Welcome to the Madhava Masa Gaurabda 525 edition of the ANGKOR BULLETIN. This will serve as a supplement to our website www.bhakticambodia.com. Devotees serving in the Kingdom of Cambodia wouerest and participation, however that may be. We plan to make available literatures in the local Khmer language both those of the Bhaktivedanta Book Trust (BBT) and those of the Varnasrama Book Trust (Vld like to provide various information to our viewers to solicit their intBT). We are looking for interested persons from the Kingdom of Cambodia who can help in various activities, including translation and printing of literatures into Khmer.
Hare Krishna
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Interviews of H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami on Education
Conducted by Sriman Bhagiratha dasa Siem Reap, Kingdom of Cambodia January 2008
What is your understanding of educations? Or, according to you, what constitutes education?
Bhakti Raghava Swami: From sastras we understand that education is the imparting of material and spiritual knowledge-because reality encompasses both the material and the spiritual. The explanation given by Srila Prabhupada is 'knowledge means to know matter and spirit and the controller of both.' (Bg 2.11, purport). The ultimate goal of that education is self-realization. An education that does not emancipate one spiritually is not real education. Today's education, being limited to the gross material sphere, can not be accepted as genuine. In the Bhagavad-Gita we find the term raja-vidya,"the kingof knowledge". The knowledge of Bhagavad-Gita is eternal, and Lord Sri Krishna speaks in detail about prakriti, describing material nature and its twenty-four elements along with Sankhya philosophy. Srila Prabhupada and previous acarya gave so much importance to the Bhagavad-Gita because its complete presentation of both the spiritual reality and material energy. One verse in Knowledge of the Absolute state:
jnanam te'ham sa-vijnananm idam vaksyamy asesatah
yaj jnatva neha bhuyo'nyaj jnatavyam avasisyate
" I shall now declare unto you in full this knowledge, both phenomenal and numinous. This being known, nothing further shall remain for you to know".
How should we impart education in general society, on the one hand, and within our ISKCON, on the other?
Bhakti Raghava Swami: Srila Prabhupada mentioned that if we do things properly,according to our Vedic scriptures and culture, education will be simple. The system of varnasrama, when understood and applied properly simplifies education very mjuch. Education is actually way of life. The popular sayingËducation is life, and life is education,"is indeed in line with our philosophy. In Vedic culture, the system of varnasrama is itself education, and it is sometimes described as an educational system. We do not really the kind of infrastructures that exist today, with big buildings and large paid staff. It is no longer education: it has become bussiness. Education is meant to be given freely to students, as in gurukula. The majority of people do not need to attend these large institutions. Especially devotees should understand their own culture,instead of blindly rushing in there. They should live in a natural way, as the Vedic scriptures prescribe. Unless we understand what varnasrama is, we will not understand what genuine education is. Education and varnasrama are intimatrely related. We cannot speak of education without speaking of varnasrama, and vice versa. When we know how to live, we know how to educate. There is a specific class, the brahmanas, who arrange education. Vedic education is given within varnas and ashramas, and the brahmanas play a role in both. It is a very simple process of unlimited scope. In modern society, we have a very complicated system of education because it has deviated so much. In Vedic culture, certain things-such as knowledge, land, or food-are free. Some exchange might be there, but generally food is distributed for free. When we lose spiritual perspective,everything becomes abnormal. We use the same words-education, knowledge, development- but they mean something completely different. Development is an important word in modern society, but it points to solely market growth and things like that. In Vedic culture, the same word invariably implies spiritual development.
Bhagiratha dasa: And education within our society?
Bhakti Raghava Swami: Within ISKCON, education will become natural and tangible when we apply the system of varnasrama. The few educational institutions that we have in ISKCON mostly fall outside of varnasrama. In some instances, they are practically pararell to modern education, which may cause us to lose sight of our real purpose. When basic principles are not applied, education loses potency. For example, we often bypass the key requirement that students and teachers should live together.
Bhagiratha dasa: Your Holiness mentioned that real education is to study spirit and matter, and is imparted for free, with basically no salary for teachers. But in some places in ISKCON, the students are required to pay for courses, like bhakti shastri, etc. Could your holiness comment on this?
Bhakti Raghava Swami: No, the student should not pay. In the Vedic system, knowledge was not treated like a commodity; it is not a business. There should be some kind of exchange or reciprocation-some variety of service-but not a business fee.The atmosphere should be not that only those qualified deserve to receive education, not everyone who pays. Education has five component. The first is its definition- it is mandatory for education to cover the knowledge both matter and spirit. It should guide one toward self-realization, not simply give a bhakti shastri degree. Although the subject matter is primarily spiritual, the definition of knowledge extends to the phenomenal as well. The next component is disposition, the mentality in which one is giving or receiving education. The teacher and student must be in right mood. The third criterion is the delivery of knowledge. It points to the atmosphere in which the knowledge is given. It should be sattvika, away from congested places. The student must live with the teacher and serve him. There must be exchange based on love. These things have to be in place for the teacher to develop the character of the student. The fourth is the design of the education, the curriculum. The knowledge given should have its roots in the shastras. One of the important activities of brahmanas is to expertly extract material and spiritual teachings from shastras. Any material not from our scriptures is not desirable. If we take all types of karmi or nondevotional books, it is almost as good as having a karmi tteacher. So it goes without saying that our teachers should be devotees. And the last criterion is the direction or purpose of the knowledge. Nothing should be done for mundane objectives. Even if somebody learning something material, it is not for material gain. Of course we can learn some practical science or some skills for Krishna's service, but for this we do not need much formal education, specially for skills. We can say that one practically does not need to school for that kind of education. ....
What are the weakness in the modern educational system?
Bhakti Raghava Swami: Modern education focuses on speculative, gross material knowledge. They have removed the spiritual dimensionfrom their definitions of knowledge. And education has become a big business. many people, mostly those without qualification, are making big money out of it. Teacher are generrally bereft of the nine qualities of brahmanas, and thus they are neither materially nor spiritually fit to teach. Neither are students qualified, because they are studying for wrong reasons. The majority of students in today's colleges and universities are not fit to study formally in an institution, according to the natural varnasrama system. But these days, if you do not have a university degree, no body will give you a good job. Therefore people are studying in the wrong things for the wrong purposes- to maintain or increase thge so-called comforts of modern life. The sole aim of technology is to increase this so-called good life. Education is on the wrong track; its purpose is lost. Those who are in charge of modern education have hijacked it for economic goal under pressure of governments,industrial lobbies,and their investors. The main fault of modern approach is that it is devoid of spirituality, and thus the ultimate target of a bonafide education is missed. ...
What are the remedies for rectifying our shortcomings in educations?
Bhakti Raghava Swami: We have already touched on thatb somewaht. We need to deepen our knowledge of varnasrama and see how it is intrinsically connected with education. We need to facilitate and support our devotees in the field of varnasrama education. We must take major steps in that direction. There are devotees willing to get involved, but not much support is given to them. Srila prabhupada established ISKCON primarily tom create a class of qualified brahmanas. Such brahmanas will understandand gradually introduce traditional Vedic education, starting with its basic principles. Five basic concepts must be in place:(1)the proper definition of education,(2) the proper disposition of teachers and students, (3)the proper delivery of such an education(which should avoid modern patterns, like urban location, the mixing ofgenders, or anything that increases the influence of the lower modes), (4) the design of curricula exclusively from Vedic sources, and(5)the direction of the educational pursuits, toward spiritual realization. To rectify education, we need dedicated brahmanas who will live by and teach according tom these principles.
In order for this revolution to take place, Srila Prabhupada stressed the the need to establish gurukulas as well as varnasrama colleges. The correcting of discrepancies found in the modern education calls for major reforms. Change will be possible only when we have qualified leaders-kshatriyas-who can appreciate, support, and implement the brahminical tandard of Vedic Education. These two classes of leaders, the brahmanas and the kshatriyas, are missing in the secular world, and to a large extent are rare even within ISKCON.
For introducing this type of education, practical models of rural varnasrama communities are required. A simpler lifestyle, connected with land, cows,and traditional technologies, greatly fosters the application of Vedic principles. At this point in time, the effect that we can have on general education is very limited. We can first introduce such changes within ISKCON, by creating model communities congenial with the implementation of traditional education. Such an approach will gradually bring about reform. We first begin in our own house, then we introduce this culture to others. We first create a few models, and later expand to society at large. Changes in the educational practices themselves must also come via education. This is done through proper theory and strong implementation. Most devotees will never understand varnasrama-related topics simply through theory. But if we implement it even on a small scale, realizations will come easily.
From : Varnasrama Education Selected Interviews Published by Varnasrama Book Trust 2010
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Srila Prabhupada Quote on Kshatriya
If you want to act as a kshatriya , then you must have all the kshatriya qualities and act. The kshatriya means they are especially the... Yuddhe capy apalayanam. A kshatriya is never afraid of fighting; neither, if somebody challenges, "I would fight with you, I want to fight with you," the kshatriya will never deny. If somebody comes forward to a kshatriya , that "I want to play chess or gamble..." Gambling was allowed to the kshatriya s. It is by gambling all the Pandavas, they lost everything. The Kauravas, his brother, they made a trick to challenge—because a kshatriya cannot deny—that "We want to play games with you and betting." So they betted their kingdom, their wife, and their everything. Then they were banished. There was a trick to make them humiliated in every respect. So kshatriya , because a kshatriya cannot refuse, if any opposing party comes to a kshatriya that "I want to fight with you," a kshatriya cannot deny. And that fighting would go up to the death, till it is decided. One must die.
Just like Jarasandha. Jarasandha and Krishna and Arjuna and Bhima. There was many times fight with Jarasandha and Krishna. But he brought many, many unlimited number of soldiers, and they were killed. So this time Krishna wanted to kill only Jarasandha , not so many innocent soldiers. So therefore Krishna , Arjuna, and Bhima went to Jarasandha, and they went in the dress of brahmana. So Jarasandha was very charitable to the brahmanas. So when they... As brahmanas, they wanted something. "Yes, what do you want?" Then they said that "We want to fight with you." So Jarasandha could understand, "They are in disguise. They are kshatriya s." So Jarasandha said, "Yes, accepted. Then who will fight with me? You are three." Then they challenged also, "Anyone. Anyone. You can accept." So Jarasandha said that " Krishna , He fled away." Krishna is Ranchor. Sometimes He did that. The purpose was to save the innocent soldiers, and He would take another chance to kill Jarasandha. But he thought that He fled away. Anyway, so he said that " Krishna is afraid of me. I cannot fight with Him. I reject Him. And Arjuna is younger than me; so I cannot fight with who is younger, inferior, to me. But I can accept Bhima , to fight with him."
So there was fight with Bhima and Jarasandha. This is kshatriya spirit. He could not deny. They were guests, these three men, namely Krishna , Arjuna... They were guests. So they would fight the whole day, or, say, in the morning, after taking their breakfast, they'd begin fighting. And the fighting will go on. And at night they are guests. They were received very well. They would dine together, talk together, friendly. You see? So this is kshatriya spirit. And in this way, for twenty-seven or twenty-eight days, the fighting was going on. Later on, Jarasandha was killed by the hint of Krishna . This is kshatriya spirit. Similarly, brahmana spirit. Guna-karma-vibhagasah [Bg. 4.13].
From Bhaktivedanta Vedabase 2003. Lecture on Srimad Bhagavatam 1.2.2 , Rome, May 26, 1974
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Srila Prabhupada Quote on Krshi
Prabhupada: Yes, Palika. [break] ...business, that requires so many other things. But if you take to
agriculture you can do it immediately. Krsi-go-raksya. That... We are going to do that. Krsi... This is beginning, family life, maintenance, body and soul together. This is the beginning. Business is there when there is excess. Krsi-go-raksya-vanijyam [Bg. 18.44]. First of all you take care of the cows and engage yourself in agricultural products. Then when there is excess production, you trade, get some money for other purposes. But you... Agriculture means you work for producing food. That is wanted. Why immediately go to trade? Trade is required when there is excess product. Everything is there. Krsi-go-raksya. And the krsi you can produce independently. You simply work. You have got your hands and legs. You till the ground and throw some seed, and it will come. One kilo seeds, you'll get one hundred mounds. Then, when the product is excess, you trade. Everything is there. If you produce food grain, you'll eat nicely and you'll be strong. You'll be able to work more. Our point is take Krishna's instruction. Everything will be perfect. Not that Krishna is advising immediately sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. For that stage you are not prepared. That I know. But in your present stage what you'll do, that is perfect.
Giriräja: You mean I should leave everything and start a farm?
Prabhupäda: Where is the question of leaving? Agriculture... You take to agriculture—that means you leave everything?
Giriraja: Well, what I have now.
Prabhupäda: And what you have got? You are asking that "I require now food." That means you have nothing. You have no food even. (aside:) Oh, you have brought it very quickly. Very nice. All right. [break] Live very comfortably, eat very comfortably and work. Chant Hare Krishna. Simply wasting time, the civilization... shrama eva hi kevalam [SB 1.2.8]. Working hard and wasting valuable time of... Misguided. Andha yathandhair upaniya... When I think of their position... So every Vaishnava should be para-duhkha-duhkhi. So you like it?...
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The earth, then feeding mother, giver of nourishment and satisfaction, and above all a storehouse of gems, is a constant source of protection to all
Kashyapa Krsi Sukti text 21
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Vaishnava Calendar
Madhava Masa Gaurabda 525
Calculated using VCAL 4.01 for Siem Reap(103E50 13N30, Time zone = +7.00), Cambodia
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DATE TITHI PAKSA YOGA NAKSATRA FAST
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10 Jan 2012 Tu Pratipat K Vaidhriti Punarvasu
11 Jan 2012 We Dvitiya K Viskumba Pusyami
12 Jan 2012 Th Tritiya K Ayusmana Magha
13 Jan 2012 Fr Caturthi K Saubhagya Purva-phalguni
14 Jan 2012 Sa Pancami K Sobana Uttara-phalguni
Sri Ramacandra Kaviraja -- Disappearance
Srila Gopala Bhatta Gosvami -- Appearance
15 Jan 2012 Su Sasti K Atiganda Hasta
Sri Jayadeva Gosvami -- Disappearance
Sri Locana Dasa Thakura -- Disappearance
----------------- Makara Sankranti (Sun enters Capricorn) -----------------
16 Jan 2012 Mo Astami K Sukarma Citra
17 Jan 2012 Tu Navami K Dhriti Swati
18 Jan 2012 We Dasami K Sula Visakha
19 Jan 2012 Th Suddha Ekadasi K Ganda Anuradha *
Fasting for Sat-tila Ekadasi
20 Jan 2012 Fr Dvadasi K Dhruva Jyestha
Break fast 06:32 - 10:21 (Daylight saving not considered).
21 Jan 2012 Sa Trayodasi K Vyagata Mula
22 Jan 2012 Su Caturdasi K Harsana Purva-asadha
23 Jan 2012 Mo Amavasya K Vajra Uttara-asadha
Ganga Sagara Mela
24 Jan 2012 Tu Pratipat G Siddhi Sravana
25 Jan 2012 We Dvitiya G Vyatipata Dhanista
26 Jan 2012 Th Tritiya G Variyana Satabhisa
27 Jan 2012 Fr Caturthi G Parigha Purva-bhadra
28 Jan 2012 Sa Pancami G Siva Uttara-bhadra
Vasanta Pancami
Srimati Visnupriya Devi -- Appearance
Sarasvati Puja
Srila Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakura -- Disappearance
Sri Pundarika Vidyanidhi -- Appearance
Sri Raghunandana Thakura -- Appearance
Srila Raghunatha Dasa Gosvami -- Appearance
29 Jan 2012 Su Sasti G Siddha Revati
30 Jan 2012 Mo Saptami G Sadhya Asvini *
Sri Advaita Acarya -- Appearance
(Fasting till noon)
31 Jan 2012 Tu Astami G Subha Bharani
Bhismastami
1 Feb 2012 We Navami G Sukla Bharani
Sri Madhvacarya -- Disappearance
2 Feb 2012 Th Dasami G Brahma Krittika
Sri Ramanujacarya -- Disappearance
3 Feb 2012 Fr Ekadasi G Indra Rohini
4 Feb 2012 Sa Suddha Ekadasi G Vaidhriti Mrigasira *
Fasting for Bhaimi Ekadasi
Varaha Dvadasi: Appearance of Lord Varahadeva
(Fasting till noon.)
(Feasting is done tomorrow.)
5 Feb 2012 Su Dvadasi G Viskumba Ardra
Break fast 06:31 - 07:12 (Daylight saving not considered).
6 Feb 2012 Mo Trayodasi G Priti Punarvasu *
Nityananda Trayodasi: Appearance of Sri Nityananda Prabhu
(Fasting till noon)
7 Feb 2012 Tu Purnima G Ayusmana Pusyami
Sri Krsna Madhura utsava
Srila Narottama Dasa Thakura -- Appearance
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