Sastra Caksusa

seeing through the eyes of scriptures

Bhagavad Gita 1.41 -42 and Srila Prabhupada about divorce

TEXT 41
sankaro narakayaiva 
kula-ghnanam kulasya ca 
patanti pitaro hy esam 
lupta-pindodaka-kriyah
SYNONYMS

sankarah--such unwanted children; narakaya--for hellish life; eva--certainly; kula-ghnanam--of those who are killers of the family; kulasya--of the family; ca--also; patanti--fall down; pitarah--forefathers; hi--certainly; esam--of them; lupta--stopped; pinda--offerings; udaka--water; kriyah--performances.

TRANSLATION

When there is increase of unwanted population, a hellish situation is created both for the family and for those who destroy the family tradition. In such corrupt families, there is no offering of oblations of food and water to the ancestors.

PURPORT

According to the rules and regulations of fruitive activities, there is a need to offer periodical food and water to the forefathers of the family. This offering is performed by worship of Visnu, because eating the remnants of food offered to Visnu can deliver one from all kinds of sinful actions. Sometimes the forefathers may be suffering from various types of sinful reactions, and sometimes some of them cannot even acquire a gross material body and are forced to remain in subtle bodies as ghosts. Thus, when remnants of prasadam food are offered to forefathers by descendants, the forefathers are released from ghostly or other kinds of miserable life. Such help rendered to forefathers is a family tradition, and those who are not in devotional life are required to perform such rituals. One who is engaged in the devotional life is not required to perform such actions. Simply by performing devotional service, one can deliver hundreds and thousands of forefathers from all kinds of misery. It is stated in theBhagavatam:

devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam 
na kinkaro nayam rni ca rajan 
sarvatmana yah saranam saranyam 
gato mukundam parihrtya kartam


"Anyone who has taken shelter of the lotus feet of Mukunda, the giver of liberation, giving up all kinds of obligation, and has taken to the path in all seriousness, owes neither duties nor obligations to the demigods, sages, general living entities, family members, humankind or forefathers." (Bhag.11.5.41) Such obligations are automatically fulfilled by performance of devotional service to the Supreme Personality of Godhead.

Commentary by Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur
No commentary by Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur

Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Visnuswami
Sridhara Swami's Commentary
When this happens there is an intermingling of castes and the ancestors of these destroyers of the family fall from heaven as they are deprived of their periodic ritual offerings of food and water.
Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Madhvacarya
Madhvacarya's Commentary
Madhvacarya has no commentary so we present Baladeva Vidyabhusana's.
When there is a resultant intermixture of castes due to the destruction of the family structure; those who are responsible are damned to hell; but not only these ruinous family members. Their forefathers are also sent to hell as well due to the cessation of the ritual offerings of food and water that are no longer given due to the fact that there no longer exist any male descendants to perform such rites.
Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Ramanuja
There is no commentary for this verse.
Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Nimbaditya
Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary
In regard to the result of undesirable progeny. The intermixture of castes that follow the family customs and honor the age-old Vedic traditions with those that do not causes a degradation in society and leads the family to a hellish existence. Not only this but the anscestors of such a family also suffer as well because there is no descendant qualified to perform the propitiatory rites prescribed in Vedic scriptures such as sraddha and tarpana. . Being deprived of these oblations due to the absence of qualified progeny as a result of destruction of the family structure the ancestors fall down from heaven and go directly to the hellish planets.

"Relief From Today's Hell"
73/07/29 London, Bhagavad-gita 1.41-42

listen 

 

Pradyumna (leads chanting, etc.):


sankaro narakayaiva
kula-ghnanam kulasya ca
patanti pitaro hy esam
lupta-pindodaka-kriyah
 [Bg. 1.41]

Translation: "When there is increase of unwanted population, a hellish situation is created both for the family and for those who destroy the family tradition. In such corrupt families, there is no offering of oblations of food and water to the ancestors."

Prabhupada: Sankaro narakayaiva. When there are unwanted children, then the family tradition, the family obligation, they are all forgotten. At the present moment, nobody knows that after death there is life, and still such life is connected with the family, the forefathers and the descendants. Nothing of this science is known at the present moment. More or less, exactly like animals. That's all. An animal has no such feelings of connections. Simply the number of days he will eat. He will eat, sleep, have sex life and die, that's all. This subtle regulation of family connection is unknown at the present moment, and still they are very proud of advancement of knowledge. So unwanted children, as we have discussed in the previous...
 
Pradusyanti kula-striyah. If the woman, kula-striyah, family... Family woman and prostitute are different. Still in India, the uncontrolled woman, or there is a class of prostitutes. They are not family women. But kula-striyah, family women, they have got so many obligations. There is a verse that svargapta-kama-moksaya dhara samprati hetuta. Dhara means wife. Wife can help one to be elevated to the heavenly planets, and dharmartha-kama, to become helpful in the matter of advancement in religious and spiritual knowledge: dharma; artha, economic development; kama, satisfying the husband for sense gratification; dharma artha kama; and moksa also, also for salvation. The wife is so important. If there is chaste wife, she can help the husband in these four principles of life, dharma artha kama moksa, dhara samprati hetuta. If we can train up nice wife, or the society trains the girls to become nice wife, she becomes a great source of energy to the husband. Dharma-artha-kama-moksah dhara sampra.... And if they are polluted, they become source of the sankara, varna-sankara.

The exact example of varna-sankara is the hippies at the present moment. All over the world, not only in the Western countries but in India also. So the population, hippie population means sankara population. So increase of such population means narakayaiva, naraka, hellish, hellish condition of life in this life, also in the next life. At that time, to live, actually we have practically seen in recent years, especially in Calcutta, it has become a hellish life. The population, the younger generation, is so polluted, so contaminated, that you cannot safely walk in the street. Anywhere, the young boys they can encircle you and rob you. You cannot say on. The police cannot help, the government cannot help. So these unwanted children, without being trained up in the varnasrama system, they become the cause of hellish life in this life also after death. After death according to Vedic regulations, pinda-udaka, pinda, offering Visnu prasada and water at least once in a year it is required by the family members. And according to Vedic culture, there is one month fixed up in a year when all people will offer pinda and udaka to the forefathers. Tarpana, tarpana. Week or fortnight, for one fortnight. So the idea is that if the forefather in the family has not achieved a proper life... Sometimes due to sinful activities, too much attachment, a man becomes ghost. Ghost, there is ghosts. Bhuta preta pisaca. Not only this life, demonic life, but after death also, there are ghostly lives. They do not get this gross body. They remain in the subtle body, mind, intelligence, and ego. Due to their gross sinful life, they are punished by not getting a gross life. Because without getting a gross life, we cannot enjoy. With mind, I cannot enjoy rasagulla. I must have the tongue, I must have the hand, fingers, I can pick up, then... In the mind, I may think of eating or collecting rasagulla, but actually I do not get the taste. So gross body is required, because every living entity in this material world, they have come to enjoy. Krsna bhuliya jiva bhoga vancha kare pasate maya tare japatiya dhare. This is the beginning of our material life. When we forget to render service to Krsna, immediately we get a material body offered by the material nature.

prakrteh kriyamanani
gunair karmani sarvasah
ahankara-vimudhatma
kartaham iti manyate
 [Bg. 3.27]

So this gross body is required for enjoyment. Spirit, spiritual body is also very subtle, and the astral body, or subtle body, is also very subtle. The gross body required. So on account of one's severe sinful life, he does not get this gross body. Therefore the lupta-pindodaka-kriya. Taking for granted that some of my forefathers have become ghostly life and has not got the gross body, so by this pindodaka... Pinda means offering prasada of Visnu prasada. Still in India there is a place Gaya. There is Visnu temple, and it is a custom all Hindus... Nowadays, they do not go. They do not believe even. They have given up everything. Due to unwanted children, they don't care for it, what is family, what is pinda-udaka. Simply eat, drink, be merry, and enjoy, that's all. But you see 5000 years, Arjuna... Arjuna was not a brahmana, neither a sannyasi. A grhastha, householder, and a, in royal order. He's on the battlefield. He's not a Vedantist. But just see how his knowledge is perfect. This is Vedic culture. One may not be a brahmana. Brahmana is very advanced. Satya sama dama titiksa. But even ksatriyas, they are also so advanced, so advanced we can see that he is hearing Bhagavad-gita from Krsna in the battlefield. How much time you can spare in the battlefield? The talk took place between the two soldiers when he was just going to throw his arrow. Sastra sampate. Just we going to... He became very compassionate: "Krsna, I have to kill my own kinsmen." And he's describing. He's describing, "What kind of sinful activities I am going to do." So just try to understand how much people were advanced. These Bhagavad-gita talks took place between Krsna and Arjuna in the battlefield just on the verge of his beginning the battle. So how much time he could spare? Utmost, half an hour. Not more than that. So within half an hour, this Bhagavad-gita was taught to Arjuna, and he could understand it, and then he agreed to fight. Yes, nasto mohah smrtir labdha, karisye vacanam tava. [Bg. 18.73] How much advanced he was in education and learning, just imagine. At the present moment they are reading Bhagavad-gita years after years, big, big scholars, big, big theologians and... But they cannot understand. After reading Bhagavad-gita, they are accusing Krsna as immoral. One professor in Oxford University, he is a student or professor of Bhagavad-gita, has written book. Now his conclusion is that Krsna is immoral. That means he could not understand Bhagavad-gita. Bhagavad-gita cannot be understood by any demon or third-class man. That is explained in the Bhagavad-gita. Krsna said to Arjuna that: "I am speaking to you the same Bhagavad-gita, science of God, which I spoke millions of years ago to the sun-god, because the parampara is lost and I have picked up you because bhakto 'si me priyo 'si, you are very dear friend and bhakta."

So Bhagavad-gita is not meant for the demons or the abhaktas. The first condition is that he must be a devotee of Krsna. Then it will be revealed. Otherwise it is not possible. Naham prakasah sarvasya yoga-maya-samavritah [Bg. 7.25]. Na mam duskrtino mudha prapadyante naradhamah. These things are there. So if one is devotee of Krsna, he can understand Bhagavad-gita very easily. Just like Arjuna understood within half an hour. Others, they cannot understand. In one sense, the people at that time were so educated, advanced, that they could talk about the Absolute Truth and understand within half an hour, one hour. There was no need of books in those days. People were so sharp memoried. Once heard from the spiritual master they'll never forget. With the advancement of Kali, so many things will reduce. One of them is the memory will be reduced. People will be weaker. There will be no more mercy. The brain will not be so powerful or sharp. These things are described. So we cannot even imagine what kind of brain Arjuna possessed. Another thing, this Bhagavad-gita is part of Mahabharata. And the Mahabharata was written for stri-sudra-dvija-bandhunam trayi na sruti-gocarah. Stri, woman, stri, sudra and dvija-bandhu. Dvija-bandhu means a person born in high family, brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, at least brahmana, ksatriya, but he's not qualified brahmana or ksatriya. He's called dvija-bandhu, the friend of the twice-born. The brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya, they are twice-born. One birth is father and mother; another birth is by the spiritual master, by Vedic knowledge. The Vedic knowledge is mother and the spiritual master is the father. So the second birth. Therefore, they are called dvija, twice born. So dvija-bandhunam, those who are not actually twice born but born in the family of dvijas. Therefore they are called dvija-bandhu, "not dvija, friends of the dvijas." Dvija-bandhu. One may become a friend of the dvija. One may become a son of a high-court judge, but that does not mean he's also high court judge. But now they are taking: "Because my father is brahmana, therefore I am brahmana." No. That was not accepted. Your father may be brahmana, but if you are not qualified brahmana, you cannot be called a brahmana. You can be called dvija-bandhu. So this Mahabharata was written: stri-sudra-dvija-bandhunam trayi na sruti gocarah. Woman and dvija-bandhu and the sudras, it is very difficult for them to understand the Vedic literatures directly, because they have no advanced knowledge or education. Therefore the same thing. The Vedic knowledge was described in the Mahabharata. Because it is history. Everyone is interested to read history. So through history, the Vedic knowledge was imparted. Therefore, Mahabharata is called the fifth Vedas. There are four Vedas, Sama, Yajur, Rk, Atharva. And Mahabharata is fifth Veda. They are meant for this stri, sudra, dvija-bandhu. So Bhagavad-gita is within the Mahabharata. So actually it was meant for the less intelligent class of men. But, at the present moment, the highest intelligent class of men cannot understand. Just see the difference. Formerly, 5000 years, this was meant for the less intelligent class of men, and we have deteriorated so much that the so-called highest intelligent class of men cannot understand this Bhagavad-gita. And he is posted as the professor in the Oxford University.

So this class of men are leading the society. The third-class, fourth-class men, they are leaders. Andha yathandhair upaniyamanah. So now we are talking with so many big, big persons, guests, coming daily. But actually, we can see how much the third-class, fourth-class men, practically blind, they are leading the society. That we can understand. Therefore, the social order is... Just like Arjuna is describing here, sankaro narakayaiva kula-ghnanam kulasya ca. Who knows this? Who knows this science, that sankaro narakayaiva, if you produce unwanted hellish condition? Who is caring for that? The world is in hellish condition, we can perceive, but they are trying in a different way. They want to remain demons; at the same time, they want to become leaders. So at the present moment, comparing the social status 5000 years ago... According to Darwin's theory, 5000 years ago, men were uncivilized, uncivilized. Now this literature is written by uncivilized men. Just see. So highly intellectual writings, they were uncivilized. Now they have become civilized. That is Darwin's theory. We are now making progress. So Arjuna said that patanti pitaro hy esam lupta-pindodaka-kriyah. Pindodaka. In Calcutta, there was a big scientist. His name was Sarpisirat. He was speaking in a, he was atheist number one, he was speaking that: "This pindodaka, by offering pinda, prasada and water, it will go to my forefather. So just give me to eat downstairs whether I can eat upstairs?" This reasoning. But he does not know that how much there are different types of eating. They do not know there is eating in the subtle body also. The ghosts also, they eat. But the method is different. So even a big scientist speak like that, then how the ordinary people...? Yad yad acarati sresthah, lokas tad anuvartate. If the so-called advanced in education they speak so irresponsibly, naturally, others will follow. Therefore, at the present moment, the whole generation is covered with ignorance and darkness. No clear knowledge. And without clear knowledge, whatever we do... Just like in darkness, whatever we act, that is simply embezzlement. That's all. It is not very correctly understood. Therefore we have no correct knowledge, no correct activities, and, and the result is narakayaiva. So you can read next verse.
TEXT 42
dosair etaih kula-ghnanam 
varna-sankara-karakaih 
utsadyante jati-dharmah 
kula-dharmas ca sasvatah
SYNONYMS
dosaih--by such faults; etaih--all these; kula-ghnanam--of the destroyer of the family; varna-sankara--unwanted children; karakaih--by the doers; utsadyante--causes devastation; jati-dharmah--community projects; kula-dharmah--family traditions; ca--also; sasvatah--eternal.
TRANSLATION
Due to the evil deeds of the destroyers of family tradition, all kinds of community projects and family welfare activities are devastated.
PURPORT
The four orders of human society, combined with family welfare activities as they are set forth by the institution of the sanatana-dharma orvarnasrama-dharma, are designed to enable the human being to attain his ultimate salvation. Therefore, the breaking of the sanatana-dharmatradition by irresponsible leaders of society brings about chaos in that society, and consequently people forget the aim of life--Visnu. Such leaders are called blind, and persons who follow such leaders are sure to be led into chaos.
Commentary by Sri Visvanatha Cakravarti Thakur
By the faults of mixture of castes, both the caste rules and the family rules will be destroyed (utsadyate).
Rudra Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Visnuswami
Sridhara Swami's Commentary
The sinfulness referred to is being concluded in this verse beginning with: From these sins etc. The traditions of the caste or tribe and the family are destroyed, lost, forgotten and disregarded. This also includes the four asrama's or prescribed orders of life being: brahmacarya or celibate student life, grihasta or married house-holder life, vanaprastha or preperation for spiritual life and sannyasi or total renunciation from material life and complete attachment to spiritual life.
Brahma Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Madhvacarya
Madhvacarya's Commentary
Madhvacarya has no commentary so we present Baladeva Vidyabhusana's.
Now the conclusion of the sins that have been previouly deleniated before are being described. Jati-dharmah refers to the duties of the ksatriyas and others. Kula-dharmas refers to the traditional practices observed by a particular family.Utsadayate means when these are eradicated. The use of the word ca meaning also indicates that asrama-dharma which is the rules of righteousness governing the relationship betweenbrahmana the spiritual order, ksatriya the warrior order, vaisya the mercantile order and sudrathe worker class are included here as well.
Sri Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Ramanuja
There is no commentary for this verse.
Kumara Vaisnava Sampradaya:

Nimbaditya
Kesava Kasmiri's Commentary
In the previous verse the effects of the intermixture of castes as described in the Vedic scriptures regarding the ancestors has been determined. Now Arjuna describes the misery experienced for those who are responsible for causing this intermixture of castes beginning with dosair etaih. Due to these evils the essential duties prescribed in the Vedic scriptures for the four castes which are the authorised and proven means leading humanity to the highest good and which are faithfully instructed by holy sages and spiritual masters are all forsaken.

Pradyumna:

dosair etaih kula-ghnanam
varna-sankara-karakaih
utsadyante jati-dharmah
kula-dharmas ca sasvatah
 [Bg. 1.42]

Translation: "Due to the evil deeds of the destroyers of family tradition, all kinds of community projects and family welfare activities are devastated."

Prabhupada: So jati-dharma. Jati, nowadays it has been taken as "national." But here, jati-dharma means...Just like one is born in brahmana jati, ksatriya jati, vaisya jati, sudra jati. So each jati, they have got different types of responsibilities. So when the unwanted children, irresponsible children, they do not follow any more the tradition, the family tradition, or jati-dharma, so they create a class of population in the varna-sankara. So everything becomes topsy-turvy, hellish condition. And actually it has so happened. Now there is no more jati-dharma. Everyone is engaged somehow or other to fill up the belly. Formerly, formerly there was stricture. The brahmanas, the ksatriyas, and the vaisyas, these three higher castes, there were certain restrictions. The brahmana would not do this or the brahmana must do this. So that is called jati-dharma. A brahmana cannot accept service from anywhere. I have discussed many times. A ksatriya also cannot. And vaisya cannot. Only the sudra can become servant of others. Paricaryatmakam karma sudrasyapi svabhava-jam. So, at the present moment, nobody can observe the strict rules and regulations, that "I am born in a brahmana family. I cannot accept anyone's service." Then you will have to starve. Because he has no brahminical capacity... By education, by culture, he's a sudra, although falsely he's claiming that he is a brahmana or ksatriya. So his jati-dharma, family tradition, family rituals, everything is lost due to this unwanted children. Unwanted children make everything topsy-turvy. So Arjuna is visualizing all the future calamities. But there is one remedy. It is a fact that jati-dharma we have lost. No more we can be called strictly following the jati-dharma. No more can one present himself strictly as a brahmana or ksatriya. Everything is lost now, by the influence of Kali-yuga. And varna-sankara. So there is only one remedy, only one remedy. That is stated in Srimad-Bhagavatam, Eleventh Canto:

devarsi-bhutapta-nrnam pitrnam
na kinkara nayam rni ca rajan
sarvatmana yah saranam saranyam
gato mukundam parihrtya kartam
 [SB 11.5.41]

We must admit that we have created hellish condition of society by producing unwanted children, and disobeying the jati-dharma or kula-dharma. That one has to admit, everyone. So what is the remedy? Only remedy is to surrender to Krsna. Krsna is canvassing that: "Even you can give up your jati-dharma, but simply surrender unto Me. I shall give you protection."

There is another verse in the Srimad-Bhagavatam: tyaktva sva-dharman caranambujam harer. Sva-dharma. Sva-dharma means jati-dharma. So I may be born in a brahmana or ksatriya, so I have got sva-dharma. A ksatriya or brahmana has got his own regulative principles. So Bhagavata, Narada says, Bhagavata says and Narada says that if one has given up his jati-dharma..., because Krsna is asking: sarva-dharman parityajya [Bg. 18.66]. Sarva-dharma means this sva-dharma, jati-dharma, or so many other dharmas man created for the nice keep-up of the society. Just like we create even in the modern world so many rules and regulations. Take for example that one must keep to the left. Just to keep order in the society. There are so many things. So jati-dharma, kula-dharma is also like that. Spiritually, it has no value. It, it can help one to be elevated on the spiritual platform. But spiritual advancement does not depend on this jati-dharma or kula-dharma. It does not depend. Even without following the rules and regulations of jati-dharma and kula-dharma one can become advanced in spiritual life. Ahaituki apratihata. If one is serious to become Krsna conscious, then all these material impediments cannot check him. Anyone can become. Sat, sat sva-paco... There is a... What is called? Mantra-tantra-visarada, avaisnavo gurur na syat vaisnavah sva-paco guruh. One is very expert in jati-dharma, but if he's not a Vaisnava, if he's not a devotee of Lord Visnu... Vaisnava means visnur yasya devata one who has accepted... There are many demigods, devatas. So sometimes they are advised that: "If you want this result, then you worship this demigod." Just like it is said that if you want a beautiful wife, so you worship Uma. Uma, the wife of Lord Siva, she is very beautiful. So similarly, if you want learning then you worship such and such demigod. If you want money, then you worship such and such demigod. These are there, I mean to say orders in the Vedic literature. But if you want to get relief from this material condition of life, then you have to take the shelter of Visnu, Vaisnava. Or the sastra says even if you have got other desires to fulfill, still you become Vaisnava. That is the last instruction. You don't require to worship other demigods. In the Bhagavad-gita also it is said kamais tais tair hrta-jnanah yajanty anya-devata [Bg. 7.20]. If one is bewildered on account of lusty desires, they go to different demigods for begging some benefit. So they are hrta-jnana. Hrta-jnana means lost of intelligence. If Krsna is the Supreme, so suppose if you want some material happiness, can He not give you? He can give you also. So why should you bother about other demigods? Therefore, it is said kamais tais tair hrta-jnana. If Krsna is the Supreme Lord, so if I have got some desires, material desires... Actual bhakti means minus all material... Anyabhilasita-sunyam [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11]. One must be freed from all material desires. But even if you have got some material desire, still you can take shelter of Krsna. You don't require to take shelter of other demigods. So that is the last instruction in the Vedic literature.

akamah sarva-kamo va
moksa-kama udaradhi
tivrena bhakti-yogena
yajeta purusam param
 [SB 2.3.10]

Akama means devotee. Devotees have no desire. They have got desire just to become devotee of Krsna. That is natural desire. If the son desires that: "I shall be obedient son of my father," that is natural desire. Or the son desires that: "I shall depend on my father, and I shall be happy," that kind of desire is natural desire. Similarly, if one desires that: "I shall become a devotee of Lord Krsna," that is natural desire. But when I desire to lord it over the material nature and forget my service to Krsna, that is called vasana. That is material desire, abhilasa. So we have to give up these material desires. Then it is bhakti. Anyabhilasita-sunyam jnanam karmady anavrtam anukulyena krsna... [Bhakti-rasamrta-sindhu 1.1.11].

So even if we have violated the jati-dharma and kula-dharma... That is a fact. We have done so. There is no denying this fact. Every one of us, we have done that. Then what is the next duty or remedy? Because we have violated everything. So that, for that purpose, in the Bhagavata gives you direction. Here is the verse: devarsi-bhutaptam nrnam pitrnam. Pitr, pitr pindodaka-kriyah. So we are obliged to offer pinda and water to the pitrs. But here is an, what is called, an outlet. Devarsi, we are indebted to the devatas. Rsis, we are indebted to the great sages. Devarsi, devarsi bhutanam. We are indebted to so many other living entities, bhutanam, and nrnam. We are also indebuted to the human society. Nrnam, pitrnam. We are indebted to the pitrs, forefather. Pitrnam. So na kinkara nayam rni ca rajan. One becomes freed from the servitude of all these personalities, devarsi-bhutapta nrnam pitrnam [SB 11.5.41]. How he can become? Sarvatma yah saranam saranyam. One who has fully surrendered unto the lotus feet of the Lord, saranyam. Saranyam means here is the real place where one can surrender fully. Others, if I surrender to a cats and dogs, what he will help me? Therefore they are not saranyam. But, by mistake, if they take shelter of such cats and dogs, what benefit they will get? Therefore saranyam, the worthwhile surrender is to the lotus feet of Mukunda. Therefore it is said, sarvatma yah saranam saranyam gato mukundam parihrtya kartum. We have got so many duties, but in this age, we have lost everything. Therefore, our only duty is to surrender unto the lotus feet of Mukunda, Krsna. That will save us. Krsna says -- it is not story -- Krsna says aham tvam sarva papebhyo moksayisyami [Bg. 18.66]. "I know that you have violated your family tradition, your past regulations, everything you have done for which you are to be punished, sinful activities, but I give you assurance, if you surrender unto Me, then aham tvam sarva-papebhyo moksayisyami. I shall give you deliverance from all the reactions of sinful activities." Therefore at the present moment, because we have lost all culture, we have done so many sinful activities, if we want to be saved, it is, the only remedy is to surrender to the lotus feet of Krsna, and thus become saved.

Thank you very much. (end)
 
>>> Ref. VedaBase => Bhagavad-gita 1.41-42 -- London, July 29, 1973

© 2001 The Bhaktivedanta Book Trust International. Used with permission.

comment: Srila Prabhupada was against divorce as it destroys the family and children get left not protected


In your ISKCON society, do you allow for divorce?

 

Srila Prabhupada: There is no question of separation. There is no question of divorce. (Lecture: SB, 1975)

 

We don't allow divorce; once they're married, there is no separation. (Interview: NY Times, New Vrindavan, 9-2-72)

 

Q. But isn't it necessary to have divorce as a legal option?

 

Srila Prabhupada: The divorce act is encouraging prostitution, and this should be abolished. (SB 1.17.38) In Vedic civilization the husband and wife were not separated by such man-made laws as divorce. We should understand the necessity for maintaining family life in human society and should thus abolish this artificial law known as divorce. (SB 4.23.25)...there is no such thing as divorce in the Vedic literature. A wife is always trained to be chaste and faithful to her husband, for this helps her achieve deliverance from any abominable material condition (SB 9.20.22)

 

Q. What if a woman simply cannot tolerate her husband any longer?

 

Srila Prabhupada: Generally, separation between husband and wife is due to womanly behavior; divorce takes place due to womanly weakness. The best course for a woman is to abide by the orders of her husband. That makes family life very peaceful. Sometimes there may be misunderstandings between husband and wife...but a wife should not leave her husband's protection because of such misunderstanding. If she does so, it is understood to be due to her womanly weakness. (SB 4.4.3)

 

What is this nonsense, divorce? There is no such thing in the Vedic civilization, divorce. You must accept whatever God has given you as husband or wife, you must. They had no thinking even, idea of divorce. One may not agree with the husband.. That is natural. Sometimes we do not agree. But there is no question of divorce. (Room Conversation, Baltimore , 7-7-76)

 

Q. Isn't it unreasonable to expect a woman to remain enslaved in a dysfunctional marriage?

 

Srila Prabhupada: In the modern day, the wife is never submissive, and therefore homelife is broken even by slight incidents. Either the wife or the husband may take advantage of the divorce laws. According to the Vedic law, however, there is no such thing as divorce laws, and a woman must be trained to be submissive to the will of her husband. Westerners contend that this is a slave mentality for the wife, but actually it is not; it is the tactic by which a woman can conquer the heart of her husband, however irritable or cruel he may be. (SB 9.3.10)

 

Krsna explained the duty of a woman. He also stressed the point of serving the husband: "Even if he is not of very good character, or even if he is not very rich or fortunate, or even if he is old or invalid on account of continued diseases, whatever the husband's condition, a woman should not divorce her husband if she actually desires to be elevated to the higher planetary systems after leaving this body." (Krsna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead , Ch. 29)

 

And the girl agrees to serve the boy for life. There is no question of divorce. (Lecture, SB, 1973)

 

Q. But what if two people simply aren't compatible?

 

Srila Prabhupada: In Krsna consciousness marriages there is no question of any separation or divorce. Any disagreement between husband and wife is not taken seriously, as much as disagreement between children is not taken very seriously.(Letter)

 

So one should tolerate these things. If there is some misunderstanding they should not go to the court for divorce. They should tolerate. These are some of the rules for spiritual advancement. (Lecture, Bg, 1966)

 

And therefore in the human society there is marriage. Not in the animal society. Married means that one should be satisfied with one woman and one man. That's all. And there is no question of divorce. Divorce is introduced by the modern rascals, but it is not sanctioned by any religious person. You see? (Lecture, Initiation/Wedding, 1971)

 

...combined together for life. There was no question of divorce. There was no question of divorce. Even if they fight. Fight there must be....Therefore Canakya Pandita says, dam pate kalahe caiva bambharambe laghu kriya. Whenever there is fight between husband and wife it should be neglected. (Lecture, SB 1968)

 

In Krsna consciousness marriages there is no question of any separation or divorce.. Any disagreement between husband and wife is not taken seriously, as much as disagreement between children is not taken very seriously. (Letter)

 

Q. But what if a couple simply no longer love each other?

 

Srila Prabhupada: That is also animalism. Just like a dog having sex intercourse with another female dog, and another, another, another. It is another animalism. (Conversation) So this marriage is not for sense gratification.. We should always remember. It is helping one another. The husband will help the wife, the wife will help the husband so that both of them become advanced in Krsna consciousness and make their human life perfect. So there is no question of divorce. There is no question of separation. Because divorce, separation, these are meant for sense gratification. (Lecture, Initiation/Wedding, 1969)

 

So our, this new bride and bridegroom should always remember that in any condition of life they should remain together. And that will be possible if they concentrate their ideas to Krsna consciousness....You should always remember that this marriage has no separation, no divorce. Lifetime. (Lecture, Initiation/Wedding, 1969)

 

This Krsna conscious marriage does not mean sense gratification. Once married, there is no question of divorce or separation. That you should remember. We don't allow any divorce and separation. (Lecture, Initiation/Wedding, 1972)

 

...the present bride and bridegroom must know it certainly that this marriage is not for sense gratification. This marriage is for purification of life. So there is no question of divorce. There is no question of separation. So don't get into married life if you have got such propensity. (Lecture, Initiation/Wedding, 1968)

 

Q. It seems that at least in some circumstances divorce must be permitted.

 

Srila Prabhupada: There is no question of divorce or separation. In any condition of life, happiness or distress, you shall continue as husband and wife because our main business is Krsna consciousness....It is not for sense gratification. So in this way there is no question of separation or divorce. (Lecture, Initiation/Wedding, Boston, 1968)

 

There is no question of. We do not know what is divorce. In our country there is no divorce, at least in Hindu law. Yes. Wife and husband, once combined that is for life. There is no question of separation, in all circumstances. Either in distress or in happiness, there is no question of separation. (Lecture, 1969)

 

Still India ...95% people living, husband and wife, very peacefully. And in the Western countries, after six months' marriage, divorce. Are they not fourth class? Even the husband and wife cannot continue peaceful life, what to speak of others. Now this rascal Nehru has introduced divorce in the Hindu society.. Otherwise, in the Hindu society separation between husband and wife is not even dreamt of. That, it cannot be. However there may be quarrelsome, but there is no question of separation. Husband and wife, they fight everywhere. I have seen. My father and mother was fighting. I fought. (laughter) But there is no question of separation. Separation, they never think. Neither the husband can think of, nor the wife can think of. (Conversation, Perth , 5-19-75)

 

Q. But in cases where the husband and wife fight, surely we should allow for divorce.

 

Srila Prabhupada: They may fight. The husband and wife fighting, that is not unusual. Therefore, Canakya Pandit says, "Fight between husband, wife, never take it seriously. Dam pate kalahe caiva bambharambe lagu kriya. They'll make all arambha but it is not very important. Don't take [seriously]. Next moment they will again live peacefully. So according to Indian culture there is no divorce. There is no question of divorce. (Morning Walk, Nairobi , 11-2-75)

 

In India there is no question of divorce. So nobody takes very serious care when there is fight between husband and wife. So there also: "I'm going to immediately leave you, going to kill you..." and so many things. But after an hour everything is finished. No more quarrel. Dam pate kalahe caiva prabhate megha dumbune...(Lecture SB, 1973)

 

Canakya Pandita said: bambharambe laghu kriya. The husband and wife may fight. It becomes a very serious thing, but don't take of it as serious. This is Hindu philosophy. Husband and wife quarrel should not be taken as very serious. They fight and again they live peacefully. Why this divorce? Divorce means it kills the whole family life. The children goes away; the father goes away; the mother goes away. I have seen so many cases. (Conversation, Perth , 5-14-75)

 

Equal Rights for Women = Demoniac

 

1. Equal rights is nonsense. (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

2. It will be failure. (Arrival Lecture: Philadelphia , 7/11/75)

 

3. Equal rights is claimed by rascal Westerners. (Morning Walk: Ahmedabad, 9/25/75)

 

4. By equal rights women are killing their own child. (Letter: Ed Gilbert, Vrindavan, 9/9/75)

 

5. I am not trying for equal rights. (Television Interview: Chicago , 7/9/75)

 

6. Rascals give equal rights. (Morning Walk: Los Angeles , 6/27/75)

 

7. If you want equal rights then stop giving birth to a child. (Morning Walk: Perth , 5/75)

 

8. Why you are accepting this nonsense philosophy? (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

9. The equal rights movement is a means by which men cheat the women. (SSR, 1)

 

10. This equal rights philosophy is very appealing [to] fools and rascal. (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

11. Equal rights is not allowed in the Vedic sastra. (Bg. 16.7: Hawaii , 2/3/75)

 

12. Regardless of attempts for equality, unequality there must remain. (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

13. Equal rights is not Vedic idea. (SB 1.8.51: Los Angeles , 5/13/73)

 

14. It is not possible—it is not possible.. (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

15. Where is the benefit of equal rights? (Room Conversation after Press Conference: Chicago , 7/9/75)

 

16. Equal rights will not help the human society. (Conversation [regarding the philosophies of B.F. Skinner & Henry David Thoreau])

 

17. How she can be happy? That is not possible. (Bg. Lecture: Ahmedabad, 12/8/72)

 

18. Equal rights is very grave problems. (SB 1.16.7: Los Angeles , 1/4/74)

 

19. You cannot make equality. (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

20. That is not Vedic civilization. (SB 7.9.24: Mayapur, 3/2/76)

 

21. Do not artificially try to become equal with men. (Bg. 16.7: Hawaii , 2/3/75)

 

22. There cannot be equality, Sir. You are talking nonsense. (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

23. Equal rights is an artificial introduction to human society. (Conversation [regarding a theory of Bertrand Russell])

 

24. Equal rights is rascaldom philosophy. (Morning Walk: Rome , 5/29/74)

 

25. It is already failure.(Arrival Lecture: Philadelphia , 7/11/75)

 

26. Equal rights is impossible (Cc. Adi. 17.44)

 

Western civilization is a rascal civilization. I do not take they are civilized even. No. White aborigines. That's all. (Morning Walk: January 24, 1977, Bhubaneswar)

 

"So this dasi-pati, this is also significant word, "the prostitute's husband." Prostitute means... They are, in Sanskrit, called pumscali. Pumscali means they are moved by other men, umsacli. There are three kinds of women: [sairini,] sairindhri, pumscali...In this way there are divisions. So some women, they are very easily carried by men. So that is not very good. Therefore I am instructing our GBCs that "Let our little girls be educated to become faithful and chaste." That is their qualification. No education required. And the boys should be trained up to become first-class men, samo damas titiksa, like that. And literary, Sanskrit and English, that will make them perfect. If the husband is first class and the wife is chaste and faithful, then the home is heaven." (Lecture: SB 6.1.31; San Francisco, July 16, 1975)

 


 

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