(Srila Prabhupada in Moscow, 1971)
Prabhupāda: There are two classes of beings, human being, in the human state: the devatā and asura. So devatā means God conscious, Kṛṣṇa conscious. Anyone who is Kṛṣṇa conscious, he is devatā, demigod. And anyone who is not Kṛṣṇa conscious, he's demon. This is the difference. So that demon may be very big or small, it doesn't matter, but... Asuras tad-viparyayaḥ. Viparyayaḥ means "just the opposite." The devotees, they are demigods, and asura means just the opposite number of devotee; that means nondevotees. Those who are nondevotee, those who are not devotees of the Lord, they are all demons.
So demons are always disturbing. They'll create disturbance. That is... Their business is to create disturbance in the creation of the Supreme Lord. So this Hiraṇyākṣa and Hiraṇyakaśipu, two brothers, they were creating so much disturbances. The whole world is disturbed only for the existence of the demons, asuri. At the present moment also, the world is full of demons. The devotees, their number is very, very small. Just like our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement: we can count within the finger how many we have got, Kṛṣṇa conscious. But demons, non-Kṛṣṇa conscious, nondevotees, there is no limit. Innumerable.
So when demons are too much prominent, then Kṛṣṇa comes. So in the Kali-yuga He has appeared... Just like previously He appeared in the form of hog (Varāha), similarly, Kṛṣṇa has appeared in this Kali-yuga in the form of His name. There is no difference between the form and name of God. God is absolute. Nāma-rūpe, "in the form of name." So those who are disturbed by the demons may take shelter of this form of God, Hare Kṛṣṇa. Then you'll be saved. Otherwise, the demon will put you within the Pacific Ocean water, just like this demon. But Kṛṣṇa will save you, as Prahlāda Mahārāja was put into the water by his father.
So to become Kṛṣṇa conscious means there will be so many enemies. Even father, what to speak of others? They will criticize, they will attack. I have recently received letter from Germany, our devotees were attacked by a gang. So this is the way. As soon as you become God conscious, the demons will create disturbance. Just like Lord Jesus Christ, he was crucified by the demons. The only fault was that he was God conscious. Just see; such innocent person. The world is like that.
So these dangers are there, but don't be afraid of. Kṛṣṇa will save you. And tolerate. If there are disturbances... Because it is the nature of this material world, as soon as there will be devotee, God conscious person, there will be so many enemies from the side of the demons. So we have to tolerate.
Caitanya Mahāprabhu therefore has recommended:
tṛṇād api sunīcena
taror api sahiṣṇunā
amāninā mānadena
kīrtanīyaḥ sadā hariḥ
(CC Adi 17.31)
You have to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa mantra against the demons. Just like in Australia, the demons have instituted a case against us, a big case by the city authorities. So what can be done? They wanted to appoint big, big lawyers. I have advised, "Don't appoint lawyers. You go on chanting. They may put you in the jail, so you go on chanting. What is that? You chant on the street or chant on the jail, they're the same thing. So don't be afraid. They'll take you in the jail, 'Go on, Hare Kṛṣṇa.' "
We have got one means: nārāyaṇa-parāḥ sarve na kutaścana bibhyati (SB 6.17.28). "Those who are devotees, they are not afraid of anything." Svargāpavarga-narakeṣv api tulyārtha-darśinaḥ: "Either they're sent in the heavenly planet or in the hell planet, it doesn't matter." We want simply to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa and remember Kṛṣṇa. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. It doesn't matter whether it is in the hell or heaven.
(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, September 14, 1972)
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