The Maha-mantra 113

are not overestimations, nor are they stories. They are actual facts,
but are true for certain devotees and do not necessarily apply to all.
These descriptions, even if considered overestimations, must be taken
as they are in order to divert our attention from the fleeting material
beauty to the eternal beauty of Krsna consciousness. And for a per-
son who is already in contact with Krsna consciousness, the described
results are not unusual.

Some scholars argue that simply by following the principles of
varna and dsrama one can gradually rise up to the perfections reached
by practicing devotional service, but this argument is not accepted by
the great authorities. Lord Caitanya also condemned this idea while
He was talking with Ramananda Rai about the gradual development
of devotional service. He rejected the idea of the importance of

varnasrama-dharma when it was put forward by Ramananda Rai. He
said that this advancement of varna and dsrama is merely external.

There is a higher principle. In the Bhagavad-gita also the Lord says
that one has to give up all other principles of elevation and take
simply to the method of Krsna consciousness. That will help him in
achieving the highest perfection of life.

In the Eleventh Canto, 20th Chapter, 8th verse, of the Srimad-
Bhagavatam the Lord Himself says: “One should execute the pre-
scribed duties of varna and asrama as long as he has not developed
spontaneous attachment for hearing about My pastimes and activi-
ties.” In other words, the prescribed forms of varna and dsrama are
ritualistic ceremonies of religion intended for economic development,
sense gratification or for salvation. All of these things are recom-
mended for persons who have not developed Krsna consciousness; in
fact, all such activities are recommended in the revealed scriptures
only to bring one to the point of Krsna consciousness. But one who
has already developed spontaneous attachment for Krsna does not
require to execute the duties prescribed in the scriptures.
