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\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da: Certainly \u2013 spiritual progress. As for the question of \u201cfatalistic,\u201d I have often given this example: Let us say a man is condemned by a court of law to be hanged. Nobody can check it. Even the same judge who gave the verdict cannot check it. But if the man begs for the mercy of the king, the king can check the execution. He can go totally above the law. Therefore the Brahma-sa\u1e41hit\u0101 [5.54] says, karm\u0101\u1e47i nirdahati kintu ca bhakti-bh\u0101j\u0101m: destiny can be changed by K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a for His devotees; otherwise it is not possible.\n\nTherefore our only business should be to surrender to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a. And if you artificially want to be more happy by economic development, that is not possible.\n\nPu\u1e63\u1e6da K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a: Question number three?\n\n\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da: Hm? No. First of all make sure that everything is clear. Why are you so eager to progress? [Laughter.]\n\nTry to understand what is what. The first thing is that your destiny cannot be changed. That\u2019s a fact. But in spite of your destiny, if you try for K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness, you can achieve spiritual success. Otherwise, why did Prahl\u0101da Mah\u0101r\u0101ja urge his friends, kaum\u0101ra \u0101c\u0101ret: \u201cTake K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness up from your very childhood\u201d? If destiny cannot be changed, then why was Prahl\u0101da Mah\u0101r\u0101ja urging this? Generally, \u201cdestiny\u201d means your material future. That you cannot change. But even that can be changed when you are in spiritual life.\n\nPu\u1e63\u1e6da K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a: What is the meaning of apratihat\u0101? You said that spiritual development cannot be checked.\n\n\u015ar\u012bla Prabhup\u0101da: Apratihat\u0101 means this: Suppose you are destined to suffer. So apratihat\u0101 means that in spite of your so-called destiny to suffer, if you take to K\u1e5b\u1e63\u1e47a consciousness your suffering will be reduced, or there will be no suffering \u2013 and in spite of any suffering, you can make progress in spiritual life. Just like Prahl\u0101da Mah\u0101r\u0101ja himself. His father put him into so many suffering conditions, but he was not impeded \u2013 he made spiritual progress. \u2022\u2022\u2022 if you\u2019d like to find links to read for free or purchase: sravanamdiaries.com/civilization-and-transcendence