Notes from the Bhagavatam 7

We can understand here that Srila Prabhupada taught proper conservation of nature long before it became fashionable in this modern era. Conservation For Krishna or CFK rather than KFC for profit. Killing For Profit.

"The cutting of trees simply to manufacture paper for the publication of unwanted literature is the greatest sinful act."

Srimad Bhagavatam  7.2.12
 

TEXT 12

yatra yatra dvija gavo
veda varnasrama-kriyah
tam tam janapadam yata
sandipayata vrscata

SYNONYMS

yatra yatra—wherever; dvijah—the brahmanas; gavah—the protected cows; vedah—the Vedic culture; varnasrama —of the Aryan civilization of four varnas and four asramas; kriyah—the activities; tam tam—that; jana-padam—to the city or town; yata—go; sandipayata—set fire; vrscata—cut down (all the trees).

TRANSLATION

Immediately go wherever there is good protection for the cows and brahmanas and wherever the Vedas are studied in terms of the varnashrama principles. Set fire to those places and cut from the roots the trees there, which are the source of life.

PURPORT

The picture of a proper human civilization is indirectly described here. In a perfect human civilization there must be a class of men fully trained as perfect brahmanas. Similarly, there must be kshatriyas to rule the country very nicely according to the injunctions of the shastras, and there must be vaishyas who can protect the cows. The word gavah indicates that cows should be given protection. Because the Vedic civilization is lost, cows are not protected, but instead indiscriminately killed in slaughterhouses. Such are the acts of demons. Therefore this is a demoniac civilization The varnashrama-dharma mentioned here is essential for human civilization. Unless there is a brahmana to guide, a kshatriya to rule perfectly, and a perfect vaishya to produce food and protect the cows, how will people live peacefully? It is impossible.

Another point is that trees also should be given protection. During its lifetime, a tree should not be cut for industrial enterprises. In Kali-yuga, trees are indiscriminately and unnecessarily cut for industry, in particular for paper mills that manufacture a profuse quantity of paper for the publication of demoniac propaganda, nonsensical literature, huge quantities of newspapers and many other paper products. This is a sign of a demoniac civilization. The cutting of trees is prohibited unless necessary for the service of Lord Vishnu. Yajnarthat karmano’nyatra loko’yam karma-bandhanah: [Bg. 3.9]) “work done as a sacrifice for Lord Vishnu must be performed, otherwise work binds one to this material world.” But if the paper mills stop producing paper, one may argue, how can our ISKCON literature be published? The answer is that the paper mills should manufacture paper only for the publication of ISKCON literature because ISKCON literature is published for the service of Lord Vishnu. This literature clarifies our relationship with Lord Vishnu, and therefore the publication of ISKCON literature is the performance of yajna. Yajnarthat karmano ’nyatra loko ’yam karma-bandhanah [Bg. 3.9]). Yajna must be performed, as indicated by the superior authorities. The cutting of trees simply to manufacture paper for the publication of unwanted literature is the greatest sinful act.

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