(Click to enlarge painting of Lord Sri Krishna)

Devotee: (reading) "In the material world everyone, including Lord Śiva and Lord Brahmā, to say nothing of other demigods in the heavenly planets, is subjected to the influence of dense objects."

Prabhupāda: Sense objects, yes.

Devotee: "... sense objects. And the only method to get out of this puzzle of material existence is to become Kṛṣṇa conscious."

Prabhupāda: It is learned from Vedic literature that... of course, they are showing us, Lord Śiva, Lord Brahmā. They were also sometimes attracted by sense objects. Just like Lord Brahmā, his daughter Sarasvatī... Sarasvatī is considered to be the most perfect form of beauty, womanly beauty, Sarasvatī.

So Lord Brahmā became enchanted by the beauty of his daughter just to show us the example that even personalities like Lord Brahmā sometimes become enchanted, this māyā is so strong. He forgot that "She's my daughter." Then to penance this, Brahmā had to quit the body. These stories are there in the Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam.

Similarly, Lord Śiva also, when Kṛṣṇa appeared before him in Mohinī-mūrti... Mohinī means the most enchanting, beautiful womanly form. Lord Śiva also became mad after Her. So wherever She was going, Lord Śiva was chasing. And it is stated that while chasing Mohinī-mūrti, Lord Śiva had discharges. So these examples are there.
As it is stated in the Bhagavad-gītā, daivī hy eṣā guṇamayī mama māyā duratyayā (BG 7.14).

The whole material energy is enchanting every one of us by this beauty, the womanly beauty. Actually, there is no beauty. It is illusion. Śaṅkarācārya says that, "You are after this beauty, but have you analyzed this beauty, what is the beauty?" Etad rakta-māṁsa-vikāram. It is just like our student Govinda dāsī and Nara-nārāyaṇa molding plaster of Paris. At this time, there is no attraction. But this plaster of Paris, when it will be nicely painted, it will be so attractive.

Similarly, this body is combination of blood and muscles and veins. If you cut the upper portion of your body, as soon as you see inside, it is all obnoxious, horrible things. But outwardly so painted by the illusory color of māyā, oh, it looks very attractive. And that is attracting our senses.

This is the cause of our bondage. We are being bound up by some false, illusory beauty of this world. Mirage. The exact example is the mirage. What is mirage? Reflection of the sunlight on the desert appears like water. Where is water there? There is no water. The animal, thirsty animal, is after the mirage, "Oh, here is water. I'll be satisfied." Similarly, we are hankering after, running after the mirage. There is no peace; there is no happiness.

Therefore we have to divert our attention back to Godhead. Don't run after this mirage. Just turn back to Godhead, back to Kṛṣṇa. That is our propaganda. Don't divert your... don't engage your senses in the illusory material beauty. Just apply your senses to Kṛṣṇa, the real beautiful. That is Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

(Srila Prabhupada Lecture, Los Angeles, December 19, 1968)
.
<< What's New
.
Home  |  Srila Prabhupada  |  Meditations  |  Site Map  |  What's New Contact us  |  Glossary

Home
About Srila Prabhupada
Srila Prabhupada's Books
Selected Writings
Early Writings
Your ever well-wisher
Prabhupada Meditations
Memories
Written Offerings
Artistic Offerings
Photo Album
Deity Pictures
Causeless Mercy
Editorial Notes
Guestbook
Site Map
Videos
What's New
THE PRABHUPADA CONNECTION
.
Krishna Is the Real Beautiful