The Need for Manu Samhita

[Guest guest]

Krishna Kirti Prabhu wrote:

 

>Most all of the devotees (with some exceptions) in our society will still

>bematerially conditioned, to a greater or lesser extent. (Manushyanam

sasreshu. . .). It is for this reason initiation is offered, devotees must

engage in Deity worship, etc.[1] There are various rules and regulations in

Deity worship to follow, but those don't deal with social interaction.

Social principles and rules are to be especially found in dharma-shastras

like Manu-samhita and Yajna-valkya Smriti.<<

 

Srila Prabhupada said, just the four books Bg, SB, CC, BRS are sufficient

for the members of our movement. Even Social interactions and principles

are found in these books.

 

>With regard to bhakti-yoga, following such moral instructions is essential,

>because if one's activities are sinful, then he will not be able to make

>any

advancement in devotional service: yesham tvanta gatam papam jananam punya

karanam / te dvandva moha nirmukta bhajane mam drdha vratah, "Only those who

have acted piously in this life and in previous lives, and whose sinful

reactions are completely eradicated are freed from the dualities of

delusion, and they engage themselves in My service with determination." (BG

7.28)>>

 

The process of Bhakti itself burns all sins. Bhakti Yoga is the whole.

Moral instructions are a part of Bhakti Yoga. I do not understand why we

have to see moral instructions separate from Bhakti Yoga. Why should there

be a separate endeavour for following moral pricnciples. If we can try to

practise the laws of our ISKCON Law Book Bhakti Rasamrita Sindhu, then I do

not see any need of separately following Manu Samhita, other than reading it

for academic interest, and to preach to outsiders, who can atleast come up

to a certain level.

 

>A devotee who is still conditioned by the material energy cannot have any

>determination to make progress if he is acting sinfully, therefore

>so-called

>mundane moral behavior is also essential for his progress.

 

The 26 qualities - Kripalu, Akritadroha, satyasara, sama.....of a Vaishnava

which a Sadhana Bhakta must practise during sadhana stage include

everything.

 

>Regarding moral behavior, I want to point out the Manu-Samhita is not

>simply

>a book of nit-picky moral rules and regulations - it also contains

>principles on which those rules are based. In the wedding lecture in a

>previous text, Srila Prabhupada said "According to Manu-samhita, Vedic

>principle, woman has no independence [na striyam svatantratam arhati]." It

>is on that principle (yes, it's a principle, not simply a rule), in the

>wedding lecture, that Srila Prabhupada says women need protection. This

>isn't the only principle in Manu-Samhita, either. For example:

 

Everyone needs protection. No body is independant.

 

>Now, we can understand that these principles are directly relevant to the

>welfare of our vaisnava society in ISKCON. If this weren't a fact, there

>would be no necessity for such inventions as the CPO (Child Protection

>Office).

 

I did not know that CPO was based on Manu Samhita, or some mundane moral

principles. I was of the understanding that this office was also devotional

service like any other ISKCON's office.

 

>Of course, it can always be said that these have nothing to do with pure

>devotional service, but then who among us is a pure devotee? Sri Manu's

>mercy on is in the form of his instructions is to help keep us pure and

>free

>from sin so we can make progress in devotional service.

 

One of the definitions of pure devotee, is one who understands, that Krishna

is God, and every one is a servant of Krishna. Ofcourse, there are levels

of pure devotees.

 

>Actually, we do agree on the role Manu-Samhita has to play. Where we seem

>to disagree is whether or not Manu-Samhita has any relevance at all to

>sadhana-bhaktas.

 

A devotee respects and follows even the state laws of Kaliyuga states, such

as traffic rules.

 

This is my understanding. Please correct me if I am wrong.

 

Your humble servant,

Bhadra Govinda Das.