“The discussion on how we should elect must also contain who are the most qualified candidates and who shall be participating in the elections.”

Dear CHAKRA readers,

Please accept my humble obeisances. All glories to Srila Prabhupada.

I have been reading the articles on the election of temple presidents and would like to make a few comments.

Firstly it is important that we have a forum for this type of discussion and would like to thank CHAKRA for providing us with one.

After reading the various letters I still always come back to the "Square peg in the square hole" principle.

This is a fundamental principle of the Vedic culture. That is individuals must accept and/or be placed in positions or services that are in accord with their natural qualities/characteristics (varna).

I know we can argue that a Brahmana can perform all the tasks of the other varnas but are we in fact all Brahmanas?

I believe that unless we look seriously into this then how can we have a well-ordered society?

The set of problems that we are presently facing may in fact alter considerably when we first organize our society under this principle.

This would mean an extensive focus being placed on astrology and Ayurvedic studies as well as selection criteria and job descriptions in order to be able to understand a individuals varna and service options.

We would also have to look at the methodologies and philosophies of our training and education system as well, as this is where we can really make a difference.

I posit that if we seriously looked into this it would produce results far outreaching the systems and methodologies that we are presently utilizing.

The discussion on how we should elect must also contain who are the most qualified candidates and who shall be participating in the elections.

Yes we do have many instructions by Srila Prabhupada on this matter (and many other matters). However, unless we see his instructions from an objective perspective (Vedic) rather than a subjective (in accordance with our own desires and understandings), then how can we accurately interpret these most enlightened and priceless instructions?

Your servant

Krsnacandra dasa

© CHAKRA 26-April-2000

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