Why Human Life Is Not Meant for Becoming Naked
Civilization is defined by the regulation of natural instincts. While animals roam the streets without dress or shame, human beings are distinguished by their culture of dress and decorum. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the modern trend toward nudism is not an advancement but a regression to animalistic life. This article explores the spiritual and karmic consequences of the desire to become naked, contrasting the degradation of modern society with the strict etiquette of Vedic culture.
A Sign of Regression
The distinction between man and animal is often blurred in the age of Kali. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that animals naturally possess no cloth, but humans are given intelligence to cover themselves. When society promotes nakedness under the guise of freedom or "natural life," it is actually descending to the platform of cats and dogs. True human life is meant for spiritual understanding, not for imitating the shameless behavior of lower species.
- Human body is meant for covering, not to become naked. But if anyone develops the idea of becoming nudie, naked, - All right, next life you get tree. Stand up.
- Now they are imitating animals, becoming naked. That is they, that is their advancement of civilization, to become naked, nudist. So actually decline, from human life they are decline to animal life.
- To become naked is the most uncivilized way.
Karmic Reaction: Becoming a Tree
The laws of nature are strict and impartial. If a living entity desires a particular type of existence, material nature eventually awards a suitable body to fulfill that desire. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that those who are fond of "becoming nudies" are unwittingly preparing their next birth. The most suitable body for standing naked for a long duration is that of a tree.
- In the Western countries especially, they are now trying to become naked, nudies. So nature will give them to stand naked like a tree, or tree, for many years - You're so fond of become nudie. All right, you stand up here for 10000 years without any dress.
- If you think that natural life, animal life, to become naked and do all nonsense, then "All right. You, next life you become a tree, naked. Stand up naked for ten thousands of years." You want to be naked? That's all right.
- Flatly said, "Yes, yes, I will be happy." All right, say it. Krsna is so kind - You want to be naked? All right, you become naked for ten thousand years and stand up.
Spiritual Exception
There is often a misunderstanding regarding Kṛṣṇa stealing the clothes of the gopīs (vastra-haraṇa-līlā). Critics may argue that Kṛṣṇa encouraged them to become naked. However, Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies the theological context: the gopīs had worshipped goddess Kātyāyanī to have Kṛṣṇa as their husband. In Vedic culture, a woman can appear naked only before her husband. Therefore, by asking them to come before Him without clothes, Kṛṣṇa was formally accepting the role of their husband and fulfilling their vow.
- The vastranam-lila means that according to any human civilization, system, a woman can become naked only before husband. So Krsna fulfilled that.
- Krishna is actually husband of every woman. There was no necessity of formal marriage. But still Krishna played like husband by asking them to become naked.
- Nobody can ask any woman or girl to become naked except the husband. That is the moral etiquette of Vedic culture.
Conclusion
The human form of life is a junction where one can choose between degradation and elevation. We have the independence to misuse our body for sense gratification or to utilize it for self-realization. As Śrīla Prabhupāda concludes, the choice is ours: we can either dance with Kṛṣṇa in the spiritual world, or we can become a naked tree standing for ten thousand years. A sane person will reject the "naked civilization" and adopt the culture of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
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 Naked. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.