Guide to religious principles in the system of varnasrama

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Wed, 23 Dec 98 09:33 -0800

"COM: Jayasri (dd) VMS (Crescent City, CA - USA)"

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Varnasrama development <varnasrama.development (AT) com (DOT) bbt.se>

Guide to religious principles in the system of varnasrama

 

> I apologize for responding to this comment as it was directed to someone

> else, but I would like to express my humble opinion.

 

Haribol, respected Janesvara, I always welcome your comments!

 

> I feel that there is no question that the Manu-smriti is NOT "out-dated"

> or "out-placed" or any other disqualifying notion. It is perfect scripture

> written by Svayambhuva Manu himself, a Mahajana, father of Maharaja

> Priyavrata, Uttanapada and Devahuti, and grandfather of Lord Kapiladeva

> Himself. It will be perfect scripture for all time and for all human

> beings. To me there is NO question.

 

I am wondering about the more extreme things that are listed in Manu

Samhita, cutting out tongues or cutting of other body parts :-), and other

things? I have to say, I tend to lead toward your same attitude, that the

Manu Samhita is OUR lawbook, and we should not disregard it. There are some

things in the book that don't seem appropriate for this age, so what do we

do with them? Try to elevate ourselves to one day follow them anyway? (!)

 

What did Srila Prabhupada say to give us an idea how we should regard the

Manu Samhita? I often here people referring to him saying we cannot even

touch the Manu-Samhita. I will go look for that and see if I can find it.

I suppose I wonder how we would ever be qualified to follow such laws as

these.

 

> This, I feel, must start, as mentioned previously, in the form of

> varnasrama-dharma counseling EVERYDAY, in EVERY center for EVERY bhakta

> (which includes everyone). It should become the primary focus of all

> activities performed by the body of every bhakta. Spiritual practice goes

> on - it is compulsory, but as one's "work" to keep his/her body and soul

> together in a Vedic (of/in knowledge) manner, this varnasrama-dharma is at

> the forefront.

 

This is absolutely wonderful, and could be done. The question I have is

where to begin? Say I live by a temple, and I want to get such counseling

going; what is the first step? What is covered first, a basic explanation of

varnasrama dharma probably. Once that is out of the way, what would be the

next step? Who would be the most qualified to teach this information, or

could anyone, with the right knowledge?

 

Also, what if a family is not so close to a temple, where should they begin

within their own home and with their children? Is varnasrama training the

same for girls and boys, or might some of it be the same while other aspects

might be different?

 

Another question I have is does arranged marriage fit into varnasrama

training?

 

I will stop here, for I have a zillion questions. This is a workable idea,

and sounds very inspiring. I know that you, Janesvara prabhu, will have

answers to my questions, for I know you have done exhaustive study in this

regard. I look forward to your response and Hare Krsna.

 

your servant,

Jayasri devi dasi

 

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Guide to religious principles in the system of varnasrama

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23-Dec-98 22:56 -0500

 

WWW: Janesvara (Dasa) ACBSP (Syracuse - USA) <jdf1 (AT) stsi (DOT) net>

 

Varnasrama development

 

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On 23 Dec 1998, Vijay Pai wrote:

 

> Do you have any pramaaNa for this idea that the Manu Sa.nhita is

> somehow higher (in any way, shape, or form) than the Bhagavad

> Gita? It certainly seems contradictory to the "eho baahya"

> attitude of Mahaaprabhu in the Raamaananda-sa.nvaada.

 

 

No, Prabhu. I am only a foolish man and I don't even understand many of your

words in your question. Perhaps, if you think their may be any sense to what I

said, you could find some evidence to support it? My only response would be

that I did not say one scripture is "higher" than another in the Absolute

spiritual sense. Only that we, as neophytes, cannot understand the higher

principles and lessons taught in certain scriptures. To me scriptures are like

a bag of sugar - no matter where you poke a hole and take a taste it is sweet!

But still you are supposed to start at the beginning like starting at Krsna's

feet and working your way up. Certainly Krsna's feet are not "lower" or

"inferior" to His head, right? Srila Prabhupada was the person who stated that

the Srimad-Bhagavatam was the "post-graduate" study of Bhagavad-gita.

 

My views were just my humble opinions. Take them as you wish. Hare Krsna. And

Happy New Year!

 

jd