Prabhupada 0062 - See Twenty-four Hours Krsna
Lecture on SB 1.8.18 -- Chicago, July 4, 1974
Prabhupāda: Ārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kiṁ. If you have been able to worship Kṛṣṇa, then there is no need of any more austerities, penances. because to self-realize or to know God there are so many processes, austerities, penances. Sometimes we go to the forest, go to the forest to see where is God, where... There, there are different processes, but the śāstra says that actually if you are worshiping Kṛṣṇa, ārādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kiṁ, that there is no more need of your undergoing severe penances and austerities. And narādhito, narādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kim, and ultimately after going severe..., undergoing severe austerities and penances, if, if you do not know what is Kṛṣṇa, then what is the use? It is useless. Narādhito yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kim, antar bahir yadi haris tapasā tataḥ kiṁ. Similarly, if you can see twenty-four hours Kṛṣṇa, within and without, then the that is the end of all tapasya.
So here Kṛṣṇa say again..., Kuntī says that "Although Kṛṣṇa is within and without, because we haven't got the eyes to see Him," alakṣyam, "not visible." Just like here Kṛṣṇa was present in the battle of Kurukṣetra, only the five Pāṇḍavas, just like, and their mother Kuntī, they could understand that Kṛṣṇa is the Supreme Personality of Godhead. And few others. So even though Kṛṣṇa was present, somebody took Him as ordinary human being. Avajā..., avajānanti māṁ mūḍhā mānuṣīṁ tanum āśritam. Because He was very kind to the human society, He came personally. Still, because they had no eyes to see Him, they could not see. Therefore Kuntī says, alakṣyam, "You are not visible, although You are antaḥ bahiḥ, sarva-bhutanam." Not that antaḥ bahiḥ of the devotee—everyone. Everyone's heart Kṛṣṇa is situated, īśvaraḥ sarva-bhūtānāṁ hṛd-deśe. Pointing out, hṛd-deśe, here in the heart, Kṛṣṇa is there. Now, therefore, meditation, yoga principle, is how to find out Kṛṣṇa within the heart. That is called meditation.
So Kṛṣṇa's position is always transcendental. If we accept this transcendental process, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, regulative principles, and try to become free from sinful life. Because you cannot see Kṛṣṇa or understand Kṛṣṇa while you are practicing all sinful activities. Then it is not possible. Na māṁ duṣkṛtino mūḍhāḥ prapadyante narādhamāḥ. Those who are duṣkṛtinaḥ... Kṛti means merited, meritorious; but duṣkṛti, but merit is applied for sinful activities. So, we therefore request our... We shall not request; this is our, I mean to say, rules and regulation, that one must be free from the sinful activities. The sinful activities, the four pillars of sinful life, are illicit sex life, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. So our students are advised..., not advised, they must follow; otherwise they will fall down. Because a sinful man cannot understand God. One side we should practice the regulative principles and the devotional process, another side we should avoid sinful activities. Then Kṛṣṇa is present, and you can talk with Kṛṣṇa, we can be with Kṛṣṇa. Kṛṣṇa is so kind. Just like Kuntī is talking with Kṛṣṇa as her nephew, similarly you can talk with Kṛṣṇa as your son, as your husband, as your lover, as your friend, as your master, as you like.
So I am very glad this, to, to see the Chicago temple. You are doing very nice, and the hall is also very nice. So go on with your service attitude and realize Kṛṣṇa. Then your life will be successful.
Thank you very much.
Devotees: Jaya! Hari bol! (end)