The Higher Levels of Evolution

[ancient_paztriot]

Syamasundara dasa: Alexander believed that when one has attained the higher levels of evolution, he can see that everything on the lower levels is determined.

 

Srila Prabhupada: Yes. For instance, we should not try to improve our economic condition because it is already decided. Why is one man born rich, and another born to work so hard? Srimad - Bhagavatam (1.5.18) says that we should not strive hard for material happiness, because material happiness and distress come automatically. an intelligent man utilizes his time to develop his Krsna consciousness.

 

Syamasundara dasa: Alexander accepted Plato's three greatest values in life-truth, beauty, and goodness-as values to be accepted by the majority.

 

Srila Prabhupada: Unfortunately, in the material world, no one likes the truth. At least in this age, the majority of people are not truthful. As soon as one becomes truthful, he becomes a brahmana. Where are the brahmanas in this age? Kalau sudra sambhava. In Kali-yuga, everyone is a sudra. If Alexander thinks that everyone will accept truthfulness as a great value, he is mistaken.

 

Syamasundara dasa: For Alexander, there is a practical criterion for truth, but he preferred the coherence principle by which the majority opinion determined truth by mutual agreement.

 

Srila Prabhupada: Because he is European, he is thinking in a democratic way. The hard fact is that truth is not accepted by ordinary men. Truth is truth. Either it is in your mind or not; truth is absolute. Only highly elevated persons can understand the truth. Out of many truthful men, perhaps only one can understand Krsna as He is.

 

Syamasundara dasa: Alexander defines a good person as one who integrates and controls his impulses for the best interests of himself and society.

 

Srila Prabhupada: This is also described in Vedic literature:

 

tapasa brahmacaryena

samena ca damena ca

tyagena satya-saucabhyam

yamena niyamena va

 

“To concentrate the mind, one must observe a life of celibacy and not fall down. One must undergo the austerity of voluntarily giving up sense enjoyment. One must then control the mind and senses, give charity, be truthful, clean and nonviolent, follow the regulative principles, and regularly chant the holy name of the Lord.” (Bhag. 6.1.13) these are the processes by which we may become perfect, but if we bcome dvotees of Krsna, we immediately attain all good qualities. Yasyasti bhaktir bhagavaty akincana sarvair gunais tatra samasate surah. “All the demigods and their exalted qualities, such as religion, knowledge, and renunciation, become manifest in the body of one who has developed unalloyed devotion for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.” (Bhag. 5.18.12)

 

Syamasundara dasa: In the second sense of the word “good,” Alexander says that whatever enhances man's welfare or happiness is good.

 

Srila Prabhupada: That is not necessarily so. One may open hospitals to help people, but spreading Krsna consciousness is greater welfare work. What is really good for man is Krsna bhakti. Nothing else.

 

Syamasundara dasa: Alexander maintains that goodness consists of modifications in the environment that will aid man in his spiritual pursuits.

 

Srila Prabhupada: That is what we are trying to do in this Krsna consciousness movement. It is not that everyone can follow the regulative principles strictly. We are proposing that people chant Hare Krsna. Whatever the situation, somehow or other, we must engage our mind in Krsna. Rupa Gosvami said: yena tena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet. “Never mind the rules and regulations. Just fix your mind on Krsna! As soon as you become Krsna conscious, the regulative principles will be your servants.”