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296 Glimpses of Traditional Indian Life

original culture, Kṛṣṇa culture. Kṛṣṇa appeared on this
land. Although Kṛṣṇa is not for any particular land, still
Kṛṣṇa appeared in Mathurā, in this holy land of Bhārata-
varṣa. So it is the duty of Indians to understand Kṛṣṇa
culture, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness cultural movement, and
take part in it seriously. (Lecture, 26 September 1973)

In India we have got the ideal purified family, brāhmaṇas.
Of course nowadays, due to material advancement of
civilization, everything is polluted. Still there are some
families who are very purified. If you go to their house
at once you will feel, “Oh, it is a fully purified place.”
(Lecture, 28 July, 1966)

Formerly India was very advanced in devotion.
(Conversation, 24 April, 1977)

Modern Society vs. Simple Living

Advancement of civilization is estimated not on the growth
of mills and factories to deteriorate the finer instincts of
the human being, but on developing the potent spiritual
instincts of human beings and giving them a chance to go
back to Godhead. Development of factories and mills is
called ugra-karma, or pungent activities, and such activities
deteriorate the finer sentiments of the human being and
society to form a dungeon of demons. (Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam
1.11.12 Purport)

I don’t find in the Bhāgavatam big factories and
slaughterhouses, no. Nothing. Now the whole atmosphere
is surcharged with sinful life. How will people be happy?