Guest guest Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Haribol all. There is some difference of opinion whether the first milk of a cow (after the calf has had its fill) can be: 1. offered to the deities 2. fed to the devotees and visitors. If there are any restrictions how long do they last i.e. 3 days, 10 days other? In the Manu Samhita there are the following quotes "A Brahmana should carefully avoid the thickened milk of a cow (colostrum obtained just after a calf is born)" MS 5.6 "A Brahmana should avoid the milk of a cow or other animal within ten days after her calving....of a cow in heat, or of one that has no calf with her." MS 5.8 My thoughts are that it seams somewhat beyond us to follow this. There are brahmana guideliness in many areas even those that prescribe the direction to urinate etc.. Are the above quotes of similar weight or do they merit special adherance? Incidentally we made some wonderful curd sweet with it and some devotees of Indian experience said that some places would not take the milk for the first 10 days. I had thought it Ok and our head pujari thought it OK. The calf had passed away during the birth and thus there was excess colostrum. What are others opinion. ys syam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Syamasundara (das) (Bhaktivedanta Manor - UK) wrote: >Haribol all. > >There is some difference of opinion whether the first milk of a cow (after >the calf has had its fill) can be: >1. offered to the deities >2. fed to the devotees and visitors. > >If there are any restrictions how long do they last i.e. 3 days, 10 days >other? > >In the Manu Samhita there are the following quotes > >"A Brahmana should carefully avoid the thickened milk of a cow (colostrum >obtained just after a calf is born)" MS 5.6 > >"A Brahmana should avoid the milk of a cow or other animal within ten days >after her calving....of a cow in heat, or of one that has no calf with her." >MS 5.8 > >My thoughts are that it seams somewhat beyond us to follow this. There are >brahmana guideliness in many areas even those that prescribe the direction >to urinate etc.. Are the above quotes of similar weight or do they merit >special adherance? > I just remember the Prabhupada quote in one of the Prabhupada Nectar books. "You cannot touch Manu Samhita. If you do you will become mleccha and yavana." Hence, I'm not inclined to give this very much weight. Better to find out if anyone remembers Srila Prabhupada's direct statements on drinking cow colostrum. > >Incidentally we made some wonderful curd sweet with it and some devotees of >Indian experience said that some places would not take the milk for the >first 10 days. I had thought it Ok and our head pujari thought it OK. The >calf had passed away during the birth and thus there was excess colostrum. > I think that you and your pujari were correct. I'm gradually becoming impatient with too much emphasis on Hindu values in ISKCON, especially when they are introducing various rituals and superstitions that Srila Prabhupada did not directly inform us about. Srila Prabhupada was not giving us Hinduism, and the sooner we wake up to that fact, the more likely it is that we will actually be able to fulfill his mission of cow protection, ox power and self-sufficiency. The Hindus are certainly our friends, and many wonderful devotees come from Hindu families -- but the more we accept the idiocyncricies of Hinduism, the harder it will be to implement Srila Prabhupada's plan. Srila Prabhupada was in India in 1977, when he determined to set out to the Gita-nagari to start varnasrama. Why did he want to go to the West? Wouldn't India have been better? The fact is, I'm gradually coming to see that he realized that the existence of Hindu tradition would be a large obstacle to the implementation of varnasrama and self-sufficient villages the way he envisioned it. Self-sufficient villages were going to require lots of physical labor and a clear understanding that one may just as easily go back to Godhead by engaging in sudra labor of building and collecting manure for Krsna's sake as by worshipping on the altar. But to traditional Hindus this concept was very hard to understand. Therefore, he wanted to go to the West, which at least had some vestiges that hard work could be a pious thing to do. I notice that as Hindu practices increase in ISKCON, self-sufficiency and working the oxen become less and less important. Everyone wants to be a brahmana and that is all. No one wants to work the oxen. My impression is that in India, that it is mostly Muslims, and not respectable Hindus who work the bullocks. If we follow Hinduism, we'll gradually have the same attitude. So the Hindu model , just like the vegetarian model, should be taken as a lifestyle in the mode of goodness -- which can be a base for coming to devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Krsna. But we make a mistake when we give too much importance to either of these as goals. Neither of them was Srila Prabhupada's goal. I applaud you and especially your pujari for sticking to Srila Prabhupada's simple, straightforward teachings. We don't need to get caught up in all these various distractions. Our task is already challenging enough. your servant, Hare Krsna dasi > >What are others opinion. > >ys syam > >----------------------- >To from this mailing list, send an email to: >Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 ganesadasa (AT) juno (DOT) com wrote: > Dear prabhus, > Hare Krsna! Please accept my humble obeisance. All glories to Srila > Prabhupada. > > <<I just remember the Prabhupada quote in one of the Prabhupada Nectar > books. "You cannot touch Manu Samhita. If you do you will become > mleccha and yavana." Hence, I'm not inclined to give this very much > weight. Better to find out if anyone remembers Srila Prabhupada's > direct statements on drinking cow colostrum. >> > > Quoting from a conditioned soul's remembrance in a 'Prabhupada Nectar' > book is really not a proper way to support an argument. Especially > since the quote does not make sense. We were (are) "mleccha(s) and > yavana(s)" already, so how is it possible that by following the > authorized dharma sastra, we will degrade to those classes??? There > are literally dozens (hundreds) of quotes from Srila Prabhupada's > books (see Bhagavada gita) where he emphasizes the fact that human > society, (what to speak of Isckcon) SHOULD be following Manu's samhita > and many of the ideas from this Cow Conference are based on this book. > Better to hear from those who know and practice the sastra (brahmanas) > if we want varnasrama dharma implemented properly, as Srila Prabhupada > so urgently requested. > > your servant, > Ganesa dasa Show me the devotee who can pass the Vedic toilet test, and I will seriously consider his or her promotion of Manu Samhita. If we can't even pass that, the rest of Manu Samhita, which was not directly given to us by Srila Prabhupada will simply be a distraction from his goal of creating a non-sectarian society of self-sufficient Krsna conscious villages. your servant, Hare Krsna dasi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 13, 2004 Report Share Posted February 13, 2004 Dear Syamasundara Prabhu, PAMHO. AGTSP. We always considered that for 3 days or 6 milking after the birth of the calf, the milk was not to be used for offering to the deities or for human consumption. The colostrom or BLOOD MILK was for the calf only. Hope all is well. yr servant, Balabhadra das Visit us at: www.iscowp.org > [Original Message] > Syamasundara (das) (Bhaktivedanta Manor - UK) <Syamasundara (AT) pamho (DOT) net> > Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net> > 2/13/2004 10:20:09 AM > Colostrum milk > > Haribol all. > > There is some difference of opinion whether the first milk of a cow (after > the calf has had its fill) can be: > 1. offered to the deities > 2. fed to the devotees and visitors. > > If there are any restrictions how long do they last i.e. 3 days, 10 days > other? > > In the Manu Samhita there are the following quotes > > "A Brahmana should carefully avoid the thickened milk of a cow (colostrum > obtained just after a calf is born)" MS 5.6 > > "A Brahmana should avoid the milk of a cow or other animal within ten days > after her calving....of a cow in heat, or of one that has no calf with her." > MS 5.8 > > My thoughts are that it seams somewhat beyond us to follow this. There are > brahmana guideliness in many areas even those that prescribe the direction > to urinate etc.. Are the above quotes of similar weight or do they merit > special adherance? > > Incidentally we made some wonderful curd sweet with it and some devotees of > Indian experience said that some places would not take the milk for the > first 10 days. I had thought it Ok and our head pujari thought it OK. The > calf had passed away during the birth and thus there was excess colostrum. > > What are others opinion. > > ys syam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 - Noma Petroff <npetroff (AT) bowdoin (DOT) edu> Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net> Friday, February 13, 2004 8:34 PM Re: Colostrum milk Hare Kkkkrsna dasi wrote > > I think that you and your pujari were correct. I'm gradually becoming > impatient with too much emphasis on Hindu values in ISKCON, especially > when they are introducing various rituals and superstitions that Srila > Prabhupada did not directly inform us about. > > Srila Prabhupada was not giving us Hinduism, and the sooner we wake up > to that fact, the more likely it is that we will actually be able to > fulfill his mission of cow protection, ox power and self-sufficiency. > > The Hindus are certainly our friends, and many wonderful devotees come > from Hindu families -- but the more we accept the idiocyncricies of > Hinduism, the harder it will be to implement Srila Prabhupada's plan. > > Srila Prabhupada was in India in 1977, when he determined to set out to > the Gita-nagari to start varnasrama. Why did he want to go to the West? > Wouldn't India have been better? > > The fact is, I'm gradually coming to see that he realized that the > existence of Hindu tradition would be a large obstacle to the > implementation of varnasrama and self-sufficient villages the way he > envisioned it. Self-sufficient villages were going to require lots of > physical labor and a clear understanding that one may just as easily go > back to Godhead by engaging in sudra labor of building and collecting > manure for Krsna's sake as by worshipping on the altar. > > But to traditional Hindus this concept was very hard to understand. > Therefore, he wanted to go to the West, which at least had some > vestiges that hard work could be a pious thing to do. >70% of Indians live in villages and the majority of them are Hindu, Muslims being about 15% of total population and most of them too live in cities, And Indian farmers work hard.. > I notice that as Hindu practices increase in ISKCON, self-sufficiency > and working the oxen become less and less important. Everyone wants to > be a brahmana and that is all. No one wants to work the oxen. My > impression is that in India, that it is mostly Muslims, and not > respectable Hindus who work the bullocks. If we follow Hinduism, we'll > gradually have the same attitude. Your impression is incorrect/ The majority of Indian farmers are Hindu and they work their bullocks of course. You are maybe thinking of Mayapur which has a large percentage of Muslims. This is a totally wrong impression you are creating. Unfortunately young people under western influence think they are too educated to do field work or cows work so migrate to filthy cities and leave the old people to do all the work . I too am amazed when western devotees visit ( Balabhadra and Chayadevi of course excepted) how they think I should not do hands on work but just supervise.They want to read and chant only and say I should do the same and get more workers. This is not at all practical. My husband also does not like me to work in the cowshed but I do as it is essential to be there with the cows. He makes all the arrangements for them. ys labangalatika > a lifestyle in the mode of goodness -- which can be a base for coming to > devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Krsna. But we make a mistake when > we give too much importance to either of these as goals. Neither of > them was Srila Prabhupada's goal. > > I applaud you and especially your pujari for sticking to Srila > Prabhupada's simple, straightforward teachings. We don't need to get > caught up in all these various distractions. Our task is already > challenging enough. > > your servant, > > Hare Krsna dasi > > > > >What are others opinion. > > > >ys syam > > > >----------------------- > >To from this mailing list, send an email to: > >Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net > > > > > > > > ----------------------- > To from this mailing list, send an email to: > Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 14, 2004 Report Share Posted February 14, 2004 - Noma Petroff <npetroff (AT) bowdoin (DOT) edu> Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net> Friday, February 13, 2004 8:34 PM Re: Colostrum milk > > > Syamasundara (das) (Bhaktivedanta Manor - UK) wrote: > > >Haribol all. > > > >There is some difference of opinion whether the first milk of a cow (after > >the calf has had its fill) can be: > >1. offered to the deities > >2. fed to the devotees and visitors. > > > >If there are any restrictions how long do they last i.e. 3 days, 10 days > >other? > > > >In the Manu Samhita there are the following quotes > > > >"A Brahmana should carefully avoid the thickened milk of a cow (colostrum > >obtained just after a calf is born)" MS 5.6 > > > >"A Brahmana should avoid the milk of a cow or other animal within ten days > >after her calving....of a cow in heat, or of one that has no calf with her." > >MS 5.8 We have always baked the first day colostrum with milk and gur and cardomom and then recently I heard brahmanas dont touch it , so I felt a little guilty but that I'm not so particular so I don't care. After the first day it becomes too watery so we dont use it and it smells strong and taste is not good so we give to the dogs and cats. After 5 days the milk is fine. 10 days is beyond comprehension, but then so may things are. ys labangaltika > > > >My thoughts are that it seams somewhat beyond us to follow this. There are > >brahmana guideliness in many areas even those that prescribe the direction > >to urinate etc.. Are the above quotes of similar weight or do they merit > >special adherance? > > > I just remember the Prabhupada quote in one of the Prabhupada Nectar > books. "You cannot touch Manu Samhita. If you do you will become > mleccha and yavana." Hence, I'm not inclined to give this very much > weight. Better to find out if anyone remembers Srila Prabhupada's > direct statements on drinking cow colostrum. > > > > >Incidentally we made some wonderful curd sweet with it and some devotees of > >Indian experience said that some places would not take the milk for the > >first 10 days. I had thought it Ok and our head pujari thought it OK. The > >calf had passed away during the birth and thus there was excess colostrum. > > > > I think that you and your pujari were correct. I'm gradually becoming > impatient with too much emphasis on Hindu values in ISKCON, especially > when they are introducing various rituals and superstitions that Srila > Prabhupada did not directly inform us about. > > Srila Prabhupada was not giving us Hinduism, and the sooner we wake up > to that fact, the more likely it is that we will actually be able to > fulfill his mission of cow protection, ox power and self-sufficiency. > > The Hindus are certainly our friends, and many wonderful devotees come > from Hindu families -- but the more we accept the idiocyncricies of > Hinduism, the harder it will be to implement Srila Prabhupada's plan. > > Srila Prabhupada was in India in 1977, when he determined to set out to > the Gita-nagari to start varnasrama. Why did he want to go to the West? > Wouldn't India have been better? > > The fact is, I'm gradually coming to see that he realized that the > existence of Hindu tradition would be a large obstacle to the > implementation of varnasrama and self-sufficient villages the way he > envisioned it. Self-sufficient villages were going to require lots of > physical labor and a clear understanding that one may just as easily go > back to Godhead by engaging in sudra labor of building and collecting > manure for Krsna's sake as by worshipping on the altar. > > But to traditional Hindus this concept was very hard to understand. > Therefore, he wanted to go to the West, which at least had some > vestiges that hard work could be a pious thing to do. > > I notice that as Hindu practices increase in ISKCON, self-sufficiency > and working the oxen become less and less important. Everyone wants to > be a brahmana and that is all. No one wants to work the oxen. My > impression is that in India, that it is mostly Muslims, and not > respectable Hindus who work the bullocks. If we follow Hinduism, we'll > gradually have the same attitude. > > So the Hindu model , just like the vegetarian model, should be taken as > a lifestyle in the mode of goodness -- which can be a base for coming to > devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Krsna. But we make a mistake when > we give too much importance to either of these as goals. Neither of > them was Srila Prabhupada's goal. > > I applaud you and especially your pujari for sticking to Srila > Prabhupada's simple, straightforward teachings. We don't need to get > caught up in all these various distractions. Our task is already > challenging enough. > > your servant, > > Hare Krsna dasi > > > > >What are others opinion. > > > >ys syam > > > >----------------------- > >To from this mailing list, send an email to: > >Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net > > > > > > > > ----------------------- > To from this mailing list, send an email to: > Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 19, 2004 Report Share Posted February 19, 2004 I dont know if you read my comment that what you have said that farmers who work the oxen in India are mostly Muslims is not at all true. You must have got some impression from Mayapur which has a large Muslim population, but for all India your impression is totally unfounded. The majority of farmers are Hindus who live in villages and they work hard. The big meat traders and butchers can be of any faith but they are predominantly Muslim.., like Irfan Allana, but faith is beside the point. They will not be interested in any job rehab offers or being security guards. They are big time mafia working with the police in a criminal nexus of corruption. and they kill those who try to stop them butchering cows.. Many persons attempting to stop transportation of cows to slaughter have been hacked to death, and also lawyers attacked. It is not that we should be afraid of social unrest in stopping the actions of these criminals. It requires tough action. Much greater social unrest is unfolding from the crime of killing cows. There cannot be any question of peace anywhere as long as cows are being killed. It is a much greater priority to save cows first your servant labangaltika Original Message ----- Noma Petroff <npetroff (AT) bowdoin (DOT) edu> Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net> Friday, February 13, 2004 8:34 PM Re: Colostrum milk > I think that you and your pujari were correct. I'm gradually becoming > impatient with too much emphasis on Hindu values in ISKCON, especially > when they are introducing various rituals and superstitions that Srila > Prabhupada did not directly inform us about. > > Srila Prabhupada was not giving us Hinduism, and the sooner we wake up > to that fact, the more likely it is that we will actually be able to > fulfill his mission of cow protection, ox power and self-sufficiency. > > The Hindus are certainly our friends, and many wonderful devotees come > from Hindu families -- but the more we accept the idiocyncricies of > Hinduism, the harder it will be to implement Srila Prabhupada's plan. > > Srila Prabhupada was in India in 1977, when he determined to set out to > the Gita-nagari to start varnasrama. Why did he want to go to the West? > Wouldn't India have been better? > > The fact is, I'm gradually coming to see that he realized that the > existence of Hindu tradition would be a large obstacle to the > implementation of varnasrama and self-sufficient villages the way he > envisioned it. Self-sufficient villages were going to require lots of > physical labor and a clear understanding that one may just as easily go > back to Godhead by engaging in sudra labor of building and collecting > manure for Krsna's sake as by worshipping on the altar. > > But to traditional Hindus this concept was very hard to understand. > Therefore, he wanted to go to the West, which at least had some > vestiges that hard work could be a pious thing to do. > > I notice that as Hindu practices increase in ISKCON, self-sufficiency > and working the oxen become less and less important. Everyone wants to > be a brahmana and that is all. No one wants to work the oxen. My > impression is that in India, that it is mostly Muslims, and not > respectable Hindus who work the bullocks. If we follow Hinduism, we'll > gradually have the same attitude. > > So the Hindu model , just like the vegetarian model, should be taken as > a lifestyle in the mode of goodness -- which can be a base for coming to > devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Krsna. But we make a mistake when > we give too much importance to either of these as goals. Neither of > them was Srila Prabhupada's goal. > > I applaud you and especially your pujari for sticking to Srila > Prabhupada's simple, straightforward teachings. We don't need to get > caught up in all these various distractions. Our task is already > challenging enough. > > your servant, > > Hare Krsna dasi > > > > >What are others opinion. > > > >ys syam > > > >----------------------- > >To from this mailing list, send an email to: > >Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net > > > > > > > > ----------------------- > To from this mailing list, send an email to: > Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 20, 2004 Report Share Posted February 20, 2004 Dear Mother Labangalatika, PAMHO. AGTSP. One great soul who is a cowherd comes to mind. Sri Dr. Brahma datta Sharma of the Rajastan Goseva Sanga.He gave the example of working with the cows daily. He felt it was essential to do hands on work with the cows in order to be connected to them and to have the loving exchange which is crucial in any relationship in order for it to be very effective. He also conducted the spiritual program at the cancer clinic daily to help the paitients there not only with the body cures, cow urine based medicines, but also with the spiritual cures. Another great soul who comes to mind is Kurma Rupa Prabhu in Vrindavan who is taking in these damaged cows and bullocks and nursing them back to health and giving them shelter. He has Bhagavatam class for his animals and workers daily. He may be looking like a cow herd in manure stained shoes and rough cracked hands but in my estamation he is a great and humble vaisnava doing the needful in helping these half dead animals that have been left to die on the side of the road by the Migrari minded peole of the industrialized society of the Kali Yuga. Migrari the hunter took great pleasure in killing animals half dead until he recieved instruction from Narada Muni on the grivious nature of these activities. Kurma Rupa's handling of these cows is, in my opionion, is full of love and kindness and compassion. It is not a burden but a labor of love and realization of the spiritual position of the cows and bulls in a spiritual society. It's not the dress of the person but the consciousness that shows the actual position of the person. We have seen so many so called Brahnins in dress fall down because they don't really possess the spiritual qualities of a Brahmin. In S.B. 8:24:5 in the purport Srila Prabhupada referes to Sudama Vipra, a REAL BRAHMIN. Why was it necessary for Srila Prabhupada to say A REAL BRAHMIN? My understanding of why Srila Prabhupada was coming to Gita Nagari to start the varnashram system was because as Srila Prabhupada had said "they have solved the food problem." Srila Prabhupada was given regular reports from Paramananda Prabhu as to the yearly production of the farm. Srila Prabhupada used to preach about Gita Nagari's cows and agricultural production world wide. Paramananda Prabhu wore many hats. He was the cowherd who involked in me the meaning of loving exchanges between cowherd and cows/oxen. He had a sweet voice in kirtan and his bhajans were so sweet at the Lotus Feet of Sri Sri Radha Damodar that they inspired me never to miss the morning program there. Paramananda prabhu helped me with the lessons in spiritual life by being honest with me and not sugar coating anything. He told us we should have the same standards in cow care in the barn as the pujaris have with the Deities in the temple. As far as labor in the west. Americans of todays generation don't want to work. The greatest part of the labor on the american farm is provided by immigrant labor( legal and illegal) crossing the border from Mexico and other Latin countries. For the most part they are under paided and mistreated. Any way thats another story. Srila Prabhupada's business was changing the counsciousness of the living entity from a materialist nature to a Krsna Counsciousness nature. The dress is part of the illusion. What is the consciousness ? When we stayed with Labangalatika Prabhu and her good husband Prakash at there farm it was a wonderful treat for us. Labangalatika mataji is like a loving,caring mother who always has the concern for her children, the cows, on her mind and was always there for them doing the hands on work or overseeing the workers and helping them to see the Krsna Conscious aspect of serving the cows. Prakash Prabhu is a very intelligent man, and even though, not hands on, is helping daily to facilitate the pushing on of real cow protection in India. He is a deep thinker,and like a good father, he is a facilitator to the mother as she raises the children in a loving nuturing manner. I have the utmost respect for Prakash Prabhu in the role he is playing in pushing on real cow protection in India. He may not be hands on but he has the love for the cows in his heart. yr servant, Balabhadra das Visit us at: www.iscowp.org > [Original Message] > Rosalie Malik <labangalatika (AT) vsnl (DOT) net> > Noma Petroff <npetroff (AT) bowdoin (DOT) edu>; Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net> > 2/19/2004 11:50:06 AM > Re: Colostrum milk > > I dont know if you read my comment that what you have said that farmers > who work the oxen in India are mostly Muslims is not at all true. You > must have got some impression from Mayapur which has a large Muslim > population, but for all India your impression is totally unfounded. The > majority of farmers are Hindus who live in villages and they work hard. > > The big meat traders and butchers can be of any faith but they are > predominantly Muslim.., like Irfan Allana, but faith is beside the point. > They will not be interested in any job rehab offers or being security > guards. They are big time mafia working with the police in a criminal > nexus of corruption. and they kill those who try to stop them butchering > cows.. Many persons attempting to stop transportation of cows to slaughter > have been hacked to death, and also lawyers attacked. It is not that > we should be afraid of social unrest in stopping the actions of these > criminals. It requires tough action. Much greater social unrest is > unfolding from the crime of killing cows. There cannot be any question of > peace anywhere as long as cows are being killed. It is a much greater > priority to save cows first > your servant labangaltika > > Original Message ----- > Noma Petroff <npetroff (AT) bowdoin (DOT) edu> > Cow (Protection and related issues) <Cow (AT) pamho (DOT) net> > Friday, February 13, 2004 8:34 PM > Re: Colostrum milk > > > > I think that you and your pujari were correct. I'm gradually becoming > > impatient with too much emphasis on Hindu values in ISKCON, especially > > when they are introducing various rituals and superstitions that Srila > > Prabhupada did not directly inform us about. > > > > Srila Prabhupada was not giving us Hinduism, and the sooner we wake up > > to that fact, the more likely it is that we will actually be able to > > fulfill his mission of cow protection, ox power and self-sufficiency. > > > > The Hindus are certainly our friends, and many wonderful devotees come > > from Hindu families -- but the more we accept the idiocyncricies of > > Hinduism, the harder it will be to implement Srila Prabhupada's plan. > > > > Srila Prabhupada was in India in 1977, when he determined to set out to > > the Gita-nagari to start varnasrama. Why did he want to go to the West? > > Wouldn't India have been better? > > > > The fact is, I'm gradually coming to see that he realized that the > > existence of Hindu tradition would be a large obstacle to the > > implementation of varnasrama and self-sufficient villages the way he > > envisioned it. Self-sufficient villages were going to require lots of > > physical labor and a clear understanding that one may just as easily go > > back to Godhead by engaging in sudra labor of building and collecting > > manure for Krsna's sake as by worshipping on the altar. > > > > But to traditional Hindus this concept was very hard to understand. > > Therefore, he wanted to go to the West, which at least had some > > vestiges that hard work could be a pious thing to do. > > > > I notice that as Hindu practices increase in ISKCON, self-sufficiency > > and working the oxen become less and less important. Everyone wants to > > be a brahmana and that is all. No one wants to work the oxen. My > > impression is that in India, that it is mostly Muslims, and not > > respectable Hindus who work the bullocks. If we follow Hinduism, we'll > > gradually have the same attitude. > > > > So the Hindu model , just like the vegetarian model, should be taken as > > a lifestyle in the mode of goodness -- which can be a base for coming to > > devotional service to Sri Sri Radha Krsna. But we make a mistake when > > we give too much importance to either of these as goals. Neither of > > them was Srila Prabhupada's goal. > > > > I applaud you and especially your pujari for sticking to Srila > > Prabhupada's simple, straightforward teachings. We don't need to get > > caught up in all these various distractions. Our task is already > > challenging enough. > > > > your servant, > > > > Hare Krsna dasi > > > > > > > >What are others opinion. > > > > > >ys syam > > > > > >----------------------- > > >To from this mailing list, send an email to: > > >Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ----------------------- > > To from this mailing list, send an email to: > > Cow-Owner (AT) pamho (DOT) net Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.