Civilization and Transcendence

50.00

Civilizations have come and gone. Civilization and Transcendence implores us to not to lose focus over the true hankerings and needs of the soul. Srila Prabhupada imparts his teachings with sound Vedic knowledge in a lucid language and explains how Technology and science are essential but cannot be of any assistance in our true pursuit: to transcend this material world and awaken our spiritual consciousness.

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Civilization and Transcendence:

Civilizations have come and gone. From the Roman & Babylonian to the current modern age, civilizations have all progressed and evolved. If one asks how humans have progressed over these civilizations the answers would be largely around the feats achieved in technology and science. They may also boast the knowledge of avenues of luxuries it has brought along with it. In enjoying all these luxuries if even one human genuinely introspects how does these artificial luxuries satisfy the soul?s inherent desire for happiness and eternal life? One will come to a conclusion that it never does.

His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada in this pocket edition of Civilization and Transcendence implores us to not to lose focus over the true hankerings and needs of the soul. He imparts his teachings with sound Vedic knowledge in a lucid language and explains how Technology and science are essential but cannot be of any assistance in our true pursuit: to transcend this material world and awaken our spiritual consciousness.

In a series of questions and answers, Srila Prabhupada defines real progress as self realization. If asked how humans have progressed over the past centuries, most people would point to technology and science and the knowledge and luxuries they have brought. But how do these things satisfy the soul’s desire for happiness and eternal life? They don’t and never can. A.C.Bhaktivedanta Swami implores us not to lose sight of our true hankerings and needs. Technology and science are good and have their place, but shouldn’t distract us from our most important pursuit: to transcend this world and awaken our spiritual nature.

In June of 1976, Bhavan’s Journal, a Bombay cultural and religious magazine, sent various religious and spiritual leaders a questionnaire, seeking enlightened answers to some of the perplexing questions of the day, such as the place of religion in modern society.

One recipient of their questionnaire was Srila Prabhupada, who took the opportunity to make a thorough presentation of the ideal Vedic civilization, show the faults of modern society from the viewpoint of transcendence, and offer practical solutions based on Krishna conscious teachings.

His answers to Bhavan’s Journal were later compiled and published as Civilization and Transcendence, a compact and lively book of questions and answers like this:

Srila Prabhupada: We are sometimes labeled “escapists.” What is the charge?
Disciple: They say we are escaping from reality.
Srila Prabhupada: Yes, escaping your fruitless endeavor.

People do not know what real progress is. The Vedic civilization is not interested in the false progress of economic development. For instance, something people boast, “We have gone from the hut to the skyscraper.” They think this is progress. But in the Vedic system of civilization, one thinks about how much he is advanced in self-realization. He may live in a hut and become very advanced in self realization.

But if he wastes his time turning his hut into a skyscraper, then his whole life is wasted. Modern so-called civilization is simply a dog’s race. The dog is running on four legs, and modern people are running on four wheels. The learned, astute person will use this life to gain what he has missed in countless prior lives—namely, realization of self and realization of God.

Table of Contents of Civilization and Transcendence:

        • Chapter 1. Religion With No Conception of God
          Chapter 2. Progressing Beyond “Progress”
          Chapter 3. Concocted Religion
          Chapter 4. Caste System Cast Out
          Chapter 5. Eternal Truths vs. Everyday Realities
          Chapter 6. The Ultimate Knowledge
          Chapter 7. Getting Spiritual Guidance
          Chapter 8. Civilization Means Regulation
          Chapter 9. Cleansing the Heart
          Chapter 10. The Process of Purification
          Chapter 11. “Feel the Oneness”…with a Difference
          Chapter 12. How to Love God
          Chapter 13. The Way to Peace
          Chapter 14. Return to Real Life

The Vedic civilization of self realization begins from the varnashrama system of social organization. Varnashramacaravata purushena parah puman vishnur aradhyate: [Cc. Madhya 8.58] “Everyone should offer up the fruits of his occupational duty to the lotus feet of the Lord Vishnu , or Krishna.” That is why the Vedic system is called varnashrama—literally, “social organization with a spiritual perspective.”

The varnashrama system has four social and four spiritual divisions. The social divisions are the brahmanas [teachers and priests], kshatriyas [administrators and military men], vaishyas [farmers and merchants], and shudras [laborers and craftsmen], while the spiritual divisions are the brahmacaris [students], grihasthas [householders], vanaprasthas [retirees], and sannyasis [renunciants]. But the ultimate goal is vishnur aradhyate—the worship of the Supreme Lord, Vishnu , by all. That is the idea.

But the members of the modern so-called civilization do not know of varnashrama. Therefore they have created a society that is simply a dog’s race. The dog is running on four legs, and they are running on four wheels. That’s all. And they think the four-wheel race is advancement of civilization.

Vedic civilization is different. As Narada Muni says, tasyaiva hetoh prayateta kovido na labhyate yad bhramatam upary adhah: [Bhag. 1.5.18] the learned, astute person will use this life to gain what he has missed in countless prior lives—namely, realization of self and realization of God. Someone may ask, “Then shall we do nothing?” Yes do nothing simply to improve your material position. Whatever material happiness is allotted for you by destiny, you’ll get it wherever you are. Take to Krishna consciousness. You’ll get these other things besides.

“How shall I get them?”

How? Kalena sarvatra gabhira-ramhasa: by the arrangement of eternal time, everything will come about in due course. The example is given that even though you do not want distress, still distress comes upon you. Similarly, even if you do not work hard for the happiness that is destined to be yours, still it will come.

Similarly, Prahlada Maharaja says, na tat-prayasah kartavyam: you should not waste your energy for material happiness, because you cannot get more than what you are destined to have. That is not possible. “How can I believe it—that by working harder I will not get more material happiness than I would otherwise have had?”

Because you are undergoing so many distressing conditions even though you do not want them. Who wants distress? For example, in our country, Mahatma Gandhi was killed by his own countrymen. He was a great man, he was protected by so many followers, he was beloved by all—and still he was killed. Destiny. Who can protect you from all these distressing conditions?

“So,” you should conclude, “if these distressing conditions come upon me by force, the other kind of condition, the opposite number, will also come. Therefore why shall I waste my time trying to avoid distress and gain so-called happiness? Let me utilize my energy for Krishna consciousness.” That is intelligence. You cannot check your destiny. The magazine’s question touches on this point.

 

If you have any doubts in the quest of spiritual progress, please ask our experts at 9738769587 or 9740603910 or email at contactus@divyamayayoga.com

 

Additional information

Weight .075 kg
Dimensions 15 × 10 × 1 cm

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