View source for Deliverance of Yavanas and Mlecchas Addicted to Drinking

The deliverance of ''yavanas'' and ''mlecchas'' addicted to drinking serves as a testament to the transformative power of the Kṛṣṇa consciousness movement. Śrīla Prabhupāda frequently contrasts the degraded condition of modern civilization, where intoxication is rampant, with the purity required for spiritual advancement. He emphasizes that while the Vedic system and genuine ''yoga'' practice strictly prohibit intoxication, the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahaprabhu is so potent that it can deliver even those deeply entrenched in the habit of drinking, raising them to the platform of pure devotional service.

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=== Symptoms of Degraded Civilization ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda identifies the addiction to drinking as a hallmark of the demoniac nature and the influence of Kali-yuga. He explains that in this age, society is so misled that even those posing as religious or moral figures often indulge in intoxication, which inevitably leads to further degradation such as illicit sex and meat-eating.

* [[Vaniquotes:By the influence of the age of Kali, even a pauper is proud of his penny, the women are always dressed in an overly attractive fashion to victimize the minds of men, and the man is addicted to drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea and chewing tobacco, etc|By the influence of the age of Kali, even a pauper is proud of his penny, the women are always dressed in an overly attractive fashion to victimize the minds of men, and the man is addicted to drinking wine, smoking, drinking tea and chewing tobacco, etc.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:The demons born of Diti take great pleasure in drinking wine and beer. Even today people of demoniac nature are very much addicted to liquor and beer|The demons born of Diti take great pleasure in drinking wine and beer. Even today people of demoniac nature are very much addicted to liquor and beer.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Drinking wine and eating meat, the next stage is illicit sex. Is that the business of the Hindu monk? There are sampradayas, Ramanuja-sampradaya, Sankara-sampradaya. But where the Hindu monk drinks and eats meat|Drinking wine and eating meat, the next stage is illicit sex. Is that the business of the Hindu monk? There are sampradayas, Ramanuja-sampradaya, Sankara-sampradaya. But where the Hindu monk drinks and eats meat.]]

=== Disqualification from Spiritual Advancement ===
According to Śrīla Prabhupāda, it is impossible to understand the Absolute Truth or practice genuine ''yoga'' while maintaining an addiction to alcohol. He sternly critiques the so-called ''yogis'' and philosophers who claim spiritual elevation yet remain bound by the base qualities of material nature through intoxication.

* [[Vaniquotes:I was astonished when a yogi came here, having advertised in India that you can be a yogi even though you may be addicted to drinking. This is not the yoga system. This is not standard. You can call it yoga, but it is not the standard yoga system|I was astonished when a yogi came here, having advertised in India that you can be a yogi even though you may be addicted to drinking. This is not the yoga system. This is not standard. You can call it yoga, but it is not the standard yoga system.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:So many philosophers trying to understand the Absolute Truth, but since they are situated in the base qualities of material nature & are addicted to so many bad habits, like drinking, meat-eating, illicit sex & gambling, how can they conceive of the SPG|So many philosophers trying to understand the Absolute Truth, but since they are situated in the base qualities of material nature & are addicted to so many bad habits, like drinking, meat-eating, illicit sex and gambling, how can they conceive of the Supreme Personality of Godhead.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:To go to the higher planetary system, one needs sufficient good qualities. A sinful person situated in the mode of ignorance and addicted to drinking, meat-eating and illicit sex will never enter the higher planets by mechanical means|To go to the higher planetary system, one needs sufficient good qualities. A sinful person situated in the mode of ignorance and addicted to drinking, meat-eating and illicit sex will never enter the higher planets by mechanical means.]]

=== Miracle of Transformation ===
Śrīla Prabhupāda expresses great pride and astonishment at the transformation of Western disciples who, despite being born into cultures accustomed to drinking and gambling, have completely renounced these habits. He points out that this renunciation is a direct proof of their sincere adoption of Kṛṣṇa consciousness.

* [[Vaniquotes:Europeans, American boys, they were addicted with illicit sex life. They were addicted for meat-eating. They were addicted drinking. They were addicted to gambling. Now they've given up everything|Europeans, American boys, they were addicted with illicit sex life. They were addicted for meat-eating. They were addicted drinking. They were addicted to gambling. Now they've given up everything.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Generally Westerners are addicted to meat-eating, drinking, gambling and illicit sex; therefore their taking up KC is astonishing. In India, especially, there is much astonishment at this. The answer, however, is given here - in CC Madhya 16.175|Generally Westerners are addicted to meat-eating, drinking, gambling and illicit sex; therefore their taking up Krsna consciousness is astonishing. In India, especially, there is much astonishment at this. The answer, however, is given here - in Sri Caitanya-caritamrta Madhya 16.175.]]

=== Grace of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu ===
The deliverance of those addicted to drinking is not an ordinary material phenomenon but is attributed solely to the mercy of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that without the grace of the Lord, no ''mleccha'' or ''yavana'' could have overcome these deeply ingrained sinful habits.

* [[Vaniquotes:This Krsna consciousness movement is being spread throughout the world, but not even one yavana or mleccha addicted to drinking could have changed and accepted Krsna consciousness without Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's grace|This Krsna consciousness movement is being spread throughout the world, but not even one yavana or mleccha addicted to drinking could have changed and accepted Krsna consciousness without Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu's grace.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:This change (of Westerners taking up Krsna consciousness despite being addicted to meat-eating, drinking, illicit sex and gambling) is made possible simply by the remembrance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu|This change (of Westerners taking up Krsna consciousness despite being addicted to meat-eating, drinking, illicit sex and gambling) is made possible simply by the remembrance of Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu.]]
* [[Vaniquotes:Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu: He delivered Jagai-Madhai. They were all this addicted to illicit sex, meat-eating, drinking and intoxication, gambling. That is their business|Just like Caitanya Mahaprabhu: He delivered Jagai-Madhai. They were all this addicted to illicit sex, meat-eating, drinking and intoxication, gambling. That is their business.]]

=== Conclusion ===
In conclusion, Śrīla Prabhupāda illustrates that while addiction to drinking is a severe disqualification for spiritual life and a symptom of demoniac existence, it is not an insurmountable barrier for those who take shelter of the ''saṅkīrtana'' movement. The miraculous deliverance of ''yavanas'' and ''mlecchas'' from the clutches of intoxication stands as historical evidence of Śrī Caitanya Mahāprabhu's boundless mercy. Through this movement, even those habituated to the most degraded activities can be purified and elevated to the highest platform of devotion.

=== 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:Addicted to Drinking|Addicted to Drinking]]. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form. 

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