View source for Atheistic Men - Blind to the Supreme Cause

The defining characteristic of atheistic men is their inability to see the Supreme Personality of Godhead behind the workings of the universe. Śrīla Prabhupāda describes them as spiritually blind; they observe the machinery of material nature but deny the operator. Whether they are communists, scientists, or gross materialists, their philosophy leads ultimately to frustration, as they cannot conquer the Supreme Lord who appears before them as inevitable death.

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=== The World View of Chance ===

Atheistic men believe that the universe is a product of chance or physical necessity, devoid of any intelligent design. Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts this with the vision of the devotee, who sees the hand of God in everything. Because their hearts are covered by the modes of passion and ignorance, atheistic men cannot perceive the Supersoul situated within them.

* [[Vaniquotes:Atheistic men do not believe in the existence of God, and thus they understand everything which is happening in our daily affairs to be due to physical arrangement and chance|Atheistic men do not believe in the existence of God, and thus they understand everything which is happening in our daily affairs to be due to physical arrangement and chance.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Atheistic men think that the cosmic manifestation has come about by chance, by a combination of matter, without reference to God|Atheistic men think that the cosmic manifestation has come about by chance, by a combination of matter, without reference to God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Because the Lord is perfect, everything works as if He were directly supervising and taking part in it. Atheistic men, however, being covered by the three modes of material nature, cannot see Narayana to be the supreme cause behind all activities|Because the Lord is perfect, everything works as if He were directly supervising and taking part in it. Atheistic men, however, being covered by the three modes of material nature, cannot see Narayana to be the supreme cause behind all activities.]]

=== Temporary Builders ===

Driven by the desire for sense gratification, atheistic men work hard to create comfortable situations in this world. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes their intense endeavor to build cities, factories, and skyscrapers. However, this struggle is ultimately futile because they ignore the reality of death, which dismantles all their plans.

* [[Vaniquotes:Although atheistic men like to enjoy material opulences and they endeavor with great energy to build big residences, roads, cities and factories, unfortunately they cannot live more than eighty, ninety or at the utmost one hundred years|Although atheistic men like to enjoy material opulences and they endeavor with great energy to build big residences, roads, cities and factories, unfortunately they cannot live more than eighty, ninety or at the utmost one hundred years.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Atheistic men are very much attached to material enjoyment. Therefore if they get some opportunity to achieve more and more material enjoyment, they take it. Prahlada Maharaja, however, was very careful in this regard|Atheistic men are very much attached to material enjoyment. Therefore if they get some opportunity to achieve more and more material enjoyment, they take it. Prahlada Maharaja, however, was very careful in this regard.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:One's whole advancement of material happiness immediately terminates along with his body as soon as his life is over. Death is therefore taken as the representative of God for the atheistic class of men|One's whole advancement of material happiness immediately terminates along with his body as soon as his life is over. Death is therefore taken as the representative of God for the atheistic class of men.]]

=== Enmity Toward the Devotee ===

There is a natural friction between the atheist and the devotee. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that atheistic men often consider devotees to be their enemies or criticize them for their dependence on God. This enmity is exemplified by the relationship between the demoniac father Hiraṇyakaśipu and his saintly son Prahlāda.

* [[Vaniquotes:A devotee treats friends and enemies equally by trying to educate them both in Krsna consciousness. Of course, atheistic men do not follow the instructions of pure devotees, but instead consider a devotee their enemy|A devotee treats friends and enemies equally by trying to educate them both in Krsna consciousness. Of course, atheistic men do not follow the instructions of pure devotees, but instead consider a devotee their enemy.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Hiranyakasipu, for example, was an exalted representative of the atheistic class of men. He always challenged the existence of God, and thus he became inimical even toward his own son|Hiranyakasipu, for example, was an exalted representative of the atheistic class of men. He always challenged the existence of God, and thus he became inimical even toward his own son.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Srutadeva said, "You (Krsna) are the supreme controller and superintendent of the material nature’s activities. The atheistic class of men simply observe the activities of material nature but cannot find You as the original background"|Srutadeva said, "You (Krsna) are the supreme controller and superintendent of the material nature’s activities. The atheistic class of men simply observe the activities of material nature but cannot find You as the original background."]]

=== Knowledge Stolen by Illusion ===

Atheistic men may be highly educated in material sciences, but Śrīla Prabhupāda classifies them as ''māyayāpahṛta-jñānā''—those whose real knowledge has been stolen by illusion. Because they deny the source of their own ingredients, their so-called wisdom is flawed. Śrīla Prabhupāda challenges such men, like the Communists, to acknowledge who supplies the materials they use to build their world.

* [[Vaniquotes:They (atheist class of men) are very educated. - Mayayapahrta-jnana: "Their knowledge has been taken away by the illusory energy." Why? Asuri-bhavam asritah: - Because they have taken to the philosophy of atheism|They (atheist class of men) are very educated. - Mayayapahrta-jnana: "Their knowledge has been taken away by the illusory energy." Why? Asuri-bhavam asritah: - Because they have taken to the philosophy of atheism.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The carpenter cannot say, "Because I have transformed this wood into such a nice closet, it is mine." Similarly, we should say to atheistic men like the Communists, - Who is supplying the ingredients for your bread, you rascal? It is all coming from Krsna|The carpenter cannot say, "Because I have transformed this wood into such a nice closet, it is mine." Similarly, we should say to atheistic men like the Communists, - Who is supplying the ingredients for your bread, you rascal? It is all coming from Krsna.]]

=== Conclusion ===

The path of the atheistic man is one of illusion and ultimate defeat. By denying the existence of God, they deny their own eternal nature and source of happiness. Śrīla Prabhupāda urges us to avoid the association of such men, describing it as intolerable, and instead seek the company of those who see Kṛṣṇa everywhere. Ultimately, even the atheist meets God, but only in the fearful feature of death.

=== 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 [[Vaniquotes:Category:Atheistic Men|Atheistic Men]]. 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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