Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 1.8.40
Blended reading (Sanskrit + English inline)
Human prosperity flourishes by natural gifts and not by gigantic industrial enterprises. The gigantic industrial enterprises are products of a godless civilization, and they cause the destruction of the noble aims of human life. The more we go on increasing such troublesome industries to squeeze out the vital energy of the human being, the more there will be unrest and dissatisfaction of the people in general, although a few only can live lavishly by exploitation. The natural gifts such as grains and vegetables, fruits, rivers, the hills of jewels and minerals, and the seas full of pearls are supplied by the order of the Supreme, and as He desires, material nature produces them in abundance or restricts them at times. The natural law is that the human being may take advantage of these godly gifts by nature and satisfactorily flourish on them without being captivated by the exploitative motive of lording it over material nature. The more we attempt to exploit material nature according to our whims of enjoyment, the more we shall become entrapped by the reaction of such exploitative attempts. If we have sufficient grains, fruits, vegetables and herbs, then what is the necessity of running a slaughterhouse and killing poor animals? A man need not kill an animal if he has sufficient grains and vegetables to eat. The flow of river waters fertilizes the fields, and there is more than what we need. Minerals are produced in the hills, and the jewels in the ocean. If the human civilization has sufficient grains, minerals, jewels, water, milk, etc., then why should it hanker after terrible industrial enterprises at the cost of the labor of some unfortunate men? But all these natural gifts are dependent on the mercy of the Lord. What we need, therefore, is to be obedient to the laws of the Lord and achieve the perfection of human life by devotional service. The indications by Kuntīdevī are just to the point. She desires that God’s mercy be bestowed upon them so that natural prosperity be maintained by His grace.
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- Gaura Pr SB 01-08-40 Telugu
- SDAP SB 01-08-40 - 2014-06-10 Mauritius
- Vaisesika Pr SB 01-08-40 - 2008-01-05
- BCS SB 01-08-40 - 2005-09-24 Ujjain
- BCS SB 01-08-40 - Preliminary Understanding of Spiritual Reality - 2005-09-24 Ujjain
- BCS SB 01-08-40 - Krishna Consciousness become Conscious of Krishna - 2019-04-27 Deland
- BRasamritaSw Hindi SB 01-08-40 - Sadha Jivan Uccha Vichar - 2022-11-23 GokulDham Belgaum
- BhaktiVasudeva Sw SB 01-08-40 Slovenian Translation - Kako dobiti milost Gospoda - 2025-05-31 ISKCON Slovenia
- BhaktiVasudeva Sw SB 01-08-40 - How to get the grace of the Lord - 2025-05-31 ISKCON Slovenia
- DMS SB 01-08-40 - 2018-06-29 Los Angeles
- HanumatPSw SB 01-08-40 - 2013-10-04 ISKCON Hawaii
- HanumatPSW SB 01-08-40 - 2013-10-04 ISKCON Hawaii
- SP Tamil Translation SB 01-08-40 - Modern Inventions Make Hell - 1974-10-20 MAY
- SP Tamil Translation SB 01-08-40 - By Krishna%27s Glance All Is OK - 1973-05-02
- SP SB 1-08-40 Mayapur 1974-10-20 Modern Inventions Make Hell
- SP SB 1-08-40 Los Angeles 1973-05-02 By Krishna%27s Glance All Is OK
- Where am I taking ordinary abundance as natural rather than as grace?
- What concrete sign of His glance is in front of me today?
My note
Source: vedabase.io