Author : HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami E-Mail : Bhakti.Raghava.Swami@pamho.net Date Produced : September 2013 Serial No. : 33 of 54

2. Author : HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami
E-Mail : Bhakti.Raghava.Swami@pamho.net
Date Produced : September 2013
Serial No. : 33 of 54
VARNASRAMA
COLLEGE
Curriculum Design

3. Head Office
Sri Dham Mayapur
Cakra Bldg – Room No. 137

4. CURRICULUM DESIGN
“In human society, therefore, the brahminical
culture, ksatriya culture and vaisya culture must be
maintained and people should be taught how to be
satisfied with only what they need”. SB 8.19.21

5. 
“Therefore, the India RGB hereby establishes the Varnasrama-
based Rural Development Ministry with the following mandate:
1. To encourage the establishment in India of models of
Krishna-conscious rural communities (villages):
a. to demonstrate in a practical way how the principles of varnas
(aptitude based occupations) and asramas (phased lifelong
spiritual emancipation) are universal and standard principles
meant to be implemented.
b. To demonstrate the principles of self-sufficiency, sustainability,
and localized economy based on proper utilization of land and
cow protection.
IDVM-India
MANDATE

6. 
2. To encourage, wherever possible in India,
varnasrama-based rural development centered on the
land, cows, and Krishna.
3. In order to accomplish the above, to establish training
programs, publish resource materials, organize
conferences and seminars, establish libraries and
resource centers, etc.
IDVM-India
MANDATE

7. 
1. Srila Prabhupada Uvaca
2. Two Sva-Dharmas
3. ISKCON’s Four Movements
4. Primary and Secondary Goals
5. Agrarian vs. Urban Based Culture
6. Why Traditional Education is Needed
7. Varnasrama Education and The Five Pillars of Education
8. The Four Vidyas in Traditional Education
9. Cities as “Preaching Basis”
10. Curriculum for Cities
11. Villages as “Living Basis”
12. Curriculum for Villages
13. Practical Application
14. Contacts
OVERVIEW

8. 
“This town life, industrial life, factory life, is asuric
[demoniac] life. It is killing human ambition. It is killing
civilization.” Evening Lecture, Gita Nagari, July 15, 1976.
“And to save this human civilization, these two classes are
required very urgently. So you American boys and girls, you
are intelligent, you have got all facilities. At least in your
country, create these two classes, brahmana and ksatriya.
The world will be saved, and you will be saved, and Krsna
will be pleased.” Conversation, LA, August 17, 1972
1. Srila Prabhupada Uvaca

9. 
“The varnasrama college has to be established immediately.
Everywhere, wherever we have got our center, a varnasrama
college should be established to train four divisions: one
class, brahmana; one class, ksatriya; one class, vaisya; and
one class, sudra.” [March 12, 1974, Vrindavana, Morning
Walk]
“Unless in the human society the varnasrama system is
introduced, no scheme or social order, health order or any
order, political order, will be successful”. [Room
Conversation, October 18, 1977, Vrindavan]
1. Srila Prabhupada Uvaca

10. 
The Material Norm: Varnasrama Dharma
“On the bodily plane sva-dharma is called varnasrama-dharma, or
man's steppingstone for spiritual understanding. Human
civilization begins from the stage of varnasrama-dharma.” Bg 2.31
The Spiritual Norm: Bhagavat Dharma
“So, and real sva-dharma is spiritual sva-dharma….And what is
the occupation of that sva-dharma?... Jivera svarupa haya nitya-
krsna-das…that is spiritual sva-dharma.” Bg 2.31, Lecture,
September 1, 1973, London
2. Two Sva-Dharmas

11. 
From Essay on Gita Nagari, 1956
1. Sankirtan Movement Spiritual Sva-Dharma
2. Temple Worship Movement Spiritual Sva-Dharma
3. Spiritual Initiation Movement Spiritual Sva-Dharma
4. Classless Society Movement Material Sva-Dharma
(Varnasrama Movement)
“Spiritual existence of devotional activities and classless society are
two identical terms. The one without the other has no meaning.”
BTG, May 20, 1956
3. ISKCON’S Four Movements

12. 
The primary goal is the spiritual sva-dharma of devotional service to
Krishna and attainment of pure love for Krishna. This is found in the
first three movements introduced by Srila Prabhupada.
The secondary goal is the material sva-dharma, natural social (varna)
and spiritual (asrama) divisions, localized living within an agrarian
based society, with economics focused on natural food production,
cow protection, sustainable occupations and lifestyle, all meant to lend
support and help towards developing the primary goal. This is found
in the fourth movement introduced by Srila Prabhupada, the classless
society or the culture of daiva varnasrama.
The training and education we impart to our children will mold
their future lifestyle. Traditional education is therefore needed to
maintain, protect and nourish our traditional culture.
4. Primary and Secondary Goals

13. 
“Live village life, simple life, and be satisfied with the
bare necessities. There is no need of luxury. And save
time and chant Hare Krishna. This is ideal life. So I am
very pleased that you are doing that, and do it more
nicely so that others may be attracted.”
Evening lecture at Gita-Nagari Farm, July 15, 1976
5. Agrarian Vs. Urban
Based Culture

14. 
”There are two schools of thought current in the world.
One wants to divide the world into cities and the other
into villages. The village civilization and the city
civilization are totally different things. One depends on
machinery and industrialization, and the other on
handicrafts.” M. Gandhi
5. Agrarian Vs. Urban
Based Culture

15. 
Traditional education can best teach the full meaning of material
sva-dharma (daiva varnasrama dharma) and spiritual sva-dharma
(bhagavat dharma – bhakti).
Both varnasrama dharma and bhagavat dharma represent two
standard sciences of sustainable natural systems, one being
material in nature, the other being spiritual in nature.
Srila Prabhupada has given a standing order to introduce the
systems of traditional Gurukulas & Varnasrama Colleges, the
basis for establishing both Varnasrama Culture and Bhagavat
Culture.
6. Why Traditional Education
is Needed

16. 
Varnasrama education refers to the social and
educational system of varna and asrama as a self-
contained educational institution based on the Vedic
teachings which lead individuals and society at large
towards the perfection of life, i. e. individual and social
emancipation. It takes into account the fullness of the
living entity, fulfilling his physical needs, his emotional,
intellectual and social needs, as well as his spiritual
needs.
* Vast majority of students don’t attend formal school!
7.1 VARNASRAMA EDUCATION

17. 
Varna education is based on
“aptitude based learning” which leads to
“aptitude based occupation”.
7.2 VARNA EDUCATION

18. 
Asrama education teaches
“phased lifelong learning”, (the 4 asramas)
from gradual awakening of consciousness to
“self-realization”, culminating in
“Krishna consciousness”.
Varna & Asrama Education are meant to be
the norm and standard in society.
7.3 ASRAMA EDUCATION

19. 
 1. Definition Bhagavad-gita 7.2
 2. Disposition Bhagavad-gita 18.43/4.34
 3. Delivery Boarding/Free Education
 4. Design Curriculum: “Veda” Based/Sruti/Smriti
 5. Direction Bhagavad-gita 18.64 to 66
7.4 The Five Pillars of Education

20. 
From Kautiliya Arthashastra Audience
1. Science of Philosophy All
2. Science of the Vedas Brahmanas
3. Science of Politics Ksatriyas
4. Science of Economics Vaisyas
8. The Four Vidyas of
Traditional Education

21. 
SYLLABUS * Srila Prabhupada’s Four main books (Bhagavad-
gita, Srimad-Bhagavatam, Nectar of Devotion and
Caitanya Caritamrta)
* Books from our Vaisnava Acharyas
FOCUS
1. Sankya Srimad-Bhagavatam
2. Yoga Bhagavad-gita
3. Lokayata Nyaya Sastra, Anviksiki, Tarka Vidya
(Dealing with Logic and Perception)
8.1 Science of Philosophy

22. 
SYLLABUS Caturdasa Vidya (14 books of knowledge)
FOCUS Vedas (4)
Vedangas (6)
* Bhagavad- Mimansa (1)
Gita Nyaya (1)
* Srimad Dharma-sastras (20) (1)
Bhagavatam Puranas (18) (1)
Upavedas (4)
1) Ayur-veda, 2) Gandhharva-veda,
3) Dhanur-veda, 4) Sthapatya-veda
* 64 Arts and Sciences
8.2 Science of the Vedas

23. 
SYLLABUS Kautiliya Arthashastra, Viduraniti
Dhanur-veda, Canakya Niti, etc.
FOCUS
1. Raksha Protection
2. Palana Administration
3. Yogaksema Welfare
8.3 Science of Politics

24. 
SYLLABUS Dharma Sastras
FOCUS
1. Krishi Agriculture
2. Go Raksha Cow Protection
3. Vanijyam Trade Related to Krishi
and Go Raksha
8.4 Science of Economics

25. 
“In Vrndavana and Allahabad, we’ll see Prabhupada explain
the role of city temples as staging grounds for organizing
varnasrama communities. In the first phase, devotees
should go into the cities and attract the people by
establishing temples and distributing Krishna conscious
literatures. Second, as people become devotees, they can be
brought to farm communities where they can live the
Krishna conscious liefstyle described in the books, and
remain fixed up in devotional service practice without the
temptation and material allurement of the cities.”
Introduction to Varnasrama Dharma by Hare Krishna
Dasi.
9. Cities as Preaching Basis

26. 
Preparing Devotees to Preach in the Cities
• All present curriculum provided by existing educational
institutions such as VIHE, MI, ISKCON LEADS, etc.
• Adding Varnasrama Training Course Curriculum
covering the culture for brahmanas, ksatriyas, vaisyas and
sudras as it pertains to an agrarian lifestyle within a rural
setting as well as an urban lifestyle in keeping with Vedic
culture.
10. Curriculum for Cities

27. 
Preparing Devotees to Live in the Villages
* Introduction to curriculum taught in the villages
* Learning skills and crafts to be used in the villages
* Visiting rural projects
* Community gardens in the city (transitional)
* On-going discussions in relation to village life
* Seminars to create awareness
*** How to leave the “Comfort Zone” of City Life…
10. Curriculum for Cities

28. 
“Vrindavan conception is a transcendental village, without
any botheration of the modern industrial atmosphere. My
idea of developing New Vrindavan is to create an
atmosphere of spiritual life where people in bona fide order
of social division, namely, Brahmacaris, Grhasthas,
Vanaprastha, Sannyasis, or specifically Brahmacaris and
Sannyasis, and Vanaprasthas, will live there independently,
completely depending on agricultural produce and milk
from the cows. The life should be simplified without being
hampered by laboring day and night for economic
development, without any spiritual understanding.”
[Letter to Hayagriva, Montreal 17 August, 1968]
11.1 Villages as Living Basis

29. 
 Gandhi was trying to get the Indians back to village. His
philosophy was that these capitalists, they are exploiting
these poor men, so all these poor men, they should go
back to village and be satisfied with the village economy,
not to come out. Actually that's a very nice program….
Gandhi's policy was to make them happy by agriculture
in the village, produce their own clot h, not in the mill but
in charka.
 But as soon as Gandhi died, or he was killed, the whole
program was changed-industrialization and attract the
poor man and let them live in wretched condition of city
life. [Sept 28, 1972, Los Angeles]
11.2 Villages as Living Basis

30. 
Formal Education Gurukula
Varnasrama College
Non-formal Education Vocational Training
Arts and Crafts
Traditional Technologies
Informal Education Cultural programs
*** In a varnasrama society, the vast majority of students will
receive eduation through non-formal and informal education.
Most students therefore need not attend school!
12. Curriculum for Villages

31. 
DESA, KALA, PATRA: Each city temple may discuss and
decide how and when it wishes to introduce Varnasrama
Colleges according to time, place and circumstances.
ISKCON LEADERSHIP: Leaders can help by promoting
the ideals toward establishing a varnasrama culture working
towards a more balanced and harmonized material and
spiritual reality of life.
Devotees in general may visit existing rural projects.
Brahmanas learned in all four vidyas needed to teach.
13. Practical Application

32. 
ISKCON Daiva Varnasrama Ministry (IDVM-India)
IDVM-India Secretariat: Sriman Rama Lakshman das
Ram.Lakshman.BRS@pamho.net
* Website: www.iskconvarnasrama.com
Om Sri Surabhi Campaign: Sriman Sri Rama das
sriramadasa.brs@gmail.com
* Website: www.srisurabhi.org
14. CONTACTS

33. HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami

34. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 Name HH RP Bhakti Raghava Swami
 Age and Gender 70, 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