it is the duty - save them - this is human life

November 12, 2001

Srila Prabhupada also explained that in Vedic culture, the ksatriyas collected

taxes and protected the citizens while the sudras worked in the fields or at

trade. The women would cook, spin, weave, and take care of the milk products.

The low-class men, such as cobblers, who used the skin of dead cows, were

allowed to eat meat. "But not that one is Professor Such-and-such and yet he is

eating meat," Prabhupada said. "This is the way of the degraded modern society.

Teacher means brahmana, and yet he is eating meat. How horrible! So do these

things and organize. I can give you the idea, but I will not live very long. If

you can carry it out, you can change the whole world. Especially if you can

change America, then the whole world will change."

Srila Prabhupada became emotional, and tears came to his eyes. "It is the

duty!" he said. "Caitanya Mahaprabhu has explained para-upakara: Save them! If

it is not possible to save everyone -- as many as possible. This is human life.

This is Krsna consciousness -- to save those who are in the darkness.

"Don't think," he said, ""Krsna consciousness is my profession. I am getting a

living, food, and shelter.' That is just what the Indians are doing. Not like

that. It is para-upakara. That is Krsna consciousness. Then Krsna will be very

much pleased. Krsna personally comes for giving this benefit to the people, and

if you do, then how much Krsna will be pleased. Just like I am traveling to my

centers, and if I see that my students, my men, are doing very nice, everything

is going nice, how much pleased I will be. Then I can save my labors and now

write books for the rest of my life. Similarly, if Krsna sees that you are, on

behalf of Krsna, trying to save these rascals, then you will very much please

Krsna. The Vaisnava's qualification is para-duhkha-duhkhi. He is unhappy seeing

others' distress. This is a Vaisnava." Srila Prabhupada ended the intimate

meeting by rising and leaving the room.

>>> Ref. VedaBase => SPL 47: Preaching to America: Part 2

Recommended Posts