New Varnashrama Book
Posted September 28, 2009
NEW VARNASHRAMA BOOK REVIEWED AND ENDORSED BY HRIDAYANANDA GOSWAMI
"Varnashrama, the Eight Petalled Lotus" is not exactly a push for varnashrama in ISKCON. It is actually based on my great fear that we might, at some point in time, introduce varnashrama in ISKCON, but do it by simply labelling people. Such depersonalization of ISKCON and blanket categorization of individuals is the very antithesis of varnashrama under the same name and dress. The introduction of varnashrama must serve its purpose or it may become a useless shadow of the real thing, a substitution without light.
This book is the vision of varnashrama given by Srila Prabhupada in his instructions and his books. It's purpose is not to focus on details such as of self-sufficiency and specific talents, as others are more qualified than me for that. This book is not about details, important or otherwise, but on essences which must not be lost... Varnashrama is a program of spiritual advancement, tailored to the needs of the individual, in such a way that it preserves what is essential.
Varnashrama's essence is our application of the knowledge of the Gita, Srimad Bhagavatam and Caitanya Caritamrita in the light of self-knowledge, honesty and faith. Specifically, it is varnashrama introduced for the all the right reasons given by Srila Prabhupada, and as a solution to many of our problems. These are problems that we have become so familiar with, that we cease to acknowledge them or discuss them any more, resulting in them becoming endemic. As one progresses through this book, it will become clear that many of these problems are due to varnashrama not being a part of our vaisnava culture.
This book has three parts- the first as an introduction, the second as the theory and the third as practcal applications and challenges. It has been kindly reviewed and endorsed by His Holiness Hridayananda Goswami, despite his tight schedule, and for that I am extremely grateful to him. The review gave me some very valuable suggestions. The endorsement is as follows:
Niscala Devi Dasi has written a fascinating and refreshing book on varnashrama. This is exactly what ISKCON needs: intelligent devotees who are loyal to Srila Prabhupada's mission and teachings, yet original in their practical thinking, and courageous enough to engage ISKCON in relevant, constructive dialogue.
Niscala makes clear that she is not attempting to give all the final answers on Varnashrama and thus preempt dialogue. Rather with unmistakable sincerity, and wit, she seeks to foster dialogue, inviting the reader to agree or disagree, but to care about varnashrama!
ISKCON has a sort of ashrama system, but the varnas remain elusive in this post-modern age. Prabhupada cared very deeply about resurrecting the varna system, especially in rural settings, but one hardly hears nowadays about ISKCON's "back to the land" movement. Hence, it is extremely important for all of us that a thoughtful, articulate, devoted Vaishnavi has produced this important and entertaining book that should get us all thinking more often and more clearly about "the other half" of Srila Prabhupada's mission.
With best wishes for her, and our, success,
Hridayananda das Goswami
As we see in this endorsement, I am not trying to provide all the answers, but to initiate a dialogue, and to that end I am interested to correspond with all who find the book interesting or even objectionable, as the latter can be more enlightening than the former! So I am hoping to start an email forum if someone with technical know-how can help me do it. To "start the ball rolling" I have included an objection of my own.
Objection: Varnashrama doesn't apply to us, as it doesn't matter what devotional service you do- it is all good. Thoughts On The Objection (TOTO): The idea is that, as Srila Prabhupada said, we are elevating devotees artificially to the positions of brahmanas and they are consequently falling down and "becoming ludicrous" or "showbottle" or worse still, falling away and losing all hope. Varnashrama's purpose is to stop that, as its essence is realism, authenticity and truth.
For any society to last, it must be real. It cannot be based around people assuming positions they are not qualified for. Imagine a society where the least educated and most clumsy become brain surgeons, and those who had been through medical school, opting to spend all their time washing floors. The surgeons would not last and the floor washers would feel empty and disillusioned. So while all and any devotional service is good, it must be "favourable" to actually please the soul and the Supersoul. "Favourable" means that it must be without falsity and ambition. Therefore, it is said that as long as one is in the material world, pushed by sex desire which manifests as desire for profit, adoration and distinction, one must engage in varnashrama, as this system curbs material ambitions, material illusion and material dissatisfaction..
It curbs material ambitions to become powerful through rising up and over others, by assuring us that one can be perfect in one's position. It curbs the material illusion of false pride, by having everyone situated honestly, according to their conditioning in the modes. It curbs material dissatisfaction by being a way of life in which everyone is appreciated and interconnected. Replacing the isolation and emptiness of modern mundane life with close ties of interdependency and mutual appreciation, it is satisfying to the soul's need to connect with others in a deep and meaningful way- deep, in that the interaction is based on the knowledge of the soul being part and parcel of God, with all the respect, appreciation and wonder that it affords us- and meaningful, in that social interactions become, then, an external expression of a philosophy that one has internalized.
Please have a look at this book and let's all discuss our thoughts for a brighter future for our spiritual master's mission. It can be ordered by emailing me at niscala_dasi@yahoo.com.au. I have endeavoured to keep editing costs to a minimum- so I hope that minor faults may be overlooked by compassionate saragrahi vaisnavas. The cost is AU$15 per book.