ACHARYA EMPHASIS ON VARNASRAMA

BY PARASURAMA DASA

Understanding Civilization History of Varnasrama Cause for its Degradation Why Varnasrama needs to be revived ?Acharyas Desire to Establish Varnasrama

UNDERSTANDING CIVILIZATION

EVOLUTION OF CONSCIOUSNESS

Uncivilized State Civilized State

Varnasrama is the Beginning of Human Life

Man Does not live Alone. They live in Societies

NEED OF THE SOCIETY

General Elevation of the Populace

Avoiding Criminal Mentality

Predominance of Social Stability

Peace and Prosperity

RULES, RULES, RULES …

Rules for Self – Regulated Eating, sleeping, exercise, health etc.

Rules for Society – Mutual Brotherhood, Marriage, Helping those in Difficulty etc.

Rules for After life – Pious Activities, charity etc.

ARYANS HAD THE HIGHEST STATE OF CIVILIZATION

Ramayana, Mahabharat ...

Recent History - Rajputs, British Observations, Travelers Notes …

A TIME TESTED CIVILIZATION

Romans, Greek Collapsed with time

American, European already collapsingFear of killing the planetCredit based economyArtificial Demands – Advertising.Based on depleating resources – Petrol.

People Still take pride in Aryan Civilization – Gandhi, Epics etc.

PRESERVATION OF VARNA IN EUROPEAN CULTURE

People take up Occupation as per their nature.US - Land of Opportunity

Varnas are not systematically Organized – Eg Boat making.

Aryan civilization, even though perfectly established, Degraded due to degradation of varnas.

HISTORY OF VARNASRAMA

ESTABLISHED IN TRETA YUGAIn Satya-yuga there was only one social division, called hamsa.

By meditation upon Lord Narayana, they knew how to fulfill the necessities of life.

But in Treta yuga people were not able to do the same. Hence performance of Fire Sacrifice and Varnasrama system was introduced.

CHOOSING THE VARNA

The rule was established that each person took up the varna according to their nature and getting the qualification through the varna they would execute those duties.

Nature of the Person The Varna of the father.

NATURE GETS PRECEDENCE OVER BIRTH

yasya yal lakñaëaà proktaàpuàso varëäbhivyaïjakam

yad anyaträpi dåçyetatat tenaiva vinirdiçet

(SB-7.11.35)"If one shows the symptoms of being a brähmaëa, kñatriya, vaiçya or çüdra, as described above, even if he has appeared in a different class, he should be accepted according to those symptoms of classification."

NATURE GETS PRECEDENCE OVER BIRTH

Jahnu (a brahmana), who drank all the water of the Ganges in one sip was the son of Hotraka (ksharitya of Aila Dynasty). (SB – 9.15.4) From Agniveçya (kñatriya) came a brahminical dynasty known as Ägniveçyäyana. (SB – 9.2.22)Although Gärgya was a kñatriya, there came from him a generation of brahmaëas.- (SB -9.21.20)

CAUSE FOR DEGRADATION OF

VARNASRAMA SYSTEM

ENMITY BETWEEN KSHATRIYA AND BRAHMANA

Jamadagni and his son Parasurama although of the Kshatirya nature claimed themselves as brahmanas.

This created a rift between brahmana and ksatriya classes and thus the procedure of judging the varna by birth became fixed.

ENMITY BETWEEN KSHATRIYA AND BRAHMANA

 The kshatiya born who had brahmana nature where thus not allowed to take up Brahmana Varna. They became frustrated and wanted to destroy such brahmanism.

But the reaction to this, was that the class distinction based on birth became even more stronger.

DECLINE AT THE BEGINNING OF KALI YUGA

Srimad Bhagvatam 1.18.32

“But because the age of Kali was seeking an opportunity to spoil the cultural heritage of the four orders of life, the inexperienced boy gave a chance for the age of Kali to enter into the field of Vedic culture. Hatred of the lower orders of life began from this brähmaëa boy, under the influence of Kali, and thus cultural life began to dwindle day after day. The first victim of brahminical injustice was Mahäräja Parékñit, and thus the protection given by the King against the onslaught of Kali was slackened.”

DECLINE WITH KALI YUGABrahmana without qualification began writing scripture for their own interest.

Kshatriya without quality lost their kingdom in war and began supporting Buddhism to destroy the brahmanas.

Vaisya without vaisya quality began to preach Jainism and the strong mercantile community became weak.

Laborers without sudra nature became thieves. They were forced to do menial labor irrespective of their nature or qualities.

DECLINE WITH KALI YUGA

Running without the scriptural reference the country came under the control of the muslims and then the British. The concept of service vanished and the degradation became more and more deep.  The current degraded state of India which was once the controller and teacher of the whole world is not because of our culture being “Old” or “Outdated” or “Primitive”. But rather due to corruption of Varnasrama system.

WHY VARNASRAMA NEEDS TO BE

REVIVED ?

CHANTING AS THE ONLY WAY

harer näma harer nämaharer nämaiva kevalam

kalau nästy eva nästy evanästy eva gatir anyathä

[Cc. Ädi 17.21]

 kaler doña-nidhe räjann asti hy eko mahän

guëaùkértanäd eva kåñëasya mukta-saìgaù paraà

vrajet [SB 12.3.51]

Emphasis on Chanting with Study of Scriptures

Emphasis on Chanting with following of Rules and Regulations

CHANTING WITH CULTIVATION OF KNOWLEDGE

Prabhupada writes – (CC Adi 7.75 P)

Taking advantage of these verses, there are some sahajiyäs who, taking everything very cheaply, consider themselves elevated Vaiñëavas but do not care even to touch the Vedänta-sütra or Vedänta philosophy.

A real Vaiñëava should, however, study Vedänta philosophy, but if after studying Vedänta one does not adopt the chanting of the holy name of the Lord, he is no better than a Mäyävädé. Therefore, one should not be a Mäyävädé, yet one should not be unaware of the subject matter of Vedänta philosophy.

FOLLOWING OF RULES AND REGULATION TO AVOID OFFENCES

Prabhupada writes in NOI v-1 p

He (Parikshit Maharaj) compared atonement to an elephant's bathing (SB 6.1.9-10).

Real atonement involves coming to real knowledge, and for this there is a standard process. When one follows a regulated hygienic process, he does not fall sick. A human being is meant to be trained according to certain principles to revive his original knowledge. Such a methodical life is described as tapasya. One can be gradually elevated to the standard of real knowledge, or Kåñëa consciousness, by practicing austerity and celibacy (brahmacarya), by controlling the mind, by controlling the senses, by giving up one's possessions in charity, by being avowedly truthful, by keeping clean and by practicing yoga-äsanas.

FEW REASONS FOR RE-ESTABLISHING VARNASRAMA

Accepting Varnasrama until there is material desires in the devotee.

Risk of Becoming intoxicated with material Desires and thus of fall-down if varnasrama is abandoned.

Way to avoid Prayasa – lead balanced Life

Taking up Natural Occupations Saving Society from Irreligion.

ÇRÉLA BHAKTIVINODA ÖHÄKURA: VARËÄÇRAMA AND VAIDHI-BHAKTI

sädhana-käle ye paryantahådaya käma äche

se paryanta varëäçramädidharmera apekñä thäke

“At the time of practicing sädhana-bhakti, so long as there is material desire within the heart, one should remain within the confines of the varëäçrama system.”

STRESS ON DOING ONE’S OCCUPATIONAL DUTY Bhagavad-gétä (18.45–46) the Lord says:By following his qualities of work (sve sve karmaëi), every man can become perfect. Now please hear from Me how this can be done.

By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, a man can attain perfection through performing his own work (sva-karmaëä).

It is better to engage in one's own occupation (sva-dharmaù), even though one may perform it imperfectly, than to accept another's occupation and perform it perfectly. Duties prescribed according to one's nature are never affected by sinful reactions.

STRESS ON DOING ONE’S OCCUPATIONAL DUTY Viñëu Puräëa (3.8.9)

varëäçramäcära-vatäpuruñeëa paraù pumänviñëur ärädhyate panthänänyat tat-toña-käraëam

The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viñëu, is worshiped by the proper execution of prescribed duties in the system of varëa and äçrama. There is no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. One must be situated in the institution of the four varëas and äçramas.’

RISK IN ABANDONING VARNASRAMA ..If, abandoning the varëäçrama institution, one acts independently, then the demands of the body and mind will cause one to become intoxicated with material desire and no sign of devotion will manifest itself.

Who can deny the necessity of the varëäçrama institution as long as the living being is bound up in the human body? If it is abandoned, and the above-mentioned four principles (Body, mind, society and self realization) are lacking, the jiva will go astray and no good whatsoever will accrue to him. One should, therefore, strictly adhere to the rules governing varëäçrama for the sake of the mind, society, and one's advancement in Kåñëa consciousness…(Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura: Varëäçrama and Vaidhi-Bhakti)

BHAKTYALOKA – PRAYASA

Therefore karma-prayäsa is contrary to devotional principles in the same way as jnäna-prayäsa. The conclusion is that karma-prayäsa and jnäna-prayäsa are very detrimental.

But a devotee who desires to properly pass his life still accepts his duties according to varëäçrama, as those duties are favorable to devotional service and counted as part of devotional service. All these activities are no longer called karma.

NEITHER MORE NOR LESS – BALANCED LIFE

Accumulating in excess or eagerly striving after material possessions simply increases the elements of attachment and greed. Subsequently one’s affinity for matter will grow and neutralize one’s progress in bhajana. Similarly, if one accepts less than one needs for the convenient performance of one’s bhajana, the result will be the same, namely the retardation of Kåñëa consciousness. Therefore, until one is qualified for complete detachment one must lead a balanced life and accept wealth and possessions only to maintain one’s body and soul together in the pursuit of çuddha-bhakti.”(Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura: Jaiva Dharma)

NATURAL OCCUPATION

A practicing devotee should pass his life in a natural occupation that is favorable to devotional service, and he should chant and remember the holy names with knowledge of his relationship with the Lord.

Making varëäçrama favorable to devotional service, the householder should pass his life engaged in devotional service free from prayäsa. They should earn and save only to easily maintain the family members.– (Bhaktyaloka - Prayas)

SAVING THE SOCIETY FROM IRRELIGION

“I simply want to point out that the system of varëa and äçrama is the only foundation upon which a civilized society may thrive and the basis for living according to scriptural injunction. To the degree the varëäçrama system is not practiced in a country, irreligiosity will be prominent there.”

(Çréla Bhaktivinoda Öhäkura: Jaiva Dharma) 

ACHARYAS DESIRE TO ESTABLISH VARNASRAMA

ACHARYAS IMPLEMENTVARNASRAMALord Chaitanya himself instructed all living entities through His pastimes of completely following the orders of gåhastha and sannyäsa.

Bhaktivinod Thakur wrote extensively to establish true Religion. He specially voiced against Sahajiyas.

Bhakti-Siddhant Saraswati established Sannyasa asrama (instead of Babaji Vesa). He also established Brahmachari Ashrama.

FARM ACHARYAI suggested to Çrila Prabhupäda that he was the Farm Acarya, but Çrila Prabhupäda said, "Kåñëa is the Farm Äcärya. Baladeva is holding a plow, and Kåñëa is holding the calf. Kåñëa advised Nanda Mahäräja not to perform Indra püjä but to worship the land, Govardhana because it was supplying all foodstuffs for the residents of Våndävana and the cows as well." So Çrila Prabhupäda wants you to develop this farm very nicely as it will be the future program to present to the world as the ideal of Kåñëa consciousness. In the cities, we are interested for preaching but we cannot present the ideal varëäçrama system, this is only possible at the farms, so they are very important.Letter from Tamäl Kåñëa Goswami, Secretary to Çrila Prabhupäda to Hari Çauri däsa, ISKCON Melbourne, 10 August 1977 (sent from Kåñëa Balaräma Mandir, Våndävana)

THE GOLDEN AGE

The present pitiful condition of India, which was once the controller and teacher of the whole world is not because of Old age, but because of the corruption of the Varnasrama system.

By the desire of the lord, the controller of all living beings and rules, may their arise again in India an empowered person who can establish the Varnasrama system.(Srila Bhaktivinoda Thakura: Sri Chaitanya Siksamrita)

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