TRANSCENDENTAL

TeachingsOf

PrahldMahrj

HISDIVINEGRACE
A.C.BhaktivedantaSwamiPrabhupada
FounderAcharyaoftheInternationalSocietyforKrishnaConsciousness

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TRANSCENDENTALTEACHINGS
ofPrahldMahrj
HISDIVINEGRACE
A.C.BHAKTIVEDANTASWAMIPRABHUPADA
FoundercryaoftheInternationalSocietyforKrishna
Consciousness.
1.TheDearmostPerson
TodayIshallspeakbeforeyouofthehistoryofaboydevotee.His
nameisPrahldMahrj,andhewasborninafamilywhichwas
stubbornlyatheistic.Therearetwokindsofmeninthisworldoneiscalled
thedemon,andtheotheriscalledthedemigod.Whatisthedifference
betweenthem?Themaindifferenceisthatthedemigodsorgodlypersons
aredevotedtotheSupremeLord,whereasthedemonsareatheistic.They
donotbelieveinGodbecausetheyarematerialists.Thesetwoclassesof
menalwaysexistinthisworld.Atthepresentmoment,duetothisageof
Kali(Quarrel),thenumberofdemonshasincreased,buttheclassification
hasexistedsincethebeginningofcreation.ThisincidentwhichIam

narratingtoyouoccurredvery,verylongago,afewmillionyearsafterthe
timeofcreation.
ThisboyPrahldMahrjhappenedtobethesonofthemost
atheisticpersonandthemostmateriallypowerfulaswellsoyouwillbe
interestedtorearthishistory.Becausethesocietywasmaterialistic,this
boyhadnoopportunitytoglorifytheSupremeLord.Thecharacteristicofa
greatsoulisthatheisveryeagertobroadcastglorificationoftheSupreme
Lord.LordJesusChristforexample,wasverymucheagertobroadcast
theglorificationofGod,butdemoniacpeoplemisunderstoodhimand
crucifiedhim.
PrahldMahrjwasafiveyearoldboy,and,whenhewasin
school,assoonastherewasarecreationperiod,whentheteacherwas
off,hewouldsaytohisfriends,"Mydearfriends,comeon.Weshall
speakaboutKaconsciousness."Iamjustopeninga

2TranscendentalTeachings
scene.ThisisSrmadBhgavatam,SeventhCanto,SixthChapter.The
devoteePrahladissaying,"Mydearboys,mydearfriends,thisisthe
time,inthisyoungage,toprosecuteKaconsciousness."Beforethat,
hehadhelddiscussionswithhislittlefriends,buttheysaid,"Oh,weshall
nowplay.WhytakeupKaconsciousness?"Inanswertothis,Prahld
Mahrjisstating,"Ifyouareintelligent,thenyoumustbeginKa
consciousnessfromchildhood!"
SrmadBhgavatamoffersbhgavatadharma,orscientific
knowledgeaboutGod.BhgavatammeanstheSupremePersonalityof
Godhead,anddharmameanstheregulativeprinciplesofunderstanding
Kaconsciousness.Thishumanformoflifeisveryrare.Itisagreat
opportunity.Therefore,Prahldsays,"Mydearfriends,youarebornas
civilizedhumanbeings,sothisisthegreatestopportunity."
Althoughitistemporary,donotknowwhatisthelengthofmy
lifeitiscalculatedthatinthisagethehumanbodyismeanttoexistnot
morethanahundredyears.ButastheageofKaliadvances,durationof
life,memory,mercy,religiousnessandallothersuchassetsdecrease.
Althoughitistemporary,youcanachievethehighestperfectionoflife
whileinthishumanform.Whyisthissoimportant?Thisisthe
opportunityyoucanunderstandtheSupremeLord,theallpervadingLord.
Forotherlifeformsthisisnotpossible,Bythegradualevolutionary
processwecometothisplane,sothisistheopportunity,thishumanform
oflife.Bynature'slaw,ahumanbodyisultimatelygiventoyousothatyou
canpromoteyourselftothespirituallifeandgobackhome,backto
Godhead.
TheultimategoaloflifeisViu.Inanotherverse,Prahld
Mahrjwillsay:"Peoplewhoareinthismaterialworldenamoredbythe
materialenergy,donotknowwhatthegoalofhumanlifeis."Why?They
havebeenenchantedbytheglaringexternalenergy.Theyhaveforgotten
thattheyarespiritualenergy.Thisisexplainedlateron,butherehesays,
"Thislifeisanopportunitytounderstandtheultimategoalofperfection,
Viu."WhyshouldwebeveryanxioustoknowViu,orGod?Prahld
Mahrjgivesareason:"Viuisthedearmostperson.Thatwehave
forgotten."Weallseekforsomedearfriendeveryonesearchesinthisway.
Amansearchesfordearfriendshipinwoman,andwomansearches.for
dearfriendshipinman.Orelseamansearchesinman,andwoman

PrahldMahrj3
searchesinwoman.Everyonesearchesaftersomedearfriend,some
sweetfriend.Why?Wewantthecooperationofadearfriendwhowillhelp
us.Thisispartofthestruggleforexistence,andthisisnatural.Butwedo
notknowthatourmostdearfriendisViu,theSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.Wearesearchingaftersomedearfriend,butwedonotknow
whothisdearfriendcanbe.
ThosewhohavereadBhagavadgtwillfindthisniceverseinthe
FifthChapter:"IfyoumakefriendshipwithKa,theSupremeLord,then
youcanunderstandperfectlythateverythingthatexistsinthisworldor
otherworldsisallthepropertyofKa.Heistheproprietorandenjoyerof
everything."Whyareyouperformingausterity?Whyareyouperforming
religiousrituals?Whyareyougivingincharity?Whydoyouengagein
righteousactivities?Whateverformulasyouhavemanufacturedaremeant
forpleasingtheSupremeLord,andnothingmore.Byyouractions,byyour
righteousactivities,whentheSupremeLordispleased,youwillgetthe
result.Ifbyyouractionsyouwanttogaineithermaterialhappinessor
spiritualhappiness,ifyouwanttoliveonthisplanetoronotherplanets,if
youwanttobeahumanbeingoryouwanttobeatiger,catordog,
whateveryoulikeyouwillget.ThereforeHeisthemostsincerefriend.
WhateveryouwantfromHim,youcanget.Buttheintelligentmandoes
notwantanythingthatismateriallycontaminated.
InBhagavadgtyouwillfindthatKasaysthatonecanelevate
oneselftothehighestplanet,whichisknownasBrahmaloka,wherethe
durationoflifeismillionsandmillionsofyears.Youcannotfigurethe
durationoflifethere:yourarithmeticwillbeineffective.Thestatementin
BhagvadgtisthatBrahma'slifeissolongthat4,200,000yearsmake
onedaytohim.Kasays,"Whateverpositionyouwant,beginningfrom
theantrightuptoBrahma,youcanhave.Buttherepetitionofbirthand
deathwillbethere.However,if,somehoworother,bydischargingKa
consciousnessindevotionalservice,youcometoMe,thenyoudon'thave
tocomebackagaintothismiserablematerialcondition."
PrahldMahrjsaidthesamething:Wearesearchingforthe
mostdearfriend,Ka,theSupremeLord.WhyisHethemostdear
friend?BynatureHeisdear.Whatisthedearmostthingwithinyourself?
Haveyouanalyzed?Youareyourselfthedearmost

4TranscendentalTeachings
thing.Iamsittinghere,butifthereisafirealarmIshallatoncetakecare
ofmyself:"HowcanIsavemyself?"Weforgetourfriendsandevenour
children:"Letmefirstofallsavemyself."Selfpreservationisthefirstlawof
nature.
tm,self,inthegrossestsensereferstothebody.Inthesubtler
spherethemindistm,andintherealsensetmmeansthesoul.In
thegrossstageweareveryfondofprotectingthebody,andinasubtler
stageweareveryfondofprotectingthemind.Butabovethismental,
intellectualplane,wheretheatmosphereisspiritualized,wecan
understand:"Iamnotthismindandnotthisbody.Ahambrahmsmiam
apartandparceloftheSupremeLord."Thatistheplatformofreal
understanding.
PrahdMahrjsaysthatofalllivingentities,Viuisthe
supremewellwisher.ThereforeweareallsearchingforHim.Whenachild
cries,whatdoeshelongfor?Helongsforthemother.Buthehasno
languagetoexpressthis.Bynature,hehashisbody,bornofthemother's
body,sothereisanintimaterelationwiththemother'sbody.Thechild
won'tlikeanyotherwoman.Thechildcries,butwhenthewomanwhois
thechild'smothercomesandpickshimup,atonceheispacified.Hehas
nolanguagetoexpressallthis,buttherealdemandisthere.Similarly,we
aretryingtoprotectthebody.Thisisselfpreservation.Itisanaturallawof
thelivingentity,justaseatingisanaturallawandsleepingisanatural
law.Idefendthebodybecausewithinthebodythereissoul.
Whatisthissoul?ThesoulisapartandparceloftheSupreme
Lord.Aswewanttoprotectthehandorthefingerbecauseitisapartof
thewholebody,similarlywetrytosaveourselvesbecausethisisthe
defendingprocessoftheSupreme.TheSupremedoesnotneeddefense,
butthisisamanifestationofourlovetowardsHim,whichisnowperverted.
Thefingerandthehandaremeanttoactintheinterestsofthewhole
bodyassoonasIwantthehandtocomehere,itcomes,andassoonas
Iwantthefingertoplayonthedrum,itplays.Thisisthenaturalposition.
Similarly,wearesearchingforGod,todovetailourenergyforthe
Supreme,but,underthespellofillusoryenergy,wedonotknowit.Thatis
ourmistake.Now,hereisanopportunity,inhumanlife.Youhavecometo
understandaboutKaconsciousness,aboutyourrealgoaloflife,
becauseyouarehumanbeings.Icannotinvitecats

PrahldMahrj5
anddogsandhumanbeings.Ahumanbeingcanunderstandthe
necessityoflife.Ifhelosestheopportunity,itisagreatcatastrophe.
PrahldMahrjsaid,"Godisthedearmostpersonalityofall.We
havetosearchforGod."Thenwhataboutthematerialnecessitiesoflife?
PrahldMahrjrepliestothis,"Youareaftersensegratification.Iknow
that.Sensegratificationisautomaticallyachievedbycontactwiththis
body."Becauseahoghasacertaintypeofbody,hissensegratification
comesfromeatingstool,theverythingwhichismostobnoxioustoyou.At
once,afterevacuating,youleavetogetfreefromthebadsmellbutthehog
iswaiting.Assoonasyouevacuate,hewillatonceenjoy.Otheranimals
arenotattractedbecauseone'sformofpleasureseekingisduetohis
particularbody.Therearedifferenttypesofsensegratificationaccordingto
differenttypesofbodies.Therefore,Prahldsays,"Mydearfriends,sense
gratificationisachievedaccordingtoone'sparticulartypeofbody."
Everyonewhohasamaterialbodyreceivessensegratification.Don'tthink
thatthehogseatingstoolsareunhappy.No,theyaregettingfatinthat
way.Theyareveryhappy.
Now,ifahogcanachievesensegratification,whynotahuman
being?Butthatisnotourachievement.Thatisgivenbynaturethe
facilitiesofahog'sbodyareofferedbynature,andthefacilitiesofadog's
bodyarealsoofferedbynature,orGod.Whyshouldyoulaborforfacilities
whichyouaredestinedtoreceiveanyway,bynature'slaw?Ineveryformof
lifethebodilydemandsaresatisfiedbythearrangementofnature.This
gratificationisarranged,justasthereisanarrangementfordistress.Do
youlikefever?No.Whydoesitcome?Idonotknow.Butitdoescome,
doesitnot?Yes.Didyoutryforit?No.Sohowdoesitcome?"Bynature.
Thatistheonlyanswer.Similarly,ifmiseriescomebynature,your
happinesswillalsocomebynature.Don'tbotheraboutit.Thatisthe
instructionofPrahldMahrj.Ifyoucanreceivethemiseriesoflife
withouteffort,similarly,youcanhaveyourhappinessalsowithouteffort.
Then,whatistherealpurposeofthishumanformoflife?Youhave
tocultivateKaconsciousness.Otherthingswillbeobtainedbynature's
law,orGod'slaw.EvenifIdon'ttry,whateverIamtoachievebecauseof
mypastworkandmyparticulartypeofbody

6TranscendentalTeachings
willbesupplied.Atanystageorinanyformoflife,facilityisgivenfor
sensegratification.Asyoudonottryformisery,soalsohappinesswill
takeplacewithoutyourcontrol.Yourrealconcern,therefore,shouldbeto
seekoutthehighergoalofhumanlife.

PRAHLADMAHARAJwasaboydevoteeabornsage,who,atonly
fiveyearsofage,usedtospeaktohisschoolfriendsthus:
"Mydearfriends,nowisthetimetoprosecuteKrishna
Consciousness,whilewearestillyoung(oratleastyoungatheart)unless
westartimmediatelywe'llnevergetoutofthesufferingsofthematerial
entanglement.........Sopleaseatoncetakeupthechantingof

HAREKRISHNAHAREKRISHNAKRISHNA
KRISHNAHAREHARE
HARERAMAHARERAMARAMARAMA
HAREHARE.

2."WeAreSpoilingOurLives!"
PrahldMahrjinstructshisyoungfriends:"Mydearfriends,
materialenjoymentinvolvesagitatingthesenses.Youhavethismaterial
senseenjoyment,mydearfriends,andyouronlythoughtishowtoenjoy
thesesenses.That'sall."Inpossessionofaparticularbody,wehave
particularsenses,andweenjoy.Forexample,acamelenjoysthorny
twigs.Why?Camelsareveryfondofthornytwigsbecausewhenthey
chewthetwigs,bloodcomesoutofthetongue,andtheytastetheirown
blood.Thecamelthinksthisisverynice.Heeatsthornytwigs,thetwigs
cuthistongue,andbloodoozesout.Hetasteshisownblood,buthe
thinks,"Iamenjoying."Thisissensegratification.Sexlifeisalsolikethat.
Wetasteourownblood,andwethinkweareenjoying.Thisisour
foolishness.
Thelivingentitywhohascontactedthismaterialbodyisaspiritual
being,butbecausehehasatendencytoenjoy,toexploitthismaterial
energy,hehascontactedabody.Thereare8,400,000speciesofliving
entities,eachwithadifferentbody,andaccordingtothebody,theyhave
particularsensesinordertoenjoyaparticulartypeofpleasure.Prahld
Mahrjsaysthatthisbodyanditsparticulartypeofenjoymentgo
together.Supposeyouaregiventhornygrassortwigs:"Ladiesand
gentlemen,hereisverynicefood.Itiscertifiedbythecamels.Itisvery
good:"Wouldyouliketotakeit?"No!Whatnonsenseareyouoffering
me?Becauseyouhaveadifferentbody,youhavenotasteforthat.Butif
youofferittoacamel,becauseofhisparticularbody,itisaverynice
meal.
Oneman'sfoodisanotherman'spoison.Ifoneisoffered
somethingwhichisnothisfood,hecannottakeit.Thestooleatinghog
willnotacceptnicefoodstuffssuchascake.Givehimstool,anditwillbe
verynice.Butifyouareofferedthestool,becauseyouhaveadifferent
bodyyouwillsay,"Whatareyouoffering?"
Therearedifferentkindsofmaterialenjoyment,butthosewhoare
actuallyintelligentknowthatsuchenjoymentisduetothebody.Actual
happiness,however,isthatwhichisnotenjoyedbymaterialsensesbut
bythespiritualsenses.Becausewearespirit,wehavespiritualsenses.
Nowthesearecoveredbymatter,andthereforeweareentrapped.
Therefore,youshouldnotendeavortoachievematerialhappiness.Itwill
come.Theloweranimalshavenobusinessprofession,butstilltheyeat
andlive.SoPrahldMahrjsays,"Youneednotendeavorformaterial
pleasure.Thatwillcome.

8TranscendentalTeachings
Becauseyouhaveabody,itispredestinedthatbodilyenjoyment?as
youarefittoenjoyitwillcome.Ifmiserycomeswithoutourcallingforit,
sohappinesswillcomewithoutourcallingforit."
Therefore,weshouldnotbeveryanxioustoaggravateoursenses
toincreasematerialhappinessInanycivilization,thosewhohaveno
spiritualhappinessalwayshankeraftersenseenjoyment.Prahld:
Mahrjsays,"Yourlifeislimited.Althoughitisveryvaluable,it,isalso
verylimited.AndourdutyistodovetailourselvesinsomewayinKa
consciousnessandtoactaccordingly.Youshouldnottrytoincreaseyour
materialsenseenjoyment.Youcannotincreaseit.Therearesomany
differentkindsofbodies,andtheyareguidedbynature'slaw:youhaveto
eatlikethis,youhavetolivelikethis,youhaveto.sleeplikethis.Ithas
alreadybeenarranged."
Ourhigherintelligencecomeswiththishumanbody.Becausewe
havehigherconsciousness,weshouldtryforthehigherenjoymentinlife,
whichisspiritualenjoyment.Andhowcanthatspiritualenjoymentbe
achieved?You,shouldnotwasteyourtimesimplyhankeringformaterial
pleasure.Then,whatistobedone?Oneshouldabsorbhimselfinserving
theSupremeLord,whogivesthepleasureofliberation:Weshouldturnour
attentiontoachievingthelotusfeetofKa,whocangiveusliberation
fromthismaterialworld.
Howlongdowehavetoengageourselves?PrahldMahrjsays,
"Wearenowin"material.entanglement.NowIhavethisbody,Iwillquitthis
bodyafterafewyears,andthenIwillhavetoacceptanotherbody..Once
youtakeuponebodyandenjoyasyourbody'ssensesdictate,you
prepareanotherbodybysuchsenseenjoymentandyougetanotherbody
asyouwantit."Thereisnoguaranteethatyouwillgetahumanbody.
Thatwilldependonyourwork.Ityouworkedjustlikeademigod,yougeta
demigod'sbody.Andifyouworkedjustlikeadog,thenyougetadog's
body.Thisisnotinyourhandsitisinthehandofnature.Ourdutyisnot
tospeculateonwhatwearegoingtogetnext.Atthepresentmoment,let
us,understandthatwehavethismaterialbody.Now,ifwewanttodevelop
ourspiritualconsciousnessorKaconsciousness,thenweshouldat
onceengageourselvesinthisKaactivity.Thatisauspiciousforfurther
progress.

PrahldMahrj9
Howlongshouldyoudoit?Aslongasthisbodydoesnotstop
working.Wedonotknowwhenitwillstopfunctioning.Thegreatsaint
ParkitMahrjgotsevendaysnotice:"Yourbodywillfallinaweek.But
wedonotknowwhenourbodywillfaii.Assoonasweareontheroad,
theremayimmediatelybesomeaccident.Weshouldalwaysbeprepared.
Deathisalwaysthere.Weshouldnotoptimisticallythink,"Everyoneis
dying,Ishalllive."Whywillyouliveifeveryoneisdying?Yourfatherhas
died,yourmotherhasdied,yoursister,yourotherrelativeswhyshould
youlive?Youwillalsodie.Andyourchildrenwillalsodie.Therefore,before
deathcomes,aslongaswehavethishumanintelligence,letusengagein
Kaconsciousness.ThisistheprescriptionofPrahldMahrj.
Thismaterialbodyiscalledpuruam.Everyoneisanxiousto
enjoy.Puruameanstoenjoy,ortheenjoyer.Thereisnooneinthis
materialworldwhodoesnotliketoenjoysensegratification.Therefore,the
bodymaybewhatitiseithermaleorfemalebutthedesire,the
ambition,istoenjoymateriallife.Sothebodyiscalledpurum.
Wedonotknowwhenthisbodywillstop,butletusimmediately
engageinKaconsciousnessandactaccordingly."ButifIimmediately
engagemyselfinKaconsciousness,whataboutmyliving?"Thatis
arrangedfor.Iamveryhappytoinformyouoftheconfidenceofastudent
inoneofourbranches.Therewasadisagreement.Onestudentsaid,"You
arenotlookingafterhowtomaintaintheestablishment,"andhereplied,
"Oh,Kawillsupply."ThisisaveryniceconvictionIwasgladtohearit.
Ifcatsanddogsandhogscangetfood,andifwearegoingtobeKa
consciousandfullydevoteourservicetoKa,willHenotarraforour
foodalso?IsKaungracious?No.
InBhagavadgtyouwillfindthattheLordsays,"MydearArjuna,
Iamequaltoeveryone.NooneistheobjectofMyenvy,andnooneisMy
specialfriend,butforonewhoengagesinKaconsciousness,Ihave
specialattention."Ifasmallchildiscompletelydependentonthemercyof
hisparents,theparentshavespecialattentionforthatchild.Although'the
parentsareequallygoodtoallthechildren,forthesmallchildrenwhoare.
alwayscrying,"Mother!"theyhavegreatconcern."Yes,mydearchild?
Yes?"Thisisnatural.

10TranscendentalTeachings
IfyouarecompletelydependentonKa,whoissupplyingfood
tothedogs,birds,beesto8,400,000speciesoflifewhyshouldHenot
supplytoyou?Thisconvictioniscalledsurrender.Butweshouldnotthink,
"BecauseKaissupplyingrnyfood,Ishallnowsleep."No,youhaveto
work,butwithoutfear.OneshouldengagehimselfinKa
consciousness.
Nowcalculateourdurationoflife.Inthisageitiscalculatedthat
wecanliveatmosttoahundredyears.Formerly,ahumanbeingusedto
liveupto100,000years.IntheSatyaYuga,orageofGoodness,they
usedtolive100,000years.Inthenextage,TretYuga,theyusedtolive
for10,000years,andinthenext.calledDvparaYuga,theyusedtolive
for1,000years.Now,inthisage,calledKaliYuga,theestimationisfor
100years.ButgraduallyastheKaliYugaprogresses,ourdurationoflife
decreasesstillfurther.Anyonecanunderstandthis.Suppose'my
grandfatherlived100years,andmysonisgoingtoliveforfiftyyears,and
hissonisgoingtoliveforthirtyyears.Thisistheprogressofourmodern
civilization.Weareveryproudthatwearehappyandareimprovingour
civilization.Theresult,however,isthat'Wetryto'enjoymateriallife,but
thedurationofourlifeisshortened.Thisiscalledmy,illusion.
Now,acceptingthatwelivefor100years,thedurationoflifeis
reducedforthosewhohavenoinformationofspirituallife,whohavenot
conqueredsenseenjoyment,orwhoareunabletocontrol.themind.The
lifetimeofthosewhoaretoomuchaddictedtosensegratification,
accordingtothiscalculation,isattheatmostfiftyyears.Evenifonehas
fiftyyears,ifhehasnoinformationofspirituallifehisnightiswastedin
sleepingandsexlife.That'sall.Hehasnootherinterest:Andinthe
daytime,whatishisconcern?''Whereismoney?Whereismoney?Imust
maintainthisbody."Aridwhenhehasmoney:"Nowletmespendformy
wifeandchildren.''Thenwhereishisspiritualrealization?Atnighthe
spendshistimeinthisway,andbydayhespendstimeinthatway.Is
thathismissioninlife?Howhorriblesuchalifeis.
Theaveragepersonisillusionedinchildhoodplayingfootballand
sporting.Uptotwentyyears,easily,youcangoonlikethat.Thenwhen
youbecomeold,foranothertwentyyearsyoucannotdoanything.Whena
manbecomesold,hissensescannotfunction.

PrahldMahrj11
Youhaveseenmanyoldmentheyhavenothingtodobutrest.Justnow
wehavereceivedaletterfromoneofourstudentsthathisgrandmotheris
paralyzedandhasbeensufferingforthelastthreeandahalfyears.So,in
oldage,everythingisfinishedassoonasyouaresixtyyearsold.
Therefore,fromthebeginningtotwentyyearsofage,everythingisspoiled
andevenityouliveforahundredyears,anothertwentyinthelaststageof
lifeisalsospoiled.Sofortyyearsofyourlifearespoiledinthatway.And
inthemiddleagethereisaverystrongsexappetite,soanothertwenty
yearscanbelost.Twentyyears,twentyyears,andtwentyyearssixty
yearsgone.Howlongareyougoingtolive?
ThisistheanalysisoflifebyPrahldMahrj.Wearespoilingour
lifeinsteadofusingit.

3.FamilyIllusion
PrahldMahrjtoldhisfriends."YouhavetobeginKa
consciousnessimmediately."Alltheboyswerebornofatheistic,
materialisticfamilies,butfortunatelyPrahldwasagreatdevoteeofthe
Lordfromhisbirth.Wheneverhe'foundanopportunity,whentheteacher
wasoutoftheroom,heusedtospeak:"Mydearfriends,thisisthetime.
ThisisthetimetobeginKaconsciousness."
Now,aswehavestated,someonemighthavesaid,"Butweare
justboys.Letusplay.Wearenotgoingtodieimmediately.Letushave
someenjoyment,andthenweshallbeginKaconsciousness."People
donotknowthatKaconsciousnessisthehighestenjoyment.They
thinkthatthe.boyswhohavejoinedthisKaconsciousnessmovement
arefoolish."Theyhavelefteverything,andbyPrabhupada'sinfluencethey
havejoined."Butactuallythisisnotso.Theyareallintelligent,educated
boys,comingfromveryrespectablefamiliestheyarenotfools.Theyare
actuallyenjoyinglife,otherwisetheywouldnothavesparedtheirvaluable
timeforthismovement.
Actuallythereisjoyfullife,butpeopledonotknow.Theysay,
"WhatisthisKaconsciousness?"Whenonegrowsintothesense
gratificationprocess,itisverydifficulttogetoutofit.Therefore,according
toVedicregulations,instudentlife,beginningfromfiveyearsofage,boys
aretaughtaboutspirituallife.Thatiscalledbrahmacarya.Abrahmacris
onewhohasdedicatedhislifeforsupremeKaconsciousnessor
Brahmanconsciousness.Heiscalledabrahmacr.Heisalwayssituated
intheSupreme(Brahman).
Brahmacaryahassomanyrulesandregulations:accordingto
brahmacrregulations,howeverrichone'sfathermaybe,oneshouldbe
trainedbythebrahmacrsystem,undertheguidanceofaspiritual
master,andheshouldworkintheasramaofthespiritualmasterjustlikea
menialservant.Howisthis'possible?Wearegettingactualexperience
thatveryniceboyscomingfromveryrespectablefamiliesdonothesitate
todoanyworkhere.Theyarewashingdishes,cleansingfloorseverything.
Onestudent'smotherwasastonishedatherboywhenhevisitedhome.
Before,hewouldnotevengotothestore,andnowheisengaged
twentyfourhoursaday.Unlessonefeelspleasure,howisitpossiblethat
hecanengagehimselfinsuchaprocessasKaconsciousness?This
is

PrahldMahrj13
onlyduetoHareKa.ThisisoursingleassetHareKa.Onecanbe
veryjolly,simplybyKaconsciousness.Actuallythereisjoyfullife.But
unlessoneistrained,onecannotliveit.
PrahldMahrjsaysthateveryoneisattachedtofamilyaffection.
Ifoneisattachedtofamilyaffairs,hecannotcontrolshissenses.
Naturally,everyonewantstolove.Society,friendshipandloveareneeded.
Theyaredemandsofthespiritsoul,buttheyarebeingpervertedly
reflected.Generally,Ihaveseenthatmanyladiesandgentlemeninyour
countryhavenofamilylife,buttheyhaveplacedtheirloveincatsand
dogs.Becauseheorshewantstolovesomeonebutdoesnotseeanyone
suitabletohisdesire,hethereforepreferstoplacehisvaluableloveincats
anddogs.Ourconcernisjusttotransferthelovewhichhastobeplaced
somewheretoKa.ThisisKaconsciousness.Ifyoutransferthe
lovetoKa,thatisperfection.But,becausewedonotknowwhereto
placeourlove,beingfrustratedandcheated,weat:lastplaceourlovein
catsanddogs.Everyoneisentangledbythismaterial,pervertedlove.
Itisverydifficulttodevelopspirituallifewhenoneisadvancedin
materiallove.Itisverydifficultbecausethisbondag'eoflove.isvery
strong.Therefore,Prahld'sproposition.wasthatone.shouldlearnKa
consciousnessimmediatelyfrom:childhood.Whenaboyisfiveorsix
yearsold,heissenttoschooltobetrained:Whenheistooyoungit"is
notpossibleforhimtogotoschool,butassoonashisconsciousnessis
developed,heissentforeducation.PrahldMahrjsaysthatone's
educationshouldbeKaconscious:anditshouldbegin."immediately.
Whenoneisbetweentheagesoffivetofifteenyears,heisconsidereda
boy.Aftersixteenyearsonebecomesayoungman.Hegoesontoforty
years,andthenafterfortyyearsheiselderlythen,aftersixtyyears,heis
anoldman.PrahldMahrjsaysthatoneshouldbetaughtKa
consciousnessfromthebeginning,fromfivetofifteenyearsofage.Thisis
averyvaluabletimeyoucan.trainanyboyinKaconsciousness,and
hewillbeperfect.
Whenonebecomesalittlemoreadvancedinmaterialism,itis
difficulttodevelopspirituallife.Whatismaterialism?Materialismmean?
thateveryoneofusinthismaterialworld,althoughwearespiritsoul,
somehoworotherwantstoenjoythismaterialworld.

14TranscendentalTeachings
Donttrytofindoutwhenitbegan,butactuallythatisthesituation.This
worldismeantforenjoyment.Enjoymentisalreadypresentinourspirit
soul,butwehavecomeheretopartakeofcontaminatedenjoyment,just
likeamanwhoisontheBoweryandthinkshe'senjoying.Someanimals
enjoybyeatingstool.Accordingtothebody,wehavedifferentkindsof
enjoyment.Thebasicprincipleofenjoymentissexlife.Therefore,youwill
findsexlifenotonlyinhumansocietybutincatsociety,dogsociety,bird
societyeverywhere.Duringdaytime.apigeonhassexatleasttwenty
times.Thisishisenjoyment.Thebasicprincipleofmateriallifeissexlife.
SrmadBhgavatamsaysthatmaterialenjoymentisbaseduponnOthing
morethanthecombinationofmanandwomaninsexlife.Inthebeginning
aboythinks,"Oh,thatgirlisnice,"orthegirlsays."Thatboyisnice.''
Andwhentheymeet,thatmaterialcontaminationbecomesmore
prominent.Myheartisalreadyattachedtomaterialenjoyment,butas
soonasIactuallyenjoyit,itbecomesmoreattached,completely
attached.How?Assoonasaboyandgirlaremarried,theywantan
apartment.Then,tomaintainthatapartment,theyneedsomeincome.
Then,whenthereisincome,theywanttohavechildren.Thenwhenthey
havechildren.theywantsocialrecognitionsociety,friendshipandlove.
Thisgoesonincreasing.Everythingrequiresmoney:whereismoney?A
manwhoistoomaterialisticwillcheatanyone,killanyone,beg,borrowor
stealanythingtobringmoney.Heknowsthathisbuildings,hisfamily,his
wifeandchildrencannotcontinuetoexisthere.Theyarejustlikebubbles
intheocean:theyhavecomeintoexistence,andafteralittlewhilethey
willbegone.Butheistoomuchattached.Hewillsacrificehisspiritual
advancementinlifeforthis.HispervertedconsciousnessIamthisbody.
Ibelongtothismaterialworld.Ibelongtothiscountry.Ibelongtothis
community.Ibelongtothisreligion."becomesgreaterandgreater.
WhereishisKaconsciousness?Hebecomessoentangled
thatmoneybecomesmorevaluabletohimthanhisownlife.Hecanrisk
evenhisownlifeformoney.Everyoneistryingtogetmoney.Who?The
householder,thelabourer,themerchant,thethief,thedacoit,therogue.
Whatisthedistinction?Everyoneis

PrahldMahrj15
aftermoney.Thisiscalledillusion.Oneloseshimselfinthemidstofthis
entanglement.
PrahldMahrjsaysthatinthisstate,whenyouaretoomuch
implicatedinmaterialism,youcannotatoncebeginKaconsciousness.
Ofcourse,LordCaitanyaMahaprabhuissokindthatevenifyouhave
missedthechancetobecomeKaconsciousinyourchildhood,itis
betterlatethannever.Ifyoudounderstand,thenbeginimmediatelyin
whateverpositionyouare.Eventhoughyoumissedtheopportunityto
beginKaconsciousnessfromchildhood,beginnow.ThatisCaitanya
Mahprabhusteaching.Heneversaid,"Becauseyoudidnotbegin
Krishnaconsciousnessfromyourchildhood,youcannotmakeprogress."
No.Heisverykind.Hehasgivenusthisniceprocessofchanting:Hare
Ka,HareKa,KaKa,HareHare/HareRma,HareRma,
RmaRma,HareHare.Whetheryouareayoungmanoranoldmanna
matterwhatyouarejustbegin.Youdonotknowwhenyourlifewillbe
finished.Ifyoubeginsincerely,evenforamoment,itwillhavegreateffect.
Itwillsaveyoufromthegreatestdanger.
Althoughonlyfiveyearsold,PrahldMahrjspeaksjustlikea
veryexperiencedmanbecausehereceivedexperiencefromhisspiritual
master.Thatwillbedisclosedlater.Experienceshouldnotbederivedfrom
age,butfromknowledgereceivedfromasuperiorsource:Onecannot
becomeawisemansimplybyadvancementofage.No.Thatisnot
possible.Knowledgehastobereceivedfromasuperiorsource.Itdoesn't
matterwhetherheisafiveyearoldboyorafiftyyearoldman.InSanskrit
thisisphrased:"Onebecomesanoldmanwithoutage." Heisonlyfive
yearsoldhowcanhebecomeanoldman?Onebecomesoldby
advancementinknowledge.PrahldMahrjisspeakingjustlikeanold
man.Supposeaman'isalreadymarriedandPrahldsays,"Youtaketo
Kaconsciousness."Hewillthink,"Oh,howcanIleavemywife?We
talksonicelytogether,sittogetherandenjoy.HowcanIleave?"Itisa
verystrongcombination.
Iamanoldman,seventytwoyearsold.Ihavebeenawayfrommy
familyduringthelastfourteenyears.YetsometimesIalsothinkofmy
wife.Thisisquitenatural.ButthatdoesnotmeanthatIhavetogoback.
Thisisknowledge.Oneshouldatonceunder

16TranscendentalTeachings
stand:thisisillusion.AccordingtotheVedicsystem,onehastoforcibly
giveupfamilylifeattheageoffifty.Onemustgo.Thereisnoalternative.
Thefirsttwentyfiveyearsareforstudentlife.Fromfiveyearstotwentyfive
years,oneshouldbeeducatedverynicelyinKaconsciousness.The
wholebasicprincipleshouldbeKaconscious,nothingelse.Thenlife
willbesuccessful.Lifewillbepleasingandsuccessful,bothinthisworld
andinthenext.Fortwentyyears,fromfivetotwentyfive,aboyshouldbe
trainedinKaconsciousnesswhichnecessitatesgivingupmaterial
consciousnessaltogether.ThatiscalledperfectKaconsciousness.
ButifsomeoneisnotabletocapturetheessenceofKa
consciousness,thenheisallowedtohaveagoodwife,bemarried,and
liveapeacefulhouseholderlife.And,becausehehasthebasicprincipleof
Kaconsciousness,hewillnotentanglehimselfinthematerialworld.If
onelivesasimplelifeplainlivingandhighthinkinghecanprogressand
cancultivatethesameKaconsciousnessevenwithinthefamily.
Sofamilylifeisnotcondemned.Butifamanforgetshisspiritual
identityandsimplybecomesentangledinmaterialaffairs,thenheislost.
Hislife'smissionislost.Ifonethinks,"Icannotprotectmyselffromthe
attackofmy,"thenlethimbemarried.Thatisprescribed.Wedon'thave
illicitsexlife.Ifyouwantagirl,ifyouwantaboy,getmarried.Livein
Kaconsciousness.
Apersonwhoistrainedfromtheverybeginningnaturallybecomes
disinclinedtowardthematerialwayoflife,andattheageoffiftyhegivesit
up.Howdoyoustartgivingitup?Thatisalsoaconcession:thehusband
andwifeleavethechildren.Iffromtwentyfivetofiftyheremainsinfamily
life,hemusthavesomegrownupchildren.Soheentrustsallhisfamily
affairstothem.AccordingtotheVedicsystem,aboyismarriedattheage
oftwenty,andagirlismarriedattwelveyears.So,familyaffairsare
entrustedtosomeoftheboyswhoarefamilymen,andthehusbandand
wifegoonpilgrimagestotrytoforgettheseattachments.Whenthe
gentlemaniscompletelymatured,heaskshiswifetogohometohis
children,andheremainsalone.Thatisthesystem.Otherwise,ifwe
remainattachedtomaterialconsciousness,thenwewillnotperfectour
Kaconsciousness.Sowehavetogiveourselvesachance,stepby
step.

PrahldMahrj17
Otherwise,ifwebecometoomateriallycomplicated,weshallmissthe
opportunityofthishumanformoflife.
Familylifemeansthatwehaveverylovingchildren,andweare
loved.Weattract,ourwifetalksverynicely,andwegiveverynice
instructions."Youdothis.Youdothat."Thusweenjoylife.Butwedonot
knowthatthisenjoymentisfalse.Wearestandingonafalseplatform.At
once,inthetwinklingofaneye,wemayhavetogivethisup.Deathisnot
underourcontrol.FromBhagavadgtwelearnthatifonedieswhiletoo
muchattachedtoone'swife,theresultwillbethathewillgethisnextlife
asafemale.Andifthewifeisveryattachedtothehusband,itisforher
benefitshegetsthenextlifeasaman.Therefore,accordingtotheVedic
system,chastityisgreatlystressed.ThishasnothingtodowithKa
consciousnessitissimplyamatterofendingmaterialconsciousness.Ifa
womanischasteandsimplythinksofoneman,thentheresultwillbethat
shewillgetaman'sbodyinthenextlife.Similarly,ifyouarenotafamily
manbutareattachedtoacatordog,thenyournextlifewillbeasacator
dog.Thatis.alsoafact.Itisbettertoloveawomanandbeattachedto
her.Itisbettertohaveawoman'sbodythantohaveacat'sordog'sbody.
Thesearetherulesofkarma,ormaterialnature.
Thewholepointisthatoneshouldbegin.Ifonethinks,"After
finishingmysportinglife,whenIamoldandthereisnothingelsetodo,
thenIshallgototheKrishnaConsciousnessSocietyandhear
something."Atthattimeonecango,butoneshouldhavetheopportunity
nowandshouldutilizeone'slifefromtheverybeginning.Therefore,this
Society'smainobjectistogiveeveryoneachancetobeginKa
consciousnessatanystage.And,bythisprocessofHareKa,Hare
Ka,KaKa,HareHare/HareRma,HareRma,RmaRma,
HareHare,itisveryquick.Thereisanimmediateresult. Weshall
requestalltheladiesandgentlemenwhoareverykindlyattendingour
lecturesorreadingourliteraturetogohome,andatatyourleisurehour,
danceandchant,orreadourbooks.Youwillfinditverynice.Thatisour
request.ThatiswhatourSocietyisspreading.

4.ILoveKaMoreThanAnything!
NowPrahldMahrjmakesafurtherstatementaboutthe
complicationsofmateriallife.WemustalwaysrememberthatKa
consciousnessisnotamethodforcriticizinghouseholdlife.Householdlife
isrecommended,butundertheconditionthatoneshouldnotforgetabout
hisspiritualadvancementinlife.Thedifficultyisthatinthematerial
conceptoflifeweforgetourspiritualideal.Weshould,therefore,bevery
cautiousindealingwiththematerialisticworld.Becauseourpositionis
forgetfulness,therearesomanyregulationsonhowtobecomea
householder,howtobecomeabrahmacrandhowtoexecutethe
renouncedorder,oflife. SowehavetoreviveourKaconsciousness,
whichistheprivilegeofthishumanform.IfwefailtoreviveourKa
consciousness,thenwemissthehighestopportunity.Weshouldalways
rememberthat.PrahldMahrj'spositionisthatoneshouldlearnKa
consciousnessfromone'schildhood.Why?IfwedonotpracticeKa
consciousnessfromchildhood,intheadvancedstageofmaterialisticlife
wemaybecompletelyforgetful.Althoughinhischildhoodhepreachedin
thisway,PrahldMahrjhimselfwasahouseholder,buthewasa
cautioushouseholder.Itisnotharmfultobecomeahouseholderandlive
withfamily,childrenandwife,butoneshouldnotforgethisspiritual
advancementheshouldbeKaconscious.
PrahldMahrjalwaysremindsusthatifwedonotpractice,if
wedonotknowwhattheaimofourhumanformoflifeis,thenwewillmiss
theopportunityforperfection.Thatisthepoint.Hereitissaidthatifyoudo
notpractice,ifyoudonotknowKaconsciousnessfromchildhood,itis
verydifficultlater,whenyouaremateriallyadvanced.Thereisavery
simpleexample:ifaboyisnoteducatedfromchildhood?itisnotpossible
whenheisadvancedinage.Ihaveactualexperienceofthis.Afatherand
adaughterbothtookaB.A.examination,andthedaughtercameout
successfulwhilethefatherfailed.Intheadvancedstageoflifeitisno
longer.possibletoabsorbanysortofeducation.Ifinouradvancedstage
wesitdownforthematriculationexamination,weshallfail,andaboyof
fourteenwillpass.ThereforePrahldMahrjwarnsthat

PrahldMahrj19
everyoneshouldlearntheimportanceofthescienceofGodheadfrom
childhood.Otherwise,whenoneiscomplicatedinfamilylife,itwillbe
impossible.Ofcourseforthisage,asIhavealreadyexplained,Ka
consciousnessiseasilyobtainablebytheprocessofchanting.Generally,
however,intheadvancedstageoflifeitisverydifficulttohaveanysortof
education.
PrahldMahrjalsogivesanotherpicture.Firstofall,the
attractionforwifehasalreadybeenexplained.Nowheexplainsthe
attractionforchildren.ItiscustomaryintheVedicsystemthatadaughter
isgivenincharitytothesoninlawattheageoftwelveorthirteenyears.
Atthattimeshegoestoherfatherinlawshouse.Herfatherthinks,"Oh,
howcanshego?"Sheisalwaysonherfather'smind,andhealsothinks
ofhisbrother,hisoldfatherallthesecomplications.Similarly,Arjunawas
thinking,"HowamItokillmygrandfather?Howisthispossible?"These
familyrelationshipsandfamilyaffectionsareverypredominant,andthey
areallimpedimentstobecomingKaconscious.Wehavetobevery
cautiousthatourfamilyaffectionsdonotovercloudourKa
consciousness.Weshouldalwaysknowthatthefamilyrelationshipsof
thismaterialworldaresimplyapervertedreflectionoftherealrelationships
inthespiritualworld.Thisfamilyisfalsenotexactlyfalse,buttemporary.
lt.istemporary,butweareeternalweshouldnotbemisledbytemporary
affection.Thatisbeingexplainedhere.Sometimeswearestrongly
attachedtoournicelydecoratedapartmentsandnicelymadedresses.We
think,"HowshallIleavethese?"Thisisthematerialisticwayoflifethereis
noendtoit.
Hereisaveryniceexample.Thesilkwormentanglesitselfinits
ownsaliva,andwhentheimprisonmentisfinallymade,thesilkmerchants
gothereandtakethesilkprisonhouseofthewormandremovethesilk.
Beforethewormcomesoutthesilkmerchanttakesthecell,otherwise,if
thesilkwormcutsitswayout,thereisnosilk.Inthesameway,our
entanglementbecomessotightthatwecannotcomeoutofthiscellof
familyattraction.Eventhoughtherearesomanymiseriesinthe
materialisticwayoflife,wecannotbreakfree.Why?Wethinkthatsexlife
andpalatableeatingareverynice.Therefore,inspiteofsomanymiserable
conditions,wecannotgivethemup.

20TranscendentalTeachings
Inthisway,whenoneistoomuchentangledinfamilylife,one
cannotthinkofhisrealbenefittoescapefrommateriallife.Hebecomes
entangled.Althoughheisalwaysdisturbedbythethreefoldmiseriesof
materialisticlife,stillbecausethereisfamilyaffectionhecannotcomeout.
Hedoesnotknowthatheisspoilinghislimiteddurationoflifesimplyfor
theaffectionoffamily.Heisspoilingthelifethatwasmeantforrealizing
hiseternalself,forrealizinghisrealspirituallife.But,sinceheisentangled
insuchfamilyaffection,hedoesnotunderstandwhatheisdoing.Ifwe
inquiredofeveryfamilyman,oranyone,whetherornotheishappyinhis
materialwayoflife,everyonewillsay,Iamnothappy."Butstill,noone
canceasematerialactivities.Why?Becauseeveryonehasbecome
entangled.Althoughoneisunhappy,hedoesnotexpressthat
unhappiness.Why?Heisexpectedtomaintainthefamilywhichhehas
created.Hisonlyaffectionismaintenanceofthefamilyandhebecomes
moreandmoreentangled.Evenifoneiseducated,duetothataffection
onecommitssomanysinfulactivities.
PrahldMahrjistryingtoimpressuponusthatdetachmentis
notpossible,evenifoneishighlyeducated,unlessoneistrainedfromthe
verybeginning.ThatisPrahld'spointofview.Eveninthe
SrmadBhgavatamitisstatedthatunlessoneisKaconscious,he
cannotbecomeaperfectgentleman.Noonecanbecomequalifiedwith
highcharacterunlessheisKaconscious.Why?Becauseheis
hoveringonthementalplane,apersonwhoisnotinKaconscioushas
nootherdirectionthantocommitsinfulactivities.
PrahldMahrjsaysthatmaterialentanglementissomething
likeaprisonhouse.Ifwearenottrainedfromtheverybeginningofourlife
aboutKaconsciousness,the.aimofhumanlife,thenweareshackled,
justasintheprisonhouseo.neisshackledwithironchains,Weshould
alwaysrememberthattheaimofhumanlifeistogetoutofthismaterial
entanglement.Ifwearenottaughtatanearlyage,fromtheverybeginning
ofschoollife,oratsomestageoflife,thentheopportunityofthishuamn
lifewillbelost.Thatishisinstruction."Therefore,mydemoniacfriends,"
headdressesthemagain,"pleasegiveupthecompanyofthosewhoare
simplyaftermaterialenjoyment."
"Justmakeyourassociationswithpersonswhohavetakento

PrahldMahrj21
Kaconsciousness."Thatishisadvice.Hesaystohisfriendsthatthis
Kaconsciousnessisnotdifficulttoattain.Why?Kaconsciousness
isverydeartous,butwedonotunderstandit.AnyonewhotakestoKa
consciousnessbecomesmoreandmoreaffectedbyitandforgetshis
materialconsciousness.How?Itisverydeartous,butwehaveforgotten
it.
Ifyouareinaforeigncountry,youmighthaveforgottenyourhome
andfamily,yourfamilymembersandfriendswhoareverydeartoyou.But
allofasudden,ifyourememberaboutyourhomeandfriends,youatonce
becomeverypreoccupied,"HowshallImeetthem?"IknowinSan
Franciscooneofourfriendslefthisyoungchildrenandwenttoanother
country,andtheeldestchildhasnowgrownup.Alettercamefromthe
eldestchild,andatoncethefatherrememberedandsentsomemoney.
Thataffectionautomaticallycame,eventhoughhehadforgottenforso
manyyears.Similarly,ouraffectionforKaissointimatethatassoon
asthereissometouchofKaconsciousness,weatoncereviveour
wholerelationshipwithHim.
EveryonehassomeparticularrelationshipwithKatheSupreme
Lord,thathehasforgotten.AssoonaswearedevetailedwithKa
consciousness,graduallytheoldconsciousnessofourrelationshipwith
Kaisrevived.Andwhenourconsciousnessisactuallyintheclear
stage,wecanunderstandourparticularrelationshipwithKa.Someone
hasarelationshipwithKaasfriend.Someonehasarelationshipwith
Kaassonandparent,orasloverandbelovedorhusbandandwife.All
theserelationshipsarepervertedlyreflectedinlifeinthematerialworld.But
assoonaswecometotheplatformofKaconsciousness,thatold
relationshipwithKaisrevived.
Weloveeveryoneofus.Ilovemyself.Thatisafact.Ilove
myself,andthatselfhasanintimaterelationshipwithKabecausethe
selfispartandparcelofKa.Theselfiswithinthisbody,andIlovemy
selfbetterthanthebody.Similarly,becausemyselfispartandparcelof
Ka,IloveKamorethananything.ButwehaveforgottenthatKa
isallpervading.Godisallpervading.Thismemoryhassimplytobe
revived.AssoonaswereviveourKaconsciousnesswecanstudy
everythinginrelationshipwithKa.Everythingthenbecomesfactually
lovable.NowIloveyou"

22TranscendentalTeachings
oryouloveme.Thatloveisontheephemeralstageofthisbody.Butwhen
loveofKaisdeveloped.Iwillnotloveyouonly,butIwillloveeveryliving
entitybecausetheoutwarddesignation,thisbody,isforgotten.Whena
manbecomesfullyKaconscious,hedoesnotsee,"Hereisaman,
hereisananimal,hereisacat.hereisadog,andhereisaworm."He
seeseverythingaspartandparcelofKa.Thisisverynicelyexplained
intheBhagavadgt:"OnewhoisactuallylearnedinKa
consciousnessbecomesaloveroftheuniverse."Unlessoneissituatedon
theKaconsciousplatform,thereisnoquestionofuniversal
brotherhood.
Nowwearetalkingofuniversalbrotherhood.Ifweactuallywantto
implementtheideaofuniversalbrotherhood,thenwewillhavetocometo
theplatformofKaconsciousness,notmaterialconsciousness.Aslong
asweareinmaterialconsciousness,ourlovableobjectswillbelimited.
ButwhenweareactuallyinKaconsciousness,ourlovableobjectswill
beuniversal.ThatisstatedbyPrahldMahrj."Beginningfromtheantor
thenonmovableplantsandtreesandextendingtothehighestliving
creature,Brahma,theSupremePersonalityofGodheadispresent
everywherebyHisexpansionastheParamtm,thefeatureoftheLordin
everyone'sheart.AssoonaswebecomeKconscious,thatextension
oftheSupremePersonalityofGodhead,Paramtm,inducesustolove
everyobjectinrelationwithK."

5.GodRealizationIsEverywhere
MahrjPrahldinformedhisclassfellowsaboutthe
allpervasivenessoftheSupremeLord.TheSupremeSoulisallpervasive,
butthatdoesnotmeanthatHehaslostHispersonality.Thatis
significant.AlthoughHeisallpervading,stillHeisaperson.Accordingto
ourmaterialperception,ifsomethingisallpervading,thenithasno
personality,nolocalizedaspect.ButGodisnotlikethat.Forexample,the
sunshineisallpervading,butthesunalsohasalocalizedaspect.Thesun
islocalizedinoneplace,andyoucanseeit.Notonlyistherethesun,but
withinthesunplanetthereisasungod,whosenameisVivasvn.Weget
thisinformationfromVedicliteraturethereisnowaytounderstandwhat
takesplaceonotherplanetsbutbyhearingfromauthorizedsources.The
differenceinmoderncivilizationisthatwehearascientistsay,"Wehave
seenthemoonitissuchandsuch,"andwebelieveit.Wehavenotgone
withthescientisttoseethemoon,butwebelievehim.
Beliefisthebasicprincipleofunderstanding.Youeitherbelieve
meorhimthatdependsonyou.Ifyoubelieveascientistthatis
information,andifyoubelievetheVedas,thatisalsoinformation.Itisup
toyouwhichsourceyoubelieve.AccordingtoVedicinstruction,wetake
infallibleinformationfromtheVedas.AsIhaveexplained,anordinaryman
whoisconditionedbymaterialnature'hasfourdefects.Whatarethose
fourdefects?Thefirstisthatahumanbeingissuretocommitmistakes,
howevergreatascientisthemaybe.Notverylongagointhiscountry,
therewasadisasterwhenascientistsentasatelliteupbutatonceit
burnedtoashes.Sotherewasamistake.Theremustbemistakes.Thisis
thenatureofconditionedlife.Themistakemaybeverygreatorvery
slightthatdoesn'tmatter.Butahumanbeingconditionedbymaterial
natureissuretocommitmistakes.
Further,manisillusioned.Heacceptsonethingforsomething
elsebecausehissensesareimperfect.Forexample,weacceptthisbody
astheself.Actually,Iamnotthisbodythereforetheacceptanceofthe
bodyasselfiscalledillusion.Thewholeworldisgoingonunderthe
illusionthat"Iamthisbody."Thereforethereisnopeacebecause
everyoneisillusioned.IamthinkingthatIamIndian,you

24TranscendentalTeachings
areAmerican,andaChinesemanisthinkingthatheisChinese.Whatis
this"Chinese,""American,"and"Indian"?Itisthebody.Thisisillusion.
Tocheatisanotherconditionoflife.Iamafool,butIwillboast
thatIamverylearned.Everyonewhoisillusionedandcommitsmistakes
isafool,butstilloneposeshimselfasbeingfreedfromallmistakes.And
aboveall,oursensesareimperfect.Weviewthesunasasmalldisc.
Why?Itisfar,fargreaterthanthisearth,butweseeitjustasadisc.We
havetheseimperfectsenses,andwearesubjecttobecomeillusionedand
commitmistakes,andweareinfluencedbythepropensitytocheat.
Howcanoneexpectrealknowledgefromsuchconditionedsouls?
Thereisnopossibilitytoreceiveactualknowledgefromthem.So,inthis
world,whetheramanisascientist.aphilosopherorwhateverhemaybe,
orhowevereducatedhemaybe,becauseheisconditioned,hecannot
givecompleteinformation.Thisisafact.Howdoyougetcomplete
information?TheprocessisthedisciplicsuccessionofVedicknowledge.
YoucanreadinBhagavadgtthatLordKasaystoArjuna,"The
knowledgeofBhagavadgtwasfirstspokenbyMetothesungod,and
thesungodspokeittohisson,Manu.Inturn,Manuspokethisknowledge
tohissonlkvku,andthenlkvkuspokethesametohisson.Inthis
waytheknowledgehascomedown,butunfortunatelythatdisciplic
successionisnowbroken.Therefore,OArjuna,Iamnowpreachingthe
sameknowledgetoyoubecauseyouareMyverydearfriendandgood
devotee."Thisistheprocessofacceptingknowledge.Wehavetoaccept
thetranscendentalvibration.
TheentireVedicknowledgeisatranscendentalvibrationtohelp
ustounderstandtheSupremeLord.SoPrahldMahrjsaysthatthe
SupremeSoulisidenticalwiththeallpervadingSupremePersonalityof
Godhead.IntheBrahmasahitalsothesameinformationappearsthat
theSupremeLord,althoughsituatedinHisowntranscendentalabode,is
allpervading.AlthoughHeisallpervading,presenteverywhere,stillbyour
imperfectsenseswecannotseeHim.
PrahldMahrjsays,"AlthoughHeisnotseen,Hecanstillbe
perceived.Onewhoisintelligentcanperceivethepresenceofthe
SupremeLordeverywhere."Howisthispossible?Duringthe

PrahldMahrj25
daytimeonewhoisinthelightcanseethatthesunisup,eventhoughhe
isina.room.Becauseitisdaytime,becauseitislight,hecanunderstand
thatthesunisshining.Similarly,thosewhohaveunderstoodthewhole
materialcreation,thosewhohaveunderstoodthewholecosmicsituation,
knowthateverythingisanexpansionoftheenergyoftheSupremeLord.
Whatdoweseewiththesepresentmaterialsenses?Wecan
hearandunderstandthefivegrosselementsandalsothefinerelements
wecanunderstandthatwehavemindandintelligence.Similarly,wecan
understandthatthereissoul.Wecanunderstandfire,water,earth,sky,
mindandintelligence.And,ifamanisfurtheradvanced,hecan
understandthatthereisasoul,and,aboveall,thereisSupersoul.Wesee
whatisvisibletothematerialeye.Wecanseeearth,water,fire.Butwe
cannotseeair,althoughwecanperceiveit.Bytouchwecanunderstand
theair.Wecanunderstandthatthereisskybysound.Wecan
understandthatwehavemindbecausewearethinking,feelingandwilling.
Similarly,wecanunderstandthatwehaveanintelligencethatguidesthe
mind.Ifwegostillfurther,wecanunderstand,"Iamconsciousness."
Thevisiblethingsaroundusarealsoexpansionsoftheinferior
energyoftheSupremeLord.ItisstatedintheBhagavadgtthatwe
shouldtrytounderstandthatwhichisspreadalloverthebodybecause
thatiseternal.Wehavetounderstandfromtheauthorities,butwecan
alsoperceiveit.Weknowthatthereisconsciousnessspreadalloverthe
body.IfIpinchanypartofmybody,thereisconsciousness.Similarly,
consciousnessisspreadalloverthisuniverse.Butthatisnotour
consciousness.ThatisGod'sconsciousness.Weknoweverypartofour
body.Wecanperceive,"Thisismyfinger,"or"Thisismyear."Similarly,
God,theSupremeSoul,isallpervadingbyHisconsciousness.Thatis
Kaconsciousness.
OurprocessistodovetailourconsciousnesswithKa
consciousnessthatwillmakeusperfect.Itisnotthatwemergeintothat
consciousness.Inonesensewecansay"merge,"butstillwekeepour
individuality.Thatisthedifferencebetweenimpersonalistphilosophyand
Kasconsciousphilosophy.Theimpersonalistphilosophysaysthatwe
mergeintotheSupremeandloseourindividuality.Wecansaythatwe
mergeintotheSupreme,

26TranscendentalTeachings
butwekeepourindividuality.Howisthat?Anairplanestartsfromthe
airportandclimbsupandup,andwhenitgoesveryhighwecannotseeit
becauseitmergesintothehighersky.Wecansimplyseesky,butthe
airplaneisnotlostitisstillthere.Anotherexampleisthatifagreenbird
entersintoabiggreentree,wecannotdistinguishthebirdfromthetree,
buttheybothexist.Similarly,thesupremeconsciousnessisKa,and
whenwedovetailourindividualconsciousnesswiththeSupreme,wethen
becomeperfect.Anoutsidermayseethatthereisnodistinctionbetween
Godandmen,butitisdueonlytoapoorfundofknowledge.Every
individualperson,everyindividualbeing,maintainshisindividuality,even
thoughheisdovetailedwiththeSupreme.
PrahldMahrjsaysthatwecannotseeconsciousnesseither
supremeconsciousnessorindividualbutitisthere.Howisitthere?We
canunderstandthesupremeconsciousnessandourindividual
consciousnessbyperceptionofblissfulness.Becausewehave
consciousness,wecanfeelnanda,orpleasure.Withoutconsciousness
thereisnofeelingofpleasure.Becauseofthatconsciousnesswecan
enjoylifebyapplyingoursensesinwhateverwaywelike.Butassoonas
consciousnessisgone,wecannotenjoy.Iampresentbecauseof
consciousness,andIampartandparcelofKa,asstatedin
Bhagavadgt.
Thisconsciousnessexistsbecausewearepartandparcelofthe
supremeconsciousness.Forexample,asparkisatinypartandparcelof
thefire,yetthesparkisalsothefire.AdropoftheAtlanticOcean
possessesthesamequalityasalltheoceanwateritisalsosalty.
Similarlythepleasurepoetencywhichwefeelisthepresenceof
consciousness,andthatsamepleasurepotencyalsoexistsinthe
SupremeLord.Paramesvarameansthesupremecontroller.Wearealso
ivara,orcontroller,becauseweareinsomecontrol.Forexample,Ihave
somecontrollingpowertotakeadrinkofwaterwhenIcough.Accordingto
ourcapacity,everyoneofushassomecontrollingpower.Butwearenot
thesupremecontroller.ThesupremecontrollerisGod.
BecauseHeisthesupremecontroller,Heiscontrollingallthese
universalenergiesbyHisdifferentpotencies.Wecanalsounderstandand
feel.Iamcontrollingmybodilyaffairsasfaraspossible,butbecauseIam
notthesupremecontroller,ifthereissomething

PrahldMahrj27
wronginthisbody,Ihavenocontrol.Ispeakofthishandas"myhand"
becauseIamworkingwiththishandandammovingitaccordingtomy
desire.Iamactuallythecontrollerofmyhand.ButIamnotthecontroller
ofyourhand.IfIdesirethatyourhandmove,thatisnotinmypowerthat
isinyourpower.Youcanmoveyourhandifyoulike.Iamnotthe
controllerofyourbody,buttheSupremeSoulisthecontrollerofbothyour
bodyandmybody.ThatisexplainedintheBhagavadgt.TheLordsays
thatyouarepresentinyourbodyandthatthisbodyisthefieldofyour
activities.
Whateveryouaredoingaccordingtothebodyislimited.An
animalwhichisboundupinacertaintractoflandcanmovethereand
cannotgobeyondwhatthatspaceallows.Similarly,youractivityandmy
activityareboundupwithinthelimitsofourbodies.Mybodyismyfieldof
activities,andyourbodyisyourfieldofactivities.ButKasays,"Iam
presentineveryfield."HeispresentasSupersoul.IknowwhenIcough,
butyoudonotknowhowIfeel,andsimilarly,Idonotknowwhatyouare
doing.Kahowever,asParamtm,knowswhatisgoingoninmybody,
inyourbody,andinthousandsofmillionsandbillionsofotherbodies.
ThereforeHeisthesupremecontroller.Wehaveourlimitedenergy,butHe
istranscendentaltothislimitedenergy.Hehasunlimitedopulence.ByHis
controllingpower,byHissupremewill,thismaterialcreationismoving.
ThatisalsoconfirmedintheBhagavadgtwhereKastates,"Under
Mysuperintendencethewholematerialnaturesworking.Allwonderful
thingsthatyouseeinthismaterialworldareduetoMysupervision,My
supremecontrol."
PrahldMahrjnowgiveshisconclusion."Mydearfriends,
becausetheSupremeLordispresenteverywhereandbecausewearepart
andparceloftheSupremeLord,ourdutyistobemercifultoallliving
entities."Whenapersonisinalowerposition,wehaveadutytohelphim.
Becauseheishelpless,thesmallchildisdependentonthemercyofthe
parent.Intherelationshipofthesmallchildandtheparentthereisa
reciprocationoffeeling.Thechildisalwaysdependentontheparent.
"Mother,Iwantthis.""Yes,mydearchild."Weshouldbecompassionate
toalllivingentitiesandshouldshowthemmercy.Howcanweshowour
mercy?Therearemillionsandmillionsofpoormen,sohowcanweshow
themallmercy?Theywantsomanythings.

28TranscendentalTeachings
Peopleareveryproudthattheyaregoingtoservethepoor.In
whatwayaretheygoingtoserve?Areweabletosupplyclothingandfood
toalltheneedypersonsoftheworld?Thatisnotpossible.How,then,can
webemercifultoeverylivingentity?Thefactis'thatwecannotshowany
mercytothelivingentitiesthroughmaterialconsiderations.Thatisnot
possible.PrahldMahrjisshowinghisclassfriendsrealmercy.They
wereallfools,devoidofKaconsciousness,andthereforehewas
showingthemhowtobecomeKaconscious.Thisisthehighestmercy.
Ifyouwanttoshowanymercyatalltothelivingentities,thenenlighten
theminKaconsciousnessasPrahldMahrjdid.Otherwise,itis
materiallybeyondyourpowertoshowmercy.
"Mydeardemoniacfriends,"Prahldsays,"giveupthisdemoniac
life.Giveupthisnonsense."ThebeliefthatthereisnoGodisthe
demoniacfeaturethatPrahldMahrjrequestshisdemoniacfriendsto
giveup.Theywerethinking,"WhoisGod?ThereisnoGod."Wefindin
theBhagavadgtthatpeopleofthismentalityarecalledmiscreants,for
theyalwaystrytomakemischief.Theyareverywelleducatedattorneys,
lawyersandsoon,buttheirplanistocheat.Wehavepractically
experiencedit.Theyarehighlyeducatedwithsomanyqualificationsand
arenicelydressed,buttheirmentalityismorebasethanthatofadog.
"Thismanhassomemoney,soletusconspiretocheathim."Theyare
simplymiscreants.
Whyaretheycheatingfor?Simplyforsensegratification,justan
asswhodoesnotknowthepurposeoflife.Hetakesthehundredpounds
burdensontilsback,andheiskeptbythewasherman,wholoadshis
backasmuchaspossible.Inthiswaytheassworksthewholedaywith
thisburdensimplyforafewmorselsofgrass.Similarly,materialistic
peoplewillsimplybesatisfiedtoeatasimplepieceofbreadorsomething
similar,buttheyworkveryhard.Thereforetheyarecomparedtoasses.
Theyarealwaysplanningsomethingmischievous.Theyarethelowestof
mankindbecausetheydonotbelieveinGod.Why?Theiractual
knowledgehasbeenplunderedbytheinfluenceofthismaterialenergy.
BecausetheydenytheexistenceofGod,illusionimpellsthem:"Yes,
thereisnoGod.Workhardandcommitsinssothatyoumaygotohell."
PrahldMahrjrequestshisdemoniacfriendstojustgiveupthis
ideathatthereisnoGod.Ifwegiveupthisnonsensicalidea,thenthe
Supremelordwhoisbeyondourperception,willbepleasedandshowHis
mercytous.

SAMKIRTAN
TheDevoteesarehereseenchantingtheHolyNamesofGod.This,in
thesedarkdaysofquarrelandhypocrisy,practicecalledSamKirtanisthe
mostrecommendedactivityfordevelopingGodConsciousness.
HAREKRISHNAHAREKRISHNA
KRISHNAKRISHNAHAREHARE
HARERAMAHARERAMA
RAMARAMAHAREHARE

HISDIVINEGRACE
A.C.BhaktivedantaSwamiPrabhupada
FounderAcharyaoftheInternationalSocietyforKrishnaConsciousness