TV INTERVIEW WITH DHARMA MOMENTS

Last January, Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja, the founder/acarya of the International Pure Bhakti-yoga Society, was in South Africa and he was interviewed by Charles Pillay for a television show called Dharma Moments. Charles’ questions and Srila Maharaja’s answers were so pertinent to the situation of the world today and relevant to this new Prison Program. Below is an excerpt of that interview:

[Charles:] In South Africa, we focus on the problems that we have – HIV/AIDS and crime being the topmost on our minds. What would be your message for South Africans in order that they may lead a happier life; so they can release themselves from thinking about these problems?

[Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:] Devotees who are with me have given up all criminal activity, all bad habits, and all kinds of wicked acts – naturally and automatically. One who is engaged in bhakti, devotion to the Lord, has no time for any other activity, so they automatically give up bad habits. They are happy, and by their association and instructions they are making others happy.

[Charles:] What can we do to change to mindsets of those who are causing pain to others, so that they become people who bring happiness to others?

[Srila Narayana Gosvami Maharaja:] The problems of this world, such as crime, can only be stopped by the preaching of the glories of the Supreme Lord. We have to understand why people are performing such activities like beating others, killing others, and stealing others’ money. They are doing this with one intention – to become happy. We tell them, “No one can be happy by material activities.” The individual spirit souls will become happy only if they keep the Supreme Lord in the center of their lives and perform all of their endeavors to please Him.

We request everyone to advertise this in the newspapers, television, house-to house, and person-to-person. Everywhere we go we invite thousands of people to attend our programs. Those who come and hear are fortunate, and those who do not come are unfortunate. Even though we offer delicious food to the people who come, still most people are so unfortunate that they do not come. Five-hundred to one thousand people come to hear us, but when a politician gives a speech, hundreds of thousands of people go to listen. For the politicians there is so much reporting, loud speakers, and coverage in the press – that is the situation in the world today.

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