This document summarizes an article by HG Tejiyas Dasa about becoming aware of and applying the Varnasrama system. It notes that while Srila Prabhupada's teachings centered on Krishna, 90% of his words discussed Varnasrama as the proper setting for devotional service. It argues that Varnasrama should be used as an institution to help people progress in Krishna consciousness in a sane way. Some benefits of traditional Varnasrama life discussed include a meaningful childhood and protection in old age. The document contrasts asuric and daivic conceptions of Varnasrama and economics.

2. Becoming Varnasrama Alert
Author : HG Tejiyas Dasa (ACBSP)
E-mail : tejiyas@gmail.com
Date Produced : November 28, 2003
Serial No : 9 of 54

3. Hare Krishna.
The following presentation was prepared based on
an article written by HG Tejiyas Dasa (ACBSP) in
2003 which was published in a book
‘Make Vrindavana Villages’
by HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami (ACBSP).

4. Becoming Varnasrama Alert

5. If we become Varnasrama alert, or
sensitive, and then examine, or re-
examine Srila Prabhupada writing,
speaking, we will notice that though
everything is Krishna, Krishna, Krishna,
and the center is Krishna, Krishna,
Krishna, inescapable and crystal clear,
90% of his words, and the words of the
Gita and the Bhagavatam, talk about
Varna and Asrama, the setting, so to
speak, of how one applies Krishna
consciousness.
90% of his words talk about
Varnasrama

6. One would be in complete error, that in
any way, to leave out, or diminish, the
process of devotional service, and most
specifically the chanting of the
transcendental sound vibration
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare
BUT BUT BUT …..
It is a complete error to leave out or
diminish the chanting of Hare Krishna

7. …. To do that, for ones own self, in a sane
way, and more so, for a large number of
persons to chant Hare Krishna and make
their primary aim of life to become
Krishna Conscious, we could certainly use
the Varnasrama as the institution.
Sane society : Economic process serves
the social ends, of any kind.
Insane society : Life revolves around a
brutal and harsh necessity of economic
survival.
Varnasrama should be used as an institution
to progress in Krishna Consciousness

8. Varnasrama is the epitome of
traditional life
Life was centered on values, and even the products of such a
society, anywhere in the world and at almost any time of the world,
till about 1950, were of value.
Now life is centered about valueless, temporary acquisitions and
that is about it.
• All of us, through education, through media ( including
newspapers, and magazines ) have been de-sensitized and de-
historicized from the traditional life.

9. Revolutions against industrialization
• In the USA, Ford was speaking
against massive factories, and
massive industrialization, as
was Marx.
• When Horace Mann dictated that his form of education(which
aimed at preparing children to become factory workers and quit
the farms) would be compulsory, the common man rose up in
revolt.
• In England, one Mr. Ludd created a revolutionary force and was
burning factories, to keep the people free

10. Some benefits of that sublime life
• Affords one a delightful, meaningful and rich childhood, in the
association of a large family(one’ entire village) with abundant time
with one’s many parents, friends and, particularly, elderly and
saintly people
• Allows a graceful and anxiety –free continuation of life
• Practically speaking, there is not even a thought about
maintenance, concluding into old age, where one is protected and
maintained as an axiomatic part of existence

11. Daiva - Asuric varnasrama
Asuric :
• Economics dictate to every
facet of life and produce, by its
defects, a social life aimed at
sense gratification
• Involvement in ugra-karma
and thinking process, and
association spun out of the
asuric system, which produces
useless things
Daiva :
• Economics are the servants of
all aspects of life, that
produce, by its support, a
spiritually upwardly,
progressive social life that aims
at freedom from sense
gratification
• One becomes purified by the
background mode of goodness
and Vasudeva sattva that
propels that arrangement

12. Liberation from MAD ECONOMICS
• It is the farms and the farms only that provide the liberating
economics with agricultural products as its main emphasis
• That Agricultural production which is done independently using local
materials with the cows’ and bulls’ cooperation, liberates one from
dependence on the ugra-karma – the system of mad economics.
Unfortunately there are no other ways ; it is
designed by the Supreme Lord himself

13. One must know, understand and
apply Varnasrama
• One can achieve great prosperity by protecting the cows and the
bulls even today
(Note: Srila Prabhupada said that feeding cows grains results ultimately in the
slaughter of Cows. This is the ugra-karma concept of cow exploitation)
• There are many defects in the way we think about varnasrama –
these come from our mis-education from many sectors
• The below 2 aspects inter-relate and a correct understanding of
them is fundamental to being liberated from Asuric – economics.
1) The value of goods
2) The inter-relationship between members of the society based on
Daiva-varnasrama concepts

14. I leave you with these thoughts
– HG Tejiyas Dasa
As Srila Prabhupada quotes from Puranas, the relationship of the
members of Varnasrama, with each other, are just as the body parts.
It is definitional, it is tactic, and it is fundamental; it cannot be
separated out under any conception.
So I leave you with these thoughts.
I hope this finds you in good health and joyful Krishna Consciousness.
- Tejiyas Dasa

15. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

16. ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry
Promoting Rural Development in
India
www.iskconvarnasrama.com
OM Sri Surabhi Campaign
www.srisurabhi.org

17. Tejiyas Dasa, Author

18. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tejiyas Dasa hails from the United States of America. As a young Peace
Corps Worker, he traveled to India serving in the interior villages imbibing the
traditional Vedic lifestyle of ancient India. He soon joined the Hare Krishna
Movement and received initiation in May of 1970. Tejiyas Dasa served many
years in various parts of India, overseeing various major projects such as
Vrindavana and Bhuvanesvara. He also served as the Temple President for
ISKCON Delhi and Regional Secretary for Bihar and Orissa. During his stay
in India, he enjoyed the personal association of Srila Prabhupada who gave
him various instructions on the importance of self sufficiency, what Srila
Prabhupada sometimes referred to as the “Farm Movement”. In the past few
years he has traveled extensively to various farm communities in different
continents. He currently resides in South India doing research and writing.