Toward a Peaceful Society 37

the modes of material nature, and that transcendence
is the very process of Krsna consciousness. As soon
as we become situated in Krsna consciousness, we
become transcendental to the modes of material
nature.

mam ca yo ‘vyabhicarena
bhakti-yogena sevate

sa gunan samatityaitan
brahma-bhuyaya kalpate

“One who engages in full devotional service, who
does not fall down in any circumstance, at once
transcends the modes of material nature, and thus
comes to the level of Brahman.” (Bg. 14.26)

Thus one who is engaged in Krsna conscious
activity is at once elevated to the transcendental
position. By nature we are not matter but Brahman
(aham brahmasmi). The philosophy of Satikaraicarya
is mainly based on the principle that we should not
think that we are products of this material nature. It
is by some unfortunate accident that we are in con-
tact with material nature. Actually our nature is that
of spirit, Brahman, and that nature has to be invoked.
This material life is a diseased condition; when we
are situated in Brahman, we are in our healthy con-
dition. That healthy Brahman condition is tmme-
diately attained as soon as we engage ourselves one
hundred percent in Krsna consciousness.

When we transcend material nature through the
rendering of service unto Krsna, what is our status?
Do we become zero? Some philosophies maintain
