VarnasramaResearchTeam:AnIntroduction

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1 Volume:01 Aug-Sept09 Highlights VRTNewsletertoAtainLord slotusfet widelyfromorganicfarming,rooftopgardeningthroughcowprotection,vilageadministrationtoproducingwelresearchedstudieson Introduction VarnasramaMusings Fromthe dfdfcvcv ghfghfg VilageTechnology VarnasramaCommunityReport Whatishappening? VBT&VMP VarnasramaResearchTeam:AnIntroduction VarnasramaResearchteamisalocalizedbodyofdevotesandactivistswhoareengagedinthetaskofspreadingsocialawarenesand areinstrumentalinestablishingsocietiesfoundedonvedicprinciplesofvarnasramaintheareaundertheguidanceofhh Bhakti RaghavaSwamiMaharaj.Thiscomprisesconductingdepresearchinaltheareasthatwouldbeofinterestinlife.Thus,focusranges Vedicwayoflife.Thissuggestsof: Conductingresearchandmaintaininggoodknowledgedatabase. Producingliterature(oflineandonline)promotingvedicwayoflivingaspropoundedbySrilaPrabhupada Oflineliterature:Publicationofbooks,pamphlets,brochures,newsleters,flyers,documentarymovies,etc. Onlineliterature:Diferentwebsites,slideshows,shortmoviesetc. Conductingseminars,talkshows,roadshows,simplesankirtansthroughwhichthemesageofVarnasramaanditstenetsof simplelife,morenaturallife,andspiritualy-centriclifearefocused ProcuringlandandpresentamodelofVarnasramavilage(simplelifedependentonlandandcowswithGuru&Krishnaatthecenter totheoutsideworld Spreadawarenesofartificialityofcitylifethatweareleadinginthecityandpresentingtothemasolutiontoaltheproblemsand suferings. EncouragethemtotakeupsimplevilagelifebasedonVarnasramaprinciples SupportthelocalunitsinimplementingandadaptingtoVarnasramalifestyle SupportingnewVRTformationsthroughcooperationintermsofresearchfindings,functioning,formation,localizingacordingto theircontextetc. VarnasramarootedfirmlyintherichnesofVedicliteratureandthoughtsofacharyasisthenextspritual,economic,political,and socialrevolutionsettotaketheworldbystorm.anybodycanbeapartofthatrevolutionarystorybyeitherbecomingamemberofthe VRTorsupportingitscausethroughdiferentposiblemeans.

2 SrilaPrabhupada:ThePropheticVoice Theywilverysoonbejobless! Prabhupada:Sraddha-sabdevisvasasudrdhaniscaya.Thisisbasicplatform,that WhatKrsnasays,thatistruth."Krsnabhaktikailesarvakarmakrtahaya:"IfIfolow Krsna, thenmybusinessiscomplete."thisisinteligence.now.wehavecometotheopenfield.how itisnice.andsolongwewerepassingthroughthatcongestedareas-helish,simplyhelish. Andnow hereisopenspace.how itisnice. Hari-sauri:Toenterintoacityissoimposingonyourconsciousness. Prabhupada:Uptothatpoint,simplyrubbish,alpapersthrownhereandthere.Peopleare livingin.now seehere,how itisopenandpleasing.organizethisfarm project.farm. (backgroundtalking) Hari-sauri:He'sjustsayingthatintheWestonerequiresagreatdealofcapital.Tostartafarm, togettheland,youneedalotofmoneybecauselandisveryexpensive.andalsowehavetouse modernfarmingtechniquesbecausewehavesofew mentorunthefarms. Prabhupada:No,youshow example.peoplewildoautomaticaly.whenthepeoplefinditisvery nice,theywiltake.prabhupada:whyhouseholders?everyone.harekrsna.(japa) Ramesvara:InAmericathereisaverybigemphasisongetingpeopletojoinusbymovinginto ourtemples.thetemplepresidentsareveryeagertogetasmanypeopletomoveinaspossible, butinthelongrunmostpeoplecannotcomeuptothestandard. Prabhupada:ThereforeIam [advocating].farms. Ramesvara:SotheyhavetobeencouragedtohavealitlebitofKrsnaconsciousnessintheir ownhome,maketheirhomeatemple. Prabhupada:No,letthem gotothefarm,new Vrindaban. Ramesvara:Manypeople.Mostpeopleintheworld,theyaregrhamedhis,andtheycannotgive itupsoeasily. Prabhupada:"No,youremain.Comeherewithyourwife,children.Youremaingrhamedhi." Jagadisa:New Vrindabanisveryaustere.Ifwebuildlitlebungalowswithmodernconvenience. Prabhupada:Oh,yes.

3 MakingoftheNewsleter -Vrndavanliladd FromtheEditor Kunti,borninopulenceasprinces,mariedofinIndia smostfamousroyalfamilyofpanduasquen,andmotheroffiveilustrioussons-pandavas-renownedintheworldfortheirinteligence, beauty,andstrength;andlastbutnottheleastasthe bua (paternalaunt)ofthesupremelordoftheuniverseinhiscelestialpastime;whatdoweexpect?materialy,thereisnothingwanting,yetshe isthrongedbytheworstkindofsuferings.sheledaveryunenviablelifeofunpunctuatedsuferingsoflosofherveryfirstchild,earlywidowhood,constantovershadowofdeathonhersonsby noneotherthantheir noneotherthantheirowncousins,worstkindofhumiliationtoherdaughter-in-law,warbetwenthefamilyitselfwhichclaimedthelifeofcountlespeople,includinghergrandsons.despite incesantlyhauntedbyinclemenciesandhavingthelordinfrontofher,shedoesnotquestionherdestiny.shejustremembersthediferentwaysinwhichthelordhadshoweredhismercyuponher. SherecalshermomentsoftribulationswhenHehadsavedher: visanmahagnehpurusada-darsanad asat-sabhayavana-vasa-krchratah mrdhemrdhe'neka-maharathastrato drauny-astratascasmahare'bhiraksitah [MydearKrsna,YourLordshiphasprotectedusfromapoisonedcake,fromagreatfire,fromcannibals,fromtheviciousasembly,fromsuferingsduringourexileintheforest,andfromthebatle wheregreatgeneralsfought.andnowyouhavesavedusfromtheweaponofasvathama.] SheisinfulrealizationofHistruthandlikeatruedevote,humblysupplicatesherselftoHislotusfet.Insteadofaskingforotherbenedictionsorcomplaining;she,onthecontrary,praysformore calamitiesconsideringthemassteppingstonestodevotion. vipadahsantutahsasvat tatratatrajagad-guro bhavatodarsanamyatsyad apunarbh apunarbhava-darsanam [IwishthatalthosecalamitieswouldhappenagainandagainsothatwecouldseYouagainandagain,forseingYoumeansthatwewilnolongerserepeatedbirthsanddeaths.] ItisherunflinchingfaithandloveforHimthatmakesherstandout.SheissoabsorbedinHimthatdespitelivingthroughsuchpains,sheasksformoreasthatwouldkephercompletelydevotedto Him.Whataprayer! Ithadbenmo Ithadbenmorethan7monthssinceIhadlostmyjob-noincometricklinginfromanyotherstream,regularmonthlycommitments,andayoungdaughteralongwithadditionalliabilities.Further,I haddeclinedtwoverylucrativeofersfrombangalore,fearingthatmaydeprivemeofsmalopportunitiesofservinggurumaharajandsrilaprabhupadathatiwasabundantlygetinghere.afew devotescriticized,whileafewcondonedmydecision,butinterestinglyboththearticulationswereoutofpureconcern.whereelsecanwefindthisselflesloveandconcern?thebackdropof economic economicrecesionandloveextendedbydevotesmademefurtherrealizethetruthofvarnasramaandjoyoflivinginacommunitywithkrishnaatthecenter.itistheonlystructurethatisresistant tothesekindofvolatility,nothingelse,nothingelse,andnothingelse. Inthemidst,IrealizedthatifsomehowIamabletostartaNewsleterforVRTandthusabletostringtheVarnasramaefortsmadeacrosthecountryandevenoutside,Iwilbeabletodosome servicetomygurumaharaj,tomanymoreseniorvaishnavasworkinginthearea.the Making ofthisnewsleterwasnolesatestforameremortallikeme,especialyagainsttheimpoverished backdrop,butinterestinglyitwasalsoverywonderful-thebeautyofkrishnaconsciousnesmovement.apersontotalydevoidofanyqualificationorloveforgodheadwasworkingonthe Newsletert Newsletertryingtogiveshapetoanamorphousidea!Finaly,Icameupwithsomethoughtsondiferentcolumnswecouldhave,onwhatwouldpopulatediferentsections,onitspresentationetc. WithabeatingheartIsenttheproposaltomyGuruMaharajforconsideration.HereadilygaveHisapprovalwithafewsuggestions,lavishasalwaysininvolvingeverybodyinthemovementandthus letingnobodybedeprivedofsrilaprabhupada sblesings.inmyownsmalmanneriwilbeinstrumentalinfulfilingthedreamofourgrandspiritualmaster,srilaprabhupada,whosomuchwanted toestablishvarnasrama,butmercifulyleftitforustoacomplishandthuspleasekrishna. catur-varnyammayasrstam guna-karma-vibhagasah tasyakartaramapimam viddhyakartaramavyayam [BG,4:13] [Acordingtothethremodesofmaterialnatureandtheworkasociatedwiththem,thefourdivisionsofhumansocietyarecreatedbyMe.AndalthoughIamthecreatorofthissystem,youshould knowthatiamyetthenondoer,beingunchangeable.] SriChaita SriChaitanyaMahaprabhuopenedthefloodgatesofdivinelovetoeverybody,SrilaPrabhupadamercifulyextendediteventomlechasleavingthemostimportanttaskofacomplishingthe VarnasramacentricsocialorderforHisdisciples.Andthosedisciples,continuingthetraditionofcauselesmercymadethemovementmoreandmoreparticipative,creatingaworldwhereeverybody fromavaishnavatoshudrahadaroletoplayinservingthelord.therewasnolongeranynedofimposingartificialmodesonanybody.justbeyour original selfandguarantedspiritualevolution was waswaitingforus.whatmorearewewaitingfor?justplungeandtastethenectaroflivinginanaturalambience,awayfromthepolutionofmaterialcitylife.theduskisdefinedbythemooingof cows,milkingsound,aromaticbreze,refreshingbathinthestreamorriver,chimingofthebels,fragranceofincensesticks,soundofmelodiouskirtanthatmakesthesunslowlyappearonthe horizon,theduskisnolongeradryfour-leteredword,butgodhulivelaorthetimewhenthecowsreturnaftergrazingdaylongandthereisacloudofdustastheymarchforward.beautifullife awaitsus,butwehavetobreakourselvesfrefromtheconditioningthatjoyisdefinedbymaterialcomforts.happinesisdefinedonlybykrishna,becauseheisthereservoirofhappinesandblis- sac-cid-anandavigrahah. Itakenocreditforingenuouslycomingupwiththisideaofstartingthenewsleter.HH BhaktiRaghavaSwamiMaharajhadsuggestedofthisonseveralocasions,butwewerenotreadytotakeitup. Manyefortshadbenmadeinthepastbyseniordevotes,butgotabortedbecauseofonereasonortheother.Notthatthesituationisanybeternow;despiteseingitshistoryandfailedefortsof stalwartsimadeupmymindtolaunchit-foolsrushinwhereangelsfeartotread!theonlyinspirationthatihadwas-ihavenothingtolose,onlytogain.ifitsuceds,itwilhelpsomanymore people.srilaprabhupadaandhis people.srilaprabhupadaandhisrepresentativesaresomercifulthattheywilacept.iwasremindedofthesquirelwhoroledherselfinthedustandthenshookitoftohelpsriramabuildthe bridgetolanka!hercontributionwasnegligiblebutheaceptedit.thepresentefortismyhumbleoferingatthelotusfetofhh BhaktiRaghavaSwamimaharaj,althevaishnavas,althe devotesworkingsilentlyinfulfilingthemision,andofcoursesrilaprabhupada.nowwhenisethenewsleterinitsrealform,iamnotabletobelievemyself,iknowihavenotdoneit;hehas mademedoit: mukamkarotivachalam pangumlanghayategirim yat-kripatamahamvande shri-gurumdina-taranam Pleaseforgivethemistakesthathavegoneunnoticed. IftherebegoodinthatIwrought,/Thyhandcompeledit,Masterthine./WhereIhavefailedtometthythought/Iknow,throughthe,the blameismine. Isolicitsuggestionsforimprovementandforenrichmentfromeverybody. YoursintheserviceofSrilaPrabhupada, Vrndavanliladevidasi (DrVrindaBaxi)

4 VarnasramaResearchTeamtookbirthon August18,2007withaveryhumblebeginningoffourmembersinSecunderabadat thebehestofhisholinesbhaktiraghavaswamiwhomweenthusiasticyoungsters gotintouchwithregardtocowprotectionandvarnasrama.fromthenthejourney wasfiledwithnewfoundedenthusiasmofarevolutionanditcontinuestodosofor thenewvarnasramaresearchteams.nowthereareatleast5varnasramaresearch TeamsthatmetregularlyinvariouspartsofIndiaaswelasoutsidewitharound 100membersalto 100membersaltogether.VarnasramaResearchTeam,asverynamesuggests,isateam ofinspiredmemberswhowishtozealouslygetinvolvedinthemuchneded Varnasramamovementthroughwaysofresearch,support,andimplementation.This isveryimportantifwehavetosucedinimplementingvarnasramamisionalover theworld,thusfulfilsrilaprabhupada'slastinstructions. VarnasramaResearchTeamisesentialyayouth movementwhichshouldovertaketheyoungmembersofbys(bhaktivedantayouth Services)orIYF(ISKCON YouthForum)togetinspiredforSimplelivingandHigh thinkingphilosophytofinalybecomeapartofthefarmcommunity. Thebasicingredienttostartyourownteamis faithinthephilosophyofvarnasrama,enthusiasmandcoordinationwithwhatis happeningintherestoftheteamsthatarealreadyrunning.thisnewsletertriesto fulfilthelastthisnedandlitlemore.iseaverybrightfutureforthisnewsleter whichwilcatertotheyoungenthusiasts,bringreportsfromdevotesworkingfor change,involveprofesionalsfromvariousfieldsandpublishresearchesbeingdonein theareaindiferentpartsoftheworld. Iwishalthebesttotheeditorialteam, Iwishalthebesttotheeditorialteam, primarilythemembersofthevarnasramaresearchteam,secunderabadchapterin thismostimportantefortwhichsrilaprabhupadastresedsomuch. ".ThereforeIamaskingsomuchhereand., 'Farm,farm,farm,farm.'.Thatisnotmyprogram-Krishna'sprogram:Annad bhavantibhutani.producegreneseverywhere,everywhere.vrndavana. -SrilaPrabhuapada,Co -SrilaPrabhuapada,Conversation,Vrndavana, May27,1977 From NationalCo-ordinator From StateCo-ordinator SrilaPrabhupadasaidthatcitieswil onedaycrumbledown.anditdidnottakelongforhissentencetoprove prophetic.wecansewithourowneyesthateverythingfromthelownes ofbasicrequirementstokepbodyandsoultogethertometingthe spiritualrequirementsofthesoulhavebecomedificult. Foodthatsustainsourlifebreathhas slowlybecomesodearthatithasslippedfromthehandsofacommon man.inflationispeaking,somuchsothatinasmalcountrylikezimbabwe therateofinflationis2000%!freshairispoluted.waterisascarcityand issold.clearwaterfromflowingstreamorriverisonlyapipedream. Somehowifonemanagestogetwaterinthecityistherecycledwaterfrom waste.city spopulationisburstingatitsseams,leavingnodecentplacefor acommon acommonfamilytolive.onedoesnotliveonland,buthangsintheair,in thesocaledstoreyedapartments.moderneducationdespitecustom designedtogivejobshasfailedinthatitself.aperson soldageisnolonger visionreadingscripturesandtelingstoriestograndchildren,butcursingthe familyinanoldagehome.unaware,acitydwelerbeginshisdaywiththe usageofproductsthatuseanimalproducts,includingcowby-products. Amidtheairofmaterialpursuit,althefinerspiritualconcernshaveben buriedinthebackyardandforgoten.butthematerialacquisitionforwhich werealysacrificedeverything,wherehasitbroughtus?nowonder,itdid nottakemanyyearsforthetruthtocomeout.americaneconomy colapsed,makingmanymanymoretofolow-thebaneofsocaledglobal economy.manybigcompanieshavefalenapart.thousandsofpeoplehave benlaidjobles.lakhsofworkingclaspeoplehavebendisilusioned withthecities.thisisthepricethatwehavepaidfrommovingself susuficientunitsofvilagetoamoderncity.wheredowegofromhere? Farmershavemovedtothecitiesor worsevilageshavemodernizedthemselvestoturntocities,butdothey knowwheretheyareheadedto?fromself-suficiencytodependencyand starvation!srilaprabhupadaandotheracharayastheycouldforesethese problemsandhaveoferedaveryeasysolutiontothisdangerousdebacle: Wheneveryoneisworkinginthecity toproducenutsandbolts,whowilproducefoodgrains?simplelivingand highthinkingisthesolutiontoeconomicproblems.thereforethekrishna consciousnesmovementinengagingdevotesinproducingtheirownfood andlivingselfsuficientlysothatrascalsmaysehowonecanlivevery peacefuly,eatthefoodgrainsonehasgrownoneself,drinkmilk,andchant HareKrishna. Vaishnavasordevotesareexpectedto beinteligent-jeijankrishnabhajesebadachatur simplybecausetheyare inspiredbykrishna.wehaveaproblem,wehaveasimplesolution,andwe alsohavebengiftedwiththeinteligencetoknowthesolution.whatmore arewewaitingfor?whatisitwhichisstoppingusfromtakingto Varnasrama?Whydelay?Whystayinabuildingwhosebrickshavealready startedfalingapartandnocenterholds?letusmoveoutofthedecaying ststructure,saveourselvesandalsotrytosaveothersbypresentingarole modeltothem. Itisinfrontofoureyes Whydelay? HarikirtanDas Annadbhavantibhutani. BharatChandraDas

5 VarnasramaMusings JanmastamiandtheVarnasramaMision LaunchingtheGlobalVarnasramaMissionNewsleteronthedayofJanmastamiisbothvery auspiciousandmostsignificant.srilaprabhupadahasoftenunderlinedtherelevanceof varnasramaexplaininghow itiscreateddirectlybylordkrishnahimself(gita4.13).inthesrimad Bhagavatam,Canto8.24.5wefindthefolowingspecificanddirectreferenceinrelationtothe appearanceofthelordandtheestablishmentofvarnasrama: çré-çukauväca go-vipra-sura-sädhünäàchandasäm apiceçvaraù rakñäm icchaàstanürdhattedharmasyärthasyacaivahi -HH BhaktiRaghavaSwami Translation: ÇréÇukadevaGosvämésaid:OKing,forthesakeofprotectingthecows,brähmaëas,demigods,devotes,theVedicliterature,religious principles,andprinciplestofulfilthepurposeoflife,thesupremepersonalityofgodheadaceptstheformsofincarnations. Purport: TheSupremePersonalityofGodheadgeneralyappearsinvarioustypesofincarnationstogiveprotectiontothecowsandbrähmaëas.The Lordisdescribedasgo-brähmaëa-hitäyaca;inotherwords,Heisalwayseagertobenefitthecowsandbrähmaëas.WhenLordKåñëaappeared, Hepurposefulybecameacowherdboyandshowedpersonalyhowtogiveprotectiontothecowsandcalves.Similarly,Heshowedrespectto SudämäVipra,arealbrähmaëa.FromtheLord'spersonalactivities,humansocietyshouldlearnhowtogiveprotectionspecificalytothe brähmaëasandcows.thentheprotectionofreligiousprinciples,fulfilmentoftheaimoflifeandprotectionofvedicknowledgecanbe acachieved.withoutprotectionofcows,brahminicalculturecannotbemaintained;andwithoutbrahminicalculture,theaimoflifecannotbe fulfiled.thelord,therefore,isdescribedasgo-brähmaëa-hitäyabecausehisincarnationisonlyfortheprotectionofthecowsandbrähmaëas. Unfortunately,becauseinKali-yugathereisnoprotectionofthecowsandbrahminicalculture,everythingisinaprecariousposition.Ifhuman societywantstobeexalted,theleadersofsocietymustfolowtheinstructionsofbhagavad-gétäandgiveprotectiontothecows,thebrähmaëas andbrahminicalculture. ItisforthisreasonthatonmanyoccasionsSrilaPrabhupadaurgedhisfolowersto MakeVrndavana soastohelpfulfil themissionofthelord.thelord smissionistwofold.thelord sprimarymissionistoreviveouroriginaldormantkrishna consciousnessthroughtheprocessofdevotionalservicethusmakinguseligibletoreturntothespiritualworldtoservehim inouroriginalspiritualform.thesecondarymissionofthelordistodemonstratetothelivingentitiesinthismaterial worldthesimpleandsublimeprocessofcow protectionandagricultureasbeingthesimplest,mostpracticalandmost sublimeoccupationwhichenablessocietytoprogresstowardstheprimarymissionofdevelopingourkrishnaconsciousness. ThisisalsosupportedandnicelyexplainedbyoneofourforemostAcaryasSrilaBhaktivinodaThakura. Thoughal humanshavearighttopracticebhakti,thosewhofolow theregulationsofvarnasramahaveamucheasiertime. ThepurposeoftheGlobalVarnasramaMissionNewsleteristoprovidebothinformationandinspirationtodevoteesand thegeneralpublicalikeregardingtheurgentneedtore-introducethesocialnorm ofvarnasramaestablishedbythe SupremePersonalityofGodheadHimselfinHisincarnationasbothKrishnaandBalarama5000yearsago.Modernsociety hasseverelydeviatedfrom thisnorm especialysincethelast200yearsthuscreatingunparaleledhavocinthelivesof individualsandsocietyingeneralseverelydisruptingthebalanceatallevelsbeitsocial,economic,political,educational, healthaswelasecological.mostpeople,includingmanyofourdevotees,areforcedtobeengagedinugrakarmaworkand toliveinasocietymadeupofvarnasankarawheresimplehumandealingsamongindividualsarealmostimpossible.the Krishnaconsciousmovementismeanttohelprestoretheproperorderinsocietythroughtheestablishmentofvarnasrama. OnthismostauspiciousdayoftheLord sappearance,wehumblypraytolordkrishnaforhiscauselessmercyin understandingmoreclearlythissecondarymission.srilaprabhupadahadidentifiedtheestablishmentofvarnasramaas thenextphaseofthekrishnaconsciousnessmovement.unlesswetakethisorderofsrilaprabhupadatoheart,wewilnot succeedinpleasinghim andweshouldknow thatouradvancementindevotionalservicewilbechecked.assrila Prabhupadaclearlyexplainshimself,theLordisneverpleasedwhenthetheprinciplesofdharmaarenotupheld,especialy inthematerofprovidingpropercareandprotectiontothoselivingentitieswhorequirespecialprotection,brahmanas, children,women,elders,thediseasedandinparticularthecows.

6 EatingLesMeatCouldWipe20TrilionDolarsoftheCostof FightingClimateChange VarnasramaMusings London,Feb11(ANI):Iftheworldsmeateaterswouldcutontheirnon-vegetariandiet,itcouldcut20triliondolarsofthecostof fightingclimatechange,revealsanewresearch. AcordingtoareportinNewScientist,theresearchersinvolvedsaidthatifpeoplereducetheirintakeofbef,pork,andothermeat products,itwouldleadtothecreationofahugenewcarbonsink,asvegetationwouldthriveonunusedfarmland. Themodeltakesintoacountfarmlandthatisusedtogrowextrafoodtomakeupforthelostmeat,butthatrequireslesarea,sosomewil beabandoned. Milionsoftonnesofmethane,apotentgrenhousegas,wouldalsobesavedeveryyearduetoreducedemisionsfromfarms. Theseimpactswouldlesenthenedforexpensivecarbon-savingtechnologies,suchascleancoalpowerplants,andsosavehugesums, acordingtoelkestehfestofthenetherlandsenvironmentalasesmentagencyandcoleagues. Climate-changeexpertshavewarnedofthehighcarboncostofmeatforseveralyears. Befisparticularlydamaging.Methane,apotentgrenhousegas,isreleasedfromflatulentcowsandbymanureasitdecays. Furthermore,toproduceakilogramofbef(2.2pounds),farmersalsohavetofedacow15kgofgrainand30kgofforage.Grain requiresfertilizer,whichisenergyintensivetoproduce. Stehfesthasnowweighedtheeconomicimpactofbefandothermeatsagainstthecostofstabilizingcarbondioxidelevelsat450partsper milionalevelthatsomescientistssayisnededtohelppreventdangerousdroughtsandsealevelrises. Ifeatinghabitsdonotchange,Stehfestestimatesthatemisionswouldhavetobecutbytwo-thirdsby2050,whichislikelytocostaround 40triliondolars. If,however,theglobalpopulationshiftedtoalow-meatdietdefinedas70gramsofbefand325gramsofchickenandeggsperwek around15milionsquarekilometersoffarmlandwouldbefredup. Vegetationgrowingonthislandwouldmopupcarbondioxide.Itcouldalternativelybeusedtogrowbioenergycrops,whichwoulddisplace fosilfuels. AcordingtoStehfest,grenhousegasemisionswouldalsofalby10percentduetothedropinlivestocknumbers. Together,theseimpactswouldhalvethecostsofdealingwithclimatechangeby2050.(ANI) [Reproducedfromwww.thaindian.com]

7 VarnasramaMusings From OneWondertoAnother:ATraveltoAngkorWat -RamaLaxmanDas WithexcitementtohavedarshanofGuruMaharajinaforeignsoil(Cambodia)whereeverybodyelse sfacewouldbeastranger,iboardedmytrain fromsecunderabadrailwaystationtosrirangam.ittookawhile,thenextdayafternoonireachedtheislandofsrirangam,theforemostoftheeight self-manifestedshrines(swayamvyaktakshetra)oflordvishnu.myflighttocambodiawasscheduledfornextdaymorning,tilthenisetledin SrirangamISKCON temple.thebeautifultownshipissuroundedbyrivercauveryanditstributary,kolidam.whilesriranganathtempleofthe placehappenstobetheargestfunctioninghindutempleintheworld,angkorwat(incambodiawhereiwasheaded)holdsthelargest non-functioningtempleoftheworld.thiscoincidencemultipliedmyinterestintakingdarshanofhislordshipsriranganathjiandsekhis blesingsandofsriramanujaacharyaforthenewjourney.hereranganathjiisinaslepingposturerecliningoncoiledupanantasesha,whohas fivewide-openhoods.unlikeotherplaces,herethedeitiesfacesouth.nearhislotusfetareseatedhistwoconsorts,sribhuandsrin ela.in frontofthelordranganathistheutsavamurtioflordvishnu,caledsrimanavalaperumal. Itookwonderfulprasadamandrestedtogetupearlythenextdayforcatchingthemorningflight.Ireachedairportontime,butimmigrationoficer haddoubtswhereiwastravelingandwhatiwouldbedoinginthenextfewdays.heaskedmeaboutmyqualificationandmypurposeofvisit.i gavehimabriefintroductionaboutmyvisit.hecouldunderstandandgavemepermisiontoboardtheflight.ireachedkualalampurbynoon.the connectingflightwasonthenextday.ihadtospendthewholenightattheairport.thedistanceofeverymomentwaspackingmoreandmore anxiety.morningigotupearlyandwaitedtoboardmyflight.myjoymultipliedasicouldhavedarshanofgurumaharajandboardedtheflight withhisdivineself.inacoupleofhourswereachedourdestination,the KingdomofCambodia.Aftercompletingtheimmigrationformalities,we couldmetkishoraprabhuandtwoothernewlocaldevotes.afterexchanginggretings,inestledmyselfinthehappyhomeofthetemple. Ilikedthesimplicityofthenewplace,thenativepeoplelookedverysimpleandnotwithgreatambitionsinlife.On4thofJuly,Isetouttovisitour land,includingangkorwhichderivesitsnamefromsanskritlanguageimplying holycity.onthewayihadanopportunitytogotoangkorwat temple.thetemplewasbuiltbykhmerkingsbetwen802and1220ad.dedicatedtolordvishnuthetempleisoneoftheimpresivevaishnava monuments.theborderingwalsmeasuringnearlyhalfamilefromeachside,itimpresivelydepictsthehinducosmology,withthecentraltowers rerepresentingmountmeru,thehomeofthegods;theouterwals,themountainsenclosingtheworld;andthemoat,theoceansbeyond.theintricate workandthesuggestivedivinityofthebygonedaysdeservesgreatappreciation.thismagnificentefectcouldnothavebenposiblewithoutdivine inspiration.butsadlyalgotlostduetowarandotherpoliticalproblems.however,nowefortsarebeingmadetoconservethegloriouspastandis namedasmahavishnuloka.theareaspreadsinimpresivehundredsofacresnearseamreap(shyamrupa!).therearemanymoretempleslike AngkorThom,taprohm,bayontemple,preahkhanandmanymore.Meanderingmywaythroughthesetemples,finalyIreachedourland.The initialplanwastospendafewdaysthere,butlaterthroughpolicewecametoknowthatforeignerswerenotalowedtostayoutsidesiemreap.a dampener-againpackedaltheluggageandcameback.onewekjustfledbyinjustwanderinginsiemreapanddoingmenialservicesforguru maharaja.icouldvisitwesternbarymeasuringanincredible8km/2.3kmandwasexcavatedbyhandtoprovidewaterfortheintensivecultivation oflandsaroundangkor.justfortherecord,theseenormousbarayweren tdugout,butwerehugedykesbuiltaroundtheedges.inthecenterofthe basinistheruinofthewesternmebontemple,wherethegiantbronzestatueofvishnu,nowinthenationalmuseuminphnompenh,wasfound.to mysurprise,ifoundagoodnumberoffolowersofbuddhism,explainingthepresenceofsomanypagodas. IheardfromthelocalsaswelasKishoraprabhuthatthecountryhaslostnotonlyitselders,butalsoitspreciousscriptures.Nowtheydon teven havematerialknowledgetoeducateitsyouth.asaresult,theyouthisprimarilyengagedinsimplejobsofatouristguideorcardriver,orwaiterin bigrestaurants.theplaceisinterestinglyanareaoftouristatractionandthushasmanyrestaurants.asmalsectionthathasland,alsodoes agriculture,thewaysomeofourstudentswhohavecomeheredo.onediscoveryaftertheother-nowmysightrestedonsomanycowsgrazing leisurelyinthepasturearoundthecountryside. Onthewhole,peopleleadaverysimplelifeandareoffriendlyeasygoingnature,andhaveapronounceddesiretolearnnewthings.Ipraythatthe mostmunificentincarnationoftheirlordshipssrisrigaura-nitaimaybestowtheirmercyonthisvishnuloka.anempoweredrepresentativeof SrilaPrabhupadisalreadytryingtospreadtheteachingsofBhagavadGita,chantingofthedeliveringmantraofthisage-HAREKRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNAHARE HARE/HARERAMAHARERAMARAMARAMAHAREHARE,amidstdancing, distributingprasadamonthestreatsofsiemreap,andworkingdiligentlyongroundingvarnasramadharma.thefootstepsofreturnofglorious pastcanbeheard.

8 VilageTechnology RopeandBucketWaterPuleySystem ThisdeviceismainlyusedinthecommonvilagewelsinIndia.Abucketorapottiedtoarope isloweredintothewel.asthebuckethitsthewater,itdipsandfilsitself.onceful,itis puledupwitharope.theropemaybeheldbyhandrunthroughapuley.forirrigation purposewhererequirementismore,animaltractioncanalsobeusedincombinationwitha puley.onecanalsoatachtwopots/bucketstotheendsoftherope.forwaterlessthan10m deep,awindlasswithahoserunningfrom thebotom ofthebuckettoaspoutatthesideofthe welcanbeused.however,thehygieneofthissystem ispoor,evenifthewelisprotected. Thecostofthisdeviceisverylessrequiringtwobucketsorpotstodraw water,requiredlength ofrope(variableaccordingtothedepthofthewel),thepuley,ahoseandclosed superstructure. Maintenance.Caremustbetakentopreventtheropeorbucketfrom becomingsoiled. Preventivemaintenanceconsistsofgreasingthebearingsofthewindlassorpuley.Smal repairsarelimitedtopatchingholesinthebucketandhose,reconnectingthehingeofthe bucket,andfixingthewindlassbearings orhandle.alsmalrepairscanbedonebylocalpeople,andwithtoolsandmaterials availableinthecommunityorarea.majorrepairsandreplacementsmainlyconsistof replacingthebucket,hose,rope,orpartortheentirewindlass.wovennylonropesmaylast fortwoyears,buttwinednylonorsisalropeslastonlyafew months.agood-qualityhose maylastforovertwoyears,andmostbucketslastayear(dependingonthematerialand quality).whenpeopleusetheirownropeandbucket,noextraorganizationisrequired.for communitywels,acommunitycommiteeusualyorganizesthemaintenanceandcleaning ofthewel,maintenanceofthewindlass,etc.mostrepairscanbepaidwithadhoc fund-raising.everytwoweeks,oneneedstogreasetheaxlesorthepuleyorthewindlass; everyyearthebucketmayneedtobereplaced;similarlytheropeorwirealsoneedtobe replacedtentativelyeverytwoyears. Thissystem maynotbeveryrelevantinplaceswherewaterlevelisverylow,otherwiseits easeandlow maintenancecostmakeitverypopularnotonlyinindiabutalsoin other countriesacrosstheworld.

9 SeminarReport VARNASRAMASEMINARIN BALI,INDONESIA(August1-2,2009) -ByHH BhaktiRaghavaSwami TheVarnasramaGlobalMisionseminarendedtoday,August2nd,2009,attheGauraHariAsramainBali,Indonesia.Approximately75delegates fromdiferenttemplesinbaliatendedthetwodayseminarwithspeakerscomingfromdiferentpartsofindonesiasuchasyogyakartainjavaand LampunginSumatra. TheopeningdaywasparticularlyauspiciousbeingthefirstdayofJhulanYatraacordingtotheVaisnavacalendar.Thisyear,August1also commemoratedthefestivalofsarasvatiacordingtothebalinesetraditionwhenaltheeducationalinstitutionsinbaliholdspecialfunctionsin glorificationofmothersarasvati,thegoddesoflearning. Ontheocasionofthisfirstinternationalvarnasramaseminar,thefirstevertobeconductedinIndonesia,theorganizersinauguratedtheGauraHari VarnasramaColegewhichwilbeaforerunnertotheproposedMarkendayaRishiGurukula.TheGauraHariVarnasramaColegewilbeheadedby SrimanBhagirathaprabhuwhograduatedlastyearfromtheSrimadBhagavatamVidyapithaminGovardhanwhereheobtainedhisBhagavatSastri degre. Duringthefirstdayoftheseminar,thebookentitledVarnasramaEducation,writenbyH.H.BhaktiRaghavaSwami,wasalsooficialylaunchedin thelocallanguage,bahasaindonesia,andoferedtothetemplepresident,srimankisorakrishnawhowiladdittotheproposedbhaktivedanta LibraryattheGauraHariVarnasramaColege. Themodulespresentedduringthetwodayseminarcoveredthefolowingtopics:(1)OverviewofVarnasramaGlobalMision,theFourWavesof ISKCON andvarnasramasocialstructurepresentedbyhisholinesbhaktiraghavaswami(canada),(2)balitraditioninrelationtovarnasrama byhisgracemahesvasaprabhu(bali),(3)nationaleducationinindonesiabyhisgracevisvambharaprabhu(bali),(4)comparisonof TraditionalEducationPondokPesantren(Islam)andGurukula(Hindu)byHisGraceSuryaLocanaprabhu (Yogyakarta),(5)GitaNagariBaruprojectinSumatrabyHisGraceSadbhujaGaurangaprabhu(Lampung),(6)VarnasramaProjectsinIndonesia byhisgracekisorakrishnaprabhu(bali)and(7)gurukulatraditionaleducationbyhisgracebhagirathaprabhu(bali). Eachpresentationwasfolowedbyaperiodofquestionandanswerswhereparticipantscouldgetclarificationsonthetopicspresented.Theresponse fromboththespeakersandparticipantswasextremelypositiveandenliveningtoalthosewhotookpart.boththeorganizersandtheparticipants expresedadesiretoholdanannualseminarontheimportanttopicofvarnasramaeducation. AlthosewhoatendedthetwodayseminarreceivedaCertificateofAtendanceandeachspeakerwasalsopresentedwithabookonvarnasramaas welasprasadamasasmaltokenofappreciationoftheirparticipation. IMPORTANTPOINTSOFSEMINAR 1)ISKCON FOURWAVES BothSrilaPrabhupada sesayongitanagari,entitled ConceptionofGitaNagari publishedin BTG,1956andhisletertoDeputyPrimeMinisterDr.Patel,writenearlierin1949,spelout thefour movements or divisions whichlateronsrilaprabhupadaintegratedwithinhis ISKCON society.itisesentialforeverysingledevoteofoursocietytoclearlyunderstandthese fourdivisionsandtosethemasacompletewholemeanttocomplimentandsupportoneanother. Thesefour waves ofiskcon areknownas:1.sankirtanmovement(theholynames& Books)2.TempleWorshipMovement(InstalingDeities)3.SpiritualInitiationMovement (Congregations)4.ClaslesSocietyMovement(DaiviVarnasrama). 2)FROM OURVAISNAVAACARYAS FROM SRILABHAKTIVINODATHAKURA Butadevotewhodesirestoproperlypashis lifestilaceptshisdutiesacordingtovarnasrama,asthosedutiesarefavorabletodevotional serviceandcountedaspartofdevotionalservice.altheseactivitiesarenolongercaledkarma. [SriBhaktyaloka,SixFaultsthatdestroybhakti] Withtheasistanceofvarnasramadharma,apersonshouldcultivatebhakti.Itisalsonecesaryto folowtherulesofvarnasramainthecultivationofbhakti. [Chapter3] Thoughalhumanshave arighttopracticebhakti,thosewhofolowtheregulationsofvarnasramahaveamucheasiertime. [From SriChaitanyaSiksamrta,Chapter3] FROM SRILAPRABHUPADA Theclaslessocietysooftendemandedbythepeopleingeneralismadeposiblebytheproces of yajna orsacrificeforthesupremeispiritualexistenceofdevotionalactivitiesandclasles societyaretwoidenticalterms.theonewithouttheotherhasnomeaning.[btg,vol.i,part IV, 1956, Yajna orsacrificeforthesupreme(claslessociety)] Unlesinthehumansocietythevarnasramasystemisintroduced,noschemeorsocialorder, healthorderoranyorder,politicalorder,wilbesucesful.[roomconversation,october18, 1977,Vrndavana]

10 "Thisvarnasramacolegehastobeestablishedimmediately. Everywhere,whereverwehavegotourcenter, avarnasramacolegeshouldbeestablished " [HisDivineGraceA.C.BhaktivedantaSwamiSrilaPrabhupada,March12,1974] VarnasramaCommunityReport SSKBKHebri. VarnasramaColege 2009concludedonSunday,March29withagraduationdayceremonyandthepassingoutofstudents beamingwithconfidenceandchargeduptolivethevarnasramalifestyle. Thecoursewasentitled Land,Cows,andKrishna PartI.Theuniquenessofthecourse,asonestudentexplained,wasthatit keptagoodbalancebetweenthematerialandspiritualrealms: Theactivitiesofbhakti-yogawerenotcompromised,although studyingmore material topics,aswehadafulmorningprogram andsrimadbhagavatam everyday. ThecoursewasoferedatSahyadriSriKrishnaBalaramaKsetranearthetownofHebri,atthefoothilsofthefamedSahyadri mountainrangewhichisrecognizedasoneofthefew bio-diversityhotspots intheworld.theasramaislocatedinthedistrict ofudupi,amostauspiciousareaknownbythevaisnavasas DakshinVrindavan becauseofpresenceof UdupiKrishna Who performshisvrndavanlilaofholdingaropeandrodforchurningyogurtandmakingbuter. HisHolinessBhaktiRaghavaSwami,theresidentsannyasiduringthethreemonthcourse,mentionedthatitwasSrila Prabhupada sstandingordersincemorethan30yearsthatvarnasramacolegesbeestablishedinalourcenterstotrainour devoteesinfolowingtheprinciplesofsimplelivingandhighthinking,basedprimarilyonagricultureandcow protection. Co-directorsfortheVarnasramaColege,HrdayaCaitanyaprabhuandBharatChandraprabhu,bothsharedtheirrealizationsand experiencesfolowedbythoseofthegraduatingstudents. Variousfacultieswerepuledinforthispioneeringthreemonthcoursefrom fieldslike-agriculture,cow protection,traditional constructions,traditionalvilagetechnologieswaterliftingdevices,potery,makingofropes,traditionalde-huskingofrice, makingofnaturaltoothpowder,dhoopsticks,sundriedmudblocks,etc.anarayofauxiliarycourseskeptthestudentsbusy throughoutthedayandonspecialfestivaldaysstudentstookpartintraditionalfeastsandgo-pujas.altheseactivitiescombined gaveafreshmeaningtokrishnaconsciousness.

11 London,Feb.12(ANI):Indiasright-wingRashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh(RSS)hasclaimedthatithasdevelopedGauJalorCow WateratitsresearchcentreinHaridwar,andhopesitwilbemarketedasa healthy alternativetocokeandpepsi. Hindusworshipcowsfortheirlife-sustainingdairyproducts,butmanyalsoconsumebovineurineandfaecesindrinksandspice mixesfortheir health-giving properties. InsomeIndianstates,c InsomeIndianstates,cowdungandurinearesoldinregulardairyshopsalongsidemilkandyogurt,and ayurvedic Indianhealth foodcompaniesmakeporidge,toothpasteandtonicdrinkswhichclaimtocureailmentsrangingfromlivercomplaintstodiabetes andcancer. TheurineisalsobelievedtohavedisinfectantpropertieswhilethedungisusedinmanyIndianvilagehutsasacleanandantiseptic flooring. AcordingtoTheTelegraph,theRSS scowprotectiondepartmenthasinventedthenewurine-basedsoftdrinkithopeswil promoteitshealth-givingpropertiestoawidermarket. Werefertogauark(cowurine)asgaujal(cowwater)asithasimmensepotentialtocurevariousdiseases.Wehavedevelopedasoft drinkformulawithgaujalasthebaseandithasbensenttoalaboratoryatlucknowfortesting, saiddirectoromprakash. Histeamisnowfocusingonpackaging,marketing,andofcoursepreservationtostopitscurativedrinkfromgoingwhifyinthe summerheat. Itwilbearevolutionofsorts.Theaceptanceofcowurineasapotentmedicineisincreasingdaybydayandonceitcomesasa colddrink,itsdemandwildefinitelyincrease.itwilproveandjustifythehighstatureacordedtoacowinindianculture. headded. NewDelhi, NewDelhi,Feb15(IANS)What scommonbetwenanewbrandofsoftdrinks,toothpowder,paper,distemperandfurniture proposedtobelaunchedbyahinduorganisation?altheseproductsusecowdungandcowurineasrawmaterial. TheRashtriyaSwayamsevakSangh(RSS)isgetingreadytopromoteanumberofproductsusingcowurineandcowdung. TheRSSclaimstohavedevelopedafewproductsalreadyandhopestheywilhitthemarketwithinsixmonths. Oneoftheirproducts-GauJalortheCowWater-isprojectedasahealthyandmedicinalreplacementforthecolascurently availableinthemarket. Wehaverecentlysentittoalaboratoryfortestingandapprovalaftertestingitindigenouslyinourlab, saidomprakash,headof Haridwar-basedRSSCowProtectionDepartment. Itwildefinitelybearevolutionastheaceptanceofcowurineasapotentmedicineisincreasingdaybydayandonceitislaunched, itsdemandwildefinitelyincrease, Prakashsaid. Ithasbenprovedthatcowurineisefectiveinhelpingcureliverandstomachailments,diabetes,andevencancer, claimedprakash. TheRSSalsoclaimsthatefectiveandcommercialutilizationofcowurineandcowdungmaywelboosttheruraleconomyand livingstandardsofthe700milionoddruralpopulationofindia. RSSsettoenterFMCGmarket-withcowurineanddungproducts News RSScomesupwithcowwateralternativetoCocaColaandPepsi TheRSSorganisedaworkshopforitsactivistsThursdayinNewDelhitoimparttrainingonhowcowdungandcowurinecanbe usedtobringaruraleconomicrevolution. Consumergoodslikemosquitorepelents,phenyl,lotions,shampoos,etccouldbemadeusingcowurine, Prakashtoldtheactivists duringtheworkshop. Prakashsaidanumberofproductssuchtoothpowder,paper,distemperandfurniturecanbemadeusingcowdung. Thetilesmadeofcowdungarefireandwaterresistantandcanevenwardofradiation, Prakashclaimed. Althemanu AlthemanufacturingandqualitytestswereconductedbyKanpurbasedKanpurGaushalaSociety(KGS)andsomeoftheproducts havebengivenanodbycertifiedlaboratories,hesaid. Afewproducts,includingtheGauJalarecurentlyundertestinLucknow, informedp.toshniwalofthekgs. Asfarastheavailabilityofrawmaterial(cowdungandcowurine)isconcerned,Prakashsaidtheyaregetingitinamplequantity. AtpresentwearebuyingurineatRs.5perlitreanddungatRs.3perkg.ThesupplyismainlyfromtheruraloutskirtsofKanpur andoncethecommercialproductionstartswewilincreasetherates, Prakashsaid. However,privatecompanieswildothecommercialproductionoftheproducts. Assoon aswegetthelaboratoryresultsandcertificateswewilselectthecompaniesthatwilproducethem.asofnownoselectionshave benmade, headded. Whatishappening?

12 Yourcarsmaysoonbepoweredbyurine NewYork,July15(ANI):Coulditbeposibletorunyourcaronurine?Wel,itmaybe,ifOhioUniversityscientistsaretobebelieved. Andtheirconfidencestemsfromthefactthattheyhavefoundanovelwaytoproducehydrogenenergyfromurine. AcordingtoDiscoveryNews,thescientistsusedanickel-basedelectrodetomakecheaphydrogenfromurine. WhentheresearchteamledbyprofesorGerardineBotestucktheelectrodeintoapoolofurine,andappliedanelectricalcurent,hydrogen gaswasreleased,whichwasusedinfuelcels. Theprototypeisaboutthreinchesbythreinches,andiscapableofgenerating500miliwatsofpower. Thescientistshopetocreatecommercialversionsofthetechnology. Boteexpectsthatthefuel-celurine-poweredcarcouldtheoreticalytravel90milespergalon. Onecowcanprovideenoughenergytosupplyhotwaterfor19houses.Soldiersinthefieldcouldcarytheirownfuel, thenewyorkdaily Newsquotedhimassaying. Theresearchersfocusedtheirstudyonurea,aurineby-product. Ureaisabyproductofalotofcitiesandfarms,butevenifyoutakealthepeopleandaltheanimals,there snotenoughtoruntheworld, saiduniversityofgeorgiaprofesorjohnstickney. Headdedthatthoughapplicationsusingurinewon tbeavailabletoconsumersforquitesometime,it sdefinitelyworthdeveloping. Wearegoingtohavetoputtogetheralotofgrenerwaystocolectenergythatdon tproducegrenhousegasesanddon trequireustogoto war, headded. HaryanalaunchesRs.220mnprojecttogeneratepowerfromcowdung Chandigarh,July24(IANS)Thisisonekindofwastethatwillightupalotoflives. TheHaryanagovernmenthasinitiatedaRs.220milion(Rs.22crore)projecttogenerate330KVofpowerfromcow-dungin gaushalas (cow-sheds)acrosthestate. AnoficialspokesmanofthestategovernmentsaidFridaythatfivecow-shedshavebenidentifiedforthepilotprojecttogeneratepower.Theseare inbhiwani,jind,hisar,sonipatandrohtakdistricts. Privatecompanieshadbengiventheworkofgeneratingpowerfromcowdunginthesegaushalas.Aminimumof330KVpowerwouldbe generatedinthese, thespokesmansaid. Thisway,besidesgeneratingpower,these gaushalas wouldbeabletobecomeself-suficienttoraiseincomefortheconservationandupkepofthe cows, headded. Ifthepowergenerationissucesfulinthepilotproject,itislikelytobeextendedtoothergaushalas. Thereare174registeredgaushalasinthestatewhichacommodateover1.5milioncows. Crisisinhighereducation:Universitiesareinthenewsmoreforpoliticsthanforresearch,saysHarshV.Pant TheGovernmentofIndiaisproposingtosetupadozennew world-clasuniversities, inadditionto16newcentraluniversities,inanefortto expandqualityhighereducationinindia.theblueprinthasbenformulatedbytheuniversitygrantscommisionandthe UnionCabinethasapprovedthedecisiontobringanordinanceregardingthisinview ofthefactthatthecentraluniversitiesbil2008waspendingintheloksabha.[asreportedbytribuneonfebruary1,2009] Crisisinhighereducation: Universitiesareinthenewsmoreforpoliticsthanforresearch,saysHarshV.Pant TheGovernmentofIndiaisproposingtosetupadozennew world-clasuniversities, inadditionto16newcentraluniversities,in aneforttoexpandqualityhighereducationinindia.theblueprinthasbenformulatedbytheuniversitygrantscommisionand the UnionCabinethasapprovedthedecisiontobringanordinanceregardingthisinview ofthefactthatthecentraluniversitiesbil2008waspendingintheloksabha.[asreportedbytribuneonfebruary1,2009]

13 VarnasramaResearchTeamReport SecunderabadChapter(byGourGopalDas) ThefirstVRTwasfoundedinSecunderabad,AndhraPradesh,India.IthelditsfirstteammetsonAugust19,2007atNew Govardhan,MahindraHils,Secunderabad.Itisyettocompletetwoyears.Likeanyotherfledglingitfacesthedificultiesoflaxmi andhumanresources,yetitistheshercommitmentofmembersandofcoursetheblesingofthelordandguruthatitcould achieveafewsuceseslike: Spreadingitsbranchesinalthefourdirectionsofthecountry-Delhi,Bengal,Karnataka,&AndhraPradesh. IntroductionoftwoarmsofVBT(forpublications)andVMP(formediaproductions).Boththedivisionshaveshownremarkable outputwith3booksalreadyontheshelvesandmanymoreinthepipeline;and4moviesandmanymorereadytobereleased respectively. Besidesorganizingseminarsatvariousplaces,VRTintheleadershipofHH BhaktiRaghavaSwamiMaharajsucesfuly participatedandmadeitspresentationsonvarnasramaatmihet,mayapur,bengal. InauguratedVarnasramaShikshalayasatHebri,Gundaipalam,andCalcuta. Haselitemembersasteachingfaculty OrganizedthegraduationceremonyatHebricenter ProcuredlitlelandintheoutskirtstoimplementandpromoteVarnasramaprinciplesandpresentarolemodeltothesociety TheSecunderabadVRTmetseverySundayat5amatNewGovardhan,MahindraHils,Secunderabad.Themoodsetsinwith Mangalaroti,tulasipuja,andNarsinghapranam.Thisisfolowedbyelectrifyinggroupchantingof16roundsinonegointhe conducivehilyenviron,grensofnewgovardhan,andchirpingofbirds.at7:30everybodyparticipatesinthedarshanaroti,guru puja,sribrahmasamhitachanting,andsrimadbhagvatamdiscourse.toenergizethemselvesdevotesthentakeprasadam.the programconcludeswithvrtmetingwhereeverybodyparticipatesgivingtheirupdates,planningfortheupcomingprogramsand suggestingdiferentavenuesforresearch. BangaloreChapter(byBhaktaVenkat) Thischapterisalsoveryactiveandmadefolowingacomplishments: PurchasedawaterliftingequipmentforHebriruralcommunity.Thisisgeneralycaledratna(whel)inlocallanguage. VisitedoneNGOcaledAnnadanasoilandsedsavers.ProcuredaDVDonGM food,titled PoisononPlater.TheNGO providesdiferentsedsalongwithadvd.thedvdcontainsthemethodologyforpracticingorganicfarming. AtendedtheOrganicfarmersmet,whichoferedanopportunitytonetwork. ProcuredbooksonfarmingwithancientAsianknowledgefromAsianAgriHistory,Secunderabad. RunningcowproductsstalsinJagannathtemple,Bangaloreeverywekverysucesfuly. Distributedapproximately55DVDsof SaveourCows,SaveourVilages.

14 VarnasramaBookTrust(VBT)isthepublicationarmofVarnasramaResearchTeam(VRT). vbt Abouttheauthor:HH BhaktiRaghavaSwami Theauthor,HH BhaktiRaghavaSwami,isanactiveproponentandworkerinsupportofVarnasramadharm HisPh.d(inprogres)alsohappenstobeinthesamesubjectwithafocusoneducation.Hehasbeninstrumentalinlaunchingvarnasrama coleges,formingdiferentvarnasramaresearchteams,setingupfarmcommunitiesrunontheguidelinesofvarnasramadharmaindiferent countries,includingindia.hisextensiveexperienceandwideresearchinthisareamakeshimanauthorityinthefieldandvaluablesourceof information. HH BhaktiRaghavaSwamimakeshisworkricher,lendinguniversalappealbyimbuinghisideaswiththe profoundknowledgecontainedinthevedicliteraturesandthoughtsexpresedbygreatacharyas.thewritergivesgoodnotesandreferencesfor readersinterestedinthesubject.heencouragesthemtoreadhisdivinegracea.c.bhaktivedantasrilaprabhupada sbooks,inparticularthe Bhagavad-gitaandtheSrimad-Bhagavatam,whichdealextensivelywiththesubjectmater.Inparticular,readerswilfindtheesenceof varnasrama-dharmaprincipleselaboratedbythegreatteachernäradamuniinthechapters11to15ofthesrimad-bhagavatam,seventhcan Otherreferenceshavealsobenaddedintheannexesforfurtherreading.Thisapproachislikelytomakealsinceresekersofknowledgeand realizationinthematerofpersonalandsocialequilibriumanddevelopmenttobenefitfromthetopicpresented BooksontheShelf: Thefootstepsofdestructionofthepresentmoderncivilizationcanbefaintlyheard.Meltingglaciers,global warming,meltdownofseveraleconomies,shootingpricesoffoodgrains,stelarriseinbloodshedandviolence,rampantcoruption are symptomaticofitsnearnestous.wehaveviolatedthelawofnature,andnowitisshowingitsredtoothandclaws.timeisesence,whatdo dotosaveus,ourlovedones,andourplanet?srilaprabhupadainhisesayongita-nagariinreferencetothefourprinciplesfolowedbyoneo India smodernleaders,mahatmagandhi,said: Theabovefour-foldGandhimovements,ifdoneinanorganized,scientificwaysupportedby theauthenticscripturesofalreligiosities,wilbringinthattranquilityofpeacerespiteofalharshnesandbiternesofthepresentworld,wh wehavelongedfortilnow. [EsayonGita-nagari,Part1]Thereisasimplesolutiontothis-folowvarnasramadharma-whattheLordwante Butwhatisvarnasramadharma?HisHolinesBhaktiRaghavaSwamiMaharaj s,asmalbookletservesasageneral introductiontosomeofthebasicconceptsofvarnasramadharma. VarnasramaEducation VarnasramaEducationechoesthespiritofMakeVrindavanaVilages. Education has benahighlydebatedandcontroversialsubjectamongeducationistsandstudentsalike,especialyinthemoretraditional orientalcultures. Maturityandsucesofasocialsetupdependsuponthenatureofitseducational structure.theinteractionrelationshipbetweneducationandsocietycontinuesalthroughone slifeandisthusof paramountimportancetous.itthusmakesitcrucialthatweunderstandtheesenceofeducationandthebasictenetsof anidealsociety(varnasrama).mentalspeculationandfanaticismisnotdesirableforanyculturedpersonorsocietywhen wehaveknowledgeavailableinancientvedicsources.h.h BhaktiRaghavaSwamidrawsfromthattreasurehouseof knowledge.thisbookgivesacomprehensiveandascientificunderstandingoffundamentalprinciplesandconcepts whichtouchuponthephilosophy,psychologyandsociologyofeducation.oneoftheunderlyingprinciplesin understandingthesethreesentialconceptsliesinacepting,atleasttheoreticaly,whatisreferedtoas dharma,anew wordformostreaders,theequivalentofwhichonedoesnotfindintheenglishdictionary-sointerestinglyintriguing! Whileotherbooksbytheauthoremphasizethesignificanceandeternalrelevanceofvarnasramadharmainevery society, ImplementingVarnasrama,asthenameindicatespresentsgivesaninsightintotheintricaciesoftoitsactualimplementationinthe presentsetup.itcapturesthestructureofadministrationandorganizationfromaglobal,nationalleveltogodowntothelevelofavilageanda familyunit. Inanyatempttoprovideguidelinesandmethodology,therewilinevitablybeadjustmentstobemadebythose applyingsuchguidelinesandmethodology.thevarnasramamisionisstilverymuchinitsearlystage;hencevariousaspectsofthemanagement structuremayundergochangestoacommodatevariousdevelopmentswhicharemeanttotakeplace,takingintoconsiderationespecialythe decentralizedaspectofavarnasrama-basedsocietywherestresisgivenonlocalgovernance. Bookswaitingtoseethedaylight TraditionalEducation JointFamilySystem ImplementingVarnasrama

15 vmp VarnasramaMediaProductionsisthemediaproductiondivisionof VarnasramaResearchTeam(VRT) DVDsontherack VarnasramaShikshalaya Theconceptoftraditionaleducation,unknowntomostofus,has almostbenabandonedinthelandofbharatvarshaorindia. VarnasramaDharma(thesetupthatpromotesbothsocial ocupationandculturalemancipation,leadingtospiritual self-realization)findsitsrootsinthevediceducationalsystem caledgurukula.consequently,forvarnasramadharmatobe reinstated,thetraditionalgurukulasystemmustberevived.asa prprefacetoestablishingthegurukulasystem,varnasrama Shikshalayacomesasapre-gurukulainstitution. DVDsinthemaking SaveourCows,SaveourVilages Welbeingofcows,jagatmatri(motheroftheuniverse),pronouncesnot onlythespiritualhealthofasocietybutalsoitseconomicprosperityand physicalhealth.endowedwiththeloveamothershehelpstakethe peoplefromnesciencetowardslightofknowledge.india straditional valuesystemrecognizedtheuniquepositionofcowsandshewasthe backboneofindianculturalheritage.slowlywiththeblindemulationof othersandgradualerosioninthevaluesystem,wearemarchingtowards ourcultural,material,ecological,andspiritualsuicide.doyouknow thousandsofcowsaregetingslaughteredeverydayinindia?vrtpreses thewake-upcalbutonasitatemptstounveiltheunsaidsuferingsof VarnasramaColege

16 Youcanwriteto: #89,9thCros,TrimurtyColony,MahindraHils,Secunderabad,India VarnasramaWebsites: