The Ridiculous Rtviks
BY: BALAVIDYA DASA
Mar 25, USA (SUN) — Here we are typing away on the computer keyboard, trying in our limited way to communicate some points and ideas. Clarity, concision and sensibility are all considerations. However, slip-ups inevitably occur. Mistakes in sentences, grammar and spellings unsurprisingly transpire. People read the posting and don't quite catch some of the ideas or even the general intent of the writing. What does that confused person do?
That is not difficult. One just has to contact the writer and ask for clarification. That is sensibility. In fact, it's so obvious you might wonder why it's a topic of discussion.
Certainly, if one reads an unclear posting and puts one's own interpretation on the writing, then that understanding may be completely erroneous. Two types may use this method:
The first type thinks his guesswork is sufficient. He doesn't understand what has been written but is satisfied with his guess. He isn't deliberately misinterpreting but because he didn't refer to the original writer he ends up mistaken. He is less intelligent. Instead of contacting the original writer, he just speculated.
The second type is of a different mood. He really doesn't care for the meaning that the writer meant to portray in his posting. He has his own axe to grind. So he deliberately bends the meaning of the posting to his own ends. What the original writer meant to convey is of little importance to this second person. He has his own agenda. With undiluted arrogance, he pretends to himself and others that his understanding is perfect. He is so motivated that even if the original writer says, "You got it all wrong. I meant something completely different!" then he ignores this refutation.
The rtviks are of this second type. The center of their speculation is the July 9th letter composed by Tamal Krsna Goswami under the direction of Srila Prabhupada. But they completely ignore the statements of Tamal Krsna Goswami about the intention of the letter. Who would know better than TKG the intention of the letter? Isn't his opinion about the meaning of the letter the only one that really matters?
But to the rtviks, everything TKG said about the letter is irrelevant! We all know he was completely opposed to the rtvik interpretation of the letter. He composed the letter as the secretary of Srila Prabhupada, but what he says is of no relevance!
Astonishingly stupid, is all we can say. Astonishingly stupid to take a letter and interpret it an clearly illogical way according to the content, ignore the refutation of the original letter writer, and then take the position that one's own interpretation is better that the original writer!
Perhaps 'stupid' is the wrong word. Is 'arrogant' better? One might suggest 'immoral'. 'Motivated' is certainly pertinent. 'Insane' sounds a little too harsh but can't be excluded. 'Nonsense' is perhaps not specific enough and rather overused. 'Nuts' is too idiomatic for an important subject. 'Crazy' is too emotive. 'Demoniac' sounds too judgmental and will upset the society liberals.
So what's the word? Wait, I've got it. It starts with an 'r', so it will sound good with 'rtvik'. 'Ridiculous' that's it! Yes, strong but it's not an overstatement. It's clearly ridiculous for the rtviks to say that they know the intention of July 9th letter better than the original composer, Tamal Krsna Goswami. But that's exactly what they do.
That's it: "The Ridiculous Rtviks".
We hope this is found helpful,
Your servant, Balavidya dasa
