EP #53 — Gauranga Swami | What Krishna Consciousness Really Teaches

Added: 2026-05-19

[00:00:00]Is there a concept of sin?

[00:00:03]>> Sin is understood as uh whatever takes us away from living our authentic spiritual life.

[00:00:12]>> Okay. Whatever >> takes us away from our authentic spiritual life. Therefore, we are wondering why so many upheavalss from nature, from our neighbors, from our mind. It is a response of living violent lives, wars. So human being if he doesn't consult higher knowledge how to use human form he violates the laws of nature. Ultimately the spirit you and I do not require sex. Let that sink in.

[00:00:45]>> As far as the north pole is from the south we are bridging the knowledge gap from centuries past. We inspire you to find your true north. From Timbuktu to Alexandria, from the city of Johannesburg to New York. From the Zulus to the Doon people, we're disrupting the knowledge economy. We are sur network.

[00:01:23]The problem is not the seed but the problem is the soil in which we plant the seed. This is because the growth of any seed depends on the quality of the soil. You have a great seed but the problem is the soil. You need to cultivate the soil. You need to work on the soil. You need to put manure on that soil. You need to water that soil.

[00:01:47]Ladies and gentlemen, the seed is your dream, your idea, your potential. But the soil is your environment, your physical environment, spiritual, mental and also emotional environment. You need to work hard on cultivating and declustering the environment to make sure that the seed that you carry, they germinate and blossom into something beautiful that you are called to do in this life.

[00:02:29]Once more, it's another privilege to present this special episode of SEMAX Network. Every week, we taught in the globe to bring you some of the world's amazing people with amazing experiences and teachings. and we beaming from the southern tip of Africa, the motherland, South Africa, Johannesburg. And we are welcoming another great guest here on the show. It's not the first time he has been on the show before. So you've called him to come back and now he's back on the show. He is a monk and a chairperson of wake up South Africa. He holds a seat in the advisory board of Iscon SA National Council. His teachings focuses on cultivating meaningful spiritual practices. As you help me to welcome once more on SMX network Goranga Swami, welcome to the show sir.

[00:03:26]>> Thank you sax. Happy to be back.

[00:03:28]>> How are you doing?

[00:03:30]>> I'm inspired.

[00:03:31]>> Yeah, >> I'm inspired. uh there's an awakening and there's an audience and uh part of your listeners are that very audience that soil that needs to be tilled.

[00:03:44]>> Yeah.

[00:03:44]>> Very well.

[00:03:46]>> You've been on this spiritual journey for how many years now?

[00:03:49]>> I started in O2. So this should be >> Yeah. It's been it's been a while. Do you feel that the world is now been receptive is opening up to these spiritual teachings particularly the one that you have?

[00:04:08]>> Yes. I would say that fortunately and unfortunately we don't learn by hearing first. It's a first class intelligence one hears and executes what they hear. Second class intelligence means one hears but they think let me try and then when they find their own failure then they learn.

[00:04:31]>> Third class intelligence means after hearing a criminal gets punished when he steals one steals and they become caught and punished and still they go and do it again. Mhm.

[00:04:43]>> So with the world being in a tough condition now, economic systems are unreliable.

[00:04:54]The wars are breaking out and it's becoming difficult to maintain body and soul. Then people are asking the right questions. Why is this happening? Who made this world the way it is?

[00:05:09]>> Who am I? What is my place? What is my purpose? So I find Krishna consciousness is becoming more and more relevant >> because it is dealing with the deepest needs of every living being.

[00:05:25]>> In my travels I find that initially people are trying to understand what we are based on seeing.

[00:05:32]>> Yes >> the externals which is natural.

[00:05:36]However, real knowledge is transmitted by an ear and an ear which is submissive.

[00:05:42]When one feels themselves, I don't really know. I don't have the answers. I don't have the solutions. Then they are open means the heart opens to receive something. So we are being humbled >> by the current world situation. And when we're being humbled, we become open to inquiry and to taking in higher order knowledge.

[00:06:07]>> So in other words, the world or people are forced by the crisis by the situation that we find ourselves in to to seek the answers and the truth.

[00:06:25]>> Yes. Uhhuh. So it is basically embedded in the design of the universe that we're in >> the element of frustration because when one feels themselves comfortable and happy materially then they become completely detached >> from going within and asking the important questions they just become >> engrossed in sensuality. So it's an advantage when we are being forced.

[00:06:58]>> I would make this point at this junction that material nature by design by Krishna's design, God's design is creating this force by creating limitations.

[00:07:15]M >> so every living being is limited in their ability to know and to perceive everything because the senses are imperfect.

[00:07:27]Everybody makes mistakes.

[00:07:30]Everybody is illusioned and also they have the cheating propensity.

[00:07:34]So when we have these sort of limitations or defects when it comes to our ability to know reality we become limited.

[00:07:45]That is on a level of the machine that we're working with. Another level is that the whole universe is a contained space.

[00:07:54]Everything is governed by time. So you cannot have more time than you want.

[00:08:02]From the first breath to the last breath is part of the destiny of every living.

[00:08:06]Another limitation. M >> even if you want to be an enjoyer of your tongue and your stomach, how much can you eat?

[00:08:17]>> Even limited.

[00:08:18]>> Everything is limited.

[00:08:19]>> Yeah.

[00:08:20]>> So, however, we have a desire for the unlimited space.

[00:08:26]>> We want unending things. Happiness that doesn't end. Knowledge that doesn't end.

[00:08:31]Love that is unconditional. That is without limits.

[00:08:36]>> That is ever increasing. ever fresh.

[00:08:38]>> A lot of spiritualists or observers and researchers agree that the time that we are in as the world we are now experiencing a big shift in global consciousness where other people say is a spiritual awakening.

[00:08:57]There's a deep sense of awakening that is shifting in the spiritual realms. Do you feel the same way?

[00:09:07]I do I do also it sort of matches with the period of the earth >> in books like Bhagavatam Shrimat Bhagatam Bhavagita it's described the cycles of the earth and the age we're in now is known as the age of quarrel and hypocrisy called >> kali >> in that kali there's a 10,000year period which is called the golden age.

[00:09:37]>> Mhm.

[00:09:37]>> So we are maybe 6,000 years into the age of quarrel. It lasts about 432,000 years. And so the first 10,000 years is a golden age where spirituality uh be becomes highlighted because the difficulties that are there are pushing people to inquire and have deeper questions. M >> however after this time elapses 10,000 years then the age itself because it's symptomized by quarrel fighting people are shortlived they're lazy then ultimately ignorance will take over and people will just be degraded >> but now is that time you know the Aquarian age >> so there is that impetus within the universe within the Earth for spiritual inquiry >> and would you say is the right time as well for the Krishna consciousness >> Krishna consciousness is always relevant at all times however when the disease is very strong we're in the age of iron quarrel there's so much disturbance >> then the medicine is also simple to take but very efficient so the process of chanting har krishna which is the prime medicine that creates the awakening of Krishna consciousness.

[00:11:07]>> By Krishna consciousness I mean dominant God consciousness.

[00:11:11]>> Okay.

[00:11:12]>> Yes.

[00:11:13]>> How does the Krishna consciousness help us help ordinary people to understand the times that we find ourselves in where people there are wars going in uh going on in the world right now. There are untold things are happening. The Christians would say there's a revelation. The book of revelation has foretold these stories that are to come and other spiritual heritages. How does uh the Krishna consciousness help us to understand the times that we find ourselves in?

[00:11:55]>> Well, primarily the Krishna consciousness movement is an educational movement. Mhm.

[00:12:00]>> So knowledge is the source of all good fortune.

[00:12:07]Knowledge is like light.

[00:12:09]>> And when we don't have knowledge, it's as good as being in the dark. That means ignorance. So first the education of identity is very important.

[00:12:21]If one is not clear about their deepest identity, then they can never do anything which is relevant and needed for themselves. I often give the example of the driver in a car. So we are the spiritual being, the driver of the human body, his car. But if the driver of a regular car thinks he's that M3 or Porsche that he's driving, uh, when he gets hit, he's angry. You hit me. You hit me. He's fighting. But the other driver says, "I hit the car. I didn't hit you."

[00:13:01]>> Meaning the driver of the car is different from the vehicle. However, when we are in this car of the body, we tend to think this body is who I am.

[00:13:14]We forget that this body was received in the womb and dust to dust, ashes to ashes. So spiritual education is what is lacking.

[00:13:26]>> There is theory on spiritual understanding but people aren't having processes to realize that so that we can live as spiritual beings. In the language people will say my spirit when in fact you are that spirit.

[00:13:47]It's your body. It means you're different from your body. It's your mind. You're different from the mind.

[00:13:52]>> So >> by giving knowledge of the self then one can then understand where am I? I'm in a material body. I have a material mind and senses. Then I'm in the material universe.

[00:14:09]Then you can start planning where to go from here. But if I don't know who I am, where I am, then how do I propose to go anywhere?

[00:14:21]>> Yeah.

[00:14:22]>> But who should teach us who we are?

[00:14:25]Isn't it supposed to be natural to be what we are?

[00:14:29]>> Oh, for everything there's a teacher.

[00:14:32]This is also another assumption. People think that when it comes to knowing self, it will be a spontaneous awakening. No, just to learn ABCD 1 2 3 you needed a teacher.

[00:14:45]So now who is to teach us? The first teacher is the supreme person himself.

[00:14:52]God is the teacher.

[00:14:54]Now some may say they don't believe in God.

[00:15:01]uh that's for you to make that experiment. What is life without that belief?

[00:15:07]>> But if you want education for things that are beyond our sense perception, realities that are beyond the limitations, then you have to hear from those who are beyond the limited sphere.

[00:15:19]>> So therefore you find in every civilized culture there is some scriptures. They are also then saintly persons means liberated souls. They descend into this material world and they give this information. And then there's another category those who themselves take up the sciences of spiritual awakening and realize the truths of the theories given by God and the saints. they become qualified to teach because they've walked the path and they have the requisite realization.

[00:15:58]The liberated ones, how do we understand them? H as in the context of Krishna consciousness would one say is what people would say the Christian would say angels or Africans will say ancestors.

[00:16:17]No, not in that case.

[00:16:18]>> Okay. Yes, >> please.

[00:16:19]>> Uh because the ancestors sometimes are themselves needing our help.

[00:16:25]>> They are not liberated yet. That's why Ukoko is angry. Umu is angry. They want things of this earth. So they are still materially attached. Uh angels are guardians on the higher planets of the universe but still within the material universe.

[00:16:43]>> Okay. So they're still limited, not the liberated ones. still limited. The liberated ones means they are residents of the spiritual world and they are coming in to awaken us. Hey, this is not your home. In the limited sphere, you will not get what you are thirsting for as a spiritual being.

[00:17:06]>> And therefore, they teach by being the examples. Their life is their message. M >> so you had spoken about how do we get the education so in Krishna consciousness there are the scriptures then there are the saintly people who live the scriptures and then there's one own guru a teacher that I've accepted who is living the teach the teachings >> so in this way you can verify >> the theory of the books if someone may take it to be theory in the scriptures by seeing those who have applied them seeing if they are getting the results which are proposed in the books.

[00:17:49]>> Okay.

[00:17:51]Goranga Swami H please allow me because many people are not familiar with uh the Krishna consciousness. I know in the first episode we spoke about the basics but I'll once again go there for the purpose of those who may see this episode for the first time but may also be interested in what uh the Krishna consciousness is is is about at the core of Krishna conscious. Please explain the the Krishna consciousness.

[00:18:21]Krishna consciousness. So consciousness is awareness and consciousness is the symptom of life of the soul. So what is the awareness of the living entity before conditioning? So our original awareness is God consciousness or Krishna consciousness. Krishna describes God the source of all energies as the all attractive being. Mhm.

[00:18:50]>> He possesses all wealth or fame or beauty or strength or renunciation.

[00:18:55]All those qualities attract us. Whatever is attractive to us >> can be traced back to that source. So the name Krishna. So from Har Krishna is Har Krishna the is Har Krishna is a central figure within the Krishna consciousness like a Buddha in the Buddhist like Jesus Christ like Muhammad, Prophet Muhammad. So that question Har Krishna now brings into focus that God has masculine and feminine aspect. So Har >> addresses the feminine aspect of God >> and then Krishna is the masculine side and in fact >> according to this understanding Krishna is the only masculine.

[00:19:44]>> Okay. Everything being his energy is considered feminine because it is his energy for his purposes or for his enjoyment.

[00:19:56]>> So all energy is feminine and the source of energy is the actual masculine.

[00:20:02]>> So Har Krishna is not a is not a person.

[00:20:05]>> It is the supreme person and he's >> the person that existed.

[00:20:09]>> Yes. Is God the source of all living things all moving. Oh, so Har Krishna is God.

[00:20:16]>> Yes.

[00:20:16]>> In fact, it's interesting and I think if I'm not mistaken, one of the few spiritual heritages, if you allow me to say that, >> that recognizes the feminine, you know, that brings the feminine and the and the masculine because mostly they focus on on the masculine and not much is said about the the feminine energy.

[00:20:41]>> Yes. And uh particularly this wisdom is humanity's oldest most comprehensive body of knowledge. So it is educating on all that is contained within the universe.

[00:20:57]>> Okay. One last question. Was there a person called Har Krishna?

[00:21:02]>> No it's not a person called Har Krishna >> just like Jesus. And I'm sorry. Please bear with my ignorance. I really want to understand. We are familiar with Jesus.

[00:21:11]We know there was a a human who existed.

[00:21:14]Jesus, Prophet Muhammad, Buddha.

[00:21:18]>> So was there a person who lived and the enlightened one called Har Krishna?

[00:21:25]>> Krishna the supreme person God came to this planet over 5,000 years ago and Krishna spoke Bhagavagita. So this knowledge in this book is Krishna speaking to Ajuna. So there was a person >> called Krishna >> who came who descended into the earth and was called Krishna.

[00:21:45]>> Yes. He is eternal.

[00:21:47]>> Yeah.

[00:21:47]>> And he travels all over his creation sharing knowledge.

[00:21:52]>> Yeah.

[00:21:52]>> And he also is eternally in his own realm. So >> if you want to know the teachings of Krishna, he speaks in Bhagavad Gita.

[00:22:01]>> Okay.

[00:22:03]Please take us through the hierarchy again within the Krishna the Krishna consciousness.

[00:22:09]We'll start from the top. Yeah. Krishna is then the source of all emanation >> and then Krishna's expansion on the feminine energy side is >> Rada.

[00:22:22]>> So generally you will see a picture of Krishna with a lady next to him. This is Radha Krishna.

[00:22:29]>> Yes.

[00:22:29]>> This is the wife of Krishna >> is the eternal consort. When we say wife, >> it's lied.

[00:22:35]>> It evokes Yes.

[00:22:36]experiences of the limited world.

[00:22:38]>> I understand. But is the complimentary energy to Krishna?

[00:22:43]>> Yes. He's she's basically the embodiment of Krishna's ability to be happy and to enjoy. She's personified >> devotion and love.

[00:22:54]>> Yes.

[00:22:55]>> All right. Yes.

[00:22:56]>> So in that sense you have Krishna, you have Rada. And whenever Krishna expands also Rada expands. So therefore you find that >> this I understanding of mono one God >> but polymorphic meaning he is >> manifesting in >> in different forms.

[00:23:21]>> Different. Yeah. So in that way you can see from the original divine couple all other masculine and feminine situations arise.

[00:23:33]>> So Krishna then he expands into four >> armed feature known as Vishnu or Narayan. These names people will see online Vishnu.

[00:23:44]>> Yeah I see >> when you see a picture of Vishnu you'll see he has four arms. M >> that is Krishna but now he is in a more formal setting as God >> and also Krishna when he expands to deal with the material worlds there's three main deities you could say people know as the triodi >> Vishnu is maintaining this universe Brahma is in charge of creating arranging those elements into the universe and then Shiva uh ultimately isn't responsible for the destruction or the winding up. M >> so hierarchy in one sense is that God is at his most wonderful when he's at his sweetest without the the mood of I am God but where he gives relationship of friendship >> the relationship of parental and also a relationship of conjugal and then as you come down it becomes more formal Well, in the Vishnu situation, there's the relationship of servant and master and those who are feeling neutral. And uh when it comes to this material world, most of the theologies that we're dealing with, especially Abrahamic, >> yeah, >> are teaching to the level of our father and we are the children. Therefore, the children are always trying to get something from the father. M >> whereas bakti teaches that love should be I want to do something for the father therefore unmotivated selfless devotion which is not an easy concept for us to compute. How can I do something without wanting something in return? Please explain that. So pure devotion means that I am simply concerned with the happiness of the beloved. So in relation to God >> if a living being has come to a point where he says whether you embrace me or you kick me I am willing to do anything and everything that you want if it will make you happy.

[00:26:07]So that type of devotion is what will take us out of the limited world to the spiritual world. But if we are now in a relationship where we say please protect me only from my diseases, help me with my economics, uh fight for me against my enemies, make me prosper.

[00:26:30]>> That devotion is not pure devotion. It is mixed >> with material desires. Therefore, the teachings of Krishna consciousness take us from any platform and gradually help us to go to that level of pure devotion. And there it is therefore highlighted that human life is for realizing pure devotion to God. And pure devotion is not even discussed in this world. Therefore, people never aspire for it. They aspire for the latest greatest advertised things of the mature world.

[00:27:09]>> Goranga Swami, you have traveled the world not just physically but spiritually as well. You have committed over half of your life into this journey. I want us to talk about something that has even today is still dividing all the religions of the world.

[00:27:34]the truth because every either spiritual heritage or religion they claim to know the truth.

[00:27:45]Is there something called universal truth?

[00:27:49]>> Yes.

[00:27:50]>> And what's your understanding of it?

[00:27:53]>> Truth is either relative or absolute.

[00:28:00]So there are two you can look at it from two two angles >> two perspectives.

[00:28:04]>> Okay. Take us through through it.

[00:28:07]>> When we speak of uh relative truth >> Mhm.

[00:28:11]>> as the word says in relation to this world.

[00:28:15]>> Yes.

[00:28:16]>> Yes. So it then comes into the point where every person sees the world according to the classes they are wearing.

[00:28:25]>> So our knowledge is then state specific.

[00:28:28]Based on your consciousness, you comprehend certain things. And there we take for example a piece of pie.

[00:28:42]If you're dealing with it based on taste, there's a certain knowledge about it or it is salty.

[00:28:49]>> If you're looking at it with the eye, you can talk about its form, its shape.

[00:28:53]M >> if you're dealing with it from the the perspective of its nutrition, then you can analyze the carbohydrates, the fats, the this and this from the sense of touch. You can speak about the texture. And so five people can speak about the same pie and speak about it from different angles of vision. And all of them are speaking the truth because the nutritionist the one who tasted the one who looking at the form.

[00:29:24]>> So relative perspectives.

[00:29:26]>> Okay.

[00:29:27]>> Absolute truth is coming from the transcendental platform where the supreme authority the source of all knowledge gives information.

[00:29:41]>> Mhm. Now because we are so conditioned to think that there's no access to that personality, we become doubtful.

[00:29:55]>> Yeah, >> it's impossible that there can be absolute truth.

[00:29:59]>> But if we had to for the sake of philosophy say that whatever is created must have a creator.

[00:30:10]Mhm.

[00:30:11]>> Then if for example this phone there must be someone who knows how it was made. Yes.

[00:30:16]>> And how it functions.

[00:30:18]>> There's some intelligent being behind manifestation.

[00:30:24]So if you expand that like the scientist who was a god denier, he came back to his friend and he found in his office a model of the universe and he said, "Oh, this looks so nice." And he was moving the planets. Everything worked very nicely in this model. He said, "This is brilliant. Who made this? I mean, it's so precise." And his friend said, "Nobody made it." He said, "Don't waste my intelligence, man. You can't just say this thing is without a creator. It just manifested in your office."

[00:30:59]>> So by logic and intelligence, he could deduce that to have such a model with intricate functionality says there's intelligence behind it.

[00:31:12]>> So we are saying that we are living in a world dealing with systems that are intelligently designed. your eye, your digestive system, the chemicals that are flowing in the body keep a certain balance for the machine to work.

[00:31:27]>> To think that these systems somehow magically are just working precisely for determined results is an insult to the very intelligence that we are thinking we are saying those things with.

[00:31:45]So to the greatest extent, look at a seed. If I put a seed here of a mango tree, you would not know that in this seed there could be a tree that produces thousands of mangoes just by looking at it.

[00:32:02]>> But somehow or the other within that seed has been packaged a tree that will give thousands of mangoes with color and texture and flavor. And those seeds will give further trees.

[00:32:13]What science is this? What mysticism has packaged in such a small thing all this variety and all these systems that work and you put that seed where earth everyone's walking on the soil where is the color coming from in the soil where is the smell the flavor of that mango coming from just earth and water so when a human being has become dulled by material association in ignorance he leans on this contaminated intelligence and thinks he can understand there is no supreme source of everything. There's no absolute authority. Everything is just arbitrary.

[00:32:56]That is ignorance which is highlighted in the age of quarrel.

[00:33:00]>> Would you say absolute truth is what other people would describe as the laws of of nature.

[00:33:13]The laws of nature would be an extension of the absolute truth in that they are universal. They apply to all. Uh so just like consciousness is an absolute truth that everybody who is aware and living >> that means they are spiritual because spirit is symptomized by consciousness or awareness. M m.

[00:33:39]>> So the absolute truth is found in this world in terms of that which is spiritual >> life >> and then this universe is also governed by the laws which are infallible.

[00:33:54]>> Uh you can you can't stop them from working the way they work. That means they are an absolute force that is on us.

[00:34:05]What do you say to someone who says there's no absolute truth but there's your truth or my truth?

[00:34:14]>> That is very true.

[00:34:15]>> Say it is my truth.

[00:34:17]>> It is fashionable. Yeah. Today to say like that. Yeah. Yeah.

[00:34:21]>> Uh that is when we um and it's disease of the times false ego. Everyone thinks that everything is centered around them.

[00:34:32]So in an innocent situation that just means that this is what my senses perceive. This is how I analyze the situation and therefore it is my truth.

[00:34:45]Meaning you each soul is conscious of its own body. You know your pains and pleasures >> and I know my pains and pleasures. So in sort of a an innocent situation when I speak about my truth if I say I have a stomach ache >> you may say no no I don't see you don't look like you have one >> then I would say but I mean that's my experience that's my lived experience so at that level we are simply mentioning relativity and subjectivity that I have my experience now when we come to issues of the laws of nature. We are talking about transcendental reality. Then my truth and your truth are like trying to hold a candle up to the sun and say you are bringing more enlightenment.

[00:35:40]You can't really add much value because as we said imperfect senses tendency to be illusioned making mistakes and cheating propensity.

[00:35:52]M >> so already the machine with which I think I perceive and then uh propound truth with is defective.

[00:36:02]>> So on those issues of reality my truth your truth can be just used to justify that this is what I want to do leave me alone.

[00:36:12]>> Okay ladies and gentlemen you're still watching an amazing conversation with Goranga Swami. If you're enjoying the conversation, please make sure that you subscribe on our YouTube channel. It is sax network.

[00:36:30]And then let's talk about good and evil from the Krishna consciousness. What's your understanding of good and evil if the research?

[00:36:42]>> Yes. Good and evil are also described in terms of the two understandings. Mhm.

[00:36:51]>> Where we are saying there's a material manifestation and there's a spiritual manifestation.

[00:36:57]>> These are the two main energies in God.

[00:36:59]>> Mhm. Material and spiritual.

[00:37:01]>> Material and spiritual.

[00:37:02]>> That's how powerful material is.

[00:37:04]>> Yes. It's it's Krishna's energy. It's powerful.

[00:37:08]>> And so good and bad. The concept of duality is there.

[00:37:13]>> Then takes us to a conversation of moral understanding.

[00:37:18]uh are according to different cultures, different communities, they will deem certain things to be good or bad >> and sometimes even just hand gestures that in your country are just normal and good if you do them somewhere else they're considered bad. So um in the standard of Krishna consciousness when we are looking at good and bad then we understand what is good is that which is pleasing to the supreme person that which is authorized by the supreme lord that which enhances the removal of illusion from the heart of the living being. M >> so I'll take for example something that everyone will agree is good um helping an old lady cross the road for example will be considered good or telling the truth.

[00:38:16]>> Mhm.

[00:38:16]>> So we see one of your colleagues he runs in here and he hides at the corner there and someone comes through with a panga.

[00:38:24]Hey, hey, do you see such and such a person? And then if we think we are such good people, if we tell this man now he's hiding around the corner, that is the truth.

[00:38:36]Yes.

[00:38:38]>> But what is the result of such truth?

[00:38:41]>> Mhm.

[00:38:42]>> Is that harm is brought to that person.

[00:38:45]>> So in the relative space there's always hierarchical uh understanding of good and bad.

[00:38:52]There's something can be good but when applied at the wrong time becomes bad.

[00:38:59]And ultimately what it is is that all these shifting good and bad relative depending on situation >> are considered all bad if they don't arouse spiritual realization.

[00:39:15]Therefore the whole material universe is potentially good if one can understand and use it in relation to spiritual development god consciousness.

[00:39:26]>> So otherwise it is all bad in that it is a prison house a correctional facility.

[00:39:34]So if you look at it in terms of I'm locked in a limited world. Oh this is bad. But if you understand that the facility is for correcting you and taking you to a better environment then all opportunities are there. It's all good.

[00:39:50]>> Okay. So it means you can lie for a >> higher cause.

[00:39:55]>> Higher cause and that is good.

[00:39:58]>> Yes.

[00:39:58]>> That within the Krishna consciousness will be seen as good >> and and will not be absolute good because still there will be some better platform.

[00:40:08]>> Yes. Let's just talk about good, good and bad. If somebody like comes with a panga looking for one of my colleagues, God forbid, and then we say, "No, no, no, that person, we have not seen that person is not here.

[00:40:20]>> We are lying." But that's good because it was for a greater cause.

[00:40:24]>> Yes.

[00:40:26]So it it then brings the issue of moral moral morality because morality differs from nation to nation, people to people. What one nation or community may consider good moral maybe bad moral >> w with with others.

[00:40:48]Okay, let me make another example. In the animal kingdom where a lion for instance, when it goes to kill or to hunt, it's not out of bed or because it hates that. It's actually the cause of survival. If it's not hungry, it would not go out to harm. Is it the same understanding?

[00:41:11]So that now takes us also uh to how good and bad and the justice of the universe is enacted. So although lion and human being are both spiritual living beings, there is responsibility for one's actions when one has a human body.

[00:41:30]>> Mhm.

[00:41:31]>> For the animal, he is responding to the limitations of nature. Therefore, we say instinct. Therefore, he is not being condemned for killing.

[00:41:45]A human being who has intelligence to discriminate if killing is necessary for survival or not is responsible for whatever it does.

[00:41:58]like you and I and anyone at home, we will not die if we don't maintain slaughter houses that are killing millions and of fish, cows, and sheep and whatever animals. There's plenty food for us to live without all that bloodshed.

[00:42:17]Therefore, in human society, all that bloodshed is revisiting us karma.

[00:42:22]Therefore we are wondering why so many upheavalss from nature from our neighbors from our mind it is a response of living violent lives wars. So human being if he doesn't consult higher knowledge how to use human form he violates the laws of nature and then he's shocked. So me why all these problems? You didn't ask how to use this machine which was given to you by nature. You didn't ask how to use it properly.

[00:42:55]>> So for the human being, spiritual education is the most essential need of the time and Krishna consciousness is giving that information. However, people look at it as one of the competing religions. That would be >> your loss to think like that. And my service is to say the vadic knowledge.

[00:43:19]This Bhagavad Gita is for all human beings. It's relevant even in the higher planets.

[00:43:24]>> Yeah.

[00:43:25]>> It's it's educating all of us as spiritual beings. Don't look at it as another religion to get into.

[00:43:33]>> In Bhagavad Gita, it said 92. Nice verse.

[00:43:43]That's the Sanskrit.

[00:43:45]>> It means this knowledge is the king of all education. It is the most secret of all secrets. It is the perfection of religion because it gives direct perception of the self by realization.

[00:43:59]>> It is everlasting >> and it is joyfully performed. So means eternal knowledge does not care that you've been born in South Africa now and you think you're an African or a cross or a BI. It does not care that you think you're a Muslim, a Hindu, a Jew. It is talking to you as the eternal spiritual being and educating you. My dear spiritual being, you have now a machine called human body. It has this type of intelligence. It has a mind that gets conditioned in these ways. You have desires called lust, greed, envy. How do you clear them from the mirror of your perception? It is educating you what universe you are in, what planetary system you're in, how to cultivate humility, how to practice daily to feed your spirit. So this then becomes a manual for all those who are sincere in saying they want to understand truth.

[00:45:03]One would also argue if I understand you right, there are Christians, >> my beloved Christians, >> there are Africans, my beloved Africans, my beloved uh Muslims, Buddhist and many other spiritual heritages.

[00:45:25]So does that mean we should not ideally we should not identify as Christians as African spiritualist as Buddhist as the Hindus and all others is is it what it's saying and if that's the case if I follow Krishna consciousness is it not that form of identity as well in the within the spirituality >> very important question So the identifier on a t-shirt and whether it's it's called Zulu sutu >> it's an external marker of what this is called.

[00:46:08]>> All right.

[00:46:09]>> So all of these we would consider that these are schools.

[00:46:12]>> So what is to be understood in these schools of religion called one two three four.

[00:46:18]>> Yeah. So the subject matter is the absolute truth the personality of godhead and what is his will and intention with us >> and what is our relationship with that person.

[00:46:29]>> So if you actually go in those schools for the education then whenever there's education about the subject that you say you are in that religion for whenever that information is there you will take it up. But what happens is that we now are identifying with the school and think that all that is spoken in my school is the only information that is where then it becomes a limitation.

[00:46:59]>> So does Krishna consciousness doesn't it say there's the only truth?

[00:47:05]Does it acknowledge that there are other ways to connect to the source? So Krishna consciousness it shows the hierarchy of all these informations. All that is being learned in all these schools is addressed in the victory.

[00:47:22]>> So it acknowledges that Krishna consciousness is not the only way is one of the ways.

[00:47:28]>> Yes, it says that Krishna consciousness is not the only way. However, it will analyze that Krishna consciousness is PhD study of the absolute truth. And that is for you who doubts it to come and compare.

[00:47:44]>> Yes. Because if we will say let's sit and talk about say who is the person we call God.

[00:47:49]>> You bring all the other syllabuses and put it here. And this is what I encourage in my travels.

[00:47:56]>> We say we're interested in God. So talk about what your scripture says about God. Let's put it here on the table. And then let's see how much we've gathered.

[00:48:04]M >> but it becomes a problem when we are no longer interested in the subject matter >> but we are interested in the tag >> which then says because I chose pirates over chiefs then I'm better but we are both interested in football.

[00:48:21]>> So the Krishna consciousness is more about the football.

[00:48:24]>> Yes >> in this example.

[00:48:26]>> Yes. Now Goranga Swami according to the Bavakida I hope you were close this time that was close there and the Krishna consciousness is there a concept of sin.

[00:48:42]>> Sin is understood as uh whatever takes us away from living our authentic spiritual life.

[00:48:51]>> Okay. Whatever >> takes us away from our authentic spiritual life, >> that's sin.

[00:48:58]>> That is sinful.

[00:49:00]>> So it is acknowledged in the >> Yes.

[00:49:04]>> Is it punishable?

[00:49:06]>> Every action has a reaction. So sometimes what seems like a reward, I did something nice and I'm getting something good.

[00:49:14]>> Sometimes turns out to be the very punishment. You know sometime ah >> I thought I had such a beautiful handsome husband or beautiful wife but then because of their beauty now I'm suffering because everyone else is trying to get the beauty of my wife >> or I thought I was rewarded by having so much money but now I have so many fake friends and I have so many bad habits.

[00:49:38]So >> but that sounds more not like a sin but it sounds more like the duality of life.

[00:49:44]>> Yes. where pleasure comes from the same place as pain. Pain come from the same place as as pleasure. I mean the concept of sin to say if you you don't do this if you do this these are the >> Yes. So I was laying the foundation for that that >> um more than looking for that you're going to get punished for specific things because we think of sins these are the negative things you know >> here we're saying that the world rewards or gives equal and opposite reaction to anything and everything you do. Yeah, >> some things are intrinsically bringing negative results because they are negative in the activity. So here in Christian consciousness we teach that >> and you can see it everywhere. Gambling >> takes away truth.

[00:50:38]>> Yeah.

[00:50:38]>> So it is a sinful activity.

[00:50:41]>> Illicit sex, >> sex that is not committed in a relationship is sinful. M >> eating the blood and flesh of other animals >> is sinful and intoxication is sinful in that all of these >> are taking away truth, cleanliness, compassion, >> they defile.

[00:51:03]>> Yes.

[00:51:03]>> Okay.

[00:51:04]>> So in in that sense um it's more than believing something is a sin or not. M >> it's uh here you are being told >> you will get negative >> responses reactions when you do this you'll get positive when you do these things >> you can drink but don't be intoxicated >> because we're not being fanatic >> we will acknowledge that there's even alcohol that the body is producing yes and we'll acknowledge that some medicines have some intoxicating effects to deal with certain ailments.

[00:51:44]>> However, when we speak of intoxication, there's this desire to just gratify the senses and >> deviate from you could say normal consciousness.

[00:51:56]>> Do do you also believe that sex outside of is it outside of a relationship or marriage?

[00:52:03]>> Marriage.

[00:52:04]>> It's specified that marriage.

[00:52:08]>> Okay.

[00:52:08]>> Yes. Um, all culture >> speaks of committed relationships because within marriage, however you define it, not just the marriage of of divorce lawyers and you know, >> but formal taking of a spouse >> means now you are guardians and custodians of life that will come through you >> and so that commitment is needed is needed and >> so then there's some license for that sexual indulgence within that committed >> license still you need a license within.

[00:52:43]>> So when I say license I I in terms of universal law ultimately the spirit you and I do not require sex.

[00:52:54]>> Okay.

[00:52:55]>> Ultimately the spirit you and I do not require sex.

[00:53:00]>> Let that sink in.

[00:53:01]>> That's going to be the highlight opening of this episode.

[00:53:05]>> Thank you.

[00:53:06]>> Yeah. But because we think we are this biological machine, then that necessity is there within the body. But because it's of a high level consequence, it is approached with T's and C's. As we all know in the animal kingdom, the laws of nature already regulate.

[00:53:32]They they do it at a certain time and the results of sex come. But the human being as I can see on your face there Max already there's protests at home. Hay >> take the monk away. No he wants to take away I've been agreeing with the monk with everything that he's saying. Now he's talking about sex.

[00:53:57]Okay. Finally, what's your understanding of happiness?

[00:54:06]>> Also, happiness according to gradation.

[00:54:10]>> Mhm.

[00:54:10]>> Relative happiness.

[00:54:12]>> Everyone wants to be happy.

[00:54:13]>> Yes. Everyone wants to be happy. But because we're in the limited sphere and because we see the world according to our consciousness, then others are into happiness in the mode of ignorance, >> intoxication, >> they self-destruct in pursuit, >> drugs, >> they're happy. They wouldn't do it if they're not happy, >> but it's a low quality happiness. It's it's got heavy consequence.

[00:54:39]>> Mode of passion. I have business plans.

[00:54:42]I have travels. I'm growing my empire.

[00:54:44]I'm getting more and more. I'm getting prestige. This is the standard of our civilization. Happiness in the mode of passion, expansion and getting more.

[00:54:55]>> However, the more you deal with material nature, the more you're caught up with it. Therefore, 9 to5 and all the things we're going through. Then happiness and goodness it is farseeing that if I do this now which may not be nice for me to do like wake up every day for 15 years education but if I do it then oh I'll get a chance to have a job and earn money and raise a family then higher than all these relative happinesses is happiness in conjunction with the emotions of me the spiritual being I have an eternal identity And I have a relationship with Krishna.

[00:55:35]>> And once I connect in devotion and I begin to serve or do things in this world with Krishna in mind, God in mind, that now gives a higher quality of happiness >> and and that happiness is not cheap but it is also very simple. It just takes you to understand >> that I have a well-wisher in the supreme. I have a friend and let me acknowledge that relationship in my life.

[00:56:04]>> Where does happiness rank in the pyramid of consciousness?

[00:56:10]>> Happiness is a byproduct of spiritual connection.

[00:56:16]>> Mhm.

[00:56:16]>> That would be on the highest platform that if you do spiritual activity the byproduct will you will be happy because you are in line with the law.

[00:56:25]>> Happiness and peace.

[00:56:27]>> Peace is also a product of knowledge.

[00:56:32]>> Everything belongs to the supreme. He's my friend and my well-wisher. And everything I do, the sacrifices I make should be an offering.

[00:56:43]>> So God has given us something. Our abilities, our body >> and now our gift to him is what we do >> with the abilities and the body we have.

[00:56:53]Then one like a noncriminal when they hear the sirens of the police >> they don't worry.

[00:57:02]>> Yeah.

[00:57:03]>> Because they are aligned.

[00:57:04]>> Yes.

[00:57:04]>> But if you're like trying to shortcuts and joy like this like that you can never have peace.

[00:57:11]>> Finally monk may you please comment on detaching like the beauty of of living a detached world from materialism.

[00:57:24]The type of detachment that we are teaching is become attached to proper behavior, proper knowledge, proper diet, uh proper life, >> a higher order life.

[00:57:37]>> If you're attached to doing those things that are of higher consciousness, >> then naturally you'll be detached from the things that entangle you and create suffering for you and others. M >> and ultimately then you see there's nothing to be detached from because everything has its natural connection to the source >> otherwise it is dry >> to say that I detached from all this money at FNB bank but it's never yours the money at FNB bank so how can you renounce it or become detached it's not yours >> so acknowledging Krishna acknowledging God owns you owns everything he loves us and let's cooperate.

[00:58:20]>> That is where the biggest struggle is.

[00:58:23]There is insufficient knowledge of this supreme person.

[00:58:28]>> Therefore, human beings thinks they can make some other solution outside >> of the solutions provided by the source of everything.

[00:58:38]>> Goranga Swami, thank you very much. In the next conversation which will arrange I would like us to talk about where we ended >> the materialism and more onto detachment in a world that is driven by so much materialism wanting more and more and more. I would definitely like to hear your teachings on that because that is in my view that is the source of all suffering and I'm not denouncing materialism.

[00:59:08]I'm just saying the balance. How do we bring the balance between this and that?

[00:59:12]And I would like to hear your teachings from that because in my view honestly that is the source of all suffering that we have.

[00:59:19]>> Thank you sir Max.

[00:59:20]>> Thank you very much for coming to the show ladies and gentlemen. That's how we come to the end of this conversation.

[00:59:26]Please do us a favor. Subscribe on our YouTube channel. We want it to grow so that we can continue to attract to attract monks like Goranga Swami to come and share their priceless wisdom and their spiritual teachings here on the show. I am Se