Guest guest Posted June 11, 1999 Report Share Posted June 11, 1999 On 11 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote: > The point is: Meat eating is permitted if one is in a life and death > situation. As we approach varnasrama-dharma implementation in a practicable manner it is important to remember that we are doing so in order to engage as many humans as possible (Lord Caitanya's para-upakara program) in this divine institution in order that they get on the path of Krsna consciousness - bhakti yoga. Sudras, vaisyas and ksatriyas are all effected by different modes of nature than brahmanas and therefore the guna and karma daiva engagements and lifestyles will differ accordingly. Facility is offered to them in the daiva varnasrama-dharma institution by means of brahmanas performing their prescribed duties for different religious functions such as sacrifices. "One should not imitate another's duty. A man who is by nature attracted to the kind of work done by sudras should not artificially claim himself to be a brahmana, although he may be born into a brahmana family. In this way, one should work according to his own nature; no work is abominable, if performed in the service of the Supreme Lord. The occupational duty of a brahmana is certainly in the mode of goodness, but if a person is not by nature in the mode of goodness, he should not imitate the occupational duty of a brahmana. For a ksatriya or administrator, there are so many abominable things; a ksatriya has to be violent to kill his enemies, and sometimes a ksatriya has to tell lies for the sake of diplomacy. Such violence and duplicity accompany political affairs, but a ksatriya is not supposed to give up his occupational duty and try to perform the duties of a brahmana. One should act to satisfy the Supreme Lord... In the business field also, sometimes a merchant has to tell so many lies to make a profit. If he does not do so, there can be no profit. Sometimes a merchant say, ‘Oh, my dear customer, for you I am making no profit', but one should know that without profit a merchant cannot exist. Therefore it should be taken as a simple lie if a merchant says that he is not making a profit. But the merchant should not think that because he is engaged in an occupation in which the telling of lies is compulsory, he should give up his profession and pursue the profession of a brahmana. That is not recommended. ...The conclusion is that everyone should be engaged according to the particular mode of nature he has acquired, and he should decide to work only to serve the supreme cause of the Supreme Lord." Bg. 18.47. "There was a tailor who was a meat-eater but was sewing garments for Srivas Thakur. The Lord, being merciful to him, showed him His own form." CC Adi 17.23 "The meat-eaters are generally called mlecchas. But all meat-eaters are not mlecchas. Those who accept meat in terms of scriptural injunctions are not mlecchas, but those who accept meat without restriction are called mlecchas." S.B. 1.16.20. "Everyone is inclined in this age to eat meat and fish, drink liquor, and indulge in sex life, but according to the Vedic injunctions, sex is allowed only in marriage, meat eating is allowed only when the animal is killed and offered before the goddess Kali, and intoxication is allowed only in a restricted way... The word niyamyate indicates that all these things - namely animal killing, intoxication and sex - should be regulated." 4.26.7. "Sometimes ksatriyas go to the forest to kill animals like deer because they have to learn the art of killing, and sometimes they eat the animals also. Sudras, too, eat animals such as goats... Those who desire to eat meat may satisfy the demands of their tongues by eating lower animals, but they should never kill cows, who are actually accepted as the mothers of human society because they supply milk." S.B. 6.4.9. "Four kinds of sinful activities - associating with women for illicit sex, eating meat, intoxication and gambling - are allowed for the ksatriyas. For political reasons, sometimes they have to take to these sinful activities. Ksatriyas do not refrain from gambling. One vivid example is the Pandavas." S.B. 4.22.13 "Just like the ksatriya, they must learn how to kill. So, practically they should go to the forest and kill some animal, and if he likes he can eat also. But not from the slaughterhouse. Those who are ksatriyas, they are allowed sometimes to eat meat....So for ksatriyas, if they want to eat meat, they can be allowed on particular occasions. But they must go to the forest and kill the animal. ..if some of the ksatriyas or the sudras want to eat meat, this is our prescription - go to the forest, kill some animals and eat them. And the sudras, they also sometimes eat meat, or the candalas. The sudras, they can take a goat and sacrifice it before the Deity of the goddess Kali and then they can eat. No one should be given unrestricted freedom to eat meat or wine. If one is adamant to drink wine there is Durga puja, Candi puja. That means restriction. Under certain conditions." SP MWC Vrin. ‘74 These were prescribed responsibilities for ISKCON's leaders over 25 years ago given by Srila Prabhupada in order to engage as many people as possible in Krsna's eternal service. That is what preaching and leadership mean. Are we going to continue to try to change every sudra, vaisya and ksatriya into a brahmana? This program has thus far proven unsuccessful for many, many excellent candidates of devotional service to the Lord. "Prabhupada: Everywhere, wherever, Mayapura or anywhere. Question is that here it is clearly said, sve sve karmany abhiratah. Brahmana has his duty, ksatriya has his duty, vaisya has his duty, sudra has his duty. And if he performs his duty nicely, then he also becomes perfect. So why artificially he should be called a brahmana? Let them do, according to sastra, the work of sudra, or vaisya. He'll get the perfect. Perfection is not checked. But why artificially he should be made a brahmana or he should be made a sannyasi and fall down and become a ludicrous? That is the point. Better let him live in his position and become perfect. That's good. That looks very nice. And that is possible. That is possible. Varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman visnur aradhyate." "Prabhupada: Yes. In the... For the big scale, this is required. In big scale you cannot make all of them as brahmanas or sannyasis. No. That is not possible. This is small scale. How many percentage of people of the world we are controlling? Very insignificant. But if you want to make the whole human society perfect, then this Krsna consciousness movement should be introduced according to the Krsna's instruction, if you want to do it in a large scale for the benefit of the whole human society. Now we are picking up some of them, best. That is another thing. But Caitanya Mahaprabhu said para-upakara. Why a certain section should be picked up? The whole mass of people will get the benefit of it. Then it is required, systematic. Sve sve karmany abhiratah samsiddhim labhate narah. Para-upakara means mass benefit, not there is certain section. Then we have to introduce this varnasrama-dharma. It must be done perfectly, and it is possible and people will be happy." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 11, 1999 Report Share Posted June 11, 1999 "WWW: Janesvara (Dasa) ACBSP (Syracuse - USA)" wrote: > [Text 2398260 from COM] > > On 11 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote: > > > The point is: Meat eating is permitted if one is in a life and death > > situation. > > As we approach varnasrama-dharma implementation in a practicable manner it is > important to remember that we are doing so in order to engage as many humans > as possible (Lord Caitanya's para-upakara program) in this divine institution > in order that they get on the path of Krsna consciousness - bhakti yoga. > Sudras, vaisyas and ksatriyas are all effected by different modes of nature > than brahmanas and therefore the guna and karma daiva engagements and > lifestyles will differ accordingly. Facility is offered to them in the daiva > varnasrama-dharma institution by means of brahmanas performing their > prescribed duties for different religious functions such as sacrifices. This raises some very interesting points. I was in Mayapura in February 1998, when Gopiparanadhana prabhu gave a Bhagavatam class. He had managed to steer the topic toward varnasrama, which he was very interested in, as he was on the Social Development commission. An Indian lady raised her hand and said, "You are talking about varnasrama -- does that mean we will allow people in our society who eat meat?" He responded, "Well, we already do. They are called 'life members.' There is no rule that a life member cannot eat meat, and some of them do. But we are trying to give them a chance to be involved in Krsna consciousness. Varnasrama would simply mean it was more regulated." So there are definitely good arguments for using varnasrama to incorporate all different kinds of people, even those who eat meat. But, I don't think that at this point we should pretend that how this is to be done is clear. Sometimes you will read quotes from Srila Prabhupada that say meat eating is okay for ksatriyas and sudras. Other times he says that even a ksatriya should not eat meat. Sometimes he says that eating meat offered to Kali is alright, and at other times he says there is no possibility of spiritual advancement for those who eat meat even if it is offered to the demigods. So, I think we make a very great mistake if we pretend that Prabhupada's answer is clearly defined one way or the other. I would think that in a varnasrama college or in a varnasrama community this issue should be carefully discussed by people who can do so without becoming hysterical and emotional about either option (guided by sober brahmanas). Only then can the correct decision for that community be reached. And for those of us who have already taken a vow against meat eating, it seems clear that we must do our utmost to honor that vow -- including developing cow protection now, so that we don't have to ponder whether or not to eat a squirrel a year from now. So Srila Prabhupada has definitely given some leeway here on the possibility of eating meat -- especially for those who have not yet taken any vow that they will not do so. (Life members have not taken any such vow.) Nevertheless we must always carefully bear in mind his many cautions about the spiritual hazards of meat eating, such as the following: Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 1: Chapter Three, Text 24 :PURPORT Then, in the beginning of Kali-yuga, the Lord will appear as Lord Buddha, the son of Anjana, in the province of Gaya, just for the purpose of deluding those who are envious of the faithful theist. PURPORT Lord Buddha, a powerful incarnation of the Personality of Godhead, appeared in the province of Gaya (Bihar) as the son of Anjana, and he preached his own conception of nonviolence and deprecated even the animal sacrifices sanctioned in the Vedas. At the time when Lord Buddha appeared, the people in general were atheistic and preferred animal flesh to anything else. On the plea of Vedic sacrifice, every place was practically turned into a slaughterhouse, and animal-killing was indulged in unrestrictedly. Lord Buddha preached nonviolence, taking pity on the poor animals. He preached that he did not believe in the tenets of the Vedas and stressed the adverse psychological effects incurred by animal-killing. Less intelligent men of the age of Kali, who had no faith in God, followed his principle, and for the time being they were trained in moral discipline and nonviolence, the preliminary steps for proceeding further on the path of God realization. He deluded the atheists because such atheists who followed his principles did not believe in God, but they kept their absolute faith in Lord Buddha, who himself was the incarnation of God. Thus the faithless people were made to believe in God in the form of Lord Buddha. That was the mercy of Lord Buddha: he made the faithless faithful to him. Killing of animals before the advent of Lord Buddha was the most prominent feature of the society. People claimed that these were Vedic sacrifices. When the Vedas are not accepted through the authoritative disciplic succession, the casual readers of the Vedas are misled by the flowery language of that system of knowledge. In the Bhagavad-gita a comment has been made on such foolish scholars (avipascitah). The foolish scholars of Vedic literature who do not care to receive the transcendental message through the transcendental realized sources of disciplic succession are sure to be bewildered. To them, the ritualistic ceremonies are considered to be all in all. They have no depth of knowledge. According to the Bhagavad-gita (15.15), vedais ca sarvair aham eva vedyah: the whole system of the Vedas is to lead one gradually to the path of the Supreme Lord. The whole theme of Vedic literature is to know the Supreme Lord, the individual soul, the cosmic situation and the relation between all these items. When the relation is known, the relative function begins, and as a result of such a function the ultimate goal of life or going back to Godhead takes place in the easiest manner. Unfortunately, unauthorized scholars of the Vedas become captivated by the purificatory ceremonies only, and natural progress is thereby checked. To such bewildered persons of atheistic propensity, Lord Buddha is the emblem of theism. He therefore first of all wanted to check the habit of animal-killing. The animal-killers are dangerous elements on the path going back to Godhead. There are two types of animal-killers. The soul is also sometimes called the "animal" or the living being. Therefore, both the slaughterer of animals and those who have lost their identity of soul are animal-killers. Maharaja Pariksit said that only the animal-killer cannot relish the transcendental message of the Supreme Lord. Therefore if people are to be educated to the path of Godhead, they must be taught first and foremost to stop the process of animal-killing as above mentioned. It is nonsensical to say that animal-killing has nothing to do with spiritual realization. By this dangerous theory many so-called sannyasis have sprung up by the grace of Kali-yuga who preach animal-killing under the garb of the Vedas. The subject matter has already been discussed in the conversation between Lord Caitanya and Maulana Chand Kazi Shaheb. The animal sacrifice as stated in the Vedas is different from the unrestricted animal-killing in the slaughterhouse. Because the asuras or the so-called scholars of Vedic literatures put forward the evidence of animal-killing in the Vedas, Lord Buddha superficially denied the authority of the Vedas. This rejection of the Vedas by Lord Buddha was adopted in order to save people from the vice of animal-killing as well as to save the poor animals from the slaughtering process of their big brothers who clamor for universal brotherhood, peace, justice and equity. There is no justice when there is animal-killing. Lord Buddha wanted to stop it completely, and therefore his cult of ahimsa was propagated not only in India but also outside the country. Technically Lord Buddha's philosophy is called atheistic because there is no acceptance of the Supreme Lord and because that system of philosophy denied the authority of the Vedas. But that is an act of camouflage by the Lord. Lord Buddha is the incarnation of Godhead. As such, he is the original propounder of Vedic knowledge. He therefore cannot reject Vedic philosophy. But he rejected it outwardly because the sura-dvisa, or the demons who are always envious of the devotees of Godhead, try to support cow-killing or animal-killing from the pages of the Vedas, and this is now being done by the modernized sannyasis. **************************** Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 4: Chapter Nineteen, Text 36 :PURPORT As we have repeatedly explained, due to a lack of qualified brahminical priests in Kali-yuga, it is not possible to perform the ritualistic ceremonies recommended in the Vedas. ....In Kali-yuga men all over the world are very expert in opening slaughterhouses for killing animals, which they eat. If the old ritualistic ceremonies were observed, people would be encouraged to kill more and more animals. In Calcutta there are many butcher shops which keep a deity of the goddess Kali, and animal-eaters think it proper to purchase animal flesh from such shops in hope that they are eating the remnants of food offered to goddess Kali. They do not know that goddess Kali never accepts nonvegetarian food because she is the chaste wife of Lord Siva. Lord Siva is also a great Vaisnava and never eats nonvegetarian food, and the goddess Kali accepts the remnants of food left by Lord Siva. Therefore there is no possibility of her eating flesh or fish. Such offerings are accepted by the associates of goddess Kali known as bhutas, pisacas and Raksasas, and those who take the prasada of goddess Kali in the shape of flesh or fish are not actually taking the prasada left by goddess Kali, but the food left by the bhutas and pisacas. *********************** > "Everyone is inclined in this age to eat meat and fish, drink liquor, and > indulge in sex life, but according to the Vedic injunctions, sex is allowed > only in marriage, meat eating is allowed only when the animal is killed and > offered before the goddess Kali, and intoxication is allowed only in a > restricted way... The word niyamyate indicates that all these things - namely > animal killing, intoxication and sex - should be regulated." 4.26.7. > "Sometimes ksatriyas go to the forest to kill animals like deer because they > have to learn the art of killing, and sometimes they eat the animals also. > Sudras, too, eat animals such as goats... Those who desire to eat meat may > satisfy the demands of their tongues by eating lower animals, but they should > never kill cows, who are actually accepted as the mothers of human society > because they supply milk." S.B. 6.4.9. > > "Four kinds of sinful activities - associating with women for illicit sex, > eating meat, intoxication and gambling - are allowed for the ksatriyas. For > political reasons, sometimes they have to take to these sinful activities. > Ksatriyas do not refrain from gambling. One vivid example is the Pandavas." > S.B. 4.22.13 ****************************** So, on one hand, varnasrama means to include people from all walks of life and help bring them to Krsna consciousness. So sometimes we need to be a little bit liberal, as we are with some of our life members. On the other hand, meat eating is such an impediment to understanding Krsna that in general, our best course is to try to get people to eat only Krsna prasadam as soon as possible. Also in terms of prioritizing our social arrangement, we need to think which is more important: Making arrangements so people can eat meat -- or making arrangements so people can protect cows. People already know how to make some arrangements to eat meat -- but if Krsna's devotees don't make some arrangements to train and support devotees who are protecting cows, we may find that in a couple years there are hardly any cows left. And the final point here is that most of the times that Prabhupada does make allowances for eating meat, it is for ksatriyas and sudras. The example of Visvamitra Muni is exceptional because it is an example of a brahmana who ate meat. In general Prabhupada has great disdain for sannyasis who eat meat. They should be providing such good leadership and guidance to the ksatriyas that society will protect cows, who will provide milk and bulls to produce grain. Then there will be no need to even consider eating meat. your servant, Hare Krsna dasi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 1999 Report Share Posted June 12, 1999 On 11 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote: > An Indian lady raised her hand and said, "You are talking about varnasrama -- > does > that mean we will allow people in our society who eat meat?" > > He responded, "Well, we already do. They are called 'life members.' There is > no > rule that a life member cannot eat meat, and some of them do. But we are > trying > to give them a chance to be involved in Krsna consciousness. Varnasrama would > simply mean it was more regulated." Great answer! That same kind of welcoming type of attitude can be extended to every human on the face of the earth when one sees that Lord Caitanya's mercy can touch everyone. Life members are very pious at the very least, but complete strangers to the Hindu traditions and the "Hare Krsna" religion around the world can join the God consciousness movement without ever "looking" like a Hindu or Hare Krsna. Especially through the daiva varnasrama-dharma/sanatana-dharma religion which should remain free of institutionalized religion boundaries and sectarian nomenclature observances. A ditch digger, or well digger anywhere in the world of any culture or any language can do his or her duty of ditch digging and chant the names of God and reach the perfect stage of life. He or she may be a native Indian of a particular country and chant Tunkashila or Wakan Tanka as the result of Madhava Gosh Prabhus native Indian preaching program. Or they may be in the vast remote areas of Siberia and chant Kryshen or Kolyada as the result of Bhakta Olegs ancient Russian holy name preaching. Every town and village. > So there are definitely good arguments for using varnasrama to incorporate all > different kinds of people, even those who eat meat. Definitely. I always wondered who would cook for Sri Bhimasena and his wonderful pure devotee son Sri Ghatotkach if they came to visit ISKCON. I would consider it a great honor to able to hunt for them to provide them a great big feast as they were known to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 1999 Report Share Posted June 12, 1999 On 11 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote: > So there are definitely good arguments for using varnasrama to incorporate all > different kinds of people, even those who eat meat. > > But, I don't think that at this point we should pretend that how this is to be > done is clear. Sometimes you will read quotes from Srila Prabhupada that say > meat > eating is okay for ksatriyas and sudras. Primarily and almost exclusively actually from what I have read. > Other times he says that even a > ksatriya > should not eat meat. A ksatriya "should" not eat meat. That is obviously true. It is one of the things from a long list of things to avoid for a king according to raja-dharma sastras, no doubt. I do not eat meat. I am a very healthy ksatriya so eating meat for muscle tissue development is really not an excuse. A ksatriya type of body can be developed on a vegetarian diet with the help of some careful protein nutritional programs. However, ksatriya devotees CAN eat meat. That is the point. Some simply will and I would venture to say that probably many, many ksatriya devotees ate meat in the "Vedic" times. There is many, many references to hunting throughout the Bhagavatam alone and that is a scripture more aimed at spiritual subject matter discussion. The Ramayana and Mahabharata have hundreds and hundreds of references. > Sometimes he says that eating meat offered to Kali is > alright, I would say that is in reference to devotee brahmanas performing sacrifices to regulate the meat eating of daiva varnasrama sudras which is very good stuff for both the sudra and the brahmana - doing their duty regardless of its " distasteful" nature. ALL varna duties have their "dark" side seemingly but if fulfilled on behalf of the management of human culture in accordance with the varnasrama dharma institution the path to perfection is cleared very soon. > and at other times he says there is no possibility of spiritual > advancement for those who eat meat even if it is offered to the demigods. And I would say this is in relation to meat offered by non-devotee brahmanas. This is demigod worship and there is some indirect advancement made because the demigods are serving Krsna and these people are serving the demigods ("All paths lead to Me". Bg) Not a preferable path. Especially when there is such a nice positive alternative like a daiva varnasrama dharma program. But in a daiva varnasrama community with devotee brahmanas performing sacrifices things are different. I would say that such sacrifices were performed in Dvaraka and Indraprastha regularly in order for Bhima to eat every day and night along with many other devotee ksatriyas and devotee sudras who ate meat regularly. Facility must be given otherwise there will be unauthorized slaughter just like there has to be prostitutes even though "no one" should have illicit sex. Certainly we can find many references to "no one can make spiritual advancement" if they are having illicit sex. And yet there were millions of prostitutes in Dvaraka City which was full of devotees. These are the important and difficult duties of brahmanas. Brahmana is considered the topmost varna because it is the most difficult to be - not the easiest as some may think. It takes constant hard work and concentration on the needs of the other varnas for their upliftment. Brahmanas are always busy creating programs and engagement for the other varnas in accordance with guna and karma. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 1999 Report Share Posted June 12, 1999 On 11 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote: > I would think that in a varnasrama college or in a varnasrama community this > issue > should be carefully discussed by people who can do so without becoming > hysterical > and emotional about either option (guided by sober brahmanas). Only then can > the > correct decision for that community be reached. This is a very practical suggestion. Some communities will have more sudras and ksatriyas than others depending on their locations, etc., or by certain devotees wanting to live in a community that has more or less of a particular varna. This sounds quite natural. But everyone is respected as devotees like in Dvaraka. > And for those of us who have already taken a vow against meat eating, it seems > clear that we must do our utmost to honor that vow -- There are many, many of us who have failed in one way or another to keep vows taken at immature times or in haste or not in accordance with our guna and karma due to lack of good direction from leaders. We hope those devotees who are free from these imperfections will be merciful upon us and implement varnasrama-dharma in order that we may have practical engagement in the service of the Lord. > > So Srila Prabhupada has definitely given some leeway here on the possibility of > eating meat -- especially for those who have not yet taken any vow that they > will > not do so. (Life members have not taken any such vow.) Vows are prohibited in Kali-yuga, in general. For obvious reasons of which we are probably good examples. Vows should not be taken until one has understood and undertaken one's guna karma training and has gained conviction in taking vows in acordance with ones varna (modes of nature). Lord Caitanya held no conversation with the meat-eating tailor who was sewing the clothes of Srivas Prabhu. He didn't preach to him to stop eating meat. The devotee was serving faithfully in his varna and therefore the Lord showed him His original form. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 12, 1999 Report Share Posted June 12, 1999 On 11 Jun 1999, Hare Krsna dasi wrote: > Also in terms of prioritizing our social arrangement, we need to think which is > more important: Making arrangements so people can eat meat -- or making > arrangements so people can protect cows. I think both are going to have to happen and therefore dividing the society is very important. The priority is definitely cow protection but with no diminishing of the validity of providing intelligent Vedic brahminical facility for meat-eating sudras or candalas. The ISKCON mind-set has simply turned a blind eye on this very important duty of brahmanas and they remain in denial because no one wants to take up the difficult tasks required of brahmanas to properly engage the other varnas. Our "brahmanas" don't want to even go near the more "distasteful" duties required of them. > People already know how to make some arrangements to eat meat This kind of "arrangement" has created Burger King. I don't think we need to continue that kind of arrangement. The Vedic solution will help greatly in regulating those open to some sort of regulation in their lives whether it is sex, meat eating or gambling. We are charged with the responsibility to share the Vedic options with everyone in the world. -- but if Krsna's > devotees don't make some arrangements to train and support devotees who are > protecting cows, we may find that in a couple years there are hardly any cows > left. And this will benefit no one and all will be lost for everyone. How can those claiming to be "leaders" not make this a priority when they claim to be the "leaders" of a culture which clearly prioritized it. It is very clearly NOT a priority in the minds of these so-called leaders - there is only talk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 1999 Report Share Posted June 13, 1999 I remember hearing or reading that Srila PRabhupada also licensed eating of the cows flesh - after it has died a natural death. He said something along the line, "there will be no scarcity, just wait till they die and then take the flesh, there will be enough for everyone." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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