Varnashrama - The Most Scientific Religious System

2019-02-09
Srimad Bhagavatam 11.17.03-09 - Varnashrama-The Most Scientific Religious System (download mp3)
by Sridama Sakha Prabhu at ISKCON Chowpatty
www.iskcondesiretree.com



SB 11.17.3-4
pura kila maha-baho
 dharmam paramakam prabho
yat tena hamsa-rupena
 brahmane ’bhyattha madhava
sa idanim su-mahata
 kalenamitra-karsana
na prayo bhavita martya-
 loke prag anusasitah

Translation:
My dear Lord, O mighty-armed one, previously in Your form of Lord Hamsa You spoke to Lord Brahma those religious principles that bring supreme happiness to the practitioner. My dear Madhava, now much time has passed, and that which You previously instructed will soon practically cease to exist, O subduer of the enemy.

SB 11.17.5-6
vakta kartavita nanyo
 dharmasyacyuta te bhuvi
sabhayam api vairiñcyam
 yatra murti-dharah kalah
kartravitra pravaktra ca
 bhavata madhusudana
tyakte mahi-tale deva
 vinastam kah pravaksyati

Translation:
My dear Lord Acyuta, there is no speaker, creator and protector of supreme religious principles other than Your Lordship, either on the earth or even in the assembly of Lord Brahma, where the personified Vedas reside. Thus, my dear Lord Madhusudana, when You, who are the very creator, protector and speaker of spiritual knowledge, abandon the earth, who will again speak this lost knowledge?


SB 11.17.7
tat tvam nah sarva-dharma-jña
 dharmas tvad-bhakti-laksanah
yatha yasya vidhiyeta
 tatha varnaya me prabho

Translation:
Therefore, my Lord, since You are the knower of all religious principles, please describe to me the human beings who may execute the path of loving service to You and how such service is to be rendered.

SB 11.17.8
sri-suka uvaca
ittham sva-bhrtya-mukhyena
 prstah sa bhagavan harih
pritah ksemaya martyanam
 dharman aha sanatanan

Translation:
Sri Sukadeva Gosvami said: Sri Uddhava, the best of devotees, thus inquired from the Lord. Hearing his question, the Personality of Godhead, Sri Krsna, was pleased and for the welfare of all conditioned souls spoke those religious principles that are eternal.


SB 11.17.9
sri-bhagavan uvaca
dharmya esa tava prasno
 naihsreyasa-karo nrnam
varnasramacaravatam
 tam uddhava nibodha me

Translation:
The Supreme Personality of Godhead said: My dear Uddhava, your question is faithful to religious principles and thus gives rise to the highest perfection in life, pure devotional service, for both ordinary human beings and the followers of the varnasrama system. Now please learn from Me those supreme religious principles.

Purport:
The word naihsreyasa-kara indicates that which awards the highest perfection of life, Krsna consciousness, which the Lord is explaining to Sri Uddhava. When considering religious principles, ordinary human beings remain bogged down in sectarian mundane considerations. The process that awards the highest perfection of life should be considered the most auspicious for human beings. The varnasrama system is the most scientific presentation of religiosity on the earth, and those who are most perfect in that system come to the point of Krsna consciousness, or dedicating everything for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.

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