## Why Is Varṇāśrama Important? 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. Here it is clearly stated that there are many types of *yajña* performances recommended in the Vedic literatures, but actually all of them are meant for satisfying the Supreme Lord. *Yajña* means Viṣṇu. In the Third Chapter of *Bhagavad-gītā* it is clearly stated that one should only work for satisfying Yajña, or Viṣṇu. **The perfectional form of human civilization, known as *varṇāśrama-dharma*, is specifically meant for satisfying Viṣṇu.** —Bg [[bg/9/24|9.24]] Purport TRANSLATION **O best among the twice-born, it is therefore concluded that **the highest perfection one can achieve by discharging the duties prescribed for one's own occupation according to caste divisions and orders of life is to please the Personality of Godhead.**** PURPORT Human society all over the world is divided into four castes and four orders of life. The four castes are the intelligent caste, the martial caste, the productive caste and the laborer caste. These castes are classified in terms of one's work and qualification and not by birth. Then again there are four orders of life, namely the student life, the householder's life, the retired and the devotional life. In the best interest of human society there must be such divisions of life, otherwise no social institution can grow in a healthy state. **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*. **This institutional function of human society is known as the system of *varṇāśrama-dharma*, which is quite natural for the civilized life. The *varṇāśrama* institution is constructed to enable one to realize the Absolute Truth. **It is not for artificial domination of one division over another. **When the aim of life, i.e., realization of the Absolute Truth, is missed by too much attachment for *indriya-prīti*, or sense gratification, as already discussed hereinbefore, the institution of the *varṇāśrama* is utilized by selfish men to pose an artificial predominance over the weaker section. In the Kali-yuga, or in the age of quarrel, this artificial predominance is already current, but the saner section of the people know it well that the divisions of castes and orders of life are meant for smooth social intercourse and high-thinking self-realization and not for any other purpose. Herein the statement of *Bhāgavatam* is that **the highest aim of life or the highest perfection of the institution of the *varṇāśrama-dharma* is to cooperate jointly for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.** —SB [[sb/1/2/13 1972|1.2.13]] **The distinction between human life and animal life therefore begins with the scientific system of *varṇa* and *āśrama***, guided by the experience of the sages in relation with the demigods, gradually rising to the summit of reestablishing our eternal relation with the Supreme Absolute Truth, the Personality of Godhead, Lord Śrī Kṛṣṇa. —SB [[sb/1/16/31 1972|1.16.31]] Purport TRANSLATION **The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Viṣṇu, continued: My dear King Pṛthu, **when one situated in his occupational duty engages in My loving service without motive for material gain, he gradually becomes very satisfied within.**** PURPORT This verse is also confirmed by the *Viṣṇu Purāṇa*. Occupational duties are known as *varṇāśrama-dharma* and apply to the four divisions of material and spiritual life—namely *brāhmaṇa*, *kṣatriya*, *vaiśya* and *śūdra*, and *brahmacarya*, *gṛhastha*, *vānaprastha* and *sannyāsa*. If one works according to the *varṇāśrama-dharma* system and does not desire fruitive results, he gets satisfaction gradually. **Discharging one's occupational duty as a means of rendering devotional service unto the Supreme Personality of Godhead is the ultimate goal of life. ** —SB [[sb/4/20/9 1974|4.20.9]] Pṛthu Mahārāja's sole aim in ruling his kingdom was to raise the citizens to the standard of God consciousness... In the *Viṣṇu Purāṇa* it is said that the entire *varṇāśrama* institution is meant to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The rules and regulations set up for the execution of the duties of *brāhmaṇas*, *kṣatriyas*, *vaiśyas* and *śūdras* or *brahmacārīs*, *gṛhasthas*, *vānaprasthas* and *sannyāsīs* are all meant to satisfy the Supreme Lord. At the present moment, although the so-called *brāhmaṇas*, *kṣatriyas*, *vaiśyas* and *śūdras* have lost their original culture, they claim to be *brāhmaṇas*, *kṣatriyas*, *vaiśyas* and *śūdras* by birthright. Yet they have rejected the proposition that such social and spiritual orders are especially meant for worship of Lord Viṣṇu... In *Bhagavad-gītā* ([[bg/18/46|18.46]]) it is said: > yataḥ pravṛttir bhūtānāṁ yena sarvam idaṁ tatam sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya siddhiṁ vindati mānavaḥ [*Bg *[[bg/18/46|18.46]]] "By worship of the Lord, who is the source of all beings and who is all-pervading, man can, in the performance of his own duty, attain perfection."...The Absolute Truth is therefore the Supreme Personality of Godhead, and every living being is meant to satisfy the Supreme Godhead by performing his respective duty (*sva-karmaṇā tam abhyarcya*). Mahārāja Pṛthu wanted to introduce this formula amongst his citizens. **The most important point in human civilization is that while one engages in different occupational duties, he must try to satisfy the Supreme Lord by the execution of such duties. That is the highest perfection of life.*** Svanuṣṭhitasya dharmasya saṁsiddhir hari-toṣaṇam*: [SB [[sb/1/2/13 1972|1.2.13]]] by discharging one's prescribed duty, one can become very successful in life if he simply satisfies the Supreme Personality of Godhead. The vivid example is Arjuna. He was a *kṣatriya*, his duty was to fight, and by executing his prescribed duty he satisfied the Supreme Lord and therefore became perfect. Everyone should follow this principle. —SB [[sb/4/21/27 1974|4.21.27]] Purport **The Vedic process of sense gratification is therefore planned in such a way that one can economically develop and enjoy sense gratification and yet ultimately attain liberation.** Vedic civilization offers us all knowledge in the *śāstras*, and if we live a regulated life under the direction of *śāstras* and *guru*, all our material desires will be fulfilled; at the same time we will be able to go forward to liberation. —SB [[sb/4/22/34 1974|4.22.34]] Purport **If we do not take to the principles of *varṇāśrama-dharma*** by accepting the four social orders (*brāhmaṇa*, *kṣatriya*, *vaiśya* and *śūdra*) and the four orders of spiritual life (*brahmacārī*, *gṛhastha*, *vānaprastha* and *sannyāsa*),** there can be no question of success in life. ** —SB [[sb/5/19/10 1975|5.19.10]] Purport **...If one's position is ascertained by a bona fide spiritual master and one is properly trained to engage in the service of Lord Viṣṇu** according to the four social divisions [*brāhmaṇa*, *kṣatriya*, *vaiśya* and *śūdra*] and the four spiritual divisions [*brahmacārī*, *gṛhastha*, *vānaprastha* and *sannyāsa*], **one's life becomes perfect.** —SB [[sb/5/19/19 1975|5.19.19]] Translation **According to the system of four *varṇas* and four *āśramas***, people generally worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead, Nārāyaṇa, who is situated as the sun-god. With great faith they worship the Supreme Personality as the Supersoul according to ritualistic ceremonies handed down in the three Vedas, such as *agnihotra* and similar higher and lower fruitive acts, and according to the process of mystic yoga. In this way **they very easily attain the ultimate goal of life.** —SB [[sb/5/22/4 1975|5.22.4]] Translation **The *varṇāśrama* institution offers the perfect process for making one eligible to return home, back to Godhead,** because the aim of every *varṇa* and *āśrama* is to please the Supreme Lord. —SB [[sb/6/3/13 1975|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 [[sb/6/3/13 1975|6.7.13]] Purport In *Bhagavad-gītā* it is clearly stated that there are many types of *yajña* performances recommended in the Vedic literatures, but actually all of them are meant for satisfying the Supreme Lord. Yajña means Viṣṇu. In the Third Chapter of *Bhagavad-gītā* it is clearly stated that one should work only for satisfying Yajña, or Viṣṇu. **The perfectional form of human civilization, known as *varṇāśrama-dharma*, is specifically meant for satisfying Viṣṇu. ** —SB [[sb/7/3/24 1976|7.3.24]] Purport As confirmed in the *Viṣṇu Purāṇa* (3.8.9), *varṇāśramācāravatā puruṣeṇa paraḥ pumān viṣṇur ārādhyate*: [*Cc Madhya* [[cc/madhya/8/58|8.58]]] **by accepting the institution of *varṇa* and *āśrama*, one can very easily elevate himself to the platform of worshiping Viṣṇu, the Supreme Personality of Godhead.** Otherwise, if one remains in the bodily conception, one must rot within this material world, and his life will be a failure. —SB [[sb/7/5/5 1976|7.5.5]] **It is essential that society be divided into four groups of men—*brāhmaṇas*, *kṣatriyas*, *vaiśyas* and *śūdras*.** Here we see that although Prahlāda was perfect in every respect, he nonetheless followed the instructions of the *brāhmaṇas* who performed the Vedic rituals. —SB [[sb/7/10/24 1976|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) Although in the *Vedas* there are recommendations for worshiping many demigods, Lord Viṣṇu is the Supreme Person, and worship of Viṣṇu is the ultimate goal of life. **The Vedic principles of the *varṇāśrama* institution are meant to *organize* society to prepare everyone to worship Lord Viṣṇu.** > 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) One must ultimately worship Lord Viṣṇu, and for that purpose the *varṇāśrama* system organizes society into *brāhmaṇas*, *kṣatriyas*, *vaiśyas*, *śūdras*, *brahmacārīs*, *gṛhasthas*, *vānaprasthas* and *sannyāsīs*. —SB [[sb/8/20/11 1976|8.20.11]] Purport ***Yajñas* can be performed in human society only when society is divided by *varṇāśrama-dharma* into four *varṇas* and four *āśramas*. **Without such a regulative process, no one can perform *yajñas*, and without the performance of *yajñas*, no material plans can make human society happy at any time. —SB [[sb/9/14/47 1977|9.14.47]] Purport According to Vedic principles, there must be divisions of human society (*cātur-varṇyaṁ mayā sṛṣṭam* [Bg [[bg/4/13|4.13]]]). There should be *brāhmaṇas*, *kṣatriyas*, *vaiśyas* and *śūdras*, and everyone should learn to worship the Supreme Personality of Godhead (*tam abhyarcya*). **This is real human society, and without this system we are left with animal society.** —SB [[sb/10/2/34 1977|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 1972|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 1972|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 1974|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 1972|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 1974|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 1975|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 1974|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 [[sb/4/29/54 1974|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