Question : In responding to one question about Ekalavya you said, “Please also note that the Vedas consistently instruct us that only the bhagavata-marg is effective in Kali-yuga.”
In ISKCON, we regularly hear that the viddhi-marg is the only way for persons in the material world to attain Krishna consciousness. There is constant reference, perhaps more so in some quarters than others, to rules and regulations – yama & niyama, not this, not that. Please, Maharaja, could you clarify this apparent contradiction.
Answer by Romapada Swami:
Bhagavata-marg is not devoid of following rules or regulations; for those of us who are not yet pure and still under the modes of nature while trying to cultivate devotion, there are prescribed rules and prohibitions that guide us in devotional service. These are called the viddhis of sadhana-bhakti. There is a world of difference between these viddhis, as opposed to the Vaidic viddhis mentioned in the discussions of Ekalavya.
Viddhi-sadhana-bhakti is aimed at helping us to directly awaken our dormant Krsna bhakti, such as chanting prescribed number of rounds, rising early, following the regulative principles, worshiping the Deities according to the proper Vaishnava procedures etc. Contrastingly, the Vedic viddhis are very elaborate systems of rules based on one’s birth and varna, performing many rituals with perfect ingredients at proper timings, under very expertly trained brahmanas, and so on and so forth; even if there is some slight discrepancy, the whole thing is no good, or worse. These viddhis are intended to bring about gradual purification for the performer through the modes of nature, and are almost impossible to carry out in this age.
