Varnashrama With a Purpose

2019-02-08
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.01-02 - Varnashrama With a Purpose (download mp3)
by Radha Vallabha Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.com




SB 11.17.1-2
sri-uddhava uvaca
yas tvayabhihitah purvam
 dharmas tvad-bhakti-laksanah
varnasramacaravatam
 sarvesam dvi-padam api
yathanusthiyamanena
 tvayi bhaktir nrnam bhavet
sva-dharmenaravindaksa
 tan mamakhyatum arhasi

Translation:
Sri Uddhava said: My dear Lord, previously You described the principles of devotional service that are to be practiced by followers of the varnasrama system and even ordinary, unregulated human beings. My dear lotus-eyed Lord, now please explain to me how all human beings can achieve loving service unto You by the execution of their prescribed duties.

Purport:
Lord Krsna has already elaborately explained the process of jñana-yoga, bhakti-yoga and astanga-yoga. Now Uddhava inquires how those inclined toward karma-yoga can achieve the perfection of life, Krsna consciousness. In Bhagavad-gita (4.13) Lord Krsna describes that He is personally the creator of the varnasrama system. Catur-varnyam maya srstam guna-karma-vibhagasah. Therefore the ultimate goal of the varnasrama system is to please the Supreme Personality of Godhead. In other words, one should become a devotee of the Lord and learn the process of pure devotional service. The easiest method of achieving pure devotional service is by the association of pure devotees of the Lord. If one submissively and faithfully associates with pure devotees, one can immediately achieve the perfection of life. A Krsna conscious person is not required to execute all the formalities of the varnasrama system, because a Krsna conscious person, absorbed in love of Godhead, automatically gives up all sense gratification and mental speculation. Those human beings who do not follow the varnasrama system are here referred to as dvi-padam, or two-legged. In other words, one who does not follow the religious path of life is known to be human only by the possession of two legs. Even ordinary animals and insects are eagerly engaged in eating, sleeping, mating and defending; the human being, however, is distinguished from such lower forms of life by his capacity to become religious and, ultimately, to love God in pure Krsna consciousness.


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