Varna: bit by bit

[Guest guest]

On 07 Jun 1999, Janesvara Dasa wrote:

 

 

> Certainly you can't be insinuating that there is something wrong in

following the example of Arjuna - becoming a lifelong devotee ksatriya?

>

>

 

 

Of course not. Just that I don't recall Prabhupada ever appointing anyone a

lifelong varna designation along the lines of: 'So and So dasa - you are now

designated by me a ksatriya'. Certainly he stressed the importance of VAD

principles, but he left extremely few examples regarding his personal

designation of individual disciples.

 

I wish to restate that the principles of VAD are extremely important, but a

preoccupation with designating individuals at our present time might be

premature at this point in our history. It could be a good idea for us to

stress the cultivation of a mature understanding of the theory and dynamics of

a healthy VAD culture, otherwise we will just passionately recreate another

mess under a different name.

 

 

 

> Srila Prabhupada ordered his senior disciples to become expert in one of the

four varnas in order to become teachers in the varnasrama colleges which they

were to start in EVERY center. This is a very clear instruction.

>

 

 

Yes, and becoming expert is not something one can legislate by decree. It is

like saying he order his disciples to become pure devotees, or gurus, and save

the future of humanity. That may not be somthing you can accomplish simply by

organizing a GBC meeting.

 

> This is another weak, negative, pessimistic attitude popular amongst ISKCON

leaders. It is a very poor excuse for not even BEGINNING the attempt at

following Srila PRabhupada's orders to start varnasrama colleges in every

center for every devotee everyday.

>

 

 

Talk aboutt weak, negative, and pessimistic attitudes! There are many ISKCON

devotees who are enthusiastic about VAD, and there have been numerous attempts

to try to find a way to implement Srila Prabhupada's numerous instructions.

Because our own expectations for ISKCON have not been met may not be the only

qualification of the devotional success of the other Vaisnavas.

 

 

> Follow the instructions given by Srila PRabhupada in

> Vrindavana in 1974. They were perfect instructions how to begin the process

and gradually improve the practices of varnasrama-dharma in the society of

devotees. It has NEVER been attempted in the manner described by Prabhupada.

>

 

 

I am confident that the day will come when both Srila Prabhupada's 'leaders'

and 'rank and file' will feel confident the timing it right to implement all

of Prabhupada's instructions. Prabhupada had many extremely sophisticated

ambitions, and such things will not come about simply by snapping fingers, as

you say.

 

ys,

 

Sthita