kama-artha-dharma-moksa (Holy Cow)

[Guest guest]

Certainly the purpose of mundane religion (dharma) is to advance

one's sense gratification (kama) and economic development (artha), and

when one finds that this mentality is unsatisfying, one endeavors for

liberation (moksa). This is very common. However, there are so many

instances in history where we can see persons who's understanding and

practice of religion is greater than that. These people practice

religion for the sake of pleasing God, without desiring artha-kama-moksa,

and may even refuse boons when offered (example: Prahlad Maharaj). There

are also those who practice mundane religion for economic development,

etc., and still become purified so that they no longer desire any type of

material boon (example: Druva Maharaj). They continue to practice

religion without any desire, even for liberation, simply to please God.

I have heard that this fifth goal of life, love of God (prema), begins

after one has already reached liberation (examples: the four Kumaras).

So my point is that while it is very difficult to forget one's

desire for satisfaction in the bodily concept of life, one can continue

to practice religion beyond this conception, and that is desired very

much. The idea of giving up religious principles such as cleanliness,

mercy, truthfulness, and austerity, simply because it does not appear to

further one's sense gratification seems very wrong to me. We have

already had a little discussion of the relationship of the cow as a

mother of people. If one could quietly kill (and maybe even eat!) one's

own elderly mother, it may appear (to an obviously deranged person) to

benefit one in terms of sense gratification and economic development, and

one may even feel some liberation from the difficulties of caring for

her, but would this type of activity be beneficial in the long run?

Vedic scriptures list 7 mothers: the mother who gave birth, the wife of a

brahmana, the wife of the guru, the earth, a cow, a nurse, and the queen.

There are also 7 fathers mentioned: the biological father, the bull, the

teacher, the king, the brahmana, the guru, and the Supreme Lord. How can

we disrespect any of our mothers or fathers, what to speak of kill out of

desire for sense gratification, and expect to prosper?

Ultimately the purpose of religion is to benefit both individuals

and societies in the long run. My first degree in school was in

environmental studies, and after my first 2.5 years of study, though

having been raised mainly on beef, I realized that the best thing I could

do for the environment would be to become a vegetarian. I could go into

so many aspects of how raising livestock for slaughter is harmful to the

environment, and may even be the root cause of all of our environmental

concerns, but I think this may be a bit off topic. But even in the Ten

Commandments it is said, " Thou shall not kill " (though it has been

changed in many churches recently to " You shall not murder " ). God is not

ignorant of the long term effects of our actions, and so He has given us

recommendations so that our lives can be truly joyful.

 

Real religion is above the bodily conception of life, and is

joyfully practiced by liberated persons.

 

jai govinda

 

 

 

 

 

On Mon, 21 Feb 2000 12:22:31 -0000 " Vinaire Agarwala " <vinaire

writes:

> " Vinaire Agarwala " <vinaire

>

> As I understand, the purpose of religion is to bring about the

> highest possible survival. It equips you to play the game of life in

> the most causative manner ensuring the maximum survival for all. By

> SURVIVAL, I mean the continuation of beingness one chooses to have in

> this game of life. Economics is a vital part of survival. And the

> core value of economy is proper exchange.

>

> Looking at the COWS in this context, we can understand how important

> COW was to the survival of the ancient Hindu community that had

> turned agrarian and vegetarian. In exchange COW was well taken care

> of. This was made sure by incorporating it in the religious lorel.

>

> In today's India that economic importance of the cow in relation to

> the survival has reduced considerably. But the morality in relation

> to the cows continues as part of the religious lore. Hence the

> apparent contradiction in my view.

>

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