Srila
Prabhupada had an interesting conversation with devotee’s on 14
February 1977, covering important aspects of some misconceptions we
may have regarding "Daivi Varnasrama", in which he said
varnasrama should be established as it is not so easy to become a
vaisnava. This conversation clarifies how daivi-varnasrama, which is
unique to Gaudiya Vaisnavism, is different from traditional
varnasrama of ages gone by. Daiva-varnasrama is especially tailored
for the golden age within this Kali-yuga, where devotees of all
varnas are actually brahmanas in consciousness. All varnas are equal
spiritually.
In
reply to a question whether varnasrama is for the kanistha-adhikari,
Srila Prabhupada said yes but he also said that kanistha-adhikari
means he must be a qualified brahmana. And he gave an example of what
a brahmana is: as a materialistic devotee gradually elevates himself
from the material stage to the spiritual stage, during this actual
process of spiritual advancement, one is a brahmana. So in
daivi-varnasrama, devotees of all varnas could be considered
brahmanas. That is - all devotees, no matter what varna they are in,
following the regulative principles within daivi varnasrama, will act
to elevate themselves gradually through their varnas. There is an
equal chance of spiritual advancement for all.
Srila
Prabhupada said that by hearing and devotional service, we become
brahmanas – irrespective of whether one is a sudra or vaisya. And
when we become brahmanas, we are vaisnavas. So we can understand that
in daivi varnasrama, although one may be brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya
or sudra; in essence and because of the meaning of “daivi” in
varnasrama which is unique to this age, we all should develop
brahmana consciousness. He says below the brahmana, there is no
question of vaisnava.
As Srila Prabhupada says, during the actual process of transcending
from a materialist devotee, all within the stage of a
kanistha-adhikari, one will be in brahmana consciousness. So even a
sudra engaged in his varna, could advance spiritually, as equally as
a ksatriya or vaisya and also become brahmana and there is no reason
for him to give up his varna activities. Ramananda Raya was a sudra
by birth and a grhastha, but as a politician, he acted as a ksatriya
and at the same time, he was top-most in brahmana consciousness. The
purpose of varnasrama is to create a favourable situation for all
devotees, women included, to gradually transcend from the material
stage to the spiritual stage. So in the “daivi varnasrama” of our
acaryas, a brahmana is a brahmana, a ksatriya is a brahmana, a vaisya
is a brahmana and a sudra is a brahmana – in consciousness.
The
term “daivi” as a prefix to varnasrama, was used by our acaryas,
mainly as a way to distinguish from the present caste system, a
throwback from traditional varnasrama, where anyone born in a
brahmana family would automatically become a brahmana, even without
the qualities of a brahmana. “Daivi” also means divine or
spiritual and refers to the followers of the Supreme Personality of
Godhead exclusively, according to Srila Prabhupada.
Although
all devotees within daivi-varnasrama should be or endeavour to be in
brahmana consciousness, one may question how we can prevent the caste
system from being abused within our communities as varnasrama
evolves. It needs to be understood that in traditional varnasrama,
with proper rules, regulations and samskaras followed, a child born
of parents in a certain varna would take on the qualities of that
varna. In this regard, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura said,
“Much disturbance is created, both individually and aggregately,
on account of the non-acceptance of this inviolable scientific
principle of natural predilection as observed and promulgated by our
ancient sages of vast experience, and the wrong adoption of the
seminal principle only, i.e., the principle of determining caste by
birth alone. It is due to the fact that this principle of caste
determination was at one time perfect and nice at all points in
India, that even this day the Indians are able to stand erect with a
challenging mood before the world on the glorious foundation of the
past. Here, Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Sarasvati Thakura says that
caste by birth alone as wrongly followed presently is an idea
conceived from a perfect system in times gone by, where this
principle of caste by birth worked perfectly.
Presently,
we do not follow any samskara rituals for conceiving a child and this
is not necessary at the moment but can evolve with time if necessary.
Srila Prabhupada stated that our grhasthas should simply chant fifty
rounds before conceiving. Grhasthas following this and practicing
devotional service strictly will ensure that children born to them
take on their spiritual and work qualities. So as this system
evolves, it is likely that a child with brahmana qualities will be
born in a brahmana family, a child with ksatriya qualities will be
born in a ksatriya family and so on. There could be exceptions. If a devotee from one varna desires to do the
work of another, it will be rare and can be rectified. But the main point of this
daivi-varnasrama which is especially designed for the golden age
within this Kali-yuga is that all varnas share an equal chance of
fast track spiritual advancement, despite their qualities of work.
This advantage is not available in the other ages.
Srila
Prabhupada said that daivi means devata and devata actually means
those who accept the authority of the Supreme Personality of Godhead
and unless one is not a vaisnava, he cannot be a devata. He cannot be
a civilized man. Worshippers of other religious systems and arguably
even demigod worshippers cannot be devata or included into
daivi-varnasrama. This is the unique position of daivi-varnasrama –
even a sudra is a brahmana.
