Srila Prabhupada - Vedic Teachings

  "So long you live, you live very joyfully by enjoying your senses." This is atheistic principle „So those who are interested in spiritual life, they talk of self-realization. And those who are materialistic person, they also talk. They talk about this body, how to keep this body nicely. There are politics, sociology, welfare activities, so many things, all concerning to the body. So there are many talks, just like in the newspaper. In your country especially, bunch of newspaper. So many talks, advertisement, fashion, this news, that news, full up. So the materialistic person, they read the newspaper, but we read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. That is the difference. We are also reading; they are also reading. So nṛṇāṁ santi sahasraśaḥ, śrotavyādīni rājendra nṛṇāṁ santi sahasraśaḥ (SB 2.1.2). Śukadeva Gosvāmī said to Parīkṣit Mahārāja, "My dear king, there are many hundreds and thousands of topics for the materialistic person." Sahasraśaḥ. Sahasraśaḥ m...

  "So religious principle means you have to execute the preliminary formulas, but the ultimate end will be you'll have spontaneous attraction for hearing about God, or Kṛṣṇa. That is wanted. If that thing is not done, then you are simply wasting time by going to church or temple or mosque or any nonsense. Notpādayed yadi ratiṁ śrama eva hi kevalam (SB.1.2.8). Simply waste of time. So don't become a show bottle of religious man. Actually try to understand what is religion, what is God, and make your life successful." (Srila Prabhupada: Lecture on SB 1.2.8 -- New Vrindaban, September 6, 1972)    

  "In the human society, there is always some kinds of religious institution. That is called dharma, faith. Real dharma means—that I have already explained—occupational duty. Constitutional duty, that is called dharma: functional duty. So real dharma, real religion, is to become servant of God, or to render service to God. That is real religion. But we have manufactured so many religions: different societies, different circumstances, different country. Therefore it is advised herewith that you may execute any kind of religious faith or . . . (break) . . . principle, but the result should be . . . (break) . . . perfect. You can say: "I am very perfectly executing the ritualistic ceremonies and the tenets described in my scripture, Bible" or Veda or Koran. That's very good. But what is the result? The result is that you must develop or increase your tendency to hear about God. But if your ultimate truth is impersonal . . . mostly they consider God...

„ Philosopher George Santayana defines  fanaticism  as "redoubling your effort when you have forgotten your aim" The fanatic displays very strict standards and little tolerance for contrary ideas or opinions. Tõnu Lehtsaar has defined the term  fanaticism  as the pursuit or defence of something in an extreme and passionate way that goes beyond normality. Religious fanaticism is defined by blind faith, the persecution of dissidents and the absence of reality.”   (Wikipedia) „So although we cannot see the subtle body, it is there. So death means this gross body, this overcoat, is left, and I am carried away by the subtle body, and I enter into another overcoat, or gross body. So practically this is called death. Because we have no vision of the subtle body, how the soul is being transferred or transmigrating from one gross body to another gross body, keeping the subtle body intact... And the subtle body is given up when one is liberated. An...

  Barbara:  Have you ever seen  Kṛṣṇa ? Śrīla Prabhupāda:  Yes. Barbara:  You have? Śrīla Prabhupāda:  Daily. Every moment. Barbara:  But not in the material body? Śrīla Prabhupāda:  He has no material body. (Perfect questions, Perfect answers / Deciding for the Future - New York, July 4, 1972)    

  "A human being must put the question of why am I suffering. Animals also suffer but they have no sense to put the question of why. The materialists are trying to adjust the disturbances of nature in so many ways. But after so many attempts at adjustment have they been able to stop suffering? They are so rascal that still they are suffering after so many adjustments, and yet they do not ask why." (Srila Prabhupada Letter to: Jagannatha-suta—Mayapur 74-10-01)  

  „So far as your duty is concerned, you are doing your best. That is your spiritual qualification. The best qualification for a Vaisnava is to act sincerely, and to his best capacity, for the service of Krishna. Otherwise, Krishna is so great, and we are so small, there is no question of our giving any service to Krishna. But Krishna is so great, and He is so greatly merciful, that any small service we offer to Him in devotion and sincerity He will accept. Krishna does not require anyone's help or service, but if we serve Him, even in a very small capacity, He will accept it. So that is our only hope. One who can show the whole cosmic manifestation within the hole of His mouth, what service can we render unto Him? So the best thing is to employ all of our talents and energies in His service. That will help us to progress.” (Srila Prabhupada's letter to  Upendra —Los Angeles 24 June, 1969)