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Ancient Vedic Wisdom for Modern Sustainability

The proverb “Old is gold,” describes the priceless value of ancient
Vedic wisdom which perfected the life style of “simple living, high
thinking.” The Vedic sages understood the ultimate purpose of
human life – using the incredible abilities of highly developed
human senses and the mind to focus on self-realization to free
oneself from the cycle of birth and death. To facilitate this noble
cause, the sages lived a disciplined life that was self-sufficient,
peaceful and happy due to its simplicity and natural abundance.
Nature under the guidance of Lord Krishna (God) cooperated to
help them achieve their goal because they gave up all material
desires and pursued their spiritual quest through rendering pure
devotion and loving service to Lord Krishna.

When members of Krishna Consciousness purchased a large
property in the hills of West Virginia, Bhaktivedanta Swami
Prabhupada, the Founder/Acarya of the Hare Krishna Movement,
wrote them the following letter in which he begins by compliment-
ing the farm land that was purchased:

“……I understand the spot is very beautiful, and the hills may be
renamed as New Govardhana. And if there are lakes, they can be
renamed as Syamakunda and Radhakunda. Vrindaban (the holy
farm community where Krishna appeared 5000 years ago south of
New Dehli) does not require to be modernized
because Krishna's Vrindaban is (a) transcendental village. They
completely depend on nature's beauty and nature's
protection.

The community in which Krishna preferred to belong was Vaisya
(farm) community, because Nanda Maharaja (Krishna’s farther)
happened to be a Vaisya king, or landholder, and his main
business was cow protection. It is understood that he had
900,000 cows and Krishna and Balarama (Krishna’s brother) used
to take charge of them, along with His many cowherd boy friends,
and every day, in the morning He used to go out with His friends
and cows into the pasturing grounds.

So, if you seriously want to convert this new spot as New Vrinda-
ban, I shall advise you not to make it very much
modernized. But as you are American boys, you must make it just
suitable to your minimum needs. Not to make it too much
luxurious as generally Europeans and Americans are
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