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EDITORIAL May 3, 1999 VNN3775 See Related VNN Stories Representing Srila Prabhupada BY MAHALAKSMI DASI EDITORIAL, May 3 (VNN) — Dear readers, Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Sri guru and Gauranga, all glories to Srila Prabhupada. I have been meditating for days on something extremely upsetting to me, and that is that I am seeing Srila Prabhupada's words being taken out of context and used to try to justify that varnashrama dharma has no relevance in this day and age. In the "Aham Brahmasmi" newsletter, which has been published here on VNN, we find that M. Prtha has presented a partial quote. The quote is as follows,"The institution of the varnasrama is utilized by selfish men to pose an artificial predominance over the weaker section." The sentence in it's entirety should read, "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." (next sentence) "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." (S. B. 1.2.13) Upon reading Srila Prabhupada's presentation in it's unabbreviated form, would anyone conclude that he is condemning varnashrama dharma? Certainly not. He says, "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." One might, therefore, logically conclude that the less sane class of people have no appreciation for the values of varnashrama dharma. Varnashrama dharma HAS IT's PLACE IN HELPING THE BEGINNERS, WHICH WE ALL ARE, IN COMING TO THE HUMAN PLATFORM SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND SPIRITUAL INSTRUCTION. There is no doubt that M. Prtha has a valiant cause--I cannot say for sure what it is because I see that she is misrepresenting the words of my spiritual master and that makes me furious... but I know that there is the desire to encourage and uplift women. This is praiseworthy... but it must be done properly. Any action taken without the sanction of spiritual authorities, specifically Srila Prabhupada, cannot meet with success. Twisting his words is not taking his authority. All our preaching must be supported by the evidence of the scriptures. If the scriptures seem to contradict themselves, as one might think when we see simultaneous support of, and rejection of, varnashram dharma, then one must approach those who are on the transcendental platform to understand this matter. Without their help, the living entity is bound to come to erroneous conclusions. I pray that I have not offended anyone by this article, I realize that many are feeling genuine encouragement and shelter from M. Prtha's newsletter. I simply pray that the attempts to discourage adherence to varnashrama dharma for those on the neophyte level be discontinued. I also request VNN to be very thoughtful in regards to printing newsletters which misrepresent what Srila Prabhupada is offering the world. falling at the feet of the Vaisnavas, your fallen servant, Mahalaksmi Dasi Dear readers, Please accept my humble obeisances. I was very shocked to see that mother Prtha had purposely quoted only half of a purport by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, in her attempts to disparage the necessity of varnashram Dharma. Below, she, has presented the quote, "the institution of the varnasrama is utilized by selfish men to pose an artificial predominance over the weaker section. (S. B. 1:2:13) The entire quote, begins with, "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 casts and orders of life are meant for smooth social intercourse and high-thinking self-realization and not for any other purpose." I would like to know, mother Prtha, how it is that you managed to only select a singular phrase out of Srila Prabhupada's purport, particularly, you presented to your readers that varnashrama is a means of exploitation, and this is actually a distortion of what Srila Prabhupada is saying? He explicitly says, right there, that THE SANER part of the population, those with good intelligence, know that varnasrama is meant for smooth social intercourse and high-thinking self-realization and not for any other purpose. It is my opinion that, in your continued efforts to discourage the emphasis of anyone being concerned with varnashrama, you are doing an immense disservice to Srila Prabhupada. I pray that you desist from this obnoxious routine, particularly of quoting Srila Prabhupada in a selective way to seemingly say that he is against all consideration of persons adhering to varnashrama dharma. You can only fool those persons who do not read Srila Prabhupada's books regularly, those who read will be totally disgusted with your presentation. In truth, the fallen soul, who honestly admits his frailties, will pray to have to determination to stay in their proper position within varnashrama dharma, rather than trying to proudly claim, "Just see, I am beyond all these designations.". This is not the business of an advanced Vaisnava, rather, he always remains meek and humble and makes no pretense of being beyond all the material designations. Hare Krsna, all glories to Srila Prabhupada, by whose words and efforts so many persons, myself included, who knew nothing of devotional service have come to begin to fathom the deep truths of the Vedic literatures. Recently, there has been much concern about the role of women in the Krsna Consciousness society, and I personally feel that it is a most important concern. However, it is not only an external area of adjustment, I feel that many women need to look into their own hearts and see if they are living up to the ideal which Srila Prabhupada expected of souls inhabiting women's bodies. I am personally very disturbed by the out and out rejection of even the very idea of the implementation of varnashram dharma by certain persons. Whereas it is not the ultimate goal of life, (as we see the gopis, the most exalted servants of the Lord, giving up all consideration of varnashram etiquette by leaving their homes in the dead of night to go and be with Sri Krsna,) it is not to be rejected by those of us who are struggling on the neophyte plane. I humbly present the following purport from the fifth Canto of the Srimad Bhagavatam, written by His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami, and ask the reader to determine what is the motive of those who would say varnashram has no relevance, based on the teachings of Srila Prabhupada. "(S. B. 5:19:19) 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 Lord." In the land of Bharata-varsa, the institution of varnasrama-dharma may be easily adopted. At the present moment, certain demoniac sections of the population of Bharata-varsa are disregarding the system of varnasrama-dharma. Because there is no institution to teach people how to become brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and sudras or brahmacaris, grihastas, 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." Is any elaboration necessary? The words of the Founder Acarya of the Hare Krsna movement, he, not I, has stated that "certain demoniac sections of the population of Bharata-varsa are disregarding the system of varnasrama-dharma.". THIS SYSTEM CANNOT BE IGNORED. Although Vaisnavas are beyond it, they must try their utmost to live within it to set example for humanity at large. All glories to His Divine Grace A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada About the Author | Other Stories by this Author See Related VNN Stories | Comment on this Story | Contact VNN regarding this Story
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