At the present “time, place, and circumstance”, one can understand, that the human civilization on planet Earth, is considerably, demoniac. The Estimated Population in 2020 and 2050 follow below. The first figure is Estimated Total World Population, and the second figure is the Estimated Urban[1] Population, and the percentage of the Total Population.
- 2020 7,794,798,739 4,378,993,944 56 %
- 2050 9,735,033,990 6,679,756,162 69 %.
This is the world that Srila Prabhupada’s Krishna-consciousness movement will have as their preaching field. One fact that can be concluded is that by the middle of this century, 70% of the world’s population will live is Urban Cities. This fact must be considered in the reconstitution if Srila Prabhupada’s mission. Will High Technology be a big favorable factor, in the future of Krishna-consciousness preaching? Considering the level of Scientific Technology today, and the exponential growth it will experience by 2050; one can conclude that, it will be unbelievable, and almost unimaginable to us today.
This presents a very difficult situation, because we will have to create a reconstitution of the Srila Prabhupada’s Krishna-consciousness movement, using modern technology that is conducive to spreading Krishna-consciousness throughout the diverse nations of this world; while taking in to consideration the principle of “time, place, and circumstance”. Moreover, how to spread this movement within the remaining 30% of the population, which represents those living in Rural communities. Hence, the preaching programs for each portion of the population will certainly be different, and will be determined using the principle Desa-kala-patra. (According to Time, Atmosphere, and the Performer); which will discussed in Segments 61 to 65.
In Bhagavad-gita 7.16, Krishna says,
“O best among the Bharatas, four kinds of pious men begin to render devotional service unto Me—the distressed, the desire of wealth, the inquisitive, and he who is searching for knowledge of the Absolute.”
What does Srila Prabhupada say the meaning of “pious” is?
Srimad-bhagavatam 1.1.2 — London, August 18, 1971:
Prabhupada:
“Now, formerly… Now also. Those who are not atheists, when there are problems, they turn to God, who are theists. Those who are atheists, they will not. That is, two classes of men there are: atheists and theists. The theist, who believes in God, whenever he is distressed, whenever he is facing some problem, he turns towards God: “God save us.” That is nice, very nice. They are called pious. When there are problems, when they look towards God, such person is called pious. It is described in Bhagavad-gita, catur-vidha bhajante mam sukrtinah arjuna.
Sukrtina means pious. Su means good, and krtina means activities. And similarly, the opposite number, that is called duskrtina.. Dus means bad, and krtina means activities.So, there are two classes of men. One class of men who are pious…
Pious means those who are regularly following the religious principles. It does not matter what religion you follow. If you follow the religious principles in whichever religion you accept, then you are pious.
If you do not follow the religious principles, then you are impious, duskrtina.
So, at the present moment, practically all over the world they are no longer interested with God and religion. Just like in your city, London, there are so many churches for sale. Why? Because people have become duskrtina. They are no more interested in religion and God. Just see. Otherwise, why the churches should be sold? People are not interested. In India also, the temples, many temples, they are uncared for. They are not for sale. So maybe some of them are also for sale. But I have seen many temples uncared for. At night, one dog is entering and living within the temple. So, people have become disinterested in religion and God at the present moment. So therefore, according to Bhagavad-gita such persons are duskrtina. Duskrtina means miscreants or always engaged in sinful activities. If you are not religious, then you must act sinfully.
So, people are becoming duskrtina. Instead of becoming sukrtina, they are becoming duskrtina. And as a result of that, na mam duskrtino mudhah prapadyante naradhamah [Bhagavad-gita 7.15].
‘Those miscreants who are grossly foolish, who are lowest among mankind, whose knowledge is stolen by illusion, and who partake of the atheistic nature of demons do not surrender unto Me.’
They are becoming rascals and lowest of the mankind. And whatever their university degrees are there, that knowledge is useless. And they are not going to surrender to God. This is the present position. … Those who are coming to God, they are called sukrtina, pious. But generally common men, even though he is pious, he goes to God to get some material profit. That is being discussed.”
Pradyumna:
‘But if such material gains are obtainable in other ways, then so-called religion is neglected. This is the situation in modern civilization.’
FOOT NOTE:
[1] Urban: relating to, or characteristic of a town or city.