Aryan Civilization - The Progressive March of Spiritual Life
Throughout history, the concept of an "Aryan" race has been heavily distorted by political agendas and mundane scholars. However, the Vedic literatures present a vastly different and supremely elevated definition. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that true Aryan civilization has nothing to do with geography, skin color, or the bodily concept of life. It is the culture of ultimate human progress, designed specifically to elevate the conditioned soul from animalistic ignorance to the highest perfection of spiritual realization.
The True Meaning of Aryan
Modern society often equates civilization with technological advancement and economic development. Śrīla Prabhupāda corrects this illusion by defining the actual meaning of the word Aryan. An Aryan is a person who is advancing in spiritual knowledge, whereas a non-Aryan is someone completely absorbed in the temporary, physical body. Spiritual progress is the only true measure of a civilized human being.
- An Aryan civilization is a civilization advanced in spiritual knowledge. Not merely by stamping oneself an Aryan does one become an Aryan.
- Anaryan civilization means bodily concept of life, and Aryan civilization means spiritual concept of life, how to make spiritually advancement. That is real civilization.
- Throughout the whole history there are civilization, Aryan civilization, Aryan and non-Aryan. What is the difference? Aryan means progress. One who is progressing towards the perfection of life.
- So the Aryan word is not ordinary. To become Aryan means a perfect human being, as far as possible. That is Aryan civilization.
The Foundation of Varṇāśrama
A progressive society cannot be chaotic or artificially classless; it requires a scientific structure. Śrīla Prabhupāda points out that an Aryan civilization strictly follows the varṇāśrama-dharma system, which divides society into four occupational classes and four spiritual orders. This divine system ensures that every individual can utilize their natural qualities perfectly to satisfy the Supreme Personality of Godhead.
- Aryan civilization means this varnasrama-dharma, four varnas, four asramas. And non-Aryan means there is no division. Everyone is one or equal. That is advocated now at the present moment.
- Aryan, according to Aryan civilization as described in the Bhagavad-gita, there are four divisions inaugurated by the Supreme Personality of Godhead. As we have already explained, dharmam tu saksad bhagavat-pranitam.
- One should acquire the qualities of a brahmana, ksatriya, vaisya or sudra and act accordingly. This is the civilization accepted by the Aryans. Why do they accept it? They accept it because they are very much eager to satisfy Krsna.
- Arya means the advanced. One who is advanced in knowledge, in civilization, they are called arya, Aryan civilization. So in the Aryan civilization there are four divisions to maintain the society in the correct balance.
Compassion and Universal Rights
One of the greatest indicators of a non-Aryan society is the presence of mass slaughterhouses and environmental destruction. Śrīla Prabhupāda emphatically states that a true Aryan civilization respects the right to life of all living entities, including trees, plants, and animals. The protection of the cow, in particular, is considered the most essential pillar of an advanced, compassionate human society.
- A civilization of Aryans who strictly follow the instructions of the Lord and never deviate from those instructions is perfect. Such civilized men do not discriminate between trees, animals, human beings and other living entities.
- All living beings have a right to live, even the trees and plants. This is the basic principle of an Aryan civilization.
- Cow protection insures sufficient food prepared with milk, which is needed for an advanced civilization. One should not pollute civilization by eating the flesh of cows. A civilization must do something progressive, and then it is an Aryan civilization.
- At the present moment, throughout the world, killing is prominent. Men are killing trees, they are killing animals, and they are killing other human beings also, all for sense gratification. This is not an Aryan civilization.
The Ultimate Goal of Humanity
If a human being simply eats, sleeps, mates, and defends, they are no better than an animal. Śrīla Prabhupāda explains that the singular goal of an Aryan civilization is to awaken the conditioned soul's dormant Kṛṣṇa consciousness. By following the injunctions of the Bhagavad-gītā, human society can completely solve the problems of material existence and return back home, back to Godhead.
- The goal of our life, at least in this human form of life, in the Aryan civilization, the goal of life is to understand our constitutional position, "What I am. What I am." If we do not understand "What I am," then I am equal to the cats and dogs.
- The ultimate goal of civilization should be, Aryan civilization, progressive civilization, how to understand Krsna. That is perfect civilization.
- Real advancement is advancement toward spiritual realization, and the community which acted toward this end was known as the Aryan civilization.
- We are taken up this mission, to preach Bhagavad-gita as it is to solve all the problems of the world. That is Aryan civilization. Aryan civilization means following the principles of Bhagavad-gita.
Conclusion
In conclusion, an Aryan civilization represents the highest standard of human evolution, moving humanity away from the darkness of bodily identification and into the light of spiritual knowledge. Śrīla Prabhupāda teaches us that by adopting the principles of varṇāśrama-dharma, practicing universal compassion, and focusing all societal efforts on understanding Lord Kṛṣṇa, the modern world can overcome its degraded, non-Aryan tendencies and re-establish a truly perfect, peaceful, and progressive civilization.
Dive Deeper into Śrīla Prabhupāda's Vani
Śrīla Prabhupāda lives within his instructions. This article is a summary of the profound truths found in the Vaniquotes category Aryan Civilization. We invite you to visit this link to study the complete compilation and experience the teachings in their direct, verbatim form.