Pradyumna: "O sages, I have been justly questioned by you. Your questions are worthy because they relate to Lord Krṣṇa and so are of relevance to the world's welfare. Only questions of this sort are capable of completely satisfying the self." [SB 1.2.5]

Prabhupada: So questioning about Krṣṇa and answering the question is krṣṇa-katha. So here it is recommended that if we are constantly engaged in krṣṇa-katha about Krṣṇa, talking about Krṣṇa, questioning about Krṣṇa, then atma suprasidati. We are hankering after peacefulness of our heart, peacefulness of our atmosphere. So here it is recommended that simply by inquiring about Krṣṇa and taking answer of the question, both the questioner and the answer-giver, both will be pleased. Yenatma suprasidati. Therefore Caitanya Mahaprabhu ordered, yare dekha, tare kaha krṣṇa-upadesa [Cc. Madhya 7.128]. The world is like the blazing fire in the forest. So this krṣṇa-katha, this Krṣṇa consciousness movement, will give them relief. Yenatma suprasidati. And the Suta Gosvami said, "You question is very pious question, sadhu, because it is about Krṣṇa."

The question was that "After the departure of Krṣṇa..." Dharmaḥ; kam... What is that? Saraṇaṁ gataḥ;? Hmm? Kaṣṭham... What is this verse? Krṣṇe sva-dhamopagate...

bruhi yogesvare krṣṇe
brahmaṇye dharma-varmaṇi
svaṁ kaṣṭham adhunopete
dharmaḥ; kaṁ saraṇaṁ gataḥ;

This is the inquiry. The answer is given there, that "Your inquiry..." Krṣṇa comes for reestablishing the principles of religion. Religion means the order set by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. That is religion: "You do like this." Just like king's..., king orders, or the government orders, "Do like this." Do's and does not. Do not's. Do's and do not's. So that is dharma. If you follow the do's and do not's given by Krṣṇa, that is religion. You cannot manufacture religion. That is bogus.

So munayaḥ; sadhu prṣṭo 'haṁ bhavadbhir loka-maṅgalam [SB 1.2.5]. "These questions..." Just like our Krṣṇa consciousness movement is the same: it is simply questioning about Krṣṇa and hearing the answer. It is loka-maṅgalam. Anywhere this vibration will go on, there will be all auspicity. Loka-maṅgalam. Krṣṇa-samprasno yenatma suprasidati. Another feature is Krṣṇa is all-attractive; therefore, talks about Him is also attractive. In our Krṣṇa book there are so many topics about Krṣṇa, janma karma me divyam [Bg. 4.9], about His birth, about His transference from real father's house to another foster father, then the attack by the demons upon Krṣṇa, Kaṁsa. All these activities, if we simply study and hear the krṣṇa-samprasnaḥ;, then we are liberated. Without any doubt, our liberation is guaranteed. Simply by hearing about Krṣṇa.

Krṣṇa therefore comes, so many activities. Na maṁ karmaṇi limpanti na me karma-phale sprha [Bg. 4.14]. Krṣṇa says that He has nothing to do. What He has to do? But still, He's killing so many demons, He's giving protection (to) so many devotees. Because He has come to reestablish what is religious principles. So by His personal activities He establishes. Otherwise, Krṣṇa has nothing to do. He's atmarama, Krṣṇa. He is self-satisfied; He has nothing to do. But to teach us He comes. In this way we should live. From the very beginning of His childhood. Read the purport.

Pradyumna: "As it is stated hereinbefore, in the Bhagavatam the Absolute Truth is to be known, so the questions of the sages of Naimiṣaraṇya are proper and just because they pertain to Krṣṇa, who is the Supreme Personality of Godhead, the Absolute Truth. In Bhagavad-gita the Personality of Godhead says that in all the Vedas there is nothing but the urge for searching after Him, Lord Krṣṇa. (Bg. 15.15). Thus the questions that pertain to Krṣṇa are the sum and substance of all the Vedic inquiries. The whole world is full of questions and answers. The birds..."

Prabhupada: Athato brahma jijñasa. Atha, "Now, this is the time for inquiring about the Absolute Truth." "This is the time" means this human form of life. Animals cannot inquire. Therefore Vedanta-sutra says, athato brahma jijñasa: inquire about the Absolute Truth. Brahma, brahmeti paramatmeti bhagavan iti sabdyate [SB 1.2.11]. The ultimate Absolute Truth is Krṣṇa, the person. Paramatma is plenary expansion, and Brahman is impersonal effulgence. So if one understands Krṣṇa by question and answer, then he understands the other three features. But simply by understanding the impersonal feature, Brahman effulgence, one cannot understand Krṣṇa. Neither by understanding or seeing the Paramatma, one can understand Krṣṇa. To see the Paramatma is the business of the yogis. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ; [SB 12.13.1]. Yoginaḥ;, the yogis they are trying to see Krṣṇa or Viṣṇu within their heart by meditation. Meditation means this. Dhyanavasthita-tad-gatena manasa pasyanti yaṁ yoginaḥ; [SB 12.13.1]. And the jñanis they want to stop these material varieties, make it impersonal, and merge into the existence of Brahman effulgence. But devotees, they do not, neither of them, neither they even want to be transferred to the Vaikuṇṭhaloka. They are satisfied in any condition life, provided they have got the opportunity to serve Krṣṇa. That is the ambition. Hmm. Then?

Pradyumna: "The whole world is full of questions and answers. The birds, the beasts, and men are all busy in the matter of perpetual questions and answers. In the morning, the birds in the nest become busy with questions and answers, and in the evening also, the same birds come back and again become busy with questions and answers. The human being, unless he is fast asleep at night, is busy with questions and answers. The businessmen in the market are busy with questions and answers, and so also, the lawyers in the court and the students in the schools and colleges. The legislators in the parliament are also busy with questions and answers, and the politicians and the press representatives are all busy with questions and answers. Although they go on making such questions and answers for their whole lives, they are not at all satisfied. Satisfaction of the soul can only be obtained by questions and answers on the subject of Krṣṇa. Krṣṇa is our most intimate master, friend, father or son, and object of conjugal love. Forgetting Krṣṇa, we have created so many objects of questions and answers, but none of them are able to give us complete satisfaction."

Prabhupada: Therefore, materialism means forgetfulness of Krṣṇa. Otherwise, there is no other existence as material. Just like in dream. In dream, some way or other, we create an atmosphere. But actually, there is no different atmosphere. But by our brain, hallucination, we create something. So created in dream, we have got experience, everyone, "I am the worker. I am doing this. I am flying. I am going there. I am riding the path(?). I am working. I..." "I" is there. This "I" false ego is there. Ahaṁ mameti [SB 5.5.8]. So forgetting Krṣṇa, when we concentrate only "I" and "mine," that is material world. That is material world. Material means separated. When I create, when we forget Krṣṇa, when I create "I" and "mine," that is material. Make it clear.(?) Otherwise, isavasyam idaṁ sarvam [Iso mantra 1].

Everything is Krṣṇa's energy. Krṣṇa is spiritual, so His energy is also spiritual. But in the spiritual energy there is the possibility of forgetting Krṣṇa. That is called material energy. So if we remember Krṣṇa, that is not material energy. A man, stone, wood, brick and constructs a big, high skyscraper building; that is material energy. But the same stone, same wood, same cement, you construct a very nice temple of Krṣṇa, that is spiritual energy. Now, the question is how the woods and stones which is matter, becomes spiritual. Is not that the question? We say one man is constructing big skyscraper building with woods and stones, we say this is materialism. But they can also challenge you that "You are also interested in woods and stones and constructing a big church or temple. Why is your idea spiritualism?" Now, you can compare. This is spiritualism means in this stone and earth and woods you remember Krṣṇa, "I am constructing something for Krṣṇa." Therefore it is spiritualism.

So the conclusion is when we forget Krṣṇa, that is materialism. And when we constantly remember Krṣṇa, that is spiritualism. The materialists means they are thinking of sense gratification. All these big, big buildings were constructed in your country, Edinburgh. The idea was that "We shall show something opulent that we are very great nation. We have got nice buildings, nice churches, nice roads." Puffed up. Everyone wants to be puffed up before his friends and relatives. So this is materialism. But the same thing done for the satisfaction of Krṣṇa, that "We shall construct this temple for Krṣṇa's inhabitation. We shall construct this building for providing the devotees of Krṣṇa so that they may be able to chant Hare Krṣṇa maha-mantra without any disturbance..." It appears the same thing, karma and bhakti, but bhakti is always in relation with Krṣṇa and karma is always in relation with sense gratification. Therefore, the things, the ingredients is originally spiritual because it is Krṣṇa's energy. But ahaṁ mameti [SB 5.5.8], when we try to impose our proprietorship, that is materialism. Materialism means forgetfulness of Krṣṇa. Otherwise, there is no materialism; everything is spiritual. Hm. Then?

Pradyumna: "Krṣṇa is our most intimate master, friend, father or son, and object of conjugal love. Forgetting Krṣṇa, we have created so many objects of questions and answers, but none of them are able to give us complete satisfaction. All things but Krṣṇa give temporary satisfaction only, so if we are to have complete satisfaction we must take to the questions and answers about Krṣṇa. We cannot live for a moment without being questioned or without give answers. Because the Srimad-Bhagavatam deals with questions and answers that are related to Krṣṇa, we can derive the highest satisfaction only by reading and hearing this transcendental literature. One should learn the Srimad-Bhagavatam and make an all-around solution to all problems pertaining to social, political or religious matters. Srimad-Bhagavatam and Krṣṇa are the sum total of all things."

Prabhupada: Now let us discuss, question and answer, "How political situation can be improved by Krṣṇa consciousness?" Can anyone answer? Who will answer this question? Yes?

Pradyumna: If the head of the country, the commander-in-chief of the army, and the school books, and the person who dispenses justice are all devotees, they can clearly make a plan or arrangement of government so that people are informed what their real welfare is.

Prabhupada: Hmm?

Pradyumna: So that people are informed what their real welfare is. What the real goal...

Prabhupada: What is that real welfare?

Pradyumna: ...in relationship to and to see that everything in the country is used in Krṣṇa's service. If the government does that, then it becomes a Krṣṇa conscious government.

Prabhupada: So, is it all right?

Revati-nandana: Also, if the leaders become Krṣṇa conscious, then they can stop the institutions of vice, which prevent the people from understanding God, and they can shut down the slaughterhouses. [break] ...more Krṣṇa conscious.

Pradyumna: With a future of Krṣṇa consciousness there wouldn't be any more political maneuvering, because the leaders would be willing to accept advice from the learned sages and brahmaṇas and devotees. There wouldn't be any politics, and there would be understanding from the scriptures.

Prabhupada: This is social improvement, ah, political improvement. What is the social improvement?

Revati-nandana: The social improvement would be that when the people become Krṣṇa conscious under good leadership, then they would be satisfied. Then they would simplify the lives of the people, everyone would become happy, and...

Prabhupada: The basic principle is that yenatma suprasidati. Social... Yat krtaḥ; krṣṇa-samprasno yenatma suprasidati. Every householder... Everyone is dissatisfied. There is no peaceful atmosphere between the husband and the wife, the son and the father. We remain, of course, together. But everyone is of different opinion. In your country it is very practically experienced. Nobody agrees with nobody. Everyone has got his own opinions. So if Krṣṇa's center... Even in Krṣṇa's center, we are having different opinions, because we are accustomed to live like that. But actually, if we are serious about serving Krṣṇa, then there cannot be two opinions. One opinion, how to serve Krṣṇa.

So in family life, if we introduce this arca-vigraha-seva... Every family can keep Radha-Krṣṇa vigraha, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's photo vigraha, and as we are, whatever we are doing, center is Krṣṇa, similarly, everyone can do that. That will solve all social problems. Social problems, philosophical problems, economic problems. Economic problems, practically, there is no economic problem... Just like in London they are throwing away tons of tomato into the sea. That is our creation. God has given sufficient to eat. But because there is strike, we have created a problem. So if one is Krṣṇa conscious, what will be strike? Strike means they want money, more money, more money. There is no end. When I first came to America in New York, there was strike of the transport men. All transport stopped. The subway, the bus, everything. People became so much in difficulty. So without being Krṣṇa conscious, there is no end of sense gratification. Nobody knows, but Krṣṇa conscious persons, they are satisfied. The... Even still in India, you'll find this satisfaction by Krṣṇa consciousness. A poor man, practically very meager income, but he's satisfied. He's satisfied in this way: he thinks, "Krṣṇa has given me this much. I must be satisfied. Krṣṇa has given me this much; why shall I...?" And that is also recommendation of the sastras, that tasyaiva hetoḥ; prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatam upary adhaḥ; [SB 1.5.18]. We should not waste our time for improving our economic position. That is already settled up.

So whatever Krṣṇa will do, that is all right. Let me utilize my valuable time of this human form of life in chanting Hare Krṣṇa. People will not agree to this. But actually, if anyone wants peace of the mind, yenatma suprasidati, then this process should be adopted. This is practical also. There are many saintly persons. They do not try where to go, where to take money, or where to eat. They're busy in Krṣṇa consciousness. "If Krṣṇa sends some food, I shall eat. Otherwise, it doesn't matter. I shall starve." They have got that determination, strict. They do not go anywhere, but Krṣṇa sends him everything. Just like Bilvamaṅgala. He was not going anywhere. He was living in Vrndavana. Krṣṇa personally was coming to give him some milk. He became blind; he could not see. So Krṣṇa would come just like a boy. "Bilvamaṅgala, I think you are hungry. Will you take some milk?" Oh, he was very glad. "All right, You give me a little milk." Next day He will come. Then he would ask, "Who is this boy, I cannot see. He comes and gives me milk daily." Yoga-kṣemaṁ vahamy aham [Bg. 9.22]. In the Bhagavad-gita it is said that "Unto the devotee who is completely dependent upon Me, I carry personally whatever he needs." Eko bahunaṁ yo vidadhati kaman. That one person is supplying all the necessities of all the living entities. That is God. God is not beggar. God fulfills everyone's necessities, practically. That is... People are unhappy by so-called economic development. Everyone is competing. They have no satisfaction. Without God, godless civilization has created unnecessary competition. But if people become God conscious, he'll be satisfied. Yenatma suprasidati. The very basic principle of devotional service will make one happy. Then?

All right, have kirtana. [break] (sings:) ...yenatma suprasidati. So the outsiders, they do not come in morning? No. Eh? (kirtana) (end)

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