Prabhupada 0770 - I Love the Soul. Atma-tattva-vit. And Why I Love Soul? Because I love Krsna.



Lecture on SB 2.1.1 -- Paris, June 9, 1974

Prabhupāda: Just like in our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, we don't talk of anything. We simply talk of Kṛṣṇa. And if we talk of Kṛṣṇa, at least, for hundred years, in the present position, still, our stock will not be finished. We have got so many books. If for one hundred years, whatever stock we have already got, if we read for one hundred years continually and try to understand one word of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, then it will take hundred years. That one word janmādy asya yataḥ (SB 1.1.1), if you try to understand, you can understand it for one hundred years. So it is so nice, Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Go on reading every day. You'll find... Both Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam, Bhagavad-gītā. Every day, the more you become realized, ātmavit, you see new meaning, new light. Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam is so nice. Simply if you read Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam... Vidyā bhāgavatāvadhiḥ. One is learned... What is the limit of learning? The limit, learning, is when you understand Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. That is the limit. Finished. There is no knowledge required anymore. Therefore it is called śrotavyādiṣu yaḥ paraḥ (SB 2.1.1). The ultimate, first class.

But the apaśyatām ātma-tattvaṁ gṛheṣu gṛha-medhinām (SB 2.1.2). Gṛhamedhi, they do not know that there is soul, and the soul is permanent. And we, actually, we are hankering after happiness. For whose happiness? It is soul's happiness. It is Kṛṣṇa's happiness. We, we try to protect this body. We are very much fond of this body. Why? Because the soul is there. Everyone knows it. As soon as this body, there is no soul, it is kicked out, throw it away in the street. Nobody cares for it. Suppose a beautiful man and beautiful girl, dead bodies lying on the street—who cares for it? But as, so long the soul is there, "Oh, such a nice, beautiful, such a nice, beautiful boy, girl." The soul is important.

So actually, we do not love this body because the same beautiful body's there. Why do you not care? Because soul is not... Therefore I love the soul. This is the fact. This is called ātmavit, ātma-tattva-vit. And why I love soul? Because I love Kṛṣṇa. Soul is part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. So, why I am so much fond of soul? Because it is part and parcel of Kṛṣṇa. Therefore ultimately, I love Kṛṣṇa. This is the conclusion. And if I do not love Kṛṣṇa, that is my abnormal stage. And the normal stage is I love Kṛṣṇa. Therefore we are trying to awaken Kṛṣṇa consciousness. As soon as one is fixed up in Kṛṣṇa consciousness and begins to love Kṛṣṇa, then he doesn't want to love anything more. Svāmin kṛtārtho 'smi (CC Madhya 22.42): "Now I am fully satisfied." So otherwise, we'll have many questions, many answers so long we are not self-realized, and our time will be spoiled.

So, this kṛṣṇa-praśna, inquiry about Kṛṣṇa, that should continually go on. And all the answers you'll find in the Bhagavad-gītā and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. And simply by questions and answer your life will be successful.

Thank you very much.

Devotees: Jaya Prabhupāda