Gaudiya renunciates and Varnasrama-dharma

[Guest guest]

Krishna Susarla writes:

 

>>> The critics try to claim that Srila Bhaktisiddhanta introduced a "new

theology," or that he was preaching for "his time and circumstance." But

however they sugarcoat it, what they are really saying is that the Gaudiiya

Saarasvata paramparaa is not really orthodox Gaudiiya Vaishnavism. Apparently,

doing bhajan in a solitary place, rejecting varnaashrama, and ignoring other

Vedic injunctions is classical Gaudiiya Vaishnavism, as far as they are

concerned. But I don't believe that for a moment. <<<

 

Whatever Bhaktisiddhanta did, whether right or wrong, you should honestly admit

that it was different from the preceding tradition.

 

Classical Gaudiya Vaishnavism does not include only the recluses. Traditionally

the society consists of two classes of men, the householders and the recluses.

>From the days of Sri Caitanya, we can observe that both have been there, and

both have acted as an important part of the tradition. The householders have

been more socially involved, the more learned ones preaching in their society

and so forth, in their older years retiring to a life of commitment and full

absorption in bhajan.

 

What are the "other Vedic injuctions" aside varnasrama-dharma which you feel are

being neglected by the traditional Gaudiya ascetics?

 

 

>>> Instead, let the critics acknowledge that their gurus, who refuse Vedic

injunctions (i.e. varnaashrama dharma) and refuse Lord Chaitanya's directive to

preach far and wide, are the ones who introduced a new form of Gaudiiya

Vaishnavism. Of course, they will refuse to do that, but at the same time they

expect Bhaktisiddhanta's followers to do it and remain undisturbed. <<<

 

Renouncing varnasrama-dharma is in accordance with the instructions of Sri

Caitanya for the renunciate class of devotees.

 

In the Caitanya Caritamrita (2.8.57/59), Mahaprabhu discusses the topic with Ramananda:

 

prabhu kahe paDa zloka sAdhyera nirNayarAya kahe sva-dharmAcaraNe viSNu-bhakti

hayaprabhu kahe eho bAhya, Age kaha Ara

Prabhu said, "Recite a stanza from the scriptures in ascertaining the perfection of life."

Ramananda Raya replied, "By executing one's sva-dharma (prescribed duties), Vishnu-bhakti is there."

Prabhu replied, "This is external. Why don't you tell me something better?"

 

Instructing Sanatana, Prabhu says (2.22.93)

 

eta saba chADi' Ara varNAzrama-dharma

akiJcana haJA laya kRSNaika-zaraNa

"All of this one should reject, including varnasrama-dharma, and without

attachment to the mundane, take exclusive shelter of Sri Krishna."

 

This is also echoed in a famous verse of the Bhagavad Gita (18.66):

 

sarva-dharmAn parityajya mAm ekaM zaraNaM vraja |ahaM tvAM sarva-pApebhyo mokSayiSyAmi mA zucaH ||

"Renounce all kinds of dharma and just surrender unto Me. I will deliver you

from all sins, do not worry."

 

Sri Visvanatha comments:

 

sarvadharmAn varNAzramadharmAn sarvAn eva parityajya ekaM mAmeva zaraNaM vraja

 

"All dharmas, that is, varnasrama dharmas, everyone of them, you should reject

and come to me as your only shelter."

 

 

Regards,

 

Madhava