Varnasrama-dharma is the steppingstone for man’s spiritual understanding, it provides structure for the spiritual advancement. The varnasarama system allows discharging of ones specific or prescribed duty in his filed of action for the elevation to the higher status of life.
Varnasrama system helps the society divide into four divisions based on modes of material nature and work associated with it.
The combination of varan & ashrama is varanashrama:
• Varana: means which provides for one’s material needs in the uncomplicated way and most harmonious way, these varanas are divisions of Brahmana, kashtiya, vaisya and sudra, each division performs activities according to their modes of nature
• Ashrama: This provides timewise progression in one’s spiritual commitment – Bhramachari, Grihastha, Vanaprasta and Sanyasa
When one strictly flows the system of varanashrama he gradually progresses in his spiritual commitment.
However, Krishna consciousness is transcendental to varanashrama dharama, as stated by Srila Prabhupada in the purport of BG.4.13 “A person in krsna consciousness is even above brahmanas, as he transcends the limited knowledge of impersonal brahman and reaches the knowledge of the supreme personality of Godhead”. As compared to varanashrama system where the person goes through gradual process of performing his prescribed duties to enjoy and suffer the results of one’s actions and to seek elevation in spiritual understanding of knowing supreme brahman. However, krsna conscious gives one the direct understanding of the supreme absolute truth and frees one from the results of good and bad actions and from the bondage of material existence.
Krsna consciousness can easily be applied and well supported in the system of varanashrama, in krsna consciousness the understanding is that everything belongs to Lord Krishna (The supreme absolute truth). Hence varanashrama system supports in spiritually based community, living in harmony with nature.
The very point that krsna consciousness should be applied to the system varanashrama is given very clearly by Srila Prabhupada during his lecture on
(Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.11-12; Los Angeles, May 29, 1972)
“Don’t try to enjoy independently. Just like here, in this temple. Every one of us trying to enjoy life in connection with Krishna. As soon as we are disconnected with Krishna consciousness, this kind of foodstuff or this kind of lving, simple living, will not satisfy you. You’ll be tossed by the waves of material nature”.
In the (Teachings of Queen Kunti – 18; Liberation from Ignorance and Suffering) Srila Prabhupada mentions:
“When everyone is working in the city to produce nuts and bolts, who will produce food grains? Simple living and high thinking is the solution to economic problems. Therefore, the Krishna consciousness movement in engaging devotees in producing their own food and living self-sufficiently so that rascals may see how one can live very peacefully, eat the food grains one has grown oneself, drink milk, and chant Hare Krishna’.
Hence by establishing varanashrama system one can easily solve all the artificially created economic problems and progress in krsna consciousness. It is also our duty of devotees in Hare Krishna Movement to establish varnashrama system, as it was envisioned by His Divine Grace A.C Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada.
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