Four Rules of Iskcon
What are the four Rules that every Krishna devotees has to Obey in Iskcon?
The International Society for Krishna Consciousness (Iskcon) which is also refer as the Hare Krishna movement or Hare Krishnas which was Founded by A.C.Bhakhtivedanta Swami Prabhupada in New York city in year 1966. The main motive of the organization was to spread the practice of Bhakti yoga, the practice of love of eternal soul in which those involved dedicate their thoughts and actions towards pleasing Krishna.
While Practicing Bhakti yoga Devotees have to follow the four regulative principles which are
- No meat eating
- No gambling
- No intoxicants
- Not to engage in illicit physical relationship
Lets understand them in detail
The above mention things hinders the spiritual practice by increasing attachment to the body and material world.
No Meat Eating- Killing animal is fourth degrading activity and probably the most sensitive subject for most people in the west, is animal slaughter. This refer to slaughtering or troubling animal forms of life in order to eat their bodies and eggs. The one who is implicated in such activities are not only the actual killer of an animal but also the farmer, the transporter, the distributor, the retailer and the server and eater of meat, fish and eggs.
Like humans animals are also souls and to kill them for sense gratification (taste of tongue) is a great offense. Now here question raise when animals preys upon other is valid but when humans does the same is an offense how? Here is the answer animals simply eat, sleep, defend themselves, have sexual intercourse and die. They do not avail themselves of higher consciousness because that is not possible in the lower forms of life. If a human being follows the same activities of the animals and does not avail himself of this ability to elevate his consciousness, he falls down the human scale and prepares for an animal body in his next life. By Krishna's grace we humans can live perfectly well and actually better, eating vegetarian diet.
No Gambling- Gambling such as black jack, slot machine, lottery is based on untruthfulness i.e. trying to get something for nothing. One should work honestly and accepts what comes as Krishna's Mercy.
No Intoxicants- Intoxicants such as coffee, tea, alcohols, caffeine containing beverages etc which acts on CNS and impedes the clarity of thinking and makes it harder to remember Krishna and to perform his will. Intoxicants are themselves material compounds which binds ones body to the material world.
Not to engage in illicit physical relationship- Having physical intercourse is only meant for procreation of offspring, who are, in the ultimate issue, children of God and thus should be educated to understand the human form of life is meant to develop our relationship with Krishna. Physical intercourse for the purpose is religious.Otherwise this physical relationship attaches us very deeply to our material bodies (the bodies of other) and his whole material world. physical relationship outside of marriage or outside of the purpose of having child is considered as illicit. Remedy to come out from lust is to meditate on the beautiful form of Krishna beginning with his lotus feet it seems hard but if one tries it will definitely work.
There are also some"recreational" activities such as playing video game that may not explicitly break the four principles but don't help our spiritual life either
According to the Vedas the supreme lord is unlimited and that he personally pervades such devotional activities and thus anyone who engages in them is gradually delivered by his supreme potency. Even the most sinful of all sinner can be delivered by the simple process of chanting the names of God and gradually become determined to give up all sinful activities and go on from this platform to relish supreme enjoyment in love of God.
Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare
Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare
Very nicely explained. Hare krsna. 🙏
ReplyDelete