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must become self-sufficient by growing our own grains and producing our
own milk, then there will be no ques on of poverty. So develop these farm
communi es as far as possible. They should be developed as an ideal society
depending on natural products not industry. Industry has simply created god-
lessness, because they think they can manufacture everything that they
need. Our Bhagavad-gita philosophy explains that men and animals must
have food in order to maintain their bodies. And the produc on of food is
dependent on the rain and the rain of course is dependent on chan ng Hare
Krishna. Therefore let everyone chant Hare Krishna, eat nicely and keep their
bodies fit and healthy. This is ideal life style. We do not condemn modern
civiliza on but we don't like to get it at the cost of God Consciousness that is
suicide." (Le er to Rupanuga, 18 December, 1974)

There are advantages to return to tradi onal methods of land stewardship
and cow protec on that will promote prosperity, health and a renewed life-
style that supports moral and spiritual values in life.

Correla on between spiritual ac vi es and material well-being

The purpose of spiritual ac vi es is not to a ain material well-being as the
goal of life. By engaging in sincere ac vi es of service and devo on to Lord
Krishna one gradually develops love for Krishna. He is then freed from all de-
grading material a achments, desires, and karmic reac ons. Krishna says,
“Abandoning all a achment to the results of his ac vi es, ever sa sfied and
independent, he (the devotee) performs no frui ve ac on, although engaged
in all kinds of undertakings.” (Bg 4.20) This is a state of mind and body far
above the state of material well-being.

By engaging all one’s energies in the service of Krishna, the devotee gains
freedom from the bondage of karma (self-indulgent acts). He offers the re-
sults of his ac ons to Krishna. In that state of consciousness and lifestyle, the
devotee a racts the a en on of Krishna. The Lord becomes the friend and
benefactor of his devotee who unselfishly serves Him. Bhak vedanta Swami
Prabhupada writes, “The pure devotee does not have to worry about the ma-
terial necessi es of life; he need not be anxious, because when he removes
the darkness from his heart, everything is provided automa cally by the Su-
preme Lord, who is pleased by the loving devo onal service of the devotee.

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