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EDITORIAL February 24, 1999 VNN3149 A Finishing Place BY PRTHA DEVI DASI EDITORIAL, Feb 24 (VNN) — Mahalaksmi continuously feels she must *correct* me, the position of an authority. My last story, Varnasrama-dharma Is Not Krishna Consciousness, was a response to her criticism of, A New Thing. However, it was only directed at her to a degree. It was also directed to those who may be confused regarding the difference between Varnashrama-dharma which is social, and Krishna Consciousness which is transcendental. I wrote previous articles that did not single her out at all, whereas she singles me out. Since Mahalaksmi continues to use my name and the title of my write-up's, she has forced my hand to respond. There is no problem with someone following Varnashrama-dharma when they admit it is a starting place. There is a problem when they try to present it as the highest. If this is what Prabhupada wanted us to practice first and foremost it would have been what he preached the minute he reached our shores. What did he preach? You're not that body. Transcendental knowledge. Direct Krishna Consciousness. Therefore Varnasrama-dharma is not what Prabhupada wanted from initiated disciples predominately. As a back up system? Yes. However, he takes on our karma to free us from material bondage, so predominately he wants us to practice transcendental Krishna Consciousness. He should no longer suffer for us, having to return only because he has to get his disciples. Although most of us are not able to see that we are pure soul, uninhibited by bodily designations, it is ONLY by the mercy of the pure devotee Srila Prabhupada and only by following his transcendental instructions, have we been rescued from this ocean of repeated birth and death. He gave us more than a starting place. He gave us a finishing place. It is through his teachings of aham brahmasmi and other similar points, those which are transcendental - not the caste system, that we can ever achieve it. To think that since we are not pure therefore we can't start with the highest process of Krishna Consciousness is to create a vicious cycle where one will never allow themselves the opportunity. Nonsense. Prabhupada allowed us the opportunity. It is there merely for the taking. The way to become purified is to follow Prabhupada's transcendental teachings right now and to whatever degree we can. We may not be pure, but that is how we will get pure. It is better to do less in Krishna Consciousness than to do more in Varnashrama-dharma. It is not considered starting over in kali-yuga to take a female birth. This is a misunderstanding, possibly a result of the conspiracy of the 1970s where authorities preached in such ways and blamed it on Prabhupada. Because we all thought this was what Prabhupada was teaching we went along with it. Now, with research, the truth of the conspiracy has been revealed. In this age all are born equal, all are born sudra. Different but equal. Intelligent men with good self esteem and actively utilizing their full potential will not be insulted by such a comment. They will merely see it factually. There is no need for such one-upmanship. It is not spiritual. We see many female doctors, lawyers, etc., as proof of women's intelligence. One may argue, "This is only material intelligence." Seems the argument gets convenient. First one claims women are not very bright and therefore must let men make decisions for them, my husband right or wrong - always right, that they must do whatever they are told, but that they are spiritually equal. If the female material intelligence is proven - the argument changes. Definitely convenient. Women are spiritually and materially intelligent, both. Either way, women are not lesser in this age. If one is attached to viewing themselves as lesser, that's their choice. Woman equality (not sameness) doesn't free men of the responsibility to protect. Women never denied the fact that they are physically weaker. Men need to physically protect them without wanting any payoff in return, as long as they remember that protection does not mean control. I always suggest the use of dictionaries for those who doubt this. One can quote verses selectively to make their personal point regarding the caste system of varnashrama-dharma, but what was Prabhupada's point? We need to see the whole picture, all of Prabhupada's teachings and personal instructions. (A chronic problem with those who like the caste system). This is crucial if one is to have a chance to make it back to Godhead. It is important to see things in proper context. When we minimize the highest we cheat ourselves and others too. This following verse appears to have been ignored or minimized, due to selectively picking other verses of Prabhupada's regarding the varnashrama-dharma caste system. Here he not only clears it up, but gives us the bottom line. Srila Prabhupada points out that varnashrama- dharma is: "no longer regular even amongst so-called followers of the system. Nor is it now possible to reestablish the institutional function" .....and...."The Vaisnava never accepts another Vaisnava on the basis of birthright." Srimad Bhagavatam 2:4:18 That's that. Unless of course, one is following another guru outside of Prabhupada's ISKCON. Than there may be some contradictions. It must be noted that Prabhupada's idea of varnashrama-dharma is different from what most devotees are preaching. A devotee can do anything for Krsna. The so-called sudra may offer aroti and is therefore not really a sudra. The so-called brahmana may clean the bathrooms and therefore is not really a brahmana. What are they? Vaisnavas! Prabhupada wanted us to "Krishnaize" Varnashrama-dharma. and bring it beyond the caste system of birth. "The social institution known as varnasrama-dharma--the institution dividing society into four divisions of social life and four occupational divisions of caste--is not meant to divide human society according to birth. Such divisions are in terms of educational qualifications. " BG 16:1 - 3, Purport Prabhupada clearly points out in his purport "educational qualifications" and "not meant to divide human society according to *birth.*" He does not say nor encourage this concept of lowborn, but of education. "So unless one satisfies Krsna, one cannot correctly observe the principles of varnasrama-dharma." BG 2:48 I never indicated in my article that Haridas Thakur was proud. This is a false accusation and definitely a concoction. No one can speculate on the *reasoning* of another. They don't KNOW. That is an attempt to make it appear like that to the reader, as well as to put words in my mouth. His appearance in a Muslim family and his humility as a result is not something we can compare our lifestyle or birth to. His is a pastime. Ours is karmic. In my article I was speaking of devotees in our current movement, which was very clear. I was explaining that some confuse being the lowest of the low, or the *best worst there ever was,* which sometimes is a game, for humility when it is not humility since they are not that advanced. Haridas Thakura and the humility of the other great acarya's is sincere and real - not a game. It takes time to reach that level of advancement and we should not attempt this artificially. However, nowhere did I say everyone was playing this game. Neither should one confuse the low-self esteem of some 1990s devotees with the humility of great acarya's. There IS humility, but it takes study to see what is true and sincere humility - a spiritual quality, and what is low self- esteem - an emotional issue, since they appear alike. Mundane psychiatric's? Srila Prabhupada never told us we cannot go to a "mundane" doctor" for the flu, nor did he say to stay away from "mundane psychiatrists." These are devotee concoctions. He never gave such an instruction, ever. There is no harm in healing ourselves in any way that is needed. It might lead to spiritual advancement once the mind is healed. >>no one except those who have associated with me personally<< I have associated with Mahalaksmi personally. It is extremely important that we do not look at the acarya's humility and make a comparison to ourselves. This could turn into sahajiya. I am not pointing any fingers. If the shoe fits wear it, if it doesn't throw it away. To blindly assume that low self-esteem and humility are one and the same because they *appear* the alike is illusion. It takes knowledge to see the difference. In my article, Varnasrama-dharma Is Not Krishna Consciousness, I merely pointed out how the pure devotee, Srila Prabhupada, has given *instructions,* in addition to scripture, for his disciples which transcend the caste system of lowborn: In a reunion in Mayapura in 1975, the GBC told Prabhupada: '"here are so many 'Prabhupada said,' better only accept what is in the books and tapes." Srila Prabhupada answered: "No, what I say in talks also, many things I say are not in my books." (From Himavati.) "We are Vaishnavas. We are not concerned with male of female position in life. That is simply bodily concept of life. It is not spiritual. Whether one is male or female, it does not matter, simply chant Hare Krishna and follow the four regulative principles and your life will be perfect." (letter to Jennifer, 1975) In addition, nowhere did I suggest that those who wish to accept the teachings of Lord Krsna are acting out of pride. Another false accusation. Devotees should not try to twist the words of another devotee in this way. There are places in Bhagavad-gita where Lord Krsna Himself does not keep women on the bodily sudra platform. One merely has to WANT to see them. Prabhupada can see it. *When the Deity worship was taken away from the women, Srila Prabhupada wrote, "Regarding women worshiping the Deity, in Bhagavad-gita it is stated: ' striyo vaisyas tathasudras, te 'pi yanti param gatim.' The idea is that everyone who is properly initiated and following the rules and regulations can worship the Deity." SPL to Uttama Sloka 1974 "In the Bhagavad-gita we find that women are also *equally* competent *like the men* in the matter of Krishna consciousness movement." (SP letter to Himavati, 1969) Prabhupada, by his personal example and personal instructions, showed how he did not view the women as less intelligent or lower birth. *"When a male devotee refused to be instructed by Jadurani, the head of the art department, because of her being a woman, Prabhupada called him in and ordered him to accept her instructions." *"When Srila Prabhupada was asked if Jyotirmayi should finish her studies in ethnology (study of religion and cultures) in order to teach vaisnavism in the universities, he answered, "Yes, she is very intelligent girl, she can do it." (Yogesvara) Srila Prabhupada: "Women are better than men because they can accept any position." (Bhavatarini) "Now I see that in our Society the girls are more intelligent than the boys." SPL Krsna devi, 1970. (I only post the above two quotes of Srila Prabhupada's to create some balance in our society.) *Atreay Rsi asked Srila Prabhupada if women could be given great responsibilities. Srila Prabhupada answered, "Yes, if they are Krishna Conscious." * Srila Prabhupada: "I do not know what these things inventions are going on. That is our only business, to invent something new program? We have already got our vaisnava standard. That is sufficient for Madhavacarya, Ramanujcarya, it was sufficient for Lord Chaitanya, six Goswamis, for Bhaktivinoda Thakur, for my Guru Maharaja Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati, for me, for all big, big saints and acaryas in our line, why it shall be inadequate for my disciples so that they must manufacture something? That is not possible. Who has introduced these things, that the women cannot have chanting japa in the temple, cannot perform the arati and *so many things.* That is not possible. Who has introduced these things, that women cannot have chanting? If they become agitated, then let the brahmacaris go to the forest, I have never introduced these things. If the brahmacaris cannot remain in the presence of women in the temple, then they must go to the forest for not seeing any women, if they become so easily agitated, but then no one will either see them and how our preaching work will go on?" (Letter to Ekayani, 1972) *Devotee to Srila Prabhupada: '"What I mean to say that he says he does not want to chant with women in the temple room. I have seen this before. he says, ' I do not want to chant in a room with women. I'd rather be away from women.' " Srila Prabhupada answered: '"That means he has got distinction between men and women. He is not a pandita. Pandita sama darsinah. He is a fool. That's all. He is a fool. He should always consider, ' there is a women, that's alright. She is my mother.' That's all. Matravat para dasesu. Suppose you sit down with your mother and chant. What is the wrong? But if he is not so strong, then he should go to the forest. Why should he live in the Nairobi city? On the street there are so many women. He'll walk on the street closing his eyes? This is all rascaldom. They are rascals. They are not devotees. Simply rascals." (Walk conversation 10/30/75) Although I don't agree with it, I respect Mahalaksmi's choice to practice the caste system though do not see why she must continuously single out and debate my articles. There is no sense for this to continue. I humbly suggest she come up with idea's of her own to write about. I wish her well. Hare Krishna. Your Servant, Prtha devi dasi Comment on this Story This story URL: http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9902/ET24-3149.html
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