23: Changing the World

CHAPTER 5, TEXT 2: The Personality of Godhead replied: The renunciation of work and work in devotion are both good for liberation. But, of the two, work in devotional service is better than renunciation of work.

All over the world -

Flights grounded.

Factories closed.

Vehicle traffic has been reduced to a trickle.

From the very beginning of this coronavirus pandemic, I have been consumed with curiosity: does this cessation of human activity have a positive impact on our environment? Is the air cleaner? Water clearer?

There are some facts to indicate that yes, there has been a change:

Measurements of nitrogen dioxide pollution in China

An image of clear water in Venice canals

But there is always a caveat in any report that there is a positive environmental impact because humans are retreating: the change is temporary.

Very temporary.

In fact, it has been shown in the past that when there have been shutdowns as a result of outbreaks or even economic depressions (and thus a slowing of production and transportation), there is always a rebound, and the pollution gets even worse than before - often called "revenge pollution."

Sure, it's admirable to step back and pause and let go of all of these unnecessary activities, like going to sports games, shopping for a summer dress, or vacations to Mexico (I'm charged with all of these!). But staying at home and watching Netflix/reading/cooking/snacking/sleeping/taking walks/Zoom conferencing with friends-coworkers-classmates can only go on for so long. The video above seems to romanticize all of these empty cities and roadways of the world and kind of sigh in disappointment that China is reemerging to go back to work.

But humans must work. At some point, humans must emerge, and we shall emerge with a vengeance, because after all, we need to make a living AND make up for lost time.

So just because human beings on an unprecedented global scale are retreating indoors does not mean that the world will change at all after this crisis. Srila Prabhupad writes in this purport that, "Without Kṛṣṇa consciousness, mere renunciation of fruitive activities does not actually purify the heart of a conditioned soul." This means that renouncing activities does not have long-lasting effects. The key phrase here is to "purify the heart" - the world has become so polluted because our hearts have become polluted. An example is of a thief who has gone to sleep - sure, he's not committing crimes while asleep so everything seems fine. But once he wakes up, because he has not purified his heart of the stealing mentality, he'll simply steal again.

That said, Krishna does emphasize in this verse that "the renunciation of work... is good for liberation." The purpose of renunciation of work is to stop the frenetic engagement in enjoyment and suffering in the material world. In this sense, we can experience "liberation." I can certainly attest for myself during this time of "lockdown" here in New York City (the epicenter of the coronavirus in the United States), that I experience a beautiful, quiet space to reflect upon my life, like sitting upon the shore of a silent, still lake.

Without reflecting upon the bigger meaning and purpose of life, though, ceasing work is useless. Prabhupad quotes verses from the Srimad Bhagavatam (5.5.4-6), and one line says, "One is considered to be a failure in life as long as he makes no inquiry about his real identity." Fascinating, no? The material perception of failure is very external: one became a drug addict, or a nobody, or a corrupt wealth businessman, or a prison convict. We certainly wouldn't consider a Harvard graduate, Nobel Prize winner, New York Times bestselling author, or director of worldwide charities a failure. But this verse is saying here that they're ALL failures - from the drug addict to the Nobel Prize winner - if they have not made any inquiry into their real identity as a spirit soul.

Sounds extreme, but the fact is that happiness and suffering come and go, come and go endlessly, and no matter which way we look at it, we're still stuck on the same merry-go-round of pain and pleasure, pain and pleasure.

This time of renunciation of work should not be romanticized. It is a special time to reflect inward; atatho brahma jijnasa - the time to inquire to about my true spiritual identity and purpose is now. This is real knowledge and true success.

That said, knowledge is not enough. Like the thief who eventually wakes up, I need to purify my heart and then act upon that purified knowledge. Prabhupad writes, "Jñāna (or knowledge that one is not this material body but spirit soul) is not sufficient for liberation. One has to act in the status of spirit soul, otherwise there is no escape from material bondage." In this way, the two must go hand in hand - knowledge and action. Only then can there be real change in the world.

Sure enough, the canals in Venice will become polluted again, the nitrogen dioxide pollution levels in China will rise again, and the whole machinery of this world will kick back into high, furious gear.

And the global temperature will continue to rise, and the Amazon rainforest will continue to be burned down, and the islands of plastic waste in the ocean will continue to expand.

But I have this precious opportunity right now, within my grasp, to purify my heart, find my purpose, to be able to go out into the world again to live with restraint and love. That is the greatest change I can make in the world.

Full purport for Chapter 5, Text 2 by Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad here: https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/5/2/

19: Many Paths, One Goal

CHAPTER 4, TEXT 7: Whenever and wherever there is a decline in religious practice, O descendant of Bharata, and a predominant rise of irreligion – at that time I descend Myself.

Bethlehem - Jesus Christ.

Mecca, Saudia Arabia - Prophet Muhammad.

Lumbini, Nepal - Lord Buddha.

Mathura, India - Lord Krishna.

These are all holy birth places of the leaders of major religions of the world. There are more, of course. To discount any one of these leaders is to discount the existence of a spiritual path that has been followed by millions upon millions of people throughout history.

Sure, the Bhagavad-gita was spoken by Krishna to Arjuna 5,000 years ago in India. But Srila Prabhupad writes that "It is not a fact that the Lord appears only on Indian soil. He can manifest Himself anywhere and everywhere, and whenever He desires to appear." This means that there are genuine spiritual paths that originate in all parts of the world and if one follows the path of that religion with sincerity and devotion, then the soul will become elevated in truth.

What's more, the Prophet Muhammad never, ever claimed to be God; he was a teacher. Jesus is considered the son of God but also God. Lord Buddha and Lord Krishna are considered to be God manifest. Which one of these is legitimate?

They're all legitimate. Prabhupad writes, "Sometimes He descends personally, and sometimes He sends His bona fide representative in the form of His son, or servant, or Himself in some disguised form." Ultimately, the form that God or His representative takes is secondary to the purpose and goal of descending to the earth: "to lead people to God consciousness and obedience to the principles of religion."

This verse and purport speaks to me on a very personal level, because I derive inspiration from several religions, and I am delighted to share a few of these snapshots with you.

Both sides of my family, my mother's side and father's side, have been devoted Catholics for generations. Indeed, when my husband and I attend mass on Christmas and Easter, I feel as though the rituals and songs and prayers resonate in my bones and speak to me in an ancient way. When I taught Religion for grades 6-8 at a private Catholic school for two years, I delved into the understanding and experience of this religion in a very deep way. The songs, saints, prayers, and practices continue to inspire and nourish me.



I have been listening to modern Christian music for fifteen years now, and the intimacy and depth and honesty of the lyrics always bring me to a greater level of sincerity to connect to God. Certain songs bring me to tears. I often listen to songs on repeat for sometimes hours at a time in meditation.



Over the years, I have turned to the names of Allah whenever I feel lost and uncertain. I am moved by the mood that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, all-wise, and all-compassionate. He knows everything. And if such a loving God is so in control, there is nothing to fear.



The other day, I randomly picked up a Bible, opened up to a random page, and began to read a book of the Bible that I had heard of before but had never really read or studied - Ecclesiastes, which belongs to the Old Testament, The Torah. I read the entire book in one sitting (the first time in my life), entranced, utterly shaken and moved by the power of the wisdom of the book.



And of course, this recording of Srila Prabhupad singing the Hare Krishna mantra has been the soundtrack of my heart and life. I would consider that if I left this world while this track was playing, I would be utterly at peace.


These are just a few snapshots of how I have received spiritual nourishment from various religious traditions over the years. If one has even a drop of sincerity in one's heart, one can see that the mood and devotion of these traditions is real and true. God is so merciful. He comes in whatever way He can be understood by the people in that time and place. He does not demand that we all follow Him in only one way. We follow the Lord how our heart calls us.

The essence of each bona fide religion is the same, though: reawaken the love in your heart by abiding by the principles of truth.

Krishna reassures us here that He descends whenever and wherever there is a need to bring us back to the righteous path, the path of truth and love. Thank you, my Lord. Thank you.


A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada's purport to verse 7 of Chapter 4: https://vedabase.io/en/library/bg/4/7/