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EDITORIAL February 17, 1999 VNN3079 Varnashram Dharma as a Beginning BY MAHALAKSMI DASI , Feb 17 (VNN) — All glories to Srila Prabhupada. In response to Mother Prtha's editorial, Varnashrama is not Krsna Consciousness, I would like to humbly correct her statement by saying that although it is not the end all and be all of Srila Prabhupada's instructions, it is a beginning, a starting ground for which to develop Krsna consciousness. It is not the final goal, which is pure love for Krsna, which transcends all rules (i.e. the gopis abandoning all mundane religiousness, and going to see Krsna in the dead of night). . There are numberous quotes supporting this concept, that varnashrama dharma should not be ignored, and by which an intelligent man or woman will see fit to accept varnashrama dharma as a basis for action. S. B. 4:21:22 (purp) If it does not observe the institutional functions of the four social orders, human society is no better than animal society in which there is never tranquility, peace, and prosperity, but only chaos and confusion. Maharaj Prthu, as an ideal king, strictly observed Vedic social order. S. B. 4:14:20 (purp) In order to rectify this world situation, all people should be trained in Krsna Consciousness and act in accordance with the varnasrama system. S.B 5:1:29 (verse and purport) Translation: "Whenever he was determined to fix his arrow upon his bowstring with his two powerful arms, all opponents of the regulative principles of religious life would flee from his presence in fear of the unparalleled prowess he displayed in ruling the universe." Purport: "In this verse, the word dharma-pratipaksah ("opponents of religious principles") refers not to a particular faith, but to varnasrama-dharma, the division of society, socially and spiritually.... To maintain proper social order and help the citizens gradually progress toward the goal of life--namely spiritual understanding----the principles of varnasrama-dharma must be accepted. (emphasis added) From this verse, Maharaja Priyavrata appears to have been so strict in maintaining this institution of varnasrama-dharma that anyone neglecting it would immediately flee from his presence as soon as the King warned him by fighting or administering light punishment. .......It is said that unless human society is regulated by varnasrama-dharma, it is no better than a bestial society of cats and dogs S. B. 3:21:54 (purp) varnashram will continue to exist either in it's pure form or in a degraded form-these divisions cannot be extinquished S. B. 4:6:44 (purp) Vedic system of varnashram is never to be neglected for these divisions are created by the Supreme Lord Himself for the upkeep of social and religious order. In human society the brahmanas, as the intelligent class in society, must vow to steadily respect this principle. There is no need to go on and on with quotes from Srila Prabhupada, the founder acarya of the Hare Krsna movement in the West. It is obvious that not only does he want varnashram to be implemented, but he is hoping that all his disciples, grand-disciples, etc. will understand their transcendental nature beyond it. None of the quotes which Mother Prtha has given can be denied,there is no need to deny them. But the important thing is to see things in proper context. I am personally at a very beginning stage of my spiritual life, I am not able to see that I am a pure soul, uninhibited by bodily designations. I do not think that I am being humble in this ascertation, I think that I am being honest. I need my husband's protection. regardless of whatever faults he may have. My faults are greater, in that I am constantly overcome by pride, not pride in the fact that I am in the body of a woman which is explicitly stated over and over to be a lower birth, but pride in different levels of intelligent communication which Krsna allows me to be part of, pride in my ability to manage laksmi, pride, overwhelming pride, in my sense of being the doer. These are sins, they are actually sins which attach themself to any gender. I wish to make this very brief, to the point; no one except those who have associated with me personally, either through writing, or in personal physical association, can know my pride....to say I am proud that I am in a body, which I accept to be lowborn PER THE WORDS OF THE SCRIPTURES, is a nonsensical, ludicrous distortion. Mother Prtha has attempted to suggest that those who wish to accept the teachings of Lord Krsna, who specifically says in Bhagavad Gita, "striyo vaisyas tatha sudras" are acting out of pride. Although I am the most wretched, I beg the reader to consider, was Haridas Thakur proud of the fact that he was born in a Muslim family, therefore in his heart felt himself completely unqualified and undeserving of entering the temple of the Lord? Although the Namacharya of the Holy Name, to be worshipped by every aspiring Vaisnava in our line, he set the example that he was low born. By Mother Prtha's reasoning, he was to be considered proud? I think there is a gross misinterpretation in her presentation, and not only that, but it is directly in defiance of what the Supreme Lord Krsna says in His instructions to Arjuna. Who is our authority? There is a point where the mundane psychiatrists expressions, such as the ascertation that humility is a lack of self esteem, and the so-called humble person needs to be healed, should be abandoned. There is only so much room for the karmis analysis, and when one desires to surrender to the pure devotee of Krsna, Srila Prabhupada, he will see where that line has to be drawn. Only purification of the heart will open ones' eyes to see the distinction. Humbly submitted, Mahalaksmi Dasi Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9902/ET17-3079.html
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