The Cripple-minded and the Broad-minded Mahātmā
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that individuals who are solely interested in sense gratification are known as dīna-cetasa, or cripple-minded. In his various teachings, he highlights how this limited mentality prevents one from understanding the soul's true value. Furthermore, he contrasts this state with the mahātmā, who is truly broad-minded and fixed in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By following the instructions of him, one can transcend this crippled state and attain the higher platform of spiritual broad-mindedness.
The Definition and Symptoms of a Crippled Mind
A person who lacks knowledge of the soul and the next life is described by Śrīla Prabhupāda as being poor-minded or crippled. Such individuals are often compared to animals because they focus exclusively on the temporary needs of the body and family, neglecting the rare opportunity of human life.
- Dina-cetasam means poor-minded, dina; or crippled, cripple-minded. Actually, I see all the householders in Western countries, they are cripple-minded. Just like animal they are living. There is no high thought: what is next life, what is God.
- Anyone who dies without knowing the value of life, he's krpana, miser, cripple-minded. - Because he could not utilize the opportunity given to him by nature.
- All these materialistic person, they are simply interested how to enjoy senses; therefore they are called dina-cetasam, cripple minded. They have no other idea. So to enlighten them it is the duty of the sannyasi to go from door to door.
Limitations of Mundane Philanthropy and Nationalism
Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that even when a person expands their activities to include humanitarianism or nationalism, they remain cripple-minded if their focus is still on material sense gratification. True broad-mindedness requires moving beyond these temporary "isms" to understand the universal source of all energy.
- Cripple-minded persons, always engaged in satisfying their senses, sometimes expand their activities in order to do good for others through some "ism" like nationalism, humanitarianism or altruism.
- One who engages in mundane activity - be he a so-called jnani, yogi, karmi, philanthropist, nationalist, or whatever - cannot attain the higher stage of mahatma. He remains a duratma, or cripple-minded person.
- They (cripple-minded persons) may reject personal sense gratification for the sense gratification of others, like the members of their family, community or society - either national or international.
The Distinction Between Mahātmā and Durātmā
The word mahātmā refers to one who is broad-minded and understands Kṛṣṇa, whereas a durātmā is a person whose mind is crippled by material desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda encourages everyone to transcend the small-mindedness of bodily identification and become broad-minded by realizing their relationship with the Supreme.
- Mahatma means broad-minded. And duratma means cripple-minded, just the opposite word. Duratma. Dura means far away from Krsna consciousness, dura atma.
- The word mahatma means "broadminded." One who cannot understand Krsna is not broad-minded but cripple-minded. If one becomes broad-minded, then by the grace of Krsna one can understand Krsna.
- I (Prabhupada) request you that each and every one of you just become mahatma, not crippled-minded, but broad-minded. So that is possible when we understand Krsna is the source of all energy.
The Compassionate Duty to Save the Cripple-minded
Because the masses are often satisfied with limited, animal-like existence, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs his followers to take up the duty of enlightenment. This involves traveling and distributing spiritual literature to save those whose health and minds are being deteriorated by the artificial atmosphere of modern materialistic life.
- The grhasthas, they are very cripple-minded. They are satisfied with the family, and they do not know that anything else to do. Therefore it is the duty of the sannyasi and the brahmanas to go to the householder's home and enlighten them spiritually.
- Regarding your writing, you must know that it is the duty of sannyasa to write always to save the crippled-minded man and women. In fact sannyasa must do everything.
- We should be always anxious to save the cripple minded people with the science of Krishna Consciousness. This is the position of a Vaisnava.
Conclusion
In summary, Śrīla Prabhupāda distinguishes between the broad-minded devotees of the Lord and the cripple-minded materialistic persons who waste the precious opportunity of human life. Through the compassionate intervention of the sannyāsīs and the distribution of Kṛṣṇa conscious literature, he explains that even those trapped in the limited mentality of sense gratification can be purified. Ultimately, he calls for everyone to become a mahātmā by recognizing Kṛṣṇa as the source of all energy, thereby transcending the crippled state of mundane existence.
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 Cripple-minded. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.
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