Digambara: Civilization means to speak courteously in a cultured
society, to dress oneself in a respectable and pleasing manner, and to eat and
to conduct oneself in a way that is not repugnant to others. You do none of
these things.
Advaita: Why do you say that?
Digambara: You are distinctly unsociable, for you do not mingle
with others. The Vaisnavas have never learned what it means to please others
with sweet words. As soon as they lay eyes on anyone, they command him to chant
hari-nama. Why, is there no other civilized discussion? Anyone who sees
your dress will not be inclined to let you sit in an assembly. You wear a
loincloth, a peculiar tuft of hair on the top of your head, and a garland of
beads around your neck. What kind of an outfit is this? And you eat only
potatoes and roots. You are not at all civilized.
Advaita
dasa determined that if he were to start a quarrel and Digambara went away
angered, it would be a great relief. So he said, “Does your type of civilized
living give you the opportunity to attain a higher destination in the next
life?”
Digambara: Culture does not in itself grant one a higher
destination in the next life, but how can society be elevated without culture?
If society is elevated, then one can endeavor for progress in other planets.
Advaita: Brother, I may say something, if you will not become
angry.
Digambara: You are my childhood friend; I would give up my life
for you. How can I not tolerate whatever you have to say? I am fond of
courtesy; even if I become angry, my words remain sweet. The more a man can
conceal his inner feelings, the more cultured he is considered to be.
Advaita: Human life is very short, and there are many
disturbances. In this brief span of
life, the only duty of humanity is to worship Sri Hari with simplicity.
Studying the ways of material civilization and culture is simply deceiving the
soul. I have understood that the word sabhyata (civilization) is simply
another name for civil deception. A human being remains simple as long as he
adheres to the path of truth. When he adopts the path of dishonesty, he desires
to appear civilized and to please others by sweet words, but internally he
remains addicted to deception and wicked deeds. What you describe as civilization has no good qualities, because
truthfulness and simplicity are really the only good qualities.
In
modern times, civilization has come to mean keeping one’s depravity concealed
within. The word sabhyata literally means fitness to participate in a sabha,
or a virtuous assembly. In reality, civilization that is free from sin and
deception is only found among Vaisnavas. Non-Vaisnavas very much appreciate
civilization that is saturated with sin. The civilization that you speak of is
not related to the nitya-dharma of the jiva.
If
civilization means to adorn oneself in stylish clothes to appeal to others,
then prostitutes are more civilized than you are. The only requirement for clothing is that it should cover the
body and be clean and free from unpleasant odor. Food is faultless when it is
pure and nutritious, but you only care whether it tastes good; you don’t even consider whether it is pure or not.
Wine and meat are naturally impure, and a civilization based upon the
consumption of such things is simply a society dedicated to sin. What passes as
civilization at present is the culture of Kali-yuga.
Digambara: Have you forgotten the civilization of the Muslim
emperors? Just consider the manners with which people sit in the court of a
Muslim emperor, how politely they speak, and with such proper etiquette.
Advaita: That is only worldly conduct. How deficient is a man,
really, if he does not abide by these external formalities? Brother, you have
served in the Muslim government for so long that you have become partial to
that type of civilization. In reality, human life only becomes civilized when
it is sinless. The so-called advancement of civilization in Kali-yuga simply
means an increase in sinful activity; this is nothing but hypocrisy.
Digambara: Look, educated modern men have concluded that
civilization means humanism, and that those who are not civilized are not human
beings. To dress women attractively and thereby conceal their faults is
considered to be a sign of sophistication.
Advaita: Just consider whether this idea is good or bad. I
perceive that those whom you call ‘educated’ are merely rogues who have taken
advantage of the times. Such people favor this deceitful civilization partly
because of sinful impressions within their hearts, and partly because they see
it as an opportunity to conceal their faults. Can a wise man find happiness in
such a civilization? Only vain arguments and physical intimidation can maintain
veneration for a civilization of rogues.
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