Cheap Thing - Śrīla Prabhupāda on the Trivialization of Spiritual Life
The defining characteristic of the Kali-yuga is degradation, not only in material morals but in spiritual philosophy. People have become incredibly lazy, desiring the highest spiritual perfection without wanting to undergo any actual purification. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that this laziness has created a market for a "cheap thing." False gurus and whimsical philosophers have emerged to sell the public exactly what they want: a cheap version of God, a cheap version of the soul, and a cheap method of liberation that demands absolutely no sacrifice.
The Epidemic of False Gods
One of the most disturbing trends Śrīla Prabhupāda observed was the mass proliferation of self-proclaimed incarnations. In a society ignorant of the Vedic scriptures, anyone with a little mystic power or charisma can gather followers by declaring themselves to be the Supreme. Śrīla Prabhupāda heavily criticizes this absurdity, reminding us that God is the supreme authority, not a cheap commodity that can be manufactured or purchased in the marketplace.
- At least in India, it has become a fashion, that everyone is coming out and he declares himself, "I am God. I am God." As if the God has become a very cheap thing, and it can be had in the market, wherever you go.
- God has become so cheap. There are so many incarnations of God, especially in India. It is a breeding ground of Gods, so many. So that is, means they do not know what is God. Mudha. They think God is so cheap thing.
- Do you think God is so cheap thing, anyone will understand? Because they do not understand, they present something nonsense: "God is like this. God is like that. God is like that."
- You are so forgetful that you cannot say what you were doing a few hours before, and you claiming that you are God? They have made God as very cheap thing. Everyone is claiming, "I am God."
The Cheaters and the Cheated
Where there is a demand for a cheap product, a supplier will inevitably appear. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that because the public wants to maintain their degraded, materialistic lifestyles while simultaneously achieving spiritual perfection, rascal gurus invent cheap methods. They promise that one can simply meditate for a few minutes and become God, or they offer to show God to their followers instantly, as if it were a cheap magic trick.
- Very cheap thing: "You can do whatever you like. You simply meditate and become God. That's all." So much cheating is going on everywhere.
- We shall enjoy material life at the same time become God. These cheap things are exhibited by the demons, and when a demon is born,the natural disturbances are there.
- The so-called spiritual master is also rascal, and the man who has gone to him, he is also rascal. God is so cheap thing that immediately you go to a rascal and he shows you God immediately? Is it magic?
- I shall show you God." This business is going on. God's seeing is so cheap thing that any rascal comes, "Can you show me God," and another rascal says, "Yes, come to me.
High Standard of the Parampara
True spiritual life requires strict adherence to an authorized standard. Śrīla Prabhupāda firmly states that we cannot jump over the rules and regulations to cheaply approach the Absolute Truth. Understanding the Vedas requires genuine brahminical qualification, and approaching Lord Kṛṣṇa requires submissive service through the unbroken chain of the paramparā (disciplic succession).
- The Veda is not so cheap thing. Without becoming a brahmana, nobody can understand a Veda, what is Veda. Therefore, it is restricted. Without becoming brahmana, nobody is allowed to study Vedas.
- We must approach Krsna through guru. That is parampara system. Krsna is not so cheap thing that you can jump over.
- Their (caste gosvamis who professionally create some disciples) aim is to make the connection between the spiritual master and the disciple into a very cheap thing. They are not serious in wanting to understand spiritual life.
- The sastra is the center for all. Unfortunately, at the present moment, people do not refer to the sastras; therefore they accept rascals as incarnations, and consequently they have made incarnations into a very cheap thing.
Rejecting the Sahajiya Mentality
Even among those who claim to be devotees of Kṛṣṇa, there is a dangerous tendency to treat the Lord's intimate pastimes cheaply. Śrīla Prabhupāda heavily criticized the sahajiyās—pseudo-devotees who artificially claim to witness Kṛṣṇa dancing with the gopīs while they themselves are still plagued by material desires. True advancement is marked by the rigorous, humble service exemplified by the Six Gosvāmīs of Vṛndāvana, not by cheap emotional displays.
- They (the gosvamis) never at any time said, "Last night I saw Krsna dancing with the gopis." Such claims are not made by a mature devotee, but by one who takes things very cheaply.
- We do not teach such cheap things. That is our program. Krsna consciousness movement is not to present something nonsense and present something cheap.
- They are accepting this bag of skin and bones as self. You see? This is a bag made of skin and bone, and this... Is spirit soul so cheap thing that it is a bag of skin and bone and some stools and urine, combination? That is nonsense.
- Just like if you have a cheap thing, it goes wrong, you have to purchase another new thing. But if you purchase a real, nice thing it will go, continue for good. Similarly, so long you are getting this cheap body, material body, you have to change.
Conclusion
Śrīla Prabhupāda established the International Society for Krishna Consciousness specifically to save humanity from the cheating religions of the modern age. By strictly following the authorized śāstras, chanting the Hare Kṛṣṇa mahā-mantra, and serving the bona fide spiritual master, we are protected from the illusion of a "cheap thing" and are guaranteed to achieve the supreme, priceless treasure of pure love of Godhead.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Cheap Thing. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.