Choice Between Becoming a God or an Animal Like Dog
According to Vedic science, the human form of life is a junction where the soul makes a choice between elevation and degradation. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently contrasts the potential of the human being to become a "god" (a godly person or demigod) with the risk of becoming a "dog" (an animal). This article explores the mechanics of this choice, warning against the animalistic trends of modern society while offering the sublime alternative of becoming a surrendered servant of the Supreme Lord.
Mechanics of Degradation
The principle of transmigration is simple: the state of mind at the time of death determines the next body. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that if a human being misuses their intelligence to focus solely on animal propensities—eating, sleeping, mating, and defending—they are training themselves to become animals. Nature, being just, will grant them a body suitable for those desires. If one wants to eat anything and everything without restriction, nature provides a hog's body; if one wants to expose the body and have sex in public, nature provides a dog's body.
- If we acquire the qualities of a brahmana and work as a brahmana, we become a brahmana. If we act as a dog and do the work of a dog, we become a dog. Nor should one think that simply because one is born as a brahmana, one is automatically a brahmana.
- People all over the world are madly engaging in sense gratification and in this way spoiling their human lives, with the risk that in the next life they may become animals or less. Human society should be saved from such a risky civilization.
- The Lord is so kind, however, that even today persons whose brain substance is spoiled are given the benediction to become cats, dogs or hogs and enjoy material happiness from sex life and sense gratification.
Danger of Attachment
Even those who live relatively moral lives are not safe if their minds are absorbed in animals. Śrīla Prabhupāda cites the example of Bharata Mahārāja, a great king who became a deer in his next life simply because he was affectionately thinking of a deer at the moment of death. Similarly, Śrīla Prabhupāda notes the Western custom of keeping dogs as "best friends," warning that this intense attachment can easily lead the owner to take a dog's birth in the next life.
- In the Western countries, they are very much fond of keeping best friend, the dog. So at the time of death if you think of your favorite dog, then in next life you become dog.
- If I want to love a dog and become a dog in my next life, instead of loving God and becoming like God in the next life, that is my choice. The prison and university are open to everyone, and by making our choice, we can make our future destiny.
Positive Alternative: Kṛṣṇa's Dog
While becoming a material dog is a punishment, becoming the "dog" of Kṛṣṇa is a perfection. Śrīla Prabhupāda references the song of Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura, Vaiṣṇava Ṭhākura, in which the devotee prays, "Let me become your dog." In this context, being a dog means being a faithful, protected, and surrendered servant. A street dog has no shelter and suffers, but a dog owned by a rich master is well-fed and protected. Similarly, one who surrenders to Kṛṣṇa is safe from the dangers of material existence.
- This is the secret of Krsna consciousness, that to become Krsna conscious, to become dog of Krsna, servant of Krsna.
- Our endeavor is just to become a dog of a Vaisnava, not to become an animal like lion. We remain a dog, but of a Vaisnava. And we refuse to become a big animal like lion. This is our philosophy.
- You have seen the picture of Krsna? Yes. So better we shall become animal of Krsna. So there is nothing wrong. Even if we become an animal of Krsna, that is also very worthy. That is not ordinary thing. Krsna is embracing.
Conclusion
The human life is a rare opportunity that should not be wasted. We have the free will to choose our destiny. We can degrade ourselves through sense gratification and become cats and dogs, or we can elevate ourselves through devotion and become godly servants of the Lord. Śrīla Prabhupāda urges us to make the intelligent choice: "Don't become a dog. Just become god, or godly."
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 an Animal. 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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