Krsna is always right!

[Guest guest]

Further to this discussion about cow protection, I have been discussing also

with Tejiyas prabhu on the subject and other related things have come up on

other forums and I wanted to share these things if I may.

 

One thing that is central it seems is that Srila Prabhupada never intended

cow protection to be seperate from the ideal of varnasrama dharma. The whole

idea of making cow protection profitable from the position of pounds

shillings and pence is not what he wanted us to do.

 

While it certainly seems sensible to have a well thought out plan, we find

that Srila Prabhupada had no such thing. In fact some may say that his

coming to America with only 40 rupees in his pocket was a reckless and

foolish thing for a man of his age to do. He however had full faith that

Krsna is the ultimate permitter, and because he was simply Krsna's servant,

he felt confident of full protection, and even more, benediction.

 

The fact is that we find in the 18th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita that we

are entitled to do our duty but we are not entitled to the fruits, which

nix's the idea of a business plan right in the bud!

 

Prabhupada created the International Society for Krsna Consciousness with

the idea that we would all learn the Bhagavad Gita and then live by it, not

as a dogmatic ritual, but as a living devotion. When people see that we are

personaly wealthy in terms of milk, butter, ghee and food grains and happy

with only those, then they will be attracted to Krsna consiousness.

 

Here is a letter from Srila Bhaktissiddhanta Sarasvati

 

I received your letter dated May 5th and got the news therein. This world is

temporary; no one has come to live here eternally. Wherever the Lord keeps

one at any point in time, one should cheerfully stay there and accept the

reward or punishment from the Lord. All rewards and punishment that come

from the Lord are ordained for ones ultimate benefit. We adore the rewards

that come from the Lords illusory energy, and His punishment gives us pain

in many ways. Knowing that this punishment from the illusory energy is

ordained for the purpose of gaining the mercy of the Lord, devotees do not

reject it. They accept it cheerfully, and with tolerance, realizing it to be

the mercy of the Lord. Those who do not understand that the troubles of this

material world are actualy the mercy of the Lord, search again and again for

material happiness and material progress, and ultimately meet with failure.

 

To the servant of the Harijans

 

Sri Siddhanta Sarasvati

 

"The troubles of this material world are actualy the mercy of the Lord"

 

We have to see this. If someone takes a cow for mundane profit, both he and

the cow will suffer. Krsna has permitted it, and no amount of rules can

prevent it... but it is all meant to be, it is the mercy of the Lord. The

cow in such a case has some karma from previous lives to pay off, and the

person is generating new karma. But such suffering is meant to be. Krsna has

permitted it, and He is always right!

 

The fact is that many devotees are giving lip service only to surrender.

What can we do to control such devotees who are hell bent on making their

plans to enjoy in the world at the expense of Mother Cow? We can make a lot

of noise and some rules, but will it change their hearts?

 

It seems there is an idea that we have to show the materialists that cow

protection can be profitable, as some kind of way to increase cow

protection, or show how great the vedic system is. But if people are not

prepared to do their duty; if they want a lot of fruit, instead of relying

on the definate protection of the Lord, then who can save them? No amount of

legislation will change their heart.

 

Dont get me wrong, I think the work that has been done by this group to

define 'best practice' as far as cow protection is concerned is admirable,

and needed. But I think we will be very frustrated if we expect that many

people are going to follow it all simply because we insist.

 

As Ghoshji has pointed out there is a need to do more. I feel that we need

to work on preaching what cow protection is all about more within the

context of varnasrama dharma. Cow protection cannot be isolated, it is

integral to the spiritual growth of society.

 

There is one very nice story that was just published in the Krsna Kathamrita

Bindu which I am going to post seperately which illustrated very nicely more

on these principles. It is quite long, but well worth the read.

 

Your servant

Samba das

[Guest guest]

> While it certainly seems sensible to have a well thought out plan, we find

> that Srila Prabhupada had no such thing. In fact some may say that his

> coming to America with only 40 rupees in his pocket was a reckless and

> foolish thing for a man of his age to do.

 

He also had a sponser who gave him a place to stay when he arrived. He

brought books to sell. He had a plan.

 

 

> The fact is that we find in the 18th Chapter of the Bhagavad Gita that we

> are entitled to do our duty but we are not entitled to the fruits, which

> nix's the idea of a business plan right in the bud!

>

 

So what we would do for ourselves we can't be bothered to do for Krsna?

[Guest guest]

>

> > While it certainly seems sensible to have a well thought out plan, we

> > find that Srila Prabhupada had no such thing. In fact some may say that

> > his coming to America with only 40 rupees in his pocket was a reckless

> > and foolish thing for a man of his age to do.

>

> He also had a sponser who gave him a place to stay when he arrived. He

> brought books to sell. He had a plan.

 

I was speaking of business plans. Business plans basicaly assume that Krsna

is not going to look after us.

 

Of course Srila Prabhupada ran a business in the old days, but he exhorted

us not to waste time making business, but instead preach Krsna

Consciousness, and in this way not put off making advancement. He indicated

that the biggest preaching would be the farms. Unfortunately due to the same

reasons that some of our leaders fell down in the past, attachment to name

and fame instead of selfless service, our farms got neglected after

Prabhupada left. But theres still time!

 

Prabhupadas plan was to sit in a park with some kartalas and chant Hare

Krsna, some people might not think of that as much of a plan, but it worked

well for us! He also sold some books. He was an idealist, and because he

also had full faith in Krsna he was successful. Thats our problem, not

enough faith in Srila Prabhupadas instructions or Krsnas protection.

 

This sounds fanatical though right! Nowadays most devotees preach that we

have to be responsible, get a good job, give our kids a good education. But

that is not what Srila Prabhupada taught us.

 

YS Samba das

[Guest guest]

> This sounds fanatical though right! Nowadays most devotees preach that we

> have to be responsible, get a good job, give our kids a good education.

But

> that is not what Srila Prabhupada taught us.

>

> YS Samba das

>

 

I am not going to get dragged into theoretical discussion where we go on

endless differentiating between "social norms" and "rules" That is just

semantics. Varnashram means social norms, SP said to do so , as you

observed, and to now turn around and say we should makle plans, have jobs

or get education .....those things are the heart of VAD. Let's agree to

disagree on the theory and work on the practical.

[Guest guest]

> In a message dated 1/6/2004 2:12:00 AM Eastern Standard Time,

> Samba.SDG (AT) pamho (DOT) net writes:

>

> > Nowadays most devotees preach that we

> > have to be responsible, get a good job, give our kids a

> > good education. But

> > that is not what Srila Prabhupada taught us

>

> SUBJECT CAUGHT MY ATTENTION, I DON'T HAVE TIME TO READ E'S THIS WEEK,

> HOWEVER, THE ABOVE DOESN'T HIT ME AS RIGHT. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER

> PRABHUPADA SAYING "DON'T BE RESPONSIBLE"?????

 

Yes he says in the Bhagavad Gita 19th Chapter that we should be completely

irresponsible and....oops, sorry wrong Gita!

 

> I DONT RECALL A STATEMENT LIKE THAT. ON THE OTHER HAND, WORKING HARD, NOT

> BEING ATTACHED TO THE RESULTS, OFFERING EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING,

> EVERYTHING, TO KRISHNA AND HAVING COMPLETE FAITH THAT KRISHNA KNOWS WHAT'S

> BEST....THAT SEEMs RESPONSIBLE???? NO?

 

I was not saying we should not be responsible. Like for instance, I am

trying very hard to set up a varnasrama project. When I came here about 3

years ago I started making yurts, and sold a few, but it took all my time.

So I gave up making yurts, at least as a business, to pursue the varnasrama

village ideal. Right now I dont have a fixed income, and will run out of

funds in a couple of months. Meanwhile I have been making web pages and a

prospectus for the project and have submitted them for permission to raise

funds. I have no idea how I will do that. I am just praying that the right

people will come along.

 

Some may say that I am being irresponsible, instead of just getting a job

and supporting my family, others however are encouraging me to just do the

simple living thing and rely on Krsna. So thats what I am saying, that

relying on Krsna is also responsible, and you dont have to get a job. But of

course you have to have some faith and some ability.

 

Your servant

Samba das

[Guest guest]

> I am not going to get dragged into theoretical discussion where we go on

> endless differentiating between "social norms" and "rules" That is just

> semantics. Varnashram means social norms, SP said to do so , as you

> observed, and to now turn around and say we should makle plans, have jobs

> or get education .....those things are the heart of VAD. Let's agree to

> disagree on the theory and work on the practical.

 

OK