What Is This Nonsense Life?
Modern civilization is heavily praised for its technological and economic advancements, but Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently pierces through this illusion by asking exactly what is this nonsense life. He exposes the deep flaws in materialistic science, bogus religious philosophies, and the relentless pursuit of wealth that entirely ignores the eternal spirit soul. By challenging these deeply ingrained societal norms, Śrīla Prabhupāda aims to wake humanity from the slumber of bodily consciousness.
Exposing Atheistic Science
Śrīla Prabhupāda heavily criticizes modern scientists who claim that life originates from chemical evolution or that the soul does not exist within the mother's womb. He points out the sheer foolishness of these theories, noting that they completely ignore the fundamental spiritual reality. By demanding to know what is this nonsense, Śrīla Prabhupāda challenges the academic world to recognize the eternal spirit soul as the true active principle of life.
- "There is no soul in the womb. When they come out then the soul becomes" - what is this nonsense?
- This nonsense theory that "Within the womb of the mother, unless the body is developed to seven months, there is no life," what is this nonsense? The body has developed to that seven months' condition because there is a spirit soul.
- So many rascal chemists, they say that the chemical evolution is the cause of life. What is this nonsense.
Rejecting Bogus Philosophies
It has become fashionable for people to blame the Supreme Lord for their own suffering, or to invent contradictory concepts like daridra-nārāyaṇa, which equate God with a poverty-stricken beggar. Śrīla Prabhupāda vigorously attacks these misconceptions, questioning how the supreme proprietor of everything can possibly be considered poor or flawed. He demands an end to this philosophical nonsense, establishing that God is always supreme, fully conscious, and perfect in all respects.
- A poor man, begging from door to door, he cannot become God, as it is misconceived, daridra-narayana. Why Narayana can be daridra? What is this nonsense? He is the richest.
- If one compares Narayana to the demigods, he simply reveals his lack of intelligence. It is also fashionable to speak of daridra-narayana, poor Narayana, claiming that the poor man in the street is Narayana. But what is this nonsense.
- Because they have become imperfect, therefore they are blaming God. "God is good;" they forget this. That is their imperfectness. One side, they say, "God is good." Still, they're blaming God. What is this nonsense?
The Illusion of Economic Development
The modern world is obsessed with working tirelessly to accumulate wealth and secure a comfortable bodily existence at the cost of spiritual advancement. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that neglecting one's next life for the sake of temporary economic prosperity is sheer madness. He labels this relentless animalistic struggle for sense gratification as nonsense, reminding us that true human life must be centered on spiritual culture and tapasya rather than merely imitating the habits of cats and dogs.
- Economic development. What is this nonsense? You are losing yourself. You do not know what life you are going to get next life. You don't care for this. "Never mind whatever life I get. This life I have got. Let me work hard and accumulate money."
- In the days of economic development, nobody's interested in going to the church or temple. "What this nonsense? Why shall I go to the church for asking bread? We shall develop economic condition and there will be sufficient supply of bread."
- One becomes qualified by one stroke of bhakti to Vasudeva. Just like the sunrise immediately dissipates the fog. Agham dhunvanti kartsnyena niharam iva bhaskarah. What is this nonsense life? There is no tapasya, spiritual culture; simply like cats and dogs.
The Hypocrisy of Mundane Duty
Many people believe they are fulfilling their primary duties by managing their families or social institutions while completely neglecting spiritual realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda challenges this limited vision by explaining that any duty disconnected from Kṛṣṇa consciousness is merely a waste of time. He cuts through the sentimentality of material attachments, urging everyone to abandon this nonsense and focus on their eternal duty of serving the Supreme Lord.
- Krsna says that stop work means stop working this nonsense work. What is that nonsense work? This material activities - sense enjoyment - it is nonsense. Why nonsense? Because it is animalistic.
- They are thinking that, "We are doing our duty." What is this nonsense duty? Real duty is to develop Krsna consciousness. If you are missing that point, the so-called duty is simply wasting.
- This is the first education to Arjuna. "My dear Arjuna, you are lamenting so much for your family. You have come to war field, you have to fight, and now you are crying for your family. What is this nonsense?"
Conclusion
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda uses his uncompromising critique to dismantle the foundations of modern materialistic society. By repeatedly pointing out the nonsense of atheistic science, bogus incarnations, and blind economic pursuits, he forces humanity to confront the reality of its conditioned state. His strong words are an expression of profound compassion, intended to shatter our bodily illusions. Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the only way to escape this nonsensical material existence is to reawaken our eternal relationship with Kṛṣṇa through pure devotional service.
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 What Is This Nonsense. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.