Can Man Control Nature?

Especially nowadays we hear the scientists saying: “We must fight the Covid virus, we must fight nature by science.” But is it really possible? Is the nature to be controlled by mere mortals? His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada gives practical arguments against such so-called scientific claims in the following conversation for the pleasure of the devotees. He also discusses how the Hare Krsna song is more enjoyable than any other mundane song.
Prabhupada: In the history there is not a single instance that man has controlled nature. But nature has controlled man. That is the history. Where is the proof that you shall control? You are controlled. Nature is forcing you to become an old man. You are becoming. You control like that, that you remain a young man. Nature is controlling you to die. You control nature that "Death will not be forced upon me." So where is the history that man has controlled nature?
Nitai: They say that now we are controlling atomic energy, and now we are controlling...
Prabhupada: What is that atomic energy? What is the use of it? We'll die. Without atomic energy you'll die. What is this control? Death is already there, and you are utilizing atomic energy for death, that's all. So what is your credit? You use atomic energy that you'll not die. Then it is control. Death is already there. You might have atomic energy or no atomic energy—you have to die. By atomic energy you are accelerating the same problem of death, that's all.
Tamala Krsna: Gradually we are learning how to become deathless.
Prabhupada: Eh?
Tamala Krsna: They will argue...
Prabhupada: That is foolishness. That is called hope against hope. That is foolishness. Therefore we say because you are expecting like that, therefore we understand that you are a fool. We can immediately understand, "Here is a grand fool." That is our study. Many fools have done like that, and you are one of them, you are also trying to be. Therefore our conclusion is, "You are fool number one."
Devotee: We may not be able to actually stop death, but while we're here we can at least prolong our lifetime and...
Prabhupada: That also you cannot do. Where is the proof?
Devotee: Well, at the atomic research plants...
Prabhupada: Oh, that is another foolishness, I say. You have not done it. You are simply expecting. Hope against hope, that's all.
Devotee: But they are making different cures for critical diseases that are causing deaths...
Prabhupada: That's all right. But that does not mean there will be no disease. That is already being done by many medical practitioners—better medicine. But where is the medicine that will not be disease?
Tamala Krsna: Gradually we are eliminating, one by one, all the diseases.
Prabhupada: No, that you have not done. No disease... You have increased diseases. You have stopped one disease and increased another. Not stopped, but you have increased another disease.
Devotee: We have to learn, though, how to prevent all these diseases.
Prabhupada: Therefore you are fool. You have to learn. That means you have to learn, means you are fool.
Yasodanandana: But we are learning.
Prabhupada: Don't assert it, that you have done it already, you shall do it... As soon as you say, "We have to learn," that means you are fools. And why, you are student, why you are claiming all these perfections? You have to learn. That you have to learn from us.
Brahmananda: Actually, when I was in Germany, there was evidence of how the scientists increased disease. They invented some vaccine to counteract influenza, and they injected all of Germany with this vaccine. But what happened is sometimes the body builds up resistance to these vaccines and produces another germ. So, as a result, another type of influenza was created, which was far more worse than the previous. It made people get fever for four and five days straight, 105 degrees.
Prabhupada: That is the way of... They have discovered this streptomycin for tuberculosis, that if one takes too many injection of streptomycin, then it does not act.
Devotee: He becomes immune.
Prabhupada: Yes.
Brahmananda: So as a result of the vaccine, they created a worse type of influenza, and they have nothing to counteract that worse type. So now they have to invent another type.

Prabhupada: These rascals give trouble to the people, especially in India. They are not after the vaccine. They will catch people and force them. Just see. This is going on. Boys and others are avoiding, they are going, going this way, that way. Sometimes they fall, they do not know, and capture and force. These rascals are creating havoc. Only to kick them on their face with shoes, that's all. The so-called scientists and biologists and... They do not know anything.
Tamala Krsna: You were saying that all the scientists are fools and rascals, but they may challenge, "How has your knowledge benefited you?"
Prabhupada: Your knowledge has not benefited you. Our taking your so-called science has benefited you because you are using it for Krsna. You have worked so hard, so result is going to Krsna. Hare Krsna. We are making the best... Just like there is chair, but we don't care for the chair. We can sit down. But if it is available, we don't reject it. Therefore if you are making favor to me, you have made a chair and I am sitting there. Not that I require your chair; without your chair I will..., shall die. That is not my policy. You rascal, you have done something; I'm using it for your benefit. That's all.
Tamala Krsna: They may argue that the knowledge which you say you have, it doesn't stop all of these things from happening to you. You're also suffering from symptoms of...
Prabhupada: Yes. But I'm trying, because I have got this material body like you, so I have to suffer like you. But I'm making treatment. You are not making treatment.
Tamala Krsna: But the effects appear to be the same on everyone.
Prabhupada: No. We are not so much after doctors or medical...
Tamala Krsna: Your students also suffer from diseases and all...
Prabhupada: That's all right. So long the body's there, one has to suffer. That we tolerate. That is advised in the Bhagavad-gita,
matra sparsas tu kaunteya
sitosna-sukha-duhkha-dah
agamapayino nityas
tams titiksasva bharata
[Bg 2.14]
Titiksa. We know how to tolerate. We are not mad after curing. We know these things will happen so long I have got this body.
Tamala Krsna: So your difference is that you tolerate, whereas the scientists don't.
