Remembering Srila Prabhupada - This material world is not fit forliving for any gentlemen

[Guest guest]

February 22nd, 1976

 

Srila Prabhupada is developing a heavy cold. Sometimes the mornings are damp

and foggy. Such weather has caused his chest to become full of mucus, making

his voice sound thick and muzzled. Still, he is walking in the morning and

giving class, although today he didn't say much.

 

In this morning's verse, Dayananda read out Srila Prabhupada's translation of a

beautiful detailed description by Prahlada Maharaja of the fierce appearance of

Lord Nrsimhadeva. "My Lord who is never conquered by anyone, certainly I am not

at all afraid of Your very ferocious mouth, tongue, bright eyes like the

sunshine, movement of Your eyebrows, very pinching sharp set of teeth, garland

of intestines, hands soaked with blood, fixed up high ears, Your tumultuous

sound which causes the elephants to go away to a distant place and Your nails

which are meant for killing Your enemies. Undoubtedly I am not afraid of them."

 

For a devotee like Prahlada, the Lord is never to be feared, even when He is in

an angry mood. Yet, Prabhupada said, devotees are afraid of living in the

material world. This is the essential difference between the devotees and

demons.

 

"Prahlada Maharaja will say that 'This fierceful attitude of Your Lordship is

not at all fearful to me, as it is fearful to me, this material existence.'

This material world is very, very fierceful to the devotees. They are very,

very much afraid of.

 

"This is the difference. Materialistic persons, they are thinking, 'This world

is very pleasing. We are enjoying. Eat, drink, be merry, and enjoy.' But the

devotees, they think, 'It is very, very fierceful. How soon we shall get out of

it?' My Guru Maharaja used to say that 'This material world is not fit for

living for any gentlemen.' He used to say, 'No gentleman can live here.' So

these things are not understood by the non-devotees, how much pinching this

material world is. Unless one becomes detestful of this material world, it is

to be understood that he has not yet entered in the spiritual understanding.

 

"This is the test of bhakti. If one has entered the domain of devotional

service, this material world will be not at all tasteful for him. Jagai and

Madhai were too much materialistic, woman-hunters, drunkards, meat-eaters....

So these things have become now common affairs. But it is very, very fearful

for the devotees.

 

"Therefore we say, 'No intoxication. No illicit sex. No meat-eating.' It is

very, very fearful. But they do not know it. They indulge in. The whole world

is going on on this platform. He does not know that he is creating a very, very

fierceful situation by indulging in these sinful activities."

 

- From the "A Transcendental Diary Vol 1" by HG Hari Sauri dasa

 

 

 

 

 

CHANT HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE

HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE AND BE HAPPY

Your humble servant

radhabhava gaur das

 

 

Web email has come of age. Don't settle for less than the All New Mail.