Text 55] Conversation Between Manu and Kardama 855
civilization on the basis of the four varnas and asramas deteriorated because
of her dependency on foreigners, or those who did not follow the civili-
zation of varnasrama, Thus the varnasrama system has now been degraded
into the caste system.

The institution of four varnas and four asramas is confirmed herewith to
be bhagavad-racita, which means designed by the Supreme Personality of
Godhead. In Bhagavad-gita this is also confirmed: catur-varnyarh maya
srstam. The Lord says that the institution of four varnas and four asramas
“is created by Me.” Anything created by the Lord cannot be closed or
covered. The divisions of varnas and asramas will continue to exist, either
in their original form or in degraded form, but because they are created by
the Lord, the Supreme Personality of Godhead, they cannot be extin-
guished. They are like the sun, a creation of God, and therefore will remain.
Either covered by clouds or in a clear sky, the sun will continue to exist.
Similarly, when the varnasrama system becomes degraded, it appears as a
hereditary caste system, but in every society there is an intelligent class of
men, a martial class, a mercantile class and a laborer class. When they are
regulated for cooperation among communities according to the Vedic
principles, then there is peace and spiritual advancement. But when there
is hatred and malpractice and mutual mistrust in the caste system, the
whole system becomes degraded, and, as stated herein, it creates a deplor-
able state. At the present moment, the entire world is in this deplorable
condition because of giving rights to so many interests. This is due to the
degradation of the four castes of varnas and asramas.

TEXT 55
may aia seleagaaiy |
Tare cats senses Tea Fraga
adharmas ca samedheta
lolupair vyankusair nrbhih
Sayane tvayi loko ‘yar
dasyu-grasto vinanksyati
adharmali—unrighteousness; ca—and; samedheta—would flourish;
lolupaih—simply hankering after money ; vyankusaih—uncontrolled; nrbhih
—hy men; Ssayane tvayi—when you lie down for rest; lokah—world; ayam—
this; dasyu—by the miscreants;grastah —attacked; vinanksyati—it will perish.
