## Instructions of the Previous Ācāryas **Śrīla Bhaktisiddhānta Sarasvatī Ṭhākura...wanted to reestablish ***daiva-varṇāśrama***. **In *daiva-varṇāśrama* there cannot be acknowledgment of social status according to birthright because in *Bhagavad-gītā* it is said that the determining considerations are *guṇa* and *karma*, one's qualities and work. It is this *daiva-varṇāśrama* that should be established all over the world to continue a perfect society for Kṛṣṇa consciousness. **This may be astonishing to foolish critics, but it is one of the functions of a Kṛṣṇa conscious society.** —SB [[sb/5/1/24 1975|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 1975|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 **Additional Source:** Śrīla Bhaktivinoda Ṭhākura: Varṇāśrama and Vaidhi-Bhakti: TEXT > sādhana-kāle ye paryanta hṛdaya kāma āche se paryanta varṇāśramādi dharmera apekṣā thāke TRANSLATION **At the time of practicing *sādhana-bhakti*, so long as there is material desire within the heart, one should remain within the confines of the *varṇāśrama* system.** PURPORT The relationship between the aforementioned *varṇāśrama-dharma* and *vaidhi-bhakti* ought to be examined. The question is, is the *varṇāśrama* institution negated, or should it be abandoned when one takes to the process of *bhakti*, or should the rules and regulations of *varṇāśrama* be followed in order to properly cultivate* vaidhi-bhakti*? As we have said, the main reason for the cultivation of *varṇāśrama* is that maintaining the body in good health, improving the faculty of the mind, promoting social well-being, and learning the science of the Self are all conducive to the practice of pure devotional service. Who can deny the necessity of the *varṇāśrama* institution as long as the living being is bound up in the human body? If it is abandoned, and the above-mentioned four principles are lacking, the *jiva *will go astray and no good whatsoever will accrue to him. One should, therefore, strictly adhere to the rules governing *varṇāśrama* for the sake of the mind, society, and one's advancement in Kṛṣṇa consciousness. But the observance of *varṇāśrama-dharma* is not the sole business of the *jiva*. Therefore, with the assistance of *varṇāśrama-dharma*, one must cultivate pure devotional service. The purpose of the *varṇāśrama* institution is to facilitate the practice of devotional service. The question may arise that since the practice of *varṇāśrama* is a dilatory affair, what will one's duty be if a conflict arises with one's devotional practice? The answer is that if one does not maintain and nourish the healthy condition of the body, mind, society, and the pursuit of self-realization, how will it be possible to cultivate the higher endeavor, devotional service? If, abandoning the *varṇāśram* a institution, one acts independently, then the demands of the body and mind will cause one to become intoxicated with material desire and no sign of devotion will manifest itself. (First *vṛṣṭi*, sixth *dhāra.*) **Thoroughly Overhaul Society** **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 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 1972|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 1972|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 **Simply enforcing laws and ordinances cannot make the citizens obedient and lawful. That is impossible. **Throughout the entire world there are so many states, legislative assemblies and parliaments, but still the citizens are rogues and thieves. Good citizenship, therefore, cannot be enforced; the citizens must be trained. **As there are schools and colleges to train students to become chemical engineers, lawyers or specialists in many other departments of knowledge, there must be schools and colleges to train students to become *brāhmaṇas*, *kṣatriyas*, *vaiśyas*, *śūdras*, *brahmacārīs*, *gṛhasthas*, *vānaprasthas* and *sannyāsīs*.** This will provide the preliminary condition for good citizenship (*varṇāśrama-guṇān-vitāḥ)*. —SB [[sb/9/10/50 1977|9.10.50]] Purport **Fulfilling The Spiritual Master's Instructions** This is the secret of success. After being initiated and receiving the orders of the spiritual master, the disciple should unhesitatingly think about the instructions or orders of the spiritual master and should not allow himself to be disturbed by anything else. This is also the verdict of Śrīla Viśvanātha Cakravartī Ṭhākura, who, while explaining a verse of *Bhagavad-gītā* (*vyavasāyātmikā buddhir ekeha kuru-nandana*, [*Bg *[[bg/2/41|2.41]]]), points out that the order of the spiritual master is the life substance of the disciple. **The disciple should not consider whether he is going back home, back to Godhead; his first business should be to execute the order of his spiritual master.** Thus a disciple should always meditate on the order of the spiritual master, and that is perfectional meditation. **Not only should he meditate upon that order, but he should find out the means by which he can perfectly worship and execute it.** —SB [[sb/4/24/15 1974|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 [[sb/5/5/14 1975|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