[Posted February 12, 2008]

Metal Worth More Than the Money

A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami

Inflation and devaluation: two sides of the same coin

Consumerist -

It Costs $134 Million To Make $80 Million In Pennies

60 Minutes went on to a field trip to the US Mint and found out that to make $80 million worth of pennies, it costs the government $134 million. And to make around $60 million in nickels costs $124 million. The US Mint says this is because the prices for nickel, zinc, and copper have shot up a lot in the past few years. go to story

The Bhaktivedantas World Sankirtan Party and Inside Nam Hatta are hosted by Hansadutta das, a senior disciple of Srila Prabhupada and trustee of The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust. Participate or learn more about World Sankirtan Party.

"In God We Trust"

Money is Not Wealth A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami
This is another cheating. Nobody trusts in God, and they write, "In God We Trust." And unless I write... Of course I do not wish to say very harsh word, that unless I cheat you that way, how a man will accept one piece of paper as one thousand dollars? [laughter] You see? It is a grand cheating, that "I am giving one thousand dollars to you." But if I value, it is not even one farthing. This is called maya. It is not, but I accept. I accept. If people become enlightened, "No, we are not going to accept this piece of paper as one thousand dollars. We must have gold," so many things will be solved immediately. So many things. But because we agree to be cheated, the cheaters are cheating and things are going on wrong. This is called Kali-yuga.more

Artificial economic advancement

excerpt from conversation with disciples, Los Angeles, April 30, 1973

PRABHUPADA: Things of value, they're disappearing. Just like formerly people used to have some dishes of valuable metals. Now it is plastic. This is the advancement.

SVARUP DAMODAR: Yes.

PRABHUPADA: It's...

SVARUP DAMODAR: That's what they call.

PRABHUPADA: Rascals, they are thinking it is advancement. And if he goes to sell the plastic plates, nobody will pay even cent. But one of those metal plate, if he's in difficulty, he can get some money. This is scientific advancement. Instead of gold coins, now there is papers: "I trust in God. We trust in God." Cheating, "We trust in God." Take hundred dollars. And what is this hundred dollars? It is paper. "We trust in God." By the name of God, I give you. And it is scientific. That's all.

SVARUP DAMODAR: They call it convenience.

PRABHUPADA: Eh?

SVARUP DAMODAR: They call it convenience.

PRABHUPADA: Yes, convenience means going to hell. That's all. It is very convenient to go to hell. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna. Everything synthetic. Cotton is disappearing.

SVARUP DAMODAR: Everything's artificial.

PRABHUPADA: Eh?

SVARUP DAMODAR: Artificial.

PRABHUPADA: Artificial. And the scientists, they are giving this clue: "Oh, now we have produced something very valuable. Take it."

SVARUP DAMODAR: Yes, when Dupont made the first nylon, it was a great..., praised all over the, all over the world...

PRABHUPADA: What for? What for?

SVARUP DAMODAR: Because they produced the synthetic fibers, nylons.

PRABHUPADA: Useless. And big, big cars. They are charging thousands and thousands of dollars. But what it is? Tin car. As soon as the machine gone, nobody will pay for the tin even. Especially in this country, they are thrown away to the garbage. No value.

In India, we have seen still, they are going on. People stock metal utensils. You know.

SVARUP DAMODAR: Yes, we use.

PRABHUPADA: Never use this china clay. Never. No respectable gentleman will use china clay. Still. So if a poor family is in need of money, immediately he can take one Benarsee sari, or some metal utensils to the pawn maker. He'll immediately offer some money. "Yes." So these are conveniences. Investment was in gold ornaments. Still we have seen that so many jewelry shop, silver dishes shop, ornament shop. Still.

Sri Guru and Gauranga