Half Killing Srila Prabhupada
BY: BHAKTA MARC
Jan 31, USA (SUN) —
Prabhupada: Yes. Violence, I take it in this way, that you have got right to possess this. If I do not allow you to possess, that is violent. Somehow or other, I check it, and that is violence.
Hari-sauri: Yes. We have a natural right to understand God.
Prabhupada: Yes. Yes. There is natural right, and they are checking. That is violence. To check one from his rightful position is violence. That is called himsa, that… Krsna therefore says, amanitvam adambitvam ahimsa. You should not check anybody from his natural advancement, spiritual life. That is ahimsa.
(Room Conversation, Bhuvanesvara, 1977)
Bhakta Phillip's recent article on the BBT Archives and Srila Prabhupada´s unreleased audio media, and Rocana's article on the subject are very concerned and respectful reminders to us all that violence can be committed, even with the best intentions and by the most senior devotees.
This violence or aparadha is more subtle in its nature and more difficult to curtail because all it needs for its manifestation is inaction itself.
The BBT Archives have done a great and laudable service to our society by transcribing so many of Srila Prabhupada's works or whatever has not gone missing. Yet by failing to act in a timely and transparent manner and releasing the totality of Srila Prabhupada s audio, the BBT Archives or whoever has authority and responsibility for them are doing the greatest harm to ISKCON devotees and the society at large.
I don't believe they are fully conscious of this nor do I believe that they are aware of the maha-aparadha that they are committing to Srila Prabhupada himself. Is there a greater offense and prejudice than keeping a lock on the flood gates of the ocean of love of God?
A long while back I read a nice anthology of Prabhupada quotes on book distribution by Satsvarupa (goswami) entitled "Distribute Books, Distribute Books, Distribute Books". In the last pages of this book I distinctly remember reading excerpts of Srila Prabhupada's recorded conversations in Bhuvanesvara in 1977. Srila Prabhupada was saying (i am quoting from memory, but the words still ring loud in my ears):
"Don't you see that this book publishing is my life.... If you do not do this printing then you are half killing me. Either kill me full or give me peace."
(Conversation; January or February, 1977, Bhuvanesvara)
A lot has been said, not least by Srila Prabhupada himself about his possible attempted killing or poisoning and this controversy may even have hindered some in their minds from releasing the audio tapes of Srila Prabhupada's final pastimes; yet here Prabhupada tells us that this sort of killing to him is merciful compared the slow killing, or mrgari-style" half killing of not publishing and releasing all his works to the masses, which include as far as I know all aspiring devotees
This extraordinary statement we can only appreciate when considering Srila Prabhupada's humility and compassion for the fallen souls; to him, our suffering in ignorance is worse than his "death".
It may be argued by some that the totality of Srila Prabhupada's material is fully available and transcribed on the Vedabase...so what is Bhakta Phillip's big problem? We do not have to be conspiracy theorists to understand that hearing directly the voice of our Spiritual Master is always superior to any transcription by a third party, however well intentioned.
Well very surprisingly, this very same conversation transcribed by Satsvarupa Goswami in his book is nowhere to be found in any of the transcripts of the Prabhupada Folio or Vedabase, what to speak of MP3 audios. Feel free to check the Vedabase for yourself if you can get a hold of Satsvarupa´s book.
How many more lectures have been going missing and how will we ever find out? We are led to believe that there are many serious and advanced devotees among us -- why are they silent when their guru is being edited, sanitized and processed for mass consumption, or at least half killed in the meantime?
The bull of dharma may be forgiving and unaccusing, but it does not suit our noble heritage to remain silent and inactive in the face of his plight. Let's overlook and forgive our unavoidable respective offenses and let us deeply and respectfully consider in our hearts the real offenses to Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet.
Prabhupada's words are saturated with eternity, knowledge and bliss. They are installed deities. Do not even neophytes devotees have at least respect and love for the Deities?
Kali has quite successfully managed to divide Srila Prabhupada's disciples and mission, and scatter his family in all directions. In my humble opinion, releasing all of Prabhupada's audio recordings so we can all sit down together at Srila Prabhupada's lotus feet and hear again and again from Krsna's purest devotee would be an important step in our purification and the reconciliation and unity that Prabhupada's ISKCON so badly needs.
Thank you, Bhaka Phillip… I believe Srila Prabhupada is smiling on you.
