# Part 1: The Importance of Varṇāśrama Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that *varṇāśrama-dharma* is the only system of social organization which enables a person of any class to discharge his occupational duty as a form of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead, thus fulfilling the ultimate goal of life. ![[bg/9/24#purport]] —Bg [[bg/9/24|9.24]] Purport --- ![[sb/1/2/13]] <span class="hi-data" hidden>And in each and every one of the abovementioned divisions of life, the aim must be to please the supreme authority of the Personality of Godhead.</span> —SB [[sb/1/2/13|1.2.13]] --- ![[sb/1/16/31#purport]] —SB [[sb/1/16/31|1.16.31]] Purport --- ![[sb/4/20/9]] —SB [[sb/4/20/9|4.20.9]] --- ![[sb/4/21/27#purport]] —SB [[sb/4/21/27|4.21.27]] Purport --- ![[sb/4/22/34#purport]] —SB [[sb/4/22/34|4.22.34]] Purport --- ![[sb/5/19/10#purport]] —SB [[sb/5/19/10|5.19.10]] Purport --- ![[sb/5/19/19#translation]] —SB [[sb/5/19/19|5.19.19]] Translation --- ![[sb/5/22/4#translation]] —SB [[sb/5/22/4|5.22.4]] Translation --- ![[sb/6/3/13#purport]] —SB [[sb/6/3/13|6.3.13]] Purport --- A civilization in which the people do not know how the representative of Nārada and Kṛṣṇa should be respected, how society should be formed and how one should advance in Kṛṣṇa consciousness—a society concerned only with manufacturing new cars and new skyscrapers every year and then breaking them to pieces and making new ones—may be technologically advanced, but it is not a human civilization. **A human civilization is advanced when its people follow the * cātur-varṇya*system, the system of four orders of life.**There must be ideal, first-class men to act as advisors, second-class men to act as administrators, third-class men to produce food and protect cows, and fourth-class men who obey the three higher classes of society. One who does not follow the standard system of society should be considered a fifth-class man. ![[sb/6/3/13#purport]] —SB [[sb/6/3/13|6.7.13]] Purport --- ![[sb/7/3/24#purport]] —SB [[sb/7/3/24|7.3.24]] Purport --- ![[sb/7/5/5]] —SB [[sb/7/5/5|7.5.5]] --- ![[sb/7/10/24#purport]] —SB [[sb/7/10/24|7.10.24]] Purport --- We have repeatedly stressed that **human culture does not begin unless one takes to the principles of * varṇāśrama-dharma*. —SB 7.15.38–39 Purport --- As stated by Lord Śiva: > ārādhanānāṁ sarveṣāṁ viṣṇor ārādhanaṁ param tasmāt parataraṁ devi tadīyānāṁ samarcanam (Padma Purāṇa) ![[sb/8/20/11#purport]] —SB [[sb/8/20/11|8.20.11]] Purport --- ![[sb/9/14/47#purport]] —SB [[sb/9/14/47|9.14.47]] Purport --- ![[sb/10/2/34#purport]] —SB [[sb/10/2/34|10.2.34]] Purport --- Although it has become fashionable to speak of *daridra-nārāyaṇa*, the * words viṣṇor ārādhanārthāya*do not mean that all the people satisfied by Nanda Mahārāja in this great ceremony were Viṣṇus. They were not * daridra*, nor were they Nārāyaṇa. Rather, they were devotees of Nārāyaṇa, and by their educational qualifications they would satisfy Nārāyaṇa. Therefore, satisfying them was an indirect way of satisfying Lord Viṣṇu.* Mad-bhakta-pūjābhyadhikā*[SB 11.19.21]. The Lord says, "Worshiping My devotees is better than worshiping Me directly."**The * varṇāśrama*system is entirely meant for * viṣṇu-ārādhana*, worship of Lord Viṣṇu.***Varṇāśramācāravatā puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān/ viṣṇur ārādhyate *[* Cc Madhya *[[cc/madhya/8/58|8.58]]] (* Viṣṇu Purāṇa*v). The ultimate goal of life is to please Lord Viṣṇu, the Supreme Lord. —SB 10.5.15–16 Purport --- Kṛṣṇa has begun in this chapter,*cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ*[Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]].**That is very essential, the * varṇāśrama-dharma*. Because we must have the aim of life.**At the present moment there is no aim of life. The aim of life is sense gratification. That's all. —*Bg.* [[bg/4/16|4.16]] Lecture Bombay, 5 April 1974 --- The Hindu name is given by the Mohammedans. Actually, our *dharma* is *varṇāśrama-dharma*, four * varṇas*and four *āśramas*. That is the real name,* varṇāśrama-dharma *.**The whole Vedic culture is dependent on * varṇāśrama*. It is meant for everyone, not that it is meant for Indians only, no. —*Bg.* [[bg/18/45|18.45]] Lecture Durban, 11 October 1975 --- Formerly there was no such piecework. One world, one king. One God, Kṛṣṇa. One scripture, Vedas. **One civilization,* varṇāśrama-dharma***. —SB [[sb/2/4/2|2.4.2]] Lecture Los Angeles, 26 June 1972 --- **So according to this * varṇāśrama*, there must be training.**Some classes of men must be trained as nice * brāhmaṇas*. Some people must be trained as nice * kṣatriyas*. Some people must be trained as nice * vaiśyas*. And *śūdra* does not require any... Everyone is *śūdra*.* Janmanā jāyate śūdraḥ*.**By birth, everyone is *śūdra*.***Saṁskārād bhaved dvijaḥ*.**By training, one becomes * vaiśya*, one becomes * kṣatriya*, one becomes * brāhmaṇa*. —SB [[sb/1/2/28 29|1.2.28–29]] Lecture Vṛndāvana, 8 November 1972 --- **Vedic religion means varṇāśrama-dharma**:* brahmacārī, gṛhastha, vāna prastha, sannyāsa, and brāhmaṇa, kṣatriya, vaiśya, śūdra.* —SB [[sb/3/25/22|3.25.22]] Lecture Bombay, 22 November 1974 --- So similarly,*sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya *[* Bg *[[bg/18/46|18.46]]]. Everyone has got his some particular duty, occupation.**If, by executing your occupational duty, you worship Kṛṣṇa, then your life is perfect.**That is the instruction given in *Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam*, Naimiṣāraṇya. > ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam [SB [[sb/1/2/13|1.2.13]]] *Ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhāḥ*.* Pumbhiḥ*, by person. Everyone is engaged in some occupational duty. Formerly it was the * varṇāśrama*:* brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *,*śūdra *, and* brahmacārī*,* gṛhastha *,* vānaprastha *,* sannyāsī*. Everyone has got some particular duty according to his position. Now, the different occupational duties have expanded. It doesn't matter. If you are engineer, if you are medical man, if you are something else, it doesn't matter.* Sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya *[* Bg *[[bg/18/46|18.46]]].**But try to serve Kṛṣṇa by the result of your work. That is * bhakti*. —SB [[sb/3/25/24|3.25.24]] Lecture Bombay, 24 November 1974 --- Vedic religion... **Vedic religion means * varṇāśrama-dharma*.**That is... Kṛṣṇa says, God says,* cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam* [Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]]. So that is, what is called, obligatory. Just like law is obligatory. You cannot say that "I don't take this law." No. You have to take it if you want to have a happy [society]. —Answers to a Questionnaire from Bhavan's Journal New Vrindaban, 28 June 1976, --- Our destruction of this material body does not mean we, as spirit soul, we are destroyed. No. To understand this truth, the *varṇāśrama* system required.**Without this * varṇāśrama*system nobody can understand that we are individual person, we existed in the past, and we shall exist in the future, and we are existing at present. —SB [[sb/5/6/10|5.6.10]] Lecture Bombay, 28 December 1976 --- **Actually, we, the followers of Vedic principles, our system is * varṇāśrama-dharma***, four * varṇas*and four *āśramas*...* Varṇāśrama-dharma *is applicable in any, in anywhere.* Cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ*[Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]]. The creation of God... Just like sun. Sun is creation of God. Sun is visible everywhere. Not that something [is] American sun and something Indian sun. No. The sun is the same. Similarly,* cātur-varṇyaṁ*,**the four principles of division,* brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *, and*śūdra*, they are everywhere. It is not the monopoly of India. —The Nectar of Devotion Lecture Vṛndāvana, 27 October 1972 --- These *varṇas* and *āśramas* have their respective duties, and**unless human society is divided according to these eight scientific divisions and everyone acts according to his position, there can be no peace in the world. > varṇāśramācāravatā puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān viṣṇur ārādhyate panthā nānyat tat-toṣa-kāraṇam [*Cc Madhya* [[cc/madhya/8/58|8.58]]] "The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, is worshiped by the proper execution of prescribed duties in the system of *varṇa* and *āśrama*. There is no other way to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead." (* Viṣṇu Purāṇa* 3.8.9) —Teachings of Lord Kapiladeva Vs 3, Text 3 --- *Yajña * means we have to satisfy the Supreme Person. That is called*yajña *. And this process can be executed when the human society is very regulated. Regulated means there must be division of these* varṇas *and*āśramas *.* Varṇa *means four* varṇas *:* brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *,*śūdra *. And four*āśramas *:* brahmacārī*,* gṛhastha *,* vānaprastha *,* sannyāsa *. They have got their respective duties.**So unless the human society is divided into these eight scientific divisions and everyone acts according to his position, there cannot be any peace in the world.**That is called * varṇāśrama*. —SB [[sb/3/25/3|3.25.3]] Lecture Bombay, 3 November 1974 --- **So any, any society you conceive, unless there are these four divisions, there will be chaos.**It will be, not be properly, I mean to say, going on, smoothly going on. There will be some disturbance. Brain must be there. So at the present moment there is scarcity of brain. I am not talking of your state or my state. I am taking the world as it is. The brain... Formerly the Indian administration was going on in monarchy. Just like this picture. This picture is a * kṣatriya*king. Before his death he renounced his, I mean to say, royal order and he came to the forest to hear about self-realization. So if you want to maintain the peace and prosperity of the whole worldly social order, you must create a class of men very intelligent, a class of men very expert in administration, a class of men very expert in production, and a class of men to work. That is required. You cannot avoid it. That is the Vedic conception.* Mukha-bāhūru-padebhyaḥ*. They say,* mukha *...* Mukha *means the face.* Bahu *means the arm.* Uru *means this, this, or waist. And* pada *.**So anywhere, either you take this state or that state—doesn't matter—unless there is a smooth, systematic establishment of these four orders of life, the state or the society will not go very smoothly. —Conversation with Prof. Kotovsky Moscow, 22 June 1971 --- **Guest:**I teach in law. **Prabhupāda:**So if one wants to know what is law, he must become a student. It is not that simply asking "What is law, sir?" You can make him understand within a minute or within hour? Is it possible? **Guest:**No. **Prabhupāda:**First of all, you must become graduate, then you should take entrance in the law college, then you must learn.**So what is God, that is the inquiry, but it requires training. And that is Vedic * dharma*,* varṇāśrama-dharma *.***Varṇāśrama-dharma *.* Varṇāśramācaravatā puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān *[* Cc Madhya *[[cc/madhya/8/58|8.58]]]. Anyone who has taken to this system of* varṇāśrama-dharma *, four* varṇas *:* brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *,*śūdra *; and four*āśrama *:* brahmacārī*,* gṛhastha *,* vānaprastha *,* sannyāsa*. **Unless one takes to this institutional education, he's no more than an animal**. So to know God means he must become a * brāhmaṇa*, real, qualified * brāhmaṇa*. Therefore * brāhmaṇa*is respected. Because,* brahma-jānātīti brāhmaṇa *. But there is no law. Lawless country. Therefore one is passing as a* brāhmaṇa *without any knowledge of Brahman. That is the defect. Formerly the government will see... I was explaining this, this morning. That it is the* kṣatriya's *duty to see that one is passing as a* brāhmaṇa*, whether he's qualified. Why he should pass? Suppose he says, "I'm medical man." He must be qualified. And if he says, "I am medical man," then he's cheating. So you cannot call yourself a *brāhmaṇa* unless you are qualified. But that is going on. And this cheating is being accepted. Therefore this *varṇāśrama-dharma*. Hindu * dharma*or Vedic * dharma*means * varṇāśrama-dharma*.**One must first of all accept the principles of * varṇas*and *āśramas*. Then there is question of understanding God. —Room Conversation London, 2 September 1973 --- There should be a thorough overhauling of the social system, and society should revert to the Vedic principles, that is, the four *varṇas* and the four *āśramas*. ![[sb/4/29/54#purport]] —SB [[sb/4/29/54|4.29.54]] Purport --- *Cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam *[Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]].**Unless in the human society the * varṇāśrama*system is introduced, no scheme or social order, health order or any order, political order, will be successful. —Room Conversation Vṛndāvana, 18 October 1977 --- Mission of the Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement: To Create Varṇāśrama Colleges and to Reesthablish Varṇāśrama --- ## Mission Of The Kṛṣṇa Consciousness Movement: To Create Varṇāśrama Colleges And To Reestablish Varṇāśrama While acknowledging the near impossibility of establishing varṇāśrama in the modern age, Śrīla Prabhupāda cites his spiritual predecessors and puts forth a challenging mission for the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement: to revive the varṇāśrama-dharma social structure and save human society from gliding down to hellish life. **Is Varṇāśrama Possible In This Age?Madhudviṣa:**Prabhupāda, in this Age of Kali when there is no social structure or * varṇāśrama-dharma*, how can one discriminate how he is utilizing his energies for his prescribed duties?**How can one determine his prescribed duties, as Lord Kṛṣṇa has described here, for Arjuna to follow his prescribed duties.Prabhupāda:**Yes. Before coming to Kṛṣṇa consciousness were you in the * varṇāśrama*? Then how you have come? How you have come to this position? **Madhudviṣa:**Out of misery. **Prabhupāda:**No, no, no. You have come to execute Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Before coming to this Kṛṣṇa consciousness, were you in * varṇāśrama-dharma*? No.**So at the present moment, there is no possibility of persons following the principles of * varṇāśrama-dharma*, either here or anywhere. Everyone is * varṇa-saṅkara*.***Kalau śūdra-sambhavaḥ.* In this age, everyone is a *śūdra*. Nobody is * brāhmaṇa*, nobody is * kṣatriya*, nobody is * vaiśya*.*Śūdra *. So in this age, you won't find anybody following the* varṇāśrama-dharma.* Therefore this is the panacea, to engage everyone in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. He comes above the highest principle of brāhmaṇism. This is the greatest gift to the humanity, that even he is in the, I mean to say, fallen condition, the most degraded position, he can be raised to the highest position simply by chanting. This is the only remedy. Now you cannot again introduce this system of *varṇāśrama*. It is not possible.**But if one takes to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, automatically he becomes immediately a * brāhmaṇa*and above the * brāhmaṇa*.**A Vaiṣṇava is above the * brāhmaṇa*. Just like when we initiate, give Hare Kṛṣṇa * mantra*, he is supposed to be above the all material modes of nature. And when he has practiced, we offer him the sacred thread. This is the prescription of this age. Otherwise, you cannot select who is * brāhmaṇa*, who is *śūdra*, who is * kṣatriya*. It is very difficult. —*Bg.* [[bg/3/18|3.18-30]] Lecture Los Angeles, 30 December 1968 --- ![[sb/3/13/11#purport]] —SB [[sb/3/13/11|3.13.11]] Purport --- **It is no longer possible to revive the perfect system,* varṇāśrama *. Although we are trying to revive, it is not possible. It is very difficult.**People are so fallen.* Mandāḥ sumanda-matayo manda-bhāgyā hy upadrutāḥ*[SB [[sb/1/1/10|1.1.10]]]. They are so disturbed,* manda-bhāgyāḥ,*unfortunate, and * upadrutāḥ*, always disturbed... There will be no rainfall, and there, food scarcity and taxation by government, income tax. Income tax is to plunder... This is Kali-yuga. So in this position of harassment, how the peaceful * varṇāśrama*can be revived? It is very difficult.**It is almost impossible. —SB [[sb/3/25/14|3.25.14]] Lecture Bombay, 14 November 1974 --- *Varṇāśramācāravatā puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān *,* viṣṇur ārādhyate *.* Viṣṇur ārādhyate *[* Cc Madhya *[[cc/madhya/8/58|8.58]]], that is required, how to become Kṛṣṇa conscious or Viṣṇu conscious and to worship Him. So that begins with this* varṇāśrama *. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu, He knew that this is Kali-yuga;**it is very, very difficult to engage people strictly in the * varṇāśrama-dharma*. Actually it is difficult. Who is going... If you open a * varṇāśrama*college, there will be no student.**Because they will think, "What is this nonsense,* varṇāśrama *? Let us learn technology. We shall get good salary. We shall earn money." Yes. So Caitanya Mahāprabhu immediately said,* eho bāhya, āge kaha āra *.**In this age it is not possible,* varṇāśrama-dharma*. —SB [[sb/6/1/24|6.1.24]] Lecture Chicago, 8 July 1975 --- ![[sb/9/10/51]] —SB [[sb/9/10/51|9.10.51]] --- So Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement includes this system of division of society. It is perfect society. **Therefore we are trying to introduce the * varṇāśrama*system, although it is very difficult nowadays. —Interview with Trans-India Magazine New York, 17 July 1976 --- ![[sb/4/14/20#purport]] —SB [[sb/4/14/20|4.14.20]] Purport --- ![[sb/5/19/19#purport]] —SB [[sb/5/19/19|5.19.19]] Purport --- ![[sb/6/7/12#purport]] —SB [[sb/6/7/12|6.7.12]] Purport --- So this Vedic scheme,*varṇāśrama *, is a very important scheme. If possible it should be introduced and taken up very seriously.**That is one of the items of Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement, to reestablish the institution of * varṇa*and *āśrama*.**Not by birth, but by qualification. ...Being separated from family and property, they will take shelter in the hilly ranges or in the forest to get relief. This will be the position. Harassment, so much harassment, by nature, by government. So therefore for complete happy society, this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is essential. All intelligent persons, they should join this movement and reform the present social, political, religious. All field of activities, they should reform. Then people will be happy. Not only happy in this life, but also next life. —Evening Darśana Washington, D.C. 8 July 1976 --- **Although the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is a movement of * brāhmaṇas*and Vaiṣṇavas, it is trying to reestablish the divine * varṇāśrama*institution,**for without this division of society there cannot be peace and prosperity anywhere. —SB 7.11.18-20 Purport --- One of the objectives of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is to establish this *daiva-varṇāśrama*, but not to encourage so-called * varṇāśrama*without scientifically organized endeavor by human society. ![[sb/7/14/10#purport]] —SB [[sb/7/14/10|7.14.10]] Purport --- Before coming to the standard of *varṇāśrama-dharma* there is no question of human civilization.**Therefore, the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to establish this right system of human civilization, which is known as Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or***daiva-varṇāśrama*-divine culture. —Science of Self Realization 3: Discovering the Roots --- Do not misunderstand that we are trying to spread Hinduism. Hinduism is a fictitious term...We don't find this word in the Vedic literature...This is the convention of latest age.**Actually, we, the followers of Vedic principles, our system is * varṇāśrama-dharma*, four * varṇas*and four *āśramas*.**This is, this can be applicable.**But * varṇāśrama-dharma*is applicable in any, in anywhere.***Cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ*[Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]]. The creation of God... Just like sun. Sun is creation of God. Sun is visible everywhere. Not that something American sun and something Indian sun. No. The sun is the same. Similarly,* cātur-varṇyaṁ*, the four principles of division,* brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *, and*śūdra *, they are everywhere.**It is not the monopoly of India. —The Nectar of Devotion Lecture Vṛndāvana 27 October 1972 --- So just today is the appearance day of *hlādinī-śakti*. So if you want to please Kṛṣṇa... Because our business is to please Kṛṣṇa.* Hari-toṣaṇam *.**Our this movement is * hari-toṣaṇam*.***Saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam *[SB 1.2.13].* Ataḥ pumbhir dvija-śreṣṭhā varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ*.***Varṇāśrama-vibhāgaśaḥ*. —*Bg.* [[bg/18/5|18.5]] Lecture London 5 September 1973 (Rādhāṣṭamī) --- **Prabhupāda:**So one side, there is no rain; one side, there is no rice, especially in India; and one side, heavy tax. So they'll be all confused. They have already become confused.**So in the confusion state it will be very difficult to make them Kṛṣṇa conscious. Therefore preliminary help should be given.Viṣṇujana:**Preliminary. **Prabhupāda:**Yes. That they should not be in chaos and confusion. Otherwise, how the brain will work? **Viṣṇujana:**Yes. No one can give rapt attention without peace of mind. **Prabhupāda:**Yes, yes.**Our main aim is how to give them Kṛṣṇa conscious ness. But if they are already disturbed in every respect, then how they'll take it?**Therefore we are taking these subjects, to help him to come to the Kṛṣṇa consciousness.**And this is the method-* varṇāśrama *.Viṣṇujana: ...This is the most auspicious work for now, is this remedial measure to stop the chaos in the world?Prabhupāda:**Yes. **Viṣṇujana:**That's most auspicious. **Prabhupāda:Most auspicious.**Because if the people are in chaos, how they'll be able to accept the great philosophy? It requires cool brain. **Viṣṇujana:**...When we first go to open a temple in a city we get an apartment or a storefront. But then, when more and more people come, then we should**get land and cows and everything and...Prabhupāda:Yes, yes.Viṣṇujana:...and turn it into a society.Hṛdayānanda:**Ah, that's wonderful. —Morning Walk "Varṇāśrama College" Vṛndāvana, 14 March 1974 --- **My next program is to reinstate the Vedic divisions in society**as recommended in the * Bhagavad-gītā*: > catur varnyam maya srstam/ guna karma vibhagasah tasya kartaram api mam/ viddhy akartaram avyayam [Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]] Without this division there cannot be any systematic peaceful running of human activities. There must be a very intelligent class to guide the whole population with brahminical qualifications. There must be a class of people to give protection to the people at the time of danger and ordinarily to maintain peace and order, the ksatriyas. There must be a section to produce food and grains sumptuously for feeding both animals and humans without discrimination. Especially cows must be protected by this class. The meat eater class may not be encouraged but if they are stubbornly attached they can eat hogs and dogs or goats or lambs under certain conditions only, but not by maintaining slaughterhouses. Then human society will be very peaceful and everyone engaged in employment without producing any idle brains which only are devils workshops. If England and America as well as France and Germany can understand this philosophy there will be great theistic revolution which will counteract the atheistic philosophy of Marxism. **The present communistic philosophy must be countered by revival of the principles of catur varnyam. —Letter to: Śyāmasundara Bombay, 1 April 1974 --- **Devotee:** Śrīla Prabhupāda, we received news yesterday that one man in northern New South Wales is willing to sell us a farm, a great big farm out there in the southern tropics. Would this be a good place for engaging boys like the Indian..., the Indian boy that came yesterday? **Prabhupāda:**Yes.**Our next program is to organize farming.**Let anyone come. We shall give him free food and employment: "Come on." Not that "I want to work as a clerk in the city." You produce your own food. I give you ingredients. I give you land. And work for five, six hours, and take your food and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. **Devotee:Anybody who comes to the farm has to agree to follow the four regulative principles?**These people? **Prabhupāda:Yes. Otherwise you are not coming.**Our main business is to make him Kṛṣṇa conscious. —Morning Walk Perth, 15 May 1975 --- **Prabhupāda:**...We do not decry, but we point out, "In this way our valuable time of life is being wasted." They say it is primitive life, but it is peaceful life. We want peaceful life and save time for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. That is not primitive. That is intelligent life. **Satsvarūpa:**In order to evidence this,**should we consider that we have to act as * kṣatriyas*or shall we just preach and try to get others...Prabhupāda:**No...* Kṣatriyas *, I have already explained who is* brāhmaṇa *and* kṣatriya *according to* guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ*, as you work, as you are fit for.**If you are fit to become * brāhmaṇa*, become * brāhmaṇa*. If you are fit to become * kṣatriya*, become * kṣatriya*. If you are fit to become *śūdra*, do it...Brahmānanda:So eventually we should divide up our society in this way?**Our members... **Prabhupāda:**Yes, just to show people how to...**The first-class men,* brāhmaṇa *, second-class,* kṣatriya *, third-class,* vaiśya *, fourth-class...So make, organize. I can give you the idea, but I'll not live very long. If you can carry out, you can change the whole... Especially if you can change America, then whole world will change. Then the whole world...**And it is the duty because they are kept in darkness and ignorance, then the human life is being spoiled. These rascals, because they do not know how to live...* Andhā yathāndhair...*They are blind, and they are leading... Others are blind, and they are leading and they, all of them, going to ditch. So it is the duty. There is... Caitanya has explained,* para-upakāra.*Save them. If it is not possible to save everyone, as many as possible. —Room Conversation with Devotees New Orleans, 1 August 1975 --- Farm project is very nice. Kṛṣṇa gives.*Kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam.*[Bg [[bg/18/44|18.44]]] "Farming, cow protection and business are the natural work for the * vaiśyas*...] This is economic problem solved. And * brāhmaṇa*, brain problem solved, and * kṣatriya*, protection problem solved, and *śūdra*, labor problem solved.**Four things combined together, live peacefully, happily. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Introduce this farm project. —Evening Darśana Māyāpur, 15 February 1977 --- **Now, our next program will be to organize farming land**to set an example to the whole world how people can be peaceful, happy, and free from all anxieties simply by chanting Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and living an honorable life in Krishna Consciousness. In India especially people are religiously inclined. They like to live in village and also like to love Lord Rama, Lord Krishna. This idealism is running through their blood and veins.**We have to organize their natural tendency and elevate them again back to Home, Back-to-Godhead.**Please think over these points very seriously and as soon as I return we shall take up the program. My beloved sannyasi disciple Swami Pusta Krishna has promised to give me a car, and as soon as I get it I shall move from village to village along with some selected assistants and**organize this farming village development program. —Letter to: Kartikeya K. Mahadevia Johannesburg, 19 October 1975 --- One of the item of this mission, Kṛṣṇa consciousness, is to establish real *varṇāśrama* by qualification. —Brāhmaṇa Initiation Lecture New Vrindaban, 25 May 1969 --- The presidents must be very careful on recommending gayatri initiation. After all, we are criticizing false cast brahmanas, if we ourselves are bogus brahmanas then our position is very bad. **Now that we are more and more trying to implement the varnasrama divisions of society**, we should not think that everyone has to become a brahmana. For example you are developing a farm there; so those who work the farm do not necessarily have to be a brahmana if they are not inclined to the brahminical standards.**In this way, be careful about awarding the second initiation. —Letter to: Sudāmā Rome, 26 May 1974 --- **Satsvarūpa:**In our ISKCON, one becomes a * brāhmaṇa*after a year. It's not very hard. Everyone becomes a * brāhmaṇa*. **Prabhupāda:**That is due to chanting. That lifts very easily. **Hari-śauri:**Where will we introduce the * varṇāśrama*system, then? **Prabhupāda:**In our society, amongst our members. **Hari-śauri:But then if everybody's being raised to the brahminical platform**... **Prabhupāda:Not everybody. Why you are misunderstanding?* Varṇāśrama *, not everybody* brāhmaṇa *.Hari-śauri:**No, but in our society practically everyone is being raised to that platform. So then one might ask what is... **Prabhupāda:**That is...**Everybody is being raised, but they're falling down**. **Hari-śauri:**So then we should make it more difficult to get... **Prabhupāda:**Yes. **Hari-śauri:** ...brahminical initiation. After four or five years. **Prabhupāda:**Not necessary. You remain as a * kṣatriya*. You'll be ha... **Hari-śauri:No need for even any * brāhmaṇa*initiation, then...Prabhupāda:No, no.Hari-śauri:** ...unless one is... **Prabhupāda:**No,* brāhmaṇa*must be there. Why do you say, generalize? **Hari-śauri:Unless one is particularly...Prabhupāda:Yes.Hari-śauri:...inclined. —Room Conversation Varṇāśrama System Must Be Introduced Māyāpur, 14 February 1977 --- Varṇāśrama Is Possible and It Must Be Done, February 14, 1977, Māyāpur, Room Conversation --- ## Varṇāśrama Is Possible and It Must Be Done Perfectly **Prabhupāda:**Chanting will go on. That is not stopped. But at the same time the * varṇāśrama-dharma*must be established to make the way easy. **Hari-śauri:**Well, at least my own understanding was that the chanting was introduced in the Age of Kali because * varṇāśrama*is not possible. **Prabhupāda:**Because it will cleanse the mind. Chanting will not stop. **Hari-śauri:**So therefore the chanting was introduced to replace all of the systems of * varṇāśrama*and like that. Prabhupāda: Yes, it can replace, but who is going to replace it? The... People are not so advanced. If you imitate Haridāsa Ṭhākura to chant, it is not possible. Satsvarūpa: We tell them go on with your job but chant also. Prabhupāda: Yes.*Thākaha āpanāra kāje *, Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura.*Āpanāra kāja ki.* Caitanya Mahāprabhu recommended,*sthāne sthitaḥ*. And if they do not remain in the * sthāna*, then the * sahajiyā's*chanting will come. Just like the * sahajiyās*also have got the beads and..., but they have got three dozen women. This kind of chanting will go on. Just like our (name withheld). He was not fit for * sannyāsa*but he was given * sannyāsa*. And five women he was attached, and he disclosed. Therefore * varṇāśrama-dharma*is required. Simply show-bottle will not do. So the * varṇāśrama-dharma*should be introduced all over the world, and... Satsvarūpa: Introduced starting with ISKCON community? Prabhupāda: Yes. Yes.*Brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriyas*. There must be regular education. Hari-śauri: But in our community, if the..., being as we're training up as Vaiṣṇavas... **Prabhupāda:**Yes. **Hari-śauri:** ...then how will we be able to make divisions in our society? **Prabhupāda:**Vaiṣṇava is not so easy. The * varṇāśrama-dharma*should be established to become a Vaiṣṇava. It is not so easy to become Vaiṣṇava. **Hari-śauri:**No, it's not a cheap thing. **Prabhupāda:**Yes. Therefore this should be made. Vaiṣṇava, to become Vaiṣṇava, is not so easy. If Vaiṣṇava, to become Vaiṣṇava is so easy, why so many fall down, fall down? It is not easy. —Room Conversation Varṇāśrama System Must Be Introduced Māyāpur, 14 February 1977 --- Actually, a Vaiṣṇava is above this *varṇāśrama-dharma*. But we don't claim that we have become perfect Vaiṣṇava. We are not so impudent. —Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam [[sb/1/8/41|1.8.41]] Lecture Māyāpur, 21 October 1974 --- **In big scale you cannot make all of them as * brāhmaṇas*or * sannyāsīs***. No. That is not possible. This is a small scale. How many percentage of people of the world we are controlling? Very insignificant.**But if you want to make the whole human society perfect, then this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement should be introduced according to Kṛṣṇa's instruction**, if you want to do it in a large scale for the benefit of the whole human society. **Now we are picking up some of them, best.**That is another thing. But Caitanya Mahāprabhu said * para-upakāra*.**Why a certain section should be picked up?**The whole mass of people will get the benefit of it. Then it is required, systematic.* Sve sve karmaṇy abhirataḥ saṁsiddhiṁ labhate naraḥ*.* Para-upakāra *means mass benefit, not there is certain section. Then we have to introduce this* varṇāśrama-dharma *.**It must be done perfectly, and it is possible and people will be happy**. —Room Conversation Varṇāśrama System Must Be Introduced Māyāpur, 14 February 1977 --- **Prabhupāda:**No luxuries. Live very simple life and you save time for chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. **Haṁsadūta:**Yes, Prabhupāda. **Prabhupāda:**That is my desire. Don't waste time for bodily comforts. You have got this body. You have to eat something. You have to cover yourself. So produce your own food and produce your own cloth. Don't waste time for luxury, and chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. This is success of life. In this way organize as far as possible, either in Ceylon or in Czechoslovakia, wherever... Save time. Chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Don't be allured by the machine civilization. **Haṁsadūta:**Yes, Prabhupāda. **Prabhupāda:**This is soul-killing civilization, this kind way of life, especially European countries. Anywhere you can inhabit it. It is not very difficult. A cottage; you can produce your own food anywhere. Am I right? **Haṁsadūta:**Yes, Prabhupāda. We will do it. **Prabhupāda:**And money, spend for Kṛṣṇa—for Kṛṣṇa's palace, for Kṛṣṇa's temple, for Kṛṣṇa's worship, gorgeous, as gorgeously as... Not for false... This is the human civilization. And to organize this,* varṇāśrama *will help you to divide the society—* brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *—as there is division in the body. That will help. Don't waste human form of body for sense gratification. I wanted to introduce this. Now I have given you ideas. You can do it. You are all intelligent. For Caitanya Mahāprabhu's* para-upakāra*... So you do good to others. Not exploit others. Any human being who has been bestowed by this body has the capacity to chant Hare Kṛṣṇa. Give them chance and make situation favorable. Is that clear? —Room Conversation Vṛndāvana, 8 October 1977 --- Instructions of the Previous Āc *āryas* --- ## Instructions of the Previous Ācāryas ![[sb/5/1/24#purport]] —SB [[sb/5/1/24|5.1.24]] Purport --- ...Oṁ Viṣṇupāda Paramahaṁsa Parivrājakācārya Aṣṭottara-śata Śrīmad Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Mahārāja Prabhupāda. He was creating more *brahmacārīs* and *sannyāsīs* for preaching work, but I am creating more *gṛhasthas*(applause), because in Europe and America the boys and girls intermingle so quickly and intimately that it is very difficult to keep one * brahmacārī*. So there is no need of artificial * brahmacārīs*. It is sanctioned.**My Guru Mahārāja wanted to establish * daiva-varṇāśrama*.**So married life is called * gṛhastha-āśrama*. It is as good as * sannyāsa-āśrama*. ...As far as we are concerned, we are trying to establish *daiva-varṇāśrama*, as it is instructed by the Gosvāmīs, by * Hari-bhakti-vilāsa*, by our spiritual master. May not be very perfect, but we are trying our best to introduce this * daiva-varṇāśrama*. —*Bg.* [[bg/7/3|7.3]] Lecture Bombay, 29 March 1971 --- Kṛṣṇa says,*cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam *[Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]]. My Guru Mahārāja also wanted to establish* daiva-varṇāśrama*. Yes. —SB [[sb/5/5/29|5.5.29]] Lecture Vṛndāvana, 16 November 1976 --- *Daiva-varṇāśrama *. My Guru Mahārāja wanted this that there be regular* varṇāśrama*, qualified. —Morning Walk Los Angeles, 8 December 1973 --- ![[sb/4/29/54#purport]] —SB [[sb/4/29/54|4.29.54]] Purport --- In the Kali-yuga everyone is *śūdra*. What he'll fight? Fighting is not the business of a *śūdra*. It is meant for the * kṣatriya*. And nobody is being trained as * kṣatriya*or * brāhmaṇa*.**Everyone is being trained as *śūdra* or utmost *vaiśya*, how to make money. That's all.**One class of men is being trained how to serve and get some money, another class is being trained how to make money by exploitation. That is capitalist and communist. The communists are the *śūdras*. They are protesting that "You are exploiting us and getting money. It must stop." That is Communism. Is it not? And the * vaiśyas*, they are trying to exploit others. Some way or other bring money. So there are these capitalists and *śūdra* and *vaiśya*. There is no * kṣatriya*, there is no * brāhmaṇa*. Therefore the whole social structure is lost.**So we are trying to create some * brāhmaṇas*. And people if follow our instruction then whole social structure is again revived.**Hare Kṛṣṇa. So we have got very serious mission. —Room Conversation London, 15 August 1971 --- Generally, we understand,*vaiśya * means the mercantile class of men. No. At the present moment the so-called*vaiśyas * are*śūdras *, less than*śūdras *. Why? Now the* vaiśya's *business is* kṛṣi-go-rakṣya-vāṇijyaṁ vaiśya-karma svabhāva-jam *[Bg [[bg/18/44|18.44]]].**The * vaiśyas*must be engaged in producing foodgrains, but they are not interested.**They are interested for opening factories for bolts and nuts and tires, Goodwheel tires, Goodyear tires. Now you eat tire and bolt nut. No, you cannot eat. You have to eat rice, and rice is ten rupees per kilo. That's all. Because no * vaiśya*is producing food grains. This is the defect. They don't see the defect. They're simply howling, bawling, "Oh, it has increased price." Why not, increased price? There are millions of people in Bombay city. Who is producing food grain? **But they are known as * vaiśya*. What kind of * vaiśya*? There is no * brahminical*culture; there is no brain. There is no * kṣatriya*who can give you protection.**There are so many defects. So if you want to remodel your life, the society, the human society, nationally or internationally—everything is spoken here, international—then you have to take to the advice of Kṛṣṇa. **This is the purpose of Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement: wholesale, thorough, overhauling of the human society.**We have not manufactured anything, concocted things. It is very scientific. If you actually want to fulfill the mission of your life, then you have to take to this advice of * Bhagavad-gītā*, very scientific and spoken by the Supreme Personality of Godhead, without any defects. —*Bg.* [[bg/4/13|4.13]] Lecture Bombay, 2 April 1974 --- Practically attract. Practically attract. The Hare Kṛṣṇa movement will practically attract the people. **If the world affairs are adjusted according to our Kṛṣṇa conscious plan, there will be no difficulty**for all the nations, all the countries. They will be happy. So we have to educate people gradually.**And by our example, living example, we'll have to attract. —Morning Walk Vṛndāvana, 15 March 1974 --- Everything should be systematic otherwise there will be chaos. There will be chaos. Nobody will be happy... That is described in the *Bhagavad-gītā*,* naraka eva kalpate *: the whole world will be hell. That has become now.**The whole world has now become hell. So the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is very important movement. It is overhauling the whole human, social, political, religious... —SB 1.15.25–26 Lecture Los Angeles, 4 December 1973 --- How there can be any peace? It is not possible. There is no *brāhmaṇa*, no * kṣatriya*, maybe a few * vaiśyas*only. They are also half-reformed. And European culture, that is * caṇḍāla*culture,* yavana *culture. There is no reformation, no* brāhmaṇa *, no* kṣatriya *, no* vaiśyas *, simply*śūdras * and*caṇḍālas * mostly*caṇḍālas *.**So Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is means for thoroughly overhauling the whole human society. —Morning Walk Ahmedabad, 25 September 1975 --- So all over the world. It is not only in India—all over the world. There cannot be peace unless you reform the whole social structure, and that can be done only by this movement, Kṛṣṇa consciousness. Only by this movement. —SB 6.1.56-62 Surat, 3 January 1971 (Adubhai Patel's House) --- **The Varṇāśrama College In the material life there must be division of activities. That is accepted in the *Bhagavad-gītā*[* Bg* [[bg/4/13|4.13]]] as > catur varnyam maya srstam guna karma vibhagasah tasya kartaram api mam viddhy akartaram avyayam [Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]] So in the beginning if we start a *varnasrama* college to teach internation ally students from all over the world to learn to be educated as brahmanas, as Ksatriyas, as vaisyas, as sudras, by quality and work, that will be the basic principle of Krishna Consciousness. ...If you kindly consider on this point and the *varnasrama* college is started, I am sure the chaotic condition of human society will be completely settled up. —Letter to: Tarun Kanti Ghosh Babu New Delhi, 11 March 1974 --- The politician's business will be to exploit the poor citizens. And they will be embarrassed and harassed so much: by one side, no sufficient rain, and therefore scarcity of food, and the other side, taxation by the government. In this way, the people will be so much harassed that they'll give up their home and go to the forest. Very [pitiful]... Unless they take to Kṛṣṇa consciousness, they'll not be saved. **The * varṇāśrama*college has to be established immediately.**Everywhere, wherever we have got our center, a * varṇāśrama*college should be established to train four divisions: one class,* brāhmaṇa *; one class,* kṣatriya *; one class,* vaiśya *; and one class,*śūdra *. But everyone will be elevated to the spiritual platform by the spiritual activities which we have prescribed. There is no inconvenience, even for the*śūdras* ...So everywhere, in each center, this system should be introduced, and there must be practical application of the *varṇāśrama*. At the same time, this program of devotional service. Then it will go on very nicely. ...But if you show that you are actually doing something ideal, then they will appreciate. **Make a small unit of community and show ideal life**, not idle life. Ideal life. —Morning Walk Vrndavana, 12 March 1974 --- So this is position. **Therefore, because we are Kṛṣṇa conscious, we are servants of God, therefore it is our duty to save this human civilization.**You see. Kṛṣṇa wants it. 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,* brāhmaṇa *and* kṣatriya*. The world will be saved, and you will be saved, and Kṛṣṇa will be pleased. —SB [[sb/1/2/14|1.2.14]] Lecture Los Angeles, 17 August 1972 --- The other day I was suggesting the governor that **"Open * varṇāśrama*college."**As we are training a medical practitioner and an engineer or any particular type of line, similarly, there must be training school and college where a person or a boy may be educated as a * brāhmaṇa*or as a * kṣatriya*. —SB [[sb/1/7/7|1.7.7]] Lecture Vṛndāvana, 24 April 1975 --- But Kṛṣṇa's grace, Caitanya Mahāprabhu's grace, they are being now trained up. **Now you be trained up and revise the whole edition of the Western civilization**, especially in America. Then a new chapter will come in. This is the program. Therefore * varṇāśrama*school required. —Morning Walk "Varṇāśrama College" Vṛndāvana, 14 March 1974 --- One politician, minister in Calcutta, he came to see me, I was talking.**"Why there is chaotic condition?" And the simple reason is there is no... this * cātur-varṇya*system is lost.**Practically without any brahminical culture,* kṣatriya *culture, people remain*śūdras *, the fourth-class man. Or fifth-class men. So unless there are first-class men, second-class men, at least third-class men, only fourth-class, fifth-class, sixth-class men, how they can conduct. That is not possible. Therefore it is enjoined that* cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam* [Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]]. This division of the society must be observed. **Educational institution, there should be, but the education**.... Just like in a university, they have different departments: medical department, engineering department, or biological and so many, psychological, chemical, physical.... They have so many departments.**But there is no department, brahminical, kshatriyacal, or * vaiśya*, nothing**. —*Bg.* [[bg/4/13|4.13]] Lecture Bombay, 2 April 1974 --- **Prabhupāda:**Yes. **Prof. Pater Porsch:**A kind of a university also. **Prabhupāda:**Oh, yes. Yes. **Prof. Pater Porsch:**Like Indian and allied sciences, Vedic sciences. **Prabhupāda:**My idea is that all our centers should be self-supported. We do not like that idea that for your support you have to go 100 miles to get your bread. That is a very dangerous drawback. You produce your food locally and then support yourself. —Room Conversation with Professor Durckheim German Spiritual Writer Germany, 19 June 1974 --- I have also received the enclosed clipping from Ottawa and the information about the property. This property must be considered by the GBC**if it can be properly utilized, it is nice, for Varna-asrama College and [dairy] farm**. With 100 acres for cultivation you can make much production. —Letter to: Jagadi**ś**a Bombay, 12 November 1974 --- **Prabhupāda:**Our first problem is, because we have got this material body, eating. Everyone must eat. So Kṛṣṇa says in the * Bhagavad-gītā:**annād bhavanti bhūtāni *: [Bg [[bg/3/14|3.14]]] "If there is sufficient food grains, then both man and animal, they become happy."**Therefore our first religion is to produce food grain sufficiently to feed everyone. —Room Conversation with three Trappist Monks, Psychologists from the University of Georgia, and Atlanta Lawyer, Michael Green Atlanta, 1 March 1975 --- **Prabhupāda:**...It is recommended in the * Bhagavad-gītā*,* cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭaṁ guṇa-karma-vibhāgaśaḥ*[Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]]. The * guṇas*are there. Just like naturally one is taking education just to become a politician, one is taking education how to become a high-character saintly person. That natural inclination is already there, but that is not being properly harnessed.**Therefore a regular educational institution should be there where proper training of * brāhmaṇa*, proper training of * kṣatriya*,* vaiśya *, must be given.**These four divisions must remain there. And the, so far the brahminical culture, that must be there. Otherwise you cannot say that you become moralist. Where is the example of moralist? A section of person must be there, fully moralist. That ideal section is now lacking. Therefore, what I have written, that? **Brahmānanda:**"As there are different sections of educational institutions, there must be one institution how to train up perfect * brāhmaṇas*with ideal characters as above mentioned in the * Bhagavad-gītā*. If there is a section of people of ideal character, say 5 percent, the other 95 percent, by seeing their example, will follow. In other words, a section of the society must be of ideal character. That is essential." **Prabhupāda:So therefore this * varṇāśrama*college is very essential**. ...So in our India, in a place like Vṛndāvana, Naimisaranya, like that, **many people will come, if * varṇāśrama*college is established. —Conversation with Governor Vṛndāvana, 20 April 1975 --- **Justin Murphy:** ...You're saying that we don't have the first class of man. **Prabhupāda:**So you create... By education you create. **Justin Murphy:**Fine. But how... **Prabhupāda:They have to be trained. Just like you have been trained up as geographer; similarly, a certain man can be trained up as first-class man by education.Justin Murphy:**But trained by others or trained by themselves? **Prabhupāda:**No,**there must be institution**. **Justin Murphy:**But surely training by oneself. But training by oneself, such as for example an Albert Einstein or a Bertrand Russell... **Prabhupāda:No, no, no, no, no, no. By teacher. You have become geographer not by yourself. —Room Conversation with Justin Murphy (Geographer) Perth, 14 May 1975 --- So immediately to solve all the problems like this is to start an institution to train four classes of men. Begin it. —Room Conversation with Director of Research of the Dept. of Social Welfare Melbourne, 21 May 1975 --- So these two important things took place in the Kurukṣetra.**So we must have a very big temple there, and a * varṇāśrama*college. This is my desire.**Kṛṣṇa's direct instruction,* Bhagavad-gītā*. It should be a historical... It is historical. People should come here as the most important historical place. And * Gītā*is well known all over the world. And * Gītā*begins with the word * dharma-kṣetre kuru-kṣetre* [Bg [[bg/1/1|1.1]]]. So Kurukṣetra, in that sense very important. —Arrival Conversation Los Angeles, 20 June 1975 --- Kṛṣṇa says, "I have made this *varṇāśrama* for the benefit of the whole human society, although I don't belong to any *varṇa*,*āśrama *." Kṛṣṇa has nothing to do, but to maintain the human society very peaceful, advancing in spiritual knowledge, this* varṇāśrama *is required.**Therefore sometimes I become very eager to start a * varṇāśrama*college.**We have nothing to do with * varṇāśrama*, we Kṛṣṇa... But we want to see that the whole human society is peaceful. That is our mission.* Sarve sukhino bhavantu*. —SB [[sb/6/1/12|6.1.12]] Lecture Los Angeles, 25 June 1975 --- Regarding the Jayapur land, yes it is situated in an important place, a good locality although a little deserted...**I also want to open the Varna Ashrama College there as there is sufficient land. —Letter to: Tejiyas Philadelphia, 13 July 1975 --- There is no question of Eastern, Western. Now people are intermingling. Now I think that we shall have institution, especially in America, to train these first class, second class, third class, and the balance fourth class. —Conversation with Clergymen Detroit, 15 June 1976 --- So we are stressing on the point of education. You educate certain section as *brāhmaṇa*, certain section as * kṣatriya*, certain section as * vaiśya*. In that education we don't discriminate because he's coming of a *śūdra* family. Take education. Be qualified. —Room Conversation Varṇāśrama System Must Be Introduced Māyāpur, 14 February 1977 --- So this Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement is trying to reestablish *daiva-varṇāśrama*, where * brāhmaṇa*,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *,*śūdra *, everyone. Systematic. We are, therefore, proposing to start a college,* varṇāśrama *college. It is proposed... We are trying so many things, but this is also one of the programs, that the people of the world, they should be educated according to the quality and work:* brāhmaṇa *,* kṣatriya *,* vaiśya *,*śūdra*. —*Bg.* [[bg/7/1|7.1]] Lecture Bhuvaneśvara, 22 January 1977 --- ![[sb/9/10/50#purport]] —SB [[sb/9/10/50|9.10.50]] Purport --- ![[sb/4/24/15#purport]] —SB [[sb/4/24/15|4.24.15]] Purport --- One should not deviate from or surpass the instructions of the spiritual master. One should not be simply intent on consulting books but should simultaneously execute the spiritual master's order (*yathopadeśam*). ![[sb/5/5/14#purport]] —SB [[sb/5/5/14|5.5.14]] Purport --- **Additional Sources: Śrila Prabhupāda was most enlivened to hear the report of New Govardhana Farm. His Divine Grace in the last month or so has been stressing the importance of these farm projects, and said, "This is the next aspect of Kṛṣṇa consciousness which I wish to push forward. If I am able to travel again, then I shall visit the farms and make them perfect. **On these farms we can demonstrate the full * varṇāśrama*system.**If these farms become successful then the whole world will be enveloped by Kṛṣṇa consciousness. "From your letter I can understand how nice this farm is. I am very happy to see fresh vegetables, fresh fruits, grains, the devotees taking sumptuous *prasādam* and chanting Hare Kṛṣṇa. This is the actual meaning of human life. It is a very good farm, from your letter I can understand. Whatever you build, get the building materials locally. If you can manufacture tiles locally, then your house problem is solved. Build up bamboo frame, and on it place tiles.**In any event get everything locally. I wish to make a farm tour and then I shall surely visit your farm.**" I suggested to Śrila Prabhupāda that he was the Farm Acarya, but Śrila Prabhupāda said, **"Kṛṣṇa is the Farm Ācārya. Baladeva is holding a plow, and Kṛṣṇa is holding the calf.**Kṛṣṇa advised Nanda Mahārāja not to perform Indra * pūjā*but to worship the land, Govardhana because it was supplying all foodstuffs for the residents of Vṛndāvana and the cows as well." So Śrila Prabhupāda wants you to develop this farm very nicely as it will be the future program to present to the world as the ideal of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. In the cities, we are interested for preaching but we cannot present the ideal * varṇāśrama*system, this is only possible at the farms, so they are very important. —Letter from Tamāl Kṛṣṇa Goswami, Secretary to Śrila Prabhupāda to Hari Śauri dāsa, ISKCON Melbourne, 10 August 1977 (sent from Kṛṣṇa Balarāma Mandir, Vṛndāvana) --- **Abhirāma dāsa:**"I was personally present on two occasions when Śrila Prabhupāda spoke about how important establishing * varṇāśrama*was to him. Both times were in the summer of 1977, in Prabhupāda's room in Vṛndāvana, before he left to go to London. At the time, Tamāla Kṛṣṇa Goswami was Śrila Prabhupāda's personal secretary, and I his assistant. I was also Prabhupāda's nurse. "The first time, several devotees were with Śrila Prabhupāda. We knew that his health was getting weaker. He was talking to the devotees about his imminent departure. 'I have no lamentation,' Prabhupāda said. He paused for a few seconds, and then he said, 'No, **I have one lamentation.**' A devotee asked, 'Because you have not finished translating the *Śrimad Bhāgavatam*?' Prabhupāda replied, 'No,**that I have not established * varṇāśrama*.**' "On the next occasion, some time later, I was with Śrila Prabhupāda in his room when he made the statement, '**Fifty percent of my work is not complete because I have not established * varṇāśrama*.**'" —Telephone Interview with Abhirāma dāsa, Vṛndāvana, India 18 February 1996, (Interviewer: Hare Kṛṣṇa dāsi) --- "**We are about to embark on a new phase of our movement:* varṇāśrama *.**" —Prabhupāda to Jagadi**ś**a dāsa, who was taking Śrila Prabhupāda to the train to Allahabad (January 1977) --- "I was just discussing two years [1994?] ago with Nanda Kumāra dāsa in Arizona. He was telling me that Prabhupāda personally told him that **in our lifetime, we would see the establishment of the * varṇāśrama-dharma*." —Bhakti-tīrtha Swami (June 1996, Gita-nagari Farm) --- Mutual Respect in Varṇāśrama, Montreal, July 16, 1968: Room Conversation