A Critique of this Modern Age
The modern age is often celebrated as the pinnacle of human achievement, yet from the perspective of Vedic wisdom, it represents a significant regression in true human culture. Śrīla Prabhupāda critiques the modern era not for its lack of industrial capacity, but for its fundamental ignorance of the goal of life. In this age, the "unimportant thing"—the temporary material body—is given precedence over the "active principle"—the eternal soul. This misalignment has created a civilization that is outwardly opulent but inwardly hollow, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and global instability.
The "Wrong Civilization"
Śrīla Prabhupāda describes modern civilization as a "wrong civilization" because it keeps people in darkness to exploit their labor. In the past, society was organized to facilitate spiritual realization, but today, people are educated merely to work hard like animals—"like ass and cow"—for economic development. This intense struggle for existence is marketed as advancement, but in reality, it is a sophisticated form of slavery where the soul is neglected. The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement stands as a counter-force to this trend, challenging the very foundations of modern materialistic life.
- At the modern age the people are simply kept into ignorance so that they can work like ass and cow and be satisfied. This is the present civilization. And this Krsna consciousness movement is a fight against this civilization, this wrong civilization.
- Behind this material combination there is an active principle, which is soul. That is the important thing. But in the modern age they are giving more stress on the unimportant thing.
- In the modern age they are giving more stress on the unimportant thing, and they have no knowledge of the important thing. This is the defect.
Technological Limitations and Failures
While modern science claims to have conquered nature, Śrīla Prabhupāda points out its limitations. For instance, despite the development of nuclear weapons, the Vedic age possessed "fire weapons" ( brahmāstra) of far greater precision and power. Furthermore, the agricultural policies of the modern age, which are often atheistic in nature, have not solved hunger but have rather contributed to acute food crises. Even the ambitious attempts to travel to other planets are dismissed as futile because, by the laws of nature, one cannot enter higher planetary systems with a gross material body.
- Even the nuclear weapons of the modern age are classified as fire weapons, but formerly there were other weapons made of all different types of material elements.
- Many may claim that in the modern age material scientists have helped increase agricultural yield. But we fearlessly proclaim that it is precisely such atheistic views that have brought the world to the present acute food crisis.
- In the modern age, man is trying to go to other planets, but so far he has been unsuccessful. It is not possible to travel to any other planets because by the laws of nature even the demigods cannot move from one planet to another.
Social and Political Instability
The hallmark of the modern age is a continuous chain of conflict. From the Greeks and Romans to the atomic wars of the 20th century, Western history is a record of "sense gratificatory materialism" resulting in a lack of peace. Śrīla Prabhupāda attributes racial strife, civil wars, and violent revolutions to the whimsical and selfish nature of impious men who lead society. Economic development has not fostered brotherhood; instead, business exchanges have strained relationships between nations.
- The history of the West - beginning from the time of the Greeks and the Romans down to the modern age of atomic war - is a continuous chain of sense gratificatory materialism and the result is that the westerners were never in peace.
- Racial strife, civil wars, violent revolutions, and world wars so common in the modern age are all caused by the whimsical and selfish nature of impious men.
- In the modern age most countries have developed economically, but due to business exchanges, relationships seem to be strained.
Conclusion
The modern age is dazzling but deceptive. Its cities are constructed with great craftsmanship, yet they lack the spiritual atmosphere of the ancient ṛṣi-kulas. To find true happiness, humanity must look beyond the superficial advancements of the present era and reconnect with the timeless spiritual principles that govern the universe. As Śrīla Prabhupāda states, "The Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a fight against this civilization, this wrong civilization."
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 Modern Age. 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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