Hare Krsna,
This forum topic is so timely. As I write this, I am in New Vrindavana (West Virginia) this week to spend the last few days of Kartika (Damodara) month in this beautiful country-side holy place. Yesterday as I was taking a japa walk and meditating on the varnasrama system, I saw an old time resident of New Vrindavana collecting fire wood for the winter. He is a disciple of HDG Srila Prabhupada and his name is Tapakunja prabhu. He has been living in New Vrindavana since 1974. During the course of our chitchat, he mentioned how it is important for everyone to get connected to the land. He said real varnasrama system starts from the land and cows (trade, cows and agriculture). He mentioned that Srila Prabhupada’s only regret was he could not set up the varnasrama system. I looked up to find the source of that conversation. I am pasting the excerpts of that conversation below:
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Here is Abhirāma prabhu’s direct encounter:
I was personally present on two occasions when Srila Prabhupada spoke about how important establishing varṇāśrama was to him. Both times were in the summer of 1977, in Prabhupada’s room in Vrindavan, before he left to go to London. At the time, Tamal Krishna Goswami was Srila Prabhupada’s personal secretary, and I his assistant. I was also Prabhupada’s nurse.
The first time, several devotees were there with Srila Prabhupada. We knew that his health was getting weaker. He was talking to the devotees about his imminent departure. “I have no lamentation,” Prabhupada 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 Srīmad Bhāgavatam?” Prabhupada replied, “No, that I have not established varṇāśrama.”
On the next occasion, some time later, I was with Srila Prabhupada in his room when he made the statement, “Fifty percent of my work is not complete because I have not established varṇāśrama.”
I remember one more quote from that summer. Prabhupada stated, “I want to establish varṇāśrama.” A devotee asked, “How will you do that, Srila Prabhupada?” and he replied, “I will go to Gīta Nāgari, I will sit down, and I will teach you to live off the land.” I personally consider that to be the bīja mantra [seed mantra] of varṇāśrama.
– Excerpt from Srila Prabhupada on Varnasrama (1999)
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My realization is that without a real varnasrama system we go through an ‘identity crisis.’ Let me explain. From a personal standpoint, I still am not sure what exactly are my ‘varna’ and ‘ashrama’. I am single. Therefore I am neither a grhastha (householder), vanaprastha (semi retired), or sannyasa (renounced order). I used to think I am a brahmacari. But one devotee told me that real brahmacaris are those who stay with their spiritual masters or in the temple full-time. This left me more confused about my ashrama. Looks like I am in the middle of nowhere. From a varna standpoint, I am not sure either. I think I fall under sudra category but I am not sure. All I know is that I am not happy with my work life and the work I am doing. Maybe my varna is meant for something else. This is what I meant by ‘identity crisis’. This identity crisis is prevalent in the whole world resulting in unhappiness, distress, and misery – all due to the lack of a proper varnasrama system. Even India has failed this system big time.
In the conversation between Lord Caitanya and Ramananda Raya, Lord Caitanya asked a question about the advancement of spiritual knowledge, the Lord Himself said, “Please quote some verses from scripture about the ultimate goal of human life.” Śrī Rāmānanda Rāya at once replied: “A person who is sincere in his occupational duty will gradually develop a sense of God consciousness.” He also quoted a verse from Viṣṇu Purāṇa (3.8.9) which states that the Supreme Lord is worshiped by one’s occupational duty and that there is no alternative for satisfying Him. The purport is that human life is meant for understanding one’s relationship with the Supreme Lord, and by acting in that way any human being can dovetail himself in the service of the Lord by discharging his prescribed duties. For this purpose human society is divided into four classes: the intellectuals (brāhmaṇas), the administrators (kṣatriyas), the merchants (vaiśyas), and the laborers (śūdras). After hearing Rāmānanda Rāya expound upon the proper execution of a regulated life, Lord Caitanya said that such regulations are simply external. Indirectly He asked Rāmānanda to expound on something superior to such an external exhibition. Formal execution of rituals and religion is useless unless it culminates in the perfection of devotional service. (Source: TLC 27)
In other words, Lord Caitanya rejected the varnasrama system as the ultimate goal of life.
In this age of Kali Yuga, it is not possible to establish or follow real varnasrama system. The only activity recommended in this age is the chanting of the Holy Name of the Lord – Hare Krishna Hare Krishna, Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama, Rama Rama Hare Hare
“For spiritual progress in this Age of Kali, there is no alternative, there is no alternative, there is no alternative to the holy name, the holy name, the holy name of the Lord.” (CC Adi 7.76)
All glories to Srila Prabhupada!
Krsna Katha 