberated devotee. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krsna Himself.
PURPORT
It is not possible for a conditioned soul to directly meet Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if one becomes a sincere devotee and seriously engages in devotional service, Lord Krsna sends an instructing spiritual master to show him favor and invoke his dormant propensity for serving the Supreme. The preceptor appears before the external senses of the fortunate conditioned soul, and at the same time the devotee is guided from within by the caittya-guru, Krsna, who is seated as the spiritual master within the heart of the living entity."
Holy Bible, John 14:26:
"But the Counsellor, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all
things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
Srila Prabhupada is teaching the same message: how
to serve Krishna through the transparent via medium -- his books
(instructions).
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35:
"If there is no chance
to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by
remembering his instructions. There is NO DIFFERENCE between the
spiritual master's instructions and the spiritual master himself. In his
absence, therefore, his words of direction should be the pride of the
disciple."
Holy Bible, John 15:26:
"When the Counsellor
comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who
goes out from the Father, he will testify about me."
Srila Prabhupada testifying about Jesus Christ
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, June 28, 1974, Melbourne:
"Who will not respect
Jesus Christ? He sacrificed everything for God, even his life. So who is
that rascal that he'll not respect to Jesus Christ. What did he do
wrong to the human society? He did everything for the good of the human
society. Oh, I have got very, very, great respect for Lord Jesus
Christ."
Srila Prabhupada Appearance Day Lecture, September 23, 1969, London:
"Scriptures are also
different. Because scriptures are made according to time, circumstances,
people. Just like Bible. Bible Lord Jesus Christ preached in the
desert, Jerusalem. Or where it is? People who were not so advanced.
Therefore his first instruction is "Thou shall not kill." That means
they were very much engaged in killing affairs; otherwise, why is this
instruction? And actually, it so happened that they killed Jesus Christ.
So that society was not very enlightened society. So a scripture for a
society which is not very enlightened and a scripture for a society
which is very enlightened must be different. Just like a dictionary. For
the schoolboy, a pocket dictionary. And for a college student,
international, big dictionary. Both of them are dictionaries. But the
small pocket dictionary is not equal to the big dictionary. Because it
is different made for different classes of men. So scriptures are made
according to different classes of men. There are three classes of men:
first-class, second-class, and third-class. The third-class man cannot
understand the philosophy and scriptural injunctions of the first-class
man. That is not possible. Higher mathematics cannot be understood by
the small schoolboys who are simply trying to understand "Two plus two
equal to four." But "Two plus two equal to four" is equally good to the
higher mathematics student. But still, higher mathematics and lower math
is different."
The Work of the Holy Spirit (Srila Prabhupada)
Holy Bible, John 16:7-15:
"Unless I go away, the
Counsellor will not come to you; but If I go, I will send him to you.
When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and
righteousness and judgement: in regard to sin, because men do not
believe in me; in regard to righteousness, because I am going to the
Father, where you can see me no longer; and in regard to judgement,
because the prince of this world now stands condemned."
It is significant that Jesus Christ is saying,
"unless I go away….". He appears to be very eager to present his
SUCCESSOR for the significant change to follow in the impious lives of
the people. On this point it is note worthy to remember the prayer
offered to Srila Prabhupada: nirvesesa sunyavadi pascatya desa tarine
"YOU are delivering the WESTERN countries, filled with impersonalism and voidism.
Also, "…because men do not believe in me" indicates they were not prepared to give up meat eating ---Thou shall not kill.
Srila Prabhupada broke the four pillars of sinful life (meat eating, gambling, intoxication and illicit sex).
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Madhudvisa, January 26, 1970:
"Actually, one who is
advanced will not find any contradiction. The Christians teach love of
Godhead, and we practically do it. So one has to understand from the
practical point of view. A man is judged by his activities. We see that
they are engaged in smoking habits, eating meat and indulging in free
mixing of boys and girls; these are not the activities of religious
persons. Lord Jesus said and the Bible also says, "Thou shalt not Kill."
But they are eating meat. So we must see practically if someone is
leading a pure life and not be blinded by some sentiment. Our students
are strictly observing the four rules or restraints from impure habits
and they are factually living according to the highest standard of
religious life. So we are actually following the principles of pure
living in Krishna Consciousness, but it appears that these followers of
the Christian philosophy have fallen down from the transcendental
platform.
Holy Bible:
"I have much more to say
to you, MORE THAN YOU CAN NOW BEAR. But when he, the Spirit of truth,
comes, he will guide you into ALL TRUTH."
There are two points here (a) they could not bear
any more instruction; and (b) guidance in ALL TRUTH. In relation to (a)
there is further mention in the Bible:
(i) If you do not understand what is material, how will you understand spiritual?
(ii) I have many things to say unto you but your ears will not bear them as yet. Thus, it evidently clear that the people to whom he preached to were not advanced.
(ii) I have many things to say unto you but your ears will not bear them as yet. Thus, it evidently clear that the people to whom he preached to were not advanced.
In relation to (b) ALL TRUTH—we find that it is
ONLY Srila Prabhupada who actually gave COMPLETE information of the
nature of the three features of the Absolute Truth.
Bhagavad-gita 2.2:
"Krsna and the Supreme
Personality of Godhead are identical. Therefore Lord Krsna is referred
to as "Bhagavan" throughout the Gita. Bhagavan is the ultimate in
Absolute Truth. Absolute Truth is realized in three phases of
understanding, namely Brahman, or the impersonal all-pervasive spirit;
Paramatma, or the localized aspect of the Supreme within the heart of
all living entities; and Bhagavan, or the Supreme Personality of
Godhead, Lord Krsna. In the Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.11) this conception
of the Absolute Truth is explained thus:
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
"The Absolute Truth is realized in three phases of understanding by the knower of the Absolute Truth, and all of them are identical. Such phases of the Absolute Truth are expressed as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan." These three divine aspects can be explained by the example of the sun, which also has three different aspects, namely the sunshine, the sun's surface and the sun planet itself. One who studies the sunshine only is the preliminary student. One who understands the sun's surface is further advanced. And one who can enter into the sun planet is the highest. Ordinary students who are satisfied simply by understanding the sunshine--its universal pervasiveness and the glaring effulgence of its impersonal nature--may be compared to those who can realize only the Brahman feature of the Absolute Truth. The student who has advanced still further can know the sun disc, which is compared to knowledge of the Paramatma feature of the Absolute Truth. And the student who can enter into the heart of the sun planet is compared to those who realize the personal features of the Supreme Absolute Truth. Therefore, the bhaktas, or the transcendentalists who have realized the Bhagavan feature of the Absolute Truth, are the topmost transcendentalists, although all students who are engaged in the study of the Absolute Truth are engaged in the same subject matter. The sunshine, the sun disc and the inner affairs of the sun planet cannot be separated from one another, and yet the students of the three different phases are not in the same category.
The Sanskrit word bhagavan is explained by the great authority, Parasara Muni, the father of Vyasadeva. The Supreme Personality who possesses all riches, all strength, all fame, all beauty, all knowledge and all renunciation is called Bhagavan."
vadanti tat tattva-vidas
tattvam yaj jnanam advayam
brahmeti paramatmeti
bhagavan iti sabdyate
"The Absolute Truth is realized in three phases of understanding by the knower of the Absolute Truth, and all of them are identical. Such phases of the Absolute Truth are expressed as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan." These three divine aspects can be explained by the example of the sun, which also has three different aspects, namely the sunshine, the sun's surface and the sun planet itself. One who studies the sunshine only is the preliminary student. One who understands the sun's surface is further advanced. And one who can enter into the sun planet is the highest. Ordinary students who are satisfied simply by understanding the sunshine--its universal pervasiveness and the glaring effulgence of its impersonal nature--may be compared to those who can realize only the Brahman feature of the Absolute Truth. The student who has advanced still further can know the sun disc, which is compared to knowledge of the Paramatma feature of the Absolute Truth. And the student who can enter into the heart of the sun planet is compared to those who realize the personal features of the Supreme Absolute Truth. Therefore, the bhaktas, or the transcendentalists who have realized the Bhagavan feature of the Absolute Truth, are the topmost transcendentalists, although all students who are engaged in the study of the Absolute Truth are engaged in the same subject matter. The sunshine, the sun disc and the inner affairs of the sun planet cannot be separated from one another, and yet the students of the three different phases are not in the same category.
The Sanskrit word bhagavan is explained by the great authority, Parasara Muni, the father of Vyasadeva. The Supreme Personality who possesses all riches, all strength, all fame, all beauty, all knowledge and all renunciation is called Bhagavan."
Srimad Bhagavatam 3.15.47:
TRANSLATION
"We know that You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, who manifests His transcendental form in the uncontaminated mode of pure goodness. This transcendental, eternal form of Your personality can be understood only by Your mercy, through unflinching devotional service, by great sages whose hearts have been purified in the devotional way.
PURPORT
The Absolute Truth can be understood in three features—impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma, and Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here it is admitted that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the last word in understanding the Absolute Truth. Even though the four Kumaras were instructed by their great learned father, Brahma, they could not actually understand the Absolute Truth. They could only understand the Supreme Absolute Truth when they personally SAW the Personality of Godhead with their own eyes. In other words, if one sees or understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the other two features of the Absolute Truth—namely impersonal Brahman and localized Paramatma—are also automatically understood. Therefore the Kumaras confirm: "You are the ultimate Absolute Truth." The impersonalist may argue that since the Supreme Personality of Godhead was so nicely decorated, He was therefore not the Absolute Truth. But here it is confirmed that all the variegatedness of the absolute platform is constituted of Suddha-sattva, pure goodness. In the material world, any quality—goodness, passion or ignorance—is contaminated. Even the quality of goodness here in the material world is not free from tinges of passion and ignorance. But in the transcendental world, only pure goodness, without any tinge of passion or ignorance, exists; therefore the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His variegated pastimes and paraphernalia are all pure sattva-guna. Such variegatedness in pure goodness is exhibited eternally by the Lord for the satisfaction of the devotee. The devotee does not want to see the Supreme Personality of Absolute Truth in voidness or impersonalism. In one sense, absolute transcendental variegatedness is meant only for the devotees, not for others, because this distinct feature of transcendental variegatedness can be understood only by the mercy of the Supreme Lord and not by mental speculation or the ascending process. It is said that one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead when one is even slightly favored by Him; otherwise, without His mercy, a man may speculate for thousands of years and not understand what is actually the Absolute Truth. This mercy can be perceived by the devotee when he is completely freed from contamination. It is stated, therefore, that only when all contamination is rooted out and the devotee is completely detached from material attractions can he receive this mercy of the Lord."
"We know that You are the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, who manifests His transcendental form in the uncontaminated mode of pure goodness. This transcendental, eternal form of Your personality can be understood only by Your mercy, through unflinching devotional service, by great sages whose hearts have been purified in the devotional way.
PURPORT
The Absolute Truth can be understood in three features—impersonal Brahman, localized Paramatma, and Bhagavan, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Here it is admitted that the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the last word in understanding the Absolute Truth. Even though the four Kumaras were instructed by their great learned father, Brahma, they could not actually understand the Absolute Truth. They could only understand the Supreme Absolute Truth when they personally SAW the Personality of Godhead with their own eyes. In other words, if one sees or understands the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the other two features of the Absolute Truth—namely impersonal Brahman and localized Paramatma—are also automatically understood. Therefore the Kumaras confirm: "You are the ultimate Absolute Truth." The impersonalist may argue that since the Supreme Personality of Godhead was so nicely decorated, He was therefore not the Absolute Truth. But here it is confirmed that all the variegatedness of the absolute platform is constituted of Suddha-sattva, pure goodness. In the material world, any quality—goodness, passion or ignorance—is contaminated. Even the quality of goodness here in the material world is not free from tinges of passion and ignorance. But in the transcendental world, only pure goodness, without any tinge of passion or ignorance, exists; therefore the form of the Supreme Personality of Godhead and His variegated pastimes and paraphernalia are all pure sattva-guna. Such variegatedness in pure goodness is exhibited eternally by the Lord for the satisfaction of the devotee. The devotee does not want to see the Supreme Personality of Absolute Truth in voidness or impersonalism. In one sense, absolute transcendental variegatedness is meant only for the devotees, not for others, because this distinct feature of transcendental variegatedness can be understood only by the mercy of the Supreme Lord and not by mental speculation or the ascending process. It is said that one can understand the Supreme Personality of Godhead when one is even slightly favored by Him; otherwise, without His mercy, a man may speculate for thousands of years and not understand what is actually the Absolute Truth. This mercy can be perceived by the devotee when he is completely freed from contamination. It is stated, therefore, that only when all contamination is rooted out and the devotee is completely detached from material attractions can he receive this mercy of the Lord."
The Bible also says: Blessed are the pure in the
heart for they shall SEE God. So this fully corresponds to the above,
where the Kumaras SAW God (Bhagavan realization).
Holy Bible:
"He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you WHAT IS YET TO COME. "
Srila Prabhupada the liberated devotee is giving
the purports to the Srimad-Bhagavatam, predicting events to happen in
the future.
Srila Prabhupada Conversation, August 31, 1973, London:
Hamsaduta: "Actually in
the Bible there's, someone mentions there the description that the Lord
will come and He will ride on a white steed, on a white horse. And at
that time he will kill all the non-devotee people. It's also in the
Bible.
Guest (1): Yes.
Prabhupada: So this Kalki, this incarnation of Krsna which comes at the end of this age, He's described, He will come and ride on a white horse all over the world, and He will...,
Prabhupada: Kill."
Guest (1): Yes.
Prabhupada: So this Kalki, this incarnation of Krsna which comes at the end of this age, He's described, He will come and ride on a white horse all over the world, and He will...,
Prabhupada: Kill."
Srimad Bhagavatam 1.3.24:
"Srimad-Bhagavatam was
composed just prior to the beginning of the age of Kali (about five
thousand years ago), and Lord Buddha appeared about twenty-six hundred
years ago. Therefore in the Srimad-Bhagavatam Lord Buddha is foretold.
Such is the authority of this clear scripture. There Are many such
prophecies, and they are being fulfilled one after another. They will
indicate the positive standing of Srimad-Bhagavatam, which is without
trace of mistake, illusion, cheating and imperfection, which are the
four flaws of all conditioned souls. The liberated souls are above these
flaws; therefore they can see and foretell things which are to take
place on distant future dates.
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugas, the Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki incarnation and become the son of Visnu Yasha. At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers.
PURPORT
Here is another foretelling of the advent of Lord Kalki, the incarnation of Godhead. He is to appear at the conjunction of the two yugas, namely at the end of Kali-yuga and the beginning of Satya-yuga. The cycle of the four yugas, namely Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, rotates like the calendar months. The present Kali-yuga lasts 432,000 years, out of which we have passed only 5,000 years after the Battle of Kurukshetra and the end of the regime of King Pariksit. So there are 427,000 years balance yet to be finished. Therefore at the end of this period, the incarnation of Kalki will take place, as foretold in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The name of His father, Visnu Yasha, a learned brahmana, and the village Sambhala are also mentioned. As above mentioned, all these foretellings will prove to be factual in chronological order. That is the authority of Srimad-Bhagavatam."
TRANSLATION
Thereafter, at the conjunction of two yugas, the Lord of the creation will take His birth as the Kalki incarnation and become the son of Visnu Yasha. At this time the rulers of the earth will have degenerated into plunderers.
PURPORT
Here is another foretelling of the advent of Lord Kalki, the incarnation of Godhead. He is to appear at the conjunction of the two yugas, namely at the end of Kali-yuga and the beginning of Satya-yuga. The cycle of the four yugas, namely Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali, rotates like the calendar months. The present Kali-yuga lasts 432,000 years, out of which we have passed only 5,000 years after the Battle of Kurukshetra and the end of the regime of King Pariksit. So there are 427,000 years balance yet to be finished. Therefore at the end of this period, the incarnation of Kalki will take place, as foretold in the Srimad-Bhagavatam. The name of His father, Visnu Yasha, a learned brahmana, and the village Sambhala are also mentioned. As above mentioned, all these foretellings will prove to be factual in chronological order. That is the authority of Srimad-Bhagavatam."
Srimad Bhagavatam 5.2.1:
"Srimad-Bhagavatam
predicts that in Kali-yuga the government will be entrusted with
dasyu-dharma, which means the occupational duty of rogues and thieves.
Modern heads of state are rogues and thieves who plunder the citizens
instead of giving them protection. Rogues and thieves plunder without
regard for law, but in this age of Kali, as stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam,
the lawmakers themselves plunder the citizens. The next prediction to
be fulfilled, which is already coming to pass, is that because of the
sinful activities of the citizens and the government, rain will become
increasingly scarce. Gradually there will be complete drought and no
production of food grains. People will be reduced to eating flesh and
seeds, and many good, spiritually inclined people will have to forsake
their homes because they will be too harassed by drought, taxation and
famine. The Krsna consciousness movement is the only hope to save the
world from such devastation. It is the most scientific and authorized
movement for the actual welfare of the whole human society."
Holy Bible:
"He will bring glory to
me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that
belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take
from what is mine and make it known to you."
Krishna is the property of his pure devotee. Jesus
Christ said, "Hallowed be Thy Name" and Srila Prabhupada gives us this
Name: Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare \ Hare Rama
Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare.
Srila Prabhupada is the TRANSPARENT VIA-MEDIUM who gives us Krsna.
Srila Prabhupada Interview, July 14, 1976, New York:
Bali-mardana: "In other
words, when you decide that someone is to be in charge of a particular
temple does Krsna tell you that this person should be in charge.
Interviewer: Or do you by judging him say this person is qualified.
Prabhupada: Yes, because a devotee always consults Krsna and He gives order.
Interviewer: It's a more direct communication.
Prabhupada: Yes. And He gives order.
Ramesvara: Because intelligence, our philosophy is that intelligence comes from Krsna. So if I have some...
Interviewer: And your philosophy is that your daily necessities come from Krsna as well.
Ramesvara: Yes, try to understand. Suppose my intelligence sees that this person is qualified, that means Krsna has told me.
Prabhupada: NO, NOT NECESSARILY, KRSNA WILL TELL DIRECTLY. A DEVOTEE ALWAYS CONSULTS KRSNA AND KRSNA TELLS HIM, "DO LIKE THIS." NOT FIGURATIVELY.
Interviewer: Does that apply then to other kinds of decisions and other kinds of activities as well?
Prabhupada: Everything. Because a devotee does not do anything without consulting Krsna."
Interviewer: Or do you by judging him say this person is qualified.
Prabhupada: Yes, because a devotee always consults Krsna and He gives order.
Interviewer: It's a more direct communication.
Prabhupada: Yes. And He gives order.
Ramesvara: Because intelligence, our philosophy is that intelligence comes from Krsna. So if I have some...
Interviewer: And your philosophy is that your daily necessities come from Krsna as well.
Ramesvara: Yes, try to understand. Suppose my intelligence sees that this person is qualified, that means Krsna has told me.
Prabhupada: NO, NOT NECESSARILY, KRSNA WILL TELL DIRECTLY. A DEVOTEE ALWAYS CONSULTS KRSNA AND KRSNA TELLS HIM, "DO LIKE THIS." NOT FIGURATIVELY.
Interviewer: Does that apply then to other kinds of decisions and other kinds of activities as well?
Prabhupada: Everything. Because a devotee does not do anything without consulting Krsna."
Caitanya-caritamrta Antya 5.71:
"One is forbidden to
accept the guru, or spiritual master, as an ordinary human being (gurusu
nara-mati). When Ramananda Raya spoke to Pradyumna Misra, Pradyumna
Misra could understand that Ramananda Raya was not an ordinary human
being. A SPIRITUALLY ADVANCED PERSON WHO ACTS WITH AUTHORITY, AS THE
SPIRITUAL MASTER, SPEAKS AS THE SUPREME PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD DICTATES
FROM WITHIN. THUS IT IS NOT HE THAT IS PERSONALLY SPEAKING. WHEN A PURE
DEVOTEE OR SPIRITUAL MASTER SPEAKS, WHAT HE SAYS SHOULD BE
ACaitanya-caritamrtaEPTED AS HAVING BEEN DIRECTLY SPOKEN BY THE SUPREME
PERSONALITY OF GODHEAD IN THE PARAMPARA SYSTEM."
Further analysis of John 14:26:
Holy Bible:
"But the counsellor, the
Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name will teach you ALL
THINGS and will REMIND you of EVERYTHING I HAVE SAID TO YOU."
Now we will be able to see the demonstration by the Holy Spirit (Srila Prabhupada) of the above.
Demonstration
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, September 1, 1972, New Vrindaban:
"So sound is the
original element of creation. In Sanskrit language it is called
sabda-brahma. Brahman, or the Absolute Truth, is first appeared Absolute
Truth becomes knowable by sound. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said, the
Lord says, raso 'ham apsu kaunteya prabhasmi sasi-suryayoh, sabdah khe.
Sabda means sound. If we want to see God, so let us hear first of all
the sound vibration, because that is the beginning. In the Bible also it
is said, "The Lord said, 'Let there be creation,' and there was
creation." So "Let there be creation," this is sound, transcendental
sound. So one who says this word, "Let there be creation," He is not
within the creation. Because He, God, is speaking, "Let there be
creation"
Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, January 12, 1974, Los Angeles:
Prajapati: "...from
politics to the world of theology. One of the most misunderstood
passages in the western scriptures, things that are..., most speculation
about, is the beginning of the Book of John, where it is said, "In the
beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was
God." And that Greek word is logos. And so many people have said so many
different things about that passage. No one really understands it.
Prabhupada: They cannot understand the Absolute. GOD AND GOD'S WORD ARE NOT DIFFERENT. OTHERWISE, WHY WE ARE AFTER BHAGAVAD-GITA? BECAUSE BHAGAVAD-GITA IS THE WORDS OF GOD. SO AS GOOD AS GOD.
Umapati: Absolute?
Prabhupada: Absolute, yes.
Svarupa Damodara: We also say that. We say that the beginning the sound vibration om was there. Om.
Prabhupada: Yes. Sabdad anavrtti. In Vedanta-sutra, sabdad anavrtti. Sabdat. By vibration.
Prajapati: But it goes on to say, "Then the word then came down to earth and dwelt with man as Jesus Christ." They say Lord Jesus Christ was the word incarnate.
Prabhupada: That's all right.
Umapati: Incarnate means flesh, having come down in flesh.
Prabhupada: That's all right.
Prajapati: From our Krsna conscious standpoint, this means a person who is jagad-guru, who is fully living sastra, and therefore non-different from the word of God?
Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Because he is following the words of God, THEREFORE HE IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM THE WORDS OF GOD. It is practical. Just like a lawyer is not different from the law. Therefore he is called lawyer."
Prabhupada: They cannot understand the Absolute. GOD AND GOD'S WORD ARE NOT DIFFERENT. OTHERWISE, WHY WE ARE AFTER BHAGAVAD-GITA? BECAUSE BHAGAVAD-GITA IS THE WORDS OF GOD. SO AS GOOD AS GOD.
Umapati: Absolute?
Prabhupada: Absolute, yes.
Svarupa Damodara: We also say that. We say that the beginning the sound vibration om was there. Om.
Prabhupada: Yes. Sabdad anavrtti. In Vedanta-sutra, sabdad anavrtti. Sabdat. By vibration.
Prajapati: But it goes on to say, "Then the word then came down to earth and dwelt with man as Jesus Christ." They say Lord Jesus Christ was the word incarnate.
Prabhupada: That's all right.
Umapati: Incarnate means flesh, having come down in flesh.
Prabhupada: That's all right.
Prajapati: From our Krsna conscious standpoint, this means a person who is jagad-guru, who is fully living sastra, and therefore non-different from the word of God?
Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Because he is following the words of God, THEREFORE HE IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM THE WORDS OF GOD. It is practical. Just like a lawyer is not different from the law. Therefore he is called lawyer."
Prajapati has made a very valid point here. In this context let us take a look at the form of address to Srila Prabhupada:
namo om VISNU-padaya krsna-presthyabhu-talesrimate BHAKTIVEDANTA-SVAMIN ITI NAMINE
So Srila Prabhupada is worshiped on the level of
Lord Visnu (Krsna) because he is a TRANSPARENT VIA MEDIUM representative
who accepts our service on behalf of the Lord.
Srila Prabhupada Garden Conversation, June 8, 1976, Los Angeles:
Prabhupada: "Krsna's
representative means the representative says the same thing as Krsna
says. Krsna says "Surrender unto Me," and the representative says
"Surrender to Krsna." AND BECAUSE HE DELIVERS THE REAL KNOWLEDGE, HE'S
AS GOOD AS KRSNA. THEREFORE SAKSAD-DHARITVENA SAMASTA-SASTRAIR UKTAS
TATHA BHAVYATA EVA SADBHIH. THE SPIRITUAL MASTER MAY APPEAR TO BE JUST
LIKE A COMMON MAN, BUT HE IS TO BE RESPECTED AS GOD, BECAUSE HE DELIVERS
THE REAL MESSAGE OF GOD. That is the qualification of spiritual master.
He does not manufacture anything. That is very easy. If I carry your
message and educate people in that way, then there is no difficulty for
me. Everything is there. Why shall I go to manufacture something
imperfect? The perfect thing is already there. Simply I have to carry. A
post peon--the money order is there, he has to simply carry and deliver
to the person. And if he gets at time of need, he thanks the peon, "Oh,
you have saved my life." It is like that. The message is already there.
You have to simply deliver to the suffering humanity. Then he'll be
relieved. And because he delivers the real reality, therefore he's
worshiped as God. Saksad-dharitvena samasta-sastrair uktas tatha
bhavyata eva sadbhih. ACARYAM MAM HI VIJANIYAT. KRSNA ALSO SAYS ACARYA
IS..., "I AM ACARYA."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, October 2, 1968, Seattle:
Tamala Krsna: "Can a
Christian in this age, without a spiritual master, but by reading the
Bible and following Jesus's words, reach the...
Prabhupada: When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without? As soon as you read Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ, that means you are following spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without spiritual master?
Madhudvisa: I was referring to a LIVING spiritual master.
Prabhupada: Spiritual master is NOT the question of... SPIRITUAL MASTER IS ETERNAL. SPIRITUAL MASTER IS ETERNAL. So your question is without spiritual master. Without spiritual master you cannot be, at any stage of your life. You may accept this spiritual master or that spiritual master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that "by reading Bible," when you read Bible that means you are following the spiritual master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ. So any case, you have to follow a spiritual master. There cannot be the question without spiritual master. Is that clear?"
Prabhupada: When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without? As soon as you read Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ, that means you are following spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without spiritual master?
Madhudvisa: I was referring to a LIVING spiritual master.
Prabhupada: Spiritual master is NOT the question of... SPIRITUAL MASTER IS ETERNAL. SPIRITUAL MASTER IS ETERNAL. So your question is without spiritual master. Without spiritual master you cannot be, at any stage of your life. You may accept this spiritual master or that spiritual master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that "by reading Bible," when you read Bible that means you are following the spiritual master represented by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ. So any case, you have to follow a spiritual master. There cannot be the question without spiritual master. Is that clear?"
Reservoir of Pleasure:
"Some people argue that
Arjuna was talking with Krsna because Krsna was present before him,
whereas in my case, Krsna is not present. So how can I get directions?
But that is not a fact. Krsna is present by His words--the
Bhagavad-gita. In India, when we speak on the Bhagavad-gita or
Srimad-Bhagavatam, we regularly perform worship with flowers, or with
other paraphernalia, as is required for worshiping. In the Sikh religion
also, although they have no form of the Deity, they worship the book
Granthasahib. Perhaps some of you are acquainted with this Sikh
community. They worship this Grantha. Similarly, the Moslems worship the
Koran. Similarly, in the Christian world, the Bible is worshiped. IT IS
A FACT that the Lord Jesus Christ IS PRESENT by His WORDS. Krsna is
also present by His words. THESE PERSONALITIES, EITHER GOD OR THE SON OF
GOD, WHO COME FROM THE TRANSCENDENTAL WORLD, KEEP THEIR TRANSCENDENTAL
IDENTITIES WITHOUT BEING CONTAMINATED BY THE MATERIAL WORLD. THAT IS
THEIR OMNIPOTENCE. WE ARE IN THE HABIT OF SAYING THAT GOD IS OMNIPOTENT.
OMNIPOTENCE MEANS THAT HE IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM HIS NAME, FROM HIS
QUALITY, FROM HIS PASTIMES, FROM HIS INSTRUCTION. THEREFORE, THE
DISCUSSION OF BHAGAVAD-GITA IS AS GOOD AS DISCUSSION WITH KRSNA
HIMSELF."
Similarly we can still get direction from Srila Prabhupada, WHO IS PRESENT BY HIS WORDS, DEITY TO GIVE US GUIDANCE.
Holy Bible, John 14:18-21:
"I will not leave you
fatherless; I am coming to you. A little while, and the world will see
me no more: but you will see me; because I am living you will live also.
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me and I
in you. Whoever keeps my commands, and regards them, It is he who loves
me; and one who loves me will be loved by my Father: and I will love
him, and will make myself known to him."
When Jesus Christ is saying that the world will
see him no longer is when he is not physically present; but one can see
him through his instructions, which are not different from him
(spiritual masters instructions are not different from him).
When he says I will not leave you Fatherless----he
is giving the world Srila Prabhupada who like him is the Spiritual
master the transparent via medium through whom we get Krsna. This
identical philosophy which Jesus Christ talked is called
acintya-bhedabheda-tattva (simultaneous oneness and difference). Jesus
is talking as a pure devotee and SIMULTANEOUSLY CHRIST(KRSNA) IS ALSO
TALKING THROUGH HIS PURE DEVOTEE. This "I am coming to you " is also
referring to Krsna's appearance as the Holy spirit (Visnu, Supersoul )
who manifests EXTERNALLY AS THE LIBERATED DEVOTEE. ALSO SINCE SRILA
PRABHUPADA IS NOT DIFFERENT FROM HIS INSTRUCTIONS(HIS BOOKS) DEVOTEES
ARE SAVED FROM APPROACHING SOME CHEATER WHO IS POSING AS SPIRITUAL
MASTER. THEREFORE "EXTERNAL SENSES" QUOTED BELOW IS CORRECT.
Remember Lord Visnu the Paramatma (Holy spirit)
feature, He appears as the external manifestation, as Srila Prabhupada,
LIBERATED DEVOTEE.
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.58:
TRANSLATION
"Since one CANNOT VISUALLY EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF THE SUPERSOUL, HE APPEARS BEFORE US AS A LIBERATED DEVOTEE. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krsna Himself.
PURPORT
It is not possible for a conditioned soul to directly meet Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if one becomes a sincere devotee and seriously engages in devotional service, Lord Krsna sends an instructing spiritual master to show him favor and invoke his dormant propensity for serving the Supreme. THE PRECEPTOR APPEARS BEFORE THE EXTERNAL SENSES OF THE FORTUNATE CONDITIONED SOUL, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DEVOTEE IS GUIDED FROM WITHIN BY THE CAITTYA-GURU, KRSNA, WHO IS SEATED AS THE SPIRITUAL MASTER WITHIN THE HEART OF THE LIVING ENTITY."
"Since one CANNOT VISUALLY EXPERIENCE THE PRESENCE OF THE SUPERSOUL, HE APPEARS BEFORE US AS A LIBERATED DEVOTEE. Such a spiritual master is none other than Krsna Himself.
PURPORT
It is not possible for a conditioned soul to directly meet Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but if one becomes a sincere devotee and seriously engages in devotional service, Lord Krsna sends an instructing spiritual master to show him favor and invoke his dormant propensity for serving the Supreme. THE PRECEPTOR APPEARS BEFORE THE EXTERNAL SENSES OF THE FORTUNATE CONDITIONED SOUL, AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DEVOTEE IS GUIDED FROM WITHIN BY THE CAITTYA-GURU, KRSNA, WHO IS SEATED AS THE SPIRITUAL MASTER WITHIN THE HEART OF THE LIVING ENTITY."
Acintya-bhedabheda-tattva (philosophical truth of simultaneous oneness and difference)
Srimad Bhagavatam 2.6.13-16:
"The Supreme Personality
of Godhead, by His partial representation, measuring not more than nine
inches as Supersoul, expands by His potential energy in the shape of
the universal form, which includes everything manifested in different
varieties of organic and inorganic materials. The manifested varieties
of the universe are therefore not different from the Lord, just as
golden ornaments of different shapes and forms are nondifferent from the
original stock reserve of gold. In other words, the Lord is the Supreme
Person who controls everything within the creation, and still He
remains the supreme separate identity, distinct from all manifested
material creation. In the Bhagavad-gita (9.4-5) He is therefore said to
be Yogesvara. Everything rests on the potency of Lord Sri Krsna, and
still the Lord is different from and transcendental to all such
identities. In the Vedic Purusa-sukta of the Rg mantra, this is also
confirmed. This philosophical truth of simultaneous oneness and
difference was propounded by Lord Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu, and it is
known as acintya-bhedabheda-tattva. BRAHMA, NARADA AND ALL OTHERS ARE
SIMULTANEOUSLY ONE WITH THE LORD AND DIFFERENT FROM THE SUPREME LORD. We
are all one with Him, just as the gold ornaments are one in quality
with the stock gold, but the individual gold ornament is never equal in
quantity with the stock gold. THE STOCK GOLD IS NEVER EXHAUSTED EVEN IF
THERE ARE INNUMERABLE ORNAMENTS EMANATING FROM THE STOCK BECAUSE THE
STOCK IS PURNAM, COMPLETE; EVEN IF PURNAM IS DEDUCTED FROM THE PURNAM,
STILL THE SUPREME PURNAM REMAINS THE SAME PURNAM. THIS FACT IS
INCONCEIVABLE TO OUR PRESENT IMPERFECT SENSES. LORD CAITANYA THEREFORE
DEFINED HIS THEORY OF PHILOSOPHY AS ACINTYA (INCONCEIVABLE), AND AS
CONFIRMED IN THE BHAGAVAD-GITA AS WELL AS IN THE BHAGAVATAM, LORD
CAITANYA'S THEORY OF ACINTYA-BHEDABHEDA-TATTVA IS THE PERFECT PHILOSOPHY
OF THE ABSOLUTE TRUTH."
Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, May 13, 1973, Los Angeles:
Paramahamsa: "Srila
Prabhupada, when you are not present with us, how is it possible to
receive instructions, for example, on questions that may arise?
Prabhupada: WELL, THE QUESTIONS... ANSWERS ARE THERE IN MY BOOKS.
Paramahamsa: Other than that, for example, that we would ask you in...
Prabhupada: Yes.
Paramahamsa: Do you direct us also through the heart? Besides the Paramatma?
Prabhupada: IF YOUR HEART IS PURE. Everything depends on purity.
Prabhupada: WELL, THE QUESTIONS... ANSWERS ARE THERE IN MY BOOKS.
Paramahamsa: Other than that, for example, that we would ask you in...
Prabhupada: Yes.
Paramahamsa: Do you direct us also through the heart? Besides the Paramatma?
Prabhupada: IF YOUR HEART IS PURE. Everything depends on purity.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Sivananda, April 19, 1968:
"Regarding the
Christian's Trinity, I believe it is called God, the Holy Ghost, and the
son. Person in Krishna Consciousness accepts this by the name Visnu,
Paramatma, and Jiva. God is a Person, the holy spirit or the supersoul
is a person, and the living entity is also a person. Also, Mary is the
representation of the energy of God. Either as internal energy Radharani
or as external energy Durga, the energy of Godhead can be considered
the mother of the living entities. But there is no clash between the
Bible and the Vedas, simply some people formulate their personal ideas
and cause quarrelings. Nobody can say the Bible was meant for the same
class of men as the Bhagavad-gita. And Bhagavad-gita is the ABC's of
Spiritual knowledge. Beyond that is Srimad-Bhagavatam. How great
Srimad-Bhagavatam is nobody can imagine. And beyond that is Caitanya
Caritamrta. But beginning from the Bible or Koran, on up the principle
remains the same. Just like beginning from the pocket dictionary"
Srimad Bhagavatam 6.5.20:
"In the Bible, which is
also sastra, one will find the same advice: one should cease
materialistic life and return to the kingdom of God."
Srimad Bhagavatam 10.13.62:
"He who appeared before
Brahma as a human child was in fact the Absolute Truth, Parabrahman
(brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate). The Supreme Lord is
narakrti; that is, He resembles a human being. It is not that He is
four-armed (catur-bahu). Narayana is catur-bahu, but the Supreme Person
resembles a human being. This is also confirmed in the Bible, where it
is said that man was made in the image of God. Lord Brahma saw that
Krsna, in His form as a cowherd boy, was Parabrahman, the root cause of
everything, but was now appearing as a human child, loitering in
Vrndavana with a morsel of food in His hand."
Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 3:
"Srila Prabhupada: He
supplies everything to everyone. He is supplying food to everyone. So He
is the Father. So why should you not pray, "Father, give me this"? Just
as in the Christian Bible there is, "Father, give us our daily bread."
That is good--they are accepting the Supreme Father. But grown-up
children should not ask from the father; rather, they should be prepared
to serve the father. That is bhakti [devotion]."
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 17.168:
"In our practical
preaching work we meet many Christians who talk about statements of the
Bible. When we question whether God is limited or unlimited, Christian
priests say that God is unlimited. But when we question why the
unlimited God should have only one son and not unlimited sons, they are
unable to answer. Similarly, from a scientific point of view, the
answers of the Old Testament, New Testament and Koran to many questions
have changed. But a sastra cannot change at a person's whim. All sastras
must be free from the four defects of human nature. The statements of
sastras must be correct for all time."
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 17.169:
"Sometimes Christian
priests come to us inquiring, "Why are our followers neglecting our
scriptures and accepting yours?" But when we ask them, "Your Bible says,
'Do not kill.' Why then are you killing so many animals daily?" they
cannot answer. Some of them imperfectly answer that the animals have no
souls. But then we ask them, "How do you know that animals have no
souls? Animals and children are of the same nature. Does this mean that
the children of human society also have no souls?" According to the
Vedic scriptures, within the body is the owner of the body, the soul. In
the Bhagavad-gita (2.13) it is said:
dehino 'smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati
"As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change."
Because the soul is within the body, the body changes through so many forms. There is a soul within the body of every living entity, whether animal, tree, bird or human being, and the soul is transmigrating from one type of body to another. When the scriptures of the yavanas--namely, the Old Testament, New Testament and Koran--cannot properly answer inquisitive followers, naturally those advanced in scientific knowledge and philosophy lose faith in such scriptures. The Kazi admitted this while talking with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Kazi was a very intelligent person."
dehino 'smin yatha dehe
kaumaram yauvanam jara
tatha dehantara-praptir
dhiras tatra na muhyati
"As the embodied soul continuously passes, in this body, from boyhood to youth to old age, the soul similarly passes into another body at death. The self-realized soul is not bewildered by such a change."
Because the soul is within the body, the body changes through so many forms. There is a soul within the body of every living entity, whether animal, tree, bird or human being, and the soul is transmigrating from one type of body to another. When the scriptures of the yavanas--namely, the Old Testament, New Testament and Koran--cannot properly answer inquisitive followers, naturally those advanced in scientific knowledge and philosophy lose faith in such scriptures. The Kazi admitted this while talking with Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu. The Kazi was a very intelligent person."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Vrndavana Candra, July 19, 1970:
"Question the fifth: If
Mohammed as the servant of God and Lord Jesus Christ is the son of God,
then where is the break of the disciplic succession. After all the
disciplic sucession is beginning from God, so how do you find that there
is no disciplic succession? If the original tree has branches, twigs
and leaves and they are in touch with the original tree, it is alright.
The test is whether the line is in touch with the Supreme--that is all.
Although Mohammed and Jesus Christ appeared in the Kali Yuga their instruction is as it is because the persons to whom they had to speak could not understand any more and they find it difficult to understand even that much.
Although Mohammed and Jesus Christ appeared in the Kali Yuga their instruction is as it is because the persons to whom they had to speak could not understand any more and they find it difficult to understand even that much.
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Aniruddha, November 14, 1968:
"Your next question, "Is
a pure devotee eternally liberated and if so is he at any time a
conditioned soul? We are eternally conditioned, but as soon as we
surrender to Krishna do we then become eternally liberated? When Lord
Christ appeared he seemed to be conditioned in his growth. Was he a
specific incarnation or a conditioned soul who became liberated?" You
are not eternally conditioned. You are eternally liberated but since we
have become conditioned on account of our desire to enjoy materialistic
way of life, from time immemorial, therefore it appears that we are
eternally conditioned. Because we cannot trace out the history or the
date when we became conditioned, therefore it is technically called
eternally conditioned. Otherwise the living entity is not actually
conditioned. A living entity is always pure. But he is prone to be
attracted by material enjoyment and as soon as he agrees to place
himself in material enjoyment, he becomes conditioned, but that is not
permanent. Therefore a living entity is called on the marginal state,
sometimes this side, sometimes that side. These are very intelligent
questions. And I am very glad that you are putting such intelligent
questions and trying to understand it. It is very good. But best thing
is that one should know he is in conditioned life and try to cure it.
When a man is in diseased condition he should try to get out of diseased
condition without harassing his brain when the disease has begun. But
it is to be understood that the disease is not our constant companion,
it is temporary. So the best thing is to cure the disease, and not waste
our time to find out the date when it began. Forgetfulness of Krishna
is the disease, so let us keep ourselves always in Krishna
Consciousness, and get out of the disease, that is healthy life. Yes,
Lord Jesus was jivatattva. He is not Visnu tattva. When a jiva tattva
becomes specifically empowered by the Lord, he is called saktyavesa
avatara. LORD BUDDHA AND LORD JESUS CHRIST WERE IN THIS GROUP OF
SAKTYAVESA AVATARA. But they were not in conditioned state when they
appeared; they came to teach here."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Bhagava, March 2, 1970:
"Regarding the end of
devotees of Lord Jesus Christ, they can go to heaven, that is all. That
is a planet in the material world. A devotee of Lord Jesus Christ is one
who is strictly following the ten commandments. Now just like in the
commandment "Thou shalt not kill" this is a moral instruction for the
sinful man. Similarly Lord Buddha also emphasized ahimsa paramadharma
"the highest religion is nonviolence." So these instructions are for the
sinful men. When one is pious, instead of being sinful, he is promoted
to the higher planetary systems like Janaloka, Mahaloka, or Tapaloka and
they are above the planet Svargaloka. So persons who are cleansed of
sinful life become eligible for spiritual life. FROM THE INSTRUCTIONS OF
LORD JESUS CHRIST WE FIND THAT THE STRESS IS GIVEN TO MAKE MEN FREE
FROM SINFUL LIFE--SUCH AS "THOU SHALT NOT KILL" "THOU SHALT NOT
COVET"--LIKE THAT. THEREFORE THE CONCLUSION IS THAT THE DEVOTEES OF LORD
JESUS CHRIST ARE PROMOTED TO THE HEAVENLY PLANETS WHICH ARE WITHIN THIS
MATERIAL WORLD."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Satsvarupa, October 31, 1969:
"Now coming to some
other points discussed in the Cathedral Sermons pamphlet, we may take
notice of the writer's statement which may help us in understanding the
real position of Christian religion. In one of the statements he says
the Bishop Dean, the former Executive Officer of the Anglican Communion,
said to the general Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada last month
that he gives the church as it exists today ten more years of life. The
reason the church was dying he said was because it had become
irrelevant. This means that the church people no more can convince the
advanced, educated men of the present day. In another place he says in
discussing the Ten Commandents of the Bible about the sanctity of (human
life). INSTEAD OF EXACTLY QUOTING THE COMMANDMENT "THOU SHALT NOT
KILL," HE REPLACES BY HIS OWN WORDS "THOU SHALT DO NO MURDER". BUT HE
DOES NOT KNOW HOW HIS OWN WORDS REFLECT TO THE THEN SOCIETY WHEREIN LORD
JESUS CHRIST WAS PREACHING. TO SAY TO HIS AUDIENCE, "THOU SHALT DO NO
MURDER" MEANS THEY WERE VERY MUCH ACaitanya-caritamrtaUSTOMED TO COMMIT
MURDER. SO WHAT IS THE POSITION OF THAT SOCIETY WHERE THE MEMBERS ARE
ACaitanya-caritamrtaUSTOMED TO COMMIT MURDER, AND WHAT CLASS OF
PREACHING CAN BE MADE TO SUCH PERSONS? As we see in another religious
principle there is instruction that henceforward you shall not co-habit
with your mother. So we have to judge such societies where there are
murderers and those having sex life with their mothers, what kind of men
they are. In the Bhagavad-gita the religious principles are divided
into three categories: in the modes of goodness, passion and ignorance.
Generally, all so-called principles are in the modes of passion and
ignorance. Maybe there are some moral instructions, but moral
instructions without God-consciousness is impossible to follow. In
another place the gentleman quotes one book written by Prof. Charles
Smith. The book's name is "The Paradox of Jesus in the Gospels". In this
book it is admitted that all the statements in the Bible are not
directly spoken by Jesus. Some of them are staged through the mouth of
Jesus Christ; and specifically this passage: "I am the way, the Truth
and the light. No man comes unto the Father but by me." This gentleman
admits that it is put into the mouth of Jesus because that is the
literary convention of the author of the 4th Gospel. Such kinds of
observations definitely suggests that there are many passages in the
Gospel which are later on set up to be spoken by Lord Jesus Christ, but
actually they were manufactured by different devotees. So far as our
Bhagavad-gita is concerned, we do not find any such thing. Everywhere it
is stated sri bhagavan uvaca: the Supreme Personality of Godhead said.
And all the acaryas have accepted these words as they are spoken by the
Lord. No authorized acharya has ever commented that it was put into the
mouth of Krishna by Vyasadeva or Sanjaya or any other person."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Govinda, February 10, 1969:
"Regarding Karatieya, I
am sorry to inform you that all of a sudden he has been captivated by
maya, and since yesterday, he has left my company. The day before
yesterday afternoon, he was absent for more than three hours and when he
came back, he explained that he was out walking in the street. Later
on, it was found that he went to see a Christian priest who had
impressed upon his mind that one can drink wine after offering it to
Lord Christ on the first Friday of every month. I had been informed by
Karatieya that before his coming to our Krishna Consciousness camp he
was drinking too much. So now he wanted to give me evidence that
drinking was good when it is offered to Lord Christ. I tried to convince
him that drinking is not at all good. The very fact that one should
drink on the first Friday of each month means it is rigidly restricted;
one can drink only once every month, but in the case of bread, it is
said that one should pray daily for bread from the Lord."
Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 15.163:
"My dear Lord, let me
suffer perpetually in a hellish condition, accepting all the sinful
reactions of all living entities. Please finish their diseased material
life."
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the following commentary on this verse. In the Western countries, Christians believe that Lord Jesus Christ, their spiritual master, appeared in order to eradicate all the sins of his disciples. To this end, Lord Jesus Christ appeared and disappeared. Here, however, we find Sri Vasudeva Datta Thakura and Srila Haridasa Thakura to be many millions of times more advanced even when compared to Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ relieved only his followers from all sinful reactions, but Vasudeva Datta is here prepared to accept the sins of everyone in the universe. A Vaisnava is so liberal that he is prepared to risk everything to rescue conditioned souls from material existence. Srila Vasudeva Datta Thakura is universal love itself, for he was willing to sacrifice everything and fully engage in the service of the Supreme. Srila Vasudeva Datta knew very well that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the original Personality of Godhead. He was transcendence itself, above the material conception of illusion and maya. Lord Jesus Christ certainly finished the sinful reactions of his followers by his mercy, but that does not mean that he completely delivered them from the pangs of material existence. A person may be relieved from sins once, but it is a practice among Christians to confess sins and yet commit them again. By getting freed from sins and again engaging in them, one cannot attain freedom from the pangs of material existence. A diseased person may go to a physician for relief, but after he leaves the hospital he may again be infected due to his unclean habits. Thus material existence continues. Srila Vasudeva Datta wanted to completely relieve the conditioned souls from material existence so that they would no longer have an opportunity to commit sinful acts. This is the difference between Srila Vasudeva Datta and Lord Jesus Christ. IT IS A GREAT OFFENSE TO RECEIVE PARDON FOR SINS AND THEN COMMIT THE SAME SINS AGAIN. SUCH AN OFFENSE IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SINFUL ACTIVITY ITSELF. Vasudeva Datta was so liberal that he requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to transfer all offensive activity upon him so the conditioned souls might be purified. This prayer was certainly without duplicity."
PURPORT
Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura gives the following commentary on this verse. In the Western countries, Christians believe that Lord Jesus Christ, their spiritual master, appeared in order to eradicate all the sins of his disciples. To this end, Lord Jesus Christ appeared and disappeared. Here, however, we find Sri Vasudeva Datta Thakura and Srila Haridasa Thakura to be many millions of times more advanced even when compared to Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ relieved only his followers from all sinful reactions, but Vasudeva Datta is here prepared to accept the sins of everyone in the universe. A Vaisnava is so liberal that he is prepared to risk everything to rescue conditioned souls from material existence. Srila Vasudeva Datta Thakura is universal love itself, for he was willing to sacrifice everything and fully engage in the service of the Supreme. Srila Vasudeva Datta knew very well that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu was the original Personality of Godhead. He was transcendence itself, above the material conception of illusion and maya. Lord Jesus Christ certainly finished the sinful reactions of his followers by his mercy, but that does not mean that he completely delivered them from the pangs of material existence. A person may be relieved from sins once, but it is a practice among Christians to confess sins and yet commit them again. By getting freed from sins and again engaging in them, one cannot attain freedom from the pangs of material existence. A diseased person may go to a physician for relief, but after he leaves the hospital he may again be infected due to his unclean habits. Thus material existence continues. Srila Vasudeva Datta wanted to completely relieve the conditioned souls from material existence so that they would no longer have an opportunity to commit sinful acts. This is the difference between Srila Vasudeva Datta and Lord Jesus Christ. IT IS A GREAT OFFENSE TO RECEIVE PARDON FOR SINS AND THEN COMMIT THE SAME SINS AGAIN. SUCH AN OFFENSE IS MORE DANGEROUS THAN THE SINFUL ACTIVITY ITSELF. Vasudeva Datta was so liberal that he requested Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu to transfer all offensive activity upon him so the conditioned souls might be purified. This prayer was certainly without duplicity."
Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 6:
vancha-kalpa-tarubhyas ca
krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaisnavebhyo namo namah
["I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls."] He takes responsibility for all the fallen souls. That idea is also in the Bible. Jesus Christ took all the sinful reactions of the people and sacrificed his life. That is the responsibility of a spiritual master. Because Krsna is Krsna, He is apapa-viddha--He cannot be attacked by sinful reactions. But a living entity is sometimes subjected to their influence because he is so small. Big fire, small fire. If you put some big thing in a small fire, the fire itself may be extinguished. But in a big fire, whatever you put in is all right. The big fire can consume anything.
Bob: Christ's suffering was of that nature?
Srila Prabhupada: Mm-m?
Bob: Was Christ's suffering--
Srila Prabhupada: That I have already explained. He took the sinful reactions of all the people. Therefore he suffered.
Bob: I see.
Srila Prabhupada: He said--that is in the Bible--that he took all the sinful reactions of the people and sacrificed his life. But these Christian people have made it a law for Christ to suffer while they do all nonsense. [Bob gives a short laugh.] Such great fools they are! They have let Jesus Christ make a contract for taking all their sinful reactions so they can go on with all nonsense. That is their religion. Christ was so magnanimous that he took all their sins and suffered, but that does not induce them to stop all these sins. They have not come to that sense. They have taken it very easily. "Let Lord Jesus Christ suffer, and we'll do all nonsense." Is it not?
Bob: It is so.
Srila Prabhupada: They should have been ashamed: "Lord Jesus Christ suffered for us, but we are continuing the sinful activities." He told everyone, "Thou shalt not kill," but they are indulging in killing, thinking, "Lord Jesus Christ will excuse us and take all the sinful reactions." This is going on. We should be very much cautious: "For my sinful actions my spiritual master will suffer, so I'll not commit even a pinch of sinful activities." That is the duty of the disciple. After initiation, all sinful reaction is finished. Now if he again commits sinful activities, his spiritual master has to suffer. A disciple should be sympathetic and consider this. "For my sinful activities, my spiritual master will suffer." If the spiritual master is attacked by some disease, it is due to the sinful activities of others. "Don't make many disciples." But we do it because we are preaching. Never mind--let us suffer--still we shall accept them. Therefore your question was--when I suffer is it due to my past misdeeds? Was it not? That is my misdeed--that I accepted some disciples who are nonsense. That is my misdeed.
Bob: This happens on occasions?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. This is sure to happen because we are accepting so many men. It is the duty of the disciples to be cautious. "My spiritual master has saved me. I should not put him again into suffering." When the spiritual master is in suffering, Krsna saves him. Krsna thinks, "Oh, he has taken so much responsibility for delivering a fallen person." So Krsna is there.
kaunteya pratijanihi
na me bhaktah pranasyati
["O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes."]
Because the spiritual master takes the risk on account of Krsna.
Bob: Your suffering is not the same kind of pain..
Srila Prabhupada: No, it is not due to karma. The pain is there sometimes, so that the disciples may know, "Due to our sinful activities, our spiritual master is suffering."
Bob: You look very well now.
Srila Prabhupada: I am always well... in the sense that even if there is suffering, I know Krsna will protect me. But this suffering is not due to my sinful activities.
Bob: But let us say when I--in the town I live in, I take boiled water because some of the water has disease in it. Now, why should I drink boiled water if I have been good enough not to get a disease? Then I may drink any water. And if I have been not acting properly. then I shall get disease anyway.
Srila Prabhupada: So long as you are in the material world, you cannot neglect physical laws. Suppose you go to a jungle and there is a tiger. It is known that it will attack you, so why should you voluntarily go and be attacked? It is not that a devotee should take physical risk so long as he has a physical body. It is not a challenge to the physical laws: "I have become a devotee. I challenge everything." That is foolishness.
Bob: But let us say when I--in the town I live in, I take boiled water because some of the water has disease in it. Now, why should I drink boiled water if I have been good enough not to get a disease? Then I may drink any water. And if I have been not acting properly. then I shall get disease anyway.
Srila Prabhupada: So long as you are in the material world, you cannot neglect physical laws. Suppose you go to a jungle and there is a tiger. It is known that it will attack you, so why should you voluntarily go and be attacked? It is not that a devotee should take physical risk so long as he has a physical body. It is not a challenge to the physical laws: "I have become a devotee. I challenge everything." That is foolishness.
krpa-sindhubhya eva ca
patitanam pavanebhyo
vaisnavebhyo namo namah
["I offer my respectful obeisances unto all the Vaisnava devotees of the Lord. They are just like desire trees who can fulfill the desires of everyone, and they are full of compassion for the fallen conditioned souls."] He takes responsibility for all the fallen souls. That idea is also in the Bible. Jesus Christ took all the sinful reactions of the people and sacrificed his life. That is the responsibility of a spiritual master. Because Krsna is Krsna, He is apapa-viddha--He cannot be attacked by sinful reactions. But a living entity is sometimes subjected to their influence because he is so small. Big fire, small fire. If you put some big thing in a small fire, the fire itself may be extinguished. But in a big fire, whatever you put in is all right. The big fire can consume anything.
Bob: Christ's suffering was of that nature?
Srila Prabhupada: Mm-m?
Bob: Was Christ's suffering--
Srila Prabhupada: That I have already explained. He took the sinful reactions of all the people. Therefore he suffered.
Bob: I see.
Srila Prabhupada: He said--that is in the Bible--that he took all the sinful reactions of the people and sacrificed his life. But these Christian people have made it a law for Christ to suffer while they do all nonsense. [Bob gives a short laugh.] Such great fools they are! They have let Jesus Christ make a contract for taking all their sinful reactions so they can go on with all nonsense. That is their religion. Christ was so magnanimous that he took all their sins and suffered, but that does not induce them to stop all these sins. They have not come to that sense. They have taken it very easily. "Let Lord Jesus Christ suffer, and we'll do all nonsense." Is it not?
Bob: It is so.
Srila Prabhupada: They should have been ashamed: "Lord Jesus Christ suffered for us, but we are continuing the sinful activities." He told everyone, "Thou shalt not kill," but they are indulging in killing, thinking, "Lord Jesus Christ will excuse us and take all the sinful reactions." This is going on. We should be very much cautious: "For my sinful actions my spiritual master will suffer, so I'll not commit even a pinch of sinful activities." That is the duty of the disciple. After initiation, all sinful reaction is finished. Now if he again commits sinful activities, his spiritual master has to suffer. A disciple should be sympathetic and consider this. "For my sinful activities, my spiritual master will suffer." If the spiritual master is attacked by some disease, it is due to the sinful activities of others. "Don't make many disciples." But we do it because we are preaching. Never mind--let us suffer--still we shall accept them. Therefore your question was--when I suffer is it due to my past misdeeds? Was it not? That is my misdeed--that I accepted some disciples who are nonsense. That is my misdeed.
Bob: This happens on occasions?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes. This is sure to happen because we are accepting so many men. It is the duty of the disciples to be cautious. "My spiritual master has saved me. I should not put him again into suffering." When the spiritual master is in suffering, Krsna saves him. Krsna thinks, "Oh, he has taken so much responsibility for delivering a fallen person." So Krsna is there.
kaunteya pratijanihi
na me bhaktah pranasyati
["O son of Kunti, declare it boldly that My devotee never perishes."]
Because the spiritual master takes the risk on account of Krsna.
Bob: Your suffering is not the same kind of pain..
Srila Prabhupada: No, it is not due to karma. The pain is there sometimes, so that the disciples may know, "Due to our sinful activities, our spiritual master is suffering."
Bob: You look very well now.
Srila Prabhupada: I am always well... in the sense that even if there is suffering, I know Krsna will protect me. But this suffering is not due to my sinful activities.
Bob: But let us say when I--in the town I live in, I take boiled water because some of the water has disease in it. Now, why should I drink boiled water if I have been good enough not to get a disease? Then I may drink any water. And if I have been not acting properly. then I shall get disease anyway.
Srila Prabhupada: So long as you are in the material world, you cannot neglect physical laws. Suppose you go to a jungle and there is a tiger. It is known that it will attack you, so why should you voluntarily go and be attacked? It is not that a devotee should take physical risk so long as he has a physical body. It is not a challenge to the physical laws: "I have become a devotee. I challenge everything." That is foolishness.
Bob: But let us say when I--in the town I live in, I take boiled water because some of the water has disease in it. Now, why should I drink boiled water if I have been good enough not to get a disease? Then I may drink any water. And if I have been not acting properly. then I shall get disease anyway.
Srila Prabhupada: So long as you are in the material world, you cannot neglect physical laws. Suppose you go to a jungle and there is a tiger. It is known that it will attack you, so why should you voluntarily go and be attacked? It is not that a devotee should take physical risk so long as he has a physical body. It is not a challenge to the physical laws: "I have become a devotee. I challenge everything." That is foolishness.
Perfect Questions, Perfect Answers, 9:
Srila Prabhupada:
"That's all right. He may eat anything. He is powerful. But he has
ordered, "Thou shalt not kill. You must stop killing." He is powerful.
He can eat the whole world. But you cannot compare to Jesus Christ. You
cannot imitate Jesus Christ; you have to abide by his order. Then you
are guided by Jesus Christ. That is actually obedience. That is
explained in the Bhagavata. One who is isvara, who is empowered, can do
anything, but we cannot imitate. We have to abide by his order: "What he
says to me, that I will do." You cannot imitate. You say that Jesus
Christ ate meat. Admitting that, you do not know in what condition he
ate meat. He is himself eating meat, but he is advising others not to
kill. Do you think that Jesus Christ was contradicting himself?"
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, June 15, 1974, Paris:
Yogesvara: "He says, for
example, the verse you read yesterday, that was similar to what is
taught in the Vedas, but if we take the rest of that chapter from the
Bible, we find some discrepancies, differences.
Prabhupada: What is that? (French)
Yogesvara: For example, in that chapter, it also says that the word of God became flesh and that flesh was the son of God, Lord Jesus Christ.
Prabhupada: But that means Jesus Christ is transcendental, not of this material world. (French)
Yogesvara: They say... They accept... They think that Lord Jesus, however, was a human being. He was spiritual, but also he was part of this material world.
Prabhupada: No, material world is part of Jesus Christ, but Jesus Christ is not part of material world. (French)
Yogesvara: He says that they had a human body, he had a material body.
Prabhupada: That human body appears like that, but he had no this material flesh and blood. A material body, how there can be resurrection?
Yogesvara: If it was material body, how is it possible for him to be resurrected? (French)
Prabhupada: Is that all right?
Jyotirmayi: They said it is by the acintya power of God.
Prabhupada: These, these rascals, they thought that "Jesus had a material body. Let us kill him." So Jesus Christ bewildered them more, to remain rascal, that they will continue to think that Jesus had a material body.
Jyotirmayi: Bewildered them?
Yogesvara: Yes, he bewildered them more by saying: "All right, go on thinking like that."
Prabhupada: That is their punishment. They remain always in darkness that Jesus had a material body. (French)
Jyotirmayi: So he's saying that he respects your explanation, but that the Christians, they have another explanation, and that if we...
Prabhupada: But we must come to the reason before giving explanation. You cannot explain...
Yogesvara: What is the reason for his incarnation?
Prabhupada: You cannot explain whimsically. You cannot explain whimsically. If Jesus Christ is son of God, he has... That means he has got spiritual body. You...
French Woman: Yes, we accept that he got the has got spiritual body, but we say that he assumed also a material body.
Prabhupada: Now, then, then, another thing is: you accept Jesus Christ the only son of God, is it not? So when you pray in the church, you address God, "Oh Father." Then why "only son"?
French Woman: We say that the son is...
Prabhupada: Then everyone is son.
French Woman: Yes, we say that this is the same God, yes.
Prabhupada: If I address God, "My father," then I am his son. So why there should be "only son"? (French)
French Woman: Yes, we say that we are adopted sons. (laughter) (French) Jyotirmayi: They say that they are sons, that all living beings are sons, but by adoption.
Yogesvara: Adopted son. Yes.
Prabhupada: So therefore these sons' body and Jesus's body cannot be equal. So adopted son has got material body, not the real son. (French)
Yogesvara: Their idea is that: Yes, of course, Lord Jesus, being the son of God, his body is spiritual, but because he wanted to take part in the life of the human beings on earth, he actually accepted a material body just to live among men.
Prabhupada: Why he should accept?
French Woman: But we have a vesper that says that he was died, that he was suffering, and things which show that...
Prabhupada: But his death... You think that he was died, but he resurrected.
French Woman: But the gospel says that he had died.
Prabhupada: That's all right.
French Woman: You cannot... We accept the totality of the word, as you accept your word.
Prabhupada: No. No, no. "Died" means that is similar death. Janma karma me divyam. Just like Christ take birth from the womb of Mary. It appears like that, but actually that is not. (French)
French Woman: No, it is very important that the death of Christ is a real death. For us, it is the center of our faith.
Yogesvara: They say that the central point of their philosophy is that Lord Jesus actually died. (French)
Prabhupada: No, according to Vedic conception, even ordinary living being, he does not die. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire. You understand Sanskrit? French Woman: No, I don't understand it by hearing it. You have to read it. Prabhupada: Na hanyate, does not die, hanyamane sarire, apparently, the body being dead, the soul is never dead. (French)
Yogesvara: So... Shall I explain that one? What the good Pastor--are they called Pastor?--describes is that in order for there to be a dialogue, we have to respect each others' positions, not that we will try to convert the other. He says just as we respect you have an absolute faith in the Vedic philosophy, so also there must be respect that the Christian interpretation of the life of Lord Jesus and his death...
Prabhupada: Oh, I think I have better respect than him to Jesus Christ. I say he does not die. He says he dies. (French) So far respect is concerned, I have more respect than them. They want to see Jesus Christ dead. I don't want to see him dead.
French Woman: No. Death and resurrection after, Jesus.
Yogesvara: There's a resurrection.
Prabhupada: Yes."
Prabhupada: What is that? (French)
Yogesvara: For example, in that chapter, it also says that the word of God became flesh and that flesh was the son of God, Lord Jesus Christ.
Prabhupada: But that means Jesus Christ is transcendental, not of this material world. (French)
Yogesvara: They say... They accept... They think that Lord Jesus, however, was a human being. He was spiritual, but also he was part of this material world.
Prabhupada: No, material world is part of Jesus Christ, but Jesus Christ is not part of material world. (French)
Yogesvara: He says that they had a human body, he had a material body.
Prabhupada: That human body appears like that, but he had no this material flesh and blood. A material body, how there can be resurrection?
Yogesvara: If it was material body, how is it possible for him to be resurrected? (French)
Prabhupada: Is that all right?
Jyotirmayi: They said it is by the acintya power of God.
Prabhupada: These, these rascals, they thought that "Jesus had a material body. Let us kill him." So Jesus Christ bewildered them more, to remain rascal, that they will continue to think that Jesus had a material body.
Jyotirmayi: Bewildered them?
Yogesvara: Yes, he bewildered them more by saying: "All right, go on thinking like that."
Prabhupada: That is their punishment. They remain always in darkness that Jesus had a material body. (French)
Jyotirmayi: So he's saying that he respects your explanation, but that the Christians, they have another explanation, and that if we...
Prabhupada: But we must come to the reason before giving explanation. You cannot explain...
Yogesvara: What is the reason for his incarnation?
Prabhupada: You cannot explain whimsically. You cannot explain whimsically. If Jesus Christ is son of God, he has... That means he has got spiritual body. You...
French Woman: Yes, we accept that he got the has got spiritual body, but we say that he assumed also a material body.
Prabhupada: Now, then, then, another thing is: you accept Jesus Christ the only son of God, is it not? So when you pray in the church, you address God, "Oh Father." Then why "only son"?
French Woman: We say that the son is...
Prabhupada: Then everyone is son.
French Woman: Yes, we say that this is the same God, yes.
Prabhupada: If I address God, "My father," then I am his son. So why there should be "only son"? (French)
French Woman: Yes, we say that we are adopted sons. (laughter) (French) Jyotirmayi: They say that they are sons, that all living beings are sons, but by adoption.
Yogesvara: Adopted son. Yes.
Prabhupada: So therefore these sons' body and Jesus's body cannot be equal. So adopted son has got material body, not the real son. (French)
Yogesvara: Their idea is that: Yes, of course, Lord Jesus, being the son of God, his body is spiritual, but because he wanted to take part in the life of the human beings on earth, he actually accepted a material body just to live among men.
Prabhupada: Why he should accept?
French Woman: But we have a vesper that says that he was died, that he was suffering, and things which show that...
Prabhupada: But his death... You think that he was died, but he resurrected.
French Woman: But the gospel says that he had died.
Prabhupada: That's all right.
French Woman: You cannot... We accept the totality of the word, as you accept your word.
Prabhupada: No. No, no. "Died" means that is similar death. Janma karma me divyam. Just like Christ take birth from the womb of Mary. It appears like that, but actually that is not. (French)
French Woman: No, it is very important that the death of Christ is a real death. For us, it is the center of our faith.
Yogesvara: They say that the central point of their philosophy is that Lord Jesus actually died. (French)
Prabhupada: No, according to Vedic conception, even ordinary living being, he does not die. Na hanyate hanyamane sarire. You understand Sanskrit? French Woman: No, I don't understand it by hearing it. You have to read it. Prabhupada: Na hanyate, does not die, hanyamane sarire, apparently, the body being dead, the soul is never dead. (French)
Yogesvara: So... Shall I explain that one? What the good Pastor--are they called Pastor?--describes is that in order for there to be a dialogue, we have to respect each others' positions, not that we will try to convert the other. He says just as we respect you have an absolute faith in the Vedic philosophy, so also there must be respect that the Christian interpretation of the life of Lord Jesus and his death...
Prabhupada: Oh, I think I have better respect than him to Jesus Christ. I say he does not die. He says he dies. (French) So far respect is concerned, I have more respect than them. They want to see Jesus Christ dead. I don't want to see him dead.
French Woman: No. Death and resurrection after, Jesus.
Yogesvara: There's a resurrection.
Prabhupada: Yes."
Teachings of Queen Kunti, 12:
"In the Bible it is said
that man was made in the image of God, and this means that we are
reflections of God's image. It is not that we invent or imagine some
form of God according to our own form. Those who adhere to the Mayavada
philosophy of anthropomorphism say, "The Absolute Truth is impersonal,
but because we are persons we imagine that the Absolute Truth is also a
person." This is a mistake, and in fact just the opposite is true. We
have two hands, two legs, and a head because God Himself has these same
features. We have personal forms because we are reflections of God.
Furthermore, we should philosophically understand that if the original
person benefits, the reflection also benefits. So if we decorate Krsna,
we also shall be decorated. If we satisfy Krsna, we shall become
satisfied. If we offer nice food to Krsna, we shall also eat the same
food. Those who live outside the temples of Krsna consciousness may
never have imagined such palatable food as the food we are offering to
Krsna, but because it is being offered to Krsna, we also have the
opportunity to eat it. So we should try to satisfy Krsna in all
respects, and then we shall be satisfied in all respects."
Science of Self-Realization, 4:
Srila Prabhupada:
"Humility means intelligence. The humble and meek own the kingdom of
God. This is stated in the Bible, is it not? But the philosophy of the
rascals is that everyone is God, and today this idea has become popular.
Therefore no one is humble and meek. If everyone thinks that he is God,
why should he be humble and meek? Therefore I teach my disciples how to
become humble and meek. They always offer their respectful obeisances
in the temple and to the spiritual master, and in this way they make
advancement. The qualities of humbleness and meekness lead very quickly
to spiritual realization. In the Vedic scriptures it is said, "To those
who have firm faith in God and the spiritual master, who is His
representative, the meaning of the Vedic scriptures is revealed."
Father Emmanuel: But shouldn't this humility be offered to everyone else, also?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, but there are two kinds of respect: special and ordinary. Sri Krsna Caitanya taught that we shouldn't expect honor for ourselves, but should always respect everyone else, even if he is disrespectful to us. But special respect should be given to God and His pure devotee."
Father Emmanuel: But shouldn't this humility be offered to everyone else, also?
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, but there are two kinds of respect: special and ordinary. Sri Krsna Caitanya taught that we shouldn't expect honor for ourselves, but should always respect everyone else, even if he is disrespectful to us. But special respect should be given to God and His pure devotee."
Science of Self-Realization, 4:
Srila Prabhupada: "But the Bible does not simply say, "Do not kill the human being." It says broadly, "Thou shalt not kill."
Cardinal Danielou: We believe that only human life is sacred.
Srila Prabhupada: That is your interpretation. The commandment is "Thou shalt not kill."
Cardinal Danielou: We believe that only human life is sacred.
Srila Prabhupada: That is your interpretation. The commandment is "Thou shalt not kill."
Heathen means being disobedient to the orders of
the commandments. Thou shalt not kill is a clear commandment which does
not require interpretation.
Path of Perfection, 8:
"Purification of
consciousness is the purpose of this Krsna consciousness movement.
Presently we are preparing this divine consciousness, for our
consciousness goes with us at the time of death. Consciousness is
carried from the body just as the aroma of a flower is carried by the
air. When we die, this material body composed of five elements--earth,
water, air, fire, and ether--decomposes, and the gross materials return
to the elements. Or, as the Christian Bible says, "Dust thou art, and
unto dust thou shalt return." In some societies the body is burned, in
others it is buried, and in others it is thrown to animals. In India,
the Hindus burn the body, and thus the body is transformed into ashes.
Ash is simply another form of earth. Christians bury the body, and after
some time in the grave, the body eventually turns to dust, which again,
like ash, is another form of earth. There are other societies--like the
Parsee community in India--that neither burn nor bury the body but
throw it to the vultures, and the vultures immediately come to eat the
body, and then the body is eventually transformed into stool. So in any
case, this beautiful body, which we are soaping and caring for so
nicely, will eventually turn into either stool, ashes, or dust."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, November 14, 1972, Vrindavan:
"The solid fact is the
Lord created. In the Bible also it is said that God said, "Let there be
creation." So it is from the person. Here also, we find the creation
begins from the person. In the Vedas it is said, sa aiksata. Sa asrjata.
Aiksata, "By the glance, He looked over, God looked over, and He
created." The reference is to the person. We also find from our
experience that whenever there is something manufacturing, or creation,
we do not find automatically some matter comes into being. We don't, we
haven't such experience. Whenever there is anything manufactured or
created, there is a person behind it. So this is not a very good theory
that from the chunk, or some matter exploded, and immediately the
universe came into existence."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, January 10, 1968, Los Angeles:
"Now, the whole material
world is produced from sound. That is scientific fact. Scientists are
researching the importance of sound, physical science. Sound, light, and
transmission of sound and light. There are so many things, electronics.
So this sound vibration, this is material sound. They have got so much
wonderful power. And just try to understand what is the power of the
spiritual sound. Real sound is coming from the spiritual world. It is
simply just like gramophone. The sound is coming originally from the
person; the gramophone is reproducing. That is not the original source
of the sound. Similarly, whatever sound is there in this material world,
the original sound is produced by God. Just like in your Bible it is
said, "Let there be creation." It is, simply it was sound and there was
creation. So spiritual sound is so powerful. And we are trying to catch
you directly from that sound vibration, Hare Krsna, and I am sure it is
acting. Simply, sabdad anavrttih."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, June 20, 1973, Mayapur:
"In the Bible, it is
said the animals are given under the control of human beings, man. Is it
not? They have taken it. And because the animals are given under the
control of man, therefore man should open slaughterhouse and eat them?
Suppose if somebody gives his son, "Sir, will you take my son? Keep him
under your control." Does it mean I shall eat him? These rascals
interpret in that way. Because the animals are given under the control
of man, therefore there should be slaughterhouse, the animals will be
killed, and they will eat. This is their interpretation of the Bible, is
it not?"
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, August 13, 1972, Los Angeles:
"So Krsna and His
pastimes, His name, quality, paraphernalia, entourage, everything is
spiritual. That is accepted by great scholars like Sankaracarya. He
says: narayana para. "Narayana, or the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
is beyond this material world." There are many examples. In your Bible
also, those who are Christians, God said, "Let there be creation." So
there was creation. Now this world, this word is not vibration of this
material world. In the material world, if I say, "Let there be some
mango," so no. That is not possible. BUT IN THE SPIRITUAL VIBRATION,
THAT IS POSSIBLE. That is possible. So the study is that God said, "Let
there be creation." So there was creation. Now this word existed before
the creation, because "Let there be creation" means when God is speaking
there was no creation. And the creation means this material world.
Therefore this vibration is not material. So when God is saying, "Let
there be creation," then He's a person. Therefore His personality is
also transcendental, spiritual. Otherwise how He speaks?"
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, January 3, 1970, Los Angeles:
"Now, in the Bible, Lord
Jesus Christ is described as the son of God. Now, so far I have heard,
that it is claimed that he is the only one son of God. Now according to
Bhagavad-gita, every living entity is son of God. Now how to adjust? If
the Bible says that Lord Jesus Christ is the only one son, then how
these so many innumerable sons can be adjusted? There is adjustment.
There is very nice adjustment. One should know it. He is the only one
son means one who can sacrifice his life for God, he is real son. And
one who is simply taking from father, "Oh, God, give us our daily
bread," and He is supplying and eating and enjoying sense enjoyement, he
is not real son. The real son is he who sacrifices his life for
glorifying his father. Similarly, anyone who will sacrifice his life...
Of course, it is not required that everyone shall be crucified like Lord
Jesus Christ, but he should sacrifice his energy for the Supreme Lord.
And that person who has devoted his energy for the satisfaction of the
Supreme Lord, he is called Krsna conscious person."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Nectar of Devotion, October 23, 1972:
"Even a maha-bhagavata,
when he becomes preacher, he comes down to the second platform. He does
not remain on the topmost platform. He plays the part of second
platform. And sometimes it is stated in the Bible, I think, that Jesus
Christ said, "I had many things to say, but I am not saying." Is it not?
So actually, the maha-bhagavata, he has many things to say, but because
he's preacher he does not say everything to the neophyte devotees.
Because they are not competent to accept that."
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, March 9, 1975, London:
Reporter: "Can you tell me how your teaching relates to the Bible, to the Christian teaching?
Prabhupada: Christian teaching is good. It is giving idea of God. But who is following Christian teaching? That is the problem. Nobody is following. Christ says, "Thou shall not kill," and the Christian people are very expert in killing. Do you admit or not?
Reporter: I admit.
Prabhupada: Just see. Then who is a Christian? If one does not follow the instruction of Christ, then would you call him a Christian?
Reporter: No.
Prabhupada: That's it. That is the problem.
Reporte: Is there any reason why you teach your followers the Bhagavad-gita rather than the Bible?
Prabhupada: The teaching is the same. The teaching is the same. What Lord Jesus Christ taught and what we are... (aside:) Aiye. The teaching is the same. But who is following? That is the difficulty.
Reporter: I see. So you don't think that...
Prabhupada: The difficulty has arisen--I am claiming to be Hindu, but I am not following the Vedic rules. You are claiming to be Christian, but you are not following the Christian rules. This is going on all over the world."
Prabhupada: Christian teaching is good. It is giving idea of God. But who is following Christian teaching? That is the problem. Nobody is following. Christ says, "Thou shall not kill," and the Christian people are very expert in killing. Do you admit or not?
Reporter: I admit.
Prabhupada: Just see. Then who is a Christian? If one does not follow the instruction of Christ, then would you call him a Christian?
Reporter: No.
Prabhupada: That's it. That is the problem.
Reporte: Is there any reason why you teach your followers the Bhagavad-gita rather than the Bible?
Prabhupada: The teaching is the same. The teaching is the same. What Lord Jesus Christ taught and what we are... (aside:) Aiye. The teaching is the same. But who is following? That is the difficulty.
Reporter: I see. So you don't think that...
Prabhupada: The difficulty has arisen--I am claiming to be Hindu, but I am not following the Vedic rules. You are claiming to be Christian, but you are not following the Christian rules. This is going on all over the world."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Rayarama, October 22, 1971:
"I am so glad to learn
that you are eager to preach but we should know it that we cannot preach
without being solid in our standing as devotee. Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu said that "apani acari prabhu jivare sikhaya." This means
that Lord Caitanya wanted that one should preach by behaving himself
exactly what he preaches. So our Krsna consciousness movement,
preaching, depends on personal behavior. If you want to preach the
gospel of Lord Jesus Christ on the principles of Bhagavad-gita you will
find so many differences. Those who are following Jesus Christ, let them
follow strictly to the principles of the Bible. "Thou shalt not kill"
is now being misinterpreted by Christian priests. Now they say "Thou
shall not murder." This means trying to save themselves from the crime
of animal killing. So you cannot teach such unscrupled followers the
message of Bhagavad-gita."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Syamasundara, August 31, 1969:
"Actually our Krishna
Conscious movement is genuine Christian movement. CHRIST MEANS KRISHNA,
LOVE OF GODHEAD, WHO HAS HIS FACE ANNOINTED WITH TILAK. There is a word
Kristos in the Greek dictionary, and this word is supposed to be
borrowed from the Sanskrit word "Krishna," and Christ is derived from
Kristos."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Caitanya-caritamrta, January 8, 1968, Los Angeles:
"So my request to you
(is) that don't accept Krsna as something Indian god or Hindu god. No.
Krsna is the original father of all living entities. He claims. If you
don't accept... If the father says, "You are my son," and the son says,
"No, I am not your son," oh, that is son's prerogative. He may deny it
if he doesn't believe his mother. Now what is the proof that one man is
my father? The mother is the proof. There is no other source of
understanding who is my father. If a boy wants to understand, "Who is my
father?" the only authority is the mother. Mother will say, "My dear
boy, my dear child, here is your father." You have to accept. If you
say, "I don't accept. I must have proof that he is my father." How it is
possible? It is not possible. Similarly, the Vedic literature is to be
considered the mother and Vedic literature says, janmady asya yatah:
"The Supreme Absolute Truth is that who is the source of all generation,
all emanations." And what is that source? Krsna says in the
Bhagavad-gita that "I am the father." So if you believe scriptures,
Vedic literatures, if you believe Bhagavad-gita, then you have to accept
Krsna as the supreme father because the mother... Vedic literature is
considered to be the mother. She gives evidence that Krsna is the
father. Just like mother gives evidence who is your father, similarly,
the Vedic literatures is compared to a mother, and the Vedic literature
says that Krsna is the father. In your Christian literature, Bible,
Jesus Christ is accepted as the son of God. He presented himself as son
of God. And here Krsna says that "I am the father." So there is no
contradiction. The son of God also says about God, and the father also
says about the God, Himself. The son of God says that "You surrender
unto God," and God says, "You surrender unto Me." Then where there is
contradiction? There is no contradiction."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Caitanya-caritamrta, December 31, 1966, New York:
"So before His coming,
some of His devotees, they come first, just to become His father, become
His mother, become His family members, like that. Because He does not
do anything which is against the process of this world. A man is born
out of his father and mother, so He has to take His birth from a father
and mother. So these fathers and mothers were, are first sent. I think
in the Bible they call messiahs, or what you have? Similarly, nobody can
become the father and mother of God. But, when He manifests Himself in
this material world, He shows that "He's My father." Just like Krsna
accepted father, Vasudeva, Vasudeva as His father and Devaki as His
mother. Or His foster-father, Nanda Maharaja, and His foster-mother,
Yasoda. So they are all devotees. Krsna's friend, Krsna's father,
Krsna's everyone, when He displays Himself, they are all devotees. He's
the Supreme. Nobody can be father of Krsna."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam, June 10, 1968, Montreal:
Prabhupada: "Body of
Christ is not ordinary body. That is spiritual body. Krsna, as Krsna
says in the Bhagavad-gita, yada yada hi dharmasya glanir bhavati
bharata, paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya ca duskrtam,
dharma-samsthapanarthaya yuge yuge sambhavami atma-mayaya. So this is a
very subtle point. One has to understand that when God comes or God's
son comes or God's representative comes, they do not accept a body like
us. They have their spiritual body."
Srila Prabhupada "Lecture on Bhagavad-gita, January 3, 1969, Los Angeles:
Devotee: Prabhupada? Does Lord Jesus Christ appear in the spiritual sky with the body he manifested on the earth?
Prabhupada: Yes. Otherwise how there can be resurrection? Ordinary body cannot be resurrected. He appeared in his spiritual body, certainly. Jesus Christ told, if I remember, that "Lord, excuse these persons," who were crucifying him. Is it not? He knew that "These rascals, they are killing me, but... They are offending certainly. So they do not know that I cannot be killed, but they are thinking that they are killing." You see? But that was offensive, therefore he begged Lord to be excused because God cannot excuse to the offenders of the devotee. He can excuse one who is offender to God, but if somebody is offender to the devotee, God never excuses. Therefore he prayed for them. That is devotee's qualification. He prays for everyone, even of his enemy. And he could not be killed. That he knew. But those rascals, they thought they were killing Jesus Christ."
Prabhupada: Yes. Otherwise how there can be resurrection? Ordinary body cannot be resurrected. He appeared in his spiritual body, certainly. Jesus Christ told, if I remember, that "Lord, excuse these persons," who were crucifying him. Is it not? He knew that "These rascals, they are killing me, but... They are offending certainly. So they do not know that I cannot be killed, but they are thinking that they are killing." You see? But that was offensive, therefore he begged Lord to be excused because God cannot excuse to the offenders of the devotee. He can excuse one who is offender to God, but if somebody is offender to the devotee, God never excuses. Therefore he prayed for them. That is devotee's qualification. He prays for everyone, even of his enemy. And he could not be killed. That he knew. But those rascals, they thought they were killing Jesus Christ."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, June 29, 1968, Montreal:
Prabhupada: "He was
protected. Devotees are not under the karma. In the Brahma-samhita it is
stated, karmani nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bhajam. Prahlada Maharaja was
tortured by his father in so many ways, but he was not affected. He was
not affected. Superficially... Just like in the Christian Bible also,
that Lord Jesus Christ was tortured, but he was not affected. This is
the difference between ordinary man and the devotees or
transcendentalists. Apparently it is seen that a devotee is being
tortured, but he is not tortured. There is one example, nice example.
Just like the cat. The cat carries the kitties in the mouth, and it
carries a mouse also in the mouth. So apparently it is seen that a cat
is carrying its kitties in the mouth means it is in pain. But it is not
in pain. That is a fact. Rather, she feels very comfortable. You see?
But when the cat, the same cat, catches one mouse, his life is gone. But
you see that she is carrying in the mouth both of them. Similarly,
whenever you'll find that a great devotee is placed into torturing
condition, he does not feel. But the demon thinks that "I am torturing
him." Yes?"
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, October 2, 1968, Seattle:
Prabhupada: "So where do
you find the difference? If Lord Jesus Christ says, "Through me," that
means he's representative of God, and hari-nama is God. So either
through the representative of God or God, the same thing. God and God's
representative, there is no difference. Even in these ordinary dealings,
if I send some representative, if he signs something on my behalf, I
have to accept that, because he is my representative. Similarly, God has
to be approached through God or through His representative. The same
thing. Only the difference may be of understanding. Because Lord Jesus
Christ spoke to a society that was not very much advanced. You can
understand that such a great personality, God conscious person, was
crucified. Just see the condition of the society. In other words, they
were low-grade society. So they were not able to understand the whole
philosophy of God. That is sufficient. "God created. Just take it." They
were not intelligent to understand how the creation took place. Had
they been intelligent, they would not have crucified such a great
personality like Jesus Christ. SO WE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THE
CONDITION OF THE SOCIETY. Just like in the Koran it is said by Muhammad
that "From this day you have no sex intercourse with your mother." Just
find out the condition of the society. So we have to take account of the
time, circumstances, society, and then preaching. So to society like
that it is not possible to understand the high philosophical things as
it is stated in the Bhagavad-gita. But the primary fact, the authority
is God, that is accepted both in Bible and Bhagavad-gita. Bible begins,
"God is the supreme authority," and Bhagavad-gita concludes, "You
surrender." Where is the difference? Simply the description is according
to the time, society, and place and people. That's all. They are not
Arjuna. You see? So the things to be understood by Arjuna is not
possible by the persons who had crucified Lord Jesus Christ. You have to
study in that light. The same thing. A dictionary, a pocket dictionary,
child's dictionary, and the dictionary, international dictionary, both
of them dictionary, but the value is different. That dictionary is meant
for a class of children, and that dictionary is meant for high
scholars. But none of them you can say it is not dictionary. That you
cannot say. Both of them are dictionaries. So we have to take
consideration of the time, place, persons, everything. Just like Lord
Buddha, he simply said that "Stop this nonsense animal killing." That
was his propaganda. They were so low-grade people, simply taking
pleasure in animal killing. So in order to elevate them, Lord Buddha
wanted to stop this nonsense: "Please stop killing." So in every time a
different representative of God or God comes to teach people at
different circumstances. So according to the circumstances there may be
some difference in explanation, but the primary factor remains the same.
Lord Buddha said, "All right, there is no God, but you surrender to
me." Then where is the difference? That means one has to accept the
authority of God either this way or that way."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, October 9, 1968, Seattle:
"Now in our childhood...
Not childhood. We were at that time college student, Scottish Churches
College in Calcutta. So that is Christian college, Scottish Churches. So
we had to read Bible also. There was a Bible class from 1:00 to 1:30.
So I remember our professor, he was a great philosopher also, Dr. W.S.
Urquhart. He was very nice man, very friendly. So he was explaining from
Bible. I do not know... The Christians, they do not believe in karma.
Is it a fact? They do not believe in karma? Govinda dasi: They have a
verse that "You reap what you sow," which means whatever you do, you
receive the reaction of. It's sort of... Prabhupada: So... But karma is
accepted? But I do not know. Dr. Urquhart was arguing that if I am
suffering or enjoying as the effect of my previous life, so who is the
witness? His argument was like this. Just like if I have committed some
criminal act, in the court there is need of witness.
Then one has to prove that somebody has seen that he has done this. This is simply a legal formality. Who is going to steal while keeping one witness? Nobody's going, but court wants that who has seen that he has stolen. Anyway, Dr. Urquhart's argument was that "Who is the witness? I am suffering the reaction of my previous bad or evil activities, but who is the witness?" But at that time we were not so intelligent. We could not answer. But later on, when we were grown up and studied Bhagavad-gita, then here, in the Bhagavad-gita, we saw that upadrasta. The Lord is upadrasta, He is witness. Upadrasta. Anumanta. Anumanta means ordering. You cannot do anything without being sanctioned by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You have no power. Therefore we are, in all respect, we are dependent. That we have got very nice experience. This hand is moving, but if the power is withdrawn, I cannot move my hand. Therefore I am not independent to move my hand. So upadrasta anumanta. We cannot do anything without being sanctioned by the Supreme Lord. There is an English word, that not even a grass moves without the sanction of the Lord. So that is a fact. So how one is doing nice thing and how one is doing evil things if He is the order giver? That is our independence. We can take sanction from the Lord. If we want to do something evil, I cannot do it without the sanction of the Supreme. Or even if I do something very nice, that also I cannot do without the sanction. So how the Lord gives such sanction? The sanction is like this: just like a child is crying to get something from the parent, and the parent, being disgusted, gives him something, "All right. Take it." Such kind of sanction. When we do something evil, the sanction is from the Lord, but it is not willing sanction. Against the will of the Lord. And when you do something in cooperation with the Lord, that is called bhakti. We are doing everything... In the material world we are doing everything, all nonsense for sense gratification. There is also sanction of the Lord, but that is unwilling sanction. But when we execute devotional service, loving devotional service, that is very pleasing to the Lord."
Then one has to prove that somebody has seen that he has done this. This is simply a legal formality. Who is going to steal while keeping one witness? Nobody's going, but court wants that who has seen that he has stolen. Anyway, Dr. Urquhart's argument was that "Who is the witness? I am suffering the reaction of my previous bad or evil activities, but who is the witness?" But at that time we were not so intelligent. We could not answer. But later on, when we were grown up and studied Bhagavad-gita, then here, in the Bhagavad-gita, we saw that upadrasta. The Lord is upadrasta, He is witness. Upadrasta. Anumanta. Anumanta means ordering. You cannot do anything without being sanctioned by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. You have no power. Therefore we are, in all respect, we are dependent. That we have got very nice experience. This hand is moving, but if the power is withdrawn, I cannot move my hand. Therefore I am not independent to move my hand. So upadrasta anumanta. We cannot do anything without being sanctioned by the Supreme Lord. There is an English word, that not even a grass moves without the sanction of the Lord. So that is a fact. So how one is doing nice thing and how one is doing evil things if He is the order giver? That is our independence. We can take sanction from the Lord. If we want to do something evil, I cannot do it without the sanction of the Supreme. Or even if I do something very nice, that also I cannot do without the sanction. So how the Lord gives such sanction? The sanction is like this: just like a child is crying to get something from the parent, and the parent, being disgusted, gives him something, "All right. Take it." Such kind of sanction. When we do something evil, the sanction is from the Lord, but it is not willing sanction. Against the will of the Lord. And when you do something in cooperation with the Lord, that is called bhakti. We are doing everything... In the material world we are doing everything, all nonsense for sense gratification. There is also sanction of the Lord, but that is unwilling sanction. But when we execute devotional service, loving devotional service, that is very pleasing to the Lord."
Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, May 15, 1976, Honolulu:
Pusta Krsna: "They
counter that if God is all-powerful, He can do anything. So why not He
can create a soul and that soul can then be eternal from that point?
Prabhupada: Hm?
Pusta Krsna: The Christian may argue that God is all-powerful, so God has created the soul, and from that point the soul is eternal.
Prabhupada: Soul is eternal, we admit.
Pusta Krsna: But only from that point, not in the past.
Prabhupada: Not in the past?
Pusta Krsna: Yes, because according to Biblical philosophy you only have one lifetime in this world.
Prabhupada: Then who goes to heaven?
Pusta Krsna: Persons who adopt the principles.
Prabhupada: And if one life, then who goes to heaven and who goes to hell?
Pusta Krsna: Very few go to heaven.
Prabhupada: ANYONE, IF HE GOES TO HELL OR HEAVEN, THEN WHY DO YOU SAY "ONE LIFE"? THEN ANOTHER LIFE. OTHERWISE WHAT IS THE MEANING OF GOING TO HEAVEN OR HELL?
Hari-sauri: No. They get one chance to good or bad, and then finish.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Hari-sauri: They get one chance. Do good or bad. Then you either go to heaven or to hell. But you don't get another chance.
Prabhupada: But if he goes heaven means there is another life. How do you say "one life"? This is defective philosophy.
Pusta Krsna: But this is what God has said in the Bible; therefore we must accept.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Pusta Krsna: This is what God has said in the Bible; therefore we must accept.
Prabhupada: God, if He says something unreasonable, how it can be accepted? You say, "one life." Then who goes to the next life? That is defective. Why do you not talk back?
Pusta Krsna: (break) ...cannot explain why some people are born in a more pious setting and some people are born in a more impious setting.
Prabhupada: Because they do not know the karma. Karmana daiva netrena. According to one's activities, pious or impious, he gets the next birth. That is quite reasonable. But they do not believe in karma. When I was student in Scottish Churches College, so we had to attend class, half an hour, Bible. So the Dr. Urquhart, he did.... The argument was: "So if karma is there and I am suffering for my karma, who is the witness?" But because they do not know that the witness is God.
Pusta Krsna: He asked that question?
Prabhupada: Yes, he asked that question. (break) Paramatma.... They say "Holy Ghost." What is that Holy Ghost?
Pusta Krsna: The Holy Ghost is supposed to give knowledge to persons who have embraced the teaching.
Prabhupada: Therefore He is seeing what you are doing. So according to your action, the Holy Ghost gives you another birth. (break) ...sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati. (break)...dictating everyone's heart, and He is observing. Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya.
Pusta Krsna: (break) ...contends that if a person does not become fully aware in this lifetime of God, then they don't have another chance, and they are condemned to hell for eternity.
Prabhupada: The hell or heaven doesn't matter. The next life is there. How you say "one life"? That is defective theory. Therefore this philosophy cannot be accepted. Anything which is defective is not to be accepted."
Prabhupada: Hm?
Pusta Krsna: The Christian may argue that God is all-powerful, so God has created the soul, and from that point the soul is eternal.
Prabhupada: Soul is eternal, we admit.
Pusta Krsna: But only from that point, not in the past.
Prabhupada: Not in the past?
Pusta Krsna: Yes, because according to Biblical philosophy you only have one lifetime in this world.
Prabhupada: Then who goes to heaven?
Pusta Krsna: Persons who adopt the principles.
Prabhupada: And if one life, then who goes to heaven and who goes to hell?
Pusta Krsna: Very few go to heaven.
Prabhupada: ANYONE, IF HE GOES TO HELL OR HEAVEN, THEN WHY DO YOU SAY "ONE LIFE"? THEN ANOTHER LIFE. OTHERWISE WHAT IS THE MEANING OF GOING TO HEAVEN OR HELL?
Hari-sauri: No. They get one chance to good or bad, and then finish.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Hari-sauri: They get one chance. Do good or bad. Then you either go to heaven or to hell. But you don't get another chance.
Prabhupada: But if he goes heaven means there is another life. How do you say "one life"? This is defective philosophy.
Pusta Krsna: But this is what God has said in the Bible; therefore we must accept.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Pusta Krsna: This is what God has said in the Bible; therefore we must accept.
Prabhupada: God, if He says something unreasonable, how it can be accepted? You say, "one life." Then who goes to the next life? That is defective. Why do you not talk back?
Pusta Krsna: (break) ...cannot explain why some people are born in a more pious setting and some people are born in a more impious setting.
Prabhupada: Because they do not know the karma. Karmana daiva netrena. According to one's activities, pious or impious, he gets the next birth. That is quite reasonable. But they do not believe in karma. When I was student in Scottish Churches College, so we had to attend class, half an hour, Bible. So the Dr. Urquhart, he did.... The argument was: "So if karma is there and I am suffering for my karma, who is the witness?" But because they do not know that the witness is God.
Pusta Krsna: He asked that question?
Prabhupada: Yes, he asked that question. (break) Paramatma.... They say "Holy Ghost." What is that Holy Ghost?
Pusta Krsna: The Holy Ghost is supposed to give knowledge to persons who have embraced the teaching.
Prabhupada: Therefore He is seeing what you are doing. So according to your action, the Holy Ghost gives you another birth. (break) ...sarva-bhutanam hrd-dese arjuna tisthati. (break)...dictating everyone's heart, and He is observing. Bhramayan sarva-bhutani yantrarudhani mayaya.
Pusta Krsna: (break) ...contends that if a person does not become fully aware in this lifetime of God, then they don't have another chance, and they are condemned to hell for eternity.
Prabhupada: The hell or heaven doesn't matter. The next life is there. How you say "one life"? That is defective theory. Therefore this philosophy cannot be accepted. Anything which is defective is not to be accepted."
Srimad Bhagavatam 6.1.42:
"The sun, fire, sky,
air, demigods, moon, evening, day, night, directions, water, land and
Supersoul Himself all witness the activities of the living entity.
PURPORT
The members of some religious sects, especially Christians, do not believe in the reactions of karma. We once had a discussion with a learned Christian professor who argued that although people are generally punished after the witnesses of their misdeeds are examined, where are the witnesses responsible for one's suffering the reactions of past karma? To such a person the answer by the Yamadutas is given here. A conditioned soul thinks that he is working stealthily and that no one can see his sinful activities, but we can understand from the sastras that there are many witnesses, including the sun, fire, sky, air, moon, demigods, evening, day, night, directions, water, land and the Supersoul Himself, who sits with the individual soul within his heart. Where is the dearth of witnesses? The witnesses and the Supreme Lord both exist, and therefore so many living entities are elevated to higher planetary systems or degraded to lower planetary systems, including the hellish planets. There are no discrepancies, for everything is arranged perfectly by the management of the Supreme God (svabhaviki jnana-bala-kriya ca)."
PURPORT
The members of some religious sects, especially Christians, do not believe in the reactions of karma. We once had a discussion with a learned Christian professor who argued that although people are generally punished after the witnesses of their misdeeds are examined, where are the witnesses responsible for one's suffering the reactions of past karma? To such a person the answer by the Yamadutas is given here. A conditioned soul thinks that he is working stealthily and that no one can see his sinful activities, but we can understand from the sastras that there are many witnesses, including the sun, fire, sky, air, moon, demigods, evening, day, night, directions, water, land and the Supersoul Himself, who sits with the individual soul within his heart. Where is the dearth of witnesses? The witnesses and the Supreme Lord both exist, and therefore so many living entities are elevated to higher planetary systems or degraded to lower planetary systems, including the hellish planets. There are no discrepancies, for everything is arranged perfectly by the management of the Supreme God (svabhaviki jnana-bala-kriya ca)."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, April 26, 1969, Boston:
"And the Bhagavata says,
parabhavas tavad abodha-jato yavan na jijnasata atma-tattvam: "A man is
supposed to be defeated in all his activities if he does not inquire
what he is." This statement is also in Bible, you know, that "If one
loses his own self and he gains all material prosperity, what does he
gain?" Actually, this is the fact."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, June 28, 1976, Melbourne:
"Just like in Bible also
there are so many commandments that "You shall not do this," because
they are sinful. A sinful man cannot approach God. That is the verdict
of Vedic literature.
yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
One who is completely free from the reaction of sinful life, he can completely devote in the service of the Lord. So the common platform is there. God is neither Hindu nor Muslim, nor the method of approaching God may be different, but the ultimate end is how to love God or how to serve God."
yesam tv anta-gatam papam
jananam punya-karmanam
te dvandva-moha-nirmukta
bhajante mam drdha-vratah
One who is completely free from the reaction of sinful life, he can completely devote in the service of the Lord. So the common platform is there. God is neither Hindu nor Muslim, nor the method of approaching God may be different, but the ultimate end is how to love God or how to serve God."
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, March 2, 1975, Atlanta:
Devotee: "In the Bible they say that the animals don't have soul; therefore it's not the same as killing.
Prabhupada: I do not know whether it is said. (break) ...expert in calling Bible, but where it is said, he does not know. He is so expert in Bible (laughter) How do you know? Now, apart from Bible or any scripture, how do you find that the animal has no soul? How do you consider it? What is the symptom of having soul? That is very easy, but you do not know. When the soul is gone from the body, it does not move. And when the soul is there, it moves. This is the understanding of soul. So do you think the animal does not move? The animal has no blood? The animal has no bone? How do you say that animal has no soul? This is foolishness. The soul is there. Even one small ant, there is soul. Otherwise how it is moving? So long the soul is there, the dull material body is moving. And as soon as the soul is gone, you will cry, "My father has gone away." Why your father gone? It is lying there. Why do you say, "My father has gone away"? This is ignorance. We do not know what is soul. We see the body. So long I have seen the body of my father. Now the soul has gone. I am crying, "My father has gone away." But did you see your father? "Yes, that body." The body is there. Why you are crying? So it is very common sense affair to understand where there is soul. A big stone, a big mountain, it cannot move although it is so big. And a small ant is moving. Why? There is soul. So how can you say the animals have no soul? This is ignorance. Tatha dehantara-praptih. The soul being within the body means it is changing the body from babyhood to childhood, childhood to boyhood, boyhood to youthhood, like that. And if the child is born dead--no more change of body. That is the proof that there is soul. Soul means the living force which is moving the body. That is soul. How you can say the animal has no soul? Everyone has soul. Even the grass has soul, because it is growing, changing body. (break) ...simple thing. Ceto-darpana-marjanam. Because all dirty things are within our heart. On account of dirty things we are thinking that "I have got soul, and the animal has no soul." This is due to dirtiness of the heart. So if you chant Hare Krsna, the heart will be cleansed. Just like a mirror with a dust, you cannot see, but if this dust is cleansed, then you can see your face very nicely. Similarly, because on account of material contamination our heart is unclean, we cannot see things as they are, but the chanting process will cleanse your heart, and then you will see everything in order. Then you will not say the animal has no soul."
Prabhupada: I do not know whether it is said. (break) ...expert in calling Bible, but where it is said, he does not know. He is so expert in Bible (laughter) How do you know? Now, apart from Bible or any scripture, how do you find that the animal has no soul? How do you consider it? What is the symptom of having soul? That is very easy, but you do not know. When the soul is gone from the body, it does not move. And when the soul is there, it moves. This is the understanding of soul. So do you think the animal does not move? The animal has no blood? The animal has no bone? How do you say that animal has no soul? This is foolishness. The soul is there. Even one small ant, there is soul. Otherwise how it is moving? So long the soul is there, the dull material body is moving. And as soon as the soul is gone, you will cry, "My father has gone away." Why your father gone? It is lying there. Why do you say, "My father has gone away"? This is ignorance. We do not know what is soul. We see the body. So long I have seen the body of my father. Now the soul has gone. I am crying, "My father has gone away." But did you see your father? "Yes, that body." The body is there. Why you are crying? So it is very common sense affair to understand where there is soul. A big stone, a big mountain, it cannot move although it is so big. And a small ant is moving. Why? There is soul. So how can you say the animals have no soul? This is ignorance. Tatha dehantara-praptih. The soul being within the body means it is changing the body from babyhood to childhood, childhood to boyhood, boyhood to youthhood, like that. And if the child is born dead--no more change of body. That is the proof that there is soul. Soul means the living force which is moving the body. That is soul. How you can say the animal has no soul? Everyone has soul. Even the grass has soul, because it is growing, changing body. (break) ...simple thing. Ceto-darpana-marjanam. Because all dirty things are within our heart. On account of dirty things we are thinking that "I have got soul, and the animal has no soul." This is due to dirtiness of the heart. So if you chant Hare Krsna, the heart will be cleansed. Just like a mirror with a dust, you cannot see, but if this dust is cleansed, then you can see your face very nicely. Similarly, because on account of material contamination our heart is unclean, we cannot see things as they are, but the chanting process will cleanse your heart, and then you will see everything in order. Then you will not say the animal has no soul."
Srila Prabhupada Letter to Yamuna, May 27, 1969:
"We are compared as the
shadow of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and as it is stated in the
Bible also, man is made after God. We understand from the scriptures
that Krishna has His Vigraha, or Spiritual Body, exactly like a man who
has two hands, two legs and all similar features. If you decorate your
face, you do not see directly how your face has become beautiful, but
when you see the reflection of your face in the mirror, then indirectly
you can see the beauty. Therefore, by serving Krishna directly the
result of the service indirectly comes to us. Just like we offer very
nice prasadam directly to Krishna, but indirectly we enjoy the nice
taste of the prasadam. So we should always remember this, that Krishna
is always full in Himself; He does not want a pinch of our help for his
satisfaction, but if we try to satisfy Him in so many ways as directed
by acaryas and scriptures, indirectly we become benefited by such
activities."
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, July 12, 1973, London:
Hamsaduta: "In the Bible
also, in the very beginning page, there's a verse. After God created
everything, the animals and the trees and everything, then He gave
allotment of food to the human society. It says very plainly that "The
seed-bearing plants and trees of the earth shall be your meat, or shall
be your food."
Prabhupada: Just see.
Hamsaduta: And it says nothing...
Prabhupada: Vegetables."
Prabhupada: Just see.
Hamsaduta: And it says nothing...
Prabhupada: Vegetables."
Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, June 11, 1974, Paris:
Prabhupada: "That is
still lower grade man. But so far experience that "I have not... God is
beyond my experience." Another point that in the Bible, Christ, Lord
Christ says that "My Lord, Thy be hallowed..." What is that?
Devotees: "Hallowed be Thy name."
Prabhupada: So God has name.
Pusta-krsna: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name."
Prabhupada: Eh? So he admits God has His name. But it may be that he did not disclose or did not like to say, but there is already name. So it is up to the followers to know what is that name."
Devotees: "Hallowed be Thy name."
Prabhupada: So God has name.
Pusta-krsna: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name."
Prabhupada: Eh? So he admits God has His name. But it may be that he did not disclose or did not like to say, but there is already name. So it is up to the followers to know what is that name."
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, June 15, 1976, Paris:
Prabhupada: "Christians,
they cannot say that God is impersonal. (French) Because, because
Christ is son of God. So the son is person. How the Father can be
imperson? And in the Bible it is said, "There was word in the
beginning." That is God's word. So if one has a word, then He's a
person. Word comes from the tongue and mouth. As soon as there is word,
background is tongue and mouth. And then... The Christians pray in the
church, "Oh, God, give us our daily bread." So God has got ear so that
He will hear and supply. But His personality, His word, His hearing,
they're all transcendental, nonmaterial."
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, June 15, 1974, Paris:
Prabhupada: "Yes. Just
like in the Bible it is said, "There was only word in the beginning." So
in the beginning, there was word. That means that word is not the word
of this material creation."
Transmigration of Soul to Another Destination
Srila Prabhupada Morning Walk, June 10, 1975, Honolulu:
Prabhupada: "Otherwise what is the meaning of going to God? They believe it.
Siddha-svarupa: Yes.
Prabhupada: What is, the Bible says, "Come to kingdom of God"?
Siddha-svarupa: Yes.
Prabhupada: So if you have no next life, how you are going to there?
Siddha-svarupa: Yes. They accept another life.
Prabhupada: Then that is... Another life means soul."
Siddha-svarupa: Yes.
Prabhupada: What is, the Bible says, "Come to kingdom of God"?
Siddha-svarupa: Yes.
Prabhupada: So if you have no next life, how you are going to there?
Siddha-svarupa: Yes. They accept another life.
Prabhupada: Then that is... Another life means soul."
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, April 1, 1975, Mayapur:
Ravindra-svarupa: "In the Bible they give twelve names for God.
Prabhupada: No, let me finish this. If you do not accept Krsna is the name of God,... I have explained what is the idea of Krsna. The Krsna means all-attractive. The example is given: Just like gold. Gold is attractive to everyone--to the educated, the uneducated, to the black, to the white, man, woman, everyone. One who knows God, er, one who knows gold--gold is attractive. Similarly, God is all-attractive. There cannot be that "It is black gold," "It is white gold," "It is Christian gold," "It is Hindu gold." No. Gold is gold. So we present Krsna that "Here is God, all-attractive." Now you say, "No, He's not God." Then you present your God.
Pancadravida: Well, I know just the...
Prabhupada: You cannot say, reject. They cannot reject Krsna unless you present an alternative.
Pancadravida: Well, here's the argument. Part of the thing I remember in the Judeo tradition, Judeo-Christian tradition, in the... Whenever we used to go to service and all that, they used to have in the prayer books... They would never write out the name of God because they say...
Prabhupada: Oh, that means you do not know.
Pancadravida: No, they say God's name should never be spoken out loud.
Prabhupada: Why?
Pancadravida: I don't know.
Prabhupada: This is nonsense. If you know somebody, why should you say, "His name should not be explained"?
Brahmananda: They say that God's name is so pure and we are so impure that to utter His name is to make it impure.
Ravindra-svarupa: Is blasphemy.
Acyutananda: No, I heard the explanation that a nonbeliever should not know it.
Prabhupada: That is all right.
Acyutananda: So they don't say it out loud.
Prabhupada: No, when we come to argument that... We are supposed to be all believers in God. We are not nonbelievers. We simply want to ascertain who is that God. We are not nonbelievers. Then some persons who believe in God come together so to ascertain who is God. So just like when we come to a meeting to elect a president, so they are not nonbelievers. They are not nonbelievers. As there are so many personalities, candidate for president, now who is the right person to become the president? That is wanted. To the nonbelievers, he has no access. About discussion in God he has no access. When we discuss about God, it is supposed they are all believers. So if you say... Just like we are holding meeting to ascertain... There are so many names of God. Now we ascertain who is real God. God means there should be no more above Him. Mattah parataram nanyat. That is God.
Visnujana: Christians have such a name. They call Him Yahweh.
Acyutananda: Yahweh.
Visnujana: Yahweh means "I am that I am. No one is beyond Me."
Acyutananda: Yahweh.
Visnujana: They will say Yahweh is God.
Prabhupada: No, Yahweh, what is...? That is the name?
Visnujana: Name. "I am that..." It means in English, "I am that I am."
Prajapati: Some people translate that as jehovah.
Visnujana: jehovah.
Prajapati: But it's the same word. In fact, everyone agrees they do not know what the real name is. Some say Yahweh; some say jehovah. The Jewish tradition replaces completely and says Adonai, instead.
Prabhupada: That's all right. He may not say. But we have to take from the meaning. What is the meaning?
Visnujana: "No one is beyond Me."
Prabhupada: THAT'S ALL RIGHT. "NO ONE IS BEYOND ME." THEN HE COMES TO OUR CONCLUSION, ALL-ATTRACTIVE. THIS IS... THEY COME TO OUR CONCLUSION, ALL-ATTRACTIVE. BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY IS BEYOND HIM, THEN HE SHOULD BE ATTRACTIVE. BUT IF HE'S FINAL ATTRACTIVE, THEN ALL-ATTRACTIVE, KRSNA. KRSNA MEANS ALL-ATTRACTIVE. What do you think?"
Prabhupada: No, let me finish this. If you do not accept Krsna is the name of God,... I have explained what is the idea of Krsna. The Krsna means all-attractive. The example is given: Just like gold. Gold is attractive to everyone--to the educated, the uneducated, to the black, to the white, man, woman, everyone. One who knows God, er, one who knows gold--gold is attractive. Similarly, God is all-attractive. There cannot be that "It is black gold," "It is white gold," "It is Christian gold," "It is Hindu gold." No. Gold is gold. So we present Krsna that "Here is God, all-attractive." Now you say, "No, He's not God." Then you present your God.
Pancadravida: Well, I know just the...
Prabhupada: You cannot say, reject. They cannot reject Krsna unless you present an alternative.
Pancadravida: Well, here's the argument. Part of the thing I remember in the Judeo tradition, Judeo-Christian tradition, in the... Whenever we used to go to service and all that, they used to have in the prayer books... They would never write out the name of God because they say...
Prabhupada: Oh, that means you do not know.
Pancadravida: No, they say God's name should never be spoken out loud.
Prabhupada: Why?
Pancadravida: I don't know.
Prabhupada: This is nonsense. If you know somebody, why should you say, "His name should not be explained"?
Brahmananda: They say that God's name is so pure and we are so impure that to utter His name is to make it impure.
Ravindra-svarupa: Is blasphemy.
Acyutananda: No, I heard the explanation that a nonbeliever should not know it.
Prabhupada: That is all right.
Acyutananda: So they don't say it out loud.
Prabhupada: No, when we come to argument that... We are supposed to be all believers in God. We are not nonbelievers. We simply want to ascertain who is that God. We are not nonbelievers. Then some persons who believe in God come together so to ascertain who is God. So just like when we come to a meeting to elect a president, so they are not nonbelievers. They are not nonbelievers. As there are so many personalities, candidate for president, now who is the right person to become the president? That is wanted. To the nonbelievers, he has no access. About discussion in God he has no access. When we discuss about God, it is supposed they are all believers. So if you say... Just like we are holding meeting to ascertain... There are so many names of God. Now we ascertain who is real God. God means there should be no more above Him. Mattah parataram nanyat. That is God.
Visnujana: Christians have such a name. They call Him Yahweh.
Acyutananda: Yahweh.
Visnujana: Yahweh means "I am that I am. No one is beyond Me."
Acyutananda: Yahweh.
Visnujana: They will say Yahweh is God.
Prabhupada: No, Yahweh, what is...? That is the name?
Visnujana: Name. "I am that..." It means in English, "I am that I am."
Prajapati: Some people translate that as jehovah.
Visnujana: jehovah.
Prajapati: But it's the same word. In fact, everyone agrees they do not know what the real name is. Some say Yahweh; some say jehovah. The Jewish tradition replaces completely and says Adonai, instead.
Prabhupada: That's all right. He may not say. But we have to take from the meaning. What is the meaning?
Visnujana: "No one is beyond Me."
Prabhupada: THAT'S ALL RIGHT. "NO ONE IS BEYOND ME." THEN HE COMES TO OUR CONCLUSION, ALL-ATTRACTIVE. THIS IS... THEY COME TO OUR CONCLUSION, ALL-ATTRACTIVE. BECAUSE IF SOMEBODY IS BEYOND HIM, THEN HE SHOULD BE ATTRACTIVE. BUT IF HE'S FINAL ATTRACTIVE, THEN ALL-ATTRACTIVE, KRSNA. KRSNA MEANS ALL-ATTRACTIVE. What do you think?"
Denying the Master
There are a number of strikingly similar parallels
which both Srila Prabhupada and Jesus Christ encountered. For instance,
Jesus Christ could foresee that his disciples would deny him or betray
him. Srila Prabhupada could also foresee the same DENYING BY HIS OWN
DISCIPLES.
Srimad Bhagavatam 4.28.48:
"Whenever an acarya
comes, following the superior orders of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead or His representative, he establishes the principles of
religion, as enunciated in Bhagavad-gita. Religion means abiding by the
orders of the Supreme personality of Godhead. Religious principles begin
from the time one surrenders to the Supreme Personality of Godhead. It
is the acarya's duty to spread a bona fide religious system and induce
everyone to bow down before the Supreme Lord. One executes the religious
principles by rendering devotional service, specifically the nine items
like hearing, chanting and remembering. UNFORTUNATELY, WHEN THE ACARYA
DISAPPEARS, ROGUES AND NONDEVOTEES TAKE ADVANTAGE AND IMMEDIATELY BEGIN
TO INTRODUCE UNAUTHORIZED PRINCIPLES IN THE NAME OF SO-CALLED SVAMIS,
YOGIS, PHILANTHROPISTS, WELFARE WORKERS AND SO ON."
Srila Prabhupada Room Conversation, May 3, 1976, Honolulu:
Prabhupada: "And Lord Jesus Christ was killed. So they may kill me also."
Srila Prabhupada's "passing away" was under VERY
suspicious circumstances. It appears from the statements of Srila
Prabhupada in the conversation tapes (Hindi/English) he was poisoned by
his leading "disciples". Murder is a very stong possibility. In fact, Srila Prabhupada in reference to his being poisoned said, "Its possible".
Was Christ referring to Lord Caitanya or previous Acaryas?
Various persons have stated that Jesus Christ
could be referring to Caitanya Mahaprabhu as that Holy Spirit. Some say
it could be one of the previous acaryas. Interesting enough, – even some Muslims claim Mohammmed was that Holy Spirit. So In this section, I will refute ALL those claims.
Holy Bible, John 14:26:
"But the Counsellor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. "
Holy Bible, John 15:26:
"When the Counsellor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. "
Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu did not speak about Jesus
Christ. The Acaryas, e.g., Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakur and
Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur just briefly touched on topics of Jesus
Christ. It is ONLY Srila Prabhupada who EXTENSIVELY lays claim of THAT
Holy Spirit. The CLEAR evidence is his books, CD's, tapes.
a) will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you
b) he will testify about me."
b) he will testify about me."
As for the claim Mohammed is that Holy Spirit –
that does not apply since he did not guide into ALL TRUTH namely (Srimad
Bhagavatam1.2.11):
"The Absolute Truth is realized in three phases
of understanding by the knower of the Absolute Truth, and all of them
are identical. Such phases of the Absolute Truth are expressed as Brahman, Paramatma, and Bhagavan. "
Furthermore, the set-up of the Ritvik system (July 9th 1977) runs parallel to the Christians:
Srila Prabhupada Lecture, October 2, 1968, Seattle:
Madhudvisa: "Is there
any way for a Christian to, without the help of a spiritual master, to
reach the spiritual sky through believing in the words of Jesus Christ
and trying to follow his teachings?
Prabhupada: I don't follow.
Tamala Krsna: Can a Christian in this age, without a spiritual master, but by reading the Bible and following Jesus's words, reach the...
Prabhupada: When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without? As soon as you read Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ, that means you are following spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without spiritual master?
Madhudvisa: I was referring to a living spiritual master.
Prabhupada: Spiritual master is not the question of... Spiritual master is ETERNAL. Spiritual master is ETERNAL. So your question is without spiritual master. Without spiritual master you cannot be, at any stage of your life. You may accept this spiritual master or that spiritual master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that "by reading Bible," when you read Bible that means you are following the spiritual master REPRESENTED by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ. So any case, you have to follow a spiritual master. There cannot be the question without spiritual master. Is that clear?"
Prabhupada: I don't follow.
Tamala Krsna: Can a Christian in this age, without a spiritual master, but by reading the Bible and following Jesus's words, reach the...
Prabhupada: When you read Bible, you follow spiritual master. How can you say without? As soon as you read Bible, that means you are following the instruction of Lord Jesus Christ, that means you are following spiritual master. So where is the opportunity of being without spiritual master?
Madhudvisa: I was referring to a living spiritual master.
Prabhupada: Spiritual master is not the question of... Spiritual master is ETERNAL. Spiritual master is ETERNAL. So your question is without spiritual master. Without spiritual master you cannot be, at any stage of your life. You may accept this spiritual master or that spiritual master. That is a different thing. But you have to accept. As you say that "by reading Bible," when you read Bible that means you are following the spiritual master REPRESENTED by some priest or some clergyman in the line of Lord Jesus Christ. So any case, you have to follow a spiritual master. There cannot be the question without spiritual master. Is that clear?"
Srila Prabhupada is teaching the same message: how
to serve Krishna through the transparent via medium -- his
books(instructions).
Caitanya-caritamrta Adi 1.35:
"If there is no chance to serve the spiritual master directly, a devotee should serve him by remembering his instructions. There
is NO DIFFERENCE between the spiritual master's instructions and the
spiritual master himself. In his absence, therefore, his words of
direction should be the pride of the disciple.
Caitanya-caritamrta, Madhya 24.330:
"Similarly, a disciple's
qualifications must be observed by the spiritual master before he is
accepted as a disciple. In our Krsna consciousness movement, the
requirement is that one must be prepared to give up the four pillars of
sinful life-illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. In
Western countries especially, we first observe whether a potential
disciple is prepared to follow the regulative principles. Then he is
given the name of a Vaisnava servant and initiated to chant the Hare
Krsna maha-mantra, at least sixteen rounds daily. In this way the
disciple renders devotional service under the guidance of the spiritual
master or HIS REPRESENTATIVE for at least six
months to a year. He is then recommended for a second initiation, during
which a sacred thread is offered and the disciple is accepted as a bona
fide brahmana."