Guna, karma, janma = varna

[Guest guest]

> Amongst other means, a bonafide guru surely must be able to determine

> this, don't you think? Thus my inquiry.

 

Guna, karma and janma (quality, work and birth) are, as far as I´ve

understood, the factors deciding your varna.

 

Srila Prabhupada stressed the two first, especially as an argument to

smartabrahmins, who did not want westerners (or other classes of people) to

wear sacred tread, as this was their "business".

 

But we also see how important it is for a child to have a "rolemodel" in his

parents for helping him in his life´s varna. Therefore the

varnasramatraining is very important, so as not to waste many valuable years

in confusion about your occupation.

 

Srila Prabhupada established an institution for Krishnaconsciousness (by

hook or by crook) for all of us varnasankaraoffspring. To give some a chance

to reach a clearer state of consciousness, where black can be seperated from

white, so to say.

 

But the process of KC, as practised in the temples during the years, does

not seem to be palatable for the majority of people. Therefore

varnasramtraining is a means to reach these people. Because it is not

monastic.

 

If a person follows the standard procedures for purification as they were

given by Srila Prabhupada, does it matter whether a "bonafide" guru is/has

determined his varna already? The disciple has to be receptive to that

determination also, therefore I don´t see it as a principle "must" for a

guru to determine the varna.

 

There is (most likely) confusion that has to be sorted out first.

 

Before B there must be A.

 

> Did you know of some ISKCON gurus who are dividing according to varna?

 

It has been common practise to go for "do the needful" and not

consider so much people likes and dislikes. I know for my own former guru he

was a "do the needful" man, but in his later years he stressed more and more

the accomodating model for his disciples.

 

Comments please.

 

Your servant Trayimaya dasa