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KB 1970-1-20 / Description of Autumn
20 / Description of Autumn
The killing of Pralambasura and the devouring of the
devastating forest fire by Krsna and Balarama became household
topics in Vrndavana. The cowherd men described these wonderful
activities to their wives and to everyone else, and all were
struck with wonder. They concluded that Krsna and Balarama were
demigods who had kindly come to Vrndavana to become their
children. In this way, the rainy season ensued. In India, after
the scorching heat of the summer, the rainy season is very
welcome. The clouds accumulating in the sky, covering the sun
and the moon, become very pleasing to the people, and they
expect rainfall at every moment. After summer, the advent of
the rainy season is considered to be a life-giving source for
everyone. The thunder and occasional lightning are also
pleasurable to the people.
The symptoms of the rainy season may be compared to the
symptoms of the living entities who are covered by the three
modes of material nature. The unlimited sky is like the Supreme
Brahman, and the tiny living entities are like the covered sky,
or Brahman covered by the three modes of material nature.
Originally, everyone is part and parcel of Brahman. The Supreme
Brahman, or the unlimited sky, can never be covered by a cloud,
but a portion of it can be covered. As stated in the Bhagavad-
gita, the living entities are part and parcel of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. But they are only an insignificant
portion of the Supreme Lord. This portion is covered by the
modes of material nature, and therefore the living entities are
residing within this material world. The brahmajyoti --
spiritual effulgence -- is just like the sunshine; as the
sunshine is full of molecular shining particles, so the
brahmajyoti is full of minute portions of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. Out of that unlimited expansion of
minute portions of the Supreme Lord, some are covered by the
influence of material nature, whereas others are free.
Clouds are accumulated water drawn from the land by the
sunshine. Continually for eight months the sun evaporates all
kinds of water from the surface of the globe, and this water is
accumulated in the shape of clouds, which are distributed as
water when there is need. Similarly, a government exacts
various taxes from the citizens
which the citizens are able to pay by their different
material activities: agriculture, trade and industry; thus the
government can also exact taxes in the form of income tax and
sales tax. This is compared to the sun drawing water
from the earth. When there is again need of water on the
surface of the globe, the same sunshine converts the water into
clouds and distributes it all over the globe. Similarly, the
taxes collected by the government must be distributed to the
people again, as educational work, public work, sanitary work,
etc. This is very essential for a good government. The
government should not simply exact tax for useless
squandering; the tax collection should be utilized for the
public welfare of the state.
During the rainy season, there are strong winds blustering all
over the country and carrying clouds from one place to another
to distribute water. When water
is urgently needed after the summer season,
the clouds are just like a rich man who, in times of need,
distributes his money even by exhausting his whole
treasury. So the clouds exhaust themselves by distributing
water all over the surface of the globe.
When Maharaja Dasaratha, the father of Lord Ramacandra, used to
fight with his enemies, it was said that he approached them
just like a farmer uprooting unnecessary plants and trees. And
when there was need of giving charity, he used to distribute
money exactly as the cloud distributes rain. The distribution
of rain by clouds is so sumptuous that it is compared to the
distribution of wealth by a great, munificent person. The
clouds' downpour is so sufficient that the rains even fall on
rocks and hills and on the oceans and seas where there is no
need for water. It is like a charitable person who
opens his treasury for distribution and who does not
discriminate whether the charity is needed or not. He gives in
charity openhanded.
Before the rainfall, the whole surface of the globe becomes
almost depleted of all kinds of energies and appears very lean.
After the rainfall, the whole surface of the earth becomes
green with vegetation and appears to be very healthy and strong.
Here, a comparison is made with the person undergoing
austerities for fulfillment of a material desire. The
flourishing condition of the earth after a rainy season is
compared with the fulfillment of material desires. Sometimes,
when a country is subjugated by an undesirable government,
persons and parties undergo severe penances and austerities to
get control of the government, and when they attain control,
they flourish by giving themselves generous salaries. This
also is like the flourishing of the earth in the
rainy season. Actually, one should undergo severe austerities
and penances only to achieve spiritual happiness. In the Srimad-
Bhagavatam it is recommended that tapasa or penance should
be accepted for realizing the Supreme Lord. By accepting
austerity in devotional service, one regains his spiritual life,
and as soon as one regains his spiritual life, he enjoys
unlimited spiritual bliss. But if someone undertakes
austerities and penances for some material gain, it is stated
in the Bhagavad-gita that the results are temporary and that
they are desired by persons of less intelligence.
During the rainy season, in the evening, there are many
glowworms visible about the tops of trees, hither and thither,
and they glitter just like lights. But the luminaries of the
sky, the stars and the moons, are not visible. Similarly,
in the age of Kali, persons who are atheists or miscreants
become very prominently visible, whereas persons who are
actually following the Vedic principles for spiritual
emancipation are practically obscured. This age, Kaliyuga,
is compared to the cloudy season of the living entities. In
this age, real knowledge is covered by the influence of
material advancement of civilization. The cheap mental
speculators, atheists and manufacturers of so-called religious
principles become prominent like the glowworms, whereas persons
strictly following the Vedic principles or scriptural
injunctions become covered by the clouds of this age. People
should learn to take advantage of the actual luminaries of the
sky, the sun, moon, and stars, instead of the glowworm's
light. Actually, the glowworm cannot give any light in the
darkness of night. As clouds sometimes clear, even in the rainy
season, and sometimes the moon, stars and sun become visible,
so even in this Kaliyuga there are sometimes advantages.
The Vedic movement of Lord Caitanya's -- the
distribution of chanting the Hare Krsna
mantra -- is heard in this way. People seriously anxious to
find real life should take advantage of this movement instead
of looking toward the light of mental speculators and atheists.
After the first rainfall, when there is a thundering sound in
the clouds, all the frogs begin to croak, like students
suddenly engaged in reading their studies. Students are
generally supposed to rise early in the morning. They do not
usually arise of their own accord, however, but only when there
is a bell sounded in the temple or in the cultural
institution. By the order of the spiritual master they
immediately rise, and after finishing their morning duties,
they sit down to study the Vedas or chant Vedic mantras.
Everyone is sleeping in the darkness of Kaliyuga, but when
there is a great acarya, by his calling only, everyone takes to
the study of the Vedas to acquire actual knowledge. During the
rainy season, many small ponds, lakes and rivulets become
filled with water; otherwise the rest of the year they remain
dry. Similarly, materialistic persons are dry, but sometimes,
when they are in a so-called opulent position, with a home or
children or a little bank balance, they appear to be
flourishing, but immediately afterwards they become dry again,
like the small rivulets and ponds. The poet Vidyapati said that
in the society of friends, family, children, wife, etc., there
is certainly some pleasure, but that pleasure is compared to a
drop of water in the desert. Everyone is hankering after
happiness, just as in the desert everyone is hankering after
water. If, in the desert, there is a drop of water, the water
is there of course, but the benefit from that drop of water is
very insignificant. In our materialistic way of life, we are
hankering after an ocean of happiness, but in the form of
society, friends and mundane love, we are getting no more than
a drop of water. Our satisfaction is never achieved, as the
small rivulets, lakes and ponds are never filled with water in
the dry season.
Due to rainfall, the grass, trees and vegetation look
very green. Sometimes the grass is covered by a certain kind of
red insect, and when the green and red combine with umbrella-
like mushrooms, the entire scene changes, just
like a person who has suddenly become rich. The farmer then
becomes very happy to see his field full of grains, but the
capitalists -- who are always unaware of the activities of a
supernatural power -- become unhappy because they are afraid of
a competitive price. In some places
certain capitalists in government restrict the farmer from
producing too much grains, not knowing the actual fact that
all food grains are supplied by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. According to the Vedic injunction, eko bahunam yo
vidadhati kaman, the Supreme Personality of Godhead maintains
this creation; therefore, He arranges for a supply of whatever
is required for all living entities. When there is population
increase, it is the business of the Supreme Lord to feed them
. But persons who are atheists or miscreants do not like
abundant production of food grains, especially if their
business might be hampered.
During the rainy season, all living entities, in the land, sky
and water, become very refreshed, exactly like one who
engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. We
have practical experience of this with our students in the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Before
becoming students, they were dirty looking, although they had
naturally beautiful personal features; but due to having no
information of Krsna consciousness they appeared very dirty and
wretched. Since they have taken to Krsna consciousness, their
health has improved, and by following the rules and
regulations, their bodily luster has increased. When they are
dressed with saffron colored cloth, with tilaka on their
foreheads and beads in their hands and on their necks, they
look exactly as if they come directly from Vaikuntha.
In the rainy season, when the rivers swell and rush to the
oceans and seas, they appear to agitate the ocean. Similarly,
if a person who is engaged in the yoga-mystic process is
not very advanced in spiritual life, he can become
agitated by the sex impulse. High mountains, however,
although splashed by torrents of rain,
do not change; so a person who is advanced in
Krsna consciousness, even if put into difficulties, is not
embarrassed because a person who is spiritually advanced
accepts any adverse condition of life as the mercy of the Lord,
and thus he is completely eligible to enter into the spiritual
kingdom.
In the rainy season some of the roads are not frequently used,
and they become covered with long grasses. This is
exactly like a brahmana who is not accustomed to studying and
practicing the reformatory methods of Vedic injunctions --
he becomes covered with the long grasses of maya. In that
condition, forgetful of his constitutional nature, he forgets
his position of eternal servitorship to the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. By being deviated by the seasonal overgrowth of
long grasses created by maya, a person identifies himself with
mayic production and succumbs to illusion, forgetting his
spiritual life.
During the rainy season, lightning appears in one group of
clouds and then immediately in another group of clouds. This
phenomenon is compared to a lusty woman who does not fix her
mind on one man. A cloud is compared to a qualified person
because it pours rain and gives sustenance to many people; a
man who is qualified similarly gives sustenance to many living
creatures, such as family members or many workers in business.
Unfortunately, his whole life can be disturbed by a wife who
divorces him; when the husband is disturbed, the whole family
is ruined, the children are dispersed or the business is closed,
and everything is effected. It is therefore recommended that a
woman desiring to advance in Krsna consciousness peacefully
live with a husband and that the couple not separate
under any condition. The husband and wife should control sex
indulgence and concentrate their minds on Krsna consciousness
so their life may be successful. After all, in the material
world a man requires a woman, and a woman requires a man. When
they are combined, they should live peacefully in Krsna
consciousness and should not be restless like the lightning,
flashing from one group of clouds to another.
Sometimes, in addition to the roaring thunder of the clouds,
there is an appearance of a rainbow, which stands as a bow
without a string. Actually, a bow is in the curved position,
being tied at its two ends by the bowstring; but in the
rainbow there is no such string, and yet it rests in the sky so
beautifully. Similarly, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead
descends to this material world, He appears just like an
ordinary human being, but He is not resting on any material
condition. In the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord says that He appears
by His internal potency, which is free from the bondage of the
external potency. What is bondage for the ordinary creature is
freedom for the Personality of Godhead. In the rainy season,
the moonlight is covered by clouds but is visible at intervals.
It sometimes appears that the moon is moving with the movement
of the clouds, but actually the moon is still; due to the
clouds it also appears to move. Similarly, for one who has
identified himself with the moving material world, his actual
spiritual luster is covered by illusion, and with the movement
of material activities, he thinks that he is moving through
different spheres of life. This is due to false ego, which is
the demarcation between spiritual and material existence, just
as the moving cloud is the demarcation between moonlight and
darkness. In the rainy season, when the clouds appear for the
first time, after seeing their appearance, the peacocks begin
to dance with joy. This can be
compared to persons who are very harassed in the
materialistic way of life. If they can find the association of
a person engaged in the loving devotional service of the Lord,
they become enlightened, just like the peacocks when
they dance. We have practical experience of this, because many
of our students were dry and morose previous to their coming to
Krsna consciousness, but having come into contact with devotees,
they are now dancing like jubilant peacocks.
Plants and creepers grow by drinking water from the ground.
Similarly, a person practicing austerities becomes dry;
after the austere performances are completed and he gets the
result, he begins to enjoy life in sense gratification, with
family, society, love, home and other paraphernalia.
Sometimes it is seen
that cranes and ducks meander continually on the banks of the
lakes and rivers, although the banks are filled with muddy
garbage and thorny creepers. Similarly, persons who are
householders without Krsna consciousness are constantly
tarrying in material life, in spite of all kinds of
inconveniences. In family life, or any life, one cannot be
perfectly happy without being Krsna conscious. Srila Narottama
dasa Thakur prays that he will have the association of a
person -- either a householder or a man in the renounced order
of life -- who is engaged in the transcendental loving service
of the Lord and is always crying the holy name of Lord Caitanya.
For the materialistic person, worldly affairs become too
aggressive, whereas to a person who is in Krsna consciousness,
everything appears to be happily situated.
The barriers around the agricultural field sometimes break due
to heavy torrents of rain. Similarly, the unauthorized
atheistic propaganda in the age of Kali breaks the boundary of
the Vedic injunctions. Thus people gradually degenerate to
godlessness. In the rainy season, the clouds, tossed by the
wind, deliver water which is welcomed like nectar. When the
Vedic followers, the brahmanas, inspire rich men like kings and
the wealthy mercantile community to give charity in
the performance of great sacrifices, the distribution of such
wealth is also nectarean. The four sections of human society,
namely the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas and the sudras,
are meant to live peacefully in a cooperative mood; this is
possible when they are guided by the expert Vedic brahmanas who
perform sacrifices and distribute wealth equally.
Vrndavana forest improved from the rains and was replete with
ripened dates, mangoes, blackberries and other fruits. Lord
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and His
boy friends and Lord Balarama, entered the forest to
enjoy the new seasonal atmosphere. The cows, being fed by new
grasses, became very healthy, and their milk bags were all very
full. When Lord Krsna called them by name, they immediately
came to Him out of affection, and in their joyful condition the
milk flowed from their bags. Lord Krsna was very pleased
when passing through the Vrndavana forest by the side of
Govardhana Hill. On the bank of the Yamuna He saw all the trees
decorated with bee hives pouring honey. There were many
waterfalls on Govardhana Hill, and their flowing made a nice
sound. Krsna heard them as He looked into the caves of the hill.
When the rainy season was not ended completely but was
gradually turning to autumn, sometimes, especially when there
was rainfall within the forest, Krsna and His companions would
sit under a tree or within the caves of Govardhana Hill and
enjoy eating the ripened fruits and talking with great pleasure.
When Krsna and Balarama were in the forest all day, mother
Yasoda used to send Them some rice mixed
with yogurt, fruits and sweetmeat. Krsna would take them and
sit on a slab of stone on the bank of the Yamuna
. While Krsna and Balarama and Their
friends were eating, they watched the cows, calves and bulls.
The cows appeared to be tired from standing with their
heavy milk bags. By sitting and chewing grass, they became
happy, and Krsna was pleased to see them. He was proud to see
the beauty of the forest, which was
nothing but the manifestation of His own energy.
At such times Krsna would praise nature's special activities
during the rainy season. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that
the material energy, or nature, is not independent in its
actions. Nature is acting under the superintendence of
Krsna. It is also stated in the Brahma-samhita that material
nature, known as Durga, is acting as the shadow of Krsna.
Whatever order is sent from Krsna, material nature obeys.
Therefore the natural beauty created by the rainy season
was acted out according to the indications of Krsna.
Soon all the water reservoirs became very clean and
pleasing, and refreshing air was blowing everywhere because
of the appearance of autumn. The sky was completely cleared
of all clouds, and it recovered its natural blue color. The
blooming lotus flower in the clear water in the forest
appeared like a person who has fallen down from yoga
practice but again has become beautiful by resuming his
spiritual life
.
Everything becomes naturally beautiful with the appearance of
the autumn season. Similarly, when a materialistic person takes
to Krsna consciousness and spiritual life, he also becomes as
clear as the sky and water in autumn. The autumn season takes
away the rolling of dark clouds in the sky as well as the
polluted water. Filthy conditions on the ground also become
cleansed. Similarly, a person who takes to Krsna consciousness
immediately becomes cleansed of all dirty things within and
without. Krsna is therefore known as Hari. "Hari" means "he who
takes away." Krsna immediately takes away all unclean habits
from anyone who takes to Krsna consciousness. The clouds of
autumn are white, for they do not carry any water. Similarly, a
retired man, being freed from all responsibility of family
affairs (namely, maintaining the home, wife and children) and
taking completely to Krsna consciousness, becomes freed from
all anxieties and looks as white as clouds in autumn. Sometimes
in autumn the falls come down from the top of the hill to
supply clean water, and sometimes they stop. Similarly,
sometimes great saintly persons distribute clear knowledge, and
sometimes they are silent. The small ponds which were filled
with water because of the rainy season, gradually dry up in
autumn. As for the tiny aquatics living in the reservoirs,
they cannot understand that their numbers are diminishing day
by day, as the materially engrossed persons cannot
understand that their duration of life is being reduced day by
day. Such persons are engaged in maintaining cows, property,
children, wife, society and friendship. Due to the reduced
water and scorching heat from the sun in the autumn season, the
small creatures living in small reservoirs of water are
much disturbed; they are exactly like uncontrolled persons who
are always unhappy from being unable to enjoy life or maintain
their family members. The muddy earth gradually dries up, and
newly grown fresh vegetables begin to wither. Similarly, for
one who has taken to Krsna consciousness, desire for family
enjoyment gradually dries up.
Because of the appearance of the autumn season, the water of
the ocean becomes calm and quiet, just as a person developed in
self-realization is no longer disturbed by the three
modes of material nature. In autumn, farmers save the water
within the fields by building strong walls so that the water
contained within the field cannot run out. There is hardly any
hope for new rainfalls; therefore they want to save whatever is
in the field. Similarly, a person who is actually advanced in
self-realization protects his energy by controlling the senses.
It is advised that after the age of fifty, one should retire
from family life and should conserve the energy of the body for
utilization in the advancement of Krsna consciousness. Unless
one is able to control the senses and engage them in the
transcendental loving service of Mukunda, there is no
possibility of salvation.
During the daytime in autumn, the sun is very scorching, but at
night, due to the clear moonshine, people get relief from the
day's fatigue. If a person takes shelter of Mukunda,
or Krsna, he can be saved from the fatigue of misidentifying
the body with the self. Mukunda, or Krsna, is also the source
of solace to the damsels of Vrndavana. The damsels of
Vrajabhumi are always suffering because of separation from
Krsna. When they meet Krsna during the moonlit autumn
night, their fatigue of separation is also satiated. When
the sky is clear of all clouds, the stars at night shine very
beautifully; similarly, when a person is actually situated in
Krsna consciousness, he is cleared of all dirty things, and he
becomes as beautiful as the stars in the autumn sky. Although
the Vedas prescribe karma
in
the form of offering sacrifices, their ultimate
purpose is stated in the Bhagavad-gita: one has to
accept Krsna consciousness after thoroughly understanding the
purpose of the Vedas. Therefore the clean heart exhibited by a
devotee in Krsna consciousness can be compared to the clean sky
of the autumn season. During autumn, the moon looks very bright
along with the stars in the clear sky. Lord Krsna Himself
appeared in the sky of the Yadu dynasty, and He was exactly
like the moon surrounded by the stars, or the members of the
Yadu dynasty. When there are ample blooming flowers in the
gardens in the forest, the fresh, aromatic breeze gives a great
relief to the person who has suffered during the summer and
rainy seasons. Unfortunately, such breezes could not give any
relief to the gopis because of their hearts' dedication to
Krsna. People in general might have taken pleasure in that nice
autumn breeze, but the gopis, not being embraced by Krsna, were
not very satisfied.
On arrival of the autumn season, all the cows, deer, birds
and females in general become pregnant, because in that season
generally all the husbands become impelled by sex
desire. This is exactly like the
transcendentalists who, by the grace of the Supreme Lord, are
bestowed with the benediction of their destinations in life.
Srila Rupa Gosvami has instructed in his Upadesamrta that one
should follow devotional service with great enthusiasm,
patience and conviction and should follow the rules and
regulations, keep oneself clean from material contamination and
stay in the association of devotees. By following these
principles, one is sure to achieve the desired result of
devotional service. For he who patiently follows the
regulative principles of devotional service, the time will
come when he will achieve the result,
as the wives who reap results by becoming pregnant.
During the autumn, the lotus flowers in the lakes grow in large
numbers because of the absence of lilies; both the lilies and
the lotus flowers grow by sunshine, but during the autumn
season, the scorching sunshine helps only the lotus. This
example is given in the case of a country where the king or
the government is strong; the rise of unwanted elements like
thieves and robbers cannot prosper. When the citizens become
confident that they will not be attacked by robbers, they
develop very satisfactorily. A strong government is
compared to the scorching sunshine in the autumn season; the
lilies are compared to unwanted persons like robbers, and the
lotus flowers are compared to the satisfied citizens of the
government. During autumn, the fields become filled with
ripened grains. At that time, the people become happy over the
harvest and observe various ceremonies, such as Navanna -- the
offering of new grains to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The new grains are first offered to the Deities in various
temples, and all are invited to take sweet rice made of these
new grains. There are other religious ceremonies and methods of
worship, particularly in Bengal, where the greatest of all such
ceremonies is held, called Durga Puja.
In Vrndavana the autumn season was very beautiful then because
of the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna
and Balarama. The mercantile community, the royal order and
great sages were free to move to achieve their
desired benedictions. Similarly, the transcendentalists, when
freed from the encagement of the material body, also achieve
their desired goal. During the rainy season, the mercantile
community cannot move from one place to another and so do not
get their desired profit. Nor can the royal order go from one
place to another to collect taxes from the people. As for
saintly persons who must travel to preach transcendental
knowledge, they also are restrained by the rainy season. But
during the autumn, all of them leave their confines. In the
case of the transcendentalist, be he a jnani, a yogi, or a
devotee, because of the material body he cannot actually enjoy
spiritual achievement. But as soon as he gives up the body, or
after death, the jnani merges into the spiritual effulgence of
the Supreme Lord; the yogi transfers himself to the various
higher planets, and the devotee goes to the planet of the
Supreme Lord, Goloka Vrndavana, or the Vaikunthas, and
thus enjoys his eternal spiritual life.
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Twentieth Chapter of
Krsna, "Description of Autumn."
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KB 20: Description of Autumn
CHAPTER TWENTY
Description of Autumn
The killing of Pralambasura and the devouring of the
devastating forest fire by Krsna and Balarama became household
topics in Vrndavana. The cowherd men described these wonderful
activities to their wives and to everyone else, and all were
struck with wonder. They concluded that Krsna and Balarama were
demigods who had kindly come to Vrndavana to become their
children. In this way, the rainy season ensued. In India, after
the scorching heat of the summer, the rainy season is very
welcome. The clouds accumulating in the sky, covering the sun
and the moon, become very pleasing to the people, and they
expect rainfall at every moment. After summer, the advent of
the rainy season is considered to be a life-giving source for
everyone. The thunder and occasional lightning are also
pleasurable to the people.
The symptoms of the rainy season may be compared to the
symptoms of the living entities who are covered by the three
modes of material nature. The unlimited sky is like the Supreme
Brahman, and the tiny living entities are like the covered sky,
or Brahman covered by the three modes of material nature.
Originally, everyone is part and parcel of Brahman. The Supreme
Brahman, or the unlimited sky, can never be covered by a cloud,
but a portion of it can be covered. As stated in the Bhagavad-
gita, the living entities are part and parcel of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. But they are only an insignificant
portion of the Supreme Lord. This portion is covered by the
modes of material nature, and therefore the living entities are
residing within this material world. The brahma-jyoti --
spiritual effulgence -- is just like the sunshine; as the
sunshine is full of molecular shining particles, so the
brahma-jyoti is full of minute portions of the Supreme
Personality of Godhead. Out of that unlimited expansion of
minute portions of the Supreme Lord, some are covered by the
influence of material nature, whereas others are free.
Clouds are accumulated water drawn from the land by the
sunshine. Continually for eight months the sun evaporates all
kinds of water from the surface of the globe, and this water is
accumulated in the shape of clouds, which are distributed as
water when there is need. Similarly, a government exacts
various taxes from the citizens, such as income tax and sales
tax, which the citizens are able to pay by their different
material activities: agriculture, trade, industry
and
so on. This taxation is compared to the sun's drawing water
from the earth. When there is again need of water on the
surface of the globe, the same sunshine converts the water into
clouds and distributes it all over the globe. Similarly, the
taxes collected by the government must be distributed to the
people again, as educational work, public work, sanitation work,
etc. This is very essential for a good government. The
government should not simply exact taxes for useless
squandering; the tax collection should be utilized for the
public welfare of the state.
During the rainy season, there are strong winds blustering all
over the country and carrying clouds from one place to another
to distribute life-giving water to the needy living
entities. Water is urgently needed after the summer season, and
thus the clouds are just like a rich man who, in times of need,
distributes his money even to the point of exhausting his whole
treasury. So the clouds exhaust themselves by distributing
water all over the surface of the globe.
When Maharaja Dasaratha, the father of Lord Ramacandra, used to
fight with his enemies, it was said that he approached them
just like a farmer uprooting unnecessary plants and trees. And
when there was need of giving charity, he used to distribute
money exactly as the cloud distributes rain. The distribution
of rain by clouds is so sumptuous that it is compared to the
distribution of wealth by a great, munificent person. The
clouds' downpour is so profuse that the rains even fall on
rocks and hills and on the oceans and seas, where there is no
need for water. The clouds resemble a charitable person who
opens his treasury for distribution and who does not
discriminate whether the charity is needed or not. He gives in
charity openhandedly.
Before the rainfall, the whole surface of the globe becomes
almost depleted of all kinds of energies and appears very lean.
After the rainfall, the whole surface of the earth becomes
green with vegetation and appears to be very healthy and strong.
Here a comparison is made to the person undergoing
austerities for fulfillment of a material desire. The
flourishing condition of the earth after the rainy season is
compared to the fulfillment of material desires. Sometimes,
when a country is subjugated by an undesirable government,
persons and parties undergo severe penances and austerities to
get control of the government, and when they attain control,
they flourish by giving themselves generous salaries. This
temporary profit is like the flourishing of the earth in the
rainy season. Actually, one should undergo severe austerities
and penances only to achieve spiritual happiness. In Srimad-
Bhagavatam it is recommended that tapasya, or austerity, should
be accepted for realizing the Supreme Lord. By accepting
austerity in devotional service, one regains his spiritual life,
and as soon as one regains his spiritual life, he enjoys
unlimited spiritual bliss. But if someone undertakes
austerities and penances for some material gain, it is stated
in the Bhagavad-gita that the results are temporary and that
they are desired by persons of less intelligence.
During the rainy season, in the evening there are many
glowworms visible about the tops of trees, hither and thither,
and they glitter just like lights. But the luminaries of the
sky -- the stars and the moon -- are not visible. Similarly,
in the Age of Kali, persons who are atheists or miscreants
become very prominently visible, whereas persons who are
actually following the Vedic principles for spiritual
emancipation are practically obscured. This age, Kali-yuga,
is compared to the cloudy season of the living entities. In
this age, real knowledge is covered by the influence of the
material advancement of civilization. The cheap mental
speculators, atheists and manufacturers of so-called religious
principles become prominent like the glowworms, whereas persons
strictly following the Vedic principles or scriptural
injunctions become covered by the clouds of this age. People
should learn to take advantage of the actual luminaries of the
sky -- the sun, moon and stars -- instead of the glowworms'
light. Actually, the glowworms cannot give any light in the
darkness of night. As clouds sometimes clear, even in the rainy
season, and sometimes the moon, stars and sun become visible,
so even in this Kali-yuga there are sometimes advantages.
For example, sometimes Lord Caitanya's Vedic
movement of distributing the chanting of the Hare Krsna
mantra is heard. People seriously eager to
find real light should take advantage of this movement instead
of looking toward the light of mental speculators and atheists.
After the first rainfall, when there is a thundering sound in
the clouds, all the frogs begin to croak, like students
suddenly engaged in reading their studies. Students are
generally supposed to rise early in the morning. They do not
usually arise of their own accord, however, but only when there
is a bell sounded in the temple or other spiritual
institution. By the order of the spiritual master they
immediately rise, and after finishing their morning duties
they sit down to study the Vedas or chant Vedic mantras.
Everyone is sleeping in the darkness of Kali-yuga, but when
there is a great acarya, by his calling only, everyone takes to
the study of the Vedas to acquire actual knowledge
.
During the rainy season, many small ponds, lakes and rivulets
become filled with water; otherwise, the rest of the year they
remain dry. Similarly, materialistic persons are dry, but
sometimes, when they are in a so-called opulent position, with
a home or children or a little bank balance, they appear to be
flourishing, but immediately afterwards they become dry again,
like the small rivulets and ponds. The poet Vidyapati said that
in the society of friends, family, children, wife, etc., there
is certainly some pleasure, but that pleasure is compared to a
drop of water in the desert. Everyone is hankering after
happiness, just as in the desert everyone is hankering after
water. If in the desert there is a drop of water, it may of
course be said that water is there, but the benefit from that
drop of water is very insignificant. In our materialistic way
of life, which is just like a desert, we are hankering after an
ocean of happiness, but in the form of society, friends and
mundane love we are getting no more than a drop of water. Our
satisfaction is never achieved, as the small rivulets, lakes
and ponds are never filled with water in the dry season.
Due to rainfall, the grass, trees and other vegetation look
very green. Sometimes the grass is covered by a certain kind of
red insect, and when the green and red combine with
the umbrellalike mushrooms, the entire scene changes,
just like a person who has suddenly become rich. The farmer
then becomes very happy to see his field full of grain, but
the capitalists -- who are always unaware of the activities of
a supernatural power -- become unhappy because they are afraid
of a competitive price due to abundant production. In some
places certain capitalists in government restrict the farmers'
production of grain, not knowing the actual fact
that all food grains are supplied by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. According to the Vedic injunction, eko bahunam yo
vidadhati kaman: the Supreme Personality of Godhead maintains
this creation; therefore, He arranges for a supply of whatever
is required for all living entities. When there is a population
increase, it is the business of the Supreme Lord to feed the
people. But atheists or miscreants do not like
abundant production of food grains, especially if their
business might be hampered.
During the rainy season, all living entities in the land, sky
and water become very much refreshed, exactly like one who
engages in the transcendental loving service of the Lord. We
have practical experience of this with our students in the
International Society for Krishna Consciousness. Before
becoming students, they were dirty-looking, although they had
naturally beautiful personal features; due to having no
information of Krsna consciousness they appeared very dirty and
wretched. Since they have taken to Krsna consciousness, their
health has improved, and by their following the rules and
regulations, their bodily luster has increased. When they are
dressed with saffron-colored cloth, with tilaka on their
foreheads and beads in their hands and on their necks, they
look exactly as if they have come directly from Vaikuntha.
In the rainy season, when the rivers swell and rush to the
oceans and seas, they appear to agitate the ocean. Similarly,
if a person who is engaged in the mystic yoga process is
not very much advanced in spiritual life, he can become
agitated by the sex impulse. Although during the rainy
season the high mountains are splashed by torrents of rain,
they do not change; similarly, a person who is advanced in
Krsna consciousness, even if put into difficulties, is not
embarrassed. A person who is spiritually advanced
accepts any adverse condition of life as the mercy of the Lord,
and thus he is completely eligible to enter into the spiritual
kingdom.
In the rainy season some of the roads are not frequently used,
and they become covered with long grasses. These roads are
exactly like a brahmana who is not accustomed to studying and
practicing the reformatory methods of the Vedic injunctions --
he becomes covered with the long grasses of maya. In that
condition, forgetful of his constitutional nature, he forgets
his position of eternal servitorship to the Supreme Personality
of Godhead. By being deviated by the seasonal overgrowth of
long grasses created by maya, a person identifies himself with
the mayic production and succumbs to illusion, forgetting his
spiritual life.
During the rainy season, lightning appears in one group of
clouds and then immediately in another group of clouds. This
phenomenon is compared to a lusty woman who does not fix her
mind on one man. A cloud is compared to a qualified person
because it pours rain and gives sustenance to many people; a
man who is qualified similarly gives sustenance to many living
creatures, such as family members or many workers in a business.
Unfortunately, his whole life can be disturbed by a wife who
divorces him; when the husband is disturbed, the whole family
is ruined, the children are dispersed or the business is closed,
and everything is affected. It is therefore recommended that a
woman desiring to advance in Krsna consciousness
live peacefully with a husband and that the couple not separate
under any condition. The husband and wife should control sex
indulgence and concentrate their minds on Krsna consciousness
so their life may be successful. After all, in the material
world a man requires a woman and a woman requires a man. When
they are combined, they should live peacefully in Krsna
consciousness and should not be restless like the lightning,
flashing from one group of clouds to another.
Sometimes, in addition to the roaring thunder of the clouds,
there is an appearance of a rainbow, which stands as a bow
without a string. Actually, a bow is in the curved position
because it is tied at its two ends by the bowstring; but in the
rainbow there is no such string, and yet it rests in the sky so
beautifully. Similarly, when the Supreme Personality of Godhead
descends to this material world, He appears just like an
ordinary human being, but He is not resting on any material
condition. In the Bhagavad-gita, the Lord says that He appears
by His internal potency, which is free from the bondage of the
external potency. What is bondage for the ordinary creature is
freedom for the Personality of Godhead. In the rainy season,
the moonlight is covered by clouds but is visible at intervals.
It sometimes appears that the moon is moving with the movement
of the clouds, but actually the moon is still; due to the
clouds it also appears to move. Similarly, for one who has
identified himself with the moving material world, his actual
spiritual luster is covered by illusion, and with the movement
of material activities he thinks that he is moving through
different spheres of life. This is due to false ego, which is
the demarcation between spiritual and material existence, just
as the moving cloud is the demarcation between moonlight and
darkness. In the rainy season, when the clouds appear for the
first time, the peacocks
dance with joy upon seeing them. The peacocks can be
compared to persons who are very much harassed in the
materialistic way of life. If they can find the association of
a person engaged in the loving devotional service of the Lord,
they become enlightened and dance just like peacocks
. We have practical experience of this: many
of our students were dry and morose previous to their coming to
Krsna consciousness, but having come into contact with devotees,
they are now dancing like jubilant peacocks.
Plants and creepers grow by drinking water from the ground.
Similarly, a person practicing austerities becomes dry, but
after the austere performances are completed and he gets the
result, he begins to enjoy life in sense gratification with
family, society, love, home and other paraphernalia. He becomes
jolly, like newly grown plants and grass. Sometimes it is seen
that cranes and ducks meander continually on the banks of the
lakes and rivers, although the banks are filled with muddy
garbage and thorny creepers. Similarly, persons who are
householders without Krsna consciousness are constantly
tarrying in material life, in spite of all kinds of
inconveniences. In family life, or any life, one cannot be
perfectly happy without being Krsna conscious. Srila Narottama
dasa Thakura prays that he will have the association of a
person -- either a householder or a man in the renounced order
of life -- who is engaged in the transcendental loving service
of the Lord and is always crying the holy name of Lord Caitanya.
For the materialistic person, worldly affairs become too
aggressive, whereas to a person who is in Krsna consciousness,
everything appears to be happily situated.
The barriers around an agricultural field sometimes break due
to heavy torrents of rain. Similarly, the unauthorized
atheistic propaganda in the Age of Kali breaks the boundary of
the Vedic injunctions. Thus people gradually degenerate to
godlessness. In the rainy season, the clouds, tossed by the
wind, deliver water which is welcomed like nectar. When the
Vedic followers, the brahmanas, inspire rich men like kings and
members of the wealthy mercantile community to give charity in
the performance of great sacrifices, the distribution of such
wealth is also nectarean. The four sections of human society,
namely the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas and the sudras,
are meant to live peacefully in a cooperative mood; this is
possible when they are guided by expert Vedic brahmanas who
perform sacrifices and distribute wealth equally.
Vrndavana forest improved from the rains and was replete with
ripened dates, mangoes, blackberries and other fruits. Lord
Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, along with His
boyfriends and Lord Balarama, entered the forest to
enjoy the new seasonal atmosphere. The cows, being fed by new
grasses, became very healthy, and their milk bags were all very
full. When Lord Krsna called them by name, they immediately
came to Him out of affection, and in their joyful condition the
milk flowed from their bags. Lord Krsna was very much pleased
when passing through the Vrndavana forest by the site of
Govardhana Hill. On the bank of the Yamuna He saw all the trees
decorated with beehives pouring honey. There were many
waterfalls on Govardhana Hill, and their flowing made a nice
sound. Krsna heard them as He looked into the caves of the hill.
When the rainy season was not ended completely but was
gradually turning to autumn, sometimes, especially when there
was rainfall within the forest, Krsna and His companions would
sit under a tree or within the caves of Govardhana Hill and
enjoy eating the ripened fruits and talking with great pleasure.
When Krsna and Balarama were in the forest, Mother
Yasoda used to send Them some fruits, sweetmeats and rice mixed
with yogurt. Krsna would take them,
sit down on a slab of stone on the bank of the Yamuna, and call
His friends to join Him. While Krsna and Balarama and Their
friends were eating, they watched the cows, calves and bulls.
The cows appeared to be a little tired from standing with their
heavy milk bags. By sitting and chewing grass, they became
happy, and Krsna was pleased to see them. He was proud to see
the beauty of the forest due to the rainy season, which was
nothing but the manifestation of His own energy. At such times
Krsna would praise nature's special activities during the rainy
season. It is stated in the Bhagavad-gita that the material
energy, or nature, is not independent in its actions. Nature is
acting under the superintendence of Krsna. This is confirmed in
the Brahma-samhita, which states that material nature, known as
Durga, is acting as the shadow of Krsna. Whatever order is sent
from Krsna, material nature obeys. Therefore the natural beauty
created by the rainy season was acted out according to the
indications of Krsna, who thus felt very proud of material
nature's beautiful activities.
While Krsna and
Balarama were enjoying the gifts of
the rainy
season in this way,
the autumn season
gradually arrived,
when all the water reservoirs become very clean, and when
pleasing and refreshing air blows everywhere.
With the appearance of autumn, the sky was completely cleared
of all clouds, and it recovered its natural blue color. The
blooming lotus flowers in the clear water in the forest
appeared like persons who have fallen down from yoga
practice but have again become beautiful by resuming their
spiritual life. Everything becomes naturally beautiful with the
appearance of the autumn season. Similarly, when a
materialistic person takes to Krsna consciousness and spiritual
life, he also becomes as clear as the sky and water in autumn.
The autumn season takes
away the rolling of dark clouds in the sky as well as the
polluted water. Filthy conditions on the ground also become
cleansed. Similarly, a person who takes to Krsna consciousness
immediately becomes cleansed of all dirty things within and
without. Krsna is therefore known as Hari. Hari means "he who
takes away." Krsna immediately takes away all unclean habits
from anyone who takes to Krsna consciousness. The clouds of
autumn are white, for they do not carry any water. Similarly, a
retired man, being freed from all responsibility of family
affairs (namely, maintaining the home, wife and children) and
taking completely to Krsna consciousness, becomes freed from
all anxieties and looks as white as clouds in autumn. Sometimes
in autumn the falls come down from the top of the hill to
supply clean water, and sometimes they stop. Similarly,
sometimes great saintly persons distribute clear knowledge, and
sometimes they are silent. The small ponds, which were filled
with water because of the rainy season, gradually dry up in
autumn. As for the small aquatics living in the reservoirs,
they cannot understand that their ponds are diminishing day
by day, just as the materially engrossed persons cannot
understand that their duration of life is being reduced day by
day. Such persons are engaged in maintaining cows, property,
children, wife, society and friendship. Due to the reduced
water and scorching heat from the sun in the autumn season, the
small creatures living in small reservoirs of water are very
much disturbed; they are exactly like uncontrolled persons who
are always unhappy from being unable to enjoy life or maintain
their family members. The muddy earth gradually dries up, and
newly grown fresh vegetation begins to wither. Similarly, for
one who has taken to Krsna consciousness, desire for family
enjoyment gradually dries up.
Because of the appearance of the autumn season, the water of
the ocean becomes calm and quiet, just as a person developed in
self-realization becomes free from disturbance by the three
modes of material nature. In autumn, farmers save the water
within the fields by building strong walls so that the water
contained within the field cannot run out. There is hardly any
hope for new rainfall; therefore they want to save whatever is
in the field. Similarly, a person who is actually advanced in
self-realization protects his energy by controlling the senses.
It is advised that after the age of fifty one should retire
from family life and conserve the energy of the body for
utilization in the advancement of Krsna consciousness. Unless
one is able to control the senses and engage them in the
transcendental loving service of Mukunda, there is no
possibility of salvation.
During the daytime in autumn, the sun is very scorching, but at
night, due to the clear moonshine, people get relief from the
day's fatigue. Similarly, a person who takes shelter of Mukunda,
or Krsna, can be saved from the fatigue of misidentifying
the body with the self. Mukunda, or Krsna, is also the source
of solace for the damsels of Vrndavana. The damsels of
Vrajabhumi are always suffering because of separation from
Krsna, but when they meet Him during the moonlit autumn
night, their fatigue of separation is relieved. When
the sky is clear of all clouds, the stars at night shine very
beautifully; similarly, when a person is actually situated in
Krsna consciousness, he is cleared of all dirty things, and he
becomes as beautiful as the stars in the autumn sky. Although
the Vedas contain instructions for pursuing knowledge (jnana),
for practicing mystic yoga and for engaging in karmic
activities in the form of sacrifices, the ultimate
purpose of the Vedas is stated in the Bhagavad-gita: one has to
accept Krsna consciousness after thoroughly studying
the Vedas. Therefore the clean heart of a
devotee in Krsna consciousness can be compared to the clean sky
of the autumn season. During autumn, the moon looks very bright
along with the stars in the clear sky. Lord Krsna Himself
appeared in the sky of the Yadu dynasty, and He was exactly
like the moon surrounded by the stars, or the members of the
Yadu dynasty. When there are ample blooming flowers in the
gardens in the forest, the fresh, aromatic breeze gives great
relief to the persons who have suffered during the summer and
rainy seasons. Unfortunately, such breezes could not give any
relief to the gopis because of their hearts' dedication to
Krsna. People in general might have taken pleasure in that nice
autumn breeze, but the gopis, not being embraced by Krsna, were
not very much satisfied.
On the arrival of the autumn season, all the cows, deer, birds
and females in general become pregnant, because in that season
all the husbands generally become impelled by sex
desire. Such pregnant females are exactly like the
transcendentalists who, by the grace of the Supreme Lord, are
bestowed with the benediction of their destinations in life.
Srila Rupa Gosvami has instructed in his Upadesamrta that one
should execute devotional service with great enthusiasm,
patience and conviction and should follow the rules and
regulations, keep oneself clean from material contamination and
stay in the association of devotees. By following these six
principles, one is sure to achieve the desired result of
devotional service. For one who patiently follows the
regulative principles of devotional service, the time will
undoubtedly come when he will achieve the desired result, just
as the females reap results by becoming pregnant.
During the autumn, the lotus flowers in the lakes grow in large
numbers because of the absence of lilies; both the lilies and
the lotus flowers grow by sunshine, but during the autumn
season the scorching sunshine helps only the lotus. This
example is compared to a country where the king or
the government is strong: the unwanted elements like
thieves and robbers cannot prosper. When the citizens become
confident that they will not be attacked by robbers, they
develop with great satisfaction. A strong government is
compared to the scorching sunshine in the autumn season, the
lilies are compared to unwanted persons like robbers, and the
lotus flowers are compared to the satisfied citizens
. During autumn, the fields become filled with
ripened grain. At that time, the people become happy over the
harvest and observe various ceremonies, such as Navanna, the
offering of new grain to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
The new grain is first offered to the Deities in various
temples, and all are invited to take sweet rice made with this
new grain. There are other religious ceremonies and methods of
worship, particularly in Bengal, where the greatest of all such
ceremonies is held, called Durga-puja.
In Vrndavana the autumn season was very beautiful then because
of the presence of the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krsna
and Balarama. The mercantile community, the royal order and
great sages were free to move about in order to achieve their
desired benedictions. Similarly, the transcendentalists, when
freed from the encagement of the material body, also achieve
their desired goal. During the rainy season, the mercantile
community cannot move from one place to another and so do not
get their desired profit. Nor can the royal order go from one
place to another to collect taxes from the people. As for
saintly persons, who must travel to preach transcendental
knowledge, they also are restrained by the rainy season. But
during the autumn, all of them leave their confines. In the
case of the transcendentalist, be he a jnani, a yogi or a
devotee, because of the material body he cannot actually enjoy
spiritual achievement. But as soon as he gives up the body, or
after death, the jnani merges into the spiritual effulgence of
the Supreme Lord, the yogi transfers himself to the various
higher planets, and the devotee goes to the planet of the
Supreme Lord, Goloka Vrndavana or one of the Vaikunthas, and
thus enjoys his eternal spiritual life.
Thus ends the Bhaktivedanta purport of the Twentieth Chapter of
Krsna, "Description of Autumn."
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