Vedic civilization transcends material conditions through Krishna consciousness, transforming economics into sacred service.Listen — Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
Room Conversation with Dr. Arnold Toynbee [Famous Historian] — July 22, 1973, London 730722R1-LONDON [61:40 Minutes] Conv_730722R1-LONDON Prabhupāda: You have heard something about our Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement? Dr. Arnold Toynbee: I know something in general, yes.
Prabhupāda: It is based on Bhagavad-gītā. Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes.
Prabhupāda: You have read Bhagavad-gītā, I think. Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes, yes.
Prabhupāda: So primarily, it is based on Bhagavad-gītā, and then it is being explained from Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes, yes.
Prabhupāda: Bhagavad-gītā is the preliminary study of Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam. Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes, yes, yes.
Prabhupāda: So we get ideas from Bhagavad-gītā how God consciousness can make the human society happy. Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes, yes.
Prabhupāda: The aim of human society should be God realization. That is the distinction between an animal and a human being. Dr. Arnold Toynbee: Yes. Prabhupāda: So Bhagavad-gītā recommends that the whole society should be divided into four divisions: the brāhmaṇa, or the most intellectual persons; the kṣatriyas, the administrators; the vaiśyas, the mercantile agriculturists; and the śūdras, ordinary men, laborer or worker. Because this material world is conducted by three modes of nature, goodness, passion and ignorance.