Decreasing the Fever of Illusion 59
Therefore Kuntidevi says, tvadm akificana-gocaram, indicating that to be
free from the intoxication caused by high birth, opulence, education, and
beauty is a good qualification.

Nonetheless, when one becomes Krsna conscious, these same ma-
terial assets can be used for the service of Krsna. For example, the
Americans who have joined the Krsna consciousness movement were
materially intoxicated before they became devotees, but now that their
intoxication is over, their material assets have become spiritual assets
that may be helpful in furthering the service of Krsna. For example,
when these American devotees go to India, the Indian people are ;
surprised to see that Americans have become so mad after God. Many
Indians strive to imitate the materialistic life of the West, but when they
see Americans dancing in Krsna consciousness, then they realize that
this is what is actually worthy of being followed.

Everything can be used in the service of Krsna. If one remains intoxi-
cated and does not use one’s material assets for the service of Krsna, they
are not very valuable. But if one can use them for the service of Krsna,
they become extremely valuable. To give an example, zero has no value,
but as soon as the digit one is placed before the zero, the zero im-
mediately becomes ten. If there are two zeros, they become one
hundred, and three zeros become one thousand. Similarly, we are intoxi-
cated by material assets that are actually no better than zero, but as soon
as we add Krsna, these tens and hundreds and thousands and millions of
zeros become extremely valuable. The Krsna consciousness movement
therefore offers a great opportunity to the people of the West. They have
an overabundance of the zeros of materialistic life, and if they simply add
Krsna their life will become sublimely valuable.
