So formerly nobody could slaughter an animal, nobody can cut even a tree without reason, without sanction by the Vedic injunction. At the present moment in our country, this Bharatavarsa is called punya-bhumi. Actually it is so, because on this land all the great saintly persons appeared. The incarnation of God, Lord Ramacandra, Lord Krsna, Lord Buddhadeva, Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu and all the big, big acaryas — Sankaracarya, Sri Ramanujacarya, Madhvacarya, Visnu Svami… So… Vyasadeva… All of them appeared on this sacred land of Bharatavarsa.

But the present Bharatavarsa has degraded so much that we have lost our Vedic culture. We are now eating meat. We are eating, drinking wine, and we are having illicit sex life and indulging in gambling. This is India’s position. It is due to this Kali-yuga. Otherwise the land is punya-bhumi. Because the land is punya-bhumi, therefore in spite of so much fallen condition, still, you are anxious to hear about Krsna. You ladies and gentlemen who have come here, sacrificing your time, why? Because still the Vedic culture is twinkling within your heart and you are anxious to hear about Krsna, to hear about Srimad-Bhagavatam. Even somebody wants to cheat you, but because it is advertised in the name of Bhagavad-gita, many people flock there.

So Bharata-bhumi is punya-bhumi, the land of piety. We should understand this. After many pious activities… I have traveled all over the world.

They have got enough money, enough material facilities, but still, the Vedic culture is different. It is so high. And it is taken still in estimation, in adoration, all over the world. So my request, especially to the Indians, that do not neglect your culture, the Vedic culture. Vedic culture means Krsna consciousness.

Pandal Lecture — Bombay, January 14, 1973