View source for Animal Society - The Consequence of Godless Civilization

Modern humanity is intensely proud of its social organizations, vast cities, and international political bodies. However, from the perspective of Vedic knowledge, social organization alone does not constitute an advanced civilization. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that if a society is entirely devoid of God consciousness and lacks the scientific regulation of human propensities, it is merely an animal society. True human civilization is defined by its pursuit of the Absolute Truth.

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=== The Absence of Dharma ===

In the animal kingdom, survival is the only philosophy. There are no places of worship, no scriptures, and no inquiries into the meaning of life. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that when a human government becomes entirely secular and actively ignores the science of God, it degrades its citizens to the exact same level. Without ''dharma'' (religion), a human society is no different from a jungle.

* [[Vaniquotes:Animal society has no church, mosque or religious system. In all parts of the world, however downtrodden human society may be, there is some system of religion. Even tribal aborigines in the jungles also have a system of religion|Animal society has no church, mosque or religious system. In all parts of the world, however downtrodden human society may be, there is some system of religion. Even tribal aborigines in the jungles also have a system of religion.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Dharma is the basic principle of civilization. If there is no dharma, then it is the society of the animals|Dharma is the basic principle of civilization. If there is no dharma, then it is the society of the animals.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Every state is trying to become secular: "Don't talk of God." "Don't talk of God," then what you are? That is animal society. The animal society has no talk of God. There is only talk of how to fill up the belly. That's all|Every state is trying to become secular: "Don't talk of God." "Don't talk of God," then what you are? That is animal society. The animal society has no talk of God. There is only talk of how to fill up the belly. That's all.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When the so-called human society becomes devoid of God consciousness, it is animal society. Sa eva go-kharah - SB 10.84.13|When the so-called human society becomes devoid of God consciousness, it is animal society. Sa eva go-kharah - Srimad Bhagavatam 10.84.13.]]

=== Chaos Without Varṇāśrama ===

Animals do not follow rules regarding mating or social duties; they act entirely on instinct. To prevent human beings from acting in this chaotic manner, the Vedic literature prescribes ''varṇāśrama-dharma'', a system of social and spiritual regulation. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that without such institutions—like sacred marriage and structured occupational duties—human society devolves into unregulated animalism.

* [[Vaniquotes:In order to satisfy Him (Visnu), there is no other way than to act according to the tenets of varnasrama-dharma. This is the beginning of civilization. Without accepting this division of varnas, that is animal society; everything is chaos|In order to satisfy Him (Visnu), there is no other way than to act according to the tenets of varnasrama-dharma. This is the beginning of civilization. Without accepting this division of varnas, that is animal society; everything is chaos.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If varna is not there, then this is a society of animal. And when the varna is working perfectly, then we give them asrama. Varnasrama. That is later on|If varna is not there, then this is a society of animal. And when the varna is working perfectly, then we give them asrama. Varnasrama. That is later on.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:First of all varna. And asrama, then, when the varna is perfectly in order, then asrama. Asrama is specially meant for spiritual advancement, and varna is general division. It must be there in the human society, or they're on the animals|First of all varna. And asrama, then, when the varna is perfectly in order, then asrama. Asrama is specially meant for spiritual advancement, and varna is general division. It must be there in the human society, or they're on the animals.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the human society there is marriage. In the animal society there is no marriage. They indulge in sex life any way, because they are animal|In the human society there is marriage. In the animal society there is no marriage. They indulge in sex life any way, because they are animal.]]

=== The Illusion of World Peace ===

Political leaders frequently convene to discuss world peace, yet wars constantly rage across the globe. Śrīla Prabhupāda reveals the root cause of this failure: you cannot expect peace in an animal society. If citizens are kept in ignorance of their spiritual identity, putting their leaders together in a "United Nations" is simply creating an assembly of polished animals who will inevitably fight over material resources.

* [[Vaniquotes:How can there be happiness or peace in animal society? The big leaders want to keep the citizenry as animals, and at the same time they are striving to make a United Nations. How is it possible? United Animals? Is it possible? Society for United Animals|How can there be happiness or peace in animal society? The big leaders want to keep the citizenry as animals, and at the same time they are striving to make a United Nations. How is it possible? United Animals? Is it possible? Society for United Animals.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:If you analyze the whole population, you will find that we are simply a crowd or assembly of so many animals, that's all. This is fact. Because we not know beyond this body. So you cannot expect any peace and prosperity in the animal society|If you analyze the whole population, you will find that we are simply a crowd or assembly of so many animals, that's all. This is fact. Because we not know beyond this body. So you cannot expect any peace and prosperity in the animal society.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The Bhagavata says, sva-vi-varahostra-kharai samstutah. Here is one big animal, and the small animals voting him. That's all. This is the society, animal society|The Bhagavata says, sva-vi-varahostra-kharai samstutah. Here is one big animal, and the small animals voting him. That's all. This is the society, animal society.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:You cannot expect any peace in atheistic society or animalistic society. So they must be made godly. God conscious, Krsna conscious. Then there will be peace|You cannot expect any peace in atheistic society or animalistic society. So they must be made godly. God conscious, Krsna conscious. Then there will be peace.]]

=== The Capacity for Spiritual Knowledge ===

The fundamental tragedy of modern civilization is the misuse of the human brain. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that while a majestic lion or a massive elephant possesses a soul, it cannot be taught the philosophy of self-realization. Only human beings have the capacity to understand the science of Kṛṣṇa. Ignoring this divine opportunity is the ultimate failure of society.

* [[Vaniquotes:We go to the human society to speak of Krsna consciousness. We do not go to the society of animals, because they have no capacity to understand. Their body does not permit to understand what is God|We go to the human society to speak of Krsna consciousness. We do not go to the society of animals, because they have no capacity to understand. Their body does not permit to understand what is God.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:In the animal society, however a big animal may be, either he may be a lion or a tiger or an elephant or any other big animal, he cannot be taught about the constitution of the soul, although he has got the soul also|In the animal society, however a big animal may be, either he may be a lion or a tiger or an elephant or any other big animal, he cannot be taught about the constitution of the soul, although he has got the soul also.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:When a civilized man, so-called civilized man, has no knowledge of God, no knowledge of the laws of God, it is simply animal society, that's all|When a civilized man, so-called civilized man, has no knowledge of God, no knowledge of the laws of God, it is simply animal society, that's all.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Human society without God consciousness, without any knowledge of the science of God, it is animal society. Actually it is happening. The world is now full with so many problems, so many difficulties, because the chance of human life is being misused|Human society without God consciousness, without any knowledge of the science of God, it is animal society. Actually it is happening. The world is now full with so many problems, so many difficulties, because the chance of human life is being misused.]]

=== Conclusion ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda's message is a powerful wake-up call to the modern world. We cannot solve our profound social, economic, and political problems by employing the same bodily consciousness that created them. The only actual solution is to elevate the population from an animal society to a divine civilization by reintroducing the pure, peaceful, and highly elevated science of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

=== Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani ===

Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category [[Vaniquotes:Category:Animal_Society|Animal Society]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.

(See our [[Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles|Vanipedia:Methodology for AI-Assisted Articles]])
[[Category:Vanipedia Gemini - Articles]]
[[Category:Vanipedia  Articles - The Science of Knowing God]]
[[Category:Vanipedia Articles - Humanity, Society and Civilization]]

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