The document discusses concerns related to implementing Varnasrama Dharma. It addresses questions such as how to identify one's Varna, challenges of shifting to a village lifestyle, views on technology, and the need to broaden education for Brahmanas. The conclusion emphasizes that qualified Brahmanas and Kshatriyas protecting villages and cows are essential for reestablishing the Varnasrama system.

2. The Science of Daiva Varnasrama –
Concerns Related to Implementing
Varnasrama Dharma
Author : HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami (ACBSP)
E-mail : Bhakti.Raghava.Swami@pamho.net
Date Produced : 2011
Serial No : 15 of 54

3. Hare Krishna.
The following presentation was prepared based on
Part III of the book
‘ The Science of Daiva Varnasrama ’
Author: RP Bhakti Raghava Swami (ACBSP).

4. Concerns Related to Implementing Varnasrama

5. Hare Krishna.
In the previous presentations we have discussed about Understanding
Varnasrama Dharma and Need of establishing Daiva Varnasrama
Dharma.
In this presentation we will have a discussion on the
Common concerns raised by devotees in Implementing
Varnasrama ….
…. Recap

6. Srila Prabhupäda: There must be regular education. So we are stressing on the
point of education. You educate certain section as brahmana, certain section as
kshatriya, certain section as vaisya. In that education we don't discriminate
because he's coming of a südra family. Take education. Be qualified.
Hari-Sauri: But in our community as it is, we are training up as Vaisnavas...
Srila Prabhupäda: Vaisnav is not so easy. The varnäsrama- dharma should be
established to become a . It is not so easy to become .
Hari-Sauri: No, it's not a cheap thing.
Srila Prabhupäda: Yes. , to become , is not so easy. If to become is so easy,
why so many fall down? It is not easy.
Hari-Sauri: Varnäsrama system is beneficial. Where will we introduce the
varnäsrama system, then?
Srila Prabhupäda: In our society, amongst our members.
[Room conversation in Mayapur, February 14, 1977]

7. Does staying in the farm means foregoing modern
amenities like telephones, mobiles, computers,
electricity, vehicles, etc.?
• We should gradually and eventually do away with them. One day, probably in
the not too distant future, many of these facilities will simply not be there
• the present lifestyle that we are living right now, to use the modern
terminology, is simply not sustainable
o So this more natural lifestyle helps us to actually properly utilize the gifts of
nature and to maintain a proper harmony that is meant to be there. In this way,
human beings can live in a very harmonious way with nature, respecting the
natural arrangement that is there, that has been created by Krishna. In this
way there is much more of a balance
• We live in the age of machines but we should know that we can do without
most of these as we adopt a more simplified lifestyle
o Srila Prabhupäda wanted the members of our ISKCON society to simplify their
lifestyle and also wanted that we gradually replace the modern passionate
urban way of living with a more localized, simplified and rural way of living
where most of the modern gadgets and machines are not needed

8. What should be our views on technology….?
• It is not that technology is a word to be removed from our dictionary. We
should understand what kind of technology
o The Vedic culture is also based on technology – Soft Technology
o Today’s technology is referred to as ‘Hard technology’
• Hard technology requires extracting huge amounts of resources, very often
creating all kinds of ecological imbalances, very often destroying and
polluting nature
• We have increased our so-called necessities. We have created many artificial
necessities. There is a whole propaganda in the world through television,
billboards, newspapers, etc., whereby people are convinced that they need
this thing…they need that thing…they need so many things. But actually,
90%, if not 95%, of the things that are promoted in this way are not actual
essential necessities of life

9. Need to study the village technology
• There is a need to actually study what is called village
technology and our different projects here in India, like Gokul
Dham or Sahyädri Sri Krishna Balaräma Kshetra, are giving
a lot of importance to reviving village technology or what is
called traditional technologies. There are so many reasons that
by using soft technology, which is going to get what we need to
get done, that is sufficient and all around it will be much more
beneficial for everyone concerned

10. How to identify our varnas?
• Srila Prabhupäda has given us some very clear information
regarding this in his work ‘Conceptions of Gitä Nagari’. Actually,
he identifies four areas which can help one understand and
identify the varna in which one is meant to live
o first, astrology, as a means to understand about varna. This was
commonly done
o Secondly, by administering a ‘psychological test’. There are different
tests, either written or oral, whereby one can understand the mentality,
the frame of mind, the natural disposition and inclination of an
individual
o The third method is by mere observation
o And the fourth way is by knowing the family lineage…what gotra one
belongs to, what was the profession of one’s parents, one’s
grandparents

11. Normally, this is done at an early age
• Generally, before the age of 10, the varna of an individual will
have been ascertained by the local brähmanas
• As soon as the varna is known, then one will be guided and
directed towards a particular type of education which will allow
that individual to take up one’s occupation
• We should understand that varna is connected with aptitude-
based learning which will lead one to aptitude-based occupation
in the society. It is very important to know these things and to
begin applying them

12. What are the challenges in shifting to
village lifestyle?
• The whole system is very scientifically arranged that economics are
extremely simplified. Srilä Prabhupäda makes the statement that
everything is actually wonderful about this varnāśrama way of life and
the Vedic culture - everything is very simplified
• Our concepts are ill-defined and that's one of the important reasons
why Srilä Prabhupäda gave so much emphasis and direction
specifically for establishing these communities to his different leaders
in those last few years
• We as devotees, having received training in Krishna consciousness, in
many ways should be the best suited individuals, the best trained
individuals to have this knowledge and also an understanding about
the importance of putting it into practice, to apply the good important
instructions given by the Founder Äcärya of our society

13. How to adapt to a Varnāśrama
community?
• There are different ways in which one can begin to take steps,
what we call “baby steps”; in the beginning, small steps towards
actually one day relocating oneself in a varnäsrama community
and of course one of the ways is to acquire more information
• for example to become part of Varnäsrama Research Teams where
one will associate with like-minded persons who are having wonderful
realizations
• Within our ISKCON society we have been, unfortunately,
somewhat slow in helping making that transition. This is one
area where our ministry will be making some effort to help
individuals and families relocate

14. We are looking for devotees who are
serious about re-locating
• Our ministry does intend to come out with a book on this which will
present what has been there, what is the traditional norm and how it is
that here in India
• Due to legislation introduced changing land ownership maybe some
20/30 years ago, it has brought about major, major changes in how
people were living, working, engaged in society
• In India, we have the Varnäsrama Ministry office. We can actually
communicate with any such interested persons. If one is really
curious, interested, especially somebody who has practically decided
to relocate, we are looking for such kind of people
• For example, at our Sahyädri Sri Krishna Balaräma Kshetra in South
India, we are looking for such householders who are serious about
relocating and we are ready and willing to help them in different ways.

15. One of IDVM objectives ….
• One of the objectives of the ministry is to facilitate that
householders make more easily that kind of transition. It is
possible and it has to be made. We do need to provide more
facilities, possibly even some incentives so that it can happen
more easily. As it stands now, it is extremely difficult for our
householders. We are very open to discuss, on a one to one
basis, and we do hope to come out with some guidelines that
will facilitate our householders as well

16. Who will divide the society?
• This is primarily the role of two very important individuals. It
begins with the brähmanas for presenting the philosophy and
needs kshatriyas for implementation
• We need Gurukulas and Varnasrama colleges for this to happen
o Regarding Varnasrama college – at present the only two
places are Sahyädri Sri Krsna Balaräma Kshetra [SSKBK]
and Mayapur, where they have officially recognized and
established the Mayapur Varnäsrama College, and nowhere
else

17. we need to broaden our curriculum
for brähmanas
• Now we need to especially emphasize and introduce various
curriculums not only for brähmanas but for kshatriyas also.
Secondly, we need to broaden our curriculum
for brähmanas. We should not simply be training individuals as
temple priests. This is what happens in places like
Tirupati Gurukula or other traditional gurukulas. They train
individuals mainly to chant mantras, or for performing yajnas, a
few limited things. Actually, in a gurukula, brähmanas are meant
to do more than just chanting, reciting prayers in the temple, or
doing puja. There are specific occupations which are there
for brähmanas such as becoming an Ayurvedic doctor,
Kaviräja (Äyurveda-sästra), becoming an astrologer, (Jyoti-
sästra), or becoming a teacher for various sciences, etc. We
need to broaden our educational

18. Conclusion
• Varnäsrama is the fourth of the movements spoken about by Srila Prabhupäda,
the fourth wave. We have made a video and a book entitled the fourth wave. As we
mentioned earlier, it is something that will only be understood when some of our
devotees in the cities begin to step out from there because varnäsrama is meant to be
largely introduced and taken up outside the cities. That's something that's missing
right now. We are stuck in a particular paradigm. No wonder, we speak about making
a paradigm shift. brähmanas and kshatriyas will establish that varnäsrama system, but
only when we begin to understand that the varnäsrama system is based on or begins
with cows and land. All Vaisnavas are extremely important, in many ways. But it is
the brähmana Vaisnavas and the kshatriya Vaisnavas who, in terms of organizing
society, will be the main individuals to establish the system of varnäsrama
dharma. And it will not be possible without cows. This is why it is a very critical
situation right now. As a society, ISKCON is much less involved with cow
protection. Some activities are there but they are actually very limited and our
perspective or understanding of cow protection and the need to maintain our villages
is still at a very minimal level. Therefore, in many ways, it is the presence of
qualified brähmanas and qualified kshatriyas that will help to protect our villages and
our cows. We may have all the brähmanas and kshatriyas in the world, but
without cows and villages, the varnäsrama cannot be re-established.

19. Hare Krishna Hare Krishna
Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama
Rama Rama Hare Hare

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

22. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Name HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami
Age and Gender 71, Male
Country/Province of Origin Canada, Ontario
Educational Degree and Year B.A, 1968, M.Ed., 2004
Educational Institution State University of Yogyakarta
Professional Work/Experience Social Worker/Counselor
Affiliation with ISKCON Since 1974
Present Service in ISKCON Minister, IDVM-India