Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 My humble obeisances to all Mahaatmaas participating in this group. Thanks very much for starting this group and discussing the topics which sanctify everyone! Myself, Somesh, working in Ireland as a Software Designer. There is a nice ISKCON temple here in Northern Ireland which is in an island called "Govindadwipa" and due to mercy of Krishna and His devotees I've been able to get some association of the devotees here. I've been reading the discussions going on in this group for some time, but never participated in the discussions. I have a doubt which is related to this verse from Bhagavatam: Jnane prayase udapasya namanta eva, Jivanti sanmukharitam bhavadiya vaartam, Sthane sthithah shruti gata tanu vaan manobhir, Ye prayase Ajita Jito pi asi tais trilokyam. Where in it is said that "Be at your place and listen to the glories of Krishna" - If that's the case then what's the need of renouncing the family connections? Is it for the higher purpose of infroming about the purpose of the spiritual life to the people in general. And Krishna's statement : Sarva dharmaan parityajya, Maam ekam sharanam vraja, Aham tvaam sarva paapebhyo, Mokshayishyami ma shuchah. Says that "Give up all religion and surrender to me" - In this case does this surrender mean that renounce everything? (i.e., in the spirit of Yukta vairagya) Thanks in advance. Jai Radha Madhav, Somesh The New Search - Faster. Easier. Bingo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 25, 2003 Report Share Posted April 25, 2003 On Fri, 25 Apr 2003, Somesh Kumar wrote: >>> I have a doubt which is related to this verse from Bhagavatam: Jnane prayase udapasya namanta eva,Jivanti sanmukharitam bhavadiya vaartam,Sthane sthithah shruti gata tanu vaan manobhir,Ye prayase Ajita Jito pi asi tais trilokyam. Where in it is said that "Be at your place and listen to the glories of Krishna" - If that's the case then what's the need of renouncing the family connections? >>> There is no such need--ultimately--for those who are completely Krsna conscious; Krsna says as much in the Gita. There is a bonafide Vaisnava sampradaya whose members rarely if ever accept sannyasa at all; they want to emphasize the primacy of exclusive, pure bhakti. After all, if one truly makes Krsna his sole refuge, and his entire family is equally surrendered to Krsna as well, then what's left to renounce? However, although we don't want to discourage the above, it's an admittedly high ideal for most people to apply immediately; for them, varnasrama, which includes vanaprastha and sannyasa (i.e., detached) asramas provides a sort of safety net while they work on cultivating exclusive surrender. It's also true that poeple in civilized societies have respect for sannyasa, and are more inclined to hear from sannyasis. Sannyasa therefore serves a valuable preaching role; this was Lord Caitanya's ostensible purpose in accepting it Himself. >>> Is it for the higher purpose of infroming about the purpose of the spiritual life to the people in general. >>> Yes, just as Krsna Himself acquiesces in Gita, one has to set a proper example for others. Ordinary people can hardly maintain bhakti without first being pious, an endeavor which is severely hampered by the antithetical atmosphere of the present day, and age. So varnasrama is a practical medium by which ordinary people can qualify for bhakti, and that is its main objective. Nonetheless, the nature of bhakti is that it is alone self-sufficient, and in fact the essence, or active ingredient, of every other process (such as varnasrama); so it is alone sufficient as well. However, the instruction of Srila Prabhupada was that we establish it practically ourselves, by honestly dovetailing the occupational activities for which each of us is most qualified. Individually, that may or many not be merely to set an example for others. Socially, it doesn't really matter why any of us needs varnasrama; observing it mainatains social solidarity (loka-sangraha) for the mutual benefit of everyone. That's another objective it serves. >>>And Krishna's statement : Sarva dharmaan parityajya,Maam ekam sharanam vraja,Aham tvaam sarva paapebhyo,Mokshayishyami ma shuchah. Says that "Give up all religion and surrender to me" - In this case does this surrender mean that renounce everything? (i.e., in the spirit of Yukta vairagya)>>> Yes, but "yukta-vairagya" (appropriate renunciation) is essentially an internal process. It may or may not require a given social position. Moreover, it may even appear to transgress stereotypical norms of renunciation (or grhastha life), if these have merely become ossified conventions or if they obstruct internal detachment based on actual surrender. Our recent acaryas have set progressive examples in this regard and personally demonstrated the intrinsically dynamic nature of Krsna consciousness and its propagation. Ironically, to renounce everything can practically mean to embrace it all, selflessly. This is where the guidance of a bonafide guru is crucial, and why complete faith in such a guru is an absolutely necessity. MDd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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