Author : Sriman Bhagiratha das E-Mail : In Memory Date Produced : August, 2009 Edited : RP Bhakti Raghava Swami Serial No. : 19 of 54

2. VARNASRAMA
DHARMA
SEMINAR IN BALI
Author : Sriman Bhagiratha das
E-Mail : In Memory
Date Produced : August, 2009
Edited : RP Bhakti Raghava Swami
Serial No. : 19 of 54

3. BALI – INDONESIA
YAYASAN GAURA HARI
August 1 & 2, 2009
Sri Sri Radha Madhava Mandira

4. GLOBAL
VARNASRAMA
MISSION
The Global Varnasrama
Mission Seminar was
conducted at the Sri Sri
Radha Madhava Temple in
Bali on August 1 and 2, 2009
with close to 100 delegates
attending the two day
function.
A total of seven speakers
graced the occasion from
different parts of Indonesia.

5. CONTENT
A- Topics of the Seminar
B- Speakers at the Seminar
C- Abstract of Topics Presented
D- Special Guests
E- Various Scenes
F- Conclusion

6. A- TOPICS AT THE SEMINAR
 Overview of Varnasrama Global Mission
 Four Waves of ISKCON
 Varnasrama Social Structure
 Traditional Education – Five Basic Principles
 Bali Tradition in relation to Varnasrama
 Varnasrama Projects in Indonesia
 Land and Cows, Basic Principles of Varnasrama
 Comparison of Islam and Hindu Traditional Education
 National Educational in Indonesia
 Gita Nagari Baru Project in Sumatra
 Gurukula Traditional Education

7. B- SPEAKERS AT THE SEMINAR
1- His Holiness Bhakti Raghava Swami (Canada) [M.Ed]
2- Sriman Mahesvasa Dasa (Bali) [B.Ed]
3- Sriman Visvambhara Dasa (Bali) [Ph.D]
4- Sriman Surya Locana Dasa (Yogyakarta) [M.Ed]
5- Sriman Sadbhuja Gauranga Dasa (Lampung) [B.Ed]
6- Sriman Kisora Krsna Dasa (Bali) [Sthapati]
7- Sriman Bhagiratha Dasa (Bali) [Bhagavat Sastri]

8. H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami, M.Ed.
In Cambodia Brief Profile
 His Holiness Bhakti Raghava
Swami Maharaja hails from
Canada. He has been actively
preaching in Indonesia since
over 15 years as well as India
and Cambodia. He helps to
oversee various varnasrama
preaching projects in
different parts of Indonesia.
He is presently pursuing his
Ph.D. on the subject matter of
varnasrama dharma.

9. Sriman Mahesvasa Dasa, B.Ed.
Brief Profile Speaking at Bali Seminar
 Sriman Mahesvasa prabhu is
from Bali and considered an
expert on traditional Balinese
customs and habits. many of
which are closely connected
with the Vedic traditions of
varna and asrama. He attends
various seminars to explain
the value of these ancient
traditions. He is much
respected due to his profound
knowledge and realizations.

10. Sriman Visvambhara Dasa, Ph.D.
Brief Profile Speaking at Bali Seminar
 Sriman Visvambhara prabhu
did his post-graduate studies
in India and presently heads
one of the Hindu institutes in
Bali. He has recently been
awarded the esteemed and
rare title of “Professor”. He
specializes in topics related to
religion and is often
requested to speak at public
functions and on television.

11. Sriman Surya Locana Dasa, M.Ed.
Speaking at Bali Seminar Brief Profile
 Sriman Surya Locana prabhu
is originally from Java and has
completed his Master’s
degree in Education at the
State University of
Yogyakarta. He is based in
Yogyakarta and helps oversee
the local Youth Hostel
[Narayana Smrtih] while
giving guidance to general
students who come to consult
about their research work.

12. Sriman Sadbhuja Gauranga, B.Ed.
Brief Profile Speaking at Bali Seminar
 Sriman Sadbhuja Gauranga
prabhu graduated from the
University of Unila in Lampung
and is presently one of the
leaders at the Gita Nagari Baru
varnasrama project in Sumatra.
He is one of the pioneers who
helped to introduce Youth
preaching by establishing
Prahlada & Kunti Asrama. He
and his wife are both primary
school teachers in the Province
of Lampung.

13. Sriman Kisora Krsna Dasa, Sthapati
Brief Profile Mekong River * Cambodia
 Sriman Kisora Krsna prabhu
is the Temple President of
Asrama Gaura Hari in Bali.
He is a Master Sculptor and
has also taken up Yoga studies
in India. He oversees the
varnasrama preaching
activities in Indonesia and he
also regularly travels to both
India and Cambodia.

14. Sriman Bhagiratha Dasa, B.Shastri
Brief Profile Performing Homa
 Sriman Bhagiratha prabhu
completed his traditional
educational training at the
BBT sponsored Srimad
Bhagavatam Vidyapitham in
Govardhan, India. He thus
obtained the title “Bhagavata
Shastri”. He oversees the
newly established Gaura Hari
Varnasrama College in Bali, a
forerunner to the proposed
Markendeya Gurukula.

15. C- Abstract of Topics Presented
1. Overview of Varnasrama Global Mission
2. Four Waves of ISKCON
3. Varnasrama Social Structure
4. Traditional Education – Five Basic Principles
5. Bali Tradition in relation to Varnasrama
6. Varnasrama Projects in Indonesia
7. Land and Cows, Basic Principles of Varnasrama
8. Comparison of Islam and Hindu Traditional Education
9. National Educational in Indonesia
10. Gita Nagari Baru Project in Sumatra
11. Gurukula Traditional Education

16. 1. Varnasrama Global Mission
 Presented by H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja,
the module “Overview of Varnasrama Global
Mission” explained how varnasrama was a major
theme in all of Srila Prabhupada’s books, conversations
and lectures (2,300 references in the folio).
 Varnasrama remains one of the most controversial
themes among our devotees and for the general
society, hence a need to seek clarifications.
 Srila Prabhupada has given a standing order… 32 years
ago… to implement varnasrama…the next phase of
our movement.

17. 2. Four Waves of ISKCON
 Presented by H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, the
module “Four Waves of ISKCON” summarized the four
movements identified by Srila Prabhupada:
1. Sankirtan Movement (The Holy Names & Books)
2. Temple Worship Movement (Installing Deities)
3. Spiritual Initiation Movement (Congregations)
4. Classless Society Movement (Daivi Varnasrama)

18. 3. Varnasrama Social Structure
 Presented by H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, the module
“Varnasrama Social Structure” explained how varnasrama is
the ideal social system which is meant to best help meet the four
basic needs of all individuals within society , beginning with:
(1) the physical bodily needs such as food and shelter,
(2) the mental needs,
(3) the social needs and
(4) the spiritual needs.
 The Power Point was prepared by Jiva Tattva prabhu who
oversees a varnasrama project in Spain.

19. 4. Traditional Education
Five Basic Principles
 Presented by H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, the
module “Traditional Education, Five Basic Principles”
can be summarized as follows:
1. Varëa education is based on “aptitude based learning” which leads to “aptitude
based occupations”.
2. Äçrama education teaches “phased lifelong learning”, from gradual awakening
of consciousness to full self-realization.
3.Varëäçramaeducationismeanttobethenorminsociety.
4. The five principles in traditional education are: (1) Definition, (2) Disposition,
(3)Delivery, (4)Designand(5)Direction.

20. 5. Bali Tradition
in Relation to Varnasrama
 Presented by Sriman Mahesvasa prabhu, the module “Bali
Tradition in Relation to Varnasrama” gave an overview
of the ancient customs and practices in Bali where one still
finds the classification of varnas and asramas.
 The one missing element has been the role of sannyasis
although the Balinese people still know about those who
are described as “bikshu” or in the renounced order of life.
 Due to having been disconnected with Indian culture for
many centuries, some of the present Bali traditions have
been mixed with other traditions from other Asian
countries.
 The Balinese practices and customs today, however, still
reflect the high respect for dharma.

21. 6. Varnasrama Projects
in Indonesia
 Presented by Sriman Kisora Krsna prabhu, the module
“Varnasrama Projects in Indonesia” covered the various
rural projects on the islands of Irian Jaya, Kalimantan,
Sumatra, Java and Bali, all of which have one or more
varnasrama based projects.
 A total of approximately 25 cows are being protected in
these various projects with self-sufficiency developing at
different rates in different projects.
 The newest project is located on the island of Sumatra and
covers an area of some 400 hectare of land.
 The largest number of cows being maintained are at Lalita
Pura Seva Kunja Asrama on the island of Kalimantan.

22. 7. Land and Cows
Basic Principles of Varnasrama
 Presented by H.H. Bhakti Raghava Swami Maharaja, the
module “Land and Cows, Basic Principles of
Varnasrama” covered the basic components which can
help establish the varnasrama mission.
 The basic pillars of varnasrama begin with well protected
cows and natural farming using the help of trained ox.
 When this is in place, the brahminical culture can be
established and maintained with brahmanas nicely
overseeing the affairs of the varnasrama mission.
 This will then allow for all members to become self-
realized.
 These three elements are essential: (1) land and cows, (2)
brahmanas, (3) self-realization or Krishna consciousness.

23. 8. Comparison of Islam and Hindu
Traditional Education
 Presented by Sriman Surya Locana Dasa from
Yogyakarta, the module “Comparison of Islam and
Hindu Traditional Education” demonstrated how
the present Islamic system of Pondok Pesantren was
adapted from the traditional system of Gurukula,
known then in Indonesia under the name “Mandala”.
 The presentation was a summary of the Thesis
prepared a few years ago by H.H. Bhakti Raghava
Swami Maharaja A Comparative Study of Gurukula and
Pondok Pesantren Traditional Educational Systems.

24. 9. National Education in Indonesia
 Presented by Sriman Visvambhara Dasa from Bali, the
module “National Education in Indonesia” explained
how the values presented under the varnasrama education
seminar were very vital to help re-assess the national
education policies in Indonesia where there were some
serious shortcomings in both the performance of teachers
as well as students.
 There is presently a move to distant oneself from “religion”
and concentrate more on “spirituality” recognizing the
dangers which are there in wanting to promote some
particular religion over another religion.
 The Pancasila principles given by sages of yore remain as
pillars to help guide present day national educational
policies but they are not always applied properly.

25. 10. Gita Nagari Baru in Sumatra
 Presented by Sriman Sadbhuja Gauranga Dasa, the
module “Gita Nagari Baru in Sumatra” gave an
overview of the village community established since
1999 with the help of graduate students from Unila
University in Lampung.
 The community now has over 100 residents comprising
of 30 families, with its own temple, school, town hall,
clinic and various other facilities for the residents.
 For the devotees of Indonesia, the Gita Nagari Baru
community is the first officially recognized village by
the Indonesian Government.

26. 11. Gurukula Traditional Education
 Presented by Sriman Bhagiratha Dasa, the module
“Gurukula Traditional Education” explained the basic
concepts and principles behind traditional education.
 Especially stressed were the five components of the
traditional education underlying the need for studying
material from traditional sources, the need for studying
under qualified teachers who are devotees and the need for
a sattvik environment away from congested areas.
 Students from such an educational background will then
be ideal persons to help establish the varnasrama mission.

27. D- SPECIAL GUESTS
Gurukula in the Making Sriman Dhrita Atma Dasa
 Sriman Dhrita Atma prabhu has
been one of the earlier pioneers
to help introduce Krishna
consciousness all over Indonesia
going back many many years. He
has brought hundreds of people
to devotional service and
continues to inspire newcomers
to Krishna consciousness. These
young boys took part in the Bali
seminar attending the Mangala
Aratika program and learning
the chanting of the holy names.

28. SPECIAL GUESTS
Sriman Pundarika
Vidyanidhi Dasa
MC at Bali Seminar
 Sriman Pundarika Vidyanidhi
prabhu is a full time teacher
in one of the local schools of
Bali. He is one of the temple
committee members involved
in overseeing the affairs of
the Gaura Hari Asrama. He
helps in translating classes
given by visiting Sannyasis.
He agreed to be Master of
Ceremony at the seminar.

29. SPECIAL GUESTS
Sriman Sarva Darshi Dasa Movies in the Making
 Sriman Sarva Darshi prabhu has
been producing videos for
devotees since many years. He
specializes in special events and
single-handedly records and
interviews devotees involved in
spreading the holy name. His
collection of photos, recordings
and videos is a treasure house of
devotional service for the
Balinese devotees.

30. SPECIAL GUESTS
Enthusiastic as Ever Sriman Prana Krishna Dasa
 Although now in his eighties,
Sriman Prana Krishna prabhu
attends to important functions
and is one of the active
participants always sharing his
thoughts and ideas. He
expressed his great appreciation
for the varnasrama seminar
claiming that the concept of
Vedic life-long education
(asramas) will one day be a
revolutionary concept for the
people of Indonesia.

31. SPECIAL GUESTS
Sriman Krsna Prema Dasa Visiting Gita Nagari Baru
 Sriman Krsna Prema prabhu is a
graduate in agriculture from the
Unila Univesrity, Lampung. He
oversees the activities of
Prahlada and Kunti Devi Asrama
which was established in the
year 1997. Sriman Krsna Prema
prabhu has travelled to both
Malaysia and Cambodia to assist
in the varnasrama mission. He
will soon travel to India to learn
more about village technologies
and traditional farming.

32. SPECIAL GUESTS
Receiving Certificate Sriman Sumana Dasa
 Sriman Sumana prabhu has
been a full time student at
Prahlada-Kunti Asrama in
Lampung. He graduated in
2009 from Unila University
and he will now undertake
intensive training in various
varnasrama projects in
Indonesia. He attended the
Bali Seminar as part of his
training.

33. E- SEMINAR SCENES
REGISTRATION SEMINAR BANNER

34. SEMINAR SCENES
LEARNING TO CHANT SOOTHING BHAJANS

35. SEMINAR SCENES
FULL DANDAVATS COMPUTERS AT WORK

36. SEMINAR SCENES
GOOD ATTENDANCE GURU PUJA

37. SEMINAR SCENES
JAYA MAHA PRASADAM! LEARNING MRDANGA

38. SEMINAR SCENES
MRDANGA LESSONS SRI SRI RADHA MADHAVA

39. SEMINAR SCENES
RECEIVING CERTIFICATE PARTICIPANTS

40. SEMINAR SCENES
BOOK INAUGURATION THE CERTIFICATE

41. F. CONCLUSION
 The Bali Varnasrama Global Mission Seminar held on
August 1st and 2nd – 2009 attracted devotees from different
parts of Indonesia including Bali, Java, Sumatra, Lombok
and Kalimantan. Close to 100 delegates attended the two
day seminar with 7 Speakers giving their respective
presentations.
 The occasion also commemorated the launching of the new
book VARNASRAMA EDUCATION (PENDIDIKAN
VARNASRAMA) in the local Bahasa Indonesia language.
 The organizers also officially announced the opening of the
Gaura Hari Varnasrama College to be headed up by
Bhagavat Shastri Sriman Bhagiratha Dasa.
 By Lord Krishna’s mercy and the mercy of the devotees, the
event was a grand success. Hare Krsna!

42. FOR MORE INFORMATION
 Contact:
 Sriman Kisora Krsna das
kisorakrsna@yahoo.com

43. FINAL CONCLUSION
 HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA
 KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE
 HARE RAMA HARE RAMA
 RAMA RAMA HARE HARE

44. Sriman Bhagiratha das

45. ABOUT THE AUTHOR
 Name Sriman Bhagiratha das
 Age and Gender 30, Male
 Country/Province of Origin Indonesia, Bali
 Educational Degree and Year Bhakti Sastri, Bhagavat Sastri/2006
 Educational Institution Srimad-Bhagavat Vidyapitham/Govardhan
 Professional Work/Experience Teacher
 Affiliation with ISKCON Since 1998
 Present Service in ISKCON In Memory 19-04-12