Beyond kaitava - The Real Meaning of Becoming Religious
Religion is often misunderstood as a tool for economic development or a means to secure a higher standard of material life. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that while such preliminary piety is better than animalistic irreligion, it remains a shadow of the true spiritual path. Real religiosity is a transformative training that aligns the soul with the will of the Supreme. This article examines the shift from "cheating" religion to a state of pure devotion that transcends all material aspirations.
Trap of Material Motivation
Most people approach a temple, church, or mosque with the hope that their economic condition will improve. Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies this as kaitava, or the cheating propensity, because the inner desire is for material opulence rather than for God Himself. He explains that even the desire for mokṣa (liberation) is a form of subtle selfishness that must be rejected by a prospective devotee. To be truly religious means to move beyond the cycle of dharma-artha-kāma-mokṣa and seek the ultimate goal: the revival of our dormant love for Kṛṣṇa.
- Generally, people want dharma, artha, kama and moksa, in that order. First of all, people want to become religious (dharma) in order to attain material opulence - artha.
- I am trying to become a religious person, but my inner desire is how to make my economic position developed. This is my inner position; therefore it is called kaitava, cheating.
- Any religious sect, either Hindu or Muslim or Christian or anyone, they go to temple or church to pray to God for some solution of problems. People generally think that, - If I become religious person, then my economic condition must be very nice.
Training the Human Consciousness
The primary difference between a human being and an animal is the capacity for religious training. While cats and dogs are driven solely by the four necessities of eating, sleeping, mating, and defending, humans can be educated to distinguish between right and wrong through the laws of God. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that one cannot manufacture their own religion at home; just as a lawyer must learn the laws of the government, a religious person must learn the laws of God from the scriptures and the spiritual master.
- I am also afraid of my enemy; the cats and dogs are also afraid of enemy. Then where is the difference between cats and dogs? The difference is that I can be trained up to become religious; the cats and dogs cannot be trained. That is the difference.
- If one wants to become a lawyer, he must learn laws which is given by the government. He cannot become a lawyer at home. Similarly, if you want to become religious, you must learn what is religion from God. You don't manufacture your own religion.
- Become religious. If you are really Christian, that is all right. But you are not Christian, because you are violating the orders of Lord Jesus Christ.
Summit of Spiritual Perfection
The ultimate purpose of the religious spirit is to reach a platform of unalloyed service. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu showed the highest stage of this development—the feeling of intense separation from the Lord. At this level, one is no longer concerned with personal gain or peace; instead, one sees the entire universe as vacant without the presence of Govinda. This is the real essence of dharma, where the soul is fully satisfied not by material rewards, but by its natural relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu showed us how to become highest religious person. That is to feel always, "Oh, without Krsna, everything is vacant." Sunyayitam jagat sarvam govinda virahena me. That is dharma.
- One should become religious or accept religious principle to stop this pavarga, the different kinds of hard struggle for existence. To stop, that is the purpose of dharma. But generally people execute dharma to get some artha. Dharma artha.
- To become Krsna conscious is to become religious, is to remain in goodness, and is to make progress and advancement in self-realization. Everything is complete. There is no comparison of any religion with Krsna consciousness.
Conclusion
Becoming religious is not a matter of sentimental fanaticism but a scientific process of advancement in self-realization. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that by strictly following the religious principles given by the Lord, we naturally develop all good qualities and move beyond the animalistic struggle for survival. By taking to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, we reject the cheating propensity of material religion and awaken the highest goal of life: the pure, transcendental love of God.
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 Becoming Religious. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.