Withania Somnifera

Botanical Name : Withania Somnifera English/Common Name : Winter cherry, Ashwagandha Ayurvedic Name : Ashwagandha Family : Solanaceae Part Used : Root
	Traditionally all parts of the plant are used as herbal remedies but the root, which has a damp horse smell, is much more effective. Habitat and Botany : Ashwagandha is a small shrub that grows to 1.5 meters tall. It is found in dry areas of India and Africa. Ashwa means horse. Gandha means fragrance. It indicates the property-the strength and sexual vitality of the horse. Main Active Constituents: Withaferin, Withanolides, Withanine, sitoindosides, Somniferine, Alkaloids and Ethanolides. Withanolides are believed to account for the multiple medicinal application of Ashwagandha. It stimulates the activation of immune system cells such a lymphocytes. It inhibits inflammation and improves memory. Taken together, these actions support the traditional reputation of Ashwagandha as a tonic or adaptogen. Action (pharmacology): Tonic, nervine, sedative, nerve restorative, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, immunomodulator, free radical scavenger, antistress, rejuvenative, hypotensive, antispasmodic, antiarthritic. Ashwagandha is called Rasawana, which means powerful rejuvenator in Ayurvedic terminology. It increases hemoglobin (red blood count) and hair melanin. Indications: Stress, general debility, depression & moodiness, aging, fatigue (temporary and chronic), anxiety, depressed immunity, sexual debility in males, infertility, memory loss, hormonal imbalances, weakness during pregnancy, stress induced disorders, rheumatic disorder, anxiety neurosis, wounds and ulcers, weakness due to prolonged illness, loss of body heat, lactation. Take with lots of liquid, milk, honey and ginger when under weight, bone weakness and premature aging are present. Useful for patients taking cancer chemotherapy and radio sensitization. Antitumor, anticancer, increases physical endurance, antioxidant due to antistress and immunomodulator. Ashwagandha in the Products: Ashwagandha in Femivita Ashwagandha in Gluco Health Ashwagandha in Heart Health Ashwagandha in Joint Health Ashwagandha in Male 40 Plus Ashwagandha in Reslim AYURVEDIC STUDY OF ASHWAGANDHA: According to Ayurvedic system of herbals there are seven tissues manufactured by body lymph namely blood, bone, muscle, fat, nerve and reproductive tissues. According to Ayurvedic theory thirty days series of enzymatic processes transform lymph into ojas, which is the body’s most specialized tissue. Ojas controls reproduction, immunity and general health and Ashwagandha specially builds ojas and supports these functions. Ojas depletion can be caused by stress, which triggers stress fighting hormones and free radicals that in turn cause degeneration of the immune and other physiological systems. This stress induced reaction can open the way for illness and disease. One of the special properties of Ashwagandha is that it will enhance ojas. Ojas is the most subtle, refined level of the physical body and is the end result of healthy food which is properly digested. It is responsible for a healthy immune system, physical strength, lustrous complexion, clarity of mind and sense of Well being. It allows consciousness to flow within the body. With decreased ojas, we are less in touch with ourselves and more prone to diseases and having a feeling of disharmony. It prevents stress related gastrointestinal ulcers, increases physical endurance and prevents the depletion of vitamin C and Cortisol. It improves aging parameter such as graying hair, calcium level and increased libido & sexual function. In Ayurvedic theory Ashwagandha balances both nervous system and musculoskeletal system. Therefore, it is helpful with fatigue and nervous exhaustion and increases digestive heat in chronic conditions. In arthritis, which involves joints that are painful, dry, swollen and inflamed, Ashwagandha would be the herb of choice. Ashwagandha is effective for insomnia but does not act as a sedative. its rejuvenative and nervine properties produce energy which in turn help the body to settle and sleep. Thus it helps the body to address a stress related condition rather than masking it with sedatives. A herb that rejuvenates the nervous system, erases insomnia and eases stress. Deep Tissue Cleaning: Because Ashwagandha is a sweet root with secondary bitter qualities, it can penetrate the body’s deep tissue openings rather than constructing them. Very bitter roots construct and clean but do not deeply access the body and rejuvenate it. After tissues are penetrated, Ashwagandha’s secondary bitter and stringent qualities stimulate a deep tissue cleansing not possible with an exclusively bitter herb. Antistress: Ashwagandha directly opposes the reaction of stress by reducing the amount of Cortisol released by the adrenal glands of our body. Long term production of Cortisol has adverse effect on our health like: High Blood pressure, Stomach Ulcers, Immune depression and Insomnia, whilst having an anabolic, bodybuilding, restorative and Aphrodisiac effect. Ashwagandha is an anti exhaustion, rejuvenating, aphrodisiac agent. The alkaloids in Ashwagandha have been shown to be sedative and to lower the blood pressure. The withanoids are anti-bacterial, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory and protect the liver damage by Toxins. The main function of Ashwagandha is that it delays the release of cortisol by the adrenals. This prevents the negative effects like long term cortisol production on the body and prevents the adrenals from becoming exhausted, a direct anti-stress effect which has been reported by many researchers. Ashwagandha also has a sedative effect which claims the adrenaline fueled anxiety that accompanies stressful life styles, thereby dealing with another factor that is a result, and a cause of stress indeed. Ashwagandha has often been used to treat primary anxiety states. If your sleep is disturbed, this sedative effect can be used to encourage restful sleep, again helping the body or recover from the effects of stress. Ashwagandha has also been shown to lower blood pressure and is highly effective in stopping the formation of stress induced ulcers. It has been found that Ashwagandha increases the number of immune cells known as T cells and B cells – helping to fight infections. All these actions directly oppose the effects of stress. It increases red blood cell counts, improves hemoglobin level, increases endurance and stamina and increases lean weight. Natural Anabolic Training Aid: Another area where Ashwagandha is becoming popular is in sports and athletics. When you train hard, you walk a very fine line between overtraining and training just enough. Even in perfect circumstances, training by itself is a stress on the body. To get the maximum performance from your muscles, you require just the right amount of training coupled with appropriate rest and recovery periods. Overtraining means too much cortisol which means muscle protein is eaten up and performance suffers. Endurance athletes who train heavily, such as long-distance runner and cyclists, are very prone to infections. Excess cortisol produced in response to the heavy training load suppresses the immune system. It can also lead to muscle and tendon tears as the muscles are weakened due to protein loss under the influence of cortisol. With its muscle preserving qualities, Ashwagandha is the perfect natural anabolic training aid for the serious athlete. Many people have compared Ashwagandha with Chinese/Korean Ginseng, but modern science studies have shown Ashwagandha to be superior to ginseng. 1: J. Ethnopharmacol 1994 Dec., 44(3):131-5 A comparative pharmacological investigation of Ashwagandha and Ginseng. Grandhi A, Mujumdar AM, Patwardhan B Indian Drugs Research Association, Pune. The aqueous suspensions of roots of an Indian herb Ashwagandha and the Korean herb Gingseng were tested comparatively for 2 pharmacological activities, namely the anti-stress activity by the mice swimming endurance test and anabolic activity by noting gain in body weights and levator ani muscle in rats. A significant increase in mice swimming time was shown by Ginseng (P<0.001)> PMID: 7898119, UI:95205896 Contraindications, Toxicity, Cautions and Safety: Safe for human and animal use. This herb has been used safely by children in India and even by pregnant women. When taken in small quantities as a tonic. During lactation it increases the flow of mother’s milk. No side effects have been reported with Ashwagandha. According to Ayurveda herbs are best taken in combination with other herbs or vitamins or minerals in order to neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing effect of other and to enhance the particular effect of one herb with the that of the other. Caution: According to Ayurveda, herbs are taken in combination with other herbs to neutralize the toxicity of one herb with the opposing effect of the other or to enhance the particular effect of one herb with the help of other. "These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease."

Banyan Botanicals Banyan Botanicals has been serving the Ayurvedic community since 1996. Banyan takes great pride in offering the highest quality herbs available. All Banyan Botanicals herbs are non-irradiated and laboratory tested for purity and consistency. Banyan Botanicals provides the largest selection of certified organic Ayurvedic herbs available, and is rapidly increasing its organic product line. Banyan also supports sustainable, ecologically-friendly methods of farming and is committed to fairly trade herbs with its farmers.

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It’s anomaly reigning

India — No doubt the monsoons are changing with the altering weather patterns. There is growing evidence suggesting that climate change is playing a significant role in altering the Indian monsoon patterns. What is not clear is how the precipitation patterns will change. What is clear, however, is that the intensity and frequency of storms and spells of rain and drought are becoming commonplace. This has dire implications, especially for the economy of a rapidly growing developing nation such as ours. Historically, we have not contributed to the problem of climate change, yet, quite clearly, India has much to lose from inaction. The only way out is to take positive steps to mitigate climate change.

Officially speaking, the Indian monsoons have set in. Going by the Indian Meteorological Department’s (IMD) own timelines, Kerala received its first showers a week earlier than usual. The early onset does not, of course, imply it is a good monsoon, but it’s welcome. Last year’s scanty precipitation left even an otherwise wet state of Kerala comparatively parched.

What really is ‘normal’?

Going by a recent report, “the IMD predicted that the monsoon rainfall across the country this year (2009) would be four per cent below the long-term average, with an error bar of plus or minus five percentage points.” And that an error up to 10 per cent of the long-term average is ‘normal’.

But then again, what really is ‘normal’? Quite clearly, without having reached anywhere close to the 10 per cent threshold, which in any event is an enormous deviation, changing monsoon patterns in the last decade alone, have wrecked havoc across the Indian subcontinent.

Case in point

In 2006, Cherapunji, the wettest place on the planet received considerably lower amounts of rainfall, whereas states such as Rajasthan known to be relatively dry were inundated (by its standards) causing calamity and chaos, taking lives, leaving behind disease and what have you. The deluge in Mumbai in July 2005 is another classic case, of the loss of lives and property and business loss running into crores.

Cyclone Aila that hit the Bangladesh and the Sunderbans region killing hundreds and leaving over 24,000 people homeless and stranded in its wake and destroying large tracts one of the most pristine mangrove-rich tiger territory, just about a week ago, is just another case in point.

Surely and steadily, anomaly is becoming the norm. The intensity and frequency of freak spells of rain and drought, cyclones and storms are becoming commonplace. And with every passing year, matters are only going to get worse. In response, Greenpeace pointed out that these alterations are going to become a ‘normal’ feature. Science increasingly suggests that climate change is going to change the pattern of the Indian monsoon.

Climate change and Indian monsoon

On assessing the historical data, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in its fourth Assessment Report suggested that “warming in India is likely to be above the average for South Asia, with an increase in summer precipitation and an increase in the frequency of intense precipitation in some parts.” That the Indian monsoons are going to undergo gross changes as a direct result of climate change – rainfall will increase by ~ 20 per cent overall in the summer monsoon, but the distribution of this increase will not be evenly spread across the country.

The extent to which these monsoonal patterns change is a function of global changes in climate. Climate change is likely to lead to a stronger but more variable monsoon until 2100. Thereafter, with the melting of the Greenland ice sheet and its effects on temperatures in the North Atlantic, and in turn, the pattern of the North Atlantic Ocean circulation, the grip on the monsoon will weaken. But that is nine decades away. What is imminent and looming at large are the dire consequences of a climate changed monsoon.

True that traditionally, India has not contributed to the problem of climate change, we are facing today. Yet, we have too much to lose from inaction.

Monsoons and the economy

Today, close to two thirds of humanity live within regions influenced by the Asian monsoon and depend on the water that it brings to support agriculture, and to supply potable water. And the Indian subcontinent lies close to the centre of the monsoonal region.

Despite the gradual shift away from agriculture, India is still largely an agrarian state. Agriculture still accounts for a third of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Essentially implying, we depend on the monsoons for our produce and largely, our exports (70 per cent in terms of value).

Going by figures presented in the recent Greenpeace paper Monsoon
Wager: Climate Change and the Indian Monsoon, a rural population of 700 million is directly dependent on climate sensitive sectors and resources. Given that India is reeling under the pressure of such a high population, with limited agricultural lands and water resources, any changes in monsoon patterns would jeopardise development patterns completely. It can indisputably stated, then that, if these variations continue ‘normal’ (by IMD’s definition) or otherwise, it would irreversibly damage the country’s economy and food security.

Let’s not wait for the 11th hour

It’s not a question anymore. Regardless of whether India has contributed to climate change or how much or how little of it is responsible for, it will bear the brunt of it consequences. We stand much to lose from this global phenomenon unless we take quick, long steps to arrest climate change, now.

There is no doubt that we are a developing nation, and that we have millions of people living in poverty, seeking basic facilities – access to water, electricity, medical facilities. All the same, we cannot afford to take the trodden path to achieve this development. What we need to do instead is use this as an opportunity and develop alternate strategies to reach the end goal – development.

Quit coal, adopt renewables

It’s not about how much energy we produce, but how we produce it! Past experience clearly indicates that coal is not the answer. Not digging up new pits, not importing it from elsewhere… Coal is dirty, it’s exhaustible and comes with a baggage of socio-economic and environmental costs.

Renewables on the other hand, are an extant technology, but they are not currently cost effective. What is implicit is that they are renewable, in addition to the fact that they are clean and reliable. And most importantly, they can be harnessed today. As a minimum, India must have a Rewewable Energy Law – workable, measurable and set to achieve certain targets, in place. And to achieve this, India must continue to pressurise nations of the north to aid countries such as ours. Simultaneously, India has to take urgent measures to curtail carbon emissions – by phasing out our dependence on coal, adopting renewable forms of energy such as solar, wind, geothermal, biomass.

India is going to suffer from the impacts of a climate changed monsoon and the life giving rains could well become the life taking rains, and it would be imprudent to be twiddling our thumbs rather than take the necessary steps to mitigate climate change. We just can’t afford it.

Cow Products as Medicine

Medicine

Cow Products as Medicine

World Health Organisation (WHO) defines health as a combination of physical, mental, spiritual and social wholeness. WHO has also predicted that bacteria will become immune to antibiotics by the year 2020. That does not scare us! We can depend on Panchagavya – milk, curd, ghee, cow urine and cow dung. These have excellent medical qualities individually as well as a concoction, without any adverse side-effect. In addition, if we are already under some other medication, consumption of panchagavya acts as a catalyst.

Ancient books on Ayurveda state that consumption of cow urine increases resistance to diseases by up to 104%.

Note : increase to 104% is an increase of 4%. What do we mean?

Health from Panchagavya :

Distilled Cow Urine

• Milk : Charaka Samhita states, “Milk is the best life strengthener.” While Casin protein in milk helps growth of infants, calcium and sulphur strengthen our bones. Milk is also rich in vitamins D and B-complex.
• Curd arrests diarrhoea, controls fat, and resists cancer.
• Ghee improves intelligence and beauty. It is used to treat eye diseases.
• Distilled cow urine is effective in treatment of flu, arthritis, bacterial diseases, food poisoning, indigestion, oedema, and leprosy.
• Panchagavya Mix : Various medical formulations like Panchagavya Ghrita, Amritasara, Ghanavati, Ksharavati, Netrasara etc. are invaluable medicines in Ayurvedic system.

THE VILLAGE AND THE WORLD

GANDHI ON VILLAGE ORGANIZATION Extracts from VILLAGE SWARAJ by M. K. Gandhi THE VILLAGE AND THE WORLD In the future set-up we shall have only two things, the village and the world. We may nave the names of countries on the map for the sake of convenience, but in reality, there will be no intermediary between the world and the village. All the authority concerning the material side of life will rest with the village. The village will have power to order its own life. The power of moral advancement of the whole world will rest in the world centre. The districts or the States will only be the agents of the village community. Thus we shall have the village at the base and the world Authority at the Centre. Human society will be organized on the basis of small village communities of day, 2 to 3 thousand souls each. There would be real fraternity and co-operation in the village community. There would be no private ownership. The village will be a model of corporate life. The world centre will be the ultimate co-ordination link between these primary communities. and from Preface.... The experience of mankind testifies to the fact the collective life is more genial, varied and fruitful when it is concentrated in small units and simpler organizations. It is only small units which have had the most intense life. Collective life diffusing itself in vast areas would be wanting in cohesiveness and productiveness. Ancient Greet City States and Village Republics of India provided specimen of all-round development of rich and puissant life. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru wrote: “ This system of village self-government was the foundation of the Aryan polity. It was this that gave it strength. So jealous were the village assemblies of their liberties that it was laid down that no soldier was to enter a village except with a royal permit. …. As late as 1830 a British Governor in India, Sir Charles Metcalfe, described the village communities as follows: “ The village communities are little republics having nearly everything they want within themselves and almost independent of foreign relations. They seem to last where nothing else lasts. This union of the village communities, each one forming a separate little State in itself… is in a high degree conducive to their happiness, and to the enjoyment of a great portion of freedom and independence.” Villages Independence must begin at the bottom. Thus, every village will be a republic or Pancayat having full powers. It follows, therefore, that every village has to be self-sustained and capable of managing its affairs even to the extent of defending itself against the whole world. P. 69 I want to resuscitate the villages of India. Today our villages have become a mere appendage to the cities. They exist, at it were, to be exploited by the latter and depend on the latter’s sufferance. P. 83, from Village Swaraj. Prabhupäda: The villagers, they have cows and lan 1.1 Letter to Rayarama dasa, 17 October, 1968, Seattle Nobody should take to very hardship labor. The modern civilization has discovered severe types of dangerous industries, and laborers are attracted for high wages. But they should not accept such work. Then naturally there will be less capitalistic idea. Because the laborer cooperates, therefore demoniac persons they take advantage and make unnecessarily increase of artificial demands of the body. Better one should be satisfied with agricultural produce than go into large cities to be engaged in industry. Peaceful life depending on agricultural produce can bring him real happiness and prosperity, not otherwise. The more persons will be satisfied at their home, with home economics, not to go outside the home, that is peaceful life. In India, Mahatma Gandhi tried to organize villages in that way so that not to drag the people to the town. So peaceful atmosphere can be attained only when there is large scale village organization, actually village life. Not to borrow the ideas from the cities in the village life; poet Cooper said that country is made by God, and the cities and towns are made by man. So that is the distinction. There are many such nice ideas, for peaceful living on this planet and execute Krishna Consciousness, so that one may become completely freed from contamination of material existence, and get eternal life, just after quitting this body. This is confirmed in the Bhagavad-gita, Taktva Deham Punar Janma Na Eti Mam Eti Kaunteya. By simple prosecution of Krishna Consciousness, one goes back to home, back to Godhead, just after quitting this present body. d. That is sufficient for their economic problem. But the industrialists, they are alluring them, “To get more money, come here.” So they are going to the cities. And the food production in the village is neglected. And therefore the food grain price is rising. Actually, everyone should be engaged to produce food, but the modern set-up of civilization is that few people are engaged in producing food, and others are eating. They are offering... They are artificially getting money. So they are offering paper, “Here is ten dollars.” Although it is a paper, cheating. And they are captivated by cheating. They, they are thinking, “I have got now hundred dollars.” What is this hundred dollars? It is paper. So some people are cheating and some people are being cheated. This is the society. Mother: Yes. But I think one has to be clever enough not to let people cheat you. Prabhupäda: Clever means that he must stay in his own land. He should not be cheated by the paper and go to the city. Mother: But we have to teach our young to be able to define between those who cheat and those who..., be able to tell people who... Prabhupäda: The whole civilization is a plan of cheating others. That’s all. And they’re all sinful. According to our Vedic understanding, there are four things sinful, pillars of sinful life: illicit sex, unnecessary killing of animals, intoxication and gambling. Mother: But you can lead a very happy life still, eating... Prabhupäda: No. Our students are trained in that way.

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1.3 Conversations: May 25, 1974, Rome

Bhagavän: Now with paper money, any country can print any other country’s money. Prabhupäda: Yes. That is going on. Therefore inflation. Suppose I am an enemy. I print dollars like that, and distribute. So the inflation is there. And the price is increased. If you get money for nothing, you will be prepared to pay anything. Suppose there is one mound of rice. I have got these printed notes. You are offering ten rupees. I will say twenty rupees. Atreya Åñi: That’s inflation. Prabhupäda: That’s all. Because I did not earn this money, I have printed. I am prepared to twenty rupees. So he says, “Why shall I pay ten rupees? I must wait for the customer, for twenty rupees, and hoard it.” Even there is sufficient stock, he will not sell. Therefore the other man, who is honest, he is suffering. This is going on. So to stop this inflation, the government must stop this paper currency. Then the inflation… There will be no more inflation. But that they will not do. They want to cheat people. “In God I trust. Take this paper and you be satisfied that you have got thousand dollars.” That’s all. This cheating is going on. Why should you pay me paper? Give me real dollar, in gold. That they have none. They haven’t got. That’s all. They will employ laborers and cheat them by paying these papers, and this rascal will think that “I am getting more money.” That’s all. Since this world has taken this paper currency, the situation has degraded. Formerly there was barter exchange. That was very good thing. Still in Indian villages, the remote villages, there is barter. Yes. He has produced some grains, paddy. He will bring to the storekeeper. And the storekeeper will take, “For so much oil, you have to give me so much paddy.” So he will weigh and keep it and give him oil. So he will arrange to sell the paddy. But for the villagers, he brings the paddy and he takes. They require little salt, little oil, some spices. That’s all. Otherwise they have got their own thing. They have got däl, their rice, wheat, everything. They have produced. In this way, still there are, Indian villages. There is no question of scarcity. Bhagavän: The easiest way to manage, then, is to have everything more or less in small villages. Prabhupäda: Yes, that was Gandhi’s philosophy, village organization. These people, they are attracting villagers to work in the factory, and they are exploiting them. Instead of producing food, they are attracted by so-called high salaries, to the factory, and they are producing bolts and nuts, motor parts. But food is produced somewhere else. But the food producers, they are working in the factory. Therefore scarcity of foodstuff. But this factory owner, he has got more money. He doesn’t care. The poor public, they are suffering. Our philosophy is that you produce your food anywhere. You stay, and keep cows, take milk, produce vegetables, food grains, and chant Hare Kåñëa. That’s all. This is our philosophy. Make your life successful. By becoming Kåñëa conscious, you become free from all these troubles of material condition. This is our education. Don’t be after these motorcars, television, and all nonsense things, sporting, wine, women. Don’t be after these. Simply eat sufficiently, keep your health nicely, chant Hare Kåñëa, realize Kåñëa, and go back to home. This is our philosophy.

1.4 Conversation with Governor, April 20, 1975

“Point Ten: The manava-dharma mission, its constitution and program. Therefore the constitution of manava-dharma or the institution of varnasrama must be interesting for the whole world, and it should be exemplified by practical demonstration. “The immediate program should be village organization as Mahatma Gandhi contemplated. In India the majority of the population is in the villages. The difficulty is that there is no sufficient supply of water to produce food grains. Mother Nature, or Mother Durgä, punishes the godless demons by restricting the supply of food grains. The godless demons are very enthusiastic to produce motorcars, skyscrapers, brothels, and cinemas, and many unnecessary demands of the body, but they are not interested in producing food grains. This is the defect of the modern society. If food grains are produced in an organized way, human society can produce ten times what they are presently producing. In the Bhagavad- gétä it is confirmed, annäd-bhavanti bhütäni parjanyäd anna-sambhavaù yajïäd bhavati parjanyo yajïaù karma-samudbhavaù [Bg. 3.14]: “All living bodies subsist on food grains, which are produced from rains. Rains are produced by performance of yajïa [sacrifice}, and yajïa is born of prescribed duties.”] I hope you will give your serious consideration to my suggestions, and I am prepared to cooperate with you to my best capacity if you think my suggestions are right.” Prabhupäda: This suggestion is to you also. (chuckles) And if you can do these things organizedly, certainly it will be beneficial to the whole human society. Governor: Any elaboration of what you refer to as vanaprastha college? Prabhupäda: No, varnasrama. Vänaprastha, just like we have got this building. Now, if somebody retires and engages himself in Kåñëa consciousness movement, they are welcome. They can take prasädam and stay here. It is not possible at the present moment that gentleman will live in the forest. That is not possible. Then here is a place, Våndävana, holy place. We have constructed this building, and people should take vänaprastha, or retirement, and may come here and live peacefully and cultivate spiritual knowledge. Brahmänanda: I think the governor was asking about the varëäçrama college. Prabhupäda: Ah. Varnäçrama college, that training factual brähmaëa. And the government should be, as I explained to you, that if one is proclaiming himself as a brähmaëa, he must act as a brähmaëa. If one is proclaiming as a kñatriya, he must act as a kñatriya. Otherwise, there will be no restriction, and a çüdra will claim to be brähmaëa. That will create a disturbing situation. In Påthu Mahäräja’s time it was strictly prohibited that… That is stated in Bhagavad-gétä, sva-dharme nidhanaà çreyaù para-dharmo bhayävahaù. [Bg 3.35: “Destruction in the course of perform ing one’s own duty is better than engaging in another’s duties, for to follow another’s path is dangerous.”] So if one is claiming to be brähmaëa he must be brähmaëa. That is another way of reforming the society. And nowadays everyone is a çüdra, and somebody is claiming, “I am brähmaëa,” “I am kñatriya,” “I am this,” “I am that.” Formerly the brähmaëas [were] strictly following. They would not accept… In the çästras it is said that the brähmaëa in bad time may become a kñatriya. Just like Dronäcärya. He was brähmaëa, but he became a kñatriya for certain reason, and acting like kñatriya, although he was respected as brähmaëa, but he was acting as a kñatriya. So it is advised that brähmaëa may take the profession of a kñatriya and up to the vaiçya. But if he takes the profession of a çüdra, then he is fallen. Then he is fallen. So this cultural institution should now be introduced. And the other countries, they are still respectful to the Indian culture. That’s a fact. I have studied. So if we keep ourself in our, what he has mentioned, samsriti?

1.5 Letter to Sriman O.P. Goelji, Australia, May, 1975

Guest: Like poverty and this lack of balance between rich and poor, how these problems can be solved? Prabhupäda: That... That... Gandhi wanted to solve it, but you rejected. Gandhi wanted them to..., village organization. He started that Wardha äçrama. You have rejected. What Gandhi can do? That was a good proposal, to remain satisfied in one’s own place. That was Gandhi’s proposal, that “Don’t go to the city, town, for so-called better advantage of life. Remain in your own home, produce your food, and be satisfied there.” That was Gandhi’s policy. The economic problem he wanted to solve by keeping cows, by agriculture, by spinning thread. You want food, shelter and cloth. You produce here, and remain here. Don’t be allured by the capitalists and go to cities and be engaged in industries. But Jawaharlal Nehru wanted overnight to Americanize the whole India. That is the folly. Guest: I agree. Prabhupäda: Yes. The Congress side, the followers of Gandhi, should have followed Gandhi’s principle. From political point of view only. Village organization. But they won’t do that. Your proposal for co-operation with ISKCON is welcome. I very much appreciate your proposal. The mass problem at the present moment in India is actually a food problem. I have therefore decided to start some village organization program--namely, people should be invited to live in the village, produce their own foodstuff (grains, fruits, and vegetables), maintain a sufficient number of cows to get a large quantity of milk, produce their own cloth, eat sumptuously for keeping fit in health, and then they can regularly sit down and chant the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. I shall arrange for the irrigation of the land and the people living there should give their labor for their own food and clothing, and then chant Hare Krishna Maha-mantra and cultivate Krishna Consciousness. Besides that, our men should go from village to village with Sankirtana party, hold festival, namely distribution of Bhagavat prasadam and induce them chant and join with us in vibrating the Hare Krishna Maha-mantra. In India, they are not less than 95% villagers and Mahatma Gandhi wanted this village organization. I think this is a solid program. The people must eat sumptuously--not voraciously and make them fit for working and chanting. In this way, they will be purified and everything will be nicely organized. We require some men only like your good self to co-operate with this movement. The necessary things in this connection will surely be supplied by Krishna. Simply we want some sincere worker like your honor. Up to date, I am working chiefly with my foreign assistants and disciples. In India, for them there is the language difficulty, otherwise they are ready to work in Indian villages also. Besides that, they have visa problems. Under the circumstances, I require immediately some willing, educated worker for this purpose. So, kindly reply this letter to my Honolulu center. The address is as follow: 51 Coelho Way, Honolulu Hawaii, USA. By the by, I be to request you to see His Excellency, Sri Aliyavar Jung, the governor of Maharashtra in connection with our temple construction, the sanction for which is pending in his hand. The Governor of U.P., Dr. Channa Reddy, approached him on my behalf on December 18th, 1974, the copy of the letter is enclosed herein. The Governor of Maharashtra acknowledges

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1.6 Conversations: January 6, 1976, Bombay

Mahäàsa: Now we are in the process of making a brochure so that we can present to trusts and foundations for bigger donations for the farm project. Prabhupäda: That’s nice. They have amassed money. Let them spend for this village organization. This is real Gandhi’s program. He wanted this village organization. But because they manufactured their own way, it was not successful. But if we follow this principle, it will be successful, without any doubt. These big, big äçrama... Gandhi’s äçrama is vacant. No. They are getting money, but they have no such program.

1.7 Conversations: August 3, 1976, New Maapur

Prabhupäda: New Vrindaban is on the rocks and hills, and this is plain. Therefore situation is better. That New Orleans is also plain land. You have been there? And Pennsylvania is also. Hari-çauri: Pennsylvania is very good. Prabhupäda: But it doesn’t matter. Our purpose will be served anywhere. So, try to concentrate in this village organization life. Full of anxieties, city life. The houses already there, if you repair them nicely then it is a very nice place. They’re gradually being repaired.

1.8 Conversations: September 12, 1976, Vrindavan

Prabhupäda: I have seen, Gandhi wanted to organize a program, village [break] ...in the field, that this program for constructing toilet in the village, they have spent so much. You know that? The first business was toilet. To restrict them to pass stool here and there, they must have. Now in constructing that toilet paraphernalia, (indistinct), they... Therefore it failed, village organization. Not for that purpose. There were many purpose. Because they had no engagement, so why they should remain in the village? There are so many attraction in the city, and they get money. The factory-wallas, they’re inviting, “Come here. You shall get twenty rupees per day.” Why shall he remain in the village? So if you can organize in the villages, they are interested in chanting Hare Kåñëa mantra and getting nice prasädam, then... One must have some attachment. In the city there are so many artificial attachments. So on what ground they’ll remain in the village? Mind, always remember this. Unless you have got some attachment, there is no possibility. Gandhi’s program was very nice, village organize so that they may not come to the city and help the capitalists. Remain satisfied in the village. But where is that satisfaction? That is the failure.

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1.9 Conversations, February 15, 1977, Mayapur—Evening darshan

Hari-çauri: So at least if we successfully introduce the varëäçrama system in our own society, then when all the demons finish themselves… Prabhupäda: At least… At least… At least they will see, “This is the ideal.” Hari-çauri: Yes. Then if there is a war after that, it will be all right. Prabhupäda: At least ideal must be there. That we are doing. Hari-çauri: This will more or less revolutionize the way we’re running our centers. If we introduce it, it will more or less revolutionize the way we’re running our centers. Prabhupäda: Why? Why revolution? Hari-çauri: Because right now our only emphasis is just to simply produce brähmaëas. Prabhupäda: So why you are taking “we”? Why not others? This is kaniñöha-adhikäré. You are thinking of “we.” That is kaniñöha-adhikäré. It is not that “we.” Na tad-bhakteñu cänyeñu. [SB 11.2.47: see above.] You have to think for others also. Satsvarüpa: But the people are not at our disposal to organize. Hari-çauri: We are thinking of “we” because actually we only have our own society at the moment to organize. Satsvarüpa: We cannot approach the masses to organize. Hari-çauri: It can’t be implemented on such a big scale. Prabhupäda: I do not follow what you say. Satsvarüpa: Just like… Prabhupäda: Ideal. We are giving the ideal. Satsvarüpa: But no one’s listening and no one’s taking it up except a few… Prabhupäda: But you take. You show them. Hari-çauri: That’s why we say, “we.” Prabhupäda: That “We said” means not we are going to take them, but we are simply giving the ideas. We are not going to be a çüdra. But to show the… Just like you play in a drama. You are playing the part of a king. You are not a king. Hari-çauri: No. Prabhupäda: So similarly, just to give them idea, we have to play like that. Hari-çauri: Well, again, that’s… Prabhupäda: Not necessarily that we are going to be çüdra. So that is it. That is the thing. We are servant of Kåñëa. That’s all. And as servant of Kåñëa, we have to execute

Varnasrama Resource Guide

Varnasrama Resource Guide

Training/Education

Saturday, 23 August 2008 04:12

GLOVESCO Resources Varnasrama Resource Guide 1. Books 2. Essays 3. Bulletins 4. Websites 5. Pamphlets 6. Interviews 7. Magazines 8. Compilations 9. Important Videos 10. Articles of Interest 11. Power Point Presentations 12. Conferences INTRODUCTION The Varnasrama Resource Guide pamphlet is especially meant for those who desire to present well prepared material to help promote the Global Varnasrama Mission. This article gives but a list of such reference materials and also offers tips and ideas how to increase the preaching strategy for spreading the varnasrama mission. BOOKS 1. Make Vrndavana Villages 2. Varnasrama Education 3. Implementing Varnasrama 4. Traditional Education ESSAYS 1. Essay on Gita Nagari by Srila Prabhupada 2. The Perfect Society (SB 7.11-15) by Srila Narada Muni BULLETINS 1. Narada Bulletin (SSKBK) 2. Varnasrama Bulletin WEBSITES The following are some important websites related to the varnasrama mission: 1. www.glovesco.org 2. www.bysindia.org 3. www.careforcows.org 4. www.varnasrama.org 5. www.sahyadriksetra.org 6. www.varnasrama.ning.eu 7. www.bhakticambodia.com 8. www.iscowp.org 9. www.varnasramabooks.com 10. www.varnasramaeducation.org 11. www.selfsufficienttechnology.com PAMPHLETS Each pamphlet addresses a specific theme. They can easily be handed out or e-mailed to anybody interested. For wider distribution, they should be translated in local languages whenever possible. For practically any theme deemed important for the varnasrama mission, one can easily learn how to compile this simple yet effective medium of publicity. At present GLOVESCO members have produced the following pamphlets (partial list): 1. Global Varnasrama Mission 2. ISKCON's 4 Movements 3. Varnasrama Education 4. Varnasrama College 5. Varnasrama Society 6. LAND - Choosing Wisely 7. Varnasrama Research Teams 8. Varnasrama Shikshalayas 9. GLOVESCO Coordinators 10. Save Our Cows 11. Bhaktivedanta Youth Services 12. Applied Varnasrama 13. 30 Qualities Human Being must possess INTERVIEWS Interviews on varnasrama have been conducted with the following devotees: 1. H.H. Bhakti Vikasa Swami 2. H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami 3. H.H. Bhakti Vidya Purna Swami 4. H.G. Atmatattva Dasa 5. H.G. Gopiparanadhana Dasa MAGAZINES 1. Introducing GLOVESCO COMPILATIONS 1. Varnasrama Dharma by H.G. Hare Krishna Dasi 2. Make Vrndavana by H.G. Gopinatha Acharya Dasa 3. Vedic Economy by H. G. Airavata Dasa IMPORTANT VIDEOS Videos in the form of documentary movies undisputedly form very powerful media for preaching a message. A partial list of the important videos available are: 1. Save our Cows - Save our Planet 2. The Corporation 3. Poisoning India 4. An Inconvenient Truth 5. The End of Suburbia 6. Organic Rice Cultivation ARTICLES OF INTEREST 1. *A Ray of Visnu : Selected Extracts by H.G. Rupa Vilasa Däsa 2. The Land, the Cows, and Kånia By H.G. Hare Krishna Dasi (BTG-1991) 3. ISKCON and Varnasrama-Dharma: A Mission Unfulfilled (ICJ-1999) by H.G. Ravéndra Svarüpa Däsa 4. A Social Model for ISKCON : (ICC Committee - 2003) 5. In Plato, Gandhi, Bhaktivinoda And Prabhupäda (BTG - 2003) by H.G. Satyaräja Däsa * The above articles are available for electronic downloading upon request. POWER POINT PRESENTATION Power Point Presentations translate as very powerful mediums to get our message across. They are fun to compose and can be both very entertaining as well as educational. The following presentations are now available for our preachers (partial list): 1. Sahyadri Sri Krishna Balarama Ksetra 2. ISKCON's 4 Movements 3. Choosing the Right Land 4. Social Structure 5. The Banyan Tree 6. Cities not the best place to stay 7. Varnasrama Shikshalayas 8. Varnasrama Dharma 9. Nature of this World 10. Think it Over 11. Towards Realizing Varnasrama Mission 12. Joint Family System Concepts and Advantages 13. Vedic Ecology 14. Alarm Call 15. Varnasrama Shikshalayas CONFERENCES GLOVESCO Conference at PAMHO.net. CONCLUSION The list provided in this article is far from being complete. New titles and new materials are continuously being compiled. Many of these references are available either by electric transfer while others are available from our main website at www.varnasrama.org. We invite all interested persons to contact usThis e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it should you have any queries.

Religious Status

Religious Status

Hindu

Hindu Religion
Even the gods pray to the cow. She contains the divinity of all the Gods. A pious day starts with her worship. She has prominence in various religious festivals. Sankranti and Deepavali are specially cow related festivals. Cow products are essential in different religious rituals. Thus, cow is integral part of our life.
Cow in [...]

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Jainism

Cow protection in Jainism

Jain religion’s mainstay is non-violence. Hence, they do not harm cow or any other animal or bird.
When Jainism flourished, they were active in cow protection. They built huge cowsheds and made cow rearing part of their lifestyle. Cruelty against cows, starving them, overloading, mutilating their body were all prohibited by [...]

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Abode All Gods

Cow, the abode of all the Gods
Every atom in cow’s body is abode of the 33 crore Gods. All the 14 mythical worlds exist in the limbs of cow.

Brahma and Vishnu on the root of two horns
All the sacred reservoirs and Vedavyasa on the tips of the horns
Lord Shankara on the centre [...]

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Budhism

Cow protection in Budhism

Gautama Budha preached about the utility and importance of cows. He advocated against cow slaughter and gave great importance to cow rearing.

यथा माता सिता भ्राता अज्ञे वापि च ज्ञातका ।

गावो मे परमा मित्ता यातु जजायंति औषधा ॥
अन्नदा बलदा चेता वण्णदा सुखदा तथा ।
एतवत्थवसं ज्ञत्वा नास्सुगावो हनिं सुते ॥
Like parents, [...]

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Sikhism

Cow protection in Sikhism

Guru Govind Singh, the 10th Guru, told Pandit Prithwiraj that Khalsa sect was established to care for the economy, right behaviour, cows, Brahmins, and protection of the down-trodden.
Guru Govind Singh’s first Guru was against killing of any animal - not only cows.
In 1871, under the leadership of Guru [...]

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Yahudi

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Parsi

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Islam

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Christian

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Other Religions

Concern for cow in other religions

Bible has praised ox as God.
Jews respected cow and were excellent cowherds.
Among the four legged animals, cow is the supreme; treat it with respect - Hajarat Mohammed.
Cow’s milk and butter are great medicines. Its meat is a cause for diseases. - Hajarat Ayesha and Ullas [...]

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