Oxen plowing

[Guest guest]

> > I remember in mayapur this year the goshalla manager informed me that

> > they were breeding 60 cows per year and as you know this means over 20

> > years there will probably be about 600 male oxen of which about 400 will

> > be workeable.

>

> The situation in Mayapur is as far from varnasrama as you can get. The

> land is farmed not by families (maybe a few) but by paid employees. As

> anyone knows paid employees are not necessarily very productive, nor

> motivated to do whats right. They just want to get paid.

 

I'm sorry to hear this. If we can't follow the system properly in India

where so many conditions are ideal, how will we do elsewhere?

"I have read in your letter how the brahmacaris find it very difficult to

plough. It will be very difficult if we do not work the land ourselves. The

difficulty can be overcome provided we are sincere.">>> Ref. VedaBase =>

Letter to: Jayapataka , Bhavananda -- Bombay 3 April, 1974

 

> If we are really to take care of the oxen in Mayapur what we need there or

> anywhere else is people who understand that to become Krsna Conscious as a

> grihasta, one has to get serious about simple living, and take

> responsibility for some oxen, and utilise them as Prabhupada describes. Of

> course the manangement has to recognise that also and give facility.

>

> Otherwise we have to have heavy subsidy, and hope we can find someone who

> really wants to take care of a lot of cows. If the cows are not happy,

> what happens to brahminical culture?

>

> It really appears that we need some heavy preaching in this area if

> brahminical culture is to be maintained, otherwise the dham will continue

> to be plagued with periodical scandals, etc. I mean does that make sense

> or not?

 

Yes. More hearing and chanting is required, but I don't think we should

leave it to the "leaders". I think we all share the responsibility and have

a duty to take some action. Anyone have any ideas of how to heighten

awareness of the issues of cow protection?

 

> This is a really negative text huh! But really does it not boil down to

> pleasing Krsna by making sure his cows and bulls are truly

> happy,sentimental as that may sound?

 

Not so negative. Just a thoughtful examination of a real problem and an

exploration of a possible solution. This is needed. May sound sentimental...

some think bhakti is sentimentalism.

"There are five boats for people who are drowning in the ocean of worldly

existence: Lord Visnu, the Bhagavad-gita, Srimati Tulasi devi, the cow, and

Ekadasi."

- Lord Krsna to Garuda in the Garuda Purana

 

> As dumb and defenceless as they are, Krsna is just as much in their hearts

> as he is in the hearts of those that are neglecting the responsibility of

> making them happy. He will act accordingly. It boils down to that

> unquantifiable and largely unacknowledged fact.

>

> Anyway I can talk!

>

> Hypocriticaly.

>

> Your servant

> Samba das

 

You're being very humble, but you have long been doing much more than

talking. I am watching your activities in Spain with great excitement and

anticipation. Your efforts are inspiring. It's important to be humble. It's

also important that the rest of us recognize a humble vaisnava and not take

his self-deprecation seriously. May you be always successful in your

attempts to serve Guru and Krsna. I hope this meets you well.

 

Your servant,

Taraka dasa