56 On the Way to Krsna

In this way the fools are categorized. A duskrtt
is always acting against the scriptural injunctions. The
business of current civilization is to break scriptural
rules—that’s all. By definition, a pious man is one
who doesn’t. There must be some standard to
distinguish between duskrti (an evil doer) and
sukrtt (a virtuous man). Every civilized country
has some scripture—it may be Christian, Hindu, Mos-
lem or Buddhist. That doesn’t matter. The point is
that the book of authority, the scripture, is there.
One who does not follow its injunctions is considered
an outlaw.

Another category mentioned in this verse is mu-
dha, fool number one. The naradhama is one who
is low in the human scale, and mayayapahrta-jnana
refers to one whose knowledge is carried away by
maya, or illusion. Asuram bhavam asritah refers to
those who are out and out atheists. Although there
are no disadvantages to surrendering unto the Father,
people who are thus characterized never do it. Asa
result, they are constantly punished by the agents of
the Father. They have to be slapped, caned and
kicked severely, and they have to suffer. Just as a
father has to chastise his unruly boy, so material
nature has to employ certain punishments. At the
same time nature is nourishing us by supplying food
and other necessities. Both processes are going on
because we are sons of the wealthiest Father of all,
and Krsna is kind even though we do not surrender
unto Him. Yet despite being furnished so well by
the Father, the duskrtt still performs unsanctioned
actions. One is foolish if he persists in being punished,
