Prabhupāda: Yes. Spiritual well-being, that is our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, that if the society becomes Kṛṣṇa conscious, or spiritually advanced, the so-called material advancement will automatically be there. There will be no scarcity. For example, take for practical example, we have got about one hundred centers. So we are simply engaged in Kṛṣṇa consciousness business. So, so far our material necessities are concerned, we are not badly situated. We are living in a nice house, we are eating nice foodstuff, we have got nice dress, and the devotees look very nice, bright-faced. What is the wrong there? What is the wrong there?
But they are not busy for earning money or going to the office or going to the factory or so many other sources of business. They are depending on Kṛṣṇa, and Kṛṣṇa is supplying them. Kṛṣṇa says, yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham, teṣāṁ nityābhiyuktānāṁ [Bg. 9.22] = “If anyone is completely engaged in spiritual advancement of life then,” yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham, “I take charge of yoga-kṣemam.” Yoga-kṣemam means what is not in possession, to supply that thing. And kṣema means what is already possessed, to protect, or for welfare activities.
So just like if a child is completely dependent on the father, parents, the parents has the sense that, “My child requires at this time this thing.” They already there, already. He has got to bother. The child does not know to ask from the parents, but the things are there. Similarly, Kṛṣṇa, He is supplying everything, everyone. Eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān [Kaṭha Upaniṣad 2.2.13]. Actually Kṛṣṇa is supplying everything, whatever you have got. You are eating… Whatever you are eating you cannot manufacture in the factory. It is supplied by Kṛṣṇa. Eko bahūnāṁ yo vidadhāti kāmān. Everything is being supplied. What to speak of animal…, human life? In the animal life the necessities are the eating, sleeping, mating and defending—everything is there.
Eating—there is enough fruit in the tree. The birds very nicely jumping over from one tree to another, eatings. Sleeping—they have got a nest; at night, without any disturbance, they sleep. Mating—with the birth they are two eggs, one male and one female. Sex life is there. And defending—they know. The bird, if you attack, they immediately go up. He knows how to defend. The…, you see in the [indistinct] Park, the swans, as soon as we are passing, immediately jump over the water. They know how to defend. In this morning a small mouse, he has gone up to collect a sweetmeat.
So these intelligence are there even in the lowest animal, even in the ant. So advancement of civilization… How to make this body comfortable, that is not advancement of civilization. That kind of civilization is there even in the cats and dogs. They know. Nobody has to go to university to learn how to eat, how to sleep, how to have sex life, how to defend. Nobody hasn’t got to. It doesn’t require education. It is already there, everyone. If you attack me, I shall immediately defend with my hand. You see? Natural. So ekāntataḥ śreyas means don’t spoil this human form of life only for satisfying the animal propensities. You try to advance in spiritual consciousness. That is ekāntataḥ śreyas.
Lecture: Srimad-Bhagavatam
Feb. 20, 1973, Auckland
Reflections- From Prabhupada’s Lecture SB Feb. 20, 1973, Auckland
1. Complete Dependence on Krishna
- Srila Prabhupada emphasizes that those who are fully engaged in Krishna’s service are cared for by Him. The devotees in the ISKCON centers, despite not pursuing conventional means of livelihood, are well-provided for. This illustrates the principle from Bhagavad-gita 9.22: “yoga-kṣemaṁ vahāmy aham”—Krishna provides for what His devotees need and protects what they have.
- Reflection: Preachers and leaders should develop this mood of total reliance on Krishna, encouraging members to engage sincerely in devotional service with the faith that Krishna will provide for all necessities.
2. Spiritual Advancement as the Foundation of Material Well-being
- Srila Prabhupada mentions that when society becomes spiritually conscious, material needs are automatically met. This aligns with the principle that spiritual advancement brings harmony and fulfillment, reducing the artificial needs imposed by material desires.
- Reflection: Preaching should aim to transform society spiritually, as this holistic approach addresses material problems by cultivating spiritual solutions, thereby aligning with Srila Prabhupada’s vision of spiritual communism, as expressed in the Srimad-Bhagavatam preface.
3. Prabhupada’s Acharya Role
- As an acharya, Srila Prabhupada not only preached the philosophy but also demonstrated its application. His ability to manage over 100 centers, with devotees solely engaged in Krishna consciousness, exemplifies how spiritual empowerment leads to successful material arrangements.
- Reflection: Learning from his example, leaders can focus on spiritual training and character development in devotees, trusting that strong spiritual practice will lead to effective management and success in practical affairs.
4. Krishna’s Role as a Provider
- Prabhupada compares Krishna’s care to that of a parent who naturally provides for the child without the child needing to ask. This analogy helps cultivate a deep sense of trust in Krishna’s provision.
- Reflection: Teaching devotees to develop child-like faith in Krishna’s care can help alleviate anxiety related to material concerns, allowing them to focus on devotional service with a peaceful mind.
5. Kṛṣṇa Consciousness as True Civilization
- Srila Prabhupada contrasts spiritual civilization with one focused solely on material comforts. He points out that the essentials—eating, sleeping, mating, and defending—are managed even by animals. A true civilization aims at spiritual advancement, which transcends mere animal propensities.
- Reflection: Preaching should clearly communicate that the goal of Krishna consciousness is not just a better material life but true spiritual fulfillment that surpasses material civilization.
6. Preaching in the Mode of Compassion
- By emphasizing spiritual consciousness as the solution to material scarcity and suffering, Prabhupada teaches compassion in action. His mission was not just philosophical but aimed at uplifting human society from suffering through spiritual education and practice.
- Reflection: Effective preaching must be compassionate and geared towards offering practical spiritual solutions to the problems faced by society, resonating with the needs of the people and guiding them toward ultimate spiritual goals.
7. Faith in Krishna as the Source of All Resources
- The example of ISKCON centers thriving without dependence on material enterprises serves as a powerful testimony to the efficacy of faith and devotion in Krishna. Krishna is the ultimate provider, as everything comes from Him (Bhagavad-gita 10.8: “aham sarvasya prabhavo”).
- Reflection: This point can inspire devotees to increase their faith in Krishna and reduce anxiety about material sustenance, enabling them to focus more on sincere devotional practice and outreach.
