Role of Moral Principles in Human Civilization
In the teachings of Śrīla Prabhupāda, moral principles are the bedrock of a functional and progressive human society. Without these principles, human life is reduced to a more sophisticated version of animal existence, focused solely on bodily necessities. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that morality is not an end in itself but a crucial stepping stone that prepares the heart for the higher realizations of God consciousness. By adhering to ethical standards, the living entity develops the qualities of goodness necessary to perceive the Absolute Truth.
Education and Morally Stout Individual
Śrīla Prabhupāda defines a truly learned person as one who balances diverse knowledge with a firm commitment to ethical conduct. This "moral stoutness" is the practical application of learning. A person may possess many academic degrees, but if they lack moral character, their knowledge is considered spoiled or incomplete. According to the Vedic standard, a person’s education is measured by their ability to see all women as mothers and to treat all living beings with the same respect they desire for themselves.
- A person conversant in different departments of knowledge is called educated, and because he acts on moral principles, he is called morally stout. Together, these two factors constitute learning.
- When a person is highly educated and acts strictly on moral principles, he is called highly learned. A person conversant in different departments of knowledge is called educated, and because he acts on moral principles, he is called morally stout.
- It is a moral principle that one should not be influenced by lusty desires for another's wife. Matrvat para-daresu: an intelligent person must look upon another's wife as being like his mother. This is a moral injunction from Canakya-sloka - 10.
Symbolism of Bull and Cow
The health of human civilization is directly linked to the protection of moral principles, which are traditionally symbolized by the bull. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that when the bull (morality) and the cow (the earth) are in a joyful mood, human society naturally thrives. However, in the current Age of Kali, these fundamental pillars are under attack. As moral and religious principles diminish, the qualities of mercy, truthfulness, and cleanliness also fade, leading to a world filled with anxiety and conflict.
- The bull is the emblem of the moral principle, and the cow is the representative of the earth. When the bull and the cow are in a joyful mood, it is to be understood that the people of the world are also in a joyful mood.
- With the progress of the age of Kali, four things particularly, namely the duration of life, mercy, the power of recollection, and moral or religious principles will gradually diminish.
- People all over the world, especially in India, have forgotten their relationship with SPG and His eternal servants. Therefore the principles of morality, religion and ethics have almost disappeared. This situation is most unprofitable for human society.
Morality as a Prerequisite for Spiritual Life
Following moral principles is the primary requirement for anyone wishing to advance in spiritual culture. Śrīla Prabhupāda notes that human beings only begin their journey toward God consciousness when they move beyond gross materialistic habits and adopt ethical restraints. While moral behavior alone—such as non-violence or honesty—does not constitute pure devotion, it creates the peaceful environment of the mode of goodness (sattva-guṇa) in which devotional service can easily take root.
- Human beings advance toward God consciousness when they go beyond the gross materialistic life of eating, sleeping, fearing, and mating and begin to develop moral and ethical principles.
- So far as stealing is concerned, one should not steal except in the rarest circumstances. Moral principle is recommended in all scriptures as prerequisite for spiritual culture.
- Ordinary persons who are following the regulative moral principles of scriptures, no matter in what condition they are found, will certainly be attracted, but not persons who are killing themselves.
Transcending Mundane Morality through Devotion
Ultimately, Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches that even the highest mundane morality must be transcended to reach the platform of pure love for God. While a common person is bound by moral laws, Kṛṣṇa and His pure devotees operate on a transcendental plane. A pure devotee naturally possesses all the good qualities of the demigods and the moralists without separate effort. Conversely, the actions of the Supreme Lord, which may sometimes appear to transgress human ethics, actually establish the highest spiritual principle of absolute surrender.
- The highest life of moral principles is to become a devotee of the Lord because a pure devotee of the Lord has all the good qualities of the Lord.
- As an independent leader among elephants enters the water with its female elephants, Krsna, who is transcendental to the Vedic principles of morality, entered the water of the Yamuna with the gopis.
- Even if he (a person) follows the rules and regulations and moral principles and ultimately does not come to the stage of understanding the Supreme Lord, then all his knowledge becomes spoiled.
Conclusion
The role of moral principles in human civilization is to elevate the individual from an animalistic state to a platform of goodness. Through moral stoutness and ethical conduct, a person becomes a fit candidate for spiritual inquiry. Śrīla Prabhupāda reminds us that in the age of Kali, the preservation of these principles depends on our connection with the Supreme Personality of Godhead. By becoming a devotee of Kṛṣṇa, one not only fulfills the highest moral standards but also transcends them, attaining the eternal, blissful state of the soul that lies beyond the dualities of material ethics.
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 Moral Principles. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.