VAD cult quotes part 1

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"Avoiding a VAD cult movement" Part 1

 

 

***** Divine aphorisms by His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada ******

 

 

Here you find aphorisms and extended quotes by HDG Srila Prabhupada

on the topic of VAD. Warnings not to get too carried away by

bodily designations like varnas or make a cult of VAD by identifying

proudly as a so-called ksatriya, social reformer, varnasrama avatara,

the VAD incarnation for the new age etc etc. Or falsely believing that

successful devotional service depends mainly on establishing one s

occupational duties ( varnas ).

 

 

( Nectar of Devotion chapter 13 - 5 )

 

"Some scholars argue that simply by following the principles of varna

and asrama one can gradually rise to the perfections reached by

practicing devotional service. But this argument is not accepted by the

great authorities. Lord Caitanya also condemned this idea while He

was talking with Ramananda Raya about the gradual development of

devotional service. He rejected the idea of the importance of

varnasrama-dharma when it was put forward by Ramananda Raya. "

 

 

(Science of Self realization chapter 3 )

 

" We have nothing to do with the caste system which is also at present

even rejected by the public in India. Rather we give everyone a chance to

become a brahmana and thus attain the highest status of life. "

 

 

(Teachings of Lord Kapila chapter 8 )

 

" Although we may try to revive the perfect varnasrama system it is

not possible in this age. People are fallen, disturbed and unfortunate. "

 

 

(Teachings of Lord Kapila chapter 13 )

 

" It is very difficult to be a brahmana in this age. And it is practically

impossible to revive the old varnasrama-dharma culture. Caitanya

Mahaprabhu therefore said that this method is not very practical. "

 

 

( Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya lila Ch 8 text 16 )

 

" If one executes the eight occupational duties of VAD but does not

cultivate his dormant KC his activities are futile. His occupation

simply becomes unnecessary labor. "

 

 

( Srimad-Bhagavatam 7th Canto Chapter 5 text 52 )

 

" The real dharma is that which is advised in Bhagavad-gita :

Sarva dharman parityajya mam ekam saranam vraja One must give up one s

material occupational duties just as one must give up this material body.

Whatever one s occupational duties, even according to the

varnasrama system one must give it up and engage in one s spiritual

function. One s real dharma or occupational duty is explained by

Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu : Jivera svarupa haya Krsnera nitya dasa

Every living being is an eternal servant of Krsna: That is one s real

occupational duty. "

 

 

( Srimad-Bhagavatam 5th Canto Chapter 5 text 21-22 )

 

" Among those who accept the Vedic principles, generally known as

varnasrama-dharma ( presently known as the Hindu system ) few actually

follow these principles. Of those who actually follow the Vedic principles

most perform fruitive activity or pious activity for elevation to a high

position. "

 

 

( Srimad Bhagavatam 2. Canto chapter 4 text 18 )

 

" The system of caste or varnasrama-dharma is no longer regular, even

amongst the so-called followers of the system. -- Nor is it now possible

to re-establish the institutional function in the present context of

social, political and economic revolution. "

 

 

( Srimad-Bhagavatam 4th Canto Chapter 24 text 72 )

 

" If one simply executes the rules and regulations of the VAD in the role

of a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra and keeps busy and does not

remember one s eternal realtionship with the Lord one s business and

activities as well as occupational duties will simply be a waste

of time. "

 

 

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 4 th Canto Chapter 14 text 19 )

 

" In his own governmental duty" indicates that both the government and the

citizents are responsible for the execution of VAD. Once the populace is

situated in the VAD there is every possibility of real life and prosperity

both in this world and in the next. "

 

 

( Srimad-Bhagavatam 3. Canto Chapter 13 text 11 )

 

" However if one directly engages in the process of devotional service

to the Supreme Personality of Godhead it may not be necessary to

undergo the disciplinary system of varnasrama-dharma. "

 

 

(From Introduction to Srimad-Bhagavatam )

 

" In the opinion of the Lord this system of varnasrama dharma is

superficial only and has very little to do with the highest

realization of spiritual values. The system of varnasram is more or

less based on moral and ethic principles. There is very little

realization of the transcendence as such. "

 

 

(CC Antya 6.274)

 

" If one thinks that... a pure vaisnava preaching the bhakti cult all

over the world is a member of a particular caste or material division

of society he is considered a narakari, a candidate for hellish life. "

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