Vedic definition of atheism

[Guest guest]

Sear Ajita Krsna Prabhu.

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

 

Thank you for this conference. Is it informative, or is it meant for

discussions?

>

> I would like to hear your opinion on what the Vedic definition of atheism

> would be.

 

Here is my opinion, for whatever it counts.

Practice in ISKCON seems to be directed towards two goals, one is pure KC,

the other is heavenly planets. Of course, pure KC is the only real goal, but

not everybody are willing to pursue it. Therefore, besides pure KC

practices, there is need for varnasrama society. Both practices are defined

with their own rules - pure KC with its rules of devotional service, and

varnasrama with its rules and regulations of 4 varnas and 4 asramas.

 

I propose, that everything, that is not in line with pure KC, or in line

with varnasrama rules, as defined in sastra, is athiesm.

 

> To me it seems that you can use different definitions according

> to the point you want to emphasize. In the gita it is said, that anyone

> who does not follow the regulations in the Vedic scriptures is a demon -

> an atheist. Also mayavadis, demigod worshippers etc. are atheists

> according to Prabhupada.

>

> Sometimes even devotees fail to follow the scriptures, but how can they be

> atheists? I think, then, we could say that even theists can exhibit

> atheistic behavior sometimes if they are not pure devotees.

 

Could one say, that pure devotion is higher than regulations of varnasrama?

Thus in pure KC one may disregard certain vedic injunctions.

 

If varnasrama is between pure KC and ateism, then one can fail in following

varnasrama for two reasons. Failing varnasrama for pure KC is good, and

failing varnasrama for atheism is bad.

 

your servant Giri-nayaka das