Narasimha das Replies to Rocana dasa

November 5, 2003

Dear Rocana Prabhu,

Please accept my obeisances. Jai Prabhupada.

We (HKS) haven't called you any names so far, yet you have certainly laid a long string of deragotory comments against us personally. And then we are supposed to carefully study another of your long-winded letters, one that begins with a whole paragraph of condemnations? You compare us to mundane zealots. Why? Because we accept all of Prabhupada's words and instructions absolutely? What's your point of condemning us for preaching the truth in a straightforward manner? You offer us nothing positive or tangible to reply to. Simply you are calling us names in response.

Therefore I again suggest that you first reply to our treatise, "The Prabhuapda BooK", which very clearly outlines our conceptions and the precise sadhana Srila Prabhupada taught us. Instead of attacking us personally, why not offer some real challenge to something we wrote?

We have repeatedly asked you to reply to our "Prabhupada Book", item by item. Then maybe we can take seriously your challenges. Otherwise what exactly are you challenging? What is your point? You just want to argue? We feel we would rather simply accept Srila Prabhupada's actual words and examples, without speculation. Yet you take this as a great insult for some reason.

As far as we can tell, you object to Srila Prabhupada's instructions for continuing the system of initations that was current in ISKCON prior to 1978. All evidence based in guru, sastra, and sadhu shows that Srila Prabhupada definitely wanted this system continued after his disappearance. All evidence shows that Srila Prabhupada wanted his bona fide disciples to continue preaching on his behalf as his humble servants and representatives, without claiming to be diksa-gurus and acaryas of their own disciples. You apparently disagree. All our arguments and evidence are given with care and attention in "The Prabhupada Book". But instead of replying directly to this work, the common effort of many sincere, senior devotees, you are simply shouting from the street corner, ranting without any real evidence or spiritual purpose that we can ascertain.

Srila Prabhupada never taught that his disciples should settle their disagreements by public debate. Rather he advised spiritual discussions based on guru, sadhu, sastra.

Over the years, the devotees in HKS have carefully and patiently written papers and have engaged in long hours of discussions, answering all doubts and arguments against Srila Prabhupada's system for initiations. We have on record literally hundreds of pages of letters and discussions. Over the years, we have consistently found that all objections to Srila Prabhupada's system for intiations are insubstantial at best, or downright offensive. Collectively, the devotees of HKS, as well as the IRG and others, have consistently and easily answered all arguments against ritvik initations. Where have you been all these years?

Sincerely,

Narasimha das