If we have to take advantage of somebody else for Krsna,is it permissible?

krsna · May 28, 2004

Bhagavad-gita

Ch 2 : Verses 13-17

[Los Angeles, November 29, 1968]

Madhudvisa: Prabhupada, when you say we must be honest in our dealings... If we have an advantage to, to take advantage of somebody else for Krishna, for Krishna consciousness, is this permissible? If we have a chance to take advantage of somebody to get money from them, not by stealing but by means... (Prabhupada chuckles) Is this permissible?

Prabhupada: Yes, but that is not by your discretion. You have to consult your spiritual master. Just like what Krishna says Yudhisthira Maharaja, "Yudhisthira, My dear brother Yudhisthira, you go and tell," I mean to say, "Dronacarya, that 'Your son is dead.' " Because this gentleman would not die unless he hears the message of the death of his son. So he was not dying. So Yudhisthira was commissioned to speak this lie, that "You go and say that 'Your son is dead.' " And he says that "I never spoke lie. I cannot do that." Now here the order is coming from Krishna, therefore he should have executed the order immediately. Although speaking lie for common man is sin, but because it is in relationship with Krishna, it is not sin. So that telling lie should not be taken risk of at one's own discretion. It must be ordered by Krishna or by His representative. Telling lie is always sinful. That's all right. But if Krishna says "Tell lie," it is not sinful. That is the secret. You can violate the laws only on the direct order of Krishna or His representative. That's all. That is common sense. Just like a political person is engaged to kill somebody under superior order. And if he can kill, he is rewarded, he is given high post. But the same man, if he kills by his own discretion, he'll be hanged. So serving greater purpose, supreme purpose, absolute purpose, there is no question of such piety or sinful. But in the ordinary field, there must be "This is pious, this is sinful." So that discretion should not be taken by oneself, but it should be consulted.

Jaya-gopala: If one can engage one who is demonic in service by telling a lie...

Prabhupada: General principle is that if you can engage anyone in Krishna consciousness, that is good. That is good. That is also said in the Bhakti-rasamrta. Yena kena prakarena manah krsne nivesayet. If your aim is to engage him in Krishna consciousness, if you do something which is not very straight, that is allowed. (laughter) Because you are doing very good to him. Suppose a man is drunkard. So suppose if you say, "Oh, all right. I'll give you a very nice bottle of whiskey at cheap price. Give me fifteen dollars." And if you take fifteen dollars and engage it (in) Krishna consciousness, that cheating is allowed. (laughter) Because that fifteen dollars he'll take and drink. So you have by some way taken away that fifteen dollars and engaged in Krishna consciousness. So that you have done good to him. So therefore it requires little intelligence and discretion. But that does not mean you shall cheat fifteen dollars from everywhere. But there is no cheating because anyone who is not Krishna conscious, he is a drunkard. He is drunkard, he is illusioned under material spell. You see? You see? The greatest drunkard, everyone who is not Krishna conscious. Therefore any way, if you can induce him to spend something of his hard earned money in Krishna consciousness, that is very good to him. Yes. This is called ajnata-sukrti. He does not know, but he is advanced one step to Krishna consciousness. Anybody who is contributing even a farthing to you, he is advanced in Krishna consciousness. It is so nice thing. Yes.

Young man: I had something come up once. Is it all right to cheat the government?

Prabhupada: Oh, we don't care for anyone. (laughter) We are on the supreme government. (laughs) But don't take the risk. No, that should be not our policy. But the basic principle is that if some way or other you can engage a materialistic person's money into Krishna consciousness, it is good for him. It is good for him. You may take some tactics, that doesn't matter. But not... We cannot take anything for our personal consideration. Yes?