Hare Krsna - Jnane Prayaase

[Guest guest]

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.

[Guest guest]

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