[world-vedic] VNN Editorial - Western Astrologer, Western Vaishnav

[Guest guest]

Dear Dharmapad,

I liked your article, but I have a few points that I would

like to add.

 

This is why the Vedas say that there are no brahmanas in the age of Kali.

There is no training and little call for their services. The mood of

Brahmana (austerity) is also wanting.

 

In ancient times brahmanas were not supported through public donations, like

beggars, but by king and state. I suspect that Hindu businessmen assumed

this role when the other failed.

 

The actual function of a Brahmana is to teach. The performance of ritual is

secondary and the number of Brahmanas required for the performance of ritual

(puja, weddings etc.) is therefore limited.

 

Working through the week does not make one a 'weekend devotee'. Krsna spoke

BG for the people of this age and his message throughout is that we simply

perform our duty in consciousness of Him. If you remember Arjuna wanted to

renounce his duty and live the life of a sadhu.

 

We also, would prefer to live the nice life of a sadhu, without going

through the austerity of working for a living, but Krsna's words to Arjuna

were actually spoken for our benefit.

 

No kind of honest work is ever to be demeaned or considered unworthy. It may

often seem hellish but that is part of the austerity. Through work we not

only support ourselves and dependants, but are spreading the glories of

Krsna Consciousness in a very effective way.

 

External behaviour must be based upon cultural values, not religious (i.e.

fundamental). Spiritual life is internal and can be cultivated anywhere and

at anytime. Our aim as devotees is to be a good example ourselves and to

bring up nice well balanced children, who will be the devotees of the

future, also living normal functioning lives.

 

This is not addressed to you personally, but avoiding work because we don't

want to be with karmi's and feeling that such work will bring down your

consciousness is an extremely feeble attitude to life, even the taking of

sanyass at a young age to avoid them.

 

There is a saying that the finest steels are forged in the hottest furnaces.

Also, that an eagle needs the resistance of wind to rise high. We should not

be afraid of resistance or difficulties, but following Arjuna's example

perform our duty in full consciousness of Krsna (or as far as we are able).

 

It doesn't matter where we are then - on a battlefield (like Arjuna), in a

factory, shop, office or temple, if we are performing our duty (however

imperfectly), ultimately, for the satisfaction of Krsna, we are acting in

Krsna Consciousness.

 

My point is that we don't have to become a creed of astrologers to earn a

living, like gypsies with their trademark palm and tealeaf reading. We just

need to get real, get qualified and get earning some money.

 

Yaduvendu Das

 

 

 

 

_______________

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[Guest guest]

> Working through the week does not make one a 'weekend devotee'.

Krsna spoke

> BG for the people of this age and his message throughout is that we

simply

> perform our duty in consciousness of Him.

 

Dear Yaduvendu Das,

 

Yes, but here is the rub. It is hard to mantain any " consciousness

of Him " while one is working a karmi job.

 

If you remember Arjuna wanted to

> renounce his duty and live the life of a sadhu.

>

> We also, would prefer to live the nice life of a sadhu, without

going

> through the austerity of working for a living, but Krsna's words

to Arjuna

> were actually spoken for our benefit.

 

Brahmins work, but their work reminds one of the spiritual platform,

they work in relation to spiritual things, brahman, which is why they

are called brahmins.

 

> No kind of honest work is ever to be demeaned or considered

unworthy. It may

> often seem hellish

 

I am not saying that such work should be demeaned, only that there

exists a more appropriate line of work for the esoteric.

 

> but that is part of the austerity.

 

Work not related to Krishna is something whose result can be

dedicated to Krishna consciousness, but it is not directly inspiring.

It is hard in the Kali yuga to situate oneself in somekind of

devotional or brahminical dharma, but it doesn't hurt to look for a

way. Parents especially can look for a way for the kids and start

early.

 

Dharmapada

 

Through work we not

> only support ourselves and dependants, but are spreading the

glories of

> Krsna Consciousness in a very effective way.

>

> External behaviour must be based upon cultural values, not

religious (i.e.

> fundamental). Spiritual life is internal and can be cultivated

anywhere and

> at anytime. Our aim as devotees is to be a good example ourselves

and to

> bring up nice well balanced children, who will be the devotees of

the

> future, also living normal functioning lives.

>

> This is not addressed to you personally, but avoiding work because

we don't

> want to be with karmi's and feeling that such work will bring down

your

> consciousness is an extremely feeble attitude to life, even the

taking of

> sanyass at a young age to avoid them.

>

> There is a saying that the finest steels are forged in the hottest

furnaces.

> Also, that an eagle needs the resistance of wind to rise high. We

should not

> be afraid of resistance or difficulties, but following Arjuna's

example

> perform our duty in full consciousness of Krsna (or as far as we

are able).

>

> It doesn't matter where we are then - on a battlefield (like

Arjuna), in a

> factory, shop, office or temple, if we are performing our duty

(however

> imperfectly), ultimately, for the satisfaction of Krsna, we are

acting in

> Krsna Consciousness.

>

> My point is that we don't have to become a creed of astrologers to

earn a

> living, like gypsies with their trademark palm and tealeaf reading.

We just

> need to get real, get qualified and get earning some money.

>

> Yaduvendu Das

>

>

>

>

> _______________

> Protect your PC - get McAfee.com VirusScan Online

> http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963