Give up futile speculation that you are God; you are eternally part of God, not equal to Him.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Initiation lecture [partially recorded] — May 21, 1969, New Vrindavan 690521IN-NEW VRINDAVAN [23:34 Minutes] Initiations_690521IN-NEW VRINDAVAN Prabhupāda: mānuṣyam artha-dam anityam apīha dhīraḥ tūrṇaṁ yateta na pated anu-mṛtyu yāvan niḥśreyasāya viṣayaḥ khalu sarvataḥ syāt The Vedic literature informs that labdhvā sudurlabham idam [SB 11.9.29]. [After many, many births and deaths one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life as long as his body, which is always subject to death, has not fallen down and died. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Kṛṣṇa consciousness is possible only for a human being.] Idam means "this." "This" means this body, this opportunity, human form of life, developed consciousness, full facility.
The animals, they have no facility. They are living in the jungles. But we can utilize these jungles, these forests, for so many comfortable situation. So we have got developed consciousness, intelligence.
We can utilize. So it is called arthadam. Artha. There are two meanings of artha.
Artha-śāstra. Artha-śāstra means economics, how to increase wealth. That is called artha. So arthadam.
This human form of life can bestow upon you artha. Artha means something substantial. Generally we understand substantial means money. If somebody gets money, that is substantial for material comforts, of course, but real substantial thing is Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is real substance, arthadam. So Vedic literature, Vedas' meaning, when it is said arthadam, "In this life you can achieve the substance," that substance means Kṛṣṇa consciousness.
Otherwise, taking it substance means multimillionaire or millions of dollars, that is also artha, but anityam. That is anityam. That substance will not be carried by you. You have come here empty-handed from the womb of your mother, and when you leave this place, you will also go empty-handed. Not that because you have earned millions of dollars, Mr.
Rockefeller or Ford, you can carry this. No. The Rockefeller Center will remain there, where it is. You have to go empty-handed. So now, when it is said arthadam, "You can achieve the substance," that does not mean this artha, temporary, which will not be carried by me.