How to start varnasrama

[Guest guest]

On 5 Aug 1999, Harsi das wrote:

 

 

> The egalitarian aproach of some brahmanas in our movement to accept and

respect only their way of thinking and willing is definitelly not the

> varnasrama system described by Krsna in the Bhagavad-gita.

> The devotional principles are there for all to follow, but their aplication

may be different acording to the varna one may be in.

> The forgiving mood of a brahmana may equal the club of the head of a real

ksatriya. Is he therefore less qualified or Krsna conscious?

>

 

Yes, and this is the area we need to work on the most, in my opinion. It is

not just the responsibility of the 'ealitarian' brahmanas to develop a healthy

brahminical sub-culture. Even in Vedic times there were many examples of

brahmanas who were off. I have also heard that one of the responsibilities of

the king is to see that the brahmana's are properly engaged. Further, I am

sure the vaisyas, being considered members of the intelligent class, where not

blind as to who they gave in charity to.

 

None-the-less, without a mature brahminical sub-culture to set the tone for

the rest of society, I don't think we are going to get the VAD culture we

claim we desire. If the brahmanas actually know their craft, they will

naturally become more influential than the ksatriyas -- the masses will love

and feel indebted for what they bring to society. There is also the old

American (I believe) saying: "The pen is mighter than the sword."

 

Anyway, we claim VAD is the most sophisticated form of human culture, thus it

is no small wonder that we appear to have only taken 'baby steps' within the

few years of ISKCON's existance.

 

 

 

>

> How about the "class consciousness" of some brahmanas in our movement is

that bonafide acording to the Bhagavad-gita, to force everyone to think and

act only like them, and call that Krsna consciousness?

>

 

In fact, it was this very mentality that destroyed VAD and began the onslaught

of Kali-yuga, as per the story of brahmana boy cursing Maharaja Pariksit.

 

Again, without a mature and realized brahminical community, the proper tone

for VAD will not be set. Without that proper tempo, the entire things will

collapse, with or without ksatriya endorsement.

 

Developing and maintaining a healthy brahmincial culture is the single most

important element of VAD, and real Vedic ksatriyas understood the significant

dynamics of this relationship between the brahmanas and society at large.

 

 

 

> I guess Arjuna or Bhima would have never made it in Iskcon with their strong

and determined ksatryia nature. (..prabhu you are in maya, because you are so

passionate...)

>

 

Yet at the same time they understood the art of diplomacy and personal charm,

etc. I am sure they would find a way. I mean, by studying the intrigues of

their life in the Mahabharata, ISKCON politics is realitively small potatoes.

 

 

> To think one must copy the vedic ideal in this matter complitely is in my

opinion a nice wishfull thinking but is it realistic, even if Prabhupada

encouraged it?

>

 

 

Prabhupada was very gifted at presenting the ideal in such a way that even

unqualified people felt inspired to strive for that same ideal. He knew how to

realistically engage people according to their propensitites.

 

I don't know of too many stories of Prabhupada discouraging devotees by

presenting lofty goals in an arrogant manner. In fact, I don't know of any.

 

ys,

 

Sthita