Why Atheistic People Cannot Understand Scripture
Atheism is the prevailing disease of the modern age. Śrīla Prabhupāda observes that in Kali-yuga, almost everyone is born with an atheistic propensity, described in the śāstra as mandaḥ (bad or lazy) and sumanda-matayaḥ (misguided). These atheistic people are fundamentally unable to grasp the message of the Bhagavad-gītā because their consciousness is absorbed in the temporary material body and the false ego of "I and mine."
Barred from the Scriptures
The Vedic literatures are not open books for everyone; they require the qualification of faith. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the Bible, Bhagavad-gītā, and Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam are meant for the elevation of the faithful. For atheistic people who envy the Supreme Lord or consider Him an ordinary man, these scriptures remain a mystery, and their attempts to study them result only in confusion.
- Bible or Bhagavad-gita or Srimad-Bhagavata, they are not meant for the atheistic persons. So whatever auspicious things are in the world, they are meant for the faithful, not for the atheistic persons.
- Bhagavad-gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, or Vedic literature, or any scripture. For whom they are meant? Those who are godly, for their elevation, so that they can elevate more and more. It is not for the atheistic persons.
- For such (atheistic and demoniac) persons, cultivation of the knowledge in the Vedic literature, like the Vedanta-sutra and the Upanisads, is always baffled.
The Psychology of "Mine"
The root of atheism is the false desire to be the controller. Śrīla Prabhupāda defines the difference between a theist and an atheist simply: the devotee knows everything belongs to God, while the atheist thinks, "I am the king, I am the leader, everything belongs to me." This mentality drives them to exploit material nature, leading to inevitable frustration.
- God conscious and atheistic people, what is the difference? The difference is that atheistic person thinks "mine." "Everything mine. I am the lord of all I survey. I am the king. I am the leader. I am everything, and everything belongs to me."
- Atheistic people are not concerned, not a drop they are concerned for advancing in spiritual life.
- Atheists are all against the revealed scriptures because such persons are intimately attached to sense pleasures and gross materialism.
Meeting God as Death
No one is truly an atheist, for everyone must accept the authority of death. Śrīla Prabhupāda argues that while atheistic people may deny the personality of God during their lives, they are forced to surrender to Him when He appears as death. They cannot answer the question of who designed the cosmic machine or who enforces the law of mortality.
- If we don't try to see God during our lifetime, then there will be an incidence which is sure - "As sure as death." That death is God. So to the atheistic person, death is God. And to the theistic person, they can see.
- Demons and atheistic persons can go on insulting the Supreme Personality of Godhead, but they forget that they are subjected to the laws of birth and death.
- Demons and atheistic persons do not try to understand the nature of the Supreme Lord; therefore they remain in the entanglement of birth and death.
Lord Buddha and the Atheists
God is so merciful that He appears even for those who deny Him. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that Lord Buddha appeared specifically to cheat the atheistic class. By denying the Vedas to stop animal killing, Buddha tricked the atheists into obeying his order. Since Buddha is an incarnation of Kṛṣṇa, the atheists were unknowingly worshipping God by obeying him.
- The people amongst whom Buddha preached, they were mostly atheistic people; therefore he did not preach about God. But he did not deny also.
- Because the people became atheist, so Lord Buddha, just to take them under his control, he also collaborated and said, "Yes, there is no God, but you hear me." But he is incarnation of God.
- So long one is accustomed to kill animals, he will never be able to understand what is God. That is Buddha philosophy. He situated the atheistic people on the line of understanding God.
Conclusion
Atheistic people may claim independence, but they are tightly bound by the stringent laws of nature. Śrīla Prabhupāda compassionately reveals that their so-called freedom is an illusion. Whether through the philosophy of Buddha or the finality of death, Kṛṣṇa eventually reclaims everyone. The wise person, however, voluntarily surrenders to the Lord through devotional service, avoiding the painful lessons reserved for the faithless.
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 Atheistic People. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.