Questions and Answers
1. What does the title “Colour of Consciousness” mean?
Answer: The important “colour” is not our skin, clothing, or external position, but the quality of our consciousness—whether we are developing Krishna consciousness.
2. What can we learn from Parikshit Maharaja’s response to his seven-day deadline?
Answer: We should take spiritual life seriously and prepare for death rather than being absorbed only in temporary possessions and designations. Parikshit gave up his royal identity and focused on hearing Krishna-katha.
3. Why might a sadhu speak words that are difficult to hear?
Answer: The purpose is to help us recognize and loosen our material attachments, awaken our spiritual understanding, and develop a higher taste—not to cause distress for its own sake.
4. What example did Srila Prabhupada set in following his spiritual master’s instructions?
Answer: He kept the instructions to preach in the West and print books in his heart, persevering through personal and practical obstacles until he could carry out his guru’s mission.
5. How should we approach hearing Srimad-Bhagavatam?
Answer: We should hear regularly, attentively, and sincerely—not merely as a ritual. The aim is to transform our consciousness, reduce material attachments, and develop attraction to Krishna.
Summary points
1. The real measure is our consciousness. Our dress, skin color, position, or external service is not the most important thing; what matters is whether our consciousness is becoming Krishna conscious.
2. Human life is an opportunity to prepare for death. Birth, death, old age, and disease come to everyone. The speaker compares life to an examination: warning bells remind us that time is passing, so spiritual preparation should not be postponed.
3. Parikshit Maharaja showed how to face death. After learning that he had seven days to live, he relinquished his kingdom, possessions, and even the identity of being a king. He focused on hearing Krishna-katha, determined not to let fear or bodily discomfort distract him.
4. External renunciation is not enough. Giving up possessions outwardly is difficult, but letting go of the inner feeling “I own this” can be even harder. The talk reminds us that everything belongs to the Lord and is entrusted to us temporarily.
5. Sadhus and scriptures help elevate our consciousness. A sadhu’s words may challenge our attachments, but the purpose is to awaken us—not to hurt or humiliate us. The Vedas, Puranas, Bhagavad-gita, and other scriptures guide us beyond bodily identification toward our spiritual identity.
6. A genuine example makes preaching powerful. Parikshit Maharaja demonstrated the seriousness of spiritual life through his own conduct. We should try to practice what we advise others to do.
7. Krishna guides sincere seekers to the right teacher. When a person sincerely wants to understand life’s purpose, the Lord can direct that person to a genuine spiritual master. The talk expresses this principle as: by Krishna’s mercy one gets the guru, and by the guru’s mercy one gets Krishna.
8. Srila Prabhupada carried his spiritual master’s instructions throughout his life. He was instructed to preach Lord Chaitanya’s message in the West and to print books when resources became available. Despite obstacles, he continued working to fulfill those instructions, eventually bringing Srimad Bhagavatam to the West.
9. Srimad Bhagavatam should be heard regularly, not treated merely as a ritual. The speaker emphasizes daily Bhagavatam discussion as a way to gradually clear unwanted attachments and develop a higher taste for Krishna-katha.
10. Shukadeva Goswami and Parikshit Maharaja exemplify humility and attentive hearing. The assembled sages accepted Shukadeva Goswami as the qualified speaker without competition. Shukadeva spoke as a representative of the previous acharyas, while Parikshit listened with deep attention.
11. The Bhagavatam is transmitted through disciplic succession. In the question-and-answer discussion, the speaker explains that its teachings existed from the beginning of creation, beginning with Krishna’s instruction to Brahma. Its essence was conveyed in concise form and later explained and repeated through the succession of devotees.
12. The lives of the acharyas inspire us to serve with determination. The talk briefly recalls Sanatana Goswami’s renunciation, service in Vrindavan, literary contributions, and worship of Madan Gopal, encouraging appreciation for the efforts of the previous acharyas.