Life According to Śāstra
To live a human life is to live under the direction of authority. Śrīla Prabhupāda consistently teaches that we cannot independently determine the nature of reality or the path to perfection; we must consult the revealed scriptures, or śāstra. This article distinguishes authorized knowledge from mental speculation. Whether discussing the movement of the planets, the qualifications of a guru, or the rules of daily hygiene, the Vedic evidence is the final court of arbitration.
In Kṛṣṇa consciousness, freedom does not mean acting whimsically; it means voluntarily accepting the superior guidance of the Supreme Personality of Godhead as recorded in the Vedas. By following these injunctions, one aligns themselves with the laws of nature and the will of God, leading to a life free from sinful reaction and conducive to spiritual awakening.
The Supreme Authority of Scripture
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that religion is not a man-made sentiment but the law of God, dharmam tu sākṣād bhagavat-praṇītam. Just as a citizen must follow the laws of the state, a human being must act according to the regulative principles laid down in the śāstras to avoid the punishment of material nature.
- Religion means, according to Vedic sastra, dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam(Śrīmad-Bhāgavatam 6.3.19): "Religion means the law given by God." It is very simple. But if you do not know what is God, and if you do not know what law He has given, then where is religion?
- According to the Vedic sastras, everything must be done according to regulative principles, but here it is stated that the thieves and rogues devised their own process for killing an animalistic man.
- According to the sastras: bhaktya bhagavatam grahyam na buddhya na ca tikaya. One should understand the Bhagavad-gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam by hearing them from a real devotee.
Qualifications of the Guru
A bona fide spiritual master is not self-appointed; his authority comes from his strict adherence to scripture. Śrīla Prabhupāda clarifies that a guru must be confirmed by the evidence of śāstra and the testimony of saintly persons, ensuring that the teachings remain pure and unchanged.
- Guru, according to sastra, who is guru, he must be confirmed by sadhu, saintly person, by sastra. Then he's guru. Sadhu-sastra, guru-vakya, tinete kariya aikya.
- A guru is a brahmana by qualification, and he can turn others into brahmanas according to the sastric principles and brahminical qualifications. Brahmanism is not a question of heredity.
- To act under the direction of spiritual master... Spiritual master directs means he knows sastra. According to the direction of sastra or acaryas, he gives direction. And if we follow, that is called sadhana-bhakti.
Social Order and Moral Life
The Vedic social system, or varṇāśrama-dharma, is scientifically designed to elevate society by defining the duties of brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and others. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that adherence to these scriptural rules—especially regarding marriage and the avoidance of sinful activities—is essential for maintaining a peaceful and progressive civilization.
- According to sastra, these are four kinds of sinful activities: illicit sex, meat-eating, intoxication and gambling. But these are modern civilization. It is very difficult.
- According to sastras, a brahmana could marry the daughter of a ksatriya but a ksatriya could not marry the daughter of a brahmana. They were very much cautious about varna-sankara population in the world.
- The brahmanas, they give guidance according to the sastra, and the king is trained up in such a way that he takes instruction from the saintly persons and brahmanas and rules over the kingdom.
Spiritual Practice and Worship
The path of devotion, or bhakti-yoga, is not a matter of sentimentality but is executed through precise regulations known as sādhana. From Deity worship to the chanting of the holy names, Śrīla Prabhupāda instructs that one must follow the methods prescribed by the śāstras to achieve genuine realization of the Supreme Lord.
- A devotee constantly engaged in Deity worship according to the rules and regulations laid down in the sastras and given by the spiritual master realizes gradually that he is in direct contact with the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Sri Caitanya Mahaprabhu said, "According to the verdict of the sastras, the process of hearing and chanting is the best means to attain loving service to Krsna."
- According to the injunctions of the sastras, we cannot make compromises with these so-called jnanis, yogis, karmis and tapasvis.
Cosmic Laws and Karma
Modern science often speculates about the nature of the universe and life, but the śāstras provide authoritative knowledge on these subjects. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that everything from the position of the planets to the transmigration of the soul occurs under strict laws described in Vedic literature.
- According to sastra, karmana daiva-netrena (SB 3.31.1), there is superior examination. Yamaraja is there. Now, this man is now dead, this soul is now changing body. What kind of body he'll get next? That is judged by the superior authority.
- According to our sastra the planets are held on the hood of Ananta. He is carrying. But they say they are staying on account of law of gravitation.
- According to Ayur-vedic sastra, we understand that there is a fire in the stomach which digests all food sent there. When the fire is not blazing, there is no hunger, and when the fire is in order, we become hungry.
Conclusion
Ultimately, living according to śāstra is the only safety measure in a dangerous material world. Śrīla Prabhupāda warns that neglecting scriptural injunctions leads to chaos, suffering, and degradation, while following them leads to peace, prosperity, and eventual liberation. By accepting the authority of the Vedas, one acknowledges the supremacy of the Lord and begins the journey back home, back to Godhead.
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 According to the Sastra. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.