Verse: Srimad-Bhagavatam 3.32.37
Speaker: HH Bhakti Raghava Swami
_______________________________
prāvocaḿ bhakti-yogasya
svarūpaḿ te catur-vidham
kālasya cāvyakta-gater
yo 'ntardhāvati jantuṣu
TRANSLATION:My dear mother, I have explained to you the process of devotional service and its identity in four different social divisions. I have explained to you as well how eternal time is chasing the living entities, although it is imperceptible to them.
PURPORT:The process of bhakti-yoga, devotional service, is the main river flowing down towards the sea of the Absolute Truth, and all other processes mentioned are just like tributaries. Lord Kapila is summarizing the importance of the process of devotional service. Bhakti-yoga, as described before, is divided into four divisions, three in the material modes of nature and one in transcendence, which is untinged by the modes of material nature. Devotional service mixed with the modes of material nature is a means for material existence, whereas devotional service without desires for fruitive result and without attempts for empirical philosophical research is pure, transcendental devotional service.[End of Srila Prabhupada's purport
to SB 3.32.38.]
HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: So this morning I was thinking everyone is going on
parikrama. I won't have anyone in class but I am happy to see that we have a
good crowd. There are so many verses in the Bhagavatam and although we may
have read all of them there are many verse we have not read or we may have
read a long time back. When we first read the translation it mentions about
four divisions so I was thinking, "Oh I will get an opportunity to speak
about varnasrama - four divisions. And of course Prabhupada doesn't make any
reference directly to varnasrama but he very nicely and very expertly
explains something very, very essential, very, very important in connection
with dharma, in connection with bhakti-yoga.
We generally think that bhakti-yoga is the nine processes of bhakti yoga
beginning with sravanam upto atma nivedanam, full or complete surrender but
here in the purport very interestingly Srila Prabhupada is in explaining
what is in the verse regarding four divisions divides these four divisions
into two.
The first division he refers to as the three modes of material nature. He is
speaking about bhakti-yoga. Prabhupada is speaking of bhakti-yoga in four
divisions. We generally don't think that way therefore we need somebody like
Srila Prabhupada to help us understand more deeply about bhakti yoga. So the
first level of bhakti yoga that Prabhupada is referring to as he translates
here - "Bhakti-yoga, as described before, is divided into four divisions,
three in the material modes of nature and one in transcendence," In order to
follow the Bhagavatam classes that I have been hearing like all of you I am
always on the lookout for the word varnasrama especially because last year
two of our GBC resolutions were directly highlighting varnasrama, one of
them being as most of you know that whenever there is a Bhagavatam class
given the speaker should make and effort to give maybe ten percent of his
presentation in connection with varnasrama.
So today I would like to mention, announce that the whole class is going to
be in regards to varnasrama to make up for other classes, which did not
mention the word varnasrama. I am just coming out of a four-day seminar.
Yesterday was the last day. We started everyday at ten o'clock and 6.30pm -
twenty-four hours all together of each day four modules. This year for those
who enjoyed the lectureiSo many wonderful things happened in the course here
in Mayapur festival. Really this year I noticed many wonderful things
happened at the same time because many of us are not that types of yogis who
can be simultaneously in two places at the same time so we have to chose
between one and another. And it is difficult to miss the inauguration going
on of the Temple of Understanding. On the same day many classes are going
on.
This is something extremely important. I have taken a few quotations and
notes in connection with the seminar and directly in connection with the
point that Srila Prabhupada is making here. I am asking Sri Sri
Radha-Madhava and Sri Sri Gaura Nitai to kindly help me to try to make some
of these very, very crucial points which are often either not known or
misunderstood or even possibly neglected, some of them in the context of our
lives.
The explanation being given here by Srila Prabhupada is that bhakti-yoga is
divided into two levels. Dharma is also - this we need to understand very
clearly - dharma is meant to be understood, not only understood but also
practiced in two features. Prabhupada is referring directly to this in the
purport. Ones nature is, for those of us, who are here in this material
world and to some degree or other except for very exceptional cases still
connected with the modes of material nature - I won't ask for a show of
hands. All of us Prabhupada explains have come to this material world
because we have been sinful. Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur explains, the
greatest sin that we have all committed is that we have rejected Krishna.
And here we have the material world, a world of illusion - a world of
forgetfulness of Krishna, forgetfulness of two things actually. One is the
higher level of bhakti yoga or the higher level of dharma, which we can very
easily understand as bhagavat-dharma. And also forgetfulness of the other
level of yoga or the other level of yoga, which is called varnasrama dharma.
When we begin to actually analyze this point more closely we need to
understand the following in the very same way that bhakti yoga is highest
definition, highest realm, that of pure bhakti. Krsna-bhakti nitya-siddha.
Nitya-siddha is the eternal perfection of the living entities - to be
engaged in devotional service. So this bhakti, this higher level of yoga,
this higher level of dharma, bhagavat-dharma, no one can be happy unless we
come to that understanding and we begin to practice pure devotional service.
It is as Srila Rupa Goswami and Srila Prabhupada explained 'Nectar of
Devotion' the complete science of devotional service. It is a science given
by Krishna therefore it is also perfect science and without it we cannot be
happy.
What is also important to understand especially for devotees, especially for
practicing devotees of bhakti yoga - and this is a point being made here by
Srila Prabhupada is that there is another dimension of yoga which we cannot
neglect which is actually referred to as varnasrama dharma. In the same way
that bhakti yoga which is pure devotional service is a scientific ad
standard process given by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Krishna
Himself. This process of varnasrama dharma is also the most scientific
material arrangement for those of us who are here in the material world. It
is a standard process, which is not meant to be abandoned, which is not
meant to be changed. And when we do abandon it, when we do change it, it
opens the doors to what we see today - total chaos, ugra-karma,
varna-sankara. These things automatically come because we don't follow this
process.
I want to share some important quotations from both Srila Prabhupada, our
foremost leader, founder acarya of our society and also of Srila
Bhaktivinode Thakur, another great personality who spoke, who gave a very
important insight regarding varnasrama dharma in relation to Vaisnavism.
Because sometime the devotees, we have this false notion that we are
Vaisnavas. We don't really need so much this varnasrama. It is a matter of
fact that our devotees often presenting the argument, "You now Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu rejected varnasrama. It is there is the Caitanya-caritamrta in
His conversations with Ramananda Raya. And He also rejected varnasrama when
He was touring South India. He didn't give some much importance to
varnasrama so because in general our devotees to this day within our Iskcon
Society have difficulties. There are a few reasons to have difficulties with
the ideology of varnasrama or even with the term varnasrama.
I had a small realizationi all of us at different times Krishna is very kind
to help us understand. That is the process. Krishna within the heart when he
is satisfied with our humble attempts to try to serve Him, serve the mission
He gives a little bit of realization. My small realization before I quote
some of these verses, very important verses. During the time of Srila
Bhaktivinode Thakur we know how the whole Vaisnava lifestyle and Vaisnava
practice was looked down upon because it was misused. There were so many
sahajyas, so many apa-sampradayas and Bhaktivinode Thakur had to work very,
very hard to actually re-establish in its proper glory what is Vaisnavism.
This is our history.
We learn of how after the disappearance of Narottama dasa Thakur and
Syamananda Pandit - these three great personalities who were pushing forward
Lord Caitanya's movement - after they disappeared actually the whole
movement of Lord Caitanya went into like the dark ages practically. By the
time Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur made his appearance that world was not
accepted properly because of abuse, In a very similar way today the concepts
behind varnasrama are in a very similar way not understood and very often
looked down upon. Of course we should know and I should make this point very
clear the ultimate and highest expression of dharma is bhagavat dharma or
pure bhakti but what we fail to understand is that there is an intimate link
and connection between this process of varnasrama dharma as a means to
achieve this highest level of pure bhakti.
So the point that is being made here in the verse is that not only is bhakti
meant to be performed in the literary stage of paramahamsa, not only is
bhakti meant to be performed - this will help us in the context of Nectar of
Devotion - not only is bhakti meant to be performed at the level of
raganuga-bhakti. Bhakti is also meant to be performed at the level of
sadhana. Isn't it? Sadhana-bhakti, which is mixed devotional service.
Srila Prabhupada has very often spoken about varnasrama and he spoke
especially about daivi-varnasrama. Normally varnasrama meant to be
daivi-varnasrama. Daivi varnasrama means that system of varna and asrama
whereby the individuals are directing all of their activities towards
pleasing Krishna, where the members of each varna and asrama know about
devotional service and are willing to practice devotional service within the
confines of their varnas and asramas. I would like to share with you all
some very interesting quotes from Bhaktivinode Thakur but before I do that
it actually means that bhakti is meant to be performed in these two levels
of dharma - in the stage of bhagavat dharma or pure devotional service to
Krishna and also within the level of varnasrama dharma. That is actually
very directly connected with - this came to mind this morning just before
giving class - it is a very well known verse in the Bhagavatam 2nd canto
chapter two:
akamah sarva-kamo va moksa-kama udara-dhih
tivrena bhakti-yogena yajeta purusam param [SB 2.3.10]
Whatever our activity maybe whether it is still tinged with material
desires, still we should be practicing bhakti yoga. Here is the first
quotation, from Sri Bhaktyaloka written by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur. In
this particular quote Bhaktyaloka confirms that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu did
not reject varnasrama dharma. Actually he is quoting a well-known verse from
the Bhagavatam:
Srimad-Bhagavatam (1.2.8) it is said:
dharmah svanusthitah pumsam visvaksena-kathasu yah
notpadayed yadi ratim srama eva hi kevalam
"The occupational activities a man performs according to his own position
are only so much useless labor if they do not provoke attraction for the
message of the Personality of Godhead." Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur comments:
"From this one should not conclude that Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu has ordered
us to discard varnasrama-dharma. If that would have been the case, then He
would not have instructed all living entities through His pastimes of
completely following the orders of grhastha and sannyasa." [SBL 12:
Sadhu-vrtti] Lord Caitanya Himself took sannyasa as we all know. Prabhupada
in one purport explained that the very fact that Lord Caitanya took sannyasa
means that He accepted varnasrama system because that is part of the
varnasrama system.
This is a very important statement here by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, "As
long as one has a material body the system of varnasrama-dharma must be
followed, but it should remain under the full control and domination of
bhakti. Varnasrama-dharma is like the foundation of one's supreme
occupational duty. When one's supreme occupational duty is matured and one
achieves his goal, then the process is gradually neglected. Again, it is
also abandoned at the time of death." [SBL 12: Sadhu-vrtti] This point we
were mentioning earlier. It is a very important means. Actually Srila Prabhu
mentioned that unless we adopt this system of varnasrama dharma, we would
not be successful in our bhakti.
Although it is subservient, varnasrama dharma being a material system given
by the Lord it is a perfect system, which we need to understand and which we
need to implement as much as possible. Here are further quotes from Srila
Bhaktivinode Thakur, "But a devotee who desires to properly pass his life
still accepts his duties according to varnasrama, as those duties are
favorable to devotional service and counted as part of devotional service.
All these activities are no longer called karma." [SBL 2: Prayasa] All the
activities within the framework of varnasrama when performed in that
consciousness don't incur karma.
Two other short quotes from Bhaktivinode Thakur before we go what Srila
Prabhupada is saying and then we shall try to summarize by bring conclusions
within our context as the Iskcon society. This is from the Sri Caitanya
Siksamrta written by Srila Bhaktivinode Thakur, "With the assistance of
varnasrama dharma, a person should cultivate bhakti. It is also necessary
to follow the rules of varnasrama in the cultivation of bhakti." [Sri
Caitanya Siksamrta, Chapter 3 Part four - Relationship between secondary
rules and primary rules.] This in my last quote, "Though all humans have a
right to practice bhakti, those who follow the regulations of varnasrama
have a much easier time." Those who accept to follow the system of
varnasrama will be able to advance more easily in bhakti.
Srila Prabhupada as we all know made this very important statement - "Unless
in the human society the varnasrama system is introduced, no scheme or
social order, health order or any order, political order, will be
successful." [Room Conversation Vrndavan 18 October 1977] Very strong
statement! There are some other very interesting statements given by Srila
Prabhupada. I will just read them quickly.
"Actually, everyone should be engaged to produce food, but the modern set-up
of civilization is that few people are engaged in producing food, and others
are eating. They are offering... They are artificially getting money."
[Srila Prabhupada - Garden Conversation with Mahadeva's Mother and Jesuit
Priest -- July 25, 1973, London] We need to understand how our Vedic
culture, our way of life as practicing devotees. Vedic culture is primarily,
if you look at history, even if you look at the history of kali yuga and
even of course beyond, is primarily an agrarian based culture. Why is it an
agrarian based culture? Primarily because of it's intimate close and very
essential connection with the land and the cows.
We all know ho modern society is deviating more and more from this standard
way of life. Many of us have not been exposed to that culture, especially
those from the western countries - we do have difficulties in relating to
that. Not to be denied! We have lots of difficulties in understanding
varnasrama. We should however try to understand some basic principles and
concepts, which cannot be changed. If we are true followers of dharma we
cannot accept one part of dharma and neglect the other part f dharma - as we
are actually doing. We need to understand that the more society as is the
present case around the world is becoming more and more urbanized. Most
devotees for example do not know how - I have been sharing this with
devotees - when I first came to India in 1976 at that time the population in
the villages must have been around 90%. Definitely in the higher 80% - the
population of people living in the villages!
Two months ago when I was in Andrapradesh having some discussion with a
pancagraj (?)- Someone who is overseeing the development of over a hundred
villages - so he knows about villages in India. He revealed to me that for
the first time in India the percentage of the population in the villages has
gone below 70% and according to statistics and surveys within ten years it
will come down to 50%. Some of our devotees may say, "Well is that really so
important?" Actually it is very important.
When we abandon this natural way of living as we are doing it is a real
crisis situation. Actually the whole world is in a crisis situation largely
because majority of the people are totally unfamiliar with these two
dimensions of dharma. They don't know about the spiritual dimension of
dharma and also most people do not know about the material dimension of
dharma. And what is very unfortunate is that many of our devotees also don't
realize that material dimension of dharma. When we neglect that material
dimension of dharma - means varnasrama then we should expect difficulties
especially when it has been underlined and stressed so much by the founder
of our society.
A few other small quotes: "Prabhupada: Clever means that he must stay in his
own land. He should not be cheated by the paper9paper money) and go to the
city." [Srila Prabhupada Garden Conversation with Mahadeva's Mother and
Jesuit Priest -- July 25, 1973, London]
"Gandhi's program was very nice, village organize so that they may not come
to the city and help the capitalists. Remain satisfied in the village."
[Srila Prabhupada - Room Conversation (Bullock Cart SKP) -- September 12,
1976, Vrindavana]
"So this Krishna consciousness movement is trying to revive the original,
constitutional position. So one of them, in Krishna consciousness movement,
is village organization, as you are trying here." [VD 32: Philadelphia, July
15, 1976: Evening Lecture at Gita-Nagari Farm] Our original/highest
constitutional position is pure bhakti in the spiritual world. Prabhupada
mentions here, "So one of them, (constitutional position) in Krishna
consciousness movement, is village organization," In different ways in
different places Prabhupada was trying to come back to the same point - our
constitution, the natural way that the majority of the people should live in
is in that more simplified way. He often quotes simple living high thinking
but we fail o understand the deep meaning of what that actually means.
The last quotation, "India's civilization was based on village residence.
They would live very peacefully in the villages." [Srila Prabhupada Morning
Walk -- Durban, October 13, 1975 (New-2003)] In addition to being a very
large topic I can't reverse the topic I know. Having met and spoken to
various devotees the point I am trying to make although it may be
controversial and although we may not have so much of attraction. The point
I was trying to make earlier I did not finalize explaining how Bhaktivinode
Thakur before his time Vaisnavism was looked down upon but by his efforts,
he worked very, very hard and gave it the glory that it has. Varnasrama we
need to work towards changing our own attitudes towards varnasrama. Unless
one follows the various rules and regulations etc. within the varnasrama one
is not considered a human being.
So one or two small points before closing here and taking questions. This is
something I didn't even touch upon but devotees should know that Srila
Prabhupada has given a very clear vision. Prabhupada has written down his
vision in a very clear manner identifying four areas. I will just mention
them. I gave a class on that maybe last year or the year before. I consider
this as like very, very essential to know and to understand that Prabhupada
clearly applied his vision to spread the movement of Lord Caitanya
Mahaprabhu in four ways:
1. He referred to the holy name and books - the sankirtan movement.
These are the words used by Srila Prabhupada himself, 'the sankirtan
movement.'
2. The second he called deity worship movement - establishing temples
with deities
3. He called spiritual initiation movement, which means basically
various congregations within our Iskcon Society - nama hatta programs,
bhakti-vrksa, youth meetings.
4. Prabhupada coined as pastoral society. He was referring to
varnasrama.
The first three are primarily within the framework of brahminical activities
and to a large extent what our society is still largely focused upon, which
is very nice and very much needed in our city temples. When we start looking
at varnasrama it takes us to a different dimension and if we are not able to
accommodate these four dimensions our four movements given by Srila
Prabhupada or identified by Srila Prabhupada we will not succeed either
individually or as a society to fulfill Srila Prabhupada's desire. This may
sound like a heavy statement. It is a heavy statement actually but it is not
mine it is Prabhupada's. It is Prabhupada's direct statement as I quoted
directly from Srila Prabhupada, that unless we understand and begin to see
the positive light many of the advantages - it is a very big challenge
actually for all of us, Krishna consciousness in itself is a challenge. It
is a big challenge to get out of this material world, not an easy task but
we must meet that challenge.
I was actually going to quote what I already quoted Srila Prabhupada's
strong statement that unless this is introduced in the society not only
within the society at large but within our own devotee society or our own
devotee community then things will not come out as they are meant to come
out. So I will stop here actually. I don't want to go over the time - after
nine o'clock. There is a few minutes left for some comment or question
regarding this.
HH : iDuring the class you made the point that 10% of every class should be
centered around varnasrama, I wanted to get some clarification on this for
sincere persons, also it is written in his purport i.
HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Good point. I will just repeat it. This was a
resolution passed by the GBC whereby they encouraged the speakers to give
10% or ten minutes. Maharaj mentioned sometimes we are dealing with a theme,
which would make it artificial for us to make the connection with
varnasrama. So how strictly are we meant to follow this request?
Well we should make an effort because actually there are many references or
many opportunities, which are there. Some people may read today's verse and
not even think of varnasrama but to me it is like very obvious that we have
to speak about varnasrama here and that is not the only thing we should
speak abouti..
Question: Are you a member of the GBC?
HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Yes I am a member of the GBC. I was waiting for
that to come!
Question: ithe aggregate total of preaching in other words not in every
classiit is meant to beinot artificially ten percent.
HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Thank you.
Question: In relation to i.
HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: If I understand your question correctly it is that
people may consider that this system of varnasrama is bringing India down.
Equality is how we should progress.
Well lets look around and see what kind of progress. India and other
countries are following the policy and the ideology of equal rights for
everyone and freedom for all which is being propagated - the American way of
life, the American dream which is a happy life but if we analyze what is
taking place where individuals and society as a whole, all kinds of social
problems are there. In all fields, in all spheres there are serious
dilemmas, serious problems and it all boils down to the way we are living,
the way we are abusing mother nature - it is in a very critical condition.
Unless one is able to begin accepting some spiritual knowledge, some
spiritual guidance then one will have these kinds of mayayapahrta-jnana. All
these leaders in different countries they are all materially intelligent but
devoid of proper insight as o how we should be organizing society and what
is the real happiness. Material way of life and material leadership is that
people will be happy. We can have a nice material situation. But even
someone who is beginning Krishna consciousness will understand that we
cannot be happy in that way. We can only if we understand that we are not
this body and if we take up the practice of spiritual life or Krishna
consciousness. Real happiness is the domain of the spirit soul. The material
world is already stamped and certified that it is dukhalayam asasvatam and
we can see that. Whatever happiness there is very meager.
So due to lack of understanding this knowledge it means preaching on our
part in different ways to bring about the necessary change. Prabhupada
mentions we need to bring about a complete overhaul in society. That is
another heavy statement. So through education, through training ourselves
and othersi. Prabhupada wanted to meet Indira Gandhi to recommend that the
leaders should attend Bhagavatam class so that they can be proper leaders,
rajarsi.
Question: Maharaj I just had a few thoughts on ho we can i Yesterday we were
coming back from the goshala area and I saw one of the workers in the fields
cutting the grass and chanting Hare Krishna very loudly and I noticed many
devotees were walking on that path, the kirtan was so nice that most people
were looking. I used to work outside and I found that most of the workers in
companies and factories they imind that they cannot chant.
HH Bhakti Raghava Swami: Yes. Good point. So our time is up. If anyone has
any other question you can ask me after class.
Srila Prabhupada ki,jai! Gaura-bhakti-vrnda ki, jai!
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