[Prev][Next][Index]
Caste System and Varnasrama Dharma - varna.txt [5/5]
step-by-step progress in the material world. In the mundane process the
rules of progress are strict and cannot be transgressed. If one wants to
acquire a doctorate at a university, he has to begin form the elementary
school level and gradually work upwards. It is impossible to go directly to
the university without prior schooling. In spiritual life, however, although
there are strict regulations, by the Supreme Lord's grace one can bypass
many intermediary stages and reach the top, or "doctorate" level. One can
attain this divine grace by intimate and constant association with the
Supreme Lord. And such intimate association with the Lord comes about
through confidential exchanges with a pure devotee of the Supreme Lord.
Everyone of us is intimately and eternally related to the Supreme Lord, but
due to the bad influence of maya we have forgotten our relationship with
Him.
The living entities are like sons of the Lord, and as such they are rightful
heirs to the great wealth of their rich father. But because of the reactions
to sins committed in previous lives, they are roaming about without a
home, suffering acute poverty. That the living entities are suffering is
quite clear to all. But they do not know who their wealthy father is or
where they can go to reclaim their valuable inheritance. Without proper
knowledge, they are trying in vain to escape from their poverty while
aimlessly roaming about like poor beggars. They meet many who promise
to help them, but in the end such helpers turn out to be beggars
themselves. A few among these strangers seem rich and prosperous, but
the directions they give do not lead to the father's house, and so the living
entities' poverty knows no end. The wealthy strangers suggest many paths,
such as karma, jnana, or dhyana, but the problem of poverty remains
unsolved. The living entities can escape their poverty only by learning and
practicing the science of devotional service to the Supreme Lord. Caitanya
Mahaprabhu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead and the source of all
incarnations, explained the science of devotional service to Srila Rupa
Gosvami at Prayaga (Allahabad). These instructions are the crest jewel of
teachings for all humanity. In Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 19.151),
the Lord says,
According to their karma, all living entities are wandering
throughtout the entire universe. Some of them are being
elevated to the upper planetary systems, and some are going
down to the lower planetary systems. Out of many millions of
wandering living entities one who is very fortunate gets
an opportunity to associate with a bona fide spiritual master
by the grace of Lord Krsna. By the mercy of both, Lord Krsna
and the spiritual master, such a person receives the seed of
the creeper of devotional service.
By the mercy of the Lord Krsna, this seed of devotion is available in the
Bhagavad-gita. Only one who is able to receive this devotional seed can
understand the purport of the Bhagavad-gita. Otherwise, simply
repeatedly reading the Bhagavad-gita and discussing its teachings will not
produce any results.
In the Bhagavad-gita, Lord Krsna Himself reveals the truth about Himself.
When an ordinary mortal writes an autobiography, he receives many
accolades, but when the Supreme Lord writes about Himself, we
unfortunately do not fully believe in His words. Furthermore, we overlook
the cardinal issues in His writings and quibble over lesser subjects, trying
to magnify them by giving them concocted connotations and meanings.
This practice is streched to such absurdity that the original meaning is lost
and the lopsided conclusions attract only ridicule from readers. In the
Bhagavad-gita Lord Krsna unequivocally declares that He is the Supreme
Absolute Truth and that it is the duty of everyone to render Him loving
devotional service. The Bhagavad-gita was revealed for the sole purpose
of explaining these two principal points. One who understands them is
eligible to begin spiritual life as a neophyte devotee. Sraddha, or faith, is
the first prerequisite in spiritual life and is described as synonymous with
neophyte devotion. Thus Sri Caitanya-caritamrta (Madhya 22.62) says,
By rendering transcendental loving service to Krsna, one
automatically performs all subsidiary activities. This
confident firm faith, favorable to the discharge of
devotional service is called sraddha.
This article and others like it can be found on the Bhakti Yoga home page,
at http://webcom.com/~ara
--*-*-*- Next Section -*-*-*--
