Begging Money for Kṛṣṇa or for Sense Gratification
In the material world, begging is often viewed with disdain, regarded as a result of poverty or as a desperate means of satisfying the senses. However, in the science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies the distinction between begging for personal maintenance and begging for the Lord's service. While the materialist begs, borrows, or steals to fuel the fire of desire, the devotee begs to engage the wealth of the world in the mission of the Spiritual Master. This article explores the philosophical boundaries of begging, highlighting the rigorous standards expected of the renounced order and the purifying nature of sacrificing wealth for the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
Begging for Sense Gratification
Śrīla Prabhupāda vividly describes the precarious position of the conditioned soul, controlled by the dictates of the senses. When one is addicted to sinful activities such as intoxication or illicit connections with women, the need for money becomes insatiable, forcing the individual into a cycle of begging or criminal activity that obstructs self-realization.
- Meat-eating and intoxication excite the senses more and more, and the conditioned soul falls victim to women. In order to keep women, money is required, and to acquire money, one begs, borrows or steals.
- It is said that necessity knows no law. When the conditioned soul needs money to acquire life's bare necessities, he adopts any means. He begs, borrows or steals. Instead of receiving these things, he is insulted and chastised.
- Some way or other, people are determined to earn money or get money by begging, borrowing or stealing and applying that for sense gratification. Such a civilization is the greatest obstacle in the path of self-realization.
Licensed Beggar for Kṛṣṇa
In contrast to the materialist, Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that those in the renounced orders of life—brahmacārīs and sannyāsīs—are historically and scripturally authorized to beg. They are termed "vikshu," or licensed beggars, because their collection is not for themselves but to assist the householders in spiritual advancement by engaging their money in the service of the Spiritual Master whose mission is to serve Kṛṣṇa.
- Regarding collecting money, a sannyasi's name is vikshu, or licensed beggar. Not only sannyasi, but a brahmachary also is required to collect for his Spiritual Master. The Spiritual Master spends for missionary activities.
- The Grhasthas or the householders can engage himself in earning money, either by accepting job or some professional work. But a Brahmacari, Vanaprastha, and Sannyasi is supposed only to depend on Krishna and beg from the Grhasthas.
- Do it very cautiously, because after all, we are beggar. That you should consider. But if somebody comes forward, that is our business - to induce others, moneyed man. Let his money be spent. That we are doing actually.
Standards of Renunciation
Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that the renounced order is not merely a means to an easy livelihood; it requires strict adherence to the principle of dependence on Kṛṣṇa. A true brāhmaṇa or sannyāsī does not hoard funds for the future but spends whatever is received immediately for the Lord's service, maintaining a mood of complete surrender.
- Sannyasa does not mean begging from door to door to accumulate money for sense gratification. However, because in Kali-yuga people are more or less prone to sense gratification, immature sannyasa is not recommended.
- Even a brahmana gets one lakh of rupees, next morning he is still a beggar because he does not keep anything for tomorrow. Everything depending on Krsna, and he spends money like that.
- Sannyasi means he is in renounced order and lives by begging alms for the bare necessities of life. It is not good to make trade to get money for personal expenditure.
The Preacher's Distinction
Ultimately, the activity of a devotee is distinct because they offer something of immense value in return for the alms they receive. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that while ordinary beggars ask only for material sustenance, the preacher approaches society to impart Indian culture and the science of God, rendering the interaction a spiritual exchange rather than mere begging.
- They come here to beg, "Give me rice, give me dahl, give me wheat, give me money," but I have come here to give something of Indian culture. That is the difference.
- Of course we may take money for Krsna using any method of beg, borrow and steal, but more advanced understanding of Krsna consciousness process is that by telling the truth in a very palatable way, that is the most successful system.
Conclusion
Begging, when performed for Kṛṣṇa, is a glorious activity that liberates both the beggar and the donor. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that the danger lies not in the act of collecting money itself, but in the motivation behind it. If one begs to satisfy the temporary senses, they descend into degradation and social insult. However, if one accepts the role of a "licensed beggar" to serve the mission of the Spiritual Master, one acts as a transparent intermediary, delivering the mercy of Kṛṣṇa to the world while maintaining a standard of purity and complete dependence on the Lord.
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 Begging Money. 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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