Acyutananda: When people are starving and they have no clothing, then how can they take to Krsna consciousness? First give them food, then clothing and education, and then Krsna consciousness.

Prabhupada: Those who are Krsna conscious, are they starving? Then why they not become Krsna conscious?

Acyutananda: They said because first they had to give them food so that they could have time to…

Prabhupada: No. Those who have taken to Krsna consciousness, practically, we are not starving. In India there are many persons whose stomach is already filled up, but he’s not chanting Hare Krsna. That is not a condition, that because the stomach is filled up, therefore one will chant Hare Krsna. Ahaituky apratihata. Chanting of Hare Krsna mantra is not caused by anything. Ahaituky apratihata [SB 1.2.6]. It cannot be checked by any condition. Your chanting of Hare Krsna mantra cannot be checked because one is poor. No. That is not a fact. Any condition, one can chant Hare Krsna. Now, a poor man is suffering without chanting Hare Krsna. So what is the harm if he chants Hare Krsna? There are many poor men, they’re not chanting Hare Krsna and they’re suffering. But, in that condition, if they’re induced to chant Hare Krsna, what is the harm if there is some benefit?

Pancadravida: Well, these welfare workers say, “We have a positive solution. We believe the answer is by providing food and shelter. Or if you will offer…”

Prabhupada: But you cannot… You have not done this. There are so many men without shelter, without food. What you have done for them? The Ramakrishna Mission began for daridra-narayana seva. They have got so much big, big buildings, institution. And why the daridra-narayana is lying on the street? What they are doing? Why do they not take the daridra-narayanas in the big, big building they have got? Their mission is daridra-narayana seva. Why they are not doing that?

(27 Jan 1973)