The Need for Manu Samhita

[Guest guest]

>I don't know if you're aware of this or not, but

>devotees are using other books, even (ugh) mundane books.

 

I am fully aware of this. I am also reading all kinds of books.

 

Ys

Bhadra Govinda Das.

[Guest guest]

Bhakti is for sure sufficient through a direct connection of diksha.

One may have all the information through siksha like knowing all about

the spiritual realm but to go there we need a direct introduction. His

Divine Grace always used the analogy of knowing about a country but the

need for a visa to enter there.

 

Your servant,

 

Bijaya Kumara das

 

 

"Bhaktarupa (das) ACBSP (Bhubaneswara - IN)" wrote:

>

> Again, Krishna Kirti Prabhu wrote:

>

> > (3) Manu-samhita and other dharma-sastras go into extensive detail

> > regarding the theory and practice of varnasrama-dharma. Srimad-Bhagavatam

> > may give principles but does not give such extensive details about the

> > practice of varnashrama-dharma. If you disagree, then where (for

> > example), in Bhakti-rasamrita-sindhu, are there any specific details on

> > how to perform a marriage? :-)

>

> There are descriptions in other vaisnava smriti.

>

> > In Srimad-Bhagavatam, Canto 7, Chapter 14,

> > titled "Ideal Family Life", the word "marriage" is to be found only once

> > in either the text or the purports (so much for details :-).

>

> > Of course, we may say that principles are enough, and details, after all,

> > are details, so we can do as we like as long as it is (somehow) based on

> > principles. But then why speculate? If detailed information is there

> > from an authoritative source, why should we speculate and not accept

> > authority?

>

> Our acaryas do not accept Manu Samhita as an authoritative source for

> instructions on the behavior of devotees. They may accept it as a useful

> source of information for preaching, but not for the conduct of our personal

> lives.

>

> > (5) If the process of bhakti "burns all sins", then there should be a

> > practical demonstration of that. Some people do, but many do not. In

> > fact, it could be argued that most do not. Does this prove that

> > Bhakti-yoga does not work? No, but it means we have to refine our

> > understanding of what it means to practice bhakti yoga with regard to

> > *members of ISKCON*. Even if the books are there, and even if they are

> > sincere, we see so many ISKCON devotees fall down.

> >

> > There is a relevant conversation I am reproducing here that discusses this

> > point - if Bhakti is sufficient, why so many fall down?

>

> It is interesting here that you have characterized the conversation like

> this. Srila Prabhupada is not at all saying that bhakti is not sufficient.

> He is saying that most will accept chanting and then later give it up. It is

> a major philosophical point of ours that bhakti is sufficient. Varnasrama is

> there to create a favorable situation for the continued conduct of bhakti.

> It is not there as a necessary adjunct of bhakti itself. Can you please

> clarify your views on this essential point?

>

> Your servant, Bhaktarupa Das