Beyond Egalitarianism: Stick to Your Duty for Krishna
Srila Prabhupada very nicely describes in his purport to Bhagavad-gita 3.35 the importance of sticking to one's own prescribed duty:
"One should therefore discharge his prescribed duties in full Krishna consciousness rather than those prescribed for others. Materially, prescribed duties are duties enjoined according to one's psychophysical condition, under the spell of the modes of material nature. Spiritual duties are as ordered by the spiritual master for the transcendental service of Krishna. But whether material or spiritual, one should stick to his prescribed duties even up to death, rather than imitate another's prescribed duties. Duties on the spiritual platform and duties on the material platform may be different, but the principle of following the authorized direction is always good for the performer. When one is under the spell of the modes of material nature, one should follow the prescribed rules for his particular situation and should not imitate others. For example, a brahmana, who is in the mode of goodness, is nonviolent, whereas a ksatriya, who is in the mode of passion, is allowed to be violent. As such, for a ksatriya it is better to be vanquished following the rules of violence than to imitate a brahmana who follows the principles of nonviolence. Everyone has to cleanse his heart by a gradual process, not abruptly. However, when one transcends the modes of material nature and is fully situated in Krishna consciousness, he can perform anything and everything under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master. In that complete stage of Krishna consciousness, the ksatriya may act as a brahmana, or a brahmana may act as a ksatriya. In the transcendental stage, the distinctions of the material world do not apply. For example, Visvamitra was originally a ksatriya, but later on he acted as a brahmana, whereas Parasurama was a brahmana but later on he acted as a ksatriya. Being transcendentally situated, they could do so; but as long as one is on the material platform, he must perform his duties according to the modes of material nature. At the same time, he must have a full sense of Krishna consciousness."
Nowadays there is a tendency in the name of egalitarianism to ignore the importance of the varnashrama system in which everyone serves Krishna in harmony with their psychophysical natures. This egalitarianism has created havoc in the peaceful functioning of the human society. Therefore the Krishna consciousness movement wants to re-establish varnashrama, the division of work according to one's nature, to bring a peaceful atmosphere to this planet so that people can easily and happily awaken their dormant Krishna consciousness.
Amit Gupta
New Delhi, India
1. Shelter of the bona fide spiritual master
2. Initiation from the bona fide spiritual master
3. Obedience to the bona fide spiritual master
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
"One should therefore discharge his prescribed duties in full Krishna consciousness rather than those prescribed for others. Materially, prescribed duties are duties enjoined according to one's psychophysical condition, under the spell of the modes of material nature. Spiritual duties are as ordered by the spiritual master for the transcendental service of Krishna. But whether material or spiritual, one should stick to his prescribed duties even up to death, rather than imitate another's prescribed duties. Duties on the spiritual platform and duties on the material platform may be different, but the principle of following the authorized direction is always good for the performer. When one is under the spell of the modes of material nature, one should follow the prescribed rules for his particular situation and should not imitate others. For example, a brahmana, who is in the mode of goodness, is nonviolent, whereas a ksatriya, who is in the mode of passion, is allowed to be violent. As such, for a ksatriya it is better to be vanquished following the rules of violence than to imitate a brahmana who follows the principles of nonviolence. Everyone has to cleanse his heart by a gradual process, not abruptly. However, when one transcends the modes of material nature and is fully situated in Krishna consciousness, he can perform anything and everything under the direction of a bona fide spiritual master. In that complete stage of Krishna consciousness, the ksatriya may act as a brahmana, or a brahmana may act as a ksatriya. In the transcendental stage, the distinctions of the material world do not apply. For example, Visvamitra was originally a ksatriya, but later on he acted as a brahmana, whereas Parasurama was a brahmana but later on he acted as a ksatriya. Being transcendentally situated, they could do so; but as long as one is on the material platform, he must perform his duties according to the modes of material nature. At the same time, he must have a full sense of Krishna consciousness."
Nowadays there is a tendency in the name of egalitarianism to ignore the importance of the varnashrama system in which everyone serves Krishna in harmony with their psychophysical natures. This egalitarianism has created havoc in the peaceful functioning of the human society. Therefore the Krishna consciousness movement wants to re-establish varnashrama, the division of work according to one's nature, to bring a peaceful atmosphere to this planet so that people can easily and happily awaken their dormant Krishna consciousness.
Krishna's Division of Work According to One's Nature
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Answers by Citing the Vedic Version
Question: How to Be Steady in Bhakti?
How to be steady on the path of devotion to Lord Sri Krishna?Amit Gupta
New Delhi, India
Answer: Shelter, Initiation, and Obedience
To become steady on the path of bhakti three things are required:1. Shelter of the bona fide spiritual master
2. Initiation from the bona fide spiritual master
3. Obedience to the bona fide spiritual master
Sankarshan Das Adhikari
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