Question on Brahma-Vaivarta Puraana verse

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna. Dandavats.

 

I have a question on the following verse from the Brahmavaivarta Puraana:

 

ashvamedha.m gavaalambha.m sannyaasa.m palapaitR^ikam |

devareNa sutotpatti.m kalau pa~ncha vivarjayet ||

 

In this age of Kali, five acts are forbidden: the offering of a horse in

sacrifice, the offering of a cow in sacrifice, the acceptance of the order of

sannyaasa, the offering of oblations of flesh to the forefathers, and a man's

begetting children in his brother's wife (brahmavaivarta puraaNa).

 

I saw this verse quoted in one of Srila Prabhupada's books. I don't remember

which one it was at this time. However, my question is in regards to the verse

itself.

 

This vese mentions five specific prohibitions in the Age of Kali. Presumably,

the idea is that these acts were not prohibited in the past, or that their

being prohibited was not obvious and Kali Yuga just happens to be the context.

 

Well the verse mentions three rather abominable acts - the offering of a cow

in sacrifice, offering of flesh oblations to the forefathers, and a man's

begetting children in his brother's wife. Is the verse not implying that these

acts were therefore okay prior to Kali Yuga? Otherwise, why specifically

forbid them now? How can one justify offering of a cow in sacrifice or

begetting children in a sister-in-law's womb? Are there scriptural injunctions

that provide for such acts (just as there are for the ashvamedha yagna)? They

seem like abominable acts in *any* Yuga.

 

Furthermore, the verse mentions that acceptance of sannyaasa is also forbidden

in Kali Yuga. Of course, we do not know the context of this verse, and the

fact that it was quoted in Srila Prabhupada's books without a verse number

leads me to believe that it is probably not to be found in any extant version

of this Puraana. But the verse itself simply prohibits the acceptance of

sannyaasa. It does not make any specific accomadations for devotees.

Therefore, is it not the case that Vaishnavas in Kali Yuga (including some

ISKCON devotees) are violating this injuction? If devotees can violate

Puraanic injunctions for one reason or another, then does that not cast doubt

on the authority of the Puraanas as an integral part of the Veda?

 

Thank you for taking the time to address these questions. I hope this meets

you well.

 

yours,

 

-- Krishna Susarla