Govindaram

ORGINAL Thread: Here Ask questions on the Original thread, just pasting other Material here to avoid scrolling down so much /images/graemlins/grin.gif ___________ Compilations <font color="blue"> Varnasrama-dharma Compiled by Hare Krsna dasi, 1998 </font color> WHY IS VARNASRAMA IMPORTANT? MISSION OF THE KRSNA CONSCIOUSNESS MOVEMENT: TO CREATE VARNASRAMA COLLEGES AND TO RE-ESTABLISH VARNASRAMA While acknowledging the near impossibility of establishing varnasrama in the modern age, Srila Prabhupada cites his spiritual predecessors and puts forth a challenging mission for the Krsna consciousness movement: to revive the varnasrama-dharma social structure and save human society from gliding down to hellish life. ____ Madhudvisa: Prabhupada, in this age of Kali when there is no social structure or varnasrama-dharma, how can one discriminate how he is utilizing his energies for his prescribed duties? How can one determine his prescribed duties, as Lord Krsna has described here, for Arjuna to follow his prescribed duties. Prabhupada: Yes. Before coming to Krsna consciousness were you in the varnasrama? Then how you have come? How you have come to this position? Madhudvisa: Out of misery. Prabhupada: No, no, no. You have come to execute Krsna consciousness. Before coming to this Krsna consciousness, were you in varnasrama- dharma? No. So at the present moment, there is no possibility of persons following the principles of varnasrama-dharma, either here or anywhere. Everyone is varna-sankara. Kalau sudra-sambhavah. In this age, everyone is a sudra. Nobody is brahmana, nobody is ksatriya, nobody is vaisya. Sudra. So in this age, you won't find anybody following the varnasrama- dharma. Therefore this is the panacea, to engage everyone in Krsna consciousness, chanting Hare Krsna. He comes above the highest principle of brahmanism. This is the greatest gift to the humanity, that even he is in the, I mean to say, fallen condition, the most degraded position, he can be raised to the highest position simply by chanting. This is the only remedy. Now you cannot again introduce this system of varnasrama. It is not possible. But if one takes to Krsna consciousness, automatically he becomes immediately a brahmana and above the brahmana. A Vaisnava is above the brahmana. Just like when we initiate, give Hare Krsna mantra, he is supposed to be above the all material modes of nature. And when he has practiced, we offer him the sacred thread. This is the prescription of this age. Otherwise, you cannot select who is brahmana, who is sudra, who is ksatriya. It is very difficult. - Bg 3.18-30 LECTURE Los Angeles 30 December 1968 Visnu worship is the ultimate aim of human life. Those who take the license of married life for sense enjoyment must also take the responsibility to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Visnu, and the first stepping-stone is the varnasrama-dharma system. Varnasrama-dharma is the systematic institution for advancing in worship of Visnu. However, if one directly engages in the process of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, it may not be necessary to undergo the disciplinary system of varnasrama-dharma. The other sons of Brahma, the Kumaras, directly engaged in devotional service, and thus they had no need to execute the principles of varnasrama-dharma. - SB 3.13.11 PURPORT It is no longer possible to revive the perfect system, varnasrama. Although we are trying to revive, it is not possible. It is very difficult. People are so fallen. Mandah sumanda-matayo manda-bhagya hy upadrutah [sB 1.1.10]. They are so disturbed, manda-bhagyah, unfortunate, and upadrutah, always disturbed...There will be no rainfall, and there, food scarcity and taxation by government, income tax. Income tax is to plunder...This is Kali-yuga. So in this position of harassment, how the peaceful varnasrama can be revived? It is very difficult. It is almost impossible. - SB 3.25.14 LECTURE Bombay 14 November 1974 Varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman, visnur aradhyate. Visnur aradhyate, that is required, how to become Krsna conscious or Visnu conscious and to worship Him. So that begins with this varnasrama. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu, He knew that this is Kali-yuga; it is very, very difficult to engage people strictly in the varnasrama-dharma. Actually it is difficult. Who is going... If you open a varnasrama college, there will be no student. Because they will think, "What is this nonsense, varnasrama? Let us learn technology. We shall get good salary. We shall earn money." Yes. So Caitanya Mahaprabhu immediately said, eho bahya, age kaha ara. In this age it is not possible, varnasrama-dharma. - SB 6.1.24 LECTURE Chicago 8 July 1975 TRANSLATION Lord Ramacandra became King during Treta-yuga, but because of His good government, the age was like Satya-yuga. Everyone was religious and completely happy. PURPORT Among the four yugas-Satya, Treta, Dvapara and Kali-the Kali-yuga is the worst, but if the process of varnasrama-dharma is introduced, even in this age of Kali, the situation of Satya-yuga can be invoked. The Hare Krsna movement, or Krsna consciousness movement, is meant for this purpose. - SB 9.10.51 So Krsna consciousness movement includes this system of division of society. It is perfect society. Therefore we are trying to introduce the varnasrama system, although it is very difficult nowadays. - Interview with Trans-India Magazine New York 17 July 1976 Human society...has artificially created a type of civilization which makes one forgetful of his relationship with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Modern society even enables one to forget the Supreme Personality of Godhead's grace and mercy. Consequently modern civilized man is always unhappy and in need of things. People do not know that the ultimate goal of life is to approach Lord Visnu and satisfy Him. They have taken this materialistic way of life as everything and have become captivated by materialistic activities. Indeed, their leaders are always encouraging them to follow this path, and the general populace, being ignorant of the laws of God, are following their blind leaders down the path of unhappiness. In order to rectify this world situation, all people should be trained in Krsna consciousness and act in accordance with the varnasrama system. The state should also see that the people are engaged in satisfying the Supreme Personality of Godhead. This is the primary duty of the state. The Krsna consciousness movement was started to convince the general populace to adopt the best process by which to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead and thus solve all problems. - SB 4.14.20 PURPORT Because there is no institution to teach people how to become brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras or brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprasthas and sannyasis, these demons want a classless society. This is resulting in chaotic conditions. In the name of secular government, unqualified people are taking the supreme governmental posts. No one is being trained to act according to the principles of varnasrama-dharma, and thus people are becoming increasingly degraded and are heading in the direction of animal life. The real aim of life is liberation, but unfortunately the opportunity for liberation is being denied to people in general, and therefore their human lives are being spoiled. The Krsna consciousness movement, however, is being propagated all over the world to reestablish the varnasrama-dharma system and thus save human society from gliding down to hellish life. - SB 5.19.19 PURPORT The demigods are situated in the mode of goodness, but sometimes even one who is situated in such an exalted position as King Indra, the king of all the demigods, falls down because of material opulence. We are now actually seeing this in America. The entire American nation has tried to advance in material opulence without striving to produce ideal human beings. The result is that Americans are now regretting the wholesale criminality of American society and are wondering how America has become so lawless and unmanageable. As stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, na te viduh svartha-gatim hi visnum: [sB 7.5.31] persons who are unenlight ened do not know the aim of life, which is to return home, back to Godhead. Therefore, both individually and collectively, they try to enjoy so-called material comforts, and they become addicted to wine and women. The men produced in such a society are less than fourth class. They are the unwanted population known as varna-saìkara, and as stated in Bhagavad-gita, an increase of varna-saìkara population creates a hellish society. This is the society in which Americans now find themselves. Fortunately, however, the Hare Krsna movement has come to America, and many fortunate young men are giving serious attention to this movement, which is creating ideal men of first-class character, men who completely refrain from meat-eating, illicit sex, intoxication and gambling. If the American people are serious about curbing the degraded criminal life of their nation, they must take to the Krsna consciousness movement and try to create the kind of human society advised in Bhagavad-gita (catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [bg. 4.13]). They must divide their society into first-class men, second-class men, third-class men and fourth-class men. Since they are now creating only men who are less than fourth class, how can they avoid the dangers of a criminal society? Long, long ago, Lord Indra regretted his disrespect to his spiritual master, Brhaspati. Similarly, it is advised that the American people regret their mistaken advancement in civilization. They should take advice from the spiritual master, the representative of Krsna. If they do so, they will be happy, and theirs will be an ideal nation to lead the entire world. - SB 6.7.12 PURPORT So this Vedic scheme, varnasrama, is a very important scheme. If possible it should be introduced and taken up very seriously. That is one of the items of Krsna consciousness movement, to reestablish the institution of varna and asrama. Not by birth, but by qualification. ...Being separated from family and property, they will take shelter in the hilly ranges or in the forest to get relief. This will be the position. Harassment, so much harassment, by nature, by government. So therefore for complete happy society, this Krsna consciousness movement is essential. All intelligent persons, they should join this movement and reform the present social, political, religious. All field of activities, they should reform. Then people will be happy. Not only happy in this life, but also next life. - Evening Darsana Washington, D.C. 8 July 1976 Although the Krsna consciousness movement is a movement of brahmanas and Vaisnavas, it is trying to reestablish the divine varnasrama institution, for without this division of society there cannot be peace and prosperity anywhere. - SB 7.11.18-20 PURPORT One of the objectives of the Krsna consciousness movement is to establish this daiva-varnasrama, but not to encourage so-called varnasrama without scientifically organized endeavor by human society. - SB 7.14.10 PURPORT Before coming to the standard of varnasrama-dharma there is no question of human civilization. Therefore, the Krsna consciousness movement is trying to establish this right system of human civilization, which is known as Krsna consciousness, or daiva-varnasrama-divine culture. - Science of Self Realization 3: Discovering the Roots Do not misunderstand that we are trying to spread Hinduism. Hinduism is a fictitious term...We don't find this word in the Vedic literature...This is the convention of latest age. Actually, we, the followers or Vedic principles, our system is varnasrama-dharma, four varnas and four asramas. This is, this can be applicable. But varnasrama-dharma is applicable in any, in anywhere. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [bg. 4.13]. The creation of God... Just like sun. Sun is creation of God. Sun is visible everywhere. Not that something American sun and something Indian sun. No. The sun is the same. Similarly, catur-varnyam, the four principles of division, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, and sudra, they are everywhere. It is not the monopoly of India. - The Nectar of Devotion LECTURE Vrndavana 27 October 1972 So just today is the appearance day of hladini-sakti. So if you want to please Krsna... Because our business is to please Krsna. Hari-tosanam. Our this movement is hari-tosanam. Samsiddhir hari-tosanam [sB 1.2.13]. Atah pumbhir dvija-srestha varnasrama-vibhagasah. Varnasrama-vibhagasah. - Bg 18.5 LECTURE London 5 September 1973 (Radhastami) Prabhupada: 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 conscious ness. 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: ...When we first go to open a temple in a city we get an apartment or a storefront. But then, when more and more people come, then we should get land and cows and everything and... Prabhupada: Yes, yes. Visnujana: ...and turn it into a society. Hrdayananda: Ah, that's wonderful. - Morning Walk "Varnasrama College" Vrndavana 14 March 1974 My next program is to reinstate the Vedic divisions in society as recommended in the Bhagavad-gita: catur varnyam maya srstam/ guna karma vibhagasah tasya kartaram api mam/ viddhy akartaram avyayam [bg. 4.13] Without this division there cannot be any systematic peaceful running of human activities. There must be a very intelligent class to guide the whole population with brahminical qualifications. There must be a class of people to give protection to the people at the time of danger and ordinarily to maintain peace and order, the ksatriyas. There must be a section to produce food and grains sumptuously for feeding both animals and humans without discrimination. Especially cows must be protected by this class. The meat eater class may not be encouraged but if they are stubbornly attached they can eat hogs and dogs or goats or lambs under certain conditions only, but not by maintaining slaughterhouses. Then human society will be very peaceful and everyone engaged in employment without producing any idle brains which only are devils workshops. If England and America as well as France and Germany can understand this philosophy there will be great theistic revolution which will counteract the atheistic philosophy of Marxism. The present communistic philosophy must be countered by revival of the principles of catur varnyam. - Letter to: Syamasundara Bombay 1 April 1974 Devotee: Srila Prabhupada, we received news yesterday that one man in northern New South Wales is willing to sell us a farm, a great big farm out there in the southern tropics. Would this be a good place for engaging boys like the Indian, the Indian boy that came yesterday? Prabhupada: Yes. Our next program is to organize farming. Let anyone come. We shall give him free food and employment: "Come on." Not that "I want to work as a clerk in the city." You produce your own food. I give you ingredients. I give you land. And work for five, six hours, and take your food and chant Hare Krsna. Devotee: Anybody who comes to the farm has to agree to follow the four regulative principles? These people? Prabhupada: Yes. Otherwise you are not coming. Our main business is to make him Krsna conscious. - Morning Walk Perth 15 May 1975 Prabhupada:...We do not decry, but we point out, "In this way our valuable time of life is being wasted." They say it is primitive life, but it is peaceful life. We want peaceful life and save time for Krsna consciousness. That is not primitive. That is intelligent life. Satsvarupa: In order to evidence this, should we consider that we have to act as ksatriyas or shall we just preach and try to get others... Prabhupada: No... Ksatriyas, I have already explained who is brahmana and ksatriya according to guna-karma-vibhagasah, as you work, as you are fit for. If you are fit to become brahmana, become brahmana. If you are fit to become ksatriya, become ksatriya. If you are fit to become sudra, do it... Brahmananda: So eventually we should divide up our society in this way? Our members... Prabhupada: Yes, just to show people how to... The first-class men, brahmana, second-class, ksatriya, third-class, vaisya, fourth-class... So make, organize. I can give you the idea, but I'll not live very long. If you can carry out, you can change the whole... Especially if you can change America, then whole world will change. Then the whole world... And it is the duty because they are kept in darkness and ignorance, then the human life is being spoiled. These rascals, because they do not know how to live... Andha yathandhair... They are blind, and they are leading... Others are blind, and they are leading and they, all of them, going to ditch. So it is the duty. There is... Caitanya has explained, para-upakara. Save them. If it is not possible to save everyone, as many as possible. - Room Conversation with Devotees New Orleans 1 August 1975 Farm project is very nice. Krsna gives. Krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam vaisya- karma svabhava-jam. [bg. 18.44] "Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the vaisyas..."] This is economic problem solved. And brahmana, brain problem solved, and ksatriya, protection problem solved, and sudra, labor problem solved. Four things combined together, live peacefully, happily. Chant Hare Krsna. Introduce this farm project. - Evening Darsana Mayapura 15 February 1977 Now, our next program will be to organize farming land to set an example to the whole world how people can be peaceful, happy, and free from all anxieties simply by chanting Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and living an honorable life in Krishna Consciousness. In India especially people are religiously inclined. They like to live in village and also like to love Lord Rama, Lord Krishna. This idealism is running through their blood and veins. We have to organize their natural tendency and elevate them again back to Home, Back-to-Godhead. Please think over these points very seriously and as soon as I return we shall take up the program. My beloved sannyasi disciple Swami Pusta Krishna has promised to give me a car, and as soon as I get it I shall move from village to village along with some selected assistants and organize this farming village development program. - Letter to: Kartikeya K. Mahadevia Johannesburg 19 October 1975 One of the item of this mission, Krsna consciousness, is to establish real varnasrama by qualification. - Brahmana Initiation Lecture New Vrindaban 25 May 1969 The presidents must be very careful on recommending gayatri initiation. After all, we are criticizing false cast brahmanas, if we ourselves are bogus brahmanas then our position is very bad. Now that we are more and more trying to implement the varnasrama divisions of society, we should not think that everyone has to become a brahmana. For example you are developing a farm there; so those who work the farm do not necessarily have to be a brahmana if they are not inclined to the brahminical standards. In this way, be careful about awarding the second initiation. - Letter to: Sudama Rome 26 May 1974 Satsvarupa: In our ISKCON, one becomes a brahmana after a year. It's not very hard. Everyone becomes a brahmana. Prabhupada: That is due to chanting. That lift very easily. Hari-sauri: 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 brahmana. Hari-sauri: No, but in our society practically everyone is being raised to that platform. So then one might ask what is... Prabhupada: That is... Everybody is being raised, but they're falling down. Hari-sauri: So then we should make it more difficult to get... Prabhupada: Yes. Hari-sauri: ...brahminical initiation. After four or five years. Prabhupada: Not necessary. You remain as a ksatriya. You'll be ha... Hari-sauri: No need for even any brahmana initiation, then... Prabhupada: No, no. Hari-sauri: ...unless one is... Prabhupada: No, brahmana must be there. Why do you say, generalize? Hari-sauri: Unless one is particularly... Prabhupada: Yes. Hari-sauri: ...inclined. - Room Conversation Varnasrama System Must Be Introduced Mayapura 14 February 1977 __________

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Some Nectar from: All Glories to Sri Guru and Gauranga The Guardian of Devotion A Chronicle of a Transcendental Relationship His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj Founder-Acharya of Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad Forward Sri Chaitanya-caritamrta, the post-graduate study for Gaudiya Vais-navas begins with the invocation vande gurun, "I offer my respectful obeisances unto the spiritual master." Therein, Srila Krsnadasa Kaviraja Goswami reveals that the fully blossoming spiritual conception comes to embrace a plurality of gurus. The scriptures in general present a very broad and universal conception of Sri Guru, laying stress on the spiritual substance - that divine current of nectar that flows down to this plane from the highest domain through the inspiration that is found in the heart of a real Vaisnava. To deny divine revelation through another agent in the name of being chaste to one's guru can be offensive and even suicidal. As guru is the functioning principle of Divinity revealing Himself in this world, according to our different stages of realizations, he may appear in different forms. The chastity of a disciple is demonstrated in recognizing the divine presence of Sri Guru wherever it is found, and bowing his head at the lotus feet of the agent through whom Divinity is so kindly revealing Himself. The true chastity of the Vraja gopis was shown in their answering the.flute-call of Sri Krsna in the dead of night, although apparently abandoning their husbands to do so (ya nisa sarva-bhutanam tasyam jagarti samyami). So while some are sleeping in the bodily conception of Sri Guru, others are awakening to the inner dimension of his divene personality. His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Raksaka Sridhara Deva Goswami Maharaja writes in Sri Guru and His Grace, "We must not identify our guru with the appearance we perceive with our physical senses. Our inner identificaton of him will be clarified according to the growth of our vision. When our vision increases and takes shape from material to transcendental, his look will also change accordingly. Otherwise, what we see will be based on a material conception. And to force the material conception onto Divinity is a crime, it is ignorance, it is erroneous. We have to free ourselves from the snare of identifying reality with the physical form presented to our senses. By eliminating the external conception, we have to enter into the internal, and that will be all-important to a progressive disciple, if we want to go to the inner world of substance." In proportion to the depth and intensity of our inner hankering for a connection with Divinity, our conception of guru will expand. In separation from Sri Krsna, the gopis began approaching even the trees and enquiring, "Where is Krsna?" Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Thakura writes, "The reflected form of the lotus feet of Sri Guru in different receptacles constantly reveals many new matters for our instruction." For those whose divine eye is awakened, they will find traces of Divinity everywhere and in everything. It is our hope that the readers of this small booklet will approach the contents with an attitude of humble submission and an open heart. And we pray that their attachment to the lotus feet of Sri Guru may be increased. Bhakti Sudhira Goswami <font color="blue"> Editor's Note: His Divine Grace Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj is affectionately addressed by his disciples as "Srila Prabhupad," and His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj is known to his disciples as "Srila Guru Maharaj." However, since they both refer to their spiritual master, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad, as "Guru Maharaj" and "Prabhupad" throughout the text, in order to avoid ambiguity we have referred to them by their sannyas names.</font color> __________________ Siksa Guru "Our relationship is very intimate..." Srila A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev-Goswami Maharaj first met sometime in the year 1930 in Allahabad, India. In a taped conversation recorded in a 1973 meeting at Srila Sridhar Maharaj's Math at Nabadwip Dham, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj recalls: "So, we are very fortunate to hear His Divine Grace, Om Vishnupad Paramahamsa Parivrajkacarya Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Maharaj. By age and by experience, in both ways, he is senior to me. I was fortunate to have his association since a very long time, perhaps in 1930, something like that. At that time, he did not accept sannyas; he just left home, and as a vanaprastha, in his white dress, he went to Allahabad.."Maharaj [To Srila Sridhar Maharaj] I think you remember the incident when you went to Allahabad? On that auspicious occasion, we were connected There is a long story, it will take time, but I had the opportunity of associating with Sridhar Maharaj for several years. Krishna and Prabhupad liked him to prepare me." "Sridhar Maharaj lived in my house for many years, so naturally, we had very intimate talks and he was my good advisor. I took his advices, instructions, very seriously because from the very beginning I know that he is a pure Vaishnava, a pure devotee, and I wanted to associate with him and tried to help him also. Our relationship is very intimate." Herein, we find the history of a transcendental relationship between these two pure devotees of the Lord. Addressing Srila Sridhar Maharaj as "His Divine Grace" and Om Vishnupad -- forms of address for one regarded as a spiritual master -- Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj has transcended the norms of social etiquette and superficial formality. Intimately associating together for a concentrated period of over five years, often for five to seven hours daily, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj considered that "Krishna and Prabhupad liked him to prepare me" for his future expansive missionary activities in the Western world. While remembering their intimate talks, specifically in regard to Bhagavad-gita, Srila Sridhar Maharaj recalls the depth in penetration of their discussions. "Once while discussing the verse dadami buddhiyogam tam yena mam upayanti te ["I give them the understanding by which they can come to Me" Bhagavad Gita 10.10] I submitted to him that here, upayanti is indicative of parakiya rasa [paramour relationship] On this point he agreed with me, saying, 'Yes, at this point there cannot be anything but the parakiya rasa of Vraja. The conclusion of Bhagavad-gita must come to this." Recognizing Srila Sridhar Maharaj as "a pure Vaishnava, a pure devotee" since the beginning of their relationship, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj most highly valued his instructions and advice. He would often consult with him regarding the spiritual significance of.his failing business and family relationships. An example of how Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj tried to help Srila Sridhar Maharaj in his preaching work is seen in his appreciating Srila Sridhar Maharaj's uncanny ability for extracting the essence of the scriptures. He helped to finance the publication of Srila Sridhar Maharaj's original Sanskrit-Bengali work entitled Prapanna-jivanamrta: The Nectar of Surrender. The book, as well as containing original Sanskrit verses composed by Srila Sridhar Maharaj, is a compilation of verses from various Vaishnava scriptures such as Srimad-Bhagavatam, and includes excerpts from the works of Rupa Goswami. It is divided according to the six divisions of surrender. Constantly associating, whether in Allahabad, Calcutta, or other parts of India, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Sridhar Maharaj's relationship continually developed. Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj continues to recall their meeting: "In my householder life I had opened an office in Bombay for our business. The Bombay Gaudiya Math was established by Sridhar Maharaj and myself. We made two parties for begging, collecting alms. Sridhar Maharaj, myself, and Bhakti Saranga Goswami Maharaj. So, I took them to my chemist friends and I collected about five hundred rupees. Sridhar Maharaj would speak, I would introduce, and Goswami Maharaj would canvass." In the Srila Prabhupad-lilamrta, Satsvarup Das Goswami writes: "Abhay would often accompany Sridhar Maharaj and his assistants at preaching programs, where he would play the mrdanga. And when Sridhar Maharaj fell ill, Abhay led the other devotees on preaching engagements, performing kirtan, playing mrdanga, and giving lectures on the Bhagavatam." While still in Bombay, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Sridhar Maharaj were the receiving party for a Gaudiya Math sannyas upon his return from Europe. Although dismayed by his changed appearance which was missing the tridanda of a Gaudiya sannyasi, the sikha of a Vaishnava, as well as the traditional robes, they still.eagerly inquired in regard to the preaching field in the West. The sannyasi remarked, "They ask questions that cannot be answered." Concerned, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj inquired further as to the nature of those questions. One after another Srila Sridhar Maharaj answered them all. At last, the sannyasi was left dumbfounded and Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami boldly declared, "Today, Europe has been defeated by Asia!" During the lifetime of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad, Srila Sridhar Maharaj once composed a poem describing the ontological positions of Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakur and the line of disciplic succession stemming from Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad was so pleased with the poem's ontological depth and its happy style that he remarked: "Bhaktivinoda Thakur has written this through him. Now I am satisfied that although I may go, at least one man remains behind who can represent my conclusions." In further appreciation of Srila Sridhar Maharaj's writings, Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad informed the editors of the Gaudiya Math's periodicals, "If you include articles written by Sridhar Maharaj, the quality of your publications will be greatly improved." After the disappearance of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad, the Gaudiya Math gradually diverged. With full knowledge of the events surrounding the disintegration of the Gaudiya Math, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami told his disciples in the same 1973 conversation, "Our relationship is very intimate. After the breakdown of the Gaudiya Math, I wanted to organize another organization, making Sridhar Maharaj the head." Reciprocating the appreciation, Srila Sridhar Maharaj advised the leaders of the Gaudiya Sangha to confer the title "Bhaktivedanta" upon the then Abhay Charan. Later, his sannyas-guru, Sripad Bhakti Prajnana Kesava Maharaj, one of the senior-most disciples of Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur, and the first sannyas-disciple of Srila Sridhar Maharaj, gave sannyas to Abhay Charan, retaining the title "Bhaktivedanta," and conferring the sannyas name "Swami.".Additionally, when Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj returned to India in October of 1967, after his successful preaching initiative in America, he stayed with Srila Sridhar Maharaj in Nabadwip, and observed his Vyasa Puja celebration. At that time, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj wrote a letter to a disciple saying, "Yesterday, we have all come to Nabadwip Dham. This place is an establishment of one of my Godbrothers. It is a very nice and extensive place, and my Godbrother B.R. Sridhar Maharaj has spared one entire house for our stay. He has also agreed to cooperate with our society. We shall observe his birthday celebration, and the brahmacaris shall learn how to celebrate the spiritual master's birthday." Shortly afterwards, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj asked Srila Sridhar Maharaj to be the president of his newly formed society - the International Society for Krishna Consciousness. During the Vyasa Puja celebration, one of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj's disciples saw Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Sridhar Maharaj fully absorbed in a deep discussion in Bengali. The disciple inquired from Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj what was the nature of their talk, and he replied, "If I were to tell you, you would faint. Sridhar Maharaj has very high realizations." That Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj continually regarded Sridhar Maharaj as his advisor throughout his life is clear in the following letter written by him to one of Srila Sridhar Maharaj's disciples, Sripad Govinda Maharaj. Concerned about his failing health, he had written Sridhar Maharaj asking whether he should continue living in the United States or return to India to live his last days in Vrindavan. After receiving Srila Sridhar Maharaj's reply, he wrote: "What Sripad Sridhar Maharaj has directed, I take it on my head. He is my always well-wisher. After the departure of Prabhupad it is appropriate that I should accept his direction. I got direction from him that I shall live in this country forever." Sometimes it is said that one's preaching contribution can be judged according to the number of temples established, devotees converted, and books published and distributed. Srila Sridhar Maharaj travelled and preached extensively all over India, personally accompanying.Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur for many years. Nearly fifty years ago, he established the Sri Chaitanya Saraswat Math on the banks of the Ganges in Nabadwip Dham, which is now a thriving institution. His followers have established temples in major cities throughout the world. His Sanskrit and Bengali writings have been appreciated by both scholars and devotees for their originality, depth of realization, and happy poetic style. Published and widely distributed throughout the world, they are now available in English , Spanish, Hindi, Portuguese, German, French, and are being translated into other languages. Throughout his life, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj always maintained the highest respect and confidence in Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He considered that whenever it was not possible for his disciples to proceed directly under his guidance, that they should take direction from Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He once wrote in a letter to one of his students: "Because you are my disciple, and I think, a sincere soul, it is my duty to refer you to someone who is competent to act as a siksha-guru. For spiritual advancement of life, we must go to someone who is actually practicing spiritual life. So, if you are actually serious to take instructions from a siksha-guru, I can refer you to the one who is the most highly competent of all my godbrothers. This is B.R. Sridhar Maharaj, whom I consider to be even my siksha-guru, so what to speak of the benefit that you can have by his association. So, if you are serious about the advancement of your spiritual life, I will advise you to go to Sridhar Maharaj. It will be very good for your spiritual benefit, and I will feel that you are safe. When I was in India with the others, we lived with Sridhar Maharaj. You can also make arrangements for your other Godbrothers to go there in the future. So, live peacefully with Sridhar Maharaj, and thereby you will be spiritually enlightened." In this passage, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj describes Srila Sridhar Maharaj as "the most competent of all my Godbrothers," "someone competent to act as siksha-guru," and in an astounding statement, he declares, "I consider Sridhar Maharaj to be my Siksha Guru, so what to speak of the benefit that you can have from his association"!.What Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj means by siksha-guru is best explained in his own words. In his purports to the Adi-lila of Chaitanya caritamrta, he states: "One should know the instructing spiritual master to be the Personality of Krishna. Krishnadas Kaviraj Goswami states that there are two kinds of instructing spiritual masters. One is the liberated person fully absorbed in meditation in devotional service and the other is he who invokes the disciple's spiritual consciousness by means of relevant instructions. There is no difference between the shelter-giving Supreme Lord and the initiating and instructing spiritual masters. If one foolishly discriminates between them, he commits an offense in the discharge of devotional service." (Chaitanya-caritamrta - Adi-lila 1.47) Although it may be said that Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj encouraged his godbrothers in general, no one anywhere can produce a similar statement of endorsement. The fact is that Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj possessed the highest respect and appreciation for Sridhar Maharaj, and Srila Sridhar Maharaj is unparalleled in his understanding and admiration of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, as evinced in the following eulogy: "So our Swami Maharaj has done a miracle! Thakur Bhaktivinoda conceived and Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Thakur began to translate this conception into action. And we find that through Swami Maharaj, in his last days, it has been fulfilled to such a great extent. We are happy, we are glad, we are proud!" In response to this, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj with great humility, his voice choked with emotion, tearfully replied, "So, by guru and Vaishnava, whatever position I have got it is by guru's mercy and the blessings of the Vaishnavas. Otherwise, how I may have? So, I wish that Sridhar Maharaj may bestow his blessings as he was doing always, and may guru maharaj help me so I can do some service. By his grace it has become successful. I have no credit. I do not know how things are happening, because I am not at all qualified: chadiya vaisnava seva, nistara payeche keba. [Without serving an ideal Vaishnava, who can be delivered from the clutches of maya?]".And after the disappearance of Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, Srila Sridhar Maharaj declared: "I consider him to be saktyavesa avatara, and it is confirmed in his writings on his spiritual journey through the Atlantic. How he landed there in America, and the nature of his beginning the movement, his intense degree of dedication to Krishna and dependence, and how much he made himself empty of any other desire than the order of his gurudev - quite empty that Krishna came down to help him, and it is corroborated that Krishna worked on his behalf. In his poem, Prayer to the Lotus Feet of Krishna, we find him pleading with Krishna, "My dear Brother, Your good fortune will come to You only when Srimati Radharani be comes pleased with You." Seeing his gurudeva Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati as Radharani's delegation and his order as Her divine service, he humbly submitted that he did not feel himself worthy or fit to discharge the divine service, so he enlisted Krishna in the service of his guru. He had completely dedicated himself to the purpose, he was so earnest in his prayer to Krishna that he may discharge the duty that he has been given by his guru maharaj, that divine force, power, came down to help him. Otherwise, it is impossible. It is not a thing of the ordinary level that anyone will do, but the highest thing has been taken down to the lowest position so extensively. It cannot but be the divine power, embodied and in a great intensity and magnitude! So, saktyavesa-avatara, I cannot but take him to be so." With such appreciation, there should be little doubt why Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj had implicit faith in Srila Sridhar Maharaj. He had even heard directly from Srila Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad of the exceptional qualifications of Srila Sridhar Maharaj. In their last known recorded meeting in 1977, just prior to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami's leaving this mortal world, we find him imploring Srila Sridhar Maharaj to take up residence at his temple in Sridham Mayapur. ________________ The conversation that ensues is a transcript of their taped conversation of March 1977. _______________ _ ___ <font color="red">Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : </font color> I do not know for how long I will be.able to carry on. So, I came to see Sridhar Maharaj. Devotee: If you all go away, then the world will become dark. <font color="blue"> Srila Sridhar Maharaj: </font color> [to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami] It is so wonderful that the will of the Lord becomes manifest through someone. <font color="red">Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : </font color> I want very much, Maharaj, that you come and stay at Mayapur. Because Prabhupad always desired that you preach. He told me quite a few times, "Why don't you pull him out?" [They both laugh.] You know, I also tried to some extent before, but somehow or other it did not work out. Now, why don't you come and stay at Mayapur? Srila Prabhupad told me also, "Sridhar Maharaj is one of the finest preachers." I want to take you everywhere. At least at the place we have in Mayapur, people are coming from all over the world. Why don't you come and stay there? If you just agree, then whatever kind of building you want, I will arrange it for you. They are trying to build a house for me. So both of us will stay there. And whenever you want, you can come here to your Math. <font color="blue"> Srila Sridhar Maharaj: </font color> Yes, as long as I am alive to fulfill Prabhupad's desire. <font color="red">Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : </font color> This is my earnest desire. Since you could not go around the world and preach, at least stay there and people will come to you. I shall make that arrangement. If you stay, then it will be helpful to me also. Sometimes I need to consult with someone but there is no one. There is no one that I can consult. I feel this deficiency very greatly. Devotee: If he stays in Mayapur, then, all kinds of people will get to hear from him. <font color="red">Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : </font color> Yes, that's right. <font color="blue"> Srila Sridhar Maharaj: </font color> Yes, people from all kinds of cultural backgrounds will come there.. <font color="red">Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami : </font color> Yes, and they are already coming. And in that house I will make arrangements for an elevator so that you won't have to go through the difficulty of walking up and down the stairs. You won't even have to move a step yourself. I'll make arrangements for a car and a lift. My disciples are telling me that they will build a house for me. So, both of us will stay in that house. Most of the time I am travelling around, so if you are there, then they can get some guidance. So, Maharaj, please, give me the order and I will make all the arrangements for you. That Planetarium [The "Temple of Understanding"] also will be built under your direction. My idea is to combine the Indian culture and the American money - the lame man and the blind man policy. I tell them also that this will be very beneficial for the world. Here, in their final meeting, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj prophetically refers to his imminent disappearance and reveals that it is in this connection that he has come to see Sridhar Maharaj. In friendly jesting, they discuss Srila Sridhar Maharaj's reticence regarding large-scale preaching work. Of himself, Srila Sridhar Maharaj has remarked, "I did not want to become a big person. That is not my nature. I did not want to move around with many people. I am just satisfied with whatever I have. My spiritual thinking is my life. The conclusions of the scriptures, the advices of the mahajanas, to relish them and practice them and to discuss them in a small confidential circle, that is the main goal of my life." In the Ninth Canto of Srimad Bhagavatam, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, quoting Dhruva Maharaj, writes: "'My dear Lord, I am fully satisfied with whatever you have given me. I have nothing else to ask from You, for I am fully satisfied to be engaged in Your service.' This is the mentality of a pure devotee who does not want anything material or spiritual from the Personality of Godhead. Our Krishna Consciousness Movement is therefore called krsna- bhavanamrta-sangha, the association of persons who are simply interested in thoughts of Krishna." Bhaktivedanta Swami testifies to his having personally heard Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad mark the high qualifications of Srila.Sridhar Maharaj, whom he had once requested to go to the West. In this regard, Srila Sridhar Maharaj once remarked, "My guru maharaj wanted me to go to the West for preaching, but I don't consider myself a fit person to preach in the West. Because, you see, I can't follow your intonation. So, [laughing] I must listen clearly, then I shall tell. So, in this way, I told that if you order, I must go, but I don't think that I am fit to preach in the West. Anyhow, it was stopped, and Goswami Maharaj was sent to the West." When Srila Sridhar Maharaj had been selected, one of his godbrothers came to him and revealed the reason why Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad had chosen him to preach in the West. This godbrother explained, "Do you know why Prabhupad wanted you to be sent to the West? He said, 'Because he can't be converted.'" And just twenty-four hours before his departure from this mortal world, Bhakti Siddhanta Saraswati Prabhupad called for his beloved disciple Srila Sridhar Maharaj, and asked him to sing the song of Narottama Das Thakur: Sri-rupa-manjari-pada [the lotus feet of Rupa Manjari are my treasure]. Srila Sridhar Maharaj recalls: "So I did, hesitatingly. My nature is always hesitating, pushing back. Then, Kunja Babu asked me to stop. I was not a good singer, so as soon as he suggested, I stopped. Then, Kunja Babu asked Puri Maharaj of Kalna, 'You sing.' So he began. Then, Srila Prabhupad was a little disturbed. 'I don't like to hear the sweet tune of the song,' he said. Then, he stopped, and I had to begin again with sri rupa manjari pada, sei mora sampada. He wanted me to sing that song. That is the fulfillment of life of everyone of us, to be rupanuga - followers of Sri Rupa." Senior godbrothers who witnessed this exchange have described it as a "mystic transmission" in which Srila Sridhar Maharaj was given admittance into the eternal entourage of Sri Rupa Manjari. Srila Sridhar Maharaj's humble vision, however, is that he was posted as the gatekeeper, the guardian of devotion (bhakti-rakshak), to protect the storehouse of conclusive truths about the full-fledged theistic conception of Sri Krishna, as given by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Further expressing his appreciation for Srila Sridhar Maharaj's "high.realizations" in Krishna consciousness, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj says: "I want to take you everywhere. At least at the place we have in Mayapur, people are coming from all over the world. Why don't you stay there?" Sometimes it is wondered why Srila Sridhar Maharaj apparently did not take up Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami's offer. Srila Sridhar Maharaj explains: "I said, 'Of course I shall try to help you. Sometimes I shall go and stay there with you.' But I really did not think at the time that I shall survive him." Finally, Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj refers to "that planetarium." Srila Sridhar Maharaj is very fond of Sanatan Goswami's most famous work, the Brhad-bhagavatamrtam, in which devotees, devotional service, and Krishna are described very scientifically. On the basis of this transcendental literature, Srila Sridhar Maharaj had contemplated an elaborate preaching exhibition, showing graphically, with the use of dioramas depicting the varieties of material and spiritual planetary systems, how the ultimate spiritual destination is Krishna's own abode, Goloka Vrindavan. Due to insufficient funds, Srila Sridhar Maharaj humbly submitted his idea to Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj, who approved, saying, "It will be built under your direction." And just prior to his departure from this mortal world, Srila Bhakti-vedanta Swami Maharaj advised his senior disciples that in his absence, when the necessity arose to consult higher authority, that they should consult Srila Sridhar Maharaj. In conclusion, we humbly submit that the transcendental relationship between Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Maharaj and Srila Sridhar Maharaj be viewed and respected in terms of their eternal spiritual positions, and long-standing appreciation and affection for one another. Since the departure of His Divine Grace A.C. Srila Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupad, the "Guardian of Devotion," His Divine Grace Srila Bhakti Rakshak Sridhar Dev Goswami Maharaj, has repeatedly protected the teachings of the disciplic succession from perversion and misrepresentation as he has done for more than half a century, and has come to be recognized as a jagad-guru, or world-acharya. ______ http://www.guardian-of-devotion.de/books/books.htm =========

Compilations <font color="blue"> Varnasrama-dharma Compiled by Hare Krsna dasi, 1998 </font color> WHY IS VARNASRAMA IMPORTANT? Srila Prabhupada explains that varnasrama-dharma is the only system of social organization which enables a person of any class to discharge his occupational duty as a form of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus fulfilling the ultimate goal of life. Here it is clearly stated that there are many types of yajna performances recommended in the Vedic literatures, but actually all of them are meant for satisfying the Supreme Lord. Yajna means Visnu. In the Third Chapter of Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that one should only work for satisfying Yajna, or Visnu. The perfectional form of human civilization, known as varnasrama-dharma, is specifically meant for satisfying Visnu. - Bg 9.24 PURPORT TRANSLATION O best among the twice-born, it is therefore concluded that the highest perfection one can achieve by discharging the duties prescribed for one's own occupation according to caste divisions and orders of life is to please the Personality of Godhead. PURPORT Human society all over the world is divided into four castes and four orders of life. The four castes are the intelligent caste, the martial caste, the productive caste and the laborer caste. These castes are classified in terms of one's work and qualification and not by birth. Then again there are four orders of life, namely the student life, the householder's life, the retired and the devotional life. In the best interest of human society there must be such divisions of life, otherwise no social institution can grow in a healthy state. And in each and every one of the abovementioned divisions of life, the aim must be to please the supreme authority of the Personality of Godhead. This institutional function of human society is known as the system of varnasrama-dharma, which is quite natural for the civilized life. The varnasrama institution is constructed to enable one to realize the Absolute Truth. It is not for artificial domination of one division over another. When the aim of life, i.e., realization of the Absolute Truth, is missed by too much attachment for indriya-priti, or sense gratification, as already discussed hereinbefore, the institution of the varnasrama is utilized by selfish men to pose an artificial predominance over the weaker section. In the Kali-yuga, or in the age of quarrel, this artificial predominance is already current, but the saner section of the people know it well that the divisions of castes and orders of life are meant for smooth social intercourse and high-thinking self-realization and not for any other purpose. Herein the statement of Bhagavatam is that the highest aim of life or the highest perfection of the institution of the varnasrama-dharma is to cooperate jointly for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord. - SB 1.2.13 The distinction between human life and animal life therefore begins with the scientific system of varna and asrama, guided by the experience of the sages in relation with the demigods, gradually rising to the summit of reestablishing our eternal relation with the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krsna. - SB 1.16.31 PURPORT TRANSLATION The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, continued: My dear King Prthu, when one situated in his occupational duty engages in My loving service without motive for material gain, he gradually becomes very satisfied within. PURPORT This verse is also confirmed by the Visnu Purana. Occupational duties are known as varnasrama-dharma and apply to the four divisions of material and spiritual life-namely brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra, and brahmacarya, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa. If one works according to the varnasrama-dharma system and does not desire fruitive results, he gets satisfaction gradually. Discharging one's occupational duty as a means of rendering devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of life. - SB 4.20.9 Prthu Maharaja's sole aim in ruling his kingdom was to raise the citizens to the standard of God consciousness...In the Visnu Purana it is said that the entire varnasrama institution is meant to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The rules and regulations set up for the execution of the duties of brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras or brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprasthas and sannyasis are all meant to satisfy the Supreme Lord. At the present moment, although the so-called brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras have lost their original culture, they claim to be brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras by birthright. Yet they have rejected the proposition that such social and spiritual orders are especially meant for worship of Lord Visnu... In Bhagavad-gita (18.46) it is said: yatah pravrttir bhutanam yena sarvam idam tatam sva-karmana tam abhyarcya siddhim vindati manavah "By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, man can, in the performance of his own duty, attain perfection."...The Absolute Truth is therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and every living being is meant to satisfy the Supreme Godhead by performing his respective duty (sva-karmana tam abhyarcya). Maharaja Prthu wanted to introduce this formula amongst his citizens. The most important point in human civilization is that while one engages in different occupational duties, he must try to satisfy the Supreme Lord by the execution of such duties. That is the highest perfection of life. Svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam: [sB 1.2.13] by discharging one's prescribed duty, one can become very successful in life if he simply satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The vivid example is Arjuna. He was a ksatriya, his duty was to fight, and by executing his prescribed duty he satisfied the Supreme Lord and therefore became perfect. Everyone should follow this principle. - SB 4.21.27 PURPORT The Vedic process of sense gratification is therefore planned in such a way that one can economically develop and enjoy sense gratification and yet ultimately attain liberation. Vedic civilization offers us all knowledge in the sastras, and if we live a regulated life under the direction of sastras and guru, all our material desires will be fulfilled; at the same time we will be able to go forward to liberation. - SB 4.22.34 PURPORT If we do not take to the principles of varnasrama-dharma by accepting the four social orders (brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra) and the four orders of spiritual life (brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa), there can be no question of success in life. - SB 5.19.10 PURPORT ...If one's position is ascertained by a bona fide spiritual master and one is properly trained to engage in the service of Lord Visnu according to the four social divisions [brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya and sudra] and the four spiritual divisions [brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha and sannyasa], one's life becomes perfect. - SB 5.19.19 TRANSLATION According to the system of four varnas and four asramas, people generally worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Narayana, who is situated as the sun-god. With great faith they worship the Supreme Personality as the Supersoul according to ritualistic ceremonies handed down in the three Vedas, such as agnihotra and similar higher and lower fruitive acts, and according to the process of mystic yoga. In this way they very easily attain the ultimate goal of life. - SB 5.22.4 TRANSLATION The varnasrama institution offers the perfect process for making one eligible to return home, back to Godhead, because the aim of every varna and asrama is to please the Supreme Lord. - SB 6.3.13 PURPORT A civilization in which the people do not know how the representative of Narada and Krsna should be respected, how society should be formed and how one should advance in Krsna consciousness-a society concerned only with manufacturing new cars and new skyscrapers every year and then breaking them to pieces and making new ones-may be technologically advanced, but it is not a human civilization. A human civilization is advanced when its people follow the catur-varnya system, the system of four orders of life. There must be ideal, first-class men to act as advisors, second-class men to act as administrators, third-class men to produce food and protect cows, and fourth-class men who obey the three higher classes of society. One who does not follow the standard system of society should be considered a fifth-class man. - SB 6.7.13 PURPORT In Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that there are many types of yajna performances recommended in the Vedic literatures, but actually all of them are meant for satisfying the Supreme Lord. Yajna means Visnu. In the Third Chapter of Bhagavad-gita it is clearly stated that one should work only for satisfying Yajna, or Visnu. The perfectional form of human civilization, known as varnasrama-dharma, is specifically meant for satisfying Visnu. - SB 7.3.24 PURPORT As confirmed in the Visnu Purana (3.8.9), varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman visnur aradhyate: by accepting the institution of varna and asrama, one can very easily elevate himself to the platform of worshiping Visnu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Otherwise, if one remains in the bodily conception, one must rot within this material world, and his life will be a failure. - SB 7.5.5 PURPORT It is essential that society be divided into four groups of men-brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras. Here we see that although Prahlada was perfect in every respect, he nonetheless followed the instructions of the brahmanas who performed the Vedic rituals. - SB 7.10.24 PURPORT We have repeatedly stressed that human culture does not begin unless one takes to the principles of varnasrama-dharma. - SB 7.15.38-39 PURPORT As stated by Lord Siva: aradhananam sarvesam visnor aradhanam param tasmat parataram devi tadiyanam samarcanam (Padma Purana) Although in the Vedas there are recommendations for worshiping many demigods, Lord Visnu is the Supreme Person, and worship of Visnu is the ultimate goal of life. The Vedic principles of the varnasrama institution are meant to organize society to prepare everyone to worship Lord Visnu. varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman visnur aradhyate pantha nanyat tat-tosa-karanam "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, is worshiped by the proper execution of prescribed duties in the system of varna and asrama. There is no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (Visnu Purana 3.8.9) One must ultimately worship Lord Visnu, and for that purpose the varnasrama system organizes society into brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas, sudras, brahmacaris, grhasthas, vanaprasthas and sannyasis. - SB 8.20.11 PURPORT Yajnas can be performed in human society only when society is divided by varnasrama-dharma into four varnas and four asramas. Without such a regulative process, no one can perform yajnas, and without the performance of yajnas, no material plans can make human society happy at any time. - SB 9.14.47 PURPORT According to Vedic principles, there must be divisions of human society (catur-varnyam maya srstam [bg. 4.13]). There should be brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras, and everyone should learn to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead (tam abhyarcya). This is real human society, and without this system we are left with animal society. - SB 10.2.34 PURPORT Although it has become fashionable to speak of daridra-narayana, the words visnor aradhanarthaya do not mean that all the people satisfied by Nanda Maharaja in this great ceremony were Visnus. They were not daridra, nor were they Narayana. Rather, they were devotees of Narayana, and by their educational qualifications they would satisfy Narayana. Therefore, satisfying them was an indirect way of satisfying Lord Visnu. Mad-bhakta-pujabhyadhika [sB 11.19.21]. The Lord says, "Worshiping My devotees is better than worshiping Me directly." The varnasrama system is entirely meant for visnu-aradhana, worship of Lord Visnu. Varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman/ visnur aradhyate (Visnu Purana 3.8.9). The ultimate goal of life is to please Lord Visnu, the Supreme Lord. - SB 10.5.15-16 PURPORT Krsna has begun in this chapter, catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [bg. 4.13]. That is very essential, the varnasrama-dharma. Because we must have the aim of life. At the present moment there is no aim of life. The aim of life is sense gratification. That's all. - Bg 4.16 LECTURE Bombay 5 April 1974 The Hindu name is given by the Mohammedans. Actually, our dharma is varnasrama-dharma, four varnas and four asramas. That is the real name, varnasrama-dharma. The whole Vedic culture is dependent on varn asrama. It is meant for everyone, not that it is meant for Indians only, no. - Bg 18.45 LECTURE Durban 11 October 1975 Formerly there was no such piecework. One world, one king. One God, Krsna. One scripture, Vedas. One civilization, varnasrama-dharma. - SB 2.4.2 LECTURE Los Angeles 26 June 1972 So according to this varnasrama, there must be training. Some classes of men must be trained as nice brahmanas. Some people must be trained as nice ksatriyas. Some people must be trained as nice vaisyas. And sudra does not require any... Everyone is sudra. Janmana jayate sudrah. By birth, everyone is sudra. Samskarad bhaved dvijah. By training, one becomes vaisya, one becomes ksatriya, one becomes brahmana. - SB 1.2.28-29 LECTURE Vrndavana 8 November 1972 Vedic religion means varnasrama-dharma: brahmacari, grhastha, vana prastha, sannyasa, and brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra. - SB 3.25.22 LECTURE Bombay 22 November 1974 So similarly, sva-karmana tam abhyarcya. Everyone has got his some particular duty, occupation. If, by executing your occupational duty, you worship Krsna, then your life is perfect. That is the instruction given in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Naimisaranya. atah pumbhir dvija-srestha varnasrama-vibhagasah svanusthitasya dharmasya samsiddhir hari-tosanam [sB 1.2.13] Atah pumbhir dvija-sresthah. Pumbhih, by person. Everyone is engaged in some occupational duty. Formerly it was the varnasrama: brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra, and brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, sannyasi. Everyone has got some particular duty according to his position. Now, the different occupational duties have expanded. It doesn't matter. If you are engineer, if you are medical man, if you are something else, it doesn't matter. Sva-karmana tam abhyarcya. But try to serve Krsna by the result of your work. That is bhakti. - SB 3.25.24 LECTURE Bombay 24 November 1974 Vedic religion... Vedic religion means varnasrama-dharma. That is... Krsna says, God says, catur-varnyam maya srstam [bg. 4.13]. So that is, what is called, obligatory. Just like law is obligatory. You cannot say that "I don't take this law." No. You have to take it if you want to have a happy [society]. - Answers to a Questionnaire from Bhavan's Journal New Vrndavana 28 June 1976, Our destruction of this material body does not mean we, as spirit soul, we are destroyed. No. To understand this truth, the varnasrama system required. Without this varnasrama system nobody can understand that we are individual person, we existed in the past, and we shall exist in the future, and we are existing at present. - SB 5.6.10 LECTURE Bombay 28 December 1976 Actually, we, the followers or Vedic principles, our system is varnasrama- dharma, four varnas and four asramas...Varnasrama-dharma is applicable in any, in anywhere. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah [bg. 4.13]. The creation of God... Just like sun. Sun is creation of God. Sun is visible everywhere. Not that something [is] American sun and something Indian sun. No. The sun is the same. Similarly, catur-varnyam, the four principles of division, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, and sudra, they are everywhere. It is not the monopoly of India. - The Nectar of Devotion LECTURE Vrndavana 27 October 1972 These varnas and asramas have their respective duties, and unless human society is divided according to these eight scientific divisions and everyone acts according to his position, there can be no peace in the world. varnasramacaravata purusena parah puman visnur aradhyate pantha nanyat tat-tosa-karanam "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Visnu, is worshiped by the proper execution of prescribed duties in the system of varna and asrama. There is no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (Visnu Purana 3.8.9) - Teachings of Lord Kapiladeva Vs 3, Text 3 Yajna means we have to satisfy the Supreme Person. That is called yajna. And this process can be executed when the human society is very regulated. Regulated means there must be division of these varnas and asramas. Varna means four varnas: brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, sudra. And four asramas: brahmacari, grhastha, vanaprastha, sannyasa. They have got their respective duties. So unless the human society is divided into these eight scientific divisions and everyone acts according to his position, there cannot be any peace in the world. That is called varnasrama. - SB 3.25.3 LECTURE Bombay 3 November 1974 So any, any society you conceive, unless there are these four divisions, there will be chaos. It will be, not be properly, I mean to say, going on, smoothly going on. There will be some disturbance. Brain must be there. So at the present moment there is scarcity of brain. I am not talking of your state or my state. I am taking the world as it is. The brain... Formerly the Indian administration was going on in monarchy. Just like this picture. This picture is a ksatriya king. Before his death he renounced his, I mean to say, royal order and he came to the forest to hear about self-realization. So if you want to maintain the peace and prosperity of the whole worldly social order, you must create a class of men very intelligent, a class of men very expert in administration, a class of men very expert in production, and a class of men to work. That is required. You cannot avoid it. That is the Vedic conception. Mukha-bahuru-padebhyah. They say, mukha... Mukha means the face. Bahu means the arm. Uru means this, this, or waist. And pada. So anywhere, either you take this state or that state-doesn't matter-unless there is a smooth, systematic establishment of these four orders of life, the state or the society will not go very smoothly. - Conversation with Prof. Kotovsky Moscow 22 June 1971

One who recites Hanuman Chalisa 100 times Becomes free from the bondage of life and death and enjoys the highest bliss at last -- Don't want to brag, but I did Hanuman Chalisa 100 times, I think 2 times, NO idea how I did, I wasn't saying so nicly, or doing according to regulations, I had a lot of desires back then, but its one moment in my life I am proud of, never to be repeated.

30 May 2004 Sunday Pandava Nirjala Ekadasi. I shall have to do a Full Fast! http://www.iskcon.org/calendar/vcal401.zip

Had to happen some time, could be warning eh? __ Two missiles containing purple powder were thrown at Tony Blair during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons

These quotes are Not Universal for Diksa And Siksa. Am I the only one who can see this?

Prabhuji, you should write a book then, Or at least a website page, where we can read. Come on, write here for us. This is what we want, Cream of the Varna System!

Could you recommend any good sites, which explains this? I don't really want to read pages upon pages, just to get a General idea.

Kulapavana: I cannot see how this can be controlled, I wish somebody would explain in terms so everybody can understand what Varna is all about, I mean its /images/graemlins/confused.gif City.

Hare Krsna There is siksa Guru and diksa Guru, no difference between the two, sometimes one is more prominent than the other. Siksa Guru: reading: Prabhupada books, he is more prominent, Diksa Guru offering him prayers he is more prominent, In order that there be No Breakage in Paramapara the Diksa Guru must be present, servant of the servant of His Guru. Lord Krsna did the same 5000 years ago, in this way the message is not lost, it is carried on perpetually. That ok ji? /images/graemlins/blush.gif

ki jai!! Would have been great to be there, seeing Krsna defeat this Guy! I was liking thinking of Krsna in this way, something different for me.

<font color="blue"> We get all good qualities from <font color="green"> Krsna </font color> we have in minute, He has in fullness, here is Supreme Lord FIGHTING! </font color> ________________ http://www.audarya-fellowship.com/pictures/78330-Killing%20demon.jpg http://www.audarya-fellowship.com/pictures/78330-Killing%20demon.jpg

Hare Krsna Here is a tip, you can try if you like. Sit down chant, Hare Krsna Mantra. After a while, you will feel good, then see this women, you will feel a little DISattraction, for awhile, yes? Its not that simple, but you can see practically.

Hare Krsna What exactly are the concessions made with Regard to four regultive principles concerning Varna? Brahmanas we know already, I myself am not sure what Varna I am in. Haribol.

Haribol Here Krsna is playing with Parrot and stealing butter.

I said something about this, When I hear about Srila Prabhupada from sincere Vaishnava's my heart is made softer to feel true gratitute for Prabhupada, i.e when I hear from Prabhupada Godbrothers, but when I hear from 'others' {you know what I mean} my faith in Prabhupada is rooted out, its almost like hearing from 'non-devotees about devotees' does anybody understand what I am saying?

That sounds very harsh, but this is the general feeling some devotees are portraying, I think it stems in my heart-there is so much contradiction going on, one moment they say Prabhupada Vani is there so follow this, the next we are forgetting Prabhupada, you see? .. Where is the question of forgetfulness?

Thankyou for the pastimes, I am sorry if I offended you. {wasn't that funny joke sorry} Hare Krsna

How do you plan on doing this? You will be the Proxy? Sorry I meant who will be the proxy /images/graemlins/smirk.gif

Looking at your posts recently I would have though, you are already surrendered..is it not? /images/graemlins/smile.gif

Here is my rant: /images/graemlins/wink.gif I would like to make it clear what I was saying, that you need to serve devotee in any capacity, whether present here {they are in Goloka} or here on this planet, neglecting devotees is not Vaishnava Etiquette, the disciples of Srila Prabhupada have been linked toward Caitanya 'The Sankirtana Movement', so how else are we supposed to establish this link? I did not suggest we forget about Prabhupada, as you said whenever we chant, or do other service its because of Prabhupada that we do it, so where is the questions of forgetfulness? Also Guru is representative of Caitanya-Guru within the Heart, he is in body, Jesus Christ came in body, but that is different, in our Sampradaya we have a bona-fide disciplic succession, I mean we are superior in everyway, this is not sentimental, it's a fact, there are no flaws in Krishna Consciousness, but we are creating them, in Christianity I believe you must approach Priest, Now they have the same problem, who is the Pure Priest, does he eat meat etc? Jesus Christ disciples need to be pure. Hope I am correct in this.

Hare Krsna, That is why Srila Prabhupada, as 'Krsna' Posted said to write about Krsna-Bhakti. Age to Age, Prabhupada books will last, still devotees need to write, we write here right?

What you said: You must also have a present Guru to guide you, not for just for Diksa, but to actually render service to. Maybe I misunderstand what you said.