Page 20 - MTYOI - Eng

xviii Introduction

One reason for this is the inspiration generated
by outsiders’ continued interest in Indian spirituality.
The foreign members of iskcon have particularly
impressed Indians with their implicit faith in çästra
(especially Bhagavad-gétä and Çrémad-Bhägavatam),
their having renounced meat-eating, gambling, the
taking of intoxicants, and illicit sex, their austerity and
dedication—for instance, members of iskcon rise daily
by 4:00 a.m.—and their adoption of Vedic practices
(Indian-style dress, food, and so on). Such committed
adherence to genuine Vedic traditions establishes
iskcon’s authenticity in contrast to cheap, imitation
versions of dharma marketed by pseudo swamis.
Çréla Prabhupäda often expressed Lord
Caitanya’s desire that Indians seriously practice Kåñëa
consciousness. He had great hope that iskcon would help
India to reverse her lamentable fall into materialism
and realize her identity as the spiritual leader of the
world.
Not only young people but all classes of Indians
will benefit from reading this book. Yet, because
the students of today are the leaders of tomorrow, it
especially behooves the educated youth of India to
deeply ponder this message and apply it practically in
their life.
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