Varnasrama in ISKCON: When and How is it going to Happen?

[krsna]

 

 

 

 

Here are some words from Prabhupada from his last days with us.

 

Room conversation in Mayapura, February 14, 1977

 

Satsvarupa: When Ramananda Raya brought varnasrama up, Lord Caitanya said it was not possible in this age to introduce this.

 

Prabhupada: He did not say not possible. Iha bahya. Caitanya Mahaprabhu was interested only on the spiritual platform. He had no idea of material side. He rejected material side.

 

Satsvarupa: But don't we do that also?

 

Prabhupada: No. Our position is different. We are trying to implement Krsna consciousness in everything. Caitanya Mahaprabhu personally took sannyasa. He rejected completely material. Niskincana. But we are not going to be niskincana. We are trying to cement the troubled position of the world.That is also in the prescription of Bhagavad-gita. We are not rejecting the whole society. Our duty is that we shall arrange the external affairs also so nicely that one day they will come to the spiritual platform very easily, paving the way. We are preaching. Therefore we must pave the situation in such a way that gradually they will be promoted to the spiritual plane.

 

Hari-Sauri: But in Caitanya Mahaprabhu's practical preaching He only induced them to chant.

 

Prabhupada: Chanting will go on. That is not stopped. But at the same time the varnasrama-dharma must be established to make the way easy.

 

Satsvarupa: We tell them go on with your job but chant also.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. Caitanya Mahaprabhu recommended, sthane sthitah. Therefore varnasrama-dharma is required. Simply show-bottle will not do. So the varnasrama-dharma should be introduced all over the world, and...

 

Satsvarupa: Introduced starting with ISKCON community?

 

Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. Brahmana, ksatriyas. There must be regular education. So we are stressing on the point of education. You educate certain section as brahmana, certain section as ksatriya, certain section as vaisya. In that education we don't discriminate because he's coming of a sudra family. Take education. Be qualified.

 

Hari-Sauri: But in our community as it is, we are training up as Vaisnavas...

 

Prabhupada: Vaisnava is not so easy. The varnasrama-dharma should be established to become a Vaisnava. It is not so easy to become Vaisnava.

 

Hari-Sauri: No, it's not a cheap thing.Prabhupada: Yes. Vaisnava, to become Vaisnava, is not so easy. If to become Vaisnava is so easy, why so many fall down? It is not easy.

 

Hari-Sauri: Varnasrama system is beneficial. Where will we introduce the varnasrama system, then?

 

Prabhupada: In our society, amongst our members.

 

Hari-Sauri: But then if everybody's being raised to the brahminical platform...

 

Prabhupada: Not everybody. Why you are misunderstanding? Varnasrama, not everybody should become brahmana.

 

Hari-Sauri: No, but in our society practically everyone is being raised to that platform. So then one might ask what is...

 

Prabhupada: Everybody is being raised, but they're falling down.

 

Hari-Sauri: So then we should make it more difficult to get brahminical initiation. After four or five years.

 

Prabhupada: Not necessary. You remain as a ksatriya. You'll be happy.

 

Hari-Sauri: No need for even any brahmana initiation, then...

 

Prabhupada: No, no.

 

Hari-Sauri: Unless one is particularly inclined.

 

Prabhupada: Not that a sudra man is by force become a brahmana. You cannot improve. That is not possible. But even if he remains a sudra and does accordingly, he will get the same position as devotee. Sva-karmana tam abhyarcya sam... He'll get the perfection. At the present moment the idea is: if one remains a sudra, then he cannot get perfection. No. Even a sudra can get perfection provided he does the work of a sudra perfectly.

 

Hari-Sauri: For Krsna.

 

Prabhupada: Therefore why a sudra artificially should be a brahmana? Let him remain a sudra, and if he follows strictly the rules and regulation of sudra, he'll also be as good as a brahmana. The same example: Just like head is as important as my leg. It is not that because it is leg, it is less important than my head. And if you ask the head, "Do the work of a leg," it is impossible. And if you ask the leg to work as a brain, that is impossible. Let him remain brain, let him remain leg, and do your duty and you become perfect.

 

Satsvarupa: Today you've been saying that the Vaisnava is the highest, above the brahmana. But then we've also understood that everyone in ISKCON is a Vaisnava.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. Vaisnava everyone, even if he's not brahmana. Jivera svarupa haya nitya-krsna-dasa. But you have to gradually bring him to that pure consciousness that "I am servant of Krsna." Here the bodily conception is going on, "I am American,I am Indian,I am this,I am that."

 

Satsvarupa: If in our society we say, "Srila Prabhupada wants some to be sudra..."

 

Prabhupada: No, no, no. I don't want. I want everyone to become Vaisnava. But because he's a sudra, it is not possible to bring him immediately to the platform of brahmana, or Vaisnava. Therefore falling down. Therefore the system must be present. But even if he remains a sudra, he's a Vaisnava.

 

Hari-Sauri: So we'd have to completely revise the whole system that we have now.

 

Prabhupada: No. Whatever we have, that is all right. But we see by experience that they're falling down. Why falling down? Because he was not fit for the position, therefore he has fallen. Better remain in his position and become perfect. Why artificially bring them? There is no need. Krsna says. Bring that Bhagavad-gita. Sve sve karmany abhiratah?

 

Hari-Sauri: sve sve karmany ab hiratah samsiddhim labhate narah sva-karma-niratah siddhim yatha vindati tac chrnu By following his qualities of work, every man can become perfect. Now please hear from Me how this can be done."

 

Prabhupada: Yes. He is sudra, clerk. As a sudra, he can get the perfection. Why he should artificially become a brahmana and sannyasi and fall down? This has to be checked.

 

Hari-Sauri: So in Mayapura here now we have that situation, that so many... Prabhupada: Everywhere, wherever, Mayapura or anywhere. Question is that here it is clearly said, sve sve karmany abhiratah. Brahmana has his duty, ksatriya has his duty, vaisya has his duty, sudra has his duty. And if he performs his duty nicely, then he also becomes perfect.So why artificially he should be called a brahmana?Let them do, according to sastra, the work of sudra, or vaisya. He'll become perfect. Perfection is not checked.But why artificially he should be made a brahmana or he should be made a sannyasi and fall down and become ludicrous?That is the point. Better let him live in his position and become perfect. That's good. That looks very nice. And that is possible. That is possible. Lord Visnu can be worshiped if you perfectly follow the rules and regulation of four varnas and four asramas. Here it is also said, sve sve karmani. You work as a perfect brahmana or a perfect ksatriya, perfect sudra; you get perfection. The perfection is available in your natural life.Why should artificially you become unnatural and fall down and become ludicrous?

 

Hari-Sauri: At this time should we try to introduce it in our centers or not?

 

Prabhupada: Always we shall try. Human society will be always there. We have to serve them, para-upakara. We have to keep them in the right position.

 

Hari-Sauri: I just remember two or three years ago there was a thing... A pamphlet came out about introducing the varnasrama system in the society, but actually nothing came of it.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. That time was not right. Now you can do something. Every business is important. Brahmana business is important, ksatriya... Just like the body. Head is important; the arm is important; the belly is important. They must be kept in order.Just like I am in trouble because my belly is not working. Digesting power is not good. So in spite of brain, hand, and leg, I am diseased. If any part of the society remains diseased, the whole society will suffer.Therefore they must be maintained in correct order. You cannot say if there is some trouble in the leg, "Neglect the leg. Take care of the brain." No. Brain will be taxed due to the pain in the leg. This is nature. Therefore everyone should be kept in order. Then things will go on. That is varnasrama.

 

Hari-Sauri: So at least if we successfully introduce the varnasrama system in our own society, then when all the demons finish themselves...

 

Prabhupada: At least... At least... At least they will see, "This is the ideal." Ideal. We are giving the ideal. We are not going to be a sudra. But to show ... Just like you play in a drama. You are playing the part of a king. You are not a king.

 

Hari-Sauri: No.

 

Prabhupada: So similarly, just to give them idea, we have to play like that.

 

Hari-Sauri: Well, again, that's...

 

Prabhupada: Not necessarily that we are going to be sudra. So that is it. That is the thing. We are servant of Krsna. That's all. And as servant of Krsna, we have to execute the order of Krsna. Satsvarupa: So we can ideally organize ourselves and then for the rest of the people all we can do is hope that they'll follow it.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. In order to serve the mass of people, to bring them to the ideal position, we should try to introduce this varnasrama, not that we are going to be candidates of varnasrama. It is not our business. But to teach them how the world will be in peaceful position we have to introduce.

 

 

 

[Kulapavana]

"Satsvarupa: Introduced starting with ISKCON community?

 

Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. Brahmana, ksatriyas. There must be regular education"

 

Varnasram begins with VARNA. not that everybody can be educated to be a brahmana. you must have the brahminical nature - THEN you are educated as a brahmana.

 

And responsibilities MUST be divided. Brahmanas do not manage projects - kshatriyas do. Brahmanas advise and keep an eye on the spiritual well being of the society.

[Guest guest]

I asked this same question in Detroit in 1976 when I was given second initiation and acknowledgment of my ksatriya varna by Srila Prabhupada. The answer was/is simply 'free will'. When the followers of A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami live up to their full potential as disciples and follow the instructions of the Guru(Srila Prabhupada) we will begin that long blisfull road to fulfilment of His vani. Half the work is still left undone and your present leaders will never institute the rest. We must be willing to take up a pioneering spirit to fulfill the will of the parampara.

We are starting from a tenth class culture, it maybe/will a long road ahead. 'Practical application' is tantamount. Ksatriyas are the material leaders. Brahmanas leadership is avisory, teacher, according to scripture. Vaisas will produce wealth and pay tax, sudras will asist the higher varnas. The whole social body must cooperate for a successfull arrangment. Stop following deviant cheaters and reacquaint yourselves with Prabhupada's managerial process for ISKCON. Read all that is availible from unaltered sources. Do not read changed books or listen to revised recordings. This Daivi-Varnasrama-Dharma instruction is the natural next step for ISKCON to develop into a full flegded spiritual movement.

 

Thank you, Hare Krsna. Caturbahu dasa Bhakti

[Kulapavana]

yes, there is no real will to implement proper varnasrama in our society. they are just trying to create system convenient for the leaders.

[krsna]

Prabhupada: First of all varna. And asrama, then, when the varna is perfectly in order, then asrama. Asrama is specially meant for spiritual advancement, and varna is general division. It must be there in the human society, or they're on the animals. If varna is not there, then this is a society of animal. And when the varna is working perfectly, then we give them asrama. Varnasrama. That is later on.

Hrdayananda: First they should be taught a skill.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. First of all, the whole society must be divided into four varnas. Otherwise, there will be chaotic condition. That is what is the position now. What is he, what he has to do, one does not know. And there are so many unemployment. But if you organise the society into varnas, there will be no question of unemployment.....

 

Yes, yes. Our main aim is how to give them Krsna consciousness. But if they are already disturbed in every respect, then how they'll take it? Therefore we are taking these subjects, to help him to come to the Krsna consciousness. And this is the method--varnasrama ......No, the thing is that actually, at the present moment, they are sudras or less than sudras. They are not human beings. The whole population of the world. It doesn't matter whether it is western or eastern. That is the position. So unless they are trained up, so the society's already in chaos, and it will go on still more in chaos, chaos. It will be hell. How people will live? And these rascals are being elected as government men, and they're only making budget how to tax. So one side, there is no rain; one side, there is no rice, especially in India; and one side, heavy tax. So they'll be all confused. They have already become confused. So in the confusion state it will be very difficult to make them Krsna conscious. Therefore preliminary help should be given.

Visnujana: Preliminary.

Prabhupada: Yes. That they should not be in chaos and confusion. Otherwise, how the brain will work?

Visnujana: Yes. No one can give rapt attention without peace of mind.

Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Our main aim is how to give them Krsna consciousness. But if they are already disturbed in every respect, then how they'll take it? Therefore we are taking these subjects, to help him to come to the Krsna consciousness. And this is the method--varnasrama...............

 

Visnujana: This is the most auspicious work for now, is this remedial measure to stop the chaos in the world?

Prabhupada: Yes.

Visnujana: That's most auspicious.

Prabhupada: Most auspicious. Because if the people are in chaos, how they'll be able to accept the great philosophy? It requires cool brain.

Visnujana: For example, in my program...

Prabhupada: Budhah. Budhah. Eh? Yes?

Visnujana: My program now is I have ten brahmacaris in buses, and everything and we're distributing books. But if the people are in chaos, how they will be able to accept the knowledge in the books?

Prabhupada: No, not all of them are in chaos. There are some of them. Some of them. Not that all of them.

 

 

[s.P. Morning Walk "Varnasrama College" March 14, 1974, Vrndavana]

 

[Kulapavana]

these days if you ask a devotee speaking on this subject (even the "old salt" ones): "What is your varna?" they are either offended or give you a blank stare... yet, they are talking about varnasrama... for them varnasrama usually means "village life" LOL!

[protectacow]

Vaisya!

 

Actually the whole of Varnashrama in our opinion will come only after Cow Protection is established. All the Varnas require the Cow to survive. The Brahmanas need the Cow for Sacrifice, and Brain Food.

 

The Ksatriya needs to protect the cow.

The Vaisya needs the Cow to protect and feed the rest of the Varnas.

And the Sudra needs the Cow to work as Oxen.

 

Since Cow Protection is a unattractive service to most, (in my experience) Varnashrama will not take hold, on a Grand Scale, and therefore there will not be any peace in the world.

 

So Varnashrama can only be seen where the Cow is Protected. Visit our small Varnashrama Project here............

[Kulapavana]

being a vaishya you think like one... (no offense intended)

 

yes, cow protection is absolutely essential for varnasrama but it does not start there. the reason we have such hard time starting up that system is not because of lack of cow protection, but because we do not have the right project leadership.

[protectacow]

I reject your saying that we do not have the leadership, we are Protecting Cows the ESSENTIAL ingrediant for Varnashrama only because of our Leader, who is Prabhupada, and he is constantly leading us.

 

The rest are following..........?

[Kulapavana]

Srila Prabhupada is the brahminical counsel. What we need is true kshatriyas guided by his instructions to lead the projects. That is the essence of varnasrama management structure he envisioned for his movement.

 

Brahmanas ADVISE the kshatriyas (NOT tell them what to do), train new people and accept disciples. Kshatriyas do all the practical applications of Vedic principles.

[protectacow]

Varnasrama and Brahminical Culture

 

These two phrazes come up alot in our Spiritual Master's Books, and there Bhaktivedanta Swami says that Cow Protection is ESSENTIAL to human society, what to speak of Brahminical Culture or Varnasrama. We are not followers of Impersonality, but Followers of Krishna the Supreme Personality Cow Protector, also known as Go-Vinda! This is the way to solve ALL problems in this world, to Protect Krishna's Surabhi Representatives.

 

He is Govinda because He is the pleasure of the cows and the senses. Those who have purified their senses by the devotional service of the Lord can render unto Him real service and thereby derive transcendental pleasure out of such purified senses. Only the impure conditioned living being cannot derive any pleasure from the senses, but being illusioned by false pleasures of the senses, he becomes servant of the senses. Therefore, we need His protection for our own interest. The Lord is the protector of cows and the brahminical culture. A society devoid of cow protection and brahminical culture is not under the direct protection of the Lord , just as the prisoners in the jails are not under the protection of the king but under the protection of a severe agent of the king. Without cow protection and cultivation of the brahminical qualities in human society, at least for a section of the members of society, no human civilization can prosper at any length.

 

 

[Guest guest]

the misunderstanding is to think that we have to build the varnashrama

 

the varnas are already there..

 

we have simply to spread the chanting of the holy name (ashrama) and the surrendering to the guru avoiding to cheat people proposing the brahmacharya as the average model

 

then doctors will become devotee doctors, the lawyers.. devotee lavyers, the presidents.. devotee presidents and so on

 

you will build varnashrama... when you will stop to think to build varnashrama

 

[theist]

Someone gets it. What value is it to talk about how to reoraganize entire populations of hundreds of millions. Just establish and support a few solid farms and a hospice in Vrndaban and others around the world and that would be a great success.

[krsna]

 

/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[krsna]

 

 

/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

I'm a sudra, I guess since I don't Know much about anything, doh! /images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[krsna]

 

 

 

The Hare Krishna movement has not fulfilled its responsibility in regards to spiritual, self-sufficient community development as envisioned by its Founder/Acarya, His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. If this is to change, past mistakes and misconceptions must be re-evaluated using the writings and spoken word of Srila Prabhupada as the litmus test of success. Presently there is a wide gap in the understanding of how to bridge the philosophy of Krishna consciousness to the practical skills needed to build a sustainable, spiritually-focused society. Progress is dependent on narrowing this gap. Vyapaka dasa (12-14-02)

 

Srila Prabhupada illustrates the fallacy of modern civilization and points the way on how to develop our communities by the following instruction:

 

 

When everyone is working in the city to produce nuts and bolts, who will produce food grains? Simple living and high thinking is the solution to economic problems. Therefore the Krishna consciousness movement in engaging devotees in producing their own food and living self-sufficiently so that rascals may see how one can live very peacefully, eat the food grains one has grown oneself, drink milk, and chant Hare Krishna.

(Teachings of Queen Kunti 18; Liberation from Ignorance and Suffering)

The understanding that everything belongs to Lord Krishna (God) is the starting point and that to maintain this realization requires strict adherence to the basic tenets of Krishna consciousness. The key to success is illustrated in an excerpt given in one of Srila Prabhupada’s classes:

 

 

Don’t try to enjoy independently. Just like here, in this temple. Every one of us trying to enjoy life in connection with Krishna. As soon as we are disconnected with Krishna consciousness, this kind of foodstuff or this kind of lving, simple living, will not satisfy you. You'll be tossed by the waves of material nature.

(Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.11-12; Los Angeles, May 29, 1972)

As a glove fits the hand, it is a pre-requisite that a strong spiritual program be implemented as the backbone of a sustainable social system. If we are able to achieve this successfully, the preaching opportunities will be vast since the world is waiting for a practical example of a spiritually-based community, living in harmony with nature. Fortunately, Srila Prabhupada and the timeless Vedic scriptures provides a blueprint of the harmonious social setting called varnasrama dharma.

 

Varnasrama dharma

 

Varnasrama comprises the sectioning of society into four different varnas and four different asramas. The varnas are meant for the proper organization and functioning of the social aspects of civilization while the ashramas are meant for developing our spiritual consciousness (the hand which fills the glove), which simultaneously provides an understanding of one’s place in nature. Ashrama is key since it provides the spiritual strength and morality to avoid the pushings of the mind and senses toward over-consumption and the striving for material pleasures.

 

The four varnas and their responsibilities are defined as:

 

 

Brahmana: the teachers and guardians of society who may act in the role of other varnas (except sudra) during a time of need.

 

Ksatirya: the administrator and military class.

 

Vaisya: responsible primarily for cow protection, food production, trade and banking.

 

Sudra: capable assistants to the other three varnas.

The four ashramas are:

 

 

Brahmacharya: student

 

Grihasta: married life

 

Vanaprastha: retired

 

Sannyasa: renounced.

A detailed understanding of the different ashramas is not required for this discussion, so we will not delve into them other than acknowledging that ashrama is an essential underpinning for all social arrangements. Without proper functioning asrama, as detailed in the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam, the Vedic model degenerates into a caste system and crass materialism. Therefore, a sustainable society is dependent upon the marriage of asrama with properly implemented varnas (material skills).

 

But the discussion is to develop an understanding on how the rural communities of the Hare Krishna movement can evolve themselves practically so as to better embody the vision of His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Direction can be derived from the basic teachings of Anthroplogy.

 

It is revealed therein that there are four basic types of social arrangement. They are:

 

1. Hunters and Gatherers

2. Pastoral Nomads

3. Extensive Agriculturists

4. Intensive Agriculturists

 

Each societal classification has a specific means of food production, political hierarchy and mechanisms for redistributing wealth. It is significant that scholars choose to categorize different types of society based upon their means of producing their sustenance. Food production is the basis of every society and its importance must not be minimized and through its efforts an understanding of one’s place in nature is revealed.

 

For example, the basic tenets of Krishna consciousness has important applications in designing and maintaining a food-producing landscape. It is very significant that the Vedas prohibit unnatural means of growing food such as through the use of inorganic fertilizers as revealed by Srila Prabhupada in a 1976 letter:

 

 

We shall never use this artificial fertilizer on our farms. It is forbidden in the sastras (scriptures). If you plant easily grown crops once in the year, then the earth will not become exhausted. Don't overuse the land...

(Letter to Rupanuga, 11 January, 1976)

The responsibility of food production falls onto the shoulders of vaisyas and the devotional community would be remiss to neglect this. It is compulsory that in the development of a varnasrama society that the vaisya sector be given early consideration. Even today, the Krishna conscious movement is fully dependent upon the charity of the vaisyas. There is no escaping this relationship. They are the sole producers of wealth and any neglect along these lines is shortsighted and previous indifference to the vaisyas has been the cause for failure of many rural communities. It is just that simple.

 

Each varna has its particular importance and none can be neglected for the harmonious functioning of a varnasrama society. However, to repeat, the defining characteristic of the vaisya role is that it acts as the engine of society. If this engine isn’t tuned properly the result will be repeated backfiring and unfulfilled potential. This is at the heart of the problem regarding our ineffective rural development and which can be typified by the sentimental approach to cow protection. Ill-conceived attempts have snuffed the life air out of so much effort to develop communities with the obvious conclusion that cow protection is greatly misunderstood.

 

Srila Prabhupada in a conversation with a banker defined the various “varnic” responsibilities as follows:

 

 

Our Vedic philosophy is that everyone must work. But there must be division of work. Just like in your body there are different parts. The head department, the arms department, the belly department, and the legs department. These are different parts. So all these departments must work for the total benefit of the body. That is our philosophy. Nobody should sit idle. But he must work according to his capacity. Brain must work for giving direction. Hand must work for giving protection. Belly must work for supplying food, energy. And leg must work for carrying the body. So similarly the society must be divided: the brain of the society, the arms of the society, the belly of the society and the legs of the society. That will make perfection. The brain will give direction That is the brahmanas. The arms will give protection. That is the ksatriya. And the belly will give energy, food, that is vaisya. And the legs will carry the body. That is sudra. This is... Whole society should be divided into four divisions, the brahmanas, the ksatriyas, the vaisyas and the sudras. And they should work cooperatively for the total benefit of the body. This is perfect life.(Room Conversation with Banker; September 21, 1973, Bombay)

Historically, the Krishna consciousness movement has focused primarily on brahminical activities since it lends itself perfectly to developing Krishna consciousness. However, to date much of the brahminical tutelage and meditation have been dedicated to skills more attune to the urban and temple setting. As already noted, an important part of their dharma is teaching and in times of emergency, they can take to a different varna in order to teach its proper functioning. The movement’s brahmincal component must change focus and begin to investigate more fully into the practical application of the principles of varnasrama dharma. This is a bonafide responsibility of the brahmanas and an essential first step on the path to self-sufficiency.

 

Unfortunately, few of our brahmanas have understood the role of food production in society, likely because food is readily available in the marketplace and coupled with an inherent prejudice against teaching skills considered to be on a lower social rung. Adding to this would be the complication that our devotional community reflects modern demographics with 98% of the population residing in cities. Therefore, they simply know little about it. Subsequently, the movement has focused on the laudable efforts of preaching, deity worship, prasadam and book distribution. All important vehicles but they play only a limited role in regards to rural development. Nor do these activities properly address the entire social teachings of His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.

 

As a result, the Hare Krishna movement’s vaisya class is in need of direction and inspiration. If a sustainable food system can be developed with the surplus processed and sold into urban centers, the beginnings of a viable economy can develop providing the necessary infrastructure to the community. Employment brings devotees.

 

An expanding devotional community develops a skill pool and provides a demand for education and temple facilities. In this way, the diversity and subsequent health of the community broadens with the importance of the ksatriya and b rahmana coming into clear focus. It is important to note that until the physical assets of the community are paid off, commercial activity will be a prerequisite to a more sweeping effort regarding self-sufficient development. There is no alternative.

 

Certainly, economic activity need not solely focus on food products but can include a variety of commercial efforts. Crafts, e-business, restaurants, herbal supplements, ayurvedic clinics, nursing homes, prasadam distribution, to name just a few, can all be part of the mix. To be effective, the business need only be situated in the country rather than specifically defining types of activity. As well, in this regard, it would be beneficial, though not compulsory, that rural communities are situated in proximity to urban markets and services.

 

From the outset, it is essential that we understand where the pitfalls of earlier attempts at rural development lie. Before any credible plan can be postulated, an understanding of the shortcomings of earlier attempts must be analyzed. There is no advantage to shooting oneself in the foot a second time, or third and so on.

 

Cow Protection

 

Undoubtedly, poorly thought out cow protection programs have caused considerable setbacks to community development. The herds have been allowed to expand beyond the community’s carrying capacity, resulting in a monopolization of the land for feed and pasture forcing a turning to the urban vaisya community for donations to support the unemployed, or at least underemployed, herds. To my knowledge, there is no example of this either in history or within Srila Prabhupada’s teachings.

 

The bovine population has traditionally been given in charity contrary to the modern mutation where the cows are given charity to. Inarguably, it is activity spurred by necessity, but it must be emphasized that it is unsustainable and must be removed from any future plans for rural development. The vaisyas must generate wealth in order to be effective. They give in charity rather than receive it. Any variance from this will spell failure.

 

In 1975 Srila Prabhupada encountered the problem of a misconceived cow program during his visit to the New Talavan farm. After hearing a description of the farm he noted that all of the field crops were being grown for the cows. His instruction was that food for devotees must also be grown.

 

 

 

Nityananda: Down the road we have fifteen acres of sorghum, grain for the cows.

Prabhupada: And everything for the cows, but what for the man? They will give everything for cows because they will eat cows, other farmers. But you utilize the animals for growing your food.

Brahmananda: The idea is we should maintain the animals, but then the animals should provide foodstuffs for the men.

Prabhupada: Yes.

Brahmananda: And that way there is cooperation.

Prabhupada: Yes. The animals, bulls, should have helped in spite of that... instead of that machine. Then it is properly utilized. And others, they cannot utilize these animals. Therefore, what they will do? Naturally they will send to slaughterhouse. But we are not going to send to the slaughterhouse. Then what we will do? They must be utilized. Otherwise simply for growing food that the cows and bulls we engage ourself? You are already feeling burden because there are so many bull calves. You were asking me, “What we shall do with so many bulls?”

(Walk Around Farm; August 1, 1975, New Orleans)

Our cows and oxen must be made to pay their keep and fulfill their social responsibility of producing vegetables, milk and grain. If they are allowed to continue to abrogate this duty, it is only natural that some will conclude that the herds are a burden and the risk of abandonment arises. This has already occurred in our movement and this will perpetually repeat itself until done correctly.

The cows must be honored and protected but must reciprocate by producing food. Unemployed animals lying day after day in their pee and poop can, and likely will be, used as an argument for their slaughter. This situation cannot be allowed to continue. It is not enlightened cow protection.

 

Recent attempts to train the oxen have also ended in failure. Some years ago, an Iskcon affiliate delivered a program with over a dozen teams being trained. It was reported by a director of this organization that only one team was currently utilized and that is to haul firewood. During my stay at New Vrindavana for nearly one year, this organization’s team of oxen was observed to be constantly unemployed. And recently, we were informed by them that no trained team is available east of the Mississippi. The situation is grave and underscores the ineffectiveness of these stand-alone “cow protection” programs. They are ill-conceived.

 

To simply provide basic sudra teamster skills does not suffice. These skills must be supplemented with agricultural expertise empowering the teamster to produce grain for their family and community rather than photo opportunities. Until cows and oxen are made to produce milk, grains, pastures and pulses, they are not protected. For our villages to be considered self-sufficient, the farmers, cows and oxen must produce enough food to feed themselves in addition to producing a surplus sufficient to feed the community. Only at this point will the devotional vaisyas be acting in a manner fulfilling the injunctions of Srila Prabhupada.

 

Education for the Vaisya

 

His Divine Grace Srila Prabhupada was clear that modern agricultural schools are not required for training vaisyas but rather they should learn from their fathers how to work the oxen, till the land and harvest crops.

 

Seemingly, few, if any, working models are currently available within the movement to provide this practical education. This, coupled with the urban upbringing of the devotees provides few facilities for our devotees to learn first hand. So as a first step, a concerted effort to provide agricultural training is required until the necessary skills are transferred to different projects, where they can take on a life of their own.

 

For our communities to become dynamic, it is imperative that the farms add diversity to the crop mix and break the near monopolization of land for cow fodder. Different families must cooperate to have mutual cow ownership and lactations must be stretched to their limit in an effort to reduce the cow population. Grain production is not difficult and should be one of the first objectives of the rural based vaisyas. I am not in direct contact with the ISKCON Ministry of Agriculture but if they are to have a lasting, beneficial effect, they must evolve from their current effort devoted to collecting reports on cow herds and morph into an educative organization teaching agricultural practice using an existing functioning farm as a backdrop. If they are incapable of this, then at least be instrumental in linking devotees with essential agricultural skills with those who are lacking the same. Everyone has skills and realizations to offer and such an exchange will add enthusiasm and vigor to the fold.

 

Without doubt cow protection is a vital component of a vaisnava self-sufficient society and an essential part of the Vedic paradigm. However, to date, its overemphasis coupled with a lack of basic agricultural skills and animal husbandry has prevented the communities to develop properly, resulting in a deep cynicism within the devotional community taking root. Future action must ensure that these problems are brought into focus and dealt with.

 

A thriving vaisya community is essential to the proper functioning of a varnasrama society. As the vaisya seed germinates and fructifies, the necessary employment for sudras, taxation resources to fund social projects administered by the ksatiryas and funds to build temples and support brahmanas becomes available, providing necessary resources for full varnasrama development. Neglect of their importance is a recipe for social impotence.

 

It is noteworthy that Srila Prabhupada was heading towards Gitanagari to implement his plans for developing varnasrama. In 1977, Gitanagari possessed the richest topsoil and agricultural resources in the movement. So it was no mistake that His Divine Grace headed there to teach us how to establish varnasrama. No society can develop beyond the vigor of its topsoil and this must become a fundamental understanding in our efforts at developing self-sufficiently.

 

Obviously, in regards to varnarama, the land and cows were foremost in Srila Prabhupada’s mind. We must follow his example by using them as the building blocks of a sustainable varnasrama society. Nuts and bolts just won’t do the trick.

 

As a means to stimulate ideas on how to proceed, the following suggestions are offered as a starting point for discussion.

 

Brahmanas must take the lead in establishing agricultural extension programs and must become capable at showing that a rural setting is advantageous to developing Krishna consciousness.

 

 

Greater empahsis must be given to simple living and higher thinking with an emphasis on rural living as the perfect setting for this lifestyle choice.

 

 

Increased efforts in establishing small working examples regarding agricultural autonomy be encouraged.

 

 

Manpower and financial resources must be focused on developing functioning examples of rural independence.

 

 

Develop a means of communication where individuals who are actively involved in these endeavors are able to trade information and develop solidarity.

 

 

Encourage those devotees with vaisya propensities to further develop their skills but in a rural setting. Employment must become locally based with fathers and husbands at home each night with the family.

 

 

Establish businesses on farms with their products being marketed into the cities in a cooperative effort with the urban based devotional community.

 

 

Introduction of private ownership or long term leases on existing properties to individuals capable and willing to develop rural communities.

If progress can be made in respect to these priorities, it should become evident that varnasrama need not be as ephemeral as past experience has shown. Even in today’s chaotic situation, its presence can be readily seen. The varna divisions are empirical and evident everywhere. The devotees must not fear developing alliances with the like-minded in regards to self-sufficiency, even though they may not agree with all aspects of our philosophy or our ultimate goal. Their practical skills and realizations can assist us greatly and save us years of individually moving up the learning curve. We can learn volumes from outside sources and by Srila Prabhupada’s grace, it can be easily dovetailed in Lord Krishna’s devotional service.

 

All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

If you are interested in these subject matters, please visit the site at: http://www.hkrl.com

 

If you are interested in submitting an article plesae do so at: articles@hkrl.com

[krsna]

 

 

by Jivan Mukta dasa and Sita devi dasi

 

 

The singular importance of Krishna conscious education for community development can not be overemphasized. Unwavering determination by devotees to provide their children with a comprehensive Krishna Conscious education is at the heart of building a strong and stable community. Gurukula, is synonymous with self-sufficiency and represents our solemn obligation to these special souls taking birth in our families, to Srila Prabhupada and to Lord Caitanya Mahaprabhu's revolutionary evangelical movement.

Fellowships, associations, communities, etc., are formulated on the basis of shared interests. Social ranking, political sympathies, economic concerns, ethnicity and religious affiliations etc., are some of the factors that provide the impulses for this coalescence. Prabhupada's International Society for Krishna Consciousness provides a framework for spiritual association to nourish those interested in reestablishing their relationships with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. A Krishna conscious community is established on this same premise. We want to associate with like-minded persons, who share our convictionS and aspirations; people who embrace the Vedic paradigms as opposed to secular materialism.

 

Prabhupada denounces the proliferation of slaughterhouses that brutally violate innocent souls. Animals are slaughtered to satisfy the cravings of blood thirsty men; innocence and the finer human sentiments are slaughtered through the agency of modern educational institutions. Prabhupada states that real nonviolence means "not arresting the progress of any living entity. One should not think that since the spirit spark is never killed even after the killing of the body there is no harm in killing animals for sense gratification. "1. Likewise, "nonviolence is generally taken to mean not killing or destroying the body, but actually nonviolence means not to put others into distress. People in general are trapped by ignorance in the material concept of life, and they perpetually suffer material pains. So unless one elevates people to spiritual knowledge1 one is practicing violence. One should try his best to distribute real knowledge to the people. so that they may become enlightened and Leave this material entanglement. That is nonviolence. "2

 

Prabhupada likens ignorance to a trap. An animal in a leg hold trap dies a tortured death. A human being "trapped by ignorance" is cast again into the cycle of repeated birth and death. He will be slaughtered in successive bodies, if not by a predator then by the material energy. If we do not distribute real knowledge to our children, then how are we showing them our love? It is misdirected sentiment. For most of us, the responsibility that comes with having children is the force that drives us to sublimate our energies. Not unlike the materialists, we want the best for our children. The difference lies in our understanding of what constitutes the ultimate good or sreyas. We want our children to become free from samsara, the cycle of repeated birth and death. We want them to awaken their dormant love of God and become reinstated in their original relationships with the Supreme Lord Krishna. Premapumartho ma/ian. This is the ultimate goal of life. -

 

Devotees of Krishna draw together in rural communities to provide themselves and their families an opportunity to develop their Krishna consciousness. As such, community members must practically demonstrate their commitments. Parents must see that their children receive a Krishna conscious education somehow or other. "So we are organizing this Society, we welcome. Some way or other we shall arrange for shelter, but to take care of the children, to educate them, that will depend on the parents... the father, mother must take care at least." 3 Parental responsibility is the corner stone of our rural communities. If our determination to see to our childrens' Krishna conscious education is compromised, we run the risk of being deprived of other earnest Vaisnava families whose association contributes to the success of these communities.

 

Jyotirmayi dasi: Because you were saying that parents can keep their children and teach them themselves, like Arundhati is teaching Aniruddha. So does that mean that the parents can...

Prabhupada: He complained that "my boy is not being properly..." so I said that "You teach your son."

Jyotirmayi dasi : She can keep him and teach him all the time? Until be is older and so on?

Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. Yes. That is the duty of the father and mother. Along with that, he can teach others also. These things are to be organized. But some way or other, our students should be given education and spiritual life, Krishna consciousnesS. Individually, collectively, somehow or other. The principle is laid down there, brahmacari gurukule vasan danto guror hitam. That s the beginning. Everything is there, we have to simply follow it. We haven t got to manufacture anything. That is a waste of time. Whatever is there, you follow. Is that alright?4

 

If the community members, either due to financial constraints, differences of opinion with the teachers, the child s specific disposition, personal preference etc., are not inclined to send their children to a "regular" classroom gurukula, then they should have the resolve to home school their children. This is what Prabhupada means when he says that "...the father, mother must take care at least." It also means that, even though the children are in guru-kula, the parents should carefully monitor their childrens' development. Not that the parents think that, "We've sent our children to guru-kula. We ve fulfilled our obligations. Now it is up to the teachers to make them Krishna conscious." Children are molded by their experiences at home as much as by association, therefore maintaining a Krishna conscious environment at home is the principle ingredient in a successful educational program. In fact, on a day to day basis, the parents should be living testimonials of the Krishna conscious principles their children are imbibing in the classroom. A commitment by the parents to provide their children with this spiritual nourishment vitalizes the Vaisnava society. It communicates a deep-rooted will to actualize our Krishna conscious goals. The virtue of our commitment will also leave an indelible impression upon the minds of our children, substantiating the relevance of our purpose.

 

How will our children willingly accept this path less-traveled? By making Prabhupada s books the hub of all their instruction. This association with Srila Prabhupada will inspire them to become powerful proponents of our Krishna consciousness movement. Surely this is the hope of all devotee parents; that our children grow up to become exemplary Vaisnavas, capable of affecting a change in the hearts of all they come in contact with. Prabhupada has provided us the means for achieving this, His copious volumes of books are the source of our own education and inspiration. Our children are our most precious assets. Without ‘making one more devotee, simply by keeping our children blissfully engaged in devotional service we will ignite a social revolution. "The children should be taken, you can give lectures to the mothers, that the children should be taken care of. They are future hopes. Child is the father of man." 5

 

This most important task of nurturing the bodies, minds and souls of our young is, by Vedic decree, the parents obligation.

 

guror na sa syat sva-jano na sa svat

pita na sa syajjanani na sa syat

daivarn na tat syan no patis ca so syan

no mocayed yah samupeta-mrtum

 

One who cannot deliver his dependents from the path of repeated birth and death should never become a spiritual master, a father, a husband, a mother or a worshipable demigod. "6

 

Gour Mohan De responsibly attended to this obligation. Prabhupada was tutored from the time he was five years old until he was eight. At that point, he was enrolled in a boy s school located in his neighborhood. This school, established by a wealthy Vaisnava, taught a basic curriculum of math, science, history and geography, along with their own Vaisnava culture and religion. Even after Prabhupada entered the Scottish Churches College, his father was watchful that his son, whom he wanted trained first and foremost as a pure servant of Radharani, was not being affected or allured by Western ideas and culture. Gour Mohan was adamant that his son not go to London to become a British lawyer contaminated by European social customs. His resolve was to see his son play mrdanga, sing bhajanas and preach Krishna consciousness from the Srimad Bhagavatam.7

 

If our devotees are unflinchingly determined to provide their children with a Krishna conscious education like Gour Moban De was with his transcendental son, a strong allegiance will undoubtedly be established between all community members as we receive the blessings of Srila Prabhupada and Krishna. Vyavasaytmika buddhir ekeha, "Those who are on this path are resolute in purpose, and their aim is one .8. As athletes, businessmen, artists, etc., encourage and drive each other onward to scale greater heights by their own personal achievements and acts of courage, similarly, we as devotees also gain the same encouragement by seeing our godbrothers or godsisters fulfilling their respective responsibilities as disciples and parents, Such sadhu sanga motivates us to perfect our human form of life. A community developing in this way, will then become the beacon of hope that Srila Prabhupada intended it to be.

 

"Individually, collectively, somehow or other" providing our children a Krishna conscious education is essential if we are to achieve self-sufficiency. Our communities must subsequently provide these children opportunities to earn their own livelihoods. Otherwise, our aspirations for self-sufficiency will remain incomplete. The urban preaching centers and the rural communities should be able to engage all our graduates in Krishna conscious careers. This was the course Prabhupada set for his movement. Cow protections, ox power, preaching centers, restaurants, book publishing, book distribution and sattvik entrepreneurial enterprises should be made available to these young devotees directing their propensities towards the loftiest of spiritual ambitions. If a position is not available to comfortably slide into, a young graduate should be encouraged to strive on his own with the blessing, encouragement and guidance of his family and friends. With our minds set on our goals, guided by Srila Prabhupada s instructions, we should forge ahead in our efforts to establish these communities, applying our common sense according to how the particular time, place and circumstances affects us. May Srila Prabhupada grant us the determination, enthusiasm and confidence to fulfill our obligations. Hare Krishna.

 

Endnotes:

1. B,G. 16.3, purport.

2. B.G. 13.12, purport.

3. Conversations, August 3, 1976

4. Conversations, Paris, July 31,

1976.

5. Conversations, New Mayapura,

August 2, 1976.

6. S.B. 5.5.18 - Lord Rsabhadeva to His sons.

7. Lilamrta Vol. 1, p. 8-25.

8. B.G. 2.41.

 

[Kulapavana]

Guest:"you will build varnashrama... when you will stop to think to build varnashrama"

 

perhaps that's why SP said that 50% of his mission is not finished. such ignorance like above is common among devotees.

 

"the varnas are there" - not really. there are people with certain tendencies, but such people need to be properly trained in the ways of their varna. if one is an intellectual, does it make him a proper brahmana? you think that being a devotee automatically makes that person a brahmana in the varnasrama sense? only a sudra would think that.

 

besides, the brahmanas must ACT like brahmanas, and sannyasis must act like sannyasis, etc.

[Kulapavana]

"Prabhupada: Yes. First of all, the whole society must be divided into four varnas. Otherwise, there will be chaotic condition. That is what is the position now. What is he, what he has to do, one does not know. And there are so many unemployment. But if you organise the society into varnas, there will be no question of unemployment.....

 

Yes, yes. Our main aim is how to give them Krsna consciousness. But if they are already disturbed in every respect, then how they'll take it? Therefore we are taking these subjects, to help him to come to the Krsna consciousness. And this is the method--varnasrama ......No, the thing is that actually, at the present moment, they are sudras or less than sudras. They are not human beings. The whole population of the world."

 

so YOU say:

"the misunderstanding is to think that we have to build the varnashrama"

 

the misunderstanding is that: YOU DO NOT UNDERSTAND but you think you know what needs to be done.

 

and do not worry. you are not alone. most devotees are clueless in that area.

[protectacow]

How many have read this book???

 

Lived it! Joined there, live there (you can see my room in the picture), got catastrofic injury there, saved up to 200 cows there, walked there, played there, fell down there, dreamed there, learned that my Spiritual Master is Bhaktivedanta there, rejected my diksa guru there (when he asked to put the cows in a place not authorized by A.C.B.S.), got married there, had our child there, understood that THIS IS THE LIFE OF A HARE KRSNA THERE!..........plan on dying there, for the Cows of Srila Prabhupada/Krishna's Surabhi representatives.

 

 

Read the book through Prabhupada's Books there!

 

[krsna]

where his cows are!

 

All glories to your divine loving service of go-seva!!!

[Guest guest]

Begin from the first step, take the first step on our journy, divide by varna. Your ksatriyas will do the job of leading. The Brahmans will preach and teach. Vaisyas will produce and trade. Sudras will help. Why is this such a difficult method to understand? Oh yes, 'Free will'.

What do you think the city temples will do with a cow, get real. No cows in the city. What, so no varnasrama in the city? Again, get real, divide by varna. Thats all. Then you have strated.

The temples in the city will be preaching centers, samkirtan, book distribution, prasadam ditribution. Rural temples will be centered on cow protection and all that is supportive of this task. This is practical application and cooperation among the varnas. Otherwise we have what we have today and I say to you my brethren it is chaos. Listen to the ksatriyas for leadership. Try it Srila Prabhupada's way.

I have seen that the pretend brahman will say that he can not asertain a persons varna because in the temples all are engaged in deity worship, what a farse! Then he has no intelligence to be brahmana. Try reading and appling the 18th chapter of Bhagavad-gita. All answers are in the books and conversations. We are not without Prabhupada's brahminical direction, it is the unwilling congregation that is holding varnasrama organization back.

 

Thank you, Hare Krsna. Catubahu dasa Bhakti

[krsna]

Prabhupada: Therefore, what I have written, that?

 

Brahmananda: "As there are different sections of educational institutions, there must be one institution how to train up perfect brahmanas with ideal characters as above mentioned in the Bhagavad-gita. If there is a section of people of ideal character, say 5 percent, the other 95 percent, by seeing their example, will follow. In other words, a section of the society must be of ideal character. That is essential."

 

Prabhupada: So therefore this varnasrama college is very essential.

 

Governor: Both intensive and extensive training.

 

Prabhupada: Yes. Proper training. It may be extensive and intensive... Doesn't matter.

 

Governor: You said 5 percent and 95 percent.

 

Prabhupada: Ninety-five percent may remain non-brahmana. But this 5 percent, if they are strongly brahminical, then others will follow. Ekas candras tamo hanti na ca tarah-sahasrasah. You have got millions of stars. Nobody cares for them. But people are looking after "When the moon will rise? When the moon will rise?" That one moon is sufficient than millions of stars. So this is the suggestion.

 

(April 20th, 1975)

[krsna]

Questions on Daivi Varnasrama

 

Answers to V S R A Prasad questions by H H Bhakti Raghava Swami (30th March 2003)

 

QUESTION NO. 1:

 

So how do people like me be active members of Daivi Varnasrama and contribute to its activities?

 

REPLY TO NO. 1

*** The term Varnasrama has different levels of meaning. In some places Srila Prabhupada states that our actual religion is Varnasrama Dharma and when that Varnasrama Dharma has Lord Krishna at the center, it is called Daivi Varnasrama or Spiritual Varnasrama, the essence of which is to serve and please Krishna. In another place he states that human civilization means following the principles and the system of Varnasrama (the four varnas or natural social orders [brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra] and the four spiritual orders of life [brahmacari, grhasta, vanaprastha and sannyasa]). In yet other discussions Srila Prabhupada speaks of the need to establish Rural Communities which he refers to as Varnasrama Communities (that is nicely presented in his Essay called Gita Nagari).

Full fledged Varnasrama communities can only be established in the country because only in the country can one look after land and cows, land and cows being the basis of Varnasrama Development. So to answer your question above, anyone anywhere can learn about what it means to be a good grhasta (householder) for example since the grhasta asrama is one of the four asramas. Similarly one can learn to be a good brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra, which are the four varnas. All temples in our cities give basic instructions about how to live a life of a devotee and all of Srila Prabhupada's books give details on all four varnas and all four asramas. What is often missing is how to connect in a real and tangible way to the principles and concepts of Rural Varnasrama.

You ask "how to contribute to its activities". That will depend on what level of implementation of Varnasrama concepts are taking place in that temple by the local leaders. Although full-fledged development of Varnasrama is meant to be in the country, many principles can be learned and practiced in the city temple also. One of the long term objectives for all temples of course should be to establish rural communities, specifically to establish villages or return to village life. The more one follows the principles of sadhana-bhakti (especially the following five principles of 1-sadhu-sanga (association of devotees), 2- Nama kirtan (chanting both japa and performing kirtan at home and at the temple), 3- Bhagavat-sravana (hearing daily Srimad-Bhagavatam), 4- Mathura Vasa (residing in a holy place like Mathura or making one's home as like Mathura/Vrindavan) and 5- Sri Murtira (worshiping the Lord in His murti form or picture form both at home and the temple), the more one will become purified and be able to understand more about what is our respective duties in the Varnasrama set-up.

So you automatically become an active member of Daivi Varnasrama by associating with the devotees, chanting the holy name and performing all the above. And as your understanding of what Srila Prabhupada meant by Varnasrama grows and develops, you and other likeminder devotees will want to make it happen more and more.

 

QUESTION NO. 2

Could we have once in 2-3 month trip to the Varnasram and serve.

 

REPLY TO NO. 2

Yes, this can be arranged by the temple authorities or the authorities at the Varnasrama community. Many times Varnasrama communities are struggling just to exist due to lack of manpower support, lack of interest and understanding on the part of both full time devotees and congregational members as well. Going to a rural project once in 2-3 months, or whenever it may be possible will be most beneficial for those who go and also beneficial to those living in the rural areas. There is plenty of service to be done there but city folks may not be up to doing too much of the physical work needed on a farm. Still one can serve by doing some cleaning around, by donating to the project, by even helping in the garden for that day, etc.

 

QUESTION NO. 3

Can we take ownership of some piece of land and fund for growth of some vegetation there?

 

REPLY TO NO. 3

This needs to be worked out with the local authorities of the rural project. In the Vedic system, most people are meant to have a piece of land. It was not so much a question of ownership, but whoever was ready to work some land, the King would provide free land. More and more interest is taking place in the West among city people to return to the land. So even in the cities, they have groups of people who form a kind of club and the members all have a small piece of land in a community garden which they cultivate during the summer. Since you are in India, that can be an on-going activity. Means you could rent some small piece of land and regularly grow things on it. Either you grow yourself or arrange for someone to grow for you, best of course if you grow, but that takes more time and attention. Ideally city people should either rent some piece of land or even own their own land. If one cannot give so much time, one can grow fruit trees on that land. You will be surprised to know what you can do even in the city if you have even a few square meters of land.

 

QUESTION NO. 4

Is there something we as Grihsthas can do regularly that in the long run would help us and the Varnashram development.

 

REPLY TO NO. 4

One of the most important things is to become familiar with what Srila Prabhupada has said about the meaning of and the need for Varnasrama Development. The following references are very good: 1- Srila Prabhupada's own Essay on Varnasrama called "Gita Nagari" (available on the Folio), 2- Compillations on Varnasrama Dharma by Hare Krishna dasi (from the same Folio of Srila Prabhupada or in book form also), 3-Compillation on Varnasrama by Airavata prabhu, in particular the titles Vedic Sociology and Vedic Economy. There is more material available, but if you start with that, you will ge the picture. What I would like to suggest in that grhastas get together on a regular basis and discuss different themes one finds in the above compillations. Part of the discussions should center on how to make it materialise in your own lives, either in the city where the majority of our grhastas live, or how to also bring it in a practical way to the country. You could have a community garden for example either in the city or the country. Here is a list of things to think about and discuss:

1- Meeting regularly to read and discuss material/literature on Varnasrama.

2- Starting a community garden in the city by renting land where you have easy access and sufficient water.

3- Visiting organic farms to see how they organise themselves with the idea of one day doing something concrete yourselves.

4- Start a Land Fund so as to invest in some piece of land in the country.

5- Start a Cow Protection Fund to be used either for purchasing cows and bulls when the opportunity presents itself or to donate to some worthy cause, some goshalla where they are protecting cows and need some help (I have a list of some places if you need).

6- Invite people who are into farming, rural development, especially devotees who are concerned and interested to develop rural development so they can speak to your group.

7- Have members of your group take turns in presenting something of interest to the other members every time you meet.

8- Search the internet for links to farming communities, organizations who are into organic farming, etc.

9- Organize a yearly pic-nic (or more) with your children to a real farming community.

10- Become aware about cruelty to animals, in particular the cows, in your city or area and do something about it (like writing letters, official protest, lobby through other organizations, etc.).

11- Print pamphlets and other literature about your activities.

12- Aim at one day owing your own land, either individually or collectively and plan to move to the country.

 

QUESTION NO. 5

Also, can we as individuals buy some piece of land (something like 5-6 acres) and cultivate it as per Varnasram standards

 

REPLY TO NO. 5

Absolutely! As mentioned above, Srila Prabhupada reminds us that most people owned their own land in the Varnasrama set-up. I strongly recommend that every householder invest in land even if they cannot immediately move on it or cannot immediately develop it. The ideal is to find land where others like you will be interested to purchase with the idea of forming a small village like community in the future. So it is not so much that individuals "can" buy some piece of land, individuals "should" all have some piece of land. It is a much more stable investement than keeping paper money in the bank that from one day to the next can be worthless, zero. Land is gold, when you invest in land, you have something substantial, and when you can produce grains and maintain some cows, you can live like a king.

 

 

QUESTION NO. 6

and does it qualify for the Varnasram or should they be only those lands mentioned in the website.

 

REPLY TO NO. 6

Any land used to cultivate and protect cows in the service of Lord Krishna automatically becomes a Varnasrama projet and Krishna becomes immediately pleased. It is not necessary that all projects be listed on the website, most devotees who are busy developing their land have little time for websites anyway. So it is simply a matter of doing something connected with land and cows, in a tangible manner that you and others will become more and more active in the Varnasrama development. In this way you and others can help realize and materialize what we should coin " The Varnasrama Shift".

 

QUESTION NO. 7

Do we have specific guide as to what to grow , how to grow,etc.? If these questions are too naive, pls forgive my ignorance.

 

REPLY TO NO. 7

First of all your questions are not in the least naive, but I would say very intelligent. What to grow and how to grow? That will depend on many factors like the kind of soil you have, the time of year, water availability, time you can put into your land. Srila Prabhupada stresses that land is first and foremost to meet our fooding necessities, it is not meant to be a business enterprise. When we start to use land as business, we miss the point. Land is our mother, she needs protection, care, affection and rest at times. One should learn about crop rotation, how to enrich your soil by making compost, how to utilise both the urine of the cows and bulls as fertilizers, avoid using machines, (land without both cows and bulls or bullocks is like a family without children, incomplete), avoid use of harmfull chemicals, etc... There are different websites on cow protection, I can try and send you that later.

 

 

QUESTION NO. 8

This is not part of Varnasram, but I have a last question.I request to know if there is any specific guide for Grhastas staying away from Iskcon about the daily routine activities he/she is supposed to perform apart from the four regulative principles and 16 rounds of mahamantra chanting.

 

 

REPLY TO NO. 8

I do not know off hand of a book for grhastas although I have in the past come across something. Best would be to speak to Grhastas who are practicing Krishna consciousness for some time and they will have some concrete suggestions for you. If householders simply concentrate on the five principles mentioned above, they will surely make spiritual advancement and Lord Krishna from within the heart will inspire and direct you. A similar question was asked by the inhabitants of Kulina gram when they met Lord Caitanya in Jagannatha Puri and the passage is as follows:

 

Kulina-grami purvavat kaila nivedana

 

‘prabhu, ajna kara,--amara kartavya sadhana’

 

 

 

As in the previous year, one of the inhabitants of Kulina-grama submitted a petition to the Lord, saying. “My Lord, kindly tell me what my duty is and how I should execute it.” CC. M. 16.69

 

 

 

Prabhu kahe, --‘vaisnava-seva, nama-sankirtana

 

Dui kara, sighra pabe sri-krsna-carana

 

 

 

“The Lord replied, “You should engage yourself in the service of the servants of Krsna, and always chant the holy name of Krsna. If you do these two things, you will soon attain shelter at Krsna’s lotus feet.” CC. M. 16.70

 

[Guest guest]

Again the varnas are washed out with the intervention of a brahmana into the managerial aspect. Where is the ksatriya leadership? Covered and taken by the brahmana. Negated and impersonalized by the idea of it is all one through replacement of varna(ksatriya) with asrama(grihasta) as a method of management.

Let these high flying 'swamis' clip there wings, empty their bank accounts and let them live under the trees in one of the farm communities. Or take a closet in a city temple. It was good enough for me and my wife in the begining why not for them? Go door to door, stop the lavish living style of these jet setters and redirect the wealth given to ISKCON for implimentation in all the temples, city or rural. We will arrange, you have had 31 years to no avail.

Please read the conversation on March 12-14 1974. To say Daivi-Varnasrama-Dharma can not be done in the city is to negate on a level or understanding that is undermining to the very essence of Srila Prabhupada's mood of implementation in ISKCON(this means those who are followers of Prabhupada). He did not say to close all the city temples, he said to practically apply varna and asrama in all the temples.

As for others books and compilations. I like the KISS solution, Keep Is Simple Stupid. Let us first read and reread Srila Prabhupada's unchanged books. Put the ksatriyas in charge and let all the varnas do their specific duties. I do not need watered down intorpolations or missdirection with missing ingrediances to complete this task. I lead the LA. temple samkirtana department of over sixty devotees in '78' to its highest book scores and most money generated in its history, a very well planed and oiled machine. With no need of intervention from GBC or Temple president(cheaters both). The brahmanas are afraid of exposure and loss of their usurped(seized and held by force) positions. What say you?

 

Thank you, Hare Krsna. Caturbahu dasa Bhakti