Breaking the Shackles of Kali......

King Yudhishtir, who is also known as dharamraj and was an ideal, one of the strongest, celebrated, and pious kings of the world was afraid of the sins incurred because of the mass killing at the battle of Kurukshetra and wished to purify himself of that sin through yajna. Relatively what would be the fate of the present rulers who are doing, breathing, talking, and living sin every moment?

Foundation of an ideal vedic civilization is laid on the preservation of three pillars of religiosity- brahminical culture, cow protection, and God-consciousness.

Brahminical culture is the defining feature which differentiates human society from animal society. 

Srila Prabhupada in a letter to Rupanuga, Dt. December 7, 1975. Vedic civilization gives protection to all the living creatures, especially the cows, because they render such valuable service to the human society in the shape of milk, without which no one can become healthy and strong. In your country the dog is protected, and the cow is killed. The dog is passing stool and urine in the street, he is considered the best friend of man, and the cow is all pure, stool, urine, and milk, but they are taken to the slaughter house and killed for food. What kind of civilization is this? Therefore we have to preach against all this nonsense.

ahaara-nidra-bhaya-maithunam ca.
samanyam etat pasubhih naranam .
dharmo hi tesam adhiko viseso .
dharmena hina pasubhih samanah . [Hitopadesa]

Eating, sleeping, mating, and defending are activities common to both human beings and animals. It is only the observance of ‘dharma’, following religious principles to become God conscious that makes the difference; lest we are reduced to in Srila Prabhupada’s words just “royal editions of animal.” Krsna, though beyond everything and anything still set the precept by His own example:

namo brahmanya-devaya go-brahmana-hitaya ca
jagat-hitaya krishnaya govindaya namonamah

[Translation: I offer my respectful obeisances to the Supreme Absolute Truth, Krishna, Who is the well-wisher of the cows and the brahmanas as well as the living entities in general. I offer my repeated obeisances to Govinda, who is the resevoir of pleasure for all the senses.]

Krsna, the eternal primeval lord of the Universe who is complete in Himself and who is Sarva karana karanam humbly received His old Brahmin friend, Sudama, and personally chose to wash his feet. One who is always purna, lovingly took care of the cows and took them out to graze every day while growing in Braja. Both brahmanas and cows belong to the same family and are situated in mode of goodness. The brahmanas are qualified to chant the mantras and perform the sacrifices, while the cows provide material for the sacrifice in the form of panchgavya and other product-based preparations. Human prosperity depends on brahminical culture and cow protection [Based on Srila Prabhupada’s purport to SB 1.8.21]. Preservation of brahminical culture and cow protection in absence of God-consciousness is like a beautiful body without a soul- thus completely useless. It is Krsna-centric life which will help a person sustain even the other two. All three of them are intricately interwoven with one another and do not exist in singularity. So, it is king’s or administrator’s duty to help create a conducive atmosphere for vedic civilization to prosper by promoting brahminical culture, cow protection, and God-consciousness. It is king’s duty to protect his ‘praja’, which includes every living being born in his state and not just human beings.  Of the general protection that is extended primary of them are women, old, children, cow, and diseased as they cannot defend themselves. It is his duty to protect the brahminical culture or vedic civilization according to which:

Matrvat para daresu             

Para-dravyesu lostra-vat

Atma-vat sarva-bhutesu

Yah pasyati sa pandita

An intelligent man is he who sees every woman (other than his wife) as his mother, other’s property as a mere pebble, and accords respect to every living entity. This control over baser instincts of man, like sexual desire, greed, and humility is thus important to be a human being and not following the animal culture. How do we cultivate this? Education teaches this. Earlier brahmanas and kshatriyas were sent to Gurukulas to develop this and realize their original relationship to God. But now schools have become breeding ground of just the reverse value system. Teachers themselves are fallen, the political leaders or kings themselves are taking to all abominable ways- rakshak has turned to bhakshak. All the five that need to be given main protection are thrown at the mercy of ‘demoniac’ kings. Old or invalid people are just considered as burdens on the society as they are economically unviable and thus a liability to both the government and the family. Cow, which is one of the seven mothers is even legally slaughtered in the country of Vedas. The government itself has allowed and encouraged the policy of opening abattoirs and every day she is killed in lakhs. In the name of feminism, there is only more exploitation. Children too are not left unscathed. According to the latest statistics, about 50 million abortions or foeticides per year are taking place in our so called ‘modern’ or civilized society today. Still if a child is fortunate enough to be safe from being killed inside the womb and takes birth, then he is later sent to schools which are nothing but according to Srila Prabhupada “slaughter houses” of spirituality. Appallingly all this is happening with the sanction of government. According to Vedic civilization, at least three persons in the society need to be above suspicion- “the priest or the spiritual master, who are engaged in teaching people about religiosity, he must be perfect, above suspicion. Similarly, public leader, he must be also above suspicion. A brahmana... Brahmana means priest also. He must be above suspicion. And the king must be above suspicion.” Sri Rama ordered His wife, the pious Sita devi to take the agni pariksha in order to prove her purity not for Him, but for the subjects, to alleviate their suspicion. Srila Prabhupada though was fully satisfied with the services of his secretary, Govind dasi, yet in order to keep himself above suspicion later chose a brahmachari. King Parikshit, like a true kshatriya gave shelter to even Kaliyuga when he supplicated himself at his feet and to upkeep the desire of the Lord. At the same time in order to protect his kingdom from the downfall, “as soon as he heard that Kali, these four principles of Kali has already entered, he immediately took his bows and arrows and..."Who is that rascal, he is drinking? Kill him." That was king. "Kill him, that rascal." So if one is killed because he was drinking, then others will be very careful. That was king's duty. "Anyone who has got illicit sex, kill him. Anyone who is drunkard, kill him. Anyone who is eating meat, kill him. No other consideration. Directly kill him." Then all these things will stop within a few years. [Ref. VedaBase. Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.16.10 -- Los Angeles, January 7, 1974]. These are the real standards that we have to follow, how far have we departed from them? The government which is supposed to fortify and protect this culture is instrumental in letting it degenerate cannot be trusted. How can a spiritually invalid person lead? - Blind leading a blind the result is only destruction. Real brahmanas are like the brain of a society, they teach the young generation in gurukulas and even advise the king. This is why we need true Brahmins in a country. They will impart education which will restore the Vedic value system in a society and help the leaders imbibe discrimination between ‘right’ and ‘wrong’. The next question comes how to create Brahmins in a country where there has been total delinking from the past and the structure has collapsed? While everything is happening just as prophesied in the scriptures, but still there is hope.

yada hy adharmena tamo-dhiyo nrpa

jivanti tatraisa hi sattvatah kila

dhatte bhagam satyam rtam dayam yaso

bhavaya rupani dadhad yuge yuge [ SB 1.10.25]

[Whenever there are kings and administrators living like animals in the lowest modes of existence, the Lord in His transcendental form manifests His supreme power, the Truth Positive, shows special mercy to the faithful, performs wonderful activities and manifests various transcendental forms as is necessary in different periods and ages.]

Hayagriva dasa: But if the people are basically wicked, … a strong prince is necessary to control them. Srila Prabhupada: Why should the people remain wicked? It is the king’s duty to see that all the citizens become gentlemen…. The educational, social, and religious systems should be so perfect that the people become God conscious. At least a sector of the people, the brahmanas, should be perfect.

The lord mercifully advented Himself in the form of Chaitanya Mahaprabhu and freely distributed the love of the Lord, giving the simple process of cleansing and spiritual evolution- chanting His holy name:

Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare

Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare

Further, by Divine Providence then appeared Srila Prabhupada. He not only spread the Holy name in all the four corners of the world structurally in a phased manner, but also created a society which by making the four regulative principles of no meat-eating, no intoxication, no illicit sex, and no gambling mandatory makes the person free from the attack of Kali and thus prepares real Brahmins for the society. However, foreseeing the impact of this age Srila Prabhupada also expressed his desire to establish daivi-varnasrma and have rural community projects. This would not only offer conducive setting for chanting and purification but also train and produce brahmanas, kshatriyas and other classes of people, letting everybody the necessary training and opportunity to follow their dharma. No wonder, ISKCON has now formally recognized its importance and created a Varnasrama Ministry, solely dedicated for the purpose.

abdhva su-durlabham idam bahu-sambhavante

manusyam artha-dam anityam apiha dhirah

turnam yateta na pated anu-mrtyu yavan

nihsreyasaya visayah khalu sarvatah syat     [SB 11.9.29]

“After many, many births one achieves the rare human form of life, which, although temporary, affords one the opportunity to attain the highest perfection. Thus a sober human being should quickly endeavor for the ultimate perfection of life before his body, which is always subject to death, falls away. After all, sense gratification is available even in the most abominable species of life, whereas Krsna consciousness is possible only for a human being.”

Let us make the most of this opportunity and help set up a model community which the world can follow, not only for their spiritual progress but also for material prosperity, for a devotee is the servant of Lord Govinda, who is served by thousands of Lakshmis.

Lakshmi-sahasra-sata-sambhrama-sevyamanam

Govindam aadi-purusham tam aham bhajami [cf Brahma Samhita]

Hare Krishna! 
                                                                                                   - By Vrndavanlila dd

Animals are also Citizens of a State

A conversation with His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Animals are also Citizens of a State Hayagriva dasa: For Machiavelli, the only sin is not acting for the common good. First, the ruler must protect the citizens from physical harm. Citizens are happy when they obey the laws, follow customs, and pray to God. Srila Prabhupada: If the ruler must first of all protect the citizens from physical harm, how can he advocate animal slaughter? Animals are also subjects because they are born in a country. A citizen is anyone who is born in a state. So how can a ruler discriminate between one type of citizen and another? If he discriminates, he cannot speak of common good. He can only say “man’s good.” According to the common good, animals as well as men are protected. Hayagriva dasa: Machiavelli placed love of country and the common good above everything else. He rarely uses the word “God” or “Providence,” but prefers the word “fortune.” It is fortune that plays tricks on men and changes friends into enemies.  Srila Prabhupada: If God is fortune, who is misfortune? Since God is the supreme controller, He is both fortune and misfortune. When you act wrongly, punishment comes from God, and when you act properly, the reward come from God.

Vedic Arts and Technology

-- HH Bhakti Raghava Swami

Srila Prabhupada on Technology

Srila Prabhupada speaks of the simple technology which existed prior to modern industrialization. From a very young age, young children would naturally and easily learn the trade of their father or elders. This kind of easy technology is called silpa-karma in the Vedic scriptures and does not require for one to attend formal school. Actually, when technology remains simple, the learning process is also not difficult. The following exchange took place on July 14, 1977 in Vrindavana, India.

Prabhupäda: In India the caste system was very good. From the very beginning the children would learn the technology of their paternal. Just like potter. You'll see the children of the potter, they are also making a small bird, a small fruit, and they would be sold. A small playing utensils-small glass, small plate—they're also sold. Other children would purchase. The whole family used to earn something. Nowadays they're sent to school, wasting time, and then unemployment and idle brain. What is the use of sending a potter's son to school?

Tamäla Kåñëa: No, everything he needs to know, he can learn at home.

Prabhupäda: That's what I... Similarly, weaver, that cloth weaving, "kat, kat." The wife is spinning, her husband is weaving, the children is weaving, and combinedly  at the end of the day there is a cloth. And people were satisfied with simple necessities. They would not charge very much for the labor. And one nice cloth requires half a pound cotton. Half a pound cotton means maybe one rupee. Another one rupee for the labor. So now they are paying twenty to thirty rupees. Unnecessarily he has to earn this money and pay to the millionaires, and he will keep three dozen motorcars, so another man will be engaged in motorcar industry. In this way time is being wasted without any search after spiritual realization. Time is wasted in such so-called technology advancement. And the real purpose of life, jévasya tattva-jijïäsä, that is missing. And when you present that "This is the most important business of life," they say, "It is brainwashing." And they fight to check us, Communists and others, that "It is useless, God consciousness." [break] (long pause) So... Jäniyä çuniyä biña khäinu. Because they are missing the aim of life, they are committing suicide. And this varëäçrama-dharma was planned in such a way that everyone would be spiritually advanced. The weaver will get, the potter will get, the blacksmith will get, the brähmaëa is already there, kñatriya will get—everyone.

What is Vedic Technology?

Before defining “Vedic Technology”, let us first understand the word “technology”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines technology as “(the study and knowledge of) the practical, especially industrial, use of scientific discoveries”. The Concise Oxford Dictionary defines technology as the “(science of) practical or industrial art”. The same dictionary refers to the Greek root word “tekhnikos” as “art”.  We can thus understand technology as the way of doing something which yields practical results. The definitions above indicate there should be a certain “art”, “expertise”, “know-how” and “science” attached to the process or activity performed. It is not that before today’s industrialized “development” and “modern” inventions, there was no technology existing in the world. Technology, or the art of doing things intelligently, efficiently and in harmony with nature, in a variety of fields, has existed since a long time. Factually, technology can be traced to many of the ancient civilizations known to mankind, in particular to the oldest recorded of such civilization, the Vedic culture. Vedic technology, as we will come to understand, is that technology which has remained simplified and easily practiced without causing any ill effects to individuals or to the environment in which it has been practiced or applied. In the context of agriculture, for example, the simple process of ploughing the land has traditionally been done using the power of the oxen as opposed to our modern system of machines such as tractors. Tilling the land requires some kind of technology. In so many spheres of life, some technology is required. Vedic technology is that technology or know-how or art which has been the least expensive and the least harmful to both the user and his environment.

We would like to present an extract from an overview presented by editors of the website, Indian History of Science and Technology (The authors share some interesting information in relation to technology).

Overview

It is now recognized that western criteria are not the sole benchmark by which other cultural knowledge should be evaluated. While the term 'traditional' sometimes carries the connotation of 'pre-modern' in the sense of 'primitive' or 'outdated', many of the traditional sciences and technologies were in fact quite advanced even by western standards as well as better adapted to unique local conditions and needs than their later 'modern' substitutes. In countries with ancient cultural traditions, the folk and elite sciences were taken as part of the same unified legacy, without any hegemonic categorizations. However, modernization has homogenized various solutions, and this loss of ideas is similar to the destruction of biodiversity. Colonizers systematically derogated, exterminated or undermined the local traditional science, technology and crafts of the lands and people they plundered, because of their intellectual arrogance, and also to control and appropriate the economic means of production and the social means of organization. Modern societies created hegemonic categories of science verses magic, technology verses superstitions etc., which were arbitrary and contrived. But many anthropologists who have recently worked with so-called 'primitive' peoples have been surprised to learn of some of their highly evolved and sophisticated technologies. The term 'Traditional Knowledge System' was thus coined by anthropologists as a scientific system which has its own validity, in contradistinction to 'modern' science. (http://www.indianscience.org)

Soft-Technology as Ego-Friendly and Eco-Friendly

Today’s world of advanced technology has created an artificial, unstable and ever changing work force whereby one must continuously take up specialized training in order to meet the demands of a growing industrialized and technological society. Whereas previously one would generally learn a trade and maintain that one particular occupation throughout one’s entire life, today’s “modernized” world forces ordinary workers to learn new skills, many of which are sophisticated and time consuming to master and which often become obsolete within a few years, thus forcing that same individual to again learn yet another skill which will often end with the same result. To become an ordinary farmer in today’s world, one must study for many years at college and university, learning to operate all types of machinery based on computerized and high-level technologies, and only then will one become equipped to perform his task of farming.  

The Vedic way of life is based on a much more simplified system of “soft-technology” which is simultaneously both ego-friendly and eco-friendly. Ego-friendly means that the apprenticeship and performance of traditional skills are both pleasing and satisfying to the individual. One learns in a natural environment and with a person who generally enjoys his work and has practical experience. One does not face the kind of dangers modern machineries threaten the worker with all the time. The more traditional skills are also eco-friendly in that they do not cause harmful and destructive effects to the environment. The ox will only add opulence to the soil by emitting his urine and dung whereas the tractor kills the soil with its oil and petrol dripping on the land, not to speak of its spoiling the top soil with its heavy weight.

Both Gandhi and Economist E.V. Schumacher advocated the use of small-scale technology which centers on using both local manpower and local resources without causing damage to the environment. Such soft-energy technology is based on renewable energy and thus ideal for promoting and realizing the concept of self-sufficiency. There are many other advocates who support the need for a return to soft-technology and a more simplified way of life. In this way, Vedic Technology has much to offer our present day society. 

Traditional Education

-- His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami 
Traditional education is practically a thing of the past, something most of us have never even seen, what to speak of having lived or experienced such a life-style. We are generally totally ignorant of what itmay be or what it might have been. Whatever little we have heard about traditional education has often left us with negative impressions and reservations about it, as we were likely exposed to the so called short-comings and even "backwardness" of such an educational system. 
In the university where I took up my post-graduate studies in education just a few years ago, the traditional gurukula system found in India and the traditional pondok pesantren system found in Indonesia were classified under "non-formal" education. The specific term used to describe the course in the Indonesian language was  Pendidikan Luar Sekolah - PLS", which literally translates as "Education Outside of 
School".  The irony is that, traditionally speaking, what is classified today as "Education Outside of School" (non-formal education) was previously the "only" education taught in school settings such as gurukula or pondok pesantren and that was considered then as "formal education". All other education was "outside of school" through the equivalent of what we call today "vocational training" and "apprenticeship" (non-formal education). We have basically done a full somersault here, accepting today what is non-formal education as formal and what is formal education as non-formal. Today's science and technology promote studies and research which deal primarily with advancement of vocational trades (computer and other machine oriented technology), and give less importance to the academic fields of philosophy and humanities. How has this come about and what kind of results can we expect? A good part of the answer lies in the following statemen- "The effects of the Sophists on education necessarily make one wonder whether it is wise to entrust education to the technicians rather than the philosophers." (Pratt, 1980: 18) 
We have indeed allowed the policies of education to be influenced and dictated by the interests of political leaders, powerful industrial magnets, technocrats and scientists, all of whom tend to lack in wisdom and depth. Due to a primarily materialistic training, such "leaders" are either prone to personal motivation, allured to ever increasing profits, lacking in philosophical insights or short-sighted by nature. The root of the problem in education lies in not knowing or not understanding the basic principles which are meant to govern any and all educational pursuits, beginning with the very definition and purpose of knowledge and education. Put simply and plainly, when education is used primarily to promote materialistic pursuits and ambitions, there must be shortcoming and failures because the very meaning and purpose of education are not understood or followed. In the name of so-called education only, teachers and students are simply playing a costly game. 
How we live and where we live also help shape our education. As mentioned in the Preface to VARNASRAMA EDUCATION, unless we understand the essence of what education is and the basics of what makes for an ideal society (varnasrama), any attempt to develop effective and meaningful educational systems will fail. It is of crucial and paramount importance to understand the intimate working relationships between education and society, not only in the early years of one's formation, but indeed throughout one's entire life. The ancient Vedic system of varnasrama dharma is the most ideal, most scientific and most fulfilling educational institution which can help make one vastly learned, well organized, productive and highly skilled, and above all, cultured and wise. 
[Source: From author’s ‘Preface’ to Traditional Education.]

Trapped in the Education "Cell"

- HG Rasamandal Das


Over the past century or so we have seen tremendous information explosion and the scientists in every field have been able to scale newer heights in their pursuits. As more and more research initiatives are underway we see celebrations in the scientific community. The present-day research is getting closer and closer to the smallest unit of creation but at the same time losing what we call the “common-sense” understanding on the subject matter. 


Let us take agriculture for instance. Decades ago, the farmer used to be the center of knowledge with regard to his land, soil condition, seeds, weather, growing season, harvesting, pest control, etc. He was all in all and though may not be possessing any qualification according to the present day standards, he was well-equipped for his requirements. He could manage his activity of cultivation based on the knowledge handed over to him from his family environment and confirmed by practical experience. He had the knowledge of weather condition and took advantage of it for sowing seeds and managing irrigation based on moisture condition. He had knowledge when to look for pests and what care to be taken in case of pest incidence. He had full knowledge of the predators in nature and also the available protective mechanism in nature which would not require much external interference. He knew that the yield of crops was dependent on the condition of the soil and he could see a relationship with all the entities in the nature. This means he had a holistic knowledge of what is required in his field of activity. Contrast this with the present day agricultural sciences. Over the decades we have created so many “specialists” and we are adding more and more to the list. We have the breeders, soil scientists, entomologists, pathologists, nematologist, germplasm experts, biochemists, nutritional scientist and of course the sterile laboratories. Each of them are becoming so specialized in their field that they do not understand the relationship that exists between one specialization and the other specialization.  It is like the cardiologist, who specializes in his field but does not know what consequences his prescription drugs will have on the lungs, liver or other parts of the body. First it was the anti-biotics and now it is pro-biotics. So the modern education with “specialization” is confining us into narrower and narrower bandwidth of knowledge. Somewhere in the 60’s and 70’s we had the breeders in focus who with some advances in breeding technology established that breeding holds the key to improving crop yields. So they introduced hybrid seeds and with that came the need for use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides. The debate is still on the extent of damage the “green revolution” has caused to the environment in the most exploited northern states of India. With further advances in biotechnology, genetics, molecular biology, the emphasis is on genetically engineered seeds. It is argued that this is the only way that the growing population could be fed in the coming decades. The GM seeds have only thrown open more issues than it seeks to address. As is evident, in the absence of holistic knowledge the implications of introducing such a technology are not known unless its damages manifest at some point of time. A common-sense understanding is enough to establish that chemicals in the direct food chain will cause irreparable damage to health and progeny in the coming decades. From these advances in the knowledge what is imperative is that these are based on the exploitative nature of human nature and become more pronounced due to the influence of “kali”.  The move now is towards mechanization or factory farming of food with control vesting with a few corporations or individuals. Meanwhile, the Varnasrama setup is non-exploitative in nature because everything is dovetailed with the design of the Supreme Lord. The farmer tends to understand his relationship with nature and is dependent on it for his needs and he is confident that all his needs will be fulfilled. Because he understands that he is part of the “living nature”, he develops an understanding and respect for it which is lacking now. 

A conversation with His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada Disciple: Srila Prabhupada, the universities nowadays don’t teach any courses in the nature of the soul. Srila Prabhupada: Therefore, the young person says, “What is the wrong if I become a dog?” Because there is no education. He does not know the difference between the dog and the human being. Therefore, he says, “What is the wrong if I become a dog? I will get more facility for sex without any criminal charges.” This is the advancement of education. Dr. Mize: How does the mind, then, come to know that there is a soul? Srila Prabhupada: You have to be educated.  How are these people, my students, convinced about the soul? They have been educated by knowledge and by practice. Everything has to be learned by being properly educated. And therefore, the Vedic injunction is tad- vijnanartham—”In order to know that science”—sa gurum evabhigacchet—”you must go to a guru, a teacher.” So the answer is that you must go to the teacher who can teach you how the soul is there.

What Will Their Education Do?

We must develop our Krishna Consciousness school … to be the model for education in all the world, and let anyone W e see our Krishna Consciousness children and they will immediately understand the importance and necessity for such education amongst the citizens at large. Otherwise, the children of your country and other countries, they are simply growing up to be sophisticated animals, so what good will their education do? But if they will agree to try to understand our Krishna Consciousness education or way of life and allow their children to be educated by us, they will see them come out as the topmost citizens with all good qualities such as honesty, cleanliness, truthfulness, loyalty, etc. So that is a very important work and you are especially responsible to make it successful. All other GBC men should give you all assistance for building up the standard there. 

[Srila Prabhupada in his letter to Satsvarupa - Los Angeles 1 July, 1972.]

The Sacred Oath: Protect Our Sacred Mothers - The Cow and the Earth

- His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami
Om Surabhyai namah! Om Sri Gurave namah!
The recently launched Visva Mangala Gou Gram Yatra in Kurukshetra on September 30, 2009, heralds the momentous 108- day historical sacred pilgrimage around India to save our cows, to save our villages, and to save mother earth herself. With the continuous ten-minute shankhnad (blowing of the conch) by world
renowned shankhwadak Shri Shavantha, this unprecedented event is a tribute as well as a pledge on the part of the organizers and the participants to bring about not only a revival but indeed a complete overhaul against the present misdirected policies of modern leaders towards restoration of the natural traditional village lifestyle upon which the protection of cows and the land is only made possible and for which a total ban on cow slaughter in India and around the word is an absolute must.
Many prominent dignitaries and saints representing different religions organizations from around India
gathered at the historical site of Kurukshetra where Lord Krishna officially delivered the perennial
teachings of the Bhagavad-gita 5000 years ago before embarking in what the Founder-Acarya of ISKCON, Srila Prabhupada, referred to as the first World War in Kali Yuga. 
The main inspirational force behind this event is Gokarna Peethadhishwar Shankaracharya Shri  Raghaveshwar Bharati Swamiji who had successfully sponsored the national Go-Sammelon two years ago at his Ramachandrapur Mutt in South Karnataka where he safely preserves the only remaining 33 species of indigenous cows in India. He appealed to the countrymen to protect the cow and the villages: “The Gou Gram Yatra is an attempt to create an army of dedicated people who can fight against the atrocities on the cow. In real sense, the First World War was fought for mother Sita. The second World War was fought for Draupadi and the mother earth and the third World War will be fought for the cow”.
Also present for the grand opening was the head of the Madhava Sampradaya Saint H.H. Pejawar Swami Shri Vishveshteertha who stressed the need to protect four things— Gou(Cow), Gram(Villages), Gita (Bhagavad Gita) and Gayatri (Gayatri Mantra symbolizing Brahminical Culture): “One of the reasons of growing terrorism in the country is that we have tiger as the national animal. The tiger symbolizes ‘terror’, while the cow symbolizes peace and prosperity. Therefore, we must declare the cow the national animal forthwith to restore peace and prosperity in the country.” 
At the end of the auspicious ceremony, all the leaders present took a solemn oath whereby they pledged to restore peace and prosperity in India by protecting our mother cow and by rebuilding the traditional village life. 
The Text of Sacred Oath 
O most worshipable Mother Cow! You are our most affectionate Sacred Mother. You are the wish-fulfilling Kamadhenu who grants everyone’s desires. You are the manifestation of all sacred places of pilgrimage, the support of all living entities and the ocean of all auspiciousness. 
O most revered Mother Cow! You are the purifying Mother Ganga and the Goddess of Sanctity. You are the healer of all diseases, the bestower of good health and the embodiment of Maharshi Dhanvantari. You are the Goddess of Fortune and the provider of nourishing agriculture products. 
O most venerable Mother Cow! Today I take this solemn oath to always remember my Mother India and my ancestors’ noble heritage. With my mind, words and actions, I hereby pledge to always protect, preserve and serve you and all the wonderful gifts of nature such as water, earth, the forests, as well as all living entities and all sacred places of pilgrimages. I will actively strive to ensure that your glory spreads throughout the entire world. 
O most honoured Mother Cow! In order that our villages become holy places of pilgrimage, I will endeavour with my mind, body and soul to protect the ancient wealth and beauty of traditional village life. 
O most beloved Mother Cow! Please bless and empower this humble servant of yours with the necessary ability, strength, and courage to fulfill this solemn oath.
All glories, all glories, all glories to you, o eternally most Sacred Mother Cow!

Organic Farming

- By HG Bharat Chandra Das


India is the richest country. This is so not because of gold or paper moneyreserves, but because of cow dung. Cow dung is pure biomass and a country which possess largest quantity of biomass that country is to be considered as richest. Farming with this manure is natural, organic and self-sufficient. In contrast, chemical farming is unnatural, destructive and unsustainable.
The term organic farming does not give the complete picture of the holisticand self sufficient nature of farming practised traditionally in India. Key ingredients of such a holistic farming were:
1. Water shed management with tanks and bunds.
2. Irrigation through bull-run water lifting devices
3. Goshala (milk and other derived products from cows form ingredient in 
panchagavya, an excellent manure for the fields)
4. Oil extraction system using Oil ghani. Oil cakes are excellent manure
and feed for cows.
5. Sugarcane fields and Jaggery making using ghani (Jaggery is an essential
unit in preparation of jeevamrta)
6. Local pottery for a good seed bank to store the traditional seeds using
herbs.
7. Traditional storage of the harvested grains using herbs and in granaries
(without using chemicals).
8. A joint family system to do the farming.
9. Last but not the least, Lordships Sri Sri Krishna Balaram as the center
of the society.
Since everything cannot be thought of, the modern propagation of organicfarming is piecemeal. Hence, the mission
"Make Vrndavan Villages" approaches the whole subject holistically. Land, cows and Krishna are realwealth. I hope that this issue brings different tenets of such holisticfarming to its readers and inspires them to take up to the mission of "MakeVrndavan Villages".
I congratulate all the devotees to have researched the topic and to have presented in such a lucid manner.
Hare Krishna!

Varnasrama : The Mission Impossible

-- By HH Bhakti Raghava Swami


INTRODUCTION
There use to be a television series in North America called MISSION IMPOSSIBLE. As kids we would watch it religiously and with rapt attention. The introduction in each series centered on describing to the would-be hero (should he choose to accept the impossible assignment) a series of endless complicated scenarios, all filled with what seemed like insurmountable obstacles. The drama would then begin to unfold with our hero performing superhuman feats and manoeuvres, crossing over overbearing hurdles and somehow battling through these intense and challenging situations which all appeared a truly lost cause, very much impossible to overcome... yet every single time, without fail and to everyone’s amazement (and that was our attraction to and the beauty of the series), what appeared initially as an impossible mission would end up becoming very much feasible.
IMPOSSIBLE IS POSSIBLE
In many ways, the present varnasrama mission is like this. To turn the tide from the present global disastrous scenario we find ourselves in is indeed a mission impossible, if taken at face value. The odds for the world leadership becoming responsible Vaisnavas and ruling their citizens based on principle of dharma seem incredibly remote. The chances for people reverting to a more simplified life style, of becoming localized and depending on production from the land, of abandoning the conveniences of tractors and similar modern
machineries but using more traditional and natural technologies all appear like something from a fairy tale. The odds for governments closing down slaughter houses, liquor and brewery stores, lotteries and gambling casinos also seem totally unfathomable. The odds of stopping the ever increasing list of promiscuity and hedonistic behaviour in society appear too incredible. And the likelihood for people to again take up a God conscious way of life based on the four principles of truthfulness, compassion, austerity and cleanliness
also appears unreal. But we, the devotees of Krishna, know better... nothing is impossible.
We must maintain this great hope. The story of that little mother sparrow who had lost her eggs and threatened to ocean to drink her up should serve as a reminder. Seeing such determination on the part of that sparrow, Lord Vishnu’s huge bird carrier, Garuda, had come to the rescue. Where is Garuda now one may ask? We have yet to show the determination of that mother sparrow.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZATION
As often pointed out by Srila Prabhupada, planning and organization remain the two most important aspects, the key factors, for any organization or movement to succeed, besides of course the integrity and purity of its leaders. Planning remains the domain largely of the more intellectual class, the brahmanas, while organization remains largely the domain of the more administrative class, the ksatriyas.
These two classes of men are needed to make things move. They are meant to go hand in hand. At present we lack especially in ksatriya trained manpower. The varnasrama colleges, so much wanted by Srila Prabhupada, are meant to bring about the needed changes to give individuals an opportunity to take up these highly important posts. Simultaneously, we also need to cultivate present existing individuals holding such managerial positions in society although they may not yet be devotees. We need to work from both sides so that our planning and organization becomes balanced and harmonized.
LEADERSHIP AWAKENING
There are many positive signs taking place within ISKCON in this regards and it will help us keep a proper focus by knowing about these. In February this year, the GBC passed two significant resolutions pointing towards acknowledging and supporting the varnasrama mission. These have already been widely published on various devotee sites. Some will surely say it is not enough and they certainly have a point. However, we should see it as something positive.


In April this year, the leadership of India, the India Regional Governing Body (IRGB), formulated a series of resolutions to establish a national ministry for Varnasrama-based Rural Development, thus recognizing its importance and necessity. Those efforts are gradually unfolding.
Later in the month August, the leadership in Malaysia held their National Council meeting where the establishment of a national varnasrama committee was on the agenda. Some encouraging news on this should be available by the next issue of this newsletter.
Looking on the Western side, the Canadian leadership have also slated varnasrama on their agenda for their up-coming national meetings in early October.
Last but not least, later on this year, in mid-November, the leadership of W. Africa plans its annual festival and varnasrama will also be discussed. There are many other developments taking place.
PROMOTING VARNASRAMA RESEARCH TEAMS (VRT)
I was very happy to hear how some of our varnasrama preachers in India, in particular Sriman Bharat Chandra prabhu, National Coordinator for the varnasrama mission, are forging ahead to establish Varnasrama Supporting Teams (VRT). This is a simple yet most effective way to help bring the much needed awareness and thus begin the process of self-education and training as to what the varnasrama mission entails... and it entails a lot. We need to have these set up wherever we detect even a small interest in the varnasrama
mission. We should actually have such units wherever there is an ISKCON center and especially in all large cities even there may not be a center yet.
There will soon be a brochure available which will make it easier for devotees to become involved in this way. Establishing VRT units in different countries will pave the way to consciousness building, thus underlining the urgency for bringing about the varnasrama changes so much needed. Every responsible devotee reading our varnasrama newsletter should make an effort to become somehow or other involved in establishing or participating in such units of VRT. It will be largely be within such gatherings of VRT members that
deeper realizations of varnasrama will become revealed.
PROMOTING NATIONAL VARNASRAMA MINISTRIES
Another yet important level to develop is at the national levels. As the VRT units will provide opportunities to develop local and regional efforts promoting the varnasrama mission, the importance and urgency to establish national ministries for varnasrama will become more obvious. There will be a direct relationship with the establishment of VRT units and the creation of varnasrama ministries in different countries.
Devotees in leadership positions around the world can take advantage of the various information now available to help make this happen. Having such varnasrama ministries established will be like helping manifest the ksatriya aspect of the varnasrama mission.
The more both these elements can work nicely together, the planning of the brahmanas and the administration of the ksatriyas, the more we can begin to effect changes within our own society and society at large.

Tamaso Ma Jyotir Gamaya...

om purnam adah purnam idam
purnat purnam udacyate
purnasya purnam adaya
purnam evavasisyate (- Isopanisad. Invocation)
He is “perfect and complete, and because He is completely perfect, all emanations from Him, such as this phenomenal world, are perfectly equipped as complete wholes.” He has taken care of everybody’s requirement and provided with sufficient resources to meet them. If everybody takes their just share the precarious balance in the nature is perfectly maintained. As a loving father He has taken care of everybody and we are expected to take just our share. He is the only proprietor of everything, but when we guided by our greed and lust overstep our quota the nature representing Krsna’s energy wreaks its vengeance to set it right.
isavasyam idam sarvam
yat kinca jagatyam jagat
tena tyaktena bhunjitha
ma grdhah kasya svid dhanam (- Isopanisad. Mantra1)
[Everything animate or inanimate that is within the universe is controlled and owned by the Lord. One should therefore accept only those things necessary for himself, which are set aside as his quota, and one should not accept other things, knowing well to whom they belong.] 
Every creation big or small is there for a purpose and is helpful in maintaining the precarious balance in nature. Our greed and desire to lord has wreaked havoc and made us face different complications like extinction of species. There are hardly any butterflies and insects to help pollination in the cities. Even in India, out of hundreds of breeds of cows we are now left with just 33 breeds! Global waste – We are living surrounded by rising debris of waste. Even developed countries like UK live in a mountain of waste of over 400 million tonnes, with household waste continuing to grow at a rate of 3 percent per annum. What a stinking economic development! India too is fighting tough to save the sacred rivers like Gangaji, Yamunaji etc from getting choked. No wonder the countries have formed Global Waste Management Symposium to unsuccessfully
fight the battle against nature. Then there is threat of global warming – the glaciers are melting, there is a stark rise in the temperature, ozone layer is depleting slowly; global draught – almost all the continents are living under the threat of severe draught, soil has lost its fertility, rivers have shrunk to a thin ribbon from their old majestic gushing; global starvation – even the countries that used to be the feeding bowl to the world because of their proud agri-based economy have now taken to an industrial structure and in the process from once being proud food supplier to the world have now fallen to the state of depending on others for meeting even their basic requirements. Humanity needs food to live, the civilization of nuts and bolts is meaningless. Global terrorism has reached dangerously critical proportions. Natural calamities are further exacerbating the already grave situation. We have seen tsunami, earth quakes, draught, flood, Katrina, manifestation of unheard of diseases devouring countless lives. There is a threat from outside and even from within. Is it not an indication of the worsening times? Such developments reinforce the fragility and ephemerality of this material world – the grotesqueness of His fury in the face of our disobedience.
The price that we have paid for this economic development has outrun its viability. This plastic civilization is not as strong and as resilient as we were led to believe. Its vulnerability is showing. A hand has no value if it is not connected to the body. Similarly, if man’s actions are not dovetailed to His wishes, our existence is meaningless. We turn atam-hanah- killer of the soul and we have only dark hellish planets waiting for us. After suffering through 84,00,000 bodies, we have got this body. It is the only form that has developed intelligence and consciousness, therefore more responsibility. Cats and dogs do not have responsibility but we have vedic injunctions to guide us and make the most of this precious opportunity of going back to Godhead. Sadly, we are using the same intelligence to further enslave ourselves to the senses. Challenging His authority, the scientists are foolishly trying to prove their supremacy over His creation by introducing genetically modified seeds, cloning of farm animals for consumption, cloud seeding, hybrid seeds, hybrid animals, using chemical fertilizers abandoning the traditional method of farming, or industrialization. This new era of so called “knowledge economy” is fallacious.
Andham tamah pravisanti
Ye ‘vidyam upasate
Tato bhuya iva ate tamo
Ya u vidyayam ratah (- Isopanisad. Mantra9)
"Those who engage in the culture of nescient activities shall enter into the darkest region of ignorance. Worse still are those engaged in the culture of so called knowledge.” We are sitting atop a time bomb, which is bound to explode. And perched there, we are foolishly devising ways of pampering our senses and ego without bothering to solve the basic problem and understand the higher purpose of human life. And we call this age as that of “knowledge explosion.” What an irony!
prayenalpayusah sabhya
kalav asmin yuge janah
mandah sumanda-matayo
manda-bhagya hy upadrutah [SB, 1:1:10]
No wonder, we do not even know what intelligence and happiness is. Absence of misery is happiness for us. Throughout our lives, deluded we chase the elusive happiness without bothering to refer to the scriptures which are treasure-house of all knowledge - “manda-bhagya”.
Economic development has proved to be an Icarian flight for us; the wax wings have now begun melting. Icarus is destined to fall and die. More our wants are, the more complicated our lives are, requiring set up of more industries, more production to meet our needs, more pollution not only of environment but also of consciousness. Attacked by all kinds of miseries, where do we go? Even those who wish to practice bhakti find it difficult, the ambience is demoniac. What do we do? Still we have hope. Merciful Srila Prabhupada
has given us solution for every problem - Simple living and high thinking- simple axiom but holds solution to all our miseries.
This world has lost its glory
Let us write a brand new story now
Let us like an obedient child return to His lap following His instructions in a varnasrama set up, with simple life and utilize our precious time and life in serving Him, His mercy will follow.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare