(Based on Srila Prabhupad’s lecture on Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.15.27 — Los Angeles, December 5, 1973 )

Real meaning of being in this world

Just like in this winter season, we cover ourselves very nicely with gloves, with overcoat. It is simply counteracting the suffering. But a man who has got a nice overcoat and gloves, he is thinking he is enjoying. This is maya. He forgets that he is simply trying to counteract the suffering. There is no enjoyment in this material world.This counteraction of suffering, we are accepting as enjoyment. So this material world means you must suffer. That is the position of the material world.

Just now we got this car, horseless car. But now there is a problem. They are thinking, “If there is no petrol available, then what will happen?” So this is material existence.  Anxiety. That anxiety is suffering, “What will happen? What will happen?” That is material existence. Always full of anxiety.

Real Medicine in Every Circumstance

So Narottama dasa Thakura says: “The heart is burning on account of this material existence. But I did not try to find out the means by which I can get out of this.” The medicine is Krishna’s teachings, Krishna’s name, Krishna’s glorification. That is the real medicine. So actually, if we want to enjoy life, then we should take the instruction of Bhagavad-gita,  That will give us relief from the blazing fire. This is the only way.You can derive the same benefit as Arjuna by reading Bhagavad-gita. People say that Arjuna was enlightened because Krishna was present before Him. But Krishna is present before you also, by His words, by His sound representation… Bhagavad-gita is nondifferent from Krishna . As Krishna is everywhere, similarly, Bhagavad-gita can be appreciated in every country, every season, every circumstances.