Life According to Vedic Civilization
Śrīla Prabhupāda presents the concept of Vedic civilization not as an archaic tradition, but as the perfect, eternal social structure designed by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. Unlike modern societies driven by economic development and sense gratification, the Vedic system is meticulously organized to facilitate the spiritual evolution of every living being. Through the scientific institution of varṇāśrama-dharma, human society is guided to live in harmony with material nature while pursuing the ultimate goal of self-realization and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
Scientific Social Structure: Varṇāśrama
Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that a civilized society is naturally divided into four occupational and four spiritual orders. This division is not artificial but is compared to the organic function of the human body, ensuring that all classes of men—from the intelligent class to the working class—can cooperate for the satisfaction of the Supreme Lord.
- According to Vedic civilization, there are four divisions of the society. Everywhere the same divisions are there all over the world. This is very natural. Just like we can study from our own body, there is head, there is arm, there is belly.
- Caitanya Mahaprabhu says, "I am not a brahmana. I am not a ksatriya. I am not a vaisya. I am not a sudra," because the material human society designation is the varnasrama according to Vedic civilization.
- According to Vedic civilization, everyone has his own sva-dharma. This has been misinterpreted by the rascals. Sva-dharma means anyone can discover his own religious principle. Yato mata tato patha.
Sanctity of Family Life and Renunciation
In the Vedic conception, family life is a responsible ashram meant for purification, not merely for sexual pleasure. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphasizes that marriage is a lifelong commitment without divorce, and that family attachment must eventually be voluntarily renounced in the vānaprastha stage to focus fully on Kṛṣṇa consciousness before death.
- According to the Vedic civilization, one cannot give up the responsibilities of family life, but today everyone is giving up family life by divorce. This is due to the miserable condition experienced in the family.
- According to the Vedic system marriage takes place according to the sanction of the parents, although this is not being followed strictly at the present moment.
- According to Vedic civilization, one has to give up family life at a certain age (the age of fifty), take vanaprastha and eventually remain alone as a sannyasi. That is the prescribed method of Vedic civilization known as varnasrama-dharma.
Protection of the Vulnerable
A primary indicator of a civilized society, according to Śrīla Prabhupāda, is the protection offered to those who are defenseless. The Vedic culture explicitly mandates the care of cows, women, children, the elderly, and the brāhmaṇas, creating an atmosphere of safety and piety that is absent in demonic civilizations.
- This is Vedic civilization. You give protection to the women, to the children, to the brahmana, to the cow, and to the old man.
- According to Vedic civilization, cow is one of the seven mothers. There are seven mothers: the real mother; atma-mata guroh patni, the wife of spiritual master; then queen, raja-patni. Atma-mata guroh patni brahmani, the wife of a brahmana.
- According to Vedic civilization, everyone has the responsibility for taking care of brahmanas, old men, women, children and cows. This is the duty of everyone, especially an upper-class person.
Daily Regulative Principles and Purity
The daily life of a person in Vedic civilization is regulated by cleanliness, early rising, and strict moral codes. Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts this with modern habits, explaining that spiritual advancement requires a foundation of physical and mental purity, including the restriction of eating and mating.
- According to Vedic civilization, one should rise early in the morning and chant Hare Krsna, perform mangala aratrika, worship the Deity. This is the morning business. But the richest nation of the world, they are going to work at six-thirty for earning.
- According to Vedic civilization, one has to cleanse himself externally three times daily - once in the morning, again at noon, and again in the evening.
- According to Vedic civilization, "This eating is first class. This eating is second class. This eating is third class. This eating is fourth class." So many things required to correct the mistaken way of civilization. That is Krsna consciousness.
The Ultimate Goal: God Consciousness
The defining characteristic of Vedic civilization is its focus on the spiritual identity of the self beyond the body. Śrīla Prabhupāda asserts that any society which does not train its citizens to understand God and their relationship with Him is no better than an animal society, regardless of its material advancements.
- According to Vedic civilization, a human being must be God conscious. He should understand what God is, what this material world is, who he is, and what their interrelationships are. This is called sreyas, or ultimately auspicious activity.
- According to Vedic civilization, any person, he may be very big man, but if he does not know beyond his body, then he is no better than animal. This is Vedic version.
- According to Vedic civilization, the progressive march towards perfection of life is to realize one's relationship with Krsna, or God.
Conclusion
In summary, Śrīla Prabhupāda defines Vedic civilization not by technological progress or economic indicators, but by the degree to which a society fosters spiritual realization. It is a culture where the social body works cooperatively to please the Supreme Lord, where the weak are protected, where family life is a fortress of dharma, and where the ultimate success is measured by the awakening of Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By following these timeless principles, humanity can rise above the animalistic struggle for survival and achieve the highest perfection of life.
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 Vedic Civilization. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.