Symptoms of a Condemned Civilization
Modern society prides itself on advancement, yet from the spiritual perspective, it often exhibits the symptoms of a "condemned civilization." Śrīla Prabhupāda uses this strong terminology to describe a social structure that systematically exploits the soul, disrespects sacred life, and prioritizes temporary sense gratification over eternal well-being. This article outlines the specific characteristics of such a civilization and the contrasting principles of a sane, spiritual society.
Disrespect for Life and Culture
The bedrock of a sane society is brahminical culture, which protects the most helpless and the most wise. A civilization is declared "condemned" when it loses respect for cows and brāhmaṇas. Furthermore, the unrestricted slaughter of animals and unborn children marks a society as being led by uncivilized asuras.
- A civilization in which there is no respect for the cows and brahmanas is condemned.
- Any civilization not based on brahminical culture or guided by brahmanas is certainly a condemned civilization.
- At the present moment, the killing of cows and the killing of children is going on unrestrictedly, and therefore this civilization is not at all human, and those who are conducting this condemned civilization are uncivilized asuras.
Trap of Economic Development
Śrīla Prabhupāda critiques the modern economic model which uproots people from natural, peaceful living and forces them into industrial slavery. This endeavor for unnecessary economic development (prāyāsa) creates artificial needs and widespread unemployment, dragging people toward a hellish existence.
- The modern civilization is a condemned civilization. The innocent people are being dragged from the villages and exploited in the cities. But in the Bhagavad-gita Krishna recommends them to remain where they are and produce grains: annad bhavanta bhutani.
- Just stop this unemployment, you will see the whole world is peaceful; there is no complaint. And they'll very happily chant Hare Krsna. Hmm? Nobody's working in this field. They're all drawn to the cities to work in the factory. Condemned civilization.
Animalistic Standard
A condemned civilization defines success by how much one can enjoy the senses. People toil day and night simply for eating, sleeping, and mating. Śrīla Prabhupāda contrasts this "hog and dog" standard with real civilization, which aims to minimize material labor to facilitate spiritual life.
- People are being taught in this way, that "Work very hard day and night, earn money, and enjoy senses, nothing more." So this sort of civilization is condemned. The real civilization is that one has to control.
- Real civilization is that minimize work. Minimize work, save time, and go back to your spiritual life. That is civilization. And this is not civilization, to get the necessities of life, sense gratification, and work like hog and dog. That is condemned.
Conclusion
The rejection of modern materialism is not a rejection of civilization itself, but a rejection of suicide. A society that ignores God consciousness is condemned to suffer. The alternative is to establish a society that provides food, shelter, and knowledge—specifically the knowledge of how to control the senses and achieve the goal 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 Condemned Civilization. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience Śrīla Prabhupāda's teachings in their direct, verbatim form.