honest street sweeper?

[Guest guest]

Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura used to say that if one earns his

livelihood by displaying the Deity in the temple, he is not an acarya or

gosvami. It would be better for him to accept service even as a sweeper in

the street, for that is a more honorable means of earning one's living.

Antya 3.223

 

To earn a living, one can honorably adopt the profession of a street

sweeper, but one must not change his dress to the saffron robes of a

renunciate simply to fill up his empty stomach.

MoG 2: Karma-yoga

 

My Guru Maharaja used to say that if one is inclined to collect money by

showing Deity, it is better to become a sweeper in the street. It is better

to become a sweeper in the street, because he's earning his livelihood

honestly.

Bhagavad-gita 9.2 -- Calcutta, March 8, 1972

 

My Guru Maharaja used to say that "Instead of earning your livelihood by

presenting yourself as a Vaisnava, better you become a sweeper in the street

and earn your livelihood. Don't cheat." That was the order of my Guru

Maharaja. "It is better to become a sweeper in the street than to become a

false Vaisnava."

Srimad-Bhagavatam 6.1.34-39 -- Surat, December 19, 1970

 

My Guru Maharaja condemned this process. He said that to earn livelihood by

showing some temple and collecting money and eat and sleep, better to become

a sweeper in the street and earn his livelihood instead of earning

livelihood in this so-called spiritual way.

Room Conversation Including Discussion on SB 4.13.48 to SB 4.14.11 --

January 18, 1972, Jaipur

 

My Guru Maharaja said that thakura dekhiye paya rasta karache, rastaye

'yandiya jivika badram karam bhari (?). Instead of earning livelihood by

showing the Deity in the temple, it is better to take the profession of a

sweeper in the street and live honestly.

Room Conversation with Banker -- September 21, 1973, Bombay

 

And this was condemned by my Guru Maharaja, that "To earn some money by

showing Deity in the temple and eat and sleep -- better you become a sweeper

in the street and earn your honest livelihood and live."

Room Conversation -- May 2, 1976, Fiji

 

He said like that. "By showing the Deity to earn livelihood is condemned.

Better become a sweeper, municipal sweeper, and sweep the road and earn

money." He said like that. That is better, honorable. He is working and

getting money, instead of making a good show of Deity and earn money. This

is not required. If you want to earn money, go, work according to your

capacity and earn money. Don't cheat people. That is Bhaktisiddhanta

Sarasvati.

Morning Walk -- March 12, 1976, Mayapur

 

It would be better for you to be a street sweeper and earn an honest

livelihood instead of cheating.''

Letter to: Karandhara -- Bhaktivedanta Manor 19 July, 1973