Vaisyas protect cows - under the protection of the Ksatriyas

[Guest guest]

First, for those who missed it the first time around, here is the link to Gopal

prabhu's Chakra article from a year ago (Feb 2004) "A Call for Cow Protection."

 

http://www.chakra.org/living/simpFeb02_04.html

 

It has a lot of points worth considering.

 

The main one that strikes me is that if we truely are trying to have the

highest standard of worship for the Deities, that that requires that we offer

Them

 

1. Milk from protected cows

2. Grains grown by protected oxen

 

It should be acknowledged that any time that the Deities are offered milk

products from cows who are destined to be slaughtered (or in the case of

long-lasting products like ghee, are likely to already have been slaughtered),

or grains produced by tractors which cause as a by-product the slaughter of the

thus unneeded bulls -- then that type of offering must be regarded as

second-best -- certainly it cannot claim to be the highest standard of Deity

worship.

 

So the central point of the article is a seldom observed fact, and a very

important point to make.

 

One secondary point made here seems to be "Then why not engage the cows and the

land that we have, and produce these first-class offerings for the Deities?"

On one hand, why not indeed? But on the other hand, we've come to the point of

great caution, realizing that when we breed animals, then there has to be an

arrangement for their lifetime care and safety -- or the result is a nightmare

for the cows and for the devotees.

 

That is one reason for not breeding the cows and producing milk.

 

But, in today's note at least, Gopal indicates that through brahman leadership

the answer to this problem should be found.

 

So far, so good. I agree with this also. But then I think it gets a little

tricky.

 

The idea is suggested that in order to show leadership, the brahmanas should

themselves protect the cows, that one need not be a vaisya to protect cows.

 

It seems to me that at this point we begin to get on a path which will not lead

to the desired results -- at least if one of the desired results is the

establishment of varnasrama.

 

It seems like part of the drive here is to reassure devotees, "Don't worry, you

can engage in cow protection without risking becoming a low-class vaisya."

 

But by attempting to take this most noble work away from the vaisyas, it

actually reduces the honor of that varna so that no one will not want to join

it.

 

When lecturing His father on the eve of the Govardhana Puja sacrifice, even

Lord Krsna counted Himself as a vaisya -- so, overall it seems that we should

let vaisyas retain this honorable work as their own, at least for the most

part.

 

The thing that's needed to promote cow protection is not for brahmanas to start

keeping cows -- what is really needed is that social engineers/political

leaders called "Ksatriyas" actually protect and facilitate the vaisyas.

 

Very carefully consider the following quote (which conveys the very essence of

varnasrama) from Srila Prabhupada account of the pastimes of Prthu Maharaja:

 

*************

 

The structure of varnasrama was so nice:

 

1. The **brahmanas** would guide the head of state (the ksatriya).

 

2. The head of state (**ksatriya**) would then give protection to the citizens.

The ksatriyas would take charge of protecting the people in general.

 

3. Under the protection of the ksatriyas, the **vaisyas** would protect the

cows [go-raksya], produce food grains [krsi -- using the oxen] and distribute

them [vanijyam -trade].

 

4. *Sudras*, the working class, would help the higher three classes by manual

labor.

 

This is the perfect social system.

 

SB 4.17.9

 

*******************

 

There are two very important points to note in Srila Prabhupada's above

description of the perfect social system.

 

1. Vaisyas are not struggling on their own to protect the cows. No. They

protect cows *under the protection of the ksatriyas.* And what would that

protection consist of. Not just standing at the wall of the kingdom with a

sword to fight off marauders. The ksatriya can protect the vaisya in many

ways:

 

A. He provides training - at this point the brahmana input hinted at by Gopal

comes into play -- the ksatriya arranges that expert teachers will train the

vaisyas, as indicated in Prabhupada's varnasrama walks.

B. He provides land.

C. He provides employment (that is to say engagement).

D. He provides encouragement and appreciation. This is an incredibly important

factor for the cowherds. Srila Prabhupada points out that for example Maharaja

Gaya satisfied the vaisyas by "his kind words and affectionate dealings." (SB

5.15.11)

 

2. The responbility of the brahmanas is to cultivate, nurture and carefully

train such a ksatriya that will become such an expert head of state, such an

expert social engineer.

 

So, from this perspective, the problem is not that the brahmanas should be

protecting cows -- it is that the brahmanas should be finding passionate,

energetic ksatriyas and carefully training them to be compassionate, competent,

and resourceful social engineers or heads of state.

 

When we talk of the relationship between brahmanas and ksatriyas, we are of

course talking about the bhakti-karya relationship that Srila Prabhupada

describes in discussing the relationship between Kardama Muni and Svayambhuva

Maharaja (SB 3.22.3-4)

 

Unfortunately, in ISKCON, the top brahmanas often devote far more of their

meditation on the evils of sex life, rather than thinking how they can create

the ksatriyas who are essential for creating a society where the twin

principles of varnasrama (1. Visnur aradyate - please Lord Visnu, and 2. Sarve

Sukhino Bhavantu - make everyone happy) can be fulfilled.

 

The current result is the opposite of Srila Prabhupada's description in SB

4.17.9. Instead of that we have.

 

1. The Brahmanas do not train any ksatriyas. Rather, they prefer to stay in

their peaceful surroundings.

2. There are no proper ksatriyas to protect society and to get things rolling

in the right direction.

3. The unprotected vaisyas, struggling on their own are not capable of

protecting the cows very well.

4. The sudras are totally forgotten and disrespected, and their prospects for a

happy life (sarve sukhino bhavantu) in Krsna consciousness are very dim.

 

And need we say, this is *not* the perfect society.

 

**************

 

What can I say? Chant Hare Krsna and Draw a Plow.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

[Guest guest]

This is a nice piece of work!

 

Many of the points - specifically the relationships and structural issues -

are part of the Initiatives that the Spiritual Strategic Planning Team are

developing (with the help/hope of the general assembly of devotees). I try to

look at this topic (and all topics) holistically - how it relates to other

issues, programs and strategies in ISKCON. I think most of us are trying to do

that

these days.

 

 

 

"A. He provides training - at this point the brahmana input hinted at by Gopal

comes into play -- the ksatriya arranges that expert teachers will train the

vaisyas, as indicated in Prabhupada's varnasrama walks.

B. He provides land.

C. He provides employment (that is to say engagement).

D. He provides encouragement and appreciation. This is an incredibly

important

factor for the cowherds. Srila Prabhupada points out that for example Maharaja

Gaya satisfied the vaisyas by "his kind words and affectionate dealings." (SB

5.15.11)

 

2. The responbility of the brahmanas is to cultivate, nurture and carefully

train such a ksatriya that will become such an expert head of state, such an

expert social engineer."

 

 

 

This is very nice.

 

This may be too personal of a question, but I am wondering how many of you

cowherds/cow supporters out there looked over the SSPT site and actually gave

suggestions on the various Initiatives. I think Gopal's article and this one

by

Hare Krishna Mataji would be really nice to send them. I think the points

are clear and effectively presented. I know about being jaded, but for some

reason I feel very inspired by the work presented on the site. I hope the cow

protection devotees can help create the new structures that are implied and

promised within the SSPT project. It's the New ISKCON (and the only ISKCON

that

will survive).

 

Your servant,

Kalavati devi dasi

[Guest guest]

Hare Krishna Devi brings up a nice point about there not being ksatrias. I

was simply thinking of the brahmana/vaisya connection - not considering the

role

of ksatrias in the process. But the point is that brahmanas cannot train

ksatrias or vaisyas if they are not able to perform the duties of these other

classes themselves, whether for lack of knowlege or ambition.

 

I was only focusing on the fact that brahmanas are supposed to be able to

execute the dharma of each of the other varnas and will perform those duties in

 

times of need to set the proper example (with the exception of sudra dharma -

Ironically many of us have to perform sudra dharma (clerical assistant in a

medical office) in order to support ourselves and the peaching mission).

 

Anyway, at this point in time, while brahanas would need to train ksatrias

and vaisyas, they would need to train themselves first. Many vaisyas know how

to engage in trade, banking etc, very few really know how to protect cows and

engage in KC agriculture in a profitable/sustainable way in kali yuga. So not

only the vaisyas, but even the brahmanas are stumped on this one.

 

Srila Prabhupada did want to put a head on society just so that there will be

proper guidance and training for the other classes of people. So what I was

suggesting is that brahmanas should set to the task of figuring out kali yuga

cow protection for the sake of resolving the practical issues; then set to

teaching the process to those who are inclinded to be vaisyas.

 

It wouldn't be taking cow protection away from the vaisyas because the

vaisyas don't have cow protection/agriculture in a KC form yet - it doesn't

exist in

a KC, sustainable, society-wide way in this age. Brahmanas would be learning

the service, then giving it, (by way of practical hands-on example), to the

vaisyas as the greatest gift of this age (second only to KC itself).

 

Once there is a qualified brahmana class (as in able to teach and guide the

other classes in their respective duties), they would help establish a KC

vaisya class as well as KC sudra and ksatria classes. Everyone is sudra now,

but

with training, those inclined to be vaisyas etc. could fulfill their purpose in

 

a KC way. There are so many vaisyas in our movement that are displaced

so-to-speak because they don't know how to perform this part of their service

(for

lack of having a real working example as well as for lack of having the support

 

of the other classes). If the society of brahmanas could help find the

solution and provide a working example of a process that works, that would be a

great

service.

 

Even if ISKCON were to finaly create a real brahman class, a head cannot live

without the rest of the body.

 

Cow protection is only one aspect of V/A. But it impacts many (if not all) of

others. Brahmanas must result to using impure items in performing their

services. Ksatrias reap negative results due to cow slaughter going on under

their

noses or by their order. Vaisyas are just left with banking and trade (both of

which are entirely artificial when seperated from cow protection). And sudras

do the dirty work (raising, killing, transporting, selling and fast-food

cooking and consuming).

 

Again, if no one really knows how to perform this service in a sustainable,

society-wide way, it's the duty of the brahmana class to learn it themselves

until they are able to teach it to those whose duty it actually is - the of

course go back to their normal duty.

 

As far as the classes looking down at eachother, that is likely to always be

there in this age - what can be done?

 

I'm sincerely sorry of this seems like rabling or if any of my points are

redundant - we're all sick in our house with a cold/sinsus infection so it's

hard

to think and proof reading/editing/spell check is out of the question - sorry.

 

BTW, I'm glad tha this forum is not going to end - all glories to

Rabindranath Prabhu for taking up the service and all glories to all of you who

are

sticking it out.

 

~ Gopal Das

 

In a message dated 1/21/2005 10:10:36 PM Mountain Standard Time,

npetroff (AT) bowdoin (DOT) edu writes:

First, for those who missed it the first time around, here is the link to

Gopal

prabhu's Chakra article from a year ago (Feb 2004) "A Call for Cow

Protection."

 

http://www.chakra.org/living/simpFeb02_04.html

 

It has a lot of points worth considering.

 

The main one that strikes me is that if we truely are trying to have the

highest standard of worship for the Deities, that that requires that we offer

Them

 

1. Milk from protected cows

2. Grains grown by protected oxen

 

It should be acknowledged that any time that the Deities are offered milk

products from cows who are destined to be slaughtered (or in the case of

long-lasting products like ghee, are likely to already have been slaughtered),

or grains produced by tractors which cause as a by-product the slaughter of

the

thus unneeded bulls -- then that type of offering must be regarded as

second-best -- certainly it cannot claim to be the highest standard of Deity

worship.

 

So the central point of the article is a seldom observed fact, and a very

important point to make.

 

One secondary point made here seems to be "Then why not engage the cows and

the

land that we have, and produce these first-class offerings for the Deities?"

On one hand, why not indeed? But on the other hand, we've come to the point

of

great caution, realizing that when we breed animals, then there has to be an

arrangement for their lifetime care and safety -- or the result is a nightmare

for the cows and for the devotees.

 

That is one reason for not breeding the cows and producing milk.

 

But, in today's note at least, Gopal indicates that through brahman leadership

the answer to this problem should be found.

 

So far, so good. I agree with this also. But then I think it gets a little

tricky.

 

The idea is suggested that in order to show leadership, the brahmanas should

themselves protect the cows, that one need not be a vaisya to protect cows.

 

It seems to me that at this point we begin to get on a path which will not

lead

to the desired results -- at least if one of the desired results is the

establishment of varnasrama.

 

It seems like part of the drive here is to reassure devotees, "Don't worry,

you

can engage in cow protection without risking becoming a low-class vaisya."

 

But by attempting to take this most noble work away from the vaisyas, it

actually reduces the honor of that varna so that no one will not want to join

it.

 

When lecturing His father on the eve of the Govardhana Puja sacrifice, even

Lord Krsna counted Himself as a vaisya -- so, overall it seems that we should

let vaisyas retain this honorable work as their own, at least for the most

part.

 

The thing that's needed to promote cow protection is not for brahmanas to

start

keeping cows -- what is really needed is that social engineers/political

leaders called "Ksatriyas" actually protect and facilitate the vaisyas.

 

Very carefully consider the following quote (which conveys the very essence of

varnasrama) from Srila Prabhupada account of the pastimes of Prthu Maharaja:

 

*************

 

The structure of varnasrama was so nice:

 

1. The **brahmanas** would guide the head of state (the ksatriya).

 

2. The head of state (**ksatriya**) would then give protection to the

citizens.

The ksatriyas would take charge of protecting the people in general.

 

3. Under the protection of the ksatriyas, the **vaisyas** would protect the

cows [go-raksya], produce food grains [krsi -- using the oxen] and distribute

them [vanijyam -trade].

 

4. *Sudras*, the working class, would help the higher three classes by manual

labor.

 

This is the perfect social system.

 

SB 4.17.9

 

*******************

 

There are two very important points to note in Srila Prabhupada's above

description of the perfect social system.

 

1. Vaisyas are not struggling on their own to protect the cows. No. They

protect cows *under the protection of the ksatriyas.* And what would that

protection consist of. Not just standing at the wall of the kingdom with a

sword to fight off marauders. The ksatriya can protect the vaisya in many

ways:

 

A. He provides training - at this point the brahmana input hinted at by Gopal

comes into play -- the ksatriya arranges that expert teachers will train the

vaisyas, as indicated in Prabhupada's varnasrama walks.

B. He provides land.

C. He provides employment (that is to say engagement).

D. He provides encouragement and appreciation. This is an incredibly

important

factor for the cowherds. Srila Prabhupada points out that for example Maharaja

Gaya satisfied the vaisyas by "his kind words and affectionate dealings." (SB

5.15.11)

 

2. The responbility of the brahmanas is to cultivate, nurture and carefully

train such a ksatriya that will become such an expert head of state, such an

expert social engineer.

 

So, from this perspective, the problem is not that the brahmanas should be

protecting cows -- it is that the brahmanas should be finding passionate,

energetic ksatriyas and carefully training them to be compassionate,

competent,

and resourceful social engineers or heads of state.

 

When we talk of the relationship between brahmanas and ksatriyas, we are of

course talking about the bhakti-karya relationship that Srila Prabhupada

describes in discussing the relationship between Kardama Muni and Svayambhuva

Maharaja (SB 3.22.3-4)

 

Unfortunately, in ISKCON, the top brahmanas often devote far more of their

meditation on the evils of sex life, rather than thinking how they can create

the ksatriyas who are essential for creating a society where the twin

principles of varnasrama (1. Visnur aradyate - please Lord Visnu, and 2. Sarve

Sukhino Bhavantu - make everyone happy) can be fulfilled.

 

The current result is the opposite of Srila Prabhupada's description in SB

4.17.9. Instead of that we have.

 

1. The Brahmanas do not train any ksatriyas. Rather, they prefer to stay in

their peaceful surroundings.

2. There are no proper ksatriyas to protect society and to get things rolling

in the right direction.

3. The unprotected vaisyas, struggling on their own are not capable of

protecting the cows very well.

4. The sudras are totally forgotten and disrespected, and their prospects for

a

happy life (sarve sukhino bhavantu) in Krsna consciousness are very dim.

 

And need we say, this is *not* the perfect society.

 

**************

 

What can I say? Chant Hare Krsna and Draw a Plow.

 

your servant,

 

Hare Krsna dasi

 

 

 

 

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